#apple booze... (drool)

[gingersn4pp]

I'm very curious like what would Birch think of Fighter like,, You said they're not always hunting ENAs n stuff but do you think they'd be weird the fuck out about why this one Ena would go out of their way to find them again after respawning (Fighter also wouldn't be out to beat up people 24/7 she can chat and be silly too, calling people a formidable fighter/opponent is the biggest compliment she can give to anyone)

hehe, i think birch would like her enthusiasm! (even if its a little...consistent...)

it does make me think a little of Stakuga the Unkillable....

[holylulusworld]

Cookies

Summary: Cookies make everything better.

Square filled for @anyfandomfluffbingo: Square 5: Free space - Sharing food

Pairing: Dean Winchester x fem!Reader

Warnings: fluff, implied bad date

“Whatcha doing, sweetheart?“ Dean strolls into the library, grinning from ear to ear. He’s carrying two paper bags filled with his favorite poison. Booze, sex magazines, and fatty food. “Oh…” He licks his lips. “COOKIES!”

He inhales deeply, almost purring. His mouth waters when he catches the scent of your freshly baked cookies.

“Dean, you are drooling.” You grin. “What did you buy?”

“Can I have one?” Dean places the bags on the table. He steals one of your cookies, immediately feasting on it. “Damn, that’s the best cookie I ever ate. Why did you bake them? Is it a special occasion?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” you huff, and take another bite of your cookie. “My mom always said cookies make everything better. I didn’t want to get upset with that douchebag asking me out, and decided it’s better to bake cookies.”

“I’m not complaining,” Dean munches another cookie. “But who do you want me to kill? Give me that bastard’s name and I’ll break his face.” 

“How do you wanna know it’s a guy?” You smirk as Dean opens his mouth. He licks his lips, swallows thickly, and goes back to eating cookies. If he tells you what’s on his mind, you’ll strangle him. “Dirty man!” You scold, knowing Dean is confusing porn with reality again. 

“It as a dude…right?” He dips his head. His Adam’s apple bobbles, and he rubs his hand over his crotch. “Or was it a pretty dame?”

You giggle at Dean’s hopeful expression. “You are a fucking perv, Winchester! Even if it was a girl, you are not invited to watch.”

“But…” Dean bites his tongue. “Why the cookies?” He asks.

“If I’m mad, or sad,” you sigh deeply, “I bake. We only had the ingredients for cookies. I would��ve baked a pie but…”

“PIE? Wait…Did you want to bake a pie? Why didn’t you do it? Where is my pie?” Dean stares at you, looking offended as you didn’t make pie instead of cookies.

“I didn’t have the ingredients for pie!“ You point out. “We need to restock first.”

“What do you need?” He grabs the next best book and a pencil. “Let me write it down. I’ll get the ingredients and you can make my pie.”

“Dean,” you snicker as he expectantly looks at you. “We can’t use the book! Sammy will get mad and…uh…I need to check on my recipes first.”

“Recipes,” he nods thoughtfully. “Alright. We will bring the food and cookies to the Dean Cave. You’ll get your recipes, and we will write down what Sammy needs to buy.”

“Dean.”

“Yeah?” He looks at the remaining cookies.

“Nothing.” You don’t have the heart to tell Dean you’re not in the mood to make pie too. “We can make the pie tomorrow. I've got two more baking trays of cookies left.”

“Two. More. Trays.” Dean’s eyes widen. “I’ll be right back…”

“Apple pie. Pecan pie. Cherry pie,” Dean thumbs through your receipt book. “Hmm…we will start with cherry pie. Next is pecan and then we will go for some good all apple pie.”

“Dean…” You watch your friend munch on your cookies while reading another recipe. “What about blueberry.”

“Oh, yeah. We will make blueberry pie too,” he hums. “Do you want to watch a movie or something? I thought about Caddy-“

“Caddyshack!” You end Dean's line. “A classic.”

He slams your receipt book shut and looks at you. “Tomorrow we will make some pie.”

Dean gets comfortable on the sofa, patting the spot next to him. You scoot closer and rest your head in his lap. “Caddyshack it is.”

“So…who was the douche making you sad and do you want me to kill him?”

Tags in reblog.

[yyxandere]

・✶ ｡ﾟ 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐔𝐑

[♡]ー ꒱・！CHARACTER！:: BAROK VAN ZIEKS.

✧.* gender/pronouns ─ 'You' pronouns

☆ .* note ─  I locked in when I was doing this bro. Barok brainrot is so bad it took me off my writers block (ﾟoﾟ;;. This is just a short drabble of making out with Van Zieks feat: his wine so uh, it’s very spicy (freaky emoji). While writing this I have the hugest craving for some grape juice.

✩.* TRIGGER WARNINGS ─ Unhealthy Relationship and Very Suggestive so proceed with caution

The taste of wine overflows your mouth, as the red velvety drink falls like a flowing waterfall at the corner of your mouth, spilling now from your bottom lip in a warm, sweet trail down towards your throat, some now stained the smooth mahogany desk.

The pungent of alcohol assaults your taste buds to an incredible height and you are feeling everything at once. Every breath. Every pant. Every shuffle of movement.

All sensations. Every sensation becomes more intense.

Gulp

Pant

Gulp

Pant

A rhythm you’re all too familiar with now.

Gasp

Each breathing in and out of air gives out a small puff of steam, for it could be the weather outside of the strong blizzard of Great Britain, or the obvious answer in front of you.

Barok Van Zieks—your “lover”, your “darling”, your captor. Deep internal hatred blossoms when it comes to that man for how he ruined your life; how he controlled you, how he obeyed you, how he served you, how he loved you in his sick and depraved ways.

Yet, here you are on his desk as his body leans forward towards you, your body leaning backwards as you gasp for air, for are youa string of saliva connecting the both of you, the wine also mixed with that sinful combination.

Barok Van Zieks—the Reaper of the Bailey, Mael Strongharts’ best prosecutor, London’s finest of men, here now breathing heavily, practically having the same rhythm as you.

But his lungs seem to burn hotter than yours, leaving him more breathless, his now bare hand around your waist so he can imprint every single part of your body without any of his gloves on the way.

Wine sliding down his neck, as he lookes at your face most especially your lips tangled with his, the wine and saliva on the corner of your mouth tells all. With a hazed look, his Adam’s apple bobbing as the mixed drool of yours slips down his neck.

He licks the familiar tasting fermented grape at the corner of your mouth, as he savors every single flavour that was now bursting into his taste buds.

Barok is no amateur when it comes to wine, only the finest of grapes can be bottled for him, only the best of hallowed crystalline glasses should be sent to him, it’s his standard.

But here he is drinking his wine like a booze pub drinker, where the slums of London visit after a long hard day. He’s vulgar, yes. But your lips and mouth, the tangle of both of your guy’s tongue is much more addictive and savoury than any wine there is.

The perfect chalices with their golden ornaments, where he hired an artist to manually, carefully, and painfully sculpt them? All crushed, swept, and pushed by his own hands when the finest in his eyes—You, are below him with your mouth agape.

How the mighty has fallen is the best way to put it. The head of the Van Zieks name—Barok- has his standards down to the slums, for he cared not for the fine wine and perfect chalices.

“You look magnificent my lamb. . .”

The night is young, the blizzard covers the noise, the morning will come, but let him enjoy the taste of the night. For tonight shall be yours and his to cherish.

So he will raise his glass, and enjoy the exquisite wine, with your lips connected to his, a sinful concoction for a man like him.

[zorosangell]

⛥ﾟ・。 protector: chapter five

synopsis: " you were supposed to stay a crewate, just another back to watch, " he tightened his hold, " i didn't even notice the change until i woke up one day and realized i'd take a bullet for you "

cw: violence, gore, fighting, mature themes, profanity, MAJOR/MINOR ANIME SPOILERS, follows the plot of the anime, slowww burn.

a/n: reposting from another account

You groaned as you felt your head stir, slowly sitting up.

You could tell your power had already come into effect, the pain in your wing and side completely gone.

'Nami was gone, Luffy was fighting, and Zoro was asleep, so they probably didn't notice it.'

"What happened?" you weakly asked as you placed a hand on your head.

That's when it all came back to you.

You used your wings to fly straight into the air, frantically looking around.

It was the ocean, and below you were two boats, Nami being on one and Zoro and Luffy being on the other.

"Relax, (y/n)! The fight's over!" Zoro called. 

You took a deep sigh of relief before flying back down, landing on Zoro's boat.

"Sorry. Reflexes," you apologized as you rubbed the back of your neck.

"No worries!" Luffy smiled.

"Back to what I was saying. There's absolutely no way we'll make it to the Grand Line in this condition," Nami stated.

"You're right, we're gonna need a whole lot more meat. Eating fruit everyday is for the birds," Luffy added as he finished off an apple core.

"We'll also needs some booze," Zoro smirked.

That reminded you.

"Here, mosshead. Knock yourself out," you chuckled as you tossed him a sake bottle, the one you had bought from the old man at the bar.

His eyes lit up as it landed in his lap, and you laughed even more.

"Ugh! That's not what I mean. The Grand Line's a dangerous place, we'll need more than beer and meat to survive there. Not to mention the place is crawling with pirates who are also in search of the One Piece. And they all have ships that are way better than this," Nami corrected, throwing an apple at Zoro's head.

"And we don't have a crew," Luffy chimed with a mouthful of apple.

"We don't have a crew, we don't have any equipment, or even a real ship for that matter! There's no way we'll ever make it like this," Nami groaned.

"We'll need a cook, and maybe a musician to keep us entertained," Luffy smiled.

"A musician?" Zoro heartily laughed.

"A little south of here is an island with some settlements on it. And it looks like we might be able to get out ship and some of the supplies we need form there," Nami sighed as she looked at her map.

"Finally," you groaned, throwing your head back.

"Fresh meat at last!" Luffy cheered.

"Lots of booze as well," Zoro smiled.

"What is with you and booze?" you asked.

"Says the girl who was hiding her stash," Zoro glared, taking a swig of the bottle you gave him.

"Is that all you guys think about? Ugh! What am I gonna do with you three?" Nami exclaimed in anguish, throwing her hands in the air.

The four of you finally touched land on this island and you spread out your wings, stretching. 

"Ooo, that feels good," you smiled, flapping them a little bit so you could hover off the ground. 

"There's a village around here somewhere, right?" Luffy asked.

"Yeah. It looks like a small one, though," Nami answered.

"Ooh! Ooh! Then there's meat! There has to be a place to eat meat in this village!" Luffy smiled, drooling at the mouth.

"Just forget about meat for a minute, would ya?" Nami grumbled.

Just then, you heard a rustling noise. 

"Careful. We're being watched," Zoro said in a low voice, popping a bit of his sword out his holster.

"Who?! Where?! Do they have meat?!" Luffy smiled, looking around.

"Look out!" you warned Luffy as these pebbles began shooting at him. 

Suddenly, these pirate flags began popping up from the bushes.

You quickly flew up into the treeline and perched on a branch, where you saw this guy with curly hair and a long nose stand at the edge of the ledge.

"I am Usopp! Leader of the invincible nation of pirates who reign over this island! You stand before a living legend, the most revered pirate who ever lived! I am the Great Captain Usopp!" He smirked

"Surely you know that plotting an attack on this island would mean certain death! My army of super mean pirate soldiers would squash you like bugs!"

"AWESOME!" Luffy exclaimed. 

"You expect us to believe that?" you scoffed, swooping down and grabbing him by the ankle, hoisting him up.

"Ahhh! She knows!" he exclaimed.

"Well now I do," you smirked.

"Ohh no! I practically told her I was lying! I'm such an idiot! So stupid! Please spare me!" he squirmed, looking like a worm on a hook in your grasp.

"What?! He was lying?!" Luffy exclaimed. 

"Curse you! 80 million may have been an exaggeration, but I have a great many men under my control!" Usopp continued. 

"My guess is three," you smirked again, your guess confirmed by the screaming of three kids that jumped out the bushes.

They immediately dropped the flags and ran away.

"Hey! Where're you guys going?! Come back!" Usopp shouted at them, fearfully looking up at you.

"A pirate using a slingshot. Well, now I've seen it all," Nami smiled, picking up one of the stones Usopp shot. 

"That's pretty cool!" Luffy laughed,

"Grr! Shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you! I'm a proud man and I won't stand for it! This is your last warning, or you'll get to see why they call me, Proud Usopp, and not, Pushover Usopp. Is that clear? You've already seen or yourself how good I am with this thing, so, you know I can rival anyone carrying a pistol!" Usopp ordered, drawing his slingshot and aiming it, while still upside down. 

"Just gimme the word captain and I'll drop 'im," you shrugged, Usopp whimpering. 

"Now that you've drawn your pistol... are you willing to use it?" Luffy smirked.

Usopp looked shocked.

"Guns aren't for threats, they're for actions. Are you willing to risk your life?"

"I can assure you, we're real pirates. Consider your next move very carefully," Zoro warned. 

Usopp struggled with himself for a moment before dropping it. 

"Gah. Real pirates have a lot more punch behind their words, 'cause they can actually back 'em up! That's so cool," he sighed.

Luffy and Zoro began to chuckle.

"I stole that. I stole that from Red Haired Shanks, a pirate I know," Luffy smiled.

"What?! You know Red-Haired Shanks? You really are a pirate!" Usopp exclaimed as you carefully dropped him back on the ledge.

"Wait, you gotta be lying, do you really know him?"

"Yep! I know your dad, too. His name's Yassop, right?" Luffy asked.

Usopp cheesed like an idiot before tumbling down the ledge, landing face first.

"You're right. My old man's name is Yassop. But, how? How in the world do you know him?" he asked.

Usopp took the four of you to this place in the village to eat so you could talk a little bit more.

"This is good, huh?" Usopp asked, muffled by the rice in his mouth.

"So, I met your dad when I was just a little kid," Luffy started, taking a large bit out of this piece of melon meat.

"Hold on, does my old man really know Shanks?" Usopp asked.

"Know him? When I met your dad he was part of Shanks' crew, so they were probably pretty good friends," Luffy smiled.

"I can't believe it! My old man, sailing the high seas with famous pirates," Usopp dreamily sighed.

"I haven't heard from him in a while, but I bet he's still with them. He was a heck of a sharpshooter! I'd keep him on my crew!" Luffy continued, grabbing an apple.

"He used to go on and on about his son. I think I heard enough about you to make my ears bleed. And lemme tell you, he was a great pirate!"

"I sure am proud of my old man. He leapt into a pirate's life on the endless sea, and chose a life of real adventure!" Usopp beamed.

"Maybe you can help us. Do you know someone who can provide us with a decent ship? Or even anyone who knows how to sail for that matter?" Nami asked.

"Well, it's a pretty small village. Sorry, but I just don't think we'll be able to help you," Usopp shrugged, his face telling me otherwise.

"What about that mansion?" Zoro asked. 

Usopp squeaked.

"The one on top of that hill over there."

"Do you know them, Usopp? I mean, it's a pretty small village," you smirked, resting your cheek in your palm, "With all that money, surely they could help us get our boat."

"You stay away from there!" he snapped.

Everyone gave him a confused look.

"Gah! I mean-I just remembered something that I really gotta do! Everybody knows me at this place, so, uh, stay and eat as much as you want! Gotta go!" Usopp said hurriedly before rushing out the door.

"Why was he in such a hurry to get out of here?" Nami asked.

"I think you scared him," Zoro smirked at you.

"It's not like I did it on purpose," you shrugged, smirking back.

"The Usopp Pirates have arrived!" the three kids from the beach shouted, bursting through the door.

"Who're these kids?" Nami asked.

"Fess up, you filthy pirates! What have you done with our beloved captain?! Tell us now!" the one with the pepper-like head demanded. 

"Yeah! Tell us now!" the onion and carrot looking ones shouted in unison.

"Ah. That meat sure was good!" Luffy smiled, rubbing his stomach.

"Meat?!" Carrot exclaimed.

"These pirates are cannibals!" Onion trembled.

You and Nami snickered.

"What have you done with him, you savages?!" Pepper shouted. 

"If you're looking for your captain... we ate him," Zoro smirked, putting on this creepy face.

"AHH! CANNIBALS!" the three screamed, looking dead at Nami.

"HUH?! WHAT'RE YOU PUNKS LOOKING AT ME FOR?!" Nami shouted.

You, Luffy, and Zoro burst into laughter, slapping the table.

"You really had us goin' there," Pepper sighed as all of you approached the mansion. 

They were showing you to the big mansion that Usopp told you to stay away from.

"Whoa! This place is huge!" Luffy exclaimed, mouth gaped.

"And if our captain ran off at this hour, then this is the place he's gonna be," Onion firmly stated.

"Oh. What in the world does Usopp come here for?" you asked.

"He comes to lie," Carrot smiled.

"To lie? That's terrible," Nami said disapprovingly.

"He's great! Isn't he?" Pepper smiled.

"Yeah! He's awesome!" Onion agreed.

"How is a liar awesome?" Zoro asked, cocking a brow.

