#* nik valentine. > interactions.

[the-oblivious-writer]

Let the Light In |10|

Tara Carpenter x Female Reader

Chapter Ten: Static Frequencies

summary: three weeks of radio silence have passed since valentine's day. tara's been making herself scarce through a rotation of hookups and parties, while you've been doing what you do best—avoiding everything that reminds you of her. when Anika finally drags you to a party, you meet someone new, but some frequencies are harder to tune out than others.

warning(s): swearing, underage drinking, party atmosphere/socializing, pining, and two stubborn idiots.

notes: prraaaying that this summer'll let me post more consistently, i'm officially off after the 26th.

taglist: @t-wylia @lesbianpepsi @jennasfav @alyciaddict @justafoolinlove @steffido1993 @niqmandu @severelyuniquereview @darklron @ravenousinferno @smut-religiously777 @beautifulmongerbanditsalad @vanatalye

masterlist | previous chapter | next chapter

The bass from whatever generic EDM track was playing downstairs vibrated through the floorboards of your apartment, courtesy of the neighbors who apparently thought Thursday night was the perfect time for a rager. You'd been staring at the same page of your chemistry textbook for the past twenty minutes, the molecular structures blurring together like some kind of scientific abstract art.

Your phone buzzed against the desk surface.

Nika: party at jake's tonight. you're coming.

You: Hard pass

Nika: wasn't a question. be ready in an hour

You: I have studying to do

Nik: you've been "studying" for three weeks straight. even hermit crabs leave their shells sometimes

You groaned, letting your head fall forward onto the open textbook. The thing about Anika was that she had this annoying habit of being right about everything, especially when it came to your self-imposed isolation. Ever since Valentine's Day—or more specifically, ever since that moment on Tara's couch when everything shifted and then promptly crashed back to earth—you'd been keeping your head down and your schedule packed.

It wasn't avoidance. It was strategic distance.

Your phone buzzed again.

Anika: also tara won't be there. she's at some other thing across town

The fact that Anika felt the need to mention Tara's whereabouts told you everything you needed to know about how transparent your "strategic distance" actually was. You'd been doing a stellar job of pretending the past three weeks of radio silence didn't bother you, but apparently your poker face needed work.

You: How do you even know where she is?

Nik: instagram stories. girl's been documenting her party tour like she's a social media influencer

You definitely hadn't been checking Tara's Instagram. And you definitely hadn't noticed the steady stream of party photos featuring different faces, different locations, different people pressed close to her in dimly lit rooms. The fact that she looked happy in every single one was just an observation, not something that kept you up at night.

You: fine. one hour. but i'm not dressing up

Nik: wouldn't expect anything less from you

An hour later, you were pulling on the same blue jeans and flannel combo you'd been rotating through for the better part of the semester. Anika had texted that she was on her way up, which meant you had about thirty seconds before she started her usual commentary about your "commitment to consistent mediocrity" in the fashion department.

She didn't disappoint.

"You know they make other colors of flannel, right?" she said, not even bothering with a hello as she pushed past you into the apartment.

"This one's clean," you replied, grabbing your keys and wallet. "That's all that matters."

"God, you're like a cartoon character. Same outfit, same energy, same emotional availability of a brick wall." She was scrolling through her phone as she talked, probably checking to make sure her party intel was still accurate. "Jake's place is like a fifteen-minute walk. You ready?"

The walk to Jake's gave you time to mentally prepare for the social interaction you'd been avoiding. Anika filled the silence with updates about her latest dating app adventures, which was both entertaining and a welcome distraction from the knot of anxiety forming in your stomach.

"I'm just saying, if someone's idea of a perfect date is 'Netflix and chill' spelled out in actual words, they're probably not bringing much creativity to other areas of life," she was saying as you approached a house with music spilling out onto the street.

"Revolutionary insight," you replied, but you were smiling despite yourself.

Jake's place was packed in that specific way college parties always were—too many people in too small a space, everyone talking slightly too loud to compensate for music that was slightly too loud to begin with. You followed Anika through the crowd, dodging couples who were definitely violating several public decency laws and groups of people who were definitely violating several fire codes.

"Drinks first," Anika announced, steering you toward the kitchen. "You need to relax."

The kitchen was marginally less chaotic, though someone had apparently thought it was a good idea to turn the island into a makeshift beer pong table. You grabbed a beer from the cooler, mostly for something to do with your hands, and leaned against the counter while Anika worked her social butterfly magic with a group of people you recognized from various classes.

"You look like you're at a funeral," a voice said from beside you.

You turned to find a girl with shoulder-length auburn hair and an amused expression. She was holding a red solo cup and wearing the kind of effortless smile that suggested she was actually enjoying herself.

"Just thinking," you replied.

"Dangerous habit at parties like this," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Maya."

"Y/N."

"So, Y/N, what's got you looking so existentially conflicted at what is objectively a very mediocre college party?"

There was something disarming about her directness, the way she'd managed to read your mood without the usual small talk preamble. It reminded you of someone else, which was both comforting and problematic.

"Just not really a party person," you said.

"And yet here you are."

"Roommate intervention," you admitted, nodding toward Anika, who was now engaged in what appeared to be a very animated conversation about something involving a lot of hand gestures.

Maya laughed, and the sound was warm and genuine. "Ah, the old 'you need to get out more' approach. Been there."

"Let me guess—worked on you too?"

"Hook, line, and sinker. Though I have to say, meeting someone who looks as thrilled to be here as I feel is kind of refreshing."

You found yourself relaxing slightly. Maya had this way of making conversation feel natural, like you'd been friends for years instead of strangers who'd met five minutes ago. She was funny without trying too hard, and when she laughed at your sarcastic observations about the party dynamics around you, it didn't feel forced.

"So what's your major?" she asked as you both watched someone attempt to do a keg stand with questionable success.

"History," you replied. "You?"

"Psychology. Which means I'm professionally obligated to ask what's really bothering you."

You nearly choked on your beer. "Excuse me?"

"Kidding," she said quickly, though her eyes were still studying your face. "Mostly. But you do have this look like you're trying very hard not to think about something."

The accuracy of her observation was unsettling. You'd spent three weeks perfecting the art of not thinking about Tara—not thinking about the way she'd looked at you on Valentine's Day, not thinking about the comfortable silence while you watched movies, not thinking about how she'd somehow become the person you most wanted to talk to and the person you most wanted to avoid.

"It's complicated," you said finally.

"The best things usually are."

There was something about the way she said it that made you look at her more carefully. She had these light brown eyes that seemed to catch everything, and when she smiled, it was like she was letting you in on some private joke.

"Want to get some air?" she asked. "It's getting pretty stuffy in here."

You followed her out to the backyard, where the music was muffled enough to allow for actual conversation. The night air was cool against your skin, and you realized you'd been holding tension in your shoulders that you hadn't even noticed.

"Better?" Maya asked, settling onto a bench near the back fence.

"Much." You sat down beside her, leaving a respectable amount of space between you. "Thanks."

"So," she said, turning to face you. "Complicated situation. Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Want to talk about something else?"

"That would be great."

Maya launched into a story about her psychology professor who apparently had strong opinions about the correlation between coffee consumption and academic performance, and you found yourself genuinely engaged for the first time in weeks. She was smart and funny, and she had this way of making even mundane observations sound interesting.

"I'm convinced he's conducting some kind of long-term study on us," she was saying. "Like, tracking our caffeine intake versus our participation in class discussions."

"That's either really dedicated or really creepy."

"Why not both?"

You were laughing when your phone buzzed. Without thinking, you glanced at the screen.

Nika: how's it going with mystery girl?

You looked up to find Anika watching you from the kitchen window, giving you an exaggerated thumbs up. Maya followed your gaze and waved at her.

"Your roommate's got good timing," Maya said.

"She's got strong opinions about my social life."

"Can't imagine why," Maya replied, but she was smiling. "You seem like the life of the party."

"I have hidden depths."

"I'm sure you do."

There was something in her tone that made you look at her again. She was still smiling, but there was a different quality to it now, something that made your pulse quicken in a way that was both familiar and entirely new.

"Hey, uh," you started, not sure what you were going to say.

"Yeah?"

Your phone buzzed again, and this time you ignored it. But Maya had noticed the notification, and something in her expression shifted.

"Someone important?" she asked.

"No," you said quickly. "Just my roommate."

But even as you said it, you knew it wasn't entirely true. The buzzing phone was a reminder of the world beyond this backyard, the world where Tara existed and where you'd spent the last three weeks pretending she didn't matter.

Maya seemed to sense your internal conflict. "You know, for someone who says it's not important, you look pretty conflicted."

"It's not—" You stopped, frustrated with yourself. "It's complicated."

"You said that already."

"Because it is."

She was quiet for a moment, studying your face in the dim light from the house. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"The person you're not thinking about—are you in love with them?"

