#i drove to see family this year instead of flying so it was a road trip!

[teethclawsmonsterjaws]

Beyond late but hello! Happy new year to you all!!

Still alive, graduation ceremony soon, and finally drawing again. Expect a poll later to vote on a new piece 👀

Hope everyone had a wonderful start to the new year!!

[lovelytsunoda]

yule shoot your eye out // lance stroll

summary: it was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. instead, a snowstorm traps y/n ocon and lance stroll inside the mount tremblant cabin they had rented, and strands esteban and his girlfriend at the airport. so until the snow melts, she's trapped with her brother's best friend, and forced to reckon with her feelings.

pairing: lance stroll x female ocon! reader ( forced proximity, brother's best friend )

warnings: sexual tension, smut scene that really does nothing for the plot but i wanted to put it in there anyways, super brief mention of masturbation (one sentence), drinking, discussion of kinks (or lack thereof because y/n is like me and needs to constantly know she's loved and desires closeness and intimacy-), mentions of poor mental health, half-assed love confessions where they somehow both know exactly what the other was going to say, esteban walks in on lance and y/n making out on the couch. i use too many romance tropes.

mount tremblant, quebec.

y/n ocon had never seen snow this bad. and she considered herself a country girl through and through. or at least, as close to the countryside as one could get in normandy. she drove at a cautious pace, a sharp detour from the way that she normally drove, in an attempt to keep control over the rented toyota.

"lance, i can't even see three feet ahead of me." she huffed, phone resting in the cupholder at the highest volume. lance stroll, her brother's best friend of over a decade was on the other end of the line, chuckling to himself as he tried to calm the girl down.

"calm down, y/n. you should be almost there, if the find my friends app is working the way that it should."

"that doesn't instill me with a lot of confidence, sir lancelot." she rolled her eyes, taking a turn far too cautiously for it to have been safe if there were any other cars on the road.

it's not her fault she's never experienced a proper canadian winter.

"just take one more right turn, you're almost there. do you not see the road signs?"

"i can't see through the fucking snow! i don't understand why we decided to come up here instead of going down to dallas with mick."

"you're the one who wanted a proper winter getaway."

"i meant the swiss alps!"

lance laughed down the phone before redirecting the conversation. "okay, i can see your headlights, you're at the bottom of the driveway. give me like, ten minutes and i'll meet you in front of the cabin. why are you using your windshield wipers to fend off the snowflakes?"

the aston martin driver did nothing to hide the laughter in his voice.

"fuck off, stroll."

lance tried to stop laughing, but y/n could still hear the joking tone in his voice. "just park near the top of the driveway, i'll come out and help you with your stuff."

"you're an angel, lance. and when i say 'angel' i mean the fucker from buffy the vampire slayer."

"duly noted." the canadian laughs, tugging on his parka before stepping out of the cabin and making his way down the steps. "where's your brother?"

"we weren't on the same flight. no, dear old estie decided not to come and visit if we were all going up to the cabin together." she rolled her eyes as she hung up the phone, watching as lance braved the snow, stumbling towards the rental car.

y/n had been studying at the university of manchester for the last two years and was almost done her program. staying in continental europe had allowed her to stay close to her family, and kept her close to racing, which had always been her passion. she was studying mechanical engineering, with a student placement at carlin. of course, her ultimate goal was to be the first female race engineer in formula one, and being able to get in at alpine wouldn't hurt.

esteban and elena would be flying out of paris, but their flight was supposed to leave an hour ago and she hadn't heard anything. no confirmation that esteban had boarded the plane, no word on any delays.

she tried not to think about it as she stepped out of the car, the hood on her puffy white jacket pulled up against the harsh wind. "let me give you a hand."

lance shook his head. "you've been driving for hours, and your flight was what, six hours long? no, i am carrying your bags."

"at least let me take the suitcase, it's heavy." she insisted, although there was a fuzzy feeling in her stomach at the stroll boy's enthusiasm to help her out.

lance had always been a sweetheart, and she'd be lying if she said that in the last three years, she hadn't felt warm and fuzzy around the aston martin driver. he always went out of his way to make her feel comfortable and included, make her laugh when she felt down. when she had been having a hard time at university, lance had come up to visit her when esteban couldn't, or when she didn't want to worry her parents.

she'd be lying if she said that picturing lance stroll in her bed was the only thing that got her off when her hand was between her thighs. that the reason she was probably still single was because she never made it past a second or third date because she kept comparing every single suitor to her brother's best friend.

"absolutely not." lance insisted. "but you can take the backpack."

"all the backpack has in it is books, a travel pillow and a fucking water bottle. come on, i feel bad." y/n insisted, making grabby hands towards her hard-scheel suitcase, backpack slung over one shoulder. "lance."

"y/n. stop arguing with me, it's cold out here. let me help you."

"fine." the ocon girl caved, locking the car and trudging her way up to the front steps of the rented vrbo cabin.

the two stumbled inside, dropping bags in the foyer and stripping out of snow-covered winter coats.

lance would be lying if he said that his line of sight wasn't immediately drawn to the tight holly-green sweater that y/n was wearing, and the way it made her curves look perfect in the warm led lights.

"i haven't heard anything from esteban since i left manchester. has he called you at all?"

"i'm sure you're overthinking, y/n." lance tried to placate the girl in front of him. "he'd call if anything was wrong. i haven't heard from chloe and scotty either."

y/n laughed, slumping down on the faux leather couch. the cabin was cozy: all cedar wood and plaid accents, shockingly Canadian in the sense of décor. fairy lights hung from exposed timbers and she tried to allow herself to relax, tucking her feet underneath a thick plaid blanket.

"i guess that's typical younger sibling bullshit, isn't it?"

lance laughed, taking a seat on the couch next to the young woman. it was all he could do to keep a respectful distance, knowing that if he was any closer, he'd probably do something stupid.

like kiss her.

"i'm sure our siblings are fine." lance reassured, thinking about his own sister and her fiancée.

"hold that thought." y/n said, sitting up straighter as her phone began to ring, esteban's name flashing across the screen. "estie? where are you?"

"we're still in paris. our flight just got cancelled because of the storm. the airline moved us to a flight two days from now, so we're going to stay down the road from the airport." esteban sounded exhausted, his voice far off as it flooded through the small speakers at the base of her iphone. "they said they'd call if anything changed. did you land okay?"

"the flight was rocky, but i made it in one piece. lance and i are at the cabin now. there's still nothing from chloe and scotty."

"putain. listen, as long as you're with lance, you're safe from the storm. just hang tight and i'll call when i have more news."

"okay. estie? stay safe. i love you."

"love you too." the phone began to crackle, her brother's next words getting lost somewhere between phone lines.

"esteban? esteban?" the three beeps from her phone indicated that the lines had gone down, the simple 'no service' icon appearing in the top right hand corner.

y/n groaned, leaning further back against the couch, knees drawn into her chest as she dropped her phone on the cushions. "the lines are down."

she knew what this all meant. she was stuck in a log cabin with lance stroll and every fond feeling that she had ever harboured for the aston martin driver. she'd either lose her mind or do something freakishly stupid.

"is esteban all right?" lance asked quietly, gingerly moving closer on the couch. y/n took that as a cue, falling straight into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. breathing in his cologne.

she'd always loved that fucking cologne.

she sighed, closing her eyes. "his flight got cancelled. they're trying to get him on a flight in a few days, but he's not exactly hopeful. it's a miracle that i got here alive, if i'm being frank."

"it's not all bad. we may not have cell signal, but we do have heating, and there's a fridge full of food and wine. a dvd player and a stack of christmas movies."

"alcohol sounds great right about now." y/n agreed, pulling the blanket further over her body.

"red wine or white?" lance asked, getting to his feet and crossing over to the kitchen. "i've also got my mom's sugar cookies."

"red, please. and bring the cookies. tell claire-anne i think she's a bloody legend."

the canadian laughed, popping the cork as he switched on the small radio on the counter, oldies christmas music flooding the open concept main floor, elvis crooning about how he'd have a blue christmas without the one he loved.

me fucking too, mr. presley.

"don't worry, she already knows." lance beamed, coming back to the living room with two wine glasses and a tin of cookies shaped like christmas trees. "have you been doing all right lately? i never felt right about heading back home after that one weekend."

the french girl knew what weekend lance was talking about. she had been in a bad place that entire week, and esteban was worried about her. he was too busy with sponsorship events and couldn't catch a flight out of france soon enough, so he had called lance. the strolls had been at silverstone that week running simulator time at the aston martin factory. lance had driven the four hours from towcester to manchester, and had stayed with her all weekend. as soon as lance came inside the apartment, she had broken down crying in lance's arms. all she had been able to say at the time had been 'i want my mom', repeating it in both english and french while lance held her, whispering that everything would be okay.

"they've been getting better. the semester ended and think the break has done wonders for me. winter semester starts up in january, and my schedule is a little lighter. i'll be working with carlin again, so once the season starts, hopefully i'll be able to get out a little bit more. i'm supposed to be back at the factory three times a week after christmas." y/n started, taking a sip of her wine, still curled up in a blanket. "i'm thinking about getting a rabbit or something. just so i'm not alone in the apartment all the time."

lance nodded along. "that might be nice. how many years do you have left?"

"two years. stephanie carlin is actually really excited about signing me on full time. just as a junior engineer, not a race engineer, but one day i'll get there."

"i have full faith. you'll be coming for brad's job in no time."

y/n laughed, the sound bordering on a snort. "what, so you can tell me that you know the car is already on fire, or that i don't know that the 'pit confirm' and 'ok' buttons are the same thing?"

"you love listening to me and brad and you know it. you think it's charming."

she raised her eyebrows, taking another sip of her wine. "charming isn't exactly the word that i would use."

the duo didn't realize how fast time would fly. conversation flowed comfortably, the wine bottle already halfway empty, the tin of cookies now reduced to a few small crumbs at the bottom of the metal container. they were now sharing a blanket, their legs resting on top of each other.

"this is going to sound completely absurd, but i need to know." lance laughed.

"it's twenty questions. nothing is too absurd." y/n laughed back. "hit me with your best shot, pat benatar."

lance cocked an eyebrow "are you wine drunk?"

"maybe." she giggled, taking another sip. "was that your absurd question?"

"no, not at all. this is: what are you into? like, in bed? because i walked in on your brother and elena once right before a press conference, and i cannot unsee that shit.”

“try hearing him through the walls. our house was small as hell, lance. imagine hearing your older brother have an orgasm. it’s traumatizing.”

“come on, you have to be into something. stop avoiding the question.”

“lance stroll, you don’t ask a woman about her kinks before a first date!”

“what are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding anything!” she managed to say through laughter. “really, I’m not. I don’t have any kinks.”

lance raised an eyebrow. “everybody has at least one, come on now.”

“really, I don’t. my roommate in freshman year made me take an online bdsm test, and it came back a hundred percent vanilla.”

“a kink is anything that turns you on during sex, y/n. there has to be something.”

y/n rolled her eyes, staring at her almost empty wineglass. “there is not enough red wine in the world for this conversation.” she reached towards the coffee table, pouring the last dregs of the deep red liquid into her glass.

lance looked at her intently. “now I’m curious. what secrets is little miss perfect hiding?”

“I suppose if I had to pick something, because you seem so desperate to embarrass me today,” she rolled her eyes dramatically. “I would say that my kink is romance. some girls want to give up control and have someone tell them what to do during sex, or be tied up and shit, and that's perfectly fine, for them, but I just want to be loved and cared for. I want grand gestures and rose petals and hand holding. I want to be called sweetheart, and darling, and pretty girl.”

lance raised his eyebrow again. god, he shouldn’t look that good when he looks at me like that, she thinks to herself. “that’s it? that’s what you’re so ashamed of?”

“grand romantic notions get you nowhere in the real world. I know that men are going to get bored with me real quick that way.”

“I wouldn’t.”

her heart stopped beating for a fraction of a second, her breath caught in her throat. it’s the alcohol talking, she tried to tell herself. there’s no way he just said what he said.

“I’d call you ‘pretty girl’ all night long, fuck you as tenderly and lovingly as you wanted, and I’d hold your hand the entire time, as long as you wanted me to.”

she couldn’t form a proper response. her mouth had gone dry. she stared at the beautiful man across from her, blinking rapidly as she tried to comprehend what was happening.

“uhm, y/n? hello…earth to y/n?” lance said, confusion in his voice as he looked at her. “are you okay? I think your brain kind short circuited there-“

she cut him off by planting her lips on his, practically jumping into his lap. the driver gasped in surprise before gripping her hips and holding her close. her hands flew up to cradle lances face, moaning into his mouth at the rush of sensations, the buzz that she felt throughout every nerve ending in her body.

she was kissing lance stroll.

“that’s my pretty girl.” he mumbled between kisses, pulling the blankets around their bodies.

at the sound of the pet name spilling from the canadians lips, the lips she had dreamt would someday be spilling that same praise for her in a much more intimate context, she thought she would crumble under his touch, moaning faintly as she tried to press herself up against him. she was sitting on his lap now, legs hanging off the side of the couch and lips against his, her fingertips dragging through his hair as he gripped her thigh tightly.

“lance…” she breathed heavily, the french accent in her voice wavering as the driver began to press sloppy, open mouthed kisses to her neck. “lance, baby, please don’t stop.”

lance grinned against her skin. he wanted this as much as she did, if not more. “anything for my pretty girl.”

the driver leaned back on the couch, pulling y/n's body flush against his, sliding his warm hands up the back of her sweater. she shivered under his touch, only spurring him on more.

until the lights went out with a high pitched beeping sound, the entire cabin plunged into darkness as the battery-operated radio continued to eerily play 'baby it's cold outside' as y/n jumped, tripping over lance's legs as she slid off the couch.

"jesus christ" she groaned, leaning back against the couch, the floor a piercing cold through her jeans. "what happened to the lights? even the fucking string lights are out."

"shit. the storm must have taken the power lines out." lance groaned, pulling the blanket over his lap to hide the growing tent in his jeans. "so now we have no cell phone signal, and no power."

"fucking hell." she mumbled, getting to her feet. "and no power also means no heat. esteban and elena are going to find our frozen corpses huddled for warmth in front of the fireplace."

"you're so overdramatic." lance laughed, getting up from the couch and reaching out to stop y/n from picking up the empty wine glasses. "sit down, y/n. let me handle this, pretty girl."

he said it with a grin and a wink, an overall sense of cheekiness that sent shivers down y/n's spine. she was still struggling to comprehend what had just happened.

she had made out with lance stroll, and she was about ninety eight percent certain that he enjoyed it, if the tent in his jeans was anything to go off of.

"do you have any candles or anything?"

three hours later.

the power still hadn't come back on. neither had the heat, and the fireplace couldn't warm an entire cabin. a cabin intended for six that was currently only occupied by two. a bath and body works candle that smelled scarily like a christmas tree sat on the dresser, dimly lighting up a small circle against the wall that allowed her to see just enough to pull on her plaid victoria's secret pajamas. but the flannel fabric wasn't nearly warm enough for a cabin that was rapidly losing heat.

a shiver wracked her body, goosebumps sprouting all along the hairs on her arms as she reached for the plush blanket at the foot of the bed, draping it around her body before blowing the candle out and edging the door open.

she crossed the hallway, her hands shaking from the temperature drop as she knocked on the door. she could feel heat from inside the room, indicating that lance had somehow managed to get the old woodstove in the corner working.

she hadn't bothered to try with the one in her room.

"lancelot?" she said quietly, playing into the nickname she had always used for him. "can i come in?"

the door creaked open. a loud sound against the rusted hinges. nothing wd-40 couldn't fix. "is everything okay, y/n?" lance asked, a confused and concerned look on his face.

"i'm fucking freezing. and you managed to get a woodstove to work." she shrugged, laughing softly as she gestured at the blanket she was wrapped in.

lance opened the door wider. "come on in. i've got piles of blankets, and probably some body heat."

"how reassuring." she said sarcastically, crossing the threshold into lance's room. crossing a line that could never be uncrossed as she dropped the blanket, tucking herself into the left-hand side of the bed. lance followed shortly after, draping himself over her, his arms securely around her stomach as they spooned.

"lance?" she said softly, as they lay there in the quiet and the dark. "i'm in love with you."

lance inhaled, and she could feel his entire body shudder behind her as he leaned in the whisper in her ear, his breath hot on her skin. "i've been in love with you almost since i first saw you. when my dad was first thinking about buying force india and we walked in the garage and you were there arguing with otmar in that cute little top with the bell sleeves, insisting that you knew more than the team fucking principal." he laughed, his chest rumbling against her back. "you were such a little firecracker, you know."

"and i was on a gap year as well. i took time off to help my dad with the garage. god, i thought i knew so much. i wasn't even in university yet."

"otmar followed your strategy calls that race, you know. he was unsure at first, but he got on the phone with vijay and vijay told him to go for it."

"i know. otmar told esteban afterwards, told him to give me a fucking pandora gift card."

lance laughed, trying to hide a yawn. "sounds about right. get some rest, pretty girl. see you in the morning."

eight hours later.

the room was still dark when y/n ocon woke up. she could still hear the howl of the wind outside, but the room still felt cold, the piles and piles of blankets still pulled over her shoulders. she rolled over, eyes still closed as she nuzzled into lance's chest. the aston driver groaned, one of his hands slipping down her back to cup her ass gently.

"mornin' beautiful." his voice was husky and seductive as he leaned in to kiss her.

"good morning, handsome." she said softly, her face breaking into a smile as she kissed him.

their lips moved in tandem, the air punctuated with soft giggles and wide smiles as she threw her leg over lance's thigh, trying to pull him as close as she could as he playfully smacked her ass, rolling the pair over so that he was on top.

her hands slipped up the back of his heather grey t-shirt, sliding the fabric over his head while the canadian trailed kisses down her neck, the stubble on his chin grazing the delicate skin. she moaned underneath him before he pulled away briefly to get the shirt the rest of the way off his body, casting it aside before kissing her again. her arms came up to loop around his neck, his fingers dancing across her stomach as he slowly undid the buttons on her pajama top.

"lance," she breathed. "is that. . . "

"my hard cock against your thigh?" lance winked with a sly grin. "you bet. see how turned on you make me, pretty girl? if you had said something sooner, we could have been doing this for years now. maybe i'd have even managed to put a ring on your finger."

"i guess we'd better make up for lost time, then." she grinned, helping lance take off the remainder of her flannel shirt before urging lance's head towards her rapidly hardening nipples.

"you're so beautiful, darling." he crooned, kissing and caressing as much of y/n's body as she could, her fingernails lightly digging into his upper back as he swirled his tongue over her breast.

they easily could have wasted the morning away like that. in lance's arms, y/n felt safe and secure. she felt loved, and it all felt right. something that her mother said to her when she was eighteen stuck out in her mind: when you know, you'll know.

and as she and lance shed their flannel pajama pants, his arms around her, his hands in hers as he began to thrust into her, she knew.

but she had a feeling that she had known for a lot longer than that.

"that's it, pretty girl." lance groaned, thrusting deeper and drawing a loud moan from the girl underneath him. "tell me how good i make you feel, hey? i want to know that you feel just as good as i do right now."

"yes, god, yes." she whined, eyelids fluttering shut as she watched lance bring her knuckles up to his mouth, pressing kisses to each knuckle before trailing the kisses down her arm until he reached her neck, the pace of his hips never faltering. “oh, lance, you feel incredible, love.”

"yeah? yeah, you look so pretty like this, beautiful. my pretty girl."

"oh, god! i think i-"

"are you going to come for me, pretty girl? i've got you, baby, you're safe, let go for me. milk this cock."

"oh, lance!"

as they were laying together, a tangled mass of limbs and hair, fingers still pressed to skin, sweaty bodies pressed up against one another, the power came back on, dim lights filling the bedroom as lance kissed her gently.

"i love you, y/n."

she smiled. "je t'aime aussi, lance."

four hours later.

they'd wasted the day away in the shower (having more incredible sex while they were at it), cooking together and watching christmas movies on the vhs player in the cabin's living room ("who even uses vhs tapes any more!" "people who live in cottages, babe!")

as the end credits to 'deck the halls' played on the big screen, lance and y/n softly made out in the dim light of the string lights hanging from the ceiling, curtains still pulled shut.

neither of them heard the door creak open, but they all heard esteban ocon's disgusted shout.

"what the fuck!"

"esteban, i can explain." y/n tried to reason with her brother, aware that lance's hands were in a very compromising position on her body

the alpine driver stood in the middle of the living room, snowflakes melting on his parka as he blinked, trying to make sense of why his sister and his best friend were heavily making out on the sofa.

"are those hickeys on your neck? y/n ocon-khelfane!"

"lance!" she hissed, looking over at the boy. "really? how old are you, seventeen?"

"you didn't notice when you got out of the shower?" the driver asked, trying to avoid making eye contact with esteban. "i thought you said his flight was delayed two days!"

elena shrugged. she had been standing behind her boyfriend, making the conscious choice not to get involved. "we got an earlier flight last minute. we did try to call."

"phone lines are down." y/n said apologetically. "power was out all last night, too."

"and i bet lance kept you warm, didn't he?" esteban glared at lance, ready to destroy their friendship to protect his baby sister's honor. "you have until the count or three, strulovich."

lance's eyes widened. "count fo three for what?"

"one."

"lance, run."

"he's my best friend, he's not going to hurt me. estie, come on!" lance laughed nervously. "let's talk this out."

"two."

"i think she's right." elena piped up. "you can talk it out later."

"three."

lance was off the couch in a flash. "okay, running now!"

they did, in fact, talk it out later.

but not before they wrestled each other and esteban made lance swear not to break y/n's heart.

Tags: @magnummagnussen @libraryofloveletters @daydreamingleclerc @flannel-cures @sidcrosbyspuck

[specialagentlokitty]

Klaus mikaelson x reader - pride aside

A/N: this is based on a dream I had last night ngl but like I changed it a bit

Seeing everyone at the ball dancing and laughing was great, but it hurt you a little bit.

Sitting on the stairs, you sighed softly and leant back on your hands as you tilted your head up to look at the sky instead.

“Not one for dancing?” A smooth voice asked.

You looked to your side to see Klaus stood there with some random girl attached to his arm.

“No one to dance with.” You shrugged.

“Come on now, I’m sure there’s a guy who’s just as lonely.”

With that, he smiled and walked away and you clenched your jaw in frustration.

That hurt, deeply. Is that how he saw you? Lonely?

Is that how everyone saw you? Just the lonely person that couldn’t find a date to a stupid ball you’d been waiting to attend since last year?

You only came back so you could help Bonnie practice some new spells, it’s the only reason you came to mystic falls again. You were happy at your families home a few states over.

Getting up, you made your way to the main doors and you slipped out and headed back home to throw on some more comfortable clothes and went straight to bed.

The next day, you were met with knocking on your door, so, with a small sigh of you walked over and unlocked it, letting everyone trickle in.

“When did you get home?” Damon asked, “I was supposed to bring you back.”

“Yeah, I left early.” You smiled.

“Are you okay?” Caroline frowned.

You nodded and smiled a little more, trying to force it as much as possible.

“Yeah, I was just tired was all.”

“She was sad and lonely.” Klaus mused.

You glared at him.

“Leave her alone Niklaus.” Elijah sighed.

“It’s true though, right love? You were lonely because no one wanted to dance with you.”

“Klaus!” Stefan snapped.

They bickered for a few moments and you decided to just ignore them.

“Oh come on! No one was desperate enough to ask her to dance! That’s why she left!” Klaus snapped.

And you snapped.

Raising your hand, you pinned him to the wall.

“(Y/N)!” Jeremy yelled.

You raised your other hand, gesturing for them all to be quiet as you locked eyes with the original hybrid.

“You know what Klaus, I’ve tried! I have tried to be nice, tried to be patient and understanding with you while all of this shit is going down. I have tried to protect you and Elijah as well as everyone else so you can all bring down the stupid ass witch that’s trying to destroy this whole place! But I’ve had enough!”

You swiped your hand to the side and sent in flying into some furniture.

“I have tried time and time again with you! And I’m done! I’m sick and tired of all of this, being ridiculed because unlike everyone else I don’t have anyone by my side to protect me! Because the one person I want to protect me is a pretentious dickhead who only cares about himself!”

You stared at him, and his hands covered his ears as he groaned in pain and no one dared to stop you.

“I’m done with you Klaus Mikaelson, and you know what? You’re going to die alone because you clearly can’t tell when someone loves you! At least I’ll be able to find someone unlike you.” You snarled.

Grabbing your car keys you made a gesture with you hands and a light blue barrier appeared in front of the doorway, blocking them all in.

“I can’t believe I was stupid enough to fall in love with you. I hope you get staked.”

Everyone begged you to let them go and you shook your head.

“It’ll fade in a few hours, don’t follow me.”

With that, you left and sped away from the town with fury burning through your veins and sadness dee0 within your soul.

