#I’m not ready for Mandy y’all

[agirlking]

I’m not ready for Brianna and Roger to have to leave their family and go back to their own time.

[sailor-aviator]

Meet Me at the Sea: The Squad Confronts Jake

The Squad Confronts Jake

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Reader

Summary: Your best friend, Bob Floyd, had insisted you join him for the summer at his family's home along the Carolina coasts. You had been hesitant at first, but ultimately agreed to his request. Now, here you were in a new town with strange locals who spoke in hushed whispers and cryptic retellings about glistening scales, glowing eyes, and haunting songs that echoed from the sea. You didn't believe them at first, but when you wake up on the beach one morning after having fallen overboard the night before, you can't help but think that maybe you hadn't imagine the strong arms and deep, green eyes of the man that had saved you.

Word Count: 1,050

A/N: Here is a little blurb I wrote that takes place after Chapter Three of Meet Me at the Sea wherein the Dagger Squad confronts Jake about marking Skipper! If you enjoy my writing, please consider buying me a ko-fi! As always, comments, reblogs, and likes are greatly appreciated!! 18+ ONLY!! You can find this and all of my other updates on AO3 under the username sailor_aviator!

Series Masterlist || Tag List

“You’re a prick,” Bradley hissed, eyes blazing as he glared at Jake. Jake sighed, resting his head on his hand as he stared at the glass of water in front of him. He had been waiting for this ever since that moment on the beach.

“Tell me something I don’t know,” he muttered, taking a sip from his glass. Bradley grabbed his shoulder, pulling him so that he faced the larger man. Bradley’s lips were pressed into a thin line, nostrils flaring as a dangerous glint sparked in his eyes. Jake cocked an eyebrow at him, which seemed to further enrage the other man. Bradley grabbed onto Jake’s shirt, curling his fists into the fabric as he pulled Jake up and out of his seat.

“Bradshaw, there will be no fighting in my bar!” Penny hollered, arms crossed and eyes glaring. “Take it outside or knock it off.”

“Sorry, Penny!” Nat called over her shoulder as she placed a hand on Bradley’s. “C’mon Brad, take a breath.”

Bradley spared her a glance before releasing the blond, stepping back as Jake ran his hands down his front. Looking up at his friends through his lashes, he heaved a sigh before sitting back down.

“Y’all going to join me, or are you just going to stand there looking at me?”

Bradley, Nat, Reuben, Mickey, and Javy all sat down at the previously empty table, never taking their eyes off of Jake.

“Where the hell do you get off staking a claim on her?” Bradley seethed, hands balled into fists where they rested on the wood. “You have Mandy.”

“I don’t want Mandy,” Jake responded.

“We know,” Javy said, earning a nod from Reuben and Mickey. “But what’s changed?”

“Who the hell cares what’s changed?” Bradley snapped. “He can’t have them both. He has to choose.”

“He’s right,” Nat said, fixing her eyes on Jake. Her expression was calm, but there was an underlying warning in her gaze. “You can’t claim both of them.”

“I don’t want to,” Jake sighed.

Bradley leaned back in his chair, eyes still cold as they regarded his friend. “So why’d you do it?”

“Thought you didn’t care?” Jake spat. Bradley narrowed his gaze at him.

“If that’s how you’re going to be,” he said, moving to stand, “then I’ll just go and stake my claim on her then.”

Jake snarled, the beast inside him rearing its ugly head at the thought of Bradley touching what was his.

“Over my dead body,” he sneered, standing up to block Bradley’s path. Bradley sneered right back, shifting like he was ready for a fight.

“Are we going to handle this the old fashioned way?” He asked Jake.

“Boys!” Penny hollered. Javy and Reuben stood up, the former holding Jake back while the other held Bradley.

“Sorry, Penny! It won’t happen again!” Mickey smiled, and the older woman let out a huff before stomping towards the back.

“Would you two neanderthals sit down?” Nat hissed, watching Penny as she retreated. “If you get us thrown out of here, I’m kicking both of your asses!”

The two men let their friends guide them back down to the seats, eyes still focused intently on the other as tempers simmered.

“Jake, tell us what’s up, man,” Mickey said, a look of concern on his face. “This isn’t like you.”

“For him to be a dick?” Bradley snickered.

“For him to put an intention bite on someone,” Nat scowled. “And Mickey’s right. What is up with you?”

Jake didn’t say anything, eyes fixated on the table. He was still trying to wrap his own mind around it. He knew what happened, but how could he expect the others to understand when his own mind was still reeling from it all? He knew you were his, he felt it. He knew it with the same certainty that the sun would rise in the morning. You were like a breath of air he didn’t know he needed.

But there was the problem of Mandy. He knew that once he revealed the bond between the two of you, most everyone would accept that as the end of things. But Mandy? She had always been possessive over Jake. She was used to getting what she wanted, and she had made it clear since they were kids that what she wanted was Jake. What would she do once she found out that she couldn’t have him? Jake shuddered at the thought.

“Nothing to say, asshole?” Bradley snapped, crossing his arms as he continued to glare.

“She’s mine,” Jake all but whispered. Five pairs of eyes stared at him. "She's my mate."

“Bullshit,” Bradley spat.

“Bradley-” Natasha sighed.

“No!” He shouted at her, rising back to his feet. “It’s bullshit! You’re telling me Skipper is your true mate?”

“Bradshaw, would you keep it the fuck down?” Reuben snapped, eyeing a pair of tourists on the other side of the bar.

“It’s true,” Jake said with a clench of his jaw. He tried not to focus on how good it felt to finally say it out loud. “I knew when I saw her at the bar the other night.”

He looked up to meet Bradley’s eyes, and after a moment, something seemed to shift in the brunette’s gaze - acceptance. Mickey let out a low whistle as Reuben chortled, leaning back.

“You been singing to her?” Javy asked him, raising an eyebrow.

Jake grimaced. “I don’t always mean to, but you know how the frenzy gets. I’m having a hard time controlling my song around her.”

“You told Mandy yet?” Mickey asked, leaning forward with wide eyes. The whole group sucked in a breath at that.

“I’m going to,” Jake said quietly.

“You better,” Nat warned him, a frown on her lips as she watched him.

“Somebody’s going to have to tell Bob,” Mickey muttered, looking at Nat. She rolled her eyes.

“Yes, fine,” she groaned. “I’ll do it, but he’s not going to be happy about this little development.”

“He’ll get over it,” Bradley said, lips thin as he continued to stare at Jake. His brown eyes searched green ones before nodding. He knocked on the wooden table twice before moving to head outside.

“Figure your shit out with Mandy,” he called over his shoulder nonchalantly. “If you don’t, then Skipper is fair game.”

Tag List: @jakeseresinlover @haley-hotchner @queerqueenlynn @nicestgirlonline @dempy @fanficfandomlove @aworldwideapart @stoptaking-the-good-names @maximus890 @sky2nd @devil-angel-winchester @hopip99 @hookslove1592 @lemmons1998 @yuckosworld @uniquedreamlandcheesecake @imamomof8 @pietrothemovie @comicgollum20 @kmc1989 @mayhemmanaged @rhettsluvr @imnotcreativeenoughforthisblog @deliriousfangirl61 @devrill @hangmandruigandmav @blue-eyed-mary

[m4ndysk4nkovich]

ok so i want to talk about what debbie did to matty and julia so tw: sa.

also, in advance, i have been sa’d before. not getting into the details because this is tumblr and i just simply don’t want to, but i’m explaining her behavior and defending it somewhat, but awknoleging that what she did was sa and was not ok. this isn’t me completely defending everything she did, because yeah, a lot of it wasn’t right.

so first of all, matty was also in the wrong but y’all aren’t even ready for this conversation yet. matty groomed debbie and was into her. that’s not even up for debate. he was twenty and she was thirteen, and he was aware of this. he was older than both lip and ian. and before anyone says “they were just friends” no. no they were not. you don’t call a thirteen year old sexy, invite her to your house, have her sleep in your bed next to you, go to her house, and say that you’ll have intercourse with her once it isn’t illegal and just have it be platonic. that’s grooming. debbie is just barely a teenager and has a shitty education that definitely doesn’t teach her sex ed, but what she does know is what she learns from her friends. mandy encourages her relationship with an older guy and advises her to send him a “picture” (keep in mind mandy also raped debbie’s brother a season earlier so….) and holly and ellie basically encouraged the entire thing (in their opinions, consent DOES NOT MATTER and i vaguely remember hearing one of them say that getting him drunk was a good idea but idk). debbie raped him, yes, but she also literally had no idea what rape was…like literally. he had to explain it to her and she was still like “we were on a date??😃”. she was a kid. no, that doesn’t excuse it. yes, minors can rape people, but it’s a bit different in her case. i would also like to point out that debbie fully awknoleges that it was wrong later on, which is something that many people on the show would probably not do (not to name names but… “it’s a gallagher thing”). however, something that mandy said had some truth to it. matty was upset about being raped, rightfully so, but he was also very fixated on debbie’s age, which he hadn’t been before. but he was more fixated on the fact that now that something has actually been done, now that the creepy things i did actually had consequences, i could get arrested. he knew exactly what he was doing, and she didn’t. people always paint it like she did know, but she really didn’t. it doesn’t excuse it, but it does explain it.

with julia, i can’t believe that people actually use this against debbie. julia was ten months younger than debbie, and probably had an upcoming birthday. it all happened before like…february/march 2020, and debbie was 19 (she turned 19 in december) but julia was 17, and 10 months younger. however, carl is born january 2002 and is older than her. so i’m gonna say that they just messed up the timeline (like they always do) and she was probably born around february 2002, so she was 18 when debbie was arrested, but 17 when they had sex. a 10 month age gap is ridiculous, and that was kind of the point. debbie said it herself, she only got in trouble with the law because she was a lesbian. claudia reported her simply as revenge, and it fucked up not only debbie’s life, but franny’s, too. the writers weren’t trying to antagonize debbie in this- but people read it that way. and hell, maybe julia’s birthday was a little after ian and mickey’s wedding and she actually was 17 with carl, making him also guilty. people shit on debbie for something so unreasonable and it’s just clear misogyny. debbie, out of all shameless characters, is a victim of misogyny throughout the show. she and lip both drop their babies on accident due to sleep deprivation, but only debbie is in the wrong. debbie and literally every one of her siblings (even liam) uses somebody to their advantage, but only debbie is in the wrong. it’s bullshit.

[blogger360ncislarules]

It’s been a long and winding road to the altar for Young Sheldon's George and Mandy, but the pair are finally getting hitched!

In PEOPLE's exclusive first look of the happy moment, the beloved characters say "I do" surrounded by family during this week’s episode, entitled “A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet.”

In the shot, George (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment) hold hands as they stare lovingly into each other's eyes. The rest of their family watches on as they gather for the intimate ceremony in what appears to be a room in a courthouse.

George and Mandy met for the first time in season 5 at Medford Wash, the laundromat owned by Meemaw (Annie Potts), who later catches them ordering cocktails at a restaurant when George really should be working (and sober.)

“He is such a responsible young man,” muses Meemaw.

The two sleep together, both under the mistaken assumption that George is 21, when he’s just 17, and Mandy is 25 when she’s actually 29. Things get even more complicated once Mandy reveals to George she’s pregnant, eventually giving birth to their daughter Constance in season 6.   

“She’s here. She’s tiny and perfect,” George tells their families once Mandy delivers in the hospital.

George and Mandy eventually have a heart-to-heart conversation about marriage later in season 6, during which Mandy gently tells George, “You think I’m not all in, but I am."

The couple’s story won’t end once Young Sheldon wraps its seventh and final season on May 16. In early March, CBS announced Jordan, 21, and Osment, 32, will reprise their roles in a new half-hour spinoff series produced by Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro and Steve Hollan that will chronicle George and Mandy raising their young family in Texas “while navigating the challenges of adulthood, parenting and marriage.”

An enthusiastic Jordan shared the news on Instagram that same day.

“GET READY!!!! The Cooper family continues,” he wrote in the caption. “Thank y’all for the support of Young Sheldon. I hope to deliver just what y’all are looking for in this new adventure!”

Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, called the upcoming show the continuation of a "wonderful journey."

"It has been a privilege to spend the last seven years with Sheldon and the Cooper family and now this wonderful journey will continue with Georgie and Mandy,” she said. “Chuck and both Steves have done a masterful job developing these characters and entertaining generations of fans with relatable, heartwarming stories brought to life by Montana and Emily. We eagerly look forward to the next chapter in this beloved universe."

[diaryofamixedchicc]

A new Journey

My life changed on December 23, 2022. It was a regular day. I went home early to get ready for a Christmas dinner date night with Mandy at Lawrys. We wanted to make it an annual tradition for Christmas. As I got ready, I thought to myself “I wonder if tonight is the night I’ll get proposed to?” It was such a common question I would think to myself so I said nahhhhh probably not and I kept getting ready anyways. I put the question to the back of my mind. As I got to dinner I couldn’t help but look at Mandy’s pockets and check for a ring box, I only saw his wallet so I said okay this is just a regular date night and kept it moving.

We had an amazing dinner of course with lots of fun conversations and laughs. As we got ready to leave he asked if I wanted to pasyal (walk around) Beverly Hills on Rodeo drive. Now my first thought was hmmm that’s random, but also I’ve never been there before and I had nothing to do so I didn’t mind being out late so I said sure let’s go and didn’t think too much into it. Now Mandy is smart, I’m very easily distracted so he basically turned this into a mini photoshoot for me and you know I won’t turn down some new picture for my instagram feed.

Now we walk around and land back at this Christmas tree. We’re chatting it up and he says to me “I think we should make some new memories here.” Me still being clueless I’m thinking yeah let’s take some more pictures. And here we go …

“I think it’s time for this”

“Time for what”

… pulls a box out of his pocket 💍

I immediately start crying because I am now aware of what is happening! It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for the moment I met this man.