The question hit you like a physical blow. You'd been so careful not to examine your feelings too closely, to keep everything filed under "complicated" and "better left alone." But hearing it said out loud, so matter-of-factly, stripped away all your careful defenses.

"I—" You stopped, realizing you'd never actually said it out loud. Not to anyone, not even to yourself. "Yeah. I think I am."

"Think?"

"Know," you corrected quietly. "I know I am."

Maya nodded slowly. "How long?"

"Since high school." The admission felt like a confession, like something you should have kept locked away. "Feels like longer."

"And they don't know?"

You let out a bitter laugh. "They hate me. Or they did. I don't know what we are now."

"What happened in high school?"

This was the part you'd never told anyone, the part that made you look like either a complete idiot or a hopeless romantic, depending on who was doing the judging.

"I was an ass," you said finally. "I pulled pranks, got into arguments, did basically everything I could to get their attention. But not good attention. I was like a kid pulling pigtails on the playground."

"Because you didn't know how to ask for the attention you actually wanted."

"Because I was fifteen and stupid and didn't know how to handle having feelings for someone who was completely out of my league."

Maya was quiet for so long that you started to worry you'd said too much. When you finally looked at her, she was smiling, but it was different now—softer, more understanding.

"You know what's funny?" she said.

"What?"

"I came over here because I thought you were cute and brooding and might be up for some harmless flirting. But now I'm sitting here giving relationship advice, and I kind of like it better."

You felt heat rise in your cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"Don't apologize," she said quickly. "I'm not complaining. But can I suggest something?"

"Shoot."

"If you've been in love with someone since high school, and you're still thinking about them at a party where you're talking to someone new, maybe it's time to do something about it."

"It's not that simple."

"It never is. But sometimes the complicated things are worth fighting for."

Your phone buzzed again, and this time Maya gestured for you to check it.

Nika: tara's here

Your blood ran cold. You looked up toward the house, scanning the crowd visible through the windows, but you couldn't see her from where you were sitting.

"The complicated person?" Maya asked, reading your expression.

"Yeah."

"You want to go find them?"

"I want to go home."

Maya laughed, but not unkindly. "You know that's not going to solve anything, right?"

"It'll solve the immediate problem of me potentially making a fool of myself."

"Or you could stay and see what happens. Take a chance."

"I don't take chances."

"Maybe that's the problem."

Before you could respond, the back door opened and Anika stepped out, looking around until she spotted you.

"There you are," she said, walking over. "We might have a situation."

"What kind of situation?" you asked, though you had a feeling you already knew.

"The kind where Tara just walked in looking like she's ready to set something on fire, and when she saw me, she asked where you were."

Maya looked between you and Anika with growing understanding. "Tara," she said. "That's the complicated person."

"That's the complicated person," you confirmed.

"And she's looking for you."

"Apparently."

Maya stood up, brushing off her jeans. "Well, this has been fun, but I think I'm going to go find another drink and let you two handle whatever's about to happen."

"You don't have to leave," you said quickly.

"Yeah, I do." She smiled, and there was no hurt in it, just understanding. "But hey, Y/N?"

"Yeah?"

"Good luck. And if it doesn't work out, I'll be by the kitchen wondering what could have been."

She squeezed your shoulder as she passed, and you watched her disappear back into the house.

"I like her," Anika said.

"Yeah, me too."

"But?"

"But nothing. Let's just go home."

"Absolutely not." Anika grabbed your arm as you started to stand. "You've been moping around for three weeks. Whatever happened on Valentine's Day, you need to deal with it."

"I don't need to deal with anything."

"You're in love with her."

It was the second time in ten minutes someone had said it out loud, and it didn't get easier to hear.

"It doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters. It's the only thing that matters."

"Anika—"

"No, listen to me. I've been watching you two dance around each other for months. The arguing, the glancing, the way you both go out of your way to avoid each other while somehow always ending up in the same place. It's exhausting."

"We're not dancing around anything. We can barely stand each other."

"Right. That's why you spent Valentine's Day with her watching movies and looking at her like she hung the moon."

"What—"

"She told me. Well, she told me some of it. The rest I figured out from the way she's been acting like a feral cat ever since."

Your heart was doing something complicated in your chest. "What do you mean, acting like a feral cat?"

"I mean she's been going out every night, bringing home different people, and generally acting like someone who's trying very hard to prove something to herself. Sound familiar?"

It did sound familiar, because it was exactly what you'd been doing in your own way—burying yourself in schoolwork and isolation instead of dealing with whatever was happening between you and Tara.

"It doesn't matter," you said again, but it sounded weak even to you.

"It's the only thing that matters," Anika repeated. "And right now, she's inside looking for you, which means maybe she's finally ready to stop running."

"What if I'm not?"

"Then you're an idiot."

"Thanks for the pep talk."

"I'm serious, Y/N. You've been in love with her since high school. She's been in love with you since at least the beginning of this semester. You're both miserable without each other. What exactly are you waiting for?"

"She's not in love with me."

"Oh my God, you're both so stupid it's painful."

Before you could argue, the back door opened again, and this time it wasn't Anika who emerged.

Tara stepped into the backyard, and even in the dim light, you could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she was holding herself like she was ready for a fight. She looked around until her eyes found yours, and the impact of that gaze was like a physical blow.

"Anika said you were out here," she said, her voice carefully neutral.

"I was just leaving," Anika announced, backing toward the house.

And then she was gone, leaving you and Tara alone in the backyard with three weeks of silence hanging between you like a wall.

"Hi," you said finally, because someone had to say something.

"Hi."

Tara was still standing by the door, like she was ready to bolt at any moment. She was wearing a black dress that you tried not to notice, and her hair was down in loose waves that caught the light from the house.

"Anika said you were looking for me."

"I was." She took a step closer, then stopped. "We need to talk."

"About?"

"About Valentine's Day. About the last three weeks. About whatever the hell is happening between us."

Your pulse quickened. "I thought we were back to pretending we couldn't stand each other."

"Yeah, well, that's not working out so well for me."

"Join the club."

She took another step closer, and you could see the conflict in her expression, the way she was fighting with herself about whatever she'd come here to say.

"I've been thinking," she said.

"Dangerous habit."

"Don't." The sharpness in her voice surprised you both. "Don't do that. Don't deflect with jokes. Not right now."

You nodded, chastened. "Sorry. What have you been thinking about?"

"About why I've been avoiding you. About why I've been going out every night and bringing home people whose names I don't remember. About why I can't stop thinking about you even when I'm with someone else."

The honesty in her voice made your chest tight. "Tara—"

"I'm not done." She was closer now, close enough that you could see the way her hands were trembling slightly. "I've been thinking about high school, about all those stupid pranks you used to pull, all those arguments we had that never seemed to be about anything important."

"Those were—"

"Let me finish." She took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about how I used to look forward to those arguments. How I used to get disappointed on days when you didn't try to annoy me. How I used to wonder what it would be like if you put all that energy into something else."

Your heart was beating so hard you were sure she could hear it.

"And I've been thinking about Valentine's Day," she continued. "About how easy it was, sitting there with you, watching movies and talking about nothing. About how it felt like we were finally being honest with each other."

"We were."

"No, we weren't. Because I didn't tell you the most important thing."

"Which was?"

She looked at you for a long moment, and you could see her gathering courage.

"That I've been in love with you since sophomore year of high school. That every time you pulled one of those pranks, I thought maybe it meant you saw me as more than just another person to annoy. That when you stopped doing it, I thought maybe I'd been wrong about everything."

The world tilted on its axis. Everything you thought you knew about high school, about the way she'd reacted to your attempts to get her attention, about the way she'd looked at you sometimes when she thought you weren't watching—all of it shifted into focus like a camera lens finally finding the right setting.

"You what?"

"I'm in love with you," she said again, like she needed to practice saying it. "I have been for years. And I know you probably don't—"

"I do."

She stopped mid-sentence. "What?"

"I do. Feel the same way. Have felt the same way. Since I first laid eyes on you."

"You—what?"

"All those pranks, all those stupid arguments—I was fifteen and didn't know how to tell you I thought you were the most incredible person I'd ever met. So I settled for any attention I could get, even if it was you being annoyed with me."

Tara stared at you like you'd just spoken in a foreign language. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

"But you—we've been—"

"Idiots," you supplied. "We've been idiots."

"For years."

"Epic levels of idiocy."

She started laughing, and the sound was bright and disbelieving and so purely Tara that it made your chest ache with how much you'd missed it.

"Oh my God," she said, pressing her hands to her face. "We're absolute morons."

"One-hundred percent."

"I can't believe—" She stopped, looking at you with sudden seriousness. "Wait. If you've felt this way for years, why didn't you ever say anything?"

"Because you hated me."

"I never hated you."

"You had a funny way of showing it."

"I was trying to protect myself," she said quietly. "I thought if I let myself like you, really like you, you'd just use it against me somehow."

"I would never—"

"I know that now. But then? I was just a kid who didn't know how to handle having feelings for someone who seemed to enjoy making my life difficult."

