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omgreally · 1 year

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Hot Coffee ☕️ / Joel Miller/F!Reader / 1.5k-2k ish / E18+ MINORS DNI

Warnings: This escalated quickly. Angst; Banter; Sexual tension that is most definitely resolved; Consenting adults getting carried away; unprotected sex; smut, little bit of a breeding kink if you squint.

Summary: When is a coffee date not a coffee date? When it’s with Joel Miller, of course. It’s about time both of you got the hint.

—

Joel tries not to think about creature comforts much. The world ended so suddenly that most of them became a thing of the past in a single afternoon. By the time the next day dawned, he forgot about things like Sunday mornings and coffee and watching TV and playing board games; all that mattered was survival.

He often wondered why he bothered. There didn’t seem to be much to live for, after - after Sarah. Tommy kept him going a while, and sheer spite after that; anger at the whole world, anger that manifested itself through the impact of his fists or from the barrel of his gun. Bloody knuckles and the metallic tang of of gunpowder and copper the only taste left in the back of his throat. Things like coffee and pancakes? A thing of the past. Forgotten.

Tess cooled him down some, reminded him of something other than emptiness, but the space between her and Ellie coming along was too narrow, the grief too fresh, so he locked it away. He was pretty sure he’d never be close to someone like that ever again.

It was inevitable, though. Humans always sought out companionship; it was pack instinct more than anything else. At least, that’s what Joel tells himself as you sit across from him, drinking coffee.

He tells himself he isn’t getting comfortable or complacent, because if he let himself think that, then he’d start to think he doesn’t deserve it, and he knows where a thought like that ends. But he can taste something other than blood now, and he’s not sure why, but that scares him - more than his anger does.

Joel lets the silence stretch between you, and you seem comfortable with it. He imagines a time years ago when this would be a date. Now it’s just two humans sharing a space and a time where they don’t have to fight to survive. When he stops to think about it, he realises it feels…nice.

So nice he almost didn’t want to let you in when you came to his door, but you had a bag of coffee beans- real coffee beans - you pilfered on a patrol and you were offering to share them with him, no one else, him - and he’s not sure if it’s because he was the only person you knew who owned a coffee grinder in Jackson or not.

Joel’s not sure he can handle the implications otherwise.

“Finished already?” You raise a brow as he drains his chipped mug and sets it down on the table between you. “Jesus, Miller. You’re gonna be bouncing off the walls for hours. That shit’s Colombian.”

“Thirty-year-old Arabica beans,” he corrects, pointing a finger at you, making you smile. Making you smile is always easier than it should be. Easier with him than with others, he’s noticed. It worries him. “Probably full of more E. coli than caffeine.”

“You fail high school chemistry too?” You tease him often, because the man takes himself too damn seriously. Joel hates that he likes it, and he hates that you can tell.

“Okay, it’s oxidised,” he drawls, “It tastes like shit but it won’t kill me. Happy?”

“Only when you’re miserable,” you say brightly. He scoffs and shakes his head, and the quiet builds between you, its presence suddenly large and uncomfortable in the absence of more coffee. You sigh, and give up. “Ah, never mind. I should get going. Sorry the coffee was shit.”

You stand up and move towards the door. Joel catches your wrist, and you pause. Look down at the man. More greys than when you first met him, but his cheeks aren’t as hollow. Jackson suited him, even though he makes any excuse not to settle down.

Ellie’s happy here, so he doesn’t have a choice.

“Thanks,” Joel says, making eye contact. Your turn to look away. Too serious. “I haven’t had fresh-ground coffee in…” he pauses to think, going back. Too far back. “Ages,” he finishes. His fingers are still on your wrist.

“Well, you were the first person I thought of when I found it. Haven’t had a good supply run like that in ages. But it wasn’t fresh. I think you said something about E. coli?”

“Sorry. You know I-“ He fights for the words when you take his hand. You’ve never done that before. Flirted with him, sure, but you’ve never touched him unsolicited like this. You’ve got more boundaries, more walls up than he does sometimes.

“You remember coffee dates?” You smile at his frown. “You know, some asshole buys you a coffee, expects you to sleep with him after. Happened all the time to the girls I worked with at the bar, back before the world ended. Never to me though. So one day, I brought an asshole a cup of coffee. Know what happened?”

Joel shakes his head, mute. He’s stroking your wrist with his thumb, turned his body towards you. You could just sit right on his knee if you wanted. You could lean down and kiss him.

“We sat and drank coffee for twenty minutes and neither of us said a word.”

Joel lets you go like you’ve bitten him. He wonders if he’s blown it, and he’s surprised to find out he really hopes he hasn’t. You put up a lot but he’s always known it was inevitable he would ruin any chance at friendship - or more - with you by pushing you away. He’s been doing it for weeks, months even, ignoring your hints, responding with taciturn silence, expecting you to figure out it was habit drilled into him by years of only his own loneliness and anger for company.

“I’m sorry,” Joel says, not meeting your eyes. You touch his shoulder and then he looks up.

“Don’t be. Best coffee date I’ve had in ages.”

He tastes like bitter, burnt beans when you kiss him, and you imagine you don’t taste much better. But Joel reacts as if he’s drowning and you’re his only source of air - rising to his feet, his hands on your waist - he kisses you back like he never forgot how.

He didn’t know how much he wanted you until you were about to walk away.

Joel prays to god Ellie’s still out with that girl she likes because if she walked into their house right now she would see her surrogate father figure with his tongue down your throat and his hands in your pants. Your thoughts go down a similar road as you fumble with his belt.

There’s no need for words or what-ifs between you; you don’t need to say anything because you both know it doesn’t matter. All that matters is now, the press of Joel’s mouth and tongue, the solid promise of his body.

Joel touches you at first as if he can’t believe you’re real, that this is happening. But he’s quick to grow bold, hands kneading at your breast, fingers pinching at the peak of your nipple when he finds out it you like it - rewarding him with a gasp. Joel grins that cheeky fucking grin you see on him sometimes, when he thinks you aren’t looking, and suddenly all that matters is the stubborn zipper of his fly, the buttons of your shirt, and your sneakers which you just can’t seem to kick off fast enough before either of you stop to think that this might not be the best idea after all.

Joel can’t remember the last time he had a good idea, but this doesn’t feel like a bad one. Not with the heat of your mouth at his throat, the firm, pliable curves of your body pressed against him. He knew you weren’t the shy type but he almost chokes when you palm the outline of his stiffening dick before you even get his zipper all the way down.

It’s like a spell the two of you are too reluctant to break by speaking. There’s just the combined sound of your breathing, the press of your mouths, the intoxicating buzz of caffeine mixed with arousal so painfully strong it’s like a cramp. You need to fuck Joel right now as much as you need to breathe. He seems to feel the same, if how hard he is is anything to go by.

When you finally free his cock the animal part of Joel’s brain starts snarling and clawing at the walls. He grabs a fistful of your hair and spins you around, bending you forward over the table. You manage to kick one of your sneakers off, your jeans hanging off one leg - he doesn’t even pull your panties down, just drags the soaked fabric aside to make room for him.

Everything up til now has been frenzied. Coffee cups and clothes all over the floor. But when he pushes into you, time slows; and for a moment there’s no apocalypse outside Jackson. There’s just the feeling of Joel feeding your pussy every inch of his cock, slow but steady, as if he already knows you can take it. And you can, and you do, holding your breath as your entire focus narrows to the delicious ache between your legs as Joel stretches you open.

Then you feel his warm, wide palm on your back, long fingers stroking almost soothingly down your spine. He doesn’t speak but you can almost hear the dark molasses of his Texas drawl, lifting the hairs on your neck - Relax. Breathe. So you do, and Joel rewards you by pulling out slow - and thrusting in again quicker, finding a new angle that has the blunt head of his dick striking some nerve inside you that has you seeing stars, and then he does it again. And again.

You want to sob his name and drag claw marks into the table but you just hold onto the edge of it and arch your back, closing your eyes. You haven’t been fucked like this in years - maybe ever - and it feels right that it’s now, that it’s Joel Miller.

Thank God for coffee dates.

Joel’s thighs slap into the back of yours, the table jumping beneath you. You can hear him panting like distant thunder. When your legs start to shake beneath you, he loops an arm around your hips and finds your clit in seconds with two fingertips, as instinctive as pulling a trigger. You know you’re not going to last much longer, and he seems intent on it.

You moan his name then - without meaning to, without your permission - and Joel’s pace stutters. He starts grinding into you, barely pulling out before surging back in again, almost lifting your feet from the floor. You’re so wet you can hear it with each impact but you don’t give a fuck and Joel loves it; the reaction of your body only spurring him on.

All too quickly, you’re quivering on a knife’s edge, straining towards it, and you let go of a sob when you come, and the sudden fluttering, wet clench of your cunt around his cock finally does Joel in.

He knows he shouldn’t but he just needs to be inside you, deep enough to bruise, to replace the taste of coffee with the taste of him in the back of your throat - an instinct he just can’t hold back. He snaps his hips forward one last time, the slick wet heat of you welcoming him home, and his vision goes white as his cock pulses rhythmically inside you, filling you with his come.

You twitch and shiver through it, moaning weakly, encouragingly. You push back against him with the grip of your toes on the floor, murmuring wordless little sounds in time with the aftershocks.

Joel’s knees feel weak when awareness finally returns. He leans over you, breathing hard as if he’s just been running from a pack of Clickers, pressing his forehead against the back of your neck.

You know you should be pissed that Joel Miller just fucking came in you, but, well, you let him - and you liked it. A lot. You wanted him to. In fact, the predominant feeling you have now is one of satisfaction. In more ways than one.

You reach back on instinct to touch his face, as if to reassure yourself he’s still there. Joel flinches - but then you feel his beard, his lips against your fingers, your neck, your temple.

Yeah. He wanted this too. Maybe even needed it, too, as much as he needed the coffee.

“Definitely the best coffee date I’ve ever had,” you croak when you can speak again. And you think you can feel Joel smiling against your neck.

#joel miller smut #joel miller oneshot #joel miller x reader #joel miller/you #joel miller/reader #last of us hbo #joel miller x you #joel miller/f!reader #omgreally; joel miller/reader

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siribaes · 2 months

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IN OUR PAST LIVES ( Part 1 )

Dario Sepúlveda x blackfem!reader (OC — Nina Fuentes)

“During his quest to find Griselda, Dario reunites with an old friend in Miami—”

PARING: Friend/ “Former Client” to Lovers

SUGGESTED TUNES💿: Mack the Knife (cover) by Tito Puente, La Plena Bomba Me Llama by Celia Cruz & Tito Puente, Yerbero Moderno by Celia Cruz, Abayarde by Tego Calderon, Una Noche Mas by Yasmin Levy

CONTENT: 18+ MDNI, SMUT, Cursing, Some racist language/ideologies (reference to La Perra Negra & the story takes place in late 1970s so you know, not the most foward-thinking of times), the main character is a sex worker, use of the Spanish language, star-crossed lovers-esque elements, references to death, drugs, trafficking, Cartel activities, or*l (fem & alluded to male receiving), f*ngering, praise k*nk, Fluff, Dario being lowkey a soft boy, *Unedited/Not Proofread

AUTHORS NOTE: uhmmm who else has seen alberto guerra in griselda??? 👀 it’s a great show highly recommend everyone go watch! alberto being shirtless is just an added bonus, so basically this is slightly AU-ish in this fic dario travels back to miami twice (i think i can’t remember lol) before “finding” griselda—full stop bc spoilers but yeah. the OC is a former sex worker, and Afro-Colombian/Latina (faceclaim is Yaya DaCosta <3), but yeah i hope y’all enjoy :) 💖

Medellín, Colombia - Spring 1976 (The Past)

The weather was in a particularly odd flux. For most of the day, heat raged on like an unrelenting wave, the weatherman reported scorching temperatures, a whopping, almost record breaking 101 degrees. Medellin quickly became a ghost-town, people sought refuge from the unbearable temperatures. The heat trickled its way into the evening, until around 9 or so, storm clouds suddenly swirled the sky, then, boom, a torrential downpour. The rain came down in violent pelts, hitting everything and anything insight. However, as quickly as the storm came, it went. The temperatures went down, the rain aided in crispness in the air. The wind swept through the streets and neighborhoods of Medellin, with coolness and airiness that was necessary, relieving.

Relief was exactly what Nina needed.

With the scorching temperatures, it brought a particular irritation with her clientele. It was like the hotter it became, the meaner they were. One of her regulars, Mr. Moneybags (an older gentleman, who happened to be very, very, generous with his wealth.), who was severely punctual and only wanted oral. He was never rude, impatient or rough with her. Until today. He was late, storming into her room, barking orders for her get on her knees, and when Nina finally did give him what he wanted, all Mr. Moneybags could ramble on about was high rough day at the office and he needed to tame "La Perra Negra". To make matters worse, when Mr. Moneybags orgasmed, he cummed on her shirt (a brand-new halter top, made of fine silk and in the prettiest shade of coral, it wasn't cheap, it cost her 78 pesos.) and in her hair (pillowy-soft coils as someone told her once). That was a complete, no, no.

Mr. Moneybags was the first of her clients to receive a verbal lashing, but he wasn't the last. As the hours rolled by, each man arriving acting more brutish and egregious than the last. Nina handed out her lashings with ease, all for her to be met with the same insult, fuck you, Perra Negra. The heat only fueled her rage, so much that the one customer, who had some semblance of decorum, went soft in her mouth. He quickly scurried out, offering a sympathetic smile, and promised that he'll come back next week, when she felt better.

So, when the storm came, Nina was more than relieved. She got some reprieve from her finnicky clients, even though her room was tucked away on the further corner of the brothel, the rain seemed to drown out the noise from the other end of the compound. She was able to soak her stresses away in her tub, light a candle or two, slip on her favorite mini-silk robe, and actually rest. The raindrops served as a lullaby from Nina as she drifted off to sleep.

Now, at 2 AM, Nina sat in a chair on her small balcony. She people-watched from her small corner, relishing in the cool breeze the generously fanned over her skin. She more than deserved this peace and stillness after the shit she had to deal with. After a while, Nina became engrossed in this older couple blocks away, were dancing in the middle of the street. She was so enraptured with the couple she didn't even hear the door creep open.

A familiar scent drifted through the air, a blend of cinnamon, tobacco, cardamom, and strangely mint. Nina couldn't help the smile the curled onto to her lips, as heavy footsteps inched closer and closer.

"You left the door open,"

Nina smirked. "What if I left it open for you,"

"Hm. That's unlike you,"

Nina turned around meeting those soft, russet-colored eyes, she cared to enjoy so much. She playfully batted her eye lashes.

"Oh, Dario, you mustn't forget, you are my favorite customer," Nina purred. She rose from her seated position, and unabashedly took in Dario's appearance.

He was meticulously dressed, he wore neatly ironed, black slacks with a coordinating black dress shirt. A few buttons were undone, revealing a sliver of warm-tawny skin, and the ink-colored edges of a tattoo. Nina wondered sometimes what the fully tattoo would look like, or better, would she ever get to see it.

From the first night they met, Nina gathered that Dario was someone who took pride in their appearance. He was never sloppy, not a flick of dirt or dust sullied his clothes or shoes. Thick, brown tresses were combed and quaffed with care, while he maintained neatly trimmed facial hair. Even the way Dario carried himself was equally irresistible, he possessed a poise and calmness that was developed, cultivated, even. He was careful with his words, never speaking out of turn or without thought. He charmed his way into people's hearts, both old and young alike.

Dario was a true debonair. It was the perfect distraction from what he truly was, a hit man. El Sicario.

"You look thirsty," Nina strutted past Dario to the small bar along the wall inside, "Would you like a drink?"

''Not tonight,"

Nina tsked, "Where's the fun in that? You can't just humor me, I've had a terrible day and--"

"Enough Nina," She paused to looked over her shoulder at him. His brows were furrowed, as looked intensely at Nina. After a beat, Nina turned a back around, pouring some tequila in a glass. She turned back around, gesturing for Dario to speak. "I'm looking for someone," Dario pulled a photo out of his front pocket.

"Aren't you always," Nina sassed. She couldn't help it, she was enjoying seeing Dario a bit peeved, it was so refreshing to see, even Dario, el sicario himself, could be annoyed.

He shows her the photo, "Vincent Fernandez, you know him?"

Nina scans the picture, taking in the face of the man.

"Yes and no," Dario's eyebrow quirks, "His real name is Vincent, but nobody calls him that. He goes by Chuy,"

"Okay...Chuy, have you seen him?"

"Yeah, a few weeks ago. He was coming out of Carmen's room...now that I think about it, she was leaving with him. She carried a suitcase too. Haven't seen her since,"

Immediately, Dario balled up the picture, flinging at the wall. He began to pace and back forth, his left handed raked through his hair, messing up that of that beautiful handiwork.

Something thrummed inside of Nina as she watched Dario slowly lose composure. Dario’s beautiful features were twisted with frustration, his jaw was clenched, and eyes were blazed. He stopped pacing and stood next to a small coffee table with vase that sat on top. With hesitation, Dario snatched the vase and launched it at the wall. Ceramic shards exploded on impact, pieces flew everywhere in the process.

"FUCK!"

"What the hell is your problem!?" Nina rushed over, she brushed past him, and picked up a broken piece of the vase, "Fuckin' pendejo, this was a gift from a friend," She was seething, gearing up to cuss him out to fullest extent but she paused. On one of the broken pieces with a red speck. Nina's eyes drifted towards the floor, seeing a trail of red spots, the spots grew larger and larger, until there was a small pool of blood underneath Dario's hand. "...You're bleeding,"

"What?" Dario one step but Nina quickly stopped him.

"Stop! Stop, it's getting all on the floor. Go to the bathroom and rinse the cut. When your done there's a first aid kit and a bottle of peroxide in cabinet, grab it, and sit on the couch," Dario just stood there a bit lost in his eyes, "Vete! Go, now!"

Dario disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Nina in the mess he created.

---

"This is going to sting so keep still," The two sat next to each other on the couch. In one hand, Nina gently cradled Dario's hand, his wounded palm facing up. The other hand held a cotton ball soaked in Hydrogen peroxide. She slowly inched the ball towards the cut, when it the skin, Dario instantly hissed, moving his hand slightly. Nina pressed again, trying to be a bit softer than before, but Dario jerked his hand away again. Nina swatted at his stomach. "Ay! Stop moving,"

Dario finally complied, relaxing against her touch, letting her clean the cut. A quietness fell over them as Nina worked in a comfortable rhythm of wiping and dabbing.

"I'll make sure to pay for the vase," Nina stopped, looking up at Dario. There was a sincerity in his eyes, and something else...embarrassment maybe? "The least I could do, since you put up with shit all the time..."

Nina bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from smiling, at Dario's gesture. She said nothing in return, but instead sat the used cotton balls to the side and reached for the roll of bandages. Nina couldn't make heads or tails of how she felt about Dario right. One part of her was agitated with him with how he broke her vase and how edgy he was being towards her all of the sudden. The other part of her was attracted to Dario, something about him losing control like that revved her engine. For once he wasn't so controlled and calculated, he was human, flaws and all.

"I know I'm not supposed to ask, but, why are you looking for Chuy?" Nina asked, slowly wrapped the bandages around Dario's hand.

To Nina's surprise, he answered. "He took something that didn't belong to him,"

"...Oh. Oh," Nina nodded realizing what Dario what he meant. Chuy had to have stolen a kilo or two of coke from them. Everyone in Medellin knew stealing from the Bravo family was a guaranteed death sentence. "Shit, I should've known..."

Dario shook his head. "It's not on you. The sneaky bastard managed to fool all of us, especially me,"

Nina chuckled nervously as she tucked the last strip of the bandage underneath a bottom layer.

"All finished," She slowly let go of Dario's hand to gather and put back her supplies, "I would give it a day before checking the cut to see if its healing. Just try to keep it your hands clean the best you can,"

Dario nodded. "Thank you,"

Nina smiled gently at him. She could feel his eyes on her as she bounced around and out of the room disposing of the trash and putting her supplies back. When she came back into the room, she found Dario relaxed against the couch looking outside. She followed his gaze up to the night sky. The normal starry, ink-colored sky was now filled with stormy clouds.

"It's going to rain again," Nina murmured, she returned to her spot next to Dario.

"How'd you figure?"

Nina pointed to the sky. "The clouds. Plus, the air is getting thick...y'know humidity,"

Dario laughed, flashing those gorgeous pearly whites, making Nina's heart skip a beat. He quickly quieted as a look of curiosity filled his expression.

"Where'd you learn to do that kind of stuff...like patch people up?"

"I guess I got tired of getting rug burns and bruises on my knees from giving head so much. It's bad for business,"

"That's fucked up,"

Nina shrugged. "It's a part of the job. I have to be perfect and presentable at all times. It's what sells the fantasy. So, I had to become my own doctor, learn how to patch myself up. I also learned, that if I was on my knees for too long, all the time, I wasn't doing my job correctly.

Dario tipped his head, scratching at his goatee, "Where the guys always that rough with you?"

"Someone is mighty curious tonight," Nina teased. She twirled a coil round her pointer finger, "but, to answer your question, no. Some tried to, but I was always on guard. I had to be, I'm the only black girl here...La Perra Negra. Before my regulars, most of the guys thought because I’m black, a morenita, that's I wanted. It took some threats and me pulling out my switch blade a couple of times, but they got the picture. Sometimes I feel bad for them...they’re so caught up in fucking me as a conquest, and not for their own pleasure. Typical men,"

Dario's brow quirked. "Typical?"

"You know what I mean. Most men when they have sex are either caught up in some ego thing, or only focus on pleasuring themselves they don't bother in pleasuring their partners, especially if the partner is a woman,"

"I suppose you're right,"

"You suppose? Do you feel the opposite?”

