#i like reenie already

[diver5ion]

I know everything you're thinking right now. Just tread carefully, all I'm gonna say.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

He's My Man (Part 3)

Summary: Russell's returned and it appears that the reader's past employment problems are behind her. But when a shirtless Russell invites her into his home and their flirting rises to new levels, the reader will have to grapple with a new reality she doesn't know how to deal with. Russell Shaw might just be the first good guy after all...

Masterlist

Pairing: Russell Shaw x reader

Word Count: 3,500ish

Warnings: language, gun shot injury mention, smidge of angst, fluff

A/N: That ending though 👀

__________

The sun was shining high when you woke, streams of light filtering in through the large windows. You hummed as you sat up, Colter typing away at his laptop outside. There was no sign of Russell though, a frown forming on your face.

He hadn’t left already, had he? He’d promised to tell you what happened back home.

You quickly changed in Colter’s bedroom into your joggers and AC/DC shirt, deciding to try Russell’s gifts out. The bra felt amazing, especially after wearing the same dirty one for a few days in a row. Even the lilac underwear was softer than you expected. 

Outside you shrugged on one of Russell’s flannel’s, pouting when you saw his car was gone and yours was in it’s place.

“Morning,” said Colter, nodding towards where a cup of coffee laid waiting for you next to your chair.

“Hey,” you said, taking it without sitting. “I didn’t mean to sleep so late.”

“Not a problem. You haven’t been getting much lately.” You glanced around and noticed he was packed up for the most part, probably itching to get on the road. 

“You have a new case?” 

“Yeah. Oregon, not too far,” he said. He reached into his pocket, holding out your car keys. You wearily took them, Colter glancing over the top of your head. “I told him to stick around but he wanted to make sure it was ready for you.”

You raised an eyebrow, Colter shrugging.

“Apparently Russell has a place 45 minutes from here. Some cabin on a lake? I didn’t know he had a house. But uh, he hasn’t been there in awhile and he went on ahead to clean and stock up or something. He wants you to head up there so you can talk.”

“Oh. That’s…sweet.” You chugged back half your coffee, Colter eyeing you suspiciously. “What?”

“Nothing. Go have your talk.” You hummed, taking another sip. “You don’t owe him anything you know.”

“I know. We’re just friends.” Colter smirked. “You want to go down that road, Shaw? I can’t help but notice you and Reenie got that whole enemies to lovers vibe-”

“And that’s enough of that conversation,” he said, standing with a stretch. He reached into his pocket again, tossing you your phone. “Russell said it’s safe to carry again. Call if you ever need anything, Y/N.”

“Have I grown on you, Colter?” you teased. He rolled hie eyes as you handed him your empty mug. 

“Maybe. I’m working on the having friends thing.” 

“Well, you Shaw boys aren’t conventional but you’ve grown on me,” you said, opening your arms. “Come on. Let’s hug it out.”

“This is why I don’t do friends,” he half grumbled when he stepped into it, rubbing your back once more. “Hey and if you do think you want to try rewardist work, call me. We’ll talk, figure out a safe way for you to do this stuff.”

“What makes you think I won’t just go back home and do what I was before?” you asked. 

“Did you really want to do that crap again?” You frowned, shaking your head. He stepped back, pushing you towards the streamer. “That’s what I thought. Go pack. I’m sure Russell will be looking for you soon.”

One Hour Later

After leaving Colter with a promise to stay in touch, you arrived in a small town on the edges of a lake. It took a few minutes but your GPS eventually found the right road to head down. You had to question it when it told you that you’d arrived at your destination. The cabin Russell supposedly owned look more like a very expensive rustic mini-mansion some rich people would vacation to on the weekends.

Still, you pulled into the driveway and found Russell’s beat up car there. Cautiously you exited your car and went up the steps of the front porch, ringing the doorbell twice. A large wood door whipped open and you’d gotten your wish.

There was Russell before you. Damp hair slicked back, a few water droplets trailing down his broad chest and disappearing into the waist band of his navy sweatpants. You could see his tattoos scattered across his arm, a few on his wrist and thumbs and good god, how long had you been ogling his body?

Your head snapped up, Russell cockily leaning with one arm up against the doorframe wearing a satisfied smirk.

“Oh, please. Look all you want, babe.” You huffed and stormed past him, fighting the urge to turn around and see what his ass looked like in this skinny little joggers he had on. Nope. You had more self-control than that.

“You wish,” you said, surprised at the mixture of modern and rustic touches inside. “So you squatting here, Shaw?”

“I wish,” he chuckled, walking past you into the kitchen area, the smell of sandalwood and vanilla luring you to follow after. “I picked this place up after I got out of the military for cheap. Been renovating it room by room for the past decade.”

“Marble countertops?” you asked, rattling your knuckles against the white and silver veined surface. Russell leaned against the island, his biceps flexing with the movement. “I thought you said you aren’t made of money.”

“Maybe I want you to like me for me and not my wallet,” he said, looking at you through his eyelashes. “You know how much that visit to that little boutique set me back?”

“Oh, I think you can afford it,” you said, smiling as you slipped behind him, ruffling his damp strands. “Next time you want to buy me lingerie, just be a big boy and say so.”

“Here I was being thoughtful with no ulterior motives,” he said, standing and putting a hand to his chest. He frowned, closing his eyes in feigned pain. “I’m hurt, Y/N.”

“You can be thoughtful and at the same time admit you’d like to see what your choices look like.” He dropped his hand smiled.

“I really did buy them without expecting anything. I was there and thought a girl like you deserves something nice in her fucked up life.”

“I know, Russell,” you said quietly, offering him a smile. “I honestly do appreciate it.”

He nodded before going to his fridge and taking out a pair of waters, setting one on the counter near you. “You’re welcome. And if you were ever so inclined to want to show off my fashion choices, I suppose I could suffer through.”

“You’d really take that hit for the team wouldn’t you,” you teased. He hummed, crossing his arms.

“It’s a heavy burden but one I’m willing to bear.” You rolled your eyes and laughed quietly, slipping away before you got any closer to a half-naked Russell. 

You pretended to meander around the house, enjoying the openness compared to Colter’s airstreamer. A large fireplace sat in the corner and you could see through the glass doors to the back covered porch that another sat out there as well. 

“I made up the guest room.” You spun around, Russell pointing down a hallway. “Fresh sheets. Towels. I thought maybe you’d want to take a real shower and relax before you decide your next move.”

“Next move, huh.” You crossed your arms, looking out the back windows as dark clouds rolled in over the lake. “That your subtle way of saying I can’t go back home?”

Russell’s smile fell, quickly replaced with a neutral non-chalence you saw right through. He padded across the hardwoods over to your side, watching the clouds with you.

“I meant what I said last night. You’re safe. No one, and I mean no one, will ever come after you again. Go freshen up and we’ll talk after. I promise.”

“Fine. But only because Colter’s shower sucks.” You knew Russell was holding back something but you’d let it slide for the moment. A hot, long shower sounded amazing.

Forty minutes later you exited the guest suite with freshly washed hair, smooth legs and clean clothes. Alright, maybe they were Russell’s clothes he’d laid out on the bed for you but you weren’t complaining. 

“How was it?” he asked when you found him on the covered back porch, a hard rain coming down.

“I hate to sound like a girl but that was so much nicer than your brother’s tiny ass shower stall,” you said, enjoying the cool air on your flush skin. Russell refrained from saying anything about the black Stones shirt you had put on or the way you were drowning in his sweatpants. You ran your fingers through your hair, Russell watching you try to tame the mess it’d become. “You didn’t happen to pick up any hair ties or scrunchies when you clearly went to the store and got me stuff, did you?”

He reached into his pocket with a smile and a dark green scrunchie appeared on his wrist, your eyes wide. “Wait, really?”

“I’m smarter than I look,” he said. You nearly asked for it when you decided to turn around, presenting your back to him.

“Can you handle a messy bun?” you asked. A spark rang down your spine as he gathered up your hair on top of your head, gently pulling it together and securing it. You patted it when he finished, Russell taking a bow to an imaginary crowd. You put a hand on your hip, shaking your head. “Okay, how the hell do you know how to do that?”

“I could tell you but I’d have to kill you.” You rolled your eyes. “I learned it at special ops school.”

“Russ.” He laughed, taking a seat on the outdoor couch, arm over the back of it.

“I have a kid sister. I used to do her hair and shit when she was little.” You grinned, Russell holding up a finger.

“Don’t. Say-”

“Aw. What a good big brother you are,” you teased, sitting down next to him. Russell’s eyes glinted with a retort but he settled for letting his fingertips dance over your bare neck. Your breath hitched, Russell, cocking his head. “I can’t concentrate on what we need to talk about if you’re going to keep doing that.”

“Does that mean you don’t like it?” he asked, his body inviting you to tuck itself in right under that open arm. He grazed his fingers oh so lightly over your neck again and fuck, you wished he’d just grab hold and smash your lips to his already.

“You think just cause you’re sweet and thoughtful and hot and save a girl, you’ll win her over with your horrible flirting, just like that?” He leaned in close, so close you felt the heat radiating off his breath.

“I already won and she knows it. She just likes making me chase her.” You shivered when he thumbed over the back of your neck, a cocky smile on his face. “And she is a woman worth chasing so I will as long as she wants me to.”

You leaned in just when he pulled away and stood up, taking a seat in the chair opposite you with a big, stupid, cocky as fuck, smile on his face. 

“Fucker,” you growled. Russell only smiled harder. “You’re gonna pay for that.”

“Oh, I pray I do,” he said, putting his hands behind his head, licking his lips. Your eye twitched, Russell chuckling deeply. “That’s my little queen of darkness I adore.”

“We will continue this conversation later,” you said, cutting him off. Russell nodded, taking the zip up from nearby and unfortunately tugging it on over his bare chest.

“So,” he said, shoving his hands in the pockets, taking a deep breath. “You want to know what happened after you left.”

“That’d be nice, yes.” Russell pursed his lips, turning his head towards the downpour. “Russell. Come on.”

“I know you want details but I’m sorry, that’s not happening.” Your jaw dropped as he held up his hands. “You have had enough violence and death in your life. Now, I will answer your questions but I will use my discretion. You do not need…you don’t need that crap anymore. Please.”

Russell dropped his hand, leaning his elbows against his knees. When he looked up, his green eyes were somber and your heart did that flipping thing again.

“Are they all dead? The whole crew?” you asked quietly. He nodded. “That was like twenty five guys.”

“...Technically, they killed each other off. That’s why you didn’t hear about it in the news. Police are keeping it quiet.” 

“How…you tricked them?” you asked. He nodded again. “You’re sure all of them-”

“Every last one. Sides were drawn. Elpine and some of his crew got involved too, killed in the crossfire. There’s no mafia left there. No one will ever look for you again if you decide to go back.”

“If?” you asked. Russell shrugged.

“You were forced to do a job you didn’t want. You don’t want to patch up scummy guys off the street. You get to live the life you want to now. You can do that back in Virginia…or you can do a clean slate. Start over somewhere new.”

“You mean here. Stay here with you,” you said. You stood up, going to the railing, a cold breeze hitting you.

“This is a safe place and you can take as long as you need to figure out what you want to do.” You felt him behind you, his hands settling on your arms. “I have enough. I don’t want to be a private contractor forever. I am more than happy to walk away and start fresh myself.”

“Russell, you are asking a lot.”

“No I’m not.” You frowned, closing your eyes. “Despite…I’m not asking you to pick me. I’m not that crazy. I know we’re still figuring each other out. I’m asking you to pick yourself. I’m asking you to trust now that I am not like those people you worked with. You never have to pick me if that’s what you want and there are no stings attached. Ever. Just don’t go back there. Start over somewhere where life will be kind to you.”

He rubbed your arms once before you felt him move away. You glanced back over your shoulder, Russell going to the fireplace and squatting down in front of it. A moment later, flames appeared and he was tossing a few logs from nearby inside.

“Russell.” He hummed, adjusting a large log with a sharp poker. He kept his back to you for a long beat, slowly rising and setting the poker aside. When he finally looked at you, his face was neutral, void of any signs of how he actually felt. You fidgeted, tugging down the hem of your shirt awkwardly. “Put aside the flirting. You and me…it’s not going to work out.”

“You’re sure about that, are you?” You scoffed, Russell holding up his hands. 

You stormed over to him, stabbing a finger in his firm chest. “I am not whatever you think I am. I’m not a damsel looking for her white knight to come save her. I didn’t ask you to take care of my problem. You decided to do that, not me. I don’t owe you anything.”

