#like- if you really want to give adler a son

[collinnmckinley]

I dont normally say this a lot but, yall be smoking some weird shit if you think or hc Graves to be Adler's son... yes its all fun and all until someone takes it to another level and makes shit up and say its canon... and i really dont like how yall trying to make sense of it all.

[clawsdevour]

-₊˚⊹hoshiumi bf hcs

wc: 0.5k content warning: fluff, slight smut, aged up, post-time skip, my shitty writing, slight mention of praise, not proofread

note: this may not be the most accurate headcanon because I'm not super super familiar with hoshiumi's character but i did rewatch some clips of him and thought these would fit him !!

ꪆৎ ˚⋅ 🐦

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to get all snarky when you don't give him enough attention because he's gonna have to work for it. He just loves to surprise you and wow you, but if you're not giving him your full attention he's going to be a bit disappointed with a little spread pout on his face.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to enjoy playing around with you. He'd probably like to have pretend competitions like who could eat the fastest when your meals are both served at the same time.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to love all of your praises and sweet gestures to show your love for him. Especially with your words of affirmation that really keeps him in check because he wants to hear how you genuinely feel when it comes towards him as your boyfriend.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to go crazy on the court to impress you even more when he sees you cheering from the stands. He wants you to know that he's the best man you've ever laid your eyes upon.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to be all over you when you two are alone. He loves cuddling with you, having his arms locked tight around your torso never letting you go with his head in the crook of your neck. You two could be in this position at any moment, he'd just love having you in his arms while you even watch tik tok together on your phone.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to definitely love talking about you. Even if he's in the locker room changing with the Schweiden Adlers , he could get a text notification from you and start giggling to himself in the corner saying stuff like OH MY GOD GUYS THEY JUST TEXTED ME BACK!! He loves just loves showing you off as his soulmate because he's proud of how your relationship has gotten so far.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to absolutely just wow parents. His bright charismatic personality really lightens up the room when upon ever meeting with your parents. He loves talking with them, and they love talking with him and even consider Hoshiumi as if he were their own son because of his refreshing energy.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to put all his volleyball stamina to use, making you feel all the sensations his cock could provide you whenever he impales your gummy walls over and over. He'd be vocal, telling you how good you feel while praising you for taking his hard thrusts so well.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to go feral when you hop on it. He loves to admire your body as it moves up and down, watching your body with a layer of sheen sweat glisten with your tits jumping up and down with your movements. His hands would have this bruising grip that tightens on your hips to pull you back down whenever you rise up.

-Hoshiumi, the type of boyfriend to get you all cleaned up and tucked into bed with him in a tight snuggle. He'd love cuddling with you in bed and giving you gentle kisses, especially on the forehead with his little tired smile and drooping eyes gazing at you.

masterlist here

[softrozene]

Rdr2 Masterlist 2020-2021

As the title says, this is all my rdr2- One Shots, Scenarios, and Headcanons from these years when I wrote it under @/lovingoutlaws!

Headcanons/Scenarios usually have 2-3 characters in it while the Character list focuses on that character!

*If a work doesn’t specify a gender the reader is Gender Neutral/Non-Binary!

Started January 10, 2020

Ended January 6, 2021

ao3 backup link.

Headcanons:

Character Reactions to Dutch wanting a night with their girl: Arthur, John, Javier x Female Reader. They ain’t happy about Dutch having the audacity to ask to have a night with their woman.

Comforting Female Reader who has experienced an assault: Male!Various x Female Reader. Just hurt/comfort for some rdr2 men finding out reader experienced a past assault on her.

Doing the little romantic things for their s/o : Headcanons. Arthur, Charles, and John doing little romantic things for reader.

Being Romantic with Their S/O: Headcanons. Javier and Kieran being romantic with their partner, reader.

New Relationship with a Male S/O: Abigail Roberts/Marston and Sadie Adler headcanons in a relationship with a new partner.

Reader Getting into a Fight: Headcanons on how Arthur, Dutch, and John would react to Reader getting into a fight.

Reaction to Shy Adopted Girl: Headcanons on how Arthur, Dutch, and Hosea would react to adopting a shy girl into the gang and how their protectiveness is wholesome.

Short and Feisty Female S/O who Likes to Cuddle: Arthur, Charles, Javier, John, Sean x Female reader. Headcanons on how they react to this type of partner. Fluff.

Stargazing Headcanons: Arthur, Charles, Hosea x Reader. Just some fluffy stargazing headcanons.

Characters:

Abigail Roberts (Marston):

Deserve Better: Abigail x Female Reader. Reader confesses to Abigail after she asks for advice on what to do about John.

Arthur Morgan:

Arthur Turning into a Parent : Arthur x female reader (Father-daughter relationship) fluff headcanons and bonus scenario.

Arthur Comforts reader with past assault: Arthur x Male Reader scenario. Arthur gives some advice/words of comfort when Reader vents to him about a traumatizing experience.

Arthur with a Touch-Starved Reader: Arthur x Reader. Headcanons on how he notices reader is touch-starved and just pure fluff.

Father Headcanons: How Arthur would be with a son, pure fluffy and wholesome headcanons.

Just a Few Minutes: Arthur x Female Reader (Slight n s f w). Arthur is really riled up from seeing how pretty his woman is. He just wants a few minutes with her during a mission. F in chat for Molly’s shawl.

Charles Smith:

Getting Caught: Charles x Female Reader (n s f w). You and Charles get caught doing the do ; )

Hurt Little Bird: Charles x Female Reader. Charles is worried when his partner is taking a while from coming back to camp after a hunt. He goes to search for her and is relieved to find her.

Dutch:

Dutch with a Super Affectionate S/O: headcanons on how Dutch would act with a super affectionate partner both sfw and n s f w.

Dutch with a Younger S/O: headcanons on how Dutch would act with a younger female partner. Both sfw and n s f w

Javier Escuella:

Jealous Javier: Javier x Reader. How Javier reacts when he gets jealous in a n s f w way.

Spanish Flirtations: Javier x Male Reader. Male reader tries to flirt with Javier in his mother tongue only to fail a few pick-up lines. Javier finds it endearing.

John Marston:

Birthday Trip : John Marston x Female Reader. John takes reader on a ‘romantic’ trip for her birthday only for a bunch of accidents to happen along the way. But no worries, it was still a good trip.

John with a Pregnant S/O: John x Female Reader. Reader is worried about telling John about her pregnancy after she heard what happened to Abigail. Arthur reassures her when John finally comes back from a mission.

Josiah Trewlany:

Miss Me: Josiah x Reader. Josiah comes back beat and battered worrying poor reader who would really miss him if something were to happen to him. He is grateful since reader holds a special place in his heart.

Kieran Duffy:

Kieran Reacting to Panic Attacks: Kieran x Reader. How he will help reader during a panic attack.

Lenny Summers:

Fear: Lenny x Male Reader. Lenny wants to come out to the gang since he and (Name) are official, but reader has some fears to talk through.

Molly O’Shea:

Dutch Gets Bamboozled: Molly x Female Reader. Molly finally accepts the offer of the woman she has been seeing behind Dutch’s back. Dutch is livid.

Dutch Gets Bamboozled Part 2: Molly x Female Reader. Part 2 of the other one. Dutch finally gets to see how they are truly living after years have passed by and he is jealous.

Sean MacGuire:

Sean is Struggling: Sean x Female Reader. Ever since Sean has been tortured by the bounty hunters he has PTSD and has some problems with touch. Reader notices and wants to help him.

Sad Yee Haw Hours:

This is just an angst scenario starter event I did on the old tumblr, that I named Sad Yee-Haw Hours because (guess what) I was sad and wanted angst in my life lol. So literally all of these are just angst scenarios. Uh besides that I give warnings before each scenario.

“Everything is going to be okay”: Javier x Male Reader. Reader tells Javier that time heals all wounds :’)

“Please don’t leave me.”: Charles x Reader. Charles is begging reader not to leave them.

“Stop pushing everyone away.” Arthur x Reader x John. Reader is breaking these cowboys’ hearts.

“Just Go.” Josiah Trelawny x Female Reader. Reader finds out Josiah’s secret that he never wanted her to find out.

“Who is it going to be?” Molly x Female Reader. Reader finally asks Molly who she truly wants to be with. Her or Dutch? Reader gets the answer she expected but it still hurts.

“You Can’t Play the Victim Here.” - Arthur Morgan x Female Reader. Reader wants to leave the gang with Arthur and Arthur is confused to why until she reveals something.

“I Thought You Were Dead.” - Charles Smith x Female Reader. Charles finally finds Reader after searching for her (and losing himself) for so long. He wishes he can turn back time.

“Please Look at Me.” Charles Smith x Reader. Reader royally messed up by hurting this man.

“Everything is Going to be Okay.” Arthur Morgan x Male Reader. Very angsty, in which reader stays with Arthur during his last moments.

“You Remind me of Someone.” Sean Macguire x Female Reader. Sean is a complete jerk in this as he messes with Reader’s feelings.

“This Will Never Work.” Andrew Milton x Male Reader. Andrew and Reader have one last meeting before things go terrible for Reader.

[islandtarochips]

🌸 Tell me about your OC(s) - with pictures if you want !Pick some facts you want to share about them & let us gush about them together! Then send to other creators to do the same ✨

I think I’ve done this before. But eh. Wouldn’t mind doing it again! I’ll just give out 5 or less/more facts about each of my OCs! Even my BOCW OC too!

I’ll start off with Tiala Toa!

Secretly have some shark plushies in her barrack. Got it from her little brothers and mostly from Kanoa. Knowing how much she loves them.

Tiala had never dated another guy after what happened to her Ex in High School. For she doesn’t want to feel humiliated again.

She’s the more protective one than her brothers. Even mostly to her little ones. (She only accepted Sami’s Wife. She’s nice.)

She did most of the house/yard work while her little brothers are having a Princess Treatment (that’s how it is here in Samoa/American Samoa) but she doesn’t mind (not to her mom-).

Have her mother’s look and strength from her father.

Kanoa Toa:

Out of ALL of his siblings. He’s the only one who knows how to braid or fix hairs. Very nice style though. His mom and his cousins taught him that.

Single. He’s been single ever since he was BORN. He has his charms but no luck in having a girlfriend. Even during high school no girls wanted him.

It’s funny that he got his Uncle’s (his dad’s brother) funny side. NONE of his parents are funny. So I guessed he would hang out with him most of the time.

Agnes Falagi:

She loves to draw. It’s like a hobby of hers. So she usually keeps a notebook in her pockets in case she gets bored during a mission.

She has photos of her mom and aunty on her phone. And would NEVER delete them no matter how full her phone storage was.

She used to have a pet kitten but it got lost. Never seen them again.

Agnes may have gone to jail ONCE for making illegal fireworks during 4th of July.

Nigel Harrison:

Pranking on everyone most of the time except Tiala. Tried many times but yet she somehow got away with it…

Always facetime to see his little sister after every mission and would smile to see her drawings of him.

Always scared of Price and his boys whenever he meets up with them. Because of his….AHEM. Past work. (Someone help this man. He’s being anxious-)

He mostly got his mother’s attitude of being pissed off with someone.

Him and Soap used to be friends when they first met at Las Almas. But he doesn’t know if they are right now…

Aelan Kalani:

Tiala is her favorite. For she hardly came over to her lab from being injured. She’s annoyed to see Kanoa, Agnes and Nigel for being reckless most of the time. That’s why she put Tiala in her favorite list.

Usually hides in her office to finish her work. But her mom always found her and scolded her for not resting.

She used to punch a Colonel in the face for threatening one of her patients who came in FIRST. (Her mom was proud though)

Always gets a photo by her little cousin to show about her Uncle and Aunty. She truly misses them.

REALLY ignored her grandparents call since they just met her a year ago and found out about her mom. (Asking for money perhaps…)

Alana Kalani:

Has a wine bottle hiding in her drawer for emergency (Mental emergency)

Kept a photo of the WTF team.

Got a mug that says “Best General Mom in the World”. A gift from the WTF.

Actually knows why people kept calling her MILF and Mommy (Agnes and Nigel explained that-)

Usually sends money to her little niece everyday just to spoil her.

Koa (BOCW OC):

Before becoming an asshole. He usually dresses up and has tea parties with his daughter when she’s little.

Actually kept a small photo of her daughter when she’s a baby to remind him of how much he wishes to turn back time.

Whenever he can’t sleep because of the nightmares he has about losing his daughter. He usually trains until he’s tired again.

Koa usually sees his sergeant as his son. He reminded him of his own son as well.

Would tease Adler about his soft side with his kids (Aleks sends some pics about it) but not in public though. For he respected Adler’s personal life.

Ok! There you have it! Thanks for the ask though!

And also, Aleks belongs to @alypink for the BOCW Universe!

[codename-adler]

Can I ask for some PiP information on Eva Josten and/or Matt Dan and Her?

so sorry anon for the delay!!! but be proud of me bc i wanted to crack down on Baby Girl, Good Luck and instead chose to focus on you!!!

>>> Dan, Matt & Her under the cut

Adler's WiPs ~ Project: Eva Josten

There was an idea… to bring in a remarkable spy-assassin… to see if she could become something more… so when they needed her… she could kill the one person they never could… The Butcher’s son, Nathaniel Abram Wesninski.

Enter the Butcher’s daughter: Aleksandra Eva Wesninski. 

