#casey's voice control is just *chefs kiss*

[moxfirefly]

How about 187. “I know I kissed you before, but I didn’t do it right. Can I try again?” for Bayverse Mikey and a Fem!Reader ♡ maybe a akward love confession that turns out to be mutual? Thank you! ♡♡♡

*several chef kisses* YES YES YES

Also everyone please follow her she’s a brilliant writer 😫👌

A little awkward but so sweet with the Mikester 🧡

Rated Feelsy/Romantic/Everyone

The city’s going to hell.

It’s evident from the chaos and destruction. Crime has skyrocketed and that ‘every man for himself’ motto has never looked more real than right now. The riots have gotten out of control, fires, looting and anarchy all wrapped up in such a lovely bow.

The division of gangs, cops and mutants has led to an all out war. You’ve never feared the streets more than now, and even as the fires spread theres still some good left within the population and you yourself cling to those.

You wanted to help the guys however you could, wanted to help the city that you had come to love so much. This doesn’t have to be the blood tainted story it’s destined to be, so you take to the streets, you protest, you do what you need to survive.

One night though, one night everything changes.

Shit goes sideways, a dissarangement of gargantuan proportions that leaves an endless wave of pain. In the midst of it all you’re trapped within the hell of it all but naturally you know you’ve got friends in high places to save you.

Michelangelo lands with a thud on the rooftop, you secured in his arms. A chorus of explosions ring out which make him hold onto you tightly. He takes a knee and sets you down, cupping your face.

“Are you ok?! Are you hurt?!” You shake your head vigorously, the adrenaline has you breathing rapidly but it looks to be that Mikey isn’t too far behind. The soundtrack of bullets, screaming and more explosions rise. Mikey looks out to the chaos, his radio is going off with what sounds like Donnie yelling for a meet up point. Mikey’s blue eyes jump from you to the city below.

“Go, I’m fine, just please be safe, please Mikey, you hear me?” Your voice is shakey as you rise to your feet, there’s dirt and debris and sweat on you. Mikey looks back at you, he’s nervous, maybe even scared shitless with the world going to hell in a hand basket below the two of you.

Fuck it.

You don’t register lips on yours, it’s a hard collide not so much finess and more teeth against teeth than anything but you can’t help but grip Mikey’s shoulders and do your best to kiss back.

Mikey pulls away when his radio goes off again, Raph’s loud voice booming through it. “I-I, shit look I’ll be back!” He gives you a scared smile before running off and jumping into the night.

You stand there, breathing hard still but you can’t help but feel your cheeks flush.

_____________________

The sewers feel colder than usual.

You had made your way towards the Lair with Casey and April, right now it was the safest place. The hum of the riots can be felt but you keep your gaze glued to nothing. The adrenaline has left and all that remains is worry and sleep deprivation.

It’s nearly dawn when the secret entrance for the garage sounds off. Casey’s conked out so hard he doesn’t stir, April throws a blanket on him as the boys roll in looking worse for wear but thankfully safe above it all. April stands, relief washing over her as she sees them.

Your relief is evident, even more so when you spot Mikey. The two of you find one another, he’s limping slightly but you take the extra steps to get to him and wrap your arms around him. The exhaustion hits and an overwhelming need to collapse can be felt, the nights traumatic events feel to fresh.

What if he hadn’t shown up? What if right now she wasn’t hugging him?

“Mikey I-“

“I know I kissed you before but I didn’t do it right, can I try again?”

He says it right against your neck and before he can regret his choice of words you’re grabbing his face and pressing your lips against his own. You don’t care that everyone’s there and that possibly the sudden silence is due to the two of you. Mikey’s arm wrap neatly around your waist pulling you flush’s against him as he tilts his head to better mold his lips to yours.

It’s tender, somewhat shy but everything you could’ve said can be felt right this moment, crashed against him in a wave of emotion that threatens to drown out all the hell. You feel it all here in the now with Mikey pouring all of his love.

For the first time in all of this despair, you feel safe.

[princessfbi]

Sleepover Friday extension whenever you get a chance:) book recs and any books you might have fancasted buck/Eddie in??

Hi Nonnie!!! Books Books Books!!! Yes! Now I must admit that I fell off my book loving wagon for a hot second because I was going through a bit of a lull in life (please see the almost two years I didn't write fic) but I am getting back into the swing of things so this may seem a little all over the place.

One of my favorite books EVER is The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashare (the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). It was kind of my first "adult" book that I read as a teenager and it's a soft beach romance and I just love it.

