#big thanks to nicole again who helped me make this silly thing... we used her cool camera...

[jils-things]

happy valentine's everyone i am having such a fun time today. hashtag live laugh love

[queerchoicesblog]

New Beginnings

Folks, here’s a new update of the wlw story set in the Sixties, my third  miniseries of the wlw writing project. New beginnings have quite a lot in store for our stewardess MC!

The final Sixties miniseries update will be out either later this week or next week.

Hope you enjoy it: if you do, please consider spreading the word!

Previous Chapters: Living The Dream, The Girl Next Door

_____________________________

The following day I got my long awaited promotion: a generous rise and from now on only international routes for me. I made it to the big league. My world was crumbling underneath my feet but I made it. I received the news as a blessing. I followed the advice Nancy gave me when she called back to check in on me. A few days later I packed my stuff and crashed at a colleague's place: thank God, I made good friends among my former crew members and Joanna kindly agreed to host me while I looked for a new place to stay. Neither Nancy nor Jo know the full truth about the photographer who broke my heart, her sex: ironically, 'bastard' and other epithets are wonderfully neutral. Their sympathy and support helped me healing a little. It took time but, as Mom said when I accidentally let it slip during a call, I had my new beginning to focus on. I was the Pan Am stewardess every girl dreams to be one day.

I still remember the thrill that coursed through my veins as I boarded my first gigantic Boeing 712, destination Tahiti. I don't know how my voice kept appealing and steady as I explained the route and thanked the passengers for choosing Pan American Airways. I had to squeeze my colleague's hand when we took off as my heart was hammering out of the purest joy. Well, that's my life now. My parents and Nancy must have a collection of the postcards I send them from Rio, Honolulu, London, Rome, Berlin, Tokyo...you name a place on the map, I've probably been there at least once. I always send one to the address Noah gave us: I hope he receives them even if his letter are rare these days. I also sent him an autograph by Sandra Dee: last time I checked he had a big crush on her so I couldn't refrain myself when I bumped into her at a celebrity party our crew was invited to. She even pressed a lipstick kiss on the napkin when I told her my brother was a marine serving in Vietnam. I hope the war ends soon: despite what censorship cuts off from his letters, I know him and I know he's not happy there. I want my Noah back, his silly jokes and Rock Hudson look. I wish I would have spotted him waiting in line to check in for a flight to sunny Los Angeles instead of that photographer who "cared for me". I would have run at him full speed and he, turning at the right moment just like in the movies, would have waved at me and pulled me in a long swaying hug. "Long time no see, sister!" he would have laughed and we would have cried tears of joy uncaring of the people watching us. Then I would have ruffled his hair - how he hated that! - and guided him home, where he belonged, not sunny California nor Vietnam. I wasn't so lucky, I got the photographer instead. Despite a couple of years has now passed since that morning I walked out of her messy flat, she looks the same. For a moment I wondered if she'd succeeded in winning that girl's heart back. She's travelling solo as far as I can tell: either she's embarking on a new adventure or running towards someone she loves...or so she thinks. I find hard to believe she knows the difference. I kept walking towards my destination. I'm grateful she didn't see me: we don't have anything else to say to each other. We're strangers now. "Excuse me, ma'am, do you have a lighter?" My train of thoughts derails with the voice of another stranger. I turn my head to find a waitress leaning down on me with a cigarette in her hand. "Oh yes, sure" I pick up my lighter and light her cigarette. She takes a blow and exhales, thanking me. But to my surprise she doesn't walk away. After a moment, during which she probably debated whether to go for it or not, she speaks again. "Actually...do you mind if I join you...?" Her question lingers until I realize she's waiting for me to say my name. "Sadie" I say. "And please, suit yourself" As she takes a seat, I shake my head. "Forgive me, it's been a long day and usually people just read my name on the tag" "Well, Mom taught me not to stare at women's breasts because it's rude: 'look right in the eye and ask, my dear girl, right in the eye', she says" she jokes, shrugging. "How thoughtful!" I laugh and I don't do that just out of curtesy: she's genuinely funny. I take a look at her, I haven't noticed her before: how long she's been working here? To be honest, I hardly pay attention to airport clerks and waiters, I'm always on the go. "So, on a break....?" I add, letting my question lingers just as she did. "Oh yes, my shift started an hour ago but since there's no one here the boss gave us a little extra break-" "Nice but I was hoping to get your name too without looking disrespectfully at your breast, mademoiselle" We look at each other for a while then she burst into laughter and I follow. "Learning from the best, I see" she comments jokingly, catching her breath. "It's Kelsey" I bow my head lightly and we exchange a quick smile. "Pan Am, huh?" she nudges at my uniform as she inhales the smoke. "It shows?" I smile, striking a magazine cover pose that makes her laugh again. "Where did you fly to today? Or yesterday, I should probably say" "Paris" I say, in my best French accent. By the look of wonder that crosses her eyes I can tell she's never been there. Only heard of it. "Wow, romantic" she notes. I chuckle, finishing off my cigarette. "Paris is romantic only if you have a lover to stroll down the Seine with. I'm just a stewardess" I claim and well, it's true: the City of Love is not as romantic without a plus one, even if the girls and I had fun during our land off there, shopping, exploring and dining in lovely bistrot. "I thought you had a companion for your dreamy walk down the river" she shrugs, gesturing to the conspicuous teddybear in beret and striped shirt quietly sitting on a chair at my side. "Oh no, Monsieur Ted and I met in Montmarte. It was a...coup de foudre!" I comment, keeping my face straight long enough to make us both burst into another round of laughters. "It's a gift." I explain. "My best friend has a little girl, it's a gift for her. It's her birthday soon and I promised to be there, I'm sort of an aunt to her. I can't go empty handed and this guy looked nice" Nicole's face softens imperceptibly. "I'm sure she'll love it. I mean, I would have given everything to get a French teddy from my fancy aunt who flies around the world every day" I smile at the compliment. Was it a compliment? I like to think so. "How long have you been working here? I've been based here for a while but I'm afraid I don't remember you" I inquiry, hoping not to offend her. She exhales smoke and gestures it's nothing. "You flight crews are always in a hurry, we don't take it personally" Her lips quickly curl into a shy smile. "It's been a year. Well, it will be a year in a month" she explains. "It's not much but it's an honest job and just what I was looking for. The boss is fair enough and it helps paying the nurse school tuition" "Wanna be a nurse?" "Yeah, I've spent too much time with grandma during my childhood" she chuckles but the hint of a smile suggests she remembers that time quite fondly. "She worked as a nurse during the war and she used to tell me stories of back then...I'm not sure I was supposed to hear all of them but she kept talking. So I ended up being of those weird little girls who had a doll hospital in her bedroom and sew broken teddy bears to cure them. Nurse school sounded like the most logical choice" "That's sweet" I consider. "Why not a doctor though?" "Ah, I'm not sure about it...maybe in the future but I will be happy enough as a nurse, I think" I smile at her earnest answer as she continues nonchalantly. "Just like I'm quite happy now to see flight crews come and go and memorise their order-" "Oh, what's my usual order then?" I tease her. She takes a pause as if I caught her cheating then she guesses right: long black, no sugar, just a drop of milk. I tell her I wish I had her memory when I serve on board. "I'm sure you're doing just fine up there" she smiles encouragely. "And even when I'm not, a nice pair of legs and a charming smile will do the trick, won't they?" I sigh: I might not be too fond of certain looks I receive but that's how things go, I guess. At least, they saved me from getting complaints; on the contrary, on my first flight my supervisor was pleasantly impressed by my "impeccable manners and overall look" as she wrote down on my report. Kelsey opens the mouth to speak again - by the look on her face probably that she didn't mean it like that - but I anticipate her. It's how things go, she must know it too. When I worked at the diner, the costumers refrained from assessing me those looks or pinch me because they had too much respect for my parents. Most of them were long time friends as far as I can remember. So I was quite safe...I hope cute Kelsey is too. A silence falls between us. I immediately wondered if I said something wrong, I'm so used to uncomfortable silence filled with unsaid accusations and complaints that I tense up. But I soon realize that...it's okay. I did nothing wrong, she's silently agreeing with me and maybe pondering what to say next. A look filled with shy curiosity is on her face when she finally speaks again. "Can I ask you something?" "Shoot" She takes a pause as if she's still translating her own thought into words or wondering if she's not crossing a line with her curiosity. "Do you ever get homesick travelling all the time?" That's...not what I was expecting but after all, what was I expecting? Not sure how I can answer that. "Odd question to ask a stewardess" I note, rising my eyebrow and taking time. "I mean, you're always somewhere else, in between places and time zones...one might feels a bit homesick, lost maybe..." Then she shakes her head and falling back to her chair. "I'm sorry I'm just being nosey, that was a silly-" "No, it's an interesting question. I've never given that much thought... I don't know, I've never felt that way, I felt free when I boarded my first plane. I still do when I'm up there in the sky. I think most of us feel that thrill but it's just my point of view. My best friend once argued that mine is not real freedom just a - how did she call it? - oh yes, a strategic retreat so..." I chuckle, reminiscing the conversation Nancy and I had in the kitchen as I helped her with the dishes. The 'concerned sister' look she gave me, handing me a wet dish to dry. 'I'm not saying it's wrong or judging you, Sadie...I have no doubt you're living the exciting life you've always dreamed, God that every girl now dream. But you can't run away forever...' "Maybe it is different if you have something to come back to. That changes things, I suppose. Some miss family, their kids..." I continue. "And you? Do you have something to go back to?" Her question leaves me speechless and gaping. Sure, I have my parents, my friends, Nancy but she has a family of her own now as many others. My brother is far away and out of reach fighting in a war he never fully endorsed. "I don't know" I admit after a moment. Voices come from the main counter urging Kelsey to go back to work. She gives me an apologetic look before searching her pockets. "Well, while you keep looking and flying around the world, at least know that you're always welcome here" She lays a couple of cafe vouchers on the table; then she takes her leave with a gracious smile. "Sadie, Monsieur Ted...it's been a pleasure" "Likewise, Kelsey" I say, waving the teddybear arm. I should probably go home and get some rest: I wasn't joking when I said it's been a long day. I collect my vouchers, pay leaving a generous tip and head to the parking lot. When I wake up in my bed, it's getting dark outside. I brew the third coffee of the day and unpack my bag. As I collect my uniform for the laundry, the vouchers slip off the pocket I secured them into. I make to pick them up when I notice something handwritten behind one of them. I look carefully and it's a phone number with a little airplane doddle to the side. Call me ~ Kelsey

[ninjakasuga]

Sonsal Celebration Year 2, Day 8

The final day is here; and this one took me a bit to figure it out but here we go! I’ve enjoyed the celebration hosted by @boundforfreedomsonsal this year and look forward to more events to come. I honestly haven’t felt a drive for my solo writing like this in awhile. Sure I’ve had some projects cooking in the wings but they’re slo-mo going for various reasons. Maybe I just needed an injection of my favorite furry couple to light the fires? XD  In any case, enjoy and can’t wait to hear what’cha all think.

PROTECT:

Flipping her book to a new page, Sally’s eyes began to read over the new lines of the beginning paragraph. The curl of a smile began to form more as she read on with the book. Said book was actually was not the full release novel. Wanting to encourage her friends’ new hobby, Sally had offered to be a beta-reader and thus the manuscript was in her hand; a manuscript that Nicole had already bound as a book to ‘sell the experience’, a rather cute gesture Sally appreciated since she did enjoy the ‘feel’ of a book in her hands. As she moved to the next page, she softly chuckled. “I think Nicole is channeling you into the male love interest, he reminds me so much of you Sonic.” The book was actually a thriller but there was a romance subplot, and Sally couldn’t help but notice two of the lead characters channeled Sonic and herself. There was another female character who seemed to be trying to romance both, and this made Sally raise an eyebrow as that character felt like a fusion of Nicole and Bunnie. Was Nicole just being creative or was she projecting something into her hobby?

With the book obscuring her view, she didn’t see Sonic but could hear him walking back into their bedroom from the adjacent bathroom, having finished brushing his teeth. “Oh? So how does this fictional guy remind you of moi?” He playfully inquired, his footsteps softened as the bed shook, indicative of him crawling onto it from the bottom edge.

After she finished scanning the current paragraph, the skin under her fur began to blush as a ‘love scene’ started, and again she had to wonder if Nicole was somehow psychic or if she could ‘see’ things through the nanites regardless of her wishes; or in a worst-case, ‘Sally-did-not-want-to-believe-it’ scenario, a voyeur. Especially since the scene described the two characters slipping into a utility closet for a ‘quickie’; which invoked a memory or two Sally had of Sonic and her doing similar things. Shaking her head, she dismissed such a crazy notion; it wasn’t an uncommon romantic story set-up, so that was probably the case, making her feel silly for even considering Nicole would have peeped on Sonic and her.

“Long and short of it sweetie, he’s got your flair for ‘smooth style’ as you put it.” She answered her husband, moving to the next page. Suddenly she felt her nightgown being pulled up past her thighs and belly, making her lower the manuscript and stare at her husband with a slight frown and raised an eyebrow. “Sonic, what are you doing? I’m not in the mood.” She flatly told him; and she wasn’t despite the slight spicy turn in the novel she was prereading.

Looking at his wife, Sonic put a hand to his chest fur as if wounded by her accusation. “You think I would start being frisky without checking with my wife? For shame Sal!’ He ‘tsked’ and wagged a finger in the air. “Much as I enjoy lovin’ on you, my goal is to do this.” With that statement said, Sonic then laid his head on Sally’s four and a half month pregnant belly. His ears began to twitch as he nuzzled and listened for any sounds or signs of movement within. A hand rested along her belly where his head was not resting, slowly, softly stroking in tender circular motions. The expression on his face was a mixture of pride, love, happiness, and something, Sally could not put a word to it; but it made her heart melt seeing her beloved husband so, in-love with the lives growing inside of her.

Smiling Sally put a bookmark between the pages of the manuscript and set it on the nightstand, content to just watch her husband rest on her belly. “You can’t get enough of that can you?”

Flashing his own smile her way, he made a sound that was just joyful as his cheek nuzzled her swollen-with-child belly. “They need to hurry and come on out.”

“Three and a half months at the least Sonic, you can wait a little longer. Not that I don’t wish they could hurry from time to time myself.” Sally couldn’t help but giggle some at his impatience but ultimately she also sympathized. She wanted her little bundles in her arms as well. So far she was enjoying her pregnancy; the highs and lows together even if the lows were sometimes unbearable. Sally was someone who liked to be in control of her faculties, and her hormones making her irrational at the drop of a hat was not entirely her idea of fun.

Still, the upside outweighed that, but she would be happy to not have her bladder kicked every half hour! After a moment’s debate, Sally gripped her nightgown bunched up just under her chest and pulled the article off and cast it aside.

Craning his head, Sonic sent her a playful smile. “I thought you weren’t in the mood?” Laughing she playfully smacked his arm. “I’m not, I just got a hot flash, and well- these!” She gestured to her chest which had gained some growth. “They felt too confined, and urgh heavy! How much milk does my body think I need to produce?!”

Unable to help himself, Sonic laughed as his lovely wife hefted her breasts while looking out of sorts with the recent hormonal developments. As she pouted at him, he waved a hand apologetically in the air. “S-sorry Sal, just watching you juggle them around is too damn funny! P-plus if I may be frank it’s kinda probably a thing since you’re having twins. Remember how much my Mom got bigger in the chest when she was pregnant with Sonia and Manik? Plus if our kids have my metabolism they’ll be hungry suckers.”

Pouting she quickly if carefully stops hefting her chest and crossed her arms. “The next time ‘YOU’ have our child. I am making it a royal decree. Let’s see how much you laugh with the back-pain, bladder control issues, cravings, and hyper mood-swings.”

Snorting Sonic sat upon his knees, a hand still on her belly. “I kinda lack the equipment Sal, so decree all you want.”

As Sally opened her mouth to make a retort, she slowly closed her mouth, then opened it again but yet as before closed it as she could not think of a solid argument. Pouting in frustration she threw her hands up in the air. “Fine you win this one.”

Having dealt with her mood swings enough, Sonic could see she was one-foot in the midst of one; hence her insistence he carry the next kid despite being a biological impossibility. Moving his hand from her belly he scooted down the bed toward her upper half and gently slid his hand around one of hers and squeezed. “Hey don’t frazzle yourself hun, I just got one over ya’ this time. No big.”

“I know, it’s just mildly annoying when my hormones make my mind or mouth run away without a clear thought.” She murmured, rubbing the bridge of her nose with her free hand. Looking his way, she smiled warmly. “I appreciate you putting up with me when I get out of sorts.”

“Hey fair’s fair, you put up with me.” He winked, which as he hoped got her to laugh. “There we go, have a chuckle hun, let the bad vibes out of your system. Plus heck if you really don’t wanna do this again we don’t have to have anymore kids.”

She nodded, looking thoughtful as she pondered this. “Suppose we do?” “We can adopt.” He pointed out.

Sally couldn’t help but consider all angles; “Suppose I lose my mind and want to be pregnant again?”

Sonic shrugged, “Stuff to consider when we come to that bridge Sal. Right now, just focus on these two. I have a feeling they’ll keep us busy and on our toes well enough. Whatever we decide we decide together.”

Unable to not smile, she brought his hand to her lips and kissed it. “I love you, and thank you for putting me at ease about those future thoughts.”

“S’what husbands are for right?” He chuckled kissing her back before moving back towards her belly. Once back in place, Sonic resumed resting against his wife’s belly, planting a warm kiss against the lump housing their children. “Mama and Daddy kicked all the bad guys butts for you before you were born, but we’re gonna protect you still when you come into the world.” He coo’d, as he continued to massage his wife’s abdomen which had a soothing effect on Sally as she relaxed against her pillows.

“Damn right we did, and mmmm, don’t stop.” A low moan of contentment left Sally as she found her eyes fluttering. She guessed it was time for bed after all. “...I want… I want to give them the best lives we can Sonic. That’s all I want for them.”

Glancing her way, Sonic slid a hand up to wrap around hers, squeezing as he then moved up the bed, now laying beside Sally and kissed her softly. “We will, that’s always gonna be the plan Sal, they ain’t ever gonna go through the crap we did, nor will they question if we love em’.”

Nodding softly as her eyes fluttered, Sally squeezed his hand, then moved her arms around him to pull him against her side like he was a cuddle toy. “I hope we’re ready, I want this but I worry I might not be good enough-.”

“I worry too Sal.” He gently interrupted, kissing her tired eyes as her sleepy expression grew across her face. “I worry too, but I know we’ll figure stuff we go together. Like we always have.” Nuzzling her cheeks, he reached down to pull the covers over her so she wouldn’t catch a cold. “Sleep sweetie, I love you.”

“Mmm love you too my sweet Hog’.” Sally murmured before sleep fully and utterly claimed her. Leaving Sonic to kill the light by the nightstand before he curled back against her, watching her sleep as he lets his own body relax. Sleep would come for him eventually, until then, he wanted to keep watch on his wife and unborn children.

Even in peace, he would keep protecting. It’s just how Sonic was, and always would be.     

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

Alright 5x19 let’s DO THIS.

(Warning: This will probably be long.)

WE BEGIN...by visiting Leviathan’s underground speakeasy.

The shot of Lex in the glow of the Kryptonite is great, 15/10 iconic Kryptonian Killer.

But SPEAKING of things that are green and bad...Gemma’s outfit is stage magician meets Mera from Aquaman and WAIT, WAIT, I’m just now remembering that the character in the comics was linked to Atlantis. Is that why they’ve gone with a green motif for her all season?

Probably not. Either way, still gives me knockoff Mera vibes. (*whispers quietly* I don’t like Mera’s outfit either.)

(I’m reading the Wikipedia entry for Gamemnae and did you know: she was exiled from Atlantis for being blonde?)

Anyways!

That’s just a very long-winded way of saying that the costume is kind of a weird choice.

Then we’re back in Kara’s loft and finally, FINALLY...someone tells Lena that there are BIGGER FISH, STOP REMINISCING.

And then the Superfriends arrive on the scene and they are ready to throw down.

Honestly same bro, same.

Also M’GANN IS ON THE TEAM I love it please, SG, please, hire Sharon Leal full-time. 

What is the current door-kicking tally--how many front entrances have the Danvers girls destroyed?

“Well the joke’s on Rama Khan and his big dumb gladiator outfit because I already defeated him once.” THIS. IS. WHAT. I. HAVE. BEEN. SAYING.

THE COSTUME IS SILLY AND NOT IN A FUN WAY.

Leviathan just has terrible fashion sense, is basically the theme of this season.

Oh my gosh M’gann being the one to suggest the multiple Karas and the WINK I love her, I love her so much.

PLEASE NOTE: That J’onn was like ‘the skirt is surprisingly comfortable’ but his response to the pants is, ‘they’re gonna chafe.’ 

J’onn J’onzz, Skirt Supporter. 

Then the Alex suit reveal and ooof, ooooof, probably the wonkiest of the scenes, unfortunately. (Can’t decide if I appreciate the effort of the CGI Alex or if it’s simply too uncanny valley.)

Also, put a pin in the Alex suit reveal. We’ll circle back to it.

(Oh wait and also: Kara’s scream and J’onn’s reaction all A+.)

Breaking chronological order here to just touch on the highlights and maybe discuss particular chunks in detail SO...let’s get right toooooooo....

Rooftop scene with Alex and M’Gann! Nice! But also I was like, ‘Alex just...has a bazooka? ...Yeah that tracks.’ And then I remembered that she has the martian weapon...honestly kinda prefer my accidental headcanon that she just owns one. 

Then back to Lena and Kara and we’ve come full circle because folks...they figuratively flew to Luthor-Corp...on a bus.

Oh if only that was the actual goal of this entire plot. I would applaud it.

SG writers, always: REAL threats come in groups of THREE.

I actually don’t mind it. They aren’t given a big introduction and amount of screen time, so it’s pretty unobtrusive. 

Then we get a Luthor-Corp lab scene AND a good look at Alex’s suit so LET’S CHAT.

Okay first and foremost: not opposed to vigilante Alex! Especially if it means she can work with Kara a bit more directly.

Love the color scheme! Love the hood! Love that the boots are no longer the stealth wedge heel but are just...heels. Good, yes, good! Also love that you can see it’s basically built on top of her DEO suit which totally makes sense, as...I guess Alex is building the suit mentally, not physically, technically, but she’d still be using stuff she’s familiar with to put it together in...her...mind?

I also think the top portion sits better than the DEO suit, which had that awkward...square-ish portion that covered the front of the torso.

But hmmmmmm the eye makeup is...a statement. 

Confused as to why they didn’t go with a domino mask...maybe it was an actor comfort thing but HMMMMM not my personal favorite, admittedly. (Also don’t love the lace up look on the front portion but that’s because it’s reminding me of some of the terrible costumes from Arrow.)

And then the hair clip, which. Okay. As someone who has been struggling to find a way to pull back short hair during this time of no haircuts...can’t be mad about it.

In fact, catch me over here, taking notes.

Alright, costume rambling OVER sorry for the tangent but, you know. New super suit, it’s always exciting. 

I like that Kara had to deal with not being able to be out fighting the threat! That’s a good bit of character stuff there.

“William went after Eve ALONE?!?!?” “No super hearing!” 

“Please, be careful.” “You know me.” “Yeah, exactly, that’s what I’m worried about.” And then a HUG and they’re just the best.

 Dunno if I’ve mentioned it yet but I love the effects they use for Gemma’s ‘true form.’ Very cool and creepy.

Does Andrea just...not question Gemma’s evil villain outfit...or...?

Much like Alex’s super suit we’re puttin’ a PIN in the Brainy plot we’ll get there but FIRST...

THE KARA AND LENA CONVERSATION.

Do I think it should’ve come earlier in the season? Yes! Do I care at this point? ...Okay, still yes! But that’s another pinned point I’ll get back to, right now let us just bask in the beauty that is specifically, verbally laying out all the CRAP Lena put Kara through, and Kara making sure Lena understands THAT is what hurt her, not ‘working with Lex.’

“You never understood.” BINGO. “I know I hurt you by waiting so long to tell you my truth but what about all the ways you hurt me?” EXACTLY. 

“I made one mistake, one mistake that was only ever meant to protect you and in return, all you did was hurt me in every way imaginable.”

Then Lena finally apologizes. For, you know, the stuff that was actually upsetting Kara. So. We got there. ...Eventually.

Then it’s off to save William and he’s talking down Eve! We love a noble journalist.

Kara cauterizing the bullet wound and William being like ‘DO IT no wait DON’T DO IT’ and Kara’s just like, ‘TOO LATE, IT’S DONE.’

RETURN OF THE POWER RANGERS SUIT NICE.

And theeeeen a lot of scenes that are fine but it’s mostly just legwork to get us to the bigger parts of the episode sooooo we’re jumping to...

Andrea! Pleasantly surprised with her part in the action of this episode. Had that nice moral conflict we saw in the front half of the season. It’s a little crammed in here, at the last minute, but. Still enjoyed seeing it.

A personal quibble on the visuals: I prefer the simple elegance of the season one hope speech, (Just a lone camera, in a rundown radio station XD) but I understand they had to convey ‘scale.’ Still think it’s a little much.

Oh man, totally forgot to mention, loved Nicole’s line read for, “Maybe you should’ve been meaner.” It was GREAT.

So there’s the fight against Rama Khan and his buddies, and Kara’s trying to talk people out of a MMORPG, AND Andrea shows up ready to kill somebody. 

The drama! The suspense!

THE SCORE.

I have another quibble with the cutting back and forth on the hope speech and it’s largely to do with perhaps inadvertent implications regarding who has to grow from pain and what pain in particular, but that might just be a ‘me’ thing, reading the scene a particular way, so I’m just gonna move on and say LOVE TO SEE A HOPE SPEECH.

Also:

Supergirl: “I believe in you.”

The VR peeps and us, the audience:

Alright time to talk about BRAINY.

Admittedly haven’t loved double agent Brainy, which felt more like a, ‘let’s add some drama’ move than anything else.

I do still stand by my assessment that Brainy being a few steps behind Lex made sense given his distress re: Nia and the Superfriends.

But also...was a little wild, IMO, that he didn’t have...some way to at least circumnavigate the radiation shield? Or at the very least limit it.

But again. DRAMA.

