#drake watches what if season two

[tobiasdrake]

Putting Tony and Grandmaster together really highlights what's unique about Tony's character.

I'm sure I've brought this up in the past, but it's super easy to create a Shadow Archetype of Tony. You can make Shadow Archetypes of Tony without even trying. Most capitalist villains are Shadow Archetypes of Tony. A lot of fascists are Shadow Archetypes of Tony.

This is because Tony is, himself, a Light Archetype of a villainous character. That's his whole thing. The building blocks of his character DNA are basically a How-To guide for writing a villain; The only thing he's missing is villainy. That's the point.

Tony is a self-imposed challenge Stan Lee undertook one day to see if he could get the audience to root for a heroic character who inexplicably embodies all these traits commonly seen in villains. His whole thing is "What if Lex Luthor or Norman Osborn was somehow heroic?"

Tony is not a villain. But he's designed to feel like he should be, which makes it all the more impressive when he's not. That's a hard tightrope to walk, and the MCU hasn't always managed it with grace, but that's the character.

This puts Tony in a unique position in superhero media. It's something that's easy to lose sight of when he's standing next to the likes of Captain America or Spider-Man. Heroic depictions of heroic archetypes; Characters who are fundamentally good down to the building blocks of their narrative DNA.

But when you throw him at someone like Thanos or the Grandmaster or the comic version of Justin Hammer, villainous portrayals wrought from similar villainous cloth from the fabric he's cut from, that's when you start to see it.

What If 2-4 is a great episode for Tony. It really captures the paradox of this character; Something that even Tony struggles with.

[butwhyduh]

honestly jdk just tim drake x reader where one/or multiple of the batfam walks in?? i just find them entertaining, or they are continually being interrupted through the day!

Warning: eventual smut and Tim is done with everyone’s shit. If it’s not the end of the world, don’t call me- level done. And you can tell it’s fanfic because Tim is actually an adult.

Tim didn’t get into shows very often. He’s busy and he has a terrible habit of falling asleep after the first 10 minutes. He didn’t want to watch the show but he was tinkering with some of his tech while sitting on the couch and you put it on. And that’s how he got sucked in.

“And Daphne said yes to that? Drew is not good enough to lie to her friends over,” he said and you started telling him the backstory.

You binge watch the next few episodes to catch up to the new season. It was a fun and scandalous show, nothing like Tim’s usual picks. And he thought it was cute how animated you were when talking about the show.

“Trevor needs to get his shit together or not only is Naomi going to leave him, he’ll go to jail,” Tim said.

“Yeah but he owes the local crime boss money and he said he’d kill his family otherwise,” you countered.

“Sounds like Gotham,” Tim quipped. You lightly smacked his arm before laying your head on his shoulder and entangling your arm in his.

“That is not comforting,” you said. “Oo they’re going to tell us who took the diamonds!”

The bat phone started ringing almost off the coffee table. You groaned and let Tim go to sit up to answer that.

“The corner of 17 and Parkway? How many combatants?” He said in Bat speak. And that’s when you knew your date night was over. He hung up and turned to you looking apologetic.

“I have to go,” he said. You sighed but pulled him into a hug.

“Be safe. I’ll be here,” you said with practices familiarity. He kissed you before grabbing his stuff and leaving. He didn’t get back until hours later with some fresh bruises and a girlfriend asleep on the couch.

It was 2 days later that you tried to continue the show. Tim had told Bruce to call someone else first. The door was locked and his phone was on silence. You’d even given him some pretty good incentives if you were uninterrupted and alone after the show.

It was all of ten minutes into the continued episode with pho takeout on the way that the fire escape window opened. In flopped Nightwing covered in mud.

“No,” Tim groaned. You huffed before pausing the show. “Do you need help?”

“Only a bit,” Dick said as the understatement of the year. He let Tim look at him to find that he was leaking blood all over the carpet from a bullet wound in his thigh. “Only a graze. Do you have a bandaid?”

“Good lord,” you replied as Tim called Alfred. You quickly grabbed a towel to stop the bleeding.

It was a few hours later and a carpet cleaner before Nightwing and your carpet were patched up. By that time it was the middle of the night and you couldn’t concentrate on anything. Tim promised a date night another day.

This one was a whole week later. All of the Robins had been warned under pain of torture to not talk to Tim for that evening. Because Tim was to put it mildly, frustrated. You two hadn’t had alone time in over a week.

You started the show back up with all entrances locked and phones off. You were able to watch the next 15 minutes before you heard broken glass.

“Hey did you know your window was locked,” Superboy said standing in front of the window. Tim practically growled before pausing the show to shove Kon out the window.

“I don’t know what you need but the other members of Young Justice are available. Call them,” Tim said but it was already too late. The wind had blown into the room and it was starting to snow outside so he couldn’t exactly ignore the window. Once again date night was canceled.

Tim was so frustrated that he had dreams about you in his bed. It was almost a week later and now 3 episodes behind on the show that you had another date night. He was almost willing to skip the show entirely at this point just to have alone time.

Tim had practically threatened everyone he knew with death threats to leave you both alone.

“Someone is feeling the mode,” Bart joked.

“You mean, someone needs to get laid,” Kon added.

“At this point, yes! I don’t want to see, hear, or think of either of you tonight. Unless it’s the  apocalypse, then I don’t want to even know about it,” he growled. The two other heroes howled with laughter as he left.

You could tell Tim was distracted and preoccupied by the way his hand gripped and squeezed your thigh. He gave you frequent kisses between scenes. As the episode ended, Tim pounced.

“Tim!” You gasped as he pushed you to lay on the couch before the credits were even done. It turned to a moan as his hand slid between your thighs to rub you through your panties.

“It’s been way too long,” he groaned as he kissed down your throat. He was almost never this aggressive and it was dizzying. He pushed your panties to the side to finger you.

“Oh fuck,” you gasped as he hit deep inside you. His hips rubbed his hard cock against you. He pulled at your shirt with one hand.

“Take it off,” he groaned with impatience. Before you had even gotten the fabric over your head, he had attacked your chest. Pulling a nipple into his mouth and sucking hard while fingering you thoroughly had you whimpering.

You shoved down his pants to grasp him in a loose fist. Tim rutted into your hand while sloppily kissing across your chest.

“Please, want you,” you whined and he wasted no time sliding in. Your back arched with a gasp. His arm reached behind your back and Tim took his time with long deep strokes.

This pleasure cycle couldn’t last forever and you both finished far too soon. Tim kissed you softly and gently.

“We can continue this later. I think the food is here,” he said.

“Sounds good,” you said adjusting your clothes and sitting up. “I’ll be right back,” you added as you went to clean up.

Tim answered the door in his messied hair and haphazardly placed clothes. Instead of the food delivery guy, it was Jason standing with his food box. Tim frowned.

“What do you want?”

“Pizza anyone?”

“Leave,” tim growled, taking the box. Jason laughed.

“Interrupting something?” Tim almost slammed the door in his face. “Hey, I just need keys to the Robin motorbike,” Jason added. “Oh I didn’t know you watched that show. Can you believe that in last week’s episode, it was the mom all along. Wild hu?”

Tim sighed before throwing the keys at Jason. “Go away.” He slammed the door.

“Well that sucks,” you said across the room.

Tim locked the door and sat the pizza box on the table. “I’m gonna be honest, and that is that I really just want to finish what we started before pizza. I’m not picky where.”

You laughed before letting him grab you fireman style over his shoulder to drag you into the bedroom. There was no way you were answering the door after that.

[beachbxtchforev]

I’m Wearing UNC Blue for Him

after you support Rafe at his big game, he shows his appreciation for you on the way home.

pairing: basketballplayer!Rafe x fem!reader

word count: 1k

warnings: 18+, fingering, slow burn, some curse words, use of “baby”

1:37 left on the clock. the Heels lead the Huskies 78-72. Connecticut possession.

this was one of Rafe’s biggest games of the season. going against last year’s NCAA conference champs, UNC needs to pull off this win to secure a top bracket position. the roar of Chapel Hill was mind numbing, your ears were ringing from the chanting that surrounded you. today, you opted to sit with the Cameron’s instead of cheering from the student section because they often secured seats closer to the court. you wanted to be able to see Rafe up close, maybe even give him a glimpse of you showing your support for extra motivation.

the ball is thrown in from the sideline, making its way up the court towards UConn’s basket. their player goes for a layup and makes it. 78-74. 1:24. Kelce checks the ball to Rafe, with the two of them making their way back towards their hoop. UConn’s impressive defense forces the ball to be passed until Rafe can make his way into the paint. he once again gets the ball and is quickly fouled. just as you expected. you hate when the game is close in the end with both teams doing whatever it takes to prevent points.

you stand for Rafe’s free-throws, thumb nail up to your mouth out of habit, feeling the stress of 20,000 fans watching his every move. he bounces the ball, shoots, and sinks it. thank god, now just do it again. and he does. 80-74. 1:10.

the minute left of game play really takes ten, anxiety seeping into your every move. Rafe has the ball with four seconds left, taking a shot from the 3 point line. its in! the Heels win!

you fly out of your seat, hands reaching the air, quickly turning to Sarah at your side to embrace out of relief. Ward high fives you as Rose’s smile beams.

-

Rafe always takes a while to join the group after a game, especially one as big as tonight’s. when he comes out of the locker room you are so excited to see him that you run to jump into his arms. “you did it baby! im so proud of you,” you exclaim as you wrap your legs around his torso. he chuckles at your enthusiasm, pecking the side of your head.

once he lets you go, he shares moments with each of his family members and you walk hand in hand out of the facility.

a winning game day is always your favorite because it ensures a good mood from your boyfriend for the rest of the night.

“I can’t believe that last shot you made, you just had to rub the win in their face babe?” you jokingly question as he opens the passenger door to his truck for you.

“what can I say, im tryin to make some noise in prep for the tourney, baby. plus I really want to start getting NBA scouts’ attention.”

you watch as he rounds the front of the truck to get in.“well you got my attention, that’s for sure.” you smile at him, leaning over the center console to give him a peck on the mouth.

putting the car in drive, you guys head back towards his apartment. Drake plays through his speakers as you look out the window at your beautiful campus lit up by the moon. you’re pulled out of your trance by Rafe’s hand reaching out for your thigh, giving it a light squeeze. just like you predicted, he’s in a good mood from his win, so you might as well let him bask in it.

you’re wearing just a UNC vintage pullover that you stole from Rafe and some jean shorts, which you feel his hand working towards. biting your lip and sneaking a glance at him, you decide to unbutton the denim and slide it down your legs, revealing your lacey thong to the darkness of the truck. Rafe’s hand moves higher, grazing over the fabric of your shorts to meet the now bare skin of your hip, while his left hand controls the wheel. you let out a gasp when his fingers dip into the top of your panties, grazing your slit.

his actions are followed by a whimper from your mouth, already feeling yourself getting soaked. however, you have been turned on since you saw him in his Heel blue jersey on the court. his fingers apply pressure, finding your clit and moving in circles. your legs spread, giving him better access as he multitasks his way into giving you and orgasm. what can’t this man do?

“Rafey, inside me. please” you beg, wanting to feel his fingers.

“ya baby? want to get fucked by my fingers? huh?” he teases as he continues to maneuver the truck through the emptying streets.

“y-yes! yes, pl-“ your words are cut off my your own moan as Rafe’s middle and ring finger thrust into your entrance. he too groans at the feeling of your gummy walls around his fingers, blood rushing to his cock.

his fingers move in and out, working you open. he adjusts his hand so the heel of his palm can apply pressure to your clit while his fingers work your hole, warmth invading them. he adds a curling motion to his thrusts, finding the spot that almost always has you cumming.

“shit y/n. squeezing my fingers baby? you gonna cum?”

“please Rafe! im so close,” you moan out. band in your stomach ready to snap.

as soon as he turns the truck into the parking garage, fingers moving rapidly, you release, wetness coating his hand, your heavy breaths filling the cab. after a couple more pumps, he removes his fingers from you and slides them between his lips, collecting your juices. you turn your head to face him, hair slightly disheveled and sticking to your forehead.

“you taste so good baby,” he says, as he takes his fingers out of his mouth and tucks a misplaced piece of hair behind your ear.

leaning over to give you a needy kiss, he grasps your wrist, pulling your hand to feel his hardened cock.

“now how about we go upstairs and you give me a three celebratory rounds for that 3 pointer that impressed you so much?

-

let me know what you think ✨

[quinton-reviews]

have you ever thought about doing a Game Shakers video? or is the show too boring to really justify such a thing?

So when it comes to doing Henry Danger and Game Shakers videos, there are really a few things I think people need to keep in mind...

The mini-series so far is really heavily about me revisiting my nostalgia and kind of answering my curiosity about where these shows went. So reviewing iCarly and Victorious worked because they were of "my era." Sam & Cat worked on that level of "What happened after I stopped watching?" I think that if I don't have a specific goal or pitch, just flippantly watching kid shows from faaaar past my childhood works less as a concept.

One of the great things about iCarly and Victorious is that both shows are barely, and I mean BARELY, in the copyright system on YouTube. Once or twice per season, I'd get one clip or one episode that I had trouble with. But it was shocking how much I could get away with. Sam & Cat was hell because it was clear that by 2013 Nick was uploading stuff to the YouTube copyright library as it was made. So no matter what I did, I would get a copyright claim. This is honestly why those final two videos were much more indulgent than my usual style. I kind of went, "if I have to fight copyright anyway, might as well show more clips..." I regret this somewhat, as now my new video still has 20+ days until I'll have full ads AND I now have a reputation for only recapping plotlines. But that's what you get I guess.

This is much more a thing for Henry Danger than Game Shakers, but another issue is just how much content there is with these shows. Henry Danger has a decade of content, recapping all of it would be both unsurmountable journey and... Well, not fun to watch. So if I ever did these shows, I would have to really focus more on season-by-season analysis rather than actual episodes.

I think my videos on iCarly, Victorious and Sam & Cat are all connected by certain themes and points that I am now drawing closure to. The gags about "the creator," the cognitive dissonance, the attachment to childhood, etc. So if I do reviews on other shows, I have to find new angles and themes to establish. Drake & Josh and Zoey 101 are topics I like because instead of focusing on the creator, I can focus on the lives of the stars and how fame affected them. When it comes to Game Shakers and Henry Danger, the only possible throughline I can think of is how the shows were effective by the collapse of their creator and production studio. Henry Danger continued and improved while Game Shakers was effectively canceled early and fell on its face. But we've already covered all that. Game Shakers just doesn't have that pull to me, and because of that, I can't imagine finding an excuse to review it.

[saintslewis]

Spin bout u • LN4

pairing: lando norris x black fem driver!reader

summary: in which he finds out about what your boyfriend’s doing to you and he has to stop it before he loses you.

warnings: mentions of an abusive relationship, violence, swearing, protective grid, mentions of bruises.

saint’s notes: so i have such a school girl crush on Lando, it’s not even funny anymore so here’s something. i was just scrolling and i saw @bbymelsworld indirectly requesting this so let’s start! sorry if there’s typos!

taglist: @thisismeracing @certifiedlesbianbaddie

-

P5.

Just 4 places behind your teammate, Lewis. As much your team, Mercedes, had decided to celebrate the qualifying positions and you were both set for Silverstone, you knew you were in trouble the minute you got out of the racing car.

Standing close to the garage entrance, you took a sip from your large bottle of water and watched how the other drivers were getting ready for post-qualifying interviews with smiles on their faces and the atmosphere was buzzing. You hadn’t noticed that Lewis was walking towards you, placing his hand on your shoulder causing you to violently flinch at the sudden contact.

“Oh uh, hi Lewis.” You sheepishly smiled, hoping that he would completely forget about the past few seconds. His eyes bore into yours but he knew the media was watching the both of you so he didn’t want to ask any questions that would raise suspicions. He immediately put a smile on his face, removing his hand from your shoulder. “You killed it on track,man. Proud of you as always. A few of the drivers and I are getting some ice cream after the big day. Are you up for it?” He suggested, knowing that your mood had decreased the moment you stepped out of the car.