"Well, Kaya, the girl who lives there, had been in a terrible depression that's kept her weak and in bed since her parents got sick and died a year ago. She's very rich, but all that money couldn't help her recover from her sadness. So our captain tells her special, made-up stories to make her laugh and cheer her up!" Pepper explained.

"Captain Usopp is the best at telling lies!" Carrot beamed.

"That really is pretty nice of him," Luffy nodded.

"So when he tells her these made up stories, he makes her feel better?" you asked, squatting down to their level.

"Yup! Lots better," Pepper nodded.

"Great! I think we should ask her for a ship after all!" Luffy smiled.

"We're not the one's making her feel better, Usopp is," Zoro sighed.

"Getting in is impossible. Those guards at the gate don't let anyone through!" Onion stated.

"I'll go ask her!" Luffy called, climbing the fence, stretching his arms so he could get ready to shoot himself over.

"Luffy, no—!"

You all ran over to try and hold him down but he shot all of you in the air with him.

"LUFFY, YOU IDIOT!" 

[taibobo]

i am begging you to listen to my pickleface “teenage unrequited love to bandmates to lovers to soulmates” playlist. 

lyrical excerpts & fanfic recommendations for your pickleface needs under the cut. songs aren’t necessarily attached to the fics, but they are definitely fics i thought about while making this playlist

weezer - “why bother?” / when all is wed and done by @little-murmaider

I've known a lot of girls before What's the harm in knowin' one more? Maybe we could even get together Maybe you could break my heart next summer

Why bother? It's gonna hurt me It's gonna kill when you desert me This happened to me twice before It won't happen to me anymore

everclear - “santa monica” / doesn’t mean anything by @all-hail-the-water-god

With my big black boots and an old suitcase I do believe I'll find myself a new place I don't want to be the bad guy I don't want do your sleepwalk dance anymore I just want to see some palm trees I will try and shake away this disease

the mountain goats - “see america right” / count to three and start again by @all-hail-the-water-god

Got on the bus half drunk again The driver glared at me Met up with you in Inglis Thumbed a ride to Cedar Key If we never make it back to California I want you to know I love ya But my love is like a dark cloud full of rain That's always right there up above you

weezer - “do you wanna get high?” / the other threesome by @atmilliways

“Do you wanna get high? It’s like we’re falling in love We can listen to Bacharach and stop at any point”

Keep on doing what you do ‘cuz I’ll never get tired of you Don’t need booze, ‘cuz I’ll never get tired of you Stop the tape, kill the lights, close the drapes And keep doing what you do, ‘cuz I’ll never get tired of you

the presidents of the united states of america - “drool at you” / american dream by paxvobis 

I wanna run my nose through your hair But if I did I think I'd lose it there I wanna swallow your little mouth But if I did I'd lose my water wings and drown (I'd lose my wings and drown!) I kiss your head when you feel a tear But it's easier to drool at you from here

Droolin' at you Makes me feel like I come undone Droolin' at you Makes me feel like a loaded gun Droolin' at you Makes me feel GOOD!

the mountain goats - “alabama nova” / teddy bear by @wumbo-calling

Your house is depressing Your house is dirty Why don't you come outside a little while? Why don't you step out into the sun?

Let me take you down Let me ease you around Montgomery

plain white t’s - “let me take you there” / this just might stick by @atmilliways

I know a place that we can go to A place where no one knows you They won't know who we are I know a place that we can run to And do those things we want to They won't know who we are

Let me take you there I wanna take you there

ludo - “anything for you” / harmony parking lot by bentsage

I've gotten drunk and shot the breeze With kings of far-off lands They showed me wealth as far as I could see But their kingdoms seemed all shrivelly And they cried with jealousy When I leaned in and told them about you

I'd give up anything! (Anything for you) I'd give it all! (All of this is true) But the best story that I could ever tell Is the one where I am growing old with you

All I've ever wanted, see Was to tell you honestly I'd do anything for you I'd do absolutely anything for you

mitski - “love me more” / nothing with you by @staresdown

Here's my hand There's the itch But I'm not supposed to scratch

I need you to love me more Love me more, love me more Love enough to fill me up Fill me up, fill me full up I need you to love me more Love me more, love me more Love enough to drown it out Drown it out, drown me out

fiona apple - “anything we want” / underwear by @black-metal-veins

Started out sippin' the water And now we try to swallow the wave And we try not to let those bastards get us down We don't worry anymore 'Cause we know when the guff comes we get brave After all, look around, it's happening, it's happening, it's happening now

Let's pretend we're eight years old playin' hooky I draw on the wall and you can play UFC rookie Then we'll grow up, take our clothes off and you remind me that I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone

And then we can do anything we want And then we can do anything we want And then we can do anything we want And then we can do anything we want

[queenoftheworldisdead]

Cupid

Note: This is for @afriendlyblackhottie​​ Brat and Birthday challenge. Happy Bday Month 🎉🎈🎊🎂🍰! I chose Cupid by 112. Chris art work by @nix-akimbo​ she is amazing here is the original.

Summery: Ransom likes a bridesmaid.

Warning: Daddy Kink, gag, oral (reader receives), sex

Groomsman Band member Ransom x Black Reader, Knives out Alternative Universe

Leaning in the archway of the reception hall you sighed watching the newlyweds dance their first dance. You didn't want to be here. Not after all the shit he put Courtney, the bride, through.

But your bestie was the kind of girl that could not function without a man in her life. He had cheated on her five times, that you knew of. You were sure there was more, but she as well as you were tired of the berating.

It was always the same. He cheated, she cried, you picked up the pieces and then when he was ready she would go back. Pathetic.

"Aw don't pout princess your day will come" your eyes rolled at the sound of his voice. You had the misfortune to be linked with Ransom, the cousin of the groom. All the other bridesmaids drooled over him, but you weren't impressed. This rich boy was looking to add to his body count so you only interacted with him only when you needed to.

Their family had paid for this whole affair. You nearly punched one of the grooms relatives when she made a remark on Courtney's color choices. They were all on your shit list.

Just ignore him. Its almost over and you will never have to see him again.

As the song ended everyone applauded while you made your way over to the open bar. Your wrist was snagged as you crossed his path. Snatching it back you looked at him as if he grew another head.

"Look you don't want to be here I don't want to be here. Let's be miserable together." He held up his hands in surrender. You were stuck on this island and you were smart enough not to fall for dumb shit so you gave yourself permission to relax.

You both took over an empty table in the back of the massive hall. Ransom disappeared for a bit, then returned with two bottles of champagne and two glasses. The bar was an open bar, but you were sure they weren't handing out bottles left and right.

"OK let's play a game to pass the time." Ransom proposed as he approached.

"Game? What kind of game?" You waited curiously. Sitting the glasses and bottles down Ransom proceeded to pop the cork on one of the bottles of Champaign.

"We both take turns pointing out people we think the other would fuck."your mouth fell open with his boldness as he spoke. "If you guess wrong you have to take a sip. Yatta yatta you get it."

"Are you just trying to get me drunk?" You squint at him playfully suspicious.

"Nah, just bored. So come on let's play."

You watched as he poured the glasses to the brim, when he handed you the bubbling glass you thanked him. Ransom moved his chair next to you, sitting shoulder to shoulder so you both were sure to have the same view of the people on the floor.

"Ladies first" he held his glass high. You clinked your glass with his signaling ‘good game’.

"What about her?" You pointed to Courtney's great aunt. The lovely woman was at least eighty-seven, you knew this would be a 'no', but why not start off with a softball.

He gave you a look that made you snort.

"Wow was that a laugh? I seriously didn't think the ice queen was capable. You didn't even smile for the wedding photos. Achievement unlocked." Ransom was full of himself.

"No one is gonna believe I got the frost queen to crack a smile." Ransom boasted.

You took a sip from your glass so you didn't have to reply. There was nothing to smile about. You didn't approve of this wedding so you weren't going to act like you were. Courtney was lucky you even agreed to be a bridesmaid.

"OK my turn." He observed the crowded floor, before finding his mark. "Glasses two o'clock."

You searched out 'Glasses' and scoped him out. Tall, put together nicely. "Yep."

"Really?" He gave you a look, that made it hard to fight back the curl of your lip.

"Yep..I have particular taste." You say casually with a shrug.

"Well all right to each his own I guess."

"My turn" you stopped for a beat then found her. " Oh what about her?" you pointed to a tall slender blonde.

"Ugh no...That's my aunt."

"Oooops....My bad... let me see who else, umm" you looked around the room, but he only looked at you.

"Oh! Oh! Her" you pointed to Stephani, a younger cousin of Courtney's. Thick thighed, uber fit college student.

"You can't go twice. Take your sip."

"What that was your aunt that cant count" you argued back.

"A no is a no" he tutted.

"Fine" you gulped from your glass and waited your turn.

"OK my turn. Hmm...What about him" he pointed to an older man that was chatting up a bridesmaid that was way to young for him.

"Eww nah not my type, but he might have gotten a yes back in the day." You tilted your head with a smirk.

"Oh thank gawd. That's my dad."

"What the fuck? Dude gross" you slapped at his shoulder and laughed. Ransom rubbed it fanning pain.

"Hey you picked my aunt" he chuckled with you.

"Yeah but I didn't know she was your aunt!"

After finishing the first bottle you started to feel loose. Ransom's arm stretched out along the back of your chair, slyly rubbing circles on your bare arm, while you leaned snuggled into his side as you both continue to people watch.

"So what do you do?" You asked him.

Ransom was silent for a moment. Taking a long swig from the glass before looking over at you and sighing.

"I'm in a band."

"Oh really, is that your little hobby you do before you take over the board seat at your grand-papa's company?" you bit back a laugh. Ransom frowned at you, but you didn't care.

You knew of the older Thrombey, the famous author and owner of a publishing house. Through rehearsal you watched the interactions between the two and you knew that Ransom was the favorite of the acclaimed writer's brood.

"I don't want anything to do with that company believe it or not. I love music always have."

"Must be nice to play in a band bankrolled by a publishing house. What are y'all called 'Blood and Rock'" you laughed at the ridiculousness of it.

"Ha wrong again. We're called 'Coffee and Roses'. And I've been cut of financially ever since I got these bad boys" Ransom shimmed out of his blazer and rolled up his sleeves. His well toned arms were completely covered in ink. When he pulled down his collar you were able to see the massive art work that encompassed his neck, you bit into your bottom lip as he allowed you to ogle him. "This art work was not board approved " he joked. The booze mixed with Ransom's rocker bod was starting to lower your inhibitions and you needed to put a stop to it.

"Your cousin is a piece of shit." You changed the subject before taking a pull from your glass.

"Yeah well he gets that from his dad, he's always been an asshole."

"Apples don't fall far do they?" You snipped. When Ransom didn't respond you looked over, he was looking at his father who had now moved on to another pretty young thing.

"He made a mistake and he is fixing it." Ransom replied, suddenly in defense of his cousin.

The mistake in question was a child, by another woman. That baby you thought would be the final straw to break the camels back.

"Diamonds don't fix problems." You didn't come from money, but you knew that this wedding was a band-aid. And once it got wet you wondered what would be the gift for the next 'mistake'.

The groom had always bought his way out of his binds. The more he fucked up the more money he poured on it. This wedding you couldn't even fathom the cost. The wedding ring alone looked like it could choke a horse. And this destination wedding on his dime made you think on what happened in the interim leading up to this event.

"You're a really good friend. She's lucky that she has someone that cares so much." You both stared into the distance at the couple. They danced and smiled at each other so happy, but you felt sick. Ransom's sweet words made you immediately suspicious of his intent, his cousin had a habit of talking sweet, but he was a fucking snake. You weren't going to end up like Courtney.

"Look don't think that just because we got all chummy that all of a sudden I am gonna want to bang one out." You hit your glass on the table harder than you meant to, it tipped over and spilled out the rest of your drink.

When a little bit of the liquid trickled off the table and hit your dress you pushed away from the table. Just a tiny bit, nothing major to fuss about, but you had hit your limit. You'd done the wedding, you took the pictures and you stuck around for the reception. It was time to go.

You weren't about to be some random rich kids one night stand. So you stormed off. Thankfully the ball room was not far from the adjoining hotel. Marching you fumed and you cursed your friend for being this dumb, yourself for not doing more to stop this and almost falling for Ransom's charm. Mashing the buttons you thought of changing your number, wiping your hands from this friendship and looking into an overnight flight back home.

How much worse would it be now that she was legally married to that douche bag. The thought of them having kids only served to further irked you.

Before the elevator door could close a hand sliced down the middle, halting the closure.

You stood stunned as Ransom appeared out of breath and in-between the open doors.

**"Baby, I'm so tired of the way you turn my words into deception and lies"**

Ransom consumed the space between you two. Your ass hit the hand rail as the doors closed.

"I am not my father, I am not my cousin. I liked you." His confession made your heart flutter.

Don't be stupid. He is the same as the rest of his family. Don't fall for his game.

His hands rested on the bar on either side of your hips as he stood toe to toe with you. You rolled your eyes and scoffed turning away from him, unable to keep staring into those eyes.

**Don't misunderstand me when I try to speak my mind I'm only saying what's in my heart**

With one finger he brought your focus back to him. You frowned at him, you weren't weak. You weren't falling for him no matter how much your body wanted to throw in the towel.

**Cupid doesn't lie** He leaned in close and you held your breath as your heart raced.

**But you won't know unless you give it a try** Ransom whispered over your lips before kissing you gently. You broke down allowing him to invade your mouth. His lips felt soft and his firm arms a welcome feeling as they wrapped around you.

The elevator dinged loudly and you pulled back. Your lipstick smeared on his mouth made for a funny sight. Looking at the number it was your floor then back at him.

**Give it a try** Ransom pleaded.

A switch flipped inside you. Angry at yourself you pushed past him and marched to your hotel room.

He is just a spoiled rich kid trying to have fun. Don't fall for it. You try and convince yourself.

He shouted as the doors closed and you tried to ignore him.

**Cupid doesn't lie**

He shouted again. You halted, but refused to look.

"All men lie" You stopped as you replied back at him. There wasn't a woman in your life that wasn't hurt and you didn't want to join that club. You wanted to protect yourself at all cost. You heard the elevator doors close so you let out a sigh of relief.

What if you were wrong. What if he was right? A nagging thought bubbled in your mind. He was fun, you felt at easy around him. Some part of you yearned for him to come back.

You were so lost in your own head that you hadn't heard him rush up behind you. Ransom quickly spun you around, his eyes boring into your soul. The sight of which made it hard to stay angry.

**"Oh baby, true love won't lie...But we won't know unless we give it a try"**

He kissed you again. This time more hungry than before, so much so it took your breath away as he pulled back.

**"Give it a try"** he pleaded yet again.

It was hard to get the door open with Ransom latched onto your face. Fumbling with the key you tried blindly several times to get the card in the slot with your back pressed hard against the door.

Frustrated Ransom snatched the card and opened the door for you.

"Thanks Daddy" you teased, looking up through your lashes at him.

"Daddy huh?" The grin that grew on his face was devilish indeed. "So that's it...You act all bratty to get Daddy to react. Huh?"

Scooping you off your feet he carried you across the threshold. You were so surprised that he was able to handle your weight with ease, as he walked you over to the bed, before tossing you.

"Keep the dress on and pull your tits out" he command as he furiously unbuttoned his shirt.

You marveled at the fit rocker. He revealed more tats as he opened his shirt. Pushing down your off the shoulder strap you yanked your top down. Your half bra going down with it, allowing your breast to bounce free.

"Stand up."

Without a word you rose to your feet.

"Turn around."

Again you followed his orders. The way he commanded you made your need soak through your panties.

"Gonna come deep in that pretty pussy, show you who you belong to" Ransom taunted into the shell of your ear. "Say ahh."

The neck tie that had long since come undone was now being wrapped around your open mouth, wrapping it  quickly then knotting the fabric.  

Once secure Ransom proceeded to massage your breast from behind. As he tweaked your nipples you felt his cock, hard and stiff pressed into your ass.

You pushed and rubbed against it toying with him, the hum that buzzed from his lips almost sounded primal. "Nothing but a big tease huh? Daddy's going to show you what he thinks about teases."

Pushing you over on the bed you yelped through your gag. Looking over your shoulder you watched as Ransom bunched up the fabric of your dress, tossing it over your hips to expose your ass.

Feeling cocky you twerked your ass before him, the look in his eye showed that he approved of the sight. Ransom palmed your cheeks with both his hands, kneading the soft tissue as he rubbed his erection on you.

One hand moved around your hips and on the outer-lining of your panties.

"Fuck baby girl is that all for me?" Ransom's finger pulled at the elastic that touched your bud. He felt the drenched panties and pulled them back until they snapped back in place.

"Fuck baby girl" he purred.

Ransom lowered himself onto his hunches, pulling your panties down with them. You felt his tongue lapping gently at your folds. The sensation sending shivers throughout your body.

His tongue separated your lips, you knees wanted to cave at the tantalizing feel of him. Through your gag you moaned, the slow torture of his feasting was bringing you close to the finish line.

Ransom sucked hard on your bare mound adding a finger as he rose to his feet. "You taste so sweet baby." He praised as he curled his fingers inside of you.

