#and he misses just being able to talk to me And went over our bond through the years and emphasized how much he loves me

[lilgynt]

you know what funny enough during all of the shit between the last few days my brother and i were doing our usual routine of awkwardly texting and then i noticed with his like letter saying how he loves and thanks me for dealing with this fucked situation he sent me like 50 bucks so i got my dad settled long enough for me to make a two bags of edibles deep call to him and we talked a lot

[yetanotherhiddlestoner]

MINORS DNI 18+ ONLY

(Gif is not mine, I found it on google.)

Word Count - 2593.

Warnings - Negan X FM Reader.  P in V, alcohol mention, smut, swearing, vaginal licking, blow jobs.  No beta reader, any mistakes are mine own. 

Negan and you have been working together for a few years but what happens when one Friday night out changes all that.?

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

You and Negan had been work mates for years, you started about 12 months after he did and bonded one night when you were invited to join the men and their wives for Friday night drinks and was able to outdrink the great Negan, earning your place in the friendship they had already established.

Another friday night has come around again and you went home and got ready for the weekly catch up, even though you worked with the men, it was the women you missed and loved catching up with. The moment you got there, you were basically dragged away from the group by them, having them a little tipsy already.

As the night progressed and the drinks kept coming, Dwight's wife, Sherry leaned over and whispered in your ear "Negan keeps staring at you" You almost spit your drink out at her, you look at her "What?" "Negan, he has been staring at you all night, since you arrived his eyes have barely looked elsewhere." "Bullshit" You turn a little, trying to remain casual, hoping that to him it looks like you're just repositioning yourself on your seat and you look at him, your eyes connecting. He gives you a smirk, you smile back. 

"Holy shit I think I just saw sparks" Sherry says joking. You slap her arm gently and break eye contact. "He probably just watching over here in general making sure that we are not being hounded by unwanted men." "No honey, I think he is making sure no one hits on you." Sherry sips her drink and poke a finger into your chest. "Right ok, I think you should stop drinking; all that alcohol is going to your brain."  Sherry laughs " Have your really been so oblivious? He likes you Y/N. Every time we drink, he always keeps his eye on you, he gets angry when men talk to you, one night he came to ours to sleep it off, Dwight says that he was saying your name in his sleep when he went downstairs during the night."

"Well then, if that is the case, let's test this theory" You smile at her, and she raises an eyebrow. You place your drink and walk over to Negan.  "Hey" you say to him and sit down beside him. "You seem to be enjoying yourself." He says as he watches the men nod at each other and leave to go to dance with their wives, leaving you and him alone. You shrug "Could be better,I am actually thinking of picking up a guy tonight" You decide to watch Negan closely, waiting for a reaction. "Oh is that so, would be a first for you, anyone catch you eye?" Negan gruffs and he takes a sip of his gin. You take note that he didn't react as you thought so you decided to keep testing him, you look around and spot your "target", you nod over to the bar "He looks interesting and fun, he might be a good time if you get my drift."  Negan follows your nod and spots the man, he was young, short black hair, wearing jeans and a jacket, casually leaning on the bar talking to what he assume is his friend. "You really think he is your type?" Negan looks at you raise an eyebrow at him.

"You think you know my type?" You say looking at him. Negan leans back, turning his body towards yours, his arm on top of the chair.  "I actually think I do what type of man you like" You raise your eyebrow to him "Ok tell me all about MY type, I would love to hear it" you say.

Negan chuckles "You type is the bad boy type, the type that you wouldn't take home to your parents. You want the type of man who will listen to you, take care of you when you're down. Someone who will take time to spoil you both inside the bedroom and out, even dare say a dominant male, especially in the bedroom, you seem like the submissive type of woman" You can feel your cheeks heating up and you only hope that Negan won't notice your blushing.

"You just know that most women like bad boys, so that was a lucky guess." You smile as he leans closer to you. "And yet you didn't deny the other things I "assumed" about you." He shifts his hips closer to you. "You don't think I notice the way you look at me when we hang out and I'm fixing my bike, while you sit there and keep my company, I can feel your eyes on me." "Isn't that what I meant to do, look at you while we are talking? Thought it was what society calls polite" You say, a bit of smart ass coming out in your voice. "Yes but there have been times when your eyes have not been looking at my face" He looks down at himself and slowly back up. "I've caught you oogling me when I slide under my bike, when my t-shirt rides up enough to show skin" "And what about you Negan? Sherry said that you been watching me all night, and you do it every other time?" Negan laughs "Well then at least Sherry noticed." Negan's hand reaches out and gently caresses your cheek. You gulp, feeling like butterflies are fluttering inside you.  "So she was right then?" "Right about what Y/N?" Negan moves closer, you look down at his lips, his tongue peeks out to wet his dry lips and it leaves you wanting him more. "That you get angry when men try and talk to me"  "She is not wrong. You have no idea how much I have wanted to spank your barely covered ass and tell you to go change. I don't like when other men try and take what's mine" You stare into his haze eyes "Yours? I'm not yours Negan"  His hand slithers its way into your hair, grabbing it tightly, jerking your head back a bit. "Yes, you are, you just don't know it yet."

Seconds pass and he growls, pulling your hair again, his lips crashing into yours, your arms instinctly wrapping around his neck, pulling him into you closer. Negan's other hand makes it way to your hip, without breaking the kiss his pulls you onto his lap. He releases your hair, but keeps his hand there, massaging the spot he had balled into a fist.

He growls as you shimmy down a bit, hitting his growing hard on. "Careful doll"  You forgot that you were at a bar with your work mates who would be back any moment. You start to slide off Negan's lap when his hands stop you from. "Where do you think you're going?" His lips nibble at your neck, making you wiggle on his lap at the sensation. "Our friends will be back soon" You try to explain. "So what, you embarrassed to be seen on my lap?" He asks, his hips gripping your waist. "No no" You shake your head "Would rather be on your lap in private" You move closer to Negan's lips. "Oh, is that so, would private also mean, no clothing?" He smirks. "Maybe if you play your cards right." You wink at him. He gently smacks your ass.  "Well then I am more than happy to get this show on the road Y/N" He goes to stand up carrying you. "You can't be serious, put me down" You smile.

"No way in hell took us too long to get to this point, I ain't letting you go now." He leans down to grab your wallet and phone and passes it to you. Your legs gripped tightly around his waist. The owner of the bar laughs as you walk out, your friends smile and give you a thumbs up, knowing full well that come Monday you're going to be the talk of the workplace.  He gets to his car and opens the door; you slide down and hop in the passenger side of the car. Negan closes the door like a gentleman. He hops in the driver's side, puts the keys in the ignition and the car roars to life. The drive is silent, neither one wanting to break the spell that had come over you both in the bar.  You could feel yourself wet, you rub your thighs together, you gasp as you feel a large hand grab your leg, stopping you. "Don't do that doll." Negan warns, his nails digging into your flesh. His eyes focused on the road, his hand slides up your leg, under your skirt, gently touching your clothed pussy lips. You moan just at the small sensation. His finger going up and down your lips, just teasing you enough to make you crave his touch deeper.

"Please" you whisper lifting your hips a bit. Negan chuckles " Needy little thing aren't you doll?" His hand pulls away and his hand goes back to the steering wheel, as he turns the corner to his house. 

Negan gets out of the car first, rounding the back and opening the door for you, allowing you to get out of the car and he closes the door leading the way to the front door, you had been to Negan's house many times, but never like this before, it was different. He unlocks the door and lets you walk in first, you hear the door close behind you, you turn to his hand grabbing your shoulder and moves your back to the door, his lips on yours, kissing you deeply, you're thinking your lips might be bruised in the morning with the amount of pressure he is using but you don't care, his tongue pry's your lips opens and your tongues dances with his.

Negan moves from your lips to your cheek, then down to your neck as his fingers carefully undo the buttons on your top. Once it falls open, his hands are on your breasts, getting a gasp out of you as he pinches your hard nipples. His lips move down and take one hard nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it, making you moan and arch your back begging for more.

Negan moves from one breast to the another, doing the same thing, your hand slides into his hair, gripping it harder, pulling him closer to your chest. You hear him moan and then feel the sensation of teeth nibbling your skin.

Negan pulls away just a little, his face moving closer to yours. "I might have been wrong about the submissive part of you doll."  You chuckle a little "Maybe, but maybe it is cause we not in the bedroom."  Negan smiles and takes your hand, leading you up to his room. Once inside he pushes you down on the bed, and crawls on top of you, covering you with his body.

"You look perfect on my bed, even if you are to overly dressed." He pushes your shirt off your shoulders, throwing in beside the bed, he sits back and undoes his shirt and throws it with yours, you reach for his jeans, unbuckling the belt in a haste. His hands work on pulling your skirt down along with your underwear, again tossing it to the side of the bed. You push his jeans down to his knees then he takes over, getting off the bed to discard them leaving you laying there on your elbows looking at him, marveling at his amazing body, the chiseled chest, his tattoos and slowly looking down to his happy trail that leads to his very hard cock, that makes you lick your lips and crawl over to the edge of the bed.  Your hand reaches out and grasps him, making him growl deeply. His hips thrust a little making himself move in and out of your hand. You open your lips and engulf the tip of his cock, his hand finds itself tangled in your hair, as he thrusts himself more, your tongue swirling around his member. You hum as he pushes himself further into your mouth.  "Doll" He growls, a warning. You look up at him, the tip of his cock just sitting between your lips.  "Hmm" you hum. "As much as I am loving this lovely mouth wrapped around my cock I really wanna be inside you, fucking your tight pussy." 

Negan pulls himself out of your lips, pushes you to the middle of the bed, your still on your stomach, the bed dips and he crawls over you, lifting your hips and ass up, you feel his fingers touch your pussy lips, "Fuck I have been waiting to see you in this position, wet and waiting for me." His finger just pushes past your lips, spreading you, then you suddenly feel his tongue, lapping at your juices, you moan when he swirls the tip of his tongue around your clit. "Fuck" You breathe out, he pulls you closer to his, his face right in between your pussy, licking, sucking, the noises that fill the air should embarrass you, not turn you on more. Negan eats you out until the first orgasm washes over you, your legs shake in pleasure. Negan licks up your juices before moving over you, his legs positioned between yours, you feel his cock laying on your ass as he leans over you, kissing your cheek. "Fuck doll you ready to cum all over my cock now, such a good girl you" You turn your head, and he kisses you, you taste yourself on his face. Negan grips his dick lining it up to your wet pussy. In one quick thrust his pushes his way into you, his balls slap against your skin and you moan in delight.  "Doll, you have no idea how long I have dreamt of this moment, filling your tight cunt with my cock" He whispers in your ear, before pulling out and pushing back in fast, harder each time, getting a moan from both of you.  Negan can't stop himself from pounding into you, his cock burying itself inside the tight warm walls over your pussy, the noises that you make each time he hit the spot is like music to his ears. Negan leans over your back, pushing your face deeper into the mattress, his arms on each side of your body, he drives himself deeper into you, he is close to cumming, "Negan please...." you moan out. "I'm gonna cum doll, where do you want it, inside you? on your back?" He grunts out "or do you wanna shallow?" You can barely answer, you so cock drunk of him "Inside, please Negan" you beg him.  It doesn't take too long before Negan is pumping his seed inside you, grunting at his own release. You feel your own orgasm building and when you feel his hot cum inside you, you can't help but moan as you cum around his cock, milking him. Negan grunts as your cunt throbs around his slowly softening cock.  Negan get off of you and rolls you into his body, you both lay there panting, coming down from the high that has been building for a couple years.  "You do know now there is definitely not letting you go now." Negan says as his arm tightens around your stomach. "That is ok with me Negan." Negan chuckles and kisses your neck, thankful that finally after years of watching you from afar you were finally his.

[shadowdaddies]

can i please request where it’s the batboys x reader where they’re all mated to reader and they compete w each other for readers attention and she feels so bad for spending time with one of them while her two other mates watch so she makes them get along and they slowly fall in love with each other aswell. Like Cassian will call Az baby or something and he’ll make rhys breakfast and they’re all cute and reader is just so happy that they’re all falling in love

*sigh* my dream tbh. thank you for the request lovey💜

All Together Now

Poly!Batboys x Reader

When you had first mated with the three Illyrians, they were each too wrapped up in their mating frenzy and protective instincts towards you to recognize each other. The fighting was constant, Rhys fighting Azriel for time with you, Cassian whisking you away after training without warning for time alone. 

What should have been a dream for you was unbearable, and something had to be done about it. You made the arrangement with Mor once your mating frenzy with each of the boys ended. You brought your mates to the House of Wind, leaving them once they were inside. You cast a spell you had learned from Helion, placing wards that trapped the three of them in the house for three days. “I know you all love each other, and if you love me, you will figure your shit out,” you warned them before Mor winnowed you away with a promise not to disclose your location in case they managed to leave the house. 

Your expectations were low upon return, thinking you might come home to some very beaten and bruised mates who you could convince to tolerate each other being with you. The shock of coming home to Rhysand making breakfast for Cass and Az while they laughed about old memories was something you were unprepared for. 

You waited outside for a moment, just appreciating the joy on your mates’ faces when Azriel noticed you. He leapt up from his seat, running to the door. No sooner had you stepped inside the threshold than the shadowsinger scooped you in his arms. “We’ve missed you,” he mumbled against your neck. You tensed at the affection, worried that Rhys or Cassian would pry him off of you, but they both smiled at the interaction.

You moved over to the kitchen island, taking a seat next to Cassian as you gave him a kiss in greeting. Rhys flipped a pancake, pulling out an extra plate for you from the cupboard as you watched all of them in quiet consideration. “You three are much more... agreeable... than I expected.” 

Azriel’s shadows played with your hair, clearly missing you the most out of all of them, as Rhys turned towards you with a mischievous grin. The three of them exchanged glances before turning towards you. Cassian spoke first, his broad hand moving to rub circles on your lower back. “It took some time,” he paused as they all chuckled at the comment before continuing, “but once we all managed to calm down, we were able to talk things through.” 

Azriel continued, “we’ve always had a special bond between the three of us, and thought that was just because we grew up together, and have similar values.”

Rhys interjected, “which is true.”

Azriel nodded, “that is one part of our connection. But something that never clicked until you came along was how much deeper our connection went. We realized that we have a bond of our own.” 

You gaped at the three of them, unsure of what they meant - what you were hearing. “We are all bonded. You are our mate, but we are all each others’ mates. Once the hormones from the frenzy wore off, we all felt the connection,” Cassian explained. 

Silver lined your eyes at the realization. They wouldn’t be battling for your attention anymore. You could all be together, without fear of hurting each other in the process. 

Cassian leaned in, giving you a passionate kiss as Azriel moved around to join, giving you a hug and kiss on the temple before kissing Cassian. Rhys cleared his throat. “Alright everyone, settle down for breakfast.” 

The four of you enjoyed your breakfast before going upstairs to your room, celebrating your return. After that day, it wasn’t much of an adjustment as the three males became more comfortable in their relationships with each other. 

You couldn’t understand how the cauldron had blessed you so greatly with these three males, but as you cuddled into Rhys after a long date night, only for Azriel and Cassian to come home hand-in-hand to join you on the couch, you couldn’t be any more grateful for the loves of your life.

[ghostofhyuck]

Dark Fantasy Series 7

Alien! Park Jisung x Scientist! Reader

Summary: As you attempt to find another trace of life through ex.trl.0205 or Jisung, you become closer to it, eventually creating a bond between the two of you that your colleagues don’t understand.

Word count: 3.6k

TW: Contains violence, death, and arson. Read at your own risk. 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Your steps created noise against the marble floor, echoing through the hollow hallway of the laboratory. 

“Good morning Jeno,” you greeted your fellow researcher who only nodded. You noticed that he’s not smiling as usual. 

“Is there something wrong?” you asked. 

“It’s being stubborn as usual,” he explained, slacking his jaw in the process. “Almost threw a kick at me if I wasn’t able to avoid it.”

“Jisung did?” you asked. 

He only laughs bitterly, “I still wonder why you call him that when he’s not even a human.”

“Why? It’s much better than his subject name, ex.trl.0205 is hard to pronounce,” you explained. 

“Just say you’re attached to it,” Jeno comments. 

You only laugh at his remark. You two separated ways as you made your way through your office. Today’s another day for your research. You placed down your bag and took a sip from your coffee tumbler. You deeply pondered about Jeno’s comment about Jisung earlier, you could only shake your head in disappointment as you grab your lab coat and exit your office. 

“Good morning Jaemin,” you greeted another fellow researcher who lazily waved at you, eyeing the huge glass window in front of him. 

“Is he okay? I heard he almost kicked Jeno earlier,” you asked. 

“It’s okay, got scared with the injection,” Jaemin answered, emphasizing the “it” which you just ignored. 

“Again?” you asked, forehead creasing. 

“Hey, it’s not our fault we need its blood samples…if we can call the liquid fluids blood,” Jaemin shrugs. 

You only stared at the glass window. On the other side sits Jisung who’s distracting himself with the rubic cubes Jaemin gave him. You watch as he curiously tries to complete a side but due to frustration, he destroys it with his bare hands. You heard Jaemin whistle at the sight. He leans on his chair, feet placed on top of the table. 

“Do you really think we’ll succeed in this research?” he asked. “I mean, it’s been months and the progress isn’t moving.”

“We literally have an alien creature in front of us,” you pointed out. “Let’s just be happy about it, and we’re just getting started too.” 

“Yeah right, and you’re attached to it already,” Jaemin teased. 

You didn’t say a word. You watch as Jaemin stands up from his seat and taps your shoulder gently. “It’s all yours, I’m going out to have a nap.” 

You only nod. As soon as you hear the door closed, you gaze at Jisung again. He couldn’t see who’s behind the glass window unless they approached him personally inside his room. You took a deep breath before approaching the door and slowly twisting the knob. 

“Yn! You’re here!” Jisung shouted with glee as soon as he saw you. You haven’t even closed the door but Jisung’s already hovering over you. You still couldn’t believe that he’s a large creature. 

“Jisung — I can’t breathe!” you shouted, trying to tap his back. For a second he lets go and his smile is still there. 

“You’re here! I miss you! They were being mean to me again,” he complained, a pout forming on his lips which made you chuckle. 

