#i will never forgive them for jeeps... | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

itneverendshere · 9 months ago

Note

If you ever heard the song “Insecure” by Jazmine Sullivan, I was wondering if you could read a fic with rafe about that

it’s Like toxic!rafe and reader

INSECURE

PAIRING: bsf!toxic!rafe x kook!reader warnings: emotional manipulation; self-hatred; toxic!rafe.

If someone asked you how it started, you couldn’t even tell them.

It was Rafe Cameron you were talking about.

Walking red flag, all ego, and too much money for his own good.

He had the type of face that made you forgive him even when you didn’t want to. And trust, you'd tried to not want to.

That never worked out, obviously.

It’s not like you thought you could change him or whatever. You were not one of those girls. You just...thought you’d be different. Special.

At some point in this fucked up story, you got caught up in that fairy tale bullshit. Maybe if you were the one who held his attention long enough, he’d stop messing around and actually be serious.

See you.

Spoiler alert: That’s not how it worked

You learned that real quick with Rafe. It wasn’t even two months in before you found some girl's scrunchie in his Jeep.

You were leaving the club, both tipsy, and you slid into the passenger seat when you spotted it in the back. You know how girls leave stuff behind like it’s a game? Their way of marking territory? That scrunchie was a neon sign that read, "I was here."

You picked it up, twirled it around your finger, and waited for him to notice.

He didn’t.

“What's this?” You finally asked, not even looking at him, just staring at that stupid pink scrunchie.

Rafe glanced over at it for half a second before shrugging, his fingers tapping on the steering wheel.

“Dunno. Probably Sarah’s.”

Sarah Cameron, his sister, the golden girl of the family. His excuse every time something came up.

“It’s not Sarah’s.”

You weren't buying it. You knew that girl’s style inside and out, and there’s no way in hell she’d be caught dead wearing something this basic. You tossed it into the backseat.

Of course he’d still treat you like shit, why care about a lifelong friendship, right?

Rafe rolled his eyes. He didn’t bother with the decency to act like he cared that you were pissed.

“You’re being dramatic,” he said, his voice dripping with that condescension that always made you feel stupid for caring. “It’s just a fucking scrunchie.”

But it wasn’t. Not to you.

See, the thing with Rafe is, he never said he was yours.

You never had some grand conversation about exclusivity or titles, none of that. That’s how it was with him. He’d show up at your door, flash that smile, and you’d forget every reason why he wasn’t good for you.

It wasn’t just the girls or the scrunchies or the way he’d disappear for days, leaving you with nothing but unanswered texts and half-assed explanations. It was you, how you felt around him.

You were constantly second-guessing yourself, wondering if you were enough, if you were what he wanted.

That feeling, that gnawing insecurity was starting to mess with your head. Things were so different before.

A week after the scrunchie incident, you found yourself at another one of those parties on Figure Eight, where we Kooks pretend we're so much better than everyone else but still drink cheap beer out of red solo cups.

It was the usual crowd—Topper, Kelce, a few other guys you barely knew, and, of course, Rafe.

You were wearing this black mini dress you knew he liked, the one that hugged your body in all the right places. You wanted to feel good tonight, make him see you the way you needed him to.

It was pathetic, but you thought if you played your cards right you'd get more than just half-hearted attention.

Halfway through the night, you saw her.

This girl—some random pogue you'd never seen before—leaning against the bar, laughing at something Rafe was saying.

It wasn’t that he was talking to her. No, it was the way he was looking at her, that look he used to give you when you first started whatever this was between you two.

As if she was the most interesting thing in the room, even if she was wearing that cheap, threadbare tank top and worn-out jean shorts. The clothes screamed that she probably worked at some surf shop or waited tables just to get by. And yet, here he was, cozying up to her like she was something special, just another girl he’d forget about tomorrow.

Making someone like you, compare yourself to someone like her.

You swallowed hard, your throat dry even after you drowned your drink, palms sweaty as you watched them. You could feel your heart sinking, your gut screaming at you to leave. You didn’t.

You stood there, like an idiot, frozen in place, watching him slide his hand up the back of her arm, a move so smooth, so practiced, it made you feel sick.

You hated this.

Hated yourself, that you let him have this kind of power over you.

Your mind did that annoying thing where it flashed back to the first time you slept with him, it wanted to torture you with every detail of how you got here.

You’d both been drunk, of course, but not blackout drunk—just the kind of buzzed where everything felt easy.

You’d known Rafe forever, been best friends since you were kids.

He was practically a part of you, or at least, he used to be.

You trusted him, which is why when he showed up at your place that night, laughing about something stupid, you didn’t think twice when he crashed on your couch.

Only he didn’t stay on the couch.

You remember how he looked at you from across the room, he wasn’t quite sure if he was going to make a move. He’d leaned in, brushed his hand against your leg—casual, but not really. Your heart had pounded in your chest, but you didn’t stop him.

You didn’t want to stop him.

When he kissed you, you were done for.

All those years of being “just friends” flying right out the window.

You were in his lap before you even realized what was happening, tugging at his shirt, pulling him closer. You told yourself it didn’t mean anything—it was just this one-time thing, a moment of weakness.

But Rafe… he knew how to get to you.

He made you feel like you were the only thing that mattered, even though you weren’t. You were just there, convenient.

At the time, you didn’t see it like that. You thought this would change everything, that the Rafe you’d grown up with was still in there somewhere, buried under all the coke, the girls, the fights.

You were wrong.

It hurt. It hurt like hell.

The worst part was, you couldn’t even blame the girl he was trying to fuck.

She probably had no idea who Rafe really was.

Your throat tightened as he leaned in, saying something that made her laugh again. That same laugh he’d once pulled out of you.

God, how could you be so stupid? You knew what he was. Shit, you’d known for years, and you still let yourself get wrapped up in him, hoping you’d be the exception.

You didn't.

You turned into just another girl he’d sweet-talk, mess with, and then forget about the second something new and shiny came along.

Topper came up beside you, nudging you with his shoulder.

“You okay?"

You blinked, tearing your eyes away from the scene in front of you and forcing a smile.

“Yeah, totally. Just need another drink.” Your voice was casual, but inside, you were falling apart.

He gave you a weird look, but shrugged it off.

Everyone knew how you felt about Rafe, you weren't subtle about it over the years.

You downed another vodka soda, the burn doing nothing to numb the pounding in your chest, and made a beeline for the back of the house.

You needed air.

You barely made it past the kitchen before you felt someone grab your wrist, pulling you into the hallway. You turned, expecting it to be some random guy, but no—it was Rafe.

His grip was tight, you could see the annoyance burning in his eyes.

“You’re leaving already?”

Rafe’s grip on your wrist was too tight, but that didn't surprise you anymore. It was always like this with him—one second, things were fine, and the next, you were stuck in this same stupid cycle of feeling stupid for caring.

“I just need some air,” you muttered, trying to pull away, but of course, he didn’t let go.

His eyes flicked across your face, trying to figure out if you were actually upset or just being “dramatic,” which, spoiler alert, you weren’t.

“C'mon. You’re not seriously mad about that girl, right?” His voice dripped with amusement, your feelings some kind of joke to him.

Rafe knew you were watching and didn't stop.

He leaned in, lowering his voice like that was supposed to make you feel better. “It’s not that deep.”

In nights like these, it's hard to remember this used to be your best friend, before you two started whatever this game was and he decided you just weren't that girl to him anymore.

Just another body he could call up when he needed to get laid.

You stared at him, mouth dry, trying to figure out why you were still standing here.

“Really?” You couldn’t help the sarcasm in your voice. “Because it kinda feels like it is.” You finally yanked your wrist free, stepping back. “Do you even care? Do you even care that you’re making me feel like this?”

“We’ve just having fun,” Rafe stared at you like you were overreacting. “I don’t get what the big deal is."

Fun. God, that word made your stomach turn.

Fun for who? You knew what he meant, but hearing it out loud still stung like a bitch. You’d been holding onto this hope, this ridiculous idea that he cared more. But it was so clear now.

This wasn’t a relationship, at all. Not a friendship either, anymore.

“It’s a thing because it is a thing,” you said, voice shaky. “I can’t just turn off my feelings like you do, Rafe. I can’t pretend it doesn’t hurt when I see you flirting with other girls like I don’t exist.”

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

“I never said we were serious. You knew what this was from the start.”

And there it was.

The slap of reality you’d been avoiding for way too long.

He never did said you were his, never promised you anything more than what he gave—a few nights here and there, some attention when it was convenient for him.

It didn’t stop you from wanting more.

“But you still keep me around, don’t you?” you said quietly, mostly talking to yourself. “You keep me close when it’s easy, when it’s fun for you. And I let you.”

God, that hurt to admit out loud.

You let him make you feel like this, over and over again.

Rafe just stood there, unfazed. He shrugged, and it made you want to scream. “If you’re so unhappy, then leave.”

You stared at him, feeling your heart twist in your chest.

How did it always come back to this? Him pushing you away like you didn’t mean anything. You were standing right in front of him, hurting, and he still couldn't see you.

You searched his face for something—anything—that showed he actually gave a fuck, but there was nothing.

“Yeah,” you nodded, brows furrowed. “Maybe I should.”

Rafe blinked, staring at you like you’d just told him the sky was green, the words didn’t even register with him. He let out this half-laugh, half-scoff, eyebrows raised.

“Wait—what? You’re not serious right now.”

You stood there, trying to hold onto the last shred of whatever self-respect you had left, but his reaction made you feel like you were the crazy one. As if you weren’t the one who’d been dragged through the emotional wringer for months by him.

“I’m serious,” you said, keeping your voice as calm as possible, but inside, you were shaking. “I’m done.”

He shook his head, like you were talking nonsense.

“C’mon, stop. You always say shit like this when you’re mad. You’ll cool off in a couple hours. You’re just… overreacting..”

That word—overreacting—was like gasoline on the fire burning inside you.

“I’m not overreacting, I’m tired. I’m tired of feeling like an idiot every time I care about you. Every time I think we might actually be something.”

He took a step closer, and you could smell the cheap beer and expensive cologne clinging to him.

“We are something,” he said, his tone softening enough to sound almost genuine, he believed it. “We have fun. You’re acting like ’m out here trying to hurt you or somethin'.”

“You don’t think you’re hurting me because you never even think about me in the first place,” you snapped, the words tumbling out before you could stop them. “You never even consider how any of this makes me feel, and that’s the problem. You don’t care.”

Rafe's jaw clenched, but he didn’t argue.

He didn’t fight back like you half-expected him to. Instead, he stared at you, confusion all over his face, it was the first time he’d ever heard any of this.

“So what, you’re just gonna leave?” He asked it like it was the most ridiculous thing in the world. The concept of you actually walking away from him didn’t make any sense. “You’re not serious. You won’t actually leave.”

Your heart twisted at that—at how confident he was that you’d stay.

No matter how many times he messed up, how many girls there were, or how many times he ghosted you, you had always been right there, waiting.

All your life.

That's why he was so sure of it.

You felt your hands shake, you hated that he still had that power over you. Even now, standing here in this stupid hallway at some stupid party, your heart was still fighting your brain, wanting to hold onto him just a bit longer.

But you couldn’t.

“Yeah, Rafe. I’m leaving.” The words came out firm, stronger than you even thought you were capable of right now. “Not playing this game with you anymore.”

For a second, something flickered in his eyes. Panic, maybe, or the realization that he didn’t have you as locked down as he thought.

“You’re really gonna walk away from this?” He gestured between the two of you, as if whatever this was had been so good, so untouchable. “Don’t be stupid.”

You let out a humorless laugh, shaking your head. “I’m the one being stupid? You’ve taken me for granted this whole time, and I was dumb enough to let you."

He didn’t know how to answer, you could sense it in his expression. He never thought you’d dump him or call him on his shit and mean it.

Without waiting for him to say another word, you turned and walked away, feeling like you could breathe for the first time in a long time, but you hardly made it a few steps before you heard him call after you.

“Wait, hold on!”

You kept walking, forcing yourself to put one foot in front of the other. You knew if you stopped, if you even looked back at him, you’d get sucked right back in. Rafe wasn’t going to let it go that easy.

“Wait!” His voice was closer now, and before you could pick up the pace, he grabbed your arm again—not harshly this time, only enough to make you stop. “C'mon, don’t walk away. Talk t'me."

You sighed, shutting your eyes for a second before turning around.

“What do you want me to say?” You were so exhausted from this, from him, from the constant back and forth. “I’m not doing this anymore.”

He let go of your arm, running a hand through his hair, frustrated but trying to rein it in.

“Can we just… talk about this? You’re pissed right now, and I get it, but you can’t just leave like this.”

“I can leave,” you shot back, crossing your arms over your chest defensively. “That’s literally what I’m doing."

Rafe exhaled sharply, “You’re gonna throw everything away? After all this time?”

You stared at him, heart pounding in your chest.

“What exactly am I throwing away? Huh? What have we even been lately? All I’ve been doing is waiting around for you to decide if I’m worth more than just a random hookup whenever you feel like it.”

He winced at that, and you thought he’d get it. Maybe this would be the moment where he realized how badly he’d been screwing up.

Instead, he went for the same excuse he always did.

“It’s not like that,” he said quickly, “You know I care about you, okay? We’ve known each other forever. You’re… important to me.”

“Important to you?” You laughed, but it wasn’t even close to funny. “If this is how you treat people who are ‘important’ to you, then I don’t even wanna know how you treat people who aren’t. Oh wait! I do know."

Rafe sighed, shifting his weight from foot to foot, trying to figure out the right thing to say. “I know I messed up. But…Can we just, think about it for a second? Talk about it?”

You shook your head, feeling the frustration build again.

“What is there to talk about? You only wanna have this conversation now because I’m done. You never wanted to talk about it before.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but you cut him off.

"No, Rafe. You think I haven’t tried to bring this up? Every time I tell you how I feel, you brush me off. I’ve been bending over backwards, trying to make this work, and all I’ve gotten in return is you treating me like I’m an afterthought.”

Rafe frowned, his jaw tightening. “That’s not true. I’m here now, aren’t I? I’m trying to talk to you.”

“Because I’m walking away!” You scoffed, irritated enough to slap him if he kept pushing his narrative. “That’s the only reason you care right now—you don’t wanna lose control. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? You never thought I’d leave.”

He didn’t say anything, which pretty much told you everything you needed to know.

You took a deep breath.

“We used to be best friends. I knew you better than anyone, and you knew me. And now I don’t recognize you anymore or me when I’m around you. I deserve better than this and you know it.”

He looked like he was processing everything. His face wasn’t smug or arrogant anymore. He looked… lost, even scared.

It was the first time you’d seen him drop the act in a long time, and for a second, you felt that pull again—the one that always made you want to fix things, to make it better, to stay.

But you couldn’t keep saving him at the expense of yourself.

“I don’t wanna lose you,” he finally said, his voice quieter. "You’re… you’re one of the only people who actually gets me. I don’t wanna lose that.”

That hit you right in the gut, because deep down, you didn’t wanna lose him either. He was right—you did know him better than anyone, but that didn’t change what he’d been putting you through.

Even if he was scared of losing you, that didn’t mean he was ready to treat you the way you deserved to be treated.

“I don’t wanna lose you either,” you admitted, “But I can’t keep doing this, being the girl you turn to when it’s convenient for you.”

He swallowed hard, eyes flicking down to the ground, he was finally realizing how badly he’d screwed this up.

You sighed, “Look, I hope you figure your shit out. I really do. But I’m not sticking around to wait for that.”

You took two steps when you heard him again, this time his voice desperate.

“Wait—please. Just… don’t go.”

You paused, but didn’t turn around. You were trying so hard to keep it together, to not let him see how badly this was wrecking you.

“You’re the only thing keeping me sober.”

Slowly, you turned back around, eyes wide. “What?”

He looked at you, begging you to understand.

“I’m serious. Since I stopped using…you’re the only thing that’s been helping me hold it together. You leaving—it’s gonna fuck me up. You know that.”

Your heart twisted, hard. Of course he’d pull this now.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

“I’m not lying,” He insisted, taking a step closer. “I swear. I’m trying to do better. You’re the reason I haven’t gone back to that shit. You’ve always been the one to pull me out of it, and if you leave—”

“Stop!" you snapped, holding up a hand. “Do you hear yourself right now? You’re really trying to put this on me?” Your voice was rising, and you didn’t even care if people inside the party heard you. “You’re trying to make me responsible for you staying clean? Do you realize how fucked up that is?”

Rafe flinched, his expression changing from desperate to defensive.

“I’m just saying it how it is. You’ve helped me more than anyone else, you know that.”

“No,” you shot back, shaking your head in disbelief. “I’m not doing this, carrying that weight for you. That’s not fair, and you know it.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but you weren’t done.

“You can’t dump your problems on me and expect me to fix them! I’m not your therapist, and I’m definitely not your savior.” Your chest was heaving now, all the anger and hurt that had been building up for months finally spilling over. “You don’t get to use your sobriety as a leash to keep me here.”

His face fell at that, and you saw the flash of guilt.

“I’m not trying to manipulate you,” he said, though even he sounded unsure of his words now. “I..I don’t know what else to do.”

“You don’t know what to do because you’ve never had to deal with the consequences of your actions,” You scowled, "You’ve always just said whatever you needed to say to keep people around, to keep me around.”

“That’s not what this is,” he muttered, but it sounded weak even to him.

You took a deep breath, “I’m glad you’re sober. I really am. But that’s not my responsibility, it never should’ve been.” You paused, feeling every word you were about to say. “If staying clean depends on me staying in your life, then you haven’t changed, you’ve just found a new addiction. I’m not gonna be your crutch anymore. You need to get better for you, Rafe."

Rafe’s shoulders slumped, you could see the defeat in his eyes, he was finally realizing that no matter what he said, this time you weren’t coming back.

“Please don’t do this,” he whispered, “I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”

You blinked back the tears that were starting to sting your eyes. “You’ll figure it out."

He was on his knees before you realized. Literally.

Your eyes widened in complete disbelief. “Rafe, what the fuck are you doing?”

He wasn’t looking at you anymore, just staring at the floor, hands running through his hair in panicked motions.

“Please don’t leave. I’m begging you. I—I can’t… I don’t know what to do without you.”

You froze, staring at him like he’d lost his damn mind. Because maybe he had. What was this? It was sad. And kind of terrifying.

“Get up.” Your voice wasn’t loud anymore—it was flat, emotionless. “Rafe, seriously. Get the fuck up.”

He didn’t move.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, over and over again. “I’m so fucking sorry! You’re all I’ve ever had, okay? Since we were kids, you’ve been the only person who’s ever stuck with me. Everyone else leaves, not you. You’ve always been there, no matter how much I’ve messed up.”

You had always been there, through everything, the good, the bad, and the absolute worst. That’s why it hurt so damn much now—he’d taken that loyalty, that friendship, and twisted it into something ugly and unrecognizable.

“I can’t believe this,” you muttered, more to yourself than to him. “I seriously can’t believe you right now.” You shook your head, staring at him in disbelief. “You think getting on your knees and saying some bullshit is gonna make me forget all the times you hurt me?"

He looked up at you, his eyes glassy, and it almost made your heart break. Almost, you weren't going to fall for it anymore.

“I didn’t mean to take you for granted. I just—I never thought you’d leave. You never left before.”

“And that’s exactly why we’re here,” you snapped, “You always thought I’d stay, no matter how bad you treated me. You counted on it."

“I know I fucked up. But I’ll do anything to fix it. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. Please, just don’t go.”

You stared at him, the guy you’d known since forever, the one you’d stuck by when no one else did, the one you thought you could save, even though you couldn’t even save yourself when you were with him.

Him on his knees wasn’t him fixing anything, this was him panicking, terrified that the one thing he’d taken for granted all these years was slipping away.

“II’ve been there for you since we were six, and look where that’s gotten me, where that’s gotten us.”

His eyes were pleading, but you knew that if you stayed, this would keep happening. He would hurt you again, and you’d forgive him.

That's what you did. That’s what you’d always done.

“I can’t keep being your safety net."

He shook his head. “I don't know how to live without you."

That was the saddest part of all. He had no idea who he was without you constantly there to catch him when he fell.

You were sick of being the one holding him up while he pulled you down. You looked down at him, one last time—this broken, scared version of Rafe you never wanted to see.

“I’m sorry. But this isn't love, it's you being afraid of losing control and I’m not gonna let you use me to keep your shit together anymore.”

His eyes filled with tears, your heart ached, because yeah, despite everything, you loved him once, with your entire heart and then some. You still did in some messed-up way.

Love wasn’t supposed to feel like drowning.

“I hope you get better,” you choked out, taking a step back. “I really do. But I can’t be a part of this anymore.”

For the first time in your life, you were the one to walk away.

949 notes · View notes

sweetbunpura · 4 months ago

Text

Upendi - The Fierce, Lioness Princess 3

WC: 1231

“There you are, I was beginning to think you got lost, Herbivore.” Leona was leaning against the side of his jeep with his arms crossed as Yuu and the girls approached him. “These them?”

“Yep. Ladies, go ahead and introduce yourselves.”

“Good evening, Prince Leona.” The hyena beastman bowed. “I’m Jacquiline, but please call me Jackie.”

The Serval beastwoman mimicked Jackie as best as she could as she supported the African Wild Dog. “I’m Dharia.”

The woman next to her wobbled slightly. “I’m Novanna. It’s nice to meet you.”

Leona nods. “It’s nice to meet you three.” He got off of the car and opened the door. “We’ll take you to the doctor once we get there as well as get anything from your homes that you need.”

“Thank you, my prince.” Jackie and Dharia helped Nova into the car as Leona opened the door for Yuu.

Once they were settled in, Leona started the drive back to the castle. Along the way, the sun had started to dip as it began to paint the sky a beautiful shade of various colors. People were on their way home while they passed through the city and entered the main grounds of the castle.

“I’ll have to tell the others that I won’t be returning tonight.” Yuu spoke as Leona helped her out of the car. “And I’ll show you guys where the infirmary is.”

“You don’t have to cater to us, Princes-” Jackie started only for Yuu to interrupt her.

“Call me Yuu, please.”

“...Yuu.” Jackie made a face as her ears fell. “It feels so odd to say.”

“Forgive Jackie, she’s been calling you princess ever since you and Leona got married.” Nova said as Leona helped her out of the car. “Thanks.”

The moment they ventured inside the building, someone was waiting for them in the main foyer.

“Uncle! Auntie!” Cheka came up to them, smiling bright as his hair and nearly reaching up to Leona’s chest in height.

The now thirteen year old was wearing a white and gray striped dashiki top and a pair black pants. His long fire colored hair was tied back in a loose ponytail as he rushed to hug his favorite people.

“Cheka! You’re back!” Yuu hugged him. “Welcome home, honey!”

“Thanks, Auntie!” He hugs Leona. “Uncle!”

“Hey Pipsqueak.” Leona ruffled his hair. “How was your ‘vacation’?”

Cheka made a face and moved back to cross his arms. “It was boring. I don’t know why I had to learn all that stuff in the first place. It was all tests and books, I’d rather learn in the field. Oh, and Nadra is-” His eyes shifted over to the woman behind them. “Oh! I’m sorry!” He bowed as an apology. “Please forgive me, I didn’t see you there.”

“You’re fine, little prince!” Nova waved him off. “And you’ve gotten so big!”

“Thank you.” He laughs before turning to Yuu. “Auntie, can I talk to you real fast?”

“Oh?” Yuu blinks. “Alright. Leona, could you show them to the infirmary and then their rooms, please?”

“Fine.” He bent down to her ear and lowered his voice low enough that it wouldn’t be picked up. “But you’ll tell me what he said, right?”

“Mm-hmm.” She waved them goodbye and turned to Cheka. “Well?”

He looked around. “Not here. How about the gardens? Where you and Uncle hide away in?”

“...You remember that?”

“I use it every so often to get away from Kifaji.”

“You shouldn’t be picking up our habits.” She flicked his forehead as the young teen laughed while they began to walk towards the garden.

Yuu pushed aside a few hedges and climbed behind them into the cool and shaded small garden. A brass table and three chairs sat in the center while various trees acted as a cover from outside prying eyes. Nearby, was a small stone fountain with fish inside. The aquatic animals poked their heads out of the water as Yuu threw some food to them before sitting down in the chair.

“Okay.” He pulls the hedges close and sits next to her. “You know the last council meeting I sat in on? The one where you proposed fixing the slums?”

“My daily and constant proposal? Yes, I do.”

“I asked Dad if you had given the papers to him yet and he said he never got them.”

“What? I put them on his clean desk, there was nothing around it.”

“When was this?”

“A month ago-” Yuu narrowed her eyes. “Just before Leona and I started handling Cloudcalling.”

“I think whoever discarded the papers was banking on you being too distracted with the event to remember that you gave it to Dad in the first place. I would’ve reminded him, but I had that ‘vacation’ with Nadra all of a sudden.” Cheka’s ears fell as he looked at her. “What do we do? The next council meeting is tomorrow.”

“I’ll hand the papers to him personally.”

“Do you have them on you?”

Yuu sighed. “No, but I’ll give them to him in the morning.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Someone Is undermining my actions.”

“I think so, but I don’t know who.” Cheka got up and offered his hand to her, which she took as he helped her up. “I wish I could tell you more.”

“You told me enough and I thank you for that.” She hugged him. “I already said it once, but welcome back.” She moved back. “And you need to tell me about Nadra.”

A blush appeared on Cheka’s face. “M-Maybe later!”

Yuu laughed as Cheka bolted away back into the castle while the sun dipped below the clouds. She made her way to her and Leona’s room, opening the door to see the beastman lounging on the bed with his shirt off and in a pair of sleep pants. A book was in his hands, which he closed once she entered the room.

“You’re still up?” She closed the door behind her and threw off her clothes, tossing them in the corner with Leona’s own.

“Yeah.” He sat up as she joined him. “What was it about?”

She proceeded to tell him as she undid her hair, watching as his eyes narrowed and he tossed the book away.

“The hell?”

“Yeah.”