“I think it’s time for me to do this”

After I semi pull myself together and stop the ugly Kim k crying he gets down on one knee.

“Robin, Will you marry me?”

It’s funny because when i finally get to this moment I am just still in pure shock thinking to myself omg it’s finally happening !

With tears in my eyes I say YES and he puts the ring on my finger 🥹😭

MORE CRYING …

And now more pictures but with the RING 💍

Yasssss girls - He did a good job! What a way to go into Christmas! It is now a holiday I will never forget now. It has officially been a month and it’s so crazy wrapping my mind around the fact that I am engaged to the man of my dreams, the man I prayed to God for. At the end of the year we will marry in front of all of our friends and family and I could not be more excited for that moment !

Now y’all know me - I am a planner ! That type A organized girl, so you best believe the planning is in full force. We found our Church, our Reception Venue, a DJ, Wedding Coordinator and the rest of the vendors I have in mind are already lined up to contact. We have a long way to go but December will be here in a blink of an eye.

Until Then,

Robin Sanders (Future Lopez) <3

[demxters]

gorgeous

jj maybank x reader

summary: jj maybank is just so gorgeous that you can hardly say anything to his face…

wc: 1.5k

warning(s): none?

feedback and reblogs are always appreciated!

a/n: hey hey hey, i’m back baby 😙 also ty @pogueszn for helping me out with this one! i hope y’all like it, ik i haven’t written jj in awhile… (also stream gorgeous by taylor swift!! it slaps)

gif credit: @jjstyles

—

“ocean blue eyes looking in mine

i feel like i might sink and drown and die…”

A light smack to the back of your head pulls you out of your daydream.

“This order for table fifteen is good to go whenever you’re ready.” Your coworker Mandy says from behind the counter with her hip popped and a lazy smirk on her face. “Unless you’re too busy staring at the blond haired beauty at table ten,” she teases.

Heat creeps its way up your neck and onto your cheeks as you tear your gaze away from the blond and his friends. “I was not staring.”

“Whatever you say, hon,” Mandy giggles.

With the roll of your eyes, you take the tray of food over to table fifteen (as you most definitely not take the long way around to walk behind table ten).

Working at The Wreck had its perks. You got paid fairly and the Carreras were an absolute joy to work for. They were nothing like the other stuck up Kooks you’ve worked for in the past. That and Kiara’s friends frequented the place and they weren’t all too bad to look at. Especially JJ Maybank.

JJ Maybank enamored you from the moment he walked into your eighth grade English class late with that boyish grin and confident swagger. He was charming to say the least. Charming in a clumsy, dorky sort of way.

Placing the plates of food at table fifteen with a distracted grin, your gaze falls back onto the blond haired boy as he animatedly waves his hands in the air, telling his friends a story.

You wipe your sweaty palms on your apron and make your way back to the kitchen taking the same route through the maze of tables and right past table ten.

“Excuse me?”

Shit.

Gulping, you turn around praying that the beads of sweat running down your forehead aren’t noticeable as you brush away the baby hairs from your face.

“Yes?” You can barely let out as your eyes meet his.

Of all the things that drew you to the boy, it was his ocean blue eyes that captivated you the most. His gaze was a deep, crystal blue— bluer than the Atlantic that surrounded the Outer Banks. His eyes alone spoke louder than anything he could ever say. With such depth that you found yourself falling further and further into his stare. You were drowning in the pools of his blue irises. Slowly sinking…sinking…sinking…

“Hello?”

A snap to your face breaks the spell and you blink yourself out of your stupor to see those stunning eyes and a pair of three more staring back at you.

“Sorry,” your voice cracks, making you cringe. “What was that?”

“Was just asking if we could get some more ketchup here.” JJ sends you an ever so charming smile.

The dimples at the corner of his mouth almost have you drooling on the spot. You stand there, blinking slowly with your mouth slightly agape. The hold he has on you makes you absolutely furious at the boy. How could anyone be so gorgeous?

Kiara abruptly stands. The squeak of her chair sliding across the wooden floor makes you jump.

“Actually, it’s alright. I’ve got it from here.” She nods reassuringly at her friends. Kie takes you by the shoulders, ushering you away from the table of boys who stare as you get whisked away.

Gently shoving you into the kitchen, Kiara chortles. “What was that about?”

Not daring to meet her eye, you reply,“What was what about?”

“You know what, Y/N. You totally froze back there! I’ve never seen you so out of it. Even on your worst days. So what the hell happened back there?”

You fidget with the loose frays of your apron as you peer out the kitchen door’s window and back to the group of boys.

Kiara follows your stare that seems to linger on a certain blue eyed pogue, making her gasp. “You’ve got the hots for JJ!”

You turn back to her so fast, you swore you almost snapped your neck. “What?” Frantically shaking your head, you continue. “I do not!”

“Oh, you do!” Kie sings, drumming her fingers against the table.

You open your mouth in protest but Kie presses a finger to your lips.

“You totally got it bad.” She grins. “And don’t even try to deny it again, Y/N, because you’re so obvious.”

Your stomach drops at her words. “O-obvious?”

“Yup. You think I haven’t noticed how you constantly pass our table when he’s around? Or how you make googly eyes at him from afar?”

Crossing your arms over your chest you huff, “I do not make googly eyes.”

“Yeah, whatever,” she dismisses. “Don’t you think it’s time you say something to him about it?”

You let out an exasperated sigh at her words. “What do you expect me to say, Kie? Oh, hey JJ, I’ve had this fat crush on you since eighth grade that I can’t seem to get rid of, may I take your order?”

Kiara smiles in amusement at your flustered state. She found how worked up you got over her friend absolutely adorable. “That’s one way to do it.”

“No. No way, Kie. I can’t. I’m just going to make a fool out of myself. Besides, even if I did, there's no way he’d like me back.” Your shoulders fall at the mere thought of rejection.

Kiara only sends you a knowing look. It’s subtle, but it’s there and it makes your stomach churn. “You’ll never know if you never come clean, Y/N.”

—

You curse under your breath as you get off the phone with your dad. Of course he isn’t coming to pick you up from work. Shoving your phone in your back pocket you start your trek home, kicking around stray pebbles on the street with every infuriated step. Four times this week you’ve had to walk home alone. Two of those times you’ve had to take the longer way back to avoid being followed by creepy Kooks.

The rumble of an engine behind you causes you to pick up the pace, your heart beating rapidly against your rip cage. Your fists clench as your eyes widen in alert, ears listening keenly to your surrounds. The dim light from the vehicle behind you lights the pathway and you release a shaky breath.

“Hey, Y/N, wait up!”

Your eyes widen at the voice as you spin around slightly surprised and definitely confused.

There was JJ Maybank in all his glory, parking his motorcycle at the side of the road and trying to jog to catch up to you with a small smile.

“Hi,” he says as he stops right in front of you with a boyish grin.

You open your mouth to respond but the only thing that comes out is a garbled, “Oh…”

JJ laughs at your response placing his hand son his hips. “You look like you could use a ride home.”

Letting out a shaky breath, you try to focus on steadying your breathing. Yet how could you when JJ has the audacity to look that good under the incandescent glow of the full moon?

“Y/N?”

His voice pulls you from the trance he put you in.

“Hmm?” you responded with your hands clasped in front of you tightly. God if he kept staring at you like that you swear you will-

“Did I do something to make you not want to talk to me or something? Because I feel like every time I’m around you run away and I can’t help but think that maybe it’s me-“

“No!” you quickly blurt out, quieting him down. “No, goodness no it’s not you. It’s not you at all.”

JJ sends you a quizzical look, tilting his head slightly to the side.

“It’s me. I just- I just think you’re so incredible and whenever you’re around I can’t think straight! It’s like my brain shuts down around you and I can hardly utter a word because you’re just… You’re absolutely gorgeous!”

JJ’s heart gives a flutter and your words and the tips of his cheeks turn a light pink. “You think I’m gorgeous?”

You cringe, realizing you’ve said too much. “This is so embarrassing, you must think I’m a total weirdo. I should just go.”

“No, hang on.” JJ gently takes your hand in his. “Is that why you can barely talk to me? It’s because you think I’m-“ he hesitates, smiling softly. “gorgeous?”

“Yeah. I know it must sound crazy but I can’t help it. I just get so nervous around you. Ever since the eighth grade.”

JJ softly tugs at your hand, making you stumble forward and almost into his chest. “That’s funny.”

You quirk a brow at his words, intrigued.

He leans in closer, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear. “That’s funny because I think you’re gorgeous too.”

Your mouth falls slack at his words and your heart skips a beat as you pull away shyly. “Really?”

“Really. So do you think you won’t be too nervous to go on a date with me, gorgeous?”

You let out a laugh, smiling at the way his eyes sparkle at your reaction. “No promises, Maybank.”

obx taglist: @moniamaybank @sunflowerbecca @freddymaybank @beth-winchester21 @dystals @thesewordsareallihavetogive @theosbucky @heysimps @the_fuck_up_of_today @bibliophilewednesday @sunsetswithjj

also sorry if this taglist isn’t updated! i did this all on mobile :/

[a-bang-for-your-bucky]

Welcome Home (Part One)

(NOT MY GIF)

Summary: After not speaking to her brothers for over a year, Peyton Rhodes’ life is turned upside down when her boyfriend of four years cheats on her. She uproots her life with WWE and returns home to Atlanta. She finds herself among great friends and she is finding herself again after being lost for so long.

WORD COUNT: 2,624 (well shit). 

Pairings: Cody Rhodes x OFC (Sister), Brandi Rhodes x OFC (sister), Dustin Rhodes x OFC (Sister), past Seth Rollins x OFC, future Kenny Omega x OFC (maybe?), MJFx OFC( maybe?) Could end up being Matt Jackson x OFC (who knows) let the writing gods surprise us.

WARNINGS: explicit language, mentioned cheating, possible future smut (Warnings are subject to change as I continue writing and will be updated as needed).

A/N: This has been a WIP for over a year now. This will be multiple parts. It will be a slow burn. (MAYBE) I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope. Please do not think that this reflects my feels toward a certain wrestler (Seth). This story is strictly fiction. I do not own any of the characters except for my OFC(s). Please, please, please, give me feedback. I’m slowly working myself back into the fanfic world. <3

“Cody was right.” I cried as soon as my brother’s wife answered the phone. I hadn’t spoken to my brothers since they left WWE. Cody was upset that I wouldn’t leave with him. Brandi was my way of communication with them. She’d call at least twice a week. This week was different. 

“I caught him. I went to congratulate him after his win over Finn and they were,” I sniffled, hurt coming over me again. “It was Mandy. I thought she was my friend.” I explained to my sister in law.

“Pey, I am so sorry. Please come home. You know AEW has a spot for you whenever you want it.” Brandi offered. It was the same thing she said to me every week, but now I’m ready. 

“I just don’t know why.” I cried. “I was the perfect girlfriend. I basically put my career on hold for him. I thought he was, I thought he was it for me.” Brandi had said that they were going to be home for Cody’s birthday in a few weeks and invited me to come to the party. 

“I’ll talk to Hunter.” I choked out. 

Luckily, my contract was almost up and as soon as Vince heard I didn’t want to re-sign, he settled for my release. We didn’t have the best relationship, but Hunter advocated for me stating that it was best for the company as well as myself. He knew the situation and didn’t blame me for wanting to go.

I knew I had to go back one day. I just never thought it would be this soon. I parked my car in the drive. I could hear Pharaoh announcing my arrival before I could make it to the door. I made my way up the sidewalk to the porch. I took a deep breath and knocked. 

Brandi opened the door immediately. “Well I'll be damned.” She said, “I can’t believe you came!” I smiled, embracing my brother’s wife. 

“Like I would miss my big brother’s 35th birthday.” I lied and she knew it. If Seth hadn’t cheated on me, I wouldn’t be here. 

Brandi led me inside where there were some guests who had gathered in the foyer. Brandi introduced me quickly, leading me through to Cody. “Hey, babe. Your surprise is here.” Cody, who was standing by the fireplace, talking to Dustin, turned and saw me. 

Awkwardly, I raised a hand to wave. “Hi.” I whispered. Cody sat down his drink and walked over to me. I expected him to cuss and yell, but instead, he threw his arms around me, hugging me tightly. 

“Peyton, I'm so happy you’re here.” He whispered. Dustin came up behind him. 

“Long time, no see sis. You know, they invented this thing called a phone. You should look into it. Call your big brothers sometime.” Dustin fussed before hugging me too. 

“It is really good to see you guys.” I tried to hold back the tears, but some escaped anyway. “How have you been? AEW has really taken off huh?” I said making small talk.

Cody nodded, “Yeah, I have the best business partners. I can’t wait for you to meet them.” Looking at my brother, he was truly happy. WWE had given him a few more stress lines, but seeing him now, you couldn’t tell. 

He grabbed my hand, pulling me to follow him. He led me to Matt and Nick Jackson, standing with Kenny Omega and Adam Page. “Guys! Guys! Look who decided to show her face.” Cody beamed, smiling big. The four guys waved. 

“Finally! We get to meet the prodigal sister.” Kenny Omega spoke first. 

“Peyton, these are the guys.” Cody pointed to each of them. “Matt. Nick. Kenny. Adam.” 

“Nice to meet y’all finally. I watch your show every week. You are all very talented.” They all mumbled a “thank you” in tandem. 

The rest of the evening went by smoothly. We all sat and talked. Getting to know The Elite was amazing. It was almost as if I hadn’t been AWOL for a year and a half.  When the party was over, I was helping Brandi clean up. 

“Pey, you don’t have to help. You’re a guest.” She said, grabbing the glasses from my hands. I shook my head.

“I’m family. And family helps.” I smiled, taking the glasses back and continued to the kitchen. Cody walked in behind me with plates. 

