#a couple thirty minute breaks a day to myself

[theragnarokd]

.

[stariikis]

𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

synopsis ; going off my older fic engraving on my wrist , jungwon is late for a 'date', but you don't suspect the underlying reason behind his tardiness.

pairing ; idol!jungwon x trainee!reader genre ; fluff, situationship, getting together, oneshot wc ; 834

You’re not very sure why Jungwon would ask you out to a nearby café just to be thirty minutes late and leave you waiting. But you trust the process. 

Is it too late to cancel the ‘date’, and go back to the company? You’re growing incredibly sick of the countless camera flashes directed your way. Of teenage girls, fluorescent bangle bracelets adorning their wrists and idol photocards clasped to their school-bags, coming up and asking for your signature. Is Jungwon late or is he not coming? 

Your frantic messages go unread even when you check your phone for the millionth time. It’s not very ideal in the situation, but your mind starts to go into a frenzy. What if something happened to Jungwon? What if it’s my fault, what if I did something wrong? But I can’t have, can I, if I’m just sitting here waiting for a date? 

A date. You almost laugh out loud. What are you even thinking? He still hasn’t asked you out and here you are, foolishly believing it’s a date. 

Date, date, date… it’s all Jungwon’s fans can think about. Because of their influence, it’s all you can think about too. It doesn’t mean you don’t feel guilty when the thought of Jungwon taking you out crosses your mind, though. It’s like you’re desperate, or something. The beginning of a scowl prods at your lips – at fourteen, you vowed never to be the desperate one, after comforting your best friend through a difficult break-up. 

Sneaking a glance down at his initials on your wrist, you start to contemplate getting up and going for dance practice with your trainee friends instead. Oh, the scolding you’ll give Jungwon when he finally answers your texts… he’s going to wish he never even said hello to you, that first day when you showed up to the company, freshly fifteen. What kind of stupid reason for being tardy will he give this time, you wonder? 

Just as you’ve given up on waiting for him and started to get ready to leave, thunder rumbles loudly outside. Whipping your head around to check the only window in the quaint café, your heart sinks. Raindrops strike the clouded glass, each one a representation of the shards of panic stabbing you. 

How are you going to leave now? You’re never going to listen to the morning radio’s weather forecasts anymore. Next time, you’ll be guaranteed to bring a damn umbrella around. This day isn’t going very well for you, is it? 

While you’re sulking, slumped over your table-for-two hopelessly, you don’t notice Jungwon bursting through the door and coming up to you. He is completely drenched from head to toe, brown cotton trench coat not doing much to block out the rain. A small puddle of wetness forms on your shirt as he taps your shoulder. 

“Sorry,” he says sheepishly when you turn your head in confusion. “The line at the bakery was super long.” 

You blink at him, dumbfounded, as he hands you a huge plastic bag with assorted breads. A couple beads of rain drip down the sides. 

“I’m really craving bread,” you whine, flopping down onto the wooden ground during one of your breaks. Jungwon pulls the beanie off his head and sits down beside you with a tiny grunt. 

“Bread? That’s a really weird craving,” he teases you, craning his neck to seek agreement from Sunoo and Riki, who’ve joined you that day for dance practice. They simultaneously glare daggers at Jungwon as if saying they don’t want to get involved, and so Jungwon turns his attention back to you. “What kind of bread, though?” 

Is what he asks innocently, as if he hasn’t just taunted you for wanting to eat it. 

“The one with strawberry paste inside. I haven’t tried it myself, but I heard it’s super go-” 

“IT REALLY IS SUPER GOOD!” Sunoo slides over and interrupts, truly the foodie of his group. “You should try the blueberry paste one too! And the new one where they put raspberry bits into the dough…” 

You snap out of the memory and unwrap the plastic bag, checking what’s inside. Sunoo’s list of recommendations are all inside, and some extras that Jungwon knows are your favourites. It’s so out of the blue and sweet of him that it makes you laugh. 

“This is why you’re late, isn’t it?” You mutter, feigning annoyance. 

He looks down at his shoes, looking ashamed. “Maybe. Sorry if they’re soggy. I didn’t have an umbrella because I believed the stupid weather forecast this morning.” And he looks utterly dejected about it.

How cute. 

“It’s okay,” you pull him into a gentle hug, patting his back soothingly. “It’s the thought that counts.” 

Take that, delusionalists in the crowd here. Jungwon is mine! 

“But…” Jungwon moves his head closer to your ear, and you get the eerie feeling something is coming. You’re proved correct as he hesitates, then whispers lowly, “but now how am I going to properly ask you out?” 

thanks for reading! if there are any other tropes or members you want me to write about you can send in an ask or comment here~ i'm very bored so i'll write pretty much anything sfw

[verstappen-cult]

WAVE OF YOU, C. LECLERC.

PROLOGUE — NEXT CHAPTER. [ SERIES MASTERLIST ]

PAIRING. charles leclerc x female reader.

CHAPTER ONE SUMMARY — It looks like any other shift at the coffee shop until the presence of a brown haired boy with dimples changes everything. The same boy you meet at the beach several days ago — the one who stood you up.

CONTENT WARNINGS. female reader, use of Y/N, alcohol use, fluff & friends being a menace.

GWEN’S RADIO MESSAGE. OH MY GOD! i'm so sorry it took me so long, but i was in the worst writers block of all times and couldn't get out of it :( but i forced myself to finish this today and ta-dah! i really hope you like it, your comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated. remember that if you want to be added to the taglist, you can reply to this post, send me a dm or leave it in my ask box!

“Come on, girl! We can’t be late today.” You groan in frustration, a smile tugging at the corner of your lips as you watch Daisy shake the sand out of her fur. She sits and looks up at you with her tongue out, head slightly tilted to the side. “Good girl.” You say, giving her one of her favorite dog treats. You put the collar on her and she happily starts walking by your side. 

It’s a short walk, around ten minutes, from the beach to the coffee shop you started working at just two months ago. You like it so much that you probably spend more time there than in your own apartment. It’s cozy and family owned, and there is always a pleasant atmosphere even though there are always people coming in and out, one of the perks of having the shop so close to the beach. 

And everyone loves Daisy too, so you’re allowed to bring her with you. While you work behind the counter, she chills by the door in her bed with her favorite bunny plushie. She brings joy and bright smiles to every single person that visits the coffee shop.

You can’t believe this is your life. 

It wasn’t easy at first but making the decision to drop out of school and travel around the world wasn’t as difficult as breaking the news to your parents. And after everything you went through in these two years you deserve the good things and peace that is coming your way. 

It was all worth it, missing your family, waking up in the middle of the night wondering if you made the right decision, the good and the bad… it was all worth it. You wouldn’t change a thing because it brought you to this; to Australia and to the wonderful people you’ve met. 

“Good morning, Fred.” You say to the owner of the flower shop right next door to where you work. He smiles, waving goodbye to a client, before walking out to meet you. 

“Hello, sweetheart.” His smile is contagious. You like to pass by him before going to work everyday because seeing someone be so happy and positive every single day is exactly what you need. “How was the beach today?”

“I had to drag her out of there before she got into the water.” He laughs, crouching down to pet Daisy and, in return, she licks his face. 

Fred laughs and stands up, grabbing a bouquet of tulips. “These are for the shop,” He says before turning around and grabbing a single sunflower. “and this for you.”

Fred is a French man in his fifties that came to Australia following the love of his life. He didn’t have a plan, he just left everything behind; they’ve been married for thirty years. 

“Always so sweet, Fred.” You place a kiss on his cheek, waving goodbye with the promise to bring some coffee for him later. He watches you walk away with that same big smile on his face.

You open the door of Brew’d Awakening, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries welcoming you, as well as the bulldog resting next to the door. 

“Hello to you too, Roscoe.” He huffs like telling you to hurry up. You let Daisy go and she immediately finds comfort next to Roscoe. 

There aren’t many people — it is still pretty early — just a couple of regulars that like to grab their first cup of coffee before heading to work or the beach. 

As you make your way to the counter, you find Kika sitting at one of the tables enjoying a cup of coffee while typing away on her laptop. 

“What are you doing here so early?” You ask, plopping down on a chair next to her. 

“Lewis wanted to discuss some things about the social media content,” She leans slightly to give your cheek a kiss. “and you’re meeting my boyfriend today.”

You gasp, turning to look at her with wide and surprised eyes. “What do you mean I’m meeting him?”

“I told you he’s gonna spend the summer here.” 

“Yes, but I also remember you telling me that he had to go back?” Daisy nudges your leg with her nose, and you immediately know what she wants. “So, he’s back then?” Kika hums while you look for Daisy’s plushie in your bag. 

“He’s coming because I left some things at his apartment.”

“So that’s why you didn’t come home last night.” She blushes, sticking her tongue out. “Whore.” Kika gasps, hitting you in the arm. 

“Hello, pretty ladies.” Your co-worker, who practically lives in your apartment now, leaves an iced latte in front of you. 

You take a sip of the drink, looking directly into his eyes. “I’m surprised I didn’t hear you sneak out this morning.” 

“What do you mean? I wasn’t there this morning.” 

“Alex, I literally heard you and Lily laughing at three in the morning,” Alex groans, sitting in front of you. 

“In my defense,” He points a finger at you and really tries to think of something, but comes out with nothing. “Whatever, you like me too much to kick me out.”

“Unfortunately, you’re right.” You stand up when the door opens and a new customer enters.

“Good morning, kid.” Lewis gives you a pat on the back when you join him behind the counter, you kiss his cheek in return.

You spend the morning taking care of the customers while Alex and Lewis are responsible of preparing and serving the orders. It is a quiet and nice morning, like most Saturdays are, and you love it. You owe Kika everything, because if it weren’t for her you wouldn’t have found the coffee shop in the first place. She recommended you and it was all Lewis and Nico needed to hire you. 

Lewis and Nico are a gay couple that, just like you, decided to settle down in Australia after traveling to different parts of the world. They opened Brew’d Awakening just five years ago but it’s going so well they have the opportunity to expand, but refuse to do it, knowing that the warmth and coziness of the Brew’d will be lost. You respect them for that. 

You’re about to swap shifts with Alex when Kika shows up in front of you, a shy smile on her face. 

“He’s here. I like him, okay? So, be nice.”

“I’m always nice!” You exclaim a little offended. 

“I know, sorry. It’s just — I’m nervous.” She looks around before leaning closer. “He brought his friends because apparently we’re doing this ‘trade’ thing where I meet his friends and he meets mine.” 

You hold your laugh, “Cute.”

“Stop making fun of me and come here or I’ll go mad.”

“I’m taking my break, is that okay?” You ask your boss, at which he nods, giving you a thumbs up. 

You take off your apron as you walk around the counter. Kika is waiting for you in the middle of the shop, looking like a nervous wreck. 

“I’ve never seen you so nervous before.” You place a hand on her shoulder, massaging to help her relax a little. 

“Meeting the friends is a big deal.” 

Well, she is right. You just didn’t realize how serious her relationship actually was until now. 

Daisy wags her tail as she makes her way to you. And you immediately lean forward to scratch behind her ears. 

You’re too busy to pay attention to the guy wrapping his arms around your friend and kissing her lips as a greeting. It is only when Kika clears her throat, kicking your leg to draw your attention, that you force yourself to let Daisy go.

“This is Pierre.” She says as you straighten back up. “Pierre, this is my friend Y/N.”

You look at the guy in front of you for a couple of seconds. His blue eyes are a little too familiar, but the more you try to remember from where you know him, the more you think that is probably just a coincidence. 

“Oh my God, you’re Y/N!” Pierre laughs, making you and Kika frown. “This is fantastic.”

“What is fantastic?” A voice draws your attention, making you look behind Pierre.

Your heart skips a beat the second you see a pair of green eyes.

The green eyes of the surfer boy you met a few weeks ago at the beach. 

Charles; who you never saw again.

It turns out that Charles wasn’t at the beach the next morning. You sat on the sand longer than necessary, thinking that maybe he was running late. But he never came. You didn’t see his friends either, so you simply picked up what was left of your dignity and walked back to your apartment with Daisy by your side. 

The morning after that you decided to confront him, but he wasn’t there. 

He never showed up at the beach again. And for a minute you thought it was all in your head, but that option was discarded when you bumped into the group of teenage girls sitting on the sand, wondering why the hot guys weren’t there. 

At least you weren’t the only one looking for them. 

You hadn’t thought about Charles in several days. 

And now he’s standing in front of you with a big smile on his handsome face.

Ugh, you had forgotten the dimples. 

“Y/N?” He asks, taking a step forward. “What are you doing here?”

“I work here.” You mutter bitterly, not wanting to engage in a conversation with him. 

It’s childish, you have to admit it, but why is he gonna ask to see you just to not show up? And, okay, you were going to the beach the next day either way but you got all excited for nothing. You really wanted to get to know him, maybe even ask for his number. He seemed like a nice guy and his accent made butterflies erupt in your belly. But that was before he stood you up. 

Kika looks between you and Charles with a confused expression on her face. You make the mistake of making eye contact with her because the next moment she’s gasping, her eyes wide as she finally puts the pieces together. 

“Charles is the boy you met at the beach?!” You want to cover her mouth with your hand but you can barely move. You love her, you really do, but right now you want her to shut up. 

Even from a distance, you can see the way his blush spreads over his cheeks. Charles runs a hand through his hair. You would pay a million dollars just to tangle your fingers in it to see if it is as soft as it looks. 

You’re dragged back to the present when the doors open and Charles’ friends walk inside. 

“Oi look who’s here!” One of his friends says — the curly-haired one — and they wave in your direction before walking to a nearby table. Daisy recognizes them, even though they were barely a few minutes in her presence, and she walks over to them. 

“Nice to meet you, Pierre.” You plaster on a smile, turning to face him and Kika. “I wish I could stay and get to know you better, but I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” Pierre smirks, nodding along. “Now, if you excuse me, I need to get back to work.” 

You walk back to the counter without looking at Charles again. Lewis looks at you with a raised brow and you shrug, that must have been the shortest break of all times. 

You’re putting on your apron in front of the cash register, a line of customers ready to order, when you see Charles joining the line and waiting for his turn. 

“Is that Kika’s boyfriend?” Alex whispers next to you while making an order. You look at where they’re sitting, the same table where all of Pierre and Charles’ friends are. They’re actually cute, unable to keep their hands to themselves. 

You nod, busy writing the last order. “Hi, welcome to Brew’d Awakening, what can I get for you?” When you look up you’re met with Charles' blushed face, a small smile directed at you. 

“Can we talk?” He looks genuinely nervous, and you feel a little guilty for making him feel that way. He’s the last one in line, so you nod. “I’m really sorry,” Charles breathes, closing his eyes. “I really wanted to be there the next morning but Pierre had to fly back to France and I couldn’t leave him alone.”

Your expression softens. He didn’t mean to stand you up then.

“We came back literally two days ago.” 

You feel really bad now. 

“Oh my God,” You let out a laugh, feeling embarrassed and so, so guilty. “I’m sorry. I guess I was a little hurt because I thought you stood me up — not that it was a date and we explicitly agreed to see each other.” You feel blood rushing to your face. 

“I wanted to text you but I didn’t have your number,” Charles frowns, a nervous smile dancing on his lips. “and I couldn’t find you on Instagram.”

Your entire body shivers and the corners of your mouth curl up. “You really looked me up on Instagram?”

“Yea’,” He chuckles, shrugging. “I wanted—no, I want to know you. You are really pretty—cool, I mean.”

“So you don’t think I’m pretty?” You lean forward, hands resting on the counter and supporting your weight. 

Charles' cheeks heat up as he tries to think of something to say, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. 

You take him out of his misery by giving him a little push on the shoulder. 

“I’m joking.”

Charles looks at you for a second, and then says, “You are. Pretty, I mean.”

It is your turn to blush furiously. You have to look away if you don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of him. 

“Are you gonna order or not?” 

You both turn to look at the person standing behind Charles, clearly annoyed for having to wait too long. He apologizes before turning back to you. 

“I’m gonna,” He points to the table where his friends are, and you nod, disappointed for being interrupted. 

It’s a little awkward because he stands there for a whole minute just looking at you before waving goodbye and walking away. 

The customer clears his throat and you’re dragged back to the present one more time. 

You hear Alex and Lewis laughing behind you. 

“Hey, we’re going to the club tonight.” Kika says as you clock out. 

“Who is we?” You ask, grabbing your purse and the iced latte you made for the ride home. 

“Pierre and a couple of his friends,” She takes a sip of her own matcha latte and sits on the counter. “You, Lily, Alex.” Kika pokes Alex’s ribs, who’s cleaning the counter next to her.

You chew on your bottom lip, the question is hanging from your tongue but you’re not able to voice it out. Kika must see the struggle on your face. 

“Charles is coming too.” She has a knowing look on her face, but doesn’t make fun of you or ask what is going on with his boyfriend’s best friend. “So, are you coming?” She knows you’re going even before you nod your approval. “Someone left this for you.”

Kika hands you a napkin with a number written on it, a “Charles x” underneath a phone number. 

Your heart starts hammering in your chest and you waste no time in pulling your phone out of your pocket to save his contact. You hesitate whether to message him or not when, suddenly, your screen lights up with a new message. 

If you can’t stop smiling on the way home from the coffee shop and while you get ready for a night out, nobody (besides Kika) needs to know. 

On the way to the club you think about every little moment and decision that has led you here, to this uber with your friends ready to spend a good night with new friends, and a pretty guy who’s clearly very interested in you. If someone would’ve told you two years ago that this was going to be your life, you would’ve laughed. 

You feel nervous, getting out of the car and walking into one of your favorite clubs in the city. 

The first thing you notice is the mass of people dancing along to the loud music. You think you’re gonna make your way to the bar as you always do the minute you walk inside but, instead, Kika guides you to where all the VIP booths are, near the back of the club and the DJ.

“Baby!” Pierre shouts over the music, drink in one hand. “And baby’s friends!”

“Oh my God, I think he’s already drunk.” Kika groans, making her way to her boyfriend and kissing his cheek before whispering something in his ear that makes Pierre blush. Okay, gross. 

There are a lot of people in the booth. You recognize some of Charles’ friends and a few other people you’ve never seen before. Everyone’s talking with everyone and you’re wondering what to do when someone places a hand on your back. 

“I was waiting for you.” Charles whispers with a low voice, and you feel weak in the knees immediately. 

You turn around to face him and are blinded by his bright dimpled-smile. 

“Hi.” You say, looking into those two green orbs you’ve missed. Just a little. “All my friends dumped me,” Looking behind Charles’ shoulder, you see Lily and Alex making out in the middle of the dancefloor, while Kika is sitting next to her boyfriend and talking with some of his friends. “so you’re stuck with me for the whole night.”

“Ugh,” Charles says, bringing his hand to his heart and pretending to be affected. “that’s horrible. Stuck with a pretty girl all night? I’ll just have to deal with it.” 

You lean your shoulder into Charles’ side playfully and he moves a little closer, his hand still on your back. Apparently, blushing comes like a second nature to you ever since you met Charles.

“Wanna grab a drink?” 

He doesn’t need to ask twice. 

Charles guides you to the bar, keeping you close with his hand that has dropped from your back to your waist. His closeness is intoxicating and you can’t help but lean closer. Charles seems comfortable with the proximity, so you stay glued to his side as you walk to the bar, where you’re forced to pull away.

He asks the bartender for your drinks — after asking, very politely, what you’d like to drink — and leans against the counter with you by his side. 

You tilt your head and observe him for a little while, Charles too busy grabbing your drinks to notice the attention. It is only when he turns to hand you the glass that he notices your gaze on him, his cheeks heating up immediately but his eye contact doesn’t waver. He just stands there with two drinks and people bumping into him, looking at you as if you’re the only person in the world.

You shake your head, grabbing your drink. “Thank you.” 

You don’t really know how much time you spend at the bar chatting with Charles, but you don’t want it to end. Charles tells you about his life back in Monaco, you learn that he came very close to the racing world before his father passed away and he decided to quit — not his younger brother though, who is currently racing in Formula 1 — and dedicate his life to his other passion: architecture. And in return you tell Charles more about your decision to travel the world and not going to college, he shares some of your opinions and you’re surprised how easily you’re able to share things about your life with him. 

“I don’t know where life would take me,” You take a sip of your second drink, resting your elbows on the counter. “but I’m happy where I am right now.”

“You should think about visiting Monaco, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it.” Charles has a strange glint in his eyes that forces you to look away. 

“Hey, lovebirds!” A guy throws his arms around yours and Charles’ shoulder. You recognize him as one of his beach friends. 

“Dani.” Charles groans, but relaxes against his friend’s chest. “Where are Max and Lando?”

