#a great present for pride month thank you mr. angel

[mactavishwritings]

Roxanne - moulin rouge inspired fic

Simon "ghost" Riley x cam girl! Reader

smut but no sex?, fluff, a teeniest bit of angst

this fic is my birthday present for myself. Happy birthday to me

“Roxanne... You don't have to put on that red light."

Simon's eyes were stinging as he waited for the 'LIVE' notification on your freecamcast.com channel. Simon didn't know why he spent his off time obsessively waiting for the fake attention of a woman who had no idea who he was until 4 months ago. He sighed desperately as the notification still hadn't come. You didn't have a typical routine; you were never consistent with when you were live.

He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes, growing tired as it got later. He knew you lived within the same time zone as him because you would say it was the same time for you as it was for Simon. He was relatively new to your channel, you were one of the most popular camgirls on this site, consistently within the top 5 % of creators. He weirdly felt a sense of pride, that his favorite creator was so popular.

Finally, Simon's computer chimed, alerting Simon that you had finally gone live. He smiled softly as he clicked into your livestream. There were already a few thousand viewers on your stream and when he saw you, his heart fluttered. There you were; your hair pulled back into a thick ponytail with a light pink bow on top and the baby pink lingerie set he bought and sent to you. Told you he wanted you to wear it for your birthday and here you were, all dressed up for him. Simon was one of your top viewers and top tipper.

"Hi everyone!" Your soft voice came over Simon's speakers and he sighed happily. He instantly found relief in your voice and the deep centers of your endless eyes. He leaned forward, taking in the appearance of your body in the babydoll dress.

"Thank you all!" You giggled as the chat filled with birthday messages all flying past, everyone hoping to get their message noticed first. You giggled as you watched all the messages go by. You leaned back in your seat. You had a full setup, looking like a professional Twitch steamer setup. You had a soft ring light that cast a very romantic glow on your presence. It made you look ethereal and angelic, more so than you already were.

You hummed along to the soft music that played in the background of your stream. Your chin was tilted up, exposing your jawline and your neck. "How's everyone's night going? Are we having a great time?" You mused, sighing happily. Simon sent off a $50 tip, the first of many of that night. Your stream made a chime to notify you of the tip. You perked up and read the happy birthday message Simon attached to the tip. "Oh! Mr. Ghost! Thank you for the tip. I wore that outfit you got for my birthday, just for you." You beamed, sitting up to show off the lingerie that lay on your body. He sent a message to the chat, smiling as he typed out the message.

Mr. Ghost: looks good on u

You spun your chair once as if to twirl. Your giggles filled the room, making Simon chuckle with you. He felt as if you and him were the only ones on this call. You pushed your chair back and batted your eyelashes at the screen.

Mr. Ghost: so pretty. Glad u like it

You nodded happily, grinning ear to ear. "Of course I like it! How could l not? I just love everything you send me." You winked before moving on to greet the other viewers and Simon sunk back into his seat. He was excited for tonight's stream because he had a private, one-on-one chat with you after. Because he was one of your top tippers, he got special privileges that got him special benefits, like private chats and access to more actions like buying you outfits to wear on stream.

Simon zoned back and returned his focus to you. The stream took a drastic turn, you had shifted your hips back and popped them up, your feet now resting on the armrests of your pink gaming chair. Your eyes were wide and had a hint of innocence to them. Simon watched the screen intensely and his eyes followed the slow movements of your hands. Your hands traced down your thighs and your nails scratched up them. You sighed dramatically and tilted your head to the side, maintaining eye contact with the camera the whole time.

"It's just so sad I'm here all alone on my birthday, a little girl like me, all alone." You fluttered your lashes and the chat went insane as your hand tipped down towards your clothed center. The set Simon got you came with a pair of panties that barely covered your center. You whined, hand slipping over your center and Simon felt his mouth water. You sighed again, sitting up and you returned your feet to the floor. "Whatever is a girl like me to do!" You giggled again as your stream was flooded by anonymous men tipping you anywhere from $20 to $100, just to get a glimpse under your panties.

-

Simon's stomach was in knots. You had sent Simon the link to the private video calls so he could join. The only thing different about this call, the thing making him so nervous, was that he promised to finally get on camera for you to see, just for your birthday. He readjusted his hair one last time before joining the call.

"Mr. Ghost! I was starting to worry that you were gonna ghost me." Your giggle was the first thing he heard and it immediately made him relax. "I'd never do that to you. You know that." He answered you simply and took in your appearance. You had cleaned up from the stream, fixed your hair, and put away all your toys. You were still in your lingerie and Simon smiled. "You look cute."

"Thank you, Mr. Ghostie! A cute guy dressed me." You winked at the camera and Simon chuckled. "Well, he has good taste. Wanna give me a twirl, love?" Simon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. Your face lit up and you nodded, standing up and shuffling to get your whole body into frame. He felt himself laugh at your fluffy, white socks. You did a slow spin, showing off the whole outfit. "Very nice…I like it."

"Thank you…Now, I think you have something to show me." You sat back down, resting your elbows on the desk, your chin resting on your hands. "Yeah…right." Simon nervously rubbed his neck and he watched your eyebrows knit together, a worried expression appearing. "You don't have to! I'm not pressuring you." Simon felt his heart flutter and he leaned forward to turn his camera on. Like you, Simon had a semi-profession streamer set up, being big on PC games while on his leave.

He pushed his curls back and smiled as the camera clicked on. "Oh thank fuck. I was hoping you were secretly hot and not some old fuck." You immediately sat up and scootched up to the desk to stare closely at him. He turned his chin in each direction to show off his face to you. You sat back in your seat with the biggest smile on your face. "Happy birthday." Simon smiled back and you pushed yourself up to sit cris-cros on your gaming seat. "Will you do me a favor tonight?" Simon asked, watching you shift around. "Tell me." You twirled a hair on your finger.

"Want you relaxed. Go change. Still gonna make sure you're taken of, but not tonight, angel." He made sure to make pointed eye contact and you had a genuine smile on your face. "Thank you. I didn't want to work on my birthday." You stood up and you left the frame. Simon took a deep breath and adjusted his headphones. He didn't know why he requested this, but something just told him to. He couldn't help but feel like you treated him differently than your other viewers.

You two had done a couple of sessions like this, where he asked for the non-performer you. Simon loved those sessions because it made it feel real. Like he wasn't paying you for friendship, for just a sense of intimacy. You soon came back into the frame, dressed in a light pink hoodie and sweatpant set. Your hood was pulled up on your head and you had slippers on your feet.

"Hey, pretty girl." Simon smiled as you placed your headphones on your head and then your hoodie over the headphones. "Hey." Your soft voice made Simon nearly melt. "Thank you, ghostie." You giggled and Simon leaned back in his chair, finally able to relax. "Simon. I'm Simon." He felt his chest pounding as your eyes softened, testing the name on your lips. "Okay, Simon." You hummed and your eyes scanned a screen off to the side. "Did you wanna just talk or watch a movie, or something?" Simon just shook his head. "It's your birthday. Pick."

"Okay! I have questions about you." You sat up and clicked a couple of things on your end before turning back towards Simon. "Okay, hit me."

The two of you went back and forth for a few hours and Simon was able to determine a few things. You two lived in the same area, pretty close actually. You recently got a kitten, and he told you a little about his job. You both slowly opened up to each other, progressively sharing more and more personal details.

It was nearing 2 am and the both of you were talking like Simon wasn't paying you. Your feet were resting up on your chair and your hoodie was slowly falling off your shoulder. You sighed and looked over towards the window in your streaming room. "Thanks for hanging out with me on my birthday. Would've spent it alone." You smiled and Simon nodded, happy to make you happy. "Of course. I would do this every night if I could." Simon said, cautious for your reaction.

You looked away for a moment before taking a deep breath. "If I…gave you my number…Do you promise me you won't use it for a free session?" Your voice had a desperate tone to it, Simon felt his heart shatter. He nodded, staring at you with a concerned look written all over his face. "I swear on my life." Simon couldn't breathe, your eyes searched his for anything to prove different.

-

His addiction to you got worse. He swore that he wasn't going to be one of those people who couldn't put their phone down, but here he was, desperately waiting for your next message. His day practically revolved around you, more so than it already did. He felt so much closer to you than anyone else who watched your streams. He got a more personal look at you, to see who you were beyond your body.

Simon was lying in bed, phone next to him open to your messages. You weren't streaming that night due to an injury that you didn't say more about and it was driving him nuts not to know about. His eyes flicked back and forth between your messages and the show that was passing time between the next text. Simon was on a one-month leave and was happy to finally have time to relax.

Simon felt a constant buzzing and his eyes whipped down to his phone. Your caller ID was staring back at him and his mind went silent. You never called him out of the blue, always asking before if it was okay.

"(Y/N)? You alright?" Simon sat forward, nervously shifting his weight. "Um…yeah. I'm okay." Your voice gave you away, shaking, and the sniffles you tried to hide came through. "You're lying to me." Simon tried his best to not sound freaked out, trying to sound confident to help you. "No, I'm not okay. I got kicked out of my apartment. Leasing manager found out what I do and ended my lease."

-

Simon felt like he was going to puke. You gave Simon your number 2 months ago and you trusted him with your life. The night before, you called him when you needed support. You called him, explaining that you had been forced out of your home and didn't know what to do. He talked you through the fear and got you placed in a hotel for the night. He didn't know what came over him, his suspicions being confirmed that you lived in the same town as him.

Once you got settled in the hotel, you called Simon back to let him know that you made it to the hotel. He wanted you to have a moment to decompress before anything else happened. He made you promise that you would call you in the morning and he would help you figure out the next steps.

He was already awake when you called the next morning. You sounded better, having a night to think everything over. "You feeling okay?" Simon's voice held a softness that he never heard from himself before. "Yeah, I'm just hungry." You giggled tiredly and sighed. "I'll send you breakfast, what do you want?" Simon offered like it was nothing. "How about you and I go to breakfast instead?" Simon felt his stomach dance and he chuckled. "I would love to. Give me 5 and I'll come grab you. If you bring a wallet, I'm not coming."

You were so much prettier in person. You smelled even better than Simon imagined and your smile was so bright. Simon pulled up in front of you at the hotel and rolled down the window. "Get in, doll." You got in the car and put your favorite breakfast spot in the GPS.

Simon was trying his best to control his nerves, feeling his hands shake like he was back in basic training. He occasionally looked over at you, just to make sure that you were real. At breakfast, he could barely contain his smile. Your humor matched his perfectly and he never wanted you to leave his sight. "If I offered for you to move in with me until you get your footing, would it ruin everything?" Simon asked you and your eyes softened, leaning forward. "Never."

-

Simon watched your stream from the other room but heard everything. He watched the chat, messages flying by as you put on your performance. You made him promise you that he wouldn't donate that night since he was letting you stay with him. He did slip a $50 in your purse that afternoon. He listened to the soft sounds of your moans, knowing the stream was coming to an end soon.

As soon as you came, you giggled and sat back in your chair to do your sign-off. Simon shifted in his seat as you fake-flirted with the other men in your chat, feeling a sudden urge of jealousy. He didn't like the attention you were giving away and that he couldn't receive any himself until after you finished with the others. When you got off and cleaned up, you exited the room with a bashful look on your face. and nervously sat down next to him. Simon smoothed your hair and looked over your face.

"How much?" He whispered, not wanting to say it out loud, not wanting to completely ruin everything he spent so long to build. "How much what?" You looked at him confused, fidgeting with your manicured nails. "How much for you to stop camming? I'll pay anything…" He ran his hand over your hair and your shoulders dropped and he panicked.

"I can't keep watching you show off to other men. I need to keep you for myself. Please (Y/N)…You don't have to go live anymore…Let me take care of you. Let me make you mine." Simon finished his sentence with a deep breath and waited for your response. He couldn't take the silence as everything processed in your mind. He opened his mouth to speak again when you surged forward.

Your lips connected with his and your hands wrapped around his neck. You sat up on your knees and pushed yourself against his chest. Simon took a moment to catch himself before his hands made their way to your hips, kissing you back with a desperation that made him embarrassed. He pulled you onto his lap and pulled you closer. "Simon…" You gasped and he immediately needed more as he squeezed your hips. "Stay with me." He begged and you nodded.

"Always."

[thuringwedhil]

he really went and showed them all why he is the paladin lmao you dropped this 👑 king

[7-wonders]

All of your Professor Duncan is so so good ❤️ Has there ever been a time where they were almost caught/their relationship was almost revealed?

I have two of these asks, and luckily for me @divinelangdon is an angel who helped me come up with some great concepts, so here we go!

//

Neither of you had meant to be so careless. Normally, you’re the exact opposite: making sure not to be near any prying eyes, keeping the door locked at all times, never meeting up in public. At this point, both you and Duncan live by a strict set of rules in order to keep your relationship secret until the semester was over and he was no longer your teacher. Even then, you’re not quite sure just how public a relationship with an older teacher at your college can be.

Of course, all rules go out the window when extreme excitement erases any caution you may carry within you. After finding out that you had won a sizable scholarship you had worked on for a month, your first stop (after screaming in your apartment) was Duncan’s office. It’s a near miracle that there’s no students or faculty in there, since you show up in the middle of his office hours.

Duncan looks up from the papers on his desk, blue eyes glinting behind his glasses. “(Y/N)? I wasn’t aware that you were going to be stopping by.”

You grin, not able to attempt any sort of nonchalant demeanor. “I got the scholarship!”

“Shut up, you did?”

“Yes!”

Duncan knows just how hard you’ve worked on this scholarship; enough nights of “studying”--nights where Duncan invited you over in the hopes that the two of you would get distracted and engage in other activities--had turned into Duncan helping you flesh out your application essay.

“I knew you could do it,” Duncan’s voice is tinged with pride as he holds his arms out to you. Bounding around the desk, you sling your arms around his neck and kiss him deeply. “Mmm, is this my reward for helping you out?”

“I was thinking of a different way to express my thanks, but this,” you kiss him for emphasis, “is a good start.”

“If this is just the start, then I’m excited to see the main event.”

“While I don’t want to give too much away, Mr. Shepherd,” the seductive tone of your voice when you call him by his official name never fails to make him shiver, and you trail your fingers along the goosebumps on his neck, “it might just involve a strip tease and maybe a lap dance.”

Duncan groans, pulling your face to his once more. “You can certainly practice on me now, if you think that would be beneficial.”

A knock on the door has you gasping against Duncan, your eyes wide with fear as you stare at him. His gaze is locked on the door, almost as if he’s scared that whoever’s on the outside will sense his movements.

“Mr. Shepherd, are you busy at the moment?”

Duncan grimaces, mouthing at you to ‘hide’ as he attempts to make himself look presentable. “Just one moment, Dr. Greene!” You dive under his desk without a second thought, wedging yourself in the foot hole and tucking your knees to your chest. 

The door opens just as Duncan sits down, his political science colleague entering the office. Duncan’s black shoe taps nervously against the floor, and you can’t tell if the giggles you’re stifling are from the hilarity of the situation or nerves from the possibility of getting caught.

“Duncan, thank you for allowing me to pop in for a moment, I’m sure you’re busy,” the man says, sitting on the opposite side of the desk and allowing you to breathe a little easier.

“Not a problem, Nathan. What can I do for you?”

Duncan and his colleague converse about subjects you couldn’t care less about, something to do with conflicting course materials for the next semester. Shifting on your knees to get more comfortable, an idea comes to mind as you realize you’re in the prime position to tease your lover. It’s risky, and potentially dangerous, but you figure that a little fun won’t hurt.

You start slowly ghosting your fingers up his leg, Duncan stiffening imperceptibly above you as you squeeze his thigh. Tracing circles that slowly get closer to his bulge, you catch him off-guard by using your other hand to suddenly grasp his growing erection. His breath hitches, forcing Duncan to quickly cover it with a cough. When you start to apply more pressure, you’re the one who’s surprised as Duncan locks both of your wrists in the hold of one of his hands.

“Why don’t I take a look at the books I’ve included on my syllabus before, and I’ll send you a list so that you can decide whether any of those would be a good fit for your class?”

“That would be great, thank you.” Duncan’s colleague, thankfully, does not stick around for any small talk. The door opens and closes, Duncan waiting barely a moment before dragging you up from under the desk and planting you firmly on his lap.

“You think you’re really clever, don’t you?” Duncan attempts to act stern, but you can tell that he’s fighting a smile by the way he bites his bottom lip.

“Maybe. You have to admit that it spiced up your conversation a little.”

“Oh, by fondling me while I’m having a discussion with a fellow professor?” You only shrug, sending him into a full smile by kissing the corner of his mouth. “I should punish you.”

“I’m sensing a comma at the end there.”

“...but I won’t, because today’s a big day for you and I’m going to treat you like an intelligent queen who composes well-structured essays and wins heaps of scholarship money.”

Your cheeks heat up, staring at the ceiling in an attempt to lull the embarrassment coursing through your body. “Well that’s definitely not what I was expecting you to say.”

What started as nothing but a one-time event had morphed to a secret tryst, a forbidden sexual relationship between teacher and student. Lately, the dynamic has changed between you. You wouldn’t mind just sitting in the living room with Duncan, or doing the most mundane activities with him. You care about him, more than you should. From the soft way he looks at you and how gently he strokes your cheek with the back of his fingers, you think he might just feel the same way.

“You should probably leave before one of my students comes barging in here with less decorum than Dr. Greene and catches us together. I’ll see you tonight, and we’ll properly celebrate.”

“I’ll be sure to practice my strip tease before tonight, then.” You stand up from his lap, laughing as you wink at him and head to the door.

