#Malcolm called him out now he needs comfort :)

[ldysmfrst]

American Mate (6) - A Proposition for You

Paring: Hybrid!BTS Ot7 x Plus-sized Human FemReader

Status: Ongoing series

Chapter number: 6 of unknown

Word count for Chapter: 4911

Work count for Story: 23,924

Genre: Hybrid Playmate Au inspired by works created by @yoongiofmine

A little about the author: I am a mother of two beautiful children. One of which is special needs, and on 3/28, they lost 75% of their vision. I started a Patreon if you feel the heart to donate towards helping with the medical costs of appointments, medication, and modifications to the house, which insurance doesn't cover.

Warnings: (I am not good at this, but I will try. Let me know if I missed anything!!) NOT BETA READ!! This story will have a bit of angst, fluff, smut, f/m, m/m, and m/f/m. This chapter does have Injury, Anxiety, arguments, comfort, Alpha Space, close proximity, and scenting.

BTS HYBRID ANIMAL TYPES: Seokjin - Roan Ferret, Yoongi - Black Jaguar, Hoseok - Marten, Namjoon - Alaskan Timber Wolf, Jimin - Red Panda, Taehyung - White Southwest African Tiger, Jungkook - Flemish Giant Rabbit

AMERICAN MATE MASTER LIST / LDYSMFRST MASTER LIST

“Excuse me, Sirs. We have arrived at the AirBnB,” the driver announces through the van's intercom system. The voice pulls Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook's attention away from the scenting session. 

“Thank you, Malcolm,” Jungkook calls out loud enough to be heard past the petition between the driver’s and passenger seats. Looking down, he trails his fingers through Jimin’s hair as the tiny Alpha is now sprawled out across his and Taehyung’s lap with his eyes closed. 

“Minie, we need to get out, my little love,” looking at Taehyung, “Tae? Are you good now?”

“Hmm. Yeah, Kook, I am doing better,” Taehyung opens his eyes, returning to their clear brown. Lifting Jimins legs off his lap, Taehyung moves from his seat and opens the van door. 

“Minie, you cuddle bug. Time to go, I know you are nowhere near a scent high, so please get up so that we can get Y/n to see the doctor.”

Jumping up from lying on Jungkook’s lap, Jimin stumbles out the door and over to the first van, “I will get their door!”

Jungkook and Taehyung chuckle as they watch the dancer trip over one of the van's chairs, but he manages not to fall onto the curb before beelining it to the other van.

“Hey, Tae. Are you going to be okay around Y/n?”

“I think so. It might be better for me to keep my distance until she isn’t in as much pain. I think that is what is causing the most issues for my Alpha. Well, that and keeping away from that pathetic excuse of a Director.” Taehyung growls out the last part.

“I think it would be best if we all keep away from him, though I think Manager Sejin and Namjoon will have to at least deal with him a few more times.”

“Better him than us. Why don’t you go with the others, and I will help out with the luggage so that everything is where it should be?” Taehyung hugs Jungkook around the shoulders, kissing his cheek softly.

Jungkook looks closely at Taehyung, smelling his clear and unbothered ebony wood. “Alright, hopefully, the doctor will be here soon. I think time has flown by faster than we think. It is already starting to get dark out.”

Buzzing. All you hear is buzzing as your brain short circuits. The desire to melt into the man holding you and run from the predatory eyes of the men watching you causes your body to tense and twitch. 

Suddenly, the van door opening seems louder than it should. It startled you into finally moving away from them and out of the van. 

You didn’t realize how stuffy the van had gotten, but the intensity of the scents within the van does not go unnoticed by Jimin as he watches you bolt from the van right past him towards the packhouse. Yoongi followed close behind with a smirk on his lips.

“What did we miss being in the reject van?” Jimin asks no one in particular. 

“Oh, you guys missed quite a bit, but we will talk about it later. Maybe once Miss Y/n goes in with the doctor,” Namjoon says as the rest leave the van. 

Jungkook walks up to the group and watches you with a confused look. Manager Sejin also joins them.

“You all realize she has no idea what she is to you. She isn’t going to understand why it is nice that she is so instinctually responsive,” Manager Sejin comments using air quotes.

“Yes, Manager-nim. She just was… ah it is hard to explain,” Hoseok bashfully responds as he looks at the floor.

“Well, she isn’t my mate, and I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea how to break it to her, but you are going to have to be careful. I know that much.” Looking at you, a softness of worry crosses his face.

“Do you guys know that she wouldn’t even ask for a bottle of water when she got to the van because she didn’t want to take something from the pack?”

“I have a feeling that she has had to be the one to take care of others and put herself last. She won’t ask for help, and accepting help will be hard for her. Especially, since you guys are so well-known and established as a mate-bonded pack.” Manager Sejin looks at his watch, down the street, and then back to the gathered group.

“The doctor should be here in a few moments. You might want to get her inside and settle in one of the unoccupied rooms, Namjoon-ssi.” 

Manager Sejin bows respectfully to the group and heads to the luggage van, where he can see Taehyung giving directions.

You walked quickly, not running, up the stairs to the front porch—fresh air—cool Air. It was non-steamy, good for your heart, and not going to make you lose your job and blessed air. 

Taking deep breaths, you hope to clear your mind, slow your heart to a normal pace, and regain professionalism from wherever it is hiding.

Muttering to yourself, you are unaware that Yoongi has followed you, but he keeps a distance while listening to your utterances. His smirk grows to the point his eyes are almost closed. Now that you have calmed down, you turn around and almost run into him.

“Ahh! Don’t sneak up on me like that. I need to get you and Evie both a bell. It must be a feline thing.” Glancing past Yoongi you notice Taehyung coming up the steps with some of the staff carrying in the luggage, “Should get one for him too.”

Chuckling, Yoongi shakes his head, “No bell. No house cat. Jaguar.” Taking a step closer, he sniffs, “Better? No conflict?”

You can’t help but smile softly at his concern: “No, I am fine now. I just haven’t had much skinship as one might say… outside of my family pack, as you call them.”

“I know it is a big cultural thing amongst hybrids and even more so depending on the kind of relationship involved. I guess I was just taken back by all the … all that.” You say, gesturing towards the van as if it were explaining whatever was happening inside. 

Yoongi nods in understanding and takes the last step to be by your side, facing the rest of the pack. His tail again wraps around your waist, and you giggle in amusement, returning his attention with a raised eyebrow.

“Are you keeping me on a fur leash?” You ask, pointing at his tail on your waist.

Yoongi looks down at where you are pointing and looks at his tail like he doesn’t realize that he ever put it there, to begin with. With a glare like he is scolding a child, his tail starts to let go, which pulls at your heart a bit.

“It’s okay, Alpha.” You say as you stroke along the very soft black fur, laying it back in its place, “you are keeping me close and safe like a good Alpha should. Thank you for protecting me.”

Yoongi preens at the compliment while holding back a shudder at the feeling of you petting his tail. His Alpha is happy that you recognize his needs and are allowing him to continue.

“Mr. Min,” you start to speak only to get cut off with an indignant huff.

“Yoongi. Alpha. Not, Mr. Min. Yoongi.”

“Ah, umm. Okay. Yoongi,” you say with a blush as you avoid looking him in the face, “I want to thank you for helping me not land hard on the floor back at the office. I am sure I would have been in worse shape if you hadn't tried to catch me.”

“Hopefully, you know that I do not blame you for my wrist. It was just really bad timing.”

“Still hurt. Keep safe for healing,” Yoongi says, leaning down to catch your eyesight and hoping you see the truth in his words. 

The truth is that he will keep you safe not only while you heal your wrist but also your heart and soul.

“Time to go ahead inside. Jin, can you make some snacks with Hobi for everyone? The rest will help with the luggage, and I will go with Yoongi and Miss Y/n to one of the guest rooms on the first floor.” Namjoon instructs the pack.

With different forms of agreement, the boys take off to do their assigned tasks. Seokjin and Hoseok smile sheepishly as they pass you, heading to the kitchen.

Namjoon walks up the stairs, his ears flicking to the street as he hears a car approaching, which could only signal the doctor’s arrival—leaving the greeting to the manager.

“Miss Y/n. Yoongi. If you please follow me, I will take you both to one of the guestrooms that you can use to meet the doctor in. We have some snacks being prepared and will bring those soon as well.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to eat in one of the bedrooms, Prime Alpha Sir. Plus, my stomach isn’t feeling so well with all the pain,” ‘and the emotional waves’ you add on in your mind.

Leading you both into the house, Namjoon nods his head, “I see. I am sorry it took so long for us to get you seen. We normally heal rather quickly as hybrids. I think we kind of forgot that humans cannot do that. Sorry.”

“No worries, Prime Alpha Sir. I have a high pain tolerance, according to my mom and Derek, but I guess there is just so much that has happened in a short time that my body is just kind of everywhere. I am sorry if my scent is causing any problems as well. I know it must be all over the place.” 

At that last comment, you feel a tug at your waist from the tail, causing you to stumble back into Yoongi. Who buries his nose in your neck, similar to how you were being held by Hoseok in the van, causing you to blush as you regain your footing. 

“Smells good. Not bad. Y/n in pain but happy,” he says as he releases you. This time, he grabs your good hand and pulls you into the room that Namjoon has opened. 

The room is significantly larger than your bedroom, that is for sure. The walls are off-white, with a dark purple accent wall containing a sitting window. The bed is a four-post queen with deep purple curtains tied back with black lace complimenting the purple and black bedding. All the furniture is in a dark, almost burnt-looking wood with iron accents.

You look around the room with your mouth agape. “It’s so beautiful here, and look!” you exclaim as you walk to the adjoining bathroom. “It comes with a private bathroom!”

Namjoon and Yoongi smile at each other as they smell your sweet pea coming out in waves with a hint of more jasmine, which the boys now understand is an indication of your happiness. 

“There is also a walk-in closet, but my favorite part is the sitting window. Perfect to read in,” Namjoon adds.

There is a knock at the door, though it is standing wide open. The three of you look over to see the manager, Jungkook, and a woman with an old-fashioned medical bag standing just outside the door.

“Pardon the interruption, but Dr. Blackwell is here,” Manager Sejin states, motioning to the woman beside him, who bows.

“Dr. Blackwell! It is good to see you again, please come in. I am sure you were informed that Yoongi is in Alpha Space and will probably like to stay but I will step out if it is needed,” Namjoon greets Dr. Blackwell with a firm handshake. 

Dr. Blackwell is a younger-looking woman but still older than you. Her hair is in a French braid, and she is wearing a pantsuit. Setting her bag on the chest at the end of the bed, she looks at Yoongi with kind eyes.

“Yes, Mr. Kim. I was informed and you are correct, since the patient is not a member of your pack then you will have to leave. Technically Mr. Min should leave as well but I will leave that up to the patient.”

“Oh, umm…” Looking between the doctor and Yoongi, they both seem to await your decision. “Mr. M,” you are cut off by a huff and a tug around your waist, “Sorry, Yoongi can stay for now. If anything gets too private then I ask him to step out.”

Yoongi’s actions cause the doctor and Namjoon to pause before looking at each other. Dr. Blackwell speaks first: “Mr. Kim, I was informed that Mr. Min believes to be responsible for the injury. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that is right, and as a mate ~cough cough~ bonded pack we are all here to support them.”

“Oh. I see and that would explain the familiarity. Thank you, Mr. Kim, that is all I believe I need from you now. Unless you want me to check out your cough?” Dr. Blackwell teasingly asks the Prime Alpha who turns slightly pink.

“Nope, I got it. You got it. Yeah. We will head out with the rest of the pack. Gonna be waiting in the dining room near the main kitchen if you need anything or need to kick Yoongi out.”

Namjoon bows to the doctor and then smiles at you as he walks out of the room, taking Jungkook with him.

In the kitchen, the two eldest have finished preparing snacks and drinks for everyone, including the staff, who gathered around munching on them. 

Pleasant conversations are happening here and there between everyone present. Everyone seems to avoid the topic of you since no one really knows what is going on except the pack and the manager. 

Namjoon watches from the entryway with Jungkook. He has always felt proud of his pack and how they treat the staff like a pseudo-family pack. They have seen other idol groups treat their staff like stepping stones, which never felt right to any of the packmates.

“Hey, everyone,” Namjoon says loud enough to gain the room's attention. “The pack has to have a pack meeting while the doctor is here. I invite the staff to take some of the prepared snacks to the guest house across the lawn and settle in. We won’t be needing any services tonight aside from Manager Sejin.”

“Namjoon-ssi, I will also head over to the other house to settle in, but I will keep my phone on me. Please text me when you need me, and I will come right over,” the manager responds while holding a tray of rolled-up meats and cheeses.

“Sounds good. Bangtan Pack, we need to meet in the dining room. Grab what’s left and come sit down.”

With that, the kitchen is filled with goodbyes, see you later, and other pleasantries as everyone departs. Namjoon, knowing that he doesn’t do well in the kitchen, simply turns and heads to the dining room they will use for the pack meeting. 

The rest of the boys grab what they can. The energy in the dining room is heavy, and they know that they have to discuss this, but the situation is odd. Once everyone is seated, Namjoon takes a look around the table. Each of his mates looks at him expectantly.

“We can all agree that she is our mate, right?” The Prime Alpha asks, wanting to make sure they are at least starting out on the same page. A chorus of agreement floods the room, lifting a weight off their shoulders. 

“Hyung?” Jimin tentatively speaks up.

“Yeah, Jimin, everything okay?”

“Seeing how everyone has reacted to her, I agree that she is a mate but I want to be honest that I haven’t had any time for my Alpha to respond to her. Actually, to be transparent, he backs away whenever she is close. I don’t know why.”

Jimin looks down and picks at the tablecloth until a Hobi takes hold of his hand. “Jimin, you were close with our last playmate and were the first of us to connect with her on a deeper level of friendship. She broke that trust with you,” Hobi begins.

“I am sure that I was not the only one who was shocked that you wanted a new playmate out here. I didn’t say anything because I figured you were trying to rebound.

However, rebounding by finding a new friend is different than finding a new mate. It will be difficult for you and some of our other mates because very few of us have had any experience outside of the pack.”

“Minie,” Jungkook chimes in. “I know you are nervous, and you keep trying to find a way to be around her but not at the same time, which is okay. But you need to make sure to listen to yourself and your Alpha. It is okay if you are not jumping into it head first like some of us are.”

“Hobi and Kook are right, Jimin.” Namjoon finally speaks up. This goes for everyone. We will all take this at a comfortable pace for us and, more importantly, for her. Manager-nim reminded me that she has no way of knowing what is going on and is most likely fighting her instincts because we are already a pack.”

“Remember how long it took us to convince Kook he wasn’t a toy? Or how Taehyung did not open up fully until after Jimin finally took it into his own hands?”

“She is gonna be like that.” Seokjin states, gaining everyone’s attention. “We need to watch ourselves. Some of us are more instinctually driven, but that could drive her away.”

“With that being said… does anyone have any suggestions?” questions Namjoon.

“Yoongi will end up being her safe space, I think.” Taehyung comments more to himself than to anyone.

Hobi shifts in his seat, remembering how self-conscious you were in the van before he speaks up, “She reminds me of myself. She doesn’t have a good self-image. We should each spend time with her.  Show her who we are off-stage, as a pack, as mates with each other, and encourage her to join in.”

“While I think that is a good idea, she won’t join in,” Jungkook interjects. “She wouldn’t ask for a bottle of water for the worry of taking from the pack, how will she accept cuddle time or scenting?”

“True, and besides that, how are we gonna keep her around for us to interact with to even prove anything to anyone,” whines Jimin. “This is so complicated.”

“Six to eight weeks! You have to be kidding. You expect me not to be using my wrist for upwards of eight weeks? What about work? Can I shower? What about chores?” You loudly speak to Dr. Blackwell in response to her diagnosis of a hairline fracture of your wrist. 

Yoongi’s ears are flat at either your yelling or the feeling of failure. His tail had curled around his own waist during the examination, and your pain levels tinted your scent with mold.

Ever remaining calm, Dr. Blackwell continues, “It would be best if you sought help during that time,” looking at Yoongi, “and since you have a respectable pack responsible for the injury there should be nothing to worry about. Isn’t that right, Mr. Min.”

Yoongi nods with an almost blank face as he tries to hide his disappointment in himself. Internally, scolding himself for breaking his mate during their first meeting.

“Mr. Min, I think it would be best to get your Prime Alpha to discuss anything further,” Dr. Blackwell instructs.

Looking briefly at you while you are looking at the floor, cradling your wrist, Yoongi leaves the guest room, quickly seeking out his pack.

“Miss Y/n, have you dealt with hybrids?”

“Yes, my family pack, as Bangtan puts it, consists of a beta fox and omega munchkin, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“I see. That makes sense. You were the Alpha in your pack and that is why you don’t understand what is happening around you.”

Snapping your head up, you look at the doctor. “What do you mean?”

Taking a tentative step forward, Dr. Blackwell places a hand on your shoulder, “It isn’t my place to say anything more than I already have. Just take a moment to think back to what you have learned about hybrids, and be open to the pack around in the next coming weeks.”

“Why would I be around them for weeks?”

Yoongi’s scent hits the dining room before he enters. All eyes are on the door as he comes in with his head hung low. He looks around the table with a frown on his face, and he mumbles, “Broke mate.”

Jin, being the closest to him, reaches out and pulls him to sit on his lap. Being Yoongi’s only hyung, Yoongi goes willingly and tucks his nose into Jin’s neck, “Hyung, I broke mate.”

“Yoon, it’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose. It was strictly an accident,” Jin whispers while rubbing soothing circles on his back. The pack pushes out calming scents into the room.

“Yoongi-hyun, can you tell us what the doctor said?” asks Jungkook.

“Broke wrist. Weeks healing. Need Pack Alpha.”

“Joon, go talk with Miss Y/n and the doctor. Get things figured out. We will take care of Yoongi,” Jin instructs, subtly pulling the elder card again.