Lost to Mary, not even remembered by her own brother, the little Wesninski is on a mission, one she was raised for, one she did not choose, but one she damn sure is embracing now that goddamn Nathaniel has ruined everything. His death would be sweet, sweet ambrosia to her. If she had to dispose of all the other puny sports junkies along the way, she would. Where her own father had failed, where Lola Malcom, Riko and Ichirou Moriyama, and Stuart Hatford had fallen short, she would rise up to the occasion and annihilate the stupid bastard. She would die, not trying, but succeeding. Such was her purpose.

xxx

Adler's WiPs ~ Project: Dan, Matt & Her

Dan x Matt x FOC ot3 AU

New Fox recruit (20F) has had a baby recently whose father she claims was another student in her year (lie);

She kept playing Exy until (X) months and with prowess at that;

Kevin is wildly against picking her (somehow she reminds him of his mother) and thinks a team like the Foxes isn't for babies (like every other team) and that a mother like her isn't for the Foxes;

Dan isn't bothered by the recruit's background and baggage but she does wonder why Wymack pushes so much for her;

Abby convinces Kevin and Dan;

The recruit will live at Abby's with her baby as long as it's viable;

Abby will help take care of the baby; she is quite excited despite the circumstances because she has a really, really good feeling about the recruit and the potential she has to bring the team and Wymack closer together;

Dan isn't very comfortable with the baby and the recruit when they arrive, because they remind her too much of her own background and the adult position she has been forced into at a very young age;

The recruit looks up to Dan so much, though, she can't quite avoid all contact

Andrew very much steers clear of the recruit and her baby despite finding them interesting somehow, and them drawing him in for reasons he can't explain (yet);

Neil is traumatized just at the perspective of having to captain the recruit and being in the same room as a live baby; it's almost enough to make him run away again (almost);

Kevin is very stupid about the whole thing, but the least afraid of the Kandreil triad, and his stupidity ends up being endearing (with the baby, not with the recruit);

Renee & Nicky are the most excited of the Foxes, and also the most apt to babysit;

Aaron really doesn't give a flying fuck about the baby, which is why the baby likes him so much; Katelyn, reasonably, really doubts the safety of having a pregnant-until-recently recruit on the Foxes' roster, and of having the Foxes trusted with a baby, which is why she's relieved when Aaron's got baby-duty, but also pissed he has to have another weight added onto his shoulders; she watches the situation from afar but very much disapproves; she bonds a little with the recruit, tries to help her at times, but sets clear boundaries about 'no babies';

Allison buys a shit ton of baby clothes so as to avoid baby-duty, which she couldn't care less about, as does she for the recruit herself;

And Matt... Matt doesn't really concern himself with the baby nor the recruit until /incident/, because despite each Fox having an opinion, it is mostly Abby (and Wymack) taking care of things when the recruit absolutely can't (and she's doing the absolute most);

Matt tries to support Dan as best as he can, which means a lot, lot, lot of talking about the recruit, which means Matt knows exactly when things start to get personal for Dan, knows the exact moment when Dan falls;

Which means he doesn't even notice himself falling for the recruit as well;

Dan falls first and Matt falls harder.

Basically I wanted the Foxes to have a baby but didn't want to do that to any of them, so I created my own OC and then rocked her shit in a very bad way. As you can see, I have not much (if anything at all) figured out. Title is temporary, just a file name. The OC isn't fleshed out (i know how she gets there, idk wtf she does after that) nor baptized, her baby isn't named or gendered either, I don't know what major incident pushes Dan and Matt to really care, I don't know how Serena Williams or Alyson Felix did to compete while pregnant/recently pregnant but I'm looking into it, and...yeah. I also wanted to explore Matt and Dan's characters, and relationship, because I feel they are wildly underrated and swept aside in fics as just the lovey-dovey couple, and I thought, 'Wouldn't it be wild if the most established couple of the Foxes suddenly got with a 3rd partner?' and thus this idea was born (like someone else's baby I know...) Enjoy this shit show!

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LOST EDEN ー Tsukinami Prologue

ー The scene starts on the rooftop garden at Banmaden

Yui: ( The breeze feels nice... )

Monologue

Several months have passed, since I came here.

While everything was quiet and peaceful at first,

the situation made a complete 180 right after,

and even right now,

things are rapidly changing in the Demon World.

The trigger for all of this,

was Karlheinz-san,

both the Vapire King and the Supreme Overlord of the Demon World,

and his decision to pass down his powers to one of his sons.

The once stable and peaceful state of the Demon World,

took a turn for the worst in the blink of an eye.

As soon as that happened,

the other Demonic races came to the conclusion,

that now while the new ruler was still inexperienced,

it would be the prime opportunity to steal the throne,

with various conflicts breaking out all over the country...

Yui: ( The Vampire, Wolf, Adler and Vibora Clan...Those are the four main sub-species of the Demon World. )

( Aside from those, there’s Founders like Carla-san and Shin-kun...The First Bloods. )

( Not only do they stand independent from any other race, they possess great powers. That’s why several other clans have reached out to them.

( ...Because they want to use their powers to their own advantage. )

( Seems like today as well, several Familiars from different species came to visit Banmaden one after the other. )

...Must be a lot of work.

( However, it seems like those two have been sending all of them back home empty-handed. )

( To be honest...I’m kind of relieved. It’d be worried if we were to get caught up in the chaos, and I’m kind of scared. )

ー Shin approaches her

Shin: Hah...Today has left me exhausted again.

Yui: Ah, Shin-kun. Good work out there!

Shin: For real. I’m completely beat.

They won’t give up even if you tell them to leave, it gets really annoying. They’re such a pain in the ass.

Nii-san’s not going to grant them an audience no matter how much they please, but they’re way too persistent...Haah.

Yui: Must be rough day after day.

Shin: It is. I mean, I do understand why they’d love to have us help them out.

We’re Founders after all...First Bloods. Ah, right. You can have this.

*Thud* 

Yui: Wah? 

(  What’s in this bottle...? )

Shin: It’s supposed to be some kind of luxury item one of those other Demons brought along. I doubt it’s meant for Nii-san, so it must be for you, no? 

Yui: For me?

Shin: ...If they seriously thought about giving something wrapped in such a cute, frilly packaging to Nii-san, then they should be happy they got away with simply being send back at the gate.

Yui: ( He does have a point...I mean, he went through the trouble to bring it to me, so might as well open it up. )

*Rustle rustle* 

Yui: Ah...Look, it’s konpeito! 

Shin: I know. ...I already inspected it just in case.

Yui: Ah, right. Thanks.

Shin: You’re welcome. Wait, well, I only handed it over to you.

Yui: But I’m happy. Well then, let’s not waste any more time...

*Thud* 

Yui: ( Waah, this really takes me back. )

...Here you go, Shin-kun.

Shin: Nn. ...Uwah, it’s sickingly sweet...

Yui: Fufu, you’re right. But it has a reassuring taste.

Shin: Maybe, I guess.

Yui: ( It almost feels like I’m having a relaxing time over at the human world but... )

I wonder if a war will break out in the Demon World

Shin: I mean, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If they let this chance slip by, it could take ages before another similar situation occurs.

Yui: ( One of the Sakamaki brothers now has Karlheinz-san’s powers, right? ...I wonder how they’re doing. )

( They might already be fighting against another Clan... )

Shin: Hey, hold up. You were thinking of those guys just now, weren’t you?

Yui: Eh?

Shin: Don’t try to play dumb. ...You’re thinking about those Sakamaki’s, aren’t you?

Yui: ...Yeah. While only for a short period, I did once live together with them, so I don’t want anything bad to happen to them.

Shin: Hahー ...You really are a miss goodie-two-shoes, aren’t you?

But you know. We’ve been turning down all offers so far, but if we’re made a good offer, the two of us might end up facing each other as enemies again, you know?

What will you do if that happens?

Yui: Well...

( I definitely don’t want...two groups of people I know to face off against each other. )

( I don’t want them to clash but...I’m not sure if I’m in any position to say anything about this whole situation. )

...

ー A strong gust of wind blows

Shin: ...The wind’s picking up. We should probably head inside soon. 

Yui: Yeah...

ー The scene shifts to Yui’s room

Yui: ( They might end up fighting each other, huh...? )

( I don’t want to have to witness that, but I’m sure it’s not that easy for them either. )

( I’m pretty sure they want nothing more to regain sovereignty over de Demon World previously in hands of the Vampire Clan. )

( However, said plan failed back when Karlheinz-san was still around. )

( I won’t deny that now might be the prime opportunity to take back control. However, if they were to do that... )

( Hmー We’d be back to square one. )

*Knock knock* 

Carla: I am coming in. 

Yui: Sure, go ahead.

ー Carla enters her room

Yui: ( I wonder what’s behind the sudden visit. )

Carla: ...An unfamiliar scent lingers in the air. Do you have any idea where it might be coming from?

Yui: Eh? Umー...

*Rustle rustle* 

Yui: Perhaps it’s this konpeito?

Carla: ...

Yui: Shin-kun gave it to me earlier and we tried it together.

Carla: Konpeito, you say? ...The unfamiliar scent made me assume that someone with bad intentions might have trespassed the manor.

Yui: ( So that’s why he came to check up on me. I must have made him worried. )

Would you like to try some as well?

Carla: No thank you. ...I do not particularly enjoy sweets.

Yui: I see...

Carla: You enjoy that sort of thing?

Yui: Yes! I feel happy for some reason as the sweet flavor spreads in my mouth...

Carla: ...I see. I suppose it was worth allowing Shin to accept the gift.

Yui: ( The two of us rarely talk because he’s always so busy, but it seems like he’s actually keeping me in mind. )

( ...I’m happy. )

*Knock knock*

Shin: Nii-san? Dinner is ready to be served. 

Carla: I understand. ...Well then, let us go.

Yui: Yes. 

ー The scene shifts to the ballroom

*Cling cling* 

Yui: ( Usually I feel most relaxed when the three of us are together like this but...The atmosphere is kind of tense. )

Carla: ...Update me on the situation. 

Shin: The same as usual. It’s pretty clear that all they care about are our powers. 

They could really benefit from some manners, I had to stop myself from simply burning them all to the ground. 

Carla: It cannot be helped. It only makes sense that they would seek out stronger allies.

Shin: But you know, it’s so blatantly obviously that they’re trying to be in control since we’re outnumbered. 

That sort of arrogant attitude really pisses me off ...!

Yui: ( Seems like Shin-kun is really stressed out from having to deal with various other Demons day after day. )

Shin: I mean, they won’t say it with that many words, but they underestimate us way too much just because there’s only two of us.

Carla: However, it is true that it is just us two. So they must be jumping to conclusions.

Shin: ...Hey, what do you plan to do, Nii-san?

What do we gain from keeping up with this!? 

Carla: ...We must not be hasty.

Shin: You think so?

Day after day I have to deal with other Clans’ Familiars coming to this Castle...I’m sick and tired of it!

This is a prime opportunity to take back sovereignty over the Demon World, so why are you keeping quiet?

Carla: ...

Yui: Shin-kun, calm down a little...

Shin: As if you could ever understand...So just shut up!

Yui: No way...

( I mean, it’s true that I’m not the one out there having to deal with all of this like Shin-kun is. )

( Nor do I know all of the details of the situation but...That still stings a little. )

Carla: ...

ー Carla gets up from his seat and walks away

Shin: Tsk...What’s his problem...?

Yui: ...

( I’ll leave with Carla-san as well. )

ー The scene shifts to the entrance hall

Yui: Haah...

( Perhaps I spoke out of line. )

Carla: Do not blame Shin for what he said.

Yui: I don’t plan on doing so. I’m sure he must be exhausted. 

Carla: Shin is still young. That is why he lets his temper get the best of him.

I believe he must want to free himself from this confinement as soon as possible. 

I am fairly sure that I would have done the same back in my younger days...

Now I cannot confidently make such a decision on the spot.

Yui: Right...

Carla: It is just the two of us now. While we may be strong, we are outnumbered. ...We must carefully work around this disadvantage. 

I refuse to let the first best Demon use us to their own advantage. ...Due to my pride as a Founder.

Yui: ( Pride, huh? Such a heavy concept. )

ー Carla walks away

Yui: ( I am sure that Carla-san has his own strategy in mind. )

( If Shin-kun is offense, Carla-san is defense. ...Even if both of them feel the same way, they come across as quite different. )

( ...It’s not making the situation any easier. )

*TIMESKIP*

*CAW CAW CAW*

Yui: ( Hm? ...What’s this sound...? )

ー Yui wakes up in her room

*Caw caw caw* 

Yui: ( Crows? What are they doing here...? )

ー Shin enters her room

Shin: Thank god...

Yui: Shin-kun! Did something happen?

Shin: Some random guys came to attack us out of nowhere. ...I’m glad to see you’re safe and sound. 

Yui: Where is Carla-san?

Shin: He’s fine. Anyway, you should worry about your own safety right now. Come on, let’s hurry.

Yui: Eh? Where are we going?

Shin: We’re going to move to a different manor and wait out the situation.

???: ーー You’re not getting away

*Rustle* 

Yui: ( Who’s this...? )

Kino: Hey there! I’m Kino. ...I’m part of the organization known as ‘Raven’. 

Shin: Is that so? And why exactly did you sneak into our place?

Kino: I’ve come here to pick her up. ...Did you like my konpeito?

Yui: Eh?

Kino: Take my hand...Eve.

Yui: ( Why is he...calling me Eve...? )

Shin: Hah? I’m not letting you have her. If you want her that badly...You’ll have to get past me first.

Kino: Ehー? What a pain...But well, if that’s what you want, I’ll take you on.

Shin: Heeh...Allow me to show you that you’ll end up swallong those words very soon!!

Yui: Shin-kun, don’t!

Shin: You stay back...!

*THUD*

Yui: Kyah!

Kino: Hmー... A First Blood’s combat style is rather unimpressive. 

Shin: Haah? Fuck offーー!

*THUD*

Kino: Ahaha! You haven’t landed a single hit? So, what are you hoping to achieve by wrecking your own Castle?

Shin: I’m seriously going to kill you...!

Yui: ( Oh no. I want to stop this fight, but I can’t exactly step in between them... )

Carla: ...Haah!

