#huge thanks to everyone who corrected me on her name

[honeylations]

- In The Right Place -

NING YIZHUO x FEM!READER

Prompt: You knew moving into a new school wasn’t easy, but when Ning Yizhuo tried bullying you, the tables turned after she finds out your secret.

Warnings/Notes: g!p new student reader, bullying, eventual smut, bully Aespa but Ning is mostly shown, unprotected sex, shower sex, mostly dom reader

“Welcome to hell!” Huh Yunjin dramatically announced to you while presenting the corridor of students that seemed to be calmer than she had anticipated.

You looked at your new friend with a questioning smile.

No seriously, you two became friends a few minutes ago after she accidentally ran you over with her skateboard at the entrance gate. Then Yunjin offered to tour you around the school as an apology.

“Seems chill. Where’s the ‘hell’ in this?”

“You’re looking in the wrong direction actually” Yunjin corrected and forcefully turned your head to where 4 girls were cornering a smaller student at their locker.

It was clear that they were bullying her, from how they stood with their arms crossed, all wearing an intimidating smirk you knew too well.

In the next second, the tallest of the 4 slapped the victim’s books causing them to scatter all over the floor. You hung your head back and groaned.

“Bullying, seriously? Let’s grow up”

Yunjin’s eyes widened when you calmly walked to the scene and picked up the fallen books, returning them to the small girl that muttered a tiny thank you before running off.

“Jang Y/n, you are done for” Yunjin muttered, not daring to follow you but rather watch from afar.

Yizhuo tilted her head up at you before waving her phone in your face and then letting it fall to the ground with a thud. You were confused by the action but still bent down to grab it and hand it back to her.

“Careful” you softly said.

Yizhuo hummed. She liked your features.

“So obedient. I like that”

You were tall and you smelt fresh yet sweet. But what the shorter girl noticed the most was that you were wearing slacks instead of the school’s skirt.

“You know the policy says girls are to wear skirts right?”

You chuckled. “And you know the policy says no bullying…right?”

Murmurs filled the halls and Yizhuo’s 3 girls sent them glares that immediately made the hall go quiet again.

“You’re new aren’t you?” Yizhuo smirked, tracing the lines of your name badge. “Jang Y/n? I’m Ning Yizhuo and this Jimin, Minjeong, and Aeri”

“Are you gonna bully me too?” You mockingly tilted your head like she did earlier.

Yizhuo only smirks. She takes a step back to examine you one last time, then clicking her fingers to signal the girls their leave. “Watch your back, Y/n” were her last words before disappearing down the hall.

Yunjin slowly wrapped her arm around you. “Dude…Rest in peace”

It’s been a couple weeks..

You honestly thought Yizhuo was all talk like most bullies are, but her and her clique would somehow know when you’re walking alone whether it was in the locker room, the halls, or in the library.

You are currently in the cafeteria with Yunjin and Chaewon (who she introduced herself to you as Yunjin’s girlfriend) after the lunch bell rang. It was peaceful until you felt the presence of the 4 girls surrounding you.

You didn’t need to question who they were.

“Scram” Yizhuo simply ordered to your two friends, easily obeying and moving to a different table.

The girls then sat with you, watching you like a hawk as you fed yourself. You reached for your juice bottle but Aeri quickly snatched it from your reach and giving it to Yizhuo.

The Chinese girl was smiling like a maniac, ensuring you were watching her every move. She brought the opened bottle to her lips, running her tongue all over the rim before spitting inside, then returning it to you.

“Drink up, puppy”

You swallowed the rice in your mouth and retrieved your beverage without a fuss, surprising everyone from your nonchalant demeanor. Maintaining eye contact with Yizhuo, you took huge gulps of your juice until the bottle was empty, your confidence just fueling the fire within the Chinese girl.

“Good girl. Now drink this” Yizhuo stood up to grab your bowl of miso soup and pour it all over your head, letting it drench your uniform.

You got up in shock, not realising the wet top sticking to your skin was basically flashing your abs underneath. Yizhuo blinked and noticed that her friends were staring too, mouth agape.

Not from Yizhuo raining soup on you, but from the free ab show. To which you were oblivious about.

“Nice one, Ning Yizhuo. Now I gotta shower” You grumbled and abandoned your food tray to storm out of the cafeteria.

Being in the school for not even a month allowed you to get a taste of Yizhuo’s antics, but being humiliated in front of the school from a stupid soup pour was over the line.

Luckily you had soccer practice later after school so the only clothes you could change into was your clean jersey and shorts.

Once stripped naked out of your ruined uniform, you hopped into a shower stall and managed to get the miso out of your hair and skin, feeling relief of not having to smell like a wet savoury rag for the next few hours.

As you busked under the warm water, your mind wandered back to the cafeteria incident when Yizhuo played with your drink. How she stared deeply into your eyes while licking the bottle’s rim…

Your mind continued to wander into imagination of how the shorter girl would look on her knees in front of you, running that tongue around your tip as if it was the bottle…then spitting on it.

Your cock stood hard and proud from the short thought. You cursed yourself for thinking in such a way but there was no other way to fix it. You tried thinking of gross stuff but your mind would find its way back to your sudden sexual fantasies with Yizhuo.

“No wonder you wear slacks all the time” The familiar voice spoke cheerfully behind you.

You quickly covered your crotch and looked at Yizhuo with wide eyes. Not only did she catch your secret but she was also fucking naked in the stall with you!

“Get the fuck out!”

“Rude much?

You grabbed the nearest object to further hide your erected cock. That object unfortunately being your bottle of shampoo.

“Yizhuo, why are you in here?!”

“To shower”

“So go shower in the other stalls?!”

The bully didn’t answer but continued to approach you in slow, alluring steps like she was trying to hypnotise you. Her cat like eyes were boring into yours and you felt yourself fall further.

Then, just like in your imagination earlier, Yizhuo went on her knees and pushed your hands away from your genitalia. “Never thought of you as the type to pack a lot”

You rolled your eyes at the backhanded compliment. “Should I thank you or beat your ass?”

She titled her head at you with a cheeky smirk. “You can beat my ass with this cock of yours”

“Yizhuo please don’t tell anyone about this. Im serious.”

“My god, you’re so fun to mess with. You just gave me the easiest blackmail ever”

The thought of the girl exposing your secret to the school which could potentially ruin your life, snapped something in your brain. As if automatically, your hand grabbed a fistful of her head and pulled tightly. “Listen here bitch”

Yizhuo gasped, a sudden gush of wetness slobbering all over her pussy and thighs from the rough hair pull. It hurt, but turned her on soooooo much.

“I was already nice enough to let you mess around with me during class and lunch, but if you ever open that goddamn mouth about my dick, I will fucking. End. You”

“I-It hurts, Y/n”

“Wow, this is the girl everyone gets stepped on? What happened to your bully persona, Ning Yizhuo?”

Yizhuo could only moan at your words like they were aphrodisiac. “Hngh, Y/n-ie…please fuck me! Fuck my mouth!”

“If I knew you’d be so obedient like this, I would’ve fucked you earlier” You smirked, removing your hand from the girl’s hair and grabbing her jaw to force it open.

Yizhuo felt her mouth stretch when you entered your entire size inside, not giving her time to adjust, causing her to gag.

You leaned back into the shower wall and groaned at how beautiful Yizhuo looked sucking you off. She looked innocently into your eyes while bobbing her head, holding onto your thighs for dear life.

“Y-You’re so pretty, Yizhuo. Holy shit..” you breathed out.

The Chinese girl pulled her mouth away from your cock. “You…You’re pretty too”

“Am I?”

Yizhuo stood up and pecked your lips while jerking your needy cock. “And hot…so hot”

You pulled her closely by the waist and attacked her lips with passion, all the anger and hatred flying out the window.

Another groan left your lips as Yizhuo stroked your cock faster, her other hand exploring the bumps of your abs that shined from the water.

“Y/n, I need your cock inside my pussy…please I’m so fucking horny” Yizhuo whined.

“Hmmm, if you turn around and show that pretty pussy then maybe I’ll even cum inside you”

She didn’t need to be told twice. She was already following orders and faced her back towards you to bend forward, a hand on each ass cheek to spread them apart and present both holes.

“I like you when you’re not being a bitch. Should I fuck you all the time just so you can be nice to me? Hm?”

Yizhuo felt you rub your fat tip around her slippery pussy before slowly pushing inside. And to your surprise, she was tight.

“Fuck Ning, I thought all those dicks you talked about fucked you loose enough”

“Mmmh! Holy shit you’re so big Y/n!…T-Too fucking big!”

You chuckled breathlessly. “Ah is that why? My dick is the biggest you’ve ever had?”

Yizhuo wanted to tell you to stop being so arrogant but you weren’t wrong. Your length and girth were nothing compared to the other people she’s slept with, and she’s already fallen hard enough to be addicted.

You melted into the pleasurable feeling of Yizhuo’s cunt sucking you in like a vacuum. She was taking all of you like a good girl, pushing her ass back while you pounded into her.

The wet slapping noises were echoing off the walls and the sudden thought of being caught by someone increased Yizhuo’s horniness by a million.

“Hah…oh my fucking god you feel so good, beautiful” You growled, sending Yizhuo into another fit of surprise.

“Y/n! I love your cock so much, baby”

“Yeah and it’ll be the only cock you love”

Your hand snaked over Yizhuo’s shoulder to hold onto her neck, forcing her up so her back kissed your front, all while you were still impaling your cock inside her. “You were made for this dick, weren’t you beautiful?”

Yizhuo nodded and gasped from your fingers finding her swollen clit. You rubbed it deliciously, it got the shorter rolling her eyes back, lips parted as she held onto you. You were exploring the curves of Yizhuo’s goddess-like body, paying special attention to her gorgeous breasts as much as you played with her clit.

She was getting unbearably tighter. Your cock suffocating from her gummy walls, nearing you to your orgasm. Clearly Yizhuo was on the same boat, her sentences slurring into babbles, crying out your name.

“Mmm Y/n, Y/n, Y/n! Please cum inside me! I can’t take it anymore!”

“You’re making me insane, Ning Yizhuo” You growled and bit her earlobe.

“Please-fuck ah! I’m cumming, holy shit I’m cumming!” Yizhuo threw her head back on your shoulder, shaking violently in your embrace as you continued destroying her from behind.

“You ready for my cum, pretty face? Will my cum filling your pussy make you happy?” You muttered into her neck, already marking your territory with dark purple splotches all over her pale skin.

A couple more profanities left your mouth before softly biting on Yizhuo’s shoulder, fully thrusting up to explode your cum all over her walls.

Yizhuo felt so amazingly full. She pushed her lower stomach and smiled when she felt the cum squirt out her pussy. You were resting your forehead onto her, trying to catch your breath and also process what the fuck just happened.

You went from hating this girl to cumming inside her pussy in your school’s showers.

“Yizhuo…please…please don’t say anything to anyone. I’m asking nicely”

She turned her head and placed a reassuring kiss on your cheek. “Don’t saying anything about your cock or you fucking me?”

“Uh my cock, obviously”

“Oh baby, the only reason I won’t say anything is so other bitches won’t get in on this big dick of yours. Let me establish that you’re mine now” Yizhuo smiled.

“I’m yours? Like your girlfriend or a dick appointment?”

“Take me out on a date and then we can talk about that girlfriend thing”

You shrugged. “Fine. Whatever”

Then let’s say you spent another two rounds after that…You weren’t one to go late to class, but here you were filling up Ning Yizhuo again and again.

A/N: I ALMOST got equal votes for the Mafia au, so don’t worry my honeys. You will get a second Yizhuo fic soon ;)

[evolnoomym]

Doctor’s Pet 💌

Doctor!Dave York x nurse!reader

Main Masterlist | Dave York Masterlist

Summary: You are young, pretty, single and an aspiring Nurse. He’s older, married, bored and a talented Doctor. What happens when the two of you collide?

Rating: 18+ mature content mdni!!!!

Word count: 2.7k

Warnings: no y/n, Sunny is back, (yes I have different named OC’s), forbidden relationship, cheating, power imbalance, the sort of Sugar Daddy vibes came out of nowhere, marriage issues, rough forceful sex, dub-con, readers being used, cream pie, secret affair, oral f receiving, ass eating (I guess), unprotected p in v, red lipstick, fighting, spanking, tears….If I missed anything please let me know 🙏🏻

Authors note: This is for @punkshort ‘s 1 year tumblr anniversary August Writing challenge, I got Doctor Dave York and this is what I came up with. The Gorgeous Moodboard is made by the beautiful @notjustjavierpena 💌💌💌

Shoutout to @saradika-graphics & @cafekitsune for the dividers 🫶🏻

Big thank you to @fhatbhabiee @jennaispunk @notjustjavierpena @joelmillerisapunk for beta reading ❤️

Disclaimer: English is not my first language so if you come across mistakes it might be due to that. I’m totally here for constructive criticism or feedback on how to improve. In general I appreciate comments, likes and reblogs greatly ❤️‍🩹👌🏻

As a young nurse that just finished her exams you are at the lower end of the chain and Dr.York, with his many years of experience, is at the top.

Before you were assigned to him, you only heard of the imposing Doctor through rumors spread by others. It was always about him being a handsome, talented and dedicated man who is, on the other side, a menace to the ones working with him. He’s bossy, snappy, mean and overall, not a pleasant man.

Usually, everyone just accepts the fact that he’s a pain in the ass because of all the knowledge he can provide.

The other nurses also always talk about wanting to hit on him and fantasize about how hot the sex with a man like him must be.

Doctor York is a tall, broad-shouldered, magnificent man with huge hands. He is clean-shaven, has a prominent nose, big brown eyes, dreamy lips and gorgeous brown hair with grey streaks.

You can admit that he’s a sight for sore eyes but from what you’ve been told the man has been married for more than 20 years. When he got married you weren’t even born yet.

Once you were told that you’d be working closely with him for the next two years, your friends expressed their jealousy and also their condolences. They told you that he would probably make you quit since you are one of the sweetest nurses in the hospital.

However, it surprised you when Doctor York was nothing but kind to you. He never yelled at you, never humiliated you during rounds when you didn’t know the correct answer, and never treated you like something below him but rather an equal.

The others started calling you two the dream team. Each shift you had with him felt like a blessing, no other doctor could compare to his finesse.

The relationship was strictly professional. Even when he allowed you access to his office library of incredible books about medical procedures, it was still very professional. When he started eating with you in his office whether it was breakfast, lunch, dinner or a midnight snack, it was still professional. When he kicked names of lists for important medical lectures just so you could have a spot, it was still professional. Even when he had his hand sneakily placed on your precious butt at the dinner party for the higher-ups, which you only had access to because of him, it was still professional. Even with his wife being right there.

That however changed one night when it all boiled over.

Your shift had ended an hour ago. You’d been waiting for Dr.York in his office since he always offered to take you home. Tonight, he apparently had something important come up which made him late but you didn’t mind.

You just walked around his office, sat in his big expensive-looking leather chair, scrolled endlessly on your phone, and browsed through his private library.

You remember it like it was yesterday that you were taking in all the stunning-looking books when the office door roughly got pushed open and there, he was in all his heaving galore, Doctor Dave York.

He looked like an animal with his ragged breathing, his eyes wide open, his jaw clenched hard as well as his fists.

You watched him close and lock the door. Before you could even ask what was going on he already pounced on you.

In no time he was right in front of you, crowding you against the bookcase.

In a split second he grabbed your face, pressing his lips on yours, kissing you with fever. It took you a moment to catch up with the situation at hand and once you did, you started kissing him back. His hands, those big paws, were all over you; on your face, your neck, your shoulder, your waist and your luscious hips.

He pulled away but only to drag you towards his big oak desk and bend you over the edge.

With your cheek squished against the surface, you could hear his huffed breathing behind you and felt his hands drag down your scrubs.

He just kept mumbling about how he needed you and that he would make it good. You just trusted him since he was your mentor and he knows best.

He admired your underwear as if it was chosen specifically for him. Kneeling behind you, he rubbed his cheek over your ass, squeezing and kneading you.

He dragged down your soaked thong and shoved his face between your legs, licking from your clit to your puckered hole and back. He ate you out like a man starved.

You had to place your palm over your mouth to muffle the intense moans trying to leave your mouth. He was doing a phenomenal job, licking broad stripes across your wet slit, wrapping his lips around your clit and sucking. Flicking the slender tip of his tongue on your puckered hole, stuffing it in your clenching pussy and slurping the sweet nectar of your arousal straight from the source.

He had you coming in no time.

That was all the preparation you got. Shortly after the orgasm subsided, he turned your limb body over and settled in between your wet thighs. He unzipped his pants and pulled out his impressive length. He dragged his cock over your slippery folds and slapped his tip on your clit.

He doesn't even ask about protection. Dr.York clearly didn’t care when he pushed his entire length into your warm tight hole.

He set a fast pace and if he didn’t have a bruising grip on your hips, you’d surely be pushed right off the table by the sheer force of his thrusts.

When you were almost there, he leaned down to whisper in your ear.

“You - got - the - tightest - pussy - on - this - planet,-“ he punctuated each word with a hard thrust, “…ahhh, ah…ah, fuck, it’s so, so good baby. Your tight little cunt is taking me so well, exactly what I needed today.”

But he was not done yet; “I’m gonna fill you up…Hmmm, wouldn’t you like that Princess?”

All you could do was nod, which was all the consent Dave needed before thrusting even faster.

“Pull up that fucking shirt and show me those sugar-tits, you slut.” He made the decision for you when you didn’t react quickly enough. He grabbed the hem, shoved it up under your chin and pulled the white lace covering your tits to the side, so he could start running his fingers over your nipples, pinching and pulling them. The extra stimulation pushed you over the edge and when you clenched around him he immediately started spilling his hot cum inside you while huffing like an animal. Once he collapsed on top of you, he started whispering soothing words into your ear.

“Shh,shh, Princess, you're alright, you did so good. Took it like a champ, my little Sun.”

That was the breaking point. Nothing was professional anymore. The next months were filled with forbidden meetups anywhere possible. Sometimes, he fucked you in his car. Sometimes, he ruined you in his office. He learned where you live from the Personal data files and surprised you with take out, a bouquet of red roses and later fucked you on your bed. After a while, there’s no surface left in your apartment that hasn’t been used. You were in such bliss that you didn’t even worry about how he found out where you live.

In those following months you learn that his marriage has been crumbling for a while. Dave is unhappy and the fights keep getting worse. When he fucked you in his office for the first time, he had just been on the phone with Carol, having another screaming match. You became a way of releasing all of the tension and anger she caused him.

In the beginning, you came to a mutual agreement that it would be nothing serious, but with time neither of you could really deny that it was not casual sex anymore.

He took you away on little trips whenever both of your busy schedules allowed it.

He showered you with Gifts ranging from a new plant, lingerie, perfume or Jewelry to a new car. He had money and he wanted to treat his sunshine the right way. How Mrs.York didn’t catch onto anything going on was a mystery to you.

The gifts, however, were not enough. You wanted him to yourself completely, officially and for everyone to see, leave marks all over his thick neck, scratches on his back when he was fucking you, leave your smell all over him, and have pictures of you together on his desk instead of his wife.

You should have felt remorse for Carol for taking away her husband, the love of her life, but you didn’t. If it was wrong then why did it feel so good?

Lately, you’ve been irritated with Dave. He keeps telling you how he will leave his wife but he never does. He keeps saying that he needs more time and that a divorce will take time.

As you stand in front of the closest in his office, you think back to earlier when you were making out with Dave and he totally flipped out because of something so insignificant.

You wore the red Chanel lipstick he bought you, the one he asked you to put on, and then suck his cock until the red color was smeared everywhere. Yeah, that one. You jokingly pressed your lips to his white shirt collar and immediately got shoved away from him.

“What the hell, Sunny, are you serious? Why would you do this?”

His face was flushed from all the anger coursing through his veins. You could see how he clenched his jaw as he pointed towards the red mark you left, something he will certainly not get out of the fabric unless he wanted to explain to Carol what happened.

“Are you kidding me? Dave, you’ve been saying for weeks how you’re gonna separate and yet here we are, still hiding. I don’t wanna be a secret anymore.”

You smiled somewhat sinisterly while you walked up behind him as he was standing at the sink in his office bathroom, “I want her gone. You’re mine.” You slide your hand around his waist and towards his crotch to squeeze his hard bulge.

