#leland bloom

[playchoicesconfessions]

Sent by anonymous

‘Given how little it was mentioned in book 3, I sometimes wonder if Caroline’s allergy to Leland was a last minute addition to the rewrites’

POST/CONFESSIONS DO NOT REFLECT THE MOD’S PERSONAL OPINIONS!

[mydemonsdrivealimo]

i wanna hear any Hot Takes u might have on Bloom

honestly he wasnt that bad. he is an old white capitalist who loves his wife, which is at least better than most of the real old white capitalists of the world. i think he was overplayed in the sense that his involvement really didnt need to be That much, but also pb had to get drama from somewhere and ill give it to them, at least it wasnt typical hospital drama

[headoverheelsforramsey]

Just got polls! 🥳

[coffeeheartaddict2]

Ok it is been awhile since I read book 3 and this passage with Suzette. Is it me or is Bloom creating his own fda???

I started my When Egos Collide series before book 3, and if you had not read yet, spoilers under the cut.

I had Dr Mendoza come over from Kenmore but he declined to be on the team and wanted to work solely in research but a counter offer was made and that is how I had Tobias come onto the team.

I did not think too much at the time, covid Lock downs with small children, pregnancy, child starting kindy and what not but this feels like something I thought up. Very different in some respects but still was his end game his own fda?

And below? Elsa’s husband comes in and says he is reporting for duty? What was PB’s end game with Tobias? I know Bloom likes to use competition to breed excellence but still. Such under utilised plot potential. We remember from the trial that he was never going to throw Ethan under the bus… PB really dropped the ball and now I am scared at how in some ways When Egos collide was similar before book 3 even dropped

[utterlyinevitable]

What do you think the names of Leland Bloom sons would be? How many sons do you think he has?

I think he has 2 sons if I remember correctly?

However I hc that he only has one son named Erik and an older daughter named Stella.

[heauxplesslydevoted]

*My personal headcanon of my fictional MC being spoiled by her canonically rich husband*

An anon in my inbox implying that she’s a bad mother, entitled, and a poor representation for POC:

[gutsfics]

so like was someone else in charge of open heart book 3 or something it just feels way too different

[connie-taylor]

i want to see ana as the final girl so bad. need to see her absolutely kick the shit out of johnny.

i know that they all die in canon as the game takes place prior to the movie, but i can dream.

pls forgive my writing, it's been a long time since i've really dabbled in writing anything and it's 3:30am so i know there is a ton of errors probably but i needed to get this out!

ur a real one if u peep the taylor swift lyric i included too lmao

"i've got you now, girl."

a moment ago, she was sure she was dead.

terrifingly strong hands had been wrapped around her throat, crushing her airway. she had panicked, her nails scratching desperately at her throat, drawing blood from her attacker. he had laughed loudly, taunting her as her feet kicked against the concrete wall, desperate to find footing. her vision had begun to swim before her eyes, the familiar sting of tears coating her lashes.

ana had let go of johnny's hands in her last moments of consciousness, grabbing blindly at the wall and window ledge behind her. the world had begun to fade to black, and a chill crept slowly across her body. her fingers had grazed something cold - it had stung as she clasped it tight in her hand, but the pain felt miles away. her eyes fluttering shut, she had swung the object as hard as she could in a last second attempt to live. a curse and hiss of pain slipped from johnny's lips, and she felt the brute force on her neck disappear.

ana fell to the floor hard, her knees buckling beneath her as she inhaled raggedly. gasping, the world around her spun, and dizziness threatened to send her fully to the ground. but the sound of johnny to her left sent adrenaline coursing through her. she rose on shaking feet, her vision clearing slowly.

johnny was on the ground in front of her, blood pooling from the side of his neck as his hands tried unsuccessfully to stop the bleeding. he was swearing and grunting in pain, trying to get to his feet when he saw her stand.

she was faster.

ana lunged at him, grabbing the knife he had terrorized her and her friends with for days from the ground beside him before he could properly sit up. she slammed into him, the knife sliding cleanly through his shoulder as he howled in pain. his hands flew from his neck onto her shoulders, trying to shove her back, but she ripped the knife free and swung again. the skin on his hand split open, a violent red crevice marred the calloused skin.

johnny's right hand grasped at the left, gasping in pain as the knife plunged into his forearm once, twice. ana rammed the blade back against his chest once more, the blow knocking the man backward, his head slamming down onto the cold floor of the slaughterhouse with a sickening crack. she didn't stop. her mind was clouded with the acts of cruelty she had seen him inflict on her friends.

the piercing shrieks from julie, bound at the wrists, hung from the basement rafters, as the group helplessly watched johnny circle her like prey, the blade of his knife dragging across her skin slowly.

the enraged curses from danny, spit and blood spewing from him lips as he swung, held up by thick rope tied around his hands as johnny slashed at his arms, his chest, his back.

the pleading whimpers from connie, arms and feet tied behind her back on the floor, as she begged him not to beat her anymore. the sickening thud of his boots meeting her back, her torso, the nauseating snap of her ribs fracturing.

the quiet cries of sonny who tried to keep his fear and pain hidden as he curled up in the corner of the room, arms wrapped tight as he tried to self sooth, blood oozing from a wound on his thigh.

the furious threats leland had spat at johnny the entire time, and the pained sobs as johnny beat him and drove his knife deep into his shoulder.

johnny had hurt her as well. her skin showed the signs of abuse - bruises bloomed across her skin, wounds scabbed over, some still trickling blood, and her entire body ached. despite this, her pain was the furthest thing from her mind. of course, she was angry at him for hurting her, but he had hurt her friends and her sister, and that was more than enough reason to want him dead.

ana straddled his torso and drove the knife downward as quickly as she could, in between his ribs. johnny moaned in pain, blood bubbling out of his mouth as he coughed, staring at the knife in surprise. she threw her arm back and brought the knife down again and again and again. he choked on his own blood. it coated his lips and teeth as he managed a sneer up at her. he looked almost impressed.

he spit to the side, thick red blood splattered onto the floor beside him as he turned his eyes back to her. a wet, raspy chuckle came from him as he watched her raise her blood-soaked arm again.

