#but like its been two fucking weeks and her phone is out of service and theres no answer and im so so scared. i dont know what to do

[evilyurifan]

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[cb97percent]

⚝ Apartment 31

⚝ Seungmin x (afab) Reader x I.N ⚝ Commissioned work: 7.8k ⚝ Neighbors AU: Enemies to something more, Witty, Smut ☢ Stories published on this blog are not exhaustively tagged for their entire content to prevent spoilers. See here and proceed at your own risk. — Mc is older (not specified by how much), thirst at first sight, heavy simping & openly hitting on mc, dacryphilia, (intense) threesome, double vaginal penetration, overstimulation, deepthroating, breeding kink, praising.

❥ You have been living your best life with zero neighbor problems for the longest time. Then they decided to fucking move into Apartment 31.

Your routine was different from most people. 

There were days you went to work where everyone was either getting ready to sleep or party hard. There were days you came home as people were just about to start their day. You worked insane hours and your social life was mostly nonexistent, but you weren’t really complaining.

Those were the commandments of being a healthcare professional, and you knew all about it going in. How rewarding your job was a big enough pro to endure the cons.

If you could whine about one little, tiny, minuscule detail, that would be the fatigue of your on-call days, on which you worked 24-hour shifts. The following two days would always be blocked on your calendar to achieve obnoxiously-expensive-spa-level relaxation—you wouldn’t even answer the phone since you needed absolute tranquility, only did zen things to properly recharge yourself, and even occasionally went to the said obnoxiously expensive spa for a fatigue-killer massage.

Thankfully, the universe got you covered. Unlike the rest of the residents in your building, you didn’t have a neighbor problem, so you got to chill on the shared terrace of your floor all by yourself.

Because nobody ever rented the place across yours. 

Apartment 31 had been empty forever for a reason you found hilarious—apparently, a murder had taken place there in the ‘80s. While you understood why it would give people the creeps, not only was it literally forever ago, but the neighborhood had changed for the better. You even had concierge services by the lobby now, for fuck’s sake!

But no. Ghosts and whatever. Just in case.

The landlady eventually decided to renovate the entire place to make it more appealing. She was even kind enough to consult with you so that the construction would happen on the days you weren’t home.

“The place looks fantastic already, Ms. Greene!” you exclaimed one morning as you were headed to work, “If you don’t mind me asking, how much will you ask for rent once the renovations are over?”

Then she uttered a price so ridiculously low that your eyes popped out of their sockets. It wasn’t that you were struggling financially, but living in this neighborhood in an apartment this nice for this price?

You could book massage appointments twice a month with that money!

You made a mental note to visit Ms. Greene maybe like a week after she put up an ad and failed miserably yet again, only to appear as if you were doing her a favor. Why yes you would take such good care of her fresh-out-the-oven hardwood floors, the amazeballs kitchen, and the hot tub she put on her side of the terrace which was now divided by a fake moss-covered fence. Didn’t you already have a great relationship? Didn’t you have a stable income? You would make the perfect tenant!

However, on a Tuesday evening, you witnessed the one sight you had been dreading. Someone was moving in already.

The ad had disappeared literally on its first day up.

Goodbye, the quiet terrace nights. Farewell, the hot tub I never got to use. It’s been real.

All good things had to come to an end someday, right?

“Anybody home?” you peeked through the open door.

You let yourself in to allegedly say hello and introduce yourself when in fact you wanted to know who the fuck had the audacity to take your extra massage appointments away from you.

“Yes?”

From the right side of the living room, a tall guy in a slender frame appeared. Slender but quite chiseled features, sharp as fuck eyes drilling holes into wherever he was looking. Definitely had one of those colder exterior, quiet type auras to him. He was indeed an eye candy despite looking younger than you, so you could maybe forgive him for ruining your plans. 

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© 2022-23 cb97percent. Translations & reposts of any kind are prohibited.

[avaf00rdxx]

Little Shits 4

Arsenal wfc x teen!reader

Auswnt x Teen!reader

summary: you cherish some special and cheeky moments with you club team during your birthday week, and the end of Camp with you national team.

warnings: none, maybe that its edited shit - someone teach me to feel confident with my writing again so i can actually write something good

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“You can’t make up your mind, mind, mind, mind, mind!” You and Alanna screeched into the microphones on the team bus back from Marvel stadium.

“Make it stop!” Kyra screamed over the extremely loud music, covering her ears, causing other girls to laugh and yell in agreement

“Shawty is a eenie meenie miney mo lover!” You sung into Caitlin’s face in her seat, she recorded you as she laughed, you would later find that video on her insta story.

Alanna threw you over her shoulder as you walked back to your bus seats once you were both finished your karaoke song. Voices gone.

You and your national team had just won against Uzbekistan with a wicked 10-0 and were officially going to Paris. Something you had been losing sleep on for weeks.

“You have ruined Justin Bieber for me you two!” Mimi yelled over the rows

“Oh get over it!” You yelled back laughing

You had some of the sprite bottle that was in your backpack to cool down after the performance before Alanna laid on your shoulder from next to you. “Tell me I’m dreaming and we don’t have to get on a 3am flight”

You pinched her

“Ow don’t pinch me” she exclaimed as she rubbed the now red skin

“Dreaming?” You laughed “we are going to be awake the whole night before that it’s fine”

“I’m already tired” she said before muzzling herself back into your shoulder.

“You’re boring” you said already bored at her energy level, getting up out of your seat while the rest of the bus was still singing and going nuts in excitement.

When the bus reached the Hotel you all took the lift to your respected rooms. You all had roommates this camp, and you were with Caitlin as she would usually room with Sam.

When you reached your room you both plopped onto your bed's before you reached over to the phone next to you as Caitlin got up to use the bathroom.

“Room service?” You asked as she had left the room to shower, before she quickly popped around the corner again and pursed her lips at you grinning. Implying a cheeky ‘yes’.

You dialed in the number as the phone rang to the kitchen and greeeting the staff on the line. “Yes just two of your cheese burgers, two fries, one side salad, two chicken nugget meals please and your umm…chocolate Sundae as well as your strawberry one” you said, ordering a lot for you and the hungry brunette

Caitlin came into the bedroom once again, giggling at your requests on the phone.

“20 minutes is fine. Thank you!” Before hanging up the phone and putting it back on the bedside table.

“I’m not gonna have any room for my airplane food!” Caitlin said

“I don’t understand how you like that stuff”

“Airplane food is great” she shrugged

You both had 1 hour before you had to leave for the airport. It wasn’t long at all, considering you both had stuff scattered around the apartment. Caitlin’s face cringed in confusion at your choices but left it before she got on the phone with her girlfriend and your Arsenal Teammates Katie.

—————————

“No fucking about alright? Everyone is tired” Mackenzie warns you and Kyra as you are lined up for boarding, large carry ons in hand and an all too eager duo consisting of you and your best friend.

“Hm” Kyra shrugs at the tall brunette

“We won’t, I’m tired too you’ll be fine” you reassured Mackenzie

As you slowly made your way down the boarding bridge you yawned more than twice on your way you were sure. Greeting the flight attendants you and Kyra made it to your respected seats.

You had fallen asleep after an hour, which is what you were specifically not meant to do due to all of the London Aussies trying to align themselves back with European time. But you slept for five hours and now you were up. Bored as nothing else as basically the rest of the plane slept.

Peeking over the small separator of a wall between you and Kyra, you found her dead asleep. Mouth hung open like drool was about to drip out any moment. You sent a photo of the girl in her state to your Matilda’s group chat, attaching ‘I hope all you who didn’t have to leave at 3 are having fun🥰’.

Quickly deciding to get up and go to the bathroom, you found Mini waiting at the bathroom door for someone to come out so she could go. She found you walking down the aisle and smiled at you before opening her arms slowly to hug you.

You lazily accepted her arms and slumped into her embrace. “I fell asleep just before” you said leaning into her side, keeping your feet grounded as the plane slightly felt wobbly.

“Naughty” Mini chuckled

When the older woman came out of the bathroom, Mini offered for you to go first but you insisted she go. Then noticing a very tired toddler in her seat a few rows down from the bathroom as you waited, Harper yawned bringing her smaller arms up to stretch which made your heart melt. Her tired and slow eyes found yours as she smiled before opening her arms for a hug.

Even though you were quite a fair bit away for her, you made your way back down the aisle to sit next to her in her overly large seat. She crawled into your lap, resting her body there. You, Carefully stroking her arm and looking around the plane at some of the girls asleep, you had completely forgotten about needing to use the toilet before Mini came down the aisle once again.

———————————————

“And to all those returning home, welcome home” the captain said sweetly over the overhead speakers, Kyra rolling her eyes. You had slung your carry on over your shoulder and prepared to get straight out of your seat once Kyra had gotten her over-head carry on out.

“Hello London” you said once you finally made it to baggage claim and stopped to stand and stretch for a moment, before resting on your suitcase waiting for the other girls to grab their’s. Katie would be picking both you and Caitlin up and would drop you home. Teyah picking Kyra up.

“Oh my gosh can I please get a photo y/n!” You heard an excited voice behind you. Your tired expression immediately vanished as you turned around on your heel to meet with the voice.

A girl and a boy that looked about 10 years old stood there cutely with their phones out asking for a photo. “Me?” You asked smiling

“Yes! Only if that’s okay” the short boy said

“Of course” you smiled before putting your handbag on top of your suitcase so you could take the photo.

“We are Australian too! We are on holidays” the girl explained once you handed her phone back to her after you all took the photo

“Oh I thought I heard some Australian accents” you laughed “what do you think of London?”

“It’s very cold” the girl said

“Yeah” they both laughed

“Oh I agree. Bit different from Australia. What are your names?” You asked them

“I am Emma”

“And I’m Luke I play soccer like you!” The small boy said after his sister

“That’s awesome wow!” You said excitedly.

“Hey y/l/n, Katie’s here” Caitlin said from behind you. Not seeing the two young fans that you were talking to just yet.

“Caitlin Foord!” The little girl said excitedly before they both ran off to her. The small boy waving to you as he ran.

You looked a little to the left to find the Irish girl standing there smiling at the interaction, you walked towards her before she started to do the same to you when she noticed you. You hugged, a hug that felt long because it felt soothing to be in her arms like always. Every time Katie hugged someone, it was liked she always framed them in her arms perfectly.

“How you going tiny?” She asked looking down at you with that wide and comforting smile.

“Good”

“Good” Katie mimicked you

“Very tired but I’m happy” you shrugged before pulling her back in. Before feeling a slight tug at the hood of your jumper. Caitlin pulling you away from Katie, so she could greet her. You grabbed your suitcase quickly while they kissed and did whatever else you chose not to look at for too long.

“Let’s go” Katie said grabbing your suitcase off of you so she could hold it before you all walked to her car and out of the airport.

————————————————————————

“Vivvy I don’t need your help” you groaned as Viv came over to where you sat at the dining table, attempting to help you with your homework for the 10th time tonight.

“We aren’t starting this movie until it’s done and unless you want to be hated from us collectively I suggest you pick up that pen” Viv stated trying to keep her words firm and clear.

“Kyra I’ll have one” you pointed to Kyra who was at the fridge getting herself a coke. Completely ignoring Viv who attempted to help you hurry up.

“I give up we are starting the movie” Viv said before walking back to the living room where most of the girls were already.

It was a team bonding night with some of the girls who lived super close to you, Kyra and Alessia’s building. Everyone forced the idea on you that you would host. As no one else was bothered to host and cook for everyone.

You were quite a good cook as the 16 year old yourself. So you gave in, but had deadlines for your online school due tomorrow that you were nowhere near done. The girls found out about your deadlines and made sure you finished them.

“I’ll just ask for an extension” you shrugged getting up and heading to your kitchen to grab the coke off the island that Kyra left for you.

“You can’t just ask for an extension every time” Caitlin, your Australian teammate, said from her position leaning against your kitchen counter, digging her grimey fingers into the leftover salad on the counter.

“out” you flicked her fingers out from the bowl and pulled her arm with you into the living room. “Yeah well I don’t know my teachers so I don’t care” you shrugged before you both sat down on the couch. Caitlin having to take the floor, sitting in between her girlfriend’s legs, due to there being no more space left in the couch nor the beanbags.

“Excited to be 17 tiny?” Laura said from her position on the couch next to you

“Very” you smiled sweetly. It was your birthday in two days.

“That reminds me. Game day in two days, so we can’t watch this full movie” Kim said from the other end of your couch

“Oh come on” Leah groaned like a child to her club Captain

The movie had been playing for around 45 minutes now. When Kyra’s intrusive ideas quickly sprung up and she was sharing them with you. “If we snuck out no one would notice” she whispered

You quietly chuckled at the comment that came completely out of no where, before some of the girls turned to look at you, as the movie scene playing was definitely not that funny.

“Mate how are you gonna do that”

“Your gonna do it with me” Kyra said, you laughed quietly dropping your head and shaking it.

“Yeah and where the hell are we gonna go”

“We can literally just go to my apartment or the lobby. Just to see how long they notice, or how long it takes for them to finally find us” she said finally now leaning back into the couch to act casual, but waiting for your response. Instead you headed to the kitchen

“I’m grabbing water” you said as the rest of the girls eye’s stayed on the screen, Kyra’s following you before quickly getting up and following you when you motioned her to do so.

“I’m in, come on” you whispered before grabbing your key and heading for your front door, which was luckily behind the couch where the rest of your friends lay.

“Should we take our phones?” Kyra asked looking back before she shut the door behind her.

“Nah” you shrugged before Kyra finally shut it, very, very gently.

Bad idea.

————————————

Vic’s Pov

I got up to use the toilet, softly apologise to girls as I stepped over their legs that sprawled out over the carpet before I made my way to the bathroom. I knocked, remembering that Kyra had gone in not too long ago.

“Kyra?” I questioned softly after hearing not response, knocking again. “Kyraaa” I dragged out as I very very gently opened the door slightly to see if she was even in there. When my head finally poked through, I saw no one there. Walking in to double check, there was no one.

“Guys where is Kyra?” I yelled from the bathroom not too loudly. There was silence for a moment as none of the girls bothered to respond to me.

“Where’s y/n?” Katie yelled back, making me exit the bathroom and go out to see the rest of them. “Y/n” Katie slightly yelled across your small apartment. Going to check your bedroom and guest bedroom. “Did you say Kyra was gone too?” Katie asked me as she walked to the rooms, the movie now paused.

“Yeah she’s not in the bathroom like I thought she was” I said before following Katie, me laughing slightly once we checked both rooms only to find them not anywhere.

“Fuck me” Kim said under her breath, now getting up front the couch, Teyah also getting up along with Lia. Viv and Leah asleep on the couch.

Kim went to the kitchen to grab her phone so she could call y/n and Kyra. “Kim” Katie said motioning for her to look at herself, holding up both there phones as she walked out of the room. Signalling they left them.

“Why do they do this” Caitlin said as she went to your front door to look out into the hallway, before completely disappeared down it to look for both of you.

end of pov

———————

“You dumb kid why did you say no when I asked about taking phones?” Kyra groaned as you both sat up against the wall, the outside of your apartment building. You and Kyra had ventured down to the lobby, only to think that it was too obvious, so you walked outside into the dark and sat outside the building. Dangerous. Yep.

“Oi Don’t call me that. Why did you ask me then?” I rushed

“This is boring come on” Kyra said before getting up and reaching her arms out, offering for you to latch on so she could help you up. Kyra dragged you back through your libby and then out a door. Leading to the car park.

“It’s so scary down here no” you said standing in the emergency doorway that you had both snuck into. It was 11pm, pitch black, and Kyra was making her way over to the box trolleys. The trolleys that the residents used to take up large items.

“Push me” Kyra said sitting down in the middle of the trolley, putting her hands in her lap, and crossing her legs.

“No” you hummed

“Yes”

“No”

“Yes”

“Only if you push me after” you gave in. It sounded fun.

“Don’t push me into a car” Kyra laughed as you started to walk with the trolley “faster cmon”

After spinning the trolley around for no more than two minutes filled with laughter and Kyra screaming as the trolley headed for the cement wall. "Okay off, my turn please" you said tugging on Kyra's sleeve before you helped her out of the trolley. As you went to hop in, you both heard the squeaky but heavy door leading to the car park swing open from he other side of the lot. Thinking someone was here to kill you both, you shared a paranoid look before instantly moving behind the red car you were both near, you peaked through the car's back window to see if you could see the figures that had entered, you heard the voice of a female before your eyes landed on Katie, Kim and Teyah.

"Is it a man?" Kyra asked, not looking, her back against the car.

"what? oh, no, worse. Kim Little"

Kyra just looked up at you and smirked before pulling you away, further into the dark parking spaces filled with cars. "Oi!" a strong Irish accent was heard, you looked back as you and Kyra ran through the large car park, locking eyes with a stern Kim Little. "Get back here!" Katie yelled again, a slight goofiness in her voice.

Kyra pulled you behind a car as you noticed Teyah and Katie running up to follow you, you and Kyra ducking out again and running behind another car. "Stop" Teyah breathed out as she ran after you two again. You turned back around only to realise you were running straight towards your captain Kim.

"Ah shit" you chuckled as your jogging came to a stop "hey it was funny-"

"we didn't know where you were, everyone was looking for you two!" Kim exclaimed

"Why" you asked smiling and still breathing heavily, recovering form your chase. Hearing the squeals and laughs from afar, Katie and Teyah were still taking off towards Kyra as they basically played tiggy.