“(Y/N)?” Duncan calls, stopping you in your tracks. You look at him, waiting expectantly. “I...I’m glad you’re mine.” 

“I’m glad you’re mine, too, Dunc.” You leave with a wave, worried that a student will come in and ruin this moment. 

Leaning against the wall outside of Duncan’s office, you place a hand over your chest to make sure your heart won’t beat out of your ribcage. This has become something neither of you were anticipating, but something that you wouldn’t trade for the world.

[chicagocityofclans]

Katherine “Kate” Brooks → Danielle Panabaker → Human

→ Basic Information

Age: 31

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Straight

Birthday: September 29th

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Religion: Agnostic (Lapsed Protestant)

→ Her Personality Kate Brooks is a thorough woman. She loves to double and triple check her records and takes great care with the bodies she handles. Her compassionate and caring side comes out when she’s working, Kate truly cares about how these people are finally laid to rest and what she can do to help families get closure. As somewhat of a black sheep, Kate takes pride in her job and that she found a job she loved despite her family’s doubt of her.

Though she is the baby of the family, Kate tends to shy away from the spotlight. A result of having two attention seekers for siblings. She finds life is easier when you step away from drama and let your work speak for you. Though she can be socially awkward and trip over her words during presentations, she is strong enough to speak her opinions. She can seem uptight upon initial meetings, but slowly shows the geeky and wondrous side of herself. Despite loving science and the medical field, Kate is open to the world of things she doesn’t know and becomes giddy about it. She got into science to discover the magic of the world and discover the secrets it holds.

→ Her Personal Facts

Occupation: Medical Examiner for Chicago Police Department

Scars: Long cut on her forearm from a car accident in college

Tattoos: None

Two Likes: Serial the podcast and Salt Water Taffy

Two Dislikes: Liquid Cheese and Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Two Fears: A fast, incurable illness and Bees (allergy)

Two Hobbies: Mineralogy and Taking recreation photos at famous Chicago movie filming sites

Three Positive Traits: Open Minded, Logical, Excited

Three Negative Traits: Shy, Transparent, Aloof

→ Her Connections

Parent Names:

Richard Brooks (Father): Kate was never really close to her father. She was his repentance to her mother and everyone in the family knew it. He does give very generous Christmas presents however, as a thank you for not dragging up trouble.

Georgette Brooks (Mother): Georgette never quite knew how to deal with Kate. She was the apology gift to Georgette, which brought up anger and resentment over her father cheating. Kate was handed off to the nanny while her mother went about her business.

Sibling Names:

James Brooks (Brother): Kate absolutely can’t stand her brother. He’s dramatic and self involved and a toxic person in general. She moved away from the East Coast, after he ruined her previous relationship by dating and destroying her boyfriend’s older brother. He’s 7 years older than her, yet acts like the baby of the family. Kate hasn’t told James where she moved, and he’s never asked.

Ingrid King nee Brooks (Sister): Ingrid has always been more of a distant relative, rather than a close sister. Kate is about 10 years younger than her sister and they didn’t really grow up with each other. Ingrid is nice enough, but Kate doesn’t feel really close to her.

Children Names:

None

Romantic Connections:

Ezra Adams (Ex-Boyfriend): Ezra broke up with her after a particularly bad break up between James and Ezra’s older brother. He claimed that his family needed a clean break so he could heal. Kate had just received a job offer in Chicago and was going to ask Ezra to move with her. She’s gotten over her ex, but doesn’t want her family anywhere near a new one.

Ryan Clerigh (Crush): Kate has always thought Ryan was cute, but it wasn’t until they started talking that she really developed a crush on him. He’s smart and sweet and actually interested in what her interests are. She’s working out a way to ask him out soon, though she wishes he’d make the first move.

Platonic Connections:

Jev Cipriano (Friend/Co-worker): She and Jev are the closest of her colleagues. He’s her age and funny, and they’ve evolved from work friends to going out at night friends. He is the major culprit when it comes to the strange and unexplained at the office, however. She thought it might be incompetence for a week or so, but she knows how smart he actually is and it just doesn’t line up.

Judson Clerigh (Friend): Judson always came into the office to have lunch with Jev. She was friendly with him in passing, but they didn’t really get to know each other until Judson brought her lunch too. They slowly became friends, which turned into Jev and Judson asking her to come out with them for drinks, and eventually meeting Ryan. However, she’s seen Judson go in and out of rooms at the Medical Examiner’s office, and he’s been added to the theory journal.

Adelaide “Addie” Blanchett (Coworker): It’s been nice having another woman closer to her age in the lab lately. They’ll grab brunch every so often and Kate is enjoying having a female friend to talk to.

Churchill Darling (Acquaintance): He seems to steal the show whenever he’s out for drinks with Jev and Kate. He is incredibly entertaining, but a part of her feels like his big, bright personality is hiding something.

Monty Wilders (Acquaintances): She met Monty when Addie invited her to brunch. He seems nice enough and it’s evident how much he adores Adelaide.

Darren Shaw (Co-worker): Shaw is a detective who often came in to see Jev and Addie. They all seem to know each other well, and Darren occasionally comes out for drinks with the group.

Douglas Gish (Police Supervisor): Kate has spoken to Douglas about the work being done by Jev. She expressed her concerns, but was more or less blown off. She wonders why this is all of a sudden being accepted.

Winston Abioye (Coworker): Winston is one of the detectives that Kate works with. He has always been friendly to her, but she has heard quite a few negative things about him.

Greta Bow (Friend): Greta and Kate work in the same department and have really become good friends. She thinks Greta is really sweet and has enjoyed going out outside of work together.

Bess Bonnaire (Friend):Bess and Kate hit it off from the first time they met when Bess had to visit the ME’s office. They soon started meeting up outside of work and have been friends since.  

Eli Kohen (Coworker): Eli has told her that he prefers when she handles his evidence because of the frequent “accidents” and poor treatment of it by the other MEs. She has a feeling he’s talking about Jev, but hasn’t asked any further questions.

Hostile Connections:

Vincent Kane (Uncomfortable): Vincent seems to steer clear of Kate whenever he comes out with drinking with them. She doesn’t know why he dislikes her so much, but she’s starting to be hurt by it.

Simon Brodeur (Neighbor): Simon lives on the other side of her townhome and keeps opposite hours of hers. When she’s trying to sleep, he’s up playing some horribly sad song, or bumping around in a different way. She can’t wait to move out when her lease is up.

Angel Landyn (Dislike): Angel has hit on Kate frequently. She told him to stop, but he only left her alone after she had brought it up accidentally to Church and Patch.

Molly Bennett (Former Coworker): When Molly explained she was leaving and why she was leaving, it sent up a lot of red flags. Kate mulled it over, and finally got up the courage to ask if she felt safe and if she really wanted to leave. Molly took it the wrong way and stomped out of the room.

Breha Kaur (Reporter): Breha often pushes Kate for a scoop, especially causes of death. She doesn’t enjoy being harrassed and finds it aggravating.

Pets:

None.

→ History The Brooks family was well known in the Hamptons with a daughter and a son.  They were everything a good rich WASP family should be: from old money, excellent hosts, upstanding members of the community, with brilliant beautiful children. However lurking behind the pristinely white outside of their family lurked tension. Ingrid struggled terribly in school, while James was looking like he’d be a disappointment in another way. Richard strayed and started up a year long affair which was brought to Georgette’s attention via a blackmail letter. They fought and struggled, all silently of course, before Richard agreed to another baby 7 years after their last. There entered Katherine, in all her pre-mee and hole in her heart glory. She needed to stay in the hospital for months after her birth, and when she came home all the shiny newness of her wore off. James began acting out for attention and Ingrid needed to be chauffeured to tutoring and equestrian and ballet. She was left with a nanny while her parents avoided the symbol of their broken marriage. She was smart and sweet, though painfully shy and easily forgotten in the hullabaloo of the eldest Brooks siblings.

As she grew, and they began leaving the house, Kate became her mother’s only project. She was in everything from orchestra, to diving and robotics. She excelled in her scientific endeavors and her parents pushed harder for her to succeed in school. Ingrid went to college and got a MRS degree. James came back with a boyfriend, much to her parents' chagrin, and Kate faded back into the sidelines. She graduated valedictorian and got her undergrad at Cornell, before going to Med school. She tried in vain to ignore her family, especially once she’d graduated, but they always seemed to find her. She settled in Boston, and there came James with his life ruining ways. He got into a relationship with her boyfriend’s brother, only to psychologically torture and then dump him. Ezra dumped her afterwards, which was perfect timing for her move to Chicago.

Once Kate got to Chicago, she began working as an ME. She always had an awkward bedside manner, and always enjoyed going to the morgue. A well paying spot opened up and she took it gladly. Every Brooks was horrified at the prospect of working with the dead, and swore they wouldn’t be visiting. This was wonderful news to Kate and another plus to the coroners office. She has started to venture out of her apartment in the last year and check out all the unique things there are to do there. One summer day she did the same routine as Ferris Bueller and found a new hobby in discovering Chicago filming spots.

→ The Present Kate has been working at the Medical Examiner’s office for a couple of years now and the small things she had brushed off as an inexperienced ME have piled up into a large, annoying unexplained phenomenon. It centers primarily around the other ME, Jev, and the old crime scene tech, Addie. Bodies disappearing, but always having an explanation later on, non-police being brought in to help with bodies, and more. She’s tried casually bringing it up to Jev and even went as far as the supervisor one time. He thanked her for her concern and then it went nowhere. Kate is determined to figure out what is going on and even has a journal full of theories she works on.

She has also been working up the nerve to ask Ryan Cleirigh out. Jev introduced her to him and his friend Judson almost a year ago, and they have slowly formed a friendship. She’s almost gotten up the nerve to ask him out a few times, but wasn’t sure he’d reciprocate. Only recently did Jev let her know she should go for it, and that Ryan was just bad at talking to people. Kate has a plan to ask him to a Terminator movie festival happening, but hopes he asks her out first.

[liunaticfringe]

Lucy Liu is chuckling quietly on the other end of the phone line as she muses over the question inspired by the title of her new series, Why Women Kill.

"I don't think every woman could be pissed off enough to actually become a killer," the 51-year-old actor says, referring to the SBS series about three women living in different decades who must each decide how to deal with infidelity. "But does it make you think about the times where you've been really angry at someone – like, what it would take? Maybe."

She adds with another giggle, "Obviously I've never gone to that extent, but I've had many opportunities in my career to carry out death sentences. So I guess you could say, for good or bad, I've been able to get it out of my system somewhat!"

Lucy – who recently wrapped a seven-season stint as Dr Joan Watson to Jonny Lee Miller's Sherlock Holmes in the modern-day TV revamp Elementary (2012-19) – is talking to Sunday Life from her New York City apartment, where she's been busy trying to keep her four-year-old son Rockwell amused during the city-wide COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

"New York is usually vibrant, because it's a walking city, but now everyone is wearing masks and avoiding each other," she laments. "It's difficult because Rockwell likes to be moving around all the time. It's just impossible to have him not put things in his mouth when I turn my back!"

Why Women Kill is creator Marc Cherry's latest series to showcase a female ensemble. He started out in 1990 as a writer and producer on the The Golden Girls and its short-lived spin-off, The Golden Palace. He also co-created the female-driven sitcom, The 5 Mrs Buchanans, went on to create the Golden Globe-winning series Desperate Housewives, and followed that up with Devious Maid.

Why Women Kill is a 10-part series detailing the lives of three women living in the same California home over three eras: Beth Ann (Ginnifer Goodwin), a '60s housewife; Simone (Lucy Liu), an '80s socialite; and Taylor (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), a present-day lawyer. There's bisexuality, open marriage, adultery, a closeted spouse, an overdose, a front-yard brawl and a choking incident involving meatloaf – and that's just the first episode!

Ultimately, the show examines how the roles of women may have changed through the decades, but their reaction to betrayal remains the same.

The actor had just wrapped Elementary when Cherry called to pitch her the character. "He said he really had Simone in mind for me, then he walked me through the actual storyline," she recalls. "It definitely changed a little bit from what we talked about at the start, but during the writing we got to know each other more and I felt like he had a great way of telling a story.

"I also loved the idea of Simone living in the '80s with the hair and shoulder pads, and what the relationship to the cheating is for each character, as it has an unexpected ending."

The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Lucy was raised in the Jackson Heights neighbourhood of Queens, in New York City, and initially planned to pursue a degree in Asian languages and culture at the University of Michigan.

But she also secretly dreamed of becoming an actor, studying old Charlie Chan movies, and finally raised the nerve to audition for a supporting role in a college production of Alice in Wonderland in her final year.

Lucy was astonished when she landed the lead role, and it was all the encouragement she needed. As soon as she graduated, she broke the news to her parents that, despite her freshly inked college degree, she was moving to LA to become an actor.

After appearing in a string of TV shows including E.R. (1995, three episodes) and Ally McBeal (1998-2002, 79 episodes), she landed film roles in Charlie's Angels (2000), Chicago (2002) and Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003).

Lucy looks back and sees her young self as more guileless than driven, hardly the Asian trailblazer breaking stereotypes in Hollywood that she's become.

"I think I was just too naive and didn't know what was ahead of me or what I was going to be up against," she admits. "I had some idea when I got to LA, because a friend of mine would have 10 auditions in a day or a week and I would have maybe two or three in a month, so I knew it was going to be much more limited for me.

"But then I got really lucky with a few jobs, which put me in rooms for auditions where I looked like no other woman in the room. I thought, ‘I don't even understand why I'm here, but I'm going to give it my all.'

"I think when you are somewhat the black sheep, you don't really have anything to lose, because they are not necessarily looking for you. So you may as well go for it!"

Some reviewers have compared Why Women Kill's catty Simone to uber-bitch Alexis Carrington (Joan Collins) in the iconic '80s soap opera Dynasty. "I didn't really watch Dynasty because I couldn't relate to it as a child of immigrant parents, and I didn't understand that kind of wealth and the claws coming out to scratch you," says Lucy.

"But as you go on in life, you start to understand a little bit more what that pop culture was. When I started doing Charlie's Angels and went back to that era to see the representation of those women at that time, I realised they weren't just all kitschy, but they were also incredibly smart and sexy."

As friendly and accessible as Lucy is, she's also full of pride when asked about her son. Has she used some of their isolation time to introduce him to her voice work as Viper in the animated Kung Fu Panda films? Definitely not, the protective mum replies. "He doesn't know what I do. All he thinks is that I'm an artist and I'm a mommy – and that's enough for now."

Rockwell was born in 2015 via gestational surrogate after Lucy made the decision to become a single parent. "Elementary was the longest job I ever had and it gave me the ability to stay in one place, because we were syndicated and we knew we were going to be making a certain number of shows," she explains.

"So that was also the impetus for me to think, ‘Maybe I can have a family of my own.' It wasn't like I was making bad decisions before that, but I had made the choice to prioritise my career. Then, one day, I just felt like it wasn't enough. I didn't want to look back in 30 years and realise I was still having the same conversations about my job every day. I wanted more."

Lucy gets emotional while talking about how motherhood has changed her. "It's almost become this cellular feeling of connecting to the universe in a way where you understand the idea of the cycle of life and the responsibility of having another being who is a part of you but outside of yourself. It's a very different feeling to doing a project where you know you will finish and move on. This is a life-long decision that changes your life and prioritises things in a very positive way."

Given how candidly she has spoken about going it alone as a parent, it's surprising how little she's volunteered about her personal life. She explains it is all by design: she has never spoken publicly about her relationships, although online stories have flagged a handful of boyfriends, including a three-year relationship with actor Will McCormack that ended in 2008, and a relationship with Israeli-American shoe tycoon Noam Gottesman in 2010.

"I've always been very private and I fly under the radar as much as possible," she says. "I do that in a very specific manner. I don't bring people I'm dating to any public event because it's a big responsibility that I'm not sure anyone wants.

"Your work is your legacy and you want to be able to do more each time, and change so you can continue to have some kind of value," says Lucy, who has also been a producer and director. "You don't want people thinking of you as just someone who dated someone and getting distracted from your work."

For now it seems Lucy Liu's legacy is doing just fine, thank you.Lucy gets emotional while talking about how motherhood has changed her. "It's almost become this cellular feeling of connecting to the universe in a way where you understand the idea of the cycle of life and the responsibility of having another being who is a part of you but outside of yourself. It's a very different feeling to doing a project where you know you will finish and move on. This is a life-long decision that changes your life and prioritises things in a very positive way."Given how candidly she has spoken about going it alone as a parent, it's surprising how little she's volunteered about her personal life. She explains it is all by design: she has never spoken publicly about her relationships, although online stories have flagged a handful of boyfriends, including a three-year relationship with actor Will McCormack that ended in 2008, and a relationship with Israeli-American shoe tycoon Noam Gottesman in 2010."I've always been very private and I fly under the radar as much as possible," she says. "I do that in a very specific manner. I don't bring people I'm dating to any public event because it's a big responsibility that I'm not sure anyone wants."Your work is your legacy and you want to be able to do more each time, and change so you can continue to have some kind of value," says Lucy, who has also been a producer and director. "You don't want people thinking of you as just someone who dated someone and getting distracted from your work."For now it seems Lucy Liu's legacy is doing just fine, thank you.

[bluehhj]

listen to me — chapter 36

LISTEN TO ME — 0036

listen to me masterlist;

WORDS: 2.4K

Jisung woke up to the noise of a car parking in front of his house, but, judging that his neighbors were always doing so because of the shadow his tree cast on the street, he didn't care or thought it might be some unwanted visitor bothering him in the middle of sunday morning. So he turned on the bed and smiled a little when he realized that Jinah was still sleeping. Choi had messy hair, swollen, reddened lips, a few marks on her neck and an angelic expression as she breathed slowly; beautiful.

