#farm teaches him how to live the country life

[cherrio-krispz]

Farm x Killer

[thehauntedetheral]

Saw that requests were open. So how about a cowboy with a city girl reader who can’t do shit in the country side? Like girlie would die trying to get eggs from chicken nests or plow a field 😂🎀💅🏻

Yandere Cowboy x Reader 🤠

Requests are open!

You lived in city enjoying your life by shopping, spas, parties and spending your grandpa's money like crazy as you live with him. Your grandpa had it enough. Yes he has a hell lot of money but you should learn how to spend it wisely.

So he forcefully sends you to his farmhouse for your summer break in a town middle of nowhere. You were away from friends and with a poor internet connection. So you tried to find some thing to distract yourself only to find a handsome cowboy with his sturdy cowboy hat and boots living in your grandpa's farmhouse for maintenance.

He became your tour guide and showed you the ranch, farm and all the animals.

He did everything effortlessly. Feeding the cattles, taking out eggs from nest, farming. It wouldn't be so hard to do you thought only if you knew.

The next day you tried to get eggs from nest only to have hens pecking and running after you while yan cowboy simply shakes his head at you while having a silly smile plastered over his face.

You tried horse riding well what can I say the horse kicked you.

You thought about riding the tractor in farm but yan cowboy stopped you from harming yourself and the farm plants.

You thought you have already embarassed yourself more than enough infront of yan cowboy but you have no idea this boy is obsessed and madly in love with you.

He loves how you are willing to try new things .

He loves how you don't give up even after getting badly treated by animals.

Hens are running after you? No worries he will teach you.

You want to learn horse riding? He will personally sit behind you on horse for teaching purpose. Ofcourse not for the purpose to be close to you.

Slowly you two became friends.

Makes you breakfast.

You two take walks in the farm at evening.

Taking care of cattles together in ranch.

Going to grocery store together.

Hitting the local pub and dancing like idiots with each other.

Him and his accent just melts you into a puddle.

You love how he helps you, teaches you tricks on how to handle ranch.

You also love his athletic built and handsome face with his cowboy outfit.

Everything is going on beautiful but as the summer break ends you have to go back to city which is inevitable.

The day has arrived for your departure and you are ready to go home. You will miss this farmhouse but moreover you will miss him more. After all goodbyes are difficult.

You wished you can tell him about your feelings about how much you mean to him, how much you love him and will miss him but there is no meaning in saying it now as you both will be miles apart.

"Think I'll miss you forever

Like the stars miss the sun in the morning sky"

-Lana del rey (Summertime Sadness song)

Let me know through comments what you feel about this fic.

Requests are open!

For more yandere reading:

[slyzzardslytherin]

broke: ominis dies a tragic death in his youth, which explains why he is not around by voldemort’s birth

woke: ominis “dies a tragic death in his youth” (he escapes from his family after an attempt on his life, fleeing to a muggle village in the country with sebastian to begin a new life under a different name, he and sebastian live in peace and sebastian teaches him how to farm)

[lcdrarry]

LCDrarry 2024 Master List Part 1: Podfic & Art & Fic

Dear lovely Participants, Creators, Alpha and Beta Readers, Cheerleaders, Readers and Fans of this fest,

The 6th installment of LCDrarry has come to an end, and we'd like to thank you all for taking part in this fest, for creating so many amazing new Drarry works for us all to enjoy, for commenting on your favourite creations, for sharing and recommending the LCDrarry gems with and to your friends and blog followers, and for making this fest another amazing experience for everybody!

Fests would not exist without their participants or readers! You're all amazing! And we're so happy that you chose this fest in the vast and wonderful offerings of HP and Drarry events.

You can find out under the cut who created what ;D

~Your LCDrarry Mods Tami (@celilasart) and Suzi (@erin-riwen)

PS: Please have a look at the author notes and tags on AO3 for additional information and more detailed warnings. Thank you! PPS: You can find a link to Part 2 of this Master List under the cut. Enjoy!

Part 2 of this Master List with more lovely fics can be found here.

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Podfic

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A Mist That Appears (For a Little Time)

Prompt: “Sweet November,” 2001, Pat O’Connor Written by: dodgerkedavra Narrated by: reveriepi Podfic Length: 02:25:58 Rating: Explicit Warnings: Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Vomiting, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse

Summary: “Give me November, and I’ll teach you to be happy. There’s only one condition. You must swear on your magic that you won’t fall in love with me.” Harry’s so tired. His whole body hurts. If Malfoy can teach him how to be happy, then... “Okay.” Harry is working himself to death. Draco only has November to help him. Falling in love is strictly against the rules.

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As You Wish

Prompt: "The Princess Bride", 1987, Rob Reiner Written by: Pineau_noir Narrated by: Cailynwrites Podfic Length: 02:31:28 Rating: Teen and up Warnings: None

Summary: Draco was raised on a farm in the small country of Witshire; his favourite pastimes were flying on his broom and tormenting the hired farm boy. Though his name was Harry, Draco never called him that. On Harry's forehead there was a scar shaped like a lightning bolt, so Draco called him Scarhead.

Nothing gave Draco as much pleasure as ordering Harry around.

Or a story about fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, True Love, and miracles.

***

The Pirc Defence

Prompt: "The Queen’s Gambit", 2019, Scott Frank Written by: sleepstxtic Narrated by: sweaters_in_the_summer Podfic Length: 01:05:00 Rating: Explicit Warnings: None

Summary: They were rivals, and they were lovers, and they were the greatest chess players of their generation. Exactly in that order.

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My Big Fat Weasley Wedding

Prompt: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, 2002, Joel Zwick Written by: slyth_princess Narrated by: Melcarrianna Podfic Length: 07:17:21 Rating: Mature Warnings: None

Summary: A decade after the war, Harry Potter is lost. There was a time when he knew exactly who he was, where he was going, and what he wanted. He is not that man anymore. Until one day he decides he is done. No more wearing clothes that don't fit, stuck in a job that was meant to be temporary, and simply coasting through his life. He has a plan. And, unsurpisingly, every single Weasley and honourary Weasley seems to have an opinion about it. But it's fine. Harry knows he is doing the right thing.

What he didn't plan for, however, was to find love in the most unexpected place. And with the most unexpected person. Still, it's going to be fine. Like he said, he has a plan. Weasley opinions be damned. He's got it all under control. Doesn't he?

Featuring a million Weasleys, a daft labrador, and a whole bunch of people just trying to figure out their lives.

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Art

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Draco's Moving Castle

Prompt: "Howl's Moving Castle", 2004, Hayao Miyazaki Artist: Averily Art Medium: Digital Rating: General Audiences Warnings: None

Summary: Art for LCDrarry2024 fest. Prompt was Howl's Moving Castle.

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Go the Whole Wide World

Prompt: "Stranger than Fiction", 2006, Marc Forster Artists: julchen_in_red and m4g0rtz Medium: Digital Art Rating: General Audiences Warnings: None

Summary: When government employee Draco Crick was assigned to audit baker Harry Pascal, neither anticipated falling in love, but sometimes the person right next to you is the most welcome surprise.

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[Art] A Game of Horcruxes

Prompt: "Game of Thrones", 2011, David Benioff Artist: fantalf Art Medium: Digital Art Rating: Teen and Up Warnings: Duelling, Horcruxes, Blood and Injury

Summary: Art Post for "A Game of Horcruxes" written by sleepstxtic.

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Illustrated Fic

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[Fic & Art] A Game of Horcruxes

Prompt: "Game of Thrones", 2011, David Benioff Author: sleepstxtic Word Count: 118,635 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: Brief Descriptions of Injury, Racism, Classism

Summary: It has been centuries since an attack on the castle of a royal scion. Centuries, until now.

The Realm of Hogwarts is ruled by eight noble Slytherin families, aided by their Gryffindor armies. Each kingdom possesses a Horcrux—the most precious source of magic to the throne. But when the Kingdom of Malfoy finds their Horcrux stolen, Prince Draco must break all protocol and enlist the help of a commoner, Harry, to find what's missing. All the while, an evil beyond the horizon stirs, Dementor attacks are increasing, and civil unrest is burning across the land. Can Draco and Harry recover the Horcrux and save the realm? And will they be able to resist their growing attraction to each other in the meantime?

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A Ferret, a ScarHead, a Weasel, and a Baby

Prompt: "Three Men and a Baby", 1987, Leonard Nimoy & "Taken", 2008, Pierre Morel Author: trishjames Word Count: 91,420 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: Angst, Anxiety, Epic Fight Scene(s), Canon-Typical Violence, Hand-to-Hand Combat, Blood, Muggle Weapons, References to Past Child Abuse, Abduction, Injuries

Summary: They say becoming a parent is an unparalleled, priceless joy. Draco Malfoy finds himself putting that theory to the test when the star witness in his dangerous illegal potions case entrusts him with a powerful wish: protect her newborn baby at all costs. Now, it's up to Draco to fulfill that wish despite the looming threat of criminals hunting for the child. To think, just the day before, he was fretting over his inappropriate feelings for his annoying, bespectacled git of a housemate—not the mechanics of changing nappies!

Thank Merlin it takes a village to raise a sack of flour, ah, child.

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Fic

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White, Blonde & British

Prompt: “Red, White & Royal Blue”, 2023, Matthew Lopez Author: SortofShea Word Count: 40,058 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: Mentions of death, drug and alcohol use and abuse, homophobia, racism, discrimination

Summary: Prince Draco Malfoy is known all over the world as “The Modern Day Prince Charming”, ask anyone - well, anyone except for Harry Potter, first son of the Indian president and (self) sworn rival of said stuck-up, snobbish prince.

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drag the past out into the light

Prompt: "Se7en", 1995, David Fincher Author: ChaosBitch Word Count: 20,796 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Summary: There's a serial killer stalking magical London. The murders are gruesome, bizarre, and somehow connected to the Voldemort wars. Auror Harry Potter is paired up with an analyst from the Department of Mysteries to piece together the clues in the killer's unsettling game before they kill again.

The good news? This analyst is the best one on offer. The bad news? It's Draco Malfoy.

***

the beating of our hearts (is the only sound)

Prompt: "Pacific Rim", 2013, Guillermo del Toro Author: Pineau_noir Word Count: 12,675 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: canon (Pacific Rim) creature grossness

Summary: Do you want awesome, kickass fights between giant robots and aliens??!?!?

Go watch Pacific Rim.

This is a story about two flawed men who fall in love during an apocalypse.

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Draco Malfoy's New Guide to Old-Fashioned Dating

Prompt: "How to Lose a Guy in 10 days", 2003, Donald Petrie Author: caliowl Word Count: 52,377 words Rating: Teen and up Warnings: Non-Consensual Drug Use

Summary: When Harry's job as an auror is threatened by his perceived negative attitude towards Death Eaters, he makes a desperate gamble with his boss to save it. Bring a Death Eater as his plus-one to the company holiday party. Unfortunately for him, there's only one person he can think of to ask...

Meanwhile, in order to save his best friend Pansy Parkinson from a terrible social fate, Draco Malfoy makes a bet with Pansy's mother. He believes that old-fashioned, traditional courting methods are the best way to repel, not attract, a potential suitor. Now, if only he can find a wizard who has no clue about those methods...

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Black Sheep

Prompt: "Shaun the Sheep", 2007-2020 Author: shushu_yaoi_lj Word Count: 10,808 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: smut, dirty talk, praise kink, soft d/s dynamics, begging

Summary: “You know, Potter, maybe all you need to win is a little—incentive, let’s say.” “An incentive?” Harry asks, his interest piqued. He takes a step closer to the fence, and then another one, until he’s standing so close that he can smell the intoxicating scent of Malfoy’s expensive cologne. “Shall we say that if you win, you can have whatever your heart desires?” Malfoy replies with a smile. “Anything.”

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Jackknife To The Heart

Prompt: "Mad Max: Furiosa", 2024, George Miller Author: sleepstxtic Word Count: 11,723 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: Gunfights

Summary: Draco licked his lips, slow and sensual. He climbed over Harry’s lap and slid down onto his knees. “Keep making love to me, darling,” he said, gazing up at Harry, something starry in his eyes; and then he pulled down Harry’s pants and took his cock in his mouth.

Harry sucked in a breath, threw the shifter into gear, and drove.

***

First Impressions

Prompt: "Pride and Prejudice", 2005, Joe Wright Author: ActuallyMoon Word Count: 87,934 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: Period-typical racism and colourism (only present in one chapter), A/B/O dynamics, Dubious Consent, Classism, Smut, Mpreg

Summary: At the Shacklebolts' ball, Ginny found herself irrevocably smitten at first sight with Ms Pansy Parkinson. Meanwhile, her brother, Harry Potter, became the unfortunate target of biting remarks from Parkinson's haughty and aloof best friend, Mr Draco Malfoy. Harry's disdain for Mr Malfoy grew, fuelled by the latter's evident arrogance. Amidst this burgeoning animosity, Ms Romilda Vane began to spread malicious rumours regarding Malfoy, further tarnishing his reputation. Yet, the true nature of his character was far from what these tales suggested. Could Draco overcome his pride and Harry his prejudice, allowing love to blossom between them despite the odds?

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Obscuro

Prompt: "Love is Blind", 2020 Author: stratigraphy Word Count: 35,227 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: None

Summary: Draco is grieving. His conversation partner is here against his will. It's a shameless rip-off of an insipid Muggle reality dating show. Hardly the occasion for true love, if you ask Draco. feat. a cat named Marmalade, a bird named Mumble, Lee Jordan's answer to Love is Blind, and two best friends who only want their dads to be happy.

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Eternalism is a Never Ending Day

Prompt: "Russian Doll", 2019 Author: JK_Terfling_Can_Suck_My_Silicone_Dick Word Count: 25,970 words Rating: Teen and up Warnings: Temporary Suicide, Temporary MCD, implied/referenced Depression

Summary: Malfoy has been reliving the same day for longer than he can keep track of now, and has just assumed that he was dead in the real world, which was fine to him. It isn't until the time loop stops doing what he expects that it occurs to him that maybe there's something else going on.

***

Part 2 of this Master List with more lovely fics can be found here.

As always, reblogs here on tumblr are very much appreciated to share all the wonderful works of LCDrarry with more people. But of course, please also shower our creators with comments and kudos on AO3 ;D Thank you! Read you next year ;)

[floydsglasses]

𝙑𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚-Jake "Hangman" Seresin (A Quiet Place AU)

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x AFAB OC/Piper

SUMMARY: The world outside is in ruins, human being's are almost extinct, silence is now the key to survival. A family's seemingly happy existence in a bleak world is shattered by monsters.

