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generalfoolish · 2 years

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Part Eleven: The Punch Line

Part Eleven Summary: In which you and Adrian attend the shower.

Pairing: Vigilante (Adrian Chase) x F!Reader

Warnings: *All of my works are M for mature so 18+ please; language, language, language, canon typical violence, sexual themes, canon-typical violence

Word Count: 2.3K

A/N: I had another little portion planned out for this, but I've decided I'm ending it here. I may do a little epilogue moment in the future, but I'm happy to let these two have a happy ending. Thanks for all the love on this series, and for everyone who hung out while I took forever to sort my shit out, ily! <3

“Who’s the target, again?” Adrian asks as you push the gear into park, and you cut your eyes at him, unable to tell if he was joking.

“No target, just try to have a good time.” You urge, popping each knuckle, a nervous tick rearing its ugly head.

“What should I act like?” You eye him, and notice his forehead is beading with sweat. It’s endearing that the man isn’t concerned at all with alien invasions or murder, but meeting your family has his stomach knotting with nerves.

“Yourself, what else?” You assure him easily, not wanting him to get too lost in his head.

“I don’t want to embarrass you. Am I wearing the right thing?” You click your tongue, and suppress your eye roll. He looks amazing, as usual.

“Too late now, yeah? But, you look great Adrian.” You assure him, honestly. He’s wearing a soft blue button down, and well-fitted khakis, two items you weren’t sure he even owned. He’s even left the half-zip at home, leaving his chiseled chest on display. As a treat, you wore a figure-flattering sundress, a light blue that’s patterned with off-white oranges, and while it’s a reasonable length the bust leaves little to the imagination. You’ve noticed Adrian’s eyes flick to your chest several times, and you’re eagerly hoping to see him wet his lips nervously all night.

You open the door and get out, choosing to meet this shitshow head on, rather than wait for it to come to you. Adrian follows suit, the three gift bags clutched tightly in his hand. You grab his free hand, and intertwine your fingers, before soothing the back of his hand with your thumb.

“You actually came. And you brought the boy.” Your mother greets, immediately igniting your blood.

“Where’s Loretta, we have a gift?” You ask, ignoring her words completely, beside you, Adrian’s tense and stiff.

“Inside. Landon's here.” Your mother told you, eyes cutting to Adrian.

“Great. Hopefully, he and Michael can stop talking about business for two seconds and actually celebrate the reason we’re here.” You bite back, moving past her, eyeing her half empty flute, wondering where you could get one of your own.

You pull Adrian along with you, and head inside the main lobby. It’s a gorgeous space, completely drenched in white decorations, to the tune of thousands of dollars, you’re sure. Loretta’s always throwing lavish parties, and their third child hadn’t slowed her down any. You spotted the bartender and grabbed a glass of the red wine on display, and Adrian asked for water.

You heard him before you saw him, the guffawing laugh still too recognizable after all this time, and you squeezed Adrian’s hand tighter as you waited for him to speak.

“Babe, what’s wr–” Adrian began, only to be cut off by a clap on the back. Adrian’s face crumpled in annoyance, a look you rarely saw, before he recovered to a more neutral expression.

“Look at you! Gina warned that you were trying to make me jealous, hardly the appropriate venue. Hey man, I’m Landon. Sorry you got roped into coming to this, just between us men, everyone knows we’ll get married, eventually.” Landon threw a wink at Adrian, and you noticed his knuckles turning white on the gift bag, and you opened your mouth to tell Landon to fuck off, but Adrian beat you to it.

“I’m Adrian, and between us men, everyone here knows you’re an asshole. Fuck off.” Though his voice is cheery and even, you hear the danger lying in the words. A chill runs up your back as you realize that for many, that was the last voice they heard. You clear your throat and turn your attention back to Adrian.

“Let’s find Loretta, gotta congratulate her.” You link your arm through Adrian’s and pull him away. He laughs awkwardly.

“I fucked that up, huh? Sorry, I really wanted to kill him.” He tells you, his voice low enough that only you could hear. You squeeze his bicep, the hard cords of muscle you find are still a surprise.

“Nah, fuck that guy.” You answer him easily,

“You aren’t mad?” He asks, clearly surprised.