"Do you want to come on my cock or my fingers?" He asked as your cunt tensed around his digits. Ransom knew you were getting close and you hoped he would choose the former.

"I cant hear you" he added another digit as you begged through your gag. You wanted to feel him all of him, but there was no way to make your answer clear through the fabric.

"Well, if you are not going to answer I will pick for you."

Ransom knew what you wanted, even with your desperate mumbling. Kicking your legs father apart he then removed his fingers. You whimpered at the lack of touch, but you were also thrilled to finally get what you really wanted.

The sound of his zipper going down made you antsy. You danced on the heels of your feet with anticipation of his next move.

Ransom took his cock in one hand while he spread one of your cheeks with the other. He rubbed his cock against the deep pink within your folds.

Toying with you as you mumbled through the tie. His pre-cum mixed with your juices as he pressed his tip hard against your opening.

"Are you gonna be a good girl from me?" He teased. You furiously nodded 'yes'.

You felt the pressure of him entering you as drool seeped past your gag. "Do you belong to me?" He halted, the sudden stop drove you crazy. Again you nod and shouted 'yes' through your restraint.

"Good girl."

Ransom filled you to your core, only stopping when you sheathed him completely. You gripped the fabric of the hotel duvet, you hadn't expected him to be so big.

The slapping of flesh on flesh filled the room. His moans mixed with the sounds of your sloppy sex were enough to send you over the edge.

Ransom controlled the pace, his length undeterred by your lack of space to take him in. You cried through your gag as he sent jolts through your body. "You were made for me" he proclaimed as he snapped his hips into you.

Your mewls were muffled by the tie, but you were sure whoever was in the room next to you could still make out what was happening here.

"Fuck" he growled as he fucked you into the bed. "I'm gonna fill you up."

"Gonna make you nice and round" he slapped your ass as he thrusted. You felt your core tighten.

"Fuck Daddy I want to come on your cock!" You finally shouted as the gag finally slipped from your lips.

"Come in me Daddy!" You felt him twitch inside you at your desperate pleading.

"Oh baby girl your tempting me."

"Please!" You panted.

"Fuck" Ransom shouted as he shot his load inside you. You felt him coat you as you milked him dry.

Ransom fell on-top of you and your knees buckled, causing you both to fall forward onto the bed. Ransom moved off you, sweaty and exhausted. "Don't think that I'm done with you yet."

[clandonnachaidh]

Remember Remember the Fifth of November

“D’ye think she’ll be warm enough?”

I looked down at our daughter and swallowed the urge to comment on the fact that he’d asked that very question at least ten times in almost as many minutes. His strong jaw was clenched in concentration as he wrestled a cosy knit hat onto her head, trying to be as delicate as he could so as to not wake her but having to go to war with her already abundant curls as they fought back against constriction. Brianna was in my favourite place, cocooned in a wrap that held her close to my chest with her head resting heavily on my shoulder as she slept. I even welcomed the drool that would no doubt be spilling from her parted lips as she dreamed.

Amongst all the other blessings that having a child of our own brought to us, the fact that she was such a good sleeper was not one to go unmentioned.

I smiled softly at the sight of my husband, huge and imposing in every way but somehow unbelievably gentle when it came to his daughter. Jamie was looking at her with the sheer adoration that appeared only when he was looking at Brianna.

“She’ll be fine. Besides, it’ll be warm beside the bonfire.”

“Aye but nae too close,” Jamie warned me, pointlessly.

“Don’t worry, lad, I don’t have any inclination to launch our daughter into the flames.”

He quietly muttered ‘dinna even joke’ under his breath as he put an arm around me and pressed a kiss to my temple, showing me that I was forgiven for my attempt at comedy.

Brianna shuffled slightly so I checked that she was comfortable, made sure that her little booties were firmly on her feet and saw that her hands were cradled in tight fists under her chin. Jamie retrieved his favourite Barbour jacket from the wardrobe and slipped into it, pulling his own beanie down around his ears before he caught sight of the three of us in the mirror.

Of course I was biased but the picture reflected in the glass was glorious. We looked like the perfect little family. Jamie towering over his two girls, ever the protector. I hadn’t been aware that I was beaming with pride but when I saw myself, my face was split into an open grin. Our little unit, all bundled up against what would be a cold autumn night, complete with matching wool jumpers that had been a gift to Jamie and myself from Jenny the previous Christmas with the promise of a smaller version being underway for Brianna to receive this year.

We could hear Ian and Murtagh having a loud discussion about where best to stick the Guy even through the thick walls of Lallybroch. With a chuckle, Jamie decided that it was time for him to wade into the discussion lest his godfather and brother-in-law decided to try and drown the other in the basin full of water that had been set up so the children could bob for apples. Just as we made it into the kitchen, Wee Jamie was caught red handed trying to stick a single finger into the treacle that was cooling around the toffee apples that were supposed to have been a surprise for later. A fact that wasn’t lost on my husband.

“Yer ma will tan yer hide and ye ken fine well.” Jamie grabbed his namesake around the waist with his free arm and lifted his giggling nephew out into the cold air, his other arm never dropping from the shield that he had created around Brianna and myself.

Lallybroch had come to be our home. It was beautiful in the spring with the first buds beginning to bloom and the small walk down to the burn was worth it for a dip in the midst of boiling hot summers. Of course, it was picturesque enough to be on a postcard when it was covered in soft, fluffy snow but my favourite had to be autumn. The trees that surrounded the land had all turned, greens deepening until they turned bright orange and red. It hadn’t been too windy so even though the ground was covered in a deep layer of leaves, the huge trees were anything but bare.

“Go and sort them out before I stuff one of them into the Guy’s outfit masel’,” Jenny’s voice came from behind us and Jamie snorted a laugh as he moved towards the two men who were still having words with each other over the correct placement of the effigy that had lovingly been made from potato sacks and straw with a somewhat terrifying hand-drawn face thanks to the efforts of Wee Jamie and his little sister Maggie.

“Mary, Michael and Bride, they’re worse than the weans sometimes,” Jenny sighed heavily, a sentiment I was not going to disagree with. We watched the three men bicker over this and that before finally coming to the conclusion that they would play rock, paper, scissors to determine the outcome of a very simple issue.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” I laughed as Murtagh clipped Ian around the head, clearly not happy with the result. Victorious, Ian pulled the physical representation of Guy Fawkes from the ground and placed him proudly on the bonfire, balancing him right in the middle of a particularly dense patch of branches to serve as a sort of throne.

I hadn’t noticed Jenny had gone until she reappeared with two mugs in her hands, spirals of steam rising and disappearing into the air.

“I slipped something special intae yer hot chocolate, mo phiuthar,” Jenny gave me a wink as she pressed the warm mug into my hand. I inquisitively stuck my nose close to the rim and felt a wry smile creep onto my face as I confirmed my suspicions with a look at my sister-in-law.

“That creme brûlée liqueur I got you?”

She nodded before taking a solid glug from her own cocktail, “The very same.”

From his place at his dad’s side, Wee Jamie bolted towards us and pulled at his mother’s arm, dragging her towards her husband as he begged the two of them for the bonfire to be lit.

With a look down at my own sleeping offspring, I took a sip of my hot chocolate and closed my eyes appreciatively, letting the warmth flow down my throat and into my chest.

“Christ alive, Claire.”

Jamie’s husky voice appeared from behind me and I smirked at him, knowing that only my husband could be one of the only men to see his wife enjoying a hot drink and make it a sexual thing.

“There’s booze in it. Here, try.”

I offered my mug to him but instead he closed the gap between us, careful to cradle Brianna’s head in one of his hands, and kissed the taste from my lips.

“Delicious.”

“Uncle Jamie, hurry! Da’s doin’ it!”

We all convened around the modest structure that had been built from old fence posts, planks from barn doors and old bits of timber from wooden pallets. I spied the leg of a kitchen chair that had met an explosive end the previous Hogmanay after a drunken Jamie and Murtagh had fallen into it during what had started as an eightsome reel and quickly descended into the two men trying to spin each other as hard as possible until they both lost their footing.

As if she knew that it was time for the festivities to start, Brianna started to make the little noises that meant she was beginning to wake.

“Ah, the wee snuffle pig is comin’ around, is she?” Jamie whispered soft words over her as his hands began to untangle his daughter from the folds of the wrap. I giggled at the nickname that he’d given her and stretched the tired muscles of the small of my back now that I didn’t have an extra 10kg of weight hanging off of me. Even though she was only a year old, Brianna was affectionately referred to within the family as ‘the long baby’ due to the Viking genes that had been passed down through her father.

As her sleepy eyes began to blink open, the first thing in her line of sight was her father which produced a rather spectacular smile.

“Daaaaaa,” she groaned with joy.

It was the only thing that she said, not yet having mastered any sort of name for me. She had, however, had given me the gift of a very specific, very shrill screech to know when it was mummy that was looking for. As much as I joked about him pipping me to the post, it was my favourite thing to see Jamie’s utterly radiant smile each and every time she said it.

“Did ye have a nice wee sleep, m’annsachd?” he asked as he kissed her head and then each cheek for good measure.

“Look, darling!” I put on my best excited face and pointed towards the bonfire where Murtagh held a torch and Ian held Maggie on his hip, Wee Jamie at dutifully at his side.

“Remember, remember, the 5th of November! Gunpowder, treason and plot! We see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot!”

With a round of applause for the two Murray children, Murtagh put the torch to the woodpile.

It went up with a whoosh causing Murtagh to stagger back slightly. He caught himself before subtly giving the finger to Ian who was doubled over laughing.

“Ye’ve got a bit less beard the noo!”

Shaking my head at the childish antics of the two eldest men in the family, I set my sights on the reflection of the flames dancing around in Brianna’s beautiful blue eyes. A lighter higher up, I saw the same vision replicated in the eyes of her father.

“D’ye like it, Bree? Can ye see the manny on the top there?”

“One year old might be a touch young to start explaining about why we burn a man on a bonfire, Fraser,” I said sardonically.

He made a face at me before bringing his mouth down to meet mine, Brianna’s pudgy hand caught somewhere between our bottom lips.

“She’ll be raised on stories of rebels, Sassenach. Guy Fawkes and Robert the Bruce and the like.”

I raised an eyebrow at him, “Any women in that list?”

“Aye, ‘course. Joan of Arc, Sophie Scholl. All the good ones.”

I nodded once with a smile to tell him that I was happy with his additions and we turned back to the bonfire, watching as the effigy burned in front of us. Jamie secured Brianna on his hip, burying his face into the riotous curls that had escaped from her hat and delighting in the resulting giggles. His other arm was wrapped around my side, sheltering me under his arm. Despite the cold, he was warm enough for all three of us.

We watched as the flames licked and crawled over the wood, bursts of air popping as the heat became too much. It was a beautiful clear night, even with the smoke from the bonfire billowing upwards and all at once, a huge explosion of white light lit up the night sky.

Brianna’s face at the sight of her first firework was something I knew that both Jamie and I would cherish forever. Her mouth hung open, eyes glittering with excitement as the colours burst in the sky. White and blue and green and red illuminated the pale skin on her face and it was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen.

She began to make breathy noises of awe, her little hand gently resting on Jamie’s cheek just to make sure that he was watching it all unfold with her. He quickly snuck a glance at me and smiled knowingly when he saw the tears in my eyes. A laugh snuck out of me, ready to dash my eyes and make a self-deprecating comment about being a silly, emotional mum but Jamie pulled me tighter against him and laid a kiss on the crown of my head.

“I am the luckiest man alive,” he announced. “Happy Bonfire Night, my beautiful lasses.”

[starneko123]

So I was wondering, what would it be like if Liltih took Sienna out for her very first slice of Edenian pie?

Decided to make a short story about it!

OC Characters Involved

Sienna ♔ Lilith Kanaye

"We are almost there!" Lilith said happily in a singsong voice literally bouncing on her toes as she and Sienna made their way to one of Edenia's bakery. Sienna was right beside Lilith with her own smile and she was happy but also nervous "What if I don't like it?" Sienna worriedly asked and she received a shrug "That's fine. Just don't make a big deal about it and there are different flavors just to let you know." Lilith informed as they rounded the corner into the bakery.

"See! It's by design." Lilith gestured to the array of flavors and she heard Sienna gasp and audibly lick her lips to which she giggled. "They have blueberry, they have strawberry, cranberry, apple, cinnamon, lemon, pure sugar, chocolate, vanilla..." Sienna had zoned out because she was staring at the display of pies in front she was lucky enough to not be drooling in public. "I brought enough koins so that we both can get three each. Any flavor you want." Lilith smiled as she took out a small bag of gold koins and jingled them in front of Sienna who was immediately at her side.

Sienna locked her arm around Lilith lightly shaking her the whole time through the process of ordering silently chanting, "Strawberry, Blueberry, and Apple." Lilith got her order and Sienna got hers and on their way back they even got a jug of edenian wine. "Okay, Sienna I understand the pie but...wine?" Lilith asked as she observed her friend holding the jug full of liquor. "We are young adults and deserve the full experience!" She said determined as they walked further into the forest to Lilith's edenian home. Sienna kicked opened Lilith's door comically with a "Honey I'm home." With nothing in return but Lilith's snicker.

Lilith put the cakes on the table while Sienna did the same with the wine and Lilith brought over two chairs and some utensils. Lilith clapped her hands and looked at the ebony beauty beside her "You ready?!" and Sienna nodded as she opened the first box and it was a sight to see. Strawberries were practically oozing out of the pie and Sienna was basically in a euphoric state of mind while Lilith was calmly eating one of her pies. "Is it good?" Lilith asked as she sipped the overly sweet booze.

Sienna slowly slid the fork out of her mouth and popped her lips, then sighed. "It's extravagant."

[reading-riordan]

PJO: “The Lightning Thief,” Chapter Five

“I Play Pinochle With a Horse”

or, “The Confusing Info-Dump Chapter”

Percy spends the next few days in and out of consciousness, which is weird, because at this point I’m pretty sure that his wounds are all psychological. Occasionally he’s fed “something that tasted like buttered popcorn, only it was pudding” by the girl from the end of the last chapter.

When she saw my eyes open, she asked, "What will happen at the summer solstice?" I managed to croak, "What?" She looked around, as if afraid someone would overhear. "What's going on? What was stolen? We've only got a few weeks!"

Unfortunately for The Girl, a guy covered in eyeballs comes in to tell her that it’s still too early for this much foreshadowing.

Eventually Percy wakes up sitting on the porch of that farmhouse, feeling weak. Grover is there, wearing a “CAMP DEMIGOD HALF-BLOOD” T-shirt but otherwise looking normal. Then he hands Percy a broken Minotaur horn and confirms that yeah, his mom ostensibly exploded last night and he’s still got hairy goat legs under his jeans.

Percy is just “FML,” which, y’know, fair.

I was alone. An orphan. I would have to live with...Smelly Gabe? No. That would never happen. I would live on the streets first.

"I'll put a pin in that idea.” —Rick Riordan

Grover, who is honestly weepier about this than Percy, advises him to drink something which looks like apple juice but tastes like “my mom's homemade blue chocolate-chip cookies, buttery and hot, with the chips still melting.” It makes him feel a lot better, though Grover implies that the stuff would kill him and possibly Percy if either of them drank too much. 

Grover then leads Percy to the back of the house, and we get our first real glimpse of Camp Half-Blood:

Between here and there, I simply couldn't process everything I was seeing. The landscape was dotted with buildings that looked like ancient Greek architecture—an open-air pavilion, an amphitheater, a circular arena—except that they all looked brand new, their white marble columns sparkling in the sun. In a nearby sandpit, a dozen high school-age kids and satyrs played volleyball. Canoes glided across a small lake. Kids in bright orange T-shirts like Grover's were chasing each other around a cluster of cabins nestled in the woods. Some shot targets at an archery range. Others rode horses down a wooded trail, and, unless I was hallucinating, some of their horses had wings.

At the end of the porch, Percy sees The Girl and a man who “looked like a cherub who'd turned middle-aged in a trailer park.” (I must admit, I do like that description.) They are apparently Annabeth and Mr. D.

Percy is surprised to also see Mr. Brunner, who it turns out is actually named “Chiron.”

“Scale? Never heard of it.” —Some ancient Greek artist

"Ah, good, Percy," he said. "Now we have four for pinochle."

He offered me a chair to the right of Mr. D, who looked at me with bloodshot eyes and heaved a great sigh. "Oh, I suppose I must say it. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. There. Now, don't expect me to be glad to see you."

[...]

She glanced at the minotaur horn in my hands, then back at me. I imagined she was going to say, You killed a minotaur! or Wow, you're so awesome! or something like that. Instead she said, "You drool when you sleep." Then she sprinted off down the lawn, her blond hair flying behind her.

You know, Hogwarts has a much nicer welcoming ceremony. There’s a feast and everything. 

(Also, it should be “blonde,” with an “e.” Just saying.)