It was a little awkward to wake up with someone next to you for years and suddenly replace them with someone else. It seemed to be in the wrong bed, in the wrong room, or even in the wrong house. For Jisung, it was a radical change of conformity, but he couldn't lie and say that he didn't like the changes. Just he, who was never adept at any dynamism. Well, it doesn't matter. Jinah was now his girlfriend and was there, and no one else in the world — I repeat: none — would occupy that side of the bed as well as she. Jisung could very well get used to it.

The time he spent reflecting was not timed or even marked from afar. It could be seconds, minutes, whatever. When Han came back to reality, the girl's little eyes were opening lazily, as well as the smile on her lips when she noticed that she was being watched.

— "Good morning," — Jisung's voice sounded hoarse. His eyes flew to the digital clock on the nightstand and he realized it was past noon.

— "Morning" — Jinah stretched, and the boy couldn't help but mentally compare her to a kitten. — "You should take a picture instead of just looking at me. I bet it would last much longer."

— "Silly" — he rolled his eyes and poked her ribs, causing her to cringe and laugh softly. Then came a moment of silence which Jisung took the opportunity to think a little more. The last few hours rewound in his mind and he bit his lower lip uncertainly. — "JinJin..." — he called in a whisper, then heard a "hum?" for him to continue. — "Last night did you mean it or was it just the moment?"

— "I don't think an 'I love you' is the most appropriate thing to say to anyone during an orgasm if it's not true." — Jinah sat on the mattress. They had talked so much on the night in question that a number of subjects might fit what Jisung was referring to, but Choi was right about the real x of the equation. — "You think?"

— "Of course not."

— "So when you said it wasn't just for the moment either, right?" — Jisung caught a tiny note of apprehension in Jinah's words, as if deep down she feared the answer, and smiled.

— "Okay," — he answered firmly, leaning on one elbow so he could get a better view of her slightly flushed face. — "Do you want me to repeat just in case?"

— "Would be great."

Han then looked deep into the girl's eyes and paused almost dramatically before finally saying: — "I love you."

Jinah blushed more, a broad smile on her lips. She almost pulled the blanket off and covered her head. She wished she could scream, but forced herself to continue talking civilly and moderately.

— "I love you too."

— "Seeing you shy is one of the things I admire most in life, you know that?"

— "Aish!" — Jinah laughed, bewildered, and patted her boyfriend. — "Stop it, you idiot."

Jisung actually stopped, but not at the girl's request, but at the sound of the doorbell ringing throughout the house. He frowned, wondering if the car that had just parked there had any connection with the visitor, although his list of hypotheses was not very long, since the only people who used to appear there that day and time were the witnesses of Jehovah, the lady in the house next door who sold cakes and Hyunjin — when he fought with Yoorim and the girl wanted to beat him with the broomstick —, but none of them used any method of locomotion other than their own feet.

Jinah went to the bathroom while Jisung fixed his messy hair. The boy didn't make much of his grooming, for he didn't think it would be important enough to get him to swap his comfortable sweatpants for something more presentable, so he opened the door. Of all the people in the world, the one Jisung least expected to see against the door-frame was this: his mother.

— "Hi, baby!" — Hyoyeon broke into her typical smile that made the dentists cry with pride and hugged her son suddenly. Han shrugged his neck as her nose tickled his skin. — "Um, is that a peach smell? Since when are you wearing fruit perfume?"

— "Calm down, mom, come slowly," — he drew back to breathe and recover from the fright. — "Firstly, good morning."

— "Then you complain that I don't give you enough love," — she rolled her eyes. — "And it's good afternoon, have you ever looked at the clock?"

— "Whatever" — Jisung opened the door wider and allowed her in, but couldn't help but scowl at the bright pink suitcase she was carrying. — "Not to be rude, but what are you doing here?"

— "Well, it took me a while, but I finally managed to take some time off to be with you." — Hyoyeon's smile grew less euphoric and more tender as she shoved her hands into the pockets of her typical black pantsuit and began to study the details of the living room. — "I was two weeks with your brother, you know? He said he misses you and will come as soon as he can."

And everything got even weirder for Jisung. His brother used to call him often to ask how things were, but Hyoyeon didn't show up without solid motives. However, even though he had several points to inquire about, Jisung decided to shut up. Maybe his mother was only willing to act differently. People change, after all.

— "I hope you don't mind," — she added, merely cautiously. Han shook his head and also tried to smile.

— "Of course not. But you could have warned me you would come. I would have at least filled the fridge with something other than gluten."

— "My charger went bad and I didn't even have time to buy another one, believe me?" — frustrated, Hyoyeon opened the designer bag that was on her shoulder and pulled the useless cable out. — "And don't worry, we can go shopping together, huh? So you tell me better how you're feeling after everything that's happened in the last few months," — she approached and patted her son's cheek, as if trying to comfort him. In her mind, the mention of Chaerin still hurt for Jisung. "Maybe we can even find a new owner for this little heart, right? I made some friends in China who have wonderful daughters, some of them even live here, in Seoul."

— "Um, well, mom, about that..." — Jisung broke off when he noticed that Jinah was entering the room. Choi wore the same clothes as last night and rolled up the sleeves of her dark coat to the elbows. As soon as she saw Hyoyeon, however, her movements froze. It wasn't in her plans to have such an unexpected encounter with her mother-in-law who, by the way, was much more beautiful in person than in the pictures. — "This is my girlfriend, Jinah."

— "Oh!" — she couldn't contain a surprised exclamation. — "Girlfriend?"

— "Nice to meet, Mrs. Han" — while she wanted to turn an ostrich and stick her head in a hole, Jinah bowed and tried to look sympathetic as far as possible, but it was as if everything was going to go wrong.

— "Call me just Hyoyeon, and the pleasure is all mine to meet you," — and she reopened her gigantic smile. Then she turned to the boy and muttered quickly: — "Why didn't you tell me you were dating again? The girl is a princess! Have you had lunch, Jinah?" — the last sentence was said with the same sympathy as before as she shifted her focus to Choi, giving neither room for Han to respond. — "You two seem to have woken up now, you must be hungry."

— "Maybe, but I really need to go home," — Jinah apologized with a quick smile. — "Stay for another day, sorry."

— "Did something happen?" — Jisung noticed the sudden change in her mood. The girl looked nervous, and he was pretty sure it wasn't just because his mother was there.

— "Chan texted me, it looks like Jade's not well" — Jinah had no idea what was going on with the american, but judging by the fact that her guy best friend came to her instead of Changbin, the thing must have been serious indeed.

— "I'll take you, just give me two minutes" — Jisung hurried to his room. Halfway through, he shouted to Hyoyeon: — "Later we'll do the shopping you said, mom," — not that he was one hundred percent willing to take a trip to the mall and supermarket with a first-class consumer, but he also wanted to be nicer.

— "Okay," — she shouted back and found herself alone with Jinah the next second. This would be the ideal time to have a serious talk with the girl and know her true intentions behind the angel's halo, but it was noticeable how apprehensive she was. — "Is Jade your sister?" — she asked carefully, not wanting to sound too pushy.

— "Almost that."

— "I see... But don't you worry" — whatever it was, Hyeyeon's only certainty was that keeping calm was the first and most viable option. — "I hope everything goes well, whatever is going on."

— "Thank you" — most of all, Jinah also hoped.

                                                      ♡˖°

Changing footsteps quickly, Jinah made her way up the elevator to her apartment in less than ten seconds and opened the door. Chan, who was walking aimlessly around the room, almost breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of her, but that wasn't what had caught Choi's attention.

— "What happened?" — she asked urgently and bent down to match Jade's height. The american was sitting on the couch and crying like Choi had never seen before. Her sobs came out in such a painful way that they seemed to rip through her throat. — "Jade..." — she tried to push away the hands that her friend used to cover her face, but to no avail. — "If you don't tell me, I can't help you" — she looked at Chan. — "Where's Changbin?"

— "That's exactly the problem," — he replied ruefully. — "They broke up after the party. Jade's been like this since four in the morning, I don't know what to do anymore."

— "What do you mean, they broke up? Why?"

— "It was m-my fault" — with a lot of effort, Jieun managed to pronounce. She was shaking, Chan went to get some sugar water. — "I hurt him, J-Jinah!"

— "Hurt how? Literally?"

— "No" — Jade finally uncovered her face and revealed her puffy, wet red eyes. She let out a ragged sigh in an attempt to catch her breath, and in the meantime Jinah realized she was still wearing the clothes she'd worn at the party. — "Josh k-kissed me and he saw..."

— "What?!" — Jinah's eyes widened. — "And why the hell did you let Josh kiss you?"

— "She was drunk, didn't even realize it was going to happen," — Chan answered, leaving the kitchen with a glass in his hand. Jade didn't want to drink that again, but was kind of obliged to. — "Josh took advantage of it and then all the shit happened."

Choi blew air out of her lungs and ran a hand through her hair.

— "You should have called me earlier."

— "To disrupt your night with Jisung? No way. At least one of us has to have something good to tell about this party."

— "Still..." — Jinah felt bad for having fun while her friends faced that chaos, it was unfair. Moved by protective instincts, she sat next to Jieun and hugged her tight. — "How did Changbin react? Did you get to talk to him at least?"

— "I-in fact, he barely reacted." — Jade, a little calmer, sniffed and took a deep breath before continuing. — "He came here early to pack his things, and I tried to explain myself again, but it was like talking to a wall, so cold he was... He doesn't love me anymore, unnie..."

— "Of course he does," — Jinah began to pet her hair. — "You can't stop loving someone like that, overnight."

— "But he left..."

— "You need to give him a break now, Jadey. Changbin is as hurt as you. Even if that kiss didn't happen with your consent, he won't be able to understand it now."

— "What if he never understands?" — Jade pulled back just enough to face her properly. — "Or rather, what if he doesn't want to understand?"

— "I don't believe this will happen."

— "Me neither" — Chan sat on the other side and also hugged the american. — "Like Jinah said, now you have to wait. I don't understand nearly anything about relationships, but I've been living with you for years and I think Changbin loves you too much to throw it in the trash because of something unintentional on your part and you didn't even be sober."

Jade closed her eyes and enjoyed the comforting feeling of having those two pairs of arms encircling her body. At least knowing that she would still someone have to lean on even when the ground disappeared beneath her feet made things a little more bearable, even though her greatest desire at that moment was a certain hug that was now far away.

— "Thanks," — she said softly. The salty taste of tears returned to her mouth, but she didn't mind cleaning it.

— "You know you don't have to thank," — Jinah replied. — "We'll be here for you anyway."

And of the few certainties Jade had at the moment, this was the one she would, no doubt, hold on to the tightest.

(a/n: I was supposed to post this chapter much earlier, but then I was busy doing a project and I got very busy, like, college is really whipping me omg...

anyway, I'll try to post as soon as I can, ok? ily and take care <3)

[ask-gangreen-snake]

Humble beginnings to overnight hit band?

Sanford “Snake” D. Ingleberry on their inclusion in The Rejects project, how its cancellation is officially cancelled, and being a frontman without being a man. “Sometimes good things be comin’ from bad places. I think everybody gets that- at least a little.” (Rolling Stone Magazine- cont. on pg. 17).

With the one year anniversary quickly approaching of Gorillaz’ “The Now Now” release date, fans are frenzied for more. What no one expected however, was the formerly cancelled project The Rejects, which was scheduled to debut in 2018 at the Demon Dayz Festival, to come out of left field and take the music world by storm with their hit album, HIM.

This interview, conducted by Rolling Stone’s Sierra Alcazar and her team, is with The Rejects’ very own “Cyborg”, their newest addition Sanford “Snake” Ingleberry, and their mysterious third member- (who we’ve yet to get a confirmed name out of).

-Snake sits, legs primly crossed, in between Cyborg and the hulking drummer that Snake has nicknamed “Frankie”. The facial expressions range between the three, with Snake as the obvious frontman, evidenced by their toothy grin- a juxtaposition to Cyborg and Frankie’s glaring and indiferent gazes, respectively. They all have matching wildly smudged red lipstick on, and it gives them a bit of a crazed look-

So, I believe what we’d like to start with- and what I’m sure everyone wants to know- is what made the Rejects come out of cancellation after all this time?

-Cyborg grunts, sitting up from her slouched position, and…whirrs? Surely the wires and ports are impressive stage makeup and prosthesis, but to add sound effects shows the band’s dedication to the look! From her new upright position, she barks out a guttural answer:-

“Money.”

-Snake is seen to Cyborg’s left subtly face-palming, before they chime in:-

“What Cy’ means is that we was holdin’ off on goin’ public with our music until we had the…eh, proper funding to make it work. S**t like this takes time ya’know?”

Completely understandable! But, uh, Mx. Ingleberry-

“Snake’s fine.”

-Alcazar smiles.-

Snake, we’ll have to ask you to refrain from swearing…

“Oh, f**k, sorry.”

-A look at the three band members eerily smiling in unison shows that Snake isn’t very sorry at all… Alcazar moves on.-

Well, everyone is very surprised what with you appearing on the new album cover with the Rejects, as back in the 2018 release, only Ms. Cyborg, and, Frankie, was it? -Snake nods in Frankie’s unmoving, unblinking, place.- Only Ms. Cyborg and Frankie were pictured as members of the band.

-Snake abruptly slings an arm around Frankie, who, despite Snake’s struggle to reach up his hulking frame to grasp him, does not move, and Cyborg who’s eye twitches but gives a ghost of a smile.-

“I was surprised too! Originally, the band was just these two glum lookin’ dolls, but they needed a frontman- well, frontperson -Snake laughs to themself- and what with my brother being a substitute for Gorillaz, it all fell into place-”

About that- there were…concerns. About you and your brother- Ace D. Copular, and former substitute bassist of ‘Gorillaz’ for those out there who don’t know- getting involved with the band, and in turn ‘The Rejects’.

-The atmosphere of the room is chilly now, though Snake has kept their sharp trademark grin. It doesn’t meet his eyes. It’s Cyborg who speaks:-

“Concerns.” -It is not a question-

Yes, well, surely you know as well as anyone who kept up with ‘Gorillaz’ while Mr. Copular substituted for Mr. Niccals, that your current frontman as well as their several brothers were involved in notorious gang activity…

-Cyborg looks bored out of her mind, and does not bother to respond, so Snake does instead, giving a good natured laugh.-

“I don’t think you’re going to find that much of an issue anymore,” -They wave a hand, the gold and green bangles on their wrist clattering noisily. Alcaraz makes a mental note to give the colors gold and green a Google search for symbolism later.- “I ain’t some poor, underprivileged kid with no choice anymore. Sometimes good things be comin’ from bad places. I think everybody gets that- at least a little.”

-Alcazar has the decency to look a little bit ashamed, at least-

“But, I ain’t blamin’ no one for bein’ concerned. I’m no angel.”

-They give an eyebrow waggle to the scribe (who definitely does not blush) sitting on the other side of the room, ever the flirt.-

-Alcazar coughs and turns her attention to the large man on the edge of the couch-

So, Frankie! How about your story? What got you into music?

-Frankie does not respond, nor does he move in anyway that would prompt a response. Snake looks up at him patiently. Cyborg looks like she’d rather be anywhere else. An awkward minute passes, and the silence is broken with Snake humming and nodding thoughtfully.-

“Me too, Frankie boy, me too.”

-The interview crew decides not to comment on that.-

And Snake -I see you’re quickly becoming the interpreter for this group, -She chuckles, Snake does not-  it’s pride month! How about we talk about being the face of a band when being nonbinary?

-Finally, the eerie air the group as a whole gives off calms, and Snake brightens, long strands of black hair flailing about excitedly with their hand movements-

“It’s great! I used to get a lot of s**t -Alcaraz cringes- as a kid for, well, not bein’ a boy- even though that’s what my birth certificate says. -Cyborg, who may or may not have been napping for a few minutes until this point, gives Snake’s arm a little pat.- I’m just happy I can be out and proud for the kids who need to see someone like me doing it. -Their cheery demeanor quiets, but Snake’s ever-present smile doesn’t. Alcaraz can’t decide if she thinks it’s creepy or not.- “I know I could’a used it. “

-Very suddenly, Frankie stands, and frightens Alcaraz and her team quite badly, as he hasn’t looked to even be breathing for the last 45 minutes, and leaves-

-Snake, who smiles a warm, yet threatening smile, stands as well, dragging a tired-looking Cyborg along with them-

“I think that’s all the time we gots. Thanks for havin’ us Ms. Alcaraz!”

That’s not how we usually-! Oh well. It seems the quirky behavior from Gorillaz has carried on into The Rejects, the hottest new band out there. -Alcaraz tries not to show how unsettled she is now that the group has left the room, though the cold atmosphere lingers-

We’ll all have to wait and see what this new group brings to the table.

They’re gone as soon as they arrived, and the entire interview crew is struck with the impression that they were the ones being questioned all along.

[elejah-wonderland]

Pride, Love, Hunters and Vampires/Epilogue

Fanfiction 

Epilogue

Elijah Mikaelson x Elena Gilbert

ft. Kennett

a/n: this was inspired by Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, and Elijah Mikaelson in sort of the role of Mr Darcy.

Thanks so much for reading this and for all your likes. It is so appreciated. xoxo

tags

@rissyrapp20 @dendrite-lover @cassienoble2000 @captainshurley @elejahforever @hides2000

______

"My dearest, loveliest Elena"- Elijah said looking at his wife to be, dearly-"you love me?!"