Lewis was the mentor you had been hoping for since before your karting days. Starting off in 2022, you came into the F1 world scared of what would come to you. You were now the second black driver on the grid, a woman and the youngest, just two months short of Oscar Piastri. After the announcement of your arrival in F1 and into Mercedes, the world went insane at your presence. Lewis had been there for you since your first day, helping you handle the challenges of being black and the only woman after decades in F1.

The rest of the grid had welcomed you with open arms, loving your energy and kindness that you would often display the first half of the 2022 season until after a race in Spa did they notice your entire demeanour change whenever anyone was near you. How you would push yourself to your limits which resulted in a crash in Imola that had everyone worried for your safety. How you used to be known as Lewis’ protégé in terms of paddock fashion but now you barely show any skin. How your smile used to brighten up any room you were in but now it barely reaches your eyes. They had speculations that you could possibly be in a relationship but they didn’t want to assume.

However Lando kept his eye on you, with him being the first to always notice your mood changes and the way you would distance yourself from everyone every time you wouldn’t get pole. His crush on you was as clear as day to anyone who paid attention and both of your fans would highlight your interactions, especially when you would go film with Quadrant as a special guest and definitely when he pointed out that you had the same McLaren, just in different colours.

“Um I might take you up on that one, Lew. Thank you.” You quietly said and he nodded, turning away from you to begin his interviews. You too needed to get ready for your interviews but you knew you had a limit today; 5 interviews with female reporters and immediately return home to your boyfriend of two years.

Patting the last of your body foundation on your arms, you heard your phone vibrate with various text messages from your boyfriend, Beckham.

Beck

i’m going out with the boys

you better be home when i get home

you

can you at least not come home smelling like another woman?

Beck

fix that stupid sentence and pray i go easy on you today, bitch

You sighed, switching your phone off completely and leaving the driver’s room while fixing the band of your leggings, the chain clinking and sparkling under the Mercedes garage lights. Walking past Toto’s seat and giving him your special handshake, you got to the media pen with your assistant, Jamie, trailing behind you.

“Hello Y/n!” A reporter who you quickly recognised as Kim waved you over to where she was standing and you excitedly walked up to her. “Hi, hope you’re well.” You greeted, steadying yourself on the barricade. “ I am, thank you. You look awfully happy. Is P5 good for you?” She asked.

“Uh, it’s definitely better than last week. That’s for sure.” You responded, the memory of receiving P12 and receiving a harsh greeting when you got to the hotel came to your mind but you quickly pushed it to the back of your mind. As you spoke with her, Kim and Jamie alike had noticed smudges on your arms but didn’t want to intrude. “I’m sorry Y/n but if you don’t mind me asking, what happened to your forearm?” Kim questioned, taking a closer look at it only for you to snatch your arm away in a gentle manner.

“Oh, this! Just bumped into the door a little too hard.” You gave a fake smile, your bracelets clinking together to somewhat hide the almost green looking bruise that seemed large from afar. “That door must’ve hated you because it definitely left a mark.” Kim hissed at the look of your bruise. You could’ve sworn that your forearm had the most coverage from the body foundation.

Before you could even get another word out, a familiar presence came up behind you and placed a hand on your upper arm, causing you to flinch once again and this time, the whole world had certainty seen everything. You internally cringed at the thought of this very moment being captured. Turning around, you saw that it was Lando with a smile on his face but his beautiful green eyes told a completely different story. “Hey n/n, just came to congratulate you for P5.” He greeted, his eyes moving to examine the face he was slowly falling for. Lando could tell that you were uncomfortable so he had to come up with something, quickly.

“I uh bumped into umm Naomi and she’s looking for you. She said it’s important.” He quickly blurted out, noticing the confusion on your face but you quickly fixed your face to turn and excuse yourself from Kim and the media pen as a whole.

As you began walking with Lando silently, you battled keeping your tears from falling, your breathing becoming increasingly faster but you couldn’t break because the media was following you everywhere. Putting on a fake smile, you gave a few cameras a wave as you walked in the direction of the Mercedes garage. You turned to Lando so quickly, it almost tripped him up. “Um I’ll see you tomorrow, Norris.” You said, terrified at the fact that the cameras were pointed to you and that this footage would reach Beckham.

“O-oh okay. Uh travel safe.” Lando stuttered, sensing your nerves as he watched you practically run into the motor home. He didn’t want to be that person but he has a feeling that his suspicions were right.

-

P6.

Your hands shaking terribly as you took off your gloves and ran to your driver’s room, completely ignoring the media following behind you. Lewis, who had won the race, cut his interviews short as he saw you running. He made his way into the Mercedes garage, unaware that two other drivers were following him too. You only had a panic attack once and that was the cause of your crash, resulting in a mild concussion.

Most of the grid was extremely protective over you as they had sworn to be after the media would continuously attack you just for your existence so check-ups on you were quite frequent, especially when you changed your entire demeanour.

Jamie was already with you, holding your head in an embrace as the both of you cradled together outside your driver’s room. You tried to keep your sobs silent, scared that he would hear you as if he fed off of your fear towards him. Hearing heavy footsteps coming in your direction, you slightly lifted your head just to see Lewis, Charles and Lando look extremely worried as they slowed their pace to approach you.

You hid your head further away from them, not wanting your fellow drivers to see you like that. Your teammate was the first one to crouch down next to you, giving breathing exercises to you to help you calm down. Wiping your tears with the back of your hands and filling them with mascara lines, you stood up hastily and turned to the drivers. “I’ll see you guys later for ice cream.” You managed to croak out, rushing into the driver’s room.

Defeated, the boys hesitantly turned around to return back to what they were doing and all had the same thing in their minds; get to the problem that is bothering you and that has been bothering you for the past year.

Parking your McLaren in the driveway of your house, you let out a sigh of relief when you saw that Beckham’s car wasn’t there as well. As you opened the front door after unlocking it, all you could smell was the strong scent of Chanel No.5, a perfume you would never use but it lingered around your home. The mystery woman’s discarded clothing was laid out on the floor, her undergarments reaching the stairs. Hearing thumps from upstairs, you slowly made your way up there only to find a woman in your walk-in closet, holding a pair of your jeans to her body and she muttered at how these clothes would never fit her.

She was the complete opposite of you. Much skinnier with the shiniest blonde hair and the brightest blue eyes. Clearing your throat, you startled her and she gasped loudly, not expecting anyone to be in the house. “Get out.” You sighed out, looking over the mess she made to your closet. Some of your jewellery was outside of its cases, your bags were skew on their display and your shoes were mismatched. “But B said no one lived here with him.” The girl said with a tone that made you want to drag by her hair.

“Look, get out of my house. I don’t want to repeat this shit.” You said and she still hadn’t put your jeans down, not moving an inch. Placing your handbag on one of the chairs in your closet, you grabbed the girl’s hand and pulled her out of your room and out of your house. Her pleas were pathetic to your ears and you slammed the front door in her face. After a few moments of silence, you could hear her screeching into her phone to your boyfriend about how much of a bitch you were.

After cleaning up all the mess and calling Jamie to organise movers to take all your things to your home in Monaco, it was nearly time for the ice cream night with some of the drivers and you had thought of cancelling on them multiple times but you knew you needed the break. Feeling your phone vibrate as you zoned out, you checked to see who was texting you.

landoooo

hey y/n

this is the ice cream place we’re going to

address

you don’t have to be there if you don’t want to btw

you

i’ll be there, lands :)

landoooo

oh okay cool

see you later y/n :)

you

🥰

You sighed at the thought of covering your scars and bruises and you could not even cover up as it was a boiling hot evening in London (rare). Luckily, you had a few more bottles of body foundation in your second bathroom so you were okay. A shower and a little snack later, you stared at yourself in the mirror and you had stood there for 5 minutes. You were disgusted by yourself. The shorts were hugging you and the tank top was showing your chest a little bit too much but it was covering everything but of course you were overthinking everything. You fixed your cap and shades and grabbed a different bag from before, a Dior saddle bag which was a gift from Lando for your birthday. You cherished this bag because of the artwork on it, a small portrait of your first win on it with the tall buildings of Monaco behind you.

Putting on your crème white Louis Vuitton varsity jacket, you didn’t think twice before taking the car keys and leaving your house in a rush. Around the drivers was the only time you could be happy without Beckham near you. You would’ve had other friends but they were chased away because they spoke up against your relationship. He wanted to keep you around as a trophy, to brag to his friends that he has a well-off girlfriend who will provide for them because that’s all you did. Beckham only worked part time at an electronics store whenever you weren’t around. When he started physically hurting you, you felt trapped and you felt like you would never get out of it. During your first season in F1, you became ‘friends’ with Lando. You were very careful with the friends title because you knew you weren’t allowed to have any guy friends.

Down the line, you began having feelings for the McLaren driver. Just everything about him had attracted you to him but you felt terrible for even thinking of him like that because you felt like Beckham knew each and every one of your thoughts so you gradually distanced yourself from him, slowly depressing yourself because of the lack of communication between you and other drivers. You never wanted Beck to attend any races because you knew he would absolutely embarrass you. He would often say that he would become friends with all the other drivers so that he would never have to deal with you. Not to mention that he was your first everything so you were conflicted about leaving him because you loved him.

Without even noticing, you had reached the ice cream place. It was decorated with different pastel colours and it just looked like the place to cheer anyone up. Making your way into the shop, one of the employees was tasked to guide to their private area for vip and a few people recognised you as you made your way into the room. Hearing the driver’s laughs bouncing off the walls, you pushed the door and alerted them of your arrival. “She’s here!” A very happy sounding Max cheered causing the others to cheer as well. You went around the incredibly long table to greet everyone and a few stood up to hug you. Sat between Lewis and Mick, a menu was already placed in front of you along with a small cup of cookies and cream flavoured ice cream, your absolute favourite. Looking at the seat in front of you, Lando gave you a slight nod and a grin. You smiled right back at him and dug in.

Throughout the evening, you spoke to mainly everyone from your seat and took your jacket off during your conversation with Carlos who was right next to Lando. You never realised how whenever you were talking with anyone, you always rubbed your arms and you were doing quite excessively at the moment, unaware that your body foundation was quickly rubbing off and your bruises and scars were become visible to anyone who was looking. Feeling something sticky on your hands, you excused yourself from the table to go to the bathroom to wash your hands.

As soon as you closed the door, everyone turned their heads to where you were sitting. Releasing a small sigh, Lance began speaking. “Um so everyone saw the bruises right?” He questioned and everyone hummed in agreement. “I know this is obvious but clearly they weren’t self-inflicted. Does anyone know anything?” Esteban spoke up. “Would that be the reason why she covers up these days?” Pierre asks, examining your jacket which had a few smudges on the inside of the arms. Your phone began vibrating against the table, Siri notifying that Beck had been calling. All the drivers looked to Lewis to answer the call. Although he didn’t want to go over his boundaries with your private life, he was curious and definitely had questions.

As Lewis answered and put the phone on speaker, he couldn’t even get a word out before Beck began his rant. “I thought i said you should be home by the time I get there, you fucking bitch. If I find out you’re with other guys, you’re dead.” He warned through the phone, immediately alarming the guys. “Ay man, who the fuck are you talking to like that?” Lewis began, he was already livid and held his car keys in his hands.

“Of course she’s with other guys! What? Is she giving herself to you guys like the bitch she is? Huh? Getting passed around?” Beck cackled loudly. “Just shut up,man. Are you the one putting your hands on her?” Lewis grumbled. “And what about it, bro? Are you gonna tell on me?” He mocked. “Whoever the fuck you guys are, you can’t get nothing from me. She’s nothing without me and she knows it.” Beck yelled, sounding sober and the rest of the guys knew it was time to go handle him. Before anyone could say anything more, you walked into the room with a small smile only to be met with silence and a few drivers surrounding something.

“Guys? What’s going on?” You trailed off, going closer to your seat. “Oh there she is! Listen Y/n, come home and we can talk about your little friends, okay? Just want to talk. Also, P6 today? You already know what’s gonna happen. See you soon.” Beckham taunted you and he hung up the call, your stomach dropping once you realised the situation. Tears pricked your eyes as you looked at the drivers who were already looking at you with concern.

“Um-” Your voice broke as your throat closed and you felt the first two tears fall. Being pulled into a hug, you began sobbing quietly and that broke the driver’s hearts. Smelling the familiar cologne, you realised it was Lando and that made you sob even more, knowing that you couldn’t be near him during all of this. Feeling a hand on your back, you looked to see it was Lewis. “Y/n, we’re coming with you when you drive home. He will never threaten or hurt you while we’re around.” He assured, rubbing your shoulder and being careful to not add pressure to the huge bruise there. Looking around the room, all the drivers were gathering their things with anger prevelant on their faces. “We’ll be in the parking lot, Y/n!” Max called out as he walked out and everyone followed after him, leaving just you and Lando in the room.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, Y/n. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you.” Lando whispered as his cheek laid on your braided head. Sniffling, you answered him. “It’s not your fault, Lands. I kept thinking it was going to get better and it never did. It’s never going to get better.” You sobbed out the last sentence and you felt him hug you tighter. “As long as I’m here, love, everything will be alright. You’re not alone in this. I can’t have you staying with him any longer.” He pleaded, not letting go of the embrace.

“But Lands, he’s going to kill me if I don’t stay. I already don’t have family or friends because he chased everyone away. I feel like I have no one. I want to leave, I really do but I can’t.” You said in a wobbly voice. “No, Y/n. Don’t say that. We’ll get him sorted out. We got you.” He assured you, holding your face in his large hands. He leaned to kiss your forehead and for that moment, you felt peace for the first time in over a year.

-

With a convoy of 10 supercars on the way to your house, you sat in your car nervous as you led your fellow drivers to your house. Devising a plan before you all left the ice cream place, you would park your car in the driveway and they would follow. You would go into the house and shine a flashlight from a window to let them know that he’s inside the house with you. Driving into your street had your heart racing.

As you got out of the car, you walked to your front door and left it unlocked. You hesitantly took your shoes off, afraid that any sound would alarm him. You shone your flashlight on the window, praying that they saw the signal. “What are you doing?” You heard that rough voice that scared the life out of you. You turned around to face Beck. “T-there was a spider on the window so I was just checking that.” You uncomfortably smiled as you switched the flashlight off. He nodded and walked back to wherever he came from.

Following after him, he sat in the kitchen with a glass of whiskey, sipping from it ever so slowly. “It’s just you and me now.” He smirked and that sent shivers up your spine. “I don’t like your coworkers, they aren’t very nice people.” He mocked with a small smile on his face. Looking at him, your attraction for him disappeared a long time ago, after he began hurting you. His eyes weren’t inviting like Lando’s neither did his smile make you feel safe. Wait, why are you comparing him to Lando?

Breathing in and preparing yourself for everything, you knew it was the only way to end this. “Beckham, I’m leaving you and I’m moving. I want to dead whatever this has become.” You stood your ground, feeling extremely proud of yourself for what you’ve just done. He began chuckling then began full on laughing. “You were always such a jokester.” He said, wiping a non existent tear after laughing that hard.

You knew exactly what was coming next but you couldn’t prepare yourself to run as fast as you wanted. Beckham threw the glass of whiskey next to your head, the shards of glass shattered everywhere and you screamed, running away from the kitchen and out your front door. The drivers saw you running onto the street and got out of their cars. Lando guided you into his car and asked you to sit in it and that he will be back soon. Grabbing a hold of his arm, you asked him to stay with you in the car.

After a few beats of silence between the two of you, he began to speak. “What are you gonna do after this? Like where are you gonna stay?” He questioned, looking at you as you looked straight ahead. “I have an penthouse in Monaco but it’s not yet finished. I don’t know when I was going to move.” You informed him, avoiding his eye contact. “I’m thinking of going to a hotel for the night.” You eventually looked at him and he shook his head a little. “I know I’m stepping on some toes here but come stay by me and we’ll go to Monaco tomorrow.” Lando suggested and you reacted without thinking by kissing his lips quickly.

“You would do that for me?” You asked in a breathy voice. He kissed you back with a little more passion than the first kiss you two shared. “I’d do anything for you, Y/n.” Lando looked into your eyes and you were happily that your feelings towards each other were mutual. Leaning on his shoulder in a comfortable silence, you’re both startled by the knocking on the window only to see that it was Lewis. “So Y/n, just grab whatever you can for tonight and we’ll come back and get everything tomorrow.” Lewis grinned then gave you two a thumbs up as he goes back into the house and the others start leaving.