“With the DJ,” You both turn to look at the DJ booth, and right there next to him is Lando and, to his other side, the blonde guy you remember as Max. Both of them look very drunk. “Oscar wants to take them home but I said that as long as neither of them throws up, we’re good.” 

Dani asks for a couple of drinks and makes small talk. He’s absolutely hilarious and doesn’t stop making fun of Charles. 

“He kept asking us if we’d seen you. Every. Single. Day.” Charles pushes him away but that doesn’t stop him. “And sent like a thousand selfies pouting and trying to bribe us to look for you around the city.”

“Daniel!” Charles exclaims, mortified. He squeezes his eyes shut and drops his head forward. 

Dani just laughs and, once his drinks are ready, walks away. Still making fun of his friend. 

“It’s cute.” You confess, feeling brave enough to lift his chin up with your hand. “I’m glad you were trying to find me, even though I thought you had forgotten about me.”

“How could I?” He smiles, his dimples on full display. “Afraid of sounding like a complete psychopath, I’m gonna confess that the only thing on my mind while I was away was our interaction at the beach.” His cheeks are blushed as he plays with the buttons of his shirt. “And how sorry I was for not asking for your number.”

You’re one second away from falling to the floor and melting onto it. 

Charles is definitely not helping with the racing of your heart and the need to be a normal and a functional person. 

“I’m sorry,” Charles’ voice is gentle.

“Don’t be,” You place a hand on his forearm and squeeze softly before letting go. “Afraid of sounding like a complete psychopath,” You repeat his exact same words which makes him laugh, his whole face lighting up. “I couldn’t stop thinking about it either. Well, until I was beginning to get angry at myself for thinking about it even after you stood me up.”

Charles groans, putting his face in his hands. 

“I’ve a lot to make up for.”

He looks back up and you make eye contact until Charles glances down at your lips, then back up at your eyes. And the room suddenly feels too crowded and too hot. 

“You’ll have plenty of time for that.”

𓇼 — WAVE OF YOU, TAGLIST: @lovrsm @itsjustkhaos @evie-119 @sadbeautifuleva @c4tc0re @sargeantdumbass @brune77e @arian-directioner @lavisenri @starsnxva @a1leexxa @therealcap @anniee-mr @kakorrhaphiophobia @madd1115 @toxicdreamer296 @coffeebae0 @tempo-rary-fix @luca-is-a-pengu @charleslover24 @vettelsbees @iienstein @mehrmonga @ferraridepartment @fictional-l0v3r. 𓇼 [cursive means i couldn't tag you]

© verstappen-cult, 2024. — do not repost plagiarise or claim any of my works as your own.

[sinsatmidnight]

30 Years Later

Pairing – Kim Minji (JiU) x Male Reader

Words - 3101

Sins – Smut, oral, sumata, shower sex

So...it's been a while. I have not been keeping up with what goes on Tumblr, I have to admit, and nor have I read any (most? I may have read a couple during this period) of the many stories that people have started after I stopped. I'm inevitably rusty, but I had this draft I started a long while back that I somehow got into the mood to finish, so I figured I may as well post it, just for fun. Maybe someone will enjoy it. Hopefully you like it if you read it! And no, I don't expect a significant uptick in activity from me, but I may pay more attention to some of the other stories being written. Working on this was not quite the healthiest thing (because uh, I may have overused a certain part of my body the last couple of days) and let's just say one of the reasons I'm posting this is because it already had a significant bit written. But I kinda wanna subject myself to more of this...abuse(?) now. Ugh I'm rambling, but anyways, hope everyone has a good day (or night)!

(2130 hours, 20 September 2220, Eternity)

It started out muffled. The droning sound breaking into your consciousness, jolting it to life. You have no idea what it is. Or where you are, for that matter. Your eyes are closed. But your ears are sharper now that your mind is actively concentrating on listening.

A voice. Female. You can’t make out words but she sounds calm. And then your eyes slowly open, almost as though forced open by an outside force. That’s when you remember.

“Condition is stable, consciousness gained, cryo pods are opening.” That calm, droning female voice comes through clear to you now. There is a soft hiss as the transparent door of your cryo pod slides to the side. The light outside your pod is quite soft, and yet at the moment to your eyes, it is blinding. Disoriented by your awakening, you lay in the gel bed as you try to get your bearings.

“Eden? Status update…oh, and what is the current date and time?”

The ship’s AI, Eden, responds in the electronically generated calm tone that all shipboard Ais use. “Welcome back, Commander. All of the Eternity’s systems are currently running optimally. All crew members are in good health. It is currently 2130 hours, 20 September 2220.”

Your mind does the math easily despite just coming back from the induced cryo-sleep. Thirty years. Well, that would be right. Crew members were supposed to be woken up after thirty years to run manual checks on the ship’s condition and look over all data collected automatically by ship sensors and the AI. They stay up for two weeks and then go back into cryo-sleep. And after the first thirty years, this is repeated every five years.

Your mind remembers that crew members aren’t woken up alone, they’re normally woken up in pairs as an additional safety measure. One person who can handle technical or mechanical issues on the ship, which in this case is you, and one more person who is medically trained to check on the sleeping crew and in case of medical emergency.

Your gel bed is softening; rapidly melting as you defrost and becoming less of a gel and more of a slime. A marvel of human technological ingenuity; the clear gel froze quickly, was non-toxic in case of accidental ingestion, while also serving as a shock-absorbent and anti-bacterial bed for cryo-sleep.

You need to get out and check who else was awakened with you. As your hands reach and hold on to the sides of the pod, you realise that you have an erection. Your mind immediately jumps back thirty years prior, to the minutes right before the crew enter cryo-sleep. It might have been from thirty years ago, but those are your last waking memories and they feel like just minutes ago instead.

You remember undressing before you enter your cryo pod; cryo-sleep has to be done naked and trying to unpeel clothing frozen to a person for years is painful. And that was when your eyes caught sight of the occupant of the pod opposite you.

With long dark hair and incredibly kissable lips, combat medic Kim Minji drew attention wherever she went. She was tall, gorgeous and had a body that drew a reaction from your own. As you watched her unzip her white bodysuit and slip out of it, stripping off her underwear and getting naked, you felt the blood rush to your penis and you were glad that she was too preoccupied with her own cryo-sleep preparations to look over at you. You ended up getting frozen before your erection could soften.

Back in the present, another female voice that definitely wasn’t Eden’s cuts into your thoughts. “You’ve had that for thirty years, Commander?’

As you stumble out of the pod, the melting gel dripping all over the floor, your eyes immediately catch sight of Kim Minji’s naked body standing outside her pod, the clear slime dripping off her body and giving it a shimmering sheen under the soft white lights of the cryo chamber. You quickly realise two things: that Kim Minji is your medically trained partner that you’re going to be alone with for the next two weeks and that your erection won’t be going down anytime soon despite your embarrassment at getting caught. You technically outrank her, but that doesn’t matter when there’s just two people awake on the ship.

Minji’s gaze is fixed upon your groin and very obvious erection and a smirk plays on her red lips. “Oh, Minji, I-“

Before you can think of an excuse, Minji cuts in. “Thanks for the compliment, I guess. I’ve never had a guy have a boner for me for that long.”

You smile sheepishly and try to change the subject. “Let’s go wash up before we start work.” At the far end of the cryo chamber was the doorway to another smaller room. A shower chamber with a row of showerheads which to wash off the slime with warm water before you got dressed. There were no partitions, they didn’t bother with them, given that everyone is naked in the cryo chamber anyway. And anyone outside the showers can see into them, given that the walls and doors are made of transparent shatter-proof glass.

You drip clear slime onto the silvery metallic floor beneath your bare feet and the metal doesn’t feel cool to your touch, but given that you were completely frozen minutes ago, that’s understandable. The two of you make your way towards the shower chamber, walking past the other cryo pods which stand up at 45-degree angles, glancing at the naked bodies of other crew members stored in cryo-sleep within them. The water from the shower feels warm to you, a nice comfortable temperature. Minji is next to you, the water flowing over her naked and fit body. It's not helping your erection. Her voice cuts into your thoughts. "I can feel some slime on my back still, could you help me scrub it off?" You hesitate for a moment but then your hand reaches forward and runs over her smooth back, swiping the slime off. You feel Minji's body shiver at your touch, and she lets out a soft moan.

You are sure that your erection is pointing straight up now. Not that it wasn't before, but this situation is just prolonging it.

"Oh, that's nice. Can you do it a little lower, please?" She asks, and your hands move further down. Your hands are caressing her pert ass now, the soap lather coating it and making it feel smooth. Minji is letting out soft moans and you are enjoying touching her. As you wash her ass, your fingers stray between her legs, rubbing against her dripping vaginal folds. She is wet and it is not the water causing this.

"You're doing a great job, Commander. But there's a lot more I need you to wash for me." You turn her around so that she is facing you. You look into her eyes and she is biting her lower lip. Minji has a perfect pair of breasts, firm but soft and a nice handful. They are covered with soap lather now and you find your hands moving forward to massage her tits. You pinch her pink nipples, feeling her tremble as you touch her. Minji leans into you, her wet body pressing against yours. She feels hot to the touch, as though her temperature has gone up.

"Look, I really feel like I should help you with that boner of yours." Minji whispers breathily. "Can I do that for you, Commander?" She has already reached down and taken your hard length in her hand, her thumb rubbing the head of your cock, spreading the precum that had gathered. She gives your cock a gentle tug, and it takes all of your willpower to not cum on her right then and there.

"Fuck, Minji, that's- that's fine." You let out an odd mix of strangled gasp that ends in a muttered assurance, as her soft hand continues to firmly stroke your erection.

"Thanks, Commander. I appreciate it." Minji presses those incredibly kissable red lips up against yours, and her tongue hungrily comes out to play. You reciprocate, even as your hands are busy continuing to explore her body. Her hands, on the other hand, are one of the most pleasurable experiences you’ve ever had as your wet cock is deftly and smoothly pumped and stroked.

With a wink, Minji drops to her knees, the water from the showerhead splashing her face and wetting her long hair. She presses her tits together and wraps them around your throbbing shaft.

It feels good and your body instinctively thrusts forward, your hips rocking back and forth, fucking her breasts. Your balls are tensing up, and you can tell you aren't going to last long. It is smooth and slick between her breasts and the tip of your cock is rubbing up against her lips with her tongue comes out to tease the tip. Your eyes stare at her as she looks back at you and with a smirk, Minji parts her lips, taking the head of your cock into her mouth.

The tip of her tongue swirls around the sensitive head, licking up the precum that continues to leak. Then, she starts bobbing her head forward and back, taking more and more of your shaft into her mouth, eventually releasing your cock from between her tits. Minji hums contentedly as she sucks and swallows your cock, and her hand is wrapped around the base, pumping you in time with the movements of her head. Minji’s other hand has drifted between her legs, and she starts to furiously masturbate as she blows you. Her slender fingers plunge in and out of her leaking vagina as she keeps her thumb vigorously rubbing her engorged clit.

As you lock eyes with the gorgeous medic on her knees in front of you, she gives you a sultry look, her lustful eyes peering into yours as she sucks you off. Minji’s expert tongue swirling around your shaft and the vibrations of her moans as she takes your dick deep into her throat very quickly becomes too much for you. Your hands need to grab something, to get control.

Your fingers run through her long hair and roughly grab hold of her head, pulling her towards you as you thrust into her mouth hard. You hear her gag a little, but she doesn’t stop with her movement. You feel the pressure building up, and your hips are moving of their own accord. Your cock is hitting the back of her throat, and your balls are tightening.

With a moan, you cum in her mouth. Thick spurts of cum erupt from your dick and fill her throat. She swallows it all, and stands up, licking those red lips. "That was tasty. It’s not every day you get to taste cum stored up for thirty years."

You barely register her words, breathing heavily. That was the most intense orgasm of your life. Your cock is still hard, but Minji is seemingly satisfied. For now.

Or maybe not. She steps away from you, and turns around, bending over. Her shapely ass is facing you, and her pussy is glistening. She looks back at you and wiggles her hips. "Can you help me clean down here too, please?"

You can't refuse Minji’s request. You have to return the favour, after all. You move towards her and rub her pussy. It is dripping wet, and her juices are flowing freely. You stick a finger inside her and feel her walls clench around it. She lets out a gasp, and pushes her hips back, as if wanting more.

"Oh, I really need it, Commander." She pants, as you continue to finger her. You pull out, and she lets out a groan. "Why did you stop?"

"Just making sure you're ready for me." You reply as you give her pert ass a quick spank, drawing a low moan from the medic. You position your cock at her entrance and push inside her.

She gasps and whimpers as you enter, and you feel her pussy walls tighten around your shaft. You start to thrust into Minji’s soaked pussy, and she groans while pushing her hips back to meet your thrusts. You grab her hips and pull her closer, helping her out in an attempt to get ever deeper inside her. She cries out in pleasure, as you fuck her as hard and fast as you.

It doesn’t take long before you are getting close to climax, and she is too. You can feel her walls tightening around your shaft, and her breathing is getting faster. You grip her hips tightly and pound her harder.

"Commander!" She moans, as she orgasms. Her juices flow over your cock, and you can't hold back any longer. You pull out of her and explode all over her ass and back, creating a sticky mess there. And then you plop down on the ground, all this exertion so soon after coming out of cryo-sleep has taken a lot out of you.

You both pant, catching your breath. Minji crawls over and kisses you deeply. "Thanks, Commander. I can't wait to work with you for the next two weeks." You can only nod breathlessly in response, your tongue wrestling with hers. Minji breaks the kiss and stands up, with her back to you. “Well, going to need your help with this mess here. Your fault, so you clean it up, sir.” Your gaze goes over her cum-glazed skin and you stand up to grab a sponge from the side of the room, lathering it up with some body wash from a dispenser. You start to work on cleaning her up, using the sponge to get your semen off her skin. But Minji is inherently distracting. It is clear whenever you touch her that she is affected by it. You hear some sighs of pleasure, even the occasional whine when your hands leave her.

This inevitably affects you and you are somehow hardening again down below. You make a split-second decision and suddenly press Minji's wet body up against the wall. You swiftly follow that up by sliding your semi-erect dick in between her soaked creamy thighs. You start to thrust in between her thighs, making sure that you brush against her pussy fold throughout.

"Oh, you're naughty, sir." Minji pants lustfully. You can feel the warmth of her vagina radiating through your thrusting member. You are quickly erect once more. This feels even better than her sucking and giving you a titfuck. "How is this, Minji?" You whisper into her ear.

"Fuck, Commander. That's… that's really good. Really, really good." She whimpers breathily, her body pushed up against the transparent wall, tits first. Your cock continues to slide between her thighs, teasing her pussy. You are both covered in soapy suds, the water from the shower spraying and splashing on the both of you. Her skin feels silky smooth and slippery to the touch. With each thrust, her ass and thighs clap loudly. You reach forward and fondle her tits, her nipples hardening and her breathing quickening. You keep thrusting, enjoying the feeling of her soapy thighs wrapped around your shaft. Minji is moaning and gasping with each thrust, and her breathing is getting faster.

Her legs are trembling, and her juices are flowing freely, mixing with the soap suds and water. Your balls slap against her clit, and she cries out in pleasure, her whole body shaking. You reach forward and grab her wrists, pinning her to the glass wall. She lets out a moan and arches her back. You kiss her neck and shoulders and continue to fuck her soapy thighs. She is whimpering and moaning with every thrust, and her juices are flowing freely, making her inner thighs and your cock very slick and slippery.

Your thrusting becomes faster and more urgent. Minji is definitely close to climaxing; you hear her moans and whimpers are getting less coherent and more urgent; you’re sure you catch some lust fuelled whining and babbling about wanting your cum and something about being fucked hard. Your cock is slamming against her pussy, and her walls are clenching around it, her juices leaking out. She is breathing heavily, and her legs are trembling.

You release one of her hands and guide it down to her clit, prompting her to start rubbing it furiously. Her fingers are a blur, and her moans become louder and more urgent. You continue to fuck those soaped-up milky thighs of hers, and she is practically screaming in pleasure, her voice echoing off the walls of the shower room. Not that you had to care about anyone hearing you. You did have an odd sort of audience in the rest of the crew outside in cryo-sleep, just beyond the transparent wall you have pressed Minji against.

Your cock is twitching and pulsating, and you can feel the pressure building up. You are both close to that final edge, and the only sounds are your heavy breathing, the splashing water, and the loud clapping sound of her ass and thighs slapping against your cock and balls.

You thrust forcefully into her thighs a few more times, and then you erupt. Your thick, creamy load sprays onto her thighs and the transparent wall, coating them in your semen. Her body shudders, and she cries out, reaching her own climax. Her juices flow over your shaft, and she slumps down, exhausted. You follow suit and collapse next to her. You both lie there for a while, trying to catch your breath. You do catch out of the corner of your eye, that Minji takes a few licks of your cum from the wall.

The two of you eventually manage to finish your shower and dry up, with you eyeing Minji the whole time as she puts that white bodysuit back and zips it back up. She catches your eye, bites her lip, and then smirks naughtily. You’re both relieved and regretful that your cock is worn out and needs rest. That would have brought it back up. You and Minji are both very well aware that you don't actually have much to do over the next couple of weeks, other than the occasional diagnostic check of the ship’s systems and such. The ship’s AI, Eden was there to handle the heavy lifting. And so, you're very much looking forward to the next couple of weeks alone with Minji.

[ifearimaybeanamericanidiot]

Playing with his Hair

Chris x reader, 1st person, reader POV

TW: shitty manager

Summary: you've had a long day. Everything was way more difficult than it needed to be. Chris asks you to come over when you get off of work for a gaming stream.

I hate my job. Honestly, I wish I could quit. Most of my coworkers don't even do their jobs, preferring to dump it onto me and my couple close work friends. I know Chris wouldn't mind if I quit and depended on him until I found a different job for a little while, but I would just feel so guilty about it. He's never say it, but I can tell he's under a decent amount of stress trying to keep up a specific appearance for the triplets' fans. I wish all three of them would take a break and just focus on destressing for a little bit.

Nevertheless, I have about twenty minutes left in my shift before the next person gets here to take my place and I can clock out. The diner I work at is incredibly slow at the moment, so I pull my phone out behind the counter and check the time. Well, "check the time." Really, it's just to see Chris on my lock screen. His name pops up in my notifications. I unlock my phone and click on the little box.

Chris 💖: hey doll, I know you're at work, but do you want to come over after you get off? We're doing gaming stream. You can spend the night?

I grin at his message. He's so sweet. I shoot him back a thumbs up since my manager is approaching and slip my phone back into my pocket.

"Bad news, Kaitlyn is running late, so you'll have to stay late." I hate this man. I hold the string of curses in and respond calmly instead.

"How late are we talking?" I lean on the counter in front of me.

"I don't know exactly. Probably at least an extra thirty minutes past your clock out time." His leans across the counter, putting his face near mine. "That isn't an issue is it?" It sounds like a question, but I know better. I know John better than that. No, if I complain I risk my job.

"That's fine." It's not fine. The time moves slowly. At one point I swear the clock starts moving backwards. Eventually, Kaitlyn runs in, her hair messy and her face tired.

"I'm so sorry, babes." She says to me quickly. "I had no idea you were the one stuck here with John. I'll make it up to you, I swear."

"You better." I say lightly, mostly joking. "I'm out of here. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers though." I say as I walk towards the back to clock out. I bump into John. "Kaitlyn just got here, so I'm going to clock out now." He rolls his eyes at me, but says no protest.

I get into my car after clocking out and pull my phone out. I shoot Chris a text.

Me: sorry I'm running so late, Kaykat was late 😭😭 I'm heading over now.

Chris 💖: okay ma, I'll have fresh clothes waiting for you <3

He really is sweet. How did I get so lucky? I start my car and pull out of the parking lot. The drive goes by quickly and before I know it, I'm pulling into the familiar drive way. I park my car, and let myself into the house.

"Honey, I'm back from hell!" I call out. I make my way down to Chris's room when I get no answer. He's not there, but some of his clothes are laid out on the bed. He's laid out one of his hoodies and some sweats. It just seems a little hot for all of that. I grab a shirt from his closet, one that's been worn soft and open the drawer he had kindly donated to hold my growing collection of clothes at his house. I grab a pair of shorts, then change my mind. I grab a pair of his boxers and a pair of black thigh high compression socks. My legs are already aching from that shift, so I'll need the support. I set it on his bed and go to his bathroom. I take my make up off and let my hair down before going back into his room to change.