Elena nodded uttering- "The moment my eyes beheld you, my heart was irrevocably gone"

"Oh, and my inexcusable horrible behaviour shattered everything. My darling, I will be making amends forever more."- Elijah said gently rubbing his thumb over her cheek.

"Please let us forget all that happened back then. I do not know why I brought it back. It is all in the past now."- Elena said gazing deeply into the vampire's eyes.

"Yes, it is in the past. Yet still, my heart aches because of all that it has put you through."

"You cannot blame yourself for any of what had happened to me. Even if we found our way to one another back then, I still had to answer the inner call of the Huntress. Married or not."- Elena said.

"I am very well aware of that. But you would not be alone. I would be there fighting with you, shoulder to shoulder."- Elijah now said.

Elena looked at the vampire seriously again-

"And you really - my body is full of scars- and I can't give you children"

"Sh-sh-sh-sh"- Elijah put a finger on the Huntress' lips gently, saying-

"You are beautiful to me as you are. As I said I do not wish to be parted from ever again."- Elijah said holding the huntress dearly.

Elena now looked at the Original with adoring eyes-

"You are so wonderful - I love you".

She then leaned to him and pressed her lips to his.

Lost in their own world, they didn't notice Jeremy walking in the room.

The hunter coughed a little to get their attention.

Both Elijah and Elena now turned around, smiling sheepishly, as if they were caught doing something they shouldn't have.

"I presume congratulations are in order."- Jeremy said with a little smile.

Elena nodded with a big smile saying-

"Yes, we are engaged."

Jeremy was delighted and now went into a happy hug with her sister. Then shaking hands with Elijah, conveying how thrilled he was that they found their way to one another.

❤

A month later

Pemberly, Mikaelson Estate

"Do you, Count Elijah Mikaelson take Lady Elena, Dowager Lockwood, to be your lawfully wedded wife and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you love, comfort, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?" - the minister asked.

"I do."- Elijah said looking at Elena lovingly.

  "Do you, Lady Elena, Dowager Lockwood,  take his Lordship Count Elijah Mikaelson to be your lawfully wedded husband and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you love, comfort, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?" - the minister asked looking at Elena now.

"I do."- Elena said smiling at Elijah.

The minister now gave a little hint to Klaus to pass on the rings to his brother. 

Elijah took the ring and the minister now continued-

"The wedding ring is an unbroken symbol of the everlasting love and commitment between the Vampire and the Huntress. Repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed."

As Elijah put the ring on Elena's finger he repeated the words-

"With this ring, Elena, I thee wed."

Elena then took the ring meant for Elijah and repeated the words as she put the ring on the vampire's finger-

"With this ring, Elijah, I  thee wed"

"With the power vested in me by the Gods and the State of Louisiana, I now pronounce you wedded. You may kiss the bride."

Both Elena and Elijah now smiled a little, and the vampire narrowed the gap between them and kissed his bride with all the love that was burning inside of him for so long. 

                All, the family, as well as friends, cheered now for the couple. Elijah and Elena pulling out of the kiss now let everyone come forward to congratulate them. As they finally got free from all the well-wishers, they walked out of the little chapel on Estate, holding onto one another,                  

Always and Forever

¤

Rebekah sat down and now wrote in her diary, some time after:

“Tomorrow is 14th of February and I can write this- Cupid has been so good the last year to all of us.

I will go first, because I cannot wait to tell you this, dear Diary. Marcel and I are secretly engaged, but I think that my brothers will approves, as they all know how it is when you have to fight for your love. I know he is just a steward of the Hathfield House, but, he is the best man I have ever met. 

And now -

Bonnie and Kol are now away on their honeymoon to Mexico. She writes to me every day, and I am so enjoying her little travel log and the description of all the beautiful places they are visiting.

As for Elijah and Elena, ah, my heart cannot take how beautiful it is to see two people so devoted to one another and so very much in love. I gained two sisters now and it is so wonderful, that I cannot find words to express, the way the house and everyone in it are in such great spirits. Well, except for Klaus, as he still pines over Miss Forbes, who has broken of her engagement, and I know that she is in love with my brother, and I sincerely do not know why she does not give him the time of day. I have to go now to meet my darling fiance, but I will soon be back, with more gossip.”

Some two hundred years after, a museum curator, having found the diaries of Rebekah Gerard, read more-

“Jeremy met a fellow Huntress Sarah, and married her in a small military chapel in Whitmore.  

...

Klaus, fillally  gained Caroline's affections. This is going to be the most lavish wedding New Orleans has ever seen.  

…

Elijah and Elena are to adopt orphaned twin brother and sister. We all are so very happy for them. When we all meet soon for Christmas, it will be so very crowded, but in a very sweet and pleasant way. I have still do go buy some more presents. 

Let me see the list-

Bonnie and Kol, and their two children, Lucy and Jackson,

Klaus and Caroline, and their precious Elizabeth.

Jeremy and Sarah, and their sweet, Louise, Greyson and Brent.

My sweet Marie, and now, Elena and Elijah’s angels - Fleur and Henri.

…

The curator, then sat down, and wrote a little story honouring the Mikaelson family and their legacy. She wrote it in a somewhat fairy-tale manner, ending the book with this line

They all lived happily ever after. 

_______

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 162: Pillowtalk

The ride to the hospital was a blur for Snow, as she rested her head against his chest, while holding a cloth to the knife wound in his side. It wasn't bleeding anymore, so that was good and gave her hope that it was minor. He was lucid and had a clear head, so she was sure they'd be on their way home soon. She texted Regina to tell her they were okay and she had texted back, saying she was going to close up and drive the kids home, promising to stay with them until they got there. She couldn't wait to tell their babies that their daddy was back. Come to think of it, there were other things she couldn't wait for and one of those was getting her husband alone. As if sensing her thoughts, which she was sure he did, considering they were damn near telepathic, he smiled coyly at her and kissed her forehead. A million other things were still running through her head though. For some reason, it seemed both she and Charming remembered everything about the night of the curse, except anything concerning Emma. Those memories still seemed to be blocked and that scared her. Not knowing where one of their babies was or what had happened to her frightened her to the core. She knew he felt the same and felt him squeeze her hip. At least she was no longer alone in any of this. She had her husband back and now her best friend too. They would figure this out...she had hope now.

Rogers dropped them off and they went into the hospital, hand in hand. He had called Dr. Aeson on the way and asked again for her discretion. She had told them to go to exam room four on the fifth floor and so they did, anxiously awaiting a daughter that wouldn't know them. But that didn't matter. Just seeing her would bring them both comfort.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Jenna said, as she entered the exam room.

"No problem...thanks for agreeing to do this," David replied.

"Oh...you're not alone. You know, I usually can't treat patients with others in the room, unless they're a spouse or family," she mentioned. David nodded and still held her hand.

"It's okay...she's my wife," he stated. Jenna's brow furrowed, as she looked at his chart.

"But it says here that you're a widower," she responded. He sighed.

"Yeah...it's really difficult to explain and it's going to sound crazy, but that file is wrong. She's my wife and she's not dead," David said. Jenna looked at the other dark haired woman.

"You're telling me that you're Margaret Nolan? Because I remember that story in the paper. Margaret Nolan was killed when Professor Jenkins drove his car off a cliff with her in it," Jenna recalled. Snow sighed.

"I know...it's really complicated. But he's right. I'm his wife and I'm not dead," she responded. Jenna sighed and put the clipboard down.

"Okay...I want the whole story or I'm walking out this door and you can find another doctor," she said sternly. They exchanged a glance and started explaining what the could, minus the things about the curse.

~*~

Jacinda entered their apartment that evening and tiredly dropped her bag on the floor. It smelled wonderful, but that wasn't unusual, for her best friend was a fantastic cook. But when she spied the mounds of flour, sugar, and ingredients sitting just outside the kitchen, she knew something was up.

"What's going on?" she asked her best friend, as she peered into the kitchen.

"I'm making my famous beignets," Sabine answered.

"I see that...by why does it look like you are making them in bulk?" Jacinda questioned.

"Because we are making them to sell and if everything goes as it should, it will put us on the path to financial freedom," her best friend answered.

"Okay...but you and I have day jobs. When and where are we going to sell these?" Jacinda asked.

"From your restaurant," Sabine answered simply.

"Sabine...if my boss finds out, he'll fire me," Jacinda argued.

"He won't find out. Victoria thinks she can raise our rent and push us out. We're going to show her differently," Sabine responded.

"Where did you get the money to buy all these ingredients?" Jacinda inquired.

"Don't freak out. I used the rent money...but we'll make it all back, ten fold," Sabine reasoned.

"You used the rent money?!" Jacinda exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Relax...we can do this. Please help...this will work," Sabine pleaded. Jacinda sighed.

"If it doesn't, we're screwed," she reminded. Sabine smiled.

"All the more reason for you to help. Come on," she pleaded again. Jacinda rolled her eyes.

"I really hope you're right," she said, as he rolled up her sleeves and prepared to help.

~*~

As they finished their abridged explanation, Jenna stared at them like her head was spinning.

"That's some story," the doctor mentioned, as she patched David's minor wound.

"We know what it sounds like, but it's all true," Mary insisted. Jenna chuckled.

"Yeah, it would have to be. I'm not sure you could make that up," she joked.

"So...you're the woman I did the DNA test on?" Jenna surmised.

"Yes...and I want to thank you for that. Without that, David wouldn't have been able to prove that Mr. Stavros isn't my brother and would have locked me up again. Not to mention that he would have sent my son off to boarding school overseas," she replied.

"I'm glad I could help...it just seems like this Mr. Stavros is willing to go through a lot of trouble to hurt the two of you," she mentioned.

"Let's just say...I got on his bad side when I exposed him for doing illegal things years ago and he paid me back, ten fold, by taking away my family," David said vaguely.

"So there was no crazy Professor?" Jenna asked.

"Oh there was...but I somehow survived that accident, but with amnesia. Stavros got to me first before David could find me though and locked me up," Mary explained. Jenna shook her head.

"And you don't want people to know that you're really Margaret Nolan yet?" she asked, trying to understand.

"The less attention, the better. He already sent a thug after our daughter and until I can prove it was him...it's for the best. He may still try to come after us as it is," David said.

"Well, as with the first situation, you can be confident in my discretion," she promised.

"Thank you...but I want you to be careful too. Your discretion is for your own protection. I don't want that man coming after you too," Mary said, as she took the other woman's hands. But then she realized what she had just done on instinct and awkwardly pulled away.

"I'm sorry...we just don't want anything bad to happen to you either. Please be careful," Mary implored. Jenna looked at them both, unable to shake the feeling that they were familiar somehow.

"Thank you...I'll be careful. I promise," she said, as she picked up David's chart.

"Just make sure you change his bandage in the morning, but the knife wound is superficial so it should be fine in a day or so," Jenna said.

"Thanks again," David said. She nodded and left them, as Snow sighed.

"She probably thinks I really do belong in that mental hospital," she lamented.

"Hey...no, even without her memories, she would never think that," he admonished.

"And you don't have to worry about our little angel...because I've already put an undercover detail on her," he added. She smiled. He always did everything in his power to protect them. She melted into him, as he put his arms around her.

"I still can't believe it...I'm afraid that I'm going to close my eyes and you'll forget me again," she confessed. He kissed her forehead and then her lips, before pillowing her against his chest.

"I hate that man for what he did to us...to you, but I'm here now, my darling and I'm not going anywhere," he promised, before kissing her again.

"Come on...let's go home," he said. She smiled and hooked her hand on his elbow, as they headed out to meet Rogers to get a ride home. She leaned her head against his arm and knew they still had so much to figure out. But the road ahead was no longer as daunting as it was, for she had him back and she knew they could do anything together.

~*~

Enchanted Forest 3

After stopping the curse, time seemed to pass in a blur for Henry and Ella. They helped Tiana and Eudora rebuild their Kingdom, which Lady Tremaine had nearly brought to ruin. Tiana was crowned Queen and Henry and Ella married a couple years after that. Their family from Storybrooke attended both occasions, though for those from Storybrooke, mere months passed, while it was years in the magical forest that Henry had come to call home.

In that time, peace reigned in both Storybrooke and Tiana's Kingdom. Not long after Henry and Ella were married, they welcomed their daughter Lucy and it was a joyous occasion once again for their family, one that both Snow and Charming were present for. And though time did not pass the same in both realms, they watched their great granddaughter grow up with pride. By the time Lucy was ready to turn eight, barely two years had passed in Storybrooke, but the whole family planned to attend the event at Tiana's palace just as they did every year. But this year, there would be even more to celebrate…

"Okay...keep your fingers crossed," Aphrodite told Alice, as they prepared to enact yet another spell, hoping to cure Killian's poisoned heart.

"I don't know why...nothing ever works," Alice said dejectedly.

"Starfish...this is going to happen," Killian told her, as he stood a safe distance away with Emma and Rumple.

"Why is this time any different?" Alice questioned.

"Because Belle and I traveled to the edge of realms for the ingredients for this spell. This time...it's going to work," Rumple insisted. Alice softened at that. She had developed a special bond with Rumple when he began teaching her to control and use her magic, along with Emma and Regina's assistance.

"Yes...Hermes was confident that this will be the one too. The edge of realms if a very unique place. If anything is going to cure his heart, it would likely be something from there," Aphrodite agreed, as her hands glowed.

"It doesn't do any good if we don't have that all important ingredient of truest love mixed blood," Regina mentioned.

"Sorry we're late!" Snow called, as she and David arrived, hand in hand, out of breath and looking a bit disheveled.

"Seriously?" Emma complained. Regina rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, you two, it's the middle of the day," she chided.

"Yeah like the time of day is going to stop us," David joked, as he put his arms around Snow's waist from where he was standing behind her. Her cheeks colored, as he smiled at her slyly.

"Okay...we don't need anymore mental visions than we're already scarred with," Emma griped, as they stepped toward the cauldron where the spell was brewing. Aphrodite had already added the special healing root that they had found in the edge of realms. Snow carefully pricked her finger and then Charmings, letting drops of their mixed blood fall gently into the billowing cauldron. There was a poof of white smoke, which was a good sign and the mixture turned an iridescent color.

"Now...we just need to cleanse the heart," Aphrodite said. Killian braced himself, as she extracted his heart from his chest as gently as possible and dropped it into the cauldron. He felt a little lightheaded and David and Emma steadied him, as the spell worked to cure him. Finally, the smoke fell away and the spell dissipated, as she extracted his heart from the cauldron.

"Well?" Regina asked the Goddess, who smiled.

"The poison is gone…" she announced, as she put it back in his chest. Killian looked up and then at Alice, as he opened his arms. But she was afraid to go near him still.

"It's okay, starfish," he urged.

"He's right...it's okay," Jade added, as she prodded her girlfriend forward. She did so and Killian pulled her into a hug, with no pain or discomfort.

"Papa...you're cured!" she exclaimed. He laughed and hugged her tightly.

"I don't know how to thank you...everyone…" he said, as choked up a bit. Snow swiped a tear away, as David held her close.

"We're just so glad you can hug your daughter again. I can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to do that," Snow sniffed, as she hugged Emma.

"Looks like we're going to have more than just Lucy's birthday to celebrate this year," David added, just as portal opened up and deposited Leo back in Storybrooke. Snow smiled, as they ran to greet their son with hugs.

"I missed you too, Mom. I was only gone two weeks," he teased. She smiled.

"I know, but you know me. I always miss my babies. How is Elsa?" she asked. He grinned.

"Amazing," he said, as he glowed with that look of love that she knew all too well.

"I thought she was coming back with you?" David asked.

"She was...with Anna and Kristoff, but they had a minor matter of state to deal with first, so they're going to meet us at Tiana's palace in a few days. I left them a couple beans," he explained.

"Well...I say we all go to Granny's to celebrate," Snow said. They agreed and in just a few days, they'd be leaving to visit Henry and celebrate Lucy's eighth birthday…

~*~

Hyperion Heights

When they arrived home, Regina was waiting for them, but the kids were already asleep as it was getting late.

"Hey...thanks for bringing them home," Snow said.

"Are you kidding? I loved it...I missed them both so much," Regina replied and then realized what she had said aloud. David smiled.

"It's okay...you're not the only one that woke up tonight," he revealed. She gasped and hugged them both.

"How?" she asked.

"I'm not sure...I was already having dreams about the past. I guess my thing is getting injured always brings back the memories," he joked.

"Wait...how did you get yours back?" he asked.

"Oh yeah...I ran out of the bar before you could tell me," Snow added.

"Ah well...that was our friend Ivy Belfry or should I say Drizella Tremaine," Regina said. Gods...how was she going to tell them what she remembered and they clearly didn't.

"Wait...why would she want you to get your memories back?" David questioned. Regina shrugged.

"I'm not sure what her ploy is exactly..." Regina said, as she looked at them and how they glowed with happiness. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin that. She knew she had to, but not tonight. No, she was going to give them this night and tomorrow with their youngest children. They deserved that. The reality of what she needed to tell them needed to be revealed, but first she wanted to see if someone else was awake. She suspected he was and if that were the case, it only made sense for the four of them to team up.

"It's hard to say with her," Regina added.

"Regina...what aren't you telling us?" Snow inquired and Regina met her eyes.

"It's complicated and it's getting late. It's nothing that can't wait until tomorrow," she replied, as she quickly made her exit.

"That was weird," David muttered.

Snow cocked her head curiously and then shrugged. Normally, she would insist that Regina tell them whatever she needed to, but to be honest, she had been waiting a very long time for this moment. She shivered, as she felt the heat from his body behind her. She nearly wept, as she felt his lips on the nape of her neck and his arm that hooked around her waist. She turned in his arms and crushed her lips against his.