"I never wanted to make your life difficult. I just wanted you to notice me."

"I always noticed you," she said. "I noticed everything."

The space between you felt charged, like the air before a thunderstorm. You could feel the weight of all the years of miscommunication, all the missed opportunities, all the times you'd both been too scared or too proud to say what you really meant.

"So what now?" you asked.

"I don't know," she admitted. "This is kind of uncharted territory for me."

"The being honest thing?"

"The being honest with you thing."

You took a step closer, and she didn't back away. "We could try it. See how it goes."

"It might be weird at first."

"Probably. But weird might be good for us."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. We've been doing the same dance for years. Maybe it's time to try a different song."

She smiled, and it was soft and real and directed at you in a way that made your heart do complicated things in your chest.

"I'd like that," she said.

"Good. Because I've been wanting to ask you something for about years now."

"What?"

"Would you like to go out with me? Like, on an actual date. Where we both know it's a date and we're not pretending it's something else."

Her smile widened. "I thought you'd never ask."

"Is that a yes?"

"That's a yes."

You felt like you could float away, like the ground beneath your feet had become optional. Years of wondering, of wanting, of thinking it was impossible—and it turned out to be as simple as finally being honest.

"Can I ask you something now?" Tara said.

"Anything."

"On Valentine's Day, when we were watching the movie—were you going to kiss me?"

Heat flooded your cheeks. "Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"Okay, definitely. But then you got that look like you were about to bolt, and I didn't want to push."

"I got that look because I was thinking about kissing you and it scared me."

"It scared you?"

"Terrified me. Because I wanted it so badly, and I thought if I let myself have it, I'd have to admit how I felt. And I wasn't ready for that yet."

"And now?"

She took another step closer, close enough that you could see the flecks of gold in her dark eyes.

"Now I'm tired of being scared."

"Good," you said. "Because I'm tired of pretending I don't want to kiss you."

"So why aren't you?"

"Because we're at a party in someone's backyard, and when I finally get to kiss you, I want it to be somewhere that means something."

"Somewhere that means something?"

"Somewhere that's ours. Not borrowed, not temporary. Ours."

She looked at you for a long moment, and you could see something shift in her expression, something that looked like understanding.

"My apartment," she said. "Tomorrow night. I'll make dinner."

"You cook?"

"I order takeout very efficiently."

"Even better."

She laughed, and the sound was warm and familiar and full of promise.

"It's a date," she said.

"It's a date."

From inside the house, you could hear the music getting louder, voices getting more animated as the party hit its stride. But out here in the backyard, it felt like you and Tara existed in your own bubble, separate from everything else.

"I should probably go," she said eventually, though she didn't move.

"Probably."

"I came with friends, and they're going to wonder where I disappeared to."

"Right."

"And you should probably go back to that girl you were talking to. She seemed nice."

"Maya's great," you said. "But she's not you."

"No," Tara said, and there was something satisfied in her voice. "She's not."

"Are you jealous, Carpenter?"

"Maybe a little," she admitted. "Is that weird?"

"No weirder than me spending three weeks stalking your Instagram stories to see who you were with."

"You were stalking my Instagram?"

"Observing. Casually."

"Uh-huh."

"Okay, fine. Stalking. But in my defense, you were posting a lot."

"I was trying to make you jealous."

"Mission accomplished."

She smiled, looking pleased with herself. "Good to know."

"So tomorrow night," you said.

"Tomorrow night."

"What time?"

"Seven?"

"I'll be there."

"Good." She started to turn toward the house, then stopped. "Y/N?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For being honest."

"Thank you for not running away when I did."

"I almost did. I've been sitting in my car for twenty minutes trying to work up the courage to come in here."

"I'm glad you did."

"Me too."

She headed for the door, and you watched her go, still not quite believing that the conversation had actually happened. Just before she reached the house, she turned back.

"Hey, Y/N?"

"Yeah?"

"Wear something nice tomorrow. I want our first real date to be special."

"Define nice."

"Something that's not flannel."

"You're really going to limit my options like that?"

"I'm sure you'll figure it out."

And then she was gone, disappearing into the house and leaving you alone in the backyard with the biggest smile you'd had in weeks.

You pulled out your phone to text Anika, but she'd already beaten you to it.

Nika: saw tara leave. she looked happy. please tell me you two finally got your shit together

You: We have a date tomorrow

Nika: FINALLY. i was starting to think i was going to have to lock you in a room together

You: don't get any ideas

Nik: too late. already planning the wedding

You were still smiling when Maya appeared beside you.

"So," she said, settling back onto the bench. "How'd it go?"

"Really well, actually."

"I can tell. You look like someone just told you you won the lottery."

"I did."

"I'm happy for you," she said, and she sounded like she meant it. "Even though it means I'm going back to the drawing board for my evening plans."

"Sorry about that."

"Don't be. Like I said, the complicated things are usually worth fighting for."

"Yeah," you said, thinking about Tara's smile, about the way she'd looked at you when she finally said the words you'd been waiting years to hear. "They really are."

The rest of the party passed in a blur. You found Anika and told her you were ready to go home, and she was so pleased with herself for orchestrating the evening that she didn't even give you grief about leaving early.

As you walked back to your apartment, you couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow night. After years of wondering, of wanting, of thinking it was impossible—you finally had a real chance with Tara. And this time, you weren't going to let fear or pride or miscommunication get in the way.

This time, you were going to get it right.

[ontheoddoccasioniwritestuff]

A Reunion to Remember (John Price x Nikolai x Reader)

Summary: It's a special day, not that John realises as he walks right into a set-up of his lovers’ making.

AN: This is part of @bunnyreaper's Valentine's Day Fic Swap for @bookobsessedram <3 I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Content warnings: Allusions to sex (18+ only, minors DNI), reader wears some lacy underwear (not specified), pronouns not used but John calls the reader "sweet girl".

Masterlist

It was once in a moon as crystal blue as his eyes that Captain John Price got the opportunity to collect on intel and deals for himself. After a month of Sundays was when he felt up to it. Usually there were officers undercover, various rats, CIA operatives who could handle that kind of thing – Kate having her own networks of underlings to seek out the truth.

Yet today John made sure that he was the person going to gather this and Kate allowed it. Both of these actions were made with the same reason in mind: it required an interaction with Nikolai. Neither John nor Kate told the brass that, of course. Fed into their paperwork was something about maintaining relationships with allies in important places across the world.

Three train rides, a red-eye flight and a hired car brought John to exactly where he wanted to be: a familiar hanger with an apartment built along the side, fit for the purpose of his visit, overcast clouds hiding their illicit rendezvous from the glare of the sun.

Nikolai spotted John before John spotted him, scaling down the plane and sauntering out the hanger. The two men engaged in a light jog. Delight burrowing in their cheeks and chests, they clapped hands, hugged, and – with the absence of the task force to observe – shared a whiskery kiss, engine oil mixing with cigar smoke in a bitter reunion.

“Glad to see you, Captain.”

“Been too long, Nik.”

“Good thing I coaxed you over, impeccable timing too.” Though his brow creased in curiosity, Price didn’t question – for now – what his boyfriend meant by that whilst following his lead back into the hanger. He spoke briefly about the state of his journey before Nikolai’s gloved hand grasped John’s jaw.

“Do you know what day it is?”

“Fourteenth, why?”

“Anything springing to mind? Anything important?”

After a moment’s consideration, John shook his head slightly with a suspicious squint. Cocking his head over one shoulder, Nikolai let out a two note laugh and whistled sharply through his teeth.

Your arms popped out first through the open canopy, shortly followed by your head as you crowed, “Surprise!”

John’s hearty hoot echoed around the hanger as he removed his hat to clutch to his chest while catching his breath – the one that you took away from him every time he saw you. These occasions had grown more scarce nowadays. If two of your throuple meeting up was like finding a four leaf clover, then all three of you coming together was an entire landscape of the bastards.

Trying to work out what you being with them had to do with the date and felt a fleeting flash of fear at the impossibility of it being your anniversary. It wasn’t. So, while he watched you clamber down the steps with Nikolai holding your hand, John wracked his brain for the connection.

“You are a sight for sore eyes,” John approached the foot of the steps.  

Rolling your eyes, you pointed semi-accusingly at him, “You, Jonathan Price, are a difficult man to get a meeting with.”

“Kate knew?”

Nik kicked over a footstool, “She knows everything; I thought you understood that.”

“Enough about work.” You dragged the stool over with the tip of your foot, stepped up on it, grabbed John by the straps of his vest and tugged him to your level for a long-awaited kiss.

Sandwiched between the barrel chests of your two lovers was your new reality. Some idealist cell in your brain sparked in hope that it could be your permanent home with John on your lips and Nik on your neck – right where a crick was just emerging.

Forced to pull away, you stretched out the muscle on your neck, “Fuckin’ hell, I’ve been folded in that cockpit for half an hour waiting for you to show up.”