“Yoongi, you have done great, and I am sure she doesn’t blame you,” Namjoon says as he walks to the hall, stopping. He looks back to the table. “Kookie, come with me, please. From how the scents are coming down the hall, we might need your tact at calming her down.”

A knock on the wall gains your attention. You see a toothy smile shine at you before he comes bounding over and joins you on the bed. His enthusiasm takes you back, then giggle as he lays his head on your lap, grabbing your left hand to rest on his hair.

“Well, come on in and make yourself comfortable,” you say, smiling as you scratch softly on his hair.

“Are you still in pain?” he asks as his eyes close at the soothing feeling of your fingers.

“No, Dr. Blackwell gave me something for that, and it kicked in a few minutes ago. Though it’s going to be painful for a while,” you inform. Looking up, Namjoon stands next to the doctor with a sweet smile.

“Dr. Blackwell, can you explain the situation please?”

Nodding, she turns to the Prime Alpha, “Mr. Kim, Miss Y/n has what I suspect is a hairline fracture. To be certain, I would need to take her to the local hospital but given your situation that would not be a very easy task.”

“I can say with certainty that be it a hairline fracture or a severe sprain, she will have to wear a brace and not use her wrist for six to eight weeks.”

At the reminder of the weeks of difficulty that will come, your scent turns watery as worry creeps into your mind.

“As you all know, I am both a hybrid and a human doctor which brings me to the next issue at hand. While Miss Y/n is kind of heart and forgives Mr. Min of any wrongdoings, Mr. Min, according to the hybrid culture, is responsible for her recovery.”

“Wait, my recovery? I thought it was just to get me to see you?” Your eyes bounce between the three others in the room.

“That is correct, and as Prime Alpha of his bonded pack, we will provide for her over the next eight weeks. We have the space, the means, and the power to do so, Dr. Blackwell.” Namjoon says, holding eye contact with you. His voice gave no room for argument. 

“Prime Alpha Sir, you… the pack… my work… how?”

“Not to interrupt, but I will excuse myself as this is now a pack matter. Keep that brace on as much as possible. I will leave my report with notes for your employer explaining your health situation and a vial of your pain medications on the dining room table.” Dr. Blackwell says as she gathers her things and bows, leaving the room. 

“Miss Y/n, Dr. Blackwell is right. This is a pack matter now and I think speaking with everyone together would be the best idea. If you would join us, we could talk about what to do next?”

“Umm, yeah. We can do that. I can do that.” 

Moving to stand, Jungkook moves out of the way and holds your good hand, leading you toward the living room where the pack is now gathered. 

Seokjin and Yoongi are on the medium couch, Taehyung, Jimin, and Hoseok are on the long couch, and the only open seat is a loveseat. 

You move to sit on the loveseat only to have Jungkook pull you to the couch where Seokjin and Yoongi are. “Jin-Hyung, can we sit there with Yoongi?”

Noticing that Yoongi gets stiff at the question, you say, “No, no, that is okay. I think Yoongi has had enough of me. I can sit somewhere else.” However, not only does Jungkook not let go of your hand, but a black tail finds its way around your thigh.

“Sure thing, I will sit with Namjoon.” Seokjin smiles and moves to sit with his Prime Alpha on the smallest couch. 

Next thing you know, you are sandwiched between the bunny and jaguar. Yoongi is on your right, his tail still wrapped around your thigh, with the tip sliding up and down almost absentmindedly. Jungkook is on your left, still holding your hand and resting his head on your shoulder.

Your body relaxes as you lean back on the couch, looking around the room. Mind making jokes about having a fur leash again despite Yoongi not looking at you since you entered the room and how you seem to have become a bunny pillow. After some thought, you realize that you don’t actually mind either action. 

Someone clearing their throat pulls you from your thoughts. Looking towards the loveseat, you see Namjoon sit up straighter and take on a look that clearly shows that it is the Prime Alpha talking and not the cute, funny Namjoon you have seen clips of on Instagram. 

“Bangtan pack, Miss Y/n has a hairline fracture of her right wrist,” at this information, a collective hiss of sympathetic pain comes from the other members. 

“She will be required to wear that brace and limit her use of that hand for the next six to eight weeks. This brings up some causes of concern for Miss Y/n.”

Namjoon looks at you to continue, “Umm… well I am right-hand dominant so doing pretty much anything is going to be complicated. I only have about four days of sick pay saved up right now. So, going back to work will be a hurdle all on its own, not to mention doing any kind of chores or cooking.”

Your eyes wander across the group as you speak. They all look at you like you are speaking something other than English or Korean. When your eyes come to a stop on Yoongi, he is finally looking at you with his eyes now a deep brown.

“Y/n, stay with us,” Yoongi states, not asking. “I am a respectable Alpha Jaguar and it is my honor to care for you back to health. My Alpha already told you outside that he would keep you safe until you are healed. I am here for the long haul.”

Your eyes widen at his declaration, and your mind blanks on what to say or how to respond. 

From your other side, Jungkook cuddles into your side, his nose nudging your neck softly, “We all will be here for the long haul.”

“They are right, you know. We are a bonded pack of mates and we would love to have you stay here with us so that we can take care of you,” Hoseok adds. 

Breaking eye contact with Yoongi, you took to Hoseok as he and the others on that couch smiled genuinely. “What about my job? I cannot leave my work. I have to pay for my flat and food and stuff.”

“Y/n,” your head snaps to the Prime Alpha, “is it okay if we call you Y/n?”

Nodding, you turn your body to face him directly. Your left hand, still holding Jungkook’s, is gripping tightly, trying to ground yourself. 

At your agreement, the Prime Alpha smiles, showing off dimples as he continues, “I figured that you would worry about a few things like that.”

“The room you met with the doctor in is yours while you stay here with us… at the pack house. When we say that we will take care of you, we mean it. We will cover all your expenses; it’s not like we lack the funds to care for anyone. Lastly, in order to keep a job to cover your everyday expenses, such as your flat, cell phone, etc., going, I have a proposition for you.”

Holding your breath, your eyes wide at everything he has said so far, you gulp, “What is your proposition, Prime Alpha Sir?”

“Become our playmate.”

Previous / Next

Taglist - CLOSED

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[cirtusmistress]

Hurricane

Authors Note: I wrote this about two years ago and posted it to AO3, and never cross-posted it to Tumblr. But given I want to get back into writing, I may as well start by posting what I got! So enjoy my first fic, two years late.

Ship ~ Brahms Heelshire x GN Reader

Tags ~ Comfort, Canon-Typical Violence, Reader is Competent, Storm prep, Brahms is Scared of Storms, Touch-Starved Brahms Heelshire, Reader Replaces Greta Evans, Minor Injuries, Doll Brahms Heelshire, One Shot, Gender-Neutral Pronouns

AO3 Crosspost

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

“A storm? Like, a thunderstorm? Or is it worse?” You asked. You’d been working for the Heelshire’s for around two months now. And though they’d left you with very detailed instructions on how to care for their beloved son, they had never brought up things such as house care. Honestly, you hadn’t planned on staying this long. Not into Autumn.

“A full on hurricane.” Malcolm answered, setting the last of the grocery bags down. He continued, “The worst one we’ve had in years apparently. They’re predicting outages and downed trees. I can help you secure the windows and doors if you’d like?” He offered. A sweet gesture. An olive branch of friendship. But you knew better than to take it.

During your short time at the Heelshire estate, and caring for Brahms, you’d learned a great many things. The most crucial being that whenever someone stayed around too long and stole your attention away from the doll you cared for, there was hell to pay. In one instance you found the dining room in complete disarray after simply inviting Malcolm in for tea, during a rare social moment for you. The worst case was when a friend of yours stopped by. They were a globetrotter, and seeing as you already had residence found it simpler to just stay with you. A mistake. One night was enough to send Brahms into the worst tantrum you’d ever seen. Multiple rooms destroyed, a window had been broken, and he had stolen your friend's passport. Your friendship didn’t last long after that. After all, who was to believe that a doll could cause so much harm?

“Thank you, Malcolm, but I’ll be fine. I’ve dealt with a few storms in my life, I’ll manage.” You replied. Malcolm studied you for a moment. Likely trying to read you, sniff out any signs of dishonesty. But, there were none. Just that warm smile that could melt anyone's heart. He gave a sigh of defeat and nodded.

“If you say so. Just give me a call if you need anything. I’ll come check on you when the hurricane passes.” With that he gave you a wave and headed back to his truck. You muttered a soft thanks, finally returning to your chores.

Brahms sat in the kitchen where he’d been waiting. Like he was listening to your conversation. You’d grown used to this odd job of yours. Caring for a doll as if it were human. Though you’d always figured there was more to this situation then most believed. You’d heard of people using dolls to cope with loss, the concept wasn’t lost on you. But for a couple well into their later years? And there were just.. Too many small things. Even in the rules. Playing music loud, reading in a loud clear voice, leaving food in the freezer. Food which you knew was going missing.

But the biggest tell was an accident. It had been about a month into the job. You’d actually begun to believe Brahms was a child's spirit trapped in the doll. What with him moving around on his own, and leaving you little offerings, and once saying your goddamn name when he was upset. But then, just by accident as you were putting Brahms to bed, you hit your foot against the wall. It had hurt so badly you thought you’d broken a toe. But what stood out in your mind even now was the sound the wall made. It didn’t make the thud you knew from stubbing your toe time and time again in youth. The wall sounded hollow. There had been an echo. Now you knew some older houses had hollow walls. Normally the cavities between the two layers were used for insulation. But that echo.. That wasn’t a normal hollow wall.

After that you’d started paying closer attention to the house and Brahms as you went about your day. Watching and listening. Countless nights where you’d lay in bed and just listen. You’d hear shuffling, the rare footstep like someone had stumbled. Once you swore you heard breathing. You noticed how many rooms had large paintings or cabinets, your size or larger. For a while you thought you were going mad. There was no way in hell that an elderly couple had been keeping their son in the walls for twenty years. But then you learned of the Heelshire’s deaths. Suicides. So many things pointing to something you didn’t quite know how to feel about. On one hand, you were now basically the sole guardian of a doll who was actually a stand-in for the hypothetical twenty-eight year old man in the walls. On the other, Brahms was now completely alone after twenty years of isolation. Alone, save for you. Sweet, kind, loving you who treated a porcelain doll like a real boy. Who read to him every night and tucked him in with a kiss. You couldn’t just leave him. No matter what Brahms was.

“We’re in for a storm, Brahms. I guess that means we’re having a slumber party downstairs tonight.” You cortled, putting the last of the groceries away. You took note of how little perishables Malcolm had dropped off. Thinking ahead. You wouldn’t be able to cook for however long the power was gone, if it did go that was.

You turned back to the doll, scooping him up and taking him with you. You figured the downstairs office would be the safest place. The windows were relatively small and were less likely to break. It would do for your purposes. You sat Brahms in the corner and got to work moving the desk out of the way. You’d have to lay down blankets and things to sleep on. You doubted the old fashioned Heelshire’s were going to have something like an air mattress.

You spent a good hour doing basic storm prep. Dragging some old blankets and comforters out of wardrobes and laying them down on the floor. Filling up buckets and the tubs with water. Getting crossword puzzles and cards. By the time that was all done, it had begun to rain outside. The calm before the storm you supposed. The last thing on your storm checklist was lanterns. This was an old house, you were certain that the Heelshire’s would have oil lamps somewhere. Naturally the first place you wanted to check was the attic.. But you knew better. After all, if your theory was right you didn’t want to scare the poor man by invading his space. So you settled on checking the cellar first.

Only issue was, you really couldn’t bring Brahms. You knew he was never meant to be alone but taking a fragile doll into a dark cellar was too risky. He’d have to stay upstairs. You were hoping he wouldn’t be too upset.

“Brahms, I’m headed to the cellar. I’ll be quick, I promise.” You hummed. With that, you headed down alone. You had been right, it was dark and musty and damp. You started to wonder if there was mold down here. You flicked on the old dingy light which surprisingly still worked. You began digging through the clutter. Old things like furniture, clothes never worn since the sixties, even some art pieces. It was like a time capsule. You didn’t have time to walk through history though, you needed to find anything that could give light without the use of electricity. Lower and lower you went through the piles, until finally you found something. A pair of old oil lamps and a small can of oil to go with it. You muttered a soft thanks, pulling them out from beneath wicker chairs. But what was behind them gave you pause.

The bricks were singed. Dark burn marks that showed age. Your eyes followed the marks. The furniture in here had covered them, but now they were exposed after your rummaging. They flowed over the bricks going upwards. They almost looked beautiful. But that beauty hid a tragedy that plagued this home. You knew why they’d been hidden with so much clutter.

Your thoughts were interrupted when something crashed behind you, making you scream and jump. When you turned you saw one of the mirrored vanities stored away had been smashed. The mirror shards now littered the floor. And on the steps sat the Brahms doll, staring you down. It took you a moment to catch your breath, realizing your error. Brahms didn’t want you uncovering his painful memories. And he’d made sure you knew that. Gathering yourself, you pushed the lamps aside and began to put all that you’d moved back into its place. Covering those painful memories back up, letting them remain hidden and forgotten. Once finished you picked the lamps and the can up and approached Brahms. Kneeling to his height you gave an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry Brahms,” you spoke with such a genuine tone of sincerity, “I shouldn’t have snooped around. But look! I found the lamps we’ll need!” You held up the lamps, jostling them a little so they clinked together. Of course the doll remained frozen. But just faintly, almost missable under the sound of rain pouring down, you heard panting. Like someone coming down from a rage.

“I’ll clean up the shards, then we’ll head back upstairs, okay?” You’d started speaking to Brahms out loud more after you’d learned about the walls. Feeding your own delusions some would say. You held your word, starting to pick up the larger shards and resting them on top of the vanity. The smaller ones you just brushed away with some loose fabric you found. You didn’t really plan on coming back down here anyways, not after that outburst.

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

You always found time moves slower when there was a storm. The day seemed to drag on as the storm became worse and worse. The wind had picked up and those raindrops just kept getting larger. It was loud, even on the bottom floor. You had settled on just simple sandwiches for dinner, making sure to put a ‘spare’ in the freezer. And after that you’d just settled in to do a crossword. It was.. Probably the first time in weeks where you felt safe. There was something about the dim lighting and blankets that just felt right. Secure. Warm. Brahms sat under the covers and you’d even given him a crossword book of his own. Slightly cruel, knowing he couldn’t move with you there with him. But at least you’d been talking to him. Funny, you always struggled talking with real people. But this doll turned you into a chatterbox. Maybe it was the simple fact no one was attempting to speak over you. Like someone was actually listening.

Your tranquility was disrupted by a large gust of wind, followed by a crash that made the manor shake. And what sounded like a scream. It had come from upstairs. Something inside you just knew. That crash was in the attic. You were running upstairs before you even had time to think. Up the stairs, and finding the attic ladder down. You were unsure if it had come undone itself or if someone had moved it. That didn’t matter as you climbed up. It was your first time in the attic but you didn’t get a chance to explore. A branch had flown off a tree and crashed through the wall, opening it up to the elements. You could only act, no time for clear thoughts. You grabbed a nearby blanket and started to desperately try to cover the hole, but another gale blew you back. There was nothing you could do to patch it right now, not unless you wanted to risk injury or worse, death.

Your rattled mind returned to the scream you had heard. Or at least you thought you had heard. Looking around you didn’t see a body but there was a bed up here. A tv, a sink.. Someone was living here. You didn’t have time to celebrate your theory being proven. Where was Brahms? Your eyes flitted around, finally landing back on the ladder. Somehow you had missed the very clear bloody handprint on it during your panic. But if Brahms was bleeding.. Oh God, how badly was he injured? Quickly you descended the steps, trying to find any sign of him. You were too panicked to even fear this man who was hiding from you for so long. All you knew somewhere in this house he was hurt and bleeding.

“Brahms?” You called, starting to check every room. Could he have climbed back into the walls? Fearing you discovering him? You checked everything on the top floor and worked down, calling his name in a more desperate tone with each exclamation. But finally you found him. Turning the corner back into the downstairs study. There he sat, in place of the doll. It wasn’t what you expected to see. The mask was shocking at first glance. You were momentarily stun locked. He was bigger than you anticipated, even sitting down. Finally you snapped out of it when he looked at you, and held out his bleeding hand. It had a sizable gash across the palm.

“It hurts,” He spoke in a child-like voice. The voice you’d heard months ago. His head drooped a touch as he spoke, “Can you fix it?” He asked. Finally, after another beat, you nodded. Your mouth felt dry. Too dry to speak. In the kitchen you found the first aid, and took it back with you. He hadn’t moved from his place on the makeshift bed. You knelt beside him, and carefully took his hand in yours. Up close you could see the burn scars that ran along his entire right side. Suddenly his outburst in the cellar made much more sense.. Carefully you applied some rubbing alcohol to the cut. That made Brahms whimper and pull his hand back. The look in his eyes behind that mask was murderous.

“I’m sorry, Brahms, but I have to.. To clean it.” You choke out. Your mouth is still far too dry. You hold your hand out for his again, giving him those warm eyes again. He would trust you wouldn’t he? After all, you had been the one to care for him all this time. He looked at your hand, then back to your face. For a moment Brahms almost seemed entranced by your eyes before conceding and resting his hand back in yours.

“Good boy..” You said, starting to clean the wound. He made a noise akin to that of a moan at your praise. You supposed you were the first person to touch him or give him praise in years. He was likely touch starved. Once the cut was clean, you grabbed the bandages and began to wrap his hand. He kept watching you. His breath was heavy behind that mask.