*Woosh*

Kino: Uu...Kuh...Hah...

ー Kino collapses

*Thud* 

Yui: Carla-san...!

Carla: You mannerless brute. It is common courtesy to request an audience with the King first. ...Now name yourself. 

Kino: Owowow...Well, guess I should have expected as much. This is what a First Blood should be like.

My name’s Kino. I am Karlheinz’ Prince Zero.

Yui: Eh? 

( Which means he’s one of Karlheinz-san’s sons as well? )

Shin: ...I didn’t think there’s be another hopeless Vampire aside from those guys. 

Kino: I only came to introduce myself today. I’ll be back. To ask you to hand Eve back to me, when I eventually become Adam.

Yui: ( ...Our eyes met... )

*Caw caw caw* 

Kino: Whoops, seems like I’m running out of time. ...See you!

ー Kino runs off

Kino: Ah, before I forget.

Mr. Long Hair, you’re terminally ill, aren’t you? 

Yui: ( How does he know that...? )

Kino: Why don’t you just give her up already, so you can get to spend the little time you have left in peace? What do you say?

Carla: ...

Kino: Ahaha! Well then, bye-bye!

*Flap flap flap* 

*CAW CAW CAW*

Shin: Kuh! Halt!

Carla: Stop. ...Let him go for now.

Shin: For now...?

Yui: ( Carla-san is terminally ill...He’s still contracted with Endzeit. )

( I nearly forgot because his usual demeanor wouldn’t lead one to assume that he is ill... )

( But since he never fully recovered, he’s constantly flirting with death. )

Carla: ...Nonsense. 

ー Carla walks away

Shin: Ugh...

Monologue

Endzeit. 

It had been a while,

since I last heard the name of said illness drop.

After all,

Carla-san has been pretending,

as if it does not keep his mind busy.

Even now that the symptoms are seemingly under control,

it would make perfect sense for him to continue,

to feel the crushing pressure of reality.

I believe that he must have been hiding it,

not wanting to talk about his illness,

in front of us.

When I think about that,

my chest ached in pain.

ー The scene shifts to the balcony

Yui: ( Endzeit will never disappear ーー that being said, I’m pretty sure he’ll get upset if I show too much concern... )

*HOOOOWL*

Yui: ( ...Huh? )

*HOOOOWL*

Yui: ( Is that Shin-kun trying to enter the woods leading a pack of wolves!? )

( Carla-san is...not with him. )

( Don’t tell me he wants to go take revenge for earlier...I have to stop him! )

ー The scene shifts to the forest

Yui: Haah, haah...

( I guess it was reckless of me to chase after him after all. )

( I know that I should have probably told Carla-san but...I wasn’t confident about facing him after what just went down. )

( ...Anyway, now that I’ve come this far, I have to go after hiーー )

*Rustle* 

Yui: !

*Rustle* 

Yui: ( No way...Someone’s behind me...? )

I’m sorry, forgive me...

Shin: What are you playing at, following me all the way over here?

Yui: Shin-kun?

*Rustle rustle* 

Shin: Go back to the Castle. I’ll let this slide if you do. Hurry!

Yui: Wait! Were you going somewhere by yourself? 

Shin: ...Nii-san is dying at the hands of Endzeit. We can’t waste any more time.

If we stay cooped up in our Castle forever, we might get wiped out without accomplishing anything...We have to act before that happens.

We’ll regain control over the Demon World...!

Yui: ( Shin-kun...I understand why he’d feel pressed but I doubt Carla-san will be happy with this. )

But It’s not wise to act thoughtlessly. I’m sure you still have time to come up with a plan at least?

Shin: It’ll be too late then!

Yui: That’s not true!

Carla: ...What are you doing?

Yui: Carla-san...

Shin: Nii-san, I’m sorry for acting without your permission but...

Carla: ...You never change. You really need to fix that rash nature of yours.

Shin: ...

Carla: What was your plan?

Shin: I was going to visit the Wolf Clan first.

They’ve always done a splendid job at protecting their territory from outsiders. They have a strong sense of duty and their King possesses great qualities of leadership. 

I figured they would be the best party to form an alliance with. 

Yui: ( I see...So that was his plan. )

Carla: I see. However, listen carefully, Shin.

We are Founders. First Bloods like us must not rely on any outsiders to gain sovereignty. 

Shin: But we worked together with Mertz in the past...

Carla: I made a rare exception in that man’s case because he seemed to worship us. 

Shin: ...Then, what do you want me to do? 

Carla: ...We shall take down the Demon World together.

Yui: Eh?

Carla: ...No, the three of us, I should say. 

Yui: ( Eh? ...He’s looking at me? )

Carla: Heh...I shall not take no as an answer. 

Shin: ...Aah, Nii-san...!

Let’s do that! We’ll be victorious for sure...!

*HOOOOOWL*

Monologue

My heart began to beat faster,

when he corrected his statement to ‘the three of us’.

It felt as if they had acknowledged me,

as one of them,

giving me a warm feeling inside my honest.

However, cutting through the happiness,

was the anxiety looming in the back of my heart. 

There will be opponents,

we will have to face off against. 

And then there’s this guy,

who suddenly showed up and dubbed himself the new Adam.

I wonder if I will be able to safely make it out,

of this battle over sovereignty,

which lies at the very core of all the chaos in the Demon World? 

Yui: ( However, I need to have faith. I decided I would stay by this man’s side after all... )

[CHOOSE CARLA] [CHOOSE SHIN]

[yj-98]

my brain is perpetually melting lately so im like not super comprehending it but i looove hearing ppl talk about what theyre into and i am just nodding along so enthusiastically when you talk about rdr2 . also take this as me asking about it as i said im nodding along

crow im sorry </3 honestly i understand 100% and i hope the brain fog lifts for you<3 but im happy its fun to hear about <3 thank you for nodding along and asking about it (in spirit) so let me lay the generic history + synopsis of both games because i have . sort of just been dropping context as i talk about two brothers and their horrible father (<3 and the good one)

anyways im about to be very autistic<3 buckle up

red dead redemption (2010) started off as a spiritual successor to a game called red dead revolver (2004) that rockstar bought after the game had been cancelled after it failed to follow thru with funding issues in 2000 (capcom. as in mega man capcom, was paying for a studio to make it, but funding dropped and and that studio closed so rockstar acquired the studio + eventually got the rights for rthe game). HOWEVER they wanted to do more w/ the concept

so john martson was born in 2010 w/ the first red dead game. youre introduced to a this former outlaw in 1911 who's family is being used for blackmail as he makes his way across a fictionalized version of the american south/west + mexico trying to track down his former friends because the US govt wants them dead. hes polite but no-nonsense and hes sarcastic sometimes and mentally unwell and also so kind. hes very funny honestly like rdr1 john my beloved. and he helps people along the way! he makes associates with all kinds of people. he deals with the people in his old gang (javier escuella and bill williamson), including his father figure dutch van der linde. hes described as his fathers greatest success and greatest downfall. hes returned to his wife and son and 'uncle' only for the US govt to raid their home, kill uncle, and it forces john to tell his wife and son to run while he makes a last stand, knowing that theyd stop at killing him. because ultimately these games are about redemption. and it almost succeeds, but his son grows up to avenge him

and its a fun game! its a wonderful story its really well done with interesting twists and turns and a HEARTBREAKING ending with this kid just. continuing that cycle. killing a government man puts a target on his head too. and rockstar couldve gone with a sort of . 1910s-1920s set sequel where you explore what the kids fate is. instead in 2018 we're given a prequel in the form of red dead redemption 2.

its 1899 and its the end of the golden age and the age of the "west" is honestly decades gone. dutch is clinging to an old life because he hates the US government, doesnt trust the law, etc. hes got a group of misfits including two men hes raised since they were preteens (arthur morgan + john marston) alongside his oldest friend (platonic life partner? sorry. theyre toxic old men* in love) hosea matthews.

(*old for 1899)

so arthur morgan is born in 2018. hes not mentioned once in rdr1 because he didnt exist! and rockstar gives themself the very hard job of making us LIKE a protagonist new to the story as a whole. and it works basically immediately. id argue its almost impossible to hate arthur when he feels so human. ive rarely like. played a game that beat for beat feels very much like reading a novel and i am. so honest when i say he feels human. they all do. but you hear his thoughts, you read his journal entries, you hear his comments to himself and his way of interacting with the world around you, let alone with other people. hes so endearing, if not a bit gruff and rough around the edges, and then he warms. especially around hosea, or in quiet moments with john or his friendship that blooms w/ a man named charles (i will not get into this.) or his kindness with sadie adler, a widow you meet in the prologue (shes sooo).

and then arthur starts dying. hes dying from the end of chapter 2. theres 6 chapters total + two epilogues w/ john. chapter 1 is essentially the prologue. youre given ONE whole chapter with arthur before It Happens. and hes declining. and you get hints. he starts coughing.

rdr2 is a story of arthur and the events that lead to rdr1 with a splintered family. you know the events of rdr1 will happen as absolutes: bill dies. javier dies. dutch dies. john and abigail (his wife) will die. jack, their son, who in rdr2 is maybe all of 5 years old, will one day kill a man. but that seems so distant

its a death march, its an avalanche, its a butterfly effect. its a car crash its a trainwreck. and youre a rubbernecker. you cant look away, you have to play his part in the play. the events that ultimately are the catalyst happen a month prior to the games opening: dutch picked up a man named micah bell, and micah is not a nice man. and he knows exactly how to play dutch like a fiddle. and dutch's ego is too big to know hes being played. they rob a ferry boat. it goes badly. people die. the pinkertons are after them all. they run into the mountains and almost die. dutch's ego is bruised and he Needs to correct it. they run into his old nemesis and they steal that guys plans to rob a train. you could say that this was the true catalyst for the events for the rest of the game but ultimately it doesnt matter. micah has his grip on dutch, and dutch just robbed one of thee wealthiest men in america, who has an ego that matches

meanwhile arthur is an attack dog, and he attacks the wrong target on orders he doesnt like. a weak man dying of tuberculosis. it infects arthur, unwittingly. arthur can quit these jobs. its doesnt matter. he will die in 6 months

rdr2 is a story of trying desperately to pump the breaks as more and more people die. its about hope and trying to save as many people as you can. its about people who fall through the cracks and who the 1% hate coming together and the reality of being used in a cult of personality. its about one man falling apart and taking 20+ people who looked to him like a shepherd, down with him. its about desperately clinging to the past as the future rockets forward. its about loyalty its about betrayal its about dying.

arthur is shown chapter after chapter as he gets weaker that his father is willing to let family die. that when dutch loses hosea in ANOTHER botched robbery he is not the same man. that he's willing to let both his sons die. and when arthur realizes his time left is short, hes desperate to make things right

arthur dies letting john escape. dutch and micah look down at him as hes dying and walk away. arthur is buried facing west. for the sun. john inherits his hat and journal. john tries to build that fateful home with abigail and jack. you spend the epilogue with him as he tries to make wrong puzzle pieces fit and shave down the parts of him that were his fathers son so that they can try to live normally. he succeeds. the epilogue lets you face micah and dutch as john and arthurs friends who survived (charles + sadie). you kill micah. he deserves it. dutch lets john live.

time does not stop. rdr1 looms ahead. you ignore this and play ranch simulator as john draws in arthurs journal and writes and scratches out words and draws hearts around his wifes name. you can find arthurs grave and sit with him.

i spent 1 month putting off arthurs death. i mourned him in real time when he died. games to CHANGE the brain chemistry

[theladykit]

This is precisely why I get so frustrated when I read Holmes pastiches, especially when historical research is so available and, you know, you've got common sense to work with, as well:

" 'I hope you will forgive me for not seeking your permission before asking your daughter-in-law to accompany us,' my father said formally."

The father in question is Watson, the narrator is his son (why must it always be the genetic children of their famous forebears, even when it would be super unnatural for that to be? Somehow Mrs Hudson even found time to have a daughter who continues to serve Watson Sr at 221b, why?), and they are talking about a grown-ass woman. She is a widow, in fact, with a ten-year-old son. WTF permission does she need to leave the house from her father-in-law? Women were not prisoners in their own homes! That would have been highly unusual then just as now! People very much would have looked askance at that, especially because the father-in-law in question is supposed to be this famous statesmen who was previously both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Home Secretary!

Like, imagine if someone felt they had to ask Bill Clinton for permission for Chelsea to leave the house even after she married. It'd be fucking weird! And it would have been weird in 1914! And what does this author think poor women do?? What if the woman had no living male relative to give her permission, is she just supposed to be housebound? Think it through, people.

And don't even get me started on who that grown-ass woman actually is, because once again, Sherlock Holmes, who famously declared he would never marry and in fact, hardly met a woman outside of in his professional capacity on a case, has somehow decided to have a one-time assignation with, you guessed it, Irene Adler, who really didn't want to have anything to do with Holmes after the King of Bohemia's dumb case. And that one time of course resulted in a child, and of course the grandchild (male, natch) is like the living reincarnation of ten-year-old Holmes himself. Fuck that nonsense.

It's not even very well-written to make up for it. Everyone sounds the same, and for some really fucking stupid reason I cannot fathom, Watson now speaks exactly like Holmes even though canonically, he definitely did not. And it's such a little nitpicky thing, but the boy openly calls his mother "Mummy," which is technically fine, I guess, that usage did exist at the time, but these are very upper-crust English people just prior to the First World War, I guarantee you that in front of company, he would have called her "Mother."

Cherry on top: that was the 20-page reading sample. I can only imagine how gloriously awful the rest of it would have been.

I will be a very surprised Lady if ever there is a good Holmes pastiche.

[marstonandson]

Tearful Reunions

read on Ao3

words: 2183

Now that he's on his own, Jack stumbles across two people from his parents' past and gets a little comfort along the way.