He slowly blinked, staring down with the tiniest hint of a smirk. 

“Why are you always fucking smiling?” you growled. 

“Well if you’re going to be the grumpy then I got to be the sunshine.”

“We’re not a fucking trope! I-I don’t need you. I don’t need you to buy me things. Or do things for me. Or offer to let me stay in this beautiful house. I’ve spent my whole life alone. There is no such thing as a good guy. All you want is in my fucking pants so let’s just fuck and get this fucking thing over with so I can go the fuck home.”

Russell’s eyebrows raised. He nodded, crossing his arms. “I’m not fucking you.”

“What? That’s…you’ve been flirting the second we met!” 

“Oh, we’re past the hookup stage. We do this, it’s cause we’re the real deal.”

“Insufferable,” you muttered, going inside, pacing back and forth in the family room. To your extreme annoyance, Russell didn’t follow you. He just sat out there next to his fireplace, watching the rain come down. He really wasn’t going to talk to you about this? He was going to ignore you?

You huffed, wandering throughout the house and finding it frustratingly gorgeous. While it certainly leaned masculine as did most rustic style homes single men lived it, it felt…cozy. There was a warmth to it, even in the large expanses, that you hadn’t felt since you were a child. It was built almost like a retreat, Russell’s safe place away from the world.

You sat down on the top set of the stairs, frowning with your head in your hands.

Was there such a thing as a good guy? No, Russell wanted you for sex. A quick fuck. Maybe a fuck buddy at most but that was it. Right? He was a single man in his forties. Ex-military and he still did contracted black ops work. He was a trained killer. A deadly weapon hidden under a boyish smile and pretty face. There was no way he was a good guy that actually wanted a normal life.

“Do you always talk to yourself?” Your head snapped up, Russell giving you an awkward little wave from the landing a few feet away. You groaned, wiping your face off when you felt the trickle of tears on your cheeks. Russell stepped up and stopped, sitting down a few steps below you, close enough to reach out and grab your hand. 

“I should go,” you said. Russell simply held out his open palm, your own hands now held in your lap.

“Whether I’m good or bad, I’ll leave that up to somebody else to decide. I don’t live my life in the black and white. But I can tell you if I only wanted to screw you, I would never have invited you to my home.” You stared down at your lap, closing your eyes when his callused thumb wiped under your eye, pushing away a rogue tear. “You ain’t a damsel. You’re my queen of darkness, remember?”

Your lip twitched up briefly, Russell letting out some satisfied little sound.

“I meant what I said earlier. Stay. Rest. Figure out your next move on your own time. If me being here complicates that, I can duck out.”

“No.” You grasped his wrist, flicking open your eyes. His palm felt so hot to the touch, your heart skipping when he grazed your skin. “Stay here.”

“Okay then,” he said. He stood, leaning over and kissing your forehead. Then he was moving down the steps, whistling a peppy tune. “I’m going to make us some grilled cheese and tomato soup. Love me some grilled cheese.”

“Wait!” you called, following him down the stairs. Russell spun around at the bottom, smiling up at you. “Why…I…I-I don’t understand. You’re really just going to let me stay here? Without committing to anything?”

His face fell, brow furrowing. “You’re really starting to scare me, Y/N. When’s the last time there was someone decent in your life?”

“I’m not sure anymore,” you said quietly. “The idea of someone like you being so kind crosses a lot of wires in my head.”

“That’s why you keep freaking out when I’m not a dick and give you space.” You nodded, fidgeting with the bottom of your shirt again. He smiled, reaching up, offering his hand again. You let yours slip into it, Russell lacing your fingers together. “Well, I ain’t like other men, sweetheart. I promise you that.”

“Why me?” you asked, taking a step down, putting you at eye level with him. “I mean, why wouldn’t you want someone normal?”

“A normal girl sounds boring. Now queen of darkness? That sounds like a woman that’s badass enough to put up with me. Let’s stop freaking out, go make lunch, and let me try to help you what you want to do, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Perfect.” He pecked a kiss on your cheek, pulling you along after him. “So. Has a man ever cooked for you?”

You shook your head, Russell frowning. You yelped when he picked you up and sat you on the kitchen counter, caging you in with his muscular arms on either side.

“Alright then Y/N Y/L/N. I’m about to make you the best goddamn lunch of your life.” Before he could move, you wrapped your legs tight around his waist, keeping him so, so close. Russell’s gaze turned heated, eyes darkening. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” you breathed out, Russell leaning in close.

“Don’t take me unless you plan on keeping me. Based on our previous conversation, we are not there.” Slowly, you unhooked your legs, Russell straightening, looking you up and down, eyes no less dark.

“Russ?” He stared at you, licking his lips.

“Fuck it.”

And then he slammed his lips to yours, stealing your breath away in the goddamn best kiss of your life.

_________

A/N: Read Part 4 here!

[marvelwitchergilmore]

Off Limits

Summary: Colter Shaw x Fe!Reader -> Four times Colter told people (mainly his brother) you were off limits, and the one time he proved why.

Disclaimer: Mostly fluff, a little hint of angst towards the end but happy ending. Not Proof Read.

It was safe to say yourself and Colter Shaw had known each other for a long time. 

You had both met on a fishing trip. Well, he had been on a fishing trip. You had been looking for your idiot brother who had decided to just disappear. 

Colter helped you across the rocks to the creek and watched as you tried to find…something. That day he helped you and the rest was history. 

You kept in contact over the years, which meant it wouldn’t be totally uncommon if you ended up speaking to some of his other friends. Even maybe meeting some of them. 

However, it was a few years before you met his family. 

And it started with his brother, Russell. 

You were helping Colter on a case in South Dakota. 

A friend of a friend that you went to college with had gone missing. And, you knew just the man for the job. That man also happened to be lugging around another one of him who was just a little more…rough around the edges. 

“Do you just happen to be friends with all of the beautiful women, Colt?”

Colter got a little awkward. “Meet my brother, Russell.”

“Nice to finally meet you. Colter’s mentioned you a couple of times. Nice to put a face to the name.”

“I’d say the same but…Colter didn’t mention anything about you.”

As the day went on, you could feel Russell’s gaze drop to you often before he’d throw out a flirty line and a dashing smile. 

And Colter caught the whole lot of it. 

“Okay, so what about you and her?” Russell finally got to ask his brother when they were sat down eating and you had headed off to the bathroom. 

“What about me and her?” 

“Are you…is there something? Or do I have a shot?”

Colter sighed with a small smile. “No, we’re just friends.”

“Great.”

Russell went to stand but Colter grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back down. “But she’s off limits.”

“Okay, okay. Mind letting go?”

“Sorry.”

Colter let go quickly and moved back into his seat. “We’ve been friends for years. I’m doing her a service.”

“Colt, I’m your brother. Shouldn’t you be doing me the service?”

Colter just dead-eyed him. “I’m doing her a service.” And then he took a bite of his pie. 

Russell accepted it, but that didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy rustling his brother’s feathers every now and then by turning the flirting scale up a tad every now and again. 

The second time Colter said you were off limits was at a charity auction. 

You had been invited per a family friend’s invitation and needed a date. And when you lightly threatened to call his brother instead, Colter agreed. He was already in the area, but at least it stopped him from leaving town so quickly. 

Whilst there, Colter was questioned three times by three different men; all asking if you were with Colter, or with Colter. To which, he answered truthfully, but also made sure that they knew you were off limits when it came to him and that night. 

“Tomorrow, you can ask her what you want, and she will give you an answer, but for tonight gentlemen, I am her date. Excuse me.”

Colter couldn’t help but hold you just a little tighter when on the dance floor, after the constant questions. 

The third time Colter told someone you were off limits was to his brother, again. 

It had been a birthday party for you, thrown together by one of your work colleagues and Reenie. Russell just so happened to be also looking for his brother. And he knew exactly where to find him. 

Like normal, Russell flirted with you. A little more so when Colter was within direct eye-line of you both. 

And you couldn’t help but smile. 

However, once the cake had been cut, Russell came back to his brother. They talked for a moment but when you came back into view, Russell put his cake down. 

“I think I’m gonna go and wish the birthday girl a happy birthday.”

However, Colter forced a small laugh and grabbed his brother by the back of his collar. 

“Okay, just because you’re as tall as me now, doesn’t mean I’m not stronger.”

“She’s off limits.”

“Still?”

“Russell.”

“Colter.”

“Boys.”

From behind them both, Reenie appeared. 

It was the first time in a long time they’d both had the feeling of being caught doing something they shouldn’t. 

The fourth time Colter told someone you were off limits was, once again, to his brother. 

Teddi and Velma were throwing a small dinner party, and had invited you, Colter, Reenie and Bobby to join them. And, since Russell was close by, he was invited to. 

“My god, as I live and breathe.” 

You turned around, balancing the cake you brought on the flat of your palm. 

“Russell,” you smiled, softly. 

“You know, I’m starting to think it’s fate. The birthday party, now this?”

You hummed. “Oh, I’m sure. I’m also sure one of the fates is inside the house plotting your death.”

“Still off limits?”

You nodded. “Colter’s a man of his word.”

“So…you…made yourself off limits?”

“Relax, I like you, Russell. You’re a good man. You’re just not…my man.”

“Ah,” Russell nodded. 

He had an idea about what you meant when you said ‘my man’, but until he saw proof, he couldn’t be certain. 

So he still flirted. Maybe a little less, but he was a big brother after all. Wasn’t it his job to annoy his little brother?

However, the final time Colter told someone (Russell) you were off limits…he didn’t have to say it. Because the fearsome look in his eyes said it for him.

It wasn’t often he managed to get back to the States to see his brother, but when he did, he always made sure to stay close until Colter had left the state he saw him in. 

Only, he didn’t seem to leave as quickly as he had come. 

So, when he went to visit him one morning, he was also there to witness a call that changed everything. 

Reenie had also come to visit and was going to grab lunch with you, except you got called away for a meeting and suddenly everything shut down. Including the backup generators. And then the fire alarm went off. 

There was a fire and Reenie couldn’t get a hold of you. 

So, in a fit of panic after asking thirty different staff members if they had seen you, she called Colter. 

Russell watched as his brother’s heart seemed to stop. Tears of panic and fear grew behind the front he tried to put on. 

“What’s going on?”

“Y/n’s missing and there’s a fire at the school. Reenie’s still trying to find out what’s going on. I need to find her.”

“I’m coming with you.”

Colter might have broken four different road laws, but he couldn’t care. You were worth it. You were worth everything to him. 

By the time he pulled up outside of the school, he was pushing through waves of students and teachers to find Reenie. 

“Colter!”

“Reenie, have you seen her?”

“No, not yet. But she’s still not answering her phone.”

“Why wasn’t she with you?”

“She got called away to a meeting. I was waiting for an hour or so in her office when everything shut down. They’re still trying to get the power back on, but…Colter, I don’t know where she is.”

“We’ll find her. She can’t have gone far, right? She knows these buildings like the back of her hand.”

Reenie nodded. “Only thing is, we don’t.”

“Call Bobby, maybe he can send us something. Anything.”

Russell nodded, pulling out his phone. “I’ll call him.”

“She’ll be okay, right? She’s okay.”

Reenie nodded. “She’s smart. And tough. Hopefully she’s just stuck on the other side of campus and can’t get reception.”

The longer time passed, the more worried Colter became. 

Bobby sent through the blueprints but without knowing where the meeting was, they had no idea where to start. 

“Did she mention what the meeting was about?”

Reenie shook her head. “No. Nothing.”

“What about her desk?” Russell asked. “A post-it, a diary, anything.”

“Reenie?”

“I-Maybe, I don’t know. Something about Kindred or Kinder or…something like that. I can’t really read her handwriting.”

“Kindrich.” Colter said out loud. 

“Maybe? Again, I don’t know.”

“If anyone pulled her in for an emergency meeting it would have been Kindrich. He runs the Life Sciences building. This way.”

Reenie and Russell hurried after Colter, almost losing him in the sea of students along the way. 

However, the closer they got to the life sciences building, the closer the smoke from the fire seemed to get. 

And when it came into clear sight, Colter started running. 

He was calling out your name.

“Reenie! Call her again!”

She was doing so just as Colter thought he heard someone call his name. 

He called out for you again. 

And then there you were. 

“Colter.”

“Y/n.” 

You ran towards him before crashing into him as you lifted your arms to hug him, and he did the same. 

“Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you? You’re warm. What- were you in the fire?”

“I’m okay. Everyone’s okay.”

Then he kissed you. 

Deeply. Passionately. Desperately. 