Once I'm changed and I've deemed myself suitable for public sight, I head upstairs to the room they always stream in. I can hear them yelling from down the hall. I softly open the door and slip in. Nick and Matt are busy yelling at Chris for dying.

"You're done! No more playing until you can stay alive for longer than five fucking minutes!" Nick yells. Matt takes over on playing the game. Chris turns around and spots me.

"Baby!" He rushes me and pulls me to his body. "I missed you!" He brings me to the couch they kept in the room against the wall.

"I missed you too. What are you guys playing?" I ask, sitting down. Chris takes my legs and puts them over his lap, sitting close to the rest of my body.

"Skyrim." He answers, taking one of my aching legs into his hands and begins rubbing. I let out a hiss. "You okay, doll?"

"Yeah, just a long ass shift. So fucking tired of John." I express to him.

"Tell him to fuck off." He makes his way up my leg, working his magic hands to ease the aches throughout my leg.

"I'd like to keep my job." I roll my eyes at him.

"Really? I heard there's a position open for my stay at home cutie. Pays seventeen kisses, twenty hugs, and unlimited cuddles and hour." He switches to the other leg.

"Really now? What about health benefits? Huh?" I try to keep my voice steady through his beginning ministrations on my other leg. From the look on his face, I didn't do a great job.

"You got me there, doll." He finishes with both legs after a few minutes and leans his upper body to lay on mine. This just so happens to put his head perfectly within range of my hands.

I reach one hand up and burrow it into his hair. I place my pointer and thumb on the outer sides of his nap and begin rubbing small circles into his skin. He groans softly.

"Baby, let me take care of you." He protests.

"No, this is what I want to do. I want you to lay here against me and let me play with your hair. Please?" I throw out a pout. He huffs.

"I'm making you something to eat in a little bit." He squints at me.

"Okay, monkey." I say, driving both my hands into his hair. I rub circles across his head, then I switch to lightly tracing his scalp with my nails. He lets out the smallest whine.

I start gently moving his hair around, running my hands through it and pulling them up before slowly releasing his hair so it drops back down to his head. He practically whimpers at the sensation. "Fuck ma, feels good. You're real good at this." He moves against my hand. I giggle. In my opinion, there's nothing more relaxing than playing with my favorite boy's hair.

"Good." I say. My stomach growls loudly.

"I think it's time I go make you something to eat." Chris perks up. My shoulders drop. "Don't worry, doll. I'll carry you, and you can continue playing with my hair once you've eaten." He places a wet kiss on my cheek.

"Okay, okay." I sigh. "Come on." He smiles brightly at me. God, how did I get so lucky to have such a sweet boy?

[sprinkler-ashes]

gorgeous // aaron hotchner x reader

gorgeous

pairing: aaron hotchner x fem!reader

in which you’re jack hotchner’s teacher, and you are utterly enamored of his dad. loosely based off of taylor swift’s song “gorgeous.”

words: 2.4k

warnings: everyone thirsting over hotch lmao

a/n: thank you all soooo very much for 600+ notes on my last fic!!! here’s another small taylor-inspired fic. It’s short, sweet, and i left it open for a part 2 in case i want to write it – we’ll see. i really wanted to get more out for you guys, but spring semester started, i fell back into constant work, and now am getting over the flu, which totally sucks, but is giving me a slight break to write. thanks for reading <3

you make me so happy, it turns back to sad

there's nothing i hate more than what i can't have

you are so gorgeous it makes me so mad

On most days, you loved your job. You were a first grade teacher and truly loved all the kids you had as if they were your own.

However, on some days – you really despised your job.

Dealing with the parents was sometimes your least favorite part of your job. It was usually mind-boggling to you at how some of these people had the sweetest and smartest kids, but they, the parents themselves, could be absolutely awful. It wasn’t all of the parents. In fact, there were some you really liked, but there were definitely a couple bad ones.

As much as you didn’t like dealing with some of those bad parents during conferences, you weren’t a fan of days like today – a Saturday bake sale at nine in the morning to raise money for an end-of-the-year field trip coming up at the end of the school year in just a couple months. The PTA was over the bake sale, which meant you had to deal with some of the most insufferable women you had ever met on what was supposed to be a day off.

“I told you, Stef, she’s just with him so she can get that life insurance check when he finally kicks the bucket – you watch and see if I’m not right,” the woman next to you, Kelly, said. “Poor Charlie, I hope he gets away from her before she snatches every penny he’s got.”

You wanted to scream. You weren’t sure how you were going to deal with this for another – you checked your watch – two hours and thirty-eight minutes even though the bake sale was only supposed to be three hours long. How had it only been twenty-two minutes?

 Kelly was the resident gossip while Stefanie, Stef, was her best friend and head of the PTA. Kelly’s son wasn’t in your class, but Stef’s twins were both in your class. Even though you didn’t even teach Kelly’s kid, you saw her often because she was always at every single school event.

“Stef, are you listening to me?” You heard Kelly ask.

“Did you know Mr. Hotchner is here?” Stef asked excitedly.

Your head perked up at hearing that. You pretended to fiddle with the homemade brownies wrapped up in front of you while you listened.

“That man is so beautiful. I just want him for myself,” Kelly replied. “I’m glad he made it today, so we have something nice to look at.”

You couldn’t disagree with Kelly there. Aaron Hotchner was the dad of one of the kids in your class, Jack, and a member of the PTA. He was the Unit Chief of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and was often gone on cases. Jack’s mom had died a while ago, close to two years prior, and Jessica, Jack’s aunt, was usually the one who would drop him off and pick him up.

In fact, you had only met Jack’s dad a couple times – three, to be exact. The first time you met Jack and Aaron was at the school’s open house event right before school had started. The second time was the first parent-teacher conference of the year. The last time you had seen him was purely by luck in the grocery store one evening.

Kelly wasn’t wrong – Aaron Hotchner was insanely attractive and every woman in the PTA knew it. It honestly seemed like everyone knew it except for Aaron himself. You watched as he helped Jack give change back to a man who was buying a cookie at the booth he was at. You couldn’t help but smile as you watched him give his son a high-five after the man had left.

Truthfully, you hated him. Not because he had ever done anything to you – actually, it was because he hadn’t done anything to you.

“Do you think he’ll ever remarry?” Kelly asked Stef. “If so, I hope it’s one of us.”

“You, me, and every woman here,” Stef said with a laugh. “Oh my goodness, Kelly, he’s coming over here. Fix your hair! It looks like a bird’s nest.”

You felt your pulse start to race as you glanced up to find that Stef was, indeed, right. Aaron was coming over, his eyes trained on you with his hands in his pockets. He was dressed casually in jeans and a crewneck sweatshirt. It was different from the usual suits you saw him in. Seeing him without a tie felt almost criminal.

“Good morning,” he told you, not paying attention to the other women near you, his eyes trained solely on you. “I’m sorry to bother you, but Jack wants to know if you’ll come join his booth for a moment. It won’t be long.”

You silently it wasn’t obvious that his gaze on you was affecting you the way that it was. His job was literally to profile people – you just hoped he wasn’t profiling you right now. “Yeah, I’d love to. Do you mind taking over this booth while I go over for a bit?”

“Go right ahead, honey,” Kelly told you. She lowered her voice, “I’d go anywhere with him, too.”

You rolled your eyes. “I’m just going to see Jack’s poster.”

Kelly grinned. “Whatever you say.”

You shook your head, avoiding eye contact with Aaron and watching as both the women gave him a smile and little wave while you maneuvered from out behind the table you were standing at. “Lead the way.”

He gave you a small smile as he removed his hands from his pockets and led you over to the table him and Jack were assigned to. “I know you’re miserable, so I thought I’d help you escape.”

You were about to ask how he knew you’d rather have been doing anything else other than Stef and Kelly gossip, but you closed your mouth as soon as you opened it. “Really? You were profiling me? Here?”

That earned you a laugh out of him, which you now claimed as your favorite sound you’ve ever heard. “I don’t think it would’ve taken a profiler to see that you weren’t enjoying yourself.”

“Did you guys not get assigned with anyone else? It was supposed to be three to five people per table,” you mentioned as you two had finally reached the cookie booth that Aaron and Jack were over.

“We did, but they didn’t show,” Aaron replied to you, his hand lightly touching your lower back as he guided you behind the table where Jack was awaiting, causing you to elicit a sharp intake at the contact. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good,” you said in your best attempt at a nonchalant tone. If he doubted you, he didn’t press further. “Do you want me to ask around and see if I can get someone to come work the cookie booth with you guys?”

Aaron shook his head. “We’re holding up fine. Right, Jack?”

“Miss Y/L/N!” Jack shouted coming towards you as he held out his poster board that was just about as big as he was and filled with hand-drawn pictures of cookies. “Look at my sign! Daddy let me stay up late to make it.”

You crouched down to his level. “It looks awesome, Jack!” you told him excitedly, gaining a smile of your own as you watched his spread wide. “You did a great job!”

“Thanks! Can you put it back in front of the table, please?” He asked you politely. You nodded and took the poster back from him and placed it back in its rightful spot in front. “Daddy, can I go talk to my friends? I’ll be really quick, I pinky-promise.”

“Yes, but don’t be too long. We have cookies to sell,” Aaron told him.

You both watched as Jack’s little legs carried him just right in front of the table you were at. He was only a couple feet away, but you noticed Aaron’s eyes watching him, making sure he got there safely and that the adults working that table saw him.

“He thinks the world of you. I think you’re his favorite person,” Aaron told you.

That made you grin. You weren’t supposed to have favorites as a teacher, especially with kids as young as the ones you taught, but Jack was definitely one of your favorites. He was a sweet kid and was even reading on a fourth grade level. He caused no trouble and was a friend to everyone.

“He’s a great kid. I think the world of him also,” you said, your eyes locking with Aaron’s. Your breath hitched. How was someone this gorgeous? “But I actually think you’re his favorite person. He tells everyone about you and what you do. You’re his hero.”

Aaron grinned, and it was a sight you hadn’t seen before. You’d gotten smiles from him before, but never anything this big. You refrained from quite literally melting onto the floor. To be honest, you weren’t sure how you were going to last another minute standing here with him. He was so attractive you could barely even look at him.

If you said you didn’t have a teeny, tiny crush on Jack’s dad, you would be lying, but he was off-limits. For one, you were his son’s teacher. You’d really convinced yourself that there was no way he would want someone like you. There was nothing wrong with you, but you two were supposed to have a strictly professional relationship.

“Have you tried one of the cookies?” Aaron asked you, motioning to the cookies that laid on the table in front of the two of you.

“I haven’t,” you replied. “Did you bake all of these?”

“I had some help,” he sheepishly admitted. “Penelope, one of my co-workers, she helped me. As soon as we got back from a case last night, she came over. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to bake this many cookies by myself.”

“You made all of these last night? And after a case?” you asked incredulously. The entire table was covered in cookies of various different flavors. You were seriously impressed.

“Yeah, but it was no big deal,” he brushed it off. “I didn’t want to miss the bake sale. Plus, like I said, I didn’t do all of it.”

Was there anything this man couldn’t do?

You laughed. “I’m sure you’re probably wishing that you did miss the bake sale.” You gestured around the school parking lot that was set up. “I can count on one hand the number of things we’ve sold. I told Stef that a chilly February bake sale wasn’t a good idea, but she doesn’t really listen.”

“No, I’m glad I’m here. I really wanted to be here,” he said, looking directly at you.

This man knew how to take your breath away without even touching you or really even saying anything. You really understand now why all the PTA moms spent so much time gossiping about him.

“We’re glad you could make it,” you said breathlessly, offering a smile. “Really, Mr. Hotchner, I know how busy you are, so all of us are thrilled that you could find the time to help out.”

“Call me Aaron.”

This man was genuinely going to drive you crazy. You were an adult, so why did talking to Aaron Hotchner almost make you drop to the ground?

Before you could say anything else, Jack was back. “Did we get any more customers?”

“Not yet, buddy.”

Jack frowned. “Ah, man. But the cookies are so good!” He turned to you. “Miss Y/L/N, why is no one buying anything?”

“I’m not sure, Jack. Hopefully, we’ll get some more customers later.”

“I hope so,” he said sadly. “I really want to go on the field trip.”

You once again crouched down to his height – something you did often when talking to any of the kids. “We’re working really hard to make the field trip happen, so don’t give up hope, okay?”

Before Jack could reply, you noticed people coming towards your table, so you motioned for Jack to look. “Look! There’s some customers coming. You ready?”

Jack nodded excitedly as he turned around and eagerly started to await the arrival of the people nearing. You smiled at his excitement and took a step back, letting him take control, but you were going to keep watch to make sure he was doing everything correctly.

 “I can see why Jack likes you so much.”

You smiled. The greatest compliments you could receive was from parents telling you their kids – the kids you spent more time with than your own family — liked you. Some days were tough, and it would feel like you weren’t in the right profession, but that feeling would go away any time a parent was able to confirm that their child really enjoyed you teaching them.

“Thank you, Mr. Hotchner, but I should probably get back to helping out Stef and Kelly,” you told him as you looked around to see more people filing in. “It seems we’re starting to get a little busy.”

“Yeah, of course, sorry to keep you busy. Jack just wanted you to come over.”

Jack turned around. “Yeah, I did. Daddy wasn’t happy that we didn’t get to work a table with you. He called Miss Stef a-”

Aaron’s eyes went for a split second before he said, “Jack, turn back around and sell your cookies.”

Jack did as he was told and Aaron awkwardly ran a hand through his hair as you replayed what Jack said back in your head. Aaron wanted to talk to you. He wanted to work with you today. It could’ve meant anything, but you were currently feeling like a kid on Christmas morning.

Aaron cleared his throat. “I guess Jack wasn’t the only one that wanted to talk to you.”

You suppressed a grin, gaining the courage to look Aaron in the eyes. “And I guess Jack wasn’t the only one I came over here for.”

[ghostie-in-wonderland]

When you love somebody - Satoru Gojo x reader

Angst, sort of NSFW, used the song Bad Omens by 5 Seconds of Summer as inspiration, there is some swearing

---

I opened the door to see the white-haired man standing there. A grin on his face as he looked at me. I smiled back, gently pulling him into the apartment. The two of us moving to the couch. Gojo laying on my chest as he rambled on about his day. The whole feeling being overtly domestic. A tv show on in the background, the two of us quietly talking to each other. Talking about everything and nothing at the same time. It was a domestic bliss that chipped through my walls, allowed the blue-eyed beauty to wiggle into my heart and stay in my mind as a constant. I craved the domesticity he brought for the first thirty minutes. I couldn’t be that lucky though. I could never be lucky to have that domesticity for longer. It only took around thirty minutes for us to move to my bad, before he would eventually leave after receiving a text from someone else. Suguru Geto. His best friend since he was in high school, although he never said it, it was clear that they were more than best friends. They just didn’t seem to label it. I could see how much he loved Geto from his lock screen. He never smiled like that at anyone else. He never smiled like that with me. I could never be a match for the dark-haired man. I was never going to be Suguru Geto and I couldn’t stop myself from clutching onto the crumbs of Satoru Gojo that I received. It would constantly repeat. 

“Let me make you feel good, gorgeous.” Blue eyes leading me to my sheets. Sweaty bodies pressing against each other, his moans bouncing off the walls, my cries of his name. A couple minutes of silence, where he looked at me like I pulled the stars from the sky and gifted them to him. I would have. If he asked, I would fight every higher being to give him what he wanted. It didn’t matter how weak I was as a person; I would find a way to make it possible for him to have whatever he wanted. Especially when his eyes looked at me like that. Then the buzz of his phone. His body turning to it, his eyes changing. The man looking to me, like I was just a quick fuck, and then he would look away. He’d quickly grab his clothes and he was gone, taking my heart with him. Tears filling my eyes as our eyes met as he closed my apartment door. My heart always being pulled from my chest as he left for Geto. 

A knock on the door, a pull to the bedroom, a hopeful moment, and then heartbreak. I couldn’t leave though. I couldn’t put a stop to the loop. I couldn’t break the cycle. Not when I loved him so much and he loved someone else. I wasn’t stupid. I could never compete and yet, I never found myself saying no. I could never say no to him. I loved him too much and, well, he didn’t love me at all. 

Part 2

[sgtmickeyslaughter]

46 + 67 for the trope mashup please? 💖

Is there anything more ooey gooey than a sick fic?

46 Sick!Fic/Injury + 67 Casual Intimacy/Physical Comfort

“You didn’t get enough milk as a kid,” Mickey pointed it out. “Your sister always watered that shit down.”

“Is that right, Mickey Milk?” Ian asked teasingly through the pain meds as the nurse wrapped his arm up in the hardening cast.

Mickey nodded with his eyebrows raised and his lower lip pinched with two front teeth. Ian was just glad he was back to teasing, he’d been a nervous wreck from the second Ian had cried out in pain, and nearly fainted at the sight of bone where it was sticking out from under Ian’s skin. 

Ian learned a long time ago that Mickey could go a little batshit when it came to protecting his nest, and Ian was a very big part of his nest. He’d already talked to Mickey about not being a total fucking dick to the nurses, because his husband was an asshole and Ian had to have surgery to reset his arm so naturally Mickey was a bit well, high strung.

“Why’d you have to break your right arm, man?” Mickey whined once they got back to the truck, annoyance not shown in the gentle way he was buckling the seat belt around Ian’s sling. “I’m going to be wiping your ass for weeks.”

“You’re not going to be wiping my ass,” Ian said indignantly. “I mean, I’ll need a little help-”

“Ian, I’m joking obviously. That’s the whole point of having a husband, when I become a demented fuck from all the headshots I’ve taken over the years you’ll be there to remind me who the hell I am. We do need to stop by to show Franny that you’re alive because she’s flipping her shit right now, she thinks it’s her fault.”

Ian sighed but agreed, stopping by the house for a couple of minutes so that Franny could see that he was mostly completely fine. 

It fucking hurt, his arm really fucking hurt and he didn’t want to keep taking the pain meds. Thirty somethings don’t usually break their arms climbing trees so the world isn’t really built around accommodating him, luckily his husband is a beast with bark and bite and extreme care. 

His sixth sense when it came to Ian was almost creepy sometimes. After the first week, Ian stopped gloating over the royal treatment Mickey needed to give him. It was funny at first, but he was soon slightly annoyed and embarrassed about being washed, fed, and dressed because all he had was his stupid, useless left hand. 

And he felt like he was all stupid, unless left hand. So he didn’t want to let on when his arm was killing him, or when he was getting annoyed by the coddling, and yet somehow Mickey knew. He’d sling an arm around Ian while they were watching movies and dig his thumb into the joint between his shoulder and arm, saying nothing until the tension dissipated. Then he’d get up and claim to be in desperate need for peanut M&Ms, leaving Ian alone in the apartment for a few minutes while he ran to the corner store. 

By the time he got back, all the frustration and humiliation of the day seemed to have melted away and they could try to throw candy into each other mouths from opposite ends of the couch. 

The day Ian got the cast off was as massive relief, they were both so excited for Ian to be able to use his fucking hands again, Mickey watched excitedly as they took the saw to his disgusting off white cast, even leaning in and letting out an theatrical eww at the sight of his dirty, shriveled limb. 

That night when they got home Ian announced that he was overdo for a shower, stripping down and staring expectantly at Mickey. 

Mickey raised his eyebrows, staring back at his husband. 

“Aren’t you coming?” Ian asked curiously. 

“I thought you’d want to maybe, I don’t know, wash your own hair since you’re been bitching for the last week.”

“Well,” Ian said slightly huffy. “I liked it when you washed my hair, maybe I just wanted the option to do it myself.”

Mickey shook his head with an indulgent smile, stripping his shirt off and throwing it playfully at his husbands face on his way to the bathroom.  

Hope you enjoyed :)

[booksforevermore13]

Make it up to me later (I love you)

...

Summary: 4 times Percy ditched Annabeth for missions and she didn't know why, and 1 time he didn't. Angst and fluff and a lot of percabeth. AU, where Percy is a special forces agent and Annabeth is a doctor. Rated T for mentions of death and mild swearing.

Author's Note: Credits go to @redlion8123 for letting me use their headcanon while writing this fic. The idea is theirs and I am so thankful to them for letting me use it. I let myself go wild with this one, and as this is my first 4+1 fic, I hope you all like it. :D As always, I will be immensely grateful for all those who take the time to read this. Reviews will be much appreciated, and I always welcome constructive criticism.

...

I

...

"He's coding," Annabeth stated plainly, her voice tight as years of training set into place, and she handed over her scalpel to the attending nurse, starting on chest compressions.

Thirty seconds in and she knew it was of no use.

"Charge to 150," she barked as the nurse brought over the defibrillator paddles. "Clear!"

