#he did say something along the lines of 'yes thank you for noticing my vitamin c infused skin'

[codecicle]

btw did saturday come early because charlie was ABSOLUTELY wearing eyeliner when he turned the camera on like i didn't just hallucinate that one right

[p---ink]

What’s On Your Mind?

Author’s Note: Hi :) Remember me? I’ve missed you guys, and Tumblr altogether. I felt absolutely guilty about not writing, but the writer’s block was strong on this one guys. And while I’ve had lots of ideas for stories I couldn't quite put them onto paper...or screen. Anyway, wanted to try something new. So this one is about a Thor! I dedicate this one to you @swaggysposts​ since I know you love Chris Hemsworth. Its pretty short, but still, tell me what you think, my love! 

Summary: Avenger reader has a crush on the god of thunder.

Warnings: some lite language and fluff. 

Word Count: 4.7k

Part Two   Part Three

“I’m sorry? Did I hear that right? You said you can what?” Mr. Stark asked, without a doubt forgetting that there were stranger things in the world. 

Clearing my voice, and speaking a bit louder I say, “I can read minds, sir.”

“That’s what I thought you said.” Stark voiced out loud placing a sleek pair of sunglasses on his face. He was still pretty skeptical of my claims, but another part of him was very anxious. Or would the word be embarrassed? Mortified? Yes that was definitely the perfect description.

Whatever the feeling was, I knew the cause was because he knew that if what I was saying was true, he would have to start groveling because of the dirty thoughts that raced through his mind when we first introduced ourselves.  

‘Forgive me for looking Pepper, but this girl has the ass of a professional volleyball player’ was what he thought as he opened the door for me on the way in.

“I can’t hear what you’re thinking though, because It only works through touch.” I lie, as I watch his worry fade away. I needed this job, and I couldn’t be disqualified because of harmless thoughts that we could all be guilty of sometimes. Besides it wasn’t Tony’s fault: these jeans did do wonders for my bottom. 

Something told me though, that if this Pepper weren’t in the picture, he’d have no problem saying what he thought of me out loud. And he was a handsome man, couldn’t be much older than 40, so maybe in another universe I’d consider him. Not this one though. 

“Hey Kid,” Stark started, interrupting my own inappropriate thoughts, “just saying ‘I can read minds’, wont be enough. You’ll have to prove it.”

“Of course! Sorry—” I was cut short by the sound of the thick glass doors of the conference room being slammed against the walls. 

A brown haired boy with deep chestnut eyes, that looked as frantic as the rest of his face, rushed out apology after apology as he took his seat next to the older man. 

Tony, who hadn’t spared the younger boy a glance, said, “Ah, perfect. Tell me what he’s thinking.”

‘Spiderling’ was the name he had assigned him through thought. As I concentrated on his confused features, he looked from me to Stark.

“What who’s thinking? Is Dad—I mean Mr. Stark, referring to me? How could she possibly do that? Oh God, he hasn’t said a word to me since I got here. He must be really upset because I’m late. Geez, I hope he doesn’t take Karen again. I’d rather he kill me.” I repeated, after relaying all of the boy’s thoughts as fast as he could think them. 

“Is she right?” Tony asked the boy. He felt both amazed and amused. Amazed with me, and amused by Spiderling for thinking of him as a dad. He would never let him live that one down. 

After swallowing his astonishment, and turning his attention from me, Spiderling answered “Yes.”

“Good. And at least we both agree on your punishment. I’d rather kill you, too. Saves me less trouble in the future.” Tony stated. He was punishing him because apparently this was the third time he’s been late to the interviews he was supposed to be in charge of. 

Spiderling let alarm overtake his features, but before he could say anything, Tony continued on with more questions. 

“Do you have any other skills, we should know about?”

“Well just a bit of hand to hand combat. But it still needs a lot of work. Other than that no—”

“How did this happen?” Spiderling interrupted, wonder getting the best of him.

“Kid,” Tony starts, but he goes ignored by Spiderling. 

“Were you bitten by some kind of radioactive insect like me? Or are you super smart like Mr. Stark? Or perhaps it was gamma radiation like Dr. Banner! Or maybe a super serum like Mr. Rogers!—”

“Don’t make me remove your batteries, junior!” Tony interrupted, then he looked to me. “I’m sorry. He’ll keep going if you don’t nip it in the bud early.”

But he didn’t have to tell me that. His own mind, like Spiderling’s, was racing a mile a minute. 

“No its fine really. He’s just curious.” I reply with a chuckle. “And to answer your question Spiderling: maybe I was born with it, or maybe its Maybeline.”

I began to grow embarrassed by their silence at my terrible joke, until Spiderling stifled a chuckle. “I get it!” He said between snickers. “Wait why’d you call me Spiderling?” He asked. ‘Is she picking on me?’ He thought. 

Needing to correct his thoughts to clear up any offense I say, “No! I would never pick on you, I just thought that was your name because Mr.—”

“Y/N, was it?” Tony interrupts, yet again. “I think you’d make an excellent addition to our team! When can you start?” 

“Really?” I ask gleaming, ignoring the fact that he wanted me to shut for outing what he really thought of his younger protégé. “I can start right away! Thank you so much for this opportunity!”

“Yeah, don’t mention it.” He hurried. “F.R.I.DAY, will prepare your room, and Peter here will show you around.”

At that Peter hopped to his feet mind racing with thoughts of excitement on the hopes of a future friendship. “Follow me!” He said, grabbing my hand.

“Not so fast, champ. I need to speak with Ms. L/N alone for a moment.” Tony stated, nodding at Peter as he excused himself from the room. 

Tony cleared his throat, and relayed his thoughts, thoughts that were hard to separate from Peter’s louder ones earlier. “So Y/N,” He started towards me, leaning in close as he chose his words carefully. “I couldn’t help but notice, that you didn’t need to touch Parker nor I to read our thoughts. Care to explain?”

Flustered at being caught I stumble across my words as I try to explain, “Ah yes, well its rare, but sometimes I don’t need to touch the person.”

“Mmm.” Tony hummed, not believing a word I said, and I knew then the gig was up.

Cocking my head, and wearing a semi-sympathetic expression I say, “Don’t worry. I don’t even know who Pepper is.” 

And before Stark could protest, I ran to Peter’s side, so we could begin the tour around my new home. 

That was all a little over eight months ago. And so much had changed now. Peter’s hopes became true. We were the best of friends. His boy-like charm never grew old to me, and nor did my gifts to him.

“Cerulean” I’d say, when he’d think things like ‘What’s your favorite color?’. He always thought questions like that as a sort of game. I never got tired of playing along. 

It seemed to never click in his mind though that he could never scare or surprise me when he hid behind corners or couches, because I could hear his thoughts before he got the chance to. 

But besides the little stunts he’d try to pull by hiding his thoughts in order to frighten me, Peter was as transparent as they were. The boy was an open book, and he rarely kept a secret. It made us perfect friends, because he never seemed to get tired of me knowing every single detail about him. 

Though the other avengers treated me like family, Peter seemed to be the only one welcoming of my “gift”. 

If you asked Steve, he’d think something along the lines of “I’m too old for this shit” when I’d answer questions he hadn’t had the chance to ask. Then he’d immediately curse himself, for thinking a swear word when I’d tease him with one of the team’s inside jokes, like “language.”

Bucky tried his hardest to keep his thoughts in a vault, but it never worked. I knew exactly how many dead bodies he had under his belt, and where he kept his hidden stash of plums. 

Natasha, however, never tried to hide her kill count. She always made it a point to up the number by one as a threat to me, every time I accidentally crept inside her head. I always made it a point to keep my distance whenever she was deep in reflection.

Banner was interesting. His mind had two voices of course, and neither one of them gave a shit about whether I heard them or not. There were the deep thoughts that I struggled to understand most of the time, then others were one-word sentences only. They were louder than the rational side of his brain. 

“La, la, la, la, la”, was literally all that Sam would think whenever there was something he wanted to hide. Sometimes he’d do it just to piss me off, because he knew if I said to ‘knock it off’, he could accuse me of evading his thoughts in the first place. 

In truth, I never tried to read what they were thinking. I found the process invasive, and distracting from my own feelings. I worked hard to shut it all out, doing my best to make truth of that lie I told Stark all those months ago. But it was very draining, and took more energy than my body could exert. One person was easy enough to ignore, but more than ten, proved to be a task.

Most of my entire life I spent working in order to shut out all of the world around me. I avoided crowds whenever I could, blasted my music through my headphones whenever I couldn’t, and made sure to drug my body heavily with painkillers and vitamins whenever the last two weren’t options. 

It was so much work just to go out into the world. So much work until I met him. 

The son of Odin was the only person whose thoughts I would pay to hear. Coincidentally, he was also the only person who’s thoughts I couldn’t read. I could never hear him, I would only ever feel him. He radiated a rare intensity I had never felt before. His thoughts, or should I say feelings, even managed to drown out all of those around him. I had no choice but to focus on him whenever he was around. 

When I was with him, he literally clouded my brain. I didn’t have to work to shut him or the others out. He did it for me. 

I usually thought that was refreshing. But in the time I grew to know him, I found it mostly frustrating at times. 

You could say I liked him, but that would be putting it lightly. 

Liking someone for me, was a rare luxury. My crushes were always narrowed down to celebrities, and other people who didn’t know I existed. 

It was a pain to date people whose thoughts about you were always on display.

And if you thought dating was hard as a telepath, try having sex. Imagine being able to hear all of your partner’s most inner thoughts about the faces you make when you cum, or discovering that you have a small birthmark on your ass that you would otherwise know nothing about. 

Yeah, it wasn’t the greatest experience.  

I had never experienced the actual joys of feelings for someone, and wondering if they liked me back. Thor was my first. And chances are, he would never feel the same way. 

He was a literal god, and he lived up to that fact. I was just an average Midgardian, with a silly school-girl crush. It would never happen. 

Silly thing that Fate was. She had to make the only man I found irresistible, unattainable too. What a bitch. 

“Hey. Are you ready?” Natasha asked referring to our daily training. 

“Yes, what’s on the agenda today?” I ask, a bit confused that she isn’t in her workout attire. 

“Well you’ll h–”

“What? Why?” I squeak, before she can finish her thought…well before she can finish her sentence. According to her thoughts, I’d now be training with Odinson.

“I think you’ve graduated from me, kiddo. You can read my thoughts fast enough to predict as well as react to all of my oncoming moves.” Natasha relayed, a hint of sadness detectable through her words. Though she behaved like an older sister to me, she would miss throwing me around on the mat. “We’ll have to see how you do against someone whose actions you can’t predict, just in case that problem comes up out in the field.” She informed me while walking away, before I could confront her. 

“Can’t it be someone else?” I yell to her, but she doesn’t answer. 

“You wound me, Y/N.” That deep familiar voice bellowed from behind me. “And here I thought you enjoyed my company.”

Oh you have no idea, I thought to myself, as I spun on my feet to face him. I craned my neck to peer up at his eyes. One was a pretty hazel, while the other a deep blue. Cerulean. Funny how he’s the reason I’ve grown so fond of the color after all of these months.

“It’s not that I don’t like you. I just don’t think its fair is all. You know? With you being a god.”

“You’re worried you won’t be able to handle me? Do not fret. I wouldn’t dream of giving you more than you could handle.” He said, wiggling his brows suggestively, while flashing a smile. I suppose I failed to mention that he was a massive flirt that could put even Tony Stark to shame. “I promise to take it easy on you.” He furthered, smirking and winking his hazel orb.

“Why do I feel like your idea of taking it easy is vastly different from mine.” I say, trying to settle the butterflies. 

“Whatever you’ve heard about me is nonsense. I’m a merciful master.” He assured.  “We’ll just do some light work today: of course we’ll start with stretching, then 30 laps around the facility to build your stamina, a few hours of work on the machines to build your muscle—because my lady you are a dainty little thing, and then we’ll end the day with an hour or two of sparring.” 

At the sight of my dumbstruck face, Thor says, “I’m sorry that must be too light. How does 50 laps and three hours of sparring, sound?”

“Are you joking?”

“You’re right. I have some matters to attend to on Asgard, but I think we can squeeze in 75 laps, take it or leave it.”

Realizing how deathly serious he was, I quickly say, “I’ll leave it. Let’s get started.”  Deciding to address the subject of excessive training later, I turn to begin my stretches. 

Quiet. As usual. I was alone with my thoughts, which was something that only happened quite literally when I was alone. I couldn’t help but be immensely aware of his presence.

Moments like these i’d die to know what he was thinking. Especially when I could feel his stare. It burned worse than fire on my skin. 

Fire couldn’t compare to his actual touch, however. The same touch I now felt on my upper back.  For a man who weighed over 600 pounds, he was as stealthy as a cat when he wanted to be. His thick fingers against my spine raised goosebumps to my flesh. I would have jumped out of my body if he wasn’t there to keep me grounded. 

“My apologies. It was not my intention to startle you.” He informed, through a deep hearty chuckle. “I just needed to correct your form. Your time on the field will suffer if you continue with your training like this.” 

“Oh.” I replied, tensing a bit as one of his hands traveled around to my stomach and the other pushed against my spine to straighten my posture. My mind was hazy, and if I had even understood the words he spewed a moment ago, that status now changed.

“It all makes me wonder what the Lady Spider has been teaching you.” He continued, as if he didn’t notice the change in my demeanor. “Better.” 

When he stepped away from me, I released a small shaky breath. “What’s on your mind?” He asked. Maybe he did notice the change.

I mentally decided that I would ask him the months-long question I had always wondered about. “What’s on yours.” I state instead of ask, trying to resume my stretches.

“Pardon?” Thor asked. “Do you wonder about what is I ponder? Or is that your answer?

“Both.” I say without hesitation. “Why can’t I read your mind?”

“I’m afraid that’s by design, my lady.”

I stop stretching and turn around to ask, “How?” He had my full attention now. 

Shortly after he corrected my posture, Thor had propped himself up against one of the machines to properly examine my form while I stretched. I tried to ignore how awkward that made me feel. 

“Since an early age I’ve had to learn to guard my thoughts.” He stated. “My brother is the God of Mischief, and Loki often played games of the mind. Mother took notice of how much it was ailing me, and taught me a few useful tricks on how to keep him out. I guess I’ve always practiced them, even in his absence. I don’t know if I even know how to stop it.”

“Oh.” I breathed out. Trying to make sense of his words. 

While I was doing that, he asked,“May I ask why it is you wish to know? I thought you hated your gift.”

“I do. But I guess it still feels odd to not be able to use it on someone. I have no clue what you’re thinking let alone how you feel about me. It unsettles me.” I immediately regretted saying the last part as soon as it was out. 

His reaction did not aid my embarrassment. A thunderous laugh erupted from his throat. It was the kind of laugh that you could feel in your abs, and I knew this because his whole torso shook as it spread through his vocal cords. He was genuinely amused. 

His amusement prompted me to ask, “What’s so funny?”

“How I feel about you.” I think he mutter softly, before following a little louder to himself, “It’s weakened you.” 

“What did you say?” I never had to ask someone to repeat themselves unironically, until I met him. 

“Your ability I mean. It has impaired you.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I think the word is ‘spoiled’. Yes that seems to be the perfect descriptor.” He teased.

His words made me feel small and silly. Almost insignificant. “Excuse me?”

Sensing my irritation, he quickly told me, “I meant no disrespect. Its just most of your kind and some of mine are not awarded the same privileges that you have. We rely on body language and hidden meanings behind words to determine how someone feels. Well with the exception of me of course, because who would not adore me?” He joked. “But that’s beside the point. You have not yet learned how to read between the lines. Which is why I unsettle you.”

“I know how to read body language, I’m not an idiot.” I say a bit more sharply than I intended. My sense of inferiority getting the best of me.

“I’m not implying that you are, just that if it were not for your talent you would know have known what was on my mind ages ago.”

“That makes no sense. If I couldn’t read minds, i’d be in the same place I am now: unable to know what it is you think.”

“My dear, even if you could read my mind it would make no difference, for I’ve already made my feelings towards you painfully clear. One need not the aid of your capabilities.”

“Thor, could you stop the riddles—”

He ignored my pleas and kept going. “But just to be explicitly clear this time, since obviousness is lost on you—” 

“Stop insulting—”

“I shall tell you how I feel about you.” He stepped and leaned in closer, as if what he was about to say was a secret meant for only my ears.  “Listen closely because I will say this but once, so be wary not to misunderstand: I desire you.” He explained, words dripping with the utmost sincerity. 

My brain started racing. And I suddenly realized just how close he was. “You desire me?” I repeated to myself.

“Yes. I desire you.” He stated again, anticipating my uncertainty. 

If my heart wasn’t beating fast before, it surely was now. My poor ribcage wasn’t built for this.

“A-A-as a friend right?” I stutter out. “Because we aren’t, we aren’t close, like the rest of the team? Yes,” I breathe out. “That has to be what you mean.” I say that last part more to myself than to him. Clearly I’ve misunderstood his words, even though he warned me not to.

“While I would value a companionship, I’m afraid that is not all I mean when I say I desire you.”

“Eerr” Words are hard to form all of the sudden. Stammering out sounds is all that I can do. 

The air around us stilled, and it was pregnant with silence. He gave me a moment to think before asking, “Would you like further explanation.”

“Yes please.” I rush out quickly. “I think that will clear things up a bit more.”

“Right it would. Well If you wish to know what’s on my brain when you’re near, I shall tell you.” His words are teasingly slow, and he knows this.

"But I doubt,” He continues, “i’ll be able to properly convey just how bad I long to be in your presence when you are gone. Just how much I battle myself when it comes to finding any excuse to touch you. As you know, I lost one of those battles today. I don’t know if you can handle, just how much I imagine your warm embrace to be. How tender I’ve imagined your lips to feel. I just know them to be softer than rose petals and sweeter than nectar.”

“In fact,” He started. I could almost physically see the lightbulb go off over his head. And then, he began ridding us of the rest of our space, extending his long arm to snake around my waist, and pulling me against his chest at a speed faster than lighting. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to put that theory to test.”

It was like a lucid dream. I was only allowed to watch everything play out before me, without the luxury of making any actions myself. It took great focus on my part to even will my head to move. My nod was so subtle I was unsure if he could even see it. But the God of Thunder had more than enough to go off on.

He joined the hand around my waist with his other, and shortly after I could feel my feet rise from the ground. My hands that were previously glued to his chest, found their place behind his neck to support the rest of my body. His head met me the rest of the way, before he blanketed his lips over mine.  

He released one of the hands around my waist, to bring it up to my face. His fingers, now fastened to my jaw, slightly parted my lips allowing him to further explore my mouth with his. As massaged my tongue with his own, I could feel his eyelashes dance across my cheeks. That’s how close he was.

Most beards are scratchy and rough, but his felt like silk against my skin. His lips were even softer, and were like velvet in comparison. 

I inhaled the scent of rain on freshly cut grass. It reminded me of dewy meadows and Irish springs. His touch was firm, but he managed to hold me with care, like a bull who had trained for years with the sole purpose of entering a china shop. 

He tasted like what summer felt like, if you could make sense of it. The kiss had the same intensity behind severe thunderstorms. Beautiful but deadly. I found myself teetering on the edge of a cliff: desperate to chase this thrill, but also wary of whether or not it was worth dying for. 

I mentally decided that I could expire in his arms, and be perfectly content with that decision.

I got more into it. I thought that if this was a dream I’d take full advantage of it. Surely dream Thor would be fine with me taking over the kiss. It felt only natural. 

I decided it was time for my tongue to do the exploring. My lips needed to memorize the feel of his. My hands wanted to study every strand of hair that lived on the nape of his neck. That was only fair right?

I was enjoying his embrace so much, that I mistook the spinning in my head for shock from kissing a god, instead of the telltale signs of an impending headache. The lack of air in my lungs was because he took my breath away in a figurative sense, instead of the literal physical sense it actually was. The ache that spread throughout my body wasn’t because of the suffocating grip he had to keep me pressed to his chest, but because our bodies were on the brink of fusing into one. 

On second thought, maybe dying in his arms is more painful than I previously thought. 

I tapped out, and he immediately released me, placing me gently on the ground. I struggled for air, but it was like he didn’t miss a beat. Not a drop of sweat in sight on his gorgeous face. Instead, I could see a bright smile forming. 

“Are my thoughts clear enough, now?” He asked, breaking out into smirk.

But I had no time to acknowledge his joke, for I could feel reality setting back in. And reality is, I was a flustered fuck. 

“I’m sorry.” I stammered. “I must be holding you from your business on Asgard!”

“What? No—”

But he had no time to argue, for in a flash I was already gathering my gym bag and heading for the door.

“What about your training?” I heard him yell.

“I’m sorry! Maybe another time!” And after that, I practically sprinted to get out of earshot before he could protest or stop me. 

I raced passed Peter who was on his way into the gym. “Y/N! Are you okay?” I heard him yell. But what was strange is that I couldn’t hear him think it, despite being more than enough distance away from Thor.

“I’m fine.” I yelled back, hoping he wouldn’t follow. Maybe Peter’s mouth was faster than his thoughts.

No. That wasn’t it, because as I raced through the tower, everyone’s minds were silent, even though they were chatting casually with one another. That never happened. 

I burst through the nearest lady’s room, desperate to calm my nerves, when I saw Natasha applying red lipstick.  The action by itself wasn’t disturbing, but the expression she wore was.

“Don’t tell the others.” She voiced, in a threatening tone.

“Don’t tell the others what?” I asked confused. Maybe she’d be able to take my mind off of things. 

She looked at me like I had grown two heads, much like the first day we met when I proved that I could read her thoughts. “I know you read them. But this is different Y/N, the guys will never let me live this one down.”

“Nat, what are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the date.”

“You’re going on a date?” No wonder she was so panicked. The woman was more comfortable with killing than she was with being vulnerable.

“Yes—What is wrong with you?” She half-yelled, interrupting herself as if she just realized something was wrong.

I had, had enough with trying to not think about him, because the task was damn near impossible so I decided to just say it. “Thor admitted his feelings for me. And then we kissed!” I cried. 

Oh, Nat mouthed, taking a more comfortable position against the bathroom sink. She leaned against its counter, and crossed her arms,“And now you can’t take your mind off of him.”

It was my turn to look at her like she was a lunatic. “How did you know that? Are you a mind-reader too?”

Song for the Chapter: Waiting For You by the Aces:  Pretty Self-explanatory lyrics. Think of the song from Thor’s POV

part II

A/N: If you made it this far, don’t be afraid to tell me what you think :)

[shemarmooresfedora]

hi baby congratulations on 300!!!🥳 i’m so glad to be here ! 💗🤍💗🤍✨⭐️

you know i’m obsessed w ur fics so, i am gently begging you to write something w prompts “can i paint your nails” “i’m going to steal this from you” and “people don’t compliment you enough” (sorry i forgot the numbers :( ) pleeeease? 🥺🥺

(sorry if it’s too much) thanks, i love u <3

It’s a Love Story

Summary: It’s senior skip day and you’re determined to pull your best friend of 10 years (and secret crush) out of his comfort zone.

Pairing: High School Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader (but imagine Spencer is 18 so he is the normal high school senior age)

Content/Warnings: fluff, swearing, bullying

Word Count: 1.9k

A/N: this fic is very self-indulgent because my senior skip day was yesterday! :)

Masterlist



“Hey, Spence! Wait up,” you jogged down the hall to catch up with him.

“Hey, Y/N. How’d your math test go?” Spencer asked.

“I’d rather not talk about it,” you groaned, “Thank you for trying to tutor me last night but I think I’m a lost cause at this point. It’s too late in the school year to care.”

“Did you know that ‘senioritis’ can actually be categorized as situational depression? In 2009, 22% of colleges decided to revoke some admissions offers after students began to slack off at the end of their senior year,” Spencer stated.

“Oh, trust me, genius, I may not be as smart as you but I’m not dumb enough to lose my scholarship to UCLA. I did the math out and even if I completely bombed this unit test, I can still maintain my A average,” you replied.

“I never said you weren’t smart, I was just warning you. I don’t want you to lose your spot at your dream school,” Spencer explained, “People don’t compliment you enough for all the hard work you put in to get accepted there.”

“Well, thanks for looking out for me, Spence,” you smiled, taking a seat in the back corner of the classroom.

Spencer sat right in front of you and turned around in his seat, “Do you have any homework?”

“Nope. My study hall is wide open just as expected. The teachers are losing just as much steam as the students,” you grinned, unzipping your backpack and pulling out nail polish.

“Can I paint your nails?” you asked.

“Y/N, don’t you think I get made fun of enough?” he whispered back.

“Girls love when guys paint their nails and if any guys try to give you shit, I’ll personally kick their ass. I took a self-defense course but I’ll use those moves I learned however I see fit,” you said.

“Fine,” Spencer relented, extending his hand out to you.

Spencer was honestly sold once you said that girls love it. That must include you, right?

“It’s purple too. Your favorite color,” you smiled, shaking the bottle up and then beginning to paint his nails.

Spencer thought it was cute that you picked up on his habit of sticking your tongue out of the corner of your mouth when you were concentrating.

“Isn’t it pretty?” you beamed as you worked on the second coat of polish.

“Yeah,” Spencer replied, not looking at his nails but the girl directly in front of him.

You gently blew air on his nails to dry them, “All done!”

-

“Well, well, well if it isn’t the teacher’s pet?” Brad, the captain of the football team, smirked as Spencer passed through the hallways after his math team practice ended.

“Wow, nail polish? And to think you couldn’t become any more of a loser?” he sneered as the jocks began to encircle around Spencer.

“Spence, there you are! I’ve been looking for you all over. Let’s go, we’re going to be late,” you walked right into the crowd of boys, paying no mind to them and grabbing Spencer’s hand, pulling him towards the exit.

“Don’t look back,” you whispered.

“You know one day your little girlfriend there is going to realize what a pathetic nerd you are. I’ll be ready to show her what a real man is,” Brad called after you.