Getting out of Lando’s car, you went up to each one of the drivers to thank them for their help and support. “What did you guys do in there?” You questioned Max and Charles and they looked at each other with a look. “Someone just cover her eyes when going upstairs.” Carlos said behind you, seeing him walk out onto the lawn with his hair disheveled. “Not to mention the police are on their way for him.” Lance smiled and you could’ve sworn you saw a bit of blood on his shirt.

You looked back at Lando who simply smiled at you and you leaned into his touch as he threw his arm around you.

yourusername

liked by landonorris, lewishamilton and 2,349,839 others

yourusername the class of ‘23 (and a few of the other guys) 🫶🏽

view comments

user this is the cutest picture omg but where are you??

yourusername i took the pic love :)

user is it bc of those bruises? is that she ain’t in the photo?

user you’re in her BUSINESS DAMN

landonorris how about you start your own jpg acc??

yourusername since you said it, sure 🕺🏽

user oh, they’re in LOVE LOVE

lewishamilton 🫂🤍

yourusername you’re the best ❤️

mercedesamgf1 our paddock princess is in her photography era 🥹

liked by yourusername

[closurechilde]

Welcome to my TED Talk

Cw: f.reader, FLUFF. PURE FLUFF. Time-skip!Suna

FUN FACT OF THE DAY! Energy drinks make my fingers feel all tingly.

This is how your Friday nights developed since your second year in Inarizaki.

Popcorn, Onigiri, loads of sweets, cans of soda and energy drinks over your coffee table, two blankets on your sofa and, in this case, him beside your TV, holding your laptop as he introduced the badly designed PowerPoint he made with the saturated audio of 'Hotline Bling' by Drake as background.

"Welcome to my TED talk." He started, making you laugh already. "I'm Rintarō Suna and today's topic is..."

He pressed the space bar. "Reasons for why you should marry me.

"Oh, interesting topic. Let's see if you convince me." You chuckle, grabbing a can of soda and a gummy bear.

Suna and you had been dating since mid-term of the second year of high school and PowerPoint nights became a little routine of yours to spend time with each other at home and get out some laughs.

He chuckles and presses the spacebar. "One, I'm a pro athlete." He says, a photo of him in the gym appears and you cheer and clap jokingly. "Two," he continues, trying to contain his laugh. "I can blackmail you if you say no." A photo of you sleeping with your hair all over your face and drooling is on the slide.

"Oh, my God, Rin! Why do you have that?!" You gasp, looking at him.

"You look cute, okay?" He answers nonchalantly before going to the next slide. "Three, I'd literally do ANYTHING YOU WANT just for you to say yes."

You raise an eyebrow. "Anything?"

"Anything." He answers. "God, I'm willing to... to watch tangled and bluey with you whenever you ask just for you to say the word." He mumbles and your jaw goes slack before you laugh. "And... that shitty show you like."

"OH, MY GOD. Dude, you're soooo fucked up." You laugh. "By shitty show you mean Riverdale?" He nods and you gasp. "IT IS NOT a shitty show."

He raises an eyebrow and looks at you with a straight face. "Really?"

"...Okay, maybe they over-exploited it. BUT the first three seasons are great."

He rolls his eyes and goes to the last slide, which is totally blank and without sound"Four..."

He leaves the living room and goes to your bedroom. You hear the rummaging in the closet before he comes back, making you sit up on the sofa and look at him with wide eyes when he gets on one knee and opens the little black box.

"I love you... so fucking much. You're the only one who could -and can- read me like an open book. You're the one that has been with me every single moment of my life. No matter if it was the best or the worst. God, you even moved to Tokyo with me leaving everything and everyone you loved and grew accustomed to behind..."

If you weren't a waterfall by then, you are one right now.

"Rin, I-" He cuts you off.

"I'm not finished." He says, smiling. "So, sweetheart, my one and only, THE love of my life." You smile at the last nickname. "Will you marry me?" He asks.

"Yes..." You whisper nodding excitedly and he gets up and puts the ring on your finger before kissing you deeply. "I love you so much..."

He smiles and leans his forehead against yours. "Thanks for coming to my TED talk." He jokes and you punch him playfully on his shoulder.

"We were doing so good..." You chuckle. A few minutes later, with him laying on top of you, you speak.

"Hey..." You call him.

"Mhm?"

"Would you believe me if I said my tonight's PowerPoint was about the same topic?" He raises his head and looks at you. "What? You were taking your sweet time!" You say and he rolls his eyes before he kisses you again.

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

Here’s Why Everyone Is Talking About A Pirate Drama That Ended In 2017

Black Sails has been described as Game of Thrones with pirates

If Black Sails kicked off in 2020 instead of 2014, it certainly would have thrown fuel on the raging fire that was TikTok’s sea shanty obsession. The reality is that this TV series aired on Starz from 2014 for four seasons, coming to a close in 2017. So why is everyone talking about it now, a decade after it began?

Black Sails is coming to Netflix very soon, triggering its fans to emerge from the woodwork and promote the show online. ‘I am SO excited for people who’ll be watching this show for the first time,’ one user wrote, with many others recommending the series to fans of Game of Thrones. With House of the Dragon still a few months away, here’s why you should tune into Black Sails this month.

New To Netflix: Black Sails

What Is Black Sails About?

Black Sails transports us back to 1715 – aka the Golden Age of Piracy. Set in New Providence, an island in the Bahamas, we meet the feared Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) who brings a new younger crew member into the fold (‘Long’ John Silver, played by Luke Arnold) as his crew continues to fight for survival and negotiate their space on the island.

Is Black Sails Based On A Book?

Black Sails was written as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, Treasure Island (1883).

Is It Based On A True Story?

While Black Sails isn’t based on a true story, it does trace real events. The first season focuses on the hunt for the Spanish treasure galleon Urca de Lima, a real ship that sank in 1715 near Fort Pierce in Florida (where it still lies). Season two traces the fallout of Urca de Lima’s treasure being stranded in Florida, strictly guarded by Spanish soldiers while pirates prowl the shores. The subsequent third and fourth seasons then look at the war for the control of New Providence between the pirates and the British Empire – a la Pirates of the Caribbean.

Likewise, some of the characters are based on real people. Real pirates fictionalised in the show include:

Blackbeard (Ray Stevenson)

Anne Bonny (Clara Paget)

Benjamin Hornigold (Hakeem Kae-Kazim)

Jack Rackham (Toby Schmitz)

Charles Vane (Zach McGowan)

Ned Low (Tadhg Murphy)

Israel Hands (David Wilmot)

Meanwhile, Captain Woodes Rogers (Luke Roberts) – who represents the British Empire in seasons three and four – is based on a real English sea captain and slave trader, and subsequently the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas.

Was Captain Flint A Real Pirate?

Captain Flint is a fictional character who was first created by Robert Louis Stevenson in Treasure Island. He has since appeared in multiple works of fiction, including A. D. Howden Smith’s Porto Bello Gold (1924), John Drake’s Flint and Silver (2008), Pieces of Eight (2009) and Skull and Bones (2010), and J. M. Barrie’s Peter and Wendy (1904).

Where Was Black Sails Filmed?

Black Sails was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa, mainly inside at Cape Town Film Studio. Because the real city is so different today than it was in the 1700s, Nassau – the capital of the Bahamas, located on New Providence island – was built from scratch in a studio over a period of four months, as were two large water tanks to house the series’ two ships. Some scenes were filmed outside in and around Cape Town when new terrain was required, but most of the series was filmed on set.

The Cast

The cast of Black Sails is incredibly large, but key characters to know include:

Toby Stephens as James McGraw/Captain Flint

Hannah New as Eleanor Guthrie

Luke Arnold as ‘Long’ John Silver

Jessica Parker Kennedy as Max

Tom Hopper as William ‘Billy Bones’ Manderly

Zach McGowan as Charles Vane

Toby Schmitz as Jack Rackham

Clara Paget as Anne Bonny

Mark Ryan as Hal Gates

Hakeem Kae-Kazim as Mr. Scott

Sean Cameron Michael as Richard Guthrie

Louise Barnes as Miranda Hamilton/Barlow

Rupert Penry-Jones as Thomas Hamilton

Luke Roberts as Woodes Rogers

Ray Stevenson as Edward Teach

David Wilmot as Israel Hands

Harriet Walter as Marion Guthrie

The Trailer

Interested? Here’s the trailer for a taste of the action.

WATCH

All episodes of Black Sails are streaming on Netflix from 17 April 2024.

Source: Country & Town House

[lurkingshan]

Random BL Grievances, 2023 Edition

Listen. I was going to be nice. I was going to listen to my better angels. Shan, I said, there is no need to hate, it's all love! Just let it all go! But then my Tay Tawan was cruelly ripped away from me and @my-rose-tinted-glasses gave me inspiration. So fuck it, we ball. Hateration turned up to 11, let's go.

Worst Waste of a Good Start: Jun & Jun

Remember when this show started and it was all about scent kink and extremely horny energy, and then suddenly that all evaporated so we could add a bunch of side plots and do four different love triangles instead? Yeah I'm still mad about it!!

Most Overused Metaphor: Dangerous Romance

Hey y'all, did you know windmills need wind to power them?

Rudest Boy: Lomfon, La Pluie

The audacity of this boy. The chaos he sewed. Look at this scene! Immediately after this he not only plotted a secret date with his situationship's brother, he kissed said brother without consent. He made Tien cry. I may have forgiven your lanky ass, but I sure didn't forget!

Worst Retcon: Naughty Babe

This is not Men in Black and you can't just mind wipe me into forgetting these two already worked through half these issues in Cutie Pie. Not to mention suddenly turning a dog into a CGI tiger!! Thanks to Nat and Max for their service though those sex scenes at the end did help me cope.

Biggest Audience Betrayal: Minato's Laundromat 2

Plot contrivance amnesia! In my painstaking slow burn self acceptance journey that I have spent two entire seasons on. I will never forgive them.

Most Egregious Lack of Threesomes: Only Friends

You put me through all that messy drama and all those teases and I did not get to watch even one (1) threesome? Just a couple of kisses and everybody vacates the pool. I ask you, what was the point of Boeing if he wasn't here to fuck everybody! For shame, Jojo.

Most Undeserved Forgiveness: Eun Ji and Tae Hyung, The Eighth Sense

These two assholes are really up there amongst the worst friends in drama this year. I don't care what Jae Won says, I do not forgive you. Ji Hyun should have kept that petty energy for the both of them.

Biggest Character Letdown: Sand, Only Friends

Eternally pouring one out for the rougher, more cynical version of Sand who was wielding a baseball bat in the trailer. I don't know what happened to you, my guy, but you live on in my heart.

Most Baffling Dropped Plot: Thyme, A Boss and a Babe

Why was Drake even in this show? What was the point of all that plot set up in the first half if they weren't going to resolve it?? Why wasn't Thyme the mole??? Make it make sense.

Most Obvious Lack of Purpose: Between Us

How on earth did this happen? You have literal years to write a compelling sequel story for a wildly popular side ship and this is all you can come up with?! Aside from a couple nice sexy scenes at the start, this show really had no idea what it was about and nothing interesting to say.

Biggest Waste of Everyone's Time: Absolute Zero

New Siwaj, you're getting the triple dose on this list!! And AZ is your biggest sin this year because what the fuck was this! You had all that money, all that talent, all that time at your disposal, and this is what you did with it. UWMA squad was lined up to see you finally do another masterpiece, and you delivered this mess instead. What is going on with you, sir, I feel it's time for an intervention.

Worst Derailing of a Good Show: Step by Step

You didn't think this post was ending without me mentioning this disaster, did you? An all-time cautionary tale in how to waste a good slow burn. Jeng deserved better and so did we.

[tobiasdrake]

What If 2-7's title is nicely punned.

"What If Hela found the Ten Rings?" I legit thought they meant the Ten Rings the artifact. But no. They're talking about the Ten Rings the organization. Clever wordplay.

It's amazing how much Hela's personality in this episode is just a mash-up of her siblings. She basically has two modes: Thor Mode and Loki Mode, alternating between Thor's pre-development brash warrior arrogance and Loki's conniving, devious scheming. You can always easily imagine one or the other delivering her lines in her place.

Neither ever really feels like Hela, but it also doesn't feel unlike Hela either; If anything, it calls attention to how little attention the original film paid to defining this character in the first place. Ragnarok Hela was the personification of an idea, moreso than a character. There wasn't a lot to work with here.

I have mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand, the way they examine Hela as herself a victim of Odin's colonialism is a conversation that I don't see enough of in media. This episode is basically, "Okay but can we talk about how Azula is just as much a child of abuse as Zuko is and deserves sympathy too?" I appreciate that.

On the other hand, there's something hilariously on-the-nose about using the personification of colonialism itself as the central protagonist for a straightforward, by-the-book Mighty Whitey tale. Like. Wow. They really did that. Not an ounce of irony or self-awareness. She even whole-ass displaces a local character to step into that spotlight.

And then somewhere in the middle is Wenwu being reframed as a desperately lonely man eager to jump into bed with the first woman to kick his ass; Doesn't matter who. I. Don't. Know. How I feel about that.

So. Yeah. This one had its ups and downs. And then it ends on the funniest note possible.

Hela: I will take your throne only so that I may dismantle your empire. Uatu: And then Hela and Wenwu built the biggest empire ever.

Wait, what. That. Was. Not. The thing she was going to do.

Uatu: It was an empire of LIBERATION.

That's not how empires work. I don't think you understand what that word means. You might as well have said she's doing "equal rights fascism".

[tessa-liam]

Marabelle Series

Choices – The Royal Romance, AU 

Series Premise – An American teenager from New York City is introduced to the world of a small European country and its society of royalty, nobility, and commoners. How will her life story be transformed? Will this new adventure bring her happiness...or regret? 

Marabelle Series Masterlist 

Main Pairing – Prince Liam Rys x F!OC Lady Sophia (Sophie) Taylor 

Other Pairings – Maxwell Beaumont x M!OC Daniel (from NYC), Drake Walker x F!OC Melanie Smithson 

Most characters belong to Pixelberry Studios 

Series Rating – M*🔞Warnings: this series will have NSFW material, crude language & innuendo. 

Not Beta’d - Please excuse all errors. 

Category – Alternate universe/on-going series/angst/fluff 

Words: 2389

The Awakening, Chapter 9 

Chapter Summary – The Duke of Ramsford, Barthelemy Beaumont returns to House Beaumont. Liam prepares for the polo match charity fundraiser in support of disaster relief in Portavira. Sophie attends classes at the University of Cordonia. King Constantine reveals his illness. 

Music Inspiration: The Crown Prince, Waylon Jennings 

A/N1: Bethany Beaumont, Maxwell’s mother, is originally from the U.S. and is Barthelemy Beaumont’s second wife. Annabelle Beaumont (deceased) is Bertrand’s mother. 

A/N2: ‘Social Season’ in this AU series refers to a traditional period in the spring/summer for royalty and members of the court to take part in Balls, dinner parties and charity events. 

A/N3: My submission for Choices Flashfics @choicesflashfics, Week #68, prompt 1 - “Don’t start something you can’t finish.” 

 Personal Care Home, Vallenheim 

Standing in the waiting room, staring out of the window at the parking lot outside of the personal care home, the gray-haired man appeared aloof and unapproachable to anyone passing by. That was, until he spotted his wife and eldest son step out of the town car. The corners of his mouth upturned as he saw his auburn-haired wife gracefully step onto the curb and walk toward the building. His son, Bertrand, followed behind her, his back straight, his expression stoic. 

As the two approached the door, the man straightened his posture and smoothed his salt and pepper hair. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the reunion he had been anxiously expecting after the years apart. 

The door swung open, and his wife entered, her dark eyes lighting up as they landed on him. "Barthelemy," she breathed, a smile spreading across her face. 

"Bethany," he replied, stepping toward her and taking her hands in his. "It is so good to see you." 

"And you," she said, squeezing his hands in return. 

Their moment was interrupted by their son, who cleared his throat. "Father," he said, inclining his head respectfully. 

"Bertrand," the man replied. "I trust you've been taking proper care of your mother." 

"Of course," Bertrand replied, a hint of defensiveness in his tone. "I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise." 