--

Chapter 1: Mrs. Adler

Jack glanced up at the saloon, one he’d never been to before, wondering if this was even a good idea. It was possible she wouldn’t even remember him. The last time they saw each other, he was just a boy, but his few memories of her were good ones. She’d always been good to him, even from the beginning.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the saloon doors and strode up to the bar, surveying the place while he waited for the bartender. “Hey there, friend. Whiskey, if you could.” The man nodded and poured out a drink, sliding the glass toward his outstretched hand. Without any reservation, Jack downed it, barely making a face, and met the bartender’s eyes. “I was told I could find someone at this here saloon.”

In turn, the bartender narrowed his eyes. “Depends. If you got the proper motivation I may be able to help you.”

Without blinking, Jack reached into his pocket and slammed ten dollars onto the counter. “Do you know a woman named Sadie Adler? I was told she frequents this place.”

The bartender’s gaze slid down toward the money, where he carefully picked it up to leaf through it. Without looking back up, he nodded. “Comes in here to play poker from time to time. Should be in the back. She’s a scary one though, mister, I suggest you find someone else if you’re looking for company in bed.”

“Thanks.” Jack knew better than to argue about the situation, pushing off of the bar to walk past the drunken fools around him and toward the door the man had indicated. As he approached, he could hear voices.

“I fold.”

“Aha! I told ya, Thompson, you ain’t gonna get a cent outta me!”

“Of course not. You’re just a cheatin’ whore!” A chair scraped against the ground.

“I know you are, so what am I? See you next week when you’re ready to give me more money!” The door swung open and a middle-aged man stormed out, bumping Jack’s shoulder hard. Another man inside sighed.

“Oh, give it a rest, Adler. One day it’ll be your brains on the wall.”

“As if he could even move fast enough to shoot an armadillo stuck in mud. If it’s a duel he wants, it’s a duel he’ll get, but he ain’t walkin’ away from it.”

Jack breathed in, trying not to look as nervous as he felt, and pushed the door open. In the poker room sat a man and a woman. The woman had her feet up on the table, dozens of poker chips around her. Her blonde hair was streaked with gray, cut about shoulder length and adorned with a white hat. She glanced up as the door opened, and the smile faded from her face as she pulled her feet off the table.

“John?” she asked, nearly breathless. “I heard…I thought you was dead!”

For what felt like the thousandth time, Jack’s heart shattered. God, he really looked like his father, didn’t he? “I’m…I’m afraid he is dead, ma’am.”

“You know this feller, Adler?” The man beside her asked, looking between the two like it was a game.

Sadie’s face twisted from shock, to confusion, to recognition. She blinked once, then twice, then suddenly got to her feet, the chair scraping loudly against the wood. “Jack?”

His eyes pricked, but he blinked and smiled to hide it. “Yeah. ‘M all grown now.”

“That you is! You son of a bitch, c’mere!” She rushed forward, hugging him less than gracefully, and as relief coursed through his veins, he returned it. “You was just a boy last time I saw you! Now look how big you’ve gotten!” Sadie pulled away after a moment, inspecting him closer, her eyes taking in every detail of his new look. “I’m so glad to see you. How the hell are you?”

“I’m fine,” he replied, for a moment a little uncomfortable about the coddling when there was a stranger in the room. On the other hand, she reminded him of his mother, and he took comfort in that.

Sadie looked at him like she knew his answer was a lie, then gestured to the table. “C’mon, take a seat. And Mr. Martin, get out of here.”

“But -”

“I said get out.”

The man looked at Jack, then Sadie, then sighed, grabbing his hat. He sent Jack one last look before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. She grinned at Jack, gesturing toward the table again, and they each took a seat.

Sadie leaned her elbows on her knees, watching him like she was looking at a dead man. He supposed, in a way, she was. He was John’s legacy.

“How’s your Ma?”

Jack knew this question would be coming, but it still hurt as if a train had collided with his chest. “...I buried her last month.”

“Oh, no…” she murmured, her eyes darkening as she looked down at the ground. After a few seconds, she reached forward, placing a hand on his knee. “I’m so sorry, Jack.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering how frail Abigail had become after John’s death, how her health had just been deteriorating for years on end until it finally claimed her life. He hoped, wherever they were now, they were together.

“I heard you was in Armadillo, Mrs. Adler,” he said, opening his eyes to change the subject. “Wasn’t even sure if you’d remember me, but I figured I’d stop by for old times’ sake.”

Sadie’s brows shot up. “Not remember you? The Marstons’ boy? How could I not remember you, Jack? You was always a little firecracker. I liked you. Never hesitated to give your old man some of that backtalk.”

Jack found himself smiling a little. “I’ll never forget those sweets you snuck me before dinnertime. Ma just about killed us.”

She lit up. “Thankfully we could use Uncle as a scapegoat, the old dog.” Jack hadn’t heard his name in a while, either. His chest twisted painfully again. She seemed to notice, and got to her feet. “Stay here, partner. I’m gonna get us some drinks, on me.”

“You don’t have to -”

“‘Course I do. You’re family.” She smiled, then left the poker room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Glancing up at the ceiling, Jack let out a long sigh and slowly reached for his father’s hat, taking it off to place on the table. His gaze wandered to the bookshelf in the corner, and he wondered if he ought to start writing that book he always joked he would write. Would that make John proud? Or would this, this life he was living now, make him proud?

For as long as he could remember, he’d wanted to be like John. And John always fought against it. Now, he supposed, he knew why.

The door swung open and Sadie returned with three glasses. She slid two of them toward him, smiling kindly. “Looks like you needed the extra.”

He didn’t even have the energy to thank her, and instead wordlessly picked up one of the glasses. Swirling the liquid around for a moment, he furrowed his brows. “You…lost your husband a long time ago, didn’t you, Mrs. Adler?”

Her eyes softened. “Yes, I did. It’s how I ended up joinin’ the gang. And jeez, Jack, call me Sadie already.”

“Sorry.” He watched the alcohol ripple in its glass. “After Pa died, I was so focused on takin’ care of Ma like he always told me to and…and now that she’s gone, I…” As his eyes began to burn, he brought the glass to his lips, trying to focus on the burn in his throat instead. He took a deep breath. “I found him, Sadie. Found the man who killed my father, and I killed him. I thought it would make things easier, but it ain’t. Nothin’s easy.”

Sadie was quiet for a moment, then scooted her chair a little closer. “No, it ain’t easy,” she said, the gentlest he’d ever heard her be, “It ain’t easy ‘cause you’re your pa’s kid. Y’know he did the same thing.”

“What?”

“Him, and me, and Charles, we all went after the feller who killed your Uncle Arthur,” she explained, leaning back in her seat. “I always heard the folk in camp talk about Dutch’s philosophy, or whatever it was. ‘Revenge is a fool’s game’, they’d say. But revenge kept us all goin’. It’s the only reason we survived this long. I killed the man who killed my Jakey, and I don’t regret it one bit.”

Jack looked down at his lap, placing the glass down and squeezing his gloved hands into tight fists. “It felt good,” he admitted, remembering the surprised look on Ross’ face before he fell to the ground. “Real good. But since then, nothin’s made any sense. Nothin’s fair. I…I miss ‘em both so much.”

“It’s a cruel world we live in, Jack Marston,” she agreed. “The pain gets easier to bear, but it also sometimes hits ya out of nowhere like a group of bandits. Someday, you’ll find a nice lady, settle down like they always wanted you to. You’re still young. You’ll be fine.”

“It don’t feel fine,” he choked, wondering why he was even saying all of this. Hot tears spilled over and began falling down onto his lap. The sound of a scraping chair filled his ears as Sadie came closer. His head soon rested against her chest, a gentle hand running through his hair. He cried harder, knowing he hadn’t been treated this kindly in months, making him miss his mother more than ever.

Sadie held him for a while, not saying anything, just letting him cry. Eventually, as it slowed, she sighed softly. “I never got around to havin’ children,” she said, “and it ain’t my place to say, but I’m proud of you, Jack. Real proud. You’ve grown into a fine man.”

Carefully, Jack sat up, wiping away at his face. “...Thank you.” He didn’t feel like one, but he appreciated the sentiment nonetheless. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t think our reunion was gonna go like this.”

“Nonsense, don’t apologize. I just have that charmin’, put-you-at-ease effect on people.”

He smiled slightly. “I think my Pa would disagree with that.”

“And I’d kick his ass for it,” she replied, returning the smile. “Where you been stayin’?”

“Camping around, mostly,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Since Ma died, I…can’t bring myself to stay at Beecher’s Hope.”

Sadie nodded, getting to her feet. “I didn’t have that problem. Micah burned my fuckin’ house down,” she sighed, offering a hand. “C’mon, my house ain’t far. Just for a night, let’s get a roof over your head.”

Jack blinked. “You sure?”

“Sure, I’m sure. Your parents were friends of mine, Jack, so you’re a friend of mine, too. C’mon now.”

Forcing air into his lungs, he nodded, reaching forward to take the last glass and down it. Then he took Sadie’s hand to let her pull him up. Together, they headed outside, mounted their horses, and he followed her to a small cabin a little outside of town. It was everything one person could need; a small kitchen, a single bed, a bathtub. 

“When’s the last time you got any sleep?” she asked, which completely caught him off guard.

“Um…few days, maybe,” he admitted. Sleep was harder than it had ever been in his life before. He’d be lying if he said the fatigue wasn’t getting to him; his whole body felt heavy.

Sadie gave him a knowing smile, like she had once gone through the same thing. “Lie down then, partner.”

“Oh, n-no, no, this is your bed. I can’t possibly -”

“It’s an order. In you get, before I cut off that pretty hair of yours.”

Jack gulped. No wonder his father always seemed to follow Sadie’s lead instead of the other way around. Carefully, he sat on the edge of the bed, then moved to lay down, breathing in the smell of smoke and whiskey. Sadie sat beside him, shaking her head slightly.

“Do you still read them storybooks you used to love?”

“Sometimes.” His body felt heavier by the minute.

“Last time we saw each other, you were readin’ one about…uh…flyin’ monkeys or some such…”

Jack smiled, his eyelids fluttering closed. “Wizard of Oz.”

“Yeah! The man behind the curtain. Callin’ himself a wizard is mighty high self-praise though, I’ll tell you that. And I’d be surprised if a scarecrow could walk around without a brain, but plenty of fellers do that every day…”

While she spoke, for a moment, he was on the couch at home, with Abigail in the armchair and John by the fire. He was safe. He was happy. He was young.

He was happy to have that, for just that moment, before sleep whisked him away.

[bowtiesnmusicals]

Here is my recap of the To The Max (Adler) episode of the podcast.

Jenna makes a joke that Kevin is the special guest. Kevin says grim…you couldn’t do better then me.

Max is probably the only cast member that was actually in show choir. Kevin said he was the most qualified person on the show. Jenna said she is surprised they didn’t audition him for Puck. Kevin said Robert Ulrich had a vision and really nailed it. Kevin said he trusts Robert Ulrich.

Max talked about his son. He said he is talking up a storm into planes, garbage trucks and construction vehicles. He said they a re battling to get him to sleep in his own room.

Max talked about the writers strike. He said he is trying to figure out life amongst the strike. He is producing and acting. Kevin said it is interesting because the last time the writers strike happened Glee happened. It worked out for them last time. Maybe a reboot. Max said maybe he could be a shoe(schue) in no pun intended. The mentioned a reboot. Max joked that he wouldn’t be invited back. Jenna and Kevin said same that they also would just be watching. Max mentioned a podcast called Strike Talk. It’s all about the strike. They also had a whole conversation about mini rooms which is like a show writer and two writers that write an entire season of a show instead of like a team of ten writers. This is much like how Glee was for the first two seasons. It was just Ryan, Ian, and Brad. Glee was also unique in that it was 22 episodes and not 8, 10, or 12 like many shows that might use a mini room.

Jenna asked Max about his audition for Glee. Max said he was doing the valet/restaurant/day job game. He was working at Macaroni Grill and missed a shift for a callback for a Montana Meth project. Meth was a big problem in Montana and they were trying to battle that through PSAs. He booked this gig. He was fired the same day he got into SAG. He worked at another restaurant and was doing bit on Ghost Whisperer and What About Brian. He had an agent and begged him to get in for a series regular on Glee. He mentioned that he and Jenna were the only people in show choir. He was a huge show choir person in high school. They toured and competed. He sang and danced. He went to the Bahamas and Chicago. He lived the Glee life. He loved Nip/Tuck. He would have parties at his parents house and friends houses. When he heard the creator of Nip/Tuck was doing a show about show choir he was like please please get me in. Kevin said nothing is more specifically right for you. Max said right, right but in the world of Hollywood they didn’t see him. They didn’t see it and didn’t think he was right. He dropped his headshot off every week at Unique A casting. They brought him in for two lines one day for both Karofsky and Azimio. He had to read for both parts. He coached on it for 2 hours. It was the big monologue where he talks to Quinn and Finn. He was like who is this guy and why is he saying this and wanted to stand out. He waked in so prepared and there were like 45 dudes and he saw Ashley Angel from O-Town and was like I’m going to go back to the restaurant game. There is no way they are going to go for me. He went in and did his thing and Robert in the room said I think you are the guy for this. This never happens. He was like that was the best read of the day, I think you are my choice. Max was like this would be a dream come true, give me two lines I want to be on this show. There’s was already this hype and buzz that the show was going to be shooting to the moon. He was pumped just to get on. When he got the call he was doing Richard II with the Shakespeare group Porters of Hellsgate where he met his wife. Jenna asked if he was doing this in LA. Max said yes. Kevin said acclaimed actor. He was like if he can do Shakespeare he can bang out these two lines on Glee. So he got the call and it made his day and then went on to change his life.

