#looking forward to the buddies road trip in season two

[lingeringpeanutbutter]

S1 EP8: The Beginning- Lucy/The Ghoul final scene

[vanwritesfan-fiction]

Body Like a Back Road

Request: Joe Burrow and reader go on spontaneous road trip during off season.

Warnings: smut (fingering, intercourse), language, mentions of a funeral

A/N: my second stand alone Joe fic! Enjoy!

"In 500 feet, turn right". The voice of the GPS startled you out of your nap, your head knocking against the window as the car went over a pothole. "Ow!" You pressed a hand to the side of your face, grimacing at the sharp pain. Joe snickered as he glanced over at you, his hands flexing open and closed as he balanced them on the top of the steering wheel. "Good, you're awake."

"Where are we?", you grumbled out as you stood up, stretching your arm over your chest in hopes of getting the knot out of your shoulder from sleeping against the door. There were no signs to indicate your current location, and for the past eight hours, everything out of your window looked the same, nothing but trees along each side and the open road.

"We're just outside of St. Louis. At least according to the GPS, but I think I made a couple wrong turns about an hour ago, so I know fuck all where we are." Joe bit at his thumb nail, something he always did when he was stressed. "Great." You whispered, leaning your head against the window. The vibration of the car was lulling you back to sleep, your eyelids growing heavy.

The season was finally over, and after a less than stellar year, Joe was going stir crazy sitting around with nothing to do. He could only hit the gym so many times a day and watch game tape over and over before it started to get boring. When you mentioned to him that you had to travel to Denver to attend the funeral of one of your distant cousins as a favor to your mom, he offered to tag along with you, and against your better judgement you said yes.

Going to a family funeral was something that a boyfriend did for their girlfriend, not for their fuck buddy. You didn't want to give Joe, and honestly, you're own heart, the wrong idea about where you stood, but the thought of making a 17 hour drive alone sounded like torture.

Your relationship with Joe was...complicated, to say the least. You had been friends through college, and for the longest, it was nothing more than that, but when you both ended up in Cincy, Joe was drafted to the Bengals and you had just settled in the city with your first big-girl job, it became something more. You were both lonely, living in a new place, and you leaned on each other for support.

The first time you slept with Joe, you considered it a fluke, a slip up that could easily happen between friends. After months of consistently ending up in bed together, you realized that the two of you were in too deep. Now, a couple years later, it had become more habit than anything else, and you weren't even sure if you could call yourself friends as much as you had become a source of comfort for one another. You knew it was best to end it before anyone got hurt, but for some reason, you just couldn't.

Joe slapped your thigh, making you jump. "Hey, I need you to stay up. This GPS is useless."

"In 200 feet, turn left onto Franklin Street."

"Franklin Street?!" Joe gestured wildly to the left of him. "There is no fuckin' Franklin Street! Does she want me to drive into the woods?" Joe scoffed as he leaned back in his seat. You leaned forward to see there in fact was no Franklin Street, chuckling to yourself. "Don't let her get to you, J. You know she's not real, right?"

"Ya know what...its not even the GPS, its your damn car. Piece of junk." He slapped the console, the volume dial falling out of place. You grabbed it, shoving it back onto its slot. "Hey, Darla has been there for me since I was 16. She is a classic." Truthfully, Darla was hanging on by a thread, and the last time you brought her to a mechanic they offered you $200 for her to use for scraps, but you didn't have the money for a new or gently used car right now, and as long as you didn't go over 50 mph, she drove fine.

"A classic piece of shit", he mumbled under his breath, earning a slap on the arm from you. "Shit!", he rubbed at his chest, "do you wanna drive? 'Cause I can pull over right now."

"Funny, because she wasn't a piece of shit all of the times we were doin' it in the backseat." You propped your feet on the dashboard.

"Yeah, good times." Joe's ran his fingers through his hair nervously, his face starting to heat up. He was glad you went back to sleep so you couldn't see him start to sweat.

"Wake me up when we get to Kansas." You grabbed Joe's hat from the dashboard, pulling it over your eyes to block out the evening sun.

****

The next few hours went by like a dream as you went in and out of consciousness, listening to Joe's terrible singing along to the Hamilton soundtrack as he managed to eat through all of the snacks you packed for a two day drive.

You took in a deep breath as you woke up to darkness, the overhead light blinding you as you rubbed your eyes to try to focus your vision. As soon as you noticed you were alone, the driver's door was wide open, and Joe was gone, you began to panic.

"Joe! Joe, where are you? This isn't funny!" All horror movie protocol went out of the window as you unbuckled and climbed out of the car.

"Joe!" Silence. You grabbed your phone out of your back pocket and turned on the flashlight as you rounded the back of the car, illuminating the eerie thicket of trees you were parked next to. "Joe, I swear to God, if you're hiding somewhere I'm gonna kill you." You took a step forward, jumping as you heard a twig snap beneath your feet. You held your breath, feeling your pounding heartbeat in your ears as you listened for any sound of life. Again, silence.

"You know what? I'm just gonna assume you're already dead and keep it pushing." You called out to the open. You had seen Friday the 13th enough times to know there was no way you were going to outrun anyone. You turned back to the car, noticing a figure flash by out of the corner of your eye.

"BOOO!!" Joe jumped out from behind the car, his arms swinging above his head to appear terrifying. You collided with him, bouncing off of his strong frame, and landed on your ass.

"Ha! You should have seen your face!" Joe bellowed over with laughter as you stood and dusted the dirt off of your pants, a scowl on your face. "Fuck, that was so worth it." He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

You shoved him, hard, making his back hit the car. "What the hell were you even doing? Why did we stop?" You opened the trunk and grabbed a sweatshirt out of your bag, feeling the chill on your skin as the temperature dropped after dark. "Had to take a piss."

"I feel like we've been driving forever. How far to the motel?" You were beginning to get cranky, your empty stomach contributing to your sour mood. "Still got another two hours until we get to Kansas City and stop for the night." You both got back into the car, but as Joe tried to turn the engine, it only sputtered a couple of times before dying out.

"C'mon", Joe groaned, cranking the key again to no avail. 'Fuck!" He slammed his hand against the steering wheel, hitting the horn. "Your piece of shit car died, Y/N."

"Its not Darla's fault, you probably made her mad stopping in the middle of nowhere."

He pressed his forehead to the wheel. "Please tell me you have roadside assistance."

"Um...define "roadside assistance"?" You had AAA at one point, but let your membership expire when you couldn't afford the monthly payment anymore. "Y/N! What if I wasn't here?! You would have been stranded in the middle of Kansas by yourself with no way to get help!" Joe didn't mean to yell at you, but just the thought of you being out here alone was stressing him out.

"Good thing you're here, then." You harmlessly placed a hand on his thigh to reassure him as you scrolled the internet for tow trucks. Neither of you realized that Joe had grabbed your hand in his, interlacing your fingers. As you rose your head, feeling him massaging your fingers mindlessly as he stared ahead, you felt your stomach flip. "Joe", you uttered out, waiting for him to look at you.

"Oh, sorry." He snatched his hand back, running his fingers through his blonde locks. He didn't even realize he had done it. You were his safe place, and touching you brought him comfort in a way that he really didn't understand himself. You were no stranger to his touch, but it was always in the name of getting off.

"I think I found a place a couple miles away. ETA is...2 hours." You let out a frustrated sigh. Waiting two hours for a two truck meant you weren't going to see a shower or bed anytime soon. You desperately wanted to wash this road trip off with the hottest water a hotel shower could produce.

Joe leaned his seat back, the worn leather creaking underneath him as he sunk down, crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. "What are you doing?", you asked, shifting in your seat to face him.

"What does it look like?"

"You can't fall asleep. What if some monster comes and snatches me out of my window?" You were partly kidding, partly terrified that would actually happen. "That's not gonna happen", he huffed, "I'm not that lucky." You scoffed, throwing your feet over his lap. "You need to stay up and keep me company. Those are the rules of the roadtrip."

"Please. I just drove eight hours, five of which you were asleep."

"Joe, please. Just until the tow truck gets here."

"Fine. Tell me about your cousin. Were you close?", Joe hummed, scratching his nose. "Technically she's my mom's cousin, and no, I've never met her. My mom was close with her at one time, but they lost touch years ago. I'm just going to represent the family."

Joe opened an eye to peek at you. "You're going all the way to Denver for someone you've never met?"

"Why do you sound so shocked? I can do things out of the kindness of my heart." You clutched your chest dramatically, but Joe just chuckled, dropping his shoulders in a sigh. "It's just... ya know what? Nevermind."

"What? Tell me."

"Its just...are you sure that's all that it is? In all the time I've known you, you do things out of comfort. I'm not saying its a bad thing, but this isn't like you." He was looking at you know, his blue eyes illuminated by the orange hued overhead lighting. He was staring into your soul, like he was trying to pull something out of you, and you squirmed underneath the scrutiny.

Your head snapped when you saw a pair of headlights coming down the road, but it was just a passing car. "We have had sex in this car so many times, because you don't even want to come to my place most of the time." You turned back to Joe, whose eyes were closed again.

You bit at your bottom lip. You never realized anyone was paying attention to you that closely, especially not Joe. "I've been thinking a lot about the things I've settled for in my life, and this felt like a breath of fresh air, something different. I'm going a funeral, but I'm also getting out of Ohio for a minute."

Your words hit Joe like a ton of bricks. He quickly sat up. "Are you thinking about leaving Ohio?"

"Eventually", you shrugged. "You didn't think I'd be there forever did you?" you giggled, playing with the hem of your sweatshirt. "I mean, I guess, I- didn't give it much thought." Joe let in a sharp breath to stop his fumbling. He did think you'd be there forever, or at least, he always thought you'd be there as long as he was.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find a new fuck buddy", you said in jest, crossing your legs one over the other. Joe felt his throat go dry, his skin crawling in the silence. He was desperate to change the subject and get his mind off all of the terrible possibilities. "How much longer?"

You checked your phone. "Still got another hour. I'm starving. Did you really eat all of the snacks?" You sat up and crawled into the back of the car to search the bags you packed. "Really, Joe, even my Cheetos? Aren't you on some sort of athlete diet?" You threw the empty bag at him, the plastic hitting him in the face. "I was hungry." He tried to go to the sleep to the sound of you rummaging behind him.

"Hey, look what I found." Joe opened his eyes to see a gold-wrapped condom dangling in front of his face. "I have an idea of how we can pass the time", you whispered in his ear, making him shiver. "If you're not too tired."

"Fuck it." With a grunt, he ripped the condom out of your hands, and took it between his teeth as he unbuttoned his jeans. You frantically climbed to the front, stripping off your sweatshirt before climbing over him to straddle his legs. You turn off the overhead light, moonlight pouring over both of you through the window.

Goosebumps rose on your skin as you pulled him in for a messy kiss, your skin on fire even though seconds ago you were freezing. As you made out, his hands trailed around your waist, inching closer and closer to your spine before his large hands slid down the small of your back and grabbed rough handfuls of your ass, his fingers digging into your delicate skin as your back arched.

He began to move your hips slowly back and forth, making you grind against his pelvis, but he was going too slow for your taste, so you grabbed at his hands, circling your hips against him with an eagerness that had his hips bucking from sensitivity. You could feel him grow hard quickly against your inner thigh, letting out little moans into your mouth as your lips lingered together.

'Y/N, honey-", Joe could barely get the words out, his chest heaving with each breath. "What?", you huffed out without losing your pacing. "What's the rush?", His brow knitted together in pain as his cock rubbed against his zipper. "The tow truck is gonna be here any minute." Joe nodded, holding you in place. You backed away from him, pushing the hair that was stuck to his face with sweat out of his eyes. "We're having sex. I'd like to have use of my dick afterwards, okay?"

You giggled, pulling him by the collar of his shirt for another kiss, alternating between sucking on his top and bottom lips. You moved your hips again, this time with more control, focusing on the friction against your clit with each movement. "Better?", you questioned, only earning a moan from Joe. You could feel yourself growing wet, your panties soaked as you built your orgasm off of friction alone. Joe fumbled with the button of your shorts, sliding his hand down your front, feeling the wetness pooled against the cotton fabric.

"Shit, I didn't realize you were so ready." He toyed with the band of your panties, snapping the elastic against your skin. "Take these off." You lifted yourself off of Joe's lap, settling in the passenger seat, and shuffled your shorts and panties down your legs, kicking them into the back seat. Joe pulled you back onto his lap, eliciting a squeal from you, and in a single breath, he has you writhing on top of him again, his thumb pressing against your clit as he draws agonizingly circles around the sensitive bud.

"Fuck, fuck, don't stop." You hiss, guiding his fingers to drag through your drenched folds, humping against his hand. He slides one of his large digits inside of your pussy, feeling you clench around him, your muscles pulsing as he begins to thrust in and out of you. He slips another finger inside, and you feel the stretch, taking deep breaths as he hooks his fingers and strokes against your cushiony ceiling.

Watching your face contort with pleasure, your chest bouncing in front of him with your head thrown back has him at a loss for words, desperate to get his hands on every inch of you. He helps you get your shirt off over your head, reaching behind your back to easily unclasp the hooks of your bra with his free hand, exposing your budding nipples to the cold air.

Joe leans forward, flicking his tongue against your nipple, and ghosting wet kisses between your breasts. You move back instinctively when he nips at your skin, but he pulls you aggressively back, hungry to feel you in his mouth again. "Feels so good, baby." Expletives are rolling off your tongue as he sucks harder on your nipples. Your hands find the back of his head, your fingernails raking against his scalps as he moves down to your stomach, pressing a kiss right above your belly button as you lean against the steering wheel.

He pulls out of you, your wetness glistening on his fingers. Without hesitation, you take both of his fingers into your mouth, pressing them against your tongue. "You look so fuckin' beautiful like this", he grunts out, his mouth slightly agape as he watches you. Instead of your usual bashfulness at his dirty talk, you hold eye contact with him, your eyelids heavy with lust as you lick him clean, popping his index finger against your lips as you pull them out.

"Fuck, lift your hips." He instructs, racing against his internal clock, like he'll cum in his pants if he doesn't have you now. You do as he says, cupping your chest as he fumbles for the discarded condom, finding it in the cupholder. He unbuckles his belt and pushes his jeans and boxers down to his knees, his pink cock springing free and resting against his lower stomach. You salivate at the engorged vein that travels from the base of his cock to the tip, which is leaking pre-cum.

"Hurry up!" You playfully push him, turning to look over your shoulder for any tow trucks or stray cars, but its obvious the two of you are alone out here. He rips the foil wrapper with his teeth, and removes the condom, rolling it down his length. He wraps his hands around the base of his cock as you slowly sink down on him, taking him inch by inch until you bottom out with a loud moan. "Oh, fuck."

He pulls at the manual recline handle and goes flying back, landing against the backseat with a thud, hitting the back of his head against the headrest. "I fuckin' hate this car", he mumbles, quickly forgetting about the ancient vehicle and his injury as you begin to bounce on his dick, the sound of your ass slapping against his thighs audible, quickly drowned out by the squelching of your wetness as he slips in and out of you.

Joe can't focus on anything but how good you feel and how good you look on top of him, your silhouette illuminated in the moonlight, his hands grazing against the curve of your waist and hips. You feel your legs start to fatigue so you lean forward, resting your hands on his chest, feeling the contours of his muscles underneath your palms.

He takes the opportunity to worship your body as you ride him, placing kisses on your arms and chest while you're too blissed out to even notice. "So fuckin good, baby. You're doin' so fuckin' good", he praises you over and over, which has you hurdling toward your orgasm, feeling the coil tighten in your core.

"Joe", you whimper out, your pace slowing as you tire. "I've got you", he remarks, sliding his hands underneath your thighs to hold you up while he snaps his hips into you, making you take him to the hilt each time. He strokes your g-spot in perfect succession each time and you're sure you won't last much longer. "I'm-I'm gonna cum." You bite out, your words vibrating through your bouncing chest, your nails digging into his pecs, leaving red marks. He increases his pace, hitting against your cervix, the car squeaking and shaking side to side as you come undone, your release washing over you with waves of pleasure.

Joe's right behind you, his face scrunched tight as he feels every muscle in his body contract, "Fuck, I'm gonna cum", he warns just in time, and you pepper kisses against his jawline as his hips stutter. You try to kiss him, but he can only draw in sharp breaths as he releases into you, residual muscle pulses from your orgasm milking him for every drop.

Completely spent, he draped an arm around your back, pulling your weight down on his body. Your chests heave in succession as you come down from your high and try to catch your breath. You lazily kiss his cheek with a smile. "Fuck, that was-"

"I love you." You both were silent, the declaration hanging in the air. Joe was shocked at the words as if they didn't come out of his own mouth. You lifted your head to look at him, your hands still clamped around his face. "What did you say?"

"What?" Joe responded, in immediate denial. He tried to look away, but you turned his head back to you. You heard your phone vibrating in the passenger seat but you ignored it, unable to take your eyes off of him. His face was soft, genuine, his eyes very telling. He meant what he said.

Your phone vibrated for a second time. "Its probably the tow truck. You should get that." Joe was desperate for a reprieve. "Yeah." You shook your head and climbed off his lap, grabbing your phone to answer it. "Hello? Yes, we're around mile marker 152. Okay." You hurriedly put your clothes back on, Joe watching you through the rear view mirror the entire time. He could physically see you trying to process what had just happened, and he honestly wished he'd never said anything. He wasn't sure if he loved you, he was too lost in the moment, thinking with his dick instead of his head.

"They'll be here in five." Your words jogged Joe out of his trance. He nodded and got out of the car, desperate for air. You needed to talk about what happened, but right now, you just wanted to focus on getting your car towed and getting to the nearest hotel so you could get some sleep.

The ride in the tow truck was uncomfortably quiet. You rested your head against the window, your arms crossed over your chest to create as much distance between the two of you as possible, desperate to close your eyes even for a few minutes. Joe glanced over at you multiple times in the short five mile ride to the hotel. He raked a hand through his messy hair, moving to stroke his jawline, the guilt of catching you off guard and professing his love for you in the heat of the moment, gnawing at him.

The hotel was very basic, no amenities and didn't even a continental breakfast, and wasn't really up to Joe's standards, but it was the only one in town, so he'd settle for it just for the night. He stood in the lobby and watched you as you checked in, making light conversation with the desk attendant.

Maybe if he just denied it, or avoided talking about it, you two could move past this, and it could all be a bad memory.

He felt a lump build in his throat as you walked toward him. Seeing the distress on your face, he knew there was no way you were getting over this anytime soon. "Look, Y/N-"

Your face was stoic as you threw your bag over your shoulder. You shoved a key card in his direction without a word. "Goodnight, Joe." He watched you walk away, flipping the key card in his hand.

What the hell had he just done?

Tag-List:

@wonderlandiswhereitsatyo

@bernelflo

@wickedfun9

@brrbrina

@zobellagio

@tallrock35

[canonicallyobserving911]

“I’m still in love with you but... I needed to learn how to love myself too!”

Fanonwriter2023 on AO3

Where CANON and FANON collide!

Season 7 FANON Speculation

Buddie Multi-Chapter Fanfic - Hiatus Reading

Chapter 6 is now available on AO3.

“I’m still in love with you but... I needed to learn how to love myself too!”

Currently 6 chapters completed: 133.2K words Rated: Mature

One chapter will be posted at a time.

___________ Here’s a little more of the snippet from chapter 6 I included in my WIP Wednesday. ___________

Before his brain has a chance to process anything else, he takes off and runs upstairs.

After he makes it to the top, he sees both of Buck’s mattresses are off the bed, they’ve been flipped on their sides, the sheets and comforter are all on the floor.

The bookcase is on its side and all the books and pictures that were inside of it are on the floor too.

When he looks to his left, he sees a pile of blankets lying on the floor but the shape they’re formed into makes it seem like there’s a body lying underneath them.

He sees Buck’s cellphone and an LAFD baby onesie lying next to it and he takes a cautious step forward.

His heart is about to beat out of his chest because he’s not sure what’s underneath the blanket and he’s hesitant to pull it back since his mind is not prepared to see Buck’s dead body.

Panic rises in his chest as he mentally prepares himself to see a pool of blood or a wound or a detrimental injury but the medic in him takes over and he stills his nerves to prepare himself for whatever he might find.

With alarm in his voice, he calls, “Buck?  Buck?”

He takes four steps forward, kneels, slowly lifts the blanket and he sees the back of Buck’s head but there’s also smears of blood on the carpet next to it and he becomes paralyzed.

He wants to scream but he knows he doesn’t have time to focus on the anxiety that’s continuing to rise in his chest.

As fear wraps itself around his mind like a blanket, he realizes he needs to see Buck’s face right now and he doesn’t want another second to pass without him seeing those baby blue eyes he loves so much.  He has a singular focus to see it but he can’t because Buck’s not moving and he’s not responding which means he can’t tell if Buck’s dead or alive.

___________

Fic Summary: Months after Buck and Eddie were hit by the same lightning strike; they’re still struggling with the aftermath of it.  But before they make their love confessions, they’ll spend time getting to know themselves as individuals first. Eddie learns to enjoy the simple things in life as he participates in activities on his own and with new friends while Buck learns the rest of the 31-year-old deep dark family secret about his conception and birth. Their journey to forever is still a work in progress but once they finally admit they’re in love with each other, everything that follows their love confessions will be cataclysmic.

__________

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1 - Eddie makes a new friend while Buck receives devastating news regarding the sperm donation he made for Connor and Kameron.

Chapter 2 - Buck does a lot of research to learn more about the abnormalities found in his red blood cells and Eddie starts a new therapy journey that’s all about him and not the traumas he’s experienced.

Chapter 3 - After more than a month, Buck and Eddie finally spend time together outside of work but it doesn’t end well and they part with a lot of uncertainty regarding their places in each other’s lives.

Chapter 4 - Eddie has a few realizations about his life which causes him to consider moving back to El Paso, TX while Buck continues to be reminded of his past which causes him to take an impromptu road trip across America.

Chapter 5 - Both Buck and Eddie have difficult conversations with their parents and Buck finally learns the truth behind the reason why his mother despised him while Eddie finally tells his mother about the way she tries to control him.

Chapter 6 - More than two weeks after Buck pushed Eddie away after suggesting they needed a break; Eddie decides to try again. Eddie’s there for Buck when he’s at his worst just like Buck was there for him when he was at his worst and he won’t let Buck give up.

__________

Read chapters 1-6 are available on AO3.

Continue reading on AO3

[lovecolibri]

Dumbing down Liz because the writers aren't skilled enough to write around her brilliance is exactly it. Why are we constantly making the smartest characters look so stupid to facilitate the stupidest plot possible? Why are Alex and Kyle going off alone to investigate alien stuff God knows where when they're easily the most sensible people on the show and there's been at least a dozen kidnappings in 3 seasons? How have we never gotten one episode with a Liz/Kyle/Alex team-up??? The fact that the only road trip shenanigans on the show involved helping M*ria is criminal.

Yes!! Liz is smart so let her be smart! Alex and Kyle are smart, so let them be smart! Cutting Alex AND Kyle from their strategic planning meetings last season about how to come at Jones was ridiculous, but now we have them just toddling off ALONE with no check in plans made, or call tree set up, or anything and after they have BOTH been kidnapping victims?! Please. No WAT Alex Manes is allowing his team and his people to work without safety protocols for everything from storing and disseminating information, to regular check-ins, to a buddy system for going exploring/researching, to how to handle allowing new people into their circle. My mans would NEVER have allowed Isobel to trick Arturo into believing Rosa was just...raised from the dead after 10 years in some kind of religious miracle. 🙄 It’s ridiculous that characters are constantly dumbed down so the writers can do the literal least to push the characters forward and actually focus on their plots.