A low growl came from Leona as his tail lashed. “Herbivore, this is more than just a refusal to listen. This is deliberate sabotage.”

“I know.” She laid down. “I’m not going to let it get to me. I need to remain focused, getting too angry won’t solve anything here.” Yuu patted his thigh. “So down boy.”

Leona pulled his wife into his lap. “You may not be getting angry, but I am.” He kissed her. “No one ignores my wife like this.”

Yuu felt her face heat up as he began to pepper her face with kisses before moving to her neck. Leona mouthed at her neck before sinking his teeth into it.

“Leona!”

“You can’t blame me, we’ve been busy all month.” He kissed the bit mark and pinned Yuu to the bed. “I missed you.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve been here the whole time.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Spoiled Lion.”

“Stubborn Herbivore.”

They’d focus on what they were going to do tomorrow at a later time. For now, the couple was content with being in each other's arms.

#twisted wonderland #twst fic #upendi #yuu homura #twst oc #leona kingscholar #cheka kingscholar

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gracieheartspedro · 2 years ago

Text

Trash Talk

abby anderson x fem!reader

description: you and abby anderson go waaayyy back, and she can't stand you. after being distant for years, you can't help but pick on her and get under her skin. you can't help yourself. maybe it's those god damn arms and that cute smile she makes sometimes. so, why not try to bully her enough so she will take you to bed?

word count: 7.1k

warnings: MINORS DNI! this is 18+, nsfw, smut, wlw, some slight bullying, threatening of one's life, murder (reader kills scars), use of guns, dom!abby, fingering, eating out, shower sex, use of a strap on, dirty talk, abby calls reader tons of names, major teasing!!

author's note: first abby one shot. let's goooo! lemme know what you guys think. I really liked writing this and I'm down for any requests for abby or ellie!! love you guysssss <3

“Are you the one braiding your hair every day or do you have some pretty girl do it for you?”

Abby’s head spun over how dumb your questions had been all afternoon. Luckily for her, you were being quiet up until this moment.

You are propped up beside her on the back of the jeep, your rifle slung across your lap. You were itching to get a rise out her today, it was fun to watch her eyes roll into the back of her head.

She cocks her gun, her eyes trained forward and away from you. She’s always on edge when you’re out on patrol. Her furrowed eyebrows and tense shoulders made your relaxed and at ease body language look unjustified.

“I braid it myself,” Is all she says. You train your eyes to watch her muscles flex as she inspects her gun closely. You contemplate your answer, do you ask if she can braid yours next or do you ask if that’s how she got those insane arms of hers.

You don’t make a decision by the time Manny slams on the breaks, unexpectedly. Abby’s body flies into yours, sliding across the bench and crashing into your side. You wince, snapping your head forward to the road.

“We got company, chicas!”

You duck when the first shot hits the steel of the car. Abby grabs your waist, dragging you down onto the bed of the SUV. She didn’t want your death on her hands, knowing Isaac would never forgive her for losing his best gunner. You roll away from her grasp, propping your rifle forward where Manny is driving.

Scars on horseback surround the road in front of you.

They are easy to take out when they are high up, for you at least.

“Manny, duck your head!” You holler, glancing back at Abby who’s hand is still somehow on you. She looks conflicted, her gun still loosely in her grip.

You prop your gun up, aiming at a older man on the closest horse trailing the jeep. He has a bow, which doesn’t move as fast as your bullet. You ease into the trigger, taking out the guy with a head shot. You didn’t have time to think about your reasonings for killing the guy, you never had the time to think about it. You knew that these men would kill Manny, Abby, and you, if they had the chance, so you guess the proper reaction is a bullet to the skull.

You hear Abby yelling something but your ears are ringing at the sound of you taking out each Scar one-by-one. You don’t even let them get behind the SUV, knowing they would be getting a better shot at you. Once the last one flies off the back of their horse at the impact of your bullet, you sit up.

You realize that Abby hasn’t fired a single shot.

“I think we have a flat tire! I’m gonna pull off when I find cover,” Manny explains, his voice loud over the sound of the ringing in your ears.

Abby sits up beside you, gripping the side of the bench with her left hand. She gets a good look at your completely unfazed face and it pisses her off. You never had a moment to second guess your actions and you never had an honest reaction to killing upward of 7 men. You were always stone cold and even. You weren’t always like that. You used to have some life left in your steely eyes. At least, that’s what she thought.

You were disassociated from the entire world when put in any situation that could be deemed “dangerous”. It’s almost like a completely different person took over your body. Your reactions were not your own. But when you finally came to, your bones would vibrate with anxiety and adrenaline. You were just a master at disguising it because you didn’t want everyone around you to see you as weak. You can never be weak, again.

Even if Abby took out that many men, which she has done before, she still walks away with a small inkling of guilt written on her face. You don’t even quiver at the sight of violence and death, not that she sees, anyway.

But it does eat away at you. You’re plagued with nightmares if you can ever even find sleep at night. Most nights are spent curled into a ball, staring off into space, praying the walls will just cave in and suffocate you. You hardly eat most of the time, the thought of munching on food makes you nauseous.

Manny pulls into a familiar warehouse that’s usually a stopping point for one of your patrol routes. The jeep is jittering, chugging forward with a scraping noise. You stand up when it completely stops, jumping down from the side. You sling your backpack over your shoulder and your gun strap across your other.

You watch Abby jump down after you, her impact on the ground loud. She stares at you with this annoyed look on her face.

“What’s wrong, baby girl? Mad you didn’t get a shot off?”

Your tone makes her ball her hands into fists.

“Can you shut your fucking mouth ever?”

Manny chirps in quickly after she says it, “Ay! Quit it you two!”

You bow your head, “Yeah, Abby. You need to blow off some steam. Gettin’ all worked up.”

Manny slaps your shoulder lightly, gesturing you two to get inside the warehouse. You knew you had to clear it before you settled in to discuss the next game plan. You stand there watching Abby strut towards you, her eyes scanning your body up and down.

She is only a little bit taller than you, but she’s built like an ox. When you two were acquainted, she was about your stature. Now that she needs to prove herself, she bulked up and became even more hot.

“You’re lucky Isaac needs your ass, because if were up to me, I’d send you straight to the Island and watch them pick you apart.”

Her voice is vicious and you could tell she was pissed at you for teasing her. It only made you smile in sick pleasure. You craved getting under her skin.

“Love it when you talk dirty to me, Abs.”

She ignores your comment, knowing exactly what you were trying to do. You were doing it so well, too.

You three creep inside the warehouse, stalking around the open area, ensuring there’s no one nearby to sneak up on you. Your running low on ammo, but you didn’t want to ask Abby for a new magazine. She would bitch you out for not grabbing an extra. With that in mind, you sling your rifle across your back and pull out your pistol. You cock it, which interupts the silence you three had been settling in.

“A pistol?” Manny questions, quietly. You nod slowly, discharging the magazine to make sure you had a stacked shell.

You huff, “Yeah, I’m out of hallow points for the rifle.”

Abby stops in her tracks, “You forgot another magazine, didn’t you?”

She wanted so badly to be right, especially when it came to you fucking up. You stare at her as you shove the magazine back into the grip.

“Eat my ass, Abby.”

She laughs, watching your face fall as you cock the gun again. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

Manny grimaces, “Please, stop, you two. Let’s get this place clear and then figure out what we do next.”

Manny was right. You and Abby separate, both of you trailing up some stairs to the extended area of the warehouse. You check every corner on your side, ensuring no one will be sneaky and catch you all off guard. Once you all decide it’s clear, you meet up at the staircase Manny is walking down.

Manny was a good friend and a rare hookup. You had slept with him a couple times and while he was always a generous guy, he never made you cum. He always joked that it was because you liked girls better, and truthfully, he may be right. He was handsome but he never really did it for you.

Abby, on the other hand, you and her went way back and she did it for you. Before becoming Isaac’s favorite, you were pretty good friends with her. You two sat together in “school” and she taught you how to make someone pass out by putting them in a headlock. You had confided in her about your past and she was the only one who truly knew everything. You genuinely liked her and wanted so badly to tell her how you felt. But once Isaac took interest in your skill set, he trained you vigorously with his top men. You had no time for anything anymore. It pissed Abby off so much, for some odd reason. You’d think a friend would be proud that the head honcho took interest in you and wanted to make you better. But instead, Abby took it as a personal jab and started ignoring you. When you confronted her, she told you that she was too busy for friends. That, of course, didn’t stop her from having a whole ass friend group without you. When you befriended Manny, he told you that Abby only saw you as competition.

So you became even better. Not wanting to repeat the same mistake, you kept everyone at an arms length and avoided getting close with anyone. It made you withdrawn, and eventually, you realized you were not meant to be a friend to anyone. You were made to be a killer.

“So what do we do now? Go back or go to our assigned checkpoint?”

Abby’s training her eyes on Manny and Manny only. She refuses to even glance your direction. You turn your gun safety on and tuck it into your waistband.

“How far do you think we are from the checkpoint?” You question, crossing your arms across your chest.

“Too fuckin’ far,” Abby responds, still not looking at you.

You smirk, “Perfect, then let’s do that. Maybe Abby can get her finger on a trigge-“

Before you can finish your sentence, Abby’s reaching out and pulling your body towards her by your shirt. You don’t even flinch, your body just flies forward as she finally stares daggers into you. You like being this close to her, it makes the hair on your arms stand up.

“I swear to God,” She’s gritting her teeth, “If you don’t stop fucking around, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”

You press yourself closer to her. Her fist with your balled up shirt grazes your boobs. Manny doesn’t say anything, just rolls his eyes, anticipating your response. You like this game. The one where you tease Abby and she becomes enraged by your words and eventually it comes to a tipping point. She’s always just thrown something, her manhandling you was new.

“I’d love to see you try, sweetheart,” You mutter, your face millimeters from hers, “I don’t think you’re remembering what our body counts are and who’s surpassing the other by a fucking landslide.”

“I’d love to add you to mine, that’s for damn sure,” She responds quickly, eager to one up you. You giggle at the double meaning that comes to mind. You would like to be on her body count list, for sure.

“Stop it!”

You both shoot a look at Manny who’s nudging you two apart. Abby unhands your shirt, and you step backward away from her, tripping a bit over some broken concrete. She looks you up and down with disgust.

“You need to stop acting like you’re better than everyone else,” She grumbles, ignoring Manny’s pleas for a truce.

“You need to stop acting so serious all the time! Get a grip, I’m just fuckin’ with you.”

“I said stop! I knew you guys hated one another but I didn’t know this was gonna be a who’s dick is bigger competition. You both need to relax!”

Abby’s face is twisted and you hated that you found it attractive. God, you wanted to fucking hate her.

Abby crosses her arms, flexing them right in front of you. She notices your expression change. She knew you had a little crush before, but she thought that feeling was long gone. She shoves the small inkling of optimism that you may still feel that way down.

Manny speaks up again, “We should just head back and tell Isaac we will head back out tomorrow morning. It’s going to be dark in about an hour. It’s too risky.”

“Agreed,” Abby tightens up her folded arms, “If you wanna go out by yourself, you can do that. We can tell Isaac you went awol.”

You smirk at her suggestion, “No, I want to be there to tell him you can’t pull your punches. Be way more satisfying to watch you squirm.”

“I’m glad everyone was okay,” Isaac says, his deep voice dropping an octave, “I’ll get more guys to go with you tomorrow morning. You three get back here at sunrise, okay?”

You clear your throat, “Want me to run through how to shoot a gun with Abby before we ship out?”

Manny huffs, “Come on, dude.”

“I think she’d benefit from it,” You say matter-of-factly to Isaac. You can feel Abby’s gaze burning into you. She’s leaning against the door frame, while you are seated in front of Isaac’s sprawling desk. You always felt like he only sat there to seem more authoritative. To you, he was just a man.

“Play nice, little one,” He stands up from his rolling chair to stand in front of your manspreaded legs, “You still need to prove to me that you’re loyal. Don’t think I forgot about the incident at the hospital last week.”

Your stomach drops while Abby’s ears perk up.

“What happened at the hospital last week?”

Her voice is eager, which only makes you angrier. You adjust yourself in your seat, sitting up straighter.

“She refused to kill a Scar,” He explains, teetering over you, “She shot a Wolf instead.”

“He demanded I gut a child in front of her mother. I am not going to do shit like that.”

Isaac chuckles before slamming his fist down on the table beside him, “You can and you fuckin’ will. If I get any more push back from you, I’ll get Anderson here to take you out herself.”

You stand up quickly, avoiding everyone’s gazes. You want to throw your knife into his throat, but you know that wouldn’t end well. You didn’t want to have to be on the run again.

Being humiliated in front of Abby and Manny made you feel sick. You hadn’t felt shame in so long, not even when you were reprimanded last week for shooting that guy between the eyes. You were lucky he was just some new recruit and had no family back at the Stadium. Isaac spared you because he needs you. You’re a good asset.

“We clear?”

His voice bounces off the wall. You don’t say anything, you just nod slightly and storm out of the office. You hear the door slam behind you as you swiftly walk towards the staircase. There’s men loitering in the hallway, waiting for Isaac to tell them to go kill another Scar. Pathetic, you thought.

You start to think about how didn’t want to face Abby and Manny tomorrow, but you knew better to ignore direct orders. Maybe a shower would rinse off the disgusting dirty feeling that plagued your skin.

“Didn’t know I was workin’ with a traitor today,” Abby says from behind you. You’re in the community bathrooms, cursing that it’s even a thing because you knew some shit like this would happen. You thought since it was midnight, you wouldn’t have any company. You were, of course, wrong.

Abby has her towel draped over her broad shoulder and a small container with her soaps. You were just about to strip down and take one of the spickets on the tiled wall when she interrupts your routine.

You swallow hard, not in the mood to argue with her. Even if there’s no one around, you don’t feel like entertaining anymore.

“‘M not a traitor. I just don’t kill children.”

You had very limited morals, but you drew the line at children. You remember what it was like to watch your friends get picked off by raiders when you were a kid. You remember being horrified hearing the screams of their mothers. You remember the innocence being stripped from you. You can’t stomach the idea of killing someone who has no control over their life or the decisions of others, so you don’t.

Isaac showed no mercy to any Scar, but you did and he was trying his very hardest to beat that out of you. The only reason you were stuck on the patrol with Manny and Abby in the first place was because he knocked you down to more minor runs and not the intense ones you were on before. It was your “punishment” for disrespecting authority. You were lucky to even have your head after killing that guy in front of other Wolves.

Abby grumbles something inaudible.

“You remember when we were forced to watch those daycare kids after not doing our morning mile?” You reflect, thinking back to easier times with Abby, “Imagine one of those innocent kids being gutted by a machete and it’s your own hand doing it. If a child is going to die in the name of some stupid land, I don’t want to be the one holding the weapon. Isaac can have sociopaths like you to do that.”

“Me? The sociopath? If I’m remembering correctly, they gave you the nickname Heartless after your run through on the East side a couple months ago,” Abby’s voice is venmous, “You are the top Scar killer right now. You kill and you don’t even flinch.”

“I kill people who try to kill me,” You grab the hem of your top, pulling it over your head, “I need to protect myself. And whoever I’m with. I’m not given a choice.”

“Was that guy trying to kill you? The one you shot between the eyes?”

You’re silent. She poses a good question, a question you don’t have a good answer for. You turn to face her, and the first thing you realize is her braid is becoming unraveled. You purse your lips, racking your brain for a response after being distracted. The only rebuttal is a question, something that has eaten you alive ever since it started.

“Why do you hate me so fuckin’ much?”

She cocks her head to the side, “Are you serious right now?”

Deep down, Abby never hated you. She was jealous of you. She wanted everything you had. She couldn’t stand seeing someone be better than her, especially a girl she liked. And you did everything so well. She harbored a secret crush on you for a while, even when she was with Owen. She hated that she liked you and you were leaving her behind to advance up the ranks. She only wanted your attention, truthfully. Now, since she distanced herself from you, everything you did ate her alive. While poking fun at her was your way of flirting, Abby reeled over it every night before bed. How could you be so mean?

“We were friends, Abby. I told you about my family. I told you everything, and as soon as I got in with Isaac, you iced me out. Told me you didn’t need friends,” You huff out, “I knew that was a lie then and I know it’s a fuckin’ lie now because you have friends. Lots of them. Why couldn’t I be your friend?”

“Because I can’t be friends with you!”

Her voice is high pitched, almost shaky. You take a step forward and for once she doesn’t step away from you. You’re in her space, your hip bone millimeters from her hands. Your eyes are trained on her reaction, which is just her eyes averting away from you.

“Why can’t we be friends, Abs?”

You reach up, grabbing her messy braid softly. She flinches a bit, easing into the idea of you touching her. It’s been a long time since you were this close to her without her resisting. She still won’t look you in the eyes. Your fingers travel down her mousey braid until you’re trailing her collarbone and wide shoulders. As your digits trace her bicep, she finally looks at you for a moment. The tension is palpable, your question still hanging in the air.

“You’re impossible,” She murmurs, her eyes flicking away again, “And you’re despicable. You think you’re bett-”

“Cut the shit,” Your hand stops right at her wrist and you wrap your much smaller hand around it. You know the real reason she won’t be your friend, it’s written all over her face, “You hate me because you want me, Abby. You always have. Almost as much as I want you.”

“Want is a strong word,” She chirps, “I was in a relationship when we were friends. I had Ow-”

“Don’t even say his fuckin’ name,” Your free hand tilts her head back toward your gaze. You hated that fucker for messing with your Abby, “Can you just indulge me? Admit that the reason you’re pissy with me is because you want me between your legs?”

You can feel her tense up, her jaw going slack.

“Nah, don’t think that’s what I want,” Her voice finally changes. It’s more sultry, the tone shifting with the conversation. She shakes out of your grip, bringing her hand up to your chin, “Think I need to teach you a thing or two. Shut that stupid smart mouth up for a minute.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah, you’ve been a fuckin’ bitch and you need to be taught a lesson,” Hearing the words come out her mouth has your core clenching with anticipation. She’s silent waiting for you to agree, but you just stare at her with a smirk. “Do you need me to show you here or do you want me to show you in your room?”

“Why not yours?”

“Because Manny is there. Unless you want to give him a show like the slut I know you are.”

She makes the hair on your arms stand up. She scans your body as you contemplate your options. This is a moment you’d been waiting for, so you can’t fuck it up. You finally have her exactly where you want her.

You can’t be caked in dirt and grime when she’s devouring you, right?

“I need a shower,” You mutter. It catches her off guard. You swallow before continuing, “I think you need one, too. So, how about we take our showers and then you can walk me back to my room.”

She doesn’t even say anything, just begins stripping off her tank top. She’s sporting a black sports bra underneath and my God, does she look good in only a bra. You have seen her in a bra before, but never with a six pack and huge arms like she has now. She smiles at your gawking. She shoves off her cargo pants, leaving her just in her underwear and bra.

You finally come to your senses and start stripping as she walks over to one of the shower heads and turns it on. She looks excellent from the back, too, you think.

“We don’t have all night,” She groans, watching you slowly start undoing your bra, “Hurry up before I change my mind.”

You walk towards the shower head next to the one that’s running for her. She pulls the hem of her bra up and off, revealing her full chest to you. You follow her lead, undoing the back of your bra and letting your breasts free. The water is soaking your feet and you still have your underwear on. It’s almost like a competition as to who can break first and touch the other, and it wasn’t going to be you. You shimmy your underwear off, tossing both your bra and panties to the pile outside of the shower.

“Jesus Christ,” She howls as you let the water take over your body. Her eyes are glued to your chest, “It’s like they got bigger.”

You sneer at her comment, “I could say the same about you in general.”

“Yeah?” She slips off her underwear, leaving nothing to imagination anymore. She caves first, creeping into your stream of hot water with you and wrapping her large arms around your waist. Chills shoot up every part of your body when her lips dip down to leave open mouth kisses on your shoulder blade. Her hands trail upward from your hips to your stomach to your tits. You watch in disbelief when her massive hands take up most of your boobs. She cradles them in her palms before massaging you tenderly. You’re already a moaning mess, pushing your ass into her crotch.

“Let’s get you clean since that’s what you want,” She drops your boobs before reaching out for her soap. She starts to lather herself up before her hands return to your buzzing body. You let her hands wander, coating you in her pine soap. You didn’t care for the scent, but it smelled like her and you always wanted that scent on your body.

She manhandles you a bit before using your arm to twist you around to face her. She’s staring down at you, her pupils dark with desire. You realize her hair is still in a braid and resting on her bare shoulder. While she continues to rub you down, you grab the end of her braid and start to undo it.

When her wavy hair is released from the hair tie, you realize how long it is now. No wonder she keeps it braided, it must get in her way.

“May need to rebraid your hair,” You mutter, your hand still dancing around her decolletage.

“I’ll just have you hold it up while I eat you out.”

You smirk as she focuses her attention on pinching and tugging on your hard nipples. You ogle her, unsure how you got here. Earlier she was threatening to kill you, now she’s toying with your body and leaving you the wettest you’ve ever been. She backs you into the water, having you rinse off the suds.

“Abby,” You finally catch her gaze and her lips are pursed in concentration. She looks at your expression and then it finally happens. She kisses you, feverishly. You almost slip on the wet floor as she aggressively pushes you back against the tiled wall. Luckily, her arm is completely enveloping your hip, keeping you stable against her. Your bodies are wet and burning with desire, eager to touch every inch of each other. Abby pulls away, catching her breath.

“We need to speed this part up, I need to fuck you.”

You chuckle, wrapping your arms around her neck, “We are having fun though, aren’t we?”

She shakes her head, “Rinse yourself off, no more back talk.”

She pulls away from you, quickly showering herself. You don’t even wash your hair like you need to, you just watch her lather her body up, slowly circling your clit with your middle and pointer finger. She does not even realize what you’re doing until you are moaning in her direction.

“You’re a dirty little girl, aren’t you?”

She pulls your hand away from your sensitive nub, using you as leverage when she gets on her knees. She’s staring up at you, pulling you forward by your ass. She looks too good at this angle.

“Please, Abby,” You beg, wanting her to devour you whole.

“Hold my hair, baby. Just like I said.”

She nudges your knees apart, her face centimeters from your dripping core. She uses her long fingers to spread apart your pussy lips, soaking in the fact that she was the one who made you this wet. You reach down, pulling her long locks upward to get them off her shoulders. When she creeps in closer, her tongue is extended outward. As soon as it makes contact with your slit, you throw your head back, your hand full of hair loosening. She works her tongue around your pussy, pressing forward even more. She has her full face in you, her nose poking your clit every time she moves her tongue and lips.

You’ve never been eaten out like this before. She’s a starved woman, begging you to feed her your sweet juices. Your knees feel like they could give out at any moment, so you grip onto her shoulder to balance yourself. She’s switching between slurping and sucking, her mouth working magic on your senstive pussy.

Just when you think her head can’t get any better, her fingers enter the equation. She slips her long fingers between your slit, finding your hole after exploring for a moment. She guides one finger into you, then two. She’s groaning into you, watching your body twitch under her touch. She’s fucking you so fast, you can feel yourself teetering over the edge. She switches up her moves, flicking her tongue on your clit and fucking you slower. It sends you into bliss, your mouth agape as you stare down at her pressed against your core. You cry out, trying your best not to let your legs surrender to your weight.

“Yes baby,” She watches you fall apart, her finger tips swiping over your clit fast, “That’s right, cumming apart on my tongue. That’s so hot.”

Your vision is hazy, but you can still make out Abby as she stands up. Her hands rest on your waist as she brings you into a ravenous kiss. You’re still in a daze from your orgasm as she shuts off the warm water behind you. She’s guiding you out of the showers, bringing you back to your clothes and towel. She helps you by wrapping your towel around your center.

“You okay to walk back to your room?” She questions, watching you shakingly dry yourself off.

You chuckle a bit, “Why? Do you want to carry me or something?”

She gives you a smug look, “Do you need me to?”

You want to smack the expression clear off her face. The freckles that litter her face scrunch in a teasing manner, which makes you melt a bit. You continue drying off before you throw back on your pants and shirt. You would be taking them off within the next two minutes, anyway, but you had to make it through the main hallways.

Abby does the same thing before she gathers all her belongings and waits for you. As you rake your fingers through your hair, she jokingly starts tapping her foot.

“Can you relax?”

She shakes her head “no”. You roll your eyes, grabbing all your things and leading the way to your room.

Abby knew your room would be better because you were graced with a room all by yourself. Courtesy of being Isaac’s top dog.

You were vigilant about keeping a clean suite, always making sure your limited belongings had a place. You did not have people in your room often, so you were a bit nervous to have Abby Anderson in your room.

She trails behind you closely, grunting every so often to indicate her impatience. Once you're outside your room, you unlock it with the key around your neck. It was easier to keep it on your chain, you hated stuffing your pockets with loose items.

The cold air hits your skin. You were known for keeping a cold room. You always ran hot at night and you refused to sweat. When Abby walks into your suite, she starts to laugh. You lay down your towel and undergarments.

“What’s so funny?” You ask, your wet hair sticking to your shoulders.

“You haven’t changed at all,” She grumbles, tossing her stuff in a pile beside your front door. The comment takes you off guard, simply because you spent years trying to be someone different.

“Why do you think that?”

“You are still so Type A,” She’s bounding towards you, stopping centimeters from your still-orgasm-dazed body, “You always run hot. It’s fuckin’ freezing in here.”

She’s cowering over you, her hot breath getting closer to your face. Before she can kiss you, she averts her head to the crook of your neck.

“You still smell of lavender,” She kisses your pulse point before continuing, “And you need attention or else you’ll die. You thrive off pissing everyone off.”

“Especially you,” You practically moan as she continues to kiss your throat. When you say that, she lifts her head and stares down at you. She’s so symmetrical and beautiful. You loved seeing every freckle, every wrinkle of her nose. The fullness of her pink lips.

“Especially me, that’s right.”

She pulls you in again, this time using her large hands to push your ass forward, capturing your lips as you melt into her grip. You move fluidly with her direction, peeling off your clothes again and frenching her when her lips slip open. Your tongues battle but you fully submit when she slowly bites down. She’s hungry for more.

