#let me know if I should keep going for part two

[pork-pop]

DON’T MAKE ME BEG FOR YOU!

✧ the girl of his dreams is throwing him a bone…is he feigning nonchalance or acting a fool?!

contains: gojo, geto, nanami || cw: p in v sex (unprotected), oral (f. receiving), like a hint of hair pulling for suguru, mentions of masturbation || wc: 1.7k~

✧ a/n: i am half asleep right now if there’s a typo just come to my home and take me out before i wake up! cheers. srry nanami’s ended up kinda shorter than the others oopsie daisy.

MINORS AND AGELESS BLOGS DNI!!!

SATORU GOJO

acting a fool is an understatement

Satoru is terrible at the art of subtlety, and to most, making one’s intentions blatantly clear to the person they’re interested in might seem mortifying. But that’s been Satoru’s goal since the start. Those lingering touches, the flirtatious glances and suggestive comments were all done in stride, after all, he takes pride in the fact that he’s getting what he wants. You, however, have been the hardest shell to crack. So, naturally, he’s utterly whipped. 

He can hardly believe his luck when you choose to reciprocate after months of cat and mouse, and he has no choice but to lay out all of his chips and double down. 

For someone who was raised to be a gentleman, he sure does know how to get your clothes on the floor without any manners at all. As soon as you’re blessing him, deepening the kiss, his wandering hands are tugging at your blouse for permission to show you how much he’ll work for it. 

“Isn’t this a treat?” He pants humorously between thrusts, fucking into you like he’ll know he’ll find the answers to all of his intrusive questions regarding you if he just gets an inch or two deeper. Satoru hisses as you tighten around him, “You gonna keep talking or are you gonna fuck me harder?” you snicker. And you should know that there’s nothing Satoru loves more than a good challenge; getting you like this wasn’t the challenge he’d most anticipated, no, it was making you crave it just as much as he did. 

“Is that an invitation?” He asks, a big grin twisting at the corners of his lips while he inches a hand down to thumb teasingly at your clit, “You know, I’ve been thinking about you saying that for a while now, don’t you?” In spite of his stamina, Satoru’s breath is ragged and shaky, could it be that he was even a bit…nervous? You didn’t have the time to put much thought into it before his hips speed up, knocking every one of those pretty suspicions out of your head for the time being. Your eyes roll back and you swear you can hear a triumphant little huff of a laugh from him as he takes that as inspiration to roughen the circles he’s drawing against your clit. 

“I’ve been thinking about what you’d sound like when you cum, too,” he admits without a shred of shame, nosing into the tender column of your throat so you can hear him better, “Can I hear?” “Fuck!” Is all you can manage through a strangled cry, clawing at the shifting muscles of his back in a futile attempt to ground yourself. “C’mon, I can tell you’re getting close,” he rasps madly, “I wanna hear you.” He begs, suddenly licking a greedy stripe along the dampened skin of your neck. 

And who are you to deny him? You cry out a declaration of your sudden orgasm, features squeezed and mouth parted as you struggle to catch your breath. Satoru stares at you with widened eyes, and a stuttered breath, “Hah-...” He hadn’t even realized how close he’d been getting to spilling inside you, but welcomed the overwhelming feeling with open arms. He could go for five more rounds if you’d let him, anyways. 

God, this must be what it’s like to hit the jackpot. 

SUGURU GETO

nonchalant (acting a fool)

Suguru can’t lie to himself and pretend like he hadn’t imagined this scenario too many times to count before, usually as a desperate last resort when he’d found he can’t imagine getting off to anything other than the thought of you at a certain point. He’s sure that he’s a better man than this, and he’d certainly tried to be courteous and discrete about the way you make him feel, shying away from the line he’s been dreaming to cross. 

But now, sitting up on the mattress and unable to tear his eyes away from your tits, he realizes that he’d been overshooting the strength of his own resolve. Suguru surges forward, taking one in his mouth as he guides you up and down his length, doing anything he can to prove he’s still being normal about this. Fuck it. 

“Fuck,”  he moans against your chest, “wait a minute-...” You still your movements, tilting your head curiously at him as he swallows breathlessly, “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing,” He quickly reassures with a shake of his head, gently squeezing at your hips to punctuate the promise, “God, nothing’s wrong at all, I just need-...let me eat you out. Please?” You blink at him in surprise, placing a hand on his shoulder, “Huh?” 

“Seriously, I-...” He shakes his head, gazing up at you like you’re the most wonderful thing he’d ever seen, “it’s all I’ve been thinking about.” 

During those moments in the past in which he found himself fucking his fist to the thought of you, he only ever found himself relishing in the idea of burying himself between your legs and making careful sure that the only thing you’d be capable of saying was his name. The both of you had been too hasty in the wake of realizing your feelings were reciprocated, too desperate to give each other everything you’d been dreaming of. It feels like the heavens have opened up before him as you slip off of his lap, letting him situate you against the pillows. 

Suguru’s methodic in the way he trails warm kisses down your body, stopping to suck a mark into your hip, but he can’t tease for too long, not when he probably wants to get you off on his tongue more than you want it (which is saying a lot). 

He kisses your bare cunt gratefully, before dragging his tongue against your entrance, eyelids already going heavy as he slips into a euphoric trance. Suguru tries his very hardest to keen on every noise you make, every cry of his name, but it’s hard to do that when he’s getting so drunk off the flavor of you. He’s suddenly starved, devouring you completely, too far gone to be embarrassed of the way he shakes his head against your pussy or moans just as loud as you do. 

Geto’s suspicions had been utterly correct. While he’s been eager to have you like he did moments before, to feel you wrap around him and to fuck up into you with calculated thrusts, this definitely takes the cake. He grows dizzy off your scent, grinding against the mattress to prevent himself from further losing his mind over the prospect of what he’s doing right now. 

You lace your hands through his hair, pulling at it as he brings you closer to the edge. This is all he needs, he thinks, he can easily be fine spending the rest of his life like this. Suguru wants to prove that much over and over again to you, and he won’t hesitate if you’ll let him. “You’re perfect.” He mumbles against your cunt, and he’s partially glad you’re too far gone to hear some of the pathetic remarks he’s uttering, “Need this so bad.”

Yeah, good luck hopping back on his dick anytime soon now that he knows he was right about how addicting you’d be. 

KENTO NANAMI

nonchalant by a thread

It’s easy for Kento to have steel-grade self control when you’re fully clothed and the conversation is tame. But when clothes are taken out of the equation, well, that’s a different story. That being said, he won’t forget his manners. 

You’re in a tender mating press, smiling softly at the sweet kisses Nanami keeps peppering across your face, and occasionally one to your lips. He briefly wonders why he ever thought it was a good idea to hesitate in taking the initiative to have you laid out against his pillows like this, moaning his name almost as if you knew how much that chipped away at his own self-preservation. You’re dangerously close to getting him to embarrass himself. 

“Do you like this?” He breathes against the shell of your ear as his pace speeds up a bit, knocking the wind out of you. Regardless, you nod, hardly able to wrap your lips around anything other than the shape of his name. Kento bites his lip, fighting the urge to go even faster. This was your first time together, after all, he’d be mad not to cherish it like something fleeting and sacred. He wants more, he wants this all the time, and he’s so close to begging you for it. In some last attempt of self-preservation, he utters, “You feel amazing,” almost choking on his breath after the fact. 

“Fuck, keep doing that.” You cry out, throwing your head back to give him a clear view of your throat that he so desperately wishes to mark up. He almost asked what you meant, before he peers down, realizing he’d mindlessly begun rubbing circles into your clit. Kento feels like he’s getting ahead of himself, yet not doing enough at the same time; this feeling is so foreign and overwhelming, but he’s falling in love with it. 

Following your orders, he continues his steady pace on your clit, mouth going dry as you tell him how close you are. Yes, please, that’s all I want to hear. 

“Please,” he murmurs in a gravelly voice, not realizing he’d started voicing his own thoughts, “cum for me.” Nanami is certain he’s going to lose control any moment, and he’s sure that you cumming around his cock is not going to help him at all in his hope to still be a gentleman to you. It’s alright, though, he thinks. If he’s going to embarrass himself, lose all resolve and allow himself to drown in this simple pleasure, Kento doesn’t think he’d want to do it with anyone else but you.

[dissolved-g1rl]

leon and his insomniac s/o ⋆˙⟡ ⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

One thousand and one. One thousand and two. One thousand and three. One thousand and four. This really isn’t working anymore. Counting sheep, taking melatonin gummies, wearing socks to sleep, not wearing socks to sleep. Many forums have been browsed, insomnia books purchased, the only thing that seems to get you to sleep is Leon’s voice. There lies your problem, he works so hard everyday, just because you can’t sleep doesn’t mean Leon should have to wake up and read to you till you fall asleep.

You glance to the side, you can see how his chest rises and falls with every breath. Leon had been holding you, trying to soothe you to sleep with head rubs, at some point he dozed off, rolling over onto his back. Leons hair splays out backwards, exposing his forehead, honey blonde looking like a darkish brown. His pouty lips are slightly parted, you can hear him snore after each exhale.

The room is dark, but you’ve been staring off for so long that you’ve just…adjusted to it. You sigh quietly, sitting up in bed. The plan is to escape Leon, drink some warm milk, do some jumping jacks, anything to try and tire yourself out. You almost make it to the door, had to crawl over his limbs to do it, but you hear the sheets rustle, “Where’re you going….” You hear, and turn around like a startled animal.

“Just getting a drink.”

“Liar.”

He pats the still warm space next to him and you begrudgingly return. Leon is sleepy, barely keeping his eyes awake as he tugs you close to him, so close that the two of your are sharing a pillow. Leons nose rubs against your cheek. He takes a moment to try and wake up, his voice is groggy, and his limbs are heavy with sleep. “How long have you been up.” He murmurs, “A few hours.” is your response that makes him sigh. “You could’ve woken me up.” He rubs your arm all the way down to your hand, lacing your fingers together. “I know…but…” He makes a noise at your sheepish rebuttal. “You want me to read the last chapter of Pride and Prejudice?” Leon asks, it’s been a good read, he never thought he’d like a romance novel, and it put you to sleep like a charm and kept him interested. “No…Go back to sleep Leon, I’ll be fine.” Leon smacks his lips disapprovingly “You’re gonna try ‘n leave me again.” He says through a yawn. “You have work in the morning.” You try to be reasonable, “Then I’ll take a nap on my lunch break, ‘s fine.” He’s too sweet, too understanding, too considerate. “You want the chapter?” He suggests again, he won’t take no for an answer, stubborn is another one of his traits, its as loving as it is infuriating. You shake your head again and he sighs.

He tries a few different things. Soft kisses, ones that have a little too much spit, and that are a little off center. Leon even leaves the bed to turn the ac down, he comes back to cuddle you under the sheets, he gets chilly, the way you put your hands under his biceps and feet all over his calves makes it seem like you do to. “Y’know, our receptionist just came back from maternity leave.” Leon rubs your back, “What does that have to do with anything?” You ask incredulously, Leon shushes you “Anyways, she had a colic baby, never slept for more than like…two hours or something, till they got a little white noise machine, worked like a charm.”

“White noise, seriously?”

“Yes seriously, just give it a try, please?” He’s such a polite boy when he says please, you make an indignant noise, yet agree. He hums approvingly, blindly groping for his phone, he finds a long video of repeated white noise, playing it loud enough to hear yet to not be jarring. You let the noise of static gum up in your brain, “It sounds like when you snore.” You mumble, your eyes feel a little heavy, “I don’t snore.” Leon denies, he thinks you’re pulling his leg. “Mhm…” You nuzzle his chest, his hand still is rubbing your back, albeit slowly as he too starts to get sleepy.

Unfortunately, it works like a charm, it takes thirty minutes, but that’s nothing compared to four hours of counting sheep. Leon calls you his colic baby for the rest of the week, people assume he had a baby young, no he’s just talking about his insomniac lover.

dividers by @uzmacchiato

a/n: This story was a request, i accidentally posted it instead of saving to my drafts so i had to delete re do it all lol, hope u enjoy ^_^ I am so sorry I don’t remember your @!!!!

[buckysthunderbolts]

Maternal Instincts

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: After avoiding Bucky for far too long, you're forced to come to him and ask him to help you walk through memories you don't believe are real. Only this time, it involves two people that look suspiciously like you and Bucky.

Warnings: Eventual 18+ content, canon-typical violence, knives, injuries, drugging

Word Count: 3.5k+

Author's Note: I'm baaaaaaaack (for now at least)! I got inspired to write this after seeing thunderbolts* a few weeks ago. I originally posted this on my AO3 lokislaufeysons. Hopefully my fanfic skills aren't rusty, I've been out of practice for way too long. Anyway, please let me know what you think by leaving comments! Ta ta for now!!

Chapter 1: Little Viper

NOW

Even after all this time, I still don’t trust my memories. I can’t talk to the two people who would know what was real and was not real. Steve is gone. I’m too ashamed to go to Bucky. He’s healthy. He’s moved on. He doesn’t need me. I just remind him of his past and mine. He’s too busy now. He’s gotten the hero’s treatment he’s always deserved and earned. The gaps in my memory are my punishment, a reminder of every bad thing I’ve done.

Bucky calls and leaves messages. His voice is earnest and full of concern, gentle. His tone reaches to the back of my mind, bringing back memories I don’t know are real and I am too afraid to ask him if they are. Flashes of soft laughter, gentle touches, and lingering kisses. If I told him the nightmares I have and the flashes of memories that I don’t know are real or not, I know he would tell me the truth. I don’t know if I could handle the answer.

Instead, I bury myself in liquor and work. It dulls the pain and loneliness I feel. The ache in my chest, the emptiness I feel, the void in my life. There’s something missing and I can’t figure out what. It only comes in flashes in my dreams and nightmares.

Sam tries his best to be there for me, but I think I’ve pushed him away too many times for him to keep trying. He reminds me too much of Steve and it hurts too much. He hasn’t given up on me, no matter how many times I tell him there is no point. He’s patient and doesn’t say much and doesn’t mention Bucky.  

It’s one of the reasons I now have a court mandated therapist. It’s part of my own journey to make amends with everything I’ve done and everyone I’ve hurt, even if I didn’t have a choice. I don’t think I’m worthy of forgiveness or redemption, not in the same way Bucky is. I just have to carry it with me every day and move forward, without burdening Bucky and holding him back from moving on and healing.

“You know, pushing away the people that care about you the most tends to have the exact opposite effect you want it to,” Yelena murmurs, leaning against the balcony, looking down at the party beside me.

I scoff and roll my eyes, taking a long drink of my champagne. “Now that you’re an Avenger, you’re therapizing me?” I asked. “Once upon a time you did the exact same thing.”

Yelena hums and nods in agreement. “I know I did. It just made me feel worse. You should just talk to him. You’ve said you don’t trust your memories. Talking to Bucky about it will give you clarity. He can tell you what was real and what was not.”

I swallow hard, my eyes following Bucky’s every move below. His hair is slicked back, and he’s dressed in a tux that does nothing to hide his strength. He’s surrounded by politicians and other powerful people. I haven’t told anyone about the flashes of memories I get when they’re triggered.  

“That’s what scares me.”

“Gregor is entering the building,” Sam’s voice breaks our conversation through the earpiece, and I look towards the main entrance. 

Dr. Gregor Markov enters the massive ballroom flanked by his private security team. He’s dressed in a maroon suit. His silver hair is perfectly combed and beard neatly trimmed. I’m responsible for intercepting him. Dr. Markov is responsible for selling unsanctioned biological weapons and has avoided capture for many years. He helped finance the Black Widow program and has never been held responsible for his crimes. He hides behind philanthropic efforts and his deep pockets. Familiarity gnaws at me as I look at him and it twists my stomach. Dread fills me.

“On it,” I replied, turning from the balcony and hurrying down the grand staircase, pushing down the warnings I feel stir inside me.

“Remember, you need to get him alone. We need to quickly and quietly subdue him. An exit is just beyond his private study. Joaquin and I are just outside. Yelena and Bucky are inside if there are any problems. Once you get him alone, you have five minutes to exit.”

I walk around and through the ball room, weaving through the thrones of people. My gaze never leaves Markov’s frame. I watch him smile and shake hands with guests. He moves closer to the bar, and I lean against an empty chair. His eyes catch mine and he drinks me in.