The fact that our 3 team human soulmates have NEVER had a scene and a team up is a crime actually. They should have been the other core group! You have the Pod Squad, and Team Human, and we have never gotten Team Human even though they should be the ones all talking and commiserating about their alien soulmates! Plus they are our three smart humans who can match Michael for brilliance! WHY are we not seeing them all working together?! Make it make sense!

Also as a side note about the kidnappings, I made a list!

Possessed Isobel kidnapped those two girls and sort of Rosa before killing all of them

Liz was kidnapped by a possessed Wyatt (which is also a sort of kidnapping of him then)

Alex kidnapped his dad and held him in the bunker

Rosa and Liz kidnapped Noah’s body from Flint

Jenna was kidnapped by...Deep Sky? Or was that supposed to have been part of that Helena/Flint/Jesse mess?

Mimi was kidnapped or possibly faked her own kidnapping but everyone else sure thought it was real

Jenna’s sister was kidnapped and forced to help Jesse/Helena

Alex was kidnapped by Jesse then double kidnapped by Helena/Flint

Michael kidnapped Jesse

Michael kidnapped Flint

Michael then surrendering to being kidnapped back by Flint and held against his will to help Alex

Kyle was technically not kidnapped because he was in a coma in a barn and Eduardo was trying to help him, but no one knew where he was, just that he was missing so he was basically kidnapped as far as anyone knew

Alex was kidnapped when he started poking around what happened to Kyle

Those racist dicks kidnapped m*ria, Rosa, and Anatsa right? And maybe Isobel was involved? I don’t remember, but they were absolutely taken from one place to another so it counts!

Does the group kidnapping m*ria from the hospital count since technically they were her friends? Oh well, Jones basically kidnapped her in her own mind so those can combine to count as 1

Also, didn’t Jones escape and they had to kidnap him and bring him back to the cave or something? I feel like they kidnapped Jones at least once.

The racist sheriff lady was kidnapped by Jones 

Liz was kidnapped by Jones

I feel like Dallas was too? I’m not counting him pulling everyone into the mindscape, because that’s leaning more towards a hostage situation? But still. 

Michael got taken by Jones even if it was only to his own goddamn bunker, it was still a kidnapping and everyone was looking for him. not very hard apparently, because he was in his own home 

Alex was kidnapped by the new aliens

Jones had his body kidnapped by the new aliens

Does bodysnatching count as kidnapping? Because we have the truck driver, Eduardo, and now Jenna, though to be fair Eduardo looks like the only one that they kept and held afterword. But the truckdriver was in Mexico? or something when she got taken over and had to drive to Roswell so like, still sort of kidnapping, plus the new lady in the pod could be another bodysnatching/kidnap victim 

Let me know if I forgot any! But also, Jesus H Roosevelt Christ, get that writers room some new material! Or at least a timeline and some cliffsnotes on what has happened to different people because, damn. 

[abhiquarius]

The moody cold weather of Kohima

It had been a while, perhaps two years or three after my last visit to Kohima. The last time I remember visiting was in the year 2012 while I hiked to Dzukou Valley with three of my class buddies. Ah! That hike was a memorable one.

Route from Dimapur to Kohima

So on my recent trip to Nagaland, I booked a ticket to N.S.T (Nagaland State Transport) from Dimapur to Kohima. This was my first ever solo trip on a bus and I was super excited,’ God knows for what reasons because the roads were pretty trippy.” After hours of a journey through the hairpin turns, the gravelled road and unpredictable rains I arrived at Kohima. I stayed at my aunties home which sat on the edge of a mountain supported by other buildings which were also supported by others. I mean, this is the true beauty of a hill city right? The open windows overlooked the valleys, distant mountains, neighbours backyard and clouds rolling down the peaks.

The next day I woke up to a low-tone chatter below the guest room. I met my relatives fully wrapped in a beautiful knitted shawl. It felt great entering the warm kitchen away from the cold morning wind. While sipping tea, I walked outside anxiously waited for my cousin brother to return from his badminton practice because the night before we had planned to explore the city. I impatiently tuned in to my playlist on SoundCloud as I lay on the bed all curled up wearing woollen socks and a blanket that weighed more than me. In between thoughts, my cousin called out my name. I imagined the heavy blanket flew across the room as I hurriedly ran down with my bags. Finally, something great I can look forward to today, I thought.

Kisama Heritage Village

First, we planned to hike to Puliebadze in Jotsoma but I was completely disappointed when it started to rain. We quickly changed our plans and decided to visit a couple of other places instead. Within not more than 2-minutes, we jolted down naming the possible attractions we could visit, we decided Kisama Heritage Village - Hope Garden - Dimori Cove - The Cathedral. As we started to drive towards Kisama Heritage Village, it gave me a strange feeling of excitement. Yes, it was an off-season for any exciting things to happen but looking on the brighter side, I did manage to get uninterrupted pictures of the attractions that came my way.

Kisama Heritage Village is where the famous Hornbill Festival takes place. It also has an open arena where many traditional houses are placed representing different tribes in Nagaland. There was also an artificial tree with a number of Hornbill birds made of wood. But what intrigued me was a small church located near the VIP parking lot - It had all the qualities of surrealism. There was a shop opened for visitors, light snacks and drinks were the only things we could buy, no lunch or quick beverages. The shop also had Korean rice beer like the Makgeolli. We decided to climb the mountain to the signboard “Naga Heritage Village”. As I gazed up the Japfu mountain, the clouds were thinning and sunlight was penetrating.

Hike to the watch tower above Kisama Heritage Village

It was just what I needed - A supercalifragilisticexpialidocious moment all to myself. The steep narrow trails were slippery from the rain, some parts of the trail also have streams flowing down as if the trails were not meant for walking but for the water to flow. It took almost 20 minutes to reach the top from where the entire Heritage Village could be seen. A moment of silence and blissful atmosphere. Sitting on the edge of the viewpoint tower, I listened to the rumbling sounds of thunder and the raindrops thumping on the grounds and a mishmash of leaves. "It's time to leave before it rains harder," my cousin said. Just then when I look back I gasped in awe. I was hooked to the narrow forested trail that almost disappeared into the forest.

The mysterious trail attracted me so much that I didn't mind if the leeches would suck my blood and even if a Bison would chase me. But quickly coming to reality, I nodded my cousin and began to descend. We ran downhill pausing our pace at some points on the trail because the road was even more slippery. That was one “Need for Speed” action, I thought to myself. The race down took only 10 minutes or less. We shelter in one of the traditional houses and waited for the rain to stop. It didn't take long till the rain stopped again, we were all soaking wet. I couldn't even sit properly in the car. But thinking it will dry on the way, we headed straight to Hope Garden, a solitary spot located near Nagaland - Manipur border.

Exterior of Dimori Cove

This was once a cemetery now surrounded by lush trees and a flower garden with only a few tombstones laid. After exploring the enchanting forest/park, we drove to Kohima Enroute to Dimori Cove. This charming cafe is located by national highway 2 and it was everything I was hoping for. It's wide windows and cosy sitting interiors, small hut outside surrounded by plants was beautiful. We sat outside overlooking the Japfu mountain ranges. The sun made its appearance giving us enough time to lazily stay underneath the warmth and also dry our clothes. The coffee also worked wonders, it warms my soul, just the remedy I needed after a cold day.

Just after entering Kohima, we drove to Mary Help of Christians Cathedral. A feeling of nostalgic overpowers me every time I come here. While I was a kid, there were a series of pine trees surrounding the church, sadly, now the trees are cut down. Sure, it provides an even better panoramic view of the city but nature and its rustic charm have long gone. If you are a holy person or simply want to seek solitude, then come to this church. An empty church always makes me feel peaceful and calm.

Mary Help of Christians Cathedral

[penaltbox]

study buddies - owen lindmark

here is a (seemingly) much anticipated re-post of an old fic that i still love so much. feedback is very appreciated; tell me your favorite line or part! i hope you guys like it the second time around, or if you’re new, the first!

__

“he just needs a little help staying caught up with things. the season keeps him busy so we like to ask students to help each other out,” your professor asked, smiling a little. 

this is what you got for doing so well on the first test. you were stuck helping some hockey player study and take notes because he couldn’t be at class often enough. 

just as you’re about to argue a boy comes busting through the classroom door, half out of breath. you see the red wisconsin backpack with a number 18 stitched into it. 

“and here he is. this is owen lindmark, you’ll be working with him,” your professor explains. 

owen smiles and it takes you back for a second. you weren’t prepared for a cute boy to need help and this one actually seemed nice. 

“i’m so sorry i’m late. i promise i’m usually not like this,” he apologizes, sticking his hand out for you to shake. 

you do so, immediately noticing how big his hand is. you swallow hard and pull your hand back, not needing to even think that way. he needed help with class and that was it. the professor lets you both off to do your own thing and owen hands you a schedule. 

“i just figured it might help you to have the hockey schedule. i wrote on there as much info as i had about times i’d be busy so we can work a study schedule out. i’m okay with once a week unless you think we need more?” he says, looking nervous as he scratches the back of his neck. 

you weren’t sure how such a large boy could look so shy, but you decided then that maybe this whole tutoring thing wouldn’t be so bad after all. 

“well, just from looking at this i’m thinking tuesday nights might be our best chance? this is a monday/wednesday/friday class so we’d be studying between those days and then if you have a road trip we’re not missing any study time,” you explain, thinking out loud more than anything. 

he smiles and pulls his phone out, handing it to you, “okay, tuesday’s it is. go ahead and put your number in just so we have them if something happens.”

you take his phone and plug your number in, trying to play it cool. he immediately texts your phone, but you don’t check it. 

“okay, well i have to run to practice, but i’ll see you on tuesday?” he asks, another one of those bright smiles just about making your knees weak. 

“yeah,” you say, knowing your voice sounded a little off. 

he laughs a little and heads off anyways. you quickly unlock your phone, seeing the new message from him. it’s simple. 

‘hey it’s owen 😁’

you shake your head, heading back to your dorm to tell your roommate about this one. you had a feeling it was going to be quite the semester. 

—

owen is surprisingly tolerable for a d1 athlete. he doesn’t act better than other people, he doesn’t mind letting you pick where to meet up to do the studying. he even picks you up food and coffee some days. 

“i hope that’s the right coffee order,” he laughs, setting the cup down. 

you look up at him and smile, pretty surprised by it. you’d mentioned the first week that you loved this one coffee spot on campus and you always ordered the same thing. 

“owen, you didn’t have to do that,” you blush, taking a sip of the warm liquid. it was perfect and he looked like a saint in that moment. 

he shrugs, “it was nothing. i had to pass it on the way back from practice.”

“well i appreciate it. thank you,” you say quietly, opening your book up to the chapter you guys were on. 

you start reading through your notes compared to what owen had and you can feel his eyes on you. you try not to look at first but eventually it’s too much. 

you glance up and find him watching you, a blush dusting his face when he gets caught. he coughs a little and looks down at his book after a second. 

“you really didn’t miss much,” you tell him, “i think you’re probably good to go this week.”

he looks up quickly, a small frown on his face, “oh. well i mean, we already came here. might as well keep working on stuff?”

you nod, telling him you don’t mind that. and even that quick the study dates were officially extended to whatever homework you both had with you that day. 

—

he’d actually turned into a pretty good friend over the month or so since you got assigned to each other and you started looking forward to seeing him every week. it didn’t hurt that he sat by you in class now, too. 

this tuesday was a meeting in the library again. owen looks exhausted and you know he’d had games over the weekend. he must not have had time to get much rest yet, so you try and condense what had been talked about in the last class he missed in case he wants to take off back to his place. 

he lays his head down on his arms, groaning into the table, “i can’t do this any longer.”

you laugh a little at him, “it’s microbiology, o. did you expect it to be easy?”

he peaks up at you with the cutest scowl you’ve ever seen. it’s hard to take him serious when he looks like that and his eye roll tops it off. 

“i should have picked a simple major like the rest of the team. this is ridiculous. i don’t understand this!”

you sigh and pull his notebook towards you. you realize he’d written something down a few lines ago that wasn’t correct about a transfer of disease. 

“owen, come here. you don’t get it because you wrote it wrong,” you say, tapping the table next to you. 

he grunts and gets out of his seat, moving to the one next to you instead. he crowds your personal space immediately, pressing his arm against yours as he leans over. 

you turn your head to explain it to him without realizing how close he had gotten. his eyes are big as he waits for you to explain it and you have to look away from him. you know you’re blushing like crazy, but owen is polite and doesn’t pick on you for it. 

you show him the section in the enormous textbook, telling him where he’d written the wrong thing down. the look on his face after is worth it though because he gets it then. 

what you didn’t expect was for him to flip his book around and stay sitting next to you when he could have easily moved back to his previous chair. you tell yourself not to think about it, not needing to make this more complicated. owen apparently has other plans though. 

“we’ve got a game this saturday,” he blurts out suddenly, “are you going?”

you look up at him, not even realizing it, “oh you do? i mean, i hadn’t thought about going.”

he looks down at his notebook before looking over at you, “maybe you should go. you might like it.”

“do you want me there?” you ask him. you have no clue where that bravery came from and you fully expected him to brush it off. 

he smiles though, “yeah i’d love that.”

—

“brittney, are you sure about this?” you nervously ask your roommate. 

owen had asked you to go, but you figured he probably told everyone to go to his games. brittney jumped at the chance to go when you mentioned it, swearing it would be fun. you knew she had alex turcotte in her management class though and wanted to see him as much as you wanted to see owen. 

“it’ll be fine. you need to stop worrying so much. he’s your study buddy, not a random dude,” she shook her head, going into the kohl center without a worry at all. 

you’d got to the rink earlier than expected so the boys were still warming up. you pull the sleeves of your wisconsin crewneck over your hands, crossing your arms as you watch them move around quickly. 

you find owen easily as they skate around and a little smile makes its way onto your face. brittney’s telling you some story about alex in class and you’re half listening, but also wondering if the guys ever looked around at the people watching them. 

you get your answer when a puck smacks the glass in front of you, making you jump and look back at the ice. you see owen laughing and stick handling another puck before tossing it into the glass again in the same spot. 

you shake your head at him, but you’re not even mad. you imagine he’d be teasing you about it come tuesday but that was okay. 

brittney looks over at you, asking, “what’s going on with you two? are you sure you’re just study buddies?”

you blush furiously, scoffing a little, “yeah, there’s nothing else going on with us. the last thing i need is to try and get with some college athlete just to end up embarrassed and heart broken.”

“okay that’s so dramatic. he obviously thinks you’re pretty cool if he invited you to the game tonight. it means he doesn’t mind being seen in public with you,” she pokes, knowing you were too shy to talk about him much. 

“let’s just go sit down. i need food before i have to watch this,” you mumble, shoving the topic to the side. 

you ended up with surprisingly good seats and the boys ended up winning, which was awesome. owen may have gotten a pretty decent assist and you know you’ll have to congratulate him on that later. you’re halfway down the street from the arena after the game when a text from owen shows up. 

‘wait after for us’

you stop and look over at brittney, showing her the screen. her jaw drops and she slaps your arm, heading right back for the building you’d just walked out of. 

“well we have to wait for him. also, find out who this ‘us’ is. tell him to bring alex,” she says, marching you both into the lobby. 

you send owen a message to tell him where you were, getting more and more nervous as time ticked on. he didn’t send another text back and you frowned at the screen. 

“what’s taking them so long? you don’t think he said that just to make me look dumb, do you?” you ask, checking your phone yet again to see if he messaged you. 

she looks up to respond but a funny look takes over her face, like she’s trying to hide her smile. it fails horribly and you realize she’s looking over your shoulder. 

before you can turn around to look two arms wrap around your shoulders from behind and hug you tight back into someone. you grab onto the arms, jumping when it happens, and see the suit coat that covers them. you know immediately that it’s owen. 

you laugh, relaxing then, and looking up at him as your head rests back on his chest. the smile he gives you makes your heart strings tug and he surprisingly doesn’t pull away. 

“that’s the second time i scared you tonight, huh?” he laughs. 

you blush and nod a little, “yeah, thanks for that earlier. you had everyone around me laughing, too.”

“so how was the game?” he asks, rocking you both side to side. 

“it was a lot of fun actually. your assist was pretty awesome,” you say, trying to keep your cool. 

you look over, feeling bad that you’d forgot to introduce brittney to him but she was already fully immersed in a conversation with alex that had her finding an excuse to touch his tie. you know exactly what’s going on there so you look back up at owen. 

“well, that’s my roommate. she has class with alex actually so it’s a good thing he came with you,” you laugh, still leaning into owen. 

he nods, “yeah when i shot that puck at you earlier he looked over and said he knew her. guess he thinks she’s pretty hot or something.”

you laugh, knowing she’ll love to hear that one later. you’re not sure what to do next, but owen finally steps away, coming to stand next to you. he gets alex’s attention, mentioning something about getting to ‘the house’ before it got too late. 

“you guys can come if you want,” alex says, giving you a little wave as he finally pulls his attention away from your roommate. 

you return his wave but get nervous right away, not really ready for that part of things. you’d heard they partied a lot but you weren’t exactly prepared for that. brittney recognizes it and shakes her head. 

“maybe next time. we’ve got stuff to do pretty early tomorrow,” she explains, saving you from looking like a big baby. 

the boys don’t seem to think twice about it and walk outside with you both as you get ready to go two different ways. alex and brittney get in their own world again as owen turns towards you. god he looks so good in his suit, and you know you’re staring, but you can’t help it. 

“i’ll see you in class monday, okay?” he asks quietly, pulling you into a hug. 

it takes you a little off guard, but you hug him back tight. he’s so big and warm that you get lost in it for a second. as he pulls back his hand trails down your arm, grabbing your hand for a second. he gives you a quick wink before he and alex walk away, but of course brittney caught it. 

“excuse me, what was that?” she tries to whisper but fails completely. 

“i don’t know! he’s never done that!” you blush, trying to comprehend what just happened. 

“he likes you,” she nods, laughing at your expression. 

you shake your head, “no way. he can get any girl he wants. i’m just his study buddy.”

—

owen asks to hang out more often after that. in fact he texts you the day after his game and the day after that as well. when he shows up to class monday morning he brings you a coffee and your heart melts a little. 

you knew to be weary of hockey players. you’d been around enough of them in high school to know how they acted, but owen seemed to be different. he leans over during the lecture to whisper in your ear at one point, which is thoroughly distracting. 

“you wanna go hang in my room after this?” he asks, his voice deeper than you expected. 

“yeah, i’m done with classes after this,” you nod, biting your lip as you look at him. 

the smirk he gives you back lets you know you’re in trouble now with him. he weaseled his way in and you hardly had the chance to stop him. 

the class passes by horribly slow after that, but the walk to owen's room is luckily pretty short. you’d been over once or twice, but not since the game. not since he came up behind you and hugged you. 

you look around this time, not as worried about studying. the late october air is cool in his room and you noticed the window was cracked open a little. the view from his room is amazing and you get lost in it for a second. 

owen comes up behind you, leaning his hand on the wall next to the window. you can all but feel him pressed against you but you don’t move. 

“this is amazing, o,” you say softly, taking in all the fall colors on campus. 

“yeah i really can’t complain,” he says, but you look back to find him looking down at you. 

you clear your throat, blushing hard as you look away. he must have noticed the effect he had on you because he laughs a little and steps away. 

“what do you say to watching a movie?” he asks, heading over to grab his laptop. 

you turn around, sitting next to him on his bed, “sounds like a great idea to me.”

you might be guilty of leaning into him a few times that night, but really it’s his fault. he’s the one that puts his arm around you and lets you lay your head on his chest. 

—

you decide to stay in that friday night but when a handful of texts from brittney come flying in to your phone you immediately panic a little. 

‘dude owens at state street’

‘he’s with some girl??’

‘they’re standing CLOSE?!?’

‘wait she looks kissed. pissed. fuck.’

‘she left. omg alex is here i gotta go’

the whole thing makes your heart hurt and your head spin a little. of course owen was out with a girl. who were you to think you were more than just a study buddy? but he’d been so different lately. you really hoped this was some rude joke being played on you and owen wasn’t how you knew some guys to be. 

you’d tried to keep that night off your mind as much as possible, but you’re not very successful. you can’t text him and ask, but that standing tuesday study date seems to come so much faster than you expected. 

the weekend had blurred by and you found yourself at owen’s door, the agreed upon study location for that week. you suddenly think it might have been better to fake an emergency so you don’t have to go through with this considering he’d been awfully friendly the last time you were in his room for movie night. 

you knock on the door quickly, wanting to get studying over with. you hear a groan that makes you frown and when owen opens the door you’re shocked. 

the room is pitch black, he’s in pajamas with his glasses on, and his hair is a mess. he looks rough, like he wasn’t feeling well and it immediately makes your concern grow. 

“o, what’s up? are you okay?” you ask softly. 

he sighs, looking so defeated, “i caught something yesterday i think. or maybe this weekend. i’ve been sleeping so much and i can’t eat. i hate being sick.”

you can’t worry about who that girl was now even though that’s all you wanted to ask him about. instead you shuffle him back into his room, dropping your bag by the door. 

you reach up to check his forehead considering how rosy his cheeks are, “owen, you’re burning up. have you eaten anything today?”

“eating and keeping it down have been two different things,” he mumbles, leaning into your hand. 

you frown and reach for him, pushing him towards his bed. he easily complies, crawling back under the covers, but pushing them away. 

“no, you need to cover up and sweat this fever out. i’ll run and get you some medicine and food that might be easier to keep down,” you tell him, looking for his keys. 

“i’ll be right here,” he tries to joke, but he’s already falling back asleep as he says it. 

you sigh, pushing a bit of his hair off his forehead. when did you turn into such a sucker for this kid? he had you all wrapped around his finger. 

medicine and food were decently easy to locate and owen is still passed out when you get back to his room. you set everything on his desk, walking over to sit on the edge of his bed. 

“hey, wake up. i need you to take some medicine,” you say, rubbing his back. 

he groans again and peaks up at you, “i’m so tired still.”

“i know. maybe you shouldn’t have stayed out all night friday,” you joke before you realize what you said. you both freeze a little and look at each other. 

“wait, how do you know i was out friday?” he asks, moving to sit up on the bed. 

“uh, i didn’t. i don’t. i mean,” you stutter, not being quick enough to pull yourself out of it.

he shakes his head a little, “you didn’t know. brittney told you, didn’t she?” 

you nod, not being able to look at him then. he probably thought you were keeping tabs on him or something. you’re lost in your own world when he reaches out, putting a finger under your chin to make you look at him. 

“she saw the girl, right? and then texted you about it?” he asks softly. 

you nod again, not trusting your words. you had already said the wrong thing once to get you to this spot. 

he smiles though, relaxing suddenly, “she’s no one to worry about. well not anymore. we used to like talk and hook up, but a few weeks ago i started to really like someone so i told her we had to call it off.”

“oh,” is all you can manage to say. you can’t look at him. absolutely not. you couldn’t let him see how upset you were about it. 

“well,” you say after a second, “medicine is in the bag and so is some food. i don’t think we want both of us sick so i should probably get going now.”

you’re up and moving towards the door before he can even protest, grabbing your backpack and tossing a goodbye over your shoulder. 

you pull your phone out with shaky hands and shoot a quick text to brittney. 

‘he used to hook up with that girl he was with friday. but he “called it off” bc he likes someone else’

you make your way back to your dorm quickly, trying to think of all the ways you’d be able to get out of your study buddy sessions for the rest of the semester. it couldn’t be over soon enough. 

—

“are you sure you don’t want to come out with us?” alex asks, waiting for brittney to finish getting ready. 

