#but then we had one show and i left the academy or maybe the moved but i did not go back and i miss it so much

[snowmoonwrites]

Break Me Softly

Tokyo Debunker fic. Pairing: Kamurai Jin x MC/Reader

Smut, D/S, praise kink, got wholesome by the end, safewords, safe sane and consensual

It was one of the free nights that the academy allowed. Given that it was for a Halloween party that was organized off-campus with the Kamurai family’s money, it was near impossible not to allow students to attend. Aside from the academy it was also open for many more prestigious schools too, of course all participants were subjected to a thorough background check. No reason to put danger onto the general students’ life, or irritate the ghouls.

That’s how you found yourself in a, honestly, quite revealing dress which maybe could be said to resemble some witch outfit… but there was too little fabric for you to actually be sure about your assessment. Not like it mattered. The place is probably going to be reasonably dark to encourage students to dance. Maybe if you planned on bringing anyone back to your bed it would matter what exactly you are wearing. But, given that the only person you would want to bring back won’t be there, even though his family sponsors it… It really didn’t matter.

You have been in a relationship with the King of Ice for enough time to know that if Tohma didn’t physically force him out of his room, you will be left alone the whole night. It didn’t matter, it wasn’t the first it happened. You were a big girl.

That was what you said to yourself while drinking definitely non-alcoholic drinks and dancing with random people. It was quite a nice night. Then, over the shoulder of your dance partner, you saw the annoyed glint of icy-blue eyes drilling a hole into the boy. You didn’t even remember where he was from. Neither were you interested. But this. Oh, that dangerous glint in Kamurai Jin’s eyes. That started a fire in you. And you just loved to play with flames.

You let your hands caress the stranger’s shoulders as you leaned in closer, till their ear, little by little. Your body moved closer to his, pushing your breasts against his chest in your near-nothing clothing. Keeping up the eye-contact with Jin the whole time. In a blink he was next to you. You weren’t sure whether he used his sword, or he just walked really fast. Not that it mattered. In a second you were buried in his chest as he rumbled into your ear.

“We are going to my room.”

As usual, it was far from a request. Not like you cared in that moment. You were on fire, and the murderous gaze that he showed your dance partner only fanned the flames higher. In seconds you were back in his room, the chilly temperature not even registering on your heated skin. He sat on his bed, all nonchalant seeming now that he had you where he, but in reality you both wanted.

“Kneel” came the irrefutable order fueled by the sliver of skin contact left between your hands. 

You immediately dropped to your knees. Waiting for what he has planned for the night.

He looked at you, refraining from touching you for now.

“Was it fun?”

He didn’t have to elaborate. Your little scheme to set the fire of jealousy in him. Your little idea, which worked perfectly. You were actually pretty proud of yourself. It might have shown up on your face as he let out a chuckle.

“Shall I remind you who you belong to?” He didn’t wait for your answer as he reached out one elegant hand to make you look up at him. “How many do you deserve for this? One for each time that you touched him?  Answer honestly.” 

Your breath hitched. It was actually difficult to answer. Not because you didn’t know what he meant, but because you were so focused on Jin, you don’t even know how many times you touched that insignificant boy. You let his command wash over your memories, finding an acceptable answer for you.

“Twenty?”

His smirk got bigger as he let go of your chin.

“Get your upper half on the bed.” 

As you got into position, he lifted your skirt and let his fingers dig into your ass in a massaging manner to avoid causing serious harm. Once he was satisfied he got up from the bed.

“Count them out. Colour?”

“Green,” you breathed out. The second it was out of your mouth, his hand also came down in an arch onto one of  your cheeks. You yelped out, then remembering called out “One.”

With each slap you grew more conscious of the silence aside from your breathing and the sounds of the spanks. Jin didn’t say anything. As if he wasn’t even there. As you let yourself sink into the repetition, the burn, and the pleasure his absence was striking. He was never one to speak much, but he always let his presence known. This was punishment greater than ever.

By the tenth slap you were sobbing. Not from the pain. But from the culminating feelings. You couldn’t let yourself go like this. Stress coiled up in you as he refused to be more present. 

Another slap. “12”

You could feel yourself on the verge of panic. You couldn’t take this like this. As if it was someone else. If this went on you would lose yourself in a drop. But you were aware enough still.

“Yellow,” you cried enough. In the next second everything stopped and Jin sat on the bed in line of sight. Yellow: pause and discuss. He reached his hand towards you, not touching you yet. The ball was in your court now.

You grabbed his hand, letting him pull you onto his lap. You felt his straining erection but knew he wouldn’t do anything until you gave him consent for anything more than cuddling. He gently stroked your hair and back with one hand while the other rested on your hip. He waited until your breathing returned to normal before asking anything. 

“What went wrong?” Never one to mince his words. It was reassuring in itself. He didn’t sound angry. Not even a slight irritation in his words remained from the start of their evening.

“I… You weren’t there,” it was hard to put into words, the absence of him. You tried again, “You weren’t talking. I couldn’t see you. As if it could have been anyone else,” your eyebrows furrowed, you were still frustrated with not being able to convey it perfectly. His petting soothed you when he hummed in acknowledgement.

“Let’s change it up then princess, hmm?” He maneuvered you onto the bed completely, lying down with you. 

“How about I edge you three times for the remaining punishment and then fuck you till you beg me to stop?”

You felt blood rush two-ways in your body. Up to your cheeks at the idea, and southwards to reignite the sundering fire. You nodded your head silently.

“I need words baby.”

“Yes, sounds good. But, can you kiss me first?” You felt undeniably shy, hell he just spanked you, you were in the middle of talking about him driving you close to insanity with his magical hands and tongue and glorious dick. And here you are, shy about asking him for an innocent kiss.

“Good girl,” he praised you as he closed the gap between your lips. You let yourself melt into the kiss and enjoy the fluttering you felt at his praise. He knew he could make you putty in his hands with just a few praises. And he was right, you were so weak for them when they came out of his mouth.

The mouth that started to wander downwards, peppering kisses onto your neck while his hands unceremoniously ripped your dress from your body.

“HEY! I liked that dress,” you complained playfully.

“No, you didn’t. I’ll buy you better ones,” he answered nonchalantly before biting one of your nipples, making you yelp back the retort that you would have made just to be difficult. He smirked up at you, looking halfway to ridiculous with your nipple still in his mouth. His hand found your other breast and started playing with it just the way you liked it.

He alternated between gentle fondling and tweaking your nipple while he worked the other with his skillful mouth and tongue. You let out your voice to encourage his ministrations, knowing no one would hear you outside the room. One of your hands buried itself into his silky locks, pulling him as close as possible.

As his mouth traveled down, your flush reached towards him as well, not just your cheeks, down until your chest you had flushed due to his attention. When he reached his goal you twisted your free hand into the sheets. Oh how he knew just what to do to make you lose your mind.

He pulled down your panties, as if they had personally offended him. Immediately after he moved your leg to have more space. As he licked you in a long stripe you whined. This much stimuli, while feeling good, was nowhere near enough while in his bed. He chuckled at you, then flicked your clit before sucking on it. He alternated between fucking you on his tongue and playing with your clit until you were nearly sobbing with pleasure. But you knew it will get so much better and worse.

Just as you were close to reaching your peak. As your breathing became incredibly fast and moans left your mouth unrestrained.

“Jin… I’m close.”

You warned. And all touch ceased. You were left on the verge. Flexing your thighs to feel a little bit of relief, unsuccessfully. 

“One down. 2 more to go dear. Colour?” He caressed your cheek to get your attention.

“Green.” You smiled up at him. Even while being punished, like this you could never forget the love you hold for this man. And he never let you forget that he loves you too, you could always feel it in his gentle caresses like now, that let you calm down before he once again put an onslaught of pleasure onto you.

He pecked your lips as his fingers moved downwards. His mouth once again found your nipple while his fingers caressed you at first. His thumb circled your clit before one elegant, long finger got inserted into you. He pumped it experimentally a few times before adding another.

“So good for me,” he praised you while picking up the pace of his fingers. He crooked them just enough to hit your G spot in every inward thrust. When he also resumed playing with your clit, you knew this would not take long to get on the edge again. And you were right, just a few minutes later, or were they seconds, you grabbed his head to pull him up towards you. Just by a glance at you, he knew you were close again.

He once again stopped playing with you, but his fingers remained inside you, keeping you open. You whined and tried to move your hips to gain even the slightest friction that might send you over the edge. His other hand pinned you down, and you whined in frustration.

“You are doing great. One more and I will gladly fuck you until you come again and again,” he rasped into your ear, thrusting his clothed cock against your thighs once to let you know how much he wants you. He knew what his words can do to you. Even the slightest praise could make you hot and bothered for him.

And thus, once again, the second you calmed down a little, his fingers started moving in you again. His tongue started playing with your clit, intent on driving you as fast to your peak as possible,  just to stop before it once again. Thankfully, it was the last one. As you stopped before your peak again, you thought you were close to losing your sanity. You might have just pounced on Jin and rode him till he couldn’t cum more. Maybe tie his hands up too, while you were at it. Maybe another time, you thought as he stripped. As he positioned himself above you, you caressed him, showing your appreciation, your love. He kissed your palm as he slowly entered you, making sure not to overwhelm you at first.

When he sheathed himself fully into you he still waited for you to nudge him. He knew well he wasn’t one of the smallest guys, and that was also true to his nether regions. While you would sometimes enjoy the slight pain, today he instinctively knew it wasn’t one of those nights. Not after the misery he caused you accidentally.

When you had enough of waiting, you lifted your hips to thrust back into him. He immediately started thrusting into you slowly. So slowly it could have been described as torture. You whined at him and let your nails leave marks of your annoyance on his back.

“Want more?” He thrusted in with a bit more power.

“Please.”

“With pleasure,” he whispered to you as he picked up the pace.

You loved him like this, when he was close to losing his composure to pleasure, as he was thrusting into you, pulling you both under a wave of indescribable feeling. Verging on the line of love and pleasure. As he found your sweet spot again and pulled you closer and closer to the edge. When he reached down and started playing with your clit again, you gasped even louder than so far.

“Jin… I’m close… Can I?” You asked in between gasps. 

“Yeah, cum for me.” He deliberately aimed at your weak spots, urging you to fall over the edge.

With one last twist of his hips and a stronger stimulus to your clit your back arched as the orgasm rushed through you. Your cunt spasmed around him as he thrusted into you faster, fucking you through your orgasm.

“That’s my good girl.” You looked up at him, slightly oversensitive. He was close, you knew from the furrow of his brows as he tried to hold out a little more. You whined at his praise. You pulled him impossibly closer with your legs. Pulling him down in a kiss in the meanwhile.

“Cum in me, please,” you whispered into the kiss. Loud enough for him to hear over your mingled breaths.

“Fuck, you are gonna be the death of me baby,” he grunted as he pistoned into you, chasing his orgasm in your sensitive body. Pulling you close by your hips as he thrust one last time and let himself go in you. He was a sight in his orgasm. As his lips gaped just a tiny bit in a soft moan, as his eyes closed in pleasure. You were sure you could find no one who was more beautiful in this moment, not like you would go and search for someone else, when you were in his bed. You weren’t completely stupid.

When he came down his high he pulled out of you, making you groan softly from his absence. He kissed you before starting to get up.

“Good girl. Wait for me. I’m bringing a towel.” You nuzzled into his hand that caressed you, like a satisfied cat.

He came back promptly, with a damp towel in one of his hands, and a bottle of water in the other. He gently toweled you down before doing the same to himself. Then he gathered you in his arms, making you slowly gulp down mouthfuls of water. When you moved your head away from the bottle, nuzzling into his chest, he drank the remaining water before laying down and cuddling with you. Gently caressing you, he murmured praises to you.

“You did so great today. My good girl.” He kissed your forehead, your cheek, your lips with each praise. You sighed, content after the evening. Humming, you lifted your head to bring him into a kiss. A different one from the ones before, not passionate now, but loving and sleepy. The one people share just out of love, to express their feelings.

As you got comfortable against him, sleepiness came fast. Your eyelids became heavier with each passing second. Content, satisfied, happy, you let yourself murmur against his skin. 

“I love you Jin.”

“I love you too,” he murmured back, kissing your lips one last time. “Go to sleep.” He pulled you even closer, acting as your heater in the admittedly cold temperature of his dorm under the blankets.

That’s how you fell asleep that day. Held in his arms, warm, and loved.

[folkloregirlfriend]

why did i leave dance classes

[andavs]

Nope, still thinking about it.

Shannon comes back around Halloween and Eddie says they haven’t seen her in “almost two years”. The show timeline generally lines up with real life, so Eddie would’ve started at the 118 like early September? He’d been working there for about two months by then.

LAFD training is 22 weeks (or it was, apparently they shortened it a few years ago) which is like five months. Looks like there are academy classes starting in January and April, and April is the latest he could start to finish by September, and that’s basically graduating one day and starting work the next.

But April is a weird time to up and move a seven year old to a new school, just a couple months before the year ends. I don’t know if he would’ve moved in January for Chris to start at the new semester, but he probably moved prior to April to get him enrolled and get their new place somewhat set up before he started at the academy. (Unless they lived with Isabel at first, which I love the idea of, actually.)

All that right there is almost a year. So that leaves about a year before he moved to LA where he was back in El Paso alone after Shannon left.

Adding a cut because this got long.

Whether his parents helped him out financially for part of it or not, that’s just one year they gave him to not only adjust to suddenly being a single parent, but to try to cobble together the equivalent of his military salary with a high school diploma, alone. While also readjusting to civilian life and employment. And probably still recovering physically from getting shot three times. And losing the insurance he had through the army that was covering Chris. With untreated PTSD to cap it off.