I’m dressed in a long, dark blue gown with a plunging neckline and open back and high slit that ends near the top of my thigh. The top of my dress is tight against my chest and hugs my body in all the right places. He smiles and breaks away from his group and comes up to me. I smile coyly and let him take my hand. He brings it up to his mouth and kisses the back of my hand. It itches something in the back of my head, but I push the feeling down.

“What would you like to drink, Ms.…” Markov asks, trailing and waiting for my name.

“Ana,” I replied, the fake name slipping easily off my tongue. The wig I have on itches my scalp. “Martini, as dirty as they can make it.”

He grins, nodding towards the bartender. “Two extra dirty martinis please.”

The bartender works quickly and pushes them on the counter towards us. He takes them both in his hands before handing one of the glasses to me. We cheers silently and I take a long, hard drink.

“Would you like to dance?”

I smile again and take another long sip before nodding. He takes my hand and guides me to the middle of the ballroom. His security team lingers at the edge of the dance floor. He spins me around settles a hand on my waist and the other inside my hand. I rest my free hand on his shoulder.

The sound of violins and other string instruments fill the speakers. We move gently to the music and my eyes flicker over to Bucky. He’s standing by a table surrounded by rich philanthropists and world leaders. He has a drink in his hand and listens and observes quietly. I watch him turn towards the dance floor and he finds me. He follows my moves and I can’t read the emotion on his face.

“What brings you here to my home?” Markov’s thick Austrian accent breaks my focus, and my eyes find his again. The hand on my waist slides down and he greedily cops a feel of my ass. I resist the urge to twist his hand and grit my teeth.

“Professional curiosity. What made you open your home and host this gala? Rumor has it that you enjoy your reputation as a recluse. Why change that?” 

He laughs in my ear and hums in reply. “To stroke my ego, I suppose. Are you really a philanthropist if you don’t host a fundraising gala in your honor?”

I laugh and creep my hand towards the back of his neck, twirling a piece of hair between my fingers. “I guess not. It’s for a good cause, so why not celebrate all your efforts? You’re making a difference.”

“I like you. You know exactly what to say to make me want to sneak away and take what I want from you in my study.”

“So why don’t you?”

“My age doesn’t put you off? I’m at least 30 years older than you.”

Too bad you don’t know I’m technically over 100 years old. I’m old enough to be your mother.

“Not at all. You’re still very attractive. You’re philanthropic and filthy rich. Does me being younger than you put you off?” I asked, throwing the question back at him with a sly grin.

Markov grins again and shakes his head. “Touche.”

We part briefly before he grabs my hand again. We walk towards the grand staircase and his security detail follows closely behind. He turns and leans into the ear of the largest man on his detail and whispers something. The men back off and Markov turns to look at me again. He guides me up the stairs, down the hall past a set of guards towards his private office and the closest exit.

My heart races and I swallow hard as he opens the door to his study. The room is massive. His desk is backed up against a massive bookcase. Picture frames are on the desk and piles of paper are neatly organized in front of the chair. A couch sits on the far wall across from the windows. The curtains are drawn, but the moon light leaks in. The door clicks quietly behind me, and Markov’s fingers reach out and touch my bare spine. I have to act quickly and strategically. If I’m not out of this room dragging Markov’s unconscious body behind me within the next five minutes, Yelena and Bucky will come storming in. I need to act fast.

I can’t help but shiver. I turn and reach for him, my hands brushing up his chest towards his shoulders before I grip his shirt between my fingers and pull him towards me. His mouth finds mine and we kiss aggressively. He turns around and pushes me against the door. I smile against his mouth and rest my hands on his chest, slowly unbuttoning his dress shirt. His hand finds my waist and pulls my leg up, brushing his fingers up and down my bare thigh.

I carefully reach down my other leg for the syringe strapped to my thigh. I’m seconds away from plunging it into the side of his neck when he pulls away from me. I fix my dress quickly and watch him wipe his mouth. He laughs and shakes his head.

“You’ve lost your touch, malen'kaya gadyuka,” Markov hummed. “I’m surprised you don’t recognize me. Hydra and I did a good job erasing your memories and turning you into a monster. Has Barnes tried to jog your memory or are you too ashamed to ask him?”

Little Viper. I haven’t heard that name in so long. Dread fills me, and my brows pinch together. I stare at Markov for a long, silent moment. Instead of his silver hair, it’s a curly dark brown. Glasses appear on the bridge of his nose. His full cheeks thin out and his straight, narrow nose moves slightly off center, like it had been broken one too many times.

“Anton Bierhal,” I murmur in disbelief. He grins and claps like I’ve just won a prize. I could hardly recognize him. “You’re supposed to be dead.”

I shot him dead when I escaped the mountainside compound in Russia just before Bucky was transferred to D.C. to take out Nick Fury. I wanted to take him with me, but he was too fresh from coming out of the cryogenic chamber to remember who I was and what I meant to him.

“It’s amazing what technology can do to save lives.”

Something clicks near his desk and two people enter from a hidden door from behind the bookcase. It takes my attention away from my target briefly, but it’s too late. Bierhal blows a powdered substance in my face. It startles me and I try to bat it away from my face. I’m running out of time.

I reach for the syringe on my thigh and stalk towards him. I pull my arm back and push down until the needle is just inches from the side of his neck. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I can’t push it any further. Bierhal grins and slaps the needle out of my hand.

“Even after all this time, I still control you. Who knew such a small substance could have all this power over someone? You can’t touch me. It overwhelms your sympathetic nervous system to the point you can’t even speak. You’re fully aware of what you are doing but can’t do anything to stop it. Your enemies become your allies. Your allies become your enemies. It’s amazing how easy it is to overwhelm and confuse the sympathetic nervous system with the right combination of drugs. You’re so overwhelmed you can’t speak. You have no control.”

I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. Bierhal laughs again and circles around to his desk and sits down. He buttons up his shirt. The two individuals that came in through the bookcase entrance flank his side before walking towards me. I brace myself and square my shoulders.

My eyes flicker between the two and familiarity hits me in the chest. The man looks like Bucky did when he was drafted for the war. It felt like entering a time machine the longer I stared at him. Looking at the woman felt like looking in a mirror. She looks like how I did when the war started. Deep down, I knew them somehow, and that whatever I did to them would be the thing I regretted the most.

Flashes of being held in captivity and training them break through. My inability to show emotion and care when I would beat them until they broke. More memories pass by, one different than the rest. This time, I’m crying and reaching towards something, desperate sobs rip through my chest. A team of doctors ignore my pleas. I’m exhausted and broken.

They both pull knives from their suits and charge at me. I dodge and move defensively. I can’t attack. Every time I try to respond to protect myself, one of them easily blocks it. It’s like they know every move I make before I make it myself.

The man jabs me in the side with his fist, and I stumble into a side table. The woman throws the knife in her hand towards my head, and it scrapes my forehead. My head hits the floor and pain blossoms. Blood slides down my face and I struggle to my feet.

The man kicks my stomach, and I fall to the ground again with a loud gasp. He’s knocked the wind out of me, and I struggle to breathe. He pins me to the floor and holds a knife to my throat. His eyes find mine and I can’t help but feel like I’m looking at someone I should know. I feel the blade slowly slice my skin open just enough for it to burn.

The door to the study breaks open and Yelena and Bucky burst through the door. They both have guns trained on them and Bierhal cackles, standing up from his chair and clapping. The man loosens his grip on the knife against my throat and stands up.

I scramble to my feet. Yelena turns and moves the gun away from Bierhal onto the woman nearest him. Bucky’s grip on his gun hesitates and he quickly looks over to me. I can’t help what I do next. I can’t speak, I can’t tell them I have no control over what I’m doing, that whatever Bierhal gave me makes them into my targets instead of my allies.

I turn away and lunge towards Yelena. She stumbles back into Bucky and her eyes widen and fill with betrayal. I can’t apologize. I can’t tell her I didn’t have a choice. Instead, I swipe a blade from a holster on her thigh and swipe at her. She quickly dodges the knife and the pair exchange hits against Bucky.

Yelena yells my name, but I can’t hear her. I side swipe her and kick her to the ground. She back flips and kicks me in the stomach. I fly back against the far wall with a crack. I’m disoriented and dizzy. I watch with horror as Yelena reaches for her gun and aims it at the woman, her attention and energy focused on Bucky. Yelena’s finger sits on the trigger.

I don’t know what to do without hurting anyone. I scream loudly and reach for the fallen blade. All eyes are on me and Bucky reaches for me, but it’s too late. Time moves slowly as I plunge the knife into my gut and fall to my knees. He catches me and Yelena runs to my side. I still try to hurt them by reaching for the knife inside me. Yelena pins my arm to the floor. Tears blur my vision and I struggle against their bodies.

“Well, I certainly did not expect that,” Bierhal laughed. “How noble of you. I guess even if you don’t remember your own children, the maternal instincts are still there, deep down.”

“What did you do to her? Why is she trying to kill us and not you? Why can’t she speak?” Yelena asked, pressing her hand against the wound. Another scream rips through me and it makes me dizzy with pain.

He shrugs and grabs his jacket from behind the chair where he sat. “All I did was remind her nervous system who she was. She just forgot who was in control.” He disappears through the bookcase with the pair and Bucky gently caresses my face. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out and I’m struggling to breathe.

“Slow breaths, sweetheart,” Bucky murmured quietly, lifting me in his arms. Yelena is hot on his heels and kicks the exit door open.

“Prepare the med-vac!” Yelena yelled as my vision went dark as we climbed into the jet.

….

THEN

“If we had kids, what would you want their names to be?” Bucky asked out of the blue the weekend he received his draft card and uniform. His head laid in my lap as we sat on a blanket in Central Park. I stop twirling his hair between my fingers and my eyes meet his.

“Kids?” I asked in disbelief. “How are you thinking about having kids right now? You’re leaving in three days to who knows where and I’m going to England right after. Not to mention, we’re both poor and unmarried. I think both our ma’s would kill you if you got me pregnant before marriage.”

Bucky must see the distress in my face and sits up. The soft smile on his face disappears and he reaches for my hands. He squeezes them gently and kisses the back of my hand. “I’m not. I just want to picture our future when things are tough, and I forget why I’m forced to fight in the first place. When I’m cold, dirty, and missing you wherever I am, I want to be able to look at the picture of you I have tucked against my chest and picture what our lives will look like when this is all over. I want to picture our children and marriage and what our lives will look like after the war.”

Tears threaten to spill over my cheeks, and I turn my back to him. The last thing he needs to see is me crying. He’s been drafted and is leaving New York in a few days to join the war. He’s been nothing but strong and stable, and here I am crying like a baby.

Bucky pulls me against his chest and I hold his arm against mine. My shoulders shake as I cry quietly in his lap, and he lets me. He rests his chin on top of my head and kisses my hair. “You’re too good to me,” I sniff, hugging his arm. “How did I get so lucky?”

I feel him smile against my head and his mouth lingers against my ear. “Nonsense, sweetheart. I’m the lucky one.” He kisses my temple.

We sit in comfortable silence for a while. The sounds of children playing fill the air with the summer breeze. The warm sun flickers through the trees and on to my skin. My fingers play with his.

“Alice Margaret for a girl,” I answer after a while. Bucky’s free hand stills in my hair. “Peter Steven for a boy.”

He grins against my skin. “Those are beautiful names. How long have you had those names picked out?” he asked teasingly.

I scoff and playfully elbow him. “Junior year of high school. What about you, hmm? I’m sure you’ve thought of names since you were the one who asked me about names for our future children.”

He hums. “Hmm…. I like the sound of that…. Our children. Faith or Grace for a girl. Steven or William for a boy.”

I grin and turn my head so our eyes meet. I brush my nose against his and press my mouth against his. Bucky smiles against my lips and returns the kiss eagerly, his hand holding the side of my face.

“I like those names,” I mumbled against his lips. “We’ll just have to put all those names in a hat and draw the names of our children.”

Bucky laughs again and my lips kiss his teeth.

[chanelgrll]

Could you please do Ronin taking care of a reader who caught the flu or something similar (just sick!reader in general haha)?? I love your works and how closely you write Ronin to the source material! <3

A/N: aaaaa thank you so much!!! <3

You’re Breathing Wrong (But I Guess I’ll Let It Slide)

You didn't remember falling asleep on the couch.

You definitely didn't remember Ronin carrying you to bed, though the ache in your bones told you you'd been moved, maybe a few times as he fussed with blankets and temperature controls you vaguely registered as too hot, then too cold, then too everything.

You wake again to the clink of something ceramic and a muffled curse. "Shit."

You try to respond but your throat makes a noise between a whimper and a dying animal. You settle for blinking at him again. He sighs.

Fifteen minutes later, you're still horizontal and thoroughly miserable, but now you’ve got a glass of water, two cold meds, a damp towel on your forehead, and, possibly the most shocking part of all, a bowl of instant noodles. The good kind, too. Not the ones you bought in bulk for emergencies, but the ones Ronin always hides in the back of the cabinet like a dragon hoarding spicy treasure.

“You’re giving me your good ramen?” you croak, voice rasping against your sore throat.

He shrugs, dropping onto the armchair like his joints are optional. “Figured it’d be your last meal.”

You snort, and then immediately regret it as it turns into a coughing fit. Ronin glances over, eyebrows drawn.

“Christ. You sound like a haunted accordion.”

You wheeze out a laugh anyway. He looks half-proud of the line.

Eventually, you manage to slurp down some broth and nibble a few noodles, though you don’t get far before your arms feel too heavy to lift the bowl. Ronin’s watching from across the room, one foot propped up on the coffee table, arms crossed.

“You’re doing that thing,” you mutter between sips.

“What thing?”

“The… looking at me like I’m about to break thing.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” he says, voice dry. “I’m just trying to figure out whether I should take out your enemies while you’re down or let them have a sporting chance.”

A wheezy laugh escapes you before it turns into a cough, your whole body curling up with the force of it. He’s there instantly, one hand at your back, the other grabbing tissues and lifting the soup out of splash range.

“Okay, okay—slow down. Jesus. You’re like a dying ferret.”

You try to flip him off. Your hand barely twitches.

“Wow. Powerful.” He adjusts the cloth on your forehead again with unexpected gentleness. “Don’t get up. Drink this.” He puts a cup of water to your mouth, and helps you drink it. He then brushes the hair out of your eyes with the back of his hand, and presses the thermometer under your tongue. He doesn’t say anything when he sees the number, but his frown deepens. You know what he’s thinking.

“I’ll live,” you mumble.

Ronin snorts. “Don’t jinx it. I already promised your ghost I’d keep the apartment clean.”

You let your eyes flutter shut, the warmth of his hand at your temple enough to lull you halfway into sleep again. But then you feel him shift. Pull away. You reach out.

Your hand finds the hem of his jacket and tugs, weak and awkward. He stills.

“…Stay,” you whisper.

There’s a long pause. He’s quiet for so long you think maybe he didn’t hear you—or that he’s going to say something sarcastic—but then you feel the mattress shift.

He climbs in next to you, above the covers, just close enough that your knees bump. You feel the weight of his arm settle beside your head. Not touching you directly—he’s always careful like that, especially when you’re vulnerable—but he’s close. Tangible. Warm in a way that doesn’t suffocate.

“…This doesn’t mean I want your germs,” he mutters.

You make a small, amused noise.

“You always act like you’re so tough,” you murmur. “But you made me soup.”

“Shut up.”

“You tucked me in.”

“Shut up.”

You smile.

“Bet you even kissed my forehead while I was asleep.”

His hand twitches like he’s deciding whether to shove you off the bed. You grin wider. You know you're right.

“I should’ve let you marinate in fever dreams,” he grumbles. “Let you hallucinate your way through the week.”

“You love me,” you whisper sleepily, triumphant.

He doesn’t say anything. You drift in and out of sleep after that, fever dragging you under and shaking you around like a snow globe. Sometimes you dream. Sometimes you just hallucinate that Ronin is talking to you in the form of a large crow on the windowsill. But between the blurs of light and sound, there are moments. Moments of warmth and quiet.

Ronin adjusting the blanket over your shoulders. Picking up the tissues you dropped. Sitting on the floor beside the couch, back against the armrest, humming low under his breath. Not music. Just something to fill the silence. At one point, when the sun’s gone down and you’re too weak to hold a glass on your own, he holds it to your lips without a word and waits until you finish drinking.

“Don’t tell anyone about this,” he mutters afterward.

Your lips curve in a faint smile. “Tell them what?”

