#It was already clear that something was wrong with Michael but you can tell he is really broken

[doki-doki-imagines]

There is no love in your relationship. At least not from Kaiser's side. He likes you, as he may like someone else, but you make him feel good, and most importantly Michael firmly believes your actions, your words aren't born from the heart, but from a deep desire to use him, to wrap him around your fingers.

The blonde never reveals his feelings to you. He keeps a smile on his face even when your honeyed words make him gag. They are mellifluous, and Kaiser can hear the lies dripping. He is always on the alert, waiting for you to drop the mask and show your true face. Michael tells himself he is ready for your betrayal and it's not like he is getting used to you, not moving a inch when you ask for something he doesn't want to do, provoking and teasing you, fueling the fire to see your real self.

The problem comes when he notices that there isn't malice in you, or at least there is no malice towards him from you. Michael isn't used to that, unloved since the day he was born, disliked by many, a disgusting guy that finds pleasure just in other people downfall. That's why when he starts to feel his heart beating dangerously fast when you smile at him, or when he feels the need to put a cover on you when you fall asleep on the couch, even tucking it in so you won't get cold, he starts to worry.

It's not the same affection he sports for Ness, more similar to the one a kid has for his new favourite toy, or as Alexis' parents would say, "an experiment well made". It's totalising, making him feel like dirt under nails, something that scratched old memories that still wound his mind. He searches for an explanation of his emotions in his psychology books and everything points at love. But the outcome isn't the same because Michael broke the first rule of a loving relationship; truth. So now worry and anxiety pervade Michael's body because now that he desperately cares about you, he understands that you'll never love his real self, would never love the corrupt person he is.

A laugh with no real joy leaves Michael's throat, hands scratching his eyes, blonde long lashes already sticking together thanks to the newborns tears. Fingers digging into the skin of his cheeks. Imagines of you smiling, of the handmade gift you gave him for his b-day, of your eyes filled with joy, of you angry but still loving him flash in front of his eyes.

But nobody loves dirt under the nails. Seems like he was born to be unlovable after all.

[morimemichael]

Jealousy

Slashers reaction to their s/o flirting with someone else/getting compliments from someone else.

This goes for OG!Michael, RZ!Michael, Brahms, Ghostface (Stu), Pyramid Head

WG: jealousy issues, doubtful behavior, a little gore, some NSFW, dev!consent?¿ apart from that I’ll try to include some fluff too (cause I can’t live without it :’D)

OG!Michael

You’d be mesmerized to know how many things Michael can know or find out about you.

That’s how he found out you were extra friendly with a coworker.

Maybe he hasn’t made it clear, but he didn’t have any intentions to share you with other men.

You were his and his alone.

Something inside him snap when he saw your lips kissing goodbye on this guy’s cheek.

To you was something insignificant, but to him?

Ohh boy…

He was jealous.

No need to mention that Michael slaughtered this poor guy.

He got home with you, disappointed, and a little sad for what he saw today.

You were starting to wonder where he was, it was already dark and you hadn’t seen him in all day.

Your question was answered when you felt a large hand going up your back, straight to the back of your neck.

His breathing low and steady as always.

His hand grabbed the back of your neck and squeezed it a little bit, making you move away from the kitchen, but not so far.

“Hey, Michael! Missed u today, where u been?” You asked him, not being aware that he spent almost all day stalking you

He didn’t reply, instead he moved his hand upward and grabbed you by the hair this time, tucking at it so he could whisper in your ear

“That hurts!” You yelled at him, but he didn’t care. You tried to reach his hand holding your hair, but with his free hand he catches yours and puts it behind your back twisting it.

“What the hell is wrong with you!?”

He tucked at your again in protest

Then you realized that he might have been stalking you throughout the day and saw that little interaction between you and your male coworker. It must be that right?

“I’m s-sorry Michael, I’m sorry, it’s not gonna happen again.” You apologized.

He lowered his head so it leveled with your right ear.

“Mine.” He whispered, his voice raspy but clear. “Say it.”

“Ok…ok, I’m yours. Only yours…” You swore. He let you go, your hands reaching the cold marble of the kitchen.

Latter that night when you both went to sleep, he apologized for the way he treated you earlier.

RZ!Michael

Things with Michael turn different when he’s jealous. First things first, sometimes you can’t tell if he’s jealous or not cause his behavior it’s almost pretty much the same.

You both know each other since you were 9yo. You were the only one who used to play with him, and he’s thankful for that. But your heart was torn apart when he committed that awful crime. You knew his sister and father were shitty, but you never expected Michael to kill them.

When you found out he scaped the mental hospital he was being kept, something inside of you wanted Michael to come see you. You weren’t so wrong after all.

So it’s been a couple of weeks since he’s staying with you, and you know better than to ask him where he goes at night, leaving you alone in the house.

There was this particular time when your ex stopped by and stayed for lunch when Michael was out stalking, as usual. Or so you thought. Turns out that he decided to stalk you this time, and when he saw this foreign man to his knowledge, he snapped.

You didn’t had time to even serve lunch when you heard your ex screaming. “Holy shit!” And he sounded in pain too.

When you came back to the living room Michael had stabbed your ex’s hand to the wooden table that was already prepared to eat.

“Michael…please.., he’s my ex.”

Michael wasn’t sure of your words, so he pulled out painfully the kitchen knife of your poor ex’s hand, a pained moan scaped his mouth. The he grabbed the doomed guy by his neck and looked at you again.

“Michael, Michael, please…I swear he’s my ex. Please!!!” You begged him.

Michael decided enough was enough and let your ex go, but not before pointing you to go upstairs with his knife. You obeyed.

Once you both were there he grabbed you by the throat this time and squeezed a little bit. Now you were scared. He tucked a little bit just to let you know that if he want to, he could kill you any minute.

He bend you over the edge of the bed so your stomach was facing towards the bed, and your ass up.

“how romantic” You mocked. To be honest this wasn’t the first time you two fucked. But this? Holy fuck, this was totally different. You weren’t even sure if you’re disliking this.

“I’m not sharing.” He growled at your ear. He took out your pijamas and panties with one hand, with the other he took out his mask. He positioned himself with your entrance. Spit a little bit his cock to use it as lube.

He grabbed you by your neck again and put it the tip of his cock.

“Michael, I’m not even-” You protested, reaching your right hand to his leg to try to stop him, but he grabbed it and pulled it against him so you were closer to his chest.

“Shut up, and fucking take it.” That’s all he said before thrusting all the way into you. He set a brutal pace and all he could hear was your screams and moans of pleasure.

“Fu-uck Michael!! Don’t stop, don’t stop!!” You moaned. He got closer to your ear again.

“This is what you get for making me jealous.”

You thought you could make him jealous more often.

BRAMHS HEELSHIRE

“Brahms!” You moan your lungs out. He had you lay down facing the bed, and now he was fingering you like his life depends on that.

And all for what? Well, you told Malcom earlier that he had a nice hair cut today. Apparently, Brahms didn’t like that.

He slapped your ass with his free hand “Your mine, mine!” He growled on your ear.

“Okay…okay, I’m sorry.”

“Yeah…I bet you are.” He stated, his fingers moving faster now.

You were reaching the point of your climax when he stopped, and pulled at your hair.

“You wanna cum?” He asked. You nod and hummed. “Well, beg for it.” He slapped your ass again.

��Please…I’m so close.” You begged vaguely.

“What was that? I couldn’t hear you.” He replied, voice deeper now, filled with pure lust.

“Brahms, please…please I wa-I need to cum, please! I won’t do it again I promise!”

His fingers thrusting into your core in a brutal animalistic way. That was enough to make you cum that night.

Once you were finish he grabbed you by the hair again and said “if I see you again with him, his dead. You hear me?” He question.

“Yeah-yeah.” That’s all that would come out from your mouth.

PYRAMID HEAD

This big guy had never talked and never will, so if something just bothers him he will let you know in other ways.

Like when, for example, James complimented your bracelet one day. He was pissed, but he didn’t say anything, not that he could. So what did he do instead?

Well, he fallowed James all around Silent Hill making his life more miserable if that’s was even possible.

You weren’t exactly pissed at his behavior but you certainly didn’t like it. So next time he sees you you’ll let him know.

To your fortune that time was right now.

“Is tormenting James even necessary, Pyramid?” You asked annoyed.

He lowers his head and shakes no.

“So, why are you doing it?” He couldn’t answer you knew it so you asked him again. “Is it because you’re jealous of James?”

He shakes his head no several times, trying to hide the obvious feeling .

“Yeah…you definitely are.” You said.

He lowered his head again and was ready to leave when you grabbed his large hand.

“You can stay, it’s okay. It happens.” You smiled at him. From under his large pyramid, something like a tentacle came out to caress your chin.

“Promise me you won’t do it again, ok?”

He just nods and walk away peacefully.

GHOSTFACE

Since you two finished watching that movie, you wouldn’t stop talking about the killer.

How he was using a kitchen knife to kill people on the movie, or how he used his own hands to choke someone. You could notably see he was pissed at your comments of appreciation.

“Oh come on! I’m just messing around!” You laughed at him. He couldn’t be mad just because of that right?

“Well, go messing around Michael Myers then, perhaps he will burie his knife in you.” Stu said back.

“Stu come on! It’s just a movie!” You laughed a little bit

“If it’s just a movie don’t make me jealous!” He confessed.

“Jealous?” You giggle, then tried to hug him.

“N-no, no, you go hug Michael, he needs it more than I do.” Stu’s voice faking a sad tone. “Or go kiss his mask instead, cause apparently you don’t like mine anymore….ouch.” He continued.

“Well, if you say so…then I’m heading to Haddonfield then!” You said smiling to wait his reaction.

“No babe, don’t leave, I was just kidding.” He pouted, grabbing your hand so you wouldn’t leave.

“Ok..I promise to not saying anything like that again about Michael, if you promise to not get jealous.” You offered.

“Deal.” Stu replied smiling.

“I’m starving, wanna order some pizza?” He offered.

“Hell yeah.” You said, pizza didn’t sound that bad.

“Besides…I like your costume better.” You confessed.

“Ohh…” Stu was flattered, and couldn’t help but blush a little bit.

After that, you ate your pizza and cuddle all night, you being the smaller spoon. You quickly fell asleep in Stu’s warm arms.

Well I needed a little bit of humor with ghostie okay? 😭 I hope you liked it! See ya around 😊

[gatorbites-imagines]

Can I request John Constantine fic where the reader is a eldritch or an angel that's known the league for a while or they capture them but John knows them.

I'm a literal whore for that man 👹

John Constantine x Angel male reader

Headcanons

Reader’s bit of a black sheep amongst angels, cuz I feel like Constantine would go great with a bit of a rebel.

its honestly taken me too long to realize that lucifer from the show is the same lucifer as in the DC comics.

You had a bit of a past with John Constantine, with you being a bit of a rulebreaker amongst the angels and all. I mean, you still went to visit your brother Lucifer on the regular, even if you had been told not to.

Michael had scolded you more times than you could count, telling you not to pop in and out of hell as you please just because you want too, or to not just teleport to earth willy-nilly when Lucifer relocated there for a while.

It was at Lucifers club that you met Constantine for the first time. You didn’t really speak to him, but you did see how he seemed to truly get on your older brothers’ nerves, so you already liked him for that alone.

After the blonde Brit left, Lucifer would give you the whole spiel about him, complaining about how many times he had sold his soul, and all the trouble his actions caused in hell, and how much paperwork the blonde gave him.

After that you bump into him in other places. You like to party, you like to fight, you like to be a nuisance. And its not like anybody can stop an angel as powerful as yourself if they wanted. They’re lucky you just like to be annoying by nature and that you aren’t actually evil.

It ends up with you getting mixed up in some of the things Constantine get up too, even if its by accident because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. You always just know that Michael is gonna be on your neck when you get back to heaven after each time, but hanging out with John is worth it.

Hes tried to get you drunk so many times, but it never works no matter what kind of stuff he pulls out of his coat. Being angelic doesn’t really allow you to be weakened by something as small as alcohol. But its fun to see him try anyways.

In the eyes of your siblings, even Lucifer, Constantine is a bad influence, and they’ll scold you for spending so much time with a mortal, especially someone as twisted on the ledgers as Constantine. You just always shrug, flutter your wings, and fly off to do whatever it is you do. Being the youngest has its perks, since it means you get away with quite a lot.

It was also this carefree attitude that got you caught and locked up by the league. They hadn’t dealt with many angels before, so in the beginning they think you are something else. Be It a mutant or a spirit.

You could easily escape if you wanted too. Something as weak as a man-made structure wasn’t gonna hold you, but you had been bored for weeks now, so why not see what happens. You do get pretty annoyed when they talk about you like you cant hear them. They don’t know you can hear them, but still.

Zatanna easily spots that you are of divine descent, but just how far up in the hierarchy you are is a bit lost to her, since they still believe you can be captured by human means. This is why they’re forced to call in Constantine, since hes the only one they know who regularly interacts with an angel.

The Brit has a good laugh when he sees you sitting on the floor in a cell pouting, your wings wrapped around you like a cocoon. At this point you just phase out of the cell to flick Constantine in the temple for laughing at you.

John is the one that has to explain that you could have escaped the entire time if you wanted, you were just a dick that got bored easily. The dick comment makes you huff and smack him with your wing.

After all that is cleared up, the two of you go out to drink like usual. I could imagine the league trying to figure out if you’d be willing to help them when times are tough, but to their dismay you just shrug and give a “if I feel like it”.

Constantine will later explain to them in passing, mainly to roast you, that you are the youngest, which means that you aren’t used to real work and can just do whatever you want, cuz all your older siblings baby you.

His chair disappears from right under him for that comment, so the league takes it with a grain of salt. In the end you help out if there really is no other way, since angels shouldn’t interfere with minor issues.

Most of the time on earth you spend with John though, since he matches your wavelength and isn’t freaked out by the whole angel thing.

[babybluebex]

telling robert fischer you’re pregnant idec don’t look at me you KNOW how i feel about babies

yes yes, you are a FIEND for the babies, i'm aware of this... lucky for you, i am too 😈 also i tweaked this a little tiny bit to be more like what i texted you about sooooooo

Ever since Robert split the company, he had been happier. Of course, he really only split it because of you... And him.

"Mikey, just one more spoonful of carrots, then you can have a cookie," you heard your husband say from the dining room, and you nervously looked down at the bathroom counter. The plastic test had been saying the same thing for the past ten minutes, and, every time you looked back at it, your heart thumped with adrenaline. But no, it couldn't be. Michael was hardly 11 months old, and he took up most of your time; you and Robert had only had sex twice (three times, if him kneeling between your legs while Michael was napping counted) in the past six months. While it certainly wasn't impossible, it just seemed so soon.

When you finally left the bathroom, you found your boys sitting at the table, Robert spooning mashed carrots into his son's mouth, his own dinner cold and forgotten. When you had first gotten pregnant with Michael, you were worried about how much time Robert spent at the office and if he would be able to be there for his son. To your surprise, though, Robert had come through for you. He had used his father's alternate will that split up the company in order to take time for you and his son, and, even though the inheritance was smaller than Robert would have wanted, it meant he got to be with you and Michael. And there for you he was; he worked from home every day except for Fridays, he went with you to every doctor's appointment— even when you went into labor on a Friday morning, he skipped out of his meetings for the rest of the day to be with you. Robert was the best father you could have asked for, always prioritizing Michael before himself, and it made you pleased to know that fatherhood had completely changed him. You loved the Robert that you used to know, but Robert as a dad just made sense.

"Rob?" you said quickly. "I need to talk to you."

He looked at you with worry in his eyes, and Michael glanced at you. He was the spitting image of his father, dark downy hair and clear blue eyes, and he smiled his toothy little smile at you and squealed, slamming his hands down onto his high-chair tray. He started to babble, looking at Robert as he said "Da-da-da!", and Robert nodded slowly.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, and you hugged yourself as you shook your head.

"Just..." you started softly.

"Just what, sweetheart?" Robert asked, sounding a little urgent.

You sat down next to him at the table and wiped up Michael’s chin, covered in carrots, and you sighed. “I think I’m pregnant,” you said, and you watched Robert’s face turn from one of worry to one of surprise.

"Oh!" he said. "Well, that's good! I was worried it was gonna be something bad."

"I want to go to a doctor and get a test done," you told him, and you watched him pull Michael from his high chair, settling him easily on his hip.

"Alright," Robert agreed easily.

"Robbie," you said quickly. "Do you not hear me?"

"I hear you, sweetheart," Robert told you.

"Well?" you asked. "We can't have a toddler and a baby running around! It'll be too hectic! And Mikey is still a lot of work, we'll be stretched so thin with him and a newborn."

"I think we'll be fine," Robert said. He held tightly onto Michael as he reached down into the pantry for his son's favorite cookies, the shortbread kind with a thin chocolate on the bottom, and he turned back to you for a moment. "I'll just take less hours at the office."