"cause we all care about you. And it worried me that you and Kyra just left"

"Kyra's 22!" you said throwing your arms up

"Is she" Kim said, motioning towards Teyah and Katie tackling Kyra into the cement ground while she broke out into a giggling fit. "besides you're 16!"

"and you're over reacting" you breathed out before grabbing your jumper off the ground near the door and making your way to the exit. Getting in the elevator by yourself, pressing the button with the number 16 on it, heading to your apartment again. Though the lift stopped at ground level, above the car park, someone also trying to get the lift up.

Once the elevator doors opened, a blonde girl with a messy bun and her head in her phone was walking in. Not seeing you yet. "Shit"

Leah looked up from her phone at you. "There you are" Leah said, hitting the back of your head before rubbing your hair aggressively.

"Ow" You groaned, rubbing your head.

"I was looking outside for you, where's Kyra?" Leah said as the lift dinged and you both walked up the hall.

"Kyra's with Kim, Katie and um Teyah" you said, now unlocking your apartment door.

"Where on earth did you go" Leah asked now

"first outside, then the car park" you grinned

"look who it is!" Viv said as you both walked in, from her spot on the couch next to Beth, Laura and Alessia.

"Where is the rest of yous'?" Beth asked you simply shrugged, not bothering to answer, before collapsing into Laura's lap on the couch.

"You're kinda sweaty" Laura said from above your head.

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

Your birthday happened to land on a Thursday, which was your day off. Which meant your birthday would be spent not in the gym, and relaxing, just how you preferred. You sat up in your own bed, in your own apartment face timing your whole family on your computer. Once that ended, you stayed in bed, smiling and your heart warming at the Instagram posts your friend's back in Australia had created for your day, and the one's from your teammates also.

After a slow 30 minutes, you finally left the comfort of your blankets and got into the shower to freshen up for the day. You would be meeting the 'London Aussies' for breakfast this morning. Which included you, Caitlin, Steph, Macca, Sam, Kyra and as of late, Mini and Charli. It meant a lot to you that they took the morning's out of their day off to spend it with you on your birthday. Something you weren't sure would've even been thought about when you nervously moved across the world.

Steph offered to pick you up. So after applying some light makeup to match your usually-bronzed Australian self, changing into a warm outfit consisting of Jeans and a crew neck, Steph had texted you that she was now out the front of your apartment complex.

A wide grin was plastered on both your faces as the glass door outside your lobby opened, Steph leaning against her car waiting for you, large bouquet of yellow flowers in her hand. "Happy birthday Dancing queen!" she exclaimed before engulfing you in a tight hug, slightly lifting your feet off the ground in the warm gesture, you giggled at the comment before she let go of you.

She handed the flowers to you, "for me?" you asked in awe of them as she smiled.

"Of course" Steph said warmly

"Thank you it means a lot to me" you said hugging her again.

"Okay let's go i'm starving" She said before skipping off to the other side of the car to drive. You chuckled as you got into the car

"Where are we even going" you asked on the road, curious as to where you and your Aussie teammates would be eating

"I forget what it is called but I have taken you here before, you loved it" Steph said. Moments later, the car pulled into the parking lot, you remembering the cafe now. You saw Kyra getting out of the car with Charli, from your window.

Meeting up with all your Australian teammates from all around London once again made you happy, almost was the highlight of your day. During the breakfast, you got photos together at the table, some of the girl's mentioning that they would post them on their stories later for Instagram. You spoke about the Olympics, Sam's recovery and wedding plan's, along with plan's of Steph's big day also.

"You're gonna love the present from me and Katie" Caitlin grinned, nudging your shoulder, You let out a quiet but excited squeal.

"What are your plan's for the rest of your day y/n?" Sam asked you before sipping her iced coffee.

"I have been invited over to Beth and Viv's place for dinner tonight. So just chilling at my place then I will head over for that" You said to the girls, them all nodding.

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

Your birthday breakfast was over and Steph had dropped you back home, after taking you to the super market. To buy you whatever Sweets or snacks you wanted for your own apartment. You heard a knock at your door so you walked over to it and peeped through the door. Only to be met with a man in a fluro green vest and black hoodie.

"Y/n y/n/n?" the man asked. You hesitated at first, the multiple worried chats from Leah pondering into your mind about not talking to people who just show up at your apartment. That was before you looked down at the large box with pink wrapping paper and yellow ribbon, the object softening your initial expression. You quickly nodded at the man, before singing on a line from the form he put in front of you.

"Thank you" You smiled before he headed off, leaving the pink box at your door. You went to pick it up, it was heavier than you expected, but you brought it inside and placed it on your dining room table. You unwrapped the gift and saw the card from Katie and Caitlin. Their sweet words about how they were proud of your journey and their love for you had you smiling to yourself. You had received multiple gifts, most of them at training yesterday though, they all made you extremely grateful for the teammates you could call home now. The gift from Katie and Caitlin was a light pink Smeg mixer for baking may not seem to exciting, but baking and cooking for the people closest to you was your love language at this point.

Your teammates had become used to you hosting dinners, with your cooking skills. Also getting used to and comfortable with you regularly bringing them baked treats you had made. Some of them like Katie, Leah and Kyra had become quite demanding that you visit them with treats now.

On the cardboard box the mixer, Katie had written largely in thick-red sharpie 'I expect a shit ton of cookies now', her writing taking up the whole left side of the box. You laughed to yourself at her antics before opening up the box and taking a look at your present.

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

You and Viv got out of her car, where she had parked it outside her and Beth's flat. You were here to spend your birthday dinner with them. "Ready?" Viv asked before she opened the door.

"Uh yeah why" you questioned. Quickly before the door swung open and lights were turned on

"Surprise!" yelled a group, you shooting your head up.

You were met with the beaming faces of your whole family. Including your parents, older siblings, grandparents and closest cousins. Your jaw hung low really fast in shock. Your Australian family was all her in front of you. "What are you-" you yelled in excitement before running into your mother's arms. You greeted your whole family eagerly before hugging Beth who watched you interact with a proud smile.

"who did this?" you asked looking up at her, Beth still holding you

"i may have organised it. But you can thank your siblings" she grinned at you before you hugged her tighter.

You spent the rest of the evening eating pizza and talking with your family. You ended up having to get takeaway as Viv bought the wrong meat from the butcher to make for dinner. Forever grateful for your biggest supporters in your life and your Arsenal and Aussie teammates.

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

Not my best fic at all so i apologise. And i'm so sorry it took so long. Uni is kicking me in my ass daily so it's hard to edit a such.

xxx

[apothe-roses]

I Wanna Ride

modern Aemond Targaryen x reader

Part 1

Summary: After finally getting your hands on a ‘dragon’, you find yourself needing help with repairs. Enter hot yet rude mechanic Aemond Targaryen

Fic contains: swearing, Aemond beings prick, I think that’s it?

A/N: I’ve been sitting on this fic for weeks and am finally ready to post it. I tried to use the right terminology, but I know fuck-all about biker culture so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Hope you enjoy!

“No fucking way.”

Alysanne Blackwood turns and looks at you, mouth agape. “You actually got one.” You smile back at her, practically vibrating with excitement.

“I know. I didn’t fully believe it myself til I saw her in person.” The ‘her’ in question was a beat-up white motorcycle that was currently sitting in your workshop, but this wasn’t just any old bike. No. This was a dragon. The top of the line. Even non-bikers knew a thing or two about dragons. Made by Targaryen Corp., these beauties were prized for their powerful engines, speed, and endurance. The model you picked up was a Meraxes—one of the earlier models that has since been retired.

“I never thought you’d actually pluck up the nerve to buy a bike for yourself. Much less a dragon.”

“You know I’ve always wanted to learn to ride,” you tell her.

“Yeah, but you never acted on that. Well, ‘til now,” Aly quips.

“I already know more than enough about bikes,” you assert.

“Fixing a dragon and riding one are two completely different things.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t do both.”

“We’ll see,” Aly laughs. You smile back, shoving her playfully.

That had been six months ago. You were so close to being ready, but you'd hit a roadblock in her repairs. No matter what, you just couldn't get the transmission to run the way you wanted it to.

"If you stare at that engine for much longer, it's gonna burst into flames," Alysanne muses. You look over your shoulder and shoot her a glare. She only giggles at you, hopping off the workbench she was sitting on.

"You know, there's nothing wrong with needing help every once in a while," she says.

“I know,” you sigh back. “It’s just…”

“Too stubborn to admit defeat?” she teases.

“No!” you answer back a little too quickly.

“Maybe,” you mutter, turning your gaze towards the floor. “It’s also the money.” Mechanics who worked on older bikes were hard to come by in your area, and the ones that were in the area charged an arm and a leg for their services.

"Listen, I know just the place for you to go. There’s this one place Cregan loves to frequent. He swears up and down they're the best in town. I’ve met the owners several times, and they’re trustworthy. One of them even specializes in older bikes like this gal right here," she pats one of Meraxes's handlebars. That piques your interest. You knew Aly’s boyfriend was a man of his work, so this place must be good if he says so.

“And will this specialist leave me up to my ears in debt?”

“They’re pretty far when it comes to prices for service. Plus, you can always come to me if you’re short a few bucks,” Aly replies, going to grab her phone. You grimace at the thought. You love Aly and appreciate her generosity, but you don’t like the idea of inconveniencing herself to help you (even if she comes from a rich family). Aly walked back over to you, phone in hand.

“Do you want your bike fixed, or are you gonna stay stuck at a dead end for who knows how long?”

You look at her phone, open to the Contacts app, then back at your bike. You let out a sigh.

“What’s the name?”

That's how you found yourself pulling up to Green Auto Shop in the passenger seat of Aly’s pickup truck, your precious Meraxes securely tied down in the back. It was a rather unassuming garage located not far from Blackwater Bay. Alysanne looks over at you from the driver’s seat. "Don't judge a book by its cover," she says, undoing her seatbelt and opening her door.

You scramble to follow her as she walks confidently into one of the garages. You see a pair of legs sticking out from beneath an old car. Music blares in the background mixed with the sound of metal on metal.

"Egg," Aly shouts over the ruckus. "You've got company." The man working under the car slides out, giving Aly a bright smile. You can't help but gape as Aegon fucking Targaryen walks over to greet the two of you. You've heard and seen a lot about the eldest son of Viserys Targaryen. He has quite the reputation for drinking and partying, but the Sunfyre—a model he masterminded—is one of the company's most popular. In all the photos you've seen of him, he always looked sullen and hungover, a far cry from the relaxed and cheerful man before you.

"Aye, it's Cregan's girl, "he greets, wiping his hands off on a dirty rag. His gaze shifts to you, giving a quick once-over. “And who is this?” He asks flirtatiously while sauntering over to you. “Hi, I’m Aegon,” he holds a mostly clean hand out.

“She’s my friend,” Alysanne replies, pushing her way between the two of you. “And she’s here to see your brother, not you. She’s having trouble with her bike and could really use his help.”

Aegon pouts and puts his hand over his heart. “You don’t trust me, Aly? I’m wounded.” He rubs his hands together, walking out to the pickup. “Now let’s see what my little bro’s got to work with.” Without waiting for permission, he hops into the truck bed and whistles at the bike.

“Never thought I’d see a Meraxes in person again. Aem’s gonna have a field day with this beauty.” Aly grabs his pant leg and gives it a tug. “Off,” she orders. He hops back onto the pavement, his hands raised in mock surrender.

“Where is your cryptid brother? It feels like he’s never here,” Aly asks.

“You just missed him. He went to grab lunch,” Aegon responds. “He’ll be gone a while, but we can talk pricing in the office?” He leads the two of you back into the garage, to a small office off to the side. As you feared, the service would be quite expensive, but Aegon set you up with a payment plan. That put you at ease a bit. You’re also worried about the fact that you haven’t met the person who will actually be working on your bike. You voice your concerns to Aly over burgers that evening.

“Aemond isn’t…the best with people, but what he lacks in people skills he makes up for in his work. Cregan claims he’s a miracle worker after he fixed his Direwolf following a gnarly crash,” Aly reaches across the table and gives your hand a squeeze. “Trust me, your baby’s in good hands.”

About a week later, you borrow Aly’s truck to swing by the garage and check on your bike. One of the doors was up, but Aegon was nowhere to be found. You wondered if he left the garage open by mistake, but you could hear noises coming from in the garage.

You tentatively walk to the entrance and peek inside. Your Meraxes was propped in the bay where you’d left it. Someone was kneeling in front of it, clearly at work. His back was turned, so all you could see was his back and the long, silver hair pulled into a bun at the nape of his neck.

So this must be the elusive Aemond. You knew significantly less about him than you did his other siblings. Him attending public events was rare, and taking photos at said events was rarer.

Cryptid indeed.

You take a tentative step into the garage. He doesn’t notice you approaching, completely engrossed by the bike.

“Um, hello,” you say shyly. He goes rigid, the wrench falling from his grasp. He turns to look at you, and your brain shuts down. You fully expected some kind of Quasimodo-looking guy based on how everyone described Aemond. But this man looked like a Greek statue come to life.

From his nose to his cheekbones to even his lips, he was all sharp angles. One of his eyes was covered by a simple black path. The other was a soft blue, almost periwinkle. The coveralls he’s wearing are unzipped down to his navel, showing the dirty white singlet underneath.

“Can I help you?” He asks briskly, rising to his feet and snapping you out of your daze.

You’re taken aback by his bluntness, a far cry from Aegon’s relaxed demeanor.

“Yeah…I’m here to pick up my bike,” you reply, indicating to the bike behind him.

He gives you a small ‘hmm’ and grabs a rag to wipe his hands. Your gaze is drawn to his long, elegant fingers and the prominent veins that trail down from his arms.

“Your transmission clip was loose,” he explains curtly. “Had to replace it.”

He walks over to the bike, swings a leg over, and starts her up. The engine revs without a problem.

“Crazy how something so small can cause such a large problem,” you say. He once again doesn’t respond, only kills the engine and moves away from the bike. An uncomfortable silence falls between the two of you.

“Sooo…how many of these older bikes do you usually—“

“I need to get back to work. You can talk to Aegon about payment and such. He’s in the back,” Aemond interjects, turning and walking away from you. Your mouth falls open, eyebrows raised.

“O-okay. I was just trying to make conversation,” you mutter.

“Well, I Don’t have time to ‘make conversation.’ I’ve got work to do,” he replies, back turned.

“Apparently, you Don’t have time for manners either,” you snap back.

Aemond turns to you. “Excuse m-“

“Hey! What’s going on?” Aegon rushes in from a back room. He smiles, but his eyes glance nervously between the two of you. “I see you’ve met my brother.” Aemond casts his gaze towards the ground, giving yet another ‘hmm.’

Unfortunately, you want to tell him. Instead you say, “I can give you the first payment now.”

“Awesome! Let’s handle that in the office, shall we?” Aegon asks, ushering you away without waiting for a response. Not that you needed to give one; you were more than eager to get away from Aegon’s rude brother. You pay Aegon, then the two of you head back into the garage. Aemond is nowhere to be found. Busy my ass, you think, trying not to grimace.

Together, you and Aegon load your Meraxes into the bed of the pickup. When you're done, you both lean against the side. Aegon turns his head to look at you.

“Sorry ‘bout Aemond. He’s not…the best with people. But he’s wicked good at what he does. This shop wouldn’t be running without him.”

You don’t say anything, only giving a small nod in response.

“Hey, if you’re free this weekend, there’s a meet going on near Visenya’s hill. You should come. It’ll be fun,” he explains with a small smile.”Ask Aly about it. She should know all the details.”

“Alright,” you tell him. “I’ll be there.”

Next Part

[just-my-latest-hyperfixation]

Just another manic Monday

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles, day 17

Prompt: Platonic Stobin

Rated: G

CW: monsters

Tags: Urban fantasy AU; Magic AU; Creature AU; background Steddie; background Buckingham

Notes: Based on an idea and the gorgeous art by @house-of-the-moving-image - so happy I got to throw a little something together for it. 🥰

“I don't understand this,” Steve yells, jumping over another garbage bag like a hurdle sprinter. “That thing is fucking huge, where was it even hiding?”

“Gee, I dunno, Steve!” Robin skids to a halt beside him and impatiently hops from foot to foot while he pulls out their scooter from  between two dumpsters. “I didn't ask, you think we should wait up?” 

Somewhere behind them, something lets out a loud, gargling roar. A giant body scrapes against the walls of the alley. 

Steve gulps. 

“Nah, I'm good,” he says and tosses her the egg. It's larger than his own head, and Robin sags briefly under its weight. “Get in!”

Sometimes, Steve really, really wishes he was normal. 

In a world where ninety-seven percent of the population are either magic users, non-human, or hybrids, people like Robin and him tend to get the short end of the stick. Take the job market, for example. What's a guy to do if most entry-level positions require basic flight skills, or rudimentary knowledge of summoning spells, or two years minimum of experience in applied runology? 

The job at Fleetfoot Delivery is actually okay, all things considered. The pay is decent, the uniform isn't completely humiliating, and his coworker is his best friend and platonic soulmate who happens to be just as lamely human and completely unmagical as himself. 

It's easy work. Customers trade items via the app, Steve and Robin deliver the goods from the pickup location right to the lucky new owner. 

Basic stuff. 

Simple. 

Boring.

Except for the days you get chased by giant fucking monsters. 

“Who even sells a phoenix egg online?” he asks while he waits for Robin to clamber into the side car. “I mean, shouldn't we be calling child protection services or something?” 

“Phoenixes are extinct, Steve, everyone knows that!” 