Anything by Brigid Kemmerer is amazing but specifically The Elemental Series for all you whump lovers! It's about four brothers who can control the elements and the feelings and whump are just *chef kiss* There's five books in the series and I will admit that the last one was a little disappointing but the FEELINGS are just UGHHHHHHH! I love it!

Another of her books I would recommend is Letters of the Lost! I think it's maybe one of her best books yet. She's known for her fantasy series but those contemporary books are just amazing.

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is great! It's New Adult and actually partially inspired my Prince Buck AU

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall is DEFINITELY one I would consider doing for a Buddie fic. It's fake dating chaos and so British I love it. Basically Luc O'Donnell is the love child of two former 80s pop stars and the paparazzi love to hound him even though he has almost no relationship whatsoever with his dad (a former wild child turned comeback story). To save his job, Luc has to clean up his image and decides to fake date a friend of a friend, Oliver. Except... Oliver and Luc do not get along. But Oliver needs to bring a date to a big family get together (so that his family will get off his back and stop treating him like dirt) so he agrees. Dumb boys being dumb.

I would would cast Buck in the Luc role and Eddie as the Oliver role because... Well, read the book and you'll see.

I've read a few other books by this author and it's just so soft! I love them!

Another book series that I'd love to see Buddie in.... Well.... just imagine them in those exy uniforms. NOW LISTEN OKAY! I recognize that The Foxhole Court and the entire All for The Game series by Nora Sakavic is a mess BUT IT'S SUCH A GOOD MESS! GOD! I love that book series so much. Once you suspend your sense of reality (because literally everything bad that could happen DID happen with those characters) you get swept up in this tense, found family feels and I just... PICTURE BUCK AND EDDIE IN THE EXY UNIFORMS.

Now, I didn't read this series because no matter how hard I tried I just could not get on board with Clary's voice BUT I would also love a shadowhunters!Buddie. It would make sense to have Buck be the shadowhunter and Eddie be a warlock but imagine Buck as the warlock and Eddie being the shadowhunter. Imagine the CHAOS. The FEELINGS. EDDIE WITH THE TATTOOS! BUCK'S EYES GLOW AND I FEEL LIKE HIS PART OF HIS WARLOCK MARK WOULD BE SCALES ON HIS FACE (LIKE EITHER A DRAGON OR LIKE FISH SCALES THAT GLOW).

Definitely isn't working on a Buddie A Discovery of Witches AU nope not me! 👀

I just finish writing and editing my own manuscript and I don't tend to read a lot when I'm doing that but I've got a nice stack of books waiting for me to crack open!

Send Me Sleepover Weekend! Asks

[mikeshanlon]

Happy Pride! .... Like... more than halfway through the month lmao sorry, better late than never ig! I’ve compiled a list of some of my fave LGBT+ books, as well as a few I’m planning to read for pride/in the near future. Please feel free to reblog and add some of your own recs, especially for the sexual and gender identities that are lacking in my list!!!!!

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz: This beautiful, wholesome coming of age novel is pretty popular on tumblr and with good reason! It’s set in the 1980′s and follows Aristotle, aka "Ari”, as he grows up an tackles with his identity-- he feels like his story is written by someone else, that his path is not up to his control. Whether this is due to his complex relationship with his family, or societal expectations/stereotypes of Latinx men, or the fact that maybe his friendship with Dante might be more than that, and that kinda terrifies him. (Rep: Gay, Latinx, (I believe this is own voices) Warnings: it’s been a minute since i’ve read this but i believe some racism, internalized homophobia, and an instance of violent transphobia)

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: LGKNLKNGRG okay this is truly one of my favorite books of the year so far and part of the whole reason i wanted to make this. This is a New Adult Contemporary romance set in sort of a like... parallel America where a woman won the presidential election. We follow The First Son, Alex Claremont-Diaz, who’s charming, smart ass, genius icon. Him, his sister June, and their best friend Nora are easily marketable and loved by the public for the most part, but when Alex and his rival Prince Henry of England get into a public spat at a Royal Wedding, Alex and Henry must pretend to be friends to patch up relations and public image for his mother’s re-election campaign. Eventually their fake friendship turns real, and then becomes more as they get to know each other, Alex and Henry begin a secret romance that we follow over the course of the re-election year. This book is fucking HILARIOUS (like I have so many tabs for funny moments and i was trying to be restrained), but it’s just so. Like full of love and hope and it’s so beautiful???? It’s definitely political escapism from our current situation in America but still deals with current issues such as racism and homopboia, etc, but gives the reader hope for future progress. Alex and Henry’s relationship is so fun, and sexy, and beautiful and the friendships are so iconic and Alex’s journey with sexuality is... chefs kiss. Also like. Casey McQuiston mentioned that she listened to Texas Reznikoff by Mitski a lot while writing this in the acknowledgments so. what more do you need... (Rep: Bisexual (Own Voices), Gay, Biracial-- Mexican/White (Own Voices), Warnings: Racism, homophobia, mentions of a past sexual harrassment/assault. Since this is a New Adult, there are smut scenes. I wouldn’t say it’s like. Super explicit or anything but there is sex, though it’s often during Important Moments of their relationships so it doesn’t feel like p*rn-- again the sex is happening but its not in hella explicit detail or anything or for the same goal as say an erotica. P much proceed with caution if it’s not ur thing but it’s not too wild!)