She watched the monitor burst into activity and then die down again.

"Push one of epi!" she commanded. "Resume chest compressions."

Inside, a thin veil of panic was taking over her chest. This man couldn't die, she thought to herself. She'd known Henry for far too long, attended his wedding, been in the room when his daughter was born. She couldn't afford to lose him.

"Charge to 200," she said, peering intently at the chest monitor. A minute had already passed. With his condition, a minute was too long to last.

She waited with bated breath as the shock passed through his body, and then sighed in relief as she saw the heart monitor changing.

"ROSC," she stated, her heart hammering in her chest. "I'll finish off the surgery, and then we'll move him to ICU for further monitoring."

Voices around her agreed in unison as she was yet again handed her ten-blade and forceps, as yet again, her fingers descended into the chest of a decade old friend.

Annabeth really needed a break.

…

She sighed as she walked through the halls of the hospital and reached her office, collapsing immediately on her sofa. Annabeth ran her hands through her hair, which over the years, had lost its shine and was falling apart in her hands.

She really needed to stop taking on back to back 36 hour shifts.

Annabeth groaned as her neck snapped painfully as she turned to lay on her side, her eyes settling on the wall hanging that her boyfriend had given to her on their anniversary. At just the right angle, the sunlight hit the ornament in such a way that the wall above became a mural of waves crashing against each other. It was mesmerising to watch, and on hard days, it had become her solace.

"Hey!" Annabeth turned, as Piper walked in, the familiar scent of lavenders wafting into her office. Annabeth smiled in welcome, as Piper settled in on her sofa. The latter peered in concern as she took in the resigned figure of her counterpart.

"How many hours has it been since you properly slept?"

"A couple of days at most." Annabeth grunted as she struggled to find a proper place to rest her neck in.

"Mother of Zeus, you've got to stop doing that!" Piper exclaimed, her light brown hair glinting in the sunlight, and appearing a gorgeous amber. Piper was stunning, and Annabeth had once questioned whether surgery was really the line for her instead of more fashion oriented professions. But then, Piper had put her in her place, and once she did, that was all.

"I know," Annabeth muttered, her eyes once again floating towards the waves on her ceiling. They were now a bright sea-green, and Annabeth smiled as she was reminded of the eyes of her beloved.

"You heading home?" she asked Piper, who nodded in response.

"Jason wants me back for something."

"Jason always wants you back for something."

"Yeah, well." Piper smiled fondly and Annabeth chuckled as she saw a dreamy expression settling in on her friend' s face. A year into their relationship, but Annabeth had never seen that expression on Piper for anybody else.

"You have that date too, don't you?" she fired back, and Annabeth blushed, as she looked away in embarrassment.

Piper cackled in response.

Truth be told, it was the only thing Annabeth had been looking forward to for weeks to come. Her boyfriend was an international aid worker, meaning he was more often than not, travelling to various places for his job. This meant they couldn't meet up as often as Annabeth would have liked, but it made no difference. In her thirty four years of life, he was the first person with whom Annabeth could truly let go of herself, and her job and all the tribulations it brought.

Now, three weeks later, they would finally be meeting again, and after hours and hours of surgery and stress, not that those never overlapped, those few hours she'd spend with him would make up for it.

"Few hours doing what, exactly?" Annabeth smiled, as Percy's voice resonated through her head, his crooked smile making home in her mind.

She wouldn't admit to herself, but she was completely and irrevocably in love with him.

"What's it been, a few weeks?" Piper asked, after she'd finally calmed down and gathered herself.

"Hmm," Annabeth said, "Speaking of, I should really be going now. He'll be here any minute."

Piper smiled again, that same coy expression on her face, and Annabeth whacked her as she got up from the sofa. "You're not going to change?" she yelled, as Annabeth headed towards the door.

"I won't need to," she quipped as the door closed behind her.

Annabeth laughed softly as she heard the thud of a pillow against the door.

…

Where are you?

She typed, sighing as she felt a few drops of rain on her head.

Percy was never this late. And he'd never not replied to her texts before.

She heard the ring of her phone and her hands fumbled as her fingers swiped at the screen to accept the call.

"Percy?"

"Annabeth!" She jerked away as his voice boomed across the receiver. Annabeth glared at a passerby as she hurriedly walked over to a corner on the street, ignoring the now constant slew of rain over her.

"Percy?"

"Annabeth," his voice came through again, a note of urgency in it. "Annabeth, I'm so sorry I don't think I can make it. My flight's been redirected to Chicago, and I don't think I'll be on time for the date."

Annabeth felt her heart sinking, as she mustered up the voice to answer back. "You're already late!" she yelled back, and smiled sadly as she heard Percy laugh through the phone.

"I'll make it up to you!" he yelled. "I'm sorry, I have to go now!"

"It's okay!" she said, but the call had already ended. Annabeth looked at the phone screen, willing his name back. She couldn't help it, but she felt small pinpricks of tears at the back of her eyes.

She'd been looking forward to seeing him again.

"Annabeth!" she heard someone yell her name. Annabeth looked up to see Piper in a small Bentley, Jason by her side, both of them peering at her, through the rain, "What's wrong?"

"Percy couldn't make it." she replied, as she walked over to them. "Drop me home?"

"You never have to ask." Piper said gently, as Jason smiled warmly back at her, tipping his cap in greeting.

Annabeth smiled, her throat clogged, as she got into the back of his car.

Even the rain didn't seem to appease her today.

...

II

...

"So, its like a ball, but for doctors?" Percy quipped, one eyebrow raised, and Annabeth shoved him, laughing as he feigned injury.

"It's not a ball," she argued.

"And yet, you're still going?"

Annabeth chuckled incredulously, as the couple walked hand in hand across the streets of New York. Percy had picked her up to get doughnuts, and she'd gotten the plain glazed, while he'd settled for blueberry. Apparently, her choice was extremely basic, but Percy had sneaked in a few bites from her nonetheless.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed together.

"You know that fairytale that little children like to hear before going to bed?"

Annabeth looked back blankly.

"There's a movie too."

"What-"

"The one where the girl goes to a ball and there's a prince-"

"Cinderella?" she offered and Percy snapped his fingers, elated.

"That's the one!" he exclaimed and Annabeth laughed.

"This is absolutely not a Cinderella story," she argued back, shaking her head in exasperation. Around them, people sped across trying to reach their destination in the shortest amount of time possible. It was like a race against time, but Annabeth had by now, accepted that they'd always be on the losing side.

"Of course it is! There's a ball, and there's a prince, that's me," Percy pointed to him in all seriousness. "There's you-"

"This is ridiculous. You're ridiculous." She shook her head again and Percy put his head back as he laughed, letting go of Annabeth's hand and putting it across her shoulders, pulling her closer to him.

"You know I'm right."

"Absolutely not."

He made a face, and Annabeth poked him on his side, while he squirmed away. The couple walked hand in hand and they slowed down as they neared Annabeth's apartment, a small cosy set-up in a three story brownstone.

"You're sure you're coming?" she asked worriedly, and Percy turned around, taking her face in his hands.

"There'll be no prince without his Cinderella now, would it?" he said in mock seriousness, and Annabeth chuckled, shoving him gently.

She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist, while he reciprocated, enveloping her in his warmth. Annabeth closed her eyes, enjoying a moment away from the chaos of New York City.

"I'm just saying, you don't have to come."

"But I will," she heard Percy say and sighed in content. "I promise."

October had arrived and in consequence, the leaves had started falling. New York changed colour, Annabeth had observed, unlike San Francisco, which seemed never changing. No, in New York, there was always something to be seen, and felt.

Right now, it seemed orange.

"I have to go," she muttered.

"Don't."

Annabeth smiled, then raised her face to look into his eyes. Percy bent forward, kissing her softly.

"Six pm. Sharp." she said sternly as she stepped away from him, and towards the door.

"Yes ma'am."

…

Three hours later, Annabeth walked towards her mirror, checking her reflection in it for the umpteenth time.

She was wearing a light blue dress that hugged her waist and went flowing down to her ankles. Her hair had been let down for once, and her eyelashes had been curled and painted as per Piper's instructions.

She didn't look like herself.

Annabeth fussed over her earrings, smoothing her hair down, as she debated upon tying it up in a bun just for the sake of it.

Who'd care?

Percy would, she thought to herself, then realising he actually wouldn't. Annabeth smiled, as she thought about him, his ever-ready tongue that had got him into more trouble than he could account for, his eyes which seemed to understand everything and everyone in the world, and his heart, that had made room for her in the same way hers had done for him.

Sunlight flickered in through the window in her bedroom, as Annabeth paced to and fro, waiting for Percy's call.

She'd called him twice, and he'd disconnected every time, and Annabeth was slowly getting worried.

Her phone pinged, and she unlocked it, scanning through Percy's new message.

I'm sorry

'What?', she thought to herself, and called Percy again.

This time, he picked up.

"What the hell, Percy?" she barked into the phone, sensing Percy wincing on the other end.

"Someone I know got into an accident," he explained hurriedly, but Annabeth snapped.

"What in the world are you talking about? What accident?"

"Uhh.." Percy stammered, "car accident. It's bad, and I'm so sorry -"

"Cut it out, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth sighed. "Do I need to go to the hospital? How bad is it, do I-"

"No, no," Percy denied, and Annabeth frowned as static came through the other end. "You don't need to do that. You just go to the party. You don't need to come, it's fine. It's okay."

"Percy - "

"I'm so sorry, Annabeth. I know I promised."

Annabeth bit her lip, stopping it from trembling. She ran her hands through her hair, messing up her little hairdo, as she resigned herself to the bed.

"It's fine," she said, more to convince herself. "It's okay."

"I'll make it up to you."

Annabeth nodded, feeling like a jerk for feeling like this, as static came though the call, and it disconnected. She blinked away rapid tears, not wanting to ruin her makeup.

She hadn't wanted to go to this party alone, but she'd make do.

Annabeth sighed, letting her hands fall down to her sides, composing herself for the upcoming slew of discomfort.

Cinderella would have to go alone, she quipped to herself, smiling sadly.

...

III

...

They'd fallen into an easy schedule after that. On the days he'd be in New York City, he'd come to pick up Annabeth at the hospital at the end of her shifts. He'd become popular among the nurses, having won them over by his quick wit and charm. Around the hospital, he'd started being known as Doctor Chase's new guy, something that Annabeth had secretly liked.

However, an incessant suspicion had settled itself in her head that something was up with him. With his untimely disappearances and excuses that didn't line up with each other, Annabeth had that feeling in the back of her mind that something was wrong.

Piper and her had chalked it up to her paranoia.

Today had been one of her worser days. She had lost two of her patients in a span of three hours from each other, and each time she had had to listen to the daunting sound of the heart monitor flatlining.

Ten years as a cardiothoracic surgeon, and she could still never get herself accustomed to that sound.

All doctors unanimously agreed that the worst thing about losing a patient was telling their family. There was nothing worse than to see their expectant faces as they approached them, and then seeing the light leave their eyes. Annabeth had once been on the receiving end of it, and till date, she could never decide which evil was better.

Worst of all, their faces always seemed to stay with her.

"Miss Charlton's mother, please," she asked the receptionist, Margot, as she reached the waiting room.

Margot pointed to a seat at the extreme right corner at the back of the hall. Annabeth sucked in a big breath, steeling her nerves as she entered the room.

Her heart hammered painfully as she saw the woman get up and run to her expectantly.

"Ma'am," she began softly, but Annabeth could already see that the woman had understood.

"No-"

"Ma'am, the moment I opened up her heart-"

"My baby," the woman wailed, clutching at her heart, as she staggered towards the bench beside them.

Annabeth looked to the ground, her chest feeling tighter by the second. She didn't even think she knew the mother's name. Annabeth had always addressed her as Mrs. Charlton. Or Evelyn's mother.

Curse the Gods.

It was protocol that the doctor couldn't leave until they had informed the guardian about the happenings in the O.R.

After all, it was their ward the doctor had been operating on. It was their ward the doctor had killed. Annabeth had killed.

She sucked in a breath, blinking back tears as she approached Mrs. Charlton again. Annabeth had no right. No right to feel what she felt, when a mother in front of her had lost her baby.

Mrs Charlton howled in her grief.

"Ma'am," she said, and she stepped back as the woman turned on her, her eyes blazing, clouded with grief and anger, as she walked over to Annabeth and slapped her across the cheek.

Annabeth gasped, her hands flying towards her cheek, as she staggered away from the woman in front of her.

"You killed her," she snarled.

"I," Annabeth stammered. "I," she said, her voice breaking.

She tried to explain, but then turned and ran.

…

Outside, she took her phone out, ignoring the looks that she was receiving, as she dialled Percy's number, hoping to Zeus he'd pick up.

Still sobbing, she slipped into an empty on-call room, locking it shut as she sank to the floor, her legs trembling, the emotions of the day catching up to her.

As the call disconnected, she frantically dialled his number again.

"Hey, Annabeth," she heard his voice, and scrambled to put the receiver close to her ear. "I'm sorry, can I call you-"

"Percy," she sobbed, completely breaking apart, as she tried desperately to get herself under control. She'd killed that girl, and that was all she could think about.

"Annabeth?" Percy's voice turned frantic. "Annabeth? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Where are you?"

"No, no, no," she shook her head. "I'm fine, I'm fine," she blubbered. Somebody was yelling behind Percy, yelling at someone, at him? Annabeth heaved in a breath, as she fumbled to reduce the call volume.

"Hey, hey," Percy said. "What's wrong? Where are you?" His voice seemed urgent, and the person behind him was still yelling, making things inside her head seem even more deafening.

The voice in her head was mocking her for trying to find comfort in her boyfriend when she had just left a life destroyed, not a few metres away from her.

Annabeth stifled a sob, as she answered. "I'm at the hospital. I just…I just, had a bad day."

"Fuck, Annabeth," Percy said, her voice growing more frantic by the minute.

Annabeth jerked away from the phone as a weird static came up, followed by Percy yelling that he'd call later.

"No, wait," Annabeth cried, as the phone disconnected, "Wait!"

She screamed into her hand, pulling at her hair in frustration as she flung the phone away from her.

Tears leaked out, as the day's events flashed across her mind. The first patient, who'd been a John Doe, then Evelyn, Evelyn's mom, and now….and now Percy.

Annabeth heaved out a sob, as she finally rested her head against the door, her body slumping in defeat. She closed her eyes, and let herself be lost to the world.

Days later, Percy appeared at her door, enveloping her in his arms. With him, came an excuse and the sound of Annabeth's heart breaking.

...

IV

...

"Can I see the trauma entry records for last month?" Annabeth asked the nurse behind the counter. She had a slight idea her name was Olivia, but Annabeth had never met her before other than by word of mouth from the other nurses.

"May I know why, Doctor Chase?" the nurse(Olivia?) questioned, as she got up from her chair, rummaging under her desk for a second, before she got out a slim file, filled with patient records.

"I just," Annabeth hesitated, "I just want to check something."

Olivia nodded, handing her the file, and Annabeth flipped through it, looking for the records under July 15. A few broken bones, a heart attack, and yes, a car accident. For a second, Annabeth's hopes were lifted, a cruel irony, until she saw that the time of entry had been at 11 pm in the night.

She had called Percy in the evening.

Annabeth felt her heart sinking as she read through the contents of the patient record, eyes flickering back to the time of entry.

11:58 pm. Annabeth had talked to him that evening at 6:59. She knew because she had checked.

"Everything okay, Doctor Chase?" the nurse questioned, and Annabeth hurriedly blinked back tears as she closed the file, returning it back to her.

"Yeah," she managed to say, "everything's fine." She turned to go, before pausing and briefly turning back. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name - "

"Olivia. Olivia Hansley."

Annabeth smiled, nodding in thanks, then turned to go.

…

There had been no flight redirected to Chicago either. There hadn't been a flight in the first place.

Annabeth sat down heavily on her sofa, running her hands through her hair. He had bailed on her. Percy had bailed on her.

Already, a lump had set in on her throat, as she clenched and unclenched her fingers, trying to distract herself.

She had been cheated on once by her ex. Annabeth wouldn't be surprised if Percy had done that to her too.

She stifled a sob, raising her head as her eyes fell on the mural that he had given to her. Again, the waves seemed iridescent compared to her bland grey walls, but this time, unlike all the other times when it had managed to calm her, Annabeth felt enraged.

He had lied to her so many times. Disappointed her, left her waiting while he screwed some other girl.

But still, it was Percy.

And until a few hours ago, Annabeth had felt that she had known him. Known him just like he had known her. She had fallen in love with the boy with the green eyes and crooked smile. Who had shown up when she'd needed him Who'd brought her back from the broken shell of a person that she had once been.

He at least deserved a chance. And Annabeth hoped to all the gods of Olympus that she was wrong. For once.

She got up from her sofa, dialling the ever-familiar number on her phone. She heard it ring once….twice…..thrice, then heard Percy's voice on the other end.

"Hello?"

"I want to meet up," she declared, her voice assuming the one she adopted in the operating room, when she meant business and nothing else.

"Annabeth, what?" Percy's voice came through the other end, and again, she could hear the familiar sound of static, that she had gotten used to on calls with Percy.

"I want to meet up," she repeated.

"Annabeth, I don't think I'll be able to -"

"Why?" Annabeth demanded, anger coursing through her veins. "What could you have possibly going on today, on a Saturday, that you won't be able to meet me for a few hours?"

"Annabeth, I'm sorry - "

"I'm so sick of you apologising," she interrupted. "What, you have some flight that's been redirected to the Philippines now, or somebody's dying again? Is it some other girlfriend that I don't know-"

"Annabeth, just hear me out," Percy's voice reverberated through the speaker, but Annabeth could hurl her phone at the very mural he'd given her.

"What, Percy? What can you explain? Because I have waited for you for so many months, overlooked all of your excuses," her voice broke, but she went on, "hoping…praying that you weren't like all the other guys who had left me hanging."

"Annabeth-"

"But you ... .you have completely exhausted me," she finished, sinking down on the floor, back against the wall, a stray tear escaping down her cheek. She gulped, breathing in deeply through her nose, but the lump was still there, hurting her throat.

"Just give me a chance to explain," his voice came through the speaker, and Annabeth shut her eyes, willing the past few hours to just go away.

"Explain then. Right now. Explain to me why you've been lying to me for the past few months," she said into the phone, voice clogged with desperation.

"I…..I can't," his voice came through again, and Annabeth closed her eyes, finally letting her tears flow.

Percy went on. "Not right now. Just… just one day. Give me one day, and I'll tell you everything. Please."

The sun was setting as the last few rays came pouring into the room, lighting up a few select tiles on the floor. Annabeth stifled a cry, as she snapped back.

"Don't fucking call me again, Percy."

...

+1

...

I'll come. Jason will drop me.

Annabeth saw Piper's text, her fingers flying over the keypad.

Don't. I'm fine. I'll come over tomorrow.

Annabeth watched as the familiar three dots appeared on the screen, indicating she was typing again. Annabeth sighed, then typed back.

It's 3 am already. I just need some time alone.

The dots disappeared. Then a message popped up.

I'll be there first thing tomorrow.

Annabeth smiled sadly, then switched off the phone. Her phone screen flashed as the clock turned to three, and she sighed.

Outside, the night had taken on its darkest, the wind blowing against the window shutters, making the room inside deafening. The night felt like her, had become her, and Annabeth could barely do anything without being reminded of the hurt in her chest.

Try as she may, she couldn't shake it. Hadn't ever even met with this hurt before.

Annabeth had fucked up. After Luke, she had vowed to neve give her heart away to anybody ever again. But then Percy Jackson had appeared, and got under her skin. And try as she may, she hadn't been able to stop it.

Annabeth buried her head in her pillow, letting her tears soak into the linen.

Outside the storm raged on, unrelenting, unyielding.

How Dickensian indeed.

Then, the bell rang. Annabeth jerked up from the sofa, immediately reaching for her phone. Was it Piper? No, Piper had a key. She'd walk right in.

Annabeth crept closer to the door, her thumb just inches away from dialling 911. She'd seen reports of people being robbed at gunpoint by late night visitors. She'd even treated them in the ER.

The bell rang again, and Annabeth hyperventilated, furiously typing in the digits, hands trembling, when a voice came through.

"Annabeth, it's me!" the voice yelled through, and shestilled, her heart in her throat. "It's Percy, don't call the police!"

Annabeth frowned, phone away, as she slammed open the door, wincing at the onslaught of the wind against her face. She glared at Percy, who was heavily leaning on the wall beside her, hand on his side.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded, eyes flashing, her back against the harsh drops of rain.