“no thanks. i have a paper i need to finish up so that i have study time next week,” you say, looking back at him and smiling. 

you really should do the paper. it needed to get done, but your mind kept wandering. you’d avoided owen for the better part of two weeks, finding a couple good excuses to miss studying. but you’d run out now and this coming week would mean you’d see him again. 

alex and brittney head out for the night, leaving you to yourself. you sigh, turning back to face your computer. you get a couple paragraphs written up when there’s a sudden sharp knock on your door. 

you jump, getting up to go see if maybe brittney had forgot her keys or something. instead the peephole shows you owen standing there. not what you expected. you lean your forehead against the wooden door, taking a deep breath. 

“what, owen?” you ask through it. 

“will you please let me in? i think we both know we need to talk,” he says, sounding so close to the door. 

you hesitate for a second but open it up. he waits for you to open it all the way, giving you a soft smile. 

“well there she is. i thought she transferred schools or something with how absent she’s been,” owen jokes, stepping into the room. 

you give him a little smile and follow him but he stops abruptly, causing you to run into him. 

“shit, i’m sorry,” he turns around quickly, his hands coming up to hold your arms. 

“i’m fine, really,” you say, trying to gently shrug him off. 

he looks hurt, pulling his hands away from you, “hey, what’s going on? did i do something?” 

you sigh, not even sure how to say this or where to start. he deserved an explanation, but you also didn’t want to get hurt and at this rate it was almost inevitable. 

“i guess i was just hoping you were different from other guys i’ve known in the past,” you mumble. 

he frowns, “what are you talking about? what happened?”

you look up at him, “i guess i just hoped you liked me for some reason. i know it’s dumb, but we were hanging out a lot so i just thought maybe it was different for you like it was for me. it’s fine if you don’t, i can’t force you to. it just sucks.”

he doesn’t respond immediately and it makes you start to get nervous. you glance back up at him and catch a half smile on his face. 

“what!” you snap, feeling ready to breakdown about it all. 

“you’re really cute when you’re all worked up,” he says and- wait, what?

“i’m what?” you ask, thinking you heard him wrong. 

“you’re really cute when you’re all worked up like this,” he repeats. 

“that’s all you have to say after what i just told you?” you scoff. 

he laughs and nudges your shoulder, “i like you! have i not made that clear?”

you look up at him with wide eyes. you had to be imagining this. he wasn’t actually saying this right now. 

“what?”

“not very clear then,” he mumbles almost to himself, “i invited you to my game. i even made sure to keep an arm around you so other people saw. we hang out more than we study anymore. we text all the time. you’re the only person i have a snap streak with.”

it all clicks into place a little better and you feel like an idiot. how did you miss all of this? you were so worried he’d found someone else to talk to that you didn’t even see how things had gone for the two of you.

“owen, are you serious?” you ask. 

he nods, leaning in closer, “you really think i was hooking up with some other girl when i’ve got you?”

you blush, leaning against him as well, “i don’t know. i guess i just figured you wanted options.”

owen laughs, shaking his head a little, “no and the  i needed to talk to you but you kept avoiding me. but i like you so i had to let you know, too. you kind of beat me to it though.”

“i like you too, o,” you smile, ignoring the small dig he made. 

he leans down, kissing you suddenly. you press back immediately, his hand coming up to cup your cheek. he pulls back slowly, his thumb rubbing gently on your cheek. 

“i think i could get used to that,” you mumble. 

he nods, giving you one more quick kiss, “be my girlfriend and you can do it whenever you want.”

you know your face is red now and it feels all hot. you nod though, leaning up to kiss him. you pull back and smile down at him, one hand carding through his hair. he hums and closes his eyes for a few seconds. 

“you’re not gonna avoid me for two more weeks now, right?” he jokes. 

“no, you’re stuck with me now,” you laugh, leaning up to kiss the corner of his mouth. 

he opens his eyes again and smiles at you, “movie before bed? i brought an extra shirt you can sleep in if you wanted. i’ll text alex for them to go sleep at our place tonight.”

“that sounds perfect,” you agree. 

and yeah, things with him did seem pretty much perfect. 

[silvercrystalwhump]

The Town's Matron

TW: starvation, hunger, parental abuse, bbu warning

Flynn watches Kai out of the corner of his eye. Using one of Flynn’s mechanical pencils, Kai draws on the back of an old receipt. Eyes fully entranced on the pencil lines. Flynn pushes the shopping cart forward gently, so as to not disturb Kai who is sitting inside. A yawn leaves Flynn’s mouth as he looks across the shelves. The shopping list, if one could even call it that, sits clapped to the baby holder on the cart.

Holding up one of the sturdy backpacks, Flynn asks Kai, “Do you like this one?”

Kai eyes it for a second and hesitates before snapping to the chipper attitude he usually has and nods. Flynn blinks and looks back at the shelf, trying to follow where Kai flicked his eyes.

One thing he learned about box boys was that they never said no. That fact alone made Flynn worried for him.

What do they do to you to make you so compliant?

“Is there another one you like more?”

Kai pauses his drawing and slowly looks up at a green one. He points the pencil at it for a moment before going back to doodling. Flynn pulls the bag free from the shelf and holds it out. Kai beams and nods back at him, scrunching his nose like he usually does when he’s actually happy.

So, it’s safe to say that Kai really likes green.

Flynn looks over the price and the pockets of the bag. It’s made of decently sturdy material and is big enough to hold things other than one notebook. He slides it beside Kai in the cart and grabs the largest one he can see to go with it. These bags will need to hold a lot of things for a while.

Flynn tries to rub away the tiredness that eats at his vision. He had been driving for two hours before arriving at the nearest city to buy this stuff. He couldn’t do this in town. Everyone there knew him and someone would tell his father and he knew he would taste another piece of hell.

All of this needs to be yours and no one can know.

Kai sits in the cart surrounded by clothes for multiple seasons, bottles of soap, boxes of nonperishables, and a dozen donuts to use as a bribe for when Flynn returns to his Father’s house. One more month. That thought alone keeps Flynn going, keeping his eyes up. One more month until I take Kai and drive out west, leaving this hell behind.

Kai looks up and points behind him. Flynn looks over his shoulder and feels his stomach sink.

“Flynn!” an elderly woman, whom he knew well, cheers from across the aisle, “How are you?”

Pulling on his calm, practiced happy face, “I’m doing well Mrs. Dane, how are you and the family.”

“Oh excellent,” Mrs. Dane chirps, “The grandbabies are just so sweet and God has been good, what’s a young man like you doing this far out of town?”

“I could ask you the same,” Flynn smiles as he turns to the elderly woman. Mrs. Eliza Danes, the oldest woman in his small town and a woman who was respected. She is the kind of elderly woman with the tenderest heart but, at the flick of her eyes, could instill the fear of God into the devil himself.

“One of my kids lives out here sweetpea. Visiting the grandbabies, six, four, and three they are. All sweeter than honey! But you didn’t answer my question young man,” she beams as she looks past him into his cart, “And who’s he?”

“Oh, that’s Kai, he doesn’t do much speaking and well, something you just gotta come to the city for.”

Mrs. Dane raises a withered eyebrow, “Flynn, sweetie, you look like you haven’t seen a good warm meal in days. Whatcha doing with yourself?”

“Don’t worry, I’m walking on my own two feet.”

She smiles at him and says, “I don’t doubt it for a second honey. How ‘bout you come help little ol’ me finish shopping and come back with me to get you nice and fed.”

Flynn gives her a nervous smile, “I shouldn’t, my old man would wring my neck.”

And hurt Kai if he’s really mad.

Mrs. Dane drops her gaze and gives Flynn a knowing look before perking up again, “What did you eat last?”

A piece of toast yesterday morning.

“A sandwich for lunch, I’ll eat supper when I get home.”

Mrs. Dane shakes her head, “Lying does not please the Lord young man, and I know your father well enough to know exactly why you’re dodging this.”

“Mrs. Dane please-”

“Do not interrupt me young man, you and Kai are coming over to my house tonight and I’ma feed both of y’all, you hear? I do not care what your Father says I will personally escort to the Lord if he tries anyhing stupid.”

“Yes ma’am,” Flynn says, eyes on the floor and now very aware of the emptiness in his stomach.

Mrs. Dane looks up, “Now. Look at me.”

Flynn raises his eyes and meets Mrs. Dane’s. Fear eats at the lining of his stomach along with hunger. He feels his hands begin to shake against the cart handle.

“I remember when I was your age,” Mrs. Dane begins with a much softer voice, “There were alot more men like your Father raisin’ youngin’s and I know what that cart is for and you will be finishing the story after you're fed, is that correct?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Flynn turns around and locks eyes with Kai. Kai curled himself under Flynn’s hoodie and was watching the entire conversation. Unease reflects off the mirrors of his eyes. Flynn tries to give Kai a comforting smile but Kai sees through the facade like looking from a window.

Mrs. Dane talks about everyday things as they finish their shopping. The air presses into Flynn’s skin as he pays for what will be his salvation.

If Mrs. Dane doesn’t stop it before it even happens.

Kai helps Flynn stuff the bags into the area behind their seats. Flynn slides into the driver’s seat and Kai grabs his hand and gives him a sort of tender, questioning look. His slender fingers press into the hardened skin of his hand and send shivers up Flynn’s spine.

“It’s okay,” Flynn says, trying to reassure himself more than Kai, “Everything’s gonna be alright.”

Kai nods and lets go of Flynn’s hand. Kai returns to a still sitting position that he is sure is one of the numbered positions but he just doesn’t remember which one. Flynn lets a panic attack stew under the surface of his skin. The air in his lungs doesn’t taste right and it’s never enough. His vision is only clear on the road, his periphery blurred beyond usability.

Somehow, he makes it to the small log cabin next to the church.

Mrs. Dane lived alone, her husband passed a decade prior. Flynn, despite only being eight at the time, still remembers the suit his mother wrestled him into for the trip to the church. Mr. Dane was buried in the church cemetery.

Flynn steps out of his car and lets the crisp air of Fall snap him awake. Kai zips to his side, clinging to his arm. Kai’s fingers squeeze around Flynn’s arm and Kai nuzzles his nose into his shoulder. Flynn nods to himself and walks up towards the house, Kai on his heels.

He opens the door to let Kai and Mrs. Dane through before carrying all of her groceries into her home. All while, Flynn fights through the pain of hunger and fear. The ache of his stomach drags at his eyes. The emptiness in his gut almost feels too full and Flynn chokes back the urge to vomit up air.

Flynn can’t deny, the idea of any food in his stomach, no matter how revolting, was tempting.

Mrs. Dane gives him a warm smile, “Thank you, now about supper, I have a pork roast in the crockpot and I’m gonna bake up some potatoes for you and your little buddy. Now you two wash up and sit down.”

Flynn’s stomach growls and it takes every ounce of willpower he can muster to keep from curling in on himself. The cramps get worse by the second and they keep growing in area and intensity. Kai, after washing his hands, wraps Flynn in a hug. His eyes silently apologize.

Since Flynn has been giving Kai his food for the past couple of days.

Mrs. Dane finally calls them to the table. The food looks like gold and diamonds to Flynn. The pork is falling apart on itself and he can smell the spices and marinade from across the table. His mouth waters as he pushes Mrs. Dane into her chair.

Kai sits anticipatedly at the table, bouncing in his chair.

Flynn wraps an arm around his stomach as he sits. Mrs. Dane bows her head and says, “Let’s say grace.”

Flynn doesn’t hear what Mrs. Dane says as a prayer of thanks leaves her lips. The warm smell of food encapsulates his senses.

“Amen, Let’s eat.”

That’s all he had to hear.

If it weren’t for the years of table manners drilled into his skull, he might have ripped the pork out with his bare hands. He lets Mrs. Dane fills her plate first and then he fille Kai’s, out of both respect and to excuse the fact he wanted to eat everything on the table.

After the couple seconds that felt like years, he finally sunk his teeth into actual food.

His body just takes over after that and eats.

“Hasn’t eaten today hasn’t he?” Mrs. Dane says after a minute of Flynn snarfing down his food.

Kai, barely through a baked potato, shakes his head no.

Kai! Why do you betray me like this?!

“I knew it,” Mrs. Dane huffs, “I’ma kill that man, starving his son because of what, a lack of care!”

Flynn looks up and pauses eating, “I- It’s not- Um-”

Mrs. Dane shakes his head, “Let me tell you a story. When I was a young woman I had a sister, Anabel Peterson, she was a lot like you.”

Flynn shifts uncomfortably in his seat. He glances over and sees Kai leaning in, listening attentively.

“How so?” Flynn asks as he continues to stuff his face, slower now.

Mrs. Dane sighs, “Your Father likes to talk and most of the town knows that you… as we would call it back in my day, fruity.

That I’m gay. Yeah, he yelled it out in church last weekend.

“So was my sister, and she had… relations with a woman who was of a darker shade than we are. My Father found out one day and began to treat her very poorly and one morning I saw her grab similar things to what you have in your car and left. I have not seen her since.”

Flynn looks up from his plate and sees remorse and regret across the elderly woman’s face, “That must have been hard.”

“Yes,” she replies with a sigh, “I deeply regret not going after her, to take back many of the hurtful things I said.”

Kai looks back at Flynn and blinks. His eyes have a flavor of understanding that looked unfamiliar even to Kai. It is strange to behold. Flynn looks back at Mrs. Dane, “What are you getting at?”

“I know you plan to leave and never return, it is obvious and I do not blame you for the sentiment. I want to help you,” she says as she finishes her plate, “I know we will more than likely not see you again but I wish to at least make your last memories of here have some dignity.”

Flynn sighs, tons of worry and fear falling away like petals in a torrent. His head falls into his hands and has to hold back the reins of his tears to keep himself from crying in relief. “Thank you.”

“Pack your things here and let me know if you need anything, when you decide to leave come here and pick them up.”

The world both spins and tears for Flynn at once, some pieces of this plan come together and he finds himself smiling, “I- Thank you.”

Mrs. Dane smiles, “You’re welcome sweetheart, I hope God leads you to a better place than this one.”

Flynn and Kai look at each other and Kai beams a thousand stars worth of joy in Flynn’s direction. Flynn can’t help but absorb some of that happiness and smile at himself. The air seems lighter around him and for the first time in weeks he feels like he can breathe.

“Do either of you two want ice cream?”

Kai instantly perks up at the idea of anything sweet and nods frantically. The redhead practically vibrates in the chair.

Flynn nods, “Yes please.” Letting himself feel calm for a moment, he takes what he’s offered and eats.

Then his phone rings.

[thatmultifandomhoe]

Someone Special

Pairing: Hongjoong and Reader

Word Count: 2,704

Genre/Rating: Christmas AU - Friends to Lovers - Fluff - teeny tiny bit angst - PG-13

Overview: “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. But the very next day you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I’ll give it to someone special.”

Warning: Mentions of cheating and bareback roulette (practice safe sex my dears!)

Last Christmas by Wham!

Main Master List

Author’s Note: I hope y’all enjoy this little gift. Last Christmas is my absolute favorite song, and the movie that came out a few years ago with the same title is one of my all time favorites, so when Hongjoong dropped his cover, it gave me the inspiration to write this piece up. Merry Christmas everyone!

©thatmultifandomhoe 2020. Do not repost, translate, or use my stories without permission.

Snow was steadily falling, the sidewalk and roads had been covered in the first five minutes and several hours later, it was still coming down. You should have been outside shoveling the driveway, but instead, the throw blankets and the couch had beckoned you to come and watch a movie. The Christmas tree was decorated to the nines, and with only one lamp on to keep you from tripping over the furniture in the complete dark.

“Tada,” Hongjoong softly called out.

You looked away from the window, raising an eyebrow as Hongjoong walked towards you with not one, but two mugs filled to the brim with hot chocolate. The steam curled in the air as he took slow and easy steps, but he smiled with satisfaction when you carefully took the blue glazed mug from him. The moment your palms touched the side it felt as if they were being burned, but you held on to the handle as he reclaimed his seat next to you.

“You didn’t have to make this,” you teased.

He glanced over at you, eyes narrowing and lips curling into playful disgust. “Snow, movie, Christmas, of course I had to make hot chocolate.”

You rolled your eyes and tossed his half of the blanket back over his lap. Maybe it hadn’t been just the couch and blanket that had called out for you to sit down and enjoy the snow day. Maybe there had been a certain someone, who conveniently made the drive over to your place right before the storm to help with hanging a few decorations on the porch despite your reassurance that you were more than capable of doing it yourself, and was now unable to drive home due to a stay-at-home order because of how heavy the snow was coming down.

The power was still running thankfully, so for the last three hours the two of you had enjoyed – and critiqued – a variety of Christmas movies that Netflix offered. Despite them all being similar, there was no desire to exit out and find something different. It hadn’t felt like Christmas at all this season, and after a rough breakup last year around the same time, you were desperate to find the love and joy for the holiday that you once had.

Fate must have been against you however, because as Hongjoong picked up the remote to press play, a loud boom echoed outside, and the power shut off, cloaking the two of you in darkness. You waited to see if the TV would turn back on, but when the house remained silent and the only light suddenly appearing was the flashlight that Hongjoong turned on from his phone, you sighed, feeling defeated once more.

“This isn’t good,” Hongjoong said.

Even without the light on, or looking in his direction, you felt his lingering gaze on you. He knew how rough the last year had been for you, which is why you figured he offered to come out and help with decorating. There was no fun in doing it alone, and with your best friend by your side, it would at least be entertaining.

“It’s going to get cold,” you said instead, leaning forward, to set the hot chocolate on the coffee table. “Sit tight, I’ll get us some extra blankets.”

“Do you need some help?”

You shook your head, momentarily forgetting that he couldn’t see. “No, I’ll be fine.”

Turning on your own flashlight, you pointed it towards the floor and walked down the hall to the bedroom. You kept the best blankets in your room of course. Out of habit you glanced up at the ceiling, half expecting the white fairy lights that Hongjoong had helped you tack along the crown molding to be on. The plan was to keep those up all year long, because there was no way in hell that you were going up and down a ladder a hundred times every November, only to take them down at the end of January. Even standing on chairs, both you and Hongjoong had to stretch to reach the top.

As expected though, the lights were off, and you sighed once more while disappearing into your bedroom, beginning to gather the blankets. Setting the phone done to fold up the blankets, your mind wandered away from the present and took a trip down memory lane.

Christmas used to be your favorite holiday. From the bright lights, to the small village displays, even hanging up stockings and dealing with relatives who you had long forgotten where still alive, there was never a moment about it that didn’t make you smile. The entire season was full of magic, and as an adult, it felt like there was a secret law that made it forbidden to make it known that you still liked to believe in something that was considered so childish.

But when it snowed and suddenly the entire world fell silent, the fresh snow glittered under the moonlight, and the stars danced brightly in the night sky, magic felt like it was the only possible answer to it all.

You had been dating Hyunjin for almost two years, and at one point, you swore that he was going to be the one. Up until him, relationships never seemed to last, and the fact that you were getting ready to celebrate your second Christmas together appeared to be a promising sign. The only issue had been that Hongjoong never cared for him. Sure, he’d listen when you talked about him, or asked for advice. He wasn’t going to tell you no. But that didn’t mean he didn’t keep it to himself whenever Hyunjin messed up or didn’t do the right thing.

“I don’t think he’s the one,” was Hongjoong’s famous line. And every time you asked who he thought the one was, he’d just shrug and change the topic before adding in a quiet, “someone who’s always been there, who doesn’t make you cry,” afterwards. You always heard it, and while you knew he never did it to hurt you, it always felt he was trying to focus on only Hyunjin’s not so great side.

No one was perfect, and that included Hyunjin and his tendencies to go out drinking with his buddies and come home drunk either by his own methods or someone driving him. Or that he had a habit of flirting with anyone who talked to him, and his gaze always lingered on someone else for too long. Sure, he had his flaws, but being with him was to love a bottle of whiskey. The more of him that you had, the easier it was to swallow back the sting and forget about the broken shards he left in his wake.

You had loved Christmas, and had loved Hyunjin, but you didn’t love walking in on him playing bareback roulette with one woman, while another sloppily kissed him as she got satisfied by woman number one at the same time.

It was the girl who had been kissing Hyunjin that noticed you, and when he looked over his shoulder at you, there was no explanation. No excuse. No apology.

“Are you going to join or just stand there?” Hyunjin had asked instead.

Despite it being your house, you were the one who left and spent the night at Hongjoong’s, crying your pathetic self into his chest because you had given Hyunjin your entire heart, and he returned it smashed into tiny shards in a Ziploc bag. When you went back a few days later, all of Hyunjin’s belongings were gone, all except for a red thong that didn’t belong to you, was left on the floor by your bed.

The neighbors must have thought you were crazy when you stomped outside with sheets and pillowcases being dragged in the snow as you threw them in the trash bin in only leggings and a shirt that Hongjoong had let you borrow. The Christmas lights were yanked out of the light sockets, and you nearly threw out the tree as well, but it was heavy and when you plopped on the couch to try and warm your feet up from walking in the snow, the tears came out again.

When you woke up the next day, it was Christmas, and the magic was gone.

“Please don’t think about him,” a soft voice suddenly said.

Flinching at the sound, you looked up to see Hongjoong standing at the doorway, his phone held up to let him see what was holding you up. You dropped the blanket you had been folding as he entered the bedroom, his footsteps quiet as he reached out and slipped his hand into yours. It was a gentle and quick tug, one that allowed him to wrap you in a hug against his chest before you had a chance to pull away.

“I didn’t want to,” you whispered, fingers curling into the brown flannel he wore.

He leaned his head against yours, choosing the better option of not saying anything. Instead, his arms tightened around your waist for a brief moment as he sighed. “Come on. Let’s go back out to the living room. Your hot chocolate is waiting for you.”

With one arm remaining around you, Hongjoong grabbed the blankets with the other and led you back out to the living room. He had been over so many times that he didn’t need light to see where he was going. The path had been memorized long ago. Since the breakup, it wasn’t usual for Hongjoong’s touch to linger, and when the two of you sat back down on the couch, he pulled you into his side before layering the blankets on top. It was only when he was satisfied that he relaxed with one arm on the back of the couch as the other laid over your waist, that he turned to face you. Thanks to the light coming from the snow and the flashlight on the coffee table, you were able to see him.

His tongue darted out to wet his lips. “Do you miss him?”

“No.” Leaning the side of your head back against the cushion, you felt fingers smoothing back your hair before they slipped through the locks. You lightly hummed at Hongjoong’s caress, eyes briefly closing as you leaned into his touch, his soft scoff making the slightest smile appear on your face. When you opened them again however, you looked at the white light coming from his phone. “It’s just…hard to forget when the memories are tied with the holiday.”

“Sounds like you need new memories.”

You laughed then, focusing back on his face. Brown bangs covered his forehead and the sides of his undercut were starting to grow out, but even in the dark his eyes held a softness that you had been told he only had for you. His friends said he never looked at anyone else like that, and while you denied it, you couldn’t help but notice the warmth and tenderness in them this time.

“Guess I’ll have to go buy new memories next time I go grocery shopping,” you teased.

Hongjoong rolled his eyes, lips curling into a grin as he shifted once more. You were all too aware of how close he got when his arm settled around your shoulders. This wasn’t out of the norm for him. He was always touchy and a cuddle bug just like you, but right now with no power and sharing about half a dozen blankets, you were all too aware of his warmth that seemed to envelope you and the sudden butterflies flying around in your stomach. Coaxing and full of promises, all you had to do was trust it.

“You know what I mean,” Hongjoong said, leaning towards the coffee table to grab his mug. “One good memory will help lessen the pain of previous ones.”

Yours was still sitting where you left it, untouched, but after drinking what he wanted, he held it out for you to take like he knew what you had been thinking about. Not wanting to disturb the blankets too much, you carefully slipped your palms out from underneath to cradle the mug.