Tags: Mention of blood/wounds, post apocalyptic setting, use of ASL, Alien creatures. Established Relationship, Implied Smut, (sorry) A LOT OF Angst, Swearing, Fluff, Parenting, self defense k!lling, child endangerment, men being creepy to a woman, first aid

A/N HOLY SHIT THIS IS LONG! Im telling you guy's that you wont hurt my feeling's if you dont read because I wouldn't

WORD COUNT: 9,103

⏁⏁⏁

THEIR QUIET FARMHOUSE almost seemed untouched from the horror’s of the world outside its fenceline. The both of them had talked about leading a quiet life, staying on farms raising animals and crops. Waking up to the sunshine each day and ending the day with a family meal, and falling asleep to the sound of wildlife. 

She was so sure that their late night talk would never happen. Not with the lives they lead, her working shift’s as a nurse, her hour’s never being consistent. And him almost always being on leave or another country away from her. Did not help when she took the fateful test that two pink lines showed up. 

Before the both of them did everything they could to spend time with their little girl, Piper would take every weekend off for her. Even though she and Jake were not married they would give each other day’s with her. Then day one of the end of normal happened, and they had to now fight to protect their little girl from harm more than ever. 

Today was their weekly supply run. Usually consisted of one of them staying behind and the other heavily armed packing as much as they can. Things were a little different, she had never brought Alice with her on a run, she knew she couldn't hide her from the world forever, they both knew. 

She gently pulls down a can of carrots from the supermarket shelves.  She looked down at the list in her hand, she had already gotten most of what she needed, she was bent on trying to find Alice something soft, and non noise making for her to play. The sound of her crayons scraping the floor catche’s her attention. 

Her lips formed a soft smile. She bent down to a height of five year’s height. Her green eyes look up at her mother. Almost the spitting image of herself with the exception of her father’s eyes and grin. 

“Good Job.” Piper signed to her, she grinned. She had been teaching her simple ASL thing’s when she was three, two years later she knows almost fifty word’s to sign, almost more than her own father. 

She picks up her yellow crayon beginning to fill in the sun she drew in the corner tile. A home drawn with dark blue, in the top a purple cartoon plane with a stick figure with yellow hair. 

“That’s you.” The little girl point’s at the stick figures with her auburn hair fiery orange. She drags her finger to the other corner.

Tapping a purple cartoon plane with a stick figure with yellow hair. “And that’s daddy.” She signed. 

“I love it.” She signed with a smile. She envied how innocent she was in their bleak world, she was always grinning and running around their home. Piper gets to her feet leaving her to her 100 crayola pack. 

It was hard to find activities to preoccupy the five year old, one’s that were silent the least. She still tried to educate her as much as she could, teaching her basic reading and which animal’s were which, one’s she would never see sadly. 

The little girl had been too young to recall the trip to the zoo the two of them had taken. 

She touches her braid, pulling her windbreaker close to herself. The calendar she kept read was the end of February and soon March would be approaching. She furrowed her brow, where the hell is he? She thinks.

She had given him the simple task of collecting anything that seemed edible, and batteries. It was a miracle that they even got a generator, much less a place to hold up. 

Her friend had bought the place and planned to make it a functioning farm; he had let her stay there till everything ‘blew over’, she wished he had been right. 

“Jake?” She signed, she shook her head. He can't even see you signing, she reminds herself.

Her heart dropped to her stomach at the flash of a brown jacket. She held her chest panting as she collected herself. He held his mouth, stifling his chuckle.

“Don't do that.” She scolded him, her eye’s hardened with irritation. He smirked his million dollar smirk. 

“I'm sorry.” He start’s off, his motion’s quick. He’s been learning, she thinks through her annoyance.

“I just like seeing your squirm.” The blonde teased. 

She shook her head, trying to contain her smirk. Even in a world where everything had gone silent, somehow it didn't silence him.  

“I hate when you do that.” She scolded him. He shrugged his shoulders.

“Well I love when you do that.” He says, leaning closer to her face. She sighed, she quietly cleared her throat stepping back. 

“What did you find?” She asks him. He turned around, stealthy removing five can’s from his bag, a bottle of jack daniel’s, a lighter and seasons. 

She furrowed her brow picking up the whiskey. She raised a brow at his shopping choice.

“Really?” She signed. He smirked mischievous, she shook her head, 

“How about this?” He challenged, she furrowed her brow, putting her hand on her hips.  He reached inside of his bag slowly pulling something.

His hand grips a small tanned stuffed animal, its beady black eyes stare at her, its hair frizzy with a mane that rounded its entire head and tail, fake white fang’s sewn into the side of its muzzle. 

Her frown slowly morphed into a warm smile. “This make it better?” Jake ask’s. She leaned her head sideways. 

“Maybe.” Piper signed, he smirked at her. He knew the world was starting to take its toll on her.

Night’s weren't easy, she would wake in cold sweat, panting trying to let out a scream, she knew she couldn't. 

“This keep me from sleeping on the couch?” He wondered, she shrugged her shoulders, stepping forward.

“No bet on that flyboy.” She teased him. He held his chest in dramatic fashion.

“Ouch.” He mouthed, she shook her head wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him closer to her. 

His green eyes studied her as she gazed into his. His hair had grown out in the two years of their new world, before he had it well groomed to meet the standard’s of the Navy, his face no longer clean, his blonde beard now similar to a cowboy of spaghetti western. She couldn't complain though, she liked how he looked. She just wished he would keep up with the hygiene.

“You need a shave.” Piper signed. He scoffed at her signals. “Are you gonna do it for me?” He asks with a smirk.

“Who else would.” She joked. He shook his head pecking the auburn hair girl on the lips, she smiled. The sound of a quiet gagging noise causes the two to pull away from each other. At the end of the isle stood Alice, pointing at her tongue at their physical affection. 

The two adults smiled at each other. She removes her arms from around his neck, walking over to the little girl.

“Are you finished drawing?” She asked her. She nodded her head, with a toothy grin.

“Get your stuff, don't go far okay.” She asked her. She patted her on her polka dotted puffer coat.

Piper looked back at the blonde man, looking down at her feet sadly then at him.

“Pack this all up.” She order’s, he mocks her. 

She rounded up smaller thing’s into her bag. The walk back to their home was going to be a long one, she had made sure to find duct tape for her tom’s. Jake had given her tip’s on how to not attract the creature’s attention. 

The three begin to exit the rundown pharmacy. Piper adjusted her beanie, tucking bit’s of her braid into the edge’s. Jake grunted bending down picking up the five year old little girl, placing her on his hip as they started their long walk back. Strolling past the abandoned building’s of what used to be the surrounding small town near San Diego.

⏁⏁⏁

SHE SCRUBBED AWAY in the water at the dishes, one of her humane chore’s that she used to enjoy most of the time became a dreaded one. To keep thing’s silent in their household, she had to wash them in water in the sink. They did have running water, which they only ran for their shower’s,for their dishe’s they stuck to fetching it from a well five miles from the property. 

She adjusted her ponytail, wiping the sweat from her forehead.  A hand gently set a cup deep into the water, she whipped her head.

“Sorry.” He signed with thin lined smirk.

“It’s okay.” Piper reassured him, she didn't have the energy to be mad. He looked down at the dirty soapy water, she huffed running her green sponge through the lukewarm water. 

“Stop.” He signs. 

She furrowed her brow. “Why?” She asks him. His lip’s formed a thin line. “Because I want to.” He tells her, she raised a brow. 

“I want to help.” He sign’s to her mouthing the words. 

She sighed, handing over the green sponge, he smirked as she leaned on the kitchen island. She looked over to the living room, Alice sat on the floor, playing quietly with her doll’s near a gas lantern that illuminated her area with an orange glow. 

The sun outside had set, the sky filled with dark clouds and the star’s painted the night. Silent, like always, not for the occasional bird chirping, too high for the creature’s to kill, she guessed. He placed the final plate down on the towel. 

He turned around leaning on the sink, She stared off deep in thought. He stands in front of the auburn hair woman.

“Are you okay?” He asked. 

She shakes her head. “No.” Piper admit’s, her shoulders tensed as she leaned off the island.  His brows furrowed. 

“What’s on your mind?” He asked worriedly.  She licked her lip’s crossing her arms. 

“I saw those symbol’s again.” She signed to him, he raised a brow. 

“Where?” Jake asked her, she sighed heavily. 

“Back of the grocery store.” She tells him. She knew there were rumor’s on the radio of a group killing people they deem too loud for the new world. They had gained the nickname ‘The Bandits’, over parts of the town she would see on wall’s initials, SDB, written in dark brown ink or what she thought was ink. 

“They're getting closer to us.” She state’s, his eyes softened at her worry.

“They don't know we are here.” He reassures her, she shakes her head. 

“But what if they do.” She says, her brown eye’s beginning to welt over with tears in the corners. He shakes his head, stepping closer to her, taking her hands. 

“They don't.” He signed with one hand, she gulped looking him in his eyes.

“If they find out we are here–they will do something bad.” Piper admits to him, she looked over into the living room where her daughter sat playing, unaware of their conversation. 

She looks back to him. “What if they try to..hurt her.” She stumbled over her signing. He shook his head. 

“We won't let that happen.”  Jake reasure’s her. 

“Nothing else matters to me more than her.” Piper tells him. Her heart skipped a beat, she could see the fear flash for a moment in his face. 

“If something happened to her, I couldn't live with myself.” She signed. 

“I'm not gonna let them find us.” He swears, his fist balled as he signed to her. “And if they do.” He inhales deeply. 

“They will regret fucking with the wrong family.” The blonde stated. Her frown slowly turned to a soft smile. 

“What?” He signed, she covered her mouth, muffling her soft chuckle. “You sound like your old self, Flyboy.” She wrap’s one arm on his shoulder bringing him into an embrace. He smirks against her shoulder. 

She brings her nose into his black shirt that clung to him. She thought it was strange how the world had to end to bring them closer, more than the day their daughter was born. She had barely seen him when he was in the Navy, he was always busy. 

A loud crash brings them out of their embrace. Jake’s head snapped in the sound’s direction, seeing the flame’s from the gas lamp starting to spread, he quickly ran grabbing the dark blanket, throwing it on top of the fire, patting down extinguishing it.

The young girl looked up at him, her eyes widened as the silence filled the room again. Piper’s heart skipped a beat as it began to race, she didn't dare to move as she anticipated the sound of the inhumane roar’s hell bent on ending their disrupters. Jake slowly gets to his knees, quietly as possible. 

Silence, dead silence. Piper glanced at her daughter, her eye’s widening as she looked to her father.He lightly got to his feet, looking all around at the farmhouse ceiling. His shoulders relaxed,He shook his head turning around. 

BANG!.  

She flinched, her heart dropping to her stomach. He brings his finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet. Alice’s breath shake’s as her eye’s darted between her parent’s, her mother stood frozen with her mouth parted, her father slowly making his way to the window. 

He leaned his head close to the cool glass. He looked to the roof, he looked down at the ground.

Cries of a wild dog interrupted the silence, the brown and tan coyote scampered away knocking down trash. The couple let out a breath of relief, Alice ran on her tiptoes to her mother’s side, wrapping her arms around her tightly. 

Her eye’s fell, as she looked down at her as she stroked her strawberry blonde hair. She wanted to whisper in her daughter’s ear that she was okay, that the monster’s were not gonna come back, that she was safe. Speaking was a grace that she had for three years of life, now it was all gone. 

⏁⏁⏁

GENTLY SHE walked down the stairs, the watch on her wrist reading half past ten o’clock. She ran her hand through her hair, messy with wave’s from being in a braid for so long. She clung to the oversized plaid shirt that engulfed her figure, his clothes some of the time made up most of her wardrobe.

She slowly walked to the sliding door’s of the basement bathroom, it somehow being an almost safe room for them to be in, the rushing of the shower water drowning out their voice.

The air smelt of cedarwood filled in nostrils as she stood leaned on the doorway. The steam from the shower still lingering as she watched him apply aftershave. His beard now reduced to a stubble, his hair though remained untouched. He wiped the condensation from the mirror with his fist, her silhouette casted onto the hickory wall’s.

He smirked softly, facing her. A towel wrapped around his neck, only clothes remaining on him being his black sleep shorts. “What are you doing up?” He wonder’s.

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. “Couldn't sleep.” She signs to him, he nods his head.

“How is she?” He ask’s, she sighed.

“Fine I think..at least what you could be in this place.” She tells him.

He looked her up and down, she wore a dark gray shirt with US NAVY written in bold font, and striped sleep shorts, paired with his red plaid shirt that she once swore she would return to him. He smiled softly.

“What?” She signed to him, her lip’s forming a thin line and smiled. He runs his fingers across the front of his face in clockwise motion, his fingers and thumb end at his chin. Beautiful, Her face grew beet red.

He shook his head, still smiling. “Nothing.” He says. She nodded her head at his secretiveness, he sighed, opening a draw, pulling out black and blue hair dress scissors. He motion’s them to her.

“I’ll do it.” She tells him. She quietly slid the door behind her shut, closing it with a rag in the way. The auburn hair woman, sit’s behind on the leather bench with her legs. He held up his finger for her to wait.

He leaned over, reaching in pulling the handle for the water, purposely setting it to cold. He sits on the floor with his back to her, leaning back into her. She gently takes her fingers through his hair, finding the dead end’s to cut off.

She carefully snipped off bit’s onto the violet towel.

“You know you could do this yourself.” Piper speak’s up softly, he chuckled.“Why would I do that?" He ask's her.

"You do it so much better.” Jake admit’s, his tone haughty. She rolled her eye’s playfullying as she continued to work away.

“Sure Flyboy.” She teased him, he smiled fondly at his nickname.

“You know you really should manage this hair better.” She joked, he shrugged.

“Don't know if you know darling but the world has ended.” He reminded her, and she shook her head again.

“I don't think these alien asshole’s care how pretty you are.” He joked, she smiled at his cockiness.

She raised a brow. “Did you just call yourself pretty?” Piper jested, he patted her leg making her laugh softly.

“Shut up.” He says, smiling.

She sighed sadly, she continued to trim away at his hair. Memories of the world before had started to wash over her. She longed for the day’s of them together on the beach under the sun, laughing and teasing each other. Or when she had first met him, a bad night in the ER sent her to the Hard Deck, dying for a drink. Next thing she knew, someone had sent a whiskey neat, she looked up from her glass locking eye’s with probably the most handsome she had ever seen, straight from GQ magazine cover. Things stayed that way for awhile before she got the confidence to say ‘Hello’, and the rest is history.

“Are you still taking her tomorrow?” He ask’s her, his tone lacking any loftiness. She sighed as she cut his wet hair.

“I am, she deserves it.” Piper tells him.

“Are you sure?” He ask’s.

“Yes, she needs the chance to be a kid, I remember loving the beach when I was her age.” She recall’s. “We didn't have what she does remember.” He point’s out.