“Ji, I told you that you shouldn’t use violence on the other researchers,” you lectured but his pout only became bigger. 

“He’s hurting me again,” Jisung said, pulling the sleeve of his shirt. You can see that there are a lot of patches around it. “He told me it’s just one time but he went for another and —-”

“There, there. It’s okay Jisung, I’ll talk to him later okay?” you said with a soft tone. Jisung only nods, slowly retrieving back his sleeve. 

You gave him a smile before brushing his hair lightly, “should we go back to what you have learned?” 

“Oh I made progress!” Jisung excitingly said. Pulling you towards the table area. You watch as he scrambles around the papers that’s scattered on the desk. His eyes squinting at which is which. 

“Here! Here it is!” he said, giving you a crumpled paper. You glanced at it and tried to decipher his writings. 

“Ji,” you only breathe. “This is progress! Great job!”

You pulled him for a hug, ignoring the way he wraps you around his arms and traps you there. 

Jisung or ex.trl.0205 is a research of yours. It was a rare case for an alien to crash into the earth. On the same night where the meteor shower graced the Earth, so did Jisung who happened to have an accidental landing on a rice field in a small town. 

You’re an astronomy scientist. It’s been a long dream of yours to discover what more the universe can offer aside from what has been discovered, and you got what you wanted when Jisung entered Earth. Now, all you have to do is to be patient with your research. 

Jisung was inhuman. He was incredibly large, has sky blue eyes with a pupil that resembles a reptile. His hair is disheveled pitch black, and he doesn’t have any fingernails, his fingers are longer and pointed. His skin texture was a bit slimy but tolerable. If you took away all of these, he could pass as a human being. Aside from that, he’s twice stronger than a normal human being. 

When you first meet him, you wonder if his fellows are out there somewhere, in an undiscovered planet probably. You wanted to know more about him and if there’s a liveable planet out there. So when you proposed your research to the laboratory research head, he gave you an immediate approval. 

Having Jisung as a subject was hard. He was aggressive at first, you remember earning a bruise when he snatches your wrist, his fingers sinking into it. If it wasn’t for Jeno who immediately responded, you would’ve been injured. 

But you were persistent. You wanted to get Jisung's trust in order for him to follow you. So you tried to approach him with care and like a mother. Your colleagues think that your method is absurd, thinking that you’ll be attached to him but you wanted to prove them wrong. You only see Jisung as nothing but a mere subject.

At first, Jisung couldn’t communicate properly. But with your patience, you tried your best to teach him your language. He becomes more calm whenever you visit him. You gave him a smile, even though he didn't respond. For months, you’re like a fool who keeps on talking to him even though you’re not sure if he understands you. So when he first started speaking, you were surprised by how deep his voice was, but what surprised him more was that the first word he spoke was your name. 

It took you a few months to gain his trust. Jisung is naive, but like an animal, he can sense who has good intentions on him. That’s why he’s more aggressive to your fellow researchers who want nothing but research about him. But with you, your only intention was to know if there’s more of his being from afar. That’s why you couldn’t do any harm from him, only questions that you patiently wait for an answer. 

Today, you made progress. Jisung wrote down formulas that may be a way for you to navigate his home. It was hard to decipher because of his handwriting but at least it’s progress. Your eyes scan at the scattered papers on his table, Jisung stood beside you, eyes locked on you who’s oblivious to it. 

“You did great Jisung,” you complimented once again. “Thank you so much, this is great. I —” 

“Yn, can you stay here for a while?” he asked with a soft tone. “It’s been so long since I saw you, and I miss you.” 

You didn’t notice how your heart skipped a beat. You only gave him a smile as you pat his shoulders lightly. 

“Okay, since there’s progress I can stay for a while, what do you want to do?” you asked. 

“Help me with this?” he asked, showing you the destroyed rubik’s cube earlier. 

You only laughed as you held the cube, “I’m sure this one’s destroyed, how about we just read a book?”

Jisung happily obliges with your request. He went to the stack of encyclopedias on the corner. There, he grabs the first volume. You sat on the floor as you waited for Jisung to sit beside you. 

You watched as he scrolled through the book, opening a page that he seems to be familiar with. 

“Alien,” he muttered. “That’s me right?” 

You only nod, watching for his reaction. He seems to be confused with it. 

“Well, if I was on your planet, I’m the alien,” you said with a joking tone. 

“Oh, that makes sense,” Jisung said. He glances at the window, and the room falters into silence. 

“Do you miss them Jisung?” you asked.

He then looks at you and smiles, showing off his sharp canines. “I do, but you’re here. That’s why I don’t feel lonely at all.”

You only smiled back, and then proceeded to continue reading the book. Minutes turned into hours, until you two slowly fell asleep beside each other. 

-

“You should stop falling asleep inside its room,” Jeno lectured. He found you asleep once again in Jisung’s room and slowly woke you up without disturbing Jisung who’s hold on you was tight. 

“And you should stop stabbing him aimlessly,” you lectured back. Entering the laboratory’s cafeteria, Jaemin waves at both of you who’s having his lunch. 

“It’s not my fault it's moving a lot,” Jeno defended, sitting beside Jaemin. “It’s not like it gets hurt. That creature’s skin is thicker than us.”

“It’s being dramatic so that you can baby it yn,” Jaemin teased. 

Your forehead creased, “stop that, and so what if Jisung’s skin is thick? He still gets hurt by it. Just be careful next time Jeno.”

You heard your research partner let out a sigh, “Fine fine, this is going to be the last too. No more samples from it.”

You only breathe, “thank you.”

“But yn, I hope this is also going to be the last time we caught you sleeping in its room,” Jeno added. “We still don’t know if it's dangerous or not.”

“Jisung’s not dangerous,” you defended. 

“Of course it’s not dangerous when it comes to you, it likes you,” Jaemin pointed out. “But it’s still an alien, we never know what will happen if it snapped.” 

“Then let’s just hope that it won’t,” you mumbled.

-

Weeks passed and with Jisung’s formula, you were able to construct an equation for how you can navigate his home planet. Every night, you would go to the laboratory, observe Jisung from outside and within his room. Every night, you also notice how he’s slowly becoming more humane than the first time you encountered him. 

He becomes calm whenever Jeno and Jaemin visit his place, as long as you’re with them, Jisung doesn’t attack your research partners. They also learned to be more approachable to Jisung, but still, you observed that Jisung still has his walls high when it comes to them. 

Slowly, your research is nearing its completion. All you need to do is to make an attempt to communicate with them. Jisung can be a main method in this part but you have to be confident in this part. 

“Yn!” Jaemin shouted as he barged into your office. 

“What? What’s wrong!?” you asked, he was catching his breath as he slowly approached you. 

“They’re…they’re removing you from this research,” Jaemin broke out. 

Your eyes went wide, “what!? Jaemin, what do you mean?”

“Jeno got a phone call from the head lab, they want you there, they think that it’s better for Jeno to lead the research —”

“Bullshit, don’t tell me Jeno agreed to this.”

“No! Of course he didn’t, he tried to justify that this is your research but Doctor Lee just thinks that…” Jaemin pursed his lips, looking away for a second before glancing at you with a worried expression. “You’re too attached to the subject.” 

“That’s it!? That’s all?” you asked, appalled. 

“They think that your affection may ruin the research, biased if you think about it,” Jaemin explained. 

“I know that it was my method but if I start the research by being hostile against Jisung, we wouldn’t make progress,” you explained. “I know that I am attached to Jisung but it didn’t affect my work and research, tell that to them.” 

“I am sorry yn,” was the only thing that Jaemin could say. “We tried really hard, but their decision is final”

The door of your office opened, revealing a disheveled Jeno who’s catching his breath. As he stood up, he made contact with Jaemin. 

“I guess you told her,” he then lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry yn, I really tried to tell them that I cannot handle your research but they were persistent.” 

You only fall into silence. Silently nodding because you know that it wasn’t their fault. Frustration heaps on you because this wasn’t supposed to happen. You’re one step closer to finishing your project and then the next thing you know, they’re pulling you out of it. 

“Until when can I stay here?” I asked. 

“Within this week,” Jeno answered. 

Your forehead creased, “within this week!? Are they so eager to  throw me out of my own research!?”

“I know but listen,” Jeno approaches you. “You can still try to find time to finish your research, okay? Don’t worry about us here, do your research on your own. Jaemin and I, we won’t be touching it.” 

“What about Jisung?” you asked. 

Jaemin only smiles, “We’ll take good care of Jisung, if that’s what you want.” 

“Thank you,” you breathe. Grabbing both of them for a hug. The two only hugged you back, trying to comfort you as much as they could. 

You spent the remaining days inside the lab improvising the formulas and equations. You also gave Jeno and Jaemin a brief summary about it even though you three agreed that it’s still your research. 

On those remaining days, you could only visit Jisung from behind the glass window. You only observed him there, who’s busy entertaining himself. There were times where you watched him stare at the window, probably missing his family. You also noticed that he ripped off the “alien” page of the encyclopedia. It was there on the floor lying. You wonder what it meant for Jisung. 

You know that Jisung won’t be able to take your departure easily, so do you. You admit that you did grow attached to Jisung but at the very least, you’ve grown only nothing but sympathy for the clueless creature who’s an alien in this world. You atleast, want to give him some companionship. 

“Hey,” you were startled to see Jaemin beside you. He crosses his arms as he glances at Jisung. “It’s your last day. Are you not going to say goodbye to him?”

You only let out a sigh, “I don’t know what to say. Maybe I should just not say goodbye —”

“And leave him waiting for you? It’s better for him to have proper closure yn,” Jaemin explained. “Come on now, it can be just a short goodbye.” 

Jaemin’s right. You almost spent a year with Jisung too. He’s attached to you too, it’s best for him to hear your goodbyes. That’s why you walked your way towards the door, slowly opening it. 

“Yn! You’re here!” and just like the other visits you have with Jisung, he hovers you over with a hug.

“I miss you! I’ve been waiting for you!” he excitedly said. “I learned how to do the cube! Here let me show you!”

But instead of answering him, you grab his wrist, making him stop. Jisung’s smile disappeared when he saw that you’re frowning. 

“Did something happen?” he asked. 

“Jisung, listen, I —” you inhaled deeply. “I am leaving.”

“What!? What do you mean by leaving?” he asked, his tone dripping with confusion. 

“The lab, they assigned me to another field,” you explained calmly. “But don’t worry, Jaemin and Jeno will take care of you —”

“No! You can’t leave me!” Jisung shouted, you were surprised with how his voice raised. 

“Jisung, I have no choice, they —” you let out a scream when Jisung grabs your wrist, just like what he did when you first encountered him. You tried to tug it away but he didn’t even move a muscle. You glanced at him, his expression darkens as he stares at you. 

“No! I won’t let you leave me!” he shouted.

“Jisung, let me go! Please you’re hurting me,” you plead, dropping on your knees as you try to remove his hands from your wrist. 

“I won’t let them take you away from me!” Jisung shouted, his grip becoming tighter that you could only scream in pain. 

The door swung open, revealing Jeno and Jaemin, and some guards of the laboratory. 

“Hold it!” Jeno ordered. The guard immediately responded, hovering over Jisung who pushed them away with ease. He didn’t let go of you, dragging you on the floor as he attacked those who approached you.

But a guard was able to push Jisung to the ground, holding him firmly along with his colleagues. Jeno immediately approached Jisung who was struggling to get out of the hold. You watch as Jeno grabs a tranquilizer. He stabs it on Jisung’s neck who groans because of the pain. 

Without any hesitation, Jaemin approaches you. You watch him pull out a scalper and stab it in Jisung’s wrist. The creature screams in pain, letting go of your hand. 

You weren’t able to process everything. Jaemin drags you out of the room, leaving Jisung there to struggle to get out of the hold. You didn’t notice the way your tears flowed down from your eyes. Shock and adrenaline seeped through every veins of your body as you and Jaemin reached your office. 

That was the last time you saw Jisung. Due to your injury, you were advised to take a month's rest first before going back to the main lab. You couldn’t do anything but sit and devour yourself in the silence of your apartment room. Everytime you look at your wrist, it reminds you of Jisung. How despite everything, he’s still a monstrous creature that’s dangerous. 

All of those months of peace and affection crumbled down into minutes of nothing but pure horror and fear. You don’t know what to do. You were left agitated inside your apartment room. You wanted to know what happened to Jisung after that. You were scared of what's going to happen to him. 

You tried to reach Jeno and Jaemin but you discovered that they were forbidden to give you updates about the research. You called bullshit, even dropping a phone call to Doctor Lee, your supervisor and the head of the main lab. You tried to convince him to return you to your research, but he has decided that your research will be in the better hands of your colleagues. You were frustrated, trying to pour your rage on finalizing your research but somehow, you couldn’t concentrate in your isolation. 

Until a few days later, it was as if your wishes came true, a phone call from Jaemin disturbed your sleep. It was almost midnight, but it didn’t matter to you. All you needed was an update. 

“Jaemin, what happened —”

“Yn, Jisung escaped!” Jaemin shouted. From the background, you can hear car screechings and the continuous blaring of horns and Jaemin cursing. 

“What!? How!?” you asked. 

“He went mad — fuck, get the fuck out of my way!” Jaemin shouted. 

“Where are you Jaem!?”

“I need to go there, you should too! This is code red yn!” 

The phone call ends, and you immediately jump out of your bed. You didn’t care if you’re wearing nothing but your sleepwear, you grabbed a dirty hoodie from your laundry basket and the keys of your car. Hurriedly, you drove your way to the laboratory. 

As you find your way there, you couldn’t help but feel your heart beating faster. You noticed that there’s a bright light glowing on the laboratory. Your hold on the wheels became tighter as you pressed on the gas pedal harder. Scurrying yourself towards the laboratory. 

Your eyes became wide the moment you parked the car. Hastily going out of the car but you were frozen to what you have witnessed. 

The whole laboratory is drowning in flames. It was nothing but pure fire as it continued to burn. Your shaking hands found its way to your opened mouth. Letting out a disgruntled scream as you dropped on your knees. 

It can’t be. You watched as your dreams crashed and burned into ashes as the fire stenched right through your nose. Its heat is becoming more intense as if it's not going to stop any minute. 

You watched as from the fire, a figure slowly walked out of it. You knew from that silhouette who it was. But you couldn’t do anything but watch him approach you until he’s standing in front of you. 

“You returned,” Jisung said, a smile forming on his lips. 

“Jisung…what is this?” you asked, almost stumbling on your own words. 

“They took you away from me,” he stated. “So I’m taking away everything from them.” 

Your eyes went wide because of his answer. “No, no! Jisung! This is wrong, you shouldn’t —”

“I did this for you yn,” Jisung rebutted with a soft tone. He kneels in front of you. You saw nothing but a creature whose longing for you. His eyes stared at you, sending goosebumps through your spine. You watched as Jisung became more inhumane in your eyes. 

His fingers trailed on your cheeks, making you flinch. As you look away, he grabs your chin, making you squirm in pain as his finger’s pointed ends pressed deeply on your cheeks. 

“Nothing can separate us now,” Jisung declared. “We will be together, forever.”

[lalachat]

"And there you were..."

Author's note: Good lord did i have a lot to say in this chapter. I hope my writing is still okay and is cohesive enough... I feel like i am missing small points i made in other chapters, but as Hannah Montana once said, nobody's perfect! I'm doing my best with what has been going on in my life. I recently had to drop one of my college classes because it was getting to the point of me not being able to pass the class. Life tip: don't be a full time college student with 2 part time jobs(technically 3 if my summer job contacts me to come into work on a random weekday) or it'll catch up to you... shit's stressful maine😭 Anyways, like always enjoy the chapter!!! She's a biggen💅🏻

Summary: After being slut shamed for something you and Lucien did in the past, you decide to run straight to his house to let him know of his mate's behavior. Little did you both know that it only would make things worse, but hey, screw it right?! Or so you both thought...

This is for all my Lucien girlies❤️

Warnings: profanity, steamy make-out sesh (you're welcome<3), cock-blocked lol, slight violence

Word Count: ≈ 4,556

Chapter 6: "Hold your tits!"

And there you were in his house again but this time looking like you were going to scorch Prythian. You didn’t even have the energy to respond to his witty remarks. “Something really bad must have happened,” he thought. As he looked over you for any signs of injury, he couldn’t help but think about Elain.

Elain had lost control of her emotions and sent them full blaring at him, and yet you’re in his living room looking just as pissed off during the time of Elain’s relay. Then the realization hit him that something must have happened between you two. Would his bond with Elain cause him to take her side or would his close relationship with you rule over all? He was going to have to tread very lightly in the conversation that was about to come to light.  

“You want to know who pissed in my wine? Your mate Lucien, that’s who! And mine, but mainly your mate!” You say with a bitter tone as you cross your arms and legs to lean against the wall. 

“I see, guess I have been too much of a ladies' man if I have both of you this hot headed over me.” He smirked at you still trying to break your anger with humor. It didn’t work, it went right over your head. Lucien frowned.  

“How can she stand there and make all these accusations about me being a slut for fucking you without hearing the explanation of it being before y’alls bond?! SHE IS RIDICULOUS!” you exclaim. 

“She called you what? Are we talking about the same Elain right now?” Lucien stood there in shock. 

“She called me a slut Lucien! Said that me having sex with you is the reason I have no mate, not realizing that she is the reason I don’t have one! She keeps him from me! Hell, I tried so hard to open the bond with Az in our argument, but I am still met with nothing but a big fat wall of nothing!” You slumped down.

“Let me set one thing straight y/n! Whatever she tried to pin against you is not true!” he grabs both of your hands reassuringly. “Azriel will hopefully come around one day, I am sorry it hasn’t happened yet...” he kisses the tops of your hands. However, little does he know that you are slowly losing faith in your bond ever being complete.

Lucien then looks up at you confused. “Wait how did she even find out about our previous sexual relationship?” Lucien asked. 

“I let it slip to Mor at Rita’s and then Mor let it slip to the girls during girls' night, and then everyone asked about the rumor...” you admitted. 

“Huh, I see.” He started rubbing his temples trying to ease his distress. His mate knows about you two, she just doesn’t know it was before they even met. Is this knowledge going to change his chances with Elain? A moment of silence passes between you, before Lucien’s face lights up.  