"You already don't have that many hours," you said softly. "I just... I'm just worried, y'know? I don't know if I can do that."

Michael grabbed at the cookie in Robert's hand, and Robert gave his son a playful scowl. "We ask before we take things, Mikey," he said. "Here, ask nicely."

Michael reached out his chubby little fist again, but this time he babbled away a quick "Dada!". Robert smiled and broke the cookie into a smaller piece, more manageable for Michael, and your son pushed it between his lips, gnawing on it with his growing teeth. Robert came back to the table, handing Michael off to you, and you held your son firmly, sighing.

"I think you can do that," Robert said finally. "You're a strong woman, and such a good mother. I mean, you already take care of me and Mikey so well. I think you're capable of more than you think you are."

"But..." you started, bouncing Michael lightly. You shook your head lightly, and Robert leaned forward, resting a gentle hand on your knee.

"You're not alone," Robert told you. "You've got me here for you, no matter what. Alright? We're gonna do this together."

You pressed your lips together and sighed through your nose, and you watched your son eat his cookie for a minute. His big blue eyes caught your gaze, and he extended his hand to you, giving you the sloppy, gnawed-on remnants of his cookie, and you couldn't help but smile. "Thank you," you whispered to him, taking it into your hand, and you looked back up at Robert. "If you say so, Robbie. We have to think of more names."

"I hope it's a girl," Robert said, reaching out to pinch Michael's belly. "You want a sister, Mikey? A little sister?" Michael giggled and squirmed in your arms, obviously wanting down so he could play, and your smile grew.

"I want another boy," you said. "Just have a bunch of little rascals running around."

"Who says a girl can't be a rascal?" Robert asked. "She can be whatever she wants to be."

"That's true," you chuckled. "Can you try to get me a doctor's appointment for later this week?"

"Sure," Robert said. "Did you take a drugstore test?"

"Yeah," you told him. "Just a few minutes ago."

"Why?" Robert asked. "What made you think to do that?"

"Well, I'm late, for one thing," you started. "And I'm getting that same sick feeling whenever I eat that I did back when I was in my first trimester."

"Okay," Robert said softly. "Well, we'll go later and see what the verdict is. But, I'll let you know, if it is a girl, I'll start crying."

"Oh, whatever," you giggled, and you leaned over Michael to kiss Robert softly. "My big crybaby."

[kingofpopmj]

I Don't Know Whether To Live Or Die

Summary: Michael struggles to appreciate his life in the present after receiving a surprise visit from a ghost from his past.

Pairing: Michael Jackson x Reader!

Warning: SAD, READING MAY RESULT IN SOBBING, SCREAMING AND THROWING UP, DON’T HATE ME!

Requested: yes

Loud pounding came from the front door, Michael ran over, laughing at how impatient she sounded.

“You forgot something didn’t you babe?” He shouted before opening the door, revealing a face he was sure he’d never have to see again.

“Michael.” She smiled, her hand sending a shy wave his way. “Hi, how are you?”

“Lisa, what are you doing here?” His ex-wife, a woman who he thought he loved, but all she did was use him. She never truly cared for him which is why she didn’t put up much of a fight when she received the divorce papers.

“I’m sorry to show up like this. I needed to speak with you.”

“What’s going on?”

“May I come in?”

“Uh, let’s— we can talk out here.” He said, stepping out and firmly shutting the door behind him. This visit was going to be problematic enough without him inviting her into his home— their home.

“I don’t know where to start.”

“Well, I don’t have all day, so—”

“Michael, I still love you.” She blurted out, her eyes widened when she realized she didn’t ease into like she’d planned.

“Excuse me?” He stepped away from her, looking at her like she was insane.

“I’m still in love with you.” She reiterated, trying to reach out for his hand.

“I— What?” He rejected her advances.

“I know you’ve moved on and it’s so wrong for me to say this to you. I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. It was eating me alive.”

“Yes, I have moved on and I’m very happy.”

“I know and that’s great. I’m happy for you. This was wrong. I’m so sorry. Can we just forget I said anything?” She bit her lip nervously, unsure of what to say next.

“It is wrong. Jesus, it’s been years Lisa. I finally moved on and I feel like myself again. I found someone. I found my someone. Y/N, she’s my person.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop thinking about us and it started to feel like maybe we could work now. We’re older, wiser. We’d be better this time around. It feels like the whole idea of right person, wrong time, you know? We were always right for each other, but back then, was the wrong time, but maybe now is the right time.”

“Is this a joke? You come here, to the home I share with Y/N and say this to me?” His voice growing louder. “Do you even understand how disrespectful that is? Lisa, we were never right for each other. We just weren’t. We don’t work together that way. The way I work with Y/N— she’s my right person, right time, all the time, every time. She’s it. She’s who I belong with.”

“It’s not a joke, I wish it was, but it’s how I feel. Yes. You’re right. I shouldn’t have come here. I should’ve kept this to myself. You’ve obviously made your decision. I’m sorry. She’s a very lucky woman. I hope she knows that.”

“I’m the lucky one.” Michael corrected.

He watched as she walked away, climbing into her car and leaving him utterly stunned. It wasn’t until she’d already driven off that he was able to snap out of it. He made it back inside, slamming the door in frustration.

What the hell is wrong with her?

Eight hours. Eight hours had passed since she pulled out of his drive way and he found himself unable to wipe it from his memory. He was sat on the floor of his dance studio, desperately trying to distract himself but nothing worked.

He couldn’t understand why her visit had him so twisted up.

“Babe! I’m home!” Y/N’s voice rang from downstairs, he could tell just from the sound of it that you were smiling. Shit. He’d really lost track of time. He stood up and made his way to you. He was determined to clear his mind during the time it took to get downstairs, but once again, he had failed.

“Hi, my love.” He smiled, kissing her temple as she stood in front of the sink, washing her hands.

“I missed you today. How was your day?”

“Mhm, I missed you. Alright. Yours?”

“Are you feeling okay?” She dried her hands with a dish towel and turned to him, a concerned look on her face.

“Yeah. Yeah.”

“Stressful rehearsals?” She asked, cupping his face lovingly.

“Oh, yeah.” Michael was a no show to rehearsals, he’d completely forgotten. Now, he’s lying to Y/N because of his uncertainty. Whether it was to protect Lisa or himself, he wasn’t sure.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Don’t worry too much. I’m sure you were incredible, you always are.”

“That’s when you’re there. I’m always better when I have you to impress.”

“Invitation accepted. How about I make your favorite for dinner?” She was completely unaware of what had transpired today. She had no idea what Michael was truly thinking and it made him feel guilty.

“I’d love that. Thank you, my love.”

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

Michael spent the night chasing after sleep. He’d gone back and forth, staring up at the ceiling and watching you sleep peacefully beside him. You were lying close, your arm draped around his torso.

He loved you so damn much.

He had to forget about Lisa and everything she said. She needed to be left in the past where she belonged.

Unfortunately, that was easier said than done.

He was so lost in his thoughts, thinking of every possible scenario and outcome, that he almost didn’t notice the sun rising. He glanced over at the clock, your alarm would be going off any moment. If you saw him awake you’d get worried, so when he heard the alarm sound, he closed his eyes.

He pretended to be asleep, silently making note of how considerate you were. You had woken up immediately, turning off your alarm so it wouldn’t disturb him. You got out of bed carefully, tip toeing over to his side of the bed, pulling the blanket up to cover him and leaving a sweet kiss on his cheek.

You were so damn sweet.

When he heard the bathroom door shut softly, his eyes shot open and he felt a wave of disgust wash over him. He has everything.

You are everything.

He couldn’t lay in bed any longer, so he dragged himself away and his feet carried him to you.

“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” Y/N asked as he took the place behind her, pulling her back into his chest.

“No, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?” She offered, buttoning up her fitted blouse. “I’m a great listener.”

“We probably should.” He said, his shoulders were slumped over as he feared what was coming. He couldn’t keep anything from you. He couldn’t lie to you. He felt like he was betraying you and he hated it.

“I’m here.” Y/N leaned against the counter, her smile bringing him some comfort.

“I saw Lisa yesterday.” He avoided her eyes, afraid of the impending reaction.

“Lisa?” Her head tilted to the side as she tried to put the pieces together.

“Yeah.”

“Oh, Lisa-Marie, your ex-wife?”

“Yes.”

“My love, that’s why you were so stressed.”

“She said some stuff.”

“What? I don’t understand what her problem is. Are you okay? Did she storm into your rehearsals and yell at you in front of everyone like last time?” She was becoming increasingly protective as she questioned him. Usually, it made him smile, but right now all he could think was how he didn’t deserve it.

“No, she came here.”

“She was here?”

“Yes, she showed up unannounced. We spoke outside on the deck. It threw me off and I ended up missing rehearsals.” He felt the weight being lifted off his shoulders as he told her the truth.

“Oh, well, are you okay?” She knew how vindictive his ex could be, her main concern was making sure Michael was okay.

“Not exactly. I haven’t been able to get the things she said out of my head.” He sounded ashamed as he explained the effect his ex had on him. Y/N felt angry, but more than anything, she ached at the thought of Michael feeling less than.

“Michael, you’re a good man. The best, most beautiful man. Inside and out— you’re perfect. You’re kind, caring, funny and so damn talented. Please, don’t listen to her. Don’t let her get in your head. She says things only to bring you down.”

“She confessed that she still has feelings— she’s still in love with me and it— I don’t know— I— It freaked me out.” He spoke, feeling full of shame.

“That’s a surprising revelation. It makes sense that it would throw you off. I’m sure it was difficult enough to see her again.” Y/N did her best to stay calm even though she wanted to find Lisa and drag her up and down Main Street for even daring to come near Michael.

“I can’t stop thinking about her— about it— about what she said.”

“What?” She wasn’t expecting that. She was sure she heard him wrong until he went on.

“I keep thinking about it. I don’t know— I keep thinking about all the mistakes we made back then and what we could’ve done differently. I just I needed to be honest with you.”

“What?” She repeated. He said ‘we’, but he was referring to Lisa and him. Y/N felt she was being pushed out of the picture right before her eyes.

“She told me she loved me and—”

“It shouldn’t matter. We’re together. You’re with me. It shouldn’t matter what she was to say.”

“It doesn’t matter. She doesn’t matter. I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time forgetting about it. I never thought she would show up and say that to me. I haven’t thought about her in years. I don’t understand what it’s triggered in me.”

“What you could’ve done differently.” She repeated his words with heartbreak written all over her face.

“Seeing her and hearing her confession twisted me up for some reason.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. I never thought she actually loved me.”

“Did you love— Do you still love her?” She rephrased her question because she realized how silly it would’ve been. Michael had married Lisa, so he obviously loved her at some point, but loving her still— that’s something she needed to know.

“Y/N…” He shook his head, struggling to look into her eyes and give a definite answer.

“You do, don’t you?” Her voice grew softer, it was the first time he’d ever heard her sound unsure of herself.

“I— I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Y/N—”

“How could you even say that? You should know. Michael, it’s a simple question. Oh my god. Do you even love me?” She dragged her fingers through her hair, hoping this was a nightmare, it had to be. She wanted so badly to wake up.

“Yes. Yes, I love you. Of course I love you. I just feel a little confused.” His words spewed out as he attempted to answer the question as quickly as possible, so she’d feel no doubt. However, it was too late. If he really loved her like he said he did, then nothing and no one would cause him to feel so confused.

“Confused? Lisa showing up and telling you she still loves you confuses you, why? You lied to me about attending rehearsals because instead you were fantasizing about life with her, what could’ve been…” She looked away from him for the first time and he took that moment to steal a glimpse of her.

“I wasn’t expecting it. No, no, it wasn’t like that, I thought about the things I could’ve done better.” The way Y/N’s face fell, made him want to punch himself. “No, I mean more along the lines of the things I’ve done better with you and it felt so natural. That mess of a relationship with her, how awful she is, it prepared me, made me better to find you, to deserve you. Because you’re perfect for me, you’re everything she isn’t.” He had to admit it sounded better in his head. Basically, he was putting Lisa down to lift Y/N up, but it only made her feel more inferior.

“Do you want to get back with her?”

“I— Y/N…” Once again, no real answer.

“Oh my god. Michael, what does that make me? What even am I to you? A place holder?”

“No, Y/N. God, no. No.”

“You can’t stop thinking about her?”

“I shouldn’t have said anything, but it didn’t feel right to keep it from you. I wanted to be honest.”

“You can’t stop thinking about her.” She reaffirmed his statement and hoped that this time he told her otherwise.

“I’m sorry.” That’s when she truly broke, hearing him say sorry meant there was something to apologize for. There was something real, a place in his heart that wasn’t for her.

“What am I— am I not enough?”

Her words shocked him, but what shocked him even more was how throughout this whole conversation she remained composed. She was angry, but she never raised her voice at him. She was hurt, but she continued to empathize and try to understand his feelings. She’d still looked after him when she shouldn’t have and somehow that made him feel worse.

“Y/N, you are enough. You’re more than enough. You’re so out of my league. I’m the one— I’m not enough. Please—” She practically flew backwards to avoid his touch.

“It’s okay. I’m fine.” She forced herself to smile even though she couldn’t feel anything but pain. The man standing in front of her feeling more like a stranger the longer he spoke.

“Y/N…” Michael struggled to find the words yet again. She put her hands up, silently begging him to stop.

“I’m fine. Everything is fine. I have to go or I’ll be late for work.”

“We can finish talking about this tonight? I know there’s more you’d like to say, rightfully so.”

“There’s nothing left to say.”

She took small steps, backing away from him and eventually disappearing into the bedroom. He stood there dumbfounded. He wondered what the hell was wrong with him. He didn’t care for Lisa. He didn’t love her, not anymore and not the way he loves you. It was a surprise to hear from Lisa, nothing more. He didn’t care to ever see or speak to her again.

“Would you like to go out for dinner?” His voice desperate, carrying through the entire house.

“Sure.” Her short response made him smile. Although, they definitely weren’t fine, he knew that he still had a fighting chance. He could make this up to her. He could fix this.

“You look beautiful. As always.” He smiled nervously, following her out of the bedroom and into the hall.

“Thank you.” She walked fast in front of him not sparring him a second glance.

“Um... can I give you a ride to work?”

“It’s okay. I’ve got a few errands to run during lunch, so I’ll need my car.”

“Alright. Well, I’ll see you tonight.” She shifted uncomfortably, nodding as she descended the first few steps. The sight of her back made his stomach turn. He felt like a complete idiot.

“Wait!” His hand grabbed her arm, stopping her abruptly. She spun around on her heels, giving him a frightened look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”

“It’s alright.”

“I’ll see you later?” He leaned into her, but she flinched, straining her neck in the opposite direction, causing his lips to land on her jawline. “I love you. I love you so much.”

She looked at him through sorrow filled eyes. All he wanted to do was absorb the pain he’d inflicted upon her. He’d gladly welcome pain if it meant she’d never feel it again.

“Sorry. I guess— I wasn’t expecting that. You took me by surprise.” He wanted to ask why. He wanted to ask what was so surprising about him giving you a goodbye kiss— something they’d done every morning, but he decided against it.

“It’s okay.” He whispered.

She moved back up the steps, standing directly in front of him for a moment. Slowly, her arms wrapped around his torso and she rested her head against his chest. He didn’t waste a moment pulling her closer. He was thankful she’d let him.

Y/N pulled away, looking into his eyes as she closed the space between them.

She moved so slowly he was able to take in the small details of her face. The crease in the middle of her eyebrows, the way her lips were pointed down in a subtle frown and the tears that were puddled against her eyelashes just waiting to fall. He wanted to tell her he loved her. He wanted to explain his stupidity further. He wanted to apologize again, but he didn’t want to interrupt this moment, not yet.

Her closeness igniting warmth throughout his body as she reached up, her lips finding his.

She threw her arms around his neck and he pulled her closer, losing his balance in the process. They stumbled until his back slammed into the wall, they were chasing each other’s touch while trying to regain their footing.

The kiss grew needy, sloppy and desperate as it felt like a temporary escape for both of them. Y/N tugged at his clothes as his hands roamed her body, caressing every curve. She pulled back gasping for air, she shut her eyes and leaned her forehead against his.

“I’m going to be late.”

“Okay.”

“Goodbye, Michael.”

“I love you.”

“I— I love you too.” Her voice cracked as she stepped out of his embrace, turning away and walking down the stairs. She was out the door when he felt himself breathe again. They were going to be okay he said to himself.

Michael got ready for the day, when he left the house he found himself eager to return at the end of the day.

He missed her already.

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

The sun had just set when Michael arrived home. He parked the car in the garage and basically ran to the front door. He wanted to see her, hug her, kiss her and tell her how much he adored her.

He only wanted to come home to her.

Michael darted up the stairs, looking for his love, but when he made it to your shared room, he felt his heart drop.

Everything was gone.