Finally you were done, and you let his hand go. Brahms examined your work, how carefully you’d wrapped him, and the cute little bow you’d tied it off with. As he studied his hand, you studied him. Despite the childish voice he put on, he was very much an adult. You could see his beard poking out from beneath the porcelain. He was actually rather handsome, you’d admit. The rain picked up again, and the lights began flickering. Brahms jumped and quickly moved closer to you. Before you knew it his head was hiding in your lap. Apparently he was afraid of the storm. Made sense, it had attacked him after all. Carefully you began to stroke his hair in an attempt to soothe him.

“We’ll be okay. Just a little wind and rain, that’s all. Maybe we can play cards? Or I can tell you a story?” You offered. Just trying to find anything to distract him from the weather outside damaging his home. Slowly he nodded, not lifting his head from your waist. Actually his grip seemed to grow tighter. You could feel him inhaling a little too deeply, and his hands started to squeeze your thighs as he held tight. You felt bad thinking how unsurprised that made you. But he had lived in the walls for twenty years.. And you were likely the first person he’d had stick around.

You settled back on to the makeshift mattress, Brahms never letting you go. He shuffled up a bit, so his face was resting against your chest. You kept stroking his hair, picking your brain for a story to tell. Something romantic as you had a wild feeling that was right up his alley. You recounted the story of Pride and Prejudice, not skipping any details of the classic story. Brahms seemed all too enthralled by the tale. He even began to kick his feet in the air when you recounted the climax between Elizabeth and the beloved Mr.Darcy. Just before you could finish though, the lights finally gave out. Brahms tensed up against you and again hugged you tight against him. You let out a wheeze. You needed to get the lamps but he seemed content just smothering you until the lights came back themselves. Finally you managed to sit up as he continued to cling like a baby koala.

“Brahms, sweetheart, I need to light the lamps.” You manage to get out. But that seems to make his grip tighter. He shakes his head, face pulling your shirt back and forth.

“No. No lamps. I don’t want any fire in the house.” He whimpered. Your heart broke a little. That night seemed to have never left Brahms.. You stroked his back soothingly before trailing your hands to cup his cheeks.

“Brahms, we need light. It’ll be okay, I can work an oil lamp-” You were cut off as Brahms slammed you back down against the floor. Even with the cushioning it knocked the air from your lungs. Your hands fell from his face beside yourself as his own gripped your shoulders.

“No fire in the house. Never again.” His voice was no longer that high falsetto. Instead it was deep, aggressive. He sounded his age. You gasped for air, before nodding. Tears had pricked your eyes. You felt a twinge of guilt as you questioned whether or not he’d hurt you.

Finally you found your voice again, “Okay Brahms. No lamps, I promise. Do you want another story?” You asked in a feeble attempt to calm him back down. Lucky for you it seemed to work. Brahms grip on your shoulders loosened, and he returned his head to your chest. He nodded and urged you on to tell your story.

A shaky sigh escaped you. You thanked your lucky stars that you could calm him so easily. As you began telling another story, the rain and wind outside crashed into the manor. You knew Brahms would never harm you. Not you. Not his caretaker. But you began to wonder. How long would this storm last? Suddenly, in the dark, the room no longer felt secure.

[bullet-prooflove]

4500 Follower Celebration Bingo - The Vet: Rip Wheeler x Reader

Tagging: @readmetosleep @kierawashere01 @Hangmanscoming @1-fuzzy-squirrels @nerdypinupcrystal

Prequel to upcoming September piece Broken - Travis Wheatley

Thrill of the Chase (NSFW) - Rip has always loved the thrill of the chase.

 If You Want Me, You Can Have Me - They say that Rip Wheeler doesn't have a heart.

Stay Tonight - Rip asks to stay the night.

Use Your Words (NSFW) - Rip teases you.

Clover - Rip comforts you.

Rip’s at the Foreman’s House when he hears the gunshots echo over the pasture in the darkness. He’s just uncorked that bottle of that red you like from the winery in town because it’s been over a year since you stole this old cowboy’s heart and he wants to do something special to mark the occasion.

“I’m on my way.” You had promised him only a few minutes earlier when you’d called him. “I just need to check in Artemis.”

Gina’s horse had injured it’s leg during a barrel racing exercise a week ago and you’d been treating her since. Her cottage is less than a mile down the lane from Rip’s residence so he knows it won’t take long for you to arrive.

The instant he hears the two gunshots, something twists in his chest because they’re close, too fucking close. Both his home and Gina’s are on the Dutton’s land so he knows no one would dare go hunting in these fields. He tucks his own gun into the waistband of his jeans before he snatches up the keys to the truck and hurtles out the door.

Gina’s driveway is unusually busy when he pulls up outside her residence. There’s a black SUV he doesn’t recognise parked alongside the stables and your pickup blocks his path, the engine still running, the driver’s door thrown open.

Already he can hear the sounds of scuffle coming from the stable, shadows flicker against the warm illumination as a man curses and wood creaks.

“Touch that fucking horse and I will fucking kill you.” He hears you spit as he swings into the stables, his own gun drawn.

The scene before him is far from the one he expected.

Teal Beck is sagged against the door of Artemis’s stall, cradling his right arm close to his chest as blood jets from his badly broken nose. Dislocated shoulder, Rip assumes as Artemis paces her stall, tossing her head and grinding her teeth.

You’re standing with a Glock clasped in both your hands, finger on the trigger, weapon trained on Beck. There isn’t a single waver in you, your feet are spread apart, shoulders aligned just like they taught you when you signed up for a career in the Army as a miliary veterinarian. You’d done three tours before you resigned your commission and returned to Montana to take over your daddy’s practice.

“He was coming in here to kill the horse.” You tell Rip with a tone that could freeze the rivers of hell.

Of course, you’d go this crazy over a fucking horse. You leave and breathe for the animals under your care, every charge takes a tiny piece of your heart and you’d protect them with your life.

“You need to check on Gina.” You tell him, inclining your head slightly as you keep your eyes Teal. “Where there’s one Beck brother…”

There’s usually another.

Malcolm Beck’s been making his displeasure about his ex-wife known ever since that rodeo journalist had published the article about her come back. They’d all thought she was down and out after being kicked to the curb by him but now she’s back on the circuit, winning for the Yellowstone. She’s been spotted in the company of the rodeo king himself, Travis Wheatley.

It must have pushed every single one of that SOB’s buttons to see she was succeeding without him.

“Go.” You say again, this time more urgently. “I can take care of Teal, but Gina needs help.”

Rip’s already in motion, rushing from the stable as you keep the gun fixed on younger Beck brother.

“You better fucking hope he hasn’t laid a hand on her.” You say to Teal, your finger tightening on the trigger. “Otherwise you won’t live to see another sunrise.”

Teal smiles at you through bloody teeth.

“If that girl ain’t dead yet, she’s gonna wish she was by the time my brother’s finished with her.”

Love Rip? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[prins-maurice]

Strange Attractors - Ian Malcolm x Reader (smut)

Strange Attractors - The Lost World (4423 words) by WizardToad

Summary: After recovering from the events at Jurassic Park Ian Malcolm signs an NDA, reserving himself to the somewhat quiet life of teaching. When you show up, however, you turn his life upside down. Giving into desires you both know you shouldn't, while a man called Richard Levine keeps pestering him about a so-called Lost World. (Smut in chapter 3)

Chapter 1: That’s Plagiarism, Young Lady

His lips make their way over your shoulder as his hair tickles your neck, sending shivers down your spine. His hands roam freely over your curves. The aroma of his cologne mixed with the coffee on his breath envelops you. He grips your waist and lifts you up, setting you down on his desk. You wrap your legs around him, pulling him flush to your core as your lips meet once again. His hands squeeze your thighs at the sensation. Your hands slide over his black shirt, almost ripping the buttons open-.

You manage to shake out of your chaotician-induced hypnosis just in time to see the one and only Dr. Ian Malcolm squinting at you in the bright sunlight. Shit, the whole auditorium is looking at you, he must’ve asked you a question. He knows he caught you daydreaming and a self-satisfactory grin appears on his face. A single ray of sunshine creeps in through the window, shining right on the man in front of you. Paying attention to Professor Malcolm's lectures was never easy, but the way the golden rays reflect off the stray gray hairs on the side of his head is making it entirely impossible today. You haven't heard a single word the man has said, too sucked up in your daydream.

“If you recall, miss (Y/L/N), we were just talking about the ways in which self-organizing behaviours of complex systems are of interest to the study of evolution.” He gestures with his hand, urging you to continue.

Fuck, you really should’ve been paying attention. You were a good student, you really were, but he had caught you off-guard now. He loved tormenting you like that. Dr. Malcolm had been talking your ear off about this a few nights ago when you were reading some papers from a freshman course. Racking your brain for something to spew out, you remember a bit he said about adaptation and the way complex systems seem to strike a balance between the need for order and the imperative to change, locating themselves at the edge of chaos. He raises his eyebrows and smirks, satisfied with your answer. You mentally wipe the sweat from your forehead as he continues his lecture.

Malcolm’s is the last class on Friday evening so the students practically storm out of the auditorium the second it's over. You, however, still have TA duties to fulfill. You deeply regret agreeing to spend the evening working on some stuff in his office. It seemed like a good idea at the time, the two of you alone. You've had a major crush on your professor ever since you stepped foot in his class. Hell, it's the whole reason you applied to become his TA. But now it just felt silly, and you’d rather be in a bar getting shit-faced with your roommate. 

As the others stampede out like a herd of buffalo, you saunter over to his desk at the front. He’s still packing away his papers.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice you copying me word for word. That’s plagiarism young lady” He teases, sending you a lopsided smile 

“Well you did put me on the spot, I had to say something” You lean against his desk, cracking your back. If they’re gonna make people sit in them for two hours, they really should make those damn chairs a bit more comfortable.

“Or maybe you should just pay attention to the lecture next time” He closes his bag and you roll your eyes. He pauses for a minute, thinking. The curiosity kills him, he has to ask. “What were you so preoccupied with?” He comes around the desk and leans next to you, the height difference even more apparent now. 

You feel your ears burning red, recalling the daydream you’d had earlier. You couldn’t tell him the truth, obviously. You scramble for something to say, managing to come up with “Oh, just this assignment for Dr. Thorne’s class. He’s making us solve one of his impossible engineering mysteries again, you know how he is.” You laugh awkwardly, hoping he doesn’t inquire further about the non-existent assignment. He nods “Yeah, typical.” he hums. You let out a soft sigh of relief, he bought it. He swings his bag over his shoulder and ushers you toward his office “C'mon, we've got a lot of work to do tonight.”

As Dr. Malcolm’s TA, you were usually tasked with doing the shitty jobs he didn't want to do. You sometimes wonder why he even has a TA if he barely needs help with anything useful. So now you were stuck in his office, entering research data into the computer on his desk while your roommate was out partying. 

He paces the office with long strides, focused on the papers in his hand. He stares at them with a frown. "Can you believe this shit?" You look up from the computer, finger on the paper in front of you to keep track of the number you were just about to enter. 

"Douchebag" he mutters. 

"Everything okay Dr. Malcolm?"

He looks up at you, a glint in his eyes. He loves it when you call him Dr. Malcolm. He’d never admit it of course, but it made him feel strong and authoritative. For years after the park, he couldn’t go anywhere without his cane. He used to be known as the rock star scientist, and now people just looked at him with pity. Having to rely on others had made him feel weak, the way they looked at him as they helped him up, or held the door open for him, it drove him crazy. Everyone treated him like a sick puppy, except you. You still looked at him with that sense of wonder in your eyes, as if you couldn’t believe that you were standing in front of the great Dr. Malcolm, and he eats it up every time. It makes him feel like his work is still worth something. 

He appreciated that you never asked about this injury either. After the park, everyone involved signed an NDA, forced to keep quiet about what really went down in Costa Rica. Ever since then people haven’t stopped pestering them with their crazy conspiracy theories, some more accurate than others. Regardless, he had to keep to his story, and lie to the masses. Lie to you. His leg had been much better these days, though. He didn’t need his cane anymore, but he felt his reputation had been tarnished anyway.

"Remember that uh- scientist who interrupted my lecture last week? What's his name, uh- Levine. He's convinced there's a real Lost World somewhere." 

The Lost World hypothesis was one of the many theories scientists had come up with to try and answer the never-ending questions regarding the K-T extinction event. The hypothesis states that dinosaurs may never have fully gone extinct and that somewhere in the world, there's an isolated haven where there are still living, breathing dinosaurs. It's absurd, but then again most scientific theories are. 

"What? But that's just a theory. It's a fantasy."

"You don't have to tell me" he runs a hand through his hair sighing. You can tell he's bothered by it, maybe more than he should be, but you decide not to press it. 

"He wants me to help him research it. Find the supposed island, go on an expedition, the whole works. He's been bugging me about this theory all week but I didn't think he'd go this far."

"He's completely nuts." You shake your head.

"He's a pain in the ass is what he is" he grumbles, walking up to the desk and throwing the letter in the trash can. He leans on the back of your chair, hands nearly touching your neck making you shiver from the near-contact. You sigh audibly as you enter in the last data on this page, just seven more to go.

“You know what?” He suddenly exclaims, slapping the back of your chair ”We’ve done enough for tonight. We shouldn’t be holed up here all night. Go on home (Y/N)” You lean back in the chair, tilting your head all the way backward to look at him. “You’re the best, Dr. Malcolm. I think my fingers are about to fall off.” You sigh, your brows knit together. He laughs, turning the chair and shooing you out the door.

“Go on, go out and have fun or whatever young people do. See you Monday.”

“See you Monday Dr. Malcolm.” You wave him goodbye as you walk to your dorm. Your roommate had let you know which bar she was going to, and it was still early enough to quickly change and meet up with her there. Easy peasy, your Friday night could still be saved. 

- Chapter 2 -

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 19 (Dumped at a Wedding!)

"Heather, I care about you, so I need to be honest: I was working late, but I was also afraid to come tonight."

Offended, Heather tore herself from his arms and zipped herself back into her dress. "And you're telling me this now? What's wrong with you, Malcolm?"

"Yeah, I'm a jackass, alright! Is that what you want me to say?"

"You don't respect me or my life as a vet in a small town. Why are you with me at all? Are we just supposed to build a future on great sex?"

"Who doesn't respect who here, Heather? Or should I say, 'Buttercup'?"

"Switching suppliers wasn't about you."

"No? You made it pretty clear how little you're interested in the business success of my family," he countered. "It's a beautiful venue for the wedding, by the way. With fireworks, too. Really looks like your dad's enjoying the windfall from his new business venture."

Heather seethed. "You should leave. Don't call me."

"If I leave right now, I'll never call you again," he vowed. She couldn't stop the tears, but refused to crumble and held her ground. "My loyalty to my family is no different than your loyalty to yours. We're done, Heather."

"Just go!" she begged, sobbing as she watched him walk away. He didn't turn once, and she scowled at his back.

She made her way inside and found comfort in her friends and family. Her mother Daisy offered a hug. "I'm so sorry, honey."

Heather dabbed her tears with a napkin. "I know it's the right choice, but I'm embarrassed. And I'm angry I didn't end things with him sooner."

"Our hearts don't always feel what our heads are trying to tell us," said Daisy. "Don't beat yourself up. Just remember you've always got us."

She drowned her sorrows in her mother's shoulder. "I'm glad I don't need to go back to work for a few more days," she said. "This vacation's been more emotionally exhausting than I expected."

"How's your friend, Dylan? You should visit her before you leave the city."

Dylan and Gavin missed Holly’s wedding because Dylan had just had a baby, so before she left town, Heather stopped in to meet her friends’ newborn daughter, Pearl.

"How's married life?" asked Heather.

"A lot easier than taking care of a baby! But we're doing great. And I've never been happier to have my mother around!" Heather laughed as Dylan's clingy mother, Susan, hovered nearby. "Sorry we didn't invite you to the wedding. We just went down to the courthouse with my mom when we found out we were expecting. We didn't need a celebration, but I don't want you to think we wouldn't have wanted to share the day with the people we care about."

"Are you kidding? You can do whatever you want for your wedding. We're friends, and I'll just support you whatever you do."

Dylan breathed a sigh of relief. "My mom really had me thinking not having a wedding would alienate people! She's so old-fashioned."

"My parents eloped in Oasis Springs when they found out they were expecting me, so I think it's kinda romantic."

Dylan smiled as her friend cradled Pearl, making faces at the blinking babe. "You're going to find someone who makes you feel as special as you are," she promised her friend.

"You don't know that. Maybe I should stay single."

"For a while, maybe, but not forever! You're a real catch, and the right guy is gonna see it."

Nearly everyone around her was happily married or on their way to it, but Heather had a broken heart to mend.

As always, she leaned on her work. She was great at her job and brimmed with confidence at her clinic. With every successful pet surgery, she felt more a part of the Brindleton Bay community.

Heather had navigated heartbreak before, but would things be different with Malcolm? ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

[pocket-lad]

Hear me out, in the tent scene what if Nick Van Owen found Adelaide in the Trex scene / waterfall scene (Sarah comforts Kelly). And he’s suddenly just over protective of her, holding her against his chest whispering “it’s ok, it’s ok”

Your wish is my command.

~

Nick’s muddy, gross hands opened up, but the air was still just as damp outside of his grasp as it had been on the inside. Specks of water from the roaring waterfall in front of them flicked at Adelaide.

She trembled as she took it all in. They were lost, cold, and scared. A man just walked into the jaws of a T-Rex and died. Ian was out there. And she didn’t know if he was coming back.

Nick looked down at his hands. He couldn’t believe he was holding a whole living person in them. In all his years of, well, life, he’d never seen anything like her. As far as he could tell, she was just like any other person, only infinitely smaller. And now she was his responsibility, he guessed. At least until Malcolm came back. If he came back.

“Where is he?” Adelaide whispered, her voice barely audible over the rushing water.

She was shaking like a leaf, but Nick didn’t know what to do. Should he…comfort her? She wasn’t a child. But also, she was scared. But also, they were all scared.

After a painfully awkward pause, Nick finally rested one of his thumbs on her shoulder, hoping it offered something in the general vicinity of comfort.

