#i'm sure i'm forgetting some obvious ones that are going to haunt me later

[wimbledon2008]

i was tagged by @billhaders to create a poll of some of my favorite female characters and let you all choose your favorite! 💖

i tag @wernerherzogs @killerqueenmp3 @clytemnestraaa @irenabean @tsnbrainrot @metaphorror @buffiest @want2bwell @kittenspeak @freekicks @cherubinas @buick118 @outdiaz @buckleydiaz and anyone else who sees this and wants to do it!

[intimidating-fettuccine]

Hey I'm not sure if requests are open but I got a real tear jerker for ya.

So Brian Thomas with an S/O who is pregnant but then he disappears to work for slenderman and becomes hoodie, he never got to meet his child until one day on a mission he spots his old S/O picking up their child from school and he starts crying regretting his decision.

You could’ve checked on the blog in multiple locations but luckily enough for you, they were open. Asks that say “not sure if they’re open” make me laugh so much. 

Also for some reason this one didn’t really make me sad?? I dunno, absentee parents deserve to get fucked

Brian had always thought about you from time to time. Ever since he disappeared, you were one of the things that haunted his mind the most. How were you doing? Had you moved on? Had you kept your child, or had you aborted, or even given the child up for adoption? Did you live in the same city? Did you think about him in the same way he thought about you sometimes? He hadn't realized he'd be getting his answer, as he was up in the human world for work and had decided to wander around for a bit.

That was how he'd ended up stumbling upon a schoolyard, watching the kids run around peacefully. At least, until his eyes landed upon you- no matter how many years had passed, he could never forget your face, still as beautiful as he remembered it. That was when he had noticed your child; a young boy, running straight into your arms, a young boy that looked an awful lot like him. He couldn't help it as his feet carried him over to you, softly calling out your name before he knew what he was doing. He couldn't read your expression when you finally looked at him, and you quickly got your son in the car as he walked over.

He tried catching up, tried talking to you, but it was obvious that you weren't having any of it. He tried asking about your son, but you'd shut that down very fast. When he sheepishly asked if he could at least say hi, you'd laughed in his face- "You had the chance to raise him, and you abandoned us. You don't deserve the right to be a parent all these years later." Was what you had told him, and unfortunately, he couldn't disagree with you. You walked away from him, back toward your car, looking over with an irritated look. "I hope you're happy, Brian." The words hit him straight in the heart, and you left soon after. 

He'd left to wander back to the meeting spot to go back to the Underworld, trying to avoid the public eye. After all, the pain and regret in his heart were hurting him too much, the tears streaming down his face seeming to be never ending, and he'd wished that for once in his life, he could just go back in time, go back to the day he left the two of you, and decide to stay.

[tyunniverse]

FRIENDS FOR A DAY (2)

pair: yeonjun x reader

genre: fluff

word count: 2654

parts: 1 | 2

· · ───────────── ·.☆.· ───────────── · ·

It had been a long time since Yeonjun felt like this. Sometimes life in general had become too much to bear and the things that used to make him happy weren't working for him anymore. Times spent alone slowly became more frequent for him than times he'd spent with his friends.

He'd skipped the first day, not wanting to go back to that routine life just yet. And towards the start of the day, he would never have imagined meeting you and getting to spend the day doing things that strayed far from any of the schedules he'd previously planned. A breath of fresh air was what he liked to call it, and he had you to thank for that.

Unlike him, everything was new to you; a new city, a new school, new people, and a whole new life ahead. Yeonjun felt a little envious after realizing it when you'd talked more about yourselves during lunch, but after seeing how you seemed to enjoy every single second of your little sight seeing endeavor, he thought that maybe he could also be a part of something new in your life.

Best friends.

You had agreed to be his best friend from today onwards; the pendant around your neck serving as proof. Yeonjun finds his hand wandering over to his pocket, holding on to his old necklace.

Half of a star. He'd bought it a few years back. The necklace had a similar purpose with the one he was wearing now— meant to be worn separately by two different people. In his case, he had bought it as a whole and had decided to keep one half of it still in its case, stashed inside his closet. His reasons for purchasing it never really felt clear even to him but he also wouldn't call it an impulsive decision. Yeonjun liked to think that he'd be able to find a use for it in the future.

"Yeonjun." You call for his attention, pointing at the posters plastered on a random shop's wall. "It says that the annual carnival will be opening tonight. Wanna go?"

Yeonjun grins. Opportunities somehow kept showing up right in front of his doorstep. "Yeah, only if you want to though. Afterall, I'm only the tour guide for today."

"Shut up." You hold back a smile. "Have you been there before?"

Yeonjun repeats the question in his mind. As someone one would consider pretty popular, you'd expect him to be no stranger in hanging out at fun places like an annual carnival, but that's just it. Yeonjun had never visited that Carnival once ever since it opened. His friends had asked him to tag along but something about it just never seemed to make him want to.

"No." Yeonjun answers, scratching the back of his head. "If we end up going then this would be my first time too." The first time he'd actually wanted to go.

"I guess we're going then." You grin and Yeonjun finds himself smiling back. "It says here that the Carnival's just around the corner so it'd probably be okay if we just walked there."

"Yeah."

The two of you make your way to the Carnival. You still had a good amount of time left before it opened so a few quick stops at some stalls along the way didn't do any harm.

· · ───────────── ·.☆.· ───────────── · ·

In all honesty, Yeonjun didn't even know when and how he'd ended up holding your hand, laughing his heart off by the time you arrived at the entrance but it all just happened somehow. Was it the when your ice cream cone almost landed straight on his shoe earlier? Or when his hand nearly hit you square in the face when he noticed a bug flying towards you? It could've even been when a group of old ladies started hitting on him at the handbag boutique and all you did was stand there shaking, wanting to laugh your ass off.

No matter what the reason was, he liked this. Somehow, it just felt right.

The two of you pay for the tickets before heading inside. The place was larger than any of you had ever expected, cleaner too. People of all ages were enjoying their carnival experience to the fullest. Children were running around with their guardians following closely behind, couples and groups of friends chatting along and taking pictures— Yeonjun could swear he saw two old men arguing over who gets to take a picture with the mascot first.

"So, which ride do you wanna go on first?" You ask, turning to him.

"Well, how about that one." Yeonjun points at the viking and you feel yourself getting more and more excited.

"NICE—" Before Yeonjun knew it, you were dragging him around to every single ride at the carnival.

You liked to keep count of everytime Yeonjun freaked out while you went on the rides, and Yeonjun liked to do the same. Despite the thrill of being at a carnival keeping you hyped up, there were a few times when you had overestimated your tolerance with being thrown around. Yeonjun nearly puked twice: once at the twister, and a second time on the rollercoaster. Even you were almost a victim by the rollercoaster's loops.

Yeonjun had claimed he was an expert at navigating haunted house attractions, stating, "I've been watching horror movies all my life. Nothing scares me at this point, tbh." True enough, nothing scared Yeonjun except every single ominous decoration and jump scares the haunted house threw at him. You weren't too fond of horror yourself, but you ended up trying to be the brave one after Yeonjun basically clung to you half of the time. It didn't help whenever you freaked out since you ended up losing Yeonjun after he not so subtly abandons you at the slightest suspicious sound. It was a miracle you made it out in one piece.

"Yeah, so, uh, sorry about that." Yeonjun laughs it off the moment you two got out.

"Sure but you should know that I'm never gonna let you live it down." You tell him, smiling widely as you hold up the photos you received from one of the staff. "I got evidence."

Yeonjun snatches the photos from your hands. "Bold of you to assume these'll affect me— oh." It definitely did.

You watch as he slips the photos inside his jacket as if it wasn't obvious enough that he was trying to hide it from you. "Nice try but," You take out another batch of photos and wave it around. "Boom. Two copies."

"Wow, okay."

The two of you ended up laughing at each other before you suggest in trying out the stalls. They say time flies by fast when you're having fun and they couldn't be more right. There had been an unspoken competition between you and Yeonjun of who can win the most prizes and let's just say you weren't about to let yourself lose. By the time you got tired, you had a total of three plushies and a bunch of candy bars stuffed in your pockets and well, Yeonjun had the exact amount of prizes you had.

"Fine. It's a draw for now but only because I'm tired." Yeonjun holds the plushies tighter. "We should really get a bag for this. I wonder if we can get a huge plastic bag somewhere."

"Nah, we can just put em in here." You take off your back pack, opening it wide. "I'm sure it can fit all six of them. They're small enough." You were lucky that they did, finally leaving your hands free.

"Wait." Yeonjun pauses after putting the last of his plushies inside. "How can I be sure you won't just take my plushies for yourself after we leave? I'm pretty easy to distract so—"

"If you forget to get them back then I'll just hand them to you tomorrow at school. You go to HSU too, right?" You tell him.

"Yeah, but how will you contact me?"

"Obviously, we exchange numbers."

Yeonjun blinks. Of course that'd be the simplest solution but still. He'd been talking about staying as friends even after all this but the thought of exchanging numbers hadn't really crossed his mind. He takes out his phone and the two of you quickly added each other as contacts, somehow feeling a bit closer after the exchange.