And then he hugged you again. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

You closed your eyes for a moment, breathing him in before you remembered;

“Reenie.”

“She’s okay. She’s with Russell.”

Looking around, you finally spotted her and ran towards her, too. 

“Are you okay?” you both asked as you hugged. 

“I was trying to call you but-”

“There’s no reception on this side of campus. And if there is, it’s spotty at best.”

“Next time I’m coming with you. What even happened? The power went down and then there were just fire alarms everywhere.”

“There was a fault with one of the machines in the building. Funnily enough, that was what the meeting was about. Finding something to replace the machines. And when the power went down, something in the labs went up in smoke.”

“But-but you’re okay? You’re not hurt?”

You shook your head. “The medics checked me over. I’m fine.”

“Medics?” Russell asked. 

You looked around nervously. “I might have ran back inside a couple of times to help get students out.”

“You’re not supposed to-”

“I know, I know, I know but they’re just kids. The important thing is no-one got hurt.”

“But you could have.”

“But I didn’t. Colter, look at me.” You took his face in your hands. “I’m okay. I promise.”

“Okay,” Colter finally accepted what you were saying, kissed you quickly before he hugged you again. 

Then Russell cleared his throat. “So, um, how long has this been going on?”

“Russ,”

“No, no. I’m your big brother. I’ve got to look out for you. Did mom ever give you the talk?”

“Okay,” Reenie said, trying to move on. “How about we get some lunch, and maybe some wine?”

You nodded, walking towards her, allowing her to link her arm with yours as you left Colter to fend for himself with his brother. 

“Russell, please don’t.”

“You see, when two people love each other very much…”

[silverview]

@batatadulce9 asked me to do would you rather tlog edition 😌❤️

1. Would you rather live in one of Pop’s rented houses or live with the Dentons?

sorry for being disgusting but i am not a complete stranger to sugaring/fucking gross old men so honestly i think i could cope with pop. it might not even be that bad. and he wouldn't be there ALL the time unlike the dentons

2. Would you rather work in the charity shop with Vinnie and Reenie or in the local shop with Tubs and Edward?

i used to work in a charity shop and it was nice, also i don't want to get serial killed

3. Would you rather go on a date with Dean Tavalouris or Ollie Plimsolls?

ollie because he's cuter and i think we could have a sliightly more normal conversation. do you think he'd be that bossy in bed or would he get all shy and awkward :3c

4. Would you rather go to a gig with Les McQueen or the cinema with Henry and Ally?

definitely the cinema, i already relate to those guys too much & even if they're annoying during the film i still love being at the cinema

5. Would you rather marry Charlie or Mike?

charlieee he's kind of dreamy ngl :)

6. Would you rather watch a Legz Akimbo play or a Bernice Woodall sermon?

both would be good but nothing is funnier than legz akimbo

7. Would you rather be one of Papa Lazarou’s wives or one of Pauline’s dole scum?

dole scum as the lesser of two evils !

8. Would you rather go for an Italian with Judee, Charlie and Tony or a curry with Mike, Brian and Geoff?

italian because a) prefer the food b) less chance of getting threatened with a gun c) more chance of it descending into a weird four-way sex situation <3

9. Would you rather marry Ross or Benjamin?

me and ross would be insane together. i want to try to heal his heart against all odds. fill his house with chintz AND fuck him on the floor. take it in turns to bully each other sexually. defrost that ice queen. normal about him

10. Would you rather work for Mr Chinnery or Herr Lipp?

chinnery – apart from the animal deaths he seems like a pretty nice normal guy !

[allianettemie5]

I was away on vacation when the 'platy learns about RPF' stream happened and I saw people posting lamenting it and I was like 'surely these people are overreacting? It was probably so funny and a short bit' and after watching the stream. Yeah I fucking hate what happened. Like Jeremy I can respect for seeming a little less mocking in his remarks but Platy fully fucking crossed a line. It's disheartening to watch a creator go from "there's fanfic of me and my friends?!" To "these fanfic writers deserve to be mocked, and their writing held up as a joke" it was so fucking embarrassing knowing that I am/was one of those people who read/write RPF. The first time I ever read fanfic was when I was like 12 and watching the video where Ze and Chilled read out fanfic! I had some ideas for PR1 fanfic floating around in my head but the chance of my writing it at all has plummeted, let alone publishing it. Idk sorry to just rant in your inbox a little but it's just like... i forget sometimes how niche fanfic is?? Like how do you not understand the concept of it, and mock it like that? Idk. Platy already kinda left a bad taste in my mouth sometimes but this is different.

I find myself not really worrying about publishing stuff, mostly because it's going to be a long time until that happens. I have a few ideas, I try my best to write stuff down, so it's all sitting in my wip folder waiting for its hour

I can give you this advice: write no matter what, lest you lose your inspiration for these ideas you have and they get lost forever. You don't have to publish them just yet if you're fearing a backlash, wait it out until the dust settles and Platy gets his head out of his ass, as well as his fans hyperfocus on something else. You don't write fanfics for others, you write them for yourself in the first place, and it doesn't really matter what anyone else says about it. You pick the characters you want to write about because you like them as a character, not because you want to appease someone or become popular or anything

If you get an itch to share your works with someone, just send them to one of your friends, although I do understand that your friends might not get it as much as you do they might not be a PR1 person, and it sucks so much. Another option is joining Emrys' Discord server, we have quite a lot ff writers there sharing their progress

*inhale...exhale*

You mentioned that ff-reading video... I think that video painted fanfiction in the same one-sided light, and it's mocked and cringed over. I wanted to say 'I am glad that the two of them don't care about fanfics' and remembered the TOS vods, but when I watch these vods I don't really see mockery or disrespect. They laugh over their own little thing and move on

Reeny read fanfics on stream once, and I remember how pessimistically ficwriters reacted back then, although iirc she was genuinly interested

Cheesy and Ozza seem to be regular readers, but not once they let out a disrespectful comment towards us, Cheesy even defended us before the entire vc. Em and Pasta read fanfics too, but they don't really call it a bad thing either

No one from PR1 group has ever come that close to the 'I am so pissed at him I'm never mentioning him anymore anywhere' (Several people fell over this line straight into 'Fuck no, I'm deleting everything that has his name', if you know you know). Platy's biggest problem is his f'ed up sense of humour that turns him from a fun guy into a bully here, but he does not exacly understands that he's doing something wrong

[thewickedbohemian]

Thoughts on a Tracker that felt very much like Leverage (and not just because of the bad guy or most-of-team-in-same-place)

I wonder if the only times we won't go to small towns are mythology cases like these whether or not they're in Chicago

Not just a Bobby "lore dump" (and I'm pleasantly surprised none of it delved into his leg situation and that that hasn't been mentioned at all all show-so-far) but a last name reveal, now I wonder when we're getting a similar episode for Colter's "lesbian moms"

Glad for potential sake of the show's longevity-beyond-S2 that we weren't dealing with ICE (as I still maintain that part of why Alaska Daily got canceled is it got a little too real for the irl Alaskan government iykwim) but still this is pleasantly-surprisingly political for Tracker with what it did delve into about immigration issues

Since this was a case in Bobby's "world", perhaps that's why this was the first case so far not to echo some aspect of Colter's life (like the van-life chick or the kid at the survival school etc.) because narratively it already hit close to home for someone else

And Reenie continues to be an absolute Chaotic Good goddess with how she handled the immigration lawyer guy (and also nice holding back and only giving the bare minimum of Colter's backstory to Bobby)

If Reenie's been nailing her Persuasion rolls Colter's been nailing his Stealth rolls as seriously what did he think he was Scooby-Dooby-doing hiding in their van like that

Why is it that half the action procedurals I watch (esp. if they're non-police) have a fight club episode

First time they at least didn't noticeably fuck up the night lighting, maybe being in a big city helped

I was so afraid that Bobby was going to end up in danger because he didn't stay in the car but the exact opposite happened (and he may have started to get the girl because of it to boot)

The only reason I'm not a little bummed that Colter rejected their invitation was I understand that narratively "lone wolf's gonna lone wolf" gives him room to character-develop and if this show goes on as long as I'd like it to mmw there's going to be a similar most-everybody-in-one-place episode where Colter's actually going to cash that rain check

[coopdigitalnewsletter]

25 Nov 2022: Could membership be much more radical?

Newsletter news

It has had an excellent and enjoyable run but the Co-op Digital newsletter ends next month. We’re going to wrap up with 3 newsletters considering questions about membership, shops, and the material world. 

Thank you all for reading and sending ideas. The Co-op story continues on the brilliant Co-op Digital blog. Rod will be writing about climate change and carbon transformation at Holdfast and about money at Checksies. See you there?

Could membership be much more radical?

Local stores offer a convenient geographic proximity - they’re just round the corner.

Could they offer a second kind of proximity, and be a critical part of communities? Could they help communities thrive with services, support, infrastructure as well as just the shop and the local causes bits?

Can a shop turn into a true member organisation? Can it help repair and maintain community? 

These questions matter because the world is changing ever faster, and everything (products, services, institutions, infrastructure, jobs, cities etc) will need looking after, improving or remaking.

2030

“Can you fix it? Because this bike and I have been through a lot.” says Reenie at the bike shop. 

Jim, behind the counter, nods. “Your battery has done a lot of kilometres and it is very tired now. I can swap it out for a new one for 499 which is the battery and the labour. Or I can sign you up for this Gobattery service which is a new battery every year for 199 annually and the labour’s free.”

“Which would you do?”, asks Reenie.

“Um, probably not Gobattery”, Jim murmurs quietly. 

“OK. What happens to the old battery?”

“And your old battery will go have a relaxing retirement doing grid backup for a shopping centre or somewhere like that.” Then more brightly, Jim adds: “We’re a member of The Co-op, are you? I can add you in the app, it only costs 20. You get discounts in shops, vote on decisions, and help each other out. I can give you a 50 discount right now, so the card will cost you nothing. But it’s like you’re part of” - Jim’s hands wheeling - “you know, a… Thing.”

“Yeah OK, sounds interesting? Thanks.”

Jim taps at the terminal and there’s a quick transactional handshake of lights and bings. An app downloads to Reenie’s mobile, which briefly pops a green tick saying that the app is properly signed and isn’t hoovering up too much personal data. Reenie opens the app - it has already onboarded her - which says both of their Co-op memberships have earned 200 points for the transaction, and a green leaf grows on the screen: a small but positive update to the carbon budgets of Reenie, of Jim, and of the Co-op itself.

“Nice. It all adds up, you’ll see”, says Jim.

Several weeks later, and late in the evening, Reenie’s Co-op app bleeps out a red alert. A fellow member needs help: their premises is flooding. Reenie shrugs, grabs a coat and heads for the bike. The map takes her back to the bike shop. 

Before she can make a joke about the emergency services arriving, Jim shouts: “The river burst its banks! Move things up, or put sandbags here, please?”. 

And Reenie and a couple of others get to work, placing sandbags, lifting everything onto higher shelves, bailing water out of the shop. The culvert is cleared and the flood water starts to recede. It takes two hours. The bottom layer of the shop is now a landscape of grey mud over unidentifiable product shapes. The same mud that coats them.

Jim says: “Thank you so much. This stuff needs to dry out but some of it’ll be ok. Hey, take anything you want too, seriously, thanks. And I’ll update the app and send you points tomorrow.”

“OK cool. But it’s not about the points.”

[hekate1308]

Fictober 2022, #6

Prompt: “Adaptable, I like that“

Fandom: Endeavour

Rating: G

Pairings: Morse/Joan

More of my vampire!Morse witch!Joan AU because I couldn’t resist. Enjoy!

Some days, it felt like her head was spinning. When she had first realized she had magic, Aunt Reenie had told her she would get used to the Veil and everything it entailed – small lies and omissions, for one thing. In truth, Joan thought those were fun – it was the other stuff she still occasionally had trouble with.

For example, why Dad would continue to insist that magic was dangerous and they should have nothing to do with it.

Or that she couldn’t talk to Mum about her day, not openly at least, not as she had been used to.

She had Sam though, and of course the friends she had made since she had begun her magic lessons a short time ago.

There was Fanny, for example, and Tiffany, and –

Well, she supposed there was Endeavour too, although that was a little bit more… complicated. She wasn’t sure students were supposed to be friends with officers of the Guard, for one thing. And then –

No, she decided to focus on that. He was way too old for anything else, really. Twenty years old! She was sixteen (only sixteen, as Dad would have said, although that didn’t have to mean much when one had magic) so really…

Anyway, nothing of that had to do with what she was busy with today, namely, looking after the school garden. At first, she had thought having to do so was a punishment of some sort – after all, ;I, usually insisted on them tackling the weeds at home when she wanted a bit of peace and quiet – but now she knew better. There were several rather dangerous plants in the garden, not to mention the magic of generations of students having seeped into the ground and reacting with the power that was already inherent in nature; and so, it wasn’t uncommon for a flower to start talking or trying to munch on people. Therefore, it was considered a show of trust and respect for a student to be sent to look after the garden.