Adelaide’s shoulder buckled slightly under the pressure and she flinched away from the sudden contact. Nick was strong. She followed through with the motion and ducked away in shock.

He pulled his thumb away. She stared at it, looming above her head.

Oh. He was trying to comfort her.

“It’s okay,” he said placatingly. “It’s okay.”

“I know,” Adelaide snapped, then returned her attention to the waterfall. Watching. Waiting.

Nick sighed. The borrower was starting to turn blue from the cold, and she was shivering more than ever. She’d make herself sick if she worried any harder. So, he brought his hand to his chest and cupped the other one around her, holding her close.

Adelaide instantly wiggled around, trying to find a way out. She needed to be able to see out, she needed to see if Ian was coming, she needed to be able to defend herself. She banged on his chest, yelling at him to let her out, but he held fast.

As the seconds dragged on, her hope started to dwindle. Her best friend was gone. They never should have come to this crazy island and she never should have left his side. And now she was stuck in the hands of Nick Van Owen, maybe forever. Adelaide started to cry.

She felt Nick’s voice more than she heard it. It rumbled in his chest and into her own body as he repeated his words from earlier. “It’s okay, it’s okay,”

All the tension slowly drained out of Adelaide’s body and she let herself sink into the little divot between his palm and his chest. The heat that radiated off him was pleasant, maybe even a little calming. The repetitive phrase wormed its way into her head. It’s okay…

Adelaide could almost say she was asleep when Nick suddenly yelled, “It’s coming back!” She just about jumped out of her skin as the voice enveloped her, but with the way he reflexively held her even closer in his panic, she couldn’t budge. Not that she wanted to move, especially if the T-Rex was coming back. Adelaide was frozen.

But then nothing happened. And then Kelly shouted, “Dad!”

…Ian????

Adelaide resumed her struggles against Nick’s massive hand, pushing and scolding. “Hey!...Hey!!!” she called, and the hand finally pulled away.

A little dazed but overall fine, Adelaide turned to see Ian standing there. Wet, out of breath, and probably hurt, but definitely alive.

She nearly leapt out of Nick’s hand, but Ian’s was there first. He gathered her up and gave her a once over, and Adelaide absently registered Nick talking in the background. “Hey, I said it would be okay, didn’t I?” he said in that stupid, smug voice of his. She ignored him.

But he was right. Ian was here. They were all here. It was going to be okay.

[the-flaming-nightmare]

Tagged by the wonderful @anewkindofme! 💛

Here's what I've got so far for the second chapter of "Walk on With Hope in Your Heart":

It had been four days since Malcolm was admitted to the hospital, and two since he regressed. Just as Gil had expected, Malcolm's headspace had ended up on the younger end of the age spectrum. He woke up in a newborn headspace the afternoon after Gil told him about everything that had happened with Watkins and he hasn't aged up in the slightest since, staying firmly in the one week mark.

Normally when Malcolm was in a very young headspace like this, he was a relatively easy newborn to care for, sleeping most of the time and only crying when he was hungry or needed a diaper change. However, given the pain from his injuries and the grief that was no doubt still present despite his current headspace, Malcolm was almost the complete opposite right now. While Malcolm did still sleep a fair amount, he would immediately burst into tears if he wasn't in somebody's arms, and sometimes even then he would still cry until he eventually tired himself out enough to fall back asleep.

Currently, Gil was pacing the hospital room's floor at six in the morning, trying (unsuccessfully) to calm his uncontrollably wailing son down. The Little had woken up about half an hour ago needing a change, but even once he was clean the tears just kept coming. A nurse had come in just a few minutes prior to ask if he needed any help, but Gil turned him away and told him he would hit the call button if he couldn't get the Little calm in the next twenty minutes.

Gil gently swayed Malcolm as he walked back and forth, all the while continuously whispering words of comfort and reassurance to him. Though, it seemed that no matter what the Caregiver did or said, the poor baby just couldn't stop crying.

Tagging (if you wanna): @angelique-of-the-volturi-guard, @autisticalastor, @stemroses, @reaperlight, @nottapossum and anyone else who wants to join!

[walker-extended-universe]

A Killer by Any Other Name, Chapter 2

Chapter 1

Relationship(s): Liam Walker & Cordell Walker, Malcolm Bright & Dani Powell, Micki Ramirez & Cordell Walker

Tags/Warnings: Graphic Description, Murder, Investigations, Wrongful Imprisonment, Mistaken Identity

Summary: Cordell Walker is accused of twelve counts of first degree murder due to some damning evidence. Problem is, he didn't do it. Liam is determined to prove this so he calls on an old friend, Malcolm Bright, for some help. Meanwhile, Sam Winchester hears of the case and it doesn't take him long to figure out Walker has been pinned for one of their hunts. He can't sit by and watch an innocent man go to jail so he resolves to help in any way he can.

Written for @augustofwhump Day 7: Promise

Taglist: @theladywyn, @ihavepointysticks, @klaatu51, @itsjessiegirl1, @neptunium134

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

"So what are we looking at here?" Dani asked.

Malcolm shrugged and settled into his airplane seat. "I'm not sure; haven't had a chance to look at the case file yet." He pulled his briefcase into his lap. "Wanna do that now?"

"May as well; we'll have a few hours to kill."

It was a pretty straightforward case. 12 dead bodies (“Dodeca homicide,” Bright helpfully supplied) and one fateful DNA test tied in with a few witness statements made Cordell Walker, Texas Ranger, their prime suspect. “No one actually saw him do it, right?”

“No,” Bright confirmed. “But the neighbors pegged someone matching his general description being in the area at the time and the DNA is a near perfect match. Plus, he doesn’t have a solid alibi….”

“Seems pretty cut and dry to me, sad as it is. Why are we looking into this?”

“Our suspect’s brother is an old college friend of mine and he’s convinced there’s something wrong with the case. He called me in as a favor to get a second opinion before it gets to court. Just looking at the case, I don’t think we actually have to figure out who solved the case; we just need to prove that it wasn’t our good friend Walker.”

“And how are we going to do that?”

“By creating a criminal profile and proving that he doesn’t fit it.”

“Will that work? I mean, could you convince a jury?”

“I don’t have to convince a jury,” Malcolm said. “I just have to convince the prosecution to drop the charges and return the investigation to the DPS so they can get back to looking for the actual criminal.”

“Assuming Walker is innocent.”

“Yes, assuming Walker is innocent.” Malcolm sighed. “I really hope he is. I’d hate to let down a friend.”

“Hey, if this guy is guilty, then you’re not the one that let your friend down, okay?” Dani said, petting Malcolm's leg. “His brother did that all on his own.”

“I know, I know. I just….” he shook his head. “I just hope he’s innocent.”

“That’s all we can do.” Dani was saved from any further useless comforting by the flight attendants starting the safety presentation. In just a few hours, they’d be in Texas. Then, the real work would begin. Hopefully, they weren’t flying out there for nothing.

—--------

Cordell flipped mindlessly through reality TV channels, trying to find something to distract him from the quiet house. He was lucky to be allowed to come home instead of waiting in a cell, but the drawback was that his family couldn’t be there. Aside from Liam, as his lawyer, and an armed babysitter, he was alone. He was too dangerous to be among humanity and was only given these small comforts by mercy of a few technicalities.

Normally those tiny laws irritated him because they made his job harder. Now, he couldn’t be more grateful. But he knew it was only a small mercy. With no other suspects and some hard evidence against him, he’d likely go away for life, no matter how innocent he was.

Just thinking about where his future was likely heading was depressing. Too bad there was nothing good on TV to distract him.

A knock on the door startled him so badly he almost reached for the gun he wasn’t allowed to hold anymore. He smiled when he saw who was on the other side of it. “Hey, Micki. I can’t believe the guard dogs let you in.”

“Hey.” Micki stopped at the end of the couch. “You look comfy.”

He shrugged. “I’m not going to complain. Could be a lot worse.”

She sighed. “I don’t know about that. I’ve gone over every detail of this case about a hundred times and I’ve got nothing. We might be able to argue against the eyewitness accounts since the crime scene is in such an isolated area but…. It’s hard to refute DNA evidence.”

“I know,” he said softly. “I wasn’t expecting you to pull a miracle. Just- Thanks for trying.”

“Hey, I’m not giving up yet, partner. Everyone knows you didn’t do it. We just have to figure out a way to prove it, that’s all. And I won’t stop until I do.”

“I know. Just- Don’t be too hard on yourself, okay?”

She nodded. “I’ll try.”

They were distracted from any further consolations by another knock on the door. This time, it was Liam- and he had some guests.

“This is Malcolm Bright and Detective Dani Powell. I asked them to help with your case.”

“We already have a team of investigators,” Micki said.

“But do you have a profiler?” Malcolm asked. “That’s what I do. I’ve been talking to Liam and I think if I can convince the DPS that you’re just not the right suspect for the case, that will get you out of the hotseat.”

“You don’t sound very confident,” Cordell said.

“It’s a long shot,” Malcolm admitted. “But I promise I’ll do everything I can to prove your innocence.”

Cordell nodded. For some reason, he believed this stranger. “Alright. Where do we start?”

Malcolm smiled. “Why don’t we start with your side of the story?”

—-----------------

Sam found himself a decent motel room on the outskirts of Austin. If he was going to try to help, he needed a game plan first. This wasn't like a normal hunt, where he’d need to show his face to the cops maybe once and be able to trick them with an ID they probably wouldn’t inspect too closely. A high-profile arrest like this probably already had FBI agents on it and the last thing he wanted to do was attract their attention. He needed a way to anonymously help the investigation without getting close enough that they’d ask questions.

Dean was probably right that he was stupid to even consider this, but he couldn’t let someone else face the consequences for his own mistakes. He needed to fix this, or he’d never forgive himself.

The first thing he needed to do was figure out what went wrong. He got out his laptop and got to work hacking into the Austin DPS case files. There had to be something useful in there. If he could just figure out what evidence he needed to disprove….

After about an hour of poking around their cybersecurity, Sam was able to get in and locate the file for the Ranger’s arrest. And there, he found his answers. Very close DNA match and witness testimony.

Not very easy to fix. Actually, nearly impossible to fix. An eyewitness was bad enough, but combine that with DNA…. There wasn’t much Sam could do to undo that. Not without presenting better evidence that someone else was behind the case, which would be basically impossible.

Unless….

Unless he did get close enough to get involved. Unless he presented himself as a potential suspect. Unless he was suspicious enough to get the blame thrown off of Walker and onto him. Their DNA was obviously close enough and there was an uncanny resemblance.

It was risky, but it would work. He just needed to make sure he didn’t really get caught.

Wouldn’t be the first time he ran out of town by the seat of his pants. What was one more FBI charge?

[zaraomarrogers]

Always and Forever - 9

Pairing: Steve Roger x Fem Reader

Warning: angst, fluff, sexual content, 18+, minors do not interact, mentions of drug.

The early morning air was cool, brisk, and fresh with the scent of

the morning dew yet to evaporate from the foliage around the house. Y/n was glad she had worn her favourite coat, the cuts were perfectly fitted on her curves. She felt good. She had been feeling good for couple of weeks now. Was that okay to feel good, she thought to herself. It had been a week since Steve came back from New York. Malcolm had stayed over Steve’s place on Saturday night because Steve was off from the work the whole week. She smiled to herself knowing Malcolm and Steve had fallen in love with each other almost instantly. Just like Steve and her. Even when they were best friends, they had loved each other unconditionally. Once they started dating, it was like their whole world had revolved around each other. She remembered when Steve had learned to play the piano in middle school, he had started playing it during the lunch time, he was just so perfect in playing the piano from the beginning, that few of the seniors or sometimes teachers started giving him tips. He’d save all the coins and had bought her her favourite candies and sometimes ice cream. Y/n had saved all the candies in a jar and kept it on her desk. Whenever Eleanor demeaned her or she’d had fight with Peggy, she’d take out the candy and eat it. It was like she had treated herself with those candies when her mother and sister made her feel like shit, those sweet delights were the only comforting thing she could have, because Steve had gotten them for her. The candy jar for her was the precious most thing, it gave her the sense of belonging, she hadn’t ever had felt in her own house.

Ever since Steve came back she had started feeling that same belongingness around him. It felt natural. She knew she had created the bubble around herself, where she was avoiding every question and every logic her rational part of the brain was eager to address. It was easy for her to draw herself in the routine that now included Steve. She also knew, once her bubble would burst, it’d be almost impossible for  her to pick herself again. She wasn’t naive, she was afraid. The fact that if she’d address the elephant in the room, it’d cause a chaos not only in her life but in Malcolm’s as well and her little boy deserved nothing but happiness.

She had heard few gossips about Steve in the passing. Many young ladies were interested in Steve’s apparent eligible bachelor status and had shamelessly tried to shoot their shot but once it was known that Steve was Malcolm’s father and her and Steve had a history together, Y/n only got to hear them whispering about her and Steve. It didn’t bother her though, she was okay as long as everybody was minding their own business.

It had been really busy week for her at work. Pepper and Tony were in the process of reconciling their marriage and in a result, Pepper wanted to showcase her winter collection in New York. Tony was funding the show, it was bigger and more extravagant than the fall showcase they did almost three months ago. Y/n wasn’t agreed on going to New York, she had been reasoning with Pepper almost daily that she’d stay back and look after the things in Boston while the team would be there in New York. Of course, Pepper wasn’t ready to leave her best planner behind.

Today, was just like any other day for Y/n. The only thing that kept her sane through out the day was Malcolm’s phone call in every half and hour. Malcolm might had stayed with his dad but he needed to know that he could still access to his mama easily. In every phone call, he’d tell her what him and Steve was up to and how much fun he had been having with Steve, he just wanted Y/n to be connected with him. Malcolm was still a mama's boy at the end of the day.

She chuckled putting her phone down after assuring Malcolm that she’d be there in an hour after he told her that he almost peed his pants because Steve didn’t know how to fix kids toilet seat. He also told her that Steve made him cereal for lunch. She could hear Steve in the background trying and failing to keep Malcolm spilling more about his failed cooking. She made a mental note of getting a take away before going to pick Malcolm from Steve’s house.

 *~*

 “Here.” Steve handed a bottle of beer to Bucky who had just come over from work.

“Thanks pal!” Bucky smirked, looking at the lego pieces and duplo scattered around in Steve’s living room. Markers , crayons and colour pencils were also splayed on the coffee table.

“How’s the daddy doing?” Bucky winked at Steve.

“Perfect!” Steve smiled contentedly. “It can’t be more perfect. Mal's an amazing kid. He’s my perfect little bean.”

“I’m happy for you man.” Bucky took a swig of his beer. “Talked to Y/n yet?”

“Tried to, but seems like she doesn’t want to talk about it. Every time I bring it up, she’d change the topic... or just cut me off. She doesn’t wana listen, I don’t know how else to talk to her.” Steve sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“....but you gotta tell her, Stevie.”

“I know right! I’d try tonight when she’d come to pick up Mal. You wana stay, I’m gonna make chicken pot pie. Mal's favourite.”

Bucky gave him an incredulous look. “No thanks! I don’t want to get food poison.” He laughed out loud.

“Hey! It’s not that bad. I know, my cooking skills are not that great but at least I try.”

“Ahem! Not that great? Pal, its about time you accept the reality that you can’t cook.” Bucky was laughing out loud when the door bell rang. Steve went to open the door. Y/n came in, with her hair tied in a casual bun and lipstick faded, she was looking breathtakingly gorgeous in baby pink mock neck blouse and beige pencil trousers. She hung her coat in the closet and took off her shoes, Steve couldn’t help but kept looking at her every action dreamily. Bucky noticed how his best friend was intimidated and so in love. He cleared the throat and greeted Y/n with a warm hug.

“How are ya, Y/n/n? Long time, huh?” Bucky winked.

“We met this Friday, Buck.” Y/n rolled her eyes, chuckling.

While Bucky and Y/n engaged in conversation, Steve hurriedly tried to clean up the kitchen counter that was messy with his cooking failure. Y/n kept peeking at what Steve was doing, she made a mental note of ordering pizza. Malcolm was napping after an eventful day with Steve, it was evident that they had so much fun. Y/n felt the warmth that settled into her heart after seeing all the mess in Steve’s living room. She always knew Steve would be an awesome father and he had proved it that he was.

After a short while Bucky left to go on a date night with Wanda, leaving Steve and Y/n in an awkward silence.

“So.... what are you trying and failing at?” Y/n asked breaking the silence. She joined Steve in the kitchen who was clearly in need of help. The pastry dough was getting thinner and thinner by constant rolling. Y/n laughed out loud.

“Hey! I’m almost done. It might look like.... uhh...” Steve tried to find the word that could fit the description of his dough but cut off by Y/n.

“like a disaster? Oh my god! Steve, you’re not even close to finishing it.” She giggled and Steve just looked at her mesmerised by the sound of her laugh and the tint of pink that always form on her face when she laugh.

“Here, let me put it away.” She came to stand beside him, gently taking the roller pin from his hand and folding the dough again. She was close enough for Steve to see the freckles and lines on her clean face. His gaze roamed from her face to her jawline and to her neck, her sweet spot right over the pulse. As if feeling his eyes she looked up to see him staring at her with so intensity in his eyes, a breath hitched in her throat.

“You’re so beautiful.” His words came out in bare whisper, blue eyes dark and dilated. He leaned forward placing a light feathery kiss on her jaw and then on her neck.

“Steve...” a gasp escaped her lips, a whisper, a whine that sent waves of electricity to Steve’s whole being, and without acknowledging he grabbed her from the waist and pulled her into him, putting his forehead on hers.

“I love you Y/n/n... I love you so much... so so much... I love you, can’t live without you....”

Steve whispered, chanted his love over and over while pressed into her. She could feel his hardness nudging on her body, a familiar ache spread between her legs. It shouldn’t be happening, her mind tried to reason but her heart had its way of controlling her actions as she cupped his face and looked into his eyes. They were merely inches apart and as they tried to lean in, a sound of small feet pitter pattering the wooden floor.