"sure you wanna go through with this? once you watch someone die, you ain't never the same after that," he mused, coughing again, a rattle of phlegm and blood spewing from his lips. ana's chest clenched tight as his words, a white hot burst of rage flashing before her eyes.

"like you said...family first, asshole!"

coated in dirt and bruises, her face and hair damp with blood (her own? her friends? johnnys?), she knew it had to be this way. her brown eyes were wild with hatred as she shrieked, plunging the knife down one final time. she forced it down into his chest with all the strength she could muster. she was small, but the grief and fury fueled her, and she twisted the knife, putting her entire weight onto the handle, as she raised herself up on her knees. johnny inhaled sharply once, his hands raised as if to pull the knife away before they collapsed at his side. his gutteral sounds stopped with a final, deep exhale. his head lulled to the side, and the life drained from his eyes.

ana watched, her chest rising and falling as she panted, exhausted by the exertion and the pain. she felt something well up deep inside of her when she realized he was gone. she cried out - wasn't this what she wanted, to take the life of the man who lured her sister to her demise, the man who tortured and hurt her friends? she knew that it was, yet her pain remained. her heart was broken, the despair so strong she felt it physically. she didn't know if anyone else was alive, they had been separated after the first few days, and she hadn't seen them since they broke out of the basement at the house - the last she had heard was her friends fighting with the monsters who had held them captive as johnny had chased her from the home.

her stomach lurched as she shakily stood, coughing up bile and stomach acid as she staggered away from johnny's body. she wiped her mouth with the back of her arm, only to feel warmth on her lips. she glanced down at her trembling hands, and her stomach rolled again. her arm was slick with dark blood, and she quickly used the bottom of her shirt to wipe her mouth clean. the nausea remained, but there was nothing left in her to expel. the family had kept them starving and dehydrated, had weakened them in the basement. ana swallowed the lump in her throat as she stepped out of the sliding metal door of the slaughterhouse, into the downpour outside. the rain fell straight down in a heavy torrent, drenching her in seconds. the tear streaks in the blood on her face slowly disappeared as the water washed over her.

numb, her vision blurred with rain and her tears as she stumbled down the concrete steps. as her feet touched the ground, she collapsed into the mud, a sob wrenched from her chest. the dirt around her became tinged red in seconds as the blood ran off of her body. she felt a hot burning deep within her chest, as if she held an inferno inside of her. the reality out here was far too cruel to handle on her own. she felt as though she were dying. her hand clutched at her chest as she sobbed, her head lowered, wet hair obscuring the horrific landscape around her. her lip quivered, and she suddenly felt so small and so alone - this had been all her fault.

it's all your fault, ana.

her mind betrayed her, and the guilt slammed into her as she knelt in the mud, curled up, small, like a wounded animal. maria had already been gone for so long. why hadn't she gone to look for her sooner? why had she held on to any hope of finding her alive, finding her safe, somehow tucked away with a friend she made while taking photos? how stupid she felt. how did she let any of this happen? all she wanted was to find maria, to bring her home and back to the people who loved her.

instead, selfishly, she had led her friends straight into the hands of the devil.

it was as if a dam broke inside her. everything she had held in - for her mother, for herself, for her friends - since maria disappeared was ripped out of her. the reality came crashing down as she struggled to inhale, only to be met almost painfully with gasping, suffocating sobs. it was all too much. she wasn't strong enough for this. she was barely eighteen, still felt like a child. her fingers grasped at her chest as if she were attempting to tear her misery out from inside. throat raw, her battered body shuddered with each violent wail, drowned out by the sheet of rain that fell around her.

lost in insurmountable grief, she barely heard the cry of relief or the soft, uneven footsteps that approached her. barely felt the gentle hand on her exposed shoulder. faintly, ana heard worried murmurs and pained, labored breathing. she felt a million miles away from herself, hidden away in a dark corner in the back of her mind. as if she were watching a film through her own eyes. she vaguely registered the feeling of strong, wide arms wrapping around her in a warm, reassuring embrace.

her initial panic at the contact dimmed as the blood rushing in her ears began to slow, her head lifting as she squinted through the rain. several figures surrounded her, some leaned on each other, some stood alone, and two kneeled down in front of her. she couldn't focus, couldn't make out what was being said to her. the words ran together into an unintelligible mumble, but the voice was familiar, gentle, comforting. ana tried to reply, her throat hoarse, her mouth far too dry to form words. she licked her cracked lips and tried to speak again. the voices told her to save her energy, asked if she could stand. the one on her left said they thought they could carry her. she knew those voices anywhere. she blinked away the rain and tears desperate to see them, and let out another sob, this time of relief and happiness, as their faces swam into view.

her friends were alive... but what was left of them?

[wardogxicarus]

AU Open Starter

Leland could feel the prickling of an involuntary shift creeping through his bones. The moon was at its peak fullness, casting the expanse of woodland in silvery light. It made everything soft and sleepy, all the way up until it met the agitated hues of a mature blaze. Embers danced through the air like heralds of the burning force, threatening to make it grow.

Of all the times for a fire- a serious fire- to bloom, it just HAD to be tonight! This was a scenario he had worried about when taking this job, and now here it was.

It was bad to resist a shift, he was acutely aware of that, but he had a job to do. One that could save or destroy lives- let alone get him fired if his post was abandoned. There was no choice in the matter- he had to force it down until the flames in his section were at least fifty percent contained.

"Winds are blowing from the northwest at about 10 miles per hour," Leland grunted over the radio, "Looks like there's a clear drop zone for the ground crew at Howler's Hollow. I recommend putting down there." One hand, nails already threatening to claw over, gripped at the edge of the table. As soon as Leland finished his communication, he released the radio button and growled quietly to himself.