“Oh yes, Brad, a real man goes to community college to hang on to the scraps of his mediocre football career that is his only reminder of when he peaked in high school,” you laughed.

“Y/N, he’s going to kill me for that,” Spencer groaned after you exited the building.

“Relax, we have three days left and then we won’t ever have to see that dick again,” you assured him.

“We have four days left,” Spencer corrected you.

“No, three because we’re not going in tomorrow,” you walked into the diner and took your seat in your usual booth, “It’s senior skip day.”

When Spencer didn’t respond, you looked up from your menu, “Spencer Reid, please do not tell me you were going to go in on senior skip day.”

“Why would I want to miss school?”

“Because you already know everything they could possibly teach you and you can spend the whole day with your best friend instead?” you fluttered your eyelashes to persuade him.

“I don’t want to go to the beach with all the popular kids. I’ll get shoved in the sand,” Spencer grabbed some of the fries that the waitress dropped off for you and popped them into his mouth.

“That is why we are going all the way to Santa Monica. We’ll just get up a little earlier and drive a little further but then we won’t run into anyone from our school,” you proposed.

“Fine but you’re driving,” Spencer huffed.

“Well, I’m certainly not letting the guy drive who hasn’t driven since he got his license just to prove he could pass,” you giggled.

“Why do I need to drive when my next-door neighbor can be my personal chauffeur?” he grinned.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll pick you up at 7 on the dot tomorrow.”

-

You honked outside of Spencer’s house. He came scrambling out with a big canvas tote bag, a tan sweater, and lilac swim shorts that ended at his mid-thigh.

“Get in, loser. We’re going to the beach,” you rolled down the window.

Spencer furrowed his brow for a second before opening the door.

“It’s just a reference to a popular movie. I wasn’t actually calling you a loser,” you assured him.

“My mom made us blueberry muffins for the ride,” Spencer pulled a ziploc bag out of the tote.

“Oh that is so sweet of her! Please tell her I said thank you. She must have been having a good night then,” you smiled, accepting one of the muffins from Spencer.

“Yes, she has been having a good week overall,” Spencer affirmed.

“That’s so great to hear. Okay, we’re stopping for coffee but then we’ll get on the highway.”

The opening notes of Love Story by Taylor Swift began to play on the radio.

“Oh my god! Turn it up!” you screamed.

Spencer grinned and turned the volume knob up.

“Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone. I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run. You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess. It's a love story, baby, just say ‘yes’,” you sang.

-

You rolled down the windows as soon as you exited off the highway.

“Do you smell that, Spence?” you inhaled deeply, “Something about the salty air and sunshine just makes me feel alive.”

“You know it’s probably your increased exposure to the sunlight leading to an increase in vitamin D which can keep your energy levels up and enhance your mood,” Spencer stated.

“Well, whatever it is, I still love it,” you grinned.

You and Spencer made your way along the sandy coast. You parked in the beach parking lot and got out of the car, grabbing your mini cooler and chair.

Spencer grabbed the other chair and his tote and you headed down to the beach, walking a ways before settling on a spot in a less crowded area.

You took off your big t-shirt revealing your light blue bikini.

“Can we go in the water please?” you begged.

Spencer dug into his tote and tossed you a tube of sunscreen.

“Not until you put that on,” Spencer insisted.

“Fine,” you huffed.

“Sorry I don’t want you to be sunburnt for graduation,” he chuckled.

“Can you do my back?” you asked.

“I-um-yeah-yes I can do that,” Spencer scrambled to stand up from his beach chair.

His breath hitched in his throat as he applied the cool lotion to your back.

“All good,” he cleared his throat.

“Thanks, Spence! Do you need me to do your back or are you all set?” you asked.

“Nope, I’m all good. My mom did it before I left,” Spencer said.

“Can we go in the water now?” you pleaded.

Spencer gave a reluctant nod as you let out an excited squeal, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the tide.

You dove right into the cool waves, instantly relieving your body of the southern californian summer heat. Spencer was a bit more hesitant.

“It feels so good, Spence. Trust me,” you smoothed your wet hair back.

Spencer inhaled deeply and then sunk beneath the water as a wave passed by him.

“Yay! He’s actually having fun, people!” you cheered as he emerged from underneath the water.

Spencer playfully splashed water at you and you gasped.

“Oh Spencer Reid, you are so on,” you laughed, splashing water right back at him.

Spencer shielded it from his face with his hand and then started chasing after you. You shrieked in a giggle fit as he lifted you up in the water so you could no longer splash him.

“I surrender! I surrender!” you laughed along with him.

-

You and Spencer were walking on the basically deserted boardwalk by this time of night, licking your ice cream cones.

Spencer noticed you were shivering and pulled off his sweater, handing it to you.

“No, Spence. I can’t, then you’ll be cold,” you said.

“I really don’t mind,” Spencer insisted, wanting to have your scent on his sweater forever.

“Thank you,” you slipped it over your head, “I’m probably going to steal this from you because it’s super comfy.”

A reminder alert buzzed on your phone, “Oh shit. We have to sign up for tickets to go to prom by midnight,” you spoke.

Spencer shot you a guilty look.

“You’re not going?” you sighed defeatedly, trying your hardest not to tear up.

“Y/N, I don’t dance. I’ll make a fool of myself.”

“And I’ll be right by your side making a fool of myself too,” you urged, “Spence, it’s going to be no fun without you. I was going to ask you to officially be my date, you know? I had this whole complicated equation that I was going to have you solve and graph and the line spelled out ‘Prom?’. It’s stupid thinking back on it now, I won’t make you go.”

“I was going to ask you,” Spencer smiled softly, “but then I chickened out.”

“How about this? You give me one dance right now and then we’ll decide if we’re going or not,” you opened your phone and started playing Dancing by Mellow Fellow.

Spencer extended his hand and you accepted as he wrapped his other arm around your waist. You waltzed around the boardwalk in perfect sync as the neon lights from food stands and rides were shining down on you.

Spencer twirled you around and caught you in a dip. You let out a shaky exhale as you both stared into each other’s eyes.

“Can I kiss you?” he whispered.

“Please do. I’ve only been waiting 10 years for it since I moved in next door,” you smiled softly.

Spencer leaned down further and connected your lips. You pulled him even closer with your hands cupping his cheeks.

“I’ll go to prom with you under one condition,” he grinned, pulling away, “we go as boyfriend and girlfriend.”

“Absolutely,” you beamed and stood on your tippy-toes to give him another kiss that was long overdue.

A/N: i took a note out of my dear friend @samuel-de-champagne-problems ‘s book by naming the title after a Taylor Swift song

taglist (just ask to be added or removed!): @samuel-de-champagne-problems @g0lden-cth @spencerreid9 @averyhotchner @coldlilheart @k-k0129 @ickleronniekinsemotionalrange @harrystylesandthegoobs @cmily @rem-ariiana

[bokutoslittlebird]

UHMMM EXCUSE ME BUT BOKUTO X ONEE-SAN IS JUST 😳🥵. I'm a different anon from the last one but omg, is it okay to ask more??? Maybe an MSBY Bokuto now or idk what if his onee-san finally gets pregnant (if you're okay with that). Thank yoy so much!

I got like four fics where the reader ends up pregnant I’m definitely fine with writing pregnancy lmao I’ve looked it up so many times I have a notebook of pregnancy symptoms and baby delivery. I do need to start writing down baby names tho bc my computer keeps asking me when I’m expecting

Mission : Corrupting Onee-san ; Bokuto, part 3

Kōtarō was a bit upset a week after the.. incident. You weren’t showing any common signs of pregnancy.

He researched it at least six different times, expecting to match something in your behavior to one of them. Each time he realized you weren’t pregnant, it was hard on you. Well, he was hard on you. Forcing his cock into you while you thrashed and tried to get him off, only to be met with the brick wall that is your little brother. He hardly even noticed you, often off in his own delusions until after he spilled his load into you. Even then, your fucked out face and overstimulated hole always had him raring to go again, this time with his focus on how good you made him feel.

With it being a month into his stay at your house, you wondered if your family would get suspicious about it. When he told you he’d be trying out for the MSBY Black Jackals, it fell into place. That’s why he was staying at your house, with the added bonus of being there if you needed anything. From someone else’s perspective, it would seem like he was a golden child with a heart of gold. In your eyes, you just saw a monster with a goal and determination to see the goal through. Kōtarō never shied from any questions your son had, either. Answering every question quickly and maturely, as if he knew the kid would ask it. He’s able to manipulate you and your son but you can’t do anything to stop him, not when he holds power over you.

Kazuki loves his uncle, his Oji-san a lot. You know he does. He’s always enjoyed visiting your parents’ house to see Kōtarō who would tell him stories, but you find he often lets his adoration for Kōtarō blind him. In his eyes, Kōtarō is a perfect human being and can do no wrong.

“Oji-san?” Kazuki’s little head pops up from under the table. You jump at his sudden appearance, especially if he came from under the table. With Kōtarō having you firmly placed on his lap, you wonder how your son would see the situation.

“Yeah, squirt?” He still smiled at Kazuki, not seeing anything wrong with the situation. Not seeing anything wrong with the way he has a steel grip on your hips and keeps rubbing his hardening cock into your clothed pussy.

“When you both go to bed, why does mommy scream?” Your eyes widen at his question, panicking. How do you answer that? He’s so young—

“Oh! Mommy has some bad nightmares, but it’s okay! I’m there to take care of her!” Kōtarō wraps his arms around your middle, warm hands sliding along your stomach. “Isn’t that right, mommy?”

“Yes, Kōtarō, it—“ your words were interrupted with a shriek, feeling Kōtarō pinch the skin on your hips.

“Mommy, are you okay?!”

“Yes, dear. I’m fine. Uh, daddy just startled me, that’s all.” With the new situation and lack of anyone else, Kōtarō wanted to fully move into the ideal family life. Including his title. Kazuki didn’t bat an eyelash, just nodding and eagerly going to play with his toys. A present from Kōtarō.

“We talked about that, nee-san,” Kōtarō’s breath tickled your ear, a warm tongue licking the shell of it. A shiver went down your spine, feeling his bulge get harder underneath you. “Kazuki needs to see me as a father figure now. Especially since he’ll have a baby brother soon,”

“What makes you so sure it’ll be a boy?”

“I have faith. Need strong boys to protect mommy while daddy’s busy at work,” the talk of you having his offspring has him raring to go, a dark cloud covering his eyes as he ruts up against you. You find yourself face down on the dinner table while Kōtarō eagerly strips off your panties and your jeans. It’s nothing for him to pull his cock out of his sweats, eagerly rubbing the mushroom tip against your folds. Even if your mind and heart don’t want it, that doesn’t stop the slick from pooling into your panties and coating your folds. Your hole is nice and wet for him, ready for his fat cock to split you open.

“Kō, we- we can’t! Zuki-“

“If you keep quiet, he won’t know,” he hisses in your ear, his hand digging into the fat of your ass. It’s a warning to be quiet. Kōtarō usually enjoys your voice, how you scream and beg when he’s filled you to the brim, but now he needs you to be quiet since you’re on the table.

Pushing his cock into you is something he’ll never get tired of. He loves the warm feeling of your cunt and how tight your walls are around him, you’re all sticky and wet, allowing him to slide right in. He doesn’t stop, not for a moment, feeling you holding back your moans as he bottoms out. Even with your hesitance, your body knows he makes you feel good. It has him slapping his hips to your ass while he cages you to the table, pressing you down with his chest. Your nails scratch the table, trying to find something to hold on to when his hands snake up under them, squeezing while he rams into you. It’s enough to squeeze his hands while he brings you to an orgasm, his balls slapping against your clit while your walls squeeze around him, sucking him in.

“K-Kō-chan, I-“

“I’m almost there, hold on, baby,” he whispers, his mouth right next to your ear. You don’t know whether he’s talking to you or the possibility of a child resulting in this, but you find his hips stuttering, a low groan as he stills inside you. Your walls milk him dry, another orgasm as you coat him in your own release. He doesn’t pull out, keeping still inside you while you both come down your high.

“It’s Kazuki’s bedtime. I need to tuck him in,” You break the silence, squirming as the feeling of Kōtarō’s cock in you, and his cum, has become awkward.

“I’ll do it,” he presses a kiss to your hair, removing himself from you. He’s quick to pull your panties and jeans back up, keeping his cum from mostly coming out. “After all, I gotta be a good dad, don’t I?”

With Kōtarō constantly leaving the house for practice with the Black Jackals, he leaves you alone. Taking care of Kazuki was your only chore, really. With Kōtarō earning plenty of money and you having the insurance money from your recently deceased husband and daughter, you were not financially unstable. Most of your money had gone to special pills to prevent pregnancy, making sure you had one each time after Kōtarō spilled inside you. Labeled as vitamins, you easily took them all the time in front of Kōtarō as he didn’t bat an eye. They seemed to work, suspending the pregnancy as each day you turned out and took the test, only one line popping up.

You thought you were safe.

When your vitamins went missing, you didn’t know where to turn. After the table sex and the bedtime routine, you needed those pills. Looking through each cabinet, you couldn’t find it. When you asked Kazuki, he seemed innocent enough. The only possibility was that Kōtarō had found out and taken them out. You had to wait until he returned from practice before you could confront him.

When he finally popped through the door, Kazuki went to go hug him. “Oji-san!”

“Hey, hey, hey! We talked about that, squirt,” a darkness looms in his eyes, but his smile is bright and blinding.

“Sorry, daddy. I’m not used to it,” he looks downright guilty, as if he did something wrong. Kōtarō’s big hand plops on top of Kazuki’s head.

“It’s alright. You’ll get used to it eventually, especially once you have a little brother,”

“I’m gonna have a little brother?!” Bouncing on his feet, Kazuki turned to you. The smile you sported was more of a cringe, but you nodded.

“That’s the plan. Daddy, can we talk?” Kōtarō eagerly follows you, handing a new toy to Kazuki as if he doesn’t have over 20 new toys. Kōtarō doesn’t stop in front of you, rather hugging you close to him as you feel his hardened cock rubbing against your leg. “Kōtarō we need to talk. About serious stuff.”

“If it’s about those Plan B pills, I flushed them down the toilet,”

“Wha- flushed? Those were my vitamins!”

“You aren’t taking anything that risks serious health problems if you don’t take it. Not only that, you’re not under any prescription medications. From now on,” he says, voice low and commanding. Pulling from you, you look into his eyes to see something sinister in them, as if his delusion is becoming tangible. “You’ll be taking what I give to you. No more caffeine, no more wine before bed, yes I know you drink a glass while getting ready, and no more vitamins without my permission. After all, our future is dependent on this.”

With his declaration of claiming you, officially deciding to prevent anything that could stand in his way, you felt sick as you took another test, the single line being joined by a matching one. You couldn’t hide it, you couldn’t throw it away, he’d know the truth regardless. You always showed him negative results, so the test going missing would mean he knew it was positive. Kōtarō waits on your bed — his, too, now — as you weigh your options. With shaky hands, you open the bathroom door as he perks up, his face smiling as if he knew the answer already. With his hair down and still damp from the bath, you see how attractive he is, his muscles flexing as he gets up to see the result. Showing him the plastic piece, he can’t hide his excitement.

“I’m gonna be a dad! You’re gonna be a mommy! Well, we are, but this time for reals!” He’s so excited, it’s easy to find yourself smiling with him, caught up in the excitement. When he puts you down, it’s on the bed and he’s quickly crawling to cage you in. “I say this is cause for a celebration.”

“Kōtarō, what about mom? And dad? And our sisters? They’ll find out eventually, won’t they? We’ll be disowned,” your panicked voice stops him, straddling you as his hand goes to his chin. As if he’s thinking.

“Well, lets just cut ties with them. I’m a member of one of Japan’s Division 1 volleyball teams. I make enough money for us to be stable comfortably, not to mention the money you have from insurance. That way,” he licks his lips, leaning over you again, “I can have you all to myself,”

[isthisthingeven0n]

starting over, with you : s.r

after everything you went through with spencer, life decided to give you another shot. and this time, neither of you took the opportunity for granted. (3.5K)

we’re finally here, the epilogue to this little series. thank you for reading and supporting it. i hope you like the ending as much as i enjoyed writing it. 

knowing you / forgetting you / remembering you / with or without you / starting over, with you 

“She truly is just wonderful,” Maggie happily sighs as she rests her head in her hands, staring out dreamingly to the front door whilst you clean the spout of the steamer. “what did I do to find someone so just,” Maggie trails off and you quickly notice from the corner of your eye her standing up straighter.

Following her line of vision, you clear your throat as the woman in question walks in. Her blonde hair flows behind her shoulders as she slips her jacket off, resting it over her tote bag.

“Hey, sunshine.” She beams to Maggie who suddenly has lost the ability to speak. “Hey, Y/n.” She waves over to you as Maggie chuckles under her breath nervously.

Moving to stand beside Maggie, you nudge her playfully. “Use your words Mags,” You mutter.

“Yeah, I know that,” Maggie retorts as she focuses on the woman she’s been seeing, Delilah, for the past few weeks. “what can I get for you, D?”

Raising your eyebrows, you just catch the smirk on Maggie’s lips before you busy yourself once again, not wanting to get involved.

Slipping aside from the counter you pick up two plates and the muffin you kept from this morning. “So, this is the girl then?” Sitting down opposite him, you can’t help but smile at the excitement in his gaze as he focuses on you.

“That’s Delilah,” You tell him, passing him a plate as you split the muffin in half. “you were in such a rush this morning I thought I’d keep this as a treat when you finished.”

Smiling brightly at the muffin in front of him, he shifts for a moment before taking a bite. “Nothing beats your blueberry muffins. Did you know that blueberries are filled with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids. They’re a top choice for doctors and nutritionists as they also contain high levels of potassium and vitamin c.”

Chuckling under your breath, you poke your half of the muffin with your knife. “I don’t think it counts as much once they’ve been baked though, Spence.” You state, glancing up as Spencer chews another piece of muffin, his eyes not leaving yours.

“True, but you’re a benefit of these muffins too.” Spencer mutters, tearing his eyes from you as your lips part, humour filling the space around you.

“Did you just try and use a line on me?” You remark as Spencer shakes his head profusely. “Because if so, it was shocking.”

Spencer shyly smiles up at you as a small laugh leaves his lips. “Well, something worked clearly.” He reaches out, taking your hand in his just as Maggie rushes over to you.

“Sorry to interrupt lovebirds, but we’re out of pumpkin spice syrup.” Maggie sighs heavily, focusing on you with endless apologies in written across her expression.

Taking your hand from Spencer’s, you rise to your feet. “If you’re gone before I get back, I’ll meet you at mine?” You ask as you rest your hand on Spencer’s shoulder.

“I’ll wait, Y/n.” Spencer tells you as he turns his head, kissing your hand gently before you follow behind Maggie. “Don’t you worry.”

*

You could already see kids rushing around in various costumes as parents ran frantically behind them. Giggles of excitement and evident sugar rushes fill the air as brown and orange leaves coat the ground.

Leaning behind the counter the all-consuming scents of cinnamon, hazelnut and pumpkin spice filled your nostrils, acquainted by the occasional breeze of fresh air whenever a customer entered or departed.

Halloween always came around too quickly as you busied yourself with seasonal treats and limited edition beverages that brought new customers in every year. Yet, this year it was different. Usually, you’d spend the holiday working through the evening and spend time with Gary or your friends. It was always a quieter holiday compared to others, but this year things weren’t going to be the same.

“Come on, you have to tell me what your costume is.” Maggie practically begs you as you shake your head once again.

“It’s a secret, Mags.” You remind her for the twelfth time this week. “Besides, Spencer picked it out.”

A loud groan escapes Maggie's lips as you glance over your shoulder as she crosses her arms. “That means it’s going to be all nerdy and not slutty.” She rolls her eyes, watching as you nod along, knowing it’s true.

“There’s some slutty element to it.” You shrug a shoulder, trying to convince yourself moreso than Maggie. “I personally love it,” You comment under your breath before returning to work in the hope of distracting your mind a bit longer.

“Are you nervous at all?” Gary emerges from the far side of the cafe, his left arm still trembling as he grips onto a tray tightly.

Looking between them both, you roll your eyes. “You two trying to push my buttons tonight?” You feign anger as Gary shakes his head whilst Maggie nods. “Of course I’m nervous, I’m shitting myself!” A laugh escapes your lips involuntarily as you lean against the counter with your back turned to the entrance. “This is my chance to make a good impression on the people who pretty much watched me for months whilst Spencer was,” You trail off, it’s still something you both struggle to openly discuss.

Maggie’s eyes dart over to the open doorway, Spencer standing proudly as he removes his purple scarf, his wild curls fluffing up outwards. “Y/n,” Maggie tries to interrupt, but you carry on regardless.

“It’s just, I really care about him, I, I think I might be in love with him.” You finish as a light sound follows as a smile graces your lips.

Biting his lower lip, Spencer steps forward whilst you remain oblivious to his presence. “I always thought I’d be the first to say it,” Spencer can’t help himself as you whip your head around like a deer caught in headlights. “shall we Miss Y/L/N?”

Stuttering silently as you focus on his hazel eyes, you feel a gentle nudge from Maggie as you mumble in agreement.

“Wow, this isn’t at all awkward.” Maggie jokes, causing Gary to give her a fatherly look as you move out from the counter, removing your apron and throw it back in Maggie’s general direction.

“Yes,” The word barely leaves your lips as you walk closer toward him, taking his hand as he guides you towards the exit.

Quickly you glance over your shoulder, receiving thumbs up from both Maggie and Gary before you step out into the Autumnal breeze, wishing you had brought another layer with you.

“Do you wanna talk about it?” Spencer asks as he struggles to hide his smile, but he can sense your worries as you focus on the browning leaves as you shuffle down the street.

“I didn’t intend on you hearing that,” You admit shyly as Spencer’s grip on your hand loosens. “I mean, sorry, that sounds dreadful.” You force a laugh, looking up as Spencer keeps his eyes fixated on the street ahead, knowing there are two hundred more steps to take until you reach your car around the corner beside the lamp post with the missing cat poster that’s faded entirely.

“It’s okay.” Spencer mutters, but it doesn’t take a profiler to know he doesn’t mean it.

Pausing, you take a hold of his arm, causing Spencer to turn around as his long legs guide him back to face you.

“It’s not okay, Spencer.” You huff as you sigh into your hands, oblivious to the loving way Spencer is looking at you. Despite having barely made it back in time for Halloween and sleeping on the jet, Spencer couldn’t have been happier to walk in at that precise moment.

Taking your hands from your face, Spencer brushes his fingers across your cheek. “It is, Y/n.” He hushes you, his hand now cupping your cheek. “Because I think, no, I know that I am in love with you too.”

“Wait, you do?” Your immediate reaction is to deny it, but as Spencer dips his head closer towards yours and his lips brush against your skin, you listen to him mutter a simple yes before kissing you affectionately.

Leaning into his embrace, you deepen the kiss, only breaking as the sound of children giggling increases from down the street.

“Ew, they’re kissing!” One child calls out and you shyly bury your face into Spencer’s chest, hiding behind his scarf as you feel the vibrations of his laughter.

His hand rises to rest on your back. “They’re gone, Y/n.” Spencer mutters to you as you step backwards, trying to suppress the heat rising through your body as you carry on walking to your car as if nothing had happened.

*

“Oh my god,” Penelope squeals as she opens her front door, clad in pumpkin dress with her mouth ajar as you stand besides Spencer who is unable to stop his smile from growing. “you look amazing!”

Looking up at Spencer you can’t help but laugh as butterflies flutter around in your stomach, even after all this time he still can muster this effect on you.

You have to admit, despite your initial uncertainties about the costumes Spencer suggested they have turned out better than you envisioned.

“And Y/n, you look well,” Penelope stumbles over her words as she brings you into a tight hug. “and I, I want to apologise about well,” She looks up to Spencer and back to you.

“It’s all good, Penelope.” You tell her as she reaches for your hand, her eyes softening. “I should thank you really, I mean, without you I don’t think we’d be here.” You admit as Spencer wraps his arm around your waist, and it’s enough for Penelope to lose her mind as she sighs happily.

“Come on in lovebirds, god.” She huffs as you both walk in and pause as several pairs of eyes greet you.

“I have to say, it’s hard to find profilers intimidating when they’re all dressed up for a Halloween party.” You admit, and Spencer chuckles, nodding along as he pushes his goggles further up from his forehead.

The first to step forward is a blonde woman wearing a Super Woman costume. “Hi, I’m-”

“JJ?” You ask as she nods, glancing up to Spencer as your smile brightens. “I’ve heard so much about you! Well, I’ve heard a lot about everyone, but you’re Henry’s Mom!” You happily tell JJ who warms to you instantly, having only ever seen footage of you previously down in the dumps and unsure of everything.

Instantly, you are swept away by the women of the BAU, leaving Spencer watching in awe as Luke pats his shoulder. “You really got her to agree to this?” Luke motions to Spencer’s outfit.

“It was the first movie we watched together,” Spencer states. “and she makes a cute Marty.” Spencer half-smiles as he lip-reads your conversation with Emily and JJ.

“He really got you to dress as Marty Mcfly?” Emily chuckles into her drink as you nod along, taking a sip of the concoction Penelope created before everyone arrived.

“I’m not sure if I like it or if it’s the number of chemicals I’ve inhaled making Spencer’s hair white with dry shampoo.” You joke, and the sound of laughter spreads through the group as you glance over your shoulder, watching as Spencer is sat with Rossi and Luke, flashing you a reassuring smile.

“Gives you an idea on how he’ll look in the future.” Penelope nudges you, and JJ rolls her eyes.

“A mad scientist sounds about right.” You nod in agreement. “So, what’s it like, on the field? Spencer only tells me so much, but I’d love to hear more from you guys.”

Rossi interrupts your conversation shortly after Emily explained the latest mission and how she managed to get the cut across her forehead which conveniently was covered by her fringe.