“Good thing today’s all about treating you,” Nik squeezed your shoulder and you prayed this was a precursor to a full back rub. Your Nik was very talented with his hands like that.

You cupped his cheek, swaying on the spot as he moved down to hold onto your hips, “Too right.”

Simultaneous to your affection exchange, John was frowning again. The date, the expectation of the day, the apparent arrangement that had gotten him and his two partners in the same place…

His eyebrows relaxed and his face cleared.

“It’s Valentine’s Day,” He said quietly.

Locking onto John’s confounded expression – a rarity that you relished - you ribbed, “You’re just now getting that?”

John coughed a laugh out to cover his embarrassment, “I’m out of practice.”

Your eyes flashed in amusement and the recollection of rumours of Price being a bit of a bunny in his rookie days – rumours that probably had no foundation. Your source had been Soap while he’d been stirring for the circumstances of your relationship to his Captain.

“We’ll be sure to warm you up a bit first then,” You promised as you led John like a pleasant smell wafting from a kitchen, into Nikolai’s private apartment.

Familiar décor welcomed you in, plus the smell of candles that Nikolai was lighting. Apparently he was going all out with the classic stuff. John found himself not turning up his nose at them, nor at the idea of potentially being fed chocolate like in an advert he’d seen on plastered on the train. Once he’d locked the door behind him, John found himself faced with an outstretched rose from Nikolai. You were already beaming behind your own flower.

“Nik,” Price’s cheeks were determined to show him up, shifting in shade to match the roses. His eyes rolled but were clearly contradicted by his grin and how he was unable to hide it.

“What?” Nikolai replied innocently, “I can’t get my partners flowers on the most romantic day of the year?”

“But I didn’t get either of you anything.”

Rose tucked in the crook of your elbow, your thick jacket protecting you from the thorns, you took off John’s hat, tossing it off onto Nikolai’s desk. It clashed into the pencil pot and covered up the photograph taken of your throuple the last instance you’d been together (post-helicopter ride across Belarus). You didn’t acknowledge it, choosing instead to run your fingers through John’s cool cropped hair.

“You didn’t even know it was Valentine’s Day; no shit you got us nothing,” You ribbed before getting serious, “John, we’re just glad you’re here with us.”

His nose nudged down into the petals of his rose, and you scratched the back of his neck where his hair stubbled. Like a cat, he hummed in encouragement.

“I’ll make it up to you anyhow,” He whispered, “Sweet girl.”

“Yeah, there’s always next year,” You gave a playful little tug before releasing him. As if he didn’t know that there was nothing to forgive and you meant every word: you just wanted to be near him.

 Nikolai swooped in to peck John on the lips. A peck turned into a more intoxicating kiss, one that shut up his boyfriend effectively.

John would’ve happily let Nikolai take all the kisses he wanted but he spotted you, in his peripherals, watching dreamily sat on the desk. Your legs swung back and forth gleefully. His hat was in your lap as you twisted the rose around by the stem. Nikolai drew away and in a deep breath at the hearts your pupils were shifting into.

“Get back over here,” He said with two fingers coaxing you over, “And take that jacket off.”

Dutifully, you followed his instructions. A gift from your previous engagement, your jacket was draped it where Nikolai had done the same to his signature tan leather jacket, leaving John feeling overdressed when he caught a hint at something lacy and meadow green peeking out where your skin showed, your shirt caught on your jacket removal. Greed suddenly sprouted from his blooming heart and latching onto you by your plush hips when you were within reach, hauling you close and murmuring how much he adored you while you twisted Nikolai’s chain between compliments and neck kisses as if idle. You were about to be anything but, in for one hell of a reunion.

-----------------

I made your love language physical touch because you’re away from your boys so much that you just wanna soak it up when you’re with them. Nikolai’s is gifts (like when he gives Price his favourite gun and his hostages <3) because he loves seeing how his partners react to something that made him think of them. Price’s is words of affirmation because he’s a man of his word and equally loves seeing how his partners are affected by them.

[littlemixer01]

Some of the best Maneskin fanfiction stories across all interactive online platforms

Damiano and Victoria fanfiction

WATTPAD:

Ti Voglio bene by manebitches: Ti voglio bene | Damoria - ▪︎ - Wattpad

ARCHIEVE OF OUR OWN:

I fell in love with you in stages (my whole life) by luna_2399: I fell in love with you in stages (my whole life) [Official Chronological guide] - luna_2399 - Måneskin (Band) [Archive of Our Own]

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The middle of adventure, such a perfect start by busywastinglife: The middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start - Chapter 1 - busywastinglife - Måneskin (Band) [Archive of Our Own]

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Gay enough by pjisskullourful: that {superpower} bitch on Tumblr (all stories are brilliant!)

Ethan, Victoria and Reader fanfiction

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Shattered by toglimi tutto: 𝔱𝔬𝔤𝔩𝔦𝔪𝔦 𝔱𝔲𝔱𝔱𝔬 — Pairing: Ethan x Vic x Fem!Reader summary: one... (tumblr.com)

At her command by till-you-scream-and-cry: 𝔱𝔬𝔤𝔩𝔦𝔪𝔦 𝔱𝔲𝔱𝔱𝔬 on Tumblr

The one where Victoria wants to watch by Amore O diamanti, demoni O santi: Amore o diamanti, demoni o santi : The one where Victoria wants to watch (tumblr.com)

Thomas, Victoria and Reader fanfiction

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My partners know about each other by II tempo brucera tutti i fogli che parlan de te: Il tempo brucerà tutti i fogli che parlan di te: My Partners Know About Each Other Pairing: Thomas... (tumblr.com)

All band members fanfiction

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Never seen a girl so cruel by busywastinglife: Never seen a girl so cruel - busywastinglife - Måneskin (Band) [Archive of Our Own]

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Sunburn by damiano-mylove: Nik🔮 on Tumblr

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Toxic by ethansbellissima: 𝚃𝙾𝚇𝙸𝙲 ⭑ 𝒗.𝒅.𝒂 - ♱ 𝒆𝒗𝒂 ♱ - Wattpad

Rhythm by fanfic70744: 𝑹𝑯𝒀𝑻𝑯𝑴 ~ 𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝑫𝒆 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒔 - :) - Wattpad

Damiano and Reader fanfiction

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Coraline by reflectingsouls: 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄, damiano david - 𝐦 𝐢 𝐧 𝐚 . - Wattpad

Le parole lontane by coralinerosa: 𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞 {𝑚𝑎̊𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑛} - - Wattpad

Coraline- Damiano David by fredswhoreee: coraline - damiano david - ella. . . ! - Wattpad

Back to you by hirieth: Back To You | Damiano David - hirieth - Wattpad

"dalla luna" by cherrycola_011: "dalla luna" ▪︎ damiano david - valé - Wattpad

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TUMBLR:

You're my person by WRITINGMANESKIN: ☀️✨ 🌑 : You're My Person - A Damiano David Story (tumblr.com)

Home is where the heart is by WRITINGMANESKIN (multi-chapter): ☀️✨ 🌑 : Home is Where the Heart is - A Damiano David Story... (tumblr.com)

My sweet valentine by WRITINGMANESKIN: ☀️✨ 🌑 : Home is Where the Heart is - A Damiano David Story... (tumblr.com)

For your love by tornerai da me: tornerai da me — For Your Love (Damiano David x Reader) (tumblr.com)

I wanna be your slave by tornerai de me: tornerai da me — For Your Love (Damiano David x Reader) (tumblr.com)

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Loving by itsmaneskinbitch: Loving - itsmaneskinbitch - Måneskin (Band) [Archive of Our Own]

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Aftercare Instructions by skullourful: Aftercare Instructions - skullourful - Måneskin (Band) [Archive of Our Own]

Valentine's day by Alice_Immortale: Valentine's Day - Alice_Immortale - Måneskin (Band) [Archive of Our Own]

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Truth or dare by Marlena Immortale: Marlena Immortale : Truth or Dare (tumblr.com)

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WATTPAD

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Don't ask, don't tell by till-you-scream-and-cry: 𝔱𝔬𝔤𝔩𝔦𝔪𝔦 𝔱𝔲𝔱𝔱𝔬 on Tumblr (multi-chapter)

[bklynmusicnerd]

I heard that Patrick loves the Cassadines, but my thing is, the Cassadine family is borderline none existent right now and have no storylines 😩. Nik is always off, Spencer is off right now, Ace is still a baby, Victor is dead, the show refuses to have Alexis and the Davis girls be centered in a Cassadine story, idk what they doing with Valentin, seems like they dropped the Charlotte story. They need some new blood Cassadines to pop into town. Especially on the YA side. A distant cousin or something😂

Eh, I feel the same way about the state of the Cassadines as I do about the state of YA scene, it's been dire for a while in my eyes, so I'm not as concerned as everyone else. I actually think fixing the Cassadine situation is probably easier than the YA scene. The Cassadines have never really been as numerous as the Quartermaines. They were just larger than life, so it felt that way. Even the 90s revival of the Cassadines was really just Stefan, Alexis and Nik as regulars (and then Helena and Stavros would pop up and cause some trouble).