“Hey,” he started, “Thank you for coming.” He finished, placing the plates in the dishwasher. I added my glasses. 

“I’m sorry.” I blurted out, turning to face him. Cody looked at me, confused. “I should have left with you. You were right about that place. My career, my relationship, everything, became a shitshow after you left.” tears began to fall. 

“Pey, it’s okay. I’m just happy you’re here now.” Cody wiped the tears away. 

“Code. I lost my title. Seth cheated on me, and I barely got any TV time.” Cody scoffed. He never liked Seth.

“He cheated on you?” Cody growled, and paced around the room. 

I nodded, “I caught him. I went to congratulate him after his win one night and they were,” I sniffled, explaining to Cody. “I don’t know why.” I cried. “And then I lost my title, and then stopped getting TV time, unless I was on Seth’s arm.” I darted my eyes to the ground. “We still had to work together. After everything, I had to pretend like we were the perfect couple, until my last appearance.” Cody pulled me into a tight hug. 

“I pissed a lot of people off with the way I left. I’m so sorry that affected you.” he whispered into my hair, like it was his fault. 

“I don’t blame you, Code. I was granted my release.” I mumbled into his chest. He pulled back. 

“What?” His eyes were wide. 

“I asked for my release and Hunter pushed it through. I’ll be a free agent in 90 days” I explained. Cody smiled like a Cheshire cat.  

“Babe! Dustin! Get in here!” Cody yelled, startling me. The both of them came running, looking for an emergency, but they only saw Cody pouring champagne for a toast. Confused looks covered their faces. 

Cody gave everyone a flute and started a toast. “To our baby sister, the newest AEW superstar.” Brandi squealed and hugged me tight. The guys joined in. 

I was finally home. 

It was hard, walking away from my life in WWE; However, finding my place within the Elite was easy. Especially with Kenny Omega. He quickly became one of my closest friends. The next 3 months were the best of my life. The break from wrestling gave my body and my heart time to heal. Everyone did their best to hide that I was coming to AEW, even leaving fake trails that I was going back to NJPW.

After working out the details of my contract, I was officially signed with AEW. Cody wanted me to make a surprise entrance, interrupt one of his segments. Creative loved the idea of brother and sister reuniting, but they wanted to make it interesting. When my debut date came, I couldn’t have been any more nervous.

Sitting in catering, I was alone, lost in thought, picking at my food. It had been a long journey here, but they made it. AEW came to life and it was thriving. Double or nothing had passed, and that meant tonight was Dynamite.

“Guess who?” Someone had snuck up on me, covering my eyes. I smiled because I knew exactly who it was.

“Hmm, Prince Charming?” I guessed quickly. Kenny placed a sloppy kiss to my cheek.

“Close, but better.” He said uncovering my eyes. “Hey, princess. Just thought I’d come save you from your thoughts. What’s going on in that head of yours right now?” he asked, knowing I’ll tell him, taking the seat next to me. 

I sighed, rubbing my face. “I was thinking about my journey, how I got here.” Kenny nodded, but didn’t say anything. “I was thinking about how I get to see Jon again, since leaving WWE, and I was thinking about Seth.” I finally spit it out. Seth, his name leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

“I knew something was bothering you. Talk to me, doll.”

“I was scrolling through Insta earlier. He’s engaged. I know I shouldn’t care, but I do. Not because I still have feelings for him, but because she is, was, my friend, and I don’t want him to do to her what he did to me.” I explained to him.

“That’s understandable, Pey, but people gotta make their own mistakes. Mandy knows what he did to you and she still said yes, so that’s on her.” Kenny said, ever the voice of reason.

I nodded in agreement with him, knowing he was right. I needed to focus on my new path, my new future.

“Peyton!” Cody called from a distance, Brandi following him. It was time.

Cody stood, center ring, proudly. He had won the TNT title at Double or Nothing. He went on about how he was issuing an open challenge every Wednesday.

I stood nervously behind the curtain, waiting for my cue. I was about to make my debut. My life has been a little crazy since I left WWE behind, but definitely for the better. 

As an avid Fall Out Boy fan, I had struck a deal to have my favorite song as my entrance music. I had been using it for most of my career. The music hit, the crowd went crazy. “Holy Hell, that music can only mean one person. The sister of the American Nightmare. That’s Peyton Rhodes!” JR yelled into his mic as I strolled down the ramp, ignoring the crowd. “Peyton” chants filled the arena as I made my way to the squared circle. 

“Peyton Rhodes has joined  AEW and the crowd couldn’t be happier,” Excalibur added. I walked around the ring to the time keeper, grabbing a mic from Justin, and strolled on toward the ring. 

The music cut, and Cody was first to speak. "Oh yeah. I guess we didn't announce this but Peyton Rhodes is AEW!" The crowd screamed at Cody's news, chanting "AEW". 

I soaked in the cheers because I knew it was all about to change. I had been a face for most of my pro-wrestling career, and now I finally get to pursue the heel turn my fans had been begging for. I took in a deep breath and adjusted my leather jacket. 

“Oh, Atlanta, shut the hell up!” I groaned into the mic. I revelled in the audible gasp that could be heard. “That’s right. No more sweet ‘Georgia peach’ Peyton Rhodes. I came to AEW to raise hell, and that’s what I’m going to do.” I wandered around the ring, stopping in front of a camera. “I’m sick and tired of wanting your approval. I’m here to get what I want. And I want it all.” I punctuated as I looked dead into the camera.

“Hear that big brother,” I turned and faced Cody, “Hell just arrived in AEW I hope you’re ready.” I gestured to the crowd, “I hope you’re all ready, because if you thought Cody was a nightmare, wait til you see me, the Dream Killer.” I dropped the mic, and rolled out of the ring. The crowd loved it. “Dream Killer” chants echoed in my ears all the way backstage. 

I was greeted by Dustin, Brandi, and Kenny. “That was perfect, Pey, they loved it.” Kenny said as soon as I was in sight. I grinned, running up to him, jumping into his arms for a hug. 

“The crowd loved you. They’ve been hoping for this heel turn since your WWE debut.” Cody said, smiling from ear to ear as he returned to the back after finishing his promo.

“For real, Pey! You pull off the ‘heel’ thing. I can’t wait to work on your wardrobe!” Brandi squealed, embracing me in a dancing hug. “Just think about the shoes, Pey, the shoes.” Brandi was way more excited about the outfits than the actual turn. She had helped me pick the one I was wearing. Black jean shorts, a front-zip black and white crop top, leather jacket, and black boots. 

“I can’t wait to see where this takes me.” I said before we were joined by the rest of The Elite.  

Nick was the first to speak. “Not bad, Rhodes. You might be a better heel than your brother here.” He elbowed Cody in the ribs.

Matt nodded in agreement, “For real Peyton, the crowd was so hyped for that turn.” He said with a soft smile, bringing me in for a quick hug. 

I turned to face everyone. “Thanks guys. All of you. You gave me this chance.” I thanked them, “I promise I won’t let you down.” 

“You’re a great addition to the AEW family.” Adam complimented, “Come on Ken, we got a match to get ready for.” he said before walking away. Kenny gave me one last hug before following him.

Cody and Brandi also parted as she had a segment coming up, leaving me with the Young Bucks. “Come on, Pey, lets celebrate!” We had walked back to catering where some more of the AEW stars were waiting. In the back, I spotted the one person I couldn’t wait to see again. I told The Bucks I’d catch up with them. 

“Jon!” I screamed, almost running to him. When he saw me rushing toward him, he opened his arms, inviting me in for a hug. Hugging him was a blast from the past. 

“Peyton fucking Rhodes. I heard rumors you were coming. Sweetheart, you knocked them dead.” He spoke into my hair. I gave him one more tight squeeze before pulling away. “Well, you look great.” He said, gesturing to my outfit. 

“I’m heel now. Finally.” I boasted. I’ve been waiting for this for the longest time and no one was taking it away from me. Jon and I talked, catching up. I asked about Renee and he lit up. He was happy and that’s all I wanted for him. He was finally able to be the fighting champion everyone knew he could be. 

“What about Seth? What happened? The last time I spoke to him, he said you guys were happy and he had bought a ring.” Jon asked, and it knocked the breath out of me. I knew he would ask, but I wasn’t expecting him to mention a ring. 

“He cheated on me. With Mandy. They’re engaged now.” I said without choking up, which was a good sign. I could see the disappointment well up in Jon’s eyes. 

“You were always too good for him.” I knew he and Seth were still good friends, but I appreciated the words nonetheless. Jon gave me one last hug before he got called away for his match, leaving me alone in catering again. 

I found a table close to a TV so I could watch the end of Kenny and Adam’s match. They were well on their way to becoming tag team champions. I started thinking about what Jon had said about Seth, about him buying a ring. I couldn’t believe it. He was going to ask me to marry him and I would have said yes, had I not found him with Mandy. I was pulled from my thoughts by my phone vibrating. It was Seth. 

I saw your debut. 

You look good. 

You’re gonna be a great heel.

I miss you. 

I wish you would talk to me and let me explain. 

I read and reread the messages a hundred times before replying. 

Okay, Seth. When and where?

[hoenursey]

here it is, y’all, the nurseydex theatre kid au i never finished (and probably won’t ever). if any of y’all remember, this was going to be the othello au lol !! whoops.

_X_

God hated him, obviously. That much was apparent. God hated him or did not exist, because no loving god would do this to him. No loving god would have him, fingers wrapped delicately and squeezing ever so slightly at one (1) William J. Poindexter’s slim neck, and no loving god would force him to have his blocking so that he needed a knee wedged between Will’s thighs and his other hand pinning his wrist to the bed, and there was absolutely, positively no loving god that would have Will gazing up at him, pupils blown wide as a half erection tented the silk nightgown he was in, in the middle of Samwell College’s black box theatre.

There was just no way in hell, Derek reasoned, as Will swallowed and he felt the bob of his throat run down, down, down the center of his palm. A loving god would open up the floor and fucking eat him, just let him die right then and there.

“Will, you should be thrashing!” Monetta yelled, and Derek flinched, then forced himself to relax and slowly pulled back.

It happened like this.

“We have no backup for Desdemona,” Monetta spat. “Who fucking– who changes their major now? Who drops a class in the middle of the fucking semester? Can you even do that?” She whirled around, eyes wild, and Derek backed up slightly. Monet could be kind of… wild, sometimes, when she got going.

“Uh–”

“It’s rhetorical!”

Everyone in the theatre flinched.

“I need a backup. I need one now. I don’t care if it’s a fucking dog. If the dog can act, I don’t give a shit. I just need a fucking actor. Find someone who’s got chemistry with Derek and I will fucking kiss you.”

“I’d prefer it not be a dog,” he said hesitantly, and Monetta turned her head in his direction. Only her head, and a single, mad-looking eye focused on him.

“But you know what? I, uh. Can work with that. A dog, I mean. Anything. The show must go on.”

Monetta’s head turned back, and he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

“Hey, what about Will?”

Nevermind, he thought to himself bitterly. He turned a flat look on Chris, who was smiling cheerfully, as usual, a wrench in his hand.

“Who?” Monetta asked. Her brow was creased, the script she’d been waving still dangling from her long fingers.

“He–” Derek tried to say, but then Monetta threw the script at him as Chris said, “He’s the one who’s been helping Larissa with sets! Me, Will, and Derek had our freshman humanities course together!”

“What does he look like?”

“Red hair, freckle-y,” Mandy called from the rafters.

“Mega freckle-y,” Jenny confirmed. “And he’s, like, p good at acting. He’s got a great voice, loud and, like, strong and stuff? Super pale, kind of angry just like as a person. He’s a little awkward but like once you get him comfortable it’s fine. We had 1302 together; actually, it was Othello, so he already knows the lines! He’s super rad!”

Monetta turned to him, and he gave her an uncomfortable look. “Please tell me you can work with him. Derek. Please. We really, really, really don’t have time to do another open casting call, and frankly all the non-actors in here suck. Please. We have three. months. Tell me you don’t have any problems with him.”

“He’s an asshole,” Derek grumbled. “A rude asshole who thinks i'm irresponsible and laughs at me when I fall–”

“But can you work with him on stage?”

Derek sighed softly as Monetta turned the closest thing she had to puppy dog eyes on him.

“You’re helping with my calc work,” he said tiredly, and she beamed at him. “Call him up, Chris. See if we can get him here by tomorrow.”

It happened like this: Monetta took one look at William Poindexter and fell in love with him. He monologued for her and she looked ready to propose. They found a costume (after damn near an hour of sizing and shaping and pinning and honestly, his ass was just unfair) and she had their children’s names picked out.

“Thank you so much for this. I’m so sorry we had to call you in so late, and this is so–”

“It’s, um, not a problem?” he said, almost a question, smile curving his pink lips, because of course he had an uncomfortably endearing smile.

“Monetta, one problem,” Caitlin Farmer said muffledly. They looked down at her where she was hemming the bottoms of Will’s pants, a few pins tucked between her lips.

“Yes, Caitlin?” Monetta asked, voice tense. Caitlin pulled the pins from her mouth and handed them to Derek, saying lightly, “Hold these, please?”

“Uh, we don’t have any period clothes for this. The sleep scene, where Othello kills Desdemona? We only have women’s robes and gowns, and I know costuming gets cumulative grades on like accuracy. It won’t be so bad if the rest of the costuming is good, but we’re hella underprepared and I know they don’t want to make an entire new outfit this late in the show.”

“What do you have?” Will asked. Monetta, Caitlin, and Derek all looked at him, surprised– he hadn’t really said much outside of a few words confirming or agreeing with whatever they said.

“Just… silk nightgowns. That’s it. The little strappy shift ones? You probably don’t want to wear those, i’m sorry–”

“It’s-- uh, don't worry about it,” he interrupted gently. “A few weeks in a shift dress isn’t going to kill me. Besides, i’m already gay and, uh, sort of out, so like, what's the worst they can say to me?” Derek’s brain went blank. Will was gay? Will was gay? Was he single? Why did he care?