"While we're at it—" Yeonjun pulls you in closer as he bends down. Only now that you've felt Yeonjun's warmth close to you have you noticed how cold it actually was outside . It takes you a few seconds to register that he wants to take a few selfies.

You bust out a smile and tried to go along with whatever weird faces and poses he did. "Send them to me later." You say after examining the photos. There's one where Yeonjun mimicked a kissing motion near your cheek, making you smile. Who would've expected you two were total strangers up until a few hours ago.

"Got room for one last ride?" Yeonjun asks as you return his phone.

"Yeah, sure. Which one?"

"Don't ask as if you don't know. I'm pretty sure you left this one out on purpose."

Perhaps unconsciously, you did. In every single movie that involved the two characters going to a carnival, for some reason, they always left the Ferris Wheel for last. It's not like you wanted something grand to happen when you ride it, but more like you just wanted to get a good view of the entire carnival before leaving. It seemed like the perfect final attraction.

Yeonjun notices how you've gone quiet and decided to hold your hand, pulling you along. "Let's go before the place closes."

"Okay." You look up at him, nodding.

· · ───────────── ·.☆.· ───────────── · ·

The Ferris Wheel ride wasn't all you had expected it to be. It looked pretty slow in the movies but right now? You were about to puke.

"Yeonjun, wait." You hold on to Yeonjun who was sitting opposite to you.

The Ferris Wheel was going too fast to your liking and you started feeling dizzy. Getting a good view of the carnival seemed impossible at this point and looking at your partner made you even more miserable.

Yeonjun was having the time of his life. He loved the feeling in his stomach whenever the ride went down, and the fact that you were lowkey suffering right in front of him made him laugh even harder.

The speed went on for a few more rounds until it finally slows down. Your heart and probably everything else stilled once the ride came to a complete stop just as your car reached the top. "Thank God. I felt like I was going to die."

"Well, you're safe for now." Yeonjun grins, leaning back in his heat. "You wanted to enjoy the view, right? We'll be stuck here for probably about a minute or two so enjoy it while it lasts."

"Yeah." You smile back, looking outside the window.

The winds were colder up there, reminding you of how warm it felt when you stood close to Yeonjun earlier. Yeonjun catches you warming yourself up with your hands and chuckles. He takes off his jacket and hands it over to you. "Here, put this on."

"Thanks." You quickly put his jacket on. Usually you'd go for the polite route and turn him down but if you were going to continue this friendship business then you weren't about to suffer in the cold when the dude's practically handing you a solution.

Yeonjun gives you a little smile before you continue to admire the view. Down there, the lights almost looked like a sea of stars. The music around the place didn't really help set the mood but somehow, the mixture of it along with the laughter and delightful screams of the other visitors made it feel right. After everything that happened today, you felt like it was the right decision to end the day with this breathtaking sight.

And Yeonjun couldn't agree more. The lights below reflected in your eyes in a way that made the atmosphere lighter. He could tell you were happy and right now, that seemed to be enough for him.

The Ferris Wheel began moving. Yeonjun snickers as he felt you grab for his hand, worried that the ride might throw you off once more, but it didn't. The way down was slow, allowing you to enjoy the ride in peace. Your pendant started to shine, reflecting the lights. It reminded him of everything that happened, from the moment you two met and agreed on a friendship that would last for only a day, up until now where he held your hand on the Ferris Wheel after deciding to be friends for real this time. The pendant became the sole proof of that friendship and Yeonjun couldn't help but wonder if the ones he bought a few years back would truly be of any use in the future. But what would it symbolize for? Who knows, he might just give you the other half.

Your car comes to a stop and the doors open. The realization that the day has officially come to an end left you feeling disappointed. Yeonjun squeezes your hand, bringing your attention to him. He gestures for the two of you to get up and you do, finally stepping back on the ground.

Both you and Yeonjun felt that the way back to the entrance was too fast. It really did seem like the two of you wouldn't see each other again despite the fact you went to the same university. The thought felt silly but that's just how the carnival experience gets to you.

"I guess this is it." Yeonjun speaks up first. "You live pretty far from here, right? I can take you home if you want."

"It's okay. My cousin lives nearby and I texted her earlier that I'd be staying over." You tell him, not wanting him to worry. "How about you? Will you be alright on your own?"

"Yeah, definitely." Yeonjun reassures, holding up his hands. "Oh, and by the way. Is it okay if I leave the plushies on your bag for now? I can't exactly carry them on the way back. If it's ok with you."

"Don't worry. You can just take them back tomorrow." You grin and Yeonjun smiles back. "Also, I'm keeping your jacket for now. I'll return it after I clean it up."

"I can work with that." He shouldn't feel this happy but he did. In a way, he was able to find an excuse to meet up with you tomorrow without things getting awkward. Maybe this friendship could work out afterall.

"Thanks for today. Honestly, this was the most fun I've had ever since I got here." You say, taking one last look at him.

I should be the one to thank you. "You know, I have a lot of things I wanna say to you right now but I think I'm gonna wait until I feel like it."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. I'll text you later." Yeonjun gives you a quick pat on the shoulder before running off to the opposite direction. "See you at school! And don't forget to bring the kids!"

You raise a brow. Did he just refer to the plushies as his kids?

He felt dumb, running away from you. The longer he stayed, the more he had trouble leaving, which was new for him. It's been a while since he actually found someone he'd like to hang out with and he was having trouble controlling his excitement. Soon, you'd be able to visit each other's houses, hang out more freely, talk about your days as if it were nothing, and get to know each other more. Honestly speaking, Yeonjun couldn't wait for that day to come but I guess he'll just have to start with tomorrow.

[shipersanonymous]

One Hit West

Chapter 2/?

Note:

Apologies for the delay. I'm trying to develop different works simultaneously and things slip from my grasp at times but I'm working on a schedule so hopefully I'll be able to update more regularly from now on.

This is a very subtle chapter (emotion wise) cause I'm planing on packing quite a bit of information into the next one. Hope we're all fans of dramatic irony cause this fic is about to have you hating me. 😂💜

Enjoy 😍

XOXO

****** Cliffhanger Warning ******

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

[Barry]

“Mind if I join you Mr. Allen?”

Her breath caresses his ear and Barry freezes mid twiddle. The chip he had been playing with slips from his grasp and clatters onto the table just as the ball bounces into its final destination on the wheel. The crowd around cheers, celebrating yet another of his victories but Barry is much too shocked to react.

“What luck,” She mewls, settling down on the chair beside him. The ghostly voice of affairs past sends shivers down his spine and he suddenly loses track of where he is. As he looks over at the lean legs crossed beside him he swallows down the knot forming in his throat, a distant memory fluttering to the surface.

Those same legs wrapped around his naked body as he looked up into brown cesspool eyes that burned with a lust filled glow. His surroundings grow hot as his body comes to life with the memory of the silk smoothness of her skin. The gentle teasing of her touch. The searing hunger of her kiss.

Barry tries, to no avail, to find the courage to look up at her face as a subtle pang begins to prick at his heart. It burns from a distance hurting more and more the closer it gets. Just before it breaks through and consumes him completely, she rests her dainty hand over his heart and the burn seems to die out, replaced with a fire of a different kind. Somehow it doesn’t come as a surprise that after all this time his body still has this strong a reaction to her. He’s been faithful to her despite the fact that they are no longer an item. He can’t bring himself to find love in another woman’s arms. To lose himself in eyes that aren’t hers. To explore the secrets of a body that doesn’t belong to her. Heartache or not, he loves her and the distance has only made his heart (and other body parts) grow fonder.

“Wanna get out of here?” she whispers into his ear and his heart nearly leaps out of his chest. The sound of her voice drips like water on his deserted body, reviving a part of him that died in his youth. He thought he’d never hear her voice again and now he doesn’t want it to go away. It’s all he can do to close his eyes and nod. His nose recognises the scent of her perfume, further reactivating a part of him that has been dormant for almost six years. A kiss lands on his cheek, the feel of her soft lips on his skin resembling the feeling of returning home.

“Iris,” her name rolls off his tongue for the first time in six years. It feels like singing to an old song he used to love.

“Come with me – Barry,” She whispers and a chill runs through him at the sound of his name on her voice. He nods, unable to speak but just before he stands he feels a sharp pain on his cheek. His hand flies to his face instinctively and his fingers come back bloody.

“Shit,” Iris curses under her breath before slipping off her heels and grabbing onto his hand.

“We need to go! Now!”

Before Barry can register what’s happening her arm is interlocked with his and she’s pulling him up from his seat.

“Wha-wha. What’s going on?” he stutters as she holds him tightly and leans in to him.

“Get ready to run,” She whispers but before he can ask her why she unearths a pistol from her clutch bag and fires one warning shot into the air. A stampede ensues and she yells:

“Run!”

Her hand finds his in the scuffle and they take off, heading for the exits.

“West!” A familiar voice behind them yells but Iris barely flinches as she leads them through the hysteric crowd. They make it into the parking lot and she looks around frantic then announces:

“I think we lost them.” She zips her head towards him and demands:

“Where’s your car?”