"Not entirely. You do have a point…I guess I’m not most men. I like pleasuring my woman,” Dario rasped. His pink tongue swiped at his bottom lip before continuing, “It turns me on to see her lose..composure ‘cause I’m fuckin’ her so good. I dunno it just gets me there. I could never get hard or cum without doing so,”

From the tops of Nina's ears all the way to the bottoms of her manicured toes, she ran hot. Her mind raced with flashes of images of her and Dario in the nastiest of scenarios. If she wasn't sure about being attracted to Dario, this solidified it. Despite her growing need to literally lunge herself at him, she pulled back. She needed to make him sweat.

"I guess there's some room for exceptions," Nina hummed, she readjusted herself, re-crossing her legs, make sure to give him a quick flash of her lacy panties. She secretly thanked her Orishas, when she saw Dario's eyes wander to her thighs.

"I had customer the other day," Nina continued, "Sweet guy, couldn't fuck to save his life, so I suggested get on top. I thought riding him would be better, but it wasn't. So, in a last-ditch effort, I closed my eyes and imagined it someone else..."

"Who did you imagine?"

"...You. I imagined you underneath me, fucking me. I fantasized about those beautiful brown eyes staring up at me. How it would feel to have your hands on me...all the things those hands could do. Like would you pull my hair, or grip my hips so hard that I would have bruises? Or, would you smack my ass while you stroked, deep inside me...even better would you hold my hands behind my back, while you played with my clit? Then, like magic, I came...I don't think I've cum so hard in my life—”

He cut her off with kiss. It was gentle and sweet. As Dario moved his lips, he gingerly swept his tongue against Nina’s lips savoring her taste. He snaked his arms around Nina’s waist, drawing her closer to him. A small whimper escaped Nina as Dario’s hands roamed her body. She felt her body hum with need as he rubbed and squeezed at her flesh. A smarting slap from Dario caused Nina to mewl breaking the kiss.

“Fuck! Dario,” Nina whined. She leaned her forehead against Dario’s. She pulled back to see Dario’s face fully, her heart rattled against her chest as she ran her fingers through his hair.

“Mi hermosa mariposa," Dario murmured, hands drifted up and down the sides of Nina's torso. She felt a wetness begin to pool beneath her, the more Dario caressed her.

“I want you,”

Dario smiled softly. “Yeah?”

“Mhm,” Nina nodded her hands reaching for Dario’s belt buckle, but he stopped her.

“It’s not about me tonight,” he hoisted her up, wrapping her legs around him as he carried Nina to bed. Dario dropped her softly down the plush sheets. “It’s all about you,”

Nina could tell from the serious yet lustful glint in his eyes that Dario meant every word he said. She sat up on her elbows watching as Dario’s nimble fingers undid the belt of her robe. He pushed the fabric, revealing nothing but soft curves, rich brown skin and lacy fabric. With his pointer finger, Dario traced Nina's collar bone, dragging it down her navel, leaving a trail of goosebumps the further down he went. Nina's breath hitched in her throat as Dario's thumbs rubbed soft circles on the skin above the waistband of her panties.

"I like the way your eyes light up when I touch you, solecita,"

"Please, Dario. Enough games,"

Dario chuckled. He held her hips in place, sinking down to his knees.

"Patience," Dario held his gaze as he inched his head closer to Nina's clothed pussy. The two moaned in unison when Dario licked a stripe at Nina's clothed entrance. He continued on licking, probing, and mouthing her pussy. Moans fell helplessly from Nina's lips as she felt the lacy fabric rub against her clit. Dario relentlessly moved his tongue, spurring Nina on, she felt slick dripping downwards on her thighs.

"More. I need more, baby, please,"

It was like switch went off in Dario. He stopped all movement, as he just stared at Nina. Long eyelashes fluttered as he slowly blinked.

"Baby...say that again," he murmured.

"Baby," Nina cooed. She sat up, reaching for Dario, she cupped his cheek. He nuzzled her cheek, placing a kiss on her palm.

Then like a flash, Dario ripped Nina's panties a part. He skillfully gathered the torn shreds and flung them away. He dove straight for Nina's pussy. Despite his meticulous nature, when it came to pleasure Dario was sloppy. There was no spot or area left unattended. His tongue alternating between swirling and lapping Nina's clit. Dario's pace was so unrelenting, it sent Nina's body into throws of pleasure. Just when she felt the familiar coil in her belly, Dario pulled back, only to blow cooly onto her drenched pussy.

"B-baby, fuck!" Nina yelped aloud, her hands found themselves back into Dario's hair, as he returned back to her core.

He placed a wet kiss, creating a lewd smacking noise that echoed into the air. Dario dove back in, plunging his expertly skilled tongue into her entrance, fucking her. Nina felt like her entire body was on fire, completely blazed with pleasure as Dario relentlessly fucked her pussy. Her mind swirled feeling the familiar coil in her stomach become tighter and tighter.

"I-I'm gonna cum. Oooh shit," Nina panted. She pulled tighter at Dario's hair. "I'm c-cuming, fuckkkk!"

The coil snapped. Nina shakily thrusted her hips towards Dario's mouth, riding out her orgasm. Dario stayed still softly lapping up her cum, he did keep gentle hand on Nina's waist to steady her.

"Mhmmm, so good to me, baby, s'good," Nina loosen her grip on Dario's tresses, letting her arms fall back onto the bed.

Dario hummed appreciatively before pressing soft kisses on Nina's inner thighs. Her fluttered when she saw the slick sheen of her nectar glistening in Dario's mustache and goatee.

"You like when I'm good to you?" Nina could feel his grip on her thighs get tighter as he spoke. When Nina nodded instead replying, Dario slapped her thigh. "Words, Nina, I wanna hear you,"

"Yes!"

"Good. You gonna be good for me this time?" Nina hissed when two of Dario's fingers found her clit, rubbing taut circles.

"Yessss, I'll be good for you, baby!"

He quickly switched his technique, he plunged his fingers into her wetness. Nina whined at the squelching and lewd noises that her pussy made as Dario stroked in and out of her. Dario bent down and gave Nina searing hot kiss, he wedged his tongue inside of Nina's mouth, allowing her to taste herself.

"Please don't stop,"

"I won't mi amor, I can feel you...you close?"

"So close, baby, please,"

Dario slowed his pace down, giving Nina slower strokes, but drove deeper, and deeper every time. Her walls fluttered around his fingers when they met her oh so sweet spot. Nina's orgasm came swiftly as a fast-moving freight train. Her mind went blank, as she screamed out in pleasure. Nina's legs jerked and spasmed as her nectar flowed out in endless droves. Dario slowly slipped his fingers out, kissing the side of Nina's face as she reveled in the planes of ecstasy.

The two fell back into the bed. Nina snuggled up close to Dario's side, her fingers still tingly, traced the ink of his half-covered up tattoo. She looked out to the balcony. It was raining.

"I think we knew each other in our past lives..." Dario trailed, he kept his eyes towards the ceiling as spoke.

"As what? Enemies?" Nina teased.

"No," He sighed deeply, turning to meet her eyes. His face was open, vulnerable, Nina felt her heart flutter. "We were...something to each other, I know it..."

For the second time this night a quietness fell over them. They stared wordlessly at one another, as the raindrops lightly pelted outside. Nina didn't know what to make of Dario's sudden confession, or revelation. She did know that the way he looked at her in this moment, made her feel all mushy and gooey inside. Nina leaned in capturing Dario's lips into a passionate kiss.

"You know what I know," Nina purred parting from Dario's lips. She straddled him, reaching for his belt buckle, this time Dario didn't stop her. "Reciprocity...Can I have some more, baby?"

"Yes. Mi amor, in every lifetime."

#siribaesfics #dario sepulveda x blackfem!reader #dario sepúlveda x blackfem!reader #dario x blackfem!reader #alberto guerra fanfiction #griselda netflix fanficiton #black fanfiction #poc fanfiction #woc fanfiction

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palioom · 10 months

Text

rest

summary: it's been months since Javier left Colombia with you. and now, you both get what you craved for so long.

pairing: javier peña x f!reader word count: 2.4k warnings:18+ content; no use of y/n (but a lot of nicknames); oral (f receiving); unprotected p in v; fluff and smut; some small mentions of ptsd pt. 1 "stay"; pt. 2"leave"

• masterlist •

It wasn’t often that Javier got any actual sleep, nightmares and worries keeping him up until the early morning hours, alcohol and cigarettes his constant companion. Then, when he did get some sleep, it was short-lived.

There was always something plaguing him, something that wouldn’t let him rest no matter how tired he was.

And he hated it, hated that he needed caffeine and nicotine to get through the day before he hopefully collapsed for a few hours at the end of it.

Hated that there was nothing else to occupy his mind in his own bed.

Not anymore.

Looking down at her, she was sleeping peacefully next to him, curled into his side, her head resting on his stomach.

So peaceful and even more gorgeous when she slept, a small ray of sunlight that had made its way through the cracks of the curtains laid over her face.

Right across her cheek, right across that scar, making her glow in a soft orange light that now engulfed the entirety of their bedroom.

Everything seemed softer, from the alcohol on the shelves, glimmering brown hues, to the plants strewn about, some of the leaves reflecting the light and throwing patterns across the decorated walls.

Records, paintings, polaroids.

Two cowboy hats right by the door, one black and one white.

That was all her, saying he needed something a bit more lively in here, something he’d never have added by himself.

But that was her.

Thoughtful, with an eye for such things.

He had to admit, the plants really did make things… lively.

As did the paintings of the Colombian streets, of the Texan deserts.

The polaroids of them together, happy and smiling. A welcome reminder this was real.

His hand ran through her hair as he watched her breathe, in and out, gently, slowly.

The peaceful spell broken for only a moment when she stopped, the seconds seeming like hours as his heart sped up, just before exhaling in a long sigh.

Making him sigh too.

When had he become so attached to her?

So worried that even the split second without a breath could take all away from him that he cared about.

He watched as she stirred, brows furrowed, small noises leaving her.

She felt warm, too warm as she hovered between worlds, sleep tugging on her tightly, the warmth only helping to try and draw her back under.

She felt rough hands on her skin, brushing some hair from her forehead before soft lips laid against it, her cheek, then her shoulder.

Moustache tickling her, making her smile softly as his broad hands smoothed down her arm, then over her side.

“Javi?” Her voice was hoarse, cracking slightly in the quietness of the room.

She knew immediately that he’d had a restless night, peering her eyes open despite the urge to just fall back asleep, one of her hands reaching for his upper arm.

“Go back to sleep, querida.”

His eyes found hers, so gentle but surrounded by a dark shadow, evidence that he had been staying up, unable to rest.

She really wanted to, just sleep a little more but the way his face glowed as he moved beside her, turning her onto her back and moving to hover over her, she couldn’t.

Not once had she seen him so… peaceful almost.

Still constantly furrowing his brows, still keeping a facade of indifference a lot of the times just like he had done back in Colombia.

But smoother now, less jagged as he was slowly learning to let go.

Let go of the constant paranoia that a bullet would lodge in his body soon, that the next corner he’d round would have been his last.

Let go of his fear for her life.

It was still there, all of it. Lingering beneath the surface, making him sweaty and anxious and jittery.

But so were her hands, laid against his cheek, running over his arms, holding his trembling ones.

But so was her voice, gentle as she spoke to him, caring and so full of love.

So was her body.

But instead of the frantic need to fuck her to forget and find a distraction, he had found a more intimate, slow comfort in her, something he hadn’t ever really needed before.

His nose ran along her cheek, lips finding hers and his tongue intruding as she gasped.

The taste of bourbon and cigarettes faint now, often replaced by beer and gum.

He still drank and he still smoked, although he had tried to quit on the latter. But it was hard to beat such deeply rooted habits, occasionally finding him with a Marlboro Red dangling between his lips but pretending she hadn’t and pretending she couldn’t taste or smell it later.

“Cariño.”

His legs rested between hers, opening so willingly, feeling him hard and heavy against her thigh already.

Still bare from the unbearable heat and their passionate night before.

“Please, Javi.” She croaked out, eyes closing, the heavy weight of sleep too much to resist.

The sound of her sleep-laced voice wasn’t something he could ever tire of.

It was exactly how he’d imagined it, back during that night in Colombia.

The one which had been supposed to be their final one.

All until he had realized she had pulled him in too deep, she had found a way into his heart despite all the barriers he had set up.

His hands were on her sides, trailing down to her thighs, his mouth following the path they had created, kissing down her neck, to her collarbone.

He was less teeth now, still grazing softly along her skin but not biting.

As usual, in the morning.

Though he couldn’t resist giving her the odd purple mark to watch it bloom later.

One of her hands found itself in his hair, holding onto him as he ventured down further, caressing her breasts, her stomach, all the way down until he vanished below the sheets.

“Oh, Javi-” She moaned, long and dragged out when he licked a teasing stripe up her wetness. His hands on her thighs spreading her further apart for him.

She threw the blanket back, wanting to see him, his big, brown eyes, as he kissed along her thighs, taking his sweet time.

Taking all the time in the world.

Because they had that now.

There was no need to rush anymore, no need to take and take and take for the fear of everything being over the next day.

Now he could inch his way up, teasing her inner thighs, his moustache tickling, before he let his tongue flick over her clit, taking in the whine that came from her.

Drinking in how she looked down at him, struggling to keep her eyes open, the orange rays now spread over her body.

Making her look ethereal.

“Lookin’ like an angel, cariño.” He murmured, diving between her wet folds and smirking at how her thighs tried to close.

But he kept them open, tongue lapping at her like she was the finest meal he’d ever tasted, like he wanted to savour this.

She felt warm at his touch, the Texan heat not helping as he built her up, slowly, with languid licks, his beautiful nose bumping into her clit, making her hips jolt against him.

Sleep still tugged at her, throwing her head back as her eyes closed, but he kept her anchored in this realm, broad hands now on her hips as his strong arms wrapped around her thighs.

To keep her from writhing too much.

Her hand pulled at his hair, not to push him away, but to ground herself.

“Javi- Baby, please.” She was so close already, the intimacy, the gentleness of it all too much for her.

That gentleness, it was something they came to enjoy.

They still had their rough, passionate nights that left her with bruises in the shape of his fingers and a sore throat and funny walk the next day.

When they both had one too many beers on the weekends, after a long week of working on Chucho’s farm.

Still so needy for one another despite living together now.

Like goddamn teenagers, as his father had joked so often.

But mornings like this? All soft breaths and slow movements?

Intent on making each other feel good and not drown their own demons?

She could live in these moments forever.

Feeling all warm and fuzzy.

“Javi-” She whined, his mouth back on her clit, making her see stars so suddenly that her moan died in her throat, a strangled noise as she trembled beneath his tongue.

He watched her with awe, how she threw her head back, how her back arched and her hips ground into his mouth. Fingers flexing and unflexing in his hair, making him moan.

“There you go, querida.” He rasped against her, working her through the waves of pleasure running through her. “My gorgeous girl, fuck.”

She felt like it went on forever, ebbing and flowing into every part of her, making her feel warm and euphoric, sleep tugging at her again.

She sighed when he lifted his head, kissing the inside of her thighs before moving up her body, moustache and chin wet with her, leaving glistening trails.

He took in the feeling of her warm skin beneath his lips, her rapid breathing, those soft sounds.

Hovering over her, they found hers again, making her hum deeply, hand on his cheek as she lazily kissed him back.

About to fall asleep again.

He chuckled.

“Sleep, cariño. I’ll take care of you.”

Humming again, she felt him press against her, her hips shifting.

“You gotta sleep too, Javi.” She mumbled against his mouth, eyes peering open just a little.

Unable to resist watching his face as he slowly pushed inside, his eyes closing while he rested his forehead against hers.

“I love you, baby.” She said, hand now in his hair to card her fingers through it.

Not too long ago those three words would have had him running.

Away from her and away from the conflicted feelings he used to harbour but which had slowly dissipated over time.

Now they pulled him in, his hips flush against hers, hand on her hip, rubbing soothing circles into her skin.

She still didn’t know if it was to relax her or to ground him.

Even if he still didn’t say it back, unless he was drunk and tired enough to slur it against her neck in the heat of the moment, he had other ways to show he appreciated her.

His hand on the small of her back, reminding her he was there.

His arms around her when her own memories of Colombia overwhelmed her.

His jacket around her shoulders when they were out and she started freezing.

Flowers on her bedside table.

Car rides and watching the sunset and sunrise together.

There were many small things Javier did that were worth more than a single “I love you”.

“Feel incredible, princesa.” He groaned, hips now moving, a steady, slow rhythm that made her whimper and wrap her arms around his shoulders.

Pull him in close so he couldn’t ever leave again.

His lips found hers, just a little more passionate now.

Slow and lazy, his tongue gliding into her mouth.

She loved these mornings, her body beneath his fighting against succumbing to sleep, the warmth of him lulling her back into the land of dreams but the slow drag of him inside her and the pleasure steadily building in her abdomen keeping her awake.

Bodies pressed close together, his heavy weight on top of her, just moving in tandem while their mouths muffled their noises.

It was so different from Colombia.

“Javier-” Her voice was barely above a whisper but he understood, one of his hands wandering down her leg to grab the back of her knee, pushing it up so he could change the angle. “Oh god-”

“That’s my girl, hermosa.” He said, resisting the urge to mouth along her neck in favour of watching her face. “C’mon, bebesita.”

It was his new favourite thing, more addicting than nicotine - watching her face when she came, especially during lazy moments like this where she was still half asleep.

Her eyes daring to close but seeing her fight against it, glazed over and dazed. Eyebrows furrowed and lips slightly parted with those sweet sounds coming from her.

He could watch this forever, glad he had a polaroid of it buried deep in his wallet.

When the pressure inside her burst, making her tense up beneath him as more warmth spread through her, she pulled him closer, moaning his name so loudly he had to shut her up with his own lips and a smirk.

His father really didn’t have to hear this.

The rhythmic pulsing of hers pushed him over the edge right after, groaning so deeply she could feel it vibrate in his chest and against hers, letting go of her mouth to kiss her throat and chin as she threw her head back.

Taking in the blissful feeling, hips moving for a few more thrusts but stilling against hers soon.

“Stay here, mi rey.” She sighed against his hair, his head coming to rest on her chest.

Her fingers threaded through his hair, burying her nose in it, smiling when he hummed.

There was nothing better than feeling his heavy weight on her, feeling him relax against her body.

Not tense anymore, not anxious.

Well, rarely.

“Stay and sleep, baby.”

Javier closed his eyes, thinking about Colombia, how often she had begged him to stay, begged him for nothing more than an hour of his time.

How he had refused her every time, how he had made her fucking cry because he had been too afraid to give her even that.

Now she still asked him to stay, knowing fully well he would.

He always would now, never leaving her alone again.

Still connected to her, engulfed by her warmth.

“‘Course, cariño.” He mumbled, feeling sleep tugging at him now, that slumbery haze finally finding him.

Now that he was in her gentle embrace, the scratch of her nails against his scalp only helped to relax him.

Her breath became more even, her movements slower, eyes heavy.

“Mhmm… love you, Javi.”

A soft kiss on her chest, right over her heart, his moustache tickling her.

“Love you too, cariño.”

Sleep both tugging them back under, allowing him to finally rest, he had finally found some semblance of peace.

In a place he had feared for most of the time he had known her.

Feared to get attached, feared to lose.

Now, he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Resting in her arms.

#javier peña #javier peña x reader #javier peña imagine #javier peña x you #narcos #pedro pascal #fan fic #fic #fics #fanfic #fanfiction #my writing

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queenofthedisneyverse · 20 days

Text

La Violencia (Research I did for Encanto fic writers so you don't have to)

TW: Assassination and death

Long but necessary post

@yellowcry @miracles-and-butterflies @evostar (if you already knew about it, that's fine, but reblog so others can too.)

To put it simply;

During this time, an estimated 200,000 people lost their lives, with 112,000 of those deaths occurring between 1948 and 1950. Additionally, two million people were forcibly displaced from their homes, primarily to Venezuela.

The root of this conflict lies in the intense partisan rivalries between Colombia’s two traditional political parties: the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party. These tensions created a divide between liberals and conservatives, eventually leading to the partial collapse of the state and existing institutional structures. As violence escalated, economic motivations began to outweigh political ones, and armed bands took advantage of the chaos to commit robberies, assaults, and revenge against their neighbors.

More in depth;

La Violencia was a ten-year civil war in Colombia from 1948 to 1958, between the Colombian Conservative Party and the Colombian Liberal Party, fought mainly in the countryside.

Liberal hegemony continued through the 1930s and the World War II era, and Alfonso López Pumarejo was reelected in 1942; however, wartime conditions were not favourable to social change. In the elections of 1946, two Liberal candidates, Gabriel Turbay and Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, stood for election and thus split the Liberal vote. A Conservative, Mariano Ospina Pérez, took office.

Conservatives had been embittered by political sidelining and, since 1930, had suffered violent attacks at the hands of Liberal supporters. With the electoral victory of 1946 they instituted a series of crude reprisals against Liberals. It was the initiation of the period that was dubbed La Violencia. On April 9, 1948, Gaitán, leader of the left wing of the Liberal Party, was assassinated in broad daylight in downtown Bogotá. The resulting riot and property damage (estimated at $570 million throughout the country) came to be called the bogotazo.

La Violencia originated in an intense political feud between Liberals and Conservatives and had little to do with class conflict, foreign ideologies, or other matters outside Colombia. Authoritative sources estimate that more than 200,000 persons lost their lives in the period between 1946 and 1964.

The most spectacular aspect of the violence, however, was the extreme cruelty perpetrated on the victims, which has been a topic of continuing study for Colombians. La Violencia intensified under the regime of Laureano Gómez (1950–53), who attempted to introduce a fascist state. His excesses brought his downfall by military coup—Colombia’s first in the 20th century. Gen. Gustavo Rojas Pinilla assumed the presidency in 1953 and, aided by his daughter, María Eugenia Rojas, began an effort to end La Violencia and to stimulate the economy.

Rojas was a populist leader who supported citizens’ demands for the redress of grievances against the elite. Support for Rojas began to collapse when it appeared that he would not be able to fulfill his promises, when he showed reluctance to give up power, and when the economy faltered as a result of a disastrous fall in coffee prices in 1957. He was driven from office that year by a military junta.