All that said...wow. Loved the two Brainys at the end, there. Genuinely touching.

“Will you stay with me?” “Till the very end.” 

BRAAAAAAAIIIINNNNNNNNY.

How do you make another Luthor reveal work when you ALREADY pulled the, ‘It was Lex all along!’ like, twice before?

You MAKE IT LILLIAN.

Like, dang it, I enjoyed it. How dare you, SG.

But THAT’S IT. NO MORE SECRET LUTHOR REVEALS. 

The terminator look and death shriek for Gemma was fittingly creepy very nice.

But also WOW, she never interacted with Kara. I am DISAPPOINTED. 

So anyways, that second Lena and Kara conversation! 

It was fine. It’s fine. This is fine. It’s...it’s fine.

(Except that it highlights a problem with the way this whole thing was set up and it’s not something unique to SG! It’s a problem I’ve noticed with a lot of redemption arcs--which seem to be all the rage, as of late--and that is a disproportionate amount of bad things done by the one character, and putting off the turn until like, the last possible minute to increase the drama factor and thaaaaat...is not a super satisfying conclusion because it’s a HUGE amount of build up for a relatively small pay off. Like, as Kara is listing the stuff that Lena’s done, it’s kind of a stark reminder that Lena physically and emotionally hurt Kara on purpose which. Is a glaring red flag. That’s the kind of thing that needs to be unpacked, maybe! Given some space!

Which isn’t to say that characters should never be forgiven, or that they need to be excessively punished. It just needs time. So saving the ‘redemption’ part for the very end where the characters NEED TO BE HEROES RIGHT NOW IN ORDER TO HELP OUT it’s...hmmmmmm. Too rushed.)

AND SO, SOME FINAL THOUGHTS ON THIS, THE SEASON FINALE, AND THE SEASON AS A WHOLE:

Wow but I did not like the focus on Lena. Not fun. No thanks.

Which is only made worse by the trashfire that is the SG fandom. 

Loved the moments of growth and agency for Kara, though. 

Loved the big crossover! It kinda made for a wonky set up of Earth-38 plot vs. Earth Prime plot but honestly anything the writers set up in the front portion of the season was going to be at the very least interrupted, if not completely derailed simply given the nature of what they intended to do with the merging of the earths.

Like give me SG’s approach to handling the front half of the season over Flash’s any day. 

Still too many characters! Still too much plot! Still weird pacing issues! XD

Forget it, Jake, it’s Supergirl.

Oh, honorable mention: The handling of Kelly! She was integrated so well into a nice intersection of plot points and characters that when she’s there to hack into the Obsidian stuff in the finale it’s like, ‘well naturally she’d be here.’ EXCELLENT WORK. 

William and Andrea win ‘most improved over their intensely unlikable introductions.’

To be clear: I liked this season finale! And the fact that it all came together as well as it did is a testament to the skill of all the folks involved, considering the awful extenuating circumstances.

Though, upon further introspection, I think I really do dislike the CGI Alex. Too far into the uncanny valley, sorry. 

IN CONCLUSION: Very, very sad that it’s gonna be a whole year, or possibly longer, before we get new SG content but, glad that the actors will have a little more time off than they usually might, and I’m all for holding off the production as long as possible, in order to keep folks safe.

WHAT are Lex and Lillian up to, like, specifically, and WHAT is Alex’s superhero name??? WILL the folks in charge of the new Superman show remember that it’s a Supergirl spinoff?!??! Find out NEXT YEAR only on SUPERGIRL! (And Superman & Lois!)

EDIT: I used the word ‘quibble’ twice which feels like one time too many, but also it IS a fun word to say. ‘Quibble.’ Ha. XD

[mtvswatches]

Wynonna Earp 3x04 No Cure For Crazy

Click here for previous recaps!

Stray thoughts

1) Did that… did that tree just fucking walk?

Is the tree possessed by Dolls or something? Why is a tree helping Wynonna and Doc?

And why is Peacemaker not working?

2)

3) Okay, the trees are fucking bleeding and this dude just called it “a murder tree” and what the actual fuck!

4) So… the “fire” never really happened, it was just a Black Badge cover-up for the massacre. I really want to see where they go with this whole backstory they’ve given Nicole because so far? Not into it.

Nicole does make a good point of asking Waverly why she hasn’t talked to her mom yet to figure out who her parents are. She seemed quite intent on figuring it out last season, and here she has the perfect opportunity to have every answer she’s looking for, and she’s not taking it? Waverly is anything but a chicken, so I’d figured she would confront her mother head on but I guess she’s been conveniently written OOC so that the writers can keep this mystery going for a while. I hope they don’t stretch this for too long, though.

5) Why did Nicole randomly and carelessly throw the ring in the middle of the forest? Huh? That’s also kind of OOC? Wasn’t she talking about disposing of it carefully two minutes ago?

6) MORE OF THIS, PLEASE.

7) And more of this.

8) Okay, so Waverly IS going to see her mother, she just didn’t disclose that bit of information to Nicole, why? She just made this big speech about not keeping secrets from each other… or is it that she wasn’t planning on seeing her mom until Wynonna brought it up and basically set it all up for her?

And suuuure, Mama is doin’ just fine!

9) So, Wynonna couldn’t shoot Peacemaker because she ran out of bullets, which is a more logical explanation than what I was expecting. I don’t know why but I just assumed Peacemaker had magical ammo and it didn’t require reloading? Anywho, look at these two idiots flirting with each other and basically dry-humping…

10) SHIT. That was a low blow.

But how fucking adorable is it that he’d taken the time to buy - or build! - baby Alice a crib? My heart!

11) Why was their mother so intent on Waverly never finding out where she was or seeing her? And what’s going to happen when Waverly does…? There must be a reason. It seems she was trying to protect them.

12) Why are they giving me so much Doc/Wynonna in this episode? What’s going to happen? (Listen, I’ve grown up watching Joss Whedon shows, I’m conditioned to believe that happiness is followed by utter and complete destruction and mysery!)

13)

NICOLE: Can we talk? It’s about Nedley.

WYNONNA: Not again. How many more plungers do we need?

 14) Wait, did I forget that Jeremy was gay or they haven’t mentioned it before? Because I’m all for it, and especially about the way it was casually brought up in conversation because it’s not Jeremy’s single defining characteristic. 

15) I guess the mother-daughter reunion is happening sooner than expected, since Waverly was contacted as her last known emergency contact.

16) Jeremy is totally vibing with this Robin dude who found the murder tree and they’re making silly tree puns and it’s gay heaven, I love it.

17) Well, that couldn’t have gone any worse…

And yet, I can’t help but feel she means something else? I still feel she’s trying to protect Waverly.

Something happened when Waverly touched her, too, and then she kept saying “she’s unbound, she’s loose, kill the demon.” Waverly of course assumes her mom is referring to her as “the demon”, but I have a feeling she’s talking about an actual demon.

18) I really felt for Nedley when he admitted he’s tired of covering the supernatural shit up. Man, I hated him on the first episode of the show and now I’ve really grown to like him? And Wynonna suggested he should step aside and let Nicole take charge, and he’s actually considering it, and I’m here for Sheriff Haught.

19) Listen, I’m not usually into Gay, meet Gay, now get together because you’re the only two Gays so therefore you must be attracted to each other and date, but… I’m really liking the Jeremy/Robin interactions so far? They’re really cute!

20) And now they’re two gays who have zero idea about the woods lost in the forest and they found the stairway to heaven…

21) Mama Gibson is not messing around.

22) Ah, great, the idiots who let a dangerous convict escape have now locked Wynonna up. Marvelous.

23) Damn, Waverly keeps thinking her mother wants to kill her and that she called her a demon, but I just fucking know she’s talking about a literal demon that’s probably threatening Waverly’s life, that’s why she’s kept away from her.

24) Wait, what?

NEDLEY: Michelle didn’t go to prison because she burned down the barn. She went because her youngest daughter was in it.

Her youngest is Waverly? So did she try to set Waverly on fire? I have a hunch she’s possessed.

25) Oh, dang, Doc is hearing a baby’s cry in the woods. Of course, this is a trigger for him, he’s thinking of Alice, and he’s being lured into the woods.

26) Major Spike vibes in this scene…

27) Hm. Bulshar just tried to strike up a deal with Doc – he’ll give Doc reprieve from the knowledge of his miserable destiny if Doc does his bidding. And Doc was really contemplating accepting. Don’t be weak, Doc. Come on. There has to be a way.

28) So, this fucking corrupt guard suggests they should just off Wynonna and write it off as if Michelle murdered her own daughter when she was trying to escape. And of course, he’s a fucking revenant. It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how Wynonna gets out of this one while handcuffed and without Peacemaker…

I mean, she was fucking tasered and yet…

QUEEN.

29) Nedley, my heart. He’s so heartbroken over this.

NEDLEY: Well, I got a call to a situation at the Earp farm. By the time I got there, the barn was lit up like a torch. You... somehow you escaped. I mean, you were covered with soot, you were crying, but you were unharmed. WAVERLY: And my mother? NEDLEY: She was... locked in your daddy's patrol car. She set the fire. But she was no murderous sociopath. She was Michelle Gibson. Rodeo spitfire. The wild heart and loyal soul of Purgatory. Even the thugs and the dimwits drank to her. With her. They loved her. Look, she wasn't herself that night. She kept... she kept insisting that... that she was trying to vanquish a demon. WAVERLY: A demon she thought was... me. NEDLEY: Well, that would explain The occult nonsense that Ward saw plastered all over the barn before she lit the match. Did you believe it? That was Ward's interpretation. Look, your pop was my boss, so... And I know... I know I should've been braver. I should've defended her. But... I booked Michelle like I was told to. God, this just keeps getting worse. I've been trying to make up for it ever since. I kept watch over you. I tried to set Wynonna on the straight and narrow. That didn't work out. And when I became Sheriff, I pulled the report. I didn't want anyone seeing it.

30) Why would Wynonna let the revenant in on the fact that she got a kid? I mean, wasn’t the whole point of sending Alice away to protect her from the likes of him? I get that she used that bit of information to distract him, and yeah, she did this later…

…but maybe don’t go talking about your child out loud around the enemies?

31) Why is he coughing dirt? Is he going to get gay-buried before he can be allowed to actually gay?

32) Now Waverly is listening to her mom’s tapes with a psychiatrist or therapist or something, and yep, I’m still convinced she was possessed or something and the reason she was trying to stay away from Waverly is because she wanted to protect her. As she was talking to the therapist, she said “Shut up!” or something like that and she was clearly talking to someone else who was not there, like someone who might be in her own head or that only she can see. Someone or something that might be using her to kill her own daughter. The question is, who and why? Is it Bulshar manipulating her the same way he tried to manipulate Doc? Or is it something else altogether? And why is this something or someone so intent on killing Waves? What is she? What kind of role is she supposed to play in the grand scheme of things for this evil entity to want her dead so badly?

33) Okay, theory confirmed, Doc just heard a third, infernal voice on the tape.

34) Oh shit, is history going to repeat itself?!

Yep, there was an actual demon in serious need of a facial and makeover.

35) Bye bye Robin, I guess?

36) Who the fuck is Jolene and why is everyone acting like Stepford Wives? Is this some sort of Ted/Dawn scenario?! And why is it that, in a supernatural show, this is by far the creepiest thing I’ve seen?! 

37) So, I’ve got a lot of questions. First of all, I want to know more about the murder trees. How do they come to be? Are they inhabited by serial killers? We saw the face in one of them, and they can actually walk and move around, but why do they bleed? Is it like their victim’s blood? Also, who the fuck is Jolene? I mean, I know she’s probably the demon that showed up in the barn, but what’s her deal? What does she want? I mean, she didn’t kill Waverly, and instead she’s feeding and glamouring the whole group… to do what? Where was Robin taken? Can we please not do the whole bury-your-gays trope? I expect better of this show. Will Doc accept Bulshar’s deal? Please don’t, Doc. And what is Waverly?! That’s the biggest question of all, so I’m guessing the answer will be delayed till the season finale.

That was yet another fun, exciting Wynonna Earp episode, setting up a lot of stuff for the season, I guess. And I want answers!

38) Hope you enjoyed my recap, and, as usual, if you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! If you enjoy my recaps and my blog, please consider supporting it on ko-fi. Thanks!

[p4nkow]

Happier - part IV

God knows how many times I’ve deleted and rewritten all over again this part and that’s why I’m not entirely sure about it but I hope you’ll like it! 

I’m already working on the next part (insert here Roger saying ‘which I’m really excited about’) and please, please let me know what you think of it! As usual it can also be read as Ben!Roger

Part I, Part II, Part III

Summary: you work as an assistant at EMI and you meet Roger while organising Queen’s gig at Hyde Park. lots of fluff but then, after months of relationship, Roger admits something that breaks your heart and the two of you break up. You try to move on and so does he, but after two months of being apart you meet at a pub and you both have a date. What will happen? But most importantly, will you and Roger fall in love again after being forced to see each other everyday?

Warnings: a very drunk Roger but that’s it; things are gonna get spicy from the next chapter 

“Roger?”

You quickly glanced behind your shoulder and by noticing Noah looking at you with a confused look you decided to step outside in the hallway, half-closing the door behind you.

Roger recoiled with a grin on his face and you immediately realised what was going on. “Are you bloody drunk?” You whispered, trying not to make Noah worry.

Roger slowly raised a hand, pointing at you and mumbling “Maybe I am. I’m pretty sure I am, yeah.”

He took an uncertain step towards you and you put both your hands on his chest, trying to hold him.

“Roger, you need to go home” You softly said, meeting his gaze. His blue eyes were locked into yours but then his gaze fell on your lips. Roger smiled, placing a hand on the wall behind you in order not to stumble.

“Five” He suddenly said and you narrowed your brows.

“Five what?”

His smile grew wider as he said “Five bloody blocks to get to you. I counted them and I made it!” You chuckled at his words, temporarily forgetting in which situation the two of you were.

“Yeah, you made it. But now you need to go home.”

“I miss you, love.”

You clenched your jaw and quickly looked away— his words were like a knife in your heart. You were about to answer him and tell him to leave when he asked “Is he here?”

It was obvious he was talking about Noah. “Yes, Roger. He’s here. If you just could stay still for one minute I—”

“No, don’t go. Please, don’t.” Your heart sank at his words as he gently grabbed you by your wrist. “She said... she said she loves me.”

You narrowed your brows at his words, giving a quick look behind your shoulder to make sure Noah wasn’t listening. You knew who he was talking about and you felt the urge to cry.

“Nicole?” You whispered and Roger nodded, taking a step back.

He slipped his fingers through his hair and started to gesticulate— he seemed desperate.

“She said it just like that and I felt terrible. Terrible.” His voice was squeaky because of the hangover.

You cleared your throat, looking away for a few moments before meeting again his gaze. “And why’s that?”

“Because I don’t! Fuck, I’ve tried so hard to... to—” And in that moment he didn’t seem drunk at all. “Forget about it, I’m gonna head home.”

He started to walk away and without even thinking it you said “Wait. I can... I could drive you, if you want me to.” You felt like a knot on your throat and you added “‘s not safe for you to drive or walk while drunk. You’re a disaster when you’re hungover.” You softly smiled at him and he seemed to consider your offer.

His blue eyes were so deep that you couldn’t read his look. Was it hope? Resentment?

“It’d be— it’d be great, thanks” He replied and you nodded.

You pointed at your flat and said “I’m gonna grab my keys. Please don’t do anything stupid, please.”

You quickly entered your flat and you immediately met Noah’s gaze. “Is everything okay? Who’s it?”

“It’s just...” You took a deep breath as you hurried to find your keys. “It’s just Roger. Gotta drive him home. I’m sorry.”

“I can do it” He was about to stand up but you cut him off.

“No, I got this. Don’t worry.”

You felt terrible about the entire situation and you knew that it wasn’t right for Noah, but when it came to Roger you were never rational.

He stood up and looked around, clearly in discomfort. “Then I’ll... hum, I’ll head home.”

“You don’t wanna wait for me to come back?” You softly replied and you knew you weren’t being fair.

“Gotta work early tomorrow and babysitting Roger Taylor weren’t exactly my plans for the night.”

You were about to answer him when he cut you off. “I knowthis isn’t your fault, silly. Don’t you even try to apologise again.”

What did you do to deserve him?

You gave him an apologetic smile as he placed a kiss on your forehead. You headed to the door and before going back to Roger you turned again towards him, saying “Lock the door when you walk out. I’m so sorry.”

-

During the drive Roger was unusually quiet. You glanced at him a few times and when the silence seemed to be unbearable you said “You okay?”

“D’ya think krakens exist?” He asked in a serious tone and you chuckled.

“I don’t know, do you?”

He slowly nodded, looking at you. “Yeah, they’re out there. Somewhere in the deep blue sea.”

You gave him an amused look but you didn’t answer. He tried to make himself comfy in the seat but he hit the roof of the car with his head. “Oh fuck.”

“Roger, stay still. We’re almost there.”

You felt again his gaze on you and you desperately tried not to look at him, focusing on driving.

“D’ya remember the day we met?” His sudden switch of subject cought you off guard and you raised your brows.

“Yeah, Rog. I do.”

“You were so bloody beautiful” He softly said and you shook your head in disbelief. “And you were bossing me around.”

“Roger, you’re too drunk for this subject. Let’s go back to krakens.”

He gave you an amused smile and you took a deep breath. You were used to deal with a very drunk Roger, but it was a long time ago.

“I do remember your sparkly pink Converse” You said, even though all you wanted to do was to pretend it all never happened.

He chuckled and slowly turned towards you. “I still wear them.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah.” He slowly nodded. “You loved them.”

“I did” You softly replied. “Even if I told you I didn’t.”

Roger stood quiet for a moment, then said “I know. I remember all the things you said to me.” He slowly turned towards you and you could feel his blue eyes staring. “Every single word.”

Your heart ached at his words. You didn’t reply ‘cause you were sure you would have fallen apart so you both stood quiet until you made it to his flat.

You parked and slowly turned towards Roger, who was struggling with the seat belt. “Is... Is Nicole here?” You asked, nodding towards the front door.

He turned towards you and shook his head. “No, no she isn’t. Fuck, bloody belts.”

“Wait” You said with a sight and you got out of the car, turning around it and reaching the passenger seat.

You were so close to Roger that you could easily scent his cologne, so familiar yet so distant. “Roger, just stay still.”

“‘m sorry.” As soon as you freed him from the safety belt you had to help him climb the steps until the front door.

You turned towards him and waited while he desperately looked for his keys. You sighed and you took the extra key that he used to hide under a flowerpot.

“You know me too well” He murmured and you didn’t look at him as the two of you managed to enter the flat without stumbling.

“C’mon, you almost made it” You groaned by helping him reach his bedroom. “Please, don’t be late at work tomorrow. I don’t wanna come here to wake you up and deal with your hungover.”

“I don’t do that anymore, love.” You heart sank at that nickname.

“Yeah, you do.” He sat on the feet of the bed and you looked at him with a sad smile as you took off his shoes. “Now sleep, Roger” You murmured as you walked away, giving him a last look just to make sure he was safe and sound before leaving him.

“You stopped—” He mumbled as he looked at you, rolling on one side and hugging the pillow. “You stopped saying your goodnights. That’s when I knew I had lost you.”

You froze for a few moments, trying to let his words roll off your back just like you did the whole night, but you failed.

You closed his bedroom door and rushed to your car as hot tears ran down your cheeks. Tears you had hold back for months.

You had tried to act strong, to pretend Roger hadn’t hurt you as much as people thought, that it wasn’t a big deal being this close to him once again but not in the shoes of his girlfriend. But it was.

You hit the steering wheel as you groaned in anger, realising that your life was a bloody chaotic mess.

-

After that night nothing changed. Roger was acting like it never happened and so were you. You made things very clear with Noah and that night seemed to be forgotten by everyone.

A month passed by without any drastic change. The boys had finished their songs and it was all ready for you to leave for Montreux. The recording of the album would have been a long process and it’d have taken a lot of time, and that’s exactly why Veronica decided to come along.

She wanted to gave birth with his husband by his side and with John in Montreux it wouldn’t have been possible. The little Michael — that was the name of the little peanut — would have come into this world in Montreux.

You started to see Nicole less often. You knew she was still together with Roger but he stopped bringing her to rehearsals or to band nights.

Things with Noah had escalated quickly— you were kind of a thing now, after he had kissed for the very first time during a night out at the theatre.

But neither Noah or Nicole were coming with you. The less people the better, that’s what EMI said.

You hated saying goodbyes, even if they were only temporary. It made you incredibly sad.

“Tell me again why you gave me this promotion” You murmured against Noah’s chest as he hugged you tight.

“Because” He said, spelling the word “You’re an amazing assistant and you deserved some rest. Look on the bright side, at least in Montreux you’re gonna he far from the city. Isn’t it what you wanted?”

You backed and met his gaze when he cupped your cheeks. The chaos of the airport was unbearable to you. “Yeah, but you’re not gonna be there.”

You pouted and Noah placed a quick kiss on your lips. “But I’m gonna call every day.”

“This is a nightmare.”

“Don’t be such a drama queen, you’re gonna have a lot of fun.” You groaned and hugged him tight as you noticed Brian waving at you as to tell you that it was time for you to embark.

After saying you goodbye to Noah you hurried to reach Veronica, whose hands were placed on her belly.  

By doing so you passed by Roger, who was still chatting with Nicole. She seemed upset and Veronica, who loved gossips more than you, was trying to understand what was happening.

Roger was quiet, which was odd for him. He was explaining something so Nicole very politely, something that she didn’t take very well.

“Are you joking?” You heard her say out loud and then they went back to whispers.

“They’re like octopuses” Veronica murmured, leaning her head close to yours. “They never drift apart!”

You chuckled at her words and quickly glanced at the two of them. “That was a terrible similitude, Ronnie.”

She grinned at you and when it was time for you to line up Roger finally reached you. Nicole wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

“So sad Noah’s not able to come with us, he’s gonna miss all the fun” He murmured as he looked at you.

You raised your chin in order to meet his gaze. “Oh don’t worry, we’ll find a way to make up for lost time.”

He clenched his jaw and after a few moments he looked away and you smiled in victory. “And what about Nicole?”

“What about her?” He replied with his brows narrowed.

“Are you sad she isn’t coming along?”

He shrugged and deeply sighed. “We broke up.”

You raised your brows in disbelief. You didn’t see that coming.

Montreux would have been a bloody challenge with Roger by your side.

Taglist: @but-legendsneverdie @ohtheseboysilove @xgypsy-witchy-vibes @queen-turtle-boiii @scarsout @hystericaldancingqueen @mercurycrowley @protectrowanwhitethorn  @70sarreaga @loveandbeloved29 @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogahloveshiscar @queen-crue

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[ila9182]

Let's see if it doesn't get lost this time 😂 Hello kisses + in the snow ☺️

Thank you so much @allons-y–spaceman for the prompt! I am so so sorry for the delay… and yeah, it’s a christmassy prompt in the middle of summer! haha and sorry it is soooo long, I just couldn’t stop writing! I hope you will like it! ;)The story is set a few months after 5x13 “White Lies: Part 3″ and before 5x14 “Heart Failure”.

2. HELLO KISSES + 7. IN THE SNOW

Sharon slowly sipped her tea. She closed her eyes as the warm liquid slid down her throat and let out a satisfied sigh. This was just what she needed to warm herself up in this cold winter day. She put the cup back on the table and stared at the dark smoky liquid as she let her mind wander. Sharon took a deep breath, a spicy scent hitting her nostrils. She had chosen a winter black tea with apple, cinnamon, nutmeg and anise and she didn’t regret her choice. She hoped it would help her at getting into the Christmas spirit a little more.

“Earth to Sharon, earth to Sharon!” a voice interrupted her train of thought.

Sharon snapped back into focus. She placed a strand of hair behind her ear as she met her children’s frowning looks.

“Sorry Mom” Ricky told her, “You weren’t answering to Mom, I was about to try with Captain Raydor.” He added with a grin.

“Very funny, Ricky.” Sharon replied as she rolled her eyes at her son. “I was just enjoying my tea.”

“Yeah, right…” Emily hummed, eyeing her mother skeptically. “So I was asking… what excuse did Rusty come up with to avoid this family reunion?” She wondered with a smirk.

“He didn’t come up with an excuse, you silly!” Sharon exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief. A smirk appeared on her face at her children’s teasing. “He asked me if I was okay with him spending the holiday with Gus this year…”

“And you give him your blessing?” Ricky asked her, holding back a laugh. “Geez, Mom, you’ve softened with time. I remember you saying once something like “Christmas is sacrosanct and we have to be all together on that day”.”

“I did never!” Sharon exclaimed, putting a hand on her chest as she faked offense.

“Oh Ricky!” Emily stepped in, cutting short her mother and patting her brother’s arm, “Do you remember the first time you didn’t celebrate Christmas with us? Mom cried for the whole day when she found out you wouldn’t come home!”

The siblings giggled at the memory and Sharon crossed her arms over her chest as she shot back with a frown, “I didn’t cry for the whole day.”

“Aha!” Ricky shouted triumphantly at his mother’s affirmation, “So you did cry!”

“Just a little…” Sharon admitted with another eye roll. “But that’s not the point. You two” She told her children, pointing a threatening finger at them, “You two are awful. I didn’t remember having such evil kids.” She paused before adding in a half threatening, half joking tone, “You know I can still catch a plane for Los Angeles and spend Christmas with people who are actually happy to see me.”

“Come on, Mom! Don’t be so touchy!” Ricky snickered. “We’re kidding, you know we’re happy to see you.”

Sharon laughed softly as she squeezed her children’s hands and replied sincerely, “I missed you two so much.”

“We missed you too, Mom.” Emily whispered back, emotion in her voice as she took her mother’s hand again.

Ricky shook his head in disbelief. He would never understand how his mother and sister could go from teasing to heartfelt moments in a blink of an eye. He cleared his throat and stood from his chair as he said, “Okay, girls. I’m going to use the bathroom before things get too emotional here.”

Emily rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at her younger brother. She watched him walk away and then turned her attention back to her mother. Sharon was once again lost in her thoughts as she stared blankly at her tea. Emily reached out for her mother’s hand again. Sharon slightly jumped at the touch and forced a smile. Emily studied her mother with an arched eyebrow. She tilted her head before asking with a frown, “Are you okay, Mom?”