“It doesn't matter, okay, I want her to be happy.” She proclaims. He nod’s his head, he sighed looking down at the floor.

“I know you do, and I want that it’s just.” He stops him mid-sentence. She furrowed her brow, he gulp’s.

“I know you don't care what happens to you.” He continues.

“But I do.” He admit’s, her heart skipped a beat in her chest. His vulnerability came in moment’s of them finally being able to speak with one another. She knew he hated not being able to talk, talking was how he won her over, how they got the sweet little girl who slept soundly upstairs.

“I just want you….I want you both to be safe.” He admit’s somberly. She sighed, reaching her hand down, he raised his hand lacing his finger’s with her’s. The ambience of the running water filling the room.

“You're not gonna lose us.” She whispers in his ear.

"You're not gonna lose me." She promised.

His grip on her hand tightened as he blinked away the tears he knew were fighting to escape. She sighed against the side of his head, the tiredness weighing heavy on her body. If things could stay this way forever she would accept in a heartbeat,peace with him and her daughter.

She inhales deeply as she sits back up, counting to cut at his hair. “When are you y’all leaving?” He asks breaking the ice, she clears her throat.

“Some time after lunch.” Piper tells him. “Beach is about a one hour walk.” She says she takes a handful of the end’s of his hair, trimming around the edge of ear’s.

She had experience cutting her own hair, not being able to afford a salon during college.

“Hope you make it back before it rain’s.” Jake say’s. She furrowed her brow.

“It’s not gonna rain.” Piper state’s, snipping the scissor’s loud,he scoffed. “Yeah it is.” He declares, she shook her head.

“And how do you know this?” Piper wonder’s, he sits up straighter. “I can smell it.” He tells her, she rolls her eyes playfully.

“Don't give me that southern superpower thing.” She joke’s. He rolled his eyes at her teasing.

“You can't smell rain.” She chuckled.

“Yeah I can, tell me a time when I was wrong.” He challenged, and she bit her lip.

“When you were on leave when we first started dating you said it was gonna storm.” Piper recall’s, he smirked.

“And?” His tone condescending. “And it was dry all week.” She state’s, he rolls his eyes.

“No it wasn't.” He says offended. She shrugged his shoulders.

“You want to question me while I have a sharp object in my hand.” She threatened, she clicked the scissor’s close with a snip.

He put his hand’s up in surrender. She smirked at her own victory, she trimmed around the last bit of his long hair, getting it down to a short easy to brush cut.

She runs her finger’s through, getting rid of the extra bit’s she missed.

He moaned softly at the feeling of fingers through his hair. She removed the towel from around his neck shaking out into the trash. She brings her arms wrapping them around his neck and torso.

She ran her cold hand down his chest, he shuddered as goosebumps ran down each part of his body. He held onto her arms leaning his head back against her leg, looking up at her.

Her nails grazed across his skin as she brought her hand to his cheek. She inhaled deeply as she began moving her lips against his.

She felt his eye lashes tickle her chin. Kissing him upside down was not ideal, though she had to admit it was very hot. His fingers caressed her face. She exhaled as he pulled away, his breath peppering her mouth.

He rolled over onto his knees. She barely had time to catch her own breath as his mouth met her's. She closed her eyes as she ran her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer.

His hand trailed down her waist, thumbing the edge of her shirt. The butterflies in her stomach went crazy as his calloused fingers grazed under her bare skin. She shivered.

He slowly pushed her back to the wall, her leg uncrossing, placing one leg around his waist. He ran his hand up her thigh, his fingers playing with the elastic of her sleep shorts.

She opened her eyes as it clicked in her head. "Jake." She says breathless, pulling away.

He kept his mouth busy as he peppering kisses down neck. She bit her lip stifling the moan that dared to escape her.

"Jake." She speaks up. He finally pulled away looking up at her, his eyes meeting her's.

"What?" He whispered. She sighed looking away at the water that still ran, she would deal with the mess later.

She looked back at him. "The noise." Piper whispers back. He shook his head.

"I can be quick, if you can" He promises, his southern drawl coming out. Her heart skipped a beat, she nodded, both of them continuing what they had started.

⏁⏁⏁

THE MUD SQUISHED under her shoe’s, her grip on Alice's hand not letting up with each step they took. Piper had taken protection with them, a knife that Jake had given her for her birthday last year, carving her initials into the leather of her holster.  And a pistol, she knew there was a chance she wasn't going to use it because of the noise, but she knew with the bandit’s becoming a looming threat she couldnt be too careful. 

Alice sighed bored as they passed more tree’s, they had stuck to the hiking path laid down for them by the park service, nothing entertaining for the five year old to really look at. Talking wasn't an option for them. Piper could hear the cry of bird’s growing louder,the crashing of waves more prevalent as they walked. 

Before the world had ended, she had taken her to the beach plenty of time’s, only she wasn't old enough to remember it all.

Piper had grown up in Vermont, not even close enough to the ocean, she could recall when she first got to the beach, being twenty four and finally finishing nursing school it felt like she could take on anything that she drove straight into the freezing water.

The both of them come to a stop. She smiled softly overlooking the rocky cliff as the ocean wave’s crashed loudly below them. She turned to the strawberry blonde little girl, her jaw agape as she stared out to the shoreline. 

“What do you think?” Piper signs to her daughter, she smiles at her mother.

“It's cool.” She says, nodding her head. She turned her head to the path stairs leading down. She looked back at her.

“Want it to get cooler?” She asked her, she nodded her head, with a flick of her fingers she gestured for her to follow her. 

The wind whipped against her hair, throwing her braid all over. The cloud’s in the sky slowly turned gray as they walked down the cobble step’s. She was happy that the railing had not given way to the elements yet, as she hopped down after the last step, turning around and extending her hand for her daughter to take. 

“Careful.” Piper signed with one hand. The strawberry blonde girl slowly got onto the rocky path. 

The both of them in slow pace getting closer to the water that pulled in and out with a loud roar. She takes her back pack off, setting it on the dry sand, Alice following her lead. She puts her hand in front of daughter. 

“Wait.” Piper speak’s up. Her green eyes widened in fear as she whipped her head all around. She gets on her knees in the sand getting to her daughter’s height, placing a hand on her shoulder. 

She points at the ocean. “This is loud, they don't like it.” She explains to the frightened young girl. 

“You don't have to be afraid, you are safe here.” Piper reassured, her voice soft as she looked her up and down. The wind kissing her cheek, she looked out at the ocean to her mother.

“Let’s get these shoe’s off.” She says, velcroing her neon purple straps, sitting them next to their backpack’s.

She unzips her own jacket tossing it to the side, Alice slid her polka dot jacket off onto her jacket. 

Piper kicked off her tom’s, rolling up her pant leg to her knees. The two of them looked at each, she grinned as she picked her up by her arm’s running through the freezing water that stung at their legs.  She laughed loudly as she spun around with her daughter, her heart pounding with excitement.

“Think fast!” Piper exclaimed as she flung water on her, she squealed, flinging the foam from the wave’s at her. She yelped in surprise at her return fire. 

She looked up at the sky, the spring air cooled her as she extended her arms, taking in the moment of clarity. 

Alice wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist, she sighed deeply as she place her hand on her shoulders holding her closely, the wave’s of the ocean pulling in and out around them as they remained in an embrace. 

The two of them did all they could to enjoy their time on the beach. Alice constantly challenged her to a race to the rock’s and back, Piper didn't have to bother with letting her win as the young girl was much faster than she had expected. She went around the sand looking for sea shell’s for the both of them. 

“Would daddy like this one?” Alice wonder’s holding up a gray and blue scallop seashell, she smiled.

“He would love it.” She tells her, she laughed as she stuffed her jean pocket. Piper imagined them filled to the brim. 

The one good day she could give her meant more than anything. She knew that the young girl couldn't have the childhood that either of parents had.

Running around in the grass and hanging out during the summer with friend’s. Staying out past curfew to be scolded, playing on the playground and seeing how high she could climb to see over the city. 

She sat at the edge of the shoreline, using a toothpick she had brought along to draw in the damp sand.

She drug the sharp wood across the top, letting her hand decide the picture she wanted. Alice sat criss crossed quietly digging in the sand.

Piper’s eyes widened as she suddenly remembered. She walked over to her backpack, unzipping it. She walked back over, sitting in front of the strawberry blonde girl. 

“I got you something.” She says, she looked up, excitement in her emerald eyes. “What is it?!” She asked curiously with her toothy grin. 

“Close your eyes.” She tells her, her shoulders slumped annoyed.

“Why?!” She groaned. 

“Just do it.” She says. She rolled her eyes as she told her. 

“No peeking.” Piper state’s, she brought her little hands covering her face. She pulling the object out from behind her back, she gently removed her hand’s from her petite face, placing a soft brown toy in the palms. 

“Open.”Her green eyes fluttered, her grin widened as she looked at the fluffy mane of the cuddly stuffed toy.

“For me?” She wondered. 

“Yes, it's your’s.” She confirmed. She squealed in excitement as she held the toy close to herself in embrace. Her heart ached at her joy, she spun around on her heel’s landing on her knees in the sand. 

“Thank you Thank you!” She gushed. She wrapped her arms around her neck, she gasped in surprise, she bring’s a hand to her back holding her closely. Alice’s shoulder’s tensed up as she slumped against her mother.

She pulled away as she thumbed the of the snout of the lion, its beady black eyes staring up at her.

“Ally?” She say’s warmly.She doesn't answer, playing with the wet sand. Her green eyes softened.

“What’s the matter?” Piper asked in concern. 

“I’m sorry.” Alice say’s fiddling with a small sand castle. She furrowed her brow confused. “For what, baby?” She wonder’s. 

“The monster’s found us last night.” Alice admit’s, Piper shook her head, the five year old girl looked down at her bare feet.

“No it's not your fault.” She tells her warmly, she sits her toothpick down. 

“I made a noise..” She stammered as a tear rolled down her cheek. She shook her head. The woman slide’s over the sand, bringing her young girl into an embrace.  

“Alice, it wasn't your fault.” Piper whisper’s into her ear, softly stroking her hair.

“Don't blame yourself for anything like that, not ever.” Her voice was smooth, she pulled away placing her hand on her daughter’s shoulders. 

“This world is a scary place.”She tells the little girl. Her green eyes glistened with tears at the edges. She shakes her head gulping.

“But you are so..so much bigger and braver than it.” She stammered. 

“You are so brave Ally, and you are so strong.” She brings her hand’s to her face, gently cupping her cheek. Her pink little lip’s form a thin line smile, Piper’s used her thumb brushing a strand of hair away from her face. 

“We should go.” Piper say’s getting to her feet,the cloud’s above grew darker, puffing up with each end. The sound of rumbling above in the darkness.

“Mommy.” She spoke up.

She turned her head at her, “Someone’s watching us.” she pointed. Her brown eyes widened in fear looking at the ridge.

The shadow of a stranger peeked through the fog that had begun to roll in with the storm above. 

“Alice.” Her voice stern with the five year old, she looked back at her.

“Grab your things, right now.” She ordered, she furrowed. 

“Why? Who is that?” The little girl wonder’s. Her brown eye’s stare down the stranger on the hill.

“No one good.” She answered. She hustled around grabbing her bag’s, pulling her jacket back on. 

Piper didn't waste any time with grabbing her daughter’s hand, her pace in walking faster then her own daughter. She held her hand on the little girl , she knew that anyone who wasn't her boyfriend or was someone she once considered friend was a danger to them. The alien’s were a concern but they weren't what scared her. 

Drop lits began to drizzle onto her coat, the dirt slowly turning into mud with each step they took. She eyed the tree’s on each side, scanning for danger’s each direction. Maybe she was being paranoid, and that she was wrong about the bandit’s. 

Thunder rumbled above them, Alice’s grip on her mother’s finger tightened at the sound. Should have left earlier, she thinks. Alice hated storm’s, Piper found it ironic as the night she was born a typhoon struck the coast of Southern California.

A storm so dangerous that it flooded most of the valley leaving so much debris, and destruction that it was like a wonderland. 

She panted as she continued to speed walk through the pines. Piper used one hand to pull her hood over her head. CLICK.

She stop’s dead in track’s extending her palm in front of her daughter. 

Her brown eyes drifted down to her ankle, a thin line of metal pushed right against her, hooked up to a tree. She didn't dare to move to find out what it was rigged too. She gulped looking down at the strawberry blonde girl at her waist, she shook her head. 

“Don't move.” Piper mouthed, her eye’s fearfully looking at her, nodding at her order’s.

The squishing of mud under feet catches her attention, she looks up seeing two men wearing black clothes and bandanas hiding their faces from them.

They smirked sinisterly at her, eyeing the young woman and the little girl. The blue bandana pulled out a knife from his pocket, shiver’s run down her spine seeing the dried brown on the blade.

Hair’s on her neck stood to attention as she felt the hot breath of another person breathing behind her. She lifted her hand’s up surrender to the stranger’s, the lack of sunlight couldn't help her determine how many were behind her. 

“Which one do you want?” The red bandana sign’s to the blue one, she guessed one of them was the leader of their group.

Red’s eye’s trailed over to the auburn hair woman, looking at her buttoned up henley shirt, the clothing around his mouth moving in a circular motion. 

“I like redheads.” He signs, her blood ran cold at their signing. Her eyes darted to her right, another man with a black bandana stood next to her.

Her chest heaved up and down as her heart began to race. 

She wasn't sure what they would do to her, but to her daughter she could get an awful image. There were no more law’s or legal systems, a perfect world for sick people like these men. 

“Take the big one to the hill.” Blue order’s, red’s brow’s furrowed looking at the little girl next to her.

Red bandana looked Alice up and down, he stepped up to her, getting down to her height. Her green eyes flooded with tears at the strange man. 

His dirty hand took the lion toy out of her hand’s. Piper’s hand shook with rage seeing his dirty nail’s touching the toy hand picked for her daughter from the man she loved. She knew what to do now. 

“This one is mine.” Blue signed, her little face shook frightened. 

Piper stepped forward with a click of the trip wire, a collection of bottle’s tied together collapsed down with a loud clunk, the men’s eyes widened at the sound. Piper growled as she plunged her knife into the jugular of the black bandana. 

“Run!” Piper whispered to Alice, she grunted as her feet kicked up mud running away. The auburn hair woman swung her fist into the face of the blue bandana before she ran alongside her daughter. 

The two of them panting as they jumped over bit’s of twig’s and green’s, sticking to the path they had followed and the one they had created. Piper looked over her shoulder, the shadow’s of the tree’s of people following right not far behind. 

Piper grunted, grabbing Alice’s shoulders, holding her closely in a bridal style.

Alice’s strawberry blonde hair whipped against her face, the rain had started to become less of drizzle and more of a sprinkle. She looked down at her feet, her footprints in the mud clear with each step. 