How you even fell for him was beyond you but you hated it, you wanted to just go back and move on, find someone knew who would actually love you and care for you.

You were going to go home, and forget all about mystic falls.

You were done with that place and the memories it had.

Racing down a background, you mumbled out a spell and watched as a portal appeared in the middle of the road and you drove through it, driving up a dirt driveway.

Parking your car, you got out and walked up to the large house, kneeling in front of your porch you placed a hand on the ground and whispered a spell.

To stop them from being able to track you.

Then you whispered out another, watching as blue borders appeared around the edge of the place.

Any humans who didn’t know about the supernatural would just appear on the other side, and that do know or any supernaturals won’t be able to get in without your explicit permission.

With that, you walked inside.

“Back so soon?” You dad asked.

“I’m done with that place.”

“Is that why you warded the place?” Your mom asked, arms crossed over her chest.

You looked up at her and gave a small shrug.

“I’m taking precautions. I don’t want them to come near or find this place.”

“What happened?” You dad sighed.

You simply shook your head at them and went upstairs, hoping a bath would help erase some of the stress from the day.

For the next week your phone was blowing up with texts and calls, but the only person you would respond to was Bonnie, since you had a promise to keep.

Sitting on the front steps, you had your laptop on your lap as you spoke with her.

“Spells aren’t always about the words bonnie, you can still practice magic without reciting like you know. It’s not about who’s been doing it the longest, it’s about willpower. As long as you’re willing to protect, nature will provide.”

“We need the barrier spell you use, it’s the only way we can trap her.”

You sighed, running a hand through your hair.

“Bonnie.. that’s a spell my family created years ago to trap vampires.”

“Will it work for other witches?”

“It worked on you right?” You smirked slightly.

She laughed and nodded her head.

“I’ll teach it to you, but I’ll need you to come here.”

“And where is here?” She asked.

“Simple, turn around.”

You hung up and stood up, making your way down the steps, you opened a portal and waved her through it.

She was unsure at first but she slowly stepped through in amazement.

“Another spell my family made. But it can only be open for a few seconds.”

“Why?” She asked.

You closed it and turned to her.

“Essentially we’re cutting a hole in time and space, allowing us to move from one place to another. We can open it as often as we want, but we can’t have it open too long otherwise we’ll loose control.”

“Is thag how you got here so fast? Where is here?”

“In the middle of nowhere lovely, everything here is run by magic.” Your mom smiled.

She greeted Bonnie with a hug and handed you the family grimour.

“Teach her everything she needs.”

“Of course mom.”

“We’re heading out on business, but you know what to do.” Your dad smiled.

Nodded, you waved them off and you got to work.

Over the following week you had Bonnie practice trying to break out the barrier you put around her, but she couldn’t even crack it.

“It’s all about having nature on your side, you try.”

Bonnie recited the spell, a barrier appeared around you, and she smiled happily.

You gave a light knock on it and hummed with a small hug.

“Quite sturdy, I think you’ll be able to trap her.”

“I just need to keep practicing, right?”

“Yeah.”

“How do I bring it down?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that.”

Placing your hand on it, it shattered and you beamed and it.

That’s when you felt it, a disturbance at the far end of the one you set up, and you turned in its direction.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“Someone is here.”

“Want me to come?”

“Yes please, I may need your help.”

Opening a portal, you both jogged through and down the hill to the end of the barrier, but as you got closer you could see who it was and all you did was sigh.

“Klaus?” Bonnie asked.

His head shot up.

“Leave this place. I don’t know how you found it but you’re not invited.”

“Not until we talk.” He said.

“We’ve got nothing to talk about.”

“I’ll stay here if I have to, but I’m not leaving until we talk.”

“Bonnie you can head back, remember what I taught you?”

“Yeah. I’ll get dinner ready.”

Smiling thanks, you waited for her to leave before turning back to the hybrid.

You walked over and stood right in front of him, arms crossed over your chest.

“What do you want?”

He stepped back and held out his hand with a small smile on his lips.

“Dance with me?” He asked.

“Excuse me?”

“Dance with me.” He repeated.

“I thought no one was desperate enough to ask.” You snapped.

He flinched back slightly and sighed, letting his hand fall back to his head.

“No one is. But I am.”

“You’re desperate?”

“Yes. In fact, I’m desperate for you love. I want you, actually, rather, I need you. So no one may be desperate enough to ask, but I’m glad they’re not, since I’m desperate and perhaps foolish enough to ask after what I ask and did to you.”

“You’re right, you are foolish. Get away from my house.”

You started to walk away.

“What can I do to prove it?” He called.

You scoffed.

“Maybe if you got on your knees and beg mikaelson.”

His pride and ego was too big to let him to that. You were waiting for some sarky comment or an angry remark.

“If that’s what it takes.”

In shock, you turned around.

His eyes locked with yours as he slowly got down on his knees, hands in his lap as he stared at you.

“Here I kneel, my pride aside, for you. So I can tell you that I do in fact love you, but I wasn’t aware you felt the same, I didn’t want you to get hurt, and in the process I hurt you, and I never meant to. I will stay here all night if you wanted me to. If you told me to stay here I would, if you told me to walk to the ends of the earth for you I would.”

You were speechless, you didn’t think he’d actually get on his knees, you didn’t think he was capable of saying anything nice.

Staring at him for a few seconds, you walked a little closer.

“If you want me to beg for you then fine. I am begging you (Y/N), right here and now, to say you love me.”

He stayed on his knees and never moved and inch.

Turning around, you stared walking again.

You heard Klaus sigh, and mumble something about leaving you alone.

“Come on.” You called.

“Excuse me?” He asked.

“Come on.”

You stopped and turned to face him.

He was unsure at first, and he placed his hand on the barrier to show he couldn’t but he stumbled through it, and within a second he was right in front of you, your face between his hands.

“I will love you from now until the end of my life.” He whispered.

Leaning down, he softly kissed you and you quickly responded, arms going around his neck to pull him closer.

Klaus pulled away first, kissing your nose and forehead, before he smiled softly down at you.

“I’m sorry I didn’t dance with you.” He whispered, “and I’m sorry for everything I did and said.”

“I won’t forgive you so easily, but you can start making it up to me.”

“Anything sweetheart.” He smiled.

You nodded and took his hand in yours, opening a portal to take you both back to the house were Bonnie was waiting outside with a small smile on her face when you guys approached.

Klaus looked at you, and he couldn’t help but smile.

He hurt you, yes, but he was going to do anything he could, anything you asked to make it up to you. Even if it meant getting on his knees for the whole world to see and begging for your forgiveness

[alexlwrites]

From my notes app: grieving over your ex lover

Tw: sad as fuck

Based on this request from @morningglory18 : "Hey I just want to request you a fic where the fl had a dead first love , whom she always chases after but it is always Namjoon who catches her when he realised she is really gonna fly away"

***

It was April 29th again.

How long had it been since the last one? A couple weeks? 365 days? A lifetime? You weren't sure, but the earth had once more completed a circle without you even assimilating the last one.

Your body still ached from phantom pains - a non-existent weight in your left ring finger, the impact of a car crash you never lived, shards of a still broken heart and loss, dear lord, so much loss. How could someone even lose something that they already no longer have?

But every April 29th reopened a wound barely stitched together and you felt the burden of another year lost, a multitude of days that could've been lived as someone's wife but instead barely could be called a widow - after all, there was no wedding. There was only a white dress, a pair of rings and a call from the hospital that sent you into a spiral of unfortunate events and ripped your soul from your body.

Every April 29th brought a slew of what-ifs and if-onlys that buried you under the avalanche of painful possibilities. If that driver had never been drinking, if he had left earlier, if the wedding had been scheduled to the next saturday... Every minimal detail added to insurmountable strands - different paths and roads that could've been taken in a different life.

In a different life, you could've been Yoongi's wife.

In a different life, you could've kissed him on an altar and went on to start a new chapter written together. You could've watched him put together your shared furniture, made him coffee and kissed his pink tinted knucles. In a different world, you could've built a family together, slanted eyed babied and fluffy brown dogs, maybe even a black cat. In another universe, you would've watched someone's first steps guided by his long fingers wrapped around a tiny chubby wrist. In a separate world...

"Love" someone called snapping you out of your morbid fantasies and you turned to see Namjoon offering his hand.

You took it and stood up from the ground, interlacing your fingers with his and bringing them to your lips as you walked away from the forget-me-not adorned grave, silent and contemplative. In another life, things could've been different, but in this one you were given catastrophic grief by fate and its antidote by the same hand. The same prophecy that had taken away Yoongi from your sobbing grip had gifted you Namjoon.

Namjoon who also lost his best friend and had been the first one to reach for you as crumbled to the floor in a white gown; who had been forever patient and understanding, a buoy in the storm as disgrace had rained from the skies ; who stood back to back with you as you leaned on each other to stand up once more ; Namjoon who bought the forget-me-nots and took you where you needed every April 29th.

"I miss him" you said.

Namjoon nodded "Me too. Everyday."

Namjoon helped you into the car and drove away softly, his hand never leaving yours, tethering you to this lifetime where you were now his, six years after being someone else's.

***

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[cha0ticspacebi]

You've Got Desire, So Let It Out: Chapter 1

You love your job. Being a teacher is what you've always wanted to do. But being in charge all day can be draining. You are looking for someone to take that control away for a while. When Robin and Steve set you up with Eddie, an old friend from high school, sparks fly! One day you ask Eddie to come volunteer in your classroom and he's more than happy to oblige. But what happens when the inevitable discipline issue arises and you have to use your teacher voice in front of him for the first time? Let's just say Eddie enjoys it a bit too much.

☆ Tags: 21+ MDNI, switch Eddie Munson, switch reader, BDSM, kinky sex, choking, dirty talk, dom/sub, impact play, bratting, degradation, praise, humiliation, restraints, mean dom Eddie, overstimulation, orgasm control

Chapter 1/12 ☆ → Next chapter

☆ You can find me over on A03 as Cha0ticBi ☆ Master list link! ☆

The warmth was just starting to return to Hawkins, Indiana. Flowers budding on the edges of tree branches, squirrels and birds returning from their winter hideaway, and schools geared up with anticipation for a much needed holiday.  You were a 2nd grade teacher at Hawkins Elementary School and loved your job. This was your fifth year teaching and you couldn’t imagine doing anything else. There was a certain earned authority that came with your job. Do it right and you earn the respect of students, other educators, and families in a community— and you were damn good at your job. Earning teacher of the year for your district in just your third year! 

Sometimes though you needed a break, was it frowned upon as a teacher to have a life outside your job? Well as much as you’d like to say no, society would say otherwise. You contemplated the unspoken rules and expectations held over you by a population who had no idea what it took to do your job everyday as you packed up and cleaned before heading out to begin your spring break. 

Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t wear fitted clothing but don’t look like a slob, don’t have colored hair, don’t get tattoos. So many rules and restrictions are placed on a group of people that many other professions take for granted. Don’t have social media accounts. Don’t talk about your private life. The worst part? You’d think these expectations would only be enforced during the school day. But no. Be a good example of a model citizen even after the school bell rings. You never know when or where you might run into a student. 

You laughed quietly to yourself as you turned the light switch off and headed to your car. Of course good teachers wanted to instill a sense of responsibility in their students! Of course they don’t want them running out and imitating the less than healthy choices you and many other adults choose to indulge in. Your job is to set a good example and give them the knowledge they need to make sound, informed choices. But your life outside of your profession was no one’s business but your own. 

Some of the freakiest people you knew were teachers. Behind closed doors teachers are just like any other person. They have desires, needs, wants, and predilections for things some might even consider so far outside the societal norms. Yours was kinky sex. Like really kinky sex. Being the boss all day sucked. At home you needed a partner who helped you relax…some people do yoga or cook, why were you weird if you needed to be spanked and called a good little slut instead?

As you drove home you got a phone call from Robin, “Hey Robin, what’s up?” 

“Are you finally free of the hellfire spawns?”

“Leaving the gates of hell now!” You laughed, keeping your eyes on the road as you spoke to the speaker of your phone, “You know they really aren’t that bad…sometimes!”

“I’ll have to take your word for it. Anyways, I know you don’t have plans so I’m coming to snatch you up around 8. A bunch of us are going to see this guy we know from high school’s band play at The Hideout tonight.”

You moved to Hawkins from Indianapolis a year ago when you got your current job, meeting Robin and Steve one night by chance shortly after arriving, “I didn’t know Steve was in a band?” She cackled through the speaker.

“Can you even imagine Steve in a band? His ego is big enough as it is. No you’ve never met this guy but he’s single!”

“Will you ever stop trying to set me up with people you went to school with?” You teased her even though you knew full well it would take zero convincing for her to get you to come out tonight! After today? You needed a drink. 

“If it’s not Steve, who is it?”

“His name is Eddie. He’s kind of a weird stoner nerd boy who still plays dungeons and dragons, but he’s a really nice guy, super sweet and always good for a laugh. Obviously I’m no authority but I’m also told he’s cute.”

“Yeah I’m in! I could use a night out. I’ll see you soon!” The phone clicked off as you pulled into the parking lot.

You and your cat Ozzy acknowledged each other’s existence as you entered your small apartment. You showered and put on some music while you finished getting ready. Looking at yourself in the mirror you turned and twisted admiring the shape the tight ripped black jeans gave your ass. Rolling the sleeves on your black blazer, you showed off the tattoos on both your forearms. An old, worn Van Halen t-shirt underneath. Your hair was styled in wild curls and you felt like Olivia Newton-John at the end of Grease. Who knows? Maybe this Eddie will be just what you’re looking for. You grab your bag and head back out the door to smoke before Robin gets here. The sun was beginning to set when her car pulled into the parking lot. 

“Ugh gross, why do you do that?” You had only been out there a short while before she arrived, she grabbed the cigarette from your hand and threw it in a nearby trash can.

“Hey, those things are expensive!” You complain while getting in her passenger seat. 

“I’m pretty sure Eddie still smokes too, he sold weed in high school so look! You’re already getting along and you haven’t even met!”  

You laugh, “Why is this such a big deal to you? If he’s cute I probably would have tried to talk to him on my own anyways. What does he play?”

“He’s the guitarist and he sings, but I haven’t even told you the best part yet!” She grinned, eyes flashing between you and the road, “You remember that night about a month ago when you got drunk and told all of us about your wild and crazy fantasies ?”

A tightness constricted your chest as you remember that moment of pure embarrassment, “I’d like not to, but what about it?”

“Well let’s just say you and Eddie have more in common than you might think.”

“What the hell does that mean Robin?” You laughed.

“I already promised I wouldn’t ruin the surprise.”

Robin doesn’t give you a chance to question further by quickly changing the subject to talk about the conquests of her own love life as you continue the drive. She’s been pining over a regular customer at the video store where she works, which despite closing at a record pace all over the country somehow your local Family Video is still alive and kicking. You guess that it has something to do with the staff and their customer service skills. Everytime you're there visiting, Steve makes it his personal mission to help each and every customer. Babes and non babes alike as he so eloquently put it. You listen and try to be supportive but you can’t help wondering more about this Eddie as you reach your destination.

The bar they were playing at was the very same one you visited on a whim right after moving here. That was the night you met Robin and Steve. Robin had dared Steve to go talk to you and even though he showed you a good time and his flirtatious nature was definitely endearing, Steve just wasn’t what you were looking for in a partner. He was too sweet, like all the time. The two of you were still good friends though. The whole big group accepted you right in as if you’d always been there but this was the first you were hearing of Eddie the mysterious guitarist. 

“So how is it I’ve never heard of this guy before?” You said to her as you grabbed your purse and walked into the bar.

“He’s been around. The past few months though they’ve been playing shows around the state and even into Illinois and Michigan.” 

As you enter the busy bar, you squeeze past people looking for Steve. You have to admit that while it didn’t work out between the two of you he’s got really nice hair. You spot that lovely quaff in the crowd finally, finding him surrounded by a gaggle of kids. In reality they are all just about 5 years younger than you but at 28, they still feel like kids. They all greet you and go back to their conversations.

“Robin, I'm going to go order a drink,” she nods and asks you to get her something fruity. 

You lean causally against the bar with your elbows naturally pushing your chest together. The bartender comes up and you order a long island iced tea for yourself and a tequila sunrise for Robin. He nods with a smile before getting started. You turn around to wait and find yourself face to face with a faded Metallica logo.

“Hi there,” the most sensual voice you’d ever heard in your life spoke to you.

Your eyes traveled up, following the curves of this man’s wide shoulders. He looks like something straight out of 1986. His long brown curls held back by a black bandana. A black leather jacket beneath a denim battle vest covered in patches and pins. You feel your lips pull apart and quiver at the sight of this man’s smirk. He is looking down at you like a hungry lion would stalk a grazing gazelle from across the savannah. The intimidating energy he is giving off naturally encourages you to lean back against the bar and put your hands up to support your weight, “Hello.”

He raises a brow at you with a curious smile. You watch as his eyes flick to your right and he grabs the drinks that were sitting there sweating on their coasters. He holds them out to you.

“I believe these belong to you,” you blink a few times and regain your composure as you slowly take both glasses from his thick ringed fingers. 

“Well thank you sir, love the shirt,” you gesture towards his chest with your now occupied hand.

The grin on his face and the way he toys with his tongue on his top lip while looking down at you has you wondering where on earth this absolute demon of a man came from and who he was.

He respectfully looks at your chest and then back to your eyes, “You too. Are you by chance here for the band tonight?”

Oh shit, that’s right! Robin was trying to set you up with this, what’d she call him a weird stoner nerd boy? Well sorry Robin, mystery man here may have beaten him to it, “Yeah I am actually. You?” 

The dark chuckle that escaped his lips had your stomach in knots as you already felt a rush of wetness leaking into your panties, “Yeah, I think you’ll like them. Their guitarist is really something.”

“I’ve heard,” you wanted to spend the rest of the night standing there talking to this man, “I uh- I should probably get back to my friends.” You hold up the drinks, “See you around?” You phrased it in a way that you hoped conveyed your obvious interest.

“See you around,” He leaned against the bar to order a drink of his own as you reluctantly slid your way through the many patrons back to Robin. 

“Sorry, they were pretty busy up there, here!” You hand her the drink and you take a big gulp of your own. You can’t help but find yourself looking around for the mystery man. You couldn’t find him, but that wasn’t a surprise. This place was the busiest you’ve ever seen it. Robin notices you looking distracted and rubs your arm.

“You good?”

“Yeah I was just looking for…someone,” you speak as you continue to look around.

She eyes you suspiciously, “Ok now I know you’re acting weird. I know every person you talk to and from what you’ve told me I can’t imagine any of your lame ass coworkers in a place like this. Who could you possibly be looking for?” 

“There was a cute guy over at the bar if you must know,” you took another sip of your drink.

“Yeah? And what did this cute guy look like?”

You tried to word your description in a way that didn’t make you sound like a total weirdo, lusting after a stranger’s voice and brown eyes, “He had long brown curly hair and a Metallica shirt on.” In one last attempt to spot him, you missed Steve laughing to himself and smacking the table top.

The lights dimmed and the growing crowd clapped. Robin got close to your ear and told you this was them! She made a point to remind you that you were supposed to be looking at the lead guitarist. You pouted, taking another sip of your drink, Oh well, maybe he left.  

“Evening all you beautiful people!” That voice came through your ears but louder this time. You looked up and your jaw dropped open as the man from the bar stood on stage. What a little shit? The guitarist is really something. You thought to yourself, mocking him. He held a red guitar hanging in front of him speaking into the mic, “We’re Corroded Coffin! We’d like to start with a special cover song, dedicated to a brand new listener.” He eyed you and smirked. He laughed to himself and did that fucking thing with his tongue again. The drummer behind him started a beat and your heart skipped one. This man’s fingers moved expertly up and down the neck of his guitar as he laughed with the crowd and his bandmates as they recited the opening spoken lines. Before this incredibly good looking front man started singing.

Oh yeah, teacher stop that screamin'

Teacher don't you see? don't wanna be no uptown fool

Maybe I should go to hell but I am doing well

Teacher needs to see me after school

You were so fucked. You watched with hungry eyes as this man openly taunted you from up there on the stage. Did he know you already? Did Robin tell him about you? What else did she tell him? He scarcely took his eyes off you the entire time, even when fucking Hot for Teacher ended and they started playing original work. He had you captivated and practically drooling on that high top table. You felt your face flush and you weren't even trying to hide the effect this stranger was having on you.  

Their set ended and he gave his closing words to the audience, “You’ve been great! Thank you as always Hawkins! We love you…Now if you’ll excuse me,” this man had the fucking audacity to wink at you, “Class dismissed.”

The crowd laughed and cheered for them. For the first time since they began playing you heard Robin’s voice, “So I believe you said he was cute?”

“Cute? He’s fucking gorgeous! Did you tell him I was a teacher? I think he was staring at me the whole time.” 

She shrugged her shoulders, “Guilty! And sweetie the whole damn bar knows he was staring at you.” 

The music playing over the bar speakers resumed. Conversations overlapped one another as you felt your heartbeat return to normal only to quickly spike again. Dustin waved, alerting your position to him as he and the rest of the band had emerged from backstage. He looked sweaty but somehow that made you more horny. You slammed the rest of your drink just in time for him to see you set the empty glass of ice down with a thud.

“So what’d you think of the guitarist?” he leaned on the table taking his beer to his mouth.

You were so thankful for the perfect amount of liquor running through you at that moment because it gave you just enough courage to flirt back, “He was pretty cocky but he looks like he’d show me a good time.” Steve snorted while the rest of the table couldn’t believe what they just heard and were kinda oblivious to the whole situation. He pushed the beer towards Dustin and patted him on the back.

“Well kid it’s been great catching up with you but you heard the lady,” he sauntered over to the other side of the group to meet you and offered you his hand. You looked at Robin and mouthed a big Thank you!  Taking his hand, the two of you pressed through the crowd and right out the door. Leaving all of your friends utterly speechless.

The quiet cool night air was a welcome relief from the atmosphere of the bar. Your pace slowed as the two of you meandered through the parking lot, “So teach, Harrington tells me that we might share a mutual interest and judging from your reaction to my performance, I’d take a shot in the dark and say he’s right.”

Curse your past drunken self. Secretly you had hoped that both of them would forget about your alcohol induced confessions but hey, if it leads to something good, maybe it was a blessing in disguise. You wanted to make sure you were both on the same page, “Mutual interests you say? Just what did Steve tell you?”

“He said that you might be interested in,” he clicked his tongue, “my dominant personality.” He definitely moved closer to you as he spoke, “And that my experience was just what you are looking for when it comes to matters of the bedroom.”

“Well considering I had you on edge just by calling you sir at the bar, I’d say so.”

“Oh you had me on edge did you? How’d you like my little surprise on stage?”

You blushed, “You definitely surprised me.”

“I thought Robin had ruined it when I saw your shirt.”

“No, I guess I’m just partial to hot guys named Eddie,” You leaned in closer to him. He smelled like sweat and tobacco. It was fucking with your brain. You’ve never wanted someone so badly. 

“You’re too kind sweetheart,” he winced as if he scolded himself in his head, “Sorry, before we go any further I think we should have a grown up conversation.” You smiled and nodded.

He led you to his van and opened the door for you, “Such a gentleman.”

“Only if you want me to be, fuck we need to get outta here before I break my own rules.”

The music blasting from his speakers as he started the engine helped distract both of you while he drove to his destination. You should have scolded yourself for being so reckless and getting in a rickety old 80s murder van with a complete stranger but it’s fine right? He’s Robin and Steve’s friend. You had no idea where he was taking you but eventually you pulled into a trailer park and stopped in front of what you could only assume to be his home.

He opened the front door for you as you walked up the steps, “Welcome to my castle. Can I get you anything to drink while we talk? No more alcohol, we need clear minds for this.”

“Ice water please.”

“Coming right up,” he cracks an ice tray and brings you your drink before sitting across from you, “So as I said, Stevie and I are pretty good friends and he mentioned that we share certain… preferences in the bedroom department. Could you tell me about that?”

You swallow your sip of water and blush, “Well as you already know obviously, I’m a teacher and being in charge all day kinda gets old after a while. I’m looking for someone to take away my control for a while.”

“You need someone to tell you what to do?” He leaned his elbows on his knees and stared at you from a chair across the room, the old carpeting creating an ocean of unspoken wanton desire between you.

You nod, “Yes, do you think you could handle me?”

He laughs, “First things first, we need to talk about safety and limits. Have you ever been with a dominant before? Or had this sort of relationship?”

“No,” you pout, “I’ve brought it up to previous partners and they’ve tried their best but it was never enough if that makes sense. They couldn’t give me the feeling I was looking for.”

“And what feeling is that exactly?” He wonders.

You tried to remember your research, “I want to be put into subspace. I’ve read about how good it feels to surrender completely and totally to the point your brain flips that switch and all you can think about is your dom and the pleasure they are giving you. Your whole purpose in life becomes pleasing them. I want all those little distractions or random thoughts that might pop into my head to disappear.”