“Sure, honey, I’m all good.” Sharon quickly replied with another smile, squeezing her daughter’s hand.

“And how is Andy?” Emily cautiously questioned. She could sense Andy’s health – or Andy himself – was a delicate topic given the tough times he and Sharon had been through.

Emily noticed her mother tense. Sharon frowned for a split second, her cup halfway to her mouth. She looked at her daughter but didn’t answer right away. She brought the cup to her lips, took a sip of her tea before putting it down. “He’s okay.” Sharon finally replied. “He’s recovering pretty well and he’s supposed to start working again right after the winter holiday.”

“That’s great Mom!” Emily told her encouragingly.

“It is.” Sharon whispered as she looked down at her cup again. “It is.”

“We know you’ve had some tough times lately, Mom…” Emily started hesitantly after a few seconds of silence. Sharon lifted her head to meet her daughter’s gaze as Emily went on with a soft smile, “and we really appreciate the fact that you flew all over the country to spend the holiday with us. You didn’t have to… and we would have totally understood if you would have preferred staying in Los Angeles…”

“I wasn’t really sure about leaving Andy alone at home, but he insisted.” Sharon paused as a wistful smile crossed her features, “Somehow, he always manages to surprise me by knowing exactly what I need…”

“I’m home.” Sharon exclaimed closing the front door behind her. Andy was sitting on the couch, watching TV. At the sound of her voice, he muted the television and turned around to watch her near him. Sharon let herself drop on the couch next to him and leaned in to kiss him quickly on the lips, “Hey there, how are you?” She smiled at him.

“All good. How was your day?” Andy asked as he slid an arm around her, drawing her closer to him.

“Long.” She replied and yawned, unable to hold back. Andy smiled as he gently stroked her hair. She relaxed against him and they stayed this way for a while, enjoying the quiet condo.

“Babe, would you mind opening the mail?” Andy suddenly asked. “I think that there is some letter in the stack.” He motioned for the small table.

Sharon moved slightly from Andy and took the letter on top of the pile. She opened it and remained silent when she realized what she was holding in her hands. She faced Andy with a questioning look and managed to ask, “Andy, what is it?”

“Uhm, plane tickets?” Andy offered with a shrug and a goofy smile.

“I can see that.” Sharon replied, shaking her head at the obviousness of his answer. “But New York? On Christmas?” She asked in disbelief as a frown crossed her features.

“Yeah, we both know that Emily can’t come home for Christmas this year and that Ricky is joining her so she won’t be on her own during the holiday… It is only fair that you spent those days along with them.” He told her with a smile.

“But you…” Sharon started.

“I’m fine.” He cut her short, reaching for her cheek, “and I’ll be fine on my own. I’m a big boy.” He reassured her with a grin.

“Andy, I don’t think this is a good idea.” Sharon reasoned with a serious expression on her face, “I think it’s better if I stay here with you.”

“Sharon, don’t worry about me, it’s going to be alright. I’m good and it’s just for a couple of days…” Andy replied in a serious tone. “Beside, we agreed Rusty can spend the holiday with Gus, so I won’t be alone in Los Angeles and you’ll have someone to keep an eye on me.” He added jokingly as a smile appeared on his face.

“Andy, I…”

“I know this is important to you…” Andy cut her short.

“You’re important too, Andy.” Sharon emphasized. “And with everything that happened lately, I just want to treasure every moment with you…” Her voice trailed off at the thought of how things could have gone wrong. She shuddered and looked down as she felt a lump forming in her throat.

Andy wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against him again. Sharon rested her head on his chest as he gently started combing her hair in a soothing way. He heard her sigh against him and he dropped a kiss on the top of her head. He tightened his embrace as he softly whispered, “You’ve had a lot on your plate lately as well and I want you to enjoy a couple of quiet and relaxing days without having to worry about me, my blood pressure or pills. Being with your children makes you happy. You haven’t seen them in a while, I know you’ve been missing them. It’s going to be just fine… and you know, Nicole will be checking on me as well. It’s all good, I won’t be alone.”

“Andy…” Sharon whispered as she looked up to meet her gaze, still not fully convinced.

“Shh, this isn’t debatable.” He grinned at her as he added, “You should call Emily and Ricky. They’re waiting anxiously to find out what you’ve decided.”

“They both know?” Sharon asked with a surprised tone.

“Of course they do. I needed their help to organize the trip… and you know, those days at home are awfully long when I’m on my own, so it was good having something to do and someone to talk to.”

Sharon’s eyes were shining with unshed tears as she cupped Andy’s face with both hands and whispered to him, “What did I do to deserve such a wonderful man?”

“I’m the lucky one here.” Andy replied with a smile.

Sharon kissed him fiercely, whispering a soft “I love you” when they broke off the kiss. They rested forehead against forehead for a few seconds before Sharon asked him, “You’re sure?”

“Positive. Fly to New-York and enjoy the kids.”

“Come on, Mom, Em’!” Ricky called out, “We don’t have all day and you said we would go ice skating.”

Ricky stopped, arms crossed over his chest as he waited for his mother and sister to join him. Central Park looked like some fairy-tale landscape with a fresh layer of snow frosting the benches and carpeting the ground. It was eerily quiet even though the place was far from empty.

“We agreed you and your sister would be ice-skating, but I never said I would” Sharon rectified as she cautiously walked on the snow. She had brought with her everything that was needed for the New York winter, including her heavy coat, gloves, and scarf. She was glad Andy had insisted she pack her snow boots in addition to her regular winter boots. Sharon would never tell him he was right though, since he would brag about it for months.

“Whatever, Mom.” Ricky rolled his eyes. “Can we hurry a little, please? I don’t want the place to be too crowded to decently ice-skate.”

“Are you aware, Ricky, that Central Park’s ice rink on Christmas’s Eve is going to be crowded anyway?” Emily told her brother with a frustrated sigh.

“Gosh, you two are no fun.” Ricky complained.

Emily smacked playfully her brother’s arm once she and her mother joined him. Ricky slightly bumped his sister’s shoulder in response and before she could react, he jogged away in the fresh snow. Emily rolled her eyes and turned to face her mother who had a smirk on her face, “Gosh, I didn’t know my brother is still five.”

Sharon softly laughed as she patted affectionately her daughter’s arm. A familiar name ringing in the air interrupted their daughter and mother moment and caught Sharon’s attention. She turned around to see a woman kissing the so-called Andrew who then took her by the hand. The couple walked by Sharon and Emily and Sharon’s gaze followed them until they were out of sight. Emily noticed it and she tilted her head before telling her mother softly, “I’m sorry he couldn’t be here with us, Mom.”

Her daughter’s voice brought her back to reality. A wistful smile crossed Sharon’s features before she turned to look at her daughter again and replied, “I’m glad to be with you two.”

Emily smiled and was about to say something when a snowball hit her in the back. She jumped startled and turned around to see her brother snickering, “RICKY YOU IDIOT!!” she yelled as she ran toward her brother.

“Kids, come on!” Sharon sighed as she watched her children throwing snowballs at each other. “I take that back, I’m not glad to be with you two when you act like five years old!” She shot back, loud enough for Emily and Ricky to hear her.

Her children kept their snowball fight unperturbed. Sharon rolled her eyes as she added, “Fine, I’m going to the ice rink on MY OWN.”

Sharon looked at the snowy path that led to the ice rink and froze when she spotted a familiar silhouette in the distance. She shook her head in disbelief, chasing away the silly thought that it might be him. You’re desperate, Sharon, she told herself. When she looked again in that direction after a few seconds, her breath got caught in her throat when she realized that it was him indeed. Andy was walking toward her, wrapped up in a dark coat and grey scarf.

“Oh my God…” Sharon muttered, covering her mouth with both hands. She started walking to join him and before she even realized, she had quickened the pace. She went as quickly as the snow allowed her to, not wanting to risk falling down.

Sharon took Andy by surprise as she threw herself in his arms forcefully, locking her arms around his neck. She was about to crash her lips against his when she felt Andy pulling back. Before she even realized what was happening, Andy lost his balance and fell on a fresh snow bank, bringing Sharon down with him.

“Easy, babe. We don’t want to end up in a hospital, don’t we?” Andy jokingly whispered, out of breath.

“Oh my God, Andy, I’m sorry…” Sharon immediately replied, “Are you okay?” She asked worriedly as she tried to move off of him.

Andy tightened his embrace around her. “Don’t. I’m more than okay actually. You just caught me a little by surprise. I didn’t imagine you would be that happy to see me.” He added with a goofy smile.

“I’ve missed you.” Sharon whispered, reaching out for his cheek. “We should move, you’ll be drenched.” She reasoned softly, stroking his cheek.

Andy knew she was right. He could feel the cold snow under his back, his pants slowly getting wet. He shivered as some snow melted and slithered down his neck, but he couldn’t care less. As he stared at the woman on top of him – at the beauty and perfection of her face – he decided he could tolerate being drenched and freezing. Her hair cascaded in a full mane that framed her face beautifully. Soft curls tickled his face as he softly told her, “You’re beautiful, Sharon.”

Sharon smiled shyly at him, lowering her gaze for a split second before replying, “Did you hit your head falling down?” She smirked as she noticed him rolling his eyes. “Come on, let’s move.”

This time she managed to stand. She offered her hand to Andy to help him to his feet and once he was up, he drew her closer to him. Sharon gently swept away the snow from his coat, and then from his salt and pepper hair before asking him worriedly, “Are you okay?”

“I’ve never been better, Sharon.” He answered seriously as he tightened his embrace on her. “Now, I believe we got interrupted…” He teasingly started, leaning in. “You were about to…”

Sharon didn’t give him the time to finish his sentence. She caught his lips with hers in a passionate kiss as her hand ran through his hair. When they broke off the kiss for air, they stood silently forehead against forehead, taking a moment to enjoy each other. Sharon still had her eyes closed when Andy whispered to her with a grin, “Wow, you’re definitely very happy to see me.”

Sharon opened her eyes and immediately met his. She smiled widely as she gently stroked his cheek, “I’ve missed you… and I…”

“Whoa Mom, that was such a tackle!” Ricky exclaimed as he and his sister walked toward them. “Way to knock down the poor guy.” He added with a grin. “Hey Andy!” He greeted the Lieutenant with a fist bump.

Andy patted Ricky’s shoulder and let go of Sharon to quickly hug Emily, “Andy, so great to see you.” Emily told him, “Are you okay?”

Andy smiled as he spotted the same concerned expression on Emily’s face than her mother, “Don’t worry, Em. I’m used to your mother’s brutal manner.” He joked.

“My what?!” Sharon exclaimed, smacking Andy’s arm playfully.

“See?” Andy told the kids, “Such an aggressive woman.”

Emily and Ricky laughed while Sharon threw a deadly stare at Andy. He shrugged innocently and let out a small laugh before sliding an arm around Sharon’s waist and drawing her closer to him. He dropped a kiss to her temple and she merely huffed, pretending to be offended. She couldn’t keep her act much longer because a smile crept across her face. She snuggled closer to Andy and he secured her in his arms.

“I’m glad you were able to make it, Andy.” Emily said, throwing a knowingly look at the Lieutenant.

“Yeah, me too. It was quite a challenge. I don’t think I’ve ever travelled with so many stopovers.” He smiled as he dropped a kiss on the top of Sharon’s head, “But well, it was worth it.”

Sharon lifted her head to meet his gaze and lovingly stared at him. Her smiling face was soon replaced by a frown as she realized, “But Andy, I thought your doctor had…”

Andy shushed her by placing a finger on her lips and he smirked when he noticed Sharon frowning even more, “Before you start listing all of my doc’s recommendations, let me tell you that I’ve been to see my cardiologist and he cleared me for this trip.”

“I thought you were supposed to see him after the holiday…” Sharon reasoned. “How did you manage to…” She stopped talking when she noticed a grin appearing on his face. “Andrew Flynn, what did you do?” she asked firmly breaking his embrace and putting her hands on her hips.

“I may have flashed my badge to obtain an appointment.” Andy answered. He saw Sharon opening his mouth and staring at him in disbelief and he added, raising his hands innocently, “No harm done.”

“Andy, I can’t believe you used your badge for personal purpose and in a non-emergency situation!” Sharon exclaimed covering her face with both hands.

“Okay, don’t get all Captain Rulebook with me, Shar’.” Andy replied, rolling his eyes. “There was actually an emergency. Your kids, here” he added pointing at Ricky and Emily, “told me that as much you assured them you were happy to be with them, you were having – I quote Ricky here – a sad puppy face most of the time.”

Sharon turned to face her children and stared at them with an arched eyebrow as she exclaimed, “I didn’t have a…”

“My exact words were a sad puppy face, like an abandoned dog in a shelter.” Ricky cut her short with a smirk.

Sharon saw her children smiling at her and rolled her eyes at them, “Come on, Mom.” Emily added, “You weren’t so good at hiding it.”

Sharon looked at Andy and she noticed he was exchanging knowingly looks with her children. She sighed and raised a hand in surrender, “Fine, fine…” She rolled her eyes once again before admitting, “I may have worried about Andy a little…”

“A little?” Ricky repeated, unable to hold back a laugh.

Sharon shot a deadly stare at her son before adding with a more serious tone, “I’m sorry if it was so obvious… it’s just… we’ve been through a lot lately…” her voice trailed off as she looked down.

Andy immediately wrapped an arm around her and he gently side hugged her. She snuggled against him and briefly buried her face against his chest, enough to allow her to get rid of the moisture in her eyes. Andy soothingly stroked her back. Sharon lifted her head and met his loving gaze. She offered him a bright smile before saying, “I clearly wasn’t expecting all this… I had no clue you two” she added looking at her children and smiling sweetly, “had set up this surprise.”

“See, Mom? Andy is not the only one who knows exactly what you need.” Emily told her with a smirk.

Sharon moved from Andy and wrapped her children in a bearhug, “I love you so much.” She whispered to both before kissing each one on the cheek. She sighed happily before saying, “Only Rusty is missing…”

“Well, we might expect a guest-star appearance from him in the following days.” Andy revealed with a grin as he moved closer to the group.

Sharon’s face lit at his words and she extended one of her arms, motioning for Andy to join their hug. She looked expectantly at him and he complied with a wide smile. He wrapped an arm around Sharon and the other around Emily before leaning in to kiss Sharon’s temple. His smile grew wider when he heard her whisper, “I love you, Andy.”

“Love you too, babe.” He softly replied.

[lemonadeswift]

Luca 24 Months

“Ms. Ni-cole!” Ms. Ni-cole!” Nicole smiled as she watched the little figure run to meet her, the door of the Evans’s residence left open in his wake.

“Hey there!” She said, kneeling down to let the small body collide into hers. Luca held up a paper to her, she took it, it had glitter stars and flowers and hearts and a various amount of scribbles, shapes, and smiley faces on it.

“Wow! Luca! It’s beautiful, did you make it for me?” She asked with wide eyes, Luca grinned up at her toothily and nodded.

“I love it so much!” She said, holding it close to her chest as she reached out to ruffle the soft hair on his head. Luca grinned and grabbed her hand, she stood up unsteadily with a laugh as Luca pulled her behind him. She looked up to see Chris standing in the door way a small smile playing on his lips. He was sharply dressed for date night with Sebastian.

“Luc, I told you not to go outside without me or daddy,” Chris scolded firmly.

“Swwry.” Luca answered, looking down. He pointed at the picture in Nicole’s hands,

“Oh, I see, you wanted to give Ms. Nicole your drawing didn’t you?” Chris asked, Luca looked up at him with a smile and he nodded.

“Well, next time wait for one of us, okay, it’s dangerous,” Luca tilted his head to the side like he didn’t quite understand, but he nodded anyway in affirmation. Chris let the two of them inside after that,

“Thanks for coming on such short notice, we didn’t know about his friend’s gallery opening until a few days ago, but it’s going to be good to go and support them, especially since it’s in Boston,” Nicole nodded,

“Well, I’m happy to be here, you know I love Luca,” Chris smiled, he was thankful to have found such a great babysitter who was still with them after two years.

“I’m just happy you’re still around, it’s rare that you find such a long term babysitter, but Luca loves you too. He was so excited, as you can tell, when we told him you’d be coming to watch him, it has been a while after all.

“About a month,” Nicole agreed. Sebastian appeared from the bedroom looking spiffed up and ready to go in dark purple button-down, shiny black loafers, and grey trousers, his hair was swept back and to the side, long, but not yet shoulder length, more falling to the base of his neck, and damn, he looked good.

“Hey baby,” Chris said, coming over to hug Sebastian, Nicole couldn’t help but grin as she caught Chris’s coping a feel of his husband’s ass.

“Get out of here you two before you scar the munchkin,” Nicole commented. Chris just laughed

“I think that’s already been done,”

“No way,” Nicole said,

“Yeah, he barged in on us the other night, we thought he was completely asleep, it was like 2:30 in the morning!” Sebastian said in an exasperated tone, Nicole couldn’t help but laugh.

“What did you tell him?”

“He didn’t ask, isn’t forming sentences yet, we’re hoping he forgets.” Chris said, Nicole shook her head at the two,

“Go on, you’re gonna be late.” She said, Chris nodded,

“Luc, daddy and I are going, you gonna give us a hug?” He asked,

“No.” Luca answered, Sebastian laughed at the completely dejected look that crossed Chris’s face. He walked over to where Luca was playing with his blocks and picked him up,

“Daddy!” Luca said, beginning to laugh as Sebastian began to tickle him,

“Can I have my goodbye hug?” He asked, holding wiggling fingers a few inches away from Luca’s stomach, Luca squirmed and threw his arms around his Dad’s neck,

“There we go, you better go give Papa one too or the papasaurus might come out and eat you!”

“No!” Luca squealed as he wiggled down from Sebastian’s hold and over to Chris, who gave a playful roar as he picked Luca up and kissed his soft little cheek before swinging him around in a giant hug. He then held him on his hip, Luca grinned,

“Wuv you!” Luca said, Chris smiled back at him, giving him one more kiss on the cheek,

“Love you too, we’ll be back tonight. Be good for Ms. Nicole, make sure you get your bath.” He told him as he gave him a small pat on the bum before letting him run away.

“And Luca,” Sebastian piped in, Luca didn’t look up from where he’d gotten back to playing, “Luca,” Sebastian said again, waiting for him to look up, Luca finally did after placing a few more blocks down,

“Only two books, if Ms. Nicole wants to read you a third that’s okay, but I don’t expect to hear that you whined and cried if she doesn’t,” Sebastian gave him a pointed look with a raise of his eyebrows.

“Ok, ok, ok,” Luca said, waving a hand at his dad, Sebastian couldn’t help but scoff at the brush off, that would be something they’d be addressing later, but for now, he’d brush it off as well. They were already late enough.

-

Luca wanted dinosaur chicken nuggets and broccoli mac and cheese for dinner, Nicole did her best to provide with the recipe Luca pulled out for her after climbing on the counter to find it. After dinner Luca played with his toys again while Nicole took the time to review a chapter from her textbook for classes the next day. After that it was time for a bath, and Luca wanted bubbles and a bathbomb.

“Which bathbomb do you want?” She asked him, Luca picked out a green and blue one, they were all homemade by Sebastian and each had a toy inside for Luca to play with. This one had two pieces of bathtub crayon inside and Luca asked Nicole to draw with him on the bathtub wall. The bath took way longer than it needed to, but Luca was happy and giggling as she got him out to dry off. Nicole helped Luca into a new diaper and then let him go into his room to pick out a pajama shirt for the night. He came back to her with a Toy Story shirt and his Peep plushie, from Peep and the Big Wide World. He held up a book for her and she smiled, taking it from him.

“Alright bud, do you want to go read in your room or in the living room.” Luca walked off and she followed, living room it was. Luca pushed himself up onto the couch and sat down, grabbing his cup of water from the table. Nicole looked down at the book that was being requested tonight and smiled. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Eric Carl and Bill Martin Jr,” She read out,

“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me! Red bird, red bird, what do you see?” Nicole continued, making bird sounds, duck noises, and horse sounds as she got to each character, she pointed to each word as she read, and Luca touched the pictures of the book, laughing and then joining in once she got to the frog sounds. As soon as she was done with the first book, a second was pushed into her hands.

“Stellaluna,” She said, smiling, “Good choice, now remember, your dad said two books, so are you sure this is the one you want to read?”

“Three!” Luca piped up, holding up four fingers to her,

“Two,” She said, holding up two fingers back.

“Four!” He repeated back, instead, still holding up four fingers,

“Nope, Two,” She told him. Luca frowned, pushing out his bottom lip.

“Three? Peas?” He asked, so sweetly, this time holding up the correct number of fingers. Nicole sighed, he was too cute.

“Alright, three, one more after this, but that’s all!” She said. Luca grinned happily and climbed into her lap so he could see the book better.

“In a Warm and sultry forest far, far, away, there once lived a mother fruit bat, and her new baby…” Luca laughed at the pictures of Stellaluna trying to fit on the tree branch and Nicole couldn’t help but smile too. They were pretty silly. After the second book Luca pushed a gold-spine Disney’s Hercules retelling into her hands. By the time she was finished with that book Luca’s little eyelids were drooping.

“Alright, time for bed she said, and like magic Luca’s eyes were wide open,

“No! Book!” He said,

“I already read three books, remember, we agreed on three.”

“Not tired.” He said. She sighed, as he began to climb all over the couch,

“Luca,” She said, hands on her hips, Luca looked over at her, hearing the warning tone in her voice.

“Bubble guppies?” He asked, she sighed, turning on an episode for a few minutes wouldn’t hurt, he’d probably be out like a light soon after and then she could just carry him to bed, she agreed. Turning on the TV and scrolling through the On Demand channels to find an episode of Bubble Guppies, Luca once again curled up next to her and rested his little head against her arm. Sure enough, no more than ten minutes in, he was fast asleep, sippy cup lying abandoned tipped completely upside down on the couch. Thank goodness for spill proof cups. Nicole picked Luca up and carried him to bed, tucking him and making sure his Eyore stuffed animal was beside him. Luca snuggled up to the donkey as soon as he was placed next to him unconsciously. It was too cute. After she was sure he was asleep she headed back out to the rest of the house. Cleaning up the dishes from dinner and starting the dishwasher, she then cleaned up a few other things she saw lying around just to be helpful before settling in on the couch with a bottle of water of her own and her phone in hand.

-

The next morning Nicole woke up to a little face inches away from her own, she almost screamed but she stopped herself.

“Luca! How did you-” She paused sitting up, noticing that a blanket had been thrown over her and she was completely laid out and comfortable on the Evans’s couch, light streaming in from the large side window and the smell of coffee wafting from the kitchen to her nose. She blushed furiously, had she really fallen asleep?! How unprofessional! That had never happened before! She had just finished her finals though and had been run ragged.

“Miss Ni-Cole!” Luca said happily, looking at her,

“Hey Luc, looks like I stayed the night,”

“Daddy said… daddy says I supposed to be quiet.” He said, “You were… you were sleepy.”

“I must have been,” She agreed, yawning and covering her mouth,

“Where are your dads?” She asked, he pointed to the kitchen.

“Coffee for you!” Luca said, “Come on.”   She couldn’t help but smile as she stood up, she was a little nervous though, to face her employers.

“Hey, good morning!” Chris said happily from where he sat at the table with a tablet in hands, Luca scurrying over to him, he multitasked as he picked him up and sat him on his lap as he aimed the conversation at Nicole,

“Hi, first off, I’m so, so, so, sorry, I understand if you are going to fire me, I’m so embarrassed!” She began to ramble,

“Nonsense, you were tired, and Luca was fast asleep, we didn’t really expect you to still be up when we got in, it was close to 3AM. Didn’t expect things to go for so long. Hope you weren’t supposed to be home,

“Nope, got my own place now, no roommates to worry about me,”

“Alright, good, really, it’s no problem, I assumed you were just pretty tired, if Luca had needed you he would’ve come out and found you. That doesn’t mean I want for you to do it again, but it was a one time thing, you’ve never fallen asleep on the job before, has she Luc?” Chris asked, Luca shook his head as he smashed two toy cars together.

“Breakfast?” Sebastian asked, coming up behind her, she almost jumped out of her skin in surprise, Sebastian laughed that low chuckle of his that all the girls, and boys fell for, her included, and she flushed red again before turning to him, She couldn’t help but grin at the “Kiss the Cook” Apron he was wearing.

“Nice apron, I’ve imposed too much though, so I’ll be going,” Sebastian frowned, his eyebrows pinching together, it really was an adorable face. And fuck, look at her, she had a crush on her two bosses who were married to each other.

“Come on, I made omlettes, and I made an extra for you! Join us, it’s really no trouble,” Nicole sighed but agreed, sitting down at the expansive granite topped table and letting Sebastian place a coffee, an orange juice, and a plate brimming with food in front of her, it was like a five star meal, her eyes widened.

“I had no clue you were such the cook! All the processed shit in the freezer…” She trailed off. Sebastian laughed,

“That’s for Chris… when I’m away, the two wouldn’t be able to eat otherwise.”

“Hey! I can make spaghetti, eggs, steak, and Italian meatballs,”

“And that’s all!” Sebastian shot back. Chris pouted. Sebastian laughed as he leaned over in his seat to press a kiss to Chris’s lips, Chris grumbled something under his breath that she couldn’t quite make out but he looked sulky and cute.

“Papa!” Luca said, immediately the smile was back in place on his face,

“What is it Bean?” Luca was holding out a raspberry to him,

“Oh thank you,” Chris said, and leaned down to let Luca put it into his mouth. He held out one to her next but Nicole declined,

“Oh no thank you, I’ve got my own here,” She said. Luca smiled and ate it himself.

“Nicole play with me?”

“I’m sorry bud, but I’ve gotta go home after this, but I’ll be back soon to play I hope, I think your dads said they need me in two weeks? Is that still true?” Sebastian nodded,

“Alright, two weeks then, two weeks and then we can play again.” Luca didn’t say anything but a little frown did graze his face before he went back to eating. Nicole insisted on helping with dishes after breakfast before she gathered her things and headed out the door, before she could get out though Luca came racing around the corner,

“Miss Ni-Cole!” He shouted, running into her legs, Sebastian smiled as he watched his son interact with her,

“Bye! I wuv you!” He said, Nicole’s heart swelled, he was such a sweet kid,

“Love you too Luc, see you in a little while,” She said. Luca then followed her out the door and stood on the steps waving goodbye as she got into her car to leave.