You grab onto her forearms, tugging her towards your full size bed in the corner of the room.

You always kept your blinds drawn, not allowing the large windows to expose your personal space. You’re silently thanking the angels for your obsessiveness because if someone spotted you and Abby right now, it would somehow get back to Isaac. He would have a cow if he found you two messing around. That’s too much of a distraction and you need to focus on the “mission”.

Well, right now your mission is to make Abby cum.

You two fall on the bed, her hands still resting on the curve of your ass. She groans when you pull away from her lips. You tug at her shirt, gesturing to her to rid herself of her clothes. She obliges and she’s finally naked in your bed. You could die happy.

You were too caught up in her touching you earlier, now you want to feel her. When the cold air touches her nipples, you notice them stand at attention. You practically fall into her chest, latching your mouth onto her tits, sucking the skin. She moans out, her hips reacting by pressing forward into you. You swirl your wet tongue around her areola, teasing her sensitive nipples.

“God damn,” She whimpers, her hands exploring your hips. You use your teeth, nibbling slightly as you pull away from her one boob. She falls onto her back, releasing you from her grip. You crawl on top of her, straddling her waist with your thighs. You press your slick entrance on top of her mound, dragging it back and forth, teasing her.

“You want me to touch your pretty pussy with my mouth?” You ask, resting your hands on her abs. She was so built, just tracing the outline of her 6-pack made you quiver.

“God yes.”

Her voice is deeper, her pleasure taking over her vocal chords. You grind down on her before you shimmy down her legs and settle between her thighs. You lay on your tummy, lining up your face with her middle.

She’s dripping, her entrance waiting for your fingers and mouth. You loved returning the favor, especially for women. You got off on hearing a woman chant your name as you alternate between licking and sucking. It would always boost your ego, but now that it’s Abby in your bed? You’ll be satisfied if she’s the last one to ever get in bed with you.

She talked a big game about “teaching you a lesson” but here you are, shoving your fingers deep inside her and fucking her with your tongue. You smirk at the thought, watching her face twist in delight. You swirl your tongue around her sensitive throbbing clit. You were fed off her reactions, your eagerness to make her feel good increasing the more she cried out.

You wrap your lips around her clit as you’re three fingers deep, fucking her steadily. As soon as you start the suction on her pussy, Abby is falling apart on your face. It’s a quick reaction, which gives you a bit of an ego boost. You watch her stomach flex, her jaw clench, and her mouth let out a guttural moan.

Once she catches her breath, you slide off the bed, heading to your side table. You open the drawer, searching for the one thing that Abby could use to teach you a lesson.

You pull out the black strap on you found a couple months ago at an abandoned sex store downtown. You haven’t used it yet, but you did make the effort to clean it before you tucked it away. This seemed like the perfect time for it to shine.

You show Abby, her eyes lighting up with excitement. She snatches it from you, giggling as she stands up.

“It’s like putting underwear,” You explain as she messes with the strap. It was like a thong with a dick attached. Very advanced technology.

“It’s perfect,” She whispers, sliding it over her massively thick thighs. Once she gets it on, it’s kind of silly to look at. Seeing Abby with a massive cock made you chuckle, but instead of following your reaction, it’s like it gave her a newfound attitude.

It’s like a switch goes off. Instead of slowing down after an orgasm, like you, she manhandles you and grabs your biceps. She tows you up to her naked body before she pins you down to the bed. She plants herself like a tree between your legs, the large silicone dick nudging your inner thighs. You still can see her glistening core through the straps.

“I need to watch you come apart again,” She explains as she holds the cock in her hand, “Wanna watch you cum over and over again.”

Her hair is messily over her shoulders, so when she leans down to stare down at the dick sliding between your folds, it falls in her face. She tucks it behind her ears, but it still drifts down her chest. You circle your hips, sighing at the feeling of the ridges of the dildo against your sensitivity.

“Fuckin’ hair,” She fusses. You giggle a bit, watching her throw it back over her shoulders. You nudge her shoulder, using some force to pull her over your body. She leans down, her hair falling onto your face.

“I’ll hold it for you, just make me feel good,” You murmur, using both hands to gather her hair. She gasps as you tug on her locks. You use some of the leverage you have to position her even closer to you. She reaches between your bodies and coats the cock in your slick. As soon as she teases your entrance with it, you pull her hair back. It sends her over the edge as she eases the dick inside you. It hurts a bit, so when she draws back you tell her to coat it in her saliva. She does what she’s told, spitting into her free hand a couple times and covering the appendage with it.

Once she eases in again, the stretch feels better with the lubrication. Your thighs want to clench so bad, but the way she’s resting on you, you have no way to. She draws in and out of your pussy, grunting at the impact.

It feels so good, but part of you wishes you just had her beautifully long fingers inside you.

She moves your hands away from her hair and throws her head back, tossing her blond hair back. She props your legs up, plowing into you. You’re crying out, your ears ringing with the sound of your own heartbeat.

“God, I need you to cum, baby,” She mumbles, kissing your knee as your body starts to vibrate. The cock is hitting you in all the right spots, but you need more. You reach down, using the pads of your fingers to stimulate your clit.

“Please don’t stop!”

It riles her up more, her pace quickening with every gasp. She pushes your fingers away, replacing them with her own. The pressure she applies sends your body into overdrive. Between her moans and the physicality, your orgasm hits you like a train. She fucks you through it, mumbling phrases like “that’s my good girl” and “yes baby, give it to me”.

Once it’s over, it feels like your heart may beat out of your chest. She pulls the strap out and stands up beside your bed, shoving it off her hips. You watch her closely as she props the item up on your side table. She’s careful not to mess with any of you meticulously placed knick knacks.

“You good?” She asks, her voice cracking a bit.

She wanted to say more, but as she looks at you all fucked out on your bed, she feels a pang of guilt. She should not be indulging in this type of stuff, especially when you’re going against the cause. Abby had it made here, she can’t risk anything.

“‘m all good, Abs. Do you wanna stay?”

She shakes her head negatively.

“I think I’m gonna head back to my room. We gotta be up in a couple hours.”

You notice she’s being cold, which sends you into a spiral. You want to reassure her, but you know deep down she’s already made up her mind.

You clear your throat, “Well, we can at least wake up together.”

“No, I don't think that’s the best idea,” She explains as she finds her clothes across your bedroom. She lays them on the bed beside you as she starts to dress herself. She has this look of concern on her face. It makes you physically ill, knowing it’s the face of regret.

“Well, I guess we are back to square one.”

She throws her shirt over her head before she’s gathering up her things and practically running to the door. You want to pick up the dildo and sling it at her head. You can’t believe this.

She reaches for the door before turning around to face you, “Guess so.”

PART 2 is HERE

#abby anderson #abby anderson smut #abby anderson x reader #abby tlou #abby from tlou #abby tlou smut #tlou x reader #abby anderson tlou2 #the last of us #abby anderson x female reader #abby anderson x you #abby the last of us #abby x reader #the last of us 2 #gracieheartspedro

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persevereforahappyending · 6 months ago

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A Beacon in the Dark |12|

Pairing: Joey x Reader

Summary: Joey likes helping people, it's what she's best at. Hunting down the monsters of myth and legend might be the best way to save people.

Warnings: None?

Word Count: 3.3k+

Main Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Joey sat in the living room while you went to get Grace, she couldn’t stop replaying everything you told her. Saying your story was a lot, was an understatement; she couldn’t imagine surviving all that. She survived Abigail’s wrath only because of the others and because she ended up developing a connection with the girl, plus having a common enemy in Frank definitely helped the situation. You were, for the most part, on your own, one stranger by your side, until he wasn’t, she couldn’t imagine someone sacrificing themselves for you like that.

You survived all of that in one night, losing a new friend in the process, and then a month later you learned you were now one of those creatures. Frank tried to turn Joey, it was strictly to control her, but she didn’t want to be a vampire in general. She didn’t fully understand how the whole thing worked but she always considered herself lucky that it didn’t work. She could probably deal with the not going out in daylight thing and even the blood drinking part, but she’d never be able to see her son again. Even if she could have controlled herself like Abigail, she never would have trusted herself around him, couldn’t trust that she herself, or that life wouldn’t hurt him.

You weren’t lucky though; you got bit and now every month you were forced to turn into one of the monsters that did that to you. Joey clocked the self-hatred pretty much right after meeting you, you hid it well, but it was the way you talked about certain things and how you reacted. Honestly, Joey was surprised you were still alive considering how much you seemed to despise what you were. You stopped talking after getting to the part where you met Grace, Joey couldn’t begin to imagine what those first few months were like together, how Grace got you to where you were now.

“You ready?” Grace asked, breaking Joey out of her thoughts.

Joey nodded, a part of her was disappointed you weren’t taking her home, but she wasn’t sure she’d get in the car if you even offered. She wasn’t the biggest fan of Grace at the moment either, but she didn’t have to worry about Grace trying to rip out her throat, at least she didn’t think she did.

Joey followed Grace to her car which was a nice simple black one, nothing like your Jeep. It was definitely nice, the seats were leather, but it looked like any car the average person would drive, it didn’t scream money like the ones Joey saw in the garage. Grace seemed to have cars for every occasion, but this one seemed to be all her, who she truly was, not the mask she showed everyone else.

“I do want to apologize for lying to you,” Grace said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “That’s not something that’s easy to tell someone without them overreacting.” Joey scoffed at that. “I only wanted to protect them.” Joey looked over at Grace, she could see the care the other woman had for you. You were fiercely protective of Grace, but it was reciprocated just as much. “But I truly am sorry for dragging you into this.”

Joey nodded, she believed the apology was sincere, but she wasn’t sure about forgiveness yet, this lie almost got her killed. “Why did you save them?” Joey couldn’t help but ask.

Grace snapped her head to the side and then quickly back to the road as if she remembered she had to focus on driving. “They told you that.”

“You said they’d tell me everything.” Joey furrowed her brow slightly; she wasn’t sure why Grace was shocked that you told her about that part of your story.

“I was prepared to shoot them, had heard reports of werewolves before, they run in packs, not easy to go after on my own.” Joey nodded along; she gathered that based on what you had told her. “But then there were random reports of one in New York. I packed my stuff and took off, couldn’t pass up going after one that was apparently alone.”

“So, what changed?”

“I found them,” Grace whispered, she got a distant look in her eye, probably remembering that day. “They’re hard to kill when they’re transformed.

Joey scoffed. “That’s one way to put it,” she mumbled.

“They killed someone before I found them.” Joey sucked in a breath, she knew you must have had killed people before, but assuming and knowing were different things. “I found the body,” Grace shook her head. “Completely shredded. Then tracked them the rest of the way and waited.

“You waited?” Joey’s mouth fell open. Every mission she’d been sent on had been about taking out the threat and saving the innocents, but here Grace was telling her she waited to shoot you, after discovering the body of someone you killed.

“I was more than prepared to shoot, had them in my sight and everything. If they went after anyone else, I would have taken the shot.”

“But they didn’t.”

Grace shook her head. “When they finally shifted back in the morning I approached, placed the gun right at the back of their head.” Joey tried to ignore the feeling of hearing someone put a gun to the back of your head, how close you were to dying, and she didn’t even know you at the time.

“Then they looked up at me,” Grace whispered. Joey glanced over to see tears had filled Grace’s eyes. “They weren’t like the others, they didn’t lunge at me trying to get another kill in, they didn’t try to run, they didn’t even beg for their life,” she let out humorless chuckle. “They begged me to pull the trigger, they saw the blood on their hands, and they wanted to die instead of risking something like that happening again.”

Joey sat in silence the rest of the way, taking in everything Grace told her. Despite hating what you were, you were always in good spirits. You were protective and liked to joke around, you were more considerate than anyone else Joey had ever met. She didn’t understand how someone like that, who made sure she was safe and always got back to her son, who felt guilty about pulling her away for a job, how someone like that could be in such a dark place like Grace described.

Joey looked up when she felt the car come to a stop, they were outside her apartment already. “Thanks,” Joey mumbled and reached for the door handle.

“Wait,” Grace said, resting a hand on Joey’s arm, which she was quick to take away when Joey looked down at the hand. “Don’t do anything rash.” Joey furrowed her brow at that. “I know you’re not happy with us, with me, maybe we’ve broken your trust completely.” Joey looked down at the sidewalk, mutual trust was the most important thing in a partnership, especially when it came to trusting someone with your life. “But just consider everything you’ve learned before you make any decisions.”

Joey didn’t say anything, she just nodded and closed the door. She didn’t look back as she made her way into the apartment building, but she knew Grace didn’t drive off until Joey was fully in the building. She trudged up the stairs to her apartment and once she was inside, she slumped against the door, mindlessly tossing her keys onto the kitchen counter as she pressed her palms into her eyes. She looked at the clock on the stove and saw she had a bit over an hour before she’d have to pick up Caleb, just enough time to shower and change.

Ana stripped her clothes and hopped into the shower. She scrubbed herself clean, finding bits of twigs in her hair as she ran her hands through it. She closed her eyes as she let the water run over her, she saw flashes of the night before, of a monster slaughtering everyone. Her eyes snapped open and then she saw your face, the complete opposite of the monster she had seen, the shame that weighed down on you, how it was as if you were afraid to look at her the majority of the conversation.

She finally hopped out of the shower when the water started to turn cold. She quickly changed, throwing on a clean pair of jeans and a plain white shirt. She looked down at the pile of dirty clothes on the floor before balling them up and tossing them in the laundry basket. She glanced at the clock one more time, she had a few extra minutes. She grabbed her leather jacket before heading out the door, making sure to bring the basket of dirty laundry with her and down to the bottom floor so she could toss in a load, she didn’t want Caleb to come home and see her clothes covered in blood and mud.

She made her way down the street, walking quickly to make sure she got to the school before the bell rang. She hadn’t talked to Caleb since she dropped him off at school yesterday morning, he got picked up by her neighbor and spent the night at a friend’s. She had told him she had a late shift and she’d be there to pick him up from school, he seemed excited to stay the night at his friends, but she didn’t miss the forced smile, as if he still didn’t believe she’d be there waiting for him when school got out.

Ana got to the front of school just as the bell rang. She glanced over the kids as they ran out the front door until her eyes landed on Caleb. He had his head down and looked up, glancing at the spot Ana always waited for him and seemed to have to do a double take when his eyes landed on her. Ana gave him an awkward smile as he made his way over to her. “Hey,” Ana greeted when he got to her side. “How was the sleepover?”

“It was fun,” Caleb said with a small smile. “How was work?”

Ana tensed up at the question, but she tried to brush it off as they walked back to the apartment. “It was okay, I’m not sure if it’s going to work out so much anymore.”

She didn’t want to tell Caleb everything obviously, she wanted to protect his innocence as much as possible, but she couldn’t stand the thought of lying to him. Caleb was quite observant; he would notice if anything changed, and she didn’t want him to worry. She didn’t want him to go back to wondering why she was suddenly waiting around to hear back from employers and relentlessly applying to places.

“Oh,” Caleb whispered. “Did something happen?”

Ana let out a long sigh as she pushed open the door to the apartment building. “Sort of,” she admitted. “Let’s just say I’m not sure I can trust my boss and my partner anymore.”

“Did they do something wrong?” Caleb looked back at her curiously as she closed the door to the apartment.

Ana rested her arms on the kitchen counter as she thought long and hard about Caleb’s question. She could choose the easy answer and just say yes. The truth was you had lied, you had knowingly put her life in danger, but it was your secret to tell. Ana couldn’t fault you for not sharing your entire life story, what happened to you still clearly affected you, you only told her, not because you trusted her with the information, but you felt bad and obligated for her to know after what happened.

“Not necessarily,” Ana said slowly.

“Then what’s the problem?” Caleb tilted his head, his eyebrows scrunched ever so slightly.

“They kept a secret from me.” Caleb only seemed to scrunch his brow even more at that. “And it affected our most recent job, I’m not sure I can trust them anymore.”

Ana turned and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, she figured the conversation was done since Caleb had been silent. When she turned around, she saw Caleb was still standing in the same spot with a contemplative look on his face. His eyes were glued to the ground and there was a slight frown on his face.

“Are they a bad person?” Caleb asked, tilting his head as he looked up at Ana.

Ana opened and closed her mouth a few times, out of all the things she expected, it definitely wasn’t that. “No,” Ana said easily with a shake of her head.

“Then why can’t you forgive them?”

“It’s not that simple,” Ana sighed.

“But why? You trusted them before; you like your job.” Ana looked down at the counter, she barely trusted you before, you had proven yourself and earned her trusting you with her life, but then you lied to her. “Why can’t you just give them a second chance?” Ana looked up at her son again. “Doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance?” Ana’s mouth fell open, she missed a lot, she wasn’t sure how she ended up with such a thoughtful and brilliant son, it certainly wasn’t her doing, and it definitely wasn’t his father’s. “I thought it was best to not judge someone based on their past mistakes.”

Ana’s eyes fell to the floor again, she couldn’t stand the look in her son’s eyes. She knew what he wasn’t saying, Caleb was too smart for his own good. She was a shitty mother; she only recently got her life semi together to even come back into his life. She came to him, asking him for not only forgiveness but a second chance, one she still didn’t think she actually deserve. The main difference was you didn’t deserve Ana’s anger. You lied, you put her life in danger, and yet Ana couldn’t fault you for that, she had done worse to her own son after all.

Ana looked up and watched her son walk off towards his room. She furrowed her brow when he stopped at the entryway to the hallway and look back at her. “I like how things are now,” he said quietly. “You’ve seemed happier and less stressed.” Ana wanted to laugh at that, she wasn’t sure how she could be less stressed after dealing with various supernatural creatures she thought were just myth and legend trying to kill her. “And,” Caleb’s eyes suddenly refused to meet Ana’s. “You’ve been around more. It’s been nice,” he mumbled at the floor.

Ana smiled at her son’s words and at the way he took off to his room without another word. She still had a lot to prove she felt, she hadn’t completely earned Caleb’s trust again, but it seemed she was well on her way to it. You had been considerate of her time with Caleb, it always seemed like a priority to you because you knew it was Ana’s number one priority. Grace was even considerate of it for the most part, she accepted it when Ana first told her Caleb came first. Grace and you both seemed to accept Ana probably wouldn’t want to return, you seemed to not want to try and convince her to stay but Grace did. Grace didn’t say anything to try and manipulate Ana’s thoughts, she just asked for Ana to think of everything she learned before making her decision.

Ana grabbed her water and moved to the couch. She had enjoyed what the two of you were doing, she felt like she was actually helping people. She guessed she’d have to ask you, but this seemed like the only secret between the two of you and now it was out. She had nothing to worry about, from now on she’d be able to go in knowing all the information, she could say no if a mission during a full moon came up again.

Ana grabbed her phone before she could second guess herself. She scrolled through her contacts and found your name. The phone rang a few times, and she started to question whether you’d answer her. Ana knew you were trying to keep your distance, but she figured if she was calling you, you’d know she wanted to talk to you.

“Hello?” you finally answered, your voice sounding raspy from sleep.

“Did I wake you?” Ana asked, furrowing her brow as she looked at the clock, it had only been a couple hours since she left the mansion.

“Joey?” You had definitely been asleep, it seemed you didn’t even look at the caller ID before answering. “Is everything okay?” you suddenly sounded more awake.

“Yeah, yeah,” Ana assured you. “Sorry, I didn’t think you’d be asleep, I would have waited to call.”

“It’s okay, I usually sleep after….” Ana nodded to herself, that made sense, she was sure shifting could be quite exhausting, it must take a toll on you in some way. “Anyway,” you cleared your throat. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Ana pulled out a sucker from her pocket and began twirling it around in her fingers. She could hear you breathing on the other end of the line, but you didn’t ask again, you didn’t try and push her to talk, you just waited. She was sure she could hang up on you right and you wouldn’t call back, you’d just accept it.

“I want to keep working with you,” Ana finally said.

She heard you suck in a breath then nothing but silence. “Are you sure?” you asked, you almost sounded confused that she’d choose such a thing. “You don’t have to. Grace will more then compensate you for the job. You don’t need-”

“I want to,” Ana cut you off. “I want to give this partnership a chance. Assuming all cards are on the table now?” Ana couldn’t think of what else you could possibly be keeping from her, but she had to at least ask.

“Of course, you know everything.”

“Then yes, I want to continue working with you.”

“Okay. I’ll call you when there’s a new job or,” you quickly corrected yourself. “I’ll have Grace call you.” Despite her calling you, it was clear you were unsure where she actually stood involving you.

“You can call me.”

There was silence for a few seconds, Ana could picture you forgetting she couldn’t see you and just nodding to yourself. “Okay,” you finally said. “I’ll give you a call.”

“Goodbye.”

“Wait!” Ana heard you shout as she started to pull the phone away. “If-if you ever don’t want to work together,” your voice sounded smaller than Ana had ever heard it. “It’s okay, I’ll understand. I’m sure we can find a way for you to still work with us but never have to see me.”

Ana’s mouth fell open at that, you were not only giving her an out but basically telling her she’d always have a job. She had no idea what that would look that, she couldn’t imagine doing this job without you by her side now.

“That won’t be necessary,” Ana said. “I’ll wait for your call and sorry for waking you, get some sleep.”

“Thanks,” you said. Ana could practically picture you smiling, the shy smile you always hid from people, not the one you put on for show. “Bye.”

Ana relaxed back into the cushions, she made the right choice, she was sure of it. She didn’t know what the future held, what monster the two of you would face next, but she knew the two of you would be able to handle it. Part of her felt even more protected knowing what you were and knowing you would be at her side, even if she was still absolutely terrified of your other half. Ana wasn’t sure if she’d ever be able to see you like that again, but that was a problem for another day.

Taglist: @thinking1bee @so-to-aqui-pelas-fic @alexkolax @thatshyboy1998 @chxrry-lov3

@bella423 @morganismspam23 @pianogirl2121

#joey abigail #joey (abigail)#ana lucia cruz #ana lucia cruz abigail #joey (abigail) x reader #ana lucia cruz x reader #ana lucia cruz (joey)#melissa barrera #abigail movie #abigail 2024 #a beacon in the dark

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myownwholewildworld · 6 months ago

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14. IT'S GETTING DARK IN THIS HEART OF MINE

chapter 13 | ao3 | series masterlist | chapter 15 (soon)

pairing: post-outbreak!joel x f!reader. summary: dealing with the aftermath of tommy's actions has you and joel in a dark headspace. in your way to Boston QZ, you find a small gated community that looks so promising... and meet the man behind the creation of such oasis. a/n: this chapter is charged with angst as both you and joel come to terms with what has happened. it's a bit sad but also joel is very caring so i hope that makes it slighty better? also slightly sad about the fact that next chapter is the last (before the epilogue), this is drawing to and end t.t as always, i appreciate comments, reblogs and likes, and if you do all three, i'll treasure you forever. take care, lovelies <3 x warnings: 18+, mdni. angst. discussion of a miscarriage. joel being the partner we all deserve. reader is female, no other description given. reader is mid-late 20s, joel is 37. no use of y/n. tommy's pov at the beginning, then joel’s and reader’s pov. also there's a very special guest appearance towards the end 👀 dividers by @\saradika-graphics w/c: ~5.6k. taglist aka the drama wagon at the end of the chapter (let me know if you want to be added/removed from the list pls!)

“They should have been back by now,” Tommy paced in the hallway, unable to quiet down the intrusive thoughts.

A supply run shouldn’t have taken more than two hours, and Laney and the rest of the group had been gone for almost three now. They could have run into trouble, but they would have asked for backup on the transceiver.

Thinking back on it, Tommy was not so sure now that they had actually gone supply hunting. They had ventured into town only two days ago, which meant they were not in dire need of anything. With clickers everywhere, it was too risky to leave the safehouses when it wasn’t really necessary.

The nagging doubt that had been lingering for the same amount of time returned to tear his brain apart. Laney seemed to have left in a hurry, deciding there and then that a supply run was needed. A thought had crossed his mind as he saw her leave through the door, but had forced himself to drown it ― Laney wouldn’t do that, wouldn’t go find his brother without him.

Or would she? The venom her tongue distilled when Tommy mentioned you should have been a red flag, but given Laney’s snappy personality, it hadn’t been out of character. But in retrospect, Tommy started wondering if Laney had actually decided to track Joel and you down.

The idea tightened his throat ― he knew what Laney was capable of. But she wouldn’t ― she knew Tommy cared for the both of you. Tommy had shared so much with her, opened up about his past and new life, he thought she wouldn’t do anything that would hurt him. Perhaps it wasn’t love, but it was damn close. At least for him it was.

“It is unlike them,” Robert chipped in, scratching his beard.

“Maybe they have hit the jackpot and that’s why they’re running late,” Elijah added to the conversation. “Just give ‘em ten more minutes.”

And for ten minutes, Tommy kept on pacing around the enclosed space, watching his wristwatch eagerly. The moment the hands indicated ten minutes had gone by, he grabbed the keys.

“We have to go now. If we wait any longer and it snows, the tyre tracks will be covered,” he commanded, and the two men quickly followed.

They jumped into the Jeep, following the fresh treads on the snow. Soon Tommy realised that whatever path they had taken, it wasn’t the usual one into town, but the one that circumvented the river.

His heart skipped a few beats, fearing that his first instinct might have been correct. And if it was, he just hoped that Laney never caught up with his brother and you, for your own sake.

If something had happened to Joel or you because of who he chose to trust, Tommy would never forgive himself. When he had answered Laney’s question earlier that day, he hadn’t thought she would do anything with the information given. Mainly because he hadn’t asked her to. Laney respected him ― or so would he like to believe.

Despite his early departure, he didn’t want to leave Joel and you behind, not when he had just found you again. Sure, he had been a prick reacting the way he did, but fear to the unknown―you, alive and pregnant―had momentarily won. Now that he had a cooler head, Tommy knew he had been stupid to ditch you again. Instead of congratulating you both, he had pulled back and pointed his gun at you.

What a dick, he mentally reprimanded himself.