“May I?” Rossi asks as he holds out a glass of wine to you, which you gladly accept.

Walking with Rossi, you follow him into the kitchen as you lean against the counter, feeling somewhat at home here as the music plays faintly in Penelope’s living room.

“You know, when Spencer was inside I heard your name mentioned countless times.” Rossi begins.

“Sorry ‘bout that.” You force yourself to joke, and Rossi senses the change in your stance as you hide your left hand in the pocket of your bodywarmer, picking at the tissue buried inside.

Rossi shakes his head. “No need to apologise. It’s never an easy thing to talk about, but we both know Reid well enough to know he can talk for days about anything and everything, but often miss the most important thing.”

You nod along with Rossi as you take a sip of your drink as a temporary distraction.

“Do you talk about it? What happened when Spencer was inside?” Rossi delves deeper, knowing the answer before you shake your head. “Something changed in him, but what didn’t change was his determination paired with his intelligence and though he can be an ass about it, he often is right about things.” Rossi chuckles to himself. “I listened to everyone talking about this girl in a cafe for months before Spencer went away, waiting for him to make a move.”

Listening intently, these were details no one had ever shared. This was the perspective you were missing in your story.

“Penelope offered countless times to march in and talk to you, but an old friend, Morgan, refused to let that happen.” Rossi sighs, remembering it like it were yesterday. “And he told us on the flight back to Quantico that he was going to see if you were open that evening and ask you on a date.” Rossi trails off, not needing to fill you in on the rest of the story.

“And he did.” You finish. “What was it like, knowing he was in there all that time?”

Your eyes follow Rossi’s as he looks out into the living room where Spencer is lost in conversation with JJ. “Difficult, knowing he was in there for something he wouldn’t have ever done. We all worked tirelessly, trying to find a way to get him out.” Rossi explains as he places his glass down on the counter, finding a spot amongst Penelope’s various trinkets. “Do you wish you knew? If you could go back?”

“That’s the million-dollar question.” You huff as you finish the last of your wine. “I don’t think I would, no.” You reason, thinking back on the heartache you went through, the unknown reason Spencer never called you. “It hurt, and I think everyone here knows that firsthand, but I don’t think I would’ve forgiven him if I knew without the full story that was to follow.”

A smile forms on Rossi’s face as he steps forward and kisses both your cheeks. “I can see why he’s so fond of you.” He pats your arm, leaving you alone with your thoughts for a moment before you step out, resuming the evening with everyone.

*

Hearty laughter echoes throughout the apartment as the hours roll on. Children have long gone home and have dealt with their sugar crashes as the adults roam the streets in search of a very different kind of candy.

Leaning against Penelope’s balcony, you welcome the fresh air as you run your fingers through your hair, thankful for the warmth the costume provides unlike the girls below.

The sound of the door opening and closing catches your attention as Spencer stands beside you, his arms resting on the railing as he looks out at the city below and the drunken chatter climbing up the walls of buildings.

“Did you know Halloween is one of the more dangerous holidays?” Spencer asks, and you raise a brow to him as his smile widens before he carries on. “Between 2009 and 2013 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 40% of deaths were caused by drivers who were intoxicated from 7 pm to around 1 am.”

“Cheerful, Spence.” You mutter as a chill spreads through you once more.

“Here,” Spencer speaks up, wrapping his arm around you as he kisses the top of your head as you watch girls stumble over their heels as they yell for one another. “I’m glad you came tonight.”

Glancing up to Spencer, you push his goggles further up onto his partially white hair. “Oh yeah?” You tease, something you can’t help but do as Spencer nods.

Spencer watches as you rest your head against his shoulder, your thoughts clearly elsewhere as you hum contently.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Interrupting your daydreams, you straighten up.

“When did you know that you loved me?” You ask the question that’s been circling in your thoughts all evening.

Pausing for a moment, Spencer turns to face you, his eyes darting over to the balcony doors as everyone remains occupied.

“Truthfully, Y/n,” Spencer starts as he exhales shakily, something you weren’t anticipating. “the night you came over and wanted to give us a go.”

Your eyes widen in surprise, that night was filled with mixed emotions.

* that night *

You weren’t sure how your feet had guided you to his front door, but here you were.

Crumbling the piece of paper back into your pocket, you force back any worries as you knock on his front door and step back, preparing yourself to turn back and run if necessary.

Yet, the door swung open, revealing Spencer in comfortable attire as he tiredly rubs his eyes before focusing on the figure before him.

“Y/n?” He mutters, shocked to see you after how you dismissed him days prior. “What’re you doing here? I mean, how did you get my,”

“Penelope.” You tell him, cutting him off as he nods, who else could it have been?

Silence settles over you both as neither of you are sure what to say. On your drive over, you had a vague plan in place, an idea of what you want to say. Yet, standing in front of Spencer up close, the stubble lining his jaw and above his lip, you were lost for words all over again.

“Would you like to come in?” Spencer steps aside from his front door, revealing his slightly messy apartment as books are scattered across the floor.

“Okay.” You force confidence to strive through your voice as you step inside, your eyes wandering over his vast library as the front door closes behind you. “What I said the other night,”

“Was perfectly valid.” Spencer comments, holding his hands up before resting them in his pockets.

You suppress your sigh as you focus on anything but him and your eyes lock on a beaten copy of a book in front of your feet, ‘The Narrative of John Smith.’  

“I heard you, but I wasn’t truly listening. I mean, it was a lot to take on board.” A short laugh leaves your lips as Spencer nods. “If you’ll let me, I’d like to hear about it, all of it.”

Lifting your head up, you see Spencer focusing on you with a perplexed look crossing his gaze. “But, why? You made it clear that night that you didn’t want to see me again.” Spencer reasons, fighting against his heart as it yells for him to shut up.

“I don’t know.” You admit, lifting your arms up as you sigh. “I just, for peace of mind, please? I waited three months to hear from you, and now I have I, I don’t want to just let it go.”

Stepping closer, Spencer hesitantly reaches out for your hand and squeezes it lightly. “Okay.” He whispers before guiding you to his sofa. “Well, I guess I’ll start after you drove off.”

*

Looking in awe at your boyfriend, you can’t help but notice how he retreats into himself after his statement.

“I just knew if you were willing to give me a chance after all of that, after listening to my story I wasn’t just interested in you, Y/n. I knew I loved you.” Spencer tells you as you nudge closer into his embrace, rising on your tiptoes.

“Want to know a secret, Spence?” You whisper into his lips. “I knew I loved you the moment you opened the door.” You chuckle, closing the distance between your lips as you kiss him, only to be interrupted as the doors slide open.

“Love birds, come on we’re about to play say it or shot it!” Penelope calls out as Spencer’s cheeks burn up and his goggles fall down onto his face.

Chuckling to yourself you force his goggles back up. “Shall we?” You ask, stepping forward as Spencer nods, taking your hand and following you back inside to join everyone else.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. - Martin Luther King Jr. 

The end. 

TAGLIST (for this mini series) : 

@koc-help​ @bellomi-clarke​ @castbyfox​ @http-cherries​ @easygoingtheatre​ @tomorrowmeansoportunities​ @rainsong01​ @rexorangecouny​ @radtwinkie @eldahae @l0ve-0f-my-life​

[hidden-otaku-stuff]

Recommendations (Hidden Corner series)

Hidden Corner: A series of fluffy, full-length one-shots detailing the lives of the employees who work at Hidden Corner featuring the various Haikyuu boys.

*Note: All one-shots take place in the same universe with the same characters.

AN: Reposting if you saw this earlier because it wasn’t showing up in the tags. 🤞 four times a charm?

Word count: 2k

Pairing: Student!Akaashi x female Cafe-Owner!reader

Genre: fluff!

Summary: After getting tired of his usual black coffee, Akaashi checks out the cafe down the street which is home to some of the more unorthodox and unique drinks. Needless to say, he takes all the help that he can get.

Masterlist | Menu

Recommendations

Akaashi entered the quaint cafe, eyes scanning the interior. It was cute to say the least. It looked like any other pearl tea shop if Akaashi was being honest. He stepped further into the cafe, getting into the rather short line. Despite being only a ten-minute walk from campus, the cafe surprisingly wasn’t too busy. Only two out of the dozen tables had occupants. Kuroo had recommended this cafe, citing that it was the home of incredible - albeit somewhat unorthodox - drinks. 

“Don’t you ever get bored of getting the same thing?” Kuroo asked, glancing over at his friend. They were sitting at the university cafe. Kuroo was sipping on an espresso macchiato whereas Akaashi was drinking a simple black coffee.

Akaashi raised an eyebrow, barely sparing the male a glance as he continued to proof-read his essay. “Why are you asking if you get the same thing every time we come here?”

Kuroo snorted. “Only when we come here.” He took another sip of his drink. “There’s this real nice place a few blocks away. You should go there sometime.”

“Why’s that?” 

“The drinks are a bit...unusual, but they somehow end up being exactly what you need.”

“Is that so?” 

“Yeah, I go there a few times a week.” Kuroo clapped a hand on the younger male’s back. “I highly recommend it.”   

Gunmetal blue scanned the menu, confusion filling his features. The sheer variety was overwhelming for the male. How on Earth is he going to find something that fulfills needs that he didn’t even know he had? Maybe he should just get his normal black coffee after all.

“First time?” 

He jumped, looking over his shoulder. He offered you a soft smile. “Yes, my friend recommended this shop.”

“Welcome to Hidden Corner. A mini-paradise from the hustle and bustle of the world,” you giggle. 

Akaashi nodded. “Thank you.”

“What brings you here?” 

Akaashi steps forward as the next customer goes to order. “I wanted to try something new, but,” he gestures to the menu, “I’m a bit overwhelmed.” 

You scan his features, eyes narrowed in a slight squint. “Ask for a spiced citrus coffee. I think you’d like it.” He raises an eyebrow before nodding. He was relieved that he didn’t have to think about his purchase any longer. As he orders his coffee, he could see you rocking on the balls of your feet, anticipation evident in your feature. Akaashi steps to the side, waiting patiently for his drink. “Surprise me, Yuuji,” you grin at the barista who did a two-finger salute before taking the cute panda mug you handed him. 

“Anything for you, (Name).” 

As you pay, a different barista hands him his drink. He carefully takes a sip, his eyes widening at the flavor. Turning to face you, you’re already setting up your books at the counter. Akaashi steps towards you, hesitation filling him. “How did you know?” 

You look up at him, smiling. “How did I know you’d like it?” Akaashi nods, taking another sip. The scent overwhelmed his senses, a warm fuzzy feeling filling him. “You just seemed tired, and that drink is one of my favorites to brighten up my day. Tastes like Christmas, doesn’t it?” 

At the sentiment, Akaashi smiles. “Yes it does.” 

“I’m glad you like it.” Yuuji hands you your drink. “Thanks Yuuji.” You look over your shoulder at Akaashi once more. “Bring your own mug next time. They give discounts.” You sip your drink thoughtfully. “Oh! And make sure it’s ceramic.”  

****

The door chimes as Akaashi stepped in, shaking his umbrella slightly before placing it into the umbrella stand. He shook his head, lowering the hood of his raincoat. As he wiped his boots onto the mat, he was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face behind the counter this time instead of in front. “Oh you’re back!” You greeted him with a warm smile. 

“Yes I am. Hello (Name)-san,” he returned your smile. “That drink you gave me last time worked like a charm.”

“I bet,” you chirped. Your (e/c) eyes scanned him. “You look like you need a pomegranate cold brew,” you decide. “Is that alright?” Akaashi bit his lip, carefully thinking about it. It was obvious that here, you were the expert. He gave you a curt nod, handing over his ceramic mug.

“Alright, sure.” You grin before you turn around, making your way to a coffee pot. He noticed that there was over half of the pot remaining. Akaashi took a seat at the bar, watching the process. “Why pomegranate?” He inquired, raising an eyebrow at you as you carefully pour the drink into the mug. 

“You’re a student right?” Akaashi nodded, brow furrowed. “Pomegranate helps improve your memory if drunk regularly. It’s also vitamin-rich so it promotes things like eye health, skincare, and helps to support your immune system.” You placed the mug onto a plate, handing it to the male with a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure that you’re busy from all your work, so it doesn’t hurt to get a little boost every now and then.” 

He hums, taking a sip. His gunmetal blue eyes widened. “This is an unusual drink, but it is delicious. Thank you for your recommendation.” 

You wave your hand nonchalantly. “It’s the least I could do for a return customer,” you smile. “Can’t have you getting sick so close to finals.”

You both look outside at the rain that poured down, the ambient piano soothing. “No, we can’t have that,” he replied. “Have a nice day.”

“You too!” 

****

“Welcome back.”

“Thanks,” he mumbles, rubbing his eyes slightly. He didn’t know why, but he had found his feet leading to this small cafe. It had been an excruciatingly long week. Project after project with exams drizzled in led to many late nights and early mornings. To top it all, he hadn’t done so well in one of his most important projects. 

“Need a pick-me-up?” you offer sympathetically, scanning his face. You could see the hint of stress wrinkles on his forehead as he blinked at you with blue eyes laden with dark, purple eye-bags. 

He slumps into the bar-stool, nodding glumly. “Please.” Akaashi buries his face into his arms, leaving his ceramic mug onto the counter as he closes his eyes. Behind the counter, you turn on a small stove combining milk, chocolate syrup and brown sugar. You hum a gentle tune as you work. Akaashi lets out a sigh of comfort. The smell of coffee beans and the sound of your voice was soothing to his weary soul. 

He was woken from his stupor by the sound of the mug being placed down. “I hope you enjoy it. Made it special for you.” 

Blurry eyes look up at you, blinking his sleepiness away. “Thanks,” he mumbles as he sits up. Taking the mug in both hands, the warmth seeped through his cold clammy hands. Akaashi sipped the drink, letting the wave of cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate overwhelm his features. His muscles relax as he lets out a sigh of relief. “How do you do it?”

You’re carefully wiping the counter. “Do what?” 

“How do you know what drink would be perfect every time?” 

You just offer him a smile. “When you work at a cafe for so long, you come to read and know your customers quite well. Regular or not.” 

At your words, Akaashi understands why Kuroo frequents this shop so much. The love and care put into every drink, the dedication you gave to providing the best experience. It was ridiculous to think that this cafe wasn’t busy. He takes another sip, savoring the warmth that spread through his body. ‘A mini-paradise’, you had called it the first time he’d met you. Yes, indeed. 

****

“Studying today?” 

You glance up from your books, offering the male a soft smile. “Of course. It is exam season after all.” You gesture to the empty seat in front of you. “Please, take a seat.” Akaashi gave you a small smile before slipping into the seat, letting his bag fall to the side. You stood up, throwing an apron on as you made your way behind the counter. His blue eyes scan the books on the table, picking out a few psychology books amongst the titles. The sound of your feet shuffling brings his attention back up to you. “Being nosy?” 

Akaashi gives you a wry smile, “a little bit.” You place a plate of warmed chocolate croissants down along with a pink drink. He raises his eyebrows at the drink. “Why is it pink?”

“I used a little bit of food colouring,” you smile. “It’s a rose coffee drink. It’s a bit lighter than the other drinks I’ve recommended, but it’s fragrant and is perfect for the weather.” You both look out to the bright spring sun. 

“I see.” Akaashi looked down at the drink, smiling as he watched the rose petals float along the surface. “And the croissants?” 

You shrug. “A good study snack. Don’t tell me you turn down free food and coffee,” you tease, (e/c) eyes find his. He just chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “Please, feel free to study with me.” 

“Was that not why you invited me to sit with you?” 

You laugh, nodding. “You’re right.” He takes a careful sip of his drink, letting his eyes flutter shut as he takes in the flavour. It wasn’t too sweet or too bitter. “So how is it?”

“Excellent as always, (Name)-san.”

You snort, “Of course it is. Though I hardly think that I’m older than you.” Pausing, your nose crinkles. “Y’know, I don’t think I know your name. My apologies.” 

Akaashi shakes his head giving you a soft smile. “I don’t think I had an opportunity to tell you.” He extends a hand to you, “I’m Akaashi Keiji.” 

“(L.Name, Name).” You guys shake hands. He was pleasantly surprised to find that your hand was quite soft. Akaashi brings out his laptop, delicately placing it in front of him so that he could start his research paper revisions. 

“So do you just work here?”

You chuckle, shaking your head. “I’m actually the owner.” 

“His eyes widened. “The owner? You’re quite young to own this cafe.”

You shrug, taking a sip from your own mug. Akaashi stifles a chuckle at the design. It was a panda wearing a barista apron holding its own mug of coffee. A cloud bubble above the panda read ‘Life happens but coffee helps’. Akaashi raises his eyes to meet yours steadily. “My parents owned the cafe and passed it along to me when they got too tired of managing it. Think they’re somewhere in Europe by now.” 

“Isn’t it difficult?”

“What is?”

Akaashi scans the interior, wondering which parts of it came from you and which part came from your parents’ influence. “Managing the cafe and school-work.”

You chuckle, giving him a small smile. “It was at first,” you admit. “But I practically grew up in the cafe, so my parents taught me how to do so at the beginning.” 

Akaashi pulls out his padfolio, searching through it for his notes. “You know something?” 

You hum in response, already looking back down at your textbooks. “Yes?”

“I would love to learn how to read people like you do.” Leaning back in your seat, you take one of the croissants and bite into it, gently pushing the plate towards him. “I used to have a friend,” he picks up a croissant examining it, “who I could easily motivate to get out of his…‘emo’ moods. But I still find it difficult to read people.” He flicks through notes from one of his classes, taking a bite out of the pastry. “Not all people are as easy to read, unfortunately. Not compared to books, anyways.”

You chuckle, shaking your head lightly as you brush off the crumbs from your fingers. “No, they aren’t.” Clearing your throat, you offer him a smile. “So, wanna learn how to read people like me?”

“That’d be nice.”

“So, would that be a date then?” You smirk.

Red roses bloom in his cheeks. “If you want it to be.”

“I suppose you’d be a good test subject for my drinks,” you tease. 

Akaashi chuckles. “As long as you’re the one making it, I’d try anything.”

AN: All of the drinks are inspired by real recipes! 

All one-shots in the Hidden Corner series exist in the same universe where characters may interact with the ‘Reader’ from the other one-shots. I will be giving each ‘Reader’ a place-holder name when they are referenced in the other one-shots to ease confusion!

This will be a side-project, so new updates will generally not be scheduled!

general taglist: @scrappydaisies​ @agaassi​ @newfriendjen​ 

Please contact me if you would like to be a part of the Hidden Corner taglist! 💞 Check out this link for information about my taglists.

[secretlynestaarcheron]

Chapter Three + Four

The Selection Au - Acotar 

Tagged:  @justgiu12 @blxckbeak @justabunchoffandoms @swagbookmaster @my-fan-side @heyitsrhysand @acourtofmarauders

A/N: Sorry it was up so late I had an impromptu family zoom! :) I hope you enjoy! 

Chapter Three: Nesta 

As soon as Nesta entered the room she was pushed into a side room where all the other girls were already seated and chatting. She takes the only chair left in the corner next to a short blonde hair girl and a tall, lean, dark skinned girl with long flowy black hair. “Did I miss anything?” she whispers to the dark haired girl. 

“No, we were all brought into this room and they haven’t said anything yet,” the dark haired girl says, turning to face Nesta, “I am Rita, caste six.” She says the last part with an eye roll. So she noticed how they branded each of the girls and wouldn’t let them forget where they came from. 

“Nice to meet you,” Nesta says, sticking out her hand, “I am Nesta, labeled as a seven, and feeling very out of place.” 

Rita shakes her hand, “I think we’ll be good friends, Nesta,” she replies with a smile. 

They turn as a tall, lanky woman with long blonde hair clears her throat. “I am Ianthe,” she says, clapping her hands together in excitement, “I’ll be here to help you ladies through all the trials you’ll face throughout the competition. Think of me as a mother hen.” 

Rita scoffs and covers her mouth to stifle her laughter. She turns to Nesta with a raised eyebrow as if to say, “Is she serious right now?” A short and plump girl turns in her seat to glare at the two of them, shushing them quietly. Rita puts up her hand in apology. 

“We will be taking you girls one by one into that room right over there to have a doctor examination, just to make sure you are in pristine condition!” Ianthe exclaims, twirling to look at all of the girls with excited smiles. Rita looks back at her with wild eyes. Nesta snorted in response, this lady was treating them as if they were show horses. 

“But before we begin. I would like to go over some rules with you all,” Ianthe says. Nesta raises an eyebrow. “Firstly, we know that not all of you will get along but if it is shown that you have physically or emotionally harmed another competitor you will be sent home. Second, you will not be allowed to go home or leave the estate. Not until the prince himself has determined you are not a fit to be his wife. From this point forward, you are Prythian property.” 

Nesta bit her lip, curling her hands around the chair, they had mentioned that this could go on for months or years. She had always thought that if she determined it wasn’t going to work out that she could leave. She could decide when she wanted to see her sisters again. 

“Third, if you are found out to be in a relationship with someone other than the prince, it will be determined Treason and you will be put to death. All ties must be severed and your heart can only belong to the prince, himself.” 

Nesta’s eyes widen, Treason. Not that she had a lover at home or was even going to fall madly in love with someone here but to be put to death. It would weigh over all of their heads as they moved forward through the competition. 

“And lastly, I recommend that you do what the prince says no matter what he asks upon you,” Ianthe says, a furrow eyebrow as she rubs her hand together. “It would not be in your best interest to say no to the prince.” 

Nesta swallows at that, how far did they want them to keep saying yes. She turns to Rita who is looking as puzzled and disgusted as Nesta. Ianthe tells them that they are trapped here until the prince sends them home and then tells them they can not say no. 

Ianthe claps her hand, regaining the attention of all the girls, “Are we ready to be examined? Remember, ladies, the future queen is among us! You might be sitting next to her right now!”

 The chatter begins again as the girls talk excitedly with one another. One by one being called into the next room to be examined. Nesta turns towards Rita as she says, “One mention of being queen and they all forget that we are prisons.” 

There was a darkness behind her words that Nesta wasn’t sure she wanted to find more about but she was alone in this strange world and it would be nice to have a friend to talk to through this mess. Not that Nesta thought she would be staying long enough. 

Soon Nesta’s name was called and she made her way across the sea of girls and into the small room. She sat on the bed as the doctor sat across from her. “Lady Nesta, correct?” he asks, peering up at her over a file. She nods in response. “You’re from caste seven?” She nods again. “How has the altitude been treating you? It can be a hard adjustment for anyone below a five.” 

She sucks in a breath, “Fine, I think,” she replies with a slight shrug, “I don’t see a difference yet.” 

“Come to me if you do, I can give you some medication to help with the headaches and lack of appetite.” He says, making note of something in her file. “You haven’t had proper nutrition since you left the caste four, I’ll prescribe you a multi-vitamin to take every day, It’ll help you gain weight while you are here.” 

Nesta became all too aware of how the dress hung from her shoulders. How her collar bones protrude through the dress and the waistline which once clinged to her mother was draped like a paper bag on her body. She wrapped an arm around her waist, self conscious. “Other than that, you seem to be in perfect health. I’ll be here if anything is to occur throughout your stay.” 

Nesta can’t help but hear how he says throughout her stay, as if he knew that she wouldn’t be here for long. He knew that she wouldn’t be king. She shakes her head, she was reading too much into the situation. Her subconscious knew that she wasn’t going to be here for long. 

“One last question and then you will be free to go,” The doctor says, turning to face her completely and looking up from where he was writing. He extends a piece of paper to her, “Read over it and then sign it when you're done, don’t worry all the ladies have had to sign it.” 

She takes it from his extended hand, glancing over the piece of paper, she grips the paper as she reads the words. “It's a contraction to make sure I am a virgin.” 

“Of course,” the doctor replies as if it was obvious. “It's against the law as well as the fact that if you were to become pregnant we would want to make sure that it would be the princes.”

Nesta’s mouth drops as she signs the document and hands it to the doctor. All she wanted was to leave the room, leave the castle, and never return. She wanted to be back home being hit on by bar goers rather than here where she was the property of the prince. She wanted to be back home with her sisters trying to talk hush to not wake their dad. 

She doesn’t hear anything else the doctor says just has to get out of the room as fast as she can. She thanked him for the time, opening the door back to the sea of girls, the excitement bounced off the walls as Ianthe prepared them for what was to come as soon as they left the room. 

Nesta gripped her gown, as they all stared at Ianthe, who was standing in front of the door. Her hand hovering over the handle, toying with the excitement in the room. “Something to remember ladies, you being here even for a week will change you and your families lives forever. You get a stipend for every week you get to be here.” 

Nesta felt her eyes bore into hers, it was as if Ianthe knew that she was the lowest caste here. She couldn’t help but feel that Ianthe was bitter that they were all here fighting for the prince. She wondered if there was anything between the two of them before all of this began. 

She opened the door and the girls filed out in a single file line. She found herself next to Rita again who gave her a comforting smile. “Ready for the beginning of the rest of your life?” Rita asks, mimicking Ianthe chipper voice. 

Nesta chuckles, “More like ready to sign my life away.” 

The royal family parades out from across the room, up to the stage, Nesta can’t help but notice the nerves that eased off of the prince. She couldn’t imagine what he was feeling, she knew that she wouldn’t be picked and would be able to go home, but he was the one making the decision. The one who would have to marry someone at the end of this all and live this rest of his life with one of these girls. 

The king begins his speech but Nesta finds herself staring at the ground. She can feel the girls around her fixing their hair and straightening their dresses as they move up the line closer and closer, one step closer to their first impression with the prince. 

She glances up as it gets closer to her time, some girls walked up shyly while others oozed confidence. Some made a show for the cameras while others were solely focused on him. She didn’t envy the position that he was currently in. 

“Nesta Archeron, caste seven.” 