The drawers once filled with her clothes— empty. The closet half occupied by her coats and dresses— empty. The shelves in the shower that held her shampoo and conditioner— empty. The house without her in it— empty.

He stood there in disbelief, squeezing his eyes shut as if everything would reappear when he opened them again, but it didn’t. That’s when it all came flooding back, the weight of it all making him feel like he was being buried alive.

This morning, she was barely holding it together and he didn’t pay attention.

“There’s nothing left to say.”

How could he miss it? She’d made it clear. That was clue number one and he overlooked it. The way she moved away from him when she said it, that was just the beginning of his new reality. She’d said there was nothing left for her to say, then walked backwards giving him ample time to speak up. She wasn’t the one who had explaining to do, it was him. That was his chance. She’d thrown out a lifeline and he didn’t take it.

“Goodbye, Michael.”

She never said that, she always said “See you soon, babe.” And, she paired it with that beautiful smile.

He couldn’t believe he didn’t notice it sooner.

He realized it all too late.

It was right in front of him, she sent him every clue, every hint and he should’ve picked up on it, but he didn’t.

She’d essentially handed him every puzzle piece, hoping he’d solve it and stop her from walking out, but he didn’t.

He saw the tears in her eyes and didn’t question them. He didn’t fight to hold her tighter— to hold her longer. He didn’t insist on kissing her cheeks until eventually she’d stop crying, forgetting what brought them on in the first place.

He didn’t fight for her.

He let her slip through his fingers, leading her to believe it was what he’d wanted. He’d made her feel like she wasn’t the one— the only one in his heart, but she was.

She is. She’s the one.

She’d left believing she was doing him a favor. She’d left because even though she loved him, she wanted him to be happy— with or without her. She left him despite the pain it brought her because she’d rather be broken than see him suffer.

This can’t be real. He prayed that this was a dream, but as he felt hot tears hit his chest, he knew it wasn’t. It was a nightmare, but it was real. It was his life.

“I— I love you too.”

She never said that either. He’d say “I love you.” She’d respond, “I love you more.” To which he’d argue, “Not possible.” Then, they’d kiss, damn would they kiss. She’d show up a few minutes late to work everyday because of their ‘kiss’, but today she was on time.

It was corny, yes, but it was their thing. Their routine and when she went off script he hadn’t even given it a second thought. He’d just dropped a bomb on her— one that she didn’t deserve. And, he didn’t press to fix it. He didn’t beg her to hear him out.

He was so focused on apologizing— later. Fixing everything— later. Reminding her what she meant to him— later. Telling her how much he needed her— later. He was so immersed in the idea of later that he didn’t see what was happening in the present. There wouldn’t be another time. They wouldn’t have another later— at least not together. It was like a punch to the gut and he could feel all the air dissipating from his lungs painfully slow.

He wouldn’t get another chance.

You’d said goodbye this morning and it took him until nightfall to realize that he’d lost you.

You’d uttered the final I love you.

You’d held him for the last time.

You’d kissed him goodbye. And, he missed it.

[blueberrypancakesworld]

My heart...don't cry I'm here - Saltburn 2023

Michael Gavey x fem!reader

warning : hurt/comfort, angst, implied non-con kissing(from Oliver), jealousy, kissing/cuddling, mentions of blood

Summary : A winter ball or a party is an invitation with consequences and love that blossoms. Michael and his sweetheart were together, everything was perfect until one thing changed and love had to be defended.

Info : So again something for Saltburn and our sweet Michael a little thought/more complex. Have fun reading ;)

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

Everything had been perfect since she had been at university, her grades were good and she had made friends. It was the perfect environment in 2006 with the others.

And it was only going to get better since she showed up in his math class, the extra afternoon class with him for the students who wanted to review the subject.

Maybe it was because it was just the two of them in the afternoon class, maybe it was because Michael was the "teacher" for the time, or maybe it was because she started bringing him a crunchy bar every time. Whatever it was, it brought the two of them together.

Maybe it was his smile that appeared every time she got another task right which was so full of joy for her that she couldn't help but smile herself. His joy and devotion to the subject and to her was clear.

That it was bound to happen at some point that when she suddenly dropped a pen and they both bent down for it, it seemed like a scene from a bad romance novel. ,,Please, I insist," he said and his lips curled into that cute smile again, which almost seemed to make him excited.

He adjusted his glasses again and put the pen back in her hand, she greeted him with a ,,Thank you Michael... tell me, I'm very grateful for all this, would you mind coming for a cup of tea with me?" she dared to ask, already preparing to be laughed at by him, that his flight of fancy had caused him to drop her.

Instead, she was almost blown away when he practically ripped her arm out and shook her hand, smiling broadly at her.

,,Oh yes, I'd love to, my dear!" he had told her and this was the first date they had had in a small cafe near the university for tea and a few cupcakes but she had quickly realized that Michael preferred his Crunchy Bars to any other sweet things.

When he dug into the chocolate and drank the tea she smiled at him and she could always see his slight nervousness. He had changed a little, he was no longer as stern and serious as he was when he was studying.

She had often seen him in the library looking at the books and exercise books so intently. Always with a thoughtful look on his face. But now he was as cute as an excited golden retriever.

But it didn't bother anyone, it was even kind of cute when he told the cashier that he had miscalculated. How he insisted that they recalculate that his bill was correct and the machine was wrong.

Michael shouted out the answer and only calmed down when she put her hand on his and gave him an understanding look. ,,Excuse my... my boyfriend, please do the math again?" she asked, not seeing the look of confusion and then complete love behind his glasses.

She hadn't dismissed him, she hadn't laughed at him or shamed him, she had called him her boyfriend. They were a couple.

They were really together. They had been together for a few months, almost a year, and yet their love for each other had never changed, on the contrary, it had only grown stronger.

It was perfect until she found the little note under her notebook, she had met Michael in the library and they had studied together and she still seemed to feel the kiss on the back of his hand when he greeted her.

,,Romance, my dear romantic, is the best thing I can give you every day," he always said before he kissed her enruet gently and always with a little hint of nervousness. He hid his eyes, pushed up his glasses and disappeared, waving.

She looked after him for a moment before disappearing into the library shelves, not paying attention to her notebook, and only when she came back did she see the little note.

Dearest Blood, I would like you to show up at my party for the Winter Ball. With best regards O she left the handwritten message and looked around to see if she could find the person who had left it there. But no?

No one seemed to fit the bill, although she could knowingly assign the O as the sender. Oliver Quick. The mutual friend of the two of them, or the cheat if Michael was concerned.

Oliver and he used to be friends, but since the brown-haired man had been hanging out with the rich guys from Saltburn and such, neither of them recognized him anymore.

Giving the note her attention for a moment, she sat back down to study and decided to tell Michael in the afternoon when they met again, not knowing that two eyes were already watching her.

That his lips curled into a smile and the plan of plans went according to plan. After a while, she disappeared from the library and found her darling in the cafeteria, his plate full of food and almost always the same.

,,Michael, look what I've found from your... friend," she said as she came to him with her tray, also full of food, and sat down at her seat, handing him the paper.

She saw how at first he seemed a little unknowing and then he seemed to remember the deceiver who had once been his friend. Looking at the paper he let her know they knew Oliver had changed but now?

Was it a good idea to go to the party? ,,A party...my darling, only if you feel like it, of course I would accompany you, it would certainly...certainly be interesting to see how he has been," Michael said and handed her the note after reading it again.

She looked at the paper, she didn't know the word "blood" from Oliver, she never thought he would become like this. One of the rich ones.

But was it true and didn't everyone deserve a second chance? That's what they both thought when they turned up at the Winter Ball, or rather the big boozy party, and they were rather overdressed.

Michael had chosen his suit and the white rose on his breast pocket, she had picked it out, fluffed it through his hair and given him a motivating kiss.

In return, he had laced up her dress and showered her with compliments before the two of them had walked through the large double doors just a few minutes later and found themselves at the "Winter Ball".

She heard the horrified sound of Michael looking at the party with an uncertain look that resembled her own. She wondered how the hell so many people could fit in here - it shouldn't be possible, should it?

Everyone was close together, bumping into their neighbors. ,,Shall we go?" she asked, looking at Michael, who adjusted his glasses and looked at her, even though he seemed to want to leave, he shook his head.

,,Shall I get us some drinks and you Oliver?" he asked and looked at her, reaching for her hand to show her that it could be different, that he was looking for his friend and she was looking for the drinks. But when her gaze turned to the bar or whatever else was there, she almost felt dizzy.

Crowds upon crowds of people had taken over the area around it and finding her way back in there would be suicide. ,, Sure we can do that," she said hastily and gave him a grateful look before they parted and Michael set off to make his way through the dancing drug addicts and his favorite through the crowds on the way to Oliver.

After having to dodge several drinks, drugs and dancing people and a leap backwards to avoid being hit by a keg of beer, she was about to give up the search when she saw a brown mop of hair disappear into one of the many rooms. A room she had never seen before.

There were many brown-haired people here, but when she saw the brief smile on the lips of the stranger, there seemed to be no doubt. It was a knowing smile, an amused smile, a hungry smile. The smile of someone who knew exactly what was going on around him.

Following the stranger into the room and opening the door, it suddenly seemed quieter, as if the walls had been built in such a way as to keep the lowly folk at bay. ,,Oliver Quick?" she asked, annoyed that her voice sounded so uncertain even though she had no reason to be.

She knew him, she thought, and yet it also seemed to be due to the room that she felt like she was being swallowed up.

Her voice didn't have the confidence she wanted and she felt her heart beat faster as the man turned around. ,,My blood, you really came, I thought you and the nerd had gone off," he sneered and she could just see his eyes roaming over her body.

He had tried to hide his attraction for her back then, but she had already seen that he was always too tempted to hug her as his hands wandered over her body.

Until she got together with Michael and Oliver left for Saltburn. ,,No we didn't Oliver, we're here to see how you're doing," she replied, glancing over her shoulder, knowing the door was within reach.

But the wolf in front of her was watching her and seemed to want to wrap his jaws around her at any moment. He smiled, winked at her and came towards her, step by step he seemed to enjoy seeing her like this more and more.

,,Looking around then, dear? You were worried how flattering," he whispered and continued to walk towards her, his hand reaching for hers and she felt him kiss the back of her hand, not sure if she should pull away. It was disgusting only Michael ever kissed her like that.

He wasn't Michael he wasn't the romantic he was a creep. ,,Let go of me, we're done here!" she screamed, wanting to tear her arm free and run for the door, out of the room, away from him, away from everything, and yet the wolf seemed faster.

Grasping her wrist, he healed her in place and the grin of his fangs frightened her even more and she wanted to scream. She could already feel herself gathering air, she would scream for her friend until she fell silent.

Something almost medicinal tasted, medicinal, bitter. Alcohol. The alcohol and drug-filled kiss of Oliver on her lips that robbed her of any scream.

She felt his hands running over her body, reaching for everything he could get, wanting more and more. It was disgusting the pressure on her arms, legs and back as he tried to loosen the bow.

Before suddenly all her senses exploded fear and panic flooded through her and she tore him away from her. She ran out and saw the grin behind her as he licked his lips as if he wanted more of this forbidden treasure.

She no longer saw anything but fear as she hurried through the crowd, not paying attention to the people, and only cried out again, which was drowned out by the music when she felt hands on her shoulders.

,,Darling!" she heard the nickname and feared it was Oliver who had opened up to her and wanted to pull her back into the room and take her into the dark.

She was afraid of what would happen. ,,Honey, it's Michael! What's going on? What happened?" he asked, his hands on her cheeks trying to calm her down, seeing the fear screaming in her eyes.

Her eyes full of fear looked at him and slowly she began to understand that it wasn't Oliver, that it wasn't the one who had kissed her who wanted more of her. ,,Mi-Michael...I-I want to leave now!" she screamed at him and saw that he was looking over her, searching for something to explain what had happened.

But by then he had already grabbed her by the hand and taken her out of the building, walked her to the car and put her inside.

The cool night enveloped her, but the heat seemed slow to overcome her. ,,What happened?" he asked, his voice calm yet demanding, she didn't have to look to know that he was pulling himself together, that his hands were shaking, that his body was tense and that he would give anything to help her.

,,Oli-Oliver he...kissed me...I flew I had to get away," she stammered, still afraid of what might have happened if she hadn't escaped.

Instead, she felt a comforting warmth other than the heat of the party Oliver gently placed his hand on hers and gave her a soft sympathetic expression before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a Crunchy bar.

His kiss was as gentle and careful as Oliver could ever be and he said, ,,Wait here please I'll be back in a few minutes everything will be fine darling". It was almost absurd how gentle he could be in this situation and she gave him as grateful a look as she could.

Before he left, he pulled out a handkerchief, skillfully wiped away the tears and gave her one last gentle kiss on the head.

It was so different from Oliver when Michael disappeared into the dark back to the party while she was back in the car looking at the bar in her hand. But this time the beating of her heart was different, it wasn't full of fear, it was full of love.

Even then, when he returned a few minutes later, she was startled to see the blood on his white shirt, the splinter in his glasses and the blood on his fingers. He wanted to start the car without saying a word but hadn't sorted himself out.

This time she put her hand on his, put her head on his shoulder and said a simple, ,,Thank you Michael, I love you" as he gave her another kiss.

She knew the blood smelled of Oliver he knew Michael had hit him but she didn't care she had him with her. His kisses covered Oliver's and with each kiss she slowly forgot what had happened.