-

[lovelyharrystories]

Chapter seven

PREVIOUS PART .     -     NEXT PART

___________

You arrived at Heathrow and saw a familiar happy face waiting for you. When Nick spotted you, a grin showed on his face and he raised his arms very dramatically.

“YN, I am so happy to see you.” He said and gave you a hug.

You giggled and wrapped your arms around this crazy man.

“Oh, how much I missed you. I really needed some Nick time!” You said. Nick grabbed your luggage and wrapped his other arm around your shoulder.

“I am here, and we are going to a wedding and you know what that means.” Nick said, and you shook your head with a grin on your face.

“No?!” Nick said looking offended which only made you smile wider.

“Drunken hookups!” He yelled, and you slapped his arm as a matter of saying ‘don’t yell like that in the middle of an airport.’

“Shut up and take me to your car because I need a nap.” You said, and Nick mock saluted you.

.

The moment Nick pulled up on the highway was the moment you fell asleep. You hadn’t been sleeping well lately and maybe it was because of a certain curly haired boy.

You had really been thinking about what Simone and Lilly said and maybe they were right. You can’t just let this promise ruin your chance at love.

But, you were too scared to text first. You knew Harry mist hate you now because you had been giving him dating vibes and rejecting him must not have been fun for him.

.

You woke up an hour later. You pull your head up and looked at Nick who just noticed your movement.

“Good morning sleeping beauty.” Nick said in a teasing tone. You stuck out your tongue at him and looked outside. You see you aren’t on the highway anymore and are now driving through the fields.

“We are almost there.” Nick said and turned up the volume of the radio up.

“Whose wedding is this anyway? So, when i show up there I at least know something about them.” You said.

“So, you know their names are Bryan and Cindy so that’s a good start. They met in middle school but only started dating six years ago. I actually met Bryan when he came back from his first date with her. I was at the bar with some friends and one of my friends is friends with Bryan and I guess the rest is history.” Nick said.

“It sounds so easy.” You said sighing.

“That’s because it is. Falling in love is the easiest thing there is, the hard part is about to come for them.” Nick said, and he pulled up at a small hotel.

“We’re here.” Nick said, and you couldn’t help but admire the old building in front of you. It has this typical old English vibe and it couldn’t be more perfect.

“This is so pretty.” you said while getting out of the car.

“I knew you would be somebody who would appreciate this.”

You both walked in and the inside took your breath away. It looked a lot more modern than the outside but not too much that it would lose it charm.

When you were done looking around you walked over to Nick who was already walking further into the building.

“Nick!” You heard a woman’s voice say.

“Hi Cindy.” Nick said and gave the woman a kiss on each cheek.

“This is my date for your wedding, her name is YN.” Nick said dragging you next to him.

“Oh, I know who YN is.” She said looking at Nick and then putted her eyes on you. “It is so nice to meet you, I am a big fan of your music.” Cindy said.

“Wow, thank you Cindy and thank you for letting me be a guest.” You said and you two shared a small hug.

“The more the merrier.” She said.

“Where’s the lucky man?” Nick asked.

“He’s helping my nan to her room, but here are your room keys.” She said while handing us a key. “We all will be meeting downstairs at the dining area for a little drink.”

We both said our goodbyes and headed upstairs.

“She’s really nice.” I said.

“She’s the best. You can ask the woman anything, nothing is too much.” Nick said. “Well, looks like this is my room. We’ll meet downstairs?”

Sure, see you in a few.” I said, and Nick walked inside his room. I looked at my key again for my room number and saw that my room was only a few doors further.

You entered your room and it was breathtaking. You dropped your suitcase on the twin bed and started unpacking your clothes. You didn’t bring a lot of clothes since this was only a trip for the weekend, but you did bring enough because in England you never knew what weather it would be.

Once you were done unpacking you walked out of your room and went downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs you saw Nick waiting for you. He had changed in a bit more of an appropriate attire for a reception instead of the sweatpants he was wearing earlier.

Nick looked up and smiled. “Ready to get drunk?” He said with a mischievous grin and you rolled your eyes at him.

“Sure.” You said, and you grabbed Nick’s arm who then started dragging you to the dining area.

When you walked in you saw Cindy standing at the entrance again but now there was a man standing next to her. That must be Bryan.

“Nick, YN, I hope you like your room?” Cindy asked while handing the both of you a glass of champagne.

“My room is beautiful; the whole hotel is absolutely breathtaking.” You said while taking a sip of your champagne.

Bryan was now looking at you two and he smiled as a greeting. “Nice to meet you. I am sorry I wasn’t there when you two arrived.” He said and you gave him a smile in return. Before you could say that it was no problem Nick started saying, “Well, I expected to be welcomed with flowers. But, hey.” He said and shrugged his shoulders. You couldn’t help giggling at the silly man next to you.

“Anne! Gemma!” You all of a sudden hear Cindy yell. You looked behind you and looked at the two woman walking towards the room.

“Hi Ci, how are you?” You heard the younger woman ask.

“Great, nervous but great.” Cindy answered and Bryan gave her a side hug.

The younger woman looked at you; “Oh YN, Hi.” She said and you were a bit surprised by that. It was like she knew you. Of course, you knew people recognised you but she more said in a way that she knew you.

“Hi, do I know you?” You asked, looking at Nick with confusion but Nick only responded with a smirk which made you even more confused.

“No but you know my brother Harry.” She said with a small laugh and realisation hit you. This was Harry’ sister and so the other woman must be Harry’s mom which means Harry is probably also going to be here.

You tried to mask your surprise as much as possible and smiled at her, “Hi, it’s so nice to meet you. Gemma, right?” You said and offered her your hand. Gemma nodded and shook your hand.

“Mom, YN is here.” Gemma said and the other woman turned her attention from her conversation with Cindy and Bryan to her daughter.

“Hello dear, I didn’t know you were coming?” The woman said and you couldn’t help but feel kind of nervous in her presence. It was like you wanted to impress this woman even though you had no relation with her and you and Harry aren’t even on speaking terms.

“Yes, Nick invited me as his plus-one.” You said and pointed at Nick.

“Oh Nick is here already, I am going to say.” Gemma said and left you and Anne alone. The whole situation was kind of awkward and once this event is over you are going to kill Nick.

“So, how do you know the bride and groom?” You asked a bit awkwardly looking at your champagne glass.

“Cindy is my cousins’ daughter.” Anne said with a kind smile on her face.

“Your name is Anne right, or didn’t I misunderstand Cindy when she called out for you two?” You asked.

“Yes, it is dear, I assume my son didn’t talk about me then.” Anne said teasingly but you didn’t catch the humor in her voice and started to panic a little bit.

“Oh no he does, but he always refers to you as ‘mom’ and his sister as ‘Gem’. It’s why I didn’t immediately make the link between the two. Plus, I didn’t know this wedding was from a member of Harry’s family.” You rambled a little bit which made Anne laugh.

“ I was only joking dear, has my son arrived yet?” Anne asked, and you gave her a shy smile. If only this woman knew that you rejected her son. She probably wouldn’t be so kind to you and the fact that Harry will indeed be attending this wedding is making your hands sweat.

“I don’t know.” You simply said and luckily Nick and Gemma decided to join you again. When Nick stood beside you, you looked at him and he gave you a smirk. You took a hold of his elbow and said, “Excuse us for a moment.” and dragged Nick with you.

You both went to the bar where you definitely needed a refill of your glass if you wanted to survive this weekend.

“What the hell Nick?” You said and Nick laughed.

“You should have seen your face.”

“Nick, this is Harry’s family wedding. Why did you bring me here?” You asked with irritation clear in your voice.

“YN, I know how things ended in Miami and I happen to know you better than you may expect but I know you like him and he likes you. I just want two of my friends to be happy and preferably together.” Nick said while taking a sip of his now full glass.

“But really here, where his whole family is?” You asked now stressing a bit. What will Harry say when he realises you are here. Will he listen to you or has he moved on?

“Relax, everything will be fine. Trust me.” Nick said and you only gave him a stressful smile in return.

.

The little evening drink was in full swing. All guest were talking and having a great time. You were sitting at a table wit Nick and Bryan has recently joined you. He was talking about the whole wedding planning affair and how he couldn’t understand the difference between all the different whites.

All of a sudden you guys were interrupted by a familiar male voice. “Bryan, congrats man.”

Bryan looked behind you and had a big smile on his face, “Harry, thanks, I am so glad you could make it.” Bryan said and walked around the table probably to greet Harry. You didn’t dare to look behind you because you weren’t ready to face him. After the speech Nicole gave you, you felt like you could walk up to him and tell him but now being a few weeks later and the fact that he is literally only a few feet away has you trembling in your seat.

Nick stood up also the greet his best friend. After the greeting Harry finally seemed to notice the fact that there was another person at the table. You could feel his eyes on you and you finally looked back. When Harry realised it was you, you could see him freeze for a moment, but he pulled himself back quite fast. “YN.” He said in a greeting manner and you could only nod your head in response.

“Well, I am going to say ‘hi’ to the bride and the rest of the family. Catch up with you later?” He asked Bryan and he nodded his head. Harry turned around looking at you with a blank face for one last time and left to greet his other family.

You felt kind of sad at the fact that he didn’t really say much to you and acted that cold. Maybe you did deserve it.

.

You didn’t see Harry for the rest of the night. Him and Nick must have talked for a while when you went to the bathroom and made acquaintance with one of Bryan’s sisters. Her name was Vicki and she was really nice. You both seemed to have a love for all types of crafty things and you talked about that for a while.

After another hour of sitting at a table with Nick while he was talking with some guys, you decided to call it a night.

You said your goodbyes to Nick and the rest of the table and started to head upstairs.

When you were about to open your room, you heard the door next to you open and you looked at your left where the noise came from. You were surprised to see Harry walk out of the door. You both locked eyes and you saw Harry was about to leave when you stopped him by saying, “Harry?”

“Yes.”

“Can we talk?” You asked.

“Look YN, I have had a long day and I am tired and right now I would love to spend time with my family that haven’t seen in a long time. You can tell me whatever it is tomorrow.” Harry said and he walked away.

Your heart felt heavy and you had to swallow the lump that was forming in your throat. You told yourself to man up and walked into your room and got ready for bed. You didn’t really sleep much that night because all you could think off was Harry.

_________

MASTERLIST .    -    NEXT PART

_________

Sorry for the long wait!

[vanessaxyvonne]

Sugar Pink Liquor, Liquor Lips | V + NV

When: June 20th, 2021

Where: Circle Bar ; Vanessa's Penthouse

Warnings: Alcohol, Vomiting, Angst, Pregnancy mention (no, no one's pregnant)

Featuring: @niklausvondra

Texts from Circle Bar

Vanessa:

I know you hate meeee but I'm drunk rn

niklaus:

I don't hate you and why are you drunk?

Vanessa:

I’m celebrating!!!

I did a great thing again

niklaus:

Well glad to know that you're willing to text me drunk

but I don't hate you--my sister on the other hand

Vanessa:

I’d text you sober but like it’s complicated

I know I’m the treacherous slut

it’s why we can’t be together which isn’t fair but you know I’ll wait for you in the next life if you still like me

niklaus:

You're not a treacherous slut

there's just bad blood and nicole needs to get over it

You really think we will meet again in the next life?

Vanessa:

I am, Nick. That’s what I’ve always been. And she can tryy but she will always see me as the monster okay?

yeah, but!!!!! You gotta find me in the next life this time okay?

niklaus:

listen, Nicole is grown woman and it’s been years if she can’t get over it, then you move on. You have a company and better friends

Yes, I’ll find you

Vanessa:

that means I lose you too

I wish we were in our new lives right now, I bet it’s better. We’d be happy

niklaus:

news flash, I am my own person. If you cut ties with Nicole for good then you won’t lose me

Who knows, life could be cruel

Vanessa:

you promise???

life without you is crueler

niklaus:

yeah

Vanessa:

I almost did something stupid and my friends would’ve been so upset with me

niklaus:

what did you do

Vanessa:

well I did it anyways

I drank more ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

niklaus:

oh my god

why am I not surprised

you do realize you’re going to be hating yourself in the morning, right?

Vanessa:

I knowww

I gotta numb the existential dread somehow

can you pick me up? I promise I won't puke or hit on you

niklaus:

Where are you

Vanessa:

I'm at Circle bar

niklaus:

awesome, I’m down the road at a friends. I’ll be there in ten mins

Vanessa:

Okayyyyy

thank you nick

Nessa sat outside the bar in the waiting area and because of her charm, she made friends with the bouncer who kept her drunk self safe until Nick arrived. Of course, she was trying her hardest not to completely pass out when she perked up at the familiar green eyes and lop-sided dimpled grin. "Niiick!" She drawled out excitedly. "I'm so glad you're here!"

niklaus vondra.

After leaving a friends home, the disappointment in their eyes as he left made him chuckle, making way over to where Vanessa was at he walked along the side walk and saw her sitting there, he nodded his head. “I said I would come and grab you, I have an Uber waiting,” he held out his hands for her to take.

Vanessa grinned as she took his hands with a big smile. "My hero!!" She said with drunken excitement. "D'you know what? I left the fuzzy tiara that one of the really super nice bachelorettes gave to me. I'm so gutted but I can't go back," She rambled. "Also, I'm a bit tired."

niklaus vondra.

”You look hammered,” nick smiled and helped her up, reaching up to lightly pat down her hair and held out his arm. “We’ll get you some food and tuck you right into bed. Then you should be good to go.” He reached to hold onto her and lead them away from the entrance.

“Yes, yes I am,” She retorted. “I wanted to be hammered and railed but that didn’t work out. The gal had a jealous boyfriend. Who knew?” Nessa giggled as she took Nick’s arm and stumbled alongside him. “Ooh I really want bagels, are there any bagel shops open this hour, you think?”

niklaus vondra.

Nick swallowed down the jealousy, reminding himself he had no right and that he was just coming from one of his ‘friends’ places before getting her. “That lad is probably cheating on the side if he allowed you to flirt with him,” he pointed out and laughed, “Bagels? I highly doubt it.”

Vanessa looked over at Nick and laughed. "No no no, silly. I was hitting on his girlfriend and she flirted right on back and even held my face and called me a goddess but the lad got a bit butt hurt because I might've gotten her a bit flustered," She drunkenly rambled with the brightest smile. "Ugh. I wanted a bagel. What should we go eat, Niklaus?"

niklaus vondra.

”Oh, now that makes more sense, no wonder….” He thought out loud and laughed, “should’ve offered a threesome, a win for all three people.” opening the door and assisting her into the Uber. “We can always grab in and out?”

"It does, doesn't it?" Nessa giggled at the thought for a moment and sighed. "I don't like sharing, that's the issue. I've tried it before, it didn't work out," She shrugged and carefully slid into the Uber. "Hmmm, okay. Burgers sound great right about now, yeah?"

niklaus vondra.

”Really? I find it all the more fun,” he shrugged, but that was most likely due to enjoying the attention on both ends. He often wondered if it was due to his disorder or the fact he craved attention and wanted to try something different. “burgers and fries? Yes.”

"Well, that's 'cos you're you," Nessa poked at Nick's chest with a smirk. She then followed up with, "I just like the attention on me and I know the other person won't give me their full attention. So if it's just me and the other person, I'll command attention easier. Plus...makes the escape easier in the morning." She let out a small sigh and rested her head on Nick's shoulders. "Burgers and fries sound amaaazing! We used to do that all the time, remember?"

niklaus vondra.

Nick laughed, he remembered vaguely of her always wanting attention, especially in the bedroom but he wasn’t about to make that commentary. “Are we going to take a walk down memory lane?” He laughed and asked the driver if he could stop by in and out. He tried to not show affection towards her, to make it easier on both of them, but it was getting hard with her touching him and trusting him.

A giggle bubbled up from Vanessa as she said, "Well why not? I'm drunk and I'm feeling a bit nostalgic on the mention of In N Out. Besides, it's been years since I've last gone." There came the first admission there. Now the logical part of her wanted to sit up straight and shut up and opt to just go home, but between the mixed alcohol and her own emotions, things were bound to spill out of her. "Just humor me for a moment, will you?"

niklaus vondra.

Niklaus shakes his head and slowly caved in, “Fine…but just so you know, once we start bringing up embarrassing memories, I’m out.” He joking said as he pulled out his phone to see messages, ones he didn’t want to look at nor respond too, placing it back into his pocket, Nick glanced over at Nessa.

"I promise, no embarrassing stories, we'd have to mutually be drunk for that one," Nesssa pointed with a knowing grin. "Do you remember..." She began and then hiccuped, "Do you remember when we would sneak out at times just to get ice cream at that one parlour?"

niklaus vondra.

Nick laughed at the memory, “Yeah, I should have known you would be a bad influence,” he teased, “I do remember the sweetness of the ice cream that I don’t think I could eat today.”

"Me? A bad influenceeee? Poppycock! You were the one that convinced me to start sneaking out," Nessa nudged Nick with a cheeky grin. "Wait, really??? D'you lose your sweet tooth?"

niklaus vondra.

He laughed at her, “Oh please, one time and you’re a goner since then.” He shake his head toward, flashing her a lopsided smile and shrugged. “Taste buds change as you get older.”

"One time? Now you're definitely bluffing! You always pitched the sneaking around to get ice cream until I caught on!" She shot a look over towards him. Her own smile matching his lopsided grin...she missed that smile and all she wanted to do was kiss that smile, but luckily, she still had that sense to hold her back. "What do you prefer now?"

niklaus vondra.

”I think it’s a tie between crepes and lemon squares.” He admitted, it was wild to think he once had a sweet tooth and now, now it was like he didn’t care much for it, he placed it on it being an age thing but maybe once she left things just tasted bitter.

“Ooh very Parisian! You’ve got a bit of a tart tongue. I like that.” Nessa giggled as she went to reach for Nick’s hand, mostly to play with his long fingers. Any little detail or thing kept the drunken designer curious. “It’s your turn to say a memory and don’t say you don’t remember ‘cos it’s repressed. None of our experiences together was traumatic—well until the end. That’s definitely a bit fuzzy.”

niklaus vondra.

Nick smiled, “what can I say, if life is going to be bitter, at least make it bittersweet.” He shrugged, at least that was the motto he was going for in the least. As she played with his fingers, he didn’t pull away and allowed her to distract herself but when she asked to mention a memory, he stayed silent. He wanted to play it off, wanted to make some silly joke but knew that would be impossible. “I guess…when we were trying to reach Nicole how to drive and she almost killed us,” he decided to bring up.

“I like that motto,” Nessa beamed excitedly. “Reminds me of that one song…a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. It’s bittersweet,” she nodded in agreement. She continued to play with his fingers, paying attention to every detail. It almost felt like a flashback to years ago. When he spoke again, she looked up to him and she giggled. “Oh bloody hell, that was terrifying. The way she slammed on the brakes and we went lurching forward. I’m surprised the seat belt didn’t strangle us!” She responded incredulously. “I miss those days.”

niklaus vondra.

Nick softly laughed, “Yeah and to think she got her licenses,” he let out a sigh and nodding his head. “They were good memories, but I have hope that one day things can go back to normal or at least everyone make up.”

"Oh my god, right? That's a miracle that she did, but I'm glad she did," Nessa giggled and let out her own sigh. "They were!! Wait really, you do?" She looked over at him. "What makes you so sure?"

niklaus vondra.

”I think at some point you just grow up and learn to forgive what you’ve done in the past. I mean it can be a lot to come to forgiving and I know my sister, she will come around maybe not right now but she will.” Niklaus held hope for Nicole to get over the past, especially after finding out the actual reason and perhaps get on good terms with Vanessa again. He knew that their breakup hurt Nicole a lot and he hated the fact it was because of his selfish reasons.

“Hmmmm, I’d say that makes sense yeah. She’s a bit stubborn but, she’s still got a good heart. It’ll take her a bit…when she’s ready. She knows where to find me so we can cry together,” Nessa pointed out with the most bubbliest giggle. It was a laugh that reminded her of her younger self for a moment but she shook off the thought. “By the way…I do have something to confess ‘cos there was this wild scandal of me and a pregnancy test and bloody hell, everyone thought I was expecting and d’you know what? I wasn’t! Trixie, actually had a pregnancy scare from her ex back in college. The paps spun it to a whole different thing, though.”

niklaus vondra.

Hearing her ramble, he had a soft smile on his face, it felt like old times when she was drunk and he was of course taking care of her. But hearing the confession had him stiffen, he remembered seeing the tabloid and did something completely stupid but he later found out why he made impulsive decisions. “oh…so that’s what that was…here I thought you got knocked up, guess it would’ve been better to ask you than assume.”

Nessa could feel Nick's body freeze up for a moment while she played with his fingers, so carefully, she linked her fingers with his and looked up towards him. She was crossing that line to comfort him. "Nuh-uh. Never ever. My career was just taking off, I couldn't do that, you know? Funny part is, I had just gotten my IUD implanted like days ago and I had to release those forms to the press. That was probably the most violated I ever felt in the spotlight, but you know," She shrugged.

niklaus vondra.

Nick nodded his head, he remembered that night clearly, recalled the tabloid days later and the sense of regret but now he just came to terms with everything. He was fine with being by himself, it was less of a hassle. He wondered if he would ever want a family, he didn’t exactly have the best role models but at least he could be the best uncle. “Tabloids would do that to you…I’m sorry you had to go through that by yourself.”

Nessa didn't bother mentioning the other specifics as to why she had the IUD because of her crazy obsessive ex who tried to anchor her down, she was far too drunk to care about that. However, she didn't see herself much of a motherly figure, especially after practically raising her little brother. The thought of motherhood terrified her...the thought of stopping her career for motherhood was even more terrifying. "They doooo sadlyyyy. Don't worry, I gave them another thing to talk about a week later when I dumped my ex during fashion week. I sound so jaded, I swear!"

niklaus vondra.

Nick couldn’t help but to laugh at her response, it appeared that nothing rarely ever stops her from reaching her full potential each and every time. “I mean, without that passion, you wouldn’t have made it to where you are.” He pointed out, “besides, nothing screams revenge than being successful.”

A giggle bubbled up from her lips and she sighed, “Ah, I’d ‘spose you’re right. All that passion became success and that was my most righteous revenge.” She sighed once more, “It sucks, sometimes. Cos everyone waits for me to fuck up. It adds this immense amount of pressure, you know?…I miss talking about these things with you. Our fears, our hopes, our accomplishments. I have to be bloody drunk to get all of this out of my system ‘cos my sober self would just…put up a wall.”

niklaus vondra.

He realized that he too missed these sort of talks himself, he once tried to hold a conversation like this with his sister but instead it turned more into a lecture. With Vanessa, it was a soothing moment where she didn’t second guess his choices and he didn’t with hers. “It’s okay, sometimes we are too afraid to admit things, alcohol just seems to enjoy bringing all that forth.”

Vanessa nodded in agreement to Nick. “Yes it does. Very much so!! So…I do believe it’s your turn again,” She giggled, wiggling her eyebrows. That was the dynamic she loved and missed between them two. There was no questioning, there was no judgement. There was, instead, encouragement and calm. It was what she missed the most with Nick.

niklaus vondra.

”My turn for what?” He jokingly said before stopping to hear the driver announced they were there to order, “what did you want again?” He asked Vanessa, his window rolled down to place an order.

“Ah ah ah, don’t play coy with me, Niklaus,” Nessa playfully scolded until they arrived to In N Out. “Hmmm I want a hamburger with fries and a sprite, pleaseeee,” she said with the cutest smile.

niklaus vondra.

Nick ordered their order and they went back to waiting in line, “Anyways, do you plan on going back to Paris for that fashion week or did it past? I feel like there’s always fashion week somewhere. Unless I’m just clueless.” He laughed, he knew that it was due to him not being able to stay on one subject for long, he kept the window down to breath in the cool air.

“Perhaps…it’s not until October and you know Santa Monica loves to go all out for Halloween. I’d have to see, but if I doooo, I’ll be sure to take pictures….or you know perhaps sober me will be on better terms with you and we could go,” Nessa drunkenly offered with a smile. “You’re not clueless at all, I’m glad that you keep up!” She beamed excitedly. “Ugh it feels so nice outside. I might fall asleep on the balcony when I make it back home.”

niklaus vondra.

”We are not letting you pass out on the balcony…that’s very dangerous,” he stated very firmly, the thought of her accidentally hurting herself or something worse. “We can leave the window open for you while you rest, I’ll stay until you are sleep talking, how about that?”

Her eyes widened at Nick’s quick assertion and she shrugged. “There’s a futon sofa I always collapse on that’s there, I never go near the edge,” She sighed, knowing there’d be no arguing with him in her state. “Okay, on one condition though. You have to play with my hair like you used to do when I was drunk to help me sleep.”

niklaus vondra.

Nick couldn’t help but to laugh at her demand, “fine, I’ll do just that so you can sleep. But please don’t puke, cleaning up after puke is the worse.” He jokingly stated, lightly caressed her hand in his and lightly patted the back of her hand.

“I won’t, don’t worry. It’s been a very very verryyyy long time since that’s happened. I think when the window opened it would’ve hit,” Nessa giggled. “Why are you so to me after all these years?” she asked as she rested her head on his shoulder again.

niklaus vondra.

Sometimes he wished that he didn’t have to speak, but here she was, asking questions in which he tried to divert everything. He didn’t have it in him to deny her the answers nor had it in him to even be remotely mean to her. “I’m not a complete dick head as to what people seem to believe I am.”

Nessa being Nessa always asked the hard questions whether she was sober or completely drunk off her ass. She wanted to know and dive deeper as to why Nick treated her so well even after all this time. She shook her head and sighed, “Nooo, that’s not what I mean! You’ve always been sweet, despite what anyone says. I just don’t get why now. I’d think you know, you’d hate sober me by now. I mean, well, me. ‘Cos I’m not the little princess I was and you fell for that one…well—“ she paused for a moment and then said, “At least I think you did. I dunno. Nicole said I was delulu about it.”

niklaus vondra.

”Delulu? Are you trying to say delusional?” He asked amused as hell with her drunk talk, the driver drove off once he got the food and he grabbed the bag, handing out food for her and looked at her, “if Nicole said those, you do realize she was just saying that to hurt you, surprised you haven’t noticed since you two were once so close.”