He hums vaguely. He does know that, of course, but the question has its desired effect - namely to send her off on a tangent and get her mind off things. 

“The eggs that are left are infertile, but they're highly coveted in certain circles. Rumor has it that consuming one will boost your magic like nothing else. Chrissy says there's a sea witch living off the coast who's been looking for one for-”

“Chrissy, huh?” Steve grins and swings a leg over the saddle. The scooter stutters to life. “The cute little mermaid with the milkshake order from last week? You two on first-name terms now?” 

“Oh, fuck off!” Robin jabs him in the ribs, but quickly clutches the egg again as he needs to swerve around a stack of old, soggy cardboard boxes. They're picking up speed, but not nearly enough in the crammed, narrow alley. Behind them, the roaring and scraping are getting louder. “You don't get to berate me for flirting with clients. If I see you do that ass-wiggle in your stupid shorts in front of that dragon dude one more time-” 

“His name is Eddie,” Steve snaps, neck erupting in heat. “And I don't think he has any idea what my first name is. Or my last name.”

“Yes, Steve, of course,” Robin deadpans. “That is why he calls you big boy and honey and sweetheart. That is the actual reason.” 

Steve lets this statement simmer for a few seconds. 

��Shut up and tell me where to deliver this thing,” he then says. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Robin smirk while she fishes her phone from her pocket and tells him the address.

“Oh, freaking great,” Steve grouses. “That's only on the other side of town. Won't take forever at all at this-” 

“Steve?” says Robin. Her hand is tugging at the sleeve of his uniform jacket, like she's been trying to get his attention for a while. “Steve, you may wanna go faster.” 

“I know!” he groans. “Need to beat rush hour, or we won't be home until-”

“That's not what I meant!” Robin shouts. Her voice goes all shrill and grating towards the end, and he almost crashes them into the wall in his impulse to cover his ears. 

“Well, what do you-” he starts to say, but doesn't get any further.

There's a loud crashing sound as the dumpsters are mowed over. He glances over his shoulder, just long enough to see a slimy, clawed something that's roughly the size of his house erupt from the alley behind them. It shrieks. The rush of hot, stinking breath sends garbage flying in all directions. A fist-sized glob of spit hits the back of Steve's head with a wet splotch. 

“Ugh, what the fuck? I just washed my hair this mor-”

“Drive!” Robin slaps his arm. “Oh my God, drive, drive, drive!” 

Steve does. 

They shoot out of the alley and onto the main road, just narrowly avoiding a collision with a flock of banshees. As their scandalized shrieks and the roar of the monster fade behind them, Robin's wristwatch buzzes. 

“Oh,” she says. “Today's your lucky day. A certain dragon just ordered an entire crate of aventurine, express delivery.”

Steve groans and takes a right, reaching up to disentangle half a banana skin from his drool-coated hair.

The day is shaping up to be a real Monday. 

All my holiday drabbles

[ijuststareatstuffhereok89]

drabble idea: Loki coming in when you’re completely booked & busy & stressed, and placing your coffee order on your desk. Only thing is you don’t remember ever telling him your order 🥹🫠

“Coffee, Black” 

Summary: In the midst of the busiest time of the year for work, a little kindness goes a long way, even when coming from unexpected places.

Pairing: Loki x F!Reader Content Warning: none, just some fluff Word Count: 1.5k

“Yes, dammit, I said the GOLD napkins! Stark says silver is tacky! No, I don’t know what tacky means! Do I look like Karamo Brown??”

You could barely understand English anymore. Tony Stark had set you on the warpath when his usual head event planner went into early labor and had to extend her maternity leave, leaving you, the underling, suddenly in charge of the Stark annual fundraiser’s gala. For days upon days now, you were rushing to finalize details for the big event, only thirty-six hours away now. 

You were normally a decent party planner, at least for small events like parties and showers. This was the Stark Gala. Celebrities would be there. Steve Rogers had made himself nearly sick, practicing for weeks what to say when he met Chris Evans. Rumor was that Tom Holland was planning to propose to Zendaya on the balcony and then announce it to the ballroom. The Stark Gala was THE place to be in the US every year, which meant that every year, Tony had to outdo himself somehow. 

And now it’s complete success or failure was contingent on you, whose biggest achievement only your resume was how you’d planned the Greater Scranton Area Dog Show in a week. You couldn’t even get the napkin colors right.

“Well, I’m sure the richest man on the fucking continent could afford a five-hundred-dollar upcharge for the gold ones! I mean, please!” 

The person on the other end of the line was beginning to sound like the teacher from Peanuts. Meanwhile, you were vaguely conscious of the hapless assistant Tony gave you as an aid, although he was hardly ‘aiding’ you, so much as asking you how to do even the simplest things, only adding to the chaos swimming around you. His name was Rolf Schmedike, but you’d quickly shortened his name to ‘Schmeds” to save time, even if he did protest, saying it sounded like an STD. 

“Um, Y/N?”

“Yeah, Schmeds?” 

He rolled his eyes. “What do you want me to do about the coffee bar?”

“No. Damn. Coffee. Bar.” you repeated for the third time that day. “Tony wants full table service throughout the night. He says open bars are classless. No bars. No buffets. No problems, okay?”

“Yeah, fine.” He said dimly before leaving you alone in the office. You growled after him, annoyed.

Back on the phone, the napkin people had put you on hold. You put your phone back on the hook, a loud, metallic, vaguely-annoying big band tune coming over the speakers now, making you cringe. 

Maybe I can find those wine invoices before Schmeds bothers me again about which knife goes where on the table settings…

Too late, you thought as you heard the soft steps re-enter the room. You didn’t bother turning around, this time just yelling over your shoulder, “Chrissake, Schmeds, do I have to speak in tongues to you? NO COFFEE BARS!”

Hearing no replies from him, you sighed in relief as you thumbed through a drawer, finding several bills and invoices, extracting them, and then putting them on the desk to roll around in later, when the inevitable mental breakdown hit in approximately two minutes. You reached over to where your large, black coffee sat by the phone, fresh and piping hot, quickly picking it up and taking a precious sip of the hot liquid, letting its warmth revitalize you before putting it down and turning back to the file cabinet. 

Wait a  damn minute…

You hadn’t gotten coffee this morning. You’d been too busy. 

You paused, gaslighting yourself and trying to pinpoint the moment your mind obviously blocked out: when you’d ordered something, because you’d just absentmindedly taken a sip of your usual, perfectly brewed the specific way you liked it. Oh my god, I’m going insane already…

“I do hope I was correct in recalling that you liked it that way. Flavored salted caramel, nothing else in it, specifically from that little bodega on fifty-ninth street.”

You finally noticed that it wasn’t Schmeds in the doorway, but Loki. Your cheeks immediately went hot as you looked down submissively, a little flustered at the grinning god leaning in your doorway, looking proud of himself. For the most part, the administrators in Stark Tower who’d trained you had insisted that fraternizing with the Avengers was off-limits. They were superheroes! Why would they have any time for “the little people”? 

“It…you were,” was all you managed to say softly. 

Loki smiled, taking that as his signal to come inside. “I apologize for startling you. I assure you, I meant no harm.”

“No harm? This is exactly how I like it,” you said, picking up the cup and taking another sip, being sure to savor the hot, life-sustaining drink this time. “But…I always get my own. How did you--?”

Your new friend grinned wider, mischievously, and you took a reflexive step back. “You read my mind? Without asking?”

Loki pursed his lips playfully, observing how you looked half-apprehensive, half-turned on. “Oh, I get the feeling that if I were to do such a thing, it wouldn’t exactly be visions of hot coffee in your mind right now.”

Woooooord.

You were never able to observe the Avengers close-up, other than Tony, your boss, and occasionally Bruce Banner, who preferred handing you different documents to be filed himself. Loki was the first one of the team who’d given you the pleasure of his direct attention, and it was already becoming a pleasure. You were already drinking in how tight his suit was, how his hair was beautifully tousled about his face, how his teeth were a work of supernatural art. 

And he’d brought you coffee. 

“I…well…uh…”

“Perhaps we could start with a ‘thank you’?” he suggested. “You seem to be slightly at a loss for words, dear.”

You nodded quickly, taking another sip. “Thank you, Mr. Lau--Laufeys--”

He shook his head and put a hand up. “Loki is all I require.” 

You finally mustered a smile and grateful nod. “Thank you, Loki.”

“And for your information, as much as I would love to penetrate your mind and fill it with tempting thoughts of myself, I did not read your mind without your permission,” he explained. “Your underling out there…the little man…he let it slip in conversation.” 

You wanted to know why your drink preferences were the topic of discussion around the water cooler without your knowledge, but it was so easy to be distracted again as Loki closed the gap between you, eventually leaving a few mere inches between you. 

“Why would you care about me and my coffee?” you asked. “We’ve never met.”

Loki shrugged. “Sometimes even I can’t explain my madness,” he mused with a wink. “Or perhaps I had a motive in mind that only you could satisfy.”

You felt your cheeks go hot as you looked into his eyes. “Um…uh…and that is…?”

“My brother is going to this gala event with that scientist he is so fond of, Jane,” Loki explained. “The others all have escorts, and Stark doesn’t want me to be the only one unspoken for at the event. He said something about rich bastards liking symmetry.” 

You giggled. “That sounds like him.” 

“Therefore, consider the drink an offering,” he continued. “Out of all of the eligible people in these offices, you’re the only one who is worthy of my arm, so would you give me the privilege of being my companion to the soiree tomorrow?” 

You smiled warmly. “Well, while I still have no idea why you;ve set your sights on me, I suppose I could indulge you for one evening.” 

Loki smiled, this time bringing up a hand, as if to place it on your cheek, but he stopped himself, stepping back instead, leaving you slightly disappointed. “Perhaps I should save the best for later,” he said, turning to go. “I’ll leave you to your work now, but I will be here at 6 tomorrow evening if you can be ready then.” 

You nodded. “Yes, Mr….Loki.”

Loki purred. “Mr. Loki,” he chuckled. “Perhaps I’ll let you call me that in bed one day…” he said before smoothly making his exit. 

Taking another sip of coffee, your mind immediately switched gears. Work? Work?! What was this ‘work’??

The hold music cut off, and the static dregs of a woman’s voice replaced it. “Hello? Hello?” You mindlessly picked up the receiver and hung up, ending the call. 

Who had time for napkins? You had a dress to find!

@lokischambermaid @lokisgoodgirl @mischief2sarawr @holdmytesseract @fictive-sl0th @mochie85 @joyful-enchantress @silverfire475 @trickster-maiden

[fandomtherapy44]

Klaus x reader

Summary: This story is from the perspective of Y/n Marshall the younger sister of Hayley Marshall. Side note I love Hayley one of my favorite characters. Basically Y/n will be pregnant instead of Hayley and I will be changing some things up but then that it should stay pretty close to the series. I hope you enjoy the story! Also, if you like I have a Castiel x reader.

Paring: Klaus x reader

Word count: 3,341

Warnings: Some language, Typical the Originals violence, Spoilers for season one of The Originals, Pregnancy,

I got the divder from

saradika

Chapter 1: Always and forever

POV: Y/n

New Orleans is the heart of Louisiana known for its live music, food, and apparently family history, well at least for my older sister and me. We came here to learn more about our parents but the few weeks we've been here nothing zilch but some tasty gumbo that lately I have had a strong hunger for. “Third time in here this week.” Jane-Anne said, placing down a steamy bowl of gumbo in front of me.“I'm obsessed with the gumbo, Jane-Anne.” I said to her grabbing my spoon and lifting a huge scoop into my mouth while my sister Haley was nursing a bourbon. 

“You know, ladies in the 9th ward say my sister, Sophie, bleeds a piece of her soul into every dish.” She said referring to her sister who was cooking in the kitchen. “We’ve asked around the Quarter about my family......” Haley started to say. “And?” Jane-Anne questioned. “Nothing. Zero. we can't find a single person who remembers them.” I finished throwing my spoon back into the bowl. “Because Hayley, Y/n people like you were run out of here years ago.” 

“What do you mean, people like us?” Jane-Anne walked around the bar to the other side to stand beside us. While Sophie watched us. Jane-Anne stetted a map on the bar. “In the bayou, they call the werewolves "Roux-Ga-Roux"”. She circled a point on the map. “You head out there, you'll find what you're looking for. Be careful. It's the last place you'd ever want to go.” Haley and I smile in hope that maybe we will finally find something. I order my gumbo to go, and we thank Jane-Anne and leave.

Haley and I are driving down the road and I'm giving directions while she drives. “Okay now take a left...” I said while looking down at the map not sounding very confident. “Y/n the map is upside down.” “Oh, he he I mean right.” She sighs as she hard turns right. “It’s like the mountains all over again.” “Hey, it was not my fault that the map was outdated.” “It was GPS N/n” “Well still the phone was-” As I started to talk, I suddenly started to feel sick. “Haley pull over now.” She pulled the car over and I jumped out puking out all my lunch. “Uhh what the Hell-” And there goes breakfast. “Maybe it’s all the gumbo that you ate when it’s been sitting in the car for two hours.” “Maybe it’s the gumbo y/n shut it, Haley. I was hungry… again.” 

We finally arrive at the bayou and look at the map to figure out where we are. “So, we are here and-” As I held the map the paper got hot, and it became on fire. “What the-” I threw it out the window. Haley and I looked at each other like what the fuck. We start to reverse the car, but the engine starts to smoke, and it stops. “Are you kidding me?” We get out and I take out my phone. “Hey, I'm looking for a tow service?” I didn't even get a response before a loud ringing came from the phone and I threw it down and Haley heard it too and she smashed it with her boot. I didn’t even notice people around us. Haley and I start to get back-to-back. My vision starts to become blurry, and I passed out.“Y/n!”

I wake up gasping. “Y/n N/n you're okay.” “Hayley, where the Hell are we?” I said looking around the room and the walls were made of stone and there were lots of candles around. “In a tomb.” “Why are we in a tomb?” “Because the witches kidnapped us.” “Why would they kidnap us!?” I'm getting angry and I stand up. Sophie devereaux walks in with a bottle of water and a bowl of gumbo and places it in front of me. “If you think I'm eating anything you give me, you witches are crazier than I give you credit for!” I said as I kicked the bowl back. 

“Please Y/n all this anger is not good for the baby.” “You are going to let my sister and I go or-” Hayley stopped. “Did you just say baby?” “Yes, I did, Y/n’s baby.” Wait what? “That’s impossible, I can't be pregnant.” “Well, congrats you are, with Klaus Mikaelson’s.” Fuck “So eat up your baby needs it.” With that she walked away. “Hey, you still haven't told us why we’re here!” Haley yelled at her behind the bars. She looked down at me, who was still in shock. “Klaus Mikealson what were you thinking N/n?” “I don’t know Hayley, I was drunk, and he looked really cute and we talked and one bottle of whiskey later I woke up in his bed.” “Now I'm pregnant and absolutely terrified.” I said as I started to cry. “Shh It’s okay It’s okay.” Hayley said while hugging and rocking me.

Sophie walks in. “Get up It’s time to meet your baby’s uncle.” Hayley and I look at each with confusion and follow her. We walk out to see a man standing there in a press suit and tie.” Who the hell are you?” I asked him. “Give us a moment, please.” The man asked Sophie. “Whoever you are, you aren't going to talk to my sister alone.” Hayley said with a fierceness that I hadn't seen since I was younger. “Hayley I'll be okay.” I said as the man, and I walked into the other room.

“So, have they been holding you here against your will?” Elijah asked me. “They lured my sister and I out to the bayou and grabbed me. And they did all these... weird witchy tests. Not that I understand how this could happen. I mean, vampires are dead. They can't have children!” He turns to me and holds his hands. “Perhaps if you knew my brother's story, it might explain how this is possible. Here, if I may.” “If you open your mind to me, I can show you.” I lean down my head and Elijah shows me.

“In the beginning, our family was human... A thousand years ago, now.” I started to see them as kids. “Although our mother dabbled in the dark arts, we were actually just a family trying to survive in a time when it was quite difficult to do so. And, for better or worse, we were happy.” “That is, however, until one night, our youngest brother was killed by our village's greatest threat.” I then saw Klaus carrying their youngest brother and he was dead. “Men that could transform themselves into wolves during the full moon. Our family was devastated, none more than Niklaus. Desperate to protect the rest of us, our father forced our mother to call upon her black magic in order to make us stronger.” I now see that their father was forcing them to drink the blood to turn them.

"Thus, the first vampires were born. But with this speed, this strength, this immortality, came a terrible hunger. No one felt this hunger more than Niklaus.” The scene was now Klaus killing a human for the first time and with that he was changing into a wolf. He didn’t know of his descent. His father chained him up as Elijah tried to help but he wouldn't allow it and kept on saying horrible things about Klaus. “He wasn't just a vampire.” “He was also a werewolf. That's how the werewolf curse works. It isn't activated until you take a life.” I concluded. “Niklaus was the result of an indiscretion our mother had hidden from us all. An affair with a werewolf like yourself.” I see another thing I did not want to, Klaus was being forced to bury his werewolf side. “Your dad was a massive dick.” I said and we kind of laughed about it. 

“I'm Y/n Marshall, by the way. You should probably know my name if you're gonna tell me your whole life story. I mean, I know yours. Your family is legendary. Your brother is a notorious psycho... who I slept with.” “I cannot excuse his behavior, but you must understand, when our father hunted him – hunted us – for centuries, every time we found a moment of happiness, we were forced to flee. Even here, in New Orleans, where we were happiest of all. Not long after Niklaus broke the spell which prevented him from becoming a hybrid, he defeated our father. I thought this would make him happy. He was angrier than ever. I wonder if perhaps this baby might be a way for my brother to find happiness. A way to save him from himself.” When he finished, I grabbed at my stomach for the first time knowing that I was pregnant.