Dave, however, is still pissed, so he pushed you off again, “Sunny, get the hell out of here. Now!” His loud booming voice made you jump and obey immediately as you walked out.

You are still mad that he would blow up at you about such a minor thing. You feel like being petty. Dave has a closet filled with at least ten spare shirts - well, after your earlier actions it’s only nine left - and you plan on ruining all of them.

One by one, you take the smooth, clean white linen shirts of the individual hangers and place them in your lap as you sit down in his massive chair. Methodically, you apply the lipstick and start pressing your lips all over each shirt until there’s only one left unscathed.

When you are just about to press your lips to the last one, the office door swings open and you immediately jump up.

Dave is back earlier than you expected. His eyes take in the scene before him and he looks livid, eyebrows knit together, jaw clenched and his gaze sharp when he addresses you with a low and intimidating voice, “Sunny, you better explain yourself before you get in serious trouble.”

You just give him a half-hearted shrug as you look away from him.

“Fuck you Dave.”

You roll your eyes and a smirk slowly grows on your face. You quietly giggle as you turn away from him and pick out the scissors he keeps in his desk drawer. You start humming happily as you cut up the last shirt while he’s watching. Once you’re done you throw the fabric cuts at his face.

“Sunny I swear, if you don’t apologize right know on your fucking knees, we-“ You cut in immediately with two simple words that set of a chain of events: “Make me.”

In the blink of an eye, he’s toe to toe with you, towering above you and ripping the scissors from your grasp to throw them away.

“You’ve made a fucking mistake, little Sun, I’m gonna make you apologize.”

As you roll your eyes up at him, his hand shoots out again to grab your throat in an iron grip.

“You know, Sunny, when I first saw you, I thought you were a sweet Angel but turns out, you are just a bratty cunt that can’t get enough.”

You try to shake your head but his grip is unrelenting, so you have no chance to disagree.

He eases up and spins you around, shoving you face-first over the desk like a déjà vu from the first night all those months ago.

With one hand, he holds you down and with the other, he tears your pants and panties over your ass and down your legs.

He delivers relentless blows to your cheeks left and right till your tears start spilling down your cheeks. You don’t even think about screaming, he wouldn’t stop anyway and you know that it’s deserved. You just bite down on your lips until you’re almost bleeding.

“D..Da..Dave, please!”

You mumble through tears. You know that he enjoys seeing you cry; it is evident by the warm bulge pressing into your bruised cheeks from behind.

“What was that baby,huh? Speak up, little one?”

He starts grinding into you gently, rocking his hips into yours.

“Please, please. I’m sorry, please.”

You are getting more and more desperate, even starting to whine when he starts pulling away.

“Shhh, Sunny, be a good girl for me, okay? You wanna be my good girl, don’t you.?”

It’s incredible how he goes from being mean and degrading to being sweet and loving.

You can hear how he unzips his pants and soon, he is behind you again, slowly dragging his leaking tip through your folds.

“Hmmm, baby, she’s crying just like you. She enjoyed that, didn’t she?” He starts laughing.

The head keeps catching onto your entrance which is pulsating and gushing.

“Dave, pleaseeee, put it in, please.”

“Are you gonna apologize?”

It took you a moment to gather yourself.

“I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry, I ruined your shirts.”

“Good job, baby, now was that so hard? You need to have more patience, Sunny.”

“Yes, Dave.”

“Nah- ah ah.”

“Yes, Doctor York.” He enjoys displaying how superior he is to you.

And then he pushes into your quivering pussy. At first, he does it slowly but once half of his length has disappeared inside of you, he decides to shove himself into you in one quick thrust, filling you to the brim.

“Ahhh…y..y yes, Doctor York, ughhhh. Fuck me harder.”

“What’s the magic word, princess?”

“Please, please, harder Doctor York.”

He immediately picks up his pace, your combined labored breaths and the slapping of skin filling the office.

You are convinced that you will wake up tomorrow with bruises on your hip bones from hitting the edge of the table repeatedly.

“Are you close, baby?”

Your pussy answers for you, tightening around his cock.

“Yes, she is, I’m gonna fill you up, okay, Sunny?”

You weakly nod with your face smashed against the smooth wooden surface.

His hand slips between your thighs and rubs your clit with quick stripes that have you unraveling in no time.

“Da..Dr.York I’m gonna come. I’m cumming, don't stop, don’t stop.”

You have to clamp your hand over your mouth to muffle the pending moans.

“Yes, baby, come on my cock. Come on, Sunny, be a good girl and come for me.”

With his cock hitting your g-spot repeatedly, his fingers drawing circles on your clit, and his Dirty words combined, Dave pushes you over the edge.

Your thighs instinctively want to close but he shoves them back open, harshly fucking you through your orgasm. Your cunt tightens around him so beautifully that he can’t resist any longer and starts coming deep inside of you.

“Take what I give you, Sunny, you take it all and keep it inside, okay? To remind you of who you belong to.”

He leans over you, his chest brushing against your back. Dave nuzzles into your neck and leaves soft kisses on your throat, behind your ear and on your slightly exposed shoulder.

You relish in the warm feeling filling you.

“Thank you Dave, I love you.” You whisper in daze.

“I love you too Princess.”

Npt: @aurorawritestoescape @milla-frenchy @joelmillerisapunk @joelslegalwhre @guiltyasdave @sizzlingcloudmentality @yorksgirl @vivian-pascal @mountainsandmayhem @msjarvis @sawymredfox @thundermartini @axshadows @strang3lov3 @missyorkswhore @littlemisspascal

Please don’t repost, copy, translate, or feed into any AI, thank you 🙏🏻

[hushedlover]

Screaming and Crying Part 2

Pairing: Xavier Thorpe x reader

Summary: Part 2. You're recovering from the hurt Xavier caused. You've avoided him at all costs, but how long can it go on?

A/n: Here's part 2! I had so much fun writing this. Isabella is based off of one of my best friends who helped me proof read this lol

Requests are open! Send anything in!

The sun was setting by the time you made your way back to the school. Your phone had gone off multiple times with calls and texts from friends questioning your disappearance. You ignored them all. You couldn’t find it in you to care. The blood had long dried on your knuckles, not until after you had finished punishing the poor tree more. Your arm hung limp at your side, your wrist had swelled and was throbbing. Probably sprained or broken. You couldn’t find it in you to care about that either.

You were sure you looked crazy, your hair a wind blown mess, face tear stricken, and blood covering your hand. You walked through the quad and ignored the people who gawked at you. It was very few due to the late hour, dinner had passed so you just made your way to your dorm. Isabella, your roommate, would be pissed seeing as you had ignored every worried attempt she made to reach out to you. You were correct in your assumptions. The minute you swung your door open she was bolting to her feet.

“No, no she just came in. Yeah I'll call you back. Okay bye,” she hung up the phone and sighed. “That was Enid. We were worried sick about you! What happened? Oh my gosh your hand! Bitch, what happened?”

You surprised both yourself and Isabella when you broke out laughing at their outburst.It was odd, the rush of adrenaline you had gained from the situation. You felt floaty, like a huge weight was lifted off your shoulders. Isabella stood there, gaping at you. This caused more laughter to flow out of you due to them looking like the human embodiment of the stupid emoji everyone uses. She almost looked afraid of you. When you finally calmed your fit of giggles, they spoke.

“Girl, what the fuck. What is happening right now?”

“I don’t even know man. I’m... I'm so tired. And boys are buttheads.”

“You say that like that's something new. I’m telling you, women are just better. But what happened? Was it that blonde beanstock you’re always with? What’s his name? Tarzan?”

You laughed again,” Xavier. And yeah it was him. It was him and his infatuation with that Wednesday girl.”

“Oh my god,” Isabella dragged out the last syllable, “I can’t blame him girl she’s so fine!”

You just glared at her and moved to go to your shared restroom. You wanted to wash the blood off your hand and inspect the damage done.

“Way to rub salt in the wound, thank you. So much,” you muttered over the sound of the sink running.

“Listen. Here me out on this. Please, plEAaase,” they whined from the doorway.

“Just grab me some pajamas, will you? I think I need a shower to get all of this off. My plaid pajama pants please.”

You heard rustling and heard Isabella call out to you.

“Not to ruin the good mood or anything, but shouldn’t you be having a mental breakdown right now? You haven’t even told me what happened, but I feel like there should be more tears.”

“I think it’ll come later, I’m kind of-,” You cut yourself off to take the clothes she had gathered from them. “Thank you. I’m kind of numb right now. I think it’s shock. And adrenaline. I don’t know. Can I explain after my shower?”

“Fine, but hurry up. I wanna know what my reasoning is going to be for kicking Tarzan’s ass,” and with that they shut the door behind them.

You slipped into the shower, the warm water relaxing your muscles. The silence without music would usually bother you, but tonight it was welcomed. Your head was finally quiet. Thoughts of Xavier and Wednesday kissing and holding hands long forgotten. You were just looking forward to the weekend now.

—------

It had been 2 days since that night. Isabella had kept you sane and occupied all weekend. You had shit talked and stuffed your faces with all the junk food you could find. Isabella had also confiscated your phone, claiming that “We can’t risk you being a pussy and giving into your problem.” So if anyone had tried to contact you it went unanswered. Bianca and the twins, you and Isabella’s friends, knew to take her if they needed something.

It was Monday morning now. You really, really did not want to go to class knowing you would have to see both Xavier and Wednesday and all your mutual friends, but Isabella forced you. They told you to “women up” and be a bad bitch. But you really didn’t feel like a bad bitch. You felt a bit pathetic. Isabella threw a pillow at you, startling you from your thoughts.

You flipped them off and then slipped out of bed and went to get dressed. Due to the weather being so cold the rules on uniform were a bit more lenient so you slid on some leggings and your Nevermore crewneck. The sleeve stuck to the brace you had around your wrist, luckily you hadn’t broken it, but it was sprained pretty bad. Isabella was getting ready too, but when she saw you in your comfy outfit she paused.

“Tell me you are not planning on wearing that.”

You looked down, confused.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Girl! We get the chance to dress how we want, be cute!”

“Says you,” you grumbled playfully but went to change anyway.

You threw on some jeans and a long sleeve top with a t-shirt over it. Then you threw on some shoes and walked out of your closet.

“Is this better,” You raised your arms in question.

Isabella nodded in approval and then they shoved your bag and phone into your hands.

“Let’s go, Bianca is waiting and I’m hungry. You took too long.”

“What?,” You yelled as you were pushed out the door and towards the stairs. “You’re the one who made me change! I was ready!”

The two of you continued to bicker all the way down to the quad, where Bianca and the twins were standing there waiting for you. When you approached them, Bianca wrapped her arms around you in a tight hug. You laughed softly at the action. It was odd, your guys' relationship. She was Xavier’s ex yes, but before that you had all been friends. And that didn’t stop despite the conflict between the broken up couple. You had always trusted Bianca, and though it was a bit awkward at first, you remained close no matter the circumstances.

When you pulled away Bianca held you by the shoulders and smiled at you.

“He’s a dick who doesn’t know what’s good for him. You’re amazing and you’re so much more mature than him.”

You smiled at her, and kissed her cheek.

“Thank you, Bianca.”

“Guuuuuyyyyys, I’m hungrryyyyyyyyy.”

Your group all laughed at Isabella’s complaints. You all agreed to have the twins grab the food and then they’d meet you guys back at the table to eat. It was nice to laugh freely with your friends. A weight was lifted off your chest. When the twins returned you all dug into your food. You were all joking and bickering amongst yourselves. You almost forgot about your conflict with Xavier. Almost.

The thought of him still lingered in your brain. It stayed there through breakfast and while you were walking to class. You were so lost in conversation that you forgot that you had your first class with him. You remembered when you walked in the doorway and saw him sitting in his seat, the one next to him empty where you would usually be. You froze in your spot, your heart palpitating painfully. Isabella stopped next to you with a puzzled look.

“Why’d you stop in the middle of the- Oh.”

They cut themselves off when they saw where you were looking. He hadn’t noticed you yet, too enamored in his drawing he was working on. You looked up at your friend next to you, your eyes wide with panic. You didn’t know what to do.

“Hey hey hey, don’t cry please. I don’t do well with crying. Here, you’ll sit with me. I’ll be your new partner,” She was already guiding you to your new seat.

When you got there you kept your head low, afraid to look up and make eye contact with Xavier. You sat next to Isabella and they struck conversation with you easily until the teacher walked in. When you heard the footsteps walk in the room you instinctually looked up, and you wished you hadn’t. Your eyes drifted across the room to where Xavier sat, the seat next to him now occupied. The sight of him and his new partner made your stomach drop. It was Wednesday sitting next to him. Of course it was.

He must have felt your eyes on him because he glanced over at you. When his eyes met yours and widened, you quickly hardened your gaze and looked away. You didn’t want him to see the hurt you still felt. Straightening your back you focused your attention on the lecture, you wouldn’t let him get to you.

___

The lecture felt like it went on forever, so when it was finally over you were extremely relieved. You and Isabella parted ways at the door, they would go to their next class and you would go to chemistry. With Xavier. Your chest tightened at the thought. You sped up your pace as you walked towards the class, hoping if you got there fast enough you could find any seat away from him. But the universe decided to give you a huge middle finger today. When you arrived at the class there were only 2 open seats. Right next to each other.

You sighed. You were too tired for this. Maybe you could just ignore him and he’d leave you alone. That is if he even wanted anything to do with you. You didn’t have to wait long to see his reaction. He walked in not long after you, his eyes darting between you and the chair next to you. You continued to look down at your paper, refusing to meet his eyes. You heard him audibly sigh before he dropped his bag and sat next to you. You could feel him burning holes into the side of your head, but you didn’t dare look over.

Class started and things were going smoothly. The class was mostly notes, so there was no need to talk to the boy next to you. That didn’t stop him from bothering you though. As you concentrated on the board ahead of you, you felt something land on your hand. Looking down, you saw a butterfly perched on the back of your hand. It was a dark gray, clearly one of Xavier's drawings. You felt your heart pick up at the thought of him trying to get your attention. Immediately, you shook your hand, and your head, slightly to clear the butterfly and your thoughts. Xavier sighed again and then looked back at the board.

—

After that there were no incidents. The day continued smoothly and by the end of it you were exhausted and ready to flop on your bed. You did just that when you arrived at your dorm. Throwing your bag to the ground, you ran and fell face first on the plush covers. Not 5 minutes into your silence, the door burst open. In came Isabella and Bianca, talking loudly before they saw you.

“Y/n,” Isabella called out. “What are you doing? We’re going down to Weathervane in like 10 minutes?”

You grumbled back, your words being incoherent. You didn’t want to get up. But you also wanted coffee.

Slowly you rolled off your bed and to the floor, and then looked towards your friends. Isabella looked confused, Bianca looked concerned. You reached your hands out towards them and pouted.

“Help please,” You wiggled your fingers at them.

They looked at each other and sighed before walking to you and pulling you to your feet. Then they dragged you out the door, leading you on the bus that was going to bring kids down to town. When you arrived in the cafe you practically ran for the counter. No one was there yet, but you knew the boy who worked here most days, Tyler. You guys had met at one of the festivals in town before his whole argument with Xavier. You had been pissed with him over what he did to Xavier, but after he apologized and explained himself you had become civil once again. Now you were more acquaintances than friends, but you loved the way he made your coffee so you were kind to him.

You dinged the bell on the counter obnoxiously while Isabella and Bianca made their way into the shop. You heard Tyler yell something from the back before he came into your view, clearly frustrated. You gave him a sickly sweet and innocent smile.

“Hi Tyler, did you miss me?”

“Oh so very much,” he smiled back at you. “The usual I assume? You want to put theirs on your order too?”

He pointed at your two friends behind you, who he had seen come in with you hundreds of times before. They had already sat down and were chatting idly.

“Yes please, I’m treating today,” You said, pulling out your wallet.

As you fished for the right amount of cash you heard Tyler speak again.

“What about his?”

Your head snapped up, your brows furrowed. You had been so focused on the money that you hadn’t heard the door open. When you glanced behind you, you saw the last person you wanted to see. Xavier.

“No, uh. He’s not with me- us today,” You tripped over your words, hands now shaking as you tried to hand the cash to the boy in front of you.

Tyler quickly took note of the way you trembled and how your eyes were watering. He quickly grew concerned. You two may not be close, but he cared enough to know he didn’t like seeing you this upset. He made eye contact with Bianca, who had been watching since Xavier walked in, and waved her over. Then he placed his hand over yours.

“Hey, Y/n,” He dipped his head trying to make eye contact with you. “Hey, why don’t you go sit down? Bianca or Isabella can help me okay?”

You just nodded slightly, feeling Bianca take your shoulder gently and guiding you to the table. Isabella was finishing the transaction with Tyler, both of them looking over at you with worry occasionally. You glanced around the shop in panic, not being able to find the boy you were so desperately avoiding. That was until he was standing directly in front of your table, just next to where Bianca sat.

“Y/n, can I- Can I talk to you, please?,” Xavier stumbled over his words.

Your friend tensed and got ready to get up and give him a piece of her mind, but your hand on her arm stopped her. Xavier saw you whisper something in the siren’s ear before she slid out of the booth, giving you room to slip out too. You made brief eye contact with your previous best friend, before turning on your heel and walking out the door.

You continued to walk until you were in the grass across the street from the cafe. You knew he was following you. Like a love sick puppy. You scoffed to yourself. When you decided you were far enough from the shop you stopped and waited for him to approach you. You felt him stop behind you, but you didn’t turn.

“Y/n, please would you look at me? Look, I know I messed up. I was a total dick and I’m so sorry. I just was so excited about Wednesday, I mean I really like her. I haven’t liked anyone this much since Bianca and I-,” He cut himself off when he noticed your arms wrapped around yourself, your shoulders shaking.

You still had your back to him so he couldn’t see the tears streaking your cheeks, but he knew you were crying. You never cried. And he made you cry. Oh shit. Why were you crying? He rushed forward and turned you gently. Grabbing your cheeks, he made you look up at him. Xavier’s thumbs brushed along your cheeks, concern filling his eyes.

“Please talk to me. I don’t think I can handle you being quiet anymore. You’re never quiet with me and these past couple of days I've been trying to give you space but it’s so hard. I miss you. I miss my best friend.”

He whispered the last part, resting his forehead on yours. You furrowed your brows and sniffled. Then you pushed him away, hitting his chest. You punched and pushed and hit and Xavier took it all because he knew he deserved it.

“You idiot,” You yelled at him. “I have supported you for years! I’ve been your best friend, no matter how much you’ve pissed me off. No matter what you have said to me. And you know why I did that? Because I love you, you moron. I have loved you since we were kids, and I haven’t done anything because I just want you to be happy. But whenever any other girl comes along, you throw yourself at her! You ignore me! I’m tired Xavier! I’m so tired.”

Your shoulders slumped forward and you sighed. Xavier was a few steps in front of you, shock written across his face. His eyes were watering, his cheeks flushed. You wiped your face and felt that you had been sobbing the entire rant. Xavier took a step forward and you took one back.

“You… love me?,” He asked, like he was afraid he would scare you off.

You shook your head and glared at the grass below you.

“Only since we were 8.”

“Y/n… I don't know what to say,” He started.

“Don’t say anything. Go back to your girlfriend and leave me alone. I don’t want to hurt anymore.”

As you turned to walk away, Xavier’s hand shot out and grabbed your wrist. His mind was racing, he was panicking. He couldn’t let you walk away. Not when he found out you loved him back and every stupid this he’s done in the past year was for nothing. So he panicked and said the first thing that came to mind.

“Wednesday is a lesbian. She likes Isabella.”

You froze. You tried to process the information the tall boy had just blurted but you couldn’t. Not fully. So you burst out an incredulous laugh and collapsed to the ground. Xavier wasn’t expecting it, and with his grip still tight on your wrist he was pulled down along with you. He landed half on top of you, his arms on either side of your head to keep him from crushing you. His long hair tickled your face and you scrunched your nose at the sensation. Then you realized the position you were in. You blushed, heat rushing to your face and looked everywhere but the boy on top of you.

Xavier on the other hand could only see you. He could only focus on your eyes, the freckles that dotted your skin, the way your lips pulled into that beautiful little frown. He gently reached down and ran his thumb across your eyebrows, trying to soothe the harsh lines there. Then he cupped your jaw, forcing you to look up at him. What he did next made your heart completely start and restart in your chest.