"Just hear me out, Annabeth, please," Percy begged, and for the first time in a few weeks, she looked into his eyes, really looked and saw, to her surprise the desperation in his face, an emotion that she had never before seen on him.

"Are you going to lie to me again?" she bit back, and Percy tilted his head, his eyes boring into hers.

"Just the truth," he replied. "Nothing else."

She glared at him, and then let the door open wide. Percy got up, shuffling forward, before his legs buckled. Annabeth rushed forward and caught him before his knees reached the ground.

"The fuck," she muttered. It was then, her eyes scanned over his body, noticing the gaping wound on his side. It was why he was leaning against her wall, and looking at it now, the blood had seeped into the wall as well. On top of that, he was soaking wet too.

"I'm fine," Percy muttered, looking at her expression, but Annabeth looped his hand around her neck, as she hauled him up. Percy grunted, but complied as they both shuffled into the house, Annabeth kicking the door shut in the process.

Once inside, she settled him on her sofa, before rushing into the kitchen, taking out the rubbing alcohol and the first aid kit. On second thought, she got up a few select pain meds as well, before sprinting back towards him.

"How the hell did this happen?" she demanded, as she cut open his shirt. Annabeth cursed internally, as she touched his cold skin, knowing it was because he had been in the rain for so long.

"I…" Percy hesitated.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow challengingly, as she examined the wound. In the light, she could see a few bruises forming on his face as well, and not for the first time, she wondered what he had been up to.

"Bullet graze," he muttered, and Annabeth smarted back.

"What?" she cried out. "What the fuck do you mean by a bullet graze?"

"I…"

"No, don't speak," she commanded. "Wait until I've patched you up."

Under the yellow light of her tungsten bulbs, Annabeth poured the rubbing alcohol on his wound, ignoring his wince, as she pulled out a cauterised needle and thread from the first aid box.

"I'm going to stitch you up, okay?" she said, gently swatching a generous amount of numbing cream on his wound.

Annabeth worked on the stitches, her fingers flying over the broken patch of skin in record-breaking speed, trained from years and years of practice and experience.

She noted briefly how he barely winced, and as she finished up, wrapping a roll of gauze around his abdomen, Annabeth noticed Percy's eyes on her, silent through the entire ordeal.

She handed him a towel instead and a pair of shorts that he had left in her house last time he had been there, which now that she thought about it, had been over six months ago.

The familiar burst of anger ignited in her veins again, as she turned away from him, giving him the space to change. She wrapped up the gauze and needle in a cellophane plastic, all the time being acutely aware of the deafening silence in the room. Annabeth disappeared into the kitchen, sucking in a few heaving breaths before going back into the room again.

Percy was now standing beside the sofa, waiting for her.

"Sit," she commanded, and Percy opened his mouth, as if to argue, but she wouldn't hear of it. "You'll rip the stitches."

He nodded, facing her as she leaned opposite to him, biding him to start.

"I lied." He said, hsi voice barely above a whisper, his voice hoarse as if he had been yelling for a long time.

Annabeth said nothing.

"I lied about my job. About what I do," he admitted. "I am not an international aid worker, or whatever the fuck I told you I was," he said, his eyes looking straight at hers.

"I work in the special forces," he ended, and Annabeth imperceptibly sucked in a breath. "I work for an organisation, named Olympus. They give me my missions, and I carry them out. They give me my orders, and I follow them."

Annabeth's eyes softened, and she dared to ask. "So, all the times you lied to me -"

"I was in Jakarta. Slovakia. Portugal. Venice," he finished. "While I'm working, I'm in multiple places at once. The only time I'm at one place is ... .is when I'm with you," Percy's voice broke, and he looked away.

Annabeth gulped, her mind running through all the scenarios where she'd sensed something wrong, where Percy had had to leave suddenly after some call in the middle of their date, the number of times he had not been able to meet her for something after being excited for the same for much longer than her. It was all falling in place for her.

"And," Annabeth paused. "And, what does this entail?"

Percy looked back at her. "I'm breaking enough protocols to tell you this anyway," he chuckled bitterly. "But, I….I have lied to you about everything I do. I have let you down, but," his voice broke, "I have never lied to you once about how I feel about you."

Annabeth felt a lump rising in her throat.

"When I met you," Percy said, his voice heavy, "you were this brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon I'd met in the ER, who'd looked at me once and deemed me too far gone for my own good. And I was. My life is full of people who I've killed in order to protect myself, who've died in my crossfire, and those who I've killed under orders."

Annabeth watched as a few tears streaked down his face, landing on his hands. She frowned, blinking back her own tears as they threatened to overcome her.

"I'm a murderer," he went on, and Annabeth winced. "I kill people for a living. But then you…you have shown me how different life could be from my own, and I've fallen in love with it. I've….I've fallen in love with you."

Percy looked up at her, and Annabeth gasped as their eyes met, both of them overcome with emotion. She had pushed this man to the edge, hoping he'd leave her, but he'd come back. He'd come back.

She stepped forward, hesitating, before Percy gently caught her hands, pulling her over his lap. Annabeth yelped, before rushing to get up. "Your wound -"

"I'll be fine," Percy interrupted, one hand slinging around her waist, holding her in place.

Annabeth let her hand rest on his cheek, wiping away the tear trails on his face, as she felt a light shudder pass through his body.

"I can't lose you," he whispered, letting a few of his tears escape again.

"You won't," Annabeth replied, letting her forehead rest on his. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance-"

"No," Percy shook his head. "You…you have done everything right. I…" he shut his eyes tightly., shaking his head again. "I quit."

"What?" Annabeth jerked back. "What do you mean?"

"I quit today after I got back from my mission. I've been wanting to for so many years now, and after last night, I….I just couldn't afford to lose you to do something that was about destroying everything around me and losing everything I'd ever loved. I can't. I can't keep doing this job, leading this life anymore."

"Percy," Annabeth whispered, her voice heavy with tears.

"Annabeth," he said back, cracking a smile.

"I love you," Annabeth settled on saying. She smiled, looking into the eyes of the man she loved. Yes, she could say that now. She loved him.

Percy's eyes shone with tears, as he raised his hand and cupped her cheek, raising himself just barely above the sofa to capture her lips in his. And unlike all the kisses they had shared before, this one was full of fervent passion, as the both of them clung to each other, sharing a mutual sense of need, brushing away tears and letting the midnight rain in.

"I love you," Percy whispered back.

Outside, the storm eased, as the rain found in itself the grace to die down into a drizzle. And as the soft pattering of the rain lulled into a wind that soothed away the lashes of the day. Annabeth drew back, eyes furrowed in question.

"So, your bullet graze is a -"

"Crossfire. Stray bullet," Percy accepted, wincing as he shuffled to get into a more comfortable position.

Annabeth nodded, before declaring. "I'm making an executive decision that you need to sleep."

Percy chuckled, complying as she helped him lie down on her sofa, getting up to go, before he pulled her back close to his chest, snuggling together, their warmth blending together to create one.

"I'm sorry I got blood on your coach," Percy muttered into Annabeth's hair, resting his head over hers.

"Make it up to me later," she smiled back.

"I'll do a lot more than that tomorrow," he replied, an evident smirk in his voice, and Annabeth laughed.

[the-wip-project]

SloMo WriNo: Finding the Perfect Time to Write

Imagine your perfect writing setting. It’s peaceful and perfect, and the words flow easily.

But reality intrudes. Those perfect moments are hard to find, and, when you find them it can be too much pressure, so the words won’t come. Other times, when the inspiration is strong, and words are ready to pour out of you, you have no time or space to write. 

It seems impossible to find both the time and inspiration to write at the same time! 

That’s because it is.

To have a consistent long term writing practice, you cannot rely on perfect moments or bursts of inspiration.

I’m going to discuss inspiration in a later post, for now let’s focus on finding the time to write, in less than perfect times and places.

For me, I used to write whenever I could, just squeezing writing time whenever. And I was pretty inconsistent in how much I wrote, and didn’t get much finished.

When I decided I wanted to write a novel I knew I needed to get more organized.

I happen to be something of a morning person, and wake up about half an hour before I actually need to get up. I was in the habit of using that time to lie in bed reading, checking messages, scrolling socials etc. It seemed like a no-brainer to optimize that morning time to write.

However, when I tried, I found that I couldn’t stick with it for more than a couple of days at a time. I was frequently breaking my concentration, and easily distracted. And it felt like a grind. Eventually I realized that I simply did not want to write immediately after waking up. (and my ADHD brain will sabotage any attempt to force myself.) See, even though I’m a morning person, it doesn’t mean that I’m ready to do heavy mental lifting when I first awake. Time for quiet, more passive activities are an important part of me transitioning from sleep to full wakefulness.

But wait! Here I am at 6:30 am writing this! Happily! On a Sunday no less! Because I figured out a work around. Another look at my schedule showed me that I had another block of seemingly unused time. The later evenings after my kids are in bed. I’d dismissed that time period because I’m generally too brain tired to do anything productive. The solution was to use that time for sleeping (boring I know) enabling me to wake earlier, keep my gradual wake up routine, and still have time to write.

Strangely enough, knowing that I’m going to write in the morning is incentivising for me, and I find that I simply don’t want to stay up as late anymore. Because I have a fun reason (yes, writing is fun!) to go to sleep.

Now this little story might be helpful for you if you’d like to write first thing in the morning. If the idea feels like torture, then perhaps not.

But the idea is, assess your daily time, and cut something that isn’t refreshing or valuable. And possibly jiggle your schedule around so that you can open up a block of writing time at a time that is good for you.

For me that was the mindless doom scrolling or binge watching that I tend to indulge in after 10pm.

Some times that might work for you (besides the obvious first thing in the morning or last thing before bed): Commute time, Arriving at work or school or other daily appointments early, lunch or other break times in your day, time while you’re waiting. Remember, you’re not looking for massive blocks of time. Fifteen minutes will do. Thirty minutes would be amazing.

So examine your schedule and see where you can block out a regular time to write.

Once you’ve found a few options, try them out. Do you feel good, or harried? Tired or refreshed? If it doesn’t feel right, is there another task you can swap into the time slot to open up a different spot in your schedule? 

Which leads us to the question: does this mean I need to write every single day?

Absolutely not. Take rest days when you need them. Either a scheduled day or two each week, or just a floating flex day taken when needed.

Focus on establishing a habit of writing for at least fifteen minutes 5-6 days a week. (And don’t worry about word counts too much while you’re figuring this out.)

Once you create a habit, the words will come!

— Maree

SloMo Wrino Introduction

Setting Word Count Goals

the WIP Project discord

[writingintheshadowsforever]

Imagine going to your mother for the truth about your father Erik Killmonger

Three days had gone by since your outburst leading to you breaking up with Riri and kicking Shuri out.

Riri kept her distance for the entire duration which wasn't hard considering. She knew your schedule and routine by heart. She figured Shuri would go back home after the way you acted, but instead the Princess chose to stick around.

"She just needs a little more time and space it was too much truth at once" Shuri told her.

Riri didn't seemed convinced.

"Hey she will come around Riri things aren't over between the two of you." Shuri tried to comfort her gripping her shoulder firmly.

"I don't know she sounded pretty sure too me" Riri mumbled not meeting her eyes.

Even though the young girl was scared of being rejected again. She told herself there was nothing wrong with checking up on you. Three days was enough for you to calm down right? Riri hoped so since she already knocked on your room door. It was too late to turn back now, and she was starting to wonder if she should've bought Shuri along.

Naw repair one relationship at a time she thought to herself

Five minutes went by with no movement on the other side of the door. Riri banged on your door this time with her closed fist with a frown. It was two 'o' clock in the afternoon and you had class in thirty minutes. There was no way you were asleep, or anywhere else on campus. Your first class was in the morning at ten, and you refused to carry all your textbooks around in your backpack. Always complaining about the weight of them, so you had to double back to your dorm every time.

"Come on y/n you can't ignore me forever I'll wait out here as long as it takes." She yelled slamming the palm of her hand into the door.

"For Christ's sake Riri she's not in there your girl is gone" an unfamiliar voice shouted a few doors down.

Riri whirled to see who it was. A white girl with a clear case of bed head with her upper body sticking outside of the door glared at her. Her dorm was only two doors down from yours, and the young engineer had obviously disturbed her sleep with all her knocking and yelling.

"Gone where?" Riri asked with a raised eyebrow.

The girl scoffed in disbelief. "You don't know."

"Would I be asking you if I did dumbass?" Riri shot back growing more impatient by the second. What did the girl mean by gone? Were you leaving for class earlier to avoid her just in case?

"Watch it Riri I don't have to tell you anything especially since I could get in trouble for spilling the beans. I'm a hundred percent sure I'm not supposed to know myself" the girl warned her.

Riri continued to stare the girl down without a word hoping the death glare would be enough to get her to cave. She was stubborn and sucked at apologies. Even when someone had the upper hand on her.

The girl started to retreat back into her room ready to shut her door. Riri caved throwing up her hands in surrender, and walking down to the girl's door. "Hey you win alright I'm sorry can you just please tell me where she went." Riri paused to swallow hard blinking back tears in her eyes. "I'm worried about her okay."

The girl picked her head back out the door with sympathetic eyes. At the tone of desperation in Riri's voice.

"Please" Riri added for good measure.

"I don't know where she went but y/n left campus about two days ago. I volunteer in the attendance office as part of my scholarship you know. She came in the other day and requested a leave" The girl revealed.

Riri's face dropped at the news. "Did she say how long?" she asked in a hopeful voice.

"No I only know because she had to get the paperwork to fill out from me. I guess it was approved because I saw her leave with a couple of packed bags. I don't know what happened between you two but sorry I guess." The girl said then disappeared back into her room.

Riri took a deep breath trying to hold back the tears, but when she exhaled. It turned into a sob as she backed up till her back hit the wall. She slid down to the floor as the tears finally broke free.

You were gone without a single explanation or goodbye

Present Day

Your first stop in your quest for answers had been the storage unit where some of your father's belongings were stored. The day your childhood home burned down was the day your entire world came crashing down. Your mother and you were out having a dinner. She had flown in from California to be with you after news reached her that Erik had died on his mission.

She finally succeeded in getting you out of bed and out of the house. The fire was an accident. A result of the next door neighbors thinking it was a good idea to use fireworks for a friend's gender reveal party that they were hosting. The explosion caused a wildfire that spread throughout half the neighborhood. Everything had been lost but still you salvaged what you could, and left it behind in storage. When your mother took you back to California with her.

There was only a few boxes and all of them were filled with damaged pictures, files filled with old mission reports, a painting or two, and a couple of his old jackets that had long since lost his scent. You went through the pictures hoping to find a clue to some secret. He never got the chance to reveal to you, and came up empty. The mission reports were barely readable, and yielded nothing useful either. You had hit a dead end, and knew there was only one person left with the answers you were seeking.

Oakland, California

The flight from D.C. to Oakland was three hours and non-stop. You never could fall asleep on planes not wanting to be unconscious. In case something went wrong, while there wasn't much you do if the plane was going down. You still preferred to be awake and aware of the situation going on around you. The result of your dad's lessons and training.

"Never let your guard down. Always be ready to react to any situation." Your father's voice rung in your ears.

After a forty minute ride from the airport to your neighborhood. You were dead tired and craved the comfort of your old bed, the familiar scent of your mother's cooking mixed with the burning scented candles. Your room door would be kept halfway open so that way her musical humming could reach your ears as she finished cooking, and lulled you into a peaceful sleep.

A yawn had crept up at the thought and you let out covering your mouth. The Uber driver was doing a crap job at following directions, and whenever you tried to correct him. He flinched as if you were getting unruly and yelling at him. When in reality you were being polite and patient despite his incompetence, and your growing frustration. You told him to just drop you off at a random corner, and in return he'd only get half of his payment.

He took the deal without hesitation and couldn't drive away fast enough. The guy was white in his mid-twenties, and dressed like a cookie cutter. With a name like Cody you knew he was from the other side of the tracks, and grew up surrounded by people exactly like him. The man probably hadn't ever had a black friend in his life, and only knew what people told him. Which meant Cody bought into every single stereotype.

You were just as eager to be rid of him, so much that you didn't care about having to walk about five blocks with your luggage to get home. But luckily enough you didn't have to because not long after Cody drove off. A familiar scent filled your nostrils then you were being lifted off your feet from behind. A pair of muscled arms had wrapped around your waist swinging you around. You let out a joyful yelp tucking your arms under you. "Shawn put me down" You squealed playfully.

He set you down on your feet after another spin, and you whirled around to give him a proper hug. Which resulted in you once again being lifted off the ground. Shawn Adams was the first kid you befriended when you made the move to Oakland. While your father would grow up and leave his home city. Your mother stayed put and never felt the need to go anywhere else. Sure the neighborhood was rough back then, but it had improved by a millennial since then.

"Well I'll be if it ain't the freaking legend herself y/n Stevens returning home. I thought I was seeing a got damn ghost" Shawn exclaimed. Once the two of you finally broke apart to really take each other in. You had only been gone for a year and half but he had changed so much since then. Shawn had always been tall but never big in muscles, your fingers use to connect when you encircled your hand around his biceps. Now they didn't even come close to touching. His hair had grown out more, but he had ditched the braids for locs.

"So you finally took my advice I see" You retorted playing with his hair.

He grinned "yeah I never really liked to manage it, and mama fussed every single time I bothered her with a wash. When I told her I wanted dreads she couldn't book my appointment fast enough."

"So what's up with the muscles? I mean you turned into the freaking Rock while I was gone. Did kids start bothering you again?"

Shawn shook his head reaching out to take a hold of your duffel bag that was sitting on the concrete. He slung it over his shoulder with ease, and grabbed the handle of your rolling suitcase with his other hand. The two of you started heading towards your mom's house.

"Naw college was pretty rough for me in the beginning I was having a hard time finding stability. So the guidance counselor suggested I try out clubs, but they were all whack. You know do I look I play chess, or garden?" He said with a grimace.

"No you definitely don't but you can't just make assumptions based off appearance these days" You replied with a teasing smile.

"Well I don't and your boy sure as hell doesn't debate. I'll knock a punk out before I argue with one. So yeah I ended up trying out for sports and the basketball teams were having try-outs-"

"Wait you got this built to play b-ball no way" You said cutting him off.

"No let me finish princess" He chided you softly.

Shawn didn't mean anything with the nickname. He had grown up calling you that because you had a habit of being pretty demanding sometimes. It was a running joke. But now with everything that happened the past week. It had struck a nerve and you should've just left it alone. But you were going to be here for a few days, and didn't want to hear it from him for the whole duration.

"Hey try not to call me that anymore please" You told him looking away.

He frowned tilting his head to the side. A question on the tip of his tongue, but decided to leave it alone. "Yeah sure no problem but as I was saying I tried out for basketball, but unfortunately my amazing jump shot wasn't enough to get me a spot. But the coach said I was fast and had good hands, so he put in a good word for me with the football coach. You're looking at a varsity wide receiver."

"Shawn that's freaking amazing" You exclaimed smacking his shoulder. He was always one of those kids that was filled with potential, but never really had direction or a passion to pursue.

"Yeah I know" he muttered dropping his gaze to the ground. "What brings you home? Those rich preppy kids finally run you off."

You scoffed "as if I run that school but I just missed home that's all."

"Yeah it has been a long time your mom didn't think you were going to come back. After you missed Thanksgiving and Christmas. I told you were just living your best college life, and probably found love or somethin." He told you not masking his own disappointment in you.

You let out a sigh knowing this was a conservation you wouldn't be able to avoid for much longer. Your mom had called you multiple times over those breaks, and you ignored most of them. Until the actual holiday came then you face-timed her to apologize and spent hours talking. She didn't push for an explanation but you always knew when you finally did return home. There would be no running anymore.

"I was dealing with some stuff but I'm here now" You said.

"How long?"

"A week maybe I haven't decided."

By now the two of you had finally reached your mom's house. A two-story brick stone house with a front porch. The front yard had fresh cut grass and was decorated with flower pots, and little gnomes. It was enclosed in a steel silver fence which cut off at the driveway where your mom's black Lexus SVU was parked. The screen door was closed but the front door was wide open like your mom liked to keep it during the early day. She moved into this neighborhood eight years ago around the time. She had to take you in full time after Erik's death. The neighborhood was friendly and everyone had been welcoming.

You turned around to take in your old home to realize nothing had changed. The basketball court right across the street had been touched up with a new basketball goal, and the concrete was done sometime ago. But of course the kids added there own touch of graffiti art, but it didn't bother anyone. There were a couple of teens, and older guys out shooting some ball. You recognized a few who you went to school with, or just grew up with in the neighborhood. A few of them paused at the sight of you and Shawn to start calling both of you over.