“Who?” You asked, tracing the rim of the mug with a finger. It wasn’t burning hot to the touch, a little more than warm, and when you looked up to see his curious frown, it was like that same warmth spread all the way up and down your body. All because of just one look from Hongjoong. “You always said he wasn’t the one for me. So, who is?”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it right now.”

“You never liked him, or any of my exes,” the hot chocolate was rich when you took a sip, the mini marshmallows that he had added to his were long since melted and resembled long, thin white clouds. “Someone who’s always been there. You were always talking about yourself, weren’t you?”

He didn’t meet your gaze. Instead, he focused on the window that was behind you and the thumb that had been running along your shoulder stilled. The fact that he wasn’t answering you, in a way, answered the question by itself. Hongjoong pressed his lips together and when he finally looked back at you, you got to see for yourself the way his expression softened and how despite his little secret coming out in the open, he sheepishly smiled.

“They weren’t right for you,” he simply said.

“Then why didn’t you ever say anything?”

His thumb began moving again and he took the mug away to set it back on the table. “Because you loved them. It wouldn’t have been fair to drop such a thing when you were dating other guys.”

“It wasn’t fair to you.” With nothing to hold on to, you started to lace your fingers together when Hongjoong gently swatted them away. When he slipped in his hand into yours and ran his thumb against the back of your palm, you swore you all but melted into him.

“I mean, from where I’m sitting,” he started to say, even lifting your intertwined hands to tilt your chin up so you were looking at him, suddenly much closer than before as he gently pressed his forehead against yours. “It seems pretty fair now.”

He spoke softly, and despite his confidence over his actions, he hesitated.

With only a tilt you leaned forward, closing the distance to kiss him. His lips tasted sweet from the hot chocolate and even as he kissed you back, he started to smile, forcing the two of you to lean back with matching grins. Hongjoong made up for it though, going back another, and then a third, until the kisses finally melted together. It was only when the audio from the TV filled the room that the two of you broke apart to see that the power had come back on.

“I guess there’s still some magic out there,” you softly spoke, glancing around the room to see that the tree was once more lit up.

Hongjoong merely smiled as he shut the TV off and reached over, turning you back around to face him. “The magic’s always been there,” he promised, “you just didn’t know where to look for it.”

You weren’t sure if he was talking about the magic of Christmas, or this, but when he brought you closer and kissed you again, taking his sweet time to show how much he loved you, you liked to think that it was both.

Outside the window, the snow had slowed down, but it was too late to go out and begin digging out cars and clearing driveways. That could be done in the morning, or even the afternoon. As Hongjoong cupped the side of your face and sweetly kissed you like he had been destined to do so all along, the tainted and painful memories of last Christmas melted away as new ones took their place.

With Hongjoong, there wouldn’t be any more tears, or a shattered heart for Christmas this year. Maybe the magic is finding someone special who’ll treasure, and love a heart, that’s been broken and patched up without a second thought.

[thiswasinevitableid]

winter prompt fill 5, indruck, nsfw?

5: your car slid into a snowbank and i’m the mechanic that comes to tow you

Two hours.

Two fucking hours, that’s how far this guy is from town. But because he’s three hours from the one to the west, it’s Duck’s company that got the call from AAA for a tow. On night three of what's forecasted as a week-long snowstorm.  And because it’s that kind of job, the call came in at 4:45 pm. At least he’ll get overtime for this. 

Being out of Kepler means the radio has real stations, half of them playing blocks of pop hits and the other half blaring Christmas carols. Duck doesn’t mind either, settles on listening to crooning about sleigh bells and winter wonderlands as he tries to keep the truck from sliding into snow piles. 

He’s all prepared to be aggravated at whoever was clueless enough to get themselves stranded and stick him with the four hour round-trip, but the closer he gets to his destination the more he sympathizes. Because this is a rural two-lane highway and not a major through-road, the maintenance is spotty at best. Couple that with the still-falling snow and he’s just glad the guy was in the kind of accident where he could still make a call after it.

The last half-hour he’s down to thirty miles an hour, lets out a groan of relief when the dead  taillights of a car reflect back at him. Once he positions the truck and hops out, he rolls his eyes; the sedan doesn’t have snow tires or chains on, something even a person with a Nevada license plate should have known to carry north.

Duck wonders if being unprepared is a habit when the driver steps out in far too light a coat for the weather, shuddering and stuttering out an “Th-thank g-goodness.”

“Guessin you’re Mr. Wilde?” 

Pale hair falls over red glasses as the man nods. With his hood up, he looks owlish, guarded. He’s all limbs and edges, and Duck can’t help but think of a stray cat that needs a warm bed and some food. 

“Go ahead and get up into the passenger seat. Heat ain’t runnin, but it’s sure as heck warmer than out here. I’ll get her hitched up and we can get going.”

Another nod, the man hunching forward as he scurries into the truck. This is the easy part, getting the damaged car hooked to the truck and freeing it from the snow. The hard part comes when they turn towards town, two hours of darkness and icy roads ahead of them. 

“I’m so sorry you had to come all this way. I, ah, did not intend to crash, nor to do so this far from help.”

“Hey, it’s what we’re here for. Gonna be slow goin on the way back, since it’ll be real fuckin embarassin to call a tow truck for a tow truck.”

A snicker, “I picture them as growing exponentially larger, like nesting dolls. A tow truck towing a tow truck towing a tow truck towing a car would be the size of a semi.”

Duck chuckles, “Yeah, it’d be a sight. And a fuckin nightmare for anyone who got behind it.”

The cab is warming nicely, so his passenger pulls back his hood. In the darkness he can tell the pale hair is metallic silver, and there’s a hell of a bruise blooming on his forehead. Duck’s never seen anyone quite like him, and if their survival didn’t depend on his concentration, he’d spend the next hour studying him.

“Damn, got banged up in the crash huh.”

“Yes.” The man gingerly touches the bruise, sighs, “It’s my own fault for being careless.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, nearly spun out on the way to get you from the damn black ice.”

“I wish I could say that was the sole cause, but I was also asleep.”

Duck bites back the urge to scold him; he wants him to be comfortable around him and besides, even if Duck is having a crappy night, this guy is having an even worse one.

“Wouldn’t be the first person who thought they could make it one more town before stoppin for the night and was wrong.”

“True. It’s just that, ah, I’ve been driving three days straight without sleep.”

“Jesus Christ, you on the lamb or somethin?”

In his periphery, he swears the taller man flinches. 

“No. Just having bad luck with a chaser of poor choices.”

“Gotcha.” Duck drums on the wheel, “so, uh, Mr. Wilde, what do you do when you ain’t stuck in the snow?”

“I draw. And Indrid is fine…” he peers awkwardly at Duck’s name tag, “Duck.”

“It’s a nickname.”

“Ah. Are you a mechanic as well as a driver?”

“Yep. Do it part-time when I’m not workin at the national forest. Friend of mine, Ned, runs the garage attached to the Cryptonomica.”

“I recall seeing that when I drove through. Quite the Jacks of all trades, you two,”

“Most of Kepler’s got more’n one job. It’s the kind of place that’s always losin fundin or people, just barely stayin afloat.”

“One sympathizes. Do you like your jobs?”

“Trained in forestry, so it’s always what I’ve wanted to do. The mechanic stuff,” Duck shrugs, “nice workin with my hands and beein able to help folks out. And I ain’t half bad at it.”

“I certainly appreciate your efforts. I--wait, hold on, I’m sorry but I need to…” he turns up the radio, playing what Duck assumed was Santa Baby from the melody.

“He is saying ‘buddy.’ What in the world? Why would you change it?”

“Can’t have the fella in the red velvet suit thinkin you’re gay.” Duck jokes. 

“Heaven forbid.” Indrid smiles, and Duck likes the expression so much he decides to see if he can get him to do it again.

“You wanna hear a slightly inappropriate joke?”

“Absolutely.”

“How come Santa don’t have any kids?”

“How come?”

“Because he only comes once a year and it’s down a chimney.”

There’s a beat and then Indrid guffaws, covering his face with his hands as his whole body shakes with amusement, “that was horrible, do you have any more?”

Thank god he’s got a wealth of bad jokes tucked in his brain. When he exhausts those he and Indrid trade brainteasers, stopping now and then to talk about their lives. The taller man asks Duck about his jobs, about the woods, and the town, and offers a few anecdotes in exchange. Duck senses they’re about they’re set in a time in his life that’s further away than Indrid would like. 

Indrid also readily shares the snacks from his small backpack. Duck eats what he can while still safely piloting the car. Then nearly takes them across the yellow line when Indrid unwraps a Starburst with his tongue, and prays the man will stay in Kepler long enough for Duck to take him to dinner.

-------------------------------------

Given he was expecting a painfully awkward trip at best, Duck’s friendliness is a welcome surprise. Now that they’ve been stuck in the car together for close to two hours, Indrid is confident saying this is most fun he’s had talking to someone in a long time, even before things went all to hell. 

It helps that Duck is the picture you’d get if you googled “Indrid Cold’s type”; sturdy, handsome in an unassuming way, undoubtedly pleasant to cuddle, with muscles that Indrid is positive could hold him up against a wall for at least a few minutes. In another life, one that’s so far away he fears he imagined it, he’d wait until they were done with the business portion of this evening, then slip Duck a card with his name in silver letters and his hotel room number on the back. The man is so genuine in his kindness too, Indrid feeling safer in the dark with him than he’s felt in years.

Which makes him feel even worse about what he’s going to do.

“Not too far now.” Duck turns the windshield wipers up a notch, “thank fuck for that.”

Indrid curls forward, holding his stomach, “I, ah, I really hate to say this, but I’m afraid my gas station lunch is coming back up.”

“Shit, okay, lemme pull over.” Duck guides the truck onto the side of the road, “do what you gotta do.”

His hands are on his lap, keys still dangling from the ignition. Indrid lunges over, grabbing them and trying to shove Duck into the door in one go. The mechanic is too fast, yanking the keys to his chest.

“What the fuck man!?”

“I’m so sorry about this!”

“Then fuckin stop!” Duck kicks, misses, and Indrid knees him in the stomach as gently as he can.

“I can’t, I need the truck.”

“Are you fuckin car-jackin me right now?”

“It’s not personal.” He gets the keys away, only for the world to flip ninety degrees as Duck tackles him backwards.

“It sure feels like it is!”

Indrid hoped that his survival instincts would kick in hard enough to make up for the exhaustion and that coupled with the element of surprise would bring him success. Instead, his limbs have no power behind them, and all he can do is curse when the driver flips him onto his stomach, trapping his hands behind his back and pinning him with his body weight. 

“Fuck.” It’s a pathetic noise for a pathetic man.

“Explain. Now.” Duck growls.

“I, I, you were right when asked if I was on the lamb.”

“....fuckin what?”

“It was a set up, and I finally, finally got free, and, and I will not go back, I can’t, but if I’m out a car I need a replacement and-”

“And you almost stole a truck that’s got a goddamn tracker in it.”

“Oh.” He presses his face to the seat in shame.

“Somethin tells me you ain’t a seasoned crook.”

“I’m not a criminal at all! I have no idea what I’m doing. I was just going to drive and drive until I hit the coast, I hadn’t even decided what to do after. I, I’m sorry, I waited until we got close to town so you wouldn’t be too far away to walk home safely. I, ah, I wasn’t prepared for having to do this to someone I like.”

Duck shifts above him, mutters, “what the fuck do I do now” to himself, and tightens his hold on Indrid’s wrists. 

Indrid whimpers, realizing with horror that his body responded to the mechanics of the fight but not it’s context.

Duck freezes at the noise, and when Indrid hazards a peek the mechanic is staring down in disbelief. 

“Are you fuckin hard from this?”

There’s no use in lying, he’s faced worse humiliation than this, “Some. Not on purpose. I, ah, I enjoy rough treatment.”

Duck’s face fills with bitter amusement, “And I like givin it. But not to fellas who nearly steal my truck. Fuckin figures the first guy to flirt with me is doin it for some other reason.”

“That’s not true, my plan involved no flirting.” Indrid huffs, “I was flirting because I think you’re handsome.”

More pressure on his back as Duck leans down to whisper in his ear, grinding against his ass, “Yeah? Were you hopin I’d fuck you in here? Or over the hood when we got back?”

“Maybe.” He manages a smirk.

“Hopin I’ll fuck you now?”

Indrid nods, but Duck doesn’t notice. The mechanic sits all the way back, releasing his hands, “too damn bad, because unlike you, I only take things with permission.”

“C-consider it granted.” 

The hand finds his back again, but instead of shoving or grabbing it strokes up and down, “Indrid, I’m serious. I ain’t doin anythin if the only reason you’re offerin is because you think I’ll hurt you if you don’t.”

“I’m not. I want this, Duck, I want to be with you.” He’s going back to jail one way or another after this, unwilling to consider the thought of hurting Duck to get the keys. He’d rather go back with one happy memory and a few minutes of fun freshly stored in his mind. 

There’s silence, Duck’s hand still as he thinks. Then it comes down hard on Indrid’s ass, “Okay sugar, happy to oblige you. Besides, seems to me you owe me an apology for that sorry excuse for a car theft.” 

Indrid moans loudly when Duck hauls onto his elbows and knees, though it’s the pet name that hits deeper than any of the much-welcome pain. The waistband of his dollar store sweatpants hits his thighs, there’s a pop of something plastic, and then a slick finger is teasing between his asscheeks. 

“Vaseline. Great for keepin your skin from cracking in the cold.”

The finger disappears and he whines, pushing his ass back and getting it slapped so hard he yelps. 

“Nice try. But this ain’t for you, it’s for me. Don’t got a condom and only got a tiny bit of this left and it ain’t enough to fuck you full on.”

“It’s alright, I like the pain, you could use spit or-”

“Nope” another slap, “that turns into the bad kinda pain real quick. Now open your fuckin legs.”

Indrid does so, gasps happily when Duck slides his lubed-up cock between his thighs. 

“Close ‘em and keep ‘em closed. Good, ohfuckyeah that’s good.” The thrusts are already fast, Ducks hands holding his hips in place, “fuck, tell you what sugar, you may be a shitty crook but you’re a damn good lay.”

“Yes.” Indrid moans, scrabbling for a hold on the upholstery.

“Shit, you do like it rough. Like it when I talk like that?” One hand comes down, petting Indrid’s head and brushing his hair away from where it’s stuck over his eyes. 

“So much, Duck, please, please, more, I want more AHgod!” Tears slip past his glasses as Duck hits the right side of his ass over and over again. He’s been treated like a criminal mastermind, made miserable because of it, so being nothing more than an eager piece of ass is a welcome change.

“Then I oughta tell you this is what you get for tryin to get one over on me. Think you can throw my ass out in the cold? Gonna turn yours so red you won’t be able to sit for a week.”

He’s so hard it isn’t even funny, and beneath the wonderful cycle of pain-relief-pain-relief his mind chants safesafesafesafe.

“Fuck, Indrid, I’m so fuckin lucky you tried that stunt on me, can’t wait to cum all over that cute little ass, ohyeah, fuck, fuckyeah.” He pulls out, cum spurting onto Indrid’s ass and legs and Indrid hears his own voice saying “thank you” as he does. 

As he’s contemplating what form of begging will earn him an orgasm, he’s flipped onto his back, one calloused hand pressing him down by the shoulder while the other jerks him off. He squeaks and squirms, one palm thwacking into the door as his right leg catches the steering wheel. 

“Sensitive, sugar?”

“Yes.”

“Shoulda thought of that before you bent over for me.”

“TechnicallyAH, you, you’re the one who bent me over.”

Duck jerks him extra hard in reply, grinning. The sight of him is just the right balance of menacing and protective that Indrid only needs two more bucks of his hips before he’s cumming. The mechanic works him through it, squeezing him roughly just to hear him whimper (Indrid’s certain of it).

He sits back and starts putting his clothes in order as Indrid lays there, panting from exertion and the weight of reality on his chest. 

“I don’t suppose you have something I can, ah, wipe off with before you take me to the station?” He asks softly.

“I’m not taking you to the police, Indrid.”

“What? Why?” He bolts up, his mind screaming that he shouldn’t ask too many questions lest it make Duck change his mind. 

“I’m not sure what kinda guy fucks someone and then hands them over to the cops, but I’m damn sure I don’t wanna be one.”

“You’d do that without even knowing the full truth?”

“Wouldn’t mind if you told me.” Duck starts the car, adds “seatbelt” as he pulls back onto the road. 

Indrid gets his pants up and buckles in, huddling in on himself, “As you probably guessed, my name isn’t Wilde. It’s Indrid Cold. Wilde was the man I stole that car from, who also had a very nice AAA plan it seems. I am, or was, an architect. Quite talented, if I do say so myself. And many other people said so, once upon a time. My firm got a contract with a certain large city to design and help build a bridge. I was head of design, and I was certain this would be the project that made my name. It did. Just not how I hoped.”

Duck slows down as they reach the edge of Kepler. 

“Have you ever heard of the Silverlake Bridge?”

“Ain’t that the one that collapsed a few years agooh, oh shit was that your bridge?”

“Yes. Halfway through the project, I became concerned that certain elements of the design would not be as stable as they needed to be and might collapse without warning. The higher ups said it would require a larger budget to do the new, far safer design, but gave me the go ahead to finish my proposal of the securer model. They accepted that design, and I thought that was the end of it. Turns out, they funneled the money needed for the better bridge into their own pockets, both my bosses and the representatives from the city. Unbeknownst to me, they built the weaker bridge. When it collapsed I” he takes a deep breath, the memories surfacing in a tidal wave, “I was shocked, and prepared to accept responsibility, as I could not understand how the design failed. It was only when the investigation revealed how it failed that I understood my warnings had been ignored and I was being set up as a fall guy. Not only for the collapse, but for the missing funds, my bosses swearing up one side and down the other that they’d given the money to me to manage. They’d had this planned for months, and so had built our communication in such a way that I had no proof the money hadn’t come to me. Thus I was blamed, tried, and convicted, and in the minds of many I am responsible for the death of 67 people.”

The engine shuts off and he looks up to see them in an auto garage. Duck is turned to him, face so sad and sympathetic that Indrid could almost believe..

“You think I’m telling the truth.”

“I know you are. Not sure how, but even though I ain’t much of a liar myself, I can usually tell when someone is bullshittin me.”

“I don’t want to go back to prison.” 

“You won’t.”

“Duck I, I can’t ask you to hide me, that could put you in danger of arrest.”

“There’s all of four cops in Kepler, and I’d bet my life no one here could pick you out of a line-up as a ‘disgraced architect Indrid Cold.’ And if we need a cover story, Ned’s got a knack for ‘em.”

“We?”

Duck cups his cheek and Indrid leans into it, “You and me. Indrid, I think fate is a load of bullshit, but I can’t shake the feelin me pickin you up tonight was meant to be. Lemme help you, please.”

Indrid sets his hand on Duck’s own, “Okay. Ah, where do I stay? I have fifty dollars left.”

“Could stay with me if you want. No strings attached.”

“Is that your way of letting me down gently?”

“My way of saying you don’t gotta fuck me to have a place to live. If you wanna fuck me just because, say the word and I’ll rail you into next week.”

“I’d like both those things so very much. Though right now all I want is to sleep.”

Duck leans forward, kissing him so chastely that the following lovebite is all the more thrilling.

“In that case, sugar, let’s get you home.”

[northcarolinanative]

𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗  /  𝙲𝚑 𝟷𝟷

Chapter 11: Surprise 

A/N: I know it’s been a hot minute since I posted a chapter. My bad. I also am trying to figure out my take on the season’s loose ends, which is hard because I have a lot of ideas, but have no idea how to execute them haha. Thank you all for the large amount of support, it means the world <3. As always Requests/ asks/ and DMs are open:) 

Description: John B’s Sister comes home from staying with their mom, only to find out that her brother is missing and her dad was murdered. JJ may have just lost his best friend. Her and JJ have to figure out what to do and how to pick up the pieces.

Need to catch up?  Full Collision Masterlist // (I just made it so please let me know if there are Issues:))

Pope quickly hurried JJ outside and down to the dock to cool off. I heard a small part of their conversation as they left. Pope told JJ that Rafe couldn't “Rot in a jail cell if he was dead.” That’s what I wanted. Rafe looked bad, and it served him right. He was a terrible person. He ran off my brother, and even his own sister to get away with his crimes. 

“So you were going to the Country Club to look for a job?” Kie questioned. She began to pack up the first aid kit. Still standing beside me, but she didn’t look up in my direction. 

“Yea” I swallowed, “Umm, I mean I’m gonna need money to keep things running over at the Chateau. I’d rather be here than back on the mainland. Mom has trips planned all summer, so it’s either on my own there or on my own here.” I finished with a sarcastic laugh. 

I saw Kie’s expression soften. She walked around the desk that I was still sitting on. When she opened the drawer it screeched so loud that I felt my eyebrows scrunch together. “Sorry,” Kie said. She walked over and leaned against the wall in front of me facing the desk. “One of the Waitresses, Vannessa, quit this morning, so there’s an opening.” She paused and looked at me for a reaction. “And If you can handle those jerks at the Country Club summer after summer I’m pretty sure you can handle a few tourons.” She joked, causing both of us to laugh. “I know it doesn’t begin to make up for what I said the other day at the Chateau, but I am really sorry.” 

I smiled in her direction, opening my arms. She made the short stride to the desk and we wrapped each other in our arms. We pulled away shortly after. “So what do you say? Wanna work at the infamous Wreck?” She smiled and winked in my direction. 

“Yes, I’d love to.” I smiled. I knew her father wasn’t too fond of her friends, so I was hoping that he would be just as on board with this as Kie was. 

“Okay, so I hate to do this to you but you’ll have to start pretty soon, the business has picked up since the ferry started running again. Follow me.” She said, leading us into a back room. “Here are two shirts, if you need more just let me know, and an apron and a book, you can leave those in the back room if you need to though.” We walked out into the dining room where Pope and JJ were standing by the door. “Got it?” Kie said with a smile.

“I think so,” I said looking at JJ who was poking at Pope, annoying him. I was glad Pope was able to calm JJ down from his short temper. I saw Kie look between JJ, who was now smiling like an idiot at me, and me, but she didn’t say anything. “So you’ll call when I get my first shift?” I questioned. 

“Yes ma’am.” She faked a professional tone, causing both of us to laugh. “Should be in the next few days.” 

“Alright. I’m gonna head home, today has been long enough, and its barley even the afternoon” I said rolling my eyes. “I just wanna relax now.” I gave Kie a sheepish smile and waved, walking over to the boys.

Pope seemed to get the memo as he waved to me. “Hope that cheek gets better, fighter.” He laughed before going to join Kie. 

“JJ make sure she ices that” Kie yelled to the two if you. JJ just held up two fingers and jokingly saluted her as we walked out the door. 

The short walk through the parking lot to my car was silent. Heavy, like everything, seemed to be these days. I tried to put my key in the door, but it was proving difficult. I had not realized how bad I was shaking until now. JJ noticed my hesitation before walking over to my side. I held my hand out in front of me, extending my fingers to see just how bad my hands were shaking. JJ reached up and grabbed my shaking hand in his. I looked up at him, scrunching my eyebrows together. 

“Why don’t you let me drive? You’re still quite shaken up Y/N.” I just nodded and placed the keys in his open hand. A smile formed on his face as he handed me the white paper bag in his hand. 

“What is this?” I asked. I didn’t see him holding it earlier. 

“I may have snuck some food when Mr.C wasn’t looking.” He smiled, sending me a wink before nodding at the car. I walked around to the side and got in. I sat the warm food on my lap. The engine sputtered as it finally turned over and started up. JJ and I both laughed a little, relieved that it started. 