“Daddy, I up.” Malcolm came into the view with bed hair and groggy eyes. Y/n took a step back from Steve, an awkwardness visible in her posture, Steve didn’t budge an inch though.

“Mamaaa..” The moment Malcolm’s gaze landed on Y/n, he ran into his arms, his happiness clearly  seen.

“Miss you, mama, so much.” Malcolm tucked his head in her neck.

“I missed you too, Mal-pal, so so much.” She said looking over to find Steve gazing lovingly at both of them. Her heart was still beating faster than it should after the moment she had just shared with Steve.

“I eat cookie and doughnut mama, an’ daddy make chicky pie.” At the mention of chicken pot pie Steve went still because it was nowhere near done. Y/n scoffed seeing Steve’s face.

“What else did Mal do today?” she engaged in more conversation, walking out the kitchen while still had Malcolm sitting on her hip.

“Pway piano with daddy. I good mama, I-I pway legos, we build dwagon.” He slipped out of her arms and started showing the things he made from the legos. The drawings he made with Steve while telling her how much he loved playing piano with his father. Y/n was listening and participating in the conversation while also ordering the pizza quickly.

“Mal, why aren’t you wearing socks?” She asked after noticing that her three year old was playing on wooden floor bare feet.

“I's hot mama. No wike it.” The innocent answer made Steve laughed out loud, he joined them in the living room.

“He’s just like you, I know you won’t wear socks even when you feet were so cold.” Steve said earning a raised eye brow.

“But I’d still wear them because you never stop complaining about it. C'mon Mal-pal, bring your socks, you’ll get cold.”

“I complained? Seriously Y/n, I was taking care of you....”

“.... by making me wear socks.” She giggled. “You felt so cold that you use to wear double socks and you had habit of keeping my feet in your lap, so you made me wear socks so that your hand won’t get cold.”

“I know! Okay you win.” Steve said and smiled at her. “I think I’m gonna go order a pizza or something. This pie looks like a disaster.” He said sheepishly.

“I already have.” Y/n smirked. “I knew it was a disaster when I looked at it. How about you stop even trying Steve. You.cant.cook.” She chuckled.

“Excuse me!”

She shrugged her shoulders in a playful way. When Malcolm brought his socks to her, he immediately sat in her lap.

“No wana wear socks.” He clinged onto her, wrapping his small arms around her neck.

“Okay, how about we have some cheese pizza for dinner, mama doesn’t wana eat pie.”

“Why mama? I wana eat pie.” Malcolm pouted and Y/n gave him a kiss.

“How about I promise to make a pie tomorrow for all of us and also make some special brownies for Mal?” Malcolm’s eyes shined at the mention of brownies, and he nodded his head vigorously yelling, “ ‘peciaw b’ownies yaayyy, mama.”

“Why no pie today mama?”

“Because daddy doesn’t bring complete ingredients, he has to buy a new pastry dough.”

Malcolm looked at Steve who just gave him a smile, “I’m sorry bubba, I’ll make you something else.”

“Daddy no cook, mama make good pie.”

“Oh my god!” Steve exclaimed , folding his arms on his chest. Y/n laughed out loud, Malcolm joining him giggling and kissing her face.

“He’s such a mama’s boy.” Steve said with fake annoyance.

“Like father like son.” Y/n said softly, playful grin still on her face.

Their eyes met, holding each other’s gaze for a moment, Y/n averted, putting Malcolm on his feet, he ran away to bring something he and Steve did to show her leaving his parents in silence.

“When are you joining back?” she asked Steve getting comfortable on the couch.

“Probably next week. Tony wanted me to join right away but I needed to have the time off.”

“Mhmm.. how did he agree to have you back on your terms.” She asked curiously.

“He didn’t want to loose the best he has.” He shrugged his shoulders, she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“Well, in all honesty, if I’d resign and applied elsewhere, it would be loss for him because he’s got rivals and they’d approach me on my terms and Tony being an egoistic jerk, couldn’t let this happen. So he kinda compromised on me having to continue working with Pepper. And saying all this, I feel like a shitty person.”

“Why? You feel uncomfortable bragging about yourself?” Y/n chuckled.

“Yes. Very much.”

They fell into a silence, the sound of Malcolm building and breaking duoplo could be heard.

“So... How’s the winter campaign going so far? When're you guys going to New York?”

“Busy, exhausting and frustrating. You know how it gets near the showcase time. And.. um... they’re taking it to New York, I’m not... going.” She had frown when she mentioned New York.

“Why aren’t you going to New York? I mean this is your project, you’re doing so much hard work Y/n.”

“I don’t want to go.” She shrugged, not wanting to talk about it.

“Because of me?” Steve whispered, audible enough for her to look at him.

“C'mon Mal-pal, let’s get you ready. Gotta go home.” It took her few awkward minutes to finally say something. She couldn’t find it in herself to say it to him that he was also the reason, among many painful memories of her with her mother and sister.

“Y/n, umm.. I think... we n-should talk... I need to tell you something.” Steve almost got panicked when she told Malcolm to get ready to go home.

She looked at him with a frown that was deepened between her eye brows.  

“Steve, I don’t...”

“Please, hear me out, just once. Please.”

“I don’t know, Steve. I just don’t...”

“Mama, I go bathwoom.” Malcolm came to her before she could finish her sentence.

She smiled at him, taking his hands in hers and towards the bathroom. Steve sighed heavily, at this point he was getting desperate to tell her everything. The door bell brought him out of his thoughts, as he stood up to collect pizza, Y/n’s phone dinged twice on the coffee table and out of curiosity, Steve peeked a look and his world stop moving when he saw the text from Andy Barber in her notification.

I’d love to see you again tomorrow, Y/n, with two heart emojis.

~*~

Peggy was lounging on the couch, doing her nails when Eleanor appeared in the doorway. She had a file in her hand that she roughly threw on the coffee table to gain Peggy’s attention.

“What is it?” she asked not even looking at the file.

“A proof that you’re pregnant.” Eleanor poured some whiskey in her glass.

“What the f- mom!”

“This is how you keep that boy with you, Pegs. There’s no other way you can have him in your life.”

“But that’s a blatant lie...”

“So what? You want the boy so I’m doing what’s best to keep him with you.”

“Mom! I don’t want Steve and you know that. Nothing happened that night except for a sloppy makeout. He did not touch me because he was too drugged to do anything.”

“You don’t have to remind me that, Pegs.”

“Then why are making this fake report. I wanted to hurt Y/n, I did, she even left this city. I can’t be a part of this when I feel nothing for Steve.”

“Don’t be stupid Peggy. I arranged that drug for you, and it worked. What you wanted to happen, it did happen, so now play along and be of some use for me as well.”

“What does that mean?”

“Stark industries has hired him, you know he’s got brilliant academic record. I’ve an insider told me that they’re going to hire him permanently. Do you know how it would be beneficial for your career and for mine, being associated with each other and having connections with Stark would take both of us on the pinnacle of our careers. Just think about it.”

“How do you know this fake pregnancy would work?”

“Pegs, sweetheart, you just have to show him this file, tell him that you’re pregnant with his child, just make something up. You’re smarter than I know. Use him, manipulate him.”

“After that, what happens, how are you going to put a baby inside my stomach after few months.”

“I have it everything planned out, Peggy. Just play your part. You will be fine. Trust me.”

“We have enough money, mom. Why are you doing this?”

“You will understand when you’d be attending one of the Stark gala and meeting different people, pitching for  your career. You will understand.”

Peggy nodded her head but she knew it will be difficult for her to pretend everything. There was this unsettling feeling about this whole situation that she couldn’t figure out.

[luvvsisi]

Starter post PS rp.

It had been a crazy couple months, first Ansley and Endicott, covering up for her and dismembering the body, which he didn't even want to get started on how much he actually enjoyed it and how quiet his mind was during the whole thing. It was almost a relief when the case was officially closed and he had hoped for just a bit of a break to regroup but that was never in the cards for Malcolm Bright, it was always go, go, go, one crazy thing after another that would break him just that bit more. No rest for the wicked and all that. Now it was four inmates, including Martin running around causing who knows what kind of havoc and he would have been fine with just chasing them down and capturing them, but, another wrench, his father wasn't with them, another chink in the armor that was Malcolm's brain, though really he was sure it had to be made of aluminum instead.

It all came to a head when he was kidnapped, twice, became a criminal, again, and got away from almost being tortured, yet again...He was definitely not liking that pattern, but that was the least of his problems, right now he had finished tracking and capturing the Woodsman Killer and was now standing in the middle of the forest, dad bleeding out on the floor, bloody knife in his hand. It was Dani screaming his name that finally broke him. His brain taking over and telling his body to shut down and everything went black. He woke up a week later on a hospital, well, more like a fancy asylum for rich people, no doubt strong armed by his mother to allow him to be admitted. He went to run his eyes but found his arms and legs strapped to the bed. He groaned and let his head fall back onto the bed.

The moving around must have triggered something because a couple of nurses came in and started to look him over and running normal tests for someone who had just woke up.

"Can you tell me your name?" Asked one of the nurses. He tried to talked but his throat was dry and he let out a cough. A straw appeared next to his lips a second later and he took a couple small sips, automatically feeling better.

"Malcolm Bright" he said, rolling his eyes, even though he knew it was procedure, it was still annoying. The nurses looked happy though and he felt the restraints come off finally as he shifted a bit to get more comfortable, finally taking in his surroundings.

"How long was I out?" He asked.

"About a week...You were brought here and we couldn't wake you...The doctors figured you had a break and your body was protecting you...The doctor will be in shortly to answer any more questions" said one of the nurses before they walked out, leaving him alone with his thoughts and hopefully be able to actually sort through everything and get back to his 'normal' self.

"It just needs Gil's signature," Azalia spoke, sighing as she closed the file on the recently concluded case. Despite Gil being her father, she maintained a professional demeanor at work. Standing up, she walked over to Dani, concern etched on her face.

"Has anyone heard anything on Malcolm? I've been calling, but they won't answer me," she mumbled, glancing at her phone, perhaps unaware of her persistence.

JT, picking up the phone, broke the tension. "He's awake," he announced, hanging up as Azalia's attention snapped toward him. "If you hold on... or not," he added with a sigh, observing the girl leave the precinct. "She hated him like five months ago," he mumbled to Gil, grabbing his jacket and following the rest of the team.

Arriving at the hospital, Azalia wasted no time, signing the check-in sheet at the front desk. Swiftly locating Malcolm's room, she knocked twice, her relief evident as she entered. "You're awake," she said softly, placing her jacket on the chair. A light laughter escaped her lips as she watched the nurses tend to Malcolm. "I thought JT was messing with me."

Anxiously, she inquired, "Is he good? He's okay, right?" Glancing at the paper in her hands, Azalia sought reassurance about Malcolm's condition.

[ofpineapplesanddawns]

Vampire!Peter + Martin Whitly, Who Is The Real Monster, discussion prompted by rewatching Frankenstein because I am thinking many frankenstein thoughts always these days?

Absolutely hilarious that you sent me a prompt involving Frankenstein cause I was gonna rewatch a video tonight discussing the novel/Junji Ito manga version of it cause it's October and that means horror classics.

But I'll watch that later, I've got a one-shot to write.

On with the fic!

--

Peter shifted about on the couch, trying to make himself more comfortable without spilling his drink. Sure, he could put it on the table, but... nah. He just gave up and flopped on Martin's thighs and wiggled a bit.

"Really? All that for you just picking my lap, as usual?" Martin asked, though not sounding all that offended.

"Yep." Peter replied, loudly sipping from the silly straw in his cup. His attention was on the screen, watching as Victor Frankenstein moved about, talking about his creation, which was going to be brought to life shortly. "Hey, Martin, I've got a question."

"I'm sure you do."

"Why do people always call Frankenstein a doctor when the idiot never actually finished school?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like," Peter shifted to make himself more comfortable, "the book has it where he's still in college, basically. And this is a project he's working on in his fuckin' house, that he shares with other people!"

Martin chuckled, carding his fingers through Peter's hair. "Well, many medical professionals have done experiments at home."

"Not recreating a human body!"

"Not that you know of."

Peter turned up at him, giving him a stare. Martin laughed at this. "No, I'm not included. There would have never been a good time to have a reconstructed corpse in my busy home! Jessica would have found out the moment I brought in the first body part!"

"Or Malcolm would have."

This made Martin scoff. "Oh, possibly. I bring one girl home and suddenly I find myself in a cell for twenty years because my son was a little too curious."

Peter rolled his eyes and slurped his bloody mary that contained real blood. "Still though, why do people call him Dr. Frankenstein if he never even earned that title?"

"Well, I assume it's to separate him from Frankenstein the monster."

"I guess, but that's dumb."

"How so?" Martin asked, attention now on Peter rather than the movie where the monster's body is currently being brought to life. Peter had seen this scene enough times to not bother looking at the screen.

"It's... ya know, I mean. The monster is his own person, he's not Frankenstein! He learns to speak and read later in the novel through his communications with a family, before everything goes to shit cause, whoops, he can't have anythin' nice, no thanks to that bitch Victor. He even tells his creator that he is basically his Adam. Probably why people call him that when they talk about these two."

Martin shrugged. "I suppose so, he is a rather smart human-like being, even though the movies tend to not show that."

"Ehhh... I think Van Helsing did? Can't remember, it's been ages since I've sat down and watched that one sober." Peter finished off his drink, setting the cup aside to cross his arms. "But anyway, it's so weird that the movies kinda fuck up his character."

"The monster?"

"Yeah! He's smart, he's caring, but he is also angry, which they get right. I mean, I'd be fuckin' mad at my creator for bringin' me to life and then abandoning me. Oh wait, I have! Fuck my sire! Killed that bitch. Still, like, he's human, in his own right! No need to call him the monster."

"Ah, but does this play into the common question people have about him and his creator? Who is the monster and who is the man?" Martin asked, smiling. "I remember having a discussion about this once with Malcolm, he had been reading the book in school and it had him thinking about me."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "About you?"

"Well, at this point I was in my cell, so he knew that I was the Surgeon. But at the time, Malcolm had explained to me that he saw that how I presented myself to the world and the person hidden from it, the one that was dangerous, were like Frankenstein and the monster."

"Thought you'd be more Jekyll and Hyde."

"I thought so too, but he explained it as... oh..." He tapped his chin. "Ah, yes, he said that I presented myself as this brilliant scientist, who tried to keep up a normal life, and yet I hide from the world a creation made of horrible deeds through the pursuit of knowledge. And, like Victor Frankenstein, to deal with troubling thoughts. This 'creature' I created, the Surgeon, could pretend to be human, but was still a monster, even if he knew the right ways to be human, he just wasn't one due to who he was."

Martin then leaned back, smiling. "I think my boy was overthinking it, believing that I am both the man and the monster, as both of these characters are in their own right. It still sounded Jekyll and Hyde to me, but then again, Malcolm always did find ways to relate me to more conflicting philosophies and thoughts. What a clever boy."

Peter wasn't sure what to say to that, so decided to change the subject. "Did you know only one adaptation of Frankenstein actually brings up that the eight-foot tall man is hung like a fuckin' horse?"

"Only you would go from deep thoughts of humanity to thinking about someone's groin."

"It's Young Frankenstein, in case you're wonderin'." Peter grinned.

--

Personally, I have no idea who is the monster and who is the man, both are so very, very human and I think that's the point.

*jazz hands*

And yes, Peter is correct about that last fact. Also, apparently, the Universal movie is based on a play adaptation that changed so much of the original plot.

Just some fun facts right there.

[heroes-of-olympus-next-gen]

Rehearsal dinner

Hey everyone! I started rewriting my series and put in a lot of extra scene and I thought you might enjoy them! The ask box is always open xxx

Annabeth planted her face on the mattress in the bridal suite the moment she stepped inside. As soon as they reached the hotel they were swarmed by the wedding planner, the chef, the flower consultant, the DJ and various other people.

“Come on, Annabeth. We have to get going.” Piper said as she dropped on the floor her bags. “Although the bed looks very comfortable.”

“It is.” She replied still hugging the pillows.

“I guess we have time for a quick nap.” Piper lied next to her best friend.

“Nope, not a chance.” Rachel entered the room and dragged Annabeth who groaned in response. “We have a shit ton to do before the day is over. One of which is the rehearsal for tomorrow. So I suggest you take your pretty heals out of the box and go downstairs were the rest are waiting for you.” Piper threw her a dirty look. “Annabeth put me in charge for not letting her procrastinating and leaving everything for the last minute.”

“You’re right. And thank you so much for being here for me.” Annabeth said as she took her wedding heels out of the suitcase.

“Don’t even mention it. You and Percy are like my closest friends at the moment. I would it again.” Rachel said and dragged Piper out of the bed. “Come on, McLean. We need you as well.”

“Fine, let’s do it.”

The three of them made their way to the garden where the wedding would be held. It overlooked the sea which was one of the main reasons why they chose to do it there. “Annabeth, it’s good to see you.” Sally said and pulled her in a tight embrace.

“When did you get here? I told Percy to call me.” Annabeth replied.

“Just now. Is everything under control? Anything you need help with?”

“No, you don’t have to worry about anything. Just relax and have fun.” She encouraged her soon to be mother-in-law.

“Finally! Annabeth we’re waiting for you!” Connor shouted from the other side of the garden where Connor, Malcolm, Travis, Katie, Hazel, Nico and Frank were sitting along with some of hers and Percy’s friends from college.

“We’ll catch up later.” Sally said and let her be.

As she walked closer to her friends, she noticed Percy wearing his aviator sunglasses and the first three buttons of his shirt being unbuttoned which made her a bit warm and heated. “Sorry, I kept all of you and thanks for being here.” She said as Hazel gave her a warm smile. She and Percy had actually fought over who was getting Hazel in their wedding party. At the end Percy won as he knew her longer and they spent more time together.

