#and phoenix just hates Jake because he hurt her best friend when he needed him most

[multishippinghussy]

Script reveal brainrot incoming:

It's a fairly common theme in fics that Hangman is a complete ass with the Mav and Rooster history reveal because he wants to keep Rooster safe and off the suicide mission of Doom. Right?

And now, thanks to the script, we know Rooster and Hangman have a history to the point Rooster gave him his callsign.

Thus, my new headcanon. They are exes for sure. Things ended the first time, because God forbid any person in this universe not be emotionally constipated, and Jake was trying to protect Bradley.

Maybe it was after an accident Bradley got into trying to cover Jake's back, because Brad Brad is all too willing to die for someone else. Instead of sticking with his wingman, Jake breaks things off, not because he doesn't love him, but because he can't be a reason for Bradley to sacrifice himself. After that, he starts verbally picking at him because he wants Rooster to hate him, so then maybe he won't die for him.

And Rooster, still recovering, thinks Jake just left him hanging, because he never really cared. Or that he disappointed him because he wasn't good enough.

In the end we have dickhead Jake that only cares about himself, even though he clearly cares about Rooster (I will die on this hill). And hesitant Rooster, because the one time he lowered his walls, took a chance and didn't over think, he got hurt again.

[callsigns-haze]

Pretty like a crime

Chapter 12

Pairing: Agent Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x Singlemom! Agent Y/n 'Cobra' Y/l/n

Summary: Cobra is finally back on the agency and is finally back in the job. With Kai at home she has to jumble being a mother and a agent. She's sent to her first U.C mission but never thought that she would meet a blonde, green eyed Texan...

Warning: Mentions of gun use, ptsd, mentions of death, mentions of shooting, flirting, mentions of abuse, description of dead body, death, blood, undercover work, alcohol use, smut, kissing

Prologue/ Part 1/ Part 2/Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5/ Part 6/ Part 7/ Part 8/ Part 9/ Part 10/ Part 11

You held him in your arms. Funerals. You hated them but at this point you've built up an immune system to the tears and pain. On the outside of course, never the inside. Your arm was wrapped around Jake's waist and you put your head on his shoulder. You looked down at the ground.

Javy.

You see, Jake loved Javy like a brother. You know? Hangman and coyote the ultimate duo. Yep, that was them, that was the two lads we were talking about. They knew that one day they'd be gone but never expected it so soon. Jake also felt guilty. He brought Javy out that night to seek satisfaction in revenge upon Matthew and yet that cost him Coyotes and Justin's life along with Matt's.

You stayed there a little bit after everyone walked away. Jake needed his moment. Honestly, how do you say goodbye, to someone who's been with you for your goddamn life. Who gave you some of the best laughs of your life and flashes a smile when he looks at yours. Jake never wanted this to end, Coyote was one of his closest friends.

Along with Bob. Bob and Hangman were rough but never strangers. He was like a younger brother to Jake, always there if he needed a hand, always helping him hunt someone down. Calling him a baby or dummy was a way of expressing his love because he expressed it through his cockiness and Bob knew that, he always did.

Phoenix. She was the 'man'. Jake always teased her about running as fast as she could but she only wanted to prove that she could be as fast as a man. And Jake was so sick of men coming at her again, because if she was a man, she'd be a man.

Fanboy, he was sweet like candy, in his veins. Surrounded by all the horrible things of the day. He was like lightning in a bottle, happiness never leaving because it was all that he thought of. All he did was strike people with the heart of electric love. He strikes with that electric love.

Payback, he was calm. His eyes are godlike and voice and tone approved. He was patient and timing with a bunch of happiness underneath the prince-like features. He was composed but with Jake he was wild.

Jake loved each one of them. They were his family. And now they were all in the stars. The six feet made it feel so far. Jake felt alone between the heavens and the embers. Oh, it just crushes him so hard, stabbed him like a knife in the back for a million different reasons. They built and shaped his heart and now a part forever stopped beating.

You whatsoever love the daggers equally as much but one man today had a special feeling upon you. Justin. He was your brother. Your love for him beats deeper than the ink of your matching tattoos. You both went through similar trauma and that's the truth. You may have grown apart, lived different lives but heaven only knew that somehow you'd find your way back to him.

And Matthew. He may have been your ex but still. He was the man that rocked your world solid while it lasted. He was the love of your life or what you thought he'd be but not anymore. It still hurts for a million different reasons, he was the light in the dark and now it suddenly dims. He took a piece of your life and now you stay here not knowing how to respond honestly.

You allow Jake to have a moment and walk over to Bradley and your little boy. As soon as Kai notices you walking over, he speeds out of Bradley's reach and runs to you. You grab him mid flight and lift him up into your arms, placing him upon your hip. You give him a delicate kiss on his forehead and walk back over to Bradley.

"Is Jake okay?" Asked Bradley, he worry about his only friend who managed to survive this murder attempt. You look over where your boyfriend stands and simply sigh. You didn't know what was going to happen from now on. There was nothing left for you here, no proof about your past existence and no survivors to tell on your tale.

Kai rests his head in the croak of your neck as you rub his back up and down and finally answer Bradley's question. "Honestly, only time will tell."

He simply nodded and asked, "And you?"

"I'll be fine." You will be fine, with time obviously. You just needed time like every normal person would.

You all stand in silence until Kai lets out a little pep in your ear, a sort of whisper, is a better way of describing it. "Can I go to Jakey? He seems sad, I don't wanna see Jakey sad."

You tried to stop your tears from welling up in your eyes and you kissed your son's forehead and nodded a simple yes and put him down on the ground. The second those little booties collided with the ground those feet took off in Jake's direction. God bless for your boys.

-------

You have just placed your son in bed and tucked his covers up tight to his chin. The two of you were telling stories, just like every single night. It was a story followed by a melodic bedtime song. You have just sang the last note as Alfie strides in with his golden fluff, slipping across the floor like a mop. You give him the lightest rubs as he gets up onto Kai's leg bed space.

You know Kai is a comfort now. He has the best guard to watch now and you could finally take two steps back before closing the door.

Jake decided to go to Javy's place to just get some last things and say a last proper good, goodbye. You knew it was a while till he would get your plans done and dusted and Bradley still was coming up to collect work papers soon.

All you have to do now is wait. Rest and wait, that's all you got to do now. You slide down to the couch with a bottle of wine in hand. You weren't even bothered to get glasses for this, you were drinking it damn straight from the bottle. You needed it for after today and the night that only sparked.

You needed to stop that November flash as it filled your eyes once again. It was like a cure. This place was once a madhouse, decking the halls with light and life. One for friendship, two for love, three for you never letting go. But too bad you're messed up in the head, nobody would even notice you're dead.

You lie there for a while, half a bottle done. How did you feel? You felt like you were going to die. You rolled your head back on the couch. Bradley would be here soon and you were far from sobber. You lay like that for a while longer, eyes closed and head tilted up to the ceiling as your last breath was long and clean before a rag covered your mouth and nose with a hand over your eyes.

Current taglist:

@callsign-magnolia

@shanimallina87

@callsign-dexter

@rosiahills22

@horseslovers2016

@djs8891

@hookslove1592

@emma8895eb

@hardballoonlove

@kmc1989

@dempy

@mamachasesmayhem

@senawashere

@emma8895eb

@buckysteveloki-me

@sweetwhispersofchaos

@a-beaverhausen

@itsmytimetoodream

@jessicab1991

[casparscunttt16]

What it’s like to date…

Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw | Dating Head Canons

warnings: None pretty fluffy for the most part.

Summary: What I think it’ll be like dating Rooster :)

* He is extremely protective of you, he protects you like his life depends on it even though he’s well aware you’re able to protect yourself. He’ll practically go to war to protect you. He doesn’t want you to get hurt.

* He’s big on PDA he loves to show you off and let everyone in the whole world basically know that you’re his gorgeous girlfriend. He has no shame in publicly showing affection towards you.

* Hangman (Jake) teases him all of the time saying that he’s acting like a teenage girl in love for the first time because you quite literally have him wrapped around your finger and everyone knows it.

* When Bradley isn’t there to be your protector Jake will, as much he’s an asshole Jake really cares about you. He sees you as the sister he doesn’t have and always has an eye out on you when you go out somewhere with him. Bradley much appreciates this.

* You and Phoenix (Natasha) are very close! You guys met and became best friends almost instantly, you guys gang up on hangman for the fun of it.

* Bradley getting jealous when guys flirt with you and offer to buy you drinks at the bar. When he’s jealous he’s very handsy, he’ll touch you any and everywhere to make it known that you’re with him.

* You’re his motivation. When something becomes difficult and he doesn’t want to follow through anymore the thought of you motivates him to do better and get that thing done.

*You both were academic rivals before you two began dating. You both would constantly strive to be better than the other, no matter the circumstance. Let’s not start on that endless arguing. You and your now-current-boyfriend used bicker over stupid shit.

* Maverick being the reasoning you guys got together officially, you two absolutely hated each other with a burning passion and Mav got sick of the arguing and forced the two of you to talk it out. Come to find out you both liked each other and boom now you’re inseparable.

* “Those two need to stop arguing and just fuck it out” Phoenix complains rolling her eyes. “Agreed” Bob says nodding his head.

* Lots of angry hate sex before the confirmed relationship.

* Depending on the mood he’s in he could either fuck you like he hates you or make love to you, he never used to settle down so making love was rare for him until he fell in love with you.