She duck’s behind a tree, setting her little girl down. She panted with her back against the tree as her mother set her backpack down on the ground. 

“You need to run!” Piper signed frantically. She shook her head. “No!” Alice signed. 

“Stay on the path, find your daddy.” Piper declared. Her green eye’s bore into her dark brown eyes. “No.” She repeated. 

“You have to run, or they will find you.” She orders her, she shakes her little head.  “I can't leave you.” She signed her lip quivering. 

“I cant– “Alice Seresin.” She whispered and interrupted her,  she held her face. She took a deep breath. 

“You are so brave..and sp strong, and I need you to do this.” She whispered. 

Fear flashing over her face. Tears falling from eye, twig’s snap her heart racing faster. She brought her lip’s to her forehead, inhaling her scent. She pulled away admiring her daughter one last time. 

“I love you so much.” Piper’s voice breaking,She pulled away admiring her daughter one last time. She sniffled, taking a deep breath.

“Now..RUN!” She ordered. Her hair whipped in the wind as she darted away from her mother. Piper gulped as her throat tightened. She removes her knife from her holster, huffing as she turned around marching through the tree

⏁⏁⏁

THE MEN STOOD PANTING. Blue bandana stepped forward looking at the three remaining men. He kicked the dirt in anger, pacing back and forth over the cliff that overlooked the beach.

“Where did the big one go?” Red whisper’s. Blue shook his head. “Who gives a fuck!” He signs. The three men flinched at his anger, he throws his cap off his head.

“The little one, get me the little one!” Blue order’s pointing his finger at the red bandana, he nodded his head turning around following the path. The two remaining men looked at their leader, he ran a hand through his greasy hair.

“What are you gonna do with her when you get her?” Yellow bandana wonder’s, he shook his head.

“That’s for me to know.” He tells him.

“What about the big one, are we gonna auction her?” Purple bandana asks. He rolled his eyes at his question.

“Fuck her, she killed one of our own.” Blue say’s, shaking his head.

“She could be more useful than the little one.” Yellow point’s out. Blue grabs him by the neck holding him tightly.

“I dont fucking want her..get me the little one.” He whispers in his ear’s.

A gurgling sound interrupts both men. They snapped their head’s seeing purple grabbing at his throat as blood drenched his coat as he fell to the ground. With a grunt she removed her blade, she stood up looking at both men. Her eyes burned with anger at the blue bandana.

She pointed her knife at him. “You.” She signed.

Yellow eyes the woman, he charged at her, he swung his fist at her. She huffed dodging it, hooking her arm under his, he groaned in pain at the fiery hot pain of the knife plunging into his shoulder blade.

She knee’s his gut shoving him onto the ground. Blue smirked at her, slowly clapping silently at her. She vibrated with anger at his mockery.

“Now what?” he signed.

“You die.” Piper signed. He smirked at her threat, he stepped forward in a challenging manner. “Are you sure about that?” He questioned. She grunted, swinging her blade.

He jumped back, she huffed, swinging her fist in his direction, missing again. She groaned as fiery pain spread across her face, the impact of his punch disorienting her. The rain began to become heavier as the two of them fought.

She grunt’s locking his head in hold, punching him in the gut repeatedly. He grunted in effort pulling at her raincoat, removing it from her entirely. Shegasped as he pulled himself out of her hold, shoving her into the mud. Blue bandana spit’s out blood onto the ground.

“Bitch.” He grumbled, she wiped her nose as the copper taste filled her mouth. She pat’s her holster looking for her knife, her eyes widened as she couldn't feel the ebony handle.

“Shit.” She mouthed. She flip’s onto her feet, she rushed at him tackling him with the full force her body could muster, their body’s slammed onto the cold rock wet rocks.

Piper cough’s holding her rib cage, his grimy hands shoving her face onto the concrete.Anger boiled inside of her at the feeling of his nail’s digging into her cheeks.

“Fucking die already.” He grumbled, the pressure on her back becoming heavier. On the ground a reflection from an object shined her way. She shouts failing her legs in each direction, he exclaimed frustrated.

She reached out her hand for the shiny object, she gasped for air as her rib cage began to feel smaller. Her wet finger’s lace through the handle hole, she pulled it closer to herself. In effort she rolled shoulder’s spinning around.

He cried out in pain, cupping his cheek as blood began to seep out. She stood on her feet looking at the man. She shook herself off as the adrenaline pumped through her body. He yells as he runs at her, she yelps moving out of the way.

Piper turned around only to be met with a blow to the face. Her back smacked the rock’, closer and closer to the edge the both of them dualed, her knife dropped to the ground with a clink as the man got on top of her gripping her wrist.

“You just giving up, sweet thing.” His voice sneered at her, his hand slowly trailing to the button of her henley shirt, he groaned closing his eyes as his dirty fingernails pulled away the clothing separating the piece. She grunted against his weight.

He mumbled as he leaned his head back as he countied to work on the top of her shirt. Thunder cracked above her making her heart skip a beat, she turned her head, her blade laid only an inch away from her. Without hesitation her hand gripped the handle as she brought it to chest.

He gasped loudly, falling back onto the ground. Piper yelped as she crawled onto him, cutting through him with multiple blow’s, each time letting out a yell of rage. He gurgled, coughing up blood onto her face.

An inhuman cry pulled her out of her trance. She snapped her head watching the tree’s pull apart as they got closer. She pushed herself out of the way.

⏁⏁⏁

ALICE PANTED as she kept running along the pathway, her sketcher’s covered in the mud as the rain began to get heavier. The farmhouse laid in plain sight as she got closer to the fence line, only a few more step’s.

Thunder rumbled loudly, she flinched at the sound but countied to run. She had stopped only twice to catch her breath, she couldn't let her mother down, she need to find her father, to safety.

Her strawberry blonde hair bit’s were sticking to her wet cheek’s. She held her hand at her hips as she stopped finally at the white fence. On the porch, her father sat on the swing, the rain pouring as he took in the sound’s.

Her mother’s word’s sound in her head, they don't like loud sounds, water was loud at the beach, maybe it’s loud now.

“Dadd-!” Her voice interrupted as a hand clamped down on her mouth. She struggled against the person that drugged her, her screams muffled as she desperately cried for her father.

“Quiet!” The voice snapped, she grunted elbowing her kidnapper in the gut, she bit into the finger of the stranger hard. He shouted in pain as he let go of her.

“Little brat!” He grumbled.

The man cladded in red is brought to the ground. Alice gasped in surprise as a blonde man held him to the ground, making repeated blows to the face. He turned looking over his shoulder at her.

“Alice, go!” Jake order’s, she nodded her head sprinting away. His green eyes darkened as he held the man by his shirt. Rain poured down on the both of them, soaking his black long sleeve shirt.

“Who the fuck are you?!” He questioned in fury, the man smirked up at him. He shouts as she punches him. “Who are you!?” He demanded once again.

He doesn't answer. Jake growls' shoving his head against the ground. “Where’s my wife?!” He demand’s.

The man gripped the handle of his blade pulling out. Jake gripped the man’s wrist redirecting his aim, he held one hand over his mouth as he stabbed him in the gut. His cries of agony muffled by him.

“Tell me where she is?!” Jake ordered. His teeth turned red as his smirk widened at his violence. His nose scrunched up as he twisted the blade.

“Tell me!” He fumed.He coughed, spitting blood straight up at him.

“Dead..silent..like us like you will be.” He gurgled through his attempts to laugh. Jake shook his head.

“Just you.” He declares. He coughed once more as his breath slowly became a wheeze before he finally exhaled. Jake wiped his face with the back of his hand, throwing off the blood onto the ground.

He got to his feet, he grunted as he ran back to the house. His boot’s heavy on the wood as he got inside the house.

“Daddy!” A small voice exclaimed.

she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, thunder rumbling louder outside. He sighed in relief, getting to his knees wrapping his arms around the little girl.

“Thank god you're okay.” He whispered into her ear, He panted, breathing heavily. Holding her as close to him as he could. Her wet hair draped across his neck, her little face wet from tears and rain.

“Alice.” He speaks up, her breath shake’s as he pulls away, he holds her shoulders gently.

“Are you hurt, did he hurt you?” He ask’s her, she shakes her head.

He brushed back a piece of her wet hair.” Alice.” He say’s softly, her green eye’s meet his.

“Where’s mommy?” He wonder’s. She began to pant looking at the screen door, his heart fell to his stomach. He blinked as the color drained from his face.

“Oh god..oh god.” He pant’s.He gets to his feet, only being stopped by a small hand gripping his.

“Don't go!” She exclaimed. He glanced between his daughter and the door. “Please.” She pleaded.

He inhaled deeply. “I won't.” He promised. He runs a hand through his hair, collecting his thoughts.

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” Jake sniff’s, taking her small hand in his leading her downstairs.

Alice’s expression remained bleak, the once happy five year old who had so much to show the world driven into silence. Not even her father playing with her in the bathtub, making funny noises, brought her out.

Jake didn't want to admit to himself but knew she had experienced something awful.

He pulled her blanket over her, staying next to her as she slowly fell asleep. The storm outside didn't settle down even as she slumped against his chest. Many things were running through his mind, like what had happened when he wasn't with them, why did these bastard’s come for his family, and where is his wife.

He slowly got out of the small twin size bed, placing the purple starry comforter back over her. Sleepy soundly, he walked out of the room quietly shutting the door behind him.

His breath shake’s as he walks down the steps to the living room.

He looked around the farmhouse, the fireplace cracking and popping, the rumble of thunder outside disrupting the coziness of the home. It felt empty, he felt empty, half of his heart was gone. It was his fault, he let her leave when he knew the danger of the world was the monster’s.

Not the monster’s who hunt for sport at just the sound of a twig snapping, the real monster’s who got the sick pleasure of destroying the lives of others.

He bends down on the floorboard, sliding away the board feeling around the cabinet below for the old wood handle. He grunt’s slowfully removing the remington rifle from the space, he opened the barrel to see it was still fully loaded since he found it.

The former pilot stand’s up, in a steady pace outside to the front porch.

Lightning cracks across the sky as the rain continues its rage against the earth. In one hand he held the gun in the other, the Jack Daniel's he was scolded for finding, he sits on the wooden chair.

Staring at the dirt road paved with sand to silence their step’s. Keeping her safe was all he had now, he wasn't gonna let anyone or anything take what he had left. Thunder rumbled across the setting spring sky, his finger on the trigger ready.

A snap of a branch bring’s him out, he stood to attention, cocking the gun. His breathing steady as his heart raced in his ears. His eyes trained on the dark road, a silhouette stumbled his way. Their hair is braided, wet and tangled. He could make out the shadow of a blade in their hand, and in the other a stuffed animal.

They limped closer, the lamp on the wood post illuminating a yellow and orange hue on their face. His green eyes widened in realization, he dropped the gun in a dash towards her.

She gasped in shock at the sudden impact of his embrace. The knife fell from her hand’s, her free one around his neck.

Piper’s chest heaved up and down, shivering from the cold. Salty tear’s mix with the earthy water that fell on them. He whispered in her ear a mixture of apologies.

“You were right.” She breathed out, he furrowed his brow. “Right about what?” He ask’s, his green eyes watered over.

“It rained.” She chuckled weakly, he shook his head, his laugh vibrating against her shoulder. “I hate that.” She admit’s with a small smile.

“You love it.” Jake whispered, she nodded against him.

"Get me inside, please.” Piper pleaded with him. He complied with her order’s, latching his arm’s under her as she went limp in exhaustion.

⏁⏁⏁

SHE SAT on her side of their bed, her damp hair draped over her gray tank top. Her body shivered even with his jacket on her, her shirt had become less of a beige color and more of dirty brown from the blood. 

“This is gonna sting.” He tells her, she wasn't used to being patched up, she usually did the first aid. He dabbed the alcohol soaked rag against her split knuckle. She could feel the multiple bruises growing on her body, and she knew for sure when thing’s cooled down she was more than likely gonna be sick. 

She grit her teeth. “Fuck.” Piper swear’s, the thunderstorm allowed them to talk, she was thankful for once for him to be right about the rain. 

He smirked. “Threw a hell of a punch.” Jake commented, her lips formed a thin line.

She tried not to think about what had happened. 

“Yeah, and got a bruised rib to add to it.” She chuckled weakly, he pulled out a bandage from her first aid bag. His calloused hands maneuvered with the roll, beginning to wrap the cloth around her hand. “I taught you well.” Piper say’s, he smirked.

“I'm a quick learner.” He reminds her, she sighed leaning her head back. 

“I don't doubt that Flyboy.” Her voice raspy, she sniffed. She gazed at his face, dried blood at the edge of nose, and furrowed her brow.

“Are you okay?” She ask’s. 

His green eyes looked up at her. “Are you really asking me that?” Jake wonder’s, her hand caressed his face, warm to the touch. 

“Did they fucking find you?” Piper demand’s from him, he looks down continuing to clean her up. 

“Jake.” She says, he blink’s looking back at her. She reached down, groaning as she pulled out alcohol wipes beginning to dab away the crimson. 

“You shouldn't be doing this for me.” He says. She shook her head. “Too bad, I am.” She says, holding his cheek with one hand. “Piper.” He says, she shook her head. “Doesn't seem broken.” She tells him. 

“Pip-”You should be careful wiping around here though.” She interrupts, he take’s both of his hands, removing her hand’s from his face, looking at her. 

“Please stop.” He pleaded with her, she exhaled in exhaustion. “I’m sorry.” Piper whisper’s, she leaned her forehead against. 

“God, I'm so tired.” She breathed out. She inhaled his scent as she hugged him.  “It’s okay.” He whispers as he wraps his arm around her as she closes her eye’s, her head slumped against his shoulder. Her skin was cold and damp as he lowered her back into their bed. He holds her close to him, not letting her go. The storm outside begins to die down becoming a drizzle, he leaned over her body, turning off the gas lamp that lit the entire room. 

A/N: HOLY..I Have no word's how did I pull this off this week.

NO PRESSURE Tagged: @cowboysandpilots @bobfloydssunnies @sugarcoated-lame @sorchathered @fairyheart @senawashere @swiftsgirlfriend @nouis-bum @pinkdaisies9285 @mamachasesmayhem @senawashere @cottagecori

[bigtreefest]

Chapter 2: Cooks in the Kitchen

From: The Rainmaker Series

Pairing: Mob! Steve x Forensic Scientist! Reader

Summary: Everyone hates a backseat driver. And a surprise guest when you’re not at your best.

