#but anyway i did some s/i planning last night and now i really should come up with some more tags

[violetsareblue-selfships]

good morning!! <3

[notyour-valentine]

The Boy in the Window 22 ~ Tommy Shelby x Reader (Series)

[Masterlist] [Series Masterlist] [Taglists]

Chapter Summary: If you're going through hell, keep moving. Who knows what could be waiting on the other side?

Notes:  I did my research and tried my best, but I am no expert, so please be leniant. I do not consent to my work being translated, copied or posted elsewhere on this platform or any other.

Warning: Canon conforming mention of violence. Drug and alcohol abuse. Alcoholism. Trauma. Detox. DT. Withdrawal symptoms. Suggestion of physical violence, domestic violence and child abuse. (18/21+). Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Expect spoilers for Peaky Blinders Season 1-4.

Wordcount: 4017

Part 22

[Previously]

It was purgatory. 

There was no other word she could use to describe it. 

Even hell wouldn't do the torment justice, for hellfire was unchanged and constant suffering, lacking in the versatility of the horrors they were faced with. 

Every day, every night there was some new, unexpected agony he had to endure and they in turn had to brace. 

Ada had come as soon as she heard what they were planning and had arrived the evening he had taken his last drink. 

They had planned it this way in the hope that he’d at least get some sleep before it would really start. 

So there were six of them, the two nurses, Ada, Mrs Gray, Frances and her, who dared to enter the room, as well as a host of maids who supplied them with everything they might need. 

In truth, they should have hired an army. 

The first time she went to see them was after she had taken her breakfast with the children and made sure they were occupied in the gardens. 

Tommy had already been restless then, smoking like a chimney to keep his nerves in check, with most of his breakfast untouched. 

In her and Ada’s presence he ate a little more, but it was a struggle. 

By lunchtime the headaches had started, and from then on it only ever got worse. 

There were mood swings and restlessness, nausea and vomiting. 

Often, he'd blatantly refuse to eat, insisting it won't stay down anyways, but he needed his strength. 

Sometimes Ada could get him to eat with whispers and begs, sometimes Polly had to scream at him, sometimes the nurses had to explain in great detail what would happen to his body if he didn't eat - all depending on his current state of mind, sometimes hopeful, sometimes enraged, sometimes resigned and deeply melancholic. 

Since he never ate much, they had to keep at it constantly, making him even more irritated than he already was. 

But with every passing minute, his restlessness increased. 

And while he was restless, he needed to be careful with that half-healed wound of his. The last thing they needed was him reopening his wound.

Before going to bed, she checked in on them again, and by that time Tommy was already complaining about the seeing bugs, with sweat glistening on his brow. 

The nurses assured her that it was normal, but she still hesitated to leave him and did so only because they all reassured her.

The next morning, Polly had looked like a ghost and Ada seemed to have aged half a decade. 

��Its not uncommon,”, the nurse had warned her before she entered his sick room, now that the others were resting and Lizzie had taken the children for a fun day at a fair some village away, “for someone in his condition to see things that are not there- beyond bugs”

(Y/N)’s lack of surprise startled her. 

He had been trembling when she entered, taking turns between sitting in the corner and staring at the floor or pacing up and down like a caged animal, or a maddened dog. 

She tried to find words of encouragement but found none and so she just sat down next to him and stroked his hand for as long as he let her. 

Then she’d watch him pace, changing directions without any system or rhythm, only to return to her, when she would stroke his shaking hand until the restlessness became too much for him to endure once more. 

When the sun set on the third day, it turned bad. 

The fever had him burning up, and all they could do was wipe the sweat from his body and try to cool him somehow, but that was not what frightened them. 

His breathing had grown so ragged and his eyes so glassy and wide, as they locked in on things they could not see, only for him to force them shut again with an almost childish persistance.

When she held him, unable to contain the tremors of his body with her own, she could feel his racing heartbeat which was so viscious it made her fear it would give out.

Nothing they tried to calm him worked, no soothing touch, no calming word, not even Polly’s romani songs. 

With midnight, came the terrors. 

The absence of drink and the stress his body felt was more than enough to dig up the shallow graves of his ghosts, the ghosts of John, of Grace, of Danny and Freddie and so many others that shaped his nightmares since France. 

When it started at first, Polly had glared at her as if she wanted her thrown out in light of revelations that were not hers to witness according to the other woman.

Perhaps she even would have succeeded in forcing her from his sickroom, which (Y/N) wouldn't have left voluntarily, but then his wrecked body resureccred ghosts that had been buried deeper.

And even if they came in the form wimpered whispers, flinches and weeping, they were of the sort that terrified them all to their core.

Thrice that night, he called Ada “Mother”. 

The last time had been so bad, it ended with him sobbing into her chest, shaking like a leaf and burning with fever.

It had made her feel a type of cold, no blanket, no fire and no embrace could chase away, but the true horror was written all over Ada, who turned to ashened Polly.

“I can’t do it, Pol,", she had confessed through her tears. "Not when he’s talking like this.”

For (Y/N) these ghosts his struggles had brought back had been merely shapes behind the curtains in the windows, whispers in hushed voices, but to Ada and Polly they were a reality they had once lived and now were forced to endure a second time. 

No one could blame her.

Somehow, they reached the morning, but that night alone left them so utterly drained, they did not even have the strength to bury their hatchets. 

They simply lay discarded on the steep, risky road they all travelled together, thrown off like any other extra baggage to ease their ascent. 

The nurses could do so much for his body but it needed one of them to attempt to sooth his mind. 

In a way it reminded her of those years in the war where all past grudges were laid to rest, all inequalities thrown aside, because in the grand scheme of things they simply didn't matter anymore. 

The only thing that mattered was going forward and no one, just like back then, could do it alone. 

Polly and Ada remembered that time too. 

Every woman did. 

When she had gone down to wake and have breakfast with the children, without a minute of sleep to call her own, she announced that they would get to have a sleepover at Lizzie’s house. 

The suggestion of her leaving with them had hung in the air, but she couldn’t go, could she?

Not when she hadn’t even been sure he would survive the two hours she was packing and seeing off the children. 

The fourth day was as awful as the night that had preceded it, and in it’s wake, it left exhaustion, for them and for him too, but that at least quenched his restlessness.

On the fifth day, the doctor had told them that the worst had past, but that hardly made it better. 

He was still struggling, barely clinging to sanity, while his body was tormented and weak. 

It didn’t help that he showed little interest in eating. 

Once, a few days after that, when it had gotten particularly bad and he had refused food all day long, and Ada’s pleas and Polly’s screams had failed, they had called her away from the children. 

And so (Y/N) had resulted to sit down in his sick room with him.

Despite the spring air, it had been freezing because Tommy needed the windows open to prevent, or at least rein in, his nightmares. 

So wrapped in a scarf, given her recent cold she had sat down and calmly explained that she wouldn't eat either until he would before taking up her knitting needles and offering him some of the silent treatment he had sought fit to deal upon them from time to time.

First, he had mocked her, rolling his eyes and dismissing her with scoffs and dark chuckles, then he had berated her for her stupidity, raising his voice and calling all sorts of ghastly things, only to fall to his knees at her side, weeping and pleading in the process, saying she didn't deserve to suffer for his sake. 

All the time, for as long as the food stayed untouched, her mouth had stayed shut and her needles kept clicking.

Finally, after hours, he had yanked them from her hands and thrown them out of the window, announcing bitterly that she had won, and that he would eat if only to “End your fucking nonsense, woman!”

But he had eaten. 

He had tried to trick her of course, first only pretending to, but when he realised she wasn’t fooled, matching the amount of soup and bread he ate and the amount of soup he didn’t eat, he had finally relented, cursing her under his breath. 

Every day, they said, was an improvement, promising progress. 

Polly, Ada and (Y/N) could only hope that that was true. 

It was like dealing with a teething babe in the night, a toddler at their worst tantrums, a freshly bereaved young widow on the edge of desperation and a raging madman all at once, with no pattern to which facette of him they would get. 

Then there were the times when his headaches got so bad he could barely move, with wet bandages around his forehead and all chamomile, peppermint or ginger tea, nor lavender oil or cooled metal spoons to ease it. 

Some days he would jump at every noise, and snap at them for scaring him, sometimes upon recognition he'd crumble into their arms, but sometimes he'd just stare into thin air, his hands closed into fists. 

There were days his heart thundered so ferociously, she feared once more that it would give out, and nights where he found no sleep at all. 

Sometimes the sweating soaked through his clothes, making them fear his fever had returned but they still couldn't risk closing the windows. 

It was difficult seeing Tommy pushed to his limits, but it was no easier to stretch their capabilities over and over again. 

Each and every one of them gave more than their all. 

She wasn't much use during the day, as the children kept her occupied, needing her attention too, but even then she took longer naps then they did and was constantly out of breath. That lingering cough didn't help either. 

Without Lisa and her creative ideas, Lizzie and her stoic interventions, as well as Barbara inviting them over for playdates, she would have been lost. 

Especially Barabra’s effort struck her. 

She did not know much of the occurrences at Arrow House, but understood it was bad. She didn’t ask or pry either. Instead, and in spite of her fast approaching due date, she opened her home to let the children run wild with her son Oliver for a few hours until they were too tired to notice (Y/N)’s own exhaustion. 

If she hadn’t been as utterly drained as she was, she would have berated herself for the decision to leave the children in the same house. 

But she couldn’t leave either them or him. 

After the better part of two months, the mood swings had evened out and most other symptoms had retreated to a manageable level. 

His hands shook and he was plagued by nightmares, but he no longer saw things that weren’t there. And he no longer cowered in corners or made their life purposefully difficult with refusals and insults. 

He had even tried to apologise, but Polly had shut him down in all their name. 

What had happened, happened. It wasn’t like he remembered it properly, nor were those days and nights times Ada, Polly or (Y/N) were too keen to look back on. 

They had, in silent agreement, decided that once this time passed, they’d let it stay passed. 

The doctors gave them a long list of reassurances (never certainties, they didn’t go that far) that they had come through- as long as Tommy didn't relapse. 

It still left him with a broken body and a fragile mind and them in a state of constant worry. 

But at least they could go to bed without having to worry if he would still be under the living by the time they would wake up. 

It allowed her to leave the grounds without drowning in guilt, even if it was only to visit Barbara. 

The small twenty five minute walk had left her out of breath and close to panting on their way to the lovely little cottage the Caple’s called their own. 

It was the house of their dreams really, small and manageable, not too big for little people like her, but still comfortable, clean and sweet with a garden and trees.

Oliver, Barbara’s boy, let them in. 

His mother was lounging in the garden, with a belly as round as a football, looking ready to pop.

“We’ve got you flowers from the gardens!”, Emma announced, ceremoniously handing her a bouquet they had picked her earlier.

“And cake!”, Charlie added with a great sense of pride in his voice.

“Oh that’s just lovely!”, she told him with a wide smile.

“Can you sort it, cause by the time I’m up and about, the flowers’ll be wilted!”, Barbara asked her, as soon as Emma and Charlie had run off to play with Oliver. 

It was easily done. 

“How are you?”, she asked Barbara when she returned outside, sitting down next to her. 

Barbara looked her up and down. 

“Better than you by the look of it.”, she said with a frown. 

“And I’m the size of a ploughhorse.”

(Y/N) tilted her head and sighed. 

I feel like on. 

But she didn’t say it. 

“We brought you some summer honey and jams!”

It was good, that the maids knew how to do all that and were more than willing to show the children.

That way (Y/N) was allowed a few hours sitting in the edge of the corner with a plastered smile as a new curiosity kept the children too busy to notice her exhaustion while giving her some time to just shut off her racing mind. 

She had also brought anything and everything they could harvest from the house and gardens at the moment, feeling guilty for all the time in the last few weeks Barbara had jumped in to help her without questions or demands. 

“Oh love.”, Barbara sighed, reaching out and placing her hand over (Y/N)’s. 

It was a small gesture, but it lifted a weight from her shoulders. 

She needn’t pretend, but she didn’t have to explain either, not that she could have done. 

There were no words, and even if she could find them, she was too tired to speak them.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”, Barbara asked, looking at her over her gigantic belly. 

The fact that she offered, almost brought tears to her eyes, but there was nothing, nothing she could think of and nothing she could ask of her, not in her state. 

With a smile, she gave Barbara’s hand a squeeze.

“Well, if you know a wizard, send him my way. I fear I need a few duplicates of myself.”

One to watch the children. 

One to tend to Tommy. 

And one to rest. 

The walk back from Barbara’s home left her as exhausted as the way there, if not more so, even though she had nothing to carry this time around. 

They had almost reached the house, and the promise of soft sofas and armchairs, when Emma cried out. 

She had spotted them first, long before (Y/N) or Charlie did and took off running in his direction before anyone could even think of stopping her. 

Of course, (Y/N) thought. 

Tommy was a restless soul for whom stagnation in any shape or form was unnatural, even if it came in that of his sick room, but he was also a wild romani boy who climbed onto the roofs and ran away, who slept as well on dry earth and luscious grass as most did in their feather beds. 

Still, she was surprised. 

Ada was with him - the nights and days which he spent in delirium had left with a lot of questions they'd probably face far away from the house and possible interruptions.

Charlie's hand searched for hers as they watched her wrap her arms around his waist. 

Tommy flinched slightly as Emma's head collided with his wound, but still, he stroked over the top of her head.

Charlie stepped so close to her, their shadows became one, as if he wanted to hide from his father’s view. 

She stroked his shoulder in a silent repetition of the promise she had given him. 

You don���t have to do anything you don’t want to do. 

They could hear Emma raining down stories of countless adventures on Tommy, coaxing a faint smile to his lips as he cupped her cheek. 

As they continued to walk up to the house, she felt Charlie's steps slow. 

She let him control their pace and soon enough they came to a halt. 

He leaned into her and she put her arm around him. 

Whichever path he chose, she'd take it with him. 

Tommy's eyes drifted over to them, met Charlie's, then hers. 

Still, his son did not move. 

She could see his deep breath from where she stood, and recognised the hurt in his eyes. 

But they had talked about this. 

The choice lay with Charlie, not him and even if she recognised his pain him, she would not change her position.

He understood too, and turned back to Emma.

~

With Tommy up and about more, she was faced with a new hurdle, as she hadn’t really expected Charlie to be so strong in his resolve not to speak to him.