“Iris, what’s going on?” he asks between breaths. His emotions are running from nervous to happy to scared shitless, all within the same space of time.

“Barry we have no time for this right now. Where is your car?!” She insists with urgency and he takes out his keys and presses one of the three buttons on the remote. The sound of a car alarm being deactivated rings out through the space and seconds later a red Audi in mint condition breaks in front of them. She eye’s the vehicle in shock and a prideful grin spreads over Barry’s lips as he opens the passenger’s side door for her and says:

“After you.”

The shock melts from her features and the rigid determination takes over so naturally that he finds it almost disconcerting. Quick as a humming bird, she snatches the keys from him and walks around to the other side declaring:

“I’m driving.”

This time it’s Barry’s eyes that widen, though less in shock and more in fear.

“I – I’m not sure that’s s-such a good idea.” He advises but she gets in anyway and starts adjusting the seat.

“Iris, I really think you should let me…”

“Iris!” the same voice from before cuts his statement short and this time he recognises it all too well.

“Joe?” he asks dumbfounded, turning around to make sure his ears aren’t deceiving him. Low and behold Joe West is running towards them with a gun aimed straight at Barry’s head.

“Get in!” Iris yells as she starts the car and Barry obeys without hesitation. As soon as he slams his door shut she puts the car into drive and steps on the gas. She manoeuvres her way around the parking lot with the ease of a professional racer and Barry has to close his eyes to concentrate on not letting his heart jump out of his mouth. As soon as they reach the road she increases her velocity, meandering through the late night city traffic without breaking a sweat, the only sign of her effort being the crease of concentration on her brow.

Iris drives on like a speed demon till they turn off into the highway where she slows it down an insignificant notch.

“You can open your eyes now,” She says but Barry shakes his head in refusal.

“I’m not ready to look death in the eyes just yet.” He breathes out tremulously and she chuckles, almost disdainfully. Despite the stand-offish nature of the sound, it seems soft on his ears and excites him enough that he opens his eyes and stares at her, his fear completely forgotten.

“Hate to break it to yah Allen, but you just did.” She points out with an unconvincing smile.

“Um, yeah come to think of it… Why was your dad trying to kill me?” he asks, confusion making his voice climb a few octaves.

“I don’t know.” She responds curtly, the tension noticeable in her posture.

“But you knew that he was coming to kill me?” he asks the obvious.

“Yes.” Is her cold reply.

“Then how do you not know why?” he presses.

“I just don’t.” She responds, her tone still even.

“So…” he swallows, afraid of what he has to ask next.

“Why did you save me?”

Silence.

“I mean not that I’m not grateful or anything. But what if he had a motive? What if I were like a really bad guy and put a lot of people in danger?” he hurries to fill the sound gap, tripping over his words that sound unconvincing even to his own ears. Still, she doesn’t answer.

Iris keeps her eyes trained on the road ahead, her lips pressed into a thin line almost as if she’s containing herself. Trying to keep a restless secret in. Barry’s heart sinks. Hopeless as it may be, he still held on to a sliver of hope that a reunion was underway. That she would pull up someplace in the middle of no where and tell him that she made a mistake six years ago.

That she still loves him.

It might seem pathetic but he’d hold her then. He’d take her into his arms and kiss her so deeply he’d take away every thought and memory of time having passed. It would be like she never left, like she’d always been right there. Because truth be told she never did.

She haunted his head and weighed down his heart every second of every day since she said goodbye. Every moment he had to himself was spent turning over the leaves of their relationship, searching (in vain) for some clue to explain her sudden and rash action. It still doesn’t make sense, and now here she is, an arm’s stretch away from him. Every answer he’s been searching for all this time imprisoned behind her sealed red lips.

He wants to push but he fears that might make her even more guarded than she already is so he simply sighs and leans back into his seat.

“Can you at least tell me where you’re taking me?” he asks dully.

“Freeland.” She answers, short but not so sweet.

“Wait what? That’s, that’s like a three hour drive away. Why so far? Why not Star City? Or, or Keystone?” he asks worried.

“None of those cities include a place I can keep you safe in and I can’t have you bunking with people you know,” She answers, her tone matter-of-fact.

“Why the hell not?” he asks confused.

“Because at the moment your life is in danger and the people in your life are probably the reason why.” She answers her tone still steady.

“The people in my life? Are we forgetting the part where your father is the one that wanted to splatter my brain matter on the casino parking lot floor?” he asks incredulous, growing frustrated with all the confusion. Without waiting for a response he adds:

“And, I know you. I mean, how do I know you’re not taking me straight to him? That you’re not driving me to my death right this second?” She whispers

He bites into the inside of his lip, drawing blood, as she suddenly comes to a halt in the middle of the road. To their luck, the highway is practically deserted. She turns on the hazard lights and shifts in her seat to face him, her glare murderous.

“Allen? Are you or are you not a genius?” She asks and he diverts his gaze as his cheeks heat up at the compliment hidden in her question.

“Well I wouldn’t say I’m a genius exactly…” he bashfully stumbles over his words and she cuts him off with a:

“Just answer the question!”

“Yes,” he answers wide eyed.

“So does your genius brain think that there is a rational explanation as to why I would waltz into a casino and cause a full on public panic to get you out of my dad’s range of fire just to drive you two towns away to him?” She asks, her attitude biting away at his ego.

“Well when you put it like that…” he hangs his head.

“Allen!”

“No, there is no rational explanation.”

“Now that, that’s out of the way let me tell you something about myself. I’m not an irrational person. I don’t have time to make irrational decisions. So please don’t ever question my actions again.” She instructs and he keeps his head down as a silent,

“I’m sorry,” escapes his lips.

Iris readjusts her seating position and puts the car back into drive, leaving Barry feeling like a little kid in the principals office. The barely there purr of the car’s engine is the only sound between them as they take on the open road. In an attempt to make small talk he asks:

“Why are you calling me Allen all of a sudden? I preferred it when you called me by my name.”

“That was just a strategy to get you out of there. I knew that, considering our history, if I approached you under the guise of friendship it would be easier to lure you to safety. But you’re aware of the danger you face now so theirs no need for me to be gentle or manipulative. Barry’s too personal and Bartholomew’s too long. So Allen it is.” She responds, once again shutting down his attempt at starting a conversation with her precise answers. All the while her face remains stern, not even a twitch to betray her inner most thoughts.

“Too personal?” he asks in disbelief and an incredulous scoff rattles his chest, only barely hiding the sting her alienating words have caused.

“Wow. Six years apart and suddenly we’re strangers, huh?” he asks.

“Six years is a long time. People change.” She responds, and he blinks unable to formulate words as the sting turns into a full blown stab in his heart. Suddenly, his greatest fear is confirmed.

*She doesn’t love me anymore.*

The thought hits him like a slap to the face, crashing him back into reality. In to the pain he felt six years ago as he watched her run away from him.

“Nothing’s changed for me,” he whispers under his breath wondering if she heard it but too heartbroken to make sure. Instead he leans back and rests his head on the head rest, turning it so as to look at the rapidly changing scenery through the window. Silence takes over once more and this time he makes no attempt to fill it.

With no adrenaline left in his body, and the weight of his heavy heart seeming like an anchor trying to pull him under, Barry gives in to the physical exhaustion that seeps into his bones and drifts off too sleep.

…

“Barry? Barry, honey wake up you’re home.” She shakes him gently and he opens one groggy eye, then closes it again, a sleepy smile crossing his lips. Iris chuckles. After the late practise he’s just had he really is that tired but hearing Iris laugh is a much better reason to pretend to sleep, in his book.

“Are you finally awake?” She asks playfully, poking his side and Barry tries to snuff out a ticklish giggle.

“No,” he responds instead.

“Oh really?” She asks, her tone changing to sound a little more dangerous. Barry hears the sound of his seat belt being unbuckled before he feels the strap return to its place by the door. A rustle follows that peaks his curiosity but he stubbornly keeps his eyes closed.

The warmth of her body envelopes him suddenly and he feels her straddle his lap.

“If you’re so asleep you won’t feel me doing this then,” She whispers then her lips close over his. Instinctively he plants his hands around her waist and is surprised when he’s met with bare skin.

“Ah, ah, ah. You’re asleep remember? You’re not supposed to react.” She says, pulling his hands from her waist and keeping them at his sides. Iris trails kisses down his jaw to his neck, teasing him in a devilish way only she knows how.

“Iris,” he hisses, when she grazes his sensitive skin with her teeth. In one swift motion he frees himself from her hold and wraps his arms around her, pressing her to him as he attacks her lips. She laughs against his lips, planting her hands on his chest and applying enough force to pull herself from his embrace.

“Look who’s awake?” She says breathlessly, a triumphant grin playing on her lips. Barry finally opens his eyes and takes in the sight in front of him (or rather on top of him). Iris is sitting on his lap, completely shirtless save for her bright yellow, lace bra that compliments the chocolate of her skin. For a while he simply looks at her, mesmerised by the brilliance of her smile and the way her long locks fall to the side as she tilts her head ever so slightly. The street lights bathe her skin in orange rays that stream in from the windshield behind her. It all seems like a dream.