Soft Reggae music filled the car, playing off the local radio station. The windows were rolled down, letting the salty air blow through the air. I looked over at JJ and the sun was hitting his face in a way that, not to be dramatic, looked angelic. At this moment things felt almost normal. It felt as if Rafe and Ward Cameron didn’t exist like John B would be waiting for us at the Chateau like Dad would be there with him. JJ pulled me from my quickly spiraling daydream, “I got you chicken tenders because I know you have the taste of a five year old.” He laughed. 

“I prefer the term ‘sophisticated palette,’” I spoke in a fake posh accent, instantly regretting it. “I’m never doing that again,” I said as we both laughed. JJ and I crossed the bridge taking us back over to the cut. “Kie gave me a job at The Wreck,” I said. 

JJ looked my way quickly before turning his eyes back toward the road. “So y’all made up or?” JJ trailed off. His limited knowledge of girls and their arguments showing. 

I laughed softly before continuing. “Yes,” I paused. “Don’t get me wrong I am still upset that she wasn’t supportive from the beginning, but she did apologize.”

“I’m glad she did. Honestly, you bring out a soft side in her. I think I can count on one hand the number of times that I’ve heard of Kie apologize to anyone” JJ laughed. 

“Did you tell Pope about last night?” I asked. 

“Oh, I didn’t think that they would take it well.” He said a hand reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. 

“Okay good. I was talking with Pope about how he was feeling, and I just don't want to give them a false sense of hope, ya know?” I looked out the window at the trees that lined the road. 

“Give them a false sense of hope?” JJ questioned, but quickly laughed. “Right, you were talking about the map and John B.” His face turned bright red. 

“Yes JJ,” I said smiling, realizing that he thought I was talking about the new dynamic forming between the two of us. . “I hope that you aren't running around kissing and telling JJ,” I said playfully pushing his shoulder. 

“Oh don’t you worry princess. Your secret’s safe with me.” He said, causing us both to laugh again. His hand reached over to grab mine, which had managed to stop shaking significantly and giving it a reassuring squeeze. JJ had managed to help relax my mind by being his usual joking self. The rest of the short ride back to the Chateau returned to the soft music playing from the radio. JJ’s hand at some point had left mine and was now resting on my leg just above my knee, not that I was complaining. 

When we arrived at the house JJ helped me carry in the food as we sat on the couch on the back porch, overlooking the water, while we ate. On the table in front of us sat our meals and the map from the night before. JJ and I were looking over it just to see if we could find any other potentials as promising as the cargo ship. We didn’t. 

JJ finished his meal by pushing the last fry into his already full mouth. He chewed while tapping the line repeatedly. “This ship” He paused to swallow, “is it.” 

I followed the line down the ship onto the edge of the page where it stopped, just as it moved across to the South Carolina Border. I grabbed the ship log. “It says here that the ship was making one stop in Nassau.” I looked over at JJ, who had leaned back, kicking his feet up onto the table.  “So what’s next?” I questioned, leaning back into the worn couch. 

“Me?” JJ pointed to his face, a shocked look on his face. “This is all on you Nancy Drew, I’m like scooby doo, here for comedic relief and treats.” His voice coated with sarcasm as he sent a wink in my direction. 

“Well Scooby, you need to do something to earn your treats, don’t you? You don’t get rewarded for sitting there and being pretty.” I rolled my eyes. 

JJ shifted closer to me on the couch. “So you think I’m pretty?” He laughed. 

My face turned bright red. “Maybe? Don’t push it.” 

“You look tired,” JJ said softly. He laid into me, resting against my chest, looking up at my face. 

“Wow, I call you pretty and you call me tired. I don’t know if this is going to work buddy.” I let out a sarcastic laugh. 

“You know what I mean Y/N.” He reached up with his hand, running the back of his fingers across the bruise and cut on my face, his eyes intense on the mark. He then moved to trace the now darkened bruise on my neck. I felt my breath hitch in my throat as he did. His eyes moved quickly to meet mine. We seemed locked in that position, looking into each other’s eyes. I felt like I was searching for something. I was always seeming to be searching for something. I saw his eye flick down to my mouth, where I subconsciously, licked my lips. 

JJ took that as a cue to move forward. He pressed his lips against mine. The kiss was gentle at first, but quickly became more heated. He moved from his position. He used his legs to crawl on top of me, situating himself between my legs. One of his arms holding himself up, the other found its way to my waist. The intimacy of the moment only making things hotter. The kiss was becoming sloppier, as my hands found my way into JJ’s hair, messing it up. JJ’s mouth started to move. He started my chin and up my jaw towards my ear, opposite of the bruises. His other hand came up to cradle my face. His fingers hit right at the cut on my cheek. I pulled away with a faint ‘ouch’. 

That was enough of JJ to stop completely and pull away. He moved to sit up, pulling me with him. “That was”

“Hot.” I finished for him, with a smile. I could feel that my face was hot and probably the color of a tomato. 

He smiled at me, biting his now red and swollen lips. “You know, I’m really liking getting used to this.” He chuckled pointing between the two of us. “I’ll be right back.” He stated, before standing up and walking back into the chateau. I looked out over the water. The wind was a bit heavier today, causing the sound to be rougher than usual. The small waves were lapping against the shore, mixed with the soft rustle of the leaves, making a rather calming noise. I laid back down, feeling a wave of exhaustion run over me. I closed my eyes and let the feeling of relaxation take over. 

I heard the porch door swing open, signaling that JJ had returned, but I kept my eyes closed. My eyes shot open, causing me to sit up when something cold landed on my face. I reach to grab it, finding JJ smiling and holding a bag of frozen peas. I gave him a questioning look. 

“What Kie said that you need to ice your face?” He said, shrugging. JJ crawled back to my side. His head resting on my chest once again. He put the peas over my injured eye. “I also didn’t want to bother you too much. You should sleep” He said with a faint smile. 

I nodded, letting my eyes close, one hand holding the peas to my eyes, the other mindlessly in JJ’s hair. I focused back on the sound of the waves, and the rustling leaves, or the way that JJ had pulled his arm around me bringing me closer, or the way that his hand was drawing small patterns on my back through my shirt. I felt myself beginning to drift off into sleep. 

I was woken up to a loud banging noise. I jumped but felt JJ’s weight still on top of me. “JJ, Wha–.” My words quickly interrupted as JJ quickly put his hand over my mouth. I saw his eyes wide as he sunk further into the couch. 

“We need to get out of here,” He said, in a voice so soft it was barely a whisper. “Follow me.” He slid off the couch, grabbing the keys off the table, staying low. He grabbed my hand, pulling me with him. I followed his actions. 

A loud booming voice made me jump once again. “Surprise Maybank.” I heard a crash of something breaking inside. ”Payback time you little Bitch.” 

I looked at JJ, with wide eyes and he cursed, trying to pull us off the porch. I heard doors opening and closing doors loudly in the house while banging on the wall. JJ was slowly pushing open the screen door so that it wouldn’t screech. He held it so it wouldn’t slam as we continued down the steps. 

The loud male voice boomed again. “Went to see your old man Maybank.” I looked at JJ as his head snapped up to look at the house. JJ pushed me up against the house as the male figure exited through the back porch door. I looked at JJ, I could feel how wide my eyes were, but what scared me the most was the fear in JJ’s eyes. “Said you hadn’t been around in a few days. Thought you’d be here, I’d hate to go rough up your girl Kiara, or your boy Pope who tried to choke out Country Club.” I saw the man standing on the steps of the porch. I shot JJ a questioning glance at what the man had just said. He was short, but fairly muscular. He wore a bandana covering his lower half of his face, black curly hair falling around it. In his hand was a short barrel shotgun, one he obviously wasn’t afraid to use. JJ quickly pulled us around the corner of the house before the man could see us. 

“JJ what the hell is going on?” I whisper. JJ just holds up a hand to silence me. He’s still standing in front of me, my back to the outside wall of the house. He moved to look over around the corner. I heard the door to the house shut again and I was being pulled toward the trees surrounding the house. I looked to the driveway catching a glimpse of the blue charger parked there before I was pulled by my hand to the woods by JJ. 

Taglist: @nikki082489 @lovelymaybankk @dolanfivsosxox @alexa-playafricabytoto @downbytheouterbanks @heyhargrove @heywards​ @kayln021 @readysteadygo23​ @im-a-stranger-thing​ @thatsonobx​ @dumbxgurl​ @ameeraaa21@zehnuhrfunf​ @imagines-and-preferences1216​ @mileven-reddie​ @sw-eat-ing​ @tangledinsparkles @shawnssongs @karleeluv 

If you wanna be added to a tag list please send me an ask, it makes it easier to keep up with:) if your user is crossed out it wouldn’t let me tag you? Full Masterlist 

[canonicallyobserving911]

Seven + Two Sentences Sunday

Fanonwriter2023 on AO3

Where CANON and FANON collide!

FANON speculation for season 7

Chapter 11 will be posted soon!

Buddie Multi-Chapter Fanfic - Hiatus Reading: “I’m still in love with you but... I needed to learn how to love myself too!” 

I’m excited to finish writing Chapter 11 because at the end of Chapter 10, both Buck and Eddie had therapy assignments to complete but instead of asking each other for help to fill in the gaps of their memories, they asked other people who were there during the shooting and the lightning strike. Eddie asked Captain Mehta but he told him that he should ask Buck for details about the shooting. Buck asked Chimney but he told him that he should talk to Eddie to get details about how he got down from the aerial and to learn what happened after they made it to the hospital. On August 31st, Eddie asked Buck to join him for his session that's scheduled for Friday, September 1st and Buck asked Eddie to join him for his session which he rescheduled for the same day so they wouldn't have to do separate visits. After they ended their phone call, they were both worried they wouldn't be able to go to therapy and explain what happened to the other one without making a love confession👀.

___________

Here are seven nine sentences from Chapter 11 of one of Buck's and Eddie's conversations.

___________

Buck’s so damn frustrated but he knows he didn’t come over here to argue with Eddie.  He came because the universe keeps screaming at him and he understands they’re running out of time but he still has a lot more to say.

He meets Eddie’s eyes and exclaims, “Eddie!  You’re always hiding things from me!  Always!”

Eddie raises his eyebrows and leans back.  “What?  What else have I been hiding?”

Buck leans forward, he sits his water on the table, he looks back at him and says, “Well… do you want me to list them because I can?”

___________

Fic Summary: Months after Buck and Eddie were hit by the same lightning strike; they’re still struggling with the aftermath of it.  But before they make their love confessions, they’ll spend time getting to know themselves as individuals first. Eddie learns to enjoy the simple things in life as he participates in activities on his own and with new friends while Buck learns the rest of the 31-year-old deep dark family secret about his conception and birth. Their journey to forever is still a work in progress but once they finally admit they’re in love with each other, everything that follows their love confessions will be cataclysmic.

__________

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1 -Eddie makes a new friend while Buck receives devastating news regarding the sperm donation he made for Connor and Kameron.

Chapter 2 - Buck does a lot of research to learn more about the abnormalities found in his red blood cells and Eddie starts a new therapy journey that’s all about him and not the traumas he’s experienced.

Chapter 3 -After more than a month, Buck and Eddie finally spend time together outside of work but it doesn’t end well and they part with a lot of uncertainty regarding their places in each other’s lives.

Chapter 4 - Eddie has a few realizations about his life which causes him to consider moving back to El Paso, TX while Buck continues to be reminded of his past which causes him to take an impromptu road trip across America.

Chapter 5 - Both Buck and Eddie have difficult conversations with their parents and Buck finally learns the truth behind the reason why his mother despised him while Eddie finally tells his mother about the way she tries to control him.

Chapter 6 - More than two weeks after Buck pushed Eddie away after suggesting they needed a break; Eddie decides to try again. Eddie’s there for Buck when he’s at his worst just like Buck was there for him when he was at his worst and he won’t let Buck give up.

Chapter 7 - After Buck’s mental breakdown, Eddie has his back the same way Buck had his when he had his own breakdown more than a year ago.  They share several vulnerable and emotionally intimate moments with one another and they begin to realize their small, sweet and caring gestures matter just as much if not more than any grand gesture ever could because these are part of the foundation when a couple builds a long-lasting love relationship.

Chapter 8 - Buck, Eddie and Chris all have their own therapists and during their sessions, they reflect on their pasts while they’re in the present so they can prepare for their future together as a family.

Chapter 9 - Buck and Eddie are there for each other when Buck has to testify as a witness during the trial.  But by the end of it, they’ll both realize their individual and shared traumas are going to keep resurfacing until they talk about them, deal with the fact that they’re in love with one another and face the fact that they can’t live without each other.

Chapter 10 - As Buck and Eddie finally begin to confront their past traumas, they realize how much they need each other to fill in the gaps of their memories.  Additionally, the universe screams at them for what appears to be the one hundredth time so Buck can realize he doesn’t have to ‘find it’ because he already ‘made it’ and Eddie’s reminded tomorrow isn’t promised and he doesn’t have to die alone if he doesn’t want to.

Chapter 11 - Will be posted soon.

__________

I’m enjoying writing this fic because it’s giving me the chance to unravel the mess that was the 6x18 ending for Buck, Eddie and Chris.  Also, it’s taking them places the show refuses to go including Buck finally having a mental breakdown and Eddie being there for him the same way he was there for Eddie in season 5.

Buddie Multi-Chapter Fanfic - Hiatus Reading

Read chapters 1 - 10 are already available on AO3.

[lady-wallace]

Whumptober Day 28: “Such wow, Many normal, Very Oops” (Supernatural)