"Since the moment I woke up in that mental hospital and realized we were cursed again, I dreamed of this moment. For two long years," she cried, as he swept her into his arms and carried her purposefully toward the bedroom. They would be getting very little sleep and neither of them cared in the slightest.

Once they were sequestered in the bedroom, they undressed each other with quiet intensity and the passion that had been brewing between them was finally unleashed. Their first bout of lovemaking was intense and desperate, with her writhing beneath his hard body, as he pumped feverishly into her. But on this night, one bout was far from enough and a second ensued closely after the first, this time with Snow riding atop him almost frantically, driving him into her body with sensual gallops. She had been without him for two years and she was determined that their lovemaking would continue all night. It wouldn't make up for the absence of the last two years, but it was definitely a start. She was sure they were running on pure adrenaline by their third bout of sex. But it did not stop them from making love again, though this time was much slower and with a soul searing intensity.

As he sank into her again, she hummed in pleasure and slid her hands into his hair, gently running her fingers through it. They stared into each other's eyes and their shared heart pounded in sync. No words were spoken, but their eyes and heart spoke volumes. For them, this went far beyond physical and always had. They had always been so in tune with each other; a love that had always been on another level than most and that not even a curse could tear asunder. Being one in heart and mind already made their connection awe-inspiring. So when they became one in body too, it was nothing short of purely magical and almost ethereal. His thrusts this time were slow and languid, as he glided deeply into her each time.

She lay writhing beneath his undulating body, legs splayed around him. With every thrust, he hit her sweet spot and slowly pushed her to the edge. As she neared her climax, her mewls grew in volume and she raked her nails along his naked back, as her entire body trembled beneath him. He had her right at the edge and her cries became whimpers, as her body begged to come. She was beside herself, her mind clouded in the ecstasy that was him taking her. His slow lovemaking was expertly extending her pleasure in a way only he could do for her. Charming was an expert in all things Snow and her pleasure was his delight. He could make love and fuck her for eternity and she would never get enough of this man.

And she was determined to have him for eternity, despite that they had just been separated yet again by a curse. But he had found her again and she finally felt alive once more.

Without Charming, there was nothing but misery for her, as dramatic as it sounded. No one but them could quite understand what it was to be them though, but then no one really knew what it was like to be with someone who literally shared half of your heart. No one else knew what it was like to hear the beating of your own heart inside the chest of another. It was a level of intimacy that was unmatched. Even when they weren't making love, their intimacy with just simple looks and touches was almost indecent to gaze upon. So it was no wonder that sex between them was mind blowing and beyond anything that should be possible. But that was just them. Snow and Charming. Two halves of one whole. Her pleasure was his and his was hers.

And watching her come apart in his arms was a delight he would never get tired of. Snow...beautiful Snow, emerald eyes dark with love and lust for him...only for him. Red lips parted, as short pants of air were inhaled and exhaled. Her body writhing and glistening with perspiration, her back arching and aching for his touch. Her round, full breasts pressed against his chest and the moan she made when he put his hands or lips on them was one he wanted to hear forever. But the best part...thrusting inside her. It was an indescribable pleasure that he would never take for granted and a great satisfaction to know that he would be the only one to ever be inside her; that it was him that made her dripping wet and cry out wantonly. Gliding into her slickness with slow pumps and feeling her tightness clenching around his cock, quaking and begging for release, was a feeling he wanted to feel for eternity and would.

"Charming…" she whimpered, as she teetered on the edge still and her teeth grazed his neck where she had marked him again.

"Oh baby please…" she cried, begging to come. He could never resist such a command and gripped her hips, gently angling her and thrust sharply into her. Changing the angle and pace only increased the volume of her cries, for Snow was never quiet when being fucked. He was close too...it was almost painful, as he slammed into her, abandoning his slow pace for much faster one, rocking the whole bed as he did. When her orgasm finally hit, he swallowed her scream with his kiss and she moaned into his mouth, as her body trembled violently. When he finally released her lips, she was starting to come down and lay sated, as her husband sought his own. He was only seconds behind her and she felt completion, as he erupted inside her, singing her name as he always did.

When he finally pulled himself from her depths, she almost whimpered at the loss. Their need for each other was akin to their need for air and always had been.

After, simply held each other in the afterglow, marveling at how they were here again finally. Another curse, but their love had broken through again, as it always did. This time though, they weren't just in a new land. They weren't isolated with just their people this time. They were surrounded in a large city with people from this land that thought they were just stories. That thought magic wasn't real and that true love was a thing of fairy tales. But they were quite real and here in this city, in the past, no less and neither of them of them could surmise at how they were going to break this curse, much less return to a future Storybrooke. But for now that didn't matter in the moment. They were together, as they were meant to be again and that gave them comfort, despite all the uncertainty they were facing.

"I'm so sorry, my darling," he whispered finally, as they lay spooned together. She quirked her eyebrows and turned to face him.

"For what, my love?" she asked, as he gently caressed her beautiful face, wondering how he had survived the last two years without this.

"I keep promising you no more separations and it just seems to be that one promise I'm not able to keep to you," he replied. She tilted her head and kissed his forehead.

"Charming...none of this is your fault," she admonished. He nodded.

"I know...but it still doesn't change the fact that it happened again," he lamented.

"They took our babies away from us...or tried to. If it hadn't been for Summer's bubble, we have no idea where Bobby and Summer would have ended up," she said, shuddering at that.

"I remember Regina pleading with her to use her bubbles...and we were all crying. Leo and Eva were there...but where was Emma?" he wondered. She looked at him tearfully.

"I don't know...that's what scares me so much, Charming. What have we blocked out? Where is Emma?" she wondered, as he cupped her face in his hands.

"I don't know...but we will find her, I promise," he said, as he kissed her forehead. She relished his arms around her and they finally allowed pure exhaustion to take them.

~*~

Roni stormed into the Hyperion Heights precinct and past the desk Sergeant, despite him calling out to her. She found Weaver's office and barged in.

"Good evening to you too, Roni. To what to I owe this unexpected and rather rude visit?" he quipped.

"Cut the crap, Gold," she hissed.

"Gold?" he questioned in confusion, making her roll her eyes with a sigh.

"Look...you might as well just drop the act. I'm awake and so is David now. And we both know Snow has been awake for a while too. It's time the four of us work together to figure this out," she said, as Weaver stood up and turned his back to her, just as Cassidy Gold poked his head in.

"Oh...sorry, I didn't know you were with someone. I need to talk to you," he said.

"Come in...whatever you need to say can be said in front of this woman," Weaver replied, as he entered the office.

"Roni...this is Cassidy Gold, the mole I've embedded in Clayton's security," he introduced. She raised an eyebrow and shook his hand, before looking back at Weaver.

"Cassidy Gold?" she asked in amusement and he shrugged.

"What did you need to see me about?" Weaver questioned.

"Clayton had a pretty intense meeting with his attorney earlier. I couldn't hear everything through the door, but he was definitely irate about something," Cass informed.

"His attorney?" Roni questioned.

"Yes...Mr. Nick Branson. You may be familiar with him under another name though," Weaver said, as he showed her a photo and her eyes widened.

"Jack…" she muttered.

"Uh yeah...so I got the impression Nick had done something that Clayton didn't approve of," Cass added.

"Thank you Mr. Gold...that will be all for now. Return to your post per normal," Gold said, as he handed him a roll of bills and the former thief made his way out.

"The murder David is investigating...this is Jack, isn't it?" Roni asked once he was gone.

"If you're asking if she was one of Gothel's...then yes," Weaver replied, as he showed her the photo. Regina sighed.

"Did you tell them?" Weaver questioned.

"Not yet…" she answered and he made a snarl of frustration.

"You can't coddle them...you need to remind them what happened that night," he growled.

"I know! I know what I need to do! I just thought I'd give them one night together, before I drop that bomb," she growled back and he sighed.

"If Mr. Branson is back to his old ways...then we're all in danger. Anyone with magic. David must be aware of that at least, as he has already put a detail on Dr. Aeson," Weaver said.

"What about Leo?" she asked.

"He's Luke here...and I put a detail on him earlier. Alice as well," he replied.

"Good...and Gothel? She's here somewhere I assume?" Roni asked. He nodded curtly.

"Belfry is playing right into her hands like the fool she is," he replied.

"Then she'll be my next stop...tomorrow," Roni said.

"Tread lightly. Now that so many of us are awake...it is going to raise the stakes," he reminded.

"You mean that now that we're aware...we might all have to accept the fact that we may never see Storybrooke again, at least our Storybrooke," she muttered. He looked at her.

"Let's not go there until we have to," he said quietly and she stood up, as she prepared to go home herself, though she doubted that she would sleep a wink and knew her former mentor wouldn't either.

~*~

The next morning, waking in each other's arms was pure bliss, despite knowing how much they had to still figure out. But it didn't matter, for being together made every problem seem more manageable. Despite their intense reunion the night before, they had engaged in an encore early that morning and were now bathing in the afterglow, but not without laughter.

Snow continued to giggle, as she lay nestled against his chest.

"I can't believe we did that," she said and he laughed.

"I'm just surprised that it hasn't happened before now, but I guess it makes sense. This bed isn't as well built as the one we have back home," he joked.

"Charming...we broke the bed! What are we going to tell the kids when they see this?" she asked. He chuckled.

"They'll be fine...we scarred our older ones and they turned out okay," he teased, as pinched her rear. She playfully smacked his chest.

"You're not taking this seriously," she chided and he laughed harder.

"Not really...I mean, like I said, this should have happened long ago. We just have a better built bed back home," he replied.

"We should be proud of this, you know…we broke the bed during sex. That's goals," he added. She giggled, as their lips met again, before she managed to pull herself away and out of bed.

"Come on...the kids will be up soon. We should make them pancakes and tell them the good news," she said, as she put her underwear back on and then one of his shirts, which she was very long on her and he loved it. She looked incredibly sexy in his clothes. He got up too and put on his sleep pants, along with a sleeveless gray shirt. He put his arms around and kissed the back of her neck, as they stumbled out into the kitchen. She giggled, as their lips met again, before they started getting stuff out to make breakfast. That was how Bobby found them moments later. His mother cooking bacon and whisking eggs, while his father made pancakes.

"Morning Mom," he said, as he sat at the island.

"Morning sweetie," she replied, as she glanced at her husband.

"Morning buddy," David said.

"Morning David," he answered. David finished the pancake he was cooking and then went over to to their son, as he put his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Not David...Dad," he told him Bobby's eyes widened in surprise.

"Dad?" he squeaked. David nodded and the boy dove into his open arms, making Snow tear up instantly.

"I'm so proud of you," David said, as they finally pulled back. Bobby sniffed.

"For what?" he asked.

"For finding me...for bringing me to your Mother so I could save her from Clayton. We wouldn't be together right now if it wasn't for you being so brave," he replied.

"You really remember?" Bobby asked. David smiled and kissed his hair.

"Yeah...I really do and we're going to find a way to fix everything, I promise," David replied.

"I missed you, Dad," the boy said.

"I missed you too," David replied.

"Daddy...you remember?" Iris asked, as she came down the stairs in her leotard for dance practice later.

"Yeah peanut...I got my memories back," he confirmed, as he hugged her and then she hugged Snow.

"Now...let's have breakfast," he said, as they finished the food and sat down at the table together. They ate together and conversation flowed almost like it would have as if they were back home, despite that they were still missing three family members. Soon, they finished and they were cleaning up when there was a knock at the door. Not really thinking anything about it, Snow answered and the woman behind the door looked incredulously at her with mouth ajar.

"Can I help you?" Mary asked.

"Um...I'm Linda McGowen…this is Mr. Nolan's apartment, right?" she asked.

"Oh yes...you must be here to pick Iris up for practice. She should be down in just a minute," Mary replied, suddenly realizing what she must look like to this woman. She was still wearing David's shirt and they both had sex hair. She had to hold back a laugh, for the disappointment on the woman's face was palpable. Iris hurried down the stairs with her duffel bag and David hugged her.

"We'll pick you up after practice, peanut," he said, as he kissed her head.

"Thanks...bye Daddy," she called, as she hugged Mary at the door.

"Bye sweetie...see you later," she said, as Iris exited the apartment, with the gawking Ms. McGowen following her. Snow giggled and closed the door, as she turned to her husband.

"Oops...I daresay we're about to be the item of gossip among the other parents today," she mentioned. He winced.

"Yeah...we're kind of a dead giveaway on what happened last night," he muttered, as he put his arms around her from behind.

"Mmm...do you think it was the sex hair or me wearing your clothes that tipped her off?" she joked. He chuckled.

"Probably both...but it might have been the hickeys on your neck too," he whispered in her ear, as they swayed together and she spied their son occupied by his hand-held video game.

"We're going to clean up, honey and then we'll go do something," she called, as she led her husband toward the bathroom.

"Okay," Bobby called back, not paying attention to his parents at the moment, which was probably good.

"Are we showering together?" David asked, as she led him there.

"What do you think?" she countered playfully, as the bathroom door closed...

[ritebeforeyoureyes]

Birth

This was requested by both an anon – who wanted more pregnant Z – and by @fannytje390 – who wanted Z in labour! I hope you guys like it x

Masterlist – Plot: Zendaya goes into labour when she least expects it.

Birth (One-Shot)

Zendaya was shooting in Bali whilst she was seven months pregnant. It was meant to be a quick photoshoot highlighting her shapely bump in a tropical back drop. At first, she had turned down the job but, after weeks of encouragement from Tom, she had reluctantly accepted. Tom, who was away shooting himself, felt bad about leaving Zendaya at home during the final stretch of her pregnancy and wanted to make sure she stayed busy. A little change of scenery had sounded like the perfect idea; she would be in and out of the Indonesian province within three days.

And the shoot had been – a good idea. The sun of Bali was foreign to that of California. Zendaya had been styled in printed dresses and gold costume jewellery that made her feel like an Egyptian princess. She had basked in the heat and lovingly posed with her bump, her looks still as captivating and stylish as always.

However, what nobody had prepared for was Zendaya going into labour eight weeks early (on her flight back to Los Angeles) Her water broke mid-air – at 30,000 feet to be precise – her breathes coming out as hisses from between her teeth. She felt the liquid drip down her leg and instantly, she knew what was happening; a look of solid desperation directed at Darnell. They were only seven hours into their twenty-odd hour flight and Zendaya felt her pain increase threefold; she couldn’t envision giving birth on a flight … she couldn’t envision giving birth without Tom.

“I can’t be a parent, I can’t even take care of myself …” Zendaya croaked as flight attendants prepared passengers for an emergency landing. A loud murmur echoed throughout the aircraft and Zendaya felt penetrating gazes drift towards her as she panted. “I can’t do this-“

“Zendeesha, you’ve got this.” Darnell held her hand, like he had done since she was a mere teen. He rubbed her back and he tried to be soothing but as Zendaya’s contractions increased, so did her self-doubt. “Shh, you’ll be an amazing mom. Just breathe.”

“I can’t … I’m not ready-“ Zendaya felt another contraction clench at her insides and she cursed profoundly, her hold on Darnell increasing. Despite being subconsciously aware and glad for Darnell and his support, Zendaya couldn’t help but feel less comforted by the fact that Tom wasn’t there with her. “Tom, I need Tom.”

“We’re landing in Canada, I’ll call him as soon as I can.” Darnell tried to sound reassuring, but he had no clue if Tom would be able to make it to Zendaya’s side on time. They were making an emergency landing in Canada, but Canada was a big country and truth be told, it could potentially take Tom hours before he made it to Zendaya. “Just focus on you and your little princess, okay?” Zendaya just nodded, her eyes drifting down towards her protruding bump – their little girl.

It took a matter of thirty or so minutes before Zendaya was on the ground and being ushered through an airport she couldn’t pinpoint. She had departed the aircraft with a round of applause and well wishes from strangers that had warmed her heart. Their blessings and their kind words had made the pain in her lower half decrease magically. Her self-doubt about being a mother was suddenly replaced by happiness: excitement, pride.  She had no idea where in Canada she was and at this point, she couldn’t care less.

Darnell spoke to a handful of people as soon as they were off the airplane. He dealt with all the technicalities as best as he could in such a stressful situation. He arranged paramedics, checked her into a hospital and most importantly, he made sure to call Tom.

The call rang a few times, Darnell’s knee bopping impatiently as they loaded Zendaya onto a stretcher and into the back of an ambulance. He climbed in after her and prepared himself to hang up on the monotonous ringing before he heard that distinguishable British accent.

“Sup’ Darnell.”

“She’s having your baby.” Darnell didn’t bother with the pleasantries, his mind preoccupied with evidently more important matters.

“Now?” Tom spluttered, his eyes bulging and his mouth suddenly going impossibly dry. He was scheduled to return to L.A. in just a few days and he’d thought there was no way he’d miss the birth of his first child. He’d never imagined Zendaya going into labour so early.

“We’re in Montreal, we’re on the way to Hospital Lachine.”  Darnell explained how they had had their emergency landing in the Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport which, by fate, wasn’t too far from where Tom was filming his movie re-shoots.

“I’m on my way.” Before Tom had the chance to hang-up, Darnell heard him yell at someone close by about the news. There was a chorus of cheers and panicked chuckles before Tom began to voice his thoughts out loud. He was frantically yelling, his voice laboured as if he were the one having contractions “Keys, give me keys … I need … keys. Harry! Let’s go. I’m going to be a dad-“

With those final words, the call went dead, and Darnell devoted all his attention to Zendaya.

“She’s heading towards her transition phase of labour.” Paramedics began to explain how she was six centimetres dilated. “7cm onwards and it’s time to prep you for child birth.”