It was really exciting and he had no idea where it would go. It was just two lines and the biggest thing about it was the slushee. He was called in advance to practice with a dummy. Jenna said he was the first slushee thrower that he was the og. Kevin said there were slushee’s in the pilot and that someone slushied Lea. You didn’t see there face though. Max said the prop master was passionate about the slushees. They had started with rubber pieces but it bounces off the face. They will heat it in the microwave so it won’t be so cold but it wouldn’t read. Then he said f it we are going to use real slushee but don’t miss you’ve only got one take. If you miss your are going to mess up the clothes and make up and the set and everyone is going to be pissed. He came in and they adjusted it to Cory’s height. He was like go for the nose we want it to explode all over the face. Don’t get the chest. Don’t get the chin. There was so much pressure. Max was like what I’m an actor. I’m not a slushee thrower I don’t know what is going to happen. He said the prop master would be in a corner stirring and waiting for Cory to come around the corner right at the last moment Max was like I better get it right and luckily he did. Jenna said he threw a lot of slushies. Max said he got slushied once but he had zombie make-up covering his face so it wasn’t as bad. Kevin said must be nice. Jenna said were you guys slushied in the same episode. Was it the Super Bowl episode? Max said yeah they were coming down the hallway in their letterman jackets and they were slushied by the Hockey players. Kevin that hockey team that you ere originally a part of. Max said yeah there was that yeah I think so the hockey team turned football team. Kevin said all the sports. Max said something about a change of heart. He was an athlete or jock.

Kevin asked how did go from you getting these two lines to you becoming a huge central figure to the entirety of the series. Max said first of all thats very nice. Kevin said your characters influenced one the biggest characters on the show and that he had an incredible and crazy storyline through all 6 seasons. Kevin said he loved that it all started with Max dropping his headshots off at the casting directors office and him getting called in and workin on those two lines. He asked did they call him back for Azimio and Karofsky back for another couple of lines here and it just evolved. Max said he only thought there was that one and every actors dream that they notice something and ask him back but he was like what can they notice in two lines. Then he got the call they wanted to bring him back and he did the Supercuts line. He was like great I will come back. He was like if I can get enough of these I can quit the restaurant. Max said it was the dream because he was a fan of the show. Cory welcomed him with his gigantic heart and arms. He introduced Max to his mom. Max said it was five episodes for the first season.

Max said he remembered the season 2 premiere party at Paramount. Someone turned to him and was like this is for cast only. He said he still wasn’t recognized as part of Glee even though now he had done 5 episodes. Ryan came up to him party and like kind of secretly is like we just wrote something really special for you. Jenna joked on episode 21. Max was like a rainbow slushie or magical slushie. Then he got the script, someone would deliver them an actual paper script. It was Never Been Kissed where Karofsky kissed Kurt. He said it was outstanding because he had coached this whole time about what is this guys problem. What does he want? Why is he being a bully? He tried to understand bullies. He was giving it so much more then he felt he had to but he is so glad it developed into something that felt real and grounded. It gave him purpose for doing everything he had been doing. In his mind it was natural jealousy that Kurt gets to sing a song and be in a show choir and I’m a jock and I am going to bully you for that. But then when it was revealed these were the reasons it got so much more complex and so much more depth. Max said he knew people like that in high school. It was kind of a dream come true. He said Dante Di Loretto had been cold to him and Dante watched the rehearsals for the locker room scene. It was the first time he smiled, gave him a nod, patted him on the back and handshake. Max was like okay this means something and he took it very seriously and is happy with the way it came out. Kevin mentioned they just watched the episode and that him and Chris were phenomenal in the episode. He said Karofsky was beating the shit out of Kurt the whole episode. Jenna was like wow that is intense. Max said there were times when he was shoving Chris into the locker bay and someone in the crew would say can you not push him that hard. Let’s just take it easy. Max was like I’m sorry I was trying to make the sound and get into it. He felt so terrible and was like are you okay, I’m so sorry. He said he definitely beat him up and he pushed Darren gate in that episode.

Max said that was a big one and right after that it was crazy. He got invited with Josh Sussman and Patrick Gallagher to go to D.C. to the Kennedy Center. He ws getting a sense of what the main cast had been living with. He said it changed overnight. The world became different through his eyes and it was crazy how that happened. He said he remembered getting invited to a cast and crew screening and Brad saying I think you are going to be really proud of the episode. He said Kevin after the screening ran into his arms for a big hug and it was validation. It was like welcome to the show. Kevin said it is one of those things. It’s so hard to get a job. You are happy to get your two lines and then to watch someone come on the show. It’s hard to be the person that pops in and out. It really is especially when it was an ensemble cast that was really close. He mentioned they talked to Josh Sussman about this and how those two related to each other because they had a similar trajectory on the show. He said to see someone get given that storyline and then be so good and the care Max had with Karofsky the entire time. He said we got to watch our friends sing and do these crazy scenes and were always so proud of each other and to see someone like Max just bring it seemingly going from oh I am just going to say a mean thing and push someone against a locker and then here you are with this really beautiful and sensitive storyline. It meant a lot to see that as a friend and fellow actor and just being fan of Max’s. It was special. Max said thank you and it felt special. He said even now it will be tough to find a role that is awesome and complex and nuanced and on a show that gets that many ratings and eyeballs. He said he has shot stuff before that and since then that you when you are shooting it you are like who knows if this going to see the light of day. Who know how many people will watch. He said it was exciting being on the Glee set knowing that what we are doing is going to be watched in a few weeks by 14 million people or whatever it was and it like this will change some minds and change some hearts. It will influence people and maybe save some lives. That was the biggest thing. It transcended just a role on tv to making a difference. He started getting letters, emails, messages of people saying they had seen some gay people portrayed on tv but they weren’t the masculine jock that you didn’t see coming. Thank god for this because they feel validated and seen. It was things were their family had disowned them and after seeing this episode they understood now who they were and reached out to patch the family back up. He said it was insane to just be a part of it. It made him take things more seriously. He was representing a lot of people that didn’t feel seen or heard which is the whole point of the show.

Max said what was so weird about that is that he never had the Ryan sit down or like this is what we are going to do or lets talk about what people are feeling about it. He said he would try but he would’ve get much of a response. He mentioned Life of Pi. He said he just wants that lion to look back and acknowledge him. He was like thats Glee. There was never anyone that was like hey we did it or good job on the storyline. It just kind of ended. He was like did just that happen and still waiting for that closure. He said he understand what they are talking about because he has been the bigger part of shows and its like you bond more because you spend so much time together. The guest stars are great and awesome. It’s like in high school where you can go the same school but unless you have that one night of partying where the truth comes out. You have that bond and talk about it the next day. Its like he’s in my science class but were not like that. He said he understood the pecking order. He said weird that the outside world was like you are on Glee and a cast member and doing it. He was like am I though. He was straddling the fence of when will I be back, will I be back. He was like am I going back to the bread lines. It was a very weird unstable 6 years but also the most exciting and rewarding. He said he is still trying to deal with that.

Jenna said he had such a big storyline even after the initial kiss to the big episode where you attempt suicide. It is a massive undertaking. She asked what it was like when he read that script. Did he know that was coming? Did Ryan drop any nuggets? What was the response? Did it shift at that point? Max said it solidified his place on the show. He worked with his coach and was like this guy in a small town worried about his sexuality getting out there, his dad, society. In reality he would probably think about suicide. Max was like they would never do that on a Fox musical comedy. So when it actually came to him he was like oh my gosh and thank you to the writers for doing this character justice and showing what could happen to someone in that situation and in that position. Let’s be real about it and let’s really touch lives and save some hearts and change peoples minds and open peoples eyes. He said it was a brutal episode to film. It’s as a very dark space. He had to understand what would lead to someone committing suicide. The hopelessness and not having anyone to turn to and being at the literal end of your rope. It’s dark. He said he remembers sitting in the golf cart with Brad Buecker right outside the studio for like an hour. He was telling Max really vulnerable things about his life and mindset and where he’s been. Max was confessing stuff to him about when his mom passed. It was a very emotional talk that put him in a great space to go in and film. He knows he is representing people. At this time Fox sent him to Dr. Phil, Access Hollywood, and Dr. Drew. He was out there talking about teen suicides and cyber bullying. This was the forefront of when Anderson Cooper and Ellen and everyone was talking about cyber bullying and teen suicides. He was like this is crazy that he was playing this role at this time in the world and that this might not ever happen again. It was huge. He said the biggest reward was that the Trevor Project flashed their hotline at the end of the episode and the calls went through the roof. It was the highest percentage of people that reached for help after that episode. He said to be a part of that was incredibly rewarding and an honor.

Keviin said how lovely it was that during Never Been Kissed and On My Way he had Brad Buecker at the helm both times. He is the most thoughtful and generous person. He asked if it was helpful because he was there for the advent of Karofsky real journey having him be a through line. He said the Dante and Ryan’s were doing other things. Buecker was editing the show at the same time he really knew all the characters so so well. He asked if he found that as an actor to have Brad connect those dots for him. Max said he absolutely loved working with Brad. He said he thinks it was the first time that he worked with a director that was an editor. Kevin mentioned Never Been Kissed was Brad’s first episode. Max said there must ave been 20 different takes for the locker room. He said it was so fun because he came through one door and Chris came through another door. He said Brad would go back and forth between Max and Chris and give them idea of things to try. Max said it was fun because they got to try everything he was feeling and didn’t have to hold back or try to get it right. He said he wanted to work with Brad again. He said the same thing with On My Way there was already that trust built in. He was like I don’t know how many tears you can get out of me. He said it was really great working with him. He said Brad treated where he walked through the locker room and saw fag on the locker and he was like its going to be in slow motion and I want to see your life leave your body. The way he shot and pushed in and cue Cough Syrup. He said he got emotional watching it. Brad and Max got invited to Sacramento for a couple of years and be a part of a program called Directing Change because of that episode. All of these high school students were making short films about mental health awareness, stigmas, and suicide prevention. Brad and Max were there to represent, they spoke to the kids and judged the videos. Now they were in the real world talking about these issues from the storyline. It took on a serious part of his life. He wanted to understand what he was talking about because he was talking to real kids going through it. This is more then just memorizing lines and showing up. It was a crazy time.

Kevin said it is crazy to think about how when the show came out and it started to do well they became conscious that x number of people are going to see what we are doing right now. When they did the first 13 episodes no one had seen anything but the pilot. He said knowing that you are doing these really serious things and then having a 3 week turn around. He asked in those 3 weeks did you ever get scared or nervous because every time he was on screen he had some really heavy shit. Kevin said for us they were like I am excited for my parents to see this musical number or I get to get out of the chair and dance. For Max, he was acting through some really tough things. Kevin said he got scared for people to see some things. He asked what was going through Max’s head knowing that 15 million people were going to see this. Max said excitement and there was no fear. He moved out to LA when he was 18 right after high school. He was like everyone was saying they were going college and he was like I’m going to LA an see what happens, don’t laugh at me. He was like I better make it because there was no plan b. He said to be on a dream show with a dream creator knowing people are watching it. He said all his high school friend were watching it. He had a big support base from family and friends. His wife Jenn studied theater in London with this guy Jeremy O’Keefe who ended up being a casting director. He overheard while he was working at a restaurant talking about how he also bartends at a bar called Silver Spoon. They had a back room where they would have Glee Nights. He said he things it was a gay bar. They would show Glee hand have drinks. Max was like you know I’m on that show. Jeremey said come on by and so it became a thing where Max would go with 20 friends and they would watch the episode and have drinks. He said he remembers when he got Never Been Kissed there were people that were like is your dad going to be cool with this. You are kissing a dude on national tv. What are you going to do? He said he didn’t even think about it until he was confronted with it. He was like no, I’m an actor, and a kiss is a kiss. Lips are lips. A storyline is a storyline. He didn’t really think about that element of it. He just thought about the character and the instinct of why he has been doing what he’s been doing for a year and this release. Kevin said he too it so seriously. Max said it almost felt like he was shooting a different show. It was crazy they were putting it in this episode. Jenna said we always say the Kurt and Burt, the heavy and heart of the show and then you have the clowns. It was sometimes two different shows. Max said that is what worked. Through the circus of that you have that little notice of let me pound you in the heart with this. He said it reminded of that American Beauty scene where Chris Cooper kisses Kevin Spacey in the garage. He said that scene rattles him still and was like that was powerful. He said if they can come anywhere close to capturing that feeling of just the release of what this guy must be feeling wondering what it feels like to kiss a guy after 16 years or whatever it is. Let’s show that release. Then he found out Ryan knew people like that in high school. Brad Falchuck had a friend named Dave Karofsky that messaged Max on Facebook. He’s not at all like the character. It was very rewarding and he was excited to do that storyline. He said it was more negative before Karofsky exposes what his deal is and then it became like thank you and I feel scene. He said this was a crazy ride.