“I'm glad you feel that way, because we need your help.” It was Sophie. “What, precisely, is it that you want and what does it have to do with this young woman?” Elijah questioned and I wanted to know too. “We want to run Marcel and his vampires out of town. Klaus is the key. Everything Marcel knows about being a vampire, he learned from Klaus. Marcel trusts him, looks up to him, and he won't see the betrayal coming.”

“Yes, well, as I'm sure you're aware, my brother Niklaus doesn't like to be told what to do.” “That's why I brought you here. Marcel drove the werewolves out of town decades ago. Do you really think he's going to welcome a hybrid baby to the neighborhood? Convince Klaus to help us, and no one has to know about the newest member of the Original family.” “That sounds remarkably like blackmail.” “Like I said, I'm desperate.” “Well, then, I have my work cut out for me, don't I?” “I will be back with my brother.” And with that he walks away. 

Hayley walked into the room a little worried. “Oh my gosh are you okay did he hurt you?” I smile at her. “I'm fine Hayley. I just feel a little bad.” “Do you need a bucket?” “No no I mean I just learned more about Klaus than I bargained for.”

  We get called back into the front of the tomb and there standing is Klaus and he looks handsome as the morning I left his bed. “No. It's impossible.” He said pointing at me and its funny cause I said the same thing. “I said the same thing myself.” Elijah said. “This is a lie. You are all lying. Vampires cannot procreate.” I kind of wish it was a lie. “But werewolves can. Magic made you a vampire, but you were born a werewolf. You're the Original hybrid, the first of your kind. And this pregnancy is one of nature's loopholes.” Sophie explained.

“You've been with someone else, admit it!” Klaus yelled at me. “Hey, guess what buddy it’s impossible on my side too since I was a teen, I've been told I can’t get pregnant, so it is a hundred percent yours also my sister and I have spent days held captive in a freaking alligator bayou because they think that I'm carrying some magical miracle baby. Don't you think I would've fessed up if it wasn't yours?” I said getting closer, almost getting in his face because if anything I was not going to stand here and be accused of being with other guys when I know my own body. We stare at each other for second before Hayley pulls me back. 

“My sister gave her life to perform the spell she needed to confirm this pregnancy. Because of Jane-Anne's sacrifice, the lives of this girl and her baby are now controlled by us. We can keep them safe. Or we can kill them. If you don't help us, take down Marcel, so help me, Y/n won't live long enough to see her first maternity dress.” “Excuse me what?” I said getting worried about what Sophie just said. “Enough of this. If you want Marcel dead, he's dead. I'll do it myself.” Elijah said, stepping up and I saw Hayley looking at him with a bit of admiration. “No. We can't, not yet. We have a clear plan that we need to follow, and there are rules.” Sophie said stopping Elijah. We looked at Klaus waiting for his response. 

“How dare you command me, threaten me, with what you wrongfully perceive to be my weaknesses. This is a pathetic deception. I won't hear any more lies.” I forgot how egoistic he was. I guess that night was just a side of him that was a one-time thing. “Niklaus!... Listen.” Elijah yells at him and Klaus looks at me and then my stomach listening to our baby’s heartbeat I wonder what it was like. “Kill her and the baby. What do I care?” Klaus walked away with that sentence, and I almost lunged at him. “OH, HELL NO get back here you son of a bitch!” I get held back by Elijah gently this time. “No one touches the girl. I'll fix this.” 

Sophie and this older witch, Agnes, are talking again about this Vampire Marcel and whoever he is, they don’t like him that much. “Marcel and his vampires are out of control. Something had to be done.” “And the solution is to bring in more vampires?” “What makes you think you can control the hybrid?” That’s a good question. It seems like to me Klaus won’t just sit down. “She can't. I'm not entirely certain that I can, either. But now that your coven has drawn his ire, I have a question: What prevents my brother from murdering you instead of cooperating?”

Elijah said, surprising as all. Then I'm surprised personally because Sophie takes out a needle and pricks herself, but I feel it too. “Ow! What the fu-” I said looking at my hand and it was bleeding in the same place that was bleeding on Sophie's hand. Hayley grabs my hand to look at it. “The spell my sister performed, the one that got her killed? It didn't just confirm the pregnancy. It linked me to Y/n. So, anything that happens to me, happens to her, which means her life is in my hands. Klaus may not care about his own child, but it's very clear what it already means to you. If I have to hurt Y/n – or worse – to ensure that I have your attention, I will.” What the hell so the witches are cool to kill people good to know. “You would dare threaten an Original?” “I have nothing to lose.” “Well, I do!” I said feeling like they were talking about me like I wasn't there. “You have until midnight to get Klaus to change his mind.” 

 “His time is up. What're you gonna do now, Sophie?” Agnes asked Sophie and I was very scared for her answer. “I'm gonna do what I said was gonna do” Shit “What, kill the girl? Kill yourself?” Sabine this other witch asked. “Klaus does not care about the child.” Agnes added in and it was making me pissed off that they were barning with our baby like this. “I do” It was Elijah, at least one brother of this crazy family cared. He came in carrying the body of Jane-Anne.  “And I bring proof of my intent to help you: the body of your fallen friend, which I procured from Marcel himself.” “Jane-Anne. “ 

“May she be granted peace. Klaus will agree to your terms. I just need a little more time.”  Elijah I could tell was a smart man and thank God for that. “You had your time. It's passed.” Agnes said to him, and I wanted to wolf out on her for that. “Shut up, Agnes.” Sabine added in which kind of surprised me I mean I wanted to say it, but I had a baby to look out for. “For now, accept the deal. The girl and the child and her sister remain unharmed, or Klaus will kill you all.” He went to go walk away again but turned back. “And I will help him.”

Elijah came back to collect us and brought us to a grand old white house that felt like it hadn't been inhabited in years, probably so. Hayley was exploring another part of the house while Elijah was showing me the nursery. I went to the crib and pulled off the sheet and about a hundred years of dust came off. Cough' cough. “Are you alright?” Elijah asked me. “Oh fine, there are a lot worse places to stay in then here.” “Yes, it should serve our purposes. It's a sanctuary from our business in the Quarter. Right now, you are the most important person in this family. You need a good home. So, I'm curious... in all this time, has anyone asked you how you feel? “Like usually about how I could have a one-night stand with someone who doesn't usually do that?”  “About being a mother.” 

“Hayley and I were abandoned when we were born and for the most part of our lives we were in different parts of the system and I-I when I activated my werewolf side I was kicked out and thought of as a monster. And I didn’t find Hayley until I was eighteen so I really don’t know how to feel about that because I never really had a mom to rely on.” I looked back at him and he looked like he had sympathy behind his eyes. “I will always protect you and your sister. You have my word on that.” 

“And noble Elijah always keeps his word.” It was Klaus. “Is it done?” "As a matter of fact, yes. Your underhanded deal worked quite well. Marcel was only too happy to accept my blood even as he accepted my heartfelt apologies. His man, Thierry, yet lives and I remain a welcome guest in the French Quarter. My only concern now is this coven of impudent witches. "Great that’s just great “I believe them to be honorable. They did release Hayley and Y/n to me. Although, they haven't been entirely forthcoming. Marcel obviously has something that they need. They don't want him dead. There must be a reason why” I leave the brothers and go to talk to Hayley.

“Hey, how was talking to Elijah?” She asked me. “It was actually not that bad, it seems like he actually cares about us.” “Really?” “Really, which is good because it seems like you were checking him out.” “Yeah, well look at us both looking at the vampire brothers, we must really be sisters.” She finished with a smile and we both laughed.

I walked back into the nursery and just stood over the crib staring at it when I felt a presence behind me. It was Klaus. “Oh hey.” “Hello” He responded back. The thing was I didn’t know how to go beyond hellos. “Look I know this is super weird you probably didn't think you would ever see me again or think about me after our… time together I just wanted to say that I will stay out of your way.” I finished awkwardly. He walked closer to me. “Is it really mine?” “One hundred percent” We stare at each other for a second. But he backs away. “Right well If you just stay out of my way there won’t be a problem.” “Right.” He goes to walk out. 

Hey Yall, I really hope you liked this new fanfiction I'm trying out. I love the Vampire Diaries universe, especially the Originals. And of course, Klaus, I can't wait to develop the relationship between Y/n and him. If you want to be tagged for this series, comment nicely and I'll put you down. And if you like supernatural, I have a Castiel x reader series too.

[raineandsky]

#76

Being a receptionist is boring, but it has its perks. It’s safe, for one, and the civilian can watch the drama of whatever the hero and villain are fighting over from the comfort of an ergonomic desk chair. Their desk is tucked nicely into a corner near the back of the entrance hall, just in case the front of the building comes flying off for any reason.

It’s been a calm day outside, much to the civilian’s relief and boredom. It has been for the past week, actually. People trail in and out, not in any hurry, and the civilian idly pings them into the building or, god forbid, has to make a phone call for one of them.

They’re already well into the swing of things when the nth person of the day approaches the desk. The civilian can see them from out of the corner of their eye from where they’re staring at their computer screen. There’s a second of silence—no telltale slap of ID card on wood—until the person on the other side clears their throat expectantly.

The civilian glances up from their screen, only to do a double take. This guy isn’t from around here. He’s dressed in a smart suit and tie like everyone else, but his sense of smart seems to be the complete opposite of what this company considers smart. He graces them with a polite smile, a rarity that you learn to not expect as a receptionist.

“Good morning, [Civilian],” he opens kindly, before glancing at the watch hugging his wrist “or good afternoon, as of two minutes ago.”

The bland customer service line they were going to grace him with dies on their tongue. “Wh– How do you know my name?”

That smile again. “I was hoping to speak with you somewhere private.”

“You’re not getting me to secondary location,” the civilian snaps back immediately.

“I have some affairs the agency thinks you might have an interest in.”

That gives the civilian pause. “The… heroes agency?”

“Hey, man,” someone says from behind the man, “You’re holding up the line.”

The agency man ignores her. “Can we speak privately?”

“No.” The civilian folds their arms, sinking down in their seat for emphasis. “You can tell everyone here why you know my name, stalker.”

The man glances at the slowly growing, irritable queue behind him before leaning over the desk slightly and lowering his voice. “The agency’s in need of new heroes.”

“That doesn’t answer… any of my questions.”

Another glance over his shoulder at the first woman scowling at him. “We have files on everyone in this city. We need new heroes, so we’re finding the most suited options from the civilians here. You can be a hero, [Civilian].”

“And… I fit this heroic profile?”

The man smiles again, brighter. “You do. A perfect match, in fact.”

The civilian frowns confusedly, looking at their hands like they hold answers. “I thought heroes had, like, powers.”

“We can talk about that later.”

The civilian glances back up at him. If he’s lying, he’s very good at hiding it. “Okay. Move over so these people can get in.”

The man positively beams as he steps aside. The woman behind him huffs with a quiet “finally” and slams his ID card down with comfortable familiarity.

It takes ten minutes to get the line of antsy workers into the building. The man waits, impossibly patient, apologising here and there as people pass. He lets the civilian get everyone in before returning to his spot at the desk. “[Civilian]?”

They huff as they get to their feet, scribbling a quick note and shoving it on the front of the desk where people can see it before letting the barriers open. They step around the desk, giving the man a suspicious once over. “If you’re fucking with me I’ll kill you.”

The man laughs, the sound short and genuine. “I’ve no doubt. Let’s get you to the agency.”

One of the workers watches as the two of them wander back out onto the street. The heroes are coming up short. They’re employing civilians to fill in for a job meant for people with superpowers.

The villain couldn’t have turned up to their day job at a better time.

They pull their phone out as they continue into the building. Best not be late. The heroes are at their weakest, they type into a text littered with hasty spelling errors. Prepare to infiltrate the agency. We’re going in tonight.

[thelaisydazy]

The Banshee Calls - Chapter 1

John "Soap" MacTavish x Aoife "Banshee" Finny

Next Chapter

One year ago, Johnny woke up in a hospital room, his mind foggy and his head throbbing with pain. He’d been confused, lost.

His lieutenant had been waiting with him that day, shocked but relieved. No one thought he would ever wake up, ever recover. Johnny couldn’t remember Ghost ever sounding so worried in the years they’d known each other. That’s how he knew just how fucked he was.

The last thing he remembered was storming an underground metro to intercept a bomb set by Vladimir Makarov, a Russian ultranationalist hellbent on starting another world war. Him and the rest of the 141 had been hot on his trail. Soap had been working on disarming the bomb with Captain Price when they were face-to-face with Makarov and his men. It had been a short firefight but when Soap pulled Makarov off Price, everything went black.

Now he was sitting in hospital, hooked up to a series of machines that beeped every so often. Ghost had told Soap he'd been shot in the head, somehow not only surviving but avoiding major brain damage. Nothing short of a miracle.

Johnny had wanted Ghost to joke about him not missing many brain cells, but the seriousness in Ghost's voice betrayed how difficult the situation was.

Soap spent months recovering in hospital, being run through test after test. He'd feared that he'd be forced to retire after all, but by some stroke of luck, he'd been told he could, eventually, return to service.

Or so they said…

---

His mind swam as he sat in the tiny, dark kitchen of the shitty apartment he’d been given by Laswell, somewhere in a city in Ireland. Johnny’s hand gripped a half full bottle of scotch, bringing it to his lips and gulping more down. He was disheveled to say the least, brown mohawk grown out and unbrushed, blue eyes sunken in.

Six months.. He’d been waiting to hear from his team for six months.. Instead he’d been left to rot in this damned apartment. He’d tried everything to reach out, to get any information. Laswell rarely checked in and when she did it was basically only to make sure he was still alive and that the apartment was still in one piece. For a while Ghost answered his texts, even a phone call or two when Johnny really needed someone to talk to, but even he’d grown silent.

A hand came up and pushed his unkempt hair from his forehead then it wiped down his tear stained face, over the stubble that had overgrown in the past few weeks.

Johnny wasn’t certain of much anymore, but he knew one thing must be true. He’d been abandoned by his team.

One bullet to the skull and he was thrown out.

Useless.. Fucking useless..

His chest ached at the idea. Sure, being a soldier was never easy work. Hell. It was the hardest work he could've found, but he'd grown to love it. In the military, Johnny could focus that abundance of buzzing energy into something worthwhile. Something meaningful. Now. Here. That same energy had nowhere to go. It just sat inside him, like a wild animal lashing out against the bars of its cage.

He gulped down more Scotch. Alcohol made the energy in his chest quieter, but it didn't muffle it completely. He could still feel it, but it was more bearable. Even if he felt like his chest might implode with every heaving sob that forced its way out.

---

“You look like shit, Soap,” Kate Laswell’s voice stirred him from where he’d passed out on the couch. She dropped a plastic bag on his coffee table with a deafening crash that made him groan through his hangover.

Johnny glared at her through narrowed blue eyes. “Some nerve ye git..” he slurred. He hauled himself into a sitting position that made his stomach lurch, still watching Kate. “Ain't heard fae na yin in weeks 'n' ye juist let yersel' in? Gang bile yer heid, Laswell.”

“Johnny.” Kate’s voice was firm and her gaze dangerous. She pointed to the bag she’d brought in with her. “Eat something and sober up. I have news and a job for you.”

He snatched up the bag and opened it to see some greasy fries that buried an equally greasy burger. He all too quickly shoved a handful of fries into his mouth. “Leid wi' that then..” he mumbled between mouthfuls of food.

Kate Laswell was quiet, standing across the littered living room as Johnny ate. He was in poor shape, he hardly looked like himself. “We have a lead on Makarov,” she said, making the man nearly choke on his food, a flash of anger in his eyes. “We're sending you after him.”

“How come me?” Johnny asked, straightening up and looking at her from his spot on the couch. “I been out for six months..”

“Everyone thinks you're dead,” she said. Kate had always been straight forward in the way she spoke. “We're setting you up with a reconnaissance specialist. You two are going undercover.”

Johnny thought for several moments as he chewed. Gaz and Roach were far from recon specialists and Captain Price was too well known to go undercover. That only left Ghost, but Johnny doubted Laswell and Price would send Ghost on an undercover operation. He had to wonder who he was being set up with.

“You're leaving in a few days,” Kate said, reaching into a bag she was carrying with her. She placed a manila folder on the table in front of Johnny. “Everything you need to know about your new identity and your mission is here. Familiarize yourself with it.”

Johnny wiped his hands on his sweats, picking up the folder. He rifles through its contents. Makarov was hiding out in America, some trashy little suburb outside of Hollywood. Ties to human trafficking. The idea made Johnny's blood boil.

“Where'd ye git a' this from?” Johnny asked, turning another page. There was plenty of information on what was being done to the poor girls being brought into Makarov's sick business venture in America, but not much on how they got there or where Makarov himself was. “Sick bastard…”

His eyes then landed on a piece of paper containing his new identity. His new name and life story. Neil MacBride.. At least they didn’t expect him to hide his accent.

“Corporal Banshee's been hard at work,” Kate answered.

Johnny looked up at that. “Banshee?” The word brought back memories, sitting with his grandmother listening to all the stories she liked to tell. The legends and myths of the isles. Banshees were probably one of the scariest things she told him about, the way they wailed and screeched.