But she didn’t want him to be uncomfortable in the presence of his father, so while Emma was saying goodnight to Cyril, an almost half an hour ritual which included brushing his fur and singing him a goodnight song, she took Charlie aside. 

“Your father is better now.”, she told him. “He’s taking walks in the garden with Auntie Ada, like yesterday.”

Charlie nodded. 

“Do you mind that we see him up and about the house and gardens from time to time?”

“Do I have to talk to him now?”, Charlie asked, twisting Mrs Tatters ears. 

“No.”, she assured him. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Your father knows that too.”

“Alright then.”, he simply said with a shrug, before snuggling into her arms and leaning his head against her.

“Sing the cherry song?”, he asked. 

The cherry song - she had a rather certain feeling why Charlie liked it so much. 

She could see it in his widening eyes whenever her voice would form these particular lines. 

I gave my love a story that had no end. 

And it would always make him relax when she sang the final part, even if it was with her strained and croaky voice, still carrying the lingering effects of her cold. 

It didn’t end for his father and she could only hope it wouldn’t end for the son either. 

~

Arrow House was so large that Tommy could keep his distance from the children at most times. 

He knew Charlie wasn’t comfortable around him yet and kept himself at arm’s length, even if it was difficult for him. 

Still, she could often feel his eyes on her and the children when they were outside in the garden and she could see him either watching from a window or from the shade of the trees or see him in passing in or around the stables. 

While earlier she had been on a tightrope, she was between chairs now. 

She didn’t want Tommy to hurt, but Charlie needed her more. 

Emma, on the other hand, couldn’t understand what was happening. 

They hadn’t told her about what happened between Tommy and Charlie. 

It would only have added to the confusion and the heartbreak. 

But at the same time it meant she saw no reason to keep her distance from Tommy, even when Charlie was cautious and (Y/N) stayed back for his sake. 

And she never forgot about him. 

They could be picking flowers and she would set some aside for Tommy, who was still ill in her mind. 

They could be baking and she would ask if someone would bring Tommy a piece. 

She would see him and wave if he was standing at a window, or run to him if he was close enough. 

And during one of these encounters she had asked Tommy to come see her during her riding lessons, being eager to show off her progress. 

The first time, he had watched from afar, not even in shouting distance, but bit by bit, day by day he dared to move closer until he joined her from where she was watching, wrapped in a thick scarf to risk not getting sick again after having only just gotten through that ghastly cold which had tied her to the bed for three days only a week ago - the second this summer. 

Charlie was doing his circles all on his own, with Emma was still on the rope while riding her pony. 

Once they were finished with their two hour lesson, Harry helped them get the horses back to the stables, where (Y/N) handed them the treats they would always give out to the horses the way Tommy had taught them all those months ago. 

The man himself stayed a few steps behind her as Emma took her portion of the treats and ran off, Cyril never far behind. 

Charlie, however, stayed.

His hands were closed into fists and she could see the wheels turning in his head.  

“Did you have fun today, Charlie?”, she asked, uncertain what he was planning.

“Tell them to stop treating Emma like a baby.”, he ordered sharply. 

His tone made her eyebrows shoot up, and her mouth open with a gentle warning, but then she realised he wasn’t talking to her. 

Holding her breath, she watched Tommy stand there like a deer in headlights, frozen to the spot.

“Emma’s good enough to ride outside of the enclosure.”, Charlie insisted, meeting his father’s gaze. “But they don’t want to let her, not even with the rope.”

Tommy’s hands began to shake slightly as he came closer with the caution only a man crossing a minefield could possess. 

His joints cracked when he crouched down next to her to be closer of eye-level with his son. 

“Why’s that, Charlie?”, he asked, staring up at him wide-eyed. 

Charlie didn't turn to look at him, but he didn't run from him either. 

“I told Harry but he said she can’t because she’s a girl and that's not how girls are supposed to ride.”

His pale blue eyes burned with determination. 

“But that’s just stupid. How is she supposed to get better if they don’t let her?", he demanded to know, anger making his voice tremble slightly. 

“They don’t listen to me but they have to listen to you! So you tell them!”

His father nodded slowly. 

“I’ll take a closer look next time and then I’ll tell them.”, Tommy promised with a shaky voice. 

Charlie gave a single, grim nod, as if sealing a gentleman’s agreement.

His mannerism was so to Tommy it made her mouth drop open once more.

They watched him follow Emma to the other side of the stables, joining her and Cyril.

(Y/N) and Tommy stayed behind.

Beside her, he steadied himself with two hands braced on the ground as he took a deep and quaking breath. 

Reaching out, she covered his hands with one of hers and gave them a little squeeze. 

He pushed himself back into a sitting position and inhaled deeply once more, his hand turning to hold hers. 

When he met her gaze, his eyes were glassy. “Thank fuck for Harry’s stupidity, eh?”, he asked breathlessly. 

“I wouldn’t thank them in the slightest!”, she snapped. 

Tommy showed her the hint of a smile. 

“Ah, love, you have to give me a little leeway in this case, eh?”

End of Part 22

~

Part 23

Thank you for reading! I’d be very grateful for feedback of any kind!

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[charleslee-valentine]

For the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Fanworks Event Day 6: Music is my Life

Ship(s): Radiohead/Vietnita/Brocktop (Chop Top x Stretch)

Word Count: ~1,800

Warnings: Alcohol use, hangovers, abuse mention, mild sexual content.

@texas-chainsaw-fanworks

________

It wasn’t intentional.

Bobby was supposed to be out and back before anybody even noticed he was gone. To just grab a couple drinks and then get the hell out. Easy.

Now, nobody else knew that plan, so did it matter that much when two beers turned to three, then three to four? Probably not. He wasn’t far from home and hadn’t driven anyways. He could be there in time still.

Except he didn’t walk his goofy ass home. He woke up in a pretty girls bed.

She greeted him with a soft, close-lipped smile, “Morning. Didn’t think you’d be up before the afternoon.”

A groan slips past his lips. His head is fucked. Bobby tries to sit up and then lays right back down, rubbing at blurry eyes, “Time?”

“‘Leven thirty. You got somewhere to be, I’ll drive you.” She informs him, sitting on the side of the bed. Her bed.

Bobby should tell her he’s got to get home. But he’s barely awake, and barely able to remember what happened last night either. Speech isn’t coming to him.

He just shakes his head ‘no’.

“Your head still hurtin’ you?” The woman observes, when he nods again producing a little pain-pill bottle from somewhere, maybe the night stand, and giving it to him, “Here. Don’t leave it on an empty stomach. I can make you breakfast too.”

Really, he appreciates the offer. There’s no way in hell he’d lie and say he doesn’t like the attention from this gorgeous lady. But, one thought creeps up in his head and he has to ask, wondering if maybe she’s one of those women that take advantage that his big brother warned him about. After all, she doesn’t seem to be affected by last night in the least.

Maybe she was sober while he wasn’t.

“A-Aren’t you hungover t-too?”

“Sugar, I do that every night. If I still got as fucked up as you, I’d’ve been kicked out by now. My drunk lasts a lot less than yours.” She informs him, kind but a little humored.

That’s when Bobby remembers some. Pretty girl is the disc jockey from the bar. Stretch is her work name. Vanita is her real one. Even that part of her is beautiful.

Okay, so he might be a little pussy whooped, but he can’t help it. She played good music. Actual rock and not the radio approved shit. Alcohol in his system meant he was probably rambling about all the artists and such for hours last night, and she’d done nothing but listen contentedly. And then kiss him.

It was really pretty fun, dancing all night, sharing drinks and cool facts and kisses. Nothing like the other quick hookups he’d had in bathroom stalls and seedy motels. The kinds where they wouldn’t look him in the face or kiss him after they got their rocks off.

Those times had been better than being lonely, but not being hat he wanted. Nothing like miss Vanita.

Even now, she could kick him out. Instead of sitting here close and brushing stray hairs off his face, she could be dragging him out the door.

Not that he even should be still here. He’s a long several hours overdue to be back home. They’ll have noticed by now he ain’t there.

He looks her in her eyes, half squinting from the stubborn headache, “I-I kinda lied. M-My brothers’ll be look-lookin’ for me.”

Stretch seems understanding, putting her sweet hand in his hair like she’d done the night before and makin’ him blush like some kinda idiot, “I can take you home, hon. Promise it won’t bother me none to do it.”

“I-I don’ wanna.” Bobby doesn’t know why he’s honest. Like he’s her puppy or something.

“Mm. I hear ya.” Stretch can sense the sadness in him, the part of the truth that isn’t being told. She just misunderstands it’s meaning a little, “Bobby, are you sure you got somewhere to go? You can tell me the truth.”

“Huh? O-Oh yeah. M-My brother o-o-own’s a real big farm house. We all l-live there. All-“ He counts his siblings on his fingers, including his Sissy even though she doesn’t come home often, “Five of us.”

That doesn’t fully answer her question though. Stretch asks him slowly, “And you’re safe there?”

“S-Sure. Drayton says..says I-I’m in my r-rebellion phase.”

All he means by that is that he’s on a slightly longer leash than he used to be, not getting beat up the same as he used to either. Safe enough. He might get smacked around a little for coming home so late, but it’s nothing miss Stretch outta worry her little self about.

She sure looks like she’s worrying though, with her eyebrows all shot up high on her forehead, “Mister, you told me you were 30 something.”

“Yeh. I-I am.” Bobby tells her bluntly, even though his stutter makes him sound less sure.

“Alright then.” She relaxes quick, looking at him in this infatuated way, the kinda look nobody ever gave him before. A light laugh bounces her strong-frame shoulders, “You are a mystery, Robert Sawyer.”

It sounds nice, but he wants to be sure she isn’t trying to pull one over on him. “I-In a good way?”

“The best.” She promises.

“Cool. Gr-Groovy.” Without the whiskey and beer, he ain’t exactly some Romeo. He feels awkward and dumb, so he tries to make up for it, “Hey, c-can I kiss you?”

Stretch hums with tiniest play of a smirk on her face, “Honey, you done a lot more than that.”

Oh she knows just how to make him blush. It’s nice having someone who challenges him back.

He smiles really genuinely, even though he’s been told his overbite is gross looking, he hopes she won’t mind, “I-It’s polite to ask.”

She must like his smile.

“Then yes, baby. Anytime you like.”

Stretch even initiates the kiss, already holding him in her arms, only taking a little effort to lean in and connect their lips. Everything about her is gentle, but not her kisses. Those are hungry. Fierce.

Dominant.

Bobby makes some kind of a noise like a whimper and a mewl combined. It makes Stretch laugh softly.

Flushed as pink as a peach, he pulls away a little, for the sake of catching his breath as much as to get his bearings back, “Wh-What’s funny?”

Her soft hands never leave his face, “You just weren’t this shy last night, baby. Don’t worry though; I like my boys a little soft.”

Soft isn’t really a word he’s been called before. Or even been allowed to be. In his head, soft translates into pansy ass. To sorry excuse for a brother.

He knows his face must light up like a puppy dog when she says that. Every instinct in his body screams to kiss on her, so he does. Not that he’s usually one to deny things like that, but it seems especially right, being here with this special girl.

He lungs and kisses all over her face. Any inch of skin he can reach gets a smooch.

She’s howling with laughter by the time she gently pushes him off, “Calm down now, mister!”

But he doesn’t want to go far away from uer. The contact and the pressure and the warmth are too nice. He leans on her while his hands get tappy and a couple little noises squeak past his attempts to stop them. That happens when he gets happy. Stretch might have to get used to that.

She doesn’t seem off put at a glance. If anything, the look in her eyes is kinda fond. Loving.

Her fingers card through his long hair again, careful not to catch on any tangles, “You and me gonna party ‘gain soon, sweet thing?”

Bobby shrugs, “M-Maybe once I’m ungrounded. I-I’m gonna be in biiiiig trouble.”

“Even if I come back with ya and explain?” Stretch offers.

That makes him feel silly. People don’t really think it’s normal, him being old as he is and still being pushed around by his big brother. Living with him ‘stead of on his own.

They think that it makes him either some drooling idiot, or a spineless pushover. Like he’s just supposed to walk away from the man that raised him, and his other two brothers that need the extra help. The man feeds him for thirty years, takes care of his brothers and helps with his medicine, and that’s supposed to mean nothing?

Thankfully, Stretch ain’t most people though.

Bobby looks at her all wide eyed, “Y-You’d do that f-for me?”

She sounds real genuine as she explains her reasoning, knowing he needs to heard it to believe it, “Sure, hon. I get it, you been gone all night, but it’s better’n both of our drunk asses winding up in a ditch somewhere. They’ll understand that.”

He nods, and wraps his arms right around her, determined to look in her eyes while he declares, “I-I won’t let ‘em be mean t-to ya. Y-You’re my girl, miss Stretch.”

It was mostly a success. His eyes do that blinky twitchy thing they do, which has always annoyed him, but it doesn’t seem to bother her.

For once, she’s the one between them that blushes “Am I now?”

“Y-Yeah. My..My fave.” He promises, hoping she understands what a high compliment that truly is.

But then she says something that surprises him. “Ain’t always you get to meet the folks this early. That’s gotta be a new record.. Hope I’m not comin’ off too desperate on you.”

As if. Not when Bobby’s around, he thinks. His middle name might as well be desperate (He actually doesn’t officially have one on paper.) It’s awful weird having someone who doesn’t just automatically point out that he’s annoying or blame him for everything. Stretch really thinks she could be too much?

“N-No way. Y-You and me, we c-could be s-soulmates o-or somethin’.” To prove it to her, he belts a line from a Van Morrison song about love, “I'm run into to her like a river strong-“

Music gets to a girl like her. One who knows allll about it from her nights dj-ing at the club. She interrupts him with a kiss.

Strong as all the other ones with even more tongue. There’s intention behind it, a silent but perfectly clear question. An offer to do a repeat of last night, but sober. Bobby gives her some little sounds as confirmation. Moaning little whines.

All the confirmation she needs.

Stretch throws her leg around his waist, using the added leverage to pin Bobby to the mattress and straddle his waist.

Somehow they stayed connected through all that, but she breaks the kiss to ask him, panting, “How much longer b‘fore you hafta go?”

“A-A little while more w-wouldn’t hurt nobody…” He confirms.

It’s true enough. Might get him hurt, but he’s more’n used to that.

Something tells him he ain’t never gonna get used to the feeling of a pretty girl on top of him this way. So he’s sure as hell gonna revel in it.