Blanca y Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore: This is sort of a Snow White/Rose Red and Ugly Duckling retelling following two sisters, Blanca and Roja, who’s family curse destines that one of the sisters will be trapped into a swan’s body, never to be seen again. (So this is magical realism lmao). We also follow two boys, Page and Yearling, who were wrapped up in the magic of the nearby woods, but have returned to society. Page is a gender queer trans male, and his whole arc that was so beautiful and made me cry, but in a good way (also warning that I’m cis so like. I would love to hear what gender queer trans individuals think about the rep in this book bc I cannot really attest to it.) This book is really about sisterly love and love in general, with all the complexities that come with it. (also wlw grandma’s who grow apple’s it’s p iconic) (Rep: Latinx-- colorism plays a huge role in the story as well (Own Voices), Gender Queer Trans, Queer (Own Voices) Warnings: Some transphobia, racism, and abuse). (I believe most of Anna-Marie McLemore’s books are magical realism and have some Latinx and queer elements to them as well)

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: god..... This (gay ass) novelization of The Illiad is just so tragically romantic and beautiful... We follow Achilles and Patroclus as they grow up and grow closer, and eventually fight the Trojan War. There are so many beautiful quotes and scenes but like. You will most likely cry so keep that in mind eklrgerg. (Rep: Gay Warnings: Violence, there’s like..... a weird r*pe/homophobic scene)

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan: YA Fantasy set in a world where there are three castes: Moon-- the highest caste, demons with animalistic features in a humanoid form, Steel-- humans with part demon physical features and abilities, and Paper-- fully human, the lowest caste. We follow our protaganist Lei, who despite being a Paper caste, has beautiful golden glowing eyes that end up garnering attention from the Demon King. She’s stolen from her home and forced to join The Paper Girls-- a group of paper caste concubines in training at the palace. As she tries to find a way to escape, she ends up falling for one of the other paper girls, Wren, who might be just the key to freedom. I love Lei and Wren’s relationship and I’m excited to see it play out in the sequel! (which i believe ngan said will introduce more LGBT characters) (Rep: Asian (Own Voices), WLW (I believe this is Own Voices as well). Warnings: As their role as concubines suggest, a large part of this book revolves around the patriarchy using women for power and sexual assualt/rape. There are no explicit rape scenes-- though they do occur ‘off screen’, however there are a couple attempted sexual assault scenes that I believe could be p triggering. This book is also largely about the Paper Girls taking back their power, and I don’t believe these scenes are done for shock value, however please proceed with caution. Subsequently, sexist and patriarchial views are present within the authority, though shunned by Lei, however there’s a lot of internalized sexism and objectification among some of the other Paper Girls.)

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell: I probably don’t have to talk about this one much since it’s super popular, but in what is like essentially Harry Potter but like gay and wholesome, we follow Simon Snow, the Chosen One who’s actually not that good at magic, his best friend Penelope, and his roommate and arch nemesis that’s totally a vampire but won’t admit it, Baz. (Except Baz is, like, totally in love with Simon and Simon’s just too dumb and wrapped up in his own shit to realize it). Truly just,... an iconic enemies to friends to lovers story that unfolds as the three of them try to uncover a mystery surrounding Baz’s late mother. Ik some people have found it confusing bc it’s sort of like starting the Harry Potter story off at book 7 and only getting some background info along the way but honestly I really enjoyed that lmao. Also there’s a sequel coming out this fall, Wayward Son. (Rep: Gay, Some POC rep. Warnings: not rlly any i dont think??? There’s  like. some Homophobia lmao bc we can’t have a gay book without it.)