Bethany chuckled. "He's done a fine job, Barthelemy, along with Maxwell," she assured him. "I couldn't have asked for better sons." 

Barthelemy nodded, satisfied. "Good." 

He then turned his attention to the doctor, who had been watching the exchange silently. "Is everything in order, Doctor? I'd like to get home to Cordonia as soon as possible." 

"Yes, Your Grace," the doctor replied, handing him a thick folder. "Here are all the instructions and prescriptions you'll need. The nurse will be along shortly with the medication you need to take during your trip home. Just be sure to follow the dosage schedule carefully." 

"Of course," Barthelemy replied, a hint of irritation in his voice. He loathed being told what to do, even by medical professionals. Unbeknownst to Bethany and Bertrand, he was playing, along with the doctor and nurse, the role of a lifetime: The miraculously awakened coma patient. 

The doctor smiled apologetically. "Forgive me, Your Grace. I just want to make sure you have all the information you need."  

"I understand, Doctor. And I appreciate your thoroughness." 

The nurse entered the room with a wheelchair, which Barthelemy at once objected to. 

"Surely, that's not necessary," he protested. 

"It's just protocol, Your Grace," the nurse explained. "It's clinic policy.” 

"Very well," Barthelemy sighed, reluctantly settling into the chair. 

Bethany and Bertrand flanked him, each taking the handle of the wheelchair. 

"Are you ready, Father?" Bertrand asked. 

"As ready as I'll ever be," Barthelemy replied. 

The Cordonian Royal Polo Club 

"Hey, Liam, I thought I'd find you out here," Drake called out as he approached the stable, his boots crunching on the gravel. 

"Oh, hey Drake," Liam answered. "I didn't think you were coming until later." 

"Yeah, well, I finished my rounds early, and I thought I'd come by and see how you're doing. How was the New Year's Ball?"  

"It was excellent," Liam smiled, his mind flashing back to his romantic interlude with Lady Sophie. "We had a lot of fun." 

"I'll bet you did," Drake smirked, knowing that his 'smitten' best friend personally asked Sophie to attend.  

"It's not like that," Liam protested, though his ears turned slightly pink. 

"Mmm hmm.” 

"It's not ..." Liam started. 

"Whatever you say, Liam." Drake chuckled, shaking his head knowingly. 

"Anyway," Liam said, changing the subject, "I'm just getting started on the polo drills."

"Mind if I watch?" 

"Of course not." 

Drake sat on a bench while Liam mounted his horse. His crisp white polo shirt accentuated his tanned muscular physique with his riding breeches and boots. 

"All right, boy, let’s see what you can do," Liam calmly spoke, gently kicking the horse's flanks. 

The horse took off like a shot, galloping across the field at top speed. 

Liam leaned forward, urging the horse on. 

Drake watched, transfixed, as Liam and the horse moved as one, their bodies in perfect sync. 

"That was impressive! Excellent!" Drake called out, as Liam brought the horse to a halt in front of him. 

"Thanks," Liam replied, breathing heavily. "He's a dependable and efficient steed," giving the horse a pat on the neck. 

Liam dismounted and accepted a bottle of water and towel from an attendant. As Liam and Drake walked toward the clubhouse, the ranch hands steered the thoroughbred back to the barn. 

“That reminds me, Drake. Are you still available to join my polo team for the fund-raising event in Portavira next week?” 

 “Yes, Mel and I are looking forward to kicking noble ass." Drake grinned knowing that Neville was on the opposing team.

"I still need to find one more player since Rashad had to cancel."

“What about Sophie? Melanie tells me she played polo in New York.” 

“She mentioned she studied dressage back in the U.S. and was thrilled to learn that Marabelle was quite proficient. That skill could come in handy for the team.” Liam pondered aloud. 

“Sophie is a skilled rider, and she would be a terrific addition to the team, Li.” 

“I can't wait to see her ride again," Liam responded, smiling,

"Uh huh, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun," Drake smirked. 

Liam sighed, shaking his head. "Not everything has to be a double entendre, Drake." 

"I know, but it's so much more fun that way," he cheekily responded.

University of Cordonia, Capital 

"I can't believe it's been a week since the New Year's Ball," Sophie exclaimed, taking a bite of her sandwich. "Time seems to be flying by." 

"I know," Maxwell replied, stirring his salad. "I feel like I need to plan the next Beaumont Bash already!" 

Sophie laughed. "Do you ever stop thinking about these events?" 

"Not when there's so much work to do to organize," Maxwell grinned. "But that's what makes me so good at it." 

"You certainly are, but Max, this is your last semester...don't start something you can't finish." 

“I don’t have to worry about my grades; I have already met the requirement to graduate with honors.” 

"I've been thinking," Maxwell said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "about a different theme for the next Beaumont Bash after my graduation." 

"And what theme were you thinking about having?" Sophie asked, knowing exactly what was coming. 

"I'm going to make it a costume ball!" 

"I knew it! That sounds like so much fun," Sophie grinned. 

"It will be, and you'll be celebrating your first-year anniversary as a Cordonian.” 

"Of course, I'll be there.” 

"So, how are things with Liam going?" Maxwell asked, his eyes twinkling. 

"Good," Sophie blushed. "We had a great time at the New Year's Ball." 

"Did you have a good time, or 'a good time'?" Maxwell waggled his eyebrows. 

"Maxwell!" 

"Okay, okay. I will not push."

"What did I miss?" Daniel asked, as he grabbed a chair to sit down. 

"Sophie was just telling me about her New Year's kiss with Liam," Maxwell winked. 

"Ooh, do tell." 

"There's nothing to tell," Sophie laughed, her cheeks burning. 

"Come on, Soph, give us all the deets," Daniel prodded. 

"Fine. We kissed. It was amazing." 

"I knew it!" Maxwell exclaimed. 

"So, when's the wedding?" Daniel joked. 

"Shut up," Sophie retorted, laughing. 

"Seriously, I'm happy for you. It's been a long time since I've seen you this happy, Squirrel." 

"Thanks, Daniel." 

"So, how are you doing with your Dad coming back tomorrow, Max?" Daniel inquired. 

"I'm okay. I mean, I am glad he is better. But I do not know if I am ready to face him yet.” 

"It's still so weird to me that you and Sophie are related." 

"Yeah, it's a small world," Maxwell chuckled. 

"No kidding. So, what is the deal with your Dad, anyway? What was he doing all that time?" 

"He was in a coma," Maxwell replied, his voice soft. 

"Oh, shit. I am so sorry, Max." 

"It's okay. It's just..." Maxwell paused, looking uncomfortably at his hands. 

"What?" 

"It's hard to know what to believe, you know? After everything he put us through." 

"I get that. But don't forget, he's still your Dad."

"He was a shit one, though," Maxwell pointed out. 

Sophie put her hand on Daniel’s arm, “Let’s change the conversation, Dan.” 

"It’s all right. I always knew that I would have to deal with it eventually. But right now, I just want to focus on graduating and figuring out my next steps." 

"That sounds like a good plan," Daniel agreed. 

"Yeah. It'll all work out in the end." 

"That's the spirit"  

Daniel slid his binder under his arm, "... see you guys later. Oh, and Max, just remember, you've got this." 

"Thanks, man." 

Maxwell watched his friend leave, feeling grateful for the support. 

"He's right, you know," Sophie began. 

"About what?" Maxwell looked at Sophie 

"You've got this. No matter what happens with your father, you will be okay. You're stronger than you realize." 

Maxwell sighed. "I know you are right. I am also grateful that Mom will be there as a buffer for you." 

Sophie wrapped her arm around him. 

"It will be fine. 

Now, let's get to class before we're late." 

Sophie and Maxwell walked together out of the dining hall to their next classes, feeling bolstered by each other's support. 

Cordonian Royal Palace 

King Constantine sat in his study, staring out the window.   

After hearing the devastating prognosis about his health from his personal physician, he directed his queen to track down and summon Leo as soon as possible. Regina, to her credit, tried to assuage her stepson’s concerns as to Constantine's urgency when she found him in the palace gymnasium.

However, Leo knew that his father would not have requested his presence so suddenly unless the news was dire. 

Constantine stood up as Leo and Regina walked into his office, his posture stiff, his face grim. 

Leo looked at his father and at once sensed the seriousness of the situation. 

"Father, you wanted to see me?" 

"Yes, son," Constantine said, his voice low. "I'm afraid I have received some rather unpleasant news." 

"What is it?" Leo asked, his concern piqued. 

"I've just come from a meeting with the royal doctors, and they've given me a prognosis." 

"Prognosis?" 

"Yes," Constantine said, his expression darkening. "They've determined that my health has deteriorated to the point where I can no longer carry out my duties as king." 

Leo's blood ran cold. He knew what was coming next.

"W-what are you saying?" 

"I'm saying that my time as king is over. And yours has begun." 

"What?" Leo swallowed loudly. 

"You're going to be crowned king, Leo. And you will ascend the throne immediately." 

"I have advised the Prime Minister to make the formal announcement tomorrow morning to the country." 

"I have begun preparations for your Royal wedding to Madeleine as well." Regina added. 

"What? No!" Leo shouted. 

"Calm yourself, Leo," Constantine admonished. 

"How can you ask me to calm down?" Leo demanded, his hands shaking. "You're asking me to give up my life, my freedom. My future." 

"As the Crown Prince, you know your duty to your country is paramount. It is what you have been preparing for since birth." 

"No. I won't do it." Shaking his head from this unexpected shock. 

"Don't be so dramatic, Leo," Regina said, her tone exasperated. "This is your birthright.” 

"It's not drama," Leo insisted. "I will not marry Madeleine. I don't love her. And she doesn't love me." 

"Love has nothing to do with it. You are betrothed to her noble house," Constantine stated. "This is about duty and honor." 

"And I won't be bound by either," Leo declared, his eyes blazing. "If I have to marry her, I'll abdicate. You can't make me be king." 

Constantine's jaw clenched, and he stared at Leo with a mixture of anger and disappointment. 

Leo turned and stormed out of the room, leaving his father and stepmother behind him, fuming. 

Constantine sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "He'll come around, Regina." 

‘It’s hard to be the crowned prince 

When it all hits home 

You can’t hide behind the wall 

Around the throne’ 

💕Thanks for reading

Perma-tags:

@ao719 @queenmiarys @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @harleybeaumont @busywoman @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @lovingchoices14 @kyra75 @tinkie1973 @emkay512 @malblk21 @kristinamae093 @charlotteg234

Submissions:

@choicesficwriterscreations @choicesflashfics

[ms-nesbit]

Sweet home chicago (jason todd x afab!reader)

chapter one

Rating: 18+

Warnings: eventual smut, swearing, father figure dick grayson, skater tim drake, sad jason todd :(

Summary: dick and tim trick jason into taking a vacation in chicago. There, he meets someone he hopes to never forget.

Note: im sorry for dipping, yall. I really had some important things to take care of.

ao3

Amber and rose peeked through the hedge between the array of buildings on Michigan Avenue. Jason blended himself with the sea of tourists and chic aristocrats. He didn’t necessarily stick out like a sore thumb, as there were a few Chicagoans dressed casually like him; even in the late-November evening, he sported his signature red hoodie and straight fit jeans, tattered and dirty near the hem. No matter what, he wanted to appear mildly stressed, only mildly, so as to not draw more attention to himself than his six-foot-four frame already did.

He wondered how he got here. Was it the phone call from Dick, or the two dozen from Tim? Could it have been neither, and he perhaps wanted to rush the plane during the busiest season, nudged in a lousy middle seat between an obnoxious preteen and a middle-aged woman watching poorly edited, extremist conservative media? To be fair, Jason treated himself to Portillo’s once he left the airport - a well-earned reward for not lashing out at the self-absorbed individuals beside him.

He stepped briskly, moving in sync with the less-anxious of the crowd toward the shopping district notoriously named Magnificent Mile. On his left ear, he heard the excitement in the tune of indistinguishable conversations and the season’s final water taxis boarding; in his right, a wireless earbud, softly playing his childhood favorite, Diana Ross and the Supremes.

Once he reached the other end of the bridge, he strolled to the sidewalk in front of Tribune Tower, pulling his phone out and indiscreetly sending a message of his coordinates to-

A call. “As much as I love the smell of fish, garbage, and the crooked CPD, why did you and Tim want me here?” Jason was more curious than upset, but he’d rather not disclose his true feelings to his brothers.

“C’mon, Jay, it’s the Windy City! You ever been to Chicago?” Dick asked. “Beautiful everything here. Tim’s at the Van store up the street, and I’m grabbing a slice of pizza across from ya. You wanna come over and get a slice, grumpy? You get a little hangry sometimes.”

Jason sighed, and his stomach grumbled in response to the offer. “Alright, but I’m not goin’ outside. I sat next to some wackjob on the flight who sounded like she needed to be in the looney bin, and I’m not lookin’ to make friends.” As he spoke, he quickly turned his head before dashing across the busy street, waving off a car blaring its horn at him. “What’do’ey have?”

“How about you see?” Dick approached Jason, smiling mischievously. Jason ended the call, moving his eyes to Dick’s hands behind his back. “Guess what I got?”

“Dick, I’m not in the mood for games-”

“Ta-da!” Dick shifted in his coat, revealing a white box with a drawn pizza and the name Lou Malnati’s on it. Jason pretended like his mouth didn’t water at the smell of grease and garlic. “I had ‘em make a classic cheese with those square slices. How about we sit down on the riverfront and talk?”

And talk. No matter the temptation, be it a buttery, gooey pizza right under Jason’s nose, he still believed it wasn’t worth the compromise of having to make more than small talk with others. “Listen, Dickie, as much as I appreciate the offer, I don’t think I’m ready to talk about-”

“Dude, this isn’t about Artemis, if that’s what you’re about to say.” Dick shrugged in his beige peacoat, a piece of his thick, navy, knitted cardigan spilling from his waist. “I just want to, y’know, see if you want to go to this thing tonight.”

Jason cocked a brow in his theatrical manner. “So you and Tim badgered me, had me fly all the way to goddamn Chicago, all to just talk over some overpriced pizza?” Around him, he felt the glare of customers, but he doubled down, giving them knowing looks. “I’ve been here. Want a real place? Go to the goddamn place off Clark and Dickens. You’ll thank me later.”

Dick rolled his eyes, already tired by Jason’s heels in the sand. “Always gotta be a drama queen. Just…come with me. I’ll explain once we’re out of earshot.” His voice was hushed, signaling Jason to follow suit. They walked together to the riverwalk, sitting on the cold high-risen edging. Dick delicately opened the lid of the box, revealing the savory American delicacy and motioning for Jason to take the first slice.

Once Jason reached for the slice, taking his first bite and stretching the rosemary-seasoned cheese from its bed atop the crust, Dick began. “Tim and I were thinking that the three of us could use a break.” Jason grumbled indistinctly into his pizza slice, swirling the string of cheese around his tongue in a tight noose. “Bruce has been a handful lately - I mean, he always is - and I think it would be a good lesson for him to finally be on his own instead of taking us for granted, y’know?”

Jason nodded, rearranging his food to one side of his mouth so he could speak with the other. “You do know that Bruce is probably better off without me, right? Since I-” he swallowed the food, kissing the excess sauce and garlic from his teeth, “leave a ‘pretty big mess’, as he says.”

“You also help. Gang-related crime decreased about 37 percent when Red Hood regularly patrolled, and the Gotham Gazette did a poll, based on before and after Red: thanks to Red Hood, 6 out of 10 female Gothamites feel safe walking home at night, compared to the 3 out of 10 prior to Red Hood’s introduction.”

The statistic surprised Jason. He was used to the smearing from Justice League’s best, so it was nice to hear a compliment for a change. “And Timmy’s on board with this?” He didn’t hesitate to take a second slice, while Dick left the pizza untouched.

“He was the one who coined it.” Dick looked out at the river, mildly put off by Jason’s shameless eating habits. “We were patrolling one night and he just said it out of the blue. I get it, though.” He pursed his lips, staring wistfully. “I couldn’t tell you before because then you wouldn’t agree to it.”

Dick was right: when he’d offer to take Jason in after they reconciled, Jason refused. Though not Bruce’s blood son, Jason was comparably stubborn, sometimes surpassing the Dark Knight. “And where are we gonna stay?”