“Yeah! That word!!!” She giggled, shaking her head. Her eyes lit up at the food and she did an excited wiggle when she took the burger and carefully opened it up to take a bite. “I know she did, but I just wanted to know, since you know…we never got to say it. Tragic, innit?” She took another bite of her burger and sighed.

niklaus vondra.

Nick took a piece of fry and chewed on it, “Ness…why do you keep bringing up the past?” He asked, “I thought you moved on?” Maybe he was hoping she moved on, wanted her to not be stuck on him, he was nothing compared to the empire she grew. He had his own demons he had to deal with but it was a never ending battle for himself.

“Because it came back,” Nessa said as she took another bite. She wound up wrapping it back up as the question sank deeper. “I can’t let my past haunt me, so I ask questions so I can sleep at night. Soooo, if this is you’re way of saying you’ve moved on, then you know, we can be done with it and I can walk home,” She responded rather stubbornly. At this point, she wasn’t sure if she’d make it home walking but, the question stung. “I have moved on. Multiple times. Neither of them worked out as you can see. Thanks for the bloody reminder,” she huffed.

niklaus vondra.

He knew he should have kept his mouth shut but seeing her acting like this, it made him realize that they both were hurting. Just finding ways to cope differently, but almost similar. “I’m not saying it to get you feeling guilty or anything, it’s just…every time I see you intoxicated, you bring up the past. I don’t want to see you stuck in the past…as for you doing things multiple times…it just means you have shit taste in people.”

The logical side of Nessa knew two things, one, both of them were experiencing a nostalgic type of hurt and two, he was right. And even then, the drunk and incredibly stubborn side of her couldn’t see reason. “Because I’m drunk, Niklaus and the only thing I remember from us, is the past we have no present! So excuse meee for getting nostalgic but I’m not bound to the past,” She spat out. At his next comment she could feel the tears burning her eyes. It was true…but it didn’t hurt any less. She got quiet afterwards and unlinked their hands to wipe the tears that began falling. “Just drop me off here. I’ll walk. I don’t care how far I am, I’ll walk until I make it home. I’ll figure it out, I always do.”

niklaus vondra.

Nick silently cursed, the driver meeting his eyes in the review mirror, in which he shook his head as looked outside to see they were getting close to her place. “I’m not letting you walk home alone, especially at night.” He stated firmly, maybe he was stubborn but he would be stricken with worry of the idea something happening to Vanessa.

Nessa simply glared at Nick through her tears and didn’t say another word. She simply turned her body towards her own window. The drunken angry tears just kept coming and she kept sitting there stubbornly wiping them away and trying to even out her breathing. Sure, she was acting like her typical drunken primadonna self, but what he said really did hurt.

niklaus vondra.

Nick felt his high leave, and felt sobriety kicking in, in which something he wished he didn’t have to feel. But he did feel guilty for snapping at her like that, seeing her wipe away her tears stubbornly, Nick sighed as he placed all the food back into the bag and felt the car stop. He muttered thanks to the driver and go out to follow after Vanessa when he knew fully well she would tell him to leave her alone.

As soon as the car came to a stop and she heard the car doors unlock, Nessa stumbled out of the car and to her penthouse building as she continued wiping tears and stifling her sobs as she took a hold of the door. She could hear Nick’s footsteps behind her. She gripped onto the door handle mostly to hold her balance as she sobbed out loud now. “Leave me alone!” She could feel the anger rising in her chest, “It wasn’t my fault that you all pretended to love me!” She turned around, the anger and hurt apparent in her eyes as the purple stained tears continued to fall. “I’m put together again. I’m not broken. Yeah, I wanted to know why you hurt me and yet, you do it again! What did I ever do to you?!” She asked, stumbling towards him and poking at his chest. “I did nothing to you! I did nothing!!!”

niklaus vondra.

Nick held onto the food, he allowed her to lash out at him, he knew that she needed to get this off her chest. Yet he also knew, no he wanted her to hate him, maybe some part of him thinks he deserves it. He was the one to ask the questions, piss on her effort to fix things between them. So many maybes running through his head. “Did I say you were broken Vanessa? Fuck sakes, I just asked a simple question because you kept bringing up memories—which exactly what they were—memories.” His voice raising as he matched the same energy with her, Niklaus could feel those emotions he struggled to keep back, but seeing her like this…accusing him of not loving her, it pained him. “I moved on—I thought ‘oh we can be friends, it won’t hurt anyone’ but clearly we can’t even do that!”

Vanessa shook her head, "No, you said I just picked shitty people and I didn't pick to be heartbroken so many times! I never chose that, I never wanted that. You asked a simple question and I gave you a simple little answer and that was because that's all we have! We don't have anything else but memories!" She could feel her voice going hoarse from yelling, or was it from the crying, or maybe the alcohol. She couldn't remember, but all she could feel was this immense amount of anger. This is why she couldn't get drunk...she was far too vulnerable. "You can't be friends with people you hurt until you can be brave enough to face that you've hurt them and you can't even do that! You just fucking run!" She echoed right on back. She was going to make another statement until she felt her mouth water and she took a breath turned around, walked a few steps, towards the bushes, and puked.

niklaus vondra.

He was about to say something back when he saw her run off and the sound of puking made him wince. He knew that was going to kick her in the ass tomorrow. Sighing as he walked over towards her and set the bag down beside him and grabbed her hair, while rubbing her back with the other hand. “Vanessa, let me get you inside.”

All it took was emotions for her to get sick, how lovely, she thought to herself. She was just lucky enough to not have done it in front of Nick or on her outfit, at least. Even then just as she finished, she felt a hand take her hair to hold it back from it getting gross and a soothing back rub. As much as Vanessa wanted to protest stubbornly, she sighed. "Okay...fine," She said hoarsely as she lifted her head up pitifully and carefully reached over to the bag to grab a napkin to wipe her chin with a saddened look.

niklaus vondra.

He felt a small smile appear on his face at her defeat, he nodded his head and helped her up, walking them toward inside. “Okay, c’mon…”he said softly, his voice almost a whisper but deep enough, Niklaus could feel the urge to comfort her but the idea of taking advantage of her under the influence didn’t sit right with him. But he knew he wouldn’t be able too when sober. Once they reached inside, he helped her toward her bedroom, setting the bag onto the counter.

Nessa followed Nick inside, holding onto him to steady herself and keep herself from falling. It was a struggle, but she would make it there soon. It was a strange comfort knowing Nick was still there despite hurting each other’s feelings just moment ago. Once they made it inside her apartment and to her bedroom, she sprawled across the bed. “Thank you…” she muttered.

niklaus vondra.

He chuckled as he took her shoes off and nodded his head, “I wasn’t going to let you stay passed out in the streets, I’m not a complete dickhead.” He said and placed the shoes down nearby, helping her get comfortable before grabbing a trash bin and set it beside the bed. He got up to go into the kitchen to grab water and a bottle of pain meds before sitting down at the edge and pat her leg. “Okay, you should be set for the morning, garbage near you and water right on the night stand along with meds.”

Vanessa let out a rather dry chuckle and shook her head tiredly, "You could have and I wouldn't have blamed you." She watched Nick from taking off her shoes and getting the pain meds for her and water, and it didn't click to her as to why he was so nice to her, even after hurting her...even after she hurt him. She didn't say anything at first when he came back and told her the game plan, she just gazed at him, blinking slowly. She wanted to bring up the hair thing, but finally the sober part of her held her tongue in that aspect, which made the drunk part of her tear up again. She quietly nodded and curled up towards her blankets and turned away from him.

niklaus vondra.

He watched her turn away from him, a small sigh escaped his lips, he tried to say something—anything to make the matters less terrible then where they were at now. But words were said and he was at his limit from becoming a complete douche. “Feel better in the morning,” he said softly and stood up from the mattress, grabbing the food from the counter to place in the fridge.

There was a moment where part of her wanted to tell him to wait, but the other part wanted to tell him to fuck off. She was caught in between the two, but managed to softly mumble out a "thank you", as she sniffled lightly, making it clear she was still upset...but holding on strongly to her pride.

[aion-rsa]

Wynonna Earp Season 4 Episode 8 Review: Hell Raisin’ Good Time

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This Wynonna Earp review contains spoilers.

Wynonna Earp Season 4, Episode 8

Oh, to be a fly on the (probably Zoom) wall of the Wynona Earp writers’ room during the brainstorm session about which Halloween costumes each character should wear in this autumnal holiday-themed installment! Reader, they nailed it. Wynonna dresses as feminist hero Britney Spears (compliment of Waverly for both bringing the costume together and knowing that Wynonna would be into it), and Wonder Woman. Doc is bisexual icon Freddie Mercury. And Waverly… well, Waverly is a ladybug and then an angel. It’s all beyond perfect, and epitomizes just how much fun this slasher episode of Wynonna Earp truly is. (Barring the sob story Varun Saranga is strapped with selling, but we’ll get back to that later…) Two episodes, and Wynonna Earp Season 4B continues to be… just an incredibly good time? There is a time and place for Important Television, and Wynonna Earp sometimes ducks into that intersection, but I don’t think we talk enough as a culture about the importance of fun, especially in such dark and draining times. I didn’t know how much I needed more unabashedly fun TV until Wynonna Earp came back into our lives, welcoming us all back to the party. And, friends, more than a year into this pandemic, we are all overdue for a party.

This series has had Buffy the Vampire Slayer in its narrative DNA since the beginning, but never is it more apparent than in these delightful supernatural problem-of-the-week episodes. Last week, it was a love virus. This week, it’s a homicidal scarecrow with the head of a pumpkin, the hands of Freddy Krueger, and the focus of an Olympic athlete. Rotten Jack is his name and he’s been a rural myth in the town of Purgatory since the Earps were little kids, spending Halloween trying to avoid their abusive father. It says a lot about this town and the Earp family that an active supernatural killer on the loose is enough of a regular occurrence that literal angel Waverly attempts to eschew the responsibility of tracking him down because she has plans to hang out with her sister. But it’s hard to judge a grown woman so unabashedly wearing a ladybug costume, especially when she is so devoted to hr big sister. Maybe it’s low-hanging fruit for a reviewer and fan who is best friends with her own sister, but, for all of the other amazing relationships on this show, Wynonna Earp has always had the sibling bond between Wynonna and Waverly at its heart and it’s touching to see that, even when these two can’t remember their own names, they remember the love they have for one another.

Yes, that’s right. Waverly and Wynonna straight-up lose their memories. Wynonna may be able to remember whiskey, but she has no idea what Peacemaker is for. This is all thanks to Casey, who you may remember as Wynonna’s half-demon cellmate in “Look At Them Beans.” When Wynonna and Waverly go to Casey’s trailer, per Jeremy’s BBD instructions, in order to pick up “the extractor,” a necessary item for capturing Rotten Jack, Casey freaks out. He’s gone full conspiracy theorist off-the-grid-er since we last saw him (which, fair enough), and doesn’t want anything to do with BBD. He runs away from The Sisters Earp, leading them into the amnesia-inducing fog that apparently surrounds all of the Ghost River Triangle. What follows is basically a delightful excuse for Melanie Scrofano and Dominique Provost-Chalkley to get silly as Wynonna and Waverly traipse around town, in search of a Halloween party, with no idea that demons or vampires are even a thing or that they are supposed to be all that stands between Rotten Jack and the people of Purgatory.

Meanwhile, Amon has graduated from morally-ambiguous antagonist to straight-up villain. And I’m not just saying that because he tries to use the fact that he had sex with Wynonna to manipulate Doc into doing what he wants. (It doesn’t work.) In an effort to make some serious cash, Amon sets up a betting pool livestream around the identities of Rotten Jack’s victims, pivoting to auctioning off the chance to kill the Earp sisters when the opportunity presents itself. I wish this turn had a bit more nuance—I’ve never really been sure of who Amon is as a character or what Wynonna Earp was trying to do with him—but his commitment to villainy does provide structure for the rest of our characters to rail against. It gives Jeremy a chance to team up with Doc to save Wynonna and Waverly, and gives Doc a few instances to reiterate his commitment to the Earp sisters both through his actions and his words. He and Wynonna may not have worked things out, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t the love of his life.

Jeremy and Robin’s tragic backstory knocked this episode down a half-star for me. While I understand the necessity of recasting a role from time to time, I am 100% of the opinion that I would rather the series act as if they are the same human rather than come up with a face-tearing backstory that is both unnecessarily gruesome and too silly even for this show. We already suspend disbelief when it comes to the existence of vampires, demons, demon-hunters, angels, and Cupids on this show; what’s a little recasting amongst friends? Then again, I have always been willing to lean into a recast. Maybe it’s because I am a Doctor Who fan?

That being said, I am also very invested in the angst when it comes to Jeremy and Robin’s ongoing love story. They obviously still share a connection, even if Robin can’t remember their dating history and currently has a boyfriend who is not Jeremy. I am torn between the pull of the amnesia romance trope and the fact that Jeremy is basically slipping drugs into his ex/co-workers’ support group coffee. On the one hand, my fanfic-reading heart loves a good pining amnesiac exes-to-lovers story; on the other hand, it is deeply problematic that Jeremy isn’t giving Robin the option of taking the serum. Robin is an amnesiac; he’s not a child. (Not that you should drug your children’s coffee, either.)

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Additional thoughts.

Taking bets: do we think Amon is dead or will we see him again?

Everyone loves Doc, and it makes total logical sense.

Wynonna’s “walk of shame” look works better than it has any right to.

R.I.P., random Purgatory residents killed by Rotten Jack. I’m not sure what the town’s population looks like at this point, but the loss of three residents ain’t nothing.

“Can you just let me petty.”

“Are you late for school?” “Whore school?” The line delivery here.

“You’re supposed to be the nice one.”

“They say it’s hilarious, but you’ll never look at Dame Judi Dench again.”

“I already wear a mask everyday.” Still not clear on the logistics of Robin’s new face, but I honestly hope the show never tries to explain it.

Code Orange… for Halloween?

“I just want to go trick or treating.” It’s super interesting that, when Waverly and Wynonna lose their memories, it’s Wynonna who loves Halloween and Waverly who hates it. Presumably, this is how they really feel about the holiday.

Justin Kelly, aka the first Robin, is now on a show called Hudson & Rex, which seems to be a show about a cop and his police dog. (The new Robin is played by Jim Watson.)

“I think your boyfriend might be a cokehead.”

“p.s. Dance like no one’s watching.” Casey’s letter to “Wins and Waves.” <3

“I’m not a hero. A fuck up.” “You can be both.” I love how they just slipped the thesis statement for this show into the dialogue of this episode and hoped nobody would notice.

“Love is the absolute of fear.” “Love has always lightened the load.” If Doc ever needs a side hustle, he should consider motivational life coach. But, really, we need to talk about how sweet talk is one of Doc’s legit superpowers. Between his pep talk to Cleo last week and his pep talk to Casey this week, he’s on a roll.

“She’s my most important thing.” “Gross.”

“You were the best sister I ever had.” “How do I know?” “I know.”

Was this episode the best Wonder Woman movie of 2021? Yes or yep?

Doc helping Waverly off the stage?

“Oh my god, I had sex with Eiman.”

“You’re hilarious. We can’t even get the popcorn machine to work.”

This mind fog is spreading? This isn’t going to be good for the cat cafe…

S’mores!

“You are and have always been my hero.” “It’s easy when you know exactly what you’re fighting for.”

“Mind if I steal her for a minute?” “A minute? Woman, you better make her happy for the rest of her damned life.” Nicole didn’t get a lot of screen this episode, but boy does she make the most of it.

 Rotten Jack is played by Kelsey Andries, an actor and stunt performer. She does a very good and creepy job bringing this supernatural horror to life.

The post Wynonna Earp Season 4 Episode 8 Review: Hell Raisin’ Good Time appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[freedom-of-writing]

Gone As A Girl Can Get

Just my version of episode 11. I had this idea at the end of last episode, so I didn't put in much stuff from the promo or the promotional photos.

"Wynonna!" Waverly cried out desperately. As if hurting her sister's feelings hadn't been enough, now because of her Wynonna would disappear. This day was going from better in better...

"Waves!" Jeremy yelled rushing through the doors of Shorty's and straight to his sister's side. "Are you okay?" He asked full of concern. He and Waverly were about the same age, they were orphans and the only Earp heirs remained, for their mother had left when they were four and five years old, whereas their father had died in an haunting accident. Of course, they weren't blood siblings, he'd been adopted when he was still a baby and he and Waverly grew up together and basically considered each other twins, since they were born only a couple of months apart.

"Yeah." She answered matter-of-factly, not understanding why her brother looked so worried. "Hey, did you hear shrieking?"

"Yeah... From your mouth, silly!" Oh, now that explains a lot of things! Waverly thought to herself, even though she was a little confused as to why she'd screamed like that if it had indeed been her. "Hey. Who's Wynonna?" Her brother brought her back to reality.

"Huh." Good question. "I have no idea." And she really had no idea why she'd shouted the name of someone she didn't know. Or... Did she know her? There was something about that name... It sounded quite familiar on her lips... "Hey, we've got a wedding to plan." She told her brother after a moment. She had no time to waste trying to figure out who that woman was, she was getting married in two days.

Jeremy looked almost as eager as she was about the preparations for his sister's big day. Not that he liked Champ, let's make it clear, but he'd given up trying to understand what Waverly found so special in that boy-man.

"Okay. So... Stop number one: sheriff station. Nicole had a night shift and I think she could use some breakfast."

"Let me guess, we're bringing her her favorite doughnuts along with a cup of coffee." He laughed at the face his sister made. He always found it amusing how much those girls spoiled each other. Nicole was a new sheriff deputy, well, at least, she was the last addition. She'd joined Nedley at the station only a year prior and she and Waverly had soon become best friends. Since he and his sister did almost everything together, it was no surprise that he too had a very close relationship with the cop, but sometimes he wondered if a friendship was really all there was between the two girls.

"We? I was actually going to give you something else to do while I'm at the station." She burst out laughing when Jeremy groaned in disappointment. "Gotcha!"

"Not cool, sis."

"Okay. Okay, sorry. But, come on, did you actually believed I wasn't gonna let you come with me to the station so you could see your beloved Dolls?"

"Waves! He's not my beloved! It's just a stupid crush..."

Waverly laughed again at her brother's reddening cheeks. She picked up the cup of coffee and the box of doughnuts from behind the counter and together they left for the station.

"Hey you!" Waverly greeted her friend cheerfully as soon as she'd entered the sheriff station. Jeremy was still outside talking to an old friend of his.

"Waves! Hey!" Nicole smiled her brightest smile at the sight of her friend. She'd had an eternal night-shift and she still had two more hours before she could go home and get some rest. Nothing had happened all night long and she was sleepy and bored as hell, Waverly was definitely the best thing to have happened to her in the past eight hours.

"Guess what I've got here!" The young Earp said while showing the other girl the white box she held high her hand.

"No way. Doughnuts?!"

"Only the best for my bestie."

"Babe, you're my guardian angel." She said taking the box and the cup of coffee from Waverly's hands and putting them on her desk.

"That sounded almost as sugary as those things are."

"Hey Jeremy..." The redhead greeted as she took a bite from on the first doughnut.

"Hey, Haught dog!"

"Jeremy..." She groaned. She hated that stupid nickname he kept on giving her. "Can you please stop calling me that?"

"Sorry, it fits you too well, miss puppy-eyes." He said gaining a hard glance from Nicole.

"Excuse me?! I'm a sheriff deputy, I don't have puppy eyes! I'll have you know my eyes are very threatening in fact!"

"Sure..."

"Waverly? Can you please just back me up here?"

"Sorry, babe. I'd like to, but it's really hard when you've got powdered sugar on your nose." As Waverly said that she had a strange feeling of déjà  vu, like she'd already been in a similar situation before, but she couldn't quite remember when. Anyway, her words had gained a loud laughter from Jeremy and a exasperated groan from Nicole. She couldn't help but join in on her brother's giggles.

"I hate you both." The redhead said trying to put on her best offended face as her friends kept on laughing.

"No, you don't." Jeremy finally regained control of himself.

"Of course she doesn't, 'cause we're adorable!"

Nicole was trying to find something to say to comment on that last statement, but she was interrupted by a voice coming from the hallway.

"Officer Haught?" It was Dolls, her... Well, Nicole wasn't exactly sure how to define him. He work for a secret division called Black Badge and had his office there at the station. His room was strictly off-limits and she could remember a time she'd knocked and then let herself in and he'd basically threatened her with death if she ever entered the room without knocking again. Now things were better between the two of them, though. He'd even let help on a couple of cases. He wasn't that bad once you'd got to know him.

"Hey Dolls!" Jeremy waved to him from where he stood beside Nicole's desk. His voice carried the exact same cheerfulness of his sister's when she'd greeted her best friend just minutes before. It took him a few seconds to realize that had probably been inappropriate, so he tried to fix, but he only made it worse. "I mean, good... good morning... Agent, marshall..."

As he was stumbling with his words and becoming redder and redder in the meantime, the girls couldn't help but chuckling, amused by the whole scene.

"You too, Earp." Dolls greeted back, a bit weirded out but the boy's behavior. Jeremy was a very smart scientist and the BBD agent had consulted him more than once about his cases. No need to say that each time had been incredibly embarrassing thanks to the boy's weird behavior.

"So, hum, Haught? Come to my office when you've got a moment?" Dolls focused only on Nicole trying his best to ignore the fact that Jeremy was still staring at him, smiling like a fool.

"Sure. I'll be there in a sec." The redhead's answer was the cue for him to head back to his office.

"Wow Jer, that was subtle." Waverly said as soon as Dolls was out of earshot.

"Oh shut up."

"C'mon, lovebird. We're gonna be late for our appointment with the florist." Waverly put an hand on her brother's back and started pushing him in the direction of the door.

"Hey, Waves?" Nicole's voice stopped them in their tracks. "Call me later?"

Waverly gave her the brightest smile she could muster before following her brother outside.

Nicole looked at the clock pinned on the wall in front of her desk and sighed heavily. She was exhausted and she really hoped whatever Dolls needed her for it wouldn't take too long to deal with, because she was too tired to work extra hours that day. With another sigh she got up and walked to the man's office. Once she got in front of the door she knocked, making sure to wait for his permission before entering. One death threat was more than enough.

"Yeah?"

"It's me, sir."

"Haught. You can come in." He said in a gentle tone.

"Hey. So... What you need me for?"

"Do you know this man?" He showed her a picture of a man with long black hair, a black mustache and beautiful blue eyes, he was wearing a cowboy hat and he had a cigarette in the corner of his mouth.

Nicole was surprised the picture wasn't a black and white one, because the man in it certainly looked not of their times. There was something familiar about him, even though she couldn't recall ever meeting him. "No, why? Should I?"

"I don't know him either, but he claims to know us."

"Do you want me to check his criminal records? Maybe he knows us because we've arrested him for some kind of crime..."

"Trust me, if I worked for any other division and didn't believe supernatural things were possible, I would be ready to say his words came out of the mouth of a drunk man, but... I'm afraid it's not just a alcoholic we're dealing with."

"Okay... What did he say exactly? And who is he anyway?"

"We found him at the bottom of a pit. He was screaming out for help and he kept on repeating the name of a woman. Wynonna."

"Huh. Never heard before."

"That's what I told him, but he wouldn't have it. He says she lives here in Purgatory and is a member of BBD alongside me, him, Jeremy and her sister Waverly."

"Wait. Waverly... As in Waverly Earp?"

"Yeah. According to him, Wynonna is the heir of Wyatt Earp and the only one who can break the family curse."

"But that doesn't make any sense. The only sibling Waverly has is Jeremy."

"Right, 'cause that's the only part that didn't make sense to you..."

"Okay, yeah, it all sounded a bit crazy..."

"And that's not even the half of it." Dolls went on explaining everything that Man had told him. His name was Henry, but people called him Doc and, yes, Doc as in Doc Holliday. How was he still alive? Apparently he wasn't immortal, but he just didn't age. That was as long as his ring, which he had no longer with him, was intact. The ring was also the third seal the two widows, wives of Sheriff Clootie along with Constance, the Stone witch who'd given Doc his ring, needed in order to free their demon husband from the seal Costance had put on him. That had taken Dolls a good hour to understand, which was for him only further proof that Doc couldn't possibly be lying to him: the story was far too complicated to have been invented. The whole explanation of what the mustache man had told him had taken Dolls a very long time, but Nicole listened to it all attentively and doing her best not to get lost.

"Wow. That was... Wow." Nicole was so shocked by everything the marshall had just told her that she couldn't even find the words. "So, we believe him, right?"

"I can't tell you what to think, officer Haught. But I'm sure you can agree with me when I say he can't have made it all up in the time he was at the bottom of that pit."

"So what do we do now?"

"I have no idea. Even if what he says it's true, it doesn't change the fact that there is no Wynonna here and we have zero memories of those lives."

"I think we shouldn't tell Waverly. Her wedding is in tow days and she has enough worries as it is, we should keep her out of this at least for now."

"I agree." They remained silent for a while till Dolls spoke again. "Hey, you've just had a night-shift, haven't you? I think I kept you here long enough, you should go home and get some well deserved rest. I'll let you know if I can learn anything else about all of this."

"Okay. Thanks." With a nod Dolls dismissed her and Nicole left the room to go gather her staff and finally head home. It was lunchtime, but all she could think about was getting into her bed and sleeping till late evening.

That night at Shorty's...

Waverly and Jeremy had been out all day in order to get everything ready for her wedding. That night Champ and his friends were out for his stag party, whereas she was stuck behind the counter at Shorty's serving alcohol to old men and their young girlfriends. She was glad her husband-to-be and his friends had been smart enough to choose another place to go get drunk and lose their dignity. Waverly hoped they wouldn't do anything stupid, but, knowing them, she knew her hopes were futile. There was a 99% probability the boys would get in trouble and Waverly would've had to go pick them up at the station the morning after. Sometimes she wondered if Champ was really her only choice. Couldn't she have found someone else, someone better? But who? Nicole maybe? Wait what?! She was shocked that thought had even crossed her mind. Nicole was her friend, best friend even, but that was it. Right? She didn't think of her as anything more. Why would she?

As if her brother could read her mind from where he was sitting on the other side of the counter, he asked her: "So... What's going on between you and Nicole?"