"Hey you guys game we need two more people."

"Yeah let us get her settled in we'll be over in about ten minutes" Shawn answered for both of you.

"Hey" You complained with a little pout.

Shawn glanced down at you with a pointed look. "Look I don't know what brought you back home in the middle of the semester, but I know you, and your vibe is off. Something is eating at you and I figured maybe you would want to kick back and have some fun. Before going to war with your mom who's going to have your ass for the way you treated her over the holidays."

As much as you wanted to wave his comments off. You knew he was right while your mom wasn't the type to sit around with a grudge especially against you. She was going to want answers about your absence. "Fine but one game mister my jump shot wasn't good enough" You told him.

"Heyyy" he whined at the dig letting your duffel bag drop to his side, and reached out for your waist. With a playful squeal you took off running, heaving your suitcase over the fence. Before hopping it yourself Shawn was right behind you determined to make you pay. Your luggage rested in the grass as he chased you across the lawn with you dodging him at every angle. When he finally did manage to get his arms around your waist, the screen door was pushed open, and your mother stepped out onto the porch.

She was dressed in a white t-shirt with thin straps showing off her muscled arms, a pair of black joggers, and flip-flops. A plain gold chain was around her neck matching the gold studs in her ear. The chain didn't look like anything special, and the gold was fading a bit revealing how worn it was. But she still wore it considering Erik gifted to her back when they were in the high school. After professing his love for her and wanted her to have something of his to wear as proof of their relationship to the other young boys. He would buy her a ring just a year later. When she would finally cave and admit she was pregnant after hiding it from him for the first month.

Her hair was braided up in the form of mid-size box braids, and they were pulled back into a ponytail revealing her beautiful face. Despite being in her early forties your mother still looked to be in her thirties. Good genes is what she always told you.

"Now I just know that's not my daughter running around in my yard popping out of nowhere. Like she don't have a cellphone to call somebody to let them know she's coming home." She yelled in a playful voice but there was a underlying tone of disappointment, or was it hurt.

You really couldn't tell but either way her voice brought your struggling with Shawn to a halt, and he released his hold on your waist. As your feet carried you in the her direction, and a second later you were throwing yourself into her awaiting arms. She pulled you close as you buried your face into her shoulder.

"I'm sorry momma" You whispered in a muffled voice.

"Its okay sweetheart I'm just glad to finally have you home" she reassured you.

Maha Stevens was your mother's name and even though her and Erik never officially got married. That one little detail didn't stop her from taking on his last name. She always said that Erik was the love of her life, and no man would ever take his place. And all these years after his death it was obvious she still meant it. In the past you would encourage her to go out on dates insisting. She didn't have to stay single for your sake, but your mother refused saying she didn't want anyone else.

"Let me look at you babygirl" Maha said.

You pulled back to look up at her, and her hand caught you by the chin before you could retreat. Her warm brown eyes bore into yours conveying a message. You were home and everything would be okay.

Your mom planted a light kiss on your forehead, and wrapped an arm around your shoulder to let lead you in the house. She held the screen door open with her foot, as Shawn came bounding up the steps with your duffel bag, and a suitcase.

"There's one more I'll get it" He said leaving the bags by the wall.

"Thank you Shawn" You called out to him taking a seat on the brown-cushioned sofa. The living room had been redecorated a little bit. Your mother changed up the color scheme replacing the brown rug with a giant red one with different patterns dancing across it. The glass table held together by brown marble sat on top of the rug. It was covered in little whatnots, and a few coasters. Growing up your mother use to reprimand you so many times about not using them for your drinks. It was a bad habit you had considering Erik never cared for them, letting you put your cups where you pleased.

The living room was open-spaced with the long brown-sofa on the right side, and on the left side was the matching loveseat. The flat-screen 70-inch TV sat on a brown stand with multiple levels in the center against the back wall. On one level was the Blu-ray dvd player, and beside was your Playstation 4. Which you insisted on leaving behind so there was no distractions. The walls were decorated with paintings, wall-art, a few uplifting quotes, but the one that stood out the most was.

A large portrait hanging right above the TV of your parents back in their younger days. Both of them were only teenagers when it was taken. Maha was sitting in Erik's lap with an arm thrown over his shoulder, and her other hand grazing his cheek. She was looking down into his eyes with the happiest smile on her face showing teeth. Erik had both of his arms secured around her waist steadying her, and was gazing back up at her with a cheeky smile, one of his eyes squeezed shut. In the background was a blurred run-down basketball court. They never looked happier and more in-love than that moment.

"I never get tired of seeing that picture" You told her.

"Me neither baby" she replied pressing a soft kiss to your hair.

"Hey y/n are you still down for a ballgame?" Shawn asked you eagerly. Your mother looked to him, and turned back to you with a raised eyebrow. "If you don't mind mama Stevens" He threw in real quick under her gaze.

"Just one game I promise" You said folding your hands together to plead with her.

"Go ahead you're lucky I'm still cooking and don't want your butt all up in the kitchen trying to sneak a taste of the food."

"Wait what you cookin?"

Maha shook her head and nudged you until you got up, and made your way to the door. "Nope go play with your little friends, dinner will be ready in a few hours."

"Mom" you pouted pausing at the door to look back at her, but flinched at the disapproving stare that greeted you back.

"We'll talk when you get back in here and wash up?" She worded it as a question, but you knew it was anything but.

So the one game of basketball ended up turning into three. It was decided whichever team reached thirty points first would be declared the winner, and in the first game. Everyone were reminded of a few things that they forgot over the year since most of you graduated high school, and moved on with your lives.

One is Shawn really did have a mean jump-shot damn near impossible to defend.

Two you became the co-captain of the high school's varsity girl's basketball team during your freshman year.

Because you were just that good, and three was letting you and Shawn play on the same team was a big mistake.

The first game was over in all of ten minutes with you and Shawn being the dynamic duo teaming up for twenty-five of the thirty points. Your other four teammates quickly realized all they had to do to win is put the ball in one of your guy's hands. Shawn was big, and got a lot of height on his jumps. Which meant blocking his shots were kinda hard, and his own blocking skills were pretty incredible. You were fast and agile, and when it came to playing rough. You had no problem pushing back against any of the boys, and they all knew better to play dirty with you.

Back when you first moved into the neighborhood, and some kids asked you to come out and play. An older boy practically threw you on the ground hard. When you were going for a lay-up on him, and a series of gasps and "come on bro" filled the air. The older boy just shrugged his shoulders not a care in the world looking down as you glared up at him. While rubbing the back of your head, but when he went to walk past you. Your arm shot out wrapping around his leg, you yanked him down on the ground, and bent his leg backward till he was crying out in pain. No one ever messed you again after that.

The second game went on a bit longer, and it turned out some of the boys on the other team had been holding back. A mistake they didn't make this time resulting in a close game. Shawn hit the game-winning shot for your team, and fist bumped you in excitement. Your mother poked her head out of the door to let you know dinner would be ready in thirty minutes.

Giving you guys about fifteen minutes to run one more game considering you still had to wash up, and Maha wouldn't tolerate you being late for dinner on your first night back home.

All of you were tired and worn out by now, but you had been on the go since you got off the plane. So they could tell you were slowing down, and took advantage. One of the guys leapt over you to slam the ball into the basket with one hand. Everyone let out a chorus of oooh's with the display of athleticism. You gave a round of applause with a chuckle as he mock bowed. The game went on with you landing a few more lay-ups, and Shawn hitting a three-pointer. But the your opponents were right behind your team matching all of you point for point. When it came to the wire and the score was twenty-eight to twenty-two. Even though you had the opportunity for a steal, you let the younger boy pass up, and make the shot. Bringing an end to the game.

There was a collective of groans from the boys on your team, but you were already leaving the court to head back home.

"Sorry guys but its dinner time, but same time tomorrow raincheck" You called out to them.

They waved goodbye and nodded at the challenge. Shawn lived just right around the corner, and announced his leave as well. He would've joined you and mom for dinner if it wasn't for the tension coming off of both of you.

The scent of southern home-cooked food hit your nostrils the second you entered the house, making your mouth water till the point. You were drooling as you drifted to the kitchen. Coming to a halt when your mother intercepted you right at the entrance with her hands on her hips, and eyebrows raised. "I know you're not about to come to dinner like that y/n."

The trance was broken as you pouted and made your way back to your room for a quick shower. Ten minutes you joined your mother in the kitchen arriving in time to help her set the table. Now that it was just the two of alone with no distractions. The real reason you came back home was fresh in your mind, and so many questions were burning a hole inside of you.

Maha must have sensed your growing impatience, because as she walked to the table with your plate in hand. She spoke up "whatever it is you want to talk about. We'll discuss it after you explain to me just exactly why you've been avoiding since you left for college."

"But mom" you tried to protest wanting to explain the urgency of your questions.

But she held up a hand fixing you with a stern gaze. "No buts babygirl you want answers well so do I."

"That's fair" you muttered in agreement dropping your head down, and closing your eyes. Maha took a seat across from you and blessed the food. Then she watched as you devoured the plate of food scarfing it down in such a way. She was starting to wonder rather or not you had been eating while away from home, and what kind of food did college offer?

"Why didn't you come home for the holidays?" she asked once you slowed down to gulp down some kool-aid.

You placed the cup down and wiped your mouth with your hand. Giving a her a sheepish grin at the lack of manners there was a napkin sitting right beside your plate. "Mom it was nothing against you alright I was having a hard time adjusting to life away from home. It wasn't easy at first and I was scared that if I came home. I would get too comfortable and wouldn’t go back to school. I promise I wasn't mad or anything."

"Sweetheart why didn't you pick up the phone, and just tell me that instead of having me worry over you?"

"I thought it would make me seem weak, and I didn't want to admit it" You told her.

Maha shook her head releasing a sigh of disappointment, and glanced back up at you with glistening eyes. "I swear you're so much like your father sometimes its infuriating. Do you know how many times I did this dance with him?"

It was a rhetorical question that had put a small smile on your face.

"Missing your home and your mother is not a weakness child. Its normal and actually comforting to me. You know every mother's biggest fear is their child growing up, and realizing they don't need us anymore."

You scoffed "mom that is never going to happen."

She nodded taking a few bites of her food. After she was done chewing and swallowing her food. Maha moved the conservation along "now what is it did you want to ask me?"

The question was on the tip of your tongue, but still you hesitated trying to find the right way to word it. How was you supposed to ask your mom if she knew anything about your dad being a long-lost Prince of Wakanda, without sounding crazy? You took a deep breath and released it. "Did dad keep any secrets from me about my heritage?"

You studied your mom for any clear signs of distress, or changes in her demeanor, but they were none at least not right now.

"What kind of secrets? Did you take one of those genealogy tests, and find a distant relative somewhere?" She replied frowning a bit.

"No nothing like that did dad ever mention anything about Wakanda to you?" Maybe being more specific would get a better reaction out of her, and it worked as Maha stiffened a bit. Your eyes narrowed when she stopped chewing her food, and looked away nervously.

"No he didn't" she lied. "Where is all of this coming from?"

You sighed in frustration and pulled your father's ring out of your pocket letting it hang from the golden chain. Holding it up so Maha could see it clear as day, and her mouth took shape of an 'O' as she gasped in surprise.

It took her a minute but soon enough your mother found her voice again. She reached out for the ring and you let her take it. "Where did you get this? I thought it was lost on Erik's last mission."

"The Princess of Wakanda gave it to me," you answered, deciding to not sugarcoat anything.

Her eyes snapped up from the ring to yours, and in that instant you knew it was true. Your mother swallowed hard, closing her eyes as she contemplated what to say.

"She told me dad was a Prince of Wakanda, and so was grandpa. She said that made me Wakandan royalty." You finished explaining. "Mom please tell the truth."

Maha opened her eyes, now filled with regret. "Erik always told me these stories that I found entertaining, but really didn't believe. We were young and I thought he was making stuff to convince himself. There was a better future out there waiting for him. But the older we got the more intense he became till the point. Not even I could ignore it anymore I was starting to believe him."

You sat up a bit straighter holding onto your mom's every word.

"Overtime your father grew more ambitious, and when I got pregnant with you. I was actually scared that he wouldn't want to keep you." Your mother revealed leaning forward to take your hand in yours. "Sweetheart I want to know that never did a second guess rather or not I wanted you."

You gave her a unsure nod.

"Your father found out about the pregnancy when a package of abortion pills came in the mail." Her grip tightened on her hand as you stiffened with a frown. "I was fifteen and didn't exactly come from a stable home. Your grandparents had already sacrificed a lot to take me in, and I was afraid they wouldn't be supportive. I was afraid Erik didn't want kids because he had such big plans. But boy, was I wrong? " she paused, shaking her head. "He was livid when he found out what I was going to do without talking to him first."

"The pregnancy changed everything for us. Erik got even more serious and determined about making a better way for his family. He insisted that one day we would be on top. I tried to tell him all he had done was enough, and I just wanted him. But your father had a vision and an insatiable drive. He wanted his throne back."

"Why wouldn't he tell me any of this?" You asked, cutting her off. "I mean, he started giving me combat lessons when I turned six. He taught how to shoot a gun at age eight. Why would he keep something this big from me?"

Maha got up from her chair to walk around to you and pulled your chair back from the table. She knelt down in front of you, taking your face in your hands. "Oh babygirl" she whispered, her voice overflowing with emotions. "His father made him so many promises he couldn't keep. Erik didn't want to do that to you. Instead, he wanted to give you the world at your feet."

"So it's true?"

Your mother nodded, pulling your head to rest on her shoulder. You broke down sobbing as all the pent-up emotions overwhelmed you, too. The breaking point it was too much knowing for sure now. Shuri had been telling the truth, and your father kept such a huge piece of your life from you.

Your mother let you cry for as long as you needed to. Running her fingers through your hair and whispering words of comfort on your ear. You wouldn't calm down for another fifteen minutes. Afterward, you just let her hold you in her warm embrace.

"I'm sorry I never I told you before now after his death. I didn't know if the secret would do more harm than good. I was terrified you would take after your father." She told you pulling away to kiss your forehead.

"God, I'm such an idiot I yelled at Shuri and broke up with Riri, " you exclaimed, throwing yourself back into the chair.

"Wait, Riri, as in the nice young lady who you did go home with for the holidays. The girl you're always raving about in our phone calls?" Maha questioned with a scruntizing look.

"I don't have another Riri in my life" you told her.

"How long were you planning on staying?"

"A week I'm in no rush to get back."

Your mother shook her head. "Three days, then you go back to school and make amends."

"I can do that in a week," you insisted stubbornly.

"What was one of the first things I told you when you moved in with me full-time?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

You racked your brain, considering your mother told you a lot of things. During those days, but only one came to mind that applied to your current situation. It caused you to groan in annoyance. "Unlike my father, I'm going to learn how to apologize.

If there was one thing Erik Killmonger didn't do, it was apologies. He didn't say sorry to anyone, not even his love or daughter. He made you upset that you were treated to a toy shopping spree. He made Maha cry she was getting new jewelry or a trip to the spa. It wasn't a surprise to her that you picked up on his habit. But your mother made sure to teach you better.

You knew there was no arguing with your mom, plus the longer you stayed away. The more likely it was, Riri wouldn't even care for your apology.

Three days and then you would return to make things right with Riri and Shuri.

But what did making things right with Shuri mean for your future?

Tag List: @lizlil @darkmemesworld @rhayanm @aliives @angel-bi666 @agustdeeyaa @liliana-byers @lightskintedsblog @marice23top @filmsbyhyuna @shuriswhore @vevethirst @londyn-loves-u @iwillbeabitch @klackyb @ziayamikaelson @taleiak @awolfcsworld @shinsousliya @vlkyriesverse @mxyx-rx444 @sexylifestylesblog @youralphawolf72 @chaeryeongstuff @ljstraightnochaser

[pascaloverx]

Strangers?

Christmas Epilogue

previous part AO3 LINK

Author's note: This fanfic is set in the creation of Jenny Han. Conrad Fisher and other characters mentioned in the future do not belong to me. I hope you like this fanfic, depending on how it goes, I'll decide if this fic will have more parts or just this one. This fanfic is recommended for all audiences, there will be no adult content in it, only possible inappropriate language and alcohol consumption. This author would like to thank everyone who read this fanfic and hope everyone likes this epilogue.

You woke up feeling optimistic; finally, you were going to have a Christmas with your boyfriend. Even though you aren't a hundred percent sure everything will go smoothly. Conrad has been busy with college for the past few days, so he's out buying Christmas presents on Christmas Eve itself. If he had listened to you, he would have done this weeks ago, but he said he was used to last-minute shopping.

"You're supposed to be helping me set the table, but I'm doing all the work by myself..." You say over the phone to Conrad, who is in line waiting to get to the house where you live. Essentially, you live together now; he spends more time at your place than in the university dormitory.

"I've already said I love your understanding nature; it's as if my girlfriend is the most loving person in the world." Conrad speaks sarcastically, which you find amusing. You then hear knocks on the door and go to open it while keeping Conrad on the line.

"Someone's knocking at the door, did you invite someone?" You ask, almost whispering into the phone, unsure whether to open the door or not.

"I can be home in thirty minutes, maybe less if I don't mind breaking a few rules." Conrad says in a concerned tone, which you find endearing.

"Negative, I won't ruin our first Christmas together by making you come here for nothing. I can take care of myself. Just come back soon." You say to Conrad, trying to convince yourself that everything will be fine. Gaining courage, you open the door, finding Jeremiah and Belly arm in arm, holding several bags. You smile with relief and tell Conrad that you need to hang up but that it's his brother at the door.

"I know it's bold to show up out of nowhere, but we were nearby and decided to bring the gifts." Jeremiah says. Your reaction is to give them space to enter and you even try to help carry the groceries, but neither Belly nor Jeremiah let you help.

"What a surprise to see you here, Conrad told me you were going to spend it with your Belly family, so I didn't even ask if you two wanted to exchange gifts today." You closed the door while Belly and Jeremiah placed the purchases on the counter. They also placed the gifts under the Christmas tree.

"Me and Jeremiah were helping my mom with the preparations for Christmas and we remembered that it was her first Christmas with Conrad. And we decided to bring some shopping and gifts to help. The first Christmas is important to a new couple. Especially if you're going to spend it with Conrad." Belly speaks and then hugs you, with her coat that is a little damp from the snow.

"I warned that your boyfriend was going to end up spending Christmas Eve at some mall shopping for things he could have bought last week." Jeremiah says hugging you too as soon as you stopped hugging Belly. In that moment you felt like part of Conrad's family. There's no other way to say it but Belly is part of this family too. They love each other and you're fine about it. Jeremiah and Belly decided to try to give their love a chance.

"It doesn't matter how much I warned him about it. At least he helped me put up the Christmas tree. He also decided to make a pie for today, if you guys want to stay for Christmas dinner." You say casually as you watch the oven to check if the turkey is done.

"Unfortunately we can't stay, my mom will freaky out. We wish you both the best Christmas possible and your gifts are on the tree. Over-the-counter purchases are some things that we think Conrad won't find in this time. We already have to go, right, love?" Belly says holding Jeremiah's hand gently. He agrees with her.

"At least take the gifts I bought, Conrad's presents unfortunately he's going to have to take them tomorrow but we'll meet up tomorrow on Christmas afternoon, we can go ice skating or something." You say handing over the presents you bought for them. You open the door so they can leave, but you run into Conrad. He has snowy hair, carrying several things in his hands.

"You arrived just in time to say goodbye to us, brother." Jeremiah says as he helps Conrad bring what he bought into the house. Suddenly you all are together inside of the house.

"Before the lovebirds leave, let's take a photo with the Christmas tree." Conrad speaks touching Belly and Jeremiah's shoulders. You are proud of your boyfriend when you see how much he evolved.

"I think it's a good idea. But honey, I think you should take off your hoodie. You're going to get sick if you keep that on." You say, approaching Conrad and placing a kiss on his lips.

"Want to help me change my clothes?" Conrad softly while their lips are still close. You give him a peck on the lips and then touch his arm, almost as if pushing him towards the stairs.

He quickly goes to change his clothes and comes back adjusting his sweatshirt on his body. The four of you then approach the tree after Conrad grabs the camera and positions it to take the photograph. And you all take the photo smiling, each side of the person you're dating. And so it was, the beginning of the perfect Christmas Eve.

[wordsmithwhumpsandfluff]

Word!! I'm sorry, I know I'm not caught up in the Ollie concussion fic, I promise I'm gonna get to that this weekend 🙈 your most recent post gave me a plot bunny tho... How about hurt Aiden with caretaker Spirit? As in he gets beaten up on duty and Spirit is FURIOUS but also having to be gentle bc his ribs are hurt and he's a little concussed?