“That’s the best part.” Dick finally reached for a slice, folding it in half and dipping a chunk into his mouth to cut from the slice. “Tim hacked into Bruce’s business travel account and used some of his points to book a stay at some fancy place called Waldalf…lemme check.” Dick reached into his peacoat pocket and pulled out his phone, checking the reservation. He continued to chew, as did Jason, and Dick leaned over to show Jason the reservation email. “Astoria. It’s a couple of blocks here, I think. Worst case, we can just use a taxi or Uber there or something.”

“I’m banned from using Uber.” Jason said nonchalantly, squinting at the details on Dick’s pristine phone screen before looking the name up for himself. “I can walk as long as I can have another slice.”

Dick blinked at Jason blankly before glancing at the remnants of the pizza. “Take the small one right there.” Removing a wrinkled, discolored restaurant napkin from his back pocket, Jason snatched the slice with an asymmetrical, genuine smile, now holding a slice in each hand. Dick bit his tongue in his mouth to keep himself from laughing. If he hadn’t held a slice in his, he would have snapped a photo to send to the family group chat. “We’re already checked in, so just bring whatever luggage you have with you.”

Jason looked up from his slices like a deer in the headlights. “Sorry, I didn’t think to bring anything other than the usual.” With a slice, he vaguely gestured to his dirty clothes.

“I was…expecting that.” Dick chuckled lightly. “I brought you some clothes so you could go out and enjoy yourself for a change.” He spotted Jason’s eye roll. “You’re in your twenties, for crying out loud. Enjoy yourself! Make a friend. Would it kill you to just live?”

As Jason shook his head, a few strands of grey fell from his messily combed back hair and onto his forehead. “What, is coming back from the dead and seeking vengeance to blood-thirsty psychopaths not living?”

“No, it’s not.” a voice came from the other side of the riverwalk, by the bustling street: a lanky-built male, wearing a beige Santa Cruz sweatshirt and dark jeans, strolled on his skateboard toward the brothers. “And by the way, Jason, you look no different than the bourgeoisie skimming the racks at Urban Outfitters over there.” Jason’s frown dropped at Tim, already bugged by him. “Me and Dick were basically wanting you to, y’know, socialize like a normal human being. I know you’re an introvert, I get that, but you’ve gotta, y’know…converse.”

 Jason stood from the platform, brushing the suggestion from his broad shoulders. “Jesus, and you wonder why I don’t want to hang out with you guys.” he made an excuse and walked back toward Michigan Ave, finishing his slices along the way.

“By the way, Dick.” Tim nudged Dick with his elbow, showing him a photo of zoomed-in Jason, a few minutes earlier, smiling goofily with his two slices of pizza pie.

Dick erupted into laughter, doubling over and nearly knocking over the box.

-

“You got the terrace suite?” Jason muttered in blustering shock. “Bruce is going to be so pissed.” His lips stretched into a wide smile.

He plopped onto the sleeper sofa, sprawling his limbs out to relax. Dick assigned Jason to the couch (“Finder’s keepers!”), while Dick and Tim each slept in their separate rooms. “We already received a warning about how you’re dressed, Jason, so if you could please promptly change into something more appropriate, I’m sure this stay would be more enjoyable for all of us.” Dick managed to remain calm while conveying, despite the fatherly-level of disappointment underneath his skin.

Heeding Dick’s advice, Jason made his way to Dick’s room, where he opened up the luggage Dick neatly packed for him: a pair of dress shoes, two pairs of socks and boxer briefs (all red, for continuity’s sake), along with a lightweight, tightly knitted sweater, t-shirt, long-sleeve undershirts, and two pairs of slacks (one beige, one black). Jason sighed halfheartedly, bummed by the array chosen for him. He knew, of course, it was his responsibility to select his own attire, but of course he’d forgotten it, lost in the chaos of his everyday life; Dick anticipated Jason’s reaction, and packed something nonetheless, and although grateful, Jason still hesitated to express it.

While Tim and Dick explored the depths of downtown, Jason immersed himself into the room, quietly exploring the channels that Astoria offered.

Knock, knock. “Housekeeping!”

Jason yelled back, “Come in.” while munching on a bag of corn chips on the couch, eyes lasered on the television screen.

The housekeeper, wearing a black and sky blue uniform, pushed his trolley in. “Are you enjoying your stay, Sir?”

Jason shrugged. “My ma was a housekeeper for a bit. Don’t worry about the ‘sir’ stuff, it’s all good.” The response was new to the employee, who stood for a moment before excusing himself to clean the bathroom and bedrooms.

“Sir,” the housekeeper returned, gripping the trolley behind him with a single hand. “Would you mind vacating the room while I clean, or should I return if you are…busy?”

Jason looked at the chip crumbs on his hoodie before looking back at the housekeeper. “I’ve no problem leaving. I’ve gotta change, so I’ll go the other room. Could you just lock the door when you leave?”

“Absolutely, Sir.” the housekeeper said before Jason shut the bathroom door, slacks and sweater in hand.

—

Stepping out from the courtyard of the hotel premises, Jason wandered down the corner, unable to prevent himself from making grotesque faces at the high-end stores nearby. The breeze chilled the skin on his face to the point where it eventually felt like he was kissed by needles, and he unlocked his phone to find a place to settle down and (hopefully) eat. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an approaching blotch of yellow and blue, to which he immediately hailed down. A taxi parked along the curb, and Jason hopped in. “Could you please take me away from here? Some place with some good food?”

The driver gave Jason a look of uncertainty, pondering before nodding and starting the meter.

Jason sat back and relaxed as giant metallic letters standing proudly on top of clear, godliness glass storefronts began to disappear, one by one, until they were replaced with bulletins and signs, and tented storefronts matched with painted, worn down brickwork.

He exhaled in relief. Despite living with Bruce and his luxurious lifestyle, the unspoken language of wealth was still foreign to Jason. He didn’t understand why the affluent would whisper, and why evil would poison their tongue and burn away at their heart once their financial wealth accrued.

After slipping the taxi driver a couple of hundred dollar bills, Jason abruptly left the vehicle, reading the name of the restaurant to himself. “Like the song…?” he asked the driver, who nodded.

“Different spelling, different things.”

Jason inhaled nasily, chest rising. “Alrighty, thanks, man.”

The driver nodded once again before waving and merging back into traffic. Jason entered the restaurant and was instantly greeted with sweet and savory notes, causing Jason’s stomach to cramp in pain. He walked up to the counter, so clean that he could almost make his reflection out, and waited for an employee to serve him. While he waited, he studied the menu: sandwiches, soups, and more appetizers to choose from. He chewed on his bottom lip, distressed when deciding between pasteles (mix of plantain mix and meat, wrapped in a banana leaf) or mofongo (stuffed plantain).

“When you’re ready, I can take you.” A voice notified him as he stood like a bronze statue before the menu.

He didn’t take his eyes off the photos above the counter. “Sorry about this, I’m a first timer - what are your pasteles filled with?”

“Usually pork or chicken, but we make them with cheese now since there are some vegetarians.”

“Could I have just pasteles, one with cheese filling and one with chicken?” Jason asked.

The clerk pressed a button on the register, which was a tablet with a brightly lit screen. “Sure thing. Anything else?”

“Yeah, and…pastellitos de guayaba? Can I have that, too? And water.”

The clerk pressed the screen a few times, noting down Jason’s order. “Of course. For here or to go?”

Jason finally tore his eyes from the menu to look at the clerk, and his mouth fell open at the sight of the clerk: hair was tightly curled, coiled from their roots; lips plump and glossy, appearing much more enticing to Jason than the food he ogled at.

“Here.” he stuttered, feeling heat rise up to his neck. The clerk smiled at him, and they placed their hand on their wide hip, bringing Jason’s eye to it.

“It’ll be ready in a bit. We’ll bring it to your seat, yeah? Sientate.” They motioned with their nose at the dining area, a selection of polished wooden chairs and tables to choose from.

Before he could ask for their name, the clerk rushed to the kitchen of the restaurant, repeating his order to the rest of the staff. Jason watched them walk away, their bottom half swaying in the leggings they wore, before he realized his leering and chose an empty seat and table near the colorful mural.

Thoughts rushed to the tall man’s head, some impure ones welcoming themselves for the first time since he and Artemis parted. Their relationship was, in short, complicated, and neither of them were fully transparent toward another, leading to the inevitable diffusion of the once-kindled fire; it didn’t break Jason’s heart, but rather disappointed him, and he felt that his fate of inescapable loneliness was encapsulated.

The clerk reappeared from the kitchen, holding two plates of food. They walked past Jason, ignoring whatever eye contact he attempted to make at them, and attended to the table diagonally from his. “Y te quedas a tu mama, ok?” They spoke warmly but sternly to the couple, before leaving with a grin. “And you,” they pointed at Jason, “your pastellios should be ready in one to two minutes, okay?”

Jason nodded frantically, popping an optimistic grin. “Can’t wait.”

“I know.” they winked at Jason before turning back around and walking through the revolving door leading to the kitchen. Jason felt something distant in his stomach. Perhaps hunger?

In a few minutes, the mysterious clerk returned, holding what Jason hoped was his food. When they arrived at his table, settling the plates down delicately before handing him cutlery and a glass, he beamed first at the food, then at the beautiful clerk. He didn’t know which he was more excited for. “Thank you!”

“Not a problem.” they returned his smile, eyes glistening at him. “Our chef is working on something else for you to carry out, free of charge. Can’t let you starve out on us, right, big guy?” their eyes briefly scanned Jason’s figure, which caused Jason’s cheeks to flush a bright pink.

They’re hitting on me, the fuck. “Thanks! I was hoping maybe I can come back, get your name?”

“Oooh, I like the sound of that.” their voice dipped an octave, and Jason swore he felt his pants tighten under the table. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “How about I save you the trouble and tell ya now, that way next time you can take me out for dessert?”

Jason smirked at them, slowly checking their figure out before focusing his attention back on their eyes. “Sure.”

“It’s y/n.” they purred, reaching their hand to rest on Jason’s bicep. Their skin was soft, yet calloused. “And you are…?”

“Jason.” he grinned. “Sorry, I’m new at this.”

“Don’t worry.” they assured. “I’m here if you need anything. And if you decide to take me on that offer, my number is in the check right there.” they pointed to the black checkbook beside the plates of food. Jason’s skin was burning under their touch, and when y/n had to leave, Jason felt a twinge of sadness when they retracted their hand.

Unraveling his cutlery from the napkin, Jason made sure to make an important phone call before his vacation ended.

[redeemers-and-dragons]

Redeemers: Greenest in Flames! Part 4

Temple Bell: RING. RING. RING.

Narration: The Temple of Chauntea is a large square building, made of fieldstone with a peaked slate roof. One of its two bell towers rings, catching a gleam of moonlight every swing, a cry for help. Several groups of masked men and kobolds surround the building, seeking to force their way in, or force the trapped townsfolk out. Jaune and Adam peer over the cobble stone wall that borders the sacred grounds to the south.

Jaune: *Holds onto his holy symbol, stemming his anger at the sight of a religious sanctuary being flagrantly defiled this way.* …What’s the count?

Adam: Two gray masks and six kobolds at the back door. Looks like they’re trying to start a fire.

Neon: *Slinks her way to their sides from the left.* I also got two gray masks and six kobolds with a battering ram at the front doors. There is also a really creepy guy with a white mask. Looks like the boss.

May: *Drops down from a tree from behind them* I also count a wandering parade of three gray masks, ten kobolds, and two guard drakes. Should be coming around the corner… now.

Narration: *On May’s que, a trio of men in masks slowly lead a procession of chanting kobolds, all either stomping their clawed feet and spears or banging their shields with their fists and blades. On either side of the line of kobolds prowls two dog-like reptile creatures that snap, growl, and foam at the mouth, wanting to tear apart anything that even looks their way.*

Gray Mask: *Beating a hand drum.* Do not be fooled by your false idols! Their promises cannot protect you anymore than these doors can. Only the Dragon Queen can spare you now…

Kobolds: Break. To. Bits! Burn. To. Ash! Break. To. Bits…!

The Party: *They watch as the procession turns the corner again, taking their chants of violence with them.*

Adam: Outnumbered 8 to 1. You don’t need to be a seasoned general to know those are unfavorable odds.

May: We just need to get the civilians out. By my calculations they’ll circle the church every eight minutes. That’d be a four minute window at best before the rest discover us attacking one side.

Neon: Well we better attack quickly, because I’m not totally confident in that front door holding for long.

Jaune: *He studies the group of invaders at the back piling hay and dried grass at the bottom of the heavy wooden door, thick smoke rising to the night sky* Alright, then here’s the plan…

~O~O~O~O~O~

Narration: *Caught up in their task of tending to the fire by the back door, many of the kobolds failed to notice the elementally charged crossbow bolt that zipped past them, striking the tinder pile. The resulting explosion sent a shower of burning debris into the air, accompanied by a thick cloud of blinding smoke that engulfed the area, leaving the kobolds and masked men disoriented and struggling to breathe.*

Gray Mask #1: *Cough! Cough* What the hell?

Adam: *Charges in from out of nowhere, shoulder checking the masked man flying straight into the wall of the temple so hard, you’d swear he cracked the stone.*

Gray Mask #2: *Coughs as she draws her hand crossbow on Adam, but has it immediately knocked out of her hand by a nun-chuck.*

Neon: *Spins her nun chuck and hits the Gray Mask right in the jaw, knocking her mask off, then immediately roundhouse kicks a kobold.*

Jaune: *Charges in and shield bashes a kobold then raises it against the spear of a different one, fending the kobolds off until the masks are dealt with.*

Gray Mask #1: *Coughs blood as he stumbles back to his feet, raising a poisoned dagger. Before he can strike, a crossbow bolt nails his arm to the wall. Before he can yell in pain, Adam knocks his head against the wall again, causing him to slump.*

Adam: *Grunts and wields his massive great sword in two hands and slashes through two kobolds in one swipe.*

Gray Mask #2: *Draws a hand ax and swings at Neon*

Neon: *Catches the arm and judo throws the woman over her shoulder*

May: *Runs up and hits the woman with the butt of her great crossbow, knocking her out.*

Jaune: *Gets stabbed in the arm by a kobold’s spear. He uses his sword to cut the spear in half and kicks the kobold back into the squad.* SLEEP! 

Kobolds: *The kobolds scramble to get back on their feet, but the spell has been done. Jaune points his sword at them, commanding them to sleep. Almost instantly, the kobolds start to drool and yawn, falling into a deep slumber before they even make it on their feet again.*

Jaune: *He can barely take a single breath before he orders the team back into action. There just wasn’t any time to waste now.* Adam, get the door.

Adam: *Nods before thrusting the tip of his great sword along the hinges of the thick wooden door. With a show of effort, the minotaur managed to pry the door out of the doorway, causing an uproar of screams and cries of terror from inside.*

Woman: They broke in!

Man: Get the women and children away from the door!

Jaune: *Runs in, weapon holstered and holding up his Talisman of Boldrei.* It’s okay! We won’t hurt you!

Preacher: *Signs a religious symbol in praise.* Oh thank Chanteau, a paladin! Are you here to rescue us?

Jaune: Yes. But we have to go, now! We’re going to the keep! Come on!

Narration: *The preacher urges the rest of the people in the temple to follow Jaune outside, and they obey as quickly as they can. Unfortunately, there were quite a few elderly and injured people amongst the crowd, making evacuation very time consuming. The front door began splintering and cracking under the battering of the invaders, and the chanting of the procession was coming closer towards the back of the temple.*

May: *Peering around the corner at the oncoming mob of hostiles. She dips back and grabs the discarded mask from the ground and a black coat from the unconscious woman, putting them both on.* Contingency time. You think you can out run a couple of drake hounds?