And who knows what Shannon was doing in LA. It seems like her mom died at some point and she was too paralyzed to come home after (grieving, guilt, etc.), but I assume she had a job? If she inherited enough from her mom to be able to live on it for over a year, and she didn’t send any of it back home, that would be a serious dick move. But they were still legally married! I don’t know how it works when your spouse is in another state, cut off but also working, but I’m assuming that factors into things if Eddie tried to file for any kind of government programs or assistance.

That’s one year they gave him to navigate all of that alone before his parents tried to take Chris away.

Eddie was doing everything “right” before he got shot. He had a solid job, he was providing, they had two cars and a mortgage, he had insurance for Chris, Shannon could be a stay at home mom—she didn’t want to be but financially, she could be. As far as we know, that was all on Eddie. It seemed like Helena helped with Chris (even when Shannon didn’t want it) but it didn’t sound like his parents were contributing financially. Eddie was doing what he thought was his part and providing all of that.

And then he got shot. He got discharged from the military. Shannon left. And the five years it took to build all of that fell apart within a few months.

And instead of helping him get back on his feet by giving him a minute to breathe and get his bearings, his parents watched him struggle for a year and then tried to take his son.

It sounded like Helena was caring for Chris quite a bit while Eddie was working, but Ramon was a petroleum engineer at the same company for forty years. He made enough to raise three kids on one salary and send (presumably) all three to Catholic school. He was still working well after Eddie moved to LA. They couldn’t have helped him out financially during that year so he could actually spend time raising his own son? Maybe only work two jobs while he tried to figure everything out?

Nope. “Don’t drag him down with you,” Helena said, while she watched Eddie drown, only caring that Chris was safe with her.

[frost-queen]

Under the Sparrow's umbrella (Umbrella!Reader x Sparrow!Ben Hargreeves)

Requested by: anon Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @merlin-dahlia, @alex--awesome--22, @elllie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve, @queen-of-books, @glimmering-darling-dolly@denkisclown, @wildieflower, @meyocoko, @bubblybrianna, @justanothercoco@subjecta13-thefangirl, @m-rae23, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @swampthing07, @melsunshine

Loud footsteps made you all slowly turn. Still half confused about the sudden change in interior. Your eyes widened at the sight of him at the upper level. – “Ben!” – you exclaimed happily. The Ben at the top grabbed the railing, jumping over it as he landed firm on his feet. He slowly rose while you were gaping in awe at him. – “Ben!” – Klaus said loudly, opening his arms to go and hug him. Ben pulled his nose up, slapping his arms away. – “You are trespassing hobo.” – he commented in detest.

Klaus pressed his hand to his heart, shocked. – “You hurt my feelings Ben.”  - Klaus said making Ben scoff. – “A matter of fact… you all are.” – Ben continued, tugging his hand in his pocket. – “What’s with the uniform?” – Five questioned. It was only now that you all noticed it. The change of color and emblem on his uniform. – “You wouldn’t get it schoolboy.” – Ben responded. Five clenched his jaw, ready to jump at him if Luther hadn’t held him back.

Your eyes widened seeing more people appear on the upper level. – “Need any help brother?” – a girl spoke. Ben held his hand up. – “I can handle these…” – his gaze went obviously up and down cocky over your posture. – “Children.” – he addressed glancing at Five. Five gritted his teeth as you held him back by his shoulder.

“We aren’t trespassing this is our home!” – Luther called out. – “We are the Umbrella academy.” – he said looking at his siblings to back him up. – “You are dead.” – he added pointing at Ben. Ben scoffed loud. – “Clearly I’m not!” – he said. – “And this is the Sparrow academy.” – he explained as his siblings came downstairs. – “Sparrow?” – Diego whispered out, looking at Victor. Victor shrugged his shoulders. You stepped forwards making Ben glance intrigued at what you might say.

“Maybe this is all kind of messed up. I mean we did just time-jump back here.” – you concluded. – “But that man…” – you pointed at the portrait of Reginald. – “Is our father.” – you finished. Ben chuckled, eying you up and down. – “Oh right! Time-jump well maybe father saw how useless you all are and decided he needed to adopt other children. Children who wouldn’t be so worthless.” – he pushed you back by your forehead.

You stumbled back as Diego caught you before you could trip. – “Sparrow Ben is a dick!” – you told him seeing him nod. Clearly this Ben wasn’t like the Ben you knew. The Ben you grew up with. Ben glanced over his shoulder to his siblings by his side. – “Let’s show them out.” – he smirked, expression hardening on you. – “That one’s mine.” – he grunted out. You swallowed nervously slowly backing up.

Ben moved his body as his tentacle arms shot out. You screamed loud when they lurched towards you. You quickly dove under the coffee table as a tentacle missed you. Eyes widened when the table got lifted up. Ben tilting his head murderously enjoyable at you. – “Gotcha!” – he laughed out. You shrieked moving your hands up to block his next attack. Ben smiled greedily when he forced his tentacles down to you. You gasped hard when your brother Five popped up near you, knelt down.

In a split second he had his arms around you, teleporting with you. Ben’s tentacles went down, grabbing thin air as it made him glare. You re-appeared in the hallway, gasping loud. – “Definitely not our Ben.” – you breathed out. Five held his finger up telling you to wait while he teleported again. – “Umbrella girl.” – you heard Ben call out tauntingly. – “Come out and play.” – he went on making you tense your jaw. So not your Ben.

You left your hiding place, spotting Diego throwing knives coming into the hallway backwards. He nearly bumped into you, ready to throw knives at you. – “Watch me sis, I got knives!” – he scolded you. Diego and you backed up when Ben came in the hallway. – “There you are!” – he said as you were standing behind your brother, hand on his shoulder.

Your eyes falling on the knife he was holding. – “I’ll take that.” – you told Diego, plucking the knife from him. – “Wha…?” – before he could be more visibly confused, you threw the knife at Ben. It scraped his arm, sliding his vest a bit open. The knife clattered to the ground as you smiled embarrassed at him. Ben grunted looking at his torn vest. Diego gave you a brotherly slap against the back of your head. – “Don’t touch my knives.” – he called out. – “Diego not the right time.” – you told him between a held up smile. – “No Y/n I already told you; you don’t touch my knives.” – he continued holding his finger up.

Meanwhile Ben cracked his knuckles readying himself to attack you with his tentacles again. – “Diego Run!” – you shouted, pulling him with you by his vest. His eyes widened seeing the tentacles speeding his way. Diego quickened his pace, taking the front as he was dragging you along now. You made it outside just in time. Out of breath you encountered Klaus sitting on the porch. – “Oh there you are I was starting to wonder if any of you were going to show up.” – he casually said making Diego nudge his legs to get up.

Not a moment later busted Allison, Luther, and Victor out. Five teleported a second later, adjusting his vest. – “Now this is a major issue.” – he said stroking his hand over the back of his head. – “You think!” – Allison blurted out. She scoffed loud taking a walk. Luther going after her which led to Victor following to Diego and Klaus following. You motioned to Five with your head to come along. He nodded giving you a weary smile.

*

Ben clicked his tongue hatefully at you. You rolled your eyes at him. – “Is Luther here? I know you have him so don’t even try to lie to me.” – you called out, letting yourself in the Sparrow Academy without approval of him. Ben scoffed, grabbing you by your wrist to a stop. – “Listen princess, what if we have him?” – Ben said as you pulled your hand out of his grip. – “Maybe he finally has seen how much more potential this family has considered against yours.” – he mocked, knowing it would taunt you.

You tensed your jaw, glaring at him. You turned away from him, shouting loud in the hallway. – “Luther! Luther come down!” – your voice booming loud in the hallway. Ben grabbed your hand to stop you as he immediately flinched his hand back after coming in contact with yours. He rubbed his hand. – “So you do have abilities. For a while I thought you were their mascot.” – he replied with a sneer. You smiled sarcastically at him, showing him your hand as electricity moved around your fingers.

You had given him a small electric shock the moment he grabbed your hand. – “Luther! Come out we are going home!” – you yelled loud. Ben grabbed for your shoulder as you flung your arm back to release his touch on you. – “Listen squid, you touch me one more time and I’ll fry you!” – you threatened. Ben chuckled. – “I’d like to see you try.”

He didn’t have to say that twice. You let electricity surround your hands, extending your hands out to him as the electricity hit him flat in the chest. Ben got flung against the wall, dropping coughingly down. He pressed his hand against his chest watching you walk off. – “Luther! Luther where the hell are you?” – you shouted for his attention. As you were about to step on the stairs, your path was blocked by Christopher. He changed color while bleeping something.

“You want to have a go cube?” – you taunted having enough of being held back. Christopher turned a bright red as you acted faster than him. You electrocuted him. His entire cube shivering till he dropped to the ground. – “Luther!” – you screamed out stepping over the cube. You came upstairs, hearing Luther’s voice come from out of a room. You went in, trying not to be amazed by the gym set up in the house. – “Y/n?” – Luther said confused jumping up.

Sloane sitting beside him as she stopped smiling. You pointed at him. – “We are going home!” – you made clear. Luther looked briefly down at Sloane, hesitating. – “Luther I said we are going home!” – you repeated not wanting to stay one minute longer with the Sparrows. Out of breath appeared Ben behind you. – “Luther you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” – he said rather warmly and caring.

It made you frown, staring stunned at his sudden friendliness. – “Shut up!” – you told him, having enough of his ego. – “Luther. Let’s go home.” – you said in a friendlier tone. Luther was still hesitant as you could practically hear Ben snicker in your ear. – “Luther I am your family. I’m your sister… please come home…I need you.” – you begged as Ben snorted loud at your confession.

You let your hand be surrounded by electricity as you touched Ben’s side. He jumped aside at the sudden sting in his side. Luther sighed deep, apologizing to Sloane. He walked over to you as you hugged him. Or rather he hugged you, lifting you up and squashing you in his tight embrace. – “Let’s go home sis.” – he said patting you on the head. You stuck your tongue out to Ben to rub it just that little bit more in his face.

Ben gave you a smile full of mockery back. God how much you hated him. How you also hated that he was exactly like the Ben you knew only raised more messed up. Ben stepped aside allowing you to leave with Luther. – “Are we just going to let them leave?” – Jayme questioned loudly. – “Let’s just kill them now!” – She insisted on. Ben held his hand up to silence her. Looking back to you for as long as he could.

*

Jayme was running after you. Glancing over your shoulder, you saw her approaching. Her expression hard and tense. Puffing loudly, you tried to keep in front of her, outrunning her. – “Hey Umbrella!” – she called out tauntingly speeding up. You felt her grip to you closer, her hand moving over your back to put you to a stop. You came to a halt as she had grabbed a hold of your hair. – “I wasn’t done talking.” – she said teasingly pulling you back by your hair.

You inhaled sharp through your nose, at the brink of giving her a piece of your own mind. You stepped back as she kept moving backwards. Feeling a sudden tug on your hair, made you turn your head to look. Ben’s hand firm around her wrist as he had pulled it off you. – “What are you doing?” – he said coldly, pushing her wrist to her it made her stumble backwards. Jayme puffed some hair out of her face. – “Getting revenge on the umbrella.” – she called out, glaring at you.

Ben glared right back at her. You observed their interaction with curiosity. Ben glanced your way, softening his expression. With a touch of his hand on your lower back, you felt your heart flutter for him. – “Ben let me just…” – Jayme started launching her hand at you. Ben caught her by the wrist again. Her hand clawed out inches away from your face. It made you widen your eyes brief, taking a subtle step back to have her hand out of your face. He swayed his finger to the side, shaking his head.

Jayme gritted her teeth, slapping her hand out of his grip, accidently hitting him in the face. Ben touched his cheek from the impact. Your eyes widened and hardened with anger. – “You hit him!” – you called out. – “How dare you hit him!” – you added while Ben waved his hand at you that it was alright. You called out a war cry, jumping at Jayme. You wrapped your legs around her while slapping her on top of her head. Jayme was receiving the impact trying to get you off. – “Get her off!” – Jayme screamed irritated.

Ben simply crossed his arms, smiling teasingly at you. You jumped off her, puffing loud. Jayme glared, readying her teeth to spit at you. Before she could spit at you, you electrocuted her. Her body spasmed till she dropped unconscious to he ground. – “I knew you could handle yourself.” – Ben said teasingly. You smiled sweetly at him. – “I just electrocuted your sister to the ground.” – you told him getting closer.

“Aren’t you getting revenge?” – you whispered standing as close as possible to him. Ben smirked. – “Would you like me to?” – he spoke back. You shrugged your shoulders. – “Try me Sparrow.” – you teased with a flirty smile. Ben’s gaze lowered to your lips as he briefly licked his. You moved your hand forwards as he grabbed it, quickly spinning you around till you were held against his chest.

He took in a deep breath, moving his head down to your shoulder. – “I could just use my abilities on you.” – he pondered with a chuckle. You cleared your throat drawing his attention to the hand he was still holding upwards of yours. A few sparkles of electricity moving around your fingers. He moved his hand over yours, clearly not bothered by the faint electricity running around it. He stretched your arm out, squinting his eye.

He then removed his hand from on top of yours, whispering shoot in your ear. You released a shot of electricity as it flung across the room, hitting a lightbulb hanging on the wall of the hotel. The lightbulb exploded making Ben smile. You turned your head to the side, glancing up to him. Turning your posture more, you were facing him again. Your heart pounding loudly. It has always beaten for Ben. Whether it be Umbrella Ben or Sparrow Ben.

Ben slowly parted his lips. – “I know you loved this other Ben.” – he whispered to you, moving his palm against your cheek. Hardening his grip as he moved his hand further back to your neck, grabbing you there. – “I think I’m gonna steal you from him.” – his last words ended as he forced his lips onto yours. You completely melted under his kiss, Sparrow Ben all you could think about. How much you hoped Umbrella Ben would forgive you for. Even though he was already long gone.

