#married Julia with before he went away

[saltyfilmmajor]

not really a fan of the way people in the mi fandom trash talk the earlier movies.. i don't even really understand why they're doing it

Not sure I understand the full context of this ask, but I’ll say it’s because the later movies are far more fondly remembered.

Kinda like a Top Gun Maverick Situation where there are a lot of newer people who care mostly for the recent content rather than the older stuff.

Not me though I clown on Mission 3 because the sound mixing is bad

I tend to prefer the last three movies more than the first four, personally. I do think the hate on mi2 is overdone both critically and on a fandom level.

Anyway I don’t have much to say other than fandom is gonna fandom and there’s always going to be stuff that we don’t like but will have to make our peace with.

[anatay004]

ᴄᴏʀɪᴏʟᴀɴᴜꜱ ꜱɴᴏᴡ | ᴄᴏᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜ (+ 18)

ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴄᴏʀɪᴏʟᴀɴᴜꜱ ꜱɴᴏᴡ’ꜱ ᴡᴇᴅᴅɪɴɢ ɪꜱ ᴀɴɴᴏᴜɴᴄᴇᴅ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇ ᴛᴏ ʀᴜɴ ᴀᴡᴀʏ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʜɪᴍ, ɪɴ ʜᴏᴘᴇꜱ ʜɪꜱ ɴᴇᴡ ᴡɪꜰᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ. ʙᴜᴛ ᴀꜱ ʜɪꜱ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ, ʜᴇ ʀᴇꜰᴜꜱᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴏ.

manipulation, obsession, jealousy, dub-con, and smut.

ʜᴇ'ꜱ ɢᴏɴɴᴀ ʙᴜʀɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʜᴏᴜꜱᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ

YOU WEREN'T AVOIDING HIM.

Or, at least, that's what you liked to tell yourself. You were simply taking a step back from him, allowing yourself to escape from his searing touch, his scarring lips, and poisoned vows. You were stepping out of the picture, allowing him a moment to relish his wife, to engulf in her presence and take her in. In hopes of diminishing yourself from the recesses of his mind — in hopes she could replace you somehow.

It was your wedding present to him.

After all, you were just his lover. You could never be something more — nor did you wish to be, not after everything that he'd put you through. After you'd won the 12th Hunger Games, Coriolanus Snow had made sure to haunt you down. He’d made sure to corner you into his command with thinly-veiled threats, to eliminate any obstacles on his way and take you as his and only his. No matter the consequences.

Like an object.

Like a treasure.

He did everything in his power to have you. To tether himself to the fibers of your skin, to burrow beneath your bones, and settle in. He was like a drug to you — deathly yet addictive, and sometimes you even wondered if you were right in the head. To accept his pleasures, his lips, and his body against yours — even though you didn't have much of a choice most of the time.

You hated him.

For taking away the remnants of humanity that was once inside of you. For haunting your mind during the daytime and behind shut eyelids. For making you his in every way possible.

And yet he went through all of that trouble to marry another woman.

At first, it pestered you — to think you weren't worthy of such a title. To think you weren't worthy of being the First Lady of Panem after all the shit that he'd put you through. But then, you thought of it as an opportunity to escape him. Try to reconnect with your old self and run away from him for as long as you could.

And that's what you did.

When the wedding was announced, you packed your stuff and fugitively came back home to your district. You hadn't seen your family for months, Snow had made sure to isolate you from anyone you ever shared some type of affection with. He hated sharing you. So, he forced you to move to the Capitol with him, despite the funny looks and whispers that ricocheted off the walls.

Everyone, somehow, knew you were his.

And yet, nobody dared to speak of it loudly.

Not even your family.

Afraid it might just sentence them to death (wish you knew, would most likely be the case).

One week elapsed eventually. You heard from him through the news, he'd married Julia Pompey in a matter of days before your departure. It comforted you — to think it was finally over until the roses began to arrive one day. You’d asked your mother to throw them away, to which she didn't object to, she was well aware of the thinly-veiled message behind them.