“Derek!”

“Sorry, what?” he asked, blinking at Monetta.

“I said, go get ready for practice. We’ve gotta get your blocking down.”

“O-okay,” he managed.

“And I want you and Will to practice outside of this period! Go hang out, get dinner in the dining hall together! You’re supposed to be married, okay?”

Shit. Fucking shit fuck shit– “Okay, Monetta. Dinner, dining hall, practice. I’ve got it. I can hear perfectly clearly.”

“But does your brain work? I doubt you sometimes.”

It happened like this: they started having dinner together, and then lunch together, and then breakfast, and then Derek was sitting with the engineering majors and Will was sitting with the poetry kids and they were both sitting with the theatre kids. It happened like this: they bickered, and Derek flirted, and Will snarked, and they practiced until they were dead on their feet.

It happened like this: they hadn’t practiced kissing by themselves, just line work, because they didn’t really have the space to do blocking anyways. Or that was what he told himself, anyways, because he kept thinking about how much he wanted to, and he poured over the kissing scenes in private: how he’d kiss him, how delicately or firmly it would be done, and how most of all there wouldn’t be much more effort to pretend that he was madly in love with him, because of course he had to fall in love with anyone who smiled at him.

It happened like this: Monetta needed them to practice the kissing scenes in rehearsal.

“You’re both single, right?” she asked idly as she checked over the set backgrounds, Derek scanning over his blocking notecards from on top of one of their desks.

“Huh?”

“You and Will. Single?”

“Well... I am,” Derek said slowly. “But I wouldn't know about Poindexter. He's never mentioned a partner though, and it doesn't seem like his style to not, like, say anything. Want me to ask?”

“Sorry, I had to drop off some supplies to the culinary lab,” Will called, the door slamming behind him, and they turned to look at him.

“Will,” Monetta hedged, “You’re single, right?”

He paused, looking at her curiously, then nodded a little jerkily, shrugging off his bag and jacket. Nursey tried not to stare at the way his shoulders filled out the tight red “Samwell Computing” shirt (gay, gay, gay, his brain was chanting, gay, gay, stop thinking about how broad his shoulders are, gay). “Far as I know.”

“Great,” Monetta said, relieved. “Sorry, just… last time, we accidentally caused a few breakups? And chairs got thrown. I really don't wanna see that happen again.”

Will chuckled softly, flexing his wrists a little and then pushing up onto the stage with his hands, rolling into a standing position neatly. Derek was dying. “Well, no angry, uh, boyfriends here. Or girlfriends.”

“Fantastic,” she murmured. “I’d hate for you to have a chair thrown at your head, we really don’t have the time to find another Desdemona.”

“You know you’re supposed to care about other people’s well-being, right?” Jenny called down from above the stage, where she was fixing up some of the lighting that had fallen earlier. Mandy nodded in agreement.

Monetta took a moment to consider it, face thoughtful, and then shrugged, pivoting on her foot and walking away from Will and Derek.

“No time for that either! Everyone get dressed, we’ve got a lot of work to do today and some people still aren’t off book.”

“It’s literally just act two,” Connor said irritably from the fourth row, though he still stood to move backstage. “That’s it. Excuse me for not memorizing every single one of Iago’s stupid little asides--”

March smacked him on the back of the head and he yelped, indignant. “What was that for?”

“You don’t have to get insulted four times a week for a month, Wisnewski,” she grumbled, “So can it.”

[jackie-gremlin-ghost]

I posted 3,423 times in 2021

275 posts created (8%)

3148 posts reblogged (92%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 11.4 posts.

I added 2,567 tags in 2021

#venom - 507 posts

#symbrock - 340 posts

#grim adventures of billy and mandy - 272 posts

#venom: let there be carnage - 270 posts

#danny phantom - 252 posts

#osmosis jones - 194 posts

#venom 2 spoilers - 190 posts

#venom spoilers - 188 posts

#chucky tv series - 179 posts

#chucky spoilers - 175 posts

Longest Tag: 91 characters

#seriously that boy has lodged himself so deep in the closet he’s finding christmas presents

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Venom in the “Let There Be Carnage” trailer: *is being incredibly loud and aggressive towards Eddie*

Some people: Venom’s clearly abusive! Why do you people ship them?!

Symbrock shippers and Fans who know Carnage’s backstory: The Venom symbiote is being so aggressive because they’re literally PREGNANT.

429 notes • Posted 2021-08-03 23:07:27 GMT

#4

Chucky really took one look at how Jake’s treated by his family and peers, and went, “Fuck it. I’m adopting him.”

477 notes • Posted 2021-10-14 21:47:07 GMT

#3

Me before watching Maya and the Three:

Me after watching Maya and the Three:

564 notes • Posted 2021-10-22 23:09:44 GMT

#2

Okay, so I was thinking about Venom: Let There Be Carnage again, and I’m sure the rest of y’all have probably pointed this out by now, but…

The phrase “Lethal Protector”.

This is absolutely what TV Tropes refers to as ‘Arc Words’ for Eddie and Venom.

The first time it’s brought up is during the bathroom scene, when Eddie has physically restrain Venom and hide as a means to protect Detective Mulligan. Venom rants, “We should be out there, protecting the city! Lethally!” This leads to their conversation in the bathroom and how much Eddie is trying to hide Venom.

It then pops up again at the beginning of the big argument scene, when Eddie is at the end of his rope after the fiasco at the prison and just snaps at Venom. “‘Lethal Protection’, my ass! You couldn’t protect anything!” And we all know what happens next…

Then there’s the final battle. Venom is just about ready to give up, and Eddie ain’t having it. He tells Venom that Cletus and Carnage aren’t a match like they are together. This is the moment that they call themselves “The Lethal Protector”… and it’s both Venom and Eddie’s voices together. We haven’t heard that since the “We are Venom” scene at the end of the first film.

And finally, the beach scene. Venom is curious on where they’ll go, to which Eddie responds “I don’t know. …Anywhere that needs a Lethal Protector, I suppose.” This of course leads directly to Venom’s adorable reaction of “You really meant it!” And the way Eddie so casually says “Yeah” as if it were OBVIOUS…

I just love these two. SO MUCH.

645 notes • Posted 2021-10-09 12:52:09 GMT

#1

Maya and the Three/The Book of Life Theory

Okay, so much like @hyenasnake’s Gravepainters theory, I had a theory regarding Manolo and María explode in my brain, so I was off to Twitter to see what Jorge thought of it.

See the full post

2755 notes • Posted 2021-10-25 22:25:02 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[fandom-imagines-stories]

The Haunted Ones: 1 Hello, Welcome Home

Tom Hanniger x Reader

Words: 2603

Series Summary: Scarred by their past, Tom Hanniger and his girlfriend decide to face their nightmares together. When the reader’s past begins to resurface, the two must hold fast to each other, or submit to insanity. 

Episode Summary: After six years together in the institution, the reader takes Tom back to her hometown. Back to where it all happened. 

Notes: I know I said fourteen imagines for October, but I just couldn’t resist this idea after watching this movie. I wrote a fic series for the video game Until Dawn and I’ve wanted to write something similar for a long time. I don’t know how often this’ll be updated, so just continue to check in if you enjoy!

Thanks to my wonderful beta @suckmysupernatural​. She’s a beautiful human and I love her!

-

Shake. Shake. Shake. You could hear the pills rattling around in your pocket. Shake. Shake. Shake. The jeep slowly creeped down the road, a heavy fog making it nearly impossible for Tom to see. You were getting close. 

Trees stretched up to the sky, looming over the car like they were ready to swallow you. You used to love those trees. Even they seemed to have turned against you. You kept your gaze on the road and with every mile, the weight on your chest grew heavier and heavier. It wouldn’t be long before you passed the house. 

Tom noticed the way you shrank into your seat like you were trying to disappear. The look in your eyes was one he was all too familiar with. It was a crippling combination of crushing guilt and absolute terror. You’d had it since you’d left the institution and it only intensified when a narrow road split the trees apart. It gaped at you, mocking your fear. Even though you couldn’t see it, you knew that the house was watching you. Tom drove faster, hoping to put your memory in the rearview mirror as soon as possible. 

With a trembling hand, you dumped a couple of pills into your palm. Shake. Shake. Shake. You brought the little white ovals up to your lips, feeling Tom’s worried gaze follow your movement. 

“Maybe we should go camping like we talked about.” He suggested, pulling the jeep over. He knew you hated those pills. He hated his too. 

“No.” You swallowed, shaking your head. “I have to go back. I have to go home.” You hesitated and made sure Tom wasn’t looking before you poured one more pill into your hand. Shake. Shake. Shake.

-

“Fucking hate motels.” Tom muttered as he stuck the key in the lock. You felt all of the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Someone was watching you. Afraid to look, you slowly turned your head. The curtains of the room next store closed in a flash. 

“What is it?” Tom asked, eyes searching the direction that you were looking.

“I thought… nothing.” You pushed inside the room. You were just being paranoid. You just had to keep reminding yourself what the nurses said. Dr. Krychek was dead. She couldn’t hurt you anymore. 

Tom placed both of your bags at the foot of the bed before collapsing onto the comforter. You kicked off your shoes and crawled up beside him. Tom slowly unbuttoned your jacket and laid his hand over the large, jagged line that stretched across your stomach. His touch grounded you. It kept you from going back there. Back to that house. 

While he soothingly ran his fingers over the length of the scar, you tapped the rhythm of his heart beat on his chest. 

This was a routine that you’d fallen into anytime one of you was having a particularly rough day. HIs touch kept the pain at bay and your steady taps reminded him that he was still himself. You anchored each other to the present to keep from slipping into the past. 

“Thank you.” You whispered into the fabric of his sweatshirt. The olive green color reminded you of a pond - steady and calming. 

“I still think we should leave.” He huffed, his arm tightening around you protectively. “I don’t care what the nurses said.”

“It’ll help me get closure. I need to move on.” It was a line you’d heard over and over again. Your voice sounded automatic, rehearsed. The following words were your own. “I have to go see her, Tom. She’s probably wondering where I’ve been all these years.” 

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, last time you saw her was the trial and she nearly broke your nose.” Tom pulled away to give you a concerned glance. You shrugged. 

“From what I’ve heard, Amanda has been doing okay. She’s married now and adopting two boys.” You had a tone of envy in your voice. “She certainly coped better than I did.” For one, she didn't spend the last six years being fed a bunch of self-help bullshit. 

Tom didn’t try to argue. He just wanted to keep you safe, whether it was from this town or from yourself. Your eyes locked together and you pulled your bottom lip between your teeth. 

“Can we talk about something else?” You pouted. It had been a long day and you wanted to forget where you were, if only for a few hours. Tom nodded. 

It felt odd, having no one to hide from. Your nurses discouraged romantic attachments, especially with other patients. They said that a relationship would only confuse you more. They also thought that you were just some fragile little girl afraid of her own shadow. They didn’t know what you were capable of. 

And you weren’t hiding anymore.

Tom’s breathing hitched as you lowered his hand from your scar to the waistband of your jeans. His free hand undid the rest of the buttons on your jacket and snaked around your back, unclipping your bra with one motion. 

With your hands free, you removed his sweatshirt, followed by his belt. He slipped off his jeans before shimmying yours down your legs. You threw your jacket on the floor, followed by your shirt. The cool air found your bare skin, making your shiver, but his body was quick to warm yours. He whispered your name, kissing a trail from your neck down your stomach until he settled between your legs. Your fingers laced through his hair, desperate to feel something other than fear or anger or despair. You just wanted to feel him. 

-

By the time Tom woke up, you were half dressed. You walked around the motel room in slacks and your white lacey bra. He couldn’t help but smirk at the sight. 

“Hey,” He greeted, lazily swinging his legs over the side of the bed. 

“I’m just going out for some coffee. Sleep in.” You playfully shoved him back onto the pillows. Tom hooked his fingers through your belt loops and pulled you onto his lap. 

“Give me a second to get dressed and I’ll go with you.” His strong arms locked around your waist and those green eyes nearly had you. You shook your head and kissed his forehead. 

“I can go get coffee by myself, Tom. You spent all day driving yesterday. You need the extra rest. Especially after last night.” You silenced his argument with a kiss. “I won’t be gone long.” Tom gave you a disapproving frown. 

“Okay.” He said reluctantly. You pried yourself away and put on one of your nicer blouses. You wanted to look decent for your return to your home town. If you could look sane, maybe people would believe it. 

You went out the door and Tom laid down, but had no intention of sleeping. He didn’t like sleeping alone. Without you, he saw him again. Swinging that fucking pick ax into someone’s skull. Sometimes it was your body he saw in those mines. Sometimes he saw his own.

You didn’t really just go to get coffee. You to Alli’s, the diner in town that you went to as a kid. You had heard that Amanda was working here as a manager. Funny. She used to be a law student. But hey, who were you to judge?

The subtlety you’d been hoping for was quickly ruined. It felt like every pair of eyes were on you. Cars even slowed down to get a better look. You tried your best to ignore them. None of them understood. None of them except Amanda. 

The sign of Alli’s had new paint. It used to be blue. It was red now. 

Going in was like a scene from a movie. The music stopped, all chatter halted and everything just froze. Dozens of stares burned into you and you wished you could sink back into that motel bed with Tom’s warmth pressed against you. Holding your chin a little high, you approached the register. 

“What is going on out here? Y’all look like you’ve seen a-” Amanda froze, eyes meeting yours, “ghost.” 

“Hey Mandy.” 

Just like that, it all flooded back into you. And from the look of her eyes, you knew she felt it too. Neither of you were standing in that diner anymore. You were back at the house. 

 Seven Years Ago

Your legs ached, your muscles screaming from being strapped down for so long. But you couldn’t stop. If you stopped, she’d catch you. 