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[cooliestghouliest]

LOVE ME TWO TIMES, ch. one

(chapter one) (chapter two)

PAIRING: eventual Mungrove x Reader

SUMMARY: Struggling to come to terms with the abrupt abandonment of your father, you’re left with two options – attend an “all girls’ therapeutic boarding academy” that’s really more Bedlam Insane Asylum than trusty reformative school, or move half-way across the country to a small town in Indiana to live with your older brother, Rick. The upheaval of your life in Fresno might just end up being a little star-crossed and a whole lot serendipitous.

WORD COUNT: 3.5k+

SERIES TAGS: angst. some pretty heavy topics in later chapters. just enough fluff to hopefully balance it all out. eventual smut (18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI). eventual love triangle. neurodiversity. dom/sub undertones (dom!Billy, switch!Eddie, switch!Reader), also bi!Eddie and bi!Reader but confused!Billy. drugs and drug addiction. no use of Y/N (but much use of nicknames and pet names). Reefer Rick is Matthew Lillard circa Senseless. more TBA as the story progresses.

CHAPTER TAGS: absent dads and mean moms. brief mention of self-destructive tendencies (way more about that later). your brother's a total cockblock. long-winded parental background information. this is really just some stage setting before we get into the nitty gritty.

A/N: this is my favorite fic i've ever written, and now it's coming at you re-edited. it's my verbose word child, sprinkled with a few What The Fuck and Holy Shit moments, dolled up with some silly humor and a dose of hot (and often borderline depraved) smut. a lot's already planned for this, so i hope you enjoy. :-)

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chapter title: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

You weren’t expecting the high pitch of the doorbell that sounded throughout your colonial-style home, and proof of that was now spilled all over the kitchen floor.

Tiny green buds were sprinkled across the white-and-black linoleum tile, some scattered in the blonde mess of curls that belonged to the boy kneeling before you, his mouth busy between your legs.

You’d been attempting to multitask, rolling a joint while twisted awkwardly at the dining table, the quarterback’s head shrouded by your bare thighs, lapping noisily at your wet center.

You huffed out a frustrated sigh at the spillage, but it quickly turned into a moan when goldilocks gave a particularly harsh suck on your clit.

“You needa get that?” he mumbled against your folds, tongue halting its assault only to speak before diving back in, showing no intention of stopping.

You shook your head, one hand moving to tangle in the his hair, the other crumbling up the now empty and useless rolling paper. “Uh-uh… prob’ly just some Mormons,” you answer, beginning to rock your hips up into the warm mouth covering your cunt. “I don’t wanna be saved.”

Chris… or Carl… or Craig… whatever his name was, laughed, the sound vibrating nicely against your heat. Your toes curled at the sensation, thighs wrapping tight around his ears.

He moaned appreciatively at your movement, running his tongue flat against the length of your opening. Maybe you could keep this one around. He liked New Kids on the Block unironically, but holy shit, he knew what to do with his mouth.

The bell rang again.

And then again, and again, and again.

“Oh, little seeeee-eeee-ster!” came a familiar male voice from the other side of the front door. “I know you’re in there, Bean. I can see your shadow in the kitchen!”

You shot up straight, aligning your posture and pulling Chris Carl Craig from between your legs by the grip you had in his hair. He gave an unappealing whine, his fingers moving up to console his scalp.

Standing quickly, you adjusted your pleated skirt so it fell normal again, just above your knees. “Up, up, up,” you impatiently urged the jock still kneeling on the ground, smoothing your clothing and hair to make sure nothing looked too out of place.

“Who is that?” the blonde asked, finally following you into a standing position, large hand still cradling his head. “Still the Mormons?”

“It was never Mormons, Chet,” you said, hoping your shot-in-the-dark guess at his name was right.

It wasn’t.

“It’s Chad,” he said, eyes beginning to narrow. Whether it was in suspicion, confusion, annoyance, or a combination of all three, you didn’t know. And it didn’t matter. You needed to get him out of here without your new visitor catching sight of him, or else you knew you’d never hear the end of it. Chad was still intent on conversing, though. “We’ve literally been in the same school district since, like, kindergarten.”

You bit your lower lip, offering a sheepish smile. “Right,” you said. “I know that.” You didn’t. “Sorry. Head’s a little loopy right now. Your tongue could win awards.”

With Chad’s newfound cocky grin, you knew the flattery angle had worked out. It usually did. Boys were such suckers for some ego stroking.

“Oh, fuckin’ right!” you heard from the front door, the visitor’s voice now cheerful. The door handle began to jangle, and you heard the sound of a key in the lock.

He must have found the spare. Of course he had. He’d only lived here his entire childhood, just like you.

The key had been in the same place it always had been since moving to Fresno -- under the coir doormat that read Definitely Not a Trap Door, courtesy of your father. He’d made it for the family after moving from Chicago to California for his new teaching position at CSU in ‘70. Your mom still hadn't gotten around to throwing it out, even though she’d managed to get rid of almost everything else inside the home that reminded her of her ex-husband.

The door swung open and there stood your older brother in all his punk rock, Fuck-the-Bourgeoisie glory. Short bleached blonde hair, numerous facial piercings, ripped Dead Kennedys t-shirt, tight red tartan pants, muddy black Doc Martens. He was smiling wide, dopey.

Fuckin' Rick.

You started to match his expression, unable to resist your brother’s effortless and childlike charm, but your smile fell flat when Rick’s now disapproving gaze landed on the blonde still standing at your side.

“A Letterman, Bean? Really?” Rick asked you incredulously, having spotted Chad’s football jacket as the jock in question slid it from its place on the kitchen chair to rest over his broad shoulder.

“What?” you asked Rick coyly, quickly eyeing Chad. “You know I don’t discriminate. I’m a true equal opportunist.”

Chad seemed oblivious to the underlying context of the conversation between the pair of siblings. He was watching the two of you interact with seemingly nothing behind his eyes.

God, so cute but so totally stupid.

You closed the distance between the two of you, Chad looking hopeful he was going to be kissed or something, but you instead reached your hand out to pluck a few pieces of weed from his hair. “You can go now,” you told him, finger tapping his nose lightly.

Chad’s face scrunched at your touch but he then shrugged it off, picking his backpack up off the kitchen floor before making his way to the front door. “See ya at school,” he said to you over his shoulder. Stopping briefly next to your brother, Chad assessed him before saying, “Um, bye, whoever you are.”

Rick pulled his lips into a tight line, raising his brows in amusement. He clapped his hand hard on Chad’s back a few times before pushing the footballer out the door. “Later, loverboy.”

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

An hour and a half later, you and Rick were seated on opposite ends of the tufted tuxedo sofa in the living room. A box of half-eaten extra cheese pizza laid open in between the two of you.

Some low budget horror VHS was playing on the TV across from the couch, the volume low. You thought it was called Ghoulies. You kept catching glances of tiny, ugly wet looking monsters scurrying on the screen out of your peripheral.

You’d been talking to Rick about senior year at Fresno Central High (you said you were doing great, straight A’s across the board, but in reality, you were failing everything but English and Music).

You'd been talking about work at Spins and Needles, the record store you’d been employed at for a little over two years now (you told him you’d gotten promoted to Assistant Manager, which was true, but you left out the fact that you were on Strike Two of Three for blowing off shifts to get high with some goth kids that routinely came in a few hours before closing).

And you'd been talking about your mom (this you were honest about – “She’s still a huge bitch, Rick, that hasn’t changed”).

But then he tried to bring up your dad, asking in an obnoxiously forced nonchalant tone if you’d heard from him lately.

But then he tried to bring up your dad, asking in an obnoxiously forced nonchalant tone if you’d heard from him lately.

That’s where you stopped him.

You were not going to talk about your dad.

Flipping the pizza box lid shut harshly, you sat up straight and faced him.

“Why are you really here?” you demanded.

Rick sighed, defeated.

He knew you’d catch on soon enough that this supposed innocent visit was actually a planned mission. He’d just been hoping maybe you’d be the one to breach the topic of going back to Indiana with him. Maybe you wanted out of this Californian hellhole. A chance at a fresh start, hundreds of miles away.

But he knew you recently had developed a penchant for self-destruction and self-catastrophizing, which meant getting you to see the bright side and the positives of his request was going to be near impossible.

Still, he had to try.

“Mom called me,” he admitted, which earned him a dramatic eye roll from you. “I know you’re failing your classes. I know your boss has been blowing up the landline wondering why you keep closing up shop so early. And I know mom’s a bitch. I’m trying to save you from her. She said she’s thinking of enrolling you into St. Mary’s.” Rick wasn’t surprised at the bewildered scoff you gave to that, St. Mary’s being Indiana’s notorious Catholic boarding school for wayward girls. He’d finally gotten to the point, the real reason he was there: “Come stay with me in Hawkins, Bean.”

“Wow, Rick, so noble. It only took you, what, ten years to come back for me?”

Rick couldn’t help but flinch, your wounding words accusing. And accurate.

It was true.

Rick, at twenty, had left Fresno in an old RV he’d bought for dirt cheap, with plans to travel the country and get the fuck away from his parents, Ronald and Maureen Lipton.

Or, away from his mother, really.

Ron Lipton was generally fine -- until a certain point in his life. To outsiders, the man seemed to be very happy and very put-together, successfully established in both his home life and his career.

Ron and Maureen had gotten married just a few short months following their high school graduation, after finding out Maureen was pregnant with Rick.

With the draft ever present, Ron enlisted in the army, while Maureen enlisted the help of her mother-in-law to take care of Rick (and eventually you, once you were born, conceived on one of Ron’s short stints back home), so she could work on her doctorate in psychiatry.

After being honorably discharged a handful of years later, Ron had gotten his Master’s degree in education and creative writing.

To the public, Ronald and Maureen Lipton were fantastic at keeping up the facade of Perfect Suburban Family.

In private, however, the Lipton household was like living in a layer of Hell.

Where Ron was imaginative and endlessly inquisitive, instilling a love of storytelling and curiosity in his children, Maureen was passive aggressive and judgemental, harboring jealousy for the relationship her children had with her husband. This eventually festered a spiteful dynamic between her and Ron, and between her and her offspring as well.

When the two of you were younger, Rick in his late teens and you in your last years of elementary school, one of your favorite backyard games was to wonder aloud to each other how and why your parents had ever even gotten together in the first place.

You were both sure that it must have been an arranged marriage of some sorts.

Rick thought maybe your grandparents had made a deal with the devil, and to ensure the safety of the family, Ronald and Maureen were forced to be betrothed for life.

You thought maybe Maureen was an evil sorceress who had cast a spell on your father, trapping him in a loveless marriage that he was an unsuspecting victim in.

The truth was not stranger than fiction.

The reason behind their nuptials was simple, really: Ronald was raised to believe he needed to provide for his family, and after having knocked Maureen up not only once but twice, he was resigned to the fact that this was his path in life.

Devoted father, loving husband.

While he couldn’t stand his wife, her harshness and indignation usurping any positive characteristics she may have once had, Ron did love his children. Dearly.

Rick was his wild child; his rebellious, rambunctious trouble maker.

Ron would sit on the front porch late at night, waiting for Rick to get home and tell him all about his latest escapades. What parties he’d gone to, what girls he’d kissed, whether he preferred the high from acid or mushrooms more. Ron lived vicariously through his son, encouraging the boy to play hard, but to play hard responsibly.

You were Ron’s Little Leia of Alderaan; his opinionated, open-minded warrior, brave enough to stand up to any bully who’d dare to make fun of you or your friends. You were Ron’s daydreamer, his whimsical muse, his daily reminder that there was still innocent softness in this cruel world.

You would have Daddy Daughter Dates twice a week, where you’d do things like go to the roller rink or have picnics in the park, and they always ended with a two scoop mint chocolate chip ice cream cone shared between the both of you.

But Ron’s love for his life dwindled the second he stepped foot inside his house -- where he was forced to occupy space with his resentful excuse of a wife, a woman who would never miss a beat to berate him for every choice he’d ever made in his life.

With your older brother gone, the squabbles between Ron and Maureen got worse.

Rick had been able to placate his father and put himself in the line of Maureen’s fire, taking her verbal hits so his father didn’t have to. You, being only ten when Rick had left, didn’t have much ground to stand on with your parents arguing, and trying to step in as Rick had would usually only make things escalate.

Ron fantasized about leaving, starting over anew. The immediate and resounding “no” that his subconscious always answered himself with, thinking of the kids, dwindled down over time, until all of his fantasizing led him to making actual plans of departure.

Last year, right before summer break was set to start, Ron finally left.

Having taken PTO from the campus, he’d waited that morning for Maureen to leave for work and for you to be on the bus to school. Alone, he took the time to pack all of his belongings, leaving only a few things behind, all with you in mind -- things to remind you of him in his absence. He’d intended on coming back for you as soon as possible, wanting to settle in somewhere before dragging his daughter into his uprooted life.

But it was over a year now that Ron had been gone, and you could count on one hand the amount of times he’d reached out to you.

You could count them on two fingers, actually.

The first time was the night after he’d left, when he’d tried explaining to you his reasoning, which you weren’t at all interested in hearing. You were beside yourself that he’d left you, just like Rick had, except Rick was your brother and that was normal, but Ron was your daddy and he was supposed to always be there.

Your mother, in anger that Ron would attempt to talk to you and not her, had disconnected the call, and while you waited by the phone all night for him to call back, he never did.

The second and last time he reached out was a few months ago, via letter for your 18th birthday. It was postmarked with an address in Fort Worth, Texas. When you’d tried writing back, you'd found the letter you'd sent in your mailbox a week later, marked Return to Sender.

It was mid-November now, and you hadn’t heard from him since.