The biggest thing is making Nik a contract role again. He's the head of the Cassadines. He needs to be firmly regrounded onto the canvas. From there, you eventually reintroduce Spencer once he's back from the "dead". Spencer's "death" should inspire a return back to form for Alexis where she doesn't claim the Cassadine name but she's invested in the wellbeing of her Cassadine family members.

For some reason C&D missed the memo where the whole internal struggle of Alexis is that she hates her family's reputation and what they stand for but she actually loves her Cassadine family members and feels a pull toward being protective of them.

Victor being "dead" was nonsense and I don't even know why they bothered showing a body, but you can easily use Cassadine sci-fi shenanigans and make him the Helena type figure where he pops in to cause trouble and dips out again (I only say this because the show seems committed to Helena's death sticking and I'm assuming that's per CT's wishes).

I'd personally love for them to bring Stefan back from the dead since I always thought his death was bullshit and it'd be interesting to see what he'd think of the type of man Nik has become and how he'd interact with Spencer's chaotic self, but I recognize that's me being greedy. Valentin and Charlotte are the cousins and will always factor in, but I'm guessing that's very structured on the Valentin actor's schedule.

Either way, rebuilding the Cassadines is not this impossible feat that requires all this new blood. It just requires a writer who's invested enough in reestablishing that larger than life mythos of the Cassadines. But Nik absolutely has to be a contract player for this to work, on that, we agree.

[ccacoethes]

—  valentine’s apartment,  with dana valentine.  @cursewrought​

he’s back far later than he should have. sneaking through the front door feels odd shouldn’t she be coming in late, trying not to disturb him? often he finds himself hoping dani doesn’t resent him, for every awful moment and shred of fear that comes with being his daughter. this is another of those moments, after he turns the lights on and see’s her sitting, waiting. immediately, a sigh falls from his lips, looks like he can’t avoid this. instead of speaking ( never his strong suit, he knows the power of his silence ) he heads into the kitchen, pulling out a bottle of something strong and dark. when it hits his lips, he recognizes whiskey. 

for a second, he thinks about not telling danica of the run in with the witch who recognized his curse, or the promise he made her to answer questions under the truth serum. but that second of consideration is the thing nik hates most out of all the atrocities he’s committed that night. “ some bad news.”  he starts, another sip of whiskey. “ someone... recognized me. and i don’t mean they know the name valentine. so depending on how tomorrow goes, we might have to start thinking about what country next.” 

[legilliimens]

another tag drop !

[tmwcs]

hai saw another anon do this from a diff acct and I thought it was saur cutee so

ur moots as kpop idols??

ooooh this is somewhat tricky since i'm not very familiar with alot of idols or groups, i barely figured out who enhypen is as of six months ago lol but let mee seeee...and i apologize if i dont get all my moots (which i just had to look that up and see what that meant) i know i'm terrible.

but this is quite fun bc in case yall haven't noticed, the regulars that i get that interact with me, i tend to get to know and then have them in mind when i write some of the chapters or smaus. There are ALOT of smaus where i had some of my moots in mind when i drafted them as the reader interacting with Heethan.

i've listened and have become familiar with blackpink since Whistle like a Missle...also mamamoo, and i LOVE yeji hwang. So with that being said, i think these names are appropriate because....

@nikstrange - she give me lalisa vibes "Say lalisa love me, lalisa love me" idk, but i get this feeling that nik is the one person you can't help but love, there's alot of good things about nikstrange when i interact with her, just like lalisa has so many things about her that you can't help but respect and love. i get this feeling that nikstrange is fun, cool, and can be a little feisty in a fun and also sexy way. She's def came to mind when i drafted some of the smaus where readen was being playful, kind, humorous, and so wise when dealing with Heethan. Smaus like "One and Only..." "Vegan Food", and "Group Chat 2", i had nikstrange in mind when i drafted Readen's dialogue, where she was either playful and cute but also sexy to the point where Heethan couldn't help his damn self.

@jaehaki - jae has been one of my avid supporters because i always see them reblogging my work. they pretty much carry the weight off my shoulders, and remind me of Jennie or even Jungwon. Anyone who is in the leadership role of the group. Jae has this vibe that they will take care of you and lead you to the top, or show up right on time to save you. that's what i think of with Jaehaki. They def have come to mind with some of the recent smaus that featured Eden.

@aetherl0l - is Rose or even Yeji to me. I've read somewhere that the members of BP said something about, that if any males wanted to talk to the girls, they have to go through Rose first. IF they dont pass her screening, they dont get to talk to the girls. Thats why Rose, and with Yeji, okay..i LOVE yeji hwang. she just looks so badass and she looks like she can beat your ass. i love love love yeji. and for that, i feel like with what i saw when Tiff was acting up in HHP, i feel like AetherI0I will beat your ass if you mess with her or her friends. like i would not want to mess with her, just like @jaehaki, these two have inspired Eden in some of the latest smaus.

@honeysjae - okay, i forgot to mention that i love IU, and honeysjae screams IU to me because she just is so on top of her game when it comes to giving off support to bloggers and content creators, just like Jaehaki. The first interaction i had with her, i got IU vibes because Honeysjae was so polite, well mannered, and very graceful with her words, and i kind of get this vibe that that's the way she is in real life, which is how i think of IU. Like, a graceful queen. She just gives off a warm and pleasant vibe, much like IU does whenever i see her. Not to mention, i think IU is super...super gorgeous, to me she's the most beautiful in the damn industry and i get this feeling that honeysjae is very pretty. everytime i see her reblogging my work the song "Lilac" comes to my head, which i love that friggin song so much.

@iamliacamila - my sweet darling Camila, i have so much fun interacting with her. She's so funny, cute, and witty, and also just like Nikstrange, has been an inspiration for Readen in some of my smaus, like "Valentines Day" and "Olive Juice" . Such a fun and bubbly personality, she kind of gives me a cross between Jennie vibes when she's being witty and feisty, but also gives me Yeri from Red Velvet vibes bc i've read countless times that Yeri is one of the, if not THE sweetest and nicest kpop idol out there. She's referred to as the social butterfly and makes hearts melt whenever you speak with her.

@lisaaannna - I've interacted with Lisa before and recently as well, and Lisa is super cute and charming. She' also has been in mind when i drafted some of the recent Smaus *ahem* "Oh Baby" lol. I dont know why i just thought of her as Readen when i drafted the dialogue. I feel like she could be cute, understanding, and compassionate, even towards something that she's not used to. She gives me Kazuha vibes from Lesserafim. Kazuha is GORGEOUS to me, but she also is equally cute and charming, reminds me of Lisaaanna whenever i speak to her. our most recent convo where she compared Heethan to a chihuahua made me laugh so hard bc it was accurate and something i hadnt even thought of. very clever, like Kazuha.

and then there are my silent killers....

@amorvincitomina, @luv-enhy-skz33, @isa-2007, @beomibeom, @wwyynn-2315

I see you hehehehe ;)

These are my silent killers, supporters that have been reading and loving my work, and they're mysterious and strategic in how they give it. IDK, but they give me fierce vibes, like SWAT team vibes, like "bring out the beast" vibes, and for that, major prominent figures in the industry that are known to slay and like Yeji and Hwasa (OMG I LOVE HWASA) i think of those two when i see my silent killers liking my work.

there are also alot of more recent followers that have been liking and reading the series, and the ones that are consistent def follow under the same category as the silent killers, i just haven't gotten to know their names yet. but within time, they all will follow the same path and become inspirations for my smaus and upcoming chapters. there are several of you that have already inspired my Reader and major supporting characters for the next upcoming series "Dance Macabre"

[golbrocklovely]

since i was asked so nicely by a lovely anon...

here’s the first half of colby’s tweets from 2020.

i don’t have proof that these are his tweets, but believe me, they are his.

if it’s bold and italicized, it’s someone’s tweet to him.