“I’ve never been more happy. Nobody talks back to that piece of shit, and you took him straight out. I thought your best weapon was knives?” You teased, nudging his shoulder with your own.

“I’m highly trained in every weapon.” Adrian tells you simply, shrugging. You cross the floor easily and find Loretta lounging in a rocking chair, cradling her bump. Guilt washes over you, it’s been too long. The kids will be so big, by now.

As if on cue, the other two come around the side of the chair and latch onto your legs.

“Marty, Sloane.” You greet, patting each of their heads. They’re six and four, respectively, and you missed each of their birthdays to avoid Landon this year.

“Auntie! Did you bring us presents?” Sloane asks, looking up at you with large blue eyes. You chuckle before grabbing the two smaller present bags from Adrian.

“You know I did!” You exclaim happily, passing out the respective bags. You pause to watch them open the gifts, and when you see smiles, you turn back to Loretta.

“You didn't have to bring them anything.” Your sister-in-law scolds, pulling herself up from the chair to hug you. “You spoil them.”

“Well, it’s just some more montessori stuff, gardening and science experiments.” You tell her easily, waving it off. The truth was far more embarrassing, you’d spent several hours researching and even went to a specialized store to pick out the “perfect” gifts.

“Thank you.” She tells you warmly, her eyes flitting to Adrian for a second. “Introduce me, then.” She teases before letting you slip from the hug.

“Loretta, this is Adrian, my boyfriend. Adrian, this is Loretta, my brother’s better half.” You make the introductions, smiling as you put a hand on Adrian’s back. Through the thin material of his shirt, you can tell he’s sweating. You pat his back, hoping the gesture is reassuring.

“This is yours.” Adrian says, holding the gift bag up for Loretta. You smile at his directness, and Loretta laughs before taking the bag.

“Thank you, Adrian!” She replies, before turning to you, her eyes already casted downward. “I’m sorry about Landon. Your mother did that without asking.” You wave her off.

“I figured, besides, I know that he and Michael are quite close.”

“I hope he doesn’t keep you away again.” She admits quietly, a sad smile on her face. You nod tightly, and glance at the rest of the party.

“It looks gorgeous in here, Lori.” You tell her, truthfully, and she her smile lifts.

“Thank you! You’ll be so happy, I sustainably sourced almost everything! I was reading that–”

“You called Landon an asshole?” Michael asks, cutting Loretta off. You can feel the animosity rolling off your brother in waves. Adrian cocks an eyebrow before pointing at himself. Michael sighs annoyedly. “Yes, you, dickhead.”

“Hey! The kids are right there, Mike.” Loretta cuts in, crossing her arms, and flicking her gaze at the kids on the floor. They aren’t paying attention.

“Lori, not now. Why would you bring this guy?” Michael asks, turning his ire onto you. You reel, not expecting the unadulterated fury in his eyes.

“You mean my boyfriend? Gee, I wonder.”

“You’re ridiculous. Mom’s right. You are so desperate for attention. You showed up with a fucking dishwasher, your tits out, and we’re all waiting for the punchline.” Michael berates, he’s angrier than you’ve ever seen him, and when you swallow your throat is dry enough that you’re scared to speak.

“Hey man, cool of–” Adrian starts, attempting to diffuse the situation. You can hear the strain in his voice, though.

“Shut the fuck up, loser.” Mike spits out, wheeling back on Adrian. Your eyes go wide, and you step between the two men.

“Let’s just go, Adrian.” You tell him, knowing deep down that he won’t kill your brother, but not trusting Michael to back off.

“How about he goes, and you stay?” Landon chimes in, sipping from his flute of champagne. You groan.

“That’s the best idea you’ve had yet, Landon.” Your mother agrees, appearing beside him, and you take a deep breath.

“Fuck off, all of you. You’re so certain you know what’s best for me, but you haven’t even cared to ask what I actually want. Come on, let’s get out of here.” You instruct, beginning the walk to the door, willing the tears beginning to well at your lash line to stay put. For a second, the stinging is replaced with a heavy grip on your wrist, but the pressure is gone almost immediately. You turn to see what happened, and only just catch a glimpse of Adrian pushing Landon to the ground while holding his arm behind his back.