[mephinomaly]

[TL] The Occasional Family TLC

Summary: Ritsu wants some attention, and Kaoru suggests he pays his brother a visit. Reluctantly, he does under the guise of passing along a message from Kaoru.

Character(s): Ritsu, Kaoru, Rei

Season: Winter

Location: Café Cinnamon

Ritsu: Yaawnnn, hng… so tired.

(The only time all of Knights were available was early in the morning so I had to get up early…)

(Everyone but me had somewhere to be afterwards, leaving me on my own. They’re all heartless.)

(I have plans in the afternoon so if I go back to sleep, I probably won’t wake back up again…)

But I’m soooo tired. Haa~...Maa-kun, help mee~

-that's what I texted him but he didn’t reply…? Oh yeah, didn’t he say he was busy with a photoshoot all day?

Even though I need to be cared for right now? Maa-kun’s a cheater~

…Maybe I’ll give up and go back to sleep.

Kaoru: I was wondering who was grumbling. What are you doing here, Ritsu-kun?

Ritsu: Ah, Kaoru-san. Finally, someone’s come to look after me~♪

Kaoru: Come to look after you…? Sorry but I’m not your guy.

I have somewhere to be after this so once I’ve finished my coffee, I need to head off.

Ritsu: Ehh~, don’t say things like that and just pay more attention to meee Kaoru-san~

Spoil me more. Spoil me like you’ve never spoiled someone before~...

Kaoru: You’re more needy than usual and you’re really begging, huh. What’s up?

Ritsu: I actually got up early yet no one congratulated me for it?

Now I’m struggling not to fall back asleep. I’ve been betrayed. I’m still waiting for my praise.

Kaoru: What an adorable reason~.

Then I’ll give you what you need. Good boy, well done on waking up early~♪

Ritsu: Nn~, that’s the stuff ♪ That’s the sort of praise I want. It would be so good if Kaoru-san was my brother…

Kaoru: I’m pretty sure Rei-kun would praise you too for working so hard.

Ritsu: Um, who is “Rei”? I’ve never heard of that person before. My onii-chan’s name is Kaoru.

Kaoru: Don’t joke around like that, okay? If Rei-kun heard, he'd burst into tears.

Ritsu: Yeah I know. But If I texted anija about it, it would create an even bigger problem.

He’d flood my inbox like he’s commenting on a video.

Kaoru: Probably. But considering it’s Rei-kun, he’d probably call you.

Ritsu: Yeah and I’d block him if he did. He’s not my brother but I’m still scared.

Kaoru: Haha…Well, Rei-kun’s used to being ignored. But I thought your relationship was on the mend after what happened during Operetta.

Ritsu: It’ll be embarrassing if I let him get too comfortable.

Anyway, Kaoru-san’s used to me acting like this anyway…

Kaoru: Yeah I guess but you should show Rei-kun some affection every once in a while.

He’s trying his best, so wouldn’t it be good to reward him for that?

Ritsu: ...

Kaoru: I’ve got it. Do you think you could pass on a message for me?

Ritsu: Ehh~. Isn’t that what HoldHands is for?

Kaoru: That doesn’t matter. And I think Rei-kun would much rather hear it from his cute younger brother ♪

Ritsu: I’m not a bootlicker. How troublesome~...

Kaoru: Please. If you have enough time to take a nap here, you can surely deliver a message for me?

Ritsu: ...Sigh, fine. I’ll sleep wherever I am, just so you know…

Kaoru: Thank you Ritsu-kun ♪

Well, I’ve got to go in a few moments.

I didn’t see Rei-kun when I went to the office earlier, so he’s probably sleeping at the dorms. It’s still early after all.

Ritsu: Okay. What am I telling him?

Location: Rei, Eichi, and Aira's dorm room

Rei: Well I never. To think the first thing I’d see when I awake would be sweet Ritsu ♪ If the day ended right now, I’d be happy.

Come hither, my lovely cute angel~! Come rest upon my lap~♪

Ritsu: No, I'm okay. More importantly, are your roommates not in?

Rei: Mhm. Tenshouin-kun and Shiratori-kun both did not return to the dorms last night. Now you can spoil me to your heart’s content~.

Ritsu: Ah, lucky me.

Rei: Say something more! If you act so uninterested you’ll hurt my feelings~

Ritsu: You’re annoying as usual. Just so you know, I’m not planning on staying long.

I’m just here to deliver a message from Kaoru-san.

Rei: Kaoru-kun? Has there been a change of plan?

Ritsu: You have a meeting about some program you’ll be in tonight, right? The meeting place has changed. Kaoru-san will tell you where later.

Rei: Ah, I see. Thank you for telling me. Then Ritsu, come here.

I must praise you for being a good, good boy for me ♪

Ritsu: How many times do I have to tell you to stop with the “good boy”? Are you so old your ears have started to rot?

Jesus, I didn’t even do much. Besides, Kaoru-san’s already given me all the TLC I need.

Rei: Fumu. I’m a little confused as to why Kaoru-kun sent you to tell me.

Surely there’s something more to it? It’s unlike you to come all this way just for that.

Ritsu: ...

Rei: You’re always welcome to come talk to me, cute Ritsu. Never hesitate to come and find your oniichan ♪

Ritsu: …Uhuh. You’re reading too much into things. I just came to deliver a message for him.

Rei: Well that doesn’t seem to be true. To go out of your way for one singular message is not very Ritsu of you.

Ritsu: You’re beyond saving, you senile old man. Can’t you just accept that that’s all there is to it?

Rei: Umu. If you insist, I suppose I’m misunderstanding.

Ritsu: …Well, even if there was another reason… which there isn’t, by the way.

That reason would be that it’s early in the morning and I was sent to deliver a message that totally could have been sent via Holdhands.

Rei: Huh…? Sorry…? W-what do you mean?

Ritsu: My loser brother’s complimentary service has run out~.

Yaawn, mm… this sucks. I can’t stop yawning so I’m going back to my room for a nap. Bye~.

Rei: ...Service?

So… could it be true that…Ritsu came to see me for the sake of…seeing me…!?

W-wait, my sweet Ritsu. If you want to take a nap you can here! We can share a bed!

I’m begging you! Let me love you with all my body, Ritsuu!

[cato616]

PREDICTABLE FEELING (part four)

kendall roy x fem reader

note: sorry i haven't been posting!! I've been kinda busy with uni and some other stuff

summary: it's the day where kendall finds out about your transfer to, not his dad, not shiv, but his brother roman; oh the many emotions that will build up once he finds out about this decision of yours.

parts: pt.1 // pt.2 // pt.3

content/warning: angst?/ fluff, degrading from roman? jealousy

You knew what effects it would have on kendall, being now the assistant of roman, in this case, knowing his history, he's not the type of person you would want to work with; kinda gross, pretty mean to his employees, actually that's pretty much everyone in the Roy family, but doesn't empathize that much like the rest, although he does from time to time, and oh, he has a type, but mostly has it for everyone he works with. Those are a few reasons why kendall will find this infuriating.

It's the next morning, and you're sleeping still; it was a long night of course. In your sleep, you were dreaming about being alone, in an abandoned city, no one in sight, full of green and large buildings surrounding you, nothing but yourself out there, until, you turn around and there it was kendall, kissing a mysterious woman behind you, so you tried to avoid it and started running, and as you may know, running in a dream, not really easy; may I also add, you were half naked, the dream was turning into a nightmare almost, kendall and the mysterious woman started to laugh at you, and you couldn't escape even when you had a whole city you could run around to. In conclusion, insecurity: check.

There was tho, an unfamiliar sound in that dream, like buzzing; The sound turned out to be from your phone, your eyes open, and immediately tried to grab the cellphone thinking it was an alarm, however, it wasn't an alarm, it was someone calling you; you rub your eyes, attempting to get your sight straight, you got out of bed, cleared your throat, and answered the call. "yes... who's this?" It was an unknown number. "wakey wakey dummy... uuh sorry I think I shouldn't talk to you like that from now on." You stand up from your bed, it made you react, it was roman on the other side. "I'm calling from an unknown number because someone tried to kill me and-" Roman starts chuckling, you weren't that amused with his attempted joke, as he tries to stop to compose himself so that he could continue talking to you. "sorry, I think this new decision of yours, made my life a little more interesting, this call by the way it's from my driver's phone, I forgot mine at my office-" Everything from last night were a bit of a blur. "wait- sorry, what... decision?" You didn't want to look unprofessional but you had to ask anyway. "I'm pretty sure it's you working for me? don't you remember?" You froze, as you connected those blurry fragments from when you were about to go to sleep, writing that email to roman. "right! yeah sorry, I just woke up, I remember." You did recall writing roman addressing your needs to transfer, of course, all because of kendall; that you do remember, he even appeared in your dream. "...sure, so I'll be there at my office shortly, you should be there too." You didn't know if you were crazy or if roman's voice was sounding mischievous, as if he was planning an evil scheme, but again, you were the one planning the whole thing.

Walking your way to Waystar, you kept thinking if this was the right call, was this revenge? trying to hurt kendall? or just to avoid him? The only thing you know is that it came over you just like that, last night; so, if deciding in a matter of second the need to be away from kendall, must be because of something.

You finally get to roman's office, he greets you first. "oh hey hey, come on in, quick." He didn't even let you speak for that matter, he was also very quiet, and quickly closed the door behind as soon as you stepped in. "so?... sorry, i really do wanna ask, how did he take it? did he start punching into walls or talked like an idiot... I am hurt, what you did wasn't cool, it wasn't, I didn't like it-" Roman was mimicking kendall in a mockingly way, as you stood still in front of him, analysing the situation. "... don't know why he's so direct and serious when confronting someone, he's a weird guy I must say, my poor brother." You zone back in. "hold on... what do you mean? I didn't tell him anything." Roman eyes lit up with excitement but he's brows showed confusion. "what do you mean you didn't tell him? he doesn't actually knows you're not his assistant anymore? that's- I feel like that's mean, was it supposed to be mean? or you just forgot?" Roman hit you with a hundred questions at a time, you back off a little bit. "all i can say, is that it was personal, and for even that reason, I decided to transfer, to you." Roman mockingly gasps as if he has heard the most interesting gossip. "I guess I misjudged you after all." You could read his face and whole body as he leaned closer, and his pupils dilated, that he was, flirting? It was surprising, but for some reason, you didn't want to stop him. You were hurt enough from yesterday to know you shouldn't let yourself hide crawled inside a cacoon; no, you let it flow. And because of that, roman seemed a bit stunned with your attitude, which it was, not stopping him. "mhm... weird you didn't fall back... you must really be touch deprived." holy shit. That's all you could think of.

As this weird tension was building up, someone stormed in the office, it was Kendall, you didn't think you would see him this early. You pushed yourself away from roman right after he walked in, you were on edge, mouth sealed, with eyes wide open. "roman what the hell it's this text you-" Kendall looked up, and sees you, he becomes speechless. He tries to slowly get closer to you, to say hi, and to talk; but you back away with your head bent down. Roman steps in the middle. "sorry bro, she's not yours anymore, I am in charge here." Kendall felt really jumbled with roman's cocky statement. "wha- what do you mean? is this what the text was about... hey, y/n what's happening here?" His eyes were looking at you when asking to you, but you were looking down the whole time. "yeah... it seems she's not answering to you, only to me." Roman shrugs, he's enjoying this. "you're gonna need to leave we have work to do, do you mind?" Roman slightly pushes kendall out of the room, as kendall tries to stay inside, couldn't take his eyes off of you, waiting for the slightest info to come from you. When roman got him to the door, he tells him to look at him, as he quietly speaks. "it wasn't my decision here, sorry to disappoint you, but it looks like someone preferred better quality time..."

Kendall frowns, his whole face is pure sadness, however, you didn't know, that his heart shattered a little bit, on the outside, on the inside tho, big time. His mind kept circulating back to last night, if he was crushed then, imagine this right moment. He began to feel in denial, of everything he was going through, he didn't need to be heartbroken, but here we are. Roman was waiving at him from behind the glass, as kendall felt pressured to leave, but again, hasn't taken his eyes off of you, hoping you two could lock eyes at any moment. For you, it wasn't revenge anymore, it was hurtful, for both of you, but, you have made your decision, it was too late to back up. Right before kendall left, he stopped staring from the other side of the glass, as he felt low-spirited, walking down the other way, with much less energy. "wasn't it too much?..." You asked roman feeling really guilty. Roman still watching his brother leaving that floor. "uuh- probably... can't believe he still gets sad like that." Roman did felt bad about it, but still kept on teasing his brother. He turns to you and focuses back again. "so, long story short, mostly it's just calls and coffee, I have other people who does more important stuff like that." Hopefully you didn't just downgrade your payment.

You were all day following around roman, and thankfully, he was easy on you, you thought it would be worse, but your mind wasn't at all calm, since yesterday. As for today, you've been distracting yourself a lot. "hellooo... come back- is your battery dead or something... hey!" Roman claps right in front of your face; you jumped and came out of trance. "sorry... I heard you, and yes, I've made that call this morning, she said said they would be glad to meet and make arrangements." Roman smirks, feels like a winner. "great... stay here, I've gotta do something else." You had no idea was roman was talking about, but it didn't sound too important, so you didn't care and stayed put, scrolling through your phone. At one point something catches your eye, you looked sideways, where the bathroom where, at the end of the hall; it was kendall going inside. It triggered you seeing him, you panicked, the dilemma was holding you back, gripping onto your pants, determinating which angle should you stand on; the obvious one, talk to him about this situation, maybe an apology... or avoid any sense of drama and move on. He was so close for you to make amends, just walking down the hall. Roman didn't come back yet, so you impulsively react, and decided to stand up, go straight to that bathroom.

Strong walk, really determined, looking straight to that door like if it were a matador and you the bull, about to face all kind of confrontation you're not comfortable with. However, as soon as you get to the men's bathroom door, you stopped walking, you start to get nervous, almost hyperventilating, this talk, not really your style, yours would be, not talking. But there you were, about to face him. You took two deep short breaths, look over the two sides of the hall, monitoring if anyone were witnessing, all clear, so you entered, slowly, trying not to make a sound. You walked in, silently, examined the restroom, lowered your torso enough to see how many feet there were inside, scanning each cubicle. There was only one, and you knew it was him. Only you and him in there. You hear a zip from his zipper, then opened the door of his cubicle, you jumped and hide behind one of those.