Even if Tommy hadn’t expressed it out loud, deep inside he was happy that his brother had had a fresh start with you. Losing Sarah had almost killed him, annihilated him from his own humanity, crushed him until there was nothing left of him. And thanks to you, who had breathed life into Joel even when the older Miller didn’t want you to, his older brother had slowly but steadily resurfaced. Joel wasn’t completely back to being his old self but was learning to with your help.

And now he had another chance at life, at having the family Joel always dreamed of and talked about. One, Tommy hoped, he hadn’t fucking ruined.

The engine wheezed after a sharp turn, the dam and the red-bricked building he knew like the palm of his hand coming into sight.

And just by the fence, there were five bodies lying on the floor.

With his heart climbing up his throat, Tommy braked suddenly, stopping a few yards away. Yanked the driver’s door open and jumped outside of the vehicle, quickly followed by Robert and Elijah.

Tommy unholstered his Glock, alert of his surroundings.

Please don’t let it be my brother or her, please don’t. Lord, please, if You’re still listening…

The cacophony of prayers repeated in his head in a sick loop, the desperation in them increasing with each step he took.

The moment they got close enough, Tommy swiftly recognised everyone. Laney and the rest of the group were sprawled on the snow, thick blood pooling underneath them. But neither of you were nowhere to be seen.

His eyes lingered on Laney’s body ― her eyes still open, observing the darkening sky above. A bullet perfectly buried between her brows, a trickle of blood running down her nose bridge and left cheek.

Even through the stinging sense of betrayal, Tommy grieved her death. She had kept him company when he felt lost, being the only shoulder he had relied on for the past few weeks. Despite their toxic relationship and never-ending fights over nonsense, Tommy had thought he could have a future with her.

That future had been cut short. And he couldn’t blame the hand that had killed Laney, whether that was Joel or you.

“Those motherfuckers,” Robert snarled. “They’ve done a proper number on Michael, his head is cracked open.”

While Elijah replied, Tommy’s solely focus was a sixth puddle of blood a few feet away from Laney. Smaller, the blood thicker and darker than what he had seen before. His pulse hastened wildly as his brain worked out all possibilities.

One of you was hurt. How badly, he didn’t know. He could only hope it was a milder injury, something easy to tend to and heal.

“We need to go after them. They must’ve taken the car with them,” Elijah trudged forward, the top of his boot brushing a fresher set of tyre tracks. “Looks like they went back south.”

“Let’s hurry then. Those bastards gotta pay for what they’ve done!”

Both men were fuming, irate even. And probably he should have been too, but his relief was much greater than his non-existent anger.

“Tommy, let’s go, move!”

Tommy’s eyes finally lifted from the pool of blood he had been eyeing too intently and settled on the backs of the men as they made their way back to the car.

Robert and Elijah wouldn’t rest until their friends were avenged. And knowing he had done more harm than good, Tommy couldn’t let that happen. He needed to make sure that both you and Joel would be safe from men like them ― like him.

His hand gripped the gun tighter as his finger slid to the trigger. Then shot twice consecutively, both men falling face-first onto the ground, while his heart pounded madly in his chest.

This was the only thing he could do for the both of you. The only good thing he would ever do for you.

At that exact moment, Tommy knew that there would be no redemption for his wicked soul if something bad and irreversible had happened to either of you. He could only hope that the two of you were okay.

The three of them, he corrected himself, fear taking hold of his being.

At some point during the car drive, you cried yourself to sleep. Exhaustion danced with your grief ― the sensation of impending doom clinging close to your heart. Perhaps if you closed your eyes, you would wake up from this nightmare and the dull ache blanketing your heart and numbing your mind would fade. Only if you were lucky.

But you weren’t. The moment you awakened, Joel carrying you somewhere, the full force of reality hit you again, the scarlet stain on your jeans a sorrowful reminder of what had happened. Tears held onto your lashes, threatening to freefall onto your already-drenched coat.

This couldn’t be ― the pain swallowing you whole like a shadow monster, its sharp teeth gnawing at you while you silently screamed in the void of your mind. Where your heart had been, there was a hole nothing could fill. It felt like the twisted arms of destiny had reached inside you and stole your happiness, leaving behind a hollowing darkness.

And despite the edges of the sinkhole in your chest cracking even further apart, there was also this cold, drowning lump you couldn’t shake the feeling of. It constricted your throat, to the point you were gasping for a gulp of air. Then your airways expanded suddenly, the knot dissolving and letting oxygen in, only to wail in the midst of the night.

Trembling in Joel’s arms, he hugged you tighter to his chest, the warmth pouring from him soothing the coldness your heart harboured.

“We’re almost there, baby,” Joel whispered, his lips pressing your forehead.

Wherever there was, you wanted to arrive somewhere safe where you could open the dams of hell and let pain take its course. Because holding all of this inside would drive you mad with woe.

Soon enough he placed you down on a soft surface. It took you a second to notice the walls around you ― it was a small living room, crowded with someone’s belongings. The ceiling was low, big wooden rafters holding it up above your heads. In any other circumstances, the place would have been a cozy getaway.

You crouched on the couch, hugging your knees with devoid eyes transfixed nowhere in particular. Perhaps, if you held your knees close enough to your chest, you would stop the pieces of you from falling all apart.

Joel squatted in front of you, your glassy orbs darting to his sad ones. They told you a story ― a life of loss, of grief. He didn’t need to say words for you to understand how much this hurt him too. And knowing you were not alone in your pain gave you some selfish relief, but it also added to your own sorrow.

Unwrapping one arm, your hand found his cheek, your thumb tracing a line on the bag under his eye. Swept away the lone tear clinging to his skin, feeling it like your own. Then he nuzzled against your palm, a second later kissing it and taking it between his hands.

“I love you,” he reminded you, a broken whisper that glued together some shattered pieces of your soul. “Whatever you need of me, I’ll do. I can give you space to be on your own or be by your side for however long you need me. Please, tell me.”

Your heart bled for your unborn child, but also for yourself and Joel. Even though the news had shocked you both first, the idea of raising a little one together had gotten you even closer. And despite the hardships, you did not want to let that go, let him go ― your connection to him, the yin to your yang, the yang to your yin.

So you pulled from the hands holding yours, silently asking him to join you on the couch. His steadfast presence filled the empty spot on the sofa, and he dragged you to the calmness between his arms. One hand on your crown, the other gently pressed on the small of your back.

No words were needed to be shared, silence speaking louder. Time was a haze, blurry on the edges, while you held each other. You would cry and Joel would eventually follow, your shared sorrow a reminder of why you should keep fighting ― together. Because no matter what had happened, you both would survive this. It seemed distant now, almost ethereal and unachievable, but the world you lived in wouldn’t let you sink in the pits of despair for long. Of that much you were sure.

When you calmed down a little, your eyes dried of tears, you looked up at Joel, your cheek nuzzled on his chest. His dull, chocolate eyes were clouded, and you knew his mind had taken him somewhere away from reality.

Now you somewhat understood how he felt, the sense of helplessness so paralyzing. You didn’t even dare to imagine how this loss would feel if you had spent years knowing and caring for a child ― devastating, agonising. And having to go through all of that, just because you appealed to his humanity―his love for family―, made you feel sick.

You should have listened when he was reluctant about finding Tommy. Perhaps if you hadn’t pushed, your reality would be very different now. But wanting to see the good side of people was innate to you, so you had convinced him to try and reunite with his brother.

Big mistake.

“I’m sorry,” you let out in a choked whisper.

Joel’s eyes regained part of their usual spark, quickly drifting down to you with a confused look.

“Why?” he asked, his thumb finding your cheek and drawing a delicate line on your skin.

“I shouldn’t have insisted on tracking Tommy down. I should have―”

“Don’t. This ain’t your fault, sweetheart. I know you meant well. This isn’t on you nor me,” his voice cracked a little. “This is on Tommy, on men like him. So fucking desperate to belong, he didn’t even consider us as family anymore.” He paused and you felt his inner struggle, the words clinging to the tip of his tongue like a raindrop teetering on the brink of a leaf. “He’s dead to me.”

His raw admission brought tears to your eyes again. You couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty for this outcome ― Joel had no blood family left.

Joel cradled your cheek, so your averted orbs met his.

“And that is not your fault either, do you understand me?”

“But―”

“No, baby. This was a long time coming. Ever since we arrived at Chicago, deep down I knew I had already lost him. God knows I tried to redirect him, to help him, we both did. But wouldn’t fucking listen to either of us. What he has done now, hurting you― hurting us like this, it’s the last straw,” Joel drew in a big breath, his thumb still stroking your cheek. “He may not have been the hand who… who murdered our child, but he was the instigator. I just can’t bel―” Joel paused when he heard your low sob and his body shifted slightly under you. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to upset you. You’ve gotten enough to deal with.”

You shook your head no, your fingers wrapping around the wrist that held your face.

“You’re entitled to your feelings, Joel. I understand your rage. Believe me, I really do. I just don’t think I have it in me right now to feel anything else other than…” you trailed off, unsure of how to categorise the storm brewing inside you, “other than this gripping sadness,” admitting such thing out loud just made it even more real. “But I don’t want you to bottle up how you feel, so please don’t do it for my sake.”

He didn’t reply straight away, so in awe with you it warmed up a little the bitter cold nipping at your bones.

“Sometimes I think you’re too good to be true, too good for me,” Joel mumbled in a hum, pressing his lips on your forehead.

Even through the tears, through the pain, you smiled albeit weakly. Because it didn’t matter how dark it was getting in this heart of yours, Joel was able to shine a ray of light even during the darkest of times.

“I love you,” you muttered, hugging him tight.

Silence settled again, comforting and somewhat healing, until Joel broke it.

“If you’re feeling a tiny bit better, I’d like to get you out of those clothes and into clean ones, darlin’. I don’t want you to catch a cold and…”

The blood was still there, he didn’t need to finish. A sudden remainder of the piercing ache in your lower belly, burning and dull at the same time. Your grief was so loud, so overwhelming, you had barely paid attention to how you felt physically. And now that you were heeding the pain, it started to creep up on you.

“That’s a good idea,” you managed, sitting back up on the couch, breaking the physical contact with him.

“I’ll only be a second, you won’t even realise I’m gone,” Joel promised, and you nodded.

Joel got up and scavenged through his backpack, grabbing a small tin box, and then darted to the door. Thirty seconds later he was back and down on his knees a few feet away from you. He set up the gas canister on the floor, lit it on the lowest setting, and placed the tin tray on top, the snow slowly melting.

He then knelt in front of you, undoing the knots of your boots and putting them down on the floor. His steady hands helped you stand up so Joel could unbutton your jeans, gently pulling them down along with your underwear, seemingly unbothered by the thick, now dried blood.

You swallowed at the sight, his kind reverence a soothing balm on your aching heart. Your gaze looked up to the ceiling in a vain attempt to keep your tears at bay. Joel guided you back to sit down on the couch and veered around to dunk a clean rag in the lukewarm water. Then his attention turned to you and swept your skin clean with tender strokes.

The whole moment was so intimate, so raw, it made you cry a little more, but you hid your glassy eyes from him, keeping them on the wooden rafters as if their carved lines drove you somewhere far away from this heartbreaking moment.

Soon enough, Joel was done and shuffled through your rucksack to get a change of clothing. He slid your feet through the holes in the fresh panties lined with one of the few pads you had left, pushed them up to your knees, and repeated the same process with the clean trousers.

Only when he helped you get up to pull the clothes up to your hips, did he realise you were quietly sobbing again.

He buttoned your trousers for you, then cradled your face and kissed your tears goodbye.

It truly broke his heart seeing you like this. Knowing what you both could have had, but now didn’t. The ache only grew louder, having lost yet another soul to the misdeeds of mankind.

But when a lifetime of loss would have seemed daunting, holding you close to his chest reminded him of the reasons he would carry on. Broken and hollow, but he would keep going ― for you, but also for himself.

Joel hugged you on the sofa, hoping you would find some solace in his embrace. You had slowly drifted away to your dreams ― or so he hoped that they were not nightmares.

Suddenly you stirred, a quiet sob breaking through your chest, and he held you tighter. You blinked half awake, clutching at your chest. His lips hovered over your temple, whispering calming words until you settled back into a state of hypnagogia.

“We’ve got holes, but we carry on,” he murmured, more to himself than to you.

Hours went by, dawn breaking on the horizon, its orange and crimson lights filtering through the only window in the tiny cabin. Joel rubbed your back until your eyes fluttered open ― sleepy until reality knocked at your door. Your features folded slightly, and he knew you were trying your best to hold it together.

“Sorry to wake you, sweetheart,” he apologised, sitting up on the sofa with you in his arms. “It’s been a few hours, you should take another painkiller. I don’t want you to be in pain.”

You nodded with a heavy sigh when he got up to reach for the water bottle and the pills, offering them to you.

As you swallowed, Joel knew that his need for revenge paled in comparison to his need to care for you. As much as he wanted to go back and put a bullet in Tommy’s skull and whoever else remained from Laney’s group, he knew he couldn’t drag you into that. Wouldn’t put you through hell again. He meant it when he said that Tommy was dead to him ― you were his utmost priority, would always be.

As if you could read his mind, you looked at him askance as you placed the empty bottle on the coffee table in front.

“So… where…?”

“We go eastwards. We are only a couple of hours away from Boston. There’s a QZ there and although I’m not planning to get close, it might be handy having that place to run to if at some point shit hits the fan. I just don’t think that being out here completely on our own is a good idea right now,” he ventured, stroking your knee.

You slowly nodded, understanding he was trying to get you to safety and nowhere near Tommy.

“Sounds good,” you replied, unknowingly scratching your forearm.

Joel extended one hand and rolled up your sleeve. The wound was no longer bleeding and had completely healed. The scar had started fading a bit, the teeth marks were not so obvious anymore. The skin looked ragged and torn, sensitive to touch and itchy.

He bowed down to kiss the scar, his lips trailing the tissue, hoping it would calm the itch. Then sat back up to brush your lips with his.

“Are you sure? Otherwise, we can stay here a little longer―”

“No, I think you’re right,” you cut him off, a feeble smile dancing on your mouth. “It’s a good idea.”

Joel slowly nodded.

“Alright then, let me pack everything up and we’ll be in our way.”

A few hours later, when you were only half an hour away from Boston, the fuel indicator lit up on the dashboard. Your eyes had been glued to the world outside the passenger’s window, the last sign indicating that you just had crossed the boundary of Lincoln, Massachusetts.

“We’re running low in gas. Should stop and see if we can find some, or a different car. Or perhaps a place to stay for the time being, we’re close enough to Boston,” Joel said, removing the keys and the engine dying out.

He had veered into the verge, coming to a half between some evergreen bushes and trees.

“I also need to… to change,” you whispered, feeling the pad soaked with blood.

Joel eyed you, understanding. “We’ll find somewhere quiet too then.”

You zipped up your coat and joined him in the snow, backpack on your shoulders. Joel took your hand in his and walked along the side of the road. The houses were far apart from each other, just a few buildings here and there. But every car you both checked either had an empty tank or was unusable ― it seemed like the people from Boston had already ransacked everything in Lincoln.

A few more yards down the round found you in front of a fence.

“That’s weird,” Joel said, his lips twitching with worry.

“What is?” you asked, squeezing his hand tighter.

“Do you hear that?” he quieted down for a second.

Then you heard it: electricity humming.

“Is the fence electrified?” your brows furrowed deeper with your own question.

“Yeah,” Joel whispered, his free hand wrapping around the grip of his gun. “Seems like someone’s made home of these houses.”

You ventured a peek through the fence. It was a small cluster of houses, as if it was a gated community. But there was no one in the street, deserted as the rest of the town.

“Turn around and leave now. Don’t make me shoot,” someone suddenly shouted.

Joel quickly pushed you behind him, gun withdrew. Your heart rushed with the danger you had not seen yet.

Glancing over Joel’s shoulder, you saw another man quite a few feet away on the other side of the fence. He was smaller than Joel, a baseball cap shielding his face. He had a prominent beard and a sturdy build. From what you could guess, he would be in his early forties.

“I won’t say it again. Get the fuck out of here or I’ll kill you both,” the man advanced a few feet, a riffle pointing towards you both.

“Joel, let’s go before he changes his mind and starts shooting,” you pressed him.

Joel looked over his shoulder at you.

“But he may be able to help us. This looks to be well guarded, he’s even got cameras in the perimeter,” he pointed towards one of them in the fence. “Let me talk to him.”

“You sure about this?” you muttered, unsure about how the man would react if asked to let you in. Joel gave you a nod. “Alright, yeah.”

Joel sheathed his gun and raised his hands, facing the man.

“We mean no trouble, sir. We are only looking for a safe place to spend the night,” he appealed.

“I ain’t sharing shit with you two. Get lost,” the man barked back, looking through the peephole of his riffle.

“I swear to God we just want somewhere to sleep for a bit. My partner and I need to rest, and with so many motherfuckers out there, I’m just not sure we can fend them all off on our own. Just one night, that’s all we’re asking.”

Joel was really trying to reason with him, but you could see he was not getting through. And as the back and forth continued between the two men, an idea came to mind. It would mean being vulnerable with someone you didn’t know if you could trust, but if it meant getting off the streets and getting some rest…

“Sir,” you stepped to one side, hands visible so the man would see you had no gun. “Please, this is Joel,” then you introduced yourself. “We’ve just been through the fucking wringer. I had a miscarriage yesterday and I am about to bleed through my fucking jeans,” the words came out choked, and Joel quickly wrapped an arm around your waist, his presence a much-needed reassurance. “I just want somewhere where I can clean myself, change, cry my fucking eyes out and perhaps get a couple of hours of sleep. That’s all we’re asking. Please.”

You were barely able to keep the tears at bay, but you did, albeit with trembling lips. You leaned on Joel for support, and he held you tight to his side. Your eyes were fixed on the other man across the fence, who had gotten a few yards closer now.

He deliberated for two long minutes until he finally put his riffle down.

“Okay. One night and then you’re out,” you sighed with relief, the prospect of some comfort very soothing. “Let me open the gate.”

He reached towards his back and pressed some buttons on a control. A few yards to your right, a screeching noise announced the gate opening.

Joel and you walked towards it, and the moment you were in, the man pressed another button, and the gate closed behind you.

“I’ll need your guns. And knives. Whatever you have, I’ll return it to you tomorrow when you’re on your way,” the stranger rasped.

There was something about him that made you trust him. He seemed to be a good man, although a bit of a crazy prepper with all this technology.

Both of you handed everything to him, except for the hunting knife that Joel kept in his boot. You both knew better than trusting someone blindly.

“I’ll show you to where you can stay tonight,” he motioned his hand forward and both of you followed. “Name’s Bill, by the way.”

“Thank you, Bill,” Joel and you said in unison.

“Do you have something warm to drink?” you asked Bill as you came down the stairs.

He and Joel were waiting in the landing, the tension between both men could be cut with a knife. You could bet that they had not spoken one single word since you were gone to freshen up.

Bill cleared his throat, then grunted a husky “yes” and trudged towards what you assumed was the kitchen.

Joel took your hand in his and walked with you, his movements rigid, uneasy.

“Got tea, coffee, soup.”

For a moment you were overwhelmed with the choices. This man had more commodities than anyone else you had met so far. The house was tidy and warm, clean. He had running hot water, something you had not come across since leaving Chicago. Damn, he even had fucking pads to offer you.

“I’d kill for a black coffee right now,” you admitted, slightly excited with the idea.

Bill’s blue eyes darted to Joel.

“Same thing,” he replied succinctly as you both settled on a couple of chairs around a table. He then turned to you and whispered, “how are you?”

Joel probably had noticed your reddened eyes from crying under the hot stream of water.

“Better. Had a hot shower and took the last painkiller,” you replied in a hush.

“I’ve got some ibuprofen,” Bill said out of nowhere. “I wasn’t eavesdropping, you guys whisper too fucking loud.”

His retort made you smile feebly. Bill reminded you of a cat you had when you were a kid ― the little beast would hiss when approached, snarl like a demon even, but once it knew you, it would not stop purring and asking to be petted. His body language spoke loudly for him ― stiff, almost robotic, as if he had forgotten how to be around other humans. You could tell he was extremely reticent and wary of you, as he should be ― for all he knew, you could be the reincarnation of Bonnie and Clyde. But Bill had this charm about him, as if he couldn’t help himself but offer you some hospitality.

“I mean, if you could give me some before we leave tomorrow, I’d greatly appreciate it, Bill.”

Bill just hmphed before returning his attention to the pot. Soon enough, the air smelled like freshly brewed coffee, and he handed you each a steaming mug. You inhaled the aroma, your eyes closing with delight, before taking a sip.

Bill settled on a chair opposite you, his eyes moving from you to Joel, then back at you. You were sure he was studying you, deciding if you were worth of his reluctant kindness. You wondered how many people he had found stranded at his gate ― had he ever open them to anyone? It didn’t look like it.

“You heading to Boston QZ?”

“Not sure we want to venture that far in. Our idea was to stay in the area until we decide what to do,” Joel explained, holding the mug close to his mouth.

“It’s not the best place, the people I have crossed paths with…” Bill shrugged. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

“No, we come from Texas. Joel’s from Austin, I come from Houston,” you said before sipping again, the hot liquid burning the tip of your tongue.

“That’s a long fucking way from home,” Bill noted with a frown.

“Tell us about it. It feels like we’ve spent a lifetime on the roads.”

“Bet you do.”

“What about you? Are there any other people here living with you?” you asked curiously, sipping away.

Bill took a moment to reply, his thick brows knitting together.

“It’s only me,” he finally said. “Don’t like company if I can help it.”

You hummed in agreement. “Can’t blame ya. There are monsters out there, and I’m not talking clickers…” you voice eventually died out, remembering the events of yesterday.

Joel squeezed your knee slightly, a reminder that he was still by your side and would always be. Bill must have understood where your mind had drifted off, because he stirred in his seat uncomfortably.

“If you don’t mind me chipping in… I hope those monsters are fucking dead. Doing something like that to someone― fucking hell, hope you’ve killed ‘em.”

“Most of them we have,” Joel said between gritted teeth, taking over the conversation when you fell silent. “Whoever remains, they were not following, if that’s what worries you.”

“Worries me? Nah. I’ve got a fucking arsenal here,” Bill chuckled then snorted, his taut façade momentarily falling before he pulled a composed, deadpan expression again. “Could kill them all before they even got within a mile of my town.”

Joel and you kept the small talk alive for a while, sharing some anecdotes here and there, to get Bill to open up a bit and build some rapport.

At some point he got up and cooked some food too, a proper meal that both of you devoured in under ten minutes. Then helped Bill cleaning up and had another coffee around the table, with a fire lit nearby in the chimney.

“You both go have some rest. I’ll keep watch tonight,” Bill offered when you stood up to retreat to your room upstairs. “You look like you need it more than I do.”

@yesjazzywazzylove-blog @pedrospurplerain @missladym1981 @fancyyoouu

@smolbeanzzz @guelyury @bishtrouille @harriedandharassed

@thepalaceofmelanie @eternallyvenus @theoraekenslover @vickie5446

@hiroikegawa

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theoldsports · 7 months ago

Text

| Irish Coffee |

summary: twenty four was the wrong age for everything, except maybe picking up girls in bars at the holidays. Rafe Cameron x Reader

word count: 3.8k

warnings: bars, alcohol, passing mention of sexual assault, death of a parent mention.

Rafe Cameron hated karaoke. It was shitty ego-stroking from typically the very intoxicated or the very tone deaf. He didn’t think anyone ever felt good about their performances on that rinkydink stage anyway. It was unpleasant for everyone involved. Truth be told, Rafe thought karaoke was pointless entirely. If he wanted to hear a good version of a song, he would go on Spotify and find one. He thought karaoke was a selfish sport made fun only for the singer, and never for the listener.

In summation, it was fucking stupid.

When he got in Topper’s Jeep, Rafe had been too tipsy to fully comprehend that it was karaoke night at the Swordfish. Now, with another tumbler of b-list bourbon between Rafe’s knuckles, he moped on a stool at the bar.

He felt old when he went out with Kelce, Topper and their other friends. He had started college while some of the other boys he’d grown up with were in their junior year of high school. Rafe didn’t have friends. He wasn’t good at keeping them and didn’t like it when they complained about their problems that weren’t even really problems. The persona he had crafted for dealing with friends, though, had gotten elaborate enough to where Rafe thought they didn’t notice that his heart wasn’t in it.

He didn’t have friends, he had the people he drank with. That was better than drinking alone.

Being twenty-four sucked. Too old for ragers, too young for drinks at the country club. Too many big problems to solve, but everyone thinking he was too young to solve him. Rafe wondered, if he drank enough, could he blackout the whole of his twenties and then he wake up in his thirties locked and loaded?

Some drunk whore was finishing up a song Rafe had only heard in Sofia’s car. She’d played it often. He didn’t know what it was called. It was by one of those superstar white girls with the zillion dollar concert tickets. Rafe didn’t like it. He didn’t like Sofia either anymore. He didn’t like to think about her anymore.

His heartbeat raced. His could feel it beat in his neck when he drank too much. It didn’t used to be that way. The human body couldn’t fail from misuse before thirty, could it? Rafe took a sharp inhale through his nose to push the frantic thoughts away. Everyone leaves eventually, he reminded himself; a mantra. Fuck, he wanted a cigarette.

Topper was on Ruthie leaning up on the wall near a booth. They were out of commission til she got pissy at him for breathing wrong, or something, and they all had to make excuses to leave. Normal Friday night.

Rafe wished he’d stayed home.

A DJ mumbled that the next person was taking the stage, singing Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton. Arguably, this was Rafe’s favorite Christmas song because it had been his mother’s favorite Christmas song.

It was also the week before Thanksgiving and Rafe didn’t think he could stomach Christmas yet.

“Shit…” Rafe muttered into his glass of bourbon.

The girl supposed to sing was being pushed up into the tiny stage by a group of drunk girls. Presumably a bachelorette party by the looks of it. The girl onstage had a frown of surprise on her lips. It was clear to Rafe that she didn’t know this was going to happen. A girl in her party, wearing a veil headband, called out: “Please! This is our song. Please do it for me? You sound so pretty, [Y/N].”