Jenna said speaking of a crazy ride his storylines get crazier. Kevin said they don’t remember season 5 and 6 but mostly 6. Kevin said someone tweeted that they knew this is when I knew Glee went off the rails, when Karofsky and Blaine started dating. Kevin was like this happened. Kevin sand no offense to you or anybody he doesn’t know what happened with him and that he doesn’t know anything. Jenna said I don’t know where we were at that time. Max said they had checked out and were just along for the ride. It was a long time ago and they were a long time in and it was a cyclone blur and it was wild. Kevin said tell us about that experience. Max said at that point I’ve done what I’m going to do. The serious stuff with this character that is going to make an impact has stopped. The show has changed and the world has changed. He was happy to be along for the ride, happy to be a part of the show, happy to keep seeing everyone and keep putting on the jacket, and happy to have an income and be working. He said it was fun at that point. He said there was so much pressure on those earlier episodes. He said everyone would be having fun at base camp and he wold be in his trailer doing breathing exercises. He had one shot to nail this and represent hundreds of thousands of people. Kevin said these assholes are singing lady Gaga and I have talk about suicide. Max said I wish I was singing Lady Gaga. He said there was a freedom in that and they had each other and having fun. He was like this was on me and I have to nail it or I am not asked back. There was a very big pressure until season 6. He was like there is Jane Lynch telling me and Darren are related with a family tree at a restaurant. He said love Darren and that they hit it off from the beginning during Never Been Kissed and said they are still close. He was like this is insane but I get to work with you, my buddies and work with you and Chris and cool directors and have a good time. He said it was fun to be a part of it without the weight or pressure of what it was at that point. He mentioned that he got a nice happy ending that didn’t result in a suicide. It is okay to be out in the world and happy, to date , and go do line dancing at gay bars and be out there. It gives people hope that there is a life and a world that will accept you. People will understand you and feel free to reach out to people and try things. He was appreciative of that and that it didn’t end in a tragic way. He just had fun. It was weird thing. Him and Blaine dated. Jenna said Tina tried to date him too. Max said it was a good time.

Jenna asked Max what is the feeling that Glee leave him with. Max said longing. He said he knows that is kind of sad. It was a great time in his life. It was a huge hit show and all the perks that came with it and being seen for your work. He said it was like listening in a bottle. Who know if or when it will come again. He is a parent now. Everything is different now. He said he can’t believe that happened when they were in their 20s. They were footloose and fancy free. What a time. There won’t be a show like again. it won’t really be the same. it was very cool to be with people the same age and going through it. He looks upon those times very fondly. He said he wasn’t in the trenches or the drama as much as the main cast. It’s been all good for him. He misses it. Jenna said that’s awesome they are grateful to have him. She said watching it as a viewer vs an actor in the show it’s really different and profound. They get to see the work he put in and how serious he took the role and how he approached and it really paid off. She said they are really grateful for him and his time not he show, and what he shared with everyone and coming on and hanging out with them again and his friendship. Max said the feeling is mutual. He said thank you for everything you guys did on the show. Jenna said they were just clowns on Glee. Max said thanks for having me and congrats on the show. They said they will voice memo him if they have questions during the podcast. Max said bring it on and that he will be standing by. Kevin said thanks and that it was so good to see him. Max said it was so good to see them and thanks and to take care.

Jenna asked Kevin if he knew that David Schwimmer quit tv right before he got Friends. He quit and went back to Chicago to do theater. Marta Koffman and the creators of Friends were like we wrote this with you in mind. You have to come back and do it. He had a bad experience on another tv show and was like never again. They were like we promise this will be different just come back. He was like alright if you wrote it for me I will come back. Kevin was like see what happens when you are good. Max is just good. They had no idea he had all that formal training. He said you are sweet man and keep it up you are so talented. They said they will have to have him back. That they have so many more questions for everyone.

See you next time.

[scarfacemarston]

All Epilogue Journals and Transcription

Note: This does not include the 100% completion spoilers. I really challenge you to read through this and still tell me that John is not as complex as Arthur. They just portray it differently. I’m not saying you have to like him - just that he is so much more than “just a dumb angry man”.  I still encourage everyone to play the game. It’s not the same through here. It’s a beautiful story and ties up nicely. 

Transcript:  Being back in this country made me dig up Arthur’s old journal again. Odd few years wandering. back here, this country that we ran to when things went crazy all those years ago  My mind is full of ghosts. Been a tough few years. Jack don’t like me and Abigail cannot  stand me or is it the reverse?

Killed a feller because he looked at me funny. Abigail wants me to settle down - To what? Everything I’ve tried has gone wrong, for so long now, ad now I’m back in old country. Well I guess the north didn’t turn out so good.

So now I’m a farm hand. Until I lose my temper again, I guess. Working at a place called Pronghorn Ranch. They seem to like me because I’m big and nasty and they surely ain’t. And some local tough guys seem to know they aint. Well I guess Abigail can’t have everything, but she won’t be able to deny I’ve at least got a normal job.

Pronghorn Ranch ^

I’m not much of a rancher but I can still give a big mouth a good smack. Abigail still seems to despise me. Jack ain’t sure but I reckon he aint none too keen.

She’s a gone - she went a - She went and left me. Gave me enough warning, I suppose. She weren’t wrong, I’d leave me, if I could. What now? No son, no woman and a no good rancher on a no good ranch. These rich bastards, the Laramie want old Geddes  dead. If I had a brainI”d go work for them. But I kind of like Geddes.

Good news - I now own a ranch. Bad news, I now have Uncle with me. Or is it the reverse? If he don’t shut his mouth, I’ll paint this place with his blood. I bought a dumpy bit of land for Abigail and she ain’t here.  Instead I get Uncle.

How the hell did this happen? I got the worst of all things. I miss Abigail. I’ve been a proper fool for longer than I can remember. FOR ALWAYS.

Went to Saint Denis with Uncle because Charles Smith was there and in trouble. Charles had taken to boxing and did not seem to be in too much trouble after all, until we stumbled into some local gangsters who wanted to shoot both of us But not he’s here and I’ve got a completely different family to the one I had a while ago. Not sure what to make of that.

This countryside is full of some of the worst scum and maniacs I’ve ever come access. Guess we fit right in. Went to buy lumber t build a new house. Got jumped by some local gang everyone is terrified by. A hand Charles had hired got himself killed. Wonder if these bastards will bring trouble  and how much.

Saw Sadie Adler again. Guess I thought she’d been dead. Maybe it’s just me that’s been dead. I don’t know. Was good to see her. She’s a bounty hunter and  suited to the work. Saw her put a knife clean through the hand of some big old boy she was fighting with. Ain’t seen her since she and Arthur saved Abigail and Arthur saved my life. We headed north and she  turned to this line of work

Built ourselves a place to live - never thought I would say those words. Now I just need a family and a way of paying off these debts. Went off bounty hunting with Sadie, who I’d met again after all these years, and whole thing turned crazy. Thank god Abigail weren’t around or she’d have skinned me herself.

Abigail and Jack came back. Whole of my life suddenly makes some kind of sense. If only I could pay off these damn debts - and if only I could have been a different man all these years I wasted being a fool.

I’M GETTING MARRIED. She thinks I’m a real fool and she’s right, only she don’t know quite why I am a fool.

We got married and we danced and Uncle made us laugh - and Jack seemed real happy. Sadie left, after she fixed herself up. Charles went off hunting something or other as I knew he would. Uncle ain’t going anywhere. Saw Dutch, damn near broke my heart again after all this time. Wanted to kill him, but I didn’t. Saw Micah was never gladder to see a man die. Whatever peace and happiness I can find in this world, I  know it’s a better place with him out of it. Storyline finished. 100% Game completion journal entries not included here - but in separate post. 

[dyns33]

The woman

Yes I wrote something for Henry!Sherlock, even if I prefer Benedict!Sherlock, but I don’t know why he inspired me more... Maybe because he doesn’t have a doctor Watson ? 

        "So, what's bothering you ?"

Y/N should have known that her sister-in-law would ask her that question. Like her brother, Enola Holmes had a great sense of observation and deduction. And, being a woman, she noticed more things than Sherlock. For example, the fact that his dear wife has been a little annoyed for a few weeks, but without being able to really say by what.

           "It's the woman, isn't it ? Miss Adler. You don't like her ? Are you jealous ?"

Ah, it looked like Enola was actually perfectly able to guess what. Y/N didn't really like her husband to be so close to Irene Adler, a client, as beautiful as she was dangerous, intelligent and formidable.

Of course, she totally trusted Sherlock, she knew he wouldn't cheat on her, that he wasn't attracted to this woman, but the way he talked about her, all the time he spent in her company, his smile when she sent him a telegram... He was having fun with her. She was exciting, she was intellectually captivating, she was different from the others.

Y/N already felt threatened by her beauty, so knowing that she could come with Sherlock in his investigations without feeling lost, that made this woman a real threat. But she trusted Sherlock, truly. She didn't want him to think she was stupid for having such thoughts. He must already find her a little limited.

Despite everything, he had proposed to her in marriage, while nothing obliged him, neither social pressure, nor his relatives, nor money. Only love. Sherlock loved her even though she wasn't as smart as him, and Y/N didn't want to lose that in making him regret that decision. Between her and his job, she knew what was more important.

           "I have two questions before I answer you."

           "Go ahead." Enola said sipping her tea.

           "Why do you think I don't like her ?"

           "I'm not sure, to be honest, but I can tell you don't like her."

           "Well, you are mistaken, I appreciate Miss Adler. I find that she is a model of a strong and independent woman, fulfilled, free to do what she wants, even if I do not invite you to imitate her in all her choices, especially of career."

           "But ?"

           "Second question, what will you do if it turns out that I am indeed jealous ?"

           "... Nothing, why ?"

           "I just don't want you to tell someone about it or do wrong to Miss Adler. Promise me not to do that."

Enola swore not to say anything, and then Y/N Holmes, tired of keeping all this ridiculous grief on her heart, revealed her fears to her. No, she didn't hate Irene, but she didn't like the friendship she had with her husband.

And she hated her for making her feel that way, when she only wanted Sherlock's happiness. It was a good thing that he was friends, or at least related, with someone other than the Scotland yard inspectors.

She didn't want to become one of these jealous and castrating wives, preventing him from living his life, and forcing him to spend boring evenings by the fireplace with her. But at the same time, Y/N was really miserable, knowing that she would never be good enough for Sherlock. Unfortunately, it had to be accepted that there was no solution to this problem.

                                             ________________

             After her return, Eudoria Holmes had decided that once a month the whole family should gather for lunch together, whether her sons like it or not, in order to maintain the bond and show that they loved each other. And it was forbidden to give an excuse like "I am in the middle of an investigation" or "England will explode if I leave my office".

Although she was also invited, Y/N did not always come, preferring to let the Holmes have their moment, and this time, certainly because of her gloomy mood, she left her husband alone with his mother and siblings.

Enora decided to take advantage of it. Of course she had swore not to say anything about her sister-in-law's jealousy, but she loved her and therefore couldn't bear to see her so sad. She also didn't like Miss Adler very much, nor the fact that her brother couldn't see the hurt he was doing to his wife. So she found another way to help the couple, without breaking her promise.

           "I need your help, for a good friend of mine. She is engaged to a charming man, whom she loves, who also loves her, but lately he often goes out with another woman. According to her, there is nothing ambiguous, it's for work, they are friends, but..."

           "Hold on." Mycroft interrupted. "Are you talking about yourself ? Are you engaged ?"

           "No ! It's really for a friend !"

           "Good, but you still have to think about finding a decent husband, and quickly, otherwise..."

           "Carry on sweetie." their mother said, smiling.

           "So I was saying, she knows her fiancé isn't doing anything wrong per se, he just sees a friend, but she's jealous, and she doesn't dare tell him. She's afraid he'll take it very badly, thinking that she is stupid, that she should trust him, and that she has no right to prevent him from seeing who he wants. She wants to be a good companion, she wants him be happy. But... She's not happy at the end. What do you think she should do ? Talk to him ? Say nothing ?"

The Holmes nodded, seriously considering her question. In truth, especially for the two men, they didn't care a bit, but it was always better than an argument or reproach from their matriarch. If they could have just eaten in silence, they would have answered that these kinds of ridiculous problems did not concern them, dilemmas of women they knew nothing about, and they would have finished their plate.

           "I think she should talk to her husband about it." Eudoria replied calmly.

           "Her fiancée, mom."

           "Yes, if you want. Communication is the key to a happy union. Maybe he will get angry, maybe not, but at least he will know what she is thinking, and he can act on it. It's better than suffering and accumulating resentments."

           "It's best if she keeps quiet." Mycroft then declared. "She's right to think her fiancé won't be thrilled by this behaviour. He might even break the engagement seeing what nonsense she can think of. If he really isn't cheating on her, he can do whatever he wants with it. this woman."

Being smart enough to know that her mother was right, and that it was best not to upset Mycroft, young Enola turned to her other brother, the only one whose answer really mattered. Depending on what he said, she would know what to do. And she really hoped he didn't say something foolish.

           "Frankly, I find that absurd."

           "Sherlock ?!"

           "Whether she tells him or not, I don't see how that concerns us. It's her choice. She can also come to terms with the situation and not be upset anymore."

           "Oh really? You would be okay with your lover seeing someone else, who she would have more fun with than you, a lot of times, without telling you exactly what they're doing together, but don't worry, nothing forbidden ?"

           "You're ridiculous. I don't see where the problem is at all."

Sherlock Holmes did not see where the problem was. In that case, his sister would show it to him.

                                                      ____________

             Too busy analyzing the powder he had found in a suspect's house, Sherlock didn't watch his wife leave, simply raising his cheek to allow her to kiss him before going to join her friends in a tea room. If he had been more careful, he would have heard her voice tremble as she told this lie.

Because Y/N actually went to Enola, who had invited her saying that she knew how to help her. For her, it was very simple, her brother didn't just need to know that he was hurting her, he had to feel that pain. And for that, he had to put himself in her shoes.

           "I'm not very comfortable with this process. I don't want to lie to him." Y/N muttered. "I don't want him to think I might… Why are you lighting a pipe ?"

           "For the same reason I bought a man's perfume. He has to smell those scents on you when you get home. Then he'll know for sure you were with a man, and if he asks you, you will say that it was just a dear friend, and that it's your business. Ah ! We will then see if that does not bother him a little !"

           "What about the mud in the bucket by the door ?"

           "Picked up in one of London's worst back streets. I'll put it under your shoes. Then he'll know you weren't in a teahouse, and if he analyzes it, he'll panic even more."

           "Really Enola, this idea... I don't know if it's a good idea."