...Then his attention went to his companion in the tower. "Don't look at me like that, I have a job to do. Moon or not."

[docgold13]

365 Marvel Comics Paper Cut-Out SuperHeroes - One Hero, Every Day, All Year…

November 16th - The White Queen

Emma Frost was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to the wealthy Winston and Hazel Frost. Emma had been the third of four children and her father was a cold, ruthless, and domineering parent who imposed impossibly high standards on his children.  Emma’s mother, meanwhile, turned to prescription drugs to cope with the tensions of her household and was largely uninvolved in her children’s lives. 

Emma’s Mutant telepathic abilities manifested in early adolescence.  She found that she could read minds and alter the thoughts, attitudes and beliefs of others.  She ultimately used this power to blackmail her father.  Her father was actually impressed by his daughter’s actions and he offered to make her his sole heir to the family fortune.  Emma rejected the offer, left home and decided to make her own way in the world. 

Following misadventures on the street, Emma became a student at Empire State University and met the fellow Mutant telepath, Astrid Bloom.  Bloom was more apt at using her psychic abilities and she helped to train Emma to further hone her skills.  Some time thereafter, Emma was invited to the Hellfire Club, an underground elite society.  Whist involved with this society, Frost discovered the plans of Edward Buckman and Steven Lang to destroy all Mutants. Alongside Sebastian Shaw, Lourdes Chantel, and Harry Leland, Emma battled Lang's Sentinels. She killed Buckman and the Council of the Chosen and then, alongside Shaw, took control of the Hellfire Club.  Shaw became the society’s ‘Black King’ and Emma took the role of the ‘White Queen.’

During her time with the Hellfire Club, Frost created the Massachusetts Academy, an educational institute for training young Mutants.  Her best students formed a tactical team known as ‘The Hellions’ who would go on to have multiple run-ins with the New Mutants squad of the Xavier School.  Sadly, many of The Hellions were killed during a confrontation with the time-traveling villain known as Trevor Fitzroy.  

Taking time to recover from this terrible loss, Emma ended up aligned with The X-Men in battling the Phalanx.  Emma agreed to help train the young Mutants the Phalanx had targeted and, alongside the X-Man Banshee, she led the Generation X team.  This squad eventually disbanded and Emma relocated to the island haven of Genosha.  Emma taught at a school on Genosha until a genocidal Sentinel attack killed most of the island's inhabitants.  Frost survived due to the sudden manifestation of her secondary mutation: the power to transform herself into a flexible, near-invulnerable, diamond-like substance. 

After being rescued, Frost joined the X-Men and took on a teaching position at The Xavier Institute.  She mentored a group of telepathic quintuplets, the Stepford Cuckoos, who quickly became her prized pupils. Frost and the Cuckoos proved themselves when they thwarted the schemes of the villainous Cassandra Nova. 

Frost continued on as a member of The X-Men and became lovers with Cyclops.  She would later be possessed by the Phoenix Force during the Avengers versus X-Men event.  

More recently, Emma has reclaimed her title as The White Queen, only now as chief executive officer of the Hellfire Trading Company.  This company is responsible for legally exporting the miracle drugs produced on the Mutant nation of Krakoa.  As White Queen, Emma Frost has a seat on the Quiet Council, the ruling body of Krakoa.  In addition, she created the Marauders, a team led by Kitty Pryde and responsible for handling the black market for the miracle drugs, among other concerns.

Emma Frost has appeared in a number of the Fox Films X-Men movies, portrayed by actresses January Jones and Tahyna MacManus.  The villain turned heroine first appeared in the pages of X-men Vol. 1 #129 (1979).

[alj4890]

The Green-Eyed Monster

(Ethan Ramsey x OC* Sophie Triano) in a Choices Open Heart drabble

Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge: with the prompt: a kiss shared to make someone else jealous.

Rating: PG for some language and heated fluff

A/N thanks @hopelessromantic1352 for choosing the couple for this kiss prompt 😂 It let me delve more into exploring how these two would react when jealous.

@hopelessromantic1352 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations @choices-readerandlover @annfg8 @jerzwriter @trappedinfanfiction

Masterlist

The windows of Leland Bloom's mansion sparkled in the darkness. Lights all along the bottom floor glowed, beckoning one to join in on the festivities currently underway. Couples mingled outside as they slowly made their way into the stately home.

Sophie was more than looking forward to attending the event. It was the first time she was going as Ethan's date. She'd met some of the doctors he worked with at Donahue's, but tonight marked the point where she was being officially shown off as his significant other.

Ethan wasn't particularly looking forward to going, even with the pleasure of Sophie's company. He barely tolerated Leland Bloom and to be stuck for evening in the man's home was too much to contemplate.

Sophie squeezed his arm as they ascended the front steps.

He glanced down at her in question.

"I'm excited." She whispered.

"Over what?"

"Everything!" She smiled up at him. "Being with you, this party, seeing how billionaires spend their money."

Ethan snorted. "I don't know about the last two, but it is nice to spend an evening with you."

She beamed at him. "We've been working so many late nights lately." She rose up on her toes to kiss his cheek. "I've missed you."

Ethan slipped his arm around her, drawing her close. "I'm willing to take you back to my place and make up for all the absences."

Sophie's smile turned sultry. "I'm going to hold you to that."

Her eyes traveled down his body. "But first, I'm ready to see what an Edenbrook party is like."

Ethan rolled his eyes as he followed her inside. "Trust me. It isn't anything special."

"I'll be the judge of that." She teased.

Her eyes darted here and there, taking in everything.

"Should we go to the bar or the buffet first?" He asked.

Sophie snorted softly at the sound of resignation in his voice.

"The bar. Something tells me you're going to need something to help you get through the next few hours."

Ethan's lips curved.

"You know me so well."