It was her first time, and since she had only been at school for about two months, a triumph in every way. She couldn’t wait to tell Sam later.

But first things first. She checked the hex bag she had assembled for her protection one last time before she entered the enclosure. Better safe than sorry, as Aunt Reenie would have said, and she wouldn’t risk a curse or something similar following her home.

That should work. Nothing too dangerous in the garden anyway…

Or so she thought.

She stood by the fact that she could hardly have foreseen a territorial gnome having decided that the garden was his now, and that he would consider any attempts to look after it as an attack, and so she was soon hiding behind the one old oak that stood near the east corner, going through her back. Her hex bag protected her from curses and environmental influences, but would do nothing against spells being used against her. She needed something to trap and/or paralyze the gnome, and fast…

Who knew, with time, they might convince him that they could peacefully co-exist, but not while he was still being… well, while he was still convinced that he alone should be allowed in the garden.

She needed to – wait – there –

So far, she had only theoretically learned about shambles, but since all that was required were things that one carried around, she should be able to…

Something to incapacitate him, she thought, no, more prayed as she worked, just something to incapacitate him. I don’t want to hurt him.

Having no idea what to do with the finished product, she simply threw it at the gnome, then ducked back behind the oak.

An angry shriek told her that she had been successful, as did someone commenting, “Seems like you have everything under control.���

And she was looking at Endeavour Morse. He smiled. “They called, said there was a problem… seems like you handled it alright. What exactly did you do?”

She told him.

“Adaptable, I like that” he told her, grinning once more. She wondered if there were people who saw through the Veil and were scared of his teeth.

She wasn’t. On the contrary.

She looked down and pretended to search her bag for something. Anything but  have him notice her blush. “Thanks” she muttered.

“I mean it. It’s important to be able to think on your feet if you want to join the Guard, Joanie.”

That made her look up against her will. “Joan. And who said anything about me wanting to join the Guard?”

He only laughed and left her with another “Good work anyway. I’ll deal with this, don’t worry.”

Joan herself went on her way, telling herself that the glow in her breast was due to the praise she had just received, and nothing more.

Like many other things she had done at the age of sixteen, she would much later find herself laughing about it.

[barry-j-blupjeans]

Also if you want more - 30 and Angus, with whoever you want! :3

30. Yeah I’m fully understanding the murder part, just not why you’re the one who needs to solve it?? 

--

Look, Kravitz's job was nowhere near normal. He fully understood that. It wasn't exactly a nine-to-five. Death can't really take vacation days, y'know? But it got monotonous really fast. Surely necromancers could come up with a new evil number every once and a while? It was all always the same thing- cheat death, live forever, become a god. That last one always made Kravitz roll his eyes. Like the Raven Queen would ever even think about voting a necromancer into Godhood. Honestly.

So he didn't exactly mind when things did get shaken up every now and again. If there was one thing you could say about Kravitz, it was that he loved the chase. Did it make the assignment take longer? Yeah. But the Raven Queen certainly didn't seem to mind if he played with the necromancers a little bit before locking them away. Sue him, he had been here for hundreds of years and things got a little spicy maybe once every twenty.

That being said: There were certain things about the job that Kravitz did not enjoy seeing unexpectedly. Anyone who legitimately seemed to enjoy hurting the people they were using for their experiments- necromancy was a sick type of magic, but using others for your dark deeds was a strict no in Kravitz's book. Even more so if it was children. He had seen in all by now. Parents with twisted ambitions, kidnappers who didn't seem to care, the whole shebang.

But Kravitz had never, never, seen a child not only interrupt him but then start doing his job.

"It was very nice of you to help out, sir," the child said. He had large, circular glasses that made his eyes look a little too big. His hat had a feather in it. A feather. He peeked over Kravitz's shoulder to see the necromancers all huddled in a corner. He had taken the soul of one already, who was lying on the ground next to Kravitz's feet.

"Is it, like, take your kid to work day?" one of the necromancers, who was bleeding rather heavily, said weakly.

"No, sir," the kid answered before Kravitz could. "At least, not for me. I don't know who this man is, nor am I his child, but I do know who you are!" He bounced in place, the blood around their feet sloshing a little. He pulled a file of papers out from his messenger bag and flipped it open. "Mason Redrick, correct?"

"Uhm," said the bleeding necromancer. "Yes?"

"And you're partners, Wanda and Leslie? Right?" Two nods. Kravitz had no idea what was fucking happening anymore. The kid put the notes back into his bag and pulled out a badge instead, flipping it open. A shiny detective badge was displayed. "I work for the Goldcliff Militia and under that power, and the power of my superviser, Captain Captain Bane, I'm going to have to arrest you."

"For what?" the necromancer from the left- Wanda, apparently- said.

"Well, several things, actually," the kid said. "The murders of Ralph Wittle, Reenie Barnes, Greggory Holzman, Ju-"

"Excuse us for a second," Kravitz said, stepping back. The child turned to him, eyebrows raised, and Kravitz pulled him back a little by his sweater vest (good gods, who wears sweater vests anymore?). They huddled in another corner of the room, so Kravitz could still see the necromancers, but he could also talk directly to the kid.

"Sir, I have half the mind to ask you who you are and what you're doing here," the kid said, voice lowered. "As far as I know, you could be aiding these criminals in-"

"What I'm doing here?" Kravitz asked, a little too loud. He coughed, lowering his voice as well. "What are you doing here? You're like, six. This- this is a crime scene-"

"I'm eight, actually," the little boy said. "Almost nine. And I'm here because I was assigned this case and I fully intend to do so, sir. Now, if I can ask again, who are you and what are you doing here?"

Kravitz let out a breath, resting the urge to sink to the floor and never stand up again. Did kids get jobs at eight now? Maybe? Maybe. Kravitz was pretty out of the loop but he was pretty sure eight-year-olds were supposed to be making mud pies and learning multiplication.

"My name is Kravitz," Kravitz said. The kid had taken out a notebook and was writing this down. "And I-"

"No last name?" he interrupted.

"N- no, no last name," Kravitz said. "I'm... I guess you could say I'm an employee for, uh, the Raven Queen."

"Like the Goddess?" the kid said, looking a little more interested. "Can you tell me a little more about that, sir?"

"Not- not at the current moment," Kravitz said.

"Well, I'm sure I could tell my supervisor that you were at a crime scene and refused to elaborate on why-"

"I gotta-" Kravitz made a frustrated sound. "I'm here to- to take these guys in! To hold them accountable for their actions and to uphold the laws of life and death-"

"That's nice, sir," the kid said. "Is that going to interrupt my business with them?"

"Probably," Kravitz said. "I- I do have to kill them to, uh, to reign justice and all."

"And how many people have you killed, exactly, sir?"

"Listen," Kravitz said, feeling a headache coming on. "What's- what's your name?"

"Detective Angus McDonald," the kid said, holding out his hand for Kravitz to shake. Kravitz did so. His entire hand was just slightly bigger than Kravitz's palm. "But you may call me Detective McDonald, or just Detective."

"And you're eight," Kravitz said.

"Nearly nine, sir, and I don't see how that's relevant right now," Angus said, turning his nose up. "Now, if I have you here, I would like your assistance. Since we both are trying to achieve the same goal, sort of, I was thinking you could help me with this murder case-"

"You're eight," Kravitz said again.

"And they're murderers," Angus said. "I think you're focusing on the wrong thing here, sir."

"No, I fully understand the murder part," Kravitz said. "I'm- I'm just not sure why you're the one who needs to solve it?"

"I feel like you're doubting the full range of my abilities, sir," Angus said, frowning. "Are you going to assist me or am I going to have to arrest you as well?"

Kravitz imagined putting that on his mission recap. The murder went okay, but then an actual child arrested me! He sighed again.

"What do you need me to do?" Kravitz asked.

[igglemouse]

Episode 6 ~ Next Stage

His cousin, Yoel, had quietly moved the merchandise and the simoleons to the back, there for everyone to see but thankfully, for Alonso’s sake at least, Ines was fast asleep. She would learn eventually the nature of his wealth, that he knew, but he hoped by then she would understand that it was for her benefit now as well. He really did like her, perhaps love her, but that didn’t change who he was. 

Yoel: There you go jefe, there it is, all in one piece and we counted every simoleons, counted it twice. All there, as you can see.

Alonso looked it over. Yoel was crazy, psychotic, even, but he was family and he was more than reliable. If Yoel said something was done then it was done. He didn’t really need to count it. 

Alonso: And did Mr. Villareal have anything left to say? Any other messages or-

Yoel shook his head with a goofy smile on his face. 

Yoel: Nope, nothing like that. Said the past is the past, somethin’ like that. Agua under the bridge. Said there’s an ocean between chu and him so he could think of no better partner.

Alonso: I see...

Alonso wondered if that was too good to be true. For years the Villareal’s had fought with his family over regions in Simerica that they thought were theirs. Brutal wars were fought in many streets, ripping neighborhoods apart, and destroying communities, but Alonso planned to change that at least. He offered the Villareal’s a deal, a deal that wouldn’t have been possible if his family, his cartel, didn’t gain a foothold south of the border. Now that they had it was a lot easier to offer the Villareal’s something they didn’t have, something they desperately wanted, pure powder. Now Alonso had a hold of it, more than enough really, and the Villareal’s were willing to pay and end the bloodshed as long as Alonso stayed on his side of the ocean. 

Yoel: So all good? Anything else?

Alonso: Well, one thing actually. Please do not ever bring business to this house again. My wife is sleeping now, fortunately for you, but I imagine seeing all of this...the powder, the simoleons, would shock her. So Yoel, you make sure she doesn’t see this, ok? If my wife and I are at a hotel then don’t bring it to the hotel...don’t bring it around her period.

Yoel nodded his head, understanding.

Yoel: Sure thing jefe, but didn’t know you were married.

Alonso: I will be.

He had already planned on the engagement and wedding. He didn’t worry too much about Ines possibly saying no, in his mind, she was his and everything after was a formality...but Ines could be a bit of a problem. She didn’t know anything about his career and while he planned on eventually letting her in on it he hoped by then she would be so entangled with him that his downfall would be hers as well. That was going well, she would be having his child and he hoped that she would be able to have more than just one but she wasn’t his only problem.

She had friends, good friends, and they would have no ties to him. Thankfully, his brother had already solved one of those issues. It was pure coincidence that he had taken an interest in Irene and that they were moving quickly into something serious. Her other friend though, this Allie, seemed like the type that might be an issue. She seemed like the type that might want no part of the lifestyle and she seemed to be a little feistier than ‘Reenie’ and ‘Nessie’. 

Yoel: Anything else? Been traveling all day, can’t wait to get home and-

Alonso: One more thing, yes actually...

The coolness of Alonso’s voice had raised Yoel’s brows. It wasn’t that he was so soft and yet stern spoken. That’s how Alonso handled everything. Calculating, cool, collected, and calm, but sometimes there was an edge to his voice that begged obedience. 

Alonso: You are single, aren’t you?

Yoel: Y-yeah, you know me, enjoying life and all-

Alonso: I might have someone...but you’re going to have to treat her with a little more respect than your other women. Do you understand, Yoel?

Yoel fidgeted some. The judgment of Alonso’s dark eyes made him squirm just a pinch, but he kept his goofy manner before him like a shield. Hoping his cousin didn’t see past it. 

Yoel: I-I can do that, yeah. I’ll play around here and there, you know, but-

Alonso: But not with her, at least not at first. She’s a friend of my wife, a good friend, so that means she’s important to me, currently. I’d rather she be compliant and friendly towards me and what I am building here, for all of us if you get my point. I’d hate for Ines to lose a friend over this whole thing...but it’s important that her circle is also my circle. So date her, domesticate her, the more you tie her to you the better.

Yoel: It’s like you arranging a marriage or something-

Alonso: Just meet the girl, date her for a year or so. If you fall for her, great, if not, then we’ll end it when I say it’s safe to. I’d of course prefer you two fall for each other and maybe she could talk some maturity into you-

Yoel: Yeah, yea yea, maturity... ok, I’ll do it...cabrona better be worth it though I swear-

Alonso: I think you’ll like her, she’s a pretty girl...make sure she likes you too...