“And what did you say about the rumor?” he smirked at you mischievously. He knew the rumor, he just wanted to hear you say it. 

“Lucien why does what I said matter?” 

“Because y/n, I want to know if you think I fuck with the fire in my veins?” His hands slowly trace up the sides of your arms. “Did I fuck you good enough for you to confirm that rumor?” He left an open-mouth kiss on your neck. “Or do I need to remind you?” He places another kiss onto your neck only firmer. 

“Lu-” you sighed at the feeling of his lips on your neck, “Lucien what are you doing? You shouldn't be doing this right now....” He wasn’t listening to you as he sucked on the sweet part of your neck as you exposed more of your neck to him.  

“Y/n you are telling me two different things right now. Your mouth says to stop but your body wants me to keep going, so which one is it doll?” He looked at you with hooded eyes, hands resting on your covered thighs after tracing your arms. 

“Why does that information matter right now Lucien? You need to stop this.” You look at him with desire, completely contradicting your statement.   

“Because y/n, they're upset at our previous relations a long time ago. I say fuck it and truly give them something to be upset about now.” 

You both looked at each other. Tension was slowly building up between you two with every second of silence. Tension that has been building since the moment you two saw each other at Rita’s. Tension that has built up from all these years without each other. Tensions that were begging to be cut, begging to be relieved. Both of you were going through all the consequences that this could put you both in, but consequences be damned, this was worth it.  

Neither of you had bothered hiding your growing scents of arousal. Your face was mere inches away from his. You could feel his hot breath against your face, and he stared down at you with desire, hands still resting on your thighs. You looked up at him and thought he was worth the risk. Whatever karma this would cause, bring it on, because his hands against your thighs was clouding all rationality in your head. 

“Ah fuck it!” you say. 

In an instant your lips were on Lucien’s in a searing hot needy kiss. His hands gripping at your thighs as your mouths fought for dominance. Your hands finding a home in Lucien’s hair and started pulling slightly, earning you a low groan. Your thighs clenched together which Lucien felt. He chuckled and decided to focus his heat on his hands, heating them up against your thighs. Your mouth broke away from his from the desirable feeling, “shit-” 

“You like my hot hands all over you, hm?”  

“Gods yes!” as you place your hands on top of his and teasingly guide them up your hips, to your waist, and stopping them just under your chest. His hands growing hotter from his desire on your sudden placement as both of your eyes locked and darkened.

“Such a fucking slut for my heat,” he said as his hands grew a mind of their own and started exploring every inch your breasts. His eyes followed every movement they made. You decided to remove your fingers from his hair and delicately trace them down his clothed back making him tremble slightly. This made you smirk. He is just as much of a slut for your touch as you were for his.  

His lips were back on yours with pure dominance, making your desire grow even more as his hands never left your chest. You moaned into his mouth as you decided to be bold and reach under his shirt to scratch his bare back. His muscles tensed at every touch knowing they would leave marks. His musk grew at the thought.

Your mouths are moving more in sync than you have ever felt before. It was like both of you knew what each other was going to do next, but what you both did not know was the sudden loud knock on his front door. You both groaned in annoyance.  

“Are you fucking kidding me?! This better be good!” Lucien said in frustration as he removed his swollen lips from yours. He looked at you for a second, his gaze softened as he placed a sweet kiss back on your lips saying, “this isn’t over.”  

He smirked and turned towards his door fixing his hair, clothes, and evident boner on the way. You giggled as you hid from the door’s gaze fixing your own appearance. The knock was heard again but this time more boisterous as if whoever was behind it was losing patience.  

“Good lord, get a hold of your tits! I am coming!” As he opened the door you heard Lucien gasp. “Shadowsinger, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He bowed jokingly. 

“Where is she?” Azriel asked in annoyance. 

“Where is who exactly?” Lucien asked dumbfounded as he rose from his bow.  

“Oh, don’t play dumb with me Lucien, you know who I am talking about. Now... Where. Is. She?!” Lucien stiffened; he was asking for you. He was not about to give you away to him after you and Elain’s argument, because he knew Azriel would take you back to the Townhouse. You and Elain needed time to cool off, he was not about to let you get called anymore names tonight.  

“She’s not here.” Lucien said protectively as he slightly closed the door stopping his gaze from searching inside. Azriel picking up on it. 

“That is fucking bullshit! I know she is here. Step aside Lucien or I’ll-” 

“Or you will what Azriel? You and I both know I am not scared of you!” Lucien growled. Azriel chuckled. 

“I knew you would protect your little play th-" Lucien’s nostrils flared as he took in a sharp inhale at Azriel’s intended vocabulary. 

“Careful how you finish that sentence Azriel.” Lucien threatened.  

“What? I smell her all over you! Protecting her is pathetic when you have your mate, Lucien!” Azriel crossed his arms across his chest aloof to the fact Lucien was about to snap.  

In a second Lucien's hand balled into a fist and decked Azriel straight in the nose. You heard the contact from where you were standing in Lucien’s living room.  

“AH! YOU FUCKING DICK!” Azriel screamed as he grabbed his nose to try and ease the pain.  

“Say something like that again Az, I fucking dare you.” Lucien snarled.  

Gods Lucien protecting you was hot, but no matter how hot he might be, your bond was overbearing you. You ran to the door, past Lucien, and straight to Azriel. You looked him over and gods was his nose a mess. Lucien had got him good. You looked back at Lucien who looked like he was about to light on fire. You glared at him for getting physical.  

“He fucking deserved it...” Lucien said as he looked at you shaking his hand off from the impact.  

You were now standing in between the two most loved males in your life right now, unsure on what to do. Do you give into the need to protect your mate, even after everything he has done, or do you give in to the male who has shown you nothing but support even though he has a mate. Not sure what to do, you decide to play both sides and ask a question everyone wanted to know.  

“Azriel why are you even here?” Trying to bury the feeling of wanting to reach out to him to comfort him, you step to stand beside Lucien. Hands slightly brushing against each other, his hands still hot from your previous moment.

“To find you.” He rubbed his nose. “Elain is on a rampage trying to get to you knowing that you had run here to him.” He pointed his head in Lucien’s direction.

So, he came here not for you, but for Elain to try and make her feel better by taking you out of her mate's home.  

“I am not going back there to make that bitch feel better!” You felt Lucien stiffen at your words for Elain.  

“You have to y/n! Look all feelings aside, she won’t calm down. I have tried. Feyre has tried. Nesta has tried, but nothing is working. You need to come back to the townhouse now before shit gets worse!” He looks at you with pleading eyes. Gods he truly cared for Elain, didn’t he? You felt tears prick your eyes. Why couldn’t he care for you this way and not Elain? 

“I am not going back there to get name called again for something that I did before their bond even snapped!” Azriel's gaze softened at your words, not by a lot, but you could see the realization hit him that Elain had gone too far earlier. Lucien finally decided to speak. 

“If y/n returning to the townhouse means Elain calming down, she can go but you must take me with her. I will not stand aside and let y/n bear the burden alone for something we both did.” Wanting his mate to feel better but in a way he knows he can protect you at the same time. Lucien looked towards Az for an answer. 

“I don’t think you coming would be a good idea.” Azriel deadpanned, now seeping back into his usual closed off self.  

“Why? Because you’re scared that maybe the only thing that could potentially help Elain calm down is him? You’re just being jealous that it wasn’t you... set aside your pride for once Azriel and let him come with me,” you said. Azriel thought through your words, and you could tell he wasn’t going to budge. You grabbed Lucien’s hand because what you were about to say was going to hurt you a lot emotionally.  

“Do not think about it for the sake of myself, but for the sake of Elain, Az...” Your tears finally spilled from your eyes as you saw Azriel’s face lighten up at the thought of it potentially helping Elain. Not even sparing a thought that returning there would only make you feel worse. Lucien’s hand tightened around yours as he thought the thought Azriel had failed to see. You smiled up at him as he mouthed, “it will be okay,” as his thumb traced the back of your hand in comfort.  

“Fine. For the sake of Elain, you can both come.” Azriel takes off into the sky as you and Lucien look at each other worried.  

“Y/n, everything will be okay,” he smiled at you. “I won't let anyone else shame you for something we both did in the past. It’s my turn to take on the burden. Don’t let Azriel’s behavior towards Elain stop you from trying to peruse the bond, or you’ll end up like a sorry sucker like me.” He chuckled.  

You laughed at his self-defeating comment as you said, “Thank you, Lu... let’s hope you can calm the raging seer because it was not pretty earlier.” You warned.   

“Yeah, let’s hope for once in her life she actually needs me for something...” He rolled his eyes not believing that this is the moment he is needed for. All this time without her and he's the last option when he should be the first. Gods, Lucien couldn’t help the bubbling anger trying to surface itself that he was her last resort, but his mate needs him! He was not about to ruin this chance for himself, as he grabs your hand and winnows you both to the Townhouse.  

As you reached the front door at the Townhouse you saw Azriel landing beside you and Lucien.  

“Oh, would you look at that,” Lucien looks at his imaginary watch, “just on time shadow singer!” He smirks. 

“I don’t have time for your wit right now Lucien, we have better things to do. Come on.” Azriel said annoyed and walked straight into the house not even bothering to see if you were following him.  

“Guess we need to follow grumpy pants over there,” You teased as Lucien laughed. 

“Y/n I heard that!!” Azriel said over his shoulder only making you and Lucien laugh even louder. You both decided it was best to follow him now that you and Lucien were walking a fine line on Azriel losing his patience.  

You can already hear the arguing as soon as you both catch up to Azriel. Lucien has suddenly gone cold as he hears his mate’s voice for the first time in a while. You heard his heartbeat quicken, from nerves or from longing you couldn’t tell. 

“Lucien if you don’t get ahold of yourself, she is going to walk all over you! Deep breaths, I will be with you the entire time,” you smile at him.  

“What if she sees me and kicks me out? What if my presence makes it worse?” Lucien was starting to panic, all he wanted was to see her and protect you from any more name calling, but this situation was just too stressful for him. Everything was relying on him calming down Elain! How can he do that when he has practically been shunned out of her life. You looked at him, clearly reading his thoughts. 

“Lucien look at me,” his gaze is hazy as he glances towards you, “you are her mate! If anyone can get through to her it’s you! Not Azriel! YOU! Do not doubt your ability as her mate for a second!” You smiled at him, and you squeezed his hand gently.  

“What would a male like me do without you?” He laughed as he squeezed your hand back. 

“I don’t know, probably be a really lonely sorry sucker,” you shrugged your shoulders as you teased him. You have known Lucien for so long that you have picked up the best way to calm him is banter. He chuckled and kept your hand in his as he finished following behind Az.  

Azriel glanced behind him to hear y’all’s exchange after he heard his name. He couldn’t help but see him and Elain in you and Lucien. Did you two like each other? He almost felt jealous, which is weird for him. The last time he felt this way was when you left Rita’s with him. What was going on with him recently?! He was going to have to investigate this for Elain’s sake... or maybe his, so he can stop this unknown and unsettling feeling that has been slowly eating at him.  

“Would you two stop flirting and get a move on? They're in the library which is right around the corner,” Az said annoyed.  

You and Lucien rolled your eyes playfully before you both feared the worst as you reached the entrance to the library. Elain’s rampage is evident as you hear her through the door. 

“Oh, boy here we go again,” you said. 

“Remember what I told you earlier y/n, I won't hesitate to fire back,” Azriel glared. 

Lucien stepped in front of you and threatened, “I won't hesitate to set your balls aflame if you talk to her like that again!” You peered behind Lucien’s back and stuck your middle finger up at Az. He rolled his eyes as he opened the door letting you and Lucien walk in first.  

As you walked in you saw Elain in the center of the room, pacing. Cassian and Nesta took the nearest couch. You saw Feyre and Rhys on the loveseat next to Cassaian and Nesta. Both couples are taking turns trying to ease Elain, but obviously it is not working otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Amren and Mor were sitting by the fireplace drinking from their glasses of wine in annoyance at the situation they had to deal with. Gods, you wish you could join them, they had the right idea... 

“I knew you had run to him! First you fuck him and now you think you can go to him for comfort?! You are not his mate y/n!” Elain’s head snapped in your direction as you both came in. She hadn’t even bothered to acknowledge Lucien. 

“Yeah, I may not be his mate, but you don’t get to call yourself that after all the shit you have been putting him through!” You raised your voice to match hers. “You are nothing but a dead-beat mate who does not deserve someone like Lucien!” 

“Funny, the mother seems to think I do...” Elain snarked back. 

“So then fucking act like it! Stop throwing yourself a pity party and finally realize what the mother gave you!” You point at Lucien. “He. Is. A. Good. Male! What is the issue?” 

“The issue is you have fucked him, touched him, kissed him!” Elain argued back. 

“Mother above Elain, I am not a disease! Grow the fuck up-” you sneered back.  

Everyone in the room could tell this was not going to get any better if they kept letting you two talk. Everyone soon looked towards the two males at the entrance begging for them to do something and step in.

Lucien and Azriel were on top of it as soon as they saw everyone looking at them. Lucien was the one to step in front of you, blocking your view from Elain. His hands gripped your shoulders slightly pushing you back. Azriel was doing the same thing for Elain, only she was more resilient.  

“HOLY SHIT AZ! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE?!” Cassian boomed as everyone saw the lingering bruise on Azriel's nose.. 

“You can thank Lucien for that...” Az deadpanned as Lucien smirked. Everyone’s faces almost seemed surprised by the fact that Lucien had gotten physical with Azriel and had no bruise of his own.  

“It wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t insult y/n.” He shrugged.  

“You did that to protect her?!” Elain was screaming in Azriel’s arms. Lucien looked at you with an apologetic look before he turned to face his mate. 

“Elain,” the sound of her name coming from his mouth had her frozen, “talk to me. No more screaming, no more yelling, just tell me your point of view on what’s going on. Okay?” he asked sweetly. Gods the dexterity of this male.  

“She-” Elain had started to cry, “How could you sleep with someone Lucien?! Especially with someone like her when I am your mate?” You tensed, gods she was still on the petty bullshit. 

“Someone like her, is an amazing female, but you wouldn’t know that because you are too blinded by the fact we slept together!” Lucien explained calmly.  

“Is that so wrong of me to think when I come home to the girls wanting to know all the details of the autumn male rumor that she has learned from you?” Her voice was starting to rise as tears flowed down her cheeks. Lucien took a couple steps towards her, but Azriel was still holding her back afraid things would get ugly if he let her go. You were left standing alone.  

“Elain listen to me, I don’t know what you heard but y/n and I’s previous sexual relations were before I even met you...” Lucien said reassuringly. 

“No! You are lying! That can’t be true-” Elain said in disbelief as the wave of guilt hit her as she looked at you for confirmation.  

“You would have known that if you had just let me talk instead of slut shaming me...” you sassed her. Lucien and Azriel glared at you as if saying your sass wasn’t needed right now. You huffed.

Lucien took the last couple of steps towards her and closed the distance between them as he grabbed one of her hands. This was now paining you to watch. Both of the most adored males in your life comforting Elain as you stood by yourself.  

“Elain it is true, y/n and I slept together before our bond was even put in place... If you need, I will put my mental shields down and let Rhys prove it to you!” He rubbed the back of her hand.   

“Hey, don’t drag me into this! I don’t want to see that; I believe him Elain! Please don’t make me do that.” Rhys begged.   

Elain looked at him in sympathy, “I won’t make you do that.”  

“Thank fuck,” Rhys sighed. You giggled at him as you thought to yourself that it would be a good way to show the girls the rumor. As if Rhys heard your thought, he glared at you. His voice was now in your head saying, “Don’t let them know that! I truly don’t want to see that image of you two.” His face grimaced making you giggle again. Feyre glanced at you two and looked at Rhys questioningly. You could tell they were now talking through the bond.  

Elain glanced down at Lucien’s hand caressing hers. “I am sorry to have made you come all this way for something like this... I should have let y/n explain herself. I'm sorry Lucien..” She says embarrassed. Azriel took this as the queue to let her go knowing she was fine now. He was angry that Lucien was able to calm her, part of him wanted him to fail so he could get another chance. He finally stepped away from the two.  

“It is alright Elain; the bond makes us do crazy things sometimes.” He smiled at her, and she actually giggled at him. He wiped away a couple of her tears, and you could see her lean into his touch. Both smiling at each other lovingly.  

Fuck this was too much for you. You saw first-hand how much Lucien cared for Elain and it hurt, maybe he did still have a chance... You and Elain still had to work out the words you two threw at each other in anger, but you couldn’t do that now. Not with the overwhelming feeling of seeing Lucien hopeful again. Maybe you were being dramatic, but you seriously couldn’t look at them anymore. Seeing him hopeful again reminded you that this crush of yours was not right. 

You began to not think straight. Seeking Lucien's attention and teasing him only led him away from wanting to fight for their bond. All for what? Because Az didn’t notice you?! Gods what were you even doing. You were turning into Elain... All of your threats to her were now hypocritical. Just like the wave of guilt hitting Elain earlier, yours had just come crashing down. As you realized you still stood alone, you quietly excused yourself from the room. Everyone looked at each other confused.   

“I should go see what’s wrong with-” Lucien had tried to leave Elain’s grip, but she only squeezed his hand. 

“Don’t go. I need you, Lucien. I finally feel at peace after hours of torment.” Elain pleaded. 

“You do?” Lucien looked down at her, face red as his hair, as she nodded.  

“Please stay with me for a while longer?” she asked nervously. 

“Anything for you,” as he placed a chaste kiss atop her hand.  

However, you were not out of the library yet as you saw their last exchange before you ran down the hall. Tears stained your face as you continued to run to the other side of the house, needing to get as far away as possible. Little did you know someone else needed to escape that situation just as much as you did. He excused himself as he followed you down the hallway, using your urgent departure as an escape for himself to leave the room.  

Lucien couldn’t help but grovel that he had chosen Elain over you as he watched Az chase after you. That should be him doing that but instead he was here with his mate. Maybe this was for the better? Having both of your mates in this situation could be useful he hoped. For now, he was going to try and enjoy all the time Elain was willing to give him before she kicked him back out of her life for Azriel. He will have to apologize for his behavior later, but like he said earlier, the bond can make someone do stupid things. 

If you’re interested in being on my taglist, please let me know!