Mr. Brunner says that he’s glad that Percy didn’t get horribly killed, as that would have made his tenure at Yancy Academy “a waste of time.” (See, he clearly had no interest in the other students.) Apparently Grover was planted at the school to look out for future protagonists, and when Chiron heard about Percy he murdered the previous Latin teacher and took a job at the school in order to watch him. 

Percy finally cuts to the chase and asks what the heck is going on, and Chiron reveals that the Greek gods are real.

Oh, and Mr. D is one. Specifically Dionysus, god of wine, though he doesn’t like going by that because “names are powerful things” and I still don’t understand why we’re doing this bit. As far as I know, the ancient Greeks weren’t scared of using Dionysus’ name, and it apparently doesn’t hurt him or anything, so...? The point is, Zeus is mad at him, so now he has to spend the next century running a summer camp and getting no rum for his rum and Coke. 

So, let’s talk about Dionysus for a minute. 

“No, I’ve never actually seen a leopard. Why?” —Some ancient Greek artist

He’s actually a pretty complex character. If you don’t want to watch this very interesting 17-minute video, we can summarize by saying that he originally seems to have been a scary god of madness, but over time he developed into a younger, friendlier god with some scary stories still attached to him. The thing is, Mr. D doesn’t fit either of those portrayals very well. I think Riordan was going for the creepy original version (there’s a whole paragraph describing some of his scary stories), but he comes off more grumpy than terrifying. I guess the lack of booze is making him irritable. 

He fits the role of grouchy camp counselor pretty well, though I’m not sure why he hates Percy so much in particular. Unless Riordan just needed a Snape for his Harry Potter bingo card.

"If you were a god, how would you like being called a myth, an old story to explain lightning? What if I told you, Perseus Jackson, that someday people would call you a myth, just created to explain how little boys can get over losing their mothers?"

No, Chiron, he was created to encourage little boys with learning disabilities. Get your facts straight. 

First off: kudos on Percy’s first name, I like that detail. Secondly, I have to question: why don’t people believe in the Greek gods anymore? Mr. D says that Percy will be incinerated if he refuses to, but by that logic, why isn’t Zeus hurling lightning at people until they burn up some BBQ for him? How’d y’all let Christianity take over your cosmic empire?

"Well, now," Chiron said. "God—capital G, God. That's a different matter altogether. We shan't deal with the metaphysical."

Hmm. 

He kicked your ass, didn’t He?

Nah. He sent His kid to do it. 

The adults are still being vague, expecting Sally to have explained things a bit more. Eventually Mr. D leaves with Grover, saying that they need to discuss “[his] less-than-perfect performance on this assignment." Percy asks Chiron a few more questions, and learns that the “Greek” gods have apparently moved Mount Olympus to America.

“What you call 'Western civilization.' Do you think it's just an abstract concept? No, it's a living force. A collective consciousness that has burned bright for thousands of years. The gods are part of it. You might even say they are the source of it, or at least, they are tied so tightly to it that they couldn't possibly fade, not unless all of Western civilization were obliterated. [...] America is now the heart of the flame. It is the great power of the West. And so Olympus is here. And we are here."

*rubs temple* Do I want to try and unpack this? ‘Cause there’s so much to go over. 

Like: what counts as "Western civilization," at a time when globalization is spreading it to non-Western countries? Or conversely, when the West takes on non-Western traits? Are the gods only tied to Greek influences, or influences from the new countries that they come to? If they’re the embodiments of Western civilization, what does it mean that said civilization has been primarily defined by Christianity for so long, and follow up, does that mean Christianity dying in Western countries, ironically, hurts them? 

Don’t get me wrong, having characters as the personifications of cultural traits is an interesting concept. I just don’t think that Riordan plans to go into that as much as he should.

And heck, I can imagine them moving without making it all philosophical. Look at Greece’s economy. The Olympians wouldn’t be the only ones emigrating.

So Percy is kind of freaked out about being included in this “physical embodiment of Western civilization” thing, and finally asks “Who...who am I?" Chiron admits that he doesn’t know, but that in the meantime, he'll help him get settled into camp and also reveal that he’s a centaur.

I mean, the next chapter confirms that Percy knows the myths about Chiron, so he shouldn’t really be surprised.

Anyway! The characters are okay-ish, but the plot is overly complicated even though it’s barely begun. Come back next time when Percy finds out more of it and also blows up some toilets. 

[crazy-bi-btch]

Wrong- BI!Kevin Keller X Reader

Summary: Y/N and Kevin seem to be confused and unclear on some of their feelings toward each other

Paring: Kevin Keller X Reader

Warning: NSFW, Swearing( Rated M)

Word count: 3.7k

A/N: Um helloo, let me just say COLLEGE IS TIME CONSUMING!! Itscrazy I really want tot write but the only time I have time is when I’m on breaks. SO HERE YA GO A REQ THAT WAS MADE IN SEP OR OCT IDK! Req. by@maximumwolfkidfestival​

PS: LISTEN TO WISH YOU WERE GAY BY BILLIE, it fits with the story uwu

I sat on the fluffy couch in the lounge in RHS my black fleece turtle neck tightening by the second. My thigh-high boots tickling my bare thighs, my fingers clutching my coffee.

“ Jesus Y/N you look like you’re going to kill the damn cup.” Archie laughed at me, as I snapped back to reality. 

“ You okay…. You look pale?” My best friend whispered (Fashionista, self-esteem coach, etc.) Kevin placed his hand on my pale thigh. My heart jumped in excitement and my eyes were once again stuck on his constricting sweatshirt. This is so wrong

I coughed and looked away from him trying to concentrate on some random conversation Fangs had started with Archie and the others. Kevin took offense to Y/N silence. He thought maybe he had done something wrong. 

~

Ever since Joaquin (his the last boyfriend) the only serpent friend, he had that understood him, was just him. Well, we all know what happened to him. Kevin realized the serpent’s understood and supported him like no one before, not even Betty. With dating a serpent you get to meet the others. So he meets Fangs, Ton, and Sweet Pea. Also, Y/N or as “fresh snake” as they called her at the time. But it wasn’t Joaquin had to leave when Kevin got closer with Y/N, clearly, they had a lot in common. Kevin was happy around his new friend. Y/n, on the other hand, she was happy but very confused. See she meet him when he was dating Joaquin, so she assumed he was gay. Ignorantly when Y/N saw him walk through the White Wyrm doors with Joaquin she assumed “ so not gay”. 

Y/n remembers the exact day, her second day as a serpent chit chatting with Toni and see them both strut in. Kevin is taller and muscular than Joaquin. Instantly her eyes wandered to his arms and Adam’s apple that seemed to bop furiously from anxiousness. She was not gonna lie, he was extremely attractive. Her heart raced as she thought of many things she could do with that tall glass of-

“ Family…” Joaquin yelled, calling everyone’s, Kevin seemed extremely nervous now,” This is Kevin. My boyfriend.” I gulped eyes wide.” Well, maybe he is gay?” Toni snickered at me as she saw my reaction.  I rolled my eyes and walked away from the now growing group surrounding Joaquin and his new hot boyfriend. The night was full of small talk and laughter with J’s new boyfriend. 

As I decided that this whole love Fest going on was spoiling my drinks and mood, I plopped and started to make my way out saying a quick goodbye. Yes, I am bitter. Yes, I hate to love and anything to do with public affection. It makes my blood boil, okay, maybe jealousy makes me bitter but doesn’t everyone? Back to the story!

 When I was on my way out Joaquin ran to me with Kevin following along.

“ Hey, Y/N wait up!” I rolled my eyes, but plastered a fake smile and turned around. Trust me I was done with J rubbing into our faces how hot his new Northside boyfriend.

“Hey j!” I exclaimed

“ I wanted to introduce you to my boyfriend!” I gulped and looked up at Kevin’s buff and tall figure. I swear I could be drooling.

“ H-hi” I coughed and extended my hand towards him and he gladly took it. 

“ It’s really nice to meet you! Joaquin talks great things about you!” His soft but deep voice stated as his smile lit up the room. God, why was I not born a man! 

“ Thank you.” I blushed, but realized it was wrong for me to feel this way. “ Well, see you around guys I’m going to head out.” They nodded, and I turned towards the doors and out into the chilly night. 

~

I think we all know what happened to Joaquin and how he deciding to run away from hid problems were going to help. Kevin was devastated and who was there to console him? Me out of all the people. Jughead soon, then took orders into his own hand to rile and control the serpents. Once we settled into Riverdale high things got rocky with the Northsiders trying to accept us, but Kevin helped me out. We both knew the serpents and Nortsiders were both jealous of each other which made us the outsiders of the drama. Our friendship grew so immense that I didn’t realize until I was having sleepovers and mini-dates almost every day. What I did know was the way his smile made my knees weak, how my heartbeat raced as our eyes met in the hallways. Or the butterflies the rumble in me when we work out together and he takes his sweaty shirt off. I would make myself deny the aching feelings every day telling myself  He’s your gay best friend it can’t be like that.

Now do you see why this friendship is hurting me? Sitting there watching as my friends talked and laughed and me bubbling with anger. They could have whoever they wanted yet I couldn’t. The knot in my throat, killing me.

“ I have to go.” I took my backpack and stormed out, leaving everyone shocked and silent. 

I ignored everyone’s texts and comments. I decided I need some time alone and away from Kevin. So I hit up Reggie in look for a house party to attend to get drunk and make out with a stranger so the pain would go away. He replied quickly with an address and time. Bingo.

I dressed in a black lace bodysuit with black ripped jeans and red heels. My long black hair hugging around my cleavage, I felt like the hottest bitch on the block. By 10 pm I walked through the mansion of a random football player packed with people, music loud as could be, kegs around the house and chanting of boys mixed in also. I saw Reg and Instantly walked over.

“ Damn, Y/N you’re looking hot!” He chirped as he gave me a hug, let me just say Reggie has been nice to me since I saved his ass from his abusive father. I threatened to call the cops on his father as I showed him the pictures of Reggie’s bruises that I could easily turn him in with. “ Thank you!” I chirped in amusement. 

 “ Hey the group was asking for you they said you-”

“ Wait!” I spat, the group? They were invited also! I panicked and started to look around furiously.

“ Yeah, I invited them!” I glared at him and stormed into the huge kitchen and found as a bottle of vodka and took a huge gulp from it. By the third gulp, I felt myself become light as a feather. I impulsively walked towards Reggie again, he was with our group of friends talking, Kevin was listening also while he glanced around looking for someone. My drunk ass butted in, “ Hey guys what a coincidence. “ Before I let them answer I wrapped my fingers at the collar of Reggie’s button-down and kissed him hard. Adrenaline pumping and red lipstick smeared on Reggie’s lips. I pulled him closer and as I open one eye I saw as they stood again astonished, and Kevin seemed confused and hurt?

“ C’mon Reggie..” I whispered and I pulled him towards me as he dazedly followed. 

We instantly found a wall close by where minimal people passed through. My lips tangling onto his, my hands grabbing his hair as soft pants left me. 

I pressed his chest, back disconnecting our lips, “Let’s get more booze!” I squealed, but as I took a step I almost fell. Reggie sighed and help me up.

“ I think we’ve had enough tonight.” I whined and tried kissing him, because well I’m drunk and horny. Reggie knew he couldn’t take advantage of her friend like this and the real person she loved and wanted was her best friend, Kevin. What Y/N didn’t know was that Reggie and Kevin had a talk 3 weeks ago where Kevin confessed he is bisexual but was scared to show his love and sexual feelings towards a girl since he mostly felt that towards boys. Reggie needed that to realize Y/N and Kevin were too scared and confused to let each other feel. Reggie carried Y/N as she sniffled and whimpered as she seemed to mumble something about ‘fuck love’ or ‘ I hate him’. Reggie saw an annoyed Kevin but his expression soon changed as he saw Y/N drunk and in his arms.

“ What the hell happened?” Kevin growled as he took Y/N from Reggie.

“ Dude, relax, nothing! She’s really drunk and I think she needs you more than me.” Reggie calmly stated. Kevin gulped and saw my drunk state. 

“ You! Kev..” I slurred and felt my eyes droop in slumber.

Next thing I knew I woke up in Kevin’s room, I looked at the clock and it was 2 am. I rubbed my eyes and saw him sleeping on his computer chair with a small blanket wrapped around himself. It wasn’t the first time she’s seen him peacefully sleep. I felt great, I thanked God that I didn’t drink more or I would have felt like hell. I felt guilty for leaving him hanging and lowkey was panicking if I was drunk enough to tell him how I felt. To avoid the conversation I slid off his bed and picked my heels up as I tiptoed out. 

“ So you’re just gonna leave?” I heard a gruff voice. I cringed and turned around to see him sitting in the same spot the blanket in his hands now. 

“ I can-”

“ Please do… I don’t know what’s going on Y/N? What happened to us?” His words hit an emotional string in my heart, which led me to tear up.

“ I’m sorry- I wish I could explain.” I sat at the edge of his bed avoiding his sight. 

“ You act like we never tell each other everything!” His voice boomed making me flinch.

“ That’s the thing! I can’t fall in love with my best friend!” I yelled back tears falling down freely, my face became red from embarrassment. Kevin looked down his face matching hers.

“ I know you don’t-“ 

“I do, though.” Then there was silence as I looked him dead in the eyes. It felt like a dreamlike, this whole situation was merely a figment of my imagination as it’s been in the past. 

“ Y/N…. I’m bisexual.” He sighed, his eyes watering. I took some steps to be face to face with him touching his face in awe. 

“But-“ I suddenly feel out of breath. I racked my brain at the many times Kevin missed Joaquin and his past flings.

“ I never told anyone… because I was never sure... My first crush was a boy and well, I never understood the whole labels of gay or bi or pan..” I intensely watched as he also racked his brain to explain his feelings and thought that he stored away, “ I put my dad through hell when I came out as gay and know that I know I’m bi… he’s gonna hate me and you! I was scared to lose you!” I proclaimed almost begging. I smiled at him taking his hands in mine.

“ Neither will your dad or meleave you.” It seemed to comfort him enough that he sighed in relief. But I would be lying if I didn’t say this whole argument and emotional connection brought my raging hormones to an all-time high. I went in to hug him and he wrapped his buff arms around also. 

“ So… we’re gonna ignore how you confess you loved me.” Kevin teased which made me hide my face like a five-year-old.

“ It's not my fault your extremely hot Kevin!” I squealed as I pulled away from him. He chuckled and threw me on the bed, making me squeal and bounce slightly. We both lay there on his bed, staring at each other with silly grins on our face. 

“ I love you.” He said

“ I love you too.” I chirped, the butterflies rumbling in me again. His eyes seemed to wander down to the outfit I still had on that almost caused a nip slip right in front of him. I blushed madly and instantly shot up to cover myself. His knees dipped the bed behind me, his hands caressing the back of my neck as they ghosted on the black spaghetti strap of the lace bodysuit. My eyes closing in anticipation waiting for his hands to touch more of me. His hand, bringing my hair to onside as he lowered his face to my neck, his hot breath tickling it. 

“ You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to do this…” his lips feathering against my pressure point practically making me shake. Bravery seemed to seep into my blood as my hand came up to pull one strap of my shoulder and followed to the other. Kevin watched, in his head, taking notes. I turned on my knees seeing him face to face. 

“ It’s my first time with a girl…” he gulped feeling ashamed. I smiled and caressed his face and pulled it away to pull my arms off the strap and pull the lace down around my waist exposing myself to him. He gulped his eyes glued to my chest, and something in both of us snapped. Call it frustration or hormonal overload, but we both felt it. Our lips clashing his big hands cupping my face with full force. He held on as if his life depended on it, my sighs and whimpers spilling out as his forceful touch sent electricity through my body and core. Kevin shoved his hand around my neck, squeezing as he watched with hooded eyes my reaction. I moaned loudly, “ Kev, please.” With one shove, I was on my back, pillows under me as Kevin crawled off me and placed himself between my thighs. I leaned up watching as he pulled his sweater and button-down shirt with full force and down cupping my chest. A cry fell through my lips as I stared at Kev in disbelief. His strong and soft hands vigorously palming and pulling making my eyes roll back and backache. For his first time with a girl he sure knew what to do.

“ Tell me if I’m hurting you.” He suddenly worried at my constant whimpers. I shuddered when he stopped.

“ Kevin harder…. Please, it doesn’t hurt, I promise just… touch me.” I cried in frustration pulling on his shoulder to meet his hots lips again. His left arm skimming the side of my body to my hip, leaving goosebumps along the way. A deep groan left him as my hips bucked up towards his trousers, only making me do it again and again. Kevin pulled away eyes closed with his mouth a gap as I watched his reaction as we grinded hard and fast. I knew this would legit push him to the edge, but I couldn’t stop.

“ Ah-” His voice cracked as he fisted my hips to a halt as he felt that familiar knot grow. 

He glared at me as I playfully smirked up hands running up and down his abs. 

“ You almost made me-” He panted in anger, I eagerly shook my hips away but it was no use. “ I’m in charge, not you.” He growled. I cocked my eyebrow as leaned back into the pillows.