The arrangement for the National Front government—a coalition of Conservatives and Liberals—was made by Alberto Lleras Camargo, representing the Liberals, and Laureano Gómez, leader of the Conservative Party, in the Declaration of Sitges (1957).

The unique agreement provided for alternation of Conservatives and Liberals in the presidency, an equal sharing of ministerial and other government posts, and equal representation on all executive and legislative bodies. The agreement was to remain in force for 16 years—equivalent to four presidential terms, two each for Conservatives and Liberals. The question of what governmental structure would follow the National Front was left unsettled.

It had been contemplated that a Conservative would be the first to occupy the presidency in 1958. When the Conservative Party could not agree on a candidate, however, the National Front selected Lleras, who had previously served in that office for 12 months in 1945–46.

During Lleras’s tenure an agrarian reform law was brought into effect, national economic planning for development began, and Colombia became the showcase of the Alliance for Progress (a U.S. attempt to further economic development in Latin America). But severe economic difficulties caused by low coffee prices, domestic unemployment, and the apparent end of the effectiveness of import substitution were only partially offset by Alliance aid.

The Alliance increased Colombia’s economic dependence on the United States, which, to some Colombians, had serious disadvantages. By 1962 economic growth had come almost to a standstill.

The precarious state of the economy and the degree of social tension were revealed when only about half of those eligible to vote did so in the 1962 presidential elections, which brought Guillermo León Valencia, a Conservative, to the presidency.

During Valencia’s first year in office internal political pressures led to devaluation of the peso (Colombia’s currency), wage increases among unionized workers of some 40 percent, and the most rampant inflation since 1905. Extreme deflationary policies were applied in the next three years, raising the unemployment rates above 10 percent in the major cities and turning even more Colombians against the National Front.

Less than 40 percent of the electorate went to the polls in the 1964 congressional elections.

Marxist guerrilla groups began appearing in Colombia during Valencia’s presidency. The first was the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional; ELN), which was created by a group of Colombian students who had studied in Cuba.

Founded in 1964, the ELN followed strategies espoused by Che Guevara. Another guerrilla group, which followed two years later, was the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia; FARC), which was more connected to Soviet-influenced communist movements. Much of FARC originated in the “resistance committees” that had appeared in Colombia during La Violencia.

Carlos Lleras Restrepo was the third National Front president (1966–70). He returned the economy to a sound footing, improved government planning for economic development, and pushed through political reforms essential to an orderly end to the Front (which seemed increasingly to constitute a monopoly of power by the Conservative-Liberal oligarchy).

Although the constitutional reform of 1968 stipulated that elections would become competitive again after 1974, the president was still required to give “adequate and equitable” representation to the second largest political party in his cabinet and in the filling of other bureaucratic posts.

Read more here (This article is mostly where I got my info from as well as copilot.ai. I know, AI is bad, but please don't judge me. I was not about to do six hours of research when I have a tool that can help me in seconds.)

What does this have to do with the madrigals?

Well, if you're planning on writing any madrigal (or all) outside of Encanto, La violencia is something you need to take into consideration. It's an important part of Colombia's culture and shouldn't be ignored.

(I just learned about it recently and in turn, need to rewrite some stuff. So I can only imagine that half of the Encanto fandom knows nothing about it)

What cities were safe you ask? I don't think there really was any.

Bogotá: As the capital of Colombia, Bogotá witnessed significant unrest during this period. Political factions clashed, leading to violence and instability.

Cali: Cali, located in the southwestern part of the country, also suffered from La Violencia. It was a hotspot for clashes between Liberal and Conservative supporters.

Medellín: Medellín, another major city, faced its share of violence. The conflict often played out in the streets, affecting civilians and communities.

Barranquilla: This coastal city experienced tensions between rival political groups, resulting in bloodshed and loss of life.

Cartagena: Cartagena, known for its historical significance, was not immune to the violence. The struggle between Liberals and Conservatives left scars on its urban landscape.

Cúcuta: Located near the border with Venezuela, Cúcuta also witnessed violence during La Violencia.

Palmira, Santa Marta, Soledad Atlántico, Armenia, Pereira, Neiva, Valledupar, Bucaramanga, Popayán, Villavicencio, and Soacha were other cities affected by the turmoil.

So, in either city, the madrigals would be exposed to this war if they chose to come out. Now, let's say Encanto is in the very center of Colombia (or at lease close to it) -

(Right where the red dot is)

The closest area is Villavicencio, Puerto Lypez, and Bogota. All three cities that were affected by the war. And I'm not saying Villavicencio is THAT close to Encanto, probably a week trip at best, but still.

Why did I choose the center of Colombia?

Because I don't see it sitting anywhere else. And it's convenient fic wise. But you can do what you want.

Now I'm not saying the Madrigals won't experience fun in the new world. They most certainly will (culture and technology wise), but the war is really unavoidable for them.

That's all for now, but if you have anything to add or for me to correct, reblog or message me.

#Encanto #encanto fanfic #mirabel madrigal #luisa madrigal #isabela madrigal #julieta madrigal #agustin madrigal #alma madrigal #bruno madrigal #antonio madrigal #camilo madrigal #dolores madrigal #pepa madrigal #felix madrigal

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thekatebridgerton · 10 months

Note

How did each of the Bridgertons cope with their break ups?

Anthony: full denial

He acted so shocked, like how dare Kate breakup with him first. Anthony was a total primadonna, he denies that Kate broke his heart, because he didn't love her, so he's fine, see how fine he is. *Lives in the office* *stares longingly at Kate whenever she picks up Violet for a girls night* *refuses to see anyone except his mother* *keeps working himself to death* he's fine!! (He's not fine, he's barely eating or sleeping, someone get this man some water)

Benedict: Went full hoe

He broke up with Sophie, because she wanted to be 'in a relationship ' not a ' situationship' then he Threw himself into the art scene, getting high, having meaningless after meaningless flings with whichever person, because guess what Sophie, he wanted freedom, see how free he is, who wants to put labels in a relationship, certainly not him. (He Calls Sophie's old number in the middle of the night to leave sad voice messages) Sophie doesn't get his messages, she blocked his number and the only Bridgerton she takes calls from, is Violet.

Colin: became a wreck and is still a wreck

This man stopped functioning after the breakup. Went on a bender, stopped showering for weeks, grew a beard. Took some job taking pictures in war thorn countries. At least Until his boss demanded he go back home and deal with his issues before he killed himself taking pictures of Colombian drug Lords. Currently Colin is holed up at his mom's home, low key pinning after his ex who of course is living her best life without him.

Daphne:

Did what every social media influencer does after a breakup, and had a makeover, went from redhead to blonde, got extensions, a new wardrobe, all the works. Then partied with her 40 closest celebrity friends and basically became the new life of the party in every club of the city. She is fine, see how not broken hearted she is, who cares that Simon didn't want to start a family with her. Who cares that they were engaged, she's got a billion followers on Instagram. And friends to party with * Cries in Gucci* Violet is worried about her

Eloise: She's coping... Sort of

Eloise is so angry at herself and at Phillip, that she joined a Taekwondo group and is now trying to channel all her rage into punching things via martial arts. So yeah, she alternates her time between listening to sad music in her room, sleeping a lot and hitting things in the gym. At least she's gaining muscle out of it, and she's going to be a black belt soon if she keeps on like that. Violet thinks she's going to hurt herself one of these days

Francesca: Faking it like a pro

Did cry on her mother's shoulder, and Violet does feel bad for her because Francesca pretends to be happy and wishing Michael all the best but she really is taking the breakup hard. As in, she cries a lot, and joined Anthony in his singlehanded pursuit to die from overwork. She blames herself for the breakup but won't admit she that she should have chased after Michael instead of waiting for him to realize he was wrong.

Hyacinth: Became addicted to videogames

After the breakup she got breakup bangs, changed the preppy dresses for pijamas and picked up Gregory's gaming console. Up until this moment Hyacinth never liked videogames, but now she prefers to play beat saber and Hitman 3, rather than face a world where she's not dating Gareth, sooo videogames it is. Violet thinks that Hyacinth is proving Gareth's point about being too spoiled to understand real world problems. But Hyacinth won't hear her, the only thing that matters is that Gareth is not here to tell her she's being silly and immature. And She's fine with that! She will do all the immature things she didn't do when they were dating. Who cares what Gareth thinks

Gregory: Learned how to bake

He's actually filling his entire college application with every extra curricular he can find to get his mind away from Lucy. So far he's been baking, knitting, playing the guitar, learning Mandarin and training the dog he got after his breakup. It's a total coincidence that he plant to go to the same ivy league Uni as she does. So far Gregory has been finding the most meaning in banking, creating a feedback loop with his siblings where he stress bakes, his siblings stress eat and he stress bakes again. Colin at least is always appreciative. Gregory is convinced that if he bakes enough muffins for Lucy's brunches with his mother, then Lucy will feel his longing... Violet wishes he would just talk to her!! Their breakup was a misunderstanding!!

And that's the tea

#bridgerton #polin #Benophie #kanthony #philoise

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jollyinha · 4 months

Text

I have brought... My YuuriVoice listeners.

...On The Sims, because I can't draw for shit. I spent pretty much the whole day redesigning (except Rookie, who already got a glow up bc he's my favorite child) and dressing them up like Barbie dolls lol

DISCLAIMER: I'm being a lil' poser because I have never watched Bittersweet nor the Faust audios (and yet I still have Sugarboo and Star done, go figure), and am catching up on Lost and Found as I type this. ANYWAY HERE ARE MY BABIES, MORE INFO ON THEM UNDER THE CUT YIPPEEEEEEEE

FÉLIX/ROOKIE:

- As previously mentioned, he's my favorite child, sorry not sorry, I adore this boy so much

- Dumb of ass and home of sexual (out of the closet to everyone except his mom, oof), pulled a millionaire CEO with his ADHD swag. Also canonically a cheeky horny bastard

- An artist (draws/paints and crafts all sorts of stuff) at heart, but had to pursue a more lucrative career in order to support his family. So, Law school it is. Viva le capitalism

- Is an ENFP and his birthday is on February 16th

- His mother is Brazilian and his dad was Colombian. They have been living in the USA since Félix was a young child. He also has a little sister (not so little, she's in college by the time Shattered begins) whom he loves very much and basically raised her, to the point where she sees him as his dad more than their actual dad (whom passed away when she was a toddler)

- Has an excellent relationship with his uncle (and his wife), aunt and cousins. Him and Joy/Sunflower don't meet that often bc she lives a bit far away, but when they do, they share the same braincell

- Appears to be suave and chill when he's at work, but he's actually a SOFTIE. The biggest golden retriever... Well, not literally the biggest. He's 5'7ft/1m69cm. Compared to Auron, he's pocket-sized. But anyway-

- He loves Trish. They bully Auron together. Incredible dynamic

- Has pyrophobia bc ✨ PAST TRAUMA ✨. Began cooking as a hobby to try to work through it

- Likes: Arts, cooking, biking, peacocks, sun imageries (long story), sea monsters and plaid jackets

- Félix has SO MUCH LORE and tidbits (like his tattoos!) about him, I would need an entire separate post to tell it all. And I might do it bc I need that sweet infodump dopamine...

JOYCE "JOY"/SUNFLOWER

- Actually my first YV OC! I met the channel through the infamous Finn compilation

- Bisexual! Finn is her first serious boyfriend, though, up until she met him, she only had girlfriends... And she had the worst luck with all of them. Oof

- Colombian, just like Félix

- Huge animal lover, especially the aquatic critters and reptiles. Has a Bull Terrier named Cow (yes, that's her name.) that has her entire heart. Currently trying to get a job in the veterinarian field! Just... Don't put bugs near her. Please

- Is an ESFP and her birthday is on July 27th... The day the Finn compilation premiered

- Her mother had her pretty young. She doesn't know who her father is, and her mom refuses to talk about it... But tbh, Joy doesn't care that much. She loves her mama, and that's all that matters

- (also her mother loves Finn dearly. everytime they meet, he leaves with a piece of cake or some other home made food bc she loves to spoil her "son-in-law" lmao)

- Surfs on her spare time! Queen shit! Also plays a bit of soccer

- Had pretty severe acne as a teen and still has its marks

- Golden retriever energy runs in the Torres family, because she has it too

- Likes: Snakes, whales, surfing, soccer (as stressful as it is to watch it lol), jogging, her dog Cow, hoodies, fun scrunchies

CARINA/SUGARBOO

- Like I previously stated, I haven't watched Bittersweet, so, I may not have much to say about Sugarboo except for the (few) misc audios from Al and Seth I have heard... BUT GODDAMNIT SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL OH GOD

- Straight, but poly

- Japanese, but was born and raised in the USA and, sadly, doesn't has much connection to her roots... Mostly bc she's not super close to her family :(

- (Canonically) Likes to bake! Also cooking, but still has a preference for pastries. Works in a bakery... Which isn't a very healthy workplace, but, oh well

- Is an ESFJ, and her birthday is on January 20th (it's coming!!!!! happy early birthday, queen!!!!!)

- Pulled TWO bitches by having ADHD

- Has A SHIT LOAD of tattoos because she's best friends with a tattoo artist... Who may or may not be Star 👀

- Used to have long hair when she met Alphonse

- She may be Al's impulse control, but Seth is her impulse control 💀

- Calls Alphonse "bug". Earlier on their relationship it was ironically ("so you and me together can be bugaboo!"), but the pet name has stuck

- But in reality, she does have a passion for bugs! Especially butterflies and moths ("NOT Mothman, Seth. Normal, regular moths.")

- Also love cats

- She bullies Seth for believing in cryptids... But believes in aliens

- Again, I haven't watched Bittersweet, so feel free to discard this part if it's contradicting canon events, but... She kind of likes Charlie. She thinks he's cute, even with all the shit that happened

- Likes: Baking, collecting jewelry like some kind of dragon, bugs, cats, tattoos, aliens

ASHER/CASPER

- The coolest mf to ever walk on this earth. I don't make the rules, it's the truth

- FtM trans of gender, also home of sexual

- Just american. F

- Yes, his last name is a Life Is Strange reference, sue me

- I... I have no idea what he works with? Because gotta wait for more Charlie videos to find out wtf canon!Casper is up to he's such a mysterious guy,,,,,

- (I really hope that the "Casper works for Auron" theory is true tho, the Auron/Félix & Charlie/Asher shenanigans would be so funny to imagine)

- What I do know is that he's kind of a gym bro, except if said bro was fruity

- Seriously though, he's a sporty guy. Likes to go jogging, (he and Joy/Sunflower would be good workout buddies!), climbing, hiking, good ol' fashioned working out and, of course, skating! But after Charlie left, he got into roller skating as well, and he's pretty damn good at it

- He's an ISFP, and his birthday is on April 22nd (Earth Day, get it, bc his favorite color is green,,,,,,)

- Disowned by his parents, but was taken in by his uncle and aunt, whom really support him <3

- Has a tooth gap! Cute shit

- Braided his hair as a kid, still does it nowadays. Certain things never change

- He WANTS to get SO MANY TATTOOS AND PIERCINGS... But he has a pretty bad case of trypanophobia (his ears are pierced bc his parents had him pierce it as a baby). Having his top surgery was challenging enough! He just wanted to get some tattoos... :(

- Always carries an extra hair tie on his arm, like a bracelet. Mostly for himself, but sometimes he gives it to Charlie too

- Has dyslexia! Fucking hated school bc of that

- Likes: Skating, roller skating, climbing, collecting sick ass knives, bad horror movies, hair styling (he wanted to be a hairstylist as a kid even!)

- I don't have thaaaaat much to say about him as of right now since I'm still finishing Lost and Found, but he's growing a lot on me, I love him

PAIGE/ANGEL

- URGH I LOVE HER SO MUCH AAAAAAAAAA ULTIMATE SASS AND NIHILISM

- Their relationship with gender is... Confusing. Doesn't like any labels, really. Just go with she/them and you'll be fine. Considers themselves to be pansexual, though

- British ("sadly, stupid ass country"), still has a strong accent even if they have been living in the USA for quite a while

- ...They like tea though

- She works on the IT department of a big company. Boring office job. But she doesn't mind it that much. Everyone is nice enough and it pays the bills. That's more than enough for her

- But besides programming and gaming, her big passion in life is... Sewing! 80% of the plushies in her collection are handmade, including Sir Gengar himself

- Also a huge cinephile

- Is an INTP, and their birthday is on September 4th (it may or may not be a reference to Gengar's pokedex number)

- Pulled a LITERAL DEMON FROM HELL with her autism swag

- Has chronic pain on her left knee due to a past accident

- Obviously, huge Pokémon fan

- Ironically enough, doesn't really like cooking, which explains why their house didn't had shit when it comes to ingredients lol At least now they have a demon boy to cook for them

- Awful relationship with her family. All of it. Ran away for the USA to escape from them

- Doesn't have many friends irl, most of them are virtual friends

- Considers themselves to be "plain and boring". Normally they don't give a damn about it, but got kind of insecure when they and Lucien got officially together... But in their most confident days, they think it's hilarious how the most normal-looking human ever managed to pull a demon

- Deep, deep down, Paige is a sweet and caring person. Heck, that's why her soul was so enticing. She just has trouble demonstrating it (Autistic Struggle™)

- Likes four leaf clovers. No idea why. She just does

- ...I feel like she would watch Faust's streams ironically. She thinks the cat boy is hilarious

- Likes: Cinema, games, programming, plushies making, clovers, tea

ENID/STAR

- ...I haven't watched a single Faust audio in my life, but Enid just... Popped up in my head. Their design came to me and they were yelling at me to bring them to existence. So here they are?????? I really gotta hear the twink's audios any of these days...

- I don't even know much about them tbh lol But here's what I do have:

- Non-binary (AFAB), bisexual

- A tattoo artist! They're Sugarboo's friend that I mentioned all the way up there

- Likes to write and read in their spare time (IMAGINE THEM AND AURON WRITING FANFICTION ABOUT THEIR S/Os! Beautiful)

- Likes to watch sports (don't look like the type, do they?)

- Likes questionable shirts with 80s/90s aesthetics

- I can see them being friends with Paige/Angel, ngl :D

- ...That's all about Enid for now, maybe I'll develop them if I get around to hear more of Faust eventually lol

Idk if there's someone reading all of this, but if there is, tysm for reading this HUGE infodump 🥺 If you have any YV OCs, I would LOVE to hear about them too! My DMs are open!

#yuurivoice #yuurivoice listener #félix (rookie)#joyce (sunflower)#carina (sugarboo)#asher (casper)#paige (angel)#enid (star)

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rise-my-angel · 1 year

Text

The Complexities Of Defeat

Pairing: Javier Peña x Female Reader

Length: 4.7k

Warnings: angst/hurt comfort, angst with a happy ending, references to smut, mentions of violence

Notes: Covers the final act of season three, sequel to A Future Of Unknown Dangers and Waging Double Edged War, but can be read as an stand alone.

Everything spiraled into one disaster after another. Anything that could be perceived as the slightest win was immediately over turned by something worse. The day Javi went out to Cali in a raid for Miguel Rodriquez, you ended up spending a while back in the apartment on the phone with Chucho. He knew some of what was going on, but to no ones surprise, Javi tried to keep the worse details to himself. On the phone with you, he didn’t need to pry, he knew how rough things were just by how you sounded.

Whatever hope he tried to instill in you was dashed in a matter of days. Javi came back that night, The raid was slammed with bureaucracy that they were forced to give up right as they got to Miguel. “He was right behind that fucking wall and they knew it.” Then he finally found out why Christina Jurado never showed up, and thus you were sent right back into a nightmare.

At that point you didn’t even care about Berna being involved, he was the least of your problems, but now you were stuck. A late night in the office trying to put off going to an empty apartment, surrounded by the little home you and Javi made for each other and unable to sleep as your mind was plagued with thoughts of what could happen to him out there. Only for him to come home safe to find Franklin was dead, and the whole thing meant nothing. Even then, that still wasn’t the worst of it.

You were suddenly brought back to La Catedral. The States got to tell the people back home that Escobar was finally behind bars, only to hide the reality that is life was run exactly the same as when he was free only smaller. It felt the same now. It was the same now with Cali. Like both the American and Colombian governments had no interest in serving any kind of justice to these men, just as long as they could say they were locked up they didn’t care what kind of luxury the god fathers now lived in.

You couldn’t figure out why this time around though no one was even pretending that justice mattered to them. It was the thought that swam around your brain as you made you way home, the sweltering streets filled with noise doing little to dwindle the buzz in your brain. Not much registered to you as you made your way to the door, lost in a daydream of where to go from here only to get into the bedroom and have that daydream answered for you.

It wasn’t just Javi’s things partially packed, it was yours too. Some sitting in the suitcase already, some thrown onto the bed as if he couldn’t decide if it was worth finding space for. You could hear the shower running with a trail of Javi’s suit scattered in pieces as if stripped off with no care for where they landed.

You didn’t pick them up. All you did was finish what he started and folding up into your respective cases what was worth bringing home. Not many words were needed between you two really, you knew it was the end of the line, just the how was what you were missing. It felt like lead filled your veins as you worked away, this defeated pattern of leaving the country starting to eat at you, like this place only ever let you leave if it chewed you up and spit you out.

The running water stopped, and you could hear the muffled sounds of Javi moving around in the washroom before the door opened, letting out a cloud of steam. Clutching one of his shirts in your grasp rightly, you both looked at each other, no longer was the weight on his shoulders one of burden, but instead defeat. Towel sat low on his hips with water dripping down his chest did nothing to entice you.

Muttering your name quietly, Javi reached an arm out as he stepped towards you. Grip on his shirt tightening for a fraction of a second before dropping it, you put your hand into his and was yanked into his chest, your arms around each other as Javi’s low voice spoke into the top of your head. “None of it fucking mattered. They all got exactly what they wanted in the end.”

“Javi,” he shushed you before tipping your chin up to look him in the eyes briefly before he captured your lips in his. Nothing more or less then a chaste kiss as you ran gentle hands over his bare skin, and his own holding your waist. Pulling way he gently ran his nose over yours, making you yearn for the gesture to be out of intimacy and not desperation. You didn’t rush him, you let him go at his own pace.