“Wow you’ve done your homework teach,” he laughs at his own joke, “That was beautifully articulated. I can give you that if it’s what you want.” 

“Do you have any experience with this lifestyle?” You suspected that he did just based on his attention to details so far.

“I do,” you waited for him to elaborate but he only followed up that curt response with, “Don’t worry you’ll be safe with me if we decide to make this arrangement more permanent. Do you have any hard limits you’re already aware you don’t like? Or soft limits of things you might like but you aren’t sure about?”

“Well hard limits, no bodily fluids? Except the obvious ones,” he stops you right there.

“For this to work you need to be very specific, which ones do you consider obvious?”

You blush again, “Cum? Vaginal fluids?”

He smiles, “There you go, that’s better. How do you think you’d feel about spit? It makes for great added lube and really helps sell the degradation if that’s your thing or I could spit in that pretty mouth of yours?”

You immediately love that image he’s created and stretch your arms out like a cat along the tops of your thighs, “Yep, yes, yeah we can add spit too.”

He leans back in the chair and crosses one leg over the other and smirks, “Ok so we’ve covered fluids, any other hard limits?”

“No visible marks. I’m ok with non permanent marks that my clothing will hide but I still need to appear professional during the day,” you touch your chin and ponder other things you might not like, “No noncon play. Like even if I’m being a brat I still want to want it. No anal either.” He nodded, taking mental notes.

“Soft limits? Being ignored or left alone, I can only handle a short period of time if you decide to use the silent treatment. That’s all I can think of right now.”

He spoke so softly, “No worries, this is a process and if anything comes up in the moment we can talk about it and reevaluate. Now the fun part, what do you like? What really gets your motor running so to speak?”

Your legs squish together, thighs pressing tightly against one another, “I like being a brat, being degraded but also praised, impact play. I like the idea of public or semi public acts but I don’t know if I’d actually ever try them. More so just the fantasy of them,” you look at the rings on his hands, “choking, pet names, and feeling owned. I want my partner to be possessive. I’ve never done it before but I also like the concept of primal play.”

His eyes were wide listening to you, “You did so good sweetheart. One last thing, do you already have a safeword?”

“Marshmallow.”

He smiles and can’t hide his laughter, “That’s the cutest safeword I’ve ever heard. I love it! I’ll also use the traffic light to check in with you throughout a session, are you familiar with that?”

“Yes. What about you? Based on our conversation at the bar I’d guess you like titles...sir”

He smacks his knees, pushes himself up, and walks towards you, “You’d be correct sweetheart. Now, with all the formalities out of the way, time to face the consequences of that smart mouth of yours.”

“But sir you haven’t told me what gets your motor running yet. That’s not fair.”

“Listening to you spill your darkest desires so openly to a complete stranger is what gets me going. You’re going to be a fun new toy sweetheart, it's like you were made for me.” He continues stalking towards you as you sink into his couch. His hand reaches up and takes you by the throat. His strong grip massaging your neck. With his broad shoulders hovering over you, he takes up one foot onto the couch and presses it into the side of your leg while casually resting his other arm along his knee. Nonchalantly smiling down at you as if man handling your throat is the easiest thing in the world for him.

“Now as I was saying,” he added a little pressure pulling a sweet moan from your lips, “That’s quite a smart mouth you’ve got sweetheart.”

Your innocent voice is labored trying to speak around his grip, “But sir, you asked what I thought of the guitarist? I was only being truthful.”

“You knew exactly what you were doing, you almost made me break my own rules. I wanted to put you over my knee right there in that bar.”

You shrugged around his hand, “Sounds like you could learn some restraint, sir.”

“I’ll show you restraint smart ass,” he picked you up in an instant and threw you over his shoulder carrying you to his bed and tossing you on his mattress. 

You eyed the hand cuffs and chains hanging from his wall, “Intrigued pretty girl? Maybe next time, if you behave,” He pulled his bandana from his back pocket, “Hands over your head.”

You squished your hands behind your back hiding them from him, “You think I’ll listen just because you tossed me like a sack of potatoes? It’ll take more than being strong to impress me tough guy.”

He shrugged, “Have it your way then.” He grabbed your hips and flipped you on your stomach and grabbed your arms before they could escape, “I would have tied you up in a less uncomfortable position but now you get arms behind your back,” he leaned down over you and kissed your ear, “What’s your color sweetheart?”

“Green sir, thank you.”

He lightly kissed your neck more, “Such a good girl for me, let’s see if you can keep it up. I might just reward you,” He wrapped the black fabric around and in between your wrists. 

“I’m going to spank that beautiful ass of yours pretty girl,” he moved to the edge of the mattress, “Well? What are you waiting for? Get over here and put that ass in my lap.”

You wiggled like a snake right away from him, you didn’t make it far though. His hand grabbed your bound wrists and he pinned you beneath him, “You were doing so well sweetheart,” he swatted your ass, “Just earned yourself 5 more.”

He picked you up and brought you over his knee, your arms still behind your back. His hand rubbed your ass, “I think I’ll teach you a lesson by leaving your pants on, you don’t get my hand on your bare skin until you learn some manners.” He spanked you once, then twice. 

He continued and you yawned into his mattress, “I thought this was a punishment? Let me know when you start.”

“You wanna repeat that princess?” His voice was dangerously calm as his hand circled your ass like a shark.

“Did I stutter?”

He swiftly maneuvered your body into the position of his choosing. Bringing your head closer to his face and whispering in your ear, “You can fight all you want slut, I always win.” He undid the bandana around your wrists, “Strip for me. Leave your bra and panties.”

You rolled your eyes at him. His hand immediately returned to your throat but the gentle massaging was gone, he pressed just right into the sides of your neck restricting blood flow. Leaving your head feeling fuzzy and floaty. You whimpered and whined at the sensation.

“Now I’ve been more than understanding sweetheart. I was going to spank you and then fuck that wet ass pussy, praising you for being my good girl but now you get a punishment. Either you take your clothes off or I will and trust me you won’t like how I do it.”

His hand on your neck relaxed and took some of the brat with it. You looked up at him through a few stray pieces of hair, “Yes sir.” You took off your pants and shirt like he ordered revealing more ink covering your skin as well as a matching set of lacy bra and panties. Once you finished, you put your hands behind your back, waiting patiently for him to replace the restraints.

“Look at you, you’re like a dream that keeps getting better and better,” with a kiss he hummed into your mouth at your more docile demeanor, “There’s my good girl. I knew she was in there somewhere. Do you want your wrists bound in front of you or behind you for your punishment?”

“In front sir,” you held your hands out for him and he replaced the bandana around your skin.

He took off his jacket and unzipped his jeans, pulling them to the floor revealing a thick bulge in his boxer briefs. He left you standing there as he sat back against the headboard of the bed, he held up a finger and curled it beckoning you to join him, “You’re going to ride my thigh until that pretty pussy can’t take anymore and you're begging for release. Only then will I even consider fucking you.”

His tone was intoxicating. You felt your desire to put up a fight disappear as you kneeled up onto the bed and over his thigh. Keeping your hands out in front of you and lowering yourself down, he smirked, “That’s better. Now, rock those hips back and forth as you grind on my thigh.”

As soon as you start to move your concealed wetness leaks out, soaking right through the fabric of your cotton panties and onto Eddie’s bare thigh, “Fuck you are soaked. You’ve barely moved and I can already feel you dripping onto my leg. Is that all it took, sweetheart? All you needed was for someone to remind you that at the end of the day you’re just a cock hungry slut. Answer me.”

“Yes!” your fingers grabbed into the shirt he was still wearing. Your eyes couldn’t decide if they wanted to be open or closed as you looked down at him with a smile, “Fuck! Yes Eddie, I’m just a cock hungry slut.”

“I know baby,” his hand reached over and squeezed your thigh drawing a long whine out, “I need to teach you some manners though. That wasn’t very nice what you said.”

Your mindless humping of his leg continued. The feel of his skin beneath you and the sound of his voice tethering you to reality, “I’m sorry sir! I didn’t mean it, your spanks felt really good. Please fuck me Eddie!”

He let out a pleased hum, “Atta girl. Just a little more and then maybe I’ll give you what you want. What’s your color sweet thing?”

You felt the muscles in your legs getting sore, “Y-yellow sir, legs getting tired.”

He slowly sat up and massaged them with his hands, “You’re doing such a great job for me. Ask me one more time and then I’ll fuck you.”

“Please fuck me Eddie! I feel so empty, I need your cock inside me.”

“I’ll take good care of you don’t you worry, lay back on the pillow for me.”

Relief washes over you as you stop moving and fall into the bed on your back. Your eyes close as you listen to the sounds of him adjusting position and ripping a condom wrapper open. 

“Ahh!” A sudden cry fills the room as he rips your panties from your body.

“Open your legs for me,” his ringed fingers squeezed your thigh.

With the brattiness gone and desire to please him in its place you looked up at him as you spread your legs open. He had been exuding dominance all night, from the moment you unknowingly met him at the bar. But it hit a peak in this moment. His frame towering over you as he rubs his cock through the fabric, teasing you just a bit more before he finally takes pity on you and pulls it from its confines. Your audible gasp fuels his fire.

“You ready for me sweetheart?”

“Yes sir please! Please fuck my pussy,” Your bound hands clawed at you wet sex, spreading it apart to expose every inch to his hungry eyes.

He lined up the tip and pressed just a bit into the wet heat, “Like this pretty girl? Is this what you need?”

“More! God please Eddie, give me all of your cock!”

“Oh you mean like this?” With that he thrusted in all the way, drinking up all the screams and moans you set forth into the air, “I know you’re not that far gone yet that you can’t respond. Come on now, answer me.”

“Y-yes sir, that’s it! Thank you, thank you for your cock. You feel so good!”

“You feel good too, so fucking wet for me. I bet you were starting to get wet the moment I handed you your drinks,” even as he kept fucking you, maintaining a merciless rhythm, he kept taunting you with his words, “I could tell just from the look in your eyes that you’d be my pretty cock drunk slut. Tell me that’s what you are, let me hear you say it.”

Responding to him was getting harder, “I’m your cock drunk slut sir!”

“You’re almost there, I can see it. Soon you won’t be able to even speak because all that will come out of that smart mouth is little whimpers,” he leaned in closer, “And I love it.”

A wave of arousal washed over you as you came with his words, “F-fuck Eddie I’m coming.”

“Come you messy thing, come all over my cock.”

You heard yourself make noises you’d never heard before. His thrusts faltered for a moment and you could feel him getting closer. As much as you wanted to help him along by begging more every time you opened your mouth you cried out with a moan. You looked up into those soft brown eyes and smiled before throwing your head back and pulling your arms up over your head. 

“Shit I’m gonna come, keep making those noises for me sweetheart. That’s it! Fuck!”

His groans as he pressed deeper inside you sent a second orgasm spiraling through you. Every nerve in your body slouched as he pulled out. You were only vaguely aware of his hands uniting your binds and lifting you up against the pillows.

“I’m going to go grab you some more water, do you need anything else?” you shook your head. “I’ll be right back,” you nodded lightly and closed your eyes, not wanting the warm feeling in your stomach to disappear, “Here sit up and drink. How did that feel?”

You listened without hesitation, finishing the water and looking over at him where he sat next to you, “That was incredible Eddie. Thank you.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, did you get that feeling you were looking for?”

You leaned into his shoulder and cuddled up to him, “I think so, at least for a moment or two.” As your head started to clear you fumbled to add, “Is this ok, the cuddling I mean.”

“More than you know.” He wrapped an arm around you, “So now that you’ve been with a dom, is there anything you’d want to change? Did I do anything that you didn’t like? Please be honest with me because I felt like I got a little carried away there for a second.”

[a-bit-overgrown]

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE VULTURES WANT FROM ME

Hi okay, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way. I moved from Iowa to Washington about a year ago, and for almost a full year leading up to my move, I saw Turkey vultures. Everywhere.

Not to the normal amount you would expect from a rural town, like, we’re talking every time I left the house I would see vultures at a VERY close proximity. It started when I was roadkill hunting and decided to take some feathers off a dead one. Next day, I head to the abandoned church for vibes sake, and there are. Thirty vultures. In the gnarled dead tree. Just staring at me. (Photo attached, albeit blurry, you should still be able to see their outlines).

Two days later, and a vulture lands across the street from my house, and just starts,,, walking down the sidewalk. My mom witnessed it, all my neighbors were outside like “what the fuck is going on??” And RIGHTFULLY SO, there is a fucking TURKEY VULTURE taking a LEISURELY STROLL DOWN THE SIDEWALK.

Things continued like this for **MONTHS**. I almost hit one with my car, I was taking a walk and there were three just sitting there, they’d fly over me while I was at work, and one time one just hopped alongside my car while I drove slow on a gravel road. Even my shared TERRARIA world with my friend had TROVES of vultures swarming the desert. This isn’t,,, how vultures are supposed to work.

So I left Iowa late May, and I kid you not, from the time we loaded the last box in the uhaul and set out for the coast, I did not see a single vulture (not even in Terraria, 70 hours on one world and I probably had Two killed). When we got to Washington June first, no vultures (and yes, they’re native here, it isn’t just a habitat distribution discrepancy). It wasn’t until my birthday in October when I flew back to Iowa to visit friends & family that I WAS SUDDENLY SEEING VULTURES AGAIN. They followed the car, they hovered over my grandparents’ house, they’d started flocking me again.

Three days later, I’m back in Washington, and no more vultures. I wouldn’t have even known they existed here if I don’t have this Thing with checking habitat distribution for Every. Fucking. Species.

Anyways, I post this because I’ve started noticing them here in Washington. The first one I saw was last week, I was coming home from work and it eerily glided (as vultures do, for those of you who don’t know, you can discern them in flight because they glide instead of flapping their wings) directly over my house.

The next one came a few days later, as I was on my way to go camping in Astoria, and the next one on my way back. They’ve started appearing again, following me from a distance. I would chalk this all down to coincidence, which I do believe in, but at some point when something’s In Your Fucking Face for long enough you have to start adding things up and realize “maybe there’s something bigger going on here”.

Are the Death Birds trying to tell me something? Do they want their feathers back??? Do they want to pick the meat clean off my ribcage as I decompose on the side of the road???????? (okay, probably not that last one).

That’s where I’m at with this for now. Will update with Vulture News, especially when I go to Iowa in a week. They’re pretty funky little animals, like, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy them Very Much. It’s just been weird to have them enjoy *me* equally as much, if not more.

If this stumbles across your blog, feel free to follow for more vulture updates - because I will be making them when they arise.

[blue-labcoat]

Honey

summary: spencer and fem!reader have to drive out to a case instead of taking the jet. reader decides it's a perfect time to tell him how she feels about him. based off the song honey by coastal club

genre: fluffy fluff! 2.6k

warnings: nothing!

you can find my masterlist here!

a/n: I'm not in love with this (also the ending is shit), but I needed something to get me out of my writing slump, so here you go!

It had been four weeks since my surgery, and my doctor had finally given me the all-clear to go back to work, on two conditions: I was not supposed to be active in the field, and I was not allowed to travel on the jet. It was only for two weeks, but I refused to not go with the team on cases just because I couldn't fly.

"Please, Hotch? I'm a doctor too, you know. I swear I'll be fine, it's not even a long flight!"

"First of all, you're not a medical doctor, y/l/n. Second of all, absolutely not," Hotch replied sternly. "You need to follow the instructions that your doctor gave you. You can stay here with Garcia, and join us on the case virtually."

"What if I drove? The case is only in Boston, that's less than an eight-hour drive."

Hotch sighed. "If you can find someone to go with you, fine. But you still can't be in the field, understood?"

I nodded, scanning the bullpen to see who I could ask to drive with me. My eyes landed on Spencer, who was skimming through the case file that we had just been given.

I had only been at the BAU for a year or so, but they had quickly welcomed me into their small family. Even though I was only 8 months younger than Spencer, I was the new baby of the BAU. At first, I had thought that he didn't like me. To be fair, he had been there much longer than I had. I became defensive, and we spent a few months trying to outdo one another. However, after one of our little spats got in the way of us doing our jobs, we learned to get along.

Once we started hanging out, we quickly became close friends. I had two PhDs to his three, mine in psychology and anthropology. Just like Spencer, I had graduated when I was quite young, and tore through university. To be completely honest, I had developed feelings for him, but I didn't think I would ever act on them.

However. I wouldn't mind spending a little extra time with him, making him a perfect candidate to be my road trip buddy.

"Spencerrr," I called in a singsong-y voice as I approached his desk. He looked up at me, narrowing his eyes.

"What do you want?" He asked playfully.

I smiled hopefully at him. "So. My doctor and Hotch have both forbidden me from air travel, but I still want to go with you guys on the case, so Hotch said if I could find someone to go with me, I could drive to Boston instead of staying here with Garcia. It's not that I don't want to stay here with Penelope; she's very fun, but I'm dying to get back out on cases. And so, I am pretty please asking you in a very nice way if you'll drive with me to Boston?"

"Sure," he replied, turning back to the case file.

"Wait, really?" I didn't think he would agree so easily. I thought, at the very least, that I'd have to bribe him with something.

"Yeah, sounds fun. When do you want to leave?"

I blinked. "Um, ASAP I guess. Get a head start on the jet."

"Okay." He looked back up at me. "Just let me grab my go-bag, and I'll meet you downstairs."

I'll pick you up from your caffeine drought I got a feeling that you're coming around

"Did you want to stop for a coffee?" I asked once we were on the road.

"Yes please," Spencer answered. "I'll even pay, on the condition that you turn off this music."

I rolled my eyes and hit his shoulder playfully. "I like Haydn just as much as the next guy, but let's be honest here. Symphony #45 isn't exactly the best driving music," I teased. "And so, if I must, I will pay for coffee if it means I can keep listening to the Rolling Stones. I have a feeling you'll come around anyways, Dr Reid. This is basically the definition of classic rock."

"Don't get your hopes up," he countered. "You should consider yourself lucky if I'm still able to tolerate your music after the next eight hours."

I started laughing at the words you spoke I kind of like you and your stupid jokes

About an hour and a half into the drive, I was already bored.

"Whatcha reading, Spence?" I didn't want to be annoying - I knew he was trying to read, but I was honestly so bored.

"I'm rereading War and Peace, but this time in the original Russian," he replied nonchalantly. Anyone else might have thought that he was bragging, but I knew he didn't mean it like that. One of the things I liked best about Spencer was that even though he knew he was smart, he never saw a reason to stop trying to learn new things.

"Interesting," I nodded. "How would you feel about a conversation with me instead of reading about Bezukhov?"

"Alright," Spencer replied, closing the book and setting it on the dash. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know. I'm just bored. Tell me something about stuff that other people aren't interested in hearing about."

He thought for a moment, and then began to talk animatedly about something called deep reinforcement learning.

"I've been reading research papers about it lately. Despite my aversion to technology, I find it interesting how AIs are being developed. Basically, deep reinforcement learning is a branch of machine learning in which the process of learning is gamified by rewarding the 'agent' when he makes 'good moves', or correct predictions, to be more precise."

I glanced over at one point during his spiel. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he was waving his hands around. He was more talking to himself than to me, but it was adorable.

When he was finished, he asked me something about his little lecture, but I just chuckled.

"I'm going to be completely honest with you, Reid. I understood about 15% of that. Any chance you have a dumb joke that I might understand?"

"I actually have several," he said.

"Hit me."

"There are 10 kinds of people in this world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't." He let out a boyish giggle, and looked over at me to make sure that I had understood the joke.

"Ha," I let out a dry chuckle. "Very funny."

"Okay, okay, here's another one: A photon checks into a hotel and is asked if he needs any help with his luggage. 'No,' he replies. 'I'm travelling light'".

I groaned. "Spence, that's terrible. I'm pretty sure my eight-year-old niece told me that one a few weeks ago."

"Well, I tried my best," he defended. "What else do you want to talk about?"

"I dunno. Teach me more stuff. Something I have a shot at understanding this time, maybe?"

"Okay, just let me think for a minute."

I've learned to love you, honey And you've got a way with me

It was hour four. We'd stopped at a gas station for a bathroom break and, of course, snacks.

"Why do you insist on buying a whole bunch of iced teas?" Spencer had asked me. "You're just going to have to go pee again in half an hour."

"Iced tea brings me joy, Spencer," I had told him. "Just leave me be."

Now that we were back on the road, it was silent again. Spencer had taken over driving, against my will.

"I'm glad we're friends now," said Spencer, all the sudden.

I looked over at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I just mean that I was kind of rude to you when you first joined the team. To be fair, you were not a ray of sunshine either, but I guess I'm just saying that I'm glad we were able to get over that rift. Because I really like being your friend, and spending time with you."

I smiled over at him. "I like being your friend too, Spence. And thanks again for driving up with me so that I could come on the case."

"No problem. Like I said, I like spending time with you."

I blushed and looked back out the window. I had a sudden urge to tell him how I felt - that I liked being friends, but I wanted more. I shook the thought out of my head almost immediately after, reminding myself that he was my coworker, so even if he did feel the same, it probably wouldn't be a good idea anyways.

I got a fever that I cannot shake The thought of you and the interstate

We only had about two hours left until Boston. The drive had gone by shockingly fast, and I had to admit that I was a little sad it was going to be over soon. I didn't particularly like being in a car for nearly eight hours, but there was something about spending the time with Spencer that just made it that much more enjoyable.

"We should probably start talking about the case," I told Spencer, flipping through the case file. He was driving, but he had already read it and I knew he wouldn't have any trouble recalling anything. "Just so that we have something to offer when we get to the precinct."

"Well, while you were napping earlier, I started to think about a geographical profile. If you get out the map in the file, and there's a red marker in my bag - no, the front pocket - I can tell you what to draw."

I nodded, rooting through his bag. I felt the marker, and grasped it to pull it out. When I brought it out of the pocket, though, a small square tumbled out and onto the floor. I picked it up, smirking.

"What's this, Dr Reid?" I asked, holding up the condom for him to see. "You tend to get a lot of action on cases? I mean, I know I haven't known you that long, but you don't really seem the type," I teased. It really wasn't any of my business, but teasing him about it distracted me from being disappointed about the fact that he might actually carry a condom around for a reason.

"No!" Spencer exclaimed, blushing. "I- no. I don't, Morgan - he gave it to me as a joke, you see, when we went to LA last week, because a few years ago - it doesn't matter. I don't, um, get a lot of action, as you put it. None at all, really. So..." he trailed off.

"I'm just teasing, Spence," I reassured him. I felt kind of bad. "Better safe than sorry, right?" I cringed at myself. What was I even saying? An awkward silence hung over the car for a moment, before I spoke again, deciding to just try and move past it.

"Anyways, the geoprofile - what were you going to tell me to do?

Spencer, presumably glad for the change in topic, began to reel off several possibilities, instructing me where to draw on the map.

When we were finished, I took my phone out and snapped a photo of the map. "I'm going to send this to Hotch. I know we're not far away, but maybe it will be useful to them."

"Good idea," agreed Spencer. "Tell him what I said about a potential fourth location, too."

I nodded, typing into my phone, when I felt the car start to slow down.

"Why are you slowing down?" I asked, looking over at Spencer. Other cars were speeding by us, honking.

"I'm not! Something's wrong with the car, I don't - I can't do anything. I'm just going to pull over," he responded, knuckles turning white around the steering wheel.

He pulled onto the shoulder of the road, coming to a stop. We both got out of the car right away, and went around to the front to open the hood.

I stepped back, waiting for Spencer to diagnose the car, but he stepped back too, looking at me expectantly.

"Well?" I asked. "What's wrong with it?"

"How would I know?" He replied, throwing his hands up.

"Aren't you supposed to be some kind of genius? Don't you know how a car works?"

"I do know how a car works!" Spencer blustered. "At least, theoretically. I'm not a mechanic!"

"Well, neither am I! What are we going to do? We're at least an hour away still."

"Well, we should probably call Hotch first and tell him we're going to be late. Maybe he can send someone out to pick us up?" Spencer suggested.

I nodded, pulling out my phone to call Hotch.

You're wide-eyed and alive So full of life, I'm mesmerized by your love

After getting off the phone with Hotch, Spencer and I sat down in the ditch. We were both tired of being in the car.

"You know," began Spencer, pulling at the grass on either side of him. "When you started at the BAU, it wasn't that I didn't like you. I was a little bit intimidated by you, to be honest."

"Really?" I asked, squinting at him in the sun. "Why?"

He looked down at his lap, blushing. "Well, you're smart, for one. Enough to call my bluff on things, which no one really ever does, even if they should. Plus, people like you. I mean, some people like me, but I tend to come off very awkwardly, socially, so lots of people think I'm weird. You - you're smart, but you're also really good with people. And to top that off, you're a very, um, attractive individual." He mumbled the last part, somehow turning even redder.

Spencer thought I was attractive? Maybe now was as good a time as any to tell him how I felt. We would be here for at least another hour, would it really do any harm? Either he feels the same way, and it's great, or he doesn't and we just sit here awkwardly and then get over it.