“Don’t mind Connor. He is an impatient moron who has the attention spam of a 2-year-old.” Katie said as she got up to give her a quick hug.

“Rubbish. Annabeth knows I love her, don’t you Annie?” Connor winked which only won him another glare from Katie.

“How about we start our rehearsal?” Rachel suggested.

“Wait, I have to get Stella.” Percy said as he got out of his seat. That gave Annabeth some time to catch up with everyone. She was glad everyone could make it and especially Evelyn and Susannah, her best friends from Berkeley. She was deep in conversation with Malcolm when someone hugged her tightly. “Hi Annabeth.” Estelle said excitedly.

“There is my girl. I missed you so much!” Annabeth said excitedly to her.

“I missed you too!” Estelle exclaimed. “I’m so happy you are getting married!”

“Me too, Stella.” Annabeth said as she put her hand around her. “Come on, we have to practise for tomorrow.”

An hour and four baskets of flowers down the aisle later everyone was having lunch and enjoying the rare occasion of being all together. Percy was sitting next to Annabeth and whilst everyone was in deep conversation he placed his hand on her thigh. “That’s not a good idea.” She whispered which only made Percy smile.

“It’s an excellent idea. We can go upstairs, take a nice shower together and then come back here. Nobody is going to realise we’re even gone.” He argued with a smirk Annabeth wanted so much to put off him.

“I’ll be all flushed afterwards, and I won’t be able to concentrate.” She replied. “And we both know that a shower isn’t going to be enough.” She said in an even more hushed tone. “We’ll have a whole month in Greece to have showers together.”

Percy paused and Annabeth imagined what was going on in that head of his. “I am not making any promises.”

“We’ll see.” Annabeth smiled.

“You’re so lucky about spending your honeymoon in Greece.” Suzanna sighed. “Do you have place for one more?”

“You’re spending the summer in Malaysia, Sue.” Annabeth replied. “And we’ll be occupied the whole month.”

“You better be. Take advantage of the yatchs and the beds you can find.” Evelyn stated. “That’s what I would do.”

“Yet you’re still single.” Susannah said.

“It’s by choice. And I’d rather die than be committed to a person for the rest of my life. No offense, Annabeth.”

“None taken. I don’t think I would be in a relationship if it wasn’t for Percy.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet, love.” Percy said and kissed her.

“My point is you don’t need to be in a relationship to feel fulfilled.” Annabeth added as her fingers intertwined with Percy’s.

“Thank you.” Evelyn said as she motioned to a server to bring her another Margarita.

“Annabeth! Percy!” Frederick said as he reached their seats.

“Hey dad. I’m glad you could make it.” Annabeth hugged her dad.

“The boys and Helen are putting our stuff in the room, and they’ll be right here.” He replied. “Evelyn, Susannah, it’s great to see you again.”

“Right back at you, Dr C.” Evelyn replied. “How is your latest book coming?”

“It’s good. I still have a lot of work left, but I’m fine with the deadlines.” Her father replied.

“When we come back from the honeymoon, I’ll come to help you with the currents and the ships.” Percy said.

Which was a really bad way to put his expertise with the wave and ship movements in different historical battles. When they had moved to New Rome, after Percy spent some time with Annabeth’s father they found out that his knowledge about the sea where deeper than what they imagined. He fixated on the Punic wars and various sea battles that even managed to make Frederick forget about the historical aircrafts. Talking of Frederick, he had helped Percy with his college dissertation on Naval history and he decided to write a new book with the help of his son-in-law.

“You go and have fun. We’ll talk about your help after you come back and make the Olympic team.”

“I am not sure I’ll even make the team.” Percy noted which caused the group to roll their eyes. “I’m being realistic here. I don’t have the same stamina I had when I was 18.”

“Poor grandpa. Do you need a wheelchair at the ripe age of 22.” Evelyn mocked him which earned her a kick from Susannah.

“I appreciate your touch with reality, Percy. Even though the chances of you not making the time are the same with Evelyn not getting wasted tomorrow.” Susannah said. She gathered her things and got up. “It’s already 5:30. I’ll start getting ready. Ev, are you coming?”

“In a bit. I’ll finish my drink first.”

Susannah waved them goodbye and made her way upstairs. Her vacant sit was soon filled with Matthew who threw Frederick the keys. “Hey Matt.” Annabeth said. “Where is Bobby?”

“He found a nice girl by the pool, so you know.” He said like it was a frequent event.

“How is lacrosse going?” Percy asked him. For as long as he had known Matthew, he knew that he loved talking about lacrosse more than life itself. Bobby on the other hand, played ice hockey which was ironic as they lived in San Francisco their entire lives.

“We won our final and I’ll be playing next year in Duke.” He added. “I’ll head to North Carolina earlier to practise with the team.”

“So, it’s final. Duke it is.”

“Oh yes. They have a killer lacrosse programme and a really good science department.” He gushed.

“Not one of my children will follow my footsteps.” Frederick said half-joking.

“Don’t worry, dad. Percy has a history degree.” Matt highlighted, which made Percy smile a bit. “But it isn’t like he is going to teach the other guys on the team about the Punic wars.”

“First of all, Matt, I haven’t made the squad yet.”

Annabeth jumped in before he could continue, “Secondly, it’s an English and History degree.”

“I wasn’t going to say that.” Percy said to his fiancée.

“I said it. Because you don’t brag enough about your degree.” She smiled. She was always his number 1 fan. Whether it was with swimming or with his sudden interest in history and linguistics. That fried his brain, but at the end it was all worth it. He knew that when he would eventually have to stop swimming, that he wanted to become a teacher and help kids just like him.

“And you’re going to make the squad. I’ve seen your stats, Percy. And they are wicked.” Matthew encouraged him.

Rachel came over to them, “I think it’s time to start getting ready. It’s already 7 and the room will be ready at 8.”

With that everyone got up, to go and get ready. “Can you zip me up?” Annabeth asked Percy as she put on her dress for the evening.

“I usually unzip your dresses.” Percy noted as he kissed her shoulder before zipping her dress. “Wow, you look amazing.”

Annabeth found herself blushing over Percy’s comment. “You don’t look bad yourself.” She said. ‘of course he doesn’t look bad!’ her brain noted. In a crisp ironed suit with top button unbuttoned and the cologne that was making it really hard for her to not ditch the dinner and spend the evening locked up in the room with him.

“You need help with anything else?”

“Just take my phone. It’s charging.” Annabeth said as she put on her heels and took a final look at herself. She didn’t care much about her looks until she started hanging out with Susannah and Evelyn who loved fashion and nice clothes. Then, Annabeth got her first high paying job and thought that it wouldn’t be bad to invest in some quality pieces for work. “Let’s go.” She said as Percy took her hand.

The rehearsal dinner ran smoothly, and the food was immaculate. Rachel wasn’t joking about her chef friend. She had to remember to get the recipe to the chocolate cake at some point. After they finished eating they laughed around for a while, and they all said stories from the good old days.

Percy couldn’t help but notice that Annabeth’s stepmother had remained silent the whole evening and barely touched her plate which aggravated Bobby and Matthew that Percy caught arguing quietly with their mother. He just hoped that Helen didn’t have anything planned to wreck Annabeth’s good mood. She was crushed after the whole Thalia situation, and she didn’t need someone else to destroy her happiness. Family or not, Percy would kick her out of the wedding even at the cost of Frederick’s friendship.

Grover who had gone to the buffet, brought Percy another filled plate with food. “Thank you.” He said before he grabbed his fork.

“You were serious about the heightened appetite.” He noted. “How do you keep eating so much and looking even better?” It was true. His appearance had changed dramatically since he was 18 when he first started swimming professionally. He was exercising so much that his body couldn’t compare to what he looked like when he was off fighting monsters. That also meant that he ate twice of what he used to which turned out to be an inside joke of his friend group.

“Grover, are you trying to steal my good looking soon to be husband?” Annabeth asked her friend.

“There still is time, Annie.” Grover said in all seriousness.

“You don’t need to fight over me. My heart has enough space for both of you.” Percy encouraged them. “My best friend and the love of my life.”

“I’m the love of your life?” Grover gasped as he tackled Percy with a hug.

“Whatever makes you sleep at night, Grover.”

“Don’t be mean.” He pouted.

“I am not being mean, and you know that.” She argued.

“Annabeth, we’ll see you tomorrow.” Frederick said as he kissed his daughter on the cheek. Helen didn’t utter a single word to her.

“See you tomorrow.” Annabeth replied as her father and stepmother left.

Bobby motioned to Percy to come to where he and Matthew were standing. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Your mum wanted to talk to me, so I’ll just see you tomorrow at the wedding.” Annabeth said and kissed him.

“I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the aisle.” He smiled.

“I wouldn’t want it to be any other way.”

Percy got to where he realised Bobby and Matt were smoking. “Are you supposed to be smoking?”

“Nope.” Bobby replied. “We need to talk to you.”

“It’s about our parents.” Matthew explained them. “You probably realised that mum isn’t happy to be here.”

“Yes, she made it quite obvious.” Percy said trying to stay calm and not say anything he was going to regret later on. “What’s up?”

“They are getting divorced.” Bobby said. “In the next few months. They haven’t said anything yet, but it’s clear as the ocean.”

“Plus we caught dad talking with the lawyer the other day.”

“But what does it have to do with Annabeth?”

“Annabeth is the reason they are getting divorced.” Matthew announced. “Dad finally realised that the way mum was acting around Annabeth when she was a kid wasn’t fair and that caused a lot of arguments. Plus, she threw a tantrum last night about not wanting to drop everything to come today which you can imagine didn’t go down well with the new and improved Frederick.”

“We wanted to tell you because you deserve to know. Being a member of the family and all. And don’t worry about our mum. She isn’t going to act out or anything. We’ve made it crystal clear to her that she is a tantrum away of us not coming home for Christmas if she keeps up.”

Percy was stunned he wanted to say so many things to the two 18-year-olds next to him, but he didn’t know were to start. “I’m sorry about your parents.”

“It’s fine, Percy. It’s like Annabeth says. Dad’s true love is History. He cares about our mum, but he can’t love her. And he has learned to care more about his kids which is great. Annabeth deserves a chance to heal from all the trauma they caused her. She deserves the father we had growing up.” Bobby added.

“You’re going to be a great psychologist.” Percy said to him.

“I know. Our point is that their relationship is on its last string. When we pack our stuff for college, we are vacating our rooms as next summer there won’t be a house to return to.”

“All you have to do is when Annabeth finds out, to tell her that it isn’t her fault and that it never was.” Matthew stated. “We are their last link, but the more time dad spends with you and Annabeth the more he realises that he should have called off their wedding the moment Annabeth ran away.”

“We don’t want to ruin your mood or anything, but we wanted to tell you as soon as possible. And it’s also our way of saying that we trust you to take care of our sister.” Bobby said half-smiling. “Although we never had our doubts.”

“Thank you guys. I won’t let you down.”

“We’re sure.”

[rockislandadultreads]

Read-Alike Friday: The Lace Widow by Mollie Ann Cox

The Lace Widow by Mollie Ann Cox

New York, 1804. America’s beloved Alexander Hamilton lies dead after a duel with Aaron Burr. Meanwhile, Eliza Hamilton’s eighteen-year-old son, Alexander Jr., was seen fighting with a man in a tavern the night before his father’s duel and quickly comes under suspicion for murder when the man turns up dead.

Eliza searches for ways to clear her son’s name, even as she is grieving, but as she combs through her late husband’s papers, she finds evidence of a plot to steal money from the government during his tenure as secretary of state. Hamilton was accused of stealing that money, and it was a scandal that almost broke the family—but is Eliza now holding proof of Alexander’s innocence?

Deep in debt and despair, with eight children to support, Eliza turns to selling her handmade lace—and is drawn into a mysterious network of widow lacemakers who are intimately connected to New York’s high-society families. They know their dead husbands’ secrets—and soon, Eliza begins to piece together the truth.

There’s a dark plot connected with the duel, as one by one, witnesses to the bout are being killed. Now, Eliza must not only clear her husband’s and son’s names but keep herself out of the killer’s sights.

Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower

January 1855: Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she'd lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they'd be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing.

Tragedy soon strikes and Willa's beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother's death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Henry had been very secretive of late, only hinting to Willa that he'd found a way to earn money to take care of them both. Viewing it first as a puzzle to piece together, Emily offers to help, only to realize that she and Willa are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals corruption in Amherst that is generations deep. Some very high-powered people will stop at nothing to keep their profitable secrets even if that means forever silencing Willa and her new mistress...

This is the first volume of the "Emily Dickinson Mystery" series.

What the Dead Leave Behind by David Housewright

Once a police detective in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rushmore McKenzie has become not only an unlikely millionaire, but an occasional unlicensed private investigator, doing favors for friends and people in need. When his stepdaughter Erica asks him for just such a favor, McKenzie doesn t have it in him to refuse. Even though it sounds like a very bad idea right from the start.

The father of Malcolm Harris, a college friend of Erica's, was found murdered a year ago in a park in New Brighton, a town just outside the Twin Cities. With no real clues and all the obvious suspects with concrete alibis, the case has long since gone cold. As McKenzie begins poking around, he soon discovers another unsolved murder that's tangentially related to this one. And all connections seem to lead back to a group of friends the victim was close with. But all McKenzie has is a series of odd, even suspicious, coincidences until someone decides to make it all that more serious and personal.

This is the 14th volume of the "Mac McKenzie" series.

A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas

With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. But even she never thought that she would become a social pariah, an outcast fending for herself on the mean streets of London.

When the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. She’ll have help from friends new and old—a kind-hearted widow, a police inspector, and a man who has long loved her.

But in the end, it will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society’s expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind.

This is the first volume of the "Lady Sherlock" series.

[originalhybridloverfics-backup]

Healing & Scars - The Darkness on the Edge of Town

Summary: Team Arrow discover Malcolm's true plans for the Glades. Oliver reunites with Laurel and has a revelation, one that alters their relationship going forward.

“I’ve been watching your mother for days now, Oliver, and nothing.” John moved to Felicity’s computers as she went through surveillance of Moira Queen. “She goes to work, she comes home. Occasionally, she goes out for dinner. She seems to particularly like the salmon tartar at table salt.” 

“I’m linked into her home and office phone. Nothing out of the ordinary. No mention of Walter’s abduction or the Undertaking. Just a few innocuous calls to Malcolm Merlyn.” Felicity turned her chair around to face Oliver. 

“Why wouldn’t she call him?” asked Oliver, gripping his bow. “They’re old friends. We’re all old friends.” 

Felicity stood and approached him slowly, concern filling her. “Are you ok?” 

“My mom and my best friend’s dad are involved in a conspiracy that may have dire consequences for the city.” Oliver answered, looking at her with hard eyes. “And I’m pretty sure they murder my father. I’m not planning on using the word “ok” again any time soon.” 

Felicity didn’t know what to say. She wanted to help, to comfort him, but she didn’t know how. 

“Listen, all we know for sure is that Malcolm and your mother are planning something for the Glades.” John joined them. 

“And that Walter and I were getting too close to it. That’s why they had him kidnapped.” Felicity added. 

“We have to find out what this Undertaking is,” said John. 

“I got to ask her.” Oliver stood, walking over to his case to set his bow down. 

Felicity followed his steps. “Well, no. The last time the Vigilante paid your mom a visit, you got shot, and I got to play doctor with you.” Felicity ran a hand on top of her head and down her ponytail in embarrassment. “Ahh! My brain thinks of the worst way to say things.” 

Oliver turned back to them. “This time it’ll just be me asking. Friendly mother-son chat.” 

Felicity and John watched him leave. 

Felicity wrung her hands. She hoped he was right or else she was going to have to put her ability to use again on him and frankly, she didn’t need another scar so soon after the last one. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver entered the club from the bunker entrance, turning down the hall that led him to the bar. He spotted Laurel standing near the steps. ”Laurel? What are you doing here? It’s not even 7:00 a.m.” 

“That’s just after closing time, right?” asked Laurel, closing the distance between them as he came closer. 

Oliver chuckles. 

“How’s business?” asked Laurel. 

“Well, it’s busy. Busy. It was easier when Tommy was running things.” Oliver answered honestly. 

“Tommy’s a good guy,” replied Laurel. 

“Yeah.” Oliver agreed. 

“Are you?” asked Laurel. 

Oliver frowned. “What do you mean?” 

Laurel played with her hands nervously. “Last week, I told you that I wanted to get back with Tommy. That I needed you to go to him and explain to him that you didn’t still have feelings for me. But instead, you told me that you did. As I’m sure you can probably imagine, I haven’t been able to think of much since.” 

“I shouldn’t have said that,” Oliver admitted. 

“Then why did you?” asked Laurel. 

“I didn’t... have an agenda.” said Oliver. “I didn’t mean to make it more difficult for you to fix things with Tommy.” he squeezed her hand in apology and walked past her. 

“But what if you did?” Laurel turned, keeping her body angled toward him. Oliver stopped and turned back to her. “After you disappeared-- with Sara– I was sorry I ever knew you.” Oliver looked down at her words. “But now, things have happened that I never thought would. You coming home. My parents being in the same room. And you. What if I’m finally starting to see you for who you really are?” 

Oliver shook his head. “No, Laurel, it’s–” 

“And maybe Tommy was right.” Laurel cut him off. “Maybe he and I weren’t meant to be. Maybe I’m finally ready to admit that... that I still have feelings for you, too.” 

“Nothing’s changed.” Oliver gripped her wrist lightly. “My life hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I got to go. Walter’s coming home.” he let his hand fall to his side. 

Laurel inhaled sharply as he walked away and shakily exhaled. 

Oliver continued to walk away. When he was on the island, Laurel represented home. He was home now, and he needed her to be a light at the end of his dark tunnel because if there wasn’t one, he wasn’t sure he could handle that. 