Zendaya listened intently as they threw facts and instructions at her, her mind trying to process the spontaneity of the whole experience.

“Hey, Z, it’s okay.” As they got her settled into the maternity ward, Darnell noticed as the tears filled her eyes. “You’re doing so good, right now. I’ll speak to a nurse and see if we can get you an epidural, alright?”

“No, no, I can’t get one anymore. I’m too far along. I’m just really tired.” Zendaya wheezed a little but she shook her head as if to explain that the pain wasn’t the reason behind her crying. “And I really want him to be here … Tom!” And just as coincidental as it was that Zendaya had landed in Montreal, Tom had chosen that precise moment to come bursting through the door in cinematic fashion. He was in fuzzy slippers and a big puffer jacket, his hair dishevelled and dirt marks across his face. He looked like a stereotypical actor that had walked off the set of an action movie and Zendaya felt her panic ease.

“I’m here, I’m here.” Tom practically skid towards Zendaya, his hand reaching out for hers. He clutched it for dear life, his lips placing a lingering kiss against her skin like he had done when they were making their baby. “I didn’t miss anything, right?” The question was pretty much rhetorical though, it was clear that Zendaya was still as pregnant as ever.

“Tom, it’s time.” Zendaya’s excitement was evident but the lack of energy was present  in her voice. Getting to the hospital and waiting on Tom was a whirlwind and adding active labour to the mix was taking a toll on her body. “I’m so tired-“ Zendaya’s eyes closed and Tom heard a beeping sound from one of the machine’s wired up to her. He knew it was nothing to worry about, but healso knew he needed to be as supportive as possible during this time period. He had read enough and gotten enough advice which instructed him to do his share of working during Zendaya’s labour.

“It’s okay, baby, you can do this.” Tom straightened out his posture and rubbed at her side lovingly – it as time to play his part. “Just a little while longer and we can hold our little girl.” Zendaya nodded, her eyes still droopy and sleep-possessed. “You’re so brave, you’re doing great.” Tom leaned in to kiss Zendaya’s lips. It was quick, but his emotions were clear. “I love you, so much, momma.”

“I love you too, daddy.”  Zendaya joked but her voice slipped at the end, her eyes widening and her muscles clenching. This pain was unlike anything she’d ever felt before, the ache emanating from her head down to her toes.

“It’s time to start pushing, Mrs Holland, you two ready to be parents?”

If you enjoyed this piece and would like to help further me and my work, please support me whilst I get through university. The money you donate will go towards assisting me in my student fees. It is one hundred per cent a voluntary pursuit and greatly appreciated, however, your lovely comments and votes are always welcomed too. Thank you for being the greatest: https://ko-fi.com/D1D072V0

[weeklyhumorist]

All Saints Catholic High School Presents “Angels! in America! The Musical!”

Guidance counselor/Writer/Director Mr. McGrewan has done it again. Fresh off the heels of last year’s Doubt: A Hip-Hopera and 2019’s celebrated A Long Day’s Journey Into Puppets comes Angels! in America! The Musical! An all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza that’s guaranteed to make this Pride month the best one we’ve had since the Queer Eye guys got lost and had to stop here for directions. This will put to rest any concerns about the quality of the high school theatre scene in Ponca City, Oklahoma!

Angels! In America! takes place in the distant, unimaginable past: the 1980s. Neither I nor my classmates had ever heard of Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes before, but thankfully, Mr. McGrewan added pop songs and all-new original music to help us kids better understand the period. For example, in the original play someone named Ethel Rosenberg haunts Roy Cohn as he dies. But in this version, Roy has a change of heart thanks to Whitney Houston and Lisa Frank scratch N’ sniff stickers. Awesome job, Mr. M!

Opening night was electrifying. From the opening bars of “Rabbi Isidor Chemelwitz’s Hasidic Hoedown” to the faint sounds of Tony Kushner’s lawyers screaming at Principal O’Shaughnessy in the hallway outside the auditorium, every moment vibrated with the magic of live theatre.

Joe Pitt (senior J.J. Doherty, Class of 2021 what-what!) and Harper (Mary O’Sullivan) brought me to tears during their heartbreaking duet about miscommunication, “Endless Love [for Pills and Men].” Louis (Shawn Cassidy Jr.) rocks out with an original Sondheim-esque patter song called, “I’m a Progressive, Jewish, Gay New Yorker and I’m Not Having Any Fun,” thoughtfully accompanied by rhythmic, agonizing screams from dying Prior Walter (Mark McMacalhanny). I was especially touched by Prior’s show-stopping solo of U2’s ”I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, set to a slide show of HIV treatment research, crying Cabbage Patch Kids, and inspirational “Hang in There, Baby!” cat posters. I thought it did a great job of subtly conveying that Prior Walter still hadn’t found what he was looking for.

But best of all is Roy Cohn, played by the writer/director/guidance counselor Mr. McGrewan himself! Roy is dying, he takes the Lord’s name in vain, but in a brilliant twist, he can still belt out R.E.M’s “Losing My Religion.” The atmosphere of apocalyptic doom is filled out by the sparkling, toe-tapping All Saints Catholic High School Choir, as well as the faint sounds of Michael Stipe’s lawyers screaming at Principal O’Shaughnessy in the hallway outside the auditorium.

But don’t take my word for it! Here’s a small selection of testimonials:

“No matter your religion, watching the Angel of America sing “We We We We Are The World” with Jesus, Mohommad, and Moses will make you a believer (in the power of song!)”

“Watching St. Mary’s finest tackle this masterpiece for six hours straight was mesmerizing, even when sophomore Anne McCatholicname broke down sobbing out of exhaustion during what was otherwise a very well-choreographed version of ‘Ice Ice Baby’ sung by Mr. Lies in Antarctica.”

“As Radiohead’s longtime lawyer, I can assure Sean McGrewan that we will be taking decisive legal action. The use of ‘Creep’ to reflect Louis’s self-loathing was both heavy-handed and a blatant violation of copyright law.”

No doubt about it, Angels! In America! is my new favorite musical – it’s even better than Grease! While the show is incredible, it’s not for everyone. There is some very heavy subject matter that may upset some young children, and the first six rows will get wet. With only one more weekend left of this short run, I suggest you dance your way to the auditorium so you don’t miss it!

All Saints Catholic High School Presents “Angels! in America! The Musical!” was originally published on Weekly Humorist

[eternalsterekrecs]

any new sterek highschool au?

Well, our absolute favs are under our High School AU tag but, because we don’t want you to lack anything, here is a rec of doom (there’s more than 30 fics here) with all the other fics I’ve read in the last few months/years! - C

HIGH SCHOOL AU

Just Pretend by dragon_temeraire

Stiles tells his dad he has a boyfriend. The problem is, he doesn’t actually have one.

Something New Is Going to Happen by dragon_temeraire

Stiles accidentally discovers that their school mascot is super cute.

All the broken hearts in the world still beat by dragon_temeraire

Stiles totally needs to make Lydia Martin jealous. Yeah. And his best chance is to convince star lacrosse player Derek Hale to (fake) date him.

Smile On The Sidelines by clotpolesonly

Derek was not pining.

Not to say that he didn’t miss Stiles, didn’t want to be with him at that moment (or literally any moment, to be quite honest), but he wasn’t one of those obnoxious clingy people who lost track of the world as soon his boyfriend was out of his sight.

It was just a basketball game anyway.

“Five Days in Detention” (A Future Song by Stiles Stilinski) by alisvolatpropiis

It’s still preseason, sure, but he needs to be practicing. He led the team to the State semifinals last year, and he’s determined to not only make it to the finals this year, but to win the title. He should be on the field right now, practicing his play calls and prepping for next week’s season opener against Saint Pius.

And he can’t do that if he’s wasting his time in detention with these losers. There are a couple of burnouts lazing over some seats by the window, one kid with his face on a desk, hood over his head, and a few Goth kids are sitting in the back corner, looking surly and morose. Maybe you wouldn’t be so miserable if you didn’t listen to such shitty music, he thinks, turning towards his usual seat in the back of the room.

He pauses for the briefest of moments when he sees who’s already sitting there, in the second-to-last row, black-clad limbs spread out, acoustic guitar in his lap, long fingers casually plucking at the strings.

Stiles Stilinski.

How to Woo Your Local Omega by alocalband

Stiles knows a pity gift when he sees one. Mostly because that’s all he’s ever gotten from anyone since the moment he hit puberty.

Five Times Derek Literally Falls for Stiles (and One Time… They Both Fall) by myhomeboy_stilinski

Five times Derek is a failwolf and literally falls for Stiles Stilinski.And one time they fall together.

Warning: A little bit cracky and contains meddling.

Try Again by dragon_temeraire

Derek has to egg a house to be part of the popular group. Too bad the house ends up being the Sheriff’s.

Sleeping Next To You Is Like Magic by LadyDrace

Stiles and Derek meet the summer before senior year. Stiles can’t sleep, Derek helps with that, and there’s a lot less cuddling and a lot more emotional crises than you’d think.

Or:

Stiles’ feelings happen so much, and learning how to deal with them takes him a little while. Good thing Derek is happy to wait.

Shut Up And Dance With Me by maiNuoire

Stiles has been in love with Derek forever. Senior Prom feels like his last chance to do something about it, but he’s a bundle of nerves. And then, inspiration strikes.

made from the heart by bleep0bleep

Derek has been crushing on Stiles for awhile, and thinks maybe this Christmas season he’ll tell him how he feels. He’s got a great present too, except when Stiles gives him a thoughtful handmade present, Derek is pretty much screwed.

~

Stiles smiles at Derek. “It was just a nice thought, you know? I just think gifts that people take their time to make are just so sweet.”“Handmade,” Derek says faintly.

Like James Dean, Only Sadder by 42hrb

The star of the Beacon Hills High School baseball team and Beacon Hills resident bad boy probably have nothing in common, right?

atom to atom by jadore_hale

“So, you’re telling me that you hate Derek so much that you wouldn’t leap at the chance to jump his bones?”

“That’s different!” Stiles cried.

“How exactly?”

“Because unfortunately for me, Derek’s hotter than the Earth’s mantle. All we need is one rough hate-fuck— Preferably in the chem lab, role-playing sexy chemist while he bends me over one of the tables—and I’ll get him out of my system. That’s as far as our relationship will ever go.”

Stiles glanced across the cafeteria to where Derek was still fail-eating his lunch and sighed so put out.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go make fun of Derek eating organic baby carrots.”

don’t go breakin’ my heart [i couldn’t if i tried] by crossroadswrite

Contrary to popular belief, Derek Hale – co-captain of the basketball team and AP student who volunteers in the library – isn’t actually as smooth as people might think.

In a Straight Line Down by standinginanicedress

“So you want to go to Prom with me just so you can get a plastic crown and a fifty dollar gift card to Outback Steakhouse.”

Stiles sets his jaw. He wants to go to prom with Derek because he wants to go to prom with Derek. But, of course, he’s stubborn and prideful and can’t admit to Derek how it’s barely been twelve hours since they officially broke up and he’s already barely handling it as it is, so he just raises his chin in the air and says, “yes.”

we should just kiss (like real people do) by i_am_girlfriday

Stiles is the social zero of the sophomore class. Derek is the much cooler junior who befriends Stiles anyway.

Shut Me Down by lazykisses

Even when Derek’s an asshole, which is 75% of the time (90% on a rainy day), with his deadpan humor and cocky eyebrows and his annoyingly vague text messages (like that one time Stiles asked him if he’d studied for Chemistry and Derek replied with “hn”. What the hell does ‘hn’ even mean?), Stiles doesn’t mind. And that kinda scares him.

It’s Too Early For This by thepsychicclam

Derek loves his job at the coffee shop, especially because Stiles comes in for coffee before early Saturday morning lacrosse practices. The problem is that Derek is too shy to do anything about his crush, and the situation is not helped by the rivalry between the basketball and lacrosse teams.

Hotsky to Trotsky by paintedrecs

Derek had his future mapped out: there’d be graduation, followed by college, followed by (he hoped) a good grad school, then a career as a professor whose students didn’t spend their time flicking paper footballs at each other and obsessing over their dating lives. He had good friends, a good family, and no time to focus on distractions like high school gossip or relationships.

He hadn’t factored Stiles Stilinski - lacrosse player, class clown, part of the popular crowd, currently spending his entire day staring at Derek and smiling - into his plans.

more by bibliosexual

It starts when Derek is sitting in study hall and the guy ahead of him–-Stiles something, the Polish kid with all the moles–-mutters, “Ugh, what’s sixty percent of fifty-five?”

“Thirty-three,” Derek says without having to think about it. He’s always been good at math.

“Oh, thanks, dude,” Stiles says. “I forgot my calculator, and Mr. Harris is a dick who won’t let me go get it.”

“No problem,” Derek says.

He assumes that’s it, that’s the end of the conversation, but Stiles catches up to him in the hall after class, scuffs his sneaker against the floor and says, “Hey, so, you’re really good at math. Like, you solved that in your head, right? No calculator?“

"Yeah,” Derek says, and Stiles bites his lip, asks, “Do you maybe wanna study with me later, in the library?”

Derek does.

i wanna dance with somebody (who loves me) by bleep0bleep

Derek gets in an accident and loses a few years of his memory; suddenly everything is different— he’s not a freshman loser anymore, but a popular senior, captain of the basketball team, a shoo-in for prom king, too, and he should have everything he’s ever wanted— except he doesn’t seem to be friends with Stiles anymore.

Bro-lentine’s Day by WhoNatural

It’s actually pretty cool that Derek came back to school after a summer eating spinach and lifting small trains or whatever to become a guardian angel to the easy targets of BHHS.

Don’t Judge a Derek By His Cover by captaintinymite

Stiles doesn’t care about the rumors surrounding Beacon Hills High School’s resident bad boy, Derek Hale. In fact, he thinks the rumors are total crap. Of course, being secretly in love with someone has a way of clouding one’s judgment.

However, he knew for a fact that Derek liked books. So when the two paired up for a final English project, he was excited (but also a little terrified).

But you know what they say…never judge a book by its cover. The same goes for people.

Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon by secondstar

Being a teenager sucks. Being a werewolf teenager sucks even more. With a life full of holding back who he really is, not having any privacy whatsoever, and the seemingly sudden appearance of one Stiles Stilinski, Derek Hale’s life just got a whole lot harder.

(I Hate to Be) The One to Ruin the Night by wishingonalightningbolt

High school senior Derek Hale only has one goal for the rest of his time left at BHHS: avoid Stiles Stilinski. He’s wreaked enough havoc as it is, having spent all summer breaking Derek’s heart. Everything would be better for both of them if they just never saw each other again.

-0-

Derek doesn’t plan on ever getting mixed up with Scott McCall and his little gang of idiot friends. In fact, if he knew to avoid it, he would, but he guesses he just isn’t smart enough. Unfortunate, considering the consequences.

John Hughes Did Not Direct My Life by nascentgalaxies

Stiles and Derek are childhood friends who drifted apart. When Stiles joins the lacrosse team against his will, the universe (with a little help from Laura and Lydia) chooses to push them back together.

But Then What... by Stoney

Senior year is almost over, and all Stiles needs to do is keep his head down to survive. A teacher calls in a favor, leaving him stuck tutoring Derek Hale, one of the most popular jocks in school and a member of a group of douchecanoes who have bullied Stiles for years. He's someone Stiles totally hates. Totally. Like, doesn't like him even a little bit. DEFINITELY isn't attracted to him.

Except that is a total lie. Fuck his life, seriously.

I know you love and hate me too by trilliastra

“Right.” Derek coughs and Stiles knows he realized his mistake. Good – he thinks, maybe next time he'll learn not to make Stiles fall in love with him. “Hum – we are almost finishing here, John.”

“I'll be in my bedroom.” Stiles says. “And his first name is Sheriff!”

Fucking Derek Hale.

Wait For It by otatop

Funny, how you can exist adjacent to someone through elementary, middle, and high school and not really know them. Funny, how Stiles had always had some strange crush on Derek without actually being his friend.

It’s like he’s all that by MemeKon

Stiles is different. Stiles is not nice under any definition of the word, he’s such an asshole. Sure, he’s a good guy deep down, he punched Jackson square in the jaw when he mocked the McCall kid for an asthma attack that one time, and Derek knows he helped Erica Reyes get that video of her seizure taken down, but he’s so—

"Fuck off, Derek." Stiles tells him without sparing him a glance when Derek sits next to him on chemistry. "I’m not up to play She’s All That with you, dude."

-yeah.

(School crushes are so complicated.)

The Scheming Rhymes of Romance by sofonisba_found

Stiles currently was, and had been, Derek's poetic muse for years. Not that Stiles was really all that aware of that fact.

But when Stiles does find out about it their senior year of high school, he's pretty okay with it.

Alright, so he is definitely a lot more than okay with it.

A story in which Derek writes copious amounts of poetry, Stiles is very appreciative of said poetry as well as Derek's smile, and all of their friends are oddly and extremely invested in seeing these two get their act together.

Easy Alpha by interropunct

Easy A/Teen Wolf AU. Wherein, Derek Hale is the high school hussy, Jackson and Scott really need to learn to use their inside voices. And, contrary to popular belief, everyone is still a virgin.

[sweater-vest-reid]

All You Need is Love: Chapter Twenty “All You Need is Love”

A Love Story Told by The Fab Four / Inspired by “Across the Universe”

Spencer Reid: a genius, hardworking, dedicated FBI profiler. Persephone “Percy” Jacobson: a passionate, brilliant, ambitious FBI specialist, and the newest member of the BAU. Spencer doesn’t believe in soulmates. Persephone doesn’t believe in happy endings. Told nonlinearly, watch as time, each other, and The Beatles, proves them wrong.