Neon: Please, leading things that want a taste of me on a chase is, like, my specialty. *Takes a quick moment to stretch her legs.*

Narration: *Just as the large group of masked men and kobolds were halfway to the back of the church, they were suddenly halted by the sight of a tabaxi sprinting across their path, and then jumped right on top of the stone wall surrounding the church* Wow! Didn’t know the Ugly Parade was in town! *Laughs and winks as she drops down out of view on the other side*

May: *Limps out in her disguise, bloodied and holding herself up against the side of the temple. She points to where Neon had run off to* What are you doing?! STOP HER! *Crumples down to her knee*

Narration: *Without waiting for an answer, there was a loud roar and the pair of drake hounds burst forth and bound over the stone wall after their prey, followed by the mob of kobolds that were excited for a hunt, and lastly followed by two of the gray masks giving orders to give chase. All that was left was one Gray Mask that rushed to May’s side.*

Gray Mask: *Helping May to her feet* What happened? How did they…? *Anyone could recognize the moment of realization in the man’s eyes even through his scaled mask. It was the very moment he saw the stream of villagers escaping through the back of the church, and also the second before May slit his throat with a knife.*

May: *Covers the man’s mouth with one hand, and wraps an arm around his waist to pull him back around the corner with her before any of the other’s saw. She leaned him up against the wall before taking off her mask and helping with the evacuation.*

Adam: *As the invaders were making headway on the front doors of the temple, he would lift up entire pews and stack them right in front of it to slow them down.* We don’t have much time, Knight!

Jaune: *Ushering an old lady out* This is the last of them! We can-

Narration: *The front doors of the temple managed to be broken open with a loud crash, allowing a man in a White Mask to push his way in, along with a couple kobolds following in behind*

White Mask: You dare stand against the might of the Dragon Queen?! Infidels!!

Adam: *Hefts his great sword* I’ve been called worse.

Jaune: *Draws his long sword* You defile sacred grounds. Drop your weapon or redemption will be out of your grasp.

White Mask: *Draws a large dagger shaped like a jagged icicle* The only thing I wish to grasp is your frozen heart! *Swings his blade, sending a magical spike of ice towards Adam*

Adam: *Tries to duck out of the way, but his large frame was an easy target. The icicle sunk into his shoulder, then shattered into crystalized fragments that rained onto Jaune before he could raise his shield.* GAH!

White Mask: *Smirks* Can’t handle a little bit of ice-?

Jaune: *Channels Divinity* Rebuke the Violent!

White Mask: Huh-? *Before the man had a chance to respond, a brilliant, radiant light emanated from Adam's wounded arm, and gleamed onto White Mask's own arm, aligning perfectly with the spot where the spell had struck. In an instant, the masked man's arm erupted into a blinding explosion of searing, radiant burns.* GAAAH!!!

Adam: *Roars at the top of his lung and charges forward, dragging his great sword into an uppercut that slashes right through the middle of the White Mask and sends him flying up towards the ceiling before landing in a bloody heap on the pile of pews by the door. This sight alone was enough to send the kobolds retreating right back through the front entrance.*

Jaune: *Runs to Adam’s side* Adam! Are you ok?

Adam: *Looks down at his frostbitten and badly slashed arm* Heal it later. We have to move.

Jaune: *Still looks worried but nods as the two of them rush out the back*

~O~O~O~O~O~

Narration: *It took a few minutes for Jaune and Adam to catch back up with the refugees, now hiding by the river with May.*

May: *Looks at Adam’s arm* Shit, what happened to you?

Adam: It’s just a scratch, I’ll be fine.

Jaune: *Sighs* We’ll heal it later, right now-

Narration: *All of a sudden the sound of rustling bushes came from behind them, causing all three adventurers to turn their weapons on the source.*

Neon: *Limping out* Jeez, not even a hello for your favorite girl?

Jaune: Neon! Did you get hurt?!

Neon: No big whoop. Guess those ugly lizard dogs were a little faster than I thought, but I gave them a few good kicks and then the slip. We get everyone?

May: *Nods* Yes. We managed to get everyone out, and then some. *She gestures to a pair of townspeople keeping a hold on the once masked woman they had knocked out in the initial fight, now trying to curse through a gag and pulling at the ropes that bind her hands.*

Adam: You took a prisoner.

Neon: The heck you bring her along for?

May: I figured it was time for us to start getting some answers. This group is clearly well organized and highly motivated by some sort of cause - it's imperative that we know who we are dealing with.

Jaune: *Takes a moment to take in this new development.* May is right. We are not dealing with regular raiders here. When we get back to the keep, we need to interrogate her for whatever information we can get.

Neon: Well, Detective. Who’s gonna play Good Cop and Bad Cop?

[feathered-serpents]

“What’s the most specific daydream you currently have-“

It’s anywhere between two and god only knows years in the future. It is the night of the Good Omens season 3 premiere, I have managed to organize a fan premiere event where we are all able to watch all six episodes together in an actual movie theater. At least 200 people are there and it’s two minutes till showtime. I’m cosplaying Aziraphale. I get on stage (there’s a stage) and with the sudden charisma and confidence of god I announce the perfect way to kill these next two minutes. I begin to stomp-stomp-clap. The theater joins in. I lead us all in a “We Will Rock You” group jam with the EXACT vibes of that scene from the rain episode of Drake and Josh. On the line “Waving your banner all over the place” I walk into the crowd and flawlessly slight of hand a pride flag from behind a Crowley cosplayer’s ear. We reach the end of the song right as the page refreshes and a big “WATCH NOW” button appears on the screen. I throw the pride flag into the crowd like a wedding bouquet as my best friend in the projector booth presses play. It’s the best night of my life

Y’know. The normal things

[kristinamae093]

Ghosted

Ghosted - Always Watching (Chapter 8)

Series Summary - Prince Liam fell for Riley Brooks hard and fast. A marriage filled with love and devotion was within his reach. But everything changed when she vanished just before the end of the social season. As everyone voices their concerns regarding her scandalous departure, a confession from an unlikely source turns Liam's world upside down and makes him question everything around him.

Book/Pairing - TRR - Liam x MC (Riley Brooks)

A/N1 - This AU starts right before the beginning of the engagement tour. There is a two-month lapse between the coronation and where we pick up, but we will stray from canon. Please excuse any errors found.

Characters belong to Pixelberry.

The morning after the discovery of the maid’s body, Liam sat with Olivia, Drake, and Maxwell inside the study at the Applewood estate. Liam canceled the barn raising scheduled for the day early that morning. He told the press it was because of inclement weather, which was not necessarily a lie, although it wasn’t the entire truth. 

Liam realized they could not keep the murder under wraps forever. Only a few people knew the real reason for the cancellation, including those in the safe room, Drake, Olivia, Maxwell, and the guards. He planned to keep it that way until they knew who was responsible, and then he would happily release that information to the public. He visited with Rhonda’s family briefly and told her husband they would receive a stipend from the crown, as well as college funds for her children. 

They all believed that the incidents shared a relation; the only steady lead they had regarding Riley wound up dead days later, and that was no coincidence for anyone. Olivia explained to Liam in great detail her observations at the crime scene; after hearing her retelling, he too believed the area was staged, but he couldn’t make too many conclusions until Bastien presented him with the evidence. 

The bloodied dress put a sense of urgency on things, but the murder really made everything more critical. Whoever was behind this was clearly not playing a game and didn’t want their plan to be uncovered. He was growing restless, not knowing the extent to which this treachery ran. 

It appalled him that all of this happened right under his nose. The doubts about the narrative against Riley were always there, but this runs deeper than just wanting a particular woman to sit on the throne as Queen. Whoever orchestrated all of this was an enemy of the Crown, and Liam was determined to rid that negativity of his court. 

Another part of his impatience was purely the need to see with his own eyes that Riley was safe. The guilt he felt for turning his back on her crept up on him at random times throughout the day, but he was trying to push that aside and focus on locating her at any cost. He hoped that whoever was responsible hadn’t been able to locate her either; he prayed with everything in him that after she arrived in New York, she found a safe place to retreat, far away from the turmoil that was unraveling around him. 

“OH! What about this one?” Maxwell exclaimed, as he sat next to Drake and scrolled through an online catalog of outfits for an upcoming gala.  

Drake rolled his eyes. “Please stop showing me this crap. S’long as you wear something, I don’t really give a shit what you show up in.” 

“What are you going to wear?”

“Clothes, most likely.”

“Clothes, most likely.” Maxwell mocked under his breath. 

“What was that?” Drake snapped. 

“Nothing! Oh, this has a matching one! Look! Ohmygosh we could match! Twins!” Maxwell exclaimed as he once again shoved his phone in Drake’s face. 

Drake grimaced at the sight before him. It was a set of bright blue ocean wave suits, complete with a bright orange squid bow tie. “God, no. Not even if you paid me.” He replied as he shook his head. 

“Oh, come on, Walker. You can be a sea creature instead of one who drags his knuckles on the ground.” Olivia added with a smirk. 

Drake flipped her off. “Fuck. You.” 

Olivia snickered. “I’d rather take a lava bath, but thanks.” 

“I’ll see if Bertrand will match me,” Maxwell said with a mischievous grin. 

“Good luck with that, Beaumont,” Drake answered. 

“It could go better than you think, honestly. He’s been super nice to me ever since we told him about all this stuff with Riley. I miiiiight be able to get him to do it.” 

“I’m taking pictures if it happens, hands down,” Drake chuckled. 

Olivia subtly rolled her eyes. “Stay away from me, regardless of what you wear. You too, Walker.” 

“Way ahead of you there, Ice Duchess.” 

Liam stayed quiet; although he still held rage with Bertrand and his tasteless actions, he hadn’t given his status as Duke much thought. Although it had not left his mind, for now, especially for Maxwell’s sake, he was keeping his inner thoughts to himself. 

A knock interrupted them from their uplifted moment. Liam stood and granted them entrance, and Bastien appeared with a bow. “Your Majesty, I was hoping to give you an update on the homicide.” 

“Of course.” 

“We have no clear suspects. However, we discovered a murder weapon.”

Olivia’s ears perked up from her seat, and Liam’s eyes widened. “You did?” 

“Yes, sir. We found it in the woods near the area, and I sent it off for analysis. It was a black knife with gold trimmings; I believe it to be the same one used in the earlier ceremony that night.” Bastien held out a folder to Liam, who accepted it and started looking through it immediately.  

The picture at the start revealed the murder weapon, which was the same knife used to cut the apple with Madeleine, but covered in blood from the tip to the hilt. He flipped further and felt his stomach churn at the images of the crime scene. The first few photos were of the maid’s face and he could recognize her, but barely. As he proceeded, he suddenly pulled the file away from his face with a grimace as he saw the cause of death photographed.

“I apologize, sir. I should have given you a warning beforehand.” 

Liam swallowed thickly and with a deep breath resumed, but a tad more prepared for the sight this time. “My God…” He gasped. “What – How – I –” He stammered before closing his mouth with a shake of his head.  

“We still don’t know a lot, sir, as it’s still the early stages of investigating. But we are working around the clock to ensure we receive a solution promptly. Obviously, we’re certain the cause of death was the wound in the jugular, however, we have sent the body for analysis as well. When I spoke with the other staff, they recalled seeing her earlier in the day, but her whereabouts past three p.m. are unknown.” 

“Is that everything?” 

“For now, yes. I will let you know something else as soon as I know.” 

Liam resumed his venture through the folder and furrowed his brows at some of the random items photographed as evidence; the things Olivia noted were present, as well as what appeared to be a cap for a tube of lipstick with a clear set of fingerprints. Of course, the suspect could have dropped the item, but it seemed conveniently placed within the other markers. The only thing that implied relevance was a bloodied shoe print. He could tell it was a woman’s, as the base was short and narrow, not to mention the pinpoint of a heel. However, it was still an odd discovery given that there appeared to be no other signs of blood anywhere else except on the body itself. “Bastien, are you questioning the legitimacy of this crime scene? At all? I see multiple red flags here just at first glance.”  

“We found a few things out of the ordinary, but I have sent everything for analysis. I’m confident either way, the forensics will produce some kind of answer.”

Liam nodded, sufficed by his response. “Have you looked for Riley? Or Tariq?” 

“I have attempted but have found no new leads. However, I am still continuing even with arrangements for the tour and the homicide investigation. I am doing everything in my power to provide you with some answers.” 

“Thank you, Bastien. Just… keep me updated…” Bastien nodded and bowed before he exited. As he did, Liam stood staring blankly at the door behind him, his mind a jumbled mess of chaos that seemed to only get worse by the day. 

Drake cautiously approached Liam. “You alright, man?” 

Liam laughed sardonically. “No, Drake, I’m not… How am I just supposed to wait? How long is it going to take Bastien to find something?”

“I’m not sure, but what else can we do?” 

Liam ran a hand down his face and let out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t know. If I did, we’d be doing it.” He snapped, but immediately caught himself and retracted. “Sorry, Drake. I’m just…” 

“Na, it’s cool. I get it. I wish there was something we could do, but… it sounds like we’re just waiting until Bastien can get those reports back.” 

“Goddamnit,” Liam growled as he slammed his fist down on the desk he stood beside. “I– I can’t just sit here and wait. I need to do something now."

“Perhaps we should seek outside help,” Olivia interjected. 

“What do you mean?” 

“I have an acquaintance who is somewhat of a… ‘private investigator’. He’s not cheap, but he’s worth every penny. He can look into Riley and Tariq’s locations, for sure, as well as whatever else you may see fit…” 

“I’m not against the idea… but how would that even work?” 

“We can figure out the details later, but I have somewhat of a cover already thought of. I can easily say he’s my driver, or bodyguard, or anything, really. Who’s going to question me? Honestly?” 

“Much as I hate to admit it, maybe she’s onto something, Li,” Drake interjected with a sour face. “Bas clearly has his hands full, and I know you wanna get some kind of answer.”

“See? Even the cave dweller agrees!” Olivia exclaimed, earning her a middle finger from Drake. “Plus, perhaps having another set of capable eyes around will do us some good.”

“I want to agree, I really do. It’s just… the last person to get involved with this was… well, you know. Do we really want to put someone else in danger like that?”

Olivia snickered. “It’s cute of you to worry, but he’s more than capable of defending himself.” 

“I don’t know…”

“Do it, Liam! DO IT! Or I will myself!” Maxwell exclaimed. 

“No offense, but how are you gonna pay him?” Drake asked. 

“Perhaps he would be interested in a one-on-one interpretive dance class; we could trade one service for another.”

“Hate to break it to you, but your dance class ain’t worth shit.” 

Olivia rolled her eyes but approached Liam and blocked Maxwell and Drake from view, forcing him to focus on her. Of course, her top priority was ensuring Riley’s safety, but in addition, she had her own questions regarding her blackmail. She would help Liam with anything, but this was more than merely a favor; it was personal. However, Bastien’s competency was undoubtedly questionable in Olivia’s mind. She couldn’t rule him out as a suspect, but she didn’t exactly have something concrete to tie him to anything. For the time being, she needed a second set of capable hands.

“Liam, we have to act on this now. Whoever did this is actively covering their tracks. If we don’t do something, we may never figure this out.” Olivia pleaded.

Liam swallowed thickly and kept his gaze trained on the floor. “I know…” 

“So, let my associate come and assist us. If he doesn’t provide answers, I’ll pay his service fees out of pocket. But of course, I’ll be working alongside him.” 

“I trust you, Olivia, I do. However, I’m worried that putting another person into the equation may end up biting us in the ass in the long run.” 

“I understand, but again, he’s highly trained and knows what he’s doing. All we have to do is keep his cover intact until we can locate one of them. We can’t tip the mastermind off and give them an opportunity to bury this deeper. As long as everyone in this room keeps their mouth shut about his true purpose, we should have no issues.” 

Liam looked away with a heavy sigh; although he remained hesitant to add another person to this mess, the thought of getting any kind of answer outweighed any con he could think of. And, he trusted Olivia to steer him correctly. He finally said, “Okay, do it...” 

“I already did, Liam. He’ll be in the country this evening, hopefully,” Olivia smirked. “Now, we need to address the next order of business…” she trailed off as she approached the window and stared out. “Whoever did this killed that maid to send us a message; I think we need to send one back.”

Liam’s jaw fell open. “What?! Why would you think that, Olivia? We–”

Olivia held her hand up to stop him. “Let me finish; we need to send a message while doing ourselves a favor. The tour leaves for Italy in four days, but that can not happen, Liam.” 

Liam furrowed his brows. “You want me to cancel the tour?” 

“No, I want you to rebuild it to stay in the country. Think about it; you’re technically still going along with their plans, but perhaps throwing a wrench into them. You’re showing that you’re willing to play along for now, but you won’t back down entirely like they assume you’ll do.” 