All of her friends were calling and chanting for her to sing. The girl, [Y/N], looked embarrassed. She was very put on the spot.

Eventually, with all the cheering, pleading and encouragement, [Y/N] walked to the center of the stage where the microphone stood.

“Forgive me if this is dogshit, my friends signed me up,” The girl said over the karaoke track’s intro. A few of the girls she was with cheered. “I didn’t come to butcher Dolly in front of y’all.”

This yielded a chuckle from her audience. Rafe rolled his eyes. He was less interested in her humble act, and more interested in where he knew from. Rafe knew a lot of people, and he was starting to cling to the barstool to do what his legs were struggling to do. [Y/N] was a common enough name, but this girl looked so fucking familiar to him. His drunk mind leafed through the catalog of women in his brain. [Y/N], [Y/N], [Y/N], where did he know her from?

Her clothes weren’t anything special. Standard bachelorette party fare. A little too short, but not quite slutty. She was a bridesmaid, maybe the maid of honor. Rafe wrinkled his nose in thought. His contacts stung dry against his eyes. He had stared at a screen too long in the office and now he was sitting under a vent in November. Who the hell left the A/C on in November?

[Y/N]. Rafe hadn’t hooked up with her before. He didn’t think he had, anyway. She didn’t appear to have botox in her face or filler in her top lip with the way she expressed so freely. That meant she couldn’t have been the kid of one of his dad’s business contacts.

He looked at her friends for clues. Immediately, Rafe recognized the bride. Wendy. Rafe had hooked up with Wendy a few times in high school. He was surprised to see she was still on the island; Wendy had been smarter than that. So Rafe probably knew [Y/N] from school, then. What classes had they shared? He tried to place her.

[Y/N] was working through the slow first verse. She didn’t have a perfect, trained voice. Her voice was the kind of voice that sang in the kitchen on Saturday mornings to the radio. A smirk pulled at Rafe’s lip. She wasn’t forcing it, and she wasn’t so drunk that it was pathetic to listen to. “I hate singing in front of people…” she said.

[Y/N] knelt and set down what appeared to be an Irish coffee, and put her left hand over eyes. No ring, Rafe thought. He almost puked at the thought that looking at babes in bars now came with seeing if they were married or engaged, before giving them the once over. Being twenty-four sucked. The girl swayed from side to side on her feet as she moved from the second half of the first verse to the chorus.

…Maybe I'll just get drunk on apple wine.

Me, I'll be just fine and dandy.

Lord, it's like a hard candy Christmas.

I'm barely getting through tomorrow,

But still I won't let sorrow bring me way down…

The girl took some liberties with how she improvised the line endings or creating a harmony line instead of the melody during the way too repetitive chorus. It wasn’t like she was doing something revolutionary, but she also wasn’t just up there doing a cheesy impression of Dolly.

It was a welcome change of pace from the guy’s attempt at some Jimmy Buffet number a few songs ago. Rafe loved music. He loved it. That’s part of why karaoke was such an affront. Rafe played the piano; he was okay. His mom had put him in lessons right after kindergarten and it was the only thing he had stuck with until the end of high school. That was how he honored her memory.

Wait, kindergarten.

[Y/N] sat next to Rafe in kindergarten and early elementary. Holy fucking shit.

Rafe was a walking ad for Ritalin until he was about ten. Arguably, after that too. No one ever helped him out. He was also spoiled, he knew that. The kid talked out of turn, couldn’t follow the classroom expectations, never sat still, and ended up with his green light getting downgraded to a yellow light by the end of everyday. The tantrums he would throw over it where earthshaking. It was exhausting. [Y/N] sat next to him because she was not disruptive. Miss Lisa, their kindergarten teacher had loved [Y/N]. She loved her not only because she was good kid, but because she talked back to Rafe. [Y/N] used her position as calm-girl-forced-to-sit-next-to-shitty-boy to her advantage. She tattled on him daily. Debatably, that made his behavior worse, but the pair had fun sometimes. Rafe hadn’t thought about her in years.

[Y/N] wrapped up the song, trilling fine and dandy… I’ll be fine… over and over with the tinny backing track. He wished she could sing this song along with a guitar the way she deserved. Unexpectedly, Rafe found his hands applauding and his glass on the counter.

Quick as a flash, Rafe stood on unsteady feet and rushed towards the stage. [Y/N] rounded up her Irish coffee and pivoted towards her friends that clapped delightedly at her. Her hands were peeled away from her face now. Rafe almost smiled. Almost.

“Hey ladies, can I steal [Y/N] here for a second?” Rafe hollered over the music as he slumped towards their party.

Wendy’s eyes lit up in immediate recognition. “Rafe Cameron…”

“Hi Wendy,” Rafe said effortlessly. “Congratulations, by the way. You look great.” Rafe’s hookups were getting married now, and he was going to wake up tomorrow single and hungover.

“Thank you, hon. You look pretty good yourself… Please take her. Buy her another drink before we go. We need her loosened up a little.” Wendy giggled.

“Hey!” [Y/N] protested. She was eying Rafe uncertainly. She was trying to place him the same way that he had her.

“Please, ladies, next round on my tab. Congrats, seriously, Wendy,” Rafe said with a sleazy, false grin as a few of the women cheered. “I’ll bring [Y/N] back in one piece.” Gently, Rafe placed a hand on her elbow and angled her away towards the bar. The two walked in relative quiet.

All [Y/N]’s friends giggled. Rafe’s force dimples dropped when they were out of the ladies’ eyeline.

“Excuse me,” [Y/N] started. “Not tryin’ to be rude. Have we… Do I know you? I didn’t catch your name and…” She asked, staring intensely at Rafe. “Is this a setup, because Wendy’s always trying to—“

“Shit, I’m sorry,” Rafe cut in, stopping. He was drunk and forgot his manners. Great impression. Rafe cleared his throat and tried not to slur. “Rafe Cameron. You probably don’t remember me… I… You’re [Y/N] [L/N], yeah? You sat beside me in, like, fucking kindergarten and stuff.”

[Y/N] eyes widened in recognition. “Oh my god!” She gasped. “Rafe! How are you? Oh my god, you’re so tall!” [Y/N] laughed happily. Her faced buzzed warmly from the alcohol.

Rafe nodded at her amused comment. “Yeah, I’ve been busy since I was, y’know, nine.” He snorted.

“You transferred, right?”

“Yeah, Saint Mary’s.” Rafe replied. His mother’s trust had paid for catholic school after she died. He transferred out around the time he was ten.

“I can’t believe we never crossed paths again. You know Wendy from Saint Mary’s then?”

“Yep, that’s right,” Rafe paused. “Come on, lemme get you another drink. You’re the reason I didn’t fail first grade.”

[Y/N] smirked. “That’s probably true. You were an awful student.”

“Jesus Christ,” Rafe smirked. “Way to treat a guy buying you a drink,” he started his walk towards the bar, prompting [Y/N] to follow him. “You got Bailey’s or Jameson in that thing?”

The girl looked down into her nearly empty mug. “Jameson.”

“Smart girl.“ Rafe said easily. [Y/N] blushed. Even drunk, Rafe didn’t miss that expression on her face at those words. Almost too easy.

“Well, if you’re paying then tell the man to make it a double Irish too.”

“Very smart girl. I like the way you think.”

[Y/N] easily followed Rafe to the bar. The man’s broad shoulders slumped drunkenly as he cut through the crowd. When one was as large, imposing and beautiful as Rafe Cameron, crowds parted like the Red Sea. “So, uh, how are you? Did you do the whole college thing, or…?” [Y/N] asked broadly. She next to nothing about him. He wasn’t even the kind of childhood friend to get added on Instagram.

College. That was the default question at their age. Rafe hated this question, but he couldn’t let [Y/N] feel rejected for that question. “I mean, yeah. For a while. I was at Wofford for a year, but I never finished. I like what I do now, though.”

[Y/N] nodded. “And what exactly do you do?”

“Real estate development. I took over for my dad l when he passed.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah, we get by,” Rafe turned to the bartender, waving a hand for his attention. “Another Maker’s Mark, neat, and a coffee with double Jameson. Put the anything else the bachelorette party orders on my tab.” Rafe said. He certainly didn’t need another drink, but he really liked having something to do with his hands. Rafe would probably have less substance abuse-related issues if he knew how to conduct his body in public in some way that wasn’t a poor impression of his father.

“Very good, Mr. Cameron.”

[Y/N] narrowed her eyes at Rafe. “Big spender… You that much of a regular that they know your name at the bar?” In her world, guys [Y/N]’s age didn’t get called ‘Mr.’ anything anywhere by anyone. The guys she knew still drank shitty PBRs in punk clubs and had girlfriends they had nothing in common with. Rafe’s polish and pedigree didn’t rub off even in such a state of intoxication.

Rafe didn’t have a good excuse. The implication of [Y/N]’s statement was accurate. “Sure,” he replied. He moved through the rest of his sentence like a gunshot to prevent an awkward conversation. “Hey, why’d you pick Hard Candy Christmas?”

“I didn’t pick it. Wendy did.”

Rafe nodded slowly. “Right. Why did she pick it for you, then?”

“Because it’s my favorite Christmas song.”

“It’s my favorite. It’s probably half of the Smoky Mountains’ favorite too. But why?”

“I didn’t realize this was hardball—“

“Please... I asked you a question about Dolly Parton. You sounded good.” Rafe responded. His drink was passed over the counter. He held it close to his chest and leaned his right elbow down to press it into the bar.

“Um, thanks. It’s… I had shitty couple years. I sang that song everyday for months at a time, I think. Wendy and I would go for these drives with the top down and just… Belt that shit out. Makes the bad days better.”

Rafe half-smiled. “So, year-round?” He said accusingly.

“The song? Like, not at Christmas?”

“Mhm.”

“Well, yeah. She says it’s like a Hard Candy Christmas, not that it is one. That’s grounds for year-round. It’s so much more than a Christmas song.” [Y/N] bit back with a smirk. The bartender returned and placed another white coffee cup and saucer in front of [Y/N] with a nod. The girl slurped a sip down without cream or sugar. She barely made a pinched expression at what was obviously a strong drink. Rafe was moderately impressed. He liked that [Y/N] was drinking brown liquor in black coffee this late on a Friday while all of her friends held White Claws and Daiquiris,

“My head hurts. This is the opposite of the Die Hard’s a Christmas movie thing.” Rafe jabbed.

“Anything can be a Christmas movie.”

“Then, so can a song.”

[Y/N] paused. “Damn.” she sighed. She wasn’t sober enough to get her arguments straight.

Rafe didn’t want to conversation to end. [Y/N] was the most intelligent person he’d spoken to all day. It wasn’t saying much, but was noticeable. He asked another question. “What’s your favorite Christmas movie, if you think that’s true?”

“American Psycho.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you? That’s not a—“

“Rewatch it. Not having this argument,” [Y/N] chided. The girl glanced over her shoulder at her friends. They were all staring at her and pretending they weren’t. “Listen Rafe, I appreciate the drink. It was really great to see you tonight. I gotta head back to Wendy now. Bachelorette party only happens once. If you’re lucky… But, hey, thank you again—“

“Ask me.”

“Ask you what?” [Y/N] asked. She had no idea where Rafe was taking this. Rafe pushed up the left sleeve of his brown sweater.

“What my favorite Christmas movie is.”

[Y/N] looked at him funny. “What’s your favorite Christmas movie?”

“Eyes Wide Shut.” Rafe replied coyly.

“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you?” [Y/N] smiled fully, finally. Rafe damn near smiled back. She took a small step away, gesturing to where her friends stood.

“Can I give you my card? Maybe we catch up sometime.” Rafe asked plainly.

“Yeah, maybe!”

Rafe pulled his business card out of his wallet and extended it to [Y/N]. She looked down at it, cheekily saying: “Let’s see Paul Allen’s business card…” her eyes widened at the writing on the card. “CEO? Of a development company? THE development company on the island.”

“I told you I took over my dad’s business.”

“Rafe, I… I’m barely a grant writer at a 501-c3. How are you a CEO… You’re… twenty-three?”

“Twenty-four two weeks ago.”

“Happy birthday,” [Y/N] said flatly. “What’s happening? Why are you talking to me?”

“Because you helped me pass first grade. I thought I already said that.” Rafe’s eyes never left hers. They were so blue. Too blue. Too blue to be real. Rich people were too pretty.

[Y/N] took a very long sip of her coffee. “That’s wild. I’m sorry, but that’s wild. You made me feel vastly inferior and I’m the friend with my shit the most together.” [Y/N] told Rafe, with a smile on her face.

“I know you gotta get back. I’m not gonna the asshole that kept the girls waiting, but call me. Listen, you’re pretty, so is your voice. We should catch up.” Rafe said. Was he asking her out? That was weird. That was weird, right?

Hesitantly, [Y/N] looked back at her friends again. They were too invested in her conversation with Rafe. Hopefully, they would all drink so much that they forgot it happened.

“Do you like karaoke, Rafe?” [Y/N] changed the subject.

“I hate it.” He replied instantly.

“Why are you here?”

Rafe gestured with his glass to where Topper and Ruthie were making out. “They gave me a ride. And you don’t seem too keen about it either.” He said with a shrug.

[Y/N] couldn’t figure out what Rafe’s game was. He had turned from an unsettling child to a freakish adult. He was blunt and brisk, and either frustratingly honest or an alarmingly good liar. Maybe both. She stared up at him.

“What?”

“What?” Rafe raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, I’m gonna go. It was good to see you. Thanks for the drinks,” [Y/N] took a step back. She started to walk away slightly, still facing Rafe. A looked of what could be interrupted as self-loathing crossed Rafe’s face. He didn’t bullshit enough with her during the conversation to be perceived as likable, and she was leaving. Of course. Nobody liked Rafe when they actually knew Rafe. [Y/N] stopped, thinking. “Rafe?”

“Yeah?” His eyes slid back to her.

“Can you do something for me?”

“Maybe?”

He was going to say no, but it would serve as a litmus test for what kind of man Rafe was. It would help [Y/N] sleep easier to know what kind of bullet she dodged by losing Rafe’s business card after tonight. “Okay, we have a scavenger hunt thing for the party. It’s stupid. One of those… Do X number of shots, get someone to give you a BLANK, take a picture of three of you doing… whatever. Y’know?”

“Sure, yeah. What are you asking?”

“One of the items on the list is Maid of Honor and a stranger accomplish a task she’ll regret tomorrow. Like I said, it’s a trashy fuckin’ list.”

“Are you asking me to hookup with you, or…”

“Worse. Do you know the song Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by—“

“Absolutely not—“

“Let me finish. I said do you know the song Don’t Go—“

“I don’t do karaoke.” Rafe said forcefully.

“Do you want to go out on a date with me, or not?”

Rafe was stunned silent. His mind worked overtime. He suddenly felt extremely sober, in spite of his drunkenness. He sucked his teeth.

“I don’t do Elton John. Sorry.” He muttered finally.

[Y/N] nodded, knowingly. It was a setup anyway. She couldn’t be disappointed. She knew he’d refuse and she could leave knowing she had made the right choice ditching him. “That’s a’right. Maybe some other—“

“But, if you really want me to do this, let’s at least stick to the Christmas thing you’ve got going here.”

“You don’t look very… holly jolly.”

“Ho, ho, ho,” he deadpanned. Rafe was the strangest combination. “Stop givin’ me grief here. Your favorite Christmas movie is American Psycho. Let’s do Baby, It’s Cold Outside—“

“Whoa, waaaay too rapey.” [Y/N] protested.

“American. Psycho. How is that song—“

“Wait, do you know Fa—“

“Fairytale of New York?” Rafe finished.

“You know it?”

“My family’s Irish Catholic.”

They both stood still and looked at each other. Well, Rafe stood as still as he could, but swayed a little on his feet. He wasn’t thinking clearly. Why was he agreeing to this?

For as manipulative as Rafe Cameron could be, he was effortless to play for validation and a pretty pair of eyes looking back at him.

Everyone leaves eventually, Rafe reminded himself. His mouth and his brain were not in agreement. Rafe had lost control of his body as he blindly followed [Y/N] to sign up for the next karaoke slot.

They passed Topper and Rafe held onto his glass like an anchor. He should have switched to beer. Why did he have another bourbon? Topper pulled his face away from Ruthie long enough to look at Rafe as if to say what the fuck are you doing? without any words. Rafe grimaced at Topper, barring his teeth slightly in response.

Rafe leaned in to [Y/N]’s ear and clumsily pushed her hair back. “I’m not a singer… This isn’t gonna be good.” He whispered. Chills crept up [Y/N]’s spine at the sensation of his breath. He knew his way around rhythm and music theory. Rafe was an asshole about music, actually. Jazz, classical, whatever. It was his secret no one else got to have. It’s not his fault that most of the motherfuckers he hung out with only listened to guys with the word ‘yung’ in front of their names. Still, all of that musicality couldn’t make him a singer.

“It’s karaoke.” [Y/N] said like it was obvious. She dragged Rafe towards the stage. “You’re so serious… Stop frowning; you’re gonna get lines on your face. We’re both gonna suck. I wouldn’t make you do this if it wasn’t for Wendy anyway. Promise.”

“This is so dumb; this better be some fucking date…”

[Y/N] pried, with difficulty, the rocks glass out of Rafe’s fingers and set it with her mug on a tabletop by the stage. As she pulled him up to a microphone, she said: “You know the words. Sing the damn song.”

And as the track started to play, and [Y/N] stupid friends all cheered, Rafe slurred the words he knew from every drunken family Christmas party he’d ever had. And he smiled. Just a little.

#rafe cameron x reader #rafe x reader #rafe imagine #rafe obx #rafe cameron #outer banks #christmas fic #holiday fic #obx #pope heyward #john b routledge #jj maybank

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cal-daisies-and-briars · 2 months ago

Note

🔼🔼🔼🔼🔼🔍🔍🔍🔍🔍☣️☣️☣️☣️☣️🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🧑‍🚒🧑‍🚒🧑‍🚒🧑‍🚒🧑‍🚒🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁

Posting this from a US customs line at the Toronto airport. 🫡

15 for 🔼:

—-

“You need to come home!”

Shannon’s voice this time. He’s not sure how to interpret her tone. She doesn’t sound upset. But she does sound… Urgent?

“Uh, Shan? I-I do?” Buck asks.

“We need you home right now,” Eddie confirms. “It’s an emergency.”

Is it?

“Are you drunk?” Buck asks.

“Not so much that we can’t consent!”

—-

15 for 🔍:

—-

Or what if…

The thought strikes Buck like a blow to the stomach.

What if his father, his parents… What if they’re responsible somehow? They’re the only people who know him. The only people who talk to him. The only people who remember him. That cant mean nothing. Right?

Buck has to assume the danger is in the passenger seat of his Jeep.

He takes a deep breath. He locks his phone. He can’t check anything more. Not here. Not where his father could see.

—-

15 for ☣️:

—-

“And Maddie,” Eddie says.

“Eddie, no,” Buck warns.

“Yes,” Eddie nods. “I know she’s your sister. I know she thinks she’s Chim’s widow. But she’s also resourceful as hell on the other end of a rescue. You know that.”

“I tend to agree,” Athena replies.

Ravi frowns. He doesn’t say anything.

“She’s not who she was!” Buck reminds them sharply. “She can’t even talk. Please. Please leave her out of this.

—-

15 for 🩸:

—-

Harry nods. “Okay. Sorry I blew up.”

May gives him a forgiving smile. “Hey, this is impossible. Don’t apologize.”

It is impossible. Her brother is looking to her for leadership, and she has no idea what to do other than what she’s just told him.

ii.

It’s with this debacle in mind that May does something she’s never actually done before. At least not in a non-working capacity. She calls Evan Buckley.

Getting the new house in order has been slow and hard. It may be a brand new build but it didn’t quite get finished. So there are hiccups and quirks that Mom just doesn’t have the mental space to deal with. She’s always shut up in her office, doing what she calls research.

—-

15 for 👨‍🚒:

—-

By the time the rest of the team arrives, and it’s time for Hen to make a strange, inane reintroduction of Harry, he’s decided the person she must be talking about is Chimney. That’s the only logical explanation. After Bobby died, Chimney pissed off his mother, and she wasn’t gentle about it. Not that Athena Grant is known for being soft in the best of times. Maybe Chimney doesn’t want Harry around now, as a result. He knows he took Bobby’s death harder than most, given the circumstances.

He’s wrong.

Chimney greets him warmly. He almost looks sheepish.

“We’re really happy you’re going to be with us, Harry,” he says, shaking his hand like they haven’t known each other for years.

There’s a sincerity in his tone that catches Harry off guard based on his assumptions.

“Thank you,” Harry nods. “Uh, me too.”

So, then… Who?

—-

And for 🎁, 15 for the secret not so secret fic:

—-

“I’m sorry,” the attendant says again. “It-it might arrive quicker.”

“Might?” Eddie scoffs. “That’s not good enough!”

A supervisor makes their way over to what seems to be becoming a quickly escalating incident.

“Is everything okay here, sir?” She asks.

Eddie’s face has gone very red. His breathing is quick and shallow. Bobby can only imagine it’ll be moments before he descends into a full blown panic attack. Oh, Eddie.

“No! No, nothing’s okay… Nothing is fucking okay…”

#daisies and briars writes

15 notes · View notes

witchygagirlwrites · 7 months ago

Text

Back to You-Pt. 2/3

Greg "Mouse" Gerwitz X Reader

When Adam sees you struggling with Mouse being back he does what any good friend would...kidnaps you and makes you go out with everyone whether you want to or not. It does lead to you and Mouse actually talking and him starting to crack away once more at the walls around your heart.

Warnings: cursing and mentions of a past injury

For the first few days Mouse was back it was easy to avoid him.You'd been working non stop. Every time you and Kim stopped to catch your breath another call would come in or Voight would be sending you out to track down C.I.'s. A part of you wondered if he was trying to give you time to adjust to Mouse being there again and that was the only way he knew how to handle it?

When Friday hit you were gathering your things and looking to make a quick exit but Adam caught you by the jacket "Hey speedy you in at Molly's tonight?" You glanced over to where Jay and Mouse were talking and quickly shook your head "Not tonight Ruz but maybe a rain check. I'm always good with you owing me a beer" "If you need someone to talk to, call me!" Kim reminded you before pulling you into a quick hug.

------------

You were climbing into your jeep when Mouse came out with Jay and Erin. Erin stuck up her hand so you waved before pulling out onto the road.

"So that's going well I see" Jay said with a slight teasing tone and got matching glares from his girlfriend and best friend.

"She fucking hates me. I broke her damn heart" Mouse muttered, dropping his head. Erin patted his shoulder comfortingly and said "Well Jay will buy you a drink" and winked at Jay who asked when he volunteered to be the buyer tonight. "When you made that tasteless joke babe" Erin answered with a wink telling Mouse they would meet him at Mollys.

"Yeah I'll meet you there" Mouse mumbled watching your tail lights disappear around the corner. He just needed you to talk to him, yell or cry anything. He just wanted your attention for five minutes however pathetic that sounded.

He was jealous of every damn member of your unit, watching them the last week. How easy your interactions with them still were. The way you laughed with Kevin and Jay or perched on top of Adam's desk while Hank went over the most recent case. The way you would hold entire conversations with Erin and Kim with just a few looks. Even the way you'd respond to Al and Hank.

He'd done it to himself but he'd been a mess when he left. He wasn't the man you deserved. He'd felt like he was going nowhere and taking you with him. It'd taken him losing you to realize that you were all he ever needed. That's what led him to follow his heart back home to Chicago, back to you.

"She'll come around" He turned to see Kim standing not far from him, Adam behind her with his arms crossed over his chest looking very much like he had two years ago when you'd left the precinct in tears. He offered them both a small smile "I'd deserve it if she didn't"

"Yeah you would" Adam blurted out and Kim smacked his chest but he simply shrugged "Look Mouse, me and you are good man really. Glad you're back and doing good but you shattered her leaving. If you're back, you're back. Man to man though, do not go after her without knowing for certain that you're happy here and are permanently here"

Kim remained silent but Mouse knew from the look on her face she shared the sentiment and he knew all the unit and Trudy felt the same. He nodded and met Adam's eyes "Man to man, hell itself wouldn't drag me away from Chicago this time. I know I fucked up. I have faced that every day since I left but I had to stay because I already signed to go back. I did my two and got out. I'm back for good. I'm here with the unit and I have never stopped loving her for one damn second. She can never forgive me and never speak to me again and that won't change. I will still be here for her. So yeah man I get it and I love that you've been here for her that you all have but know I'm trying and will keep trying"

Just when Kim thought she may have to step between the two men a smile slipped onto Adam's face and he grabbed her hand "C'mon baby. Let's go get her" Mouse looked confused so Adam added to him "This isn't me trying to get you two back together but this is me trying to help my partner get out of a dark spot. Go to Molly's, we'll catch up"

----------------

You were deciding on whether you wanted to order Chinese food or go ahead and grab a shower when your phone started ringing so you grabbed it off the coffee table to see Adam's name along with a photo of him and Kim you'd taken a while back "Yes dear?" You answered and he laughed "I'm at your door partner. Open up"

"Why didn't you use your spare?" You asked as you walked across the floor and unlocked the three locks. Him and Kim stood just outside your door. He shrugged "You always lock the chain when you're home. Grab a jacket"

"Why?" You asked because last you were told the two of them were headed to Mollys. He cut his eyes at Kim so she walked past you and grabbed your keys and jacket off the couch "Got em"

"Got what?" You asked right as Adam leaned down far enough to pick you up and drape you over his shoulder "RUZEK!" You squealed as he turned to head towards his car and you got an upside view of Kim locking your door and jogging to catch up before the two of you made it to Kim's car. "I'M CALLING AL!" You threatened but damn him he simply laughed "You dropped your phone. Kim has it" she waved it and you groaned and laid your head down against his back. Whatever they were up to you may as well go along with.