Chapter List

~~~~~

A/N: Here it is! The last chapter! Thank you all so much for coming on this journey with me! 

Listen here

~~~~~

There's nothing you can do that can't be done. Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.

{2014} Snow was still falling from the sky when Percy and Spencer walked into work that morning. The white flakes covering their hair and jackets slowly disappeared as they walked from the frigid outdoors to the warm BAU offices. They walked to their desks, glancing anxiously at each other. Who knew planning to tell someone good news was so nerve-wracking?

Spencer removed his winter gear, but Percy kept hers on, waiting for the perfect moment. And with the entire team present in one room (a rarity for the team), the perfect moment had to be soon. 

Hotch and Rossi leaned on the railing by their offices, and the rest of the team sat in the bullpen, sharing small talk about their weekends over cups of freshly brewed coffee. One by one, Percy slowly removed her winter garments. Her coat, her scarf, and her hat all sat in a pile on her desk, but her gloves remained on. A hidden blessing really; now the whole team couldn't see just how sweaty her palms were. 

"So, what did you two lovebirds get up to over the weekend?" asked Garcia. 

Percy's heart began to race. She glanced over at Spencer, and she knew his was probably racing too. It's not like they were about to share bad news. On the contrary, it was amazing news. But why was it so hard to say out loud? Was it because they still didn't believe it themselves?

"Nothing much, really," Percy lied. 

"Really? You guys didn't do anything at all?" asked Morgan. 

"We're being serious. We had no plans at all," reassured Percy, fighting to contain a telltale smile that would give away their whole plan.

"Although, we did start making some pretty important plans," added Spencer. "Those won't be happening for a while," said Percy.

"Oh really. So, when are these mysterious plans happening?" asked JJ. Percy could tell she was becoming a bit suspicious.

Percy turned to Spencer, "Not for another, uh, what did we decide Spence, six months?" 

She walked over to Spencer, leaning into him. He wrapped his arm around her. Over the past few days, they'd become much touchier, wanting to hold each other every moment of the day. 

They really were over the moon, truly the happiest they'd ever been. 

"You made plans for something six months into the future? Why not make it sooner than that, if it really is so important?" asked Hotch.

"With this job, we don't even know what state we'll be in tomorrow. We thought making plans half a year in advance would give us a better chance of actually getting to do them," Spencer explained. 

"Honestly, that's…that's fair," admitted Hotch, chuckling a bit. 

"So, what important thing are our two resident geniuses in love doing in six months?" asked Rossi.

"Getting married," said Percy as she removed her winter glove to reveal a dazzling engagement ring on her finger. 

The gasps, screams, and cheers from the BAU were so loud that agents who passed by the office kept peering inside to see what all the ruckus was. 

JJ and Hotch were full of happiness and pride for the couple, giving them both big hugs. Garcia was the loudest out of them all. Repeated 'oh my god' as she hugged both of them again and again. When she pulled away from her last hug with Percy, there were streams of tears coming down her cheeks. 

"I so happy for you both," she cried. 

"Really? I couldn't tell, Penny," Percy joked, wiping away Garcia's tears as well as the ones which had started to form in her own eyes. 

Morgan and Spencer shared a long hug. They didn't exchange words, they didn't need to use them to communicate what they were feeling. A similar embrace was shared between Percy Rossi. A hug that contained many years of history, way beyond what anyone on the team knew. 

"I'm so proud of you kid. And I know your dad would be too," Rossi whispered in her ear. 

"Thank you," she whispered back. 

Hotch's phone rang, like it always did, letting the team know that celebrations would have to be put on hold. 

"I'm sorry guys, but we have a case," he said. 

"That's alright. I can't imagine a better way to celebrate an engagement than catching a serial killer," Percy joked.

The team piled into the conference room. Percy and Spencer lingered behind them, sharing a tender kiss before walking through the door hand in hand.

Nothing you can say, but you can learn How to play the game It's easy.

{2015} "When I was younger, I read Plato's Symposium. He proposed that when humans were created, they each had four arms, four legs, and a head with two faces. But the humans threatened the gods, and as punishment, the gods split them in two. For the rest of the human's life, they would long for their missing half. It wasn't until they found each other that they would be truly happy again," Spencer explained, his voice wavering from nervousness. 

Spencer didn't mind public speaking, as long as he was giving a profile or doing a presentation. But this was different. Having to share his emotions in front of anyone, a crowd especially was proving to be very difficult for him. He felt the crowd's eyes watching him, waiting for him to continue. The anxiety was overwhelming. 

But then he looked back at Percy, and all his fears melted away. He couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. In her white gown, she looked more like an angel than a human. The lace veil that sat on top of her head flowed down her back almost to her knees. Her eyes glistened with tears, and on her face was a look of pure love and adoration. She smiled. That was all the reassurance he needed. 

"As much as I admired Plato and his philosophies, I couldn't believe him. Everything I'd ever learned contradicted the idea of soulmates. I knew how humans were created. I knew we didn't start off with four legs and arms. And as far as I knew, I felt whole. So, from that moment on, I didn't let myself believe in the fantasy of a soulmate. I guess I was pretty cynical for a five-year-old,"  

Percy giggled, squeezing his hands a little tighter.

"Now, Percy, you of all people know that I hate being wrong. But believe me, on July fifteenth, 2004, when you walked through the door at the BAU, I had never been happier to be wrong in my entire life. Because, when I laid my eyes on you for the very first time, I truly felt complete. The day I met you was the day I believed in soulmates again because I knew I had met mine. You are my greater half, my better half. You make me whole. I love you so much, Persephone. And thank you for proving me wrong," 

Tears freely flowed down Percy's cheeks. She tried to say 'I love you too' but no words came out. She hugged him tightly, choking out a whispered 'Thank you' in his ear before pulling away.

"Okay, my turn. No pressure," She laughed, wiping away the tears. "You know I'm not the best with words. I tried for hours to write this but I couldn't find the right words to explain how much I love you, and how grateful I am that I met you eleven years ago. I'm speechless, not because I have nothing to say, but because I have everything to say, and if I start talking, I'll never stop. I'd never thought I'd get a happy ending. My life felt cursed, bad things seemed to follow me wherever I went. But there you were, the missing piece of my happy ending, wearing a sweater vest and rambling on about some academic article or the scientific accuracy of Star Trek. And I…well, I don't really know where I was going with this. I guess I'm rambling myself…"  Percy trailed off, losing herself inside Spencer's eyes. 

"The other day, I was driving alone, listening to the radio. A song played. An old Beatles song. One I'd heard many times before, but I had never fully understood. But know, that song reminds me of you. 'Love is old, love is new. Love is all, love is you'. Thank you, Spencer: for your love, your patience, your understanding. Thank you, for my happy ending."

The rest of the ceremony was a blur. The said their vows and exchanged their rings, crying and smiling the whole time. 

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Reid. Spencer, you may now kiss the bride,"

Nothing you can make that can't be made. No one you can save that can't be saved.

{2018} "I'm home!" Spencer called as he walked through the door. They had a day off, and Spencer had planned to spend it with his mom. Percy had a doctor's appointment in the morning and had planned on meeting up with them in the afternoon. However, she had not been feeling well for the past couple of days and decided to stay home and rest instead. 

"Hey, how's your mom?" asked Percy groggily. She had been asleep on the couch when Spencer walked in, and she wasn't quite awake yet. 

"She's doing quite well. She had a great day today," he responded, kissing Percy before sitting down on the couch by her feet. 

"I'm sorry again that I couldn't make it. I really just needed to rest today," Percy explained, sitting up to face him.

"It's okay, Percy. We can see my mom anytime. Are you feeling any better?" 

She nodded, "Yeah, a little bit. I'm not really nauseous anymore. Just a headache. A bad headache,"

"I'm sorry you're not feeling well," Spencer said, scooting over to Percy and wrapping his arms around her, "Did your doctor's appointment go well at least?"

"Yeah, it was no big deal just a medication check. And they drew my blood," Percy replied as she rolled up her sleeve to show off her bandaid. 

"Why are they drawing your blood at a routine med check?" he asked, suddenly very concerned.

"First, stop panicking. I'm fine, honey," Percy said, sweeping a piece of his hair behind his ear, "Second, it's because of my new medication. I had a bad reaction to a similar one in the past. The blood test is just a precaution. In fact, Dr. Moore should have left me a message with the results by now. I must have missed his call when I was asleep. When you walked in, did you happen to see if there were any messages?"

"I have no idea," replied Spencer. 

"Was there a little white light on the phone stand?" 

Spence nodded. 

"Then there's a message," Percy said, standing up to go check the phone. She stretched out her body on the way to the kitchen; she was stiff after spending so much time on the couch. They had a perfectly good (and extremely comfortable) bed, yet Percy still took naps on the couch, and her back was not happy about it. 

Percy picked up the phone, placed the phone on speaker, and played the voicemail.

"Persephone, this is Dr. Moore here. I have reviewed the results of your blood test and I did not find any medication-related issues, which is a great sign," 

Percy released a breath she didn't know she was holding in. She hadn't realized how nervous she was about the test. But know that she knew everything was alright, her hidden anxieties melted away. 

The voicemail continued, "As well, I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations. The test results show that you are currently four weeks pregnant. In lieu of that, I would like for you to come back in for an appointment as soon as you can so we can discuss your medication regime during your pregnancy. See you soon, and congratulations again,"

The whole world became still and silent. The only thing Percy could hear was the sound of her own beating heart. She was so overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions that she didn't know what to do or say; so, she just stood there, frozen, in the kitchen. 

Spencer slowly stood up from the couch. He walked into the kitchen to join her. Spencer had a million questions fighting to escape from his mouth, but his lips refused to budge. Instead, he grabbed the phone out of Percy's hand and pressed play again. 

As they listened to it a second time, the realization began to sink in. Their dream was coming true: they were finally going to be parents. 

"Did…did you know?" Spencer asked, tears forming in his eyes. 

"No, I had no idea. Oh my god Spence…. I'm-I'm pregnant," Percy squeezed Spencer as tight as she could, sobbing into his chest. 

Spencer hugged her back, even tighter. He was sobbing now too like he was releasing his overflowing happiness in the form of tears. 

Half an hour later, they were still in the kitchen. But now they sat on the floor, Percy in Spencer's lap. His hand sat gracefully on her stomach, already so protective of the little life that was growing there. They didn't say much, as they were still getting over the shock. Occasionally, they would exchange a kiss. But mostly, they just sat, enjoying each other's company, thinking about the future, and soaking in the most happiness either of them had ever felt in their entire lives.

Nothing you can do, but you can learn How to be you in time It's easy.

{2019} "Thank god we're home. I don't think I can walk any farther. My feet are killing me," Percy said as they walked in the door. She dropped her go bag by the front door and plopped down on the couch. 

Percy was twenty-weeks pregnant and was still working at the BAU. Not in the field, of course, but she would still travel with the team. Her bump was definitely showing now, after all, she was halfway through her pregnancy. Whenever he could Spencer's hand we on her bump, waiting to feel their little girl kick. Percy could feel her move around, something she wasn't used to yet. However, Spencer had yet to feel her kick.

He joined Percy on the couch, picking up her feet and placing them in his lap. He removed her shoes and began rubbing her sore feet. 

"You're a mind reader, Spence. Thank you," Percy said, leaning her head back and closing her eyes as she enjoyed the massage. 

"Are you feeling alright?" Spencer asked for the millionth time that day. Percy knew how anxious he was about her being pregnant and their upcoming parenthood. She knew Spencer checking up on her all the time was just a way for him to reassure himself that everything was alright, so she didn't let herself be bothered by it. 

"I'm okay, just sleepy. Somebody didn't let me sleep on the plane because she was kicking so much," Percy said as she lovingly glared down at her bump. 

"She was? Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, slightly disappointed. 

"Why? You were out cold. Snoring even. There was no way I could have woken you up," Percy explained. She rubbed her bump gently, and the baby started to kick again, "There she goes again,"

"Really?" he asked, his eyes lighting up. He placed his hand on Percy's bump, but by then the baby had stopped kicking. 

"It was only a little one, Spence. She's done now," Percy said, sitting up on the couch. 

"I wish I could feel her," Spencer pouted. 

Percy rubbed his arm, "Aww honey you will. It's just that she's so tiny right now that it's hard for you to feel it. I'm sure you'll get to feel her soon," 

"You know, we're going to have to think of a name for her soon," Spencer noted, "Do you have any ideas?"

"As long as we don't name her after a Greek goddess I'll be happy. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom, but naming your kids after gods is a great idea in theory, and a stupid idea realistically," Percy laughed. 

"Speaking of moms, I had an idea I wanted to run past you," Spencer asked. 

"What is it?" 

"Can her middle name be Diana? After my mom?" he asked. 

"Of course, Spence. That's a beautiful idea," agreed Percy, "Now we just need a first name,"

Percy stood up and started browsing the many bookshelves that lined their home. 

"What are you doing?" he asked, standing up to join her. 

"In one of these books, there has to be a name that we love. We just need to find it," Percy explained as she started to pull books off the shelf. 

Spencer smiled at the suggestion and joined her by the shelves, pulling some of his favorites down. Soon they had many large stacks around the room. They both sat down on the ground, paging through book after book, searching for the perfect name. Their list of names grew longer and longer, but none of them felt like a perfect fit. 

"Read me the list again?" asked Percy, stroking her bump. 

Spencer read off the list, "Our top choices are: Arya, Estella, Darcy, Jo, Alice, Charlotte, and Daisy,"

"How do you feel about them?" Percy asked. 

Spencer hesitated, "I mean they're nice names but…" 

"Not perfect?" finished Percy. Spencer nodded. Neither of them had any idea how had this was going to be. They had already been searching for a long time, and Percy was having trouble keeping her eyes open. She tried to hide it from Spencer, but with no luck. 

"That's it," Spencer said after he saw Percy yawn for the millionth time, "Let's get you two to bed," 

Spencer walked over to her, holding his hands out to help her get up. Percy was too tired to argue. They walked towards the bedroom, Spencer's arm wrapped around her shoulder. 

Something in the corner of Percy's eye captured her attention, and she pulled away from Spencer to look at it. There was a book sticking out from under the couch. Percy had knocked over one of the taller stacks of books earlier in the night. She must have missed this one while she was cleaning up. She leaned down and picked it up. 

It was an old copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, and instantly Percy knew. 

"Scout!" she exclaimed. 

"Huh?" asked Spencer. 

Percy walked over to him, placing the worn paperback in his hands. 

"Scout Diana Reid," Percy said, "What do you think?" 

"I think it's perfect," he replied, placing a sweet kiss on her forehead. 

Just then, Percy felt a jab in her side. The baby was kicking again. Instantly, she grabbed Spencer's hand and placed it on her stomach. She kept kicking, and for the first time ever, Spencer felt his daughter. 

Each kick brought more and more tears to his eyes. He smiled big at Percy, before kneeling down and becoming eye level with her stomach.

"I guess she likes her name," laughed Percy. 

"Hey there, Scout. It's me, your dad," Spencer said to the bump, "You're halfway there, Scout, and I can't wait to meet you. I already love you so much,"  

He kissed Percy's stomach, before standing up and giving Percy a kiss. 

"I love you so much, Persephone. I am so grateful for you and for our little girl," he said, tears rolling down his cheeks. 

A few matching tears rolled down Percy's face, "I love you too," 

"Happy halfway," said Spencer. 

"Happy halfway, Spence. Now let's go to bed,"

There's nothing you can know that isn't known. Nothing you can see that isn't shown.

{2019} "Do my eyes deceive me or is that the Reid's standing in the conference room?" asked Rossi as the team returned from a case. 

"No way," said Prentiss, a smile spreading across her face. 

Spencer and Percy stood in the conference room. Garcia stood with them, gushing over the tiny baby nestled in Spencer's arms. 

Scout had been born five weeks prior. She came a little early, but she was healthy, and that was all that mattered to them. 

"This is a pretty fantastic surprise!" exclaimed Prentiss. 

The team huddled around them, and Scout looked up at all of them with her big brown eyes. 

"You guys, she's so beautiful," said JJ, "Can I hold her?" 

Spencer nodded, carefully handing his daughter to JJ. JJ admired her, slowly rocking the baby back and forth. 

"How are things going?" asked Luke. 

"It's amazing," gushed Percy, "I mean it's difficult as hell, but it's so worth it. And Spencer here is like 'super dad'. She's only a little over a month old and Spencer has her sleeping for almost five hours at a time," 

Matt looked shocked, "How in the world did you manage that?"

"I read a lot of parenting books, one specifically on how the French raise children. You know, on average, most French babies can sleep through the night around the age of three to four months? Some even as early as two months," Spencer explained. 

Scout was now being passed to Luke. Garcia followed, looking at Scout over Luke's shoulder. She reached down and stroked her little arm. Scout reached out and grabbed Garcia's finger. 

"Look at her! She's already so smart. My little genius goddaughter" cooed Garcia. 

Percy knew from the start that her brother was going to be her daughter's godfather, and Garcia was the obvious choice for godmother. Garcia was ecstatic when they told her and immediately began spoiling Scout before she was born. She even had custom onesies made: one that was patterned to look like their bulletproof vests, one that said, "future SSA", and the one Scout was wearing that day which read "Dr. Reid III". 

"You see this room, Scout? This is where your parents first met. Neither of them will admit it, but it was totally love at first sight" Garcia whispered. Spencer and Percy exchanged a sweet glance, and Spencer wrapped his arm around her. Scout began to fuss. It was getting late, and she was probably getting tired. 