Finally, he pulled way and nudged you to sit on the bed, as he got dressed again. “Actually catching these guys, bringing the people they hurt justice wasn’t what they wanted. The bullshit surrender was what they wanted, and that’s what they got.”

His eyes felt hurt deep in them as he turned back to you, shirt unbuttoned on his shoulders as he looked at you, face soft and begging for help. His hands didn’t quite tremble, but they sure weren’t smooth and gentle as he started doing them up. “Everything Crosby told me matched exactly with what we found, that as long as they get to stay friends with Colombia, we shouldn’t care what happens here.”

“Let me,” You spoke softly as you lifted his hands away so you could button his shirt up yourself. Not looking at him, only the task at hand. “So what, we were just supposed to sit back and let the country deal with it? Not care about how many people had to die along the way?”

Tension swirled through Javi’s shoulders as you ran over them with your palms, smoothing them out as you started on his tie. Large hands once again finding a home on your waist as you worked. A deep sickness boiled in Javi’s stomach. “The country wasn’t about to do shit.” Shooting you head up suddenly, brows furrowed you saw conflict in his eyes again, but you two were past hiding things anymore. Javi was long past refusing to admit that he needed you. “Cali’s been in their pocket this entire time. Every move and nightmare they caused, they were going to ultimately get away with since that’s exactly what they bought the presidential campaign for.”

Eyes squeezed tight in tandem with your heart. The strain in his voice cracked and whispered through guilt he didn’t deserve. “That’s why they wanted you to just play ball.”

From the corner of your eye you saw him nod, jaw clenched tight. “I wasn’t here to make a difference, I was here to do as I was told and let the cartel funnel as much money into the government as they wanted. Cali’s in fucking jail because it looks good to the public, not because it’s what they deserve. Crosby wanted to pull the DEA off the case because if he handed it over to the Colombian-”

“That mean’s they would look at your work and know exactly where and how not to interfere here on out.” Once again you caught him nodding in agreement. Tightening his tie professionally up to this shirt, your fingers danced on the top button still undone. Javi however picked said fingers up for a kiss before seeking your lips out once more. He nodded into it, your hands freeing to rake through his hair and pull his upper back close to you so you could hold in in your arms completely.

It took a moment to get Javi on a level where he even understood what he was trying to say, and how we was saying it. You knew at this point that leaving again for the States was on the horizon but you had no idea just how that was about to happen.

Suit jacket tossed gently over the dresser, Javi now was leaned up against the wall, arms crossed as he watched you keep packing. His heart warm at how much you just respected how he needs time, yet knew him so well you understood where he was going. He started talking as you finished packing. Telling you all about what he and the reporter found, what he and Crosby talked about that led this, and finally the statement about the Cali arrests he was to make.

“I’m done after that.” Swiveling over to him, you saw the brown colour of his eyes slowly fading away by a look of remorse. “This press conference is the last thing I’m going to do for them, I can’t do this anymore. Not when all they want from me is to..too..”

“Look pretty and play house?” There it was, a small half smile that let his dimple just barley peek out.

Looking down Javi fought with smiling at you and the need for it to slip off his face from frustration. “Yeah.” His head bobbed as he looked down, eyes looking at the clean dress pants and pristine shoes he’s come to hate wearing. He might just leave all of his suit’s behind, let them gather dust until they find a better play actor to fill the role. Let whoever that is clean up what Javi’s become too tired to leave behind.

“I already told him,” his chin gutting out to the hall outside where the phone sat, “that we’re coming home for good this time. He doesn’t know much. Just said he’d get it all from you anyways.”

You both chuckled at that one, apparently Chucho wasn’t shy in informing his son that the only reason he’s up to date is because you’re the one who spills the beans when Javi’s not around. “When do we leave?”

Javi strode across the room to the bedside table on his end, and pulled out two plane tickets. His thumb tapping at the flimsy paper before wordlessly handing them to you. “I’m sorry I’m just throwing this all at you now. I should- I should’ve talked to you beforehand.”

The tickets weren’t even in your hand for a second before you mindlessly tossed them down. Knees climbing up onto the bed and finding their way to sit in front of Javi. His cheeks warm in your palms and his own eyes fluttered at the sensation. He mirrored the same hold on your own cheeks and brought you in for a kiss once again.

Anytime you pulled away his lips followed, dragging you back under the softness of his touch before you lightly pushed at his chest. “I know you Javier.” Pulling his face closer into yours when he tried to shake his head no. “I do. I know you. This place...you were right. It was completely different this time, but it’s not me you should be worrying about. I wanted you to worry about you Javi. Every day I watched as you lose any faith or hope in what you were doing, but you never cared what that was doing to you. That was the worst part. Watching you always put yourself last for a cause no one else believed in.”

Sliding from his face down to his shoulders, your palms ran over them squeezing at the tense muscles under. His breath coming out in a stutter at each press. “Quierda...”

Tickling his ear as you spoke into it. “Let someone take care of you for a change Javier.” With a harsher press against his muscles, his head dropped somewhat into your neck. Nodding, you finally smiled and pulled him into your chest. “Lay down for me, baby.”

Undoing the buttons you just did, Javi pulled at his tie until you slid it off his neck before dragging the sleeves of his shirt down his arms. It barley touched his ground before you traced his skin all the way from the edge of his pants, up his stomach and to his neck. Once again pulling him to the bed and laying him face down as you made room beside the packing taking up the other side of the bed.

Gently straddling his waist, your hands found a gentle return to his shoulder blades. “We have plenty of time, baby. I just want you to relax for me.” It wasn’t long before the press into his back muscles elicited muffled groans.

Hands outstretched above his head grasping a the sheets the deeper you dug, all the while whispering quiet praises at how good he’s doing, meaning over him to press a kiss to his cheek and mutter into his ear how good he is.

Javi writhed into the bed below him so slow you wouldn’t have noticed if not for your hips settled nicely below his ass. Maybe it would have turned you on more, the pleasure Javi was feeling if your heart wasn’t so heavy. Had you not done enough for him? Was there anymore you could have done to ease his pain?

Praises and sweet little comforts spilled from your mouth the more you felt him relaxing under your finger tips as your guilt grew. Being back home wasn’t going to be easy. It wasn’t last time and it certainly wasn’t about to get any easier leaving for good. You could feel the dropping confidence in your own dedication as you debated just how much you had to make up to him once you get back to Texas.

Javi’s little groans of your name swept you back into the moment, leaving a soft smile in it’s wake. You didn’t know how long you two were there. More than once Javi almost fell asleep, but then you’d hit a sensitive area and a moan would snap him right back.

You kept him there for as long as you could get away with, but ultimately he had a press conference to get too, and a final resignation to his superiors. He’d later tell you he took care of your end of things, and a cheeky little grin as he reminded you that he guessed your boss would be okay with you not coming back.

This time you both worked in peace getting him ready again. You both knew there was no point in you watching it all go down. You didn’t need to see it live to know where this was coming from. You instead stood with your hands pressed against his chest near the door. “I’m proud of you, Javier. Not just for this, for everything.” One hand trickled up to his cheek and was met with his warm hand encompassing yours. “Even if you’re not there yet yourself, I always will be.”

You wanted to say it, but it wasn’t the time. It would be selfish to say it now when he had more important things than you to focus on. It seemed backwards that you had more anxiety about him resigning than he did. Maybe it was because you knew what was coming next. Javi being out permanently, and knowing what state the government is treating drug cartels with, it’s going to eat at him slowly.

Javi told you what Stechner said to him that day he had to help show those senators what ended up being a staged lab. That no one cared as deeply about this as he did, but how everyone looked at it as a negative. It pissed you off than and now it upsets you. Javi cared about the people, the ones hurt by their violence, the lives ruined with the devastating drugs they pedal, and how only money was their endgame on either side. He didn’t deserve this, Javi deserved better.

Maybe Steve was right to leave Colombia for good when he did. You hadn’t spoken to him or Connie, unwilling to lie about how badly the Cali case was going, you suspected Javi felt the same way. You’d entertain the idea later, back when you were settled for good in Texas. Before dating you joked to Javi that when you were done you’d move back North to the cold states, but that plan was long gone.

You didn’t have much of anyone, so you’d stay where you were needed. By Javi’s side for as long as he needed it.

He had given you a needy kiss before he left. Pulling you back to his lips every time you even thought about pulling away. Your hands holding tight onto his neck as to not muck up his appearance again. He had pulled away only when you were lightheaded, and pleaded with you not to watch the press conference. “I know it’s selfish to ask, I just...I don’t want you dealing with this shit anymore than you already have.”

You pressed one last kiss to his nose and than his cheek. “Say that about yourself first and maybe we can talk about what I shouldn’t be dealing with.”

Chucho has called not long after when you presumed it was over. Neither of you bothering to greet one another, he got right to the point he worried about most. “How is he?”

You smiled to yourself, “Depends, do you want what I’d say or what Javi’s going to tell you?” Chucho chuckled deep on the other end, and you responded anyways. “He hurts, Chucho. The way he sees it, its his fault the government doesn’t care about his efforts. Like for some reason if he couldn’t get them to care than he failed these people..I don’t know how long it’s gonna take to shake that.”

Humming in thought, you heard him rubbing at his face, likely leaned somewhat against the kitchen wall very much in the kind of stance Javi took when frustrated. “Everyone here couldn’t care less about the details, all they saw was Escobar was gone and now Cali’s in jail. They don’t give a shit how complicated the bureaucracy is, they just see him as a hero.”

“Which he hates.” You saw how distant he became anytime that word was directed towards him. Eventually he stopped even trying to correct people about if he was there when Escobar died. They didn’t care, he was apart of something trying to do good and that’s what they cared about. It would take more to convince Javi of that.

“Javier’s going to need your support more than ever. Every day or two, I have boats passing by the Ranch going into Mexico. Crates, guns you name it they’re bringing it over. I don’t know if they’ve talked about it to him at all, but if they can drag him into that mess they will.” There was a finality in his tone that you both understood.

Colombia pulled Javi back in and is now spitting him out in venom, whatever mess has started to gain traction in Mexico would strip away whatever you had managed to put back together. Neither of you were sure his spirit would survive that.

You both talked a while longer, Chucho laying out a few options for you once you get back. Detailing a share you’d receive if it was the ranch you wanted to work with them, or that he’s asked around about some local jobs he can put a word for you in if you wanted something less back breaking. Honestly you weren’t sure yet. It was becoming a bad habit of abandoning your job in Colombia for Texas with no plan of the future.

“Maybe when Javi’s a little more okay. I don’t know how much leaving for 8 hours a day will help whatever demon’s he’s coming home with. I mean, he’s pretty much tried to keep me at the embassy for as long as possible so he always knows where I am that’s safe. And with the boats...” Your hand was curling up the phone cord around your finger over and over as your bottom lip was nibbled at in anxiety. Luckily Chucho understood. Telling you he’d give you better training in handling the animals so you’d be comfortable, and he left it at that.

Eventually the silence in the apartment became too much. You needed noise, you needed air. Sitting off to the side of the apartment complex’s front steps you took in the busy street going about it’s day. You were going to miss this terribly, the interesting and good people you’ve met and watching the lives of the people who simply wanted the promise of a safer life, who you now knew wouldn’t be delivered on.

Hugging your knees, you smiled shortly at the group of young boys running down the street, only stopping to jump on each other and wrestle around until someone scolded them to stop. Images flashing through you of the same scene, only with Javier there to settle them down. Maybe the dream of one of the boys being picked up in his arms the call of “dad”, being cried out in laughter.

You didn’t know if Javi wanted that either. You two had never said it to one another, sometimes you were sure you felt it from him and you desperately hoped he felt it from you. But it was never spoken out loud, how you both felt. By the time either of you realized it, Javier was sent home on a plane and nothing between then and now had felt right to unleash on him.

You wanted him to feel it back though, and judging by the bright eyed look as he approached the stairs, a flicker of hope burned in your heart that it wasn’t just a fantasy. He called your name and scooped you up in his arms as soon as you stood.

Pressing his lips to yours without a care of who could be watching, he had to blindly reach out to steady you as the force almost knocked you backwards. Javi poured too much to comprehend into his kiss, so your arms simply wound around his body and pulled him to you. By the time he pulled back, he rubbed his nose down the length of yours. “Their pissed, but it’s done.” He shook his head when you went to ask him about it, only guiding you inside quietly. “Let’s just get home first, okay?”

For the first real time, this place wasn’t your home anymore.

The time in the airport was a refreshing facade. You both sat at a table with food and a drink, “Should have just given him my wallet for what he was asking.” He plunked both your bottles onto the table, and all but threw himself onto the opposite chair with an oof.

Taking a sip, Javi smirked at the mild grimace you gave your drink with an audible gulp. “You’d think he’d at least be able to afford a fridge at this point.” It didn’t fail to catch your notice that the vendor could be heard yelling at another customer trying to bargain the price.

Mediocre food followed, and for a moment it felt like you were a normal couple leaving from holiday. Not a soul looked at either of you, no one knew nor cared about the crushing weight of failure emanating from your souls. At times you felt Javi’s food purposely collide with yours, prompting you to gently bump back.

After a comfortable silence held for a while, Javi smashed that feeling with something you hadn’t even considered. “Are you sure you want to stay? With us in Laredo I mean. You don’t need to drag yourself anywhere I go just because...”

Tilting your head you tried to catch his deep brown eyes that evaded your own until he couldn’t hide. Those eyes so large and so loud spoken, matching the softness of his handsome features in a sad harmony. “Because of what?” You were soft spoken, trying to gently prompt him to open up without needing help with the words.

He sighed, looking at his hands for a second before one reached out to hold yours closest to the middle of the table. “Just...don’t feel shackled down to me just because I need you..” His eyes closed before back up to face you properly, a warmth flooding them that filled you with a matching feeling. “If you need distance, I don’t want you to feel..trapped.”

His face morphed into slight confusion as you chuckled breathily, before leaning over the table to press your lips against his, the taste of cheap booze mixing together. “You don’t need me, Javi. You’re strong enough, good enough to make it on your own.”

He hesitated but you mimicked what he did to you in times of uncertainty. Your fingers gently pulling his chin towards you and nudging your nose against his. “But you shouldn’t have to be alone, Javier. That’s what matters. You deserve to be loved, and I don’t want to be anywhere except at your side so I can give that to you.”

Javi gripped the back of your neck as he pushed back lovingly. “I told you, you mean everything to me mi amor. I just don’t want you to feel obligated-”

“I don’t feel obligated to anything except throwing out this shit drink.” He laughed against you, so close your lips brushed one another as you joined. “We’re in this together. As long as you’ll have me.”

The sound of your flight being yelled over the loud speaker broke you apart. Javi rolling his shoulders as he stood up, grabbing both of your things to throw out. “As long as I’ll have you.”

He didn’t hide the playful roll of his eyes as he muttered to himself as he walked to and from the garbage. Not skipping a beat to pull your bag up onto your shoulder and grabbing his own. His hand grabbing one of yours and bringing it up to his face. “The only way I’d want to get rid of you is if you go back to calling me the hillbilly instead of Murphy.”

His face fell even more amused as yours lifted in a mysterious joy. “I don’t know, he’s not the one in flannel shirts, drudging mud into the house from working on a ranch all day.”

This time you laughed out loud as he muttered to himself annoyed once again, turning back to you with a playful glare of his own before he pushed you forward at the small of your back. “Still just can’t behave can you, quierda?”

You turned your head back to look at him, “What are you going to do about it, Peña?” It’s a long flight home, plenty of time to teach me a lesson.” You almost let out a yelp as he slapped your ass. The sound loud enough to be heard but Javi putting his body behind you enough to hide his actions, but not so close that he couldn’t look down to watch your ass jiggling from the force with a subtle turned on look.

Leaning into your ear his voice was lighter than it had been for days. “Save it for when I have you in my bed. I’ll need plenty of room what I have in store for you.”

Instead of a lustful one, you and Javi looked at the other with a soft gaze, admiration flooding both of your eyes. You met one another at the same time for a kiss, Javi using the closeness to wrap his arm around your waist and direct you forward again. “Time to go home, quierda.”

As you walked, your head leaned to the side on his shoulder. Standing in the final queue, you didn’t even look at him as it slipped from your mouth, but once it was out you didn’t feel the impending regret you worried so much about. “I love you, Javier.”

All you felt was a press of his lips to the top of your head. “I love you, mi amor.”

Going home for the final time was going to be a new set of trials and tribulations for Javier, but this time you were better equipped to handle it, a better understanding of how to support him. A head start on the conflicted anger and guilt when he sees those boats, those guns, the drugs into Mexico for the first time.

Whatever pain was ahead, you embraced it.

#javier peña x reader #javier pena x reader #javier peña x female reader #javier pena x female reader #javier pena x f!reader #javier peña x f!reader #javier peña x you #javier pena x you #javier peña imagine #pedro pascal x reader #narcos imagine

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succubusphan · 4 months

Text

Sweet Juliet

Summary: Dan is a baker in his thirties, feeling the weight of the passage of time on his shoulders, living a content yet uneventful life until a mysterious man takes it upon himself to whisk him away.

Rating: G

Tags/warnings: Strangers to lovers, meet cute, non youtuber au.

Author's Note: Written for the @phandomgiftexchange as a gift to @husbants. Thank you for being amazing Nikki and for continuing this lovely tradition. I hope you enjoy it! thank you @effingmeteors for reading this over.

Total Word Count: 2.5k

Read on Ao3

Dan pulled out a massive cake from the oven and set it on the counter before he dropped it by accident - again. He shut the oven door and straightened up with a groan, hearing his back pop. “Jesus fuck,” he mumbled. No matter what his nNan said, sometimes Dan couldn’t help but feel age catching up to him. Maybe thirty years old was too old to be working this much, as Adrian said, but he just loved baking and running his little coffee shop, meeting new people and learning about their lives when they were up to talking or just observing them and coming up with his own stories for them.

You see, Dan was proud of the crowd his shop attracted with its various plants and speciality baking, the Colombian coffee and the books readily available for those who wished to immerse themselves in an alternate universe. His patrons were usually bohemian university students, established couples on a quiet date out, and artists who wished to spend hours enjoying the place and eating his various creations as they sketched a new piece. Sadly, the piano he had available hadn’t been touched in the three years since the grand opening, but he could dream.

The bell on the door dinged welcoming the first clients of the day and pulling him from his thoughts. He fixed his posture and smiled widely. “Good morning, Adeleine, how is Richard fairing?” Dan asked his older neighbour and frequent visitor.

“Oh, you know how he is! He says he will be fine but I told him to get some proper rest until Monday. His back is not what it used to and he needs to accept that. We are all ageing as it is,” Adeleine said, swishing her little coin purse as she looked at the pastry display.

“You are quite right,” Dan nodded, hating the fact that he had so much in common with the elderly couple. “What would you like this time?”

“I’ll take 4 pain au chocolates for Richard, and for me… Ugh, I shouldn’t but I can’t resist your eclairs. You are simply too talented for your own good.”

“You flatter me,” Dan said, waving her off as he picked the pastries one by one and put them in a small golden tray with an intricate flower design on the edges. “You get one extra just for being my favourite patron.” He winked.

Adeleine laughed loudly but cleared her throat when she saw a man walk in. Dan hadn’t seen him around before but the guy was breathtakingly gorgeous and if the look she was giving Dan was anything to go by, Adeleine agreed. Dan took a calming breath, trying to keep his nerves in check but he almost burst out laughing when she wiggled her eyebrows at him.

“Anything else?” Dan asked her with an awkward cough.

“No, that’ll be all, sweety,” she said, grabbing the now packaged pastries and handing him the money. “Thank you, see you on Monday!”

“Of course! Send Richard my well wishes,” Dan smiled.

She nodded and made her way to the exit way too slowly for her usual pace. Dan rolled his eyes and snorted, knowing that Adelaine was just trying to have more time to ogle the newcomer.

“Welcome to Sweet Juliet,” Dan said with what he hoped was a warm smile instead of the painful expression he was picturing in his mind. “What would you like to enjoy?”

The man lifted a carefully manicured eyebrow and gave him a sly smile. Dan had never been ashamed of the little phrases he had crafted to make his store special, but he did feel the heat rising to his cheeks at the expression the guy made.

“Hi,” he said, leaning on the pastry display. “I’m new in the area but I’ve heard good reviews. What would you recommend for me?”

Dan felt all moisture leaving his throat as he followed the line of the guy’s neck past the two open buttons of his shirt, briefly catching a glimpse of a rosy nipple. Not that Dan was being a creep or anything, but he was just too beautiful and the way he was standing and his inky black hair and blue eyes and -”

“Dan?” he asked.

“Oh,” Dan blinked repeatedly. He had spaced out for a bit. “How do you know my name?”

“It’s in your tag,” the guy laughed. He actually laughed, as if he hadn’t already thought Dan was a fucking dork for his stupid little greeting.

Dan sputtered at his own stupidity and decided that the safest option was to pretend nothing happened. “Right, anyway… I recommend the mocha latte with the Sweet Juliet Tray. If you like sweets, that will give you a taste of everything.

“Sounds perfect,” he smiled. “When do you get off?”

Dan gasped, his eyes wide as saucers. “What?!”

“From work! Sorry, I’m just -” he laughed, looking a little shy for the first time. “I’m so sorry! Let’s start over, I’m Phil.”

“Alright,” Dan smiled. Realising he was actually the culprit of the misunderstanding, of course, Phil hadn’t been asking about that, but since he took the fault for it, Dan was not going to argue on the matter. He needed to at least pretend to have a brain to impress this guy. “Hi, Phil…”

“Hi, Dan! I’ll take that mocha with the Juliet tray. And if you’d be so kind, I would like your number, Dan.” Phil gave him a half smile, turning the charm on once again but Dan was not going to make it that easy for him.

“Hmm… How do I know you’re not a serial killer?” Dan asked, only half joking. The guy was too fucking handsome to be chasing little old Dan, on the other hand, people die every day and who was Dan to refuse such an opportunity. Was there really a better way to go?