* He said I love you first, you and him were arguing about something stupid. “Y/n this is fucking stupid I love you and I would never forgive myself for losing you, can we please talk about this?”. You smiled and kissed him and said it back.

* While making love to you he’s gentle and sweet, there’s lots of kissing and sweet nothings being whispered into your ear. He’s assures you he thinks you’re beautiful and that there’s nothing to be shy or embarrassed about.

* He calls you cute pet names like babe, baby, honey, sweetheart, darling & love.

* He absolutely adores you, you can do no wrong in his eyes. He admires your openness and your ability to care for others, he loves that you’re genuine, caring, funny, sweet and generous. He’s in love with your personality and just everything about you.

* He always talks about you, he tells Rueben, Jake and Mickey about how much he cares about you and they jokingly tease him about it.

* Maverick knew from the start that you two were meant to be, he called it way before Phoenix and Hangman did.

* Phoenix and Hangman made a bet about you two getting together.

* Natasha and Jake watched as Bradley and Y/n were on the beach, Bradley picked up Y/n as she wrapped her legs around his torso, he spun her around as she started giggling “Stop! Put me down” She smiles. “How much do you wanna bet that they’re going to get together?” Natasha says looking up at Jake. “Mmm $50 I doubt they would”

* And behold a month later you and Bradley announced you were officially dating, Natasha’s eyes lit up as she turned to Jake. “What’d I say?” She says in a tone of excitement. “Hand over the money bitch” she laughs “Oh fuck you” he says throwing the money at her before then flicking her nose.

* You like to tease him in public when you’re bored, you love watching him get more and more turned on as you pretend you’ve done nothing and don’t what you’re doing.

* He likes.. no loves leaving hickies and love bites on you. After sex you’ll wake up the next morning with hickies on your thighs, neck, breasts, and stomach. He’s also very vocal during sex, he wants you to know how good you make him feel.

*He loves when you’re loud he loves knowing that only he can make love to you that good, only he can make you cum hard, on he can make your body shutter and crave his touch.

*He finds it so attractive when you express your jealousy. He loves when you get rowdy, when another girl is flirting with him. Speaking of he’s extremely loyal, he always shuts down other girls who flirt with him. He loves telling you about it to irritate you.

* Y/n watched from across the bar as a girl continued to smile and twirl her hair whilst talking to her boyfriend as Natasha tried calming down her best friend. “Fuck this” I say placing my drink down. I walk towards them “Hey babe” I say hugging Bradley from the side. “Hey b-” I cut him off with a kiss without thinking. I slide my hands down his body then pulling him closer deepening the kiss. She stops and glares at the girl. “Leave” She says coldly, the girl awkwardly walks away leaving Y/n with her boyfriend. “That was kind of hot” Rooster mumbled.

* Everyone rooting for the two of you and wanting you two to get married.

* Bradley takes you to get you hair and nails done, and takes you out to an amazing restaurant to go eat and then ends the night off with a walk on the beach. As you’re walking you see rose petals up on the beach you’re confused nonetheless, but continue walking hand-in-hand with your boyfriend. You look up at the night sky listening to the sound on the oceans waves crashing you look at your boyfriend to see him down on one knee.

* “Y/n L/n will you make me the luckiest man on earth and be my wife? I’ve been in love with you since the day i’ve met you and I want you as my wife. I want to grow old with you, I want to have children with you I want to start a new life with you” he smiles teary eyed. You smile and jump into his arms with tears in your eyes too “Yes Bradley! I love you so much” You smile wrapping your legs around his torso placing a warm kiss on his lips, you take a moment to admire everything he did for the proposal.

* You call Natasha and tell her all about it. She’s just as excited as you are and she’s the maid of honor, meanwhile Bradley asks Maverick to be his. In which Mav says yes.

* You two getting married and everyone there being supportive, all of you and Bradley’s friends were there and some family too. Your wedding was amazing.

* Two years into your marriage you and Bradley have a beautiful baby girl, Evangeline Carole Bradshaw. You and your now husband couldn’t have been happier.

Authors Note: Hey everyone! I’m so sorry for not updating, I’ve been busy with a lot of things. Bye loves :) I hope you enjoyed leave requests in the comments!

[hxneyhxrts]

Sun Bleached || Jake “Hangman” Seresin (part 8)

Part 7

note: not to be a broken record but you guys are amazing, my heart is so full. this is a pretty Gwyn-heavy chunk so here we go, sorry in advance. also there MAY or MAY NOT be another part posted tomorrow since i’ll be away from my computer all day but i’ll do my best soldiers. love you guys xx

warnings: explicit language, anxiety, very brief mention of death

Red

Two days.

It had been two full days.

Jake had not spoken to her even once except to tell her a quick “good job” after a particularly grueling series of drills. Beyond that, though, it was radio silent.

Gwyn had almost worked up the courage a few times to pull him aside and ask what was going on, but each time she opened her mouth to get the words out, she felt that tense air of isolation he had projected on to her for the past few days, and retreated.

Even her texts had gone unanswered. She had only sent two, just quick pictures of things she thought he might find funny like Coyote pretending to steal his helmet, but she had sent them only to be met with the taunting face of “delivered” and then nothing.

Even at their worst, when he had sought her out to scathe her and rile her up, he had still sought her out. She’d almost prefer that to this newfound cold shoulder he had thrust upon her so suddenly. And it hurt, she could admit that. Not just because she craved his approval as her squad leader. Because even if they weren’t together the way she selfishly wanted them to be, they were still friends. Not in the same loud and obvious way that she and Alec were friends, a relationship that had been forged through many late Summer nights and the intensity of finishing out the academy together. No, Jake’s friendship was different. His was Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings, socks on hardwood floors, sun bleached clothes left out on a laundry line for too long, cotton sheets that pulled off the bed corner with too much shuffling, the words “I heard a song that reminded me of you”, and every other little silly thing that just felt like Jake.

Everything that felt like home.

She could accept that she had messed up by letting her feelings develop into the absolute headache that they were, but she couldn’t accept that they weren’t friends. A sad, greedy part of her wouldn’t settle without him in some shape, however he would have her. She needed him in a way she hadn’t needed others before him, and if she couldn’t be with him, at least she could be close to him.

If he ever decided to speak to her again.

—-------

She hated her job. She did.

Top Gun had been hard enough, but applying everything she learned to real world simulations and fighting tactics was damn near impossible.

Well… not entirely.

Only when she was as distracted as she was.

Gwyn had made it through most of the dogfight unscathed, only by the grace of some higher power and Alec’s steady stream of “watch out!” every few minutes when she inevitably checked out again. But luck had run out once she made it to the final three, and Payback had gotten her before she had a chance to come to from wherever her mind had run off to.

“Gwyn, it’s fine,” Alec moaned, striding to keep up with her as she all but stomped across the tarmac back to the hangar. She was seething, angry with herself for letting this wild wave of emotions keep her from focusing in the air. It was not fine, not when it came to this.

She vaguely registered Jake and Payback dismounting from their planes, casually following behind them. She noticed Jake’s eyes cut to her briefly, even as he conversed with the other pilot.

Phoenix gave her a little wave from where she perched against a table in the hangar, and God everybody was here and everybody was looking at her. They saw her falling apart, they were watching her, and they just watched the absolute worst flight of her life. The best of the best and she had let herself be downed right in front of them.

“Gwyn, I’m talking to you!” Alec nearly shouted after her, and fuck, more eyes were turning in on her, and she hadn’t even fully crossed the tarmac yet.

“I don’t feel like talking right now,” she pushed out through her teeth that had clenched so hard she thought they might break. She needed to get inside and lock herself in the rec room for a bit. Anywhere, really, just for a moment to breathe. She could feel the physical weight of everyone’s stares as they bore into her, and God was there nothing else they could busy themselves with while she crumbled?

“You’re just having an off day. It’s not a big deal, Gwyn.”

She whirled on him, and it was as if the dam inside her had started to fracture. “Not a big deal? Is that what I should tell your mom when I let her know her son didn’t make it home because I was having an ‘off day’?” Panic coursed through her at the notion, and fuck they were still looking at her. She focused on Alec and his confusion and how it wrinkled his brow, but she could still see their curious gazes in her peripheral.

That internal dam fractured a tiny bit more.

Alec’s brow smoothed into a gentle understanding, and no, she didn’t want his understanding or his pity, she wanted to be left alone to figure this out. She wanted him to shout at her and call her reckless the way Jake had. She wanted him to upset her enough that it made her sharp, put her back on her feet so she could stop thinking about the tall blonde pilot who was still fucking watching her.

“Cheek, it was just a drill. You’re better than your flying today. I know that. I wouldn’t throw myself into your backseat every day if I thought otherwise.”

He didn’t get it. He didn’t understand what today meant.

She clenched her jaw, and turned. She couldn’t do this, not today.

“Gwyn!” Alec called after her, steps bounding behind her once more.

“I’m really not in the mood to have this conversation right now, Alec.” God why was it so hot today? Sweat was pooling above her lip and dripping down the back of her neck. Bob caught her eyes for a moment, flashing her a concerned look and Christ, they all saw right through her.

“Fine, walk away just like you always do. You’re getting pretty good at that, huh?”

If Gwyn thought the dam had fractured just moments ago…

This was it completely caving in.

She spun back on him faster than she thought herself capable of, and lunged at him. Hands caught her, several of them as she spat at her RIO. “Fuck you!” she shouted, watching as Alec recoiled slightly before smiling.

“There she is,” he smirked.