-----------

Mouse was talking to Kelly and Stella when he heard your voice "ADAM I SAID I DIDN'T WANT TO GO OUT TONIGHT!" He turned to see Adam walk into the door with you over his shoulder and couldn't stop the laugh that fell from his lips.

He watched as Adam put you down and honestly probably fell in love with you all over again in that moment. You were wearing a simple green shirt and blue jeans with your favorite boots and your hair was a little wild but he'd never seen a more gorgeous sight. You looked so damn angry but the moment Adam grinned at you the anger faded "Fuck you Ruz" you mumbled shoving his chest with a grin pulling at your lips "Buy me a drink for kidnapping me"

-----------

"You kidnapped her?" Jay called across the bar when Adam slipped one arm around your shoulders and the other around Kim's waist "Just a little bit" he replied with a shrug before steering the three of you towards the bar.

You shook your head with a laugh "Erin! Call Voight!" and heard half the bar crack up laughing at yours and Adam's usual antics. Adam maneuvered his way towards the bar and you realized Mouse was leaning against the end of the bar talking to Kelly and Stella. His eyes tracked your every movement and you saw how Stella and Kelly passed looks when they realized you and Mouse had locked eyes. You couldn't keep ignoring him. He'd been back a week and you probably hadn't offered him over a dozen words.

You took a deep breath then forced a smile and turned your attention fully on Mouse "I'm disappointed in all three of you. Two firemen and an employee of CPD sitting idly by while a helpless woman gets kidnapped" "You're far from helpless" Kelly laughed and Stella added "Besides Adam is your best friend" "and he brought you to a bar owned by firemen and filled with CPD" Mouse added with a small smile.

You shrugged "Fair enough. Stella, my love I need my usual on Adam's tab and I need someone's ass to kick at darts" she made your jack and coke then nodded to Kelly and Mouse "You heard the lady fellas. Go get your ass kicked" then she winked at you "Glad you came out tonight honey"

Kelly looked between you and her before raising an eyebrow "Am I gonna lose my fiance to my ex girlfriend?" You cut your eyes at Stella who grinned "Maybe...maybe not. Just know i have options" then leaned over the bar to give Kelly a quick kiss before going to make another drink.

You headed towards the darts board not looking to see if Kelly or Mouse was behind you because you could hear them talking lightly. You walked past Kevin who was talking to one of meds new nurses and winked at him when he cut his eyes at you.

-------------

So far Mouse had lost three games, Kelly two and you'd won five. He could've cared less. You were talking to him. The three of you had drawn a crowd consisting of Adam, Kim, Erin and Jay.

You were sitting up for a new game when Stella called Kelly so he looked at you "Sorry" you laughed "Go to her before I do" he laughed and handed you his darts before heading toward the bar. "Anyone else?" You asked so Adam volunteered to take Kelly's place and Mouse chose to sit out to watch you and Adam go one on one.

You tossed your first and hit bullseye. "Beat that Ruz" you teased and he grinned before landing his right next to yours. The two of you went back and forth for two games before calling a draw and sitting down to let Jay and Erin have a go.

-------------

You were fiddling with a straw and half listening to Kevin, who'd struck out with the nurse telling Mouse where the new scar on his left forearm had come from. Your eyes flew up when Mouse called your name and asked about new scars. "None to mention" you mumbled and Kim scoffed "Except the one across your right collarbone where buckshot scattered and you were out of duty for six weeks after that trafficking case"

You knew Mouse a little too well. You could see every emotion written plainly in those blue eyes as he stared at you "You were hurt that bad?" You squirmed in your seat having his full attention on you like this. He'd always had this effect on you and probably always would.

"It's not a big deal Greg. I got shot protecting one of the girls we were getting out. Med did their thing and I was home in six days" "SIX DAYS" his voice was loud enough a few tables looked your way and Erin offered them a smile before leaning over to be between you and Mouse on the table "What the hell you two?" He finally pulled his eyes from you to look at her "How bad was it on that trafficking case Lindsey?"

You gave a small shake of your head hoping she'd play it off but Adam chose that time to come back from getting everyone another round "How bad was what?" You knew you were fucked. Adam would tell him. "How bad was she hurt Ruzek?" Adam looked from you to Mouse before saying "She flat lined once. Had to have four units of blood. Was in a medically induced coma for two days and had to do physical therapy daily for four weeks to get function back in her arm. If Voight hadn't pulled money out of his ass for a specialist she may not have gotten full function back"

"Not a big deal?" You hated hearing how Mouse's voice shook and how it made your heart ache even after how much hurt you'd endured. You swallowed hard before raising your eyes to meet his and saw tears in his eyes "Can we talk outside please?" He nodded and stood up so you followed him out.

------------

You smiled at Ethan and April on the way by then ducked under Matt's arm when he held the door open for you and muttered a quick "Thanks Casey"

You heard Mouse thank him then Matt's voice disappeared inside and the cold air hit your face. You slowly turned to face the man who still held your heart, tucking your jacket in tighter around yourself as if using it as a shield "Don't do that in front of our friends and coworkers please" you spoke in a low tone so anyone who came out or walked by wouldn't hear you. "Do what?" He asked stepping closer to you when you moved to be standing next to the wall of the bar instead of the door so anyone could get out.

"Don't freak out like that. They were actually here taking care of me" you replied and saw his face fall "I didn't even know" a laugh that sounded hollow even to your own ears escaped you "and why is that Greg? Why didn't you know? Oh yeah because you fucking left me!"

He shook his head "No I wanted to work it out. I wanted to stay together!" You felt tears threaten your eyes so you wiped roughly at them "No. You pushed me in a corner and made me feel like I had to either chose to be ok with my boyfriend running headfirst back into the very fucking thing that drove him into a ptsd fueled addiction or to not have him"

"Jay could've told me" he pushed so you shrugged one shoulder "What good would it have done? Not like you get compassion leave for your ex girlfriend being injured on the job. He would've told you if I would've died" his jaw fell open and you were fairly certain you probably could've shot him and gotten the same reaction out of him "I love you. I have loved you for so long I don't remember a life where I didn't love you in some way"

You laughed lightly "Are you trying to say I don't love you?" "I never said that sweetheart. I just don't understand why no one told me" he looked so damn lost it made your heart ache. You took a step closer to him, resting one hand on his arm closest to you "We can't keep doing this"

He looked from your hand to your face, blue eyes searching your own "Doing what baby?" You saw the moment he realized what he'd called you because in that same moment your stomach had flipped. "Sorry" he quickly added with a small smile.

"We can't hide from each other. If you're in the unit in any capacity then that means we're gonna see each other daily. I am thrilled you're back in Chicago, I really am but Greg I can't just jump back in. We weren't together before but I was Jay's friend and I saw what it did to you then I was your friend and helped you get through it. That's why I told you I didn't want to be with you. I never stopped loving you, I never moved on. I haven't dated anyone, hell besides flirting with Stella to annoy Kelly I haven't even entertained anyone. I just can't let myself get comfortable again just to get hurt all over again. I'm strong but I don't know how much even I can take"

He'd been silent the entire time you spoke then said "I'll prove to you that I'm not going to hurt you again. I've lost you one time. I'm not going to lose you again. I just want you back in my life in whatever way you'll have me. I fucking miss you so much and dont think for one second i ever thought of moving on from you" "Come here" you whispered using your hand on his arm to pull him into a hug.

He hesitated at first because he didn't want to overstep and risk pushing you further away but the moment your arms slipped around his waist he could feel his heart speed up even from such an innocent touch. He slowly slipped his arms around you and when you didn't tense, instead you seemed to relax against him he pulled you fully against his chest, holding you tightly to him. He closed his eyes for a moment just to enjoy the feeling of having you in his arms even if it was just for a moment.

You let out a shaky breath once you finally allowed yourself to relax into the hug. You'd missed him so damn much. You'd wanted to be back in his arms the moment he got back but the fear was too strong and considering being in his arms felt like being home that alone scared you because what if he decided it wasn't enough again? "I missed you" he kissed the top of your head as he spoke and you closed your eyes against the flood of emotion before laying your forehead over against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat "One step at a time ok?" He nodded "I'm not going anywhere"

Even if half the unit hadn't been in Mollys that night to witness it there was a clear shift in the atmosphere between you and Mouse.

------------

You sat on Kim's desk listening as Voight ran down the case all of you were about to roll out on. There was a major drug deal going down, at least half a million worth. Big hitters would be taken off the playing field if everything went right.

"Out of the three main targets we need to take at least one alive. We want to get to their supplier, take out the head of the snake" Al reminded all of you as Mouse passed around the papers that held the photos of the main three. You smiled a thanks at him as you studied the faces of the three men.

"Take no chances. Everyone comes home. Gear up, we roll in ten" Voight tapped the board that held the blueprints of the warehouse the deal was going down in then walked towards his office.

You slid off the desk then cut your eyes at Kim "This should be fun" She laughed lightly before all of you fell in line to head down to roll up.

You slipped your vest over your head and fastened the straps. On something like this it was normal for everyone to double check everyone else's vest. Best to be safe than sorry the problem was with Hank still upstairs you were the odd man out.

Adam was double checking Jay's, Erin was double checking Al's and Kim was double checking Kevin's so you caught Mouse's eye and tilted your head "Can you double check my vest please?"

A small grin worked its way onto his face "Of course" he moved behind you and you felt him adjust a couple straps just slightly before he leaned over your shoulder "Good to go" you turned to look up at him "Thank you" he shrugged one shoulder "Don't have to thank me for that. Come back in one piece"

"I'll do my best" you replied and he opened his mouth to say something else but was interrupted by Hank's voice "Good to see you two getting along but we need this show on the road. Mouse get our surveillance van going and sweetheart aren't you riding with Kev?"

"Yes sir" "Yes sir" you and Mouse spoke in unison before you turned to follow Kev and he headed towards the surveillance van.

You glanced over your shoulder before walking out of roll up and smiled when Mouse winked at you considering he'd looked over his shoulder as well. "Get a move on girl!" Kevin hollered so you jogged over to where Erin was standing and took your rifle from her "Thank you ma'am"

She grinned "Don't have to thank me" you rolled your eyes because by now you knew her teasing all too well "Shut up and get in your car Lindsey"

-----------

"WE GOT A RUNNER!" Adam's voice rang out. "ON IT" you hollered across the chaos and ran out the warehouse behind the last remaining target who'd just ran out.

Kevin hit the door behind you. "Babygirl go up fourth. I got fifth. We'll cut him off" you nodded and ran towards fourth street while Kevin ran towards fifth.

The plan was to corral the guy between you and Kevin. You spotted the guy as you rounded from fourth to fifth "CHICAGO PD. PUT DOWN YOUR WEAPON" He turned to fire at you causing you to be forced to dive for a nearby dumpster for cover but by focusing his attention on you he completely missed Kevin until he was tackled to the ground, his gun tossed away from him and being wrestled over to his stomach "I NEED CUFFS"

You ran to Kevin's side sliding to a stop as you slapped the cuffs on the target and recited his Miranda rights. Kevin held up his hand for a high five so you slapped it and he laughed "Attagirl"

You shook your head but laughed before calling across the coms "We got him. We're good. Bring a car two blocks south so we don't have to drag him that far" "Copy that" Jay replied quickly.

------------

Once everyone was back at the precinct and evidence was signed in, you followed Erin and Adam down to roll up to put your heavy gear and rifles away.

When you walked past the tech room Adam grabbed the equipment out of your hands and nodded his head towards the room "I got this. Let him know you're in one piece." You rolled your eyes "He had a com in" Erin gave you a look so you sighed then walked towards the door of the tech room.

You stopped just outside the door and knocked on the frame "Yeah?" Mouse called out so you peeked your head around the corner to see he was currently going through the stack of phones and laptops that were recovered from the warehouse.

His hair was a little messy, you could tell he'd been running his fingers through it and the henley he'd been wearing earlier was abandoned on the back of the chair leaving him in just a white t-shirt that honestly made your mouth water slightly. He'd always been unfairly attractive to you but the way he'd added visible muscle tone and how the ink that you'd still yet to see more than glimpses of peeked out his sleeve made you effectively forget why it was you'd come into the tech room to begin with.

He glanced up and did a double take when he realized it was you "Sweetheart? You alright?" You blinked slowly and felt your face warm. "Is it bad work etiquette to ogle your ex boyfriend after a shoot out with high profile drug dealers?"

He laid down the phone he'd currently been fiddling with, a sideways grin sliding onto his face "Depends" "On?" You asked, stepping further into the room. He tilted his head to the side slightly as he watched you "You ogling me or Kelly?"

You looked around for something to throw that wouldn't actually hurt him and decided on an empty soda can. "YOU ASSHOLE" you threw it at his head as was rewarded with the sound of it bouncing off before you spun on your heel to make a quick exit.

Before you made it two steps he was out the chair and had his arms wrapped around your waist holding you back against his chest to stop your struggling "Quit! Don't leave! I know you meant me!" He barely got out from laughing at your outburst.

You turned to face him and he loosened his grip to let you free but was still laughing. The way his eyes seemed to get brighter made your heart flip. You popped his chest lightly "That was mean" he finally stopped laughing but still gave you a small smile "I'm sorry but it was too easy. I love seeing you get like that"

You shook your head but couldn't even attempt to be mad. His hands were still resting gently on your hips, yours on his chest and there was very little space between the two of you.

"Looking like you've missed a few days of shaving there Gerwitz" you teased, reaching one hand up to let your fingertips graze across the scruff covering his jaw. If he didn't groom it regularly he'd have a full beard in the matter of a couple weeks so you knew he was choosing to groom it down to such but why instead of simply shaving?

His eyes fluttered shut at the touch of your fingers and he swallowed hard before slowly opening them and just like that the sky blue color they'd been seconds before from his laughter was darkened. You knew the effect touches had on him just the way he knew the effect they had on you. "You always liked it like this" He replied, a deepness to his voice that made your lower stomach flip.

"I did...I do" your voice was a little more than a whisper. His eyes flicked from your eyes down to your lips and back up to your eyes before he finally stepped back and cleared his throat then laughed lightly "You pinged the crap out of me with that can"

Your heart felt like it was on the verge of bursting out of your chest and you knew this was his way of giving you space but damn. You swallowed hard, tongue sneaking out to wet your lips before your mouth decided to have a mind of its own "Come here, I'll kiss it and make it better"

Mouse was mentally kicking himself. What the fuck was he doing? One minute he was handling a stack of electronics trying to find anything useful for the case the next you're in his arms. He hadn't meant for it to happen but you made that comment about ogling an ex and maybe it struck a nerve like it always did when he was reminded he was your EX.

He hadn't purposely struck a nerve back, he'd thought you'd know he was joking but he hadn't wanted you to leave angry that was why he grabbed you and god how feisty you got. He fucking loved it. Always had and always would. Then you touching him. Christ the way it felt you casually touching him again. He'd finally admitted why he hadn't been clean shaven since getting back and he'd nearly fucking kissed you.

He hadn't meant to but the way you were looking at him and your hands on his chest and face. He just wanted to taste your lips, see if you still reacted to him how you used to. He wanted to see if you'd still whimper if he rolled his tongue against yours or nip at that spot on your neck.

He cleared his throat and forced himself away from you making a joke about how you pinged him with the can. He hadn't expected you to say "Come here, I'll kiss it and make it better" he froze dead in his tracks "Huh?" Yeah that was a good response Gerwitz.

You shrugged and walked over to him slowly like you were worried he'd bolt but when he didn't you came to a stop and placed one hand on his left shoulder before leaning up on your tiptoes to place a quick kiss on the spot where the can had bounced off his head when you threw it.

He remained frozen to the spot, afraid if he moved he'd wake up and be halfway across the world in a shitty little tent simply dreaming of you again. Instead you moved your hand off his shoulder to his cheek "I do like it like this" then placed another kiss on his cheek before waving a hand towards the door "I'm gonna head back up" he nodded slowly "Ok. I'll um come up if I find anything" you gave him a small smile "Ok" before turning and walking out.

He waited until you were gone to let the grin that had been threatening to split across his face fully win out. He didn't know what that just was but it felt like a step in the right direction.

The whole way upstairs you bit your cheek to keep a grin off your face. Yeah Mouse was winning your heart back piece by piece every day. You just hoped he didn't crush it this time.

Part 3

#greg mouse gerwitz x reader #greg gerwitz x reader #mouse gerwitz x reader #chicago pd fanfiction #chicago pd fic #chicago pd fanfic #greggerwitz x reader

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typicalopposite · 7 months ago

Note

👶👶👶👶👶👶👶👶

👀

ohhhh! you're interested interested! lol well since you wanted so many I'm gonna also double this as...

WIP Wednesday

(since I was tagged by these lovlies - @bidisasterevankinard @lavenderleahy @bangpop91 & @quintessenceofdust88 <3)

Evan is so close to him; his eyes searching and sad, his lips parted as he takes long deep breaths. He lifts a hand to Tommy’s cheek and caresses it as gently as he did the first time he initiated a kiss between them. It was after the coffee date, and Tommy walked Evan back to his jeep. Evan turned and grabbed Tommy’s face in the same way, and pulled him into a kiss. Which is exactly what he does now— slower this time… giving Tommy the chance to pull back or speak up— he doesn’t; Evan kisses him, and he just sighs into it, desperate for it. “Then… is— is this really what you want?” Evan asks, pulling back to look into Tommy’s eyes just as a tear falls. Tommy is a coward. He is not brave enough to say no… he’s too scared to say yes (not again).

“I’m sorry…” he says. Forgive me… he means.

“Okay.” Evan says softly, leaning his forehead against Tommys; he sighs. “Okay…” he repeats and moves his lips back to Tommy’s, and Tommy should pull away… he should stop them from crossing that line, even just one last time.

He doesn’t.

He thought it would be… intense, like it is in the movies. Heated, rough… maybe it would even hurt– hurt in the way he feels he deserves for the hurt he has caused. It should leave him sore for days, limping into work so his team can poke fun and come up with a dozen or more theories… But it wasn’t. Tommy wonders if it’s even possible for sex with Evan to be anything less than amazing. Whether he takes, or he gives, he does it with so much passion and care, it’s breathtaking. Tommy opens his eyes to look at Evan and realizes… that actually makes it hurt so much worse.

Maybe this is exactly the goodbye he deserves. A reminder he will never find something, someone, like this again.

It’s over too soon, and he’s left breathless lying on Evan’s chest, trying to soak in every second he can before he needs to pull away for their own good. Evan’s hands hold him tightly, and only tighten when he starts to move, but not tight enough to keep him from pulling free.

This is for the best. He tells himself this again and again and again as he slowly gets dressed, and Evan lies motionless staring up at the ceiling— Tommy only glances at him a couple times… each one has him wanting to crawl back into the bed and cling to Evan for dear life. He doesn’t.

He runs his fingers through his tousled hair, tries to find some words so he isn’t just walking out with nothing more said… but none come to him.

“I guess… I’ll see you around?” Evan says first, sighing out a halfhearted laugh at the broken record of a line— it’s like he knows it’s not true. He turns his head and finally locks eyes with Tommy, and the hold is so powerful Tommy isn’t sure if he’ll be able to break it.

He could say something… he could take it back… he could come clean about his reasons for running… He simply nods.

Evan swallows, and turns away from him— thankfully (thought is Tommy actually thankful for it?) breaking the connection himself, and looking back at the ceiling. “Goodbye Tommy…”

“Goodbye…” Buck— no… “—Evan.” He watches as Evan screws his eyes shut and turns away from him.

Tommy stumbles his way down the stairs, determined to get out of the loft— out of earshot— before succumbing to his emotions. He looks back one more time at the ruins that remain of their relationship, strikes a match and tosses it with the closing of the door.

<3<3<3<3<3

Make Me Write!

and throwing out some NP tags forrrrr @30somethingautisticteacher @onthewaytosomewhere @sunnywithachanceofbi @nine-one-wanton @judymarch15 @herrmannhalsteadproduction

@unhingedangstaddict @leashybebes @beanarie @hyperfocusthusly @kinardsevanaaand @weewookinard anyone else who wants to participate <3

#bucktommy #tommy kinard #evan buckley #make me write #wip wednesday #mpreg #bucktommy mpreg #bucktommy mpreg can fix them era

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runwithwolvcs · 1 year ago

Text

Addicted To You

The Princess and The Wolf

wordcount: 1248

"well, well, well, look who it is." Sulli teased as she tapped Paul on the shoulder. She shouldn’t be surprised, she had spotted Jared first, then knew he couldn’t have been too far. The really do travel like a pack. Though she was disappointed she never received a text he was back in town.

“Sulli, what are you doing here?" A genuine confusion crossed his features.

"having fun," Sulli said vibrantly, putting her hand on his chest as she asked, "want to have fun with me?"

"you’re drunk," Paul mused, watching as she apologized to a girl who had bumped into her.

"barely," She brooded. She wished she was blacked out on the dance floor, but the moody wolf caught her eye. Standing on her toes she whispered in his ear, "missed you,"

"thats how i know you are drunk," He chuckled, “let me get you a taxi,"

She frowned, not understanding why he was acting the way he was. She did miss him. All the time, it felt like she was missing something and when she was with him, that feeling disappeared. Sulli figured out in Seattle that it was him.

"whats wrong?" The older man asked, sliding his arm around her waist to pull her closer as other people moved past them.

“Why are you so mean all the time?" She asked, her lip jutting out like a little kid.

Pauls eyebrows furrowed at her question, “I didn’t do anything,"

“Nows not the time, Paul," A man she vaguely remembered said from behind him

“Back off," Paul snapped at the familiar man before turning back to her. He cupped her cheek, regaining her focus solely on him, “Hm?"

He didn’t get it. Of course he didn’t. Sulli couldn’t help but sneer as she spoke, “I cant believe i was willing to give you a second chance,"

“Hey," He frowned, stroking her cheek softly. She could feel herself wavering, torn between wanted to forgive him or punch him. All from one little touch and his soft brown eyes. She wouldn’t let this go that easily, no fucking way.

Sulli pushed him off, “You said you were going to protect me."

“Sulli,” His eyes widened as he began to try and calm her down as her tone got louder, only to be cut off.

Sulli could practically feel the rage in her veins like she had when she saw him for the first time in ten years, “You never showed up. They called you and you never fucking came!”

“What are you talking about?” He asked, holding her shoulders to keep her from swaying back and forth.

“At the hospital. I told them you would believe me.” Sulli murmured quietly as tears filled her eyes. Her drunk mind bringing her back to when she was a little girl, fighting the nurses as she begged them to call Paul, or Sue. She had just broken her arm after being pushed down a flight of stairs by her foster dad, Larry, and it was her word against her foster parents. She knew Paul would believe and get her out of there but he never showed.

"take her home," Sam ordered, coming up from behind Paul, "now,"

"Sam," Paul started, his eyes hardening again.

"Go, Paul." Sam demanded, not backing down, "you’re too distracted and she’s drunk, it’s not safe."

Paul sighed and tugged her wrist roughly, “come on,"

"no,” Sulli fought back, digging her heels into the ground.

"I’m not asking," He nearly barked at her, only for her to cross her arms in defence. He couldn’t intimidate her. He sighed and before she knew it, she was thrown over his shoulder.

With a small shriek of surprise, she demanded, ”put me down!”

“Paul!” She yelled again as the breeze of fresh air hit her, causing her to wonder how he made it to the door and outside so quickly.

The older man ignored her pleas and profanity as he promptly walked through the parking lot with her over his shoulder, only setting her down once they had reached what she assumed was his car. A old, beaten down Jeep. She remembered it from when she was little.

"I’m gonna be sick," She warned before bolting to the bushes lining the car park. Paul wasn’t far behind her as she felt her hair being gathered and lifted from her shoulders and back. A soothing hand rubbing up and down her spine.

As she finished puking, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood up straight way to fast for her brains liking. The world around her was spinning causing her to stumble backwards and right into Paul who caught her by her waist, keeping her upright and on her feet.

"fuck, Sulli," He looked down at her with concerned eyes as she peered up at him.

"sorry," She mumbled as she let him lead her to his car. He opened the door for her and got her seated before she began to kick off her heels, “ I can just walk home.”

"no, hey, it’s okay." He reassured her as he knelt in front of where she sat with her legs dangling out of the passenger seat of his car, "you feel better? hm?"

She nodded, "are you mad at me?"

"no," He said as he swiped her hair from her face for her, "just worried,"

"you worry about me?" The younger girl asked teasingly. A childish grin on her face as she twisted her body to get a better look at the inside of his car. She had never been inside of it before, holding true to not wanting to be stuck in a moving vehicle with him.

Paul muttered, “everyday for the past ten years,"

"why?" She asked curiously. He sure didn’t act like he was worried about her.

"because..." Paul let out a sigh, as if he was reluctantly telling her something, "you’re my imprint."

"imprint." Sulli repeated.

“Yeah,”

A look of confusion crossed her face as she racked her brain for a definition of the word imprint. She could only come up with one and she doubted thats what he meant so, begrudgingly, she admitted, “I don’t know what that is.”

“I know.” He chuckled before mentioning, “Thats what we need to talk about. Is Kaycee working tonight?”

“Yeah,” She hummed absentmindedly.

“You’re staying with me tonight.” He told her, and from his tone she knew better than to argue. Besides, she didn’t want to be alone anyways, that was the whole reason she went out after work.

A small whine left the girls lips, “Only if rub my back like you did when I was little.”

“I’ll do anything for you, princess.” He murmured, sliding his palm across the length of her bare thigh. The little dress she wore exposed the entire length of her leg and as his hand reached near the hem, she put hers over top of his, holding it in place. The heat radiating from it warmed her body. She smiled at the pet name, remembering how she had, had a nightmare and he told her about a fairytale. Paul had completely made it up, telling her she was princess, and he was the wolf that was going to protect her. She didn’t need a prince because she was strong on her own, but the wolf would always be there to help. If only that were true.

Sulli looked at him with an unamused look before she muttered, “I am a fucking princess.”

#paul lahote fanfic #paul lahote #paul lahote imagine #twilight wolf pack #paul lahote x oc #twilight wolves #twilight #paul lahote smut

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bidisasterevankinard · 1 year ago

Text

normal again?