Liam shook his head. “I don’t think that’s smart, Olivia. We don’t know what they’re capable of or what lengths they’ll go to.” 

“I’m aware of that, but it’s not like you’re canceling everything; you’re simply rerouting, so to speak. The results will still be the same; you’ll ‘marry Madeleine.’ How you get there shouldn’t matter.”

“Isn’t that suspicious? To suddenly keep the tour within the country?”

“It would be, but I thought ahead and I think I have a decent proposal laid out.” Olivia produced a file and handed it to Liam. “How are we going to figure this out internationally? We have to stay here…”

Liam opened the folder and saw a detailed explanation for the sudden changes, as well as a list of future events to be held within the duchies. “Wow,” He responded with wide eyes. “This – this is convincing, and you’ve practically already planned everything… When did you have time for all this?”  

“Last night. I wanted to come and find you right after Walker and I left the crime scene, but I assumed my plan would get a stronger reaction if I laid it out for you. All you have to do is make the calls…”

“I think it’s a solid move, Li,” Drake interjected. “You’re standing your ground but yet still giving the appearance that you’re moving forward for the ‘greater good of Cordonia.’ I’ll help you take care of anything you need help with, or try to at least. But she’s right; we won’t find any more information about what happened to Brooks globe-trotting.” 

“Trust me, I don’t want to leave, but we already set these events! What am I supposed to do to–” 

“You need to pull your head out of your ass, Liam.” Olivia interrupted. “You’re the King and I think this would be a lot easier if you’d start acting like it.” She saw Liam contemplating her statement and stepped closer to him with narrowed eyes. “It’s time you put your fucking Crown on and show these assholes that you won’t back down. What’s really important to you here, Liam? Do you want to figure this out, or are you going to let them use your duty to control you – again? I lay the plan out for you and when my associate joins us, we are that much more prepared if they were to strike back, but we can’t pussyfoot around anymore. You wanted to do something now, so do it.” 

Liam stared at her for a long moment as her words echoed in his mind and a newfound determination took over him. His nostrils flared as his hands balled into fists at his sides. The bright blue orbs that were previously dimmed seemed to darken even further. Olivia was right; this was his country, his call, and the ball was now in his court.

Liam never said a word, but soon marched over to the desk and picked up the phone. He listened intently until someone answered the other end of the line. “Buonasera, Francesco. I’m afraid I’m going to have to cancel our pre-scheduled festivities...” 

Liam, Drake, and Maxwell worked the rest of the day and into the evening to cancel all the tour’s events, and were well on their way to planning what Olivia had mapped out. With the newly produced schedule, they would have much more time to focus on their investigation while still keeping the same number of events as before.

Liam’s determination in his decision stood firm, however, he couldn’t deny feeling apprehensive as well. He was sure there would be retaliation in some form and was unsure as to just how far they would go. However, the power he felt at that moment was something he wasn’t used to. Since his ascension, he’d signed treaties and other small documents, but this was the first time he was going to assert his authority in such a large capacity. Adrenaline ran through his veins and for the first time, he felt like a King. 

The door to the study was suddenly flung open without warning, startling everyone inside. Madeleine marched into the room with a red face. “What the hell, Liam?!” Constantine trailed not far behind her, although his expression was one more of confusion than anger. 

“Ah, I take it you’ve learned of our changes?”

“There will be no changes! We’ve had this planned for weeks! We’re not canceling within a few days–”

“I already did.”

The color drained from Madeleine’s face. “No, you didn’t.” 

Liam indignantly laughed. “Oh, I sure did.” 

Madeleine’s cheeks heated further, nearly purple. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

Constantine put a gentle hand on Madeleine’s shoulder. “Language.” He scolded. Madeleine stepped back with her arms crossed over her chest. “Liam, I want to believe you’re not doing all of this for an irrational reason.”

“I’m simply doing what’s best for Cordonia.” Liam shrugged. 

Madeleine scoffed and shook her head. "Unbelievable! Have you completely lost your mind? How is this what’s best for anyone?!” 

Constantine turned and gave her a warning glance. “Although I do not agree with her delivery, I echo Countess Madeleine’s question.” 

“First off, explain to me how an international tour is beneficial to Cordonia at this current moment. The only event that even made a difference was the charity banquet in Paris; the rest of it was just a bunch of bullshit. This way, we can rally our people behind us.” 

“It was for publicity, Liam!” Madeleine exasperated. “We need to worry about our international standings, which are going to be shit now that you’ve–” 

“Our key priority is the Cordonian people. My father pointed out to me that the citizens doubt our union already, and I can’t say I blame them. It isn’t a secret that you weren't my first choice, not even the second.” Liam had to hide his smile as he stood from his seat and crossed the room to stand in front of Madeleine. 

He forced the softest tone he could when he spoke again. “I want to do everything I can to ensure this works. I know I haven’t done my part, but this is my first step in making amends. Although the international publicity would be good, we need our homeland’s support more. We can enlist in media coverage so we can still get the word out, but Madeleine, we need to stay here. Cordonia needs us right now; Cordonia needs to see its future leaders united. We have to show them we are going to lead them together.” He swallowed down the lump of bile in his throat. 

Constantine observed Liam’s body language during their interaction. Never had he seen him so confident about a decision; he looked regal, authoritative, not a hint of doubt to be present. Liam made undeniable points, and he had preached to both of them to do more to keep the people's faith in their union. However, he couldn’t help but feel like Liam could have ulterior motives for the sudden change. 

Constantine arched his brow. “That’s why you’re doing this?” 

“Yes, father. I just want to ensure the right people are supporting us. We need strength internally. I’ve adapted all the best traditions into our stops along the tour to honor those who have come before us. And, well–” Liam sighed and looked away. “I need to show the Cordonian people I am in the right mind to lead them. They’ve questioned me since my coronation. I have to show them I can do this… I can’t do that from Italy or Paris...” 

Constantine eyed Liam sternly for a long moment. Throughout his life, he could force Liam to break with only a glance. It never worked on Leo, but Liam always cracked under the pressure if he was hiding something. However, Liam showed no signs of hesitation and there were no slips in his facade. He looked regal, poised, composed, calm, and firm, with just a hint of vulnerability. Since he passed the signet ring to Liam, he was practically begging him to get his head together, and the man standing in front of him appeared to be doing just that.  

Liam knew exactly what Constantine was doing as soon as his brow arched. It’s the same glare that had gotten him into trouble multiple times growing up and he expected to endure the stare as soon as he told his father the news. It took all of his restraint, but he never let his carefully placed expression stray from his features. He silently prayed Constantine couldn’t notice the sweat profusely forming in his palms, though. 

After a long moment, Constantine’s face broke out into a small smile. He stepped forward and patted Liam on the shoulder. “I believe this is an excellent idea, son. You have my full support.” 

Liam had to fight hard to hide his surprise. He expected more of a fight from Constantine, but perhaps Olivia provided the perfect excuse. He slightly bowed and said, “Thank you, father.” 

“Let me know if you require any support in the plans.”

“Thank you, but we’re nearly finished.” Liam turned to Madeleine, who stood with her arms still crossed over her chest. “What do you say, Madeleine? You’re free to look over the arrangements if you’d like. We’ve left your bachelorette party on the same day as before, but the location is open to the entire country… Just say the word and I'll have the jet prepared...” 

Madeleine rolled her eyes. “I don’t get why you want to cancel an international tour so we can go to the same old duchies–” 

“Countess, your King made his wishes known and his reasons are relevant. Do you wish for the people to doubt your reign as Queen?” Constantine asked with his hands clasped behind his back. “Perhaps after the coronation fiasco this would have been the best solution, anyway.”

“Fine, we can proceed with your new plans.” Madeleine finally relented. “But there had better be media coverage, Liam.” 

Liam fought the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he nodded. “You have my word.” 

Constantine smiled and put a hand on both of their shoulders. “I’m proud of both of you. You’re going to change the course of Cordonian history, the two of you. Have you prepared a statement, son?”

“I’m working on it,” Liam answered. “Would you like to be present with me, Madeleine? Perhaps it would be better if we announce the changes together.” 

Before Madeleine could respond, Constantine did so for her. “Yes, that’s a splendid plan. Do use urgency so we may stay on track. Be sure to extend invitations to our international counterparts who we expected to see along the tour, though.”

Liam nodded, and Constantine exited with Madeleine at his side, who trampled away with heavy footsteps. Drake audibly gagged as soon as the door closed behind them. “That was hard to watch.”

Liam shuddered. “Tell me about it. Do you think they bought it?” 

“I think so,” Maxwell answered. “Your dad seemed really into the idea, honestly… and as long as it’s heavily publicized, Madeleine will be happy.” 

Liam rubbed his hands together. “Right… Right… You’re right…”

“Calm down, Li. You did good.” Drake patted him on the back. “They bought it and I think you made a smart move by enlisting Maddy to make the statement with you.”

“I agree. It’s showing the mastermind that although I’m changing things up, Madeleine is on board. That’s who they’re concerned about, anyway... I’m hoping that having her support on this will work to our advantage.” 

“Damn straight. Now, we gotta hurry and throw all this bullshit together so you can get your statement out there.” 

A few hours later, Olivia was on her way to meet with her contact on the outskirts of the city limits. Her acquaintance was someone she worked with in the past and trusted to assist them. He helped her look into the source of her own blackmail after she hit a wall. Olivia only traced it back to three different middlemen; had it not been for her associate’s aid, she never would’ve found the others. He didn't classify himself as an investigator, spy, or hacker; simply a jack of all trades. His skill set and knowledge were insurmountable, and Olivia knew he would be a worthy asset. 

Olivia pulled up to an empty parking lot aside from one other vehicle. A tall man in a black leather jacket stepped out and adjusted his shirt underneath as he did so. He took off his sunglasses and leaned against the side of the car. She exited her own SUV and made her way over, all the while looking around to ensure they were alone. 

“Thank you for meeting with me, Ray. I have a job for you.” Olivia cautiously spoke as she reached him. 

Ray smiled and bowed to her. “What can I do for you, Duchess?” 

“I need you to look into the whereabouts of two people. The first is Tariq, second Riley Brooks.” 

Ray nodded. “I was wondering if you were going to seek help there.” Olivia’s brows furrowed, causing Ray to chuckle. “Please, anyone could tell those photos were fakes or set up. It seems likely that the one who leaked the story is the same person who blackmailed you.”

“It’s not just the story, Ray. We think someone removed her from the situation. We found this–” Olivia produced the trash bag with Riley’s contaminated dress and held it out to Ray, who took it and glanced at the contents. “–inside a shed, along with all of Riley’s other belongings.”

“A shed?” 

“Yes.” 

“Why?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

Ray gave her an unsure expression. “I don’t like that, Olivia. That instantly gave me an unsettled feeling. There’s a reason her stuff is there.” 

“Trust me, I know...” 

Ray once again looked inside the bag. “You haven’t sent this off anywhere? To check the DNA?” 

“I intended to, but then I was called to a homicide for the only solid lead we’ve had regarding Riley.” Ray didn’t even try to hide his shock, which caused Olivia to chuckle. “Yeah, tell me about it. Obviously, we’re thinking it’s all connected, but…” 

Ray noticed Olivia’s hesitant expression and inquired, “What?” 

Olivia sighed and explained to Ray all the things she observed the night of the maid’s murder. When she finished, she added, “I was going to have Bastien send that dress off to forensics, but after his futile behavior, I don’t think I want him near it. He’d probably fuck around and lose it or something.” She rolled her eyes. 

“I can have it sent to the lab I use if you’d like. If I tell them it’s a stat order, I should only have to wait a few days.” 

Olivia nodded. “Yes, do that.”

“You got it. Now, have there been any leads into either of your missing persons?” 

“All Bastien has found is that Riley landed in New York the morning after the jamboree.”

“Nothing on Tariq?” Olivia shook her head. “Hmm… I find it odd that there would be no trace of him.” 

“I can confirm on my end I found the same result when I searched.” 

“I’ll begin at once. And you want me to travel with you?”

“Just for now. If we’re correct once the news breaks of the tour’s new destinations, there may be retaliation. I’m not sure what that could look like at this point and I need more people around who can properly assess situations. Honestly, finding Riley’s dress and leaving it opened my eyes to the fact that we’re all emotionally involved in this. There’s no reason for it to have sat in there a second longer once we found it, but we were all so stunned nobody was thinking. I hate to admit it, but even myself included.” 

“I can see why; it’s a lot of information to learn at once and not a lot of it makes any sense from where I’m standing. But I agree that having someone with a firm and clear mindset could benefit you.”

“I’m counting on it.” Olivia handed him a thick folder. “Here is your dossier to cover you throughout the tour. You are now Harold Marshowitz, my new bodyguard. Alternative forms of identifications are in there as well as any security clearance you may need.” 

“Got it.” 

“Great, let’s get moving.” 

“Wait–” Ray stopped her. “While we’re free to speak openly, I wanted to bring forth another potential lead I see…” 

Olivia arched her brow. “I’m listening…” 

“Have you looked into that article? At all?” 

“What do you mean?”

“It had to come from somewhere; it didn’t just appear. Not only did someone have to take those photos, but there was a story attached to it. Someone concocted that; I’m unsure if it’ll be the same person, or…” 

Olivia shook her head as frustration washed over her. “No, I hadn’t even thought about that…” 

“As you said, you’re all emotionally involved in this. I’m not, so I can see things a little more clearly…” Ray trailed off, then hesitantly spoke. “I’m, uh – a little surprised that the guard didn’t think of that.” 

“Bastien is an idiot, but something about his demeanor lately has struck me as off… I don’t know if he’s developing dementia, or if it’s something deeper…”

“All the more reason to have me around,” Ray smirked. 

“Is that something you can look into? The article?”

Ray flashed her a cocky smile and straightened his jacket. “Who do you think you’re talking to?” 

Olivia rolled her eyes. “I’m trusting you, Ray. I need you to come through for me.” 

Ray placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “All jokes aside, this is what I live for, Olivia. I love sinking my teeth into a juicy mystery. I will find them, you have my word.”

Out of sight, a figure was lurking in the shadows not far away, intently watching and listening to the meeting. As Olivia and Ray vacated the area together, the peeper clenched their jaw and repetitively punched the tree they stood beside. After removing their surveillance equipment and slamming it to the ground, they started vigorously pacing.

Everyone assumed Liam could start asking questions, but his duty and broken heart were supposed to keep him blinded. The expected time for his inquiries was long after the wedding when the job would be fully completed. However, Liam and his collective group of friends were making progress in their search and had uncovered too much in a short period; not everything, but it wouldn’t be that hard to find the rest of those answers, especially now that he brought on a competent professional to help. Considering how early it was in the tour, the possibility of him figuring it out suddenly skyrocketed. 

As a result, the entire operation was in more danger than ever before; that was not an option for anyone involved. They served the deception all around; if the mission was uncovered, multiple people would go down for it, and they would face the wrath of more than the current monarch. 

It wasn’t hard to guess where their investigation would lead them next, and that meant another loose end just identified itself. The unknown person brought out their phone to make a call, which was answered on the first ring. “We have a tremendous problem…”

Tags (let me know if you'd like added or removed): @choicesficwriterscreations @ao719 @txemrn @imashybish @queenrileyrose

@kingliam2019 @riseandshinelittleblossom @dcbbw @tessa-liam @twinkleallnight

@amandablink @cordonia-gothqueen @sfb123 @jared2612 @harleybeaumont

@bebepac @charlotteg234 @busywoman

@malblk21 @angelasscribbles

@bascmve01 @iaminlovewithtrr @hopelessromanticmonie

@mysticalfangirl @umccall71 @fuckitweball0000 @differenttyphoonwerewolf

@lovingchoices14 @emersyn-in-cordonia

@aussiegurl1234 @karahalloway @the0afnan @nestledonthaveone

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

In Plain Sight (Part 1)

Summary: The reader comes home from a disappointing night out to discover her dad’s co-star sat in her dining room...