Word count: 3,234

Content/warnings: TW: dead body and all you would expect in forensic science, I tried to make this not graphic, mentions of bruising, mentions of torture and abuse, sassy and borderline mean reader, awkward Steve who overthinks, reluctant? flirting, allusions to and mentions of murder

Author’s Note: For my dearly beloved @krirebr please know that you’re loved and appreciated by us all. I hope this helps, just a little bit. (Extra angsty, hopefully to your tastes)😘

What I’m gonna say is Decks seems very on edge compared to how she was before. Her guard came up out of ‘nowhere?’ Hm, that’s weird… or is it?

Anyway, these are Loupe glasses, if you’re wondering. They let you see tiny things up close and at a better angle.

Comments, reblogs, asks, and any feedback is so welcome and appreciated. Thank you for reading!

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

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After your weekend at the farm, Steve drove you home to return to your normal life. As much as you loved being out in the country, city life was definitely more your speed. You immediately went back to work and were happy to keep your busy routine going. Sure, a weekend away from screens and solvents was a breath of fresh air, but this was where you thrived.

Despite the way there were new, more outlandish cases to deal with, the days were surprisingly routine. Come in, visit a crime scene, run some tests, go home, do it again. You lived for that sort of zen. The detachment of simply putting your head down and getting to work was what you were used to, and then once you were home, it was like a sanctuary. You could lounge, pick up another hobby out of the thousand you’d already started, and crawl into your fresh sheets.

It’s not like you were entirely a hermit, though. You got along with your coworkers and would commonly joke around with them, but first and foremost, you were a proper worker, doing your job. When something really needed done, you’d lock down in the lab, music blasting, and crank out results.

Steve was the same way. He tried to keep his days as routine as possible, despite the way work brought something new everyday. Rival gangs needed monitored and law people needed bribed. Shipments and production needed to be kept on a tight schedule and up to pace with increasing demand.

There wasn’t much time for it, but he’d found certain images and memories start to take hold in his mind. They were different from the grade school ones of Bucky, or his times learning the ropes of his trade, or the first suit he’d ever worn. They were new, they were…warm? Lacked that same rigidity? They were of you. Driving his car effortlessly, petting a baby goat as it bleated happily, teaching him to dance…small, little moments that he couldn’t let go of, but he didn’t have time to replay enough.

He did his best to stay proper in his business dealings. Steve was known for his gentlemanly demeanor, truly a golden boy of the underground, or…at least as much of one as an individual could be given the legality loopholes he was constantly trying to jump through.

On the outside, he was smooth as a beach. Fluid with the crashes of waves this industry threw at him. He’d gotten good at rolling with the punches without a single blond hair out of place. But inside? It was a hurricane. The wind raged and echoed in his ears, putting him on edge. It was sensory overload.

Everyday, he found his attention wanting to wander more and more to that simpler time, not romanticizing it for the lack of pressing responsibility, but for the fact he spent genuine moments with someone who was unlike those in his world. Unlike the men so obsessed with maintaining their place on top or squashing others to get there. They were all about the money, but you were working for the people, and for the betterment of the city. To solve cases and give peace to families. And Steve knew he was all too often on the other side of that, even if he prided himself on only taking out the worst of the worst. The ones who deserved it. They were the ones endangering women and children, who to him, were the distastefully vulnerable and undeserving of wrath, despite the fates they were met with from the awful men Steve rid the world of. He wasn’t breaking his set of morals and rules, he was just breaking the law sometimes. Steve was a good man, he just happened to make his living doing bad things.

He didn’t have time to reflect on that right now, though. Things had seriously picked up in recent weeks. Bucky was soon to return, but it didn’t help that Steve felt like Lloyd was unrelentingly on their asses. Leading the organization when it came to the normal stuff was fine, but the extra protections Bucky was making him run, along with the extensive research and monitoring was already taking its toll. Steve was used to a lack of sleep, he basically lived on adrenaline and black coffee, but another night where he was fielding calls and sending out directives without a wink was causing his emotional guard to fall.

It was early morning as Steve sat at his desk. He’d ordered Sam to head out hours ago, but as the sun was cresting over the horizon, not even that searing glow could keep Steve’s tired mind at bay. The levees against the flood were weakened beyond belief. The hurricane was about to make landfall.

Just then, the phone rang. It was one of his contacts down at the police station. That wasn’t new, but the specific news was and Steve wanted to be there in person to get every bit of information he could... and perhaps catch a glimpse at the one person who could scratch that new itch in his brain. Maybe, finally, at least he could catch a nap in the car, as Steve called Gio to drive him over.

Over the couple weeks you’ve been back, you couldn’t help the way your mind wandered constantly, either. Even your favorite playlist couldn’t keep you on track, so you opted for silence, the scenes replaying of your time on the farm doing plenty to help you block out your surroundings.

You were working on a particularly difficult case currently. There was no time for distractions. The overcast sky just added to the ambiance of the feeling that something unusual was looming over you. You pulled yourself out of your thoughts, along with the keys from the ignition, and took a deep breath, letting it out sharply to get yourself ready. When you’d gotten out of the SUV and to the crime scene, Detective Lang greeted you.

“So I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

He guided you along the River walk and down the rocky shore where a victim laid, waves still lapping over her feet as photographers and cops gathered around the scene, surveying it for evidence. A small crowd had gathered along the pathway, held back by barricades and uniformed officers. At least you were here before the news crews.

“Bad news first, always. You know that.” You spoke with a purpose, slipping on your gloves after pushing up the sleeves of your department-issued windbreaker and cuffing your pants so they wouldn’t get wet.

“So far, looks like it was blunt force trauma with a side of torture. Very little evidence to go off of, especially considering there are no open wounds and the tools used for this kinda thing could be in any household.”

You crouched down by the body and immediately took note of the bruising. You hummed in acknowledgement and looked back up at the detective, his head framed by the cloudy, gray sky, the rising sun now hidden. Fitting for a tragedy like this. A woman your age subjected to that sort of an ending…

“And the good news?”

He sighed, looking up at the sky, hands on his hips, before he dropped his head back down towards you.

He winced. “Body’s fresh? Disposal doesn’t appear very well thought-out.”

You nodded and looked around for any piece of evidence that hadn’t washed away. He was right, it was gonna be difficult to pull many testable elements.

“Well, I’ll do the usual work-up, then, and let you know when you’re good to get everything over to the medical examiner.”

He curtly nodded and turned on his heel to speak with the witnesses before you began to pull out your kit, swabbing for anything of note.

After you finished collecting everything you could, you carefully slipped back through the background and away from the slew of reporters now blanketing the scene. Ugh, you hated those block heads. Especially Lucas Bell, the weird little ray of sunshine you went to school with growing up. For some reason, he thought the two of you were actually friends, despite never having even given him the signal you appreciated his presence. The worst part: you could tell he wasn’t hitting on you. He would genuinely seek you out at crime scenes, that gross happy smile on his face, calling you by the birth name almost no one used anymore in favor of your college nickname. Every time, it was, “hey, remember me, old pal? Great to see you! Any information you’re willing to share?” Who the hell was so chipper when their job was literally to report tragedies?

You bobbled your head as you mocked him to yourself and got back into your work SUV. Ugh, you hated that guy. And all the other reporters. You didn’t wanna be on camera. What if you wanted to work for the FBI one day? Huh? What then? Can’t have your face out there all willy nilly and then expect to be doing covert ops. Nope. You prepared to race back to the precinct, ready to drown yourself in an afternoon of attempting to suck evidence out of a cotton swab caked in river grime and essentially, air, if you could count that as evidence.

You drove back through the pouring rain. Another thing to be annoyed by. First, the longing for your simple weekend once again, then the intrusive thoughts about annoying little reporters, and now, the near-flooding on the roads. You could hear her in your head now, Bee saying “rain makes corn. It’s a good thing.” You rolled your eyes, to be honest, you liked the rainy atmosphere, but you know what rain also makes? Bad drivers. At this point, it was just best to get back to the lab, buckle down, and stay there, where no one could possibly bother you.

You were hours in to your intensive testing. Your spectrometry readings gave the smallest peaks, hard to say if the readings actually were something or just background noise. You were happy to put in the time, but something just felt…off. It was infuriating and not helping your mood, but you tried your best to keep it separated from work. It wasn’t perfect, but it was your best. Another small thing going wrong could push you over the edge, though.

You opted to just look at a small fabric sample, deciphering if there truly was some thread of note caught in the weave. You just needed to concentrate and you knew you could find something. You were purely focused and zoomed in, using your Loupe glasses, paired with several lamps overhead, with the highest hopes of even a shred of confirma-

“Decks? More like Specks.”

The sudden voice that echoed through the lab startled you, causing your head to shoot up and bump against one of the metal lamps.

“Ow!” At that same time, the forceps and piece of fabric flew out of your hands and onto the floor. It didn’t help that you knocked into your instrument tray on the way, sending all those onto the floor, as well.

Great, now you had to go to the stock room to find a new package of sterile ones. This was the last set left in the lab. You looked up from where you watched the evidence fall, rubbing your forehead with the back of your gloved hand, eyes narrow at the business man in a suit who was previously leaned against your doorway, now tentatively walking towards you to crouch on the ground.

“Steve, what the hell?” You trailed off for a second. “You and Bee really do have the same sense of humor. I thought she just told me that as a selling point.” It came out as an irritated growl. You rolled your eyes as you squatted down to start cleaning your mess.

Steve laughed. Selling point? Bee talked to you about him? And tried to make him appealing? He wasn’t sure why, but he felt a certain warmth in his stomach at that. He pushed it down as much as he could. Either way, he truly did get along well with her.

“Well you know what they say, birds of a feather and all.” He joined you near the floor after having grabbed a glove, picking up some stray instruments and placing them back in the metal holding tray.

You muttered lowly as you finally stood up and turned away from him, after grabbing the fabric off the floor gingerly and placing it in a plastic protective case. “More like wasps of a stinger.”

Steve disposed of his gloves and looked over the results on your computer. You quickly hit the keys to lock the screen, sure to cast him a nasty glare. The last thing you needed was to get accused of leaking evidence.

What was he doing here, anyway? With those broad shoulders and that skinny waist. What did he even need shoulders that big for? How did he even shop for clothes? You swear his waist was literally the same circumference as your thigh. They don’t carry stuff like that in department stores.

Steve looked at you with a confused glance as you removed your gloves and washed your hands. There was a hint of humor in his voice, but it was mostly filled with caution at your attitude.

“Um, I don’t really shop for clothes? I’ve got a tailor. He’s pretty good.”

After your hands were dry, you facepalmed harder than ever before. You couldn’t believe you said that out loud. Maybe you did need to interact with more people outside of work. You were too comfortable talking to yourself. You took a deep breath before turning around and looking at Steve again. His face now mostly held tentative kindness, and that was a nice change to the anger that was sitting in your belly all day today. You still couldn’t help what you spat back, though.

“You have a tailor? In this economy? Of course you do…rich prick.” The last part was grumbled under your breath, but Steve still caught it. Where was this hostility coming from? He thought the two of you had gotten along great before. What changed?

Steve’s hurt caused him to fire back, albeit much nicer than you had. “You’re calling me rich? Decks, I’ve seen your apartment, it’s nice. Especially for this city. Way nicer than my first place.”

First off, what was that supposed to mean? You were still suspicious about exactly what Steve and Bucky did for a living. You knew they made a lot of money. Steve wore designer suits, if he could help it, and you assumed Bucky did, as well, but what business did they have being this built?

You let go of that, though, wanting to just get back to work after the disturbance, but why had you been disturbed in the first place?

“Steven, what are you doing in my lab?”

He was taken aback. Woah, full names. He knew your full name, but didn’t dare to find out what would become of him if he used it. It didn’t seem like many did. He wanted to go about this the right way. He didn’t want abuse his delicate position as a friend of a friend when you were so close to the law…yet.

He stood upright and pressed his shoulders back. Right, he was here on business. He had to remember that. It wasn’t a personal call and he had to stay professional.

“I was actually meeting with Scott, er, Detective Lang. He called me about the new case that came in this morning.”

You nodded slowly. “You knew her?”

Why did that make you nervous? Of course Steve knew women, like, duh, but something burning rose in your chest in anticipation of his response. Why did you care? You didn’t even want him here. Right?

He shook his head lightly. “No…well, sort of? She was an employee of one of my businesses. A salon.”

One of his businesses, of course. A salon was…interesting… but you guessed not out of the question with how perfect his stupid perfect hair always was. Whatever, just because he was here for some questioning, doesn’t mean he had to pay you a visit.

“Okay…so why did you come in here?”

You looked up at him from the odds and ends you were shuffling around your work bench out of nervousness.

“I actually wanted to see you, maybe help out a little?”

You eyed him skeptically, ignoring the way your chest sent a tingle down towards your fingertips. “You know when someone offers to keep close to a case like that, it usually means they had something to do with it, right?”

Steve put his hands up in surrender. “I swear this wasn’t me. I just genuinely care for my employees. Did you check under the fingernails? Maybe there was some DNA there or something?”

Your gaze became even more burning towards him. “Yes, Steven. I checked under the nails. That’s like, the first thing you do in cases like this. But why would you know that, anyway? And how can you say you care so much about your employees if you didn’t even know the girl?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. He was usually much smoother than this. How did you intimidate him so much so suddenly. Oh no…Is that where the name ‘Decks’ came from? Were you gonna hit him? Deck him? Did you have a pension for beating guys up? If he made a wrong move, would you literally punch him? Give him a black eye? Sure, much worse had happened to him before, but he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to emotionally recover if the damage came from you.

Either way, Steve didn’t want to find out, so he continued quite cautiously and uncomfortable within your domain, lacking the confidence that came so easily to him in all his usual business dealings and the quasi-leadership role he found himself in.

“I um…I watch a lot of CSI shows?” He hoped that was believable, but he knew it came out like a squeak, almost. He may as well be a little kid losing fights in a back alley again. He cleared his throat in an attempt to get his voice back to normal. “I do care for my employees, though. And my reputation, and the ability to make sure nothing like this happens again to anyone involved with me.”

You sighed at that. You can understand the want to prevent future disasters, especially when it came to someone working so low at the bottom of the food chain for such a major company. As you slipped your Loupe glasses back on and readjusted your lamps, you gestured for Steve to take a seat in your computer chair while you moved to a stool by the lab bench.

“Okay, fine. I’ll let you hang around, but don’t tell me how to do my job.”

You couldn’t help the way the corner of your lip turned up, just out of Steve’s sight, as he strutted over and plopped down into the rolly chair, watching you with a smile and his fingers laced behind his head.

Next >

Bonus A/N: I’m very excited for what’s going to grow between Steve and Decks. She’s a lil independent thing and he’s just so “idk what to do bc I’m supposed to be in control but I’m doing everything on her terms” and I love it. Lmk what you think!!!