“That I’m not letting you die horribly.”

“I’d never snitch,” you whisper.

He grunts. “Better not. I’ve got a reputation.” The next morning, you're barely any better, but you wake up tucked under Ronin’s arm. You’re pretty sure he ended up there by accident. His fingers twitch when you stir, like they’re unsure whether to withdraw or cling harder. His mouth moves like he wants to complain but can’t find the energy to do it.

“You’re still breathing,” he mumbles.

“Sorry to disappoint.”

“Don’t be.” He squeezes you briefly, like a secret. “I don’t think I could make good noodles again if you weren’t around to call me dramatic.”

You hum. “You are dramatic.”

“Shut up and die quieter.”

But he doesn’t let go.

And you don’t die.

[pleasantlycrazyworld]

Behind Her Back Part 2

Read Part 1 before! Part 3 will be posted in a few days? Maybe lol

Summary: You knew it was risky sneaking into Bob's room; all it took was one wrong door opening for everything to crumble but Yelena won't find out yet...will she? And if she does, will Bob run or fight for the one thing he never thought he could have?

Warnings: Secret relationship, smutty with some soft Dom! Bob undertones, sibling betrayal / emotional fallout, an intense confrontation, references to past violence, and an emotionally charged declarations

><><><><><><><><><><

You shouldn’t have come to his room. That was the agreement. Keep it quiet. Keep it away from the compound. Away from Yelena.

But when he opened the door, shirtless, hair still damp from the shower, and a look in his eyes like he’d been thinking about you all day…your resolve crumbled.

His mouth was on yours the second you stepped inside. It wasn’t gentle. Not tonight. Not after pretending you didn’t exist in front of the entire team, not after nodding politely across the table at family dinner while he stared down at his plate and clenched his jaw.

No words were needed as you exchanged your feelings through the kiss. Bob backed you against the wall, big hands already under your shirt, lifting it, dying to touch you, to see you bare under him. His teeth scraped your bottom lip, his mouth devouring like he couldn’t get close enough, like your body was the only thing anchoring him to the ground.

“God, you’re gonna be the end of me,” he muttered into your skin, breath hot and ragged as he mouthed at your throat. “You know what you do to me, don’t you princess?” You whimpered, arms wrapped tight around his neck, legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he lifted you. Carried you. Like it was nothing. Like you weighed less than the guilt pressing down on the two of you.

He dropped you onto the bed with a quiet growl, kissing down your chest, hands rough and worshipful all at once. You moaned feeling his lips worshipping your skin, you arched into his touch like you were starving for it. For him. “Keep your voice down,” he warned covering your mouth with his palm, voice thick with restraint as he settled between your legs. “Unless you want your sister to hear what a mess you become for me.” You gasped, breath catching as his mouth replaced his hand.

You tried. You really tried to be quiet. But Bob knew every button. Every weakness. Every way to push you toward the edge until you were muffling your moans into his shoulder, trembling beneath him like you might shatter. And when he kissed you after, slow and deep, he tasted like forbidden desire.

You didn’t hear the door at first. Bob did. His entire body stiffened. You blinked up at him, breathless, flushed, only to see his expression go cold. Not angry—fearful. Your brows furrowed confused at what happened so quickly. A voice cut you off before you could ask him what's wrong.

Yelena’s voice cuts the room like a blade. “Wow.”

You jerk away from Bob, blanket clutched to your chest, heart slamming into your ribs. She stands in the doorway, eyes burning holes into the floor, arms crossed like she’s trying to keep herself from doing something violent. Her voice is low, but lethal. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Bob’s muscles lock under your hands. You expect him to get up, grab his shirt, run like he should do when he’s cornered. But he doesn’t move. “Yelena,” he says quietly.

She ignores him. Her gaze snaps to you. “You told me it was nothing.” Your eyes widen hearing her venom be directed to you, “I—Lena, I didn’t mean to—”

“You lied to me,” she hisses, voice cracking. “You lied you betrayed me, and you let him—” She points at Bob, face twisting with resentment. “Do you have any idea what he can be?” Bob focuses on your face, seeing how heartbroken you look, how you’re clinging to him like he is what can protect you. His blood started to boil; family be damned no one can make you feel like this.  “She does,” Bob says. Calm. Steady. Dangerous in a way you’ve never seen him before, it was clear what was setting him off and it wasn’t towards her. It was for you.

Yelena turns to him, jaw clenched. “This isn’t your moment, Reynolds. This is between me and her.” He shakes his head, refusing to be silent. “No,” Bob says. “It’s not just between you two. Not anymore.” He gets out of bed, wrapping the bedsheet around his waist, bare feet on the cold floor, despite being naked he doesn’t even reach for a shirt. Just stands there like the mess is on full display and he’s not ashamed of it, not if it means protecting you.

“I love her,” he says. The words hit like a punch to the gut. Your breath catches. Yelena’s eyes widened.  Even he looks surprised by how easily they came out--but he doesn’t back down.

“I love her,” Bob repeats, firmer now.

“I know what I am. I know what I’ve done. I know what I can do.  But I also know that I would tear the world in half before I’d let anything touch her.”

Yelena laughs once—humorless, sharp. “You think love is enough to stop that thing inside you?”

Bob’s eyes don’t waver. “No. But I know she’s enough to stop everything.” You whisper his name, stunned. “I’m not leaving,” he says, without looking away from Yelena. “You can hate me. You can try to kill me if it’d make you feel better. You can tell me I don’t deserve her. Hell, you’re right. But I’m not going anywhere. And if she asks me to walk through fire for her—I will. Every fucking time.”

Yelena’s eyes shine with something between furious and aching. “You don’t get to break her.”

“I won’t,” Bob says, voice shaking now. “I’d break myself first.”

Silence. Just the three of you and the weight of all the words that had never been said before.

Yelena stares at you. Not with anger this time. But betrayal. Heartbreak. “I won't accept this, and he better be worth it,” she says finally, voice raw. “Because if he hurts you—” She looks at Bob. “—there won’t be a corner of this Earth he can hide in.”

She walks out, the door clicking shut behind her. And in the quiet that follows, Bob turns to you, like he’s afraid you’ll look at him differently now that he’s said it. But you don’t. You reach for him. And he collapses into your arms like a man who just survived his own execution.

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Thank you so much for reading! Everyone seemed to enjoy part 1 and I hope you enjoyed part 2 as well! As always if you like my work, please let me know! Reblogging, commenting, and liking are huge and easy ways to let me know you're enjoying my work, and it keeps me motivated to post way more!!! Requests are open <3

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[edwardhartenjoyer]

Protect Me

While you're out with the ghoul of your choice, something happens that scares you, causing you to turn and cling to him. How would he react, knowing he's the person you automatically turn to knowing he'll keep you safe?

Featuring: Ritsu | Tohma | Alan | Lyca

Tohma Ishibashi - You were following alongside Tohma and Jin on your current mission. Your group had split up, Luca and Kaito going one way, while you followed along with the king and his advisor.

The lights around you were dim, and you had an uneasy feeling that just kept growing the further you walked. You desperately wanted to reach out and hold onto Tohma's hand, totally not in part because of your massive crush on him, but also just because you wanted some reassurance and physical comfort.

As you went, a loud crash sounded from your one side, and the lights suddenly went out completely. You screamed, startled by it all, and moved quickly, latching onto Tohma where you knew he'd been and clinging to him.

The lights soon flickered back on, revealing a pissed looking Jin standing by a breaker switch watching you as you clung tightly to Tohma, your arms wrapped around the advisor. Tohma was looking at you with an amused expression.

Once Jin stormed off and you were certain you were safe, you slowly let go of Tohma. "I'm so sorry." You apologized.

"No need to apologize. You were frightened and seeking someone to protect you. Though I wonder, why not go for our king to protect you?" He asked, an amused expression flickering across his features.

You shrugged and couldn't quite meet his gaze as you replied. "I feel far safer with you, and I knew you'd protect me."

He gave you a knowing smile and offered you one of his hands to take. "My dear, you are correct. I will always protect you should you require it. Now, let's catch up to the king, shall we?"

Lyca Colt - You were following Lyca through the woods surrounding the area you'd gone to investigate after reports of anomalies. He seemed to be following the scent of something.

"Lyca, are you sure it's safe to be here?" You asked nervously as you glanced around.

"Yeah, it'll be okay." Lyca replied, pausing to look around.

You were still nervous. Rui had warned the two of you to be cautious, so when you'd seen Lyca suddenly race off, you'd scrambled to follow after him, not wanting to leave him alone.

A sudden rustling of bushes near you had you jumping and grabbing onto Lyca's arm. Lyca glanced down at you briefly before shifting you so you were behind him and away from the bush. He started to growl, at least until what was in the bushes got through.

You let out a sigh of relief at the sight of Rui. "Ah! There you two are! You shouldn't run off like that. Come on, we'll go back to Darkwick for the night."

You relaxed and slowly let go of Lyca's arm. "Sorry about that." You apologized.

"For what?"

"For clinging to you. I just got scared, and I knew you'd protect me."

"Of course I'd protect you." Lyca huffed, as if offended at the idea that he wouldn't keep you safe. "I'll keep you safer than that dumb gigalo ever will."

Alan Mido - You were following behind Alan as he and Leo made their way along the dark path. The three of you were investigating after an anomaly, and you were anxious.

The area you were in was dark with lots of empty, dark abandoned rooms around. You were scared something was going to suddenly appear and grab you.

You longed to just cling to Alan, trusting him to keep you safe, but you also knew you'd never live it down if Leo actually saw you do that.

Suddenly, a loud sound came from ahead of you all. It started to get louder and closer sounding, and in your panic, you rushed to Alan and wrapped your arms around him. He tensed up, weither from your touch or the sound you didn't know, too nervous to think of much.

The sound grew even louder, before it suddenly fell silent. You dared peek out from where you'd been hiding your face in Alan's side to see an out of breath Sho getting interrogated by Leo. Oh, looks like you freaked out over nothing.

You face heated with embarrassment as you let go of Alan. "I'm so sorry."

"Are you okay?" Alan checked.

"Yeah, just embarrassed I clung to you like that. I was just scared and I knew you'd keep me safe."

Alan gave you a small smile. "Yeah. I'll keep you safe, I promise."

Ritsu Shinjo - You were with Ritsu, following alongside him as the two of you looked for clues of an anomaly that you were hunting for.

You'd both split off from Taiga and Romeo at the latter's command. You had followed the lawyer into an abandoned warehous, and it was setting you on edge. Every step creaked as the worn down broken building was practically falling apart around you.

You felt like you could see things moving around every corner, and it was freaking you out more and more.

Suddenly, a loud crash sounded from behind you, and you screamed, reaching out to grab onto Ritsu as he turned. He wrapped an arm around you to maneuver you behind him as he stood ready to face whatever was coming and shield you from it.

"Where are you BB?!" Romeo snapped, coming into view with Taiga lazily strolling behind him. Oh, that sound you heard was just the two of them. You slowly relaxed your grip on Ritsu.

"Sorry about that Ritsu."

"No need to apologize. You were frieghtened and smartly reached out to me for protection, knowing I could keep you safe."

"Still, I'm sorry"

"I will protect you whenever you need. Not only because keeping you safe would win favor for the Laurel Crown, but also because I care for your safety."

[daggerfall]

Between all the Darien postings, I did want to say my thoughts on Gabrielle as well:

In my opinion, Gabrielle's arc from base game to Solstice is a story of survivor's guilt. She goes from respectable portal mage in the Mages Guild, to combatant in the final charge against Molag Bal to stop the Planemeld. She's not some high ranking mage in the guild, she's just been in the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time. She lets Darien flirt with her for fun but plays hard to get. This isn't the time for serious feelings - this is war. And then she watches him vanish in front of her without getting to even confront her own feelings, and watches King Dynar, leader of the charge, die in front of her. She watches these two brave warriors sacrifice themselves to save the day in a way she could not. That is a deeply, deeply traumatic experience - especially when everyone is likely telling you how brave you were for your part in the battle and how happy everyone is that the Planemeld is over. They don't know what it cost.

She spends the next few years doing little but trying to find Darien - scouring books in the Anvil mages guild and making no progress until you give her the note from Darien from Wrothgar. She even joins the Antiquarian's in an attempt to find him (dialogue you can only get if you did the main quest but Not Summerset). But she has to learn about Darien returning and then being lost again in Summerset, again from you. She didn't even get to see him or speak to him or help save the world again. She's been left behind yet again and is following in the trail of the Vestige and their encounters with her obsession. And then she feels responsible for the death of Merric and the capture of Vanus, and has to step in to fill his shoes as the leader of the Mages Guild and Stirk Fellowship alongside Prince Azah.

Look. Gabrielle Benele is not a leader. She is not some legendary, powerful mage with a high ranking in the guild. She is an extremely capable portal mage with experience in war and boatloads of PTSD, and a valued Antiquarian (albeit with some... controversial codices). She's portal girl. She's one third of the OG cov gang. She should not be leading the Mages Guild. That level of pressure on her after everything is insane.

I do not think her crush on Darien is solely why she was so quick to suggest sacrificing herself to bring him back - I think she was struggling and lost for many years. Her life purpose to alleviate her guilt was trying to find Darien; someone she viewed as the best of us all. I feel like it's not unreasonable to think that she may have had thoughts of "it should have been me", knowing how much she admired the person Darien was. I think that hero worship in itself could have fed into the romantic feelings she held for him, and made them into something more than what they actually had in Coldharbour. She's had a long time to stew in those memories and obsess over them. So it's not surprising she would be rather quick to suggest the exchange with the Gift of Death when presented with her own immediate and unavoidable death, and knowing that using it even once would stop Wormblood from being able to use it.

And I think in some way, she recognized that she herself was stuck in the past. Everyone else was able to move on, but she can't. Others may miss him, but she's the only one Still Trying to bring him back. She can't heal, she can't move on.

The only people who could understand are Vanus and the Vestige. Vanus is her superior and now imprisoned, and regardless of your Vestige's relationship with Darien, I think she would feel some level of jealousy at them getting to always be involved in Darien's life. The note in Wrothgar, Summerset, the sidequest in Southern Elsweyr, his ghostly apparition in Blackwood. She doesn't get to be involved, but the hope of his return is the only thing that keeps her going.

I think her sacrifice is far more than just "girl likes a boy enough to die for him" or "killing off woman to bring back some guy". It's a disservice to character to look no further to her obsession with finding Darien and dismiss it narrative favoritism to Darien. It's a heartbreaking conclusion to an 11 year long arc about the only other regular person to leave the Chapel of Light. You got to be a Hero, and she had to just... go on with life. Alone.

And maybe it's not a conclusion! Maybe she will come back in some equally miraculous plot twist. But I think it's important to view her story not as girl sacrifices herself for a boy, but as a story about survivor's guilt and hero worship left unchecked.