She was going to kill him. She pulled and yanked against the hands restraining her, aiming straight for Alec. To slap him or shout, she didn’t know. Her vision had gone almost white, only zeroed in on him and that stupid fucking smile he was wearing. He was baiting her. Riling her up enough to make her snap at him. He knew her better than anyone, knew what she needed sometimes.

It still didn’t make her feel good.

She thrashed again with renewed vigor until a stern voice cut through the shouts of those around her.

“Gwyn, enough!”

Jake.

She couldn’t look at him. Shame coursed through her at her behavior, and she settled down before she could make more of an ass of herself. Alec’s smile dissipated at her surrender, but it didn’t matter. She was already pulling away and stalking in the other direction.

—--------

In the end, it had been a supply closet she found her solace in. Time passed without her keeping track of it, and she only emerged when the sweat on her temples had dried and her flight suit became suffocating. From there, she slid down the corridor to the locker room where she isolated herself in a cold shower for much longer than she would willingly admit.

She was still tense when she finally pulled herself out from beneath the stream, but at least she was clean. At least she could think again.

It wasn’t right to lash out at Alec, and she knew that. He had been looking out for her in his own strange way. They fought, of course, maybe more often than people realized. But never like this. Never this intense or angry.

It was like she was on an island with her feelings, no one else around to see them or understand them or help her dissect them. She knew there was anger on that island with her, and maybe some confusion. Sadness for how she acted and how it had taken her completely falling apart for Jake to speak to her for the first time in days.

It just seemed unfair. To work for all of this so hard and screw it up over something as silly as her feelings. Unfair to Alec, who’d have to find another flight partner if she couldn’t get it together. Unfair to the team, who had welcomed her with open arms just for her to screw up at every turn. Unfair to Jake, who had only done his best to get along with her and created a monster out of her once she fell in too deep with him.

Maybe even unfair to herself, for closing herself off to all of these things until she had erupted.

She sighed. The day was long and awful, but in a few hours she could drag herself to a bar outside of the city and (now legally) drink away the lump in her stomach. She wouldn’t dare go to the Hard Deck, not when the rest of the team had all but conquered the corner of it. The last thing she needed right now was to face them and their questions and their concern.

She shoved her flight suit into the gym bag she had brought and made a mental note to throw it in the wash when she got home to rid it of the god awful anxiety sweat stench that had buried itself in the threads. She closed her locker with more force than necessary and went to busy herself for the next few hours until quitting time.

Maverick’s hand was still raised to knock when she pulled the door open.

“Mav,” she greeted, taken aback by his presence. The older gentleman smiled at her, but it was strained.

“Lieutenant Canadee,” he started. “Mind if we talk real quick?”

This was it. She was getting fired. Or grounded. Or having her wings stripped. She had fucked this up so badly that they were taking her out before she fucked it up further.

She thought about Alec and how hard he had worked and how many chances he had taken on her and how he was going to be stuck with some randomly assigned pilot who didn’t know the kind of dynamic he excelled under. She thought about her brother, the commander who’d have to answer for her and why she had been stripped of her rank and how it reflected on him.

She even thought about Jake and how she wished she could take it all back. All of it.

The cold bite of the necklace around her throat grounded her and tore her apart all at once.

As if sensing her worry, Maverick spoke again. “Nothing bad. Just wanted to check in.”

Her chest relaxed, but only slightly. She leaned against the doorframe in an attempt to look casual when she felt anything but. “Sure. What’s up?”

The captain glanced around the hallway before turning back to her and lowering his voice. “Everything okay? I heard you had a bit of a blow up with Shaw today.”

She swallowed. Of course he had found out somehow. “I’m good,” she croaked out. “Just got a little fired up I guess. Alec and I can push each other’s buttons from time to time.” She paused, trying to gauge the look on his face. “Today just wasn’t my day.”

Pete nodded, and there was that infamous understanding he seemed to carry with him like a weapon. Always seeing exactly what someone on his crew was feeling and sympathizing with them. “That’s alright,” he assured. “Happens to the best of us. Just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t be a problem moving forward.”

Gwyn bristled at the hint of warning she sensed in his words. “Of course,” she ground out. “It won’t happen again.”

The captain sighed, clearly picking up on her defensiveness, and settled his hands on his hips. “I’m not trying to get on you, Gwyn. Seresin just asked me to talk to you to see if-”

“Wait, Jake sent you?” she clipped, brow furrowing.

The older man’s mouth snapped shut as if he hadn’t meant to say anything. Her heart started beating in her ears. Blood swept across her cheeks, painting them pink.

Jake had sent him to talk to her. Jake had Maverick speak to her because he didn’t want to.

She was marching away from the other pilot before she could process the rage that enveloped her. She could hear Maverick shout after her, but she was too far gone, too angry to stop. Her feet carried her around the hallway corner and right to the men’s locker room.

She shoved the door in hard enough that it smacked against the wall, loud enough to startle the small group of males gathered inside. Her focus immediately snagged on Jake in the center row of lockers.

“You’re sending Maverick to do your bidding now?” she hissed, voice echoing through the small space and making Hangman’s mouth drop open.

“Gwyn,” he started in shock, and the sound of her name in his mouth after so many days of completely ignoring her only fanned the flame of outrage burning in her head. “This is the men’s-”

“You send Mitchell to talk to me instead of doing it yourself? I thought you were our fearless leader, Seresin,” she spat, pushing past Bradshaw who had tried to stop her advance with an arm around her waist. She shoved him off and glared at Alec who made to step in.

“Gwyn-”

“I’ll deal with you later,” she snarled at her RIO. Alec swallowed, but backed off.

“Guys,” Jake started, addressing the other men who had gathered. “Give us a minute, would you?”

The group shuffled out quickly, Alec remaining for a moment longer than the rest to look at Gwyn warily before he ducked out.

Then they were alone.

Jake’s fists were clenched. “If you think for a second, that I’m going to allow you to just walk in here and shout at me in front of the rest of my team, you are-”

“Would you have listened to me any other way?” she bellowed back, chest heaving with every breath. “You’ve been ignoring me for days! I get if you’re mad at me, but goddamn-”

“I’m not mad at you,” Jake interrupted, his posture stiffening. “I just-,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I just needed some space.”

Gwyn scoffed. This was ridiculous. He was trying to push her off again.

“You only need space from someone when you’re mad at them, Seresin.”

“Stop calling me that,” he hissed. His eyes held something like hurt as he regarded her closely. “Just stop.”

Gwyn’s hands flexed at her sides. She wanted to scream. She wanted to shout and say all of those terrible things she thought about him when they first met. Wanted to hurt his feelings the way he had hurt hers and leave him to stew in it the way she had.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted instead. Jake opened his mouth to speak, but she pushed on. “I shouldn’t have taken the plane out without checking in with you. I should've waited until the control tower techs got here, and I’m sorry.”

Jake scrubbed a hand down his face, looking every bit anguished as she was. “Cheek, I don’t care about the goddamn flight.”

“Then what are you mad about?” She was getting desperate now, her voice bordering on hysteric, and God she wanted to cry.

“I’m not mad,” Jake insisted tiredly.

“Then what is your fucking deal-”

“I think I’m in love with you.”

The air stilled. Time had stopped. The silence between them held its breath, too.

Gwyn’s mouth had parted, the words hanging in the air and it was like she could see them, floating in the space in front of her and mocking her.

I think I’m in love with you.

She couldn’t speak. She tried, but no words came out.

Life was cruel in the way it teased her. In the way it would whisk her through the last few days and give her this moment in a men’s locker room as the finale to her grief.

I think I’m in love with you.

Jake’s mouth thinned into a stern expression. “I’m sorry.”

And God, he was sorry? He was sorry for voicing the very thing she had been praying he’d give her for weeks now, and now that she had it, she could only gape at him stupidly.

It was everything she had wanted, and she panicked at how easy it felt to think about falling into him. How easy it would be to throw away her resolve and chase after this feeling headfirst and foolish. How easy it would be to wake up to him as golden sun poured in through the window and traced their silhouettes delicately.

It was that easiness that scared her. That had her throwing up makeshift barriers on all sides while her brain scrambled for something to say.

“Say something,” Jake pleaded, almost whispering.

She couldn’t. Not without giving in to him.

And giving in to him just wasn’t something she could afford to do.

Not when she had spent so many years pushing to be better. Not when Alec had faced months of mockery for tying himself down to the only female pilot in the whole program, never once doubting her to get them through it. Not when Mo’s eyes had lit up when she finally told him about her stories from Top Gun, and her dad had nearly wept with pride. Not when Jake had spent years perfecting his flying to get to where he was, and throwing herself into the middle of it would surely wreck it. All of it.

Gwyn had the mental image of a carefully constructed tower, wobbling and shaky, but still standing on the back of her work, every building block relying on the next one. She saw it nearing collapse as Jake’s every word chipped away at the foundation of it, and how it would all come tumbling down if she let it.

So no.

She couldn’t.

She opened her mouth to tell him as much, but still, no sound came out. She swallowed. Once. Twice.

Then she turned on her heel and left without another word.

—--------

This hurt so much worse than any breakup she had ever been through. Worst of all, this wasn’t even a breakup, not really. This was her putting an end to her foolishness.

She wished she could be a fool.

Gwyn wanted nothing more than the privilege to do away with all of it and call Jake. She’d call him and apologize and he’d laugh and then they’d be fine and she’d have everything she really wanted.

She didn’t.