“ C’mon Kevin, you know you like it when I edge you on,” I whispered innocently with my lower lip between my teeth as I touched my boobs. He groaned and melted at the sight, his fist ripping my belt and jeans off so quickly it scared me. I went ahead and wrapped my hands around his belt and jeans also pulling them down as we both panted in anticipation. I always saw the imprint of his dick, but I always assumed he was average, but was I wrong. Kevin tsked me when I went to the waistband of his boxers. “ Pleasee.” I begged my mouth watering. “ We waited this long, let me apologize.” He said as he nuzzled his nose onto my cheek and felt his hand lower to my olive-colored thong. 

“ Fuck,” I whispered as my eyes fell shut, he seemed to freeze up because he didn’t move. I opened my eyes and saw them slightly unsure. 

“ Hey, let me help you.” He nodded as he stared at my covered core. I took his wrist and guided it to the puddle that formed in my thong, biting my lip to hold back a sound. “ Now… p-put force with the pad on your fing-” A moan cut me off as he rubbed his pointer and middle finger. “ Shit… baby faster.” I hated and loved to be teased, but Kevins soft and rough movements were exhilarating. “ Like this?” He asked, looking at my blissful face. My hips bucked up towards his fingers, rocking back and forth. As he took that as a yes, he pulled down the only barrier between her and him. Frustrated, I took his fingers and spread my legs wider so his finger landed on the place I needed him the most. “ Rub it pleases,” I begged mercilessly, almost in tears from all the soft teasing. Kevin saw her distraught face and instantly did as told, almost moaning himself. She was hot, sticky and extremely wet. The soft nub her rubbed causing Y/N to fall back and become putty in his hands. He realized this was her spot, the spot he could use to his advantage. His fingers trying to mimic the number of movements he learned from straight porn. 

“ Fuck-fuck shit Kev-” I cried watching as his fingers pressed down and went side to side on my clit almost convulsively good. Kevin rested his forehead against hers watching her eyes wide and mouth wide. “You’re so beautiful… only I make you this wild, right?” I nodded viciously staring into his soft eyes as I held my legs apart felling myself about to cum. A cry of his name signaled Kevin to stop. Anger poured in as he pulled away to look for a condom. 

“ You fucker.” I growled in annoyance, I heard him chuckle as he looked through his drawer, “ Oh, it’s not funny.” I shot up and walked towards him right as he was going to turn around I push him up against the wall getting on my knees.

“ Wait-” Kevin began, but I cut him off as I shoved his boxers down and shoving his pink tip into my drooling mouth. Kevin hissed and clawed at my scalp, eyes wide as I took him in and out and fingers probing in and out of his butt. “ Shit… fuck…. Don’t stop.” he growled as his hips began to thrust into my hot warm mouth. 

Kevin was on cloud 9 watching as her small mouth took him so well. Joaquin could never take him fully and this was life-changing. My core dripped down my thigh as I looked up to see him fully vulnerable, abdomen clenched, his eyes closed and mouth open. I pulled away with a plop and got up turning around, heading towards the door to the bathroom. 

“ What the fuck-” He cried, I turned around innocently.

“ What?” I batted my eyes. His strong arms pulled me back and onto the bed where he pinned me down, his strong thighs pushing my legs apart. His mouth, biting and nipping down my neck, my nipples, and stomach. I watched contently as he tried to wrap the condom around himself. 

“ I’m on birth control Kevin.” I sighed knocking the condom off his hands and taking his red/pink dick towards my entrance.

“ But-”

“ It’s fine, I want to feel all of you.” With that, he thrust in easily into my dripping core.

“ Fuck!” We cried as we held on to each other, eyes shut. Kevin never felt this before the hot wet and clenching feeling around him. He could cum just with that. And he wasn’t lying about that as he shook from holding on. I wiggled my hips so he could move, with that he moved out and in slowly his pelvic bone rubbing my clit. “ Ah! Harder… faster” I pleaded scratching his back. Kevin didn’t think straight before going faster and pounding more than ever. His huge member burying deep into the g-spot that wasn’t hit in years. 

“ Fuck yeah…” Kevin muttered and panted as he wrapped his hand around her neck. Her face contoured into pure bliss. His pupils were blown as he saw her weak and vulnerable under his touch. Her hair spread around her pink cheeks. His mind seemed to only be there, present, as he pushed and buried into her feeling this new adrenaline to sex he never felt before when he slept with men. Her legs wrapped around him, her hands all over him and eager to have anything else push her over the edge. God fucking damn how he wanted to frame this mental picture of her.

“ Oh...shit… Kev... I’m going to…” I pried at his chest and my legs around his torso tightening. Kev growled and dropped his head into her chest as her walls twitched in anticipation around him. My hand instantly ran in between our bodies to rub insanely fast to come undone. 

“ Ah fuck” Kev yelled as he grounded his hip a few times before I came around him, legs twitching, nails scratching, head back moaning and screaming. He followed along coming undone in me. We both lay there breathing heavily, eyes closed. 

As we peeled off each other we stared at each other followed by giggles.

“ Well,does that mean we can finally not be angry at each other?” Kevin asked teasingly. I chuckled softly and pulled the blankets around us.

“ Hmm, maybe I’ll sleep on it,” I mumbled as I cuddled close to his warm body. He instantly engulfed me in his arms and stroked my hair kissing it softly.

“ I love you.”

“ I love you more… Goodnight.” I yawned. 

[honeycombme]

Easy as Breathing (PT. 2)

Clyde has never looked so sweet.

Part 2!

(Pt 3 available here!)

Your fingertips shook ever so slightly as they pulled clothes from your dresser. What do you even wear camping. Nothing you dredged up from the depths of your drawers was satisfying the goal you had in mind. Of course, all you wanted to do was feel desirable, but how do you do that when you’ll just be sweaty and gross for the entire weekend? You decided to just text Lauren. You wrote, “EMERGENCY. Wtf am i supposed to wear to keep Clyde’s attention? Surely not the t-shirt from my middle school robotics team?!”

You felt even more frantic. Bathing suits. You didn’t have anything other than a cheap, all black one-piece. You texted Lauren again. “Ok ok and bathing suits...i’m fucked”. You took a shaky breath, piling in essentials you at least knew you’d need. After all the toiletries and whatnot were sorted, you checked your phone. Lauren must’ve been having a ball. 

“Oh sweetpea, honeybear, sugarplum. I’m at the mall right now, what’s your size?” Her text burned into your retinas as you contemplated whether or not to give her this power. You relented, realizing you were already a lost cause and she could only help from here. After she received your text about sizes, she sent a wink emoji. Winking….about what???

You decided to fold up every piece of clothing you ripped out of your dresser while you waited for her to let you know whether or not she had any luck with bathing suits or clothes. You bargained with yourself, realizing t-shirts, shorts, and leggings would just have to do in this case. You folded everything neatly into a duffle bag, cursing under your breath at your nerves. 

Your phone dinged. When you unlocked the screen, Clyde’s name came into view. Your heart fluttered and you felt the butterflies again. You’d been texting on and off since last night you went to the bar, getting to know each other little by little. You learned that  he loves spaghetti and the smell of the Earth fresh after the rain. You learned that he was in the military and that he enjoys the moon more than the sun. You learned that his favorite dessert was peach cobbler. You also learned that you wanted to learn everything about him. 

He texted, “Just finished puttin some booze in a cooler for us, that way everything’ll be nice and chilled when we get there. I’m sure excited to be gettin there and settlin’ down for the night. I hope you’re as excited as I am, darlin.” You leaned against the closest wall you could find, re-reading the text over and over as you sighed. No matter what you wore, you were certain it’d be perfect. 

Lauren proposed that you both drive together to minimize the amount of cars at the campsite. When she showed up, she invited herself in to help you with bags. She looked you up and down as she saw you standing in your living room, closing the door and whipping her head back around. In her hands was a small fabric bag and she began pulling out the contents. 

“Ok so I packed you the swimsuit and a couple other essentials; however, we need to fix this outfit immediately,” she laughed, walking over and placing a hand on your shoulder. “Listen dear, you’re perfect; but if i’m going to live vicariously through you, i’m gonna need you to put these on.” She held out her hand, holding a few items of clothing. 

You unfurled the clothes, revealing a cropped, v-neck tank top, high-waisted jean shorts, a thin, loose cardigan, and a ballcap. You looked from the clothing to her, panic rising in your throat. 

“Y/n, it’s going to be fine. This way you’ll be more comfortable, too. It’s hotter than a rattlesnakes taint out there.” Lauren was perfect. She always had a quip to make you laugh, put you at ease. You ran into the bathroom and changed as fast as you could, trying not to look at yourself in the mirror too hard. When you walked out, she praised you. 

“YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS girl, I AM drooling. I’m quite the life saver. No need to thank me, let’s just get outta here, shall we?” With a spring in her step, she grabbed the bag and walked out of the door. You picked up your own bag and shuffled out, locking the door behind you. And so it begins. 

When you arrived at the campsite, there was a man in a guard shack checking every vehicle in. As Lauren approached, she stated the party’s name (Clyde Logan…*sigh*) and the man let you through. You drove for about 20 minutes around and around seemingly endless trees, camp sites, and then back the place you started. 

“Fuck,” gritted Lauren. She was visibly frustrated, and you were no better to navigate the woods than her. You decided to text Clyde. 

“Classic. Girls lost in the woods. Any way you can give me a play by play on how to get there?” You sent your text in a flash. Only seconds later, Clyde’s name appeared on your screen; he was calling. 

Your stomach dropped but you answered quickly (too quickly? Oh shut up y/n). 

“Hey there darlin’ can ya give me an idea of where you’re at? I can walk up to the main street ta meet ya.” His southern drawl was exceptional, I mean. WHERE did he pick this gorgeous twang from, the heavens?  

You chatted quickly about your surroundings, coming about a gentleman holding a phone, looking in the other direction. It was him. His hair was halfway pulled back into a convenient bun, t-shirt ripped open on the sides revealing his sides and chest. You shuddered slightly. When he turned his head your way, Lauren had slowed down drastically. He smiled and waved his arms for you to follow him. The path became littered with branched and trees, the further you drove in, the thicker the foliage became. Lauren kept a decent distance between him and the car. 

“Sure is looking like a snack for you, hmm?” she teased. She bit her tongue and smiled wildly when you glanced at her, pleading. Your nerves were already shot, and you felt way out of your element in this outfit. The skin that was exposed feeling every draft that passed you. 

When the car stopped, your stomach jolted upwards. You exited the car, tugging at the hem of the crop top to try and regain some modesty. Clyde was talking to Jimmy, but when he looked over and saw you, he jogged over to help. 

“Ya made it in one piece, ladies,” he beamed, giving Lauren the quickest of embraces. He made his way to you, smiling wildly as he placed an arm around you tightly, burrowing his face in the crook of your neck. You could’ve sworn he breathed you in. When he pulled away, he eyed you up and down, eyes lingering on the skin between your shorts and your crop top. You were immediately away of your exposed skin again, tugging at the hem of the shirt. 

He led you into the clearing of the campsite, holding you and Lauren’s bags over his shoulder. She reached for hers as he showed you where your tent was, escaping into the tent to set her stuff up. He placed yours down next to his tent. 

“This here’s Jimmy Logan, worst best brother ta ever walk the earth-” Clyde stated as Jimmy walked towards you arms open. 

“And you must be the pretty little thing he’s been ravin’ about, c’mere sweetie,” Jimmy Logan’s arms were around you in the blink of an eye, Your left hand raising to pat his back. As he pulled away, you noticed how bright his eyes were, a stark contrast from Clyde’s molasses colored eyes. His smile was warm and genuine, an honest smile you realized you needed to see. Jimmy’s friend introduced himself and you shook hands, becoming acquainted with everyone. 

When Lauren reappeared, she also received the same introductions, hugs and quips. You were both led through the options for dinner and available snacks, Clyde hanging around in the background sipping a beer. He was tending to a small fire, attempting to build it into one that would last the evening. Lauren and you spent a good fifteen minutes applying sunscreen and bugspray, leaving you both slightly greasy with a bit of sickly perfume hanging on your skin. 

A few hours had gone by and drinks were heavily passed around, sitting by the fire. No one was shy to drink from Jimmy’s friend’s flask after a few drinks, and boy did it burn. You swallowed an accidental mouthful from the flask, trying to regain control of your facial expression as it burned your esophagus. 

“That there is my momma’s best apple pie moonshine,” declared Jimmy’s friend. “She won awards from it….there’s another handle in my trunk.” He laughed, holding his belly as the flask made its way back to him. 

“Sometimes I honestly believe your momma’s been tryna kill you with that stuff,” chuckled Jimmy, slapping his chest as the remnants of the moonshine trickled down. You smiled into the heat of the fire and the heat in your veins. Shit. You were a little drunk. 

You were saved by Clyde pulling out hot dogs and the works. You mowed down probably two...maybe three hot dogs when you felt you had control of your mouth. Jimmy and his friend spent the sunset asking you and Lauren questions about your lives. He kept referring to you as “city girls” and acting in awe of the life you had back in New England. It was interesting to see their reactions to your everyday ventures. 

You asked the same amount of questions in return, learning about Jimmy’s criminal past (he has nothing to hide) and his hopes for the future. Clyde remained quiet and attentive, soaking in all the information. You turned to face him. “What about you, mister tall, dark and mysterious?” You felt brazen, realizing you didn’t mean to put him on the spot. Clyde just smiled at you. 

“I’ll tell ya anything you wanna know, miss.”

You all got to talking about how Clyde came to own Duck Tape, how he and Jimmy got themselves into all sorts of trouble, and how they used to come to this campsite to get away from all the negatives in their lives. 

The sun was beyond set and you began to feel the draft of the air against your skin becoming colder and colder. Without realizing you were, you started shivering; teeth chattering every so often as you attempted to stifle it. It was nerves as well, Lauren and Jimmy’s friend hit it off, deciding to go watch the fireflies by the lake's edge. Now it was you, Clyde, and Jimmy. 

“Welp, since the suns down I’m gonna take this chance to go wash off the day. You guys need anything, you holler.” Jimmy stood promptly, grabbing his bag from beside his tent and walked off into the woods. 

“Shower?” you questioned Clyde. You didn’t realize but he had stood when Jimmy did, perhaps he wanted to go shower as well. 

“Yeah, it’s like a quarter-for-a-few-minutes of hot water deal,” he explained. “It’s in an old log cabin up the road.”

“Aaah,” you teased, “so this isn’t real camping..”

He came to sit by your side, shoving you playfully with his shoulder. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with wantin ta stay pampered,” he let his hair out of the bun and shook it loose. You could smell the spicy shampoo from his hair, the deodorant clinging to his skin, the peppery cologne he must be wearing…He chuckled at his own playfulness

You breathed in deep. “Mmm tell me you brought some of that shampoo to share, mister Logan.” You smiled sweetly at Clyde and then looked back to the crackling fire. Another gust of wind, stronger than the others, attacked your exposed skin, causing you to shiver. Clyde noticed, getting up and walking towards his tent. How could this hot, muggy place have such freezing night time drafts?

Clyde returned with a balled up piece of clothing in his hand. “Arms up,” he demanded. You looked to him confused, raising your arms. He pulled the material out and draped it around your arms, tugging it down until your hands met the holes of a shirt. He grabbed his own shirt for you to wear...to keep you warm. You melted. It smelled just like him. Not exposed to the smell of burning wood, the shirt exuded his scent, each subtle note gracing your senses. You sighed as the shirt enveloped you, coming to your thighs. 

The heat of the fire on your shins matched the heat in your cheeks now. Clyde seemed closer than ever, yet the two of you were silent. 

“Clyde?” Your voice pierced a scared rhythm of crackling in the embers of the fire. 

“Y/n?” he replied.

“I think you’re too cool for me,” you joked, halfway believing it. 

He smiled wide, “Too cool...ain’t never heard that one before. Truth be told, i’m a little shy. And hell, maybe a little nervous.” 

“Nervous?”

“Yeah...i’m not real good at the whole...smooth talkin’ thing.” He looked from the fire to the ground. You turned to face him. 

“Smooth talkin’ thing,” you repeated. “Clyde, you don’t need to play games with people, you’re the real deal. That’s why all the women at the bar hang on your every word, why I come as often-” You stopped yourself. Don’t give too much away, damnit. Even if the moonshine is strong, you needed to at least not make yourself vulnerable. You looked to the ground, then to his prosthetic arm which was glinting in the fire. In your peripheral vision, Clyde was looking down at you with the faintest smirk. 

“Yes, miss y/n? Please continue,” he demanded.

You huffed a breath through your nose, taking a sip of the drink you had been nursing. “All i’m saying is...I can’t seem to get enough of being around you. You make this whole reassignment..I don’t know...brighter? Sweeter? You make everything as easy as breathing when I come to see you at the bar. I’m sure you get a lot of this, but it sure means a lot to me to have you around.” You weren’t sure where you pulled the courage to say all of this, but you realized you’d begun shaking from nerves. 