“What’s on your mind?” She asks, bringing his focus back into the real world and he does his best to offer her, his most charming smile but can’t manoeuvre his facial muscles to express anything but awe.

“That I wish I could wake up to you everyday.” He answers and her smile broadens.

“Let’s get through high school first then maybe we can arrange that.” She suggests while leaning into him and kissing him, soft and lingering.

Barry closes his eyes, losing himself in the feeling of her on him…

“Hey, wake up. We’re here.” Iris wakes him suddenly, her voice familiar but her tone far colder. Yet, still under the fog of sleep Barry blinks his eyes open and finds her hovering above him. She’s standing by his door, leaning over him, half in the car half out. The slightly orange tint, courtesy of the lights take him back to his dream and still shrouded in a cloud of incoherence Barry places his hand around the back of her neck and pulls her down for a kiss.

[god-save-the-keen]

The winning P.2

Book: Mother of the year

Pairing: Thomas Mendez x MC (Tara)

Summary: The trail against Guy ended and Tara and Thomas won.

Warning: fluff / more fluff / even more fluff / NSFW / sex

Words: 2.828

Note: As always English it's not my first language and I'm open to request if anyone wants 💕 Hope you enjoy this!

Catch up: This is the continuation of The winning with a few references of By her side

Tag list: @chetachisblog @annekebbphotography @princess-geek @malakbesharah @lilyofchoices @ao719 @marycarrillo21 @blackcatkita @kamybelen-blog @randomchoicesblog @cxld-play @drakewalkerfantasy

Permant list: @gardeningourmet

Once they had pick up Luz, Tara turn towards the girls smiling wide, a little nervous, and said "Okay girls, as you both know we are celebrating that Rory won't have to live with her dad and Thomas won another case!" She took his hand for a second, squeezing it, and he smiled, focus on the road but with his cheeks a bit more pink "So, what you wanna do? Go to eat pizza? Or maybe go to a park? Your choice, ladies!"

"Can we go to the carnival? Pleaseee?" Luz asked excited from her seat with a big smile.

"Oh mommy, please! I want to go too!" Rory said, with an accomplice look at Luz. Of course they decide to do some team work. Tara laughed softly and directed her attention to Thomas.

"What do you think about the carnival?" She noticed how his lips rose in a smile, that beautiful smile that she loved it.

"I think…" he said observing the anxious face of both girls in the rear-view mirror. "..That it's a great idea!"

Both girls cheers happily and started to talk excitedly where they want to go first. Tara leaned against her seat and sigh, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Are you okay?" Thomas said, watching her, worry. Maybe her wrist was hurting or she was tired? Since she hadn't told to anyone so far about her encounter with Guy, he decide not asking her in front the kids.

"Mhm" She turned her head to look at him, smiling. "I'm… relax and it's feels so wired!" She giggled softly. "I still can't believe it's over, my face kinda hurt of smiling."

He chuckled "Good. I was sick of see you crying and worried thanks to that asshole" His hands tightness on the steering wheel for a second, the memory of Guy grabbing Tara the way he did, was something hard to forget.

"You were worried about me?" She asked with a mischievous smile, teased him.

"Of course I was worried!" His cheeks blushed, his eyes warm in hers before focus in the driving again.

"I like that" She said with her voice soft and sweet, smiling.

"Yes! We are here!" Luz exclaimed, peeking between the front seats.

"That wheel it's huge!" Rory said, eye wided, excited. She loved the wheels and so far they hadn't the opportunity to visit this one. Thomas parked the car, took off his blazer and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, he putted everything in the trunk and close it. The girls started to walk a few steps ahead of them, chatting and laughing (Tara was sure she hear something about a 'hammer smashing' and 'red velvet cupcake' coming out from Rory's mouth) while they walked together, close, looking at each other sideways, smiling.

"That it's a nice look on you, you know? Although, I prefer the one on the bar" She winked at him, making him blushing furiously.

"You do love tease me, don't you?" She laughed and he chuckled softly.

"Just a little" She saw the girls were distracted, with their backs towards them, so she kissed his cheek. "I love when you get all flushed because of me."

He smiled again, dying to take her hand or kiss her like in the courtroom. He really believe, and was agreed with Tara, that it was too soon to tell the girls that they were dating but neither of them realized how hard would be pretend that nothing new happened between them.

"Just for the record, I liked your bar look too." His eyes went to her belly, remembering the part of skin she was showing, and how badly he wanted to take off the rest of her t-shirt. It was Tara's turn to get blushed.

"Dad! Rory's mom! Hurry up!" Luz shut from the ticket box.

"I told you Luz, you can call me Tara if you like." She said, smiling at Luz. She always had liked Luz, she protected Rory every time she could and, thank to her, Rory didn't felt so bad in the school.

Thomas observed their interaction. Luz seems comfortable with Tara around, she had hugged her in a few occasions and it was obvious how much Rory and Luz adores each other and he couldn't be more happy about it.

"Okay, Tara" Luz said with a shy smile, looking at Rory before they both giggled.

"And Rory, if you like, you can call me Thomas. Mr. Mendez sounds so old" He said, comically frowning.

"But you are old, dad!" Luz said, laughing at Thomas's horror face. Tara laughed too, covering her mouth with her hand and he stared at her, with a mischievous grin.

"You didn't find me old in the bar" His eyes in hers, completely forgotten about the girls for a moment. She blushed and winked at him.

"What happened in the bar?" Luz asked, curiously.

"I-- I mean, we didn't-- I mean, nothing happen in the bar! I mean, we chatted and i--" He was flushed, trying to act normally.

"He just helped me with some heavy boxed" Tara putted her hand in his shoulder, and smiled to both girls that were looking at them with a funny look. "Your dad it's strong, Luz!" He was praying that his cheeks wasn't completely red.

"I know, he carried me in his shoulders sometimes!" She happily answered.

"So lucky! My dad had never carried me in his shoulders" Rory said, looking a little down and Thomas notice how sad Tara's smile was at that moment, caressing Rory's head. Maybe he could do something sometime about that. Rory smiled again and watched at Thomas, with her big blue eyes. "You sure it's okay I call you Thomas?"

"Yes, it is" He smile and Rory returned the gesture. They bought the tickets and started to walk in the fair, Luz won a teddy bear in some game of throwing the ball and Rory won a stuffed lion in a trivia game. Both girls look each other prize and without a word, they exchanged them, happily hugging their new stuffed.

"Dad, Rory wants to go to the wheel, can we? Please?" Both girls smiled looking at them with puppies eyes.

"You two alone? It's that safe?" Tara watched at the wheel, with concern. To be honest it looked pretty safe, it was like a big metallic cage with a door that the operation guy opened and closed from outside, with some kind of lock.

Thomas placed a hand in her waist, without notice how both girls observed the gesture with curious faces, and she turned to look at him. "It's safe, I promise. It been here for a while now and nothing bad had happened so far. A couple of months ago, Luz came with her soccer team and everything went perfectly."

"Okay, fine! Go! But just one ride!" She smiled seeing them so happy, it's had been a while since Rory laughed like that.

"How about we take the next one?" He said with that smile that she adores.

"Lead the way." Once the girls went inside one of the cage and up a little, Thomas took her hand and they entered in the next one. From where they were, they could see the girls backs, looking opposite from where they were. Thomas hold her waist softly with both hands, turned her toward him and kissed her, slowly, making sure she feel the kiss in every single part of her body. Her hands went to his chest gently climbing to his neck until they stopped in his hair. They stayed like that for a moment, lips pressing together while the wheel keep turning, when they needed to breathe, he rested his forehead on hers, staying close.

"I couldn't resist it anymore" He said caressing her waist.

"Thank god." Her hands stroking his hair, twisting it between her fingers.

"How is your wrist?" He sounded worried, the bruise was bigger than he thought. "We should go to put ice on it" He said frowning.

"Hey, I'm okay" She smiled at him. "I know it looks ugly but it not that bad, I promise."

"You still want to do something the two of us later?" His hands warm in her back, refusing let her go yet.

"After that kiss? Without doubt." He chuckled and she kissed him again.

She departed a bit from him, watching above them, to the girls cage. "Maybe I should ask Alma if she can take care the girls?"

"It's an option… I could ask Luz's nanny if she have the night free, maybe they can do a sleepover." His eyes fixed in her, looking her sweetly.

"Okay, let's check what option it's better… when the ride it's over. I'm enjoying having you this close way too much" Her lips on his again, smiling into the kiss before she talked again. "You think they notice something? One day and we almost screw the whole secret part like three times" He laughed before cupping her cheek in one of his hands.

"Maybe, maybe not... To be honest, I just want to enjoy this moment with you."

"Good answer" They stayed like that, in a comfortable silence, just enjoying to be together. Once the wheel almost complete the round, they separated just in time to see the girls waiting for them.

They eat some funnel cake, visit a haunting house (Tara got scared with someone who grabbed her ankle and she took Thomas's hand, laughing, without thinking about it) and played a few more games. At the afternoon, they decide to end the day at the carnival. While they walking back to the car, both Thomas and Tara send a couple of text, one for Alma and the other for Fanny, Luz's nanny.

"Fanny can be with them until 10pm." Thomas said, watching his phone.