She moves up the stairs, careful not to trip, before moving across the stage towards him. She stretches her hand out, he looks down at it confused, she falters. Was she not supposed to shake his hand? Was she supposed to give him a hug? She regrets not watching what the other girls did. Before she can take her hand back he places his in hers and gives it a solid shake. “Nesta?” he asks, and she nods her head, “I am glad to have you here.” 

She can’t help but smile back as he lets go of her hand and she moves past him and off the stage. She takes her spot next to Rita, who bumps her shoulder, she looks over at her and Rita gives her a wink. “You definitely made an impression,” she retorts. 

Nesta chuckles in response, she was fine with making an impression, she didn’t see herself as a queen and definitely did not see herself getting married to Prince Rhysand. Something inside of her knew it wasn’t a fit as soon as their hands touched. She was curious about him, about the sadness behind his eyes and how such a small gesture as shaking hands seems forgein to him. 

She glances around the room the first time since entering she notices all the cameras pointed towards the stage. She's glad she didn’t look before, she would have been too nervous by the time it was her turn. She wonders if Elain and Feyre watched her. Of course they did, she would probably have a letter from them in a week's time discussing her hair and how the prince was in person. She wonders if she’ll be allowed to write them at all. 

She spots two people standing against the far wall. The guard from earlier who was quick to bolt away from her and a girl who was probably a little taller than Nesta, with golden blonde hair and bright eyes. She talked quickly to the guard with an excited smile. She even got him to laugh a little. She couldn’t imagine the brute from earlier actually laughing, she wouldn’t have pegged him as someone who had emotions like that. 

“Thank you all for tuning in tonight to help my family welcome the lovely ladies beside me to the castle. I am as excited as you are to see who my son will pick to rule beside him,” The king announces. “For the next week, the ladies will be joining my wife in the women’s room where they will all begin to learn about the duties a queen will face. With this knowledge they will face many challenges along the way.” 

Nesta did not like the sound of that. She didn’t want to face any challenges, especially ones that would include her being televised. She was hoping that the cameras were far enough away that they barely saw her as she met the prince. 

As the camera’s shut off and the crew begins tearing down the set, there's a huge wave of relief that goes over the girls. It's like they can actually be normal now, they can just be girls that get to wear pretty dresses and live in a castle. However, the relief doesn’t last long as Prince Rhysand moves down the stairs and towards the girls. 

She glances down the line of girls, it was as if they were all holding their breath as he moves down the line, stopping in front of Vanserra. He says something to her as he extends his hand, she bats her eyes before taking it. All the girls, including Nesta, couldn’t help but watch as they left the room. 

“Of course he would pick her, she’s insanely gorgeous,” a voice says disappointedly down the line. The girls beside her start chatting with her about what they would do if they were pulled away or they were thinking up what was happening with the two of them. 

Rita rolls her eyes, turning towards Nesta, “Wanna head out of here?” 

Nesta raises an eyebrow, feeling the first genuine smile appear since being here. “Are we allowed too?” she asks, glancing around the room as the crew continues cleaning up and the girls begin to clump together in small groups to talk. 

“Why wouldn’t it? We aren’t leaving the castle without permission, we are simply exploring our new home,” Rita replies, with a slight shrug, “There’s thirty-five girls, they won’t miss us. The real question is what do you want to see.” 

Elain would want to see the grounds, all the flowers that were beginning to bloom, the roses bushes that went on for miles. Feyre would want to see the artwork and the kitchens, scarfing down every pastry while admiring the paintings through the halls. All Nesta could think about was the library, she had heard stories of the library, how it held every book published, even ones in different languages. If she was here long enough she’d brush up on her french. 

“The library,” Nesta says, turning to her friend with the first surge of excitement. They slipped out of the room, Nesta glancing behind her shoulders to make sure they weren’t being followed by any girls or palace guards. She followed closely next to Rita, “How do you know where the library is?” 

Rita gives her a mischievous smile, “I’ve done some exploring, what else were we supposed to do?” 

She turns down the hall, stopping in front of large wooden doors, “Ready for your dreams to come true?” Rita murmurs, turning back to smile at Nesta, before pushing the large doors open. There's a creaking noise and Nesta turns down the hall to make sure no one is heard. 

“No one is going to yell at us,” Rita says, pulling Nesta into the library, as she pushes the door closed behind them. The only light in the room is the moonlight beaming through the tall windows. “And if they do, we can say we got lost.” 

“I don’t think they will believe that,” Nesta says, but her mind is too focused on the rows and rows of books. She reaches out to rub the spines, feeling the thick layer of dust on her fingers, it was a shame that the library wasn’t used more often. 

She could spend hours rummaging through the library, probably even days and she would not see the end of it. She knew it would probably take someone a lifetime so read a quarter of the books. She wanted to read them all. “I wonder if they are set up in a certain order, perhaps by publishing year or specific genre.” 

“By genre, there is a map in the middle of the room that explains where everything is but I am not sure how up to date it is,” a new voice says as the door opens wider allowing a stream of light to fill a small section in the large room. 

Nesta turns quickly, recognizing the shape of the prince, he steps into the room so she can see him fully. She glances over at Rita and then the two books in her hands. She smiles at the prince sheepishly as she says, “Would you believe us if we told you we got lost?” 

He laughs, in what she hopes is genuine, as he shakes his head. “No, but I do understand that some of you would be curious and go exploring,” he retorts, watching as she begins to put the books on the shelf. She wasn’t actually going to borrow them, just wanted to find a place to sit and start going through them. “You don’t have to put them away.” 

Nesta pauses, glancing over at him, she wasn’t sure if he was being sincere or not. He was a royal, she heard the stories of the King setting people up just for them to fall. “Oh, no. I wouldn’t want to ruin them,” she replies, it wasn’t a lie. 

“Please, I insist. Any of the girls are welcome to take books if they choose too,” Rhysand says, glancing back towards Rita to include her in invitation. “I am afraid that the majority of the books have gone unread, it will be nice to put the collection to use.” 

Nesta falters, before adding the book back to the small pile in her hand, “I thank you,” she says, turning towards the prince. “There’s not a lot of books to borrow in my province, most go their whole lives making due with only knowing a few words and sentences.” 

“I apologize, which province do you come from again?” He asks, curiously. 

She doesn’t feel as if he was judging her, quite the opposite actually, he was the only person so far that she didn’t feel was labeling her. “Seven,” she replies easily, “Most kids start doing factory work or cleaning as soon as they turn thirteen. They don’t have time to learn.” 

He nods, rubbing his chin. “I am sorry to hear that, I didn’t realize that was such a struggle.” 

She can’t be mad at him or even upset with him, when she was a caste four she had no idea what the caste below her were struggling with. She was just an oblivious thirteen year old that was going to school and then coming back to her nice sized house and a mother that would do anything for her and her sisters. 

She had packed the majority of her books when they moved, even grabbing some of her sisters kid books. She took the rule of a teacher for her sisters, she would wake them up early before going to work to teach Feyre to read and stay up late to listen to Elain discuss her botany books. 

“Don’t beat yourself up over it,” she replies, turning to face him and giving him a small smile. “Isn’t that why we're all here? To show our different backgrounds and represent our provinces?” 

He chuckles at that, “I can definitely tell that I am going to be learning a lot throughout this experience,” he retorts, glancing behind. “It's getting late and I am told that you’ll have a busy day tomorrow. Can I walk you to your room?” 

She nods, exiting the library with three books and a new hope. If the most she could do while here was to bring awareness to the unjust treatment given to the lower castes then she would happily leave when the time came knowing that she did something to hopefully better the community. 

Chapter Four: Cassian 

Mor chatted on about the women and who she was rooting for, talking about their gowns and their hair. As if that was all it took to win the competition to become Queen. “I think Rhysand taking Venserra was a positive sign,” Mor states as Cassian looks around the room, out of the corner of his eye he sees a swish of red through one of the doors. Unnoticed by all, except him. “Unless, do you think he's sending her home?” 

Cassian pauses and turns towards Mor. “Do you really think he would send someone home the night of? Especially Vanserra?” he questions. 

She smirks at him, “Especially Vanserra? Do I sense that someone fancies one of the girls?” she says, as he glares at her. They both knew what would happen if either of them connected with one of the girls. He had no interest in risking his life and position for a woman who would take part in such a competition. She pretends not to notice his look, “Besides, for one it would be a total power move and they have history, he already knows that she isn’t compatible.” 

He raises an eyebrow at Mor, “And where did you read that? A gossip magazine in france? He’s met her twice before, but I doubt anything has come of it. He's known since he was fourteen that he was destined for the selection.” 

Mor humphs at that. “Why don’t you want to guess? There has to be one girl that you think would be perfect for Rhysand,” she inquires with a determined look on her face. Cassian knew that he wouldn’t be able to get away from her unless he gave her an answer. 

He pondered over the girls, he wouldn’t be able to probably guess until he knew more about them. Cassian knew that his friend was more into intelligence than good looks, he wanted a partner that would keep him on his toes. Someone that would debate him on topics, to help him see both sides of the dice. He wouldn’t know this until he saw them more, spoke with them, which would be easy with this new assignment from the king. 

He pegged a few as just well known women, such as Vanserra, that were only in it for the exposure. He knew that at least half were in it for the chance to be queen but fine with being a three, for the fame, and the money that was waiting for them when they got home. However, he also knew that Vanserra knew politics, he bet the only reason she was here was because of her relations with mayors and councilmen. 

“The one in the green dress,” he finally concludes. He knew of her, that her name was Isabel and that she came from caste four, he knew of her father more. He had encountered him on one of the useless missions that the King had sent him on. Her father was harmless and he assumed so was she. 

“Which one?” Mor purses, going on her toes to look over where all the girls were chatting together. He wondered how long they would wait here, waiting to see if the prince was coming back to steal them away. “Oh? Really? I think she seems too shy for him.” 

He shrugs his shoulder at that, “I guess we will see tomorrow,” he retorts. He glances around the room, the girl in the red dress gone from the group. He glances back towards the exit, rolling his shoulders before turning back towards Mor. “Duty calls. I’ll see you at breakfast.” 

He moves through the crowd of camera men packing up their gear swiftly for someone of his height and weight, as he exits the room he looks down the hall. He knew he wouldn’t see any sign of her, but perhaps she just stepped out for some air. 

The halls were empty and he can’t help but feel disappointed. She treated Rhysand as an equal, he could see the fire in her eyes. He didn’t want that fire to be fueled by the rebels. He moves down the hallway, hearing voices getting fainter and fainter. 

He sees the blur of red move again, turning left down the hall towards the library. He frowns, why would she and whoever she was with have to do with the library. “Cassian!” 

He glances behind him, stopping when he sees Rhysand walking down the hall towards him. He notices the creaking noise of the library door and then clicks shut. “Have you seen any of the girls? I was hoping to talk to one of them and she disappeared,” he retorts. 

Cassian walks along with Rhysand, nodding towards the library door. “I think you’ll find a few in there,” Cassian says. Rhysand smiles in thanks, before moving forward to the door. Cassian moves down the hall, pausing as he watches Rhysand talk with whoever was inside. He didn’t expect any of the girls to attack the prince the first night, not even a rebel would act so quickly if they went to the trouble of getting a girl into the program. 

He moves into the darkness of the hallway as a girl appears down the hall. He recognizes her as Rita, the dark skin and purple dress a give away. He hadn’t been able to do too much research on her yet but seeing how her and Nesta Archeron decided to sneak away they would be first on his list. He knew it would most likely be written off and labeled plain curiosity but with the state of the world right now and how the rebels were acting more and more he couldn’t be sure. 

She moves down the hallway, the opposite way of her room, as he steps forward to follow her but as soon as he steps into the light Rhysand and Nesta emerge from the library. He pulls back into the shadows as they talk in the hallway. He's too focused on watching Rita’s form disappear down the hall. 

The King was clear in the assignment that he did not want Rhysand knowing that Cassian was sent to spy on him as well as all the girls. Nesta and Rhysand move past him, as they pass Cassian notices the books in her hands. He raised an eyebrow, the library was off limits to everyone except the royal family, no one Maybe she was a winning contender. 

~*~

He blinks his eyes, rubbing them as they burn, he knew they were red and bloodshot. He hadn’t slept well the night before and he knew that deciding to pull an all nighter wasn’t smart. The King could pull him aside at any moment to ask what he found out, the King would expect him to pull an all-nighter to learn everything about these girls. 

He looks at the pile of folders that he pushed to the side of his desk. He was able to get through more than half of the girls, the only bad thing about some of them was that they stole a lipstick when they were younger. Some spent their afternoons doing charity work while others were always looking for the next big thing. He looked over at the two folders left, Rita and Nesta. He knew he needed a clear head to examine their folders thoroughly, they were the only two so far that showed any sign of rebellion against the rules. 

There's a knock on the door and then Rhysand peeks his head in, “I thought you’d be here, early morning?” he asks, sitting down in one of the chairs across from him. 

Cassian looks around to make sure that none of the folders was showing his true purpose before looking back up at his friend. “More like a long night,” he retorts, running a hand through his hair as he sits back. “What about you? How many ladies did you end up spending time with?” 

“Just the two,” Rhysand says, he lets out a sigh as he crosses his leg. “I want to try to meet with all of them after breakfast and send home a few. Then I’ll start one on ones, they need something to talk about during the televised interviews.” 

Cassian stares at his friend. “You’re acting like it's a chore,” he retorts. 

Rhysand runs a hand through his hair, “It is,” he replies, “It’s exciting but now I need to continue to learn how to run a country while trying to find a wife and also take into consideration thirty-five girls feelings.” 

Cassian laughs at that, “Not to mention that you’ll be having your first official date, your first kiss, and-,” 

“Okay, okay,” Rhysand says, cutting him off, “I don’t think it needs to be publicized that my parents barely let me talk to girls growing up because I was always going to take part in the selection.” 

Cassian can’t help but smile at his friend's misery as he stands up, “Come on, I’ll give you all my tips and tricks while we walk to the dining hall. I am sure all the girls are already there waiting for you.” 

Rhysand groans as he follows Cassian out of the room, “What were all those files on your desk?” he asks quizzically. 

“Don’t try and change the subject, I’ll teach you how to be a heartbreaker by the end of this,” Cassian says, but Rhysand just gives him a look. “New recruits if you must know, your father has been making me do thorough background checks before anyone can head to training.”

Rhysand nods and Cassian feels horrible for lying to him but he wasn’t sure how Rhysand would react to him looking into the womens background. Cassian pauses outside of the dining room door, “I don’t think you need me to tell you that you’ll make the right decision, but I do,” he retorts, clapping Rhysand on the back. 

Rhysand chuckles, “Only took you about twenty years of friendship to be nice to me? Maybe I should have started the selection earlier,” he says. 

Cassian rolls his eyes, “Last time I ever give you a pep talk,” he retorts, pushing the door open, “Now go in there and break some hearts.” 

Rhysand rolls his eyes, as soon as he walks in the girls stand up in greeting. He waves his hand dismissively and they all sit down again. After they’ve all settled he says, “I am sorry I wasn’t able to talk with more of you last night. If you don’t mind, before we begin I would like to invite each of you one by one up here to join me for a conversation.” 

Cassian looks around, the girls beginning to turn to one another to chat excitedly. Rhysand moves forward to grab the first girl on the end and bring her over to the small couches. Cassian looks over the girls faces, going over their names and background. 

His eyes stop when he recognizes Nesta Archeron in the far corner, it was as if she put herself somewhere she thought she’d go unnoticed. She was turned away from the girls, her focus solely on the book in her hands as she flipped through the pages. It was one of the books she had borrowed last night, he could make out the faint title, Prythian War. 

The girl goes back to her seat and he realizes that he's missed four girls already. Vanserra comes up next, swaying her hips, as she takes the seat beside Rhysand. “I’ve missed you,” she says, leaning forward towards him. Cassian wants to gag as he turns away from them, trying to give Rhysand as much privacy as he can. 

He doesn’t hear Rhysands reply, he doubts that Vanserra did either by how she laughs loudly and then looks over at the girls. A couple of them looked envious, their meeting either went poorly or they were nervous for what would happen for their own. 

“I would love to see you again soon,” Vanserra says as she stands up and straightens her dress. She turns and walks down the short set of stairs, turning briefly to add, “You know where my room is.”

Cassian looked over at Rhysand with wide eyes, she had crazy written all over her. He chuckles when Rhysand looks away from her and turns to Cassian with a bewildered face. He was used to diplomats and proper ladies, these girls were out to kill. 

A few more girls go by, some just as flirty as Vanserra and some more reserved. He catches on to Rhysand extending an invitation to stay after breakfast to some of the girls. He’s not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. 

The girl sits down, nudging Nesta who looks up from her book. She smiles shyly at the girls around her before setting her book down and making the walk up towards Rhysand. “You look tired,” Rhysand says as she gets close enough. “Is your room not to your liking?” 

Cassian mentally faced palms, he really had some work to do to help Rhysand. Nesta chuckles, taking her seat. “No, the room is great. I almost didn’t come for breakfast because I was so comfortable,” Nesta replies, “I stayed up most of the night reading, I got through the History of Prythian and halfway through Prythian War. I can’t wait to write to my sisters about it.” 

“You have sisters? How many?” Rhysand asks curiously. 

“I have two younger sisters, Elain and Feyre. They would much prefer I write about the art or the garden rather than a history book,” Nesta replies easily. Cassian can’t help but notice how she's just talking with him rather than trying to flirt or get something from him. He couldn’t help but feel suspicious. 

“You should write to them, I’ll make sure it gets them by tonight. I think we have a photo book that displays all the art in the palace as well as a copy of all the flowers we have in the garden. I am sure that will please you all,” Rhysand says. 

“Really?” Cassian could hear the genuine surprise in her voice. “I am sure they would love that, the books would describe the beauty better than I ever could. I bet by the time I get home I’ll have my own palace garden and art.” 

Cassian frowns, she wasn’t expecting to become queen. He wondered if that was because she was disinterested in the prince, only here for a mission, or perhaps didn’t think she would make it far because of her caste. 

He gets pulled from his thoughts when they say goodbye. He watches her walk back to her place, picking up the book again, a ghost of a smile on her lips. He can’t help but smile as he turns towards Rhysand with a raised eyebrow. 

Rhysand smiles back and Cassian realizes that this is the first time he actually looks like he is enjoying himself. He has a new sense of energy as the rest of the girls file in, only faltering slightly when the last girl moves to her seat. 

Rhysand stands, glancing at his father, before addressing the girls. “I appreciate you all for letting me intrude on your breakfast, I hope you enjoyed the food,” Rhysand says, there is a murmur that floods through the girls in approval. “I won’t keep you any longer, I know my mother and Ianthe have plans for you ladies.” 

Cassian watches him swallow and then turn to glance at him, Cassian furrows his eyebrow. Rhysand turns back to face the girl, “If I asked you to stay back, please stay seated. The rest of you can follow my mother-,” he gestures towards the queen, who stands up and smiles at the girl. “So you can get started on your day.” 

The girls stand up looking at each other confused as they make their way towards the door, Vanserra looks back to give him a small wave. While Rita and another girl gently nudge Nesta in the correct direction as she continues to read, only looking up with bright eyes to share something she read. 

As soon as the door shuts, Cassian looks back to the girls in the room. He counted ten of them, as his friend began his “it's not you, it's me” speech. He felt bad, seeing the girls' disappointed faces didn’t help the matter, it was bad enough to break up with one girl but ten? He couldn’t imagine how hard it was for Rhysand, but he was relieved that he would have ten less girls to watch.

Not edited - any feedback would be appreciated, I love hearing from you guys! 

A/N: I reread the selection for inspiration and I kept imagine Nesta as America and Rhysand as Maxon and I couldn’t handle itttt, it was weird imagining them in love haha

[otomefoxystar]

The One - Chapter 4

Fandom: Kissed by the Baddest Bidder

Pairing: Eisuke X Charolette

Written by: @otomefoxystar

“You were attacked, and nearly raped. I got there before that could happen though.” 

Ota touched her shoulder 

“ I’m sorry Charolette this is my fault I should have followed you when you stormed off. Listen, if you need someone to talk to you can still call me while I’m away.” She smiled softly 

“ Thank you” 

He smiled back at her “ I’ve got to go Koro, be a good girl okay?” 

He went to leave but looked back at her, seemingly reluctant to leave. Finally, he left but Eisuke could see the emotion swimming in her eyes. That was one thing that would never change. Her eyes couldn’t tell a lie, she was scared it was obvious.

“ You need to eat Charolette, I’ll order you some room service.” He got the menu out and handed it to her. 

Mamoru and Eisuke walked out of the room 

“She looks worse than she did last night.” Eisuke nodded in agreement as they walked to the living room.

“ I have a list of people that were at the bar last night, but honestly if Ota hadn’t even seen her then I doubt anyone else had either. She’s going to have to remember.” Eisuke crossed his arms. 

“Just keep doing what you’re doing and let her heal. We can do all the heavy lifting, she doesn’t need to know. Not yet.” 

“ Okay. I’ll update ya later.” Mamoru walked out of the suite

Eisuke looked back at Charolette who was looking over the menu He walked in the bedroom. She kept flipping the menu over again and again. 

“ I can’t decide on what to eat” He cocked an eyebrow.

“ You’ve ordered the blueberry pancakes before and liked them.” He stood at the side of the bed. 

“ Okay then, I’ll have that” She smiled weakly at him.

He took the menu from her and nodded

“ I’ll let you know when breakfast is here. I’ll leave you be for now.” He shut the door as he left.

She sat in bed feeling conflicted, she just wanted to go home to her parents. Somewhere she remembered somewhere she’d feel comfortable. She got up and went into the bathroom and took a good long look at herself. She saw her blackened eye that was swollen almost completely shut. She ran her fingers along the bruises on her neck from being choked.

She took a quick shower and found more bruises and cuts as she washed herself. Not feeling up to doing her hair in her state. She pulled her wet hair up in a messy bun and put the clothes back on that she was wearing before. Not long after she was dressed was there a knock.

“ Charolette food is here” 

She came out, not sure if she was hungry or not. Eisuke was sitting at the table and stood up as soon as he saw her helping her to the chair. They ate in silence, she must have been more hungry than she thought. 

Once she was done she looked at Eisuke and cleared her throat.

“ uh, Eisuke?” He looked up at her 

“ Hmm?” She bit her lip

“ I want to go stay with my parents. It’s nice here and all, but I want to be somewhere I remember.” Eisuke put down his fork

“ I understand, it’ll be easier to find your assailant if we know you are safe.” She nodded her head. “ one condition, you need to check in with me weekly I need to know you are okay.” She grinned.

“ I can do that” She perked up 

“ good. I’ll have a cab take you there as soon as we get you proper clothes. I’ll have Baba go to your room for some clothes.”

Soon there was a cab waiting for her and everyone was in the lounge ready to say goodbye to Charolette. She smiled and waved goodbye to everyone. As soon as she shut the door Soryu turned towards Eisuke.

“ Are you okay with this?” 

“ Yeah, she won’t get in the way if she’s gone. At least we know she’ll be safe.”

Charlotte was happy when she arrived home and her parents welcomed her with open arms. Promising to help her get better and regain her memories but at her own pace. She settled in easily to her old room. She texted Eisuke to let him know that she had arrived safely. She easily formed a routine with her parents. As her injuries started to heal small flashes of memory would come back. Moments of her laughing with Baba, talking with Soryu, goofing off with Ota, teasing Mamoru, and Eisuke was out of reach she couldn’t remember anything except the few flashes of them looking at each other. If she didn’t know better she had feelings for Eisuke.

She called him every week as she promised, and he was content to hear her voice sounding cheerful. There were no leads on who attacked her. Nobody even saw her except the bartender. Eisuke was frustrated, but Mamoru kept investigating night and day. He would do anything to ensure that Charolette’s attacker was found.

Charolette wanted to remember her life, and as great as it was being with her parents she knew she had to spend some time with the guys if she was to remember anything. She texted Eisuke and told him she was coming over. She was nervous to see them, she knew it had only been a couple of weeks. She didn’t want them to think she was blowing them off she was just going through the motions trying to make sense of things. Nothing made sense though, so she knew she had to see the guys.

She knocked on the door of the penthouse and Soryu answered the door.

“ You don’t have to knock, just come in” he turned as fast as he spoke.

“ I didn’t know” Soryu knitted his eyebrows together at her words.

She walked in the lounge and everyone was gathered together. Ota brightened up when he saw her. He walked over to her but cautiously kept his distance. He grinned and held out his hand towards her and she reluctantly took it. He led her to a chair.

“ Sit, tell us what you’ve been up to” 

Eisuke walked into the room and looked her over, sensing something was off. He sat in a chair across from her, and saw the bags under her eyes and noticed how pale she looked.

“ I haven’t done much really, I’ve been sleeping a lot. I’ve been going shopping with my mom. It’s taken a while for me to feel better.”

“ That understandable” Luke said as he played on his phone.

Baba brought in an assortment of snacks and alcohol and soda.

“ Have something to eat and drink.” Charlotte turned her head, the smell of the tuna turned her stomach.

“Charlotte are you sick?” Hikaru asked 

She shook her head “ No no I just have a stomach bug.” Luke looked up 

“ What other symptoms do you have sexy bones?” Luke went into doctor mode

“ are you vomiting?” Charlotte shook her head “ are you nauseous?” 

“ yes” she cocked her head to the side

“why? It’s just a stomach bug” Luke smiled 

“ Just entertain me for a bit would you, come with me to my office.” He took her hand and dragged her off. 

Once they arrived at his office she stood in the room confused. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a small jar. 

“ Please pee in this.” her eyes widened 

“ what?” He chuckled 

“ just do it” 

Once she was finished she handed him the jar containing her urine. He took the jar and left the room. He returned about five minutes later pushing a machine.

“ Lie down” he pushed the machine next to her and plugged it in. 

Eisuke burst in “ Luke what is going ....on?” He looked at the machine

“ what are you doing?” Luke ignored Eisuke.