You didn't know why you were hiding in the first place, you were already inside, and he was going to see you there anyways, so, while he was washing his hands, you reveal yourself. Time to not make this awkward.

"hey, ken..." Kendall jumped, clearly thought he was completely alone in there. "jesus, you fucking scared me..." He laid back, zoned back in. "what- are you doing here?" you moved closer to him without saying a word, neither did he. You could spot some shine in his eyes the closer you got. "I wanted to talk about yesterday..." Kendall frowned for just a second, like an instant reaction. You try to get yourself together, to let out those words you had in your mind, avoiding his looks, while kendall was gazing at you. "it was all... probably a mistake, it happened all very quickly... so that's why I decided to-" Kendall puts his hand on top of yours, that was already resting on top of the sinks countertop, that's when you finally lock eyes with him. "in my opinion... it wasn't a mistake, I know that you tend to be insecure about this, I know who you are... but, you deserve to have some fun now and then... sorry I couldn't give that to you."

Something about that speech he probably had prepared down to tell you, made you vulnerable, and made you realized that perhaps he was right, it wasn't wrong. He looked a little bit embarrassed, thinking you may agree with him, but you tho, were making full straight eye contact, contemplating him whole. While making eyes at him the full time, you slowly moved your hand to grab his, making a slight strong grip. It was a non-verbal gesture, very much your style, to let him know that you forgave him, and wanted to have that fun he was talking about. Kendall glanced over your hands, and then back to you, he understood what you were trying to say. It was with him

[apomaro-mellow]

The Bright Side S01E02: Play by the Rules

S01E01

Cold Open

The family of three was having lunch in the kitchen when El piped up for a question.

"Steve, how does a girl get a guy to notice her?"

Jim scoffed. "You're askin' Mr. Hairspray over there for boy advice?"

"This coming from the guy who hasn't had a date since the 70's", Steve said.

Jim huffed and straightened the pages of his paper. "El, your brother is mighty fine at dating girls. Not so great at keeping them. I don't know if that says anything about the girls or Steve though."

"I could keep them just fine if I wanted to. I just haven't found The One yet."

"But you'd know if you saw her?", El cut in, getting them back to topic. "The One?"

"I think I would. Why you got a boy you like?", Steve smirked, ready to tease.

El just blushed, not ready to reveal who it was yet but Jim was already prepared to shut it down. He'd been ready for a while now.

"You know my rules. No boys in the house."

Steve raised a brow and looked to Lucas and Dustin sitting with them at the table. "You let these dorks over all the time."

Jim looked to them as he picked up his beer. "They don't count."

End Cold Open

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

At school, between classes, Max boarded up to El's locker. "We still on for tonight?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it", El beamed.

"Good, because this is long overdue. Just you and me. No boys. Music, magazines, and movies."

Meanwhile, just down the street, Mike was looking on with a disapproving expression.

"This can only end in tragedy."

"Dude", Lucas closed his locker. "It's a sleepover. They're probably just gonna paint each other's nails and kiss whatever guy is in a magazine. You know? Dumb girl stuff?"

"Girls don't just do stuff. They talk. That's the danger", Mike said.

"And what's the danger in El and Max talking?", Will asked. "They do it all the time."

"Yeah but not alone. Not without us. So who do you think they're gonna talk about?"

"I really don't think Max is gonna talk about us when we're not there", Dustin said.

"She will if it's to talk shit", Lucas sighed.

Mike looked vindicated. "Exactly! Max is gonna talk shit about us to El."

"Why do you care so much?", Will asked.

Mike took too long to answer and Lucas zeroed in on why. "Mike's got a cru-ush~", he sang, prompting Mike to punch him in the arm.

"Shut up! No I don't! El is still new. She doesn't know we're the losers yet."

"She literally stopped you from getting a swirly on her first day", Dustin said. "I think that ship has safely sailed."

"This is all stupid anyway. We've got out own plans to iron out", Will said as the bell rang.

"Girls man. They drive a man wild", Lucas said sagely.

"It's times like these I'm glad my girlfriend is back in Utah", Dustin said on their way back to class.

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

Max and El sat on the bed as Jim inspected the room for boys. Even going as far as checking under the bed and poking the stuffed animals in her closet with a broom.

"Is this really necessary?", Max asked. "The only boys she knows is those nerdlingers."

"Alright. I'm gonna lay down the rules and don't give me any sass", Jim said, arms crossed with the broom. "No loud music. No boys. No prank calls. No boys. In bed by nine. No boys. No sneaking out. And did I mention no boys?"

"I'm not feeling a lot of trust right now", Max said.

"I'm not raising a grandkid before I turn fifty", Jim said. "Oh, one last thing." He took out a small box and laid some tacks sharp side up on El's window sill.

Jim left El's room and went downstairs to sit on the couch and settle in for some Friday night primetime. He had a good view of the front door and a window that should reveal anyone sneaking in or out of El's room.

Steve came down, mumbling and grumbling to himself as he took his keys out of his pocket.

"And where are you off to? Hot date?"

"Hardly. I lost a bet to Jonathan of all people. So I gotta take the kids to the arcade. What are the chances they get bored and ready to go home after 10 minutes?"

Jim chuckled. "I won't be waiting up."

Thankfully, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Will were just next door and ready to go already when Steve knocked on the door of the Byer's home.

"Good luck", Jonathan grinned.

"Last time I challenge you to beer pong. How'd you get so good anyway?", Steve asked.

"Having a terrible dad has its perks. He taught me when I turned 14."

"Hey, my dad taught me too."

Jonathan made a face at the thought of Hopper teaching Steve beer pong as the boys bum rushed out of the house and towards the door.

"Come on! We're burnin' moonlight!", Dustin commanded as he made a claim for the front passenger seat.

With a sigh, Steve went towards his own vehicle and started towards the arcade. Meanwhile, the girls night was already in full swing.

"Blonds or brunets?", Max asked while tossing some popcorn into her mouth.

"Brunets", El answered.

"Same. So does that mean anyone in town's caught your eye yet?"

El blushed and curled in a little on herself, trying to hide behind the open pages of a magazine. But the sound of disbelief Max made proved it was all in vain.

"Who? And please tell me it's not Jack Maine."

"Jack? The captain of the baseball team?"

"All the girls fawn over him, it's honestly disgusting." Max popped another corn in her mouth. "So who is it? Anyone I know?"

"He's-no one." El got up and began pacing. "You don't know him. He's from out of town. Actually, a whole other country. Actually, he doesn't exist."

"No no no, Dustin's computer girlfriend from Utah doesn't exist. But this mystery guy...", Max grinned.

El was frozen on the spot but that didn't stop Max from standing up from the bed.

"What if you don't tell me, I just guess?"

"Guess?", El asked but Max took it as permission to get started.

"You're obviously embarrassed by it, so it's gotta be someone I know." Max began to circle around her. "Is it...Carter Baxton?"

"No", El shook her head.

"Hmm, Ricky Odell?"

"The guy who tried to stick Mike's head in a toilet?", El gave a look of disgust.

Max paused in front of her and looked into her eyes, then pointed a finger at her. "If you have a crush on Lucas..."

"It's Mike!", El blurted out, then immediately covered her mouth.

Max's eyes were wide. "Oh my god."

Jim nearly broke the door down, broom in hand. "Where is he?! Where's Mike?!"

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

The arcade was busy that Friday night. Steve had basically resigned himself to getting some nachos and a soda, then plopping down while the boys gamed themselves silly. He knew there'd be a moment when one of them came up and asked for quarters, but he was keeping a tight hold on his wallet. He was a driver only.

And sure enough, about half an hour in, Dustin came up, eyes already prepared for begging. "Steve-"

"Nope. I'm not giving you money."

"But I'm sooooo close! Not just to a high score but to a personal best! Are you gonna stand in the way of a boy and his dreams?"

"It wasn't on my schedule for the evening, but I think I can squeeze it in."

"I don't know why I asked. You wouldn't understand. I guess that hand eye coordination is only good for ball in hoop games?"

Steve raised a brow. "You think I can't play an arcade game?"

"Play? Sure. But win one? Get a high score?" Dustin crossed his arms. "Doubtful."

"I'll have you know I'm a champion Pac-Man player."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

That was how Steve ended up in front of the Pac-Man console, all the boys around him. He started a game and they weren't expecting much. Pac-Man was fairly simple. Eat the dots. Avoid the ghosts. But it was mesmerizing when someone was able to keep that going for long enough. Long enough for Dustin and Lucas to start cheering him on. Then long enough for the more quiet Will to start cheering. Then long enough for Mike to start backseat gaming and cheering too.

When Steve cleared the game and his score came up, his posture relaxed but he still didn't seem satisfied with how he did. It was great, but it didn't break the high score.

"Who's Munster?"

"Oh that's gotta be Eddie!", Mike said in awe.

Steve's brow raised in recognition. "Eddie 'the Freak' Munson? How do you know him?"

"Ran into him a few times at the library", Will said. "He said as soon as we get to high school we can join his club."

"Yeah and he'll still probably be there too", Steve scoffed. He cracked his knuckles. "He's about to be a two-fold loser 'cause I'm comin' for his score." He took a five dollar bill out of his pocket without even looking. "Here. Get me a soda."

Dustin smirked. "Will do!"

He grabbed the money, fully intending to get Steve the smallest soda available and pocket the rest for his own gaming. Steve was already back in the zone as he made a new game and attempted to break Eddie's record.

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

Max led the charge down the stairs and into the kitchen to grab more snacks, looking like a girl on a mission and not just in searched of cookies.

"Um, hello?", Jim looked up from the glass of water he was drinking, wrapped up in a bathrobe. "I thought I said in bed by 9 it's-" he checked his watch-"9:15."

"This is serious business", Max said while opening a fridge.

"Serious", El echoed.

"I thought I laid down the rules very clearly."

"Mr. Hopper do YOU want a smarmy son-in-law? Because that's what's at stake here", Max asked while nearly slamming a pickle jar onto the counter.

Jim looked between the girls. "This is boy stuff?"

They nodded.

Jim looked to Max specifically. "And you...are anti-smarm?"

"When it comes to boys, yes."

"Proceed." He took a sip of his water. "Get her a guy who likes fishing on the weekends too."

Max bit into the pickle while grabbing a soda. El got a bag of chips and a juice for herself before they headed back upstairs. Once the door was closed, Max started counting things off.

"Mike is controlling, and obsessed with image, which is hilarious considering he's on the bottom of the social food chain."

"Mike has never tried to control me. And isn't everyone worried about how they look?"

"It's just always a bad idea to date in a friend group. Messes with the whole dynamic."

El opened the chip bag. "Is that why you haven't asked Lucas out yet?"

Max froze mid-bite. When she chomped down, she pointed a finger at her. "Are you some kind of mind reader? I didn't tell anyone that."

"I figured when you were about to ask if I was crushing on him. You looked ready to deck me if I said yes."

"I wouldn't've punched you over a boy", Max denied. "Maybe a bit of cold shoulder though. Don't you dare tell a soul, I swear if you do-"

"Girls have a code, remember? I won't talk about how you feel about Lucas, if you never tell about Mike."

"I still can't believe you like him. Out of all of them."

"Mike's not so bad. What makes Lucas better anyway?"

Max suddenly got a dreamy smile on her face. "Well he's more mature for one."

"Lucas!?"

"Yeah!"

Jim came through again, with the broom. Again. "Where?!"

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

Steve's hands were braced against the sides of the console as he finished another game. He was so close to Eddie's score. Just a few points away. It was such a small gap he could taste it. He rubbed his face and then pulled his wallet out of his pocket again.

"You makin' your own cup factory?", a voice came up from behind.

Steve turned, first looking at the six empty drinks by his feet and then at the loud slurping noise coming from Eddie Munson. Steve frowned.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Munson?"

"I like coming in at last call to see who's gotten close to my record", he smirked, swirling the ice around in his drink.

"Whatever", Steve stuck his hands in his pockets like he didn't care. "Wait, last call? What time is it?!" He checked his watch and saw that it was nearly 11.

"Just about time for the night to really come alive", Eddie said. "And shouldn't you be getting them home?", he tilted his head and saw the four of them at the air hockey tables. They were pretty much the only ones left in the arcade.

"Their moms are going to kill me. Hey you wieners it's time to go home", Steve called out.

He was met with protests but they were all weak and punctuated by tired yawns. They'd probably all conk out as soon as they sat in his car. He heard Eddie whistle from the Pac-Man game.

"Just four points away Harrington. That's almost as close as the game last week. That's gotta burn, huh?"

"Didn't know you went to the games, Munson."

"I don't", Eddie said smoothly. "I just read the papers. Keep your enemies close and all that."

"Yeah, right." Steve gathered the kids and brought them outside into the cool, fresh air and Steve realized how tired his eyes were after staring at that screen for hours. Eddie followed them out and a very annoyed employee finally locked the door behind them.

Steve got inside and this time Will was in the front. Eddie squeezed his top half through the door and switched the dials on Steve's radio then turned up the volume, making a loud guitar and drums ring out.

"Dude! What the hell!?", Steve shouted, covering one ear while turning it down.

"To keep you awake for the journey home. Be sure that these little ones are returned safely", Eddie said, putting on a strangely theatrical voice. He closed the door and patted the hood, telling Steve he was good to go.

"I told you", Steve said as Eddie waved them off. "Freak."

"He's the coolest", Dustin yawned.

Episode 3

[iwsynttr-project]

WAAAHHH I just saw people have been posting about the project on Pinterest???

THANK YOU???

I am so pink oh my goodness aaa

I'll give some updates then so people know we're not just slackin', haha;;

This past week we've been hella busy with church, school, trying out programs, still figuring out the whole learning to drive thing, stuff with disability, etc... but especially with Valentine's Day & Moose's birthday.

CJ came up to visit which was really special & we got to eat out & get boba all together which was super nice as he doesn't live too close by ever since we moved a few years back.

I recently got most of my m3dz figured out so I might be able to start hrt within the next year, & it sounds like the date has been set for CJ & I to get married this April 29th!

On top of all this we recently found out that a couple other plans have been thrown into the mix:

Our folks are planning to head out for a week a few states away to spend time with family & celebrate our twin cousins' birthday & then they'll be goin to Medieval Times for Moose's birthday possibly with another friend or cousin.

My mom & I are gonna try & see a show with CJ & his mom if they're able to come for my 21st birthday (Which is March 13th!) & CJ's birthday is at the start of April.