Other ask:

Can we have more of Aiden? I loved him in the 3 fics there is about him and I am obsessed 😍😂 ~🌼

Combining the results of the Spirit&Aiden poll with this amazing ask. I couldn’t help myself🤭. Thanks for this awesome idea Soup, and thanks for the initial ask 🌼anon!

Also, adding a lil twist to the end of this one👀

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One thing that genuinely surprised Aiden was that Spirit always texted him back fairly quickly. He loved that. She never texted first, but he didn’t mind that fact.

“So, who is it?”

Aiden almost jumped as Mikey—the officer who was mentoring him—came up beside him. Aiden went three shades paler and fumbled to put his phone in his pocket. He wasn’t supposed to be on it while on security duty at the mall.

Mikey laughed at his panic. “Y’know, you’re lucky you got stuck with me, kid. If you’d been put with Bryan or Adamson, then you would’ve been chewed out for texting whoever it is that’s making you smile like a moron.”

Aiden flushed, looking straight ahead and focusing on being alert. “I’m sorry, sir.”

Mikey shrugged. “It’s fine, kid.” Mikey was only in his early thirties, though he liked to try and convince people that he was still 27. He was funny and chill and good at his job, so Aiden really was glad that he got to work with this guy while on duty.

“Our rotation ends in ten minutes, kid. Thank God. Do me a favor and go get us a couple of coffees once we’re done here.”

Aiden smiled. “Yes, sir.”

It seemed like it would be another easy day. Aiden was glad and couldn’t wait for his shift to be over. He was planning to surprise Spirit at the music store where she worked in the mall so he could finally ask her out on a second date. He felt that he’d waited long enough.

Suddenly, there was shouting and a series of screams. Aiden’s head snapped towards the commotion, and Mikey took off running. Aiden followed.

At the mall’s technology store, there was a group of about six guys. About four had ski-masks, and the other two had regular face masks. All of them had bats and were breaking shelves, yelling at people, and grabbing phones and cameras and whatever else they could shove into a few large duffle bags.

Crud, Aiden thought, his hand going to his baton (he really wished he could have a taser already).

“Drop the stuff and put your hands in the air!” Mikey screamed, all chillness gone from his voice. He held up his taser, pointing it at the thieves.

Aiden clicked his walkie talkie. “This is Clark. Reece and I need backup at the Tech Shop. We’ve got six robbers here. I repeat, we need backup.”

Clearly, none of the guys were listening to Mikey. One of them even raised his bat and began to charge at him, but Mikey tased him.

Everything began to happen too fast. In a flash, suddenly a brawl had broken out, and Aiden was throwing punches as well before he realized it.

He grunted as he got struck multiple times in the ribs and gut. He could hear announcements on the mall’s speakers, notifying people of the robbery.

Adrenaline was pumping through Aiden as he fought back. A few guys managed to slip out though and ran for it. Aiden got one of them on the ground and was trying to get cuffs on him, but then received a swift kick to the head from one of the others. “C’mon, Zeke!” one of them yelled.

The force knocked Aiden to the side and had the world going fuzzy, his ears ringing, and both of the thieves got away.

The last things Aiden Saw before the world went dark was Mikey securing cuffs on one of the guys before walking over to him.

— — —

The music store closed as soon as word of the fight spread to all the businesses. People were being asked to quickly pay and leave, and employees were getting asked to go as soon as all the costumers were gone.

Spirit—aside from her annoying boss—was the last music store employee to leave. The mall was almost entirely cleared out by then.

Apparently, from what she heard, there was a robbery at a store not far from the music store. She was too busy dealing with an annoying Karen to even notice the commotion.

As Spirit was leaving the building, she saw an open ambulance and saw someone being wheeled on a stretcher towards it. At first, Spirit only noticed his uniform and just thought that he was one of the security guards who got caught up in the whole thing. Then, suddenly, she noticed and recognized his face. Even without his glasses and all of the bloodied bruises.

Aiden.

Spirit’s eyes widened and her stomach dropped. Without realizing it, she was making her way over towards the paramedics. “Aiden,” she called, worried and a bit scared. Spirit hated that feeling.

One of a few officers stopped her before she could get closer. “Miss, I’m going to have to ask you to stay back.”

Spirit frowned, brows creasing. “Is he okay? Did the robbers do that to him?”

The officer seemed annoyed. “Miss, this doesn’t concern you. Please just—”

Spirit scoffed and was about to retort something—probably something with a lot of angry curse words—when another cop came up to them.

“What’s going on over here?” the other cop asked. He also looked quite beaten up.

“I just want to know if Aiden’s okay,” Spirit said in a hard tone, heart racing.

The other cop raised a brow. “You know the kid?”

“Yes, he’s my—” Spirit froze for a second, her mind trying to come up with a word to describe what Aiden was to her. “—my friend.”

The other cop seemed to be much more understanding than the other. “Aiden’s in pretty rough shape. I’ll give you a ride to the hospital, if you’d like.”

The first cop seemed annoyed that this other guy had taken over the situation.

Spirit found herself nodding. “Yes, please.”

The officer led her to his police car. On the drive over, Spirit found out that this officer was named Mikey Reece, and he was Aiden’s mentor. Aiden had mentioned this guy to her once or twice in their texting conversations.

At the hospital, Spirit and Mikey had to wait for news on Aiden while tests were run. A few other officers came to ask Mikey some questions, and Spirit bounced her leg anxiously as she waited.

This whole situation gave her an uneasy feeling. She overheard a few things that Mikey was saying to the officers: six of them. . . bats. . . black face masks. None of that made Spirit super suspicious until she heard him ask what the name of the one he arrested was, and one of the other officers answered, “Jeremy Hernandez.” That name had Spirit wondering something.

Eventually, a doctor came out and explained that Aiden was slightly concussed and had a few fractured ribs. But aside from that, a small fever and a bit of bruises, he was fine. Awake and responsive.

The officers went into the room first to talk to Aiden and write a report. Then, after that, Mikey wanted to go in but had a higher ranked officer telling him to get himself checked out for injuries. So, Spirit went in to see Aiden alone.

Aiden was sitting up in his bed, bandaged and with some of the blood cleaned up. When he saw Spirit enter the room, he looked genuinely shocked. “What’re you doing here?”

She shrugged, looking serious. Stone cold, even. For some reason, thinking that someone had put Aiden in a hospital had her blood boiling. “Long story,” she said.

Aiden’s surprised look melted a bit and he smiled. “I think I should join your boxing classes. I’m not that great at fighting just yet.”

His comment was laced with a bit of humor, but Spirit remained grim. “Do you know who it was? The robbers?”

Aiden’s smile faltered a bit. “Not really. One of the guys was named. . . Zeke, I think? I don’t know. He could be anyone. They all had masks on, so no facial details.”

Spirit felt her whole body run cold even as she still felt hot with anger. “This guy named Zeke. . . did he have dyed hair? Kinda longish?”

Aiden’s brows creased. “What? Why do you—”

“Just answer the question.”

Aiden worked his jaw, seeming a bit confused and unsure as he nodded. “Yeah dark purple hair. But why—?”

“I’ll be back later,” Spirit stated, her voice low as she turned to walk out the door. She froze before she got to it, turning and going over to Aiden. Before he even comprehended what was happening, she hugged him, being gentle and not putting any weight on him since his ribs were fractured.

Aiden felt his whole body become warm and he melted in the hug a bit, getting butterflies in his stomach. She'd never hugged him before. He decided right then that he really liked her hugs.

Spirit pulled away and looked him in the eye. “I’ll be back later. Or, I might just text later. It depends on how pretty my face will still be in the next few hours.”

Aiden raised a brow, once again seeming confused. Spirit left before he could ask her what she meant.

— — —

Spirit hated her old neighborhood.

The air there reeked of cigarettes and cheap alcohol. There was always someone yelling in their house or at a neighbor, cats knocked over trash cans, and some of the worst people Spirit had ever met lived there.

Spirit went up to a house that she often avoided while growing up. The old man that used to live in it had died when Spirit was a Senior in high school, but the guy’s nephew—and Spirit’s old classmate—still lived there.

Zeke Danes opened the door, a lit cigar in his mouth and looking drunk. He had a black eye and a few other bruises that looked fresh.

Spirit scowled, and Zeke’s eyes widened and he grinned as he recognized her.

“Holy shit. Spirit Mitchel, as I live and breathe.” He took out his cigar, blowing smoke on her face. “To what do I owe this pleasure, hot-stuff.”

Spirit could hear other voices inside, laughing and talking. “Having a party?” Spirit asked, her hands forming into fists in her pockets.

Zeke shrugged, still smiling. “Kinda.” He ran a hand through his long purple hair.

“Let me guess,” Spirit said. “Henry, Javon, Mike, and Freddie?”

“Yeah,” Zeke nodded. “Just my buddies.”

“But Jeremy isn’t here.” The way she said it had Zeke’s smirk falling.

“What do you want, Spirit?” he asked, opening the door all the way so Spirit could see her other old classmates and neighbors scattered inside Zeke’s filthy living room. They had music playing that was suddenly turned down, and all of the guys in there were looking at Spirit curiously and suspiciously.

Spirit stood a bit straighter. She was just as tall as Zeke was, so she could look him directly in the eye. “You robbed a store at the mall today, didn’t you?”

They all snickered a bit.

“So what?” Freddie called from inside, and Spirit noticed that he had gotten more tattoos since she last saw him. “You gonna snitch?”

Spirit wasn’t going to snitch. After all, the saying was very much true: Snitches really didget stitches.

“You beat up a cop,” Spirit said. “The one our age. You got him pretty good.”

Zeke took another puff of his cigarette. “Get to the point, hot-stuff.”

“He’s my friend,” Spirit stated. “You hurt my friend, and now he’s in the hospital.”

All of the guys were silent for a second before laughing.

“Since when do you become friends with police, woman,” Javon laughed. “People like us don’ go around becoming buddy-buddy with cops.”

“Well, I’m not like you,” Spirit spat.

“Oh, but you are,” Zeke said, leaning closer and blowing more smoke on her face. “You’re just like us. You used to fight for extra money behind the school, remember? And we’ve all run from cops together before, baby. Ringing a bell?”

Spirit bared her teeth as her scowl deepened. “Keep your pants on, Zeke. And don’t you dare call me ‘baby’. And I stopped running around with you morons after tenth grade, so quit grouping me in with you guys.”

Zeke chuckled a bit, leaning back against the door frame. “So, did you just come here to pitch a little hissy-fit over us hurting your friend? A little pathetic, don’t you think?”

Spirit nodded. “If I was here just to pitch a fit, that would be pathetic.” Swiftly, she raised her leg and kneed Zeke in his groin, making him gasp and stumble back, doubling over and protectively cupping his throbbing manhood. “It’s a good thing I’m not pathetic.”

Zeke spat his cigarette out of his mouth, glaring at Spirit with tears in the corner of his eyes. “You bitch.”

The other four guys all got up, now looking annoyed.

Spirit cracked her neck and raised her fists.

Looked like she was just going to text Aiden tonight.

[sgt-morgan]

🩸Blood and tears💧

Summary: You’re put in danger, and it dosent sit very well with Matt. Nobody fucks with his Robin. Part of the Robin verse.

Warnings: violence, lots of violence, blood, tears, anxiety attacks, villence against a pregnant woman, no death though I promise. Cannon typical shit. AFAB! And female identifying reader.

A/N: I was put in a really scary situation a couple weeks ago, and this is me working through it. But also, giving myself the comfort and the support I wanted and didn’t receive.

Daredevil Masterlist

No amount of time, energy, or preparation can ever really prepare you for the worst. You go about day to day just living, and then one day, boom. Your face to face with a snarling demon, and nothing to show for it other than some false hopes, and false promises of safety.

Theoretically, you should be one of the safest women in the city. Being the wife of one of New York’s toughest vigilantes has its perks after all, one of them being that you weren’t normally in a lot of danger no matter what it is you were up to. Tonight though, tonight was seemingly the exception.

The offices of Murdock, Nelson, and Page were pulling an all nighter-ish. You’d been at the office working on a case all day, only stoping for you to pick up Jackie and Michael from Daycare (Foggy and Marci’s baby boy, who was fittingly named after his godfather Matthew Michael Murdock). You and the others perused files, evidence, witness statements, and an obscene amount of previous cases, attempting to put together the most intelligent and compelling argument you could manage for a case you didn’t think should be going to court in the first place.

“There is actually zero reason we should be going to court next week.” You sigh, dropping your head to your desk that everyone had crowded around. “Sure, Bucky caused some property damage to that building, but the building manager shouldn’t be letting his super run drugs out of the basement.” You groan, looking at the pictures of the dented steel support beam, and the drugs, and a bank statement from his building superintendent that looked suspiciously like hush money if you did say so yourself. “The only reason the court is entertaining this is because people still have a vendetta against the winter soldier. Property damaged be damned.” You grumble and hims of agreement followed.

“No, I definitely believe you’re right there.” Foggy sighed reaching out to pluck up both kids and set them in his lap. “Marci and Karen should be finishing up with that call soon, so why don’t we take a break and grab dinner, do you wanna go pick up Thai food?” You watched as he quickly placed the order on his phone, pretty sure the website auto populates your usual order now.

“It’s getting dark Robin, I’ll grab it.” Matt sighed, and stood with a wince that he tried to disguise with a stretch… which only really served to make him look like his spine was snapped in twelve places, he had a rough night daredeviling, and your shitty office chairs weren’t exactly helping, you could see it in his hunched shoulders and shuffling steps. You couldn’t have your man hobbling all over the city like that, he looked like he had the back of a civil war veteran who lived through the zombie apocalypse.

“Sit down Batman, you look like you just got the Dark Night Rises treatment.” You scoffed, shoving him back into his chair gently as you could. “Let your Robin handle this one.” You do a silly little salute and flex your bicep, causing Foggy to giggle and Matt to roll his eyes. You kiss the side of Matt’s head, and gather up your things.

He does that head tilt thing you enjoy so much, and you lean down to kiss him on the lips. “Okay Robin, just… be safe.” You squeeze his shoulder, and you turn to the babies, blowing raspberries on their cheeks just to hear them giggle then you’re out the door in a flash.

The walk to the Thai place isn’t a long one, it’s two blocks, approximately a twenty minute maybe thirty minute affair all together. Ten minutes there, possible ten minutes for wait time if needed, ten minutes back. Matt conjured the familiar route in his mind. He passed the coffee shop and the dry cleaners then he hooks a left, the deli, the bodega, and a nail salon and he makes a right. Then it’s a straight shot to the end of the street and he’s at the Thai place. It’s perfectly timed, and factoring in the possibility that they forgot something adding maybe another fifteen to twenty, it should take you at most an hour. Which is why when the hour thirty mark passes, he starts to panic.

“Robin isn’t back yet.” He says, cutting out the chatter of the adults in the room who were taking the time to admire how adorable the kids are.

“It’s probably fine Matty, they probably just forgot something.” Karen shrugs, turning back to Jackie who is showing off her little bingo and muffin toys, while Michael grabs at Foggy’s nose.

“Yeah bud, also gotta factor in the pregnancy bit, she’s gonna be a little slower.” Foggy soothes, and playfully nips at his son’s fingertips.

Matt dosent believe it though, something feels… off. He can’t put a finger on it, but it’s no good. That’s when he realizes, if you were late, you would call. You always call, whether it’s to complain about the walk, or when you think something is taking too long, you always can him so you’re not bored, and he hadn’t heard anything from you. “But if it was just that she would ca-“ his phone starts ringing and announcing your name throughout the room and his shoulders slump in relief.

“See?” Foggy smiles, “Told yah buddy,

Your Robin is a tough cookie, nothing to worry about.”

Matt took a deep breath and picked up the phone, but the voice on the other end made him ridged with terror all over again.

Everything was going fine. You had the Thai food, you had stoped to get a hot chocolate, it was all good in the hood. You were walking back slowly but surely, wondering if you could hold all of your goodies in one hand and call Matt, when you were yanked into a back alley. You let out a yelp and were slammed against a wall, instantly dropping your food and drink in favor of cradling both hands protectively over your stomach.

“Drop the case.” A gruff voice grunted, pointing a gun directly at the center of your forehead. You blanched and stuttered, praying that somewhere out there maybe Matt got worried and your personal hell hound of a vigilante would save you… but you doubted it.

“Wh- what?” Your head whipped to the side and you slumped as the guy bashed you across the head with the butt of his gun.

“Now. I’m not playing, pregnant or not it’s all the same to me, and I want the case dropped, and I want your purse.” You trembled from your place on the ground, ridged with terror. You reached a shaky hand to your temple and felt it coated in blood. Your assailant yanked you by the hair and forced you to look up. His nose and mouth were covered by a black bandanna, he was wearing a black hat with his black hoodie pulled over it. None of his clothing had any particular markers or labels, but his eyes. His eyes were what made your skin crawl they were brown, but not the soft warm brown of your husbands eyes, they were like hardened pools of obsidian, dark, terrifying, and immovable. He smacked you again, bludgeoning your cheek, then he pulled cocked the gun and leveled it squarely between your eyes. “I. Said. Now.”

The next few seconds were a blur, you ripped the bag from your shoulder, handing it to him and as soon as he had it, he grabbed your hair again. He threatened you, you were sure. Some macho, threatening, bullshit, to try and back you down. When he was done, he ran, and you were… immobile.

The first feeling was fear, your body shook, silent tears streaming, your hands covered your mouth as you stared wide eyed at nothing. Complete and utter shock and terror causing your whole body to freeze in place. You feel as if one little wrong move could send you shattering to pieces and it’s such foreign feeling you barely breathe with the weight of it.

The next tidal wave swells and the panic settles in. Your hands flying to your belly in sheer horror. You press gently, tears streaming and your sniffing them back and sobbing and trying to feel something, anything from your baby.

“Mh- Ah- it’s okay! You’re okay!” You talk half stammering and half shrieking trying to calm yourself enough to concentrate on your little bump. “Okay, okay little one, just- kick, move, at this point I don’t give a shit if it’s hiccups jus-“ a tiny kick pressed into your palms and you dissolved once more into heavy, wrenching sobs, half in relief half in terror. “Oh- oh God. Okay!”

Then you were hit with a feeling you didn’t expect. Shame, hot and visceral bouts of shame. Who were you just then, freezing up like that. You’ve been drugged by vampires, you’ve sown up your husbands knife wounds, hell, you have tased Frank Castle for fucks sake, why were you freezing up now. Why didn’t you defend yourself? What the hell is wrong with you? You hated yourself for this reaction. You sat, trembling for god knows how long, just staring blankly at the wall and sobbing silently into your trembling palm while the other rested over your bump. Then you heard a soft ‘thwip!’ and you were in the presence of Spider-Man.

Peter was horrified. He was flipping through the neighborhood when his spider senses started tingling. He ran into the alley and there she was. Robin.

“Peter. Why do you have Robin’s phone?” Matt practically growled down the line, and he could hear the panic in the kids voice.

“R-Robin! Sh-she- I- I found her in an alley! She’s not talking, she’s got a cut on her face a-and a giant bruise! You gotta get here Matt it’s- it’s bad and I’m scared. We’re right by the Thai place.” Peter stuttered and Matt immediately stood and ripped off his tie and shirt revealing his Daredevil suit to those in the room.

“Stay where you are Peter, I’ll be there.” Everyone in the room looked terrified, Marci and Foggy clutched the children and Karen scrambled to call Frank. “Watch the kids, Robin was hurt.” He roared, rocketing out of a window the moment he was changed.

The whole way there Matt was almost numb with fury and terror. What happened to you? Are you hurt? Is the baby? He ran I’ve buildings with blinding speed, back he damned, he would be hurting later, but you were worth it, your safety was worth it. When he finally found you, Spiderman was holding you firmly to his chest, whispering words of comfort as best he could, and trying to help you stop sobbing through his own tears. Matt could smell the fear coming off you both in waves, and he found himself immensely thankful that you were able to consider Peter a friend.

“Oh my Angel,” Matt gasped finally pulling you from Peter and softly feeling at your face with the tips of his fingers to find any possible damage. Your tears only seemed to fall harder when you collapsed into his arms and it was gut wrenching. Nothing was broken, but the heat of the bruises and the acrid tang of your blood was prominent in his nose and mouth, the taste and smell of it in the air making him want to gag. “Shh, it’s okay now. I have you.” Matt curled you into his chest, your legs wrapped around his waist. Your forehead rested against his, and he had one hand fluttering around your lower back and stomach listening gratefully to the two rapids but steady heart beats that thudded under his palm, and the other hand held the back of your neck, massaging in tight circles while he let you cry.