[irsfjin]

what he should have, what he could have and what he did (part 2)

part 1

angst to fluff(??)

only three days have passed and you have already started (are trying to) moving on

you won't allow yourself to wallow over someone who could not value you

you will not spend another hour nor at least a glass of tears questioning yourself

if, maybe, he had a good reason

if, maybe, you should have given another conversation a go

and

if, maybe, you should have given your relationship another chance

you knew satoru

he would never let anyone disrespect you

he would never let you sit in a room a second longer the moment a flash of anything negative crosses your face

he loves you

you would have declared this confidently to the world, a megaphone in one hand and your heart in the other

but now, you couldn't even convince the better half of you to accept it without a pint of doubt

that night you couldn't even convince only find fragments of the man who chased after you for half a year, who promised that until the end of eternity, he will wait at your side

he had known of your distrust of relationships, specially romantic ones, so he had made the promise and spent the six months courting you, assuring you that it's you, and it will never change

you believed it

satoru did not waste any time, he couldn't afford any more

the world was ending, maybe it already has, but there was a flicker of light

the flicker of love that slipped past your cold mask during that cursed night

first, he wrote the first half of his letter, his feelings, his sorries and his emotional appeal

then, as soon as he saw her, he told her to

"fuck off"

"what?" she blinked, shocked

it was monday morning, just two days after the world collapsed

he wasn't going to do anything or go anywhere, what was the point? nothing mattered at that point

what's the point of trying live in a world that's gone to shit?

but when he remembered you, he wanted to fight, like he should've and he will

maybe it's too late now but he hopes it could at least show you that you were worth all his promises and great and better is the only way you deserve

"why're you saying that? gojo, is everything okay?" she reaches out to him

immediately he flinches away from her slithering hand

"i told you to remember your place. to stay in your line. clearly listening isn't your strong suit" his voice is so harsh she retracts her hand away, clutching it to herself

"don't act like you didn't want it gojo, you let me act like that. all you did was talk about staying in my place but you always let me take hers" she retorts

"hah- let you? you sneak into the chair like a fuckin snake and ask stupid shit in front of my friends knowing damn well i already told you to fuck off.

and you know what that was my fault, i should've been louder about it. i should've established that in front of everyone, but don't act like i lead you on or ever gave you a chance." his voice wavers, struggling to keep it at an appropriate volume

he wanted to shout at her, tell her she's nothing but a chip of paint on the wall, that she could never be you

but it wasn't worth it, she wasn't worth it, you were

so satoru turns and leaves her standing there, stranded in the middle of the sea of her shattered fantasies and ego

he drove straight home and got straight to planning

first, he finished the letter and wrapped it neatly in an envelope drowned with his love and devotion

then, the next day he went to the grocery store and bought your favourite snacks

next was the cafe that sold overpriced lattes and your favourite bread, always claiming there was something special about it

he'd never complained, he never will, he will let his overflowing pockets run bone dry before he would ever say no to watching your eyes glitter as you bit into the piece of bread

and luckily, because one thing the gojo family was good for? it was money

then the flowers, a bouquet of roses, peonies and lilies

a beautiful bouquet for his beautiful girl, always

he always gave you flowers, every week, never letting your vase be empty, both at your home and his

even during the two months when your relationship began falling apart, he never missed a week

and finally, the last stop (if you let it be), your place

he knocked, gently and so quietly he was sure you didn't hear it

but you did, the door opened just a sliver, enough for him to see your tired eyes, his heart clenched painfully

your hair was mixed around and draped your face so gently, his fingers twitched, wanting to run his fingers through

but he just clenched his fist once and let go, holding back

you both stood there, quiet, for another minute

"are you here to just stand there?"

"no" he answers immediately

"i- i came to..." he limply lifts his hands, holding his gifts

"came to bribe me?" your retort was weak, was it bitter? was it teasing? you're not sure anymore

you're just tired

"to say sorry" he whispers, earnest eyes meeting yours

crystallised with tears, red rimming his blues

"i don't want to hear it" your stubbornness fights

"i know- just" he pauses, taking a deep breath

"i wrote a letter, for you. please, could you at least read it my love?" he begs

"you- you don't have to of course. but, but i hope you can give me a chance to acknowledge what i did and maybe make amends. i know it's more than i deserve, but i can't live with the thought of you so hurt by anything, by me."

"please accept the letter. i've also brought you your weekly bouquet. added peonies in as usual, your favourite. i also brought your bread baby, from your favourite cafe, hm? want to make sure you're eating well"

you want to fight, hold your stance against him for longer

but you can't, you love the man

and you know he loves you

and seeing him so defeated, fidgeting in front of your doorway

so cautious, afraid that if he even if he breathed wrong he might scare you away

his eyes were now stuck between glances at you and his hands

"made sure they were warm and asked for the freshest ones, though i think they might be un-freshining, hah" he rambles, nervous hands wringing the poor bag's neck

"okay" you give up

"i'll read the letter" his eyes shoot up, hope filled his eyes

"yeah? yeah ok. that's perfect baby, thank you."

"i'm not- nevermind. i'll also take the food and the flowers, the ones from last week are wilting" you give in

"of course, of course honey, we can't have that" his voice is soft, happy, relieved

"but that's it. for today" you assert

"i- alright. this is more than i deserved. thank you, for everything"

"it's nothing" you take the gifts from him, you leave the door open, but you don't invite him in

he doesn't follow you, but he doesn't leave

waiting for you to return to the door, to him

a few minutes later, after placing the flowers in your vase and placing the rest of the gifts on the table, you do

"you're so beautiful my love, don't cry anymore. i hope your hurt lessens, you do not deserve to feel this way and i'm so sorry i made you feel like this. i love you, so much, and i never stopped, i hope you know that." he stares at you, his hand raising towards you, but he flinches away before he could reach you

"sorry, i just want to hold you so much"

"it's fine. i have class in an hour, so i need to get ready" you respond

"right, i should leave now" he chuckles out defeatedly

"yeah, bye"

"i'll see you later" it came out almost like a question, because it was

you don't answer, you just turn around and close the door with a gently click

satoru stood there for another five minutes, just processing

you stood on the other side for another ten, waiting for and listening the sounds of him leaving

immediately you walk to the table where you had left his letter

opening it with shaky hands and a fragile heart, you unravel the folds and begin the read;

"hi my love,

i'm sorry. for not standing by your side, for dismissing you doubts and for making you experience things that were less than you deserved. i'm sorry for making you doubt us and i'm sorry for dismissing them.

i'm sorry for disrespecting you.

there are no excuses that could ever validate what i'd done. but i owe you, at the very least an explanation.

it wasn't you, it really wasn't. life had just becoming annoying and heavy, and i let myself believe i could maybe step back from the relationship for a little bit.

not to betray you of course, god honey, you don't even know how sick those thoughts make me.

how could i ever, ever betray you when i already have you?

i had told her to back off six times baby. but she never listened and i know i could've done more. i should have. i should've told her, in front of everyone, since apparently that's the only time she will listen.

and i did. just yesterday, i told her again, and i promise she won't be doing anything to you.

and i know it's late, i could've done it sooner and i'm sorry i didn't.

i held onto the hope she'd just give up and you would not be bothered anymore by it.

i see that's bullshit and i'm sorry for pushing that on you.

i hope that i can rest your worries, because it was always you. it has always been and it will always be.

i stand by what i said my love, and i know my word does not hold much weight anymore. but i will wait for you, because it can't not be you.

you don't have to accept me back, but know you are worth the whole world and the very existence of life itself and you deserve to only be treated as such.

i'm sorry i couldn't give you that.

but, if your kind heart could find it to give me a chance to show you how sorry i am, to prove my devotion and love, i will only give you better.

i love you, so please rest your heart and mind, i hope that at least this letter will lighten the weight of the hurt that happened.

forever yours,

your toru"

you can only sob, because no, your heart feels heavier, heavy with your love for the man

although, your mind was clearer. now, you knew exactly what you were going to do and you were going to do it with no regrets nor hesitation

"my love?" a voice answers on the other side of the line on the first ring

"i read the letter. turn around, let's talk. right now" you reply immediately

who was he to say anything but:

"on my way now honey, i'll be there in ten" you hear him shuffle in a rush on the other side

"okay, i'll see you then"

"i'll see you then, i love you"

"i love you too"

you end the call and satoru does the quickest u-turn he's ever done, his entire body shaking, his face broken by a big smile

[midtalissa]

# ‘THROUGH YOUR GLASSES’

-> Summary: After Bruce accidentally reveals Clark’s secret, your relationship falls apart—but when danger finds you, Clark shows up, and maybe… so does a second chance.

-> Pairing: Clark Kent x F!Reader

-> WARNINGS: lowkey nothing super heavy besides heartbreak and late-night creeps; but in theory nothing again🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Clark smiled softly, pointing at a bouquet of your favorite flowers. “That one, please.”

The old florist handed them over with a knowing grin. But Clark barely noticed— his attention was fixed on the man standing behind him.

“Something wrong, young man?” the lady’s voice cut through the now thick tension. “No, I’ll get going ma’am. Have a nice day.” he payed for the flowers.

Clark lowered the flowers, jaw tightening. “Need something, Bruce?” he stared at the billionaire. “I can help you.”

“You’ve done enough.” “If it’s about money—”

“I can manage,” Clark snapped. “And even if I couldn’t, I wouldn’t ask you.”

“You know I didn’t mean it like that.” Bruce shoved his hands deep into his coat pockets, like a sulking kid who broke the neighbor’s window.

“She didn’t have to know.” Clark rubbed the bridge of his nose, as he turned to him fully now, his look sharp enough to cut steel. “And well… she knows now.”

“I called her. I tried to explain—” Bruce began speaking, but Clark shut him down. He wasn’t that mad at Bruce. Except that he lost you.

“Don’t.” Clark’s voice dropped low, dangerous. “Stay away from her. Stay away from me.”

And with that, Clark walked away— flowers in hand, heart in pieces. Oh, what happened? Well…

Once upon a time, there were two lovebirds: You and Clark Kent.

You were a ray of sunshine— until the topic of superheroes came up. You hated them. The capes, the collateral damage, the hypocrisy.

And Clark? Well… Clark was Superman.

But you didn’t know that part. Not until Bruce Wayne— in a fit of bad timing and worse judgment— let it slip during a stupid, ego-driven argument with Clark about justice and accountability.

One wrong sentence. One second of Bruce not keeping his mouth shut. That’s all it took. You were livid. Furious. Heartbroken. And now?

Now Clark was standing at your door with a bouquet and a face full of regret.

He knocked twice. Through the peephole, he saw you hesitate. Cross your arms. Uncross them. Sigh. And then the door creaked open… just barely.

“What?” Your eyes flicked down to the flowers. “I told you to leave me alone.” Before you could close it again, Clark slid his foot against the frame and pushed the door open wider.

You didn’t fight it. “These are for you,” he said quietly, holding the bouquet out like it was some kind of white flag. “And… let me just say… it’s all a misunderstanding. I’m not—”

“I don’t wanna hear it.” Your voice cracked, but you held your ground. “There’s nothing left to say. I just needed someone to say it out loud so I could finally see through your dumb glasses. You’re him, Clark. Period.”

You grabbed the flowers anyway. Stupid muscle memory. Stupid lingering feelings. Clark stood there, awkward and heavy in your doorway, until finally…

“Can I come in?” he asked, voice softer than you’d ever heard it. “Just… one last time?” You stepped aside without a word.

Clark moved toward the couch, taking it all in. His eyeglasses cloth still draped over the armrest. Pictures of the two of you smiling, framed and untouched. His jacket on the hook by the door like he’d be back any second.

“I’m assuming you’re here to grab your crap?” you said flatly, sticking the flowers in a vase without looking at him. “Didn’t touch any of it. Figured it’d be easier for you to pack and leave faster. Superman should be able to do it in… what… two minutes?”

Clark smiled bitterly. “Two minutes is generous. But Flash would do it quicker.”

You plopped down in the recliner, crossing your legs. “Then maybe you and your vigilante buddies can have a race. See who can pack their shit the fastest from their ex’s apartment.”

The room fell quiet.

Clark glanced at the clock. Time was slipping. He had to be at City Hall in half an hour. With a heavy sigh, he stood up, gathering a few small things but leaving most behind.

“You don’t have to—“ “I know.” He cut you off gently. “But I should.” And then… he left.

That night you shouldn’t have walked home alone. Not this late. Not down this side street where the streetlights flickered and died like some horror movie cliché.

The three guys following you were making no effort to hide it anymore. Their footsteps picked up. Your heart did the same.

You pulled out your phone with shaky hands, but no signal. Of course. You turned a corner— dead end. Panic clawed up your throat.

“Hey, sweetheart,” one of them jeered, stepping closer. You opened your mouth to scream and suddenly, a loud gust of wind slammed through the alley.

The air shifted. The temperature dropped. And when you blinked, they were gone. Scattered like leaves in a storm.

In their place… stood him. Red cape. Broad shoulders. Chest heaving like he’d flown here faster than thought itself. Superman. Clark. Your Clark.

He looked terrified. Like he’d been more scared of losing you than fighting them. “You okay?” he breathed, stepping toward you carefully, like you’d break if he moved too fast.

You nodded slowly, throat tight, tears pricking your eyes. “Stupid question,” he muttered, reaching out, but hesitating— waiting for you to close the distance. And you did.

Without another word, you wrapped your arms around him. Tight. Like you were afraid he’d disappear if you let go.

He buried his face in your hair, holding you like you were oxygen. “I still hate superheroes,” you mumbled against his chest.

“That’s fine,” he whispered back, kissing the top of your head. “I’m just… really glad you don’t hate me.”

[ladykailitha]

Shut Up and Drive Part 4

If you didn't see chapter three, it is not your fault, Tumblr has hidden the damn thing and it's been two weeks. I can see it on my dashboard and even through the app, but site wide and on browser, nada! I even looked through it and couldn't find anything mature to shadow ban it. Hopefully you'll be able to see this one and it'll have the link to the third chapter.

This story is almost complete. I just have one or two more chapters to go and it's done. I am so excited for you guys to see the end.

In this we have Eddie in AP history, along with Robin and Steve. Yes, Steve. I am still on my Steve is smart and a history nerd agenda.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

~

Monday morning was rife with speculation on who had called the cops. Eddie chuckled as the racers tried double speak their way out of revealing themselves to their peers.

The only one who wasn’t there come Monday was Steve Harrington. The rumor mill was as much a buzz with his absence as they were with cops breaking up the races.

Eddie had his own theory on who had called the cops. It was either King or Chronos. King for being beat to hell and not being able to race and not wanting to lose. Or Chronos for not wanting to go up against King and lose.

Then he spotted Tommy Hagan.

He looked smug as hell and suddenly Eddie got it. Holy shit, that asshole! He knew Chronos was going to beat King or at least get a hell of a lot closer than Titan would have and didn’t want to be shown up in front of everyone.

Eddie was tempted to go over there and punch Tommy in the face, break a nose, knock out a couple teeth, but he promised Wayne he wouldn’t start any fights, but he was allowed to finish them.

Billy Hargrove caught him staring at Hagan, though. “Hey Munson, take a picture it’ll last longer. Never mind, you’d fwap to the photo.”

“You jealous, Hargrove?” Munson shot back. “You worried I’ll stop jacking off to your picture?”

Billy flexed his arms as if he was going to hit Eddie, but just then a teacher walked by, and Eddie fell in step with them, keeping the teacher between Billy and himself.

The teacher looked over at him and then sighed. “I know what you’re doing Mr. Munson, and I do not appreciate being used as a human shield.”

Eddie grinned down at him. “But Mr. Burton, I am merely on my way to class and we are going the same direction. Besides I am sticking to the edict of avoiding fights with my peers.”

Mr. Burton shook his head. “I thought you had Mrs. Click this period and I am certain she is on the other side of the building.”

“Then are you not heading for your own class, Mr. Burton?” Eddie asked all wide eyed. “I assumed that to be the case when I started walking with you, as your class is right across from hers. You know, both being history teachers and all.”

Mr. Burton turned and looked up at him with a small smile. “I can’t pull the wool over your eyes, you got me. You are going the right direction. I just wanted to see if I could trick ya.”

“Mr. Burton! You tease!” Eddie gasped. “They should take back your teacher of the year award for being so saucy.”

Mr. Burton laughed. “How do you think I got the award in the first place?” He winked at him.

Eddie never had a problem with his history or English classes, so he always got along with the history teachers. Well... most of them. Mrs. Click was a damn fine history teacher, but no one liked her.

“I wish I was in your class this year,” Eddie admitted, ducking his head.

Mr. Burton patted his arm in sympathy. “I know. I also heard she’s flunking you and that’s one of the reasons you’re not graduating.”

Eddie let out a shuddering breath. “I don’t know why I’m forced to take a history class again, anyway. I have enough credits for history. It’s math, science, and PE that I need.”

“I don’t know, Eddie,” Mr. Burton said sadly. “But I’ll see if I can get together with a couple of the other teachers and see you can’t graduate based on your actual credits and not just them having you repeat your senior year ad nauseum.”

“Thanks, Mr. B.,” Eddie replied with a pained grin. “This is me, so I’ll see you around.”

“Bye, Eddie.”

Eddie slumped down in the desk farthest from the front of the room and waited for the rest of the students to file in. Mr. Burton might be ignorant about why Mrs. Click was failing him, but Eddie had no such delusions. He was in her AP class and she was so sure he was cheating instead of, you know, actually knowing the subject.

He watched as the other students filter into the class. It was a strange mish-mash of juniors and seniors and then whatever the fuck he was.

The smartest of the juniors were Robin Buckley and Fred Benson. They definitely deserved to be there. Most of the class were seniors and the greatest dark horse of the class, even more so himself was Steve Harrington and as near as Eddie could figure, he was writing Mrs. Click’s tests.

He was that good. And because he was that good, she let him get get away with murder. He loved to stroll in fifteen minutes late with a bagel that he would eat, making a mess.