"Alma also can take care of them, she said is her celebration gift." Another text ring in her phone. "Oh". Her face suddenly blushed.

"What is it?" He looked her with concern.

"She… uh, said she can take care of them all night if we need it" His cheeks flushed too. He haven't thought about what could happen efter the date, he didn't know if that was even a possibility. "She also added a winking emoji"

"Um.. great! Alma it is then, I mean, if you want to! The extra time would be nice" His neck and cheeks hot and she giggled quietly. "For a movie! Or whatever you want!"

"Dad, why your face is so red?" Luz had stopped in front of them and she was watching them.

"Uh I'm, I'm hot" He answered, trying to sound normal, until he heard a soft laugh and fixed his eyes in Tara.

"You definitely are hot!" His eyes widen and his cheeks blushed a bit more. "The carnival was a little crowded, don't you think?" She giggled again with a mischievous smile.

"I guess" Luz said, unconvinced, sitting in the car with Rory following her.

"I give us a week" He stared at her, raising his eyebrow. "Before this two expose us."

He chuckled "I think you were too generous" They climb in the car and Thomas started driving to her place.

"Hey girls, Alma had invited you both to her place to have a cool no parents sleepover, you want to go?" Tara said thinking in the gift she definitely is going to buy for Alma.

"Omg, yes! Luz, you won't believe it, Alma always have cake in her house! And such awesome games!"

"That it so cool!" Both girls started to chat about the night a head them.

"I come to your place at 7?" He said, casually, when they arrive to her apartment.

"I'll be waiting." And she went inside her building with Rory holding her hand.

Two hours later, a shower, fresh makeup and clothes, Tara was ready for their first date. She had chosen a simple red dress with a beautiful neckline and nude heels. The only thing she hated about it was how much the bruise was visible. She wasn't ashamed or nothing like that and Thomas knew what happened, but she was furious that Guy had to leave his mark on her. And, a top of that, it was a pretty nasty bruise. Before she have time to decide if she should change or not for one with long sleeves, the doorbell rang.

"They are here!" Rory said grabbing her backpack and running from her room to the door. "Hi Luz! Hi Thomas! Come on, Luz! Alma it's making handmade pizzas! Bye mom!"

When Tara come out from her room, the girls had gone and he was in the doorframe, looking incredible dashing in a dark grey jeans and black shirt with the two first buttons open and his beautiful smile.

"Tara…" his gaze roaming her body and his smile wider, stopping in her eyes "You look gorgeous"

"Thank you" she smiled, a little nervous, why if they had shared alone time before and even kiss each other more than ones, calling it a date make her feel like this? "You look so handsome"

When she reached his side, he sneaked his arm in her waist and give her a sweet kiss in the cheek. "Please tell me I'm not the only one a little nervous" His lips in the side of her head, brushing it gently.

She laughed softly. "Believe me, you are not. It's crazy, right? It's not like we haven't be alone before" She looked into his eyes. "You are sure you want to do this?"

"I am. I don't need nor want more time… I like you, Tara, I want to see where this take us." He planted a soft kiss in her lips. "Ready to go?"

"Ready" She gently took his hand and he entwined their fingers together. He drove to a beautiful park with some food booths and fairy lights.

"Wait… This park, it's the one we came after Vanessa give me the papers?" She asked looking around.

"Yes, it's a nice park and I thought maybe we could make a good memories here instead of the one you already have." His hand in the small of her back. Seeing it with the sunset, so beautiful decorated and with him beside her like that, was like see it under a new lens.

"It's perfect" She turned and gently kiss him. "There's already a new lovely memory here"

He chuckled and took her hand, walking towards the booths. They ate a little of everything, tasted a handmade beer and, in the end, enjoyed a delicious ice cream. All the time smiling, laughing, holding each other close.

"Thomas" He watched her with a sweet smile in his lips. She planted her hands in his chest and on her tiptoes, kissing him, slow, his hands in her low back, pulling her closer, her tongue playing with his, his lips soft and firm against hers. "Thank you for bring me back here, I love it."

"Thanks for wait for me" His voice was mild, tender.

"You know? A while ago, I was chatting with Alma and… She asked me if I was interesting in anyone…" She hesitated for a second. "You were the only one I could think of." Her eyes fixed in his and her hands still in his chest.

"Really?" One of his hands cupped her cheek, caressing it softly. She nodded, smiling.

"She asked me if I was ready to wait for you, you know what I told her?" He denied with his head, holding her closer. "That you worth the waiting."

He hugged her tightly. He still felt a little guilty about what happened in the bar and the fact that she was thinking about him like that, still wanting him and so decide to wait for him, was one of the most wonderful things he could hear. After walked a bit more in the park he drove her to her place and he accompanied her to the door.

"Do you want to come in?" She asked, a little blushed. They stared in each other eyes, knowing exactly what this means.

"I'd love to."

She opened the door and they both went inside, before the door was fully closed, they crashed their lips together, passionate, needy, her hands on his neck and his on her hips.

"Tara…? You sure…?" His voice husky, his lips never leaving hers.

"Absolutely" She tugged his bottom lip gently. "You?"

"Incredible sure" His voice full of lust, his hands guiding her closer. He pinned her against the wall, his mouth in her neck, his hands raising her arms, stroking them, until their hands met above her head, intertwining their fingers together. She moaned quietly, moving her head to the side, enjoying his lips on her neck and collarbone.

"Your room?" He said in her ear and planting a kiss behind it, his breath hot on her skin, making her shiver a little.

"Second door" He lifted her up, holding her legs as she putted them around his waist, kissing him heatedly. He carried her, kissing her lips hard, stumbling with some furnitures on their way, throwing a vase that neither of them care about. Once they reached the bed, he lay her in the mattress, softly pressing his body on top of her, keeping his lips on hers.

Her hands travel from his neck to his chest, feeling his muscles under the shirt. With her hands a little shaky she started to unbutton it, letting it open, caressing his pectorals and abs, stuffing under her touch. One of his hands gently lowered the zipper of her dress, taking one bretel at a time, kissing his way to her chest as he exposes it. He sit in the bed, taking both side of the dress, sliding it down her body, his hands brushing her skin, leaving goosebumps in his way and a soft gasp escaping her lips. One of her hands covers unconsciously some stretch marks in her low belly, result of her pregnancy, but Thomas gently take it and move away, watching her body like it is the most beautiful thing in the world.

"You don't have any idea how gorgeous you are" He said, before catch her mouth with his once more. She took off his shirt dropping it on the floor, near to her dress.

"Thomas… wait" He separated from her immediately. "We don't have protection"

"I.. um… I have, actually" His neck and cheeks completely flushed, she looked at him, surprised. "I uh bought today. Just in case. Not that I was expecting something happens! But I'm happy it's happening! I mean, if you want to happen, we still--" She grabbed his face and pushed forward, kissing him hard enough to make him groan inside her mouth.

"You are a genius" She said in his ear, nibbling his earlobe. Her palms going down hot against his skin until his pants, unbuttoning it and taking it off. His mouth in her neck, sucking hard. "Hey! You are going to give me a hickey!" She said laughing a bit.

"I know" He smiled mischievous and continued kissing her breasts, moving aside her bra, taking one of her nipples in his mouth, making her gasp, while one of his hands played with the waistband of her panties. She could feel his boner between her legs, through his boxer, wanting her like no one did in a long time. His mouth took her other breast while his hand slowly downed her panties, making her moaned softly. One of her hands in his hair, while the other downed through his back to his boxer, her hips moving eagerly under him.

His hand climbing through her thighs and brushed between her legs, touching her clit slowly, her hips moving with his hand, her mouth opened, moaning softly, his tongue playing one last time with her nipples before going down her belly until her pussy, both of his hand in her hips and his mouth pressed inside her, licking, kissing, pushing his tongue inside her.

"Fuck" Her head falling back and her hands grabbing the sheets, moaning with her mouth open. He never had hear swearing and he love it, he pushed two fingers inside her and she gasped, arching her back a little. Before she could have her orgasm, he climbed on top of her, her hands in his neck, pulling him close, kissing him. He took off his boxers and putted a condom and pushed inside her, slowly and deep, giving her time to adjust to him. "Damn, Thomas" Her eyes closed, her breath erratic and her hands still in his neck. "More"

He went in and out of her, his thrusts deeper, harder and faster, he putted one hand in the bed backrest while the other hold one of hers above her head. He lowered himself to kiss her chest and throat, groaning when her legs sneaked in his waist, pulling him closer, her moans louder, he let go her hand and started to stroking her clit keeping the thrusts. Her back arching, their mouths together, her moans in his lips, they were chest with chest panting and moaning.

"Thomas, I--, shit!" She yelp, coming hard, hugging his neck and shivering. After one last thrust, he followed her, groaning in her ear, collapsing gently a top of her. They stayed like that, catching their breaths, Tara softly stroking his hair, feeling his breath in her skin. He took her lips in his, kissing her slowly and sweetly before roll out of her. Thomas lay beside her, pulling her close by the waist, caressing her skin while one of her hands stroking his cheek, looking inside his beautiful eyes.