if it’s in (), that’s just me commenting lol

added bonus: if they have a * next to them, that means it’s been deleted

~~~~~~~~~~~

Jan. 1 - being stuck in an elevator with 15 of your friends is the best way to start 2020

i kissed my hand this new years

ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space

Jan. 2 - thank you all i love you all

Jan. 7 - weird to think that about a year ago i was sitting in a cell in FL.. time flies

Jan. 11 - lmao i love you guys you get me

Jan. 13 - only fools rush in

Jan. 15 - you took the sun with you when you left -RK

the back of my mind has a constant itch for you

Jan. 16 - happy jail anniversary @/SamGolbach thanks for bailing me out

Jan. 19 - i promise you i’ll never act my age

Jan. 20 - real talk. should sam and i go on tour 2020?

(this makes really sad…)

Jan. 23 - there was an old man who kept coming to the 13th floor around 3am where our room was last night. i don’t like miami anymore i’m headed to orlando

Jan. 31 - looking for that deep connection with someone i'm tired of the superficial shit

Feb. 2 - IM DRUNK AT 3PM LETS GOOO CHIEFSSS

Feb. 4 - my couch is like a bed i could stay here forever

@/BigNik: Nobody cares about my well being but that’s ok

Feb. 5 - you should rap about this real shit bro that would change a lot. turn this emotion into art. i hope you know even if i’m busy i’m always still down to talk as well brother

(i don't like big nik, but this was such a sweet interaction &lt;3)

out of curiosity , would YOU ever spend the night in Queen Marys room B340 if you could ..?

Feb. 6 - imagine if we could all go explore some crazy haunted place one day … together. 🤔 i wonder if that’s even possible

if anyone is taking high school Chemistry right now , i’m so sorry

Feb. 7 - sometimes i can’t take a joke and it’s so annoying

Feb. 8 - i really don’t like myself when i party too hard but i got the best friends in the whole world

@/badboywolfy: This is Saturday afternoon regret hours

you feel me

Feb. 10 - valentine’s day is coming up soon i think i’m gunna throw up

Feb. 12 - sometimes my mind can turn into my worst enemy

Feb. 13 - cant stop thinking about living in another big house with all my boys.. life is about to be insane

keep on fighting and i will too

Feb. 14 - to whoever left a basket of chocolates and teddy bears at my door .. i <3 u

Feb. 15 - I MISS DUBAI

Feb. 16 - shadow man is watching

Feb. 17 - my pupils make me look like i’m rolling balls CONSTANTLY

Feb. 18 - still trying to process the psychic saying i was an old soul estimated to have lived a past 21 lives .. shit messes with your head

Feb. 20 - meeting you guys never gets old

Feb. 24 - missing the nights alone on my balcony

Feb. 25 - express your creativity

(i always wonder why he tweets shit like this out of no where lol)

Feb. 27 - blue haired Colbys makin a comeback

Feb. 29 - i'm always feeling like i'm in a dream

March 3 - need to watch the sunset more

March 5 - i don’t wanna tell my story i’d rather hear yours

March 8 - if this is all we know then we might as well run with it

March 9 - who’s down to have some deep conversations i’m tired of small talk

March 11 - just had my first sleep paralysis dream .. never experienced something so terrifying

praying for the world right now

(and here we go into the pandemic stuff……… great)

March 12 - you can have the prettiest face but i still won’t f w you if the personality isn’t there

March 13 - knowing that we all know nothing

March 15 - i haven’t stocked up on food or hygiene essentials does that mean i’m going to die ? am i making the wrong move here ?

March 16 - if postmates stops delivering i’m actually fucked

random fan: Just sit on your balcony, the stars will feed you

the balcony is the answer to all my internal worries/suffering

March 17 - day 3 of no food in the quarantine, not sure how much longer i can go with just a few almonds to spare. everything is spinning slowly.. i’ve been seeing silhouettes in my room dancing gracefully on the walls, i think my mind is leaving me. would you guys be mad if i ate Sam?

March 18 - time moves on, memories never fade

March 20 - the worst thing is never the last thing

March 22 - i think the only person i can really make crack up is myself

March 24 - it’s times like this i wish i had a little dog by my side who i could call my bestest friend..

@/amberscholl: here u go (pic of george)

can i borrow him? just for a week..? .. or maybe two?

@/amberscholl: (gif saying 'you want it? come and get it')

see you tonight

March 26 - guys i’m trying to learn how to dance but it’s gunna take some time i’m too awkward

March 29 - my last night on the balcony

March 30 - where the emo girls at

(i remember this tweet causing so much chaos in the fandom. everyone claiming they were emo… absolute madness lol)

March 31 - what can i say? me and the boys got gluteus to the MAXimus

(i take it back. THAT PHOTO OF THE BOYS NAKED AND THEIR BARE ASSES?!?!?! died right then and there.)

[rosesdieinaweek]

@disharmonicpaths​ sent 🔥 for our muses to interact being single on Valentine’s Day & how much they hate it.

Outside of work, Zane was probably her closest friend. Which at least meant that Nik had somewhere to go on this godforsaken day. Everyone was all loved up and ready to be with their partners and she’d already been asked twice if she was going home to her cats. Or if she’d work another shift because of course she was single. Instead now she ended up on Zane’s couch, drinking whiskey and ranting. “And you know what the worst part of it was? Fucking Wyatt brought in his kid and had her all done up in hearts and it was cute as shit. I mean of course that kid’s always cute as shit but man I felt extra single. Like I don’t want a kid but man I’d love people to stop the jokes about single people. No I don’t want to work for you because I’m forever alone.”

[agentdagonet]

I LOVE your Eggsy Sees Ghosts series and would love to see the Merlin/Roxy edition.

So, @leeef I actually wasn’t sure what to do with this- both because I have 2 AUs in that series so I wasn’t sure which to expand on, and because those AUs are so Gen I couldn’t see any shipping in it. It just… is. Not sure I can articulate it proper.

BUT I was suddenly hit with this idea for Merlin, and maybe one will hit me for Roxy later, but for now have this! It’s weird, I don’t know what it is, but it’s here! 

Takes place in the verse where Harry dies in Kentucky.

Merlin’d always been able to see the things that others couldn’t.

It was a bit of a problem, actually. It had made children reluctant to be his friend, teens eager to avoid his knowing gaze, and peers at university jealous of his success- sometimes to the point of accusing him of academic dishonesty. Which such a load of tosh that any professor with whom the accusation was shared would pretend to take it serious until the door shut behind them before tossing it into the rubbish.

The things people would do to feel better of themselves.

Luckily the trend wasn’t as noticeable after graduation- though whether that was due to his ceasing to take notice or an actual decline of the behaviour was anyone’s guess. Merlin puttered about with whatever technology he found made available to him, allowed his mind to run with whatever strange possibility came to him.

That the source of such ideas was the apparent-spectre of a long-dead futurist who had desperately attached himself o the first intelligent being who could see him was no one’s business but his own. Not that he acknowledged him, nowadays. 

As a child his parents had chalked up his mutterings to an imaginary friend- and, honestly, it wasn’t as if he knew any better. But, as the years passed, it became less and less acceptable to speak to the air as if it would respond, and Merlin had grown quiet. He’d grown more studious, forever writing in notebooks and sketching whatever idea came readily to him, and his family had sighed in relief as Nik had faded from their lives.

The key word was their lives, as the spectral man had done nothing but time his conversations for when they were unseen. Or, that is, when Merlin was supposed to be asleep and instead was up experimenting with whatever he could get his hands on.

So, when someone asked where he had the idea for whatever innovation it was at the time, Merlin learnt to answer without answering.

‘Oh, I’m inspired by Nikola Tesla.’

—

Slowly, though, even Merlin began to doubt what he was seeing. Who he was seeing. There was no reasonable explanation for a ghost of a man with no logical connection to him to be haunting him, so obviously it was wishful thinking. A longing for intellectual connection, manifest as some form of hallucination he would not bring notice to for fear of ruining his career.

By the time Merlin became Merlin, as entrenched in Kingsman as the roots of the great Life Tree, he didn’t acknowledge Nik. It wasn’t personal, he told himself; it was simply time for him to grow up and face the fact that he was projecting insecurities and subconscious desires as a way to not take responsibility for his more eccentric or ambitious endeavours.

Yes, he’d privatised the sorts of things Tesla had wanted to provide for all, but he had done so not out of a bid for monetary compensation but for security for the world. For everyone. Had the world developed into a kinder place, a safer place, perhaps he’d have taken the altruistic road. But, as it was, the world was a dark and cruel place- so Kingsman needed what no one else had, they needed the best, so that’s what Merlin made.

The years passed, and Merlin studiously ignored the things he saw moving in the corner of his eye. The people who weren’t fully there, the ones he had seen die but somehow walked past him in the halls, and especially the once-man who has guided him and inspired him. The one he hadn’t looked directly at or listened fully to in nearly a decade.