"W-what do you mean?" The young girl had been taken by surprise by his question.

"Oh, I don't know... You're just... Acting differently."

"Differently? What's so different in the way we interact?"

"Look, it's not a big deal really. I just... I just noticed some changes, that's all. I don't know how to explain it, okay? It's like, like there's a different spark in your eyes when you look at each other."

"Different sp-" It took the girl a second to understand what her brother was trying to say. "Wait, are you implying there's more than just friendship between me and Nicole? Jeremy, I'm getting married in less than two days!" Waverly tried her best to keep her tone just above a whisper so not to be heard by everyone around them.

"I know, I know. Look, I would never think you're a cheater, okay? I'm just saying-"

"Just because you're gay it doesn't mean we all need to be freaks like you, Jer!" She was so mad at him she didn't even realize what she was saying till it was too late and the words were already up in the air.

"Okay, you know what? Ouch. That hurt, Waves." His eyes were welling up, but he was not going to cry like a baby in front of all of those people, so he jumped to his feet and ran out the door.

"Jeremy... Wait! Jer!" Waverly tried to call after him in vain.

As the Earp boy was rushing out Nicole was getting into Shorty's and was almost ran into by the boy. "Woah. What's wit the rush?" She asked her best friend who was standing midway between the doors and the counter. When the girl shook her head and ran back behind the bar, she followed her worried. "Waves? Hey, what's going on?" She didn't get a response, so she leaned onto the counter until she could reach one of the girl's hands. She grabbed it gently and waited for the young Earp to look at her. When Waverly finally raised her eyes, Nicole could see there were tears there and her worry only increased. "Babe, just talk to me. What happened?"

"I just called Jeremy a freak." She cried. "Oh my God! I just called my own brother a freak! He's gonna hate me forever, I'm like the worst sister in the whole wide world!" She dropped her head on her arms resting on the bar.

"Okay... I admit that, calling him that? Probably not the kindest words you could've used, but... Waves, I know you and you're like the sweetest person in the world. Besides, your his sister and he loves you more than anything, I'm sure he'll forgive you if you go apologize."

'You're my sister, okay? I'll always forgive you!' Waverly couldn't remember exactly when she'd heard those words and who had been to say them, but somehow they came to her mind after hearing Nicole's words. Anyway, that was not the moment to try and figure out where that memory came from, she had other, more imminent, problems to worry about. "You really think so? God, I can't believe I actually said that."

"Hey. Look, with the wedding and everything it's normal to be a little bit stressed out and, you know, that can make do or say things you don't mean..."

"Yeah... But still..." She sighed.

"And I guess, maybe, being engaged to a douche-bag doesn't exactly make things easier on you. No offense." It was no news that Nicole, just like Jeremy, didn't like Champ, but she tried to be a good friend to Waverly, so she almost never mentioned it.

'I just yelled at you, you shouldn't be so nice with me.'

'You know, Waverly, I think you've just been dating too many dickheads.'

'We're not dating.'

Another memory and once again Waverly couldn't tell where that came from. She just ignored it as the one before. "Look, I know Champ isn't exactly the gentleman type of guy, but we live in a small town it's not like I had much choice."

"But you love him, right?"

"I... Yeah. Of course..." She tried her best to sound convincing, but it didn't work.

"Are you sure?"

"Why is everyone assuming I'm having second thoughts today, huh? I'm not gonna call off my wedding the day before it's happening! That would be wrong."

"But so would be marrying someone you don't love. Look, Waverly, when it comes to getting married on a fever, I've been there, done that."

"With Shay. Yeah, I know..."

"My point is: listen to someone who has already made that mistake. Trust me, if I could go back, I'd never get married for fun again. You have no idea how frustrating it feels to know that one day, when I finally meet my soulmate, I won't even be able to call her my first, because, if we ever decide to get married, I'll have to call her my second wife. As if she were my second choice and not the most important person in my life. What I'm trying to say is: you're still in time to back out of this if you're reading not sure Champ is the person you wanna spend the rest of your life with. Don't make your soulmate be your second choice like I did." When she'd finished she waited for Waverly to say something and she probably would've if her phone hadn't started ringing.

"It's Champ." Speaking of the devil, she thought. "Sorry, I gotta take this." She had a bad feeling the boys had already gotten into trouble and it wasn't even half past midnight yet.

It was a quarter to one when Waverly finally made it to the sheriff station. She parked her car in front of the entrance and entered the building. The officer behind the front desk wasn't surprised to see her, it was the fourth time that month she had to go pick Champ up because he'd been arrested, was it for drunk driving, damaging of private property or for getting into a fight at a pub, he'd always found a way to get into trouble.

"I'd say good night, but I guess it's not." The man greeted her with a soft smile.

"I don't know what you mean. Having to pick your drunk fiancé up at sheriff station after he's been arrested is every soon-to-be-wife dream, right?" She joked back. He chuckled and then motioned with his hand towards the hallway.

"You know the way."

"Unfortunately." She said to herself as she headed down the corridor to the cell she knew she would find Champ in.

"Baby!" The boy screamed excitedly and ran to the bars when he saw his girl walking towards him. "Thank God, you're here! Can you believe I had to spend my last night as bachelor in this smelly cell." He slurred his words a little, but Waverly was almost more used to his drunk talking than his sober one.

"Technically it's your second-to-last night as bachelor... And I'm pretty sure you're the one who stinks, Champ, not this cell." She scrunched up her nose at the smell of alcohol that emanated from the boy.

"Whatever... Now, c'mon, get us out here, baby."

"You know what? I think I'm actually going to leave you in here for the night."

"Excuse me?!" He tried to sound angry, but his drunk state only made him sound surprised.

"Yeah, Champ. I'm tired of having to pick you up at the station because you and your friends got drunk, did something stupid and then got arrested for it." Waverly wasn't really one to yell, but she'd had enough of his misbehavior and by then she'd lost all her temper. "We're getting married tomorrow and you're still behaving like a child! I guess I was stupid to think you would actually man up before our wedding day." Her eyes were starting to welling up, but she still managed to keep a steady voice.

"Baby..." He tried, but she wasn't quite finished yet.

"I had one request, Champ. One! You promised me you wouldn't get yourself arrested tonight!" At this point she just didn't give a damn if her voice was cracking and her cheeked were wet with tears. "I should know better than to trust you by now..." There was just so much sadness in her voice as she spoke these last words.

"Baby, c'mon, don't say that. Of course you can trust me. I made a mistake, okay. I'm sorry. The boys and I had a little too much to drink and..." Once again he was interrupted by the girl.

"Goodnight, Champ." She said firmly before turning and leaving, ignoring his pleas and sorries.

The next morning at the homestead...

Waverly was sitting outside on the porch with a blanket wrapped around her body. She was staring at the horizon in front of her, but not quite looking at anything in particular. The sun had already risen and the girl had been there to witness the whole moment. She'd gotten home very late the previous night, but she was simply to riled up to get some sleep. She'd stayed up all night, thinking about everything and anything. She replayed the events at Shorty's, what her brother told her about her and Nicole, the words she'd said to him, what Nicole had told her about marriage, Champ... And, for last, she even thought about her parents. She wished her mother had never left and dad was still alive. She imagined her father walking her to the altar at her wedding the next day. She even imagined Nicole was the one standing at the end of the aisle, smiling back at her and eating for her father to give her his daughter's hand. She didn't even know why her fantasy went there, she'd never thought of Nicole as anything other than a friend. Or did she? Maybe she had, unconsciously that is. Anyway, her imagination ran wild all night long and she was still fantasizing when her brother came out of the front door at about seven thirty.

"Waves?" He asked surprised to see her there. "You've been out here all night?" When the girl turned her head to face him he noticed there were tear stains on her cheeks nod it didn't take long for him to put two and two. "What did Champ do this time?"

"Jeremy..." She shook her head and started crying again. "I'm so sorry about last night. I don't know what's gotten to me, I swear I didn't believe those words. I love you and I could never..."

"Hey. It's okay." He stepped forward and put a reassuring hand on the girl's forearm. "I know you didn't mean it. It doesn't make it any less painful to hear, but..."

"Can you forgive me?" She basically begged him.

"Waves... You're my sister, of course I forgive you." He smiled at her before wrapping into a tight embrace.

'No, God, I'm over it! I forgive you! You're my sister, okay? I will always forgive you!' Again the sense of déjà  vu took over Waverly's features. She was sure she'd live that situation before, but when? And why did those words come to her mind as if they were a memory? Before she could worry her mind too much, though, she was brought back to reality by her brother breaking the hug.

"So... About that douche-bag of your fiancé... What did he do?" His sister might've changed the subject, but he was sure the boy was the reason for her being that upset in the first place.

"He and his friends got drunk and got into a fight at the pub. They got arrested. Again. He called me at about half past midnight to go pick them up at the station. I did go, but then I left them there." She didn't have the courage to look into her brother's eyes.

"You what? Really?" He exclaimed surprised. "I'm impressed. I'm glad to see my lil sis is finally showing her balls." He gave her a light punch on her arm.

"I don't know... I'm not so sure if that was the right thing to do, Jer. I shouldn't have left my future husband to rot in jail."

"Okay. First of, I'm pretty sure he did not rot for just one night and, second, you should've left him in jail the first time he got arrested and called you to go save his dumb ass. I say it was about time you left him there for the night."

"I just hope he doesn't make a scene when I'll see him later today. We're supposed to have lunch with his parents at noon." She sighed heavily.

"Why are you getting married to that child again?" He joked.

"Ha ha. Very funny. We've had this conversation before, you know why."

Before Jeremy can say anything else, his phone buzzing into his pocket. He takes it out to see who it was and is surprised to see the name appear on his screen.

"It's Dolls. I have to go." He says apologetically.

"Of course you do." She mocked him. "Just try not to break all the speed limits as you rush to the station."

"Oh, come on! I'm not that desperate."

"If you say so..."

"Hey. You've just been forgiven, don't push it."

"Okay. Fine. I'll say no more."

"Good girl." He smiled at her before heading inside quickly to get his things. After a few seconds he was out again and jumping down the few steps in front of the porch. "I'll see you later. Let me know how lunch went!" He yelled back at her as he headed towards his car.

"I will. Love you!" She yelled back.

"Love you too! More!" He screamed before closing his car door and leaving down the road.

Jeremy got to the station in half the time it would normally take to get into town for the homestead, so, yeah, he may have broken the speed limits a few times, here and there. Maybe Waverly hadn't been so wrong to think him that desperate to see Dolls. He parked his car outside the station and then rushed in. He was on such a hurry he almost missed Nedley greeting him from the door of his office, where he was standing with a cup of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other. It was eight in the morning, so the whole town was still pretty silent and there wasn't much to do for the sheriff. Jeremy managed to say a quick hello back at the man before taking the hallway and heading straight towards Dolls's office. He was about to enter the room without even knocking, but Nicole stopped him with a "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Unless of course a death threat is the greeting you're looking for at eight am." He stepped away from the door and waited for his friend to knock. Inside, next to the man he'd longed to see ever since receiving that text, he found another figure. The introduced himself as Henry, Doc for his friends, and it didn't take long for Jeremy to realize who he really was. To say he went crazy about it is a bit reductive. As the nerd that he is, of course he knew all about the legendary Doc Holliday, best friend of none other than his ancestor Wyatt Earp. When he was finally done geeking over the Doc, Dolls and the others told him everything about Wynonna and her disappearance. Just like Nicole and the marshall, Jeremy had no memories of the life Doc had described, but he too had no reason to believe what he'd said wasn't true.

In the meantime Waverly was dealing with her first free day in forever. She'd refused to take any days off to take care of the wedding preparations, but her boss had insisted she should at least take the before the wedding for herself. She still felt awful because of what had happened with Champ that night, but at least she had cleared things up with her brother and that was enough to set her mood a little higher. Since she had nothing to do till noon, when she had to meet Champ and his parents for lunch at their house, she thought getting some sleep wouldn't be such a terrible idea after the night she'd just had.

Lunch with her future in-laws went exactly as bad as she feared. Champ was furious with her for leaving him locked up at the station, his parents were furious with him for getting drunk, which only made him even more riled up. In the end, there had been a lot of screaming and arguing and almost no eating at all. In that moment she would've given anything to just grab her apron and go to work her afternoon shift at Shorty's. When she finally got back at the homestead at three she sighed in relief. She'd really longed for the peace and quiet of her home. She had sent a text to Jeremy, telling him all about her day so far and asking him what he and his boyfriend had been up to. She knew she shouldn't push it too much, but her brother had it so bad for Dolls that she just couldn't stop joking about his crush.

At the station, the three men and Nicole worked hard on finding a way to get their memories back and, of course, on getting Wynonna Earp back. The Iron witch had really committed herself making sure to erase any proof or link to their forgotten lives. Waverly's research about the family curse was nowhere to be found, so all their work could only be based on what Doc had told them. By the end of the afternoon they still hadn't found anything useful. Jeremy and Nicole had promised Waverly they would've had dinner all together to cheer her up after the disaster that had been her lunch with Champ, so they all decided to give up for the day and to meet again the day after the wedding.

That night Nicole had to leave quite soon, because Nedley had called her in to cover two hours of the shift of one of the deputies who'd had a family matter to take care of. Jeremy and Waverly had been up till late, chatting about they're best memories growing up. When it was one am they finally gave into sleep and went to bed. It was Waverly's big day after all and they had to get up early to get ready for the ceremony.

Wedding day...

Waverly was standing in her room oblivious of the fact that Champ had yet to arrive and the ceremony was to start in thirty minutes. She had yet to see Nicole and that worried her a little, even though she had no doubts the girl wouldn't miss her big day for the world. Her brother was somewhere outside discussing God knows what with Dolls and another man she'd never seen before.

She sighed. She was alone. She'd gotten dressed alone, put on her make up on her own and done her own hair. Shouldn't be the bride be surrounded by tons of people right before the wedding? Where the hell was everybody? As if someone could hear her thoughts, a knock came from the door.

"Come in." She said eagerly. "Nicole!" She almost screamed in joy at the sight of her best friends.

"Hey." The redhead greeted back. "Wow, Waves. You look beautiful." She stared in awe at the girl for a little more than would've been appropriate for just a friend.

"Thanks." The young Earp couldn't help but blush a little at the compliment.

"Are you okay? Nervous?"

"I'm fine. I'm about to marry a dickhead, right? What's not to love about that?"

"Waverly..."

"I'm just kidding..." She trailed off when she noticed something was not quite right with Nicole. She wasn't wearing her bridesmaid dress, but her deputy uniform. "Hey, why... Why are you still in your uniform?" The other girl said nothing and moved to turn away her gaze instead. "Nicole? What's going on?"

"It's Champ..."

"What about him?"

"He got arrested again last night. Nedley allowed him to leave the station, but on one condition: a police officer is to be with him all the time. Since he knew I was coming to the wedding, he picked me to babysit Champ."

"You're joking, right?" She said with tears in her eyes.

"Waves..." She tried, but was cut off by the other girl.

"Where is he now?"

"Guest room. But... Before you go... Babe... His parents are taking care of him as best they can, but... He's still a little drunk and the man he got into a fight with has left him with a very nasty black eye." She talked slowly in order to be able to study Waverly's reaction to the news.

"Awesome." She stated sarcastically. "Welcome to the happiest day of your life, Waverly..." She said to herself as she moved for the door.

"I'm sorry..."

"It's not your fault, Nicole..." And with that she left the room to go pay her fiancé a visit.

When she got to the guest room, she didn't even bother knocking, she just barged into the room.

"Baby!" Champ yelled happily when he saw her.

"Waverly..." His mother tried.

"Leave us. Please." She waited for his parents to get out before turning back to the boy.

"Wow, baby. You're hot." He went to put his hands on her hips, but she slapped him away.

"And you're drunk." He just shrugged. "It's our wedding day, Champ. Or have you forgotten? You really couldn't go one night without drinking?!"

"It was just a beer..."

"Oh really? Now you get drunk after just one drink?! And what about your damn eye, huh?!"

"It's just a bruise... It'll pass..."

"Yeah? And how long before you get a new one? How long before you get arrested again? Do you even know you're only out on bail?! The only reason they let you out is because Nicole is here to babysit you!"

"Please. I don't need a babysitter."

Are you sure? 'Cause all you've been doing ever since we got together is acting like a child! At first I thought it was because you were still a teenager and you still needed to mature, then, when you proposed, I thought the time had finally come for you to become a man. But I was wrong. You're still that child who asked me to go out on a date with him during our senior year." She took a pause before saying what she had really wanted to say all along. "I've borne you for three years, Champ, but I can't do this anymore. We're done."

"Wh-what do you mean done?"

"I mean that I'm not marrying you today, or ever." And then she said the words that had taken way too long for her to believe. "I deserve better than you."

"Baby..."

"I hope you and your beers can live happily ever after. Goodbye, Champ." And with that she turned and left the room. She had done it. She had finally listened to all her friends and family telling her she should break up with that boy-man who didn't deserve her. Now there was just one more thing she needed to do.

Nicole had gone outside, in front of the porch, to join the others in their conversation. She was talking to Dolls when she saw Waverly step outside. She excused herself to go to see if the girl was alright. The brunette saw her and waited for her to join her on the porch.

"Waves. Hey, what happened?" Now that she was standing in front of the girl she could there were tear tracks on her cheeks.

"I ended it. Yeah, I'm done. We're done."

"Oh" Well, that was unexpected.

"You were right, Nicole. I never should've said yes to him. I just... I just thought, living in this small town, I had no other choice, but... I was wrong." She took a moment to look at the girl standing in front of her. Nicole seemed a little confused, so Waverly continued. "I think I've already found the one I love. I was just too blind to see it." She looked straight into Nicole's eyes before moving to place her hands on the girl's cheeks. The redhead held her breath, she was studying Waverly's every move not believing that was actually happening. Slowly the brunette closed the gap between their lips. Nicole was paralyzed for a moment, but, when she realized she wasn't dreaming, she finally responded to the kiss. Just like in the fairytales, as the girls were kissing all of her memories flashed back into their minds. They remembered their first meeting in Shorty's, Nicole flirting with Waverly, they remembered discussing their feelings for each other, they remembered their first kiss in Nedley's office, Willa shooting Nicole, their fights and their first time, they remembered Waverly being possessed by a demon and Nicole and Wynonna working together to save her, they remembered their fight when Waverly found out Nicole had lied to her about her DNA test results, they remembered the accident with the widow that had almost killed Nicole, they remembered.

They parted gasping, as all the memories came back to them. They looked at each other surprised.

"Waves?"

"Babe. I remember." They smiled at each other before going back in for another kiss. It was Nicole to break it after a while.

"As much as I love doing this, we need to talk to the others."

"The others." Waverly turned to look at the three still standing in they're spot in front of the house. They weren't talking anymore, but they all had their attention on the two girls. "They don't remember us..." She said sadly.

"Doc does. But he's the only one."

"Wait, how did you...?"

"We'll explain you everything, I promise. C'mon." She grabbed Waverly's hand and dragged the girl towards the others.

Since the wedding had been called off, Waverly and Jeremy has sent all the guests home, apologizing for the change of course. Once everyone had left, the Earp siblings had ushered Doc, Dolls and Nicole inside so they could discuss everything in private. Now that three out of five had their memories back, the facts were a little easier to reconstruct. Waverly told them all she knew about Gretta, her wish, the deal they made at the hospital to save Nicole's life. Together they went through all the possible ways to get Wynonna back, just like they had the day before.

"I'm afraid science doesn't have a solution for this kind of disappearance." Jeremy said when asked for the umpteenth time if he had found something useful in his books.

His answer gave Waverly and idea, though. There might have been someone of their acquaintance who could own the solution to Wynonna's disappearance. "I think I know who does, though. Gretta."

"The iron witch? Waverly, she's the reason Wynonna is gone." Doc didn't like her idea one bit.

"I know. Which is exactly why she's also the only way to get her back."

"So let me get this straight, you wanna make a new deal with the same witch who tricked you into giving the widows the third seal and then made your sister vanish?" Jeremy hoped he had misunderstood the plan.

"Wave... this is too dangerous." Nicole's voice was full of concern.

"But it's also our best chance. We need to try and talk to her."

"She's right. This might really be our only choice." Wait, did Dolls just agreed to her plan straight away? He really had no memories of his real life.

He and the Earp girl looked at the others and waited for them to say their okays and fines. It was settled, they had a plan. It wasn't the best plan, they knew that, but they had run out of options and maybe of time as well. If widow Beth had already broken the third seal and freed her demon husband, they could only hope they would get Wynonna back in time before sheriff Clootie destroyed everything.

They went to the hospital and asked at the receptionist for Gretta. The man had told he could not just disturb a nurse on her shift for no reason, so Nicole and Dolls showed him their uniform and badge to give him one. They told him to let her know they would be waiting for her outside, since they had to discuss some business privately. Minutes passed and no one showed up. They were beginning to think the man had completely ignored their request, but then the doors opened and Gretta appeared through them.

"Waverly Earp. Why am I not surprised to see you?"

"Maybe you'll be surprised to see me then." Doc said as he pointed a gun at the woman.

"Holliday. No need for that gun."

"We need to talk." Waverly interjected. They had no time to waste threatening each other.

"Do we?"

"You have to bring Wynonna back. Undo your wish."

"That's just not happening. I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you should've thought of the consequences when you agreed to make a deal with me."

"You tricked me. I'd asked for a cure."

"And I led you to one. I kept my side of the deal, you knew you'd have to pay back somehow."

"Pay back... of course!" How did she not think about it before? She finally knew how they were going to get her sister back. "You said Wynonna and I had to pay for killing your sister. You wished for one of us to have to live without the other like you have to live without Mattie. It doesn't have to be Wynonna, though, does it?"

That caught Gretta's attention. "I'm listening..."

"Bring Wynonna back and take me instead."

"Waverly..." Doc and Dolls said at the same time, soon followed by Nicole. "Ok, woah. Hold on, can we at least talk about this first?"

"Nicole..."

"Waverly, please... there has to be another way."

"We're running out of time. With Beth in possession of the third seal, God knows what's about to happen. For all we know sheriff Clootie might already be walking among us. He's nothing like the demons we had to deal with so far, he's stronger, more dangerous. There's no way we can stop him without Wynonna and you know that."

"She's right. We need her now more than ever." This was the second time in very little time that Dolls had agreed with her. She surely liked this version of him.

Waverly stepped in front of her girlfriend and grabbed her hand in hers. "Look, this won't be forever, okay? We get Wynonna back and, once you've defeated Clootie, you'll find a way to get me back as well. I trust you." Then looking at everyone else. "All of you." They all stared at each other for a moment. It was clear nobody liked this plan, but they did understand it was necessary to confront what was coming.

Their moment was soon interrupted by a not-so-patient Gretta. "Tik tok. I don't have forever, lovebirds. Do we have a new deal or not?"

Waverly looked at the witch for a second. She took a deep breath to steady her voice before turning to Nicole. "I love you. Just hold on to that, okay? We will find a way back to each other." Then again at everyone: "You take care of Wynonna and the little one for me, okay? I swear, if you let anything happen to them, I'm gonna kick all of your asses when I get back." They we're all crying, but her comment had managed to lighten up the mood a little, making them laugh softly. "No, but seriously, promise me you'll all take care of each other while I'm gone. And tell Wynonna I'm sorry. I... I should've listened to her. I should've trusted her and I hope that one day she'll be able to forgive me."

"He hem." Gretta cleared her throat. She'd had enough of all these sentimentalism.

Waverly finally turned to face her fully. "You bring Wynonna back and make me disappear. That's our deal." She said firmly. She wasn't gonna risk misunderstandings a second time.

"Almost. I think a change of the original deal needs a higher price. When I took your sister away, I gave you new lives, new memories. Your sister and your friends won't be so lucky this time. I will give them their memories back so that every day they'll wake up knowing you are missing and there's nothing they can do about it. Just like I have to live without my sister, being aware there's no way to get her back. This is my deal. Take it or leave it."

Waverly hesitated a moment. She did want her friends to have their memories back, otherwise they wouldn't have known about the widows, demon Clootie and the Earp family curse. She did want them to be able to be prepared for this new threat, but another side of her wished they could forget about it all and live free of this mess that were their lives. She sighed and looked the Iron witch straight in the eye before agreeing to the deal. "I take it. Yeah, we've got a deal."

"Very well. I hope you said your goodbyes, 'cause you won't be seeing them for a while. Or, you know, ever."

"Just get this over with."

Gretta started pronouncing some kind of spell in German like she had the other time. As she was doing so, Nicole had reached Waverly and took her hand. The girls looked at each other, crying.

"I love you!"

"I'll be back." And with that she vanished. That was it. She was gone.

"Waverly!" The redhead cried out staring at where the young Earp was standing just a second before.

"Wynonna!" The three men exclaimed as the woman appeared right in front of them. They remembered everything too.

"Hey, guys. Why do you look like you've seen a ghost? And how did I get here?" Wynonna asked not understanding what had just happened.

"Well, it looks like you people might have some catching up to do. My job is done here." Gretta said before going back into the hospital.

"What...?" She took a look around, but everyone averted their eyes. Everyone but Nicole, who looked at her with tears in her eyes, and that was when the Earp heir noticed someone was missing. "Where's Waverly?" A tear traveled down the redhead cheek before she moved her gaze away, just like the others had done. "Guys? Can someone, please, tell me what the hell is going on?"

Dolls looked up, took a deep breath and said: "Come, let's go to the station. We'll explain you everything once we get there." He put a hand on her back and gently pushed away from the entrance of the hospital, the others following close.

Here it is! I'm sure the actual episode was much better than this story, but I hope you still enjoyed my version of it. Thank you for reading!

[quack-and-yellow]

Too Close for Comfort – Julian Pollersbeck One Shot

For anon :)

Huge thanks to @neverkusen for putting up with my silly research hahaha. Crossing my fingers that you would get to show me around Hamburg someday. <3

—

“So… that’s just Hamburg,” Julian said with a shrug. He stopped walking and turned to his friend Alyssa who was visiting from Kaiserslautern.

They have reached Binnen-Alster, the last stop of their walking tour of Jungfernstieg, Hamburg’s city center.

“Just? Are you kidding me?” she said incredulously, her eyes and mouth wide open. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to!”

He chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. He couldn’t help feeling a surge of pride, having such a huge, amazing city to call home.