Chaos erupts. The glass Landon had been holding shatters on impact, too many people are screaming, Landon is yelling obscenities, and Michael is starting to tug Adrian off of Landon. Your mother is to the side, one of the screamers. Loretta meets your eyes, a glint of humor in hers, before she’s going to the fray, grabbing the kids out of the way. Without thinking, you stumble back and shove Michael away from Adrian, and then you’re grabbing his hand and pulling him to the exit.

You both run to the car, though no one is chasing, and you collapse into the driver’s seat, hysteria bubbling up in your chest. Adrian is looking at you with something akin to guilt, but you lean over and kiss it away. He pulls away only to grab your arm, and press a gentle kiss to where Landon had grabbed you.

“Sorry he touched you again.” Adrian mumbles against your skin, looking up at you through his glasses, and you kiss his cheek.

“Thanks for knocking him to the floor, that was good.” You assure him, smiling.

“Good?” He asks, eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

“Yeah, I think you’re good for me.” You admit, and know the words are as true as they’ve ever been.

‘You think so?” He asks again, not convinced.

“Sure. I know you’re not sure if you’re good, but I saw you control your temper. I saw you not beat the shit out of Landon and my brother, more than once, even when you would have been within your rights to do. You didn’t care what they said about you, but you defended me. You’re a good man, Adrian, and you’re definitely my favorite.” You press another kiss to his cheek, and start the car. He’s quiet long enough that you think he’s moved on, no doubt thinking about how he could have prevented Landon from ever touching you at all. You’re worrying your lip, hoping he isn’t blaming himself for how badly that ended.

“I want to marry you.” He tells you. And you laugh, thinking back to when you first met him. You keep your eyes on the road, but can feel the weight of his stare on you.

“Still?” You ask, readjusting your grip on the wheel. You hear him swallow.

“Never stopped.” He admits, and you glance at him quickly. His face might as well be set in stone, and it strikes you, for the first time, that he’s as serious as he can be.

“We haven’t been together that long, Adrian.” You dismiss, turning back to the road.

“I don’t care. It doesn’t have to be soon, I don’t even need your answer, but I love you so much. I bought this the day I left your cabin for the first time, and I think it’s time you have it.” You’re finding it hard to pay attention to the road, so you pull over onto the shoulder, and drop your eyes to his hands. It’s a small, black velvet box.

“You did what?”

“I bought a ring, after I met you. I convinced myself it was blood loss, but no matter what happens, I know that it’s you. Chris told me I was crazy, but if I am it’s because of you. Everything about me knows it’s you. I’ve been carrying this everywhere, it should be with you.” He tells you again, handing the box to you.

Your hands are shaking, but you open the box. You’re too stunned to speak at first, the ring is perfect. Simple gold band, a pear teal sapphire in the middle. You’d never dreamed of your perfect ring, but somehow this is it. You raise your eyes to Adrian, and he’s looking at you like you’ve just told him the reason for creation, like he’s just been clued into the secrets of the universe, and you just nod.

“Okay, yeah, but–”

“Anything. It doesn’t matter. Literally anything.” He answers quickly, cutting you off.

“But I want to wait. We don’t have to rush, right?” You ask him, the dainty ring glinting at you from it’s box, and your fingers itch to put it on. Adrian studies your face for a minute, and then nods, a subtle movement, but an agreement all the same.

You slide the ring on, and lean over to catch his lips on your own. You pull back just enough to tell him you love him. You smile when you realize it’s that easy. He’s yours, unabashedly. Not because he has something to gain, or someone told him to, but just because he really wants to be.

“Let’s go have sex.” You tell him, pulling away from the center and easing the car back onto the road. Beside you, you feel Adrian nodding in agreement. You’re glad you met him, even if it meant your world turned upside. You had been lost before, wandering aimlessly in the dead of night, when he had dropped into your lap. He brought the day with him, and meaning. He set you alight, and you’re finally learning how to appreciate the burn.

tagged: @michi-reads @likedovesinthewnd @strawberriesandknives @uncle-eggy @fictionlandslanddreams @uwiuwi @grippleback-galaxy @lostinwinderland314 @kidd3ath @aprilfire18 @zekegorilla @hypnoash @greenxtea0 @myguiltypleasures21 @goblynnrockz @racetrackheart @ticharluv

#adrian chase x reader #adrian chase x you #vigilante x reader #vigilante x you #adrian chase #in the dead of night #peacemaker hbo #peacemaker vigilante

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rn-zane · 1 year

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TIMING: current SETTING: ..? SUMMARY: zane's curiosity makes him follow one of his clanmates...