That wasn’t even the worst part of the bagel. It was the way he would chipmunk the thing, his cheeks bulging with the large pieces of bagel that he would shove into his mouth. Eddie had to moved directly behind the guy so that he wouldn’t go feral at the sight.

But there would be no bagel porn today because Harrington was home sick. Thank whatever higher power was out there for that.

When Buckley walked in and saw that the seat in front of her was empty she sighed with relief. Most likely for a similar but opposite problem Eddie had. While Steve was Eddie’s crush, he was pretty sure Steve was drawing all the attention away from her crush.

Which even as far as girls went, Tammy Thompson was not on Eddie’s radar at all. Like sometimes he could tilt his head and go, ‘oh yeah, she’s cute’ and not want to bang said girl, but Tammy? He just didn’t get it.

Yes, yes. He knew he was being hypocritical with the Steve crush especially with what he told Jeff just a couple of months ago. But Steve seemed to grow on him.

Not that Steve improved upon closer inspection. Steve was still a smart ass with more sass then sense. But instead of irritating him like it had done in the past...Eddie found it...argh...cute!

He kept that shit to himself though.

He suffered through the class and shambled out the door to his next class, which thankfully was was Mr. Cohen’s class. Science fiction and fantasy writing. Eddie had taken it as an elective to see he could get more English credits.

Mr. Cohen was also the journalism teacher and yearbook supervisor. So he was having the class write poems and shit for the Reflections magazine because there was a distinct lack of interest that year.

Poems were just song lyrics not set to music yet, so Eddie was a having the time of his life.

“The king on his steed

A heart filled with greed

Races to fill some other need

He rushes forward thundering at great speed”

Okay so it wasn’t his best, but he got Mr. Cohen to laugh at all of them rhyming so he counted that as a win.

“All right, class,” Mr. Cohen said after the bell rang. “We going to read a relatively new book in the sci-fi genre called ‘Ender’s Game.’ It came out in January but it took me this long to get it approved for this class. So I want everyone to come up and pick up a copy. On the inside of each book is a number from one to twenty-seven, you will put your name on the signout sheet next to the number of your book. Please do not outline, draw in, or otherwise deface this book, if you do or you lose it, you’ll pay for it, do you understand?”

The class nodded.

They all filed up to the front of the class to grab their book. Eddie hung back until almost everyone else had picked up theirs. He strangely got number eight, but he dutifully put his name to next to the number and shuffled back to his desk.

“All right, everyone,” Mr. Cohen said. “I want everyone to start reading chapter one to yourselves. Then be ready on Wednesday to talk about your thoughts.”

Eddie started reading the book and was immediately drawn into the world, he was pretty sure he finish the book by tonight.

Which meant he would probably reread the thing several times before the class was over. Which was a plus as far as he was concerned.

He was actually disappointed when the bell rang for lunch. He shoved the book into his backpack and made for the lunch room.

Again not having Harrington gaze at, made for dull lunch. Well he would have to make his own entertainment then.

He got up on the lunch table and starting a rant about how unless the kid enjoyed it and wanted to do something with math or science, students shouldn’t have take them past the basic level. He was never going need to know the golden ratio or e=mc2 or whatever working for the factory down or as a mechanic.

Just as the principal came rushing in Eddie leapt off the table and neatly on his feet.

“Hi!” he said brightly.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to climb up on the furniture of this school,” Principal Higgins snarled. “Just because you were raised in a barn does mean you get you get treat other people’s property like you’re an animal.”

“Ahh...” Eddie said with the tilt of his head. “I wouldn’t go around talking about my mom that way if I were you. It’s not her fault she got cancer and passed away.”

Principal Higgins looked like he had swallowed a very sour lemon. “Just don’t do it again, do you hear me, Munson?”

Eddie just grinned at him, hands on his hips, staring him down. Eddie cocked his eyebrows and tilted his head, daring the principal to put him in detention, suspend him, or out and out expel him.

Principal Higgins did none of those things. He turned on his heel and stormed off, snarling something at one of the lunch ladies as he passed.

“Well that wasn’t very friendly,” Eddie told the assembled students. “Lunch ladies are sacrosanct, everyone knows that.”

He walked up to the offended lady in question and offered to buy her a Coke, one which she gratefully accepted.

He went back to his table and Jeff glared at him. “You do know you only need two years of both math and science, right?”

“And what good is algebra or geometry going do me working at Thacher’s Tires?” Eddie growled back. “All I need is to know fractions and weights and measurements. I don’t need to find pi or know the circumference of a circle to change a fucking tire.”

“No, but you need to know the radius of the tire to make sure you don’t put the wrong one on,” Jeff said cocking his head to the side.

Eddie blinked at him for a moment. “Well, shit.”

“Hey, leave him alone,” Brian bit out. “He just found out that it was those two classes that held him back. Again. They’re not for everyone. And yeah some basic geometry is required for life, but pass me on needing to know what a fucking cosign is for working at Bradley’s Big Buy.”

Jeff’s jaw dropped. “Oh. Damn, man. I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

Eddie picked at his pretzels and kicked the leg of their table. “It is what it is.”

“Still,” Jeff said with a heavy sigh. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. I know it’s tough for you.”

“It’s okay,” he mumbled and went back to mindlessly chewing on his sandwich.

It didn’t even have mustard on it. It wasn’t like he forgot, it was that they couldn’t afford to get to the store. All the money he made over the weekend went to buying tires for Wayne’s truck. They were starting to get more bald then the owner of the truck and that was dangerous.

Which meant no mustard for his bologna sandwich.

He jumped when something landed square in the middle of his lunch box. He picked it up and it was one of those mustard packets you get at ballparks and the State Fair. He looked up to see Jeff looking at him.

“The deli my mom gets her pre-made sandwiches from,” Jeff said, “comes with little packets of mayo and mustard and since I don’t like mustard I figured you could use the extra.”

Eddie swallowed around the lump in his throat. It was as good as an apology as any. “Thanks, man.”

He ripped open the packet with his teeth and smeared it all over one side of his sandwich. He took another bite and moaned happily, mustard catching on the edge of his mouth.

“Gross,” Jeff said shaking his head and throwing napkins at Eddie’s face, one of them managing to stick to the glob of mustard.

Eddie cackled, wiping off his face. “Mustard is the seed of life, dude. You are seriously missing out.”

“Seed of life or not,” Jeff huffed, “that stuff is nasty. I can smell it from here.”

Brian shrugged his shoulders. “Mustard isn’t that bad. I like it in my mom’s meatloaf and in my potato salads.”

“But that’s mixed with other things to mask it’s vile nature,” Jeff insisted. “Anywhere else and you’re beggin’ the devil’s pardon.”

Eddie sat back with a smile on his face, already feeling a little better than when he started his lunch.

The lunch bell rang and he packed up his stuff, listening his friends talk among themselves, thinking today hadn’t be a complete bust.

As he made his way to his last class he over heard a couple of rich kids talking about some big party that was happening that weekend because their parents were going to be in Indy for the weekend.

Eddie slowed down as he took in the details. Things were definitely looking up.

~

Jeff's views of mustard are the views of the author. :D

ETA: Mr. Burton is a real person, or was I'm pretty sure he's passed considering he was my dad's teacher mentor when he did his student teaching. My 8th history teacher and he was exactly like this. He would start each class with a joke and it would always be terrible. And yes, he even got teacher of the year for his sass.

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[thezombieprostitute]

The Arrangement - Ending

Summary: Jake's done a lot of things to keep his sister, and then his niece, safe from his parent's influence and manipulation. If he wants to keep them safe, he has to marry you.

Word Count: ~1.8k

A/N: Reader is female. No other physical descriptors used.

Warnings: Bad parents, Body shaming, Talk of abuse, Talk of human trafficking. Let me know if I missed any!

Part 15

Series Masterlist

The parents were enjoying their evening. Montgomery and Carol had invited William and Cordelia to join them for drinks at their favorite restaurant to celebrate the progress being made. Not only was the penthouse getting turned into a better hosting space, but the kids had been caught being intimate! Surely a pregnancy announcement was due at any time.

"We should probably start up some rumors now," Cordelia proposes. "If anyone has their doubts, it's because the pregnancy is so well hidden from her size."

"And it'll excuse how much food she's eaten at these events," Carol rolls her eyes. "The number of friends I've had tell me how crass she is about her eating! How does she not see it hurts our image as parents?"

"I've heard it's not just her now, either," Cordelia whispers. "Apparently, others have started engaging in such lowbrow behaviors."

"Kids these days," William shakes his head. "Though that does remind me, how are things with the..."

Montgomery picks up on his meaning. "He's been transferred to an assisted care facility. They run a tight ship and no one will be allowed to visit, nor will he be allowed out, without our permission."

"Excellent," William nods. "No expense spared when it comes to protecting our image."

"Cheers to that," Montgomery raises a glass for a toast, the others joining him.

Their continued chatter is interrupted by the arrival of two well dressed men. The slightly shorter one with close cut hair speaks first.

"Excuse me folks, I'm agent Nick Fowler with the CIA." He pulls out his badge to verify. Pointing to the other man he continues, "this is agent Jonathan Pine with Interpol." Pine also shows his badge. "We need you to come with us."

"What's going on?" Montgomery blusters, drawing attention.

"We'd prefer to handle this quietly," Pine responds. "If you'll simply come with us we---"

"We're not going anywhere until we know what this is all about!" Cordelia snaps. All eyes are now on the table.

Fowler clears his throat and announces, "the four of you are under arrest for attempted murder, money laundering and human trafficking. You'll all need to come with me."

William is immediately red in the face. "This is preposterous! We've done nothing of the sort!"

"You have the wrong people," Montgomery insists. "Let me see the warrant!"

Pine hands over the document and, as he reads, Montgomery's expression goes from enraged to shocked.

"We are allowed to contact our lawyers, yes?" is all he's able to say.

"This isn't good at all," their lawyer tells them.

"But we didn't do any of these things!" Carol shrieks, Montgomery having given up on trying to calm her.

"The evidence says otherwise," they point out. "It's your name on the penthouse, the address of which was found in the ledger of a known human trafficker that was recently arrested. Their books also show money laundered between your company and Jensen's and then sent to known fronts for drug dealers. Your own children are willing to testify against you."

"What?!" Montgomery is caught off guard. "We never did anything to them!"

"Did you, or did you not, force your daughter into marriage?" the lawyer sighs, knowing the answer.

"Well that isn't...that's not...It's how things are done!" Carol yells, slamming the table.

"Not legally," he answers. "Additionally, your son has signed a statement admitting to his own part in the forced marriage, as well as the Jensen's threat of kidnapping an underage girl for the purposes of marriage. He also says that a friend of his from the party admitted to being paid to give him his car keys and encouraging him to go drive. While the friend is currently being hunted down, the two of you are the primary suspects."

"It's hearsay!" Montgomery bellows. "We can easily say it's just our greedy children clamoring for our fortune."

"Jensen's lawyer has contracts indicating otherwise. The contract was drawn up for their son and the details are...incriminating. And even if that contract were to go missing, their son has, reportedly, offered up his own copy of the contract into evidence. That contract is enough to really cut the jury's disbelief of any other evidence associating you with the criminals you're charged with helping."

He tries to go over their legal options, but it isn't long before the two are turning on each other.

Things aren't going any better for Jake's parents. They turned on each other even faster, shouting loud enough that lawyer-client privilege wouldn't be able to protect the secrets they accused each other of. Agents Fowler and Pine are sitting within earshot, taking notes along with DA Barber who was gathering evidence for civil and criminal charges at the city and state level.

Pine had to admit, when Clay had called in his favor, this wasn't what he expected. But given what they've been learning, even if the evidence Clay's team had planted didn't stick, there'd be plenty of other things to keep these people in prison.

It was a good thing Barber had asked the guards at the jail to keep an eye on them. Carol and Cordelia not only ended up accusing each other of more things for Barber's people to look into, but they ended up having to be put in separate cells because they kept attacking each other. The last attack caused Carol to have to be seen by the nurse while Cordelia ended up with a black eye.

The four of them know there's nothing they can do, especially with how much they've already admitted to while arguing, as their lawyers continued trying to calm them. All they can do is wonder how they lost control so quickly.

In the end, it really hadn't taken much for you to convince Travis to throw your parents under the bus. He needed a target for his anger and, considering how quickly they turned on him, he was only too happy to send them to prison. Especially in exchange for a reduced sentence for his own crimes that came to light in the discovery phase of the lawsuit. And he only had to lie about his keys.

The Losers waited until after your own testimony, signed statements, and other legal filings were done before filling you in on the whole plan. You were grateful for that, unsure of your ability to lie, even by omission. it turns out they were working on a plan even before the wedding.

"Takin' out Travis was essential to do right away," Clay explains. "If he was dead or otherwise incapacitated, Jadah wouldn't be of nearly so much interest to her grandparents and the pressure would ease up right away. Aisha snuck his keys into his pocket while he and his friends were partying. After that it was all about findin' all the money both families had and Jake gettin' it to look like it was goin' to the wrong people."

"I would have been able to do that a lot faster but there were so many public appearances," Jake grimaces. "Then again, if I hadn't gone to those, I wouldn't have had as much time with you." You smile softly at him as he intertwines his fingers with yours.

"After that, we just had to fine tune the dominoes so none of 'em would fall on you and then put in a phone call to an old buddy o' mine at Interpol."

"Apparently all it took was a couple of agents showing up at the restaurant to get things going," Aisha shrugged. "People talked, investors and allies got spooked. Ended up creating even more of a mess than we predicted."

"All the more reason I'm glad we took the extra time to keep you safe," Jake adds.

"I don't think you're ever gonna get any of your family's money," Clay speculates. "But we've got enough funds to help you get back on your feet."

"That's so much more than I ever could have expected," you smile. "I really thought that, if anything ever happened to my parents, I'd be forever on my own and left with nothing. So thank you, all of you, for helping me."

"You were as much a victim in this as Jake," Aisha points out. "Probably even more so because you actually had to live with them for your whole life. Which reminds me, we're getting you into therapy, ASAP, and you will not argue with me about it."

"Wouldn't dream of it," you assure. "I know I'm going to need all the help I can get with...processing everything."

A couple of years later you find yourself affixing the hammerhead shark cake topper to your wedding cake. Jake had tried to argue for purchasing a cake, not wanting you to overwork yourself since you'd insisted on cooking for the event as well. You countered that it was such a small wedding, there really wasn't that much work to do. But he could help you out by taste-testing all the food.

You'd both decided to wait until the dust had settled from your parents' arrest before you got married. Neither of you wanted any lingering legal problems to get in the way of the wedding and marriage you wanted. You and Jake did end up getting some of your parents' assets. You'd used a good portion of yours to try to help Travis get a fresh start away from his old life, including you.

And you'd started your own life as well. You were now employed as the donations manager for an aquarium. It wasn't a dream job, but it does let you see sharks every day and your background in ecology helps you sell people on making donations. You're even able to help acquire grants and get to give tours of the shark areas from time to time. Which, in turn, made it easy for you to have your wedding held at the aquarium, a real dream come true for you.

Jake's family had also been very good for you. You never knew family could actually be loving and supportive, you thought it was all a fantasy sold by movies and TV. The only "friction" was Jake being worried Cougar would steal you away but you were quick to reassure him you prefer adorkable sweeties to silent sexymen. You even made it a point to hold Jake's hand whenever Cougar was around. Eventually it sunk in for Jake that he really was the one you wanted. And that's when he got on one knee for a "proper proposal."

And now you're here, the two of having a dream wedding with only the people you actually care about. Jake tears up while reciting his vows and you don't think twice about letting your own happy tears flow. The photos from your wedding are full of genuine smiles and loving kisses. You've never felt safer or more loved and accepted than you do with Jake. And, for the first time in your life, you're not afraid of the future.

A/N2: Thanks to everyone who's been reading along with this series! It's been a fun ~16k words of writing and I'm happy to have shared them with you. And, as with all my other stories, asks about this story will forever be open.

Series Masterlist

Tagging: @alicedopey; @ashdoctor; @delicatebarness; @ellethespaceunicorn; @embarrasingmf; @icefrozendeadlyqueen; @irishhappiness; @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory; @kmc1989; @lokislady82; @missaprilt23; @peaches1958; @ronearoundblindly; @thiquefunlover63; @watermelonslut

[1-800-local-slut]

Thinking About...