Clyde’s eyes contained the image of the fire reflected back to you. Of course they did. He’s the only person that’s made you feel hotter than the West Virginia sun. The only face you’ve pictured late at night when your hands dip below your panty line. The only thing giving you a glimmer of hope for happiness in this lonely town. You were only able to hold his gaze for a moment. His hair was curling at the ends from the humidity, a slight breeze sending the scent of his shampoo to your senses. 

“You must not know how much I think of you, y/n,” he began, “ever since you been comin’ to my bar for a laugh, I’ve been hangin off every word you say to me.” He looked down at his shirt wrapped around your body. “You are the highlight of my day, every time I see your pretty face gracin’ my bar. I love makin’ you your favorite drinks, watchin you sip and be happy with your girlfriend...hell, i’d do anything to make you feel happy,” he chuckled. “I honestly never thought I stood a chance with lady as beautiful as you, always comin to see me in those perfect dresses.” 

You shuddered at the thought of him noticing you in your dress, wondering what you were wearing underneath, how the fabric would feel against his skin…

“Y/n!” yelled Lauren. 

You both perked up, not realizing how close your faces had gotten in your conversation. You became acutely aware of the smoke coming your way in contrast to the scent of Clyde’s body coming closer to yours. You turned to face Lauren, walking with Jimmy’s friend. 

“Yes, Lauren?”

~

@callmehopeless​...because I LOVE annoying you with attention

[lunaschild2016]

No Ordinary Love: Part 2 - Dangerous night

An Eric Coulter / Original Character Romance (Formerly Take Your Time)

Rated M: Explicit, Smut, Romance, Angst, Language, Implied Abuse and Addiction

Character Inspiration/Face Claims:

Eric Coulter: Jai Courtney

Lacey Matheson: Phoebe Tonkin (Hayley from Originals)

Summary: Theirs was not an ordinary love. After all, you’re not supposed to fall in love with someone you consider as family, even you don’t share the same blood. But they were in each other’s veins too deep. They only had one night together. One night to be shameless and to finally act on the feelings that had haunted them for longer than either could admit. Afterward, the only thing left to do was to pick up their pieces. Eric/OC AU No War No Divergents

[Sorry in advance if the read more glitches and shows entire post]

                                        Part 2- Dangerous Night

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I

I am a man on fire

You

A violent desire

What a dangerous night to fall in love

Don’t know why we still hide what we’ve become

Do you wanna cross the line?

We’re running out of time

A dangerous night to fall in love

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Eric  

At some point over the last few years, someone within the city government had come up with a brilliant idea to bring back old traditions and celebrations that died out after the wars and disasters that brought civilization as it had been to a halt. Each faction was encouraged to take part. Sometimes this was done as interfaction events while others, each faction did their own thing and kept to themselves. 

Some of these traditions and celebrations weren’t all that bad. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and New Year were among the most commonly recognized occasions and had already had some levels of celebration in most of the factions before they were resurrected citywide. 

Others, like Valentine's Day and Halloween, were complete nightmares and Eric cursed Max for ever agreeing to bring them back in the first place. Eric had been fully against it and voted them down when he was still just Second in Command. Max, being the Senior leader made the final decision and cast his vote for the holidays to be full of faction celebrations, with costumes and everything. Then the bastard retired and left the entire mess for Eric to deal with when he took the Senior Leader position. 

That was three years ago now and it’s been a huge damn headache for him ever since. Like Dauntless really needed a reason to act like a bunch of asses or an excuse for a night of drunken debauchery? The only difference between every other day in the faction and Halloween were the costumes everyone dressed up in.

The only good part of the damn holiday for Eric was the surprising amount of revenue it produced for Dauntless. Out of all the factions in the city, Candor and Amity decided to celebrate Halloween as well and hold separate festivities in their own factions. Because Dauntless seemed to do so well on their own costumes and decorations, those two factions put in requests to buy them. 

The costumes for Amity and Candor were a bit less scandalous than what Dauntless, or the female portion at least, leaned towards. There was a variety of  ‘sexy’  everything, from nurses to nuns. 

But it wasn’t just the adults that got to play. The kids weren’t left out and during the day the entire compound had different things set up for them, like games with prizes, trick or treating, and even a haunted house. Things wrapped up for the dependents with a special dinner held in the dining hall. As soon as the dinner wrapped up and nighttime fell, it became all about the adults. 

No dependents allowed. 

Eric had to set boundaries and enforce some rules, like no public sex or orgies, but otherwise, it wasn’t as bad as it could be. While he did attend the various celebrations he refused to dress up in any way. 

No one expected him to either, not even Lacey. Even though she always dressed up for this holiday. They had established their own traditions and she was always with him for the day, which made things much more bearable to him. Except for this year, she wasn’t and it showed in Eric’s mood. 

He did try to not be a complete dick though because there was still Wade with him. It’s his last year as a dependent so he had been excited about his last Halloween in Dauntless. They made a guys night of it. Hitting up some of the games for the older kids, the rock climbing wall, and the games that involved shooting or throwing darts and knives for prizes. They finished it off with the dinner in the dining hall that was heavy on the sweets. Then Wade went off with some of his friends where they were going to be holding their own night time party safe behind closed doors of an apartment. Eric was pretty sure someone was going to sneak in some booze but he just shrugged and told Wade he was old enough to make the choice but warned him to not overdo it if he did indulge. 

As the time got closer when all the kids would be ushered back home so the adults could have their turn, Eric’s mood started to turn even sourer. He tried not to but he couldn’t help it when he thought of why Lacey wasn’t with him like she always was. 

Because she had a fucking date. She didn’t actually say that was why she was bailing on him, but what else could it be? 

The more he thought about that the more he drank and the worse his mood became. 

He had been so sure he took care of the last guy that had been sniffing around Lacey. His name was Aaron and he worked in the armory. He was a pretty boy with blonde hair and a deep tan that just looked odd to Eric but all the girls seemed to drool over. They called it a ‘ surfer look ’. The punk had a reputation for being a charmer but wasn’t exactly a player. His thing seemed to be going after the girls that were labeled as hard to get. The ones that might not be so ready to give him the time of day, were already involved, or in Lacey’s case...a well known good girl and a rumored virgin. It was also known that she was a bit of a social hermit. Lacey was not one to go out and party much and could usually be found at home hanging out with her family or friends. 

Word got back to Eric that Aaron had his sights set on Lacey and he had been heard to say he was going to take on the ‘goliath’ of the faction. Eric almost lost it when Four, who is his Second in Command now, told him what he overheard one night. The only reason Four told him at all was that he didn’t want to see Lacey get hurt. Normally Four was the one lecturing him that Eric needed to back off and let Lacey make her own decisions about who she wanted to date. He kept reminding him that she’s an adult, at twenty years old, and the more overbearing Eric became the more likely she was to do the exact opposite of what he wanted just to spite him. It hadn’t been hard to see that at least this last part was right because there was a definite distance between them that had been growing wider this last year. 

It killed him to think it, but he knew he needed to let her go.  

Despite knowing this he couldn’t just let her be a conquest and neither could Four. So Four and he came up with a plan to intimidate him into backing off without actually threatening him or telling him outright that was what he needed to do. They executed this plan one day at lunch where they sat at the same table as Aaron. Eric was directly across from him while Four took the space beside him. 

The table got quiet when the two main leaders of the faction sat down. There was an immediate tension in the air and those at the table knew that someone must have done something to bring their attention to them, which couldn’t end well for whoever the poor soul was. It didn’t take long for others to realize who the person was, Eric’s very cold and piercing glare said it all. Aaron was obviously aware of the attention on him but Eric could tell he was fighting hard to not let his unease show. 

Four got things started for them, as planned. 

“Hey, Eric. Isn’t it about time to add fresh blood to the fence rotation?” Four asks offhandedly as if it just occurred to him.

Eric couldn’t stop the smirk that crossed his face. “Yep. It should be easy to fill in this year.”

Four smirked a little too. “Oh yeah? So we have a few victims...errr...I mean volunteers?”

Eric shrugged. “There are always a few of those. Then there are always those guys that find themselves on the fence after deciding it would be a good idea to go mess with things or people they have no business messing with. Guys that like to jerk around girls in ways that, should someone important to them find out, would think fence duty is getting off lightly.” He had started out casually but continued in a quiet menacing tone. 

Aaron got the point. Eric could tell by the subtle swallow and tense shifting. He had to give it to the punk that he didn’t up and run away immediately. Aaron sat there for a few ticks before standing and after a respectful nod towards the two leaders, he walked away leaving his still full tray on the table.

That had been that. He never heard about Aaron and Lacey again and hadn’t seen them together either. So where the fuck was she at tonight?

Eric restlessly roams around the Pit looking for her without trying to acknowledge that’s what he’s doing. He makes his rounds to the different parties being hosted by people he knows, making his customary appearance to let them all know he has his eyes on things and they better not fuck up. When that’s done he decides to head to his favorite club to have a few more drinks at the bar there. He’s actually looking forward to a special brew they were having brought in fresh from Amity. He was told it’s somewhat of a beer but is actually more of a boozy spiced apple cider. 

He orders one and licks his lips in pleasure after a few big draws from the cold glass thinking that he might want to see about getting more of it throughout the year, it’s that good. He can already tell it’s going to be the kind of drink that packs a punch that the person drinking it won’t notice because it just tastes that damn good. Eric’s one glass down when he orders another right after and realizes he might need to take his own advice and go easy if the buzzing in his blood is any indication of how potent it is. He’s in mid-drink and letting his eyes roam over the club when he realizes it’s not a drink that has his skin feeling electrified...it’s Lacey. She’s near.

She has that effect on him and has for a few years now. Just her being near and his body lights up. It’s like his blood became thick and heavy, pulsing with liquid fire and metal. Lacey was like a magnet and she pulled him towards her every time.

He narrows his eyes, scanning the crowds more thoroughly but not seeing her. At least, he wasn’t registering what he was seeing at first when his eyes locked onto one person that he just knew was her but couldn’t wrap his mind around how she looked. 

Lacey stood just across the room from him at a high top bar table with a glass of something in her hand and carrying on a conversation with some dude he couldn’t recognize because of his own costume. If he didn’t have the awareness of her that he does he would never have believed it could be her. 

Lacey always took part in dressing up for Halloween but she was never one to go with the outrageously skimpy outfits most of the other women went with. Sometimes they were outrageously nerdy, like when she crafted an entire armor set that resembled ones from a pre-war game they both liked to play called Mass Effect. Eric even helped her with it after she bribed him to. Then there was the year she and Wade decided to wear matching costumes but let Wade choose what they would be of. He picked Guardians of the Galaxy with Lacey going as Gamora and him being Starlord. They had made Eric a very small name tag that said Drax the Destroyer on it. He wore the damn thing but only because it was about the only acceptable way he would ever consider dressing up.

The point was, she never went for overtly sexy costumes. That wasn’t the point for her. It was all about having fun picking it out and making it herself and it was always something that she had an interest or love for. And Eric fucking loved that about her because it showed she hadn’t lost that side of her where she was free to be a kid at heart. He loved that she gave no fucks about what everyone else was going to think of her costume, all that mattered was if she liked it. What Lacey was in tonight was so far removed from years past it had his head spinning. 

She is in one of the almost obscenely skimpy ones that Dauntless produces and sells. It’s made up of a crop top corset with a cap-sleeved crop peasant shirt underneath and way too damn short skirt. That’s all paired with black thigh highs with intricate lace bands at the top that are clearly showing because the skirt is that short, and ends in black ankle high heeled boots. Her already long legs are showcased by the combination of bare skin and sheer black hose. 

The theme of the costume is clearly Little Red Riding Hood and it came complete with a small deep-red hooded cape. The rich red color highlighted her skin tone perfectly. She didn’t stop there with the additions to her costume though, it looked like she decided to go all out. Over her face, she wore a black lace filigree masquerade mask that did a good job obscuring her features enough that no one would instantly know it was her. Covering her deep brown hair she wore a blood-red wig that he could admit complemented her skin but still couldn’t hold a candle to the color of her own hair.

He didn’t know why she was here, what she was doing and who the hell she was with, but one thing he was certain of was that Lacey had obviously gone far out of her way to not be recognized at all. Even the fact that she was here of all places with none of her friends anywhere near hinted that this was all done with a purpose.

Lacey tilts her head back and laughs at something being said by the guy chatting her up and it hits Eric what the purpose of her entire get-up is about when he realizes she’s obviously flirting.

What the fuck! This isn’t at all like Lacey.

He’s debating how to put a stop to this when he sees the asshole she’s with gesturing to her cup and saying something. He must be asking her if she wants a refill. She hesitates for a moment, biting her lower lip in thought before she hands him the cup with a nod. Eric zeroes on the guy, watching his every move as he walks to the bar with a smile and asks for two refills. Because there’s no way he’s taking his eyes off him or letting him leave with his girl, he also watches as the guy makes a subtle movement over the top of one of the glasses and lets something drop into it before he turns and heads back to Lacey with the cups.

Oh Hell no!

Eric has to push aside the rage, knowing they need to act quickly. He taps on the bar and gives the bartender a pointed glare who recognizes it for what it means. Then Eric is flanked by the bartender as he makes his way over to Lacey where he then waits for Eric’s further instructions just a few steps away from them where they will take care of the rest after Eric makes sure Lacey is safe.

By the time Eric made it over there she’s just lifting the cup to take a drink but still hasn’t made contact yet. He reaches out and snatches it from her hands while snarling at the guy to back off. He didn’t really expect that he would get any back talk and he doesn’t. The guy might have even squeaked a little as he backed up into the waiting hands of the bar staff. “You know where to take him, make sure you get this tested too,” Eric instructs the staff after he hands over the glass.

Then Eric takes a breath before turning to face Lacey, finally.

“Do you always accept drinks from random men?” He growled out angrily.

Her eyes widen and he notices now that he’s up close she also added colored contacts. They are a solid bright green color. 

Why is she going to such lengths to disguise herself?

“I...I don't normally do any of this.” Her tone changed from the first gasped word. She changed the inflection to be deeper, husky...more seductive.

It had his jaw clenching and his nostrils flaring. Being this close to her in that state is wreaking havoc on his body and control.

“Little tip for you then, Red. Never accept open container drinks and never leave your drink unattended. Period. But especially someone you don’t know the first thing about.” He moved closer as he spoke and smirked when Lacey unconsciously moved back. She had already been practically against the wall and now her back was solidly pressed up against it.

He knew he should back off, especially given how he’s feeling right now. Seeing her with that guy and dressed the way she is fired up the possessive and jealous feelings he normally fights so hard to contain. But her pull is just too damn strong and he’s too worked up to resist allowing himself to move in closer. So damn close that his body is now crowding hers in. He lifts his arms and plants them to either side of her shoulders, blocking her in and brushing his body against hers.

He watches her throat work as she swallows nervously then she takes a breath and opens her mouth to speak..but nothing happens at first. “Mary…” She whispers shakily. Eric tilts his head and pulls back enough to look at her a bit better, frowning and not understanding what she said. “My name’s Mary.” Lacey’s voice has a bit more volume now but it’s still uncertain and has an edge to it, one he recognizes all too well when she’s being self-deprecating or sarcastic.

Eric’s eyebrows lift so high in disbelief they almost go into his hairline as he waits for her to say she’s joking or something like that, but she doesn’t. She smiles a crooked smile. He realizes just how far she’s taking this disguise by using an alias and he wonders if he should call her out on it right now. If he should tell her that there was never a chance he wasn’t going to recognize her no matter what lengths she went to. 

Something stops him from doing that...a voice in his head that starts whispering things he should ignore and fight against, but he’s just too damn tired of fighting anymore. 

He lets his eyes roam over her and not bothering to hide the appreciative way he takes her in, for once. 

Lacey is tall even without the heeled boots she’s wearing but with them on they put her at almost exactly the same height as him. Her lips are touched with the most wicked and tempting shade of red, making the natural pout and thickness even more pronounced. The swell of her breasts and her creamy skin were purposely being pushed up by the corset top and left him salivating. For once Lacey wasn’t trying to hide the curves her body developed over the last few years. Taunting and dick hardening curves that she plays down in the clothes she wears from day-to-day. There’s not a chance of that in this getup.

His perusal of her stops when he gets to her midriff that is bare. In all her efforts to disguise herself, she had forgotten the very distinctive birthmark on her right side resting on her lower abs area. It’s a faded rust-brown color in the shape of a scorpion, complete with claws, tail and a stinger that curves to the left. Maybe she thought it would like a tattoo so didn’t bother trying to hide it or maybe she didn’t think anyone would know she has something like that at all. Eric knew of it because Henley had remarked on it being something else passed on from her dad’s side of the family and he had seen it for himself one time. Just a brief glimpse but enough for him to have it burned in his memory.  

Seeing it now fully for the first time is only driving his desire for her even higher and images of him with his lips working that spot over have any thought of stopping this charade flying right out of his mind. He decides he’s not going to fight it. It’s obvious she doesn’t want him to know it’s her and he’s curious how far she’s wanting to take that.

“Mary?” He finally said in amusement when he looked back into her eyes. She shrugs with a smile playing on her lips. “So, what are you doing here?” His eyes narrowed as he searched for the answers in hers but she had stopped his ability to read things there when she put in the contacts.