Index - Next Episode 7 ‘Sympathy For The Devil’

[holylulusworld]

Still Clingy

Summary: Your and John’s family grows.

Pairing: CEO!John Winchester x Reader

Characters: Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester, Mary Campbell (former Winchester), Jo Harvelle, Ofc’s John Henry Winchester & Millie Reenie Winchester

Warnings: angst, language, protective reader, pregnant reader, pregnancy sex, unprotected sex (flashback), fluff, comforting, violence

Divider by @firefly-graphics​

Sequel to Clingy

Flashback, six months ago, six months pregnant, …

“Look at you, so beautiful when you have my cock in your tight little cunt,” John curses, slowly rolling his hips. Large hands run all over your swollen belly and you smile when he moans your name anytime he feels his babies kick. “I love you so much, doll.”

“I love you John,” you gasp, moving your hand behind you to cup the back of his neck. You slowly rock your hips, loving to feel John so close. He insisted on spooning you to not hurt you. “Love our babies too.”

“My sons, they are excited,” warmth fills your heart, knowing it’s odd for John’s grown sons to have a baby brother and sister soon. “Dean is already in his ‘big brother’ mode.”

You moan, feeling the coil tightening. “Sammy, he made a list for anything. He’s better at this than me.” 

“John, fuck…I’m gonna,” crying out you feel your orgasm rippled through your body, wrecking your mind. “I love your dick.”

“I know you do, dirty girl…”

Flashback, three months ago, …

“Look at the little man,” John puffs his chest, proudly holding his new-born son in his arms. 

Dean tries to hide he’s feelings but seeing his little brother in his father’s arms lets a single tear run down the tough man’s cheek. He smiles when you look at John holding your son. There is a warmth in your eyes he never saw in his mother’s eyes.

“Don’t you forget your daughter?” you tease, watching Sam hold your daughter. The tall man smiles softly when your daughter blinks her eyes open, silently cooing.

“Did you already choose names?” Dean steps closer to his brother, gently stroking your baby girl’s cheek. “Dad?”

“The beautiful little girl in Sammy’s arm will have a wonderful name. Y/N and I, or rather Y/N decided to name her Millie Reenie Winchester,” Dean nods, glancing at his little brother in John’s arms.

“A great name, Y/N. I love you want to honor our grandmother,” Sam nods, smiling when Dean carefully takes his little sister out of his arms. “Look at you, sweetheart. You will be as pretty as your mother one day.”

“Our son will be named John Henry Winchester,” John hums at your words, kissing his sons head softly. He feels like back then when he held Dean in his arms for the first time. 

“You were that small once too, Dean. Your eyes, they looked up at me and I swear, you gave me a wink before you pooped into your diaper,” Sam snickers, watching Dean’s features soften at his father’s words. “I couldn’t even get mad as you were such a cute little shit.”

“I’m not cute,”  Dean grumbles softly rocking Millie. He smiles when the little girl looks at him with wide eyes. “But you are, baby girl. Look at you.”

“Sammy, he was a huge baby,” you giggle, looking at Sam, who listens to his father’s words whilst he strokes his little brothers’ head. “I knew, the moment he opened his eyes, he’ll be a heartbreaker too.”

“Winchester aren’t heartbreakers, baby. If you walk along with them, holding their hands but not too tight, they are the best men,” John smiles, nodding silently when you hold out your hands for your son.

“I guess the little guy wants mommy to give him her breast,” John groans, glancing at your cleavage. “I meant John Henry,” scolding your husband you smirk. His face different shades of red he carefully places your son in your arms. “I will need Millie too, Dean. I know it’s hard to give her back.”

“Can I not keep her?” Dean whines, looking at his sister again. “She’s too cute. I want to eat her alive and cuddle her until she squeals.”

“Later, Dean. Now give her back to her mommy or you’ll feel a mother’s wrath, son,” Dean reluctantly gives your daughter to you, sighing deeply. 

“I’m the first one getting her back. She’s my little sister and I’ll protect her,” Dean turns to leave the room to give you privacy to feed your babies. “Sammy, let’s do some research on how to keep boys away from our sister.”

“Got it, Dean. Let’s do this…”

Now, six months later, …

John yawns, slowly rocking his son in his arms. His white shirt stained with food he tries to make his son burp.

“Come on, baby boy. Let your mommy sleep. We are going to do this like men,” John doesn’t see you lean in the doorframe, watching your husband.

“John Henry, you are fed, dry, and your bed is waiting for you, baby boy. Your mommy loves you, but she needs a bit of sleep. Let daddy take care of you,” John whispers, pecking his son’s head whilst he rocks the baby.

“You look good with a baby in your arms, Johnny. I never thought I would say so, but we should have more,” you smirk, walking toward John to move your arms around his waist, leaning your head against his back. “Love you.”

“Love you too, doll. Did I tell you lately you made me a happy man when you came into my life? After Mary left me, I believed that I’ll never love again, but you showed me there a good people out there,” you sigh, holding John tighter.

“Dean and Sam, they love you too, you know. Both would kill for you,” John starts to slow dance with John Henry in his arms and you smile, following John’s lead.

“Is that a private party or can we join and dance too?” Dean smirks, leaning against the wall, glancing at his sleeping sister. “Little John is a grumpy sleeper, just like his big brother.”

“True,” John snickers, nodding at his eldest son. “An even grumpier eater, son.  He loves to throw food he doesn’t like at me.”

“I wouldn’t eat that stinking broccoli either,” Sam laughs at his brother’s words, not missing the way Dean looks at his little brother. “He’s a cute little shit, though.”

“Such a sight,” Mary snarls blocking your path. You tried to walk back toward your car, your baby girl in your arms whilst your friend Jo holds John Henry in her arms. “John’s or did you seduce one of my sons?”

“Unlike you, Mary, I’m faithful. Sam and Dean are like sons to me. I may be younger than John, but this doesn’t mean I would ever cheat on him with his sons. I love my husband and he loves me,” your eyes narrow and you swear, you would beat the shit out of Mary if not for the little girl in your arms. 

“You should get the fuck out of Y/N’s and my way before I beat the shit out of you,” Jo spats the words at Mary you held back. “It was you leaving John. It was you ruining your marriage and leaving his sons behind. Now get your shit together and fuck off.”

Jo leads you toward the car, yelling at Mary when she dares to follow you. “Last warning, bitch. If you don’t stop to harass Y/N, I’ll call John and his sons right now.”

Mary turns pale, stopping in her tracks she watches you carefully place your babies into the baby seat. Her features darken and she balls her hands into fists when you get into the car, driving away with your friend.

“I will get him back, no matter what…”

“Get off me,” John pushes against Mary’s shoulders, tries to get her off him but she wraps her arms around his neck, pecking his cheek, leaving red lipstick on his skin.

“Didn’t you hear my husband’s words?” you close the door, an angry look on your face. “What did you try here, bitch? Did you send me the message with John’s phone to let me witness his infidelity?”

“John wanted me, wanted to have me over his desk,” Mary shamelessly lies. John starts to sweat, his heart races fearing you will believe his devious ex-wife. “He’ll only ever love me.”

“Lying bitch,” your fist meets Mary’s face, causing her to stumble backward. “Did you honestly believe I would listen to you and not my husband? I knew the moment I got the message it wasn’t John who sent it to me. He always calls me doll and sends a naughty emoticon,” John grins, nodding silently.

“Last time it was a grinning devil as we had naughty sex whilst I talked to a business partner,” John chuckles, watching his ex-wife press a handkerchief against her nose. “My doll knows me so well.”

“Of course, I do, John. I love my naughty daddy,” you give John a wink, grinning as he rubs his growing bulge. “You know,” you walk toward Mary, licking your lips. “I asked Charlie to give me a live stream to John’s office. He installed a camera for, let’s say fun…”

“I like to fuck my wife at my office and rewatch it with her,” John blurs out and you chuckle, ramming your fist into Mary’s face once again. “She’s a dirty girl, Mary.”

“This is my final warning for you, Mary. Stay away from my husband, my babies, and my sons. John, Sam, and Dean are off-limits to you. If I ever see your lying ass close to my family again – you are dead,” John cackles, loving when you fist Mary’s hair to drag her out of his office. “He’s my man, live with it, bitch.” You kick her ass, slamming the door into her face.

“Baby, I didn’t think it’s possible but right now, I love you even more,” John smiles when you walk toward him to cup his face, kissing him softly.

“Love you too, Mr. Winchester. Now let’s check on our babies, daddy. I think your sons will steal them if we do not stop them…”

“You know, I thought about what you said the other day. You are right,” John wraps his arm around your waist, smirking, “we need more little Winchester’s in our life…”

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[blurglesmurfklaine]

Cornelia Street (8/9)

(+ an interlude i thought of after reading “Reeni”s comment. Idk who you are bc it was a guest comment, but thank you!)

A/N: oh my god they were quarantined

yes. It’s one of those fics.

AU, obvs

I’m posting as I go and idk how many parts this is going to be, likely won’t be very long but I literally don’t know what I’m doing and should i be starting yet another WIP? definitely not but fuck it lets fucking go

Title is from T-swizzles Lover album, I’m OBSESSED

Summary: Three years ago, Kurt and Blaine went on a disaster of a date and never quite got off on the right foot. Now, just before they graduate from NYADA, there’s a national outbreak and they’re both self-quarantined in a mutual friend’s apartment.

Read On AO3

On Tumblr: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

Interlude

QueenJCedes replied to your story!

Kurt bites back a dopey grin when he opens Mercedes’s snapchat message. It’s a photo of her looking dubiously at the camera, a single eyebrow pointed up, with the caption: Quarantine buddies, huh?

He snaps back a quick photo of himself, eyes rolled upwards. What can I say, he won me over.

She sends back just a message this time—

Mercedes: Yeah, clearly. Mercedes: Head over feet, Alanis style!

—and then a bitmoji of Kurt falling through the air.

Kurt: I mean… You’re not wrong Kurt: He’s sort of everything Kurt: AND a fantastic kisser

Mercedes: OMG REALLY? I was just teasing, but if this is legit, I’m so happy for you!!!

He can’t help but giggle excitedly as he types a reply. 

Kurt: Yeah. me too.

*

New Snap from setroutymouth

Blaine rolls his eyes but still can't school the smile on his face into a neutral expression. This is going to be a lot, he already knows, but nevertheless, he swipes his thumb across the screen to unlock his phone.

Sam’s pacing through Mercedes’s childhood home in Ohio, phone in selfie mode, already rambling at a hundred miles a minute that Blaine’s sure he cut off a few words.

“—cedes just showed me Kurt’s snapchat story and I AM LOSING IT! Did something happen between you two? Oh my god, something totally happened, didn’t it!? BLAINE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED MERCEDES WON’T TELL ME AND I ALREADY FINISHED EVERY BINGABLE SHOW ON NETFLI—”

As expected, it was a lot. But still not enough to burst his happy little bubble. He doesn’t think anything could, at this point.

Through his smiles, he snaps back a picture of himself shrugging, trying to look as clueless as possible, and adds the caption: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

It’s not even a full moment before he gets another video back.

“BLAINE ANDERSON I AM BEGGING YOU—”

Blaine locks his phone shut, mostly because he knows it’ll drive Sam crazy. He can respond later. Right now, there are more important matters at hand.

*

Blaine’s in the kitchen, putting away what was left of the carton of Cookie Two-Step ice cream they’d demolished while watching another Netflix romcom, when Kurt’s phone lights up.

New Message: From: Adam I saw your sc story You know you could just be *my* quarantine buddy When are you coming?

Kurt actually growls as he types out a reply. How did he put up with this for nearly three years?

New Message: To: Adam I’m not.

Kurt. We both know how this ends.

Not this time. I meant it. We’re done.

Okay, whatever you say I’ll check in with you later When you change your mind

Kurt doesn’t even warrant that with a response, he’s too seething mad to even formulate one with enough bite to put Adam in his place.

But then the door opens, Blaine’s beaming at him, and Adam is completely irrelevant.

“I was just thinking,” Blaine muses aloud, slipping under the covers and snuggling up next to him in a way that Kurt knows will be way too easy for him to get used to. “Do you remember our Junior year when we had to partner up during Stagefighting for that Musical Choregraphy project?”

Kurt explodes into laughter. “Uh, yeah, that was pretty ridiculous. I remember hearing from Matthew that you said I dance like a pigeon that’d been chewed up and spit out by a cat.”