Sophie tugged him into a quick kiss.

Ethan's hands lingered on her waist.

"Any chance you're willing to leave now and continue to do that?" He asked.

"At least give me a minute to check out his desserts. I'm curious to see who he got to cater this event." She looped her arms loosely around his neck. "Plus you deserve a drink or two."

"Three." Ethan groaned when he caught sight of their host.

"Ah, Dr. Ramsey." Leland greeted, while looking solely upon Sophie. "Glad you could make it."

"Leland." Ethan managed to keep his tone even.

"And who is this?"

"This is Sophie Triano." Ethan kept his arm around her waist, letting the man see she wasn't just some mere date.

She smiled warmly at the elderly man and held her hand out while complimenting his home.

Leland's own smile twinkled as he shook it. "I shouldn't be as delighted to meet you as I am after your refusal."

Sophie's eyebrow raised in question.

"My Caroline was hoping for your desserts to grace our tables, but your manager denied us such a pleasure, no matter how much money I offered."

"It's spring." Sophie explained. "The wedding season is starting earlier than usual. I couldn't drop those orders to cater your party at the last minute."

"If you'd been told the price I offered, you would have." Leland needled. "Think of the business you would have gained doing so."

Sophie shook her head with a smile. She was determined not to be intimidated.

"Mr. Bloom, as a business man, you know that the one way to lose money is by alienating your clients by breaking your word. I'm not about to anger the clientele I am cultivating for a quick cash grab nor ruin the reputation Veronica and I have in the pastry business. People know that when they order anything from us that they will not only get it on time but will also be given the best of what we can do."

Ethan couldn't have been more pleased with Sophie's ability to fluster the old man.

"You would have gained even more business tonight." Leland argued, waving about the room. "My guests are the type who wish to wow people at parties and your desserts would have been part of that."

Sophie shrugged. "Then that's a loss I'll have to deal with. For now though, I'm going to enjoy being one of the guests you intend to wow."

Leland reluctantly smiled at her. "Then I insist on you giving your opinion later about the pastry chef I had to settle on after your refusal."

He glanced at Ethan. "Enjoy yourselves. I see some other guests I must greet."

Sophie sagged against Ethan once Leland left them alone.

"I've never wished for Terry's intimidating presence more so than just then." She said of her bakery manager. "This is why I stay in the back room working on cakes."

Ethan tilted her chin up. The back of his fingers caressed her cheek. He was about to say how impressed he was with her standing up to Leland, only to be interrupted by someone else.

"Ethan!" Harper exclaimed. "I thought you weren't coming tonight."

Her eyes narrowed slightly on the couple before her.

"Sophie insisted." Ethan chuckled when she nudged him with her elbow.

"Really?" Harper's eyebrows raised. "I'm impressed. I don't know too many people who can change his mind."

"It wasn't easy." Sophie teased, smiling up at him.

"True, but you knew how to end my argument by walking out in that dress." He squeezed her waist.

Harper managed to keep smiling. "That was the only way I ever got him to go along with my plans."

Sophie stiffened somewhat. She was unaware of Ethan's past with this particular doctor.

"Remember our first year at the medical conference in Miami?" Harper's smile turned flirty. "You refused to go out until I wore that little red dress."

Ethan shook his head with a smile. "That wasn't why I went. It was either you or staying and listening to Fawkes go on and on about that new bladder procedure he'd heard about."

Harper winked at him. "I think we both know my red dress made that night better."

Sophie was livid as the two reminisced some more. No one would have known though by the pleasant expression on her face.

"I'm so glad you're here. There is someone I want you to meet that I think could use our help. I can't find Chris and Tobias, but I believe this woman's son needs to be seen by our team." Harper refocused on Sophie. "You don't mind my stealing Ethan away for a little while, do you?"

Sophie shook her head. She didn't trust her voice to give an answer.

Ethan promised to find her soon as Harper slipped her arm in the bend of his.

Determined not to stand there sulking, Sophie walked over to the buffet tables. Grabbing a plate, she dropped various treats upon it.

"Easy there." A familiar voice teased. "If anyone should know that presentation is part of enjoying what you eat, then it should be the top graduate of our class."

Sophie whirled around. "Blake!"

"Sophie!" He responded with a smile.

"You're the caterer for this party?"

"I am." He added a few more desserts to her plate for her to try. "If I'd have known you would be here I would have gone above and beyond with my menu."

She chuckled, relieved to see a friendly face. "Trust me, I know how excellent your skills are."

The two fell into a conversation about what they'd been doing the last few years.

"So how did you get invited to this?" Blake teased. "I thought our kind only worked these types of parties."

"I'm dating one of the doctors at Leland Bloom's hospital." Sophie pointed Ethan out.

A slight frown firmed on her lips to still see Harper's hand tucked within the bend of Ethan's arm.

"Speaking of dates," Blake nodded to the other side of the room, "Vince is here."

Sophie's head jerked around to see one of her exes.

"Of course he'd be here." She grumbled.

Her night couldn't get any worse.

"I have to get back to work." Blake patted her shoulder. "I'll see you when I'm released from the kitchens."

"Have fun." She called out when he hurried off.

********************

As Ethan listened to the various symptoms the woman noticed her teenage son having, his attention drifted over to Sophie. He'd seen her smile and talk with another chef. The two apparently knew one another well.

He'd also noticed she did not seem as happy as she'd been when they first arrived. He had a feeling he knew the reason why, but there was little he could do about it now.

He wasn't certain why Harper enjoyed bringing up their past as much as she did. He was used to Chris and Tobias's eye rolls whenever his ex brought up memories of their time together. Chris even pointed out one day when they were alone that she thought Harper might do this in an attempt to make him want to get back together with her.

He eased his arm out from Harper's hand as he realized that the lingering touch might give everyone the wrong idea.

There was only one woman he was here with and Harper wasn't her.