There was only her and Michael had only ever given it and would only ever give it.

~~~~~~~~~

@ateliefloresdaprimavera , @valeskafics , @ria-coolgirl , @wigglywoos59 , @sapphirespiders , @su-per-fi-cial-if-rep-us

[peakyltd]

New Endings - Part 3

Part 3 | Tommy Shelby x reader

A/N: Well this is posted later than I intended but I was struggling with this one and after working a little bit too long on it, idk what to think of it anymore 🥲 Anyway, I hope you'll still like it!

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of injuries, mentions of domestic violence/abuse.

Word count: 5.4k

MASTERLIST | PREVIOUS PART | NEXT PART

Tommy held his aunt's displeased gaze, if her angry tone didn't already gave away how she felt, her eyes would for sure. "Did you forgot who her fiancé is? Who says we can trust her?"

"It's (Y/N), Pol." Tommy's toneless voice objected, not impressed by Polly's words. "You think people won't change? It’s our company that’s connected to the house, it’ll become a fucking target." She confuted.

Tommy had gathered Polly, Arthur, John and Michael for a family meeting in his office in Arrow House. He had enlightened them on the new situation and found details about David. Much doubt arose when he announced that (Y/N) stayed at the old family home, mostly from Polly who questioned her intentions or that from her fiancé.

“Ah c’mon Pol, d'you really think she’d try anythin'?” John turned in his chair to look at his aunt, his eyebrows furrowed. Not believing (Y/N) would have any intentions to screw them over.

“She won’t.” Tommy interrupted them as he leant back in his chair. He hadn't expect the backlash he just received, assuming they would all just accept it. The words of his aunt lingered in his head, maybe he was taking a risk but at the same time he didn’t believe (Y/N) would go against him. Not in the state he had found her in.

“She stays there. I’ll find her a home in the meantime.” He looked at each of his family members, a dominant look in his eyes, a sign that there was no room for negotiation. Something that didn’t work well on Polly. “You’re blinded, Thomas. Remember how it worked out for you the last time.”

Tommy clenched his jaw at her remark, annoyed that she brought up his late wife and the way she had lied to him. Despite the betrayal it didn’t stop him from loving her and forgiving her. Something Polly never did.

“I’m helping her so that bastard doesn’t kill her.”

Michael cleared his throat, the tension between Polly and Tommy was clearly palpable and it made him feel uncomfortable. “With who is David involved with?” He wondered, recalling the information Tommy gave them earlier. “I don’t know yet.”

“We’ll keep an eye on that bloody bastard, right Tom?” Arthur looked at his younger brother, showing him that he got his back. “We do.”

Polly shook her head. “Isn’t this place big enough?" She referred to Arrow House. "You have plenty of space for a guest.”

“She felt safe at Watery Lane.” Tommy directed his attention back to his aunt. Polly narrowed her eyes. “That’s what she tells you.”

Tommy sighed as he kept his gaze on her. “Thank you all for coming.” His brothers and cousin got up to leave the office together, unlike Polly, who remained in her chair with her arms crossed.

“You’re dismissed Pol, free to go.” He bossed her while he put his glasses on his nose and took a folder with documents from his desk.

“You wouldn’t let her stay here, do you?” Polly sneered at him. He looked up over his glasses. “I wouldn’t want to give off the wrong ideas now, do I?”

A humorless laugh fell off her lips. “Please, Thomas don’t-“ Tommy slammed the folder on the desk, making Polly slightly jump at the sudden noise. “Listen to me, eh?! She's no bad news. We’ll go see her tomorrow and you’ll see with your own bloody eyes what happened. I’m not fucking stupid Pol.”

Polly let the silence after Tommy's finished sentence surround them for a moment as she stood up. She walked over to his desk and leaned over it, pointing her finger in his face. “You don’t realize what you got yourself into.” Her eyes were boring into his, showing him that she meant it.

Rays of sunlight streamed trough the small gaps of the curtain, touching (Y/N)'s face in a kind way. The soft light slowly awoke her from her peaceful rest. She snuggled into the blanket as she opened her eyes, carefully taking in her surroundings. Her mind took her back to the events of the day before, just like it did during the night until exhaustion took her into it's arms and gave her the rest she so desperately needed.

The room felt safe and if she could, she would lock herself in there so she didn't have to worry about anyone. Unfortunately things weren't that easy and she had to prepare herself for her new future, something new and unknown.

She sat up and put the pillow against the metal bedframe. While she got comfortable, she looked around the room. It was exactly how she remembered it, the flower pattern on the wallpaper, the chair next to the bedside table and the tapestry that hung next to the bed. It was as if the younger versions of both her and Tommy could walk trough the door at any moment. The sigh that left her mouth was slow as she reminded herself of easier times.

She got up and changed into the dress that Tommy had left for her before opening the curtains. The sky had replaced the somber grey colors for a calm blue one, clouds were dappled here and there. Golden threads of the morning sun directly shined into the bedroom, a smile tugged on the corners of her lips as she looked outside. It felt as if this was nature's way to tell her that she made the right decision. Or well, she would like to believe it was.

She turned away from the window and left the room to make her way downstairs where she got herself a cup of tea. The kitchen didn't offer her the same safe feeling as Tommy's bedroom did, making her feel like some kind of intruder in a place where she shouldn't be.

She looked up at the clock on the wall, no idea on what to do next. Her belongings were not with her, she didn't dare to set a foot outside and she didn't know when or if Tommy came back today.

The sound of footsteps made her snap out of her thoughts as her heartbeat exceeded. "Good morning, love."

"Polly..." She breathed out the visitors name while she tried to keep her composure, knowing her voice had probably betrayed her already. She hadn't expect to see Tommy's aunt, at least not yet. "Good morning."

"It's been a while." The dark haired woman looked at her as a small smile played on her lips. While she eyed the younger woman in front of her, she let Tommy's words play trough her head again. He was convinced that they could trust (Y/N) however there was something that didn't sat right with her.

"It is." (Y/N) returned a small smile. "Would you like some tea? I just made some." She asked Polly, her hands trembled slightly while she put her cup on the table.

"I'll get it myself." Polly answered before taking off her coat and hanging it on the rack. "How have you been?"

"Well..." She let her hands rest on the back of a chair that stood by the table. "I'm alright."

"Alright?" Polly filled a cup and turned to face her. "If you were alright, I don't think you would be here." She pointed out while she sat down at the table. "I-"

"Please take a seat." Polly interrupted her, directing her with her eyes. Her gaze did not leave the woman in front of her until she sat down. "I heard you were engaged."

"I am. For a while actually." (Y/N) confirmed while she twisted the ring around her finger. She felt her palms getting sweaty, unable to tell why she felt so nervous all of sudden. Polly had always been good to her and they got along from the moment they had met.

Polly sipped on her tea, letting the silence linger for a while before she spoke up again. "You're living in London now?" (Y/N) nodded in response. "Yes." She wasn't able to stand the long silences Polly used after her answers. "It's been very different from what I was used to."

"Better?" The older woman asked her. (Y/N) shrugged. "In some ways."

"I think London is convenient for your fiancé's work, isn't it?" Polly's head was slightly tilted backwards as she looked down at her with a raised eyebrow, (Y/N) broke the eye contact and looked down at the table. "It is. Easier for the distribution of the car parts."

"I see." Polly noticed that the behavior of the woman in front of her was different, nothing like she had remembered. She noticed the bruises in her neck and on her arms, which she had tried to cover up with the dress she was wearing. Her confident appearance was replaced with fear and shame. "And now you're here."

(Y/N) felt Polly's gaze almost burning into her skin. Her questions made her wonder what else she knew about her life or David's. She just nodded, thinking about a way to tell her without making it too complicated for herself. "I couldn't take it anymore." Her voice was soft, almost too scared to admit it.

"Tommy told me." Polly's expression softened as she started to feel pity for her. "I didn't expect him to help me." (Y/N) dared to look up at her again as she heard a soft laugh coming from her mouth. "He's full of surprises lately."

The sound of the front door alerted both of them. She felt her body tense as she looked at the opening that led to the small hallway where a familiar man had showed up.

"Did I miss the tea party?" Tommy's low voice filled the room while he walked in, giving his aunt a stern look.

"You did." Polly shot back at him, unfazed by his attitude. "Very eager to come see her, eh?" He sneered, annoyed by the fact his aunt didn't listen to him. "I thought she'd like some company." Polly fake smiled at him, knowing exactly how to push his buttons.

Tommy took his cap off and put it on the table in front of him before sitting down. "Would you like some tea?" (Y/N) questioned, already getting up to get him some.

"No. I won't be here long." He leaned back in the chair, looking at her the way Polly did, waiting for her to sit back down. "Oh, okay." She sat back on her chair. "I guess you've already discussed a few things?" Tommy asked, referring to Polly's early visit.

"We did." Polly answered before drinking some of her tea. "Good." Tommy redirected his attention back to (Y/N). "We might have a house for you, it's not much but it's safe. You'll be able to move there in a few weeks."

"A house? Tommy..." While she was lost for words, she tried to let the new information sink in. Tommy took a wad of cash out of his pocket, shoving an amount of it, her way. "This is for food and clothes. Finn can get you some groceries." He assured her while glancing at his aunt who's dark eyes were almost burning holes into his skin. "And I'm sure Polly wouldn't mind to buy you a few dresses."

"No. No I can't take this." She pushed the money back to him. "You did enough already, I don't even know how I have to pay you back." She was taken aback by his gesture, it was way too much.

"You don't have to pay me back. Just take it." He shoved it back to her way, putting the rest of his money back in his pocket. "I know it's not the same as your belongings but this is what I can do for now."

"Oh no... Please don't worry about it. I'm... I just don't know what to say." It didn't felt right to take his money. She wasn't sure if it was because it came from Tommy or that things just went way too fast but either way it made her feel uncomfortable.

"You don't have to say anything. It's yours." He assured her while he got up, grabbing his cap off the table. (Y/N) looked up at him, shaking her head. "I can't-"

"You can." Tommy put his cap back on his head. "Can I at least invite you dinner for tonight? I can't just take it without doing anything back." She offered, it was the least she could do.

He looked at her in silence while blinking a few times. "If you insist." She nodded. "I insist. 7 PM? "

"I’ll see you tonight."

Plates were neatly put across from each other and the bottle of whiskey was already waiting to be opened. Food was almost finished and even though she was a bit late there was no need to hurry since there was still no sign of Tommy.

Knowing he was always on time, she started to worry. Maybe something had happened to him or maybe he changed his mind about the dinner. But if it was the last thing, he would’ve let her know. Right?

She cleaned her hands after she turned the stove off and peeked trough the window. The streets were pretty calm, except for a few people here and there but none of them was the one she was looking for. She decided to wait a little longer and sat down at the table, opening the book Polly had brought her, along with her new clothes and groceries.

It was a welcome distraction for the time she had to kill because much later than expected, Tommy finally entered the house.

She put her book down and looked up at him. "Is everything alright?" She asked him while he took off his cap and coat and sat down at the table. "Everything's alright." He looked at her when she gazed quickly over at the clock. "A little inconvenience at one of the factories." He added, addressing the fact why he was late.

An embarrassed feeling went trough her body when she noticed he caught her looking at the clock, not wanting to give him a feeling as if she was anxiously waiting for him. "Oh, no don't worry. I already thought that it had something to do with... business." She half lied, leaving out the fact that she was worried.

Tommy nodded as he observed her, noticing her new dress and the make up she was wearing. "I like the dress." He boldly told her, making her smile in response. "Thank you. I like it too, Polly got exactly what I wanted."

"I'm glad." He replied as he watched her get up. "You must be hungry." She assumed when she got his plate and took it to the stove. "I made roasted chicken and baked potatoes with cheese."

"It smells nice." He admitted while she put his plate back in front of him. She opened the bottle of whiskey and poured him a glass. "Thank you."

When she got herself a plate as well and had poured herself a glass of wine, she sat across from him. An uneasy feeling crept up on her, it felt weird to have dinner with him after everything that had happened. The only thing that made her feel better was that he didn't seemed as tensed as he was that morning.

"I hope you'll enjoy your meal." She politely smiled at him as she cut a piece of her chicken. "I think I will." He responded before taking a sip of his whiskey.

"Were you able to get some sleep last night?" Tommy wondered, he had noticed that she looked less exhausted than the evening prior. "Yes, a bit but enough to feel better than yesterday."

He nodded as he calmly ate his food. She eyed him carefully, becoming more aware of the things she had already seen in The Garrison. The tired look on his face and the lack of happiness in his eyes were a big contrast to what she had remembered. She thought back at the words he had said to her in the pub, their kiss and how she hit him after. She had felt a yearning to go back and undo what was done. What she did was equally as bad as the things David did.

"I'm sorry." She blurted out, earning a confused look from Tommy. "For what?"

She looked down at the table, feeling insecure under his intense stare. "Hitting you. You know... at The Garrison. After you-." She stammered, feeling stupid that she wasn't able to get out one proper sentence.

"It was very painful, y'know." He deadpanned. She looked up at him, a hint of guilt in her eyes until she realized he was joking. "I'm serious Tommy." He leant back and took a sip of his whiskey. "Me too, that ring hurts."

She parted her lips to speak up but didn't know what to say. A small smile appeared on his face. His attempts to be funny didn't gave her the chance to explain her feelings. "I felt really bad."

"Don't." He assured her, his way to ease her feelings. "You're not angry about it?" Tommy shook his head. "No, 'm not."

She was relieved that he wasn't mad about what she did although his short answers didn't gave her full satisfaction, wondering if he maybe didn't want to talk about it. While Tommy continued eating the food she made, she wondered if the silence had become a family thing since the conversation with Polly wasn't really flowing either. "So..." She awkwardly started, trying to bend the conversation into a different subject.. "How's the family been?"

"Good." He put the cutlery down. "Arthur got married, John became a father again, Ada and Finn are doing well." Her eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" She marveled with a small smile on her face. "That's great news."

"I guess it is." Tommy filled his glass with whiskey once more. His comment made her wonder what he meant but she decided to leave it. "Finn must've changed a lot."

"He did grew up, yeah."

"I remember I caught him smoking when he was just a little boy." She chuckled softly. "Probably wasn't the first and the last time." Tommy snorted lightly as the corner of his lips turned slightly upwards. He couldn't keep count on the numerous of times he had caught the young boy with a cigarette in his mouth.

(Y/N) shared a little more about her memories of the Shelby's as it seemed to be the easiest way to make a conversation with the one in front of her. While they finished their dinner and drank some more, he attentively listened to her stories.

"Well, I think I'll have to thank you for dinner, eh?" Tommy had turned his chair to look at her while she was doing the dishes. He had taken his suit jacket off, leaving him in his dress shirt and vest. "You're not staying for a drink?"

"I've already had a few." He stated as he saw how her lips turned into a smile. "I can get you a glass of water." Her witty comment made him think of the many she used to make all the time. "I'd rather not."

While she dried the last plate, she turned to look at him. "Then at least stay for one more?" She asked him. Despite their dinner starting off awkward, she ended up enjoying it and she wouldn't mind to chat a bit more. "Alright then."

Once she finished, they both moved to the small living room where they sat across from each other. The fireplace warmed the room and a few candles were spread trough the place, the flames glowing on their faces.

"The whole house is exactly like I remember it." She giggled, the wine had given her a little more confidence but also helped her to feel at ease. Tommy looked around, nodding his head slowly. "Not much has changed."

"It's weird to think about how it looks like time stood still while everyone's lives has changed so much." She concluded as her eyes fell on a picture of the three brothers, Tommy was no older than 19. Tommy's gaze moved to the picture before looking at her. "Everyone's lives or our lives?"

(Y/N) turned her head to meet his eyes and shrugged, not expecting his question as it seemed he wanted to keep a distance in every conversation that night. "Both, maybe." Tommy swirled his whiskey in his glass. "Do you think you'd be still living around here, if you didn't meet David?"

She thought about his question. "Maybe, yes. I don't think London is where I belong." She pulled her knees up and let her legs rest on the sofa she was sitting on. "It's too busy, I guess. The people are different as well."

"How did you meet him?" Tommy asked while he leaned his arms on the chair, curious about how she met him. "At a party, in a club. Also in London." She took a sip of her wine. "A friend invited me. He was there with a group of his friends and he came to the rescue when some Italian was bothering me." She smiled at the memory. "We hit it off pretty well and it turned out the Italian was friend of his who had a few too many drinks."

Tommy nodded once more, replaying the words in his head. This could be information that would help him find the missing link he was looking for, it confirmed his suspicion.

"For how long have you been engaged now?" He continued asking about her relationship. "6 months. He promised he'd do better so I said yes."

"But he didn't." He concluded. "No." She looked at the fireplace as she thought about the past few years. "For how long have you been married?"

"A few months." (Y/N) saw Tommy's eyes change, although his expression remained the same. "Did you love her?"

"I did." He sighed after he finished his whiskey. "Yeah.."

"I'm sorry Tommy." She immediately apologized. She didn't want her curiosity to be the reason behind a ruined night as it appeared to be a sensitive topic. He shook his head, his eyes finding hers again. "No, it's okay."

They both remained silent, thinking about their lives and how things could've ended so differently. (Y/N) decided to get up and get herself another glass of wine. She passed the chair where Tommy was sitting and gently took the glass out of his hand. Their fingers touched briefly, sending a kind of warm sensation trough his body. He looked up at her, her eyes meeting his as they locked their gaze for a moment. His electric blue eyes stared directly into hers, just like they had done many times before. A familiar feeling found it's way in her stomach before she looked away. "I'm- I'll get you a new one." She mumbled before making her way to the kitchen.