Xavier had leaned down, pressing his lips to yours carefully. He pulled away quickly, not wanting to overstep. Before you could question him, he spoke:

“I thought you only saw me as a brother. That’s what Rowan and Ajax, my parents, everyone told me. They told me I couldn’t ruin our friendship. So like the moron I am, I listened. I pushed away my feelings for you and I went after other girls because I thought it was the only chance I had at staying in your life. Sure, I liked Bianca and Wednesday. Maybe I had a crush on them. But I wasn’t in love with them like I am with you. I am so sorry, Y/n. I never should have said what I did. If I could take it back I would. But because I can't, I'll spend my entire life making it up to you.”

You were in shock. What the fuck was he thinking:? He could just apologize and confess his love and everything would be fine? No. You smiled up at him and then you slapped him. Hard. His face turned with the impact. And then you grabbed his face and kissed him. Hard.

“You owe me so many things, the list is at least a mile long,” You said as you pulled back and then kissed where your hand had met his face. “But we have all the time in the world for you to complete that list.”

Xavier leaned down to kiss you again and then pulled away with a frown.

“That hurt,” He whined.

“You deserved it and you know it,” you kissed his cheek once more before gently pushing him off of you. “Now come on, we need to get Isabella a girlfriend. Maybe she’ll finally stop making me watch anime with her.”

___

Tags: @555stargirl555 @weasleylovers @wrenwastooshort @justanotherkpopstanlol @lovurryy @rainehatepage @ghostlycrystobalove @bambi-munson @hershey2813 @karslyn @nothingbeatsthebeautyofthemoon @parkersmyth @multistangirl07 @emilykolchivans

[nathaniel-underwood-is-an-intj]

Looong rant about chapter 16 Ptolemy's Gate and how being passive can add to the cycle of ab*se.

oof so I just read when Nat goes to see Ms Lutyens and I can't help but be absolutely furious at her??

I know that's maybe a little bit unfair given she's frightened of him as a magician and is obviously angry when she finds out the department he's responsible for, but honestly it kinda brings up the problem with inadvertent bystanders to child ab*se in my mind.

And I'm definitely not blaming her solely for who Nat becomes but it makes me think of all those people in huge child ab*se cases who give interviews to press about all the things they noticed that were wrong but they just...never do anything?

She stood up for him against Lovelace, and when Nat thanked her- "I wanted to say that I know you were trying to save me, and-"

''Yes, and I'm sorry I didn't" Like girl be for real did you really think that alone would undo the years of indoctrination and abuse he's already suffered and prevent years worth of the same in the years to come? And she won't take responsibility - "My job is with children, not the adults they become" and again while it seems harsh to blame her for who Nat becomes, it's so much easier to pass the blame to people who are more directly responsible rather than acknowledging you also play a part.

I think it hurts so much more because it's her specifically- Nat goes to her in sheer desperation, it almost seems like a goodbye- he wants to thank her, tries to set her up in a job that will pay well and struggles to communicate he's trying to help. At this point he thinks Bartimaeus has been summoned by another magician and his birth name will be revealed. He's sure he's about to die and if not he'll be stood on trial and lose everything.

He goes to her because she represents the peaceful moments from his childhood when he got away from his master. He's scared and feeling lost and really it's call for help; but he doesn't ask for anything he just wants to make her feel proud of him- he's looking for that validation that he's been chasing since childhood.

And that shows he still does have that little bit of childhood innocence in him; he thinks she will be proud, thinks she'll see him as the same little boy in the garden gazing up at his teacher in adoration. He can't quite grasp why she's separated the man stood before her from that little boy. Because in that moment the child inside Nathaniel is seeking comfort AND THAT'S WHY it makes me so angry. She's completely given up on him when he's at his lowest ebb, because she doesn't want to be associated with the magician he's become. As if it isn't a massive step in the right direction that he saught her out in the first place- what other magican would bother? I wonder if that's why she reacted so strongly to seeing him again? Before that moment she could go about her life wondering if /pretending her attempt to protect him was enough, and now she realises it wasn't, of course it wasn't, and the image she had of Nathaniel's childhood innocence is completely ruined in her mind.

Or was her contempt for him even grater than Nat realised? She was naturally disgusted by the rhetoric he'd started to repeat from a young age, and gently tried to correct him although she was clearly angry- was she just resigned to the fact that there is little else she could do to change his future? I always thought- couldn't she have looked for him? The Underwood house fire was in the papers and they mentioned the apprentice was being searched for. Did she ever worry about him? Surely something must have been in the papers since- an announcement of new ministers, ANYTHING! Look at how much research Kitty did to find out about Bartimaeus and Ptolemy. I just don't think Rosanna Lutyens cared enough, realistically Nathaniel wasn't hard to find- but he was no longer her responsibility so she could turn a blind eye.

And sadly it's not just her- I know everyone loves Martha Underwood including Nat; but I think her submissiveness to her husband has a negative effect on Nathaniel as well. In AOS when Nat is locked in his room for ages after setting the mites loose, and is forbidden to have any contact with anyone and she won't talk with him. I know she's been told by Mr. Underwood she can't, but it still boils my blood. She's an adult and going along with ignoring Nathaniel because her husband told her to...I can't even begin to imagine the psychological damage that would do to a 10 year old child. (It could be argued she's frightened of the consequences if her husband finds out she's disobeyed him which is fair, he could always be watching through magic- but this is Arthur Underwood we're talking about. He's lazy, oblivious and weak I doubt he'd expend all that energy each day to check up on her.)

And It's even more painful that Nathaniel is often described as fiercely loyal to her and I think to Ms Lutyens as well- he doesn't expect to be treated well by Arthur Underwood but he loved Mrs Underwood and Ms Lutyens so much he started to view them through a rose-coloured lense. He never feels betrayed by either of them, even though they absolutely let him down, because the pedestal he's put them on is too high AND THAT ABSOLUTELY DESTROYS ME.

Would things with Nathaniel have been any different if Mrs Underwood hadn't died? I don't really think so. Do you think she'd see Nathaniel's temper at 14 years old and be reminded of Arthur Underwood? He was awful, absolutely awful to Nat and to her; but he was under so much stress in an underfunded departement, where pressure was being put on him by superiors to accomplish far more than they knew him to be capable of, and he took it out on the easiest target. Nathaniel ends up in exactly the same place and he starts to take it out on the only person around him- Bartimaeus. Would he snap at Mrs Underwood all the time if she were still there? Because he's learnt that behaviour from his father figure, and subconsciously learnt from his mother figure that she'll put up with it. He learnt from the woman he loved so deeply, that if you don't resist, people will walk all over you. So you have to maintain control even if it ends up hurting people you care about because no one will step in to stop the suffering no matter how much you love them, no matter how much you want them too.

It's easy to blame Arthur Underwood and Simon Lovelace and the magicians that actively hurt Nathaniel but I just feel like it's a bit disingenuous not to acknowledge the role of those doing passive harm. It's really mean to say it but even Bartimaeus plays a role- he knows Nat is clinging on to him because he can't 'bring himself to break this last connection' (to his childhood) but instead of bringing it up properly he 'taunts' Nathaniel- a boy who has been taunted for his weakness by his master for years. And even in AOS when Nathaniel tells Bartimaeus he was beaten for the mites incident Bart just kinda shrugs it off. Like I get it, why should Bartimaeus do anything, he's suffered way worse due to the system so he doesn't owe Nat anything right? But from Nat's point of view this is the first and only time he's mentioned to anyone what has happened to him and nothing changes. It's like another lesson learnt: telling someone about it doesn't help. Another nail in the coffin.

And I like all these characters, I feel bad for them. They're all victims of the system, I think the chapter with Ms Lutyens is just the straw that broke the camel's back for me. All of those little opportunities that are insignificant to the narrative over all; the commoners have it worse, Nathaniel is in a privileged position in society, exerting control over others. He's very morally grey, crossing over into objectively bad person territory but I love him with my whole heart and all of those insignificant moments would have been massive to him whether he was conscious of it or not.

And it goes all the way back to the beginning with Nat's parents giving him up to the magicians at 5 years old. I can't get the image of that little boy sat crying all alone in the government building. And he's not going somewhere safer, or somewhere he'll be happier and more loved. Giving your child over to a total stranger, oh he'll be totally fine won't he? He'll grow up to be a magician and far richer than you'll ever be, he'll be happy and comfortable and be grateful he got to grow up in luxury. There's no way a stranger you've never met, who the majority of society is terrified of would ever hurt a vulnerable little kid right? And if they do? Well you aren't responsible anymore, how could you know? What could you possibly do against the magician taking care of him?

Every little thing is another grain of sand tipping the scale. Did anyone else have to analyse An Inspector Calls in school? It feels like that to me- those BIG moments and all the little moments in between that add onto the pile.

And it goes on to cause problems in wider society too- ab*se is so normalised to the magicians, they casually ask Underwood if he hits Nathaniel like it's nothing. Because to them it is nothing, they've all grown up in the same circumstances and are repeating what they've learnt as children. I can't help but feel a little sorry for them all, especially when they aren't looked at through the black and white lense of 'argh these people are the evil arseholes look at how they treat everyone around them, screw these guys.' When we see those little glimpses of humanity like Simon's anxiety with the amulet; looking to his master and father figure Schyler for reassurance, and what's sad is that Nat is "reminded...of his own master's cold impatience" It's clear Simon looks up to his master, wants to make him proud and loves him. But it seems like Schyler has just trained Simon up so he can get power through him later on. I love the little hints of similarities between Simon and Nathaniel; the anxious mannerisms like fiddling with his hair that Nathaniel starts to develop, the way their master's talk to them. Even though they're actively working against each other in AOS and Simon is placed firmly in the baddies category and Nat in the goodies category at this point in the series; these things always hinted to me they had similar childhoods, how was Simon treated? When he had the imp beat Nat into unconsciousness, was it because he'd had the same punishment used against him? Did he know the magicians in the room would do nothing to stop him because no one stopped it from happening to him? Did he ever have a teacher stand up for him only for it to change nothing in the end because all the negative influences were so much stronger? Is the reason he loves Schyler like a dad because he's almost developed Stockholm syndrome? It looks like love because he's never known anything else.

And Arthur Underwood- who doesn't think his upbringing, and being taken away from his family ever did him any harm- doesn't realise the harm done is that he doesn't even know another way of raising Nathaniel, because he was never shown another way. His childhood may also have been filled with people who hurt him and the people that didn't do enough to intervene.

There are so many psychology studies that show children copy everything they see the adults in their life doing. Nathaniel copies the magicians behaviour towards spirits and on a subconscious level I think he copies all the submissive people in his life. How many times does he end up upset and frustrated with the fact he seems to be going nowhere and how many times does he just hope things will be different rather than taking postive action.

I dislike the actions the magicians end up taking but I also find them fascinating to analyse. I tend to prefer villains in media because they're usually slightly more complex individuals and I love to think about how they ended up that way. They can all be seen as victims of their circumstances in a way, despite all the power and privilege they have had terrible and traumatic childhoods, and if the commoners had no valuable worldy possessions at least they had a sense of togetherness; of love and understanding and selflessness. I wonder if the magicians hated them at least partly because of that. Because out in the sea of faces of the commoners talking about nothing important, doing nothing great and noble- could be the parents that abandoned them. And when your life is on the line daily because of working with spirits, and your colleagues want to stab you in the back, sometimes not being responsible for anything important looks good. But you can't leave your life as a magician, it would be too difficult; you have nowhere to go, no real friends, no one who really loves you. So it's better to stay and be a submissive bystander in your own life because it's so much easier.

Doing nothing is doing something- being passive can be just as harmful.

[callsignspark]

change your ticket home

a top gun maverick AU

pairing: Bradley Bradshaw x Sherrie McHone (fem!OC)

summary: After a successful business trip on the West Coast, two Wells Corporation engineers have problems getting back home. Thank god for Bradley Bradshaw, a man who is determined to make their hours waiting in the terminal as enjoyable as possible. And if he and his pretty travel companion (and colleague) get closer along the way? Well that’s just a bonus.

warnings: difficulties of being a woman in a male-dominated field, minor misogyny from coworkers, yearning, pining, Bradley being an absolute sweetheart, it's vaguely alluded to but Sherrie is named after the Steve Perry song, American Airlines bashing bc this fic is based on a real and horrible experience I had a few years ago. and yes, the title is from the one direction song.

word count: 9.8k | masterlist

note: happy saturday! this has been in the works for almost a year and I'm so thrilled to finally be sharing it! this is dedicated to @gretagerwigsmuse, who gave so many wonderful ideas and has continually been a cheerleader for this fic. happy birthday!

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 06:36 AM PST | San Diego, CA

“If I fake a heart attack, we can get out of this meeting, right?”

She looks over at Bradley sprawled in the uncomfortable café chair in his navy suit, his arm slung over the back of her chair. He’s down to just his crisp, white button-up, jacket, and tie abandoned within the first ten minutes of the call.

“Suck it up, we’re almost done.” She rolls her eyes. “And Martin knows you’re a supremely healthy thirty-two-year-old, so no, I don’t think that will work.”

“Sherrie…” His whine is cut off by her hand covering his mouth as she unmutes her microphone and mentally praises his decision to sit so close to her. Not having to pull out both laptops was just an additional perk on top of her ability to silence him.

“That’s correct, Sean. We got them to agree to a small batch trail run for the connectors. We’ll be working together on running them through environmental testing before committing to a full contract.”

“And why are they agreeing to that? Because frankly, it makes no sense to me why they would want to do that.”

Bradley straightens up, his eyes narrowing at the Teams box showing the older man’s initials. “Well, Sean, as Sherrie explained before. Harris hasn’t produced connectors like this before, and they’re interested in the test results, specifically the shock data. So they agreed to take on half the burden so they can use the information for their own use. If this works how we think it will, this will be a huge boost for their business, even if the patent is shared.”

She looks at him, half admonishment and half appreciation, always a little bit amazed when he had her back, no matter how many times he had done it. “The contracts team is drawing up the final agreements and negotiating with their team next week, so best case scenario is we have reports with usable data by the end of the summer. Worst case, it’ll drift into the middle of Q1.”

“That’s great work you guys did out there, thank you. Alright, I think that covers everything we had to talk about today. McHone, Bradshaw - have a safe flight back, and everyone have a good weekend!” Martin ends the call before anyone can add anything.

Bradley laughs. “God, he’s just as sick of Sean as I am. I can’t wait until he retires.”

“He’s not that bad; you’re just grumpy because you had to dress up for the staff meeting, and then Martin said cameras off today.”

“I am upset about that! I will be logging yet another suggestion that we should have casual Fridays and casual travel policy. But I’m more upset because he talks down to you all the time! Like you haven’t been carrying this department on your back since we started ten years ago!”

“Carrying is an exaggeration, Bradley.” She looks up from where she’s putting her laptop away. “I think you have time to change into something comfy before we board.”

“American Airlines Flight 2307 from San Diego to Charlotte, Boarding Group A can now board.”

“Or not.” She giggles as he groans, reaching over to pull her other air pod out of his ear. “Come on, it’s a long flight; you can sleep on the plane. Just be thankful you’re not wearing an underwire bra and heels.”

“I don’t know how you do that.” He mutters, shooing her away when she tries to pick up her carry-on, throwing it over his shoulder alongside his own.

“I don’t either. I’m going to get a massage when we get back to Boston.”

“Ohhh, a massage sounds nice.” He subtly sticks his elbow out for her grab, which she gratefully does, letting his tall frame guide her to their gate. “You know you didn’t have to wear heels, right?”

“You should shut up while I’m still thankful you yelled at Sean for me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Sherrie leans her head on his arm as they wait in the priority boarding line, one of the perks of traveling on the company’s dime. Normally, she would worry about being more professional while carrying her work bag that had the Wells Corporation logo embroidered on it, but she can’t bring herself to care. Yesterday’s meetings ran late, and the following client dinner had kept them out until almost midnight. After packing, going to bed late, and having to get up at 3:30AM to get to the airport, she was exhausted.

She takes her bag before they scan their tickets, not fighting when he grabs it again on their walk down the jet bridge.

“Where are you sitting again?”

“I’m in 16C.” She snorts at Bradley’s pout. “What? You knew we weren’t going to be sitting together.”

“But I’m going to be bored all the way back in 21D by myself.”

“Bud, you’re going to fall asleep in the first 30 minutes like you always do, and then I would be stuck for the next four hours with you leaning and drooling on me.”

Bradley whips his head around, “That is a baseless accusation. I do not drool!”

“You 100% definitely do drool, I’ve seen it.” Her smirk widens when his attempt to fight back is cut off by the flight attendants greeting them.

He ushers Sherrie on first, politely nodding to the flight crew before following her down the aisle, ducking down to whisper. “I do not drool.”

“You absolutely do drool. You also snore.”

She can feel eyes on them as they shuffle down the aisle, making eye contact with an older woman who raises her eyebrows in appreciation at the hunk of a man behind her.

This happens everywhere they go.

Bradley is such a gentleman, always opening doors and carrying her bags, that people never believe the two are just friends and coworkers. She’s had complete strangers fight with her when she says there’s nothing between them. Unable to accept that it’s just platonic.

As much as she wishes it could be more.

After years of learning all the little details of each other, she knows they would be good together. Their decade-long friendship allowing her to thoroughly analyze how well their personalities would mesh. They share the same beliefs and have the same interests; they even have overlapping friend groups. They’re made for each other.

On paper.

In reality, it will never happen.

She won’t let it.

“Is this good here?” Bradley’s question interrupts her weekly internal spiral; his big brown eyes blink at her over his shoulder as he puts her bag into the overhead compartment.

“That’s fine. Can you grab my water bottle out of the side pocket?

“Here ya go, ma’am. I’ll meet you by the water foundation when we land, okay?”

She nods, smiling as he hustles back to his seat to avoid a family almost flattening him in their haste to get to their assigned seats.

Her seat neighbors haven’t arrived yet, so Sherrie sits down without bothering to buckle, tucking her work bag under the row in front of her after pulling out her plane kit. Her pencil case from college that she’s repurposed to hold her headphones, phone charger, gum, hand sanitizer, and a few other small necessities.

Her phone buzzes as she’s storing her water bottle and the little bag away in the pocket of the seat in front of her.

Bradley is woken up by his seat neighbor hitting his arm as he reaches to grab a drink, nodding at the guy’s apologetic face before trying to get comfortable again. Alan talked way too much at dinner last night, and it was a struggle to stay awake during the project manager’s third round of gushing over how brilliant and profitable Sherrie’s proposal would be for both companies.

“Sir? This is for you, do you want it?” The muffled question is accompanied by someone shaking his shoulder. He peels open his eyes to see the flight attendant holding out two packets of Biscoff cookies.

His face must be confused enough for the short woman to take pity on him. “Your friend up there said these are your favorite and asked me to give hers to you.”

His heart warms up, taking the treats and saying thank you. He enjoys the cookies, washing them down with the ginger ale he also got, thinking about how well Sherrie knows him. He forces himself to wait for them to finish snack service before he gets up to use the restroom.

“Thank you.” Bradley revels in the way Sherrie jumps when he pops her headphone out, purposefully brushing his lips against her ear. “Hmmm, you were right, your seatmate is cute.”

She glares up at him, a smile threatening to break through. “Isn’t he? He fell asleep five minutes after take off, just like you.”

“Yet, another baseless accusation!”

“I heard you snoring.”

“You shouldn’t lie in front of small children.”

“His mom said he’s seven months old; I don’t think we have to be concerned about teaching him to lie while he’s still in a car seat.”

“Probably shouldn’t chance it, though. Say I don’t snore.”

“You just said I shouldn’t lie. Should probably go to the bathroom before you start holding up traffic.” She puts her headphone back in, wiggling her fingers at him before going back to reading on her phone.

It gives him the strangest sense of déjà vu.

Tuesday, March 25, 2005 | 10:43 AM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“…and he said you had already-” Bradley cuts himself off, realizing she can’t hear him. He chuckles; he should have known better than to just walk up and start talking.

He doesn’t know Sherrie McHone very well. They had taken all the freshman intro to engineering requirements together, and this year their classes had split into their chosen disciplines. His mechanical, hers electrical. But he knows her well enough to know that she can pretty much only be found without her headphones during class.

He remembers the first time they spoke last semester after he accidentally walked right into her. He had told Danny it’s because she’s so much shorter than him, but it’s really because he wasn't paying attention.