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins: This is a cute YA contemporary following Millie Quint who, post being cheated on by her best friend and wanting to have a fresh start, flies to Scotland to finish off her senior year at her Dream prestigous boarding school, joining a handful of other girls as the first female class in the institution’s history. Plus like. Cool Rocks and Scotland. Only problem is that her roomate is sort of a bitch and also the Princess of Scotland who she totally just told off. So yeah yet another royal gay enemies to friends to lovers with a dash of and they were roomates LMAO. This book could be like.... a bit cheesy and rushed but overall it was cute and like...... The Cover.... (Rep: Bisexual, Lesbian, Warnings: Some homophobia. Also this is a companion novel to Prince Charming but you don’t have to read that first, there’s just some references to the couple in that book as the Prince is well.... The Princess’ brother and where they end up so if you don’t wanna be spoiled read that first ig!)

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman: I talked about this some in this post, but I feel like I did kinda a shitty job so. A YA fantasy/paranormal series about the descendant’s of the town’s four founding families-- Violet Saunders, Justin Hawthorne, Harper Carlisle, and Isaac Sullivan (the most iconic one). The latter three have lived in Four Paths their whole lives, protecting the town from The Gray-- p much the Upside Down from Stranger Things lmao, using powers specific to each of their families. Violet and her mother move back after Violet’s sister died in a car accident, and she’s thrust into helping save the town as the Gray grows more restless and having to uncover the secrets of her family as well as all the history brewing between the other three. The Stranger Things and Riverdale comparisons are p valid, (but like. Riverdale in the sense of small town secrets and a bunch of tense history that the kids don’t really understand and must uncover, and some like love triangle but..... not Rlly Love triangles just a mess of ppl being like oh shit i like this person and this person.... Bisexual Chaos if u will... not like. The I’m cuckoo bananas for u let’s go get high and play dungeons and dragons and smash in a bunker LRGKJRLKGJ), the Raven Cycle comparison’s are kind of a stretch, I can see the abstract comparison’s if i squint but like. Don’t go into this expecting TRC lmao. I really enjoyed the theme of grief throughout this book and seeing the powers unfold (and one of the dynamics a lot) and while not perfect the series has a lot of potential and like. Bisexuals. So. (Rep: Bisexual (two mc’s are bi and say the word!!!!!!!! As well as some secondary characters), Disabled (one of the mc’s is missing one arm from the elbow down). Warnings: Grief, Violence)

The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee: Also talked about this in this post and did a better job there, but to sum it up it’s essentially a friends to lovers, bed sharing, road trip au with a dash of magic but set in the 1700′s! There’s also a sequel/companion, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy that I have yet to read but it follows Monty’s sister, Felicity, and I believe goes more in depth with her identity. (Rep: Gay, Black, Disabled, Aromantic, Asexual, Warnings: Period typical homophobia/biphobia, racism, ableism, sexism)

Simon vs. The Homosapien’s Agenda by Becky Albertalli: Like. I don’t think i really have to explain this one LRKGJJRG but added it just in case. YA contemporary following Simon as he e-mails another gay student at his school and falls in love. (Rep: Gay, Black, Jewish, Warnings: Homophobia)

All For the Game Trilogy (The Foxhole Court, The Raven King, The King’s Men) by Nora Sakavic: If y’all have been on my blog at all you know i’m back in aftg hyperfixation mode after another reread lmao. Is it a lil messy is it a lil dramatic... yes. but i love it!!! We follow our protagonist Neil Josten, who’s been on the run from his crime lord father, The Butcher of Baltimore, since he was young. After his mother dies on the run, Neil finds a new place and adopts yet another identity, and ends up playing high school exy (a made up sport but like we’re barely here for the sports lmao), something he used to play as a child. Despite playing a new position, he attracts the attention of the PSU Foxes, who’s coach David Wymack specifically recruits players with a troubled past to give them a second chance. Neil really shouldn’t sign-- it goes against everything his mother told him, it puts him at risk of being in the spotlight for his father’s men to find him, and puts him on the same team as Kevin Day, someone from his past that knows his true identity. Still, something draws Neil to joining the team, to finally try to live instead of just survive. UGHHHH like truly this book just makes u fall in love with all the characters and the beautiful and broken found family that develops over three books and one of the most iconic and amazing (ha....) slowburn relationships ever.... Also if i recall they’re super cheap on iBooks (at least when i bought them, the first book was free and the other two were $1.99). (Rep: Gay, Demisexual, POC, Warnings: MAJOR trigger warnings for like. everything bc all the foxes have fucked up pasts. But the biggest ones are probably rape, abuse/torture, and substance abuse)