She wrapped herself in an old quilt her grandmother had made years ago, the fabric soft and worn against her skin, and took up her place on her couch alongside Disco. She paged through different movies, finally settling on some 80s movie about naval pilots her dad had loved and that had sparked her interest in flying in the first place.

Disco snored away next to her softly, and Gwyn had almost lost herself in the movie when a knock rang out through her house. With a sigh, she dragged herself out of her nest and trudged to the door.

It was Alec on the other side, a small bouquet in his hands and apology written across his features. He took one look at her and half-smiled. “Hey lovey.”

“Hi,” she whispered, clutching the quilt around her shoulders tighter.

“Can I come in?”

She was crying as she nodded, jerky and desperate for her friend, and he swept her into a hug while she wept into his shoulder.

He rubbed her back soothingly, shushing her cries gently and kissing the top of her head. “I know.”

He knew. Of course he did.

“I saw Seresin as I was leaving. I kinda figured…” he trailed off as her sobs heightened. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I got you.”

He held her for a few more minutes, content to stand in her doorway while she cried, before pulling back to look down at her. Gwyn could feel how red and puffy her eyes were, and Alec was smiling at her when he spoke again.

“Tell me all about it.”

Part 9

taglist: @rachelccollier @my-soulmate-is-mycroft @the-winter-marvel33 @barbiewritesstuff @dilfsandtherapy @dempy @itevilhag @supernaturaldawning @katesmadness

[szchaql]

Total Opposite (part 3)

PAUL LAHOTE X SWAN READER

Masterlist

This few days, Bella tried to contact Jacob. But he never answer her call, never talk to her again. This lead Bella to finally confront him. She decided to bring (y/n) with her, she has the feeling that she need to bring her. She knock on her sister room and peeking her head. (Y/n) is sitting on her bed, reading one of the novel. "Hey, you busy?" (Y/n) look at Bella, shaking her head. "Not at all. What's wrong?"

Bella lean her body to the door frame, "i'm going to confront Jacob. Want to come?" (Y/n) nod and immediately head toward her closet to change clothes. "I'll wait downstair okay?"

As (y/n) change her clothes, her mind start to think about Paul. Will she meet him there? What should she do? But soon, she shake her head throw away the thought of Paul and quickly leave her room.

Charlie is at work, so it easier for the 2 girls to leave the house without worrying him too much. They drive to the Black household in silent, one being nervous, one pissed.

Bella quickly removing her seat belt and head toward the door, knocking it. (Y/n) hurriedly follow her sister and stand behind her. The door open and reveal Billy. "Bella? (Y/n)?"

"I want to see Jacob." Bella said. But Billy answer didn't satisfied her enough. "He's not here." Bella walk past Billy and head to Jacob room, seeing him sound asleep. (Y/n) just stand outside the house, not daring to walk inside like Bella did.

Then, the sound of someone or should we said bunch of men walking toward the house make both Bella and (y/n) look at 4 men who stand a little far from the house. Bella, being Bella, decided to confront them. (Y/n) that surprised to see her sister just walk out like that, fuming to them, decided to follow her. The 4 men is Sam, Paul, Embry, and Jared as she recall as she saw them on the beach few days ago.

"What did you do?!" Bella punch Sam angrily. "What did you do to him?!"

"What did he do?! What did we do huh? What did he tell you?!" Paul ask angrily at Bella.

"He didn't tell me anything because he scared of you." (Y/n) know, the moment Bella said that, it will the start of a fight. She knew her sister so well. She decided to stop Bella to make anymore comment.

"Bella.. come on.. stop." But Bella being Bella didn't listen, blind by her anger.

The boys laugh at her comment and result in Bella punching Paul right on his face. Suddenly Paul is shaking so bad as Sam tell them to stand back.

Bella stand back, grabing (y/n) arm, looking at shaking Paul, confused. (Y/n) look at Paul as there is something wrong with him. Why did he shaking like that?

Short moment after that, Paul change into a big massive wolf, almost hurting (y/n) if Bella didn't pull her sister fast enough. (Y/n) so shocked that she freeze, terrified at the creature in front of her. Bella try to grab her sister arm and run, as Jacob run to their way and shift into a wolf too, in the middle of air. The two wolf fight with each other, breaking Billy's old boat, and rolling to the forest.

"Hey. Take them back to Emily's place." Sam said to Jared and Embry as he himself go to the forest.

(Y/n) is so shocked at what happened, as the memories of that night in Phoenix keep haunting her. Bella immediately hug her sister tightly. "We will be fine, sis..." as Jared and embry help the 2 girls to the car and head to Emily's.

"I think we should go check if Jacob is alright." Bella said as they arrive at a wodden house.

"I hope Paul sink some teeth on him." Jared comment which Embry replied. "No way, Jake is a natural. You see as he shift in mid air like that." Jared shrug it. "Come on, Bella. We won't bite." Jared said and walk inside the house.

Bella look at (y/n), she is so pale. "(Y/n), come on... i'm here with you.. you will be fine." She tried to encourage (y/n).

"I think this is a bad idea, Bells...." (y/n) finally found her voice again. "One of them nearly killed me...." Bella hug her immediately, trying to calm her down.

"Hey.. it's okay.. we won't hurt you.. it's just an accident.. Paul will never forgive himself if he hurt you... come on.. let's get you something for calming you down..." Embry walk toward (y/n), try to assuring her. (Y/n) nod her head and get out of the car, walking slowly behing Bella.

They stop just on the door, watching Emily make food. As she turn toward the Swan sister, her face shocked them. Bella immediately swift her eyes, while (y/n) look at the floor. "Who are they?" She ask eyeing the sisters.

"Bella, who else. And her sister." Jared said, grabbing a muffin. "So, you are the vampire girl." Bella shrug. "So you are the wolf girl." Emily chuckle and nod. "Well, i'm enganged to one." She then grab a big plate full of muffin and place it on the table. "Save some for your brothers and ladies first. Muffin?"

"Sure." Bella walk toward the table and grab one. That time, Emily can see (y/n) clearly and she smile widely at her. "Hi. I'm so happy that i can finally meet you."

(Y/n) give her small smile. "Come in.. let's give you something to drink and calm you down. You look so pale." She grab (y/n) hand gently, but (y/n) yank her hand gently. Bella who see this help her sister. "Sorry, Emily.. she just witnessed something terrifying... come on, (y/n)."

Emily just smile softly as (y/n) stand close beside Bella, head down, playing with her fingers. "So, what happened?"

"Just leave it to Jacob to find a way around Sam's gag order." Emily said.

"He didn't say anything to me."

"That' a wolf thing. Alpha's order get obeyed whether we like it or not." Embry chimmed in, shuffling muffin into his mouth. "Oh and hey, we can hear each other thought."

"Would you shut up? This is a trade secret." Jared said. "These cheeks run with vampires." The word of vampire make (y/n) tense up. Bella is having a relationship with a vampire? Despite that she knows about her fear about them? Bella face turn pale. Shortly she regain her composure. "You can't run with vampire.. cause they're fast." (Y/n) can't believe her sister will be so calm talking about vampire.

Jared face shows disbelief. "Yeah? But we are faster. Freak out yet?" Bella shrug. "You are not the first monster i've seen."

"Jake's right. You are good with freaks." Sam voice coming from the door as he walk toward Emily and kiss her all over her face.

(Y/n) nudge her sister arm. "I want to go home..." she whispered. But before Bella can answer it, there show Jacob and Paul in the yard shoving each other in a playfull manner. Paul walk inside and take a seat beside Embry, while Jacob lean against the door.

Seeing Paul make (y/n) moves her body close to her sister. "Sorry." Paul said turn to look at Bella with his smirk but when caught a glimpse of his imprint, standing close to Bella make him wonder. What is her relationship with Bella? The look of fear on her face make Paul feel regret that he scaring his imprint with what happened earlier. "Hey... sorry.. i didn't mean to scared you like that.." Paul voice is so soft, shocking Bella and Emily. But (y/n) didn't give him a glance as she flinch when Paul tried to grab her hand.

"Uh, Jake.. maybe you should take (y/n) back home... there're something that i have to tell them.." bella said to Jacob as he nod, before she turn to look at her sister. "It's okay.. you know Jacob.. he won't hurt you. Go home and take a rest okay?" (Y/n) nod and leave hurriedly from a den of wolves with Jacob behind her.

As they leave, everyone turn to Bella, looling for an explanation. Bella sigh before begin to explain what happened to her sister. "She's my younger sister. She just came back here a week ago."

"She's your sister?!" Paul exclaim, shocked.

"Good luck, Paul..." Jared said, half laughing.

"What?"

"Paul imprinted on your sister." Sam said make Bella more confused. "What is an imprint? Is it a dangerous thing? She just have had enough dangerous on her life. Don't make it worse."

"No, it's not dangerous thing at all. It's a wolf version for soulmate. We look at her eyes and our focus is her only. We become everything that she needs, whether it's a protector, a lover, a friend, everything. Emily is my imprintee." Sam explain shortly about imprinting.

"What?! So you imprint on my younger sister?! Out of so many girls, you decided to imprint on her?! She finally start to have a normal life, before you imprint on her." Bella get mad at Paul.

"I can't decided who i can imprinted or not!"

"We can't do anything about it, Bella..." Sam said, trying to calm the tension.

"What exactly happened to (y/n)? She looks so terrified..." Embry ask.