"Spencer, I..." I took a deep breath. "You're attractive too, you know. I mean, I find you attractive. I'm attracted to you." I was quickly losing my train of thought. My mouth was dry and my heart felt like it was beating in my throat. I just had to spit it out.

"I really like you, Spencer. As more than a friend." I looked away as I said it, not wanting to see his reaction. Just in case.

"Y/n?" He said my name softly, placing a hand under my chin and turning my head gently so I was looking at him. His eyes were so pretty in the sunlight - the way the light caught them, they were a deep honey colour. I had always liked his eyes. They were always full of curiosity and inquisitiveness, but above all else, they were kind.

"I really like you, too, y/n," he finally said, smiling. "Do you really think I would have made the decision to drive for eight hours if I didn't? I hate driving. But, I like you more than I hate driving, and-"

I cut his rambling off, leaning forward to close the space between us and pressing my lips against his. Just before I was about to pull away, Spencer began to move his lips against mine, deepening the kiss. My hand snaked up to the nape of his neck, grasping a few of the small curls there.

After a moment, we finally pulled away.

Let's fall in love and never give it up

"Do you think I could maybe take you on a date when we get back?" Spencer asked.

"Of course, silly boy," I replied, caressing his cheek. "I'd love nothing more."

[butwhyduh]

A Date to Remember

Damian Wayne x Superman’s daughter reader

Damian is 20, reader 19, Jon is her little brother at 18 and Kon acts like an older brother to her.

Warning: angsty and kidnapping

You’d always told Damian that the sunset on the Kent farm was the best in the world. Damian smiled a little as he drove down the long road to Smallville. Damian had thought about classic dinner date in one of Metropolis’ fanciest restaurants but you insisted on meeting him in a barn.

He felt underdressed. Blue jeans and a flannel shirt. Why did he let Jon help him get dressed? He felt ridiculous but at least he wore sensible shoes. But deep down Damian knew you world like it. And he was certainly willing to feel a little foolish for you.

Clark was off world and Lois was on a mission. Jon had his own date in the city so it was the both of you alone tonight. How long had it been since the two of you were alone without someone around? Between his half a dozen brothers and your family with literal super hearing... yeah it’s been tough. So being 50 miles from everyone was kind of a dream.

Damian pulled in the driveway with some flowers and walked up to the house. He knocked on the door only for it to swing open. Damian noticed the splintered door frame and his heart sped up. He called your name. Act like the rich billionaire son while working like Robin, even though he wasn’t quite sure he still wanted the name.

He scanned every surface and he noticed a small scratch near the back door after looking through every room. Most people wouldn’t even notice it. You weren’t there. He looked closely and saw drag marks in the gravel path to the barn. His heart was thundering at this point. You weren’t in the barn either.

You were half Kryptonian but the genetic inheritance was complicated. Jon had won the lottery with having most of his father’s powers and not being as sensitive to Kryptonite. You had lost it. Hypersensitive to Kryptonite and only some speed and increased hearing and strength. Barely about the average human. You weren’t a fighter.

Damian pulled out his phone to call Jon.

“Bit busy here, Damian,” Jon said, sounding far from amused. Damian could hear kissing noises in the background and frowned. He didn’t want to hear that.

“Your sister is missing,” he said and he heard a lot of movement on the phone.

“What??”

“The door jam was kicked in and there are scrap marks of her being dragged away. I think she’s been kidnapped,” Damian said. His voice felt tight. He, son of Batman, let his girlfriend get kidnapped. “Whoever it was clearly waited until she had no other Kryptonians around to grab her. It wasn’t a coincidence that she was taken tonight. Can you get out here? I’m calling father to try and trace her. Her phone is missing too.”

“I’m leaving in 5. Damian, if Luther has her, she can’t handle Krytonite,” Jon said, worry bleeding into his voice. “It’s like it poisons her.”

“I know. But we don’t know who has her. Let’s hope they don’t know she’s part Krytonian,” Damian said, already mentally moving on to his next step. Contact Bruce. Get the bat computer to trace her. Look for more evidence. Don’t freak out completely that she might be poisoned by Kyrotonite.

“Okay. I’m about to fly. I’ll see you soon,” Jon said before hanging up.

——————————

You woke up with a cough. You head throbbed and your stomach rolled as you laid in a bed? Maybe a couch? It was a horrible feeling but you knew exactly what it was: Kryptonite. You couldn’t forget what how that stuff made you feel. You tried to look around to see it but the room was completely dark. Night vision would be nice but you got human eyes. Your slightly enhanced hearing heard nothing but the wind outside. Okay, you were ground level or higher.

You tried to twist in the cuffs that bound your hands only to cry out. There was the Kryptonite. It was on the outside of the cuffs and you almost threw up at it touched your skin. You were cuffed with Kryptonite to a hospital bed, you figured. What other bed had areas perfect for cuffs? Your legs were equally restrained and you felt so exposed in the dark room.

Your dad was off world. He wouldn’t hear you if you called for him. But Jon might. But if you yelled, someone might come in and who knows what they would do. You’d wait a little bit longer. You wanted to fall asleep. The Kryptonite made you feel so dull. Like the first time you were exposed to it.

You were all of 4 years old. Your dad had brought you with him to the Justice League meeting. Relatively safe and Batman promised Robin would watch you. Dick was so excited to be a babysitter. You had hugged him tight enough to hurt before running to the climbing wall.

“Hey!” Called the 16 year old. “I brought games instead!”

You warily walked back over to him and card games and board games fell out of a duffle bag as he opened it. Half the stuff you were far too young for. You bent down as he scooped up his gameboy. You pulled out some games and open a side pocket to grab a small metal box. Dick sat down his gameboy carefully before turning back to you.

“Don’t open th-“ he started before you pulled open the box to show a bright green stone. Followed by you throwing up all over his bag of games. You dropped the box and sat on the floor. Dick quickly closed the box with the piece of Kryptonite and put it in his pocket. He had boroughed one of Bruce’s bags that apparently wasn’t fully unpacked.

“Dad, I don’t feel good,” you said as Clark ran over. Dick looked at you so guiltily.

“I didn’t know,” he swore. “I’m so sorry.” Bruce stood by quietly.

“We need to talk later,” Clark had told Bruce and yeah, they were mad at each other for a while.

——————————————

Jon arrived shortly in a dress shirt and slacks and he looked at Damian just as weird as Damian looked at him. They had basically switched clothing.

“Not to judge but that’s date clothing? You told me to not wear flannel,” Jon said accusingly.

“That’s because your sister wanted me to wear this,” Damian said back. “Let’s focus on finding her. Father’s calling me now. We’ll change in a minute.”

“Hello, you’re on speaker phone,” Damian said.

“Her tracker is showing a warehouse owned by Luthor Corp in downtown Metropolis,” Bruce said. “Do you need help? I can see if Dick is nearby.”

“No thanks. Jon will help me. Thank you, father,” Damian said before hanging up.

“Luthor. I knew it,” Jon said with a frown. “Wait, you put a tracker on my sister? Does she know?”

“Now is not the time. Let’s get to Metropolis,” Damian said, changing the subject while both got dressed. Jon nodded and offered his arms. “I’m not being carried like that. I’ll hold on your back,” Damian said. Jon rolled his eyes and nodded again.

As they flew over corn fields and pastures, Jon began to question Damian. “So when did you put this tracker in? Does she even know? Where is it? Do I want to even know?”

“It’s sub-dermal in her forearm and I haven’t told her yet. And it’s irrelevant right now as it might save her life,” Damian said and Jon looked disgusted. “We need to focus on saving her and then you can be her angry brother.”

“Wow...”

————————————

You moved and the cuffs burned your skin. You gasped and screamed “Jon! Kon!” You called out to them hoping one of them would hear you.

“Dad!” you cried frantic. There was no way he would hear you. “Damian! Jonathan! Conner!”

You panted and your head pounded. You were so tired. You’d lose consciousness if no one saved you. Then who knows what they would do to you.

“Superman!” You screamed desperately before finally passing out.

——————————

“Did you hear that?” Jon said as they flew towards the Metropolis skyline.

“No all I hear is wind. What did you hear?” Damian said.

“Y/n. She’s calling for us,” Jon said speeding up.

“Is she okay?” Fear bled into Damian’s voice.

“I can’t tell. I’m trying to hurry,” Jon said flying quickly towards the industrial area of the city. He landed on the roof of a warehouse. Jon’s eyes glowed as he looked through the building.

“7 men. 4 posted outside the door to the room that’s she’s being held on the 2nd floor. Her heart rate is steady and she isn’t screaming any more. Almost sounds asleep,” Jon said after his analysis.

“Probably tranquilizer. Father’s data said this building is used for research purposes. Does that fit?” Damian asked.

“Uh more like research subject holding. Maybe a small lab on the first floor but other than cameras everywhere, there isn’t much science stuff that I can scan. But also the basement is sealed off,” Jon said.

“How?”

“Lead bound. You can check it out while I rescue her. 4 guys is nothing,” Jon said making a fist.

“Hold on. Luthor would probably have her surrounded by Kryptonite. Just in case one of you look for her. And that’s the last thing we need,” Damian said. “I’ll rescue her and you look for the basement. Knowing Luthor, it’s probably an entire facility of experiments below. He just hadn’t gotten her room ready yet.”

Jon looked frustrated. “Fine. You rescue her but be careful. She is the weakest of us. She’s not invulnerable to bullets or anything.”

“Most of the people I rescue aren’t either,” Damian reminded him. “And I’m certainly not taking a chance with my beloved.”

Jon looked over to respond but Damian was already gone. Just like the rest of the bats: silent goodbyes. Jon quietly moved down to the first floor. He was working but at the same time, his ear was trained on his sister’s heartbeat. Jon might be the younger sibling but she didn’t have powers and he felt so protective.

—————————————

Damian rolled his eyes at the 5 ways he could see that the security sucks in the 3 minutes he hung out the window before climbing in. Large rafters and guards who didn’t bother to look up. Not to mention the fact that they let there be a solid wall between the set of guards which meant that Damian was easily able to jump down to knock them out in pairs without the other set knowing. If the security was any worse they would leave the door unlocked.

The door wasn’t unlocked but it was a deadbolt that Damian easily disabled. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say it was on purpose. He gulped before opening the door. What if you were really hurt? Or dead? Ignore and get in there.

Damian opened the door and he felt white hot rage. You were tied to a bed and were unconscious. You were in a nice dressy shirt and sweatpants. They’d clearly taken you while you were getting dressed. Damian wanted to kill them. He had to take a breath to help you. Jon was taking them out and Damian was on rescue. He had to stay level headed.

Even the cuffs on your wrists were inadequate. If they had attempted to restrain Damian, he would have gotten out in 3 minutes. When he was 6 years old. The Kryptonite had left nasty red burns on your skin and he clenched his jaw at the sight. Jon better be punching extra hard.

Damian picked you up bridal style and you groaned a little before turning your head against his chest. The farther he got you from that fucking Kryotonite the better you were. He took you to the roof and you started waking up.

“Damian,” you said softly and a little confused.

“Hey you’re awake. How are you feeling?” He asked looking all over your face for injury.

“Kryptonite. I hate that stuff,” you said. Damian grabbed your hand and you hissed. He looked to see bright red knuckles. You’d clearly fought at some point. He certainly knew the signs of punching someone.

“You fought back?”

“Yeah and hitting someone in a helmet and body armor sucks. I got just a few in before they pulled out the damn rock. I throw up every damn time,” you said shaking your head.

Before Damian could comment on how brave and stupid it was to punch body armor, there was a huge crash down on the first floor as someone flew in the building through the window. You grabbed him tightly.

“What the hell is that?”

“Kon. Conner’s here. I’m up here,” you yelled.

Conner flew up to the roof. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

“Kidnapped. Damian and Jon saved me. He’s still down there actually. Can you check on him?” You said. Damian suddenly stood up.

“What if you were a distraction and the real problem is downstairs?” Damian suddenly said with clarity. The Kryptonite alone was enough to hold you down. The half ass security was to hold their attention when they rescued you. Jon was already flying back down before Damian could say more. Damian weighed his options: leave you alone, bring you with him, or stay out of it and while the last sounded nice, he’d have to go in case of more Kryptonite.

Before Damian could decide, Kon was back on the roof. “You’ve got to come see this.”

Downstairs was a lead lined basement. That alone had you nervous. Jon stood by the door. Little spattering of blood could be seen on his hands. He had a hard look.

“Warning: this is going to be messed up,” he said and you were even more worried. You walked in to see cages. Kids. Unconscious adults lay around in the hallway. “They were experimenting on them.”

You felt nauseous.

“My father is on the way. This is much bigger than I thought,” Damian said messing with his comms. His free hand was on your shoulder protectively.

There were 8 kids in cages. Bruce was running tests on their blood and investigating the area as you helped to get them out of the cages. What a terrible Valentine’s Day.

“Beloved, let’s get you home. We can stay at the farm tonight. You need sleep,” Damian said worried. You looked at him distracted.

“They’re just kids.”

“Come on. Let’s go. Kon is going to stay there too. Just for the night,” Damian said helping you up. Kon flew you both back to the farm.

“I’m going back to help. You okay, kid,” Kon asked as Damian inspected the house.

“I’ll be alright. Just help those kids,” you said.

“Yeah, of course,” he said ruffling your head. You rolled your eyes. “But seriously, the way you screamed I thought you were being murdered.”

You stiffened. “I’m fine. Thanks.”

Kon knew when to quit. Something he had learned from Tim. He gave you a big hug and flew off towards Metropolis.

“Hey. I made your bed so you can sleep,” Damian said quietly. “And a change of clothes.”

You nodded and went upstairs. Damian helped pull off your shirt and put on a sweater. He looked at the marks around your wrist and red knuckles but didn’t note any more bruises or cuts. You pulled on sweatpants and climbed in small twin bed that Lois kept for guests. The pink and yellow flowery quilt felt warm and comforting on your skin. Damian lay beside you after changing and looked at you seriously.

“What is it,” you asked.

“I was so scared tonight. I have been doing this for years and I’ve never been so worried,” he said softly and you looked down and flushed. If you weren’t so freaking sensitive to Kryptonite this wouldn’t have happened. Damian gently lifted your chin and you looked at him.

“I was scared to lose you,” he said running his thumb across your cheek. “I’m going to drive you absolutely mad because I don’t want to take my eyes off of you.”

“Yeah?” You said with a little smile.

“Uh hm. But first sleep,” he said and your body certainly agreed. You curled into him and rest your head on his chest. His arms held you tightly before rubbing your back. You fell asleep to Damian staring at you. He stared at you all night, not even sleeping when Kon came in a few hours later.

———————————

“I have to know what all that was, Bruce,” you said at the Batcave the next day. “I was in there.”

He looked at you for a minute. “They were experimenting with meta DNA. All of those kids have gifts and they wanted to take you too. There were even plans to inject those kids with your blood to see if it would affect them.”

You shivered a little at the thought. Lex Luthor and his obsession with Kryptonian DNA.

“All the records were burned. Most of the warehouse too. Your brothers were.... thorough. And Clark will be home in a few days,” Bruce added.

“Really?”

“Yes. And he’s furious at Luthor. Probably will call soon. He wanted to let you sleep earlier. We’re just running programs here. Why don’t you and Damian go upstairs,” he suggested.

“Bruce Wayne,” came a stern voice behind you. You turned to see your mother, Lois Lane, looking like she was going to beat up Batman. “You put a tracker in my daughter without her permission?”

“You what?” You said.

“Actually that was Damian. Though I want to point out that it helped save her life,” Bruce added. Lois slapped him soundly across the cheek. Bruce just blinked and rubbed his cheek.

“Damian, you put a tracker in me?” You asked shocked. You’d assumed Jon had heard you or Damian’s detective work brought them to the warehouse. Not an invasive tracker in your body. “What the hell?”

“Well I can explain..”

[missymurphy1985]

The Extra (part 9)

Warning - illness, mentions of death

Authors Note - I have personal experience of this horrific disease - I hope I don't upset anyone with it, but it's a topic very close to my heart.

Taglist @queenshelby @margoo0 @being-worthy @peakyscillian @peakyciills @janelongxox @elenavampire21 @ysmmsy @cloudofdisney @lauren-raines-x @namelesslosers @misscarolineshelby @screemqueen @cilleveryone @peaky-cillian @misselsbells06 @datewithgianni @heidimoreton

A month had passed since you'd deleted his number and blocked him. You were staring at the letter in your hand, shaking. You knew this day was coming, but you'd pushed it so far down that you had only truly thought about it when Cillian had told you he loved you.

You'd told Liane the truth. Why you couldn't commit to him, even though you desperately wanted to. Truth be told you'd fallen for him just as hard - and that's exactly why you'd pushed him away. It was bad enough you had to live with this, you couldn't force someone else to. She'd encouraged you to get tested - and you knew she was right. It was time you took your life in your hands once and for all. You'd spent too many years since your mother's and sister's untimely deaths burying it.

Picking up the phone, you dialled the number, heart pounding. The receptionist answered.

"Morning. My name is y/n y/l/n. I had some tests. I've had a letter to say the results are in?"

"Can I ask what the test was for?" The receptionist asked.

"My GP referred me. It's for the breast cancer gene. I'd like to know if I carry it."

"Let me check our records Miss Y/L/N. Yes, I have your results here. Would you be available to come in this afternoon? We've had a cancellation?"

"Can you not tell me over the phone?"

"I'm not allowed to, the doctor has requested to see you in person." Your heart lurched, that was never a good sign.

You immediately wanted to call Cillian, but remembered you didn't have his contact details any more. You called Liane instead. She would pick you up at 2pm and go with you to the appointment.

Sat in the waiting room, Liane held you hand to calm you. Your nerves were in tatters. This disease had already taken so much from you - your mum, your older sister, two cousins... You knew there was a strong chance it was going to take you, too. The doctor called you through.

"Your results are here y/n. And I'm pleased to inform you -"

"What?" You gasped. The doctor smiled and took your hands in hers.

"Y/n, you don't carry the gene. It isn't there - your chances of developing breast cancer are no higher than mine, or Joan Bloggs on the street. You're going to be okay." Even the doctor had tears in her eyes. Liane was gobsmacked. You just burst into tears.

"I'm not going to die?"

"Oh honey if I had the cure for that I'd be a millionaire!" She laughed, you did too. You felt like the world had just been lifted off your shoulders, taking a dark cloud with it. A dark cloud you'd been living with for nearly 10 years. The real reason you'd split with your ex. The reason you refused to get your breasts out for auditions. The real reason you backed away from a life in acting. You didn't see the point if you weren't going to be here for the long haul... But now?

Now you'd been given a new life. A new start. And your thrown away the best chance of happiness you'd ever had in one stupid click of a button.

Liane noticed your sadness in the car on the way home. You suddenly realised you weren't actually heading home though, you were on the M6 heading to Wolverhampton.

"Erm.. where are we going?" You asked, seeing the sign for Wolverhampton fly past.

"Road trip."

"Destination?"

"It's a surprise!! Do you trust me?"

"Always..."

"Then don't ask questions."

You rolled your eyes and figured you were probably en route to Bicester Village in Oxford. That was your happy place - a day of shopping, good food, few drinks in the evening... Before long though, your eyelids grew heavy. You always fell asleep on car journeys, this one was no different. Within ten minutes you were out cold.

You felt Liane nudge you gently, waking you. Opening your eyes, you looked around, expecting to see the car park. Instead you saw terraced houses, a green park, and a street sign with 'London Borough - Kilburn' on it.

"Why am I in London??" You asked. Liane shrugged her shoulders.

"Fancied a change - never been before! Just got on the motorway and drove. Been years since we've done that hasn't it! Just drove with no destination?" You grinned, remembering the random road trips you used to take years ago. You'd ended up all over the UK, even catching a ferry to Amsterdam one Friday night just because you were bored!

"So what's the plan?"

"Let's go explore!" She paid for the parking via an app on her phone and you both climbed out the car. The houses were all Victorian style and beautiful. The park was glorious - the sun shining on it beautifully. Liane suggested a picnic in the park first to line your stomachs, then cocktails.

"Aren't you driving us home later?"

"Yes - I'll be on the mocktails! Come on, let's go find food... There's loads of little deli places over there!"

Picnic done, it was cocktail time. Sadly, there didn't appear to be a cocktail bar anywhere near... But there was a nice looking pub over the road. Settling on a normal G&T, you both made your way over. Liane sent you inside to get the drinks while she sat in the beer garden out the back.

Heading outside with two G&Ts, you looked around for her but she was nowhere to be found. You quickly scanned inside again just to make sure you'd not missed her. Setting the drinks down on a bench outside, you waited. Must've gone to the toilet. Taking your phone out you sent her a text letting her know where you were.

Ten minutes passed - still no sign. You were worried now. A ping on your phone.

"For god's sake woman open your eyes and look in the corner!!" Liane... What the hell? You looked up and nearly dropped your phone. Sitting ten feet away from you, on his own... Holding his phone in his hand and staring at you the same way you were staring at him. In complete disbelief.

He looked back at his phone and shook his head. Both of you realising you'd been set up. Completely played.

He stood up, you were convinced he was going to leave but he didn't. He sat opposite you instead.

"Hey," he smiled.

"Hey..."

"Can I talk before you do?" He asked. You nodded.

"I know... I didn't... Fuck this makes so much more sense in my head..." He laughed.

"Can I talk instead?" He nodded. You took a deep breath and told him the truth. About your family. The deaths. The illness. The tests.. and the results.

"That's why I pushed you away. That's why I push everyone away. But you were the first one I pushed that I regretted... I regretted it so much because no one had ever made me feel as alive as you did. No one made me float on air like you did. No one made me forget about this cloud hanging over me like you did..."

"You thought I'd leave you if you had the gene?"

"My Dad left when my mom was diagnosed. He couldn't handle it so he bailed. Wasn't a great role model."

"Your dad's a dick. I'm not." His brutal, dead pan response made you laugh. In fact you didn't just laugh, you were in hysterics. He laughed with you, and took your hands in his.

"If I promise not to tell you I love you, will you let me see you?"

"No."

"Erm... Okay?"

"I want you to tell me you love me, if you mean it. Then I'll decide."

"Y/N... I. Love. You. I fucking love you. I adore you. I've had the most miserable four weeks of my life thanks to you!" He laughed.

"Yeah I'm sorry about that.."

"It's okay. You can make it up to me."

"You're giving me a second chance?"

"I never gave up on the first one. But this time, we take it slow. Get to know each other. I'll start by asking if I can take you out to dinner tonight?"

"I have nothing with me... All my stuff's at home..."

"Fair enough. Then we have two choices. You go shopping with Liane and get yourself something.. or go home and we can arrange to meet another time?"

"I'm already here, and shopping was on our to do list. Dinner tonight sounds lovely."

"Unblock my number. I'll text you the details later, okay?" He finished his drink and pulled his jacket on, quickly typing a text as you unblocked his number. If only you'd known it was that easy to get his contact details again... The message pinged through.

"Thank you..." You smiled reading it. He leaned over and kissed your cheek softly, before walking away. Glancing back, smiling, as he left the pub.

Liane was with you in seconds.

"You sneaky little shit, how did you do this??" You laughed.

"Anto contacted me last week, said he was sick of Cillian moping. We kinda worked together... Are you mad at me?"

"Not at all. Where's Anto?"

"Right here." Anto appeared out of nowhere and you threw your arms around him.

"Thank you. For everything?"

"No need to thank me. This was Liane's idea. Bit of a rush to sort once you'd got those results but luckily you live 3 hours away and you sleep like the dead!" He laughed. "Now get yourself gone - you have a date to prepare for!"

[markosmate]

lady

Pairing; Marko x Emerson!Reader

Summary; Moving to a different state with your younger brothers and mother just to live with your grandfather was hard enough, but falling in love with a vampire and then watching your brother do the same thing? Much different story.

Warnings; strong language

au://  Welp lovelies I had promised you a Marko series in February that I started writing while I was manic, then after writing a good five/six chapters I fell into a deep dark hole of depression and didn’t write anything but sad, worthless poetry about a boy I’m in love with who doesn’t love me back :) But now it’s May, a spark of inspiration and happiness has suddenly hit me and I’ve come back to this series to finally deliver it to you!! I hope y’all like it cause I literally stress cried over finishing it three different times :,)

I’d also like to point out that any kind of feedback at all is so so appreciated. Most of my inspiration comes from feeding off of people’s reactions to what I write. So if you enjoy it or have any recommendations or comments at all please please don’t be shy to send me an ask or DM or even comment to let me know :( Thank you and enjoy!!