“I think people would find me easily,” Phil said, his smile dropping slightly.

Dan wondered about the change in his demeanour but tried to keep the joke rolling. “Are you bad at hiding?”

“Most of the time, yeah,” Phil shrugged, his smile entirely vanished now.

“Well, I’ll think about it while you enjoy your mocha, Phil.” Dan said, trying not to sound too bummed about his terrible fail at flirting. How did he even manage to fuck up when he had already been invited to go out on a date?

Phil shook his head, his expression softening. “I should have brought flowers, but how could I’ve ever known I would be meeting you?”

“Wow, you’re really good at this,” Dan commented as he started to prepare the order. Maybe it was best to just let things be. “But I’m afraid you’re coming a bit too strong.”

“Alright, alright,” Phil said, raising his hands. “I’ll just find myself a table for now.”

“Ok, make sure to check our book selection,” he said, but Phil was already scanning the bookcase in search of a title until he gasped, and hurried back to his table with a thick tome in his hands.

Dan cocked his head as he read the title of the book in Phil’s hands: “The Lord of the Rings.” Who hasn’t read the Lord of the Rings and why read it at a coffee shop? He put the mug and plate with pastries on a tray and brought them over to Phil’s table, which was surprisingly tucked away in the darkest corner of the shop. After setting everything down, he turned on the lamp closest to the table to make sure Phil didn’t strain his eyes too much. “Enjoy!”

“Thank you!” Phil said and looked back down to the book, but when Dan stood there awkwardly, he just let out a little sigh and looked into Dan’s eyes. “Yes?” His smile was polite, yet small. It wasn’t as bright as when he’d walked into the store and flirted with him.

“Um… may I ask why did you pick that book?”

“I just never got around to read it and I thought it would be a good idea since I’ve… since I’m around at the moment.”

“How are you planning to finish it?”

Phil shrugged. “Why? Do you burn the books that have been read or something?”

Dan snorted. “No, not at all.”

“Then I will just have to keep coming over to eat sweets and read here… unless that would be a problem for you.”

“That’s why the books are there!” Dan waved him off. “It’s just that other people are also reading the same book so bookmarks tend to be moved and such, it’s a bit annoying unless you remember exactly where you left off.”

“Ah, I see. I guess I’ll have to write it down somewhere.”

“Not in the book, please!” Dan gave him a horrified look.

“What do you take me for? An animal?” Phil asked, with an amused smile.

“You’d be surprised at what people are capable of,” Dan said, sheepishly. “Now I have to watch everyone like a hawk just in case.”

“Will you be watching me then?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Think about that date, will you?”

“I’ll think about it,” Dan said as he rolled his eyes and smiled.

And so their little dance began. Phil came to have coffee and eat sweets with the excuse of catching up on his reading but spent at least half of the time watching Dan and giving him little smiles or holding his gaze until Dan began to squirm and blush. He tried his best not to humour Phil, but he couldn’t help the way his smile grew little by little each time Phil came over and asked him out once again.

One fateful Monday afternoon, Dan couldn’t keep his eyes off the door, silently telling himself how pathetic it was that he was desperate to see Phil again, but it seemed that he would not be coming. Two, his usual arrival time, came and went, then three and four, and by five Dan had already lost hope. Maybe Phil had finally had enough of him.

The sound of the bell startled Dan, bringing him back to reality but his expression rapidly morphed into a smile when he saw Phil walking in. The frown on his usually happy and composed face worried Dan but he tried to lighten the mood, joking with Phil, but this time it was like talking to a wall. There was no reciprocity, Phil looked almost on the verge of crying as he got his usual order and lost himself in the Lord of the Rings universe, not even bothering to look up from the book or say goodbye before leaving.

Having decided that maybe rejecting Phil had been a mistake, Dan promised himself that he would give Phil his number next time, or even ask him out himself if it came to it, but after two months since Phil’s last visit, he realised that the opportunity had slipped through his fingers and he had only himself to blame.

---

Dan looked out the window as he mopped the floors, silently hating the raging storm bending the trees over, dragging trash bins across the road… causing his clients to have muddled the floors inside the shop and stayed over for the heater alone.

The door announced someone’s arrival. At first, Dan couldn’t tell who it was but he was also upset that the person walked in with their umbrella still open and dripping everywhere. He was about to make a snarky remark when the umbrella was finally set aside and Phil looked him in the eye with a loaded expression.

“Can I stay here until it stops raining?” he asked, water droplets running down his face, his hair sticking to his forehead just as if he hadn’t even tried to use an umbrella.

“Yeah, of course!” Dan said, feeling a bit awkward but still happy to see Phil after so long.

Phil’s leg bounced way more than necessary as he waited for his order, then Dan handed him a towel, which Phil took with little reluctance. The book, however, he never made any move to grab it back.

“Have you abandoned Riverdale?” Dan asked, raising his eyebrows.

“I thought it was for the best,” Phil said, understanding the real meaning behind the question.

“I see,” Dan replied, pressing his lips into a line. “I thought we could speak next time.”

“Why? What changed?” Phil asked, giving him an odd look.

“Nothing! We just got to know each other a bit better.”

“Are you sure that’s it?” Phil asked.

“Yes, why would I lie?” Dan said, taken aback by whatever accusation Phil was throwing his way.

Phil stood from his seat and came to stand in front of Dan. They were so close Dan could smell his expensive perfume; he inhaled deeply without meaning to and let his eyes fall shut. “Do you know who I am?” Phil pressed.

Dan’s eyes snapped open. “No…? Should I?”

Shaking his head, Phil walked over to the piano and started playing a song that sounded strangely familiar. It was, in fact, one of Dan’s new favourite songs. If he was remembering correctly, the original piece had come out as an instrumental but two weeks after, another version with lyrics was released, it was said to be a collaboration between the pianist and his sister-in-law in honour of the newest member of their family. The pianist in question had teleported to the top of the charts overnight, gotten a record deal, launched an international tour and - apparently - gotten a bunch of stalkerish fans who wouldn’t leave him alone. “Are you… Phil Lester? The guy who made this song? THE Phil Lester?”

“Yes,” said Phil shyly. “I stopped going out much since the song blew up, but this coffee shop served me well to hide from fans several times since I moved to the area, that’s why I kept coming, but my address was leaked a while ago and I had to move away again. Since you had rejected me so many times, I just took it as a sign that we should stop playing games if things are not going anywhere, you know? We’re a bit too old for games anyway.”

“That is true. I should have considered things more carefully,” Dan admitted. “For some reason, I thought we would have more time and things would just flow between us.”

“We ran out of time two months ago, but still, when the storm almost knocked me over, all I could think about was you, how you were doing… and I had to see you, one last time,” Phil said, biting his lip.

Dan’s eyes and heart dropped to the fucking floor, he wanted to kick himself for missing his chance with Phil.

“I had to see if you still made the best sweets around.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Dan laughed and swatted at Phil’s chest. “Is that really the reason or did you just have to show me your “Mr Darcy in the rain” look?” Dan joked.

Phil looked at his reflection in the window and laughed. “I do look kind of hot.”

“Kind of?” Dan scoffed. He walked over to the door and locked it before walking back to Phil and pressing their lips together in a sweet yet brief kiss. “Why don’t you go dry yourself in the bathroom? I’ll make us something nice for dinner.”

“What about dessert?” Phil asked.

“We’ll have plenty of that,” Dan said.

Phil smirked, wiggling his eyebrows. “Yum!”

“I meant the cakes!” Dan laughed, but before he could continue to defend himself Phil pulled him into a heated kiss, though the heat lasted very shortly since Phil was very wet and got Dan entirely soaked as well, resulting in Dan chasing him around the shop with his favourite spatula in search of revenge. It was a good start for the rest of their lives.

#phanfic #phanfiction #mine #phan #succubusphan fics

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jackiequick · 2 months

Text

ABC Family ~ Baby Daddy OC 🍼

—> Expanding on a OC from this playlist

Skylar Chez

Full name: Skylar Chez Gonzalez

Nickname: Sky, Mama, Chez, Wonder Twins, Picasso, Ms. Wheeler

Age: 25

Height: 5’2

Place Of Origin: New York

Nationally: American

Ethnic Background: Colombian and Mexican descent

Relationship status: Single on and off again, until she realizes her feelings for Ben.

Occupation: Artist

Season: 1-6

Relationship to family: BFF to Ben, Danny and Riley since they were kids. Bonnie babysat Sky since she was 2 because her mom is friends with her. So in result she grew up closely to them. Later on, she met Tucker during early college years.

Personality: Sweet, artistic, nerdy, good with the flow and very open. However she can be strong and stubborn, as well as a little crazy. Overall usually pretty chill. Oh yeah I forgot to mention, she’s a huge foodie!!

————-

Skyler was brought into the group from day one once again when she moved to New York for her career, little did she know that she would be living together alongside her best friends. In the same apartment. Working at the bar and studying art as well. It was good until everything changed the day Danny moved into the apartment since baby Emma came too!

—> The boys were freaking out and confused calling for Riley’s while Skylar was cooing at Emma. She was so cute.

The guys looked at her waiting for her to pick Emma up. Sky just joked, "What? You guys see boobs and automatically think mommy?"

Riley snorted at her joke.

Everyone, especially Bonnie believed Ben couldn’t make it a few hours with Emma but the girls disagreed, and thankfully they were proved right. Since then, Emma stayed with the 6 of them after 48 hours. They were happier than ever!

Her and Danny are like siblings! The two are them are sometimes attached to the hip, always helping each other and supportive. Tall and short besties for sure! They are such nerds, always going to the movies, sports game and concerts. Skylar even sometimes steals Danny’s graphics t-shirts when hers are dirty, styling them to fit her outfits.

With Bonnie, it’s like they are aunt and niece! Bonnie says that Skylar is like the daughter she never had while she glares at her sons in annoyance. Just as insane and sweet as her mother, I guess that’s why Bonnie loves her.

Tucker! Let’s just say those two are sassier than ever before when they’re together in one room. Tucker and Skylar are each other’s back up no matter what. Finishing each other lines and chasing each other around. Skylar can say, “Hold my earrings!” And Tucker would smirk like, “I got you girl!” But those two fight like crazy if allowed!

Riley! As much as she jokes and teases Riley, she’s her girl. Besides she does the same thing to her, dragging Riley into doing crazy stuff. Always by her side to snap her out of it and tell her the truth, when needed.

—> When it came to Emma, Ben and Skylar practically shared the same brain cell! As much as Ben and Sky were complete opposite for certain things, the two of them shared the same ideas for plenty of things. Ideas for plans, work, ways of dating, strong attitudes, the way they acted and especially their parenting style. You name it, they have probably have or heard it.

-> They’re great friends! Always by each other’s side. Very supportive about their plans and smacking some scene into each other.

Speaking of Emma, during late season one and early season two of the series. 2012. The duo made a decision that changed their lives. Mama and Daddy.

It all started when Ben was looking for a future wife for himself but mainly a mom for his daughter, he figured his daughter deserves a mother figure or two in her life. He dated looking up and down, tired of scanning waiting for the girl to see Emma the way he sees her. Until Bonnie made him realize that girl was standing right in front of them.

Ben found her sitting alone that late afternoon on the fire escape sipping a beer and softly smile, asking if he can join. She nodded handing him one, Skylar was tired and annoyed with her love life after dumping her boyfriend, Johnthan, two days ago. Ben decided to comfort her and show her in care rather seeing his best friends smile than upset. After a while they talked…

“So how’s the mom search going?” She asked reopening another beer smiling, handing him one.

He opened him beer and replied, “Not the greatest. Due to, Emma already having a mom.”

“Yeah Angela! I told you it wasn’t the best idea..”

“No, not her. You.”

“What? Uh Ben I wasn’t the one who pushed her out and put that cutie on your doorstep. She did.”

He laughed and nods, “I know that! But since Emma been here you’ve been nothing but wonderful and I love you for that. And I believe Emma deserves someone like you in her life.”

She smiled sweetly, “She already does…wait Ben, do you want me to be like her Mama?”

“If you want. You don’t have to play house or anything, unless you want too of course..”

“Yes.”

“R-really?! Cause I know it’s a big deal and our careers are friendship will be on the line.”

“Nothing will change.”

“Nothing will change?”

Skylar took his hand, “Yeah it won’t.”

“And what if it does?” Ben replied squeezing her hand gently.

“Then I don’t know.”

“Okay.”

It was steady and still, the two friends started to become parents overnight. Closer than ever. They drank and talked smiling the whole way through the whole night.

————

It was a darling, sweet and absolutely comfortable transition. It felt natural, nothing truly changed. They were supportive parents like always, playing house sometimes and teasing each other. Sometimes they would get carried away and start calling each other “Mama” and “Dada”, especially in hopes Emma would say one of the two first sooner or later.

-> Ben walked into the kitchen with Emma and smiled softly, “Hey mama.”

“Hi.” She replies handing him a slice of toast as she chuckled, “Hi Emma.”

The baby girl giggled at the kisses being peaked on her face. Ben put his daughter in her high chair along with a bowl of cereal, then walked over to Skylar wrapping his arms around her to steal a bite of toast.

“Hey!” She yelled laughing, “Get your own.”

“What? Danny does it.” He joked laughing and poured himself coffee, “Uh where is Danny exactly?”

“Slept over at a girls place. And Tucker is still asleep, hangover times ten.”

“Oof been there, done that! Mom is coming over to pick up Emma so that means I get extra time before work and you can take your classes.”

“Yes! You know how hard it is to paint a castle in the forest with a baby and two idiots running around?”

“Hahahahaha! I bet, hey—! I’m not a idiot.”

———

-> When it came to dating life, Ben went on his dates such as Riley or Veronica for insist meanwhile Skylar went on her dates such as Kyle or Jordan. Nonetheless it was fun and extra supportive about it. Even comforting each other as well when Danny wasn’t there to do.

Believe me, if someone breaks Skylar’s heart or hurt her feelings, best believe you will have a Danny Wheeler after your ass like a pissed off Superman.

Especially if Tucker heard about Skylar being hurt.

A) He’s gonna fight him or trick them into being screwed.

B) Encourage her to fight back and ignore the dumbass.

C) Drag Bonnie into a plan for revenge.

Note: Bonnie, Tucker and Skylar are a little bit of a trio. They get into the craziest stuff 😼 haha. Bonnie and Tucker even tracked down Angela after Skylar stupidity suggested something but they took that literally! During that time Ben was trying to date Riley so that caused a small rift between them with Emma’s biological mom being there.

—> Even Skylar got pissed off! Angela was trying to play house, Bonnie wasn’t too happy that insulting the women.

It got to a point where Skylar dragged her into the apartment and told Angela, to her face that, “You may have carried and birthed Emma, been her mother for 6 months. But afterwards you were gone! Biologically you may be her parent but I’m the one who helps put her to sleep, change her diapers, feeds her, brings her play dates when her daddy, grandma or uncles can’t. And I make sure that girl is happy! All you’ve done while being here is try to win Ben back and play house.”

Angela scoffed with a slight laugh, “And what are you? His best friend? His side piece when Riley isn’t around? If I’m correct Sky, we used to be friends. What happened?”

“I still am a friend to you, Ang. But I’m also Ben and Riley’s. And I’m more of a mother to Emma over the last year or two than you ever were.”

“Sounds like Ben has a lot of women in his life. Especially Bonnie! I’m just trying to figure out how to make a plan here, okay? I’m sorry, and your right, it’s clear that you all Emma’s family here. Especially you.”

“Good. Ang, your my friend and want you to figure out that plan. Tucker and Ben said you’re trying to find a place to stay that isn’t our apartment.”

The girls smiled and hugged it out, still bitter about the situation but didn’t show it. However Bonnie and Tucker were in the corner listening into the conversation silently cheering hoping that Angela leaves soon. Also very proud of Sky having the strength to call her out on her bullshit. A few days later Angela left, not without leaving her mark within Ben and Riley’s relationship, they broke up. Going as far to jokingly tease Sky that she should make that ‘mom thing’ official and go on a date with Ben.

Things went back their chaotically sweet and glorious ways after that. But that romantic debate still hung over their heads. Riley went on dates finding a boyfriend name Philip, Danny slept with a couple of girls but his heart belonged to Miss Riley Parton. Ben stayed within the dating scene teased how Riley still liked him until life took a turn in his direction. And that direction was Skylar Chez.

—————-

Ben Wheeler was thrown into a loop and knocked off course. Yeah sure he will always love Sky but those feelings started to shift into something stronger perhaps. It started during Emma’s first birthday seeing her dresses in a viking inspired outfit and carrying his almost one year old daughter in matching clothes, made his heart flutter. He smiled, leaning forward to kiss Emma’s cheek and grin at Sky giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“What was that for?” She asked with a darling smile, bouncing the almost one year old on her hip.

Ben shrugged with a smile, not knowing that came over him and replied, “You both look really pretty. You know i love you right?”

“Always. And we do look pretty.”

“I have to head out with mom, to figure out the whole thing with Deluca’s ice cream parlor.”

“Oh right Bon Bon mentioned something about it, what happened?”

“I might have another kid, with Jenny Deluca this time.”

“Ben!”

“I didn’t know, okay? I swear women keep have babies and won’t tell me about it.” He added with his hands in the air and shake his head, “It’s starting to hurt my feelings.”

Sky tried not laugh and sigh, “Aww poor baby. Focus! We have probably another kid on our hands here.”

“Don’t worry, i tried talking to Jenny beforehand but she busy. So we’re gonna try again today.”

“Alright, meet you at the parlor in an hour. No funny business!”

Both of them tried talking with Jenny Deluca about the situation but she just shrugged pretending to ignore it, telling them to have their kids party and leave. Her father showed shouting and claiming for them to get out, especially not wanting to see Ben again.

Bonnie shouted over him and pointed out confidently, “Frankie Deluca, you would lucky if my son ever impregnated your daughter!” Tucker nodded in agreement saying ‘Hell yeah!’. The man ignored them upset as ever until Jenny revealed Ben wasn’t the father it was somebody’s else kid, she just blamed Ben cause it would leave less questions from her father.