Six of Crows Duology (Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom) by Leigh Bardugo: Idk how much I really have to talk about this bc it’s popular but I am physically unably not to reccomend this duology bc its just. So. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. The most barebones summary is that this is a YA Fantasy about six people coming together to perform an impossible heist. This is truly like...... a masterclass in developing characters and has one of the best m/f ships i’ve ever read... But also since it’s on here there is some gay shit going on, 3/6 mains are Not Straight and there’s a cute m/m couple! Also you don’t have to read the Grisha Trilogy to read this but u can if u want (I have yet to). (Rep: Bisexual, Gay, Disabled, POC, Warnings: Again these ppl have fucked up pasts, biggest are PTSD, past sexual abuse)

The Raven Cycle Series (The Raven Boys, The Dream Theives, Blue Lily Lily Blue, The Raven King) by Maggie Steifvater: Again i don’t think I really have to explain this one but like. In case you haven’t read this series it’s truly iconic..... Idk even how to explain this LKGJLJRG just like magical realism wonderfulness and found family and amazing relationships and shit.... (Rep: Gay, Bisexual, Disabled, Warnings: Abuse)

The following are books I plan to read for pride/in the near future. I can’t wholeheartedly reccomend them obviously, or fully detail all the rep/warnings, but I’ve heard some great things about these books and a lot of them have representation that the first part of the list is lacking, so I figured I would add them! (Also if I use ‘queer’ that’s because that’s the only label I have been given by the authors or reviewers, or the characters identify as queer)

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman: To my knowledge this is a really emotional YA coming of age/college story that has to do with like. A podcast? Idk a lot of people love it and side note I’ll be suing B&N bc they NEVER have it relkj (Rep: Bisexual, Demisexual, I belive Latinx.)

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand: I believe this is a YA horror-ish novel where there’s a monster stealing girls on and island. (Rep: I believe all three main girls are queer Warnings: Since this is horror im assuming. Horror stuff LMAO)

I Wish You all The Best by Mason Deaver: A YA contemporary romance about Ben who comes out as non-binary to their parents and gets kicked out, and moves in with their estranged sister. They soon are taken under the wing of a senior named Nathan Allan and begin to fall. (Rep: Non-Binary (Own Voices), MLM/Queer, Black (im assuming from the gorgeous cover lmao. Warnings: Misgendering, homophobia, anxiety, depression)

Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno: YA Magical Realism about Georgina, who has yet to inherit the magical powers that have been passed down her family, including her twin sister Mary who, unlike Georgina, is coming into her powers. (Rep: Lesbian, Queer, Aro/Ace, Warnings: Rape and sexual assault, underage drinking, animal death, drug use.)

[dettiot]

Fic: Winner, Winner! (Chuck)

Winner, Winner! By @dettiot Fandom: Chuck Couple: Chuck/Sarah Rating: PG Summary: Chuck and Sarah participate in a charity auction to learn more about where his mom might be. Set between Chuck vs. the Anniversary and Chuck vs. the Suitcase.  Notes: Written for the “Bidding War” prompt on my @fluffbingo card. Hope you enjoy this visit from fandoms past!

XXX

Standing in a line of tuxedo-ed bad guys, Chuck Bartowski felt distinctly out of place. Not just because he was really out of practice at the whole spy gig, but because . . . well, even with all the working out he had been doing, and the shorter haircut that had removed most of his curls, he stuck out like a sore thumb around here. 

The guy in front of him could flex his neck like it was his bicep. How was that even possible? The guy in front of that guy had loudly told everyone his suits were custom made by “Mr. Versace” because “off the rack, never woulda fit, ya know.” Then he twisted into a bodybuilding pose and everyone nodded in silent agreement that no, an off the rack tuxedo would have never fit that guy. 

Resisting the urge to tug at his tie, Chuck reminded himself Sarah was out in the audience, so at least he would receive one bid. But more than just preventing him from being embarrassed at this bachelor auction for charity, the bid would be the signal to their contact. And once they had gotten the intel from the anonymous yet vetted informant, they would be one step closer to finding his mom. 

It wasn’t ideal, being forced back into working for the CIA, lying to Ellie, and being at Beckman’s beck and call, but . . . he was working with Sarah and Casey again, and he was going to make it up to Ellie--all the lying, all the secrets--by bringing their mother home. Hopefully in time to meet her grandchild. 