Part 2

I wasn’t exactly mad about moving, there was nothing holding me in Phoenix that I would be particularly sad about leaving behind. The only thing that struck a nerve was that it was dumped out of nowhere on me. Suddenly Mom had divorced Dad, let him keep everything, and made plans with Grandpa for us to move into his place with him. A little prior warning would have been appreciated, but regardless when we were told it didn’t change the fact that everything we knew was changing. Sam wasn’t happy about it at all, leaving his friends, leaving Dad. Michael... well Michael didn’t really have an opinion. In my view, he was just indifferent. He didn’t really care where the hell we were as long as he had a motorcycle, a job, and some hot chicks to swoon over.

But here we were, packed into Mom’s truck and driving through a town that I’d most likely have memorized like the back of my hand in a good few days. As the three in the car argued over which station to keep on, I turned my head and leaned my forehead on the window of the car. I watched the beach as we drove along the road, and admired the waves hitting against the sand.

I was ready to drift off until we got to Grandpa’s house when a short, exited yell left Mom’s lips. “Oh!” She grinned happily as Sam landed on a station familiar to her. “Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Oh, that’s from my era! Grooving on a Sunday afternoon!” She sung along with the song as Sam threw his head back and groaned in protest. I laughed at her antics, enjoying seeing my Mom acting so carefree and happy. 

“Alright, keep going, keep going.” Mom and Sam agreed with each other at the same time, Mom leaning over to continue skipping through the stations. Finally, the next station was agreed on and my pounding head thanked the universe for the quiet that I hadn’t been able to achieve the entire drive here. “Hey we’re almost there!”

“Ugh,” Sam scrunched his nose up in disgust after taking a deep breath. I leaned forward to wrap my arms around his head-rest and pull my face closer to the open window. The pungent smell hit me, and I recognized it immediately, low tide, but it wasn’t bad - anything to do with the beach was calming to me regardless. “What’s that smell?”

“Ah!” Mom breathed in deeply and turned to share a knowing grin with me, “That’s the ocean air!”

I turned to look at the welcoming sign, taking in the colors and faded lettering. “Smells like someone died.” Sam muttered as Mom tutted at him softly. 

“That’s likely.” I muttered to Michael, nudging his head in the direction of the back of the sign, where in big red spray-painted letters sat the phrase “Murder Capitol of the World.”

“Aw guys, I know the last year hasn’t been easy. But I do think you’re really going to enjoy living in Santa Carla.” Mom tried to remain happy about the situation, but a shared glance with Michael after we both read over the sign revealed there wasn’t much he was excited for.

The rest of the drive only increased my excitement. Hippies galore filled the streets, a large amusement park covered most of the boardwalk, and the rest was filled with small shops and food stands. We stopped for awhile so Mom could give some teenagers rummaging through garbage some money to eat and so Michael could unhinge his bike and ask around for job openings, but before I could even think to step out of the car and get a look around we were already heading into the backroads to get to Grandpa’s house.

Grandpa’s house was farther into the plains than expected, but still only a good fifteen to twenty minute drive away from town. Before Mom could ever fully park the car, I had already jumped out and was looking around the property. Michael pulled his bike up next to Mom’s car, and they all took a good few seconds to look around at all the wood carvings and chimes before turning their vehicles off. I took note of the horses grazing in one of the back fields before walking around the front of the truck and seeing a man laying on his back across the front porch steps.

Sam lead the way towards him before Mom cut in front and marched up the steps to squat beside him. “Dad?” She questioned gently. “Dad?” The three of us leaned closer to get a better look.

“Looks like he’s dead.” Michael remarked.

“Like... really dead.” I quipped in, raising an eyebrow at Mom.

“No, no. He’s just a deep sleeper.” She brushed our comments off.

“If he’s dead can we go back to Phoenix?” Sam remarked, earning a snort from me and a sharp look from Mom. 

Suddenly Grandpa sat up, a cocky smirk apparent on his face. “Playing dead. And from what I hear, doing a damn good job of it.”

Sam rolled his eyes in exasperation before Mom laughed faintly. “Oh, Dad!”

-

That night, Mom decided that it would be good for the four of us to leave the house after a night of unpacking and explore the boardwalk when it’s at its liveliest. I could admit it looked much more enjoyable now that it was dark and a little chilly, the sweaty people that had been occupying it earlier were now less sweaty and more stoned.

Almost as soon as Mom’s car and Michael’s bike were parked, Mom sent us off on our own so she could spend some time staking out a job in one of the family-owned shops. “Do you think she’ll be able to find one?” Sam questioned as the three of us weaved through crowds, trying to find our way to the beach concert. We could certainly hear it, we were just having a bit of trouble actually getting to it.

“One what? A job?” Michael scoffed as if it was hard to believe, still bitter over the fact there was no legal jobs for him to get hired in.

I laughed, elbowing him softly in the side, knowing that this place was exactly his vibe and in time he would most likely come to love living here. Sam was the only one I was actually worried about. “She’ll probably be able to find one. What, with all these missing people, there’s bound to be tons of job openings.”

“You’re telling me. It’s like there’s hundreds of bullet-boards around every corner with dozens of people missing. This place really is the Murder Capital.” Michael remarked as the concert finally came into our line of sight.

“Don’t say that!” Sam pleaded, shoving Michael’s shoulder with his eyebrows knitted tightly.

Michael just held his hand up in surrender and with one last shrug of his shoulders he turned to me. “You checking out the shops? We’ll find you once we get bored.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I agreed, turning sharply on my heel and blindly making my way back into the crowd. The concert was loud, sweaty, and crowded, and it wasn’t even my style of music - the last thing I wanted to do was spend my first night there. I figured it would be much more productive if I were to check out all the shops and stands running up and down the entire area, maybe find some new pieces of jewelry, or even a possible summer job opportunity.

Many places caught my eye, and I made a mental note to check them out the next time I had free money to spend, as it wouldn’t be wise for me to make an impulse-buy when I’m so close to being completely broke. Instead a small stand in the middle of the walkway drew me to it. A piercing stand. One person working on someone already sitting on the chair. There was a large wall selection of different studs, and many different kinds of disinfectants lined along the counter.

I walked closer to the wall, admiring all the different designs they had. I’d absolutely love to get a helix or orbital piercing, but I knew it wasn’t the wisest to spend money doing something like that at a small stand on a boardwalk in Santa Carla of all places. I was suddenly broken out of my thoughts when a voice spoke up directly behind me.

“It’s a scam, you know.” I jumped, hand flying to my chest, and whipping around to look at the owner. A teenage boy, my age, maybe a little older, with long curly blond hair and a grin that could have probably wooed me into his bed by the end of the night had he not literally just scared the shit out of me.

I laughed breathlessly, shaking my head. “What is?”

“The piercings. If you need one done, I could do it for you. But they use the guns instead of a needle which will definitely infect if you’re planning on doing a cartilage one.” He explained with a tilt of his head as he turned and began making his way towards the restaurants. I took that as an invite to follow, jogging to catch up and walking next to him.

“You know a lot about piercings?” I tried to make small talk, not wanting him to get away just yet.

He nodded with a confident smirk. “I did my own, and my friends. Someone had to learn.” I laughed a little at his mock-annoyed tone and shoved my hands into my pockets to appear to be doing something. He suddenly stopped and turned to me, holding out his hand. “Marko, by the way.”

“Ivory.” I accepted his hand and we both shook, hard and firm.

“You’re new.” He nodded as if finally understanding something that had been going on inside his own head. “I would’ve noticed you before if you’d been here all along.”

We dropped each other’s hand and I gave him a quizzical look. “What do you mean by that?”

He barked out a laugh and shook his head. “Nothing rude, you’re just too gorgeous to go unnoticed around here.” Before I could reply, another voice cut in from a few yards away.

“Marko! Marko, man, we’re supposed to meet David in ten!” I looked over to see another punk-looking dude calling out to Marko with his hands cupped around his mouth.

I laughed and look back towards the curly blond. “See you around?”

He nodded in confirmation, sending me one last crooked smile before turning to jog over to his other friend. I turned as well, making my way back into the crowd and away from the middle lane stands. I didn’t make it very far before the body of my youngest brother crashed into my side. I glanced down at him in bewilderment as we used each other to steady ourselves.

“Sam? Aren’t you supposed to be with Michael?” I laughed as he looked as though he’d just had the weirdest conversation of his life.

“Well, I was. Then he saw some girl at the concert and wandered after her so I went to check out the comic store.” He explained, shrugging before letting his eyes wander around once more in search of Michael. I rolled my eyes, of course Michael left Sam behind to go chase after some girl. It didn’t take long to find him, he was only a little further down the stretch of restaurants. He was more towards the end, walking out of the crowd near where the last building - a bar - sat in place.

We walked up behind him, and as soon as I was at his side I followed his eyes to a girl who was walking behind a small child, hand on his shoulder, and steering him in a certain direction. She was pretty - with big, curly hair and a beautiful smile that curled her lips up as her eyes grazed over all the lights of the carousel one last time for the night. I followed her line of sight, trying to place why Michael was following her instead of just walking up and introducing himself, but I immediately realized what the problem was.

She hoisted herself up onto the back of a motorcycle, accepting the help of the blond driver. He had a spiked mullet, dressed in all black, and when he realized Michael was staring at his girl, a cocky kind of smirk crossed his face. His friends parked next him all revved their engines to a start, and I tore my eyes from the platinum blond to see the others. I didn’t manage to catch a good look at two of them, because my eyes immediately looked onto those of the punk from earlier who’d started a conversation with me over pierced ears.

He was already looking at me, and when he realized my attention immediately locked onto him, a predatory look filled the black circles of his eyes and his lips formed into a boyish smirk directed exactly at me. He lifted his hand in a short wave, laughing along with the friend who called him away from me earlier as he shoved Marko’s shoulder in a teasing way. I lifted my hand in a small acknowledging wave back, but was knocked out of my small trance by Sam, who began teasing Michael.

“Come on, she stiffed ya!” Sam laughed harmlessly, gently punching Michael’s shoulder and turning to probably go and find Mom. I broke my gaze away from Marko immediately, turning to follow after Sam and not bothering to look back at all as I heard the bikes pull out and speed off down the road.

“Too bad she left with Mr. Mullet, she was pretty.” I tried to break the tension with Michael, I really didn’t want him to be upset over the lose of the girl, he still had all of Santa Carla’s teenage population of girls to meet.

He cracked a smile and nudged his shoulder into mine. “She really was.”

Once we made it home for the night, I separated from both my brothers and made my way into my own room. It was the smallest of all of ours, but that’s the main reason why I had chose it. It was cozy, and cute. I liked the way it came out once I had finished decorating it.

I couldn’t help but let my mind wander to those boys on the motorcycles from earlier that night. Marko seemed nice enough, even if I didn’t know whether or not I was brave enough to try to pursue a friendship with his more than intimidating friends. Just as I came to the conclusion that I should just get over myself and approach them, a sharp sting of anxiety wedged itself into my gut and nauseous filled my stomach and rose up in my throat. No. I didn’t need to become friends with those boys, there was something off, something I didn’t need to meddle in.

If I saw them again, I’d avoid eye contact and conversation completely. I was never able to understand my anxiety, but I always listened to it when it struck me.

[tchallasbabymama]

Troubled Waters Chapter Four

Hey, yall! Here’s the next chapter of Nia and T’Challa’s journey. I’m super proud of this one (I’m proud of all my work, but still.) With the help of @wordsfromthelivingghost being a bomb ass beta reader, I think this is some of my best work yet. And I’m only gonna get better!

Check out my masterlist to read my other stories (and catch up on this one if you’re new here.) I love when y’all talk to me and share my work so others can discover it, so hit those comment and reblog buttons. Also, be sure to let me know if you want to be tagged in anything. Enjoy!😘

Word count: 8,894

CW: A little blood and cutting but NOT for self-harm reasons. If it bothers you, skip the second half of the scene at Kokou’s temple.

Nia pressed her cheek to the window, careful not to smudge the thin line of white clay painted down the center of her face. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth hung slightly open as she watched Wakanda zoom by from hundreds of feet in the air. She had always loved seeing what the world looked like from above, but it had been years since she last got to enjoy the view. When she was young, Amare would carry her in his arms as he flew high above the ground to give her a taste of what she so desperately wanted: to feel the wind beneath her nonexistent wings.

T’Challa half-watched Nia from his seat off to the side of the cabin as he flipped through news articles on his kimoyo beads. As they flew over a statue of Bast in her full panther form, he could tell the bright blue light radiating from the tunnel beneath the goddess intrigued her. Her head tilted slightly to the left, and he turned off his beads right as she turned around with a question on her lips.

“That’s Mt. Bashenga,” T’Challa answered prematurely as he stood and made his way over to the window, looking out at his kingdom as Okoye steered the Royal Talon over the Mining province.

“Why’s it glowing?”

“Vibranium.”

“Ohhh.” Nia thought back to the human history books she read as a child that told their story of the founding of Wakanda. Obviously, they had censored the part about aziza, but she still found their revisionist history fascinating. “That’s where the meteorite landed, right?”

T’Challa nodded, impressed by her knowledge.

“Ubaba always said vibranium was ‘the humans’ magic’,” she whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

T’Challa was mildly shocked. He had never considered it that way, but he supposed it was sort of otherworldly what they were able to do with the substance. In comparison to other humans, anyway.

Okoye kept her focus on flying the ship, but T’Challa couldn’t help but spot the slight glow that emanated from Nia’s skin while she ogled the scenery. The king reflected on the description of aziza he had read the day before and remembered that it mentioned their luminous skin. He had noticed that even when she was standoffish towards him, she seemed to radiate light from the inside out, but seeing her literally light up in excitement brought him joy.

When Birnin Zana came into view, Nia’s eyes curiously trailed along the tributaries that moseyed through the metropolis and she was reminded of the magic realm’s big city, Birnin Umlingo. She smiled fondly at how similar they were despite the fact that Birnin Zana was so much bigger. It was nestled between rolling hills and sharp cliffsides, and she was pleasantly surprised to see all the lush greenery dispersed throughout the city. There were small parks everywhere and most of the roofs were topped with well-kept gardens. The skyscrapers and apartment buildings stretched to the sky like the trees that lined the streets, but Nia was almost blinded when the sun bounced off of an impressive structure in the middle of the city. Two almost conical, shining towers spiraled up from an ancient foundation that swirled around the base like the flowing tributary that surrounded most of it like a moat. The towers were connected by a long bridge about a third of the way up and despite her amazement, Nia couldn’t help but wonder why they had to build two towers instead of just one.

“Bast, is that the palace?” She pointed up ahead.

T’Challa smirked proudly. He never tired of seeing the dual vibranium spires that towered over even the tallest skyscrapers throughout the city.

“It is,” he said proudly.

“It’s so big,” she whispered, then turned to look at him. “Does it ever feel empty?”

He furrowed his brows, making a little crease appear between them that Nia found endearing. “How do you mean?”

“Well, it’s just you and your family that live there, right?”

The king nodded.

“Then why do you need so much space? And why two instead of just one? It seems so unnecessary.”

Okoye bit the inside of her lip to keep from snickering at Nia’s sincere inquiries. She wasn’t too keen on Nia and wasn’t quite sure why she was there, but she had worked for T’Challa long enough to know he didn’t like people questioning him.

“I don’t- it’s not just...look.” He pointed back out the window to distract her, and Nia whipped her head around to watch their descent to the landing pad in front of the palace.

The three of them exited the Talon, but instead of entering T’Challa’s gratuitously large home, they made a left and walked through the palace gates and into the bustling streets of Birnin Zana. Nia had been to the big city before when she was young, but it seemed like it had exploded over the last couple of decades. It had always been a busy hub of commerce for the Merchant tribe, but business owners from the other tribes had moved there in droves over the past few years to get a piece of the pie.

The three of them passed through the financial district with ease. Nia kept her neck craned to look up at the tall banks, corporate offices, and massive parking garages filled with hovercars. In the distance, she saw an arena and she wondered what took place there. Did they have many concerts? Sporting events? She made a mental note to ask about that later and continued to take in her surroundings. The maglev trains zooming by high above the street caught her attention, and her eyes widened. She had never been on a train before.

They eventually made it to Three Step Town, the cultural hub of the city and Nia looked on in awe at the various businesses that surrounded them. Once again, she was reminded of Birnin Umlingo as she looked around at the diversity that surrounded her. Most of the older folks were dressed in the traditional clothing of their tribes, but the younger Wakandans seemed to prefer a more modern look. They really were a spectacle. Some people had brightly colored manes and shining vibranium tattoos that decorated their skin, and the sight had Nia’s wheels turning. She had never really experimented much with her look, but they were giving her the inspiration to try something different.

Just as Nia began to ponder what body modification would look good on her, she felt someone grab her and yank her to the side of the street. She began to protest right as a streetcar full of people rolled by. Nia turned to thank her savior, smiling sheepishly when she realized it was Okoye.

“Watch where you’re going,” the general warned harshly and let go of Nia’s arm. The two of them joined T’Challa as he spoke to a snaggletoothed young boy who had proudly shown him the Black Panther action figure that he carried everywhere. The boy’s parents thanked the king for being so polite before they said goodbye and went on their way. Nia’s heart warmed a little at seeing T’Challa be so kind to them. He could have easily ignored the family or had Okoye intervene, but he seemed to enjoy interacting with his people. As the three of them continued on their journey, a small smile pushed up the corners of Nia’s mouth knowing he wasn’t as arrogant as she assumed.

Nia was almost overwhelmed by the many shops they passed by. She could buy anything she wanted: jewelry, instruments, furniture, hats. It seemed like they had everything. However, she came to a halt when they walked by a store with colorful, hand-woven baskets hanging out front. The old lady that ran the shop noticed Nia staring and came forward to help her pick one out, but paused when she saw that the king was standing beside her. She saluted him fondly and turned to face his companion.

“Excuse me, how much for this one?” Nia asked the shopkeep as her fingers ran over the intricate patterns along the sides of a mid-sized sweetgrass basket.

“For you it is free,” the older woman said through a bright smile that crinkled her eyes. Before Nia could protest, she had already taken it down and pushed it into her arms.

“Are you sure? I can pay-”

“Just tell people where you got it,” the woman winked before going back inside to help a customer that was ready to check out.

Nia couldn’t believe how kind the woman had been to give her the gift, but her amazement was cut short by T’Challa leaning in close and ruining the moment.

“Just one of the perks of traveling with the king,” he teased.

Nia rolled her eyes and stepped away from him, continuing down the street with her basket swinging in the crook of her elbow. She had been so caught up in her surroundings that she hadn’t noticed the stares from passersby and began to get a little self-conscious. A few people even snapped a picture or two of the king and his elusive friend, some of which would surely end up on gossip blogs by the end of the day.

Her nervousness was short-lived and quickly got replaced with longing when they turned the corner and walked right through the food district. Not only did the colorful produce stands call to her, but the smells of curries and grilled meats continuously pulled her attention from left to right. However, when a deliciously sweet aroma tickled her nose, she stopped dead in the middle of the road.

“Where is that coming from?” Nia sniffed the air and veered off the main street as she followed the scent to a man that was serving up deep-fried sweet plantain on a stick, drizzled with chocolate. T’Challa kept a close eye on Nia but stayed back and let her wander up to the dessert cart alone. He watched as she engaged the man in conversation and saw her come alive when she tasted the sample he provided her. A small smile crept up the king’s face, but his amusement was cut short by Okoye clearing her throat next to him.

“My king,” she started, and he turned slightly in her direction, nodding for her to continue as he kept his eyes on Nia. “If I may...what exactly is her purpose here with us?”

“Nia is a devotee of Bast, and I believe she may be helpful in our attempts to understand what has happened to her,” he stated matter-of-factly.

Okoye sensed his unwillingness to go further into detail and grew quiet again as Nia damn near skipped back over to them with her hands full.

“Here you go,” Nia sang as she held out two of the desserts for them to take. “He saw I was with the king and gave me three for free!”

Neither of them was hungry, but they just couldn’t say no to her big, childlike eyes.

“Thank you,” T’Challa waved to the man behind the counter and took a bite of the dessert, eyes rolling back in ecstasy. “Mmm”

“See? It’s amazing,” Nia said with a mouth full of plantain. Even Okoye had to agree.

The three of them ate their midmorning snack as they strolled through the streets, eventually making their way to a much quieter section on the outskirts of the busy city center. Just as Nia finished licking the last bit of chocolate from the wooden stick, she came face to face with an ancient-looking stone building that didn’t quite fit the vibe of the modern neighborhood. Her eyes zeroed in on the large statue at the entrance. It was a being with the body of a man and the head of an ibis holding a scroll in one hand and a staff in the other.

“Welcome to the flagship branch of the Wakandan Public Library,” T’Challa said proudly.

While Nia loved a good library, she was a little confused about why they were there. “I thought we were going to a temple.”

T’Challa wiggled his eyebrows as he stepped past her, climbing the steps with Okoye in tow, “This is the temple.”

Nia’s curiosity got the best of her, and she followed behind the king and his general. They threw their sticks away in the trash cans outside of the doors that swished open as they approached. Nia hadn’t expected the building to have such modern technologies based on the look of it, but she surmised the library would have a few more surprises up its sleeves.

“Kumkani wam!”

All three of their heads turned towards the woman behind the large marble desk as she scrambled to salute the king, dropping the small stack of books from her arms. T’Challa quickly rounded the desk and smiled at her as he crouched down to pick the books off of the floor. Before she could stoop down to help him, he had already placed them neatly on the desk.

“T-thank you, my king,” the woman stammered and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Never in her life had she imagined she would be so close to royalty, much less her biggest crush. “What can I do for you?”

“Well…” he started, trailing off to get her name.

“Fatima, sir.”

“What a beautiful name,” he flirted innocently and leaned on the cool marble as Nia and Okoye both fought their eyes from rolling to the ceiling. Okoye was used to his flirtatious manner making women swoon at his feet, but it still irked her to no end. They had a job to do, and he was wasting time. Nia, however, felt the tiniest tinge of something deep in her gut as she watched him make eyes at the beautiful librarian. She waved it off as annoyance since she still wasn’t the king’s biggest fan. Adding “womanizer” to her list of reasons not to like him certainly tipped the scales further away from him, balancing out his actions from earlier.

Fatima giggled as she struggled to make eye contact with the handsome king, “Thank you, your highness.”

“Please, call me T’Challa,” he implored, resting his hand over his heart and flashing his irresistible smile.

“Oh, no. I couldn’t do that-”

“I insist.”

Okoye cleared her throat, and T’Challa’s eyes reluctantly shot in her direction.

“Anyway, Fatima, we were wondering if Abdu is in today,” T’Challa continued as he straightened up and stood to his full height, making Fatima swoon even more in his presence. Her eyes wandered down to his chest, but she snapped out of it and attempted to look him in the eye. Her knees nearly buckled under the intensity of his gaze, but she stood firm.

“Y-yes, he is, my ki-”

T’Challa reprimanded her with a simple raise of his right eyebrow, and she quickly corrected herself.

“I mean, T’Challa,” Fatima giggled once more. “I’ll go get him for you.”

“Thank you, Fatima,” he smiled down at her, watching as she walked away with a pep in her step and her hips twitching just a little more than usual.

Fatima disappeared behind a green velvet curtain, and when they were sure she was out of earshot, Nia and Okoye both turned to look at the king. They wore matching expressions of disapproval, but, for some reason, it stung to see on Nia’s face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked her.

“Must you flirt with every woman you see?” Okoye butted in, clearly exasperated by his antics.

Nia’s eyebrows jumped as a teasing smirk settled on her lips. “Oh, so this is a common occurrence?”

“You wouldn’t believe how many-”

“General,” T’Challa warned, and Okoye stopped talking.

Nia tried to contain a laugh, but it came out more like a snort than she intended. Just as T’Challa opened his mouth to make fun of her, Fatima appeared from behind the curtain with a heavy-set man with tortoiseshell glasses just a few steps behind her.

“T’Challa, my boy! Oh, excuse me, my king.” The man bowed sarcastically and crossed his arms in a salute. T’Challa waved him off with a smile and a click of his tongue, and the two men embraced each other. Nia had noticed T’Challa wasn’t really one to demand formalities, but the man’s familiarity with the king intrigued her.

“Abdu, how have you been?”

It had been several months since T’Challa last visited the library. Abdu had worked and worshipped there for decades and had watched the king grow into the man before him. Some of T’Challa’s fondest childhood memories consisted of him spending hours curled up in the stacks, flipping through whatever book caught his eye that day. Abdu would bring him story after story for him to get lost in, and the older man never tired of T’Challa’s curiosity. No matter how many questions he threw at him.

“Getting old, but I can’t complain,” the much shorter man said as they pulled apart. He looked around T’Challa and noticed his company. “Okoye, a pleasure to see you as always.”

“You as well, Abdu,” she smiled.

“And who might this lovely creature be?” Abdu asked as his gaze fell on Nia. She bristled at his choice of words but said nothing. Even as a child, she had always been sensitive to the word “creature” and felt it offensive to refer to non-humans as such. She knew he had no idea about her bloodline, though, and since he meant no harm she simply ignored the terminology.

“Nia Olu, sir,” she introduced herself with a nod of her head, and he returned the gesture.