She was aware of the powerful man that haunted you.

It started with a single rose at first, but by the end of the week, they were bouquets of roses sitting outside your door. There was no letter attached to them, he didn't need to write one — you knew the message perfectly well. He was asking for you to come back to him.

It almost made you sick.

But you tried to dismiss it.

You tried to move on with your life. You busied yourself with banal tasks at home. You helped your mother clean and cook your favorite meals. And, although there wasn't much talking between the two of you, you enjoyed her presence all the same. It was nice to have her gentleness, after the games, loneliness seemed to be the only thing that accompanied you everywhere you go — it made you weaker, easier for Snow to break.

And that's what he did.

He broke you apart just to put you back together.

Until your mother could no longer recognize you. But in fleeting moments like this, when you lingered behind her frame and watched her bake your favorite muffins like a child, she was able to see a few glimpses of the daughter that was once taken away from her.

After all, you weren't completely lost yet.

But you knew it wouldn't last.

You were coming back from the bakery one afternoon when you noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere inside your home. The house was awfully quiet — the loudest kind of silence you'd ever heard before, and your mother was unexpectedly greeting you at the door. A fake smile curved her lips, it was almost concerning, but before you could open your mouth and ask if something was wrong, a peacemaker stumbled into your line of vision.

"Ms. (Y/LN), please follow me."

Your muscles wracked with tension when the peacemaker beckoned you towards the end of the hall and into the office located at the far end of the house. You offered your mother a faint smile on the way, assuring her that everything was going to be okay — but you knew better.

The door was shut behind you with a quiet thud when you stepped inside the room. You knew he was waiting for you inside. The smell of roses immediately settled into your nostrils and you shivered, the aroma forced its way down your throat until you could almost taste it. He was sitting across from you at the desk, leaning back on the chair as he examined your features very quietly.

When you finally looked up to meet his gaze, the sight of his tousled blonde curls caught you completely off guard. He looked exhausted, dark circles marred his skin like he hadn't slept for days. You'd never seen him like this before.

You disliked it.

"President Snow," You greeted after a moment of silence, relishing the way his jaw visibly clenched at the formality of your words. He hated when you called him anything, but Cory.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He spat through his teeth suddenly. If glares could've killed, you've been six underground by then.

You feigned an innocent look on your face. "I haven't done anything at all."

"You left home," He argued, and the mere sound of the words made your skin prickle with goosebumps. The Capital was not your home — he was not your home, but you didn't dare to blurt that out into the open air. "And you left no fucking letter, no indication of when you were coming back — nothing!"

"I assumed your wife wouldn't like having me around," You responded simply, holding back your breath when his expression darkened completely and a humorous smile itched his lips. "Congratulations on the wedding, by the way."

"Is that what this is about?" He scoffed, pushing back on his chair almost immediately. The wood scuffing against the floor made you wince. "Is that why you left? Because you were jealous?"

Anger retaliated in the pit of your stomach. You were not jealous, on the contrary, you were almost glad he'd someone else to fuck with. Because then — maybe, you could be free from him. And the nightmares could finally go away.

But you didn't say anything.

Afraid that you might just say that.

He didn't mind that, instead, he took a few deliberate steps closer to you. Instinctively, you fell back a few steps, until your back was pressing against the wall and there was nowhere to run.

"Do you want to know why I married her?" He questioned as his voice notched down a few decibels. He was standing close — too close, his face was merely inches away from touching yours. You could feel his warm breath pressing against your skin as he spoke. "Because I hate her. Because she means nothing to me."

You stilled for a moment, reeling over his words. For some reason, the logic behind his marriage didn't surprise you as much as it should've. Coriolanus Snow was a tactful man, you knew him like the palm of your hand — he didn't act before having a plan. So, you shrewdly assumed, that marrying Julia Pompey was just one of his ways of securing immunity to threats.

His enemies couldn't hurt him if they killed her — or their future children. Because he didn't love or care enough for her. Not one bit.