Series Taglist:

@evie-119

[sugarsnappeases]

am i. am i hearing u right. scamandercest?? elaborate pls id love to know more

yes you are indeed hearing me right!!!!! and i would absolutely love to elaborate!!!!!

i think it's a classic case of 'the implications are there', particularly in the third fantastic beasts film. but i like to think that they grew up in a big kinda farm-style household out in the country. a small, cosy cottage with a lot of land surrounding it, just the two of them and their parents and an array of creatures. i like to think that newt spent a lot of time running around and crawling under bushes and wading through the pond looking for said creatures and theseus spent a lot of time running after him and teaching him how to climb trees safely and helping him w his various projects.

i think with their age gap. that theseus is very much an Older Brother, but also that newt has always had a lot of independence. like i think that when theseus goes to hogwarts, newt obvs misses him loads but he has his creatures and he isn't all that lonely even if he's mostly alone. but when newt goes to hogwarts (once theseus has already graduated), theseus HATES IT SO MUCH. SO SO MUCH. even if he's like. fully an adult now and starting his auror training and maybe moving out of the cottage, he always comes back and stays during newt's holidays. he can't stand being in that place when newt's not there but he equally can't stand not being there when newt IS there.

i also think, however, that the main incestuous stuff happens when they're much older. i talked a bit (blathered on somewhat derangedly) the other day about them and leta in the summer after newt and leta's graduation, having an awkward threesome. i think that's the first time anything like physically incestuous happens. and i've since learnt!! that newt actually did go into the ministry for a bit after hogwarts and jen and i were just saying that it was probs the calmest time of theseus' life. like he can have both the people he loves (newt&leta) close to him and safe and i think during this time they all basically live together in that cottage (idk what i want to happen to their parents... will have to ponder them more at some point) but there's a lot of kinda fumbling, not-really-a-relationship but they're all very much in love mess going on there. and they're happy. and it's easy but not forever bc in the end newt can't do it!!!!

he can't stand the bureaucracy of it all. he must be freeeeee. and he's always wanted to travelll and he gets this chance to write 'fantastic beasts' and he takes it and he goes and theseus is trying to hold onto himmm but he'd never try and stop him from going bc he wants newt happy as much as he wants him safe and near. so then there's the separation. and things are strained. and theseus wants him to come home so bad. and he and leta move out of the cottage too. and they get engaged. and newt is meant to be best man. and it's all very tense and they're all a little bit miserable. and then it (the incest) all Properly Kicks Off after leta dies. bc they have no one else left!!!!!!!!!

they have no one else left!!!!!! and theseus has given up on trying to get newt to join the ministry again but he's still determined to protect his younger brother and like. the third film. the entirety of the third film is craaaaazy actually. theseus literally follows newt everywhere and does whatever newt asks him to do, and it's not no-questions-asked bc he's asking questions the whole time but there's never any question about whether or not he would do it. pretty much the only time he's not trailing around after newt is when he gets fucking kidnapped. and then newt comes to SAVE HIM!!! and there's no question about that either. like obviously newt goes to save him. and they hold hands and jen and i screamed. anyway. it's obvious (to me) that they're basically living in each other's pockets. they're both slightly miserable and grieving but they're doing it together and they have each other and they love each other so much and they're sooooo brothers but they're also sooooooo fucking and it makes me insane!!!!!!!!!!

[cowgurrrl]

I just got back from a country/western themed birthday party and they had some chickens at the house so I was taking some of the little kids back there and I can't stop thinking about Joel and reader owning a couple of chickens and showing charlie how to care for them 🥹🥹 or even Ellie because we know that girl loves anything that breathes. the country fit I had and vibe were not what I needed to help my maladaptive daydreaming but anyway sjdbdhdbs do you think they'd lean more into the farm life later on??

Oh totally!! More under the cut because my Texas heart is SWOON with this idea

The idea totally comes from Joel at first, especially because of his dream to have a sheep ranch, and he's also a Southern Gentleman™️, so I think he would totally posit the idea first. Maybe Ellie's been helping around the stables more often, or Charlie is getting bigger and wanting to know more about the world around her. Whatever the reasoning, you somehow end up with four chickens all named after different punk artists— Blondie, Jayne, Lou, and Joan— who live in a coop on your property. Joel and Ellie show Charlie how to feed the chickens and love on them, and she gets especially close to Blondie. She mostly wants to pet the chickens more than anything, but she has fun, and it teaches her responsibility. Not to mention, watching Joel get into Dad Mode is one of your favorite things to watch. He crouches down to Charlie's level and explains things to her before popping up to help Ellie carry heavy bags of chicken feed. He transitions between the girls' needs seamlessly.

He'd also start LEANING hard into his country roots. The boy no doubt grew up on the greats of country music— Tia Blake, Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Dolly, Joan Baez, Tucker Zimmerman, Hank Williams, ALL OF IT (can you tell I love a specific era of country music?) Whenever people come through town, he tries to look for old records or cassettes to put in Ellie's walkman but most of the time he relies on his memory and his guitar. He'd also get himself a cowboy hat if he didn't have one already. You and Ellie are the first ones to tease him about it but it starts to grow on you after a while.

"Hey, cowboy!" You'd yell from the porch, and he'd look up from where he's working on the coop, cowboy hat on his head, to see you standing there with a glass of water. "I don't need you dying of dehydration. Come take a break." And he'd look between you and what he's working on before finally getting up, mumbling, "yes, ma'am." He'd take the water from you and drink it way too fast, and you can't help but admire the shine of his skin in the sun, the way his muscles look against his shirt, and just how fucking hot he looked.

"Didn't your mama ever tell you it was rude to stare?" He'd ask, putting the glass down and grabbing your waist to pull you close.

"Oh, would you prefer if I went inside and didn't watch my incredibly sexy husband install extra fencing around his daughter's chicken coop?"

"Oo, incredibly sexy?" He'd ask. "It's the hat, ain't it?"

"It's a good thing I didn't marry you for your fashion choices," you'd tease. "But, you do look pretty handsome in it, cowboy." He'd kiss you, and for a moment, you'd be in your own little world before Charlie is tugging on your dress.

"Mama, can we get a cow?!" She'd ask, and you'd give Joel a look that says look what you've done but he'd just laugh, scoop Charlie in his arms, and take her down to the coop to see her best friend, Blondie the chicken (and yes, Blondie the chicken does have some rockin' Debbie Harry hair why else would Charlie be in love with her)

[ell-arts]

What's your head cannons

Hmm... I've got plenty, tho they might change over time. I’ll just name a few for now.

(Warning: most of these are quite dark.)

For the Pac-squad:

Pac suffered from anxiety and panic attacks in his childhood. It’s gotten better during high-school because ghost-fighting has boosted his confidence, but he still occasionally gets anxious thoughts from time to time. He doesn’t open up about them because he knows it will worry people (Spheria used to lose sleep over worrying about him in his childhood when said panic attacks were haunting him, he doesn’t want a repeat of that)

Spiral has a hidden talent for art (as was kinda evident in Easter Egg Island, coming from a family of painters who decorate Easter eggs and ornaments for a living) but he’s neglected the practice of his talent in favour of learning a bit of music instead, i.e the harmonica.

Cyli can play the guitar, and quite decently so. She was taught by her Granny. As she grew up though, she fell out of the hobby because she didn’t feel a big enough passion for it to pursue it. She is closer with her grandmother than with her parents.

Elli is, in many ways, an anime geek. Perhaps even a bit of a weeb. She used to enjoy watching several anime series on end, but growing up with a strict mother, she eventually dropped her hobbies to focus more on living up to her mother’s expectations. (It didn’t stop her from sneaking in some screen-time every now and then, tho)

It’s never shown, but I’d like to think that Elli and Cyli became the best of friends after a while. They became an iconic Girl Duo as counterparts to Pac and Spiral’s bromance.

For the triple B’s:

Betrayus’ birth name is Trayus Rotundin Spheros. He changed it to Betrayus Sneakerus Spheros in an act of rebellion and for taking pride in how he sneakily betrayed Pacopolis by leading the revolt against it. 

Butt-ler used to be a sweetheart in his past life, but a troubled family, serving in the war, and serving as Betrayus’ servant has numbed him out of any optimistic feelings, leaving him a numb, sarcastic and empty husk of who he once was.

Dr Buttocks had psychotic and evil-scientist tendencies as early as the age of 12.

The Butt-twins grew up in separate countries after their parents divorced: Butt-ler grew up in Pac-England with his mother while Dr Buttocks grew up in Pac-Germany with his father. Hence the different accents. 

For the Ghost Gang:

Inky was a DJ in his past life. He wanted to pursue a career in sound-engineering, but then he got recruited in the war.

Blinky became a Pac-Fu Master early on in his life, and by the time the war rolled around he was a bit out of touch with his teachings. He partook in the war for a bit and went through a phase where he had a lot of internal conflict over it all, since the war went against everything that Pac-Fu stood for. He only fully realised his mistake when he died and became a ghost. Afterwards, he took some time alone to reconnect with his Pac-Fu teachings, but it did little to bring back his peace.

Clyde grew up on a carrot farm before he and his family were victim to the war. Their land was seized by Betrayus’s forces and Clyde and his siblings were forced to fight for him.

Pinky came from a wealthy family, and her family was one of many who supported Betrayus financially in the war. But when the war turned brutal and some of Betrayus’ plans and true intentions came to light, her family ceased their support for him. In return, the family mansion was bombed, killing all who lived in it.

Despite having a lot of dreams and aspirations in their lifetimes, the Ghost Gang can not remember much of what happened in their past lives before they died. Or how they died. (They assumed that they were just body-stripped like the rest of Betrayus’s army)

For ghosts in general:

Ghosts can't age anymore due to being technically dead. If a ghost died at the age of 19, then they will mentally stay 19 for the rest of their afterlives. 

Usually, when a pac-person dies, then their spirit either goes to heaven or hell. But since it is assumed that all of the ghosts in the Netherworld died via abnormal means (body-stripping, or just death against their will), then their spirits are in limbo in the Netherworld because they’re stuck between the realms of good and evil. While the Netherworld itself may be quite a hellish place, I’d like to think its a place where spirits with ‘unfinished business’ are given a chance to reconcile or come to terms with their deaths to the point where their souls will eventually move on to the realm in which they belong. (I mean this will explain why we don’t see dead relatives of the protagonists coming out of the Nether to say hello to their families lol) (also explains why Betrayus is still around because he’s a salty b*tch who won’t go down without dragging everyone else down with him)

Ghosts have poor senses. Their sight and hearing is generally good, but their sense of touch and taste is quite poor, if not entirely non-existent. This is in line with them technically being dead. (“You know, when you get real tastebuds, the uh, roaches don’t seem so fresh” - Inky, from No Body Knows)

[2braincellslz]

Eddie or Billy with a southern reader who's teaching them to line dance, yes just yes

Southern Dance

Ship: Eddie Munson x Gn!reader

Desc: eddie is stubborn but weak to y/n. So, when y/n wants to teach him how to dance, he cant say no.

Not proofread.

Y/n grew up in the south. The whole nine yards sort of speaks. A small farm with many different kinds of farm animals. Some form of party during the weekends at the big red barn down the street. Horse riding. Mama's home cooked meal. And dancing. 

Boy from Y/n's family loves dancing. At the parties, they were always the best on the floor. Line dance, square dance, swing, two steps, and a little bit of waltz. Y/n knew it all.

Their life was perfect. Y/n wouldn't trade it for the world. So, you can imagine their displuser when Y/n´s parents sold the farm, all the animals too, and moved into a trailer park. A bloody trailer park. 

They had a house and a farm and friends, and now they live in a trailer park. 

It wasn't all bad though, some people in the park were quite nice. They were very welcoming folk. Y/n mourned not being able to go to those parties, but Y/n still would take their free time to do a little shimmy in their (very small) room. 

y/n liked the school. They liked how it didn't take hours to get there. Y/n liked their new friends that were quick to take in the new kid. Y/n liked the silly game they roped them into. y/n liked their time with their nabor, Max, who was trying to teach Y/n how to skate. But, most of all, Y/n adored that lovely Dm, as they called him.

Eddie Munson. A heavy metal enthusiast. A very creative guy. A very sweet man. 

After about a week in school, Y/n started hitching rides from Eddie. He would ramble on about the going ons in the rock world or DMing or school while Y/n listened carefully. 

On Fridays, when Eddies and Y/n´s gardens were both at work, they would crash at Eddie's trailer. Watching movies, eating snacks, what not. Sometimes, they would just chill out and listen to music on Eddie's bed.

Tonight was one of those Friday nights. Y/n was laying on Eddie's bed and Eddie was sitting on the floor.

¨wanna pick the next song?¨ Eddie asked, looking up at Y/n.

¨I have my own cassette with me, if you don't mind me playing that?¨ Y/n sat up, reaching over for their book bag. They grabbed it and unzipped the front pocket, pulling out a closet full of country dance music. 

¨its not country, right?¨ eddie asked. He watched as Y/n stepped over him and squated infront of the speaker. 

¨bluegrass.¨ Y/n corrected him.

Y/n pulled out the rock caset and replaced it with their music. Dance music quickly replaced the heavy metal. 

¨Its is country!¨ Eddie groaned, flopping on the floor. ¨turn it off! My ears! Its killing my ears!¨

Y/n rolled their eyes, getting up and going over to Eddie. They stood over him with their hands on their hips. ¨get up, im going to teach you how to dance.¨

y/n had to pull Eddie up on his feet. Eddie flopped on to Y/n, leaning in to them. 

¨you cant make me! It would break the code!¨ 

¨what code?¨

¨the code of metal! Im not allowed to enjoy country!¨ 

¨get up! Humor me a bit!¨

Eddie whined but stood up straight. 

¨ok, now. Stand with your feet together and follow what i do.¨

Y/n steped out to the right, then crossed their leg behind the right one, taking another step. Y/n looked over to Eddie, watching his copy.

Y/n took another step then stood with their feet back together. Eddie copyed.

The pair repeated the steps back to the left. 

Then a step forward. Then another step forward. Then another step forward with their left foot. 

Y/n showed eddie the next step and Eddie followed to the best of his ability. There was a bit of stumbling, ofcoures, but the laughter and joy that filled the room made up for Eddies awful dancing skills.

They ran through the whole dance one or two more times, slowly getting faster with each attempt. 

¨now, at tempo. Do you think you are ready?” y/n asked.

“I was born ready!” y/n rolled their eyes, turning up the music.

Eddie and Y/n followed the steps one last time, with minimal fumbling.

“See! See i told you i was born ready!” Eddie smiled wide, ear to ear. He flopped on to his bed, pumping his firsts in to the air as a silent victory. 

“What happened to the code? Not being able to enjoy southern music?” Y/n asked, sitting next to their friend.

“Code smode. The code dosnt matter!” eddie threw his arm over his eyes.

“You are terrible.” y/n layed down.