“What!?” Blaine exclaims, shocked. “I swear I never said that. Though, I do remember going on a tangent about how I didn’t know how I was supposed to concentrate when you insisted on wearing those pants with that tight fitted shirt and…”

He trails off, and Kurt can feel color rising to his cheeks. “Oh, that explains it, actually.”

“Explains what?”

“Matthew. He had a huge crush on you.”

Blaine’s eyes double in size. “He what!?”

Kurt lets out a chuckle. “You seriously didn’t know?”

“No! Nobody told me!”

“That’s not how crushes work, Blaine,” Kurt says through a stream of giggles. 

“Okay, why does it make more sense for me to just take a wild guess about how people feel about me instead of them telling me, or acting on it? Like, if you hadn’t have kissed me earlier, I would have never known how you felt and kissed you back.”

Kurt opens his mouth to argue that logic, but… he seriously cannot get over how oblivious Blaine is. “So you’re saying that if I hadn't accidentally kissed you then you really wouldn’t have known how I feel?”

“Yeah. And I would most definitely not have acted on my crush.”

“Aw,” Kurt teases. “You used to have a crush on me. That’s embarrassing.”

“And you watch too much Parks and Rec.” 

“I’m gonna kiss you again, now,” he announces.

Blaine just grins, eyes crinkling at the sides. “I think that’s a great idea.”

There wasn’t much of a choice because of the shelter in place, but based on the bright spark forming in his chest when their skin meets, Kurt could definitely get used to this living situation.

*

Blaine finally pulls away reluctantly. If he could stay attached to Kurt forever, stay connected to him, he would. He roams his eyes over Kurt’s face, like he could memorize it if he really, really tried, and notices a scar just above his eyebrow. It would be invisible to anyone else, anyone who wasn’t trying to intentionally map out the image of Kurt.

The scar doesn’t bother Blaine, but the idea that someone ever hurt Kurt bad enough to leave physical evidence that refuses to leave tugs achingly at his heart. Instinctively, he takes his hand from where it rests on the side of Kurt’s face, and gently traces over the scar with the pad of his index finger soothingly, as if it hasn’t been healed for years.

“Sophomore year… two years ago,” Kurt’s murmuring refocuses his attention.

That was a hazy time for Blaine, but he does have a vague memory of hearing from a friend of a friend that Kurt spent some time in the hospital, and he definitely remembers his rival-slash-partner being missing from their stage acting class for a while.

“What happened?” He asks.

Kurt is so calm, so steady when he answers. It leaves him in awe. “It was when all those gay bashings were happening…” he pauses, and Blaine immediately feels sick to his stomach because he knows where this is heading. “I was on my way home from school and saw these guys attacking some teenager, and… I had to help. I ran over and started shoving them, I guess. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but the kid got away. I didn’t. The last thing I remember after that was what I think might’ve been a brick hitting my head.”

“Jesus,” Blaine breathes. His initial reaction is to say I’m sorry, but something tells him that Kurt isn’t sorry about it at all. Instead, he says, “I had no idea. That–that was really brave of you.”

Kurt snorts out a laugh. “I’m glad you think so. I spent most of my hospital stay being berated by my dad about how irresponsible it was.”

“No,” Blaine shakes his head. “If anything it was over-responsible.”

“I’m not convinced that’s a word.”

“Me neither,” Blaine says breathlessly, amber gaze fixed on the boy lying across from him.

He really just can’t help but pull them together again. 

Blaine thinks Kurt is opening his mouth to deepen the kiss and, well, he’s certainly not going to complain. Until Kurt sucks in a deep breath and turns his head, chuckling through his yawn.

“Sorry, I really thought I could hold that yawn in.”

Blaine lets out a laugh of his own and glances over at the analog clock on the nightstand. “It’s only midnight, you grandpa,” he teases.

“Hey! Doing nothing all day is seriously draining.”

“I wouldn’t call what we did nothing,” Blaine says cheekily, causing Kurt to flush.

“I’m going to shower before I head to bed,” Kurt responds, sitting up and lifting his arms up over his head and exposing an inch or so of his midriff.

Blaine is trying so hard not to stare. Nevertheless, he can’t help it as he watches Kurt saunter off to the restroom. 

He tosses his head back onto the pillow with a satisfied grin on his face. Global crisis it may be, but if he got Kurt Hummel out of it… he could complain about worse things.

A bright ding from his right interrupts his thoughts. Blaine turns his head and sees the screen of Kurt’s phone light up, resting there on the nightstand.

He’s not snooping. He’s really not. It’s just sort of instinct to look in the direction of the sounds.

Then, he sees the succession of messages that make his stomach churn.

New Message: From: Adam Hurry and finish up with the rebound already I miss you Text me when you’re on your way

He stares at the screen for a few seconds before it fades back to black, feeling absolutely sick to his stomach. Of course Kurt was going to run back to his ex the first chance he got. It’s exactly what he did three years ago and Blaine was just kidding himself. This was all too good to be true.

Turns out it wasn’t.

Before he knows it, he’s grabbing his duffel bag and dialing Quinn’s number. 

He’s always welcomed there and New Haven isn’t all that far, after all.

Part 9

[marvelwitchergilmore]

Wedding Invitations

Summary: Colter Shaw x Fe!Reader -> You and Colter have known each other since you were 15. He was there to help you once, and he's here to help you now.

Disclaimer: This may end up being a two parter. Light swearing, jerk exes, protective Colter, friends to lovers vibes kinda, little angst, sad fluff, cute fluff, happy-ish ending I guess. Not proof read.

Colter didn’t know what to do, exactly, when Reenie called him and said you needed him. 

All he knew was that within five minutes, he was turning back down the highway and headed straight for your home. 

A thousand and one things ran through Colter’s mind as he sped down the road. Were you in danger? Have you been hurt? How bad was it?

However, when Reenie called him back and explained what had happened, he felt his heart sink a little. 

The last time he had seen you, you had just started dating a guy. It seemed to be going well and you seemed happy enough. Last time he had talked to you, you were elbow deep in wedding invitations, asking him over the phone if he could make it since it was a lot easier than finding an address he’d be at long enough. 

And that was just last week. 

By the time Colter pulled up outside your home, the second car he usually saw in the background of your facetime, was gone. Your car was still there, so you were definitely home. 

Small lights led up the path to your home before the porch light lit up the deck. However, save for a lamp or two, no lights were on inside the house. 

He knocked, but no answer came. 

So he tried the garage door. 

It slid up instantly and when Colter got a look inside, it looked like someone had left in a hurry. Most of what was left was…wedding stuff. 

He had to force the door open, but it wasn’t long before he was inside the house. 

It smelt of you. Which was an odd comfort for him. 

It was like the perfect mixture of blueberry pie, cinnamon and…warmth. 

Colter made his way through the house, calling out your name. 

There was broken glass on the floor, with a can of unopened soda sat on the coffee table. It was no longer cold and most of the condensation was already sinking into the wood beneath it. 

Colter called out your name again. 

In the kitchen, he found…blueberry pie. 

A slight smile came to his face, before he continued to check the house. 

As he climbed the stairs, he began to hurry his steps, searching the rooms until from down the hallway, he spotted the open door to the bathroom.

The closer he walked, the clearer his view became. 

There you were. 

With your arms balanced on your propped up knees, your head was down and your eyes were closed, tears rolling hot down your cheeks. In your hands, you clutched onto a towel from where you’d dried your face earlier. 

Colter walked closer and waited for a moment by the door. 

“Well…this feels oddly familiar.”

You nodded, forcing yourself to look up. 

And Colter felt his heart break. 

You were still crying, but you just looked…beat. Ready to sleep. Ready to cry some more. Ready to just…fall. 

Maybe you already had. 

“Yeah. Kinda.”

Without a second thought, Colter rushed inside and came and sat beside you. He pulled you inside his side, and you moulded directly into him. You hadn’t realised how cold you were until you were met with the heat of his body and the warmth of his touch. 

With a head on his chest, he curled his hand around and placed it on top of your head, almost shielding you from the world. 

This wasn’t unlike almost twenty years ago when, after sneaking out to go to a friend’s party (despite the fact he’d already been pulled out of school), Colter found you. 

You’d both been partners in History class. And you’d had a small friendship, at least. This also included him knowing who you had a crush on, even if you wouldn’t tell him. 

So, when he had lost track of you at the party, only to find your crush making out with the girl who was meant to be your best friend, he knew why you had disappeared. At least, that was what he suspected. 

And he wasn’t wrong. 

He found you in the top floor bathroom which no-one went to since it was so far up, and if you were that desperate for the bathroom, you wouldn’t have made it to the top of the house. 

When he found you, you had been slumped down on the floor, crying your eyes out. 

However, compared to then, when your emotions and your voice were also uncontrollable and constant after such an early heart break…it was no longer like that. 

Or, at least, on the outside it wasn’t. 

When you spoke, despite the constant flowing tears, your voice was shaky but pressured to be even. And by the way you were clutching onto the towel in your hands, that told Colter it was taking everything in your to not break down. To not scream, or cry too loudly, to not sob, to not shake. 

However, that last one was becoming more difficult to control. 

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Colter asked, finding your eyes. 

“In a minute. Can you just keep hugging me?”

Colter nodded before pulling you closer, resting his chin on top of your head and squeezing your tighter in his arms. 

After a good ten minutes, your tears finally stilled long enough for you to take a deep breath and move back. 

“Thank you for coming.”

“You never have to thank me for coming to you.”

You nodded, avoiding his gaze for a moment before sitting up as best as you could. 

“I didn’t see it coming.”

Colter just sat and watched and listened as you told him everything that had happened. 

“I was at work, grading papers, when he called. He said to come home, instead of going to the wedding venue after work. We were going to sign the final papers. Everything had been confirmed, it was just a final formality.”

“I thought it was a little weird, but when I came home…all of his boxes were packed. And I mean…everything. Every record, every picture, every book, every…thing. It was all packed. Hell, it was even labelled!”

You had to laugh before you cried again. You touched a finger to your eyes, wiping a small tear away from the edge of your eye. 

“Apparently, he’d been feeling lost for a couple weeks. Weeks! He didn’t even say anything. He didn’t even…show anything. Everything was normal. We were happy. And…” you took a deep breath, but Colter just waited for you to continue. 

“And then he got a call. And I knew. He didn’t even answer it. Just…let it ring. It was so silent, Colter. Just knowing that he was moving on, had moved on before even moving out. I…didn’t even…we were meant to be getting married, Colter. We’ve been together for eight years and to just…leave…”

Colter rubbed his hand up and down your arm, feeling how cold you were. 

“How about I make you some tea? Reenie always says that can help? And maybe get you a sweater, you’re freezing.”

“After he left I just…I don’t even remember.”

Colter nodded, standing up before lowering his hands to help you up from the floor. 

Twenty minutes later, Colter had boiled the water and made you both a cup of tea before ordering food. 

He might not have gotten to see you often, but you’d both talked long enough over the years that he had learnt that when you graded papers you tended to get a little caught up and miss dinner. And considering what had transpired after you got home from work, it didn’t take a genius to figure out why your stomach was rumbling. 

It was also in those twenty minutes that Colter came to learn more about your now ex-fiance. 

He’d been feeling ‘lost’ for a few weeks, until he met a woman at work. She was a consultant that had come into town for a few days before flying back out to Sydney. Turned out they had grown up two towns apart when they were kids, so had a lot in common. They got to talking and…it grew from there. 

On the rare occasion work got caught up, he was actually with her. On dates, laughing and smiling and kissing and just…

“So, what happens now?”

“He’s moving to Sydney,” you told him. “His flight leaves tomorrow. All his boxes were being taken to a storage unit in town. His assistant is gonna make sure they’re shipped over.”

“Did he move them all out himself?”

You shook your head. “Movers came in. It’s odd…they knew my relationship was ending before I did.”

“I am sorry,” Colter told you. 

“What for? You didn’t suddenly break up with me, did you?”

“No, but I’m still sorry.”

“Thanks, Colt.”

You took his hand in yours for a moment, until the bell rang. 

“That’ll be the food. I’ll get it.” Colter said before standing, quickly kissing your forehead and disappearing down the hall and towards the front door. 

However, after five minutes of hearing distant talking, you heard the door shut. 

It took you a moment, but you looked behind you and followed the same path as Colter. The pizza box and bag of other items were by the door and Colter was…outside?

When Colter got to the door, the Pizza Guy was balancing the other random take-away bits on top. 

“Here, let me-”

“Thanks, man.”

“How much do I owe you?”

“25.”

“Here you go.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Yeah.”

However, as the Pizza Guy walked down the porch and back to his car, Colter spotted a slightly familiar car down the road and a somewhat familiar face walking towards the house. 