           "My brother has to stop being an idiot, and we're just going to open his eyes." Enola crooned, dishevelling her sister-in-law, to give the illusions that she had run for some unusual reason.

It didn't take more than a minute for Sherlock to indeed have his eyes wide open. With his nose as a sleuth, he smelled as expected the cigar and the perfume as soon as his wife returned, later than expected. He finally heard her confusion as she spoke of the boring discussions she had had with her friends. He immediately noticed the mud. But he didn't say anything, staring at her intently.

           "Sherlock, are you all right ?"

           "... Yes."

           "I'm going to make tea, do you want some ?"

           "... I thought you drank a lot already with your friends."

           "... You never drink enough tea."

Sherlock couldn't disagree with that statement, continuing to look at her in silence.

                                      __________________

             The evening was very calm. Normally it shouldn't have been, since Sherlock hadn't finished his investigation, but he had a more urgent mystery to deal with. His dear Y/N was hiding something from him, someone, and he didn't like it.

There was no secret between them, he would tell her everything, and if he forgot any details, all she had to do was ask him questions, and he would answer readily, without the slightest embarrassment. For her part, Y/N always told him about her days, apologizing several times because it shouldn't really interest him and repeating that he could tell her if he wanted her to shut up, which he never did.

Tonight she didn't tell him about her afternoon, which was odd already, and even without all the clues he already had, Sherlock would have been intrigued. Her behaviour was not helping. Curled up in her chair, she pretended to read. Pretended, because she kept glancing in his direction, biting her lip and stamping her foot, never turning a page.

She was visibly disturbed by her lie. Sherlock didn't know if he should be relieved of this. Y/N end up closing the book, setting it slowly on the table, before turning to him.

           "So how is your investiga..."

           "Something is bothering you." he said at the same time.

           "Oh. I... No, nothing at all."

           "Really ? If you say so." he sighed without looking at her.

He still felt that she was uncomfortable, even more than before, frantically touching her hands as if to wash away the shame that was gnawing at her.

Sherlock didn't dare believe she could have cheated on him, she wasn't like that. His sweet Y/N would never do such a thing. But then why lie ? Why going to see a man in secret ? If it was to surprise him, she wouldn't look so guilty. Rather excited and a little annoyed that he tried to guess before the scheduled date. If he was a simple friend, she would have told him bluntly. So there was something else, but he couldn't figure out what.

           "I can not do that." she sobbed suddenly. "I can't do this to you."

           "My darling..."

           "I don't like lying to you, that was a bad idea. I'm sorry Sherlock. I can't stand you doubting me like that."

           "I know there is a man, but I know you haven't done anything wrong."

           "Neither did you.  I was with Enola, who wanted you to think I was with a man. It was her plan, a horrible plan, I should never have accepted. Oh, Sherlock what are you going to think of me now ?"

Sherlock could have understood right away what she meant, but his first instinct was to kneel down in front of her to take her hands and kiss them, hoping to stop the crying. Y/N didn't cry often, and it was mostly because of the joy, like when he asked for her hand or when they got married. Sherlock hated seeing her cry, let alone not knowing what to do to console her.

Then he wondered why his little sister had such a cruel idea, to put them in this situation, before remembering their conversation during the family dinner. So he understood.

           "... You are jealous of Irene Adler." he whispered.

           "I know this is stupid."

           "... why are you jealous ?"

           "Because she is beautiful, and intelligent, and wild, and she can accompany you in your investigations, that she understands everything you say, that she is not boring !" Y/N cried, pulling her hands away to hide her tearful face. "I know it's ridiculous, I know you won't leave me for her, I know that, but it's stronger than me ! Oh, you'll hate me now. You'll think I want you to stop to see her. I just want share that with you too, if only I was not so stupid..."

           "Stop." he begged her, taking her face, forcing her to look at him. "You are not stupid. Nor boring. And I am not angry."

           "But... I shouldn't be reacting like that."

           "No you shouldn't, but it doesn't matter. I don't want to hurt you, and if you don't want me to see Irene Adler anymore, I'm fine with that. Her case is interesting, but I will find others."

           "Sherlock, you love your job, solve crimes, I don't want to take that away from you if that's what makes you happy." Y/N sighed.

           "My love, do you remember the table of chemical elements I showed you while trying to figure out what drug was used to put my client's dog to sleep last month ?"

           "... I remember the table, but not the details."

           “There are several elements, different, but all important. I am indeed happy when I get a good mystery, go out to talk to people smarter than the rest of the population and help the police, but... I am also happy when I come home to my wife, who loves me and supports me despite my oddities. My mind is at peace by your side, as it was bubbling a few hours before. And yes, I go out the next day, on a new case, but only to meet you again in the evening, as always. I may not be happy without my job, but I can't be happy without you either. However, I could, I should, and I will spend more time with you."

           "You do not have to."

           "I want it." he said before kissing her tenderly.

It was at the same time that he came to know who had stolen Miss Adler's jewellery, but he said nothing about it. He would send her a telegram in the morning to let her know, adding  that he was sadly too busy to continue helping her, but that she would certainly be able to get by without him. Irene would understand, she had made a few mocking remarks, which he hadn't picked up on, but which were becoming very clear now. Like those of his mother, and those of...

           "This is the eleventh time." he mumbled, resting his head on Y/N's shoulder.

           "Darling ?"

           "That Enola is faster than me at guessing obvious things, which are right under my nose. I feel stupid."

           "You are not stupid."

           "And you shouldn't smell any other scent than mine." Sherlock growled as he hugged her and led her to their room.

While the detective readily accepted that his sister could be as, if not smarter than him, he refused to admit that he could be such a bad husband, and he paid much more attention to Y/N after that night, doing everything to make her know that she was the only important woman in his life... along with his mother and Enola, of course.

[pink-apollo]

Adler, Krueger, Otter as fathers

Another old piece I found and rewriting it to make it better. Less cringy if you will. Forgot how much I simped for Adler...Sorry. Dadler? Sorry. Dadler? Sorry...

Adler 🚬

🚬For Adler to even consider about being a dad is a very big thing for him. He knows he's not perfect, and has many wounds that need to heal, but damnit is he proud of you and wants to be the best father that he can be for the sake of the kid and for himself. He feels he's not certified or even deserve to be a dad. But can't help it when he sees you curled up next to him watching your bump move because of the radio and giggle at the little munchkin moving

🚬Adler tries to help the best that he can around the house when your bump started to get bigger to the point you couldn't do things such as bend or pick things off the floor, or even do the dishes. He never made you clean, do the laundry, or even cook at times because he was so worried about your health. He may not verbally express what he feels, but with his actions it was plain as day.

🚬Is very anxious when the due date gets closer and closer. He wants to make sure you have everything you need and prepared

🚬When the little bundle came, Adler sat in the chair next to your bed at the hospital holding him. His glasses where on his head, pushing the hair out of his face as he stared down at his son. Adler wasn't known to cry but sniffled once or twice due to the amount of happiness

🚬He is the type of dad that when he comes home, he sets his things down, takes the coat off and rolls his sleeves up before picking up his son and giving you a kiss. It's cliché I know, but he is living for it and happens every time he comes home

🚬He may look like a typical suburban dad with the haircut, shirt, and glasses, but damn he will kick anybody's ass if they get near you or his child if they seem a bit suspicious.

🚬He never smokes in the house the whole time you're pregnant or near the kiddo. Always outside no matter the weather conditions and is trying to quit

🚬Is the type of dad that will pass out on the recliner with the kid.

Otter🌲

🌲Benjamin never had the best childhood and dreads of his child ever going into foster care like he did and going into illegal activities.

Although with a loving s/o, he knows that won't be the case at all which eases his anxiety, but can't help knowing that it's lurking in the back of his mind

🌲Ben can be antsy at times and can't help but pace around before he sees you walking or more so waddling up to him to pull him back to bed which he can't help but stifle a laugh at your state and how adorable you look. Hair a complete mess and in one of his shirts without pants because there was no way you were going to put pants on. It required too much work

🌲Otter is very protective of you and will wrap his hands from behind and rest them on your tummy. He'll set his head either on your head on your shoulder and sigh. He's just really thankful that he has a good thing going for him and couldn't ask for anything else

🌲Scoffs when you show him an otter onesie and plushie that you got for your little munchkin. "What it's cute!" Just hums in amusement and shakes his head as he pecks your cheek. Of course that's something you would do. Never admits it but finds it so cute and heart warming

🌲He'll place his hands on your tummy and wait for the little kicks that the baby does. Sometimes he can't help but laugh when they kick due to something he said or just in general when they hear his voice

🌲Always talks to the baby about anything and everything. He just adores the reaction and small movements. Sometimes if the both of you are talking the baby kicks more than usual. Just a sweet otter family...

🌲When the little bean is born, benjamin is always helping around the house more than ever to let you rest and recover. Although you say the house is clean and spotless and that he needs rest, Ben does settle down once he takes a breather and realize that he doesn't need to go to the extreme.

🌲Is the type of dad to feed his kid a lemon just for the amusement or any sour things

Krueger✨

✨Krueger has pondered the thought of being a father and even though he was unsure at the news at first, he was ecstatic non the less. In all honesty how could he not? He has a very loving s/o and feels at this point in his life he would love to start a family with you and feels prepared the most out of the group

✨Sebastien is the type of person who will stand behind you and nuzzle into your neck as he lifts your tummy up. He knows that carrying around another human and all that weight is tiring and does his best to help out when he can

✨Expect him to talk Austrian to the baby. He already loves that you want to learn his language and would love to have a bilingual family and to teach them about his culture🥺

✨Out of all the boys, Sebastian is most in tune with your attitude and body language . Can tell some days are more tougher than others and always makes sure that you're comfortable. Pillows? He's got all the pillows in the house. One for your head, back, legs, and belly.

✨Has no issue with setting up a bath for you and helping you dress or undress. Doesn't care that if you feel insecure about your growing tummy, the weight, or stretch marks. Your carry a child, what's more beautiful than that?

✨Is absolutely smitten with the baby. He will have them wrapped up in his sweatshirt and nap with them on the couch to give you a break. Adores them to bits as they gently snore with their little fists clenched around his finger

✨Sebastian is always engaged with them but you best bet that they're up to something even if one can't exactly walk...Usually you can hear a squeak if they're trying to sneak up on you

[hwkhs]

MSBY seeing their spouse & kid at a game

summary: the players have a big game coming up and you told them that you and your kid couldn’t make it because of (generic excuse), but little did he know you guys were just in the stands waiting for him to notice

characters: hinata shouyou, bokuto koutarou, miya atsumu, & sakusa kiyoomi x gn!reader

warnings: post-timeskip so spoilers!

style & genre: headcannons; fLUFF, JUST WHOLESOME, DOMESTIC FLUFF

notes: i saw other people doing this and i wanted to do a take of it too & i’ve told myself that all i’m going to publish without a request is self-indulgent i have no shame, enjoy!

Hinata Shouyou

you told him you had an important business meeting that day and your daughter had an impromptu ballet lesson a stretch but he believed it

he was understanding but you could tell that he was kinda bummed

it’s the day of the game and he’s warming up with his teammates when you and your daughter snag a seat towards the front row

it is just in his peripherals if he looks there but he is pretty focused since it’s a game against the adlers

your and your daughter are sporting his jersey and you can see the sparkles in her eyes as she watches her dad warm-up

wait till she sees him actually play it’s so cute

the game starts and hinata opens it up with a quick, set by atsumu

you and your daughter cheer loudly and hinata turns to smile at the crowd, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets when he sees you two

he is so ecstatic and now that he knows you’re both there he plays even better

after the game he runs up to the two of you and hugs you both tight, the smile on his face never faltering

when the interviewers come to ask him questions, he hoists his daughter to sit on his shoulders as he talks animatedly about the match while she plays with his hair

everyone watching thinks it’s adorable, this daddy-daughter duo

“i felt even more fired up! why? well, it’s because my spouse and daughter are here!”

Bokuto Koutarou

HE WAS SO SAD AWWW

like you physically felt your heart hurt when his hair flopped down

he was looking forward to seeing you and your guys’ son at the game so he could have a boost to his energy and confidence

the team notices the slight change in his mood but he told them before--he’s not the same ace he was in high school so he wouldn’t let it affect his playing too much

little did he know hehe

your son is bouncing excitedly in your lap as he waits to see his dad

he is normally pretty bad at keeping secrets so it was surprising he faked a sad expression when he had to tell his dad he had schoolwork to finish

it’s preschool and hw is nonexistent but bokuto doesn’t need to know that

right when bokuto exits the hall to be seen by the crowd, your soon immediately perks up

“Dad!!”

bokuto’s, i kid you not, his hair straightens up and his head whips over to you two

he can tell your voices from a mile away and a large smile spreads across his face

“hey hey hey!! you guys are here!”

he has a game to play so he doesn’t run over to you two as much as he wants to

he’s playing so well and when the opponents saw you they already knew they were done for power of family amirite haha

when the game ends, he’s scooping both of you up in his arms and pressing kisses onto your faces, telling you how happy he is that you guys actually made it

Miya Atsumu

a hit to his ego aHA

he wanted to show off his skillz to you and the twins but no

you and the kids went to visit your parents you told atsumu that you guys might not make the game because you’d be coming home late

you guys actually made it back in time for the game so you drove to the game venue

you saw osamu in the front and he waves you down, giving the twins onigiri which they take gratefully

“he was sulking when he got here”

“really?”

“yeah, what a baby”

“i know, right?”

in the distance, atsumu sneezes

you guys find a seat pretty close to the front and the twins at this point are excited

they actually liked watching their dad play on tv and never really saw him play up close

you’re son wasn’t much of a yeller but during the entire game he was cheering along with his sister who was cheering every time atsumu touched the ball

you think he didn’t see you three but when the game ends, he walks right past the interviewer right to you guys

“how’d i do?” he has that infamous smirk on his face and you roll your eyes as your kids cheer at his legs

“you were so cool, papa!”