“Ah, a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. And what is it that you do, Nia Olu?”

“I am a healer and a devotee of Bast.”

“A devotee, huh? Well, I think we will get along nicely,” he smiled warmly at her before turning back to the king. “What can I do for you all today?”

“Well, actually, Nia is a big part of why we’re here,” T’Challa began. “It seems Bast has gone missing. Neither of us has been able to contact her as of late.”

“Are you a priestess?” Abdu asked Nia, confused as to why a simple devotee would be partnered with the king for such a task. Okoye felt vindicated by his questioning but stayed quiet.

“No, sir.”

“Then, I must say, I’m a little confused on how you would have a direct connection to her-”

“She is highly favored in the goddess’ eyes,” T’Challa cut in, hoping his vague answer would be enough to dissuade Abdu from asking too many questions. He knew it wouldn’t be easy to hide anything from a priest of the god of wisdom, but he also knew he couldn’t give away Nia’s full identity. “We were wondering if maybe you could see if Thoth knows where she is or why she isn’t answering.”

Abdu could tell there was something else to the story, but decided not to press the subject. He figured that if the king felt it was important enough to keep from him, then he had to trust his judgment.

The priest nodded and motioned for the three of them to follow him. T’Challa winked at Fatima before falling in step with Abdu, and once again, Nia’s and Okoye’s eyes struggled to remain straight ahead as they followed behind the two men.

Nia couldn’t help but stare in awe at the rows and rows of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves they passed as they walked through the centuries-old library. She imagined herself spending hours combing through the texts and soaking up whatever knowledge held, just like she did with the many books Amare provided her with as a child. Her daydreaming was cut short when they passed through the children’s section, and she noticed a display of picture books, one of which caught her eye. There, on the cover, was a colorful illustration of an aziza sitting in a tree, watching over a group of children as they played in the grass below him.

Before she knew it, Nia had grabbed the book and started flipping through the pages, scanning the words and pictures for any sign of historical truth. She found none, but her hope didn’t die out. Maybe, just maybe the library held onto more of the past than the Wakandans realized. She knew magical creatures were relegated to folktales, but she began to wonder how many of those tales were historically accurate, if any. She hadn’t noticed that the others had stopped and were watching her tear through the book like it held the secrets to the universe.

“You like that one? It’s a fairly new release. Very popular with the children,” Abdu said, but his words fell on deaf ears.

“Nia?” the king called out to her.

She jumped and dropped the book, but T’Challa caught it before it could hit the ground.

“Yeah? Sorry, I just…” Nia trailed off, unsure of what to say. All three of them looked at her curiously, but when T’Challa’s eyes graced the cover, he understood why she had been called to it. “Are there many stories like this?”

“Of aziza?” Abdu asked for clarification, and Nia nodded. “Sure! Kids love fantastical creatures. You know, some of them even swear up and down that they’ve seen them in real life.”

T’Challa and Nia shared a quick glance as he set the book back where she found it. Of course, Okoye caught their quick exchange.

“Such wild imaginations,” Nia murmured, and the group continued on their trek. She was quiet for a moment as she tried to figure out the best way to word her next question when she decided to just go for it. “Abdu, is there any mention of, um, species that are no longer around in any of these books?”

T’Challa looked at her knowingly out of the corner of his eye. He knew what she was getting at, and he was curious about Abdu’s answer. After seeing Nia’s book the day before, his mind had begun to wonder about ancient Wakandan texts. She had told him that they coexisted long ago, so there had to be some evidence hidden deep in the bowels of the library. If there was proof anywhere, it was here.

“Of course!” Abdu said excitedly and pointed to the far left wall. “Species naturally go extinct all the time. If that interests you, check out our history section over there.”

Nia and T’Challa both cataloged that information for later and started mentally planning their next visits.

The deeper they traveled into the vast library, a tingling grew in Nia’s stomach. There was great power there, and she could feel it. The tingling intensified as they arrived at a large door with an image of Thoth that had been hand-carved by artisans long ago.

“We’ll take it from here, Okoye,” T’Challa ordered, and the general nodded before standing at attention with her back to the door. Then, his eyes fell to Nia. “Ready?”

“I think…”

“That’ll serve you well here,” Abdu joked as he pushed open the heavy door.

Nia wasn’t quite sure what she was expecting to see, but a winding staircase certainly wasn’t on her list of possibilities. The three of them quietly descended the steps, and all that could be heard was the sounds of their sandals connecting with the stone as they went. After what seemed like forever, Abdu came to a halt at another large door and turned to face his visitors.

“You must enter with pure intentions and a cool head, or he will not answer. Understood?”

Nia and T’Challa answered in unison.

“Yes, sir.”

“Of course.”

“Good,” Abdu smiled at them and reached for the handle, pushing it open and revealing what looked to be a private study. The lamps along the stone walls lit up when they entered, and Nia was once again amazed at how the ancient seemed to flawlessly combine with the modern. As she looked around, she noticed that instead of books, there were scrolls stacked neatly on the shelves. A high-backed chair sat behind a large wooden desk with several scrolls strewn about it, and in the center of the room, there was a stone lectern that looked like it had been there since the dawn of time. Colorful pillows surrounded it on the floor, and next to it stood another statue of Thoth. This time, his hands were out and he was holding a staff that resembled the one from the statue out front, except this one was made of gold. This one was real, and it made the hairs on the back of Nia’s neck stand at attention.

Abdu made his way over to the closest shelf and grabbed a scroll from the top of the stack. He then crossed the room again and stood behind the lectern. When he unrolled the scroll, Nia and T’Challa were both surprised to find that it was blank. They watched with bated breath as he produced a shiny gold pen from his pocket and removed the staff from the statue’s arms.

“You two, come sit down,” Abdu said to them, pointing to the floor pillows.

They obeyed his order, and each grabbed a pillow. T’Challa sat cross-legged while Nia carefully placed her new basket on the floor and tucked her feet under her. They waited patiently while Abdu mumbled a prayer under his breath. Despite T’Challa’s enhanced hearing, he could barely make out what Abdu was saying, but the more he spoke, the colder the room became. The priest continued his prayers for several minutes until the staff began to glow with blinding orange light and his mouth snapped shut tight. A soft breeze blew through the room as his eyes glowed the same color as the staff, and the pen in his left hand started to frantically scribble words onto the formerly blank scroll. His hand moved faster than humanly possible, and Nia recognized what was happening as a possession. She bowed her head in the god’s presence and nudged T’Challa in his side to do the same. He followed suit, but neither of their eyes left Abdu, too curious to look away.

It seemed like forever had come and gone as the two sat in silence, watching in awe while Abdu filled the scroll as he channeled Thoth. The only sound that filled the air was the fast-moving pen on the papyrus and a faint humming from the staff, but suddenly, it all stopped. The staff’s light waned, and Abdu blinked his eyes back to their normal shade of hazel. He carefully placed the staff back in the statue’s hands and read over the words he had been given from his god. A frown appeared on the priest’s face, and Nia made eye contact with T’Challa. Neither one felt good news was coming.

“Well,” Abdu broke the tense silence, “to sum it up, it seems Thoth hasn’t seen or heard from Bast in several weeks. He says that’s very unlike her, as I’m sure you know, T’Challa.”

The king nodded. “Is there anything else? Did he say where she might be?”

“Oh, he said plenty, but not about your question. He can be quite long-winded at times,” Abdu murmured as he scanned the text once more to make sure he wasn’t missing anything. He then looked down at his two visitors with an apology in his eyes. “I wish I could’ve been of more help.”

T’Challa stood from his seated position and reached a hand out to Nia. She swatted it away and stood on her own, straightening out her long, flowing skirt before sending Abdu a warm smile. “Thank you for trying.”

“It was a pleasure, my dear.”

“So,” Nia turned to the king, “where to next?”

--------

The smile never left Okoye’s face as she landed the Talon in an open field and proudly led them to their next destination. They had traveled to Okoye’s hometown in the Mining province, and she nodded at her former neighbors as they waved to get her attention. It wasn’t often that she could return to Birnin Djata, but since she was on duty, she had to remain professional.

The town was much smaller than Birnin Zana, and the walk to the temple was much shorter this time around. A few moderately-sized dwellings lined the road to the temple, and Nia could see the town square in the distance. They passed groups of miners boarding and exiting the trains that took them to and from work, and Nia couldn’t help but wonder what all that vibranium looked like up close.

When they arrived at the temple, Nia was pleasantly surprised that this one actually looked like a place of worship. The wall that surrounded it looked as old as time, but the vibranium door in the center had to be no more than a hundred years old. A strange sound echoed from inside, and although Nia thought she recognized it, she was confused on why it was coming from a temple of all places.

“Is something wrong? What’s going on in there?” she asked with concern, making Okoye’s smile expand and her eyes light up.

“Sparring.”

Nia’s confusion grew, and she turned to T’Challa for clarification.

“Kokou is the god of war. Fighters often train here, and many of his followers go on to become great warriors. Including Okoye,” he explained.

“Ohhh, ok.”

Okoye led them up the temple’s steps, and Nia’s attention was drawn to the rows of fire that lined the walkway. As the party of three got closer to the doors, they slowly parted to grant them access. Loud shouts and grunts came from the right, and Okoye led them down the hallway, directly towards the noise.

Nia watched excitedly as the warriors-in-training sparred with one another. Fists connected with flesh, spears sliced through the air, and fighters seemed to glide across the padded floor. She recognized some of the fighting styles and thought back to her younger days when Amare took it upon himself to teach her some of the combat skills he had to learn for his days as a secret operative. Even though she was a healer, Nia sure was scrappy and could hold her own. It had been a while, though, and she was sure she had forgotten her training over the years.

A bell rang on the other side of the training room, and all of the fighting ceased. Okoye bowed her head in deference as a tall, muscular older woman in red emerged from an observation room and smiled softly in her direction.

“My king,” the woman saluted T’Challa, making all of the fighters whip their heads around and salute him as well. The woman crossed the floor as her trainees stood at attention, and grabbed Okoye’s hands in hers. “Okoye, my dear, it has been too long.”

“Priestess Yaa, how good to see you.”

“And my king, welcome to the Temple of Kokou.”

“Thank you, priestess.”

“What brings you here?” she asked before shooting a sly glance at Okoye. “You never come visit anymore, so I know it must be important.”

“My apologies for keeping her from you,” T’Challa interjected.

“None needed. I knew when Okoye became general that she would have little time for us anymore,” Yaa waved him off and smiled proudly at Okoye before her eyes fell to Nia. “And who is this?”

“Nia Olu,” she respectfully bowed her head.

“And you are a fighter too, no?”

“Um, not exactly. My father taught me how to fight when I was young, but I am a healer and a devotee of Bast.”

This was the first T’Challa had heard of her knowledge of combat, and he wondered what else he didn’t know about her.

“I’m sure it’s still in there somewhere. You have a warrior’s spirit.”

Nia was surprised by the priestess’ comment but thanked her nonetheless.

“Priestess Yaa, we have a problem that you might be able to help us solve,” the king stated.

Yaa nodded and called to her class, “Keep sparring. I’ll be back.”

The room came alive again, and Nia couldn’t help but watch the dozens of bodies moving about with powerful grace as they fought.

Yaa gestured for them to follow her, and she led them around a corner to get away from all the noise. “How can I help you, my king?”

“Bast is missing, and we would like to ask Kokou if he knows where she is,” he cut straight to the point, and Yaa appreciated his brevity.

She gestured again, and the four of them relocated to the other side of the temple. They entered a large, empty room with nothing except a wall of ancient weapons and a huge, raging fire pit in the center.

“This eternal flame was gifted to us by Kokou many millennia ago as a way of contacting him,” Yaa narrated. “In order for him to answer, you will each have to give a sacrifice.”

“I didn’t bring anything to-”

“Blood, dear. You sacrifice blood. He is the god of war, after all,” Yaa chuckled as she glided over to the wall of weapons. Her fingers danced along the flat side of the blade of a vibranium dagger with a red and gold hilt before wrapping her hand firmly around the grip and removing it from its position. Yaa tested the weight of it in her hand as she rejoined the group. Without warning, she sliced her palm open and allowed her blood to drip into the flame. The priestess noticed the look of horror on Nia’s face and attempted to quell her fears. “Don’t worry; you’ll only need a drop or two.”

Okoye was first to step up, pressing the dagger’s tip into her hand and drawing a small amount of blood. She handed the dagger to T’Challa as she made a fist and let her blood droplets fall into the fire pit. The king did the same before passing the dagger to Nia. She looked at it apprehensively, but T’Challa continued to hold it out for her to take.

“Go on, dear,” Yaa urged. “We will heal you up after.”

Nia and T’Challa locked eyes as they were both reminded of the night they became reacquainted with one another. T’Challa’s wound would quickly heal on its own, but she wouldn’t be able to use her powers to heal herself in Yaa’s and Okoye’s presence. She took a deep breath and tried to ignore the feeling of her palm stinging with the memory of alcohol pads. T’Challa knew where her mind had wandered to and took her formerly injured hand in his as he ran his thumb over her palm.

“It won’t be as bad as last time,” he whispered so only Nia could hear him. “Just a little cut, ok?”

Nia’s mouth dried up, and her eyes traveled to Okoye and Yaa. The priestess seemed intrigued by his tenderness towards her, but the irritation on Okoye’s face was clear as day. Nia remembered that he was a serial charmer and removed her hand from his. She reached for the dagger and quickly pricked her finger, squeezing a couple of droplets into the flame.

Yaa set the dagger aside to be cleaned and watched as the flames grew in intensity. All four of them stepped back when the fire surged towards the sky and took the vague shape of a man.

“Kokou,” Yaa fell to her knees, and the others followed her lead. “Thank you for answering our call.”

“Where is the fight?” his voice boomed around the expansive room as what looked to be his head swiveled from side to side taking in the four who summoned him. He had no eyes, but Nia felt his gaze land on her and linger for a moment too long.

“There is no fight this time, but we have an inquiry,” Yaa said as she stood.

“Very well,” Kokou’s voice rang out again, and the flames whipped in T’Challa’s direction. “What is so important that the king requires my assistance? Have you not a god of your own?”

T’Challa looked to Yaa for reassurance as he began to stand, and she nodded for him to continue. “Yes, I do, but she is missing.”

“Missing?! What do you mean missing?”

“She has not spoken to me in weeks, and Thoth has not seen or heard from her either.”

Kokou turned back to Nia. “And you have not heard from her?”

“No, sir,” Nia stood tall as she answered him.

“I am surprised she has not spoken to you of all...people,” he said with a mischievous lilt in his voice. Nia stilled as she realized that he knew what she was. She slyly made eye contact with T’Challa, and though his expression was unreadable, she knew he had to have heard it, too.

“You know, blood can tell you a lot about a person...or being,” Kokou began to pace around the large fire pit. “Who they are, what their lineage is...you, Nia, are very special. But I am sure you know that already, don’t you?”

Nia ignored the confused stares from Yaa and Okoye and stared straight into where she assumed Kokou’s eyes to be. “Yes, sir.”

“Good.”

“Kokou-”

“Patience, your highness,” the god chastised T’Challa, “I was getting to it. I just had to take a little detour first since you brought me such an interesting young lady. Now, to answer your question: sorry to disappoint, but no. I do not know where Bast is. I wish I did, though; she is an excellent sparring partner.”

Nia and T’Challa both deflated a little bit. They had hoped for a better answer than that.

“Thank you, Kokou,” T’Challa spoke with his head bowed to the god. The others did the same, and just as quickly as he had appeared, Kokou was gone.

--------

“Third time’s the charm,” T’Challa mumbled as he held the intricate iron gate open. Nia and Okoye walked through, and the general was blown away by the beauty before them. The botanical gardens sat on a protected stretch of land on the border between the Mining and River provinces, but people from all over the country traveled there to witness its splendor.

Nia, however, was no stranger to the gardens. She made sure to visit a few times a year just to sit and commune with the diverse group of plants, but she never knew it doubled as a place of worship. She liked that the gardens were never full of people, and depending on how deep she veered off the main walkways, she could avoid the public altogether. Except for the delightful presence of one of the attendants, Nia always managed to find solitude and serenity among the plants of the botanical gardens.

“Has this always been Mujaji’s temple?” she asked as the three of them followed the long, winding path that led to the greenhouses in the back of the gardens.

“As far as I’m aware. Why?”

“It’s just that I’ve been here before, and I never knew. I always felt like there was...something here, but I just assumed I was feeling the energy from all of the plants.”

“You can do that?” Okoye asked, and she caught another shared glance between Nia and the king. They had been doing that all day, and she was growing tired of it.

Nia opened her mouth to try to fix her slip-up, but she was saved when a young woman about her age emerged from behind a mango tree and recognized her colorful headwrap.

“Nia?”

“Sukutai!”

Nia ran over to her, and the women embraced. A smile crept up T’Challa’s cheeks at seeing Nia’s faint glow again, but, unfortunately, it seemed that Okoye might have seen it as well. The king ignored her pointed stares and continued to watch Nia and the woman from afar.

“What are you doing here? It’s been months since I saw you last!” Sukutai playfully scolded her before leaning in like she had a secret to tell. “You have to see the new fire lily blooms; I know they’re your favorite.”

“They are,” Nia chuckled, “but I’m here on business today.”

“Business?”

Nia gestured behind her, and Sukutai’s eyes widened in shock as she finally noticed T’Challa and Okoye standing in the distance.

“My apologies, my king,” she quickly saluted him, but he waved her off.

“None needed. Any friend of Nia’s is a friend of mine.”

Sukutai’s eyebrows almost reached her hairline as she turned back to Nia. “I know we don’t know each other very well, but how come you never told me you knew the king?”

“He’s new,” Nia shrugged nonchalantly.

Sukutai shook her head fondly at her friend as T’Challa and Okoye came to stand next to her.

“What brings you to my humble garden, your highness?”

“I would say this is anything but humble, priestess,” he chuckled. This time it was Nia’s turn to be surprised.

“Priestess?!”

“Yeah, I don’t like to advertise it,” Sukutai shrugged.

“Well, I guess we both have our secrets,” Nia teased, making her friend giggle.

“I guess we do.”

“Sukutai, we are here because we need to speak with Mujaji. Bast is missing and-”

“You need to see if he knows where she is.”

“Yes,” T’Challa nodded.

“Right this way,” Sukutai said as she stuck her elbow out for Nia. She wrapped her arm around it, and the two of them took off, chatting about the flora they passed on the way.

Sukutai led them to the back of the botanical gardens towards the greenhouses. There were several smaller ones scattered around that were about the size of Nia’s home, but the very last greenhouse was huge. It stood about two stories tall and expanded across an acre of land.

“How did I miss this?” Nia wondered aloud.

“You weren’t looking for it,” Sukutai winked. “Too distracted by the pretty flowers, as usual.”

“You should really pay more attention to your surroundings, Nia,” T’Challa teased, and she narrowed her eyes at him. Despite the fact that she was still very hesitant to trust Nia, Okoye had to stifle a chuckle at her attitude. It was refreshing for her to see a woman that seemed to be immune to his charms.

The four of them entered the greenhouse, and Nia was amazed at what she saw. Instead of beautiful flowers and lush trees and bushes, there were rows and rows of crops.

“I knew you had some fruit trees, but I didn’t know you grew other foods here, too,” she said with her mouth wide open.

“We have to. Who do you think taught us how to work the land?”

Nia nodded as she soaked up Sukutai’s words. It had never occurred to her that the humans had to learn agriculture from somewhere...or someone. She wondered if aziza had learned from him, too, and if so, why hadn’t she heard about it? Were their history books incomplete, too? Nia’s train of thought was cut short as they arrived at the center of the greenhouse. There was a large patch of soil surrounded by an old stone wall no more than two feet tall. A small plaque near the opening caught the visitors’ eyes, and they crowded around to read it.

“The first garden?” Nia gasped, and her eyes traveled to the rich soil.

Sukutai smiled proudly, “That’s right. This is where Wakandans first learned how to grow sorghum. Mujaji’s magic still inhabits the land, and he allows us to speak to him through it.”

“How does it work?” T’Challa asked, equally in awe of the plot of land that allowed his people to prosper. Yes, they had vibranium, but what use would that be without the ability to feed themselves? Had they remained hunter-gatherers, they never would have gotten to where they are today.

“I’ll show you,” Sukutai said as she untied her shoes. “Nia, would you like to help?”

“M-me?”

“Yes, you, silly. You have the heart and hands of a gardener.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“First thing’s first, shoes off,” Sukutai instructed, and Nia slid out of her sandals. “Now, you see those jars full of seeds over there?”

Sukutai gestured behind them, and they all turned around to follow her line of vision.

“Yes,” Nia’s voice shook as she spoke.

“Don’t worry about what each one is. Just go pick whichever one calls to you.”

Nia nodded and padded her way over to the table covered in glass jars. She felt the power radiating from each one, but she felt compelled to pick up a small jar full of green coffee beans. Her hand instinctively reached out to touch it, but she pulled back and looked to the priestess for permission.

“Go ahead, take one,” Sukutai urged, and Nia carefully screwed the top off. She reached in and grabbed one of the beans, and walked back over to Sukutai.

“Ok, how does this work?”

“We start with a yes or no question. Let’s try ‘Do you know where Bast is?’ and go from there, ok?”

“Ok.”

“Follow me.”

Sukutai stepped onto the sacred land, and Nia did the same. The ground seemed to vibrate, and Nia’s face lit up. The slight glow returned to her skin, and this time Okoye was sure in what her eyes beheld. She quickly turned towards T’Challa, who looked at her out of the corner of his eye but kept quiet. He shifted his weight away from her nervously and continued to watch Nia and Sukutai work.

“You feel it too, huh?” Sukutai asked with a sly smile on her face.

“It feels...it feels like my feet are buzzing.”

Sukutai’s head cocked to the side, and her eyes narrowed as she tried to understand exactly what was happening. Nia obviously wasn’t a priestess of Mujaji, yet his magic spoke to her in some way. That wasn’t normal, and neither was the faint highlight that appeared on her skin.

“Yeah, it does,” she agreed and shook the suspicions out of her head. She knelt to the ground, and Nia followed suit. “Hold the seed in your hands, close to your face- yes, just like that. Now, close your eyes and let it feel your energy. When you are ready, speak to it. Ask your question.”

Nia shut her eyes and focused on the feeling of the seed in her hands. She pictured it growing big and strong, and after a few moments, her mouth was filled with the taste of coffee. It was ready. She brought it closer to her lips and whispered, “Do you know where Bast is?”

When she peeled her eyes open, she saw a huge grin on Sukutai’s face.

“You’re a natural.”

“Thanks,” Nia giggled. “What now?”

“Now you plant it.”

“Anywhere?”

“Wherever you choose.”

Nia studied the ground around her and turned a little to the left. She held the seed in her left hand as she made a small mound in the dirt with her right. She gave the seed one last glance before pushing it into the soil.

“No water?” she asked.

Sukutai shook her head with a mischievous smile, “No need.”

“Ok...so now we wait?”

“It won’t take long. Usually about-” Sukutai’s eyes widened. “Look!”

Four sets of eyes trained on the tiny green sprout that pushed up from the ground.

“It’s never happened that fast before.”

The sprout turned into a seedling, and the seedling matured right before their eyes. Just as hope began to fill the air, it left, and the coffee plant shriveled up. The leaves turned brown, then a murky black before decomposing entirely. Everyone’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and silence descended upon the group. Without even asking, they all knew it was a resounding “no.”

--------

The silence was thick on the ride back to Nia’s. Okoye flew the Talon with a million questions running through her mind, all of which seemed to come back to Nia. Who is she? What is she?

Nia left her position by the window, no longer interested in the ground below, and met T’Challa by his sand table. She watched for a moment as the molecules dispersed and recollected themselves in the shapes of the temples they just visited and the gods they just contacted. He chewed on his lip as he tried to put the pieces together, but there just wasn’t enough information.

“T’Challa?” Nia spoke softly to keep Okoye from hearing.

“Hm?” he grunted without looking up.

“What if the problem isn't in this realm?”

The king tore his eyes away from the table, and the sand fell flat.

“You are suggesting we go to the magic realm?”

“Again with the ‘we,’” she sighed. “No, I’m suggesting I go to the magic realm.”

He stared at her blankly for a moment before calling out to Okoye, “General?”

“Yes, my king?”

“You will travel back to the palace alone-”

“No-” Nia tried to stop him.

“I will be staying with Nia a little while longer. I will call when I need you.”

“Yes, my king.”

Nia dragged her hand down her face, then immediately looked down and noticed the clay that had transferred to her palm. She pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned in frustration, both at the king and at her careless mistake.

“T’Challa, I just said-”

“I know what you said,” he snipped, “but this is my kingdom, and I need to know what’s going on.”

“But-”

“I’m going with you, and that’s final.” He turned away and joined Okoye in the cockpit.