“You love me.” 

“sadly.”

[jeizet]

do you have any hcs about the dragon or royal aus you have for kagihira?

OH BOY?! IF I DO?!

Enjoy the reading.

Royal AU (Prince! Hirano x Knight! Kagiura)

It was his family's tradition that pushed Kagiura Akira toward the path of becoming a knight. His brother is a trainer for the new batch of knights in training, his father served as a general, and his grandparent was the personal knight of the late king. Thankfully, Kagiura embraced being a knight and enjoyed the training at a young age.

Hirano takes a lot of pride in being a prince, he wants to do his best the moment he steps as a king and supports his country and people to grow.

It took years for Kagi to realize he is in love with Hirano. Once he noticed his own feelings, he realized that maybe he loved him since the moment he saw his smile.

Kagi's family owns a farm, but his little sisters make the best paper in town. He "gifts" that paper to Niibashi—the royal artist— in exchange for an art piece of the prince, most of the time they are sketches, but if Niibashi feels in a good mood he will make a full tiny paint for him.

Kagi doesn't know how to read or write so Hirano reads him his favorite books because Kagi begs him to, knowing the prince loves the idea of sharing his passions with someone. After a while, Kagi starts learning how to read by memorizing some words, and after his prince compliments him he asks him to teach him to read more—only because he wants more compliments from his prince—.

Kagi was the strongest from his batch when he joined and became popular, so popular that older knights started sparring with him. The curious prince always watches Kagiura's amazing sparring sessions from his studio, even before they were friends.

Kagi becomes obsessed with his prince's cologne, after a particularly long mission he had. The prince sent letters scented with his cologne.

Kagi started sending scented letters and his prince asked him to stop on the next letter—he realized himself since Kagiura never told him about him scenting the letters—, telling him how he liked the smell of his old letters. The knight thought the prince disliked the cologne... but the prince likes the knight's smell as well.

Niibashi teaches Kagi how to dance so he can impress the prince during a ball... only for Kagi to be a naturally good dancer.

When Hirano goes to the palace library often, since the library is open to anyone he met the local baker Sasaki... he caught him reading gay porn and was surprised when he didn't even try to deny it. Later on, he admitted he was reading it because he caught the cute librarian reading it, Hirano asked where those books were so he could tell his knight to avoid that section(since the knight usually chose books with pretty covers so they could practice).

After meeting the Prince, Kagiura's sole mission became to be strong enough to stay next to the prince's side for the rest of his life. Admitting it in front of the Prince after they were fighting about a line of a book.

Hirano: "But it's so sad! It doesn't make sense! why would he wish to die alone?! How can you get it?!"

Kagiura: "Dying alone IS sad my prince! What the sir is talking about is how he would prefer to die alone than not to be by the deathbed of his loved ones! that's what he means by 'I wish nothing more than for the seats of my funeral to be empty'!"

Hirano: "But then who would hold him on his deathbed?! Wouldn't you feel alone if you had no one's hand to hold?"

Kagiura: "Maybe, but I would be content. I want to promise my mother that I will live happily, thank my dad and brother for what they taught me; tell my older sister not to worry, that I will protect her daughter; tell my little sisters the things I never told them; I want to hold YOUR hand, and make you feel protected until your end!"

Hirano: "...I swear I will live longer than you..."

Kagiura: "...! ...I can't wait to see if that's true."

Dragon AU headcanon and ideas (Dragon! Hirano x King! Kagiura)

Hirano can make his body parts as dragon-like as he wants, the ears, scales, tail, and horns are a personal preference but he always has a long tongue, long nails, and long hair. Both his nails and hair can be trimmed but they grow incredibly fast and will go back to extreme length if he turns dragon and goes back to being human.

They met because Hirano was stealing from his treasure room as a tiny lizard... he thought he was being sneaky but Kagi was actually stopping all his servants from interrupting him because it was so cute

Niibashi: "But sir! Those are the people's money too!"

Kagiura: "We will up the taxes if needed"

Niibashi: "Sir!"

Kagiura: "Don't worry... I will only up the taxes for the rich."

Hirano chirps when he is happy.

Hirano can change sizes, he can be a tiny lizard that fits in Kagi's palm with little wings, or a big dragon. This doesn't affect how his body works.

Hirano has fire breath and it makes his body really warm, Kagi loves holding him during winter but is insufferable during summer... Hirano will cuddle him nonetheless.

Hirano will randomly go to Kagi and settle down on his lap all cat-like. This is amazing when he is a tiny dragon but Kagi would like Hirano to care about how humans don't randomly sit on other human's lap and cling like a Koala. He cares so little that he genuinely doesn't realize he is in human form sometimes so he also:

gets into the bath with Kagi

is naked in front of Kagi

Sleeps with Kagi

Is fed by Kagi

Licks Kagi to show affection

Bites him jokingly

Hirano calls Kagi "King" or "My King" because Kagi has become part of his treasures; while Kagi calls him "Majesty", "your Majesty" or his name (in private) because he would never dare to call a mighty dragon "his". Hirano also calls him that to make Kagi look more powerful in front of him people, he likes Kagi to be seen as "The king who owns a dragon" although Kagi very much dislikes people to think he "owns" Hirano—he likes that  Hirano likes it tho—. More than once Hirano went into his dragon form because someone was being disrespectful, not really to threaten them but to show how powerful Kagi "supposedly" is. Because Kagi would ask him to stop and Hirano would, it makes him look like he tamed the dragon.

After Hirano started to act as the "King's pet" other royals wanted to buy his scales for jewelry, only for them to be banned from Kagi's kingdom.

If you make Hirano blush hard enough, actual steam will come out of his mouth.

If he sneezes, fire will come out his nose, this is cute by itself but is even cuter in his tiny lizard form.

Kagi teaches Hirano what "kisses" are. They were in Kagiura's studio and Hirano randomly sat on his lap, Kagiura was so tired he started caressing Hirano's back without realizing it, he noticed when Hirano started chirping softly, and in a moment of delusion, he went and kissed him on the shoulder... Hirano stood still for a second and then he rested his head on Kagi's shoulder and Kagi took it as a sign to keep giving him kisses, making Hirano chirp louder. Kagi stopped when his shoulder started to ache because it was getting burned by Hirano's sighs.

Hirano—as a "reptile"— has breeding seasons; he used to become territorial and aggressive of Kagiura's treasures and stayed in the treasure room. But after the kisses session they had he became clingy and kinda territorial; but instead of being territorial of the riches that Kagi has, he is territorial of Kagi himself not letting him leave the room. During the first week, Kagi did not move from his bed because Hirano didn't let him. The moment Kagi tried to leave Hirano turned into a whole ass dragon (slightly smaller to fit the room), grabbed him, threw him on the bed ("gently"), and turned into a little lizard to lay on his chest.

[orc3dprint]

Rest in peace

You created many stories, but the one we all know you for, Dragon Ball, had touched so many people around the world.

You told a story about a young boy with a curious tail, going on many adventures, gathering friends a long the way.

And you created a community, and connected countries together. Across oceans, borders, and languages, you brought us all together for the love of one wild child from space.

People outside of that tend to think of Dragon Ball as "the anime where they scream to get stronger", but all of those who love your work, know that it's a story about family and friendship.

While silly, gross, and even violent at times, it's a wonderful story, that has had a really effect on our world.

When I think of you, and when I think of Dragon Ball, I think of that last meeting of Goku and Grandpa Gohan. It's a story I first saw years and years ago, but to this day I cannot watch it without crying.

The way you wrote a kind old grandpa, who loves his grandson, reminds me so much of my own grandfather.

You never met me or him, but my grandpa lived for the out doors, and adventure.

I grew up listening to his stories about riding a small motorcycle across America with his brother on the back. Hearing about how to live off the land, what it was like being on a merchant ship, sailing the ocean.

Until he was 90 years old, he lived in Africa, traveling and teaching and learning about substantial farming.

He said he did everything there was to do in life, except parachuting, because he said there was no need to jump out of a perfectly good plane.

When I watch that episode of Goku seeing Grandpa Gohan for the last time, a part of me feels like I get to see my grandpa again. It makes my cry, it makes me happy, and it makes me sad.

You had no way of knowing this, but Grandpa Gohan is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me.

Thank you for your work, you truly were a wonderful person, and will be missed across the globe

Rest in peace Akira Toriyama

[balteren]

{luke thompson, 34, cismale, he/him} We are so glad to see you safe, COMMONWEALTH REPRESENTATIVE VISCOUNT MAXIMILIEN GAUTHIER of FRANCE! It’s dangerous out in the world these days, but I hear that you are JOVIAL and DAUNTLESS enough to handle it. Just don’t let your RESTLESSNESS bring you down! Stay on your guard, because with your secret being at risk for exposure, you wouldn’t want everyone to find out YOU ADVISED AND COUNSELED THE REBELS, AND WHEN THE RECKONING CAME THEY SPARED YOU. {amy, 24, PST, she/her, n/a}

Name: viscount maximilien gauthier Aliases: max  Country: france Gender/Pronouns: cismale, he/him Sexual/Romantic Orientation: bisexual, biromantic Age: 34 Occupation: commonwealth representative  Faceclaim: luke thompson Inspiration: courfeyrac (les miserables), tom wambsgams (succession), fox mulder (the x-files), poe dameron (star wars)  Loyalties: the french rebels, the french people  Pets: a dog named plumet  tldr; Maximilien is a ‘former’ revolutionary that will do anything in his power to start a revolution in France. He can often be found roaming the grounds with his dog, writing in the library, or taking himself to the theatre. He is extremely good-natured and pleasant with most nobility, but is easily annoyed by anyone royal. Unafraid to speak his mind, Max is liable to get into squabbles, and he can come across a bit judgy.

backstory: Born on a small farm in a village outside Lyon, Maximilien was the youngest child in his family by quite a bit, born 16 years after his sister and 20 years after his brother. Due to complications during his birth, his mother died soon after he was born, and his father passed in a hunting accident only a few months later, leaving his siblings to care for him. His brother was almost entirely responsible for teaching him how to hunt, farm, and be generally self sufficient. His brother had a daughter that was only a few months younger than Max, and the two were essentially raised as twins. They were inseparable for most of his life, always getting into trouble in the village and wrecking havoc on the farm. Some time around his 27th birthday, it became clear to Maximilien that he was deeply unhappy where he was, and he announced to his family that he had received a scholarship to study law and politics in Paris. His arrival in Paris was tumultuous, and his scholarship did not cover much more than the bare minimum of his living expenses. His naiveté from his previously idyllic, pastoral life crashed around him, and he quickly grew disillusioned, His politics grew more radical with every passing day, and after vaguely mentioning his frustration to a fellow classmate, he was invited to a small meeting of other radical thinkers. It was here that Maximilien became a revolutionary.  When the people of France finally began pushing back against the monarchy, he was at the center of the action. He was a good shot, and was capable of keeping a clear head amidst the chaos, making him a valuable soldier. His tenacity, bravery, and initiative lead to his quick ascent in the revolutionary ranks. The temporary measures put in place by the Orleans were preposterous to Max, and he questioned why it was acceptable to anyone that had fought to remove the royal family.  Despite his objections, it became clear that many considered the fight over, and tensions generally fizzled. In the aftermath, the people elected him as the commonwealth representative, a job that he considers sacred. He was also offered the title of ‘viscount,’ and accepted it as a way to gain influence and intel that he could pass to the underground channels of rebels that still existed. It is Max’s belief that the people want a republic, and though he appears to be adjusting to a life at court, he is working tirelessly to spark a revolution.

time at lal qila: The early days at Lal Qila were agonizing. Being dragged away from his work- both official and revolutionary- made him feel stir crazy, and he found himself surrounded by people he couldn’t stand. He was prone to squabbling with the royalty in the palace, making a host of enemies and ensuring his reputation as “the dreaded frenchman.” His revolutionary roots were never something he hid- nor did he want to. From his perspective, the people of France had made up their mind, and they wanted a republic, not a monarchy. Being a known revolutionary was nothing but a positive in his mind.  His reputation led to a servant approaching him, asking him to attend a small meeting of rebels. Max agreed, more than happy to provide any help he could, and hopeful they could replicate the same progress that had been made in France. At these meetings, he emphasized the need for organization, patience, and solidarity, and gave them advice on recruiting, arming themselves, and how to gain legitimacy within their communities. To avoid suspicion, he only attended a handful of meetings, and was ultimately unaware of their plan.  When the Reckoning came, Max was as unsuspecting as everyone else, and had no idea who was attacking the palace. During the initial siege, he was returning from a walk with his dog, and hid with a few others in a small, barricaded toolshed that was eventually broken into. When he stood to protect those with him, a small shovel in his hand, he was immediately rushed by all but one of the attackers. Within seconds, there was a knife at his throat, and the blade was only stopped by the shout of the lone rebel. He had recognized Max from the meetings, and considered him an ally. They were ordered to spare him, and to maintain his innocence, they were told to take him to the dungeons, where he (and plumet) stayed for the duration of the reckoning. 

now: Max nearly kissed the ground upon his return to France. He spent a week or two at his family home before returning to Paris, grounding himself and making sense of what had occurred. It wasn’t long before he got restless and returned to Paris to find the people unhappier than they had ever been. He immediately got back to work furthering the goals of the French rebels. The compromise that was eventually reached with the Orleans was unacceptable to Max, and he is still actively recruiting, organizing, and trying to spark the flame that would establish a true republic. It is hard for him to ignore the memory of the Reckoning, the scale of the pain that came from it, and how significant his role might have been. Now, as the world gathers once again, he struggles with some guilt, and is tasked with making it through the event without anyone discovering the role he played in the Reckoning. 

[cagenewman]

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND... CAGE LUCAS NEWMAN

something in the orange / zach bryan 🎧

burning man / dierks bentley 🎧

duet / penny & sparrow ft. stephanie briggs 🎧

cage is ... an old soul, winding dirt roads in the countryside, striking blue eyes, young love and the deeper meaning that comes with it in time, a cross on a chain tucked under his shirt, the perfect catch on a Friday night, bushels of blueberries, saw dust shavings sticking to plaid shirts, worn out work boots, a father's love.

Cage is a good-looking country boy with a heart of gold. He might not be everyone's first choice of 'gorgeous' or 'sexy' and he's alright with that. Zach Roerig was the perfect face claim to fit that kind of vibe; attractive in both a traditional and non-traditional way. Not your typical six-pack, ripped guy, more of a dad bod and great personality type. A lot of his 'aesthetic' made its way to Cage: some of the fashion choices that he explores, the cross necklace, his deep laugh, those blue eyes, things that just fit for. Of course there are some inspirations dragged from his characters. Matt Donovan's steadfastness and dedication to the town and people he loves. Will Mosley's melancholy and inner turmoil. But there were other inspirations, such as Matt Saracen in Friday Night Lights, and particularly his relationship with Julie Taylor, and how it mirrored Cordelia and Cage, not to mention Matt leaving town despite loving his girlfriend unconditionally. And Jake, from Sweet Home Alabama. A small town guy and his small town girlfriend, and how everyone thought that they would be the ones. Eventually, they were. They just had to find their way back there. The Paul Newman of it all might be more of an inside joke between Lindsey and myself, given how much I adore Paul, but... last name inspiration still counts. That, and those blue, blue eyes. And the importance of family and compassion.