At least Rick had kept in touch after he’d left.

He’d sent you care packages every month since arriving to Indiana in '81. They were full of sci-fi and horror books he’d found at the local Goodwill or Salvation Army, newspaper clippings for outlandish Classified segments, scribbled notes on stained notebook paper detailing concerts he’d gone to and new bands he thought you should check out.

Remembering this, you softened quickly after accusing Rick of abandoning, your biting comment causing guilt to swirl in your stomach.

Rick had his reasons to leave, you understood that. He was allowed to live his life. And even though he’d done just that, left and lived his life, he still always managed to keep tabs on you. The two of you hadn’t gone more than a few weeks without letters sent or parcels mailed back and forth since he’d first left home.

Never there, but never gone. Not really.

That was more than you could say for your father.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that,” you admitted, even though the hurt words you spoke did hold some kernel of truth. “It’s just… I don’t wanna have to start all over somewhere else.”

“It’ll be good for you,” Rick promised, choosing to let the accusation of his abandonment slide. He was sure you'd both get into it more later, considering it was a conversation that was long overdue. “The house is too big for just me anyway, and you know I’m fuckin’ shit at decorating. I’ve basically just been using beer cans for bookends and stuff like that – you could make it look way cozier.”

You laughed, sure your brother wasn’t exaggerating.

Rick was about as anti-capitalist as you could get, and that included being a minimalist when it came to possessions. Give the man a hand-me-down couch, a little TV, some weed, his cassettes, and a subscription to Playboy, and he’d be content for the rest of his life.

You were the opposite.

You loved things.

You had many different collections you’d amassed over the years -- your vast assortment of books had spilled from the two bookshelves in your room to several stacks littered throughout the house, much to your mother's annoyance; your vinyls were shoved into four big storage bins stacked under your octagonal bedroom window, which you draped a blanket over and used as a makeshift window seat nook; your cliques of creepy looking dolls you’d collected from estate sales and antique shops crowded your bed, your vanity, the storage shelf in your closet; the bug assemblages you’d been adding to since your childhood had their own corner of your room, little homes full of ladybugs, ants, and deathwatch beetles.

The idea that you could expand your knack for interior embellishing (hoarding, really) further than the confines of one room was one thing that made you start to consider taking Rick’s offer seriously.

That, and the realization that finally getting the fuck out of Fresno might not be such a bad idea.

Because what did you have there anymore, anyway? Shit grades? A handful of mean exes? A dead-end job?

Was any of that worth staying for?

You thought of your dad trying to reach out to you via telephone, imagined your mother answering and telling him you’d moved away and no longer lived there.

If it were only a few months since Ron had left, you didn’t think you would have gone with Rick back to Hawkins. You would have stayed just for the mere possibility that your dad would show up on the doorstep one day, begging for your forgiveness for leaving you alone with your coldhearted mother.

However, it was over a year now that he’d been gone. One year, four months, and fifteen days... if anyone was counting.

You’d never verbally admit it, but you still were.

There was a page hidden in the back of your diary where you kept track.

Your hopefulness was starting to make you sick.

Maybe a change wouldn’t be so bad.

Going back to Hawkins with Rick sure beat being forced to attend an all girls’ reformatory school, one with a reputation that claimed the headmaster performed shock therapy on students in lieu of giving them detentions.

You were sure that was just a rumor, but still. You didn’t want to take any chances.

“Bean, let me be there for you,” Rick said, reaching over to grasp your hand with his fingers. You noted his nails were painted a lime green. “It’ll be just like when we were kids, except now you’re older and actually cool so I won’t be embarrassed to introduce you to all my friends.” Dipping his head to the side, he wiggled his pierced brows, a grin toying on his lips as he added, “And we can smoke weed in the house.”

Pretending as if that alone was what sealed the deal, you stood swiftly. “Say less. You really should’ve started with that, Richard.” You headed off in the direction of the stairs that led up to your room, glancing over your shoulder at your brother who was staring off after you with a relieved countenance on his face. “Gimme an hour and then we can go?”

Rick answered with two thumbs up before grabbing a slice of pizza, shoving as much as he could of it into his mouth as you disappeared up the spiral staircase.

[onlyonetifosi]

Behind the camera -> chapter 9

<- previous series masterlist my main masterlist next->

author note1: angst and mean girls are back hahahah 😈😈

As the bell rang, signaling the end of another school day, Yn Leclerc gathered her belongings and made her way towards the school's exit. Her heart raced with anticipation, for today was a day like no other. The Princesse Grace Dance Academy awaited her, and the joy of dancing was the perfect escape from the troubles that awaited her outside the classroom. 

Yn's golden curls bounced as she walked, and her ballet bag swung gracefully at her side. She couldn't wait to join her friends at the academy, especially her best friend, Marta. They had been through thick and thin together, supporting each other's dreams, and now they were on a journey to becoming professional ballerinas

However, the path to pursuing her passion was not without its challenges. A group of girls, once her ballet companions in her school’s ballet extracurricular activity, resented Yn for achieving what they hadn't – acceptance into the prestigious academy. The trio had never quite recovered from being left behind at the school's ballet classes, while Yn and Marta moved on to the illustrious academy.

The trio of tormentors approached, their disdain painted across their faces like poorly masked jealousy. Yn's heart raced, but she straightened her posture, determined not to let their negativity affect her.

"Regardez qui voilà, la petite danseuse étoile," Emelie sneered as they approached, their perfectly coordinated steps emphasizing the mockery in their voices. (Look who's here, the little prima ballerina)

Yn tightened her grip on her pointe shoes, her eyes narrowing at the trio. She knew what was coming, but she wasn't going to let their words break her.

"Hey, Yn, maybe you should teach us some of those fancy moves you've been learning at your 'prestigious' academy," Camille added, her tone dripping with sarcasm. (Maybe you could show us some of those fancy moves you've been learning at your 'prestigious' academy.)

The leader of the trio, Isabelle, sneered, "You might be at the academy, but you'll never truly belong."

Yn took a deep breath, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. "Merci pour votre opinion, Isabelle. (Thank you for your opinion, Isabelle)," she replied, maintaining a calm exterior despite the storm within.

Yn took a deep breath, steeling herself against the words that stung like arrows. "I don't have time for this. Leave me alone."

"Oh, la petite princesse est trop fière maintenant." (Oh, the little princess is too proud now.)

Isabelle smirked, crossing her arms. "Oh, don't worry, Yn. We just wanted to check in on our little prodigy. It must be tough being the only one from our old group to make it into the academy."

Yn's jaw clenched, but before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "Yn, there you are!" Joris approached with a bright smile, followed by Marta, Riccardo, Nico, Hugo, and of cours her brother Charles.

“Qu'est-ce qui se passe ici?" (What's going on here?) Joris asked, shooting a stern look at the other girls.

"Nothing, we were just catching up with our old friend Yn," Isabelle said, feigning innocence.

Emelie, Camille, and Isabelle exchanged glances, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected support Yn had gathered.

Isabelle sneered, "Your sister thinks she's too good for us now that she's in this fancy academy. She's not as special as she thinks."

Marta, ever the fiery defender, retorted, "Elle est incroyable, Isabelle. And you're just jealous because you couldn't make the cut."

"She doesn't deserve it! It's not fair!" ("Elle ne le mérite pas ! Ce n'est pas juste !") Camille says looking agitated

"Tough luck, maybe you should've worked harder." Marta responds while crouching down to hug Yn. "Vous n'avez rien de mieux à faire?" (Don't you have anything better to do?) Marta, standing tall beside Yn, shot a defiant look at the bullies. "What's the matter, Isabelle? Afraid Yn will outshine you?"

Charles stepped forward, his protective older brother instincts kicking in. "C'est marrant, parce que ça ressemble plutôt à du harcèlement. (Funny, because it looks more like harassment)"

Yn felt a surge of gratitude as her friends gathered around her. "These girls are just bitter because they didn't make it into the academy. Don't let them get to you" Joris placed a reassuring hand on Yn's waist 

"Allons-y, YN. Ils ne valent pas notre temps" (Let's go, YN They're not worth our time) Hugo said while all the group surrounded yn to do a grupal hug and accompany her home.

The group walked away, leaving the mean girls fuming in their wake. Yn couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. With friends like these, she knew she could overcome anything that came her way.

Yn felt a wave of gratitude for her friends and her brother. Once the mean girls were out of sight, Charles put a reassuring arm around Yn. "Are you okay, petite sœur?" (little sister)

Yn nodded, touched by the unwavering support around her. "Thanks to all of you. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Come on, Yn. Let's go home," Charles said, wrapping an arm around her.

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

Later, the Leclerc twins arrived home. Pascale, sensing something amiss, looked at them with concern. "Comment était votre journée, mes amours?" (How was your day, my loves?)

Yn smiled, "Ma journée était doux-amer, maman. Mais mes amis et Charles m'ont protégée." (My day was bittersweet, Mom. But my friends and Charles protected me.)

Charles, protective as always, chimed in, "Those girls were just jealous, Yn. Don't let them get to you."

Pascale, placing plates on the table, listened attentively. "Tell me, mon cherie, what happened?"

Yn, grateful for the unwavering support of her family and friends, began to recount the events of the day, while Charles interjected with comforting words.

"Elles étaient jalouses de toi, ma petite sœur," Charles reassured her. ("They were jealous of you, my little sister.")

Charles added, "Nous sommes toujours là pour elle, maman." (We're always here for her, Mom.)

Their maman beamed with pride, "Je suis si fière de vous deux. Vous êtes une équipe formidable." (I am so proud of both of you. You are a fantastic team.) Just after praising them she hurried Yn to start eating faster, "Dépêche-toi, ma ballerine, tu dois aller à l'académie de danse. L'académie t'attend (Hurry, my ballerina, you need to go to the dance academy. The academy is waiting for you)" 

And in that moment, Yn knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she had her family and friends by her side, ready to face them together.

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

The afternoon passed quickly for Yn at the academy. The teachers were impressed with her progress, and they made sure to relay the good news to Pascale when she picked Yn up. Pascale couldn't help but beam with pride, knowing that her daughter was destined for greatness in the world of dance and Yn returned from the academy, tired but content

Meanwhile, Charles also arrived home after a rigorous training session at the karting track, guided by his father. Fatigue and satisfaction blended on his face.

As evening descended, the tired but satisfied twins returned home, with also their little brother Arthur, who was practicing with Charles. Pascale had prepared a feast for dinner – a family favorite, barbagiuan. The aroma filled the kitchen, welcoming the hungry trio.

The family gathered around the table, sharing stories of their day. Charles recounted the highlights of his karting training, and Yn shared the encouraging words from her dance teachers. Pascale and their papa, Hervé, listened with admiration.

"Les professeurs disent que tu as un avenir prometteur dans la danse, Yn. The teachers say you have a promising future in dance" Pascale proudly announced, raising her glass in a toast.

Arthur, always the enthusiastic one, jumped up and hugged Yn. "C'est incroyable, Yn! You're amazing!"

Charles grinned. "On est tous fiers de toi, Yn" (We're all proud of you, Yn)

Yn returned her brother's smile "Vous êtes les meilleurs frères du monde" (You're the best brothers in the world)

The night ended with laughter, shared accomplishments, and the comforting presence of family. As Yn drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the support of her loved ones. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew she could face them with the unwavering love and encouragement of her family by her side.

i hope you liked it and if you want to know more about yn and the leclercs and the adventures they are going to follow stay tuned (more drama coming soon and pierre is doing an apereance soon)

taglist: @love4lando @gcldtom @im-mi @topguncultleader @celesteblack08 @reblog-princess @sunf1ower16 @janeholt3 @athena-artemis-dorian-gray @minkyungseokie

[marvel-rhapsody]

Watching Airplanes | Jake Seresin x reader

Watching Airplanes | Jake Seresin x gn!reader

Word Count: 900+

CW: use of the word "beautiful" to describe reader, unedited

Based on the song Watching Airplanes by Gary Allan

✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️

~Sitting out here on the hood of this truck, looking up. At a caramel colored sunset sky. Checking my watch, doing the math in my head. Counting back words from when you said, "Goodbye". Well those runway lights are getting brighter.~

Graduation was just a couple months ago. High school was over, and now your entire lives are ahead of you. You and Jake were the perfect couple. That was until he decided that he wanted to join the Naval academy instead of college like the two of you had planned. He broke the news to you a week ago, and now you're leaving for school, states away from Texas. 

Jake parked his truck in private property. He watches as planes land and take off, all while sitting on the warm hood of his pick-up. 

Jake thinks back at the conversation before you left for the airport. The hurt in your voice, the look in your eyes.

"I want to do this... I feel like it's what right for me, baby," he had said to you. "I thought you would be the one person to support me on this." 

"But what about OUR plans, Jake? We wanted to do this together." you felt selfish while saying the words, but your emotion were getting the best of you. You love him, and he's leaving for the Navy. "We have so much planned, Jake. The rest of our lives together. I just wished you had told me sooner."

"We can still do all those things. We're young, baby, we have all the time in the world. Don't act like everything we planned for is ruined. We're just getting started."

He watches as a plane taxis away from the airport. The runway starts to glow brighter. 

~I'm just sitting out here, watching airplanes take off, and fly. Trying to figure out which one you might be on, and why you don't love me anymore. Right now I'm sitting out here, watching airplanes. 

The planes speed grows as it gets closer and closer to the end of the runway. Jakes wonders if it's the one you're on. Which seat you're sitting in; which song you have playing through your headphones. Or maybe you have a book open, or maybe you're just watching the world move through your possible window seat.~

He thinks about if that was the end of your relationship. Was that the final straw? Was he supposed to just move on and forget about you? Did you even love him anymore? 

His thoughts are over taken by the sound of the wind pushed towards him by the plane. 