I kinda need to see JJ Maybank x absolutely unhinged kook reader. Specifically season one JJ. Like if you think JJ’s bad wait until you see her, she chokes him out during sex. I need to see JJ Maybank with a woman who doesn’t even try to fix him, she knows he’s perfect and there’s nothing even close to wrong with him. And compared to her, JJ is an angel!

How can his anger issues even come close to hers? They can’t, simple.

And she knows the rest of the pouges but she isn’t anti-kook, who would realistically hate being rich. Really think about it.

But because JJ and Rafe could be literal parallels of each other, if JJ likes you, Rafe has some twisted obsession with you.

Really really follow me here, it gets a little crazy. At first, like in the first season he naturally scorns the idea of you because he’s Rafe Cameron and he doesn’t need a girl. But season two, when he’s all over his weird family obsession thing he sees you.

You’ve run in the same social circles your entire life, your families are on the same level. You would be perfect. When he takes over everything, you would just fit right in beside him. He thinks, you two would have a kid or two, and live an amicable married life.

Too bad he’s disgusted with you dating JJ. You’re part of one of the most prestigious families on the island, not to mention some mainland business he never cared to look in on, but you’re a big deal. Hanging out with a kleptomaniac with mental issues. It was weird to say the least.

Until one night, at a party he discovers exactly what JJ sees in you. And what it is, is that you are also insane.

You get into a fight with your dad, something about your mom. Then you black out, in the middle of this fancy party, and you just flat out tell him that you’ll kill him if he keeps playing with you.

Your eye is twitching, you’re just staring at him with such rage and defiance that it’s truly inspiring. And Rafe just falls in love but he’s never going to admit that.

You’re bugging out in the middle of this party, and no one even knows what to say. And then you just snap back. You snap right back to reality, straighten your spine and just leave. You leave and no one sees you for weeks.

Except for JJ who has been climbing in your bed room window. And has been applauding you for finally telling your dad what to do with his fancy ass words. And also has been getting you really high. And has also been having sex with you while really high. It’s been a great time away from society.

Rafe hasn’t been having a great time without you though, he couldn’t stop thinking about the intensity of your stare when you told your father what you were going to do if he kept it up. He even giggled and blushed a little when he recalled it.

But what could Rafe even do? You aren’t his biggest fan, JJ wouldn’t even let him close to you. There’s like no chance of him home wrecking this relationship which he would so love to do but mostly it wasn’t worth JJ drowning him in some violent rage because then Rafe would have to kill him and then you’d really hate him. So he was stuck, thinking about you and how you looked like if it wasn’t for all those people watching you, you would’ve gone farther than a threat.

Maybe it’s because Rafe has his own complex feelings towards his dad and what not but seeing someone else at a party who was also so far removed from reality, who was clearly also struggling with their place and their own mind but had enough of a grasp on herself to chose to leave was so…revitalizing.

JJ loves you, no matter how ‘evil’ you are. A totally different level. But you aren’t evil like psychopath, you’re evil like no one else understands you.

No one understands how deeply you love and feel things. How these deep feelings drive you to do and say crazy shit. And why should you have to change? Whoever is lucky enough to receive how much you love and feel is blessed. And JJ was ecstatic that you loved him. That you cared for him, that you feel so strongly for him.

You’re an unhinged messed, literally a wild card pulled straight from the deck. And JJ loves you.

༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻

This is just an array of thoughts. I need to see JJ with a woman who understands him, because I really feel like my man is so misunderstood sometimes. Anyways, bye for now!

[scrapyardboyfriends]

Episode Thoughts…

Favorite part of this episode was just seeing Vic get to be on Robert’s side. And he was so grateful to actually have someone in his corner because he was so ready to just leave and he forced to deal with it on his own and then there she is telling him to stay.

His little “thanks for standing by me” broke my heart because he’s so not used to that and especially not now. 😭

And their hug. 🥰

I was nervous for a second when he started talking about the most recent attack that they were going to make this all about that so I was relieved in a horrible way that it was more than that because I really want them to dig into what he went through in there the last six years.

Let’s have a special therapy episode with prison flashbacks for him. That would be good. He deserves it.

But no it was good seeing him say he would think about therapy and Vic bringing it up in the first place.

It’s interesting seeing this version of Robert. It’s sad to see all of his confidence and bravado kind of stripped away but also kind of nice aside from how he ended up this way. And that confidence is still there in certain ways. He knows he can do the job for Caleb but he’s also just so eager, not to prove himself so much, but just to do a good job. He just wants to make the best fresh start he can. Even seeing him admit to Jai that he was struggling a bit because things had changed while he was inside. Old Robert never would have done that.

So fuck John for taking all that away from him. I hope Caleb realizes him blackmailing him over this is at least a little bit of a red flag. Also Caleb should hire him back at some point because you could tell he really didn’t want to fire him. Again…fuck you John.

I want Jai and Robert to be friends. I love that Jai is just so thrilled at the idea of someone being more of a village pariah than he is. But he needs to join with him instead of putting him down to make himself feel better.

The end bit with Vic breaking up the fight and telling John they’d be done if he called the cops made me very happy. I’m so glad she gets to back the right brother finally. And I want to see John spiral more.

Robert is just there trying to get on with his life, get a job and do it well and make a fresh start. Other than like being in the pub at the same time as them the other day and showing up at the flat for two seconds, he literally hasn’t done anything and it’s not his fault if Aaron can’t keep his eyes off of him whenever he’s in the room. Haha. John is so threatened. I mean he should be but also buddy, you clearly have no confidence in your new husband.

So bothered by Robert he isn’t even inserting himself into the Nate story right now. I wonder if Tracy thinks it’s weird he suddenly stopped being there for her.

[eviemonroeer]

The Monroe Effect: Chapter 16

Set during Season 5, Episode 22 of ER. Spoilers if you haven't seen the show.

Warnings: mentions of blood, pregnancy symptoms, multiple POVs

WC: 6.0 k

ER story belongs to original creators, just adding on my own original charter.

Taglist: @pleasecallmeunhinged, @rainmg, @arigoldsblog, @queenslandlover-93, @hagarsays, and @antisocialfiore

Main Story: prev | next

Snapshots: prev | next

Carter lightly closed the door to Dr. Weaver’s house. He had left Evie’s apartment to get back here in time to change and get to work. He didn’t feel right leaving her alone, especially after everything that happened yesterday, but he didn’t have much of a choice. It was too late to call in and he was going to need every shift he could get now that they were having a baby. So, he wrote her a note and made his way back to his place. 

“Getting in a little late, I see.” 

Carter jumped away from the basement door and turned to see Kerry standing in the living room. “Uh, yeah. I was over at Evie’s.”

“Is she doing okay? Mark told me what happened when he was fixing her schedule.” 

Carter sighed. Of course, Kerry knew. She was an attending; she needed to know. “She’s okay. No more bleeding once we got back to her place.” 

“That’s good. Bed rest should help with that. I’m glad she’s okay.” 

“Yeah, me too.” 

“Am I allowed to say congratulations?” 

This caused him to pause as he reached into his pocket, feeling the ultrasound photo he had torn off from the strip that remained on her fridge. Kerry was the first person outside of the two of them to even suggest verbally that this was a good thing. They both had agreed not to tell anyone else officially until after her follow up, so a part of it still felt like they weren’t allowed to celebrate. But now here Kerry was, offering it to him. 

And he wanted it. He wanted it badly. 

“Uh, yeah. We decided to keep the baby.” 

“Well, congratulations. I know everyone will be very happy for you both.” 

“Thanks.”

And with that, he opened the doors and headed down the stairs. 

Carter felt the eyes boring into him as soon as he got to the admit desk. He tried to shake it off, ignore it, but it was hard. It made him tingle all over in a way that felt like ants were crawling under his skin. He didn’t like it. So finally, he turned around just to see who the hell it was that had such a keen interest on him. 

It didn’t shock him that it was Haleh. 

“Good morning, Haleh.” He said calmly before turning back to the charts. 

“Carter.” She said and walked up to him. “You wouldn’t happen to know why Evie was admitted last night, would you?” 

“Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Or why the other nurses saw Carol take her out in a wheelchair to your car?” 

He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. She got him there. “Or why she’s now on medical leave for two weeks?” 

“You looked at her schedule?” 

“I have access to everyone’s.”

“Well, it’s not really my place to give out someone else’s medical information.” 

“But w—” 

“Carter.” Thank God for Dr. Greene. “Dr. Romano and I are about to start rounds. Do you know where Lucy is?”

“Uh, no. I haven’t see her yet today. Hey Jerry, could you page Lucy?”

“No problem.” 

“Let’s get this show on the road, gentlemen.” Romano exclaimed. “I don’t have all day.”

The two other men nodded and began leading Romano to the first room. “How’s Evie?” Mark said, his voice low. 

“Um, she’s okay.”

“Any......”

“No, no. No more bleeding since we left last night. She was still asleep when I had to leave this morning. I was going to call her later and check in.”

“Good. Good. Just tell her don’t hesitate to come in if something happens. And keep us updated. We can help out where we can.”

“Thanks, Dr.  Greene.” 

They went into Exam 2, and since Lucy wasn’t there, Carter began to present the patient. “Second EKG was normal, so we’ll hold for another hour, then release.” The sound of running feet stopped him as Lucy entered the room, disheveled and out of breath.  

“Thank you, Dr. Carter.” Romano said, taking a sip of his coffee. “Ms. Knight. Would you be catching your breath from running to get here because you're 20 minutes late?” 

“Sorry.”

“Let's proceed.” Mark warned, walking over to the other patient. 

“With presenting Mr. David Chameides.” Carter finished as Romano handed him the chart before he handed it to Lucy. “Complains of back pain.” 

“Yep. Uh, this is a -year-old man. He complains, um, he presents with back pain, and he said it started two days ago when he helped his daughter move into her new apartment.” She scrambled for her notecards, still out of breath. “He was lifting heavy boxes, and she was living in Dubuque... ...but got divorced, so she moved to Chicago... Did I mention the pain was constant?”

“Not yet.” Romano sighed. 

“Well, it is. And upon physical examination...”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! What about pertinent negatives?” 

“No fever, no trauma...no abdominal pain, no...” She began to just keep repeating no, messing with her hair as she scrambled more. “He's a heavy smoker... And the BP is one... Sorry.” She dropped her card and struggled trying to find the one with his BP written down. “BP is 170/95. No. No, no. His BP is 170/100. Pulse, 95. 

“Neuro exam normal?”

“Yes.”

“And could you appreciate a pulsatile abdominal mass?”

“No.”

“But the ultrasound revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm.”

“How did you know that?”

“Dr. Carter?”

“Patient has all the risk factors.” Carter said, his leg fidgeting as he felt the secondhand embarrassment. 

“Miss Knight, presenting a case is like telling a good story. Succinct, focused, to the point. You lost me around Dubuque. Dr. Carter, Ms. Knight is a student of yours, is that right?”

“Yes.” He sighed, crossing his arms. 

“Work harder. Thank God I have a small bowel obstruction waiting for me upstairs. Gentlemen, Ms. Knight.” And he left through the trauma room door. 

“I think we can all thank God for that small bowel.” Mark said, a disappointed look on his face.

Carter shoved his hands into his lab coat and looked at Lucy. “If you're gonna be late, at least be prepared.” He said, before leaving the room. 

My eyes slowly opened as my body finally allowed me out of sleep. The sun was shining in through the crack in the curtain, the beam of light resting on the bed. As I stretched, I turned over, finding that Carter was on longer beside me, but there was a piece of paper in his place. 

Headed to work. Please call me if anything happens and please rest. You need it.                                           -Carter

I sighed and laid on my back, folding the note back up. I could already feel that this bedrest was going to be the bane of my existence. But I put a hand on my lower abdomen, knowing it would be worth it. I couldn’t believe I was having a baby, and with Carter of all people. If the Evie from five years ago could see me now, she’d be shocked. 

Thankfully, it was my bladder that got me out of bed this morning and not my stomach, something very rare these days. I slowly got out of bed and made my way down the hall to the bathroom. I took care of my business quickly, but once I was finished, I looked down and my heart squeezed.

“Oh, God, please, no.”

There was blood. Not as much as yesterday, but I could still clearly tell there was spotting. I got up and hurried out to the living room, finding my purse beside the phone. I dug around until I found the business card with Dr. Coburn’s office number on it. After a couple of rings and a panicked plea to the receptionist, I was able to get through.

“Dr. Coburn speaking.”

“Hi, Dr. Coburn. This is Genevieve Monroe. I’m the ER nurse you saw last night for the hematoma. You said to call if something happened and I’m bleeding again.”

“Okay. Before we get too worked up, let’s take a couple deep breaths.” I followed her instructions for a few seconds. “Good. Now, are you actually bleeding, or is it spotting?”

“Uh, I would probably say spotting. It’s not heavy like yesterday.”

“Is the blood bright red?”

“No.”

“Are you cramping at all?”

“Not that I’ve felt.”

“Well, that sounds like good news to me. It’s probably just residual bleeding, but we are still going to take it seriously. If you have a pad, I want you to put it on and keep track of anymore bleeding. If it soaks through in under two hours, you need to come back to the ER right away. Otherwise, just monitor it, especially for cramping, we don’t want cramping. And you can always call me back if you are unsure.”

“Thank you.” I said, my voice cracking. “God, I’m a nurse, but I well so helpless.”

“OB/GYN isn’t your specialty. It’s trauma and emergency, you treat the in the moment. It’s okay to not know and to ask questions. It is your first baby after all.” 

“Thank you, Dr. Coburn.” 

“No problem. Why don’t you stay on the line, and I will transfer back to my receptionist so we can get your follow up scheduled.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Get some rest and try not to worry.” 

After getting my appointment scheduled to two weeks from yesterday, I felt a whole lot better. I did what she said and got the pad, hoping I wouldn’t have any more scares the rest of the day. I grabbed a sleeve of crackers and a water, before parking myself on the couch with a pillow and blanket. I must have passed out, because the next thing I knew, the phone was ringing.

“Hello?” I asked, sleep still in my voice.

“Hey, Evie!” Chuny’s cheerful voice came from the other end. “What’s going on? Kerry called and asked me to cover for you. Are you okay?” 

I swallowed. “Uh, yeah. I’m okay. Just not feeling too great.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Do you want me to bring you anything? Medicine? Oh, my mom has a great soup recipe for wiping out a cold.”

I scoffed and ran a hand through my hair. “Thanks, Chuny, I appreciate it. But I’m okay. Just really need to rest.”

“Alright, but if you change your mind, let me know. The soup’s pretty good either way.” 

My stomach swirled. “I will, I promise. Talk to you later.”

I didn’t let her respond before I hung up and I was up and off to the bathroom, preemptively finding a spot on the tile floor. You know, just in case. 

 “Jerry, have you seen my palmtop computer?” Lucy asked as she searched through admit. 

Carter scoffed. “That's why you're so scattered this morning? You lost your electronic cheat sheet?” He picked up the next chart in the holder and furrowed his brow. “Hey, Jerry, when did Antoine Bell come in?”

“Oh, yeah, uh, he asked for you.” Jerry sighed, just as scattered as Lucy. “I’m sorry. I put him in Trauma One.”

“Look, just give me a break, alright.” Lucy snapped as she followed the young doctor. “I didn’t get much sleep. I was late and I got my cards all messed up.”

“I've done a hundred presentations without notes, without computers or definitely without sleep. So why don’t you get yourself a cup of coffee and pull yourself together?”

“I am together. I went off the Ritalin.”

“When?”

“Two days ago.”

“That's great. Look, I got a patient. Maybe we can talk more later.”

“Sure.” Lucy scoffed and turned to probably find her missing item. Carter sighed and walked into Trauma One, finding Antoine sitting on the gurney.

“Antoine.” He started, pulling out a pair of gloves. “I expected to see you today. Just not like this.” 

“Antoine does not associate with any of those gangs.” A woman standing behind the boy said as he pulled the stool up. 

“He knows that, Mom.” Antoine cringed, embarrassed. 

“This was one of those bad boys from the neighborhood. And I hate that you go to school with them too.”

“Can we just let Dr. Carter do his job?” Antoine groaned. 

“Dr. Carter?” The woman’s face lit up. “I am so happy to meet you. Antoine has so enjoyed all you've been teaching him.” She praised as Carter began checking over the kid. “And thank you for setting up this interview for him to go to.” 