Masterlist

Pairing: Jensen x daughter!reader (with lots of daughter!reader x OMC)

Word Count: 3,100ish

Warnings: language, aggressive flirting

A/N: If you’re looking for a visual for Crew, you can think of Drake Rodger as he’s pretty damn close to how he’s described. Have fun with this one y’all ;)

______

You weren’t entirely surprised to find the house wasn’t in total darkness when you arrived home close to midnight. Your parents were night owls and ever since you were old enough to stay up late, they’d always entertain into the early morning. You smirked as you recalled the time you found them asleep on the patio furniture, only to find out their guests had left long ago because frankly, sometimes they would block out the whole world for each other.

It was kind of romantically adorable in a way.

Which was exactly why you’d moved home from Atlanta two months ago. You wanted romantically adorable. Someone you stared at like the sun shined out of their ass because they made you feel like life didn’t exist before them. You’d been young but you remembered the exact moment dad met your mom. He liked to say that no, it wasn’t love at first sight, but you remembered.

The man was in love with her in less than a week and you were incredibly grateful for it. Not that you’d ever had any problems with having a single dad but watching him fall in love? Watching mom fall in love back?

God, no wonder you had too high expectations of men.

“Honey bun, you just getting home?” you heard your dad call softly. Your sisters and brothers rooms were on the far side of the house, no chance of him waking them but he had that laziness to his voice. A little buzzed but still the ever concerned father.

“Yes. I thought when I moved back home you guys agreed you’d respect my privacy cause I’m, you know, twenty five, and-”

Hot damn.

When you turned the corner into the dining room, sat at the far end of the table near your dad was the single greatest looking male specimen in existence. The short, fluffy dark hair. The strong jawline and kind brown eyes. And his fucking shoulders. God, his biceps were testing the strength of his shirt and then some.

The too attractive for his own good man took a sip from his glass of whiskey and looked you up and down, smiling for the briefest of moments. 

“Y/N,” said your mom, hopefully mistaking your awe struckness as embarrassment. God you prayed they thought you were embarrassed. You should have been. Any longer and you were about to start drooling over this man. “Dad promises not to bring it up again. Crew, this is our eldest, Y/N. Y/N this is Crew Foxe. He’s playing dad’s son in the show they-”

“You’re Mav Axelwood? You?” Your eyes were wide as your dad chuckled, Crew sitting there, taking another sip as he kept his brown eyes locked on you, a hint of something in them that made you want to melt into a puddle. A very happy puddle.

“You can tell my kids are such big fans of mine that they haven’t even seen an episode of a show that’s in it’s second season,” said Jensen. You swallowed when Crew pulled his gaze away.

“Excuse me but I was…getting around to it,” you said. You crossed your arms, raising your chin. “I’m just surprised that you clearly have a man playing what’s supposed to be a teenager.”

“I’m twenty six playing a nineteen year old. It’s pretty common,” said Crew.

“I know that. Obviously,” you said. He cocked his head, smirking a little. 

Oh god. You felt that look in your bones, felt it go straight through your veins, to your core. He was licking his lips as he leaned forward.

“Then why would you be surprised? You know, if it’s so obvious,” he said, voice thick and heavy. Was the room always this hot? You were sweating. You were sweating so fucking much.

Why the fuck was he turning you on so much? In front of your fucking parents of all people?

“Oh well, maybe cause Mav is supposed to be a very intelligent character. I’d think they’d want someone that looks less like a jock. No offense.” 

Crew angled himself away from your parents, giving you the biggest, oh, it’s so on, look you’d ever seen in your life.

“None taken,” he said, standing with a stretch. “It’s getting late, guys. I should head out. Thank you so much for dinner, Danneel. It was amazing and Jay, you have got to send me the name of that whiskey.”

“I think your bank account will regret that,” he said with a smile, giving his co-star a quick hug good night, your mom giving him one as well. “Let me know if you need any help with unpacking or finding stuff in Austin. I know the show moving shooting location was a last minute deal.”

“Yeah but I’m excited to be here after all the cool stuff you’ve said about it. Plus now I get to hang out with Dee in person all the time,” he said, Dannel throwing her arm over his shoulders as you watched on with raised eyebrows.

“I expect to see your ass over here a lot, Foxe.”

“Of course I will. My apartment doesn’t have a pool,” he teased. Your dad rolled his eyes, slapping him on the back.

“You good to drive? We can get you a ride or you can crash in the guest room if you need to,” said your mom.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” he said. “Night Dee. Jay.”

“Night Crew,” they said, Crew slipping around the table, pausing near you.

“Y/N, would you mind walking me out?” he asked, waiting only a beat before walking ahead. You caught up with him at the front door, slipping into your sneakers, walking behind him up the driveway, into the darkness, away from the light of the porch. 

“Listen, about the jock crack-” He cocked his head again, a dangerous smile on his face. “What?”

“Oh so you weren’t eye fucking me in there? Cause it sure as hell looked like if your parents weren’t there you’d be sitting in my lap right now.”

“That’s presumptuous of you,” you said, crossing your arms.

“You do that a lot when you’re nervous I bet,” he said, nodding down at your chest. “If you want to fuck, just come out and say it like a big girl.”

“You’re the last person on earth I’d fuck.”

“That’s too bad. Cause you are the most attractive woman on the fucking planet and I want to know everything about you and then some.” Your jaw dropped slightly, Crew smirking as he stepped closer, leaning in, leaving his mouth a few inches from yours. “Tell me to fuck off and I will. But if you don’t, I’ll take that as an invitation.”

“Invitation to what?” you breathed out, Crew stepping closer, a ghost of air falling over your earlobe as he leaned in even closer.

“To chase you. Because if I do, I’m going to catch you. It’s not a matter of if, but when.” You were breathing hard, Crew using his height, over six feet, and his muscular body to back you up against the cold metal of his car. “Tell me.”

What the fuck was happening? An incredibly hot man was suddenly looking at you like you were a meal to devour and yet, despite your racing heart, he was telling you he’d back off if you told him to? The fuck?

“You know little red riding hood?” he murmured. You nodded once, Crew chuckling. “Which one of us do you think is the wolf?”

“The wolf was a bad guy.”

“Even bad wolves can be good.” He straightened himself up and kissed your temple, pleasant shivers running down your spine. “Now tell me to fuck off or tell me goodnight.”

“Goodnight…little red riding hood,” you said, slipping around him with a smirk, proud of yourself for pulling away. He chuckled, opening his car door.

“Aw. That’s adorable you think you’re the wolf,” he said, hopping into his seat. “Goodnight. Honey bun.”

“Ugh! Don’t call me that!” He laughed, reaching into his pocket, pulling out his phone. “What now?”

“Your number?” he asked, licking his lips, looking up through hooded eyelashes. You put a hand on the door, leaning in to face him. For a split second he looked nervous. 

Good.

“Crew, Crew, Crew. You’re chasing me, remember? You’re going to have to work harder than that for my number.” You swung the door shut, swallowing when his large hand stopped it in it’s tracks.

“Whatever you say. Honey bun.” He grinned as you huffed and took off back towards the house. You couldn’t even get there before your phone vibrated.

You’re adorable when you storm off. You can thank your dad for giving me your number last week. You know, for emergencies. Of which making sure you have my number clearly is one. Honey bun.

You threw up your hands and flipped him off, inside by the time you saw his headlights turn on.

“Hey, what was Crew up to?” asked your dad. You took off your shoes as you watched them bring in glasses to the kitchen. “Oh was he asking if you guys could hang out? He’s such a nice kid but he’s a bit of an introvert. I don’t think he knows anyone his age in town.”

“Y/N would love to hang out with him I’m sure,” said your mom. She gave you a side eye and you swallowed.

Oh fuck. She’d seen the look you and Crew were giving each other.

“Yeah. I’ll uh, see you guys in the morning.” You quickly jogged upstairs and over to your old room, grateful it had some privacy from your younger siblings part of the house. Not two minutes later were you exiting your bathroom in your pajamas when she knocked softly at your door before opening it. “What’s up?”

She shut the door gently behind herself, offering you a smirk.

“A word of advice,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I too once was a young woman who looked at a young actor like she wanted to devour him six ways from Sunday.”

“Mom I-”

“Crew is a very nice young man. But if you two are going to end up doing what I think you are-”

“Mom, I’m not going to have-”

“You need to tell him about Anthony.” You opened your mouth, snapping it shut a few times.

“She told you. JJ.” 

“Your fault for confiding in a ten year old. She told me and I told your father.” You crossed your arms, dragging your toes over the carpet. “We’ve known since you were driving back from Atlanta.”

“And you never brought it up? Until now for some random reason?” you said, trying to avoid this conversation at all costs. 

“We hoped you would but we’re also respecting your privacy. Getting cheated on…I know you thought he was the one but-”

“I knew he wasn’t,” you said, closing your eyes. “I thought he was a safe option. It was…conditional love. But the guy you end up with, it should be unconditional right? Like your family?” She smiled, walking over, hugging you tight. “Why should I tell Crew about Anthony? In a hypothetical situation where maybe what you’re inferring could potentially happen.”

“Because you’ve always been so careful with your heart. When your only boyfriend, when your fiance, cheats? I know he left scars, one’s we can’t fix. But a boy like Crew, hypothetically speaking of course, he might help them heal. But he can’t do that if he doesn’t know they exist,” she said.

You shook your head and leaned back. “Wait, are you telling me to hookup with Crew? Crew Foxe, your and dad’s friend?”

“I’m saying you haven’t smiled in a long time and you couldn’t wipe one off your face around that boy. I’d much rather see you with a guy like that then fucking Anthony.”

“I thought you liked Anthony,” you said. She grimaced and shook her face.

“We loathed that boy. But you don’t tell your child that. You just smile and nod and talk about him behind his back.” You laughed again, feeling her kiss your forehead. “But dad might think differently about you and Crew than I so if you two do act on whatever was going on in that dining room, make sure it’s a solid thing before you go telling him.”

You nodded, biting your bottom lip. “Mom?”

“Yeah?” she asked.

“I appreciate what you’re saying but if something does or doesn’t happen with Crew, I’m not going to tell you about it. I won’t make you keep a secret from dad. Not unless it was something…I don’t know what I felt but just don’t worry about it, okay? I’m not even sure I want to be with anyone right now, you know?”

“I respect that,” she said. “But I can read you just like your father. Fair warning.”

You groaned, getting a kiss on the temple before she left you to yourself. 

Were you and Crew that obvious? Or was it just sexual tension and that’s what she’d seen? What you’d felt? 

You sighed and lay down, trying to ignore how for the first time in months, you couldn’t give a rat’s ass that you’d been cheated on. 

All because of Crew fucking Foxe.

“Good morning, Y/N.” You jumped when you walked into the kitchen, staring with half-open eyes at were Crew was sat at your kitchen counter.

Drinking coffee from you favorite mug.

In your damn spot.

“Cute pajamas,” he said, smirking behind your dad’s back while he made himself a cup of coffee.

“Don’t you have your own home,” you grumbled, grateful your dad was handing you his cup of coffee. “I love you.”

“She’s not a morning person,” chuckled Jensen, ruffling your messy hair as you took a long sip. “Don’t take offense to anything she says before eight am, Crew. She used to growl at me when I’d get her up in high school.”

“You barely had to wake me up. You were off playing plaid man.”

“You love plaid man,” he said. You did, letting out a small smile when you took another sip. “Surprised she hasn’t bitten your head off yet for sitting in her spot.”

“I can be nice in the morning,” you mumbled, sitting up on top of the island where they had a set of scripts out. 

“And I have a chance of winning the lottery,” said your dad, taking his usual spot. He glanced your direction, shaking his head. “Why are you up so early? Wasn’t part of the owning your own business thing so you could sleep in?”

“I thought we were going fishing,” you said, jutting out your lip. His face fell and you grinned, getting whacked in the leg with his script.

“Demon child. That’s next weekend,” he said, nodding to Crew. “I told you. This one before eight in the morning? She’s like a little raptor. Tear you apart.”

“So why are you up so early then?” asked Crew.

“Why are you in my spot drinking from my mug doing work in my spot on a Sunday morning?” you asked, plastering on a cheery smile.

“You said in my spot twice.”

“Oh good, you picked up on that,” you said, narrowing your eyes. Crew only smiled, leaning forward in his seat.

“Jensen invited me over to work on this scene I’m nervous about it. I didn’t want to cut into his family time so last night I offered to come over early, before you guys were awake which, again, why is the not morning person up at seventy forty on a Sunday?”

He angled himself away from Jensen, a brilliant smile on his face that made your heart race and your legs clamp tight together.

Oh this fucker.

“Maybe it was someone’s loud ass car,” you said, turning your head to your dad who was suddenly very interested in his seat. “What did I tell you about Baby?”

“I only revved her a little! Crew wanted to see her,” he said as Crew put a hand over his heart.

“You’d throw me under the bus like that, Ackles?”

“I’ll drive right over you with the bus,” he chuckled. You rolled your eyes, your dad patting the top of your foot. “Sorry I woke you up, honey bun.”

Crew grinned wide and it took all of your willpower to not smack him upside the head. “It’s fine. I have shots I can get a headstart on editing for the week.”

“Oh that reminds me,” said Crew, a way too happy smirk on his face. “I’ve heard so much about your photography business Y/N. I’d love if you could do some new headshots for me like you did for your dad.”

You wanted to tell pretty boy to get his own damn headshots but business was business. 

“Sure. But my schedule is pretty packed so it’ll probably be a while,” you said with a casual shrug, sipping on your dad’s coffee. He raised an eyebrow out of the corner of your eye.

“Wasn’t the point of you forming your own business so you could make your own hours? You could sneak Crew in sometime this week I’m sure,” he said.

“There’d be an expediency fee,” you said, staring down Crew, a smile still on his face. “A big one.”

“She’ll be giving you the friends and family discount,” he said, giving you a look. You slid his cup back to him and lifted your chin.

“Hm. I recall when I opened my business you gave me some tips about not being a pushover.” 

“Y/N’s right, Jensen,” said Crew before your dad could his mouth again. He turned in his seat, your seat dammit, shrugging to himself. “It’s only fair I pay for the service your daughter is providing and if that means paying more to get in early, of course I will.”

You forced a smile when your dad sighed and picked up his script again. “Fine. Just don’t up charge him too much.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, dad,” you said. You hopped off the counter, picking up a muffin from nearby and taking a bite. “Mm. You got banana this time.”

“Crew offered to bring some by,” he said, nodding back towards the hallway. You got the message. He needed some quiet to work. “Don’t work too hard.”

“You either,” you said, ruffling his hair as you left the kitchen. “Thanks for the muffin, Foxe.”

“Anytime, Y/N. I’ll text you about that headshot.”

“I’m sure you will, Crew.”

_______

A/N: Read Part 2 here!

[lurkingshan]

If you could redo any show from this year to improve it which one would you pick?

Oh ho ho, things are getting spicy now! I have to thank you anon for somehow knowing that in my heart of hearts, what I enjoy most is being a h8er. I’m gonna keep this to bl because if I included all the dramas I watched this year I’d be here all day.

*cracks knuckles*

I considered a number of contenders for this answer, because besties, I have been irritated lately.

Minato’s Laundromat 2 betrayed its characters and its audience and undid two seasons of painstaking character work for the sake of a deeply absurd amnesia plot

Dangerous Romance threw its entire premise in the trash for the sake of a nonstop bl tropefest interspersed with egregiously long PPL scenes

Kiseki: Dear to Me has a great cast and a couple very interesting characters and absolutely no clue what to do with them

A Boss and a Babe went off the rails thanks to a particularly rough use of the noble idiocy trope and then wandered off from disinterest in its own corporate espionage plot (what a waste of Drake)

Never Let Me Go tried to be both a classic high school bl romance and a mafia thriller at the same time and thus succeeded at being neither

But when I look deep into the hate in my heart and seek the truth, there is only one show this year that I still get mad thinking about, because it sent my expectations soaring so high only to have them come crashing down around me. You guessed it, it’s:

Step by Step

No Jeng, I do not still like you and I’m mad about it!

I have already written extensively about the many ways this show failed so I won’t repeat all that here. But if I could choose one 2023 show to fix, it would absolutely be this one, because it had such potential to be great and it was all squandered. It had so many interesting ideas and set up some great threads, but it followed through on precisely none of them. And the romance just ended up a total dud, which is kind of unbelievable when you consider the slow build and the chemistry between the actors. It should have been an all-timer. We could’ve have it all.