It was only by luck that Nikola was even nearby, the day Harry died. He’d been spending more time elsewhere- other inventors to watch, the possibility of finding another Seer- there was an incredibly finite number of things his moving On could be tied to, this many years later, but he was still hoping to figure it out. He had no desire to see the world continue to spin in the same old way and be unable to spin along with it.

Nikola Tesla was tired in the way he hadn’t known ghosts could be.

—

Eggsy walked out of the bullet train and toward Merlin with a surety he’d been sorely lacking the last time he’d been on Kingsman grounds.  Nik kept himself to the shadows, as far from Merlin as he could be while still being able to hear what was going on, but could clearly see the two men at Eggsy’s shoulders, like heaven and hell themselves resting at his back.

One bore an incredible physical likeness to Eggsy, while the other was Merlin’s friend- so there was the proof that he had, indeed, perished on Kentucky soil. However, what was more interesting was the calculated look Harry Hart gave Merlin before stepping around Eggsy and approaching him directly. Harry spoke clearly and concisely, outlines a simple but efficient plan, and demanded that Merlin look him in the eye.

Nik had never been one to push the boundaries of his forced transparency, had never bothered to note the ability to know one thing over another; his fascination had been with the physical and electrical. How the energies of the world interacted- discovering that he was unable to influence such things while still having consciousness had been frustrating, to say the least. It had taken the joy from exploration, so he’d been content to find anyone who could see him- and eventually lucked out with Merlin, a child who had both the ability to see him and understand his prodding.

But, perhaps he’d been thinking on too large a scale. Perhaps the connections and transmissions he should have been focusing on were smaller, and infinitely more complex.

As Nikola Tesla watched Harry Hart demand his Merlin’s attention, as he realised that Eggsy could see them, and thus would (he assumed) be able to see himself… He wasn’t sure what he felt. He hadn’t needed to breathe in decades, he hadn’t been able to communicate actively with another being since Merlin’d begun ignoring him, and he had lost all passion to create at about the same time. But here was this Moment, the child he had seen come into his own and the generation after, and suddenly there was meaning. Purpose, though it had long been achieved. 

In a moment built from a billion fragmented actions, Nikola Tesla realised that he was ready to move On.

—

Merlin looked up at the gasp from the corner, forced his gaze from Harry and turned toward the shadows that Nik had kept himself to for the past… He didn’t even know how long, and he felt guilty for having ignored the man so thoroughly.

Nik was watching with wide, sad, eyes and a small smile. The kind of look Merlin had only received after making some offhand remark about not needing anyone else when he’d had Nik. It was a look of resignation, with some small bit of pride hidden beneath. Unfortunate pride in a skill borne from necessity instead of desire.

‘Are you okay, old friend?’ Merlin hesitated in calling him by name, somehow feeling as if he was unworthy of use informality. Nik wiped at his eyes, and smiled more fully for being Seen.

‘Oh, yes- I’ve just discovered why I’d been made to stick around, you see. I’ve finished it all, and so…’ He shrugged, palms open, and Merlin allowed himself a moment to grieve the loss of a friend he had not treated as he should have in recent years.

‘I know that I haven’t been-’

‘You’ve been precisely what you needed to be- no more, no less. And I thank you, for humouring an old man’s fanciful ideas,’ Merlin opened his mouth, but Nik cut him off once more, ‘we’ve accomplished a great many things together, and I have the nagging suspicion that you’re going to accomplish a great many more before we cross paths again. Now,’ Tesla placed a hand on Merlin’s shoulder, the air just a bit cooler there than in the rest of the room, and dipped his head once before walking from him, ‘go stop Valentine.’ Nikola refused to look back, though he tipped his head lightly at Eggsy and Harry as he passed by.

He had faded from view entirely, and Merlin stared blankly at where he had been, until Eggsy grasped him by the wrist.

‘Merlin, y’alrigh?’ His eyes were earnest, and Merlin wondered if Eggsy had any idea how fully his emotions were displayed on his face. But, no matter, they had time to teach him those skills more fully now. Unfortunately. ‘… Who was he?’ It was whispered, with a brief glance to where Nik had last been.

‘The greatest mind I’ve ever known.’

Taking Kingsman prompts! Never really know what’s going to happen to them but I’ll try my hand at anything once!

[dream-beyond-the-fantasy]

Tagged by: @jjohnson217

If you could change (or rather fix) the background and/or paternity of any five characters, who would they be?

Sam McCall - While I liked early Julexis, what the writers did to them pissed me off and turned me off of the couple.  Sam understandably kicked Julian out of her life, but has nothing to do with the rest of her Jerome relatives?  I liked her scenes with Ava when she was sick with toxoplasmosis.  She and Kiki interacted a lot and got along well when Sam dated Kiki’s dad Silas, but they don’t acknowledge the fact that they are cousins.  She doesn’t interact with Lucas or even babysit her baby brother Leo.  What was the purpose of making Julian Sam’s dad?

Franco - I hate this character for many reasons and the only time I liked him (as played by Roger Howarth) was when he and Nina were together pre-baby issue.  James Franco’s Franco was a fun psycho villain.  I hate all of his paternity rewrites.  First, he was Betsy Frank’s son.  Nope, he is Jason’s fraternal twin via Alan and Susan Moore.  Wrong, he is Heather Webber’s son by Scott, despite not looking like either one.  I like Roger Howarth, but he is miscast in this role.  I would rather Franco be Betsy Frank’s with the probably abusive creep Jim Harvey (who he resembles) rather than tarnish the Baldwins (Scott, Karen, Serena, Gail and Lee), even by association.

Nelle - There is so much wrong with this character.  If they were going to connect her to Carly, she should have been a Spencer relative, capitalizing on the fact that she previously played a younger version of Luke and Bobbie’s sister Pat, and not a Benson.  While in her early days, I liked that she was like a young Carly set on revenge.  They could have made her Carly’s daughter somehow, either from pre-Port Charles days in Florida (possibly from sleeping with Reese’s dad) or a previously unknown twin of Michael’s.  That way we wouldn’t have had to suffer through the train wreck that was Melle.  Or if they wanted her to be an original character, why not utilize the chemistry she had with Nina and reveal that she was Nina and Silas’ baby that was supposedly miscarried after what Madeline did?

Avery - Like many of you, I wish Avery was Morgan’s daughter.  It wouldn’t change much of her story.  Carly would definitely try and rig the paternity test.  Maybe we wouldn’t have suffered through more MorKiki and Ava wouldn’t have been indirectly responsible for Morgan’s death.

Griffin - I would make him Anna’s son with Duke, the child she supposedly miscarried when Olivia Jerome pushed her in the elevator.  In one of Olivia’s last scenes, she made an ominous remark about Griffin’s mother.  It would be amazing if she knew that Griffin was Anna’s and kept that secret out of revenge against the woman who “stole” Duke from her.  Plus, he is basically Anna’s son already with how protective and caring she is for him because he is Duke’s son.  Also, Robin and Emma already see him as a brother/uncle-like figure.  If Josh Madden, Erica Kane’s famous abortion, could be transplanted into her doctor’s wife as an embryo, why not the same treatment (in a good way) for Anna and Griffin?

****BONUS****  If we are stuck with Anna having a child with Faison, I would rather it not be the obvious path - Valentin lied about it being a girl and it will be Henrik/Peter August, who we know is Faison’s son and cohorts with Valentin.  I don’t mind Peter being Faison’s son and in league with Valentin, because we all knew the boy was shady af.  However, I would prefer if Anna did have another daughter and it was revealed to be Dr. Kim Nero.  She looks a lot like Anna.  It would give Tamara more story to work with and more avenues to take the character of Kim in.  Kim and Oscar would have more family (Henrik/Peter, Britt, Maxie’s baby, Robin, Emma, baby Noah, Alex Devane Marick, Gabriel Devane, Aidan Devane).

What five storylines would you rewrite?  And how?

Sam’s paternity/Port Charles re-visited - As I previously mentioned, I would change Sam’s paternity since she doesn’t utilize her Jerome heritage. ��I would have made her Ryan Chamberlain’s daughter.  Ryan is Kevin’s dead psycho twin brother.  Ryan would still fit in with Alexis’ bad boy dating profile and it would make since that she would be a dead ringer for Livvie Locke.  I also would have kept Kevin as Livvie’s father since it was a disservice to Port Charles and its fans to rewrite such a story.  I would have kept the nods to Port Charles but they could have left out the supernatural elements, which were only brought into the later seasons of the show.  Port Charles did start out as a show about young doctors (including Scott’s daughter Karen Wexler) and nurses working at General Hospital, when the main soap went to more mob-related stories.  There were a lot of crossovers to begin with.  Also, there would be mention of Scott and Lucy’s adopted daughter Christina.

Nikolas’ storylines 2014-2016.  I’m not sure how I would write it, but Nikolas wouldn’t take over ELQ, be involved involved in “Jake Doe”/Drew/Jason drama, try to blackmail or kill Hayden, fake his death, or be killed by Valentin for Cassadine holdings.  I don’t mind Nik getting some dark Cassadine on, but don’t destroy his character like these years did.