Lacey licked her lips as her breathing picked up. Her chest heaved a little as she slowly reached out and put a long delicate looking hand on his arm. Right at the bulge of his bicep and where the skin was bare there.

The simple touch had the blood pounding in his ears and made his nostrils flare.

“It seemed like a good night to lose myself. Maybe become someone else. Someone that takes what she wants for a change.” Her answer was a breathy whisper.

It sent shivers down his back while at the same time anger coursing through him when he remembered her letting that dickhead chat her up. Was it her intention to give her innocence to just anyone?  

“And what exactly is it that you want, Red?” He growled out as he used his other hand to grip her waist and jerk her against him.

She gasped and gripped his arm tighter. “Well, I'm Red Riding Hood, right? What would she be without her wolf? That’s why I’m here, to find him.” She replied after a few seconds pause, her voice dropped to that husky, seductive one again.

“Just any old wolf would do, huh?” His jaw was clenched as he asked it angrily.

For a moment, even through the contacts that concealed her normally expressive eyes, he saw sadness flash in them. “No. I was hoping to catch my big bad wolf.” She replied in a tremulous whisper but her eyes held his meaningfully.

He couldn’t fucking believe it. She wasn’t here for some random hook up. There was a reason she picked his favorite club, the one she knew he would slip off to so he could have a few drinks after the madness this holiday always brought him. It was one of his fucking routines and she knew all of those by heart. 

The costume, the disguise, using another name...it was all meant for him. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her.

It shouldn’t surprise him. There had been signs of it for years. Looks they shared or how she reacted to him at times. The most he had been willing to admit to was that she might have a crush but that she grew out of it. He always denied them as being real signs of attraction on her part and put anything else down to him reading into things too much because he desperately wanted them to be real and not just his imagination.

He couldn’t make that mistake now. He needed to be sure this is what he thought it was.

“Did you find him?” He purred out as he ghosted his lips near her ear.

She shivered in his embrace and dug her nails into his arms. “I have. Unless it turns out he’s all bark and no bite.” She taunted playfully. 

Eric pulled back with a smirk on his lips and desire in his eyes. There was still a small part holding him back. Part of him needed to give her the out if this wasn’t what she wanted or if she had second thoughts. There was also a part of him that wanted to scare her off. Because if she backed down now, they could possibly pretend this night never happened and carry on as normal. He could go back to living in denial about his feelings for her and she could go on never knowing how fucked up he really was with all the terrible things he wants to do to her.

“Let's cut the shit, Red. I want you but I'm not some little boy that will be nice, sweet and gentle about it. Do you know what that means? The things I’m going to do to you?” 

Even as he said the words he was also sending up silent prayers she wouldn’t back down. That he hadn’t or wouldn’t scare her off...because he wanted this. He needed this. Just one fucking night with her. He could never have more...but this...maybe he could really let her go if they had this one night together.

“Tell me, Eric. What are you going to do to me?” She replied with no fear and no hesitation. Only a slight tremble in her voice that was thick with desire.

Eric paused to gather himself and moved the arm that rested on the wall by her head to cup the back of her neck possessively. 

He leaned in so their bodies were pressed tightly together, letting her feel the clear evidence of his arousal. “If you think all that’s going to happen is me fucking you, you’re wrong, Red. I’m not just going to fuck you. I’m going to own you. Every part of you will be mine to do with as I please but I’m also going to make you come undone for me so many times you will remember nothing but my name as you scream it over and over. I’m going to ruin you for anyone else so that you will lay awake at night remembering and craving me.” He rasped, his forehead pressed against hers.

And he meant every damn word.  Especially about ruining her...just as she had already ruined him for anyone else.

He felt the gasped breath and the trembling in her body. He pulled back to see if he had scared her off with the rawness of his admission but again, he saw only desire. She shifted and tried to clench her thighs together. Her chest was heaving, pushing her breasts out even further than her top did. She licked her lips and a small moan escaped them.

It filled him with relief and resolve. 

With a smirk, he lifted his chin towards her to indicate it was her turn to answer. “Do you want that?”

She nodded her head in two tight jerky motions but Eric shook his head. That wasn’t good enough. He needed to hear her say it, say the words and tell him exactly what she wanted him to do to her. 

“Say it. Tell me what you want.” He commanded her.

She took a big breath and lifted her chin. “I want you, Eric. I want you to take me. To...to fuck me until I can't see straight, think straight. Until there is only you….nothing else.”

He groaned and buried his head in the exposed crook of her neck, tasting the flesh there. She tasted exactly like the scent she always left in her wake when she was near. Citrus and honeysuckle. He pulled himself away after eliciting whimpered moans from her. He stepped back and took a breath. 

“Last chance to run home to grandma, Red. Are you sure?”

He knew that would have her back going straight in defiance, and it did. She stepped forward, her eyes narrowed and chin squared in determination. “I'm sure,  Wolf .” Then her eyes softened a little. “No regrets.” She said in a whispered promise.

Eric nodded and took her hand in his. “No regrets” His reply was an internal, hopeful prayer that he could keep his own promise.

He pulled her close to his side, then without another word they made their way out of the bar together to his apartment.

[tabloidtoc]

National Enquirer, September 28

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Jeffrey Epstein’s madam Ghislaine Maxwell’s secret husband unmasked 

Page 2: Royal renegades Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle have turned their backs on the U.K. forever by paying back $3.1 million borrowed from British taxpayers to renovate Frogmore Cottage because Harry always felt the weight of the public loan and he’s paid it back in full as one of the last stages in divorcing himself from the royal family and the U.K. itself -- the California-based couple who recently bought a $15 million mansion in Montecito also claimed they will no longer take handout from Harry’s dad Prince Charles after signing a Netflix deal said to be worth as much as $150 million 

Page 3: Slimmed-down Jessica Simpson has told chubby hubby Eric Johnson to shape up or ship out -- she’s been laser-focused on healthy dieting and exercise since giving birth to daughter Birdie Mae 18 months ago but her flabby ex-football star spouse has been piling on the pounds 

Page 4: Angelina Jolie has shrunk to a skeletal 99 pounds after launching a hunger strike to force hated ex Brad Pitt to cave to her child custody demands but friends and medical experts fear the star may be killing herself in the process -- Angie’s surviving on handfuls of grains and nuts and avoiding full meals and she’s banking on Brad cratering when he sees her in such a sorry state and giving her anything she wants, sober and svelte Kelly Osbourne is on a mission to find a man 

Page 5: Demi Moore is drooling over love rat Justin Hartley’s Instagram posts and she’s got it bad for the lothario -- she’s had it bad for him ever since they filmed a funny skit together on The Tonight Show last year -- Demi has not had a serious romance since her catastrophic breakup in 2013 with Ashton Kutcher but she’s coming out of her shell after swearing off dating and now she wants to have some fun and she’s zeroed in on Justin 

Page 6: Katie Holmes has given up on Hollywood hunks and found romance with a Big Apple chef -- she was snapped getting hot and heavy with Emilio Vitolo Jr. and the single mom is hungry for love with a man more focused on her than stardom 

Page 7: Sharon Osbourne chased Marie Osmond off The Talk -- Marie thought the show would be fun and just a bunch of girls gabbing about their lives and whatnot but she found out that was totally naive because Sharon disliked her from the start and Marie felt Sharon was jealous of her and thought she didn’t belong and there was a definite rift between them and an undercurrent of bitchiness that everyone noticed 

Page 8: Big-ideas guy Chip Gaines is clashing with wife Joanna Gaines over money as he wants to expand their empire but she wants to slow things down, Hollywood Hookups -- Jay Cutler and Tomi Lahren dating, Kathie Lee Gifford’s son Cody Gifford wed Erika Brown, Lily Allen and David Harbour wed

Page 9: Scandal-scarred Kevin Spacey has been accused of trying to sexually assault two 14-year-old boys during the 1980s in an explosive new lawsuit filed in New York -- one accuser has not been named but the second accuser in the lawsuit is Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp 

Page 10: Hot Shots -- Brian Austin Green stocks up at a supermarket in L.A., Gerard Butler hopped about his motorcycle after having dinner in Malibu, Olivia Wilde at the beach in Malibu, Anne Heche stepped out in L.A. 

Page 11: Martial-arts movie master Jackie Chan got his butt kicked by Chinese officials out into the streets of Beijing when they seized two side-by-side luxury apartments in Beijing where the Hong Kong-born karate king’s family lived and put them up for auction in an ownership dispute but Jackie is fighting back by filing a lawsuit to reclaim his property which he bought estimated to be worth $5 million at a massively discounted $2 million in 2007 after doing promotional work for the owners, Oscar-winning vegan Joaquin Phoenix hopes to whip up a career as TV’s next top chef -- he loves to experiment at the stove adding different spices to traditional dishes but those who have sampled his stuff have confessed he’s not that good -- despite his kitchen limitations he has no plans to ditch acting but he wants to go all in on trying to become a YouTube or Food Network personality 

Page 12: Straight Shuter -- Alessandra Ambrosio played volleyball in Santa Monica (picture), new Dancing with the Stars host Tyra Banks has kicked former frontman Tom Bergeron from the ballroom blocking a final farewell appearance after 15 years on the show and now Tom’s responded by giving tyrant Tyra some lip by openly mocking her bizarre new promotional video where her kisser was enhanced to mimic the show’s mirror ball trophy, it’s bye-bye booze on The Real Housewives franchise because seeing older white privileged women getting drunk and fighting isn’t fun anymore and it’s put a lot of viewers off and Bravo execs believe it’s one reason the ratings have tanked so now there will be less booze available during tapings, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are clashing over politics among other things -- Gwen hosted an Obama fundraiser at her house in Beverly Hills while Blake is much more conservative and they’re struggling to find common ground and the weeks leading up to the election could rip these two apart 

Page 13: Keeping Up with the Kardashians is ending its 14-year run because the famous family members can’t stand each other anymore

Page 14: Crime 

Page 15: Broken-hearted Priscilla Presley is on the verge of an emotional breakdown and dealing with daughter Lisa Marie Presley’s past struggles with addiction and ongoing divorce with Michael Lockwood and the recent tragic suicide of her only grandson Benjamin Keough have taken a devastating toll on the 75-year-old along with the impact of the global pandemic and the country’s social unrest -- she locks herself in her room and cries uncontrollably for hours at a time and has had trouble keeping up with her daily routines -- she’s selling her Beverly Hills home and moving back to Graceland but the walls outside the estate are covered in graffiti with messages like Black Lives Matter and No Justice No Peace 

Page 18: Their Marriage Failed So They Tried Again -- Pamela Anderson, Larry King, Jean-Claude Van Damme 

Page 19: Melanie Griffith, Elliott Gould, Marie Osmond, Elon Musk 

Page 20: Brainiac Ken Jennings the all-time winningest contestant on Jeopardy! is being groomed to replace the show’s ailing host Alex Trebek by the beloved TV legend himself 

Page 22: Prized props pilfered from Hollywood sets are big business for underground dealers and can fetch up to six figures on the black market and even worse some memorabilia heists have disrupted the making of major blockbusters costing studios a pretty penny 

Page 28: Cover Story -- Sex monster Jeffrey Epstein’s accused madam Ghislaine Maxwell will never be convicted due to a provision in the U.S. Constitution that forbids married couples from being forced to testify against their mates and now facing charges of sex trafficking underage girls for the pervert billionaire Maxwell has a get-out-of-jail-free card because she secretly married the pedophile before he was murdered in a federal prison last year 

Page 34: Prankster Sacha Baron Cohen secretly shot a sequel to his 2006 blockbuster Borat and it’s already been screened by select industry bigwigs, Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond is blazing her daughter Alex’s path to the altar with fiance Mauricio Scott 

Page 38: Health Watch

Page 42: Red Carpet -- Venice Film Festival -- Cate Blanchett -- hot, Tilda Swinton -- not, Arizona Muse -- hot, Maya Hawke -- hot, Elodie -- hot, Vanessa Kirby -- hot 

Page 45: Spot the Differences -- Gerald McRaney and Aubrey Dollar and Kim Cattrall on the new drama Filthy Rich 

Page 47: Odd List -- a gory piece of history has landed on the auction block -- a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair that was wrapped in an 1865 telegram stained with the dead president’s blood is expected to fetch up to $75,000 

[alitheamateur]

A Taste of Home

Chapter 3

(giphy credit for gif)

The welcomed flow of conversation, and booze tickled like velvety ribbon over your creaking, rickety heart that night. Between the yelps of protest at his television during the game, Chris would often find you. Whether it be just the simple pairing of an assured smile and concerned glance, or a walk across the room to offer you a refill. His awareness to your presence was elating, whether it’s intensions be romantic, or not.

When you’d had all the reminiscing your scrambled mind could take, and all the wine you would allow yourself, you readied your coat and searched the rack for your purse. Apparently being watched surreptitiously from the shadows.

“Leaving? Not already, Millie. You haven’t even had the tour yet.” Chris appeared, his hair a bit settled and ruffled from his muddling hands during the Red Sox game.

Tour? No, tour, my painfully pretty friend. I’ll be stripped naked before we get to the laundry room if you take me anywhere but the safely crowded space of this kitchen.

“As much as I would love to drool enviously over your beautiful home, Chris, I have an early morning. I’ve got to scrounge up some sort of buzz for my blog, and hungover, reeking of booze and throw-up won’t exactly snag me the publicity I’m looking for.”

He pulled at your jacket that dangled over your forearm, and offered up its opened sleeves to you. As you slid into it, both arms in unison, he settled it atop your shoulders, pulling your wild hair loose from the collar. The way his hands felt latched onto the knot of your golden waves curled your core with pangs of white-hot heat. His exhales, unexpectedly hitching, at the back of your momentarily exposed neck made your eyes close secretly in a bitten back mewl of desire.

“Another time then? We didn’t get to talk nearly enough.”

Your heart leaped, and you didn’t hear anything else he had said after ‘another time.’

“I don’t know, Evans. I’m a terribly busy, successful woman with quite the demanding schedule. I’m certain you don’t have any idea what the lifestyle entails.” You winked.

Your words could play coy, and cool. But, between your legs, you begged for him unremittingly.

Slinging the petite satchel of your purse over your shoulder, you swiped your keys from the very bottom, and huffed before exchanging goodbyes.

“Well, I have your number and if you don’t answer, Calvert…..” He pointed a warning finger to your face, his eyes narrowing with the charade of villainous caution. “I know where to find you.”

Let’s hope he doesn’t know to find you in your parents’ attic, and he’s simply referring to the coffee shop.

You nodded your head, mocking him with dramatic heed of his little threat, and pat him on the bicep. The bowling ball trapped beneath his freckled skin there taking you by surprise.

“Goodnight, Chris. Thanks so much for the invitation. I enjoyed myself! I was super happy to see Tucker, and I even made plans with Colby’s wife for lunch next week. So, I owe you.” 

Ready to tiptoe around him towards to doorway, he scooped you up into a bear hug, smothering you between both of his solid arms. Falling into place like it’s where they were meant to be, your wobbly limbs wrapped around his torso. Only halfway, seeing as his body was nearly as broad, and equally as stout as the trunk of a tree. He smelled…. hot. Like the sun sweltering over an acre of freshly cut grass, stained with a spill of whiskey.

“You’re welcome here anytime, you hear me? Besides, Dodger likes you too much for you to never come back for a visit.”

……………..

Only 48 hours of sunrise and sunset since your journey to Chris’ house, and you were already sweating profusely that he hadn’t reached out. You battled firmly with your mind that even if this million-times-out-of-your-league-man was interested in you, it would not be the typical courtship. He was a celebrity, a literal Hollywood big-wig filming blockbuster after blockbuster. Time was definitely not to spare in his world, and you were lucky to have even ran into him by happen stance less than a week ago.

As if the universe was harshly toying with your teetering, raise and fall of emotions, your cell buzzed in the pocket of your rain jacket and your heels clapped over the concrete of the city sidewalk.

C: check your email.

If there was one perk of the job he played off to his advantage with no shame, it was somehow digging up your every form of contact information.

You stepped to the side, tucking away under the dry cover or a storefront awning, and fiddled with the screen of your device to locate your unread folder of e-mails.

You didn’t know who, or why in the hell, or how he had done it, but as you scanned engagingly over every word of the message, you cursed with confused glee under your breath.

Amongst his plethora of resources, and maybe spying of some sort, Chris had managed to acquire the help of someone in his circle of the fashion world, who now wanted a piece of you blog. The details were a bit foggy, and you barely understood English in the blissful moment for God sakes, but you were already scheduled to meet with the individual to co-conduct a photo shoot for a half-page spread in a magazine for an overseas publication.

A: You’re too much, Chris. Truly, it wasn’t necessary.

A weird conflict suddenly ate through your joy like a warm to a ripe apple. If you accepted Chris and his overly generous assistance in your work field, were you taking the easy way out? Riding the coat tails of a well-equipped friend? And did you want that to be how you made a name?

C: We all need help getting on our feet sometimes, Mills. The blog is fantastic, you work hard, and I wanna help. So let me.