Tags:

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Post author's note: the smut is coming babes! I promise! I'm working on it rn and i'm screaming and kicking my feet at it. Literally foaming at the mouth 😮‍💨🤤

[danganronpa96]

How does Latte Cookie feel about the participants so far?

I’m not sure if you mean everyone who’s currently alive or the entire cast, but I’ll do the latter because we gotta give our cookie queen some attention

Walter -> She saw him as a reliable leader at first, someone who would be able to lift everyone’s spirits up with his plan. Of course, when his true intentions came to light, she felt immensely disappointed and betrayed. Still, she would’ve liked to have learned more about his time as a teacher.

Hiroshi -> As a student, Latte was impressed with his academic intelligence. She wanted to encourage him to be more social, however, despite his inward nature. She still strongly believes that Nesos is at fault for pressuring him to commit murder.

Retsuko -> She found Retsuko very cute at first by her small appearance, but did get concerned by her surprisingly unhealthy habits. Latte wishes she could’ve talked to her more, perhaps inviting her to the cafe to chat more about their lives.

Kaidou -> (oh… oh dear) Latte would never admit to bias out loud, but Kaidou did have a special place in her heart very quickly. She always saw his imaginative mind as a healthy proof of his creativity (and sort of also assumed he wanted to be a hero like some of her other cookie students). She still blames herself from time to time about not being there for him when things got tough during the 2nd motive, and misses him a lot.

Ena -> Latte always saw Ena in a similar way to her other students, although as a more special case. It was clear Ena still had a lot to learn, and yet could surprise her in terms of things she herself didn’t know about. Latte was never intimidated by Ena’s presence, but despite her confusion at some points, she never wanted to give up on them. This went for their emotions as well. It was upsetting to see them go so soon.

Yuri -> At first, Latte was sure she could read Yuri like a open book (pun intended). A quiet girl who just needed a gentle push in the right direction to expose her full potential. However, past the second trial, Latte was scratching her head at what had just happened. She still does not feel anything that Yuri said was her true beliefs, and that deep down she was still the same sweet girl that just got caught up in something horrible.

Mai -> (oh god… please have mercy on me) What can I say that wasn't already 100% obvious unless you're playing historian. Latte loved Mai a lot, and not just in that way. Her overall outlook on life, her fun ideas to build bonds, her interest in Latte's own life and interests; she really was the ideal other half. Nothing could ever hurt more than seeing those gingerMais. Still, she's trying her best to overcome the grief despite all.

Bojack -> Latte never really approved of Bojack's overall lifestyle (then again, there weren't a whole lot who did). She was just grateful he kept himself away from the students (par Natsuki, but that was more of an exception considering what he did for her). She felt some sorrow for his case, but ultimately decided not to get too involved unless for Jesse's sake.

For these guys, I’ll talk about how she sees them so far (like the ask intends, but as chapter 5 isn’t over yet, I’ll include the chapter 5 victim in the same fashion):

L -> Latte is very impressed by L's wit and skills, and although I've attempted to lightly reference this in the fic before, he reminds her a little of Espresso Cookie. She doesn't necessarily think she relies on him for trials and such too much, however she's grateful he uses his intelligence to help them all investigate further into Nesos rather than stay selfish about it. At least, that's what it looks like in her eyes.

Jesse -> Latte has seen first hand how much Jesse has been through (in terms of those he's lost so far). She does tend to look out for him from time to time (those teacher tendencies kicking in), but tries not to coddle him too much considering his age. She thinks Jesse should be a little more responsible with some habits, considering he tends to spend a lot of time with Natsuki now, but won't overstep her boundaries.

Natsuki -> It was tough seeing Natsuki go through the notions ever since her murder case. Latte is very proud of how Natsuki's dealing with things so far, even taking some of her own advice into account. She also really enjoys Natsuki's baking, and hopes she continues to bake more in the future despite what set her back (and perhaps join her for another baking session).

Saiki -> As he is Kaidou's friend, Latte has always felt sorrow for how Saiki has been dealing with things since the second case. She's happy how he's manage to come more out of his shell as of late, but wishes he could speak up more because she can tell he has a lot of potential despite his mysterious demeanor.

Brian -> Latte sees Brian as a good person who tries his best despite his clumsiness. She's very curious about his role as a witch-hunter, but ever since their small talk about it, she's only gotten more questions on why he doesn't recognise her descriptions of the witch.

Kurumada -> At first, Latte wasn't a fan of Kurumada's brutish and brash nature. However, she's now warmed up to him after seeing more of why he acts this way, especially after Mai's death. She can tell how much he works to make Hayasaka as comfortable as possible at any moment, being during a murder case or a normal day. They both share a want to help avenge Mai's will.

Hayasaka -> Latte finds Hayasaka a delight to talk to, by proxy of her connection towards Mai, but is also appreciative of what he tries to do for the group in trials and such. She notices how much he tends to look out for younger members of the group (i.e. Saiki) and wonders if he bares some secret parental tendencies deep down. She hopes he could open up more, after seeing what he said during their time at the arcade.

[archiveikemen]

Ellis Twilight Main Story: Chapter 3

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Warnings and FAQ

Ellis: Bodyguards?

At breakfast, Victor was talking about the unexpected incident that occured during my first job as the “fairytale keeper”.

Victor: That’s right! If Jude and Ellis protect Kate, our secrets will be kept safe too.

Victor: At the same time, Kate will also be able to observe the two of you up close and write everything down in her records…

Victor: It’s like killing two birds with one stone!

Victor: What do you think, Ellis?

Ellis: I’m fine with it if Kate is.

Ellis: Just because no one was hurt yesterday doesn't mean that sort of thing won't happen again… I want to be by Kate's side in case.

Victor smiled in response to Ellis and turned to Jude.

Victor: Of course you'll take this new responsibility seriously, right, Jude? You hate doing favours, don't you?

Jude: Tch…

(I feel safe being near Ellis, but…)

Ever since having my life threatened because I was with Ellis and being mistaken for “Jude Jazza’s woman”, I couldn't help but feel wary of Jude.

Jude: Don’t you start wailing when you get caught in a scary situation, princess.

(He’s so intimidating… but this was a good suggestion from Victor, so I mustn't chicken out.)

Kate: I’ll be fine. I’m surprisingly tough!

Jude: … Hah.

Jude snorted and went back to reading the newspaper.

Ellis: Then it’s decided. I’m looking forward to working with you, Kate.

Kate: I look forward to working with you too.

Unlike Jude, Ellis returned a soft smile.

Ellis: By the way, you can be more casual with me.

Kate: Huh…?

Ellis: You could say “yeah, me too” or something.

Kate: Y-Yeah… me too.

Ellis: Mm, much better.

I felt comforted by Ellis’ warm vibes.

Victor: Administrative matters aside, now let’s talk about your mission.

I straightened my back and listened attentively to Victor’s words.

(This will be my first real job as the fairytale keeper.)

I bear in mind that this was important in helping me gain their trust.

Victor: — Truth is, there is something I want you to collect information on.

Victor: It’s regarding the series of kidnapping cases happening all over London.

Kate: Kidnapping…?

That dangerous word brought back the same anxiousness I felt when I met the members of Crown for the first time.

Victor: Correct. The victims’ ages ranged from infants, to adolescents, and even grown adults.

Victor: One thing they have in common is that the adults were either prostitutes or street performers.

Victor: Popular songstresses from taverns have gone missing… many of them lived unstable lives without proper residential addresses.

Jude: Because the victims weren't people of high importance and mostly didn't have fixed addresses, no one reported them missing.

Jude: As usual, the police aren’t going to do anything about it either.

Unfortunately, like Jude mentioned, people who worked in the entertainment district were often looked down upon.

In that world of glitz and glamour, they were treated like pieces of trash in a garbage dump.

Victor: So, about the mission…

Victor: Have you heard about the ongoing art fair in London, the one with a few performers gathered there?

Kate: Yes. The scale of the event is not as big as the social season, but it’s rather crowded.

Victor: I want Jude and Ellis to go to that art fair and collect the necessary information.

Victor: These people may be vagrants, but they’re more bonded than you think.

Jude: Why do I have to go? This is useless.

Victor: Remember the human traffickers you dealt with in private? They might be connected to this case.

Victor: This has gone too far, don’t you think? Besides… today's your first day off in a long time.

That sounded like information Victor wouldn't be aware of, unless someone told him. Jude shot a glare at someone…

Jude: … Ellis.

Ellis: He asked, so I answered honestly. Sorry.

(The power balance between these two might surprisingly be of equal level…)

Victor: See you!

Victor sent us off with his cheerful voice and we headed for our mission.

…

(The fair is even more crowded this time round…!)

Colourfully decorated stalls lined the venue of the art fair and delicious aromas wafted through the air.

The people were entertained by not only the food, but also the street artists painting and performers showcasing their talents on stages around the city.

Walking around the fair, I couldn't help feeling immersed in the lively atmosphere.

(Oh no, I’m getting too carried away… I must focus on our mission.)

(Right. I should ask him now.)

Kate: Ellis. Jude. Could you tell me about your curses?

Ellis: We haven't told you yet?

Ellis: I have the curse of the “Briar Bushes”, and Jude has the curse of the “13th Fairy”.

Ellis: They’re based on a motif called “The Thorn Princess (Sleeping Beauty)”.

(Curse of the briar bushes and the curse of a fairy…)

The 13th fairy was an antagonist who placed a deadly curse on the princess out of spite for not being invited to her birthday party.

(I know that's the fairy’s sin, but…)

(What sin did the briar bushes commit?)

As I thought hard about it, Jude suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around languidly.

Jude: We don’t need a party of three. You go in the other direction to search for information.

Ellis: What about protecting Kate?

Jude: You’ll be fine doing that alone.

Without another word, Jude disappeared into the sea of people.

Kate: … Does he hate me, by any chance?

Ellis: I don’t think so, he treats everyone like that.

Ellis: His intention was probably to protect you from danger by avoiding being seen with you.

(Hmm, I don't really think so…)

I swallowed those words that I almost blurted out.

Kate: … If that’s the case, he’s actually rather kind-hearted, isn't he?

Ellis: I wouldn't say that. He loves hearing the people he hates scream in pain.

Kate: …

(It scares me how easy it is to imagine that…)

Ellis was the total opposite of him, showing kindness to everyone he met.

As though to prove me right, people all around us started approaching him the moment Jude left.

Flushed Man: Oh, you over there! Thanks for taking care of me that day!

Ellis: You’re welcome. Remember to drink in moderation today.

Kate: This is…?

Ellis: I found him passed out on the streets the other day, so I piggybacked him home. I don't know his name.

Kate: Eh!?

(You brought a random stranger home and nursed him back to health!?)

That wasn’t the only thing that left me in shock—.

Furniture Artisan: Business has been booming thanks to Ellis promoting my works to people!

Bespectacled Student: I’m so glad to run into you again! Um, I’d like to repay you for helping me fix my bike, could I have your contact information…

Cat: Nyaa.

(Even a CAT thanked him…!?)

(Or should I say, judging from the number of people who thanked him as we passed by…)

I could tell that Ellis did many good deeds on a daily basis.

Kate: I’m a postwoman, and yet you’re even more well-known than I am…!

Ellis: Really? I think this is pretty normal, though.

Ellis smiled gleefully as he watched the people smiling around him.

(Everything Ellis did for me yesterday is without a doubt just a usual thing for him.)

Someone who spreads joy.

Watching Ellis’ interactions with the people in town brought those words to my mind.

(Does someone like him even have any “sins” I can record down…?)

(Rather—)

(Why would someone this kind-hearted work for an assassination organisation or with Jude?)

Despite having personally witnessed his kindness… that question surfaced in my mind.

Ellis: Kate, Kate.

Kate: … Oh, I’m so sorry! I got lost in thought.

I came back to my senses and noticed Ellis peering into my face up close with his head tilted in puzzlement…

Ellis: Were you thinking about me?

Kate: …!?

Our eyes met at a close distance like a pair of lovers gazing at each other, sending my heart into a frenzy.

(Ellis doesn't seem to be conscious of it, but… this is too close.)

The situation was the same as when he went to see me in my room the morning after I came to Crown’s castle.

It was the second time seeing his twilight coloured eyes up close.

Feeling my cheeks turn red from the embarrassment, I turned my eyes away from him.

Ellis: Ah, hit the nail on the head.

Kate: How did you know?

Ellis: Hmm… just a hunch, I guess?

Ellis handed me a steaming mug with a smile.

Ellis: Here, I bought this milk tea from that shop over there while you were lost in thought about me.

Ellis: This is to thank you for helping me with my mail the other day.

(... Ellis is awesome…)

Ellis’ eyelashes lowered and he lightly blew on the cup of milk tea before taking a sip.

Ellis: If there’s anything you want to ask me, feel free to.

Kate: … Understood.

Ellis: Just “okay” is good.

Kate: … Ellis, why did you join Crown?

Ellis: Victor recruited Jude to join Crown, then Jude said OK and I joined too, I guess?

(You joined just because Jude did…?)

Kate: Why are you always with Jude?

Ellis: You have many questions, huh.

Ellis smiled and held his mug in both hands.

Ellis: My life was a mess before I met Jude. I moved from place to place, never having anywhere to settle down.

Ellis: When I came to London, I met Jude by coincidence.

Ellis: Some stuff happened, and we made a deal.

Kate: A deal…?

Ellis: That I’ll work for Jude, and he’ll comply with my request in return.

Ellis: So… we’ll be sticking together until the time comes when he fulfils his side of the deal.

My next question gave me a feeling that something might happen if I heard the answer, causing a stir in my chest.

Kate: What request did you make…?

Ellis: It's—

Performer with Flashy Hat: What is going on!?

(...!?)

The sudden yelling made me jump in shock and look in its direction.

Behind us, in the back of a temporary stage, a performer was scratching his head in distress.

Performer with Flashy Hat: Two people can’t make it for the performance… this is a DISASTER…!

(Two people… two performers… could it be?)

Kate: Ellis.

Ellie: … Yeah.

— “The victims of the serial kidnappings were often prostitutes or street performers”.

We exchanged looks and headed towards the distressed performer.

…

Kate: Um, excuse me.

Flashy Hat: Hm? Oh. My apologies, Miss, but my show has been postponed by another 10 minutes!

Ellis: We heard you saying just now that two people can’t make it to the show…

Flashy Hat: My buddy who is supposed to perform with me has gone missing without a word.

Flashy Hat: Geez, lots of people have been disappearing into thin air lately… it’s starting to get suspicious.

(Multiple people… going missing…)

(If we ask this person more about the disappearances, we might find something.)

Ellis: If it's alright with you, could you please tell us more?

Flashy Hat: Sorry, but I really don't have the time for that right now! Even if I have to do it alone, I must think of what to perform up on stage.

The performer shooed us away… but stopped and looked at us again as though he had just gotten an idea.

Flashy Hat: If you guys help me out with the show, that’ll be a whole other story.

Flashy Hat: Haha! I’m just kidding. Being short-handed is one thing, but it's a strict rule to never allow amateurs on stage.

He shook his head, seemingly to dismiss his suggestion as an impulsive one.

Ellis took a step closer.

Ellis: Help? What kind?

Flashy Hat: Haha! You’re serious about this? I was merely joking.

Ellis: But you said that you’ll tell us the details if we help you, didn't you?

Flashy Hat: … What? Hey man, you guys got a problem or something?

His friendly face twisted.

Flashy Hat: Giving out information about my buddies puts them in danger.

Flashy Hat: I can’t guarantee that you two don't have ill intentions. We're strangers that just met.

Kate: How can we earn your trust?

Flashy Hat: Let me think…

Flashy Hat: If you guys are willing to be used as a target for knife throwing, or tied up and thrown into a tank…

Flashy Hat: I’ll trust you.

(Target for knife throwing…!?)

Ellis: Okay. I’m good at that stuff.

Ellis unhesitatingly proceeded with the negotiations while I stood there, baffled.

(Ellis is so confident when it comes to negotiations. It must’ve come from his experience in working with Jude…)

Ellis agreed to help the performer with the show, but negotiations didn't go as we expected.

Flashy Hat: Tch tch tch… you alone isn’t going to be enough. That lady has to help out too.

Kate: Wha…!?

Ellis: … Why?

Flashy Hat: Perform, of course!

Flashy Hat: Just think of it. A tragic story about lovers being torn apart, building up and coming to a tear-jerking finale! The audience will definitely love it.

(... Knife throwing… being tied up in a tank…)

Ellis looked at me worriedly when he noticed my face turning pale.

Ellis: Kate, you don’t have to do it if you don't want to.

(Victor has done this knife throwing thing before, so Ellis will be fine with that.)

My physical abilities were nowhere nearly as good as Ellis’, and yet…

Whether or not we would get information from that person depended on me.

(I have to trust them and just go for it…)

Kate: V-Very well. I’ll help.

Letter

[crazyunsexycool]

The Sun ☀️, The Moon 🌙 & The Stars ✨

Chapter 6: Sunny Days

Pairing: Sam x Reader, Bucky x Fem Reader, Steve x Fem Reader, Steve x Bucky, Stucky x Fem Reader, Stucky, SamBucky, SamSteve, SamBucky x Reader, SamSteve x Reader.

Word count: 3.1k

Warnings: mentions of past physical abuse towards reader, bad parents, talk of having pups, SAM WILSON he's a warning ok, fluff, kissing, heavy petting cut short.

A/N: Here it finally is, reader's first official date with Sam. I really got stuck on this chapter but I hope you like it.!

Series masterlist

Ch. 5

“I’m sorry darling.” 

“It’s ok Bucky, I get it. You have a job to do.” You say as you play with the star charm on your necklace while keeping your eyes on Jules in the waiting room of the doctor’s office. 

“I’ll make it up to you once I’m back, I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to it. Please be safe.”

“I will, I’ll see you in a couple of days.” He says before hanging up the phone.

You place your phone in the back pocket of your jeans and head back inside just in time to hear your name being called.

“Well Y/N everything is looking good.” The doctor says after removing your cast and having you flex your fingers and move your wrist. “With some physical therapy you should be able to have full use. I'm going to refer you to a physical therapist and prescribe some painkillers. You can expect some swelling to occur as well as some stiffness and pain. If you don’t see any improvement in about 2 weeks please come back. Do you have any questions?”