Sherrie had only taken one earpiece out to make sure he was okay before continuing onto her class, seamlessly weaving between upperclassmen as she shoved her headphone back in.

“Sherrie?” No response.

He lets out a tiny huff and checks his watch. Normally, he wouldn’t care that she’s clueless to his existence even as he’s right beside her, but he’s got a class soon, and he’s still two buildings away. So he does the only thing he can.

He pops her headphones out and steps back for fear of getting smacked.

Her head whips up, narrowing in on him freakishly fast. “What the fuck, Bradshaw?”

He’s surprised to learn that she knows his name.

“Sorry, Sherrie! I’ve been trying to talk to you for like five minutes, and you somehow haven’t noticed, but I’ve got class in 15 minutes, so I needed to get your attention.”

“Oh…” Her green eyes widen in surprise, the apples of her cheeks turning a light pink. “Sorry about that. What did you need? Wait. How did you find me?”

A fair question.

“Khondker told me where you sit.” He partially fibs.

All semester he had been watching her disappear after EE221, the one class they shared. It had taken him a while, but he was pretty sure he had found her secret study nook in the electrical engineering wing of the building. Their TA had only confirmed Bradley’s theory of where he could find his fellow sophomore.

“I don’t understand this last section we’ve been learning, and Khondker said you had already finished the homework and could help me. So could you?”

“He didn’t help you?” Sherrie raises an eyebrow in disbelief.

“He tried.” Bradley scratches the back of his head, remembering how frustrated the patient man had been after his third attempt at explaining. “I just really don’t understand circuit loops. And he thought having a classmate explain it to me would make it stick. That or he was just so sick of me, he’s pawning me off.”

He watches her think, her pencil rapidly tapping against her notebook, making him nervous.

“I don’t want to be rude, but if you don’t understand current loops, I’m not sure how much help I can be. I understand the material, but I’m not a miracle worker.”

Her bluntness makes him smile. “I’m not expecting miracles, just help with the homework. If you have time.”

“Okay, just as long as you don’t get your hopes up too much.” She grabs a bright pink notebook and opens it up. “So, I’m usually free-”

“I don't want to interrupt, but I do have to get to class, so could we figure out a time later today?”

“Sure, I’ll be here until my class at four. Feel free to sit down if I’m not here; it just means I’m grabbing food.” He nods, backing away. “Wait! Bradley! Go down this hall and out the side door. You’ll be like halfway there already.”

“Awesome, thanks!” He starts to jog down the hallway, looking back to see her putting her headphones back in. Waving back when she smiles and wiggles her fingers at him before going back to her homework.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 3:16 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Our flight got delayed, and I’m hungry.”

Sherrie jumps, not expecting Bradley to get that close to her face three seconds after she exited the bathroom.

“Okay, I could eat. Where do you wan-”

“Auntie Anne’s.”

He’s walking away before she can even process what he said. She allows herself one second to appreciate the way he looks, walking through the concourse - navy slacks fitting his legs perfectly and all their bags thrown over his broad shoulders - before she’s clicking along after him.

“Bradshaw!” He freezes and turns, almost taking a lanky teenager out with her backpack. “Oh my god, Bradley! Be careful! You almost took that kid’s head off.”

His smile is sheepish as she shuffles them over to the wall. “I did not do that on purpose.”

She giggles and takes her backpack from his shoulder. “Yeah, I kinda figured. But you should have seen his face. His life flashed before his eyes. All sixteen years.”

“I can carry that Sherrie.”

“That’s okay, I got it. No! Bradley!”

He ignores her, smiling at her frustrated little stomp when he hands over her tan, cross-body purse out of her work bag. “You just carry that and make sure I don’t take out any toddlers or old ladies.”

“How am I supposed to do that if I’m ahead of you?” She snarks as he steers them toward the food stands.

“You’re smart; I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Bradley laughs when she mocks him under her breath. “I can hear you, smartass.”

“You were meant to, Bradley.”

His heart flutters at the teasing wink she sends over her shoulder. It’s been twelve years since they became friends, and he still feels like that 20-year-old kid who was nervous to talk to the pretty red-headed girl he had a crush on.

He can feel eyes on them as her heels catch people’s attention, and he finds himself glaring at men who are shamelessly staring. Her shoes aren’t loud as they click along on the tile floor, but it’s hard to ignore the beautiful woman striding along in business casual.

It happens everywhere they go.

Sherrie has always been beautiful and painfully unaware of her effect on men. It never matters where they are - at work, the rare baseball game he forces her to attend, happy hour with their friends from school - she always catches attention. It doesn’t bother him because she never reciprocates, and he’s always the one to give her a ride back to her apartment.

Even if he wishes it was their apartment they were going to.

He’s watched her change over the last decade, seen her grow as a person. He’s risen through the ranks with her professionally, the two of them matching each other step for step with each promotion and raise. He’s publicly assured her that her hair still looks good as it’s deepened color with age, now less red and more auburn. He’s privately appreciated the way her body has changed, softer and curvier than when they were kids. Her wide hips are a frequent star in his daydreams.

It's the only place where they’ll ever be in a relationship.

He knows they’d be perfect together. Old friends who know each other so well they don’t even have to talk to communicate sometimes. Whose attitudes fit together like puzzle pieces, perfectly in sync with each other. He knows it won’t happen. Can’t happen.

“Grab us a table, and I’ll get the food.”

“Okay.” He doesn’t fight her about paying, knowing this will be covered under their per diem. “Don’t forget my-”

“You’re frozen lemonade, I know!”

Bradley rolls his eyes at the hand that waves over her shoulder, settling their bags at a table and keeping an eye on Sherrie while sending an update to Mav.

His thumbs hover over the keyboard. He wants to tell his uncle the whole situation - that he’s not afraid to flirt with Sherrie.

“Everything okay?”

Bradley looks up to find her eyebrows furrowed as she sets a tray down.

“All good. Just sending my family an update that we’re delayed.”

She nods, sitting in the chair across from him. “Here’s your mini pretzel dogs, with mustard and a frozen lemonade. This is my pretzel nuggets, cheese sauce, and Diet Coke. Oh! And I got us these cinnamon sugar pretzels to share!”

“Thank you for remembering the mustard.”

“Bradley, when have I ever forgotten the mustard? Here, take some napkins.”

He shoves an entire mini pretzel dog in his mouth in lieu of answering her question, which they both know the answer to. Never. She has never forgotten his love for pretzels with mustard.

They eat in comfortable silence, the way only two friends can, occasionally dunking into each other's sauces as they scroll through their phones.

“Hey, how is your da- oh Bradley! You got mustard on your shirt!” His head snaps down to his shirt, groaning when he sees the yellow blob on his white button-up.

“Fuck! This is new, too!”

Sherrie dives into her bag, muttering about a stain stick, a triumphant noise escaping when she comes up successful. Scooting closer to him, she’s hit with a wave of nostalgia as she helps him clean his shirt.

Friday, April 6, 2007 | 10:12 PM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“You should’ve been gone, knowing how I made you feel!”

Sherrie’s head pops up from the lab reports she’s grading.

“And I should've been gone, after all your words of steel!”

She knows that voice.

“Oh, I must've been a dreamer! And I must've been someone else!”

She knows that voice very well.

“And we should've been over!”

She rushes for the front door, hoping and praying that the idiot she’s become close friends with this year isn’t actually outside her townhouse.

“Oh! Sherrie, our love holds on! Holds on!”

She whips the door open and, sure enough, drunkenly singing to her neighbor's house is Bradley Bradshaw.

“Bradley!” She hisses at him, ignoring the flutters in her stomach when he points his big, goofy grin towards her and not the tulips the soccer girls next door planted in front of their bay window. “What are you doing? It’s 10 PM!”

“You didn’t come.”

“First man to ever care about that.” She mutters, snorting at her joke.

“What’s funny?”

“Nothing. What are you doing here?”

His puppy dog eyes are vicious, and she has the urge to slap her hand over her eyes so she doesn’t succumb to their power. “You didn’t come to the party!”

Sherrie sighs, she thought he might be disappointed she didn’t come to the annual Sigma Chi Easter Bash, but she never thought he would actually notice her absence. Or that it would result in a drunken serenade.

“Bradley, I told you I had a lot of grading and might not make it tonight.” She gently reminds him, stifling a laugh when he trips over his own feet while standing still. “You okay?”

“I have to pee. Can I come in?”

She’s pretty sure he’s just making excuses but lets him in any way; she doesn’t need to deal with him getting a public indecency charge on top of everything else. “Shoes off, Bradshaw. Bathroom is right here; I’ll be in the dining room.”

“Yes, ma’am!” He sloppily salutes her, losing his balance and thunking against the wall, one shoe still on.

Sherrie just blinks at him before returning to her spot at the dining room table, holding in the laugh threatening to escape. She settles in her chair, focusing on the mediocre reports her students had turned in.

“I washed my hands!” Bradley’s abrupt entrance startles her. “Can we have a snack? I’m hungry?

She watches in amusement as he shuffles to her fridge, riffling through the shelves before opening the freezer and gasping.

“I love pretzels. Can we make these? Please?”

The box of pretzels belongs to her roommate, but she’s not strong enough to deny Bradley’s big brown eyes two times in a row so she makes a mental note to buy Amna a new box the next time she goes to the store. “Yeah, we can. But no touching the oven when you’re drunk. Go sit down.”

“I’m not drunk!” He argues even as he follows her directions, plopping himself at the table and nosily leafing through her done pile. “Wow, lots of red here.”

“Bradley! Don’t look at those!”

“Why not?”

“Would you want some random student looking through your homework?”

His rebuttal gets cut off by the oven beeping, announcing it’s up to temp. After she pops the tray in the oven, she turns and catches him appreciating the pj shorts riding up her shapely legs.

“What?” Her head cocks in confusion.

“Nothin'… cute shorts.”

“Thank you.” He watches in fascination as she snips at him even while her cheeks turn pink. “It’s almost like I was dressed for comfort and not planning on being interrupted.”

“But you’re glad I’m here, right?”

“I’ve had worse company on a Friday night.” She nudges him out of her chair. “While those are baking, go find something to watch, and I’m going to finish grading this report.”

“Such a responsible TA.”

Pride fills his chest as Sherrie snorts at his joke and goes back to work. They’ve officially been friends since last year, but he still tries his hardest to make her laugh. She's always so busy and stressed, and she does the cutest little snort-laugh when he catches her off guard.

He puts on a random movie, just grabbing a VHS case with the Disney logo on the side, before plopping on the couch. “Is there a reason you have so many kids movies?”

“Those are Jayla’s, she collects them.” Sherrie answers, never looking up from the table. “What did you choose?”

“It’s a surprise!”

“You don’t remember, huh?”

“Nope! I’ll be quiet now.”

She hums a thank you in his direction, and Bradley keeps his promise, watching her work and staying quiet until the timer goes off. His chin hooked on the back of the couch; he follows her movement through the kitchen as she pulls the pretzels out and transfers them to a plate.

“Can I have mustard, please?”

“Sure can.” Sherrie smiles at his dopey smile as she makes her way to the couch. “Here, take these, then we can eat.”

He gulps down the painkillers she drops in his hand, chugging the rest of the apple juice after they’re gone, smiling when she absentmindedly praises him for listening. He shoves a bite of pretzel in his mouth and mashes the play button, and is pleasantly surprised to find A Bug’s Life was the mystery choice.

“I love this movie,” he garbles through a pretzel. “I love how Flick wins over the princess just by getting a chance to show off his true self.”

“That was shockingly wise for the drunk man sprawled on my couch.”

Bradley thanks her, already a bit more sober but not enough to pick up on her teasing. “So, why didn’t you come? Grading really couldn’t wait?”

“It probably could have, but I’m not a partier, Bradley. You know that.” She dips a piece of pretzel in the mustard. “Besides, I really didn’t think you would notice I wasn’t there, Mr. Popular.”

“You’re the only person I invited; of course, I noticed when you didn’t show up.”

“Really? No one else? Why?”

“I know it’s almost finals, but I wanted to hang out without any books in front of us; that’s all we do lately. Study. Plus, you’ve been extra stressed about something that you don’t want to talk about, and I just wanted you to relax since you won’t talk to me about whatever is bothering you.”

“That’s sweet of you, Bradley. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you; it’s just that my family has been…” She waves a hand through the air, a deep sigh escaping. “It’s complicated. I’m trying not to think about it too much.”

“Well, I’m here if you do want to talk.”

“Thanks bud. How about you? How’re your parents?” She takes one last chunk before nudging the plate in his direction and settling back into the corner.

“Mom is good; she’s close to being considered cancer-free. I think we’re gonna throw a party when she gets there.”

“That’s awesome, Bradley! I’m glad she’s doing so well. How’s your dad?”

“Mav isn’t my dad.”

A record scratch plays in Sherrie’s head as she freezes. She knows she’s heard Bradley talk about his dad, and she’d seen photos of his parents the one time she had visited his frat house last year. He had specifically pointed the photo out, telling her it was his parents. She had even been next to him when he was on the phone when he said “dad” to the person on the other end.

“My dad died when I was three. Mav is- was his best friend. I call him dad sometimes because he’s the closest thing I’ve got.”

Sherrie feels her heart break as Bradley sniffles and sadly shoves a mustard-covered pretzel in his mouth, unshed tears clumping his eyelashes. She’s never seen her friend like this before; she’s experienced many other emotions - frustration, joy, confusion - but the pain creasing his brow is new.

Comforting crying people has never been her forte, but instinctively - almost like they moved without her permission - Sherrie’s fingers run over his hair. Gently stroking the sun-streaked waves as a few tears escape down his cheeks and she scoots closer, letting her body press into his side and hoping the proximity helps.

“I’m sorry for crying on you.” He quietly apologizes after a few minutes of tears.

“S’okay. Family can be hard sometimes.”

“Complicated.”

“That too.” She hums, not moving as he swipes at his eyes and leans against her more, his head resting on her shoulder in a slouched position that can’t be comfortable.

“I love Mav; he’s my dad in all the ways it matters. It just sucks that my actual dad won’t be here for graduation. Like, I know he’s missed so much of my life already, but something about him missing college graduation is worse than everything else. It’s just so unfair; I barely remember him, but I just- I just miss him so much, Sherrie.”

Her heart cracks in half at the whispered confession. She can’t even imagine the pain of losing a parent at such a young age. The inability to remember one of the people responsible for giving you life, all memories fuzzy and most built from second-hand recollections of those who can remember. So she says the one thing she would want to hear.

“Tell me about him.”

Sherrie knows she said the right thing when his red-rimmed eyes brighten, and he immediately launches into a beloved story detailing his father’s love of pranks. She listens dutifully — laughing at the right moments and asking questions when Bradley gets carried away, forgetting that she doesn’t know all the people in his story — and feels her heart warm more and more. She’s always liked Bradley, probably more than she should, but it’s hard not to like him. He’s considerate, smart, and funny, not to mention handsome.

Thankfully, before she gets lost in thoughts of broad shoulders and strong jawlines, a big glob of mustard drops on Bradley’s t-shirt, abruptly cutting him off. The two stare in silence at the yellow condiment sitting on the black cotton shirt, somehow surprised at its appearance, before breaking down into giggles.

“C’mon Bradshaw,” Sherrie grabs his hand, pulling him off the couch. “I have a Tide pen we can use on that mess.”

Bradley follows her up the stairs and into the bathroom, teasing Sherrie about the way her tongue pokes out when she focuses. She takes the gentle taunts, grateful he’s focusing on that and not on her pink cheeks or the way her eyes keep darting to his toned stomach. She’s not sure it was completely necessary for him to strip his shirt off, but she won’t be complaining.

“Well,” A few minutes later, she interrupts his rambling story about a slip and slide. Or she thinks that’s what it’s about; she missed the first part. “I think this is as good as I can get it.”

“That’s okay; it’s not like it’s new or anything. Thanks, Sherrie.”

She steadfastly ignores the pounding heart in her chest as miles of golden skin gets covered back up, trying to not feel too disappointed by its disappearance.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 3:56 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Oh, this is ridiculous!” Bradley complains a bit too loudly, ears going hot when several pairs of eyes curiously dart toward him, but his focus doesn’t stay on that for very long when he catches the face Sherrie makes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!”

He squints suspiciously as she avoids eye contact. He usually takes her at her word and doesn’t push, but the frown pulling down the corners of her pink lips sets off bells in his head. “Sherrie, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Bradley. I’m fine.”

He grumbles at her lack of response but settles again in the spot they had claimed after finishing their snack. The gate was still packed, but they had found a prime location with outlets; the only downside was having to sit on the floor, something that is getting harder the older they get.

Bradley scans the area, trying to scout out some open chairs for them to grab, while Sherrie goes back to the movie they’ve been watching on his phone. His eyes drop away from the chairs in surprise when she scoots closer and leans on his shoulder. It’s not uncommon for them to sit close like this at home in Boston, sides pressed together, but she makes a point to be professional when they’re on travel.

“Hey,” he gently nudges her side, concern rising when she doesn’t lift her head, choosing to tilt her neck back, looking up at him with tired eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Panic grips his chest when tears start forming, clouding her green eyes. “Sherrie?! What’s wrong?”

“We were supposed to be halfway home by now, and I’m so uncomfortable. I’m sorry, Bradley, I’m just so tired.” She whimpers, hiding against his bicep.

It hits him like a glass of cold water. Of course, she’s uncomfortable. She’s been walking around in heels and her pantsuit since 4AM California time after getting maybe three hours of sleep. His suit and shoes are comfortable and easily wearable for twelve-plus hours, not to mention the jacket and tie that were ditched sometime after the mustard incident.

“Oh, Sherrie, it’s okay. Let’s go change, yeah? Then we’ll find a quieter place so you can close your eyes and maybe get some sleep.”

“But the policy…”

Bradley resists the urge to roll his eyes at her insistence on rule-following. “In the nicest way possible, Sher, fuck the policy. You’re uncomfortable, and I care about that way more than I could ever care about a stupid, archaic policy.”

He stands, unplugging their phones and gathering their bags on his shoulder before turning to his best friend, who is still on the floor. “C’mon, we’re putting comfy clothes on.”

“But Bradley-”

“No arguing.” He interrupts, helping her off the ground and directing them back towards the restrooms. “We’re not going to sit in our suits for god knows how much longer.”

“But Bradley, I don’t have anything to change into. We had such a packed schedule I didn’t bother to bring normal clothes.” He ignores the thumping of his heart when her hand grabs his forearm, warm fingers slipping under the edge of the rolled-up sleeve as she tugs to slow his pace. At that information, he slides them out of the flow of traffic and over to the wall, Bradley pressing her against one of the columns lining the concourse atrium.

“You don’t have any regular clothes? What about your pajamas?”

“I have a pair of leggings because I was going to do a training run in the gym last night, but that’s it. I can’t wear my pjs because… well, they’re not appropriate for public.”

“Your leggings are clean, though, right?” He asks, ignoring the thoughts of what non-public appropriate pajamas might look like.

“Well, yeah, dinner went so late I barely had time to sleep before we had to be up. I guess I could buy a shirt at one of the SmartShop- what are you doing?”

Bradley peers up from his knees, where he had started digging in his bag. “I’m grabbing one of my shirts for you. Would you prefer a t-shirt or a sweatshirt? Actually, you’re definitely gonna get cold, sweatshirt for you.”

He pulls the worn, gray crew neck out, shaking it out before handing it over.

“You still have this?” The disbelief in her voice makes him laugh.

“Of course, I still have that! Relay was always my favorite event of the year. And that year was my favorite one.”

As the philanthropy chair of Sigma Chi, part of his job was to sign the brothers up for volunteer events and fundraisers. With his mom’s diagnosis, he ensured their schedule included the campus’ annual Relay for Life event, pouring as many resources as he could into the fundraiser that directly helped advance cancer research.

“Wait, but why was junior year your favorite?” She asks, brushing her fingers over the cracked, screen-printed logo.

“Because that’s the reason we became friends, Sher.”

Surprised green eyes meet sincere brown eyes, a thousand words said in the silence of their stares, both remembering the lead-up to that day in April so many years ago.

Bradley’s eyes widen in panic as everyone at the gate starts moving as a herd. They had finally found seats to relax in after changing, the group of passengers waiting with them shrinking as time went on. And now, with only ten minutes until boarding, their gate has changed again.

“Sherrie, wake up!” He feels bad shaking the snoozing woman off, but they have to move with the group to make it to the new part of Terminal A in time for their flight. “C’mon, honey, they changed the gate again — we gotta go!”