"This was amazing" she said and he smiled.

"Amazing enough to have a second date?" His hand pulling her even close.

"And a third, fourth, fifth" He chuckle with a smirk.

"Thomas"

"Yes?"

"Can you stay tonight?" She asked stroking his chest, it's been so long since she had sheard bed with someone and she wanted to feel him close all the night.

He covered them with the blanket and hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead. "There's no place I would rather be right now" She hugged him by the waist and putted her head in his shoulder, nestled with him, smiling all the time.

❣️

[davidcarner]

Pump Up the Jam Ch 3, Don’t You Forget About Me

A/N: I've always loved music, and there have been some great fics centered around music. Let me tell you about a couple. The first is A Matter of Trust by MySongStory. It's a series of one-shots, and it's really good. (Full disclosure I've been helping the author a tiny bit with the newest chapter) The second, and one of my all time favorites is Permutations by uplink2. Chuck is a DJ at Stanford and Sarah is a student. It is so good. Okay, on to my fic, and I mean you guys are just seem to be enjoying this one… Dillwg, this Bryce is for you. I give you Pump Up the Jam Ch 3, Don't You Forget About Me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, and we all know deep down Sarah will never forget about Chuck. (yes, persnickety mood today)

Chuck stood there looking at his old friend, nay, nemesis. His mind began to process what he was seeing, and it wasn't good. Bryce wasn't the physical specimen he used to be. Oh, sure, he still had his good looks, but something terrible had happened to him. He still had his good hair, and the eye patch did something in a Nick Fury kinda way. But something awful happened to the right side of his body.

"Actually scratch that drink, why don't we go to my place and I get you one, because you may need it."

Chuck studied Bryce. "How do I know you won't get me on some deserted highway and kick me out of the car?"

"Good one, Chuck." Bryce took a look down at himself and then back at Chuck. There was a self-depreciating smile on his face. "If you haven't noticed, I'm pretty sure you can kick my ass right now."

"What happened to you?"

"Long story, and part of why I'm here, hat in hand, needing your help. Chuck, you're my only hope."

Chuck stared at Bryce. "Dude, you are no Leia."

"Really, even if I did the buns in my hair?" Bryce glanced at his right hand, there was scaring there as well. "Yeah, I'd look like shit in a bikini."

Chuck couldn't help but laugh. "You promise this is legit?"

"Chuck, it's so legit. And, not only that, I made a mistake back then, back at Stanford. It was a terrible mistake, one that will haunt me until the day I die, but let me tell you why I did it before you kick my ass." Chuck nodded and started toward the door. "Wait." Chuck turned toward him. "Dude, I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I screwed up your life then, and I'm so glad you overcame it."

"Apology accepted." Bryce stared at Chuck. Chuck shrugged. "You're right, I overcame it, you seem sincere and you say you're going to tell me everything, what else can I do?" Bryce opened his arms for a hug. "You're pushing it." Bryce laughed.

"I know you, Chuck, your saying you forgive me because you feel bad." Chuck started to say something but Bryce held up his hand. "Dude, I know you. Now, let me show you the rest of what's going on, you may want to retract the apology by the time I'm done." Chuck was confused but followed Bryce. The two walked out to his SUV. They climbed in and took off. Chuck noticed it was modified. Bryce didn't use the gas or break on the floor, everything was by hand. There were special modified leavers for it. He did see that the pedals were still in the vehicle. "It's so anyone can drive it." Chuck looked up at him. "Come on, the first time anyone sees it they have questions, and we both know you have all sorts of questions about everything."

"Are you in pain?"

Bryce looked over at him. "You're the second person who's ever asked me that." He shook his head. "No, I'm not. Thank you."

"Who was the first?"

Bryce grinned. "My ex-girlfriend."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I ended it." Bryce shook his head. "She wasn't the one for me, and she was only with me at the end because…I need to explain a lot." Chuck nodded. Bryce pressed some buttons. "We can't be over heard now." Chuck gave him a look and Bryce grinned. "So, after 9/11 all the government clandestine agencies came together to try and stop anything like that from ever happening again. It was called, Project OMAHA. To save a lot of time, all the data was to "Intersect" into one place, and a program would be there, the Intersect, to combine it and look for possibilities."

Chuck gave a low whistle. "That's got to be some impressive computing power."

"It doesn't exist in the man made world," Bryce replied, smirking.

Chuck thought for a minute and then turned toward Bryce, his mouth opened. "That's straight out of science fiction." Bryce shrugged. "You can't be serious. Bryce, you can't use a brain as an operating system." Bryce shrugged again, and Chuck thought for a minute. "What does that have to do with you?"

"Chuck, I'm a Special Agent for the CIA and I have my own team." Chuck's mouth dropped again. "You were to be a possible recipient for that computer program."

Chuck studied Bryce and then his mind leapt to a conclusion. "Wait…Professor Flemming's class?"

"That's why they wanted you," Bryce replied, with a sad grin. "Your mind plus your ability to see subliminal images…they were gonna try and make you CIA." Bryce took a deep breath. "Dude, I was scared it would change who you were, change who you are, and I couldn't let them do that to you, but I did it wrong, and I know I did. I've hated myself ever since."

Chuck started to move his hand but stopped. "I was gonna pat your right shoulder or something but I didn't want to hurt you, you know if…you know what, I'm gonna shut up now." Chuck studied him for a minute. "Figures, you always were the James Bond type."

Bryce laughed. They pulled in front of the shut down Weinerlicious in the Buy More Plaza. "Miss it?"

"Like a wart," Chuck quipped. "So, what are we doing here?"

Bryce pointed toward the Orange Orange. "That's a store front for our base. Come on. I've got stuff to show you, and more to explain." They got out of the SUV and headed into the store. Bryce walked to the back, typed something into the keypad and then put his palm down to have it scanned. "You help us, you can have your palm print in here too."

Chuck was grinning hard. "Really?"

Bryce laughed. "God, I've missed you, Chuck. This job sucks the life out of me some days, but having you here just for a minute reminds me of why I do it." They went downstairs and lights started coming on. Chuck was staring at everything. "Hey, tour later, we only have so much time." Chuck nodded. Bryce took a deep breath. "I wouldn't come to you now, but there are two ways this is going to happen, with or without you. I can't do to you what happened at Stanford again, so I'm gonna tell you everything, but this is happening, and I know you, you can help us."

"What can I do, Bryce, you already pretty much said I'd be a lousy spy."

"No, Chuck, you'd be a great spy. It wouldn't be by the book, but you'd get it done. What I was worried about is it would take something away from you, but I'm here to protect you, and I have friends." Bryce hit a button and some pictures went on the screen. "Now, let me know when your lost, because this is a lot." Chuck nodded.

Bryce clicked the button. "This is Langston Graham, director of the CIA. He's the one that wanted you in the CIA. I didn't trust him and the more I found on him the more I began to question what he was doing." Bryce hit another slide. "Answer, he was about to sell the Intersect to Alexi Volkoff, International Arms Dealer. I followed the money, and all the clues, and it led me to find out some very suspicious stuff about the Director. He recruited people into the CIA illegally, a fact I found out from my….one of my friends."

"Your ex?" Chuck asked softly. Bryce shook his head, grinning. "I'm sorry, I did it again."

"Nope," Bryce said looking up and smiling at his friend. "You are Chuck, and you sense these kinds of things. Yeah, she's my ex. She wasn't in love with me. We were…convenient, and she deserved better, you know. Anyway, she is a part of my team, known as the CAT Squad. The Clandestine Attack Team."

"Wait, what, that's stupid!"

Bryce grinned at him. "Someone in DC thought the CAT name would be cute. Anyway, I went after the Intersect to make sure Graham couldn't get it, but he was already there. We were betrayed by one of the team members. A fight began, and I destroyed it. Graham died in the process, the Intersect is gone, and I'm…" he gestured to his body with his left hand. "I was pretty messed up for a while, but while I was laying in that hospital bed, it became evident that Alexi Volkoff thought I had the Intersect. I still had use to the CIA and the new Director promoted me to Special Agent. I can't go in the field but I lead the remaining CAT Squad."

"What about your ex?"

Bryce grinned. "She's a great person Chuck, but it isn't there. There's no love. We're attracted to each other, we understand this life, but she wants so much more, and I'm not the one to help her get there. After the accident, there was no way she'd break up with me. So, I did with her. It's funny, her teammates keep saying its a bad breakup because she's talking more and more about a life after the CIA. They think it's because of the breakup and she wants off the team, it's because she wants a real life. She's great at this, but…."

Chuck gently laid his hand on his buddy's left shoulder. "So, are you open to a bro hug?" Bryce caught him in the best bear hug he could give him, but it was obvious strength was lacking on one side. Bryce clapped him on the back when they released. "Okay, so what's all this have to do with me?"

Bryce turned and flicked the monitor. Chuck stared at it. "Bryce, why do you have a picture of Hartley Winterbottom on the screen." Bryce didn't say anything. "Bryce, why is the owner of the club I manage on your screen?" Bryce didn't say anything. "Bryce," Chuck said softly. "That is Hartley, right?"

"Chuck, meet Alexi Volkoff."