Bella sigh in defeat. "Back when we used to live in Phoenix, when (y/n) was just 12, her best friend got killed by a vampire in front of her. (Y/n) herself almost got killed, before Carlisle help her. It make her traumatized around vampire.. she can't sleep well for months, and keep having a nightmare, even until now. She always got scared when seeing a red eyes... that event just change her attitude around people. She hate when many people look at her, she scared darkness, and small alley. It always make her remembered what happened that night."

Hearing the story make the boys and Emily gasp. "But you run with one!" Jared said. "I haven't tell her! Okay? I don't know how to tell her. I want to tell her that Carlisle was the one who help her that day.. I wish i never tell her about Edward and the Cullen. So she can finally live a normal life. But then he imprint on her, and she knows about werewolves." She said looking at Paul.

"Will she be okay? I mean her life just got into some dangerous one, as she is Paul's imprintee and you sister as you have relationship with vampires." Emily ask worriedly.

"I don't know.. i just have to think how to tell her slowly about this..and the vampire things.." Bella look down.

"How about let Billy or Harry tell her? Maybe having one of the elder to explain it to her will help. We can't send Paul to explain, she scared of him. We will just slowly let (y/n) know us first." Sam suggest.

"Let's have Harry tell (y/n).. she really close with the Clearwaters..." Bella said as Sam nod. "But give her time to calm down.. this was a terrifying moment for her..."

"Okay.. just tell Jacob when she's ready, okay? So i can inform Harry."

The entire time, Paul just stay silent. He felt guilty that because of him losing his temper, his imprint get scared of him and the pack. He devoted in his heart that he will work on his temper for (y/n). So he don't put her in danger when she around him.

[harley-sunday]

The Draw [17]

Summary: The whirlwind starts at the 2018 ACE Comic Con in Phoenix but you’re not sure where it will end…

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x reader (unnamed OFC)

Warnings: Language.

Word count: 3.5k

AN: I’m sorry.

Masterlist

You’re still a little hungover when you make it into the office that next morning, not for the first time glad Deb usually works from home on Monday. You’re not sure you could face her right now without having to explain everything that’s going on. Your phone rings just as you’ve turned your laptop on, the sound only adding to the already-there headache, and so you take the call without looking to see who it is first, answering with a rather curt, “Hello?”

“Hey,”

A shiver runs down your spine when you hear his voice, but you don’t say anything.

He sighs, “I take it you’ve seen the pictures?”

“I have.”

“Will you let me explain or have you made up your mind already?”

There’s such an accusation in his voice that you physically recoil, “What?”

“Sorry,” he says almost immediately, “I’m sorry, that came out wrong.”

You let out a staggered breath, not really knowing how to reply.

“There was a birthday party for one of the cast members,” he starts, his voice much more controlled now. “The girl in the pictures is one of the extras and I don’t know, at one point she told me her grandmother’s Romanian and how she used to go there every year during the holidays and so we were just talking about the country and how much it’s changed over the years, but that’s all.” He clears his throat, “Nothing happened.”

You let his words hang in the air for a moment, the silence between you two deafening and uncomfortable, and it scares you. It’s not that you don’t believe him, but you can’t help but wonder if this is how it’s going to be from now on, with him away for work while you both have to deal with something neither of you had any part in but that’s putting a strain on your relationship nonetheless.

“Talk to me,”

You shake your head even though he can’t see you, “I can’t-” you take a deep breath, “I don’t know if we should do this over the phone, Seb.”

“This?”

“Please don’t,” you whisper, hearing the hurt in his voice. “You know that’s not what-.”

“Then what do you mean?”

“I don’t know, ok?” You close your eyes and lean back in your chair, “I just think we should talk about this face-to-face. When we’re together. Not with a million miles and a few time zones between us.”

“Ok,” he agrees, but you can tell there’s something he’s holding back.

“Ok,” you echo. “So I’ll see you next week?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be seeing you, Stan,” you say, trying to lighten the mood, but by then you hear the call’s already disconnected.

You try to focus on work the rest of the week but often find your mind wandering and so by Friday afternoon you tell Deb you’re taking half a day and head home around lunch time. Trying to distract yourself you decide to clean the house, starting in the bathroom, before you move onto your bedroom, and Jake’s guest bedroom. You’re pretty sure there’s some psychological reason why you feel this sudden need to organize, probably something to do with trying to control what you can, but so far it isn’t really working.

You order a pizza for dinner and while you wait for it to be delivered you decide to tackle the second guest bedroom. It’s not so much a guest bedroom as it is a storage room, one you haven’t really stepped foot into for at least a year or so, and so you’re a bit hesitant when you open the door. A quiet, “Oh,” escapes you because suddenly you remember when you were here last, the proof of it standing on an easel, almost taunting you.

It’s a painting you made right after you found out Mark cheated on you, all your anger put into this one piece, the colour palette nothing but dark blues and greys, almost like a dark storm rolling in, called ‘The Currents’.

Mark made you give up painting when you were together, deeming the abstract work you preferred to make ugly and something his three-year old niece could do. In a way, painting this was your way of claiming your life back and even now it makes you feel happy. It also makes you realize how much you’ve missed painting and you wonder if maybe you should pick it up again.

The doorbell rings then, interrupting your thoughts and so you quickly make your way downstairs, leaving the door slightly ajar as a sort of promise to come back.

Letting yourself in with the key Lauren gave you shortly after she moved into her apartment, you call out, “It’s me!” You hear her reply from the kitchen and so you make your way over there, finding her stirring in a big pot with a glass of wine on the counter beside her. “So, sorry I’m late,” you tell her while you kiss her cheek, “I lost time while I was cleaning the kitchen and-”

“It’s fine,” she smiles while she pours you a glass of wine. “Matt’s just gone out to pick up some more eggs for the Pavlova.”

“Pavlova?” It’s your favourite and she knows it and so you bump your shoulder against hers with a smile, “I love you.”

“I know,” she says with a wink. “I figured I’d better spoil you a little.” Her look turns more serious then, “How are you?”

You shrug, “Ok, I guess. I mean-” you sigh, “I’m just trying to figure out why I’m so upset about this, you know? He told me nothing happened, and I believe him, so why is it still bothering me so much?”

“Are the pictures bothering you, or,” Lauren turns around so she’s facing you, “is it maybe just that you don’t have any control over it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” she scrunches up her nose, “I’ve been thinking, and please don’t take offense-”

“None taken,”

“You don’t even know what I’m going to say,” she counters with a grin.

“Yeah, but it’s you. I know you and I know you’re not trying to hurt me.”

Her eyebrows knit together then, as she takes in your words. She looks back up at you, “Babe.”

You nod, because you think you know what she’s getting at. “I know you,” you repeat a little slower now, “and I know you’re not trying to hurt me.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah,” you echo, because fuck, maybe this is it. Or at least part of it. You bite your lip and let your eyes fall to the floor, trying to figure it out. When you look back up you find her staring at you with a sad smile and you know she agrees.

“If it makes you feel any better,” but she knows it probably won’t and so she pulls you in for a hug, “I was going to tell you something along those lines too, but in much more of a go-around kind of a way.”

Before you can say anything else there’s a knock at the door and so she lets go of you, the look on her face letting you know she’s here if you need anything and so you mouth a quiet, “Thank you.”

Matt is exactly how you imagined he would be, a good-looking, down-to-earth guy who is a perfect match for Lauren. You watch them during dinner and can’t help but smile when you see how in love they are.

“So, Matt,” you start when Lauren’s in the kitchen to get dessert. You watch him as he sits up and looks at you expectantly, “You’ve made a pretty good first impression, but as Lauren’s best friend I’m obliged to tell you that first of all,” you hold up a finger for added effect, “I’m not above kicking your ass if you ever do something to hurt her.”

“Noted,” he says with a nod.

“And second, her favourite flowers are Dahlia’s, she hates chocolate but would kill for vanilla Tootsie Rolls, and,” you lean in closer, “if you ever really want to sweep her off her feet, you should take her to go see Hairspray Live.”

He grins, “Thank you.”

“Hey,” you shrug, “anything to make our girl happy, right?”

There’s a knock on your door but before you even have the chance to respond the door opens and you hear a loud, “Hey, loser!” coming from downstairs.

“Hey,” you yell back, while you finish your brushstroke, “I’m upstairs. Guest bedroom.” You smile when you see his head pop into view not much later, “What are you doing here?”

He starts to protest, “Can’t a guy-”

“No, Nate,” you scoff, “not you.”

“Ok, fine,” he admits, “Sarah made me go check up on you after I told her what happened last week.”

“You can tell Sarah I’m fine,” you reply while you dry your paintbrush on the rag that’s hanging over your shoulder.

“You sure about that?” Nathan asks with a nod towards the half-finished canvas.

“I think I’m going to call it ‘Love’,” you say, as though that explains it all. But then again, it kind of does. “I found my old supplies last week and, I don’t know,” you shrug, “figured I might as well give it a go and see if I still got it.”

“And you’re sure this has nothing to with what’s going on between you and Sebastian?”

“No.” But your answer came a little too fast and you both know it. Nathan just looks at you without saying anything and it isn’t long before you cave, “Of course it has.” You put the paintbrush down and motion for him to follow you downstairs so you can wash your hands and make both of you a cup of coffee.

“You sure you’re ok?”

“I honestly don’t know,” you tell him over your shoulder while you grab two mugs from somewhere inside the cabinet. “I’m afraid we both fucked up this time and that there’s no coming back from this.”