~I would've lied, could've cried, should've tried harder. Done anything to make you stay. I wonder what you'd do if you looked out your window. Saw me running down the runway, just like I was crazy. That fence is too high, so am I.~

Jake sits for a while longer, watching more planes go in and out of the airport lights. He thinks about you; your looks, your scent, your laugh, your sobs as you walked away from him a few, short hours ago. 

He thought about driving after the plane. Following it until his truck ran out of gas, or until the clouds hid it from sight. 

What would you do if he showed up to your dorm room? Would you welcome him back, or would you just push him away? Would you wrap your arms around him or just say the tables have finally turned? 

~I'm just sitting out here watching airplanes, take off and fly. Trying to figure out which one you might be on, and why you don't love me anymore. By now I know you're thirty thousand feet above me, but a million miles away. By now, I know I outta act like you don't love me.~

After what feels like hours, Jake finally slides of the hood of his truck, and watching as another plane takes off. The door slams shut and the tears finally fall down his face. His sobs wrack through his body, and he can't quite control the shaking as he lets his emotions take over. He knows that you'll forget about him, that eventually, you'll stop loving him. 

A few months later, Jake sends you a letter from the Academy. He doesn't know if you'll read it, but he wants to let you know that he thinks about you all the time. And that you're the only thing getting him through his training. 

When he got to the Academy, he had finally decided that he wanted to be an aviator. Watching all those planes that night made him realize that's what he wanted to do. He wanted to feel free why flying through the sky, wanted to see the ground from miles above. 

He explains everything to you. How he'll always love you, even if you don't love him anymore. He thought that you would always be the one that got away. 

Years later, when he gets called to Top Gun for a special mission, he hears his name being called from the bar of the Hard Deck. 

He almost doesn't recognize your voice. You've grown up, and have become even more beautiful than he could've imagined. 

Maybe this was his second chance. Maybe he could finally get you back. You still have the rest of your lives ahead of you. A few years apart could never change that. Not when you've still loved him after all this time. 

[tothosewholisten]

Forever Healed | TUA insert

Chapter: 12

<<previous chapter | next chapter>>

Masterlist

…

Once I left Five I returned to Diego’s car, where he’d been sitting, just waiting for something to happen. “Hey,” I said softly as I sat in the passenger's seat. He only grumbled in response and looked out the window.

“Where are you gonna go?” I asked. He once again didn't respond, and I started to think maybe this was a bad idea. “Dieg-“

“Why are you here?” He cuts me off coldly while enunciating every syllable of what he says.

“I just wanted to see if you're okay and help you if you need it. What you saw was traumatic, and you shouldn’t be going through it on your ow-“

He looks me dead in my eyes. “Nobody needs your fucking help, Y/n.”

We were silent, the only thing I heard was his heart racing and the sound of his heavy breathing. I can't even tell if he regrets what he said. It doesn't matter because I'm sure he means it.

But I chalk it up to tensions being high after Five told us everything, it hurts though. In a way, no scar has ever hurt before. I try to come up with some snarky thing to say back like I always do. Younger me would’ve had a field day cursing him out and leaving. But now I just sit there and look down at the car floor.

“Nothing to say?” He taunts. “What happened to that mean little girl who used to try and put me in my place? Is she gone?”

Maybe he's just an asshole.

“…” I keep my eyes on the floor not wanting to make eye contact. I should just leave, I thought to myself, he doesn't want my help.

But I didn't want anyone’s help when Ben died, I pushed everyone away. But Diego isn’t me. I finally came up with something. “I understand how you feel Diego.”

“Bullshit.” He yells.

“You feel like your world is collapsing around you. That what you love the most is gone and the only way to replace the empty hole you have is to fill it with something worse. Just to keep going, whether it's drugs or killing or meaningless relationships to distract yourself. We do it to stay sane, but it doesn't have to be like that. Don’t close yourself off from the people around you, the Diego I know wouldn't.”

What I said came straight from the heart and how I felt after Ben died. I stayed in my room all day and broke things, but at night I was sneaking off with Klaus to get high. I even went as far as refusing to use my powers for Reginald. My lowest point.

And when I moved out my problems did not end there. I was alone in the world, I attached myself to the first guy that showed me any interest. That did more harm than good. I only recognize that this isn’t who I wanted to be when the relationship was gruesomely ended.

I sighed. “I'm far from perfect Diego, everyone is. Her death will stick with you forever. Let me at least try to lighten that burden.” The same way Klaus and I tried to do for each other. “I understand if you want me to leave though.” Since he stayed silent, I got the hint and reached for the door handle but I was stopped by a gloved arm.

Diego was no longer stoic, his posture had gone slouched as tears dropped from his big eyes. “I loved her.” He whispered.

“I know.”

“Sorry, Y-Y/n I didn't mean to be a jackass.” Diego stuttered.

I nodded “I understand.”

Once his sniffling calmed down, he told me that he would usually never cry in front of anyone but it felt good to get it out around me.

Diego explained how he and Eudora weren’t together at the time but had a deep and convoluted past that spanned during his time at the police academy and after. But she still found a way to enter his life, around when he was tased by her at Griddy’s the night Five came back for disturbing the crime scene there.

But still, no matter how much I tried to persuade him, Diego wanted to hunt Hazel and Cha-Cha down. To get even in his words even if he knew it wouldn't bring her back.

Diego had a receipt from Griddy’s, one of the items that he had taken from the motel room. The only thing ordered was a jelly donut, which didn't seem out of the ordinary.

But he tried to connect it to what happened to Eudora anyway while forming a plan in his head on what to do next. And all I could think about was how disgusting jelly donuts are.

“We're going back to the academy.” He told me. I shuttered thinking about heading back there.

“Y/n, what's wrong?”

“It’s just that we still don’t know where Klaus is, what if he’s still out there? Alone. What if he can’t find his way back to their academy?” I rambled.

“There was no sign of him at the motel. Knowing him he made his way back to the academy and is just taking a bath or doing drugs or something.. okay? No need to worry. And if not, we’ll go look for him.”

I nodded in response. “You’re probably right.” I mean Eudora technically freed him, if anything he’s looking for us instead.

..

13 YEARS AGO

I lay in bed staring at my ceiling trying to tune out the blaring screech that echoed around my room.

I heard the sound of feet running against the hardwood floor, I knew I needed to get up but I didn't. I missed the early workout, and I missed breakfast but who cares? No matter how much Reginald yelled for me to get up I didn't.

Once again It was time for another tiring mission but I could never complain, not ever. I was put on this planet to save the world as Reginald described it time and time again.

But I hated the world and all the people in it. Because the world took away Ben and after his funeral which was only a few days ago, I was expected to stop crying and go back to killing myself. A job I never signed up for. So I just stopped doing it.

A gentle knock at my room door broke my concentration. Even amongst all the commotion in my house, there was one person who would also stay in their room.

"Come in," I grumbled to Vanya who stood at the other side of the door.

She took care in opening the door and made sure no one, especially Reginald would see her breaking the rules.

I inhaled sharply hoping if she knew I was in a bad mood she'd just go away. But she didn't. She stood there concerned all over her face.

"What do you want, Vanya?" I practically yelled.

She shifted her eyes from me to her shoes. "I uh. I just wanted to ask if you're okay."

"Do I look okay?"

She didn't respond.

It was clear her focus was slipping from me, she wanted to leave this uncomfortable situation.

And not surprisingly, she turned her back to me and quickly sped out the door. She didn't even give me a final glance. I could've said something but I chose to take my pillow and scream. I marked today as the worst day of my life.

I held my fluffy pillow up to my face and squeezed down hoping to suffocate. The suicidal urge didn't last long because my pillow was lifted off my face by small hands. By Vanya of all people. Who'd made her way back through my door without me noticing?

Her face painted with a smile, "I know it's not breakfast time but Mom insisted that I bring you something to eat. I made these.”

My eyes met hers as she grabbed onto my pajamas. Vanya scooted my body up against the pillow I tried to silence my misery with.

In her hands she had two sandwiches, I instantly knew they were peanut butter and marshmallow because that was her greatest creation and my favorite late-night snack

My mouth hung open slightly. "You made this for me?" I asked.

"Of course!" She handed me a sandwich.

Any anger I still had in me washed away at that moment. What I was left with could only be described as love. Vanya spent all day with me for the most part. We talked a bit about life, but mainly we just sat in each other's silence. It was good to know I didn't have to be alone while grieving Ben. I'd forgotten that all of the kids lost him, not just me.

Looking back, being sixteen years old was a nightmare. Especially when I was left to my own devices.

For the remainder of my time at the academy, I refused to go on missions and I guess Reginald deemed me a lost cause at some point because The Umbrella Academy officially became five people again. While I spent all my new free time in my room.

..

PRESENT TIME

The first place I headed for when I got back to the academy was our rooms. I wanted to go into Klaus just to see if there were any hints of if he ever came back. Diego stopped me at the bottom of the stairs.

He raised an eyebrow “Where are you going?”

“I'll meet up with you after you get your knives. I'm gonna look in Klaus’s room again.” He gave me a sad look as he turned away from my direction. We both knew that I wouldn't find anything new there. But I still needed to try.

I needed Klaus, not just to see if he was safe. But the fact that he’s one of the only people who makes me feel like I can talk to them about all the crazy stuff going on. Because we share a lot of the same experiences. I should’ve probably told him from the jump that the world was ending, I bet he’d give it a good laugh.

Klaus’s door was wide open, definitely not like I left it. And when I walked in it looked almost neater. Grace wouldn’t be the one to clean it because she’s, well, gone. And Pogo wouldn’t step foot in his normally dirty room.

So who's been cleaning it? Unless I did this subconsciously and discovered a new power.

I could hear everyone’s hearts beating around the house, so I counted the amount of people. There was Diego and Pogo, and Five who had just gotten here. And another.. familiar but sporadic. Something that I've heard a million times, and something that was getting extremely close to me.

I whip my head towards the door and see none other than Klaus Hargreeves in the doorway, half naked and ticked off. His expression wiped the smile clean off my face.

Klaus was dripping head to toe in water, but he was here just like Diego said he’d be.

But even though he was here and seemingly unharmed, I was still worried when he didn't say anything to me. All he did was groan while he clumsily walked over in his towel and he picked up some random clothes on his floor.

This switch in personality made me speechless as well. I turned away from Klaus as he dropped his towel. With no regard that I was even in his room.

“Why are you acting like I’m not here?” I crossed my arms with my eyes still averted from the sight. I went back to looking at him when he slipped his faint blue v-neck over his head.

“You might as well not be.” He stated. “I mean like, here you are in my room on my bed. Not even phased by the fact that you haven’t seen me for a year. Hell, even before I was kidnapped by those crazy shits I've barely seen you.”

“A year?”

“Did you even notice I was gone?”

He and I spoke at the same time, saying two different things.

I wanted to yell at him. Of course, I knew and I was worried, but he was right. How would he know that he’s been on my mind since the night of the attack? When I seemed to be the only person who noticed or paid any mind to him at all.

I took a breath to conceal my frustration. “I knew right when I didn’t see you after the attack. I looked all over the city for you. But you’re right, I've been busy recently. Because fuck, Klaus a lot is going on right now. Stuff I should’ve told you at the start but I was so wrapped up in all of it. Last night, Diego and I found the motel and thought you’d be there.”

“But we found Eudora, I mean the officer who freed you. But no sign of you.”

Klaus’s normal excited look on life didn't return to him when I explained what happened. But his glare melted away. “What happened to her?”

“She’s dead, Klaus. And I couldn’t bring her back. Unlike you I can’t bring people back from the dead.” I laughed sadly at the events that unfolded around me. His eyes wandered to the spot next to me on his bed, but there was nothing there?

I pretended to yawn to choke back resurfacing tears. God, I cry all the damn time. “Tell me what happened to you?”

“Well they weren't the most gracious host.” He said sarcastically. “They wanted information on Five but I told them over and over again that everyone ignores me or doesn’t tell me things. And yeah, I came back here after I escaped through the vents which wasn't a pleasant experience at all. Wouldn’t recommend it.”

I didn't want to push my luck but I could tell there was a part of his capture he didn’t include because of the flucture of his heartbeat and the fact he couldn’t look me in the eyes.

“Klaus, can I tell you something?” I responded quietly.

He looks around the room. “Oh yeah, don’t have anything else going on today.”

The best approach isn’t to sugarcoat it. “The world is ending in four days, that's why Five is back because he’s here to prevent it. But people are going after him, like Hazel and Cha-Cha to make sure it still happens. And turns out I survived it, and live on in the future..?”

“Sounds like loads of fun!” He cheers sarcastically.

“Klaus the world is ending.”

“Well it has to end eventually, I just betted on it being global warming.”

“You betted?”

“Of course. Me and Linda from the nursing home, bet weekly.”

My body releases all of the previous tension and I explode into a loud laughter. “How am I supposed to take you seriously? You’re hilarious” I cried out.

Klaus shows off his teeth when he smiled. “Just one of my many charms I guess.”

“I missed you so much,” I giggled.

Once again he turns to the opposite corner of the room. “We missed you too” he whispers.

“We-

“Great, you found him Y/n.” Five glanced into the room with his hands in his pockets. I was too busy to even hear him walk in.

He looks back and forth from the disheveled Klaus and me. “You okay?” He asked him.

“Yeah.. just a long night.” He replied drowsily.

“More than one by the looks of it. I don’t remember the dog tags..” Five points out.

I stare at the shiny dangling tags on his neck. “Huh, me neither.” How did I not notice that?

Klaus grunts at the both of us. “They belong to a friend.”

Five starts a strange interrogation of Klaus. “How about that new tattoo?”

“You know, I don’t totally remember even getting it. Like I said, it was a long night.” Klaus jesters for him to leave but he doesn’t stop there.