“No, thank you Dr. Connors.”

“Alright well I’ll be right back.” He exits the room while you sit with Jules in the exam room. 

“So what did Bucky say?” She asks as she eyes you curiously.

“Nothing much. He had to change our plans for Friday night because he was pulled for a mission.” You answer as you look at your newly free hand and flex your fingers.

“Oh, is it hard for you to deal with?”

“No, well I mean kind of. It’s not like we’re bonded but still I miss them.”

“Well you’re true mates so it’s to be expected. You can still create a bond without having their claim marks on you; it's just not as strong.” 

“I guess, there’s just a lot of things I didn’t know and a lot of people didn’t bother to teach me once I didn’t present that I don’t know if I’ll ever catch up. I’m trying though, I’ve been reading articles online and stuff.”

“Well, you have the rest of the day off so how about we grab lunch and then we can go shopping for some essentials.” Jules smiles brightly at you.

“What would I do without you?”

“Let’s never find out.”

After getting your prescription filled and grabbing lunch Jules takes you to some of her favorite stores that sell items specifically for omegas everything from blankets and essential oils to sex toys that could help during a heat. Some of the things Jules went over were important to know and others just sounded ridiculous.

“I’m serious. Everyone thinks alphas are in charge but that’s not true. If you have a good alpha, an omega is always in charge I promise.” 

“If you say so.” 

“You don’t believe me?” 

“Let’s just say I didn’t have good examples growing up and honestly you and Ricky are the first couple that I’ve really been friends with. I don’t have a lot to go on.” You shrug your shoulders before grabbing a blue blanket that reminded you of the color of Steve’s eyes. Jules smiled as she watched you run your hand over the blanket, feeling the softness of the material between your fingers, deciding if you should get it or not before putting it in your basket. 

“Have you thought about suppressants and birth control?” That question has you stopping in the middle of the aisle.

“Suppressants and birth control? I’ve never had to worry about those things before.” 

“Well it’s only something you should consider maybe for when they’re going to be away for a while. You said it yourself that missions could take days or weeks. And of course birth control until you figure out if or when you want pups. But that’s something you have to talk about with your alphas.” 

“Pups?” 

You hadn’t even thought of that and you really hadn’t even thought about the physical aspect of the relationship. Of course you wanted to be with them but at the same time you were worried that your lack of experience would be a turn off for them. It’s not that you’ve never slept with anyone, it's just that it had only been with one person, a beta, shortly after you moved out on your own when you turned 18. 

“What the fuck am I doing dating three alphas? And not only alphas but Avengers. What if I’m not good at being their omega?”

“Hey, It’s ok. There isn’t some cookie cutter way of being an omega. If we have good alphas, which we do, they will let us live freely.” Jules tries to calm you down. “And you don’t have to worry about pups, maybe they’ll want to wait anyway. But you have to talk to them. Remember you’re the omega you’re in control. ” 

“I’m in control.” You repeat to yourself. 

Jules dragged you to more stores. Giving you a rundown of the best pajamas to wear before your heat and she showed you her favorite things that she used for her nest. During all of this there was a little pang of anger and hurt beating in your chest. While you now understood that omegas had a tendency to come together and help each other, all of the things Jules was talking about should have been taught to you by your mother. 

After walking out of the hellhole that was your home when you were 18 you tried not to think about your family. You would like to think that your mother had been forced into that submissive role and that your father was using alpha commands to make her do the things she did but it simply wasn’t true. There had been plenty of nights where you woke up drenched in sweat and tears as the nightmares of your childhood plagued your mind. Memories in which she had willingly taken part in your torment. There was never an ounce of fear or regret when she pulled you out of bed and took you to your father for being an embarrassment to the family by not having a presentation. One of the many things they had taken from you. She would stand there and watch as your father hit you and degraded you and she would even join in sometimes. The longer you were away from the house that held nothing but pain, blood and tears the more you realized that not all alphas were the way your father was. That omegas could be just as fierce and protective over their pups, even more than any alpha. It also meant that they could be just as cruel as alphas and that was the first example you ever had.

“What’s wrong Y/N?” Jules’ soft soothing voice pulls you from your thoughts. You feel her hand on your cheek as she wipes away a tear. 

“I’m sorry. It’s just most of the things you’re telling me I should already know. My mother should have been the one to talk to me about these things.” you shrug. “Emotionally it’s a lot I guess. I wish things would have been different with her at least.” 

Jules hugs you, this was something else she was good at. Knowing when to either say or do something to sooth you. You wondered if you would ever be like that too. 

“Why don’t we go home? I think it’s enough of omega 101 for you.” 

“Ok.” And you let her lead you out of the store and back to her and Ricky’s apartment. It was a good thing since you didn’t want to be alone at the moment. 

The week had passed faster than you realized. The community center was busier than ever with families running around for the different activities that had been planned. You had gone to your first physical therapy appointment and met with Steve for lunch before he had to go train recruits. Bucky had been able to call during his mission and let you know he was ok although you could hear how tired he really was. Sam had also stopped by the center, asking you out on your first proper date.  

To say you were excited for the date was an understatement. Of course you had spent time with Sam, in fact you had spent more time with Sam than with Steve or Bucky but this was different. He had kept some distance the other times, he didn’t want you to feel like he was too much but in reality it wasn’t enough. This time you would make sure to get as close as possible. He didn’t give you much information about the date other than it would be outside. 

 By 10:00 am you’re dressed and putting on some finishing touches when you hear a knock on your door. His scent reaches you before you even open the door. There’s a smile on your face as you see Sam on the other side. 

“Hi Sunshine.” He says with a smile. His scent is intoxicating, the notes of citrus coming through and reflecting the excitement of finally going on a date. 

“Hi, please come in. I'm almost ready.” 

“These are for you.” 

Sam presents a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a gift bag. His eyes light up as you look between him and the gifts with a shocked expression. 

“Sam you didn’t-”

“I wanted to so you are just going to have to get used to it.” he teases as you grab the flowers and the gift.

“I don’t know if I ever will.” 

You let him in and lead him into the kitchen to put the flowers in a vase. Sam is taking in your apartment, it’s cozy and warm, a smile appears on his face again. Your scent is everywhere of course and he could stay in here forever. He turns to look back at you just as you look into the gift bag, a small gasp leaves your lips. 

“Steve said you liked taking pictures when you went to the fair so I thought you could use this. Do you like it?” 

“Absolutely.” You wrap your arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. In your hands you held a polaroid camera and in the bag there were some boxes of film. 

“Good. Now are you ready to go?”

You put on your shoes and grab your purse and the camera.

“Yes, I am.” 

You were ecstatic when Sam pulled up to the venue. It was a not too big music festival focusing on up and coming, and indie artists. With your new favorite band, that you had mentioned to him in passing, playing. Sam had a pleased smirk as he watched you all but sprint out of his car, stopping only to grab his hand and pull him along. Once you’re close enough to the entrance Sam slows down. 

“Give me the camera.” he says and you pull it from your purse and hand it over. The huge festival sign hangs above you. “Ok move over a little to your left… perfect. Smile for me.” He snaps the picture, the camera buzzing as the small rectangle appears on the side. 

“Two more.” You tell him as you grab the camera and take one of him, and then one together. You stand in line to get into the actual festival. Everyone around you was humming or singing and swaying along to the music that was being played through the speakers as the line moved along. Once you finally got in you took in the set up. 

There were booths set up with band merch as well as other items available that took up all of the left side of the area while the right side had food vendors and tables to sit. There were a few hundred people making their way in and some even did a double take as they recognized Sam. There were people handing out flyers for the band line up. As you made your way down you saw small areas that were used by other performers. There was also an area for what you assumed was a meet and greet. The stage itself was at the back. People were rushing to get back there to get a good spot. Sam took charge as he held your hand as he made his way through the crowd, finding a great spot near the front of the stage. He had his hand at the small of your back as he guided you to stand in front of him, so that you could see better and so that he could keep you safe. 

“I can’t believe this is happening.” you say over your shoulder as the lights on the stage begin to come to life. 

“I’m glad you like it.” 

You turn in his arms to look up at him. “Of course I do. This is amazing, thank you Sam.” you give him another kiss on the cheek as he gives you a blinding smile.

“It’s starting,” he says as the first band makes their way on stage. 

The day went by in a fun filled blur. You and Sam danced, laughed, joked and sang at the top of your lungs. More pictures were taken, you bought some band merch, you had a few drinks and food. Now you found yourself on the other side of the stage where an area had been kept empty so that blankets could be spread out. You sat between Sam’s legs and rested your back against his chest. The sun was setting behind the stage as the next band started their set.

“Are you having fun?” Sam asked as he wrapped his arms around you.

“So much fun, really. Thank you for this.”

“Anything for you, baby.” He says as he buries his face in the crook of your neck. You closed your eyes as you tilted your head to the side to give Sam more access. He kissed and nipped along your shoulder and ended where he would mark you as his. The thought alone sent a shiver up your spine which didn’t go unnoticed by the alpha that was currently turning you into putty in his hands. “Does the thought of having my mark excite you sunshine?” He whispered in your ear. 

“Mm-hmm.” You hum as you turn your head to look up at him. Sam kisses your jaw moving to your cheek until his lips meet yours. Your eyes flutter close as he deepens the kiss, tongues fight for dominance and hands roam in an effort to touch as much of each other as possible. When you pull back your both inhaling deeply while smiles appear on your kissed swollen lips. 

“What did I do to get such a great alpha?” 

Sam growls, low and deep in his chest. It sends a jolt down your spine and you squeeze your legs together when you feel slick pool between your thighs. 

“We should get going, before I do something I won’t regret in front of everyone.” He whispers in your ear and you gasp at his admission. Sam gathers all of your things and holds them in one hand while he grabs your free hand with the other. 

Sam kept a hand on you the entire ride back to your apartment. He held your hand or put his hand on your thigh. He would smirk when he looked over to find you already looking at him while biting your bottom lip. If this was you now you really didn’t want to know what a full blown heat was especially around the three of them. 

“We’re here.” Sam’s voice makes you look up at your apartment building. A small pout on your lips as you look back at Sam. “What is it baby?” 

“I don’t know, guess I’m sad today is over.” 

“Me too, but you know I like to visit you at work. You’ll get sick of me real soon.” 

You chuckle. “I doubt it. Especially if you keep smiling at me like that.” 

“Oh really? Is that your weakness, smiles?” 

“Nope, a handsome alpha with a nice smile is,” You lean in closer until you’re leaning over the center console. “Which I think you fit the description perfectly.” Your hand falls on his thigh for some leverage. Sam leans forward, his lips on yours feel like heaven. He wraps his right arm around your waist and in a swift movement he pulls you into his lap. Your arms find their way around his shoulders as you moan into the kiss. Sam’s tongue swirls around yours as his hands make their way to your ass. 

He pulls you closer, causing you to grind yourself against his hardening length. The growl that escapes him as he kisses your neck spurs you on. Sam lets you take the lead as you roll your hips slowly against him but unfortunately in the confined space of the driver’s seat you move too far back and you hit the steering wheel with your ass causing the horn to go off. You both freeze in place, the mood drastically changing in just a second. Your head rests on his shoulder as you begin to laugh and then he joins you. When you pull back you’re hitting your bottom lip trying to stop yourself. Sam’s warm brown eyes sparkle even with how dark it is. 

“You’re trouble.” He teases before placing one more kiss on your neck. “Come on, let’s get you inside.” 

“Ok.” You steal one more quick kiss before getting off of his lap. 

Sam walks you to your door and waits for you to open it. Your sweet scent wafts from the open door and he has to stop himself from going in there and claiming you. 

“Thank you again, for today it was fun.” 

“I’m glad you liked it, Sunshine.” He cups your cheek as you wrap your arms around his neck. Sam gives you another kiss, this time sweet and tender. “I’ll see you Monday ok, Steve and I want to have lunch with you.” 

You smile, “I’d like that.” Your smile falters just a little. “Do you know when Bucky will be back?” 

He shakes his head. “It’s a highly classified mission which means only those that are involved know the details. But I’m sure he’ll be back soon and you’ll get to see him then.” 

“Ok, tell Steve I said hi.” 

“I will, goodnight Sunshine.” 

“Goodnight Sam.” He gave him a chaste kiss on his lips and slipped inside your apartment and locked it.

Ch. 7

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[wrenreid]

Off Limits

content warnings: daddy issues, mentions of losing someone, talk about being drunk

Part Seven

After Spencer leaves, Dad sits down on the couch with me. I can tell he’s tired, but he doesn’t want to go lay down since he just got home. Especially not when he knows we won’t have much time together.

Dad turns on the tv and we watch a show we used to stay up late all the time watching. My mom used to scold him for letting his seven year old daughter stay up past 11pm to watch tv.

But I think she secretly liked when we bonded like that. He was still a young lawyer who dove into his job for hours and hours. He was home a lot more than when he started at the BAU though.

I lean my head on his arm, my legs bent underneath and to the side of me as I lean on my dad. As irritating as his overbearing protectiveness and slight control issues are, I like being with my dad when I’m home.

To spite my father, I’ve become a sort of social butterfly who goes to parties. I say ‘spite’ because I wasn’t allowed to hang out with guys let alone go to parties when I was in high school. Now that I’m 21, I can do what I want. And I’ve made that pretty clear.

I think a part of him believes that he’s lost his little girl once I went off to college, and he couldn’t be that overprotective father anymore.

I also think he somewhat resents me for that, just like I resent him for not being there enough… and for Foyet, but for months and months I’ve tried not to blame him. And I don’t. I really don’t. But that doesn’t keep me from being pissed.

Whatever unresolved, unspoken issues Dad and I have, we can still sit on the couch and bond over tv. We can still ignore the shit we have underneath the surface, and be okay.

About an hour later, Jack comes down the stairs asking if he can have a snack. He stops dead in his tracks when he sees it’s our dad on the couch and not Spencer.

“Daddy!” He smiles and runs up to us, crawls into Dad’s lap, and hugs him.

“Hey, little man,” Dad laughs softly, holding onto my little brother.

I smile at the interaction, but can’t help but think that I’m a little jealous at their interaction. Jack is his baby now.

But then I remember that I had a childhood where Dad wasn’t in the BAU. I had my mom growing up. Jack doesn’t have that. And even though it hurts so bad when I think too much about it, I’m able to have happy memories of Mom to look back on. My little brother will soon forget all about her because he’s so young. I don’t have a right to be jealous.

I’m snapped out of my gut-scrambling thoughts when Dad looks at the two of us. “How about we go to Jaleo tonight?”

A small grin creeks up on my face. That’s one of my favorite restaurants. “I’d love that,” I tell him.

“What do you say, Jack?”

“Sounds good to me,” he nods.

After a little bit , I head upstairs to take a shower. I still haven’t washed the sweat and lingers of alcohol off of my skin from the party.

I step into the walk in shower and shut the glass door. The glass was made in a pattern that makes it too blurry to see inside the shower, so if anyone walked in, which they wouldn’t, they would just see a peachy colored blob.

Luckily, even though I forgot to bring home my shampoo and conditioner from college, I still have some left over from when I was home after Mom’s death. I grab the death shampoo and lather it my hair, rinse, repeat, then condition. I use soap and body wash, then step out of the shower, doing a little shuffle dance to dry my feet on the rug.

After getting dressed in jeans, a big graphic tee, and hightops, I brush my still slightly damp hair from my shower two hours ago and go downstairs to meet Dad and Jack who are already ready to go eat dinner.

From the front seat of my Dad’s car, I play them music. My dad doesn’t appreciate half of my music taste, so I play them my more appropriate playlist.

I sing along to the lyrics, and out of the corner of my eye I see my father smile.

“I missed you, Jay,” he says.

One syllable names are hard to find a nickname for, but that didn’t stop my dad from shortening my name to just the first letter sometimes.

“I missed you too, Dad,” I grin softly.

The three of us walk into the restaurant, and we’re seated at a table for four towards the back of the restaurant. The seat next to my father is empty. It’ll be empty from now on. I can hardly stand to look at it.

I think he feels the same way because he focuses his attention of us. “How’s school going?”

“Same as always,” I tell him. “So pretty good.”

He nods. “Good.”

And that’s about as interesting as this conversation gets. He asks me if Jack was good for Dr. Reid, and I say yes.

I try to ignore the way him bringing up Spencer makes me feel. It’s a little warm in my stomach. Just a crush. A maintainable crush that won’t go any further than it did when I was 17. Hopefully not even that far.

Plus, I’ll be back in New York City in a week and forget about the silly little crush just like I did the first time I left for college.

Jack tells Dad what we did while he was away, and I’m lost in thought about going back to college. I’ve got about two months left of undergrad, then three more years of law. But if I take courses during the summers, I could get it knocked out in two or two and a half.

Our food comes out pretty quickly, and I start chowing down. I haven’t eaten anything but the toast Spencer forced me to eat this morning before I went back to sleep.

“Looking a little hungry there, Jade,” my father laughs softly.

“Starving,” I say with a mouth full of my Spanish dish.

Jack convinces Dad to get us ice cream after dinner, and we go to my favorite Italian ice cream shop. I think my father is taking us to my favorite places to make up for not being here the whole first week I was back.

That’s usually how it went when I was a kid too. He’d miss something important and bring me home a gift or treat. My mother hated when he did this, but he did it out of guilt. And even though I was young, I knew this. So, to make him happy, I smiled and excepted the gift and pretended all was made up for. But it wasn’t because I wanted my daddy, not a new stuffed animal.

We’re back home eventually, and Dad is putting Jack to bed. I’m on the couch, the tv on.

“You’re not setting a good example for him coming home late from parties,” my dad says as his footsteps descend down the stairs.

“What?”

“I’m not blind, Jade. I know what a hangover looks like.” His voice is stone hard as always.

“He was asleep when I got home. I’m 21 years old. I’m allowed to get drunk ever so often.”

“Just because you’re allowed to doesn’t mean you should. You know what can happen if you drink too much and are too inebriated to keep yourself safe.”

“Nothing happened. People go to parties and get drunk all the time,” I say, getting annoyed. “And don’t you dare say that those people aren’t your daughter because I don’t care. I can fend for myself; you of all people know that.”

“I do know that. But I also know how people can be. Especially men your age,” he said.