G / 1041 words

Buck and Eddie talk in the gym about what happened at the cruise call (based on the photos)

text under cut

Buck sits in his Jeep looking at the station and for the first time in all his life he doesn’t want to enter this building, doesn't want to see his team, but most importantly doesn't want to, and even scared, to see Eddie.

The cruise emergency, which almost cost them Athena and Bobby and marked itself as another near death experience for both, him and Eddie, was three days ago and Buck is still not ready to see the man.

Not after what happened when they were almost trapped together with Eddie in the water, while saving people, and not after what he did to help the man with his panic attack.

Buck takes deep breaths to calm his mind and slow down his racing heart, remembering how Eddie looked at him after Buck’s lips left his. And this struck and almost hurt expression could be something Buck could forget about and live like nothing happened, but Eddie hasn’t talked with him since the moment they said goodbye to each other at this exact parking space.

No answers on his messages, except little one: I’m home. Not alone. Is that ok if we reschedule the movie night for tomorrow?

Then silence.

Buck hates silence. Silence always was something around him because of his parents, and he always tries to create the sounds and conversations to never have a silence with people he loves. To never again feel like when he was a child, begging to be loved.

Eddie was the only one with whom even silence can be comfortable, but not this one.

Not when his best friend avoids him.

Loudly sighting, Buck takes his bag and gets out of the car. He was the one who kissed Eddie, who made Eddie avoid him, which means he should be the one to make it better.

And the twenty minutes before their shift is a good opportunity to clean the air between them before they will run to save people.

Good thing Eddie is already here too. Buck saw the truck the moment he parked ten minutes ago.

Entering the station he expected to see the man in the loft, and get himself five more minutes to get his thoughts together, but the way Eddie is working out, beating the shit out of the punching bag, makes him change the plan.

Buck approaches the man loudly, not wanting to scare him, so he knows the moment he appears near the bag is not a surprise for Eddie. Not with the way Eddie glances at him, with a tense jaw.

“H-hi,” Buck barely hears it himself, but Eddie nods at him, so he guess he heard it. Buck coughs and continues with normal volume, but not loud enough to make anyone look at them, “I-I was thinking we can talk about the … you know, what happened at the cruise.”

Eddie hits the bag again before speaking.

“Nothing to talk about, Buck.”

“Eddie, I kissed you and you stopped talking to me. And I-I know I messed up, but please let’s talk about it. I promise I'm sorry about my actions, and I don’t want to lose you because of it,” Buck needs Eddie to listen to him, to forgive him.

“Wait, you think I was angry with you for the kiss?”

“I mean, what else could it be about?”

Buck raises his eyebrow, when Eddie bites his lip and nods to the benches.

He chooses to sit opposite Eddie, not wanting to trap the man with his presence.

“Buck, I’m not angry at you. I wasn’t talking to you because of my actions during the panic attack,” Eddie looks at him, but Buck sees in his pose he still doesn’t want to talk about it.

“Eddie, it's fine. You did nothing wrong.”

“Buck, I had a panic attack during work. And you had to save both of us because I was out.”

“First, I’m your partner, it means making sure you’re safe. Second, yes, you had an attack because we were trapped together and you were triggered by water. It's normal. I-I was triggered too. I panicked too. Remembering the-the tsunami and how I almost drowned in the lift,” Buck still feels this uneasy feeling from hyperventilating which felt exactly like the tsunami. “But I just concentrated more on you, so that's why I had an attack at home. Alone. I'm happy I could at least help you. Even if I'm sorry about my actions to help you,” Buck can’t look at Eddie saying the last sentence.

He still feels so guilty for kissing Eddie. But somehow he can feel more guilty. For wanting more. For wanting to kiss Eddie again and again.

“You... regret it?”

Eddie's cautious and slightly sad voice makes Buck raise his head and meet Eddie's incomprehensible gaze. Buck doesn't know what that means, but he doesn't want to make Eddie think he hates the idea of kissing him.

“I do not regret kissing you. I regret it was like that. When you were panicking and I never asked,” Buck explains and is almost ready to say something more revealing about his feelings but then remember the main thing why he should feel guilty for his actions. “And because you and Marisol are dating. You want it to work and I made it awkward.”

“I don’t feel bad about you kissing me,” Eddie slightly smiles, but then shakes his head. “But yeah, it made the situation with Marisol a little awkward. Let's forget about it? Nothing happened?”

Buck doesn’t want to forget but he would never say no to such a perfect present of making things normal again between them. Still, he needs to make Eddie promise him something.

“Only if you promise to never hide any attacks or possible triggers ever again.”

“Only if you promise to let me help you with your attacks too.”

“Deal,” Buck smiles and Eddie smiles back. “The cruise never happened.”

“Yeah. Nothing happened.”

Buck is almost sure they both do not believe it with the way they said it. At least he hopes so. Because for him this kiss meant more he wants to admit. But it’s not time for it.

Main thing is that he and Eddie are normal again. Right?

#my fics #buddie #evan buckley #eddie diaz #911 #evan buck buckley #buddie fic #911 buddie #911 spoilers

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littlemisssquiggles · 5 months ago

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... It's 7pm Friday and ... I'm not done talking about the Bitter Gavv Clone Shouma theory so hear me out for like the 100th time this week ...

Replying to @f-liner:

“Although I really like this theory, since we know that dark Valen is coming this arc it wouldn't make much sense for both him and Shouma to have a dark form at the same time, they wouldn't be able to save each other. Like Hanto clearly thinks Shouma is an enemy now, so he wouldn't hesitate to fight him and if he also gets corrupted he would be even more aphathic to Shouma, even less try to save him. That said I think that Shouma needing to learn to use bitter gavv to save Hanto in the future is actually a great point! Especially since it symbolises the point where their relationship broke.”

--- --- ---

Squiggles Answers:

Hi there @f-liner! I’m glad you liked my Gavv theory so thank you!

Forgive me but your comment on my last Bitter Gavv rambling post has inspired yet another one.

I really, really liked how the Gavv story handled Shouma awakening his CaKING form by make it representative of his bond with Sachika while circling back to his relationship with his siblings: Siita and Jeep.

It was really interesting how much meaning the show placed into something as simple as making a cake with and/or for someone you care about and then sharing that cake with them so that not only do you get to literally enjoy the fruits of your labour but you also get to experience the joy of seeing how said cherished person you made the cake for reacts to it.

For Shouma, the cake he made for Sachika represented his friendship with her and I loved how much he wanted to fulfil his promise of sharing the cake he made for her with her.

Seriously, this Gummy boy got his ass handed to him by his siblings, was practically bleeding at the Gavv---the most injured we’ve seen him since Episode 01 and still all he could think about was getting home, back to Sachika to fulfill his promise to eat cake with her.

It meant that much to Shouma because it also simultaneously tied back into his piss poor childhood in the Granute World growing up in the Stomach Family household.

How Shouma was never really given a cake of his own. Never got one made for him and thus never got to enjoy one with anyone special to him. Not even his mom.

And to also see that tie back into the “truth” behind how Sita and Jiip were really treated as children - how they never received the love from their own father (or even their other siblings) that they clearly envied Shouma got from his mother.

Given how Gavv handled that storyline, this is why I don’t want Bitter Gavv to be just a clone. I know the clone theory is the stronger possibility since we KNOW that the Sugar Doctor swiped Shouma’s hair and was shown studying his DNA last episode.

I mean I don't mind if it is canon, overall, I just want the Bitter Gavv Arc to have the same impact as the CaKing Arc, y'know what I mean?

You can say that I'm very excited for this next arc since just as how CaKing touched on Shouma's bond with Sachika, Bitter Gavv will be about his bond with Hanto. And I'm curious to see how their final outcome will be.

Can our favourite Chocogummy pair actually be friends again after all the lies?

It’s sad since Hanto was the one who first turned the public opinion of negatively labelling Gavv as a monster when he was trying to be a hero. And now for the next episode, Hanto is the one going around, telling folks like Sachika that Shouma isn’t actually good; reverting back to the same negative perception of him that was adopted when he first arrived in the Human World.

With the negative press on Shouma, I hope the plot brings back all the people that Shouma first helped in the beginning episodes or at least one of them like the little boy or the elderly couple who mistook him for their son.

Since Hanto often goes to Sachika for help with finding leads, this is a chance to bring those characters back in a way.

Like I can definitely picture Sachika not fully believing that Bitter Gavv is the “real Shouma” and therefore decides to conduct her own investigation.

And in an effort to help clear Shouma’s name, Sachika finds the people who he first helped; gets their side of the story and uses that to debate with Hanto and debunk the Shouma being Bitter Gavv allegations.

For all we know, what if … the Bitter Gavv Arc isn’t even ABOUT Shouma.

Like imagine if…Bitter Gavv is meant to represent Hanto/Valen's next awakening.

Y’know have our main hero turn evil for a while as a way of developing the secondary main rider.

I know I shared the idea of Shouma learning to control his Bitter Gavv form inorder to combat a potential Dark Valen down the line.

But as another idea to add to the table of possibilities, there is also the chance of Shouma turning evil so that Hanto can experience his own “awakening” and obtain his own CaKING power level form.

OR --- If the Shouma clone theory is proven correct then I’ll definitely like it better from the perspective of Bitter Gavv being made to be more of a personal antagonist for Hanto/Kamen Rider Valen than Shouma despite being made from his DNA.

A monster of the same species that has caused Hanto so much strife in his life now wearing the face of his former rider partner and closest friend.

Shipping aside in case there are any Chocogummy shippers reading this, you can’t deny that currently Shouma is the closest bond that Hanto has right now.

While he has Sachika as well, what Shouma and Hanto have (or had) was special. Deeper. It was more than just a bond between riders. It was a mutual understanding. They both lost loved ones to Granutes. They both have a shared goal of stopping Stomach Inc.

It’s the same connection that Shouma also, ironically shares with Lakia.

What’s missing from the Hanto and Shouma dynamic is the fact that Shouma is a Granute.

Shouma's relationship with both Hanto and Lakia represent a tug-o-war between the two halves of himself: his human and his Granute side.

And sadly, he's now lost the human connection with Hanto and sorry to all the Chocogummy shippers but I don't think the Hanto and Shouma divorce arc is going to be a short period.

Going back to Hanto.

If Bitter Gavv does become Valen’s biggest adversary, then I feel like we're going to see a parallel back to the first time Hanto transformed.

Meaning I can definitely see Hanto agreeing to undergo a more inhumane and dangerous surgical modification (possibly even by Nylev himself, revealing that he and the Sugar Doctor are in cahoots) in order to gain the power to kill Bitter Gavv.

Because if Valen is able to kill a Granute clone with the same face as someone he trusted/cared deeply about and he’s able to become stronger from it, then symbolically, he’ll be one step closer to achieving his goal of avenging his mother and his mentor.

Basically, the long and short of this rambling post is, I'm open to a Bitter Gavv/Clone Shouma Arc if it paves the way to a Dark Valen Arc down the line if that's the directions to story takes.

Like have Hanto get over his anger towards Shouma and "forgive him" but agree to never work with him again moving forward since despite sharing the same goal, they no longer walk the same path to accomplish said goal. Or something like that. So basically Hanto seperates himself from his friends and starts working alone, only allying with the Sugar Doctor with Kamen Rider Vram taking Valen's place as Gavv's rider partner. And Sachika helps too, now officially part of their team cause surely after this arc she will know the full truth about Shouma and will want to help him more than ever. Thus, we have the Gavv Trio ... just NOT with Hanto as the Gavv opening insinuated cause it'll be his turn to enter his villain arc.

I mean ... this is all just me entertaining more possible ideas for the Gavv story that may or may not be canon.

It's not a bad idea and canon or not, at least it can make for a nice Chocogummy Seperate Ways AU.

~LMS (2025)

#squiggles talks: kamen rider gavv #kamen rider gavv #gavv spoilers #gavv theories #shouma stomach #karakida hanto #shouma and hanto #chocogummy #bitter gavv #squiggles answers: kamen rider gavv #sachika amane #lakia amarga

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auroraescritora · 3 months ago

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SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXXI and Chapter XXXII

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI / Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII / Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI / Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII / Chapter XXIX and Chapter XXX

Chapter XXXI

By the time they got home, the sky was already dark. They climbed the few steps to the porch; Percy opened the car door for Nico, helping him out of the Jeep, and once again, Percy led him from behind, as though he didn't know the way, like he would run away if Percy took his eyes off him. Maybe Nico was tempted to do just that, maybe tonight had been a bit too much for his confused mind. In the end, he let himself go, let Percy open the door to the house, take the blazer from his shoulders and hold his hand, just like Percy would do on any other day. But unlike what was usual for them, Percy kept walking and Nico continued to follow him like a puppy on a leash. He yawned and followed him up the stairs, turning right and then entering a long hallway that led to the same room where he had slept every other time; next to Percy's room and further away from the children's rooms.

That's when Nico wondered what he was doing there, or why Percy came in with him and opened the closet door, showing him the clothes hanging there.

"If you want to change. The clothes you were wearing are here.”

He took out a hanger with a pair of jeans and a dark t-shirt and Nico finally understood, someone had washed his clothes.

"You didn't have to.”

“Yeah, I didn’t have to.” Was all Percy said, his eyes intense on him. Nico hated it when Percy did that. Why was it so hard to look at him in those moments?

Yes, that was exactly why he lowered his head and pretended that there was some dirt on his Italian shoes and pretended he had no idea how much they cost. He bent down and undid the lace, then did the same with the other foot and took off his sock. Okay, he had to change, right? Take a shower first? He decided to start with the buttons on the light-colored shirt and reached his hands down to the soft fabric. He pressed and the first button slid away from the hole, he pressed the second and then the third, before he saw that there were no more buttons and only his pants were left. He unbuttoned the last button and pulled down the zipper and--

"What are you doing?" Percy questioned him, stopping his hands in the air. He didn't have the courage to look him in the face, so Nico kept staring at Percy's broad shoulders.

"What does it look like I'm doing?”

"Asking for sex?”

"I'm changing. Can I take a shower?”

"Nico, I didn't-- this wasn't how I expected the night to end.”

“And what did you expected?” He found himself laughing even though he didn’t find it funny. Percy never knew how to apologize.

"I'm sorry, okay! What do you want me to do? Can you look at me?”

No, he couldn't. If he did that, the moment he looked at Percy he would be tempted to try to comfort him.

"I forgive you." Nico murmured, fixing his gaze on the right side of Percy's neck, watching how his throat bobbed, how Percy looked nervous and frustrated, his hand clenched into a fist at his side. It was strangely amusing to see him so out of control, knowing that Percy felt the same way he did. In the end, Jason was right, he wanted every single person who made him suffer to suffer the same and in the same way.

"Nico, please." Percy begged, his voice almost tearful.

He sighed and stared at him, bracing himself. Nico knew what he was going to find, even when the man looked defeated and vulnerable, Percy still found ways to manipulate the situation. And he fell once more, it was inevitable, irresistible. Nico brought his hands to Percy's face and got closer, a force pulling him towards him and making him hug him by the neck, ending up with his mouth against his neck, close to Percy's ear.

"It wasn't your fault. I know you didn't mean for that to happen. It's okay.”

“You promise?” Percy murmured back, very close. His arms wrapped around Nico’s waist and his lips whispered against his earlobe.

He had fallen right in, hadn't he? Still, knowing all this, Nico sighed once more, shivering as the heat slowly crept up his back, waist, and groin, stopping where Percy's mouth met his skin.

"Will you forgive me? I promise…" Then, Percy held him tight against him and a moan escaped him. "I promise this won't happen again." Percy finished with his face buried against the hair on the back of Nico's neck.

That... that wasn't fair... why... why was it so easy for Percy? Why was it so easy to forget everything and let himself go like that when, even with Will back then when he treated him well, Nico never had that urge that was slowly destroying him?

"Nico…" Then, an almost innocent little kiss was placed against his neck, in that little part behind his ear that made him… ah… "Are you going to visit me?”

"I-I…" He stuttered, still stuck in a trance. "I… I can't… you have to--”

"I don’t have to do anything." Percy said it decisively, but at that moment it sounded like the sweetest love poem. "I can wait for you.”

"Percy, I don't…”

"Don't what? Don't want to deceive me? Hurt me?" Percy pulled away slightly and grabbed Nico's hair, making him look at him. "Do you want to be sure? Do you want to have other experiences? See if someone else can make you feel the way I do? I don't care about any of that.”

"I couldn't.”

"Baby, you're the only one for me. So beautiful and so perfect. I love your smell, and when you moan I want to hold you and never let go. I want you to be happy. But only with me.”

"Percy…" he whimpered, closing his eyes. Why was Percy doing this to him?

"It's quite simple. I want you to live and make all the mistakes a college student could make. When we meet again, don't ignore me. If you've changed your mind by then, I'll do everything I can to win you over, but if you don't want me, I won't bother you.”

"How could I ask for something like that?”

"I also need some time to sort things out." Percy smiled at Nico and stroked his hair, lulling him into that false sense of security. "Things with Annabeth don't seem to be going anywhere and I'm tired of my parents. I promise you this, when we see each other again everything will be better. Do you trust me?”

"I trust you.”

"So I want you to have fun and not regret anything.”

Percy kissed Nico's cheek and he finally relaxed, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

***

Percy kissed Nico's cheek and he finally relaxed, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

Yes, he felt light because Percy was holding him, keeping him safe.

“Oh!” Nico couldn't help the moan that escaped his lips; Percy's hands moved up his back, caressing slowly and entered inside his open shirt, eliciting another moan from him. Percy's lips slid to the side and then, they were there, at the corner of his mouth, kissing and nibbling and-- No! He knew exactly what Percy was doing! Percy wanted him to lower his head, to agree with everything while Percy had his fun. Percy wanted him to wait until the man felt the urge to see him again. He refused to let another man manipulate him, even if it was through the best torture tactic.

"No, I can't do that." Nico said, letting go of Percy. He took a step back and a deep breath, and said more forcefully: "I won't! Do you think I'm going to stay quiet while you do whatever you want?”

"Nico, I said you can--”

"You don't own me! I don't need your permission!”

"Nico, of course not. I'm just asking for a chance to work things out.”

"I don't want-- I never wanted… you… you're just like all of them!”

Percy didn't seem to hear him. Percy took a step forward and he took another step back, then another and another until his back hit the wall. The strange thing was that Percy didn't do what Nico imagined, not like Will usually did, cornering him and making him feel suffocated. No, Percy took his hands and tried to smile, but it was such a shaky smile that Nico found himself stopping fighting Percy.

"It's okay, baby. Can you breathe with me?”

"Breathe?" He asked without understanding.

"Please.”

Percy looked on the verge of tears, so he complied. Nico took a deep breath and let it out, slow and easy, and only then did he realize how tense he was, and he calmed down immediately.

"I… I was having a panic attack?" Nico asked. Percy nodded and tried to smile at him again.

The interesting thing was to realize that Nico didn't feel bad like he usually did. No, Nico felt light and calm. That's why he didn't fight this time, he let Percy take him to the bed and help him put on sweatpants, a loose t-shirt came next and socks too. Percy dressed him, item by item, and he found himself lying against the bed frame, his head resting on Percy's shoulder and a movie playing on the television in front of the bed. He knew Percy was saying something, that his head was resting on his, that his big, warm hands were massaging the back of his neck in a pleasant way that made him want to sleep instantly.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I never meant to make you feel this way. I'm the worst of men. I'm so impulsive. Annabeth's right, I'll never... I'll never be able to--”

"Der?" Nico found himself mumbling. His head was too light to understand what was happening. He just wanted Percy to feel what he felt right now.

"Are you okay?" Percy said in the same miserable tone.

"Hmm. Sleep with me." Nico crawled down on the bed and rested his head on Percy's chest, under his heart. His hands found Percy's waist and Nico closed his eyes once more, feeling himself melt. Nico loved the way Percy smelled, the way Percy always seemed to run hotter than him, most of all, he loved those rare moments when Percy showed that vulnerability, that uncertainty, usually so well hidden.

"Nico, I need--”

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow you can say whatever you want. Today, we sleep.”

Nico closed his eyes one last time and sighed, soon he could hear nothing but the sound of Percy's heart slowing down.

Chapter XXXII

That was another morning where everything seemed like a distant and fantastical dream. The light entered weakly between the blinds, birds sang softly and Nico felt himself floating, comfortable, being hugged from behind, very tightly, in the way he would never admit he liked the most; it was Percy who breathed against his neck, while the blanket kept the cold away, giving a greater touch of illusion.

So this was it, right? This was what he could have if he chose to… what?… Stay? Wait for Percy? No, this was the goodbye, sweet and treacherous, giving Nico a taste he knew he couldn’t have.

“Are you awake?” Percy murmured softly against his earlobe, brushing his lips over the sensitive skin.

Nico took a deep breath for a moment, feeling himself go from zero to one hundred, and let it out slowly. It wasn't fair. Maybe he had moaned, or maybe it had been Percy; it was hard to tell when Percy was so close to him, pressed against his back, the thin clothing between them not stopping Nico from feeling all of his desire, so close together, in that almost too intimate way, even their breaths came out synchronized, fast, almost panting, almost...

"Now, I am." He then murmured, trying to control himself.

“Good,” Percy told him, his sleep-husky voice telling him everything he needed to know. Percy was never satisfied. A kiss would never be enough, a touch would do little to quell his restlessness, and the shiver that ran up Nico’s spine even less so, none of it would make him happy until… No, Percy needed to hear it, needed to taste the pleasure against his skin and experience… oh… experience his hands moving down Nico’s shoulder and down to his abdomen and…

"Percy." He warned, panting but holding his ground like Nico rarely did. Even if he felt Percy was as anxious as he was or if he wanted, perhaps more than Percy, for this between them to happen, this damn torture would finally end.

“I wanted to apologize,” Percy said again, as if nothing had happened mere seconds ago. “I never meant to put you in this position.”

"I know." Nico sighed, exhausted and anxious. Excited. He turned, relaxing, and looked into the eyes he loved to watch so much.

But this was the end, the farewell, and for that reason, only for that reason, he allowed himself to have what he wanted; he let his body lean against Percy's, molding them together like a puzzle that was finally complete, once again trying to fool himself, wishing he didn't know that all of this was wrong; only if Percy really insisted, forced him just a little more and they both let the blame fall on Percy, just this once, giving him that false reason and allowing his rationalization to convince himself that all of this was Percy's fault and never his own, so Nico could finally, finally...

"Nico. Matt. Teo. I think I like Teo more." Percy was smiling, that small, genuine smile that somehow always broke his heart and made him want to stay by his side for the rest of his life.

Percy touched his face and then everything self-destructed, a house of cards crumbling, that smile squeezing his heart, making juice out of what was left.

"You're horrible. I hate you." But even that sounded false.

"I love you too." Percy said. A whisper, a confession. Something that seemed true in that intimate stillness translated into the form of a caress, in the touch of Percy's fingers that intertwined in his hair and of his lips, wet and firm, that finally touched his.

It wasn't at all what Nico expected, this attitude didn't seem to come from the one who spent the last two months chasing him until he couldn't think of anything else. No, they were the most gentle and careful that Nico had ever tasted; sweet and soft kisses, pressed against his in a way so light that he didn't know it existed, brushing slowly and nibbling them just to make him sigh, encouraging him to open his mouth so they became even slower, slowing down their cadence and stopping, but keeping their lips glued together.

Percy didn't try to force anything more intense or try to ease the situation, as was his custom. Percy just kept smiling and stroking his hair, looking at him with such affection that Nico had no choice but to stare back. There was no safe place he could hide from this fact; he loved Percy Jackson and he was leaving him before that feeling could even finish blooming.

That was how his last morning at the Jackson-Chase house ended, with a cuddle, a kiss and a tight hug, Percy's hands massaging his hair and lulling him into that false sense of security until the time for lunch with the family approached, taking Percy away from Nico, leaving him frozen in a desert he had never felt before meeting Percy.

But it was all right, he thought, wiping away the tears that were falling, the last ones that would fall because of him. Nico finished putting on his clothes, fixed his hair and washed his face. He picked up his backpack that had been lying on the floor since the day before and left Percy's room, entering the room where he had stayed during those nights to finally pick up his clothes scattered on the floor, returning the ones he had borrowed and going down the stairs where the children and Annabeth were waiting for him.

***

“Can’t you stay a little longer?” Alice said, catching him off guard. She rarely asked for anything, so independent and unaffectionate, but always attentive.

"It's getting late. I need to wake up early. You understand, don't you?" Nico touched her long black hair and looked into her green eyes that were now filled with tears. "You can visit me whenever you want.”

"It won’t be the same. We won’t eat together or watch TV anymore. Dad will be sad and Logan will whine for a whole month.”

"Don't be like that. Everything will be fine. It's part of growing up. Not everything goes the way we want.”

"Grandma keeps saying that. You two look so much alike.”

Nico smiled at Alice and ran his fingers through her hair, very doubtful.

"Don't you trust me? You can visit me as soon as I'm done moving.”

"Do you promise?" She looked at Nico with her eyes wide open and wet, all tearful, in the perfect example of innocence.

Yeah, it seemed like the whole family had manipulation in their blood. Which made him smile even more.

“I promise.”

He reached down and hugged Alice tightly, feeling her squeeze him back with all the strength she had.

"Enough." Annabeth's voice reached them, she was walking in her high, thin heels, strutting elegantly. She was carrying a sullen Logan, while Percy followed them at a safe distance, looking at his own shoes and seemingly oblivious to everything that was happening around him. That was what had happened during lunch; Percy had been by his side and, at the same time, had been somewhere far away from him.

"Come on, say goodbye to Nico. He has to go.”

"I'll miss you. Don't forget your promise." Alice told him, now looking like a clone of her mother.

Alice gave Nico another tight hug and pulled away, forcing Nico to blink his eyes, his throat suddenly tight. No, he said he wouldn't cry anymore. But then Logan reached out and, still in Annabeth's lap, wrapped his small hands around Nico's neck and sobbed.

"Logan, don't do this. I'm going to live even closer, isn't that good?”