"Do you know what I did on my wedding night?" He added, voice sliding evenly into your thoughts. His hand carefully raised to touch your face, to stroke the skin of your cheeks with the pad of his thumb. "Do you know who I thought of when I dismissed her and locked myself in our room?"

You clenched your jaw as you registered his words, not wanting to listen any further.

His thumb pressed against your bottom lip. "When I took my pants off and jerked all night off until I was numbed?"

You turned your head away, but he gripped his hand around your cheeks to keep you in place. You threw him a look, but he dismissed it with little care. He wanted you to look into his eyes.

"Guess who I thought of?"

You didn’t answer.

“Guess who kept me going?” His hands dropped to tighten around your throat.

“Stop it, Coriolanus,” You hissed, pressing the palm of your hand against his chest harshly.

He didn’t falter.

“You know she could never replace you,” He continued, as if was the most obvious thing in the world. “She could walk around naked and I would much rather turn to look at the filthy floor. She means absolutely nothing to me.” He repeated, and — for some reason, you were certain he was telling the truth.

And it suddenly dawned on you that — no matter how far you ran, no matter how fast you did; you would never actually escape him. And the daunting realization peppered visible goosebumps over your skin again.

“I know.” You limited yourself to answer.

“So, why the fuck are you avoiding me?” He snapped, eyes suddenly turning obscure as he waited for an answer. “Are you punishing me?”

I wish I was, you thought to yourself.

“Of course not.”

“Then why the fuck are you running away from you?” He hissed, examining your face carefully before an amused smile itched his lips “As if you could ever escape me, sweetheart.”

You glared at him.

He didn’t deign to give you a response.

Instead, he pressed his lips against yours — obliterating any sudden rationality or lucid thought that you could’ve had in mind at that moment. You found yourself shutting your eyes when his tongue swept past your lips and delved hot inside your mouth. He was desperate and frantic — he’d missed you. You didn’t fight it, because, at the end of the day, you knew it would be pointless. You knew you would be right back in the same game — run and being chased.

And he would catch you every damn time.

Despite how much you hated it.

“Come back home.” He commanded, his voice dangerously low as he leaned back to catch his breath. His hands were sliding under your shirt, tracing arbitrary patterns over your stomach before his hands raised to make their way up to your warm chest.

“Cory — ” You protested when he buried his head in your neck and began to kiss your skin like there was no tomorrow. You could hear voices behind the door, and concerned whispers from your family as they tried to piece together what was happening behind those closed doors.

Would he kill you?

Would he kill them?

You almost wanted to laugh at that. You wish he could just kill you right there and then.

If they only knew.

“We can’t — ” You tried again, but his lips met yours with such fervor that you couldn’t even finish your sentence. Within a blink of an eye, he slid an arm behind your waist and carried you up to throw you over the desk behind him. You tried to protest again, but it only seemed to incite him even more as he racked up your skirt.

“Say you’ll come back home.” He commanded, his voice rasping as he pulled his pants down. You didn’t answer, instead, you parted your legs and took him in like you’d always done. He slid in and out with slow thrusts and you almost hated the gentleness of his moves. A moan silently slipped out your mouth when he touched every right spot — until your toes were curling, and an orgasm was washing over you.

You hated how well he knew you.

You hated that the only thing you could do was hold back the tears.

When he finished, he collapsed on top of you. Face buried inside your neck as he waited for the response he knew you would never deny him.

“I’ll come back home.”

[frankenkyle19]

Grownup Time

Kintober day 6: Kit Walker x reader get up to some fun while the kids are out trick or treating ;)

word count: 1.5k short one! Short and sweet! description/warnings: unprotected sex, quickie, smut, p in v penetration, uh that’s it I think? Very tame compared to some of my other fics

You met Kit Walker at one of the hardest points in his young life. Both the women he loved died, one murdered by the other and the other passing away in an asylum that he knew didn’t treat people right. He had first hand experience there sadly. Something he wasn’t too keen on sharing with others. Not even you. 