Her heart was beating faster as she leaned against the counter, not fully understanding what her body tried to tell her. While she took the time to get herself together, she decided to just blame it on the alcohol.

When she returned with their drinks, she found him smoking in his chair while he let his head rest on his other hand. His eyes were staring at the table. She stopped in front of him, getting his attention as he looked up. “Are you okay?” She asked before handing him his glass.

He blew smoke out of his mouth while he sat up. “I am.” Her hand found its way to his cheek as she gently stroked his skin with her thumb, a way to comfort him. Their eyes finding each other again while she continued. He had missed the genuine and gentle touches of solace. The contact of her skin on his, made him crave for more. Just as he wanted to lean into her touch, she pulled her hand away. Taking the comfort only she could give, with her.

She hadn’t expected to be so drawn to the urge to touch him. Usually she wouldn’t dare and she wasn’t even sure if he was okay with, although his intense stare almost assured her that she was doing something right. The increase of confidence from the alcohol was helping her more than she realized, it could be a good time to use it while it lasted.

“Can I ask you something?” She sat back on the sofa as she watched him finish his cigarette. “You can.”

“Did you mean it what you said? That the ring on my finger should’ve been yours?” Tommy blinked a few times before nodding slowly. “You know I did.”

“Then why did you let me go in the first place?” She let her fingers slide over the stem of her wineglass, the wait for his answer forming an unknown feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Because this life’s not a life where you belong. We'd be better off without each other.”

She remembered the countless arguments that started that last conversation which broke her heart. She didn’t want to give up on him, on them but he forced her to. He forced her out of his life as if it was nothing, as if she was nothing but just an erased memory.

She remembered the evening he told her it was for the best if they didn't saw each other anymore. It was for the best he said but in the end nothing turned out for the best.

She remembered how he told her how life was going to be from that moment, that she had no choice if she stayed but that the exact life within her choice, wasn’t one she belonged to. His words were harsh and his demeanor was cold, as if he didn’t want to understand her feelings or might as well pretended that he didn’t. Only to make it easier for himself.

She remembered how she called him a selfish bastard, how she hated him and how he just stared at her, saying nothing.

“You could’ve protected me and still let me live my own life.” Tommy shook his head as stubbed out his cigarette. “You hated how there were people always watching you, remember the many times you told me it was suffocating you? It only became worse after that, you wouldn’t be happy.”

She couldn’t deny the suffocating feeling it gave her, knowing that everywhere she went, there would be someone watching her. Good or bad, it didn’t matter. But she loved him deeply and a part of her didn't care anymore, as long as she could be with him. “I loved you, do you realize that?”

He sighed softly at her words before taking a sip of his drink. “You think I didn’t love you?”

“No… not the way you left me heartbroken with a shit explanation in the middle of the same fucking kitchen we just had our dinner in. If you really loved me, you would’ve listened to me but you never did.” Her words held the anger she had for years but still came out calmly. "And don't even get me started on how quick you fucking replaced me, that's not love."

Tommy clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I listened (Y/N). I always fucking listened but I knew it would never make you happy. I never would. And talking about replacing, eh? I fucking told you I didn't replace you. Have you forgotten how I went looking for you after you left?"

She scoffed as she listened to him. “Oh yeah, because you were so sorry. So sorry for yourself, that you ended up alone again." Her voice became louder, just like the anger within her. "If you really wanted to find me, you would. Just like a few weeks ago."

"You didn't want to be found." He defended, getting annoyed at her accusations. "Not after what you did, no."

He shook his head as he put his glass on the table, a little harsher than expected. “You wouldn’t be happy but I wanted you to be.” He pointed his finger at her. “I didn’t want to throw away the years we had and I didn’t want to break your fucking heart but I knew how much you loved your fucking freedom and I didn’t want to be the person that would take it away from you.”

She looked at him, his words hitting her in a way she didn’t expect. His voice was strong and determined. She wasn't sure if it was anger or not. “You were always that strong, independent woman. Always out there to do whatever you wanted. Who the fuck was I to take it away from you, eh? You know it would’ve made you unhappy. Love wouldn’t have changed that.”

“I still am.” Her words sounded soft as she disagreed with his statement. “What?” His eyebrows furrowed at her comment. “I’m still the same woman. You said were.”

“Please, have you looked…” Tommy didn’t finish his sentence, instead he took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. Her body tensed and her eyes narrowed as she waited for to finish his sentence. “Have I looked, what?”

“Have you looked at yourself?” He continued his abruptly stopped sentence. He sat up straight, his voice picking up the same tone as before. “You’re far from that. The woman I knew would’ve dared to yell in my face if I deserved it, she would speak up when no one else would and she wouldn’t take shit from anybody.”

(Y/N) gulped at his words, tears brimmed in her eyes as she kept his gaze, listening to the other things he had to say.

“The woman in front of me is a ghost of all of that. The spark in your eyes is gone and all I see is fear. You changed in the worst way and it’s because of him. He fucking ruined you (Y/N).”

She sniffled softly, as she tried not to break down in front him. He was right.

Tommy's eyes did not leave her frame. She tried to take a deep breath, ready to speak up but she couldn't. He moved to the edge of his seat to place a hand on her knee, squeezing it gently.

"You're nothing better." She choked on her words as she watched his thumb moving in patterns over her knee. "I would've ended up the same as I stayed with you." Of course he wasn't the same as David but her life wouldn't have looked much different than from what it did now.

Her mind took her back to David who told her so many times how much he loved her. Who always made it up to her after his outbursts, telling her how sorry he was and that he would do better. He did, even if it only lasted for a few days until he fell back in old patterns. Despite it all, she still loved him, or at least she thought she did. Perhaps it could be the fear speaking, that when she told herself she didn't, he'd come find her.

Tommy shook his head as he felt himself losing his temper. There were many people who held grudges against him and those also brought many accusations however being compared to David was something completely new.

"If you ended up the same, then please enlighten me on the last time I caused this." He grabbed her arm and lifted her sleeve a little harsher than intended, revealing her bruised arm.

She gasped and looked up at him with widened eyes. "Stop, Tommy." While he let go of her arm, she quickly pulled her sleeve down. "I never laid one single finger on you, now tell me again that I'm nothing better than that fucking bastard!" His voice was harsh and full of bitterness. "I don't understand why you keep fucking defending him while nothing like this looks like the love you've been desperately looking for."

She watched him get up and looked up as he towered over her. His words hitting her like he hoped they did, an attempt to wake her up and make her realize what she was doing.

"If you want to go back to him, then please go but remind yourself that if you stay with him, you'll end up six feet under within a year. And he wouldn't even be sorry."

Thank you so much for reading! Please let me know what you think!

Taglist: @cyphah @kissforvoid @liter4ti

[actual-changeling]

(im slow what was the intentionally cruel part.?)

I will gladly elaborate!

This turned into a bit of a long answer, so welcome to an unplanned episode of Alex's (today hinged) meta corner!

While he was being unintentionally cruel several times throughout their argument, the only time he actively chose to say the most hurtful thing was right at the end:

I forgive you.

To them, that phrase has an uncomfortable history, especially for Crowley, and out of all the responses Aziraphale could have given him, he chose this one. Every other time he has used this, is was never about 'forgiveness' as such—it is Aziraphale trying to recreate the dynamic he has with heaven with Crowley.

It's Aziraphale looking at Crowley and telling him that the way he is is wrong, that he needs heaven's forgiveness, that he needs to change. All of that was made all the more clear by Aziraphale literally asking him to go back to heaven.

Crowley responds with distress to any of his 'forgiveness' phrases, which should technically be enough to make Aziraphale stop saying it, because who likes to intentionally distress someone you care about?

Aziraphale, apparently, but that's a topic for another time.

Now, I have combed through the final fifteen so many times I can probably recognize most of the frames and their time stamp with one look, and Aziraphale has two responses to the kiss:

His initial reaction, the one that is true to his emotions, is the aborted sentence. I interpret what he was going to say as "I love you" simply because the sounds and mouth shapes match very well (I have also written a whole meta post about that at some point).

Then he changes his mind though, and you can see that shift on his face, the angry slant of his mouth.

This is said out of anger, it is spoken with the intention to hurt Crowley by saying it—and he does. Not only did Crowley see it coming, it was also the last nail in the coffin of their relationship.

Enough is enough.

To be thorough (because I do enjoy being thorough), here are some closeups of the progression he goes to. First the gif, which is slowed down for convenience like the one above, and Michael Sheen really is a master of micro-expressions, every single moved muscle has an intention behind it.

At first, he is genuinely upset & sad, but then his expression settles and changes into something angry and almost cold. He knows exactly

a) what he is going to say

b) what the words mean in the context of their relationship and

c) that Crowley will be upset.

For some reason, he did not expect Crowley to leave; I think his intention was to make Crowley angry, to rile him up again.

Why?

Because Aziraphale does not like it when Crowley refuses to do exactly what he wants, and anger means you are still in a conversation, you're still emotionally attached—and emotions can be manipulated.

In reality, Crowley is already past his breaking point. He reached that the second Aziraphale responded to "tell me you said no" with "If I'm in charge".

Everything that comes after is heartbroken desperation and that stupid little voice telling him to keep trying because you rather leave knowing that you tried everything instead of forever wondering if saying or doing x might have changed something.

As always, feel free to ask any questions that might pop up!

[flanaganfilm]

Mike, can you tell us your experience premiering Oculus at tiff 2013? I recently saw Perri Nemiroff’s interview with you (looking like a baby btw- so young) and it made me think about what your mindset must have been as in getting yo experience the launch of your career, post Absentia, at one of the most prestigious festivals.

Oh, I remember that very well... a lot changed in a very short amount of time. And I think I know the interview you're talking about, I keep trying to link to it here but it doesn't take...

So there are few things to point out about Oculus and about what was happening in my life at the time. When Oculus got greenlit, I was working full time as a reality television editor. I used to sneak out of my job at lunch to go to "doctor's appointments" whenever I had to come for production meetings or casting sessions (they started to think there was something really, really wrong with my health).

Making the movie was an amazing learning experience - it was my first "real" movie, and full of lessons. It was the first collaboration with people who would become pillars of my career moving forward, like producer Trevor Macy (who is now my partner at Intrepid Pictures and who has produced everything I've ever made since) and my DP Michael Fimognari, who is one of the most important collaborators of my life. It was also the first time I worked with a young actress named Kate Siegel, who played the spooky ghost in the mirror.

We went into TIFF with distribution already in place. FilmDistrict had committed to the project during the Cannes market before we shot the movie, so we thought we were set. It was going to be my big theatrical debut.

Just before we premiered at TIFF, FilmDistrict abruptly and bafflingly dropped the film. I still don't really know why. They had committed to a worldwide theatrical release for the movie, but for reasons that were never made entirely clear to me, they dropped us just before the festival. Suddenly the whole enterprise was in jeopardy, and I didn't know if anyone would pick the movie back up.

I was absolutely terrified.

Being my first "real" movie, I didn't really know how this world worked and couldn't understand why our distributor didn't want to release it. We'd made the movie they had been excited about, they seemed to really like it, and we'd done everything they asked - it was a shock to the system. So when we rolled into tiff, we were homeless and trying not to let FilmDistrict's abrupt change of heart poison our chances of another sale.

I had never been to TIFF before but heard about Midnight Madness, which had seen huge sales from Cabin Fever and Insidious. Bidding wars had broken out while the films were still screening. But being part of the program was absolutely no guarantee of distribution - in fact, this might be the highest this movie would ever rise.

Trevor Macy and I went to the world premiere of The Green Inferno, which was playing the night before we played, and the audience was ROWDY. Like, shouting and hollering throughout the movie. We looked at each other with wide, nervous eyes - if this was the Midnight Madness audience, they were going to hate our movie the next day. We were considerably slower, ponderous, and atmospheric in a room that seemed to demand visceral, overt entertainment. I left the screening feeling dejected and a little doomed. Trevor was more upbeat, citing conversations he'd had with the programmer, Colin Geddes, who assured us he'd put our movie in the best possible spot for its success.

Our screening was September 9th, 2013 at midnight. I was petrified, and we were sold out. I remember walking into the theater feeling like this was the most important screening of my life. I wasn't alone, thank goodness. Trevor Macy, Michael Fimognari, Brenton Thwaites, Katee Sackhoff, Rory Cochrane, and James Lafferty were on hand. The film seemed to play well. It was the opposite of the screening the night before, which Colin had told us would happen - "watch," he had said. "The Saturday night slot is the big crazy one. You guys are Sunday, and it's going to be completely different. They'll plug right in."

He was right. You could hear a pin drop for most of the first half, and then there were moments of scattered applause that picked up as the film progressed. By the end, people were jumping in their seats and cheering for young Tim and Kaylee. There was an audible gasp when the anchor swung. And the applause at the credits seemed heartfelt and loud.

Most of that is a blur for me. I found this grainy pic from the Q&A after the film. I still had no idea how it had gone, or what was going to come out of it. I remember having hard time putting words together, and I vividly recall feeling like I sounded like an absolute moron whenever I talked, and trying to pass the microphone over to the actors as often as I could.

It's tough to see everyone in the pic, but from left to right it is Colin Geddes, Michael Fimognari, myself, Trevor Macy, Katee Sackhoff, Brenton Thwaites, Rory Cochrane, and James Lafferty.

When I stepped out of the theater, though, I became aware that everything had changed. I was immediately surrounded by people who had seen the film, suddenly shaking a ton of hands and realizing that it had been a hit. I walked into the theater by myself, utterly anonymous, and feeling every bit like an imposter. But everything was different when I walked out. I remember someone from the press talking about it years later, and saying "I was there that night - you walked into the theater with nothing, and walked out with a career."

People were asking me to sign stuff. That had never happened in my life. People wanted to get pictures. It was SO. FUCKING. WEIRD. Someone snapped a picture during that little whirlwind, and you can see it on my (young, skinny, hopelessly naive) face - an overall bewilderment, a gentle disbelief that this was happening:

I loved my experience at TIFF. And it absolutely started everything. Relativity, Blumhouse, and WWE Films joined forces to make an offer on the movie at the festival, and we left with a theatrical distribution deal. My career had officially begun. Now, I wouldn't feel like it had for several more years - I remained in fight/flight/survival mode well through Gerald's Game - but in retrospect, yes, that's when it happened.

Thank you for asking this question, it's been a while since I've looked back at this period of my life. It kinda makes me want to watch that movie again. It has been a LONG time, and I owe it a lot.

Maybe everything.

[sissylittlefeather]

Here it is...

A Very Quiet Life: Chapter 2

A/N: This is part 2 of the AU Series where Elvis is your (sexy and sweet) next door neighbor in around 1968ish.

Here is the link to Chapter 1.

Warnings: 18+ MDNI this one is a little sexy. Not quite smutty, but minors should still look away. Mentions of an erection and references to oral sex (m receiving). Also the reader is a widow, so that needs mentioning. Again, the smut is coming, I promise 😉

Let me know your thoughts!

Song inspo for the series:

Gif inspo to keep him fresh in your mind:

You haven't felt this alive in years.

******

Several days later, you're taking the trash to the curb for the first time and struggling since it's full of boxes from the move. It's heavy and the pavement is uneven. Just as you lose your footing and almost hit the ground, you feel strong arms catch you from behind.

"I got you." His deep voice and southern accent are unmistakable, even if you didn't already recognize his scent. He stands you back up and takes the trash can from you, rolling it down to the curb for you.

"Thanks. I thought I had it." He smiles and shakes his head.

"Miss Independent." You smile a little in return, wondering if he remembers kissing you. You wish you weren't outside, so he could do it again. Just then, Michael steps out of the house and hollers across the yard.

"Moooooom, Jane won't let me have a popsicle!" You turn back to Elvis, ready to excuse yourself.

"Sorry, I have to--"

"I love popsicles. Mind if I join?" He cuts you off and smiles warmly. Even if you wanted to tell him no, you couldn't when he's looking at you like that.

"Sure, come on." You head back up to the house together and his hand accidentally brushes up against yours as you walk. At least, you think it was an accident. Either way, it sends sparks all the way up your spine. When you get to the house, he holds his hand up for Michael to give him a high five, which he does enthusiastically.

"Ouch, kiddo! You're strong!" He laughs and shakes his hand like he's in pain. Michael giggles and runs back into the house. You follow him in and head to the freezer to grab a popsicle for each of you. When you come back into the kitchen, you find Elvis in a deep conversation with Jane about something at school. It's precious how attentive he is while she talks. He has his chin resting on his hand and he nods when it's appropriate.

He's so good with your kids.

You hand out the popsicles and the kids become distracted by the sugary treats. They take them out on the back porch, so they won't drip on the floor. You and Elvis sit down at the table to eat your popsicles in peace, watching the kids through the sliding glass door. You talk about nothing in particular. He seems to be trying to act like the kiss never happened. Somewhere inside you that stings, but you know why he's avoiding it. He's married.