“ I’m going to lift your shirt up a bit.” Charlotte nodded her head. 

He took a tube of gel and twisted the cap off and squirted it on some sort of device.

“ This will be cold” She nodded her head 

Eisuke walked up next to Luke so he could see the monitor. Luke moved the device over her stomach. He stopped on a certain spot.

“ See this?” He pointed to the screen on the monitor. 

Both Eisuke and Charlotte looked at what he was pointing at. 

Luke looked at her “ Sexy bones that is your baby. You’re pregnant” 

“What?!” Both Charlotte and Eisuke said at the same time

Luke took the device off of her stomach and wiped off the gel with a tissue and pulled her shirt back down. He helped her sit up, and handed her the pregnancy test that had two bold lines on it. She looked down at the test.

“ How is this possible? I don’t remember being with anyone. It’s not like me to sleep around! Did I have a boyfriend?” She looked over at Eisuke frantically.

“ Calm down sexy bones. I know you don’t remember but there are options. If you don’t want the baby you don’t have to have it. There’s abortion and adoption.

Eisuke’s head was swimming he felt like he was about to faint. 

“I don’t have the means to take care of a baby I don’t have a job, but I can’t kill it either.” Luke shook his head 

“ You don’t have to make a decision right now. I’ll give you some pamphlets with information, and I’m going to give you some prenatal vitamins. Do you want to go see everyone?” She shook her head 

“ I don’t, but I don’t want to go home either.” Eisuke touched her shoulder 

“ You still have a room in my suite.” She nodded her head and got off the table.

When they got back to the penthouse Luke explained that she had the stomach flu and Eisuke was going to make sure she was settled in.

Eisuke made some calls to get her some pajamas and clothes for tomorrow. She was sitting in the living room just staring out the window.

“ Did you have dinner?” She looked over at him and shook her head.

“ I’m not hungry” Eisuke grimaced 

“ It’s not just about you anymore, at least eat some crackers.” She looked at him with tears in her eyes. 

“ Yeah okay.” She started to get up, but Eisuke put his hand out to stop her 

“ Do you want crackers? What about cheese?” She shook her head 

“ I’m vegan Eisuke, didn’t you know?” he pressed his lips together 

“ I must have forgotten, you need to talk to Luke about nutrition you might not be able to eat like that anymore. You need protein, I have peanut butter.” She nodded her head 

“ Yes, crackers and peanut butter that sounds good.” 

Eisuke spread some peanut butter on the crackers and brought them to her. He knew he needed to tell her everything. It was time she knew about them sleeping together, now was not that time. Tonight she needed to reflect on the news she received, and sleep it off. In the morning he could tell her that the baby is his and hope that she doesn’t decide not to keep it because for whatever reason he wants her to keep it and he wants to be part of it.

Previous Chapters: Chapter One  Chapter Two  Chapter Three

[batskulldrag]

Phoenix by Fallout Boy

chapter nine. no oc’s background dudes are either youtubers or characters from 2017′s dream daddy a dad dating simulator. abuse mention trigger warnings, there will be one warning in every chapter

Chapter Nine: Who We Are by Imagine Dragons. I know it’s not about fire, but it always made me think about the heroes around a bonfire singing. So, there.

Patton sat in the back seat with Virgil’s head on his lap. He had settled down for the most part.

“I’m sorry I had a meltdown in there.” Virgil said for what was now the sixth time.

“It’s ok.” Patton rubbed his back. “You had all that bottled up for a while.”

“But I still made a scene like a dumb crying baby.”

“Well, was the thrift store an ideal place for that? No. But, like I said you had that bottled up for a while.”

“I made an idiot out of myself. And I embarrassed you three.”

“I’m not embarrassed. Sometimes you just get hit in the right nerve and it all comes out. That’s why you shouldn’t repress things. If you do you can’t control when it breaks free.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“I understand. After Mom died, I fought off my feelings for a long time. Then I went to get groceries and ended up sobbing over a box of cornflakes. I just kinda fell to my knees in the middle of the aisle and cried my eyes out, holding a box of corn flakes.”

“That makes me shiver just to hear it.”

“Well, it’s hard to control when or how we feel things. Or when we feel things loudly.”

“Or when we break down like a dumb crying baby. Again, might I add.”

“Well, we can’t exactly press undo. So, we just have to move on.”

“I guess you want details.” Virgil pulled his hoodie over his face.

“Not if you don’t want to talk about it.” Patton kept rubbing his back. “But how do know what your dad was up to?”

“I snooped around his stuff while he wasn’t home. And I’m not as stupid as he thinks I am, so I knew what everything meant.”

“That might have been dangerous to do kiddo.”

“He didn’t catch me. Thank God. But yeah, that probably could have been how my entire being would die.”

“Do you think that’s why he started that fire?”

“That certainly seems like something you’d wanna burn.”

“Well, we’ll make an appointment so you can tell the police what you know.”

“They won’t believe me.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No, I guess not. I can’t prove anything though.”

“Let’s not worry about that right now.”

“Is it true? That I can stay?” Virgil looked up at him.

“Yes. We want you to stay with us and we’re going to do anything we can to make sure of that.”

“Why? I mean, that sounds awesome. But why? What do you care?”

“Well, first of all, you’re family. And to me at least that means something. Secondly, even if you weren’t, I’d still wanna help you. Because no one deserves to be treated the way my brother treated you.”

Virgil sat up and wiped his face with his sleeve.

“Do you wanna keep going or have you had enough fun for today?” Patton reached over and pet his head.

“We can keep going.” Virgil pushed his head into Patton’s hand like a kitten. “I’ve been trapped indoors for like two weeks now, and you guys have been isolated since I showed up.”

“Ok, we’ll tell the others when they come back out here” Patton scratched the kiddo’s head lightly.

“I am sorry about that scene I caused back there.”

“I don’t think anyone noticed.” Patton smiled.  

“Don’t lie to me.” Virgil sighed.

Logan and Roman came in with only the sound of the car doors closing. They both paused for a minute.

“Are you alright Virgil?” Logan was the first to break the silence.

“Yeah,” He looked at the floor. “I’m sorry about causing a scene.”

“I just told everyone that your leg started swelling up,” Roman said with a shrug. “Very painful experience.”

“Did they buy it?” Virgil winced.

Roman shrugged.

“I am sorry about making a scene.” Virgil wrapped his arms around himself.

“Well, hopefully this is the start of you being able to process everything.” Logan adjusted his glasses. “So, would you like to continue our excursion, or are you ready to go home?”

“I’m ok to keep going.” Virgil sighed. “I usually try to limit my public humiliation to once per day.”

“Sometimes you just need to have your dramatic breakdown and cause a scene.” Roman said calmly.

Virgil squinted skeptically at the back of Roman’s seat and sneered. Patton had to repress a laugh at this display of disgust.

“Virgil.” Logan broke the silence as they started driving. “Roman tells me that you’re quite the avid reader. Do you have any books that you prefer?”

“Uhh…” Virgil looked at Patton in confusion. “I like Henry James. His take on ghosts was always pretty cool.”

“He also had novel, at the time, ideals about woman’s place in society.”

“Yeah, that too.”

“Which ghost story is your favorite?” Patton perked up. Maybe if they kept him talking, he wouldn’t have another attack.

“Well, he has this one about a couple of older ladies who are kind of haunted by one of their dead relatives. But they really see him as a buddy more than a threat.”

“Aww. That’s sweet.”

#             #             #

               Logan and Roman caught on to Patton’s idea and both made an effort to keep Virgil talking. Talking about anything really, anything but Payton. Logan had the rules of chess reiterated to him and now knew every strategy that Virgil was aware of. Roman asked about every book he could think of and requested a synopsis of most titles. He had attended a year’s worth of book clubs in one hour. And Patton had brought up music, he learned about a lot of emo bands. He didn’t know that many emo bands existed.

               “And their guitarist is actually married to Gerard Way.” Virgil happily finished a monologue as he looked at socks. “They’re still together and everything.” He looked off to the side. “Glad to see that not everything of his breaks up.”

               “That’s nice.” Patton smiled. He had no clue what this kid was talking about, but he was so excited.        

  “I know you probably don’t care.” Virgil looked at the ground. “But I’m glad you were listening.”

Is this a naturally occurring hug moment?

Patton risked it and stepped in for a hug. Virgil saw him, shrugged and stepped into his arms.

“So, you’re just like this then?” Virgil was muffled by Patton’s shoulder.

“Yes, prepare to get so many hugs.”

“I can be ok with that.” He fell into his arms and almost went limp.

Oh, you poor anxious little touch starved baby.

“I really can’t wrap my head around the idea that you’re my dad’s brother.” Virgil laughed half-heartedly as he slid out of the hug.

“We don’t have to talk about him.” Patton said softly.

Virgil smiled at him in response. It was his usual tiny smile with his lips only parted about a centimeter. His stunning eyes, which normally looked aged beyond his years lit up slightly. All in all, Virgil looked pleasantly surprised. And it was adorable.

Patton beamed back at him.

“So, who’s your favorite band?” Patton went on, afraid of another opportunity for his baby to have an attack.

“You can’t just ask me to choose like that.” Virgil placed a hand on his heart and feigned hurt. “That’s like asking someone what their favorite dog is.”

“Oh.” Patton played along. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you that.”

“It’s ok.” Virgil tossed a package of black socks into their basket. “You didn’t know.”

“You know, you never did tell me what foods you like the best.”

“No, I guess not.” He looked at the floor. “I haven’t really had much of an appetite these last couple of months.”

“Well, we can work on that.” Patton grabbed his shoulder. “Did you like any of the casseroles that we’re drowning in?”

“That eggplant thing was pretty good. And I like a couple of the tuna ones.”

“Do you like pasta?” Patton pointed at him.

“Of course.”

“How about desserts? Everyone likes desserts.”

“You’re gonna get mad at this…” Virgil looked at the floor. “But I wasn’t really allowed to have desserts. You know because of calories and sugar and cavities. And bullshit.”

While Patton processed that body blow, Logan showed up and added a container of multi vitamins to their haul. He looked between Patton and Virgil.

“Patton are you alright?” He sounded like he was talking to a bomb.

“I’m ok.”

Logan and Virgil exchanged terrified looks. Logan’s because he had seen Patton mad before and it was haunting, Virgil’s because he had no idea what was going on, but in his line of logic when an adult got mad, he got hit.

“Virgil, sweetie.” Patton rubbed his temples. “I promise I won’t ask you anything else after this. And I won’t get upset with you no matter what you say. But I have to know, are you just not eating out of stress or are there other reasons for this?”

“I just started getting sick whenever I ate.” Virgil wrapped his arms around himself to hold himself together. “I guess it was anxiety. I don’t think there were other reasons.”

“Ok. I’m sorry I had to ask you that.” He sighed. “And like I promised, we won’t talk about it anymore.”

“Did you miss me?” Roman announced dramatically.

“Who are you?” Virgil squinted at him.

Roman made a series of offended squeaks and held one hand against his heart while flailing his casted arm in front of him. Logan looked on, his eyes glimmering and a smiled forming across his face. A soft laugh escaped his mouth.

“Well,” Roman laid the indignation on thick. “I was going to buy you a dress for prom but forget it.”

“I can’t get a date anyway.” Virgil shrugged.

“The boys are probably intimidated by your looks.” Roman continued. “I think you should try asking one of them out.”

“Oh no.” Logan suddenly broke in, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“What? Prom isn’t until high school, if you think I’m too young to date you can say so.”

“It’s not you Virgil.” Logan sighed. “One of our neighbors is here as well.”

“Oh no, who?” Roman looked around frantically.

“Howdy neighbors.” As if on cue the voice of Brian rattled them.

Brian approached and Virgil immediately stepped closer to Patton. Seems he feared the sheer amount of man that approached. Which was odd, Brian’s bear like appearance normally didn’t intimidate people. But of course, Virgil was, well Virgil.  

“Salutations.” Roman said blankly.

“Hi Brian.” Patton forced a smile.

“Hi.” Logan didn’t even look at him.

“You three out shopping for more lawn flamingos?” Brian teased.

“No.” Logan said without any cadence.

“We are actually helping our nephew rebuild his wardrobe after a fire.” Roman with his usual tendency to act like he was reciting lines on stage. “You’ve probably heard about our taking him in.”

“I did hear that. Most of us are wondering when we get to meet the new member.” Brian led them into a false sense of security. “You two almost ended up being the last couple to take the plunge and start a family.” He gestured to the slim figure clinging to Patton’s arm. “This must be Virgil.”

“Well,” Patton ruffled the kiddo’s hair. “It’d be kind of weird if he were a stranger.”

“Hi.” Virgil said quietly, as he pulled away from Patton’s side. “Nice to meet you.”

“Virgil was in chess club and on the debate team back in his old school.” Roman announced contently. “And he does advanced reading.”

“Really.” Brian looked impressed. “Maybe he’d like to play Daisy sometime, she’s running out of people who can match her.”

“I am not going to be a part of this, and neither are you.” Logan picked up their basket and put his arm around Virgil. “Let’s finish off the list, they can catch up.”

#             #             #  

               “I’m sorry for dragging you away like that.” He explained, now out of earshot. “But I do not want to engage in a one-upping competition. Especially about our children.”

               “That’s what that was turning into, huh?” Virgil looked back in that direction.

               “Brian is a notorious one-upper. And I can’t stand him.” He sighed. “And if I’m honest I think he’s putting too much pressure on his daughter. I know he means well and he proud of her, but the constant bragging is going to set her standards to impossible levels of up-keep. Overachievers like her are difficult to deal with. Too much input, positive or negative can be catastrophic. Positive reinforcement is great, but the way he does it makes me feel like Daisy is going to associate achievement with affection and burn herself out.”

               Virgil looked at him impressed.

               “And I’m definitely not putting you through that.” Logan looked away. “I’m not completely dense. I know you weren’t in any of those things because you wanted to be.”

               “Were your parents like that too?” Virgil’s voice was soft and hesitant.

               “People with Asperger’s are occasionally incredibly intelligent, so yes I was an overachiever when I was in school. My parents enjoyed the vicarious limelight, so yes, they put a good deal of pressure on me.” He clenched his fists. “I was diagnosed when I was eight. Sometimes I still dream about that moment, their reactions. You would have thought somebody died, or that I had murdered someone. I didn’t understand why they were mad at me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. I’m far better off without their influence in my life.”

“I almost won a spelling bee.” Virgil added. “I got all the way to state.”

“That’s very impressive, you should be proud.” Logan smiled.

“I lost.”

“You still made it to state championships, that’s quite an achievement.”

“Dad grabbed my arm and he jerked me, and he dislocated my elbow. It hurt.”

Logan knelt and hugged him.

“My parents broke and dislocated more bones than I care to recall. And I say this, not because I’m trying to compete. But so that you know I mean it when I say I understand.”

“I know we’re not competing.” Virgil hugged him back. “You win because your parents aren’t in jail.”

“Now, how did you puzzle that out?” Logan pulled back to look at him.

“You said you were done with them, but you didn’t sound very satisfied.”

“You could tell all that from my tone of voice?”

“No, I was eavesdropping on you and Uncle Patton when you told him to stop sending them stuff.” Virgil smiled.

“Patton doesn’t let things go easily.” Logan scoffed. “And he doesn’t forgive them.”

“Do you?”

“Never think you should forgive someone who isn’t sorry.” He said flatly.

“Even family?”

“Familial bonds shouldn’t be a bargaining chip to force someone to tolerate abuse. Nothing justifies that. I thought that my parents had a right to do what they did because of how I am, I’m sure Payton gave you excuses. But those are just hollow manipulative tactics. You don’t owe anything to someone who mistreats you. All they deserve is a swift kick out of your life.”  

“Ok.” Virgil seemed relieved to have heard that. “So, is there some sort of contest on who is gonna go the longest without having kids in your neighborhood. Because I think we just proved that not everyone should be a parent.”  

“That mostly consists of people asking Patton and me when we’re going to adopt. Or asking Jenna and Julian when they’re going to have kids. Or bothering Lily about when she’s going to settle down and start a family. And I suppose now that Dan and Phil are both out, they’re going to be harassed too.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I don’t understand their investment in all of our lives.”

“Sounds like a fun place. I can’t wait to meet everyone.” Virgil was completely deadpan.

“It’s not as bad as it seems.” He reassured.

Patton and Roman caught up to them, Roman looked ecstatic.

“I told Brian about how I rescued Virgil!” Roman clapped happily. “He’ll never one-up that one.”

“It was pretty cool.” Virgil tossed a package of boxer briefs into the basket. “He broke through the window with his fist, like a superhero or something.”

Patton was silent, he had an annoyed look on his face.

“You ok Uncle Patton?”

“I wouldn’t mind the fact that I once knocked over our charcoal grill and set our yard on fire so much if Brian would stop bringing it up.” Patton said sternly. “Just for that, he’s getting a book of grilling tips for Christmas.”

“Not again.” Logan sighed. “How many would that make? Five?”

“He’s right.” Roman put a hand on Logan’s shoulder. “Get him a book on gardening instead.”

“Just get him a yard gnome and say, ‘I saw this and thought of you’ that’ll bother him.” Virgil suggested from the floor, not looking up from the vitamin bottle he was reading.

“Aww,” Patton said giddily. “He takes after me.”

“By the way Roman,” Logan turned to his roommate. “I noticed that you introduced Virgil as our nephew. As in all three of ours.”

“Well, calculator watch,” Roman began. “My brother is a maniac. Patton’s brother is the worst. So, why not pretend that Padre and I are brothers, that way we can get good siblings. And I babysat Virgil a lot towards the end, and I wrote at least seven essays in character as Patton and no one noticed. So, I think I know him pretty well.”

“You wrote those?” Patton was shocked and confused. “I thought I just sleep wrote them. Like how I kept doing the dishes in my sleep.”

“Well, you did kinda sleep write them.” Roman shrugged timidly. “I just made them legible.”

“Are there any other parts of my college life that are a lie?”

“I bought groceries with my own money and put the money your mother gave me back into her account.” Logan offered. “Which was more than fair because I was living with you rent free.”

“And I bought a bottle of laundry detergent and kept topping off yours so you wouldn’t run out. I went through about twenty bottles doing this.” Roman submitted sheepishly.

“That’s why the soap was always half full? I thought I was losing my mind!”

“And whenever I cooked, I put ground up moths in Payton’s food.” Logan didn’t even look at him.

“Why?!”

“I just really don’t like your brother.”

This entire discussion took place over the sound of Virgil laughing. Once they got to the moth part, he completely lost it and was on the floor in a ball, laughing so hard he was crying.

“That’s…” Virgil wheezed, wiping tears with his sleeve. “That’s just evil. Where did you get the moths?”

“Ok, Logan,” Patton pointed at him. “Your parents are getting a Christmas card this year.”

“You said you’d stop.”

“That was before I found out you fed Payton moths for months. Is that why you always offered to cook?”

“If we’re ok with poisoning Payton,” Roman held up his hand. “Then I used to spit in his water bottle whenever he left it unattended.”

Patton sat down on the floor with his head in his hands. Virgil continued laughing. And Logan and Roman just stood there guiltily. Virgil’s laughter died down and turned to coughing and hiccupping as he tried to get his breath back. At least one of them was having fun. Patton pulled him into his lap like he was a stuffed animal.

��How did we get here?” Patton whimpered.

“I don’t know, but I am thrilled that I was a part of it.” Virgil beamed at him.

“Might I add that he left his baby unattended more than he left his water bottle.” Roman tried to defend himself. “And was next to useless when it came to literally everything that was going on. Some nights he didn’t even come home.”

“In his defense,” Patton buried his face in Virgil’s shoulder. “If I could have just walked away and not have had to see what happened, I would have. Maybe he just couldn’t take it.”

“What about Virgil?” Roman raised an eyebrow. “He left you to raise his baby and tend to your dying mother.”

Patton kissed Virgil on the top on his head and sunk back down.

“I can’t defend that. I just, I understand why he didn’t want to be around then. Mom would have liked to see him though.”

“I’ll be an advocate really quick,” Virgil added, looking at the floor. “At least Payton kept me. He didn’t leave the country and dump me off with an abusive father.”

“That doesn’t matter anymore either.” Patton wrapped his arms around him tightly. “Because we actually want you. And we want you to stay with us.”

“So, I can stay?” Virgil blinked in disbelief.

“We’re suing your father for custody.” Logan said quickly. “And not to get your hopes up, but we have a pretty solid case. I think our chances are good.”

Virgil quietly leaned back against Patton.

“So, are we just gonna have all our big moments in the middle of a store?” He asked blankly.                              

[candycanes19]

Playing in the Dark with No Escape ** Non Con** Violence

Please read tags. Non Con  Rape and Miscarriage

The next morning you and Daniel are enjoying breakfast and he is talking on his phone about some work thing.  You are happy not to have to talk to him because it always ends with you getting hurt in some way or another.  Silence is welcomed by you but it is not for long when Daniel hangs up his phone.

“Princess, you need to get yourself ready for the doctor so hurry along and get showered and dressed.”  Daniel starts cleaning up breakfast and sends you on your way.  

You turn on the shower and enjoy the hot water cascading over your body.  You relax and try and forget where you are during your shower.   Daniel has rarely bothered you in the shower but low and behold he opens the door and joins you.  

You whisper to yourself. “Fuck me” and luckily Daniel does not hear you.  He comes up behind you and puts his hands on your hips and nuzzles your neck.  

“Do you know how absolutely gorgeous you are, Princess.  My Princess” he attacks your neck with kisses and little love nips along your neck and shoulders.  His hands move from your hips to your shoulders and then one ends up around your neck. 

“You are mine” and with that statement he kicks your legs open for him.  He lines himself up with your entrance and slams into you again.  You groan at the intrusion and try to move your hips away but he pushes with his other hand on your hip to keep you where he wants you.  

His hand on your neck squeezes tightly and you try to calm your nerves and let him do what he wants.  He continues thrusting and it is not as rough as it usually is, and maybe it is because he is not upset at you.  

“Fuck Princess so good for me.  So tight and wet so perfect.  Love you so much”  and his hand on your hip moves to your clit and he plays with it and you come hard on his cock.  He continues his thrusts and they become a bit rougher and he does last much longer himself and paints you pussy white with his seed.  

“Oh princess I love you so so much.  You gotta know that.  Now we need to get together because Doctor Winston will be here soon.  He kisses your shoulder and gets out.  You stay in the shower a bit longer just so you can be alone when you get out.  

When you get out Daniel has laid out a towel for you.  You dry yourself off and go and get dressed for your doctor visit.

*********************************

When you were ready, Daniel came and got you and brought you into the living area of his house.  It was very masculine with dark blues and blacks for the furniture and a few paintings on the wall but it fit Daniel from the bit you knew about him.

The doorbell rang and Daniel walked over and opened the door, “Good Morning Doctor Winston, great to see you.  Thank you for doing this for me.  I appreciate it so much. My girlfriend is just not up for traveling around.”

“Anything for you Daniel.  We know with how much you help us out at the clinic, I am willing to help you out anyway I can or any of my staff.”  she says.

You overhear their conversation and can not believe that Daniel would be kind and helpful.  But when they walk into the room you stand up and smile.

“Hi,” you say, putting on your best smile for show.

“Hi, (Y/N) it is nice to meet you.” Doctor Winston says shaking your hand.

“Thank you” you feel Daniel come around you and put his arm around your waist.  

“We really hope that (Y/N) is pregnant.  We are super excited to start our family.” Daniel says kissing your temple. 

You just smile at Daniel and then at the doctor and then put a hand on your abdomen so it looks like you are excited.

“Then let me start my exam” Doctor Winston says, “(Y/N) if you do not mind, I need you to pee in a cup and we might be able to find out quickly.  I have the tests and I need to take some blood as well.” 

She hands you a cup and you walk to the downstairs bathroom.  You pee in the cup and follow the directions and wash your hands.  When you come out you hand the doctor the cup and she then gets some stuff out of her bag and starts the test.

You sit patiently and feel ridiculous at finding out if you are pregnant.  You have been feeling miserable and throwing up at the weirdest times.  Plus with all the sex that you both had been having it would be a shock if you were not.

Daniel was sitting next to you holding your hand.  You knew better than to start something in front of someone else fearing your life.  So you played along even though all you wanted to do was tell the doctor that you were being abused and raped by this man.  And that if you were pregnant did you have options but you knew certainly that would end your life if you even suggested not having the baby.

Finally after what seemed like forever, the doctor came back over and prepared to take some blood, “Now this will not be bad just a quick poke and then we will be almost done”  she said and then she poked you with the needle and took some blood.

After your blood was taken the doctor put a bandaid on your arm, “Now from my preliminary test results, you are pregnant. Congratulations.  I will definitely need to see you at my clinic for check ups to keep up the progress of your pregnancy and make sure all is well.”

You hear that you have to go into the clinic for your next appointment and your hopes get raised that maybe you can escape from Daniel and live your life free.

After she checks a few more things during your exam, “Overall you seem in good shape and you need to get some prenatal vitamins and then schedule that check up.  Is there anything else I can help you with, (Y/N)?”  

You so desperately want to say that you need to escape but you shake your head no. “I am good.  Thank you” you say with another fake smile.

“Very good and you two again congratulations on the baby.  What a great way to start your day” she said as she packed up her stuff.

Daniel showed her to the door and then he closed it and walked back over to you.  You will as still as a statue because the shock of a baby that part of you wanted and part of you did not want because of what had happened to you by this monster sitting next to you.

Daniel moves his hand to touch your abdomen, “Our love for each other is growing inside of you.  This is wonderful.  I am so happy. I love you Princess.”  He moves his hand to cup your cheek to kiss you deeply.

“We should celebrate” Daniel suggests, “What would you like to do, Princess?”

You know what you want but you will get punished badly for it so you say, “I do not know.” 

“Come on Princess there has to be something I can let you do.” 

“Let me see my cousin.  Please” you are sure your suggestion will fall on deaf ears.