"No! You won't be our mother anymore!”

"Er… when was I your mother? Isn't she right here?" Nico looked at Annabeth and she just rolled her eyes impatiently. It seemed like he was the one who was most uncomfortable with this whole conversation. So what came next was what really ripped his heart out of his chest.

"You… you don’t have to go… you can be our second mother and no one has to leave.”

This time even Annabeth gasped, and Nico found himself frozen in front of the exit door.

"Honey, Nico isn’t leaving because of you." The implication of whose fault it was was pretty obvious. But even so, Percy said it all calmly and softly as he moved closer to Logan, trying to comfort him.

"So… so… he’s leaving because of you!" Logan practically shouted.

Nico felt like he was losing his breath, although it was different from other times. Percy was calm, while Annabeth didn't seem to know what to do. Relieved, he saw Percy pick Logan up and simply start rocking him, massaging his back and lulling him slowly. He didn't think he had ever seen Logan, much less Percy, act like this; Percy seemed to be on autopilot and Logan turned into this rebellious teenager right before his eyes.

“Say goodbye, Logan,” Percy murmured in that soft, gentle voice, and finally looked at Nico.

"I’m sorry, Nico. Dad’s right. I…" he gasped as a sob escaped, trying to smile. "… we’ll miss you.”

At that, Logan and Alice waved as Percy tried to smile. Percy turned with Logan in his arms, grabbed Alice's hand, and marched into the house, not turning back until he was gone down the hallway.

Silence, only silence remained and a strange tightness in his chest, an unfamiliar vacuum, a feeling of emptiness like he had never experienced before. And of course, Annabeth. She still watched everything silently, but she didn't mock; Annabeth didn't even seem happy now that the obstacle had been removed. She seemed as shocked as he was.

“I know this won’t fix things.” She held out a small velvet box to him, and Nico accepted it. “It’s a gift from me and Percy to show our gratitude.”

He opened the box and found a silver and gold watch, delicate but still masculine. Nico had no idea how much it cost.

"Thank you. You didn't need to." He said mechanically. There was no room for anything else.

"I hope you can keep in touch with the children.”

"Of course." Nico felt better talking about them. "I was serious.”

He took the bag from his shoulders, unzipped it and took out a piece of paper. With a pen he wrote down his phone number and handed it to her.

"It’s better if you call me? I should be ready in three days. If they want…”

"Of course." Annabeth smiled at Nico and accepted the note. All he could do was nod quickly and turn his back on her. The faster he got out of there, the less he would be tempted to change his mind. The good news was that Ethan was already waiting for him, he would take him to the exit for the last time towards his future.

Bonus

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. I wished I didn't have to do this. Why couldn't I just hop on a bus and go to my interview with the college dean? But no, first I had to be a good boy and say goodbye to my family. But who was making me, hmm? Was there a force pushing me and keeping me in place? What if I--

"Look who showed up.”

Now it was too late. The one who opened the door was Hades. He had his arms crossed and was looking down at me, his almost two meters of height and eyes as black as night judging me as always, disappointed with what they saw.

"Yeah, I'm going to college tomorrow. I thought I'd pay a visit.”

"At least you still have responsibility to your family.”

Hm, interesting. But that was all we both said. I looked at Hades and Hades looked at me. That is, until he stepped away from the door, allowing me to see my brothers who were right there, hidden behind Hades. When they saw me, Bianca and Hazel came running and hugged me tightly at once, knocking the air out of my lungs.

"You came!" Hazel said.

"Finally." Bianca murmured more restrainedly.

"Come in. The food will get cold.”

And so, I was pulled into the house, where Maria and Luke were waiting for me with open arms.

Hello, how are you? We've finally reached the end of the first story arc! I'm going to take a break for two or three weeks, and we'll be back with the second arc soon. While we rest, how about leaving a comment? It could be the chapters you liked best, a specific scene or a comment or suggestion about the characters. Your opinion is always very welcome.

#percy jackson #percico #nico di angelo #my writing #pernico #percy/nico #sitter's love

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ruinedbylanadelrey · 2 years ago

Text

King of Your Heart

Chapter 10 "I don't know what's wrong with me"

summary: All that Frankie has ever wanted to be was your everything. After years of being best friends one phone call changes everything between the two of you.

inspired by The King by Sarah Kinsley

warnings: 18+, MINORS DNI, age gap (reader is 28-29, Frankie 38-39), friends with benefits -> situationship, Frankie isn't a dad, jealously, best friends with benefits, reader is toxic, reader wears makeup, reader has long hair, princess is out for blood, self-hate (both characters), drug usage (coke), drinking, benny's house party, princess and fish love to argue, allusion to smut, angst, oh yeah and a lot of angst, frankie gets back at princess, no y/n, pet names, possessiveness, triple frontier boys, Tom is dead, reader is a flirt

an: made a halloween playlist for Benny's upcoming halloween bash

inside the world of king of your heart

playlist

series mainlist | main masterlist

taglist: @hiroikegawa

Frankie scares you just as much as you scare him.

The way he wasn't even mad about you having revenge sex with Daniel. It scared you because any other guy would freak the fuck out and say you're insane then never speak to you ever again. He was all too forgiving.

"Frankie, I love you but we need to be just friends..." You trailed off when Frankie started caressing your hips and leaned into you to turn off the water.

"Don't lie to yourself. We can't be just friends." Frankie spits your words of the past right back in your face. Frankie helps you out of the shower and dries you off before wrapping you up in the towel. There he goes again. Frankie is being too kind and too selfless with you. It's not fair to him. His heart is too big for you.

Frankie sets you in front of the bed after he dresses himself and grabs the clothes he picked out for you earlier. Frankie has the towel drop from your body, standing bare in front of him. He takes a breath to look at your body, he just thought you were so beautiful.

Frankie lowers himself on his knees and taps your thigh, and you raise one leg at a time, stepping into your panties. Water still dripping from your hair. He pulls the fabric over your thighs and rests them on your hips. His fingers hook in the waistband pulling them higher so they would taut over the cheeks of your ass. Just the way you like it.

"I don't know what's wrong with me!" You look down at him through your lashes and he looks up at you. His heart aches when his eyes meet yours.

"Princess, I don't care what happens to us but you're mine forever." Frankie licks his lips before placing a kiss right above your belly button. If you can be toxic and crazy then Frankie can be too. He needs to claim you no matter what happens. He deserves to be selfish. He has served his country and done unspeakable acts so he deserves to self-indulge.

Your body shivered as his whiskered lips kissed your body. You are his. His best friend. His strange addiction. His princess. Frankie will always have some claim over you. You're snapped out of your thoughts when he stands back up and helps you into a hoodie. His hoodie that you refused to put in the 'No more Frankie' box.

"I'll be back in the morning to get you so we can get your car from Benny's. Remember we have the test drive with the Jeep in the morning." Frankie lays you down in bed and seals his words with a kiss on your forehead then your nose then your lips. You don't kiss him back, just drained of love and filled up with guilt and hatred. If he wasn't here then how would you have gotten home or even remember about the test drive that has been on the calendar for months?

"You're not staying?" You watch him walk to the door. Frankie sighs and turns back around.

"I'll be back in the morning." Frankie had to go back to the party and make sure you didn't cause a bigger scene as he dragged you out of there. When Frankie arrives back at Benny's house, the clock flicks to 1:00 AM when he walks in. It was like he never left, people just talking drinking, and having a good time. That washes out when he goes to the backyard and Vanessa crying to Charlotte.

She is letting the woman crying into her shoulder and then stop when Frankie walks up to them.

"Can I talk with you?" He softly asks, taking in her hand. No spark. Nothing to feel. Vanessa nods and walks with Frankie to sit down in the abandoned pool chairs.

"She's my best friend...I had to get her home. She had too much to drink-"

"Frankie, I know everything about you and her. Are you done with her? So we can have our fun?" Vanessa crawls to Frankie and kneels in front of him.

He could feel like his mouth dry. Seeing a woman kneel to him and not him having to kneel before a woman. Frankie isn't going to deny that is turning him on.

Princess would have never done that. She's too self-assured to completely submit to Frankie. But that's what he loved about you the most. Just different from everyone else.

If you could sleep with someone else then so could Frankie. It would level the playing field.

"Take me home, baby." Vanessa slides her hands up Frankie's thick thighs and lightly cups his growing bulge. Frankie smiles and he pulls Vanessa out of the party, taking stops to kiss up against whatever solid surface and to his truck.

It wasn't the best sex. It wasn't enough for him. No primal energy oozing from the woman. Just trying to get off her as quickly as possible so he could get to his orgasm and leave. He didn't care enough to make things right with the woman. Vanessa didn't even care that you and Fish had a past. Not exactly a past for history in the making.

You wake up and look at the clock noon, your eyes shoot wide open and you scramble to throw off the duvet and run to the bathroom and get ready for the test drive. When you finish pulling on the spandex shorts you open your phone. No texts from Frankie, just one from the garage saying you were late for your test drive.

It was supposed to be at 10 and Frankie never came to get you for it and to get your car back from Benny's. Did he stand you up?

Maybe he was running late because he had a tough start this morning. Tough start?

He woke up with his cock down Vanessa's throat, coming hard thinking it was you in his bed. The blowjob led Frankie to push the woman's head down into the mattress as he pounded her cunt into a throbbing slick mess.

An early morning delight turned into a nooner. Vanessa was a beautiful woman, with long dark hair with red hues that were always in perfect curls, with fair skin complimenting her stark features. Her beauty could only match yours to an extent. No real personality other than being in a sorority in college and getting a boob job at 21 thinking she would look better.

Frankie knew he was supposed to go check in on you but what man would pass up sex mid-day?

You waited around your apartment self self-medicating your hangover, you started to fume by 3 o'clock when still word from Frankie. You ordered an Uber to Benny's, it seemed like you were returning to the scene of the crime. There was your car sitting in the driveway and no Frankie. You quietly thanked the driver and stepped up the driveway to the front door. You opened it to see Benny and Mari cleaning up the last of the mess and Pope snoozing away on the couch.

"Well, there's the damsel in distress." Ben laughs then winces and holds his head. You rolled your eyes and still looking around for Frankie who fled the scene last night.

"Very funny, pretty boy. Has anyone heard from Catfish?" You hugged yourself, insecurity flooded your body, unsure what everyone knows, do you know that you broke his heart? and that you claimed by him? that you have to stitch it up all because you wanted to make him jealous since you missed him so much? To get him back?

"Nope. He's been M.I.A since he left the party with Vanessa practically sucking his tongue." Pope mumbles from the couch. So nonchalant, like it was a normal thing for Frankie to take someone home. You blinked rapidly and could taste bile coming up from your stomach. You rush to the kitchen sink and let out all the built apprehension down the drain.

Mari comes to your side, holding back your hair, rubbing your back, and getting you some mouthwash.

"Sorry, had too much vodka last night," You laugh to lighten the mood. Benny chuckles and thinks nothing of it. Pope is out cold again. Mari could see the hurt and guilt in your eyes.

You've been detected, you say goodbye and start your car. You were driving down the street when you saw the black Chevy Silverado turn on the street. You lean closer to the steering wheel and see Frankie wearing his aviators along with that stupid smirk and Vanessa with sex written across her face. You floored the accelerator past them, and the sport motor of your car revs as you speed past them.

You snap out of the red haze and realize that you are Frankie's but he is not yours. No right to be outraged. He got you back. Fair and square. If he wants to play that game then he should've chosen a weaker opponent.

#frankie morales #frankie morales x you #frankie morales x reader #frankie morales fluff #triple frontier #triple frontier fic #frankie morales smut #frankie morales x f!reader #pedro pascal #frankie morales angst

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crazyforkasey-blog · 6 months ago

Text

Dear Nixon

Dear @dontirrigateme I am your secret santa. I really really tried to write a Mclung fic, but I just couldnt get word on paper, so instead here is a Nixon piece.

I wrote this some years ago and it is a part of a multichapter fic.

The Girls in this fic is some brave modern day soldiers that had were killed in Afghanistan and travled through time to meet our dear boys.

If you like it I will post the entire fic a soon as posible

All my love from Denmark

"Nixon, Nix, wake up, we are moving out, Germany my friend" Welsh was kicking the cot Nixon was sleeping on

Easy Company and the rest of the 506th were heading for the Bavarian alps.

Nixon rolled off the cot and looked at his reflection in the mirror on the wall, he looked like hell. He had tried to quit drinking, but had failed, and he had run out of Vat 69 and had been forced to drink the local stuff, as he called it.

Nixon walked across the square and into the post office "Ah, Captain Nixon, what can I do for you?" private Vest asked him

"I am looking for a particular brand of Whiskey" Nixon looked Vest square in the eye

"Vat 69, well it won't be cheap sir" Vest said to Nixon

"That won't be a problem" Nixon told the young private, he needed that whiskey, so if he had to pay out of his ears for it, he would.

The two men was interrupted by Janovec, who informed them 350,000 Germans had just surrender

Nixon started to leave the post office, when Vest stopped him "Sir, I got a couple of letters for you here" Vest handed Nixon two letters. One was from his wife and the other from his parents.

The letter from his wife had to be the dear Lewis letter Charlie had told him about.

Nixon opened the letter, he read it as he walked across the square, it was indeed the letter he had been expecting. He knew it was coming and he knew he hadn't been faithful to Cathy, especially not since Normandy, but he still felt like a failure.

Nixon headed for regimental HQ, eager to share the news with Charlie, but then he remembered, he couldn't, because of his fucking drunken mistake. Nixon would never forgive himself for hitting a woman, and not only a woman, but the woman whom he loved with all of his soul.

Before he reached HQ, the order to get on the truck came, private Christenson clapped his hands and told the men to move out.

Nixon climbed in the back of a Jeep and sat down sulking. Winters was driving and Emma was in the passenger seat.

Someone started to sing Blood upon the risers and the large convoy moved out. The Convoy scrambled through Germany.

Somewhere around Nuremberg, they stopped for the night and the officers first priorities was finding sleeping arrangements for the men.

Speirs walked into a house with Liebgott and Dana hot on his heels. Speirs told Liebgott to tell the family they had five minutes to get out and not to come back before the Americans had left.

Dana stood quietly in the corner and watched Liebgott and Speirs yelling at the family.

Dana didn't even feel guilty about kicking the family out of their house, these people were responsible for the suffering she and six million other people had been through, so no she didn't care, she just wanted them gone.

So did Speirs, after the family left he pulled her close "Are we good or as good as we're going to be?" he asked her

"Yeah, we're good" Dana said

The regiment stayed for one night and moved out. The regiment continued south on the autobahn, as the convoy moved south, the 350,000 Germans, who had surrendered, walked in columns in the grass between the lanes, they were heading north. Winters was impressed with how the Germans still marched with pride, even though they were defeated.

Webster, who's truck was driving in front of the jeep with Nixon in it, got on his feet and started to yell at the Germans "Hey you, yeah that's right, you stupid kraut bastard, say hello to Ford and General fucking Motors, you stupid fascist pigs, look at you, you have horses what were you thinking?" At this point Ramirez had enough of Webster's yelling

Ramirez pulled him down on the bench "That's not enough Webster, give it a rest"

Camilla, who was on that same truck, hid a smile, she knew they would find out soon enough, why they were there to fight.

However Webster wasn't thru "Dragging our ass halfway around the world, interrupting our lives and for what? You ignorant servile scum, what the fuck are we doing here?"

Without knowing it, Webster had just put a voice to Nixon's feelings toward the Germans and the war.

…..

Landsberg, Germany

Easy and the rest of the 506th pulled into the small town of Landsberg, Winters immediately sent out some patrols, in case they were staying there for the night.

Dog would stay in town and Easy would patrol the woods. Speirs nodded and yelled out Easy, the men and Dana gathered around Speirs, who told which platoon to go where.

Dana looked at her husband, she was still, so very much in love with him and she couldn't imagine living without him. Dana still feared that one day she and the rest of the girls would be sent back to their own time and she would lose the love she had finally found.

The patrol was walking through the woods, it was Erie quiet. Dana had Shifty and McClung as lead scouts and Bull and O'Keeffe brought up the rear.

Bull noticed O'Keeffe was jumpy and gave him a hard time about it, telling him they could hear his heart pound all the way in Arkansas.

Perconte was looking around "Hey George, kind of reminds you Bastogne"

Luz looked at Perco and rolled his eyes "Yeah, now that you mention it, except of course there is no snow, we got warm grub in our bellies, and the trees aren't fucking exploding from Kraut artillery, but yeah Frank, other than that it's a lot like Bastogne"

Frank was glad his best buddy agreed "Yeah"

Luz took a drag of his cigarette "Bull smack him for me please" and Bull did just that

Dana ordered the men to settle down, she knew what they would stumble upon and she knew they were getting close, the woods were all quiet and it seemed like, even all the animals had left this part of the woods.

O Keefe made a remark about how quiet it was and Perconte agreed with him. Dana was still waiting for them to find the camp, which she knew from her history books was a sub camp of the Dachau concentration camp.

The patrol walked into a clearing and there it was, the Camp, the men all became quiet and Christenson lost his lunch.

Dana turned to Perconte, who was the best runner "Go get my husband, Nixon, Winters, Emma and do not let Nixon get here without Captain Kahne.

Perco ran and Dana walked up to the fence and tried to talk to the prisoners, but they wouldn't talk to her and she realized it was because of her uniform, so she removed her helmet and let down her hair, that made the difference, some of the men cried and some called out the names of their daughters and wife's.

…

Perconte ran into town and asked for Winters and Speirs, no one knew where they were and Frank was getting desperate, he knew if he came back without the officers Dana had ordered him to bring out to the camp, he was a dead man.

Finally he found Winters and Emma "Major Winters, ma'am, we found something on the patrol and ahh, we came across this…"

"What, what Frank, Frank what is it?" Winters asked him

Frank was frantic, he didn't have words to describe, what it was they had found "I don't know Sir, I don't know"

Emma knew exactly what it was Dana and her men had found. She dropped her head and waited for Franks breathing to slow down, once she was convinced Frank wasn't panicking, she looked at the two men "Frank go get Camilla and Roe, tell her it's time and she needs her hunger kit, she will know what you mean"

Emma then turned around and the first sergeant she noticed was first sergeant Talbert "Tab go get Nixon and Charlie and tell them to get here on the double, tell Charlie why we fight and she will know what to do"

Talbert ran off and Emma looked at her husband "You and need to have a little talk"

Emma led Winters into the building, which served as HQ "she put her hands on her hips and started to pace " Ok, in 1942 the Nazi's came up with the final solution, they were going to eliminate all, Jews, Jehovah witnesses, gypsies, homosexuals, handicapped, anyone who didn't fit into the idea of the Arian race. They put them into camps and worked them to death or gassed them and then burned the bodies, it's a camp like that third platoon has discovered in the woods, so be prepared, it's going to be ugly, rough and a lot of men are going to break down"

Emma turned and looked at her husband. Winters looked startled and a little pale "Yeah, ok, let's go see what it's all about"

When they walked out of the HQ, the other officers were waiting for them. Charlie, Emma and Camilla were looking at each other and nodding, they knew exactly what they had to do, once they got there and it was going to be the hardest thing they would ever have to do.

The remainder of the second battalion was ordered onto trucks, and when the battalion pulled up to the Camp, Winters knew nothing would ever have prepared him for the sight that met them.

Skeleton-like men were gathered around the fence and the gate to the camp. They were all wearing striped clothing, most of which was torn and worn. Their heads were shaved and most of them were missing most of their teeth, the whole camp was wrapped in a stench of death, rotten corpses and general decay.

Winters stepped off the jeep, he was about to order Christenson to cut the chain that held the gate together, preventing the prisoners from escaping.

"Stop, Major Winters, sir" Camilla stepped forward

"We have to make sure these people stay in the camp, they can't wander off and scatter. They probably have typhus, cholera and other cottages diseases, we need to keep them here and Sir no one feeds them, if we starting giving them food they will eat themselves to death, we have to put them on a special diet, only food with live bacteria, like sour kraut, yoghurt, quark and such"

Winters nodded and ordered Christenson to open the gate. Winters walked in with the men following him and he realized he needed a translator, so he could talk to the prisoners and send for Liebgott.

Nixon walked next to Winters with Charlie hot on his heels, she knew what the place would do to Lew and wanted to be near him when he finally realized why they were fighting the Germans.

Nixon stared at the men emerging through the smoke from the burning buildings, some carrying what looked like death bodies. Nixon was paralyzed, the amount of emotion that ran through him at that very moment was indescribable, and he felt helpless, shocked, rage against the Germans, sadness and sorrow.

What these people had been through, couldn't even be described and it made his problems seem insignificant.

Nixon turned around and there she was, his reason for existing, the woman who made it worth living and he had done the most unforgivable thing a man could ever do and here she was, just looking at her, made Nixon feel like it was all going to be ok.

Charlie looked at Nixon and opened her arms to him. Nixon almost ran into her arms and he was a mess.

Charlie just held him and whispered to him "It's ok, it's all going to be ok" Charlie had tears running down her cheeks. Nixon pulled away a little and brushed the tears of her face "I am sorry, I am sorry, I promise, no more drinking and no more rage"

Charlie looked at him "We are not ok yet, but we will be, just hang in there" Charlie started to walk away.

Nixon looked at her back "Charlie, now I know what you meant, when you said, I would know soon enough why we were here"

Charlie stopped for a second and then continued walking.

Winters and Emma were talking to one of the prisoners, Liebgott translated. Emma already knew what the man would tell them, and he confirmed what she already knew.

Camilla came running "Winters, hey Em, can you get the men to rally around me? So I can tell them what to do"

Winters looked at Emma "Get it done, I need to call Sink"

Emma got a hold of Speirs and McMillan, they found the commander of Fox and the battalion gathered around the Easy Doc.

"Look, we need to triage these men, those who can walk, those who need assistance walking or need to be carried and last those who are dead. The live inmates need to be placed by the gate, leave the dead in the huts, they will buried tomorrow, ok boys move out"

Camilla started with men already gathered at the gate. Camilla spoke German and Russian, courtesy of the West Point language courses.

She had her trusted stethoscope, and she was examining a man, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, Camilla looked up. Lipton looked down at her, she squeezed his hand "I am ok, I can handle this"

Lipton nodded and continued his walk around the camp, everywhere he looked there were dead bodies and smoking remains of buildings. He stumbled upon Malarkey, who was looking at one of the dead bodies wrist and they both noticed the tattoo. All of the men in the camp had tattoos, they had been branded like cattle.

This camp was nothing like Lipton had ever even imagined, he couldn't comprehend how such evil existed, what kind of sick minds had planned the extermination of a whole religion, this was genocide, like never seen before.

Dana was helping the men triage the prisoners, she felt like she was about to vomit, the stench in the camp was overwhelming and nothing had prepared her for this, for seeing an actual concentration camp.

Speirs walked by and noticed his tough ass wife looking pale and fragile and he knew he had to get her out of there "Dana why don't you go and help unload the trucks"

Dana looked at Ron and gave him a grateful smile and walked towards the trucks the 326th medical unit had brought with them.

Dana started to help and she noticed Sink, Winters Nixon, Emma, Charlie and Doctor Kent walk towards Camilla.

Camilla was talking to one of the polish prisoners in Russian, when she heard Sink address her "Lieutenant Hamlin"

Camilla turned around "Sir" she said and saluted Sink

"This here is Doctor Kent, he is the regimental surgeon" Sink introduced the two doctors to each other.

"We already met, however last time I saw you, you didn't know who you were and you went AWOL from my hospital" Kent smiled at Camilla

"Yeah, sorry about that, I needed to get back to my boys" Camilla blushed slightly

"So tell me what do we got here" Kent asked Camilla

"Well, all of them are starving, 99 percent of the men have cholera and typhus and they all have some sort of respiratory tract infection, pneumonia mostly, I need blankets, cots, antibiotics, food with life bacteria in it, clothes, every medicine you can think of, plasma, saltwater, disinfection, you name I need, and a bunch of nurses would be awesome" Camilla told Kent

"Well, you can have whatever I got on these truck and I can some of your men scrounge for supplies at the local hospital" Kent said

"Awesome and yes, do you by any chance have any coca cola with you?" Camilla asked

"Why would you need coca cola, for these men?" Kent asked

"Oh, the coke was for me" Camilla winked and got on with her work.

Pretty soon the 326th took over from the second battalion and in no time tents were pitched and the nurses, medics and the two doctors were working hard.

Dana and Emma poked their heads into the tent Camilla was working in, she just looked at them and motioned for them to leave, one thing was for her to risk infection, but she wouldn't let her friends catch anything.

…..

Nixon and Charlie were sitting in the living room in Charlie's billet, she shared a small house with Camilla, who was working out at the camp and Charlie wasn't expecting her home anytime soon.

Charlie was looking at a jittery Nixon who needed a drink and Charlie wouldn't let him, she had sat him down and told him he wasn't leaving the house until he was sober.

Charlie knew he could do it, he did once when she first met him and by god, she was going to sober him up again.

Emma was sitting on the couch in the living room of her and Dick's billet, she was going thru some paperwork when her husband walked in, she couldn't help but smile and winters walked over and sat down next to her and pulled her close to him and kissed her on top of her head. He needed to be close to her after what they experienced today and after what he just heard from Division HQ

"I just heard from Division HQ, that the Russians liberated a larger camp, ten times bigger with ovens…"

Emma looked at her amazing husband "I know Auschwitz, horrible place" Emma sighed

"The towns' people claim they didn't know about the camp, that we are exaggerating" Emma said

"Well they are going to find out tomorrow. Taylor just declared Martial Law and every able body between the age of 14 and 80 are going to help bury the bodies"

Emma looked at Winters "Serves them right" was all she said

…..

The next morning a very tired Charlie drove Nixon out to the camp, the people from town were already working on burying the dead.

Charlie could tell Nixon still had a hard time dealing with what he had seen "You need to accept the fact this has happened and live with it, knowing you fought for those who lived through this. This is why we fight"

Nixon knew he found the reason for his war and his reason for being sober through the rest of it.

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