“You did it didn’t you?” Five moves closer as Klaus sits on the bed next to me. I started to get confused.

Based on the room and Klaus I hope Five wasn't getting the wrong idea. “We didn- I mean. What are you talking about?”

“I recognize the symptoms, Klaus.”

“Symptoms of what?”

“The jet lag. The full body itch. The headache that feels like someone shoved a box of cotton up into your nose and through your brain?”

Klaus hides his head in his hands. “Your pals, when they broke into the house and they couldn’t find you, they took me hostage instead.”

Five smiles while thinking maniacally. “And in return, you stole their briefcase!”

“Yeah, I thought there was money in it, or I could pawn it, you know, whatever.” He sighed. “And then I opened it.”

The boy paced around the room. “And the next thing you knew, you were.. where? Or should I say when?”

“What difference does it make, Five?”

Five stammers “What diff— Uh— Okay, how long were you gone?”

“Almost a year.” Klaus chokes out.

“That's what you meant by a year? Okay, am I the only one who isn’t following?”

Five stares at me in desperation. “You don’t know what this means?”

“Yeah, I’m ten months older now.”

“No. This isn’t a joke, both of you pay attention now. Hazel and Cha-Cha will do whatever they can to get the briefcase. Where is it now?” Five checks around the room, for any resemblance of what he’s looking for.

“Gone. I destroyed it. Poof.”

Five goes from excited to furious in seconds. “What the hell were you thinking?!” He shouts.

“What do you care?” Klaus says back. By now the two of them are in each other's faces.

“What do I care? I needed it, you moron, so I could get back. I can start over. So I can save y-“ Klaus shushes him when he stands up. “Where are you going?” Five calls after him.

“Interrogations over. Just leave.” He walks out of the room and down the hallway, away from us.

Five turns to me and where I've been slugged over on the bed. “Why does no one listen?” He asks me, well more like yells in my direction.

“Who likes being shouted at? I mean you didn't even give him a second to breathe, Five. He just came back from shit we can’t even imagine.” I swung my feet off the bed and headed out of the room to find Klaus or Diego who I forgot I'd be helping.

Surprisingly I found the two together, Klaus and Diego were standing in front of the crushed chandler that would normally hang on the ceiling but was destroyed when the house was attacked. The two both looked extremely worn out when I walked over to them.

“I'm not giving you a ride,” Diego told the man in front of him. But Klaus moves in closer in desperation. “Oh come on man, you know I can’t drive.”

“We can give you a ride Klaus, it's fine right, Diego?” I stare him down but his unwavering decision doesn’t falter. “Well fine, I’ll drive him if you don’t want to.”

They both cringe at my statement. “No way I’m letting you drive my car, don’t forget that you can’t drive either.” Diego says.

“Yeah sorry Y/n, I’m actually good. I don’t want to die today.” Klaus adds.

I smirk. “Exactly, this is why you should just take him instead.”

Diego thinks for a minute before responding. “Fine.” He grumbles.

“Amazing! Let me go grab my things, two minutes. Thank you, N/n sweetie.” Klaus grabs onto my shoulders and gives me a good shake before running back up the staircase to grab god knows what.

“What could he be getting?” I turned to Diego.

“Anything he could snort probably.” I punched the smug Diego in the arm. “Shit!” He cries out.

I shake my head at him. “That was rude, you ass.” Before walking out the front doors to wait in the car. Diego slowly trails after me while rubbing his now glowing arm.

..

The car ride was silent for the most part, except for the occasional small talk Diego made with me. But Klaus who sat in the back seat didn’t speak a single word. He just looked out of the window to the cloudy afternoon and drank hard liquor that he must’ve grabbed from his room before we left.

Diego and I didn't know exactly where we were driving him, but he told us he’d say something when we arrived.

I desperately wanted to know what happened to him in the almost year that he was gone. But he didn't look ready to open up just yet.

“You okay back there?” I asked. He answered with another sip of his beverage.

Diego takes a look at him through the rearview mirror. “Wow. This is a first. My brother Klaus is silent. The last time you were this quiet, we were twelve. Ran down the stairs wearing Grace's heels, tripped over, and broke your jaw. How long was it wired shut again?”

“Eight weeks,” I replied. That was one of my first impressions of Klaus, and I felt really bad for him. But Reginald wouldn't let me heal him. Told me that Klaus needed to learn a lesson.

“Eight glorious weeks of bliss.” And just like when he couldn’t talk, he’s silent when Diego says that. Doesn't even respond with a snarky comment. Instead, he straightens up in his seat and points out his window.

“Hey, just.. just drop me off here.” The two of us in the front seats look to where he’s pointing, he wanted us to drop him off at a VFW post. The building was strangely out of place and surrounded by normal buildings. But despite the weirdness Diego cuts traffic and parks his car in the lot.

Klaus bolted out of the car, bottle in hand as soon as we parked. “Klaus?” I called out

“Are you sure you're okay, man?” Diego adds.

The car door shuts before we ever hear a response. That is if he even said anything. Diego gives me a look. “Okay, what is going on with him?” He asked me.

“This might sound crazy, but then again we all have powers. When Klaus left Hazel and Cha-Cha he stole this time-traveling device. And he opened it which sent him somewhere for almost a year. Which explains the new tattoo and dog tags. My guess is he went back in time and fought in a war.”

His eyes widened. “Jesus.. that's woah.. that's a lot. But we should do something right?”

“Like go after him?” Which is what I was gonna do anyway. He nods at me sharing my same opinion. Soon after, we’re both leaving the car and heading to the building ourselves.

“Oh my god it's cold,” I complained. Diego chuckles at me while opening the door for us.

…

Taglist:

@aloflapse @gabriella-aesthetic @solarbeanz @ciakind @elenalovestoread @miscrying @dakotapaigelove @theoriginalone1111 @water-hemlock18 @tialovesyoutoo

[fillingthescrapbook]

Let's Talk About: Fantasy High Junior Year and Stress Tested

Brennan Lee Mulligan is an evil son of a genius.

I have been waiting for this episode forever--like, a whole week--and it did not disappoint. Starting with a return to assembly. Confirming the conspiracy that the Rat Grinders were setting them up.

Side note: I really do think the Rat Grinders are working for something or someone who is (or who are) also meddling with Interim Emergency Back-Up Principal Grix.

The mandatory drug testing at school that IMMEDIATELY netted the kid who called out Aguefort Academy becoming a police state in freshman year was a deliberate choice that I feel like Brennan, knowing how easily distracted his Intrepid Heroes can be, planted for the viewers to pick up on. And unleashing this after a "speech" from Agent Clark that ended with an extra distracting "until doppelgangers burn your nest!"? Yeah, I smell Brennanigans.

Quick break: I just want to say that Murph plays Riz's paranoia so well. Ally's quick moves to shenanigans is on another level. And Zac immediately taking a stress token for Gorgug feels extremely correct. That said, I feel like there should be a mechanic where Gorgug gets stressed so much that he channels the tokens into a rage that impresses Porter.

Also: the rolling graphics on the left side of the screen, for the tracks that our intrepid heroes are rolling for, look so cool. The stress levels on the right look great too, but they are stressing me out.

Now; I am really liking Yolanda Badgood, the cleric professor. I am not liking, however, the fact that Brennan is making her so likeable. And so friendly. And so helpful. Because I am now fearing for her life.

Emily's bits about Fig not knowing where to go rings differently for me, having seen the pre-season interview where she admitted that she wanted to play a new character. That she wanted to keep the happy ending Fig already got in Sophomore Year. I have to confess: I also actually really like this new aimless track for Fig, and it's showing in Emily's gameplay how she is also realizing new things about her character as Brennan showers her with more choices to make.

The one bad thing about the downtime episode, in my opinion, is that the time we spend with each character feels so little. Especially with how much time is passing in game time. I wanted to see more of Adaine's relationship with her sister, and maybe see a friendship blossom with Oishyn. But Siobhan is, rightfully, concerned about Adaine's finances so she has to prioritize her job and her academics. I needed Gorgug and Riz to get more updates about Frosty Fair before it happened--but, obviously, the had personal stuff they needed to deal with first…and Frosty Fair is already happening next episode--

Honestly: Brennan did a wonderful job with the down times for everyone. And every member of the Intrepid Heroes utilized their down time well.

I just wanted more because I'm very greedy and I love these characters to bits.

Speaking of bits:

With two Nat20s in a row, I would say that Gorgug really is the greatest wizard of our time.

"Get your best pair of Badidas and we'll see what that body does" is an s-tier Brennan-liner.

Riz using the celestial spy stuff he got from his dad is AMAZING.

And Brennan is enjoying handing out the stress tokens too much. Zacky even points it out.

Can't wait for next week!

[gumnut-logic]

The Awards (Part 1)

This is @womble1 's fault :D Writing all that Sweetapple while I floundered around without a muse.

It's a new one. Not intended to be hugely long or anything, maybe two or three parts (since when have I had control of these things?) But it is Sweetapple and a scene requested by some of you who read the first Sweetapple Talk. So here you have it :D I hope it lives up to expectations.

This is m/m fic. If this isn't your thing, this isn't your fic. Alexander Sweetapple is an original character that was prompted by @flyboytracy , created by me, and then let loose in Thunderfam to evolve into who he is today through several different writers. I don't think Virgil minds, the two of them are a pair of lovey dovey goofballs and the majority of this series is them just being fluffy and goopy sweet :D Many thanks to all who have written, contributed and egged this series on, it wouldn't exist without you.

Many thanks to @onereyofstarlight for the read through this morning.

Anyway, bit of fic, first in ages.

I hope you enjoy.

-o-o-o-

“I still wish we could have flown in with the Tracys.”

His mother’s voice was wistful. It could have been interpreted as callous self-interest, but Alex knew better.

“Mum, Virgil apologised at least six times.”

She held up a hand. “I know, I know, and it’s not their fault.” She smiled softly. “I just know how much you were looking forward to this.”

He rolled his eyes as the city of Gisborne flashed past the car’s windows. The Tracys had sent them a chauffeured limousine, along with a security guard, currently staring at them cooly in the seat across from them.

She was an interesting choice. She appeared to have only half her hair and what was left was an assortment of colours enough to excite Erica. The tattoos and piercings…yeah, Iz and Erica would get on fine.

Yet again, he wished Erica was with him. But the venue was only so big and Alex’s mother was…his mother.

Erica and his sisters were watching the live stream apparently.

That didn’t make him nervous. No, not in the slightest.

There were going to be screenshots and clips galore in his future.

A touch to his cheek. “He’s going to be okay.”

Mum was looking up at him with a tenderness in her eyes.

“I know.”

Stupid volcano had to erupt today, didn’t it.

A sigh. The logic centre of his brain acknowledged that this was all part and parcel of dating a Thunderbird and that he would have to get used to it. It wasn’t Virgil’s fault that Sumatra needed him more than Alex did.

Way to compete with the rest of the world for your boyfriend’s attention.

Boyfriend.

Despite everything, the whole concept, as always, brought a smile to his face.

Virgil would be here as soon as he could.

And Alex would love whatever parts of Virgil the world could share with him.

“I’m okay.” He shared his smile with his mum.

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

The car drew to a stop in a line of vehicles in front of the War Memorial Theatre. The structure, like everything in Gisborne, was showing the remains of repairs. Most of the glass had been replaced, but there was a section still boarded up on one side. But unlike the rest of the city, this piece had been turned into an artwork. It showed an artistic rendering of Gisborne’s skyline, and amongst the buildings flew Thunderbirds.

There were no words on the piece, but it screamed pride and gratitude.

God, he wished Virgil was here.

The car moved forward into a crowd of people. Reporters babbled and holocams hovered as if it was the Academy Awards or something. Police stood solidly, manning the barricade keeping the press back.

Alex swallowed. They weren’t here for him. The Prime Minister was attending. And so was International Rescue.

He was only Virgil’s boyfriend.

He swallowed again.

Social media was still buzzing about the kiss. It had died down, a lot, but chances were that these people knew who he was.

Kayo had warned him of this possibility. This was why Iz was with them in the car. She was part of Kayo’s team and Alex had no doubt she knew how to do her job.

She was almost as scary as Kayo herself.

When the car finally stopped, Iz held up her hand. “I will exit first. You are to follow when I say so.”

Alex’s eyes were a little wide, but he nodded. Yes, ma’am.

His mum squeezed his arm.

The door opened and noise rushed in along with flashing cameras and the buzz of holocams. Iz climbed out of the car fluidly, six inch heels and clinging black dress, no hindrance.

A moment later, her hand signalled that they follow.

Alex ushered his mother out of the car. She may have stepped out less smoothly than the security guard, but no less elegantly. She looked amazing in her deep burgundy evening dress. His mum had gone all out for tonight, hair curled, dress purchased, she even dragged out the necklace his dad had bought her for their last wedding anniversary.

Dad would have loved to see her like this.

As if thought could make reality, a large hand appeared just outside the door, offering to help his mother from car.

Alex blinked.

Frowned.

And, as he followed his mother out, realised that the hand belonged to none other than the tall and domineering figure of Mr Jeff Tracy. Dressed in an elegant silver suit, he was smiling down at Alex’s mother, grey eyes twinkling.

Alex’s eyes widened as the cameras and reporters went absolutely nuts.

“Mr Tracy! Are you dating again?”

“How long have you been together?!”

“Ma’am, how long have you known Jeff?”

Alex straightened his tuxedo, still standing on the gutter.

Mr Tracy was addressing the crowd, a suave smile on his face and Alex’s mother’s hand on his arm.

Okay.

Kayo appeared beside them in a short, satin green evening dress, her eyes all business and, no doubt, her six inch heels just as deadly. She stood next to Mr Jeff Tracy. A glance in Alex’s direction came with a small smile before she turned back to the paparazzi.