~*~ ~*~ ~* ~

Moira walked into the foyer with Walter. “Everything’s exactly as you left it.” 

Oliver and Thea entered from another room. “How are you feeling, Walter?” asked Oliver. 

“I’m on the mend, thank you, Oliver.” Walter replied. 

Thea moved forward to hug him. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re home.” 

“That makes two of us.” Walter returned her embrace. 

“All of us.” Moira placed her hand on his arm with a smile. “We’ve prepared a delicious brunch for you. All your favorites.” 

“Oh, yum, English food.” Thea teased. 

“Actually, I’m more tired from the drive than I expected. So I think I’d like to lie down for a bit,” Walter said. 

“Yes, of course.” Moira leaned forward and Walter turned his head, her lips pressing against his cheek. 

Moira moved from the room as Walter started up the steps. 

Thea’s phone vibrated with a text from Roy, telling her to meet him tonight. 

Thea watched with Oliver as Walter ascended the steps. “Walter doesn’t really seem like himself.” 

“He’s gone through a lot. It’s just... going to take a little bit of time.” Oliver told her. 

Thea sighed, turning to look at him. “I’m really sick of us all having to go through a lot, you know?” 

Oliver tuned to look at her, and she walked away. 

Oliver had been through a lot and he was indeed sick of it. It was exhausting. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Six scientists and three security personnel are confirmed killed in the massacre. Among the dead, respected seismologist Brian Markov. A spokesperson for Unidac Industries says a comment would be forthcoming.” 

Moira was watching a news anchor segment on the tv, and it was shaking her natural decorum. 

Oliver entered the room. “Mom, we need to talk.” 

“Oh, uh, later, Oliver.” she brushed him out of the room, heading out. 

Oliver turned to the tv to see what had his mother’s attention.

“...co-workers, parents and families of all the victims to see how they’re coping with their loss,” the new segment continued.

Oliver’s eyes narrowed.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Hey, Mom.” Oliver greeted,entering the room. 

Moira turned from where she was looking out the window, exhaling. “Walter’s upstairs resting. I think he’s... doing well, don’t you?” 

Oliver closed the distance between them. “Who took him?” 

“Well, we don’t know yet. But I’m going to make sure all the resources of Queen Consolidated are behind it.” Moira answered. 

“That’s the answer that you gave to reporters yesterday.” Oliver pointed out. “Tell me the truth.” 

Moira scoffs. “I don’t know what you mean.” 

“I think you do.” Oliver insisted. “A couple months ago, when I showed you dad’s notebook, you seemed to know something. Something about our family being in danger.” 

Moira clasped her hands together. “Are you suggesting that I knew something about my husband’s kidnapping?” 

“I’m just suggesting that maybe you were scared. That maybe you didn’t mean for any of this to happen. But it was harder than you thought. And now you’re barely keeping your head above water. Please, Mom. Let me help you before you drown,” Oliver pleaded with her. 

Moira shook her head. “You need to stop asking these things. Do you understand? I need you to stop.” 

“I can’t,” said Oliver. He could hear his mother’s distress, and it only made him feel more urgent. “I need to know.” 

The lights in the room and house went out. 

“Is that a power outage?” Moira asked, looking up. 

“I don’t know.” Oliver answered, looking around. 

Glass breaking, a dart hits in the neck and he goes down. 

“Oliver!” Moira kneels at his side, worried. “Oliver!” 

More glass breaking, a dart caught in her neck. She gasps, pulling it out before crumping to the floor next to her son.

The hood walking in is the last thing she sees before losing consciousness. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Moira came to slowly to find she was tied to a chair in a dark warehouse. Oliver was across from her, tied into a chair as well. There was one single light angling between them, shining in their eyes. 

“Mom!” Oliver called to her when he realized she was awake. 

“Oliver.” she looked across at him alarmed. 

“Are you ok?” Oliver asked. 

“Oliver? What--what-- we got to get out of here.” Moira started to pull at her bindings frantically, but it was pointless. 

The hood stepped forward, staying just out of the light, his head down, hood up. “Moira Queen… You have failed the city.” 

Moira breathed shakily in distress. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Please! Do not hurt my son,” Moira pleaded, cheeks wet with tears. 

“Tell me what the Undertaking is and I won’t have to.” The Hood growled out, stalking close to Oliver. 

When Moira didn’t say anything, he stalked toward Oliver. 

“No!” Moira exclaimed. 

“Tell me!” He ordered, striking Oliver across the face with his fist. 

“Please! Leave my son alone!” Moira begged. 

The hood struck Oliver again. “What is Malcolm Merlyn planning?!” 

“I can’t tell you!” Moira exclaimed. “He’ll kill me, he’ll kill my family.” 

“You should be more worried about what I’ll do.” The hood back handed Oliver so hard, it tipped the chair over. 

“No! Malcolm is planning to level the Glades!” Moira cried. “He said so he could rebuild it, but…” 

The Hood stood in front of her. “How?” 

“There’s a device.” Moira answered. 

“What device?!” The Hood demanded. 

“He says that it can cause an earthquake.” Moira answered. 

“How is this possible?” The Hood asked. 

“I don’t know. It was invented by Unidac Industries. Malcolm used my company’s Applied Sciences to turn it into a weapon.” Moira answered, despair shining in her eyes. 

“Why would you get involved in something like this?” The Hood asked, moving behind her. 

“My husband...He got involved without my knowing. He was just trying to do some good. He was lost.” Moira hung her head down in defeat. “He… His decisions left me vulnerable to Malcolm, and I had no choice. I had to protect my family and my children.” 

Oliver watched his mother from his upturned chair. 

“This device… Where is it?” The Hood questioned. 

“I don’t know.” Moira answered.

“If you don’t tell me, I can’t stop Merlyn!” The Hood was back in front of her. 

“Oh, you can’t stop him. It’s too late.” Moira cried. She watched as the hood pulled out a knife and moved toward her son. “No, no, no, I told you everything! Oliver! No!” 

She fell silent when the Hood cut Oliver’s binds, her mouth falling open as he did the same for her and then he was gone. 

She rushed out of her chair to Oliver, kneeling at his side as he tried to pull himself up. 

“Oh, sweet– Please, I know what you must be thinking, sweetheart, but I never intended any of this to happen.” Moira tried to explain. 

Oliver let out a harsh cough. 

“You know I would never willingly be a part of anything like this,” said Moira.

Oliver stood slowly, looking down on his mother with a look of betrayal. “I don’t know anything anymore.” 

He walked away, limping, leaving his mother kneeling in the wet, dank, empty warehouse. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Felicity sat in a chair by the weapons table. John was at the gun table. He had changed out of the hood gear. She stood when Oliver walked in with a slight limp. 

“Oh, my God.” Felicity exclaimed. Oliver’s face was covered in bruises. “You said you were going to pull your punches!” she accused John. 

John turned around. “I did.”

Felicity moved to touch his face. “I can heal this for you.” 

“No.” Oliver caught her wrist in his grip. It wasn’t tight, but it was secure. “It can heal on its own. You shouldn’t use your gift on something so small and superficial.”

Gift?

The word repeated in Felicity’s head as she withdrew her hand back. No, not even she had considered what she could do a gift. 

It was just something she did. Something she had to keep a guarded secret, but she never thought of it as a gift. 

However, hearing Oliver call it that caused a warmth to spread through her chest. 

“Then at least let me get you an icepack for… Everything.” Felicity insisted. 

“I’m fine.” Oliver touched her arm lightly. “I need you to dig up everything you can on Unidac Industries.” 

Felicity went to her computers, sitting in her chair and getting to work. “Well, we know Queen Consolidated acquired them seven months ago. That’s when we met.” 

“I need information about what I don’t know.” Oliver told her. 

“Unidac is a small research and development technology company that specializes in seismic infringement,” said Felicity. 

“Merlyn plans on leveling the Glades with a device that triggers a manmade earthquake.” Oliver said from just over her shoulder. 

“You’re kidding.” said Felicity. 

“What else does it say?” asked Oliver, moving to stand opposite her. 

“More information on the stock auction and, you know, the latest on what the media’s calling–” 

“The Unidac massacre.” Oliver finished for Felicity. 

“There’s no way this timing is a coincidence,” said John, moving to stand over Felicity’s shoulder. 

“Oliver, there’s a website claiming the police suspect a copycat archer.” Felicity informed him. 

“What?!” asked Oliver. 

“So the other archer works for Merlyn?” John asked, leaning over Felicity’s computer station. 

“He’s tying up loose ends. Erasing all evidence, this device exists so no one can trace the devastation back to him,” said Oliver. 

John pushed off the computer table. “All right, so you’re going to have a pointed conversation with Mr. Merlyn.” 

“Well, even if I take out Merlyn, the other archer is still out there. He can set off the device. We need to find it,” said Oliver. “Then Merlyn can get his.” 

“Well, maybe there’s another way to get Merlyn to tell us,” said Felicity, her full focus on her computer monitors. 

“What do you have in mind?” asked Oliver. 

“As I keep proving, people keep secrets. Computers don’t.” Felicity answered, her fingers moving over the keys of her keyboard at a rapid pace. 

Oliver moved to Felicity’s side. “Felicity, are you hacking into the Merlyn Global mainframe?” 

“”Hacking" is such an ugly word. No. I’m…” she trailed off. “Yeah, totally hacking into the Merlyn Global mainframe.” 

A sheepish smile played on her lips. She loved to hack. She enjoyed a challenge. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

The computer beeped as Felicity was denied access. 

While she enjoyed a challenge, right now it was quite annoying. 

John was next to her, his forehead pressed to the table. 

Felicity scoffed in irritation. 

“Anything?” Oliver asked, appearing at her side. 

It wasn’t the first time he had asked her, and being asked the same thing was an annoyance to her already frayed nerves. 

John lifted his head. 

Felicity looked up at Oliver in exasperation. “Just for the record, I will pump my fist in the air and scream, “yes!” If I get in.” 

“You know, you can just say this isn’t working.” John suggested. 

Felicity glared at him. “This isn’t working.” 

“All right, there has to be some other way we can find out where he’s keeping this device.” John stood and sat on the edge of the table. 

“Unless I can waltz up to Merlyn’s mainframe and plug in my tablet directly, there’s no way of getting that location.” Felicity answered, standing up from her chair, moving to stand behind it. 

“Then we waltz.” Said Oliver. 

“Excuse me?” Felicity responded. She didn’t seriously believe that was an option. 

“You need direct access to the mainframe, so we get you direct access to the mainframe, and we figure out where the device is being kept,” said Oliver. 

“Oliver...I did mention that the mainframe is located inside Merlyn Global Group’s main headquarters, on the 25th floor?” Felicity stressed. “It’s only accessible through a restricted access elevator.” 

John looked up at the ceiling, already knowing what Oliver was going to say. 

“I know. We’re going to have to break in.” Said Oliver. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Oliver walked through the doors of Merlyn Global, walking up to the security desk. “Hi. Oliver Queen. I have an 11:30 with Tommy Merlyn.” he handed over his id. 

The guard accepted his Id looking it over. 

Felicity appeared at the other end of the counter, dressed as a delivery girl with takeout from Big Belly Burger. “I have a super deluxe Big Belly Buster for a Mr. Andrews. I think he’s in security. He a good tipper?”

“You can go on up, Mr. Queen.” the guard handed him back his ID. The guard picked up the phone and looked at Felicity. “You can wait a second.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

A guard in the security room had the phone pressed to his ear. “New guy, you order food?” 

John answered from behind him. “Yeah, I’m addicted to Big Belly Burger.” 

“Never had it,” the guard said, hanging up the phone as Felicity appeared in the doorway. 

“I’ll split it with you.” Moved around him, handing Felicity some money and taking the food. “Keep the change.” 

The security door shut after the exchange. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Felicity pressed for the elevator, Oliver came to stand beside her, waiting for the elevator. 

The elevator dings and Oliver and Felicity waited for everyone to step off before entering the elevator. 

“Hold that.” A man called.  

Felicity pressed the closed button rapidly, unfortunately the man stepped inside be they started to shut. 

“Where you heading, sweetie?” the man asked, looking back at Felicity.��

“19th floor.” Felicity answered, disliking his tone and the way his eyes looked her over.  

“Too bad, I’m going to 13,” the man answered. 

Oliver reached forward, knocking the man’s folders out of his hands. They went flying out of the elevators. Papers scattering on the floor. 

Hearing the man flirt with Felicity and look her over made Oliver’s skin crawl. 

The man scrambled out of the elevator to pick up the fallen papers. “Damn it!”

The elevator doors shut behind him. 

“Mr. Andrews got his lunch?” Oliver asked, looking straight ahead. 

“One Belly Buster with benzodiazepine.” Felicity answered, holding a clipboard to her chest. “Hold the mayo.” 

Oliver stopped the elevator and then climbed out of the elevator shaft. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

John was watching the monitors. “Sleep tight.” the guard was on the ground behind him, unconscious after taking a bite from the burger. 

John stepped over him a removed one of the camera wires. 

“Mainframe’s on 25, guys.” he moved back to the surveillance camera. “That’s as close as I can get you.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Felicity passed Oliver’s briefcase up to him and then he reached down for her, pulling her up beside him. 

Oliver opened the briefcase, pulling out a grappling gun and stepped onto a pillar. He reached his hand back for Felicity. ”Come on.” 

Felicity put his hand in hers and let him help her up. 

“Don’t look down.” Oliver cautioned her. 

“Too late.” Felicity said, looking down. “I should mention, I’m afraid of heights, which I just learned.”

“Hey, Felicity.” Oliver wrapped his arm around her waist as he looked up, searching for the perfect angle. 

Her stomach flipped with the feel of his arm around her. 

“Hmm?” Felicity reflexively wrapped her arm around his shoulder. 

“Hold on to me tight.” Oliver said. 

Felicity looked at him. ”I imagined you saying that under different circumstances.” Oliver turned his eyes to her and her heart pounded against her ribcage. “Very platonic... circumstances.” 

Oliver fired the gun, and the grappler imbedded in his target. “Ready?” he asked her. 

“Uh-huh.” Felicity answered and Oliver swung them across, his arm tightening around her. 

Oliver straightened his jacket and crossed against the edge of the wall, helping Felicity across. 

Moments later Oliver was opening the floor door, and stepped out. When Felicity didn’t budge, he held his hand out to her. “Come on.” 

Felicity stepped out, grimacing. Her stomach revolting. 

“You all right?” asked Oliver, concerned. 

“I’m fine. Yeah, this is just my “about to hack” face.” She looked around the hallway at her surroundings. “I always… Oh, look like this right before I, you know, hack.” 

“Security patrol’s on a ten-minute cycle. I’ll have my meeting with Tommy and be back in nine, ok?” Oliver assured her. 

“Ok.” Felicity replied, hoping her stomach with settled as she continued to look around. 

“Ok.” Oliver walked around her, walking through a glass door, leaving her in the hallway. ”Dig, you got eyes on her?” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

John watched Felicity moved down the hall on the security cameras. “Five by five.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Felicity moved down the hall, stopping at a door at the end that had a scanner. She put in a code and was allowed admittance. She settled in front of the mainframe in the server room, setting up her tablet and link. ”Ok.” 

She wasted no time setting to work. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver walked into Tommy’s office. “Sure beats the back of a bar.” 

“I saw your name in my schedule. I thought it must be a typo.” Tommy turns away from the window, a file in his hand. ”Why so serious? Did someone decide that they didn’t want you putting an arrow in them today?” 

“I thought it was past time we talked.” Oliver stopped in front of his desk. 

“About what?” Tommy tossed the file onto his desk. “Me leaving the club? You being a serial killer? We’re not lacking for topics.” 

“Let’s start with Laurel, since you’re still in love with her.” suggested Oliver. 

“So are you.” Tommy shot back. 

“I can’t be with her, Tommy. You know why I can’t,” replied Oliver. 

“So what? I’m her consolation prize?” Tommy asked bitingly. “I’ll pass.” 

“She’s not anyone’s...property.” Oliver defended. “Laurel makes her own decisions. And she chose you. Until you couldn’t handle it. Lord knows I am guilty of a lot of things between us, but not you and her. That’s all I came to say.”

Tommy sat down as Oliver turned to leave. 

Oliver paused, turning back after reaching the doorway, looking around. “What exactly do you do here?” 

Tommy looked up, glaring. “I work closely with my father.”

Oliver nodded and left, his jaw clenching. 

He had a feeling his relationship with Tommy would only get worse from here. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

John was watching the cams when he was alerted to see an approaching guard. “Guys, you got trouble.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“What?!” Felicity reacted. It wasn’t time. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Felicity’s about to have some head of schedule company.” John warned. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“I’m not there yet on the download.” Felicity protested. She needed more time to do her part.  

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Hold tight, I’m on my way.” Oliver moved down the hall, heading back for Felicity but when he turned. He was intercepted. 

“Oliver.” Malcolm greeted. 

“Mr. Merlyn.” Oliver returned. 

“I must say, I’m surprised to see you here,” Malcolm commented. 

“Tommy and I just had a little unfinished business.” Oliver answered. 

“Ahh. I know things have been challenging between you two, but I trust you’re working things out,” Malcolm replied. 

“Felicity!” Diggle said over the comms. 

“Just a few more seconds.” Felicity insisted over the comms. 

“Yes. I’m sorry, I have to go,” Oliver told Malcolm. “There are some investors waiting for me back at the club.” 

“I’m heading out to a meeting myself. I’ll walk you down to the lobby.” Malcolm motioned to the elevator. 

Oliver had no choice but to join Malcolm and his bodyguard in the elevator. 

“She’s going to get made, Oliver.” John’s voice was filled with urgency over the comms. “Oliver, did you hear me?!”

Oliver clenched his jaw, doing his best not to react as the elevator doors shut. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Felicity!” John said sharply.  

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“What? Just a few more seconds!” Felicity insisted. “Come on, come on, come on.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“You don’t have a few more seconds.” John argued, watching as the guards got closer on the security footage. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

The computer beeped. 