“She's been undercover for the last few months gathering intel,” Kate continued, stepping closer. “She's expecting Sergeant John “Soap” MacTavish on this, she's worked too hard to have the operation go under now. So clean up your act and get it together.”

Johnny nodded. Laswell was right, he needed to get back on his feet for this job. “What else can ye tell me ‘bout the Banshee?”

“Irish Special Forces, ARW, Corporal Banshee's young but she's a force to be reckoned with,” Laswell said. “Works mostly in reconnaissance these days. She's currently posing as security in one of the clubs Makarov's hiding out in.”

Johnny frowned. “No name?”

“You've worked with Ghost, Sergeant.”

He couldn't argue with that, though he knew Ghost's name, it took time, but he knew his lieutenant’s name and face. Certainly the old MacTavish charm would work on an Irish lass working in America.

“I'll just have tae git her to open tae me lik’ Ghost,” he beamed. This was the first time in months he'd felt like himself. Even if it was work, Johnny was ready to get back into action.

---

“Fuck’s sake, m’ apartment is still in one piece, yeah?”

Kate Laswell sat in her office, eyes fixed on the screen of her laptop. The tiny monitor showed a young woman. She had a slim face and black hair that cascaded over her shoulders, a pair of white streaks framing her face.

“Soap’s apologized,” Kate lied. “Thank you again for loaning us the space to hide him.”

Laswell knew the young woman was on edge with a soldier she didn't know staying in her personal apartment. It was the easiest way to make sure Soap would stay, mostly, out of trouble. Drinking problem notwithstanding.

The young woman on the other end, shifted on her couch, tilting her head like she was looking around. Kate could barely see the tattoos that peeked out from the high collar of her shirt. She turned a pair of stormy blue eyes back to her screen.

“Only fur you, Watcher. Thankfully I didnae have anything there anyway.”

Kate smiled gently at the soft Irish accent coming from her speakers. “He’ll be out of there soon enough,” she said. “Three days and he's on site with you.” Laswell adjusted in her own seat briefly. “Just remember, you may have put in the legwork on this, but he does outrank you.”

“Copy that Watcher,” the young woman said. “I'll keep it tight. Professional. Just make sure he's sober, I have a hard enough time here wi’ Americans thinking all I do is drink, aye?”

“Soap's good,” Laswell said, though she had her own doubts. Johnny had looked a mess when she arrived. “I made sure he dumped the last of that Scotch before I left.”

The young woman nodded. “I been putting in word ‘bout a cousin comin’ tae visit me soon,” she said. “Gonnae see ‘bout getting him a job in th’ club wi’ me. Far as those bastards know, he’s recently divorced ‘n’ lookin’ fur a fresh start in th’ states.”

“Good, we don’t need any trouble getting him inside,” Kate said. She looked at the time on her laptop. “Almost time for you to get back to work. Stay safe and report back in the morning.”

“Roger Watcher.”

“Goodnight Banshee.”

[memphisnovels]

Evermore

Chapter 28. Where is my mind

Previous chapter

Masterlist

Hi friends! 

This is a hard read, Nadia is wading though the mess of her history and its a very sad history at that.

If it helps things are always darkest before the dawn <3 

Things will get better for our girl! 

pairing: Pietro Maximoff x OFC

warnings: angst, PTSD, canon-typical violence, soft Pietro, Nadia needs a hug

“Where were you born?”

“St. Petersburg.”

“What is your name?”

Nadia Morozova. That’s what I said, again and again.

My name is Nadia Morozova, I was born in St. Petersburg on the 16th of November 1989.

“Where are your parents?”

I never knew them.

“Where are you parents.”

I gasped for air, sweat beading my forehead. My muscles ached with the tension that lived within them for the past three weeks. My throat was raw from yelling and cursing at the agent who stood at my bedside, observing and noting down the words I spoke. A cool cloth dabbed at my feverish skin, my head lolled to the side, revealing Anna. There was a frown on her lips that seemed to be permanently etched into her expression these days.

21 days earlier

I didn’t see Anna until I got off the plane in Brazil, she was waiting for me at the private airstrip.

“The plan is to try to unravel some of the memories that are troubling you and hopefully if they’re less tangled, you’ll have some more clarity.”

I nodded, looking down at my hands. More and more trees lined the road as we continued. “Where are we going?”

I felt her gaze on me for a moment before she looked back ahead. “It was organized by Ross, he wanted somewhere discreet, somewhere without distraction.”

“Somewhere like?”

“The amazon.”   

The number of trees only grew as, and the road thinned out into a dirt track where two men stood waiting. One in a button-up shirt that had him appearing immensely out of place, and the other an older man, hair white and sparse with wrinkles and sunspots covering his face. Anna parked the car on the side of the track, going to the back to collect the bags.

“Agent Pimenova, I’m assuming?” Button-down asked, hand outstretched toward me. I glanced at it before turning to grab my bag from Anna. The man cleared his throat, dropping his hand back by his side. “I’m Dr Norris, I’ll be overseeing this… operation.”

“Where the hell is this place?” The older man stepped forward then, pointing toward the dense tree line before us. I looked over my shoulder at Anna. “What the fuck?”

“I hope you brought comfortable shoes.” She handed me my backpack and a bottle of water before gesturing for me to enter the trail ahead of her.

The old man who’s name I’d learned was João lead us through the forest, no map nor compass of any kind, no hesitation, and no stopping. The trek was mostly silent, save for the crunching of leaves beneath our feet and the heavy breathing of Agent Norris. I knew Anna wanted to say more, though she remained silent. Whether it was the presence of Ross’s agent, or my lack of attempts to make conversation, I was unsure. I chose to address it at a later time. The hike was long and arduous, the heat baring down on us to the point it felt like I was suffocating. I pulled the tank top from my sweaty stomach, using the bottom to wipe my forehead.

“How much further?” Anna asked.

“Little.” João grumbled.

It took us 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach the cabin, according to my watch. My watch, which was taken by Dr Norris at the door of the cabin. He placed it into a metal box along with my phone. “It’s protocol, though, the phone won’t be much use out here, it’s a black zone, no service, impossible to be tracked.” He spoke casually as he stowed the box in the room, I was assuming was his.

I surveyed the cabin, moderately sized, with three rooms off of the one we’d enter into. There was a small kitchenette, an old couch and many large jugs of water sitting on the floor in the corner. João was gone when I turned around, like he’d never even been there in the first place. Anna and Norris led me into the room I’d be staying in, withing the four walls was a double bed, beside a table filled with an array of strange devices and a screen. I dragged my finger over the various machines as Norris spoke.

I only caught bits of what he said. “Cognitive therapy… memory loss… hippocampus…”

In the morning Norris attached hooked me up to one of the larger machines, wires running from patches that he placed across my forehead. The screen was moved in front of me, and I remember making a snarky comment about the likelihood of getting a streaming service out here. That is the last clear moment I can recall from that time.

The heat never let up, there were times when I felt sure I’d burn alive. Sweat seemed to become a constant part of my existence, after a few days the shaking set in, so intense it was as if my bones were rattling around beneath my flesh. João came back sometimes, he’d make a pungent tea that burned my nose and made my head foggy.

I think the nightmares were worse, though to be honest most of the time it was hard to distinguish my dreams from reality.

On the screen there were bizarre black and white shapes that morphed and pulsed, making me dizzy. I remember a clicking sound and then the shapes changed again. Another click and everything was red.

The girl before me had ringlets of chocolate brown hair the jostled as she thrashed. I blinked rapidly, watching the man with the mask choke her. I could see flesh peeking out from beneath her suit where he’d nicked her with his blade. He wasn’t supposed to be here, I didn’t even know who he was. This was supposed to be a quick mission, in and out. That is what Dreykov had said. It was my first real assignment. Though really it was Arina’s I was just supposed to shadow her. The best way to learn. My hands were shaking as my fingers wrapped around the cool metal, it was heavy, and my arms were still weak. My heart was thudding heavily in my chest, and I could feel my lip trembling even though I wasn’t sure what I was doing was wrong. This is what I am supposed to do; what they tell us to do. My fingers were small, so I had to squeeze extra hard, holding the gun with both hands. Even with the silencer that pop was loud to my ears. Afterwards everything stopped. The man behind Arina went still, save for the way his shoulders fell and his spine straightened slightly. A circle of red sat in the center of his forehead, a stream of blood trickling down from it just before he fell backward, twitching for less than a second before his body went limp. Arina rolled her head on her shoulders, pressing a finger to her in ear and speaking quickly, smoothly, unshaken.

“Complete.” She placed a hand atop the gun that was still poised between my hands, pushing it downwards and stopping directly in front of me to look into my eyes. “Nice shot.”

I was 11. I’d only ever shot targets before then.

“Nadia.”

Anna was there, dabbing a cool cloth across my forehead. Blurry to my half-lidded eyes. Darkness consumed me with a blink.

“Are you certain she’s taking to the new treatments?”

“I am certain she will.” It was the man with the glasses, thick German accent coating each of his words. “The mind can only take so much.”

Natasha stood behind me, helping me tighten the feather headpiece. “Just like we practiced, remember, pretend there’s no one in the audience, it’s just you and me, I’ll be right here in the wings while you dance.”

I’d never been Odette before. I was terrified. I neared the edge of the wings, the stage still dark as the music began. A shove to my shoulders and I went tumbling forward, suddenly in the center, beneath a blinding spotlight. I looked toward the wings to see no sign on Natasha, or anyone. There was, however, someone before me. In the audience the were people, three of them. I wandered closer, squinting against the light to see their faces but it was futile. The closer I got the blurrier they became until there was no one there at all. I realized then that the music had changed, a different song altogether had become. It was no longer Swan Lake. A second spotlight appeared then a loud shuttering filling the room as it did. Across the stage was another dancer, dark-haired with a different garment. A long white dress with a blue and red corset vest over the top. I knew it was Giselle, but she seemed unaware of my presence. My feet felt cemented to my place on the stage, locked down and immovable. I called out for her attention, though she never even turned her head. The picture stuttered, blurred and jolted and I fell to my knees against the hard floor. Giselle twirled around me, still facing away. I called to her again and this time she stopped, her head whipping toward me but she had no face, it was only blank smooth skin, yet she spoke.

“What is your name?”

I stared up at her in bewilderment. “I-I…” The moment jolted again, distorted like a scratched CD. “Nadia.”

She was eerily stiff as asked. “What is your name?” Even without eyes I felt her gaze burning into me.

“I just told you.”

“What is your name?”

I told her again and again she asked.

“I already told you.” I was growing tired of this. Less afraid of her expressionless face. I moved to my feet before her.

“It ends whenever you want it to.”  

My eyebrows furrowed; it was not her speaking at all. I looked around to find no one but us. The voice asked me again. I blinked and Giselle was gone, then she was back. “You tell me.”

“Where are you parents.”

“I don’t have any.”

“Tell me.”

The music swelled, Giselle act 1: overture. I didn’t know why I knew that I just did. More music began then, Swan Lake, Op. 20, Act II. I’d danced it a hundred times before. It was so loud, the two songs merging and clashing. I clutched my ears to shield them from some of the immense sound. I fell back to the floor, pressing my forehead against the cold surface, knees tucked beneath me whilst I continued to cover my ears.

“Tell me your name!”

I clutched my ears tighter; the music only grew louder.

“Tell me!”

“I don’t know!”

The metal of the seat dug into my skin as my arms and legs were strapped down. I pulled against the restraints but there was no give, the walls were sterile white, so stark they hurt my eyes. The man with glasses was there but he was speaking in a hushed tone to someone I couldn’t see.

“She isn’t ready…” The movement of my neck was limited by something. I saw a blank screen before me on a trolley.  “Subject 114… this will all be undone if she is transferred before she is ready.”

The man turned swiftly, catching me glancing over at him. He returned to stand before me, turning the television on and lifting a metal ring from beside me. I looked up as best I could to see what he was placing over my head. I’d never seen anything like it. A metallic halo with wires attached. The moment the screen turned on I was back on the stage and the music was playing again.

“Where are your parents?” I was back in the chair.

“You tell me.” A sharp pain emerged in my forehead and arm. I flinched at the shock.

The shocks happened a lot. The response to incorrect answers I realized.

“What is your name?”

“I already told you.” But it wasn’t my voice that spoke. A little girl who sounded nothing like me had spoken when my lips moved.

Another electric shock.

The cool of the cloth Anna pressed to my head anchored me to reality for a moment. I wasn’t sure what day it was or how long I’d been lying here. But she was wearing different clothes than the last time I’d seen her and there were dark circles around her eyes.

My body was weak, completely depleted of energy. The truth was, this felt a whole lot like dying. A tear ran down my cheek. The hot liquid felt cool against my overheated flesh.  “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“I know.” She gripped the towel tighter. “I don’t want you to do this anymore either. But you are remembering things. We’re getting somewhere.”

I swallowed over the dryness in my throat. “Where?”

“It seems, from the memories we can piece together and the visceral reaction to the ballet… well, the working theory right now is that hydra conditioned you to be a kind of sleeper agent but instead of commanding you to complete an assignment when activated your task was to forget. Perhaps to mask their training techniques or to make you forget recognizable traits of the Red Room. It’s like they’ve put boxes of memories behind a locked door and Giselle is the key.”

I turned my head away from her, looking up again. The ceiling had become a strange comfort to me, browning at the edges, paint peeling. When I was staring up at it, I knew I was here, in this room, not locked in my mind. Though, the comfort never lasted long.

A metal hand wrapped around my throat pinning me to the ground in the training room. My muscles ached from the days I’d spent being interrogated by Dreykov and the others about Natasha’s defection. His eyes were so dark they almost appeared black as he stared down at me, no emotion present on his face.

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know.” I was losing count of how many times I’d said that since she left.

His grip didn’t let up, it occurred to me then that he could kill me, in fact he might if he believes I’m lying. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that fact. His hand closed around my throat until he was cutting off my air supply. I grabbed at his hand, attempting to pry it off but all my strength was no match for the metal limb.

I lurched upright in the bed gripping Anna’s arm as the fog cleared, the moment of clarity was short-lived however as I was forced backward against the bed. When I opened my eyes again Anna was gone and I was in a different room, white walls, fluorescent lights baring down on me. Hands held me down against cold metal and it was Dreykov’s voice that I heard then. “Calm now, my Nadia, the graduation ceremony is a reward for your strength, you should feel honored.”

I thrashed against the hands that held me, but my body went still when I heard the music begin.

‘Stars shining bright above you.

Night breezes seem to whisper, ‘I love you.’

Birds singin’ in the sycamore tree

Dream a little dream of me’

I was looking down at my feet which sat atop black dress shoes that moved us across hardwood floors. Little pink toenails stark against the polished leather. A warm palm pressed to my back, another clasping my right hand softly. My eyes rose and I saw a white dress shirt, with a tie hanging loosely around the collar, once neat and uniform, now relaxed. Humming filled my ears next, and it was as if the moment was coming to life around me. The sound of his voice was warm and strangely comforting. He couldn’t quite remember the words, that’s what I was thinking as we danced, then that is what he said to me.

“We’re doing famously to remember this dance, chickadee.”

A giggle was the next thing I heard, small, light-hearted. It had come from me I realized. The longer the moment went on the less I felt a spectator and the more I became an active participant.

“Should we show mama and buggy before dinner?”

“We absolutely must, my girl! It would be rude to hide our talent for ballroom from them.” Another giggle. I stepped off of the man’s feet as he spun me around before grasping my sides and lifting me off of the ground. My hands clutched at his forearms, as the wind whipped around me and her pulled me into a tight embrace. Just like that his face was revealed to me, brown hair that was lightening with age, a thick mustache atop his upper lip and lines by his eyes that creased further as he smiled at me.  “I think we’ve earned a treat after all that work. What about you?”

I nodded fervently. “Ice cream?”

He pretended to think for a moment, pursing his lips and humming out loud. “I’d say it’s definitely on the cards.”

“With sprinkles?”

“What is ice cream without sprinkles?!”

His hand was a warm weight filling my own, swinging back and forth as he led me ahead, however, the gentle hold was gone abruptly as I was yanked backward.

“Where are your parents?” The man in the glasses gripped my chin, scanning my face.

Then, he too, was gone.

The room I found myself in was large and dimly lit, one wall lined with books and the other windows. There was a record player in the corner, atop an ornate side table. I gently navigated the needle to touch the vinyl, awaiting the beginning of the song.

‘You’ve got a cute way of talking

You’ve got the better of me…’

I danced around the room as the lyrics poured out.

“You make me feel like dancing.” I sang, swaying and spinning to the beat.

The first crash had me frozen in my spot, but that was the only warning before the door burst open. Light poured into the room, and I felt my blood turn cold. The music echoed through the house as I ran, the first man was much stronger than me, but I was small and quick, giving me an advantage as I slipped from his grip and under his arm. I could feel my heart racing in my chest as footsteps gained on me. Further, crashed sounded as I thrashed around in the arms that grabbed me. I pulled things from shelves and kicked out, knocking over décor and anything I could get my hands on, all in an attempt to grab ahold of a surface and pull myself free. Glass shattered across the floor, carnations and roses splaying as the vase disintegrated into shards. I could still hear the music as the cloth was placed over my mouth and the world began to fade.

I cried and cried and begged for it to end. The man in the glasses never even flinched as he wheeled the trolley before me, switching on the small box television where Giselle would appear, again and again. Wires were taped to me and I was strapped to a cold metal chair. The final strap laying across my forehead, forcing me to be still, ensuring I couldn’t look away at the ballet played out before me.