“We have to go back for her!” Amanda sobbed. You were practically dragging her down the hall, fingers clamped around her wrist. Your other arm was pressed against your bleeding stomach like you could keep your insides from spilling out. With the amount of blood gushing from the wound, your vision was turning black around the edges. And still, you pulled Amanda along behind you as you kept running. 

“Stop it! Stop!” Amanda fought your iron grip. “We have to go back for her! Ashley! Ashley!” Her screams for her sister went unanswered. 

“Ashley’s dead.” You blurted. Amanda pretended not to hear you. 

“Ashley! Ashley!” A figure appeared at the end of the hall. 

“Get back here!” Dr. Krychek shrieked. 

“Fuck.” You muttered, yanking Amanda through the door. She kicked and she screamed, but you didn’t care. You were getting out. 

Present Day

“Y/N?” Amanda gasped. “Jesus, I thought you might be-”

“Dead?” You laughed humorlessly. You stepped towards her. “Nuts? Yes. But very much alive.” 

You waited for her to yell. To slap you and to order you out of the restaurant. You weren’t prepared for her to fling her arms around you and cry happily into your shoulder. 

“I thought I would never see you again.” She cried. “And after everything I said at the courthouse… I’m so glad you came home.” 

Still shocked by the rush of affection, you hesitantly returned her hug. The last time you saw Amanda, she clawed your face and called you a murderer. She had to be pried off you by courthouse security. They said she wasn’t thinking straight because of the trial, but she was the only one who knew the truth. Dr. Krychek didn’t kill her sister. You did.

-

Back at the motel, Tom was getting anxious. Your ten minute coffee run had turned into an hour. His call to your cell went unanswered, sending an icy panic through his veins. If you were alone for too long, you could have one of your episodes, with or without those damn pills. 

“She’s abandoned you, Tommy boy. Left you all alone with me.”

Tom ignored him and called again. 

“Come on, you’re not really worried about her. You’re worried that, without her, you won’t be able to get rid of me.”

Tom quickly downed a handful of his pills and continued to ignore the voice. Leaving one more unanswered call, Tom decided enough was enough. He put on some jeans and his sweatshirt and grabbed the keys to his jeep. 

“I’ll be back, Tom. You know I will.”

Tom took a deep breath and started the car. He didn’t make it far before he saw the glare of red and blue lights. Again, the freezing hand of panic seized his heart. No, no, no. He slammed on the breaks, leaving the jeep in the middle of the street to investigate. 

The yard was teeming with police and paramedics. They had been called too late, judging by the body being loaded into the ambulance. 

“Poor woman.” One of the neighbors. “Emily was supposed to play cards this weekend… poor woman.”

He couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t you. 

“What happened?” He wondered genuinely. The woman shrugged. 

“The gardener found her. All cut up on her kitchen floor.” She shook her head. “It’s like the Krychek killings all over again.” She mused before walking over to a group of other neighbors. Tom observed the scene for another minute or two before returning to his jeep. 

He found you walking down main street with another woman. You were smiling. 

Tom quickly pulled over and caught up to you. You noticed the worry on his face before he threw his arms around you. In catching up with Amanda, you had forgotten he was waiting for you. 

“You didn’t answer your phone and when I saw those cops I-” He took a deep breath to calm himself down. “Paranoid, I know.”

“Tom, I’m so sorry.” You pulled back and placed an apologetic kiss on his cheek. “We got to talking and I didn’t even think about how worried you would be.” His eyes darted between you and Amanda. 

“Oh, how rude of me. I’m Amanda. Y/N and I were friends when we were kids.” She held out her hand to shake his and he took it, eyes narrowed slightly. She just kept smiling. 

“It’s okay, Mandy. He knows.” You could tell that she had this part rehearsed well, but there was no need to pretend with Tom. She visibly relaxed. He gave her a small smile. 

“Tom Hanniger.” Her expression was quizzical, as if she was trying to place the name. Tom clarified. “That Hanniger.”

You forgot that you weren't too far from Tom’s hometown. The news of the mine collapse and the Harry Warden murderers spread all over the state. Even after nine years, she recognized the name. 

You recalled something strange Tom had mentioned. 

“What were you saying about the police?” You asked. His expression darkened. 

“They found a body.” His lips formed a grim line. There was something else. 

“What?” You urged. You never hid anything from each other. He let out a heavy sigh. 

“I heard someone say…” He trailed off, reluctant to share in fear of scaring the two of you. You and Amanda watched him expectantly. “They said it was like a Krychek killing.” 

Amanda gasped, but you didn’t make a sound. It was like a light in your eyes just switched off. This is what he was afraid of. 

“Baby, hey, look at me. Y/N, look at me.” He cupped your face in his hands, his thumb lightly tracing your trembling lip. 

“W-what’s wrong with her?” Amanda squeaked. 

“Y/N, I'm right here. You’re right here.” He slipped his hand in between the two of you, resting it over your blouse where he knew the scar was. After a moment, his touch brought you back. You blinked and the light flipped back on. 

“Tom?” You whispered. He enveloped you in his embrace. 

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” He swayed slightly, rocking you in his protective arms. Amanda gave the couple a small smile. 

“I’d better get back to work.” She sighed. Her eyes brightened with an idea. “Come to dinner tonight. Matt and I would love to have you.”

You parted from Tom to give her a nod. She excitedly walked back to the diner, leaving the two of you behind. 

“She seems… well adjusted.” Tom noted, leading you to the jeep. 

“She certainly coped better than I did.” You scoffed, repeating your statement from the previous night. Still feeling the aftermath of your attack, you pulled out your pills and dumped them into your hand. Shake. Shake. Shake. With a heavy sigh, you looked at the town you once called home. “God, it’s like nothing’s changed.”

“One thing has.” Tom put his hand on top of yours. “You’re not alone anymore.” Your lips turned up in a loving smile. With a sweet kiss Tom started the car.

-

General Tag: @rae-gar-targaryen; @takemepedropascal; @childhood-imagination;  @mylovegoesto; @yellowbadgergirl; @itmejado

[mourntheantagonist]

6. how to revive wilted roses??? 👀

also 12. this is a dumb idea mandi, is a whole mood lmao, same

@cherrydreamer @booksfoxesandcoffee y’all have the same minds !!

I actually have snippets to share for these two so yay!!

6. how to revive wilted roses

this was originally supposed to be what I wrote for Valentine’s day but I ran out of time but I haven’t abandoned it (yet)

here’s a snippet

Then he spots the row of the red roses. Wrapped up in plastic by the dozen, waiting for all the men who forgot to get something for their wife on Valentine’s Day to rush in the store to pick up a bundle. Because apparently women were simple creatures and you just had to wave flowers and chocolate in their face and they’d just forget what a shit husband you are.

Roses are stupid.

Billy Hargrove was a pessimist when it came to Valentine’s Day.

So why the fuck was he driving home with a bundle of fresh red roses sitting in the backseat of his car among the milk and butter?

12. this is a dumb idea mandi

I’m not incorrect. this one is an old one but maybe one day eventually I’ll come back to it. In summary, Billy fucks up.

And he wouldn’t much care if it weren’t for the strange pain he felt in his ribs. He knew all too well what broken ribs felt like, and this was not it. It was more of a sore pain, like he’d been jabbed over and over again.

Tired as he was, he dragged himself from his bed and went into the bathroom to get ready to brave the Monday morning. His eyes went wide as soon as he took a look at himself in the mirror.

There was Saran Wrap around his torso, and he could see a small black marking beneath the layers of clear plastic. What the fuck did he do?

Slowly he unwrapped himself. Watching as the image became clearer and clearer. The blob turned into letters which turned into a word… no. A name.

Steve.

[ms-rampage]

Eden’s Gate: Aftermath Chapter 1 - After It All

Warnings: Light swearing, Paige has Dean Winchester energy in this one 

Word count: 1.9k

This is a short follow up series to Kidnapped leading up to the nuclear holcaust, and the beginning of New Dawn. 

Summary: After killing Jacob and John Seed, Paige and Kate Winchester still have Joseph left to get rid of, to save Hope County, and as well as Faith (Rachel) if she can keep her loyalty to the family, and not get on Paige’s bad side. Kate struggles to tell her family about her unsure pregnancy with John’s kid.

Guest OCs: Nate Massie (FC: Nick Jackson), Mark Massie (FC: Matt Jackson), Martin Quinn (FC: Marty Scurll), Cody Reynolds (FC: Cody Rhodes), Kenneth Smith (FC: Kenny Omega), Adrian Wray (FC: Hangman Adam Page)

Guest Characters: Mary May, Nick Rye, Pastor Jerome, Wheaty, Faith Seed, Joseph Seed (mentioned).

***********************************************

Paige, Kate, Mandy, their friends, and family are having some beers at the Spread Eagle bar celebrating the death of John Seed, and their freedom from his “marking”.

Pastor Jerome, Nick Rye, Grace Armstrong, Mary May and all of the residents in Holland Valley celebrating their freedom. 

The Whitetails were setting off fireworks as a sign of freedom from Jacob. 

“You did it!!” Mary May says to Paige.

Taking a sip from her beer, Paige shakes her head, “No. No that wasn’t me” she says.

“It was her” she says, padding Kate on the back.

Mary turns to Kate, “You killed John?”.

Kate nods her head “Yep, I had to, it was part of the job”, she chuckles.

“You Winchesters saved Holland Valley from John Seed, and his followers. We thank you for that” Pastor Jerome says to the family. Lifting his beer up as a cheer.

“So what are y’all gon’ do now?!” Nick Rye asks.

“Well first, I need to get my car fixed, blaming John for that, 2nd we’re gonna deal with Joseph. But until then we’re probably gonna take a breather before we wipe out the other 2 Seeds” Paige says.

“But Faith has a change of heart” Mandy says to Paige.

“Yeah, but I still don’t trust her” Paige says, taking another sip of her beer. 

“We’re gonna have to eventually” she says.

“Paige, we could really use her” Kate says, trying to convince her. 

She finishes off her beer, and asks for another. “Look, even if Rachel does have a change of heart, and has finally seen Joseph’s monstrous ways. Who says she isn’t lying. I mean this chick is a known liar and manipulator”.

Paige takes another sip of her beer.

“Aren’t you pregnant?!” Kate says watching her older sister's excessive drinking.

“I’m at the early stages. I’ll stop at 5 weeks” she says.

Kenny takes the bottle from her hand, and gives her water as a replacement.

“You need to slow down” he tells her, walking off with her beer. 

Rolling her eyes, “So anyway back to Rachel” she says, drinking her water. 

“She’s staying with us” Mandy says, drinking her beer.

“Well I have no say so in that” she says. 

“Paige. Faith can be helpful with us. If we ask her nicely” Kate says.

Paige intervenes “Okay. Her name is Rachel. She wasn’t the first “Faith” there were 3-4 of them before her”.

Kate rolls her eyes, "Fai-Rachel can be resourceful for us. She can help us track Joseph, and put an end to the Project”.

“Well, I'm gonna go check on my car” Paige says, getting up from her seat at the bar, “It’s at the auto shop next door, and I want to check on her. See how she’s doing”. 

She puts some money on the counter to pay for her drinks. 

“You coming?!” she asks, turning to Kate.

“Can’t. I have a date with Wheaty” she says.

“Alright. Don’t get pregnant” she jokes, then she leaves the bar to go next door to the auto shop. 

“Yeah, I’ll try not to” she says, softly.

No one, except her and Wheaty know of her pregnancy, and it’s John’s kid.

She doesn’t know how she’s gonna tell the others. How is Paige gonna take it when her little sister is carrying the spawn of John fucking Seed. 

Lost in her thoughts, Wheaty gently pats her shoulder. Her head shoots up instantly. 

“Hey, you ready?” he asks, a smile on his face.

“Yeah” she says “I’m ready”, getting up from her seat.

“I’ll be back later” she says to her mother. 

“Have fun. Don’t get pregnant” she jokes.

Kate stammers over her words “I wo- I won’t”. 

They walk towards Kate’s car. Paige sees them, and yells out as a joke. “Have fun you two!!!. Don’t get pregnant Kate!!” 

Kate looks back, and flips her sister the middle finger before getting into the car.

“So much longer is it gonna?” she asks the mechanic. 

“Most likely until tomorrow between 11am, and 3pm.” he tells her, "It's not too bad, for the nasty crush it was in".

“Alright that sounds good” she says. 

***************************************

Now at their date location, Kate and Wheaty are making out in a secluded part of the Whitetails not far from the Wolf Den. 

Her back against a tree, his hands on either side of her waist. Her arms around his neck.

He breaks the kiss, resting his head against hers, holding her close. 

“It’s so much more peaceful without Jacob” he says. 

She nods her head, “Yeah, it's so much more quieter without John” she says, looking off in the distance. 

He slowly moves his hands up, resting on the sides of her stomach. 

He looks down at her stomach, “When are you gonna tell the others?” he asks.

She looks down, and sighs, “I don’t know. I know they’re gonna find out eventually, when my stomach gets bigger. Abortion is out of the picture. Because I’m Catholic” she rolls her eyes.

He pulls her into an embrace, one hand on the back of her head, and the other on her waist. 

“I still need to take a test just to be sure” she says, her hands around him, resting her head on his shoulder. 

“If it comes back, and you’re pregnant. Just know that I wouldn’t mind being a stepdad” he says, stroking her hair. 

She pulls away and looks up at him. Her eyes widened, and in disbelief.

“Are you sure?!” she asks.

“I’m sure. I want to be there for the both of you” he says, with his hands on her stomach where the baby bump would be. 

She smiles at him then looks down at her stomach.

“I would like that” she says, and kisses him on the lips. 

Just thinking a day ago, her and John Seed had sex for the last time, and the fucker cummed inside her. Getting her pregnant, knocking her up, she might be carrying the Seed gene. The next generation of the Seed family. Abortion is on her mind, but she doesn’t want to kill the barely in development embryo. She wants to give it life, and maybe along the way, her and Wheaty can have kids of their own. 