“What are you- again?! Shit!” She wipes the bleariness from her eyes, slinging her bags over her shoulder and grabbing the hand he holds out.

The two coworkers, along with fifty of their fellow passengers who have stuck this out, speed walk down the first branch of the terminal. The entire group picking up the pace when turning the corner towards the second branch where the new gate lives. By the time they hit the second branch, everyone is practically running — time ticking down to boarding — no one wanting to miss this flight.

As if the blob of Flight 1121 passengers racing toward the end of the terminal didn’t garner attention from other gates, the entire terminal is staring by the time they reach gate A28, and several people start yelling in frustration.

“This is unbelievable!” An older gentleman’s unhappiness is interrupted by three simultaneous updates pinging everyone’s phones.

Bradley’s head drops back in disbelief, wrapping his arm around Sherrie when her head thunks against his chest. He doesn’t even get a chance to comfort her before the gate agents are making announcements about getting people on other flights, providing hotel rooms, and the vouchers that will be shared.

“Again, we apologize, but if you have flexible travel plans, we ask that you please go to the end of the line so those with time constraints can be taken care of first. Thank you for your cooperation, folks!”

“Well, that’s us, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Sherrie blows air out of her lips, a mischievous smile taking over her face. “Hey, at least this means extra per diem money.”

Bradley laughs as they move to the back of the squiggly line that’s forming, letting her take the bags so he can step away to call to update their supervisor and then his pet sitter. It only takes a few rings for his boss to pick up. “Bradshaw! What’s up? You okay?”

“Hey Martin, all good. Just wanted to let you know that our flight has gotten supremely delayed. We won’t be home until tomorrow morning sometime.”

“Jesus, do you guys need anything?”

“Nah, we’re good. The airline is putting us up in a hotel for the night and giving vouchers for a bunch of stuff. Just called to let you know and for a heads up on the expense report.”

“Well, that is the most important part!” Martin’s honking laugh makes Bradley chuckle as he glances to check on Sherrie’s progress in line. “How’s Sherrie? She good?”

“Yeah, she’s good. She’s holding our spot in line for getting new tickets and stuff.” And it looks like she’s made friends already, he silently adds, smiling at her interacting with the elderly couple in front of her.

“Good. Alright then, I’ll see you on Monday, but let me know if you guys need anything. And hey! If you two end up in the same hotel room — remember what I said on your first day!”

The line goes dead, and so does Bradley’s smile, his stomach churning like it does every time he remembers his first day at the Wells Corporation.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 | 11:15 AM EST | Boston, MA

“Will you calm down?”

“I can’t, Bradley. What if no one likes me? What if I fuck up?!” She hisses, working to appear calm as they wait for their supervisor to show up, but failing.

“First of all, we’re starting together, so you have at least one person that likes you. And you’re great, everyone will like you. Second, there will be mistakes, but we just graduated — they’re not going to let us do anything alone because we don’t know anything yet.”

Sherrie nods, tucking her hands under her legs and trying to breathe. Bradley’s words are encouraging, but he doesn’t know how difficult her internship was last summer. The older engineers she shadowed treated her like a glorified coffee girl and secretary. Even when she had pointed out a mistake they all had missed, there was no change — just the addition of making her type their reports to see if she could catch something the non-engineer tech writers would miss.

This is a brand new company, but misogyny wasn’t unique to Waite Green Construction. Every woman has to work twice as hard to prove her worth and intellect, no matter her age or experience. She’s just hoping her onboarding mentor will be the only other woman in the department; it would be the perfect way to gain a professional mentor once she’s out of the probation period.

“Good morning, kids! How was orientation?” Mr. Teresi walks into the conference room.

Bradley shakes his hand first, “It was good, sir. Nice to see you again.”

“Good to hear! Learn lots of new things.”

“Yes, I think we can be considered experts on trade secrets now.” Sherrie jokes, focusing on making sure her handshake is firm but not too firm.

“Wonderful. So, I’m guessing you two have been introduced, but just in case you haven’t. Bradley, this is Sherrie McHone; she’s an electrical engineer. And Sherrie, this is Bradley Bradshaw, a mechanical engineer.”

“We actually went to school together, sir.”

“We’re friends,” Bradley adds, the two of them exchanging small smiles.

“Oh, great! Well, that makes things easier getting started. Now let’s go over my plan for the two of you, and then we’ll get lunch, my treat for your first day.”

Their supervisor talks for half an hour, going over things they’ll need to be trained in and their first assignments. By the time he’s done, several notebook pages have been filled and highlighted with things that need to be looked up.

“Alright!” The older engineer claps, rubbing his hands together. “I’m sure your brains are overloaded with information, so go drop your things at your desks, and we’ll head to lunch.”

The recent graduates gather their notes and head for the door, quietly talking about a training they’ll be attending next week when he stops them. “One more thing, guys. They never mention it during R&D orientation, but I feel it’s necessary to mention it to new people. Here at Wells, there isn’t a fraternization policy among non-management coworkers or between any employees in different divisions. But we are a fairly small department, so keep in mind who you interact with and what impacts that may have at work.”

Sherrie feels the blood drain from her already pale face as her brand new supervisor stares at her the entire time he speaks, ignoring Bradley completely. She’s going to be sick. Less than four hours into the first professional role of her career, and it’s already happening.

This is the moment it starts, she thinks, her heart pounding in her throat as she robotically nods. It’s never the men that get these warnings. It’s always the women. Always us. Always me.

“I don’t care about that. But there are some people who will, even though they shouldn’t. And I want you guys to have the best experience here you possibly can. You’re both extremely bright, and I’m excited about your futures. I don’t want you to get bogged down by the opinions of others. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.” They answer in unison before filing out of the conference room.

“Sherrie, don’t worry about that. He’s just-”

“Trust me, Bradley. I know exactly what he was saying. I’m going to use the restroom, and then I’ll meet you guys at the elevator.”

“Sherrie…”

But she ignores her friend, shrugging her purse over her shoulder and keeping her face neutral as she heads for the single-stall ladies’ room. Fighting to hold the tears back until she’s inside for fear of being perceived as emotional. A quality no woman can afford to have in a professional setting.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 8:05 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Hey, everything? Martin says hi.”

“We’re good! This is Mr. and Mrs. Ludden; they’re going to visit their newest granddaughter. How’re Sophie and Louis?” Bradley smiles at the excited way she introduces them, putting a steadying hand on her back when she bounces up on her toes.

“Oh, congrats! They’re good; Marie can watch’em one more day, problem.”

“Good, we’ll have to get her a thank you present for the short notice.”

“You didn’t tell us you guys had kids!”

Bradley and Sherrie freeze in place, eyes widening in surprise at the older woman’s words.

“Oh- uh- we-” Sherrie giggles awkwardly. “Sophie and Louis are our cats; we don’t have kids.”

“I’m so sorry!” Mrs. Ludden gasps, hand covering her mouth in shock while her husband groans her name.

“Louise, how many times do we have to do this before you stop making assumptions?”

“It’s okay, innocent mistake,” Bradley assures them.

“Well, they’re such a cute couple. I just thought they would have adorable children, too!”

“Actually… we’re not…”

“Oh, lord. Let me guess. You’re not dating. You’re just friends.”

“Coworkers too, but we were friends first.” Sherrie suppresses a laugh when the older gentleman rubs a hand over his eyes in exasperation.

“Don’t even start, Clayton!”

“I wasn’t going to, dear.”

Bradley can’t help the laugh that escapes at the comfortable ribbing they give each other; it reminds him of his friendship with Sherrie. The easy way they tease, never going too far.

“Would you two like to join us after we get rebooked?” Bradley asks. “We’re going to use our food vouchers tonight to grab dinner before we head to whatever hotel they put us up in.”

The four adults move through the line, chatting about small things and comparing pictures of grandkids and cats. It’s a nice way to spend the time, especially when they get to share judging looks when a woman throws a tantrum and yells at the gate agent. But soon enough, they’re walking back to the main concourse and deciding what food to get.

“No, stop. You just sit here with the bags, and I’ll grab the food.” Bradley gently pushes Sherrie back into her chair, rolling his eyes as he talks over her protests. “I know. You want mac and cheese, Diet Coke, and whatever pulled pork flavor looks best.”

“He’s sweet,” Louise says, watching the two men make their way over to the BBQ place.

“He’s annoying.” Which makes her companion laugh. “Yes, he’s very sweet. I’m lucky to be such good friends with him.”

“Can I ask why the two of you aren’t together? He even knows what food to bring you.”

“It’s just never been like that between us. We’ve always just been friends. And he’s annoyingly smart, so he always remembers what I order.” Sherrie half smiles, pushing down the pain in her chest at the harmless curiosity, watching Bradley laugh at something Clayton says as she remembers the first time he remembered one of her favorites.

Saturday, March 4, 2006 | 1:34 PM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“Thanks for meeting me on a Saturday, Bradshaw. It’s just such a busy semester.”

“No problem. You know you can call me Bradley, right?”

“Oh, sorry. Do you not like being called Bradshaw?” Sherrie blinks when a bottle of Diet Coke and a small bag of Skittles is set on the table in front of her. “What’s this?”

“Your favorite snack.”

“Right… but why?”

“Because you have that about 50% of the time when we meet up to work on this project. Now, I finished transcribing the interview with Commander Buck last night. Did you want to- Sherrie?”

She shifts her focus from the food to the boy across from her in the study nook they’ve claimed as theirs for the semester. “Why do you remember my favorite snack?”

“Because we’re friends?” Brown eyes look into hers, equally confused.

“We’re friends?”

“I hope so; otherwise, this is gonna get awkward when you hug me in a minute.”

“Why am I going to hug you?!”

Bradley laughs at her flabbergasted expression, but it doesn’t hurt her feelings like it does when other people laugh at her. Something about the tone of the laugh makes it feel like he’s laughing at her, but rather with her, and she just doesn’t know the joke yet.

“Because as team captain, I am happy to announce to the Relay Chair that Sigma Chi has officially raised $5,000 thanks to your idea.”

“Bradley, that’s incredible!” She doesn’t feel silly when she bounces around the table to hug his neck, rocking them back and forth in excitement.

“Well, if you think that’s good - let me show you what we’re anticipating to raise this month…”

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 10:12 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“I just don’t understand how we’re having such bad luck!”

Sherrie rolls her eyes as he unlocks the door. “Bradley, breathe. You’re being very dramatic right now.”

“How is “we’re out of rooms” a legitimate reason for the hotel to give? Not that I mind sharing with you, but like how is that possible? The airline specifically works with them to book rooms for things like this! And the airline! That gate agent who wanted to book us to fly into Hartford and then drive the rest of the way to Boston! That's insane!”

“I don’t know, the Bradley flying into Bradley joke was pretty funny.” She mutters, clicking the lights on as she checks the cleanliness of the room.

“It wasn’t.” Bradley pouts, flopping onto the bed closest to the door. “Do you want to shower first?”

“No, go ahead, but I’m going to wash my face first so I can do a face mask. I’m so dry from the airport air.” He listens to the sounds of water running and the quiet humming as she carefully applies the drenched sheet to her skin. “All yours!”

“Thanks, Sher. I won’t be long.”

He showers quickly but takes extra time cleaning his teeth, his mouth feeling gross after the long travel day. When he comes out, he’s surprised at how cozy the room feels. With only one lamp on, the air conditioning set low to keep the fan running, and an old movie on the TV, it almost feels like they could be at home in his living room. They silently move around each other, Sherrie heading to the bathroom with a pile of things while Bradley organizes his things for the morning, wanting to get as much rest as possible before their early alarm.

He scrolls through emails and texts while he waits for her to shower, turning the television off since he knows there’s a small chance of either of them making it five minutes after they kill the lights. He's updating Mav on tomorrow’s travel plans when Sherrie comes out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel. Bradley sees her packing things out of the corner of his eye, not fully paying attention until he plugs his phone in.

“That’s what you wear to bed?”

“Bradley!” He laughs at how she jumps, her hands coming down to cover her shorts.

“What? They’re cute! Very pink.”

Her face goes as pink as the pajama set she’s wearing. “Stop making fun of me!”

“I’m not! You know, I love strawberries.” He can’t help the way his eyes roam up and down her body, admiring from the spaghetti straps on her smooth shoulders to the scalloped edge of her shorts. “I see why you didn’t want to change into those at the airport.”

“Oh my god…” She huffs, climbing into her own queen bed and stuffing herself under the sheets. “You set an alarm, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. Want me to turn the light off?”

“Please. God, this day cannot be over soon enough.”

He chuckles and turns the lamp off, listening to her shuffle around in the sheets as she gets comfortable. It’s quiet for a few minutes, and he can hear her breathing leveling out, but he can’t keep quiet; the conversation at the airport running through his mind.

“Sher?” It takes a second, but she quietly hums in response. “We have to talk about it again.”

“No, we don’t.”

“Sherrie-”

“No, Bradley. We talked about this two weeks ago. Nothing has changed since then.”

“Yes, things have changed since then. You interviewed for that principal engineer position. Which if you get-”

“I’m not going to get it. They’re going to pick Trevor.”

“They’re going to pick you. You’re the best person for the job!”

“That’s not how it works, and you know it.”

He’s silent, the crushing weight on his chest feeling heavier when he hears her sniffle.

“Oh, Sherrie…” He slips out of his bed and into hers, wrapping the woman he loves in his arms. He lets her cry, knowing she’s frustrated and exhausted, only speaking up again when she’s calmed down. “I’m sorry, honey.”

“No, I’m sorry, Bradley. It’s not fair that we’ve been dancing around this for so many years, and I keep saying no. You deserve someone who isn’t afraid to be with you. Not a coward like me.”

“You’re not a coward; you’re one of the bravest people I know, Sherrie Anne McHone. I know how critical people are of women, in this field especially. And I love you, so I don’t mind waiting until we’re in a position that you’re confident won’t jeopardize your career. So, we’ll wait to hear about the job, and once you hear that you’ve gotten it, I’m treating you to the nicest dinner in Boston.”

“Bradley, we don’t know-”

“I know we don’t know. But think about how it would be if it does. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

“But what about-”

“Doesn’t matter, honey.”

“You don’t even know what I was gonna say.” Sherrie mumbles, cuddling further into his side, making it clear that he wasn’t allowed to leave.

“I know, but it doesn’t matter, whatever it is — we’ll figure it out.”

Saturday, July 16, 2016 | 10:32 AM EST | Somewhere over Virginia

“She’ll take a ginger ale; thank you so much.” Bradley balances his apple juice, the two packets of Biscoff cookies, and the bubbling soda he got for Sherrie. The smiling flight attendant moves past their row as he turns to his row companion.

They’re finally on their way home after waking up to more delay announcements. The additional time meant there was time to get coffee and some fruit from the hotel before their taxi back to the airport arrived, and the Luddens had even stopped to chat for a second at the gate, excited that they had gotten bumped up to first class since the flight was nearly empty.

All things considered, it had been a good morning even though Sherrie was insisting on working during the flight. Bradley is sure it’s an attempt to ignore their talk from last night, not wanting to dwell on the emotional moment when things are still so up in the air.

He looks over at the woman he’s known since he was eighteen, overwhelmed for a moment by how little things have changed since the first time he ever noticed her. Bradley fondly watches as she furiously types, hunched over her laptop with headphones, playing what he knows is eighties hair bands.

Her nose wrinkles in frustration, and suddenly it’s 2003 again, and he’s trying to get the attention of the red-haired girl whose table has the only empty chair left, something he desperately needs since this book can’t leave the library. He’s unable to get her attention and resorts to knocking on the table, heart skipping a beat when the prettiest green eyes he’s ever seen blink up at him. Bradley gestures at the empty chair, silently asking if he can sit, and is grateful when she nods because her smile is making his knees wobble. For the next hour, he tries to take notes for his paper, but he keeps getting distracted by the beautiful girl across from him. Bradley isn’t sure if he’s upset or happy when she packs up her stuff and leaves, giving him a little wave when she notices him watching her.

That had been thirteen years ago, and her intense focus still distracts him, but he’s not afraid to interrupt her this time. Fingers rub her arm that is covered in his sweatshirt again, but this time, he knows it smells like her shampoo instead of his cologne. Her smile still sends his heart skipping when she looks up at him, her pretty eyes widening in joy when she catches sight of the red snack packaging and the plastic cup holding her second favorite soda.

“Thank you!” She whispers, leaning across the empty middle seat in their row to kiss his cheek. “Oh, and we should go out to lunch when we get back! I want to try that new noodle place that opened in Southie.”

He just smiles when she immediately gets back to work; cheek puffed out from the cookie she stuffed in her mouth.

Maybe she’s not avoiding our talk from last night.

Thursday, August 11, 2017 | 2:15 PM EST | Boston, MA

“You got a minute?” Bradley knocks on the edge of her cubicle. It may be a different floor of their building, but all of the office space is the same dated stuff from decades ago.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“First of all…” He ducks down and presses a swift kiss to her plush mouth, still trying to make up for all those years he couldn’t. “And don’t say anything because I already checked before I did because I wanted to kiss my girl.”

He chuckles at the pink spots that shine on her cheeks. It’s been a year since Sherrie snagged the promotion, and they officially became an item, but she still turns a little red whenever he says something sweet.

“Second, you are all packed, right?”

“Yes, why?”

“I was gonna swing by the apartment and get our bags so we can head straight to the airport after work.”

“You took the afternoon off? Why?”

Bradley was expecting this question and smoothly fibs. “I worked the hours out with Martin for this week so I could run a few last-minute errands. Do you want me to grab snacks?”

“Okay, Mr. Secrets. When you’re at home, could you water the ivy? I forgot this morning, and I don’t want it to die while we’re gone.”

“Of course! Need me to do anything else?”

Sherrie hums, staring at the ceiling as she thinks. “One more kiss?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bradley happily complies with her request.

“Okay, now you have to go. I have to finish prepping for this meeting where I get to yell at Sean.”

“That’s my girl. I’ll pick you up later. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Have fun with your mysterious errands.” Sherrie teases, and Bradley smirks back, knowing how much she would be freaking out if he knew what he would be doing while she professionally reamed out their least favorite colleague.

“Thanks, honey. Text me if you think of something.” Sherrie waves over her shoulder, already zoned back into her work.

Bradley doesn’t dare look at his buzzing phone until he’s safely on the elevator, pleased to see confirmation texts from their hotel and the airline. Would it be cheesy to quietly propose in the airport that was a catalyst in their relationship? Maybe, but he knew Sherrie would love it. He’s just hoping the TSA didn’t call out the ring that would be hiding in his carry-on.

#deltasupremacy I also want to give a special thanks to @sometimesanalice, who gave so much encouragement through the texts despite having no idea what I was writing - you're the best! tagged some friends and most those who interacted with the original announcement post for this fic all those months ago!

tagging: @gretagerwigsmuse @sometimesanalice @laracrofted @theharddeck @hangmanbrainrot @hangmanssunnies @thesewordsareallihavetogive @princessphilly @katieshook02 @atarmychick007 @kmc1989 @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby @misfitpeach @luckyladycreator2 @scarlettwidow19 @mini-bee-bee @midnightstarqueen @shamelessghostwagonwobbler

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[sabo-has-my-heart]

Heyy how are you Hope you're doing well and have some food and drink water you need it🫶

So about the request i was wondering if you would be able to make a modern au i am not really sure if you write modern au but if you don't want to make it modern au it's totally fine

It's a scenario with marco adopting a girl (maybe 10-11) who's tomboyish and making her his daughter and basically the whitebeard pirates being whitebeard company (if you write modern au) with pops as the ceo of course and them being a huge family. (I swear they are really family i want what they have💞)

i can imagine izo telling everyone you people can't handle a girl there need's to be a bit of feminine only for the girl to run away cause she found him intimidating but at the end they bond.

Also please can you include the ASL trio as if they are a part of the whitebeard family

I personally had this idea for so long and thought a lot about it that's why i want to see it come to life thank you so much for this chance🥹

Love ya

Hello my dear! So yes, I do write modern AUs, lol. Sorry I didn't get this out sooner, life has been... a pain. BUT! it's out! I hope it's alright, I had a hard time wrapping up the ending. In any case, enjoy!