Leaving the food by the door, Colter walked outside immediately and headed straight for the guy. 

“Hey, no, turn around.”

“Excuse me?” The guy stopped in his tracks. 

It took him a moment to recognise the face in front of him. 

“C…Colter?”

“Hi, Jonathan. Turn around.”

“What-”

“You’re not welcome here.”

“This is my house!”

“No, this was your house.”

“Same thing.”

“Actually, it’s not. See, ‘is’ suggests that you still live here. However, considering you moved all your stuff out earlier today, I’d say that signifies enough to say you don’t live here anymore.”

“Can I at least talk to her?”

“And say what?” Colter asked, stopping Jonathan in his tracks. “That you’re sorry. She’s not gonna want to hear it.”

“How would you know what she wants? You don’t even see her!”

“That’s your excuse? That's because I don’t see her, I don’t know her? You’ve got to have a better come back than that. You know what, I’ll give you another shot. Tell me why I wouldn’t know what she wants.”

Jonathan took a moment, but when nothing came to him, he sighed. “Look, man. I just want to clear the air here and give back my key.”

“And you didn’t think to leave that behind when you packed up your stuff?”

“I just thought-”

“I can give it back to her.”

“I’d prefer-”

“You don’t get a say in this, Jonathan. You were the one to walk out. If you wanted out, you could have at least been a decent human and talk to her, rather than dumping all of this on her on a random Friday.” Colter explained before he paused. “Actually, not that random. On a Friday you were meant to sign off on your wedding venue.”

“Look, man, I already feel as bad as it is-”

“Good.”

Jonathan seemed to get a little offended at Colter’s bluntness. 

“Look, man-”

“If you think you’re getting off lightly here, you’re not. You broke her heart. You spent the last eight years together and in a few hours you end everything. You pack up your shit, you print out plane tickets, you tell her you’ve met someone else. Do you even know what you had?”

“Look, man-”

“Say ‘Look, man,” one more time and I’ll do her a favour and start throwing the punches she didn’t earlier.” Colter’s gaze darkened and he seemed to grow broader.

“Look-” Jonathan paused. “Colter. I understand you want to help her but this is really between herself and I.”

“Maybe.” Colter agreed. “Maybe before you pulled this crap but the second you hurt her, that was the second it became my business. Now, I’m sure your new girlfriend is lovely but Y/n? You’ll never meet anyone like her, ever. And you just let her go. Stupidly, might I add.”

“Jees, don’t hold back.” Jonathan tried to laugh. 

“Oh, I won’t.”

You watched the two men fall silent for a moment before speaking up. 

“Colter?”

Colter’s entire posture and gaze softened for a moment as he turned back and looked at you. 

“Yeah? Oh, yeah. Just..give me a minute?”

That was something you were thankful for. You and Colter sometimes never had to speak, you just knew what the other was thinking. 

However, Jonathan called your name. 

“Wait-”

“Fuck you, Jonathan!” you held up your middle finger, bringing the pizza box back inside  before closing the door. 

“She doesn’t have to speak to me like that?”

Colter had no words. Just a look, mostly made of confusion. 

“I think it’s best if you leave, and don’t come back.”

“Hey, hey, wait! Just wait a minute! I need to talk to her. I need to clear the air.”

Colter sighed. “I’ll do you this one kindness. Tell me what you want to tell her, and I will tell her. Because you’re not getting within ten feet of that house. Not after what you did.”

“It’s not like I cheated on her!”

“Except that you did.” Colter was finally getting Jonathan closer to his car, even if it was through physically moving him. 

“I waited until after I left to ask Jen to be my girlfriend.”

“Because that makes a difference?”

“It does!”

Colter sighed, “Jonathan, just do everyone a favour and shut up?”

“But-”

“Don’t come back here.”

It took a second but Jonathan finally got back into his car before handing the key over to Colter. “Just…tell her I never meant to hurt her.”

“Too late for that.”

Jonathan couldn’t say anything else so rolled up his window and drove off. 

Colter stood in the middle of the street for a few minutes watching his car roll down the street before turning the corner and heading for the highway. 

When he walked back inside, he found you sitting on the sofa. 

“What did he want?”

“To give you this back.”

You turned to look at Colter. It was the spare key to your house. 

“You can just leave it on the side.”

After a few minutes, Colter finally sat beside you on the sofa, handing you a soda. You lay your head on his shoulder and stared up at the TV screen. 

“I feel really crap.”

Colter nodded slightly. “I know Reenie would probably tell you to get up and, I don’t know, go out and get drunk but if you just want to eat junk food and fall asleep, I can support that. And then go out, if you want to do that too.”

You smiled for the first time since you came home. “Junk food and sleep sounds really good right now.”

“Okay then.”

It took a couple minutes to find a film before you both landed on an old showing of a classic hollywood movie. You couldn’t remember the title, but when you'd finished your food and talking to Colter about whatever case he’d been on before Reenie called him, you found yourself falling asleep. 

And when you woke up in the morning, something felt different. 

You weren’t in your bed. You weren’t in your bed with Jonathan. You were on the sofa. Snug in the crook of it. With half of your body on…a sleeping Colter. 

He looked so peaceful. 

The sun was still slowly coming up and by the clock on the wall, it was around seven thirty in the morning. Stupid body clock. 

You groaned a little and fell back into the warmth of Colter, your head on his chest. His grip on you tightened for a moment before it settled again and you found yourself just listening to the repetitive rhythm of his heartbeat. 

Every now and again, your mind would replay the events from the day before. Getting the call, coming home, watching the movers, listening to Jonathan’s voice telling you your future together was over, just like that. Waiting for them to leave whilst you remained in the bathroom, splashing your face with cold water and drying it. Getting the final knock on the bathroom door from one of the movers. Jonathan seemed to be searching for you for a moment and for a split second, you thought he was going to yell “wake up” as if you’d fallen asleep marking papers. But you hadn’t. It was real, and he was asking for his ring back. It took you a moment, and taking it off your finger felt foreign. Strange. Like an out of body experience. 

And then it was over. 

You were alone. 

In a home you thought was going to be yours and Jonathan’s. One where maybe you could start a family one day. 

But that was all shattered. 

Until Colter. 

When he walked into the bathroom, you had a flashback to being fifteen again and crying over a boy in a bathroom at a party. Except this time, you’d spend eight years of your life with this guy and your wedding invitations and seating chart and placements were all in storage in the garage. 

And when he hugged you…you knew it would be okay. 

You didn’t know if you’d be feeling better the next day, or the day after that or even in a week’s time. Eight years was a lot to throw away in the space of a couple of hours. 

But you knew it would be okay. 

Colter reassured you with that. 

By the time he woke up, him looking at you with a slightly dazed look, you both just lay there for a moment. 

“I’d apologise for falling asleep on you, but I don’t think I’m sorry. You’re a decent pillow.”

Colter chuckled. “Thanks.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Better, but also not.”

“Want breakfast?”

“Not right now.”

“I’ll make pancakes?”

“Eggs are in the fridge.”

Colter chuckled lightly at that before moving his arm from around your back, kissed your head, and slowly sat up. He couldn’t lie. He got a decent night's sleep often, but nothing like that. 

“Chocolate chips are in the cupboard.” You called out as he rounded the sofa and walked towards the kitchen. 

After a moment you heard; “Got em’.”

Colter stayed for two weeks. 

Mostly because he found a case in town nearby. But also because he rarely got to see you and he was helping you. 

It was tough, calling the caterers, the venue, the officiant, the florist. It was even tougher calling all the friends and family. 

Your family insisted on coming up to see you, but you reassured them you’d be okay. You’d come and see them soon, but until then you just needed some space. Some alone time. 

“And you don’t need alone time with me?” Colter asked. 

“You don’t ask questions like ‘how could you let this happen?’ and ‘what about my future grandbabies?’ and ‘you know your cousin’s wedding is coming up, we can always tell friends of the family Jonathan is on a business trip’.”

Colter looked a little confused. 

“One on my dad’s side. She’s not exactly…thrilled about single women when they could have had the whole ‘big white wedding’.”

Colter shrugged his shoulders, “I could always go with you.”

You laughed a little. “Colter, you don’t have to do that. Also, I’ve been trying to get out of going to that wedding for months. This gives me the perfect excuse.”

“Well, the offer’s always there.”

You smiled. “Thanks.”

“What about this one?” Colter asked, showing you a photo. 

“Put it in the maybe pile.”

You were hunting through all your photos to find ones to put in the now empty picture frames. After a week, Colter had found you going around the entire house at three in the morning, emptying all of the frames that held any pictures of yourself and Jonathan. 

By the time you finished, you carried the last of the boxes from the garage to the attic with Colter’s help. 

However, that just left the wedding stuff. 

“What do I do with it?”

“It’s extreme but you could burn it?”

You turned to Colter. “Did Reenie text you?”

“Yeah.” He admitted. 

You turned back to the box. “It’s not a terrible idea. Though, I don’t have anything to burn them in for such a big quantity. I do have a shredder. Yep, that’ll have to do.”

For the next two hours Colter handed you each placement card and wedding invitation to shred. 

And it was there, sitting behind your sofa on the floor, with Colter, shredding wedding invitations, that you knew you’d be okay. 

It might take a while, but you’d be okay. 

[forkanna]

[AO3 LINK] [WATTPAD] [QUOTEV]

Anna went stock still as their lips connected. It was magical, even if they barely enjoyed the contact before the starlet drew away, pushing her hand into her mouth.

"Oh. I'm…"

"Whoa," the younger woman breathed, turning to stare into the corner. "Ohhhh, that was… intense."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do something so forward out of the blue, I just… wanted to hug you, I don't…"

Anna took her own turn laying her index finger across Elsa's lips, cutting off further protests. "Dude, chill. It was just a kiss; a really nice one, but I'm not gonna die from it. And this one was on me, because I moved."

"Okay." Eyes leaking tears of frustration, she heaved a shaky sigh before confessing, "A lot is happening in a short time. I get to meet you, I pulled that stupid accent, you sang to me, and then I come out, now we're kissing… this is worse than an episode of my show. And that's saying something."

"What show? Wait… you didn't want me to know," she reminded herself.

"Oh… you might as well know now that you're in my hotel room. I'm Elsa Norberg. You might not know me unless you watch daytime soaps or used to watch Disney and Nickelodeon."

Though Anna had been shaking her head, one of her eyebrows raised a little bit in curiosity. "Like, old Nick? Wait…" Now she leaned very far forward to squint at Elsa's features, and the normally-poised actor had to fight down a giggle fit at her crush being that close. "Elsie North?! That chick who played Reenie on Dot And Vanessa?!"

"Yep, you got it," she laughed.

"Holy SHIT! I used to watch that show all the time! Wow, you dyed your hair - wait, you dye it now or you dyed it then? It looks pretty natural…"

"Dyed it then. That's also where the stage name came in; weird Aryan-looking girls from Sweden weren't the in thing at the time. All-American 'girls next door' were."

"Maaaan…" Clearly, she was a little starstruck but not as badly as other people she had met in her life. "You totally carried that show. It was dumb as hell and that guy who played Freddy was annoying; without you it would have been one season and done."

Laughing a lot louder, she gently pushed Anna's shoulder. "No, no. The two main characters were also good. But you're right, the scripts were almost as bad as the ones I'm working with now on my soap opera."

"Which one?"

"Into The Unknown."

"Ohhhh. Yeah, I've seen it on when I'm home sick or during the summer, but I don't really watch those things. No offense!" she added with a raised hand, as if to ward off Elsa's wrath. But her new friend just shrugged.

"None taken. The cast and crew are great, like family to me, but the scripts are the same cheesiness as every other soap opera."

The redhead nodded over toward the connecting door to the other suite. "That where she's from? She's really pretty, so I figure she must be another actor. That guy definitely isn't."

"No," she laughed in agreement. "Decidedly not. But he seems like a decent guy so far; this is my first time meeting him."

"Oh yeah… you did tell me you don't have very many close friends. I hope you're letting her in now. Well, unless she turns out to be a bitch, and then I'm totally okay with you ghosting her."

Rolling her eyes, she scooted closer. Even though it was hard to feel comfortable doing so, she wanted to try. "So far, so good. Don't worry."

"Yeah." Anna slipped her arm around her that easily. Leaned into her, nuzzled her neck. "Mmm…"

"Oooh…"

"Too much?"

"No, no. I just wasn't expecting… any of this."

Her other hand began to pet Elsa's stomach. "You say that like I was, but like… it's whatever. Life happens."