Chuck was distracted from how crazy-amazing it was, for his sister to be pregnant, by a round of enthusiastic clapping from the overly-thin, overly-Botoxed woman running this show. “All right, all right, bachelors!” she cried out in Russian-accented English. “It is time! Please follow me.” 

Squaring his shoulders and reminding himself that he belonged amongst this lineup of bodybuilder bachelors, Chuck filed out onto a stage with the rest of the men, the music loud and pounding as they entered the hotel ballroom for tonight’s charity bachelor auction.

It took him a moment to place the song that was playing, and then he wanted to laugh. Because Chuck never thought he would hear a Russian version of “It’s Raining Men.” 

Standing on the stage with the rest of Russia’s Next Top Henchman, Chuck clasped his hands behind his back and tried to look like the millionaire software developer he was supposed to be. He gave what he hoped was a charming smile to the women crowding the stage: women who were whooping and cheering and waving their bidding paddles. They were all very pretty, he had to admit. But he only had eyes for one woman. 

Sarah was hanging back a bit, playing the woman of mystery role tonight. In her skin-tight black dress, long cigarette holder, and big dark glasses, she certainly looked the part, Chuck thought. And with the red wig she was wearing, he was getting serious Mary Jane Watson vibes from her. Perhaps at some point, they could do the upside-down Spider-man kiss? That would be so hot. 

He watched as she lowered her glasses and made very deliberate eye contact with him. 

“Time to put on the ol’ Bartowski-pretending-to-be-Carmichael charm,” he reminded himself silently, before giving her a smolder in return. 

Thanks to knowing a lot about Sarah Walker, Chuck caught how her lips twitched for a split-second. And he knew that meant she was doing all she could to shove down a giggle--not because he was laughable, but because they had so much fun being around each other. Instead of letting it out, Sarah stuck to her part. She slid her glasses back up and ambled towards the stage, fanning herself a little with her paddle, just as the auctioneer stepped up to the podium and began the auction. 

The first few bachelors prompted a flurry of bidding, the women eager to get their hands on their chosen partners for the evening. It did make Chuck wonder why these kind of charity auctions even existed. It all felt a little too pre-Civil War for his liking, although maybe it was more his sour grapes at knowing he wasn’t the kind of man anyone here was looking for. 

Chuck looked back at Sarah, seeing how she gave him a tiny little head nod, and he felt warmth go through his body at her silent support. Especially now that it was his turn.

“Gentleman number five: Ivan Ivanovich Ivanov, hereditary Count of Dragov and software millionaire. Come forward, sir, and allow all our lovely ladies to see you!” 

The auctioneer’s voice was overly jovial, like he knew there was no chance in hell Chuck would be bid upon, and Chuck did his best not to take it personally. Stepping towards the edge of the stage, he smiled and waved at the crowd, noticing how lackluster their applause was. 

“Count Ivanov enjoys sailing, fine dining, and the symphony in his free time. He is offering to take the lucky winner of his date on a Neva river cruise in his seventy-foot luxury yacht, with dinner personally cooked by top chef Dmitry Blinov!” 

That got a bit of a response, but honestly, Chuck wasn’t really noticing the other women right now. Not with how Sarah was slowly and sensually licking her lips as she looked at him. He could feel his ears going red and tried not to get distracted. 

“May I start the bidding at three hundred thousand rubles?” the auctioneer cried out, doing his best to whip the crowd into their previous frenzy. “Remember, ladies, it’s for charity!”

With a lazy yet elegant motion, Sarah lifted her paddle, numbered sixty-two. The auctioneer looked around the room, then sighed. “Anyone want to top this bid with three hundred and ten?” he asked, sounding as if he knew the answer to that question. 

Chuck knew Sarah’s paddle number was the signal to the informant, so he tried not to feel bad about only going for just under ten thousand US dollars, when the lowest-winning bid so far had been in the neighborhood of twenty thousand. But he couldn’t help feeling a twinge of self-doubt--something he had thought he had gotten past once Sarah had looked at him and said, “I want to quit the spy life and be with you.” 

The conversational buzz and auction pamphlet rustling grew louder as everyone prepared for this particular bachelor to be sold quickly, but then a soft, high-pitched voice called out, “Three hundred and fifty.” 

Chuck could see Sarah’s eyes widen, even behind her dark glasses. All heads in the room whipped around, towards a thin, dark-haired, big-eyed woman in a dress as pale as her skin. She held aloft her paddle and repeated, “Three hundred and fifty.” 