His attention drifted once more to check on Sophie. He felt his body stiffen at the sight of a ridiculously handsome man standing before her. The stranger took Sophie's plate out of her hand, set it down, and grasped her hand in his as he led her into another room.

Ethan had to lean somewhat away from the group he was standing with to see into the next room. A band had been set up there for couples to dance to. In the crowd, he noticed Chris and Tobias lost in each other and swaying to a slow song.

He frowned at the sight of them. If they hadn't decided to spend this party dancing, they could have been found by Harper and dealt with this while he was able to be with Sophie.

He then saw the strange man pull Sophie into his arms for a dance. Ethan could feel the sexual tension between them from here. His eyes narrowed upon the man's fingers moving along Sophie's back. The two were talking, with Sophie turning and pointing towards Ethan.

The two men locked eyes, each not bothering to hide their instant dislike of the other.

"What do you think?" Harper touched Ethan's arm again to get his attention.

"What?" Ethan snapped his eyes back towards her and the very concerned mother. "I think you should bring your son to our office first thing in the morning so we can do a full examination. We should be able to pinpoint what is causing these erratic symptoms."

He excused himself, telling Harper to make the plans. With his long legged strides, he made his way into the next room.

*****************

Sophie knew it was foolish to agree to anything Vince suggested. After all, she had been the one to end things with him. But seeing Ethan and Harper together made her want a little revenge of her own. She hadn't realized how deep her feelings towards the doctor ran until she saw him with what was clearly an ex girlfriend of his.

After Vince bragged on his robotics skills being the one to make the cute little robots at Edenbrook, he'd convinced her to dance with him.

"If the man you're with can't take the time to dance with you," he'd argued, "then he'll have to deal with the consequences of someone else taking his place."

She knew though that Ethan had not left her to simply be with other people. He was genuinely trying to help someone. She couldn't stay angry over that.

But I can over Harper, she reminded herself.

"You're really into this doctor, aren't you?" Vince pressed her closer.

"I am." Sophie replied, pulling back a respectable distance.

"Even though he has been standing over there with some other woman hanging not only on his every word, but also onto his arm?"

Sophie stiffened. "Yes."

"You're not the same woman I knew." Vince observed. "There is no way you'd have let me get away with that type of behavior."

Sophie rolled her eyes. "That's because you liked having other women hanging onto you and your every word."

"So this Evan--"

"Ethan." She corrected.

"Ethan isn't the same? There isn't a man here who doesn't like his ego stroked." Vince argued.

"Ethan doesn't need his ego stroked." She snapped. "He's a man who is confident in all he does. He doesn't need validation from anyone."

"Doesn't he?" Vince noticed the angry doctor storming into the room.

Ethan certainly looked like a man who needed his confidence in Sophie returned.

Finding the pair on the dance floor, Ethan made his way over to cut in.

He was having a difficult time squeezing through the couples.

Vince decided to try a little experiment. After all, Sophie couldn't have been dating him long if her jealous reaction was anything to go by. He wondered if Ethan felt just as strongly.

Before Sophie could react, he captured her lips in a tender kiss.

She shoved him away from her in angry shock.

"What the hell Vince?!" Her chest heaved in an attempt to calm down.

He held his hands up to both ward her off and in surrender.

"I couldn't let this moment pass us by, Soph." He admitted. "You know I want you back. I have for years now."

"I don't want you." She bit out.

Vince smiled sadly at her. "Then that's my cue to leave and plan for another chance."

"There isn't going to be another chance." She huffed, folding her arms and looking away from him.

"There's always a chance." Vince directed that towards the man standing directly behind her. "Just remember that."

He left, grinning over what he'd noticed.

Ethan Ramsey was beyond livid and also terrified.

*******************

Ethan prided himself on many things. One was that he was a man who rarely overreacted in relationships. Another was that he learned from his mistakes.

Given how much he went through with Chris Valentine, he learned to never waste a moment if he were to ever fall in love with someone else. It was why he'd been upfront and as transparent as he could be with Sophie.

Yet seeing her with this Vince had shaken him beyond what he believed he should have felt at this stage of their relationship. They'd only been together a few months and here he was, completely angry over the thought of someone stealing her away from him.

He'd already endured something similar in watching Chris fall in love with Tobias. He'd be damned if he was going to watch it happen with Sophie.

Ethan intended on cutting in on her dance with Vince. All his plans crashed around him the moment the man kissed her. He felt his world shift at the sight. He'd become immobile, unable to comprehend that this could possibly be the end of him and Sophie.

Then Sophie's almost violent reaction to Vince gave Ethan the flicker of hope he needed.

The moment Vince walked off, Sophie took a step back, intending to leave the dance floor and find a place to calm down.

She encountered a familiar hard surface.

She turned to find Ethan directly behind her.

With muscle spasming in his jaw, he grasped her hand and took her through a set of glass double doors that led outside.

The cool Boston air had a slight bite to it, helping them both deal quietly with their heated emotions.

Sophie's shivers caused Ethan to pull her within his arms.

She snuggled closer for both his warmth and to remind herself that he was hers.

"Ethan?" She said softly.

"Yes?"

"You and Harper were more than coworkers, weren't you?"

"We were." He closed his eyes, dropping his cheek against her head. "It was a long time ago."

"I see." Sophie mumbled.

"There's nothing there." He added. "No feelings at all other than respect and friendship."

"On your side, perhaps." Sophie grumbled.

Ethan tightened his arms around her. "That's all it will ever be between me and Harper."

His eyes narrowed when he caught another glimpse of Vince through the windows.

"You and Vince?"

"He's an ex of mine." Sophie explained. "We broke up years ago."

"And that kiss?" Ethan bit out.

Sophie raised her head to look up at him.

"Didn't mean anything to me." She responded.

Ethan slammed his mouth against hers. He was shocked with the need he had to prove that what she said was right. He also felt the need to make this kiss mean something to her.