At one point, your popsicle starts melting towards you hand, so you lick up the side of it and suck on the tip a little. He watches you with his mouth hanging open. Is he...? Then he clears his throat and looks back out at the kids. You blush. You weren't intentionally being suggestive with the popsicle. Or were you? You consider putting the whole thing in your mouth while he watches, but that would just be too much. What the hell is wrong with you? You weren't even this sensual when you were married. And now here you are thinking about going down on a popsicle in front of your neighbor's husband. Something about that thought makes you laugh and he turns and looks at you with an amused smile.

"What's got you giggling?" You feel your cheeks get hot and you know your blush must be visible at this point.

"N-nothing." You stutter, but you can't seem to stop laughing. As he's watching you laugh, his popsicle slides off the stick and lands on the floor at his feet.

"Oh no!" You keep laughing, but you tell him the paper towels are right behind him. He goes to stand up, looks down at himself and laughs nervously.

"Can you, um, can you get them for me?" It takes you a second to catch on that he can't stand up right now. Or rather, he doesn't want to in front of you. He clears his throat again while you jump up and grab the paper towels. When you go to clean the mess, you realize it's going to put you between his legs. You try to innocently bend down but you lose your balance and end up grabbing his knee to steady yourself. Completely unintentionally, you find yourself face to face with his very obvious erection.

"Oh!" You say breathily. You feel your arousal start to form and you look up at him from your position between his legs. He moves quickly to try to cover himself, but it's too late. You immediately stand up, but you're still between his legs, so you end up with your boobs at eye level for him. He starts laughing.

"Well, this is not going to help my situation." You want to scream from embarrassment, but he reaches out slowly and puts his hands on your hips. Electricity erupts all over you when you feel how strong his hands are on you. You're filled with the sudden urge to get back down on your knees and treat him like a popsicle, but he suddenly pulls his hands back as you hear the sliding glass door open on the other side of the table. You hastily take three steps backwards and he crosses his legs. The kids run in arguing about whether they should have another popsicle.

"Mr. Presley, should we have another popsicle?" Michael asks in a whiny voice.

"I'm not sure I'd survive another one." He looks at you slyly. "Too much sugar."

Jane chimes in, "Seeeee, even Mr. Presley says no. It'll ruin our dinner."

You hear him say under his breath, "It'll ruin somethin'..." before he gives you another smile. He finally is able to stand up, so he does just that and says he needs to go home to his own dinner. The kids whine and beg him to stay, but he insists that he can't tonight.

"Maybe another time, if your mom says it's okay." He looks to you hopefully, but after that whole debacle, you're not sure it's a good idea.

"We'll see. Goodbye Mr. Presley." The kids wave and run off to play.

"Elvis. You can definitely use my first name now." He says softly. He blushes a little as you walk him to the front door. Right before he walks out, he leans in and kisses your cheek, whispering in your ear, "I didn't forget about the kiss. I won't forget about this either, unless you want me to." When he pulls back, he winks and walks through the door. You close it behind him and lean up against it, shaking like a leaf.

You asked for a new adventure. You should be careful what you wish for.

******

Keep an eye out for Chapter 3!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taglist:

@itlover8000 @deniseinmn @elvisalltheway101 @ccab @suxny @hernameisnoellex3 @ashtag6887 @arabellapresley @littlehoneyposts

Want to be added to the Taglist? Let me know!

[that-one-anxious-mango]

lady in my life.

Summary: It’s official…your fave couple is are getting hitched’.

Contents: FLUFF TO DEATH. Clueless reader. Nervous Austin. Happy friends and family. Angst if you squint. Allusions to religion. 

Pairing: Austin Butler x Black Reader

Warnings: I am not responsible for any stray tears or sobbing!

A/N: Hello beautiful humans! It’s me. First, I’m so sorry this took so long! I know I said last weekend but I wanted to make this perfect and rewrote it over and over until I finally stopped the madness. So two, I ask that everyone please be kind! I did my best and I know it’s not the greatest, but honey I put my soul in this lol. As always thanks for reading and sticking with me.

P.S Everyone feel free to comment and send more prompts, asks, and noodles! Much love! *hugs*

---

" You're ridiculous." You grumbled out to the blonde haired man next to in the driver's seat who was laughing at your passionate outrage.

" Am not. " He shot back, " You're just too proud to admit that you might be wrong is all." He countered laughing at the scrunch in your eyebrows that you made as you glowered at him.

" Are too! I mean how could you say that! It's so..so s-o just..wrong! You're wrong, Butler." You concluded folding your arms across you chest in confidence.

" Nope I'm right. You can't beat the original, babe. It's a classic and that's my opinion. Deal with it." Austin cemented.

" Austin. Babe." You turned your head deadpanning him, " I can confidently say that me and about ninety-eight percent of the world will agree that Shrek 2 is absolutely better than Shrek 1. The end. So I don't care what you or any of the other pointy eared people of the world have to say about it because that's not a opinion, it's a fact. " You shrugged.

Smiling at how cute he thought you looked trying to be all serious Austin laughed, " Baby, is this what your going to do if we ever get married. Make fun of me to win a argument and look cute while doing it." He playfully squeezed your thigh with the hand resting on it.

You could feel your cheeks heat at the mention of the two of you married. It was something that you often pondered and had had some musings and conversations with Austin about. You already could see yourself being married but you wouldn’t lie. The thought seemed scary. 

Would you really be enough for him forever?

All of a sudden feeling shy you turned your head toward the window to try and hide the gooey smile on your face that complimented the butterflies fluttering in your stomach that had made a permanent home there since you'd met your man almost two years ago.

Responding you say trying to sound light hearted, " Absolutely. Even though you may be handsome, smart, talented, kind, and equipped with certain mouth skills. I have to keep you from getting a big head one way or another. Besides this one wasn't much of a argument because like I said the clear answer is two. And even though you're wrong, you're still cute."

Austin couldn't help that he kept chuckling at you, " Whatever you say goes then I guess. Just as long as we can both agree that Lilo and Stitch is one of the best movies ever, I think we'll be fine." Austin patted your thigh.

" Well duh. I think you can tell from the fifty thousand times I’ve had us watch it that I whole heartedly agree.” You reminded him. 

Nodding Austin glanced over at you with a smile on his face.

‘And I can’t wait to keep watching it with you over and over again for the rest of my life. He thought.

Eventually the two of you were exiting the car in a parking lot a block away from the Totem. Austin said there was construction being done in the surrounding area of the place so the usual parking lot and spaces were blocked.

Grabbing Austin's hand you sighed already feeling your feet begin to ache at the thought of walking the block in the new black converse shoes you'd just bought that weren't broken in yet. You were feeling cute today for some reason so when you thought of wearing them, you paired the shoes with some nice jeans and a cute blue low neck long sleeved top Austin suggested while you got ready. The two of you were stopping by The Totem for a second before heading over to a casual gathering Austin had been invited to. So you wanted to look your best.

 Your hair was unusually silk pressed and flowing down your back since a couple days ago Alex had asked you to be her test dummy for a new heat protectant she wanted to try, and at the stipulation she clipped your ends you obliged. 

Noticing a frown on your face he asked, “ What’s the matter? “ Shaking your hand to get your attention.

Looking up you shook your head quickly, “ Nothing.” 

He raised he eyebrows while stopping you both, “ Y/N..” He asked.

You already knew that he wasn’t going to let it go you sighed, “ It’s nothing babe, honest. It’s just that I wish I would have worn better shoes. These are about to be a pain to walk in.” You huffed.

“ Well then don’t.” He stated simply back. “ Hop on.” He turned to move so you could jump on his back.

Giggling at how silly he looked you asked, “ Are you serious? “

He laughed back, “ About my baby being comfortable? Fuck yeah. Now c’mon.” He repeated. 

Doing a quick look around you shrugged, “ Okay..then.” You agreed moving to grab at his shoulders.

" Alright, mama. On the count of three. One...two..THREE!" He coached.

Shrieking in glee you launched yourself onto his back where you secured your legs around his waist and arms around his neck. He made sure that you were attached to him good before he continued walking with a giddy you on his back.

You used a hand to cup the side of his cheek as you pressed a multitude of kisses to the side of his face and neck. Equally as happy he moved his head to the side to return the favor to a giggling you over and over again.

And before you knew the two of you had reached the door of the ever beloved totem, but once you seen the sign through the window your gleeful expression dropped.

Closed.

Immediately Austin could feel you begin to wiggle on his back in discontent, " No! No! No! Awe. I really wanted that cookie! " You pouted. " I could have sworn you said they were open when you checked."

Pressing another kiss to your cheek Austin wrapped you tighter around him, " I know, Mama. I did too." He offered." Maybe they just closed for a second for a cleaning or something." He tried reasoning. Just as you were about to suggest that the two of you pick up a box of insomnia cookies and go home to lounge in your underwear, Austin spotted your favorite barista through the door.

" Look it's Cameron. Maybe she can come to the door and we can ask." Austin suggests.

Your eyes grew in introverted horror, " No! No! Austin don't! " You protested trying to shift your body to get him to turn around.

But it was too late he'd already began knocking. " Hey Cam! Cameron! "

" Aus...." You whined feeling yourself involuntarily cringe.

But still that didn't stop him from continuing to knock on the door and call out like a mad person until Cameron finally came to the door cracking it open.

" Hey guys what's up? " She greeted looking chipper than usual. Probably because with the shop closing so her shift was shorter today.

" Nothing much. Sorry to bother you guys. I know you look to be closed and I really hate to ask truthfully. But is there any chance by the grace of God that you may have some oatmeal chocolate cookies and dark chocolate latte mix in there on stand by...maybe." He inquired squinting his eyes.

You turned your head cringing because you couldn't imagine ever feeling this confident to do something like this, and not to mention you felt bad bothering these poor people.

Turning her head to look back toward the café Cameron looked back to the two of you nodding, " I'm sure we could find some for the best of our two customers. Plus we're just closed for a couple hours for some deep cleaning so no big. C'mon in quick before anyone else sees you guys and thinks were open."           

   She ushered you in with a chorus of ‘thank yous’ coming from Austin and yourself.

Once you were inside Austin gently set you down pressing a kiss to your forehead while you made a puzzled face at him.

Even though he was a lot more social than you in most aspects due to his job, Austin was still just as much of a introvert as you at heart. So you were surprised he had knocked on the door like that.

Shrugging it off you glanced around at possibly your most favorite place on earth.

 It looked normal. None of the tables and chairs were put up, the bakery display was full, with treats and all the machines were still running. The only difference was that the store lights were slightly dimmed and that was really it.

They must have just closed. 

Grabbing your hand Austin walked you two over to the register so he could begin placing your usual orders.

For you, a medium light ice mango passion fruit tea with a oatmeal cookie chip cookie. As for him he always got, a extra cold oat milk latte with dark chocolate syrup and a shot of expresso that was usually paired with a cherry turnover of all things. And on days like these where the two of you hadn't eaten but still wanted to make dinner at home you split a harvarti grilled cheese (your favorite).

While Cameron rang it all up he turned to you, " You know what would go great with these, babe? " He questioned bringing out his wallet.

You stared up to him, " Hmm? "

" A poem from the poem machine to read. You mind going to get one while I take care of the rest of this." He questioned with a shiny quarter appearing in his hands to you.

You smiled, " No I don't mind. But first, put this in the tip jar for me, please." You asked handing him the five dollar bill, " And second keep you're quarter, babe I got my own." You shook your cute little googly eyed change purse at him.

The Totem had a really cool thing where they had a gumball machine full of poems from artists discovered and undiscovered throughout many periods of time. When the two of you started frequenting the place more often after your first encounter it'd become fun to get them to read. Plus all the money from the machine gets donated to minority charities which is a plus.

" I know you do. But I want you to use mine, please." He countered.

You frowned, " But you alrea-" . A kiss pressed to your lips cut you off and instead willed you to comply because when he pulled away and looked you dead in the eye, and without a word you took the quarter in your hand and ventured off to come back with a gumball poem.

Once you were around out of sight, Cameron clamped a hand over her mouth to hold in the excited scream that wanted to escape as Austin blew out a big breath of air watching you disappear a bit a ways.

He could hear quiet giggles and muffled laughs coming from the storage room where some of yours and Austin's closest friends were crammed into as they waited for their signal to pop out and start up the potential engagement party or crying session in the cafe's seating.

This whole thing had been two months of planning in advance. From both you and him conveniently both having the same day completely off which wasn't the norm, to all of a sudden earlier in the week Alex and Phoebe wanting to go to the nail salon for some girl time and the hair thing, yesterday night at a dinner hang Beatrice had out of no-where started bawling crying looking at you.                     

   And how The Totem wasn't actually closed for cleaning but rather booked out for the evening by Austin who'd instructed the close friends to get here a hour before the two of you and park sporadically in the area so you wouldn't get suspicious. The whole staff was in on it and had been in the kitchen working overtime to craft the menu Austin and the owner, Margo, had curated for later that consisted of all yours and his fave items from here. For the “casual gathering “ you were dressed for.

Earlier in your relationship during a random late night convo you’d lethargically told Austin your dream engagement scenario which included your future hubby to propose somewhere meaningful to the relationship with some kind of corny heartfelt action. You’d also joked that it’d be funny if there was like a surprise party after or something so you’d be able to skip the hassle of planning a engagement party. 

And even though the two of you sleepily had this conversation a year and a half ago, Austin never forgot.

Waiting until the coast was clear Phoebe walked out with tears in her eyes as she was overcome with excitement and anticipation silently coming around the counter and handing Austin the small black box she'd been entrusted with yesterday on the sly when she came to stop by really quick. Austin didn’t wanna risk you finding it at all. 

Riddled with he nerves shakily accepted it running his finger across the small black box.

Putting her hand over Austin's Phoebe whispered, " It's okay. Don't sweat it. You love her and she loves you. That's all that matters. Just remember to ease into and take your time." She encouraged. " And just keep loving my bestfriend." She advised.

Nodding Austin carefully wrapped her in a hug with a small chorus of thank yous tagged along.

When they pulled apart Phoebe motioned to the storage room door that was cracked as yours and Austin's friends stuck their heads out whisper yelling words of encouragement and thumbs up that stuck out from behind the heads. Including a Ashley who was bonding with her new-found friend Beatrice over a very hefty tissue they were both using. 

Nervously laughing and rubbing the back of his neck Austin cast them one last wave of  a thank you before the door closed and he moved over to bay-window table that had become you and Austin's staple spot. The food was already placed thanks to Cameron. Shooting her a thank you, clammy handed Austin rubbed them together blowing out air in nerves and anticipation while he waited for his future wife to come to the table.

Max, a staff member quietly made sure the camera hidden on a opposite table was rolling and the mic also hidden on your table was working well to feed to the speaker in the storage room so everyone could hear, then scampering back to the kitchen. 

---

When you made it to the poem machine you inserted the precious coin and turned the knob to produce the little plastic container. Although you did get distracted making your way back to the café by stopping to browse some books (which Austin had counted on), you'd picked up a new one by Kennedy Ryan titled Before I let go that you'd been hearing good things about.

Making your way back you found Austin at your table and took a seat.

Hearing your footsteps he quickly pulled himself together to put back on the confident and cool aura he'd been purposefully displaying today.

You can do this, just be cool.

Taking a seat you immediately thanked your man and then began to eat your delights. Austin grinned watching you moan in delight eating your goodies. 

" Good? " He asked watching you wiggle and sway around happily while munching.

You nodded throwing a thumbs up.

" Good. Now, what'd you find, honey? " Austin takes a sip of his latte.

Waiting a second to finish you answered, " Oh..Um. It's that book I told that I wanted to find by that new author I recently discovered Kennedy Ryan. It's the on about the couple who's still in-love with each other after they divorced after being married for years with kids."

At the mention of the D word Austin couldn't help the choke on his coffee that happened as he set down his drink trying to catch his breath.

 Immediately you reached across the table to pat his back in concern. Silently thanking you he motioned for you to sit back down much to your protest. He already felt nervous.

" I'm fine, baby. I'm alright just w-ent down the wrong pipe is all. " He reassured grabbing at your hand. Knowing you'd protest he spoke, "I'm okay really. Just while I catch my breath why don't you read the poem you got." He suggested biting the bullet as he knew he couldn't wait any longer. He knew he needed to ease into it, but he didn’t know if he’d be able to keep himself alive much longer. 

He'd waited two years already.

That was enough.

Still not totally convinced he was okay you still popped the little sucker open and unfolded the strip of square piece of paper.

Taking one more look at him as he offered you a somber smile and nod to the paper.

You smiled not knowing that the small prints on the paper were about to change your life,

" So, it says.." You started:

" To the love of my life,

Our love will be ever thine, ever mine, ever ours                                                    for each passing minute, second, and hour                                                       until the days of our love bleed together.

Because if you'll be my wife,                                                                                      and take me a fool in love as your husband you shall be always be my greatest inspiration and joy in life.

This may be corny, I admit but to you my heart, mind, soul, and essence I commit for forever, always, and beyond.

Written to you will all I am.

Your hopeful future husband,

Austin."

You finished glancing over the words.

" Awe that's so sweet that someone would write that." You said out loud still not fully processing what'd you read.