It was sorta fair, still they would’ve welcomed the kid regardless. Afterwards Emma fell asleep and they had to celebrate her 1st birthday at home instead, none of them minded the change. But that whole time Ben saw how loving and supportive Skylar was the entire day with the chaos of the news, he truly loved her for it.

~~~~

The next time was when Skylar eventually started getting jealous of his dates, snapping him out of it and then fixing the problem by the end of the day. But Ben wasn’t far behind since he started to question her dates more often and had to end up saving her by the end of night, coming up with a lame excuse that somehow worked.

Catching each other’s falls at work, sharing food together, leaving random kisses on their cheeks, adding text messages for one another, teasing the other person and bickering over the smallest thing.

Tucker even joked, “Damn. You two sound like your dating..”

Skylar and Ben turned to him yelling, “Stay out of this, Tucker!”

He laughed, “You sure?”

“She’s not my girlfriend.” Ben replied with a scoff pointing at her.

“He’s not my boyfriend. You don’t get it, Tucker.” Skylar added.

“Why would he? Us together wouldn’t make any sense.”

“Yeah, if I were to date him I must be insane.”

“Exactly!”

“Let’s go, baby.”

“Right behind you!”

The two walked out together heading to the park to meet up with Danny. But truth was Tucker was right, the two were practically dating each other from day one without actually doing that dating part. They just didn’t know it yet. Skylar’s smile always grew around him, loving how supportive he is, adore the patients he has at times and dragging Ben Wheeler into doing the most silliness things. He was her world, she was dating the man without even noticing it herself. To Ben, he always grinned widely around her, she was one of the reasons he’s where’s he is today, adoring how gentle she can be to how crazy she may act, and he was proud to have her in his life.

——— ~~~

— They’ve seen each other fall and rise, Ben held her when she may cry til midnight and Skylar hugs him when he feels like died a little inside. They didn’t notice how much love and opportunity there was for them until Danny and Tucker pointed it out. So in result that same week during 4th Of July, everyone was on the rooftop celebrating the fireworks while eating outdoors, when they realized that needed more ice, water and beers. Skylar offered to bring it upstairs and Ben followed behind, knowing she was need help carrying that upstairs.

The two were chatting as they entered the apartment and collecting items that they believed could also be needed. Ben saw more fireworks from the window, taking Skylar’s hand climbing onto the balcony taking a seat next to each other. The fireworks stopped for a moment, or at least the ones that could be seen for them since you see hear the booming noise from the streets afar from the building, they started with smiles. Ben realized they were alone as so did Skylar, as the pair yelled out in unison ‘I have to tell you something’ ‘No you first.’ The two laughed.

Ben chuckled, “ this is ridiculous but Danny said that we’re dating but not dating, I mean we’re dating while not actually dating.”

“Oh my god, Tucker said the same thing! Ay that’s hilarious. He pointed out the stuff we do.” She replies chuckling.

“But we’re not dating right? We haven’t kissed or anything! Unless we were drunk and i don’t remember..and I think I would remember.”

“I mean yeah we do, some things are typically seen a couple. I kinda wanna prove Danny and Tucker that they’re wrong..”

His eyes perked up and leaned against her shoulder with a grin, “Oh really? Oh how so?”

“Like this.” She replied with a matching grin, leaning forward, “Kiss me. Prove that they’re wrong and we’re right.”

“Oh I like the way you think women! 20 bucks this kiss would mean nothing.”

“Ooh a bet? Make that 25.”

“25 it is!”

Ben leaned over taking the back of her neck gentle as his hands gliding around to her cheeks. Skylar rested her face in his hands, her hands sliding down to his cheeks with the cheeky eyes that matched his. They were too excited, finally touching their lips brushing against one around to a simple one time thing. As they did, the fireworks in the sky went off.

The kiss lasted around less than 3 seconds or so, until Ben decided to turn around and make the kiss last less than a minute. Skylar rested her head against his, pulling back for a moment with a smile and said, “So Danny and Tucker were wrong?”

“I think I will need to test out that theory again.” Ben repiled with a shrug, lacing his lips onto her with a laugh, “We’re right, they’re wrong! But they can’t know that.”

“Oh yeah! Hmm, we can still openly date whoever we want to like Riley and Johnthan?”

“Oh yeah! If not, my bedroom is right next door. I mean we’re practically dating without actually dating.”

“I think another kiss might seal the deal, we created.”

Little did they know Bonnie Wheeler was unlocking the door and walking in to grab the beer bottle since they were taking too long. She joked and grumbled, “Damn it Danny! He couldn’t have—” her eyes fell onto the balcony to see her son and practically daughter in law sharing a smooch, “—WHAT THE HELL?!”

The two heard her practically falling onto the floor, gasping and stumbling into the room, yelling out ‘MOM!’ and ‘BONNIE!’.

Busted.

—-

The paired found themselves the next time stealing kisses in secret, sharing winks and preparing the other for a date. They coined it as a open relationship, trying to not let anyone else know about this little affair. Especially Riley, because then she will tell Danny, who will in result tell Tucker.

Ben was bouncing loopy and sleepy Emma as Skyler walked out, fixing her collar for a date. It was her turn for a night out. She played around with her hair with a smile, “How do i look?”

“I would gorgeous but then i would have steal you from your date.” Ben joked, placing their daughter into the playpen before walking over to her zipping the back of the dress.

“You sure you’re okay with me going out? I could just cancel, you know?”

“No go out! I got a boy’s night planned out with Danny and Tucker here in the apartment.”

“No strip poker like last time! Tucker still mad about that.”

“In my defense, we shouldn’t have betted too high. If you need anything call me.”

“Okay.”

She quickly peaked his cheek and walked out, earning a grin and a playful friendly catcall from the boys who walked inside. Skylar laughed twirling as she left, leaving Tucker, Danny and Ben chuckling.

The whole night went all, her date with Tad with nice meanwhile the boys played a simple game of poker. Bonnie saw Tad and Skyler out again, rolling her eyes because she saw her and Ben kissed two weeks ago—but she kept their dirty little secret to herself, knowing the others will find out soon enough.

—> The next time, Danny found out one morning. He was walking into the kitchen, greeting Emma who happily ate her cereal and Ben who sat was eating his bagel with a cup of coffee. Tucker was still snoring. The brothers chatted, joking around and figuring out their schedules for the day.

That was when Skylar walked out of the bathroom, placed a kiss on Ben’s cheeks and stealing fruit off Danny’s plate with a grin, before walking out to the bedrooms. Danny grinned, “Did she just?”

“Yup she did. She got a 100% on her art project, so that’s why she’s happy.” He replies smiling.

“Yeah that’s great, i know that! But she just kissed your cheek!”

“So what? It’s normal, right? She’s happy and so I’m happy.”

“Ohh—Holy crap, you still like Sky!”

“No I don’t!”

“Holy crap, you really do still like Sky!”

“Shut up, I don’t.”

—> Other time was Riley, catching them finding them at work behind one of the walls near the entrance chatting. She walked in ready to unwind and have a drink, stopping short turning to her left to see Ben’s hands on Sky’s shoulders with a smile. They didn’t notice her, since it looked like the pair were speaking onto something rather important.

“I’m telling you, the accident wasn’t your fault, okay?” He replied with a smile.

“It was a mishap i know! But Jonathan looked at me and then Tad saw me.” She said with a sigh.

“Hey you spooked! Same thing, happened with Angela and Riley months. I split for god’s sake.”

“That’s because your clumsy Ben and an idiot.”

“Yeah well, Riley still loved for me it.”

“Haha, you’re right. I’ll got tell them what happened.”

They walked to their separate sides of the bar. Riley was sitting at the couch, walking over to the counter to order a drink waiting, that’s when Sky scurry around the corner.

The girl smirked at her latina friend, “Sooo?”

“So what?” She asked her blonde friend, confused.

“I saw you and Ben talking, then i saw Jonathan and Tad were in the room.”

“We were just talking about me screwing up with both guys.”

“Ohh? And Ben?”

“He was reassuring me that everything is alright and Jonathan will forgive me.”

“I hope so, he’s a catch! You know, you and Ben have been rather close lately.”

Sky chuckled, “Riley, he only got eyes for you!”

“I don’t know, Sky.. what if-?” She replies with a soft chuckle.

“He loves you. I know that for a fact.”

Riley smiled, picturing her relationships with Philip vs hers with Ben. She knew she had plenty of other options and opportunities at her door.

———————

Ben and Skylar little affair didn’t last long, they love each other but felt that they needed to explore their other options first.

Riley and Jonathan to be exact since those feelings were clear as well. So they dated their lovers, Ben and Riley’s relationship was long but felt brief but Skyler and Jonathan relationship lasted longer than expected.

However the pair broke up one night, since Jonathan wanted to see other people, as in someone named Veronica who was in her art class. Hell he was secretly trying to see her already. They may have said it was mutual break up..but it didn’t feel like it…

Skylar returned home that night, finding her daughter on the floor and sat on the couch cuddling Emma who played with her bunny. She tried not to cry but Bonnie, who was babysitting, noticed pulling the girl into a hug telling it that it will be okay.

“It’s not okay Bon-Bon! I wanted more..i thought we had something specific and special but he practically dumped me after dinner..” She explained, with tears in her eyes, “It should be me in his arms, not stupid Veronica!”

Bonnie kept in her arms, kisses her forehead, “I knew sweetie. Just let it out, some things just happen and he’s an idiot for letting you go. But hey, your talented and smart and so sweet! Any guy would love to have you..i know Ben did.”

She scoffed, “It was a fling, a small thing. We both agreed to stop it before anyone got hurt. He loves Riley.”

Bonnie winced, “Yeah he’s not only the one who loves Riley.”

“I know Danny does, i figured it so. But i want revenge on Jona…” Sky stood up from the couch, smirking she stormed into the bedroom area, “TUCKER! I need you!”

-> To say Skylar got her revenge was a understatement. Her and Tucker tricked Jonathan, giving him a temporary job at the Mary Heart Show only for it go crashing down on the man, literally.

A bucket of huge ice cold water with fish fell on him during production while the show was on the air, causing the man to run out screaming like a cartoon character in Looney Tunes.

Mary Heart got a bunch of rating for that episode and new followers for the show meanwhile Jonathan got to smell like fish for a week, and got shown in the embarrassing videos section on YouTube. It took some work but the duo got it done, even involving Danny and Bonnie to set the prank up perfectly.

It was a win win situation for Tucker and Sky. She got her revenge and selling her artwork to Mary, meanwhile he got promoted to production manger, working his way to TV producer soon. The duo high fives at their success!

——

Skylar’s career pretty much took off a lot further from that. She was already studying art, selling it and working at the bar with her co-workers. But since Mary loved her artwork so much and photography skills, Sky was able to get a lot more offers, putting her name out there for people to see.

Designing artwork, stylish decor for people when it came to working with Brad and Bonnie’s realtor jobs. And having her sketches be used for fashionable people in the New York industry.

It felt good, she felt like her job was being seen a lot more. Danny, Tucker and Riley even displayed her art pieces on the walls of offices, hallways, suggesting it to people they meet. Ben already had the artwork display around the bar since day one, since Skylar’s style was shown throughout The Bar when she just starting out working there.

——

But the question some if you may be asking. Did Ben and Sky end up together afterwards? Short answer, yes.

Long answer, it took some time to find themselves stable enough to admit how much they still love each other. But when it did happen, the pair found themselves arguing on a Saturday afternoon getting ready to close up the empty bar…

The two were in the mist of an argument, screaming, shouting to the top of their lungs and going as far to point fingers at each other.

Ben slammed the chair onto the table and had a serious look on his face, “I can’t believe you! God you’re such a liar.”

“Me?! You couldn’t care to listen to everyone, stupid!” Sky shouted, wiping the whiteboard clean and searching for new markers.

“You knew that Riley and I weren’t gonna last! You stood there like an idiot.”

“Um hello?! Danny was always in the damn picture and clearly had the hots for her. You stood there like an idiot.”

“An idiot? Me?”

“Yeah! Too blind to see the signs, Ben. Hell even Riley didn’t notice, cause both of you were on separate planets.”

He walked over waving his hand and scoffed, “Funny. I didn’t know we were playing the blind game here. Who’s next? Oh yeah, you!”

“Me?!” She scoffed this time whipping her head towards the man, “I did nothing wrong here!”

“Oh really? Let me thing, Jonathan and Tad this! Jonathan and Tad that! What about me?”

“What about you?”

“Did you forget our little affair? All the hugs, morning kisses and secret fun! We had something going on!”

“Y-you still think about that? I thought..I thought you forgot about it.”

“No of course not! It was one of the best times of my life and we stopped because we had other people in mind. I love Riley and i fought my own damn brother to have her but then you were..you came along and i messed it up!”

“Well, you were all up in Riley-town, and I was wondering around Jona-city that we didn’t bother to continue it! You wanted her Ben…then you wanted another girl afterwards. You never know what you want!”

“Yeah right, you’re right I’m sorry. I don’t always know what I want, but when I have it..I tend to lose it. A lot! I lost Riley and screwed up. Every girl i mess up relationships with. I had an affair with you and decided to stop us from having fun. But you never know what you want either..”

She sighs, “Cause I um..I can’t choose my own way to which guy I want. I had it good with Jonathan then he dumped me and I screwed it up with Tad cause I kissed his twin brother by accident. I had it and I screwed up everything! I don’t think I can ever find a guy that can keep up with me and make it work with our lives.”

The room was silent for a moment as they looked at one another, not saying a word but their eyes said it all. Every moment shared between the mishaps to the arrangements made that lead them here.

“I guess..the only girl I’m destined to be with aside from Emma, is you.” Ben confessed with a chuckle.

She blushed and smiled, “Yeah? You mean that? Because if you don’t then we will have to start this argument all over again.”

“Yeah I mean it. I’m sorry, I never went with my gut feeling in the first place.”

“It’s okay. I’m sorry, I didn’t went straight to you about everything.”

Ben gently walked over to her and a sheepish smile, “How about we start over? Hi, I’m Ben and I think your really cute.”

“Oh my god.” She chuckled shaking her head, feeling silly.

“Come on try it! Go back to the way it was, with me.”

“The way it was. Hi I’m Skylar, do you have any idea if this bar is open?”

“Yeah I do and I know what are the specials this weekend.”

“What are the specials?”

Ben smile grew bigger by the second, leaning his head towards her face and placed a daring kiss on her lips. Skylar chuckles grew, resting her head against his forehead and returned the soft kiss. A hand wrapped around the other, with a gentle touch and whispering mumbling only about god know what.

It felt slow, knowledgeable and gentle. Like a rather passionate peck of sweet idiotic love.

He laughed, pulling her into his arms, stumbling his back against the wall and cupped her cheeks brushed against her lips against. Standing on her tippy toes, she laughed at the ridiculous jokes they made, cupping the back of neck as she placed a few smooches on him.

“Wait-wait are we really doing this? Like full on addressing this?” Sky asked with the biggest goofy grin.

“I think we are. Let’s grab a couple of beers and head over to the apartment.” Ben replies with a even bigger grin.

She grabbed his hand without a second later scurrying out the door as he rushed to grab the beer bottles and keys. The two stumbled upon the streets of New York, coming back to the apartment for quiet quality together with no interruptions, due to Bonnie watching Emma that afternoon. It also helped that Tucker was on a date, meanwhile Riley and Danny were hanging out together.

So in response, they were hushing and giggles along the way.

——

As for marriage and family, they got accidentally hitched in Vegas—I mean what?! No, they didn’t!

Ok byeeee!

Was this an accidental extra HUGE excuse to write for one of my fav extremely underrated sitcoms? Yes, yes it is. Anyways, i hope you like it tell me what you think about in the comments below!

Please like, share and reblog for more. Btw, you can watch ABC Family's Baby Daddy on HULU/Disney Plus! Or on Freeform.com

Tags: @gaminggirlsstuff @halesfavoriteharlot @rooster-84 @mallowbee4 @gcthvile @missstrawbs2001 @mandylove1000 @theloveoftoms @thisgirlisonfayeeer @starkleila @hardballoonlove @buckysteveloki-me @sherloquestea @nakiaswg @carellmcu @ximehs and etc

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thesorcerersapprentice · 2 months

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04.03.2024

BI-WEEKLY (ISH...) ACHIEVEMENTS:

Hello everyone! Apologies for the delay. My offline life has gotten quite hectic lately, which has made it hard to keep on schedule. Hopefully, things will smooth over soon!

Worldbuilding & Solar/Cyberpunk Considerations: As I mentioned in the last couple of updates, I've been working on a post on the geography, flora & fauna of The Sorcerer's Apprentice universe, which I meant to publish last week (and the week before that, lol). I've completed the three sections that correspond to the (as of yet unnamed) second empire's territory (second because the book focuses on neo-colonialism, the successor of old-world colonialism), all of which are based on the natural world of Colombia at 2600 meters above sea level and beyond. Because the plot of The Sorcerer's Apprentice mainly transpires in a city within this region, while writing the aforementioned sections, I was also trying to figure out what a city that incorporates the novel's themes (the link between colonialism, environmental catastrophe, and capitalism) would look like within this context. Given that one of the main themes is capitalism, my first impulse was to make the primary plot location in the novel a cyberpunk-inspired city. After all, what screams capitalism gone mad more than cyberpunk? To this end, I read quite a few articles on the subject (Rethinking the End of Modernity: Empire, Hyper-Capitalism, and Cyberpunk Dystopias by Jeffrey Paris, Elements of a Poetics of Cybperunk by Brian McHale, Neoliberalism and Cyberpunk Science Fiction: Living on the Edge of Burnout by Caroline Alphin, Recycled Dystopias: Cyberpunk and the End of History by Elana Gomel, The Cyberpunk Dystopia as a Reflection on Late Capitalism by Marius Florea, and more). The problem with this idea was that when I looked around me at Bogotá, the city I live in, I just couldn't see it. Bogotá is a green city. There is green everywhere you look. Furthermore, traditional-looking cyberpunk flattens any culturally specific elements it incorporates, the same way big-chain supermarkets worldwide completely obliterate the slightest whiff of uniqueness from their premises. No matter where you are, they all look the same. As I mentioned in a previous update, one of my aims with The Sorcerer's Apprentice is to celebrate the culture of my region of the world. Cyberpunk, at least as it has been traditionally conceived, works against that objective. Again, this fits with what capitalism does irl, but I really really really don't want to write yet another NYC-inspired urban hellscape. In fact, I can't think of anything worse than having my main character admire a cyberpunk city... My search for a more suitable alternative led me to the antithesis of cyberpunk, its eco-friendly adversary, solarpunk. For information on this genre, I relied mainly on @alpaca-clouds post on the History of Solarpunk and @solarpunks's informative response, which includes several very helpful links (check out both posts here!). At first glance, solarpunk seemed to fit The Sorcerer's Apprentice much better than cyberpunk had; it allowed me to envision a city that elevated rather than obscured (or flattened) present-day Colombian culture. Basically, with solarpunk I could keep the city green, as cities in this region of the world tend to be; I could retain the push for sustainable innovations that play such a vital role in our mainstream policy; and I could keep the regional architecture, as well as site-specific building materials like guadua, a hardy local species of bamboo. Most importantly, with solarapunk I could genuinely describe the city with respect and admiration. The only remaining issue was to figure out how to incorporate the novel's themes into this genre. After all, although Solarpunk is utopic, The Sorcerer's Apprentice is not. How do I illuminate and criticize the link between capitalism, colonialism and environmental decay within a fantastical city that walks and talks like a utopia?

Cont. My solution is to create a hybrid proposal somewhere between cyberpunk and solarpunk; a city that presents like solarpunk, but that has achieved this green, sustainable self-expression without renouncing its colonial and capitalist exploitation of vulnerable peoples and environments elsewhere. Essentially, this would make the city the large-scale equivalent of one of those high-end clothing brands that have "recycled" symbols on their tags, but that have their product made in deplorable overseas sweatshops. The message of the novel would, thus, be amplified to include the idea that there can be no environmental justice without social justice. Does it work? We'll see. That's what I've got so far.

Researched the Link between Colonialism, Environmental Catastrophe and Capitalism: To educate myself on the main themes of the novel and how these can be better incorporated into the setting, I picked up Chaos in the Heavens: The Forgotten History of Climate Change by Jean-Baptiste Fressoz & Fabien Locher, and translated by Gregory Elliott. And let me tell you, I was not expecting to learn what I learned!!! This book is honestly fire. I had no idea climate science was so deeply rooted in colonialism!! Honestly, more than any other book I've read so far, Chaos in the Heavens articulates the link between the three main themes I've been trying to work with so, so clearly. Now I understand why people say we're lazy because we get too much sun. Or why all the native trees got cut down and replaced with pines. Eye-Opening!!! 100000% recommend.

REMINDERS:

Answer pending asks, and publish that promised worldbuilding post on the geography, flora & fauna of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice universe, you know the drill lol

Research Transhumanism.

Research Designs for Sustainable Cities and New Green Technologies.

TAG LIST: (ask to be + or - ) @the-finch-address @fearofahumanplanet @winterninja-fr @avrablake @outpost51 @d3mon-ology @hippiewrites @threeking @lexiklecksi @achilleanmafia @blind-the-winds

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lionlena · 11 months

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Dancing With Your Ghost (JavierPeñaxreader) Part VIII

Summary: You are a ghost (sort of) and you don’t remember what happened to you. You only know your name and you feel that something bad has happened to you. The only person who sees you and hears you is Javier, so you don’t leave him because you believe he’ll help you. That he will solve the mystery of what happened to you.

Warnigs: the reader was a ghost, angst, sadness, past trauma, mention of coma, mention of shoot wound, two idiots in love...

A/N: Title inspired by this song

Part VIII

It took you almost three weeks to recover. Your boyfriend Michael came back with flowers and an apology. He swore to you that he wasn't with you, because seeing you like this broke his heart. You believed him... He was never a strong person and you only had him.

Is that true?

Brown eyes still haunted your dreams. Sometimes you would turn around as if you were waiting for someone to appear. There were nights when you just started crying because you felt sad and frustrated, that you couldn't remember something important. In addition, you began to be afraid of the sounds, reminiscent of gunshots. It didn't make sense to you. Nobody shot you. You had a car accident.

When Michael suggested that you two should come back to the US, you agreed. You naively believed that all your problems were related to Colombia.

Javier devoted himself to work, he actually drowned in it. He thought that was the only thing that could help him. The pain he felt was so foreign to him. He hadn't felt anything like that even after he'd abandoned Lorraine. What he felt for you was something completely different. He missed you so much that even his tried and tested methods weren't helping him. Neither alcohol nor prostitutes. Nothing could get you out of his head and... Heart.

Even when he succeeded in dismantling the Cali Cartel, he was not happy. In addition, when he found out how corrupt the Colombian government was, he was disappointed. Therefore, he decided to put everything on one card and destroy his career. His work didn't matter anymore anyway and reminded him of you. Sometimes, late at night, he wondered, if curandera had right. Maybe you were really meant for each other, but his job ruined everything. If he wasn't a DEA agent, would he have met you? You'd accidentally run into each other, and he'd invite you for coffee. Then you would fall in love with each other. He would live with you on the ranch and show you how much he loves you every day. These unrealistic dreams brought him both relief and pain.

You sighed heavily and looked at your watch. You didn't see Michael anywhere. He said he was only going to the airport restaurant, for five minutes. You hated how irresponsible your boyfriend could be. You finally decided to look for him. However, the restaurant was practically empty. You were about to leave when you collided with some man at the entrance. You looked at him wanting to apologize, but you were speechless. Beautiful brown eyes stared at you, and all you managed to choke out was, "Do we know each other?"