The words were barely out of her mouth before Sarah said, “Three hundred seventy-five.” She was attempting to sound bored, but Chuck could hear the ripple of anger underneath. 

The young woman stepped closer to the stage. “Four hundred,” she countered, giving Chuck a shy smile. 

He smiled back in dumbfounded amazement, because he just couldn’t believe this was happening. 

“Four hundred and twenty-five,” called out another woman, smirking slightly. 

There was an actual bidding war happening for him!

The third woman dropped out fairly quickly, leaving the bidding to Sarah and the dark-haired waif. As it kept going, and the auctioneer really got into it, Chuck leaned towards the man beside him. “Who is she?” he asked, pointing at the other woman.

The man snorted. “Some kind of smart guy, bro, if you don’t know Anna Krovopuskov.” At Chuck’s lack of reaction, the man shook his head. “Krovopuskovs are bodyguards. Name means ‘to shed blood’. They protect bigwigs, going back to Imperialist days. Made big bucks. And Anna is the last of her line.” 

“She’s a bodyguard?” Chuck asked in disbelief. “She looks more breakable than me.” 

“Appearances are deceiving, bro,” the man replied. “You’re up to seven hundred thousand, and the redhead looks mad enough to be dumber than you.” 

Turning his head, Chuck locked eyes with Sarah and couldn’t help agreeing with the man. Sarah’s jaw was clenched and her knuckles were white around the handle of her paddle. Her voice sounded clipped as she kept bidding against Anna. He tried to tell her with his eyes that she didn’t need to do this--it didn’t matter if she won the auction, because this was all about signaling their contact. 

He couldn’t deny that his self-doubt had vanished, though, thanks to the bidding war and how Sarah was fighting for him, but he could just imagine how Beckman would react if Sarah spent--he quickly calculated--thirty thousand dollars when it wasn’t necessary. 

“A million rubles!” Sarah snapped, prompting a hush to fall over the crowd, before their heads all turned to look towards Anna Krovopuskov.

“Two million,” she said, sounding serene but timid. 

Everyone knew the auction was over, even before Sarah’s shoulders slumped and she lowered her paddle. Because who would have thought the nerd would go for so much? 

As the auctioneer brought down his hammer to a round of applause, Chuck looked at Sarah and, taking a risk, mouthed “It’s okay.” Then, at the prompting of the auctioneer, Chuck stepped down from the stage and went over to Anna, taking her hand and doing his best to act as his cover dictacted. 

Chuck could see Sarah making her way over to the bar, where Casey was stationed in his usual bartender role, and hoped he wouldn’t tease her too much for losing control of the bidding. Together, Sarah and Casey could meet with the informant and get the intel--Chuck trusted them. They knew how important the search for his mother was. 

For now, though . . . he had a fake date to go on. 

XXX

Why did his first dates with spies go so badly? 

Although Anna wasn’t a spy, but the date, such as it was, did happen due to spy-related issues, and it was technically a first date, so . . . 

Gripping Anna’s hand, he tugged her along as they ran away from the smoking remains of the luxury yacht, half-sunk in the Neva River, wishing he had his tranq pistol. 

“I can’t believe you were our contact!” he said again, for perhaps the dozenth time. 

“Stop saying that,” Anna said through gritted teeth, shaking off Chuck’s hand and easily keeping up with him. 

Arms and legs pumping, they ran through the streets of St. Petersburg for a few minutes, before Chuck pulled up with a stitch in his side. “Oh--oh, okay, gotta up the cardio, I see,” he panted.

Anna stood beside him, her arms folded over her chest. “How are you related to Frost? It’s impossible.” 

Chuck straightened up quickly, feeling light-headed from both the side stitch and Anna’s words. “What? You--you know Frost?”

She sniffed. “Of course. Volkoff is my main supplier. I’ve known Frost for years. She . . . she’s wonderful.” Anna paused, then shrugged. “When I wiped out my family so I could take over the family business, Frost understood why I had to do it, why those small-minded misogynists forced my hand. She is like my mother--which means more than her just giving birth to you.” 

Chuck rubbed a hand against his side and tried to think. “How--how do you know Frost that--that she’s my . . . ?”

“Your mother?” Anna looked at him scornfully. “You don’t deserve her. I don’t know why she cares about you, but she sent me here to make contact with you, to pass along a message from her.”

“And . . . what’s the message?” Chuck asked slowly, staring at Anna’s hard face. 

With no warning, Anna’s fist flew at his face, popping him right in the nose. It sent Chuck reeling back, only for his legs to be kicked out from underneath him. 