You began your pursuit back towards your car in the drizzling mist of a Spring season rain shower, careful not to slip and faceplant on the slick lumps on the brick walkway of the café parking lot. Your unruly mane had already yielded to the damp assault of the humid forecast for the day, and you needed nothing but to rush home and study for your meeting. Study what, you weren’t entirely sure since you knew nothing about the shoot, or the magazine. But, you were certain reading at least 10 issues from the last 5 years of Harper’s Bizarre would do the trick.

As you checked the directions of your right and left before galloping across the lanes of traffic to your car, something wrapped over the handle of your drivers’ side door puzzled you from a distance.

The closer your eager heels drug you towards the evidence, you could make out the thorny stem of the fullest white rose you had ever seen.

As you pulled up the hood of your soaking jacket when the rain slightly began to persist into a heavy downfall just as you were about to sink in the dry confines of your vehicle, you heard the clearing throat of a man who only gave you his back to look at. Under an umbrella, the lean legs of the mystery man turned towards you, and it was none other than the generous man of the hour. Smiling, fully, but hiding his teeth behind pink lips.

Suddenly, you connected trace of his appearance to the rose safely help in your hand, and you let yourself outwardly laugh as your natural blush lit up your dimples.

“Don’t look at me.” He held up a hand to protest his innocence. “It was all Dodger here’s idea. He’s quite the ladies’ man, if I may say.”

Whether it was the torrential pour of aromatic storm clouds that sent you running to the awaiting cover of amply sized umbrella, or simply the need to be close to his side, is unclear. But, wheels up, you dug in, and your heart already wept inside with begging dispute as you ran for him with unyielding, giddy cheer.

“I was going to grab some ice cream around the corner if you’re interested. And judging by the way you nearly ate the paper bag just to get to those cupcakes from Celia’s Cakes the other night, I think you may have a raging sweet tooth to tend to.”

“Lead the way. But, you’re buying.”

Chris offered up his ushering arm, and you tucked yourself inside it, altogether clueless of the tow truck rounding the corner sent by the order of your marvelous adulterous ex-husband.

TAGS: @miidailyinspiration @eap1935 @mollybegger-blog

[tea-and-toblerones]

Unison  Chapter 13 - Better Love

Better Love- Steel Train

Hey, remember once upon a time when I used to write fan fics? Well, I finally finished the chapter. 

Here’s Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 for a refresher and if your brand spankin new, or just want to reread the whole damn thing, here’s the master list. 

Enjoy guys...sorry it took a forever and a year...

You would think sleep would overtake me quick and easy, with everything that had gone down. Yet here I laid, now wide awake, my mind racing. The fallout of tonight's events playing like a skipping disc, just bursts of memories. Drinking and laughing, dancing on the floor. The guys hands on my waist...wandering down...wandering down. I flung the heavy comforter off me, a small part of me wondering if it was the reason I was covered in sweat. Ed had grumbled a little as I eased out of bed. His face buried deeper in his pillow. His pillow. The thought had pulled me to a stop. My hand hovering over my doorknob, trying to think back to when I started lumping our stuff together. When I had started splitting stuff up into my stuff and his stuff. Which, seems innocent enough, but in this moment it seemed like a huge deal. 

I shook my head. I'm making too much out of it. I pushed the door open, the little whiny creak caused him to flop over. I used to hate that creak. When Nate or someone crashed on my couch, they'd wake me up everytime they would come in to use the bathroom. I was so adamant about the door remaining open. Until Ben. A lot of things had changed after that. I can almost draw a line in my life. BB and AB. Before Ben and After Ben. Ben....fucking Ben....

I scooped up the discarded trash and dirty dishes, depositing them in their proper receptacles. I pulled down a pot and began to make tea. Something normal after such a hectic night. Choosing a night time blend over my normal lemon and ginger. I hovered over the steam, breathing in the sweet, flowery scent. I scooped up the cup, and headed out on the fire escape. I let my legs dangle off the edge as I stared off, letting my thoughts run rampant. 

Tonight was a complete and utter shit show. I could shame starting to creep in as the shots wore off. I buried my hands in my face, like that would just wipe it away. It's true, I had been spending most of the night avoiding him. Hearing that he was an abusive stalker was quite a shock. Why hadn't he told me? That's important information to know going into a relationship. I pushed a sigh through my lips. I guess I'm just as guilty about withholding information from him as well. I felt the urge to go in, snag my shoes and go for a walk to clear my head. Deciding against it, I laid back with a huff, staring up at the sky trying to spot what few stars you could see in the city. The little voice in the back of my mind was telling me I jumped in too fast and I wasn't ready for all this yet.

I hadn't realised I fell asleep until I heard Ed's frantic voice above me. I slowly blinked my eyes open, his worried face coming into view. The sky was  streaked gold and pink, casting him in an ethereal glow. I groaned as I sat up, taking his hand to help me up. Every muscle felt stiff as I moved. Ed sat down beside me, his arm coming around my waist. His free hand stroking my hair. I expected him to bombard me with questions, yet he remained silent. Finally I broke the silence. 

"I'm sorry about last night. I should have just asked you about the allegations instead of distancing myself from you and seeing how you reacted. It was childish and if I hadn't been keeping my distance, that guy wouldn't have been able to do what he did."

His concerned expression morphed into one on anger. His brow had pulled down, his hand had froze in place. 

"It doesn't matter what was going on, he never should have done it period. It's not your fault. It's his," He seemed to deflate a little bit, "I'm also sorry. I acted like a child too. I should have told you about those allegations. I just...it wasn't true and I didn't want you thinking I was something I wasn't."

"Hiding it makes it seem like there's more to it than that...but I can't be too mad. I haven't shared everything with you."

"Well, let's fix that. I'll tell you everything. Everything about Allison, the fallout and the reason I'm on this break. I owe you that," He stopped, "No, I owe you more, but that's a start."

"Well, let's make some breakfast and get comfy. We don't need to add uncomfortable due to hunger."

We pitched ideas for a fabulous breakfast spread, both drooling over potential delicacies we could be eating. After 15 minutes of saying you know what sounds good...this...we settled for the high quality, four star meal of toaster strudels, because let's face it. We wanted the food, but neither one of us had the energy to cook said spread.  So we settled into the couch, still giggling over the attempt at stupid doodles that inevitably turned into a giant white puddle.

"Alright, I think I've procrastinated enough now..." He stated as he placed the plate down on the coffee table, "So I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you know next to nothing about me and Allison?"

"Erm...not next to nothing." I wiped the remaining frosting off my face, "I know nothing about Allison and you."

"Okay, then I'll just start from the beginning. Looking back I can see how stupid I was. How young and naive..." He shook his head, "I thought she was perfect, made specifically for me. I couldn't believe my luck. Well...she ended up being too good to be true."

"I know that feeling..." I muttered, then apologised about cutting him off. He waved his hand, taking a sip of water. 

"I met her at the market. She took the last bag of crisps and we ended up chatting a bit before going our separate ways. Ended up running into her a couple days later at my favorite take away place. Made a joke about it being fate and traded numbers so we could plan our next meeting. Took her to an upscale joint and had a typical first date, talked about typical first date things, but she did seem more interested in my touring and  career than my personal life. I didn't think much of it. Most people have questions and I don't mind telling some of my more wilder stories, which she really seemed to enjoy." 

I listened to him, focusing on the way his lips moved, the way his eyes looked. I thought back, about how I had asked about the places he had visited. Places I had dreamt about visiting. He had told me about some of the parties he had went to, but those hadn't really interested me. I never really saw the appeal of giant parties. 

"I just brushed it off as her just living vicariously through me. A lot of people like hearing those types of stories. She'd offhandedly mention how cool it would be to go to one and so, one night I decided to surprise her invited her along. I had expected her to be thrilled, it was all she talked about. Almost to the point of accusing me of being embarrassed of her. Instead, she got angry, saying I had to give her more than a day's notice because she had nothing nice enough to wear. No biggie I thought, so I took her shopping. Let her pick out some clothes, we had plenty of time before we had to be there. We went from store to store, and not to sound like the typical male but, I was getting both bored and frustrated. Every time I'd suggest something she'd get upset and accuse me of rushing her or wanting her to look bad. Finally, she had picked something out that was pretty pricey but at that point I didn't care, I was just ready to leave."

I watched his adam's apple bob as he swallowed.  I could tell he was trying to get his story in order by the expression on his face. I sat in silence, my hand resting on his knee, in what I hoped he saw as comforting. He had just started but I could already tell she was no good. I know you're not supposed to make snap judgements of people but she really was coming off as a spoiled princess. It had me wondering what Ed had seen in her. He didn't strike me as the shallow type so it had to be more than a pretty face. 

"When we finally made it to the party, after she had to go home and put on what she called evening makeup." He gave me a little side eye, the corner of his mouth curling up, "I had asked her what was wrong with the makeup she was wearing because she looked gorgeous." He made a face, "Because Ed," His voice high and mimicky, "This is for day, I need a bolder look for night." He did an imaginary hair flip with a scoff. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Seriously though, I'm glad you're lower maintenance than that. Not that you're a slob, but you have more of an effortless beauty, y'know."

"Hey Ed?"

"Yeah?"

"I get what you're saying, you can stop."

He chuckled, "Right, well, We get there finally and we go our separate ways. Which I was cool with. I don't like feeling like a chaperone. So, the night goes on, a lot of drinks have been poured, a lot of joints passed and she's nowhere to be found. After searching the entire house, I find her out by the pool, in just her skivvies, waving around a bottle of booze. I had called for a ride back home and gather up all her shit and get her in the car, all while she's whinging about wanting to stay and party more. She eventually just passes out, I let her sleep it off on my couch and we continue like nothing's happened. This goes on for a couple months. Rehearsals and sound checks during the day, shows in the evening, partying at night."

"The non stop touring was starting to catch up with me. I was getting tired, I was missing home, missing my family and friends. I still had a whole leg of the tour left and I didn't know how, or even if, I was going to make it through." He paused and a somber look passed over his face, "I should have ended it with her when she first offered me molly, but I was lonely and she seemed to be the one that understood me. 'It'll help you get through, baby. You won't feel as worn down. It'll be fun.' Honestly, it didn't take a lot of persuading on her part." He let out a wry chuckle, "She knew I had an addictive personality. She did her research and she did it well. She knew I'd get hooked easy. She knew I'd get hooked on the feeling, the rush, but slowing it stopped working and I would just be numb. So she switched to coke. Line after line. It was all I could think about for months. She made it where I relied on her. Made it where I needed her."

"Stu tried to intervene, but I blew him off. I blew a lot of people off because of her. I almost lost everything. I gave her whatever she wanted since she supplied what I mistaken as happiness. I bought her so much stuff. A house, car, clothes, shoes, purses. I was stupid. So fucking stupid." 

I squeezed his knee, his hand coming over mine. "I've been through dark times before. Couch hopping, sleeping on bus benches. When I first moved to America, but I made it through. This was worse. I was always angry, I lashed out at everyone. Me and her always seemed to argue and after one huge fight, I told her to go back home to give each other space. I stopped partying, finally came to my senses and officially ended things with her. The withdrawals were awful. The body aches, the trembles, the night sweats. The physical stuff lasted a couple weeks, but the mental stuff..." He trailed off, " I wanted it for months. I wish I could say I kicked it completely but I switched to pain pills, I convinced myself that was better since my whole body hurt." 

"Then the public backlash began. I had managed to stay under the radar the entire time but when she went back home, she began telling the press that I was stalking her. That I was sending her unwanted gifts to try sway her. That when she found out I was an addict I tried to buy her silence but giving a house and car, but she 'Couldn't be bought' and that caused me to become violent. She was raking in even more cash by trashing my name. The tabloids loved it. I went from Music Superstar, to deranged druggie singer. My tour was over and I honestly thought it was the end of the road for good. Of course, like all scandals, it blew over and it was on to the next story."

"I wish I could blame it all on her but it was my choice and I have to live with it. I fell for her act. She pegged me right off the bat and it was my choice to stick with her. She was after me for my money and her fifteen minutes. She broke me. She broke my trust and not to sound dramatic, but she broke my soul."

I just sat in silence, trying to process everything. I didn't know what to say, it was just... a lot. I could just stare at him, his head bowed a little, his gaze directed at the floor. My heart hurt for him. I wrap my arm around his shoulders and pull him toward me. I began stroking his hair and he collapsed into me. 

"When's the last time you..." I trailed off timidly , not entirely sure I wanted to know the answer.

"I had some pills the day we fought and I thought it was over," he said quietly. The remorse dripping from his voice. 

"Ah..."  I had a feeling but I still felt my heart sink down into my stomach.

"I'm sorry...it seems like I just keep hurting you..." His voice cracked. I could tell he was close to tears. 

"I stand by what I said. I'll stay as long as you keep working on the underlying issues, but  I won't put up with you popping pills."

"I'm done with that part of my life. I choose you. I want you in my life. You make it so much better and I don't want to do anything that could jeopardize that."

He pushed himself up and looked at me for the first time since he started talking. I half expected his eyes to be red and puffy because it had sounded like he had been crying. Yet, they were the brightest blue I had yet to see, with a gleam behind them that I hadn't seen. He pressed his lips against my temple. 

"I just don't want you thinking I'm a magic cure, okay?"

"Of course you're not. I know it's going to be a lot of work. All relationships are, but you're worth the work Adi. I know there's gonna be hard times, but it's safe to say that the honeymoon phase is over. I'm willing to do the work and effort, the question is, are you?" 

I am? He just dropped a lot of information on me that I still haven't processed. Just how bad was his usauge? Do I really want to know? I mean, that was the past right and we don't live in the past. I kinda feel like that's naive thinking. Of course it impacts the present and future. I did say I would stand by him but how far am I willing to go? Where's the line? 

"Well...I do have concerns...I don't want to be responsible for your relapse if something would happen between us. That's a lot of pressure."

"It would be my choice if that was to happen. I know saying don't worry about it, isn't going to help. What I can say is, I'm getting to the root of the problem. I'm taking the steps help myself. I know things have went kinda fast and everything and that this break isn't going to last forever...but I just want that one special person that I can spend my life with. That enhances it. That makes my life better."

I just stare at him, causing his expression to turn sheepish. 

"And you think that's me?" I barely whisper 

"I think it could be you, yes."

"Wow..." I breathe. 

"Sorry, too much?" 

"Um...I guess I hadn't realised how much of a romantic you are and how much you thought about the future." I began picking at my nails, an old habit I had never been able to shake.

"You don't?"

"I think about the future, but...I guess I've been career oriented too long...I just been focused on that for so long..." The whole 'lumping our stuff together thoughts' crossed my mind again, "But...I could see us being together for a while..."

His face split into a grin, "We just had the where do you think we are in this relationship talk."

I nodded, "Yep, we did."

Ed blew a burst of air out of his lips, "Well, enough for all this seriousness. Let's go and do something fun."

I arch my eyebrow "You got something in mind?"

He smirked, holding out his hand, "Of course I got something in mind."

"Well, then after you." I said, taking his hand. A smile spreading across my face, pushing my fears to the back of my mind. 

I could see a future with us, but will that last when he goes back on the road? How much is going to change then?

[bitsandbobsandstuff]

DEEP DISH IS TOO DOUGHY! I like a crispier crust, but still with a little chew in it. I also just really like crunchy foods. for the cronch, of course. here's some questions! what are your favorite pizza toppings? any cities you'd love to visit? favorite fruits? favorite season? what are three materialistic things you could not live without? have any pets or want to in the future? are you a wine, beer, or hard liquor kind of person? and what would Bucky's answers be for all these questions? 👀

NO!! You’re just not eating the good stuff! The greatest crust I’ve ever had in my entire life is Lou Malnati’s…perfectly buttery, a tiny bit salty, and slightly burnt along the edges…dammit now I am drooling. 😂

Hmmmm okay let’s see…

Pizza toppings

Kris: Pepperoni and mushroom 🤤

Bucky: Extra Cheese and Italian sausage, with a side of M&Ms (salty and sweet combo is the bomb)

Cities to visit

Kris: Buenos Aires is next on my list!!!

Bucky: Budapest. He is bound and determined to find out WTF happened in Budapest.

Favorite fruits

Kris: Apples (not by themselves though…dipped in peanut butter)

Bucky: Oranges (OMG Not Easily Conquered  😭😭😭)

Favorite Season

Kris: Fall (Autumn) - leaves are pretty and it feels like a new beginning

Bucky: Fall (Autumn) - summer is too hot with a metal arm and winter is too cold with a metal arm and spring is too rainy with a metal arm, and Fall is juuuuuuuuust right

Three materialistic things we can’t live without

Kris: Earrings (I feel naked without them), wine, perfectly fluffy pillows

Bucky: Fuzzy blankets, British baking shows on Netflix, the $2 back scratcher he stole from Steve who stole it from Clint who found it at a garage sale

Favorite booze

Kris: Wine; all the wines, red white and pink, fill my glass up ASAP

Bucky: Scotch, neat; the really smokey, peaty kind

This was fantastic, THANK YOU!!!

Asks and stuff!