After their date, she drops off Wheaty at the Wolf Den, and drives back to Holland Valley

********************************************************

Pulling into the driveway of the Winchester-Smith compound.

Kate gets out of her car, and goes inside greeted by the brothers Mark, and Nate.

“So how was your date?” Mark asks, having a big brother tone in his voice. 

“It went good. Thank you for asking” she says, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. 

“Where did you and Wheaty go?” Adrian asks, stepping out of the kitchen with a beer in hand.

“We just went to the Whitetails, and made out” she answers. 

“That’s it?!” Nate asks, “No sex?. No drinking?. No smoking? No other childish shenanigans?!”.

She rolls her eyes, walking past them into the living room, “No we didn’t do any of that” she says, dropping herself onto the couch, and turning on the tv. “Who else is here?!” she asks.

“Just us, Faith is in her room. Mandy gave her one when we came back here after we left St. Francis” Mark tells her.

“Has she been in there all night?!” she asks.

“Yeah just about” Adrian says, sitting down next to Kate. 

“Where’s Kenny, Paige and my mom?!” she asks.

“They went to raid John’s house” Martin says, stepping into the living room.

“For?” she questions. 

“To steal his clothes probably. I told them to steal some of his shoes, shirts and watches for me. We’re about the same size in clothes” Martin says. 

They laugh at Martin’s answer, “Of course you did” Nate says. 

“Cody went with them as well. I didn’t know him, and John knew each other” Adrian says.

Kate’s jaw drops, “I didn’t know that either!!”.

“Yeah apparently they went to school together, and then John was homeschooled, and they met again in Law school in Georgia” Nate says. 

Confused, “I thought Cody was a doctor?!?”.

“This was before he became a doctor. He wanted to be a lawyer but he changed his mind about his major”. Mark adds.

Kate raises her arms up, “Welp you learn something new everyday!!!!”.

She stands up, “I’m gonna go check on Faith” she says, and goes upstairs.

“3rd door to the left on the 3rd floor” Nate yells out.

She makes it to the 3rd floor, and goes to Faith’s room.

She knocks at the door, -knock knock knock-.

“Hey Faith?. It’s me Kate. How are you doing?”.

The door opens slowly, and Kate is greeted by the friendly face of Rachel Jessop. 

“I’m doing okay” she replies, a hint of sadness in her voice.

“That’s good, I just wanted to check on you. See how you’re doing” she says.

Faith nods, she gives her a soft smile.

“If you’re hungry I can make you something” she says.

She shakes her, “I’m fine”.

Kate nods, “Okay, well my room is on the 2nd floor, 2nd door on the left. If you need anything”.

She nods, and gives her a soft “Okay”, and closes the door.

Kate goes back downstairs to the living room where Kenny, Paige, Mandy and Cody had entered the house.

“Hey!” she says to them.

“How Faith?” Nate asks.

“She’s doing good. Probably a little shaken up, but I'm sure she’ll come around” she says.

“Has she eaten?” Mandy asks.

“I asked if she was hungry. She said she’s fine, I told if she needed anything that my room is on the 2nd floor” Kate adds. 

“You think she can be of some help with tracking Joseph?” Cody asks.

“I’m pretty sure. She spent half of her life living under his wing, I’m sure she’ll help out” she says.

“So how was your date with Wheaty?!” Paige asks, changing the subject.

Kate glares at her elder sister, and says “It went great thanks. Anyway back to Faith”

“Rachel!!” Paige interrupts. 

“Back to her. She is of some help. I know she can help us track Joseph, we just need to let her adjust first” Kate says.

“Well we can’t wait on her forever” Paige says.

“We have to Paige!!’ Kate argues.

“Why!?. Joseph is still out there, wandering about and we have no way of finding him. Rachel is our only way, and we can put an end to this whole ordeal!” 

Everyone exchanges looks, giving thought to the situation.

“We should let Rachel adjust first” Kenny says.

Paige gives him a look of disbelief, “Kenneth are fucking serious?!?”

“Yes, Paige I’m serious. We have to let her get used to her surroundings. All this is new to her” he adds.

“I agree we have to let her get used to this life” Mark says, Nate, Cody, Adrian and Martin agree with the decision.

“Whatever I’m gonna check on Cristina” Paige says, rolling her eyes and going upstairs to her room. 

The others say downstairs, and figure out ways to have Rachel open up to them. 

[hotchley]

🦄 listen the jeid confession was so weird bc like. why would an unsub be that interested in jj's crush like that makes no sense. plus.. there is no build up?? like at all??? they literally give off more sib vibes than anything. also spencer gave like zero indication that he was into jj. he literally had to be pressured into asking jj out on a date lmaoo. and then reid's weird obsession over the idea. dude.. the woman's married with two kids. and she told u she's not leaving them.

what is the writers' deal with cat adams??? like do they have a crush on aubrey plaza bc i can understand that but they keep bringing her back to what? make her more crazy?? we got that the first time. and the ruining reid's life gets repetitive and then they just. kill her??? ugh i hate that. anyway, lizard brain says aubrey plaza sexy. smart brain is glad cat adams is gone for good bc she was such an interesting character at first, but they ruined her

jfc they really want emily prentiss to be director of the fbi????? wow. i hope they're ready for the dissolution of the bureau bc emily's personal motto grey areas and breaking all the rules. like she literally went rambo with the doyle thing and then faked her own death. which the bureau apparently didn't even know about??? also, having a white woman on charge doesn't make the government any less white lmaoo. it's like by s15 the writers don't even know any of the characters they've written.

they couldn't get mandy patinkins to come back so they have extremely v old rossi talking to young gideon and it is sooo weird. honestly, patinkins was the smartest for leaving when he could LMAO

I- every time you update me about this show I lose another brain cell.

Yeah, the Jeid confession never made any sense and it’s like... y’all aren’t subtle throwing the two conventionally attractive white people together, as opposed to Morcia, Jemily, Penemily... literally anyone else...

LIZARD BRAIN IS SO RIGHT THOUGH!! Stan Aubrey Plaza (I think? I haven’t heard of her doing anything wrong lately) but Cat Adams can... yeah... from what I’ve heard... it’s not good.

DIRECTOR?? I’m sorry, but she hates politics. Have her suddenly become the director does not equal character development like are they stupid- yeah they are, but still. Emily wouldn’t make a good director because she wouldn’t be willing to play the politics and that is so stupid. Honestly, after season 6 it’s like everyone became a stereotype and they just never recovered.

HAHA!! WHY HAS ROSSI NOT RETIRED?? Also why would he speak to young Gideon? HOW? WHAT THE FUCK IS THE FINALE?? Yeah, I bet Mandy see CM TikTok and thinks: well... I’m glad that’s no longer me...

[anxiety-trademark]

The week in review:

Raw 11/09 NXT 11/11 NXT UK 11/12 Smackdown 11/13

Raw:

Shayna vs Lana?? God poor Lana. Preemptive “rip”

Lmfao Lana is so damn extra.

Okay but WHY is Asuka facing Nia later? And where has Asuka even been the past few weeks?

Yikes. Lana is so friggin useless in kf.

Rofl Nia mocking Dana’s voice, I cannot with her.

Did Dana and Mandy actually save Lana from #8?? They got half a point. I get why they’re reluctant to help Lana, but they’re nearly coming off as the mean, popular girls, and I know that’s not their personas. I get she fucked them over, but it was inadvertent. Buy some goodwill guys.

Are they the Gucci girls now? Honestly flashforward to current times, Charlotte fits right in with them. If you were gonna have Charlotte head a stable, Dana and Mandy are the perfect people to put with her.

“We totally saved your butts... Lana.” :/ Dana. Dana plz. With all the work you put into your craft, HOW are you still the weakest promo in the division?

“Okay listen, thank you, you’re welcome,” just let Mandy and Dana practice wrestling cuz their promos are fucking painful.

Lana No-Friends.

Why is Alexa happily destroying flowers??

Lol has no memory of seeing Nikki the week prior. Yikes. Are we still sure it’s not drugs???

“Lexi I’m not playing.” “That’s too bad, Nikki.” What she means, Nikki, is there are 2 options: play or pain. You should just play. Actually side note; wasn’t that Nikki’s whole damn character when she debuted? ‘Nikki wants to play’? ‘Play with Nikki’??

Omfg Alexa is god damn stellar. Nikki tells her to choose either Fiend/Bray or [Nikki]. Alexa thinks about it for a moment, “okay. I choose... *blows the flower petals in Nikki’s face* him!” Then fucking claps, giggles and walks away. Imagine if you had a whole damn roster that could be this entertaining.

Also Nikki is really talented in her own right. Working with Alexa did wonders as far as promos and acting go.

Survivor Series team is supposedly at ringside because Asuka is about to go one on one with Nia. I’m not seeing the correlation.

Shayna officially playing the role of henchman now, I see. That’s interesting.

Asuka does a lot of things worth praising. Her Octopus is not one of them.

It’s always nice seeing Nia bump like she does for Asuka.

Oh that kickout into an armbar by Asuka was BEAUTIFUL.

Asuka said “fuck all y’all we’re busy rn”

I hate Shayna’s hammerfists SO much.

This Survivor Series team is a fucking disaster in kf.

aaaaand there’s number 8. Jeeeeze. “You don’t belong here, you’re gonna drag us down. Just quit.” This is a bullying story done right tbh. No personal petty bs insults, no body shaming. Just straight up physically assaulting the weakest link that has zero friends. It’s a good story. I feel sympathy for sure.

Highlight: Alexa & Nikki backstage segment

---

NXT:

See I don’t mind Shotzi’s backstage promos at all. She exudes passion. I can feel her emotions. But 9 times out of 10 she ends it in a howl and I want to scream.

Weak final thought though. There was really nothing better you could end it on? Okay.

So Xia calls out Raquel and then doesn’t show. Not sure if it’s for kf or meta reasons.

I like Raquel speaking Spanish while brawling. She should incorporate that more, especially with Zelina gone. We need more Latina talent (no disrespect to Bayley or Sasha, if they wanna start speaking Spanish then good on them)

“Everybody better take their-- my name out of their mouth.” SIGH can I get a non-awkward speaker that isn’t Nia? Anyone? Anywhere? Hello??

What the hell does any of this Xia stuff mean? Fine I’ll be patient.

So is Toni a face? I thought she was a heel. Did I misinterpret the heel turn pre-covid era? That’s even worse, she’s even more the same now.

Ugh rough day when I’m here cheering for Toni. God I hate Candice.

Do you really have the right to call anyone a ‘punk rock poser’ Candice? I mean... REALLY?

It’s not that I hate Toni’s headbutt, I just hate it when people take themselves out delivering a headbutt.

Anticlimactic sequence. Toni says fuck your second rope neckbreaker to Candice, then Candice says fuck your second rope leg drop to Toni, just to follow up with a mere kick to the jaw and a pinfall attempt. Missed opportunity to really get something going.

Sad attempt at putting her feet on the ropes by Candice.

Good let Toni be a “sore loser” fuck Candice.

So the masked figure is Indi, right? Why are they keeping her masked? What’s the purpose? Yeahhh that’s really not a surprise. Anyway.

It’s a damn shame what happened in 2020, the whole world has felt it. And it’s a damn shame that you didn’t get to show out in front of 80k people. I truly feel for you. Your loss, however? In kf I can’t feel bad because you sought HER out on HER show. In a meta sense? She did you a favor taking that title. You were 5 seconds from being called Charlotte 2.0, and you deserve better. You deserve the opportunity to grow and make a name for yourself without being handed everything before the age of 25, and you’re SO much better off for it.

The downfall of “nxt’s hottest new act” was a great story. It sucks to be her, but it was a great story. Rhea’s gonna be a fucking STAR on the main roster. She will thrive. She will exceed expectations. She will make a name for herself. She had to eat that humble pie first, though. Obviously I know how this match ends already, and rightfully so. 

Highlight: I guess the Io/Rhea Prime Target

---

NXT UK:

Kind of a bummer that there’s only ever one women’s match/segment every week on UK. I want to ponder whether it’d be different sans a pandemic, but I’m not certain it would be.

Xia Brookside is too animated in her moves, and her moves are always too slow for it to mesh well.

They compliment Xia’s “technical work” but she just comes off as someone who has learned the absolute basics and has no idea how to utilize them in a match.

Interesting to note that they seem to be building up 2 heels in Nina and Jinny, yet the champ herself is a heel. Not quite making me believe either of them have a chance at defeating her in the future.

Nice I always love a good codebreaker. Points to Xia.

That was a nice cartwheel off the turnbuckle using the ropes. One would assume the tweak to the knee was a farce.

Stupid small package. Stupid result. At least Nina got some heat back, but she should’ve won, lesbireal.

Side note: I see UK does in fact have a pc. No excuse for these women to get gassed so quickly then, get it together.

Highlight: The network exclusive video package for KLR vs Piper

---

Smackdown:

What a racy outfit. I don’t hate it, Sasha wears it well.

There’s like a million things you can do with Sasha that doesn’t involve a live promo in the middle of the ring. Explore them plz.

Carmella’s not a technical master by any means, but having her superkick and then finish with a facebuster is super weak.

What’s also weak: where the fuck did Bayley go?

What’s even weaker than that: Carmella had like the best theme music and now it’s gone. Tragic.

Lol why is Nattie stomping her feet like she’s throwing a tantrum? She’s hilarious tbh.

“If team Smackdown is going to win,” lmao let me cut you off right there. Imagine the SD women actually winning at SvS. Good joke.

Omg Chelsea is alive? We gave her a tag match in nxt with the women’s champion Charlotte Flair... Charlotte fucking Flair... and then kept her off tv for like 6 months for this? Is this her grand debut?? Is she even ready for the main roster???