The man appeared before me again and I waited for him to ask me the same questions he always did. But when he opened his mouth, he didn’t ask me a question.

“Your name is Nadia Morozova. You were born in St. Petersburg, Russia on the 7th of November. You are an orphan; you never knew your parents.”

I closed my eyes tightly as he repeated the words, over and over. When I opened them, it was just Giselle.

Tears were gathered in my hairline, leaving the sides of my forehead damn with more than just sweat. I felt fingertips dusting across the flesh ever so gently, pushing back my hair, wiping the tears. Then the cool cloth was back but the hand felt closer than usual. Anna had sat by my bedside normally, but now it seemed she was right beside me on the bed. I felt was warmth of the body beside me and when I inhaled a shaky puff of breath it was not her expensive perfume that enveloped my senses, but one that was nonetheless familiar. It was a struggle to open my eyes and when I finally managed to the room was barely lit making my groggy, heavily lidded eyes work even harder to make out the figure beside me. Even the meagre light offered by a few candles beside my bed was hard to adjust to. When my eyes cleared slightly, I felt a bizarre combination of what might have been utter relief and complete dejection. Relief that it wasn’t another nightmare or exhausting array of what I could no longer deny were memories but devastation that it was just another dream. Albeit a new one.

I let my eyes fall shut again, willing the heartache to subside.

“Nadia.” I felt the gentle touch of a hand sweeping over my cheek and when I opened my eyes again, he was still there, clearer this time as if I were slightly more awake. My eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Is this a dream.” My throat was still dry and sore as it normally was when I’d wake, voice barely even remaining.

He didn’t sound like him either as he spoke again. “No.” His voice was thick, weighed down with an unclear emotion. His eyes glistened and he swallowed heavily. When I only blinked up at him, he took ahold of my hand, lifting it to press against his chest where his heartbeat steadily against my palm. I closed my eyes tightly, an overwhelming stinging sensation making itself apparent as a waterfall of tears formed so quickly, they were streaming down my face before I could even process that they were there to begin with. “Don’t cry, please, I can’t watch you cry anymore.”

Both his hands took ahold of my face, thumbs wiping the tears from my cheeks as he pressed his forehead to mine. I held onto his wrists for dear life, with all the strength I had left in my body. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye.”

He shook his head fervently. “It’s okay, it doesn’t matter, not now.” The tears continued to fall no matter how much I willed them away. “You were right, I would have tried to stop you from going.”

I only held onto him tighter. As if he might disappear if I let go, like he was the only thing anchoring me to reality, to consciousness. We were both silent for a long time before my mind began functioning somewhat akin to normal. “Wait… how did you find me?”

“Anna called.” He pulled back ever so slightly to look into my eyes. “She said you were progressing well, so Ross was allowing you to have a visitor.”

I still felt groggy, and words were not so easy to form yet I felt more alive in this moment that I had in some time. “But aren’t you supposed to be on assignment?”

Pietro’s eyebrows furrowed as he gazed down at me, eyes flitting across my face, confusion evident in his expression. Several beats of silence passed between us before he responded. “Nadia… it’s almost February. The assignment’s over.”

February.

I felt sick to my stomach as his words echoed over and over in my head.

That couldn’t be right. I’d left on Christmas day; I couldn’t have been in this cabin for over a month. Pietro moved to settle in beside me once more. “I guess I haven’t really been here to know.”

For a day there were no ballerina’s though the memories still jolted into focus occasionally. It occurred to me that the break was perhaps more for the sake of my sanity than my progress. Pietro lay by my side the entire day and when Anna took me to the small bathroom to help me bathe, as she had numerous times since arriving, he was waiting for me by the door.

I awoke sometime during the night or the early hours of the morning to hushed voices. Despite the low volume I could tell they were arguing.

“She is progressing.” Anna said matter-of-factly.

A scoff sounded from Pietro. “Progressing into what, madness?!”

“Do you really think I would let that happen?” There was silence between them for a moment, I knew Anna well enough to know she was attempting to gather herself. “That girl in there means the entire world to me, you find it hard to see her in this state? Try being here every day. Watching her writhe and cry and be so exhausted she can barely stand.”

“That is exactly the point! She shouldn’t have to go through that-”

Anna spoke up again, cutting him off. “No, she should not, Pietro. I wish she didn’t have to. However, she is never going to get better unless she can confront the things that are demanding to be remembered.”

“There is nothing wrong with her.”

It was Anna’s turn to scoff now. “I don’t think you really believe that, but the fact that you’re sticking with it is exactly the reason you weren’t allowed to come with her, why you weren’t given the clearance to know this location.”

I turned over in the bed, facing the opposite wall and closing my eyes tightly as they continued to bicker.

“Can we not argue about this right now?”

“I just don’t understand why you can’t take one day off!”

“Darling… You know how important this meeting is and how much pressure I’m under right now.” A few more words were exchanged but I couldn’t quite make them out. “You do know the line of work that I’m in. I can’t just take a day off when I feel like it.”

A beat passed before I heard the door open and close. The silence carried on for a while, I kept my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

That was when the humming started, soft, almost inaudible. When I opened my eyes again there was no Pietro, nor Anna at my bedside. Instead, there was a blonde woman whose face was turned away from me. Curls falling over her shoulder as she reached for something on the bedside table, a different room I realized. The walls were white but in a way that was neat, rather than sterile. There were things hanging, pictures that I couldn’t make out and, on the wall, just past the woman was a large canvas print, I narrowed my eyes to read it, but my efforts were fruitless, I could see blurs of flowers and pink but couldn’t make out any of it beyond that. A cool cloth was pressed to my head again. The humming grew louder, and the song seemed familiar though I couldn’t place it at first. The sound of a door opening and the clicking of dress shoes against hardwood flooring joined the symphony, pulling my attention away from the woman. I noticed his brown hair and eyebrows, but I couldn’t quite make out his face, not until he sat on the side of my bed, gazing at me with an uncanny warmth. His mustache made him a recognizable figure in my mind. He took ahold of something that lay beside my legs atop the duvet, holding it with two hands and sizing it up for a long moment.

“Here’s your arty bear, chickadee.” He spoke softly, wiggling the stuffed teddy bear beneath my arm. He leaned over me slightly, adjusting the duvet to tuck me in a little tighter.

I opened my mouth to speak but before I had the chance I was sent tumbling though my mind once more. The crashing that came before the door was thrown open, the music playing from the record player and then I was back in the metal seat with Giselle playing on the screen before me.

I’d lost track of how long I had been sitting here for, forced to stare at the television; it might have been days.

“What is your name?”

I stayed silent. The question was repeated and when I didn’t answer that time a sharp electric shock travelled through me making me flinch hard despite my attempts to appear unaffected. “You tell me.” I ground out over my pain; hands clenched into fists as best I could around the restraints.

“Up the shock level.” The man spoke.

“Are you sure?” A new voice, one I’d yet to hear. “She’s only small, I’m not sure she can handle much more.”

I looked around frantically, searching for a way out, anything that could help me. “Up the shock level and do not question me again.”

“Yes, Dr.”

“Your name is Nadia Morozova. You were born in St. Petersburg, Russia on the 7th of November. You are an orphan; you never knew your parents.” I shook my head. “Repeat it.”

“No.” An excruciating pain travelled through every inch of my body. I screamed at the pain only grew as the moments passed. When it subsided, I was short of breath and shaking violently. The man in the glasses told me to repeat it once more. “No.” I echoed my earlier sentiment, bracing for the pain that rushed through me shortly after.

There was silence for a long few moments but my head was so fuzzy from the jolts I hardly noticed. The strap around my forehead was the only thing keeping me upright. “It ends whenever you want it to, Nadia.”

“That’s not my name.” The pain was so intense then that I barely had time to register what I’d just said.

I lurched upward, a high-pitched cry falling from my lips, my entire body seizing in agony. The restraints were gone I realized though they’d been replaced with the warm weight of someone’s embrace. When I opened my eyes, Pietro was clinging tightly to me, eyes shut tightly, cheeks damp with tears. I was shaking so hard I felt dizzy. The more conscious I became the less the pain felt real but when it passed the exhaustion set in once more and I collapsed back against the bed.

I attempted to wipe the tears from Pietro’s eyes but the energy to lift my arm was hard to find. “It’s okay. Don’t cry, please…”

Pietro finally opened his eyes, gazing at me with a profound sadness that made it all so much worse. He shook his head. “How am I supposed to leave you like this?”

I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my shaky limbs and clear my mind enough to find a response. “You will go, with the knowledge that soon I’ll be better, and I will be back to taunting you in no time.” I attempted to force a smile onto my lips to reassure him, though even I was unconvinced by my words. Pressing my cheek against his chest I clung to his shirt, finding comfort in the warmth, the familiarity. For a long while we just laid there, the only sound my ragged breathing.

“Did you know what you were saying, when you wrote me that letter?” I furrowed my eyebrows as much as I could in my exhaustion, eyes still shut. “Inima mea îți aparține.” He murmured.

I shook my head. He cradled my head as it fell against his chest, stroking the hair back in a comforting gesture that did little to stop the impending grasp of sleep. Just before I drifted off, when I lay in a state somewhere between consciousness and slumber, he spoke again, though, I could not say for certain whether the words were really his or just another dream.

“My heart belongs to you.”

[runwithwolvcs]

Addicted to You

where do we go now?

Word Count: 3697

"And we're lost." Sulli stated as she stopped walking, waiting for Kaycee to catch up to her. Her best friend had insisted on going hiking, citing the lack of time they had been spending together. Kaycee said she felt guilty for putting her new beau before her best friend. While that may have been true, Sulli really hadn’t noticed. Between school and work, the only time she had to herself, had been spent in Paul's bed.

A secret between the two of them that they had agreed upon. No drama. That's what she told him she wanted, and he agreed to keep the peace in the pack. Neither of them were sure of how Brady would take it. Just because he had hurt her, doesn’t mean she wanted to do the same. Sulli cared about him a lot.

Kaycee screwed the top off of her water bottle and took a sip, before ensuring Sulli, "No, I swear this was the way Collin and I came."

"I don't think this is even the trail, Kay," She said, pulling her phone out of her jacket pocket and unlocking it. She held it above her, hoping to find a bar, but no signal was found,  "Fuck, I don’t have service. Do you?"

Kaycee did the same and shook her head with a grimace, “Maybe one of the boys is around.”

“Nu-uh, that's the last thing that we need.” Sulli said forcefully. She didn't want Brady or Paul to find them, she was still mad at the younger wolf and she had yet to tell Kaycee she had been shagging Paul for the past two weeks, let alone on speaking terms with him. “We are independent women, we don’t need them. We’ll find the trail.”

“Sulli,” Kaycee pointed to something behind her. She turned to look, and eyes widened as she watched the giant wolf take a step towards her slowly. It bowed its head to show that he wasn’t a threat before laying down and resting her head on his paws. 

She had never seen anything like this before. Paul had once shown her that he could transform into a wolf, but it was from a safe distance. Sulli didn't remember him being this big.

A smile grew on her face as she recognized the fur colour, but more so that the wolf's eyes were nearly identical to Paul's dark brown ones. 

“Paul?” She asked to confirm, a whine left his mouth and the younger girl took two steps forward, close enough to touch him much to Kaycees warning from behind her. Reaching forward, Sulli scratched behind his ear, "You're like a big puppy."

“Maybe he can lead us back to the trail,” Kaycee said from behind her, but Sulli was too mesmerized by the giant animal to respond.  The wolf stood up, and Sulli realized just how big he actually was. The two of them now eye level with each other, his eyes never leaving her own.  She reached up to pet his snout, causing him to lean into her touch before letting out a huff and running back into the brush that he had come from. Kaycee gasped and asked,"Did he just leave us here?"

"Are you two out of your fucking minds?!" Paul nearly shouted as he came out from where the wolf had run off to. He was only in a pair of cutoff shorts, not even a pair of shoes on his feet. Sulli let her eyes rake over his body, not caring that he was currently angry with them. If anything, it turned her on. Not that she would admit that to him with Kaycee standing next to her, as far as she knows, Paul was still on her No Kiss list.

Sulli shrugged as her eyes met his now hardened eyes, much different from the wolf's soft ones, "We were just hiking."

Paul scoffed and looked from her to her best friend, pointedly saying,"You know better than to be out here, I know you do" 

"Her and Collin--" Sulli tried to defend her friend. No matter how attractive his current frustration might be, there would be hell to pay if he messed with Kaycee. 

"Yeah, Collin was with her, " He stressed, turning back to the shorter of the two girls who had crossed her arms defensively.

Sulli rolled her eyes, "It's just a hike! It’s done every single day by other people."

"I don't--" Paul started, but was soon cut off.

"Point us back to the trail and we'll leave. " Kaycee said softly, she wasn’t as confrontational as the other two and it was showing.

"No, I'm taking you back to Emilys." Paul said, his eyes flicking to Sulli as if he expected a reaction. She didn't even know who Emily was, or at least she didn't remember her. Racking her brain, the only other person she could remember spending any memorable time with was a beautiful woman she had thought to resemble her own mom. Though she couldn't recall her name. Perhaps it was Emily, but she didn't know why they would go to her house either way. They couldn't be that far from Kaycees car.

"Why?" She asked, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.

"The pack hangs out there. Emily's Sam's wife.." Kaycee answered for Paul. Sulli was starting to realize how involved Kaycee was getting in all this pack nonsense. It made her happy to see her friend finding her way. Kaycees parents were fine, they had let her stay with them quite a bit during senior year, but they had left Port Angeles for a fresh start, both of them.

Deciding against questioning them again, Sulli instead went for a logical response, "Kaycees car isn't there, that's stupid."

"Collin will grab her car." He mentioned as if it was an obvious solution before saying, "Lets fucking go."

Sulli groaned as he walked past them in the opposite direction they were heading. Kaycee followed him with no complaints, but Sulli couldn't help but mutter, "You're so annoying."

 Paul and Kaycee walked ahead of her for the rest of the hike, laughing and talking about things she had no idea about. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a tiny bit jealous, though she knew how in love Kaycee was with Colin. It ticked her off to see the way Paul was with her best friend, he certainly wasn’t that way with her. 

Even in bed, he was all serious and calculated. Pillow talk was strategic on his end, never bringing up a topic they may have her looking for a quick escape. It worked, but she didn't know this fun, easy going side of him existed.

"Just through there." Paul directed Kaycee before stepping in front of Sulli, blocking her way past him.

She folded her arms over her chest and looked up at him, “I liked you better as a wolf.”

 “Are you done?” He cocked his eyebrow as her childish statement.

“It was just a hike.” She whined. Sulli felt like she was being reprimanded by a parent. That was the last thing she wanted to equate him to, it was bad enough that she was lusting over someone who practically babysat her. She likes older guys, that wasn’t new for her, but one that had watched her entire life implode at eleven years old, that was different. There was a vulnerability there that she wasn't ready to accept.

“You were lost.” Paul pointed out.

“We have bear spray.” Sulli muttered. It wasn't the best excuse, but it was true.

“It's not the bears I’m concerned about.” He told her and she was now the one getting annoyed.

“Well if you don't tell me, how am I supposed to know?!” She asked exasperated. It felt like they were going in circles. He was protecting her from something, there had to be something if he was this strung out, but he refused to let her know and it was making her irate.

Paul shook his head, “You don’t need to know.”

“This whole conversation is fucking pointless then.” She remarked, putting her hands on her hips.

“Is it?” He asked, a grin forming on his face. He looked a lot younger when he wasn't so serious. She liked seeing him relaxed, his jaw unlocked with no frown lines near his eyes. It sparked something inside of her to know that she was the reason he had let his guard down now, even if it was only momentarily.

One of his hands slid around her waist to her ass, roughly squeezing it as she bit her lip to suppress a moan. He pulled her into him causing her hands to land on his chest to stop herself from crashing into him completely as he leaned down and softly said, “You’re cute when you’re annoyed.”

Before she could respond with a snarky remark, his lips were on hers and she was sliding her hands up from his chest to wrap her arms around his neck. She didn't even register that he had walked her backwards until her back hit a tree, Sulli was too enthralled in their kiss.

With his hand still massaging her ass, she couldn't help but rock her hips forward into his with a moan. 

She pulled away before she could lose herself in his touch and mumbled, “We should go before Kaycee’s mind hits the gutter.”

“Let it.” He said huskily before bringing his lips down and sucking on her neck.  She hummed in satisfaction as he almost immediately found her sweet spot, just below her jaw. Her resolve was quickly dissolving as he brought his other hand down to her thigh and hoisted her up against the tree. She wrapped her legs around his waist and moaned involuntarily as she felt his hardness through her leggings.

“How far is your house?” She asked needily. 

Paul pulled his lips away, a smug smirk on his face as he told her, “Too far.”

She let out a small whine, ready to tell him to take her right then and there before a black mass of fur caught her eye. Another wolf was staring right back at as she quietly tried to collect her thoughts. “Um…”

Paul looked over his shoulder at what she was distracted by and the wolf huffed and backed away, disappearing into the greenery. Paul looked back to her and gave her one last peck before telling her, “Let's get you back to Emilys.”

She pouted, running her hand through his hair. “But--”

“We’ll continue this later,” He promised, dropping her back down to her feet. His hands moved from her waist to her ass, giving it a squeeze before removing his hands from her completely. He ushered her in the direction that Kaycee had gone which led into a clearing where a small cottage-like house sat.

Sulli remembered it.