Now he was a single father, caring for two beautiful kids while also trying to work and support them. It was hard, really hard and everyone wondered when he’d get married again. 

He still wasn’t married, but he had a girlfriend. You. You didn’t need a ring on your finger to know how much you two loved each other. He was completely devoted to you and you loved him just as much.

His kids were absolutely precious and loved to spend time with you, instantly clinging to you as a mother figure that they hadn’t had in months. 

You moved in with Kit soon after you met, deciding it was the best for all of you, kids included. You’d be able to help around the house and with the kids, giving Kit some much needed rest while also being able to spend more time with him which was a win win.

Now, six whole months later you all had a set schedule as a family. Kit went to work, the kids went off to school and you’d cook dinner. Two days a week Kit would insist that he cook for the family and of course you let him. He looked beautiful in the kitchen leaning over a pot or pulling something out of the oven.

Everything was absolutely perfect. Except for one thing… You two barely had any time alone.

Sure maybe after the kids fell asleep but they were both very light sleepers and got up frequently in the night. The last thing you needed was for one of them to walk in on the two of you getting it on. 

You could realistically do it in the shower, but when Kit nearly slipped bending you over you two had called it quits and just finished cleaning up before drying off. It wasn’t for lack of trying. You two tried hard, but it seemed that every single time you made a move on each other the world had to be the biggest cockblock. 

Luckily for the two of you lovebirds, it was Halloween and that meant trick or treating which meant kids out of the house. 

Kit was a bit nervous to let the kids go off without him, but after some convincing and the knowledge that their friend's mother would be going along with them, he agreed.

It had been hard for him ever since Grace and Alma died. He was so worried for his kids in every aspect of their lives. The kids loved their father, but he was a bit overbearing at times. It all came from a place of love. Kit wouldn’t be able to survive if something happened to them. He’d already faced so much loss.

Kit had gotten off of work early that day to be able to see Thomas and Julia off, making sure that he talked with their friend’s mother and discussed where they’d be going. 

He kissed each child on the head, much to their dismay before waving them goodbye, watching as they walked off down the path to go trick or treating. Kit would be lying if he said he wasn’t at least a little bit nervous.

You had made a roast for dinner that night, something simple but also something Kit loved. You were just about to finish up in the kitchen when he came up behind you, wrapping you in his large arms and squeezing gently, pressing a few kisses to your exposed neck.

A shiver ran up your spine as you subconsciously leaned back against him, sighing out a soft exhale of contentment. 

His body was warm and soft against yours… save for one thing.

“Kit Walker!” You exclaimed, turning around to face him.

“Are you hard?” You teased, looking down to see that he was in fact aroused. Not like he had much of a choice in how he felt. It’d been so long since he’d had you all to himself to even entertain the thought.

“It’s been so long suga’ just give me a bit of lovin’ yeah? The kids are gone, we’ve got the house all to ourselves for at least the next two hours.” He smiled softly, accent thick as he swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t want to. Of course you did. Who wouldn’t? 

You pulled him into a kiss, standing on your tiptoes as he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you flush against his chest as he deepened the kiss. It was obvious how eager and desperate he was for this. 

The two of you stumbled out of the kitchen and into your shared bedroom, clothes coming off on the way there, the two of you tripping as you rushed to get your pants off.

You had no intention of taking things slow, despite having all the time in the world. You were much too worked up for any of that, and by the way Kit was panting, he wasn’t in the mood for slow either.

Kit’s large hands came behind you once your shirt was up and over your head, undoing your bra like he’d done so many times before, letting the straps slide down your arms before your breasts were freed.

Kit brushed the pad of his thumb over one of the hardening nipples, grinning. You shivered, arching into the touch. Just the simplest of touches had you so desperate for more.

Luckily for you, Kit was more than ready to give you anything your heart desired.

Your hand gently brushed over the bulge in his white boxers, causing him to throw his head back with a sigh, subtly bucking into the touch.