“yeah! the ball was like fwoosh! and boom!”

his expression softens when he carries them both with ease in each arm and he leans to press a kiss to your lips

the remaining crowd is in love with the sight of him answering questions with two kids dangling off his arms

Sakusa Kiyoomi

he’s nonchalant on the outside but kinda sad on the inside when you tell him that you were feeling under the weather and wanted to stay home

you told him you and your son were going to watch the game online so you guys really wouldn’t be missing anything

he also doesn’t trust anyone else to bring his son because germs

you made sure to takes extra precautions so your son was dressed with a mask matching one his father usually wore

all three of you liked to stay clean, though you and your son weren’t as extreme as sakusa

the seats you guys got was far from the front because your son didn’t like to be near a lot of people, but he could still see his dad

you could feel him shift and yelp as he was in your lap every time sakusa spiked the ball

he’s a pretty quiet kid so this was a little surprising to you

he was cheering in his own way awww

you had sakusa’s pass so you and your son could go on the court and see him

he does the unexpected and practically jumps out of your arms, running to his dad

hinata and bokuto see him first and try to approach him, but one glare from sakusa has them backing off

he has a look of surprise on his face seeing you guys there but the smile on yours is enough to have him do it back

he wanted to change before holding your son but he was insistently tugging on his uniform until sakusa picked him up

your son wasn’t one with words, so he pulled down his mask and kissed his dad on the cheek before throwing his arms around his neck

“OMI-OMI THAT’S SO SOFT”

“shut the hell up” he covered your son’s ears dw

[atsuminthe]

The whole adlers team being dilf material?!??!? 🤨 the leader of the pack is romero ofc (already trying begging for baby #2) and theres captain fukuro who looks like he would bury his goatee to tickle his baby and of course we have kageyama and ushijima who are packin and ready 😭 I CAN ONLY IMAGINE ALL THE KIDS COME TOGETHER FOR PLAYDATES AND THEY ALL HAVE A LITTLE ADALOO

nonnie your brain,,,

cw — fem reader, mentions of pregnancy, a volleyball team’s worth of babies—dare i say, a little army, swearing

ROMERO BEGGING FOR BABY #2 I’M CRYING. but you are so right, as soon as he’s sure you’re comfortable with the idea of another child he’s on you, on his knees so you two can try for another one. and when you tell him you’re pregnant? oh, lord have mercy in you—he’s going to be on cloud nine, lifting you up and spinning you around as he starts crying tears of joy. you don’t really understand his rapid fire portuguese, but you’re sure you’ve heard a ‘my love’ and ‘fuck, i’m so happy’ at some point.

fukurō would be the best dad—it’s the goatee, i’m telling you it’s the goatee. yes, he rubs his baby’s face with his beard to make them laugh and yes, he complains later, when you’re all tucked in and cozy in your bed, that his angel tangled their little hands in it and pulled as hard as they could. you just giggle, your palm moving to soothe your husband’s chin as he seems to purr and nuzzle into your hand. “you’re a bigger baby than your child,” you mumble, smiling, and he pouts—but can’t deny that he likes when you do baby him. especially now, since... well, you have twins. double the fun, right?

HEIWAJIMA my beloved. idc about anyone else heiwajima looks like he’d make a great dad for his daughter. he loves to spoil her and kiss her little face until she tells him to stop through giggles. he’s at her every beck and call—she wants to spend time with her daddy? sure thing, he’s already called the coach to get the weekend off from practice. she wants some toy she saw when you were out in town with her or a pretty dress or a new tutu because her old one ripped? he’s whipping out his card faster than you can blink. “toshiro, you need to say no from time to time,” you scold him as you hand him his mug of coffee one morning. “have you seen your daughter? she has your puppy eyes,” he counter playfully. so that’s what’s going on.

sokolov,,,is so soft for his son. he’s a little on the sterner side and the kid grows up to be a mama’s boy more than anything, but he loves his tyke just as much as the tyke loves him. they play volleyball sometimes, with sokolov throwing him the ball and cheering him on as he receives. they’re both so excited to tell you all about your son’s perfect receive that they forget to eat.

kageyama is a little clueless about parenting, as he is about a lot of things that aren’t volleyball, but he tries. he tries his hardest and has become the best in the team at changing diapers. and he somehow knows exactly where to pat babies on the back so they burp after they have their fill. the neighborhood moms love him.

ushijima is also a little clueless about parenting but that fact does not deter him from being a very quick learner. he knows how to prepare your baby’s formula after seeing you do it three times, he’s got the gist of those pats on the back before he even had the baby in his arms, they somehow stop crying whenever they see their daddy and always fall asleep on his chest. he’s just happy his kid likes him.

hoshiumi is unusually quiet when your baby’s in the room. his tone lowers whenever he plays with his daughter’s little feet, making sure that she giggles louder than he talks. it’s always endearing to watch your loudmouth husband quiet down around your daughter and it gives you a fuzzy feeling—it’s like back when he confessed, when he was just as quiet, barely whispering that he likes you. now, he’s got someone else to share the immense love he has.

and yes they have playdates. rubens even gets paid to keep an eye on the younger kids when their dads bring them with them at the gym. he gets to spend time with his ‘siblings’ (not necessarily blood-related) and he gets some pocket change, so he can’t really complain.

[georgiapeach30513]

ICY & ARLO ! Pleaaassseeee 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

So I wasn’t sure which age you were referring to...so I went with teenagers 😂 just because they seriously are the sweetest.  They’re besties first, and have been their whole life.  It wasn’t until much later in their life...14 for Arlo, and 17 for Iclynn that they developed a crush...

🖤🖤🖤🖤

I Don’t Want You To

Summary:  Arlo gets suspended

Pairings:  Arlo Adler X Iclynn Baizen

Rating:  mild

Warnings:  language, fighting, John Walker being a pig, 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  1.5K

Desperate Lives AU Masterlist

Iclynn Baizen Masterlist

Arlo Adler Masterlist

“So how was it?” a boy pushes at John Walker’s shoulder as Arlo walks into the locker room. Not even paying the usual football team any mind. Always talking about girls. Always talking about taking what they want and leaving. He hates having this class with them.

“It was so fucking easy,” John gives his buddies a laugh.

One pokes up from tying his shoes, “Which one?”

“Everyone knows Illiana is a slut and will fuck anything with a dick,” John laughs, and Arlo finally glances up at him scowling, and none of them pay him any mind. “But I like the ice princess. Completely virginal. Had her crying on just one finger,” he lifts up his finger and wiggles it around. “Not even that thick. Can you imagine how she choked my cock. Daddy’s little princess, she’s not so sweet anymore. Made a mess in my truck. I couldn’t help it I stretched her so much she bled.”

“Say her fucking name, you dipshit,” Arlo peers up at John through his lashes. Every word spitting out at him.

“Oh, you mad you didn’t get to split that shit open farm boy? Just got her fucking ready for you, if you ever have the balls to take the plunge. Course, if you just wanna get your dick wet, I’m sure the sister will suck you off.”

Arlo charges towards John, shoving him up against the locker, “Say her name!”

“Your best friend. What’s her name? I forgot. Didn’t care past her cunt. You should have seen her crying and begging me to stop and then to keep going,” Arlo punches him in the face, and watches his body fall to the floor. Moving over him to pound into him over and over again.

The other boys yell and try to get him off of John to no avail, until the coach gets in there. “Adler!” Arlo steps back, but still glares at John’s bloodied body. “What’s going on?”

“He started it!” John screams, as Arlo turns and walks to the headmasters office. Sitting and waiting on his punishment. Even when his mom comes into the office, he’s silent and solemn. Offering no explanation.

“Arlo!” Arleigh rushes after her son as he stomps through the parking lot. “Arlo Everett Adler, what happened?”

“Nothing,” his eyes fixed on the ground, hand on the door. “Can I go home now?”

“We’re talking about this later. Me, your dad, and you. You don’t do this. This isn’t you.”

“I’ll see you at home,” his voice flat and with no emotion as he jumps into his old Ford. Getting home, and he goes straight to barn to saddle up Jack. Never speaking to his horse like he normally does, just jumps on and rides through the property.

————————————

Iclynn pulls into the Adler homestead in her baby blue Ford Falcon. Her hoodie hanging over her hands, holding it nervously with her fingers, and she’s thankful she sees Arlo’s truck, but with a look into the barn, she knows he’s not here.

She walks over to their tree swing, sitting on the old wood, and barely rocks it around. Sage and Clover staring at her through the fence, while Tulip pushes his ball over to her, “Not today buddy.”

She sits a moment staring at them, and tries to laugh through her tears. “I really screwed up. Arlo told me not to go on a date with that asshole. It was just nice having someone pay attention to me, instead of Ills.”

Continuing her conversation with the animals, Arlo and Jack return and he stares at the back of his best friend. Her head pointing to the ground, and looking completely defeated. In that moment, he decided everything that John said must be true, and she needs him. Clicking his tongue he rides behind the house, slightly tying Jack up, making sure he has water and sweet feed, “I’ll put you up in a minute, buddy.”

He walks up behind Iclynn, and gives the swing a little push.

“Ari,” her voice whispers out, unable to look at him. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“I’d do it again.”

“Why?”

He pushes her over on the wood, and squeezes himself beside her. Facing the opposite direction, so he can look at her. “You not going to look at me?”

“You hate me.”

“No I don’t. I hate what you did, but…”

“What I did?” she looks up at him, her big blue eyes rimmed in red, and she looks confused. “What did I do?”

“John is talking all about it. Bragging. That disgusting piece of shit. He got what was coming to him. And if bragging about you wasn’t enough, he started in on Illiana.”

“Bragging about what?”

“Princess, he took your virginity,” she shakes her quickly. Repeating no over and over again.

“No, he tried. He wouldn’t get off of me. Shoved his hands down my pants and I punched him. Bastard grabbed ahold of his nose cussing me. I made him bleed,” she huffs out a laugh, and then starts crying again. “He said we had sex?”

“He was disgusting.”

“Ari, I promise, we didn’t. He…he tried. He wasn’t going to stop, so I had to stop him. And…oh my god,” she starts hyperventilating, and then remembers what else he said. “What did he say about Illiana?”

“That she was easy.”

“I’ll kill him.”

“Princess, stop. I…that’s why I did what I did. Asshole can’t…he touched you?” she nods her head, having to look away. “Bastard. I’ll,” her arm wraps around his waist and she lays her head on his shoulder.

“Come on. Let’s get in the lake,” standing up, he takes off his shirt, throwing it on the ground, and Iclynn takes a gulp, looking away. Thinking she shouldn’t find her best friend as attractive as she does. “Come on.”

“I don’t have a bathing suit.”

“You wearing panties and a bra? They black like they always are?” she tilts her head to the side, and gives him a weak smile, “I know they are. How many times have you bought underwear with me? Come on.”

“Ari,” her voice whines out. Without asking he picks her up, throwing her over his shoulder, and starts the walk to the dock. “Arlo Adler, you put me down right now. Arlo!”

“Nope. You’re swimming.”

“It’s gonna be cold.”

“Who cares,” placing her off his shoulder, he kicks his boots off. Undoing his belt, he jerks his pants down, and Iclynn inadvertently licks her lips. He had begun to get thick. Tall like his dad, but built like Curtis. Broad shoulders, and the prettiest v line on his hips. “Iclynn Blade Baizen, either you take that baggy hoodie off, and jump in, or I’ll throw you in with all your clothes on.”

She finally begins to undress. And when she’s just down to her underwear, he grabs her up, jumping in the lake with her. The two swim and splash around, waiting until they’re winded before stopping. “Thanks, Ari.”

“You’re welcome, princess,” the only person besides her brother Otto, and her dad that gets away with using that name, is Arlo. Bashfully she looks away. Her mouth constantly going under the water, as she tries to stay afloat.

“Come here,” pulling at her arm, he holds her on him, “You know for someone who has traveled the world, been to all these countries with water. You suck at swimming.”

“Or maybe,” she brings a hand to rest on his chest. Taking a deep inhale, and chickening out. “Never mind.”

“Icy, what is it?”

“You’re my best friend.”

“That’s never going to change.”

The two wade in the water silently, contemplating what Arlo had just said. “Never?” she asks, her eyes darting down to look at his lips, inching closer to him.

“Never.”

“We can’t go back from this,” she whispers, and he shivers at the thought. He’s never wanted anything more than this. The years of falling asleep outside on a blanket. ‘Camping’ in her parents front yard while they told ghost stories. Riding around and listening to classic rock. Arlo always the one that could make her smile when she hated having her last name.

“I know,” he tells her. “I don’t want to,” she quickly slots her lips against his, the two of them moaning into the other. He swims over to the dock, before lifting them both up. Laying over top of her, and feeling her the way he’s wanted to for years.

She pushes up on his chest, smiling when his hair drips down on her face. “Can we…I wanna have a sleep over in the treehouse.”

“We’re not in a rush.”

“We’ve just had eighteen years to prepare for this, Ari.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m grounded.”

“I’m pretty sure you know how to sneak off. You have before.”

“Icy, this slumber party is different,” she bites at her lip, and he leans over to kiss her kiss swollen pout.

“I promise, nothing happened with me and John.”

“That wouldn’t stop me, princess. Can I at least take you on a date?”

“A date?” she giggles up at him, her hands holding on to his hips, and she yearns to pull him closer to her. “I’ve been staying in the treehouse. It’s quieter there. No one would ever know. Please.”

“Let me see what kind of trouble I’m in first. Maybe.”

“You didn’t say no.”

“I won’t be able to stop.”

“I don’t want you to.”

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