Javier knew that when an interview he gave, in which he called Colombia a narco democracy, was published, a scandal would break out. He was sure that not only the ambassador would be furious at him, but also ordinary Colombians. So he decided to buy a plane ticket in advance, in case he had to go back to the US really soon.

What he didn't anticipate was meeting you.

He felt a familiar surge of energy as your body collided with his and left him speechless. He felt happy and scared at the same time. For a moment he even wanted to say hello to you, but then you asked: "Do we know each other?" and he realized that you still don't remember him.

He took a quick step back and started backing away like you were some kind of wild animal. "No," he murmured. "We do not know each other."

He turned sharply, but so unluckily that he hit the table and knocked over the salt shaker, which shattered and the salt splashed under your feet. You looked down at the floor and suddenly a flood of memories hit you.

"What's up with that salt?"

"We'll see if you like "Ghost" and if you really are like Patrick Swayze ."

"Stechner's computer burned down"

"I'm just dancing with your ghost."

"Javier, stay awake. Javi!"

"Javier!" you shouted.

He immediately stopped and turned to you, and you just ran over to him and threw yourself into his arms. He seemed completely surprised at first, but then he wrapped his arms around you whispering, "Y/N. You remember everything?"

You nodded and let a few tears escape. Then suddenly you pulled away and started touching him. "You're okay, aren't you? Where's the wound... Is the bullet?" You spat out chaotic questions.

Javier grabbed your wrists gently and smiled. "I'm fine. You saved me."

Then suddenly you realized that he had abandoned you. You wanted to ask what happened at the hospital, but he beat you to it by asking, "What are you doing here anyway?"

You pulled away from him a bit and sighed heavily. "I'm going back to the US with my... With my boyfriend."

Javier looked indignant. "Seriously? That asshole left you!"

You didn't want to know how he knew about it. You felt furious. You looked at him angrily. "You too!" you growled, and Javier immediately took a step back. "You left and didn't explain anything to me! Where were you when, I was wondering who the brown eyes belong to, I keep seeing in my dreams?! Where were you when I cried because I felt I was missing someone?!"

Every word you said was like a punch to him. You saw Javier grow smaller with each word. He was cowering inside himself, and you've never seen him like this. This made you calm down and sadly said, "It just... I only have Michael. And you seem to have given up on... Us."

"I had my reasons," he whispered.

"Yes... Probably." You felt a surge of sadness. "The Cali Cartel... I was only interrupting you."

Javier grabbed your hand. "No. It's not like that. It's never been like that. It's just... You're safer without me."

You looked at him carefully and tried to understand what he meant. But before you could ask him a question, you heard a familiar voice behind you.

"Y/N! We'll miss the plane."

You turned around and looked at your boyfriend. You saw how closely he was watching your interaction with Javier.

"I have to go now," you mumbled.

Javier quickly pulled something out of his pocket and slipped a business card into your hand. "Here's my cell number. If you need any help, just give me a call. Any time of the day or night. I swear I'll help you."

You felt tears well up in your eyes and you had to hug him. You didn't even care that Michael saw it. You snuggled into Javier's body and whispered, "Take care of yourself."

He stroked your cheek and replied, "You too."

Michael possessively put his arm around you. Then with displeasure in his voice asked: "Who it was?"

You looked back and met sad, brown, puppy eyes. "An old friend," you replied.

"I've never seen him."

You slipped the business card into your pocket, you shrugged, and fell silent. There was no point in explaining anything.

Javier stared for an even longer moment at the emptiness ahead that you had occupied a few minutes earlier. He still felt the touch of your hands on his body and wondered if he could do more.

He would just shoot your boyfriend and kidnap you. But it was a bad plan.

He sighed heavily and closed his eyes. He hoped you would be happy because you deserved it. He only deserved memories of your ghost.

I guess it's over now The curtains fell goodnight Now every good story needs a sending It's not that I want to watch you leave But it's all ending now

I have to let you go I hope you find What you're looking for I hope he makes you happy The way you need

Tedy - It's over now

A/N: Okay, let me explain something. I read this chapter ten times and ten times I wondered what to change in it. Because it's annoying, and the conversation between Javier and the reader is too short. And it dawned on me that this is what it was all about. Their meeting was accidental and chaotic, and she was in a hurry to catch a plane. The universe gave them a flick on the nose. At the same time, this chapter is needed... And believe me, the next chapter is longer and much, much better.

Part VII

Part IX

Taglist: @aestheticangel612 @kittenlittle24 @hxpburn76 @creedslove @ranahx @yyiikes @fuglyputa24

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal characters #javier pena #javier pena fanfiction #javier pena x reader #javier peña #angst #sadness #two idiots in love #narcos season 3

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iwritetopassthetime · 1 year

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home to you (6/9)

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x fem!reader

CHAPTER FIVE: The Date // Previous chapter // Masterlist // Next chapter

Wordcount: 8.9K (this one is long, but once I started writing I couldn't stop, until I had covered everything I wanted to in this chapter)

Summary: When two people are meant to be together, fate will always find a way to bring them to each other. It's just that sometimes it's not under the normal-est of circumstances. But a flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all, and Bradley will be ready to go through anything for the love of his Blossom.

Warnings: themes of abuse/domestic violence, angst and fluff to give you tooth decay, l-bombs being dropped like it's America aiming for a country with oil, Mav and Amelia are little menaces, Bradley and Blossom go on a date, panic attack, mentions of suicidal thoughts, implied age gap relationship

Song Inspiration: Fix You by Coldplay

Bradley made his way downstairs with you on his arm, the jovial feeling of yet another good morning for the two of you adding a bounce to his step.

It was that, of course, and the exciting plans he had for the day ahead.

The two had woken up by the soft streams of sunlight seeping through the blinds like a golden shower. Your head had been tucked against his shoulder, your fingers fiddling with the dog tags on his chest and your breaths tickling his neck. He’d pulled you close then and told you he wanted to lay like that just a little longer.

Bradley was hoping for more mornings like that. Happy, sunny mornings — no matter what the actual weather outside, you were a living, walking sun to him — mornings when he wasn’t waking up alone. If every morning came with him waking up like this, an arm wrapped around you as you hummed with ease, he’d be happy forever.

Bradley knew he was becoming more attached, he wasn’t fearing it or fighting it. He was apprehensive that he needed to give you time and hand you the reins so you’d feel comfortable. It’s all he wanted for you even if it took years and years for you to want him as your partner.

The thought alone made him grin to himself as he led you into the kitchen, letting go of your hand to go and make some coffee as you settled in one of the barstools.

He softly sang the tune of Prince’s Kiss under his nose as he filled the filter with some new brand of Colombian coffee Penny had picked up from Whole Foods.

The door to the backyard was cracked open and both of you noticed that voices were coming from outside. Penny and Mav’s in particular. It struck Bradley as weird because it wasn’t where he’d usually find them at half seven in the morning.

He wasn’t going to disturb them until he heard Penny sob. Bradley turned to you, seeing that you had noticed the same and your eyes were swiftly moving from his to the door in worry.

‘… and I swear, if I’d known.’

‘I know Penny,’ Maverick’s soothing words to his lover came through loud and clear.

‘I remember thinking it was weird when I went to Valentina’s funeral and she wasn’t there. Everyone was saying that they’d fallen out, I sh-should’ve done more.’

‘You couldn’t have known, Pen.’

‘I should’ve followed it through.’

‘Shhh…’

Bradley saw you slipping off of the barstool, walking tentatively towards the door. He noticed you were fiddling with your hands, picking on the skin around your fingernails; something you seemed to do only when anxious.

Penny’s mournful sigh was as loud as a church bell. ‘To think that man was keeping her away from her own mother’s funeral. I could say goodbye and she couldn’t, I really should’ve… I won’t ever forgive myself.’

You gently pushed the door and Bradley left the coffee filter on the counter to follow you onto the back porch.

‘Penny?’ You tentatively called out and the two people sitting on the top step on the porch whipped around. Penny’s eyes were wide and bloodshot, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Maverick’s arm was around her shoulders, his hand rubbing her arm comfortingly.

‘Blossom…’ Penny sniffed, looking guiltily at her friend’s daughter.

You inched towards her and took a seat on the step on her other side. Maverick leaned a little back, giving the two of you space, comfortingly smoothing his hand up and down Penny’s back.

‘Please, don’t feel guilty about what happened.’

Penny glanced down at her folded knees. ‘I should’ve taken care of you. I sh-should’ve—’

‘Mav’s right, you couldn’t have known.’

‘But I should’ve at least tried,’ Penny argued pityingly. ‘I just took people’s words at face value and didn’t look into it further. I’m so sorry.’

You rested your head against her shoulder, she leaned hers on top of yours.

‘To think that— that man kept you locked up,’ Penny whimpered. ‘I’ve been trying to do better. I swear, Blossom.’

Bradley felt rage seep into his blood like fire and it spread all through his body at the mention of your ex. His hands began to shake and he hurriedly stuffed them in his sweats’ pockets. He lingered at the door and chose to not interrupt the moment as you comforted your surrogate aunt.

He wasn’t going to ruin this by voicing his anger and listened as you shared things that you were still unsure to mention to him. He knew that you’d tell him when you were ready, but still felt a little helpless at the fact that he wasn’t privy to what occurred over the last three years of your life.

You slowly lifted your head to look at the older woman.

‘Penny you came for me when no one else did. You helped me out when I most needed it.’ You assured her softly. ‘And you are still helping me. That means… so much to me.’

Your voice cracked a little and Bradley felt it pull at his heart strings.

‘I don’t want you to feel guilty about what happened. You didn’t know and I certainly couldn’t contact anyone at that time to let them know. But what you are doing now, what you all are doing for me… it means the world.’

‘And we’ll never let anything like it happen again, kid.’

Maverick smiled at you and you returned the gesture. The minuscule pull of your lips and the lightness in your features was enough to let Bradley know that you were completely sure of his godfather’s words.

Penny wiped her eyes and let out a shaky breath. She looked ahead and a small, watery laugh came out of her lips. ‘I can see why you and Bradley came here to talk over these past couple of weeks.’

‘It’s really therapeutical, isn’t it?’ You joked and Penny laughed in earnest.

‘Maybe we should make this a side hustle.’

‘No doubt about that,’ you quipped back. ‘Counselling at Penny Benjamin’s back porch steps. You could make a lot of money out of that.’

You patted Penny’s shoulder before lifting yourself onto your feet and letting Maverick help her up. You looked back at Bradley who gave you a reassuring smile and a nod. You walked towards him, taking his hand in yours. Bradley felt all the anger seep out of his pores and leave him entirely, your face driving the darkness away as the morning light illuminated it.

The four of you went back inside; Penny excused herself to go to the ground floor bathroom and splash some water on her face. Maverick took over coffee while Bradley leaned against the kitchen island with you positioning yourself back on the stool you were previously occupying.

‘How about chocolate chip pancakes?’ He suggested and you grinned widely.

‘You know I’ll never say no to chocolate chip pancakes.’

‘And that’s why I’m offering,’ he replied softly, giving you a quick peck on the forehead before heading to one of the cupboard to get the ingredients. He spread the carton of eggs, milk, flour and chocolate chips on the counter top.

Amelia joined them a little after Bradley had started to pour ladle-fulls of the finished batter onto a well-oiled pan. She sat next to you with a chipper good morning, before Mav slid two mugs across the counter to you both. One with coffee and creamer for you, one with milk and the general idea of coffee stirred in there for Amelia.

She’d started to request coffee each morning a while back and Penny, loathe to allow her daughter to start drinking caffeine at just fourteen, agreed to very small quantities of it and always caffeine-free. Usually with lots and lots of milk and some hot water added to make sure the drink still tasted like coffee, but wouldn’t actually be considered one.

Penny walked back in the kitchen, her eyes still a little red. Bradley met her eye and gave her a quick smile before adding another pancake to the rising tower.

‘Mum, are you alright?’

It was hard for Amelia not to notice if something was wrong with Penny. Her eyebrows furrowed in distress and she jumped out of her stool to hug her mother. Penny squeezed her girl to her chest and patted her back.

‘Yeah, I’m okay, munchkin. Just got a little emotional this morning.’

‘Do you want me to get you something from the shop. Bradley and I were going to run some errand after breakfast.’

Bradley spun around to face the women, a little anxious that Amelia would accidentally reveal the true reason for the “errand”.

He grabbed the plate of pancakes and placed it down onto the kitchen island, opening the drawer underneath it to take out five smaller plates and hand them out to you, Penny, Amelia and Maverick, leaving the last one for himself. Mav thanked him and went to the fridge to take out some cheese, jams and a whole tub of Nutella.

‘I didn’t know about this,’ Penny commented, but there was no ill humour in her words. She glanced up at Bradley as she and Amelia took their seats at the island.

‘Yeah, I was gonna drive Ames to her appointment at the hairdresser’s and then go to Target on the way home.’

‘We’re also getting boba from that new place I told you about,’ Amelia added, noting that she still needed to keep quiet about the reason they were doing this out-of-the-blue trip to the department store. She’d promised Bradley to keep it on the downlow.

‘Sure,’ Penny said. ‘Then Blossom and I can go pick up some new gardening equipment and choose wood for the picnic table deck.’

‘And I’ll stay home like the good house husband that I am,’ Maverick added lightly through a mouthful of pancake.

‘I’d be happy if you came with us,’ you told Bradley’s godfather, but he waved you off.

‘I’m just messing around. I need to catch up on some paperwork the Navy sent me. I’ve been putting it off for too long and Cyclone’s on my ass to turn it in before the week’s end.’

Bradley stared at his godfather in confusion. He’d been with Maverick to base to hand in said paperwork and unless there were more (overcomplicated, in his opinion) documents, then there wasn’t anything for him to actually be doing. Mav saw he was getting a weird look from Bradley and winked at him as if to say I got you. Did he know about the surprise?

After breakfast, you went upstairs to put on your daily outfit and then met Penny in the driveway, the two of you driving off but not before you hugged Bradley, promising to see him when he’s back and before you leave for your shift at the bar tonight.

Bradley, Amelia and Maverick climbed into the Bronco after cleaning the kitchen; Maverick in the front with his godson and Amelia on the middle seat in the back, giving them instructions to the hairdresser’s. Mav made a comment about her “raring to be a backseater” to which she responded, ‘Someone has to with you two getting lost all the time.’

The appointment went fairly quickly. Amelia got her wish to get a Rachel-esque cut and showed off her new shorter hairstyle and curtain bangs to all the other ladies at the parlour. The older woman who did her hair, gave her the list of hair products she’d need to style it herself, giving her a few free samples that the teen stuffed in her Save the Turtles tote bag.

Before long, the trio was in Target and Amelia was leaning against the handle of their cart.

‘So where are you taking her exactly?’ She turned to Bradley who was eyeing a plethora of picnic blankets.

‘I have a local overlook in mind. There’s space to park the Bronco and watch the sunset.’

‘Cute,’ Maverick patted him on the shoulder, now fully briefed on the plan for tonight. Bradley was going to take you out on a date, set up a picnic in the open cof his jeep for the two of you and finally sit down to watch the sunset as he’d promised you some days ago.

Bradley was becoming more and more aware that Mav was heading a cheerleading troupe for him and Blossom, Amelia joining him in gushing about you two. The only thing they managed to achieve during the walk around the department store was give Bradley an intense case of the blushes on his face. His ears, in particular, were a shade of red that matched the bottle of non-alcoholic red wine he was putting down in the cart.

‘Do you love her?’

Amelia’s surprising question gave Bradley pause.

‘What?’

‘Do you love her?’

Bradley wasn’t going to comment on it because of course he did. He didn’t know if there was a single person who couldn’t take one look at you or spend a minute in your company and not fall in love with you. You were kind, and thoughtful, and absolutely magnificent. You were everything he’d ever dreamed of and more, everything Carole had promised him he’d find one day.

Bradley thought back to his depressing thoughts on the back porch, the night before you were brought to the house. The wallowing in self pity. The doubts of a special someone ever appearing in his lonely life.

And then you came along.

You. Perfect, amazing you that he couldn’t help but care for from the moment he saw you sitting on the top step, your eyes boring into his with the light of the sun catching in them and turning them to little flames that lit up a fire in him.

So, yeah, he loved you. He was absolutely certain of it, he didn’t think he’d ever been more certain about anything else in his life.

But what he said instead was, ‘It’s not that simple, Ames.’

‘So you do love her, but think it’s not simple to explain?’

‘No, Ames. I mean,’ he paused again. ‘I can’t— we’ve agreed to take things slow, ’s all.’

Bradley walked forward, muttering something about needing cups. Amelia shared a look with Maverick, the two of them silently agreeing that Bradley was very much still in his head and avoiding the obvious.

Amelia decided to walk ahead of them and pick up some more chocolate for the pantry and something nice for Penny. Maverick stopped next to his godson in front of an isle with only wicker picnic baskets lining the shelves. Bradley was fiddling with one of them — a light coloured basked with a blue checkered lining — pretending to check if the cutlery, plates and cups were all inside.

He then sighed, eyes still glued to the basket. ‘I think I love her, Mav.’

‘I know,’ the older man replied.

‘Am I that obvious?’

Maverick shrugged. ‘You’ve always worn your heart on your sleeve, ever since you were a kid. Same as your dad. But you know when I actually noticed it?’

Bradley remained silent.

‘Her first shift at the Hard Deck.’ Mav patted him on the shoulder. ‘You were so hellbent on scaring half the male customers that I thought that Penny would give you the boot halfway through the evening.’

‘Some of them were pushing it,’ Bradley defended his actions; one guy in particular, a young Top Gun student, was being quite suggestive, kept asking for your number and whatnot. Bradley had decided then and there that the dude would get a punch straight in the nose if he’d continued with his nonsense.

‘I know, I know… but I could see it in your eyes then. Watching her do the most mundane things like she hung up the stars. I’m sure I look the same with Penny.’

Maverick chuckled.

Bradley turned around and leaned against the shelves. He groaned, ‘Yeah, but it’s not that easy.’

‘It never is,’ Maverick countered. ‘Do you think it was easy for me and Pen? Or for your parents. Loving someone is like… like when you’re flying with a busted navigational system.’

‘We now something ‘bout that,’ Bradley grinned.

‘You don’t know where you’re going, you don’t know if there are Bandits on your seven,’ Mav continued with his analogy. ‘So you use your intuition. Don’t think, just do. Like I told you.’

Bradley huffed out in frustration, not at his godfather but at his own confusion. He wanted to tell you, to let you know that he had fallen in love with you like the fool that he was, but didn’t know if now would be the right time. When would it ever be?

‘Come on.’ Maverick elbowed him good-naturedly and headed towards the cashier’s. ‘Amelia will be waiting and you’ve promised her bubble tea.’

The trio finished up their shopping, wheeled out the cart to the Bronco and put everything in the trunk. Once inside, Bradley looked at Amelia through the rearview mirror just as she was fastening her seat belt.

‘Ames.’ She picked up her head with a mhm. ‘Yes… to answer your earlier question.’

In response she gave him a wicked little grin and stated, ‘Oh, I know. You’re not being very secretive about it.’

‘Yeah, yeah…’

‘Also my bedroom is right next to yours and the walls aren’t that thick, so next time have sex somewhere else or be quieter.’

Both men whipped around to face her. Bradley looked horrified. Maverick was trying not to burst out laughing. They both (very unmanly) screeched, ‘Amelia!’

And as Bradley, flushed red once again, drove away from the Target parking lot, Mav and Amelia high-fived across the two rows. Bradley pointedly ignored them.

You and Penny were back from your shopping trip some time in the afternoon. You’d stopped at a restaurant to grab lunch after picking up the necessities for the backyard. She’d also convinced you to try out some dresses for her at a friend’s boutique so by the time you two walked through the front door of the house, you had a few bags in your arms while the things you actually went out to buy stayed in the back of Penny’s jeep.

‘Hey, you two!’ Maverick greeted his partner with a quick peck on the lips, taking the bags from her hands and helping her by carrying them upstairs. Penny sat at the kitchen table with an exhausted sigh. Bradley followed suit, kissing your forehead as he took ahold of the handles on the bags. He put them down on the kitchen island and let you show him some of the things that you had bought.

‘That was quite the shopping trip we had,’ Penny said to you. ‘Bradley, you gotta see the dress Blossom got.’

‘Actually…’ Bradley held one of your hands as you went to search through the shopping bags. ‘Why don’t you wear it tonight? I wanna take you out.’

Your tiny smile grew wide and excited at his offer.

‘Oh! Er…’ you bit your lip. ‘I have work tonight.’

‘No, you don’t.’

You turned your head to look at Penny, surprised. ‘But aren’t we going to be busy? It’s Friday.’

‘Won’t be unmanageable. If we get too busy, I’ll ask Hangman to serve the female patrons shirtless and that’ll occupy the masses. Go, have fun!’

Good ol’ Penny! Bradley smiled at the woman, reminding himself to get her an obscenely expensive present for her birthday next month as a thank you for her quick thinking. He then looked back at you, waiting for your response. Even if you turned him down, he wouldn’t be upset. He could never be upset with you.

You nodded happily, ‘I’d love to then!’

‘Great!’

Bradley sighed inwardly with relief.

‘Where are we going? I need to know if the dress Penny has in mind will be appropriate.’

‘Well, I had a picnic in mind.’

‘I love picnics!’ You grinned even wider and your eyes sparkled. ‘When do you wanna leave. I wanna grab a quick shower first.’

‘We can go at six-ish, how’s that?’ That gave you about two hours and a half to get ready, plenty of time in Bradley’s mind.

You nodded, ‘It’s perfect. I’ll go leave the bags upstairs and jump in the shower. Do we need to get anything?’

‘I have everything set, Blossom.’

She squinted her eyes at him and poked him playfully in the chest. ‘You’ve really thought this through, huh?’

‘Couldn’t just half ass it now, could I?’

‘I suppose not,’ you shrugged and gave his hand a quick squeeze before setting off to your bedroom.

Only two and a half hours. Bradley could manage waiting until then before his nerves completely gave out. Right?

True to your word, you were ready by the time Bradley came upstairs to knock on the guest room door. He heard a muted come in and pushed the door open. The sight that greeted him was far better than what he had prepared himself for. His step faltered as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind himself.

You stood beside the bed in a pale pink summer dress that reached your mid thighs. A pair of brown sandals were strapped to your feet, the leather laces wrapping sensually around your ankles. Your hair was loosely falling to your shoulders, framing your face that was adorned by an anxious look. Bradley looked down to your hands again and noticed you were once again fiddling with your fingers.

‘What do you think? Too much?’ You asked cautiously.

‘No,’ he shook his head, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. ‘Just enough. Perfect even.’

‘Oh, good. I wasn’t sure if this dress would actually look good.’

Bradley tried to keep his eyes away from the square neckline which opened a little in the centre, held by two flimsy strings and revealing plenty to his eyes. If he wanted the date to go well, he needed to keep his mind out of the gutter. For a little bit at least.

‘You look beautiful, Blossom. I’m serious.’

You smoothed your hands overs the skirt of the dress and gave him another one of your pretty smiles. You walked over to him and took one of his hands in yours.

‘Then I’m all good to go.’

Bradley had to discreetly press his fingers against his left wrist and check for a pulse while the two of you were driving to the spot he’d plan to have the picnic at. He must’ve died and gone to heaven.