Warnings: Platonic WBP x Reader, platonic ASL x reader, female!Reader

Word Count: 1450

     Looking down at the little girl in front of him, Marco could feel his heart aching. He couldn’t imagine she was more than 10, 11 tops, but here she was, huddling under what little shelter she could find, trying to stay out of the rain. Walking in over to her, he held his umbrella out a little, covering her as well as he kneeled down. Looking up at him, e/c eyes looked up at him in curiosity and… was it… fear? 

     “What are you doing out here, little one? Surely you have somewhere you can go to escape the rain.” he asked softly, reaching out and placing his hand on her head. The little girl simply shook her head, looking down at the ground sadly. Marco’s expression twisted into a troubled one as he stared at her for a moment, “Come with me. I’ll get you out of this rain and get you something to eat, you look hungry.” Marco offered, holding his hand out for the little girl. She timidly looked down at his hand before looking up at him. He looked like a kind man, nothing like those who sought to kidnap her or hurt her. Tentatively, she took his hand, allowing him to lead her away.

     That had been 4 months ago. After taking her to the office with him, she’d immediately stolen the hearts of all the divisions, though it was a toss up as to if HR loved her more or R&D. No, no, neither of those were correct. The ones who loved her most were Marco and the company’s owner, Edward ‘Whitebeard’ Newgate. It hadn’t taken a lot to adopt the girl, once she’d finally been willing enough to give them a name and her previous orphanage. None of them had known much about her, but it was clear that she was a little cautious, something that none of them had much cared for. She was far too young to be this distrustful of people.

     Sitting in his office, Marco smiled as he watched his new daughter play in the, now renovated, room next door. The very instant the adoption papers had been signed, Pops had begun renovating what had once been an office next to Marco’s, turning it into a playroom of sorts for her so that when she wasn’t at school, the entire building could come and fawn over her instead of leaving her with a daycare, something they had all been vehemently against. Crawling into one of the human sized hamster tunnels, she was immediately off once more, ruffling the new dress Izo had gotten her. The man would sigh, but leave it be. So long as she was happy, it seemed that the rest of the office was as well.

     Hearing his office door slam open, Marco couldn’t help but jump, looking up to see a familiar straw hat and smile.

     “Is Y/n in here? Ace said she was in here!” Luffy asked excitedly, running towards the door to the playroom before Marco could answer. Even though the boy was a good 7 years older than her, he seemed to be her closest friend, the two of them often getting lost in the tunnels together as they ‘adventured’ across the building, the human hamster tunnels winding through almost all of the offices of the upper two floors.

     “Luffy! Get back here! You made a promise to Ace and I! Homework first then Y/n!” Sabo shouted, running into Marco’s office soon after and joining Luffy in the tunnels. The older blond could only laugh as Sabo chased after Luffy and Luffy chased after Y/n. Pops had taken Ace in after the death of the boy’s parents, being Ace’s godfather. Roger and Pops might have been rival companies, but contrary to what the press often said, had been surprisingly good friends. Sabo had been taken in after Ace, Pops filing for custody against Sabo’s parents after a fire left the boy with horrible burn scars. The one he wasn’t sure of, however, was Luffy. The boy had his own home, perhaps not the most attentive father, but a good man. His grandfather had found a… nanny to take care of him from time to time, yet the boy had still wound up with Ace and Sabo more often than not. Still, it seemed to be for the best since Luffy and Y/n got along, so he couldn’t be upset. 

     Another bang made Marco jump, seeing Ace and Izo in his doorway.

     “Marco! Did Luffy and Sabo come this way? Sabo called me saying that he was chasing Luffy and they were headed this way!” Ace asked, making the man smile.

     “In the tunnels, best of luck, don’t forget to take off your shoes.” Marco said, gesturing towards the tunnels, the black haired young man soon darting after his brothers.

     “She’s in the tunnels again?! But… but I just got her that dress!” Izo said with a sigh, looking down rather dejectedly, making Marco laugh.

     “And she loves it… when it isn’t hindering her ability to move.” Marco said, thinking to this morning when he had her put it on for school. He wasn’t lying, she’d been rather happy with the dress, finding that it wasn’t too restrictive, it was comfortable, and it was cute.

     “I haven’t even gotten to see her in it. By later today, it’ll probably be too covered in dirt and scuff marks. How is she supposed to learn to be feminine when she spends all her time around Ace, Sabo, and Luffy!” Izo grumbled, tucking a strand of loose hair back.

     “I’m sure she’ll be fine. Once she warms up to you more, you’ll no doubt be able to dress her up as much as you’d like.” Marco said with a comforting smile as the man in front of him sighed in defeat.

     “I don’t know why she doesn’t like me, Marco. I’ve tried being nice to her, but she always runs behind someone else.” Izo lamented, crossing his arms as he stood in the doorway.

     “It’s because of your first meeting. You pushed everyone aside to meet her, carrying a dress. She figured that anyone that can push away that many people so easily while managing not to rip a dress was terrifying.” Marco said with a chuckle. Izo sighed and nodded, his shoulders sagging as he leaned against the doorframe.

     “I suppose you have a point. Everyone here is rather tall, aren’t they? Well… tell her there’s some mochi in the fridge for her. It’s a recipe I learned from Toki.” Izo said, turning to leave.

     “You… made me mochi?” a small voice called out, drawing Izo’s attention to the glass playroom doors. Izo smiled gently as he looked at her, nodding.

     “Yes. Your favorite, in fact. Marco told me what you like, so I thought you might enjoy some in the form of mochi.” Izo said softly, his heart melting at her smile.

     “Thank you, Mister Izo. I’m… I’m sorry about getting your dress dirty.” she said, moving to dust the front of her dress off as if that would help.

     “It’s alright, little one. How about you and I go shopping one of these days. I’ll buy you something we can both agree on.” Izo said, feeling himself becoming putty for the little girl. Much like the others, he’d already adored her, but Marco was pretty sure she could get Izo to kill for her with that little smile alone. 

     “Y/n, why don’t you go with Izo now to get that mochi. You can eat it while you finish up the other half of that homework.” Marco suggested, watching Izo smile at the idea of her going with him to get the mochi. Looking down at her dress, her brow furrowed as she once more attempted to wipe the scuff marks out of the knees.

     “Don’t worry, little one, I’ll get you something better when we go shopping.” Izo said softly, giving her a warm smile. Almost as if a switch flipped, Y/n was smiling at him and running over, happily taking his hand as he led her away. Marco smiled and sighed softly, watching his daughter walk towards the break room. Even as Luffy ran out of the play area, Sabo and Ace hot on his heels, he couldn’t help but find himself feeling content. The company had always been a family to him; chaotic, loud, and messy, but a family, and seeing his daughter warming up to Izo, playing with Ace, Sabo, and Luffy, and often seeing her with Pops, he couldn’t help but feel more and more like a real family. Even if the family was the entire company.

[ackee]

hey!!!!!!!!!!! I ADORE YOUR OCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANT STOP LOOKING AT THEM THEYRE SO BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED AND WRITTEN AND NOBODY IS DOING IT LIKE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cant wait for more naomi and kamdeuce content esp.... i have one question about kam if thats ok!! what exactly is her visual impairment? and where did you get the idea to make a character with this kind of disability? im super legally blind too and seeing (haha) a character who functions like me and the people in my family is heavenly :))) and i rly love the little details u put in like in the comic where shes taking a picture of deuce's apron to look at the words on it <33 and how does she work in a bar w this condition? whats her visual acuity?? thank you! and thank you for creating this awesome world 💐

YOU ARE SO SWEET THANK YOU 😭😭

the condition i landed on her having is "traumatic glaucoma" which she got from wrestling in highschool, but i'm unsure if it completely fits, so i've still been researching! 🤔

right now, in the day time she can see some shapes and colors fuzzily, can see high contrast things (like black on white, etc), and ofc can only read by putting a phone with huge text literally up to her eyeball (but the light from the phone easily gives her headaches!). at night, she essentially cant see anything.

i recently bought the book '33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make About Blind Characters' on the chance they'd speak on different non-correctable conditions so i can make sure what i pick is accurate, but i havent read it yet! 😙

i got the idea from the game yakuza 0! there's a blind girl in it named makoto who uses a white cane and i loved her so much that that little bit lives on in kam now 🫶🏽

but kam works as live music at a rooftop bar and lounge, so most people are seated drinking champagne while she sings and plays the keys. her coworkers help her to and from the piano! and at work, she doesn't drink. (for both safety and med reasons!)

it's a very classy and quiet place so she doesn't have too many problems there! and everyone loves her so much, they make sure she's comfortable :]

[pookacangetit]

Mistaken Identity is (Also) a Crime [Double Trouble SAGAU]

-> 《Itto, Klee, Childe》

The conundrum of being twins, except you and your doppelgänger aren't actually twins but everyone treats you as such. This leads to some comedic misunderstandings- and an attempted murder but we don't talk about that .

《Warning: yandere content, blood and Childe lovers beware》

MASTERLIST

ITTO 《TAURUS IRACUNDUS》

The one and oni ranks first in constantly mistaking you and your doppelgänger's identities. It doesn't matter how many time people -ahem, Shinobu- corrected him and pointed out the slight differences between the two of you, if you didn't wear a name tag saying 'The Creator's Twin' the man will tackle and cuddle you until someone manages to pull him off -ahem, Shinobu pt 2-.

... actually, the man would tackle and cuddle you even if you weren't the Creator. You listened to him and genuinely enjoyed his presence, this oni's will find you and bask in your warm presence no matter what! -he backed off when Shinobu held her sandal threateningly though-.

You were walking towards your twin's mansion in Inazuma when your vision began to tilt sideways, a sudden heavy weight crashes into your side as you register Shinobu and the Arataki gang's horrified looks in front of you while you were tackled to the ground.

"CREATOR!!!"

Thank the heavens the mansion was in a secluded area, or else Itto would be immediately arrested by the Tenryou Commission for assaulting the Creator.

Wincing at the sudden tackle, you laid defeated on the ground as the one and oni excitedly blabbered on about his recent beetle fights. Itto's arms were wrapped around your waist in a tight yet gentle grip, your close proximity landed you front row seats to the oni's... impressive assets.

You would be lying if you said you weren't charmed by the oni's personality during his story quest. However, being stuck with a 6 ft man crushing down on your weight was not charming whatsoever.

"- and then, oh you're gonna like this, I pulled out the ultimate weapon, Hurricane Sakura, and won against Shouchi, HIM!! Now look at this sweet stash of dango I won-"

Shinobu, as observant as ever, quickly realised your identity and hurriedly bowed as she moved to pull Itto off you, "Itto, that is not the creator- get off and apologise quickly!"

Itto pouts, and you held back from swooning as the huge oni simply tightens his arms around you, "But Shinobuuu, if I let go they'll disappear again!"

He turned towards you, puppy eyes switched on as he gave you a roguish grin, "You enjoy my presence right? The Arataki gang and I are your aboslute favourites right, I mean obviously because you got me and Mushi and Shinobu and-"

... I am weak for this man. You let out a tired sigh, which Itto took as confirmation as he whooped and swung you around like a limp doll in his excitement.

"ITTO STOP SPINNING THEM, THEY'RE TURNING BLUE-"

KLEE 《TRIFOLIUM》

Klee, like the rest of the child acolytes, did not interact much with the Creator, her moreso due to her... hobbies. Most of her knowledge regarding the Creator comes from her mom's musings -"fufufu~ that lovely darling wouldn't mind joining me on a particular tree-ip would they?-; big brother Albedo's instructions -"Klee I know you mean no harm, but a bomb with the Creator's face on it is a no."-; and the Mondstadt citizens' prayers.

She knows about the body double situation, but she has no means of identifying who's who when she's not very familiar with the doppelgänger to begin with!

While you tend to stick to the wilderness more often than not due to the fear of interacting with your doppelgänger's acolytes and worshippers, the City of Freedom held a special place in your heart since the very beginning.

The vast landscape with it's windy highlands and blue skies, the merry themes these lands carry which you can strangely still hear as you travel across the nation- you'd certainly garnered strange looks when you started humming the Dawn Winery theme while being held hostage by the Ragvindr heir-.

But maybe it's due to old habits instead- killing Timmie's pigeons certainly became a part of your new routine as well as jumping off the statue of Barbatos.

There were days, however, where your routine could divert off its natural course with a simple, misplaced-

"BOMB!!"

You managed to grab Timmie and run just as a sphere resembling the Harpastum bounced onto the bridge out of nowhere, the bells attached to it jingling merrily despite its forebodding appearance.

BOOM!!

Timmie's wail of anguish was commonplace to you as the innocent Harpastum bomb took out the flock of pigeons, the tiny girl panickedly running towards the two of you wasn't.

"Oh no, Klee is sorry for hurting Timmie's friends!" Klee hurriedly apologised, "Jean will be mad when she finds out- oh? You're the Creator!"

Her attention snapped towards you, completely forgetting the boy who was running away to tell on you both to his mother.

"Klee didn't recognise you from afar, but now that she does Klee has a gift for you!"

Is it a bomb? You wanted to ask as you held your hand out with a curious look.

Klee dropped a tiny baron bunny into your hands, it looked adorable with its red hat and cloak.

"Mom and I made it together, it'll make everything go boom with pretty pink fireworks!" Klee chirped.

It is a bomb.

Now cautiously handling the very volatile item, you gave Klee a bright smile, "I'll hand this to the Creator once we meet. Now, let's go find Timmie and... apologise for his friends."

Klee curiously tilted her head, "But, you're the Creator?"

"No, I'm their body double." You patiently explained.

Klee's expression brightened, "Oh! The Creator's sibling, it's nice to meet you!"

... if anyone hurts Klee, I'll kill everyone in the room and then myself, you swore.

Months later, after your doppelgänger stumbled upon Klee decimating a ruin guard with her bomb, they swore the exact same thing before teaching the girl how to strengthened her explosions.

CHILDE 《MONOCEROS CAELI》

The battle-sexual harbinger was blessed to be the Creator's acolyte, something he's lorded over his co-workers whenever the opportunity comes up no matter the consequences. His pride as your acolyte even blinds him sometimes, as the abyss within him becomes a soothed beast in your presence.

He can and will do anything for you. A dead body or two won't matter, it's all for the Creator so you should be thankful.

Despite the uneasy paranoia seeded deep within you since you landed in Tevyat, things never escalated past the point of no return due to your sibling's interventions- you turn a blind eye to the switched meals; the missing staff; the paranoia swimming in your doppelgänger's eyes each visit. If the Traveler and Paimon noticed your uneasiness whenever you came, they said nothing.-

-As long as you were here, nothing else matters.-

You were fine with being threatened; you were fine with the cold stares as the acolytes degraded you into something lesser than human; you were fine with the rumours, those dripping with barbed venom, about being an imposter spared by the beloved Creator.

As long as you can live, you're fine.

But your doppelgänger can't protect you forever, and a day came when one of their more... unstable followers decided to 'test' you for the Creator's sake.

All because he mistaken you for your doppelgänger.

"What's the matter, scared?" Childe grinned tauntingly as he twirled his bloodied hydro blades.

The man prowled across the makeshift arena, towards your broken body as you wheezed in pain.

You felt the copper taste coating your tongue, the agony overwhelmed your body and dulled your panic with a numbing sensation as your killer slowly approached you.

"The Creator's a much better fighter than you, weakling." You let out a choked scream as he dug his shoe into your bleeding stomach. Everything was too painful why did this happen pleasejustgoaway-

"Why did they need to make you? You're worthless, a waste of space for their excellence." Childe murmured, dead eyes shinning with something that scared you tremendously- anger.

He raised his hydro blade, "They'll probably hate me for breaking you despite my promise. But you don't belong here."

You shut your eyes tight to prevent yourself from witnessing your own death. The blood loss was draining you of your energy, you might probably even die before Childe killed you. Maybe this is just a nightmare, and I'll wake up at home after this.

You found yourself slipping into unconciousness as a final thought entered your mind.

Maybe I should died earlier if this is the quickest way home.

✾~✾~✾

You woke up to your bed in the Creator's mansion, still numb with pain but alive. Your doppelgänger sat by your bed, their dark eyebags and tight frown was like looking into a mirror whenever your bad days got to you, "... you should take a vacation."

You felt the temperature drop at your doppelgänger's words before you croaked out, "Excuse me?"

"A vacation. Something, anything that'll keep you away from here." Your doppelgänger's dark eyes should be a copy of yours, but it was utterly unrecognisable, "I have been lax in my acolytes' discipline, if this can occur in my own home."

You nodded, wincing at the pain momentarily shocked your senses. Suddenly, your recalled your encounter with Childe as tiredness suddenly seeped into your very bones, "... he's right, I don't belong here."

The next thing you knew was the stinging sensation on your face and your doppelgänger's raised hand.

"Don't say that." They seethed, chest heaving as though they ran a marathon while arms entrapped you into a suffocating hug, "You- no, this shouldn't had happened. But never doubt your existence for one second."

"You are the Creator, not some stupid body double or whatever excuse you came up. You belong to Tevyat, and I was supposed to keep the balance." You felt your air cut short as your doppelgänger's arms caged you further, their face buried into your neck.

You never saw the insanity swimming in their expression as they utter their next words, "As your doppelgänger, I'll take care of everything so you don't have to worry and just rest."

You: ...

Doppelgänger: ...

You: stop enabling the children

Doppelgänger: *hands 5-star weapons and artifacts to Itto & Klee* no <3

[markliving]

There are good witches, you know?

pairing: jackson wang x f!witcher!reader

synopse: You were a witch, not one of those we see in Harry Potter or in children's stories where witches are the villains. You were a normal teenager, but luckily for you, you had some potions and spells at your disposal. And after being caught carrying out one of your shenanigans on the school grounds, you end up having to help Jackson with a potion. But what could go wrong? All.

warnings: magic, fantasy, fluff

word count: 1585

masterlist

Jackson hated staying after hours at school. He wondered every day why teachers always assigned such huge assignments. Didn't they realize that students had other things to do? Well, Jackson was just another complaining student, but he still did everything to complete his assignments correctly and earn the highest grade.

He walked calmly through the school corridors, letting out sighs and grumbles here and there. He knew there were few students in school that day and mentally thanked himself for not being alone there because that place gave him shivers down his spine. While noticing some details never seen by his eyes in that immense corridor, he heard some not-so-quiet curses towards the sports court and thought about going straight, but his brain told him to turn around and see what was happening, so he did.

He looked at the small open corridor leading to the sports court and proceeded forward slowly, looking around to make sure no one saw him. He stopped behind the pillar next to the opening leading to the court and started observing you, who was in the center of the place.

You were wearing the school uniform and had some object in yours hands, emitting sparks. Jackson widened his eyes when he saw you had turned in his direction. He quickly crouched down, trying to hide behind the low wall and prayed that you hadn't seen him there, especially because he wasn't sure what you were doing there and why the object in yours hand was emitting sparks. He stood up slowly, looked at you again, and this time managed to see clearly what you were holding; a wand. A. Wand. Emitting. Sparks.

Jackson wasn't sure what he was feeling, he just knew that either he was hallucinating or he needed a good night's sleep when he got home. He knew that what he was seeing in front of him couldn't be real; witches, magic wands, none of that existed, but why was he seeing it?

The boy was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice you — who was previously in the middle of the court — now next to him, looking at him with yours hands on yours hips.

"Can I know what you're snooping around for?" you asked.

The guy was more confused than anything else. You were seconds ago in the middle of the basketball court. How did you get here so quickly and without him seeing her? Running was not an option.

"How did you get here so fast?" This time it was Jackson who asked.

"Wrong answer." You descended the step and stood facing him. "I asked first, and I would like the correct answer."

"You..." He blinked a few times and shook his head, trying to push away the actions he had just seen, which seemed more like hallucinations than anything else. "I was just passing by." He tried to maintain a serious posture.

You raised one of yours eyebrows in doubt and put your hand on your chin. That boy was too strange to be true and seemed too nervous as well. Did he see your antics in the middle of the court? And what if he spread the word that you were a witch?

"Hold on a second." Jackson squinted his eyes, searching his mind for where he knew her from. "You're the girl who exploded the test tube in chemistry class... right?"

You froze. You didn't know exactly how he remembered that fateful day or your name. You wished could remember a spell right now to erase that disastrous event from everyone's lives and go back to walking around without receiving some looks from those who were with you that day.

"It's me." You raised her head and pretended not to hear anything from the guy before saying your name. "And who are you?"

"Jackson Wang."

[...]