Being able to go to Jonas’s house, even just for a couple of nights, was calming for a few reasons. It meant that he could keep an eye on the other man and the strange things that seemed to be haunting him and his family and as a bonus, Zane could get out of the house for a while. Nothing had changed, really, but after recent encounters and with the knowledge that some strange PI was looking into Alma, he didn’t really know how to behave himself anymore. He’d shot Jonas a text when he was on his way, a small bag packed and thrown over his shoulder. Until he’d seen someone who looked like Razul, creeping down the street.

Zane wasn’t exactly well versed in tracking people but he kept a safe distance, curiously following the man with a sinking feeling in his gut. He was probably just out for a regular walk, nothing insidious at all, but not making sure would leave a nagging feeling behind. Once Razul stopped, Zane did the same, using the chance to message Jonas that he’d be running a bit late. Looking this way and that, the other vampire vanished into an unmarked building and the sinking feeling from before only doubled. He shouldn’t follow him, Zane was sure of that even as his feet carried him towards the door anyway.

The door opened slowly, revealing nothing but darkness inside and… voices. Staying in the shadows, head swimming with anxiety, Zane slowly ventured closer until he could make out the words. Razul’s voice was the only one he recognized, others speaking louder and faster. ‘...been years feeding on this sublevel crap… is she actually going to do anything or just keep making promises…’ His legs were shaky as more words sunk in, hoping that they weren’t but knowing at the same time who they were referring to. Alma. Desperate to know more about this supposed plan and perhaps get a glimpse of the other vampires further inside the dingy warehouse, Zane moved closer still.

Focused as he was on not making a sound, the gentle creak behind him was unmissable. Speed truly was a blessing. The wooden stake lodged itself deep into his forearm, pain searing every nerve ending. A second later and it would have been planted firmly in his chest. Unfamiliar eyes stared back at him, glinting with purpose and maybe even annoyance. Zane couldn’t think, couldn’t move, couldn’t react even as a kick to his stomach had the stake tearing out of his arm, body colliding to the ground. This couldn’t be happening. The slayer was approaching again and Zane was pushing himself back, away, pathetically wondering how the hell he was going to get away.

His feeble attempt at a kick was grabbed easily and the slayer moved in, leg now trapped in the man’s unbreaking grip. The pain in his arm dulled as something else snapped, demanding all of his attention. Through the mind numbing pain, it was hard to tell whether it was the leg or the knee cap but something was broken, accented horribly when his leg was dropped like garbage back to the ground, fire ricocheting from the impact all the way to his head. The cry he’d let out didn’t really register, didn’t even sound like anything he’d ever procured before, but somewhere deeper inside the warehouse, the sound definitely stirred attention. The sudden absence of conversation was deafening and Zane numbly noted the slayer’s distraction. Now or never.

His arm, his leg, everything screamed when he pushed himself off the ground, barreling into the other man and by some grace of God, managing to knock him off his feet. It only took a second for the slayer to once more get the upper hand, strong hands wrapping into Zane’s jacket and using it to slam him into the ground. He felt the skin of his temple break, darkness seeping in at the corners of his eyes. Don’t you dare pass out. He didn’t, didn’t die either, feeling the weight of the other man’s body lifting as Zane lay there, barely conscious. “Stay there while I deal with your friends.”

His phone buzzed in his pocket after what felt like hours but were only a few seconds in reality, with the effort of keeping his eyes half open it was hard to tell time. The faint buzzing against his leg drew him back for a second, making him wonder who it was. Probably Jonas, telling him that the late arrival would be fine. Shit, he wasn’t going to show up at all tonight, was he? With his uninjured arm and a few failed attempts, his phone was finally fished out of the pocket. The screen blurred precariously in front of his eyes as he unlocked it and somehow, managed to share his live location with Jonas. Now he just needed to get as much distance between himself and that warehouse, both to avoid the slayer and the rest of his clan (provided they survived), and hope that Jonas had his phone on hand.

#wickedsolo #in the dead of night #solo.003 #writing

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