“Okay baby- ya gotta stop that or I’ll cum-“ he whined, cock twitching in his boxers as he pulled your hand away, shaking his head with a laugh.

“It’s been too long.” He mumbled as he pulled you into a kiss, practically ripping off your panties along with his underwear before positioning himself between your legs.

You reached down and gave his length a few strokes for good measure before he lined himself up with your entrance and pushed his length in.

It always hurt the first few moments with Kit, no matter how much you’d done it. He was well above average and you always needed time to adjust to his size.

Kit nearly collapsed over you at the feeling of your plush walls squeezing him so tightly, urging him deeper inside.

You gripped his hair in your hands and played with it absentmindedly as the two of you waited to adjust. Kit shook subtly against you, face buried in the crook of your neck.

“Baby- go ahead I’m ready.” You moaned out. He didn’t need to be told twice, already beginning to thrust in and out before you even finished your sentence.

Gripping onto his shoulders, your nails dug into his skin, sure to leave red marks tomorrow that he’d admire in the mirror each time he got changed. 

“Fuck baby, yer so tight. Damn-“ he groaned out, peppering kisses along your neck and collarbone, fucking into you at a much harsher pace now.

“Mmm Kit f-Fuck-“ You moaned out, his groin brushing against your clit with each thrust in, causing pleasure to surge through you, a tight dull ache forming in the pit of your stomach.

Kit sensed this change in you almost immediately and it made him weak in the knees. Making you cum was always such an honor for him, and god was he so, so good at it. 

“Close-“ You whined out, hips chasing his each time he pulled back to thrust once more.

“Yeah? Gonna cum fer me? Yeh you are. Good girl, my good girl.” He cooed, reaching down to rub circles against your clit.

You were so lost in the pleasure that the air was knocked out of your lungs when you did cum. You arched your back and cried out, biting down on your bottom lip nearly hard enough to draw blood as you writhed underneath Kit 

Seeing you like this was more than enough to trigger his own release and soon, a warmth filled you up from deep inside. Kit soon collapsed next to you, holding you close as he slipped out of you, his cum dripping onto the bedsheets that would now definitely need changed.

You both stayed silent for several moments, just panting, enjoying the after effects of your releases.

“We need to do that more often.” Kit breathed out with an exasperated chuckle, brushing your hair out of your face before pressing a kiss to the tip of your nose.

“Well we still have a few more hours until the kids get home.” You grinned, rolling over to sit atop him, hands laying flat on his chest as you gave him a suggestive smirk.

“Oh baby-“ he cooed, his accent stronger now in his hazy state of pleasure as he held your hips.

Happy Halloween to the two of you. 

[joshlmbrt]

Beautiful Boy. truck driver!dad! e. munson x mom!reader.

w; this one is long - i apologize, r is intended as a female but i try to be nondescript as best as i could ( i use the pronouns she/her BUT you can always change if you’d like <3 ), i don’t know much about soccer so pls ignore how i absolutely demolish it, mentions of cheating - not eddie, jason is mean - as always - but this time it’s uncalled for, chance is non-verbal, little injury, eddie absolutely loses it in front of parents and kids - but it’s needed honestly, eddie’s self-deprecating thoughts, fluff ending

thank you @reidsbtch & @officerrrfriendly for beta reading !!! i love u both.

an; thought about this little idea and i love the idea of truck driver!eddie so im continuing the alt au! i hope you guys love him just as much as i do 🧸 (if u seen the post ab me taking a small break - no u didn’t … jk, after this i won’t post for a while </3 just wanted to post this.)

Eddie hated being around people.

Not just people. But people he knew and went to school with - the ones that called him a freak.

Although, Eddie had found you and he was the first one out of anyone - when he finally put his mind to it and graduated - to get married.

So, everyone who made fun of him, suck it!

“Hun, can you get his duffel bag out, please?” You slip out of the car, opening the back door. Sometimes he missed his van - the one you despised and desperately told him to trade in for this mini van - but then he realizes how much it actually came in handy.