Iz touched his arm. “C’mon, let’s go inside.”

“But mum-“

“The Chief’s got this.” She looped her arm in his. “C’mon.”

He was walked up the red carpet before he could protest further.

It was quieter inside the foyer, but that was a relative statement. The hall was large, but very full of people, all dressed to the nines.

Iz’s eyes were everywhere and she did not leave his side, navigating him through the crowd.

Alex glanced back towards the entrance, still worried about him mum.

Consequently, when the roar outside swelled beyond human capability and into rocket territory, he was able to catch sight of the silver body of Thunderbird One, lit up by holocam lights, as she touched down on the street outside.

The crowd swarmed back towards the entrance, taking Alex and Iz with it.

But the Thunderbird was only on the street for bare moments before launching up into the sky and disappearing, leaving chaos in its wake.

Beside him, Iz swore under her breath. “The Chief’s going to kill them for that.”

The spark of hope that went beyond the innate thrill of seeing the primary Thunderbird swelled in Alex’s chest…and burst into flame as Virgil Tracy, dressed head to toe in an immaculate black-tie tuxedo, hurried into the building.

His suit cut a beautiful line on his fit frame and Alex couldn’t help but stare, open mouthed, as his boyfriend caught sight of him and strode over. “Alex! I am so sorry.”

Alex was still staring.

“Alex?”

Now Virgil was closer, and fiddling with his suit as if it wasn’t sitting correctly, Alex could see that it had been put on in a hurry. Virgil’s hair lacked its usual perfection, attended to, yes, but obviously rushed, and there was a smear of dirt on his ear.

Alex reached up and gently smudged it off with his thumb.

Virgil was staring up at him and frowning, his eyes darted to Iz. “Everything okay?”

A small smile forced its way onto Alex’s lips. “Yeah.” And as he was want to do after every rescue, he drew Virgil in for a hug. A whisper into his ear. “Thank you for coming.”

“Sorry I was late.” Virgil pulled away, still frowning. “Did I miss anything?”

Like a switch was flipped, Alex relaxed. “Oh, only our parents escorting each other on the red carpet.”

“What?”

Of course, that statement demanded the culprits make an immediate appearance. Alex’s mum and Mr Jeff Tracy appeared out of the crowd. Her arm was still linked in his and Alex eyed it suspiciously.

He wasn’t the only one. Mr Scott Tracy, equally dressed in a suit, hair perfect as always, and standing beside his father, was eyeing him with a raised eyebrow.

Jeff played it innocent. “What?”

His mother giggled.

She giggled.

Like a teenage girl on a bus.

Oh, god.

Fortunately or not, that was the moment the crowd began moving into the theatre. Virgil had a suspicious smile on his face, but that smile soon turned towards Alex as he offered him his arm.

Alex took it and all the advantage of pulling his boyfriend in close as they filed into the theatre.

-o-o-o-

TBC

[littlemisssquiggles]

In today’s episode, Jaune revealed that Lewis and Alyx were actually residents of Vacuo Kingdom (surprise, surprise) during a time before the Great War. And since we know that Lewis actually returned from the Ever After, it make wonder something curious.

If Lewis was the author of the Girl Who Fell Through the World fairy-tale then it would make perfect sense as to why he omitted himself from the written adventures in the Ever After and chose to make Alyx the protagonist. It makes sense since, unlike Lewis, Alyx never returned home and basically “died” in the Ever After.

So my assumption is that Lewis must’ve maintained his sister’s story through his story about her. That way Alyx’s legacy was able to live on in some shape or form despite the real Alyx practically ceasing to exist after never returning home.

Since Jaune was shown to still be have some qualms over his time in the Ever After, it got me thinking.

What if…Jaune were to (somehow) discover the original journal of Lewis which he had used to record his experience in the Ever After in the Vacuo archives?

What if…Jaune were to meet someone closely connected to Lewis and Alyx while in Vacuo? Like a surviving member of their family bloodline still thriving in modern Remnant.

What if… Headmaster Theodore was that surviving member? I know the main popular theory is that Lewis was one of Ozma’s reincarnations but imagine if Lewis wasn’t an Ozma reincarnation but Theo’s ancestor instead?

I haven’t read either of the RWBY After the Fall books so I’m not familiar with Headmaster Theodore in terms of characterization or like what his backstory is.

That being said, I do, however like the idea of the final maiden being connected to Theo in some shape or form.

For me, I like the prospect of the Summer Maiden being either Theo’s daughter or younger sister or cousin or niece or some important person to him as she’s probably the only family he has left.

Again, I don’t know anything about Theo but thus far, none of the other headmasters of the huntsmen academies have had any reason to be protective of their respective maiden outside of a moral obligation as per Ozpin’s instructions.

To make Theo stand out more, I think it would be a nice change of pace if Theo, the final headmaster, were to share an actual connection to the final  maiden as she is a beloved relative of his.

Why bring this up? Well I like the idea of Jaune forming a close relationship with another Maiden candidate. Maybe he could even fall in love with the Summer Maiden.

Technically, Jaune hasn’t had a legit love interest since Pyrhha and I don’t know about ya’ll but…after six seasons (and half a movie), I’m kind of tired of being reminded of Arkos, ya’ll.

It was the Ship that was meant to be that never got to be because Writers decided to kill it off early.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Arkos. Arkos was a great ship that was gone too soon.

To (finally) close the chapter on Jaune moving on from Pyrhha (since even after all of his growth, I still don't think he's over her as the show keeps constantly bringing up whenever they can)...

I think it actually might be cute if Jaune does end up being romantically involved with the Summer Maiden who he actually succeeds in protecting from Cinder when she comes to steal her powers.

I’ve grown tired of new maidens showing up in the story just to die for the sake of the powers being passed onto a main character.

Since Summer is the last maiden, it would be nice if Summer is the one to stop the cycle of original maiden deaths and she actually gets to live on even after opening the vault.

As much as I like WhiteKnight as a ship, I honestly gave up on it becoming canon after V5 dropped and nothing else was done to further develop Weiss and Jaune’s relationship as a prospective romance.

Yeah sure, V9 tossed us a crumb of Weiss being attracted to Jaune in his more mature Rusted Knight persona.

But after further deliberation, I’ve concluded that that little nugget of hope isn’t enough to get me back on the horse of hoping for a romance between these two.

Do you know what would actually be pretty wild?

If Jaune fell in love with the Summer Maiden who is not only a red-head (like Pyrhha) but is also a descendent of Lewis who is the author of the Girl Who Fell Through the World and thus a relative of Alyx.

And unlike Alyx and Pyrhha who Jaune failed to protect/help/save, Jaune is able to do just that with the Summer Maiden by protecting her from Cinder and thus, the two are able to live happily ever after.

That would actually be wild.

Not saying this would become true in the canon. I'm just tossing it out into the RWBY FNDM ether as a food for thought.

~LMS (2024)

[exhaustedrebel05]

Whatever the weather

Arcane Viktor x Fem! Reader

a/n: Hi, so this is the first time I post something that I wrote, I hope you like it.

I do not own anything here except the product of my creativity.

⚠️Warnings⚠️: mentioned feelings of despair, chronic illness, fluff, new fanfic writer who wrote this on a whim, and possible bad punctuation.

Tell me if I forgot something pls

Summary: You bring food to Viktor in the lab and end up having a moment.

Definitions: Zaya means "little bunny" in Russian. At least, that is what Google told me.

And here we go...

The hallways of the Academy echoed with your footsteps as you made your way to Viktor and Jayce's lab. Well, more Viktor's than Joyce's now that he was more involved in the political side of progress.

Viktor tried to act like the absence of his friend and fellow Hex tech founder didn't bother him, but you knew that deep down it did. You could see it in the way he was returning to old habits of believing he had to do everything on his own.

Even though he did not, and was not on his own. Especially with his declining health. It is not the best idea to leave him alone for hours on end.

You all understood that it was better if they had a say in the decisions regarding Hex tech's future. In order to ensure that it is safe from ending up in the wrong hands. Hands that would use it to destroy lives instead of improving them.

Nonetheless, it left much of the work for Viktor to go through alone, but he never complained. Your beloved is a man racing against time and fate.

Trying to complete and discover as much as his delicate body allows him to. Powering through all of the equations and push backs that came his way.

However, he could only do so much running on maybe four hours of sleep and the academy's cafeteria food. Which is why you were here, at his lab's door, fully expecting to see him hunched over his current project. Fully focused. Tuning out all of the world in order to improve it.

Knowing this, you don't even bother knocking on the large ancient doors; entering the lab filled with papers and project pieces scattered in a sort of organized chaos throughout the room. And in the back of said chaos is Viktor, sitting at his desk exactly as you imagined.

As you walk towards him, you decide to stand beside him and attempt to make your presence known without giving him a heart attack.

Like you had nearly done that one time.

You swear that man nearly jumped six feet from his chair when you placed a kiss on his cheek. Thinking that he had heard you come in.

No response...

With a gentle sigh, you lean down towards him and call his name in a sing-song voice. Hoping to bring him back to your plane of existence.

You reach out slowly, twinkling your fingers in front of him. He takes notice, chuckling as your fingers gently tap on the side of his face - then his nose.

"Hello love," He says, looking up to you with those golden orbs that make your knees weak. He sets down his work and kisses your hand.

"Hi, care for a break?" You ask, showing him the container of home cooked food you had brought him. He turns his chair to face you completely. His focus filled expression turned into delight.

"Hmmm, I suppose I could indulge." He answers, raising a mischievous eyebrow reaching out to take the food.

You move the container slightly out of his reach. Eyes trained on his expression of confusion that turns into acceptance of your challenge.

"Oh, that's how it is?" He asks, amusement apparent in his voice and expression.

"How what is?" You reply nonchalantly as possible, trying to keep a smile from spreading across your face.

The amusement filled amber eyes became daring as a beat of energy filled silence passed between you both. You were not protected from what came next.

Slender hands find their way to your waist and tickle you with no mercy. You squeal and try to move away, but you are held in place.

"Nah ah ah! Zaya, you are not getting away from me that easily!" He states as he attacks you with another wave of tickles.

"I surrender…I surrender!" You gasp, breathless from your laughter.

He hums satisfied with his victory and pulls you close, looking up into your eyes from his seated position.

Your cheeks are flushed from his little attack, and your eyes are bright from your laughter. The moment eases his mind and body. He wishes the two of you could stay here, like this, forever.

His life is not easy. At times, the pain is too much for his body, and he wants nothing more than for it to stop. To find peace and freedom from his all too delicate state.

But then who will finish all the work?

Understand all of his notes and research?

Progress doesn't happen on its own, and Jayce has his hands full with his new role.

Then there was you…

He never expected anyone to have a romantic interest in him, much less knowing that his time may no- would be limited. That in the end, you would be left all alone...

That is what troubled him the most.

You told him you would cross that bridge when you get there. That you understood what it meant to love him; and he was loved nonetheless.

It wasn't always easy, but that is what it means to love someone. It is standing beside them when times are at their worst. When they are at their worst.

Being there to help them back on their feet and facing the challenge together. He also knew how fortunate he was to have what so many others only dreamed about.

You place a hand on his cheek and brush the wild tousled hair out of his face with the other. Bringing him back from his thoughts, grounding him to the present.

"Hey, come back to me." Your voice is as soft as your expression. Eyes gazing lovingly into his own, which were equally enamored.

He gently tugs your arms, signaling for you to come closer.

"I am here."

His eyes never leave yours as he brings you in for a passionate kiss. He doesn't know what the future holds, but he knows you both will cross that bridge when you get there.

[veryredd]

Hiding

Tim Drake x reader

A/n: it's been so long since I last posted so here :P. And by long I mean like two years. Idk if i should start making a masterlist. mayb i should, idk. oh and if this hc sucks it's probably cuz it's been sitting in my drafts for 2 years. like fr

You remembered when you first dated Tim Drake.

It was amazing. Sure you two were unsure but at least you were in this together.

You don't text often since it's not quite your style.

It didn't help that you lived so far from each other.

As time went on, it became difficult to maintain your relationship

From your point of view at least

"say Tim....what if I chose to go overseas to study instead of coming to Gotham academy.... I wouldn't have met you no?"

"Mm I guess not n/n. Where is this coming from anyways?"

"I was just wondering."

It pretty much went down hill from there.

Your insecurities were getting to your head

It didn't help that you saw Tim talking to another girl

You know it's nothing that it was just a short chat, no flirting but it didn't help that she was pretty.

I mean look at yourself and look at her.

Tim could easily find someone better like her.

And so after a long consideration

You decided for him

You texted him.

Y/n: hey tim. I just wanted to say firstly it's not your fault. I considered for a long time before deciding. I think it's better if we broke up. It's not you, it's me. I wish you nothing but the best and truly hope you find someone better. Thank you for the memories and for everything.

You blocked him after.

Packing your bags, you left for Keystone city.

To say Tim was shock was an understatement

He was in disbelief. The love of his life slipping right through his fingers

He searched for you.

High and low.

Even asking the batfam for help which says a lot.

After four months, you settled well in keystone city, made some new friends.

You met Wally West and Artemis Crock

A fellow gothamite. You hit it off instantly

They help you settle in

One day Wally was going to meet an old friend and invited to tag along because in Artemis's words, 'he is really friendly, you'll love him'

Reluctantly, after much persuasion, you agreed and followed Wally.

He never really told you the name of his friend and you kinda wish he did now

"Dick! Hey I want you to meet someone. This is Y/n L/n. Y/n, meet the famous Dick Grayson."

You froze up

What are the chances, Wally's best friend was Dick Grayson aka Tim's brother

You gave a polite smile

"Hi I'm Richard Grayson but you can call me Dick."