Wheezing, Chuck coughed and looked up at Anna, who was leaning down towards him. “Frost says, stop looking for her. There’s no way you can win against Volkoff and you’re just gonna get hurt.” She gave him a scathing look. “I have to say, I agree with her.” 

“Low--low blow, Anna,” Chuck said, pushing himself up on his elbows. 

She shrugged again and straightened up, just as a Porsche pulled up to the curb. “My ride is here. You should listen to your mother.” 

And with that, Anna left him lying on the sidewalk, wondering if she was right. If he should listen to his mother. 

XXX

When he walked into the hotel room, limping a little, Sarah rushed at him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Chuck held back his groan as she crushed his definitely-bruised ribs and hugged her back, relieved and happy to be with her again. 

“Chuck, Chuck, I’m so sorry, our contact never showed--we’ll just have to keep working to find your mom--” Sarah said in a rush, stroking the back of his neck. 

“Anna was our contact,” Chuck said, pulling back a bit from Sarah. At her frown, he explained, “The woman who won me in the auction?” 

Sarah’s jaw clenched. “So she changed the meet protocol without warning and made sure to win you in the auction? I’m gonna kill her.” 

“Hey, hey, hey, no need to kill her,” Chuck said, rubbing her arms. “She gave me the info, it’s okay.” 

Her face relaxed, then her head tilted to the side. “It doesn’t seem like it was good news . . .”

“It wasn’t,” Chuck admitted. He took a breath. “The message was to stop looking for my mom. That I couldn’t match up with Volkoff and I would just get hurt.” 

“Chuck,” Sarah said softly, but he stepped back and out of her arms. 

“What if my mom is right?” Chuck asked, gazing at Sarah forlornly. “What if I did get hurt? I’m Ellie’s only family left and if something happened to me, if I didn’t manage to get my mom away from Volkoff, I would never forgive myself for hurting Ellie like that, more than I already have--”

“Chuck,” Sarah said again, breaking into his ramble and halting his spiral. “It’s quite possible your mom had to send a message like that. She could have not been alone, she could have not trusted Anna, she might think it’s not you looking for her but one of her enemies.” 

Her words were sensible and logical, but Chuck wasn’t sure he was ready for logic right now. He looked down as he gave voice to the only thought he had. “What if she meant every word?” 

Sarah’s hands firmly cupped his face, bringing his eyes up to hers. “I don’t believe it. Because I bet your mom, when she heard that her son was looking for her, would only want him to find her.” 

It was crazy, but it was only the warmth of Sarah’s words, her soft yet calloused fingers holding his cheeks, and the intensity of her eyes made him realize how numb he had been feeling until she spoke. 

“Really?” he whispered. 

“Really,” Sarah said, leaning up and kissing him softly. 

Chuck kissed her back slowly, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. The kiss lasted forever and just a moment before Sarah broke it and smiled at him.

“We’ll take tonight to rest and regroup, and tomorrow, we’ll start again,” Sarah said. “I’ve got a few contacts I can work, and you can bet Casey is owed a few favors that he can call in.” 

“Are you sure? I mean, it’s my mom--” 

“Exactly,” Sarah said, interrupting him again. “It’s your mom, Chuck. And both Casey and I would be dead a dozen times over without you. It’s the least we can do. Okay?” 

In that tone of voice, Chuck knew there was no arguing with Sarah. And really, he didn’t want to argue with her. He felt a welling of gratitude and love and happiness at having her in his life, at having her by his side in everything--not just the spy life, but in life in general. 

“I love you so much, Sarah,” he said, hugging her tightly. 

“I love you, too,” she said, rubbing his back. “It’s too bad Anna the Ghost didn’t know that.” 

“Baby, are you still mad over losing the auction?” Chuck asked, smiling a little. 

“Mm-hmm,” she said, starting to unbutton his shirt. “Very mad. Because it delayed this.” 

Sarah leaned in and kissed his neck, making Chuck whimper. “Oh. That--that’s too bad. Now I”m mad, too. Furious.” 

Pausing long enough to give him a saucy grin, Sarah kept pressing kisses to his skin.

“Enraged, in fact,” Chuck said as Sarah began pulling him over to the bed.

“Stop talking, Chuck,” she said as she gently pushed him down onto the bed. 

It was the second time tonight a woman had given him an order. But this time, Chuck was more than happy to comply with the order. 

“Yes, ma’am,” he said as he pulled her down to kiss her. 

End.