Knowing he should ease up, he was unable to make his body do so. His lips and tongue were determined to draw moans from her and wouldn't stop until they did so.

Sophie wallowed in the passion of his response to seeing someone else want her. She threaded her fingers in his hair and gave back as good as she got. It both eased her heart and thrilled her that he reacted the same way she did when thinking about him with Harper.

"Ethan." She moaned as his mouth moved along her bare shoulder. "Let's get out of here."

His lips captured hers once more in a long, deep kiss.

"Please." She whispered, eyes meeting his in the soft light of a nearby sconce. "Take me home and make love to me."

He moaned her name with one more kiss. Ethan then kept his arm around her as they quickly made their exit.

[lifesver]

@meatriarch said: it was just the two of them, now. alone in the shack, johnny had stepped out to go over to the house — dinner with his mother, common occurrence a couple times a week. this dinner just so happened to land on leland's birthday. unfortunately — but they knew, understood, there was little to protest about. not without suspicions being raised. instead, in place of having a nicer dinner together, they went out earlier in the day — and maria had managed to convince johnny to find something he could have lee help out with, away from the shack, for a little while. give her enough time to bake a small treat for him later on, after dinner. so when johnny left them later in the evening, and maria and lee shared their small dinner together, maria took to cleaning around the little kitchen and table — insisted that lee go ahead and take it easy, go off and get comfortable for the night. and despite his protests to help, she continued to insist, pointing off in the direction of the curtain, until pout crossed his face in defeat. she waited a few minutes, finishing with the dishes and drying off hands, before opening one of the bottom cupboards and leaning down, pulling out carefully wrapped package — nothing colorful nor intricate, but wrapped with care, to ensure nothing made what laid inside dirty. maria straightens and walks across shack and past curtain, over to the mattresses they all had, some time ago, pushed side-by-side, where lee was busy undoing boots along its edge. she smiles cutely down at him when he glances up at her, turning and dropping herself down beside him, and holds the package out to him, " had to be a little sneaky about this, worked on it while johnny kept you busy all over the place. its something simple, you know, but, i hope you like it, lee— " beneath all the wrapping lies denim — new jacket, a lighter wash, that she's been slowly adding little embroidery to. along top of the back? blooms of marigolds, dancing along below collar. trailing along shoulders to front, with small bundles of the golden flower above both front pockets. and a smaller surprise along cuffs of the sleeves — of clovers snaking along its edges. she watches him as he opens it, nerves buzzing in her chest. it wasn't much, given everything. knows that compared to birthdays he's celebrated before, this year probably wasn't one of his favorites — she wanted to do something, though, for him. for everything he's done for her. for always protecting her, comforting her, over the past almost-year that they have been here, with johnny. she watches him hold it up once unwrapped, to look it over, and she adds, " — i know the old jackets' seen better days...saw this one while we were out a while back in town. thought you could use a new one. "

he doesn't mind the quiet, or that johnny was at his mother's for the night. he doesn't mind his birthday passing like any other day of the year. it's hardly like he paid attention, anymore — part of it didn't feel worth mentioning. didn't feel particularly important to the life he lived, now. but trust maria to still make something out of nothing, and make it special for him. not that he needed anything — and he’d promised her as much, with a smile and a wave on his way out that day. but it still meant a lot that she had.

leland shoots a half-accusing eyebrow raise up at her; ❝ … so you were up to something. ❞ no wonder johnny had made up a seemingly endless list of chores for the day. it was sort of funny to imagine maria convincing him to play along, but then again — if anyone could twist your arm, it'd definitely be maria.

she puts down a neatly wrapped package in front of him, and leland’s expression settles into one of gentle questioning. his hands hover uselessly — but he doesn't say anything. probably because there's something nearly painful welling in his chest, and he's certain if he tries to speak, he'll just cry. instead, his brows furrow softly, and he begins unwrapping the gift slowly, careful even with the packaging. maria had worked hard on it, after all.

his thoughts are an up-and-down carousel in his head. on his last birthday, they'd been back at school. julie had baked a cake, and connie made him a bracelet he still wore. it had been a good birthday. but maria hadn't been there. she’d sent a letter, though, and photographs of the marigolds she’d found. he missed their friends. he knows maria does too — even with the sting that came along with those memories.

he remembers the night he watched them all disappear down that dirt road in the dark — he'd had the thought that he wouldn't be getting any older than nineteen. but they would all grow up. maybe they would have lives, and families. he had thought about it watching the world tilt, and spin out in the setting sun, the gentle bend of the sunflowers around him, and his blood darkening the soil.

he'd had that thought a few times, since then. when things were really bad. when he'd gone so far as to hand off his mother's necklace, and connie’s bracelet, to maria, entrusting her when he thought he might not see her — or anyone, again. because it's hard not to think of where this all started, when he was still nineteen. he’d made it to his twentieth birthday, and it's still hard not to feel the loss of something — like a knife in the ribs.

leland removes the denim jacket from its packaging finally, and stares at it a little dumbly. it’s a little different from his old one, but he sees maria’s magic touch, immediately. hand-sewn embroidery. golden flowers blooming in bursts along shoulders, twisted in leaves curling along the breast of the jacket. down to the little clovers lovingly detailed in the seams of the sleeves. how long had this taken her?