Right before our wedding is my dad's birthday & we're gonna see another live performance in another state, & then right afterwards a few days later is gonna be the wedding.

We're just gonna make it small & Soukoku themed, but maybe years later from now when we're livin' alone & financially stable we might do a bigger more official wedding. We'll renew our vows, maybe have custom made suits, special stuff like that.

Somethin' we're hopin' to do is for the small one we might make custom Lego Minifigures to be in front of/above the cake & then if we save up... the four-six hundred bucks... we wanna get the Soukoku "wedding" figurines that came out a bit ago.

It's a dream.

Anyways, as for the actual project!

I'm still working on the script when I have time, I just got stumped since we don't have Golden Demon written yet- but I managed to come up with some content to fill in for during or after the scene plays out for now & continued from there.

Moose has decided to try & make two versions of Life's Better With A Little Party In It: one that's a trashy pop song, & one that's his own take on the song based on artists like YOASOBI. (Into the Night, Monster, Idol, etc...)

We're also thinking about making a Cover Album on the side to go with the soundtrack just for fun with covers of songs from bands & artists like ONE OK ROCK & Set It Off.

I'm still thinking I might go for making The I Was Screaming Your Name Through the Radio Project into an episodic animatic series, but with everything going on I might wait to record the actual script & songs until we've got most of the script & songs written out more at the least if not also until after I get a better microphone & possibly start injections. (Maybe I'll still do the first few chapters since they're just teens anyways but meh whatever; we'll see.)

I did do a drawing while I was free last night though & have been talking with my dad who's voice is basically his life & career about vocal training of sorts or if I should find classes online or something along those lines for it.

(Back to the drawing) I made a concept design for Moose's online/music persona AquaticSnow & a possible first EP/Album cover. I'm not sure I'll post it (yet?) since he might use it for stuff like his avatar, channel/s, music, etc but if I do it'll be on my personal main Tumblr, Instagram, & probably Deviantart & Twitter/X.

I'm also nervous about somebody tryin' to steal the art &/or concept.

Another reminder that I do have a personal server where I stream drawing, gaming, sometimes reading & writing, watch parties (movies, shows, etc...) & I post planning & updates for the project there!

.:Charli's Discord Server:.

( Don't forget to pick roles & read the rules! Otherwise you can't see the other chats;; )

Sorry 'bout the long post, haha;; we hope you all had a great Valentine's Day!

Charli

[idabbleincrazy]

Never a Wish Better Than This Ch. 6

Fandom: Small

Rating: M

Pairing: Clex

Characters: Clark, Lex, Jor-El (A.I.)

Word Count: 4303

Warnings: some schmoop, handsy!Clark, kissing, brief discussion on homophobia/biphobia in rural Midwest during the early 2000's and the risks of coming out, semi-soulmates (they have a destiny)

Summary: Clark takes Lex to the Kawatche caves.

A/N: I was initially going to make this the last chapter, but everything spiraled and it started getting lengthy. So this is the penultimate chapter.

Lex's POV:

I stretch myself across the empty bed as I wake up slowly, burying my face into Clark's pillow to search for lingering warmth and scent. The memory, like a dream, of a kiss brushing against my temple as Clark eased himself out of my arms and out of his bed. I had tried to clutch him back to me, I think, his words whispered and lamenting as the sounds of rustling fabric alerted me to his redressing.

"I have to get back home before Dad wakes up. He'll be expecting me to be busy with the chores. Go back to sleep, Lex."

And I did, an action I regret now, falling back into slumber instead of pulling myself up, dressing alongside him, driving him back to the farm and giving him a proper parting kiss. I know he probably had lingered in my embrace until the last possible minute that his inhuman speed would allow, that driving him back would have taken too long, gotten us caught at the end of the dirt road leading up to the barn at the break of dawn and possibly a shotgun thrown in, just to round it all out. But still.

Morning is in full effect now, sunlight filtering through the curtains and my closed eyelids. I force them open and turn over in the tangled sheets, my body protesting the movement in technicolor testament to last night's activities. I turn my head to check the clock on the bedside dresser and see a note propped up against the lamp. My lips are going to ache if I keep smiling this much, the muscles just aren't used to it. Reaching over and plucking up the sheet of paper, I'm amusedly surprised to find it's from my own personal stationary that I keep in my office for any non-LexCorp related correspondence.

Lex, last night was just, well, amazing. I'm sorry I couldn't wake you up properly, but I couldn't have my parents worrying about me if I wasn't there when they woke up. I should be done with the chores by the time you read this, and I don't have anything else planned today. Stop by? I mean, if you want. If you're not too busy. I know we have a lot left to talk about, and I kinda thought maybe we could head over to the caves. It'll make it easier, I think.

Love, Clark.

P.S., is it weird that I signed it that way? Or that I signed it at all, when this isn't really a letter? God, you know what, just burn this after you read it, it's just too dorky to keep. Anyways, I really have to go now. I just don't like having to leave you alone in this huge castle, in my huge bed, without me. P

P.P.S., see? Dorky. Please burn this. P

Burn it? I'm going to have it sealed in lucite, locked away with my first edition Warrior Angel comics, item number one of my new, less obsessive, collection of Clark Kent memorabilia. How can someone be so voracious in bed and still manage such an awkward innocence in something so mundane as a hastily written note? God, I will never stop loving being surprised by him.

Setting the note back down, I sit up, assessing. My accelerated healing rate hasn't quite held up under Clark's onslaught of passion. Aching muscles and a slight throbbing in my backside that leaves me feeling empty, a feeling I can't remember experiencing in any of my previous times bottoming. Sated, yes. But this low pulse of need to be filled back up again, to be stretched and taken and owned and never be empty again? Never. Christ, what is this alien of mine doing to me?

Alien. My alien. Alien and so much more human than almost anyone I've ever met.

Slipping gingerly out of Clark's bed, I gather up my clothes and the note and slip out of the room towards my own. Coffee cannot be conceded, but breakfast can wait. Shower, dress, guzzle down a cup or three of hot caffeine, change Clark's sheets myself and stash them away to be cleaned personally by my own hands; it's been too long since I've done a thorough dig into my staff's credentials to be sure Clark's DNA won't end up in the wrong hands; and then I've got myself a beautiful alien farmboy to see. Everything else is inconsequential.

Clark's POV:

He should be here soon. I hope. I hated leaving Lex this morning before the sun rose, but I knew dad would wake mom up if I wasn't already out in the field when he came out to start on the daily routine. That would lead to worry and a whole lot of questions I wasn't sure I was ready to answer yet. Lex isn't something I want to hide from them, but the announcement of the change in our relationship definitely needs to be thought out and carefully planned, not brought out into the open in a rush of explanations.

Okay, so I'm also worried about how dad'll take it. He's not a bigot, really. But, well, it's a small town, and there's probably less than a handful of the entire population of Smallville that aren't heterosexual. I know dad loves me, and that won't change, but I don't know how fast he'll adapt to the revelation, and with his heart condition, my coming out will have to be a well-timed thing. Actually, I'm not sure whether I'm more worried about his accepting my bisexuality or the fact that I'm in love with a Luthor; one that just so happens to know my secret. Dad has become more hospitable towards Lex, at least he is when me and Lex aren't on the outs with each other, but he's still not as warm towards him as I know Lex secretly wishes he would be. I haven't forgotten the look on Lex's face the day he gave us the deed to our farm back, when he asked my parents to consider him part of the family and my dad nodded in answer. It's one of my favorite looks of his.

But before we tackle the task of telling my parents about us, we have to figure out the whole us part. I know he said this wasn't a one-time thing, and used the word boyfriend a couple times already, but what we have is already beyond that, I think. And we need to work out exactly what that is, and he needs to know more about me, about the side of me I kept hidden from him. And, with graduation in a few weeks, there's plenty of other details to be worked out; will we both stay here in Smallville while I attend Central Kansas, will we be in a long distance relationship while I go down to UM, or will he take up his mantle back in Metropolis while I take classes at MetU?

And will he just get here already so I can see him, hold him, kiss him?? It's nearly ten thirty. I mean, I know I kinda wore him out last night, but I don't think he's ever slept past nine, even with a hangover. I want to make sure we get to the caves with plenty of time for me to explain at least the bulk of what's been going on these past few years, and make it back before dinner. I even went through all the farm work just a little quicker so I would have time to set up Lex's surprise.

And just as I'm thinking about heading back in to call him, I hear his car in the near distance, purring up the dirt track leading to the barn.

I put in a short burst of speed and meet him in front of the barn just as he pulls his most recent Porsche, silver, again, to a stop. I'm right there in front of him when he steps out, dressed even more tauntingly than last night. Jeans. Lex Luthor is wearing jeans, factory-faded denim molded deliciously over thighs that flex as he maneuvers up from the low seat of the car, and my cock twitches. Black t-shirt this time, showing off even more of his arms, biceps in full view as he straightens, cotton stretched teasingly over a chest I now know in detail. How does he manage to look just as sexy like this as he did in the uncontrolled throes of passion last night?

Before I can stop myself, I have him pressed back against the car, my mouth latching onto his, tongue dipping past lips that had barely parted to greet me. And, God, he still tastes, just, so good. Like, vanilla and ozone, and something I think is just purely Lex, all power and strength, and perfect. His hands clench in my hair, tongue meeting mine, way too briefly, with a groan before he wrenches his head back to look at me.

"Good morning to you, too, Clark."

That's all I let him get out before I'm back on him, teeth scraping over his stretched back throat, inhaling the scent of him, shower-fresh and slightly musky. He grunts under the power of my attack, his hips bucking up into me.

"Shit, Clark, down boy. Your parents…Lois…they could come out any second. Can't - oh, God, yeah - can't let them find out like this. Shotguns…shovels…pitchforks, fuck, Clark, baby, stop."

I don't want to, but I do, my hands releasing their almost too tight grip on his waist and slapping down onto the car behind him; I barely restrained my strength enough to keep from denting palm-shaped depressions in the metal. If his tone had been anything less than pleading, I would have kept up the assault on his senses, tempted him into more. But I'll never push him when he means it.

"Sorry, Lex, I couldn't help myself. You're just too hot like this. I've never seen you wear jeans before, didn't think it was possible for you to ever own any." My cock is still hard beneath my zipper, but the urgency I felt at first sight of him is slowly ebbing. Lex, still panting breathlessly and looking slightly mussed, pushes firmly against my chest. Taking the hint, I straighten up and release him from the cage I've formed around him, stepping back from the Porsche. He's looking around, a slight panic in his eyes, and I feel a flush of embarrassment heating my cheeks at my overactive display. "If it helps, no one's around. Mom and Lois are in town, and dad's still out in the back forty. I'm on my own till dinner."

Lex's POV:

Clark can go from sexed-up teenager to sheepishly shy in .2 seconds. Recovering from the unexpected, but not completely unappreciated, mauling, I feel a twinge of guilt at the way he starts to chew on his lip nervously. Even after last night, it seems he can't help but take my resistance to the potentially public make-out session as rejection. Looks like I have a less-than-confident alien farmboy to assuage before he starts having doubts.

"Clark, it's okay, really." I reach a hand out and stroke his pink-tinged cheek, my heart clenching when he leans into the touch. "Trust me, it's taking all my control not to just drag you into the barn right now and have a literal roll in the hay."

His eyes spark back to their usual mirth at that, a small smile on his lips, and the guilt in my chest abates.

"We just need to be careful about this, Clark. You may be an adult now, but this is still the Midwest; sodomy's still illegal in the town's bylaws and I know Sheriff Adams would love a reason to have me dead to rights, even if she wouldn't get far with it. The Supreme Court may have made recent headway against bigotry, but it doesn't stop local authorities from causing trouble for the people they see as different. If the wrong people find out about us, it wouldn't just make difficulties for you and me, but for your parents, too, and anyone who cares about you."

He frowns at that.

"I guess I didn't think about that. I mean, I know it's a small town, but, we do have some non-heterosexual residents, you know? No one ever gives Ms. Johnson and Ms. Ericks a hassle about it."

"They've also been living here for about forty years. Who knows what life was like for them when they first came out as a couple? Look, Clark, I'm not saying we have to hide our relationship forever, just…we need to go about it the right way. Starting with your parents, who should not have to find out via walking out to find their son tongue wrestling with the local billionaire pariah. And, I'm still not discounting your father's shotgun. Jonathan and I are still on shaky ground, you know; he's just waiting for me to prove my true Luthor colors."

Clark's face hardened some at that comment, leaving me slightly abashed at the self-deprecating comment. He steps back into my space, cupping my face in a mirror of my light touch, eyes nearly glittering in the sun, stern with determination.

"You aren't your father, Lex. And I'll protect you from mine, if I have to. He's coming around, even if it is slowly. Anyways, I think sixteen years of dealing with an alien child should have prepared him to adjust better. My parents love me, they'll come to love you. Or they'll lose me…I'm not giving you up, Lex. Not for them, not for anyone. I love you too much to give you up for what someone else thinks is wrong or right."

"I love you, Clark. And, there's nothing wrong with that, no matter what some people may think. I just want to protect you. We don't need anyone looking into your life too closely."

"You're right, I know." Clark's sigh is almost wistful when he gives me a quick, chaste kiss before stepping away again. I know the feeling. "Speaking of looking into my life, ready to head over to the caves? We should probably get going if we want to be able to do the entire 'my boyfriend's an alien' talk today. I wanna make it back here before mom gets home to start dinner."

There's a glint in his eyes at that enigmatic statement that leaves me wondering just what this ever-surprising young man has in store for me today.

"Well, I didn't wear these clothes for kicks. Hop in, cowboy, before I change my mind about the barn."

Clark's POV:

We're speeding down the winding roads towards the caves, and my head is full of Lex's words of caution. I never even thought to consider the impact of our relationship beyond my parents and friends needing time to adjust to the revelation. Would I really end up bringing them all more pain and suffering if the town found out about me and Lex? Visions of the entire population of Smallville flash through my head, brandishing pitchforks and torches, chasing me, Lex, and my parents out of town, not for my status as resident alien, as I had always feared, but for falling in love with someone they considered the wrong person. I wonder if Kryptonians have this weird, obsessive, need to worry about other people's choice of partner, too, or if it's solely a human malfunction.