With extremely observant eyes Austin continued to watch you transform like a caterpillar of cluelessness from a cocoon, to a butterfly in disbelief as you slowly went through the phases of realization.

At first you felt warmth in your heart.

But as the reality set in you felt your heart sped up a little.

O-oh SHIT! 

Is this? Is he? 

For longer than a minute you couldn't stop your eyes from rapidly re-reading the poem over and over again until your vision got a little blurry and you could feel the paper become wet and slick up your fingertip.

Even though your brain was still working overtime to compute what the fuck you had just read. It wasn't fully sinking in until his voice pulled you from your racing thought.

" Baby..."

Like his voice controlled the room you could see out your peripheral that the main lights had been turned down even lower so that beautifully strung string lights that decorated the place brightly at night, popped on. And the sound of Michael Jackson’s Lady in my Life began to play over the store speakers. 

Slowly lifting your head while you felt the tears race each other down your face, you were met with Austin's face that was equally mixed with happiness, fear, and devotion wrapped all into one. He looked a bit flush and his cerulean eyes looked glossy with tears of his own. You watched him look to his own hand, training his view you let out a audible gasp.

And then you that's when you seen it, the small black box that he had in his hand.

 He cleared his throat before starting, " Two years ago today right here in this very spot I fell in love with you and had half the mind to ask you to marry me then. And each day since I’ve found a new reason to keep falling. Your the first thing I think about when I wake up, and the last person I wanna see when I go to bed. I love you. I mean every part of you. I love your kind heart, budding intelligence, fierce loyalty, those curls and coils that grow our of your head toward the sun, those delicious thighs decorated with beautiful handcrafted marks and strokes from god's paint brush." You began blushing at this part.

" I want our children to inherit that smile that has the power to brighten any room you enter. I wanna look you in those gorgeous eyes that sparkle when you talk about your goals and dreams that I'll use every ounce of my power to support and help make happen. I'll keep forcing you to take cold medicine even if it means physically holding you like infant again. And I’ll watch Twilight, Lilo and Stitch, Greys Anatomy and whatever the hell else to keep you as happy as possible. " He recalled his interesting introduction to your aversion to flu medicine.

" Since knowing you there isn't anyone else I could imagine wanting to spend the rest of my life with. Sharing good times and bad, awkward and more awkward. " He continued making you smile. " You came into my life and made me grow as a human being and then from a little seedling our relationship has grown too through the love we have. And I want it to continue to grow...only now I hope it will grow with us as husband and wife." He declares.

“ Baby, you are the lady in my life and I want you and only you to be my lady. Forever.“ He continues.

Wordlessly you watched as he got up to kneel down in front of where you sat opening up the little black box to reveal a absolutely gorgeous ring you were almost too certain was too nice for your hand.

Looking to you he inhaled before asking staring you straight into your soul,         

“ So..Y/N Y/M/N Y/N, will do this poor fool in love a mercy and please marry me? “ He finished.

Still stunned you were quiet feeling as if you were stuck.

You couldn’t believe this was happening.

This man who could have married probably any woman on the planet was asking YOU, of all people to marry him.

YOU!

You felt worry begin to creep in. Worry that you wouldn’t be enough for him, worry that he wouldn’t always feel the same, but mostly worry that you’d screw this up. 

Growing up you’d never really had a example of a healthy or stable loving marriage. So how good would you be at something you had no idea about? 

That worry wanted to push you to say no and bolt out the door to go into the nearest witness protection program.

But when you looked at this man. Really looked your man, who you’d spent every minute of two years loving, and wanted to love for the rest of your life. 

All the worry melted.

Because he was it. He was the man who made even your deepest fears melt, and that was the kind of man you’d always hoped and prayed to marry.

You didn’t hide the gooey and down right bright smile that formulated on your face.

Not wanting to keep an obviously sweating Austin in suspense any longer, or unknowingly a whole backroom, kitchen staff, and others on edge who were clutching their pearls while holding on to each other. You spoke. 

" Does this mean on the honeymoon we get to play accidentally in love in the background and have a montage like Shrek and Fiona ...or one like twilight." You goofed smiling through tears.

Blowing out air of relief as he was sure he was about to keel over he chuckled, " Woman what am I gonna go with you." He admired laughing at the power only you possessed to make him laugh while he was having heart palpitations. 

Your smile widen, " Well, first your going to put that ring on my finger, and then lift out this chair and desperately make out with me, and then we're going to plan a honeymoon montage sequence to rival all honeymoon montage sequences, because the answer is yes. A million times yes I will marry you Austin Robert Butler." You answered before jumping up and down in your chair.

Not stopping the tears from rolling down his face he says, "So bossy, “ He joked laughed.

“ Well I warned you this would happen, didn’t I.”

“ You did. And whatever you say goes.” He grinned “ That’s the rule now.”

Grabbing your hand to slid on the stunning jewelry. You didn't get too long to gaze at on your finger because like you requested Austin stood to his feet pulling you up to hoist your legs around his waist as the two of you locked yourselves in a all breath taking, passion filled, white searing kiss that you wish could have lasted forever.

But of course it didn't because you both were interrupted by the sounds of multiple cheers and woops coming from somewhere.

Confused you pulled away watching in amazement as yours and Austin's friends pooled in from the storage room as well as some entering the store through the door.

You playfully pouted at him realizing now all the things he’d done. He’d actually taken you serious and listened.

God! You loved this man!

Placing a big fat kiss to his lips. You wiggled out his embrace before you were practically tackled by sobbing friends.

For the rest of the night the party was set up before your eyes and you got to celebrate mingling with yours and Austin’s friends who some congratulated the two of you, and others started planning future baby showers and anniversary dinners.

After things got a bit overwhelming, Austin had found you and recused you to a small quiet place between bookshelves so you could make out and slow dance the night away with your...fiancée.  

[captainrayzizuniverse]

i meeeeannn like so much shit man!

I spent the entirety of last year following on livestreams. That was my experience, dodgy sounds and extreme barricade closeups. So this was like a slap in the face a punch in the stomach.

-His voice is phenomenal. After watching almost every livestream last year I was always anxious what it would sound like actually live and it was beyond perfect. The confidence added to it as well. There was a discussion before the tour started on one blog saying how Louis doesn’t sound loud enough (as loud as harry’s show because surprise, that’s always the metric to measure) because he doesn’t turn his mic high enough. And the suggestion was due to his confidence and blah blah blah. Wow fuck man, you were wrong. His voice was loud and crystal clear. I’d say my seat definitely helped in that as well, but yeah no he was fucking loud!

-Him liking the SIBWAW lights and then telling us to keep going and us being like “yes master” and continued to lift our hands up and down to finish the song. Giving us an unnecessary workout. Like my right arm is going to be sore af tomorrow.

-Him completely forgetting his first speech. I’m like ‘why the fuck is he angry at us for?’. Me and my friend were discussing how he’s going to say Toronto because the Academic singer pronounced the second ‘T’ so heavily...but then he completely forgot to speak and I thought we’ll end the show without finding it out! It felt personal ok?!

-The screens malfunctioning and completely turning off during holding onto heartache, made me question every effect in the screens later. Like was everything on purpose or was it the effect of the screen fuck up esp since there was a dead pixel that was driving me nuts. Regardless, the visuals on the screens are unreal. I can watch them with the music overlaid on top all day. Also the color palette of the lights on the stage for different songs were so so so nice. Mixed with the smoke mmmm beautiful vision.

-The rainbow project. man oh man. I saw the videos and I saw my own video and it does it no justice. I was in the upper red section so I got to see it all with a good view and it was perfection. Literarily surrounded by light. I always admire the fan project organizers. They are so fucking good and don’t get enough credit. Honestly I want to send them a gift basket or something.

-505 killed me. Like on the floor dead. “I crumble completely when you cry...” is a moment. I want to be in a session with him when he picks a song to cover. Like what goes on in that process?

-The band. Incredible. Michael. Incredible. So grateful he gets to tour with Louis so he can give him his moments. Like he OWNS his solos.

-People at the first two shows were saying how young the crowd was...I was surprised by today’s crowd. From the moment we walked in, people were definitely younger than me (34) but it didn’t feel as young as I thought it would be. Also loved seeing plenty of people older than me being there with their friends and you can tell they’ve been here a while. Diverse age group is always welcome.

agh man the only reason I’m not keyboard smashing is because I did that already in the streetcar but out loud to my friend. But my reaction to the entire gig is essentially one endless keyboard smash.

-Also finally after the show me and my friend got the orange hoodies because we wanted to look like traffic cones.

Definitely suffering the post concert blues. But at least I get to visit new york in july and attend the final one. Although nothing will beat Toronto because Toronto is home!

[thestarfishinjootsoffice]

Love at first sight pt2

RZ Michael x gn reader

Summary: little dude lashes and you're lowkey scared of him so now he tries to make it up to you.

_____________________________________________

So he forcefully grabbed your hand made you turn to him and intensely stare at you with those dull black eyes. he thinks it's clear now that he's sorry but it's not. You feel as if your spine and heart is gonna jump out of your body and run away without you. Did you do something wrong?

"Uhm.. Michael.. Did I do something wrong? If so I'm sorry...!"

Michael thought, yeah you did something wrong, you ignored me! And you talked to somebody else the whole time too...

While you were thinking something stupid like accidentally talking too loud or maybe brushing against him too roughly.

"Forgive me..." You muttered that last part because how ashamed and stupid you felt, noticing how you bad you feared the one person who you talked so happily to.

The painfully tight grip never leaving your wrist as if to not let you go, which is making you nervous. You know his history with violence, he doesn't give mercy to both girls and boys or anyone in fact. You thought he was thinking of beating you up.

Michael was thinking as to how he can show to forgive you since he's doesn't wanna speak and then memories of he and his mom came to mind, at how when he breaks something and his mom forgives him by hugging him. He was a bit reluctant since he hasn't done had or gave affection to anyone for so long but it's just putting your arms around a person's body, easy.. Right?

Poor boy didn't know how flustered and awkward he would get. He was slowly lifting him arms up and you were he was gonna strangle you. You were mentally preparing yourself while also hoping guards would help you because you did not want to die just yet.

He wasn't even touching your body yet his face felt so warm. He warmed his arms around you really tightly which lowkey surprised both of you, especially you. Is he going to squeeze you to death!?

If he wasn't wearing his mask you would think he added too much blush on his face. It stayed like that for a few seconds no matter how much Michael's brain was telling him to push you off it seemed his heart was in the lead finally starting to accept it? And you were starting to like it too. But that moment was disturbed when guards who were passing by saw what was happening and thought he was trying to kill you.

"You beast! The hell are you doing now!?"

"Michael let go of them."

You couldn't even speak before the guards pulled you apart. "Tryna be sneaky motherfucker?" The mean guard who was behind you said, great. You got the mean guard again. Michael growled at them.

"No! He wasn't trying to do anything!"

"What, you thought he was hugging ya?" He started laughing hideously.

"Yes.." You look down.

Both of them stop and look at you.

"You sure he was hugging you?"

"It was like that for 15 seconds or more, if he wasn't I would already be dead. Wouldn't you agree?"

Oblivious to you Michael was absolutely burning inside out of embarrassment and was so close to to actually strangling and squeezing you playfully for you to stop talking but the handcuffs behind were refraining him from doing so.

_____________________________________________

"What!? This is absolutely fascinating and incredible!" Doctor loomis exclaimed.

"Bring them in!" He said once again.

And then suddenly you were in loomis's office and loomis was more focused on Michael than you commanding him to talk Or respond to him.

And you just sat there feeling immense guilt, just when he finally interacted with you this happens.

_____________________________________________

You were sure Michael hated you again but was surprised when he sat next to you at breakfast and he brought some papers and masks to make!

He scribbled something down barely readable, "you said you had three in mind" He listened!

"Oh yeah!"

"So I was thinking of adding red dripping and..."

It seemed as if time had stopped and the world was mute. He was cherishing the time he had with you and it all felt so lovely... He loved you. Wait what? He loved you?

What Michael just thought scared him and he rushed to the bathroom to compose himself. He was in love? What do you keep doing to him Y/n... When did he start catching feelings? Yesterday? No. A week ago? No. A month ago? No! Then he traced back into his memories when he first saw you. At how his heart dropped when he saw your face.. It was a love at first sight. It was five months ago... He was in love for five months without him even noticing. He felt so warm when he was near you which weirded him out since he had never felt this way before. But.. He won't let anyone else feel this way about you.

He came back looking a little rougher.

"Hey Michael! What happened?"

He just shook his head in response and continued making masks with you. Unknown to you while you were talking to him that he couldn't actually seem to focus on anything other than you and your voice. He's on edge at the new realisation and was thinking of the outcomes of what will happen if he confessed. He likes scenario B. You accept him in scenario B.

While you two were finishing up Dr. Loomis announced that two inmates will be sharing rooms now since the hospital is packed and needs more space.

"Ah Michael, Y/n." Dr. Loomis came up to you two.

"Yes Dr. Loomis?" You ask.

"You and Michael will be sharing a room." wink wink

"Oh, that's wonderful!" You exclaimed, sharing a room with your crush friend? How could you not be excited?

Michael didn't know how to feel, he was a bit nervous yes, but atleast he can be with you all day and night.

_____________________________________________

My guy's getting a little too possessive wink wink.

Also sorry if the first half doesn't make sense I literally started making part two right when I woke up. And sorry if this was too short and boring I didn't have much of an inspiration to write. 😿

[twoidiotwriters1]

Almighty (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Apollo is here and I couldn't be happier I love him -Danny Words: 2,554 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Paul Revere' -by Noah Kahan

VIII: Dang Bitch, You Live Like This?

Ara stares at him in shock. "Come again?"

"He's the god Apollo." The little girl replies, eyeing her sword with massive interest.

"If you really are Apollo, tell me something only he would know." It's no secret that Ara's looking for the sun god, so asking for proof makes sense.

The boy cleans his bloody nose and thinks hard, looking rather pathetic. "Your boyfriend gave me a Valdezinator that sounds exactly like the piece Michael wrote to heal people."

The demigod lowers her sword immediately and urges them forward. "Go in."

Ara opens the door to her apartment and speaks over her shoulder. "Stay here. Do not leave." She rushes to the kitchen where Sally and Percy are laughing. Ara clears her throat and Percy smiles at her. 

"Birdy—"

"Apollo's at the door," she announces quickly. "I think he's mortal."

Percy stops smiling. "What?"

"I can't leave him outside, so they're coming in," Ara walks back to the entrance. "He's got a little girl with him, Percy, so don't be scary!"

He follows her to the door. Ara opens it and curtsies. "Come in, my lord."

"Appreciated," the boy drags himself into the apartment, the young girl following close.

"Who's your friend?" Percy stares at the girl.

"This is Meg McCaffrey, a demigod who must be taken to Camp Half-Blood. She rescued me from street thugs."

"Rescued..." Percy glances at his sister. "You mean the 'beat-up teenager' look isn't just a disguise? Dude, what happened to you?"

"I may have mentioned the street thugs."

"But you're a god."

"About that... I was a god."

"Prove it," Ara demands. The boy pulls out an ID with his picture and the name Lester Papadopoulos. "Zeus is really angry at you, huh?"

Apollo scoffs but he doesn't argue. "Oh! Before I forget, my dear muse," he flashes her a weak smile. "I'm fairly certain we're being followed by malicious spirits."

"What?" Ara locks the door a second time. "Why didn't you say that before I brought you up to my mother's apartment?!"

"Well, you must ensure my safety, and you will take care of this, won't you?" Apollo questions off-handedly.

Percy inches closer and whispers. "Can't believe he came looking for you..."

"I'm a hero now, of course he would look for me," she grumbles.

"Yeah, but—"

"Sacred Sibyl!" Apollo—Lester—gasps when their mother comes out of the kitchen. "Madam, there is something wrong with your midsection!"

"Well, I'm seven months pregnant," Sally stops in her tracks.

"How can you bear it?" The god moans in despair. "My mother, Leto, suffered through a long pregnancy, but only because Hera cursed her. Are you cursed?"

"Um, Apollo? She's not cursed," Percy steps in. "And can you not mention Hera?"

"You poor woman." Apollo sighs. "A goddess would never allow herself to be so encumbered. She would give birth as soon as she felt like it."

"Let's focus on your issues, my lord." So we can get rid of you faster.

Percy clears his throat. "Mom, this is Apollo and his friend Meg. Guys, this is our mom."

"Call me Sally." She examines Apollo's injured face. "Dear, that looks painful. What happened? I tell you what—Percy can help you get bandaged and cleaned up." 

"I can?" Percy asks with annoyance. 

Ara elbows him before gesturing at Apollo. "This way, lord..."

"Ara, you give Meg your old clothes, pre-growth spurt," Sally says bemusedly.

The girl nods. "Sure. Come along, Meg."

"What are we gonna do?"

"I'll take care of it."

"Ara..."

"Before you say anything, remember I'm turning sixteen this year," she glares at him. "You fought your prophecy when you were my age."

"Yeah, I..." Percy blinks as if just realizing that she's right. "Gods, you're turning sixteen already?"

"This is Mike's father we're talking about," Ara brushes that aside. "The song I use to heal people? Michael wrote it. I do this for him, Percy, I have to help."

He pauses, some kind of understanding that isn't helping him feel better dawns upon him, and causes his shoulders to slump. The door to their bathroom opens and Apollo comes out of it, sheepish but clean. "What happened to you, man?" Percy grimaces. "The war ended in August. It's January."

"It is?"

Ara and Percy share a look. "I knew this would happen," she sighs. "I saw how Zeus treated you, I knew he was going to punish you."