Wait hold on. Back up. So Chelsea touched Adam’s shoulder and had some off camera conversation to make her way into this triple threat match? *sigh* okay.

I don’t quite remember who this team consisted of, but if I had to guess, I’d assume Liv wins this match since Ruby is already on the team.

Love Chelsea’s theme music, love that a giant picture of herself is no longer her titantron... HATE the flowy wedding dress veil that she wears on the bottom half of her outfit.

Should stick Chelsea with Nattie tbh.

What the hell was that by Liv? A fake out standing crucifix turned into a ddt? Fucking beautiful.

Nattie and Liv work together nicely ngl. Liv really does have a lot of potential, but she’s god awful on the mic. Tag team wrestling is best for her for the foreseeable future.

“This is a fatal 4way,” Cole reminds us, because Chelsea and Tamina have seemingly died.

Should’ve just made this a singles match between Liv and Nattie, jesus.

Lmfao Liv pinned Tamina. What took Chelsea out? A dropkick off the apron. A dropkick off the apron took Chelsea out for 3 minutes, and she got maybe 3 moves of offense. Yikes, what a debut.

So when does Bayley get added as captain?

Highlight: The match that totally wasn’t a singles match between Liv & Nattie

---

*Bad week in wrestling, but yet again, Raw shines the brightest because as small as their roster may be, they’re being utilized decently well.

[iwillbeinmynest]

Hold On Loosely - Biker!Steve x Reader(f)    Chapter 16

Authors Notes:  If you’d like to be tagged please send me an ask. I keep better track of tags that way.

Word Count: 1.1k

Special Thanks: Here’s to @itsanerdlife for fueling my Biker obsession and being my Beta for this whole thing. To my girl over at @girl-next-door-writes who also beta’ed for me. And an extra shout out to @bettercallsabs for this beautiful graphic. She is amazing and y’all need to check her out!!

Notes/Warnings: (My notes and warnings are for the story as a whole. Some notes and Warnings will not apply to every chapter.) smoking (I do not support smoking. keep your lungs clean y’all.) drinking, (be of age, don’t be stupid) minor violence, backstabbing, attempted murder, anxiety, stress, mentions of death, car accident, trauma, …I think that’s it. let me know if I’ve missed something.

Master List

 Steve had never been so mad in his life. So much just happened that he didn’t have time to process it all. What he did have time for was a drink. He ignored the grumbling of the crowded bar- who were all, no doubt, gossiping about the scene that had just taken place - and stared Clint down until a drink was in his hand. And then the next drink, and the next.

 Sam sat in the stool beside him. “You’re taking this harder than I thought you would.”

 Steve didn’t say anything, but he finally put his drink down.

 “All this over one girl, huh? Who’d’ve thought.” Sam chuckled before he left Steve to his thoughts.

 “All this for one girl.” Steve shook his head.

 “Penny for your thoughts?” 

 Steve was surprised to see Mandie sitting beside him now.

 “You okay?” She asked genuinely sympathetic. “I know Y/N can be pretty dramatic but I want you to know I never said any of those things about you.”

 Steve took a deep breath. “Yeah, well, who cares.” Another long sip of his drink and he slammed the empty glass on the counter.

  She put a hand on his arm. “It’s okay to hurt, you know.”

 Steve froze and stared at her. Of all things to happen tonight, this was the least expected. 

 Mandie smiled at him. “I don’t know how you feel about Y/N right now but she’s…” She sighed and looked down for a second before giving Steve weary eyes. “Well, she’s not been the same since she lost Danny.”

 “How so?” Steve waved over Clint who, against his better judgment, brought him another drink.

 “She used to be much more… I don’t know how to describe it, submissive maybe? Obedient? I don’t know.”

 Steve took a sip of his drink and grimaced at the burn. This was definitely stronger than the last few drinks. Good. He was gonna need it.

 “Mandie sat up tall and looked straight ahead, admiring herself in the mirror. “I would never act like she did. If a man told me to do something I would do it.”

 Steve felt sick. “Well, you’re better than her then.”

 Mandie practically beamed but she contained herself. “Thank you, Steve. And forget about Y/N. You deserve a woman who will treat you right and do what you say. A good woman listens and she sure doesn’t shove a man in public, or elsewhere for that matter. She tried to embarrass you in front of the club. She disrespected you. You should have an old lady who understands that what you say goes and that the club always comes first.”

 “You volunteering?” He smirked.

 She grinned. “So, what if I am?”

 “I’d probably take you up on it if you were.”

 “You’re drunk.” She chuckled and swirled a finger in her drink.

 Steve leaned in close, “So, what if I am?”

 Mandie ducked her head and giggled at his flattery.

 “How do you know so much about bikers and old ladies anyways?”

 She shrugged her shoulders. “My dad was Treasurer of a club before he kicked the bucket.”

 “Oh yeah?” Steve was surprised to hear this. “What club?”

 Mandie gave him a sly smile. “You ever heard of the Four Horsemen?”

 Steve choked on his drink and swore twice. “Are you serious?”

  “As serious as sin.” 

  Steve shook his head in amazement. "I never would have guessed. That's one tough crew.”

  Mandie looked Steve in the eyes. “I’m tougher.”

 Peter Quill walked over and put his hand on the back of Mandie’s neck. She winced and looked pleadingly at Steve.

 “Come on,” Peter said while eyeing the bar. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”

 Steve faced Peter. “Why? Uncomfortable being the only foreign kutte in this town? How come you didn’t ride home with your club, Quill?” 

 Peter leaned in close to Steve without letting go of Mandie. “You ain’t my VP. I ain’t gotta tell you jack.” He leaned back and pulled Mandie off her bar stool. She winced and grabbed her neck.

 Steve ripped Peter’s arm off of her and pulled her close. “She’s staying here.”

 Peter turned on a dime and glared at Steve with clenched fists. “No, she’s comin’ with me.”

 “Doesn’t look like she wants to.” Bucky stepped up.

 Peter looked around to see most of the men in the bar ready to fight him. He chuckled and put his hands up. “Keep her. She ain’t worth me getting beat over.” and Peter left the bar without any resistance.

 "I'm sorry to cause you such trouble." She looked up at him ashamed.

 "Doesn't bother me. Somethin' about him doesn't sit well with me." Steve looked around and saw Nat staring at him. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Hey, you wanna get outta here."

 Mandie leaned into Steve and nodded, “Yeah, thank you. He was awful and I’m pretty sure he was a criminal.”

 Steve wrapped an arm around her and lead her to the back rooms. “Most of the guys in those kuttes are criminals. You should know that with your extensive biker knowledge," He smiled at her for a second. "What makes you think so, though?”

 Mandie shrugged. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore. I'm ready to move on from him.” 

 “I guess that’s fair.” Steve tugged her into one of the bedrooms and let go of her hand. “Listen, Mandie-”

 She shut the door behind her and wrapped her arms around his neck, practically jumping on him. She locked lips with his and kissed him hard. 

 Startled Steve pushed her back. “What was that for?”

 “Well, why else would you have brought me back here? I want to forget about Peter and you need to forget about Y/N and trust me I can definitely help you forget her.” She winked and sauntered closer to him. 

 “Forget her?”

 Mandie slid out of her sweater and let her hair down. “You like tough girls, don’t you? Of course you do, all bikers are the same. Well, how’s this for tough?” Mandie gently pushed him to sit on the bed then straddled his lap. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear. “What if I told you I could get rid of her? Permanently.”

 Steve leaned back. “Seriously?”

 “Mhm, Just say the word and you’ll never have to worry about that tramp again.” She kissed his neck and began to tug at his shirt.

 Steve pushed her back again. “Do it.”

 She finally stopped and looked at him. “Are you sure?”

 Steve’s heart was racing. “If I say yes, how soon can you get it done?”

 Mandie got up from his lap and kissed his cheek. “I’ll take care of it, babe. I’ll see you later tonight.” She pointed a red nail at him. “You be ready for me when I get back.” and with a wink, she was out the door.

*********

HOL Tags:

@jamesbarnesappreciationsociety @kaylaphantomhive @patzammit@queenkrissy11 @a-distantdreamer @patodoto @marvelous-capsicle@marvelfansince08love @lakamaa12 @mizzzpink @southernsassiprincess @teller258316  @marvelfansince08love @rosegoldlilacs @rainbowkisses31 @badassbeckettswan @my-favorite-fics-and-imagines

Forever Tags:

@heismyhunter @sgtbxckybxrnes @pickledmoon @whimsicalrebirth @marvel-lucy @thisisthelilith @james-bionic-barnes @thedreamingowl @poemwriter98@kimistry27 @annie-lujan @buckyandsebsinbin @lilasiannerd @gypsy-storm-15 @cassiopeiassky @earinafae @the-stuttering-kiwi @obsessedwithatwell @shortiiqt16 @shifutheshihtzu @elaacreditava @nikkitia7 @theonewithallthemilkshakes @gallifreyansass @storytellingwanderer @palaiasaurus64 @iamwarrenspeace @engineeringgirlcve @magnolia-wanders @carameldaemoncakes @canumoveyourseatup-no @melconnor2007 @movingonto-betterthings @spideytrxsh @fantasticmiraclehologram @kapolisradomthoughts @iamwarrenspeace @melconnor2007 @yesiamdeliciouslycaffeinated @mcu-avengerrs @archy3001@mmauricee @barnesvogue @feelmyroarrrr @beyondbarnes @marvelous-avengers @veronicalei @cornflax01 @kudosia @witchymarvelspacecase@beccaanne814 @inumorph @thisismysecrethappyplace @artemis521@darkhologramblaze @palaiasaurus64 @awkwardfangirl2014@diinofayce @youclickedthislink @lille-kattunge 

[lady-olive-oil]

Work Out: Chapter 8

A/N: FINALLY!!!! Good lord it took me 2 months to finish this chapter because if how long I wanted it ti be but hey it’s done!! I want to thank my tribe for helping me out with this and everything and you guys! My readers mean the world to me for all the love and support. As my Christmas gift to y’all, after 3,000 years later, here’s Chapter 8 of Work Out!!!!

_______

Warnings: Slightly dirty if ya squint, and tear jerky

Word count: 3,934

Tag Squad: @maddiestundentwritergaines​ | @themyscxiras​ | @designerwriterchic​ | @dc41896​ | @honeychicana​ | @crushed-pink-petals​ | @chaneajoyyy​ | @titty-teetee​ | @ljstraightnochaser​ | @mimigemrose​ | @fumbling-fanfics​ | @madamslayyy​ | @amelatonin​ | @screamingdrago​ | @breddiefrooks​ | @ellixthea​ | @uranoscope​

_____

Tuesday: (3 weeks later)

It had been some time but I finally managed to get through my classes; just needed to take my biology final to officially finish class. And speaking of one ending, the day I’d been longing for had finally come. The day I would finally be free. Mostly of my burdens; my insecurities, my sorrows and the never ending pain in my ass.

As I looked in the mirror to finally put the final touches on my outfit, I felt more confident than I ever have. This year really showed my strengths and weaknesses, and how I want to grow further into my life as an independent woman.

“Soon as I get home, I’ll make it up to you, baby I’ll do what I gotta do.” Using the bathroom acoustics to my advantage, I centered myself singing that verse as a reminder of the happiness I currently had, which immediately put me in a positive mindset. The pinstripe, black and white jumpsuit, made a statement more than anything. It was saying “I may be short but I’m fashionable.”

“Florian! You getting ready yet babe?” Finishing my last curl, I fluffed it all out and decided to pull it into a low curly ponytail.

“Almost draga. All I’m wearing is a nice black dress shirt, slacks and those dress shoes you bought me for my birthday.”

Taking a glance at him, with a wolf whistle in tow, I was impressed. “Damn baby, you look good as hell.”

“Oh stop, I only look good when I’m next to you.”

“Boy, you do that on your own.” Applying my red lipstick, I winked at my reflection ready to turn heads and drop jaws.

“Ready to be free of his bullshit?” He offers his hand to me to hold, and I took it with pride.

“Baby, was born ready.”

The whole process was very tedious. It took a full year for this settlement to go through with the constant changes of his demands; my demands, who’s going to get what at the end of it all and how much money each of us get. Luckily have a great lawyers and support system with me, that kept me level headed through all of this. My dad knew how much of a gutter rat Jake could be, so he took over my case with open arms.

Jake’s lawyer was a high siddity blonde with a bad nose job. Needless to say she was one of the best according to my dad, because he’s heard that a few of his associates have trials against her. Georgia Augustine was her name, making men break character was her game. All I know is Mandy recommended her to him and we all know how that went down. Just sitting across from him made my stomach churn in disgust, with his dumbass face of his. With Florian by my side, I knew I was going to be ok and yet I had an inkling that Jake would try something.

“Now Miss Shaw, is it?” Georgia began, pushing up her glasses, and gave me a look that was irritable. As if she wanted to leave my presence, as to say I was the one irritating her. “It seems as though my client has a few demands as to how this divorce should go.”

“As does mine, Ms. Augustine.” Once my father stepped in, it was go time and he meant business. “My client came into the marriage with her own income from her business, which accumulated sales on it’s own. Your client asked her for support for a child that may not even be his.”

The look on both of their faces was priceless. It seems that his lawyer didn’t know about the little meeting we had a while back. How did my dad know that the baby Mandy had wasn’t Jake’s? Lets just say I have eyes and ears in high and low places. To the point where anything that goes on in the WWE, I will be informed one way or another even though I don’t work there anymore.

“As that is legible, my client doesn’t understand why he was in the wrong for asking her alimony to help raise the child. Regardless if the child is his or not.” Georgia was not backing down from the given statement and it made my stomach churn.

The day he asked me for money for the child, I wanted to ring his neck so hard to make his dumbass pass out. But nonetheless, I made sure I kept it calm cool and collected. My dad proceeded with the rest of my demands.