Chuck stared at the screen and then back to Bryce and then back to the screen.

"Shit."

Bryce had grabbed Chuck a water and they were sitting at the conference table. Chuck was positive by this point it was an elaborate hoax Bryce had pulled off.

"Don't believe me, do you?" Bryce asked. Chuck shook his head.

"I've known Hartley for years, he's no weapons dealer." Bryce gave a shrug. "So what did you mean we're doing this one way or another earlier?"

Bryce nodded. "You aren't going to like this."

"As compared to the rest of this?"

"Point." Bryce pushed a file towards Chuck. Chuck opened the file.

"These women were in the club last night."

"That's right, Chuck, meet Carina Miller, DEA, Zondra Rizzo, CIA, and Sarah Walker, CIA." Bryce quit talking because Chuck was staring at Sarah's picture. "She's amazing," he said softly.

Chuck jerked his head up. "Uh, yeah…I mean, I met them last night and uh…"

"Zondra and Carina both said you were smitten with Sarah."

"Bryce…"

Bryce held up his hand. "That's my ex." Chuck paled. "Dude, trust me, it's fine. I get it, she's amazing."

"I wouldn't.."

"Chuck, I have no say in it, but she's a CIA agent."

Chuck thought for a second. "I thought you said she wanted out."

Bryce picked up his bottle to take a drink, smirking. "She does, but she wants to take down Volkoff first. Besides, why do you care…aren't you seeing someone?"

Chuck's eyebrows went up. "Who?"

"Kayla."

Chuck had taken a drink of water just as Bryce answered and nearly spit it out. "Oh, that's funny. She's the biggest screw up I've ever met, and that's saying something considering I worked at the Buy More."

Bryce sat up, interested. "Okay, I'm confused, because Agent Walker overheard you saying, 'My ass is yours."

Chuck grinned. "Kayla gets a finders fee off of me. She gets 5% of the net profits off of the club."

Bryce grinned. "Huh, how interesting. You do know she's trouble, right?"

Chuck nodded and leaned forward. "Why was Agent Walker overhearing what I was saying?" Bryce grinned, leaned back and took a drink of his water.

"She was supposed to approach you, but this is better. I need the CAT Squad in the club, as employees."

Chuck thought. "I can find jobs for two, but the third…I really don't know."

"I have an idea," Bryce said with a grin Chuck recognized. This was gonna be bad. "So to be clear you're not seeing anyone?" Chuck shook his head no. "I think Agent Walker should be your cover girlfriend."

Chuck was positive he was being punked.

A/N: So a totally different take on Bryce but one I really like. I hope you do. More insanity to come. Please, reviews are like food, they are so good…take care, see you next time.

DC

[madshelley]

gimmie a quick rundown of which scenes break your heart the most, i'm not sad enough and need the pain.

I love you and this is both the best and worstthing anyone has never asked me, because apparently, I have no clue what a “quick”rundown means.  I also tried very hard tonot make this entirely about Armand and… I failed about midway through. Butin my defense, can you ever be sad enough? No, you can’t.

SO HERE’S THE TOP JUST-A-BIT-TOO-MANY LIST OFHEARTBREAKING VAMPIRE MOMENTS™:

- Louiskilling the Marquis, and both his and Lestat’s reactions to it. Louis draggingLestat to his abusive father’s bed and forcing him to speak forgiveness,despite the fact that Lestat is having an obvious meltdown (“He threw up hishands and let out a terrible roar of desperation.  ‘Damn him! Kill him!’ he said.”/“Lestatdanced like the maddened Rumpelstilskin about to put his foot through thefloor”/ “Never had I seen him so weak and at the same time enraged”), thatLouis, in his lack of information, mistakes for impatience and indifference.Damn dysfunctional vampires with a thing for miscommunication.  If only there was a scene with the two of themdiscussing this in a later book, it would probably make the list too. But,alas.

Rest of the list under cut because of excessively long post that no one’s going to read:

 - Louisdumping Lestat’s ‘body’ in the bog.

“This is Lestat. This is all oftransformation and mystery, dead, gone into eternal darkness. I  felt a pull suddenly, as if some force wereurging me to go down with him, to descend into the dark water and never comeback”.

          For no other reason, but that I feelthis is the prime example of Louis’ tendency to be unable to take control ofhis life and stand up for himself and what he wants, ending up being a passive observerof the most tragic events of his life, lamenting them only when it’s too late.Oh, Louis.

-Armandlying to himself about his relationship with Marius.

“A love so strong hecouldn’t allow me to grow old and die. A love that waited patiently until I wasstrong enough to be born to darkness.”

-I don’t normally care about Madeleine, but thisquote shatters my heart on a daily basis, considering the context in which IwtVwas written.

“And cruelly, surely, I said to her, ‘Did you love this child?’

I will never forget her face then, the violence in her, the absolute hatred.‘Yes.’ She all but hissed the words at me. ‘How dare you!’ She reached for thelocket even as I clutched it. It was guilt that was consuming her, not love. Itwas guilt- that shop of dolls Claudia had described to me, shelves and shelvesof the effigy of that dead child”.

-Armandleaving Louis, unable to bear the loveless, cold partnership anymore, indespair and suicidal. Especially this part of the farewell speech:

“AndI believed I would gather you to me and hold you. And time would open to us,and we would be the teachers of one another. All the things that gave youhappiness would give me happiness; and I would be the protector of your pain.My power would be your power. My strength the same. But you’re dead inside tome, you’re cold and beyond my reach! It is as if I’m not here, beside you. And,not being here with you, I have the dreadful feeling that I don’t exist atall”.

Armand,the break-up line master. Jesus Christ.

-“Hebent down, pressing his head against my chest and holding my hand so tight thathe caused me pain. The room was filled with the flashing red light of thesiren, and then it was going away.

‘Louis,I can’t bear it, I can’t bear it,’ he growled through his tears. ‘Help me,Louis, stay with me’.”

- Theway IwtV ends in general, with no silver lining or sliver of hope. Lestat andArmand are dying, of old age and despair, Louis is continuing his existencelike a bloodless empty shell, seeing no possibility of recovery or light at theend of the tunnel, and there is no comforting cosmic reason anything is everhappening at all.  Life is pain and youdon’t even die. No wonder IwtV is such a downer to the non-initiated.

- LittleLestat being beaten bloody by his father and brothers.

-“Andwhen we decided to go to Paris, I thought we would starve in Paris, that wewould go down and down and down. It was what I wanted rather that what theywanted, that I, the favored son, should rise for them. I thought we would godown! We were supposed to go down”.

- Armandbegging Lestat and Gabrielle to take him with them and them refusing. I’m notgoing to go into details, I feel this is an obvious one.

Exceptfor these gems:

“Maybeas the years pass, desire will come again to me. I will know appetite again,even passion. Maybe when we meet in another age, these things will not beabstract and fleeting. I’ll speak with a vigour that matches yours, instead ofmerely reflecting it”.

and

“Armandwas a small boy in the doorway, holding the backs of his own arms”.

Theconsistent implication throughout the series that Armand gets cold when he’supset does things to my heart.

- Armand’sadmonition to Lestat that fledglings are bound to despise their makers, simplybecause it’s not true, or at least it doesn’t seem to be in most cases. IsArmand projecting because he’s practically almost incapable of verbalcommunication at this point in his life which makes a hindered mind gift seemlike an unsurpassable obstacle in his mind? Or is he projecting because, onsome level, he knows his relationship with Marius was abusive and probablydoomed? (Spoiler alert: probably both.)

- Mariuscalling Armand his mistake.

-Lestat hearing Armand crying after he pushedhim off the roof:

“Maybe I imagined it, his lastinvitation, and the anguish after. The weeping. I do know that as the monthspassed he was out there again. I heard him from time to time just walking thoseold Garden District streets. And I wanted to call to him, to tell him that itwas a lie I’d spoken to him, that I did love him. I did.”.

- “Uglyfights, terrible fights, finally, Armand broken down, glassy-eyed with silentrage, then crying softly but uncontrollably as if some lost emotion had beenrediscovered which threatened to tear him apart”.

-“Evenin moments of the greatest jeopardy, I knew we would meet before I would befree to die.”

Tell me again how Armand’s suicideattempt in Memnoch was out of character.

-Lestatbelieving that Daniel would have left Night Island with him if he had askedhim. So much theoretical pain.

- It’sa pity that Daniel leaving Armand isn’t technically  ~a scene, because that would make the top ofthe list.

- Everyscene in which Lestat is “haunted” by Claudia in TotBT. It’s not hard to seehow he made the connection between her and the Raglan episode, even with himnever straight-up admitting it to himself. Remember when Lestat still feltcrippling guilt for his worst actions, even subconsciously? Good times.

- David’sturning. But this is not the time to complain about this, it’s canon heartbreakappreciation time!

- Armand’ssuicide attempt in Memnoch the Devil. I’ve already elaborated on this way toomuch, but let’s take a moment to appreciate Lestat screaming Armand’s nameafter him. Take a moment. Thank you.

- Louisobjecting to Lestat being chained to the floor, but being completely dismissed.