“Oh, yeah. That's this afternoon, right?” Carter asked, checking his eyes. “Summer science lab.”

“Maybe I won't go now.”

“Of course you’re going.” His mother jumped in. 

“Looking like this? What are they gonna think?” 

“Hey, let's worry about that later, huh?” Carter mussed, trying to calm the situation. “Why don’t you tell me what happened?”

“Got mugged, took my wallet.”

“Follow my finger with your eyes.”

“You want an orbital series?” Lily asked. Normally it would be Evie asking him, which made him a little sad.

“Yeah, let's check for a rim fracture.” He confirmed, pressing on Antoine’s face. “Does that hurt?”

“No.”

“No septal hematoma and no broken nose.” He informed as he stripped off his gloves. “But you may have an orbital fracture.”

“What do we do about that?” His mother asked.  

“Just apply ice, keep his head elevated when he sleeps.” Lily handed the boy an ice pack before going to order the tests. “We'll wait on the X-ray to see if he needs antibiotics.”

“Can he go to the interview?”

“Mom!”

“Come on, Antoine. It's not that bad. You've worked hard for this. We've worked hard for this. I think your mom's right. Hey, you'll be the candidate they'll remember.” He pat Antoine’s arm, trying to reassure him. 

“Where’s Evie?” The teenager asked. “I thought she would be in here.”

Carter chuckled. “Uh, Evie isn’t here today. She’s not feeling too great so she’s at home, resting.” Or at least he hoped she was. 

A few minutes later, transport came to grab Antoine for his X-ray. As he was being wheeled off, his mother stayed behind for a moment. “Thank you again, Dr. Carter. I know Antoine appreciates your mentorship. You’re very good with him. Do you have kids of your own?”

Carter put his hands in his pocket and smiled. No one else was around, so he might as well tell her the truth. “Uh, soon. My, uh, my girlfriend and I are expecting.”

“Oh, congratulations.” She said, smiling. He nodded and returned it. 

“Let’s go catch up with Antoine.” He said, gesturing forward. 

His chest was warm. He really liked calling Evie his girlfriend. 

Once again, I was awakened by the sound of the phone ringing. Damn, they really meant it when they said growing a whole human being was tiring. And now that I was forced to rest, my body sure was taking advantage. I fully sat up and pushed the blanket off me before I grabbed the receiver and put it to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Evie, hey.” It was Carol. I chuckled and shook my head. “What?”

“Oh, nothing. This is just the second call I’ve received from the ER today checking in on me.”

“Who was it earlier?”

“Chuny. Asked if I was sick with a cold. I almost laughed and told her I wasn’t that kind of sick and her mom’s soup couldn’t fix things this time.”

“I think they might know.”

“Really? I didn’t think anyone really saw me last night.”

“Well, if it’s not you, it’s defiantly me. There’s some weird medically psychic lady in here that basically spilled the beans in front of Lydia. Asked me about my due date and everything.”

“Weird.” I shrugged. “But my mom used to say some women just know when someone else is pregnant. Especially if they have also had kids.”

“Well, if they’re focused on me, maybe they won’t bother you. How are you by the way?”

“Exhausted. I think I’ve slept the majority of the day.”

“That sounds about right.” Carol chuckled. 

“I woke up bleeding a light bit, that did freak me out.”

“Do you need to come back in? I can go find Carter.”

“No, don’t worry him. I called Dr. Coburn and she said everything should be okay and gave me some things to look out for. I think it might have just been a false alarm.”

“Good. We don’t want anything to happen to my little nephew.”

Now this time I actually laughed. “Nephew, huh? This kid is barely the size of a blueberry and you’re already making claims on the gender.”

“Absolutely. You might have John Truman Carter IV growing in there.”

I groaned. “Oh, good lord. That sounds so ridiculous.” 

“Tell that to your baby daddy, not me.” 

“Don’t say that to loud.” I warned. “The gossip hounds will hear you and go crazy.” 

“Yeah, yeah. Well, I’m glad you and blueberry are doing okay. Make sure you eat and drink something. I’ll call you later.”

“Same goes for you and your pear.” 

Haleh always knew when Carter was keeping something from her. He had the worst poker face in the world, especially when it came to anything having to do with Evie. She knew something was up from the minute she saw she was off on medical leave for the next two weeks. And the fact it was signed off by Dr. Coburn got her maternal senses tingling. She would know by the end of the day. Getting stuff out of people was her specialty.

As she walked up to admit, she saw Chuny, Lydia, Yosh, and Jerry huddled together. And she could have sworn she heard them mention someone being knocked up. So, it was true, and it was obvious to others. She knew she was right. 

“Are you all talking about Evie?” Haleh asked, stepping into their group. 

“What about Evie?” Lydia asked.

“She’s pregnant. Or at least I’m sure she is. Got wheeled out of here last night into Carter’s car and she’s now on medical leave for the next two weeks, ordered by Dr. Coburn.”

“I did catch her and Carter in the drug lock up a few weeks ago.” Chuny admitted.

“And you didn’t tell us?”

“I forgot. It was the night of that big storm.”

“I knew they would always get together.” Yosh added.

“Well then that means Evie and Carol are both pregnant.” Lydia scoffed.

“Carol’s pregnant?” Haleh asked. “Is she happy about it?”

“She hasn’t told anyone.” Yosh said. 

“She must have told someone.”

“Well, what about Evie? Who worked her up yesterday?” 

That’s when Mark passed through them, trying to get to the other side of admit. Haleh pointed at him with her pen while his back was turned. All eyes went to him and stared. He must have felt it because he looked back. 

“What?” The doctor asked, before leaving as quickly as he came.

“I’m calling her.” Haleh announced and pushed through to the phone. She dialed Evie’s home number and waited as it rang. It went on for a while before the other line clicked.

“Hello?” Evie’s voice was raspy, and she coughed.

“Hi sweetie, it’s Haleh. I just wanted to call and check up on you.”

“Uh, yeah. I’m okay. Just hurling my guts out is all.”

“You’re throwing up?” Haleh asked, the other people around her grinning and looking at each other with wide eyes. “That’s not good. Has that been happening a lot.”

“Uh, yeah. That’s what happens with you have the flu.” She stuttered on the other end.

“The flu?” 

Chuny’s eyebrows furrowed. “She told me it was a cold.” She whispered.

Haleh smirked. “Are you sure it’s the flu?” 

“Pretty sure.” Evie said, her voice raising in pitch. Haleh rolled her eyes. She was definitely lying. 

“Well, make sure you get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. And call us if you need any help.”

“Yeah. I promise I will. Thanks for checking in.”

“No problem. Talk to you later.” Haleh hung up the phone and looked around at the others. “Oh, that girl is definitely pregnant.”

Let the gossip mill begin. 

Carter was getting frustrated. He had been going nonstop from the moment he got to the ER this morning, and now into the afternoon it was still the same. He had yet to find a moment to call Evie. He wanted to check and make sure she was okay and that she was doing what Dr. Coburn asked. He hated to think something could happen and he wasn’t there to help. Was quick phone call to reassure him really that hard to ask for? 

He stepped back into the hallway after his talk with Dr. Green about Lucy, another problem he’d have to find time to address. He looked down at his watch as he heard the familiar click of Kerry’s crutch. “Hey, Carter, you busy? I need you to look at that patient.” She said pointing to the gurney getting wheeled into trauma.

“Yeah, okay.” He sighed, putting the phone call in the back of his mind. 

“Thank you.” Kerry said before hurrying away. Carter took his time to walk down the hall and round the corner. And when he finally got to the room, he was shocked to see Antoine lying on the bed, far worse than he had been mere hours ago. 

“Antoine?” He exclaimed, putting on his gloves and quickening his pace. “That same kid jump you again?” 

“No.” The boy said in a low groan.

“Was it somebody else from school?” Carter asked as he put on his stethoscope. 

“No, it was the same dude. I jumped him.”

“What? The kid from this morning? You went after him?” 

“He took my wallet, man. I can't be letting that go down.”

Carter shook his head as disappointment coursed through his body. “Why not? What did you lose? Ten, fifteen bucks?”

“He sounds like my mom.” Antoine chuckled, looking at Chuny. 

“BP's 128/74. Pulse 96.” Chuny said, looking from the boy to the doctor. 

“You got any pain in your belly? Did you get kicked or punched in the stomach?”

“No, he only got me in the face.” 

Carter sighed and put his stethoscope back around his neck. He looked down and gently pressed on the boy’s hands, which were bandaged and splinted. “Looks like a Colles with dorsal angulation.” He told Chuny as Antoine whined in pain. “It’s gonna need a closed reduction.” He moved to the other side. 

“What's that?”

“It means you broke your left wrist. Can you feel this?” He asked as he palpated the other hand. 

“Yeah.” He whined, wincing in pain again. 

“What kind of sutures do you want?” Chuny asked. 

“5-O Vicryl, 6-O nylon.”

“I gotta have stitches?” 

“Fifth metacarpal fracture with rotational deformity. You broke both your hands.” He sighed again. “Let's get an orbital series. Left hand, right wrist. Call Ortho. That one’s gonna have to be pinned in the O.R.” He grabbed his pen light and checked his pupils. 

“I gotta have an operation?”

“That's right. Well, you wanted to blow off your interview.”

“I can go in a few days.”

Carter scoffed and returned the light to his pocket. “You're not getting into any summer science lab. Not now.” He grabbed the chart from Chuny. “You have to go to surgery, have a pin put into your right hand. Then you'll get a cast that goes from your elbow all the way to your fingers.”

“I can still go to class.” 

“It's a hands-on program, Antoine. You not gonna have use of your hands. You not gonna be able to dress yourself. You’re not gonna be able to tie your own shoe or blow your own nose for the next six weeks.”

“Well, it's not your problem.”

“No?!” Carter exclaimed, fully angry now. “I’m the one that’s been spending time with you and showing you around for the last month. Just trying to teach you something, you know?  So you can go and screw it up by having to go beat down some punk in the neighborhood.”

“Carter.” Chuny warned. 

“You don't know about it!”  “I know it just dragged you away from the best opportunity you've ever been given.  

“No one gave me anything. I earned that chance myself!”

“You just blew it, all by yourself.”

“Dr. Carter!” 

“Yes, Chuny?” He looked up and removed his gloves before turning to leave the room.

“Carter, you were pretty hard on that kid.” Chuny said, having followed him to the hall.

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “I know. I just expected better of him.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought you were his dad.”

Carter turned. “What?”

Chuny bit her lip. “I was just saying that you were being very paternal with him.” 

“Uh, yeah. Whatever. Don’t forget to call Ortho.” He shook his head and walked away.

He really needed to make a phone call. 

The shrill ring of the phone, once again, caused me to let out an exasperated groan. I paused my tape and reached over the arm of the couch and brought the phone to my ear. “If someone else from that ER calls me today, I swear I’m going to come down there and give them something to call about.” 

“Hello to you too.” 

I closed my eyes and sighed. “Hi Carter.” 

“Everything okay?” 

“I have received calls from Chuny and Haleh, all trying to get me to confirm, without actually asking, my pregnancy.” 

“Yeah, they’ve been bothering me too. But I haven’t said anything, I swear.” 

“It’s alright. They all know. They would just rather get confirmation for the gossip mill from the source.” 

“How are you feeling?” 

“Your kid’s trying to kill me.” I said, gently stroking my stomach. 

“My kid? So, it’s just my kid now?” 

“Yes, it’s your kid when they are making me expel my guts.” 

“Do you want me to bring you something when I get off? Craving anything?” 

“Drugs. All the drugs to keep me from throwing up.” 

“I’m not an OB so I really would rather not prescribe you meds.” 

“Whatever.” I sighed and rubbed my stomach. “Maybe some more crackers. Ooh, or maybe some peaches? But not the whole fruit kind. Like the kind that comes in the little cups.” Carter laughed on the other end of the phone. “What’s so funny?” 

“I used to be obsessed with those when I was a kid.”

“See I told you, your kid. If you don’t bring them, they will get angry.” 

“Noted.” He paused. “Any bleeding today?” 

“I had some really light spotting when I woke up. But I called Coburn’s office and she said that was normal. As long as it’s doesn’t get like it was and I’m not in pain, it should be okay. And I’ve been fine the rest of the day.” 

Carter hummed on the other end. “Well take it easy. Watch your soaps and get some rest. I’ll see you after my shift.” 

“Don’t let the nurses hound you too much.” 

“I won’t. See you later.” 

“Bye.”

 

For once, Carter was glad Evie wasn’t at work. He’d lost his cool, more than once on Antoine and Lucy. He knew she would be on their side; tell him he was being too harsh and to actually listen to them and what they were saying. And the more he thought about her, the more he knew she would be right. God, she had hold of him even while she was gone. He was done for. 

Mark told him they all had a big surprise planned for Carol, who surprise, was also pregnant. He wondered if Evie knew. It was going to be at the end of her shift, but before the celebration, he wanted to go upstairs and check on Antoine before his surgery. When he got there, the kid was laying on a gurney with an IV and in a hospital gown, ready to be wheeled in. 

“So, is your mom more or less pissed off than I imagine she is?” Carter asked as he sat beside the bed. 

“That’d be more or less than you?”

“That's fair.” Carter sighed. 

“She’s acting like I'll never play the violin again.” He joked.

Carter chuckled. “That's pretty funny.”

“I heard it in a stupid TV movie.”

“Why are you doing watching TV when you got homework?”

“Oh, man! You are my mom.” Antoine laughed. 

“I don't know about that.”

“You are. I feel bad for your kid.”

Carter raised an eyebrow. “How do you know about that?” 

“My mom told me. I’m guessing Nurse Monroe is the mom?”

Carter nodded. “You know Antoine, I think I want the best for you. But I suspect that she does a better job of appreciating you for who you are.”

“As long as I grow up to be just like her.”

“I know that routine. My family wanted me to grow up to be a rich, white guy.”

“Damn, they must be dancing!” The doors to the room opened and the surgical team were ready to go. 

“You don't make that kind of money in emergency medicine. I think they figured they'd settle on two out of three.”

“I wish I hadn’t blown that summer thing, Dr. Carter.” Antoine said as the team began wheeling him towards the operating room. 

“You'll get another chance.”

“I mean now I'll be spending my time bagging groceries.”

“Actually, I'm not even sure you’re gonna be doing that.” He scoffed. “I’ll come check on you in the morning, okay?”

“Sounds good.” Antoine said, before disappearing into the operating room. 

Carter nodded, rubbing a hand over his face, before turning and going for the elevator. By the time he got back downstairs, everyone was already gathering in the ambulance bay. He quickly grabbed his coat and bag before headed to join everyone, a plastic cup of what he only assumed was champagne thrust into his hand. A few minutes later, Carol walked out.

“Surprise!” They all yelled. 

“Oh, man.” Carol groaned. “What are you doing?”

“We know you haven’t officially told us about the baby.” Haleh began. 

“But we couldn’t sit on it another darn minute.” Connie finished. 

“We just wanted you to know how happy we are.” 

“And we’re gonna get you something better—” This time it was Lydia.

“But for now.” Chuny finished, bringing out two large boxes of diapers and handing them to Carol. 

“Oh man! God!” Carol exclaimed, smiling. 

“Hey Carol, need a Lamaze coach?” Malik asked.

“You’re it, Malik. Oh, this is amazing. I, uh, I’ve just been overwhelmed with this news myself. And uh, today I found out I’m-I’m having twins. So, um, I didn’t know when or how to tell people and I’m, I’m really glad that I can share this with you now. So, thank you.” 

“Congratulations, Carol.” Carter said and walked over to hug her.

“Hold on!” Haleh exclaimed. He turned from Carol and raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t think we forgot about you.” Chuny came back with another stack of diapers and placed them in front of him. Most everyone else in the group was confused, but Haleh had her eyebrow raised to him, daring him not to come clean. Carter sighed and shook his head. Evie was going to kill him. 

“Uh, yeah. Uh, Evie and I are having a baby.” The crowd of ER workers began buzzing around them. “But, hey, look. It’s really early and there’s been a complication. That’s why she’s not going to be working for the next couple of weeks. But we’re hoping everything is going to be okay and she can come back soon.” 

And as members of the group came up and congratulated them both, he really did hope it would be soon. But right now, he just wanted to go home to her. 