"I—I don't know where I've been," Apollo fidgets with his shirt. "I have some memory gaps."

Percy wrinkles his nose. "I hate memory gaps. Last year I lost an entire semester thanks to Hera."

"It's normal," Ara tries to ease the god. "Either your consciousness is trying to adjust to a mortal brain, or Zeus took it on purpose so it's harder for you to return."

"Well, that's why I've come to you!" Apollo smiles. "I can't do it, but surely the daughter of Olympus can fix this! It's your job!"

Ara frowns. "I'd rather not test the King of the gods by helping his currently hormonal teenage son that he's trying to punish, besides, I have never turned anyone into a god."

"We can drive you and Meg to camp if that's what you want," Percy offers. "We never turn away a demigod who needs help—"

"Wonderful! Do you have something besides the Prius? A Maserati, perhaps? I'd settle for a Lamborghini."

Percy ignores that. "Apollo, I can't get involved in another Big Prophecy or whatever. I've made promises."

"Promises?"

"I lost most of my junior year because of the war with Gaea. I've spent this entire fall playing catch-up with my classes. If I want to go to college with Annabeth next fall, I have to stay out of trouble and get my diploma."

"Annabeth." Apollo squints. "She's the blond scary one?"

"That's her. I promised her specifically that I wouldn't get myself killed while she's gone." 

"Gone?"

"She's in Boston for a few weeks. Some family emergency. The point is—"

"You're saying you cannot offer me your undivided service to restore me to my throne?" 

"Yeah." He pointed at the bedroom doorway. "Besides, my mom's pregnant. We're going to have a baby sister. I'd like to be around to get to know her."

"Well, I understand that. I remember when Artemis was born—"

"Aren't you twins?"

"I've always regarded her as my little sister."

Percy glances at his sister. I need this guy out of here. "Anyway, my mom's got that going on, and her first novel is going to be published this spring as well, so I'd like to stay alive long enough to—"

"Wonderful! Remind her to burn the proper sacrifices. Calliope is quite touchy when novelists forget to thank her."

"Okay. But what I'm saying... I can't go off on another world-stomping quest. I can't do that to my family. I've already given my mom enough heart attacks for one lifetime. She's just about forgiven me for disappearing last year, but I swore to her and Paul that I wouldn't do anything like that again."

Percy and Apollo turn to her. Ara shrugs. "Yeah well, no parents are freaking out about me. They know I have to obey, and I'm a triple-R: Resilient radioactive roach."

"Do you think he counts, though?" Percy squints.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, look at him."

"You do understand that I must find a way to return to Olympus," Apollo sounds slightly offended. "This will probably involve many harrowing trials with a high chance of death. Can you turn down such glory?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I can," Percy replies impatiently. "And Ara should too, if you're not a god anymore, that means she doesn't work for you."

"Percy!"

"What? It's the truth. Your second semester is only getting started, this guy shouldn't be distracting you."

The thing is, she wants a distraction. Ara can't stand another week of normalcy while her demigod life crumbles and gets more and more confusing. She has to fix things, and now she has a path to follow in the shape of a weak-looking deity.

"It wouldn't be wise to give him an advantage Zeus might not want for him," she leans on the wall. "But I can't say no just to be punished later. I won't decide anything until I figure it out."

"You will at least escort us to Camp Half-Blood?" Apollo asks sorely.

"That we can do." Percy gets up and pats Ara's shoulder. "Let's see if Meg's ready for a field trip." 

"Percy, your mom is so normal."

"Thanks, I guess." 

"I see you like to study," Apollo looks at the manuals on the coffee table. "Well done."

"I hate to study," Percy snorts. "I've been guaranteed admission with a full scholarship to New Rome University, but they're still requiring me to pass all my high school courses and score well on the SAT. Can you believe that? Not to mention I have to pass the DSTOMP."

"The what?" Meg wrinkles her nose.

"An exam for Roman demigods. The Demigod Standard Test of Mad Powers," Apollo explains.

"That's what it stands for?" Percy raises a brow.

"I should know. I wrote the music and poetry analysis sections."

"I will never forgive you for that," Her brother scoffs. "Ara's doing her best to help me out, but the truth is—"

"We're both equally dumb and painfully dyslexic," Ara grabs a cookie.

"So you're really demigods? Like me?" Meg asks, shifting around the couch with barely controlled energy.

"Afraid so. My dad is the godly one—Poseidon. Ara was born an Aphrodite but now she's the daughter of the gods, which means they all get to mistreat her as much as they please."

"Gee, you really know how to sell it," Ara mutters.

"What about your parents?" Percy asks the little girl.

Meg stares at her hands. "Never knew them... much."

Percy tilts his head. "Foster home? Stepparents?" Meg turns away from him. "Sorry. Didn't mean to pry. I'm just asking 'cause Ara's adopted, and most demigods got similar stories."

"I'm adopted?!" Ara gasps. Percy punches her arm lightly.

Meg looks up at the girl with the same amazed gaze as before. "You are?"

"You're twelve, aren't you?" Ara smiles. "I was your age when I got adopted. If you've been alone all this time, you must be tough." Meg blushes, looking away from her. She glows a bright leaf green that pulls Ara's air out of her lungs. It's identical to Mike's.

"So how did you guys meet?" Percy asks Apollo.

Apollo breaks it down for them: he landed on a dumpster, got jumped on an alleyway, and Meg saved him. While they talk, Sally brings more and more food and Ara watches Apollo and Meg shove fistful after fistful into their mouths. "Percy," Apollo moans as he finishes his plate. "Your mom is awesome."

"I know, right?" Percy cleans his mouth messily. "So back to your story... you have to be Meg's servant now? You guys barely know each other."

"Barely is generous. Nevertheless, yes. My fate is now linked with young McCaffrey." 

"We are cooperating," Meg says with satisfaction.

Ara rubs her forehead, nursing a headache while she listens. She's not really in pain, headaches aren't really aches but a strange pulsing behind her eyes, like a light that she keeps trying to put into focus, not painful, but dizzying. It usually happens when she spends too much time remembering things—and it gets stronger whenever she tries to recall her regressions. They're getting blurrier as time goes on.

"So, just to recap," Percy repeats. "You have to be Meg's servant for...?"

"Some unknown amount of time. Probably a year. Possibly more."

"And during that time—"

"I will undoubtedly face many trials and hardships."

"Like getting me my cows," Meg pipes in.

Apollo's jaw clenches. "What those trials will be, I do not yet know. But if I suffer through them and prove I am worthy, Zeus will forgive me and allow me to become a god again. I need time to get my bearings. Once we get to Camp Half-Blood, I can consult with Chiron. I can figure out which of my godly powers remain with me in this mortal form—and if the daughter of Olympus is allowed to serve me."

Percy runs a hand through his hair. "Any idea what kind of spirits are following you?"

"Shiny blobs," Meg responds. "They were shiny and sort of... blobby."

"Those are the worst kind." Percy nods solemnly.

"I've no idea what that could be," Ara mumbles.

"It hardly matters," Apollo brushes it off. "Whatever they are, we have to flee. Once we reach camp, the magical borders will protect me."

"You and Meg, you mean," Ara raises a brow. "I'm not fully certain you didn't kidnap her so we would take pity on you."

Percy realizes something. "Apollo, if you're really mortal, like, one hundred percent mortal, can you even get in to Camp Half-Blood?"

"Please don't say that," Apollo whines. "Of course I'll get in. I have to."

"But you could get hurt in battle now... Then again, maybe monsters would ignore you because you're not important?"

"Maybe he won't taste good in the state he is," Ara examines his looks. "Barely any meat..."

"Stop! I'm sure I've retained some powers, I'm still gorgeous, for instance, if I could just get rid of this acne and lose some flab. I must have other abilities!"

Ara and Percy share a look again, then they turn to Meg. "What about you?" Percy asks. "I hear you throw a mean garbage bag. Any other skills we should know about? Summoning lightning? Making toilets explode?"

Meg grins. "That's not a power."

"Sure it is," Percy replies sweetly. "Some of the best demigods have gotten their start by blowing up toilets." Meg's soul light comes back again as she giggles. Ara smiles too, Percy has that effect on... well, pretty much everyone. Even her, though her affection has always been molded to be platonic.

"How soon can we leave?" Apollo presses, not liking how he's not the center of attention.

Percy shrugs. "Right now, I guess. If you're being followed, I'd rather have monsters on our trail than sniffing around the apartment—I just have to be back tonight, and I'm taking Ara. Got a lot of studying. The first two times I took the SAT—ugh. If it wasn't for Annabeth and Birdy helping me out—"

"Who's that?"

"Annabeth's my girlfriend and Birdy's what I call Ara." Meg's soul light dies instantly. That is probably the fastest falling out Ara's seen when it comes to Percy, even faster than Lily's.

"So take a break!" Apollo claps. "Your brain will be refreshed after an easy drive to Long Island."

"Huh," Percy squints. "There's a lazy kind of logic to that. Okay. Let's do it." Sally comes in with a badge of cookies and the boy raises his hands as if about to calm a dangerous creature. "Mom, don't freak..."

Sally's expression drops. "I hate it when you say that."

"We're just going to take these two to camp. That's all. We'll be right back."

"I think I've heard that before."

"I promise," Percy seizes Ara's hand and squeezes. "We'll be back."

"At least one of us will," Ara replies sarcastically, earning a harsh elbow on the ribs.

"All right. Be careful. It was lovely meeting you both. Please try not to die." Percy kisses his mother's cheek and tries to get a cookie. "Oh, no! Apollo and Meg can have one, but I'm keeping the rest hostage until you're back safely. And hurry, it would be a shame if Paul ate them all when he gets home."

"You hear that, guys? A batch of cookies is depending on us," Percy scowls. "If you get any of us killed on the way to camp, I am going be ticked off."

Ara hums, trying not to look too pleased about having a quest. "I'll get my Octopus."

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles @ellipsisspelled @thepixiechicksh @ebony-reine-vibes

[karminxx]

Sin and Virtue  (Lucifer x GN!Angel! Reader)

A/N: Lucifer is very OOC, it’s on purpose (felt like experimenting with his character) other characters kinda OOC. If anything’s wrong tell me. 

“Simeon-” Huffing, you’re forced to listen to another one of Simeons lectures.

“You’ll never truly experience the devildom unless you at least try to speak to a demon, besides we already know the seven brothers. They won’t cause any problems. I trust them.” His arms crossed, and he looks exactly like Michael when he’s scolding you.

Giving in, you look down at Luke, who’s thrilled for dinner at the house of lamentation, “Fine, but I’m not guaranteeing anything.”

Solomon’s head pops up from the hallway. “You all done? They’ve almost finished making everything.”

Simeon’s hand brushes the door before it’s pulled open. Asmodeus stands in the doorway. “Come in! You should be excited. I made the desserts all myself! They look exactly like my face, too beautiful to eat now that I think about it...” His voice trails off into his own world.

Pushing the doors open to the dining room, Asmodeus shows you there are cards dictating where you sit. “Quickly find yours and we will start!”

Skipping off into the kitchen, you're all forced to look over the table, realising Luke and Simeon are together whilst they split Solomon and you up.

“Mc, who are you sat next to?” Simeon can’t help but question the seating arrangements.

Picking up the cards to your left and right, they read: Lucifer and Satan.

Mumbling to yourself, you place them back down. “You’re joking…” Looking up at Simeon, you answer, “Lucifer and Satan, what about you?”

“Leviathan,” Luke shows Simeon the card next to him, “and Luke is next to Beelzebub.”

Watching the others sit, you follow in suit, noticing the table has been set by Asmodeus from the astoundingly obnoxious amount of pink and flair.

After silently berating the tablecloths and other pink objects lying on the table, the brothers come out with trays and plates holding fresh foods, placing them in front of you all and swiftly sitting down. Beelzebub was a fountain of drool, quick to get into everything (you’re glad he’s not sitting next to you).

You listen in on the countless conversations happening all around you, refusing to join in on any and eating everything on your plate. You notice Simeon and Luke joining in, unintentionally staring at them: slightly jealous they can be so carefree.

Besides you, Lucifer, like you, is quiet and uninterested in the conversations. However, unlike you, he’s been interested in you. Watching your behaviour and how you react to things, seeing the disgust and displeasure on your face. Simeon had only told him bits and pieces of your story, but that alone caught his attention.

Noticing eyes on you, your head slightly turns, making you and Lucifer hold eye contact, with neither of you willing to look away. His reasons were interest, yours were to challenge his authority.

Michael created something powerful with you, something that could exterminate threats. He made you loathe demons, yet made you sinful: he knew challenging a demon without sin results in catastrophe. Pure childlike innocence and love are simple to corrupt and manipulated.

Someone clearing their throat makes you both look over at the noise. Simeon was nervously smiling at you. “Do you want dessert?”

Shaking your head, you stand, “No.” Passing the table, you barge through the doors into the main room.

Asmodeus is quick to complain, “Wait! But I worked so hard on them!”

Head in hand, you stare down at the floor whilst sitting on the couch in the living room, frustrated by the current situation. You didn’t want to be here, but you couldn’t leave without the others.

Footsteps go unheard until they’re directly in front of you. Wary your eyes promptly peer up, staring at the intrusion. Lucifer towers over you, looking down at you.

“If you truly want silence, my study is always available.” Lucifer slightly bends down, getting closer to you.

Despite the proximity, you don’t move. “Depends. Will you be there?” Narrowing your eyes at him, he smiles slightly.

“I have some work to do, but I won’t be a nuisance.” Standing back to his full height, he accompanies you to his study.

Dark wooden drawers and bookshelves lining the walls complement the wooden floors. His desk sits in the middle, facing away from the window, only dimly lit by the sparse lights.

Taking off his gloves and sitting down, he studies you. “I thought you wouldn’t have wanted me here. You’re not going soft, are you?”

“For you?” Venom spits from your mouth, “Not in a million years.”

“You are still here, Angel.” A sly smile appears on his face, awaiting your reaction.

Letting out a breath of vexation, you regain composure. “I followed you because you promised silence.”

Opening the drawers to his paperwork, he acknowledges you, “I never promised. I gave you a suggestion.” A pen scratching on paper stops you from formulating a response, leaving you silent, observing him.

After a few minutes, you notice him get out a group of files, seeing the little you can from your position you can only read out: Exchange students. Without noticing, you get closer, curious about what the files are about, especially if there’s one on you.

“Michael finds you difficult to accept, doesn’t he?” Lucifer’s sudden and hard-hitting question left you speechless, but his head is down, staring at the documents with your face plastered on them.

Confused at the sudden personal question, you answer harshly, “If he truly found me difficult, I’d be exactly like you.”

Putting the pen down, he rises, ambling towards you, “Wouldn’t that be a shame?”

His sacrilegious tone made your body tense, he backs you into a bookshelf. Some books fall from the impact. Despite being taught to deal with demons, you knew your limits, and Lucifer was beyond your strength.

“That’s truly surprising... usually angels like you would try to kill me,” his voice lowers as he whispers in your ears, “but you already know you can’t take me.”

Knock! Knock! You’re thankful someone’s interrupted as you watch Lucifer open the door. To your surprise, it’s Simeon looking for you. Asking for a minute, Lucifer closes the door, grabbing his gloves.

“We’ll continue next time, little lamb.”

[jackalopesao3]

Nightbringer Thoughts

🐡 Theories on who NB is

🐡 Exploring Solomon’s relationships with Michael and Barbatos

Spoilers below the cut 👀👀👀

Weird Theory One: Michael forcing Solomon to use his pact with Barbatos to send MC back in time. Barb is NB but compromised.

What if it’s Barbatos under the control of Solomon’s Pact with Solomon being forced to control Barbatos because of Michael.

1. Barbatos is pissed at Solomon. Solomon making Barbatos do something against his will by calling on the pact is going to feel like a major betrayal. He might not even know it’s Michael pulling the strings.

2. Whoever pulled Solomon into that weird predicament in Lessons 9/10, where he has to “choose” between Simeon and the Celestial Realm or Diavolo and the Devildom is NB. They were testing Sol’s loyalties. They made Sol who he was. If I’m following right, Solomon landed in that strange place when Barb was all, “Begone, Thot!” So I’m still not completely sold on NB is Barb. That just doesn’t make much sense to me.

3. Solomon tried to make the MC swear to side with humanity. For the longest time, Solomon’s been humanity’s only protector. It’s a huge responsibility and due to his pact with Barbatos and having the Ring of Wisdom from Michael, he could become compromised if either of the two want something of him. His pact with Barb seems beyond just a normal pact and we don’t know what his agreement is with Michael is.

MC on the other hand, could side with humanity without their pacts compromising them. If something were to happen to Solomon, MC would be there for the Human Realm.

Side Info: Solomon’s Goals

Solomon tells MC that angels and demons don’t view humans as equals and he hopes to prove humans can be just as powerful and just as worthy of respect. It explains his somewhat shady behavior tbh. He has been outwitting and outplaying these primordial beings for nearly all of his life. He’s had to sacrifice a lot and he couldn’t let his guard down with any of those beings or they’d have “put him in his place” as soon as the opportunity arose.

Yes, Diavolo is different, but NB makes it very clear he’s been fighting an uphill battle from within and has to tread very carefully or risk a rebellion.

The angels want to guide humans because they think they’d be lost without them. Demons think humans are weak and trick them into pacts that won’t benefit them in the long run. Humans are inferior beings to both sides and Solomon has been fighting most of his life to prove them wrong.

Even with all this being said, Solomon still had to make deals with Barbatos and Michael and that very well could leave him compromised against his will at some point.

Theory Two: Lucifer = Lightbringer then Michael = Nightbringer?

We know that Lucifer and Michael were nearly identical in the Celestial Realm. Lucifer was known as the “Lightbringer” in theology as well. Is it possible that NB is simply Michael? Lucifer’s Celestial Realm counterpart?

1. Vaguely worded texts and the tone of the texts are quite similar to MC’s very few interactions with Michael. The way NB talks to Solomon and texts MC is very similar.

2. “You made me who I am.” Solomon said this to NB after they said he was demon-like. This could be eluding to Barbatos who was one of the two who helped Solomon get to where he is now but Solomon could be making a jab at Michael, who gave him the Ring of Wisdom.

3. NB wants to test Solomon’s loyalty. Solomon has been true to his word on protecting humanity but NB is pushing.

On the demon side of the things, they want peace so why would they be testing Sol’s loyalties?

The Celestial Realm on the other hand has already punished Simeon by revoking his angel status and turning him human for helping MC, a human.

If any of the realms are testing loyalties, it would likely be the one punishing its own for getting involved by saving humans (Simeon and Lilith).

Anyways…that’s all I’ve got for now. The answer is probably a lot simpler than that! There’s definitely some fuckery afoot and MC better trust no one but themselves, imo.