“Well, your client violated the first court order that my client issued at the first hearing. He wasn’t supposed to ask my client for any form of payment for anything, while he did and forgot the agreement.”

I’m elated I went with my gut to have my dad as my lawyer because he's hitting all the points and not letting Jake breath.

My dad smirked in triumphant. “With that being said, let’s go talk to the judge and reach the final verdict.”

Well gathered in the hallway to await our case being called to have this all be over with.

“You won’t win, Geneva. You won't have anything left by the time I’m done with you.” Jake spoke with venom in his voice as his teeth clenched like a piranha. Florian places himself in between us and sneered down at him.

“They one thing preventing me from beating your ass into the ground right now, is the fact that we’re in a court house. Watch what you say to my lady.”

“Or what? You gonna punch me again?”

This time Florian was ya eye level with him. “I’m going to do far worse than that to you.”

“Case number 7861090, proceed.” As the bailiff called out to us, my nerves vanished and I put on a brave face to get this over with.

Walking into the room, it was quiet and serene making it all better to focus. What seemed like hours, were a mere few minutes. The judge had granted our divorce legal and we could live on for the world to see, as two separate individuals. Jake gave me one last annoyed look before leaving with his lawyer.

The tears racked through my body as Florian and I walked out of the courthouse. He held me close to his warm body, letting me release my tears of triumph. I was finally free, and I felt liberated.

“It’s all over Geneva. It’s all over, you’re safe now love. You’ve got me.” His reassuring voice soothed my tears.

Leaning up on my toes, in my red bottoms, I kissed him gently, pouring out every ounce of love I had for him into this one kiss. Once he kissed me back, my whole body froze and shivered in delight.

Once the kiss broke, I rested my head on his. “And you have me. Let’s go home, I could use a nap after all this.”

“We can after I take you to lunch. You have earned it my love.” Kissing my head, I smiled gently and gave him a nod.

“Lunch then a nap. I'm pretty sure I’ll be up studying till midnight then go back at it tomorrow.”

“Sounds like a plan. Almost done baby girl, almost done.”

My support system was always there, It was just what I needed to come back down the earth. Now it’s time to crush the rest of the week.

Wednesday Night:

Don’t ever procrastinate when studying to take exams or major tests. Because that’s what I’m doing right now and it’s not helping. Trying to remember the names of the bones in the human body, is harder than I thought.

“There's tibia, the femur and uh shit why can’t I get this?” Groaning in agony and frustration, I gripped my head. The intense pressure of everything piling up at once, caused me to study the night before.

My exam was tomorrow morning, bright and early at 9 am, in a cold ass room full of 30 plus students. This is the last test I have to take to be a certified personal trainer and I couldn’t be more nervous.

“Patella, calcaneus, cuboid and fibula. You got this G, just focus. Now in the upper body it’s the humerus; occipital bone, sternum, scapula, hyoid bone, clavicle and the ethmoid bone.”

I could sense another presence in the room, not taking my focus off the millions of notecards places in front of me. “If you plan on helping me studying Munteanu, then I’d suggest you walk on your cuboid and your metatarsal, and sit on your firm as down.”

“There isn’t a scientific name for ass?” I could hear his smile in his statement.

“Nah. If there was id say it a lot, trust me. What’s up with you? Why aren’t you getting ready for your night out with the boys?” Arching a brow, I bit into a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich.

“I decides not to go. Told the boys I wanted to help my wonderful lady, who is studying for her exam.”

“Flo, you didn’t have to do that. I honestly would’ve done fine by myself.”

Grabbing my flash cards, sitting on the couch behind me, Florian cleared his throat as he began giving me the definition of the words.

“I want to help my lady, be more successful than she already is. Besides, you’re getting this degree and we’re all going to celebrate. For each one you get right, you get a kiss in the place of my choice. Are you ready?”

I nodded in triumph, with a sweet blush, and anxiousness. This went on for the next 2-3 hours, filled with dirty and sweet kisses left and right until Florian got a little handsy and had me straddle his lap.

“F-Florian. Baby- oh my god. Ok I gotta study.” The noise I made was a combination of a giggle and a heated moan.

“Nuh uh. You’ve studied long enough, and it’s time for a more physical test.” His lips ghosted across my neck, causing shivers to rack through my body.

“More physical test? Bring it on baby.” My voice betrayed me once again, as I felt his lips trailing down my torso.

“Oh I plan to.” The wicked smirk etched on his face only proved that I would be in a whole lot of pain soon.

And sweet delicious pain it was.

Thursday: test day

Seconds turned to minutes; minutes turned to hours and hours turned into built up anxiousness. Anybody that knows me, knows I hate the waiting game and his tedious it is.

It was around 6pm the very same day, laptop on my lap, my left leg was shaking and my nerves were shot. Florian was playing Mortal Kombat 12, next to me, with Michael through his headset.

“Baby girl, it'll all be alright. You’ll receive good news.” During the break, he kissed my head reassuring me.

“You and me both, tell Mike I said hi. I’m gonna get some snacks.” Heading towards the kitchen, I practiced my breathing.

All my years of working and going to school, trying to provide for myself, I couldn’t help but think about how much my life will change. After I get a better more stable paying job once I graduate, my life will go back on track.

I grabbed a bowl of fruit I had sliced earlier, from the fridge, then felt something was off. Reaching for my phone buzzing in my back pocket, I saw a notification stating ‘Final grades posted. Congrats to everyone!’ As the label.

The nerves got the best of me. As I quickly opened the update: gasped out loud and screamed joyously!

“Uh babe..” I called out the Florian.

“Yeah?”

“I passed my test.” I ran toward the living room, forgetting about the fruit bowl on the counter, and showed him my phone. “I passed my tests.”

“Hold on Mike. My baby girl is official!” He actually paused the game to hug and console me.

“I’m so proud of you.”

I couldn't help but cry against his shoulder.

“Thank you. Thank you for believing in me.”

“I knew you could do it. We should celebrate.”

“How about dinner with the crew? I could use the company after studying the last few weeks and dealing with this divorce.” Sniffling gently I heard Mike yelling over the mic through Florian’s headset.

“Invite me too, cuz!”

Picking up the headset I answered him back. “You already know Mike. Let’s go call the boys, Flo.”

“Sounds good. Luckily Sandro and Masias are still in town.”

“Thank you my love.”

Friday Night: Family and Friends Bonding Dinner

Food, fun and laughter. All the special ingredients to bring a family together, to increase a bond and make the stress go away.

Even though my parents had already met Florian’s, it was as if they met for the first time whenever they were around each other. If they were in town, of course that’s when I knew Florian would be with his folks for a bit, since whenever I had work to do.

Earlier today, Florian and I managed to finish writing the last few verses on 2 songs I was putting on my album, that’s coming up. This album is my gift to my daughter and how I want my legacy to skyrocket from here alone. Worth the help of my tribe I knew it would be a hit.

The kitchen reminded me of my childhood times. My mother had made her signature dish, roasted garlic chicken and potatoes. Enough to feed an army, but in this case about nearly 20 people in her dining room. One by one they all shared something they loved and how proud they are of me. Florian’s parents, along with my own, made me tear up the most.

“My sweet Genevieve.” My dad began with a tender smile. I was always a daddy’s girl even though I was close to both parents, the bond I have with my dad is like no other. “We all have watched you grow into the successful woman you are today. We are so very proud of you and know you’re going to do great things in the future.”

Smiling as best as I could, I nodded and sniffled.

Then it was my mother’s turn to speak. “We all know how hard you’ve been working so, your father and I episode like to send you and Florian on a trip wherever you’d like to go.”

“Wait seriously?” I was dumbfounded and in shock.

“Yes seriously. Think of it as a graduation trip, you’ve earned it and we’re so proud of you.” With that I hugged both my parents tightly, with so much love and joy.

Once it was all said and done, I knew I had to give a speech. Even though I am not the best at public speaking, I had to give it my best. I tried to dry my crocodile tears as best as I could, but to no avail they came back with a force.

“This dinner means a lot to me.” I began as I stood to make a toast with all those around me. “It’s been a journey and I’m so blessed to have you all around me, as an encouraging force in my life.”

I let the tears fall, hearing my tribe of loving people around me try to console me, I felt the love and acceptance. Florian had reached for my hand, caressing the back of it with his thumb.

“I just appreciate you all so much, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to have in my life. Salude.” Raising my wine glass to toast to them all.

Cynthia, Destiny, John and Ryan were also a little teary eyed when it came to my speech. They have been there for me through it all, and have never made me question their loyalty.

“Congratulations Geneva. You’re gonna do amazing things.” Florca and my mother both had placed a sweet kiss upon my cheeks, reminding me that I had a great foundation.

Florian‘s infamous smile made me full all warm inside, as he gestured to the group. “Now, let’s eat!”

I knew this was the man I was going to marry someday. It was only a matter of time before our new lives started. I was ready to begin a new life with him.

Saturday: Remembrance

July, 12th, 2017, was the day I lost my new light in the world. I never felt so much pain and agony in my life, that I have vowed from that day forward I would love and cherish any child I have. A few times in the past couple of years, mainly around her birthday and Christmas, I come to her grave sight and place daffodils down upon the base of the headstone.

“Hi Delaney, It’s mommy. Um..” I sniffled gently, trying to hold it together as I touched the letters on the dark grey stone. Florian was right there next to me, kneeling down. He has been the only man I’ve brought to see my daughter, I don’t trust anyone else but him.

“I brought you, your flowers for the month you would’ve been born and a new friend.”

I looked at Florian, nodding gently for him to go ahead, he placed the red and yellow flowers next to mine.

“Delaney Marie Shaw. Words can not express how much you mean to me even though I never got to officially meet you. The way your mother speaks so highly of you is amazing and I know you’d be proud of her at such a young age.”

The love Florian has for me is unmatched. Whether I’m upset or feeling down, he manages it to make the moment better. He single handedly knows how to turn any moment a grand one, and I am the one who is truly blessed.

Gently rubbing the stone, I sighed with a sniffle. “You know, you’re the greatest moment I have ever had in my life. When I met Florian my whole life changed and I knew he’d be there to take care of me, when I needed to move on from your father.”

“Every now and then, I look up at the stars and ask for advice. I keep you close to my heart, my precious baby girl. I love you forever and always.”

Helping me stand back up again, Florian kisses my cheek softly and hugged me close. “I want to thank you for giving me the honor to do this with you.”

“You’re more than welcome Florian. I couldn’t have thought of anyone better to do this with.”

“I will never leave you my love. My promise to Delaney is to never let you fall.” Before heading to the car, I glanced back at the headstone one last time, smiling with peaceful reassurance.

“I think she’d like that. She’d like that very much my love. Now let’s go home and get warmed up with some chili.”

Sunday: Graduation Day

The day has finally come. My bachelors and doctoral degrees finally become mine and mine alone. All these years of finally having something of my own, it doesn’t even seem real yet it is.

After taking pictures with everyone in my cap and gown; having rehearsals for 2 ½ hours and practicing how I was going to walk, I was running my speech through my head. You see, I was one of the few to do a farewell speech seeing as though I am one of 300 students graduating to it. There was about 3 of us giving one: welcome speech, intro speech for our speakers and farewell.

“You’re gonna do great sis. Everyone knows you will do wonderful.” I kept reassuring myself as I sat on the stage, looking over the crowd of so many warm faces full of love for their loved one's.

One by one everyone’s name was called to receive their case that holds their diploma, cause everyone knows we don’t actually get the diploma till it comes in the mail. As soon as it was my turn, I felt the nerves kick in as I shook hands with the dean and the faculty of the school.

“Genevieve Leona Shaw.” My name was announced by dean McIntosh, and I knew which section my family was in, cheering me on like a raging fire. He gave me the ok to deliver my speech after the president of the school had spoken.

“I could not believe we finally made it here, you guys.” I began my speech, wiping my tears that fell from my eyes. Seeing all my classmates, that were in my nursing program, in the front row with our matching caps that said ‘eaRNed It’ in various decorations.

“These last few years have been amazing and heartwarming. I couldn’t believe after all our hard work and determination, we made it to this day. Graduation day, our day.” I found my family, smiling at me with so much love and admiration. I knew I would be just fine with this new venture in my life going forward.

“Now without further ado, turn your tassels from right to left, cause class of 2019 we did it!” just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, a gang of balloons fell from the ceiling along with confetti. For someone who has a fear of public speaking, the speech wasn’t so bad after all. Marching out with my classmates I signaled towards my family to meet me out by the south stairs in the front.

Good thing I had brought my flats because my feet were hurting in these heels. Taking pictures with my fellow Deltas and a couple of AKA’s, never felt so real to finally be done with this program. Mike had met me at the location first so he was able to take the pictures for me. Donnie, Leilani and Luca were crying again as soon as they got to me again. Giving me hugs and kisses and the celebratory sibling picture.

“There she is! There’s my hardworking queen, I am so proud of you.” Florian picked me up and spun me around in complete bliss and happiness. I knew I was going to cry because I felt the tears fall down my rosy cheeks.

Receiving hugs from all my friends and family meant the world to me, even from Florian’s family too. Masias and Sandro gave me the type of hugs that you’d sway people from side to side. Made me feel like I gained 2 more brothers.

“So Miss Graduate, what are you going to do now?” Cynthia asked as she and Destiny linked their arms with me to take pictures.

“Well I am going to put my album out,with an interview coming up with the Breakfast Club and maybe even grow my personal trainer business.” I sighed with glee then a thought appeared. “Also I do know for a fact that somebody is getting married this weekend. So we are gonna live it up in Vegas and then get you hitched in Hawaii.” I smirked towards Cynthia who was blushing mad at me.

“So with that being said, tonight we party!” Going into these new moments with the people I love, was all I needed in this life. Especially since I am finally free of a burden that wouldn’t let me thrive. Now, I can soar without regret or remorse.