“What do you mean,” he asks, shaking his head, “how was this a joint effort? He’s the one who ended up in the tabloids-”

“Yeah, but I think I made too big a deal out of it.” You sigh, “If I’d just told him, ‘Ok, I heard your side of the story, I believe you’, and moved on, none of this would have happened.”

“But it still would have bothered you,” Nathan says.

As always, your brother hits the nail right on the head and so all you can do is agree, “Yeah, it still would have.”

In through the nose, out through the mouth, you keep telling yourself as you keep watching Exit E, waiting for Sebastian to come through the doors any minute now. His plane landed a little over thirty minutes ago, although it feels like you’ve been waiting here for hours already. You’re nervous and scared and way too emotional for this not to end with tears. In through the nose, out through the- “Oh.”

He’s wearing the same baseball cap he wore the first time you picked him up here almost two-and-a-half months ago although it feels like another lifetime. He keeps his head down as he walks towards you and if anything it makes you even more nervous. You haven’t really spoken since that phone call last week, only sent the occasional text to each other, the distance between you even more palpable with each passing day. It isn’t until he’s just a few feet away from you that he looks up and your heart, oh your heart.

You try to smile, try to say something, but the tears that have threatened to spill all day finally make their way down your cheeks and so you just to stand there, for a moment worried about what will happen next but then he holds out his arms and you step forward, holding onto him with all your might, “Oh, Seb.”

He doesn’t say anything, just holds you, his lips pressed against your temple.

You know you can’t stay here like this and so after a while you let go, running your hands over your cheeks to try and wipe some of the tears away.

“Please don’t cry.”

His voice is soft and brings on a new set of tears, “I’m sorry.”

“Come on,” he picks up his suitcase and puts it in the trunk, “‘I’ll drive.”

The drive over to your house is silent, even though you keep thinking of things you want to say but then deciding against it. You steal quick glances in his direction every now and then, a little worried by the way his jaw is set and his hands are gripping the steering wheel.

It’s early in the evening and the roads are relatively quiet, especially for a Friday, and so he pulls up onto your driveway not much later. You wait for him to get his suitcase before you make your way to the front door and inside. “Did you eat?” Your voice is a little rough and so you try again, “I could make something if you want?”

“I’m good,” he replies from somewhere over your shoulder.

You drop your purse on one of the kitchen chairs before you turn around and face him, “I would offer you a coffee but I guess we both could use something a little stronger.”

“Yeah.” He runs a hand through his hair, “Listen, is it ok if I take a shower first? I’ve been in the air for the better part of the last eighteen hours and-”

“No, of course,” you nod towards the stairs, “go ahead.” You watch him as he carries his suitcase upstairs, something heavy settling inside of you.

You’re curled up in the corner of the couch when he comes back down again, his hair still a little wet and his cheeks still a little rosy, and he surprises you when he sits down next to you and wraps an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into him. You let out a heavy sigh, “I fucked up.”

He kisses the top of your head, a “Me too,” whispered into your hair.

You stay like that for a moment, letting him hold you, and you wonder if, like you, he’s putting off the inevitable just a little longer, because as long as the words haven’t been spoken out loud, haven’t been put out into the universe, there’s still a glimmer of hope somewhere. Still, you know you can’t stay like this forever and so after a while you reluctantly push yourself off him and hand him the glass of whiskey you poured him earlier. You raise your own glass towards him before you take a sip, the liquid burning its way down your throat. Knowing it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do you take a deep breath before you ask, “Will you let me try to explain?”

He tries to smile but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes, “Talk to me.”

Cupping the whiskey glass in your hands you let your eyes fall, “Remember when we were in Los Angeles and I asked you how you deal with the paparazzi and you told me it’s just part of the job?” You don’t really wait for his reply, “For me it isn’t, Seb. And I don’t know if I can handle this the way you maybe want me to if it happens again.” You clear your throat, “I don’t know if I can get used to this.”

He nods, but doesn’t say anything.

“You told me nothing happened and I believe you,” you continue, “but- I don’t know. I hate how it made me feel.” You hold up your hand when you see he wants to say something, “That’s totally on me, I mean, that’s something I need to work on, but I don’t want it to be something I’m blaming you for, you know? And I’m afraid maybe that’s what will happen if something like this happens again and I just-” You sigh. “I don’t want you to have to reassure me every time I get insecure about our relationship.” You look up at him, “I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” he puts his hand on yours, “it’s ok.”

“No, it’s not,” you scoff, a lone tear rolling down your cheek. “I fucked up, Seb, but I think we both know there’s no coming back from it this time.”

“Hey,” he says again, giving your hand a squeeze to make you look at him, “I don’t want you to take the blame for this, and to be honest, I think neither of us should. Put it on bad timing, or bad luck, or whatever else you can think off, but not on us.” His voice catches on the last word and you notice his eyes are a little glossed over as well. He shrugs, “Sometimes things don’t work out. No matter how much we want them to.”

“But don’t you think we should fight for this,” you try to blink away the onset of tears, “for us?” You wipe your cheeks angrily, “It feels like we’re just giving up and I-”

“We’ve been fighting for a long time,” he says then, his voice barely above a whisper.

You open your mouth to say something, anything, to contradict his words, but then you allow them to sink in and you know he's right. Hell, this all started because he felt like he had to make up for what happened at the Infinity War premiere. You look up at him, a sad smile playing on your lips, “But when it was good-”

“-it was great,” he agrees, his hand now cupping your face and his thumb stroking your cheek.

You bite your lip to keep from really crying, scrunching up your nose before you whisper, “So this is it then?”

He nods slowly, “I guess it is.”

Letting out a ragged breath you get up and make your way towards the kitchen because it feels like you just got punched in the stomach and you’re about to get sick. Leaning over the kitchen sink you cry, big fat tears and heavy sobs, and it hurts, God, it hurts.

He comes up behind you not much later, his hand on the small of your back, “Come here.”

You run a hand under your nose before you stand up and when you turn around you can tell he’s been crying too and your heart hurts even more. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

He wraps you in his arms, “I’m so sorry.”

You nod against his chest because you get it, and so you mutter a quiet, “I’m sorry too.”

You offer him the guest bedroom for the night, because you both agree it’s too late for him to go somewhere else, and when you ask him to please ignore the mess you’ve made while painting, while warning him the paint is still wet and to be careful with his clothes, it feels like such a normal thing to do that it’s almost ridiculous.

It takes a long time before you fall asleep, tossing and turning in your bed, and when you finally do it’s restless, full of dreams you can’t remember but make you feel anxious nonetheless.

It’s still early when you wake up, but you can hear the shower’s already running and you guess he couldn’t sleep anymore either. You wait until you hear him go downstairs before you make your way to the bathroom, the lingering scent of his cologne triggering a fresh set of tears.

When you get downstairs after getting dressed you notice that his suitcase is already by the door and you find him leaning against the counter in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee. You try to smile, “Hey.”

“Hey,” he replies. He runs his hand through his hair, “I uh- I found a flight to New York.”

“Ok.”

“There’s a cab picking me up in ten minutes,”

“Oh.” You nod, because even though it’s way too soon you know there’s no point in dragging this out either. “Ok, uh- Is there anything you need from me?”

He shakes his head, “No.”

“Can I give you one last hug?” Your voice is small and you hate how insecure you sound, but he nods anyway and so you step into his arms, wrapping yours around his waist. A sob escapes you then and he pulls you closer and you stay like that until you hear a car honk its horn outside.

“That’s me,” he says, his voice rough and barely above a whisper.

You take a step back and look up at him, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“The last four months.” A fresh set of tears cloud your eyes and you try your hardest to blink them away, “I know it’s not fair to say this but,” a sob then, “I’ll miss you.”

He nods and tries to smile, but there are tears in his eyes too. He puts his arm around your shoulder and presses his lips against your forehead before he whispers, “I’ll miss you too.”

And then he is gone.

[harley-sunday]

The Draw (08)

Summary: The whirlwind starts at the 2018 ACE Comic Con in Phoenix but you’re not sure where it will end...

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x reader

Warnings: Language.

Word count: 4329

AN: This chapter, oh this chapter… Let me know what you think! I don’t have a taglist, but if you follow Harley Sunday x Sebastian Stan you should see any update I post.

Masterlist 

“Oh, buddy,” you answer with a sigh and hold out your arms, waiting for him to climb on your lap. “I’m sorry, kid, but it’s not just a bad dream.”

Jake nods slowly, “I know,” a sob then, “I just really wish it was.”

“I know, bud,” you say, hugging him even tighter.

“Can we go see him again tomorrow?” Jake asks in between sobs.

“You bet,” you say quietly, resting your chin on his head, “We’ll visit him every day for as long as he’s in the hospital, ok?”

“Ok,” he agrees, using the sleeve of his sweater to dry his eyes. You sit in silence for a while until you feel him yawn.

“I think we should go to bed, bud,” you let go of him ever so slightly so you can look at him, “why don’t you sleep in my bed tonight?”

He nods but doesn’t move and so you lift him into your arms as you get up. If this were any other day he would no doubt scold you for babying him, because he’s eight years old now, thank you very much. But not today. Today he lets you carry him upstairs and into your bed, where you gently lay him down. You smile when you hear his quiet snores fill the room,not surprised he’s already asleep.

You lay down on your side and stare at the ceiling, your eyes quickly growing heavy from the lack of sleep even though the early morning light is already seeping through your curtains.

Jake stirs then and you hold your breath, but after he’s turned on his back he starts snoring again and you try your best to follow his example.