❝ maria, i— ❞ he swallows thickly, and his fingers tremble slightly where they smooth over the denim. he holds it up, and the light glints across the raised embroidery lines. ❝ you really… did this for me? this is... how can you say it's simple? ❞ he gives a wobbly laugh, to cover his brimming eyes. it doesn't really work. ❝ it's... really beautiful, maria. it's amazing. when did you find the time — ❞ he swipes at his eyes, and a quiet sound shakes in his chest, in his shoulders. god. where the hell had that come from? he'd been fine a minute ago. he'd been okay all day. but maybe all this emotional outpour had just been waiting, for the right moment to slip through the cracks.

leland lays the fabric over his knee. he wants to try it on for her — he wants to make this moment a warm one — but he's stuck feeling like he can't breathe. this was his twentieth birthday, and he might have forgotten. this was his twentieth birthday — and he hadn’t thought this was the kind of thing either of them could have, anymore.

despite everything, they’re still here. no matter what anyone else thought. no matter what the newspapers said. they could still have something normal. as his eyes draw along the embroidery, he can’t help but think of his childhood bedroom, and his old dorm room. maria's apartment. all their old things gathering dust. it had been a long time — but they had started to find things to call their own, again. new clothing, little wooden figures on a window sill. a handmade quilt, a bracelet in blue. and his mother's gold chain around his neck, again.

❝ sorry — i, uh. i don’t — i don’t know why i’m crying. ❞ he gasps out a shaky laugh, palming at his eyes again. dragging a hand through his hair. maria’s seen him cry before. maria’s maybe seen him cry more than anyone, now. maria who's always good to him, always gentle. always reminding him he was still deserving of those things. and the tears start to darken the fabric in spots, when he pulls maria into a tight hug, chin parked atop her head — mumbles into her hair, softly;

❝ … i love it. thank you. ❞

[mydemonsdrivealimo]

Who would be more willing to dress up as Santa for the kids at the hospital should the arranged one cancel last minute? Bloom, Ethan or Zaid? 😆

🎅 ho ho ho!

hmmm ethan would be singlehandedly the worst santa ever so anybody but him. gonna go with bloom bc at least he'd try yk. i could see zaid doing it but with none of the cheer and it'd be too Wrong

[meatriarch]

crickets sung their nightly tune in the dark, under the glow of the moon overhead in cloudless sky. air was chilled as time crawled on by, as pen scribbled carefully along paper — small green clovers decorating along the corners, with vines of leaves along their edges. she picked out the letter paper special, just for lelands' birthday, to send through the mail. she spent time with him ahead of her trip, ahead of spring break. she hadn't intended on missing the actual day, but, she'd wanted to try and hunt down someplace where marigolds were in bloom. her manager at her work, the florists, had mentioned hearing that few people had driven through a town nearby — newt — and spotted some along the sides of backroads, along property lines.

the temptation to spot some, herself, was too enticing — snap some photographs of them, to send polaroids of the stunningly golden flowers back to austin for lee, for his birthday.

and earlier today? maria managed to do just that!

smile beaming as she wrote along paper, dated in top corner : march 10th, 1973. ' — i hadn't been having much luck finding them, the entire drive over? nothing. when i left where i had parked and camped that first night to continue driving on friday? still nothing . . . i was getting a little upset, i really, really wanted wanted to find some marigolds for you, lee, and i was starting to think with every one of the stops i had planned to make, and finding none of them, that i just was never going to. but yesterday, friday night, when i stopped at this bar for a bite to eat and rest from all the stops and the driving, i happened to meet someone, and we talked for a long while. and when he was asking why i was passing through town, i told him i was looking for different flowers to take photos. and that i was having trouble trying to find a certain one — the marigolds — and i described them to him, as detailed as i could, i mean you know how i get, i talked his ears off trying to tell him about how pretty they are, but guess what? lee, he knew what they were! what flower i was talking about! said he was certain he'd seen some around on his familys' property, was pretty positive of it! and guess what, too! he offered to let me go over and get some photos of them! oh, i nearly jumped up and hugged him right there! i was so excited! we agreed on a time and he made notes on my map where his family lived, said he'd meet me off the main road and help me look around for them. and, lee, he was right! there were marigolds! all along this dirt road that cuts through his familys' property, a whole bunch of them scattered all through the grass! they were so beautiful! and they smelled so sweet! i wish i could have collected a few of them to give you, but they never would have lasted through the rest of the trip, and i didn't want to ask him such a thing, not after already being so helpful already. i'm so excited for you to see them! they're so pretty! the ones growing out of those two metal bins is my favorite! he said that his family has a whole bunch of other flowers, wildflowers and their own private fields of some of them, that he offered to me again to come back tomorrow to take more photos of. i can't wait! he said they have alot of sunflowers, too! i can't wait! — '

maria pauses her writing, setting pen down and stretching her arms out in front of her, looking out from the open back of her car, across the darkened field surrounding her. catching shadowed glimpses of wildflowers in the dark, swaying slowly in the night breeze. the lantern hanging from hook on the opposite side of car bed lit up her field of view just enough to see what she was writing, and a the few feet radius around the outside of the car. she'd tucked herself among some trees and underbrush, hidden for the most part from view of the road.

there's a brief, oddly loud rustle of leaves and branches that catch her attention, and she turns her head, twisting herself to peer out from the open end of the car off into the dark of the trees behind her. eyes narrowed, strained and struggling to allow her eyes to adjust to the dark outside. listening, listening — but slowly settles back in place when she hears nothing else seemingly out of place, and looks away.

shiver runs down her spine, and maria huddles into herself more, picking up pen to continue writing — figuring the noise is nothing more than the wind,

' — i'm certain this will reach you by the time that thursday comes around next week! i'm so excited to hear about what you did for your birthday back home, and with the others! i hope its fun and i hope you sneak an extra slice of cake to eat, for me! i'm sorry i won't be back until breaks' over, but i wanted to let you know how happy i am to have met you, lee. you're such a sweetheart and i've loved getting to know you more as time has passed. you're so funny and kind and i hope to get to see many, many more of your birthdays in the future! thank you for being so lovely, and thank you for being my friend. i hope you love the marigolds as much as i loved taking photos of them for you! happy birthday, lee! - maria ♡ '

pen stops at the little heart, setting it in her satchel. she lets the ink finish drying a moment before carefully folding the letter papers and placing them into pre-set envelope, ready to mail them out first thing in the morning with the polaroids, to be certain that they do reach him by the time his birthday arrives this coming thursday, the fifteenth.

she reaches across the bed of the car, turning of the lantern — plunging her surroundings into darkness — and settles herself under mess of blankets in the back of the car, nestling and curling herself up to sleep for the night, facing out at the moonlit wildflowers. a smile on her face as she allows herself to slowly doze off for the night.

tomorrows another big day, after all — she needs to make sure to not sleep in and keep the man from the bar — johnny — waiting on her . . .