Port Charles Mayoral Campaign of 2018.  I would have kept Laura as the anti-Charles Street development candidate (screw you, Frank!).  Olivia would have been in-character and struggling between supporting her husband Ned and fighting for the down-to-earth people living on Charles Street who are a lot like her Bensonhurst neighbors.  Laura would win, despite the dirty tricks pulled by Jim Harvey.  Ned would run a clean campaign.  Julian would run his bar and have little to do with the story.  Alexis would assist with Laura’s campaign, but otherwise stay out of politics and Charlie’s Pub.

There would be no Friz relationship.  Elizabeth would have dated Griffin instead (sorry, Grava).

Sonny wouldn’t have killed AJ.  While I enjoyed the distance between Michael and Sonny (as well as Carly) because of Sonny’s actions, it didn’t last long enough.  Sonny escaped the consequences yet again.  Also, there would be no Ava/Sonny sex on AJ’s grave, which would mean that Avery would have to be Morgan’s.  Michael would still have good relationships with all of his parents.  We would get to see AJ’s reactions to “Jake Doe” being “Jason” before finally revealed to be Jason’s twin Drew, as well as the real Jason being alive.  I would need all of Alan’s sons to reconcile their feelings toward each other.  AJ would be an attentive uncle to Jake, Danny, and Scout.

Three most annoying retcons in General Hospital history?

Franco’s crimes are a result of a brain tumor.  Such bullshit.

Anna willingly sleeping with Faison when she is a WSB trainee to get info and having his child, who is probably Henrik/Peter.  I may not have been alive when Robert, Anna, and Robin first came on in the 80s, but many fans have said that a flashback showed that Anna was a virgin when she first slept with Robert.  Writers, stop screwing with GH history.

Ignoring Sam’s relationships with Silas and Patrick in favor building up her relationship with Drew.  While I did like Siam, I did feel they were a rebound.  But Samtrick was a real relationship and it was going very well until Carly outed “Jake Doe” as “Jason”.  Sam was still her investigative, risk-taking self and a mom back then, compared to whoever she is now.  Yes, I feel like she would have went back to Jason and Patrick to Robin, in the end.

Favorite incarnations of characters who have been played by multiple actors?

Tamara Braun as Carly Benson Corinthos (I love all Carlys, except for Jennifer Bransford, but Tamara is my fave)

Kirsten Storms as Maxie Jones

Tyler Christopher as Nikolas Cassadine

Julie Marie Berman as Lulu Spencer-Falconeri

John Ingle as Edward Quartermaine

Constance Towers as Helena Cassadine

Aaron Refvem as Morgan Corinthos

both Sean Kanan and Billy Warlock as AJ Quartermaine

both Jonathan Jackson and Greg Vaughn as Lucky Spencer

both Dylan Cash and Chad Duell as Michael Corinthos III

tie between Emma & Sarah Smith, Kali Rodriguez, Lexi Ainsworth, and Lindsey Morgan as Kristina Corinthos-Davis (I’ve loved all of the girls who played Krissy since I started watching GH)

Five character deaths that destroyed you?

Georgie Jones

Emily Quartermaine

Alan Quartermaine

Lila McCall

Nathan West

Honorable Mentions: BJ Jones, Jason Morgan’s not-death, Sabrina Santiago, AJ Quartermaine 

If you could bring back any characters, which ones would they be?  And why?

Emily Quartermaine - pointless death for tragedy and ratings, she is a moral compass for many characters, need more Quartermaines, doctor

Nikolas Cassadine - part of me believes he is still alive, I need him to take back his inheritance and home from Valentin, need more Cassadines, need him to work things out with Britt (since he did far worse) or get back together with an alive Emily

Georgie Jones - pointless death for tragedy and ratings, moral compass for Maxie, Dillon’s OTL

Dillon Quartermaine: TPTB did the character, fans, and Robert Palmer Watkins dirty, need more Qs, more Crimson storylines, he could still be a filmmaker

Hayden Barnes - Elizabeth needs family in PC, need a resolution (and hopefully a reunion) for HayFinn, update on her and HayFinn baby, friendship/maternal relationship with Spencer, still needs to meet biodad Jeff and siblings Steve and Sarah

Lucky Spencer - need to build up the Spencer family, he needs to be (and be seen doing it) a father to all three of his boys, help rein in Lulu’s Spencer traits, help build up the PCPD, support and call out Elizabeth when she needs it, meet his niece Charlotte

Thomas “Tommy” Hardy Jr. - member of Hardy family, Elizabeth needs family in PC, doctor, brings in more diversity

Laura Spencer Collins - Lulu needs her mom’s guidance, she should be mayor, her other grandkids need her too, she needs to bring Spencer home, she and Kevin have barely been married before she left

Spencer Cassadine - he’s so much fun to watch, keeps Valentin in check, needs to reclaim his home and fortune, should reconcile with cousin Charlotte, we might actually see Liz’s kids if he is around, love his relationships with his extended family

Britt Westbourne - emotional support for mom Liesl after Nathan’s death, reconcile and potentially bond with Maxie and cousin Nina over loss of Nathan and love for Naxie baby, resolve things with Nikolas if he is alive, friendship/maternal relationship with Spencer, doctor, meet and have some sort of relationship with half-brother Henrik/Peter, friendship with Brad

Kristina Corinthos-Davis - need more Davis Girls, LGBTQ representation, missing out on stories regarding her families, reconcile with Alexis, potential for character growth

basically the whole Scorpio-Drake family (Robert, Robin, Patrick, Emma, baby Noah, Dr. Noah, and Dr. Matt Hunter) because they are one of my favorite families, doctors, Anna needs more family

more Quartermaines than those listed above for obvious reasons

What storylines would you like to see General Hospital tackle?

big event stories that we had 10-15 years ago that affected the whole community and characters (both contract and recurring) who don’t usually interact shared scenes

better representation of mental illness

more diversity

better LGBTQ representation and stories - utilize the characters they have and introduce Joss & Oscar’s friend

autism (Night Shift did a story with Jagger and his son Stone)

school shooting/gun control plots (for the younger characters) because of the ongoing relevance

If you watched any other ABC soaps (All My Children, One Life to Live, Port Charles, Ryan’s Hope, Loving, The City and I’m including SoapNet’s General Hospital: Night Shift), which characters (living at the time of the soap’s demise) would you bring to GH for a visit/story since they share the same universe?

Dr. David Hayward, All My Children - Anna’s ex-husband and father to her late daughter Leora, cardiologist/cardiac surgeon, a fun and dynamic villain to root for, has brought people back from the dead via Project Orpheus

Dr. Kyle Julian, General Hospital: Night Shift - doctor, adopted brother Leo was Maxie’s heart surgeon in 2007, LGBTQ representation, sweet and dorky character, potential boyfriend of Felix if he and Donny don’t work out

Oliver Fish, Dr. Kyle Lewis, and Sierra Fish, One Life to Live - Kish was a popular couple, LGBTQ representation, police officer and doctor, potential friends for Brad and Lucas especially in light of their adoption storyline

[fictionxlover]

I would happily kick out Tyler from Days if it meant that EJ came back. I mean first I’d have EJ and Stefan interact because Tyler leaves and gets freed up to be Nik again. But honestly I don’t see him returning unless Steve left, only because both him and Steve have similar contracts/schedule where they Film in LA for a few days then go home and we know how long it took for Steve to be sorted out and it rumoured to led to a few axings on the show.

I did not know that! Very interesting…when I first got into days it was after Jason “died”. I always been up front that Jason was always my fav growing up and I really didn’t give a fuck about anyone else except Michael so I just stopped watching for awhile. I binged old days on YT and fell for EJ and the Dimeras. Thats why it saddens me with watching Chad and Andre get watered down more and the Dimeras just disappearing tbh. I love Stefan so far but yeah I would want Nik back Cuz Valentin is such a failure! I feel Cassadines/Dimeras have same prob on GH/DOOL. Almost all are gone and it’s just not the same cuz Helena/Stefano are gone and they have not succeeded making them who they are so far. That is why I am hoping Stefan succeeds in whatever way haha.

[fictionxlover]

You know I love villains. I love Batman, Gotham, etc. I am invested in those things because of the villains and the characters like Riddler, Harley, Catwoman, Joker, etc.  I like villain dynamics. That why I don’t mind scenes with Franco/Obrecht, Ava/Valentin, Ava/Julian, etc. However, in different shows/etc they don’t whitewash (well not a lot) those characters. They don’t do a stupidly forced redemption arc and if they do the redemption arcs they are actually good. I don’t get what happened with GH and villains? You can still have a villain stay on and don’t have to do some redemption arc with them. You can still have these villains have good sls, and interact with other characters and form new bonds with people. 

One of the problems with Franco/Liz is that it's ooc of Liz. Liz is a rape victim. Franco made Sam think he raped her. You think Liz would be with that type of person? It’s ooc. I love hero/villains or angel/devil pairings. I ship Bonnie/Kai for example. If you wanted Liz to be with a bad boy and it be twisted why not Valentin or Julian. Liz will hate Valentin because he shot Nik her BFF. They could have good chemistry, and dynamic. Liz would see him with Charlotte and might see a different side to him but try not to. Valentin might take a liking with Liz and see that she is good with Charlotte. Plus they have the Helena connection. I mean Liz dated Ric and he did some fucked up shit. Why wouldn’t Valentin and Liz make a good pair? That is a story I feel some would have liked or accepted a bit more than Fr!z...