“I- I didn’t- he- he pointed a gun at me! I panicked! I’m so sorry! I couldn’t move! I tried though I did! I was frozen and I was so scared!” You sobbed and stuttered, clutching desperately at any part of Matt you could reach, and he could hear the hysteria in your voice. “He- he took m- my pur- purse! There wa- was court documents in there! He took them! I’m so sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t- I should have- I’m so scared!” Oh how his heart broke. He could hear the thudding of boots down the alley and from the bull reaction from Peter, he would assume it was more of their friends. From the smell and the pattern of footsteps it was most likely Frank and MoonKnight. “I’m so scared Matt! I didn’t know what to do and I was scared!” You wept then and he could hear the gasps and shocked silence at his back and he didn’t know wether to hate it or be grateful for it. “I was so- I was so scared!”

“Honey- no! Hey! No need to apologize!” You had gripped at your roots, and Matt slowly reached up to unclench your hands from your hair, making you release your fierce grip before you hurt yourself. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You did fine, you protected yourself, you protected the baby. That’s all you needed to do.” His voice broke on his last assurance and you gave a strangled cry in your throat before you started to shake your head again.

“I just let him hurt me, I didn’t fight back I should- I should have fought back. I’m a fighter, but I couldn’t- I.” You started crying again and behind him he heard Frank get low and approach as if he was cornering a wounded and terrified animal, and for all intents and purposes he was.

“Hey sweetheart, look at me.” Frank grumbles low in his chest and waited patiently until your eyes met his. “Nobody here is saying you aren’t strong, that you’re not capable. The only thing we care about right now is that you’re ok. Are you ok? Can you move?” You nodded, unsure but unwilling to admit otherwise. “Hey tiger, I know you wanna say yes, but I’m asking because we gotta move and if you’re hurt and we start gunning like you’re not, we could get caught. So tell the truth now, are you hurt?” Matt sighed and let out a strangled moan when you finally nodded the affirmative. “Okay, okay. So let’s get up, and get to your place, and then we can go about figuring out what to do about whatever son of a fuck did this to you.” Frank stood, and they all followed. Including Matt, who didn’t even think about letting you down. “Okay, I’m gonna take the girl, because I’m the only guy not in Spandex right now.” He reached for you and Matt growled. “Listen to me Red, I wouldn’t let her go either, but you’re in red and gold spandex, and you can’t get a cab, and walking will be too slow. You will get caught and then you would leave her hurt and alone.” They had a stare off and at this point you had half passed out and Moon knight was diligently talking and asking you questions and lightly shaking your shoulder to keep you awake. All the excess stimuli was not helping him calm down but then Jake but in as well.

“Listen amigo, my cab is just around the corner. Frank and I are gonna walk her there, we’re gonna get in, and we’re gonna take her back to your place. We cant risk getting seen or pulled over. So, ¿Qué va a ser?” He looked Matt in the eyes, hard, and eventually he handed you to Frank.

“N-No! Matt!” Frank half you as you tried to struggle and panicked. Matt put his hands on either side of your face and shushed you to try and calm you and ran his hands through your hair.

“Hey! Sh sh sh sh sh! Don’t fight okay? It’s ok Robin. We gotta move careful ok? We gotta be safe. We’re splitting up, because I can’t risk us getting stopped.” He nodded, and you started shaking your head, you’re exhausted, you’re a bit delirious, and you were still terrified. “Hey, hey! You gotta stay calm. You gotta go with them. I’m right behind you. It’s gonna be fine. Go with Frank.” The way his heart shattered when he pried your fingers from his suit was absolute torture and it broke his heart all over again.

Then he was flipping across Hell’s Kitchen, throwing himself from place to place until-

“I warned her off. Banger her up reeeeal nice. She’ll think twice before her little buddies at the office go through with it.” He heard the guy chuckle, “I even got her purse. Had some good eve since in it too. You almost went down man.” He cracked his neck, and waited. Spiderman had the forethought to follow and stop, listening to what he was hearing, and doing one better, pulling out his phone and Matt’s. He dials Frank and starts filming. Once he feels he’s heard enough, heard enough bolstering about the incident, he ends the video, and stands to tell Frank what’s going on, and then he leaves Matt with a nod.

“Do your worst. We’ll see you when you’re done.” With that the kid disappears, and the devil? Well, the devil smells blood.

Matt takes a deep breath and cocks his head to the side. Listening. Three heartbeats, six guns. Two in use four laying around. No back up upstairs. There was coke and weed, two were on their way to drunk, the perp was taking a bump. He still smelled like your perfume. He was sure if he was a shark, his pupils would dilate. Like blood in the water.

He hit the breaker, and when the buzzing stopped, he went in.

“What the fuck? Why is it dark?” Matt took a deep breath, then he attacked. Crony one was a one hit wonder. One good hit to the back of the head, he was out like a light, and he could hear his jaw and nose fracture as he hit the table in front of him on the way down. Guy number two, two hits and he was gone, a bloody eye and lip for all his troubles. Guy number three though? Oh, that was where the game began.

“What the fu-“ Matt kicked him to the ground without a thought, then he drove his fists into his stomach over and over and over, until the man was heaving blood onto the cement.

“Do you feel big?” He growled, his boot grinding into the man’s testicles as he stood above him, hope the guy didn’t want kids. “Hurting that woman, did it solve some shitty little power trip for you?” He spit in the man’s face and the asshole whimpered. “How about now, how’s this feeling?” He kicked the man in the temple, right where the bastard had hit you with the butt of his gun. Then he got low and pummeled him over and over where your other bruise would be until his hands were covered in red. “Well, now you’re fucked.” He growled, snapping the man’s arm. Then blowing out his knee, then busting his nose. “You’re lucky I don’t like to play god, or you’d be meeting your maker a lot sooner than expected.” Once the asshole had passed out, Matt tied all three men to chairs, then called the police. He gave them the location, who was calling, and told them he had escorted you to safety, and where they could find you to interview you. He waited just long enough for the police to show, then he left. These men deserved not one more ounce of his time, you were the only thing that mattered.

When he arrived back home, you had passed out with your daughter on the bed. Claire had apparently looked you over and patched you up, and a cop had already taken your statement. The others were all gathered in his living room. Their faces were pale, and he felt their wide eyed stares like static electricity arcing off his skin. Foggy, Karen, Peter, Jake, and Frank had all just stood silently when he came in and shoved through them, once he saw that you and the baby were safe, he stood and waited for their assessment.

“Hey Red, did you get em?” Frank started, reaching out a hand gently, as if tempering a rabid dog. He nodded stiffly, and when he heard Jake move to the kitchen, his head snapped in his direction and the man paused. “Hey, no enemies here man, just friends. He’s gonna get you a rag, your hands-“ he gave a sardonic chuckle. “They’re dripping blood, and knowing your old lady? Well, as soon as she wakes up and is back in fighting shape, she’ll kick your ass.” His shoulders dropped, and he allowed Frank to pat his shoulder. “There he is, did you get em?” Matt gave another jerking nod, and his laser focus narrowed in on Karen and Foggy.

“Go home, inform the Judge of what happened and get this dropped. Spiderman emailed a video of the perps openly discussing the assault. The case is over.” Foggy nodded and patted him on the back in his way out. Karen nodded, and gave him a hug. She never did mind the blood. Frank gave her a kiss on the head, and assured her he would be home soon. Jake gave him the cloth, then offered to drive Karen and Foggy home. Foggy declined, saying he had drove them here, and Karen took him up on it. He patted Matt’s back, and whispered him an affirmation in Spanish before leaving. Peter told him he would make sure that everything was okay at the office before heading home, then it was just him and Frank.

“Now listen Red, go shower off, take a deep breath, pour yourself a drink, then be prepared for a shitty night of sleep. She’s gonna need you. We will take care of everything else in the morning. Karen and I will come get the kid at 9 for daycare, you focus on her.” Matt hardly heard him, but he knew enough to nod in gratitude before locking up behind Frank.

Then he took his advice. He meticulously scrubbed the blood from his hands, from under his nails, from his face. Then he got out, and he walked and stood by the bed, resting a palm on Jackie’s back and listened to you both breathing, straining his ears for the thump thump thumping of three heart beats, then he checked all of the doors and windows, and drank a glass of whiskey. When he was sufficiently calm again, he picked up Jackie and carefully carried her to bed, staying for a while to listen to her peaceful slumber. Then he heard your heart rate speeding up, and he made it back to your room just in time to catch you as you flailed awake.

“Shh, I’m here Robin, you’re safe, the babies are safe. The guy is gone. He won’t hurt you or anyone else ever again.” He soothed as you began to cry again, and there you sat for a good thirty minutes, clinging to each other until your tears subsided.

“Goddamn Batman,” you finally rasped, feeling all cried out, “That was-“

“Yeah. Yeah it was Robin. But we’re ok. I promise.” Your trembling had slowed, and Matt continued to rub soothing circles into your back and scrunched his hand in your hair and gently scratched your scalp.

“Thanks for getting him Batman.” You sighed, burying your face in Matt’s neck, mm, warm cinnamon and leather. Your favorites.

“Oh Robin, my Angel, for my family? I’d burn the city to the ground.”

You sat in silence with that statement for a second, and while it should have been a little bit frightening, instead your shoulders relaxed, your body calmed, and you felt at peace for the first time in three hours.

“Oh my sweet devil man, for you? I’d burn the world.” Then you sighed, and fell asleep on his chest, and Matt took a deep breath, and smiled.

“I have no doubt of it sweetheart, I have no doubt.”

[choccyhearts]

Sweet Talk - Saint Motel // Steve Harrington x Reader

Note: When I hear this song I always think of Charlie and the Waitress from IASIP so I based the dynamic in this off of that <3

CW: Creepy/stalker!Steve (so please read with caution), Steve being persistent to date reader, fem!reader

Summary: "Steve just wants one date with the girl who doesn't care about him at all... (Steve pining hard)"

♡♡♡

"You could yell "Piss off! Won't you stay away!" It'll still be sweet talk to my ears"

♡♡♡

"What the hell is wrong with you!?"

Steve couldn't find the words to answer you. Usually, he was quick to spew out a flirty answer that would further annoy you, but for the life of him, he was frozen. Mind completely blank, empty.

Well, not completely.

He was focusing on how cute your eyebrows looked pressed so close together, how flushed the apples of your cheeks are, and how the fluorescent lights shined against your eyes.

"Just move!", you push him away from the knocked over display. You were fed up with Steve and his shenanigans. It was one thing to mess with you when you were out and about but another thing entirely to come to your job just to pester you.

"God, are you stalking me now?", you ask as you pick up the knocked over cans of food.

"N...no", he says slowly regaining his senses. He kneels down and begins helping you.

Today, he decided to visit you at the grocery store you worked at. Head over heels isn't strong enough to describe how infatuated Steve is with you. He felt a strong connection when he first met you at Family Video. He was lost for words and it was so bad Robin had to cut her break short to ring you up.

Ever since, Steve has done anything he can to try to get a date with you. However, he just doesn't realize this "connection" he feels is one-sided.

He's picked up more shifts just to wait and hope you come around, taken coincidental walks around your neighborhood, and found out where you work through Robin, who you've become friends with.

Robin warns him to cut the shit, and that he needs to accept you aren't going to reciprocate his feelings but he still has hope. She had to pry away the flowers he bought for you for Valentine's Day because she knew it was creepy.

"You two aren't even dating! Don't give her those!"

When you came into the store to rent a couple of movies for a night in by yourself he nearly jumped over the counter to get you to go on a date with him.

"A gorgeous girl like you shouldn't be alone on the most romantic day ever!" You proceeded to shove him away by the forehead.

When you spotted him at the store you tried to hide, hoping he wouldn't see you. He spent thirty minutes walking around until he caught you trying to quietly back out of an aisle.

"Hey! Funny seeing you here!"

You grimaced, slowly turning to face him.

"Can I help you with anything, sir?", you did your best to sound polite.

"Well, I'm just here to get a few of things -- choclates, sparkling wine, flowers, you." You rolled your eyes and rubbed your forehead.

"Steve, how many times do I need to reject you for you to understand?"

"I just want you. You're my dream girl, I know we're destined to be together", Steve reached for your hand and you pulled away.

You scoff, "Ha, no we aren't. You know nothing about me."

You walk to another aisle to try and shake him off. He, like the dumb lost puppy he is, followed.

"Just one date! Anywhere you want, however long you want! Let me prove myself to you! I can do so much for you!" He touches your shoulder and you jerk away.

You go into another aisle and he follows again.

"I'll do anything for you!"

"Then go away!"

"Please, I'll be the best boyfriend! And later, the best husband!"

You burst into a fit of giggles at the insanity coming out of his mouth. You turn and look at him. He smiles at you but slowly realizes you're laughing at him, not with him.

"Why don't you love me?", he says lowly.

"Steve, I don't even like you!"

He went to lean against a shelf and tripped, knocking over a display of canned food.

Your day was already not going well and your creepy stalker making your job harder was not what you needed. And that's when you went off on him...

He watches as you slowly start stacking the cans.

"I'm sorry...", his voice cracks.

"No you aren't."

"I am, I am sorry. I just don't want you to be mad at me."

You glare at him as he gives you puppy dog eyes.

"Why are you so obsessed with me?"

"Because I'm in love with you!"

"What do you love about me?"

Steve instantly perks up, handing you more cans.

"Well, your hair looks so soft and shiny, and it's always styled cutely. And, your eyes are pretty even when you roll them at me. And, your smile is so cute, I love seeing you giggle with Robin--"

Even though it's usually because you're making fun of him to Robin, you think.

"And your voice is so sweet, I could listen to it all day. And you're not afraid to speak your mind. Plus you're strong which is kinda cool, like all those times you push me away by my forehead."

You finish stacking the cans and stand up. Steve hurriedly stands and tries to brush off your clothes but you swat him away.

"Steve...", he looks at you with a smile. "You sound like an insane person. Now go home."

You cross your arms and stand your ground. He sighs and walks out, slumped over a bit with a pout on his lips.

When you get home after your shift you find a bouquet of flowers and a card sitting by your door. You already know who they're from but curiosity gets the better of you.

Once you're inside you read the card.

"Hello beautiful,

I'm sorry about our fight. Sometimes I'm just dumb. I really do love you. To make it up to you, how about a date this weekend? I know you have Saturday night off :)

- Steve"

You groan and toss the flowers and card into the trash.

(This fic went in such a different direction than I had planned and now I kind of want to make this an ongoing series because I have lots of ideas for this creepy/lovesick/stalker!steve...)

[jungle-angel]

Sleepwalk (Miles Miller x Reader)

Summary: It’s definitely that time of the night

Miles sighed as he ran his hand over his face, absolutely exhausted from the long hours as they dragged on and on. He hated the nights when there were dinner events at the hotel and lately there had been one after the other since “millionaire’s season” had begun at the beginning of the month. 

They hadn’t been all bad, only a few snippy ones here and there, but most of them had been some of the better lot, one of them a self-made oilman from Texas who had come in with his wife, his sons and grandchildren and who had taken a suite in California. 

“Miles, ya’ll got a hand rolled menthol for later?” Dan Fitzgerald asked him when he stopped by the front desk. 

“Ok but this is the last time,” Miles said under his breath. “Next time, you’d better start paying my dad thirty cents a pack.” 

“Thirty?” Dan asked. “Your old man told me ten.” 

“Yeah well, the leaf ain’t cheap,” Miles answered. 

Dan paid up and took the pack from Miles, chuckling to himself as he took a quick break. Miles could already smell dinner being made in the kitchen, hoping to God you’d be coming back with a little something for him. 

He checked in another few people, having them sign the desk ledger when he spotted you coming down the stairs in a denim dress you had made from a few old pairs of jeans sewn together, your brown strap sandals flapping against the stone floors. 

“Hey handsome,” you said, leaning against the counter on your elbows and pressing a kiss to Miles’s cheek. 

“M’so tired baby,” Miles groaned. “Tired and hungry.” 

“I’m gonna go and get you something from the kitchen,” you told him. “Benny’s been tucked into bed and your mom and dad went out for a little while.” 

Miles hummed a little, reveling in your hand being placed over his other cheek. God he wished he could go to bed right here, right now......with you. 

You disappeared for a few minutes to go and get him what he needed before another couple entered and enquired about a room in Nevada. Miles shook the sleepiness from his head and blinked his eyes a few times as the pangs of hunger started to make him shaky. 

The couple thanked him and went on their way when you returned with two plates, one for you and one for him, full of roast chicken, wild rice and a grainy dinner roll. 

“Oh thank you baby,” Miles sighed with relief. 

“Eat up,” you told him. “I’m clocking out in a few minutes and you probably should too.” 

Miles couldn’t have agreed more. The two of you ate as much as you could before you started for the kitchen, taking the plates with you, when all of a sudden and older woman began making her way from the dining room. Miles looked up and a broad smile began to form on his face. 

“Well I’ll be damned,” the woman chuckled. “Miles Miller, is that you?” 

“Evening Mrs. Kennedy,” Miles said to her. “It’s been a long time.” 

“A long time indeed,” the woman said. “I remember the day you walked into my first grade class and the eight years I had you after the fact.” 

Miles laughed a little, remembering his elementary school days and how Mrs. Kennedy had been his favorite teacher. “What can I do for you ma’am?” he asked. 

“I’m so sorry to bother you my dear,” she said apologetically. “But I was just in the dining room with my husband and there’s a little boy who’s fallen asleep in the window seat.”

Miles knitted his eyebrows together in confusion. “I’m sorry?” 

“Here, come with me,” Mrs. Kennedy said with a wave of her hand. 

You and Miles hurriedly followed Mrs. Kennedy into the dining room where the dinner event was in full swing. When you reached the popular window seat, there before your eyes was the Texas oilman you had seen earlier and the familiar sight of three year old Benny asleep with his little blue blanket and his stuffed puppy. 

“Oh Lordy,” Miles chuckled. “I’m terribly sorry about that Mr. Lawson.” 

“Miles it’s no worry,” the man replied, his Texas drawl thicker than clay. “I have grandchildren myself and they all sleepwalk around the ranch.” 

“And in that case, I think it’s time we all turned in for the night,” Miles added, picking Benny up and pulling the blanket a little tighter around him. 

You and Miles both thanked Mr. Lawson and Mrs. Kennedy before turning in for the night, carrying Benny back to the quarters the three of you shared during the season. 

“It's getting near dawn When lights close their tired eyes I'll soon be with you my love Give you my dawn surprise I'll be with you darling soon I'll be with you when the stars start falling 

I've been waiting so long

To be where I'm going In the sunshine of your love”

You felt a shiver run into you as Miles’s soft voice sang to Benny, his head resting on Miles’s shoulder. You smoothed out Benny’s hair before he woke up a little bit, lifting his head to meet Miles’s face. 

“Shhhh, it’s ok Benny, go back to sleep,” Miles whispered, rubbing small circles on Benny’s back. 

You heard it again, Miles’s voice which had once sang you to sleep on your wedding night, his voice only a hum that only you and Benny would be able to hear. 

“I'm with you my love The light's shining through on you Yes, I'm with you my love It's the morning and just we two I'll stay with you darling now I'll stay with you 'til my seas are dried up

I've been waiting so long To be where I'm going In the sunshine of your love”

You reached the little room a moment later with Miles placing Benny in the bed you shared with him, pulling the covers over him before draping his little blanket over him. Benny’s little form curled around his stuffed puppy as you helped Miles switch into his pale blue pjs. 

“Thank you baby,” he murmured, wincing as he stripped his shirt off. 

You placed a kiss on his cheek and another on the curve of his neck. “Miles, you’ve helped me before and now its my turn to return the favor,” you told him. 

As soon as you and Miles were ready, the two of you crawled under the covers and into your warm bed with Benny in between you, shutting the lights off as Miles quietly sang the rest of the song, his hand gently stroking Benny’s soft hair. The two of you looked up at the little window to see the snow beginning to fall, the first of the year in Lake Tahoe. 

“Goodnight Benny,” he whispered, placing a kiss on the back of Benny’s head. “Sleep tight.” 

Yours and Miles’s hands clasped together, resting on Benny’s small form, Miles’s thumb brushing over your knuckles and the ring that had once belonged to his father’s mother. “Goodnight (y/n),” he whispered. 

“Goodnight Miles,” you replied, kissing the back of his hand. 

The two of you settled in soon enough, the snow falling outside and the bed warm as the heaviness of the day lifted itself from the both of you. The much needed quiet let you fall asleep quicker than you had ever expected, just the three of you close together as a family.