“Is this coming from a profiler’s point of view or the point of view of a man who’s looked at a pretty girl the way you fear men look at me?” I ask, my jaw set.

“Excuse me?”

I ignore his anger, and ask another question. “Are you worried I’m going to get murdered or are you worried I’m going to do the thing that you’ve feared me doing since I hit puberty? I’m an adult, Dad. You can’t control every aspect of my life anymore.”

Before he opens his mouth to respond, I get up and leave for my room. It seems as though we can never just have a normal interaction for very long.

eight

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[dreamyfanfix]

Chapter 2: It Shouldn't Hurt

Past (2 Years Ago):

Anthony had to admit it. That was the most eventful PTA meeting of all time. After Kate sat down, Portia proceeded to give out more information about the new processes that would be implemented, at Mayfair Girls, at the beginning of the term.

First: The school was going to adjust its classes to meet the standards of their new entries. The classes would now be separated by grade average which meant those who excelled would be able to take AP classes and kids who struggled would be with teachers who were known for explaining better and getting concepts across to struggling kids. Parents were not happy with this but Anthony could see some nodding teachers. The idea that kids would feel less than others was a fear but it became clear that this was also being done by subject as many kids only struggled in one area and the school wanted to make sure the students were well-rounded when they graduated.  Anthony, surprisingly, had no problems with this. His sister Francesca had spent so long ignoring some of her subjects that she was behind and catching up was taking up more time than just plain old studying.

Second: All extracurriculars would have reentry tryouts. This one caused the biggest stir in the room as many of the parents in the room bonded over their daughters' mutual extracurriculars.  Anthony, again, was actually happy about this. Eloise had been working on her social skills through the break and he hoped that she could have a retry into Debate, Public Speaking and Academic Decathlon.

Third: The school was adding mandatory 'Social Impact' lessons. These lessons funded by a Social Worker most of the time, would be lessons the girls would need in learning about those less fortunate or about social issues of the world. The girls would be volunteering at different organisations for increasing their awareness of social issues again emphasising the need for well-rounded graduates. Anthony thought all the eyes in the room were gonna pop out of their head at the implication of this new lesson plan. Everyone looked surprised, everyone except, Anthony noted, Kate. She sat there with a smug look on her face and Anthony couldn't help but smile, she was enjoying this. 

Just then Kate's eyes found his and Anthony felt locked in place by her gaze. He nodded his head in greeting but Kate scowled and immediately went back to listening to Portia.

As parents & teachers dwindled out the door when the meeting ended. Anthony watched as some parents came up to Kate to speak to her. Some of them were congratulatory and offered thanks, others just seemed like they were curious. Kate seemed to handle it all in stride so Anthony hung back, waiting for his turn.

"Quite the entrance there Miss Sharma," Anthony remarked as he walked up to her, Anthony noticed Tom by her side and shook his hand "I'm going to take a guess that this is the lovely girlfriend you were talking about earlier Tom?"

Tom smiled oblivious to Anthony's ogling of Kate "Yes this is her. Is she not amazing?"

"Quite. It seems I am destined to learn that on multiple occasions," Anthony said looking at her properly now.

"Well Lord Bridgerton, how do you feel about the changes to the school mandates?" Kate asked with a quirked brow before Tom could pick up on Anthony's meaning.

"Oh I love them," Anthony said and both Tom and Kate's eyes widened. Anthony smiled "Yeah I think these new processes will help all of our girls including your...?"

"Sister," Tom supplied.

"I think these new processes will help all of our girls, including your sister, be more well-rounded," he looked at her in a challenge.

"Is that so? Cause here I thought you would loathe these changes. I thought people like me and all the parents here today, who took buses and trains to get here should stick to our own schools?" Kate asked sourly.

Anthony's breathing hitched "You weren't supposed to hear that,"

"Why? How could I miss the opportunity for you to proclaim to the entire room how people like my sister have no business schooling with people like your sisters?" she said

"You don't understand-"

"Oh I actually think I do understand Lord Bridgerton," Kate said as she got closer to him, he suspected that Kate being quite tall herself could often intimidate men shorter than her but they were both around about the same height so all it did was bring her face closer to his and Anthony got a whiff of her "You see it seems it is not just the school that has gotten out of touch, it seems the parents and teachers need to start working to meet the standards set by hardworking children like my sister,"

Anthony had to shake his head to get the scent of her out of his mind "If this school is so below your standards, why put in such an effort to get your sister in here?"

"That's what I asked," Tom spoke for the first time in what seemed like forever.

Kate shot him a glare and Anthony felt smug before she spoke "Because a child of excellent schooling history in a fair world would get their pick of schools and that's how things should be," Kate gestured around her "Maybe if the underperforming rich kids and their parents had any self-respect or care for others they would step aside and let those with real goals and ambitions take the lead then the school wouldn't have to lower its standards to meet them,"

"That's a lot of big talk coming from someone whose sister will be enjoying the premium quality of a private school funded by endowments, private donations and exorbitant school fees that I'm sure she is not going to be contributing to,"

"I'm talking big? You literally all buddy-buddy with the Featheringtons as if, despite being in the peerage like yourself, they too are on financial aid," Anthony hesitated, he didn't know that but Kate continued "But I guess a handout isn't called a handout when you have a title,"

Anthony was really frustrated now "Look what does it matter now anyway? Your sister is attending, and the school is changing their mandates. You won,"

"I won I know that much. I'm very good at it if you can recall but I do not like being made to feel like a pariah because I stood up for my sister and did everything I could to get her the best education," Kate was now so close every breath he took he was inhaling her maddeningly distracting scent.

"So I'm supposed to feel bad because I too did all I could for my sisters?" Anthony asked.

"Okay guys you both are good siblings, might want to take a break?" Tom interjected.

It was only then that Anthony noticed that almost everyone had left the room at that point. He looked at his watch and shit, he was late.

On the car ride over to work, Anthony could not help but think about the similarities between him and Kate Sharma. She too was a protective sibling and she clearly loved herself an argument. Despite it all Anthony finally felt like he got a glimpse into who she was and he was curious to know more.

That being said Anthony knew he might have to table those thoughts because she was seeing someone and she clearly disliked him. Despite the intensity of their exchange, Anthony thought staying clear of Kate was a good bet, the idea that they would be at each other's throats for the next few years sounded exhausting and yet compelling but also Anthony felt like getting involved with her would bring up too much introspection about the life he had been living and he was not ready to deal with all of that just yet.

Yeah, he was going to stay far away from Kate Sharma.

------

4 months went by and Mayfair Girls was putting on a recital for performing arts. Select excelling students, like Edwina, had been training for this moment for 2 months. This recital was significant, Edwina had done ballet performances since she had been at Mayfair Girls but this was the first time that a school-wide performance was being put on, especially when she had only been at the school a few short months. Even though Kate felt like Edwina had more than proved she belonged at this school, Edwina felt like this was the first time she could actually shine and Kate was nervous for her sister.

Kate had taken an active role in the school since Edwina's entrance and things had gone relatively smoothly. She did often bump into other parents who were still hostile about the circumstances of their children, things did get a bit tense when the school began to rescind admissions for some students.

The Carrigan twins were the first to go, Vince Carrigan was a prolific alcohol distributor in the country and was thinking of running a campaign for a labour slot. He was not happy when his daughters had to leave the school many thought he would sue but he did not have the grounds so others thought he would use his government connections in the future to change the rules unfortunately, it never got that far. The Carrigans were out and Vince Carrigan was arrested for fraud 2 months after that.

Next to go was Prudence Featherington, this caused quite a bit of gossip because Portia was the head of the PTA.

Up to 5 girls per grade were removed from the school and Kate thought the PTA or someone else would do something to change it but apparently, the shame of not meeting the standards of Mayfair Girls was enough to satiate any possible retaliation from parents. Portia on the other hand was less than friendly whenever she bumped into Kate. Although Kate loved to remind Portia that they were both in the same boat financially so her nose need not be so high in the air. At least Penelope was still at school, she seemed like a smart girl.

None of the girls who left the school were Bridgertons and Kate was finally secure enough to admit that she was relieved. She didn't even believe that Anthony had anything to do with Eloise and Francesca's growing performance despite what she would say in arguments with him.

She doesn't even who starts them anymore. All she knows is that they would get in a room together, eye each other intensely, fake pleasantries and then argue over things. They argued over parking spaces, school uniform, his dating life and her dating life. Anthony loved remarking on her relationship with Tom. Kate hated it. Maybe she did not love Tom but she did not like that despite calling him an old friend, Anthony would mock him. It was not something she liked to see or hear from him. She often wondered if he was jealous but decided against analysing that too much because she was supposed to be staying away from Anthony.

Only they couldn't stay away from each other it seems. Anthony's best friend it turns out: Simon. She remembers when she went with him as his date to an event and was stuck in the middle of their reminiscing of old party days. Kate got quite a bit of insight into how much of a player Anthony was, I mean Simon was too but she knew that. Anthony visibly blushed when Simon brought up the open relationship debacle with Siena. Apparently, despite his being shared, Anthony was not one to share. Kate rolled her eyes at the nerve of it all.

Kate hated herself a bit for wanting to know more. When she and Anthony ended up at the bar by themselves Anthony slid a cosmopolitan in her direction and Kate took it gratefully. 

She asked if Siena was a sore spot and he blushed again and said it was complicated. Kate couldn't help herself she asked him if he was still in love with her, and she gazed at her drink the whole time.

Anthony laughed at the question and said "No. I used to think I was but lately, I've been feeling this pull to someone else that can only be attributed to deep devotion. It was never like this with Siena,"

Kate's breathing hitched, she tried to think of people she had heard or seen with Anthony and was drawing a blank. When Kate was with Anthony he tended to be singularly focused on her even if other people were chatting with them. It was exhilarating and dangerous. "Does she know?" Kate asked.

"I thought she would figure it out. I am not exactly being discreet, in fact, my siblings have called me out on it a bunch of times," Anthony said and Kate could feel his eyes on her.

Kate lost the battle she was having with her self-control and looked up at him. Anthony was now gazing at the dancefloor where Anthony's brother, Benedict, was dancing with his boyfriend Henry, in a sweet embrace.

Kate sighed and said "Well I doubt a guy with a title and a pleasing smile would have a tough time getting the woman he adores,"

Anthony looked at her with a giant smile on his face "You find my smile pleasing?"

Kate sighed "Despite being a man who thinks way too highly of himself, I cannot tell a lie,"

"So that is a yes?" Anthony asked inching closer to her.

Kate nodded and giggled at his giant puppy eyes gazing at her "Yes," and then her phone vibrated and Kate saw the message on her smartwatch. It was Tom.

"Don't worry Kate. I won't tell your boyfriend that you pine for me," Anthony said as he made his way away from the bar, from her.

"That's not what I said," Kate said walking after him.

They bickered the rest of the night and Kate felt like crap when she returned home to multiple missed messages from Tom.

Kate snapped herself back into the present and walked into the rented theatre backstage. She had gotten there early and secured a family pass for her and Mary, Kate wanted to wish Edwina good luck before the show started.

I guess Kate was not the only one who had that idea because a couple of parents lingered around backstage helping their girls get ready to perform.

Kate spotted her sister "Edwina,"

"Kate! Over here," Edwina said directing her towards one of the dressing rooms. It seemed Edwina was sharing with Francesca Bridgerton. Kate had reconciled months ago about Edwina's going friendship with Eloise Bridgerton. Both of them were incredible readers and Kate had more than once caught them asleep in the living room, books in hand.

"Hey, you nervous?" Kate asked

"Yes and no. I know I am a good dancer but everyone has bad days, I'm just hoping this isn't one of them," Edwina sighed.

"Bon, you are heads and shoulders above all the other dancers even on your worst days," Kate said hugging Edwina tightly.

"Even during December of last year?" Edwina asked.

Kate visibly shivered "Even then,"

Edwina looked at her, through the dressing room mirror, with scepticism but didn't say anything further.

"Do you need anything before you put on makeup? Water or snacks?" Kate asked.

"No, but you can keep me company for the next hour. Though you are going to have to leave and get to your seat cause you know how mom is terrible at finding her seating,"

Kate nodded, Mary was always losing her place or forgetting her row even when they went to the movie theatre.

A little while later Francesca came in with her makeup done, she was with her older sister Daphne and Anthony. In a lot of ways, Francesca looked like she could be both Daphne and Anthony's child because she looked like a mixture of them both.

The conversation in the dressing room was lively. Kate noted how Francesca was not much of a talker but she got her quips in now again. Apparently, due to the two-per-family rule, Anthony and Daphne had to wrestle with their mother for tickets. Luckily or unlucky their youngest sister, Hyacinth, started vomiting and their mother stayed behind relinquishing her ticket to Daphne.

They talked some more before Daphne said to Kate and Anthony "Why don't you two make your way out and find your seats? I can help the girls finish their makeup,"

Anthony gave Daphne a look she could not decipher and then got up, Kate did too, Mary would be here soon anyway. Kate gave Edwina a light kiss on the cheek and Anthony gave Francesca a kiss on the top of her head. The gesture was sweet it made Kate's heart constrict.

Anthony then led Kate out of the room and down the hallway.

It was quiet while they walked for a bit until Kate finally asked "Hey, did you ever get around to telling your beloved about your feelings,"

Anthony sighed, they were in the seating area now and it was still empty "No, I haven't. There's no point. She's seeing someone,"

Kate’s heart quickened as she realised his implication “Anthony be serious,”

“I am serious Kate. When have I ever not been serious?” Anthony asked.

Kate walked a few steps away from him and Anthony walked a few steps towards her “I’m confused here, Anthony. Last month you called me the 'Bane of your existence,”

“And yet you also the object of all my desires. A maddeningly frustrating combination I tell you,” Anthony spoke and he looked at her with such adoring eyes that Kate felt dumb that she hadn’t noticed his attention before.

“You never said-”

“When was I gonna tell you, Kate? PTA meetings with your mother? Clubs with Simon? When I spot you and Tom on a date?” Kate wondered when the last one could have occurred cause she didn’t remember ever seeing Anthony anywhere she was out with Tom.

Anthony reached for Kate, Kate was going to let him reach her but then her phone rang. It was Mary.

------

Concentrating during this recital was impossible. Anthony had told Kate how he felt and now she sat two rows from him, looking straight ahead. He wondered what she was thinking, what she was feeling. He felt like such a cad because Tom was a good guy, there was a point a couple of months ago when Anthony started to feel bad for slagging him off because Tom was not the problem. Anthony was the problem. He fell in love with a woman with a boyfriend.

He couldn’t even remember when it all started. He remembered first trying to avoid her and then bumping into her at PTA meetings and events. He noticed that when she was around her mother she tried to be on her best behaviour so he started taking joy in baiting her into arguments.

One day he and Kate got into a spat and Mary sent her away to get water.

Anthony felt himself flush when he saw Mary looking at him curiously “You know this is the first time 'the boy pulling on a girl’s pigtails’ story is starting to make sense to me?”

"I don't know what you mean," Anthony said to her.

"Sure, be a dear and tell Kate I went to the ladies," Mary said as she walked away.

Kate came back and Anthony informed her that Mary had gone to the bathroom "You know you and your mom are quite alike in your scrutiny?"

"Sure. Mary is a nurse so she deals with people who have done a whole bunch of weird stuff to their bodies in the hospital. It is quite interesting,"

"Yeah I mean you even look the same. The same discerning eyes,"

Anthony saw Kate go rigid and she said "That would be quite impossible but a nice thought. Mary's my stepmother she married my dad when I was 5 years old. 5 years later Edwina was born. My dad got sick when I was in law school but he didn't want me to take time off to take care of him so I actually doubled down and finished early. He died 3 years ago,"

"I'm sorry. If it's any comfort, it does get easier," Anthony replied.

"How long for you?" Kate asked.

"12 years," Anthony replied. It hadn't even occurred to him how much time had passed.

"Wait isn't your youngest sister 11?" Kate asked.

"Yeah, she was born a few months after his death. It was a tough time," Anthony explained. Usually, he was not forthcoming about his family but gave him a look into her life so he returned the gesture.

"I couldn't imagine. Edwina was a handful but at least she was 13. She could generally take care of herself," Kate responded.

“Yeah, I was the only one above 18 so anything that mother couldn’t do, I did. And there was a lot back then. Signing permission slips, pick-ups, groceries and doctor’s appointments. I kind of think that’s why I’m so organised even now. Despite things running a bit smoother now that everyone is older,” Anthony said only just realising how much he truly had to take care of, Kate put her hand on his arm and Anthony tried to ignore his speeding heart and the heat radiating off of that one spot.

“I mean I only had to worry about the fact that we were one paycheck down. I was still doing courses and training but had midnight shifts at bars and I did a bit of modeling at art studios. Anything and everything to keep us afloat. 13-year-old Edwina did not like having to learn how to take the bus and not being able to go on some school trips but once Danbury Law hired me it was a game changer. A good paycheck, way better than even my dad was providing. We finally could start having nice things again,” Kate said with a twinkle in her eye.

Anthony's heart ached for the Sharmas but mostly for Kate. It never occurred to him how dealing with his father's death would be made much harder if he also was concerned about money. If he needed a babysitter he could pay, if he was desparate he could send a car to pick up his siblings. Tutors, vacations, clothes and cars for Benedict, Colin and Daphne when they all turned 18. He even had his eyes on an electrical car for Eloise when she turned 18. Anthony wondered if anyone had ever actually gotten to spoil Kate like that since her dad had gotten sick and then he remembered Tom.

He remembered every bit of their conversation for weeks.

One night Anthony was drinking at a bar with Benedict when a guy approached him "Hello there cutie, can I get you a drink?"

"No, thanks but see that guy over there who looks similar to me?" Anthony pointed at Benedict dancing.

"Yeah he's like you but taller," The stranger said.

"He'll never let me forget it. You can buy him a drink," Anthony said.

Benedict was going through a rough patch and he needed a pick-me-up. 

Anthony on the other hand was actually having a peaceful month. I mean he would still argue with Kate when he saw her but the venom in their exchanges had lessened and they would often end their exchanges laughing. Portia had scolded them on more than one occasion during PTA meetings about their giggling interruptions but Kate's takes on Portia's attitude often made him chuckle even sometimes when Kate was not there.