Emily and Sam, they were friends of Sue’s. Emily would babysit her when Sue or Paul were not available. She turned to Paul, no longer wanting to head into that house, “Maybe we--” 

“Paul,” A deep voice cut her off, both of them looking into the direction it came from. She noticed the man named Sam as he motioned Paul over.

“I’ll be right back,” He told her, tapping her ass gently before walking in the older man's direction, leaving her alone and uncomfortable. She frowned at his retreating figure before looking back at the homely cottage just as a woman stepped outside.

“Sulli?” The beautiful woman on the doorstep called out. 

Emily.

She recognized her, still a beaming ray of sunlight, as she had been ten years prior. Sulli recalled telling Paul she reminded her of a Disney princess. Now, the more she knew about the pack, she could almost laugh at how comical it was. She was basically snow white, and the wolves were her dwarves.

Sulli nodded while trying to stifle a laugh, “Yeah.”

“Come, come, there's some fresh muffins inside.” Emily said brightly. Sulli glanced over at Paul one last time, he was intently listening to whatever Sam was telling him and figured it was important wolf business that she wasn’t about to interrupt.

Letting out a small sigh, she made her way up the front steps and followed behind Emily to the kitchen. Everything was exactly how she remembered, save for a few new photos here and there.

“Where's Kaycee?” She asked shyly. As much disdain she had for this place, she wanted to be polite, for Paul’s sake.

“She went with Collin down to the beach.” Emily informed her, “Muffin, sweetie?”

“Sure.” She nodded, sitting at the table. Sulli grabbed a muffin, and if possible, Emily's smile grew wider than it already was. The older woman sat across from her at the round table and Sulli avoided all eye contact as she let her eyes wander the art and photos scattered about.

Paul sauntered in after an excruciatingly long amount of awkward silence and sat next to her, his arm immediately draped on the back of her chair. She watched him closely, he was no longer relaxed. The crows feet by his eyes signalling his frustration and tension.

Sulli nudged her foot against his under the table, getting his attention, before she asked, “Everything alright?”

He nodded, taking a muffin, “All good.”

“Not a need to know, got it.” She chided, leaning back in her chair. Her eyes not leaving his figure.

Paul watched her for a beat before he grinned at her, “Now you’re catching on.”

“Prick.” Sulli mumbled.

He chuckled softly, playing with the ends of her hair from where his arm rested across the back of the chair. It eased her anxiety enough to let out a breath of relief. Sulli crossed her ankle over his, interlocking the legs. The heat from his bare calf on her fabric covered leg reminded her of his promise to head back to his place. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

“So, Sulli, how have you been? You were just a little girl the last time I saw you.” Emily asked with a bright, warm smile. She couldn't believe how naive the question was. Did they really not know how the system worked? 

Sulli frowned at the question, “Fine, I guess.”

Sam asked as he sat down next to Emily, mirroring Paul's position,“Just fine?”

“Yep,” She answered tightly.

“Were your foster parents as nice as Julie said they were going to be?” Emily prodded. Clearly  she was hiding her disdain for this topic better than she thought she was.

“Emily,” Paul shook his head. At least someone could sense how uncomfortable this topic was for her. Sulli had never even mentioned anything about foster care to her. They talked about her career, and his. Sometimes school, but nothing dating back to her time in the system.

“Sorry, it's  just she had said this family was really looking forward to---”

Sulli abruptly stood up. Not wanting anything to with this conversation anymore and walked out the door. She made her way down the rickety porch and looked for a way leading back to the main road.

“Sulli!” Paul called out. Making his way down the porch and grabbing her arm gently to stop her, “Sulli, wait,”

“Let me go,” She sneered, wrenching her arm out of his hold. Sulli was starting to feel claustrophobic from all the memories she had from the yard they stood in. How happy she had been. Just to have it ripped out from under her.

Paul backed off, raising his hands in surrender, “She was just--”

Sulli interrupted him by waving him off, as she started walking further from the cottage, “I don’t care. Tell Kaycee I’ve left for me, yeah?”

“What are you going to do, walk all the way back to Forks?” He asked in disbelief, he kept up with her with ease, his long strides able to put himself ahead of her and in her way. She looked up at him in annoyance.

“I'm sure there's a bus or something.” Sulli pulled out her phone to try and figure it out.

“I’ll just drive you.” He insisted, almost pleading with her.

“No, I want to be alone.” Sulli shook her head. That was the last thing she wanted. To be stuck in a car with him while feeling the way she did. 

“Sulli, we’re friends now.” He said, a small teasing smile on his face. “You can tell me anything.”

She paused mulling over what she was willing to tell him, or anyone for that matter. There wasn’t much. Sulli had opened up to Brady and look at how that turned out,  “Since Emily wants to know so bad, tell her I was only with that foster family for a week. That's how nice they were.”

Paul's eyes widened at the new information, “What? What do you mean a week?”

“There were six more after that, they were just so amazing,” Sulli continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Six?” He questioned with a frown.

She nodded,  “So I’m sorry, I have nothing nice to say nor  do I want to talk about it with the same people who put me in that situation.”

“That's not fair.” He frowned.

“Don’t you dare lecture me on what is fair.”   Sulli scowled, finally reaching the tipping point she had been heading towards since Paul had reentered her life. No amount of sex or sneaking around was going to mend the cracks they had all made in her trust, she just didn't think he would ever hurt her anymore than he had already.

Though, he was quickly proving her wrong.

“Sulli,” Brady's voice sounded from the porch, looking concerned. She looked back at Paul, whose face had changed into one of anger.

She scoffed and went for the jugular,  “You know what's not fair? Being ripped from my fucking home, only to be dropped off with the only relative I had left, who I didn't even know existed.. “

He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off again, “No, no, it gets better. They didn't want me either, so then I was shipped off to a home in Portland to this couple who thought they were getting a foster son. Imagine the shock on their faces when they found out Sullivan was a girl's name too.”

“Sulli,” He tried again softly. Though she can see in his eyes that he wasn’t happy. Dark, brown pools of unmistakable rage.

“I’m  not fucking finished.” She seethed,   “You see, the husband, Larry, hated me, literally hated me, Paul. So  much, that he pushed me down a flight of stairs because I talked back to him. So please, tell me what you think is fair, I would really like to know.”

Tears were streaming down her face and she hadn't even realized it. Paul reached for her, prompting Sulli to take two steps back as he sullenly said, “I would have never let that happen to you--”

“But you did.” Her voice strained as she struggled to pull herself together.

“Come on,” Brady said as he began trying to pull her away as a warning growl left Paul’s throat.

She pushed him away, “No, I’m mad at you. You’re both assholes, did you know that?”

Paul turned and walked away, heading towards the treeline. Her jaw dropped in shock as she yelled towards his shaking retreating figure,  “Yeah, leave again. You’re so fucking good at doing that!”

“Stop provoking him.” Brady spoke seriously, stepping in front of her to block her view of Paul.

“Fuck you.” She pushed at his chest, “You…you made me trust you just to fucking leave me too.”

“You know I didn’t want to.”

“But you did!” She shouted at him tearfully, “You left me!”

“Brady!” Paul shouted from the treeline, watching the two of them interact with the most anger she had witnessed from him. 

The audacity for him to be mad at her for talking to Brady, after he had initially ruined their friendship. She wanted to hurt him just as he had done to her, without thinking of the repercussions, she impulsively grabbed Brady's cheeks and kissed him.

He reciprocated for a moment before pulling back, “Stop, we can’t..”

Sulli looked  back at Paul with a smug look, just as he exploded into a wolf, looking back at the two younger ones before taking off into the woods. The smugness immediately turned into guilt as she felt sick to her stomach from seeing the sad eyes of Paul's wolf.

“Fuck, Sulli!” Brady shouted, looking at her with wild eyes before back in the direction Paul had run off to.

She shrugged, trying to play it off, “He's the one trying to ruin my life, and you’re helping him.”

“He’s not trying to ruin your life.” Brady said while rolling his eyes, “He cares about you, he just wants to get to know you..”

“I had sex with him.” She said honestly, adding a small dig at Paul's expense, “He knows all that he wants to know.”

“That was quick.” He snarked.

She scowled, “wouldn’t have even happened if you didn't stab me in the fucking chest.”

Bradys anger took over anger as he forcefully said, “Yes, it would have. I know you and I know him. You two are made for eachother.”

“No, we’re not.” Sulli denied, “He doesn't really care about me. “

“He does, and you just hurt him by kissing me. Now he's going to be pissed at me too.” Brady stressed. She could see the worry in him, and it just added another knife to the collection he had left in her heart. He was more worried about Paul being mad at him than the fact that she was currently breaking down. This isn't the Brady she was friends with.

She shook her head, “Well who cares how I feel, right?” 

“Sulli,” Brady called as she turned on her heel and walked towards the way she suspected was the road off of this suffocating property.

“Go, run after him.” She looked over her shoulder as she walked away, “I don’t ever want to see you again, Brady.”

[forestryfae]

man it is SO nice to find a solution to a really shit problem only for 50 other problems to happen

i am completely alone with zero support in a house i hate, doing as much housework as possible so it can be manageable both in day to day life and so its not hard to just leave when i move, and i still am not getting any help getting rid of the stuff.

i have almost no money and i have to pay to take the train to buy food or neccessities and i was dumb enough to not send a letter sooner so i dont know if ill get my money until after christmas or not, i havent bought more than one christmas gift either cus im fucking broke, and i dont feel anywhere in my body that i want to spend time making something for anyone. my brother still isnt done paying me my money back and literally hasnt talked to me since last time he asked for money, my dad hasnt fucking talked to me in ages and the one time he called in summer it was out of boredom to ask when i was gonna visit them, none of my extended relatives talk to me at all so what the fuck is the point there, and my mom is just. a fucking bitch.

i had her removed as a legal guardian, not even on purpose initially but because folkenemnda or whoever sent her a letter before i was able to have a meeting, so she ofc got fucking offended and now has decided sve cant be involved in anything. she cant call electricians, she cant help fix the house, its "too difficult" for her to have to talk to me or my new legal guardian instead of just buying stuff right away, and she told ME to get a new phone service provider. i had to fix that myself. on top of her being, once again, a useless bitch. dont touch my stuff i say, its fucking embarrassing that you have dirty laundry she implies while moving all my furniture around and doing shit to my kitchen while refusing to acknowledge its my house but still treating it like her own, and not fixing the internet again after they unplugged it.

so i have no access to internet besides my last 150 mb of phone data unless i call some guy to fix it, but they wont be here until next year most likely so its pretty much pointless, and if i buy phone data i have to pay. so if i cant get it fixed ill be literally alone for two weeks straight with no people at all around me and noone i can talk to on the internet. except for fucking. christmas. idk about new years eve. and i dont even fucking like my family, i dont even want to spend time with them, they treat me like shit.

the ac doesnt work since mom got the electricians to look at everything but never actually hired anyone to fix shit and now is completely uncooperative. and after they checked the fireplace in that control like two years ago im not allowed to use it, and mom never actually got that fixed either even though shes been in charge of absolutely everything since forever.

plus both heaters downstairs are set to 27c or max and it still is only like 17 or 19 or so, i have an entire room in the house i straight up cant use cus theres no power and no light and 17c in there and its full of stuff i asked mom to take to the thrift store for me 6 months ago. also i cant leave either heater on if im boiling water or washing dishes cus that overloads the entire fucking thing.

and its just like so much bullshit all at once and ive been spacing out for like 2 hours while writing this cus i get so frustrated and upset and angry and sad. its not fucking fair that my parents literally dont care about me, yet im expected to be fucking sociable and call and visit them and reach out. they didnt reach out to me or support me at all when i was a kid, or a teenager, or an adult, why the fuck would i want to deal with them. but if i dont go to visit them on christmas or i point out that hey. youre not really being fair or nice to me at all, hell breaks loose cus i should be more than happy with the crumbs they give me, as if theyre the best people in the world for fucking. calling once every six months or letting me celebrate a holiday with them.

like. im stuck here for 2 weeks, im broke as shit, no connection to the outside world once i use all my data, i very much am still mentally ill even if im better than before i went inpatient. but once i go back ill have to go back to work and i dont have a psychiatrist to talk to and im not on any meds i think i might need and i havent been tested for anything yet, i havent been had driving practice yet, i can barely talk to my support contact, i need a lot more help than i am being given, im not getting the help i ask for when i do ask for it, and thats on top of shit parents and a shit house and two cats i love but am not sure i can keep given the whole thing where im gone for months at a time. and i just. how the fuck am i supposed to be able to keep a job or ever move out or make friends properly or keep a new apartment or house or be mentally stable. its so much bullshit all at once wtf

[xinnabon]

WRITE ME LETTERS.

# long distance relationship yelan x fem!reader [MODERN AU]

taking in requests! thanks!

.CW content is all safe!

.SUM you as someone who manages her own business, you tend to have trouble selling your products for the store, but with your girlfriend yelan, maybe things will go smoothly as it goes.

a/n: I REVIVE FROM MY VERY SHORT HIATUS BECAUSE I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE-- HELLO. I'M HERE TO MAKE CHAOS AND I SAY I AM BOOMING WITH LESBIAN ENERGY. requested by a friend again but it was months ago. TRUMPEEEETTT!!!!!!!! ROLL CALL OUR SWEET LESBIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!! YA THERE??!? also i really don't mind what gender is reading this right now. go crazy on my blog account then.

(play song nyaww. i think its sweet.)

work. sales weren't as good as you thought it would be. first, your business was sky rocket for a few weeks but then some other type of business pulled up. you needed to refresh your mind... create new ideas, but what's more?

7 missed calls...? god, from yelan too. you didn't really want to handle anything but you were sure that you needed to rant things out. if you didn't, maybe you'd break down to the point you don't know what to do. business and paying up for house and electricity bills was only to think about. if only, you can be selfish for one day. no. you can keep it in anyway. at least for a bit longer.

you turned off your phone and let the mattress consume you. you just wanted to be alone for once. who cares what others think, right? but either way, you just needed time to process all over on what's happening, what's next, what will you do. why does life have to be so hard to take over. even you think the saying that goes, "balance your life. have some fun and work at the same time" is absolute bullshit.

you can already imagine yelan worried for you. huh. must be normal to worry if people that is rather "valuable" to you like that. no. just let the world aside and pass time.

you liked yelan's company. you two met a while back in highschool but pretty much it was long-distance. just like now. you were assigned to be pen pals with someone from some other country besides your own. sure was sorta needed for research but of course you two were supposed to be the same age. oh how you wanted to go back. probably you don't know what to choose. either live your highschool life with endless studying and a bunch of missed assessments that are past due or stick with a business that was a success at first but eventually got taken by someone else's spotlight. it's frustrating just thinking about it. past, present, or even the future life you hopefully look forward for might take even a worse form.

so sweet... loving... ah. where did that go.

light faint. eyes ever shut tight. let go. just let go.

mm. 2 days. you haven't been showing up on work just because to rattle out some ideas. pretty sure the others can understand. throwing a piece of paper that is crumpled every time you change your mind about this over and over again. you could've just thought about this thoroughly but maybe you just had way too much high-expectations. you already have your own next-door some random store seller competing with you. geez.

you've been ignoring interactions and catching attention to yourself for a while. give in? no. not yet. you lay back and fluttered your eyes lightly shut as you carry on away to think it over from there. maybe you need to attract your clients more with designs? better up the products? make the prices fair? well. the idea itself is great but the context inside each and every one of them just couldn't rattle out of yourself. you just want things to be finally settled.

door is ringing. door is ringing? you get up from the lousy position you were in and head straight to the front door. you just finished ordering some food at least... 5 minutes ago. what kind of fucking food delivery service is that--

"yelan?"

fuck. why is she here. did she really have to buy a ticket all the way here? you look like a mess so far with her all carrying a suitcase and... a plush? right. she did said a while back that she'll ship it in to your house but sure is giving it to you in person.

"i know you're having some time. relax. think about it first then we'll talk. i, uh... didn't really tell you i'd be coming over but i'm sure you needed the company."

you slightly nod and let her inside. help her unpack, ate the food you ordered after 20 minutes of waiting, but really, the atmosphere wasn't... quite the best just like her last visits. showing her to your room to sleep comfortably and lay with her. looking at her with the A/C up and running. eyebags were already on your eyes. she doesn't want to assume what happened but really, whatever happened is what happened but it really matters when its to you. of course it is.

"i'm. not up for conversation right now. it's just... the business that i'm working on isn't doing the slightest bit of good."

yelan fiddles with your fingers. maybe she already had it figured out. she'd like it if you tell about it herself but what's the point in pressuring you? her hand running through your hair and signs you on over to go against her. you were cold. your hands were gripping tightly as you shake.

so far... she isn't asking so much what happened. you're sure she's worried but either way, you have someone to understand you need time to build up to entrust something like this matter to her. even to make you realize yourself that you aren't alone on this. breathe. and let go all of the disgraceful thoughts. nothing to disturb you two. you two alone. its you and yelan in your own world. leave it aside.

i will not ask you where you came from.

i will not ask you, neither should you.

honey just put your sweet lips on my lips.

we should just kiss like real people do.

[milkywaygg]

Confidential Affairs Chapter 4

AU belongs to @eripops. Enjoy!

Month Two-Three

Despite her promise, Euphemia still kept her lips sealed regarding her issues to Jules. A week had passed by and Jules felt well enough to return to work, despite having fits of nausea every now and then, and Euphemia tried to kept her mind occupied with work as much as she could. She often buried herself in a sea of projects, incoming new clients, business meetings, and anything else she could think of. Yet, work could only do so much to distract her from Jules, their baby, their upcoming wedding, and the shit her parents pulled all because Jules wasn’t as aristocratic as the rest of her peers were growing up.