“Your cousin? Oh yes Kacey right? You two are like sisters since you both were only children.  I remember that.”  Daniel says which freaks you out at all that he knows about you.

“Yes, can I see Kacey?” you beg.

“I might be able to work it out so we can meet for coffee.  If that is what you want?” Daniel smiles at you.

“More than anything” you say and are sure you can get Kacey to save you.

“Sounds good.  Let’s call her and we can arrange to meet.  Just for you Princess”  He leans in for another kiss and you let him because what’s the point of resisting anymore.  All you will get is roughed up more and you have no energy for that now that you have a little life growing inside of you.

*************************************

Kacey gets to the coffee shop first and waits for you to show up with Daniel.  She had been worried about you since you had not called her in several days.

When she sees you and Daniel she motions for you over to her table.

“Oh my goodness, (Y/N), I have been so worried about you. I am glad you are alive and looking well.” she hugs you tightly.

You start to cry at the feeling of just being in close proximity to your best friend and cousin.  And when you pull back she notices how upset you look. 

“(Y/N) what’s the matter?” she asks.

Daniel buts in and says, “I think the pregnancy hormones are kicking in for (Y/N).  Pregnant women can be emotional sometimes.”

Kacey looks at you and you nod, “I am pregnant.” you say putting a hand on your abdomen.

“Oh how wonderful, (Y/N). I am happy for the two of you. A baby is a wondrous being. Congratulations.” 

“Thank you Kacey” you say and you all sit down, “Oh where are my manners, this is Daniel my boyfriend.” you introduce him to Kacey.

“Nice to meet you Daniel and I am Kacey.  (Y/N)’s cousin and best friend.  I am so glad we got to see you both.  I have missed seeing my best friend.” Kacey explained and grabbed your hand in hers.

Daniel noticed that you two seemed very close and that would be a problem in his mind.  But  he would let it go for now.

“So why have you been so MIA, (Y/N) your boss said you were on sick leave.  They found your car left in the parking lot at work.  I had it towed to my place because they said at your apartment complex you had moved out.  And I drive it some so it gets some use.  Are you going to need it because I can get it to you?”  

You look at Daniel and he smiles, “That actually would be good if (Y/N) had her car at my place now since we are living together.”  

“Sounds good so what do you guys want to eat.  This place smells like heaven.”  Kacey says and you guys look at your menus.

You guys order and then you say you need to go to the bathroom, “Kacey will you come with me?” 

“Sure”  she says, “Be right back, Daniel,” you say, kissing his cheek.  He looks concerned and grabs your hand quickly and whispers in your ear, “If you do something, you will be sorry.” he threatens you.   You look at him. “I understand.” and you get up with Kacey and walk to the bathroom.

When you get in there you ignore what Daniel says and grab Kacey’s hand, “Please help me Kacey.  Daniel is a bad man.  He had hurt me and kept me prisoner in his house.  He forced me to have this baby.  I am so scared.  He told me not to say anything but I can’t take it anymore.  Please please help me!”  you beg with tears flowing.

Kacey pulls into a hug, “I had a feeling something was wrong when I had not heard from you in several days. I will see what I can do.”  

“He is going to hurt me again when we leave because I told you but I can’t have his child and live this way much longer.  He is scary…….” and you start crying again.  

Daniel has a feeling and walks to the bathrooms and opens the women’s bathroom door and sees you hugging your cousin and crying.  He is livid.

“(Y/N), we are going now” you both jump away from each other and he comes at you and grabs your arm harshly,

“Get off my cousin you asshole” Kacey yells.

“She is not well and anything she told you is a lie. We need to leave” and he takes you out and marches you out of the coffee shop.  Kacey follows but quickly leaves money on the table.

Kacey is too late because you and Daniel are in your car and leaving the parking lot. 

In the car, Daniel looks at you and yells, “You will be punished and I will not feel bad about it.  You are such a little disobedient whore.  I do something special and you fuck it up.  Why? I am so good to you and you just do not listen.” 

You cringe at what he is going to do to you. Then a thought hits you, “Daniel if you hurt me you hurt the baby.  Please don’t hurt us.  I am so sorry please.  I beg of you not to do something to hurt your baby.  Our family.” you cry putting a hand on your abdomen to try and hope that will make him rethink his punishment for you.

When you get home Daniel has a strong grip on your upper arm.  He is literally pulling you into the house.  When he opens the door and throws you inside and then slams the door shut.  You had fallen but got up and bolted but Daniel was close on your heels and grabbed you around the waist.  

“You will not get away” and then he throws you onto the floor and pounces on you.  Rips at your blouse and bra and leans in to bite one of your nipples  and pushes your skirt up and rips your panties and undoes his belt and zipper and pulls his cock out and slams into you so roughly that you scream for your life.

“No no no” and you close your eyes and try to not feel at how roughly he is taking you against your will.  

You raise a hand and scratch his face and that earns you a slap and more rough thrusts.

“Fuck you whore” and he is relentless with his thrusts. And he pinches at your nipples and you fight him as best you can.  You pull at his hair and that seems to turn him on more, “Bring on bitch”  and then you cry because his cock hits you in  the right place and you come and then he spills his essence into you with another rough thrust.

He leans up and slaps you again, “Whore, just a whore”  he pulls out and then grabs your arm..

“Let’s go” and he takes you back to your prison, “Clean yourself up and think about how to act right.”  and he locks you in again.

The shower is becoming your best friend and you try to wash away the sin of your encounter with Daniel.   He was never letting you out of his sight after your stunt.  And you just hoped that Kacey could help you but who knows.  You were very scared and now even more so for the baby growing inside of you.  

You look down at your body and pray that you and your unborn child will survive.  

That evening as you are sleeping you wake up to awful pain in your abdomen and then you notice blood between your thighs.  

“Oh god no no no!  Help me.  No” you scream.  

[someonefantastic]

I Think I need a Doctor

Fun fact, I started this whole month out with a mini bucket list and this fic was one of two things on there. I really wanted to do some Karen whump since she is so underrated and this idea spawned during a convo about Deez Nups with the psych discord. It's a little different from my usual but I hope y'all enjoy it nonetheless! Summary: Fun fact, I started this whole month out with a mini bucket list and this fic was one of two things on there. I really wanted to do some Karen whump since she is so underrated and this idea spawned during a convo about Deez Nups with the psych discord. It's a little different from my usual but I hope y'all enjoy it nonetheless! Warnings: hospitals, miscarriage, nausea, blood also on ao3 (recommended cause this gets long) ___ Karen sighed. The women’s restroom in the police department wasn’t the most ideal place but it had been an extremely long day and she needed answers. All week she had been feeling tired and nauseous- frankly, she would have chalked it up to sickness but then she remembered that she had also missed her period which caused her thoughts to go elsewhere.

That was at 8 am and since then, she had been called down to a murder scene, the victim turned out to be an old police chief, had to deal with two ex-cops butting heads with her consultants, and comfort her detective after some sexist remarks. So she shoved the thought to the back of her head- or at least tried to. But the curiosity remained growing bit by bit. Eventually, the anticipation became too great and she had used much of her break running to the drug store and waiting in the women’s restroom.

Glancing at her watch for what felt like the millionth time, she took a deep breath noting that the three minutes were finally up. Her hands shook as she picked up the small piece of plastic, stilling herself for what answers it might hold. Her eyes widened as she saw the results.

Two clear pink lines.

She was pregnant.

Naturally, she’d have to confirm it with a doctor first but judging by all of her other symptoms, she was pretty sure it was true.

Leaning heavily against the stall door, reality started to sink in. A smile began to spread across her face, her breath coming out in huffy laughter.

“Holy crap, I’m pregnant.” She breathed, staring at the results, her heart beating rapidly. Her smile had turned into a full out grin, joy rising in her chest. She and Richard hadn’t exactly been trying but they weren’t being safe either. They had always wanted another kid but due to both of their ages, had never really thought it would happen. But now…

She resisted the urge to jump up and down. She couldn’t wait to tell Richard. ___ Walking through the front door, she barely paused to throw her keys in the bowl and shed her heels before seeking out her husband. She found him tucking Iris into bed and paused in the doorway to watch them. He was reading the four-year-old a story- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, her favorite- but the peaceful atmosphere was short-lived as her daughter saw her.

“Mommy!” She yelled, reaching out with grabby hands and Karen smiled, pushing off of the doorway to sit on her bed beside her.

“Hello sweetheart, I’m sorry I’m late.”

“Isokay.” Iris shrugged before giving her a gap-tooth smile. “Did you catch any bad guys?”

“Tons of them.” She leaned forward, placing a kiss on her daughter’s forehead. “Did you have fun with daddy?”

“Mhmm,” She nodded vigorously, “We went to the park and had hot dogs and I fell off the swings!”

Karen raised an eyebrow at her husband who smiled sheepishly, “It was just a small fall, she’s okay.”

“I got a Wonder Woman bandaid, wanna see?” Karen didn’t have time to blink before the covers were pushed back and her pajama pants leg was rolled up, revealing a red bandaid on her knee. “Can you kiss it better?”

After exchanging amused looks with Richard, she bent down, pressing her lips against the wound. “There… all better.”

“Thank you,” Iris beamed, settling back into bed. “You can read more daddy.”

Richard laughed, “Sure thing pumpkin.”

After two more books- because of course, Iris needed her mom to read also- she and Richard gave their daughter one last kiss. Bidding their goodnights, they shut the door a little behind them, finally alone. Karen was suddenly very aware of just how nervous she was. It was big, life-changing news and while she was excited, it still made her stomach clench with anticipation and anxiety.

They made their way into the bedroom, out of earshot of their little one, before Richard turned around, arms crossed as he leaned casually against the bed. “So, how was work, really? I mean, obviously, you had to work late.”

“Yeah,” She sighed, shedding her suit coat and tossing it in the hamper. “An ex-police chief got murdered and now he’s suspected of laundering drugs. You can imagine the kind of PR nightmare this is gonna be.”

He frowned nose wrinkling, “That does not sound fun. I’m sorry.”

She shrugged, “Well hopefully our detectives and consultants come up with something.” She shook her head, giving a little wave. “But enough with work, I have something I need to tell you.” Shifting a little, she bit her lip.

Sitting up straighter, he raised an eyebrow, clearly picking up on her mood. “Yeah? What?”

“Well…” She started, reaching into her pocket and pulling out the pregnancy test that had weighed heavily there for most of the afternoon. “I’m pregnant.”

His jaw dropped, eyes going wide and she thought for a brief second that he may have been upset. But his face quickly broke out into a smile, leaping off the bed and pulling her into his arms.

“Holy crap, we’re gonna have another kid.” He gasped, burying his nose into her hair.

“Yeah…” The tears of joy that had been threatening to fall all afternoon finally did fall, slipping down her cheeks to land on his shirt.

They were going to be parents again, their family was going to grow. It was amazing and wonderful and she just couldn’t wait. ___ The next few weeks were a whirlwind of babies and cases. An appointment with her doctor confirmed that yes indeed she was pregnant, putting her at about four weeks along. She half-listened to his warnings about overexerting herself since miscarriage at her age was so common but she waved away those doubts. There was no use worrying over something that hopefully wouldn’t happen.

Shortly after that, they sat Iris down and told her the news. She was elated at the idea that she was going to be a big sister almost instantly berating her parents with an onslaught of questions about the baby. For the next two weeks straight, all her drawings were of her and her brother or sister.

As for her and Richard, they were thriving. They both decided to not tell any of their coworkers or extended family until the second trimester, not wanting to get any of their hopes up in the off chance that something went wrong. But they didn’t have any fear. Keeping the knowledge just to their little family made the whole experience feel more intimate. Sure they did have a few slips ups- especially since Iris couldn’t keep a secret- and she noticed her detectives giving her a few odd looks every now and again, particularly when she left early for a doctor’s appointment- but for the most part, the knowledge stayed between the three of them.

Between pulling Iris’ old baby stuff out of the attic, taking vitamins, working, and getting morning sickness, it felt like Karen’s life had gone to a new level of crazy. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t love it. The idea of having another baby was exciting and fun and caused her to seek Richard out and steal a kiss or two on several occasions. Of course, some days weren’t as great, like when she’d feel sick all day or wouldn’t get home until late or Richard had to travel for work, but regardless, she was still happy.

Truth be told though, she barely had enough time to focus on the baby or any preparations due to her job. It seemed like lately the crazies were just getting crazier. Not only did she have to deal with a hostage situation- on a boat of all things- two convicts wound up escaping, launching a manhunt. Then after that, there was a serial killer who was picking off people from a liver donation list, her consultants started acting weird, and somehow they wound up implicated in aiding an enemy agent. Of course, the Feds had to be called in which was a nightmare in of itself, and then her detective asked for two weeks off- which she was more than happy to give to her considering everything O’Hara had been through as of late- which was shortly followed by a retraction and a request to aid her partner in extraditing a convinced criminal back to the states.

So to say life was crazy may have been an understatement. It was downright insane.

On top of all of that, she had started feeling worse and worse and she worried for her unborn baby, fearing that getting sick could cause problems. But, luckily, she had a rare Saturday off and she was insistent on using it to relax and spend time with her daughter and husband.

And she did exactly that.

Sitting outside in the warm fall Santa Barbara air, she smiled, watching Iris run around the yard. Her daughter was playing her new favorite game, doggy princess, which basically was her running around and doing dog-like things. Laughing, Karen sent a content smile at her husband who exchanged the look and reached out a hand to cover hers.

“I can’t wait for Iris to have a sibling.” He squeezed her hand and her smile grew.

She glanced down, her hand rested on her stomach, fingers brushing the very small bump. “Me too, it’ll be good for her to have a playmate.”

He hummed in agreement, picking up her hand to press his lips against it. “I love you, dear.”

“I love you too.”

Turning back to their daughter, she frowned as her stomach clenched for what felt like the hundredth time that day. She had felt crampy pretty much all morning and well into the afternoon but had shaken it off. She worried that it would turn into morning sickness- after all, it had been a few days since she last got sick and she wasn’t looking forward to that again. She was never one to feed into her worries though and figured that if it continued into the next day, then she would call her doctor.

She turned her head, looking at her husband through tired eyes and he frowned. “Still feeling bad?”

She nodded lazily, “I guess I forgot how much being pregnant can suck sometimes.”

He gave a short laugh, leaning forward to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’ll all be worth it though.”

“You bet your butt it will.”

She closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her. She wasn’t planning on taking a nap- after all a four-year-old made that particularly difficult- but resting her eyes seemed like a good idea. With a sigh, she relaxed, letting her stress and worry ease away.

She didn’t get very far into her quiet time before she felt a warm wetness between her legs. Groaning, she stood up and started walking towards the house.

“Where are you going?” Richard asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I think I wet myself.” When his eyes widened, she rolled hers. “Remember? It happened all the time when I was pregnant with Iris. It’s just my luck that it’d happen with this one too.”

He frowned, “I’m sorry darling.”

“It’s fine,” She shrugged, “I’ll meet you inside for snack time?”

“Of course.”

She sighed again as she headed into the living room and snagged a clean pair of underwear from the laundry basket- thankful for once that she put off doing chores. Wandering into the downstairs bathroom, she stripped out of her pants and peeled back her panties, blood running cold. They were stained with a dark red.

She quickly changed, hands moving of their own accord as her mind raced. Exiting the bathroom, she made wide-eyed contact with her husband who paused his trek into the kitchen, picking up on her distress.

“What’s wrong?”

Swallowing heavily, her hands gripped the doorframe, knuckles turning white. “I think I need a doctor.” ___ The wait in the ER had been quick- only lasting about ten minutes- but to Karen, time crawled by. Waiting for the test results was even worse, the nurse had hastily taken blood, asked a few questions, then rushed off. Iris had been dropped off at her nephew’s house with little explanation which left the two of them to their thoughts and worries.

She wrung her hands, a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. It felt weird sitting on a hospital bed, after all the last time she had been in the hospital was when Iris was born and those memories did little to quell her nerves. Richard stood behind her, hands working her shoulders and she was grateful for his presence. If he had been on a business trip… she shook her head, now wasn’t the time for what-ifs.

“It’ll be okay.” She heard him say, though she wasn’t sure if it was to her or himself.

She didn’t have the heart to reply nor did she need to as a knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” Richard called and a doctor walked in, holding a clipboard close to his chest.

“Chief Vick, Mr. Vick,” He greeted with a nod of his head. “My name is Dr. Phillips, I’m sorry for the wait.”

“It’s okay,” She replied, “Thank you for seeing us so quickly.”

“Well with something so-” He waved his free hand, “Serious, we wanted to get you in fast.”

Her stomach clenched. “Serious?”

He nodded solemnly. “Yes. I’m terribly sorry for this news but your blood work- and symptoms described- indicated that you’re having a miscarriage.”

Even though she had her suspicions, the words still hit her hard, knocking the air from her lungs. Her blood ran cold and she felt like she might throw up. Their child- the kid that they had been so excited about- was gone.

“In addition to your miscarriage,” He continued and she glanced up, barely registering his words, “Due to your age, I’m afraid you won’t be able to have any more children without serious complications. I’m very sorry.”

It felt like a punch to the gut, except she had experienced those before and this was so much worse. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think straight. The world was falling apart around her, crashing to pieces. Her fingers found Richard’s, holding his hand as if her life depended on it- right now it felt like it did.

“Do- do you know the gender?” Richard spoke up, his voice sounding distant and shaky.

Dr. Phillips nodded, “While it’s not one-hundred percent accurate, the results of some blood tests indicate that the baby would have been a boy.”

“A boy.” He whispered, and her heart twisted again. They could have had a boy.

“I’ll give you two a few minutes.” The doctor said, though she barely registered his words.

Once he left the room, Richard climbed onto the bed, legs on either side of her, and wrapped his arms around her stomach, burning her face into her neck. She couldn’t even relax into his touch though, her body too stiff, too shocked to even move. Numbness felt all-consuming aside from the constant ache in her abdomen, stomach cramping with broken dreams- a signal that what they had longed for had officially come to an end.

She didn’t even realize she was crying until he wiped at her tears with his thumb and suddenly, all her emotions couldn’t get out fast enough. Her face crashed into her palms as sobs wracked her body. Behind her, she felt Richard tremble, his own tears beginning to fall. Her chest ached, lungs heaving as she grieved- because that’s what this really was, it was grieving. Grieving the loss of their unborn son, grieving the opportunity to have another child, grieving the joy that would have come with it.

They sobbed for what felt like hours until tears no longer fell and her cries turned to dry heaving. Her sleeves and back were wet, soaked by their combined tears but she didn’t care, too focused on the ache inside her chest. Leaning against him, she took a shuddered breath and he wrapped his arms across her chest, her hands coming up to grip his forearms.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered. “I lost our baby.”

She could feel him shake his head. “Absolutely not Karen.” His voice was scratchy from unuse. “You didn’t lose anything. It happens.”

“It happened to us.” She took another shaking breath. “We were going to have a son.”

He sniffled. “I know.”

The pain increased as a thought crossed her mind, “How do we tell Iris?”

His breath hitched, “I don’t know… oh gosh this sucks so much.”

Nodding mutely, she closed her eyes, letting stray tears slip down her cheeks. “How are we going to get through this?” She mumbled.

“I don’t know,” He repeated, “but we’ll get through this together. We always do.”

Swallowing roughly, she nodded. “Thank you for being here… I love you.”

“I love you too. For better or for worse remember?”

“For better or for worse.” She echoed. ___ Two years later and the pain had faded, though not completely. Some days seeing mothers with new babies or families with lots of kids brought her back to that hospital- to pouring her emotions out on that bed and feeling that pain. But time had gone by, Iris was 6 now having recently started first grade, she was still chief and loving it. Life was still moving forward, and definitely for the better.

Her head detective was getting married and she sat in a dressing room, watching his bride-to-be get ready for her big day. She talked about how excited she was to be marrying him and Karen smiled, reflecting on her own wedding day all those years ago. She knew first hand that marriage had its ups and downs and she didn’t hesitate to tell the woman exactly that- about her occasional dreams of running away to the South of France, about Richard’s failed attempts to make eggs florentine or how he knew exactly what she needed on a stressful day. Her heart twisted and she yearned to tell them all about her miscarriage, that even in the hard times, it would all be worth it but she stopped, knowing that now wasn’t the time.

Instead, she began talking about what might have been. About her dreams of Richard being there for the birth of their child- about their son. “Oh, or that day when he walks into your hospital room holding your newborn son, and he will lay him gently on your chest, and he tells you that you look beautiful, even though you know you look like hell frozen over…” They chuckled and she smiled fondly, “And it all will be worth it.”

The moment was cut short as the maid of honor began complaining about her parole officer but she didn’t mind, jumping on the opportunity to help out- and thankful for the distraction. And later, when her detective cornered her, asking about why she said son when Iris exists, she didn’t hesitate to share what happened, reminding her that all relationships had pain but often the pain was worth it.

Watching her detectives dance and party, she smiled. Yes, she didn’t get to have more kids but her family wasn’t small. While the pain was still there, there was also hope. She had found her family and while it was unconventional, she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

[namjoonchronicles]

serenada | nj

↳ genre fluff, domestic 

↳ words 2.4k

↳ summary –it’s the little things in life that matters. 

↳ warning none

↳ namjoonchronicles’ honorary tag list @kai-tashi @joon94net @yourlocalalien @septemberalien @yoongiseesaw

↳ special thanks to @majestikblue & @fangirlaholicxx

↳ song this story was written with bts ‘jamais vu’

With the sound of chirping birds, accompanied by the rush of warm water between your toes, and coddling sands underneath your feet, you hugged your cardigan tighter, smiling to yourself at a new found freedom you had fought for yourself. Hair swishing back at every strike of wind, the scent of the sea makes you feel quite at home.

Sometimes, it doesn't matter how many times you went down the same road, trying to change how fate unfolds, things will turn out how they're supposed to. We are humans, and not exempted from mistakes. It's when you stand at a cross road knowing fully well that it will never be the last you'll be faced with. The only remedy is to have a hand to hold, when it arrives. Not because you're weak or incompetent. But because you'll need the support.

One week earlier....

Lunch table is set on a beautiful Friday. While your eldest is attending his piano lessons, you only have your four year old baby girl with you at home. Stir-fried beef, steamed broccoli and potatoes with peppers, sliced kimchi and fried anchovies. Pretty simple set up for today. If you knew he was going to be home, you would have bought some chicken, but you know he's not the kind to complaint about what you place on the table for him. Setting the final side bowl of soybean paste soup with beansprouts, you get to your daughter’s eye-level and told her,

"Call dad to come eat..." you say gently, word-by-word, "'Dad, let's eat...' like that." She nodded enthusiastically.

"Knock first..." you reminded her with a smile. You know that he loves listening to the little one calling him that. Its rare and it makes him happy. The little big happiness in life, he said.  

The little one did as told. Curling her little fingers and knuckles barely touching the door to Namjoon's studio door. She is tall enough to twist the knob on her tip toes but she didn't do that. She repeated the phrase you taught her twice, but no answer. Curious, you came and join her, twist the knob open to see Namjoon sitting in his chair turned away from the door. His hand on the phone pressed against his ear, he glances over his shoulder and waved his hand to shoo you and your daughter away. It seemed to be an important call. With that stern look in his eye, you're sure to shut the door before you leave. The little one pouted. As she waddled to the dining table before you, she kept her head down.

"Dad is a little busy, he'll eat later... we could eat first," you rubbed her back and carried her on her chair. She can feed herself although slightly sloppy, she was eating very well. She glances at Namjoon's empty bowl from time to time. Because you're very keen, you asked her why. She answered, "Dad's going to be very hungry later. Working, working, always working."

"Dad needs to pay the bills to keep the roof above our head, so daddy's not going to be here often but mama hopes you'll forgive him for being that way? He's trying so hard..."

"I miss dad..." She said.

A few hours later, you took your baby girl to fetch her older brother from piano lesson. Koya, the nickname his dad got him, climbed into the car looking drained. You looked at him through the rear view mirror and beamed at him, but he didn't reply the same enthusiasm.

"How was class, darling?" "I advanced to Grade 7 now, there's placement exam next week..." "Oh, that's amazing. Remember to tell dad later!"

You turned the wipers on because it began to drizzle, your son didn't respond immediately after you told him to tell his dad. And when he did, your heart breaks.

"Why? He's not coming anyways."

Not wanting to drag the sadness, you turned the blinkers to the city instead of the road home. Koya, one who remembers the direction exceptionally well notices this. He swivels his head around to see the hanging bridge you were supposed to use, getting farther and farther away. "Mama? Our house is that way....."

"Home is cancelled. We're getting ice cream." "But it's raining." "Exactly." "Yay! Ice cream!" The youngest one exclaimed.

That was the biggest smile you had seen on her face all day. Your son was confused, but he will retaliate soon. He's such a big loser when it comes to sweet things and he got that from his father, obviously. Parking by the convenient store, you sat on the table with the view outside the street. Next to you is Koya and his little sister, all eating different kinds of ice cream. You wanted something sour, Koya wants the strawberry one and the youngest prefers vanilla.

Passing behind you, an elder woman scoffs, "Why are you feeding your children ice cream on a rainy cold day. They're going to get ill." Koya turns around and spat, "Ice creams makes mama happy. What's wrong with being happy?"

You bowed and wore a stricken smile on your face. The old lady scurried along with her things before returning to buy an ice cream herself.

"Koya,"  you called. His heavy glasses runs down half of his face but he answers, "Hmm?"

"Do you hate Dad?" "I don't hate him. I just want him to be more like dads. Making money is not everything..." "Money? Is that what he told you?" "Yeah, that time is money. With each time taken away from us, he is making money. That's what he said. I checked dad's net worth the other day and I calculated that he makes roughly, 6.78 dollars an hour." "Koya, how did you..." you frowned but shakes your head, "Anyways, dad has always been busy. We should be more understanding, that's what I think. That's what mama thinks."