"I think that's our cue," said Percy, grabbing her little girl from Luke. Percy placed her in her carrier, giving her a little kiss before strapping her in. 

"So is it true?" asked JJ, "Are you guys really not coming back to the BAU?"

Spencer shook his head, "Percy knew she wasn't coming back, but I thought I would. But then Scout was born…" he trailed off, staring down at his daughter.  

"I can't imagine a BAU without the Reid's," Said Garcia sadly. 

"We'll miss you guys. We really will," said Emily. 

"We'll miss you guys too. We already do," said Percy. 

Hugs and tears were exchanged as Spencer and Percy left the conference room. They held hands as they walked through the office, Scout's carrier held tightly in Spencer's other hand. 

Percy stopped as they walked past their old desks. Once full of books and papers, now empty, ready for a new agent to start their journey. She smiled as she thought of the memories that filled the room. Spencer was having a hard time leaving as well. His life had revolved around this job for so many years, he didn't know what it would be like after he left. They were leaving for Scout, the best possible reason to leave, but that didn't make their exit painless. 

Scout released another quiet cry, and they both knew it was really time to go. They walked into the elevators. They waved at their old team one last time before the elevator doors closed.

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where You're meant to be It's easy.

{2009, 05x09 "100"} The sun had gone down long ago, but Percy still sat at her desk, digesting the events of the day. Tears had permanently stained her cheeks, and every time her mind played through the events again, more were added to her collection. There were bad days at the BAU, but nothing compared to the hell that had just occurred. 

The team stayed at Hotch's home for as long as they could. But Hotch needed time alone with his son to mourn Haley. There was only so much the team could offer. 

Percy had come back to the BAU only ten minutes earlier. She was just going to grab her purse and keys and head home, but she couldn't move. She didn't want to go back alone, just her and the remnants of the day. 

She heard the elevator doors ding and quickly wiped away her tears. It was Spencer, coming back to collect his things so he could go home. He sat in his seat, holding his head in his hands. 

Percy stood up, grabbing her things, and forcing herself to leave. She needed to face the silence and pain eventually. As she left, she stopped at his desk. "Are you okay?" she asked him quietly. 

He shook his head slightly, looking up at her, "Are you?"

She bit her lip, looking at him one last time before walking away. 

She wanted to stay, to wrap herself in his arms. She knew she would feel safe in his arms. But she kept walking. 

Spencer watched her walk away. Why did she have to leave? Why couldn't she just stay with him forever? He knew that everything would feel better if she was still there with him. 

Percy made it home. She sat in her kitchen, staring at the tabletop. What was going to happen now? Percy knew all too well what Hotch and Jack were going through, and it tore her apart. 

There was a knock at the door, and Percy opened the door. 

"Spencer? What are you doing here?" she asked. 

He stood there, so nervous that his hands shook, "I can't do this anymore," 

"What?" Percy asked, confused. 

"I can't keep pretending that there isn’t something here. Not any longer. What if you die and I never get to tell you? What if nothing ever happens because I was too afraid?" he was rambling, and Percy could swear that she could see tears forming in his eyes. 

"What do you mean 'if I die'? Spencer, nothing is going to happen to me," she reassured. She was so overwhelmed by his sudden outburst of emotion. Spencer was never like this.

"You can't know that, Percy. Haley was in Witness Protection, and Foyet still got to her. If WitSec couldn't do it, how are we supposed to protect the ones we love?" As soon as he said it, he froze. Now he could no longer pretend that his feelings for her didn't exist. 

"Love?" Percy choked out. Was this actually happening or was this her imagination playing a cruel trick on her. 

Spencer fumbled over his words, trying to piece together the perfect sentence that would explain all of the love in his heart, "I…I…"

"I'm in love with you," Percy said, the words escaping past her lips before her mind had a chance to stop them.

The look on Spencer's face was one she'd never forget. It was a look of shock, of relief, and joy. 

Percy could no longer contain her tears, "You're right Spence. You're absolutely right. What if I lost you and never had a chance to tell you that I love you?" 

He just stood there, staring at her.

"Say something. Please, Spence," 

Spencer grabbed her face, kissing her with forceful passion. At first, Percy was shocked, her eyes wide open and her arms held in the air. But soon, she leaned into the embrace, running her fingers through his hair. 

They pulled apart, breathing heavy. 

"Is it safe to assume you feel the same?" she joked, pressing her forehead against his. 

He nodded, pulling her in closer, "Since the day I met you, I knew,"

The kissed again before Percy pulled back once more. 

"Do you…do you want to come inside?" she teased. 

He smiled, "I thought you would never ask"

All you need is love, love Love is all you need

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[demitgibbs]

What’s Hot South Florida: Feb. 8 – Feb. 14

Thursday February 8

OOOPS, I made an error….whereas I try and be as perfect as possible with this column, last week I made an error on the date of Genesis Health Institute’s 10th anniversary…..They will be celebrating their 10th anniversary TONIGHT as one of South Florida’s premiere anti-aging centers. They are inviting the entire community to celebrate with them from 5-7:30 p.m., where they will be serving Hors D’oeuvres, beer, wine and soft drinks. They will also be raffling off various gifts throughout the evening. In addition they will be selling 20% off certificates with a portion of the sales going to local charities.

The Pride Center at Equality Park presents “Black Art Awakening,” a Black History month exhibit with the reception today from 7-9 p.m celebrating history month and Black HIV?AIDS Awareness Day.

Slow Burn Theatre presents “Disaster: a 70’s Disaster Movie…Musical!” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts starting today and going through February 18. BrowardCenter.org.

Friday, February 9

Pride Fort Lauderdale presents the Official Kick-Off Party from 6:30 to 10p.m. at the B Ocean Fort Lauderdale. The night will star Charo, Joe Posa as Joan Rivers and DJ Adora.  To purchase tickets go to: PrideFortLauderdale.org.

The Florida Panthers presents Pride Night in partnership with the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the You Can Play Project. The panthers will be playing the Los Angeles Kings at 7:30 p.m. at the BB&T Center and admission, which starts at $25, includes the game, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida singing the National Anthem, a portion of your ticket price going to charity, an exclusive Pride Night Panther Themed Gift, and if you buy the Lord Stanleys Loft ticket ($60) you get food, wine, beer and soda. To purchase tickets, go to: Groupmatics.events/event/pridenight2.

The Pub presents “Love Shack,” a show in honor of The Love Pride starring Starlet Skye, Erika Norell and Scott Galens (original Viillage Voice winner) at 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 10

The Pride Center at Equality Park presents “sip-n-nibble” at Lucky’s Market from 6-9 p.m. Donate $10 and sample various wines, beers and foods while you check out the newest market in the Gayborhood. All proceeds go to support the transformative programs and services at the Pride Center.

Georgie’s Alibi/Monkey Bar presents a new promotion Saturdays on the Patio from 6-9 p.m. catch the one and only Antonio Edwards (Mr. Florida M.E. 2017/18) singing live in dinner show!

Ramrod presents “Underground Invasion” (2nd Saturday of every month) featuring DJ Tomas Arias.

The Club Fort Lauderdale presents their monthly Cumunion party from 3 to 7 p.m.

Noche Latina Saturday inside the Ivy Lounge and Patio at the Manor Complex celebrates Pride and Valentines…Latin style. Starring Kalah Mendoza (Miss Florida F.I. 2018, and Sasha Lords. The night will also star resident DJ Larry Larr and sexy Latin Go-Go Papi’s dancing on the bar. Saturdays at the Manor are from 11p.m. to 4a.m. and is free before midnight (Fl res) and only $7 after for members and $10 for non-members (18-20 $12 all night).

Sunday, February 11

Today is the 41st annual Pride Fort Lauderdale taking place on the beach from 12 noon to 9p.m. The event will star Grammy Award winner Estelle, Charo, Trans activists and performers: Laith Ashley, Camen Carrera and Jamie Wilson, DJs Tracy Young, Deanne, and Power Infiniti, as well as many other entertainers. For more info or to purchase VIP tickets (general admission is free) go to: PrideFortLauderdale.org.

South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble Youth Pride Season 7 will take place at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at 7p.m. with tickets ranging from $15-$30. Guest conductor and prolific composer Robert Longfield will conduct the students in the first half of the performance. Adult mentors and members of the Pride Wind Ensemble will join forces with the Youth Band on the second half of the performance with well over 120 musicians on stage.

The Pub presents the officially sanctioned “After Party” for the Love Pride at 9 p.m. The night will feature a live DJ, many drink specials and the kitchen will be open.

Wednesday, February 14

Chardees Lounge presents the one and only Dezhon featuring Nevada on the Piano in “Decades: A Musical Tribute for Valentine’s Day.” Call 954-533-4916 for reservations.

Mona’s presents a special event for Valentine’s Day featuring Karaoke Jockey Freddy at 9 p.m.. They invite the community to come over and sing a song to your sweetheart, then “Stack his Package” and win great prizes.

Gay 8 presents the first Miss & Mister Gay 8 pageant at Azucar. The categories include Presentation/Talent 4 minutes (creative LGBTQ Flag Colors), Evening Wear and Q&A. The pageant will be hosted by Marytrini and star Kalah Mendoza (Miss Florida F.I. 2017/18 and honorary Miss Gay 8), and Raul Vegas (Honorary Mister Gay 8). For trickets call 305-467-5765 or 786-344-2074.

Hot Stuff

Mini Pita Plus and Maria’s Cantina (2400 and 2410 Wilton Drive) will give everyone $5 off a $50 purchase if you mention the ad you saw here in Hotspots!

This is HOT

In celebration of his 70th birthday this March, ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER UNMASKED: THE PLATINUM COLLECTION will be available March 16th. As one of the most successful composers of the modern era, Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s repertoire includes some of the world’s most celebrated musicals; Sunset Boulevard, Cats, Aspects Of Love, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Starlight Express, The Phantom of The Opera, School of Rock and Love Never Dies – to name but a few.

The collection is personally curated and overseen by Lloyd Webber. Of the new album, Lloyd Webber says: “I owe everyone involved in putting this compilation together a huge thank you.  A vast amount of thought has evidently gone into selecting tracks from my almost fifty year old career.   This compilation brings back a heap of memories – it has made this ancient composer very happy.  I particularly love the new tracks and of course I love the orchestral suites.   There’s nothing a composer likes more than hearing their melodies played by a cracking orchestra.”

Unmasked: The Platinum Collection is available as 2 CD and 4 CD editions. The 4-disc version contains an exclusive 40-page book with a personally penned introduction from Lloyd Webber and in-depth notes on each track, written by respected theatre critic and Lloyd Webber biographer Michael Coveney, together with tributes from Barbra Streisand and Glenn Close among others.

The fourth disc encompasses a mix of overtures and showstoppers from Lloyd Webber‘s key works, as well as newly created orchestral suites. The five new orchestral suites have been specially prepared from existing recordings, emphasizing the grand orchestral aspects of his work. All CDs were mastered at Abbey Road Studios.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/02/06/whats-hot-south-florida-feb-8-feb-14/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/170613223400

[cynthiajayusa]

What’s Hot South Florida: Feb. 8 – Feb. 14

Thursday February 8

OOOPS, I made an error….whereas I try and be as perfect as possible with this column, last week I made an error on the date of Genesis Health Institute’s 10th anniversary…..They will be celebrating their 10th anniversary TONIGHT as one of South Florida’s premiere anti-aging centers. They are inviting the entire community to celebrate with them from 5-7:30 p.m., where they will be serving Hors D’oeuvres, beer, wine and soft drinks. They will also be raffling off various gifts throughout the evening. In addition they will be selling 20% off certificates with a portion of the sales going to local charities.

The Pride Center at Equality Park presents “Black Art Awakening,” a Black History month exhibit with the reception today from 7-9 p.m celebrating history month and Black HIV?AIDS Awareness Day.

Slow Burn Theatre presents “Disaster: a 70’s Disaster Movie…Musical!” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts starting today and going through February 18. BrowardCenter.org.

Friday, February 9

Pride Fort Lauderdale presents the Official Kick-Off Party from 6:30 to 10p.m. at the B Ocean Fort Lauderdale. The night will star Charo, Joe Posa as Joan Rivers and DJ Adora.  To purchase tickets go to: PrideFortLauderdale.org.

The Florida Panthers presents Pride Night in partnership with the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the You Can Play Project. The panthers will be playing the Los Angeles Kings at 7:30 p.m. at the BB&T Center and admission, which starts at $25, includes the game, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida singing the National Anthem, a portion of your ticket price going to charity, an exclusive Pride Night Panther Themed Gift, and if you buy the Lord Stanleys Loft ticket ($60) you get food, wine, beer and soda. To purchase tickets, go to: Groupmatics.events/event/pridenight2.

The Pub presents “Love Shack,” a show in honor of The Love Pride starring Starlet Skye, Erika Norell and Scott Galens (original Viillage Voice winner) at 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 10

The Pride Center at Equality Park presents “sip-n-nibble” at Lucky’s Market from 6-9 p.m. Donate $10 and sample various wines, beers and foods while you check out the newest market in the Gayborhood. All proceeds go to support the transformative programs and services at the Pride Center.

Georgie’s Alibi/Monkey Bar presents a new promotion Saturdays on the Patio from 6-9 p.m. catch the one and only Antonio Edwards (Mr. Florida M.E. 2017/18) singing live in dinner show!

Ramrod presents “Underground Invasion” (2nd Saturday of every month) featuring DJ Tomas Arias.

The Club Fort Lauderdale presents their monthly Cumunion party from 3 to 7 p.m.

Noche Latina Saturday inside the Ivy Lounge and Patio at the Manor Complex celebrates Pride and Valentines…Latin style. Starring Kalah Mendoza (Miss Florida F.I. 2018, and Sasha Lords. The night will also star resident DJ Larry Larr and sexy Latin Go-Go Papi’s dancing on the bar. Saturdays at the Manor are from 11p.m. to 4a.m. and is free before midnight (Fl res) and only $7 after for members and $10 for non-members (18-20 $12 all night).

Sunday, February 11

Today is the 41st annual Pride Fort Lauderdale taking place on the beach from 12 noon to 9p.m. The event will star Grammy Award winner Estelle, Charo, Trans activists and performers: Laith Ashley, Camen Carrera and Jamie Wilson, DJs Tracy Young, Deanne, and Power Infiniti, as well as many other entertainers. For more info or to purchase VIP tickets (general admission is free) go to: PrideFortLauderdale.org.

South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble Youth Pride Season 7 will take place at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at 7p.m. with tickets ranging from $15-$30. Guest conductor and prolific composer Robert Longfield will conduct the students in the first half of the performance. Adult mentors and members of the Pride Wind Ensemble will join forces with the Youth Band on the second half of the performance with well over 120 musicians on stage.

The Pub presents the officially sanctioned “After Party” for the Love Pride at 9 p.m. The night will feature a live DJ, many drink specials and the kitchen will be open.

Wednesday, February 14

Chardees Lounge presents the one and only Dezhon featuring Nevada on the Piano in “Decades: A Musical Tribute for Valentine’s Day.” Call 954-533-4916 for reservations.

Mona’s presents a special event for Valentine’s Day featuring Karaoke Jockey Freddy at 9 p.m.. They invite the community to come over and sing a song to your sweetheart, then “Stack his Package” and win great prizes.

Gay 8 presents the first Miss & Mister Gay 8 pageant at Azucar. The categories include Presentation/Talent 4 minutes (creative LGBTQ Flag Colors), Evening Wear and Q&A. The pageant will be hosted by Marytrini and star Kalah Mendoza (Miss Florida F.I. 2017/18 and honorary Miss Gay 8), and Raul Vegas (Honorary Mister Gay 8). For trickets call 305-467-5765 or 786-344-2074.

Hot Stuff

Mini Pita Plus and Maria’s Cantina (2400 and 2410 Wilton Drive) will give everyone $5 off a $50 purchase if you mention the ad you saw here in Hotspots!

This is HOT

In celebration of his 70th birthday this March, ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER UNMASKED: THE PLATINUM COLLECTION will be available March 16th. As one of the most successful composers of the modern era, Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s repertoire includes some of the world’s most celebrated musicals; Sunset Boulevard, Cats, Aspects Of Love, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Starlight Express, The Phantom of The Opera, School of Rock and Love Never Dies – to name but a few.

The collection is personally curated and overseen by Lloyd Webber. Of the new album, Lloyd Webber says: “I owe everyone involved in putting this compilation together a huge thank you.  A vast amount of thought has evidently gone into selecting tracks from my almost fifty year old career.   This compilation brings back a heap of memories – it has made this ancient composer very happy.  I particularly love the new tracks and of course I love the orchestral suites.   There’s nothing a composer likes more than hearing their melodies played by a cracking orchestra.”

Unmasked: The Platinum Collection is available as 2 CD and 4 CD editions. The 4-disc version contains an exclusive 40-page book with a personally penned introduction from Lloyd Webber and in-depth notes on each track, written by respected theatre critic and Lloyd Webber biographer Michael Coveney, together with tributes from Barbra Streisand and Glenn Close among others.

The fourth disc encompasses a mix of overtures and showstoppers from Lloyd Webber‘s key works, as well as newly created orchestral suites. The five new orchestral suites have been specially prepared from existing recordings, emphasizing the grand orchestral aspects of his work. All CDs were mastered at Abbey Road Studios.

source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/02/06/whats-hot-south-florida-feb-8-feb-14/ from Hot Spots Magazine http://hotspotsmagazin.blogspot.com/2018/02/whats-hot-south-florida-feb-8-feb-14.html