Lex's hand on my thigh pulls me from my wandering thoughts, and I realize we're getting close. Time for worries about all the rest later. Today is supposed to be about the two of us, finally sharing the secrets we've hidden from each other for so long. And for lofty surprises. Although, honestly, his secrets aren't really that important to me right now. I've never really pressed him for answers on anything, not like he has with me, and I trust him not to take any of his scientific ventures too far. I trust him not to do anything that could end up hurting me, or anyone I care about, and for now, I think that's enough.

The car comes to a stop about twenty feet from the cave entrance and Lex flashes me a look as he kills the engine.

"One last chance to change your mind on this, Clark. You don't have to tell me everything; what I know about you now is enough, the rest is just details."

"I want to do this. I have to do this. And…there's someone I kinda want you to meet. Sorta."

That earned me a confused look. There's no way to really explain Jor-El, though, I just have to show him.

"C'mon. We've waited long enough, don't you think?"

Lex gives a small smile at that and follows my lead as I step out of the car and towards the cave. I hide my smile when his hand slips into mine as we approach the paintings in the further caverns; I'm sure they all have a new meaning to him with the knowledge he's now gained.

"Mr. Willowbrook had it right all along, you are Naman." Lex came to a stop in front of the one drawing I've always hated the most. I know the question that's coming, and dread hearing it from him as much as I have always dreaded voicing it to myself. "Am I Sageeth, Clark? Are we destined to turn against each other?"

I stare up at the entwined figures, pulling Lex close and wrapping my arms around him without conscious thought.

"Yes, and no. I think you are Sageeth, Lex, but I think the Kawatche got the legend wrong, over time. I don't think Sageeth was meant to turn against Naman, to try and destroy him. It's like you said after the incident with Jeremiah, Lex, sorta. If you are Sageeth, maybe you're here to keep me from becoming Earth's overlord. I don't have many weaknesses, Lex, but you're one of them."

I turn him in my arms, tilting his head up to capture his mouth in a gentle kiss, feeling some of the tension ease from his muscles. Smirking at him, I can't help myself.

"Besides, maybe you're not Sageeth at all. Maybe you're her."

He looks over at the painting I nod my head at, he lets out a little chuckle.

"Well, I have been told I look damn good in a dress…"

I let out a groan of arousal at the mental image and nip at Lex's throat in warning.

"Put a pin in that thought for later exploration, Lex, but right now", I drag him over to the keyhole in the wall, "I have something new to show you."

Concentrating, I opened the concealed door to the rest of the cave network, Lex's gasp barely audible as the lights brightened and dimmed in the widening crevice. Taking a deep breath to steel my nerves, I pulled Lex in with me as I stepped through to the cavern where the stone table stood.

"Jor-El!"

"Kal-El, my son, why have you brought this human here? I tolerate your Earth parents traipsing into this sacred place, but I will not allow you to bring just anyone you feel like on a whim. Explain yourself."

I look over at Lex, his eyes wide and mouth gaping.

"Jor-El, this Lex Luthor. He is important to me, just as important as my parents, if not more." I wonder if the A.I. can pick up on nuances. "I'm not hiding anything from him anymore, so I had to show him. He's under my protection, Jor-El."

The lights flared bright again, a single beam shining down on Lex, and I got the distinct feeling the A.I. was scanning him. When the light adjusted back to normal, Jor-El spoke again.

"Ah, yes. I see, now. You have chosen well, Kal-El. Your mate is a fine specimen of humanity, intelligent, strong, and fiercely protective. Your instincts have served you well. We were afraid when we sent you here that you might never find someone worthy enough to bear your mark."

"I…huh?" The hell? Why couldn't the damn A.I. ever just speak clearly. "What do you mean, my mark? I didn't-"

"Do you not remember, my son? The day you arrived, you claimed him for your own."

I hear Lex gasp next to me, his hand squeezing mine, and I know he is seeing the same scene play out in his mind as I am. The day of the meteor shower, on the drive into town, Lex bundled up in Lionel's lap next to us. I saw myself, sitting in Martha's embrace, reach over to the unconscious young boy with a few strands of fiery red hair in patches on his head. I ran my fingertips lightly down the side of his face, and young Lex's eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting mine and a calm smile formed on my face as he passed back out.

I let out a huffing exhale as the memory dissipated, the cavern coming back into focus around me.

"I remember that", Lex's voice was nearly a whisper beside me, and he looked like he was seconds from falling to his knees. "I thought it was just a dream. When I woke up in the hospital, the last thing I remembered clearly was trying to help that kid off the scarecrow post. My father would never talk about that day, so I had no idea. That was you?"

"I swear, Lex, I didn't know. I mean, mom told me about how they'd picked you guys up, but they never mentioned my reaction to you."

"I know, Clark. You were a toddler, how could you know?"

As I pulled Lex into my arms, Jor-El spoke again.

"When you touched him, you sparked a bond between you. It would not have happened to just anyone, had he not already held the potential to be worthy of you, it would not have made a difference. I have sensed others throughout the years that have your presence upon them, but I no longer feel them in the ether. You made your choice last night, solidified that bond."

Lex cleared his throat and turned his head, speaking to the cave in general.

"So, you're trying to tell us I'm Clark's, what, soulmate?" There was an edge of hysteria to the chuckle he let out. I didn't blame him. "Forgive me…Jor-El, was it? Forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical about this. Accepting the existence of life on other planets is one thing, it's quite another to expect me to just believe in soulmates."

"Believe what you will, young Luthor, it is what it is. You and my son have bonded, and that is not to be taken lightly."

"You always said we have a destiny, Lex. Looks like you were more right about that than you realized. Stuff of Legends, remember?"

Lex laughed softly and pressed a quick kiss to my lips.

"Yes, but I've also said I believe in making my own destiny, Clark. I've always fought so hard against fate. It's just… it's a lot to take in."

Trust Lex to focus more on being contrary than freaked out.

"Lex, I'm not the only one who fought so hard to keep this friendship from falling apart completely, you know. Do you really think all this fate business makes that much difference? Do you really believe the only reason we've circled around each other the last four years is because we were compelled to? You heard Jor-El, there were others in the running. I chose you, Lex, and I won't doubt for a second that that choice was made of my own freewill."

"Okay, okay. I concede to your point, Clark. No, I don't think the only reason I so desperately needed to keep you in my life in any way I could get you was solely because of some invisible thread stretching between us. Otherwise, I wouldn't have continuously fucked up so royally."

I can't help the wry smile I feel twisting my lips.

"If it were only fate keeping us together, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have hid the truth from you for so long, either. Lex, it doesn't matter what Jor-El says, I love you, bond or no bond."

I feel a blush heating my cheeks as Lex pulls me into a deeper kiss, aware that the A.I. is still active even in its silence. I know it's just a bit of programming or whatever, but it's still creepy to think of it witnessing something so intimate. That doesn't keep my hands from gripping Lex closer as his tongue slides over mine. I do manage to bite back the groan.

"I love you too, Clark. I just need some time for adjustment, I guess." Lex pulled back from the tight embrace I have on him, looking around the room more fully now. "So, what other information do I need to know?"

"I will inform you both on the full scope of your bond once it has settled further. But, if you will allow it, Luthor, I can import all necessary information regarding our race, same as I have with Kal-El. It will better help you to keep my son safe."

I nod encouragingly when he glances back at me. It would definitely save a lot of time if I didn't have to explain everything about the different types of Kryptonite and all my powers.

The scanning light shines over Lex again, and I rush forward to catch him as his legs buckle under the onslaught of information being transferred into his mind.

******

@leatafandom

[patchworkgargoyle]

OC Fic: all the words of the dead

So, in between working on my steddie big bang, I've been descending deeper and deeper into brainrot over my OC, Dominik (tag: goth babygirl dom).

Very long story short, we put him into a mafia!au and killed him off and then developed the slowest slow burn romance for him after the fact.

This is the letter he leaves in his will for @steves-strapcollection's OC, Sam. You'll find Sam's letter in response here (please read it, it's so so so good).

Anyway, I'm gonna go cry over them now. Have this totally out of context.

Rating: M || CW: main character death implied

Title from Bad Luck Again - The Rural Alberta Advantage

Hi Sam, my darling.

You know, I thought I’d only ever have one letter to write. When I got old enough to start needing a will, I only had Vinny to write to. I love Lucky and Gia, but Vinny and me… thick as thieves.

Then I come back from my enforced vacation, and suddenly he has a fiance who turns out to be my best friend. Two letters, then. Two people to care about with my whole, shrivelled little heart.

The third and fourth ones are new. Unexpected.

It was a fucking frustration and an honour to teach your daughter, though I wish almost as much as you do, I think, that she and her brother never got within a hundred miles of this world. For their sakes, and for yours. I tried my best to help prepare her. I hope it’s enough. But she's tough as fuck, and she’s got you and those two boys of hers looking out for her, though, so I’m sure she’ll be okay.

She’s the third letter.

This is the midst of the fourth. The last.

I hope that you knew you’d get a letter when the lawyers started handing them out. I hope you didn’t doubt it.  It’s okay if you did.

I’m sorry you’re getting one. I don’t know what happened to me, obviously, but I probably went and fucked up something somewhere and now I’ve paid for it. You know how it is.

I hope you weren’t there when I died. If you were, I’m sorry. So sorry. We spend so much time together now that it might be possible you saw what got me but I don’t want that on your shoulders. They carry too much already. You should put some of that down sometime. Give some of it to me

Don't let Vinny and Ziah waste time and money on a big, useless funeral for me. And try talking to them, if you need someone. I know you. You're not as stoic and unshakable as you'd like us to believe.

This is har    Fuck. I hate this.

I’d say I don’t remember when I knew my feelings for you were more than just being really horny and very fond of you but that’s a fucking lie. It’s been about a year now. I'd so cruelly sent you home for the night, but insisted I walk you to your truck, and we stopped to chat because we can't seem to get enough of each other I'm a greedy motherfucker at heart and didn't want you to go yet. I said something that made you laugh, really laugh. Can’t remember what the fuck I said. All I remember is what your face looks like when you smile like that, what you sound like when you’re happy. I had to kiss you then or I'd do something incredibly stupid otherwise. Also asked you to stay the night for the first time.

You’re one handsome bastard, you know that, right? It’s deeply unfair. You look even better when you're between my thighs.

You’re sleeping in my bedroom while I write this. No one’s ever slept in my bed with me. But you've done it so many times now I lost track. When I’m done with this fucking letter, I’m going to crawl back under the covers with you and feel safe there.

You’re such a surprise, Sam. I never thought I could have something like you. I feel indescribably lucky that I could. We should’ve had a normal life together, but I wouldn’t change this. Never.

There’s something for you, other than the cheque the lawyers’ll hand you. Ziah will know where it is. Don’t take it the wrong way. I wasn’t planning any big surprises. It’s just something to remember me by because I wasn’t sure what else you’d want. You can sell it if you don’t care for it, the sapphire’s worth something at least, small as it is. I told Vinny to let you take anything from my apartment you might want.

It’s cold over here at my desk, I should be in bed with you     gotta write another fucking version of this, christ

I don’t know how to end this. What a fucking mess.

I’m pretty sure I’m in love with you even though I don’t know what it’s like. Never been in love before. But it feels like this, I think, like wanting to be around you all the time. Craving you. Trusting you. Sharing what life we have. Choosing to let you in over and over.

Vulnerability. Being changed.

You don’t have to love me too. I’m not going to fucking guilt trip you into loving me, post-mortem. This is just some kind of re-realisation of mortality based confessional at this point. You won't see this version of the letter anyway. You'll get one with fewer mistakes.

Do you think we have something, at least? Are we something? I hope we are.

I’ll tell you I love you in the morning, if I’m not a coward.

Forgive me if I was.

Yours,

   -Dom

[[READ SAM'S LETTER HERE]]

[merrellholland]

Secret Santa [2/2] → t.holland

A/N: Okay so someone requested this and I'M SO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG ALKSDF

Anyway... this is PART TWO of Secret Santa! So if you haven't read part one... you should read it! Or not, I can't tell you what to do ;)

Part One of Secret Santa

Before you read:

Y/L/N - your last name

Y/M/N - your middle name

Warning(s): mentions of giving birth and labor

Word Count: 1.2k

Never in your life would you be expected to end up with Tom Holland, the guy from work who seems to be the literal definition of a wet blanket. But life is complicated, and not everything goes according to plan. You’ve been dating Tom for two years and have been married for one now, and all three years have been magical. 

Nora recently turned eight years old, meaning that you and Tom arranged a whole big birthday party for her and her friends as well as some family members. You would think there would be someone coming from Nora’s biological mom’s side, but they all wanted nothing to do with her or Tom. 

But that was alright, because Nora had you to call mom. At first, it was strange hearing a five year old call you mommy. But now you couldn’t be any happier. After her birthday party, you secretly asked her what she wished for when she was blowing the candles on her Elsa and Anna cake. 

“I can’t tell you Mommy! Because if I tell you then it won’t come true” Nora replied when you asked her. 

You sigh, you wanted to make sure that Nora had what she wanted, “Come on baby, tell me! I promise it will be our little secret nobody will know” you tell her. 

Nora pouts and contemplates whether or not to tell you, but she finally gives in. “I wish to have a baby brother or sister… but I really want a baby brother” she says seriously. 

Your eyes widened, sure you eventually wanted kids and you did have a forever future with Tom… but taking the next steps seemed scary. “W-well that’s a very big wish, anything else you wished for?” You ask nervously. 

Nora shook her head, “Nope! I already have too many Elsa dolls and markers… this is the only thing I want for my birthday.” She says while you nodded trying to comprehend everything that Nora said to you for the past five minutes.

That night when you and Tom went to bed, you were trying not to think about what Nora was saying, but it was the only thing that was on your mind. 

You sighed, “Tom?” you whisper hoping that he was awake. 

Tom groaned and tightened his grip around your waist, “What?” Tom groaned in his sleepy voice. 

Your heart was beating fast, “Do you ever… imagine us taking care of another child?” you ask him. 

Tom’s eyes widened but then he started smiling uncontrollably while looking up at your beautiful and intricate face. “Why do you ask that?” he says while grinning. 

You smile back, “Well… let’s just say that I know what Nora wanted for her birthday” you say to him. 

He starts sitting up and you stay in your position while looking at him, “Wait a sec, are you saying-”

“She wants a baby brother or sister… but she really wants a baby brother” You smile at him while he looks down on you. 

It was silent, just the two of you in your thoughts. The bedroom was silent yet it was filled with so many thoughts. 