“Yes!” Felicity pumped her fist in the air. “Wow, I really do do that.” Felicity quickly gathered her things and exit the room only to run into a guard. “Oh.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Damn it, Oliver, she’s in trouble. Where are you?” John spoke into the comms. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“This is a restricted area,” said the guard. “Let’s see some I.D.” 

“I.D.?” Felicity moved her hand to her pockets. “Um…” 

What the hell was she supposed to do here?!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Malcolm and Oliver stepped out of the elevator.

“Tell your mother I said hello,” said Malcolm, shaking hands with Oliver. 

“I will,” said Oliver, keeping up the fake smile. When Malcolm was gone, he turned to head back upstairs, pressing his hand to his comm. “Got held up. Heading back upstairs.” 

“Ollie?” Thea called, spotting him in the lobby. 

“Thea?” Oliver turned back around. “What are you doing here?” 

“I, uh, just saw Tommy.” Thea answered. 

“Yeah, me, too.” said Oliver. “I’m going to run back up, I don’t want to be late.” he turned to head back up.

“Oh, I thought you just came down.” Thea called after him and he clenched his jaw, stopping. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“There you are!” John walked in. “Thanks a lot, man. This one snuck past security.” He strode forward, grabbing Felicity by the arm. “One of Merlyn junior’s bimbos. She’s pissed he never called her back.” 

Felicity hoped the guard couldn’t see her relief at the sight of John. 

“Copy that,” the guard said. “I read the tabloids.” 

“Yeah. Thanks again.” said John. “Let’s go, Barbie.” he started pulling her out of the room. “Your new last name ain’t going to be Merlyn.” 

“But I love him!” Felicity protested as they continued down the hall. “He’s my man!” she started laughing once they were out of sight, Digg looking down at her in amusement. “You’re my knight in shining armor.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Is that your friend, Roy?” asked Oliver, noticing a guy in a red hoodie with his back to him. 

“No, um…” Thea trailed off. 

“No?” Oliver repeated doubtfully. 

“Yeah, he gave me a ride.” Thea answered. 

“Thea, what are you really doing here?” asked Oliver. “The truth, please.” 

“The truth?” Thea repeated. 

“Mm-hmm.” Oliver nodded. 

“Um...We’re trying to find the Vigilante.” Thea answered, realizing there was no point in lying. 

“What?” Oliver’s eyes were sharp. 

“Roy’s been kind of obsessed with him since he saved his life at the subway.” Thea explained. “And I overheard Detective Lance saying that the other archer was connected to Merlyn Global, so–” Oliver grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her toward Roy. “Hey!”

“Roy.” Oliver said sharply, causing the younger man to turn around. “We haven’t met. I’m Thea’s disapproving older brother.” 

“Yeah, I know. Good to meet you.” Roy extended his hand. 

Oliver gripped his hand tightly, making him jerk. 

However, to Roy’s credit, he didn’t react. 

“Don’t mess around with the Hood. He’s a psychopath, he’s dangerous, and anyone who gets near him winds up dead.” He dropped his hand. “That will not be my sister. Do you hear me?” 

Roy nodded, his eyes hard as Thea looked between them warily. 

Oliver looked past him to see Felicity walking out the door. She looked back at him and continued out. Oliver turned his focus back on Roy. “Ok. Take her home...now.”

He didn’t wait for a response and walked past them, fully expecting Roy to follow his order. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“In addition to the download, I also took the liberty of uploading a trojan to Merlyn’s system. Figured it might come in handy.” Said Felicity, from her chair in the Bunker. 

“That’s smart.” John complimented. “If Merlyn thinks he’s been compromised, it’ll help if we know first.” 

“Can you locate the seismic device?” Asked Oliver. 

“I’m working on it. But there’s at least a terraflop of data to go through.” Felicity answered, her body turned toward him. 

Oliver walked over to his case from the island. 

“You all right?” asked John. 

“My father, he told me that he failed the city.” Oliver picked up his father’s case from the book. “Asked me to right his wrongs, but I never knew what he meant until now. It’s the Undertaking. I promised myself that when I crossed all these names off the list, I’d be done, but… Taking down these people, it doesn’t honor him. I was just treating the symptoms while the disease festered. I stop the Undertaking… I wipe out the disease.” 

“What are you saying, Oliver?” John questioned. “You would hang up the Hood?” 

Oliver turned around to him. “Merlyn’s plan is what I returned from the island to stop.” he turned to leave. 

“Where are you going?” John called after him. 

“Out.” Oliver answered, heading for the stairs. 

“Where do you think he’s going?” Felicity wondered when Oliver was gone. 

“Nowhere good.” John answered with a shake of his head. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver knocked on an apartment door. 

“Hi.” Oliver greeted, when Laurel opened her door. “Can we talk?” 

Laurel stepped back to let him inside. 

“Thank you.” Oliver said. 

Laurel closed the door behind him. 

“What did you want to talk about?” asked Laurel, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“Wow, I thought this was going to be easier to say,” said Oliver. “But now I’m standing here… Looking at you, and it’s–” 

“Just say what you have to say and go, ok?” Laurel said, her stance not very welcoming.

“Ever since I’ve been back, we’ve been doing this dance. We come together, and then I pull away.” said Oliver. “Something pulls me away. But I think... finally... that something might be over.”.

“What are you trying to say?” asked Laurel, her tone softening

“That...you know me better than anyone.” Oliver told her. “And that you... are more important to me than anyone. I just hope I didn’t wait too long to say it.” 

Laurel kissed him. “You didn’t.” She immediately started unbuttoning his shirt, and he helped her, removing his shirt. He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. “You’re right on time.” she kissed him again. 

Oliver carried her through her apartment to her bedroom. He removed her jacket as they continued kissed and laid her on the bed, getting lost in each other. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver had expected being with Laurel to feel different from before because he was different, but he had been wrong. 

It wasn’t different. It was just sex. 

He didn’t understand it. She was his hope, she was what he held onto to make it home. He thought that when this was over, they would find their way back to each other, but maybe they were just too different. 

He wasn’t the same man he was once was. He didn’t want a relationship based on sex.

He wanted more than that. He wanted something real. 

Laying in bed with her, he felt regret.

He looked over at the bedside table when his phone started vibrating. He eased her off of him and climbed out of the bed, grabbing his phone. “What is it?” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Felicity found the Markov device.” John Infomed Oliver over the phone. Felicity was working away at her computers. “Merlyn’s keeping it at a warehouse his company owns in the Glades.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Good. Coordinate an attack.” Oliver instructed. “You take the device, I’ll take Merlyn. Got a location?” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Yeah.” John answered. “According to Felicity’s trojan, Merlyn’s logged on to his computer from his office.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“I’m on my way.” Oliver said and ended the call, grabbing his discarded clothes, feeling relieved that he had to go.  

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

John moved through a warehouse, his gun and flashlight out. He opened a warehouse door, slipping inside. 

He moved through the warehouse until he found an open crate that read Unidac Industries. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Very well,” said Malcolm, standing in the office. “I’ll be in touch.” 

The Hood walked in. 

“Can I help you?” Malcolm asked his back to the Hood. “No… “ he spoke into the phone, turning to face the Hood. “I wasn’t talking to you.” he ended the call. 

“Malcolm Merlyn…” The Hood began. “You have failed this city.” 

“And how have I done that?” asked Malcolm. 

“The Undertaking. It ends now.” The Hood told him. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Oliver, the device…” John spoke into his comms. “It’s gone.”

The crate was empty. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Where’s the device?” asked the Hood. 

“Safe.” Malcolm answered. “I don’t know how you got that trojan onto my system, but it prompted me to take precautions. There is nothing you can do to stop what is about to happen. And you shouldn’t. This city needs what is about to happen in order to survive. The people who are destroying it from the inside need to be erased from the map.” 

“Fine. Let’s start with you.” The Hood fired an arrow. 

However, Malcolm caught it in his hand. “Ironic, isn’t it? Last Christmas, I almost killed you,” he said, revealing he was the dark archer. “A few months ago, you saved my life. And now you’re here trying to kill me. You should make up your mind.” 

“Done.” The Hood declared. 

Malcolm threw the arrow back at him, the Hood dodged it. 

The Hood and Malcolm exchanged a series of blows. Malcolm ultimately gaining the upper hand and knocking the Hood out, he knelt down yanking back the Hood. 

“Oh, no,” Malcolm said as the Hood was revealed to be none other than his son’s best friend, Oliver Queen.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 16 (Catching Up With the Pancakes)

Spencer paid Heather a surprise visit – alone – after the birth of her son, Greyson. "It's great to see you, but unexpected," she said gently. "Is everything okay?"

"I just needed a chance to get some sea air, I think. How are things with you and Malcolm?"

Heather could tell she was holding back, but she didn't want to push. "Malcolm's okay, I think. I'll see him at Holly's wedding but we haven't really spoken that much, lately. I thought maybe he was pulling away from me after I switched pet food suppliers at the clinic, but I'm starting to think maybe I'm the one pulling away from him? Like I could call him right now, but even if you weren't here, I care about him, but...I don't know..."

"Relationships are really hard and so confusing," Spencer agreed gently, but Heather could hear in her voice that she was referring to Everett and herself, not Heather and Malcolm.

"You can talk to me," she assured her.

Spencer sighed, exhaustion pulling at her cheeks. "It's been hard since Greyson was born. Greyson doesn't sleep much. Everett and I have to scream at each other to hear over his wailing."

"I hear that's pretty normal," she said. "I know it's hard, but Greyson will sleep better soon."

"It's not just Greyson. Did Everett tell you what the doctors said?" Heather shook her head. "There were complications during his birth and they said I probably won't have more children."

"Spencer, I'm so sorry."

"I'm not! And that's just it - Everett's devastated. He really wants a big family, but I never felt ready for Greyson before his arrival. I love him more than anything, but I want to explore the jungle and progress in my career. I'm happy with one and I don't want to be pregnant again, but I don't know how to talk about it with Everett."

Heather understood why Spencer was anxious to discuss it. "I know what you're feeling," Heather assured her with a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I want to be a mom someday, but I want my career, too! There's nothing wrong with what you want, Spence."

"I'm grateful you understand where I'm coming from," said Spencer. "But that doesn't make it any easier to think about trying to convince Everett that Greyson is enough."

Heather could see the trepidation and pain in her striking blue eyes. "I know Everett has this idealized view of family he's held onto ever since he lost his mom, but he loves you and he wants you to be happy. He promised he'd do everything he could to make you happy when you married him."

Spencer sighed. "Our wedding feels so long ago already. We're already planning Greyson's christening!"

"It'll be good to have your family in town," suggested Heather. "Maybe it'll be so chaotic, Everett will understand why one kid isn't the end of the world."

For the first time since she walked in, Spencer raised a smile. "So far, planning it has just been more stress on top of stress! But Malia and Jamar will be there! She's looking forward to spending some time in the sun while Jamar gets a mini-break from medical school."

Heather smiled at the mention of their old friends. "I heard they eloped after we all came back from your wedding in Tartosa."

"Yeah. Our big destination wedding was such an event, they just wanted to get married and avoid the hassle. In retrospect, I don't blame them at all, but I think Malia's partly excited to get away because they're living with his parents in Henford until Jamar's residency is done, at least."

"We know your parents like to put on a party or else they won't even bother." Heather chuckled to herself.

"I had to ban my mother from having anything to do with planning the christening just to save my nerves!"

"Well I'll be there. I'll tackle her if she tries to run out to replace the napkins at the last minute."

The mental image made Spencer laugh so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes. "This is exactly why Everett and I want you to be Greyson's godmother."

"Me? Really? What about your sister Olivia and her husband?"

"She's busy enough with three kids and Everett thinks she doesn't like him."

"Growing up, I always thought Olivia hated everybody."

"She still does, but once Everett makes his mind up it can't be changed." Heather offered a knowing chuckle. "We both trust you. I know you and I could have gone either way in high school with your feelings for Everett and the kiss and everything, but I'm glad it never came between us. We're both glad we have you in our lives, and it would be an honour to us both if you'd say yes."

"Of course! I'll be the best godmother Greyson could ever have!" she vowed.

Heather made plans to visit Oasis Springs during her upcoming break for Holly’s wedding, and her heart brimmed with anticipation. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

[cullenakingirog]

Ever since I drew Benedicta, Anders and Fenris I have been dying to know more about them.

Because I'm a Leandra whore I want to know about your All That Remains moment. I would love to know the dynamic of how they comfort Benedicta and just how those three get along in general. I can see Benedicta having to corral a lot of fights lol but in that moment I definitely see Anders and Fenris setting their differences aside to help Benedicta through that.

udfgviudfg thanks for wanting to know about how the ship works more??? hhh

So here's the thing about Leandra and Benedicta's relationship. It's horribly complicated and a bit of a big mess. I don't think Leandra hates Benedicta but she favours Bethany over Benedicta and it is very obvious. (Some of my Leandras aren't the best mothers while some of my Leandras have great relationships with my other WS Hawkes)

So like, Benedicta grew up having to understand this weird expectation of being a caregiver, a parent, a breadwinner, a protector and so many things that if they don't succeed in doing that it makes them feel ill and anxious. Like they weren't physically hurtful but Benedicta was hurt and for years they just thought it was normal.

When she blamed Benedicta for not saving Bethany it was really because she expects Benedicta to since Benedicta's been shouldering everything for the family post-Malcolm death and it just kinda normalised this expectation for Benedicta to do these sorts of things. Then the Deep Roads Expedition happened and Leandra chooses Carver over Benedicta. "You, I could understand but leave your brother out of this." When Benedicta returned from the expedition without Carver, they got struck by Leandra hard enough to make them fall to the floor and have bruising on their face. Benedicta ended up leaving Gamlen's home to stay over at Fenris', Anders' and Varric's places. (Merrill wanted to offer her home but she realised it was too close to Gamlen's place so she chose to just constantly visit Benedicta instead)

Anyway, come Act 2 and we have Leandra proposing various suitors to Benedicta who had politely turned each of them down until Benedicta ended up sleeping with Fenris and Leandra decided that that meant Benedicta and Fenris were gonna get married now that Benedicta slept with someone. Of course, we know how the song and dance went with Fenris leaving after having sex. Benedicta respected his need for space and would only call on him or ask for his help when absolutely necessary. A few weeks later, Benedicta starts getting sick and a week later, Bodahn decides to call Anders over since Anders had been taking care of Benedicta ever since they formed a very close friendship in the later parts of Act 1 (especially thanks to the Deep Roads where Anders got exposed to Benedicta's side that involves them singing lullabies to Carver or singing a nonsense song they learned to sing as a child). Anyway, Anders finds out from Benedicta about the sleeping with Fenris things and adds two and two to find out they're pregnant. He gives them the option of keeping it or not and Benedicta chooses to keep it so Anders went into doctor mode (I HC him as someone who had helped care for pregnant mages back in Kinloch Hold as well as someone who helped deliver the babies). Benedicta swore Anders into secrecy tho into keeping their pregnancy from Fenris, at least until they have to tell him since they don't want Fenris to feel obligated to stay with them and they refuse to give Fenris another crisis over anything.

So we have Anders who stays with Benedicta to make sure they're taking care of themself - or taking care of them when they're unable to - and we have Fenris pining. Fenris actually assumed that Benedicta and Anders got together and was lowkey jealous anytime Anders would shield Benedicta from anything he suddenly considered was dangerous or whenever Anders would send Benedicta off to safety when they get ambushed.

Then All That Remains happened and Anders almost slipped into allowing Justice to take over too many times, Fenris watched as Benedicta's normally calm and warm and gentle face crumpled into grief and anguish as they held Leandra and they cried over Leandra after telling them how proud she was of them. But that wasn't even the worst of it all. On the day of Leandra's funeral, Bodahn sent two letters. One to an abandoned Hightown estate, another to a drab clinic in Darktown. Fenris arrived first and Bodahn was escorting Orana and Sandal out, smoke was coming out of the window of Benedicta's room and Fenris panicked. He ran to Benedicta's room and saw it in flames and there, in one corner was Benedicta sobbing. Fenris ran in and didn't care if the fire touched him, he noticed that Benedicta's fire spells never harmed anyone they called friend, and when he got to Benedicta, he pulled her close.

"I loved her, Fenris, I loved her and it was unfair. It was unfair of her to make me into who I am now."

Those were the words she sobbed as he held her because, at that moment, it finally sank in that all their life, what they were raised to be was wrong. Was unfair for a child and unfair for even an adult to feel this responsibility over the fate of their family, of their home, or perhaps even the world. Benedicta mourned Leandra but they were also finally, finally angry about what they experienced. They wanted to shout at their mother but it was too late. So all they could do was cry in both grief and frustration.

Anders' arrival ended the fire with him filling the room with frost to end the inferno caused by Benedicta's emotions.

"Let me, Fenris, I know how to help."

Fenris didn't want to let go since Benedicta was still holding onto him tightly but he did, choosing to trust Anders in this. He watched as Anders spoke to Benedicta in hushed words and allowed Benedicta to lean on him as they calmed down, he was chanting "Forgive yourself." to them like a prayer and a spell. It took a very mild sleeping spell from Anders to help Benedicta calm down completely. Anders offered to take Benedicta to his clinic and Fenris agreed, adding that he will drop by to make sure they were safe.

After ensuring that Bodahn, Orana and Sandal were safe, Fenris and Anders worked together to fix Benedicta's burned room. Bodahn helped and Orana dropped by with new things to replace the broken and burned ones. Fenris and Anders set aside their differences in that instance though neither will admit it or the fact that they grew to even like the other's help and presence and when Benedicta woke up, the two were also there to help. (Merrill helped Benedicta with processing their sense of responsibility being fucked up but Anders and Fenris were the ones that started them opening up about what they went through growing up.)

This ask got rather sad but uidxgidxufv it's All That Remains ogvdxfuv