Of all of my characters, Cage probably has the most 'me' in him, in terms of how family and our upbringing has shaped our lives. The deepest foundation of Cage's character is family, from top to bottom, and given how important my family is to me, it only made sense. Cage has a strong relationship with his siblings the same way that my own sibling is my very best friend. Although I am lucky enough to have both of my parents in my life, Cage does not. Lindsey and I purposely didn't delve into the loss of their father (it was previously decided with another player that their mother would have been lost during childbirth) because we never wanted the hows and whys to be the focus; it was about the family, drawing them together, carrying on the legacy left behind. It was less about the grief and more about the growth. But despite them not being in his life anymore, I wanted him to have a strong bond with his parents. Particularly his father. Fatherhood is the most powerful force in Cage's life, tying him to both his own father, and his son, who is the entire world to him. The bond between father and son was a huge thing for me to explore; Cage's own father often seeing a lot of himself in his second eldest son, teaching him the ropes of the blueberry farm, thinking he would be the one to carry on the family name because of their similar trajectory... and of course Cage's bond with his own son, abandoned by his mother before turning a year old, the two boys taking on the world together, learning about life day by day.

There are a lot of other things that I injected into Cage from me and my own interests: old houses, black cats, small town life, John Deere tractors and old Chevy pick-ups, wildflowers, sweet tea, older country music, and he'll definitely get a donkey before I do. Brat. As Lindsey mentioned, the blueberry farm came from... well, Maine. But I also grew up picking blueberries and still watching my aunts and uncles do it every summer when the bushes are ripe.

One thing that Cage did not get from me was wanderlust; that's all his own. He left town when he was younger, which was inspired simply by wanting to embrace the idea that not everyone leaves a small town for good. Eventually, they find that it's home, and they want to be back in it. Even more important than wanderlust and wanting to travel and see the world was for me to be able to explore the concept of coming home. Cage explored the United States and then came home changed. He wasn't just a boy anymore, he was a man with a son on the way and had to make the decisions to grow, to become a better person. To go after more than just working in construction (up until that point, I had him traveling with crews, which was mostly inspired by someone just... wandering around, trying to find a place that called him home), but to maybe someday move towards creating his own pocket in the world. And although he did spend one blissful summer on the road with his boy when he was older, Cage has largely lost that sense of wanderlust, again... inspired by the idea that sometimes you really are happiest at home. I know that I am, so maybe he borrowed that from me, too.

As far as his love life goes, I think I just really wanted to cement the idea that from day one, everyone who knew Cage knew one thing: he was in love with Cordelia. They knew it when he was a kid on the playground, when he swung her around the field after a win on Friday night, and they knew it when he drove away from town, too. And I wanted it to be the kind of thing that no one forgot; people saw them as adults at the football game and could feel it. His family knew it before he had even become friendly with her again, and Cage knew it the moment that he kissed her for the first time in Tumbleweed the December after they reconnected. That just sort of stole inspiration from all those cheesy love stories where two people are just destined to be together. Who could argue it? But I didn't want to play someone who just pined away for that when he didn't have it; he had to try to figure things out without her. He slept around on the road, he got a girl pregnant, he got married to prove that he could, and he still ended up dancing with Cordelia on a dirt road in her gorgeous pink dress. But from day one, it was Cordelia. The concept of fate and destiny and true love inspired that.

Personality wise, Cage was inspired by a lot of the guys you see in a small town. The ones that play football on Friday nights and hang out at the ice cream shop with their friends, but by some miracle, they end up being good guys by the end of it all. He's kind and very compassionate, and he has a good, tender heart that he doesn't show to just anyone. He can be hotheaded and stubborn and determined, but it's because he cares. There is not an evil, mean bone in Cage Newman's body, something his parents made sure of when they raised him right. He carries a lot on his shoulders, and always has, whether it be the pressure of becoming his father, the business he's built from the ground up, the mistakes it has taken him forever to let go of, the crushing worry of being a good brother, a good friend, a good boyfriend, a good businessman and a good father first and foremost, but he has broad shoulders, and he is convinced he can do it.

Owning his own carpentry and construction / restoration business was entirely inspired by my absolute hatred of house flipping gone wrong (you know, faux marble countertops, shiplap, gray walls everywhere, cheap carpeting) and wanting to play someone who cared about historical integrity. I cringe every day, watching a local home be restored and fearing for the day they remove the old, leaded, lattice windows. Cage does, too. I've always admired wood working and what people can do with a simple slab of wood, and I wanted to play someone who could make magic with their hands. Past that, I wanted him to be incredibly successful (he is!), but not let it get to his head. Cage has money in the bank, but he doesn't let it stop him from telling Colton that they have burgers at home, or to wear a t-shirt until it has holes (despite the Ralph Lauren sweater, or Hugo Boss suit tucked away). I think a lot of that was inspired by watching the way wealthy business owners in small towns can be -- sometimes, you wouldn't even know.

Overall, Cage is 'one of the good ones,' inspired by my own family and a lot of the 'good ones' you meet along life's journey.

[kick-a-long]

subsistance farming

fyi: i have no links or sources for this

but i think the romanticization of farming and communal living as a means to escape capitalism dates back to the roman empire. roman soldiers were promised land to retire to so they could become farmers and part of the landed class. this also meant they could stop making their living from violence and what was essentially never ending camping, crowds, shared cramped temporary spaces, and marching. basically farming was advertised and expected to be a life of plenty, wealth, independence, leisure, and social mobility.

when it turned out farming was none of those things and that most retired soldiers, even with slaves, do not know how to farm or the pitfalls of maximizing crop yield (specifically how fucking hard it is without a life of experience and study) there was a massive food shortage in rome. especially because 1. they bought/stole the land from poor farmers who moved to cities and 2. the military campaigns had gotten better at keeping roman army men alive to retirement by tactics, gear, and employing more of them.

this was one of the reasons for ceasars rise to power, as the head of the senate he decreased the amount of people on "welfare" by capping the level of poverty you needed to be at to get free bread. this fixed the bread shortage somewhat but also it made him insanely popular. this is also one of the reasons he crossed the rubicon, ended democracy in rome, all of which restarted the roman emperor part of the roman empire. this is also what lead to the mainstreaming of christianity with the emperor as champion of christianity.

now we come to america. the american founders loved the roman democracy. they had some fixes which is cool, but the idea that farming was a romantic and leisure activity stuck around. especially because they were fundamentally idealists about the new government and revolution they were fighting. this has always been a part of american ideals. the amount of grizzled farmers that are held up by everyone as "real americans" "real salt of the earth types" "really independent" basically that farmers by their nature are more virtuous and pure than corrupted cities. think of the thanksgiving car commercials that inexplicably include a stern wrinkly man standing by his barn with his pitchfork and overalls, piece of hay dangling from his concerned mouth.

the romanticization of farming from the left springs from the same source. farming is the dream end of all the violence and "work" needed for the revolution. in many ways, evolving a society past farming is the original sin of capitalism. but it's a crock of shit. farming is hard. every communist country starts by trying to get everyone farming and it goes TERRIBLY. when you hear about all the famine then the eventual dictatorial takeovers then the abandoning the principles of marxist labor organization then everyone is back to being a wage slave which basically every communist state has in it's history... that's why.

so i propose: every k through 12 must bring back shop, home economics (learn about budgeting and baking kids. it'll save you a ton of money) and agrarian science as mandatory. even in cities. even if you think it's a waste of fucking time. make agrarian science as real and scary as abstinence only health class. teach americans to fucking respect and fear farmers so they don't want to be them but do want to pay them lest they leave or die out.

there i solved it. everything is cool now.

[ratsoh-writes]

Hey guys!! Meet the fallouttale bros!

A little bit about the au:

This is an au where monsters have always lived aboveground with humans. And like in the farm AUs, monsters and humans are relatively equal.

Before the crash, every countries was in the thick of a world war. Any scientist available was put to the task of creating a weapon that could end the war in one sweep.

A task team of human and monster scientists plus their apprentices created what was that worlds first nuclear bomb. But nobody knew the effects the bomb could have on magic and barriers as well.

One bloodthirsty leader sent the bomb to the capitol of the enemy city while it was still in beta. The fallout was devastating. The explosion was only fueled by the barriers of the city and nuclear radiation was thrown in the atmosphere.

Within 15 years, almost a third of all organic life was killed by radiation poisoning. The famines alone ended the world war. People were rioting against their governments, others were bunkering down refusing to let refugees in. The effects of the bomb practically threw almost every one back to the dark ages. Only certain areas still had electricity

The effects was a war torn world where there was no organization. Just small groups of people and monsters who were smart enough or strong enough to keep their own provided for. A true post-apocalyptic setting

Now to meet the boys!

Lens

He is the older brother at 56 years old and only 5’2 feet tall. Lens used to have a pretty ocean blue magic, but radiation exposure was watered down his vibrant color to a pale dusty grey. He also has severe far sightedness and needs his glasses if he wants to ever see past two feet. Other issues from the radiation include: a weak stomach, so that he can only have small snacks throughout the day instead of full meals. Ecto weakening. He’s much weaker physically than the average monster. He can’t put on “muscle” normally even if he worked out.

Lens is a sad guilt ridden person. He hides it behind a blank mask making most people’s first impression of him as empty headed. Lens is slowly working through his misplaced guilt over the fallout and is learning how to be happy again. He is a kind and gentle soul when he’s with loved ones. And he’s an extremely supportive friend. He’s the guy who’d teach himself everything he could about an obscure show so his bestie could have someone to talk about it with.

In the fallout au, lens was an apprentice on the team who made the bombs. He specifically worked on adding the agent that sets the bomb off. After the fallout, he dedicated his time to hiding away after the assassinations of other scientists on his team, leaving his newborn brother to be raised by a family friend instead

When the crash happened, the royals had throughly questioned the sad little number of disorganized humans and monsters. Lens and only one other scientist from the team had survived and came through. He was put in a type of witness protection program and will never be able to leave ebott. But he also has counseling and a steady job now, so Lens isn’t complaining. He works at the nuclear power plants and core on keeping them stable, and safely disposing of waste products.

Lens’ relationship with cricket is still very uncertain. Now that he’s in a safer and better place, he wants to try and repair what’s between him and his little brother. Lens knows cricket may never forgive him for abandoning him, but lens could never forgive himself if he didn’t at least try to get his bro back.

Things lens likes: the color green, animal slippers, chemistry and physics, collecting blown glass paperweights, his little herb garden, bugs and watercolors.

His magic weapon is a blowtorch and his special ability is being able to cut paper with his index and middle finger like they’re a pair of scissors. Only paper for some reason

Cricket

Cricket is the younger brother at 27 years old. And hes the shortest papyrus at only 5’11. Being born in a nuclear fallout has given his magic color a neon yellow/green hue instead of the soft canary yellow his parents expected him to have. Due to radiation exposure, he has his feet slightly turned inward making him rather clumsy, but he has one hell of a jump hence the nickname cricket. Other issues from the fallout are: bad temperature regulation. Cricket always feels a bit cold. A constant urge to chew on rusted metal due to his ecto struggling to take in iron. Supplements help

Cricket is a total firecracker of a monster. Extremely temperamental and defensive, he’s always ready to throw hands. On the flip side though, cricket is also playful, curious and super loyal to those who earned it. It’s hard to gain his friendship, but treat him good because you do any of his dealbreakers and he’ll drop you without a second thought. Cricket can hold grudges for years when he feels slighted.

In the fallout au, cricket was born just weeks after the devastation of the bomb. His parents, already sick from the radiation, dusted soon after. Because the scientists were “disappearing” left and right, lens handed cricket off to their neighbor and young family friend piranha (undyne). The agreement was that he’d come back when he was sure it would be safe. He never did. Cricket honestly thought lens was dead until he met him again after the crash.

After the crash, cricket was treated and cleared for life in ebott. He immediately decided f*ck school and bought a plot of land where he owns a junkyard. He will take peoples old appliances and clean them up to resell the parts. He also is a dab hand at machines and fixes cars and machinery under the table.

Cricket at first hated lens for abandoning him. Piranha was the only family he had in his eyes. But his brothers and adopted older sisters persistence eventually wore him down to where he’d finally agree to meet lens. Now he is confused about his brother. He wants to hate him, but he also wants to have him back. It’s hard for cricket to make a decision so he chooses to stay cold with lens for now.

Things cricket likes: neon lights and colors, cars, making sculptures out of spare parts, spray paint, basketball, parkour, koi fish, those little macaroons shaped as cats from muffets cafe,

His magic weapon is a chainsaw that also is on fire. His special ability is being able to air jump. On top of his super high jumps, he can also use the air as a platform exactly twice to get two more jumps in

Side characters:

Piranha (fallout undyne): she’s a tall moss green and orange haired river monster, standing at 6’4. Piranha was only 16 when her whole world fell apart. She had been very close with her neighbors, the Wingdings. Lens’ parents babysat her, her whole life while her own parents had to work. So it’s no surprise that lens trusted cricket with her after the fallout. She thought he’d be back in a few months. Those months turned into years and piranha assumed the worst. She easily forgave him when he showed up after the crash.‘it was a terrible uncertain time. Piranha rather have her adoptive older bro back than hold old grudges

Piranha (now 43) lives with cricket on the junkyard plot of land with the little cabin. She is a professional blacksmith who specializes in making knives and swords. She picked up the skill during the falling out of necessity. She also raises fish and has several tanks in their home.

Piranha lives up to her nickname. She’s a temperamental fast acting monster, and can clean up a job in minutes. She’s one of those people who always needs to be doing something. Staying still is like a punishment. However she’s also extremely affe with her loved ones. With both hugs and cheek kisses, but also her words. Cricket never lacked love in his life. Even though she wasn’t the best example, piranha always made sure her adoptive son knew she loved him

Gamma: a flayer monster aged 229 and standing at 7’8. Gamma is the only other surviving scientist on the team who made the bombs. His quick thinking in jumping continents is what kept him and lens alive in the fallout. Gamma feels no guilt over what happened, putting all the blame on the leader who pushed the button. But he does want to work hard in making up for his past. He works in the royals military testing weapons making sure they stay on code. Gamma lives with lens and is a supportive but distant older brother figure