If you knew that on that day you “met” Jackson your life would turn upside down and not in a good way, you would have thought a thousand times before deciding to do one of your antics in that place. Now, to your misfortune, you were being blackmailed by the brown-haired boy.

It all started after the day that you two met on the basketball court; Wang, as if he didn't want anything, arrived just before history your class started and sat in the chair next to you.

"How are you?" he asked with a big strange smile on his lips.

You stopped reading the book in yours hands and looked at the boy beside you, thinking of a thousand things to kick him out of there, until you saw his mischievous smile.

"What do you want here, Wang?" You mimicked his smile. You were curious to know what he wanted by looking for you. You had some ideas of what it could be, but preferred to keep those ideas to herself.

"I need your help," he began. "Well... there's a girl from my chemistry class that I'd like to ask out..." he whispered this part, as if afraid someone else would hear. “But I don't know how to do it."

Your smile gradually faded as you listened to what the boy was saying. You were astonished by what Wang was saying. How could he, with the appearance of a Greek god and an unparalleled shamelessness, not know how to ask someone out? It was becoming hilarious. You smiled mischievously again, as if plotting something in your mind.

"Why do you have that shameless smile on your face?" Jackson asked, beginning to regret coming to you for help, but he knew he still had a card up his sleeve to wipe that smirk off your face.

"I was thinking of something here... How come you, Jackson Wang, the school's player, the 'Greek god' here, don't know how to ask a girl out?"

"The same way you don't know, I also don't know..." The boy shrugged and continued. "And that's where you come in... don't you have a potion, or, I don't know, a spell for that...?"

You stopped thinking as soon as you heard those words coming from the other. You were expecting something exaggerated from the boy, but not something from your spells, or as your father liked to say, "powers that Harry Potter once used to defeat You-Know-Who," which had nothing to do with being a witch in the 21st century.

"What did you say?"

"You know... what witches do with wands and cauldrons."

Joy's jaw dropped in shock.

"But if you don't want to, I can tell a certain someone who controls the school… cough… that she has a little witch in her school, and that she's been casting some spells around."

And it was after that you wanted to fly at Jackson's throat, because for the first time in your life, which wasn't many years, you had been discovered by a human, who was blackmailing you. But for Jackson's luck, and for your misfortune, you were without one of your transformation potions.

[...]

After that day, every blessed day, Jackson showed up to bother you with that stupid and huge smile that could melt anyone. Of course, you found Jackson attractive and a nice guy, but everything he was making you do made, you roll yours eyes 24/7, and it was really stressing you out.

You had warned Jackson that today, on Friday the 13th, he was to wait for you outside the school to solve this potion problem. As soon as you two were released from school, you both walked without a word towards your house, or as Jackson liked to think, a cave.

You two stopped in front of a house with a green garden and entered it shortly after.

"What is it?" you asked, giving a questioning look to the other.

"I thought we were going to a cave or something..." he whispered, seeming a bit confused with what he was saying.

"We're in the 21st century, not the 15th." You laughed, wondering where he got all that from. "Back then, we couldn't do this anywhere, because we were seen as evil beings, with their black cats, casting spells on anyone, but nowadays, humans, without any kind of power or anything like that, are their own enemies." You shrugged and pointed to a place where the other could leave his backpack, and both headed towards a small room not far from the living room.

There were shelves in the four corners of the room with jars and more jars of things that Jackson had never seen in his entire life. He was starting to regret having had this stupid idea.

"I know all this is scary, but there are good witches, you know?" You turned to him with a small smile on your face, which somehow helped him calm down a bit.

You spent a few minutes looking for the potion you had prepared the night before, which for some reason wasn't where you left it the night before. You stopped for a few seconds to think, and turned to Jackson, finding him about to do one of the dumbest things he could do: drink the love potion.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, Jackson drinking the orange liquid as if it were orange juice and loving it, and you were panicking at seeing the whole scene without being able to do something, because it was already too late. The guy looked at you, not understanding anything, and said three magic words:

"I like you."

a/n: im back, I hope you like it. I'm working on a Nanami fic, so keep an eye out.

[jqmalikhsgib]

bloom

twelve

eddie excitedly runs into his house. he runs towards his bedroom. he sees yn playing with lily and lunaria. he gives them both sloppy kisses on the cheeks before kissing his fiancé passionately.

yn giggles before pulling away. he gently caresses her face before kissing her once more.

“why are you all excited?”

eddie grins wildly as he shows her their bank statement. her eyes widened at the huge number she was seeing. it wasn’t a million dollars but nearly enough.

“what?! i—”

“the money from the tour came in today, babe! we’re finally living large.” eddie states.

“holy, shit! eddie, i never seen that many zeros in my life.”

“i know! fuck, babe. we can finally live the life we deserve. i can give you and the kids anything. anything! finally treat you like the queen you are.” eddie shakes his head in disbelief.

yn shakes her head as she kisses her fiancé gently. “you know i couldn’t care less about money, eds. you give me and the children more than enough. you’re a great fiancé and an even better father.”

“i know, baby. i know you don’t care about where i come from or about my shitty childhood or any of that bullshit. but this is something ive always wanted. to live my dream and provide for my whole family. fuck, im excited! what should we do first? go to an amusement park? go shopping? buy a new car? maybe five?”

“eddie, slow down! you’re gonna give yourself a heart attack.”

“im just so fucking pumped, babe! i wanna spend the money any way you wanna.”

yn gently bites her bottom lip with a small smile. eddie eyes her suspiciously.

“what?”

“you really wanna make me happy? right now with the money?”

eddie nods.

“lets have a small wedding. we can use steve’s and nancy’s backyard. we can invite everyone important in our lives.”

“baby, i thought you wanted a big wedding?”

yn shakes her head. “eddie, i wanted that when we first started dating. we’re older now, have six kids, and different dreams than before. or at least i do. i just want you, our kids, our friends, and our family. that’s it. the money can be used to buy me a wedding dress and you an actual suit. we can get the kids dressed up, buy some cheap flowers, some food, and a cake. we can get married next weekend. come on eds! i just wanna be your wife already.”

eddie smiles hugely before nodding. yn squeals. she kisses eddie quietly before calling nancy to get everything arranged.

“you hear that babies? mamma and daddy are getting married next weekend.”

“do we dress up, daddy?” lily whispers.

eddie hums as his daughters clap their hands happily.

a week goes by and yn looks in the mirror nervously. she looked absolutely stunning in her wedding gown. yn still couldn’t believe she was finally gonna marry the man she fell in love with and started a beautiful family with.

finally she can officially take his last name. yn hears a knock on the door before it opens. she smiles when she sees her dad.

“wow! you look amazing, princess.”

yn turns to look at her father. “thanks, dad.”

“you know, when i adopted you you were so young and fragile. you were scared of me not loving you or hurting you. you remember what i told you, baby?”

yn eyes begins to water. “you told me that you’d always care, protect, love, and cherish me. you told me you’d never let anyone hurt me again.”

“that’s correct! and i meant that, baby. now my little girl is all grown up and she’s about to me married to someone who loves her half as much as i do.”

yn hugs her father tightly. “i love you, dad!”

hopper hugs his daughter back. they wipe their eyes as they hear the music start to play.

“you ready to get married?”

yn takes a deep breath as she latches her arm with her fathers.

yn and eddie were dancing while they laugh at their kids dance as well.

eddie pulls his face back as he looks into his wife’s eyes.

“god, i still can’t believe we’re married.” eddie whispers.

yn smiles. she kisses eddie gently as he twirls her. “im so happy, eds! i loved every second of today. it was so beautiful.”

“yeah! thanks to the harringtons big backyard.”

“i love our yard too, babe. it’s small but it’s ours.”

“ive been thinking about that actually. i think its time we move out of the trailer. steve sent me his realtor information. we can’t leave hawkins just yet, but we do have enough to have our own home here. maybe a few blocks away from nance and steve’s place. plus the kids could have their own room. or at least have two sharing a room for now. what do you say?”

yn hums.

“i say, let’s focus on right now, talk about that later, and head to our honeymoon that your uncle and my father have paid for in vegas!”

“vegas?”

“mhm! they got us a nice suite and offered to take the kids. nancy and steve even said they’ll take them off their hands if they need to. you know they love kids running around. said they wouldn’t mind having a house full of kids.”

eddie laughs. he spots steve gathering up his own six kids as well as his six.

“i don’t know. twelve kids seems a lot for steve.” eddie jokes. eddie knows steve can handle a house full of children. he volunteered at the school occasionally and handled more than twelve before.

“we’ll be all alone, no children interrupting us, we can be as quiet or as long as we want.”

eddie smirks.

“maybe try for a seventh munson?” eddie asked.

yn kisses him passionately. “whatever my husband wants.”

the newly wed couple continue to dance.

[eveandtheturtles]

If I may make a suggestion for the Leo×Reader thing:

How about one of those 4 and 1 times he makes her blush and the one time he's like, really flustered by her.

maybe something in the tactical!Turtles AU thing I've seen around?

This didn't want to click for me for a long time, since all I've seen was Leo with a sniper rifle(?) but after I kind of reworked it in my brain to knives it just went *click* and here we are. Apologies it took me a while and might be not that good! If anyone is interested I got headcanons for these boys.

Warning: Violence mentions

Rating: Uh... Teen?

Pairing: Bayverse!Leo x Reader

Tactical AU I believe belongs to @/donathan

The 4 times Leo made you flustered and 1 time you made his brain shut down.

1.

You didn’t mean to be there. You were supposed to have been home a long time ago but slammed with double shift at the last second you had to stay at work and as result get home super late at night. No one warned you there would be some shady ass military maneuvers in your neighborhood!

But now you are pressed tight to the wall with a big ass knife almost touching your cheek. The incredibly tall soldier was wearing that full-face, black, ski mask with just those steel blue eyes piercing right through you.

“Um…” 

He was huge, intimidating, and decked all out in tactical gear. 

“It’s just a civilian,” he spoke to whoever was listening to them and then put the knife away. “Ma’am, it’s really dangerous right now, please go back home and get inside.”

“Uh, I- um, I was going home- late shift-” you tried to explain yourself. 

“Where do you live?” he asked. He had a nice voice, a bit commanding. 

You told him the address. He took a moment to take it in and then touched an earpiece. 

“I’ll walk her home, be right there,” he told his, you figured, fellow soldiers. Then he looked back at you and you swallowed. “After you ma’am.” He gestured with his arm, allowing you to walk first.

You liked how he called you ma’am. So polite. Yet, not much of a talker. He simply delivered you to your building’s doorstep. You noted the weird shape of his body - especially his back and those three fingers on each of his hands. You didn’t ask - that would have been rude.

“Thank you,” you said. 

“No problem, sorry about the-” he touched the spot on his jaw where his knife was on yours. 

“I’m sure you had a reason,” you replied. 

He nodded. “Don’t get in trouble,” he said. You noticed he was kind of stalling.

You smiled. “I’ll try.” 

Your eyes met and your stomach fluttered gently. He cleared his throat and you turned around to enter your apartment number and code. “What’s your-” you glanced over your shoulder and he was gone. You looked for him quickly but he simply vanished into the night. You lost your chance to ask for his name.

2. 

You expected to never meet the mysterious soldier again. You recalled the encounter to your friend who joked you must have met Batman and missed your chance to be the future Mrs. Wayne. It gave you a good laugh. And then it was back to the mundane. For a week at least.

It was during yet another night shift you’d meet Mr Tall and Mysterious. 

It was just after closing and you were ready to go home with everyone else already gone. Just your bad luck you forgot your phone by the counter and had to go back for it. Suddenly, someone literally crashed through the front, display window. Lots of gunfire, shouting and a sudden yell of:

“MIKEY NO!” And a sudden flash and bang and you were on the floor under something heavy. 

Correction - someone heavy.

You stared at the familiar eyes. Your ears were ringing. 

He looked up, then ducked his head again, and holding yours to his chest protected you as something exploded again but this time way closer. Splinters flew everywhere.

His chest was really firm, something (guns? other weapons?) was pocking your sides. Then as quickly as it happened, he was gone again. You stayed down, a bit too in shock for a reaction. But you did manage to roll and take a look how he and two other soldiers took down a whole gang right there in your restaurant. Soon Blue Eyes appeared before you again.

“Are you- it’s you again.” He frowned recognizing you.

“Hi?” You said weakly, sitting up. 

Immediately he was by your side, finding you something to sit on. You looked around and two other huge men in tactical gear were finishing tying up the (you assumed) bad guys. Then you hissed a little, jerking your head, startled. 

“Sorry, you got a cut here,” Blue Eyes said and your eyes wandered up to him. He patched you up quickly. He was very gentle though. It made your heart flutter a little. 

The invaders and your savior disappeared soon after with advice to go to ER to check if there weren’t other serious injuries. You didn’t. Mostly because you couldn’t afford that but you did follow the instructions of ‘in case of concussion’ you found on the Internet.

You fell asleep for your first nap with a dream of the bluest eyes.

3.

The third time you met Blue Eyes your bag was stolen in the middle of the day. You chased after the thief intent on definitely getting it back and maybe teaching the thief some fear of you in the process. You followed him into an alley and your run came to a halt when you saw the culprit on the ground with Blue Eyes over him while he was holding someone else by their collar.

You both looked really shocked by this encounter and you blurted out: “We really need to stop meeting like this.”

Somehow he huffed a laugh and shook his head. Then he put down the guy he was probably interrogating and put him in a headlock while taking your bag and walking to you. 

“Is this yours?”

“Yeah, thanks,” you said taking it back. You noted that the little skin around his eyes you could see was green. A paint? “Did I interrupt something?” you asked.

“You could say that,” he replied with a nod.

“I should go then.” You gestured to the main street behind you. 

“Yeah.” He was so amused and that made you grin in response. 

“I’ll see you around then?” 

He laughed and you felt the flutters again. “I really hope not, you make me look so bad at my job,” he said, and yet you didn’t think he meant it. 

“Hey, can you two flirt somewhere else or can I go?” The guy Blue Eyes still had in a headlock wheezed.

“Shut up, Kenneth,” the soldier said and winked at you.

You waved a little at him and turned around leaving him behind.

4. 

The fourth time brought everything closer home. Literally. You got home early from work and were enjoying your free time as the next day you had off. Suddenly there was a knock on the window from the direction of the fire escapes. 

Curious but cautious, you grabbed your baseball bat and went to check you what it was about. 

Your heart dropped when you saw Blue Eyes on the other side of your window, clutching his side's 

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah! Of course, my god what happened to you!" You took notice of the blood dripping between his fingers. The shirt was soaked in it. 

"Will it make it better if I say most of it ain't mine?" He tried to joke but it sounded weak.

"Sure…" You guided him to the bathroom where you kept your first aid stuff.

"Where is your squad?" You asked.

He shook his head. "It was a solo op, can't tell you much but my comms are busted." He took in a shaky breath. "I will need to use your phone."

You nodded and sat him on the toilet. While he held on to the wound you started unstrapping all the buckles of the multiple belts he had on himself. 

“I need to take off your ski mask and all of the layers on your torso.” You told him.

“I’d rather you didn’t.” He protested.

“Why not?”

“Cause you’re going to see me and run away screaming,” he confessed.

“I wouldn’t.”

"I don't know if I want to test that theory," he said softly.

"Listen, I don't care how disfigured you are right now, you are bleeding all over my bathroom and if you don't want my help why are you even here?" You huffed, your fists propped over your hips now.

"I don't know…" he admitted. "I'm sorry, I should-" he started to stand up.

"Stop." You placed your hands over his shoulders. "I want to help you. Please," you pleaded.

He looked at you, his blue eyes so incredibly sad. Finally, he nodded and braced himself. 

It was an unnerving moment. You almost stopped breathing as you reached the edge of the ski mask. Then slowly you started rolling it up. You frowned at the green color of his skin and…scales? You kept going. 

Before, you thought the odd shape of his face was due to some sort of weird mask under the ski one but no. The full reveal made you feel a bit dizzy.

A… tortoise? 

"I'm a turtle actually," he said slowly and you felt yourself heat up in embarrassment realizing you said that out loud.

"Sorry," you mumbled and reached to his shirt and vests.

Once it all piled up on your floor with a separate pile of his weapons (you felt like there was a small artillery now there), you opened your first aid kit and tried not to think too much.

He was so muscular but not in obnoxious way, thick biceps, firm plastron and there was an actual shell on his back?? You tried to focus on the task at hand, wiping the blood and disinfecting, but you glanced up and saw him stare at you intently.

"Well," you tried to break the silence. "I didn't run for the hills."

"Are you going to?" He asked in all seriousness.

"I don't think so," you said. "Are there… more people like you?"

"That's-" he was about to reply but you cut him off.

"Classified?"

"Yeah," he chuckled and hissed a little. "But I will tell you that you met although I didn't talk to two of my brothers."

"Ah, so this whole thing is a family business, gotcha." You started wrapping him up and you had to get much closer to him, almost hugging him to get the bandage around him.

He lifted his arms a little to let you work. 

"There's all done," you said as you tied the knot on the bandage.

"Thank you." He inspected your handiwork. "Not bad."

"Thanks." You put the first aid kit away. "Do you want to stay here and I will bring you the phone or do you want to maybe go to my living room and get comfy on the sofa?"

"I won't say no to a sofa," he smiled and you helped him up. 

His skin was warm under your fingers, smooth, the shell was rough and he was so heavy. You decided you will process everything later. 

You both sat down and you let him slip out of your fingers. 

"You smell nice," he mumbled and you swallowed hard. 

"Thanks," you replied. "I'll get the phone." 

You left your mobile in the bedroom. Using this opportunity of being a lone you took a deep breath. Oh my god, your secret crush soldier boy was a giant turtle. Still a very handsome, giant turtle though. You could live with that. 

Couple more deep breaths then you got what you were looking for and rejoined him in the living room. 

"Here you go," you said, handing it to him.

"Thanks," said and quickly picked out a phone number. 

You decided to give him some sort of privacy and went to get some tea for both of you. Or coffee. Okay, you didn't know what he was drinking. Instead of going back you just started boiling some water. 

The bits and pieces of conversation you overheard told you nothing. Probably some sort of code. After a moment you re-entered the living room.

"Hey, so do you want tea or coffee?" 

"No thanks, thanks for the phone, though" he handed you your mobile back. 

"Okay," you took it and left again to the kitchen to make tea just for yourself. 

When you returned he was out cold, his chest falling and rising rhythmically. Wow, he fell asleep fast. You set your cup down and grabbed your blanket and started to out it over him. Could he get cold?

You were about to walk away when you felt his hand wrapping around yours. He cracked his eyes open and whispered your name, making your heart flutter helplessly in your chest.  “Don’t go."

How could you say no? 

+1

An hour later a loud knocking woke you both up from your nap. You didn't even register when or how he gently moved you off of him on the sofa and went to check on the door. Blue Eyes moved so quickly he almost broke laws of physics you decided.

You heard him talk with someone who sounded very angry. Then your doors closed and he showed up over you.

"It's my squad," he said.

"Oh," you definitely sounded disappointed. 

He briefly went to the bathroom to retrieve his weapons and clothes.

"I can wash it for you?" You tried to offer, hoping for an excuse to see him again.

"I really shouldn't-" he sighed. 

"Will you at least tell me your name?"

He hesitated with a glance in the direction of the door and said, "It's-"

"Classified?" Your face fell in further disappointment. 

"No, it's Leo."

Your face lit up as you smiled brightly. "Leo," you repeated and you almost noticed the small hitch in his breathing as his own heart skipped a beat at the sound of his name on your lips. 

"Hey, Leo," you repeated. "Can you come over here for a moment?" You asked, kneeling on the sofa.

He approached it from the backrest side, curious as to what you'd want from him.

Immediately you wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him. You heard a clutter over the floor and the door bursting open.

"5 MINUTES IS UP!" someone yelled then went quiet and-

"You guys owe me a 20," someone said as-a-matter-of-factly, which was followed by two groans. 

After eternity and not long enough you pulled back to catch your breath. "So, I will see you around?" You asked, staring into his blue eyes.

"I- wha- uhm," he nodded, still trying to jump-start his brain. 

"Come on Romeo," two large figures, you guessed it was his brothers, pulled him by the back of his shell.

"Bye Juliette!" The smallest of the four called to you, waving, very chipper. 

You waved them back as they fixed your door back in. You touched your lips and smiled. Hopefully you will get to see him again sooner than later.