The sound of your phone awakes you and you blindly reach for it, finding it in it’s usual spot under your pillow. You open one eye as you unlock your phone, cursing quietly when you see it’s only ten, but then Lauren’s message pops up and you smile at her words

Babe, I’m taking this week off. You shouldn’t be alone right now. I’ll see you at lunch.

Jake yawns then and you turn towards him, “Morning, bud.”

He mumbles something in response and snuggles up to you.

“You ok?” you ask, not sure if he remembers what you talked about last night.

He nods before another yawn escapes him, “We’re going to see Dad today, right?”

“Yeah,” you reply. “We’ll go there this afternoon.”

“Kay,”

You press a kiss to his forehead, “Listen, I’m going to take a quick shower, ok? Aunt Lauren’s coming over later, she’s gonna stay with us this week.”

“Really?” Jake looks up at you, eyes wide in surprise, no doubt reminding all the fun things you three have done together.

“Yeah,” you nod, winking at him, “said she wouldn’t want to miss a chance to hang out with her favorite bonus-nephew.”

“Cool,”

“Right?” you agree with a smile as you grab the remote from your nightstand and put on the TV, settling on the Disney Channel which you know he loves before you get out of bed, “Be right back.”

There’s a knock on the front door before Lauren lets herself in with the spare key you gave her the day after you bought this house five years ago. There’s a duffel bag slung over her shoulder, which she drops at the door before she finds you in the kitchen. She greets you with a kiss on your cheek and a hug, “Hi babe,”

“Hi,” you say, hugging her tight, “thank you.”

“Ok.” She lets go of you and places her hands on her hips, “This is the last time I want to hear you say ‘thank you,’ ok? This is just what best friends do.”

You nod, “Noted.”

“Good,” she smiles, before she claps her hands. “Now, where’s my favorite bonus-nephew?”

Jake giggles from where’s he sitting on the couch, “I’m your only bonus-nephew, aunt Lauren,”

“Still,” Lauren offers as she makes her way over to him, holding out her hands to let him know he’s about to get tickled, “you’re my favorite.”

His giggles fill the house then, Lauren tickling him wherever she can, while he begs for mercy in between fits of laughter. She’s relentless though and you are happy she’s able to take his mind off of things if only for a little while.

You turn your attention back to the eggs you were frying, opting for a big lunch after not having eaten breakfast. After a few minutes you call out that lunch’s ready and see both Lauren and Jake run into the kitchen at full speed, coming to a halt in front of the dining table, Jake bumping into one of the chairs when he can’t stop in time, bringing on a fresh set of giggles.

Lunch takes a long time, both you and Jake hungry after not having eaten since yesterday afternoon, and Lauren taking her time enjoying the egg sandwich you made.

You’re about to make a fresh pot of tea when your phone rings. Your stomach clenches when you see Sarah’s name flashing across the screen and so you answer with a quiet, “Hello,” as you walk towards the living room.

“He’s awake!” Sarah all but screams.

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding and smile, “Oh, thank God.”

“Yeah,” Sarah agrees, “the doctors are still running some tests, but it’s looking good.”

“Can we come see him?”

“Uh,” Sarah hesitates, and you hear her relay your question to someone else before she comes back. “You can come by after three.”

“Ok,” you can’t help but smile, relief washing over you when you realize your brother is awake. “We’ll see you then,”

Sarah says goodbye and hangs up and there’s a spring in your step as you walk back into the kitchen, Lauren and Jake looking at you expectantly. You kneel in front of Jake, “Dad’s awake, bud.”

Jake’s tugging on your hand and you follow him to the elevator bay where he rapidly presses the button a couple of times before the doors of the elevator slides open. He’s pulling faces at himself in the mirror as you ride up the the third floor and you can’t help but laugh and how much lighter his mood is.

Sarah’s waiting for you when you get off the elevator and Jake jumps into her arms, showering his mother’s face with kisses as she hugs him close. You simply kiss her cheek and follow her towards Nathan’s room, but Jake refuses to let her go and so she has to carry him there.

You smile when your parents greet you in the waiting room, your mother hugging and kissing you before you let your father envelope you in a hug, holding on to him tightly. You watch as Sarah and Jake make their way into Nathan’s room, opting instead to sit down next to your mother, deciding that they need a moment alone. Rummaging through your purse you take out their car keys and hand them back to your mother, “Thanks for letting me borrow your car.”

“Of course, sweetie,” your mother replies, patting your arm. “Do you need Dad to drive you home later?”

You shake your head, “Lauren’s coming to pick me up.” Then, knowing how much your parents like your best friend, “She’s going to stay with me for a while.”

“Oh good,” your mother nods, “you shouldn’t be alone right now.”

“So how was Los Angeles, sweetheart?” your father pipes up from beside your mother. “You know, before all this.”

You clear your throat, “Yeah, it was good. Really nice weather.”

“Good,” your father says as he leans back in his chair, his curt response very much in character for him.

You purse your lips to keep from saying anything else, never having told your parents the real reason you went to L.A.. They wouldn’t understand, so you told them it was just a small vacation. Instead you offer to get some coffee then and by the time you get back, Sarah’s coming out of Nathan’s room, Jake trailing right behind her, letting you know you can go see him.

You take a deep breath as you step inside, the “Hey loser,” escaping your lips almost automatically.

“Takes one to know one,” you hear him mutter quietly and you’re crying then, pressing a kiss to his cheek as you pull up a chair. He just glares at you and you know he’s going to give you shit for crying later, but you don’t care.

“How are you?”

“My head’s hurting like hell,” he jokes, “other than that, I’m fine.”

“Yeah?” you counter, still sobbing a little, “Fine enough to put on your seat belt next time you get into a car?”

He sighs, rolling his eyes for full effect, but nodding then, “Yeah.”

“Good,” you agree.

“Hi bud,” Lauren smiles as Jake climbs into the backseat of her truck.

You help him fasten his seat belt before you open the passenger’s door and get inside. “He’s staying with me until the end of the week,” you offer. “They want to keep an eye on Nathan at least until Thursday, so Sarah’s going to be busy with hospital visits and whatnot.”

“Cool,” Lauren says as she pulls out of the parking lot of the hospital. Looking over her shoulder before she merges onto Scott Avenue, she says, “Oh, by the way, your suitcase got delivered earlier.”

“Oh good,”

“You still owe me the full story,” Lauren says, glancing over at you with her eyebrows raised.

“I know,” you nod, not saying anything else. You know she doesn’t like it when you keep things from her but you’re not going to tell her with Jake in the car.  

She just shakes her head and looks at Jake through the rear-view mirror instead, “Tante just told me she’s taking us to McDonald's, kid!”

“Yay!” Jake exclaims, pumping his fists into the air.  

You roll your eyes at Lauren, but all of a sudden she’s very focused on the road and so you flick her upper arm instead, muttering a quiet, “You know I hate McDonald's.”

“Alright,” Lauren says once you’re downstairs again after having read Jake his bedtime story. She claps her hands together. “Wine.”

You nod in agreement and take a bottle of white out of the fridge while she grabs two glasses and follow her into the living room, both of you snuggling up in your respective corners on the couch, like you always do. She holds out the glasses to you and you pour the wine, taking a glass from her after you’ve set the bottle down on the ground next to you.

She holds up her glass, “To your idiot brother making a full recovery,”

“Cheers,” you says, clinking your glass against hers before taking a sip, letting out a content sigh.

Lauren’s slurping loudly and you laugh when you see her look at you, one eyebrow raised, the glass still against her lips as she mumbles, “I’m listening.”

You shake your head, but start talking anyway, telling her everything’s that’s happened while you were in Los Angeles, beginning at your arrival at the airport which you now realize was not even a week ago. You tell her about the Infinity War premiere then, amusing her with your story about how Chris Evans stepped on your dress, followed by how god-awful that after-party was, to how Sebastian came to see you the day after and how you spent a day on a boat together on Sunday before you got the call and he dropped you off at the airport. 

She gasps when you tell her about that pain you felt in your head, convinced you and Nathan now have that twin-connection thing you always hear about, and she squeals in delight when you tell her you kissed Sebastian right before you left, telling you to “Get it, girl!”

The bottle of wine is empty when you finish the story and you feel your eyes getting heavy, ready to get some sleep. You see your suitcase standing in the hallway then and so you crouch down and open it, searching for your toiletry bag. The first thing you see however, folded carefully on top of the rest of your clothes, is the dress you wore to the premiere, a note attached to it.

You feel Lauren coming up behind you as you take the piece of paper and unfold it.

Promise me you’ll keep this dress? You looked absolutely stunning in it and I’d love to see you in it again some time. -S

Lauren must have read along with you because she lets out a low whistle before she gently pats your shoulder, saying not more than a drawn out, “Babe.”

You just nod as you read the words again, a smile playing on your lips. You take the dress out of your suitcase and hand it to Lauren as you grab your toiletry bag that’s tucked away in one of the corners. You follow Lauren upstairs and take the dress from her once you get to your bedroom, carefully placing it on a hanger before you hang it in your closet, admiring it for a couple of seconds before you close the door again.  

With Jake occupying the guest bedroom, you and Lauren end up sharing your bed, and it reminds you of the last time you did, after Mark broke up with you. You were a mess for a long time after that and she was there for you every step of the way, staying with you for at least a month after it happened.

You know you’re not supposed to thank her anymore, but you can’t help yourself and whisper a quiet, “Thank you,” once her steady breathing lets you know she’s asleep.