Nia sat off to the side and pouted the rest of the way home. When they arrived, Okoye reluctantly left the king behind and flew off to the palace.

“She could’ve just stayed outside, you know,” Nia fussed as they entered her home. “Now she definitely knows something is up.”

He rolled his eyes, “She knew something was up the moment you started glowing.”

Nia froze and mentally kicked herself for not using the glamor spell her ubaba had taught her. She was in such a rush that morning that it completely slipped her mind. The smug look on T’Challa’s face made her want to slap him, so she stormed down the hall to her bathroom to fix her facepaint. As soon as she finished, Nia heard the king make a strange noise and looked out to see what he had done. A laugh erupted from her belly as she watched the king stand on the couch to get away from Sego. He glared at her, but his eyes promptly fell back on the python that was too close for comfort.

“Call off your snake!”

“Python,” she giggled. “Sego, stop messing with him, please.”

Sego turned her way, and Nia could see the playful look in his eyes. He thoroughly enjoyed messing with the king. T’Challa climbed down from the couch and let out a calming breath as Sego slithered away to the kitchen.

“So the mighty Black Panther is scared of pythons, huh?” she mocked him as she leaned against the doorframe.

“Not scared...I just don’t like them.”

“Mhm. If it makes you feel any better, he’s not fully a python. He’s a shifter.”

“Meaning…”

“Meaning sometimes he’s in his human form, sometimes he’s in his python form.”

T’Challa thought about it for a moment. “Actually, that does make me feel better. Thanks.”

Nia smirked and rolled her eyes.

“So,” T’Challa cleared his throat, “what now?”

“First, we go see my ubaba, then the queen.”

“Ok...how do we, you know, get there?”

“It’s easy,” she bragged as she walked over to him. “Give me your hand, and I’ll show you.”

Nia reached out to him, and when their hands connected, an image of the two of them sharing a feverish kiss popped into her mind. She gasped and pulled back as though she had touched a hot stove.

“What is it?!”

“N-nothing, I just,” she had to think of something quick. “My headwrap. I take it off when I go to the magic realm...to, uh, let my ears breathe, you know?”

“Um, ok.”

Nia hurried from the room and left T’Challa standing there, confused about what just happened. He knew she was lying despite the fact that her excuse had some semblance of truth to it. Thanks to the heart-shaped herb, T’Challa could hear her heartbeat, and something had caused her heart to almost beat out of her chest. His suspicions didn’t last for long, though, because when she came back from her room, his jaw dropped. Of course, he had noticed her beauty the first time, well the second time, he laid eyes on her, but as she came down the hallway fluffing her coils out into an afro that framed her face like an obsidian halo, he felt a knot form in his chest.

“Ready?” she asked, obviously over whatever had been bothering her.

“Yeah,” T’Challa cleared his throat. He was suddenly parched. “Ready.”

“Ok.” She grabbed his hands again, but this time there was no vision. Nia sighed in relief and looked him dead in his eyes as the atmosphere around them began to thicken. “Be cool. Don’t embarrass me.”

Next Chapter

Taglist: @maddeningmayhem, @theblulife, @motheroffae, @love-mesome-me, @toni9, @bribrisback, @dersha89, @impremenior, @ljstraightnochaser, @love--life--passion, @yourstrulybrii

[alexlwrites]

Hey I just want to request you a fic where the fl had a dead first love , whom she always chases after but it is always Namjoon who catches her when he realised she is really gonna fly away.

A/N: i think i strayed away a bit from the original request, but i did my best. I wrote this on the subway as people watched me crying. Anyways!

From my notes app:

It was April 29th again.

How long had it been since the last one? A couple weeks? 365 days? A lifetime? You weren't sure, but the earth had once more completed a circle without you even assimilating the last one.

Your body still ached from phantom pains - a non-existent weight in your left ring finger, the impact of a car crash you never lived, shards of a still broken heart and loss, dear lord, so much loss. How could someone even lose something that they already no longer have?

But every April 29th reopened a wound barely stitched together and you felt the burden of another year lost, a multitude of days that could've been lived as someone's wife but instead barely could be called a widow - after all, there was no wedding. There was only a white dress, a pair of rings and a call from the hospital that sent you into a spiral of unfortunate events and ripped your soul from your body.

Every April 29th brought a slew of what-ifs and if-onlys that buried you under the avalanche of painful possibilities. If that driver had never been drinking, if he had left earlier, if the wedding had been scheduled to the next saturday... Every minimal detail added to insurmountable strands - different paths and roads that could've been taken in a different life.

In a different life, you could've been Yoongi's wife.

In a different life, you could've kissed him on an altar and went on to start a new chapter written together. You could've watched him put together your shared furniture, made him coffee and kissed his pink tinted knucles. In a different world, you could've built a family together, slanted eyed babied and fluffy brown dogs, maybe even a black cat. In another universe, you would've watched someone's first steps guided by his long fingers wrapped around a tiny chubby wrist. In a separate world...

"Love" someone called snapping you out of your morbid fantasies and you turned to see Namjoon offering his hand.

You took it and stood up from the ground, interlacing your fingers with his and bringing them to your lips as you walked away from the forget-me-not adorned grave, silent and contemplative. In another life, things could've been different, but in this one you were given catastrophic grief by fate and its antidote by the same hand. The same prophecy that had taken away Yoongi from your sobbing grip had gifted you Namjoon.

Namjoon who also lost his best friend and had been the first one to reach for you as crumbled to the floor in a white gown; who had been forever patient and understanding, a buoy in the storm as disgrace had rained from the skies ; who stood back to back with you as you leaned on each other to stand up once more ; Namjoon who bought the forget-me-nots and took you where you needed every April 29th.

"I miss him" you said.

Namjoon nodded "Me too. Everyday."

Namjoon helped you into the car and drove away softly, his hand never leaving yours, tethering you to this lifetime where you were now his, six years after being someone else's.

[amanda-glassen]

My Love, My Life

For the “My Love, My Life - ABBA” square of @storiesofsvu​ fall bingo.

Characters: Olivia Benson, Serena Benson

Serena reflects on the past 18 years the night before Olivia moves to LA for college. (The Wonder Years universe)

Serena woke up to her four-year-old daughter’s hand on her face for the second time that night. They knew Charlie was old enough to sleep in her own bed, but Jamie didn’t have the heart to say no to her whenever she stood in the doorway clutching her Chucky doll and asking if she could sleep with them. Charlie may have looked like Serena and acted like her, but she and Jamie had a bond that Serena felt she wasn’t always a part of. The closeness Jamie had with Charlie is what Serena had with Olivia－her big baby as she affectionately called her, her big baby that was leaving home in less than eight hours.

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep, Serena kissed her sleeping daughter on the cheek and walked down the hall to Olivia’s room. There were two large pieces of luggage and a carry-on bag propped up against the wall, ready for her flight. Olivia was only taking her clothes and the plan was to buy everything she’d need for her dorm when they were over there. Her room would remain the same and Serena didn’t know if that was a source of comfort or if she’d spend hours crying on Olivia’s bed when she was gone.

Olivia may have been eighteen and going off to college but when Serena saw her fast asleep that night holding onto her stuffed t-rex, all she could see was the little girl who would give her kisses when she tucked her into bed each night. 

I held you close to me

Felt your heartbeat and I thought I am free

Oh, yes and as one are we

In the now and beyond

Nothing and no one can break this bond

Scenes from Olivia’s childhood started playing in her mind and, when she closed her eyes tightly, she could swear she had been transported to their old apartment. It was small and humble but that tiny apartment held the happiest moments of Serena’s life because as long as she had Olivia, she had all she needed. She could smell five-year-old Olivia’s strawberry-scented children’s shampoo and feel her heart beating fast as she held onto her. Her little girl had had a nightmare and was depending on her for comfort and protection. 

“It’s okay, baby,” Serena told her as they sat in the rocking chair and she attempted to rock Olivia back to sleep. “Mommy’s here. I’ll always keep you safe.”

Her tiny hand clenched Serena’s tank top as she started to calm down. “Mommy, I’m a big kid now. I don’t wanna be scared like a baby.”

“Everyone is afraid of something, Ollie girl.”

“Even you?” her daughter looked at her, wide-eyed.

“Even me,” Serena smiled.

“Are you afraid of the boogeyman?”

“No,” Serena tickled her, causing Olivia to giggle. “The boogeyman and I are best friends. I send him after your uncle Kyle all the time.”

“Mommy,” Olivia continued to giggle. “What are you afraid of then?”

“Hmm,” Serena gently bit her lip as she tried to think of what she was afraid of. “You know that really grouchy professor who gave Mommy a bad grade? I think I’m afraid of her.”

“What about the monster under the bed?”

Serena absentmindedly twirled one of Olivia’s curls around her finger. “Oh that monster. Remember that time we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house by Lake Tahoe and I sprayed you with that stuff to keep the mosquitos away? Well, how about if I make something for you to keep the monsters away?”

“Okay.” Olivia laid her head on her chest. “Mommy, can I sleep with you tonight? And tomorrow we can make monster spray?”

“You can sleep with me anytime you want, baby.”

That night she cuddled Olivia close in her bed, making sure to stay awake until she knew her little girl was fast asleep. “Mommy, you’re my hero,” her daughter said in a sleepy voice. “You’re the most bravest mommy in the whole world.”

But thirteen years later, as she stood in the doorway of her daughter’s room, she no longer felt brave. What her daughter couldn’t comprehend during the conversation they had when she was five was that Serena’s biggest fear was the day Olivia grew up and left home. 

I am invincible, how could this go wrong?

No, here, here's where we belong

I see a road ahead

I never thought I would dare to tread

For the first time since she became a teenager, Serena climbed into bed with Olivia and held her as close as she could from behind. Instead of strawberry shampoo and bubble bath, she smelled the remnants of Olivia’s cologne and some Dove men’s lotion.

“Mom, are you sniffing me?” Olivia asked, half asleep.

“You don’t smell like my baby anymore, but this scent is still comforting,” Serena said as she nuzzled into the back of Olivia’s neck. 

“Mom, I’m eighteen now. This is weird.”

“Olivia Margaret!” Serena raised her voice. “Do you know how long I was in labor with you?”

Olivia turned around to face her. “You see, I asked Grandma about that and she said you actually weren’t in labor that long and once the drugs kicked in, you were practically numb from the neck down. You can’t use that on me anymore. Charlie was the difficult labor. Why don’t you use that on her instead?”

“She’s only four,” Serena chuckled. “There’s no fun in guilt-tripping a four-year-old. She already believes everything I say. Your sister is in that innocent phase of life where she believes in Santa and the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. Give it five years. I’ll start guilt-tripping her then.”

“That’s some A+ parenting, Mom,” Olivia said jokingly. “Why do I feel like Charlie and I will be explaining all of this to a therapist someday?”

“Because you will, Olliegator. Just like I did and my mother and grandmother did before me. Face it, baby. Crazy runs in the family. That and alcoholism.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Olivia rolled her eyes. “And, Mom, you’re still cuddling me.”

Serena held her even tighter. “It’s your last night at home. Either I cuddle you now or I walk into your dorm room when your roommate is there and say ‘Where’s my Olliegator? Where’s my kisses?’ in a really annoying tone of voice.”

“I’d like to think you were bluffing, but I know you’d do it, so I’ll just let you cuddle me.”

For a few moments, Serena was able to bask in the feeling of holding Olivia one last time before she moved. Finding out Olivia had gotten a softball scholarship was one of the proudest moments of Serena’s life until she realized it meant her baby would have to move to LA. Her parents lived in Beverly HIlls and her sister lived in Santa Monica, neither of which were far from Olivia’s school, but even if she knew they’d watch out for her, nothing would ever compare to her knowing Olivia was safe in her bedroom down the hall.

“I’m worried about you living on your own. Grandma and Grandpa live two miles from your school, why don’t you just live with them? At least I know you’d be safe. What if your roommate is some crazy person?”

Olivia scoffed. “As opposed to the crazy woman I live with now?”

“Smartass.” Serena playfully pinched her.

“Ow!” Olivia rubbed her arm. “For a tiny woman, you’re really strong.”

“Strong enough to lock you in this room so you can’t leave me?”

“Mom!” Olivia groaned.

“I’ve had eighteen years to prepare for this and I’m still not ready,” Serena admitted. “I know you’re an adult now and you’ve worked so hard to get where you are, but I don’t want you to leave home.”

Now it was Olivia’s turn to hold her close and she couldn’t help sobbing into her daughter’s shoulder. “Mom, I know this is hard, but everything is going to be okay. Remember when I had that really bad nightmare and I called you the bravest mom in the world? I still think that’s true. Everything I’ve accomplished is because of you and how brave you are. What you went through when I was conceived. Dealing with that trauma plus preparing to have a baby when you were only 21. You graduated from college and then went on to get your PhD all while being a single mom. For the first twelve years of my life, it was just the two of us and I still don’t know how you managed to do it all. You’ve taken care of all of us; let us take care of you now.”

“I love you, Olliegator.”

“I love you, too, Mom,” Olivia said as she placed a kiss on her cheek. “And, yes, I’m leaving home but I’m never leaving you.” 

Flying to LA was like flying home for Serena. Her mother picked them up from LAX and they stopped at a store to shop for bedding and a few things to get Olivia through the first day in her dorm.

“Tomorrow, we’ll go shopping for some decorations and some other things to make the place feel like home, okay, Ollie?” Olivia’s grandma told her.

On the drive to Olivia’s school, they passed by all of Serena’s favorite places to visit as a child. The little bakery where Olivia had her first ice cream sandwich was just a couple of blocks away from the campus and, when they drove by it, Serena had to swallow hard so as not to cry. 

“Mom, can we get an ice cream sandwich sometime before you fly back to New York?” Olivia asked, which made Serena feel like she was gonna cry all over again.

“Yes, of course, Olliegator. We can go anywhere you want.”

There were three generations of Benson women in Olivia’s dorm room; Serena and Mrs. Benson took to making her bed and organizing her desk while Olivia unpacked her clothes and hung them up in the closet. They were there for two hours, mostly stalling for time until they could no longer put off the inevitable. There was another fifteen minutes of goodbye hugs and kisses on the cheek with Serena trying her hardest not to let Olivia see her cry.

“I’m still gonna see you tomorrow before you fly back, right?” Olivia asked her with that same pleading look she had as a child.

“Just call me whenever you’re ready.”

“And you’ll be back next month for Parents Weekend?”

My baby already misses me. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything and I know your sister is gonna put on the hoodie you bought for her as soon as I get back and ask if it’s time to go to your school,” Serena said as she held her close. “If you ever feel lonely, your grandparents are just a couple of miles away and your aunt Lexie is in Santa Monica and you can always call me. I don’t care what time it is, Ollie. Just call me whenever you need me.”

When they were outside, Serena couldn’t help turning around to look at the building her daughter would call home for the next nine months. It was so full of life and Serena knew her daughter was going to have a good time and make a lot of friends, but this building wasn’t their house and Serena wanted nothing more than to get Olivia and take her back to New York. I can’t do that to her. She worked so hard to get here and I owe it to her to let her be happy.

Yes, I know don't possess you

With all my heart, God bless you

You are still my love and my life

“It’s okay to cry, Ser Bear,” Mrs. Benson said as she hugged her. “I know I did. What you’re feeling right now, I felt 22 years ago when I dropped you off at Columbia. I kept asking myself why couldn’t you just go to UCLA or USC or, hell, I’d have settled for somewhere in northern California, but you worked for years to get into Columbia and you were so excited. I know I broke your heart so many times when you were growing up. I didn’t want to add that to the list and letting you go ended up being the best thing for you. Look at the woman you’ve become. You’re excelling in your career, you’re a wonderful mom, and you met and married Miss Tall, Dark, and Handsome.”

Feeling the comfort of her mother’s arms made Serena unable to stop her tears from flowing. “What if she never comes back?”

“No matter how old she gets, she’s always gonna need you,” Mrs. Benson said as she dried her daughter’s tears. “Kids always come back, baby, even if it’s just for a while. You just have to let them know there’s always a road that’ll lead them back home again.”

[dreamescapeswriting]

Betrayal ~ KTH [Request]

↬↬↬Word Count: 4K

↬↬↬Genre: Ansgt, Mafia Au, no fluff, no happy ending.

↬↬↬Pairing: Mafia!Taehyung x Fem!Reader

↬↬↬WARNINGS: Mentions death, gun wounds, blood, being chained against will, guns

Thunder clapped from the outside of Taehyung's office and you jumped a little as you attempted to do up the buttons of your shirt, your husband had invited you over for lunch but you hadn't known that lunch was you.

"Are you going back home?" He questioned with a frown on his face, he hated the thought of you driving home in the thunderstorm that was happening outside...He hated you driving alone anyway he would much rather have one of his guards escort you home bur after years of being married to you he realised that was never going to happen. You knew you walked around with a target on your back since you were married to one of the leading Mafia families in Seoul but you didn't care for being watched constantly, you felt like you were being babysat.

"I'll be fine Tae, I'll call you when I get back home?" The sound of thunder happened again but you didn't jump this time, you just slid yourself off Taehyung's desk and straightened out the black skirt you were wearing.

"Will you please just take Namjoon? Just to get you home-" He was cut off when your lips touched his, you did this whenever you could to calm him down. You knew what his problem was which made you feel guilty for turning him down on this but it had been years since Soobin had ever been heard about.

"Tae...I will be fine." You promised him leaning across to give him a kiss on the lips, trying to set his mind at ease a little more than it was but it was impossible. He was always going to worry about you whether you liked it or not.

"Fine. Just make sure you take it easy, the roads are slippy when they get wet." He was started to sound panicked, who would have thought it. A Mafia gang leader who'd killed a million people to get where he was today was worried about you,

"I promise." You whispered taking your keys and heading towards his office door, as soon as it opened his henchmen all stood to attention and awaited orders from him as if he was a general in the army.

"At ease boys." You joked patting Jimin on the chest as you walked past him, they all kept their heads straight knowing better than to gaze off after you. Taehyung was far too territorial for that to ever happen.

"Call me!" He yelled out not caring about coming across as worried in front the boys, they'd already seen him at his low points so he had nothing to hide.

"Sure!" You called out to him walking towards the elevator with your head hanging low so that no one would notice you.

"Here, let me help." You turned to your left to see a boy that couldn't have been any older than 18 standing next to you holding out his hands to take the umbrella for you - you were having trouble with it. Out of habit, you looked around nervously to make sure that he was alone,

"Sorry...Do you work here?" You didn't mean to stutter, stuttering was a form of nervousness and you didn't want to come across nervous.

"Yeah, Taehyung hired me a couple of weeks ago. I'm Kai," He held out his hand for you to shake and you smiled shaking it as he opened up the umbrella with ease.

"I'll walk you to your car, can't be too careful Mrs Kim." He looked so innocent and cute that you didn't have the heart to turn him down, he must have been one of the new recruits that Taehyung had been hiring over the last few weeks.

"Thank you," You whispered, he held the umbrella for you as you walked.

"Did you say Kai? I'll have to tell Tae next time I see him what a good job you're doing. Not many people would have stopped even if I was Mrs Kim." You smiled softly at him feeling a little more at ease once you got closer to your car and you knew you would be at home snuggled up on the sofa in no time.

"I could see you struggling and I know what it's like getting your hair wet when you really don't want to." He chuckled waiting for you to unlock the car door before he would make his move, he didn't work for Taehyung but you didn't have to know that right now.

"Thanks again-" You were cut off midsentence when a cloth was placed over your mouth, you threw your head backwards trying to hit him for placing something over your mouth but the more you fought the weaker your body grew. The strong scent of chloroform waved through your nose making it harder for you to keep your eyes open, it was like a heavyweight had been placed on them and it was a struggle to fight the urge to sleep.

When you woke up again you were in the back of a van, your bag was still attached to your hip so you quietly began to look through it but it was hard with no source of light. The van driving you around hit a pothole sending you flying against the back door, you winced holding onto the side of your head as you tried not to cry out in pain.

"She still asleep back there?" The voice you knew belonged to Kai asked, you closed your eyes quickly trying to look as out of it as possible, if they knew you were awake you wouldn't have time to look for your phone in your bag - if they hadn't already searched it that was.

"Out cold." Another voice answered back to him but you didn't know that one, Kai sighed looking out onto the road as he drove you along.

"What do you think he'll do to her?" He sounded worried which was strange for someone who had just kidnapped you, you pushed it away and began looking for your phone but it was gone. They'd either taken it from you or you'd left it in Taehyung's office, either way, you were fucked until they decided to tell you what was going to happen.

"Any news?" Taehyung paced back and forth in his office, he'd been waiting for your call for the last three hours. It was pitch black outside thanks to the autumnal time of year and the rain that had begun hammering down.

"Nothing, should we send someone to the house?" Jin questioned looking at his boss who was starting to look sick, his eyes were sunken with worry and he was beginning to sweat at the thought of this happening all over again. It was how it happened the first time. His first ever love had gone missing one night with no phone call and she was found dead within a few hours of being gone.

"I'll go to the house, Jin you come with me and have the boys search for her car." He ordered out picking up his phone and trying to call you for the 100th time that day but it was going straight to voicemail instead of ringing which meant it was dead or turned off.

"Call me when you get this, please be okay." He was panicking as he rushed out of the building, he knew he should never have let you get your own way with going home he should have sent someone with you.

"I'm sure she might have just fallen asleep at home, you know how tired she gets." Taehyung knew Jin was just trying to make him feel better but it wasn't working. Nothing was going to work until he knew you were safe and sound.

Chains were rattling as you struggled against them, your legs were bound together at your ankles and your wrists were chained together and hanging over a hook. All you could smell was metal and sea air so you were probably on the docks,

"Look! I don't know what you want but you won't get it! Taehyung doesn't care about me!" You knew the drill if you were ever taken act as though you and Taehyung had fallen out, had a fight anything to make sure the bad guys didn't know he was in love with you.

"We both know that's a lie so let's not try that one." A machine turned on to your right and the hook you were attached to began to lift from the ground, you screamed out in shock as you legs were left dangling off the floor your toes barely touching the ground.

"Please let me go, I'll get you whatever it is you want." You whimpered looking around the room for someone to come into sight but there was no one there. It was just a voice coming from somewhere in the building.

"Stop looking, I'll come out and face you when I'm ready." That voice that was speaking you could have sworn you'd heard it before somewhere but you couldn't place where you knew it from or who it could have been.

"Kai where's her phone?" Footsteps were approaching from behind and you hissed as someone touched your head where you'd come into contact with the side of the van.

"You said Taehyung doesn't care about you? How would you explain all of these voicemails and calls?" The voice was closer this time and you struggled against the chains, they were started to dig into your skin and irritate you now that you were being held above the ground. Just as the man was about to hit play on the voicemail the phone began to ring,

"Here he is now, let's have a little fun. Make one wrong move and you die." Something cold was placed against your lower back and it didn't take a genius to work out that it was the barrel end of a gun.

"Taehyung?" You whispered out as the man finally came into view, he was tall taller than Taehyung and he had blue light blue hair.

"Baby?! Where are you?! We got home and you weren't here!" You swallowed the lump in your throat as you looked at the man for instructions, you had no idea what to do.

"I-I'm fine, just got lost-"

"She did not get lost, she's with me." The hook was lifted higher again and you cried out as the chains caused more friction from the sudden movement,

"What are you doing to her!?" His voice came out panicked as he heard your cries in the background of the call, Soobin smirked looking at you up and down as if he was studying you.

"I had a surprise for you since I'm back in town I wanted to give it to you but then I saw Y/n here and I couldn't resist the urge for old times sake." Old times sake? You looked at him closely this time, the way he paced around in front of you with a limp and the small scar he had on the side of his cheek. The harsh reality began to set in on what was going to happen to you,

"Are you done yelling at me? I think my new toy is eager to learn all about me now." The phone was slammed shut but not before Taehyung could trace the destination and start moving to get you.

"I already know all about you." You whimpered out as he came closer to you, he nodded his head.

"Told you all about Mina did he?" He questioned running his hand over your cheek as he reached up to touch it,

"Yes, he did. I was there to look after him after what you did." You spat at him and he chuckled darkly nodding at Kai to lower to the hook again. Once your feet were flat on the floor you let out a breathy sigh only to whimper again when Soobin grabbed onto your face and forced you to look into his eyes.

"Did he tell you she was dead? Died in his arms while he cried out for her to stay with him?" You nodded your head slowly, you knew better than to ignore someone like him when they were talking directly to you. Cooperation was better than being killed on the spot, you weakly looked at him in the eyes and he smirked.

"Did he train you or did you learn from one of his henchmen?" He threw your face away but you only rocked on the hook as you fell backwards.

"Acting like you're not afraid won't get you anywhere, besides it's not you that I want." You frowned until you heard the familiar sound of tires screeching outside,

"Quicker than I thought they would be, I barely had any time to rough you up a little." Soobin tutted at himself but sighed,

"Anyway! Kai! Up!" The hook above you roared to life and you began hissing as you were lifted up into the air once again, your feet just touching the floor as it stopped in the correct place.