Day Twenty-Eight: Such Wow, Many Normal, Very Oops

Prompts used: accidents, hunting season

Fandom: Supernatural Season 5

Read on Ao3

Read on FF.net

~~~~~~~

Dean dragged himself back over to Sam, collapsing beside his brother with a gasp.

"Dean?" Sam murmured.

"Don't move," Dean told him worriedly. "I'm just gonna try to clean this up, okay?"

Sam hummed, and nodded before wincing. Dean was afraid he had a concussion, though that was only one of their many worries right now.

Sam's leg was worse.

He didn't know why they always seemed to have the worst luck. It wasn't enough for Sam to get mauled by a black dog out in the middle of nowhere, but Dean had also gotten shot. By a hunter.

And not their kind of hunter. The kind who usually only shot Bambi's mom. That's just what happened when you were out in the woods during hunting season, he supposed. Still. The guy could have been a little more responsible.

The guy might have even gone for help if he hadn't been mauled by the same black dog that had gotten Sam.

Overall, this trip, which was supposed to be a milk run, ended up with both of them unable to walk out of the woods, and no cell service to call for help.

Dean had tried praying to Cas but the angel couldn't fly anymore what with being cut off from heaven and all, so he didn't know when or if he was going to get there. Or if he'd even heard him.

Dean turned to Sam with the river water he'd grabbed, soaking his last clean handkerchief and trying his best to flush the wounds in Sam's thigh and side. His brother flinched and whimpered. Dean worriedly noted the redness of the wounds and the heat of Sam's skin. He had a fever, and was terrified that sepsis would set in if they stayed out here too much longer without even the ability to clean the wounds properly. He hadn't even had his flask on him. Dean was lucky the same thing hadn't happened to him, though that might have been because he'd removed the bullet from his own leg in the running water of the stream making extra careful to wash the wound. He'd thrown up from the pain, but it had probably helped keep it from getting infected. Unfortunately, he couldn't drag Sam over to the stream. He could barely drag himself.

It was overall a bad situation. The only really good thing was that it felt like the apocalypse couldn't reach them out here.

Silver lining and all, Dean supposed wryly.

Sam cried out as Dean flushed the tender wounds as well as he could. "Easy," he murmured, patting his brother's chest.

"D-Dean," Sam swallowed hard. "N-no point in…"

"Shh," Dean hushed him. "It's better than nothing. And don't worry, we'll get help. It's hunting season, remember? Someone will be around eventually."

But it had been what? Two, three days now? Dean wasn't even sure anymore, and no one had crossed their path. They were deep in the woods.

Dean felt his brother's temperature again, and sat back, wincing as he stretched his own bad leg out. He looked up at the trees and closed his eyes. Cas, come on. If you can hear me…we really need help.

XXX

Bobby Singer wasn't really surprised to see the angel at his door, but he was surprised to see him without Sam and Dean.

Of course, his unasked questions were answered only a second later.

"Sam and Dean are in trouble," the angel said without greeting or preamble.

Bobby sighed wearily. When were those idjits not in trouble? "I'll go get my stuff."

Ten minutes later, he was on the road with an angel riding shotgun.

"You said Dean prayed to you?" Bobby asked.

Castiel nodded. "Yes, I can only assume their phones aren't working. They must be far out in the woods."

Bobby nodded. He knew the area they had been heading to, but he didn't know how deep they'd had to go. Truth be told, he felt a little guilty for not noticing their absence. He'd been so caught up in research that he hadn't realized it was two days later and the boys hadn't so much as called in. Usually cases involving black dogs weren't that complicated.

"Once we get there, will you be able to sniff them out?" Bobby asked.

Castiel frowned, glancing over at him. "I'm… not a hunting dog. And with the angel proof markings I put on their ribs, I won't be able to tell that it's them. I may be able to sense their human souls, however. But I'm not at full power, otherwise I would have simply flown there when Dean prayed to me."

"I know, I know," Bobby said, annoyed, but it wasn't the angel's fault.

When they got to the woods, Bobby pulled up at the head of the nearest trail and got out, slinging his bag over one shoulder and his rifle over the other.

Bobby glanced at the map that was set up. "Well, if no one has found them yet, then best guess is that they're probably out there." He tapped a spot with no trails listed. "There are probably only a few hunters who would go out there, the ones who mean business, but they still might not have come across the boys." Or, there was the other possibility, of course, that Bobby refused to think about. But if Dean had prayed to Cas not that long ago, then they had to still be alive.

"Well, let's go," Bobby said and they started off into the woods.

XXX

Dean tried to keep Sam as cool as possible. He should probably try to drag him down to the river, but he honestly didn't think he had the strength. He might not have any choice later, but right now, he would stick to hobbling back and forth for fresh water with the makeshift crutch he had made out of a branch. For now, about all the energy he had left was spent just sitting there, Sam's head resting on his good leg.

Sam made a sound of discomfort and shifted. Dean stroked his filthy hair out of his eyes, placing the cool cloth on his forehead, mouth pinching with worry. He was sure that Sam's fever had risen just within the last hour.

"Just hold on, Sammy," he whispered to his brother. "Please."

Sam just whimpered in pain and his face contorted as his body shifted slightly.

Dean leaned his head back against the trunk of a tree and closed his eyes.

"Cas, come on," he prayed, really hoping the angel could hear him. "We really need you here, buddy."

Maybe he was hoping for a miracle that would never come. After all, the angel, like the rest of them, seemed to be out of miracles.

XXX

Bobby and Cas stood over the remains of what appeared to be a hunter. The shredded camouflage jacket and rifle near his hand being the only real indication. They'd have to use dental records to identify him.

"Must have tangled with the black dog the boys were hunting," Bobby mused, wincing at the smell. The body had to be a couple days old now. Already picked over by the forest scavengers.

"Then maybe Sam and Dean aren't too far," Castiel said.

They continued on until Bobby stopped, seeing another corpse.

"Cas."

The angel turned and they studied a large black dog, lying dead, shot multiple times.

"They can't be far from here. Sam! Dean!" Bobby called.

Castiel joined the call and they hurried on until the angel stopped.

"Bobby, there's a river and…I can feel them, I think."

Relief flooded the old hunter as he and the angel raced in the direction Cas was indicating.

And there they found the boys. His boys. Alive.

Bobby thanked whoever might be listening and hurried forward, Cas on his heels.

"There you are," he said.

Dean was sitting with his back against a tree, Sam's head in his lap, and he looked up, eyes wide as if in disbelief as he saw Bobby coming.

"B-Bobby, Cas," he breathed. "That really you?"

Bobby knelt down beside them and reached out and cup Dean's face, smiling. "Yeah, it's really me, ya idjit. What the hell happened?"

"Black dog got Sammy, and…that poor bastard shot me on accident."

Bobby remembered the dead hunter and glanced down at Dean's leg where dirty strips of his shirt were tied tightly around it.

"Sam has a fever," Castiel said, brow furrowed as he knelt as well and touched Sam's forehead.

"Yeah, he's…not doing well," Dean said, swallowing hard. "We need to get him to the hospital."

"I can call the rangers, I have a satellite phone."

"No need," Castiel said and gently shifted Sam away from Dean and up over his shoulder. Sam moaned, but stayed completely unconscious. "As long as Dean can walk out of here."

"I'll make it," Dean grunted, already pushing himself to his feet.

Bobby caught his arm and helped. "You sure, son? It's a long way."

"Better than waiting for them to find us," Dean said and grabbed a makeshift crutch, leaning on that and Bobby as they followed Cas.

"Man am I glad you found us," Dean said quietly. "Thanks."

Bobby smiled and squeezed Dean's shoulder. "Anytime."

Later when they finally got to the hospital and Sam and Dean were both taken care of and fed and medicated, Bobby found them in Sam's room. The younger Winchester was still unconscious, but the doctor had said he would make a full recovery once he rested for a few days. He'd still somehow managed to avoid sepsis setting in, despite everything, so with some antibiotics he would be back to normal soon enough.

Dean had obviously made his way to his brother room, with his real crutches and he now sat, slumped, beside the bed, bad leg stretched out and head pillowed on his arms at Sam's shoulder.

Cas sat on the other side of Sam's bed, watching over both of them, their guardian angel. He looked up as Bobby came in.

"They're both going to be fine," he said, seeming to share Bobby's relief.

Bobby nodded, the last of the tension in his chest finally releasing. He pulled up another chair, and sat down to watch over all three of his boys.

[withabackpackandcamera]

Third Time’s The Charm! Iceland Summer 2021 Trip Reflections

Though slightly different in feel and activities when compared to previous trips, this latest installment of Iceland travels was fun and productive in its own way. 

When I helped plan this trip with Minh, because it was my third time to Iceland, it was important that I was able to visit and see places and do things that I hadn’t done before so that I could at least experience novel things, which can sometimes be difficult if you visit a country so many times. So it was a balancing act between letting others choose places they wanted to go, even if it meant that I had to revisit a ton of places, and choosing new places that I wanted to go. Of course, a lot of the places I asked to visit (because I had never visited them before) were time-consuming trips that led us to beautiful places located in difficult-to-get-to areas. And those characteristics made it slightly difficult to convince others on the trip that these places were worth the trouble. Or to convince myself that in our tight schedule, it would be worth it to spend a lot of time driving somewhere just to see one thing. 

It’s always a little difficult (as I have learned more and more over the years traveling with my family) to travel the way you are used to traveling (i.e. solo or with only your partner) or want to travel when with others, especially your older parents, or with people who prioritize things that you don’t necessarily prioritize. These differences always lead to arguments or tempers, especially when people are tired or sleep deprived, especially for us on this trip. But at the end of the day, despite the messy mood in the car from time to time, Cynthia and the family genuinely enjoyed this trip to Iceland. Which, at the end of it all, is the most important thing. 

And the success of our Iceland trip was really due to a few things. 

Volcano chasing. Despite the unpredictability of erupting volcanoes and weather conditions in Iceland, we were fortunate enough to check off “active volcano eruption” from our life bucket lists. The biggest reason I decided to plan a trip to Iceland was to see the volcano. And luckily, not only were we able to see the eruption at Geldingadalsgos once, we were actually blessed with great conditions and were able to make it 2 for 2 in terms of successful trips to the erupting volcano. Not everyone who has attempted to see the erupting volcano/vent can say that.

Beautiful, non-rainy Icelandic weather. In Iceland, you can never predict the weather you’re going to get the next hour, the next day, throughout the next week. It’s always so unpredictable. And when the weather does turn sour, it turns horribly sour. Luckily for us, this trip was blessed with beautiful weather the entire 10 days we were there. We barely got even a sprinkle of rain on this trip. The wettest we probably got was at Dynjandi. And the windiest it got was our hike to the volcano on our first day. Otherwise, we were super lucky. It’s rare that you enjoy an Icelandic road trip with 80-90% of the time there filled with sunlight from the never-setting sun. 

4WD and Waterfalls. The biggest difference between this trip and the two previous trips I took to Iceland was having a 4x4 car. Especially in the summer, having a 4x4 car in Iceland does wonders for travelers who are into nature and photography. Because we had a 4WD, we could drive comfortably and fast on gravel and dirt roads without feeling like our tires would die or we could mess something up. And because we had a 4WD, we could drive up mountain F roads and get to and see places that none of us had ever seen before, providing us, especially me and Minh, with brand new landscapes to view and capture. To be able to get off the main road and drive into the less-traveled interior of Iceland was amazing and something that I will do every time I go to Iceland going forward, weather and season permitting. And even though we didn’t get to see a ton in the highlands, the few things we did see were totally worth paying for 4WD! 

Meeting up with friends in Iceland. On any international trip, it’s always awesome to be able to find time to meet with friends on your trip because it’s very rare that 1) you have friends in another country you can reach out to and meet up with and 2) you have friends from the States visiting somewhere at the same time as you are and whose itinerary intersects with yours, especially in a place like Iceland. For us, we were fortunate to not only meet up, eat with, and hike with our very good friends from Colorado, Maggie and Ben, but to also randomly run into Bryce Kam, a Stanford tennis class buddy, and his wife Ruby in the streets of Reykjavik. On top of that, despite a loaded schedule, we were able to successfully meet up with three groups of local Icelandic friends that I had kept in touch with over the years. Thorsteinn and Thordis. Sveinn and Kristin. And Kristin. It’s hard enough to find time in people’s busy schedules to meet up. But when you’re on a tight schedule yourself, it speaks volumes to how great your friends are when they make time to see you. So very thankful for my friends in Iceland and all over the globe who are always willing and excited to meet up when I visit! 

Lodging Options. For the most part, we had great and comfortable relatively budget-friendly lodging options while in Iceland. Though we moved from place to place pretty frequently, we were able to enjoy ourselves in relatively comfortable AirBnBs, cabins, guesthouses, hotels, and suites at every stop along the way. And not only were the rooms comfortable, but the non-AirBnBs served great breakfasts. And the AirBnBs were conveniently located for downtown city explorations.  

Traveling with Money. Traveling with money makes a huge difference in how comfortable you are on a trip and, sometimes, how much fun you can have on a vacation. And we definitely had fun while being relatively comfortable on this trip. Because this was the first time the now-fully-employed little kiddos planned and spent money on a family trip. With a financial cushion, we paid a little more to stay at nicer places. We ate nicer meals without feeling like we had to cut corners and be cheap to save money. We rented a 4x4 automatic midsize SUV, which is much more expensive than the regular cars we usually rent, which allowed us the opportunity to see new areas. And Cynthia and I were able to do an impromptu horseback riding trip without feeling like we were breaking the bank and emptying our wallets. And compared to how I traveled to Iceland as a poor pre-med student in 2013, this experience was totally different because of the financial flexibility that I earned for my hard work over all of these years. 

Of course, with all the good parts of the trip listed above, there were aspects of the trip that I wish had been a bit better. I wish the lighting, the skies, and the overall photography conditions were better. Even though you have almost 24 hours of sunlight, sometimes, that’s not necessarily a good thing for trip-limited landscape photography. I wish the eruption in Geldingadalir and Fagradalsfjall was crazier with cool-looking lava waterfalls and lava streams and lava spews the two times we went so that my photographs would have turned out awesome-r. But unfortunately, it only started getting really cool about a week after we left, with the volcano now way more active (in spurts) and now overflowing with lava rivers and lava waterfalls carving their way through the dark landscape and dark nights. I wish we had maybe 5 to 7 more days in Iceland. If we did, we could have slowed things down and spaced out our driving a little more so that we didn’t feel like we were driving most of the day. With more time, we would’ve been able to sleep in on more days. With more time, we would’ve been able to fit in some of the sights that we skipped due to time constraints (though part of the trip’s time constraints was due to something we couldn’t have predicted or planned for). And with more time, we would’ve been able to spend more time in Reykjavik soaking up the city life and meeting up with friends without having to stuff it all into a 24-hour period. 

But at the end of the day, we made the most of our trip, saw spectacular things, had fun with the family and with friends, and made it home safely. You can’t really ask for anything more than that when going on a slightly last-minute trip during the COVID pandemic with older parents and with Cynthia working remotely and making a huge trip out of the original idea of solo volcano hunting. Nothing is perfect but at least we all had a great time and came home with great memories and photos to share! 

And to end my trip reflection, just a quick word/phrase dump of things that I’ll remember most from Iceland v3: 

Erupting Volcano/Vent With No Name. Geldingadalir. Fagradalsfjall. Highland Waterfalls. Zooming with 4WD. Midnight Sun. Gravel Roads. Cynthia Half-Days. Colorful Puffins. Chasing Waterfalls. Short and Stubby Horses. Sunrise and Sunset. Friends. 2021 Kia Sportage. Myvatn. Friendly Locals. Good Food. Homecooking. Restaurants. Sleep Deprivation. Engagement Photos. Third Time. Fjords. F Roads. Right Heel Pain. Photos Galore. Midnight Volcano Hike. COVID-19. Mom and Icelandic Names. Windy. Lupines. Hikes. Free Delicious Breakfasts. Trip Delay. Pandemic Travels. 

Trip Superlatives

Best Waterfalls:

1. Haifoss

2. Sigöldugljúfur

3. Dynjandi

4. Svartifoss

5. Hrafnabjargafoss

6. Aldeyjarfoss

7. Kirkjufellsfoss

8. Skogafoss

9. Seljalandsfoss

10. Goðafoss

Best Photo Opps:

1. The Geldingadalsgos Eruption

2. The Colorful Puffins at Borgarfjörður eystri

3. The Icelandic Wildflowers Everywhere

4. Vestrahorn at Sunrise

5. The South Highland Waterfalls (Haifoss and Sigöldugljúfur)

Most Incredible Views:

1. The Geldingadalsgos Eruption

2. The Lupine Fields in South Iceland

3. The Colorful Puffins at Borgarfjörður eystri

4. Dynjandi Waterfall and Cascade

5. The South Highland Waterfalls (Haifoss and Sigöldugljúfur)

6. Fjord Views in the East Fjords

7. Sunset/Sunrise Skies

Best Hike:

1. Erupting Volcano/Vent-Viewing Hike at Geldingadalsgos

2. Dynjandi Waterfall Hike in the Westfjords

3. Svartifoss Hike at Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park

Most Underwhelming Sights:

1. Asbyrgi Canyon

2. Aldeyjarfoss

3. Vestrahorn at Sunset

Best Accommodation:

1. Sel Hotel Myvatn in Myvatn

2. Our AirBnBs in Akureyri and Reykjavik

3. Black Beach Suites Outside of Vik

Best Homemade Meals:

1. Huy’s Icelandic Hot Dogs for Lunch

2. Modge Podge Leftovers Mi Xao for Dinner

3. Hot Sausage/Egg/Bread for Breakfast

Best Restaurant Meal:   

1. Lunch at Salka in Husavik

2. Dinner at The Restaurant at Sel Hotel Myvatn in Myvatn

3. Dinner at Strondin Pub in Vik

Best Accommodation Breakfast:

1. Breakfast Spread at Sel-Hotel Myvatn in Myvatn

2. Breakfast Spread at Malarhorn Guesthouse

3. Breakfast at Guesthouse Nypugardar

Best Dessert/Bakery:

1. Pastries at Sandholt Reykjavik on Laugavegar in Reykjavik

2. Soft-Serve Ice Cream at Ísbúðin Akureyri

3. Orange Cheesecake from Blaa Kannan Cafe in Akureyri

4. Pastries from Kristjan’s Bakari in Akureyri

Best Road Trip Snack:

1. Savory Snacks (Chips, Chex Mix)

2. Fruit Snacks

3. Pastries and Baked Goods

[notyetneedcoffee]

Got To Stay Warm Somehow

Pairing: Stucky x Reader

Warnings: NSFW, +18, threesome, DPs, super smutty

Author’s Note: Thanks to everyone for the great feedback! I’m going to be starting a tag list this weekend, so if you’re interested, please let me know!

* * *

It started as a simple recon mission in the woods in Northern Canada. They got into the bunker, extracted what little intel was to be found and headed for home. The suspected threats turned out to be greatly over-exaggerated, so the two old friends just decided to enjoy the road trip to a bigger city where Stark could send a plane.

Unfortunately, the sky decided to dump a season’s worth of snow all at once.  

They made it to a collection of log cabins, one seeming to be a lodge, before the roads became completely impassible. Inside they found the old couple who ran the lodge, their daughter-in-law and three grandkids. The son happened to be a long haul trucker out on a job. A handful of guest, locals who gathered for the storm. And a lovely bartender, you, who was the only one with a smile.  

“Well,” Steve turned off the power to his cell phone. “We’re stuck until the storm passes. They’re not going to drop in a jet if we’re not in danger.”

“Does being trapped with Boris Karloff and his uglier brothers count?” Bucky glanced over at three lanky, creepy looking guys sitting at the table in the corner.  

“That’s the Wilkins brothers.” You set down a tray with beer bottles and bar snacks. You slipped into the spare seat. “They live in a shack up here. Real reclusive. Frankly, they make me want to shower every time they look at me.” You cracked open one of the beers and took a swig. “The other’s aren’t so bad, though.”

“So,” Cap opened his own bottle and leaned back in his chair. “You don’t really seem to fit in. Why are you out here in the middle of nowhere?”

“Used to live in Chicago. High stress job, not enough money, too many people, way too much stress for a treadmill existence.” You smiled. “In the span of a couple months I lost my mom to an aneurysm, my brother to a motorcycle accident because he was a stupid shit and driving drunk, and my dad to a heart attack. He couldn’t take the loss. I was at work one day and just stopped. I looked around and thought, what the hell am I doing? I’m wasting the life I’ve got. So I packed up my suitcase, my cameras, and just started driving.”

“Cameras?” Bucky asked.

“I sell my photos. Nature, landscapes, wildlife. This place is amazing, when you can see through the snow storm.” You smiled at him. He was gorgeous. They both were. When Bucky’s smile widened, your mind swirled with so many dirty thoughts.

“You’re an artist, then.” Steve beamed at you too.  

“Yep.” You grinned, leaning forward. “So are you in this hole in the wall to save the world, or just find a warm spot?”

Bucky laughed. Steve looked sheepish.

“You got a warm spot for a couple road weary soldiers?” Bucky teased.  

Oh shit, the man had trouble written all over him. You wanted to climb him like a tree. “Oh, I’ve got a warm spot.”

The next few hours were spent talking, laughing, flirting. The snow got deeper and the rooms got colder. Eventually, everyone went to bed.  

* * *

You sat in the middle of your little bed, wrapped in a quilt. It was freezing. The old heaters couldn’t keep up. Beside being cold you couldn’t take your mind off the two sexy super soldiers sharing the only remaining guest room. It was over the unused dining room. They were probably colder in there than you were.  

Then again, you had a wicked idea to work up some body heat. It had been a while and you really wanted to get laid. They were both attractive, both flirted with you. You couldn’t tell who was more interested. What if…? A truly wicked image filled your mind. Oh, fuck, you’d always wanted…

You found yourself standing at their door, wearing nothing but a button up flannel nightshirt that barely covered your ass and a pair of cotton panties.  

Bucky opened the door, leaning against the frame, taking you in. “Hey, Doll. Come on in.”

“I just wanted to let you know the heaters are crapping out. So it’s going to get cold when we have to just rely on the fireplaces.” You rocked on you bare feet.  

“We’ll have to be sure not to freeze to death, then.” His blue eyes lit with mischief, and more than a little lust.  

“I can think of a way we can keep warm.” You grinned wickedly at Bucky.

“Well, Doll.” He ran his hands up and down your arms. His hands drifted over your shoulders, across your collarbone and down to top of your breasts. “I really like the sound of that, but I don’t think my buddy Steve would appreciated it much.”

Just over his shoulder Steve intensely stared at the two of you.

You reached up and pulled Bucky’s head down to yours, kissing him hard before breathing into his mouth. “Can he join us?”

Bucky’s eyes went wide for a moment before the corner of his lip twitched up. “That’s up to him.”

You took the few steps to Steve, his blue eyes gone dark. Touching his strong chest, shoulders, sharp jaw, you licked your lips. “Well? Do you want to fuck me, too?”

He swallowed, remaining silent. Steve’s eyes drifted past your mouth, down to your breasts. They flicked up to Bucky, but only for a moment. Finally, he took a deep breath and placed his hands on your shoulders, turning you towards Bucky.  

So much for fulfilling a dream.

Fingers grasped your hair and a strong hand came down with crack across your ass. You jumped. Yelped. When Steve’s bit down on your earlobe you moaned. “Oh, yes.”

Bucky peeled off his shirt as he came closer.  

Steve still held your head back, arm wrapped around you, jean clad erection now pressed to your ass. “You came on pretty strong, sweetheart. Are you really going to be a good girl for us?”

You moaned, nodding your head as much as his fisted hand would allow. God. This made you more turned than you could have ever imagined.

“We need to hear it.” Bucky cupped your breasts through your nightshirt. “This stops if you don’t use your words.”

“Yes. I’m going to be a very good girl.”  

“What is it that you want, Doll?” The cool metal fingers of his hand slipped along your cotton covered pussy.

“Tell us.” Steve rutted against your ass, hand on your belly holding you close.

“I want you to fuck me.” Your voice quivered with excitement. “Want you both. Now.”

Bucky’s hands tore open the buttons of your nightshirt, exposing your heaving chest. Both hands kneaded your tits, rolling your nipples under his thumbs. His mouth crashed into yours, messy and wet. You pulled at his hair. He groaned and pinched your hard buds, pulling on them almost painfully. You gasped.  

“Turn around, Doll.” Bucky bit your lower lip. “And put this gorgeous mouth on my pal’s cock.”

Behind you Steve had shed all his clothes. He was spectacular. “Holy shit.”

He cupped your face, kissing you thoroughly. Different than Bucky, still drinking you up and making you weak. Your fingers moved over taunt muscles. He was so solid. He growled when your hand wrapped around his amazing dick. Silk flesh over steel.  

He petted your hair as you tasted your way down his torso, tongue lapping at his abs, nose rubbing in the sprinkling of hair leading down from his navel. “Yes.” Steve breathed as you took him in your mouth. His girth forced your jaws open wide. You pumped your hand slowly up the base of him in time with your head.  

When you massages his balls he readjusted his feet allowing you better access. Your tongue swirled and licked. Slobber dribbled down, soaking your hand as well as his cock. You sucked and hummed. When you rubbed your saliva slicked knuckles into the spot just behind his sack, Steve’s hands gripped your hair.  

“Oh fuck. She’s good.” He panted.

“My turn.” Bucky growled pulling you away from Steve and to where he held out his thick cock for you. He was not as long, but thicker, heavier. As you fucked him with mouth and hands, he groaned. “Holy shit, Doll. So sweet.” His hands pulled your hair back. “Look at that filthy mouth. Gorgeous.”  

You felt strong hands graze over your ass, spreading you wide. “She’s glistening.” Steve purred. You hummed against Bucky’s cock when you felt Steve’s fingers slip inside your wet cunt. His the fingers of his other hand rubbed at your clit, then rolled it between forefinger and thumb. You shook, moaning hard.  

“Fuck. Do that again, Stevie.” He did and you quivered to your core. Bucky panted. “Fuck yes.”

“Bet she tastes good, too.” Steve rubbed right against your g spot, firm and steady. “Will come for me, beautiful?”  

Bucky pulled you away from him, manhandling you to the bed and throwing you down on your back. “Open up wide for my boy, here.” He smirked at your smile, lips wet and swollen. Your legs opened, exposing you to them both. Bucky slicked his fingers through your fold. “So, pretty.”  

He crawled up on his knee beside you, but your focus was on Steve who knelt between your legs. His fingertip spread you open and laid his flat tongue against you, licking you up. He hummed in pleasure. “You taste like heaven.”

Steve’s mouth sucked on your clit, flicking you with his tongue. His fingers buried in you again, calling you to come for him. You mewed, and whimpered. The tension centered in your core. Body writhing, your hands reached for whatever flesh you could reach.  