"It does. In very unexpected ways." But she couldn't entirely suppress a reaction to all this physical attention. Who could have?

"Elsa… you feel really good."

"Do I?"

"Yeah. I, um… like I said, I like girls but just, um…" She took a quick breath. "I kinda… only dated guys, because I was worried it wouldn't be the same. Dumb, huh? Obviously girls are fun to cuddle, too. Guess I was just being weird."

"You're talking to someone who's in the closet because her homophobic studio thinks it's bad for the conservative homemaker demographic," she snorted. "That's probably the stupidest reason."

"Nah. You have to work to eat. Like, obviously you can eat freakin' lobster whenever you want, but you couldn't if you got yourself kicked off the show, right? I get that. I don't really want to strip for internet randos, either; it's just work I don't mind and I'm good at it. Like most jobs."

"More than just 'good'. But I'm also sure you could go legit if you wanted to, you're so charismatic."

Grinning, she hugged her tighter. Elsa finally let herself hug her back, humming very quietly in appreciation for the closeness. "You nerd. But like… you're sweet. And you feel good. I could get used to it, and I wanna."

But what about Hans? Elsa thought it, didn't say it; she couldn't ruin this moment. Had already tried to before and it didn't work, so now she just wanted to enjoy this sweet creature in her arms. One she was embracing… then sliding her hand from hip to shoulder… up her neck, tilting her chin upward…

Kissing. This was a real, deep, passionate kiss that they both found themselves throwing themselves into with abandon, lips kneading, tongues tentatively poking at bottom lips. Elsa felt like she was coming home for the first time in ten years. So delicious… did everyone enjoy this as much as she was now? What a beautiful world they lived in.

Of course, it didn't take long for Anna to slide into her lap. And not long after that… she drew back from the kiss with a small smirk.

"Well, hello."

                                      To Be Continued…

[katlyn1948]

He Said, She Said (Part 13 of “The Family of Storm’s End” Series)

He Said, She Said

Katlyn1948

Summary:

Arya receives two letters while in Winterfell.

Notes:

HAHAHA! So....I FINALLY added another part to my little series! I know I've been AWOL with this one, but I've been busy, give a girl a break. That and I had no idea what to add for it. I am proud to let you all know that I was finally able to get out of this series brain funk? and come up with another drabble. I hope you like this one and I think it's cute!

Work Text:

Arya sat in her bedchambers back in her childhood home. It was nearing two weeks since she left Storm’s End for a much-needed break and in her time away, she had received three letters from home. The first letter received was from her eldest child of only seven years. Bella was a smart girl for her age and picked up her father’s trade in the war hammer rather quickly. Her septa, along with Arya’s dear friend, Sienna had agreed that the child was gifted; she could read a whole chapter by her second nameday.

When Arya received the letter, she should not have been as surprise as she was. She had an inclination that eventually she would hear about the misadventures her husband along with their children were up too. What truly surprised Arya was that the letter came from Bella’s hand and not that of her husband’s.

Dear Mother,

I do hope that you are enjoying your visit with Aunt Sansa, but I do have to wonder when you will be returning home. It has been nearly a week and father has already forgotten to feed the twins, nearly drowned Reenie, and almost taken off my head with his war hammer. I am not saying that he’s doing a bad job, but mother, he is doing a bad job. As you know, Alyse is in the Riverlands visiting family and Sienna has been preoccupied with Reenie. I’ve been trying to help him the best as I can, but I am only seven namedays! I cannot do everything. Did you know that he didn’t even know how to change the twin’s cloths? Who have you left us with?

With all my heart,

Your Daughter Bella.

Arya scoffed as she read over the letter. Her daughter could be a little dramatic and she had to take everything she said with hesitance. She knew that Gendry would have some difficulty with the children, but Arya believed that everything Bella was telling her was out of proportion. Just a day later, another letter arrived, this time from her husband.

My dearest Arry,

When are you coming home? I don’t mean to pry or even rush your time away, but the children are missing you terribly. I was informed by the maester that Bella has sent a letter to you. Do not believe everything she says. She is just a girl who misses her mother. I’m sure she has told you of her shenanigans around the castle. To my defense, I thought the twins were asleep and when I returned from the shore I fetched the wet nurse and got them fed straight away. Shireen is fine! She just had a little accident in the ocean, but nothing to worry about and Bella knew better than to play in the forge with my hammer. I didn’t see her when I picked up the damned thing! Nearly took her head off. The point is I just was to reassure you that the children are doing fine and we eagerly wait your return.

Love,

Gendry

Arya’s anger began to bubble as she set the piece of parchment down. Bella had been telling the truth and now she was even more worried about her children with their own father than she was shipping them off to Bravvos. In a fit of fury, she swiftly wrote her Lord Husband.

You Stupid Bull Headed Man!

If one hair is misplaced from any of my children’s heads, I promise to castrate you into the next moon turn. I will be leaving Winterfell come the morning. By the time you receive this raven, I will leaving the dock from White Harbor sailing into Storm’s End. In the meantime, try not to kill MY children!

Yours Always,

Arya Stark

She huffed as she placed the quill into the ink jar, quickly rolling the parchment and sealing it with a Direwolf seal. She pushed from her desk and stormed out her room trying to find the maester. In her rage, she hadn’t noticed her sister walking down the corridor in the opposite direction.

“Arya? Is everything alright?”

Arya raised her hands in frustration, “My husband is going to kill my children!”

With that, she turned on her heel and down the stairs in search of the maester. Sansa turned to the guard on her left as said, “Prepare my sister’s ship. She will be leaving at dawn.”

Three days later in Storm’s End

Gendry stared at the piece of parchment with wide eyes. His face was drained of color and his palms were sweaty. There wasn’t much that he feared in the world, but his wife was one of them.

“Bella?!” He shouted, “What did you tell your mother?!”

[hollyoaksloversx]

Goodbye, Myra...

Rounding up a week in Hollyoaks (25th-29th March 2019)

Hold the front page, for this week, a Mercedes McQueen wedding actually went off without a hitch! Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for her Mother, Myra, so sadly we’re still no closer to seeing a successful McQueen double wedding. At the start of the week, Liam was still causing trouble for Mercedes, but she finally stood up to him and told him she wouldn’t be threatened. Myra, on the other hand, had a serious case of pre-marital guilt, having shared a snog with Stevie Scaramouche a few weeks back. As everyone gathered at The Dog for the ceremony, Myra was having a meltdown in the toilets over the situation, but Nana and Scott convinced her to keep shutm, reasoning that what Sally didn’t know couldn’t hurt her. Unfortunately, once the trio had left, a heartbroken Sally emerged from one of the cubicles...

Mercedes and Sylver got married first, giving Sally plenty of time to question whether or not she was doing the right thing. When Sally and Myra’s turn came, a video message from John Paul was played, and it looked like Sally might just go through with it. However, Sally confronted Myra over her kiss and told her she couldn’t marry her. The following day, Sally made plans to leave the village, however, Myra shocked everyone by announcing that she would leave instead, pointing out that she was the reason that the wedding hadn’t gone ahead. Myra departed the village in spectacular fashion; riding off in a giant pumpkin to join Jacqui and Michaela in Alicante. One would hope that Myra wasn’t planning on travelling all the way to the airport in the pumpkin. That thing on the motorway is an accident waiting to happen. Future Hollyoaks stunt, maybe?

Meanwhile, Damon and Brody were busy preparing the Loveboat for the launch of whatever their latest business idea is and wannabe journalist, Yasmine, was on hand to interview the pair for her vlog. Of course, we know that it is Brody and Damon’s dream to open their own bar in New York, but this was news to Maxine and she was left devastated when Liberty showed her Yasmine’s vlog, in which the pair spoke about their future plans. Damon was soon distracted from his renovations when Maxine was rushed to hospital, once again experiencing some strange symptoms. At the hospital, Misbah was left baffled by Maxine’s symptoms, and arranged for a lumbar puncture to take place. However, Maxine did a runner before this could take place but told Damon this was going to be carried out at a later date. Back at the boat, Damon was in a right state over Maxine’s condition and worried that he wouldn’t be able to support her, pointing out that Maggie had kept her cancer a secret due to his inability to cope. Luckily, Brody was able to convince Damon otherwise, and Damon ended the week by inviting himself to move in with Maxine and Minnie...

Elsewhere, Romeo found himself in a tight spot as he faced questioning over Mac’s death. Luckily, the police were unable to find any concrete evidence of his involvement and he was released whilst investigations continued. Meanwhile, over at the school, Juliet was having a tough time coming to terms with her Father’s murder and Brother’s arrest, and barricaded herself in a classroom and threatened to burn the school down. Whilst Laurie, Sienna and Nancy flapped about trying and failing to deal with the situation, Brooke had a brainwave and knew just the person who could help; Darren. Luckily, Brooke’s instincts were correct and Hollyoaks High was saved from another fiery disaster. Juliet was delighted to find that Romeo had been released, however, she was left frustrated by the fact that no one wanted to talk about Mac. However, Juliet found an ally in Marnie, who shared some stories about Mac in his youth and told Juliet that she could always come to her if she wanted to remember her Father.

Also this week, Liam’s downward spiral continued and almost cost him his life when Joel found him having a drug induced seizure at The Loft. Joel rushed the wannabe gangster to hospital but was left alarmed when he heard Liam calling out for Eva in his sleep. With the support of Jesse, Liam acknowledged that he wasn’t over Eva and began to re-evaluate his life choices...

Finally, Sinead was seething with jealousy when she discovered that Laurie and Sienna were going on a school camping trip together. This information also came as news to Sienna, who had not yet been approached about the excursion, and was less than keen knowing that she would be going with Laurie. Sally also wasn’t impressed with the idea, given the history between the pair, but Laurie was quick to reassure her that they had put the kiss behind them and would be sleeping in separate tents anyway. However, Laurie was later seen ripping up one of the tents...

5 Things we Learned This Week:

1. Sun is more important than family. We’ve heard all manner of excuses over the years as to why absent family members can’t make weddings and other such events but this has to be one of the worst, given by Jacqui and Michaela McQueen this week. What happened to a good old fashioned tummy bug preventing a character from boarding the plane?! At least pretend you want to come, guys!

2. Moving to Hollyoaks sucks, and Juliet’s just realised it. Juliet’s only lived in the village for a couple of months but has already had to endure more trauma than most people do in a lifetime. She met her long lost Father, then discovered he was a bit of a bastard, had to deal with her Brother being arrested for her Father’s murder and now she’s sharing a house with Cindy and Marnie. Poor kid, especially when you consider that her life prior to Hollyoaks was nothing to write home about...

3. Myra McQueen exists purely to be given bizarre exits. Remember her first goodbye back in 2013? She was seemingly shot dead by Doctor Browning into a body of water only to turn up alive and well at the airport a couple of days later. This time, she’s heading off for a new life in a horse drawn pumpkin.  I fully expect her to be abducted by aliens next time she departs the village!

4. Grief is a funny old thing. Liam had only known Eva for a few months when she died, yet he’s spent the last two years in a deep depression over her death. He’s actually been grieving for her for far longer that he knew her. On the other hand, other characters move on from the death of a loved one at break-neck speed. Remember Carmel kissing Sonny in the cemetery when poor Jim’s grave hadn’t yet been filled in?

5. Breda’s the gift that keeps on giving. What does every son want from his Mother as a wedding present? That’s right, for her to move in with him and his new wife! Oh, Breda, why would you think this was a good idea? And it’s surely just going to give Mercedes even more reason to ignore poor Max and Bobby!

Doreen Watch:

It was nice and unexpected to get a little update on how Doreen’s doing since the death of the legendary DS Thorpe. She’s got herself a nice little job on the switch board at Minnie Cabs and her biscuits are far more tempting than Damon’s knickerbocker glory. 

Characters Featured:

Bobby, Breda, Brody, Brooke, Carmina, Cindy, Cleo, Courtney, Damon, Darren, DS Yates, Goldie, Grace, Jack, James, Jesse, Joel, John Paul, Juliet, Laurie, Liam, Liberty, Marnie, Max, Maxine, Mercedes, Minnie, Misbah, Mitchell, Myra, Nana McQueen, Nancy, Prince, Sally, Sami, Scott, Sienna, Sinead, Sylver, Tony and Yasmine.

Past Characters Mentioned:

Dr Paul Browning, Pete Buchanan, Riley Costello, Adam Donovan, Glenn Donovan, Eva Falco, Maggie Kinsella, Jacqui McQueen, Matthew McQueen, Michaela McQueen, Reenie McQueen, Mac Nightingale, Russ Owen, Joe Roscoe.