"Go and get the other one." He ordered the younger male as he sat down on the steps across from you, he was just watching you closely while he waited.

"How long have you and Taehyung been married?" You fought against the chains that were locking you in place, it was no good but it was better than just hanging around for whatever plan Soobin had cooked up.

"Seven years." You mumbled to him looking him in the eyes as you waited for some kind of sarcastic comment to come back at you.

"Long time to be together, does he love you as much as he loved Mina?" You stayed silent, you knew Taehyung would never love anyone as much as he had loved Mina it was impossible.

The building was easy enough for Taehyung to find it was almost as though Soobin was going out of his way to make this easy for him,

"Long time to be together, does he love you as much as he loved Mina?" The name rang through his ears memories of him and Mina came flooding back to him, all of the happy ones and then the last one of him holding her in his arms promising that everything would be okay.

"I love her more than I loved Mina." He answered as the door pried open, his eyes locked onto your as you yelled out his name. He was met with panic as he saw you hanging there like a pig ready to be slaughtered.

"What do you want Soobin?" He'd do anything if it meant you not being hurt, getting you out of there was the first priority he'd given to the boys telling them he didn't care how they did but it was there only main concern to focus on.

"Where are the boys? I'm assuming some are waiting in the getaway car you have ready for Y/n," Soobin knew everything that was going to happen, he'd planned every possibility out but so had Taehyung, he'd counted on Soobin knowing what was going to happen.

"What do you want from me?"

"I told you I had a surprise for you! Sit down and enjoy yourself!" He chuckled going up to Taehyung and rubbing his shoulders,

"Look I'll even let Y/n down if it'll make this cosier for you." The machine roared and you were flat on the ground,

"Untie her Kai, I'd had to have a lady tied up like this." Everything seemed off, Soobin wasn't acting like himself and Taehyung could sense something wasn't right.

"I want a truce, I knew the only way to get you to talk to me was to take something of yours." You were freed from the chains on your ankles gave way underneath you and you sunk down onto the metal flooring but

"She's yours, but I do have one more thing to show you before we start talking about a truce." A truce? Why would Soobin ever want a truce? The last time he'd seen Taehyung was when he killed Mina and told Soobin he'd never stop until everything he had was his own. Then everyone assumed he was dead because his body had been reported on the news, along with having a huge funeral.

"Beomgyu?" A set of double doors opened behind Taehyung but he was focused on helping you up he hadn't bothered to turn around and look just yet.

"T-Taehyung?!" A female voice called out and as soon as she came into the light you knew her from the photographs that Taehyung had around the mansion back home, Mina.

"Mina?!" She was thrown down harshly onto the floor and he sprinted over to her knocking you down in the process, your heart shattered as you watched the way he looked at her. He'd never looked at you that way, with love so deep in his eyes you could tell just how much he loved you from one glance.

"Yes, Yes, she's alive, weepie." Sarcasm seeped through Soobin's voice as he watched Taehyung embrace Mina in a hug and then glanced back at you with a smirk, you struggled against the chains around your wrist and Soobin walked towards you bending down to help you stand up and lean you against his body.

"This isn't just some happy gift-giving Taehyung." Taehyung turned to look at you and Soobin side by side and he avoided your gaze checking to see if Mina was okay instead of you.

"You have a decision to make Taehyung," A gun was pulled from his pocket and placing it against your temple,

"You get one not both-"

"Mina!" He answered without even stopping to hear the rest of what Soobin had to say,

"What?" You stuttered out watching as he stared down into her eyes, both of them just looking at one another like they had been the ones married for the last seven years.

"T-Tae?" You whimpered when the gun was turned away from you and onto him, Soobin couldn't believe he hadn't even stopped to hear the full question.

"You're an idiot Taehyung," Soobin scoffed glancing between Taehyung and you but ti Taehyung it was as if you weren't even in the room anymore he brought Mina into a loving kiss while Soobin was trying to talk to him,

"LOOK AT ME WHILE I'M TALKING TO YOU!" A warning shot was signalled into the air and you screamed out covering your ears as best you could with your wrists still bound together. Jimin and Jin rushed into the room aiming their guns until they saw Taehyung clutching Mina closer to his body, they lowered their weapons but Jimin's eyes locked onto you but they quickly went back to Taehyung.

"Would you please listen to me?" But it was as if Taehyung couldn't hear anything outside of his Mina sized bubble, watching the way they held onto one another was tearing your heart to shreds. The way he was clutching her face and staring into her eyes,

"Taehyung can't you see what you're doing to everyone around you?" Eyes landed back on you as you realised you were crying, Taehyung looked straight through you as though you weren't sitting there chained up his eyes went back to Mina and Soobin lost it. Aiming his gun at Taehyung and cocking it back,

"NO!" You screamed out jumping in front of Soobin right as he pulled back the trigger, three gunshots sounded out you watched Soobin turn as the bullet entered his head and hit the floor but you dropped down beside the space where Taehyung had been standing.

"Y/n!" Jin's hands made their way to hold onto the right side of your neck trying to get you to stay still but your body was shivering due to the sheer intensity you were feeling in your neck. It was like a burning sensation as you felt a warm liquid began to pool down your back and along your neck,

"J-Jin." Your voice was hoarse from where the bullet had entered your neck and left through the back of it, Jimin was standing beside Soobin and nodded that he was gone.

"Save your voice Y/n," Jin whispered applying pressure to your neck but you shook your head,

"T-Taehyung." You croaked out begging to see him one last time but Mina was clutching onto him terrified something would happen to her next,

"Taehyung! Your wife!" Jin boomed out clearly annoyed at how the man was acting,

"I know it hurts Y/n but you have to hold on okay, Jimin called an ambulance." But he knew there was nothing they could do, your neck was spilling out blood like it was a tap on full.

"I-It doesn't hurt," You whimpered looking at him in the eyes, you were started to see double thanks to the blood loss working its way through your body, a hand was placed over yours and you looked to see Taehyung looking at you. Tears in his eyes as he held onto you,

"It's okay, I'm okay." You whispered to him trying to reassure him that this was fine,

"I-I didn't- I just-" Your hand weakly reached up to cover his mouth and he sighed looking at you.

"You have to hold on okay? We'll get you out of here and back to normal in no time." You shook your head at his words, you knew that you weren't going to make it out of there any time soon so you swallowed the lump in your throat and looked over at Mina.

"L-Love her with everything you've got Taehyung," He shook his head at you, he wasn't about to let you talk about his relationship with Mina as though yours was nothing between you.

"T-Taehyung I can see how much you love her," The bullet wound wasn't burning anymore and you were starting to shiver from the cold you were feeling. Sirens filled the air but your body was starting to go into spasms from the shock you were finally feeling,

"Jin! Do something." But Jin slowly lifted his hands away from your neck when he felt your pulse stop beneath his fingers, he looked at you and your eyes were glazed over.

"She's gone Tae." He whispered looking at Taehyung who was also covered in your blood, Jin began stripping out of his jacket trying to cover you up until the paramedics got to the scene but Taehyung was staring down at your hand that was still locked with his.

"No! No, she's alive!" Mina walked over to him slowly pulling him away from your body so that the paramedics would be able to do their job as soon as they entered the room but there was nothing they or anyone else could do.

"She saved my life!" He yelled throwing his fist into a metal contain nearby, they were out on the bay near their cars while you were being carried out to be taken to a coroner.

"Tae calm down." Mina rubbed his shoulders but he shoved her away, it wasn't her touch that he wanted to comfort her right now. He wanted you to be the one that was comforting him, holding him but you were gone. He was watching you being wheeled into the back of an ambulance.

"FUCK!" He screamed out throwing his fist into the side of the container once more but this time breaking his knuckles, he cried out silently as he clutched his hand in his other one. Still stained in your blood he sobbed dropping to his knees as the ambulance pulled away, everyone gave him space knowing that being around him right now was bad news. He needed time to be alone and go through everything he needed to alone right now. Mina begrudgingly got into the car that Jin was starting up, she didn't want to leave him there to deal with this alone but he needed to in order to get over you.

Tagline: 

@writingdreamsnottragedies​ @snowy-meowl​ @jooniesdarlingdimples​ @lynnthevirgo​ @lyoongx​ @callingmyangel​ @fan-ati--c​ @mitzwinchester​ @rjsmochii​ @kneel-begyourpardon​ @taestannie​ @innersooya​

[agentgrumpy-gils]

somewhere after midnight || one-shot

all comes to light saga:

democracy dies in darkness taken trying to call home outside jurisdiction 

in which the RAS team makes a rescue... 

takes place: March 12

feat cameos from @estrelllas, @miss-holleyshiftwell, @the-name-is-chip, @and-im-dale, && @princess-mei and also my mass effect character

[tw: violence, guns, shooting, a rescue of a hostage situation, mentions of death threats]

Agent Gamil Wahed was all too familiar with Huntsclan. 

He’d kept an eye on them for years now. The cartel that had killed his family was not an off-shoot of Huntsclan. After all, it had been based in Europe, even though many of its members had international connections and influence. And Huntclan’s MO was much different, an organization designed to spread fear and control, instead of making money.

Still, their paths crossed time and time again. Their motives, though different, were similar enough for that to happen.

When he got the call from Belle, Gil knew what he had to do.

The Rescue Aid Society had been keeping an eye on Huntsclan activity. They’d been keeping an eye on the activity of as many organizations with an interest in hurting and harming Magicks, of course. But that expose by Tanya Qin had helped them connect more dots and all it took were a few more calls to the right people for the RAS to discover a collection of Huntsclan safehouses scattered across England. 

Shiftwell set Chip and Dale to work scouring incoming flights from specific Huntsclan hot zones that the RAS had identified — hot zones narrowed down by the names from the expose. She worked her own magic, her fingers flying across the keyboard, her posture perfectly straight the entire time, and her eyes wide and unblinking.

They narrowed down a location — an old warehouse on the outskirts of Manchester. 

There was a chance it could be a mansion in London. Or an abandoned hotel in Yorkshire. But Shiftwell’d done the calculations, and Chip and Dale had found the paper trail, so it was most likely this one.

Gil had to make the call. 

Gil and Roberts had done this before. They would meet a few more agents at the rendezvous point, while Shiftwell, Chip, and Dale radioed in from Swynlake. Shiftwell had set up as high-tech a base as possible in her and Barbie’s apartment — she was working on hacking nearby cameras, while she had the interns dig up as many records and transactions as possible to pinpoint who the assailants could be and how they were moving along and how many of them there were and if more of them were coming.

“Chip’s also talking to the Ireland team that’s coming in,” she explained, her voice coming through Gil’s earpiece as he and Roberts drove in a black, unsuspecting car towards the warehouse. “We’ll coordinate your arrivals. And Dale’s currently looking at transactions from a suspect puppet account we managed to track down. If we can figure out who’s behind that… well, I won’t get ahead of myself. Turn left here to avoid a police speed trap, by the way.” 

Gil drove. He and Roberts were silent. The back of the car was loaded up with equipment — night vision goggles, grappling hooks, and yes, guns. The priority was getting the girl, though if they could apprehend a few Huntsclan people while they were at it…

Like Shiftwell said, he shouldn’t get ahead of himself. They were here to rescue someone. That’s what Roberts would say, should Gil have ever voiced that thought out loud. That’s what Gabor would’ve said. 

(That’s what got Gabor killed). 

Gil’s hand tightened on the steering wheel. He knew that the dark country road stretched far ahead of him, but all he could see was the sliver of pavement illuminated by the headlights. 

—

Two figures scaled up the walls of the dark warehouse. On the roof, five others waited. Their comms crackled slightly, as a hushed voice whispered to them that there were about a dozen Huntsclan members inside.

“No unnecessary risks. Get the girl and get out. We don’t have enough personnel for a full takedown.” 

The tallest figure clenched his fist, but he nodded.

“Callahan, Dawson, to the left. Shepard, Leung, on the right. Lopez, you stay here and keep point. Roberts, you’re with me.” 

—

This was perhaps the most dangerous mission Holley Shiftwell had been on yet. Now technically, she wasn’t on the ground, but she knew in this case she was more useful behind a computer screen. It had taken hours and hours and a lot of black tea and caramel lattes (thank you, Dale, for the Hatter’s runs), but she had finally managed to connect the old electric grid and hack into the security cameras in the warehouse — that would be a help, a huge one.

She couldn’t have done it without Chip and Dale, who were taking care of the things that she would normally be also taking care of — tracking down receipts and payments and incoming flights and trains and car rentals.

“They’re keeping her on the third floor,” she said through the headset. “In a room right at the center of the complex. Heavily guarded. There’s two people with her at all times.”

“Could we get in from above?” 

“Good question — Chip, can you get me the floorplans? Is there a way?”

There was a vent. It was big enough for Barbie and Gil to crawl through. Callahan and Dawson would distract. Holley would trigger an alarm downstairs for even more diversion. Shepard and Leung would come in once Gil and Barbie secured Mei Qin. It was the best plan they had. 

Holley held her breath.

—

Gil Wahed was used to the sound of gunfire at this point. 

Roberts had dropped through the vent first, landing right on the first guard and immediately taking him out, while Gil put the second in a chokehold. The two bodies were unconscious on the floor in moments, and Gil pulled his knife out of his thigh holster, cutting through the ropes around Mei’s arms. 

“We’re here to rescue you,” he said.

The alarm downstairs blared so loudly, but there was no covering up the sound of a gunshot. 

Instinctively, Gil shielded Mei with his body and reached for his own gun. 

“Head to the roof for extraction!” said Shiftwell over the comms. “London is coming in with a helicopter in ten minutes.” 

“Fourth floor is clear,” shouted Shepard over the comms. “Son of a bitches ran off — fucking cowards. We’ll keep ‘em at bay while you come up here.”

It was not a long walk to the stairs, but Huntsclan knew they were here. Roberts raised two pistols and led the charge. Gil held Mei in his arms, one hand covering her face and neck in order to shield her most vulnerable parts from stray bullets. Unfortunately, he couldn’t shoot well while he carried her. He had to trust Roberts to cover for the both of them.

They ducked behind a pillar and Roberts leaned forward, shooting twice in quick succession. She lingered a moment, then shot once. Gil heard the thump of a falling body. She turned to him and nodded, and they ran towards the exit. 

—

The helicopter was there when they got to the roof. The medic team immediately loaded Mei into the helicopter and started to inspect her. 

“You’ve been shot!” one of them told Gil, grabbing him. 

“Just a graze,” he said, looking at his shoulder. The wound would heal. He’d had worse.

What he really wanted to do was head back down to the warehouse and pick off the remaining Huntsclan members before they could run off — find the ones who’d run off into the night and demand that they tell him everything that they knew. Demand that they tell him where he could find that set of Scarlet Eyes. 

Callahan had been shot in the leg. He was bleeding badly. 

Gil hovered at the door to the chopper.

“We have to go,” shouted Shepard over the blades of the helicopter. “Get in the damn helicopter, Wahed.”

Gil turned his head. He grabbed his gun. 

“Don’t wait for me,” he said. “I’ll take the car back. I’m going to make sure that the area is clear.”

“They’re going to send back up. We have to get out of here. If you don’t get here now, you’re gonna get killed.” 

Gil knew she was right. Goddamnit. He cursed under his breath, the fire in his heart burning as he tore his gaze away from the warehouse and stepped into the helicopter. 

[blueskrugs]

Fireworks | Matthew Tkachuk

this is entirely @stl-boys55​‘s fault because she gave me this idea, and then I was missing our lake house and Fourth of Julys with fireworks. 

length: 2k words

The Fourth of July had always been one of your favorite holidays. You had grown up with your dad shooting off fireworks at your grandparents’ lake house, and you lived for the way you felt the boom of the big ones in your chest. To you, there was almost nothing better in the summer than the smell of the black powder that hung in the air where fireworks had been. 

When Matthew had asked if you wanted to spend a long weekend in the beginning of July with his family at their lake house, complete with the promise of fireworks, you didn’t hesitate to say yes. You loved your boyfriend’s family, and loved any opportunity to spend time with them, especially since it was hard during the season.

You and Matt drove down to the Ozarks together in Matt's car, windows down on the winding roads, and music turned up loud. You get there in the early afternoon, not long after the rest of the Tkachuk family. They were inside unloading groceries and suitcases (and beer) already when you walked in. Taryn cheered and rushed over to hug you, throwing her arms around your neck. You laughed and hugged her back before allowing her to drag you upstairs to change into swimsuits. 

By the time the two of you made it outside, everyone else had changed too, and Brady was whining to Chantal about how cold the sunscreen was. 

“Matt! Come take pictures of me and Y/N!” Taryn called. Matt groaned but still got up from his chair and followed the two of you down to the dock.

“C’mon,” you teased, “be a good Instagram boyfriend.”

“Excuse you, I am a great Instagram boyfriend,” Matt scoffed, looking mildly offended. Which, surprisingly enough, he is actually pretty great at taking pictures of you for your Instagram, and you knew he had an album and finsta of his own that are full of candids of you. He complained good-naturedly while he snapped pictures of the two of you, but he knows his angles and the poses, and before long, you and Taryn both have more than enough pictures to post. 

You thanked Matt with a quick kiss, and he rolled his eyes, saying, “I need a beer after that.”

Later, after you’ve posted two pictures that Matthew took– one with you and Taryn with your arms slung over each other’s shoulders and grinning up at Matt, the other from behind with your feet in the water and your faces tilted up towards the sun– with the caption, a weekend stuck in a house with Matty complaining about his sunburns is worth it to spend time with this girl, after Matt liked it and dropped a red heart emoji that matches your bikini top, Matt dropped himself into your lap in a chair next to the bonfire. He was absolutely not above PDA, but you were a little surprised he was suddenly being so clingy. 

You shifted so he wasn’t completely crushing you, and gave him a confused look, but he just wrapped an arm around your shoulders and settled in. 

The next morning found you out on the speedboat with the boys. Matt and Brady were attempting to wakesurf, but you were just there to watch and make fun of them when they failed; they were both pretty bad at it, but Matthew could be spectacularly terrible at times.  You watched from underneath your sunglasses as Matthew struggled over and over to keep his balance. You could tell he was getting frustrated, and you were pretty sure Brady laughing at him wasn’t helping much.

He shook his head as he climbed back into the boat, handing the tow rope off to Brady. He flopped onto the floor of the boat next to you, shaking his curls out like a wet dog. You shrieked and flinched away from the flying water. 

“You were focused pretty hard out there, babe,” you said as you tossed Matthew a towel. “Didn’t know your brain could work that hard.” You grinned as Matt stuck his tongue out at you. “Maybe you can start using that big brain of yours to start coming up with more creative date ideas than ‘Netflix and Chill’ from now on.”

Keith burst out laughing from where he was steering the boat. Matt blushed and covered his face with a towel. 

“She’s even better at chirping than you, Matty. Can I keep her as a kid instead of you?” his dad said. You started laughing along with him.

After Brady and Matt exhausted themselves out on the boat, you were in the kitchen making lunch with Chantal. The two of you were catching up and just chatting when Matt wandered in, shirtless and wearing that awful bucket hat again. He came up and wrapped his arms around your waist, stealing a chip from the bowl in front of you. You slapped away his hand half-heartedly.

“We got here yesterday, and I feel like I’ve barely seen you,” he whined, tucking his face into your shoulder. His mom laughed. 

You turned in Matt’s arms and looked up at him. “I mean, you know I only came down here to see your family, right? I see you all the time, babe.”

Matt pulls back a little, then, and his face falls for a second. There’s a look that flashes across his face, darkens his eyes, and it almost looks like hurt, but it’s gone before you can process it, and he’s reaching around you to carry the chip bowl outside to the rest of his family. 

You were laying out on a chair next to Taryn after lunch, trying to get a tan when two shadows loomed over your chairs.

“You’re blocking the sun,” you said, without really opening your eyes and looking up at Matt and Brady.

“You’re playing Spikeball with us,” Brady said. You opened your eyes then.

“Oh, are we?” Taryn said back. “How are we doing? Kicking your asses?” 

Matthew threw the ball at her. 

In another couple of minutes, the net was set up on the ground and teams had been decided; Taryn had declared that you and Matthew playing together would be unfair, and that Matt and Brady playing together would really be unfair, so it ended up being you and Brady versus Matt and Taryn.

“You two are goin’ down,” Matt smirked. You just rolled your eyes.

It turned out to be a pretty close game. You and Taryn weren’t professional athletes like the boys, but you were just as competitive as them, and no one was willing to go down without a fight. One last wild dive made by you sent the ball back at a weird angle that Matt and Taryn couldn’t return, and, before you knew it, you were being swept up by Brady, who was yelling about winning and that you were definitely, really, officially, his favorite over Matthew.

Matthew was scowling on the other side of the net, but you just thought it was just him being a sore loser. He was quiet for the rest of the night, though, staying outside with Keith as he grilled while you were inside with the girls. He stood next to you as you all watched fireworks go up over the lake, loud and bright. You grinned up at him a couple times, but his returning smiles seemed weak.

You found Matthew still sitting on the dock late that night, hours after the fireworks had ended and everyone else had gone to bed up at the house. His phone was clutched in his hand, but the screen was off, and his feet were dangling in the water. He was staring out absently over the dark lake, and he didn’t hear you approach. 

You dropped your hand into his curls, messier than ever after a day on the boat and in the water, and ran your fingers through them. Matt tensed under your hand but didn’t turn to face you. You braced yourself on his shoulder and dropped somewhat gracelessly to the dock beside him. Matthew still didn’t look over at you, and he didn’t say anything. The full moon glinted off the lake in front of you. In the distance, some people were still shooting off firecrackers. 

“Matty, it’s getting late, what’s up, baby?” Even in the dark, you could see that his nose had gotten sunburnt. He closed his eyes. 

“Are you really only dating me for my family?” he asked suddenly. His voice was quiet, but to you, it felt like it echoed across the water as if he had yelled.

You turned towards Matthew so fast that you nearly fell off the edge of the dock. You reached up and forced Matt to turn his head and look at you. His blue eyes were dark and a little sad. They searched yours for a moment before he leaned his head into your hand. 

“Matty, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” you said. Matthew pulled away suddenly and opened his mouth to respond. You put one hand over his mouth and grabbed one of his with the other. “No, okay, I do, but what I mean is that you have to know that’s completely ridiculous– don’t you dare lick me– yes, I love your family, but I will always love you first. Taryn’s like a little sister I never got to have, and Brady’s another brother I definitely didn’t need but love anyway, but you’re the one I am in love with.”

Your hand was still clapped over Matt’s mouth, and he pouted at you from behind it until you removed it. 

“But all the jokes-” he started. “Are exactly that: jokes,” you cut him off. “Maybe we went a little overboard with them this weekend, but it was just because I haven’t seen them in a while, not because I’m getting tired of dating you. I love you, Matty, more than anything.”

Matt deflated, pulling his feet out of the water and curling into your side. “I love that they love you, but sometimes I wish I didn’t have to share you with them.”

You laughed. “Matty, I literally moved to Calgary for you, and we live together during the season.” Matt pouted up at you again; you leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead. 

“Promise?” he asked, his voice nothing more than a whisper. Something in your heart broke at the vulnerability in his eyes. You rarely saw the small boy underneath the hockey pads, behind the chirps and chewed-on mouthguard, the boy who would always be afraid of not being the best, even after over two years together. 

You tugged Matt up by the collar of his T-shirt, pressing your lips firmly to his before he could react. You cupped his cheek with your hand, feeling him melt into the kiss. He wrapped one of his arms around your waist, and you shivered as a breeze kicked up. You broke the kiss and rested your forehead against Matt’s, brushing one last kiss across his cheekbone. 

“I promise, Matthew. I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me, babe. I’m not planning on going anywhere any time soon.”

Matt kissed you again, and the dock creaked underneath you as he rolled on top of you and pushed you onto your back. You laid like that for a few minutes, with the crickets and frogs singing around you, kissing gently and leisurely, your legs tangled together and hanging off the edge of the dock. You pushed at Matt’s shoulder to catch your breath.

“We are not making out on a dock all night, Matthew,” you scolded, but the effect was probably ruined by your swollen lips and the fact that you were still panting a little. Matt grinned down at you in the dark. You untangled one of your hands from his curls to check your watch. “Besides that, it’s after 1 AM, and I’m tired.” The planks of the dock were starting to make your shoulder blades hurt. 

Matthew groaned and rolled off you before pulling you to your feet. He held your hand all the way back up to the house, and even managed to stifle his giggles when you tripped over a chair in the dark. He kept a hand on you as you both changed into pajamas and brushed your teeth and immediately tangled your feet together under the sheets.

“Shit, it’s literally July, how are your feet cold,” he hissed. You just shrugged; Matt’s hand was warm on your waist where it had slid underneath your T-shirt. 

“You’re my favorite Tkachuk,” you whispered, just to see his sleepy smile one last time before you both fell asleep.