You hold Chance’s hand when he hops out of the car, kneeling down and tying his shoes. Whenever Eddie would tie them, he would immediately walk away and find you, wordlessly holding his foot out - Eddie never got them tight enough. They would always untie in the middle of the game.

“You’re gonna do so good, baby! I just know it.” You switch to tie the other shoe. Eddie circles around the car after locking it, placing a hand on Chance’s head.

“Absolutely. He’s a Munson.” He smirks down at the boy. It took a little time for Eddie to realize that being a part of the Munson Bloodline wasn’t all bad like people had made him believe.

Sometimes they would lose - but in the long run, they somehow always win in the end.

His win - you and Chance.

There’s a whistle that had been directed towards the small group of you, Chance, and himself. It caused Eddie to look up quickly. It wasn’t the type of whistle to catch someone’s attention that you had been friends with for a while - no - it was a whistle little boys did when they seen a woman they thought was pretty.

“Oh, my bad.” The smirk was familiar and made Eddie’s blood run hot.

Jason Carver.

Divorced three times and had two kids (They both are the same age - you can be sure what had happened there and why they both are the same age) . He's married again, but she’s at the car getting the chairs out and small cooler with capri-sun’s for the little tots and beer for Jason.

It wasn’t allowed, but it was Jason Carver, and sometimes someone’s privilege was so blindingly noticeable.

You peek up at Eddie, watching as his jaw clenches. “Eds,” You say. “Eddie,” He finally looks down at you. You shake your head. “He’s not worth it. Don’t waste your breath.”

He can distinctly hear Julia - his new wife who was most likely about to hit him with divorce papers - complain as she shoves the chairs into his arms. His eyes peek up, watching as they both walk away. He only nods, looking back down at you.

“Breathe, Eds.”

And suddenly, he could breathe again. There was a shudder to the first breath he took - but it felt nice. Rather than holding it in anger until he passed out.

You give him a small smile before fixing Chance’s green shirt. You press a quick kiss to his forehead, standing and holding a hand out for him. He immediately slips his hand into yours, following you towards the field.

Eddie glances around, scratching at his neck when he passes a group of people who peaked in high school - better known as the basketball and football team.

There were a couple of them that were fine - not as rude. And he was sure that the whispers he heard wasn’t about him in particular, but there’s some side of him that feels as if the hushed conversation was about him - or worse, his little mini me.

Chance had been quiet. He doesn’t know why or if it will ever change - a part of him hopes it does because he wants to hear his tiny voice. But if it never changed, Eddie would still love him either way.

And if anyone - including a kid - said anything about it, he’s not afraid to go to jail after knocking out some teeth and lose his job over it.

He drops the duffel bag, kneeling down in front of Chance. “Remember what I told you?” He tilts his head. “This is supposed to be fun, just remember that.”

Chance smiles and nods. He looked grown - the tooth that he had lost making a slow comeback.

“Now, go get them, Champ.” He stands, clapping as he runs to meet the rest of his team.

You peek over at him, smiling softly with a fluttering heart and pink cheeks. He peeks over at you, pushing his sleeves up to his elbows and crossing his arms over his chest, lifting a brow at you.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” He chuckles a bit nervously. He still gets a bit nervous when you stare at him like you’re falling in love all over again - which you are, even more than before.

Of course, Eddie’s had relationships - even situationships - and even if they didn’t last that long, he always felt confident in the relationship, never boyish and giggly to where he could swing his feet like a school girl.

But with you, he feels shy, excited, nervous, and loved.

You shrug, slipping your arms around his, resting your chin on his bicep. “I just think you’re so handsome.”

He flushes and suddenly feels hot in the cool air. “Even with this scuff.”

“Especially with the scuff,” You grin. “And I thought I wouldn’t like your haircut, but I do.”

“I’m glad,” He nods, leaning over and pressing one, two, three pecks against your forehead. “It was just getting in the way when I would roll the windows down to smoke,” His scruff tickles against your forehead. “Especially when I would forget or loose the rubber band.”