When Bucky’s mouth closed over your nipple and he began to pull at it with his teeth, you arched back with a cry. It was all so much, every nerve on fire, your approaching orgasm intense.  

“Hold still for us, Doll.” His metal hand closed around your throat, holding you down with pressure but not choking. Your eyes about rolled back. You never knew you like that before.  

“Yes, sir.” Your voice shook but you moaned, “Yes, more.”

Steve pushed you leg down harder, his mouth making you writhe. Bucky leaned over you, hand tightening. His other fingers pulling hard at your nipple. He licked your lower lip. “Come for us.”

You may have screamed into his mouth, coming apart violently.  

Boneless and breathing hard, Bucky lifted you up and onto Steve’s waiting cock where he now lay on his back. He slipped in, bottoming out, and flooding you with new sensations. His mouth devoured yours. You tasted yourself, felt the slick of your sex on his face. His hips jerked up into you, growling, “So tight, beautiful girl. Fuck you feel so good.”  

He suddenly lifted your hips, slipping out. You whined at the loss, but felt cool metal finger slip into you. Bucky captured your wetness, slicking you up. He finger rubbed around your ass, making you moan. His open mouth trailed kisses across your shoulder and neck.  

Steve filled you again. You rocked on him. His hands on you, everywhere. “Kiss me.”  

You leaned forward, laying on him and sharing wet kisses.  

Bucky’s finger slid past the tight pucker of your ass. You moved with him as he prepared you for his cock. The sensation was intoxicating. You felt another orgasm building, moaning into Steve’s kiss. When you felt Bucky push the head of his cock into you, you gasped.  

“Breathe. Just relax, Beautiful.” Steve nipped you lip and pulled at your nipple.

The initial pain vanished, leaving you overwhelmed. So full. Drowning in pleasure. “Oh god,” You panted. “Move, please. Fuck me.”

“Oh, shit.” Bucky growled out as he began to thrust. They moved in time with one another.  

“I’m going to come again.” You cried, eyes locking shut one hand clenched in Steve’s.  

Bucky pulled back on your hair. Steve’s hand closed around your throat. They arched you back like a bow. You squirted hard over Steve’s cock, body shaking with the most intense orgasm you’d ever had.  

“Fuck!” Steve’s hips slammed up into you faster. “I, ah, I’m…”

“Come for me.” You mewed, a sex drunk smile on your face, panting. The surge of another orgasm dancing on your nerves. “Fuck me hard. Fill me up. Both of you”

“Goddamn.” Bucky slammed into you. Both pounding hard. The bed creaking. Skin slapping. The most lewd and vulgar sounds filling the air. Bucky’s hips lost his rhythm. He growled, emptying himself.  

You cried out, coming again, in spasms.  

Bucky pulled away as Steve lifted you enough to pound his cock into you fast, mouth open, panting. “Ah, fuck, yes!” He came hard, holding your hips tight, buried deep.  

Laying across Steve’s body, you felt heavy and boneless. It took a while for your breath to calm down. Gentle hands rolled you onto your back. You opened your eyes to see Bucky leaning over you. His lips fell on your, slow and gentle.  

He pulled back and began gingerly cleaning your up with a warm washcloth. Steve nuzzled against your cheek, wanting a kiss of his own. He smiled, big and bright. Bucky stretched out on the other side of you, hand drawing lazy circles on you belly.  

You giggled.  

“What?” Bucky kissed your shoulder.

“I’m not cold anymore.”

You all laughed.  

Steve tossed a leg over yours “Well, it’s likely to cool off in the next day or two. Maybe you should stay close.”

“Maybe I’ll have to. I don’t think I can move.” You chuckled.

Bucky and Steve laughed again.  

They nestled you between them and you soon began to drift off, feeling utterly sated and safe. You were definitely warm buried between their strong bodies.

[waywardaardvark79]

Supernatural Rewrite: Season 1, Episode 6: Skin

Summary:  Y/N Singer joins Sam and Dean on the road. A rewrite starring you.

Pairing: eventual Dean X Reader, Sam X Reader (platonic)

Warnings: Language, show level violence

Word Count: 8,433

A/N: I’ll try to do at least once episode a week. No set schedule. Tags open. 

Dean looked at you through the rearview mirror. You were in the backseat, your head against the window, your eyes finally closed. Dean couldn't help the relief he felt to see you finally sleeping. He had noticed just how little you had been doing it. 

He would often wake up to find you still awake, and you always had an excuse for him when he asked you why you were still up. You would tell him that you just weren't tired, that you needed to finish what you were watching on television, or that you would come to bed as soon as you finished reading up on whatever case you were working. 

You usually never though, more often than not your side of the bed remained empty, and Dean couldn't help but worry. Sometimes he would wake up to see you just staring out the window, almost as if you were waiting for someone or something, and every time he tried to ask you about it you would brush it off and quickly change the subject. 

Dean sighed before looking over to Sam, "Hey, what do you think is going on with her?" Dean quietly asked, trying not to wake you. 

"Honestly, I don't know, Dean. She won't talk to me about it. I've tried to ask her, but she just changes the subject." Sam said. 

"She's been off since the last case, and she's not sleeping, at least not more than a couple hours." Dean said, Sam nodding his head. 

"Maybe it's nightmares. Maybe everything is just kind of catching up to her all at once." Sam said, the two of you still hadn't talked about what happened in that antique store. 

"I don't know, Sam. I mean, I've seen her fall asleep on the way back from a hunt with no problems. I don't think I've ever seen her wake up from a nightmare. Why would they start all of a sudden?" Dean asked. 

"I...I don't know." Sam said, thinking of his own nightmares. "Listen, I'm sure she'll be fine. She'll probably be back to her old self soon." Sam added. 

"Yeah, well, I hope so." Dean said, glancing over his shoulder at you. 

Dean pulled into the gas station not long after his conversation with Sam, trying his best not to wake you as he pulled up the to gas pump. He looked over at Sam who was in his own world, scrolling through his Palm Pilot. 

"Mmm...we here?" you sleepily asked from the backseat, Dean a little disappointed that he woke you up. 

"No, but I figure we'd hit Tucumcari by lunch, then head south, hit Bisbee by midnight." Dean said, you nodding your head, but Sam didn't reply. "Sam wears women's underwear." Dean added. 

You chuckled, "Leave your brother alone." you scolded. "He's obviously busy." 

"I've been listening, and Y/N's right. I'm just busy." Sam said, still scrolling through his Palm Pilot. 

"Busy doin' what?" Dean asked. 

"Reading e-mails." Sam replied, Dean getting out of the car to pump gas, you following after him to stretch your legs. 

"Why don't you just trash all of them. I mean, it's gotta be all spam." you said. 

"They're not spam." Sam said, still not looking up. 

"E-mails from who then?" Dean asked. 

"From my friends at Stanford." Sam said.

"Good for you, Sammy." you said, stretching your arms over your head. "I know me and this one aren't the best company all the time. I'm glad you have people to talk to." 

"You're kidding. You still keep in touch with your college buddies?" Dean asked Sam before turning to you. "I have no idea what you're talking about. We're awesome company." 

"Why not? I mean, why wouldn't I keep in contact with them?" Sam asked. 

"Well, what exactly do you tell 'em? You know, about where you've been, what you've been doin'?"  Dean asked. 

"Maybe they just talk about everyday normal shit." you said, smacking Dean on the arm, "Why do you have to be so nosey?" 

"I tell 'em I'm on a road trip with my big brother and best friend. I tell 'em I needed some time off after Jess." Sam said, before Dean could answer you. 

"Oh, so you lie to 'em." Dean said. 

"Dean." you breathed out, not ready to deal with another one of their arguments. 

"No. I just don't tell 'em...everything." Sam said. 

"Yeah, that's called lying. I mean, hey man, I get it, tellin' the truth is far worse." Dean said. 

"Hey, just wait a minute. I mean, I wouldn't consider that lying...technically you could call this a road trip." you said. 

"It's lying." Dean said, again. 

"So, what am I supposed to do...just cut everybody out of my life?" Sam asked, Dean shrugging his shoulders while you shook your head no. 

"Look, it sucks, but in a job like this, you can't get close to people, period." Dean said.

"That's not true. I mean, I have friends, and I'm damn good at this job." you said. 

Dean scoffed, "Who? Me and Sam?" he asked. 

"No, I have friends outside of the two of you." you said. 

Dean raised an eyebrow at you, "Sure you do." he said, sarcasm dripping from his words. 

"I do!" you shouted, your lack of sleep making you crankier than usual. 

"Whatever you say, Singer." Dean said. 

"Whatever you say, Singer." you mocked, swatting him. "I got friends, asshole. Jake is my friend." 

"Jake Bradley?" Dean asked. 

"Yeah." you said. 

"Yeah, Jake Bradley isn't your friend." Dean argued. 

"You know, just because you don't like him, doesn't mean he isn't my friend. I mean, the guy’s never even done anything to you, and you still hate him." you said. 

"You're kind of anti-social." Sam said. 

"Yeah, whatever." Dean said before turning to face you, "I have my reasons." he said, you rolling your eyes at him. 

"God." Sam said. 

"What?" you and Dean asked in unison. 

"In the e-mail from this girl, Rebecca Warren, one of those friends of mine." Sam said, Dean interrupting.

"Is she hot?" Dean asked, you slapping the back of his head. 

"You know what, Y/N? I'm getting real tired of you slappin' me." Dean said, rubbing the back of his head. 

"Well, if you didn't think with your dick all the time I wouldn't have to." you said. 

"Yeah, cause that's what I was doing when you smacked me earlier." Dean said. 

"No, that time you were just being an asshole. See, I do it then, too." you said. 

"Guys!" Sam yelled, both you and Dean looking at him, "I went to school with her, and her brother, Zack. She says Zack's been charged with murder. He's been arrested for killing his girlfriend. Rebecca says he didn't do it, but it sounds like the cops have a pretty good case." Sam said. 

"Dude, what kind of people are you hangin' out with?" Dean asked. 

"Fuck Sam, I've got to agree with him. I mean, I thought you guys might talk about books or some shit, not fuckin' murder." you said. 

"No guys, I know Zack. He's no killer." Sam said. 

"I don't know, Sam. It kind of sounds like he is." you said. 

Dean nodded his head, "Well, maybe you know Zack as well as he know you." Dean said. 

"They're in St. Louis. We're goin'." Sam said, Dean chuckling. 

"Sam, I really don't think this is our kind of thing. I mean, I don't think there is anything we can do to help this guy." you said. 

"Look, sorry about your buddy, okay? But Y/N is right, this does not sound like our kind of problem." Dean said. 

"It is our problem. They're my friends." Sam said, frustrated with you and his brother. 

"St. Louis is four hundred miles behind us, Sam." Dean said, him and Sam exchanging a look. 

"Get in the car, Dean." you said, Dean having already made up his mind to go anyway. 

The three of you were standing outside of Rebecca's house, Sam out front, you and Dean hanging back a little. 

"Oh my God, Sam!" Rebecca excitedly said when she opened the door. 

"Well, if it isn't little Becky." Sam said. 

You nudged Dean, getting his attention, "Little Becky?" you mouthed, Dean shrugging his shoulders, a smile on his face. 

"You know what you can do with that little Becky crap." Becky said before hugging him. 

"I got your e-mail." Sam said. 

"I didn't think that you would come here." Becky said before Dean stepped forward and extended his hand. 

"Dean. Older brother." he said, Becky shaking his hand. 

"Hi." she said. 

"Hi." Dean returned. 

Becky turned her attention to you, "Hi." she said. 

"Hi, I'm Y/N, a good friend of theirs." you said. 

"We're here to help. Whatever we can do." Sam said. 

"Come in." Becky said, the three of you walking in before Dean closed the door behind you. 

"Nice place." Dean said as he looked around. 

"It's my parents'. I was just crashing here for the long weekend when everything happened. I decided to take the semester off. I'm gonna stay until Zack's free." Becky said. 

"Where are your folks?" Sam asked. 

"They live in Paris for half the year, so they're on their way home now for the trial." Becky said, as the three of you followed her into the kitchen, "Do you guys want a beer or something?" she asked. 

"Sure." you said.

Dean smiled, "Hey-" he got out before Sam interrupted. 

"No, thanks. We're fine." Sam said. 

"Speak for yourself." you grumbled under your breath, Sam overhearing you and shooting you a look. 

"So, tell us what happened." Sam said, his attention back on Becky. 

"Well, um, Zack came home, and he found Emily tied to a chair. She was beaten up and bloody, and she wasn't breathing." Becky said, before she started to cry. "So, he called 911, and the police...they showed up and they arrested him. But, the thing is, the only way that Zack could've killed Emily is if he was in two places at the same time. The police...they have a video. It's from the security tape from across the street, and it shows Zack coming home at 10:30. Now, Emily was killed just after that, but I swear, he was here with me, having a few beers until at least after midnight." Becky explained. 

"You know, maybe we could see the crime scene, Zack's house." Sam said. 

"We could." Dean added. 

"Why? I mean, what could you do?" Becky asked. 

"Well, me, not much, but Y/N and Dean are cops." Sam said, you and Dean laughing. 

"Detectives, actually." Dean said. "We're partners." he added, gesturing between the two of you. 

"Really?" Becky asked, you and Dean nodding your head, "Where?" 

"Bisbee, Arizona, but we're off duty now." you said. 

"You guys, it's so nice to offer, but I just...I don't know." Becky said. 

"I know you don't know us." you said, motioning between you and Dean. "But, we're really good at our job, and I think we could help." you said, Sam smiling at you before turning to Becky. 

"Bec, look, I know Zack didn't do this. Now, we have to find a way to prove that he's innocent." Sam said. 

"Okay. I'm gonna go get the keys." Becky said before walking away. 

"Oh, yeah, man, you're a real straight shooter with your friends." Dean said. 

"Don't start, De. I think this is something." you said. 

"Look, Zack and Becky need our help." Sam said. 

"I just don't think this is our kind of problem." Dean said. 

"Two places at once? We've looked into less." Sam said. 

"He's right. I just have a feeling about this one. I'll get Dad to put someone else on the Bisbee thing." you said, Dean choosing not to reply. 

Dean parked the car outside of Zack's house and the four of you climbed out.

"You're sure this is okay?" Becky asked. 

"Yeah, we're officers of the law." Dean said before walking into the house. 

You, Sam, and Dean were looking around the house, the furniture and walls of the house were smeared with blood. Becky was waiting outside. 

"Bec, you wanna wait outside?" Sam asked, knowing that it would be hard for her to see. 

"No, I wanna help." she said, entering the house. 

"Can you tell us what the police said?" you asked. 

"Well, there's no sign of a break-in. They say that Emily let her attacker in. The lawyers, they're already talking about plea bargains." she said as she looked around the room. "Oh God..." 

"Look, Bec, if Zack didn't do this, it means someone else did. Any idea who?" Sam asked. 

"Um, there was something, about a week before somebody broke in here and stole some clothes, Zack's clothes. The police, they don't think it's anything. I mean, we're not that far from downtown. Sometimes people get robbed." Becky said. 

Sam walked over to you and Dean, the two of you busy watching the neighbor's dog bark aggressively.

"Easy, Cujo." you said, Rebecca walking up behind you. 

"You know, that used to be the sweetest dog." she said. 

You scoffed, "I can't say I believe that." you said. 

"What happened?" Dean asked. 

"He just changed." she said. 

"Do you remember when he changed?" Dean asked. 

"I guess around the time of the murder." Becky said, Dean looking at her before turning to you. 

"Yeah, I know." you simply said before the two of you walked away. 

Sam was in the hallway, looking at a framed picture of himself, Zack, and Becky. 

"So, the neighbor's dog went psycho right around the time Zack's girlfriend was killed." Dean said. 

"Animals can have a sharp sense of the paranormal." Sam said. 

"Yeah, maybe Fido saw somethin'." Dean said. 

"Oh, that dog definitely saw something." you said. 

"So, you think maybe this is our kind of problem?" Sam asked. 

"No, probably not, but we should look at the security tape. You know, just to make sure." Dean said. 

You sighed, "Why can't you just admit that you're wrong, and that this is definitely our kind of thing?" you asked. 

"And what makes you so sure?" Dean asked. 

You shrugged your shoulders, "Just a feeling, I guess." you said. 

Dean rolled his eyes, "You and your feelings." he said before Becky walked over, his attention on her now. "So, the tape. The security footage...you think maybe your lawyers could get their hands on it, cause we just don't have that kind of jurisdiction." Dean said. 

"I've already got it. I didn't wanna say something in front of cops." Becky said, you and Dean laughing. "I stole it off the lawyers desk. I just had to see it for myself." 

"All right." Dean said, all of you walking into the living room. 

"Here he comes." Becky said, the four of you watching the security footage. 

"22:04, that's just after ten. You said time of death was about 10:30." Dean said, noticing the time stamp on the tape. 

"Our lawyers hired some kind of video expert. He says the tape's authentic. It wasn't tampered with." Becky said, Sam noticing something on the tape. 

"Hey, Bec, can we take those beers now?" Sam asked, needing her to leave the room. 

"Oh, sure." she said, getting up to head to the kitchen. 

"Hey." Sam called out, catching her attention, "Maybe some sandwiches, too?" he asked. 

"What do you think this is, Hooters?" Becky asked before leaving the room. 

"I wish." Dean said. 

"Me too." you mumbled, Dean chuckling as he turned to face you. 

"Really, Singer?" he asked, an amused look on his face. 

"What? I like the fuckin' hot wings, and I'm starvin'." you replied, both you and Dean walking over to Sam. 

"What is it?" Dean asked. 

"Check this out." Sam said, rewinding the tape before replaying it, one of the frames showing Zack looking directly at the camera, his eyes silver. 

"Well, maybe it's just a camera flare." Dean said, still skeptical. 

"Come on, De. That's not like any camera flare I've ever seen." you said. 

"You know, a lot of cultures believe that a photograph can catch a glimpse of the soul." Sam said. 

"Right." Dean said to Sam. 

"Remember that dog that was freakin' out? Maybe he saw this thing. Maybe this is some kind of dark double of Zack's, something that looks like him." Sam said. 

"Like a Doppelganger." Dean said. 

"It’d sure explain how he was in two places at once. You ready to admit that this is our kind of thing?" you asked. 

"It might be." Dean said. 

The three of you had checked into a motel, both boys were fast asleep. You looked over at Dean as you carefully made your way out of bed, trying to be absolutely silent so you wouldn't wake him. 

You grabbed your boots from the end of the bed and tip toed towards the door with your boots in hand. You glanced back at  both boys before easing open the door and stepping outside, gently closing it behind you. 

You slipped on your boots and walked over to the Impala, climbing up on the hood and laying back against the windshield. You were looking up at the stars, lost in thought, when you felt someone lay down next to you. 

"You ever think about what it'd be like to go to space?" Sam asked. 

You chuckled, "Really, Sam? We haven't played that since we were kids." you said, not looking at him. 

"You gonna answer?" he asked. 

"Yeah, I still think about it sometimes." you said before looking over at him. "You still gonna go with me?" you teased. 

Sam laughed under his breath, "I can't let you run off to space on your own. Didn't we put that on our list?" he asked. 

"Yeah." you said. "I didn't think you would remember that." 

"Our list?" Sam asked. 

"Mmm hmm." you hummed. 

"Of course, I do. It was all the things we were gonna do together when we grew up." Sam said. 

You chuckled, "Space was such a realistic idea." you said. 

"You always were so obsessed with it." Sam said, looking over at you. "Why?" he asked. 

You shrugged, "I don't know." you said. 

"Yeah, you do. You told me once." Sam said. 

"Then, why'd you ask?" you asked. 

"Do you still feel that way?" Sam asked. 

"Sam, it was dumb fuckin' kid shit. It was just a stupid dream." you said. 

"Have you been having anymore?" Sam asked. 

You sat up so you didn't have to look at him, "Sam, it was a stupid dream and I believed it because I was a dumbass kid. I know my mom was Karen Singer, and not some strange lady from a different world. You don't have to worry, I'm not completely insane yet." you said. 

"You've been dreaming about something, and it can't be good or else you wouldn't be out here. You haven't been sleeping, and you always used to get really upset after that dream." Sam said. 

You looked over your shoulder at him, "No, Sam, I haven't been having a stupid dream from when we were kids." you said. 

"Then what is it?" Sam asked. 

You shook your head, "Just nightmares. They kind of come with the job." you lied. 

"Y/N." Sam said, knowing that you were lying. 

"What? It's nothing. It's not a big deal. Everyone has nightmares." you argued. 

"Y/N, you knew that I had dreams about Jess before it happened." Sam said. "How did you know that? Did you dream it?" 

"Jesus fucking Christ, Sam. I...it was just a lucky guess." you said. 

"No, no, no. None of that lucky guess stuff. How did you know?" Sam asked. 

"Sam." you breathed out. 

"How did you know, Y/N?" Sam asked, not backing down. 

"I saw it. Fuck. I saw it when I touched you back there in that store." you said. 

"What?" Sam asked, sitting up and putting his hand on your shoulder to make you face him. 

"When I touched you, back there in that store...I saw it." you said. 

"What do you mean?" Sam asked. 

"I mean, I put my fuckin' hand on you, and I was there. I was in your apartment, your bedroom. I saw you laying on the bed. I saw you wipe something from your face before you looked up at the ceiling and then...then I saw Jess. I...saw what happened to her, and then everything changed. I mean, I was still in your room, but I watched you sit up in bed, scared...and I saw Jess sleeping next to you. I was fuckin' there, Sam, and...and I don't know how in the fuck I was." you said. 

Sam was silent. He had no clue what to say to you. He was so busy trying to wrap his head around what you had just told him that he didn't even notice how much time had passed by without him saying anything. 

"You ever think that maybe I'm just some kind of fuckin' freak?" you asked, reverting back to the game you played as children. 

"If you're a freak then I am, too. I mean, I'm the one that's having dreams that come true." Sam said. 

"Well, aren't we a fuckin' pair?" you asked, patting his leg. "We always used to do everything together. Why not add fucked up dream/visions to the list?"

"Has it happened again? Is that why you aren't sleeping?" Sam asked. 

You shook your head, "No, well, not the touch thing, it's just nightmares now. Well, one nightmare." you said. 

"About what happened to Jess?" Sam asked, hoping that maybe you might have seen something that would answer his many questions. 

"No." you replied. 

"You know, you could tell me about it. It might help." Sam said. 

You chuckled, "You a therapist now?" you asked, before leaning back against the windshield. 

"I'll give you your first session free." Sam teased, laying down next to you. 

You took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "It's always the same. I'm in some kind of woods or some shit. It's always so dark and there are trees everywhere, but no sounds. I can never hear any animals. I can only hear myself, the leaves crunching as I step on them, and my own breathing. I  always feel like something or someone is watching me, and I just run. I run as fast as I can until I can't go anymore, and then I start yelling at whatever or whoever to come out. I finally hear something. It's always a twig snapping and then Dean walks out. I'm so happy to see him because the entire time I'm running, finding you guys is all I can think about. I always run up to him and he yells at me to stop with his gun pointed at me. He always asks me why I did it, but I don't know what he's talking about. Then...then he says that part of him always knew, but he didn't want to believe that I could do something like that. I don't know what I did, Sam, but it must have been fuckin' horrible because he's looking at me like he hates me. Then, he says I should have done this a long time ago before shootin' me." you said. 

"Y/N, Dean would never hurt you." Sam said. 

"See, I used to think that, too, but what if I do something bad. What if it's something so bad that he doesn't have a choice?" you asked. 

"You need to get out of your head. It's just a dream, Y/N. I know Dean would never hurt you." Sam said. 

"Do you ever think he could hate me?" you asked. 

"Honestly, I don't. I mean, he could be mad, but I don't think he could ever hate you." Sam said. 

"Then why can't I shake this feeling that I'm going to do something that's unforgiveable? I...I can't explain it, but it's almost like I just know it's going to happen, and no matter what I do, I'm not going to be able to stop it." you said. 

"We'll stop it. Whatever it is. We won't let it happen." Sam said. 

You looked over at him, "Something tells me you won't be able to." you said. 

"Hey, I promise. I'm not going to let anything happen, and I know Dean won't either. You should tell him." Sam said. 

"Oh, yeah, I'll just be like hey Dean, I've been having these weird dreams where you kill me for something I've done, and, uh, I also have the shining." you sarcastically said. 

"The shining, huh?" Sam asked. 

"Well, I saw the past and I'm pretty sure I've been seeing the future, so yeah, the shining. One night you guys are gonna wake up and I'm gonna be all red rum in the corner." you joked. 

"Listen, I won't say anything if you don't want me to, but he's gonna know something is wrong. I mean, I think part of him already does. I know, he's worried, and I know he would only want to help." Sam said. 

"I'm not ready to say anything. I mean, I don't even know what it is. He already worries too much. There's no need to add my bullshit to it." you said. 

Sam nodded his head, "Well, then, I'll try to help you  figure it out. Everything is gonna be fine." Sam said. 

"I have a hard time believing that." you said. 

"Well, then, I'll just have to believe for the both of us." Sam said, sitting up. "Now, come on. You need to try and catch a few hours." he said, holding his hand out for you. 

Dean had been watching the door since Sam left. He was so tempted to follow him outside. He wanted to know what was going on with you . He needed to know that you were ok.

The door clicked open and Dean closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep. He listened as you and Sam walked in, and heard Sam get into bed. He kept waiting, hoping that you would climb in next to him. 

"Hey, Sam." he heard you whisper, pausing a moment, "Thanks." 

"Anytime." Sam said, and Dean couldn't help but feel a little jealous that you confided in Sam and not him. 

Dean felt the covers lift and the bed dip when you sat down. He kept still as you tried to get comfortable, only daring to open his eyes once you were still. 

Dean turned over to see your back to him, and he was still for a moment before throwing his arm over you, letting you know that he was there. You snuggled back into him, his hold on you tightening, his message coming across clear as day, even though neither or you said a word. 

You were half asleep in the backseat, jolting awake once you felt the car stop. You climbed out of the backseat, yawning as you followed Sam and Dean. 

"Alright, so what are we doin' here at 5:30 in the morning?" Dean asked. 

"I realized something. The video tape shows the killer goin' in, but not comin' out." Sam said. 

"So, he came out the backdoor?" Dean asked, leaning against the hood of the car. 

"Right. So, there should be a trail to follow." Sam said. 

"And you're thinking that the police never would have pursued it." you said. 

"Cause they think the killer never left, and they caught your friend Zack inside. I still don't know what we're doing here at 5:30 in the morning." Dean said. 

"Me either. I was finally sleeping." you almost whined, Dean passing you his cup of coffee. 

Sam had tuned the two of you out, as he looked around the outside of the building, noticing blood smeared on a nearby telephone pole. 

"Blood. Somebody came this way." Sam said. 

"Nothing like a little blood to start your day." you said, you and Dean following Sam. 

"Yeah, but the trail ends. I don't see anything over here." Dean said before an ambulance drove by, the three of you exchanging looks. 

The three of you were standing in the middle of a gathering crowd, watching as the police led a handcuffed man to a police car. 