Taglist:

@madammuffins

[chifuyurain]

༺Best Christmas༻

[Father! Divus Crewel x Adopted Daughter! Reader]

(Y/N) has been helping a lot around NRC along with Yuu and Grim. Despite being the only female who roams the most in the academy, she does not feel harmed as Divus Crewel had been taking care of her since the first Overblot that occurred in Heartslabyul. In addition, Crewel even let her call him 'father' ʕ⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴥ⁠ꈍ⁠ʔ

✦; Genre: Fluff, father daughter bonding, heartwarming

✦; Request by: @theneurodivergentdummy

✦; Notes: I did my best :"3 I hope you like it! Thank you for requesting! 🫶💜

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ . . ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ . . ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

Knock knock

"Come in."

Divus called without taking his gaze off the paperwork he is finishing for the day. "Good evening, Professor Crewel." The voice of the oh-so-familiar magicless human rings into his ear. Now changing his attention to him.

"What brings you here, Mister Yuu? I believe it's past school activities."

"Uhm, (Y/N) has been down since morning."

Divus raised a brow, placing down the papers he's been holding. "Is there any particular reason?" His voice became softer and full of worry after having (Y/N) name in the conversation.

"I told her that Grim and I will be staying with Ace and Deuce for this holiday."

"Result that she'll be staying the holidays alone here at the Academy. Correct?"

Yuu nods, letting out a small sigh of relief that Divus manages to fit the puzzles together. "Do not worry, Mister Yuu. I have been planning on bringing (Y/N) with me for this holiday." The news brought gleamer to Yuu's eyes.

He smiles widely in more relief as he bows at the professor. "Thank you so much, Professor! I was getting worried that I would hurt her for not spending the holidays with her this time." Divus chuckled and waved his hand lightly.

"It is not much of a big deal, Mister Yuu. I am thankful as I can now spend my time with my lovely pup."

Yuu nods again, the small burden on his shoulder has now washed away.

"As for the complications have been resolved, do be on your way. You do not want to be punished for being out of your dorm past the supposed time given." Divus gives a small smirk, having Yuu to shiver in intimidation. "Yes, sir! Thank you again, sir!"

The male student rushed out of the room, having Divus to laugh in amusement.

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"(Y/N)! Are you done packing?!"

"Almost!!"

(Y/N) yelled from her room, quickly packing some important clothes into her luggage. "(Y/N)!!" "Finish!! I'm coming down!!" She rushed out of her room, and decided to do the fastest way of getting to the lower floor.

THUD

Her luggage hit the floor with a loud thud, causing Yuu to rush over the stairs in worry.

"Catch!!"

"W-wait!!"

(Y/N) threw herself down the stairs with Yuu panicking more. Thankfully, he managed to catch her and not have themselves hurt at all. "You're way too excited." "I can't help it! I'm spending time with my father!!" Yuu smiles and helps her with her luggage.

The duo made their way to the mirror hall, seeing the remaining students who are waiting for their turn to leave through the mirror.

"Stop bouncing. You make us resemble Kalim and Jamil."

Yuu laughed, watching as (Y/N) bouncing on her feet.

However, it didn't last that long when a certain man came from behind.

"I see you're ready for the holidays." Divus smiled down, catching his pup who hugged him in excitement. "Easy now, pup or you won't get your treats later." "I'll try." (Y/N) gives a huge grin to her father. Him responding back with a heart warming one.

Divus motions her to bid her friends goodbye while they wait for their stop. It didn't take her much time to bid everyone as some have already left early.

By the time their stop arrived, (Y/N) and Divus left the academy into the coldness of her father's homeland. (Y/N) looks around in awe to her first time stepping foot on another place than NRC. "Your first impression?" Divus glances to his pup who's spinning around in glee.

"Magnificently beautiful!!"

(Y/N) somehow stumbles to the ground. Yet her laughter gave the sign that she was not hurt. Just a little excited tumble.

"Alright, now behave pup. You need all the energy once we're at the mansion."

"Okay!"

Divus couldn't help himself to smile at his light.

How did he manage to get such sunshine?

It was beyond his expectations that he decided to take her under his wings.

Memories back during the first Overblot got him worried. Hell, he even got himself involved after hearing that (Y/N) was in the chaos. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt as bad as the others.

Crowley wouldn't deny too that Divus has shown parental side whenever he's with (Y/N).

"Father? Is something wrong?"

The voice of his pup got him back to reality. Realizing that they have arrived at his mansion. Divus shook his head, giving (Y/N) a pat as he motioned to get inside. "Nothing too serious to worry about. I just happen to remember how our bond strength as time passes."

(Y/N) couldn't help but smile. Giving her father her oh so famous comfort hug. No words were given yet the small affection was enough to fill Divus the warmness of a child's love in him.

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Divus and (Y/N) have become closer during the holiday. Divus being a good father, dotted his pup with all kinds of activities.

Bringing her to a fancy restaurant.

Buying her new cloths

He even bought her to his other work which was his fashion company.

She wasn't even surprised that he's rich 'cause he has a mansion for crying out loud. (Y/N) had never had a good relationship with rich people back in her world but here?

It was beyond her expectation.

The night of December 25th came as everyone started to celebrate Christmas with their family. (Y/N) sat on her own by the fireplace. A comfortable duvet placed on her smaller form. Making her almost consumed by it.

"Pup?"

The voice of Divus got her attention as only a mere second she turns her head towards him.

"Merry Christmas, father."

"Merry Christmas, pup."

Divus smiles gently, having (Y/N) to notice that his hands are behind him. The man kneels down and pulls out a piece of paper. Giving it to (Y/N) who slowly read its content.

"I have been meaning to show you this, however I never got the chance too."

Divus started, his eyes locked onto his pup's face. Observing her reaction as she reads. Noting that her eyes widened bit by bit while reading.

Oh how it caught her off guard.

"I have never thought about starting up a family as I felt that I am not fit to be a father to a child. Though, the moment you came into my life, I couldn't help this feeling of protecting."

He took (Y/N)'s other hand, placing his forehead against it as he hoped her reaction would not be the worst he imagined.

"(Y/N). You have become the light to such a man of myself. I could not be more thankful to have you in my life. I-"

Sniffs sniffs

Divus paused once hearing small sniffles. Lifting up his head, he came face a crying (Y/N). Small sniffling and hiccup followed her crying, causing Divus to quickly hug her tight.

"Pup-?"

"...t-thank you..."

(Y/N) hugs him back, burying her face into his shoulder as the paper she was holding falls to the floor. No other words than 'thank you' came out from (Y/N) and Divus understands it well enough that she's happy to receive her present.

Divus kept her close, hugging her smaller form as he comforts her the best he can.

"Father?"

"Yes, my dear pup?"

"I love you. You're the best father I ever had."

Divus heart warmth to the confession, having him to kiss the top of (Y/N) head. "I love you more, pup." He places his head on hers while she leans on his shoulder.

"We'll go to court tomorrow to approve the adoption. Sounds good?"

"Very."

The soon to be father and daughter sat together in silence. Having each others was enough for them.

(Y/N) was glad to meet Divus. Seeing him as a father figure which she never had back in her world. She yearns for the love of a father and finally, fate calls upon her to cross paths with such a kind man.

To add the adoption paper as a gift for Christmas, she couldn't be even happier.

It truly is the best Christmas for Divus Crewel and (Y/N) Crewel.

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ . . ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ . . ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

[badxsshottiexllie]

Plotted starter for @spoocys-glade-of-dreams

Ellie, riding her hover bike, was on her way to her rebellion groups hideout which was located outside of Eden. She needed to discuss what had happened to her the night before at the United of Eden. Originally, the woman had gone there to relax. However, there would be a series of events that would occur that said otherwise. The woman not only got to rescue Eden's biggest celebrity, but also got herself involved in trying to help his friend who was in a situation that was beyond her control.

"Whats the password?" A male voice said behind the door.

"Cabbage is perfect to eat in the dry heat." Ellie responded.

"Hey! Hows my favorite isekai protagonist doing?" The door opened to reveal a panda hybrid named Steven. Since he was a big fan of anime, he often referred to her as an isekai protagonist, someone who is randomly sent from one world to another.

"Oh hey Steven, pretty crazy shit happened last night. I wanted to see if mostly everyone was here to talk." The woman replied.

"Yeah, unfortunately, most of us are just doing are own thing today. So its just Cody, the boss, you and I here today." After Steven said who was here, you could see a teenage human named Cody playing a gaming PC. You could also see the boss, a human woman around Ellie's age named Natalie, reading a book.

"Sup Ellie, how did last night go?" Natalie asked, putting her book down.

"Hey boss, uh...well...thats what I wanted to talk to everyone about..." The redhead scratched behind her head.

Natalie got up and gently nudged Codys shoulder so that he could listen too since he was wearing headphones. "Ellie's got something to tell us."

The teenager took off his headphones and looked into Ellie's direction and gave a brief yo in greeting.

"So last night, I went to the United of Eden to relax. Well...I thought that was going to happen. I stopped a fight from happening there. You'll never guess who I saved..." There was a bit of a pause before she revealed who it was due to awkwardness. "It was none other than everyones favorite poster boy himself....Rayman..."

"WHAAAAAAT?!?!" Steven, Natalie, and Cody said in unison. They couldn't believe what they just heard.

"But why? You do know the risks involved in associating with him right?" Natalie told her.

"Like that hasn't been drilled a million times in my brain before. But I couldn't just stand there and do nothing. He needed help. Anyway, theres this other part of it where he asked me to help his friend Mona Lisa, whose in a situation thats beyond her control."

"Mona Lisa as in...the famous painting? That Mona Lisa?" Steven asked confusingly.

"Not to be confused with the painting of the same name." The redhead corrected. "Its her stage name and believe it or not shes a limbless like Rayman. But thats not the important thing right now. Shes in a situation involving Hoyt Volker. Do you guys know who he is?"

The trio had a mixture of pale expressions and disgust. Natalie, however, was the one to speak up between the three.

"Human trafficking." Natalie spoke softly. "Murphy told me about it. Its really gross."

"Murphy? Whose that?"

"Hes someone who works with us but hes from another resistance group like ours. Hoyt Volker offers good paying jobs but its disguised as selling them to Eden for work or other crime bosses."

"No way..." The gingers eyes widened at this new discovery. She needs to tell Rayman this asap! This was huge! "Boss! You are a live saver, thank you!" Ellie gave her boss a big hug and stormed out the door.

The rebel hopped on her hover bike making her way back to Eden. Once she got back safely and into her apartment, she made sure to give Rayman a call. "I wonder if he'll pick up..."

[wellhalesbells]

[Based on Asks I Get] Here’s the Cheatsheet to My (Sterek) Fics, Folks:

Why am I Following You Again?:  👋🏻 You’re probably here because of There’s Monsters at Home.  Stiles is a BAMF, Derek is a Failwolf, the Pack has to actually learn how to form Voltron (figuratively), Derek gets possessed by a demon (literally), Stiles is blind (temporarily), and there’s a semi-sentient phoenix tattoo.  There’s art from @andavs​ for it here because she is one of the coolest people I’ve ever known.  Big facts.  There’s also a gifset that eeames made that can only be found in the fic now (thanks, tumblr) so check that ish out!

You Wrote a Sterek Fic Where, Like, They’re Dicks... But It’s Good?  Also, Stiles is Correct™ about How Much It Sucks to Sleep in the Same Bed as a Human Heater: You’re thinking of Seat Belts & Gravity, and your description is much better than mine.  On.  Point.

There was One Where, Like, They’re in College and There’s the Pack But Not Really Because I Think Everyone was Human and No One Knows Derek and Stiles are Together Even Though It’s Not a Secret?: You’re thinking of We’re Burning One Hell of a Something, aka The One You Will Never Find If You Don’t Bookmark It Now.  I’m serious, I just told you what it is but navigate away from this page for one minute and what’s it called?  You don’t know, but an Ellie Goulding song is stuck in your head and this is going to drive you gonzo now.  Just bookmark it, for serious.

😭 B-But Protozooey?: That’s Of Bananas, Babies and Buzzkills and I’m sorry.  Oh, and get all your bwhahas and wah-wah-wahs in podfic form: here!

What are the Rules to Brackets?: Brackets is a fictional game created in The Quadruped, Rhypophagus Team of Goatliness that is based solely on the pure chaotic energy of True American in New Girl ..... what about any of that fic makes you think rules belong there?

P.S. What Does Rhypophagus Mean?: Granted this was never a super popular word but it did used to be a... word and it means trash-eating - I cannot explain to you why there’s only, like, one link on Google that will tell you that now.  I’m thinking Larry and Sergey liked my fic so much they decided: all roads must lead to this miss!  It’s the only thing that makes sense really.

Did You Write a Ballet One Where, Like, Afterwards I Wanted to Crawl into a Dark Hole and Eschew All Human Contact?:  I did!  Thanks for noticing, and you’re welcome!  It’s called Birds of a Feather Fuck Together.  You probably remember this art for it too!

There was a Nerd/Jock Thing But Also Still Werewolves... Am I Remembering This Right?: You are!  It’s Option C) Some Bad Guys are Werewolves, but Not All Werewolves are Bad Guys.  I should make longer titles, huh?  Also there is awesome art for it by NateintheAttic.

Are You the Person Who Did the One Where the Hales are Still Alive and There’s, Like, Magic and Scott’s a Seer and Also Everyone Thinks Scott and Stiles are Gonna Bone (Including Derek)?  No, Right?:  I can see why you would think I am not that person because it is all kinds of happy but that was me!  It’s called Instructions for Dancing.  It’s got a bittle prequel on tumblr here and a scene from Derek’s PoV here.

Did You Ever Finish that One that I Started to Read on Tumblr and Then Lost Track of around Part, Like, Fifteen?:  I did!  It’s completed on tumblr as the Subway Sleeper Series and posted to AO3 as a huge block of zaniness under the name Hibernation Station.  Oh!  And art exists for it: here and here!

There was One about Allison?: There was!  It’s called Phases of the Weaker Heart and it’s entirely from her point of view with some of my fave pre-slashy Sterek sprinkled in.  @goodoceangonewrong giffed one of my absolute favorite scenes: here and lunchee did an absolute gorgeous reading of it here.

There’s One with a Dog and Baltimore and Frosted Flakes and Baseball and Smiling and Also, Like, So Much Baltimore Though?:  That’s [Hilary Duff Lyric Redacted]!  You might also remember the art for it: here.

There’s One Where Stiles Talks, Like, So Much?: That could be so many, help me out here! .... Holy-Os, Now with Thirty Percent More Bonermallows?  Oh, of course!  That would be How Weetabix Got His Marshmallows Back!  You’re welcome, you dirty birds 😉

Okay, This is Going to Sound Weird but Boyd was Just, Like, Stealing Clothes Off Dead Hunters in the Background?: That’s Apathy, Apathy, You’ll be the Death of Me and it sounds perfectly in character to me so I’m not even sure what you mean by “weird.”

Are You Ever Going to Finish Your Series/Write a Sequel Like You Said You were Going to?:  I am super sure that I am one day going to do those things, yes.  Is that based on reality or previous patterns?  Listen, sometimes you just have to have faith, y’know?

[sarah-kings]

For some reason, i'm thinking of a g/t hallmark movie

This is a quite interesting idea!

From what I have gathered Hallmark movies are movies from an American TV channel (please do correct me if I'm wrong, I didn't grow up with American TV) and they seem to publish romance, family and comedy movies and by the looks of it an abundance of Christmas movies.

I'm usually not one to seek out romance movies since I almost always predict the ending and ruin the fun for everyone around me but I could definitely see a romance movie working out greatly for G/t, seeing as the entire G/t community tends to write fluff and as there is a huge gap in G/t media such as movies.

I don't personally tend to write G/t mainly focused on romance - it's mostly focused on fantasy, sci-fi and horror, but if I had to create a movie it would most likely be something like this:

One time, as a bit of a joke, I've created this comic following a woman who is struggling to date someone in a world where G/t is something you can encounter on a daily basis, seeing as there are people of varying height and sizes. An aspect I constantly heard about dating was "I won't date someone who's below 6ft", so I thought "why not crank that up and apply it to rediculous G/t heights?"

Another comic followed not too long after, this one, in which Jane tries to go on another date, hoping to find a significant other who isn't lying about their height like Kyle from the first comic, only to end up with David- a giant himbo who gets everything mixed up terribly and accidentally did a writing error while writing his height down.

My idea for a G/t Hallmark movie would be to follow somebody like Jane with her struggles of dating in a G/t world, eventually dropping her ideals that her significant other must be around her height and learning to embrace David's big, goofy heart despite her serious demeanor.

G/t shenanigans could ensue, such as David trying to introduce Jane to his parents, the introduction going along the lines of:

David: mum, I want you to meet somebody. Her name's Jane, she's this amazing woman I've met and she's -

His mum: I hope she is a giant like us, David

David: *awkward pause* *gently pushes Jane back down into his chest pocket* hahaha, JUP, definitely! Hey, just one second, mum

*disappears into the bathroom*

Jane: you didn't TELL HER that I'm human sized?!

David: I'm sorry, I forgot!

Jane: How do you FORGET something like that?!

Complications could follow afterwards, David and Jane are on the edge of breaking up because of their family either not agreeing to them to be together or because the size difference is simply too much, both of them being convinced they are too small or too big to fit into the other's world, yet neither of them want to be apart.

Of course, as romantic movies always go it would most likely end with a happy ending for the two of them, showing the struggles they went through to achieve happiness and showing how they both are part of each other's world, despite the size difference.

Thank you very much for leaving this thought here, @seasonschange32, I very much enjoyed writing my thoughts on this down and hope you enjoyed my reply just as much.

I am by far not the most skilled writer when it comes to romance, I'm sure of that, so if anyone would like to take inspiration from this I'd love to see what you do with this, so please tag me if you do!

[my-castles-crumbling]

CAS,

IT'S ME HI!

IM CARING ANON

IT'S ME. (this was a shitty T Swizzle reference but hey im in a good mood.)

Get urself a snack coz this is gonna be longgg. And also this is the final update.

So last time when i had updated u Lottie had asked me if she could think over my proposition. And this morning she texted me saying that she wants to meet J & I at the local Starbucks before school. I was like ok, and i told J. He was suspicious coz he thought I had told Lottie about his plan (he was correct tho lmao).

So once we met her at Starbucks, Lottie did something i wasn't expecting her to do. She came out to J (and me)!!

This is kind of how it went down:

Lottie: so I have to tell you something very important.

J: what is it?

Lottie: I'm a lesbian.

Me: *choking on my coffee*

J: LMAOO ok.

Me:...

Lottie:...

Me: oh you're serious?

Lottie: yes

J: oh damn

J: *to me* you knew didn't you? that's why u were convincing me it's not a good idea.

Me: *awkward nod*

Lottie: it's not her fault, i had asked her not to.

J: wow ok.

( a very uncomfortable and long pause later)

J: I'm sorry idk how to react , nobody has ever come out to me b4r.

Lottie: it's ok. I just wanted to put it out there, coz this was causing a lot of awkwardness amongst us.

J: awkwardness? did u know that I fancy u?

Me: *very awkward laugh*

Lottie: no, actually i fancied *my name*.

J: WHAT

Lottie: yeah

J: why? there are a lot of other girls who are wayy hotter than her.

Me: *lowkey offended* excuse me?

J: it's true.

Lottie: *laughs*

J: all seriousness though, thank you for telling me. Do you want me to keep it a secret?

Lottie: yes, just for sometime. Till I'm confident enough to tell everyone.

Me: ofc, u need to come out when you're comfortable. There's no deadline. You can trust us.

Lottie: thanks.

After that we talked about some random shit and then we walked to school.

Also Lottie told me that she will be keeping some distance with us not because she doesn't want to be friends anymore but bcoz she needs to get over me.

(p.s- after school i took J to Nando's coz I knew he was sad)

So yeah that's the end of it, and I'm so fucking relieved that it all went well. And a huge part of it goes to you, Cas. Your advice really helped otherwise god knows what would've happened.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH!! ILY 💕💕💕 YOU'RE LIKE AN AMAZING OLDER SISTER. EVERYONE IN UR LIFE IS SO LUCKY TO HAVE YOU!!!!

With lots of love,

Caring Anon ♥️

Hi!!!

Oh, I’m so glad things went decently! I was a bit worried for J, lol. Also, don’t give me too much credit, you did amazing! You definitely live up to your anon name! I hope you have such a great day!

<3 <3 <3