Just then, your baby girl froze. Koya checks on her, "You okay?" She giggles and her lips are trembling, "Yes, my brain poof." "You mean, brain freeze?" Koya puffed his cheeks.

Driving home, Namjoon still left his bowl undisturbed. You have to talk to him. Somehow. Koya showered, and then your girl, and then they're tucked in bed. As the night progresses, the lonelier you became. Now that your kids are in bed and sleeping, the house is quieter. You hated it. Listening to Koya not wanting to tell Namjoon that he has advanced piano exams soon, and your girl mumbling how she misses her dad had made you upset that when you staring at the night sky through the glass door, your visions blurred. You're hugging your leg, sitting on the sofa facing the opened curtains with the lights off, leaning your head on the side, on the cushion.

Namjoon twisted the door knob open, and the hallway is dark, catching him off guard. Did the power outage happen when he's in there? Why didn't anyone notify him? He watched you there, sitting in the dark but didn't think much of it.

"Not asleep yet?" he mumbles to your back as he walked out of the hallway into the kitchen to grab a glass of cold water. "I didn't feel like sleeping yet," you answered simply. "Probably all those coffee you've been having," he shot nonchalantly and walked back into his studio. Your gaze shot to the side, your fingers fiddling with your toe, jaw hanging at the answer your husband gave you. You only caught the view of his back, and his white tees walking away. With a script in your head, you slipped off the couch and walked slowly to his studio.

"Can I talk to you? Can we talk?"

Namjoon swivels his chair around to see you standing by his door frame, crossing your arm. The light from the hallway make you look like you had a halo. He smiled at you but you didn't return the same warmth.

"You didn't eat anything I cook," you shrugged. "I was going to but I got carried away... I was going to, I promise," he said in a hurry, sipping hard on the cold water he took himself. "Namjoon, if you're going to be like this at home, I suggest you don't take your work here," you started off strong. And you know that because Namjoon's expression changed from warmth to confusion.

"Like what? I don't understand... I'm home because you told me to be here more often..." "You're home but you're not... home," your voice breaks, "You're not here."

Taking out a crumpled invitation letter out of your cardigan, and you held them out to place on his desk instead of waiting for him to take them from you.

"There's two of that, one for mom, one for dad. I found yours in the bin," you sniffed, wiping your nose with the back of your sleeves. Namjoon remains quiet, but his eyes are receiving every information. He doesn't say anything in rebuttal and for that, you're thankful.

"Your daughter is mad at you, so I don't know how you'll fix this but I wish you would learn that being a father is not just providing financial stability. It's about emotional and physical presence as well. You of all people should know. You taught me that," you moved away, digging your eye sockets with the heels of your palm as you leave your husband to understand what you told him.

With the way you ended the conversation, one-sided conversation, Namjoon knows he's not welcomed in the bedroom that night. It didn't take a genius to to know. When he woke up on his studio couch, unaware that he had slept on his hand instead of the pillow, his shoulders began to strain. When his eyes flutters open, several teddies were lined around him like he was going to be sacrificed in a satanic cult. Then he felt little nails scratching his ankle bone, picking the skins there. His daughter is looking at him through her bangs, with wide brown irises decorating her rosy cheeks and baby bird lips, she is an unsplitting image of you.

He spread his arm open for her and she understood what it meant, and for that, Namjoon is thankful.

"Is Dad working until late night? Are you still tired?"

Namjoon nodded. Suddenly she escapes Namjoon's arms and ran down the hall into her room where her brother Koya is still sleeping soundly. When she comes back, she took a small container full of her vitamin gummy bears and a piggy bank.

"What's this, baby?" he asked groggily. "For your body, so daddy can be strong, like me," she smiled, and a dimple dip on the left side of her cheek. That side is deeper than the right one. And, she pushed the piggy bank next to Namjoon's feet, sitting with her knees folded, "For bills. I saved a lot."

Namjoon was stunned.

"Did you save money so daddy could pay bills?"

She nods, while playing with her customized KAWS doll, "So Dad doesn't have to work all the time and play with mama, with Koya and with me."

Several hours later...

"Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure?" you repeated as you were pushed out the house, all dressed up. Namjoon chuckles, "Yes, mama. Tell mama we're going to be okay without her."

Koya was smiling and the youngest were jumping in place. When you heard, you thought you were dreaming. He said that you should go watch movie, shopping and walk on the seaside while he takes the kids to Everland, the largest theme park in Seoul. Not only that, he wants to take them there, without you. So they could bond. Make up for the lost times. No cooking, no pee checks, just get dressed and enjoy yourself. He wants today with the kids and tomorrow, you can join if you want.

"Okay, behave yourself. Koya, and you, and daddy too. Don't give him a hard time alright? Hold daddy's hands at all times, you understand me?" you warned Koya and the little one, darting your eyes at Namjoon next, "And if you don't answer my text or calls, I will come with a butcher knife."

And that's how you ended at the seaside. Life is not a game. You can't press restart at every mishap even though you wish you could. And remedies don't come immediately or in the form you'd expect them to be. It's okay, but it's not okay--a phrase you've grown accustomed to as the years passed. No matter how many times you repeat the story line, tweak whatever you did in the middle of it, the ending is what fate wants them to be. With Namjoon, things can get a little hazy, sometimes foggy. But you know one thing. That his love is real. Even if he needs to be reminded how to be a person sometimes.

He took a seat next to you on the wooden bleacher while the kids runs around the field, playing with rented bicycles and shrieking in delight. You peeled your eyes away from the kids and stare at your husband's side profile.

"I want to say I'm sorry," he begin. Namjoon blinks to the floor, scratching his forehead, blinking repeatedly. "Honestly, I am so warped with perfection that I fail to see the things around me that are also taking shape," he pressed his lips together and straightening in his seat, "I make a lot of mistakes and I'm learning. There's errors I cannot fix but I'm grateful that you called me out before it becomes permanent."

"What are humans without mistakes..." you scooted closed to him, and leaned your head on his shoulder, "I didn't want you to miss a big part of these children's life. You're maybe the nations' greatest philosophy professor, but you're their father and you're all they have... You're all I have, too. I don't want to fight the world for your attentions, and I don't want my kids to do the same thing I've been doing for years."

Namjoon links his head with yours, looking over your children playing. "I need Kim Namjoon back, my Kim Namjoon," you flutter your eyes shut, feeling safe with his arms around you. He doesn't say a word in reply, but brushes his lips on the crown of your head, and tightening his hold around you. His wedding band shimmering on his laced fingers while yours scratching the materials of his sweater.

"I'll love us better now." He promised.

.

.

.

copyright © 2019 namjoonchronicles do not repost, sorry it’s just 2.4k words

[shimmershaewrites]

Fourth Quarter, Chapter 1 (a Walking Dead story, Caryl AU).

Sorry.  I am so sorry, lol.

  Title:   Fourth Quarter

Rating:  M. 

Warnings:  adult language. 

Characters/Pairings:  Carol Peletier, Daryl Dixon, Sophia Peletier, original character, Jenny Jones, June Dorie, Pete Anderson, mention Morgan Jones and John Dorie, Luke, Carl Grimes, mentions of Judith Grimes, Tyreese Williams, Duane Jones, mention of Eastman, T-Dog, Axel. 

Prompt(s) used:  “Do you trust me?”    

Author’s Note:  inspired by a little drabble in my Across the Universe(s) drabble series—“Quit stalling.”  Apologies for the sucktacular title and the fact that I’m jumping off the deep end and starting another story.  Clearly, I’m losing it.  But whatever.  I made words.  So it’s a lose-win situation, lol.  Also, in case you didn’t notice, I brought over a couple of friends from Fear and I’m keeping my options open about bringing over more.  We shall see.  Anyway.  Fingers crossed this somehow breaks up the log jam that is currently the state of Waltzing.  I miss writing that story so freaking much. 

          Dr. Pete Anderson didn’t like kids. 

  Carol had it figured out within two seconds of meeting the man, his so-called secret.  His absolute, lip-curling distaste for the parade of little humans that were the King County clinic’s bread and butter was that apparent.  Hard to miss really and ironic considering.    

  Those frequently possessed of snotty noses and tiny hands that were somehow, some impossible way always sticky were both the bane of his existence and the source of much of his livelihood. 

  She couldn’t help but wonder how someone that couldn’t even be bothered to open up his heart to the frightened tears that inevitably came from being thrust into a place so cold and sterile and generally unwelcoming as their place of employment possessed one at all.  Most likely, she supposed, his chest was hollow and a big cavernous nothing occupied the space where the faulty organ should be.  Yes, most likely.  Too bad he worked every Monday.  As did she. 

  “Did somebody get me the goddamn labs I asked for?!” 

  The question yelled so near to her ear was all the warning Carol had before a mug of coffee was unceremoniously slammed down in front of her, causing her to flinch.  She watched with dismay as the bitter black brew sloshed over the ceramic edge, instantly soaking into the printed labs in question, and took in a deep breath in an effort to fortify herself for what she knew was coming.  Thankfully, her coworker stepped in to prevent her from falling onto her figurative sword.  

  “The printer’s jammed again, Sir.” 

  Jenny Jones was one of the most even-tempered individuals Carol had ever met.  Whether she was helping keep a toddler calm while they had a lost Flintstone vitamin fished out of their nose or explaining to a patient that body spray was not meant to be used internally via the rectum, she always wore the same placid expression.  She wore it now, even in the face of Dr. Anderson’s poorly reigned in rage at humanity at large.    

  “Thought the damn thing was fixed.” 

  “It was.  It isn’t now.  Noah’s working on it.” 

  “Who’s…know what?  Forget it.  I don’t care.  Just get me those labs.  Sometime today.”  With that, he stalked off to greet his next patient, continuing to grumble beneath his breath. 

  Finally, Carol felt like she could exhale, and she did, feeling a lot like a deflated balloon.  Or at least, the way she imagined a deflated balloon might feel.  “You’re too good to me.” 

  Jenny’s chair squeaked as she pushed it back from the desk.  Eyes brightened and lips twitching with humor, she replied, “You bring me cookies.  I would be crazy not to be.” 

  “Duane like the strawberry lemonade cookies?”   

  “Like them?” Jenny scoffed.  “That boy loved them.  At least the two his daddy let him have.  Morgan made me promise to get the recipe from you.  Told me to resort to blackmail if I had to.”  Shaking her head, she mused fondly, “That man.  He loves ya’ll’s cookies.” 

  “I’d worry about him if he didn’t.  Everybody loves Carol and Sophia’s cookies.”

                                                                                                                                                                                 Carol looked pointedly at her watch before returning their newcomer’s easy grin.  “Just get here when you can.”  June Dorie was a relative latecomer to the clinic staff, still an enigma in so many ways.  But she was capable, compassionate, and currently very much in love, and like Jenny before her?  Carol had relied on her instincts, welcoming her to cross that imaginary line separating coworker from friend.    

  Other than the precious pink blush belonging to only the happiest of newlyweds tinging her cheeks, June was unruffled by Carol’s teasing.  “Thank you.  I will.”  She did, however, wrinkle her nose at the sodden lump on the counter before her.  “What did I miss?” 

  Her answer came from the irate boss man himself.  “Where are my fucking labs?!”

  June winced.  “Happy Monday, huh?” 

  Carol grit her teeth to keep from letting a few choice words slip free.  Every Monday was a happy Monday when your least favorite doc was a Monday constant.  As if she needed more reason to hate them.  Not only that, the waiting room was starting to fill up, really fill up, right on cue.  Taking a page out of Jenny’s book, she took a deep, calming, let’s be zen breath, and pasted on what she hoped was a serene expression.  Unsurprisingly, she failed. 

  Sparing a second to stuff the ruined labs into the nearby shred box, Jenny dabbed at the mess left behind with a handful of Kleenex and shook her head.  “I see your wheels turning.  You’re on desk duty with Liza ‘til you quit plotting the good doctor’s demise.” 

  June smirked.  “Guess she’ll be out there forever then.” 

  “She might just be,” Jenny conceded.  “June?” 

  “Get the asshole his labs?” 

  “You said it.”   

        “And again!  We want to make Stevie and your parents proud!” 

  In unison, the entire sweaty, spent marching band groaned, and they groaned rather dramatically. 

  Perspiration prickling along his own scalp, the band director couldn’t even find it in himself to be mad.  Quite the contrary.  Depressing the button on the side of his megaphone, he blew out a long, drawn out groan of his own and deadpanned, “I felt that.  Take five everybody.” 

  “Five?!  But Mr. Fogler!” 

  “Alright, alright.  Fifteen and find some shade.” 

  Everybody scattered after that.  Almost everybody.  They needed no more prompting. 

  Sophia, however?  She stayed right where she was, sinking to the grass like a boneless slug bug and letting her eyes drift closed for a brief second.  She stifled a shriek when she felt something cold slither across the back of her exposed neck.  “What the…stop it, Carl.”  In spite of her grumbling, she gratefully took the bottle of water he held out in offering, tipping it back and taking a long swallow.  Shooting a wondering glance at the boy she’d long considered her best friend. 

  Carl dropped down beside her, mindful of the clarinet she’d cast almost carelessly aside.  He’d left his own snare drum where he stood in his haste to seek her out, and he stared at her now, his blue eyes hidden behind the dark lenses of his shades. 

  Sophia’s fingertips fluttered self-consciously over her freckled cheeks and the long auburn ponytail coiled carelessly atop her head.  “What?” 

  Carl’s lips remained zipped.  They merely curled in a barely even there smirk and he shrugged. 

  Sophia narrowed her eyes at him, wholly unconvinced of his truthfulness.  They’d known each other since they were both in pullups and the wait to get their respective drivers’ licenses was almost over.  Of course, he was lying.  Even if he was doing it without words.  “Carl Richard Grimes!” 

  “Did you just full name me?” 

  “I just full named you and I’ll do it again.”     

  “Ooooo.  I’m so scared.” 

  “Don’t be such a…”  Sophia floundered for a word adequate enough to express her frustration.  A good clean word because that’s the way her mama had raised her, but really.  None of them were very satisfying. 

  Carl laughed.  “You can’t do it, can you?”  

  “Know it all jerk.” 

  “But you’re my favorite Disney princess, Soph,” Carl said, snagging the forgotten water bottle from her hands and taking a swig of his own.  “Jude’s too.” 

  An unwelcome smile twitched at the edges of Sophia’s affected pout.  “Shut up.” 

  “Alright,” Carl agreed easily enough. 

  The silence didn’t last long, though.  He was back to his insufferable teasing before they’d had time enough to finish the water bottle between them, and that didn’t take long at all.  “Carl.  I mean it.  Stop.” 

  “Stop what?”  Snickering as he dodged her annoyed little fists, he feigned innocence, “I didn’t even say anything.” 

  “Yeah, well.  You didn’t have to.  Just spit it out.” 

  “You want to spit it out?  You really want me to?” 

   “Please,” Sophia huffed, leaning forward to wrap her arms protectively around her updrawn legs.  She steadfastly ignored Carl’s gaze as she waited for him to put his particular brand of Sophia-torture into words and it definitely wasn’t the sun heating her cheeks when she spit out her last little piece of pleading encouragement.  “Do.” 

  “This one time.  At band camp…” 

  “I swear to God, Carl,” Sophia muttered miserably.     

  “You know Mr. Fogler said shade right?  Not Cade.” 

      On the other end of the football field, the indirect source of Sophia Peletier’s current humiliation was sweating his balls off doing drills for a team he wasn’t sure he even wanted to be a part of.  And it showed. 

  Coach Williams’s deep voice carried, across the clashing bodies and sticky late summer heat.  “Mr. Phillips.  Do you or do you not want to be here?” 

  Hands braced on his hips, jersey clinging wetly to his heaving chest, Cade figured there was no pussyfooting around the truth.  That shit never did anybody no good.  “Presently?  No, Sir.  At least Satan’s ass crack would have shade.”

  Appreciative snickers swelled, rising and traveling from teammate to potential teammate like a wave, and Coach Williams showed a brief, scary flash of teeth before sobering up and making full use of his huge, intimidating linebacker build.  “That so?” 

  Cade knew better than to waltz right into that trap.  He’d become quite adept over the years of sidestepping trouble when it come looking, and until he proved otherwise, Coach Williams weren’t any different than any other coach or teacher.  So he clamped his mouth shut and dropped to give the man twenty unasked.  Or at least he tried to.  The man stopped him with a boot on his back before he got ten good pushups in, barking at the whole lot of them to take a long overdue break.  The grass felt prickly beneath his sweaty pits when his limp noodle arms gave out on him, but Cade didn’t care.  A bottle of orange Gatorade appeared out of thin air, and he’d guzzled nearly the whole thing before he bothered looking up to see where it actually came from. 

  A short, stocky black kid stared down at him, something like admiration on his face. 

  Heaving himself over onto his back with a groan, Cade muttered his gratitude and shielded his eyes from that look and the sun. Both of them were pretty damn blinding in their own way.  He recited a silent prayer that the boy, who he vaguely recognized as a freshman, would just fuck off and leave him alone.  Like most of his prayers, it went unanswered. 

  “I’m Duane.  You’re Cade.” 

  Forcibly swallowing the overwhelming urge to mock the kid right to his oblivious face, Cade merely grunted an affirmation and lifted his arm to get a better peek at him.  He felt an unexpected twinge of guilt when he took in the boy’s slumped posture.  “Running back right?” 

  “Like you.” 

  Hardly, but Cade kindly chose not to point it out.  Instead, he made small talk best as he knew how.  “Didn’t I hear you say your dad has his own martial arts place down on Main?” 

  “He’s partners with Mr. Eastman, but yeah.  You been there?” 

  “Nope, but I’ve thought about it.  Think you can talk him into cutting me a sweet deal?  Might be nice to learn different ways to kick some ass.”  Handy, considering he knew next to nobody in this one-horse town and in his experience?  It never took long for welcomes to be worn out.  He left that part unsaid, too. 

  “I…I don’t know.  But I think so.  I’ll have to see.” 

  “You get on that.” 

  “I will.” 

  “Hey, Water Boy.  Why don’t you shut your trap and do your damn job?” 

  Duane sighed and made to push himself to his feet, but Cade jerked him back down.  “Nah.  I got this.” 

  “You don’t have to.” 

  “Do you trust me?  We got us a deal, right?” 

  “Right.” 

  “K then.  Watch this.”  Cade winked, standing up and stretching to his full height.  “Hey, lazy asshole.  Why don’t you get your own fucking water?” 

      “Man, you been back in town, what?  Almost a month and I’m the only person knows it.  I’m not accusing you of hiding, but…” 

  Wiping his greasy hands on the red rag that never strayed far from his back pocket, Daryl virtually dared T-Dog to continue his train of thought.  T smartly refused to take the bait, dropping the subject and ambling on over to join him in admiring his handy work.

  “You trying to put those Gas Monkey dudes outta business.”    

  “Stahp.”   

  “You think I’m kidding?  I ain’t.  I knew you was good.  I just didn’t know you was this good.  And it ain’t even your day job.”  

  “Hear that, Boss?” Axel oh-so-helpfully piped up.  “It ain’t ya day job.” 

  “Don’t reckon nobody yanked your chain, Mr. Monopoly.  You got them brakes fixed yet?” 

  Axel hemmed and hawed, but in the end, he admitted he had a lot of work still left to do. 

  When Daryl turned his attention back to T-Dog, his old friend was trying—and failing—to keep a straight face. 

  “Mr. Monopoly?” 

  “Yeah, well.  He shaves that shit off?  He’ll look more like the Planter’s Peanut.” 

  T-Dog guffawed, earning himself more than a couple dirty looks from the source of his endless amusement.  “Missed you ‘round these parts.  Can’t tell you how good it does me to see you back.  Even if I’ve never seen you leave these four walls.  How do you eat, Man?” 

  “Like an uncivilized pig,” Daryl deadpanned. 

  T’s grin stretched wide, but he was otherwise unperturbed.  “You said it.  Not me.”  Putting a few paces between them, he started absently inspecting some nearby tools.  “Little birdy down at the high school been talking.” 

  “Don’t ya mean tweeting?  That’s the big thing now,” Axel said, doing what he does best again.  Inserting himself into a conversation that didn’t involve him in the least.  “Tweeter.” 

  This time, T-Dog and Daryl both ignored him and Daryl was surprised to realize he wanted to hear more.  “Yeah?  What you been hearing?” 

  “Kid’s talented.  Going places if he decides to put in more effort.  If he keeps his nose clean and gives his school work the attention it deserves when classes start…” 

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” Daryl muttered.  “I’m trying.  Even if he ain’t.” 

  “Hey, Man.  I get it.  You two?  Ya’ll still getting to know each other.  I can’t imagine what it feels like for either one of you.” 

  Axel couldn’t resist butting in one more time, and Daryl decided fuck it.  He nodded.  Just let him. 

  “Woman showed up on his doorstep and basically said congratulations, it’s a boy.  Your problem now.  Now he’s just as much a daddy as he is an uncle.  Ain’t fair if you ask me.  Got all the responsibility without getting to have any of the fun.” 

  Well, shit.  He hadn’t exactly thought about it in those particular terms, but the twitchy little bastard weren’t exactly wrong.  “Back to work.  Ain’t telling you no more.”  To T-Dog, he simply sighed and raked a tired hand over his unshaven face.  “I’m trying.  I am.” 

  “Kid’s gonna have to meet you halfway.” 

  “Try three quarters.” 

  “Axel!”   

[wolfpawn]

Life is a Game of Risks, Chapter 59

Chapter Summary - Alexianna and Tom say nothing throughout the holidays, but cats rarely like to be in bags and usually are quick to get out of them.

WARNING - CONTAINS REFERENCES TO PAST POST-NATAL DEPRESSION

TRIGGERS - Past domestic abuse, Past emotional abuse, Past sexual abuse.

Previous Chapter

Tags: @damalseer @hiddlesbitch1 @winterisakiller @theoneanna

Request if you wish to be tagged

Bar the obvious secret Tom and Alexianna were keeping to themselves, Christmas Day went incredibly well. Daniel rang after his shift to wish his sister and niece a merry Christmas, which was a little after Lily’s bedtime, but Alexianna allowed it. It ended up that Daniel was on the phone longer than anticipated, not just because Lily insisted in telling him ever last minute detail of her toys, thanking him more than once for his contribution, but because Diana and Emma wished to speak with him for a few minutes also. Tom spoke while Alexianna assisted Lily to get ready for bed, then the pair swapping tasks and Tom getting Lily to brush her teeth while Alexianna spoke to her brother.

Getting ready for bed that night, Tom looked at his partner. “Did you tell Daniel?”

Alexianna scoffed. “God, no. That is a face to face thing. I don’t think I am ready for that yet.” She sighed. “I am so bloody tired.”

“Get some sleep.” Tom pulled him to her and kissed her temple. “It appears I will have to change my present for you.” He smiled. “Though you have given me the best present I could ever hope for.” He looked at her stomach.

Alexianna gave a small smile, watching his line of sight. “Is it?”

“Another child? Of course. Another little human being for us to love and raise together.” He leant forward and kissed her.

Alexianna had thought he was referencing just them having a child together, not inclusive of Lily, hearing him say it as he did, she realised he could very well mean what he had sworn the day before, that Lily was still as important to him as she had been before. It was something she worried about and would continue to do, even after the baby would arrive, she did not want Lily cast aside simply because this baby would be born to them, born to a happy relationship as opposed to how Lily was conceived. “Well, it can’t be here for Christmas.”

“It is here, just not in a way we can see yet. I cannot wait for next year, what you said earlier, I won’t be able to get that out of my mind.” Alexianna smiled slightly and sighed again, leaning into his chest. “Get some rest, Darling.”

“Mmhmm.”

“I saw your trick, by the way.”

“What trick?”

“Using the alcohol-free wine Emma brought.”

“It raises the least amount of suspicions.”

“Yes, we will give it a few more weeks before we say anything.” He rubbed her stomach. “I cannot believe my sister and I are having two children only a few weeks apart.”

“I checked, based on the date of my last period, this one is due the first of September, so that is seven weeks, but Emma has a first pregnancy, this is my second, she could go over, or ours could go over, there is no telling, but the likelihood is closer six weeks.”

Tom could not help but smile more. “If they are the same gender, it will be like you and Emma again, they will be so close. And Lily and Sophie are close in age too, we planned this all so well.”

Alexianna gave him an incredulous look. “This was not planned, Lily was not planned, there was no planning. This is ‘Oops’ and ‘Oops, I did it again’.”

Tom chuckled. “Well, then, we could not have planned it better if we tried.” He corrected.

With a small laugh, Alexianna went over to the bed and got in, in need of more sleep, even after having napped already during the day.

Tom made sure that everything was organised after the day and got into the bed next to her, his hand immediately going to her lower abdomen, wanting to be as close to her and their baby as possible.

During the night, a small noise woke Tom, looking around, he saw the bedroom door slightly ajar. “Lil’s?”

“Daddy?” There was a quiver in her voice.

Turning slightly to face her, Tom rubbed his eyes. “Did you have an accident, Princess?” She shook her head. “Then what is wrong?”

“I got scared.”

Tom groaned slightly and stretched. “Of what, Sweetheart?”

“I don’t know. It’s all dark and different.”

Tom nodded, “Come here.” Lily came into the room. “Close the door.” She did as he requested and walked over to the bed. “Come here.” She climbed into the bed and between him and her mother. “Get some sleep, but remember, Mummy’s tummy is still sicky, okay?” Lily nodded and started getting comfy, her Toothless teddy very much snuggled in against her. Tom did the same, knowing that Alexianna slept on her left side and had her back to her daughter, she would not accidentally kick her mother’s stomach in her sleep. As soon as Alexianna would feel the small movements of her daughter behind her, she would also adjust her sleeping accordingly.