"What happened?" Dean asked a woman standing nearby. 

"He tried to kill his wife. Tied her up and beat her." she said. 

"Really?" Sam asked. 

"I used to see him going to work in the morning. He'd wave, say hello. He seemed like such a nice guy." she said, as the man was taken away. 

You and Sam were looking for anything that could possibly be considered a trail. Sam looked inside the garbage cans next to the house, finding nothing, the two of you heading back to the front of the house to wait for Dean. 

"Hey." Dean said, both you and Sam turning around, "Remember when I said this wasn't our kind of problem?" Dean asked. 

"Yeah." Sam said. 

"Change your mind?" you asked. 

Dean nodded his head, "Definitely our kind of problem." he said. 

"What'd you find out?" Sam asked. 

"Well, I just talked to the patrolman who was first on scene, heard this guy, Alex's story. Apparently,  the dude was driving home from a business trip when his wife was attacked." Dean said. 

"He was two places at once." Sam said. 

"Just like Zack." you added. 

"Exactly. Then, he sees himself in the house, police think he's a nut job." Dean said. 

"Two dark doubles attacking loved ones in exactly the same way." Sam said. 

"Could be the same thing doin' it, too." Dean said. 

"Shapeshifter." you suggested, Dean shrugging his shoulders. 

"Something that can make itself look like anyone." Sam added. 

"Every culture in the world has  shapeshifter lore. You know, legends of creatures who can transform themselves into animals or other men." Dean said. 

"Right, skinwalkers, werewolves." Sam said. 

"We've got two attacks within blocks of each other. I'm guessin' we've got a shapeshifter prowlin' the neighborhood." Dean said. 

"I'd bet on that." you said. 

"Let me ask you guys this...in all the shapeshifter lore can any of them fly?" Sam asked. 

"Not that I know of." Dean said. 

"Yeah, I've never read anything like that." you said. 

"I picked up a trial here. Someone ran out the back of this building and headed off this way." Sam said. 

"Just like your friend's house." Dean said. 

"Yeah, and, just like at Zack's house, the trail suddenly ends. I mean, whatever it is just disappeared." Sam said. 

"Well, there's another way to go...down." Dean said, looking down at the manhole he was standing over. 

"Of fuckin' course." you grumbled. "Of course, that stupid asshole would just have to be in the sewer." 

"I bet this runs right by Zack's house, too. The shapeshifter could be using the sewer system to get around." Sam said once the three of you had climbed down into the sewer. 

"I think you're right. Look at this." Dean said, the three of you bending down to examine the pile of skin and blood. 

"What...and I can't stress this enough...the fuck?" you asked, looking down at the skin. 

"Is this from his victims?" Sam asked, as Dean took out his pocket knife before picking up a bit of the skin on the end of it. 

"God, that's just fuckin' gross. Put it down, De." you said, wrinkling your nose. 

"You know, I just had a sick thought. When the shapeshifter changes shape...maybe it sheds." Dean said. 

"Like a snake would shed it's skin." you said, "That is seriously so fucked up." 

"That is sick." Sam said, as Dean put the skin down.

The three of you were back at the car, and Dean opened the trunk to get the weapons you would need. 

"Well, one thing I learned from Dad, is that no matter what kind of shapeshifter it is, there's one sure way to kill it." Dean said, you nodding your head. 

"Silver bullet to the heart." Sam said. 

"That's right." Dean said before Sam's phone rang. 

"This is Sam." Sam said, you and Dean listening. "What are you talkin' about?" Sam asked. 

"This can't be good." you whispered. 

"Why would you do that?" Sam asked. 

"Yeah, definitely not good." you said. 

"Bec-" Sam tried to say before being cut off, pausing as he listened to the person on the other end, "We're tryin' to help." 

"Guess, we're busted." you said to Dean. 

"Bec, I'm sorry, but-" Sam tried to say before pausing, hanging up the phone a few seconds later. 

"Becky figure us out?" you asked, Sam nodding. 

"I hate to say it, but that's exactly what I'm talkin' about. You lie to your friends because if they knew the real you, they'd be freaked. It's just...It'd be easier if-" Dean said before Sam interrupted. 

"If I was like you." Sam said. 

"Hey, man, like it or not, we are not like other people, but I'll tell you one thing. This whole gig...it ain't without perks." Dean said, holding up a gun. 

"You're right about that. Now, let's go kill this fucker." you said, tucking your gun into the back of your jeans. 

The three of you were back in the sewer, "I think we're close to its lair." Dean said. 

"Why do you say that?" Sam asked. 

"Because there's another puke-inducing pile next to your face." Dean said, Sam turning to look at the pile of skin. 

"Oh, God!" Sam exclaimed, completely disgusted. 

"Looks like it's lived here for a while." Dean said, looking at a pile of clothes in the corner. 

"They're just so fuckin' gross. At least clean up your skin piles, asshole." you said. 

Dean chuckled, "Pretty sure they don't care about that." he said. 

"Well, they fuckin' should." you said. 

"Who knows how many murders he's gotten away with?" Sam asked turning to see the shapeshifter, still in the form of the man the police led from the building, standing behind you and Dean. "Guys!" Sam yelled, Dean turning and taking a hit from the shifter before falling into you, knocking you both to the ground. 

Sam fired off a couple shots as the shapeshifter ran away, but missed. He moved over to you and Dean. 

"You okay?" you asked Dean, placing your hand on his injured shoulder, Dean nodding his head. 

"Fuck, I hope I didn't hurt her. I'm just glad the son of a bitch got me instead." you heard Dean say, but he never opened his mouth. 

You jerked your hand away from him and stumbled back, completely freaked out, "Oh fuck...no....no....no." you breathed out. 

"Hey, Y/N, you okay?" Dean asked, as you looked down at your hand in shock. 

"Y/N." Sam said, grabbing your shoulder. 

"Don't touch me!" you yelled, jerking away from him, both Sam and Dean looking at you,  worried. 

"Just go. Go get it. I'll be right behind you." you said, needing a minute alone. 

"Let's get the son of a bitch." Dean said to Sam before the two of them took off after the shifter, Dean glancing back over his shoulder at you.

 You finally forced yourself to climb out of the sewer, and decided to make your way back to the car, figuring the boys would end up there eventually. 

You finally spotted them, both of them heading your way, Dean walking right by you like nothing happened. 

"You think he found another way underground?" Sam asked as you quickly walked over to him, "Hey, you okay?" he asked you. 

"No." you whispered, your focus on Dean. 

"Yeah, probably. You got the keys?" Dean asked. 

"Hey, didn't Dad once face a shapeshifter in San Antonio?" Sam asked. 

"Oh, that was Austin. It turned out not to be a shapeshifter. It was a thought form, a psychic projection, remember?" Dean said. 

"Oh, right. Here ya go." Sam said before tossing Dean the keys. 

"That's not Dean." you whispered. 

"I know." Sam said, easing you behind him. "Don't move!" Sam yelled, pointing his gun at Dean, "What have you done with him?" 

"Dude, chill. It's me, all right?" Dean said. 

"No, I don't think so. Where's my brother?" Sam asked. 

"You're about to shoot him. Sam, calm down. Tell him, Singer." Dean said. 

You pulled out your gun, "Where the fuck is Dean, asshole?" you asked. 

"Guys, it's me." Dean said. 

"You caught those keys with your left. Your shoulder was hurt." Sam said. 

"Yeah, it's better. What do you guys want me to do, cry?" Dean asked. 

"You're not Dean." you said. 

"Why don't one of you pull the trigger, then? Hm? Cause neither one of you are sure. Guys, you know me." Dean said, stepping towards you and Sam. 

"Don't." Sam said before Dean  hit him twice with a crowbar, Sam falling to the ground. 

You had a clear shot, but you hesitated a moment too long, even though you knew it wasn't Dean, and by then it was too late. 

You blinked open your eyes, noticing that you were in some dark, dingy room. Your neck and hands were bound to a wooden post, Sam was behind you. 

"Sam." you said, doing your best to rock your body to wake him up, stopping when the shifter walked in. 

"Where is he, asshole?" you asked, Sam finally coming to. 

The shapeshifter, who was still in the form of Dean, walked over to you and backhanded you, your face stinging when he made impact. 

You spit on him, "You're gonna have to do better than that." you said. 

"Where is he? Where's Dean?" Sam asked. 

"I wouldn't worry about him. You two need to worry about yourselves." the shifter said. 

"Where is he?" Sam asked, again. 

"You don't really wanna know." the shifter said, chuckling. "I swear, the more I learn about her and you, your family...I thought I came from a bad background." the shifter said. 

"You listen to me you disgusting fuck, if you so much as touched a hair on his head, I swear to God, you'll pay for it. When I'm finished with you, you'll be beggin' me to kill you." you seethed. 

The shifter chuckled, "I can see why he likes you so much. You follow him around like a lost puppy. You'd do anything for him. Loyalty like that is hard to find." the shifter said. 

"What do you mean, learn?" Sam asked, the shifter turning his attention back to Sam before grabbing his head and grimacing in pain. 

"He's sure got issues with you. You got to go to college. He had to stay home. I mean, I had to stay home, with Dad. You don't think I had dreams of my own? But Dad needed me. Where the hell were you?" the shifter asked before turning to you. "And you, boy, is he screwed up over you. I hate that I brought you into this, but I didn't want to be alone. I'm so scared that you're gonna get hurt and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. See, but I don't guess you care too much about me because you would rather tell Sam your problems. I thought we were partners." the shifter said. 

"Fuck you." you spat out. 

"Where is my brother?" Sam asked, the shifter leaning in close to him. 

"I am you brother. See, deep down, I'm just jealous. You got friends. I know you're gonna take her away from me. She was your friend first. You could have a life. Me? I know I'm a freak, and sooner or later, everybody's gonna leave me." the shifter said. 

"What are you talkin' about?" Sam asked. 

"You left. Hell, I did everything Dad asked me to, and he still ditched me, too. No explanation, nothin', just poof, left me with your sorry ass. Now, that you're back you're gonna take Y/N, too. I can already see it happening, but still, this life? It's not without it's perks." the shifter said, laughing. "I meet the nicest people. Like little Becky. You know Dean would bang her if he had the chance, anything to get that one not wanting him off his mind." he added, looking at you. "Let's see what happens." he said before throwing a sheet over you and Sam. 

"Damn it." Sam said, unable to get out of his ropes. "What about you? You close?" he asked. 

"Almost." you said, struggling. 

"That better be you guys, Y/N, Sam, and not that freak of nature." Dean said, Sam laughing. 

"Yeah, it's us." Sam said. 

"Dean, are you okay?" you asked. 

Dean managed to uncover himself from the sheet, "I'm fine, Sweetheart. Are you?" Dean asked. 

"Yeah, I'm fine." you said. 

"He went to Rebecca's lookin' like you." Sam said. 

"Well, he's not stupid. He picked the handsome one." Dean said, Sam giving him a confused look. 

"Now's not the time, De." you said, still trying to get free. 

The three of you were still trying to get out of your ropes. 

"Yeah, that's the thing. He didn't just look like you, he was you, or becoming you." Sam said, as Dean finally worked his way out of his ropes. 

"What do you mean?" Dean asked. 

"He knew things that only you would know, your thoughts, your memories. The things he said..." you trailed off. 

"It was like he was downloading it." Sam said. 

"You mean, like the Vulcan mind meld?" Dean asked. 

"Yeah, something like that. I mean, maybe that's why he doesn't just kill us." Sam said, as Dean walked over to the two of you. 

"Maybe he needs to keep us alive. Psychic connection." Dean said as he untied Sam's ropes. 

"Guys, we gotta haul ass. He's probably at Rebecca's already." you said, finally slipping free. "I got it." you said to Dean as you finished untying yourself, missing the hurt look on Dean's face. 

"Come on. We gotta find a phone. Call the police." Sam said, once the three of you were back on the street. 

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You're gonna put an APB out on me." Dean said, Sam shrugging his shoulders. 

"Fuck, Sam." you said, even though you knew there wasn't much else you could do. 

"Sorry." Sam said. 

"This way." Dean said, the three of you running down the street. 

The three of you were standing in front of  a store window, watching a news report on the display televisions. 

"An anonymous tip led police to a home in the Central West End, where a S.W.A.T team discovered a local woman bound and gagged. Her attacker, a white female, approximately 20-25 years of age was discovered in her home," the report said, a sketch of you showing up on the screen. 

"Me?" you asked, shocked as you looked between Sam and Dean. "The thing changed into me. It was Dean when it left, and that's not even a good picture of me." you ranted, Sam looking around cautiously. 

"It's good enough." Sam said, pulling you along with him as he walked away. 

"Why the fuck did that thing shift into me? " you asked, Sam still dragging you. 

"Maybe it didn't like the way you talked to it, or thought that Becky would feel more comfortable letting you in inside her house to talk." Sam said. 

"What did you say to it?" Dean asked, catching up to you. 

"I told it that if it hurt you,  that by the time I was finished with it, it would be beggin' me to kill it." you said. 

"See, your mouth always gets you in trouble." Dean said. 

"You do the same damn thing." you argued. 

"Come on guys, the two of you can do this later. They said attempted murder. At least we know-" Sam said before you interrupted. 

"I didn't kill her." you said. 

"We'll check with Rebecca in the morning, see if she's all right." Sam said. 

"All right, but first I wanna find the asshole wearin' my fuckin' face and beat the shit out of it before I kill it." you said. 

"We have no weapons. No silver bullets." Sam said. 

"Sam, this fucker is walkin' around with my face. It's a little personal." you said. 

"I'd like to get my hands on the son of a bitch, too." Dean said. 

"Okay. Where do we look?" Sam asked. 

"We could start with the sewers." Dean said. 

"We have no weapons. It stole our guns, we need more." Sam said, pausing to think, "The car?" 

"I'm bettin' it drove over to Rebecca's." you said. 

"The news said she fled on foot. I bet it's still parked there." Sam said. 

"The thought of that thing drivin' my car." Dean said, upset. 

"All right, come on." Sam said. 

"It's killin' me." Dean said. 

"Let it go." Sam said. 

"Yeah, at least you aren't all over the news for attempted murder." you said. 

The three of you walked around the side of Rebecca's house to see the Impala still parked there. 

"Oh, there she is! Finally, something went right tonight." Dean said, so relieved. 

"Oh, fuck." you said, noticing the police car that pulled up next to Dean's car, another one parked a few yards away. 

"This way, this way." Dean said, taking your hand and pulling you towards a fence. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I got to get her out of here. Just stay calm, Dean, and get her somewhere safe." you heard him say, but again, his mouth wasn't moving. 

You jerked your hand form his, Sam speaking before Dean could say anything to you. 

"You guys go. I'll hold 'em off." Sam said. 

"No." you said. 

"Yeah, what are you talking about? They'll catch you." Dean said. 

"Look, they can't hold me. Just go, keep out of sight. Meet me at Rebecca's." Sam said, as you and Dean started to climb the fence. "Dean." Sam said, stopping him, "You guys stay out of the sewers. "Sam said, you and Dean not replying as you both hopped over the fence. "I mean it!" 

"Yeah, yeah." Dean said, before the two of you took off. 

You and Dean were standing by the car, Dean getting out weapons. 

"I'm sorry, Sam, but you know us...we just can' t wait." Dean said before closing the trunk. 

"He's gonna be so pissed." you said, taking a gun from him. 

"I'm pretty sure he expects us to do it." Dean said, shrugging his shoulders. 

"Probably." you replied, the two of you slipping into silence as you made your way to the sewer. 

"You ever gonna tell me what happened back there?" Dean asked, and you knew exactly what he was talking about. 

You jumped down off the ladder, your boots hitting the water with a splash, "I will, but now's not the time." you said. 

The two of you walked into a chamber filled with candles and chains, piles of skin and blood on the floor. Dean stopped when he heard a noise, you following after him, a large figure covered with a sheet catching your attention. 

"There." you said, nudging Dean. 

Dean removed the sheet, "Rebecca?" he asked, her hands and feet bound with rope. 

"What happened?" you asked as Dean untied her. 

"I was walking home, and everything just went white. Someone hit me over the head, and I wound up here just in time to see that thing turn into me. I don't know, how is that even possible?" she asked, crying. 

"Okay. Okay. It's okay. Come on. Can you walk?" Dean asked, Becky nodding her head. "Okay, we've gotta hurry. Sam went to see you." 

"What are you gonna do to me?" Sam asked, his hands and feet tied. 

"Oh, I'm not gonna do anything. Dean will, though." the shifter said. 

"They'll never catch him." Sam said. 

"Oh, doesn't matter. Murder in the first of his own brother? He'll be hunted the rest of his life, and so will she, his partner in crime." the shifter said. 

You and Dean burst through the door to see the shifter, who was now in the form of Dean, on top of Sam choking him. 

"Hey!" Dean yelled, getting the shifter's attention before firing two shots, hitting him in the heart. 

"Sam." you said, kneeling by his side. "You okay?" 

"Yeah." said Sam, just as Becky walked in. 

You and Dean were standing by the car, looking at a map while Sam talked to Becky. 

"Will you just tell me if you're okay?" Dean asked. 

You looked up at him, "That's the thing, De...I don't even know if I am." you said. 

"Just talk to me." he said. 

"I promise you, I will. Just let me do it in my own time, and listen to everything I have to say before you say anything." you said. 

"You're freakin' me out, Singer." Dean said. 

You raised your hand to touch his cheek, but quickly pulled it back, afraid of what would happen, "Just don't worry." you said, as Sam walked over to the car, giving you a we need to talk look. 

"So, what about your friend, Zack?" you asked, trying to distract them. 

"Cops are blaming these two psychos, Y/N Singer and Dean Winchester for Emily's murder. They found the murder weapon in ya'lls lair, Zack's clothes was stained with her blood. Now they're thinking that the surveillance tape was tampered with, and they're still searching for Y/N Singer. Becky says Zack will be released soon." Sam said. 

"A fugitive...won't Dad be proud." you said, getting into the car. 

The three of you were in the car, Dean behind the wheel, "Sorry, man." Dean said. "I really wish things could be different, you know? I wish you could just be...Joe College." Dean said to Sam. 

"No, that's okay. You know, the truth is, even at Stanford, deep down, I never really fit in." Sam said. 

"Well, that's cause you're a freak." Dean said. "Singer, too." 

"Yeah, thanks." Sam aid, you choosing not to speak, thinking to yourself if he only knew. 

"Well, I'm a freak, too. I'm right there with you guys, all the way." Dean said, smiling at you in the mirror. 

"You got that right, Winchester." you said, knowing that if you kept quiet he would know something was wrong. 

"You know, I gotta say...I'm sorry I'm gonna miss it." Dean said. 

"Miss what?" Sam asked. 

"How many chances am I gonna have to see my own funeral?" Dean asked, you chuckling in the backseat as the three of you headed to the next case. 

Tags: @miraclesoflove​ @22sarah08​ @deans-baby-momma​ @spnae​ @hawkeyetrained @karikatz12481 @spngirl05 @winchester-fantasies @freddiemermaytaydeac​ ​​​@scentedhoundshepherdmoney 

[zackcollins]

you gave me butterflies || tyson jost + carter hart

masterlist

Author’s Note: I was in the mood to write a fic for Tyson. So. I looked at my own request/prompt list and picked one of the options for the premise of this fic. I feel like it turned out really well. (I’ll explain Carter in the Additional section). GIF credits go to anzekopistar and uglygoalie!!

Warnings: There might be a small bit of anxiety so I’ll warn about that just in case. One can never be too careful. Other than that, I think it’s okay.

Word Count: 1.4k+

Title: Butterflies by Kacey Musgraves

Additional: Masculine reader this time! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done one of those so I decided it was time to go back and write another one. As I said, I’d explain Carter here. He plays a part in this fic because Tyson’s dad mentions him as a way to prove a point. He also plays another role in this fic that you’re going to have to read to find out what it is. I had someone proofread this for me to check if it was alright. I intended this to be a one-shot but they told me it sounded like a set-up for a series. If you guys would like more of this, feel free to tell me because I’m willing to write more if you guys would like to read more. Carter Hart do be bringing out the series writer in me, I swear. Enough rambling. I sincerely hope you enjoy this!!

You had agreed to drive the rental car from the airport to Tyson’s parents’ house. It was obvious that you were the less nervous out of the two of you and had a lesser chance of having a traffic incident. As you loaded your suitcases into the car, Tyson thanked you for what felt like the twentieth time that day for agreeing to be the driver.

“Tyson, babe,” you said, placing your hand on his shoulder once the trunk was closed. “It’s fine. Seriously. There’s no need to thank me.”

“Are you sure?” He asked, bringing his hand up to cover yours. He ran his fingers along the top of your wrist which made you shiver a little.

“Yes,” you replied, leaning forward and kissing his cheek.

Tyson tensed underneath you, face contorting into a look of fear. That’s when you remembered the situation you were in. You were both men and the airport was an incredibly public place where Tyson could be recognized by the prying eyes of fans.

“Sorry. I forgot where we were for a second,” you said, your face falling with a guilty expression while you rubbed the back of your neck.

Smiling weakly, Tyson grabbed your hand and squeezed it. “I’m not mad, (Y/N). I just want you to be more careful.”

You nodded, squeezing Tyson’s hand in return. You looked at each other nervously for a moment before you dropped hands and walked to your respective sides of the car. You shared a small smile over the roof before you both opened the doors and slid into your seats.

Once your seatbelts were buckled and the doors were closed, Tyson turned the radio to his favourite station. You rolled your eyes, shook your head, and chuckled when you realized it was the country station. All Tyson did was stick his tongue out at you and giggle. You reached across the centre console and ruffled his hair. Tyson giggled some more and smiled at you.

As soon as you were out of the airport parking lot, Tyson placed his hand on top of the centre console. You briefly glanced down to it while still trying to maintain focus with the road. You took one of your hands from the steering wheel and grabbed Tyson’s hand, interlacing your fingers. To show his appreciation, Tyson gently squeezed your hand.

While you drove to his parents’ house, Tyson was singing along to some of the songs on the radio. Country music wasn’t even close to your favourite genre but listening to Tyson sing it made your heart swell. He didn’t have the greatest singing voice by any means but the passion and enthusiasm he was giving to each song were enough to keep you entertained and happy on what otherwise would’ve been a boring drive.

For the entirety of the drive, Tyson held your hand. Some of the songs had him gesturing along to the rhythm and lyrics but he continued to hold your hand through all that. He would squeeze your hand as he gestured his hand along to the music, presumably to thank you for not letting go.

You pulled into his parents’ driveway just as one of Tyson’s favourite songs was ending. When you turned off the car, Tyson turned to you and squeezed your hand. His face was plastered with a look of pure anxiousness. You squeezed his hand and brought your other hand over to his cheek to run your thumb across it soothingly.

“How much have you told them?” You asked, bringing your hand down and placing it on Tyson’s knee.

“I’ve told them that I’m bringing one of my buddies,” Tyson paused, letting out a shaky breath. “They don’t know that I’m bi and that my ‘buddy,’” Tyson made air-quotes around the word, “is actually my boyfriend.”

You rubbed Tyson’s knee soothingly. Tyson glanced down at his knee then up at you. Your facial expression was soft as you looked at Tyson. Tyson smiled weakly and leaned over to kiss you. The angle was awkward because you were in the front seats of a car but you made it work well enough. The kiss was short, sweet, and meaningful. When you pulled apart, Tyson’s anxiousness seemed to have softened a little.

“Ready?” He asked, squeezing your hand.

Nodding, you unbuckled your seatbelt and let go of Tyson’s hand. Tyson heaved a shaky breath while he unbuckled his own seatbelt. When you were out of the car and at front the door, Tyson was just about to reach onto his pocket to pull out his keys when the door swung open. Kacey was standing there, a smile on her face.

“Tyson, I thought you’d never come in,” she said, rolling her eyes.

Scoffing, Tyson stuck his tongue out at his sister. Kacey stuck hers out in return. She leaned against the doorframe, pointing at you.

“Is this the buddy you mentioned?”

“Yeah, I’m (Y/N),” you said, sticking your hand out for Kacey to shake. Kacey accepted, shaking your hand graciously. “You must be Tyson’s sister, Kacey.”

Kacey smiled, motioning behind her. “Come on in. Our parents are in the living room.” She turned heel and walked down the hallway.

You turned to Tyson who only shrugged. You chuckled as you walked into the house. Tyson kicked his shoes off so you followed suit, wanting to be the polite guest. After a moment to gather yourselves, Tyson directed you down the hallway and into the living room.

His parents were sitting on the couch, watching something on the television. It looked to be a Netflix show that you had been meaning to watch with Tyson but hadn’t gotten around to because of his busy season. 

Tyson’s parents both smiled when they saw you. Tyson’s dad grabbed the remote and paused the television so he could focus his attention on you.

“Are you this buddy Tyson was mentioning?” Tyson’s dad asked, leaning on the back of the couch.

You nodded. “Yes, that would be me.”

Tyson cleared his throat which made everyone draw their attention toward him. You noticed that he looked as white as a ghost and scared out of his mind. Knowing what that meant made you want to rush over to comfort him. You resisted because you knew he had to say what he had to say first.

“Tys, honey,” Tyson’s mom started, looking concerned. “Are you alright? You don’t look so good.”

Instead of answering, Tyson walked over to you. He looked at you with a look that said ‘follow my lead.’ You gave your best non-verbal response that told Tyson you accepted his request. After taking a moment to gather himself, Tyson grabbed your face and leaned forward to kiss you. You hesitated for a brief moment before you brought your hands to Tyson’s waist to pull him in closer. The kiss was over much too soon for your liking. You would’ve liked to kiss Tyson until he was red-faced and swollen-lipped. You wanted to make it worth it. Instead, it was just something brief to prove a point.

Tyson stepped to your side and turned around, allowing you to see the expressions of his family. Kacey was grinning so widely you were afraid she was going to split her face open. Tyson’s mom had $20 in her hand which Tyson’s dad took from her with a cocky smile.

“Mom? Dad?” Tyson’s voice rose a couple of octaves as he spoke.

“Tyson,” Tyson’s dad said as he put the $20 in his wallet. “I’m not stupid. I knew you and Carter were more than just friends.”

You noticed that Tyson’s face turned a pretty shade of pink as he ducked his head onto your shoulder. You wrapped your arm around him and rubbed his upper arm gently. He relaxed a little and lifted his head to look at his parents.

“About that…” Tyson trailed off, looking at you nervously.

You opened your mouth to respond but the doorbell interrupted you. Tyson bolted toward the door, nearly tripping over your foot. You chuckled and rolled your eyes at him. Kacey and Tyson’s parents looked down the hallway after Tyson, wondering what was going on. You could only bite your lip nervously, knowing full well what was going to happen.

When Tyson returned a moment later, Carter Hart was following him. Kacey and Tyson’s parents blinked and looked between the three of you. Carter and Tyson walked over to you, each standing on one side. You slung an arm around both of them and they both kissed one of your cheeks. Carter and Tyson then leaned their heads in front of you and kissed each other quickly. Kacey gasped as did Tyson’s parents. Carter smiled as he turned to Tyson’s family.

“Surprise!”