@lifesver : another little birthday-related treat for our favorite golden retriever jock ♡

[coffeeheartaddict2]

Trick or Treat

Book: Open Heart (book 3 timeline)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC Casey Valentine

Word count:940

Category: Smut

Rating: Maure

Warnings: sexual content, language

Summary: Casey does a special and private trick or treat for Ethan.

Disclaimer: characters belong to Pixelberry.

Authors note: just some unadulterated smut for Halloween coz why the hell not.

💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

It had been a hectic first quarter of Casey’s final year of residency. The changes at the hospital due to Leland Bloom’s research driven agenda, which included some staff acquisitions that she was not particularly keen for. Thankfully Landry had not tried to sabotage her patients again but the leering stares and comments laced with innuendo from Dr Mendoza were not appreciated.

Halloween was fast approaching, her and Ethan had a lovely dinner out for her birthday. Ethan did not do Halloween but Casey did but this year, she was going to celebrate privately. Ethan had an earlier finish to her on the day so she was going to surprise him at home. She had purchased a rather salacious black lace lingerie set. She knew it would be ruined but as far as she was concerned it was worth it.

She arrived at his apartment and she could see the light coming from the study. She could see he was busy so she made her way to the ensuite and had a quick shower and changed into her new lingerie set. She put on one of Ethan’s shirts over the top as well as a pair of black heels. She makes her way to the office and stands seductively at the door.

“Trick or treat” she demurs.

Ethan startles then his eyes start to roam her. Casey shudders in anticipation. She slowly makes her way to his desk. She sits down besides him and seductively crosses her leg.

“To what do I owe this pleasure, Dr Valentine?” Said Ethan with a smirk.

Casey seductively ran her heel along Ethan’s thigh.

“Am I not allowed to seduce my boyfriend?” Asked Casey, innocently.

“Of course not…”

Casey slowly unbuttons the shirt she is wearing. Ethan catches a glimpse of the black lace of Casey’s bra.

“Bloody hell rookie” he mutters under his breath as he stands up. He kissed her hungrily. Casey returns the kiss. Ethan stands Casey up and he slides his shirt off her. He runs his hands up her body to her breasts. Casey’s breath hitched as his hands ran over her hardened peaks. He slid a strap down, exposing a breast. He gently massaged whilst he whispered huskily in her ear. “The heels stay on whilst I fuck you.” Before he kisses her again. He unhooks her bra and then turns her around. He gets her to lean over his desk. Whilst Casey is positioning herself, he takes his clothes off. He leans over her, one hand interlocking with hers whilst the other makes its way to between her legs, to her now drenched core.

“This will definitely be a treat” he says while he runs circles around her clit, causing her to moan. He rips her underwear and lines himself up to her entrance.

He teases her entrance before thrusting into her hard, hitting the spot that he knows makes her scream from the get go.

“Oh god, Ethan” she moans loudly as he continues at a relentless pace. Ethan leans over and captures her mouth in a searing kiss, whilst holding her at the hips, tightly, Casey starts to feel light headed and sees stars at her peripheral vision. She knows it will be intense and she starts to clench Ethan’s length harder. Ethan let’s put a guttural moan, he knew she was getting close and so was he. He goes even harder and faster and moves his hand to her swollen nub. He deftly plays with it sending Casey hurtling towards a very hard climax. Casey comes hard, screaming, the final clench bringing about Ethan’s climax. He collapses on top of her, Casey finds it grounding as it was one hell of a high she was coming from. Once Ethan has regained his composure he sits back down on his chair and Casey sits on him.

“Did you enjoy your treat?” She asks.

“I did, although I think somewhere it turned into a treat for you.” He said with a chuckle.

“I think we can state it was a treat for both of us.” Says Casey before kissing him. The kiss gets heated and she can feel him starting to harden again. She slides off and kneels down in front of him. She runs his hand up and down his length slowly. “Well, let me truly give you a treat” she demurs before slowly swirling her tongue around his tip. Ethan hisses as she takes him inch by agonizing inch. She starts to move up and down, slowly at first and faster, taking his whole length each time. Ethan moans at the sensations and it does not seem to take long before he feels his muscles in his lower back tighten and his cock begin to throb.

When she starts to feel him throb she applies more suction and starts to massage his sac.

“Fuck” he says through gritted teeth. He can feel himself get closer and closer. He moves his hips to create more friction which causes Casey to moan, sending a pleasant sensation through him. Again he was again on the precipice of another climax and with a final suck and swirl of her tongue he came and coated the back of her throat. Casey took the load and slowly disengaged.

“You know,I think you have single handedly made me enjoy Halloween, rookie.”

“Well, a good thing there are plenty more of them to come.” She said as she got up and walked towards the door. Ethan followed and picked her up.

Casey wrapped her legs around his waist and he walked them to the bedroom to continue their private Halloween celebrations.

Authors note: happy Halloween to all my readers.

Tagging: @jerzwriter @genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @cariantha @liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @tessa-liam @youlookappropriate @trappedinfanfiction @crazy-loca-blog @a-crepusculo @bex-la-get @socalwriterbee @schnitzelbutterfingers @binny1985 @lucy-268 @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

[utterlyinevitable]

Where is the leland bloom family post? He has sons doesn't he?

I can't find it either. But the consensus is that yes, he has 2 sons that are briefly talked about in book 3.

I hc that he has a daughter exactly like Caroline thats in line to take over the empire, and a son who is a disappointment.