It pained her that they felt this way and their attitudes towards him often kept her up at night, with only his soft snores lulling her to sleep. She couldn’t blame them for being disgusted with how he acted at the party; it was like someone casted a fast-forwarding spell on him, and his squeaky, jittery voice getting higher and faster as he continued to drink the sugar often creeped her way back into her brain, causing some sort of second-hand embarrassment. Yet, in the same token, she couldn’t blame him entirely for how he acted. When she had met his parents, Gonzo and Cecilia, for the first time, the fanciest thing they had in their home was a crooked ceiling fan that squeaked every time its blades rotated.

Plus, there as just something..so extraordinarily special about Jules that had always attracted Euphemia. He wasn’t like all the other men her parents had tried to set her up with. Despite being dirt poor, Jules never expected Euphemia to pay for their dinner dates, nor wanted expensive gifts and chocolates. She remembered how he absolutely fawned over a simple bouquet of roses that she got him for prom and how she ended the night with several kiss marks on her cheeks. From then on out, Euphemia would remind herself to bring him flowers for every date, even if it was just a few weeds that she pulled out of the ground.

Even with work piling up like crazy, Euphemia used those memories of Jules as motivation to keep going; motivation to pull herself together and be strong for him, despite him pleading and begging for her to open up. She couldn’t let herself be vulnerable like that…he needs someone to take care of him..especially now with the little bun in his oven. Plus, doesn’t he deserve the wedding of a lifetime? Oh, if only Euphemia could give him the world..

An ear-splitting ring snapped Euphemia back to reality at her desk, straightening herself up as she answered the phone.

“Thanks for calling Golden Oak Banking Company! Please know that you are on a recorded line. My name is Euphemia. How can I help you-“

“Yea whatever! Listen, I need to dispute a charge for me. I’ve got all these damn fines piling up and I need them off my account!”

“Ok. Can I get the first and last name please, so I can look up your information.”, Euphemia asked, trying hard to mask her real feelings as she rubbed her temples. God, not another one of those clients.

“Karen Deubel.”

“Ok Ms. Deubel.”

“MS? IT’S MRS. DEUBEL!”, the voice yelled at her over the phone, making Euphemia snarl at the receiver. How the hell was someone like her married?

“Ok Mrs. Deubel, let me look at you account.”, Euphemia said, typing up Karen’s account information on her computer, showing the offending charge and several stacks of fines listed on the account, “So I’m seeing that your check bounced when your account got charged for a streaming service? Care to explain?”

“Well, not that it’s really any of your concern, but I just forgot to end my free trial is all. I meant to cancel it but I’ve been swamped at work and just now getting to it.”

“Ok, well have you contacted them and asked for a refund.”

“No, because then they’d cut off my streaming services.”

“Ma’am-“, Euphemia sighed tiredly, taking a deep breath, “Ma’am, that’s-“

“OK You can stop right now with the fucking attitude! I just asked for some simple fucking help, and all that sass and sighing is not what I asked for. NOW GET THE CHARGE OFF MY ACCOUNT!”

“Ma’am I-“

“DO IT!”

“Ma’am, please, you’re on a recorded line.”, Euphemia reminded, “We can dispute that charge for you but you’re going to have to contact them and have them speak with us.”

“But then I won’t be able to watch my fucking shows!”

“That’s just it with a free trial. It’s a free trial. Do you think streaming companies would make any money if they just let people watch their shit for free?”

“UH UH Don’t speak to me like that! Do you kiss your husband with that mouth?”

“My husband?”

“Yea! Do you speak to him like you’re speaking to me? Because if you do, ohhh lord. You must be one miserable, sorry son of a bitch. Working and being shit at your shitty ass fucking job and coming home to curse out the husband you’re failing to take care of-“

“OK YOU KNOW WHAT, PAY THESE FUCKING CHARGES. I DON’T GIVE A SHIT! HAVE A GOOD FUCKING DAY!”, Euphemia exploded as she hung up and threw the phone on her desk, smashing it into two. She felt several pairs of eyes staring down her as she tried to fight the tears that formed in her cyan eyes, wishing that she could just run away from the world and never come back. It wasn’t until a tall, brunette woman with a beehive bun in her hair walked into the office with her hands on her hips did Euphemia’s heart drop…

“What the fuck do you mean you’re all booked up?”, the woman yelled as Jules squirmed nervously in front of her, twiddling with the corners of his apron under neath the booth, “My husband’s birthday is tomorrow! I need roses!”

“W-well ma’am, I um…I’m really sorry. It’s just…you know how Saturdays are. People often take that day to go celebrate and um..we just get a lot of orders quicky. Plus, we’re super duper short staffed at the moment. I’m really sorry.”

“Other people are not my problem! I need roses for my husband NOW!”, she screamed, slamming on the booth.

“P-Please don’t slam on the table. Um..there’s a couple of pre-done bouquets if you’re interested-“

“I DON’T WANT THOSE DAMN WEED INVESTED ROSES. THEY’RE PROBABLY COVERED IN BUGS OR SOME SHIT! I mean, just look at them. They’re not as red as the fresh ones you guys make. I can’t believe this-“, the woman stammered, “You really want to ruin my husband’s birthday, don’t you?’

“N-No not at all! I-I’m really sorry about this-“

“Oh you’re going to be sorry when I turn you into the size of one of those damn fleas on your stupid little pre-made flowers.”, the woman snarled, grabbing her wand out. Jules backed up from her as she got closer and closer to the counter, the star on her wand growing at she pointed it directly at him. But just before she could execute the spell, the double doors swung open as Euphemia walked in.

“Hey babe I-WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?”

“What’s it to you lady? Mind your own business!”

Euphemia slammed the door behind her as she got in between the lady and Jules, placing her wrist just below the star tip as the two wrestled with it. Jules covered his mouth in shock as he watched a yellow beam of light cover her head as it shrank it, Euphemia feeling a crushing sensation on her skull. The woman smirked before looking at Jules, who cowered behind the counter, nearly driven to tears.

“You got lucky, you little bitch. Next time, I won’t be so nice.”, the woman snarled, shoving Euphemia out of the way to add salt to injury.

“Euphemia!”, Jules cried as he helped her up, looking sadly at her shrunken head, “Are you alright? W-Wha..I…uh….w-what are you even doing here. Shouldn’t you be at work?”

“I uh…”, she squeaked before covering her mouth, wanting to die of embarrassment as Jules looked down at her ant-sized head with an intense look of worry, “Err…I uh…they let me go early, so I thought I’d come visit you at work. Good thing I did, huh?”

“No it’s not..”, Jules hugged her close, tears falling down his cheeks endlessly, “I-I’m sorry! I’d fix your head but I can’t…a-and…oh…I ruin everything! I-I ruined those roses…and that lady’s husband’s birthday!”

“Darling please, don’t worry. That bitch’s husband’s birthday is not your problem. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s not good for the baby.”, Euphemia smiled, trying to keep herself from cursing as she failed to feel her wand in her jacket pocket. “And those pre-made roses are lovely.”

“I-I’m not talking about those.”, Jules sniffed, “I messed up the colors on someone else’s order and my wand wouldn’t work, and I keep messing things up, a-and I’m nauseated all the time, a-and now this..and we ran out of milk at the house..”

Despite her head being the side of a seed, Euphemia felt the need to interrupt his hormonal rating with a small peck on the cheek.

“Darling, why don’t I take you home? You look way too stressed out to be here right now.”

“I-I can’t just leave work.”

“But you’re obviously not well.”

“I-I…oh I guess..let me just go ask my manager.”

After dropping Jules off at the house, Euphemia was able to get her wand back from the office, turning her head back to the normal before returning to Jules, who kissed her on the lips as soon as she walked through the door.

“Oh thank the stars! I-I…I’m sorry. I just…I got so worried and.”, Jules ranted once more, the tears flowing once more. She rubbed his cheek softly, wiping them as they fell down his cheeks. She looked down at his stomach; his baby bump slightly bigger than it had been the last few weeks, and smiled warmly at her hormonal mess of a fiancé.

“You don’t have to worry about me all the time you know. I’m fine.”

“I-I know you can take care of yourself, but I just can’t help but worry. I-I love you too much.”

“I love you too, but don’t worry, ok? I promise everything will work out sooner or later.”

“Y-you promise?”

“I promise.”, she said out loud, though the inside of her head told her hopefully.  

[granulesofsand]

🗝️🏷️ vent, discussion of luck, trafficking

Our system used to physically throw pity parties when we had a particularly bad time. We don’t have an oven to make the chocolate ‘world’s smallest violin’ cookies or a limp noisemaker, but this week would’ve qualified.

We ended up on the floor yesterday while moving dorms. Our cart lost a wheel and one of the energy drinks in there fell and spilled everywhere.

We had been staying in a temp dorm because our roommates were uncomfortable around us, and one of the prostaff had helped us with bedding then. That staff member passed by, grabbed us a napkin holder from the dining hall, helped us for a while and then had to leave. The last thing they said to us was “hope your week gets better!”

Our week has not gotten better. I dropped some photos down an elevator shaft and got stuck between the doors, had to wait three rounds for that same elevator to get back so I could grab everything I dropped that time, and promptly knocked a different cart off its wheels.

I had to wait to do laundry because apparently 6pm is prime time in the basement, and all of my sheets and clean clothes were sticky. I missed my therapy session that day, but I did get to eat twice after three days of just bagels.

Time is weird so idk if this was all the same day or not, but I also got to talk to the dean of students about why she thought it was okay to let my parents know I said I’d been trafficked (I included that they already knew and actively participated in that, but she didn’t hear that when the police told her).

She also told them I was ‘not grounded in reality’, which she never actually apologized for. She didn’t apologize at all. She did say that the staff would do the best to help me as an individual, but not at the expense of the community.

I made an appointment with legal services and I was told to go to the campus police, but I’m holding a grudge because they were snippy and tried to dump us in an empty room with no blanket or clothes besides what we were wearing.

Today I went to get my free bagel and coffee and the coffee leaked all the way down the seam in the cup. I put it in a second cup that it also leaked through and lost my phone in the process. I had to have those staff people looking for it because our sorry ass fucked up our back while moving. The phone was in a cooler for drinks.

At this point I was smelling like a cafe and took the bus to change, but it was packed full. I got on anyway because it’s upwards of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The driver insisted everyone stay in the seat area, so I got the pleasure of fainting directly onto someone. They actually caught me, so that was good.

We had food garbage from what had spoiled while we were in the temp dorm, so I went around the residence hall looking for the big dumpster that’d been there for two weeks. It was gone, I just tossed what I had in a barrel bin so it wouldn’t rot where we sleep. I then fainted next to the garbage can.

It must’ve only been a few seconds but I skinned my shoulder on the ‘pick up after pets’ sign and there was a bee on my hand, where my ID and arm were dangling in the trash.

Our family will be visiting this weekend, couldn’t turn them down, and I’m doing my best to keep them out of the dorms.

How much shit can go wrong for one person before they die? We must be winning statistically to be so unlucky and yet only 1/4 the age we’re expected to live through. I should be able to put this on my résumé. I might do that if I can find prettier words.

[so-art-decooo]

met by chance

jasco office au

might continue this later but for now its a oneshot :))

ao3

The elevator dinged when it reached her floor, the big metal doors opening for her to step inside. 

Jasmine worked a mundane receptionist job on the top floor of an executive office building, relieved to finally go home and enjoy her Friday night after a long week. Her stuffy blazer and restrictive pencil skirt were getting uncomfortable, her feet were blistering from her new high heels, and all she wanted to do was get back to her apartment as soon as possible and cuddle up with her cats. 

It had gotten ominously dark out, the trees outside starting to sway from heavy gusts of wind. She hoped she could make it home before it started pouring.

Once inside the elevator, she pushed the button to take her to the ground level. As soon as it started making its way down, a loud clap of thunder rattled through the building, making her jump. The elevator stopped a few floors down, opening its doors to let someone else in. 

An intimidating-looking woman stepped inside, and the faint scent of her sweet musky perfume permeated the small enclosure. She didn’t look at Jasmine as she entered the elevator, just opting to lean against the opposite wall. Jasmine couldn’t help but eye her from the side of her gaze. 

Whoever she was she looked very important. She wore a pressed black work suit with red lining and red-bottomed heels to match. Her features were strikingly beautiful with her sharp brows and painted lips. She had taken off her jacket to hold with her briefcase and had the top buttons of her blouse opened. Jasmine would be lying if she said she wasn’t staring a little.

Another loud crack of thunder brought Jasmine out of her daze and caused both women to look up at each other. The lights at the top of the elevator flickered before they dimmed out, the elevator jolting to a hard stop as the hum of electricity silenced. 

“No, no, no, shit,” Jasmine panicked, trying to press every button possible to get them to start moving again. Pieces of her strawberry-blonde hair fell from its french twist in her frazzled state as she tried banging on the door once the former option had failed.

“Why don’t you try pressing the emergency call button, princess?” The woman mocked, raising an eyebrow at her.

Jasmine was too intimidated to say anything back, just opting to listen to what she said instead. But neither woman was pleased when the guy on the other end said that nearly every building on the block had also lost power, and it would probably be one-to-two hours before they got the elevator working again. 

“Fucking great,” the other black-haired woman hissed. She checked her phone, "you getting any service in here?"

Jasmine pulled out her phone to check, "Nope, nothing," she answered. 

“Well…I guess we’re gonna be here a while,” she sighed, sinking down to sit on the floor, “I’m Bosco, by the way.” 

“Jasmine,” she said, slowly moving to join her on the ground.

“Pretty name,” Bosco said.

“Thanks,” Jasmine blushed.

“So what do you do here Jasmine?” 

“Oh, I’m just a receptionist a few floors up,” Jasmine mustered out, intimidated, “How about you?”

“Executive Assistant,” Bosco stated, “trust me it’s not as impressive as it sounds,” she winked, making Jasmine giggle and easing her nerves.

More thunder boomed outside, making them both flinch.

“Jesus, it sounds like it’s crazy out there right now,” said Bosco.

“Right? I can’t believe the power’s out now of all times on a fucking Friday night when we just wanna go home.”

“It’s homophobic, really,” Bosco joked, smiling fondly when she heard Jasmine’s belly laugh.

"Completely!" Jasmine agreed, still laughing. "Ugh, it's been such a long day, or week, actually. My boss won't stop yelling at me for the littlest things. The copy machine in the office broke today, so everyone was jumping down my throat as if it was my problem, I accidentally spilled coffee on someone's desk like a klutz, and the phone was ringing off the hook today, not to mention my heels have been giving me fucking blisters that hurt like hell--" 

Jasmine stopped herself mid-ramble, "I'm sorry, I know I talk a lot."

Bosco smiled sincerely, not having broken eye contact with her through her whole spiel, "No, it's okay, I like it."

Jasmine blushed, looking down at her hands in her lap. She was a little taken aback--most people found her habitual ranting and chattering to be annoying.

She watched as Bosco grabbed a pen from her briefcase and scribbled it on the back of one of her business cards. 

"Here," Bosco handed the card to her, "I know some people on your floor, so if anyone ever gives you trouble up there just text me and let me know whose ass I have to kick."

Jasmine laughed, flattered that the woman was being so protective of her. "Thank you, I appreciate it," she said, looking down at Bosco's handwriting on the card.

Bosco checked her watch, looking at the time, "Looks like my cats are gonna get a late dinner tonight," she laughed.

"Aw, you have cats too?" Jasmine's eyes lit up.

Pulling out their phones, they both shared photos of their cats, fawning over each other's pictures. 

They chatted for a long time, talking about their lives and their jobs, just getting to know each other. Jasmine was surprised at how well they clicked. An hour, maybe an hour and a half had gone by in a flash, neither of them bothering to keep track of time after a while. 

Before they could process it, the lights came back on, blinding the two of them initially, and the buzz of the elevator resumed as they started descending to the ground floor. 

The two of them laughed in celebration as they helped each other off the floor to finally get out of the small space.

They exited the lobby of the building together. The sun had gone down and the streets were dark. It was still raining pretty hard out. 

"Do you need a ride home?" Bosco turned to ask her. 

"Oh no it's okay, I was just going to call for a cab,"

"Don't be silly. I'm not letting you stand outside when it's this dark and rainy, come on," Bosco insisted, holding out her arm for Jasmine to take.

Jasmine took her arm, walking with Bosco to her car. The drive home was silent yet comfortable. Bosco kept sneaking glances at her from the driver's seat, making Jasmine's stomach erupt with butterflies, but she pretended not to notice. 

The street lights outside highlighted Jasmine's beautiful soft features as they whizzed past them on the highway, Bosco couldn't help but look over at her. 

When Bosco pulled up to Jasmine's building, she parked in front and met Jasmine's gaze. 

"Thank you so much for taking me home," Jasmine said appreciatively. 

"Of course," Bosco put her hand on her arm with a warm smile, making Jasmine's heart leap out of her chest at the gesture. 

Jasmine got out of the car, turning back once more to wave goodbye.

"Hey Jasmine," Bosco rolled her window down and called out.

Jasmine whipped her head back around, "Yeah?"

"Let me take you out for a drink next weekend, we can take the stairs next time,"

Jasmine laughed, "Yeah, I'd like that a lot."

"Perfect, just text me,” Bosco said with a wink before driving off. 

Jasmine waved as she left, finally home after a long day. The door closed behind her and she sighed in relief, yet still unable to wipe the giddy smile off her face.