Tom finally breaks his trance and looks at you, “Well then what are we waiting for?! Let’s make some babies!” he says while towering over you and attacking you with his kisses all over your neck and lips. 

You unfortunately stop him, “Wait Tom are you sure about this? Do you think we can… raise another child?” You ask him, concern fills his eyes. 

He gently caresses your face, “I’m spending the rest of my life with you Y/N, of course I want another little human with you… because your my anchor in life and I love you Y/N Y/L/N. Plus I also want two munchkins to help me with Mother’s Day every year.” He says to you which makes you giggle like a teengers who has imbalanced hormones. 

You nod your head, “Let’s do it then, not to mention that I also need two munchkins to help me with Father’s Day every year.” You say to him while smiling. 

Tom smiles at you and then lowers himself onto you, the both of you having one of the most magical nights of your lives. 

—

When Nora first got the news that she was getting a sibling, she was beyond excited, but with that excitement she also became protective of the human growing inside of you. She made sure that you got enough sleep, she did all of the household chores for you, and she even helped you and Tom decorate the crib and made sure to add her own touches. It was clear that Nora was going to be an amazing big sister, and you were excited for the little human to arrive. 

You and Tom decided to keep the baby’s gender a surprise, none of you knew if it was a girl or a boy so all three of you decided to help brainstorm names for both genders. 

Nora had a huge say in the names, if she didn’t like the name she would demand you two to never consider that name ever again. 

Now nine months later, you were expected to give birth soon. By soon, it meant that you were currently in labor and 10 centimeters dilated. Your face was full of sweat, your Mom was on the left side of you while Tom was on the right. One of your hands was gripping your Mom’s hand tightly while your other hand was gripping Tom’s hand for dear life. Your screams were something that you never knew you were capable of until now. 

Tom was saying nothing but sweet things to you, “It’s okay baby, I’m so proud of you… We’re all proud of you. Don’t you dare give up now, you're so strong darling, you're almost there my love” He said to you while you were breathing heavily. 

Your Mom was agreeing, “That’s right just like Tom said, you are so strong sweetie you can do it one more push!” she says. 

You screamed your loudest and just like that a new human was welcomed. The nurses quickly cleaned your baby with a cloth and took all of the measurements. 

Finally you were united with the wonderful human that had lived in you for nine months. You were crying as you held your baby while Tom was also crying and kissing your forehead endlessly and whispering, “I’m so proud of you”. 

The midwife finally said, “Congratulations! He's a healthy boy!” She exclaims. 

You and Tom looked at each other and smiled uncontrollably, you then looked at your mom at the other side and smiled at her too. Nora would finally get the baby brother that she wanted. 

— 

After an hour or so, Nora finally entered the room along with Tom’s parents and your father. They all held the baby and whispered nothing but sweet things to him. Finally it was Nora’s turn. 

Nora carefully held him, making sure to support his head. She then smiled and looked at you, “Thank you for giving me a brother” She said to you. 

You start to tear up yet again, “Thank you for being the first person to call me mom” you say to her while smiling.

As Nora hands you back the baby boy, your Dad finally says, “So what’s his name?” 

You look at Tom, he then nodded with tears in his eyes. You turn your head to look at Nora and she nodded excitedly. You then smile at the baby boy in your beloved arms. 

“His name is Miles Y/M/N Holland.” 

[mivajava]

Tell us about Esther! I saw her on instagram and she looks cute :3

I love seeing people make DAWM oc’s- we need more!

AAHHHH?? A DAWM FAN?? ON ME?? OMG?! RARE- YES YES. OFC, I’LL GIVE YOU WHAT U WANT.

I really wanted to make art for this post since Esther has gone through some changes under the sun- buuttt- sadly I couldn’t think of anything 😔

Anyways, Esther Skylight is magical puppet :0 and I tried to make her design related to the night sky!! Like her front bang, looks like a moon! A little collar with a star, and I planned to give her star freckles like Archie but I forgot about them 😭😭😭 Her entire design is with blue, for a night emotional sky!

Esther is often in the clouds, that’s how she spends her days and nights- but she is pulled to the town for special events and occurrences. She has the ability to go down herself, she’s just so shy and overthinks. And so often, it’s always Mae or Bertie calling her down 😂 In that insta post, I did mention that she saw it as a curse. But Esther isn’t necessarily bound to the sky. I don’t know what I was thinking when I made her- I just put a design and slapped facts on her. Which is so sad bc my bby didn’t deserve that 😭

Esther is still confirmed a book-worm. And she often goes by Honeybell’s bookstore. But she never really greets HB- so when she comes in and goes in front of HB to ask a question, she always manages to spook her!

Esther isn’t as artistic as I made her, more of that she can at least draw… decently. But her coloring job is amazing- but she never practices other aspects 😭 Her neurodivergent brain gets too distracted easily. (Talking abt that, Esther has ADHD and is autistic. She also has OCD.)

Esther is still a big fan of Teddy, but doesn’t necessarily have a crush on him as I intended. She actually has eyes for… hmm. For her sake, I’ll just say he’s a very oblivious sweetheart. But still, Esther tries her best to attend each and every show- but doesn’t always make it. And if she’s too late, she just moves on to do something else with her time since she fears to just step in right in the middle of the show. (Also have that fear.)

Esther also has a little side-job. Just working beside Mae and Bertie! It’s her favorite thing to pass the time, and yes! She made herself a cute uniform! I’ll totally doodle it later 😭 if I remember!

Okay, I mentioned Esther was a magical puppet. And she’s a puppet from the sky. So, I’ll just spill a few powers she has.

• Telekinesis

• Clairvoyance

• Illusion

• Creation (Only lasts for minimal time and uses a lot of energy)

• Levitation

• Regeneration (Often not used)

Though for one of her magical powers, there’s a reason she wears her star collar. If activated near a spirit, Esther has the ability to see the dead! :o

Okay- erm. Now to think of plain and simple facts… Oh! Esther is panromantic, and asexual. She’s Dream-A-Long’s Sentimental Sky-Joy! And she’s at least around her mid twenties. She’s 5’6. And Esther is adopted! Her family is all made of goblins, but after she moved out to find somewhere else new- she was in the clouds. Almost like… she was meant to be there? :0

Her entire vibe should totally remind people of the song- “Lost at a Sleepover.” By OMORI. (I’ve never played or seen the game so if it’s bad or smth- IM SORRY :(((()

Esther is nocturnal- but it’s not like she sleeps at all anyway? She kind of just says she doesn’t need to. Only thing that makes her deathly tired is overusing her abilities to a far extent. Which never happens since Esther doesn’t wanna show off.

Esther’s relationship with Archie is strange. The two barely communicate, but they don’t necessarily dislike one another. It’s just their aura and presence that makes the other uneasy and uncomfortable… Wonder why?

Though, Esther enjoys the shenanigans in the town! Her friends make sure she is included! And she’s always so happy to join in!

ANYWAYSS THAT WAS SO MUCH FUNNN <33 OMG THIS IS SO LONG 😭 BUT I HOPE YOU LIKE IT AT BEST- I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY BUT I RATHER WAIT INSTEAD SINCE I DONT WANNA RANT TOO MUCH OFF AND THEN NEW CONTENT COMES AND IT WOULDNT MAKE SENSE SOOOO 😭😭😭😭

BYE BYE DREAMERS!! 🌌

[anonymousewrites]

Adolescent Antichrist (Book 2) Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine: I'm Going to Take Him out for a Drink

            “Poor darling!” cried Missy, holding (Y/N) tight. “I’m so sorry that all happened to you!”

            “Ack!” gasped (Y/N) as Missy continued her ramble and aggressive cuddle. “Emeranne, help!”

            “Only if you agree I don’t have to pay up on our bet,” countered Emeranne.

            (Y/N) huffed. “No way. Where’s Lucifer? He’ll help get her off me.”

            “Dr. Martin found out he’s really the devil, and I think they’re having a great break through in therapy,” said Emeranne. She frowned. “I’m not sure if it’s Lucifer or Dr. Martin getting the therapy right now.” They glanced at (Y/N). “Don’t you have therapy?”

            “Yeah, but only a few more weeks of it since apparently I’m ‘stabilizing,’ ” said (Y/N) sarcastically. “Which is ironic since I almost died again last night.” They shot a glare at Missy, still rambling on and on about her apologies for (Y/N)’s ordeal at the hands of her son, how she’s horrified by how it all turned out but she’s so happy that (Y/N) is alive since she wasn’t sure what she’d do if blablabla… “Now will you help?!”

            “You know my deal,” said Emeranne smugly.

            “I am so getting you back for this,” muttered (Y/N). “Fine, you don’t have to pay me back!”

            Emeranne grinned, and they casually reached over and pulled (Y/N) from Missy’s grasp. “Sorry, Goddess, they have to get some homework done with me.”

            (Y/N) grinned nervously and fled to their room with Emeranne. “God, she was smothering me.”

            “Yeah, well, she has a point,” said Emeranne. “Are you doing alright?”

            “I don’t think I’m going to spend much time on the balcony until they reinforce the remaining gargoyles,” said (Y/N) frankly.

            “Using humor to cope? Yeah, I’m not really seeing the ‘stabilizing,’ ” said Emeranne, rolling her eyes.

            “What’s up with you today? Awfully ‘mother hen,’ ” said (Y/N), giving them a dramatically concerned look.

            Emeranned turned bright red in embarrassment. “I just…feel bad about not watching out for you like I was supposed to.”

            “Yeah, because it was three am,” pointed out (Y/N). “Relax.”

            “I’m a demon, I don’t need to sleep. I should have made sure you were safe until Lucifer…” They trailed off, clearing her throat uncomfortably at the near mention of what Lucifer had done.

            “Emeranne, it’s not your fault. I don’t think you could have stopped Uriel’s pattern anyways,” said (Y/N).

            “I guess you were lucky Lucifer did…what he did in time to mess up the pattern,” said Emeranne.

            “Yeah, I am,” said (Y/N), the lie flowing easily from them. They glanced at the clock. “Anyways, Lucifer should be back soon. And before he spirals without Linda’s support, I’m going to get him out of Lux.”

            “So he doesn’t go on a bender in his grief? Good idea,” said Emeranne, nodding. “What’s your plan?”

            “I’m going to take him out on a drink,” said (Y/N), a grin on their face from the pun. “And I’m going to try to make him feel better.”

l

            Lucifer thanked the waiter as he put down the cup of chamomile tea in front of him and a cup of earl grey before (Y/N). The pair were sitting inside a quaint little teashop filled with flowers and fragrant teas brewing. It was a peaceful shop in its own little world.

            “How did find this little place?” asked Lucifer with a forced smile. He was having difficulty working through his ordeal with Uriel, so while he attempted to seem normal, it was painfully obvious to everyone close to him that he was upset.

            “Whenever my parents were being ridiculous, I’d bike around the city to avoid them,” said (Y/N), shrugging. “Eventually found this teashop. I still like to come out here when I have time.” They smiled. “But now it’s not to escape.”

            Lucifer nodded, and a soft, genuine smile spread across his face. He was happy that (Y/N) felt safe around him.

            “But I think you needed a little escape,” continued (Y/N). Seeing Lucifer’s surprised face, they sighed. “Lucifer, you’re clearly unhappy. You’re not letting yourself grieve.”

            Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “Wise for someone who doesn’t like to work through their own emotions.”

            (Y/N) rolled their eyes. “I design while thinking. I have a creative outlet.” They waved the spoon they’d been using to stir some sugar into their tea. “Besides, we’re talking about you. You need to work through your feelings. So, we’re just going to sit here and drink tea while you think.”

            Lucifer swallowed. “I…You don’t need to look out for me. That’s my job. I’m the adult.”

            (Y/N) smiled at him. “Yeah, but I care about you too, and that means I’m trying to help you.”

            Lucifer stared at them. His family rarely had real, loving, familial moments, so to have the kid he’d taken in seem to reciprocate the care he felt for them was…nice. It was yet another layer in their relationship. Due to his relationship and issues with his Father, Lucifer wasn’t ready to call himself a dad, but he could say that (Y/N) was as good as family at this point.

            Lucifer cleared his throat. “I, uh, thank you.”

            “Don’t thank me. Family looks out for each other,” said (Y/N), looking away in embarrassment at their admission of how they felt about Lucifer’s company. He was what they imagined a father should be. They weren’t sure if he was their dad yet, but… I wouldn’t mind Lucifer being my dad.

Taglist:

@repostingmyfavs

@sammyscreencaps-13

@grippleback-galaxy-galaxy

[brooklynislandgirl]

Advent Day XI ~ Christmas Eve Will Find You @tabbyrp

"I know dis is da time of year ya make a lot of money an' stuff, but I really t'ink you should turn down jobs between now an' New Year. Spend dat time wi' us. An' if you gonna bring up havin' bills t' pay an' all dat borin' kinda stuff… I'ma suggest…you can move into our buildin'…any one of da apartments. Except da one where Carl live, obviously." She laughs at that which causes the masseuse working diligently on her shoulders to pause. "But like for real…if not one of da downstairs, den you could move into our apartment. You know we have empty rooms inside it jus' gadderin' dust. Or we could have Andy call in a team of contractors an' fix up da six floor jus' for you, custom-like. Considah it early Yule present." They are taking a spa day, mostly because the last time Tabby hugged her, she mentioned she could bend steel across Beth's shoulders with all the tightness and tension in them. Andy is also remarkably similar be he'd never allow anyone but Beth or his significant other to get close enough to touch him in anyway that would leave him remotely vulnerable. But that isn't really the point of all the pampering. Beth knows Tabby works harder and is more self-sufficient than anyone she can imagine, including her brother. She knows Tabby doesn't talk about the things that worry her, and that she is too stubborn to admit if and when she needs help. She's never wanted to be seen as someone who would take advantage of any of the Rileys, the only one for who she has spite being the clan patriarch. And that makes Beth all that much more adamant about wanting Tabby to give in. To give herself a break. To be a part of the family that's already embraced her heart and soul; her brother who loves Tabby, Beth who thinks she's one of the greatest friends any of them have ever had, and Jay who loves Tabby like a sister. The three of them have talked it out at length, the pros-a list too long to know where to start- and the cons -the only one they could come up with is how quickly Tabby might come to hate the various amounts of sibling rivalry- and everything in between. Jay even proposed to write up something a lot like a combination roommate agreement and pre-nup, if that would make her more agreeable to the arrangement. "Now, I don' expect you to answer righ' now, or even at suppah tonight. But promise me you'll t'ink about it?" She doesn't realise how much like Andy she sounds like just now except her tone is even, hopeful to a degree but with a softness that says she'll drop the subject. Heated stones are set along Tabby's spine, letting the soothing warmth penetrate skin and muscle. Her own masseuse then picks up a bowl of seaweed and mineral paste and begins to paint it in long strokes from the stones outwards to Tabby's ribs. "So, once we're done here…an' we still have pedicure an' manicure, diamond dust facials, an' den mud ba'd waiting for us, we'll take lunch in midown, den go last minute shoppin'. Regardless of if you take up da offer, we'll have a space for ya in da Tree cuddle puddle aftah Midnight Mass. He makin' buttermilk pancakes in da mornin' an' den sausage an' bacon an' fresh squeeze orange juice before we get to open presents. An' of course, stayin' for supper, too. One of da kine we'll be doin' is makin' plans for New Year's Eve. Normally we do our rounds of wha'ever charity ball goin' round but dis year, I t'ink we'll be sendin' in cheques in our r-s-v-ps an' spend quiet night in. I don' remember last time we did dat. Should be novel. Watch Ball drop on da television, maybe play some board games or do a puzzle." The masseuse finds a tender spot on Beth's neck and for a moment her eyes flutter and half close as she moans in a sensual fashion that less than a handful of people can ever claim to have heard.