When Tom woke in the morning, he chuckled at the fact there was a small foot mere inches from his face. He could never comprehend how Lily got into the positions she did as she slept. Her behind was in the air, her head facing the bottom of the bed, and the light snores coming from her made her all the more adorable, Toothless still firmly in her grip. Looking across to Alexianna, he noted she too seemed to be awake. “Morning.”

“What time is it?”

Tom turned to the bedside locker and checked his phone. “Half seven.” Alexianna groaned. “Go back to sleep, Darling.”

Alexianna shook her head slightly and making an odd face. “I can’t.”

“Why not, morning sickness?”

“No, that’s not for another few weeks, I just feel really off, my breasts feel like they are on fire and I am tired but also restless.”

Tom gave her a sympathetic look. “It’s going to be a long ten months, isn’t it?”

“I don’t think you realise just how bad this can get.”

“I am here, no matter what.” He whispered, noticing Lily was beginning to move slightly. She only gave a small smile as a result. “Although, I think I need to get a jog in, or I will start to need new pants.”

“Dad bod, is it?”

“Behave you.”

“I’d love you regardless.”

“That’s all that really matters.” Tom gave her a loving smile. “My entire world is in this house, my family is in this bed. You, Lil’s,...” He looked to her stomach. “Everything of importance is here.”

“Money isn’t everything.” She agreed. Lily moved slightly, her arm going over her mother’s leg, causing Alexianna to laugh. “Enjoy your run.”

“Try and get some rest, Darling.”

*

For the rest of their trip to Diana’s, Tom and Alexianna were able to say nothing of her condition, her taking her vitamins daily when she got up in the bedroom, Tom assisting with anything that would put stress on Alexianna, especially regarding lifting Lily or such. Emma and Jack went back to London first, Jack had to be back to the office for New Years, leaving them to say their goodbyes and promising to meet up soon, especially, since Emma insisted she wanted Alexianna’s help with the thousands of things she was fretting about for the baby.

The day of their leaving, Tom began packing in their bedroom while Alexianna started to help Lily since he was something of an expert at packing these days after years of being on the go.

“Have you everything sorted?” Diana asked her son as she brought the freshly washed clothes they had been using during the week into the room for him to pack.

“Almost.” Tom started getting the charger and wrapping it around the plug as he usually did for packing. Then he headed to get some more things out of the press they had been using.

“I’ll put these in here, shall I?” Diana opened the suitcase, thinking nothing of it, putting the fresh clothes in, making sure nothing was creased. When she took the toiletry bag out to put in Tom’s socks, she paused and looked at what was beneath it. “Tom?”

Tom, who had been focusing on making sure he got his electric shaver charger so he could keep his beard trimmed to how he liked it, had not been paying too much heed to his mother, turned on hearing her call his name. His face turned to one of uncertainty as he looked at what his mother was looking at. She looked him in the eye, waiting to see what he would say. “I…”

“I am not going to buy ‘bringing them for Emma’ because I saw her pack hers,” Diana stated. “Thomas?”

Tom knew there was no way to ignore the very awkward situation. For a moment, he could see where Alexianna’s fear had derived from when he realised what was happening. “Mum…”

“Is she…?” Tom simply nodded silently. “How far along?”

“Five weeks, nearly six, according to some calculation thing I don’t understand. She’s three weeks but she’s five weeks, whatever that means.”

Diana nodded slightly. “So this is what had you both out of sorts on Christmas Eve? Why Alexianna was so out of sorts.”

Tom could not control his smile, “It’s the best Christmas surprise I could ever ask for. I know it is not how it is meant to be done, but…it was a shock, yes, but we talked it over and we are excited about it. It means rethinking a few things, but we want this.” His smile grew.

Diana studied her son’s face. It was clear she was trying to take it all in. “You both want this? Tom nodded. She remained silent for another moment. “And Lily?”

“She doesn’t know yet, she would never be able to contain it. The day we tell her is the day we may as well announce it to the world.” Tom laughed.

Diana gave a fond smile at that. “As long as she is not forgotten in this.” Tom shook his head. For another moment, Diana was silent, watching her son’s joy before she smiled widely herself. “So, when is my fourth grandchild due?”

“September first, we think. The doctors will be able to ascertain more when we get a scan, but that’s the date according to Alexianna’s calculations.”

“Two grandchildren in two months, well, I am practically relocating to London now, aren’t I?” Diana laughed. "I knew she looked different. She just looks more radiant."

“You’re not angry?”

“Why on earth would I be angry, Thomas?” Diana’s face changed to that of the concerned parent on seeing the genuine worry in Tom’s features.

“We’re not married, we’re not living together, we’re only together a year and a half.”

“Well, you will have to organise moving in together, you need to be there towards the end of the pregnancy and when she comes home from the hospital to help with the baby. Not to mention, Lily will need to be tended to also.” Tom nodded in agreement. “Neither home is big enough.”

“No.”

“That will need sorting.” His mother commented. “Well, this has been a unique situation from even before the start, I am not surprised it continued in that manner.” She cupped his face in her hands. “You never travelled the ‘normal’ road and I would not suspect you to start now.”

Tom chuckled in response. He was about to comment further when Alexianna walked into the room, sensing the peculiar atmosphere immediately. She worried if something was the matter when Diana walked over and embraced her tightly. “She found the vitamins,” Tom explained. “I could hardly deny it.”

Alexianna did not know what to say. It was true, it was not something that could be denied, maybe one of the vitamins, say they were out of the normal ones, or the folic acid, but not both. She looked at Diana to see her reaction. “You’re not mad? We didn't say anything, we didn't want to ruin this for Emma and Jack either, obviously.”

“How could I be mad at such wonderful news? I know it is not the best timing, especially with you and college and that job you want, but very often, life doesn’t give a hoot for our timing. Emma was a complete and utter surprise, one I could never regret. This little one will be so loved. You don’t have to be worried about doing everything by yourself, we are here for you, Darling. Oh, this is very exciting, two in a single summer. Hopefully, it is two of the same, they will be so close.” Diana was overjoyed at the mere thought.

“I said that too.” Tom beamed.

“No, you said something along the lines of we planned that well….there was no planning.” Alexianna corrected.

“Well, life has these funny ways of bringing things to us, even when we don’t realise we need them,” Diana commented. “I suggest you two finish packing. I will make something for you to have before you leave, healthy of course.” With that, she left the room.

For a moment or two, there was silence between the pair. “I think she isn’t actually angry,” Tom commented. “I thought she’d kill me.”

“I think it is something to do with you being thirty-seven years old. You’re sort of in the age bracket for this sort of thing,” Alexianna stated, putting the vitamins back in the bag. “And you're already an incredible father.”

“I didn’t mean for her to see them. I thought we would end up doing the same as Emma and Jack, or something similar.”

“I know, I packed them, after all, but as your mum said, things happen for a reason,” Alexianna rubbed her lower abdomen. “Even when we don’t plan it.”

[sweetness47]

Faith & Soul

Pairing Alpha!Sam x Omega!reader

@spndarkbingo : Challenge – First Kiss & Amara

@heavenandhellbingo : Faith healers

@spnabobingo : revered omega

@samwinchesterbingo : first time

Word count: 1936

Warnings: smut, abo dynamics, unprotected sex, MATURE 18+ READERS ONLY

5 years ago…

I woke in a forest, no memories, no nothing. Just a voice in my head.

“YN, I have chosen you. You have a gift of healing, and I can teach you to use it to help the people of this world. I will protect you and keep you safe as long as you follow two simple rules.

1.       You can never tell anyone about me.

2.       You must remain a virgin forever. To give a man your innocence would be to defy my help. You will forfeit your gift should you choose to walk that path.

I frowned. “Who are you? What are you?”

The voice said calmly, “I am God’s sister. My name is Amara.”

Present day…

“Please don’t crowd. All who need healing will be taken care of.”

I watch the people line up, all here to see me. Elderly people with severe arthritis, cancer patients, paraplegics, and I have the power to make them all 100% better. There are no side effects, no gimmicks, no tricks, no deals with the devil, neither is it witchcraft or parlor tricks.

I was always able to do things like this for as long as I can remember. I kept as low a profile as I could, but I travelled all around the world, never staying in one place too long. I had acquired some body guards, one male and one female, who never left my side. They were paid to watch me 24/7 to ensure I remained alive, and to ensure my virtue remained intact. Bathing, showering, eating, sleeping, even using the restrooms one of them was always there. They took turns sleeping and eating when they could, but remained ever vigilant during the rest of the day.

Then came the day my life changed forever, well more specifically, the day he entered my life and changed it forever. Sam Winchester and his brother Dean had heard about the ‘faith healer’ and had come to investigate the stories of miraculous healings. I’m pretty sure that if sin could have a picture in the dictionary, it would be those two. I’d never been near a man for anything other than work, but I’d seriously consider it for them. Amara felt my thoughts and immediately crushed them.

“YN you must stay away from the Winchesters. They are dangerous hunters, and they are trouble.”

My hormones screamed in protest, but I didn’t push. Just watching them walk toward me had heat pooling between my legs. I swallowed hard but remained in perfect control.

“Prove to them you are real child. The tall one has a wrist that was broken and never healed properly. It is the left one. It aches and bothers him when the weather changes, but he has never told anyone.”

I raised a brow and stepped forward. “Greetings gentlemen. My name is YN. How can I help you? I can heal any injury, illness, even remnants of old injuries.” I turned to the tall brother. “Your left wrist was broken some years ago, and it aches when the weather turns cold or precipitation comes.”

The tall brunette’s jaw dropped, even as his brother tried to change the subject. “I’m sorry miss, we aren’t here for…” Then he noticed Sam’s face. “Seriously Sam? Why did you never say anything?”

I held out my hand and Sam placed his left hand into my palm. Sure enough I felt the ligaments that had never fully healed, the aching he experienced regularly, even the pain from the original fracture.

He looked at his brother. “It wasn’t a big deal Dean. Yeah it aches once in a while, but it’s manageable.”

I looked between the two brothers. “Can I have a moment of silence please?”

Both men apologized and quit arguing. I placed my other hand over his and closed my eyes. A bluish white light came forth, bathing his large hand and wrist in it’s warm glow. I could feel the shock Sam experienced as he watched the healing. But I felt something else, a pull, a deeper connection to him that I couldn’t explain.

I finished and his eyebrows shot up in unbelief as he tested his range of movement, and then he looked from me to Dean, then back to me.

“How?” he said to me. Then he looked at his brother. “It’s gone Dean. The ache, the discomfort I’ve had for years is gone. I have full range of motion again.”

Dean looked at me. “So are you a witch or something?”

I shook my head. “Not at all. I am simply someone who was born with this healing gift to use as I see fit. I chose to help people with it whenever and wherever I can. So that’s what I do.”

“And how much do you charge people?”

I shrugged. “Whatever they want to pay. If they don’t have any money, I help them for free.”

“Free.” Dean scoffed. “Just like that.”

“Yes. Just. Like. That. No tricks, gimmicks, contracts or promissory notes. Free.”

Both men’s jaws dropped to the ground.

I looked at them. “Will that be all?”

They nodded and left. I was still reeling from that weird connection I felt from Sam. And once evening came and I was done, I closed my eyes, called for Amara, and asked her about it.

“What the hell was that? I didn’t want to let Sam go. Why did I feel that? You said they were dangerous.”

“Yes child, I did say that, because they pose a danger to you, or, more specifically, Sam poses a threat to your pact with me. He’s an Alpha, and your soulmate.”

I blinked. “I’m sorry, he’s WHAT??”

Amara sighed. “You are an Omega, and while it is my blood that flows through your veins, the power is stronger when you are a virgin. That means you can never mate as long as this deal between us exists YN.”

My mind was reeling tons of new and surprising information. I struggled to try and process, even as my anger flared at the deity who has just admitted to being my mother.

“Why didn’t you tell me all this? Shouldn’t I get a say in these kinds of decisions?”

“Things were easier if you knew nothing of what or who you are. Every decision I made was to protect you my child. Your vitamins contain herbal suppressants that keep your heats in check so no one can hurt you.”

“I kind of get that, but I had a right to know! It’s almost as bad as lying Amara…Mom…!”

Her eyes flashed white and her anger rose. I stopped my tantrum. “My daughter, do not push this! I’m sorry you feel that way. But you were created to become a healer, to help cure disease, illnesses. That was your destiny right from the day you were conceived. To give all this up is your choice YN, but it will cost you the gifts and the immortality you currently possess.”

I narrowed my gaze at her. “So let’s see if I understand this correctly. As long as I remain innocent and follow your rules, I’m golden. But if I decide to go my own way, you take away all my gifts and my immortality, basically forsaking me? Huh. Not very motherly Amara, considering how much you supposedly care.”

Pain shot through my head as Amara displayed her displeasure, a very strong warning that I had almost pushed too far. This was the first time I had angered her like that, and she made sure I knew it.

Then there was nothing. Silence.

I reached out but felt nothing from her, just eerie quiet, like she never existed.

I cried.

A knock sounded at my door, and Sam peeked in. “Hey YN. Uh, I just wanted to thank you again.” He stopped as he saw my tears. “What’s wrong? Are you ok? Did I come at a bad time?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. Just having a disagreement with my mother.” I wiped my tears and cleared my throat. “Your welcome. I’m glad I could help.”

He reached for my hand before I could stop him. There it was again, the spark, that connection I had felt earlier. I looked at him, and I realized he felt it too, he had before as well. His hand caressed my cheek.

“You’re an Omega, aren’t you? And you felt that spark between us, both just now and earlier. You’re my soulmate YN.”

My mouth fell open. He smiled and my heart skipped a beat. Desire stirred within me, and one glance from him told me that he noticed. Then for the first time ever I caught the scent of an Alpha’s rut.

My Alpha’s rut.

Caramel cheesecake and chocolate invaded my nostrils, taking my rational thought prisoner.

OH! MY! HEAVEN!

I whimpered. He came close to me, lingering around my scent gland, then his hot tongue licked a trail up my neck to my ear. “Omega!” he whispered.

And, in that moment, nothing else mattered except Sam.

No Amara. No healing power.

Just HIM!

That argument I’d had with my mother was forgotten, and I was in Sam’s arms, admiring his gorgeous hazel eyes and that soft brown hair. He lowered his head and his lips brushed gently. That spark reignited between us and suddenly his mouth was devouring mine as he tore at my clothing.

I was in the same frenzied state of mind. I couldn’t seem to remove his clothes fast enough. I’d never done this before, but the need and the instinct led me to what I had to do. He traced his fingers along my skin and found my heated core, wet and ready. He slid two fingers inside and I moaned, gasping at both the intrusion and the new pleasure that spread through my body. Then he moved them and I cried out as my first orgasm hit, coating his fingers in my slick.

He repositioned us so I was now straddling his lap, and his hard tip was slowly sliding inside me. He hit my barrier, and glanced at me for any signs of rejection, and found none. Instead I nodded, and in one thrust he dove inside, breaking the wall and filling me completely. He stopped, waiting while my walls stretched and adjusted to his size. My eyes rolled back as the new sensations took over, spurring another orgasm. Sam growled and began to move.

His tongue left wet trails along my neck, stopping to nibble on my ear. Pleasure coiled once again in my abdomen, another pending orgasm ready to spring. Sam stilled then, his knot was swelling, depositing loads of cum into me, then sinking his teeth into my scent gland. The pain mixed with the pleasure caused my climax to hit hard. It was his name I cried out as he licked the claim mark, sealing it.

Yeah, as my mother had said, my power decimated, reverting to it’s original levels. I never heard from Amara again, until I discovered I was pregnant. That was her cue to insert herself into my life once more, so she could get to spend time with her grandchildren. She was good with them, and never pushed further than was necessary in any area of my life.

I finally had the normal life I had always wanted.

[starkertrash03]

two pink lines; part two

part two(i rly like how this turned out)

okay, so like, tumblr deleted links? so now i wont be using links. i’m so sorry :)

It had been two weeks now. He was starting to show, but only if he wore tight clothes, and even then, it just looked like he had ate a really big breakfast. He and Tony has been fine, because, Tony had no reason to think anything different, but Peter would be lying if he said he hadn’t been trying to distance himself from Tony.

He was so afraid of him leaving when he told him about the pregnancy, that he started straying away so it would hurt a little less, but in reality, it kind of only hurt him more. Mainly because he could see how Tony knew something was wrong when Peter had shrugged him off.

He was a monster for doing this to Tony, but he didn’t know what else to do. He just couldn’t do it. He was too weak.

“You’ll be home tonight?” Tony asked Peter as he was walking out the door to go to school.

Peter nodded his head. “Yeah, just a little late, I need to grab something from the store,”

“I can get it for you,” Tony offered standing up off the couch and walking towards Peter. Peter smiled as he saw Tony come closer and rest his hands on his hips. “I  wouldn’t mind, and then it’d be here for you when you got back,” Peter tiptoed and kissed his boyfriend, followed by a small amount of pain, but it was still sweet.

“I’m fine, Tone, thank you, talk to you later,” Peter said quickly, rushing out the door, leaving Tony behind, the older man wondering what was wrong.

Ned and MJ both knew he was pregnant and tried to help him with options. Peter told them, no matter what, Peter was going to keep the baby. He did sometimes think about if he just - did get an abortion, but it was immediately filled with pain. He wouldn’t do that.

He walked over to his friends who were in the parking lot, waving them down. He smiled as they greeted him. He liked how they didn’t make it much different.

“Parker,” MJ said, handing him the pastry she had bought. “You’re failing PE, and you might want to work on that,”

Peter laughed, happily accepting the food. “How do you know that?”

“I have my ways,” MJ laughed, Ned joining her. Everyone kind of grew silent, then Ned spoke up.

“...Have you told him?”

Peter shook his head. “no,” he said quietly, “I don’t know how, I tried the other night, but I just couldn’t,” He looked at his friends faces. “Guys, I seriously did, I promise, but at the last second I told him that the thing I had to tell him was that my teacher said they liked cap better than him, he just laughed and said that most teachers do, but I swear, I tried,”

Ned nodded. “I believe you, Peter, and I know you’ll do what’s right,” He smiled and Peter smiled back. MJ scoffed.

“Just fucking tell him already,”

“MJ!” Ned gasped, gently slapping her, but then MJ just laughed.

“What? I am a brutally honest person, fuck you,”

Everyone just laughed and Peter finished swallowing a bight of his food. “I seriously don’t know how we became friends,”

“Me either,” Ned chimed in.

“Yeah, me third, but you love me,”

“That we do,” Peter laughed, and Ned nodded along in agreement.

School sucked, but it was school, and even teen genius’ don’t exactly like it everyday.

Ned and Peter had math and Peter just took notes down, making sure they were readable and neat because he knew he’d have to help MJ with them.

Peter saw Flash in the bathroom, but the prick only splashed water on him and left. Peter was thankful for that too. For the past week, Flash had been almost worse, luckily this time it was an easy little splash in the face.

Once school was over, Ned and Peter walked to the store to grab a few things. MJ was going to come, but she said she had something to do. They’d been friends with her for awhile now, and she still was so fucking secretive. It was probably nothing, it never was, she just wasn’t good with details.

“So, when do you really plan on telling Stark? I mean, I know it has to be hard, but it’s almost a month now? Isn’t he finding the morning sickness weird? Or the fact you won’t drink coffee anymore? Like he’s not suspicious,”

Peter shrugged as he put his hands in the pocket of Tony’s hoodie. “I hide the morning sickness, I just told him I like taking a quick shower in the morning, so he really doesn’t notice anything else, and I tell him you guys bring me coffee or we drink it together in the morning, he really doesn’t know, and if he does know, he sure isn’t reacting,”

Ned nodded. “Okay, but tell him soon, it’ll only get more obvious, and I know you know it’s better to tell him before he finds out,”

Peter didn’t reply but just kept walking. He thought everything through for awhile before nodding. “I know,”

When the two omega’s got to the store, Peter put his hood over his head to hide his face so no one knew it was him. Ned just continued walking as normal, straight to the section that had things such as pregnancy tests.

“These?” Ned asked, pointing to a red bottle thing. Peter shook his head.

“Look,” He said grabbing the container of prenatal vitamins. “Five-Nine months,”

Ned grabbed the container from Peter. “Oh,” He said as he read it, he placed it back and grabbed a blue one, “This one?” He said, the pregnant omega grabbed the bottle from Ned and read over it. Everything seemed to be correct, so Peter nodded.

He handed it back to Ned. “Take this,” He said, handing him a crisp twenty dollar bill. “I can’t buy them, there could be camera’s,”

“Yeah, I know,” Ned smiled, “I don’t need your money, you know?”

“It’s not really mine, it’s Tony’s, and I can’t ask you to do that,”

Ned laughed. “How much money do you take from him?”

Peter just giggled a bit. “Not that much, only when I need something, plus, if I ask, he’ll give me way too much,”

Ned nodded with a laugh and walked over to the counter. “He loves you a lot, you know that right?”

“Of course I know,” Peter said.

“So why are you so scared of him -” Ned looked over at the check-out clerk and back at Peter “You know after you tell him, you know,”

“Because, ‘you know’ is more than just saying ‘Hey, I want to move out to the country’ it’s saying ‘hey let’s change our future forever,’ and he’s always been scared of big steps in relationships, I’m surprised I haven’t pushed him over the edge,” Peter said, as to which Ned only laughed at.

“Are you kidding me? He loves you too much for that, he’s called ME before to try and figure out how to work things out with you, whenever you’re sad he calls me to ask why, once he even called MJ because my phone was dead, he loves the hell out of you, and you need to understand that,”

Peter decided not to reply because he didn’t know what to say and he just needed to think things through. Ned finished the transaction and carried the bag so no one knew who they were really for.

“Does he really call you?”

“Way more than he should,” Ned laughed, and Peter blushed lightly.

Peter hid the prenatal care gummies in his backpack so Tony didn’t see them. He walked in to see Tony testing out a suit in the living room.

“Tony? What the he -”

“What? It was getting crowded in there so I just had to test everything out, out here,” Tony said, smiling.

Peter just laughed, his hands holding onto his backpack straps. “It’s a mess in here, now,”

Tony shrugged as he was being lifted up with only the gloves of his suit. “I’ll get someone to clean it up later,”

Peter, still smiling at how dumb Tony was, but smart all at the same time. He walked over to the older man after setting his bag on the ground by the door.

Tony smiled and turned off the gloves, leaning down to kiss Peter. “How was your day?” He asked, smiling. Peter just shrugged.

“It was a day, yours?”

“Well, I cluttered my workshop,”

“Hm,” Peter laughed, “maybe you’ll get a full eight hours of sleep then,”

“Ha. Ha.” Tony laughed sarcastically, setting down the parts of his suit. He walked off and sat on the couch. “Have you been okay?”

Peter tilted his head, hiding his worry that Tony may have figured everything out. “What do you mean?”

Tony made a face as ‘stop fucking around’ Peter just sighed. “Yes, I’m fine,” He smiled, despite hating the fact he lied.

Was Tony going to get eight hours of sleep? Peter didn’t know, but, he did go into bed around the time Peter usually did before getting Tony. They were just laying together, Pete was resting his head on Tony’s shoulder, watching Tony’s screen as he scrolled through apps and the web.

Occasionally, Peter would tell him to go back up so he could read something and Tony had no problem doing so. Though, Peter eventually got tired, so he closed his eyes and began drifting off, the sound of Tony’s heartbeat in his ears.

Though, Tony woke him up gently with his voice. “Pete?”

“hm?” Peter asked, not opening his eyes.

“Is Leeds pregnant?”

That got Peter to open his eyes. He shot up, Tony quickly removing his arm before it broke from Peter’s quick movements. “Wha- What - Wh - Why? What? Why - Why would you think that?”

“Look,” Tony said, Showing Peter what he saw, and there it was, headline and all, Peter and Ned, walking out of the store, prenatal gummies in a bag, talking and all. The headline read something simple as ‘Peter Parker and Ned Leeds caught in public and a Convenience Store buying what?’ Peter grabbed Tony’s phone and began reading.

It wasn’t really accusing anyone of anything, more of speculations, one guy hit the nail on the head, saying Ned was buying them for Peter, the rest were saying how Peter Parker’s best friend could be expecting. Which apparently was exciting.

It was a dumb headline that was unnecessary, but I guess if a baby may be involved in the famous Tony Stark’s life, people want to know. Plus, the company needed money.

“Um,” Peter swallowed the lump in his throat. “Actually,”

Tony didn’t really have a lot of emotion on his face so Peter just bit the bullet. “Tony, Ned isn’t pregnant, but um, I - I - I,” He sighed. “I’m the one that’s pregnant,”

Silence.

It was probably only for like, three seconds, but it felt like years to Peter. Tony’s emotionless expression turned happy as he dropped the StarkPhone and leaped to wrap Peter in a hug.

“Pete? Are you serious?” He smiled, kissing Peter’s head. “This is great,”

Peter was shocked. “Wait? Seriously? This is good for you?”

“Are you kidding? Why wouldn’t it be, they’ll be so perfect, just like you, and they’ll grow and they’ll be so little and, and - you want this right?” Tony asked, pulling away from the hug, his hands still on Peter’s shoulders.

Peter was beginning to cry. “Yes,” He smiled even though he was still crying. “I want this,”

Tony hugged him again. “Oh, this is so amazing, when did you find out?”

“A few weeks ago,”

Tony brought his head back. “What! Why didn’t you tell me?”

Peter wiped his face, even though more tears came down. “I was just scared,”

“Awe, Baby, no,” Tony cooed, pulling him into another hug. “Why were you scared?”

Peter kept wiping his tears away, and luckily, they were slowly stopping. “I don’t know, I thought maybe that you wouldn’t want it and then -”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Tony asked being as gentle as possible. “Why would I ever not want this? Want you? Want anything and everything with you?”

“I was just worried that like, with everything that went on, and is going on, I wouldn’t want to trouble you and then I was afraid we’d split up and I just didn’t want to lose you yet,” Peter said, his hands wrapped around himself and Tony just shook his head.

“Nothing you could do would ever make me want to leave you,”

part three is posted :)