“You sound like it’s not a big deal, I hate you!” she said through gritted teeth, swatting his arm.

“Ow!” he cried, rubbing the sore spot. “Jeez! You still hit like a whip!”

Alyssa took a picture of the place and then she pointed her phone at him and said, “Smile!” as she snapped a photo.

Julian was not prepared, and the photo came out with his expression caught between a half-smile and a grimace. She snorted and bit her lip to suppress a laugh. 

“Ali, delete that!” he moaned.

Alyssa ignored him and tapped away on her phone. “I’m sending these pictures to our WhatsApp group so they’ll see what they are missing.”

He froze. “Is… Nicole part of that group?”

“Well, yeah. But she’s not active,” she replied nonchalantly.

Alyssa looked up from her phone when there was no response and found him frowning at the ground.

“Hey, I know what you’re thinking,” she said. “The others couldn’t come because they are on holidays. It doesn’t mean anything. And Nicole…” She thoughtfully ran her fingers through her long blonde hair. “Well, if I were her, it would be too awkward for me to come too, you know?”

Julian sniffed and attempted a casual shrug. “It’s nothing. It’s been three months.”

She pursed her lips, unconvinced, as she looked him up and down.

“So where do you want to eat?” Julian avoided her eyes and pretended to scan the rows of restaurants to his left.

“I’m craving for burgers. You know, Hamburg. Hamburgers. Get it?” she said, wriggling her eyebrows.

“That sounds so pathetic,” he said, cringing. “I actually feel sorry for you.”

Alyssa jumped on his back, latching her legs on his waist. “Oh shut up! I was trying to be corny!”

She burst out laughing, her breath tickling his ear. Her face was so close to his and the scent of her strawberry shampoo was making his head spin. And her chest was pressing against his back…

“G-get off!” he cried in alarm and she obliged.

Julian exhaled sharply. His heart was beating furiously and his whole face felt hot. What the fuck did he just feel?

“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot you’re a respectable figure of Hamburg now,” Alyssa said with a sickly sweet grin. “Man, I miss the old Polle.”

“Shut up and let’s get your hamburger,” he snapped, making his friend giggle.

“Not here, though. Shit looks expensive,” she said. “Where’s your McDonald’s?”

Julian furrowed his thick eyebrows at her. “Are you serious?”

She crossed her arms and held her chin up. “Why? You’re too good for fast food now?”

“That’s outside Jungfernstieg,” he pointed out. “And I can’t be seen eating at a fast food. Do you want the coach to kill me?”

Alyssa sighed and rolled her eyes, as if she’s about to lose her patience. “You have a car. We’ll order via drive-through and then take it to the Alster. Are you done whining?”

Julian sighed in defeat. He could never win against her.

*** 

“Now what?” Julian asked as he stopped by the drive-through window of the nearest McDonald’s, which was 15 minutes from the city center.

“What do you mean now what?” Alyssa snapped. “Go say our orders. I’ll have a Big Mac, large fries and large strawberry milkshake.”

Julian gaped at her.

“Can you stop being so judgy? Piss off, I’ll do it myself.” She unbuckled her seatbelt and crawled on Julian’s lap to peer at the driver’s window.

“Ali, what the hell?!” he exclaimed in surprise. He quickly jerked his hands from the steering wheel, accidentally hitting her boobs. “Oh shit sorry!”

“Will you shut up?” Alyssa hissed. She didn’t seem to notice as she turned her attention back to the window. “Yeah, so can you add a six-piece chicken nuggets? What’s yours, Polle?”

Julian pressed his back against his seat, afraid to move. The back of his hands still felt like burning at the contact. Alyssa was only wearing a loose white shirt after all. He swallowed hard. Godamnit.

“Polle!”

“I- we…” he stammered. “We have a strict diet in the team –“

“Blah blah,” she interrupted. “You can watch me eat then.”

“W-wait! I’ll have a Snack Salad Classic.”

Alyssa rolled her eyes and repeated it on the microphone.

*** 

“I don’t understand why you do that,” Julian said in amusement as he watched Alyssa dip her fries into her milkshake. They occupied one of the benches by the path overlooking the Alster. It was one of the spots he fell in love with the moment he stepped into Hamburg.

She glared at him, the fries halfway to her mouth. “Don’t tell me you’ve never done this before.”

He shook his head, tight-lipped.

She scoffed and bit into the milkshake-coated fries. “Well, you’re missing a lot.”

Julian chuckled and picked at his salad. He knew three things his friend is unapologetic and unashamed for – eating a lot, drinking a lot and cursing a lot. Still, everyone loves her company. She is everyone’s best friend. Especially Nicole’s.

Nicole…

“H-how is she?” Julian asked, breaking the silence.

Alyssa studied him as she munched on her burger. “Happy, the last time we met.” 

A bitter smile crossed his face. “Still with that guy?”

She licked her lips. “Yes. She doesn’t hang out with us that much anymore. But we keep in touch.”

Julian puffed out air from his cheeks.

“Look, Polle. Nicole is my friend and I love her dearly,” she said. “I know what she did was painful, but she never cheated on you. You have my word as your friend too.”

“Yeah, she just managed to fall in love again a month after breaking up with me,” he said sarcastically.

Alyssa shrugged, ignoring his tone. “Hard to believe, but yes.”

Julian clenched his fist and looked down, regretting his outburst. “I- I’m way past that now. I just want to focus on football now more than ever.”

“Good,” she said, wiping her fingers on a napkin. “But remember that you can always give yourself a chance. You deserve that. You’re a great guy – good looking and sweet and all that. I don’t see why any girl wouldn’t fall for you.”

He glanced at her in surprise, his heart pounding at her words. His eyes wandered to her chest and he swallowed hard. The wind blew against the thin fabric of her white shirt and he could see the outline of her bra. It was red. Fuck.

Alyssa noticed him gazing at her. “Jesus, Polle, I wasn’t referring to myself!” There was no mistaking the look in his eyes - like he was about to kiss her.

“I- I know!” Julian stammered, startled out of his thoughts. His face burned as he turned his attention to the scenery in front.

The sun was beginning to set, and the clouds stretched long across the sky painted with hues of pink, orange and yellow. The fountain and the prominent buildings that make the cityscape, including the spires of the Michel Church, the huge tower of the town hall and the Europa Passage, were beginning to light up. Their green roofs created a striking contrast against the summer sky, and the hazy glow of their lights danced and blinked in their reflection on the calm water below. Altogether it looked surreal.

“You are lucky to have a fresh start in such a beautiful city,” she said with a dreamy sigh.

“Yeah.” A small smile crept across his face as he peered at her from his thick lashes. “Thanks, Ali, for coming here.”

Alyssa returned his smile with a huge one, her blue eyes sparkling. She was sitting cross-legged, her skin kissed by a soft golden glow and her hair catching the last rays of the sun as it blew in the breeze. In that moment, he swore she has just become more beautiful in his eyes.

[bi-great]

Gone as a girl can get

Hey guys! What's up? How did you like episode 11 of Wynonna Earp? This is my version of the episode, not as funny as the actual one, but I hope you like it. P.S. I'm also thinking of writing a part 2 "Wynonna!" Waverly cried out desperately. As if hurting her sister's feelings hadn't been enough, now because of her Wynonna would disappear. This day was going from better in better... "Waves!" Jeremy yelled rushing through the doors of Shorty's and straight to his sister's side. "Are you okay?" He asked full of concern. He and Waverly were about the same age, they were orphans and the only Earp heirs remained, for their mother had left when they were four and five years old, whereas their father had died in an haunting accident. Of course, they weren't blood siblings, he'd been adopted when he was still a baby and he and Waverly grew up together and basically considered each other twins, since they were born only a couple of months apart. "Yeah." She answered matter-of-factly, not understanding why her brother looked so worried. "Hey, did you hear shrieking?" "Yeah... From your mouth, silly!" Oh, now that explains a lot of things! Waverly thought to herself, even though she was a little confused as to why she'd screamed like that if it had indeed been her. "Hey. Who's Wynonna?" Her brother brought her back to reality. "Huh." Good question. "I have no idea." And she really had no idea why she'd shouted the name of someone she didn't know. Or... Did she know her? There was something about that name... It sounded quite familiar on her lips... "Hey, we've got a wedding to plan." She told her brother after a moment. She had no time to waste trying to figure out who that woman was, she was getting married in two days. Jeremy looked almost as eager as she was about the preparations for his sister's big day. Not that he liked Champ, let's make it clear, but he'd given up trying to understand what Waverly found so special in that boy-man. "Okay. So... Stop number one: sheriff station. Nicole had a night shift and I think she could use some breakfast." "Let me guess, we're bringing her her favorite doughnuts along with a cup of coffee." He laughed at the face his sister made. He always found it amusing how much those girls spoiled each other. Nicole was a new sheriff deputy, well, at least, she was the last addition. She'd joined Nedley at the station only a year prior and she and Waverly had soon become best friends. Since he and his sister did almost everything together, it was no surprise that he too had a very close relationship with the cop, but sometimes he wondered if a friendship was really all there was between the two girls. "We? I was actually going to give you something else to do while I'm at the station." She burst out laughing when Jeremy groaned in disappointment. "Gotcha!" "Not cool, sis." "Okay. Okay, sorry. But, come on, did you actually believed I wasn't gonna let you come with me to the station so you could see your beloved Dolls?" "Waves! He's not my beloved! It's just a stupid crush..." Waverly laughed again at her brother's reddening cheeks. She picked up the cup of coffee and the box of doughnuts from behind the counter and together they left for the station. "Hey you!" Waverly greeted her friend cheerfully as soon as she'd entered the sheriff station. Jeremy was still outside talking to an old friend of his. "Waves! Hey!" Nicole smiled her brightest smile at the sight of her friend. She'd had an eternal night-shift and she still had two more hours before she could go home and get some rest. Nothing had happened all night long and she was sleepy and bored as hell, Waverly was definitely the best thing to have happened to her in the past eight hours. "Guess what I've got here!" The young Earp said while showing the other girl the white box she held high her hand. "No way. Doughnuts?!" "Only the best for my bestie." "Babe, you're my guardian angel." She said taking the box and the cup of coffee from Waverly's hands and putting them on her desk. "That sounded almost as sugary as those things are." "Hey Jeremy..." The redhead greeted as she took a bite from on the first doughnut. "Hey, Haught dog!" "Jeremy..." She groaned. She hated that stupid nickname he kept on giving her. "Can you please stop calling me that?" "Sorry, it fits you too well, miss puppy-eyes." He said gaining a hard glance from Nicole. "Excuse me?! I'm a sheriff deputy, I don't have puppy eyes! I'll have you know my eyes are very threatening in fact!" "Sure..." "Waverly? Can you please just back me up here?" "Sorry, babe. I'd like to, but it's really hard when you've got powdered sugar on your nose." As Waverly said that she had a strange feeling of déjà vu, like she'd already been in a similar situation before, but she couldn't quite remember when. Anyway, her words had gained a loud laughter from Jeremy and a exasperated groan from Nicole. She couldn't help but join in on her brother's giggles. "I hate you both." The redhead said trying to put on her best offended face as her friends kept on laughing. "No, you don't." Jeremy finally regained control of himself. "Of course she doesn't, 'cause we're adorable!" Nicole was trying to find something to say to comment on that last statement, but she was interrupted by a voice coming from the hallway. "Officer Haught?" It was Dolls, her... Well, Nicole wasn't exactly sure how to define him. He work for a secret division called Black Badge and had his office there at the station. His room was strictly off-limits and she could remember a time she'd knocked and then let herself in and he'd basically threatened her with death if she ever entered the room without knocking again. Now things were better between the two of them, though. He'd even let help on a couple of cases. He wasn't that bad once you'd got to know him. "Hey Dolls!" Jeremy waved to him from where he stood beside Nicole's desk. His voice carried the exact same cheerfulness of his sister's when she'd greeted her best friend just minutes before. It took him a few seconds to realize that had probably been inappropriate, so he tried to fix, but he only made it worse. "I mean, good... good morning... Agent, marshall..." As he was stumbling with his words and becoming redder and redder in the meantime, the girls couldn't help but chuckling, amused by the whole scene. "You too, Earp." Dolls greeted back, a bit weirded out but the boy's behavior. Jeremy was a very smart scientist and the BBD agent had consulted him more than once about his cases. No need to say that each time had been incredibly embarrassing thanks to the boy's weird behavior. "So, hum, Haught? Come to my office when you've got a moment?" Dolls focused only on Nicole trying his best to ignore the fact that Jeremy was still staring at him, smiling like a fool. "Sure. I'll be there in a sec." The redhead's answer was the cue for him to head back to his office. "Wow Jer, that was subtle." Waverly said as soon as Dolls was out of earshot. "Oh shut up." "C'mon, lovebird. We're gonna be late for our appointment with the florist." Waverly put an hand on her brother's back and started pushing him in the direction of the door. "Hey, Waves?" Nicole's voice stopped them in their tracks. "Call me later?" Waverly gave her the brightest smile she could muster before following her brother outside. Nicole looked at the clock pinned on the wall in front of her desk and sighed heavily. She was exhausted and she really hoped whatever Dolls needed her for it wouldn't take too long to deal with, because she was too tired to work extra hours that day. With another sigh she got up and walked to the man's office. Once she got in front of the door she knocked, making sure to wait for his permission before entering. One death threat was more than enough. "Yeah?" "It's me, sir." "Haught. You can come in." He said in a gentle tone. "Hey. So... What you need me for?" "Do you know this man?" He showed her a picture of a man with long black hair, a black mustache and beautiful blue eyes, he was wearing a cowboy hat and he had a cigarette in the corner of his mouth. Nicole was surprised the picture wasn't a black and white one, because the man in it certainly looked not of their times. There was something familiar about him, even though she couldn't recall ever meeting him. "No, why? Should I?" "I don't know him either, but he claims to know us." "Do you want me to check his criminal records? Maybe he knows us because we've arrested him for some kind of crime..." "Trust me, if I worked for any other division and didn't believe supernatural things were possible, I would be ready to say his words came out of the mouth of a drunk man, but... I'm afraid it's not just a alcoholic we're dealing with." "Okay... What did he say exactly? And who is he anyway?" "We found him at the bottom of a pit. He was screaming out for help and he kept on repeating the name of a woman. Wynonna." "Huh. Never heard before." "That's what I told him, but he wouldn't have it. He says she lives here in Purgatory and is a member of BBD alongside me, him, Jeremy and her sister Waverly." "Wait. Waverly... As in Waverly Earp?" "Yeah. According to him, Wynonna is the heir of Wyatt Earp and the only one who can break the family curse." "But that doesn't make any sense. The only sibling Waverly has is Jeremy." "Right, 'cause that's the only part that didn't make sense to you..." "Okay, yeah, it all sounded a bit crazy..." "And that's not even the half of it." Dolls went on explaining everything that Man had told him. His name was Henry, but people called him Doc and, yes, Doc as in Doc Holliday. How was he still alive? Apparently he wasn't immortal, but he just didn't age. That was as long as his ring, which he had no longer with him, was intact. The ring was also the third seal the two widows, wives of Sheriff Clootie along with Constance, the Stone witch who'd given Doc his ring, needed in order to free their demon husband from the seal Costance had put on him. That had taken Dolls a good hour to understand, which was for him only further proof that Doc couldn't possibly be lying to him: the story was far too complicated to have been invented. The whole explanation of what the mustache man had told him had taken Dolls a very long time, but Nicole listened to it all attentively and doing her best not to get lost. "Wow. That was... Wow." Nicole was so shocked by everything the marshall had just told her that she couldn't even find the words. "So, we believe him, right?" "I can't tell you what to think, officer Haught. But I'm sure you can agree with me when I say he can't have made it all up in the time he was at the bottom of that pit." "So what do we do now?" "I have no idea. Even if what he says it's true, it doesn't change the fact that there is no Wynonna here and we have zero memories of those lives." "I think we shouldn't tell Waverly. Her wedding is in tow days and she has enough worries as it is, we should keep her out of this at least for now." "I agree." They remained silent for a while till Dolls spoke again. "Hey, you've just had a night-shift, haven't you? I think I kept you here long enough, you should go home and get some well deserved rest. I'll let you know if I can learn anything else about all of this." "Okay. Thanks." With a nod Dolls dismissed her and Nicole left the room to go gather her staff and finally head home. It was lunchtime, but all she could think about was getting into her bed and sleeping till late evening. That night at Shorty's... Waverly and Jeremy had been out all day in order to get everything ready for her wedding. That night Champ and his friends were out for his stag party, whereas she was stuck behind the counter at Shorty's serving alcohol to old men and their young girlfriends. She was glad her husband-to-be and his friends had been smart enough to choose another place to go get drunk and lose their dignity. Waverly hoped they wouldn't do anything stupid, but, knowing them, she knew her hopes were futile. There was a 99% probability the boys would get in trouble and Waverly would've had to go pick them up at the station the morning after. Sometimes she wondered if Champ was really her only choice. Couldn't she have found someone else, someone better? But who? Nicole maybe? Wait what?! She was shocked that thought had even crossed her mind. Nicole was her friend, best friend even, but that was it. Right? She didn't think of her as anything more. Why would she? As if her brother could read her mind from where he was sitting on the other side of the counter, he asked her: "So... What's going on between you and Nicole?" "W-what do you mean?" The young girl had been taken by surprise by his question. "Oh, I don't know... You're just... Acting differently." "Differently? What's so different in the way we interact?" "Look, it's not a big deal really. I just... I just noticed some changes, that's all. I don't know how to explain it, okay? It's like, like there's a different spark in your eyes when you look at each other." "Different sp-" It took the girl a second to understand what her brother was trying to say. "Wait, are you implying there's more than just friendship between me and Nicole? Jeremy, I'm getting married in less than two days!" Waverly tried her best to keep her tone just above a whisper so not to be heard by everyone around them. "I know, I know. Look, I would never think you're a cheater, okay? I'm just saying-" "Just because you're gay it doesn't mean we all need to be freaks like you, Jer!" She was so mad at him she didn't even realize what she was saying till it was too late and the words were already up in the air. "Okay, you know what? Ouch. That hurt, Waves." His eyes were welling up, but he was not going to cry like a baby in front of all of those people, so he jumped to his feet and ran out the door. "Jeremy... Wait! Jer!" Waverly tried to call after him in vain. As the Earp boy was rushing out Nicole was getting into Shorty's and was almost ran into by the boy. "Woah. What's wit the rush?" She asked her best friend who was standing midway between the doors and the counter. When the girl shook her head and ran back behind the bar, she followed her worried. "Waves? Hey, what's going on?" She didn't get a response, so she leaned onto the counter until she could reach one of the girl's hands. She grabbed it gently and waited for the young Earp to look at her. When Waverly finally raised her eyes, Nicole could see there were tears there and her worry only increased. "Babe, just talk to me. What happened?" "I just called Jeremy a freak." She cried. "Oh my God! I just called my own brother a freak! He's gonna hate me forever, I'm like the worst sister in the whole wide world!" She dropped her head on her arms resting on the bar. "Okay... I admit that, calling him that? Probably not the kindest words you could've used, but... Waves, I know you and you're like the sweetest person in the world. Besides, your his sister and he loves you more than anything, I'm sure he'll forgive you if you go apologize." 'You're my sister, okay? I'll always forgive you!' Waverly couldn't remember exactly when she'd heard those words and who had been to say them, but somehow they came to her mind after hearing Nicole's words. Anyway, that was not the moment to try and figure out where that memory came from, she had other, more imminent, problems to worry about. "You really think so? God, I can't believe I actually said that." "Hey. Look, with the wedding and everything it's normal to be a little bit stressed out and, you know, that can make do or say things you don't mean..." "Yeah... But still..." She sighed. "And I guess, maybe, being engaged to a douche-bag doesn't exactly make things easier on you. No offense." It was no news that Nicole, just like Jeremy, didn't like Champ, but she tried to be a good friend to Waverly, so she almost never mentioned it. 'I just yelled at you, you shouldn't be so nice with me.' 'You know, Waverly, I think you've just been dating too many dickheads.' 'We're not dating.' Another memory and once again Waverly couldn't tell where that came from. She just ignored it as the one before. "Look, I know Champ isn't exactly the gentleman type of guy, but we live in a small town it's not like I had much choice." "But you love him, right?" "I... Yeah. Of course..." She tried her best to sound convincing, but it didn't work. "Are you sure?" "Why is everyone assuming I'm having second thoughts today, huh? I'm not gonna call off my wedding the day before it's happening! That would be wrong." "But so would be marrying someone you don't love. Look, Waverly, when it comes to getting married on a fever, I've been there, done that." "With Shay. Yeah, I know..." "My point is: listen to someone who has already made that mistake. Trust me, if I could go back, I'd never get married for fun again. You have no idea how frustrating it feels to know that one day, when I finally meet my soulmate, I won't even be able to call her my first, because, if we ever decide to get married, I'll have to call her my second wife. As if she were my second choice and not the most important person in my life. What I'm trying to say is: you're still in time to back out of this if you're reading not sure Champ is the person you wanna spend the rest of your life with. Don't make your soulmate be your second choice like I did." When she'd finished she waited for Waverly to say something and she probably would've if her phone hadn't started ringing. "It's Champ." Speaking of the devil, she thought. "Sorry, I gotta take this." She had a bad feeling the boys had already gotten into trouble and it wasn't even half past midnight yet. It was a quarter to one when Waverly finally made it to the sheriff station. She parked her car in front of the entrance and entered the building. The officer behind the front desk wasn't surprised to see her, it was the fourth time that month she had to go pick Champ up because he'd been arrested, was it for drunk driving, damaging of private property or for getting into a fight at a pub, he'd always found a way to get into trouble. "I'd say good night, but I guess it's not." The man greeted her with a soft smile. "I don't know what you mean. Having to pick your drunk fiancé up at sheriff station after he's been arrested is every soon-to-be-wife dream, right?" She joked back. He chuckled and then motioned with his hand towards the hallway. "You know the way." "Unfortunately." She said to herself as she headed down the corridor to the cell she knew she would find Champ in. "Baby!" The boy screamed excitedly and ran to the bars when he saw his girl walking towards him. "Thank God, you're here! Can you believe I had to spend my last night as bachelor in this smelly cell." He slurred his words a little, but Waverly was almost more used to his drunk talking than his sober one. "Technically it's your second-to-last night as bachelor... And I'm pretty sure you're the one who stinks, Champ, not this cell." She scrunched up her nose at the smell of alcohol that emanated from the boy. "Whatever... Now, c'mon, get us out here, baby." "You know what? I think I'm actually going to leave you in here for the night." "Excuse me?!" He tried to sound angry, but his drunk state only made him sound surprised. "Yeah, Champ. I'm tired of having to pick you up at the station because you and your friends got drunk, did something stupid and then got arrested for it." Waverly wasn't really one to yell, but she'd had enough of his misbehavior and by then she'd lost all her temper. "We're getting married tomorrow and you're still behaving like a child! I guess I was stupid to think you would actually man up before our wedding day." Her eyes were starting to welling up, but she still managed to keep a steady voice. "Baby..." He tried, but she wasn't quite finished yet. "I had one request, Champ. One! You promised me you wouldn't get yourself arrested tonight!" At this point she just didn't give a damn if her voice was cracking and her cheeked were wet with tears. "I should know better than to trust you by now..." There was just so much sadness in her voice as she spoke these last words. "Baby, c'mon, don't say that. Of course you can trust me. I made a mistake, okay. I'm sorry. The boys and I had a little too much to drink and..." Once again he was interrupted by the girl. "Goodnight, Champ." She said firmly before turning and leaving, ignoring his pleas and sorries. The next morning at the homestead... Waverly was sitting outside on the porch with a blanket wrapped around her body. She was staring at the horizon in front of her, but not quite looking at anything in particular. The sun had already risen and the girl had been there to witness the whole moment. She'd gotten home very late the previous night, but she was simply to riled up to get some sleep. She'd stayed up all night, thinking about everything and anything. She replayed the events at Shorty's, what her brother told her about her and Nicole, the words she'd said to him, what Nicole had told her about marriage, Champ... And, for last, she even thought about her parents. She wished her mother had never left and dad was still alive. She imagined her father walking her to the altar at her wedding the next day. She even imagined Nicole was the one standing at the end of the aisle, smiling back at her and eating for her father to give her his daughter's hand. She didn't even know why her fantasy went there, she'd never thought of Nicole as anything other than a friend. Or did she? Maybe she had, unconsciously that is. Anyway, her imagination ran wild all night long and she was still fantasizing when her brother came out of the front door at about seven thirty. "Waves?" He asked surprised to see her there. "You've been out here all night?" When the girl turned her head to face him he noticed there were tear stains on her cheeks nod it didn't take long for him to put two and two. "What did Champ do this time?" "Jeremy..." She shook her head and started crying again. "I'm so sorry about last night. I don't know what's gotten to me, I swear I didn't believe those words. I love you and I could never..." "Hey. It's okay." He stepped forward and put a reassuring hand on the girl's forearm. "I know you didn't mean it. It doesn't make it any less painful to hear, but..." "Can you forgive me?" She basically begged him. "Waves... You're my sister, of course I forgive you." He smiled at her before wrapping into a tight embrace. 'No, God, I'm over it! I forgive you! You're my sister, okay? I will always forgive you!' Again the sense of déjà vu took over Waverly's features. She was sure she'd live that situation before, but when? And why did those words come to her mind as if they were a memory? Before she could worry her mind too much, though, she was brought back to reality by her brother breaking the hug. "So... About that douche-bag of your fiancé... What did he do?" His sister might've changed the subject, but he was sure the boy was the reason for her being that upset in the first place. "He and his friends got drunk and got into a fight at the pub. They got arrested. Again. He called me at about half past midnight to go pick them up at the station. I did go, but then I left them there." She didn't have the courage to look into her brother's eyes. "You what? Really?" He exclaimed surprised. "I'm impressed. I'm glad to see my lil sis is finally showing her balls." He gave her a light punch on her arm. "I don't know... I'm not so sure if that was the right thing to do, Jer. I shouldn't have left my future husband to rot in jail." "Okay. First of, I'm pretty sure he did not rot for just one night and, second, you should've left him in jail the first time he got arrested and called you to go save his dumb ass. I say it was about time you left him there for the night." "I just hope he doesn't make a scene when I'll see him later today. We're supposed to have lunch with his parents at noon." She sighed heavily. "Why are you getting married to that child again?" He joked. "Ha ha. Very funny. We've had this conversation before, you know why." Before Jeremy can say anything else, his phone buzzing into his pocket. He takes it out to see who it was and is surprised to see the name appear on his screen. "It's Dolls. I have to go." He says apologetically. "Of course you do." She mocked him. "Just try not to break all the speed limits as you rush to the station." "Oh, come on! I'm not that desperate." "If you say so..." "Hey. You've just been forgiven, don't push it." "Okay. Fine. I'll say no more." "Good girl." He smiled at her before heading inside quickly to get his things. After a few seconds he was out again and jumping down the few steps in front of the porch. "I'll see you later. Let me know how lunch went!" He yelled back at her as he headed towards his car. "I will. Love you!" She yelled back. "Love you too! More!" He screamed before closing his car door and leaving down the road. Jeremy got to the station in half the time it would normally take to get into town for the homestead, so, yeah, he may have broken the speed limits a few times, here and there. Maybe Waverly hadn't been so wrong to think him that desperate to see Dolls. He parked his car outside the station and then rushed in. He was on such a hurry he almost missed Nedley greeting him from the door of his office, where he was standing with a cup of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other. It was eight in the morning, so the whole town was still pretty silent and there wasn't much to do for the sheriff. Jeremy managed to say a quick hello back at the man before taking the hallway and heading straight towards Dolls's office. He was about to enter the room without even knocking, but Nicole stopped him with a "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Unless of course a death threat is the greeting you're looking for at eight am." He stepped away from the door and waited for his friend to knock. Inside, next to the man he'd longed to see ever since receiving that text, he found another figure. The introduced himself as Henry, Doc for his friends, and it didn't take long for Jeremy to realize who he really was. To say he went crazy about it is a bit reductive. As the nerd that he is, of course he knew all about the legendary Doc Holliday, best friend of none other than his ancestor Wyatt Earp. When he was finally done geeking over the Doc, Dolls and the others told him everything about Wynonna and her disappearance. Just like Nicole and the marshall, Jeremy had no memories of the life Doc had described, but he too had no reason to believe what he'd said wasn't true. In the meantime Waverly was dealing with her first free day in forever. She'd refused to take any days off to take care of the wedding preparations, but her boss had insisted she should at least take the before the wedding for herself. She still felt awful because of what had happened with Champ that night, but at least she had cleared things up with her brother and that was enough to set her mood a little higher. Since she had nothing to do till noon, when she had to meet Champ and his parents for lunch at their house, she thought getting some sleep wouldn't be such a terrible idea after the night she'd just had. Lunch with her future in-laws went exactly as bad as she feared. Champ was furious with her for leaving him locked up at the station, his parents were furious with him for getting drunk, which only made him even more riled up. In the end, there had been a lot of screaming and arguing and almost no eating at all. In that moment she would've given anything to just grab her apron and go to work her afternoon shift at Shorty's. When she finally got back at the homestead at three she sighed in relief. She'd really longed for the peace and quiet of her home. She had sent a text to Jeremy, telling him all about her day so far and asking him what he and his boyfriend had been up to. She knew she shouldn't push it too much, but her brother had it so bad for Dolls that she just couldn't stop joking about his crush. At the station, the three men and Nicole worked hard on finding a way to get their memories back and, of course, on getting Wynonna Earp back. The Iron witch had really committed herself making sure to erase any proof or link to their forgotten lives. Waverly's research about the family curse was nowhere to be found, so all their work could only be based on what Doc had told them. By the end of the afternoon they still hadn't found anything useful. Jeremy and Nicole had promised Waverly they would've had dinner all together to cheer her up after the disaster that had been her lunch with Champ, so they all decided to give up for the day and to meet again the day after the wedding. That night Nicole had to leave quite soon, because Nedley had called her in to cover two hours of the shift of one of the deputies who'd had a family matter to take care of. Jeremy and Waverly had been up till late, chatting about they're best memories growing up. When it was one am they finally gave into sleep and went to bed. It was Waverly's big day after all and they had to get up early to get ready for the ceremony. Wedding day... Waverly was standing in her room oblivious of the fact that Champ had yet to arrive and the ceremony was to start in thirty minutes. She had yet to see Nicole and that worried her a little, even though she had no doubts the girl wouldn't miss her big day for the world. Her brother was somewhere outside discussing God knows what with Dolls and another man she'd never seen before. She sighed. She was alone. She'd gotten dressed alone, put on her make up on her own and done her own hair. Shouldn't be the bride be surrounded by tons of people right before the wedding? Where the hell was everybody? As if someone could hear her thoughts, a knock came from the door. "Come in." She said eagerly. "Nicole!" She almost screamed in joy at the sight of her best friends. "Hey." The redhead greeted back. "Wow, Waves. You look beautiful." She stared in awe at the girl for a little more than would've been appropriate for just a friend. "Thanks." The young Earp couldn't help but blush a little at the compliment. "Are you okay? Nervous?" "I'm fine. I'm about to marry a dickhead, right? What's not to love about that?" "Waverly..." "I'm just kidding..." She trailed off when she noticed something was not quite right with Nicole. She wasn't wearing her bridesmaid dress, but her deputy uniform. "Hey, why... Why are you still in your uniform?" The other girl said nothing and moved to turn away her gaze instead. "Nicole? What's going on?" "It's Champ..." "What about him?" "He got arrested again last night. Nedley allowed him to leave the station, but on one condition: a police officer is to be with him all the time. Since he knew I was coming to the wedding, he picked me to babysit Champ." "You're joking, right?" She said with tears in her eyes. "Waves..." She tried, but was cut off by the other girl. "Where is he now?" "Guest room. But... Before you go... Babe... His parents are taking care of him as best they can, but... He's still a little drunk and the man he got into a fight with has left him with a very nasty black eye." She talked slowly in order to be able to study Waverly's reaction to the news. "Awesome." She stated sarcastically. "Welcome to the happiest day of your life, Waverly..." She said to herself as she moved for the door. "I'm sorry..." "It's not your fault, Nicole..." And with that she left the room to go pay her fiancé a visit. When she got to the guest room, she didn't even bother knocking, she just barged into the room. "Baby!" Champ yelled happily when he saw her. "Waverly..." His mother tried. "Leave us. Please." She waited for his parents to get out before turning back to the boy. "Wow, baby. You're hot." He went to put his hands on her hips, but she slapped him away. "And you're drunk." He just shrugged. "It's our wedding day, Champ. Or have you forgotten? You really couldn't go one night without drinking?!" "It was just a beer..." "Oh really? Now you get drunk after just one drink?! And what about your damn eye, huh?!" "It's just a bruise... It'll pass..." "Yeah? And how long before you get a new one? How long before you get arrested again? Do you even know you're only out on bail?! The only reason they let you out is because Nicole is here to babysit you!" "Please. I don't need a babysitter." Are you sure? 'Cause all you've been doing ever since we got together is acting like a child! At first I thought it was because you were still a teenager and you still needed to mature, then, when you proposed, I thought the time had finally come for you to become a man. But I was wrong. You're still that child who asked me to go out on a date with him during our senior year." She took a pause before saying what she had really wanted to say all along. "I've borne you for three years, Champ, but I can't do this anymore. We're done." "Wh-what do you mean done?" "I mean that I'm not marrying you today, or ever." And then she said the words that had taken way too long for her to believe. "I deserve better than you." "Baby..." "I hope you and your beers can live happily ever after. Goodbye, Champ." And with that she turned and left the room. She had done it. She had finally listened to all her friends and family telling her she should break up with that boy-man who didn't deserve her. Now there was just one more thing she needed to do. Nicole had gone outside, in front of the porch, to join the others in their conversation. She was talking to Dolls when she saw Waverly step outside. She excused herself to go to see if the girl was alright. The brunette saw her and waited for her to join her on the porch. "Waves. Hey, what happened?" Now that she was standing in front of the girl she could there were tear tracks on her cheeks. "I ended it. Yeah, I'm done. We're done." "Oh" Well, that was unexpected. "You were right, Nicole. I never should've said yes to him. I just... I just thought, living in this small town, I had no other choice, but... I was wrong." She took a moment to look at the girl standing in front of her. Nicole seemed a little confused, so Waverly continued. "I think I've already found the one I love. I was just too blind to see it." She looked straight into Nicole's eyes before moving to place her hands on the girl's cheeks. The redhead held her breath, she was studying Waverly's every move not believing that was actually happening. Slowly the brunette closed the gap between their lips. Nicole was paralyzed for a moment, but, when she realized she wasn't dreaming, she finally responded to the kiss. Just like in the fairytales, as the girls were kissing all of her memories flashed back into their minds. They remembered their first meeting in Shorty's, Nicole flirting with Waverly, they remembered discussing their feelings for each other, they remembered their first kiss in Nedley's office, Willa shooting Nicole, their fights and their first time, they remembered Waverly being possessed by a demon and Nicole and Wynonna working together to save her, they remembered their fight when Waverly found out Nicole had lied to her about her DNA test results, they remembered the accident with the widow that had almost killed Nicole, they remembered. They parted gasping, as all the memories came back to them. They looked at each other surprised. "Waves?" "Babe. I remember." They smiled at each other before going back in for another kiss. It was Nicole to break it after a while. "As much as I love doing this, we need to talk to the others." "The others." Waverly turned to look at the three still standing in they're spot in front of the house. They weren't talking anymore, but they all had their attention on the two girls. "They don't remember us..." She said sadly. "Doc does. But he's the only one." "Wait, how did you...?" "We'll explain you everything, I promise. C'mon." She grabbed Waverly's hand and dragged the girl towards the others. Since the wedding had been called off, Waverly and Jeremy has sent all the guests home, apologizing for the change of course. Once everyone had left, the Earp siblings had ushered Doc, Dolls and Nicole inside so they could discuss everything in private. Now that three out of five had their memories back, the facts were a little easier to reconstruct. Waverly told them all she knew about Gretta, her wish, the deal they made at the hospital to save Nicole's life. Together they went through all the possible ways to get Wynonna back, just like they had the day before. "I'm afraid science doesn't have a solution for this kind of disappearance." Jeremy said when asked for the umpteenth time if he had found something useful in his books. His answer gave Waverly and idea, though. There might have been someone of their acquaintance who could own the solution to Wynonna's disappearance. "I think I know who does, though. Gretta." "The iron witch? Waverly, she's the reason Wynonna is gone." Doc didn't like her idea one bit. "I know. Which is exactly why she's also the only way to get her back." "So let me get this straight, you wanna make a new deal with the same witch who tricked you into giving the widows the third seal and then made your sister vanish?" Jeremy hoped he had misunderstood the plan. "Wave... this is too dangerous." Nicole's voice was full of concern. "But it's also our best chance. We need to try and talk to her." "She's right. This might really be our only choice." Wait, did Dolls just agreed to her plan straight away? He really had no memories of his real life. He and the Earp girl looked at the others and waited for them to say their okays and fines. It was settled, they had a plan. It wasn't the best plan, they knew that, but they had run out of options and maybe of time as well. If widow Beth had already broken the third seal and freed her demon husband, they could only hope they would get Wynonna back in time before sheriff Clootie destroyed everything. They went to the hospital and asked at the receptionist for Gretta. The man had told he could not just disturb a nurse on her shift for no reason, so Nicole and Dolls showed him their uniform and badge to give him one. They told him to let her know they would be waiting for her outside, since they had to discuss some business privately. Minutes passed and no one showed up. They were beginning to think the man had completely ignored their request, but then the doors opened and Gretta appeared through them. "Waverly Earp. Why am I not surprised to see you?" "Maybe you'll be surprised to see me then." Doc said as he pointed a gun at the woman. "Holliday. No need for that gun." "We need to talk." Waverly interjected. They had no time to waste threatening each other. "Do we?" "You have to bring Wynonna back. Undo your wish." "That's just not happening. I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you should've thought of the consequences when you agreed to make a deal with me." "You tricked me. I'd asked for a cure." "And I led you to one. I kept my side of the deal, you knew you'd have to pay back somehow." "Pay back... of course!" How did she not think about it before? She finally knew how they were going to get her sister back. "You said Wynonna and I had to pay for killing your sister. You wished for one of us to have to live without the other like you have to live without Mattie. It doesn't have to be Wynonna, though, does it?" That caught Gretta's attention. "I'm listening..." "Bring Wynonna back and take me instead." "Waverly..." Doc and Dolls said at the same time, soon followed by Nicole. "Ok, woah. Hold on, can we at least talk about this first?" "Nicole..." "Waverly, please... there has to be another way." "We're running out of time. With Beth in possession of the third seal, God knows what's about to happen. For all we know sheriff Clootie might already be walking among us. He's nothing like the demons we had to deal with so far, he's stronger, more dangerous. There's no way we can stop him without Wynonna and you know that." "She's right. We need her now more than ever." This was the second time in very little time that Dolls had agreed with her. She surely liked this version of him. Waverly stepped in front of her girlfriend and grabbed her hand in hers. "Look, this won't be forever, okay? We get Wynonna back and, once you've defeated Clootie, you'll find a way to get me back as well. I trust you." Then looking at everyone else. "All of you." They all stared at each other for a moment. It was clear nobody liked this plan, but they did understand it was necessary to confront what was coming. Their moment was soon interrupted by a not-so-patient Gretta. "Tik tok. I don't have forever, lovebirds. Do we have a new deal or not?" Waverly looked at the witch for a second. She took a deep breath to steady her voice before turning to Nicole. "I love you. Just hold on to that, okay? We will find a way back to each other." Then again at everyone: "You take care of Wynonna and the little one for me, okay? I swear, if you let anything happen to them, I'm gonna kick all of your asses when I get back." They we're all crying, but her comment had managed to lighten up the mood a little, making them laugh softly. "No, but seriously, promise me you'll all take care of each other while I'm gone. And tell Wynonna I'm sorry. I... I should've listened to her. I should've trusted her and I hope that one day she'll be able to forgive me." "He hem." Gretta cleared her throat. She'd had enough of all these sentimentalism. Waverly finally turned to face her fully. "You bring Wynonna back and make me disappear. That's our deal." She said firmly. She wasn't gonna risk misunderstandings a second time. "Almost. I think a change of the original deal needs a higher price. When I took your sister away, I gave you new lives, new memories. Your sister and your friends won't be so lucky this time. I will give them their memories back so that every day they'll wake up knowing you are missing and there's nothing they can do about it. Just like I have to live without my sister, being aware there's no way to get her back. This is my deal. Take it or leave it." Waverly hesitated a moment. She did want her friends to have their memories back, otherwise they wouldn't have known about the widows, demon Clootie and the Earp family curse. She did want them to be able to be prepared for this new threat, but another side of her wished they could forget about it all and live free of this mess that were their lives. She sighed and looked the Iron witch straight in the eye before agreeing to the deal. "I take it. Yeah, we've got a deal." "Very well. I hope you said your goodbyes, 'cause you won't be seeing them for a while. Or, you know, ever." "Just get this over with." Gretta started pronouncing some kind of spell in German like she had the other time. As she was doing so, Nicole had reached Waverly and took her hand. The girls looked at each other, crying. "I love you!" "I'll be back." And with that she vanished. That was it. She was gone. "Waverly!" The redhead cried out staring at where the young Earp was standing just a second before. "Wynonna!" The three men exclaimed as the woman appeared right in front of them. They remembered everything too. "Hey, guys. Why do you look like you've seen a ghost? And how did I get here?" Wynonna asked not understanding what had just happened. "Well, it looks like you people might have some catching up to do. My job is done here." Gretta said before going back into the hospital. "What...?" She took a look around, but everyone averted their eyes. Everyone but Nicole, who looked at her with tears in her eyes, and that was when the Earp heir noticed someone was missing. "Where's Waverly?" A tear traveled down the redhead cheek before she moved her gaze away, just like the others had done. "Guys? Can someone, please, tell me what the hell is going on?" Dolls looked up, took a deep breath and said: "Come, let's go to the station. We'll explain you everything once we get there." He put a hand on her back and gently pushed away from the entrance of the hospital, the others following close.