You were sat quietly next to him, hands in your lap and eyes following the road, the hem of your dress riding up a little to reveal your soft thighs which had Bradley’s heart stuttering in his chest.

Mind out of the gutter!

‘So where are we going?’ You asked.

‘It’s a surprise,’ he said simply.

‘You didn’t have to go to all that trouble for me. I would’ve been quite happy for a quick meal at the picnic table in the backyard.’

‘Yeah.’ Bradley nodded. ‘But you deserve something better than that.’

If Bradley had torn his eyes from the road for just a second he would’ve seen the adoring look in your eyes and the shaky breath you took to steady your hands. He would’ve seen just how happy and excited you were to be with him and it would’ve given him some peace about his worries regarding the picnic.

He drove down an unfamiliar road, the houses were much more sparse but fancy enough to give you the impression that you were in one of San Diego’s affluent neighbourhoods. The road curved around a tall rock, but Bradley pulled the car to a stop on a dirt overlook. He checked your side of the car to see the confusion in your eyes at the choice of location. Not a prime picnicking location if you chose to sit on the ground… but that wasn’t what they were doing.

He got out of the car, jogging around the Bronco to help you out of your seat. The gentle breeze rustled through your hair as you stepped forward to take in the view. The overlook stood atop a cliff covered in low shrubbery and beyond it was the ocean, just as big and infinite as ever.

The sun, now a more intense shade of yellow, was gliding down the celestial dome, heading towards the horizon. The waters bellow reflected the sky above and it made for something out of a watercolour painting. Shades of pale pink and yellow that were growing more intense with each second that it neared sundown.

Bradley glanced at you, standing near the barrier, as he speedily rolled back the Bronco’s soft top and opened the front panel of the truck bed. He made a last assessment of his and Amelia’s work, smoothed one of the edges of the blanket that had folded up and walked towards you.

He reached out and tapped you on your shoulder, drawing you out of your reverie. You didn’t startle, you looked peaceful as you smiled up at him. Bradley smiled back, a little more sure about his choice of location.

There was no need for words as Bradley threaded his fingers through yours and led you back to the rear end of the car. Once you were close enough to see inside the trunk, you gasped.

Bradley was happy with what he and Amelia had managed to pull out in a relatively short amount of time.

A fluffy cream white blanket covered the entirety of the truck bed and the edges were almost fully covered with white cushions of different sizes. The picnic basket he’d bought in Target sat in the corner, filled with everything Bradley had planned to get. Including a hastily made potato salad (he really hoped you liked that one).

‘Oh, and uh, it might be a bit gaudy, but Amelia insisted…’ Bradley reached into his pocket and fiddled with the buttons of a small plastic remote. A string of LED fair lights lit up around the cushions, adding the finishing touch to the dreamy assemble. ‘Ta-da.’

Bradley waited for your reaction with bated breath. Your bottom lip wobbled for a split second and he felt his stomach drop to his heels, but then you turned your face up, your hands reached up to cradle his face and you pulled down for a long, grateful kiss.

You arms slowly wrapped around his neck, pulling him flush to your smaller body, and Bradley’s own hands automatically moved around to rest on your lower back. His fingers rubbed the spot on your spine that always gave you trouble, feeling you sag against him.

You separated for a second as you wanted to look at him directly.

‘This is— this is absolutely perfect, Bradley.’

Bradley felt the instant wash of relief come over his body as he smiled down at you. ‘I- I wanted to do something special… for you.’

He loosened his hold on you only to offer his hand and help you onto the truck bed. You rested your back against the cushions that had you facing the horizon. Bradley followed you onto the makeshift picnic blanket, reaching across from you to grab the basket. He placed it in between your feet, opening it and pulling out various Tupperware boxes containing small delights.

One box was full of cubed cheeses, another had slices of salami and dry cured hams that the man at the stand in Target had thoughtfully shaped into tiny roses. A big tupperware bowl had Bradley’s potato salad. Then he fished out the non-alcoholic wine from the very bottom of the basket and showed it to you.

‘Got you a nice vintage,’ he joked, presenting the bottle like it was worth hundreds and not a whopping $5.99.

You laughed, taking it from his hands and holding it to your chest.

You played along, ‘Oh my god, my favourite. You must’ve given an arm and a leg to get one of these. So rare!’

‘Only my best ten dollar bill.’ You snorted at his comment. ‘Even got change!’

‘No!’

‘Which meant I could treat us to…’ he paused for effect and whipped out a big Toblerone bar which had you giggling and hiding your face in his side as you shook uncontrollably. ‘Don’t laugh, this is premium Swiss chocolate. I had to fight an old lady for this, it was on discount.’

‘My brave hero!’ You gasped dramatically. ‘I’m sure she put up a good fight.’

‘Oh, I barely made it out alive. She was quite spunky for an eighty-year-old.’

After you laughter had died down, you sat back and looked at him with your bottom lip caught in your teeth and your eyebrows furrowed in astonishment. You leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips, your tender hand resting on his cheek.

When you pulled apart, you softly said, ‘It’s amazing, Bradley. Thank you so much!’

‘I’m glad you like it,’ he replied just as softly. Those three words that were on his mind ever since Amelia brought them up earlier that day found their way onto the tip of his tongue, but he held back. The only thing he had to do was spit them out.

‘So what do you suggest we start with first?’ You asked him, looking down at your array of delicacies.

‘Try the potato salad, it’s my mum’s recipe. Never fails me,’ he said as he took the wine bottle to uncork.

‘I’m sure I’ll love it.’

I’m sure I love you, Bradley thought to himself as he poured the wine.

The two of you started nibbling on the cheese and salami. Bradley offered you some crackers that you gladly took, towering feta and prosciutto onto a slice of salted cracker. You complimented Bradley’s potato salad, moaning around a forkful of the delicious stuff which had him in a tizzy.

A car or two would pass by every now and then, but the road wasn’t that well used so they were on their own at the overlook.

The time passed at a slow pace, as if the sun itself was willing to give them a few more minutes in this state of happiness. The orange giant that was now turning a deeper shade of red inched closer and closer to the line on the horizon. The fluffy clouds in the sky were dusted with pinks, oranges and very pale shades of purple.

You leaned your head against Bradley’s shoulder, his arm leaning against the side panel of the truck bed. ‘This is place is amazing.’

‘I thought about picking a more well known location.’

‘No, it’s wonderful here!’

‘My mum used to drive me up here while we lived in San Diego. Our old house wasn’t very far from where Penny’s house is.’ Bradley looked at the scenery, fondly remembering the times the two of them would come here to get away from the city and have dinner while watching the sunset.

‘So you picked a place that was special for you,’ you noted and he glanced back down at you. You smiled softly, ‘It’s very sweet. I wish I had a place like that to remember my mother by.’

‘Nothing back in L.A.?’ He asked cautiously. You’d never brought up your mother like that before.

You shook your head with a pensive air to your gaze. ‘We had a few parks that we went to often, but nothing as significant as this. After dad died, she was just… it was hard for her. Then I got into my teenage years and—’ you huffed, ‘— I was difficult. We argued a lot and I thought I could do fine without her… I’d give my left arm to have just one quick chat.’

Bradley nodded, ‘I know something about that.’

Your eyes fleeted over to the sea and widened. You sat up slowly, pushing the last tupperware off of your lap to settle comfortably next to Bradley.

‘I’ve lived on the West Coast all my life,’ you whispered your gaze glued to the sunset. ‘But I’ve never seen anything quite like this. It’s beautiful.’

At that moment, Bradley couldn’t care less if the sun melted into the sea, if a green flash appeared at the horizon, if this was the one and only sunset he’d ever see. He only had eyes for you, bathed in that warm orange light. You leaned your head against his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around yours, pressing a kiss onto the crown of your head.

He could stay like this forever and never let you go.

‘Thank you for bringing me here, Bradley.’

He swallowed around the lump in his throat, suddenly overcome by emotion like never before. ‘Always, Blossom.’

The two of you watched as the sun dipped lower and lower until it was only a small crest over the edge of the ocean. Your hand was on Bradley’s chest, mindlessly playing with his dog tags. His hand was on your shoulder, running it up and down the top of your arm.

A brilliant thought came to mind.

‘I know what would make this moment even better,’ he said and you hummed in question. ‘Would you care to dance with me, Blossom.’

‘Dance where?’

In answer, Bradley jumped down from the truck bed, making the car bounce a little. You chuckled at his sudden excitement. He opened the driver’s side door and put a mixtape into the dashboard radio.

‘You know there’s AUX cords now,’ you commented jokingly.

‘I like my mixtapes,’ Bradley stated as he closed the door and came back around.

‘Sure, old man.’

Bradley shook his head at your quip. ‘Well?’

It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside

I'm not one of those who can easily hide

I don't have much money, but, boy, if I did

I'd buy a big house where we both could live

You eased yourself off of the back, Bradley gave you his hand again to help you onto the ground and pulled you close. You watched Bradley with a happy, little smile as he wrapped a hand around your waist, your free one coming up to rest on his shoulder.

The two of you swayed in place as Elton John’s voice crooned from the radio. Your head dropped to his chest and you pressed your ear to Bradley’s heart. He hoped the speedy thrumming of it wouldn’t throw you off.

Tell her. You love her, tell her, an intrusive thought in his head interrupted him.

Bradley wet his lips and cleared his throat quietly, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. You seemed to notice because within seconds your eyes were back on his.

‘Are you okay?’

‘Yeah, uh— just thinking.’ Their swaying stopped as the song ended and the next one began. Bradley wasn’t paying it attention so he couldn’t even say what song it was. ‘I think— I know— fuck, I can’t speak tonight.’

‘That’s alright,’ you shushed him. ‘You don’t have to say anything, if you don’t want to.’

‘But I do.’ Bradley held your hand to his chest. ‘But I can’t seem to pick the right words.’

You nodded, letting him decide whether to speak or not.

Bradley leaned in, catching your lips in a tender kiss. He pulled you in and moved his mouth against yours, the hand he had on your waist keeping you close. Your palms glided over his upper arms, his shoulders, his neck, and came to rest against his jaw.

A sigh of his name slipped past your lips and onto his own, swallowed down by Bradley as he walked the two of you back towards the Bronco. Both his hands came down to your hips and hoisted you up.

You gasped, holding onto his shoulders as Bradley lowered you down onto the blanket. He placed one knee between your thighs and you opened your legs wider, letting him settle himself in the gap. He smoothed one hand along your thigh and felt the gooseflesh rise where his fingers lingered.

Bradley fully climbed onto the trunk bed and gently grabbed your hips, wrapping them around his waist. He lowered his face to your neck and left slow, open mouthed kisses against your soft skin. You moaned and gripped his shoulders tighter, your ankles locking against his lower back.

He continued to leave small pecks down the column of your neck, reaching the tops of your breasts that were trembling with each excited breath. Bradley gently sucked onto the delicate flesh which elicited a moan from you.

He rose up your body, kissing his way back up to your lips before he pressed his forehead against yours. Your hurried breaths filled the tiny gap between your two faces.

‘Blossom, I— I want to tell you that I—’

A loud siren sounded right behind them, the growing darkness of twilight being halted by the flashing red and blue lights. Fuck.

Bradley groaned and lifted his body off of yours, pissed off at the cop car that interrupted his chance to finally get over his anxiety and tell you how he felt. He glanced back and immediately squinted at the harsh beams of the headlights.

Your legs quickly dropped down, dangling from the edge of the truck bed.

Bradley stood tall, putting his body between the approaching cops and you to give you a moment to right your dress away from their prying eyes. He felt you grip his left hand as you stood half-hidden behind his shoulder, head slightly lowered.

Bradley didn’t like cops. Full stop. Yeah, he was in the military and most people don’t really see a difference between him and the two officers approaching. However, he held firm beliefs that were separate from his occupation. From the few experiences he had dealing with police, they were always unpleasant and it didn’t seem like this would be a different case.

They were making you shrink back into your shell for some reason so they were quickly taking up first place in his list of things he despised. That and the fearful look he noticed in your wide eyes before he had to turn his attention back to the policemen.

‘Good evening,’ one of the men said gruffly. ‘License and registration.’

‘Was I driving over the limit, Officer?’ Bradley sassed.

The other one scoffed, ‘Don’t play smart, young man.’

Without letting go of your hand, Bradley reached with his other one into his back pocket to get his wallet. You seemed to notice that he wouldn’t be able to get his documents with only one hand so you dropped his and gripped his upper arm instead.

Bradley pulled out what he needed from the card holder, plucking out his military ID as well. If that didn’t get those fucks off his back, he didn’t know what else. But if the left one kept on flashing his light at you like that Bradley would gladly throw hands.

He handed over the documents to the officer on the right, the one who spoke first.

‘The little lady, too.’ He said in a level voice.

Bradley glanced down at you again, seeing you frozen in place. Your fingers were shaking as you lowered them from his arm and reached back into the truck bed to get your phone. You couldn’t seem get your hands to stop trembling and couldn’t get the phone case off.

Bradley turned around a little, touching your hands slowly to get the device from you. He pulled out your ID and handed it to Gruff.

Grunt continued to shine his light at you, lowering it down to your legs which made Bradley’s blood boil. He stood more firmly in front of you, glaring at the man.

Gruff spoke up again, ‘You in the Navy?’

‘Yes, sir.’ Bradley spoke firmly, slipping into the tone he used at work — deep and curt. ‘Are we free to go?’

Gruff passed the documents to Grunt who went back to the car to run them through their system.

‘Not so fast, Lieutenant. You understand that this is not a parking area.’

Bradley’s nostrils flared in annoyance. There wasn’t a single road sign saying that they couldn’t park on the overlook, not a single fucking one. People had always been coming here.

Those pricks were just pulling his leg out of boredom and most likely wanted to exercise their authority at least once tonight.

Grunt came back, holding the small stack of cards and passed them to his colleague. Gruff shined his torch light on them once more before handing them to Bradley. He felt you flinch behind him and fist at his shirt’s sleeve harder as the officer reached across.

‘Anything the matter, miss?’ Gruff asked her sharply.

‘No, sir.’

Your voice was shaky and faint, Bradley didn’t like the sound of it and if the only reason was the two officers, then he wanted them as far away from you as humanly possible.

‘Can you stop flashing your light at her?’ Bradley glared at Grunt.

‘Listen here, you little shit. We can charge you with public indecency for that little show you put on earlier.’

Grunt held up his hand, signalling for his partner to shut it. ‘You’re free to go.’

Bradley didn’t bother with thanking the guy or saying anything else in response. He turned around, softly telling you to get in the car. He slammed the truck’s front panel shut, turning off the LED lights, and climbed behind the steering wheel.

You were sitting completely still on the passenger seat as Bradley started the engine and clicked his indicator, leaving the overlook. He was white-knuckling the steering wheel as he drove you both back towards the more populated areas of the city. His right ear caught the sound of light wheezing and he looked at you to find your entire body shaking.

‘Blossom?’

You gasped, unable to respond. Your breaths were loud and short, your eyes seemed unfocused as they dashed around the view ahead. You were having a panic attack, Bradley needed to help you.

He immediately pulled the car over on an empty street. He unclasped his belt, then yours and gently took your trembling hands in his.

‘Blossom, you’re having a panic attack,’ he said slowly to her. ‘Can you take a deep breath for me?’

You violently shook your head.

What was that technique he’d read about once? There was a grounding technique that worked well for panic and anxiety attacks.

‘My dress. Your face. Steering wheel. Dashboard. Streetlamp.’ You listed slowly, trying to breath deeply after every second word.

‘That’s right, Blossom.’ Bradley softly praised. What was the next sense; touch?

‘Your hands. Your dog tags. The door…’ you looked around in panic unable to find a fourth thing you could touch that would finalise that step.

‘You can touch my face, too. Keep going, Blossom, you’re doing so well.’

‘I hear the radio. I hear cars in the distance and I hear my heart beating.’

‘Good.’ Bradley rubbed soothing circles with his thumb into your hands, watching your eyes become more focused and land on his. He showed you how to breathe with him, deep and slow so as to level your heartbeat.

‘I can smell your cologne and… the air freshener.’

‘And you can taste?’

‘Chocolate,’ you said finally through a deep exhale and Bradley felt his own body deflate a little.

He waited for you to tell him what you needed, he was ready to wait even if it took you both whole night.

‘Can you hold me?’ You asked shakily and Bradley wasted no time in picking you up and seating you across his lap. His arms came about you and pulled you close to his chest, your head tucked underneath his chin. Your fingers found the chain of his dog tags and it was immediately between your fingers.

Bradley pressed soft kisses into your hair, whispering words of assurance as you grounded yourself with him. He reached over and lowered the volume of the radio, leaving it only as a soft murmur in the background.

After a few minutes in near silence, you spoke up.

‘He was a police officer. My ex.’

Bradley rubbed your back, swallowing down the sudden surge of anger that lodged in his throat.

‘At first, I could only see their uniforms a-and I thought is was him,’ you sniffled. ‘He used to invite his buddies at our apartment. Just a bunch of guys in their police uniforms. And none of them would step in when he—’

Your body racked with soft sobs and Bradley’s heart broke. He held you close, realising you finally opening up to him about sensitive subject. It pained him that only took a very unpleasant even to push over that edge.

‘I want t-to tell you,’ she whimpered. ‘I thought about it a lot. I told Phoenix and Frankie, but I’m worried… that if I tell you everything, you’ll be disappointed.’

‘Never. I could never be disappointed in you, Blossom.’

You took a deep, steadying breath. ‘We were friends at first. Then he confessed that he had feelings for me. I took that and ran with it, I wanted to be loved and to be in a relationship, I had just turned twenty and thought I knew it all… And he was wonderful at first.’

You wiped your nose with the back of your hand.

‘He used to shower me with compliments and affection, and I believed him wholeheartedly. I should’ve taken more care to be at least a little bit suspicious because one of his friends warned me that he’s not usually like that. I refused to believe it. How could anyone be that good of a liar?’

Bradley gave a curt nod, just to let you know he was listening.

‘The first time he hit me was because I didn’t make dinner. He was back from a shift, so was I… I just didn’t have time to put something together in time. He just smacked me across the face, yelled at me and went to bed. I remember… I went to sleep on the couch because I was too shocked and felt too guilty to go to bed with him.’

Bradley was at war with himself. One part of him wanted to snap, to rage, to hit something… preferably find your monster of an ex and put him in the ICU for at least two months.

He knew his strength, he knew that he could do that.

But a stronger part of him wanted to stay with you, no matter how strong his upset was. He wanted to keep you close and soothe your pain to the best of his abilities.

‘He bought me flowers the next day as an apology.’

A shitty apology altogether, not only because it was meaningless in the face of what he’d done, but also because Bradley knew full well you so strongly disliked cut flowers. Especially, the store bought kind. You didn’t like that most of these bouquets would wilt and end up in the trash within a couple of days.

That guy should’ve known and he still didn’t care.

‘I think that’s when it all started,’ you continued. ‘He’d get mad about something I did or something I said and he’d get violent. A slap to the face, a punch to the stomach. One time I couldn’t go into work because I was vomiting from how hard he had hit me the previous night.’

Bradley closed his eyes and breathed slowly through his nose.

‘He made me cut ties with all my friends, because they were bad influence. At least… that’s what he said it was. Some of those people I had known all my life, but I was stupid enough to want to get back in his good graces that I did it. I just wanted things to go back to the way they were at the beginning. When he was kind.’

‘When the pandemic hit, I wanted to leave and go back to my mum. I knew there was no point in staying there anymore,’ you sniffled again at the mention of you mother. ‘But he didn’t let me. He made me quit my job and stay at home full-time. He couldn’t risk it, he said. And for a while it was peaceful, until I started doing things wrong again.’

‘You did nothing wrong, Blossom.’

‘Yeah…’ you murmured against Bradley’s neck, your palm splayed over his beating heart. ‘I just got comfortable, I should’ve left when I had the chance. Then maybe I could’ve taken a better care of her.’

‘About a year ago, when my mum died… he kept me from going to see her. Kept me from going to her funeral. It broke my heart and I- I wanted to end it all.’

Bradley sucked in a breath of shock, his own eyes starting to fill with tears. His arms squeezed you a little tighter to him, holding you to your chest. But you pushed away from his chest, leaning back look at him.

Your hands gently cupped his face. ‘I haven’t had such thoughts since then. Certainly not now, not with you. Okay?’

‘Okay.’

‘I want you to know that. You make me happy and I—’ you stammered, looking down at his chest. Bradley placed a finger under your chin and lifted your face to look at him again.

‘You make me happy, too. No conditions. You just do.’

You smiled a little and Bradley breathed a little easier.

‘Of course, I didn’t go through with it… I couldn’t. And then a little over a month ago, I grabbed a bag of clothes, some of my savings and ran out of the house when he was at work. I went to a motel and holed up in there for a week.’ Your eyes were trained on the window and you swallowed. ‘He found me. He busted down the door, screamed at me a-and… I had seen him angry, but never like that. I really thought I would die that night with how hard he was squeezing my throat.’

Bradley distinctly remembered the bruising and how angry it still made him. He reached up with one hand and gently stroked one hand along the column of your neck and cupped your cheek. You turned your face to his again and smiled sadly.

‘I kicked him in the balls and ran out with nothing but my clothes and my phone. I ran through the streets, dodging into alleys where I could catch my breath and make sure he wasn’t following me. I happened upon a coffee shop where I hid and called Penny.’

Bradley nodded, letting you know that he understood fully.

‘I am so proud of you,’ he whispered and softly called your name to get your attention when you almost burst into tears again. ‘I’m proud of you and how strong you are. I could never be disappointed, especially not now when I know just how brave you’ve been.’

‘I don’t feel brave,’ you said and lowered your head back down on his shoulder. Bradley hugged you close.

‘You’re one of the bravest people I ever met, Blossom.’

The hum of the radio lulled you in a state of calm, your breaths finally levelling to a standard rhythm as you sat in Bradley’s embrace. His own heart had started to slow down as well as he didn’t want to feel angry for another second. You were far away from that monster and you were in his arms. You were safe.

After another few minutes of silence, you lifted yourself up and Bradley helped you back down into your seat. He let you buckle yourself as he started the car once more.

During the drive back to Penny’s, he kept his hand in yours only letting it go when he had to shift gears. You were much calmer now with the air ruffling your hair and drying the tears on your cheeks.

Bradley pulled the Bronco to a final stop in front of Penny’s, getting out first and coming around to get your door as well.

‘Should we collect the stuff from the trunk?’ You asked quietly.

‘Leave it,’ he replied. ‘I’ll do it tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.’

Your lips curved a little at that and Bradley was overjoyed to see the lightness return to your features. He threaded his fingers through yours as he walked up the driveway and opened the front door for you.

The lights were still on in the living room and kitchen. Penny was most likely still at the Hard Deck and Amelia was always in bed at that time of night.

Before Bradley could call out for Maverick to see if it was him at home, his godfather appeared at the doorway to the kitchen. His face had assumed a serious expression and Bradley stopped.

This didn’t bode well.

‘They are calling us back for a mission,’ Mav said sombrely. ‘We gotta leave at 0500 hours tomorrow morning.’

Next chapter

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