You nod a bit and lift up, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I’m going to go get the mini cooler out of the car.”

“I can do that.”

“No, I got it. Stay here and make sure no one gets our spot.”

He smirks. “Yeah, because you’ll end up feeling bad for someone and move.”

You roll your eyes and pat his bottom before walking off. He smiles and turns back, watching as they Hawkins and the other team - Defenders - give high-fives before the game starts.

“So, Munson,” He feels someone brush up against his side, his nails dig into his skin that was covered by his black sweatshirt. “How’s the married life?”

“You mean the same married life I’ve been in for 5 years now?” Eddie rocks on his heels. He doesn’t know if that would help, but he’s hoping it does so he doesn’t cause a scene in front of all the kids and parents who already judge him enough even if he’s not that same, hyperactive person anymore.

“It’s wonderful. How about your third wife? Or… is it the fourth?” He wonders out loud. Jason chuckles, blue eyes turning to stare daggers into the side of his face. “Or do you already have the fourth one picked out?”

“You’re such a-”

“Hi, Mr. Carver,” You cut the conversation short. You didn’t like Jason at all, but it’s better to kill him with kindness than to egg him on with words. “Seems like James and Aj are getting the hang of soccer.”

He watches as you bend at the waist, Eddie moving slightly to cover where ever his eyes might land, pinky circling into the belt loop of your jeans.

Jason rolls his eyes at that, clearing his throat. “Yeah. Learned from the best,” He nods. “What about Chance? Since… Eddie’s gone most of the time.”

“Dustin, Lucas, or Steve comes and practices with him. Jonathan does sometimes as well, and Robin,” You shrug. “He has a bunch of people who help him.”

“I bet it gets lonely sometimes.” Eddie’s ears ring when he hears the words and the whistle blow.

“What?”

“You know… When Eddie’s gone. How many days is he gone?”

You lift a brow, eyes staying on Chance’s jersey. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” You step closer when you feel Eddie’s finger tug on the belt loop of your jeans.

“Well… I could keep you company sometime, you know,” He tilts his head. “It’s not okay for Chance to have a father that disappears a couple of days and then pops back up for a day.” There’s a pause. You both were going to ignore him.

Jason is the type of guy who wouldn’t back out of an argument until there’s a physical altercation between him and whoever falls into his trap. Eddie knows this because it’s happened before.

Jason wouldn’t stop pestering him - and the next day after seeing his father on the news for a physical altercation, breaking-an-entering, DUI, and Drug Holding, it only made it worse.

“Looks like you might actually have something to look forward too - seeing your Daddy behind bars when you get locked up with him.”

He can’t remember when his fist went flying and when it broke Jason’s nose, but after that, Jason would say something’s and Eddie would retaliate with words.

Jason would back down because he remembered the pain that the rings had caused and the cracking noise he had heard.

But now, he didn’t seem to remember what that felt like - and maybe he needed to be reminded.

“Maybe that’s why he’s a bit slow.” Especially now when he said those words. Jason Carver officially sealed his fate.

“What did you just say?” Eddie turns to him.

“Oh, I didn’t mean that in a bad way,” Jason shrugs. But he did. “Just… you know, he doesn’t talk. He’s not that smart with his-”

“You don't want to finish that sentence, Carver,” Eddie grits out. There’s a hot flash that keeps going down his whole body, the feeling of breaking that nose again, ruining the nose job he had to have because of his rings. “You remember what happened before. I’d hate to ruin the nose job you had to have in 10th grade. Then you’d have to spend another thousand just to get it busted again.”

Jason’s brows shoot up, a small teasing smirk on his face. He notices some parents’ eyes looking at them. Eddie’s voice had raised a smidge and he didn’t even notice.

“Is that a threat, Munson?”

“Try promise, Carver,” His eyes narrow at him. “You peaked in high school and can’t let it go. You even work there.”