"Or we could jus' stay heah, f'evah."

[helloworld82604]

Loose Cannon 1:

Ok hi! Once again here's a new game I made to play! I'm going to give y'all the mini plot of an idea for a Peaky Blinders fic stuck in my head. But the thing is, this story is based off the plot of another Movie, Show, or Literature. And y'all get to guess what plot the story is based off! I will the the answer under the cut part of anyone interested to know. I figure it's a good way to clear my head of some of the ideas stuck up there and also what them with y'all! Idk if I'd ever get to writing these stories with more detail or not but I just thought I'd share the ideas and may they can inspire someone else too!❤️ But with out further ramblings here's the first one:

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It starts off in the early 1900's maybe 1903? We have two young lovers. man and woman (who are really more boy and girl) who meet at night under the bridge by the cut. Unfortunately these two lovers come from different families who are often at war. They even planned to run away together at one point and start anew life. Tragically on the very night the couple planned to leave their love was uncovered and the young man is sent away to New York to avoid further conflict. To his family, love doesn't matter, and the girl will only bring the family down. An incident only whispered about in the shadows thou never spoken out loud. Planted rumours of why he left began to spread within the hour. However the young woman doesn't know what happened to the young man, only that he never showed up their spot. Only that he seemingly abandoned her without notice? Maybe he never really did love her and was only a passing fantasy? Maybe his family really was as bad as they said? Soon her bleeding heartbreak had turned to a burning furnace of betrayal. She had heard he was engaged all this time and had finally been send off to his holy matrimony! Was she just another tick in his belt before the big day? Another notch on his bed before the shackle was locked? How dare he? Is she wasn't worth his time then why should be tears of him be worth hers?The woman is heart broken and the young man's name was Luca Changretta

A few days later the young woman is at a new bar. She meets another man that night, young and handsome, who her laugh and told her stories of his family, but he too was also full of his own sadness. His own love had just died of consumption, he wanted to drown of his feelings but the no amount of alcohol could help his thirst. The pair made love in the horse stables run up along the Cut. The hay smelled different that the stones under the bridge where her and Luca made live but the man above her was different as well. Two broken people begging for forget their pain without words....at least for a single night. In the morning when the sun rose and the whiskey wore off the pair parted ways. It wasn't that they didn't connect, given more time they likely would have become close friends, maybe even more. But that is not the path fate would take. It was still to soon for them both, their own pain was still to fresh, and their lives still to busy. He has to care for his own family now, his mother had just died and his father went off. He had so many siblings depending on his help, he didn't have time to be the man he was a few months ago. He didn't have time to be young and carefree anymore. And She still planned on leaving, she had never wanted to stay anyway. The memories still to painful and their burden to heavy in the smoke filled streets. So this time it was her who left, in the last train (the very one Luca left on days before) in the dark night, leaving only a note for her sister. And though she didn't plan on seeing the young man again she would remember his name. She would remember Thomas Shelby.

And it was the very next day when the young woman met a third man, a young Jewish Boxer which a fine beard and quick mouth. Though her final destination wasn't London, the young woman still decided to stay a few days. However on the first day luck would find her at a boxing match. It was right as their eyes first met when a forceful blow to the face had sent the young man to ground. His left eye was bruised and his nose had started to bleed two hits ago, but that didn't stop him from winking as the young woman. He then moved to get up and with a few powerful hits his opponent was on the ground...out cold. In less than a minute he had grabbed a towel to wipe off this face and jumped over the ring walls to land informs of the woman. With a sly smile and gruff tone he informed her that seeing as he had taken a fall hit for her, it was only fair for her to take him for a drink with her winnings. Shocked and amused by his confidence she had obliged and despite his first comment the man ended up paying for every drink that night. This man was neither as romantic as Luca or put together as Thomas. He spoke gruffly but honestly, not afraid to curse or shove the drunken bodies of others out of their way at the bar. He still made her laugh though and told stories of his new dog, and like with Thomas for a brief moment the young woman was able to forget her heartbreak of only a week ago. The woman and the boxer made love in his bed that night, a room that smelled of bread and a dog (who had been left in the living room). Again it was different than with Luca or Tommy but still the night was just a memorable. In the morning the young woman prepared to leave again. The young boxer had tried to convince her to stay one more day, but in the end relented to accepting the one starry night. And so he like Tommy took her to the station and helped her on to her train giving her some bread for her journey. Telling her that is she ever wished to come back she'd be welcome with open arms and warm bread. He was gruff and loud and all other so different from both Luca and Tommy. But even years later she'd remember her time with the young man named Alfie Solomons.

About twenty years later and all have gone their separate ways. The three young men hadn't heard from the young woman. who was now not so young, but neither were they. Though each man still thought of her from to time to time each realized that fate would come as fate would go. And if their time was only a stitch in the long string of life then so it would be. Though each sometimes wondered what could have been the answer never came and it was as if the young woman herself was a whisper in the shadows, fading away in the winds of lost time and old memories.

Until one day the letters came...

Three different men. All of who were very different in almost every way. Different looks, ideas, backgrounds, personalities and so much more. These men were about as different as they could be, though there was some beliefs they shared. They all believed in their families (or those who loved) and they all believed in the woman they had met at least for a day almost two decades ago. They knew she existed despite any evidence to prove otherwise. And then the evidence came.

Three identical letters for three different men. Three identical letters send to three different cities. Three identical letters all saying one thing.

Three identical letters all inviting the man to a wedding....

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A/n: that's the idea! Can anyone guess what movie the plot is inspired by? I think the end is the biggest clue! Only my story probably wouldn't have as much dancing as the original though I'd love to see our favorite gangsters burst into song! 😂 And anyways, that's the idea! I hope y'all enjoyed my Peaky take on .....*drum roll*.....

✨MAMMA MIA!!!!!✨

See y'all next time! Y'all a great!!❤️

[riddlemesharks]

Norm took in a breath as he walked out into the corner street behind the Bowling Alley. He loved having new people to hang out with, but he still had to get used to big outings and such. He continued breathing the chilly night air, before hearing the door open again behind him. He didn't look, figured it was one of his new pals.

"Ay sir, you alright?" He turned his head to see a relatively small man with a motorcycle helmet for a head, remembering Oliver mentioning him in conversation earlier.

"Yeah, i'm alright, what about you? mind if i ask what yer' doing out here this late?" Norm questioned, leaning slightly on the wall beside himself.

"Oh, I uh, I work at the Bowling Alley whos wall you're currently laying on." The smaller man let out a slight chuckle before offering the cowboy his hand. "I'm Mako, and you are?"

Norm accepted his hand before answering. "I'm Norm, and I assure ya' I'm not loitering here before ya' accuse me o' that. Me and a few o' my pals were bowling so I came to get some fresh air while they ordered some food fer' themselves."

Mako let out a sigh of relief. "Good, I was worried you were sent by that little demon kid, uh Billy I think his name was? He keeps sending those little glitter-box bombs, and I can't stand having to get glitter off of myself." He straightened his back before clearing his throat. "My bad, didn't mean to ramble there. Is there anything I can help you with before I'm officially on break sir?"

"Yeah, actually. If-" Norm abruptly paused in thought before shaking his head. "Nah actually, forget it. I ain't got no more questions for ya'." Norm leaned off of the wall, before heading to the door. He paused before opening the door, thinking about asking the Helmet Headed man for his number, before walking inside.

"Have a nice night, sir!" He heard the young man say behind him. He walked back in joining the group at the table. "Alright, what's all the fuss about?" He whispered over to Capri, who was showing Randy the newest cat meme he'd found. Capri took notice of Norms question as he sat up.

"Oh, Tango got the number of the man at the counter, Petey. Apparently they're already planning a date. What took you so long out there by the way? You were gone for a good ten minutes, you alright?" He questioned the cosmic cowboy, before showing him the cute cat picture.

"Yeah just, I met someone." The last part of Norms sentence was slightly quieter than the rest.

"Oh? Does someone have a crush??" Rex chimes in with a devious little smile as they teased him.

"Not a crush! I just think he's neat is all, that's it." The cowboy refuted

"D-did you get his number?" Randy asked, him and Capris hands now intertwined. "Who was it a-anyway?"

"Nah I forgot to ask it, y'know the one with th' helmet?" Norm replied.

"Ooooo the one Oliver was talking about?" Capri chimed in again.

"Someone's got a crush on the bowling alley mans assistant! (:<" Rex teased.

"STOP callin' it a crush! Yes, 's the one Oliver was talkin' 'bout." He said to the duo, tugging his hat down to hide his face which was already hidden by the bag.

"Dude!" Oliver chimed in as he had been listening to the conversation. "You should totally ask him out! He'd probably love you seeing as whenever he comes in to the movies alone it's usually to see space documentaries and stuff!"

"Plus he was really into cowboys when he was younger." Everyone jumped as Petey joined the conversation, asking if he could join them before pulling up a seat by Tango. "Hell, I think he might be southern himself."

"Fine, if he walks through that door right now I will ask for his number." Norm relented, right before a small click sounded, the back door to the alley. He didn't even bother turning his head as Petey waved him over.

"What do ya' need broski?" Mako leaned against the rail closest to the table, enjoying being the taller one before Petey inevitably stands.

"He wants yer' number!" Petey gestures to the cowboy across the table, said cowboy and Mako glancing at each other quickly. Mako pulled out a notepad after letting out a small chuckle, writing down his number before passing it to the cowboy.

"I should pick up anytime as long as I'm not here or sleeping. Feel free to call if you wanna hang out or just talk, i'm up for almost anything half of the time. Plus you seem pretty cool!" Mako let out, almost radiating comfort. "I'm gonna go clean the lobby, is there anything anyone needs before I leave?" He asked, heading off to work when no one had any requests.

"Huh, i'll be damned that was easy." Norm said, twiddling the paper in his hands. With the two victories of the day, everyone finished eating their food and headed out.

[the-firebird69]

They're a huge huge piles of idiots here who do not understand what we're saying we need to have you people get out of here he doesn't belong in this medical bus you're insulting us every few seconds we're coming down on you you're not listening and last night another 2% left is really about 7% of you left believe it or not that's very low and you don't understand your situation and people want you out of here they're not really trying to attack no they are but it's stupid too if you weren't here and he wasn't here you wouldn't be doing it and he's going to stay here and you're going to keep attacking us a threat saying that there's no parakeets here to protect him and it wasn't that way anyways these people are a threat and a constant one but we need you out of here but your people are calling for you to leave cuz they have that theory that's what they want you to do you more luck should check with your own people they want him to leave too and he will sort of and BJ is trying to arrange it but boy are you stupid people you get on the phone with your own and you are for hours I didn't say we're going to have people come get you and pull you out and evacuate in buses if you don't get the hell out of there and they're telling you so you leave and then you leave like 10% or 20% in that area and they get killed and we discovered that a lot of them are see now so that makes sense but boy is it nasty and it's horrific and you're huge assholes and you don't understand English you have no way of understanding what's really happening and you're sick and it's Florida Florida makes a lot of people very very sick it is a horrible place to be if you let your diet go you drink for a weekend you can probably fall over and be gone it just is really that dangerous and the oxygen levels are low we do anticipate a change occurring we anticipate the ship moving off and it's going to be the pseudo empire and they're going to take their ships back and they always do and still losing area though and they're losing fueling depots and they're going to take them from warlock and hold them and they're going to take their ships back and they always do and they'll go from 7% to 6% and you'll go from 14% to 12% and you lose more people and that's how it's been going and one of these rounds and they'll push them out and the empire will move in and pull them off and they will try and do other stuff aliens will infest the ships and things like that but that's coming up soon and we do have other comments but really this is a business here I mean you people say that he missed the bus watching and really this the only other bus went across the street and did not stop here and everybody sees it and it's not his boss I mean you're f****** nuts you're insulting the s*** out of people that are actually smart and a large part is because you're very stupid and you're not obeying orders of your leaders I mean there's no reason to keep you around we know how to explain it it's like a bunch of sleaze balls from Old orchard Beach Maine or east LA just wandering around and doing what they want and not following any plan and thinking they're going to win everything my father in one person and it there's no law and order that is hell and a son and daughter say you have to you police your own people and if you're moving out you police your own people and you can get people out and send them to heal rather than just lose them but you know we get information I guess so we're going to publish

Thor Freya

Olympus

We see you too empire let me tell you too and you don't seem to care so I guess you're in a phase of getting rid of yourselves you think you're getting rid of the week and that's not true and we do pursue it and some foreigners too I've never seen so many people face with so much stuff have such a huge attitude it's ridiculous you're fat ignorant slow slobs you had to get through a day at work and you're coming up to her son and bothering the s*** out of him and he's holding it together at work when you're harassing him and now you people can't do that for a day and I've seen you crumble and crumple under on a similar pressure in the first few hours most of you leave the job and you never return and this is like a job you're just not going to do well and I'm happy to say that because of that we have to take action you don't want to sit on the couch and do nothing you don't want to play games and have a decent time and go do mild work you want to sit there and be a pain in the ass so I'm sending out orders now

Thor Freya

Olympus

Zues Hera