Humming quietly to yourself your wrap a towel around your body before you run a hand across the fogged up mirror, trying to clear some of the surface so you can take a good look at yourself. You’re looking better than yesterday, that’s for sure, the bags under yours eyes considerably less, your skin a little clearer and your eyes a little brighter. You remind yourself that once this is all over you owe Lauren something big for everything she’s done so far, including getting up early this morning to take care of Jake and offering to get some groceries.

Grabbing your toothbrush you line it with some toothpaste and set about brushing your teeth when you hear the doorbell. You figure Lauren must have forgotten her keys and so you open the bathroom door and pop your head out, taking the toothbrush out of your mouth as you holler towards the stairs, “Can you get that, bud?”

“Yeah, ok!”

“Thank you!” you yell back, closing the door returning to the task at hand. You hear muted voices coming from downstairs as you finish brushing your teeth, one of them seems to be a man’s, but before you have time to think about it it’s like a stampede’s coming up the stairs and you hear, “Tante!”

You open the door, glad that you’ve already wrapped a towel around you, and you see Jake running towards you.

“Tante!” Jake yells, running down the hall so fast he almost runs into you as you step out of the door. He skids to a halt in front of you, arm flailing to keep himself from falling over.

“What’s going on, bud?”

“The Win-” he pants as he points to somewhere over his shoulder. “The Winter Soldier’s downstairs waiting for you,” he whispers, his eyes wide in shock, trying to catch his breath.

Your heart skips a beat then, even though you’re sure you’ve misheard him, “What?”

“The Winter Soldier’s downstairs,” he breathes, he tugs on your hand, “come on!”

“Jake,” you whisper but loud enough for him to stop. Your mind’s going a million miles an hour, but you decide to tackle this one thing at a time, because you sure as hell aren’t going to meet your guest, who supposedly is Sebastian Stan, dressed in just a towel so you gesture at yourself, “Let me change first, ok?”

“But-”

“I’ll be quick,” you assure him, hands on his arms as you bend down to his level. “He’s your friend too, remember? Just ask him if he wants a drink and tell him I’ll be right down.”

Jake nods firmly, “Ok.”

“Ok,” you echo, turning him around and placing a kiss on the top of his head, “Go.”

You smile when you see him race downstairs before you turn on your heels and almost run back into the bathroom yourself.

You’re sure it’s taken you no more than five minutes to get dressed, your hair now up in a loose bun, and some mascara on your lashes to add some definition to your eyes, but when you come downstairs you find Sebastian and Jake sitting at the kitchen table, talking and laughing together like they’ve been at it for hours.

They haven’t seen you yet and so you let yourself lean against the door frame, smiling when you see Sebastian nod enthusiastically at something Jake’s telling him. Letting out a laugh when you see Sebastian taking a sip from the juice pouch Jake has given him reveals you and you’re met with two smiling faces, albeit Sebastian’s the one who’s blushing ever so slightly.

You walk over to Jake and ruffle his hair before pressing a kiss to the top of his head, “Thanks, bud.”

Sebastian’s all smiles when he catches your eyes, “He’s an excellent host.”

“Oh, the best,” you agree, smiling back, one hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Although it does depend on the company. Not everyone gets a juice pouch, you know.”

Sebastian’s cheeks redden a bit more then and he chuckles, “Good to know.”

“Coffee?” you mouth silently, grinning when he nods. You turn around and busy yourself at the counter while Jake’s back to pretty much interrogating Sebastian about what’s going to happen in Infinity War, complaining that you won’t tell him anything.

You half listen to Sebastian telling him some minor plot points as you grab your phone and send a quick text to Lauren

Where are you?

She replies within a minute

Red light at Central, home in 2

Your fingers hover over the screen before you type

Sebastian’s here??!! Can you take Jake somewhere?

You wait for her reply but nothing comes and so you turn your attention back to the coffee, grabbing two mugs out of the cupboard, while the coffee machine simmers and whirs next to you, the delicious aroma slowly filling the kitchen.

A car honks outside then and you just know it’s Lauren, so you excuse yourself, mumbling something about having to help her with the groceries. As you open the front door you think you hear Jake explain to Sebastian that Lauren is your best friend and his bonus aunt and your heart swells with pride.

Closing the door behind you, you rush over to Lauren, who’s waiting for you next to her car. Her eyes are wide and she just stares at you, so you just shrug, followed by a whispered, “I know, right?”

This seems to pull her out of her daze and she sharply inhales, “What even is your life right now?” Her hand finds yours and she gives it a squeeze, “Listen, just be careful, ok? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I don’t even know why he’s here,” you counter quietly.

She just tilts her head, “Babe,”

“Yeah, alright,” you agree, before you let out a sigh, your free hand rubbing your forehead. Because really, she’s just looking out for you, and if it things were the other way around you wouldn’t even let her out of your sight. You squeeze her hand then, “Thank you.”

“Can I at least come in and meet him?” she asks while she lets go of your hand and opens the back door, handing you a bag of groceries before taking out the second one.

“Only if you promise me you won’t make a big deal out of this?”

“Babe,” she draws out, “It’s me we’re talking about-”

“Exactly,” you deadpan, sticking out your tongue at her.

It earns you a flick to your ear before she gently pushes your forward, “Come on, time for me to embarrass the shit out of you.”

You just sigh, clutching the groceries to your chest as you walk back to the house. You rest the bag on your hip when you get to the front door, using your free hand to open it, and your heart drops when you are met with quiet sobs. You look over your shoulder to Lauren, who gives you a uncertain smile, motioning for you to go on. You rush to the kitchen where you find Jake on Sebastian’s lap, Sebastian rubbing his back as your nephew tells him about the accident and his Dad being in the hospital, hooked up to all those machines. You feel tears coming to your eyes and let out a shaky breath at the scene in front of you.

Sebastian looks up then, his eyes a little watery too and your heart, oh your heart.

You let Jake finish the story, his sobs subduing ever so slightly when he lets Sebastian know that, “Yesterday Dad woke up and he still has to stay in the hospital for a while, but he’ll get to come home,”

Sebastian nods, throwing his arms around Jake and pulling him close, “That’s good news, buddy.”

Jake nods and sees you then, “Tante cried when the doctors told us.”

“I did,” you agree with a smile, quickly rubbing your pinkies underneath your eyes to dry your tears. “But those were happy tears, remember?”

“Yeah,” Jake agrees, “Those are the good tears, right?”

You nod as you walk over to him and pick him up, his arms around your neck as he wraps his legs around your waist. You rub his back, “Yeah, bud, those are the good ones.” You hug him close before you set him down, “Go get aunt Lauren, will you?” You watch as he darts across the kitchen towards the living room, before you turn back to Sebastian, “Thank you for that.”

He smiles, “He’s a good kid.”

Lauren walks in then, hauling the two grocery bags with her and you’re quick to take one from her, setting it down on the counter. You watch as she does the same before she turns to Sebastian, holding out her hand, “Hi, I’m Lauren, the best friend in this absurd situation.”

Sebastian stands up, taking her hand and throws her one of his most charming smiles, “Sebastian, hi.”

“So, Sebastian,” Lauren starts as she sits down opposite to him, resting her elbows on the kitchen table, her hands folded underneath her chin.

You let out a quiet groan because you know what’s coming next, but she just shakes her head at you, letting you know it’s between her and Sebastian now and so you start to unpack the groceries instead, Jake helping you the best he can. You try not to listen in on the conversation, but Jesus, they’re in the kitchen with you so it’s kind of hard not to.

You hear Lauren tell him that he’s made a pretty good first impression, what with everything that’s happened so far and that she hopes he’ll keep it up, but that she’s not above kicking his ass if he doesn’t. He chuckles then, and you see him lean over to her out of the corner of your eye, before he whispers something that has Lauren nod in agreement.

You wave one last time before you close the front door, Lauren and Jake now on their way to Freedom Park. You find Sebastian standing in your living room, admiring the painting your brother got your for your thirtieth birthday, called ‘Before the Rain’ by Osnat Tzadok. It’s one of your favorite pieces even though you’ll never tell your brother that, because he gloats enough as is. Or was, because even though he seems to be doing ok, the doctors warned you that it’s still too early to tell if he’ll walk away from this seemingly unscathed. You shake your head, trying to rid yourself of these thoughts, and stand beside Sebastian, your eyes tracing the lines on the canvas. 

“I have something for you,” he says, just as you were about to ask why he’s here, his voice low, barely above a whisper. He doesn’t await your answer, instead walking over to the front door, grabbing a flat cardboard package that you haven’t really noticed until now. He hands it to you with a smile, not saying anything.

It’s lightweight but fairly big and you sit down on the couch, resting the package on your knees as you start to peel away the tape, careful not to rip anything. You feel him sit down next to you, but you’re too focused at the task at hand, folding the cardboard back, only to reveal bubble wrap. You take the bubble-wrapped item out of the cardboard, discarding the now-empty package on the floor beside you. Running your fingers underneath the two pieces of tape that hold the bubble wrap together you glance at Sebastian who just smiles.

You let out a gasp when you unwrap what turns out to be ‘Tomorrow’, tears springing to your eyes. 

“What-,” you start. “How did you-” you hold up the painting and shake your head, unable to say anything that makes sense. It’s framed now, the blue of the frame matching the blue paint the artist used and it looks absolutely stunning.

You run your fingers over the glass carefully, tracing the confetti of colors and swirls of happiness breathlessly, a quiet, “It’s beautiful,” escaping you.