The bartender had come and given the stranger, Henry, his drinks "You sure you don't want anything?"

"Yep, I'm good. Designated driver," Anthony replied.

"You know there's such a thing as Uber, love?" Henry replied.

Anthony chuckled to himself "This is exactly the conversation I was having with Kate the other day. She was giving me shit because I have drivers on stand-by instead of just taking an Uber, even though she only started taking Ubers this year," Henry smiled at him and Anthony continued "She's periodically late to everything now because she never factors in finding a driver time. The other week she was 30 minutes late to the PTA meeting because she let her Uber driver take her to a gas station so he could get snacks. I was like 'He could have kidnapped you' and she actually gasped and said 'Kaseem would never'," Anthony chuckled to himself "You know for a woman who spent her twenties studying the law she sure as hell does not know about the crimes that can happen to her. That being said if it was her sister-"

Henry cleared his throat “Anthony you’ve been talking about your girlfriend for a while now with no break,”

Anthony could feel the heat rising in his cheeks and gulped his bottle of water "Oh Kate's not my girlfriend. She's not even a friend. Besides she's seeing someone,"

"Oh. Oh," Henry said with the second 'Oh' sounding a bit softer and Anthony looked down not being able to stand the look Henry was giving him at that moment.

"We understand each despite not really coming from the same background. Actually, we don't have much in common really, she likes RnB and Jazz and I like Rock music. We really only connect because we are both the oldest," Anthony rambled.

Henry gave Anthony a knowing look and said "Relationships have been built on less," Henry began to walk away and then said "Look, maybe you guys are not endgame but it seems like she's already taking up your time even if it is just mentally. You should go for it,"

"She has a boyfriend," replied.

"Football teams have goalies," Henry replied walking away for real now.

Anthony remembered sitting in the PTA last month, waiting on Kate he wanted to show her pictures from Hyacinth's 12th birthday party. He wanted to show her she was right about Hyacinth loving the idea of a mermaid theme, he would obviously fake contrition but it worked with their dynamic. Anthony looked at his watch and realised Kate was late again, sometimes he wished he could be linked to her Uber account so he could see how far away she was. There was that option on Uber security to let you share your trip with friends and loved ones...

Loved ones.

It hit Anthony like a brick. He knew he was attracted to Kate before he knew her name. He liked their banter but over the last two months, it had become more.

He was in love with her.

Anthony scolded himself for being so stupid. He knowingly fell for a girl that is dating his friend. And even if Anthony gave himself leeway by saying Tom was not a proper friend it still didn't account for the fact that Anthony was sure Kate despised him. She hated everything he stood for. And for the first time in his life, Anthony felt shame. Shameful for throwing his money around everywhere, for treating people with less than like crap and even the idea that even if he got in a relationship he would not know what to do because he had never been in one.

Anthony sat and watched Kate, barely registering the students that went on one by one. Francesca was last as the instrument portion was last and Edwina was after intermission because the dance portion was second. Now Anthony listened as people sang and then a girl got on and she started to sing 'Dancing On My Own' by Robyn only it was a lot more slowed down, this was obviously in the mix of Calum Scott's version. Anthony felt every pang of the lyrics:

"And yeah, I know it's stupid But I just gotta see it for myself

I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her, oh I'm right over here, why can't you see me? Oh And I'm giving it my all I'm not the girl you're taking home, ooh I keep dancing on my own, ah"

At that moment Kate got up and Anthony instinctively did the same.

"Anthony, where are you going?" Daphne asked.

Anthony didn't even stop to look at her when he said "I'll be back just now,"

Anthony felt a bit like a creep following Kate out of the theatre and down the hall. So he decided to call out her name but she just sped up so Anthony did the same.

Anthony finally saw Kate turn into the bathrooms by the dressing rooms. Not exactly main bathrooms but if the dressing room bathrooms were overflowing the performers could come out here and use them. Anthony knew too much about theatres and bathrooms thanks to the plentiful times he has seen Daphne dance.

He stopped at the door. Took a breath and opened it.

------

Present:

Kate sat anxiously with Daphne on their couch waiting and then Simon appeared "So Anthony is stable. Turns out mixing prescription drugs from different psychiatrists is not a good idea,"

Daphne sighed relieved holding her pregnant belly "Thank you, Si. Did my mom say anything else?"

"Just that he is stable. Although she was concerned about how it took so long for anyone to find him," Simon said.

"You know Anthony. He keeps to himself, everything is so close to the chest," Daphne said.

Kate must have had a look on her face because Simon asked "Is there you might know Kate?"

"Not really. You guys know Anthony a lot better than I do," even though Kate's heart was hammering with relief with Anthony's condition she still felt a pain in her chest ever since she heard the news while having breakfast with Daphne and Simon.

"Kate, I don't think that is true," Daphne said.

"I have barely spoken to the man. We broke up over a year ago," Kate said getting heated.

"Yeah but ever since the engagement and wedding it seemed like you guys were at least friendly," Daphne said.

"Ah yes, the baby shower, where he screamed at me for not finding my own family to be a part of. Where he said I ruined his life and that he wished he had never met me. You mean that baby shower?" Kate asked choking up a bit at the end. Kate always thought the decisions she made were for the greater good. Justice and all that. But as she looked at a dishevelled Anthony during Daphne and Simon's baby shower she wondered if all the decisions she had made since she agreed to be Simon's Best Person was hurting Anthony and in turn his family.

"Kate, Anthony did not mean any of those things," Daphne said trying to calm her down.

"Yeah he clearly was going through a tough time and seeing you always hurts him," Simon said.

"Well thanks for the heads up, Simon. I have been hurting him with my presence for the last 7 months now. That information would have been helpful," Kate said now preparing.

"So you could do what? Not be a part of my wedding? So you could not be a godmother to my daughter? Kate I love you and Anthony is my brother now. I was tired of living separate lives with you two," Simon said with pain in his voice.

"Kate, we missed you," Daphne said softly like she was on the verge of tears.

"Maybe it's all for the best Simon. Daphne. Cause you are right Anthony is your brother and you have to prioritise family," Kate said as she left giving them no space to answer her.

She was sad, heartbroken and overwhelmed without even thinking she drove and drove until she was outside Mayfair private hospital.

[aizenat]

I was watching this woman who does child free content on yt, and she was showing clips of a woman on tik tok who was complaining about some family vlogger influencers (because that’s somehow still a thing in 2024 apparently) on ig who went on a cruise and apparently went to have dinner after the kids went to sleep so they could have a romantic night alone. They had baby monitors and nothing actually happened, but the internet does what it always does and this girl is just moralizing about all the could be dangers that COULD have happened in a worst case scenario because god forbid people don’t live their lives with crippling anxiety constantly planning and expecting the worst thing to happen at all times (not defending the couple but girl nothing happened just shut the fuck up).

And I had this thought I’ve been having a lot where I’m thinking this woman who I’m watching react to this girl’s tik tok (a supposed journalist lol) is wasting her time watching a girl waste her time making tik tok after tik tok moralizing about a couple she doesn’t know doing something that wasn’t the smartest but led to no issues, bitching about this couple sharing their stupid lives online.

And like I just thought to myself “why does this girl on tik tok care so much about this couple to make all these videos faking concern about these kids that are fine? Why is this YouTuber wasting her time reacting to this girl making tik toks about a family neither of them know and how they raise their kids? Why is this couple able to get enough people watching them vlog their lives that they can afford a nice cruise (and apparently make enough to afford a hypothetical nanny for the kids so they wouldn’t have to leave them alone sleeping in the rooms just for a date night, according to critics), and enough attention to get major backlash for doing something I’m sure most of our own parents did at least once or twice.”

Like truly, what does ANY of this matter? I don’t know ANY of these ppl I’m engaging with. I don’t care about family vloggers: I find them all reprehensible. I don’t care about some random white woman’s moralizing on another couple not being perfect parents like she thinks all parents should be. I don’t even understand why the child free content creator was even commenting on the drama. Like what was the point? Don’t have children so you can have date nights without worrying about kids?

Like who cares? Why are we all so obsessed with other people’s lives? People we don’t know, will never know, who will get canceled in a few years for something (if they’re lucky enough to last that long) just to do it all over again with a new influencer. That south Asian ray guy was the most popular YouTuber and and then it was pewdiepie then one of the Paul brothers then dream then Mr beast and he’s getting canceled now so it’ll be someone new this time next year.

Again and again the cycle goes and what do any of us get out of it? Are we better people for it? Are we even entertained? Why does ANY of this shit matter? Truly?

Idk how corny or eye roll inducing it is to say this but the entire internet, and most of modern media, has become a literal virtual reality matrix that we’re all acting like we have to participate in. You don’t go online, you miss all the news. Everyone from boomers to gen x to millennials to gen z to gen alpha don’t know how to connect to people without it. At my last job, my coworkers would bond over memes they’d share on fb or send each other snapchats or tik toks and constantly reference them. And because I’m not on the sites, I was literally missing out. And when I’d ask them to send things to our group chat so I could enjoy the fun, they just ignored me.

In today’s world, if you’re not plugged into the matrix, you pretty much don’t exist. It’s a red flag if ppl can’t find social media on you. YouTube commentary videos don’t even introduce players in drama because they assume you already know who they’re talking about for some reason. I’m expected to know all the latest tik tok influencers and streamers and podcasters and all the other mundane morons taking up space online. Why? Why do I need to know any of them just to keep up? Truly? Why?

Meanwhile, no one knows how our government work to organize effectively (looking at the faux “pro Palestine” ppl protesting the dnc without any fucking real plan all while ignoring that three of the most progressive and pro Palestinian representatives were up for reelection and let two of them LOSE their reelection bid, pulling more pro Palestinian voices away from congress; as well as ANYONE telling people to not vote or vote third party in November), no one seems to care that we’re living through a major environmental catastrophe, NO ONE READS, art is literally dying thanks to corporate greed, men are gearing up for a major anti feminist backlash that I’m afraid no woman under 30 is quite prepared to fight against, and no one can afford to live a happy and comfortable life.

But I have to care about stupid influencers being stupid online for stupid amounts of money because everyone is chasing a bag instead of working to make the world a better place.

I’m genuinely hitting a limit. Not in the manosphere way, but I’m seriously taking the red pill and getting the fuck out. This online world is just so bleak and miserable. I can’t deal with this shit anymore. It’s burning me out and I’m exhausted by it all. I genuinely just need out. Completely and fully. I’m so completely done.

[chalterdh22]

Chapter 53: Is This the End?

This is the final chapter of this story. I truly love these characters and will hopefully continue writing adventures for them. Thanks for everyone that stayed with this story! This is the way!

We went to talk to the Armorer.  After explaining what we wanted, she asked Din to remove his helmet for her, so she could look upon his face as a new man.  She seemed quite pleased with our decision and helped us settle into our new quarters.

Grogu also seemed excited, although we weren’t sure he fully understood everything.  But for him, life was a rollercoaster, so most things were fun to him. 

I let my mom know what was going on, and she also seemed more pleased than usual.  She even wanted to come and visit!  Come to find out, she sold the ship we gave her for a ton of credits.  She paid everything off and was able to work when she wanted to, not that she had too.

Greef was happy for us too, although he said he would miss having the reinforcements readily available.  We were still allowed to go help fight when absolutely necessary, so he seemed content with that.

After deciding to become a clan of three, we had our vows down by the living waters.  I didn’t know 90% of the people that attended, but at that moment, when we said our vows, Din officially removed his helmet in front of everyone to kiss me and seal our relationship.  It was at that time I met Bo Katan, who I knew a lot from others’ stories.

She was very stoic like the rest of the Mandalorians, but seemed genuinely happy for us, as was everyone else.  Mom was able to make it in and a few other of Din’s friends came as well.

He introduced me to Cara Dune, Fennec and Bobo Fett, amongst others.  They seemed so happy for him, and he walked around with the biggest smile on his face as he greeted everyone and introduced me.

We were allowed to take a post marital vacation, just Din and me.  We went back to Naboo, just the two of us. 

It was a week of indescribable feelings, intimacy, and love for each other.  I wouldn’t have had a more amazing time if I hand wrote it out myself.  Truly, there are no words.  We were on cloud nine and nothing could ruin this bond between us.

After returning from paradise, I was also recruited to be a teacher of sorts, with apprentices.  Mine were to work with the older ones though, to help them read their environments, fight and be proactive in every way possible.  It was amazing to see these kids grow!  Grogu would eventually be in my class, so that will be special.

Din ended up being one of the most beloved trainers in all of Mandalore.  He did work with everyone to be able to take apprentices out on little adventures with him that he was permitted to do.  He also worked with the Republic on one off situations, and not as a hired hand under the table.

We still didn’t know who was going after Grogu’s blood, but like the Armorer said, it didn’t really matter because there would always be people from the Empire still trying to unlock Jedi secrets.

Grogu ended up being a big brother to our new addition.  We had a girl and named her Dyna.  Very early on, she and I had a bond, so I knew she had abilities like my own.  We talked at length about sending her over to Luke to be trained as a Jedi.  We still haven’t made that decision, but we do plan on making that trip to Yavin to discuss options.  We knew what it would mean for us, to give up our daughter, and I wasn’t ready to make that decision.  Din understood.

I would like to say after all this, we lived happily ever after, but that’s not even close to the truth.  The truth is we had many more obstacles to face, loss to endure and frustrations to overcome.  But one thing I can say is that we couldn’t have done it alone and we were glad we had such a family to lean on.  Without them, our outcomes would be different. 

What will our next adventure be with a toddler son and less than one year old to raise up?  I can say that Din is an amazing father and an even better husband.  All that story can be for another day.  Until then, may the force be with you.

[pillowspace]

I had a weird dream about Sun and Moon. I think I sent this to someone else in their ask box thinking it was you ack aisbiffj anyways, here you go, feeding this to you

I was interning at the school I work in yes, but there were some new assistant hires. For context, the school I work in is very small and remote and ranges from grade Pre-k 3 to 8th. At most i think theres about.. 250 students max. This school was mainly for those kids that live out in the ranch and hard to reach places (in the middle of nowhere technically). Even the decore is hard-core western. Pretty cute, I love it. Anyways

I was told by my boss to introduce myself and to let them know that if they needed any help with technology, that I could help them. So I went to the library because that's where they were

Well lo and behold, I enter and I see Sun and Moon standing there talking with the librarian and Principal about their skills and how they were so excited to be able to help around the school. Obviously I'm flabbergasted because this wasn't what I expected. But the Principal explained to me that due to the Pizzaplex shutting down, they wanted to still put their animatronics to use, so they were being transferred across the U.S. in different areas where help was needed.

I found that odd since our school was small and not as chaotic as the city ones. But I can't exactly explain that.

Well time passes and I took it upon myself to learn about the animatronics just in case they need any repairs since I work as a technician. In order to do this, I had to constantly be hanging around Sun and Moon who mostly helped with the younger kids. We ended up bonding a lot.

A bit more time passes and I hear there's a new hire, a custodian. I like hanging out with the custodians so I decide to go introduce myself. This guy was weird and I immediately knew something was off with him. Nonetheless I was polite but I kept my eye on him. I noticed that Sun and Moon didn't like him.

More time passes and suddenly a bunch of staff members go missing. Despite the wide searches, no one has been able to find them. One day when I was making my rounds to see what needed fixing, I saw the strange guy in an unused classroom opening a door that wasn't there before. I was shocked to see that he had tossed one of my coworkers who was unconscious in there. Upon taking a closer look, I saw that inside were all of the missing staff members.

I went to call for help and saw Sun and Moon down the hallway, but before I could call out to them, I was knocked out by the strange guy. (I should mention he was purple)

The scene cuts to Sun and Moon who have been apparently looking for me. They had a worried look and looked as if they needed to say something that was bothering them. Then they came across the strange man down the hallway.

There was a whole confrontation between the three, who obviously knew each other.

All I remember is Sun whisper shouting "We don't want to be part of your plan anymore!" And Moon asking, "Where did you hide the bodies?"

I can't remember what happened but it was very intense as they had fought the guy (who was some sort of undead using some body).

In the end Sun and Moon managed to free us who were trapped and got the strange guy arrested.

About a week later, the school was having a celebration in thanks to Sun and Moon for protecting their staff and students. I was happy got them, but my shift had ended already and I needed to leave.

As I was passing by them to head out, they stopped me. (They called me Y/N)

They ended up saying that they liked me and wanted to get to know me better and proposed with a ring pop to start dating (cute honestly)

I think I said yes? I woke up after. And now I'm telling you this dream, and now I'm asking if I should make this an AU

THAT'S SUCH A COOL DREAMMM. The best dreams you can get are the consistent story ones, fr. You go to sleep and have a whole story unfold before your very eyes that you get to live out then be excited over after you wake up. I love those so much. This is what I do when I get one of those, I have to ramble paragraphs about it or I'll combust

"(I should mention he was purple)" YEAH, YOU SHOULD LMAO

"(They called me Y/N)" like the whole letters akfjgjd??? We're all Y/N at heart

AWWW THEY PROPOSED WITH A RING POP? That's so sweet

That is so good, I adore this so much. You had such a great dream

[rhaemaya-valwynn]

Don’t Settle for Less- 6taro/Star Platinum and Jolyne/Stone Free

Wrote quick fic that takes place way later in my fanfic- Void Walker. This deals with 6taro and Jolyne re-bonding after surviving the events of Made in Heaven. Their Stands are fully sentient and Star Platinum goes by She/her due to my personal head-canon that Jotaro values the women in his life greatly (mom, ex-wife and daughter) therefore his Stand goes by feminine pronouns.

This deals with time shenanigans and everyone is alive sort of deal.

Small CW of bad boss who treats his employees bad, other than that, mostly just soft caring bonding time.

about 2.1k words.

It was two-thirty pm on a Thursday night. Jolyne had a few weeks off while Gloria's restaurant was being cleaned and refurbished from the fire Anasui started and that Weather put out. It was a rainy day, so Jolyne decided to hang around her father's house as he worked in his office, texting her mom that she'd see her tomorrow afternoon. Jotaro was neck-deep in his paperwork, having missed several months of research due to having Star and his memories removed. Apparently, his boss was on his ass due to how much time was lost from his absence. Not even the Speedwagon Foundation could smooth it over due to how big of a prick he was.