"Y/n... Y/n L/n. Nice to meet you."

Throughout the hangout was awkward

Wally ditched left you guys alone

He wanted to set you two up. (Trying to be a good friend)

"so... Why did you leave?"

"i don't know what you're talking about. We only just met"

"Don't play dumb with me. Tim searched high and low for you. He loves you with all his heart. He was utterly heartbroken when you disappeared"

You bit your lips, looking away.

Your door bell rang

Opening your door, You weren't expecting him to show up at your door at 11pm

"You gonna let me in?"

You snapped back to reality and you moved aside to let him in

"You want anything? Coffee, tea?"

"we need to talk"

You kept quiet, staring to the ground

"N/n why? Why did you leave?"

"You deserve better...."

"Who told you that? Who gave you that idea?"

You avoided eye contact

"I love you. I love you. You are the love of my life. I can't just let you go. Not without a fight. That little voice in your head, it's wrong. And I'll prove it wrong". He said with a determined expression.

You had expression full of doubt.

"Tim... you deserve better..... I mean you are the heir of Drake Industries and the son of Bruce freaking Wayne... I... I can't... There are other girls that are better for you..."

Tim's expression twisted into one of confusion before his face dropped

He reached forward and grasp your hand

"I love you Y/n, nothing... nothing will change that. Let me show you... please"

You hesitated before nodding

"I.... ok... ok"

Tim's face brightened up as he wrapped his arms around you

"Thank you. I love you, Always"

[magnolia-among-the-stars]

Kill the Lights [hangman PT. 5/8]

PART OF MY “WHATEVER THIS IS” SERIES WHICH CAN BE FOUND HERE PAIRING: JAKE ‘HANGMAN’ SERESIN x Female Plus Size Bartender!Reader NICKNAME: Sunshine It goes without saying but I do not give permission for anyone to use my work or copy it somewhere else. Want to be added to the tag list for this character, all stories or another character? let me know here :)

PLOT: Penny Benjamin's niece works at The Hard Deck, saving the money she earns to get out of the west coast and put herself through Graduate School. What happens when a pretty boy pilot ends up as her fake boyfriend?

PART ONE / PART TWO / PART THREE / PART FOUR / PART FIVE / PART SIX / PART SEVEN / PART EIGHT / PART NINE / PART TEN / PART ELEVEN / FINAL PART

Time starts to feel different after that day in the booth when you gave Jake his old secondhand store copy of a Report from Engine Co. 82. There was a quiet nature to the two of you, a harmony of moving parts and matching heartbeats the longer the two of you spent in the mirage of a budding romance. At times, it was so simple, so effortless that the two of you forgot about the arrangement and just fell into natural patterns of him picking you up for work on his days off or you going to his place for dinner on Saturday nights before work.

Even your pestering aunt seemed to feel that a new leaf had turned as she walked the two of you on the picnic tables during the day before the Hard Deck would open. Deep in your work, you would sit barefoot with your legs up on his thick thighs and his lean fingertips would massage your calves as he read his newest book or bathed in the heat of the sun.

When the Summer months passed and September came and went, Javy was convinced the two of you inaudibly changed your relationship status for real. It made him incredibly happy. What made him even more happy was hearing that the two of you were planning to match your Halloween costumes for the party that Phoenix and Aries were hosting together.

“You want to go as cowboys?” Jake asks as he walks you home from work one night, arm wrapped protectively around your shoulders. He couldn’t help but crack a smile just looking down at you, bundled up in his old heather gray naval academy sweatshirt. Your hand skimmed across his toned stomach delicately, grazing your fingertips over the flesh on his exposed hipbone. A shiver runs through the man which makes you giggle.

“Why not?”

“I’m from Texas darlin’,” Jake’s drawl is thick and factual, “It’s a bit on the nose, no?”

You pull away from him as your porch comes into view, back to the home as you stare at him. He’s sunkissed to the gods and with the quiet desk time he’s had before the new group of recruits start, a scruff has begun to scrap his sharp jawline. Over the weeks of your agreement, he had been scaling back on the stiff gel. It left his hair soft and so fluffy that you couldn’t help but run your hands through it any chance you got, even tugging on it teasingly in gentle moments. “Maybe I want to see you in your truest form.”

If Jake caught something in your tone, he didn’t show his cards. You walk through the thick tension until you’re on the top step of your porch, glancing down at the beautiful man in front of you. “Thank you for,” the sound of a car rumbles down the dark neighborhood road and without taking my eyes off his emerald greens, you know the driver in an instant.

Jake steps up, the way you know you can count on him for and he steps up just a step with his hands up. “Say something mean,” he demands, intense gaze on your face as you frown.

“Excuse me?”

“Keep that cute, annoyed look on your face and say something mean to me,” Jake repeats, holding his hands up like he’s trying to defend himself. “He’ll think it’s weird that we were at a distance from each other. So, give me something to try to charm my way back into your arms,” Jake challenges and you narrow your eyes at him, jaw clenched.

“I can’t believe you wouldn’t let me buy an extra book today,” you grumble, shoving him lightly for good measure so he steps off the porch. His brows raise at the sudden motion, and it almost causes a giggle to roll through you. But it doesn’t last because suddenly, Jake’s in your space and clouding your judgement.

He’s fogging up your brain as he takes the steps quick enough to grab your face between his gentle hands. The leather of the watch his father gifted him after graduation roughs against your jaw. It’s delicious. “Is that the best you’ve got?” His tone is taunting and it’s brewing something in your lower tummy in a way you haven’t experienced in a while.

“You make it hard to be mean,” you breath out, hands shoving without much effort at his chest. You muster all the strength of Meryl Streep before shoving him back again, down into the yard. “I don’t want to look at you right now, I can’t believe you.”

He’s getting that whiplash again, your loud and sharp tone something he never wants to experience again. It tugs at his heart strings and suddenly he feels like he’s begging not to leave your side, begging to stay. He watches you turn away from him, toward the door where you try to collect your keys slowly and shakily. “Please,” he’s suddenly whimpering behind you, but you can’t look now. You’ll break and tell him that you don’t want to look anywhere but him. That he’s the only one on your mind. Just as you get your key into the slot, rough hands are grabbing your hips and spinning you around to press you softly against the doorframe.

Jake’s mouth is soft and begging as it slots over yours, moving almost skittishly as he clutches at the soft material by your waist to tug you closer to his body. Your hands slide up his chest, against the strong muscles of his shoulders as you nibble on his bottom lip before you stop kissing back. You push him away but this time, Jake’s prepared and he only steps back once, twice before he’s back.

He grabs your cheeks and tugs you to him as he kisses you again. This time, the porch disappears around you when his lips pepper your neck, and the rumbling of the car is lost in the way Jake’s jeans rub against your thighs. Jake knows exactly where your sweet spot is on the crux of your neck, wet kisses skim along your collarbone as you step backward. Your hand finds the doorknob behind you, twisting awkwardly to step into the house. Your fingers run over the buttons of his shirt and clench, tugging his shirt with your eyes locked as he follows you inside.

He kicks the door shut behind him and locks it swiftly, his chest rising and falling as you stare at each other in the silence of your small home. Without looking away, Jake toes of his boots and steps tentatively toward you with slow hands. It’s a stark contrast to the hot and heated moments out on the porch outside but you were more than okay with this Jake; soft and hesitant.

“I don’t think we’re Oscar worthy yet,” his lips are swollen and pink, inviting as he takes a deep breath.

His minty breath fans over you as you kick off your shoes, eyes searching his flushed face. “Method actors rarely get awards,” the comment makes him chuckle as you slowly tug him to the couch. “Can we…”

“Yes,” he murmurs before he kisses you again, his strength tugging you onto his lap as you forget everything but each other’s mouths.

Taglist: 

@luckyladycreator2

@ceilingfann

@rosiahills22

@child-of-sunshine

@callsign-scully

@hopefulinlove

@cevans-winchester

@double-j

@blue-aconite

@callsign-hummingbird

@romanoff13-blog-BLOG

@rosiahills22

@kajjaka

@sylviaes99

@chaoticassidy

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

YESS I LOVE WHEN YOU DO THIS!!!

🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

✉️✉️✉️✉️✉️

Thank you I’m so excited!!

THANK YOU! I love doing this.

Here are 21 new sentences for 🌿:

( @goldenbcnes )

---

Eddie doesn’t say a word about what’s happened with Buck and Maddie when he gets to work. 

He’s still at the 118; he’s Hen’s lead paramedic these days. Chim has long since moved to a teaching position at the Fire Academy. So, from the 118 team of old, only Eddie, Hen, and Ravi remain. Given how closer and interwoven their lives still are, Hen might very well already know from Chim about Buck and Maddie’s argument, might already have her own opinions. It’s not for Eddie to bring it up. 

Besides, Eddie feels off about the whole thing. He feels like Buck and Maddie have stepped directly into some sort of trap. No one was fighting before their parents came. No one had any tension. Eddie has seen firsthand Margaret Buckley’s vitriol. Maybe he’s being ridiculous, given that she’s sick. Maybe it’s Eddie’s own history of quiet mental chess with his own parents bubbling to the surface. But they’re in town for two days with an agenda of accessing care from their estranged children, and already, they’ve divided and conquered. 

Eddie is unsure how to approach this train of thought. He has decided to take time to think it through. He doesn’t want to make things worse for Buck or Nico. Or Maddie, Chim, and Jee.

Which is why it turns out to be a stroke of good fortune when Chim shows up at the station between calls. 

He does this sometimes. So does Bobby.

---

24 for 🩸:

---

If this is what Eddie is dealing with, then Buck will become the fucking expert. 

He’s been home from the hospital for about twelve hours. He’s feeling disgusting - caged and unlike himself - but mostly fine. The blood loss related lethargy is fading, replaced simply by emotional lethargy. The wounds on his neck are healing faster than he might have expected. It hardly even hurts anymore. It’s just a scab overtop lightly bruised skin. The doctors said there will probably be two small puncture mark scars. Buck might be glad for them, for the proof that Eddie isn’t really gone, if he doesn’t suspect they will give people a reason to look at him twice. 

Tommy brought him home, to the loft. It reminds him of when Ali brought him back after his leg was crushed. Though he’s far less dependent on Tommy for help than he was on her, then. He’s in far less pain. But he feels just as singular minded now as he had then. Then, the target was getting back to work. 

It’s a little different now.

Tommy hasn’t left and Buck wishes he would. Not because he’s done anything particularly wrong, but because he can’t trust him with this. He can’t trust anyone with this, not yet. But he needs to process that all the same, so he needs to be alone. 

Unfortunately, he doesn’t go about it the best way. 

“What do you want for lunch?” Tommy asks, while Buck is planted in front of the TV, watching ongoing news coverage. “I can order us something.”

---

And 15 for ✉️:

---

Dear Chris,

Do you like the sea turtle stamp? I know you do. Anyway, I had to send you this one today, because we had a call at the museum! Isn’t that cool? Okay, well not cool for the guy who got impaled when a mammoth display fell over, but in general, cool.

He’s okay! Remains to be seen for the mammoth. But, that means, I got to TOUCH the mammoth skeleton. With gloves. And very carefully. And only when Hen and Chim said I could. But still. Your dad got to lift up the tusk! It looked kind of badass, I won’t lie.

Bet you’re jealous! We can go when you’re back and I’ll show you what bones I got to touch.

---

[they-reap-what-we-sow]

WHAT goes on at the madney wedding????

my observations as an expert (went to detective academy when I was 10):

Eddie(named such for my own ease) is Shirtless: my first instinct says that Buck's shirt got dirty first. that suit calls for a button-up not a t-shirt, but Eddie could definitely have worn a t-shirt and then when WHATEVER went down- Eddie gave his (it might even just be his undershirt??) up and Buck got that one dirty too.

Wine Stain on Buck: there's a patch on his leg, and then also a splatter on his shirt, but they're not connected in a way that seems to be congruent?? either the costuming department stained them separately, or buck was sitting when he got splashed (maybe a wine glass fell over into his lap) but more iMPORTANTLY

Wine Stain on Eddie's Pocket: EDDIE WAS SITTING NEXT TO BUCK WHEN THIS WINE INCIDENT HAPPENED! maybe even he was sitting next to buck instead of Natalia who got mad and - sorry I got distracted by my delusions, but yeah, Eddie only has that splash on his left pocket so either he hugged buck who's shirt was covered in wine or he was sitting next to him and got splashed

Burn on Buck's Pant: what is a emergency personnel's wedding without a little emergency? I think we've likely got a small fire at the wedding in some form, not a major deal? but something enough to spook maddie (which is a whole other can of worms that I believe is gonna happen)

Food(?) Stains on Buck's Shirt and Pant: the spread of these stains is BEWILDERING. like, one patch at the shoulder, one at the leg?? how does that even happen. I'm putting it down to Buck gets bumped into by someone holding food, but the way the stain is on a separate layer of his (Eddie's) shirt and the jacket is inch resting... we will have to see

General Black Scuffs on Both: first off. Eddie's are on his knees. I had to take fifteen minutes to look at that and be normal. this is a family hour show they would never do that. anyways, moving on. I have seen similar stains before, and most commonly it comes with trying to portray grease? like from cars and things? so these may be from a broken down car that the two of them work together to try and fix- maybe the post-wedding getaway car thing isn't working? but it probably comes pre-wedding, if my guess is right.

tragically, this means that Ryan's hair wasn't a delicious, delicious choice, it's the result of whatever drama they just went through at the wedding, but also a win because that hair's gonna be on the show for us to replay again and again!!

like I said, I am a fully qualified expert and these are all things that I am guessing on based on my limited understanding- but also if im right you all owe me a soda

please let every one of those stains be from a dramatic near death Buddie confession 🙏🏼