- Theentire The Vampire Armand. I can’t let myself elaborate too much on this, as I’lljust be reciting the entire book. I can just open it to a random page and itwill probably be a Top Heartbreaking Vampire Moment:

 Armand’sobvious exhaustion at the beginning of the book, that no one seems to respect. Himscolding himself and admitting to David he feels he’s going mad. A child silentlywishing for death so hard, that Marius heard it amongst the mental voices ofthe entire city. Armand’s entire “relationship” with Marius. Armand having a breakdownat seeing religious imagery, not yet being sure why he has that reaction. Meetinghis parents, especially the broken Ivan. The “Bridge of Sighs” metaphor, Jesus.The ashes of the Palazzo boys. The whole Riccardo horror. Armand trying toconceal his scarred face from Benji and Sybelle, putting all his energy intothe illusion. The shattering feeling of betrayal about the turning of Armand’s “children”by Marius, and Armand’s conviction that it was meant as punishment. Louis beingunable to conceal his relief and joy to see Armand alive. Armand’s bitter, hurtdismissal of his relationship with Daniel as doomed from the start. Armandadmitting that Sybelle and Benji had to coax him out of depressive episodes attimes. Man, did Anne go ham on the pain in this one. Why, mom?

- Specialmention to that one time Marius beat Armand out of “frustration” at him fortaking too long to emotionally get over his visit to Kiev, probably his mostblatantly abusive moment in the book.

“‘You’ve had enough time to grieve and to weep,’ hesaid, ‘and to reevaluate all you’ve been given. Now it’s back to work. Go tothe desk and prepare to write. Or I’ll whip you some more.’”

“He smacked me across the face. I was dizzy.”

Nice going, Marius.

- Secondspecial mention to this little passage, because no one ever talks about it andit makes my heart bleed:

“ I looked off, wanting the quiet, dreamingof bowers suddenly, not in words but in images, the way my old mind would doit, wanting to lie down in garden beds among growing flowers, wanting to pressmy face to earth and sing softly to myself”.

- Thirdspecial mention to this, but only out of context:

“For all the wrongs done you, andthe loneliness you’ve suffered, and the horrors that the world put upon youwhen you were too young and too untried to know how to fight them and then toovanquished to wage a battle with a full heart”.  

- SeeingDaniel in Blood and Gold after all those years. The shock of the degree inwhich his mental stability deteriorated, not objecting to being kept by Mariuslike a child. The terrifying possibilities of how he might have ended up therein the first place. The even more terrifying possibility that it might havebeen the news of Armand’s “death” that pushed him over the edge. How Armandmust have felt about this ‘relationship’.

- I am definitely not done, and yet I’m going to stop ‘cause even I had enough.

Tl;dr: Sad Vampires.

[existentialstatesofmind]

Moving In

Clare: made a face. “That’s nasty. I’m glad you told them no. I can’t believe you haven’t been up there, Drew, you should’ve checked it out when you bought the house. What if there’s rodents? Or there could be neat stuff from previous owners. I read about people discovering something valuable in their new homes all the time because people leave what they think is old junk behind and it turns out to be worth a lot of money.” Her mouth formed an o of surprise when he told her what was down in the basement. “I see how it is, Torres, trying to keep your man cave a secret huh?” Clare teased. “That one. I wanna christen the basement now that I know how nice it is. As for the rest, we’ll see.” Clare kissed Drew back. Her lips lingered on his longer this time before she pulled back. She had a feeling they’d probably end up having sex almost everywhere in their house sooner or later. “Oh my god. I know all about that excuse not shave. Don’t forget I lived in New York. The guys at Columbia and NYU enjoyed looking like the homeless people in Central Park, and I don’t think most of them were really doing it for charity. I have got to see that picture.” She said excitedly. “Please. I need a sneak peak of the future. If you looked good, I might even encourage you to participate in No Shave November sometime again before we’re old and gray.” Clare smiled back. “Fine. I’ll do it. When I’m Grandma.” She kissed him lovingly. “Now about this Allison. If I really like the picture, we can take it to a photo place and crop her out right?” Clare lightly smacked his arm, and started laughing too hard to talk for a couple of minutes. “Okay I know I can be intense and overdramatic but no, I wouldn’t rip your head off.” She said once she could speak again. “I’d be worried because we aren’t ready and because I don’t know how to handle it when things don’t go according to plan. Admit it, you would be freaking out too Andrew.” Clare chuckled. “That’s what I want. I’m glad we’re on the same page. Soon as we stop using protection, we’ll have to be prepared to become parents though. Honeymoon babies are pretty common. Of course if I continue to take the pill that might give us more time.” Clare wasn’t sure if Drew wanted to start trying soon as they got married or just leave it up to fate. It probably depended on how far off the wedding was. She knew if they’d stuck to ‘the plan’ they would be getting engaged by now but Clare wasn’t going to bring that up. Once she’d finally admitted everything was real it had been necessary to slow down. “I just told them we weren’t starting a family yet and left it at that. Only Darcy and Alli were nosy enough to really question me anyway. I did remind both of them I’m on the pill.” When she finished her explanation of the nightmares that had been haunting her and how little sleep she’d been getting, Clare snuggled against Drew again after he kissed her. She still felt shaky but being closer to him helped. “I feel safe when I’m with you.” She said softly. “That first night when you were in the hospital before anything happened with us, I realized it when I was able to get the best night‘s sleep I‘d had in ages.“ She listened to Drew’s babysitting story. She appreciated him trying to distract her. Clare smiled as she looked at the picture. “They have a beautiful baby girl and this has to be the cutest picture of you yet. You’re good with kids that’s why you get asked to babysit. I love you too. More than anything.” She whispered back. Clare pecked his lips a few times. Her mind was still on her troubles though. “I’m so stressed out that it’s causing me problems at work.” She admitted.

Drew: looked at Clare when she mentioned the attic. "I would've found out if there were rodents up there by now. I was babysitting a ferret for a few weeks and he ran into the attic a few times as I was cleaning the cage. Once I let him run around my mom's house since she swore she heard noises of some sort and I figured I'd be mean and let the ferret hide her stuff since he hid mine. Instead, he ran somewhere up stairs and we heard small thuds coming down the stairs every so often so I thought he was bringing one of her shoes to hide, turns out there was a mouse in my mom's house and he killed it and bought it to us as a gift or something. I know he killed it because the mouse was dying as he had it between his teeth. After that I took him to the vet to get checked out. I wasn't charged for the check up because the vet told me ferrets are smart animals and wouldn't have killed the mouse if it was sick, he would've just let it die." he said. "Plus the mouse would've been dead withing a few hours." he added, then looked at her. "The only thing in my attic are squirrels. There's a hole in the roof that they go into during the winter to keep warm. They mainly stay in the roof though since my friends told me they aren't in the house. There aren't any holes in the walls." he shrugged. Plus I've banged on the walls and nothing, but when I climbed on the roof and jumped a few times, they ran out." he shrugged. "So I'm not worried about them since they go in and out on a daily basis, my guess is that they're house broken or something, it's obvious that they were hiding in there for years based on small hole I found that was plastered over and gnawed open more than once and the attic doesn't smell at all based on what my friends told me." he shrugged letting her know there wasn't anything for them to worry about. A soft chuckle fell from his lips when she mentioned his man cave and looked at her. "I want to keep my man cave, yes, but I don't want to keep it a secret from you. I want you to feel that you're able to go down there whenever you want to or that it's just mine because nothing is just mine anymore. It's now ours." he assured and let their lips linger as they kissed. A soft chuckle fell from Drew's lips as she mentioned people in her college looking like homeless men and pulled out the picture of him and Allison. "There you go. I don't really look homeless though." he shrugged and looked at her to see her reaction to his picture. "Thank you. We can let people think we're the real Mr. and Mrs. Clause." he smiled. "You know, give other kids hope that Santa is real." he added and smiled at her. "Yes if you want to we can crop Allison out of it." he assured and kissed her more. He liked that Clare wouldn't rip his head off if she had gotten pregnant and listened to her. "I don't think I'd freak out that much, I mean I'd be terrified especially with work, but the restaurant right now basically runs itself which happened faster than expected so I'd stay home when needed and bring the baby with me when I check up on it." he shrugged. "But I would like to wait as you've said." he agreed and listened to her mention being prepared. "Clare, we are prepared. I have enough money saved off to buy you an engagement ring, get married, go on our honeymoon and maybe have some left over. I make about $60 an hour on my own just by how much the restaurant brings in counting food, taxes, staff, insurance on it in case something happens, and the rest left over gets put into my safe here in our room." he said pointing to it. "I just leave that there because you never know when something will break or how much it will cost to replace it." he added. "I kind of want to leave when we have a baby up to fate so if you want to, when we get married you can stop taking the pill." he suggested and listened to her mention Alli and Darcy, he didn't say anything since it was only natural for them to guess that since they were close to Clare and protective of her. "Baby, you need to relax and unstress, while I'm glad that you feel safe in my arms because you are, I don't like when you're over stressed." he stated and moved out of their bed. "Come on, lets move down to my man cave, relax on the couch and watch a movie or something. The TV down there has surround sound." he held out his hand for her.