Jolyne and Stone Free were mildly impressed. Someone that wasn't afraid of her terrifying behemoth of a father and his unwavering stubbornness? Impressive, but less fun and kooky than Synth. Much Less. Stone Free mentioned that Star Platinum could have easily broken the man's bones like a toothpick. Star didn't like that suggestion but agreed that this man had been awful since Jotaro met him. They laughed at the time, remarking about how the world was full of dense morons who couldn't tell they were close to getting their knees kicked in by an invisible spirit.

Still, Jolyne felt irked watching her dad get hounded, especially after everything that happened. Stone Free felt the same, complaining to her till she finally confronted Jotaro the previous night. They argued, though argue was a strong word. Neither had raised their voice, and Jolyne didn't get into his face like she used to. They had both talked calmly and reasonably for once, though Jolyne did vent some of her frustrations to her dad. "It's not fair to you, dad." she had stated, folding her arms as Stone Free nodded beside her.

"Life isn't fair, Jolyne," Jotaro hummed sadly.

Star, Stone, and Jolyne wrinkled their noses at that, all agreeing that it was a poor excuse. They then threw what Synth had said at him like a live grenade, "And that is not a reason it should ever be accepted. We can choose to change our world, and this should be one of the things changed."

"Give me a break," Jotaro had murmured before saying, "Let me think on it for a bit."

Jolyne was playing 'Go Fish' with Stone Free and Star Platinum as her dad worked in the office room down the hallway. Star could finally move past her two-meter limit and maintain form for about an hour or two. She was vicious at this game, somehow able to guess what cards were what with just a glance-

"You're cheating, aren't you?" Jolyne suddenly muttered, tossing another five at Star Platinum, who was smiling a bit too wide.

"No!" she defended, "I would never cheat!"

Stone Free rolled her eyes and looked at Jolyne, "She's watching the textures to the cards. Probably memorized them since these are Polnareff's from when Jotaro went to Egypt." Star blushed several shades of fuchsia at that and suddenly started averting her eyes. "See, told you," Stone Free clicked her tongue twice before reaching over and snagging an ace from Star's hands. "Don't worry. Two can play at that game."

Harrumphing, Star stuck her tongue out and snatched a card from Stone Free's hands. Jolyne chuckled as they both began carefully fighting over the cards, tossing her hand down once they started to wrestle gently. She would have quickly joined in if she knew she wouldn't phase through Star and hit the ground like a sack of potatoes, given the nature of Stands and all. But the feeling of something large grabbing her while not physically being touched left her feeling awkward.

Still, Jolyne watched the entertainment as mother and daughter played together. A wide smile framed her face before she was pushed to the ground as Star Platinum pinned Stone Free effortlessly. Jolyne's Stand struggled for a minute, trying to get the upper hand, but Star was quicker and stronger than her, deflecting the attacks like they were nothing. 'Stone, you're not going to outpower her!' Jolyne shot across their mental link, 'You need to use your strengths against hers!'

'And what do you think I should do? Turn into string and net her-?' Stone Free fell silent before a soft 'Oh' rang out. Stone Free's body dispelled instantly, causing Star Platinum to crash into the ground. Stone Free maneuvered her string body within seconds into a tightly knitted trap, ensnaring Star Platinum. Looking around wildly, it took her a moment before realizing she couldn't move. Grunting, Star squirmed about on the floor like a caught fish.

Jolyne laughed and went to make a snarky remark when there came a loud crash from down the hallway. Everyone froze and slowly looked over to see Jotaro face fist on the ground, halfway out of the office doorway. "Jolyne...." came a muffled groan from the man, "Please let Star go. I'm on the phone in here...."

Gulping loudly, Jolyne reached over and tugged on the stunned Stone Free, who quickly unraveled and released the larger, more purple Stand before reforming into her more solid state. Jotaro grunted at the release of pressure and slowly clambered upward like a rising mountain. Ready for him to scold her as he usually did, Jolyne was shocked when all he did was turn around and go back into his office with sagging shoulders and tired lifeless-looking eyes.

"Jesus, that man really is taking the piss out of him," Jolyne murmured. Stone Free nodded in agreement before bending down to help Star up, who seemed suddenly melancholic. "Is it that bad?" she inquired to the great Stand.

Star refused to say anything, watching the door Jotaro closed with a haunting look, clearly in tune with her user. Jolyne harrumphed and folded her arms but said nothing. Though inside, she wanted to throttle the leech of a man and yank her dad free of his hold.

But this wasn't her fight. If her dad were so determined to keep this job, it would take an act of God himself to pry him from his chosen course. Still, she debated calling her ace up her sleeve to sway her father into being... less stressed. Especially after everything that happened

                                                   ---------------   Quietly pulling the door shut, Jotaro returned to his desk and took a deep breath before picking up the white phone again. "I'm back. My apologies for that." Sitting in the chair, he tried to relax into the leather but found himself sitting straight up and picking at a small nick in the wood of his desk. A bad nervous habit he was picking up after the Pucci incident.

"What was that all about?" his boss growled, seeming even more irritated than before.

"Just my daughter roughhousing in the next room-" Jotaro explained.

"Your daughter? What is she doing over there? Isn't your bond in the trash can?" Matthew grumbled, the sound of something tossed in a metal bin reverberating through the phone. Jotaro wrinkled his nose. Clearly his boss was day drinking again. Star's irritation matched his own, but he could feel her thoughts suggesting to explain further, hoping to make his boss understand the situation or somehow read the room better.

Jotaro obliged to his Stand's suggestion, "Yes, we've just been working on our....relationship a bit." Looking over at his fish tank, he watched the tropical angel fish dart to and fro in the aquarium. Perhaps reading his agitation, Jotaro suppressed a 'good grief.'

"Ain't you a bit late for that?" his boss laughed dryly, making Jotaro grit his teeth in anger. Star prickled like a rising mother bear on the other end of his subconscious, fury coursing through her mind and comingling with his own.

Jotaro had wanted this job ever since he was a teenager. It was the highest-paying job for his specialty, with many world-renowned marine biologists hailing from them. It was his dream to be here. Funny how dreams can become nightmares. Even though he had made a name for himself in his research on whales and sharks, his boss Matthew fought him every bit of the way. Mocking, bickering, belittling, sabotaging. The piece of shit had done it all. They butted heads so often that most people fled when either of them were in close proximity. It was only in recent years that Jotaro mellowed enough not to rise to the bait every time Matthew tried to crawl under his skin.

Or maybe it was just the depression kicking him into the dirt, as Synth explained.

But right now, his anger was flaring to life like he was seventeen again. It wasn't so much the jab at his poor parenting skills that was gutting him, but more so that indication of him trying to mend the rift he caused was a worthy enough reason to laugh. Jotaro tried to calm himself, repeatedly counting the fish in the tank till his blood began to cool off. That's when he heard Jolyne ask Star, "Is dad going to be okay?"

His anger boiled over, causing him to snap like a rope pulled too taut.

Suddenly standing up, causing his chair to tip over as he rose, Jotaro tutted loudly and glared at his wall full of awards and achievements. Once, they were a source of pride and accomplishment. Now, they mocked him for time wasted.

"Don't settle for less," Synth had said once.

Matthew was still talking on the other side, blabbering on about how his kids were ungrateful little shits, utterly ignorant to Jotaro's wroth.

"I quit."

"What?" Matthew sputtered in shock. The sound of him dropping something, probably another can of booze, was loud and clear as day.

Jotaro stood there for a second, stunned at his own words, before they settled on him like a metal coat of armor. "I quit." he reaffirmed with more confidence.

"You can't-"

"I can, and I am." Jotaro eyed the Speedwagon Foundation's number with a hungry look. "Good grief, I've had enough of you. Finish the job yourself. I've got better things to do." Slamming the phone onto the receiver with a flourish before Matthew could say anything more. Jotaro put both his hands on his desk and breathed deeply. Star was buzzing on the other end of his mind, practically cheering at him.

He shook slightly for a second, letting the thrill of being free fill him up to the brim. Snatching the phone again, Jotaro dialed the number he knew by heart. It rang once before it was answered. "Dr.Kujo! What can we do for you?" Serenity answered. Her voice had never sounded so good before.

"I just quit my job and need a new one. Is that offer from before still available?" he calmly asked. The Speedwagon Foundation had wanted him for years, practically rolling over and begging him to join them. He knew they'd jumped at the opportunity to have the strongest Stand user fully employed under them. Hell, he was sure he could ask for a raise if he really wanted one.

Serenity gasped and fumbled with the phone, clearly astonished. "Y-yes! of course, Dr.Kujo! Shall I compile the applications- er- the jobs we have available for you?" She was floundering, clearly scrambling, but he didn't care.

"Yes, that would be great. Send them to my email, and I will respond by tonight." Jotaro reached down and grabbed his chair, hauling it back upward.

"Ye-yes, of course! I will send them immediately!" Serenity was practically abuzz.

"Thank you." and with that, he hung up. Sitting down in his chair, Jotaro pulled his hat off, ran a hand through his hair, and stared up at the ceiling as he reclined backward. "Shit, that felt good," he murmured before looking over at the door and the hushed whispers leaking down the hallway. "Mmmm."

Standing up, Jotaro readjusted his hat and exited his office. Jolyne and Stone Free were trying to pry information out of Star Platinum, who was practically dancing in place. His daughter looked up at him with worry and a bit of trepidation. "Do you remember the number for that Chinese takeout joint you like?" Jotaro asked. Jolyne nodded dumbly, clearly confused. "Good, I just quit my job, and I believe that requires a good meal in celebration."

The way her and Stone Free's eyes lit up in delight, both of them bolting upright and racing off to grab the phone in the kitchen, was something he'd never forget, a memory ingrained in the back of his eyelids to combat even the worst of days.

[nellie-elizabeth]

The Handmaid's Tale: No Man’s Land (5x07)

Okay, let's not waste any time, and dive right in!

Cons:

I detected this odd whiff of... conservativism to today's episode? I don't entirely know where I'm going with this so hold on while I think it through... but basically June's speech to Serena about how her baby belongs with her was all very... biological determinism-y. Serena is the only face and smell and person that Noah knows. He came from her. They belong together. I don't know, it just suddenly struck me how sinister this show is about having the villainous bad crowd specifically be people who are adopting-by-force, while the good, right, moral thing is always for a baby to stay with its birthmother. Obviously within the context of the show, Gilead's actions are monstrous, and no child should be ripped away from its family in that manner. But adoption writ large isn't a moral evil, and this episode made me kind of feel like they were implying that? Am I being too sensitive to this? I don't know...

I'm about to pay a lot of compliments to the characterization and performance of our two leading ladies, but I do want to reiterate a point I've made before and I'm sure I'll make again, which is that both of these women have been historically protected by their whiteness, and they continue to be so. Serena is a rapist and slavery apologist among other vile crimes. June is able to get away with her (completely justified) defiance in part because she is a white, straight woman. It's a refrain I want to keep saying because this show is so focused on its political message, it so clearly wants to be read as commentary on our current moment, and yet it often misses some of the biggest, most obvious areas of intersectionality in its storytelling.

Pros:

But okay. Setting that aside for a moment, just in terms of a raw, real, performance-based review... this episode went hard, and I was riveted every second. The bond between Serena and June is enormously twisted, and to be clear, June is 100% Serena's victim in the larger sense. Even now, even with June having killed Fred, the power has always been Serena's, she has always been the one to perpetrate huge crimes against June's person. And yet... and yet, June is strong, and vindictive, and has a mean streak, June spent this episode with Serena entirely at her mercy once Serena's labor really got going. And in the end, June, unwittingly, led Serena right into a trap. There is no clear cut way to talk about this relationship. There is, in my opinion, a clear bad guy and good guy, but that doesn't mean all of the murkiness goes away.

The Handmaid's Tale can often be really over the top, in a lot of obvious ways, but I appreciated the restraint and the ambiguity that this episode left on the table. My favorite moment was probably Serena asking June why she hadn't killed her when she had a chance during one of the protests at the Gilead Cultural Center. "Why Fred, and not me?" she asks. June's answer: "I didn't want to." There is no larger explanation. There couldn't be. Her hatred for Serena is real, and serious, and the harm she did was extreme. But they are together the victims of Fred Waterford, and that's real too. There's a brief moment in the flashback where we see a Handmaid's birthing ceremony, where June and Serena share a moment of solidarity over the silliness of the ritual, the way the prospective "mother" fakes her labor pains along with the Handmaid. There is something between these two women, these women who are both clever, smarter than the men they ended up with, and you can see that solidarity peaking through all the rest of the trauma.

And at this point, what does it matter? Serena is alone, she's run away from the protection of both Canada and now Gilead. She has her son and that is all. June killed Fred. June saved Serena and Noah. There are no cosmic scales to balance these actions on.

Another moment of subtlety that I enjoyed was when June is holding the newborn in her arms, and Serena is asking if he's okay. There's this moment, just a flicker of one, where you think: June could do anything right now. She could kill Serena, she could kill the baby, she could run off with the baby and leave Serena to die alone... but you don't really fear that she'll do it. It's like you can see June think it and discard the thought, all without a word being said.

I also like that Serena is baffled and overwhelmed by new motherhood, frightened by the hospital setting, the sterility of it, but taking comfort in June's reassurances. Is Serena going to understand that it wasn't June who betrayed her? She calls for her help in the end, but when she has a chance to think it through, will she understand that it was Luke, and not June, who decided to have her arrested and separated from Noah? This is a great tension to carry forward.

I could go on about the little moments that I thought were interesting and enjoyable. I liked Serena turning to the bible and thinking of herself as giving up baby Moses for June. I like June's explanation that she was treated as nothing more than a vessel for God's plan, and that she will not take Serena's baby and leave her to die, perpetuating that awful cycle. She's not saving Serena for Serena, who June believes deserves to die. She's saving her for a higher purpose. I also liked this small moment where Serena rolled her eyes at the hospital for giving her antibiotics. A little reminder of the anti-science ideology behind Gilead's evangelism. Ditto with the "evolution" moment, where June brought it up and Serena seemed openly amused that she would consider such a thing to be true.

So that's that. As we end the episode, Serena is being taken to a detention center, and her child is going into the system. I genuinely have no idea what's going to happen from here! Will June be mad at Luke for what he did, even though it makes perfect sense for him to have done it? We'll find out!

9/10

[ivy-and-ivory]

[person who knows exactly how romcoms end] and then what happened with Robert and Mark?????

(Guessing you meant Robert & Josh :D)

So Robert tells Josh his tale of woe, and the whole time Josh is looking increasingly torn between stunned and horrified. Robert (who’s lowkey oblivious and not always great at reading people) assumes this is because he’s Totally Winning and Josh is realizing Robert was absolutely right to say his week has been worse. He finishes the story and goes like ahha! See, what did I tell you? Now where’s my prize? And Josh just starts. Laughing. But like kind of uncontrollably. The flight attendants are looking over trying to figure out if they’ve been trained for this. Robert is torn between being offended and worrying that this man is having a legitimate mental breakdown.

Eventually Josh calms down enough to apologize and explains to Robert the reason he reacted like that is because his week was. The same. Like aside from minor details, almost beat for beat that same stuff went down. He walks Robert through the details of his breakup with Holly, and by the end both of them are laughing because seriously, how much more ridiculous can this whole situation get?

(Putting the rest under a read more because this got long oops lmao)

They still bicker for a little while over who had it worse (Robert: okay but it was On Our Anniversary for me. Josh: I was literally two seconds from getting on one knee. The ring was in my pocket. At least you weren’t planning to propose until later that night!) Eventually they decide to just buy each other a glass, and right as they’re finishing up - the plane lands.

They’re both surprised - it feels like the flight flew by (pun intended XD). Josh thanks Robert, because he was expecting the flight to be miserable and lonely but commiserating with Robert has actually made him feel a lot better. Robert says something cheeky like glad my suffering could be of some use, and Josh rolls his eyes because he’s already getting used to Robert just being Like This.

They get off the plane, and Josh almost asks Robert if he wants to grab a last drink at the airport bar - but his phone is getting flooded with all the messages from concerned relatives he missed when he was in the air, and he gets distracted. When he looks up, Robert is gone.

Josh goes home and doesn’t think anything of it. Robert was a pleasantly bizarre end to a terribly bizarre week, but they’re in New York now. What are the chances he’ll ever see him again?

As it turns out, very high. Suddenly Josh is running into Robert Everywhere. Their workplaces are collaborating on something and the two of them get assigned to work together. Josh goes for a walk and Robert happens to be at the same park. Both of them are clearly confused and astonished as to why this keeps happening, but every time it happens they talk for a little and maybe grab some coffee. After the work thing, they exchange numbers.

Thus begins the part of the movie where they bond - they go on walks and one night when they stay late at the office they order food and eat together. One of them has a late night emergency (maybe the fire alarm goes off at their apartment or they can’t stay there for whatever reason) and their Only Option is to stay with the other for a night.

They have a long conversation about what went down with their exes - more serious this time. Josh confides his fear that if he couldn’t make it work with Holly, he’ll never be able to make it work with anyone. Robert responds by saying that he knows he isn’t great with people - Elizabeth was the only person who ever seemed to understand and not just tolerate him, until - never mind. What, no it’s nothing, really, just ignore him.

Because I’m not a fan of stories that throw the ex-girlfriend under the bus for the sake of the queer romance, Holly and Elizabeth’s decisions are never framed as evil or cruel. The guys are genuinely understanding of why they ended things, and, at the end of the day they are glad they figured out the relationship wasn’t working before they got married. They’re hurt, yes, and probably a little angry at times, but the movie never villainizes the women for backing out of a relationship that was not going to make them happy, once they realized that’s where things were going. (Also in this story nothing happened between the exes and the Good Hallmark Guys until stuff was officially ended with Robert and Josh. Because this is MY ridiculously self-indulgent romcom and I do what I want.) At some point Holly comes back to NY to collect all her things and officially move out, and she and Josh have a heartfelt conversation about their relationship and the way neither of them were ever really honest with each other about the ways it wasn’t working. Holly apologizes again for hurting Josh, and Josh wishes her the best.

I don’t know how Robert and Josh actually end up getting together yet, but suffice it to say that (after a lot of bonding, getting over the exes, and slow burn pining) they do.

Tldr: they fall in love.