[seasonsofreckoningrp-blog]

Congratulations, Bru! You’ve been accepted for the role of Leon Valiente-Gardner. Please make sure to check our checklist, and you have twenty-four hours to send us your character’s blog. We’re really happy to have you in our family!

You had us with the family feels, seeing as both of us will be playing Leon’s siblings. You’ve brought him to life as the selfless and whole-hearted warlock that he is. Family obviously is a big and important factor to him and you’ve touched on his relationship with all three of them, especially with your headcanons about Spencer. It's beautiful how much you understood Leon and found every blank space in his past and filled it up with headcanons.

Introduction

Bru. 27, she/her.

Activity level:

Honestly, I can log on every day for at least one hour or so. My hours are flexible… sometimes my schedule gets crazy, but for the most part, I can log on every day.

Further contact:

[Removed]

How did you find the roleplay?

Magic ~~~. I’m jk. You guys told me about it <3

Roleplay experience:

I’ve been roleplaying for a few years now. I’ve done city roleplays, bio roleplays, oc roleplays, crossovers… I’ve met you both on SoR 1.0 and it’s been a crazy ride ever since. Most of the RPs I’ve been in, have been with Ev so she knows I’m a decent player.

Triggers:

[Removed]

Anything else?

[Removed]

IC INFORMATION

Desired character:

Leon Valiente-Gardner.

Faceclaim:

-

Why did you choose this character?

From day one, I’ve been in love with the idea of Leon and when I finally read his bio, it only made me want to play him even more. First and foremost let me talk about the family connections, which to me, is a huge part of Leon and one of the main reasons why I’m choosing to apply for him. Family is everything to him. It’s the people who’ve made him who he is, it’s the ones the love him the most, unapologetically and unconditionally. There’s nothing that he wouldn’t do if that meant protecting his family. And then we get to Eirene, which is basically like a second family to him. He’s more than happy to help the little ones understand their power and he’s always so eager to learn from the older members of the coven.

To me, he sort of breaks that trope where every popular guy has to be a jerk or a bully. I can see him as the class’ president, fighting for everyone’s place in the school, always trying to do better and to be better. He’s so filled with life and knowledge that it’s impossible not to feel drawn to him. I feel like people are drawn to both twins, but since Leon is the one who’s more in sync with people while Lena is in sync with herself and the nature around them, they tend to flock to him more often. The fact that he’s an empath also, is something that I’d love to explore because someone who can feel other people’s emotions and be able to ease the hard ones or to increase the good ones, but doesn’t really know how to handle their own emotions is definitely something interesting.

Leon is very diplomatic. He loves being around people and he loves hearing what they have to say, even if sometimes he might end up not agreeing with them. Besides, I think that being around people helps him escape his own mind and how much of a dangerous place it can be. The way he’s always putting others in front of himself is also another way of escaping his own thoughts, because the more he cares and worries about others, the less time he gets to spend alone with his own insecurities and the duality living in him. He always has a smile on his face to match his upbeat attitude, because if people don’t see the cracks beneath the surface, they won’t give up on their cause, which is peace no matter what. If he manages to stay strong for everyone’s sake, then he’ll have done his job.

There are two sides of Leon: one that he lets people see… the popular, friendly guy. The man who’s always there, offering you either a shoulder to cry on or some advice. The boy  with the childish grin who’s grown into a leader of his own people without overstepping Cassidy’s boundaries, the one who doesn’t want this war to get any worse. For the most part, he’s this light-hearted young man, who lights up the room with his attitude and his kindness; but every up has its down and then there’s the part no one ever sees… the ambitious, reserved and quiet man who’s struggling to put his pieces back together and who would love more than anything than to see his brother’s killers not getting away with what they’ve done. His soul, he feels has broken ever since Spencer’s death, and while he’s been trying to mend himself up, sometimes tempting thoughts end up creeping their way up to the back of his mind, leaving Leon to fight his demons by himself. I personally love those shades of grey in him. The struggle to keep himself together, because others need him, even though he’s falling apart.

Para sample:

Run.

It was like he couldn’t breathe. His mind was playing tricks again, giving him images of happy times with Spencer, only to have them taken away from him in a blink of an eye. His nightmares were usually bad whenever he felt like his energy had been drained, but this time it had happened after spending some time with Pari and even in his dream, Leon was confused. The darkness was closing in, making his heart race and making it harder for him to breathe. With a jolt, he was awake. His chest was heaving, the air coming in cold into his lungs as he pulled it with some strength. Leon blinked a couple of times, removing the pillow from its position behind him and pressing it to his face, screaming into it, as if it would help him get rid of the dark energy that still clung to his body just like his sweaty t-shirt that he had slept in, did.

As he lowered the pillow, he could’ve sworn he had seen a figure by the window, which prompted him to turn his bedside lamp on, but there was nothing there. Was he going crazy? No… not yet. With a quick jerk of his head, Leon climbed out of bed and hopped into the shower, hoping the jets would relax his muscles and empty out his mind so he could go back to sleep. After changing his sheets, watching as some droplets of water had marked his bed with wet dots, Leon still wasn’t tired enough, so he paid a quick visit to the kitchen, where, surprisingly, he found Cassidy munching on some fruit while reading on a book. As unexplainable as it was, Leon was immediately invaded with this sense of comfort just by the mere sight of his sister.

“Can’t sleep?” He offered them a smile as he pressed a kiss on their rosy cheek. His gaze was still on them, waiting for a reply as he moved through the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of juice, then joining them at the table. “Anything I can do?” His questions had two meanings: one, it meant to help Cassidy as a member of their coven, as a brother; and the other, it meant helping them as an empath. When Cassidy shook their head, thanking for the offer but denying it, claiming they had gotten distracted reading a book, Leon knew better than to push it. People didn’t like being forced to speak when they didn’t feel like doing so, besides, their expressions and manners didn’t read as a lie.

He offered them a smile, warm and comforting, before motioning his head towards the living room. “Since we’re both here and we both can’t sleep, how about we watch some TV? It’s not like I have an early class tomorrow.” And he also didn’t feel like meditating either. Deep down, deeply rooted inside him, resided some kind of fear of poking this darkness that sometimes haunted his dreams. This eagerness for power, the craving for more than it had been gifted him… he feared that by trying to understand it, Leon would open the door to something so crude and ugly, that would make him see himself as a completely different person, and you know—he liked who he was. He actually did.

An offer had been made and an offer had been accepted, which made him move to the living room, getting comfortable as Cassidy joined him on the couch. The house felt so silent this evening. If Spencer was still alive and awake, he would’ve wanted for them to watch some old cartoon, like Johnny Quest or Thundercats. Something colorful and lively. Something that would make everyone’s auras just a shade warmer. Remembering Spencer had always felt bittersweet to him. Out of everyone, Leon had always had this notion that he had felt Spencer’s loss the most, although it wasn’t like him to undermine or to think less of other people’s pain. Everyone in the family felt the blow. Everyone was still trying to make through the days.

Steps coming from behind the couch brought him back to the present as he felt his twin’s presence in the room. Was it possible that everyone had had trouble sleeping that night? “We’re about to watch that Nicole Kidman movie where she’s witch.” His childish grin was plastered on his face as Leon followed Lena with his gaze. “Do you want to join us? It always makes us laugh.”

Maybe this was exactly what he wanted to recharge his energies, some quality time with his family, watching some silly movie about witches, picking apart all the differences between what they were watching and what was actually real. He had hope that the next day would be better… for him, for his soul, for everyone in that island. That was all he could do, right? Hope.

EXTRA

Personality traits:

+ SELFLESS

+ DIPLOMATIC

+ CHARISMATIC

- COMPLEX

- PASSIVE

- SELF-SACRIFICING

Headcanons:

I. SPENCER: He visits Spencer’s grave every week. When his younger sibling was still alive, they were often found together, sharing stories and laughing about most things. Leon enjoyed teaching Spencer little fun facts about historical figures and watch as his brother would always come back, eager to learn more, so ever since his death, every week Leon picks a day out of random, usually when he’s feeling drained out and goes to the cemetery and has a quick chat with his brother’s grave, often sharing something new that he’s learned about this or that person. It’s a way to keep him grounded and sane, to make him feel like he’s still there.

II. LANGUAGES: Ever since he was young, Leon’s been walking around with his head stuffed in books. He’s taught himself Latin as a young teenager, which made it a lot easier for him to understand the ancient spells written in those old grimoires. During high school, fascinated by the myths, he’s learned Greek, just for the sake of learning something new. His eternal seek for knowledge also led him to learn how to speak French and Spanish during his time at Yale, and recently, he’s picked up on learning German, too.

III. NIGHTMARES: As an empath, you’re bound to let people’s emotions influence your aura somehow and it isn’t different with Leon. Sometimes, when he’s overwhelmed, he can feel his body physically tired, but unable to have a peaceful sleep. Emotions are tricky things and in Moon Island, they tend to be fickle and all over the place. The mix of his gift with his inner struggles often result in him suffering with vivid nightmares that wake him up in the middle of the night struggling for air. They don’t happen often and they definitely don’t pose a problem in his life… yet.

IV. RELATIONSHIPS AND SEXUALITY: Leon considers himself demisexual. While he has no preference towards genders, he cares little about sex itself. He’d rather connect with people first, to get to know them before they even begins feeling sexually attracted to them. He loves the nightlife in Moon Island as much as the next person and connecting with people is one of the best feelings for him, so whenever he finds someone who connects with him in that level, he wants to commit to them. So Leon’s had a few relationships in the past, some more meaningful than others, but all have taught him something. I’m not sure if people feel intimidated by the fact that he’s a Valiente-Gardner and that could be some kind of obstacle when it comes to being in a relationship with him. Lots of people don’t want the kind of responsibility that entails dating someone like him, so that could be a problem. I know that Leon’s last names weight a lot on his shoulders, he’s got huge shoes to fill, but I also think he tries his best to make people see him as more than just someone with important parents.

V. EXERCISING: Since his powers are abstract, Leon’s type of training consist mostly on keeping his body healthy and ready to defend him in case he needs to. Besides going to the gym, he does boxing classes and swims in his spare time, but also, doesn’t mind joining Helena in a yoga or meditation session whenever he feels like his mind’s getting too heavy.

I had a tag for him but I just realized that the hyphen isn’t letting the other posts show and now I’m sad. But I made a mockblog even though is not as pretty as I’d like it to be. HERE.