Carter opened the door to Evie’s apartment, sliding the stacked boxes inside, before closing the door behind him. She hadn’t called after their last conversation, so he hoped she had taken it easy the rest of the day and was okay. He looked around the apartment and his eyes fell on the figure on the couch, curled up into the cushions and barely covered by a blanket. He smiled at how peaceful and sweet she looked. 

Walking over to the couch, he placed the carton of fruit on the table and grabbed the blanket. He pulled it up to her neck, just like she liked it, so she could be cozy. He grabbed the remote, chuckling at the movie on screen, something about skating, and flipped through the channels, settling on some random game before he sat down beside her. If the sleeve of crackers, half eaten toast, and ginger ale on the coffee table was any indication, her nausea hadn’t settled. He stroked her face, glad that she had at least been able to sleep. 

“Hi.” A small voice mumbled. Her eyes were still closed, but Evie grabbed her blanket and pulled it tighter around her. 

“Hi. How are you?” 

“I’m okay. Haven’t thrown up in a while, so I guess that’s good.” 

“You should have told me. I could have brought a banana bag home.” 

“Maybe tomorrow.” Evie’s eyes slowly opened, and she looked up at him, smiling. “How was work?” 

“Remember that student I was mentoring? Antoine?” She nodded her head. “He got jumped today. And then he thought it was smart to go beat up the kid who did it to him, breaking his hands and missing the interview I set up for him in the process.” Carter shook his head and looked around the room. “I can’t believe he did that. And then Lucy told me she’s back on her Ritalin, even though it’s a drug used for children.” Evie chuckled and snuggled under the blanket again. Carter raised an eyebrow. “What?” 

“You already sound like a disappointed dad.” 

Carter rolled his eyes. “Chuny said the same thing. The only thing I’m disappointed in with our kid is that they are making you not eat. Maybe we can remedy that.” He leaned forward and grabbed the carton off the table, handing it to her. Her sleepy smile widened as she held the fruit cups like they were the most precious thing ever. 

“God, this is the first thing to seem even remotely appetizing today.”

“I’ll get you a spoon.” Carter stood and went over to the kitchen, easily finding the utensil drawer.  

“What is that?” 

Carter’s eyes fell on the giant diaper box by the door. “From the ER. Congratulations on our new addition. The news is officially out. They even got one for Carol too.” He handed the spoon to her as she opened the carton. “Did you know she was pregnant?” 

Evie peeled the plastic cover off and dove in, a pleased moan escaping her lips. “That was nice of them. And of course, she’s my mentor.” 

“Did you know it was twins?” 

“Better her than me.” 

“You never know. Severe nausea could mean higher hCG. Higher levels mean twins.” 

“Bite your tongue, John Truman Carter.” She said, pointing her spoon at him. “If I end up having twins, I’m castrating you myself.” She took another bite. 

“Not to be controlling, but maybe slow down. I’d rather not see you throw up the first time you’ve had something other than crackers today.”

She rolled her eyes at him but took what he said to heart and slowed down. She turned her attention to the TV. “Who’s playing?” 

“Uh, not sure. I just turned it on.” 

Evie sighed and put her head on Carter’s shoulder. “Want a bite?” 

Carter chuckled. “Sure.” Evie feed him a spoonful of peaches. “It’s okay.” He shrugged. “Not as good as I remember.” 

“Well, it’s heaven to me. Thank for bringing it by.” 

“Where else would I be?” 

[merrybloomwrites]

When the Wolves Come Out (Chapter 10)

Story Summary: When Y/N gets hired to play drums for One Direction, the last thing she expects is to find herself as part of their pack. Especially since it seems that they don’t want her there. Only time will tell if they’ll accept her, or if the omega will have to deal with rejection from the others.

Chapter Summary: After a perfect week, you and the boys reenter reality.

Word Count: 1.8k

CW/tags: omega verse, omega reader, alpha Harry, alpha Zayn, alpha Louis, beta Niall, beta Liam, poly, omega drop, name calling, unwanted advance

Previous Chapters: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine

AN: once again went into this chapter without much of a plan and let it lead me. I was interested by where it ended up

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Waking up surrounded by the pack has you feeling so happy and content, ready to be starting another day. But unfortunately today isn’t as free as yesterday was.

While there’s no show tonight, you’re all expected at the venue for a preliminary sound check and rehearsal. You’re not sure why you need to rehearse, when you’ve all been doing the show for months, but apparently they think one week off means you’ve all forgotten everything.

Of course, nothing goes smoothly. The tech is giving you all a lot of problems, and just getting everything set up takes twice as long as it should. Even during the run through of the show, new problems keep popping up.

Luckily, none of the problems are due to any band members, but rather the sound system at the venue. Apparently they'd updated it recently and haven’t worked out all of the kinks.

So while it’s an incredibly long day, much longer than planned, at least none of you are the reason for the problems. In fact, you still have a pretty good day since you get to hang out with the boys each time you have to stop and let the techs work out the issues.

But all those problems mean that it’s late when you get back to the hotel. All anyone wants to do is shower and get into bed. So you all split up into your individual rooms. But sure enough, one by one, you all flock back to Louis’ room and fall asleep tangled up just like the night before.

When you wake up you see that Niall is already out of bed, so the two of you decide to go grab some breakfast. You take it back to his room to eat without waking any of the others, and are shortly joined by Liam, leaving the three alphas to fend for themselves.

It’s nice to spend time with just the betas, especially when Niall says, “I can’t believe I thought that you joining the pack would be a bad thing.”

It's somewhat unexpected, and you’re not sure how to reply, but luckily he continues, “We just got so used to how things were between the five of us. And I thought that if an omega joined the pack, then the alphas would just forget about me and Liam. Like they finally had the omega that they always wanted or something. What a crazy, dumb thought.”

“I’ll admit, I thought that too at first,” Liam says. “But we couldn't have been more wrong. You didn’t cause problems or split us up.”

“You complete us,” Niall concludes.

This declaration has you suddenly feeling quite emotional, but you still need to ask, “I do?”

They must hear the waver in your voice, because they both reach out to put a hand on your shoulder in comfort.

“You do,” Liam confirms. “I genuinely hate to admit that Simon was right, but he always said we wouldn’t be a full pack without an omega. We thought that was ridiculous. But then we met you. And it’s not just that you’re any random omega. It’s you. You’re who we needed without even knowing it. You are the missing piece.”

You’re left speechless, choosing to bring them in for a hug, hoping the gesture will say what you can’t. After last week you knew that the betas had accepted you, but it’s always nice to hear it stated so clearly. You know it was hard for them to change their ways, to know that the alpha’s attention would be more divided, but that hasn’t stopped them from caring for you. And you know that when it comes down to it, they’ll love and protect you, just like the rest of the pack.

Soon a message from Louis pops up in the group chat, wondering where the three of you are, and within minutes you’re joined by the alphas.

It’s a show day, which means getting to the venue by early afternoon. Once there you separate from the boys, going to your own dressing room. As the only Omega and only girl, you’d been given your own space. Which you liked at first, but now you don’t enjoy being apart from the others. It’s too quiet, and honestly kind of lonely.

You know that the boys are doing a meet and greet, so you go to take a peak at what’s going on. They sit along the table, taking pictures with fans and signing things that are put in front of them. It's hard to hear what anyone is saying, but you catch a few people inquiring about you. Wondering who you are to them.

Each time the question arises, the boys flounder for a moment and look at Louis to handle the situation. You know they’re not hesitating due to shame, but rather due to wanting to protect you. But the truth is that the pictures are out there. It’s clear that you’re a part of the pack, and Louis replies with this.

He handles it well, claiming that you’d joined the band, and soon they had all come to the conclusion that they wanted you to join the pack as well. It’s not exactly the full truth, but it is the best media trained answer he could give.

You go back to the dressing room to finish getting ready, leaving the rest of the world behind to fully focus on your performance.

It’s a busy week of shows and travel, and by the end of the tenth show in the tenth different city, you’re feeling pretty tired. As much as you love doing what you do, it takes a toll on your body, and on your omega.

You just want to get back to the bus and climb into your bunk, maybe with some clothes scented by your alphas. But when you walk into the hallway you’re startled by someone standing just outside your door.

Your first instinct is to ignore him, just duck your head and keep walking. But he doesn’t give you that option.

“Hey, Y/N,” he says. “I’m Gavin.”

“Hi. Nice to meet you,” is your polite answer. You have no idea who this man is, or how he got backstage, but your instincts are telling you he’s no good.

“Nice to meet you too,” he replies. “I’ve seen videos of you playing, but can I just say that I am impressed. You’re very talented.”

“Thank you.”

“I was wondering if you would want to hang out? Maybe spend the night together?”

God, he can’t even come up with a good pickup line. You’d be annoyed if you weren’t so worried about being suspiciously alone with him. Seriously, why is now the time that the hallway is deserted?

“Sorry, we’re traveling tonight. Need to get back on the bus or I’ll get left behind.”

“I can be quick.” Which ew, not something to brag about. “C’mon, it’ll be fun. I promise not to knot you.”

“No, I really, I have to leave now.” Your pulse is racing as he cages you against the wall, trapping you in this situation.

“I know when an omega needs some love. I can take care of you, have some fun, leave you feeling satisfied.” He clearly isn’t taking no for an answer, and you don’t know what to do. You’re truly starting to panic when finally, you hear footsteps approaching.

You’d be happy to see anyone right now, but to your great relief, all three of your alphas round the corner.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Harry questions while Zayn shouts, “Get the fuck away from her!”

Thankfully Gavin listens to them, and you make your escape directly into Louis’ arms. You tuck your face into his neck, breathing in his familiar scent while Zayn and Harry get security over to deal with the situation.

“It’s over now,” Louis then murmurs. “You’re safe. Let’s get to the bus and get you in bed, alright? We'll keep you safe, he won’t get you.” Reassured by his words, and by his arm around your waist, you let him lead the way outside.

Normally, you make it to the bus before the boys do, and therefore go unnoticed, able to stay under the radar. But due to the incident inside, you’re now being seen with most of the band. Plus, some of the security who would normally be escorting you all is inside dealing with the Gavin situation.

So instead of sneaking onto the bus like usual, you’re now the center of attention. And the attention isn’t exactly positive. There’s a lot of shouting from the fans on the side of the barrier, and it’s confusing at first. But then you hear the comments being aimed at you, most of them not positive.

Any derogatory name they can use, they do. Whore, slut, skant, easy omega. Seems like the fans think you’re just using the boys for sex. Which you know isn’t true, and the boys know isn’t true. But it still hurts that the fans think that.

If you weren’t already stressed out you’d realize that they’re probably just jealous. But you’re exhausted from the past week of shows and travel, and then from getting cornered by a strange alpha.

“Damnit,” you hear Louis curse under his breath. “Don’t listen to them, okay?”

Zayn and Harry join in, surrounding you and blocking the fans. They try to talk over the shouting and yelling that’s aimed at you. But you can’t hear them. In fact, even the crowd starts to fade away.

“Omega, stay with us,” Zayn says. “Just get to the bus, then you can drop.”

Oh shit. Dropping again? You never used to drop and now it keeps happening. Have you gotten soft? Weak? Maybe everyone’s right, maybe omegas can’t do this kind of work.

Self doubt adds to the overwhelming emotions, and black dots begin to block your vision.

“Fuck, she’s not making it in. Harry, block us, Zayn get the door,” Louis instructs as he lifts you into his arms. You hold on as tight as you can, your nose seeking out his scent gland instinctively.

“We’ve got you,” Harry says. “You’re safe with us. We won’t let them hurt you.”

The boys continue to talk calmly, and even in your fuzzy stage you can tell when you’ve entered the bus. Any residual noise fades away and you can smell the familiar mix of scents that belongs only to your pack.

You’re semi-alert until you reach the back of the bus where there’s a lounge with one large bed. Louis passes you to Zayn who’s waiting there, and soon you’re surrounded by all five of them. Safe in their hold, you succumb to the drop.

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AN: Thanks for reading!

As I wrote this chapter I thought of another turn this story is going to make. This chapter was supposed to be longer but I need to plan out the next few scenes to make sure I don’t write myself into a corner

taglist: @luxiorchive

[croquettish]

First of all, really love your meta! Especially your takes on Hans and the depth with which you analyze the game's dialogue. But did I miss something, how is Sam also queer? Are there any signs in the story? I know about the rings (which seem to be a case of the reused assets to me), but is there anything else?

Thank you so much!! 🥹

If you read between the lines, there are a lot of hints! Sam is incredibly protective of John to the point of endangering those around him (Henry nearly killed his two best men). Even with all the reassurances in the world, he only agrees to Henry's request to see John under the condition that he go there unarmed and blindfolded. And even after John has cleared Henry, Sam still stays and drinks with them. There likewise seems to be a tremendous amount of trust between him and John that I would argue wouldn't necessarily be there (or at least not in as intense a form as it is) if there weren't more there.

If you listen in on the dialogue while Henry is blindfolded (it's quiet!), you'll hear John speaking to others there. His tone is surprisingly firm for someone who could very well just be a "guest" being protected, never mind the part where he's talking about finding intel on whether someone has male or female lovers. The people there treat him with nothing but respect and will even take orders from him. And when the progrom happens, John is allowed to come along. You could argue that they could use all the help they could get, but recall that Hans' aid was turned down! John was trusted to help save his mother and to extract important documents.

All of this wouldn't be unusual for a long of characters, mind you, but Sam isn't a very trusting person. He's distrusting by nature, and he has good reason to be! His people have been persecuted since time immemorial and they very much continue to be in 1403. We learn that Sam just took John in without question, but even that feels like a statement. You'll recall that I've previously talked about the commonalities between medieval Jews and sodomites, both of whom were (along with others) viewed as inherently heretical. Both are marginalized groups that could only exist openly in marginalized spaces, spaces situated outside of the expected societal "norm" where being Othered is a given. John enters such a space willingly and looking for protection, being as openly fruity as he is. Sam meets this vulnerability and takes him in without question.

If we consider that the storytelling in KCD2 is done with intent (and there wouldn't be this much meta for me to write about if it hadn't been), then we can also consider that the parallel here is intentional and meant to reflect Hansry. Here we have two people in a marginalized space, one of whom is a noble who willingly entered that space after finding himself in a place of vulnerability. The peasant in question, well-acquainted with both vulnerability and marginalization, opened his arms to him.

Actually, while my mind is whirring, let's take this a step further. Because I'm still obsessed with the jamuel art drawn by @lookitsstevie, let's assume that while Sam takes him in, he still distances himself and keeps himself away from John for a while before they actually get together (the yearning!!!). That would so neatly parallel both Hans' attempts at pushing Henry away (yeah I've totally got this not at all fake girlfriend also named Karolina in Bohunowitz that I totally slept with don't you loooove sleeping with women Henry I can't wait until we get trashed again!!) and then Henry pushing Hans away later as well. That one is more of a stretch, but you get me.

Finally, the rings. I hear what you're saying about reused assets, but there's a lot of counterpoints to all of this that should be taken into consideration:

Reused assets are definitely a thing, but mostly for minor NPCs, not major characters. Consider how surprised everyone was by the (very effective!) fakeout with Captain Thomas and his unique character model.

Those rings have Sam's name on them. I don't think there would be a reason for random NPCs to wear rings like that.

The sartorial style choices by the major characters in this game were clearly meticulously considered and decided on on a case-by-case basis where everyone is unique. No one else is dressed in the dapper way that John is, for instance!

The rings were not there from the start. They were added in with Patch 1.3.1 with intent.

We all did collectively consider that they added the rings in error and were pleasantly surprised when Patch 1.3.2 didn't take them away. As we know, Warhorse does keep its finger on the pulse of what the fandom is saying, and there's no way that the collective celebration over the canonization of Jamuel would have gone unheard by them. Even if John's ring was initially added in error, this means they were left there with intent.

One could say that Sam gave John a ring with his name on it (Did he... did he just have that casually lying around? Why would anyone own two rings with their name on it, it's not like he needs a spare, this seems very odd if not done with intent) to grant John some element of protection within the Jewish quarter, a sign that John is under Sam's protection, but it ends up coming off almost as a sign of ownership more than anything else, like "you touch him and you deal with me," which in and of itself feels tremendously gay. Moreover, we know that John doesn't really leave the tavern to begin with. Raborsch is a rare exception where he's able to go out, and even there he's accompanied by John!!

All in all, I'd say you'd struggle to argue that this ship isn't canon, which of course would automatically canonize Sam as queer as well.