Jason’s jaw clenches at that. “I didn’t-”

“You did,” Eddie cuts him off. There’s a small smirk that tugs at the corner of his lips knowing he’s got under his skin now. “You just don’t want to admit it. And it’s honestly sad. So, what you’re going to do right now is turn around, walk away from my wife, and stop talking about my son. Because it won’t be pretty if you don’t.”

“Eddie.” Your hand grips his arm. He looks at you and shakes his head before looking at Jason.

Jason clicks his tongue, darting his eyes out at the field as he nods a bit. You look between the two. “Alright… I’ll let you win this one,” He hums, hands on his hips. “Because at least my kid isn’t a freak.”

Eddie flinches at the word, fist clenching at the usage and who it was shot at. He wouldn’t have minded if it was meant towards himself, but his kid? One who couldn’t even defend himself?

His hands land on his chest, pushing him away. Jason stumbles on his Nike’s. “Carver, I mean it. Walk away before you say something you’ll regret. I’m so close to beating you into the ground.”

Jason stares at him and he believes him. Eddie’s staring at him with eyes that were dark, his hands balled into fists at his side - so tight that his knuckles were white.

Jason’s eyes glances over at you. And just because he needs to get in the last words so his ego isn’t hurt and knocked down a couple of steps, “Call me if you ever get lonely, babygirl.” His lips pucker and smack together before he gives Eddie one last grin, turning around.

Eddie almost swings at the back of his head to knock him off guard, his arm raising. You grab his arm, pulling it down quickly. “Not worth it,” You say, hand resting between his shoulder blades. “He’s not worth going to jail, Eds.”

Eddie watches as he makes his way towards Julia, plopping down into his fold out chair. He grabs the can, taking a gulp and wiping at the corner of his mouth where some had slipped. His blue eyes turn and meet Eddie’s, a small smile that curls at his lips.

“Just one punch?”

“No,” You turn him towards you. “He’s just trying to get a raise out of you and it’s working - don’t let him win this time like he always does.”

Eddie glances around, eyes meeting with some of the parents that quickly look away. His eyes then connect with yours and suddenly he feels his inside soften and his face slowly release its tension, the lines disappearing from his face.

“I’m sorry.” He whispers.

You shake your head, giving him a small smile. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.”

He opens his mouth but is cut off by the whistle, eyes cutting over to the field. He sees number 8 sitting on the ground, his heart dropping.

His mind was wondering else where and his son is hurt.

He’s walking out onto the field before his mind even registers what his feet are doing and kneeling down. Chance had tears rolling down his cheeks, his small hands covering his knee.

“Hey, Champ,” His heart breaks at the sight of his watery eyes when they quickly dart up at him before looking back down at his hands. He flinches when he feels your hand on his back, rubbing up and down. “Can mommy and I take a look?” He whispers.

He feels a bit claustrophobic when he feels the two coaches looming over his shoulders along with the small kids staring at him.

Chance nods slightly, removing his hands from his knee. Eddie’s hand reaches out and holds his leg, looking at the scratches. “Looks like you just need a quick wipe and bandaid.”

Chance sniffs and slowly stands, bending his leg.

“You wanna wait til we get home? I accidentally forgot the first aid at home.” The little boy nods, sniffling again.

Eddie reaches up and wipes away his tears softly. “You’re so brave. I’m proud of you.”

This causes Chance to smile, cheeks lifting a bit. Eddie gives him a swift peck to the top of his head before standing. “Go get ‘em.” Chance nods quickly.

Eddie grabs your hand, walking off the field and standing on the sidelines again. You lean your head on his shoulder.

“Eds?” He hums a bit. “I love you.”

He smiles a bit, nodding. “I love you.”

⭒

Eddie plops down on the bed, rubbing at his face. Chance’s knee was taken care of, a fresh shower, some nuggets, then he was out like a light when his little head hit the pillow.

Eddie feels like he could pass out when his own head hits the pillow, but there’s a feeling that keeps tugging at his chest.

He doesn’t know if it’s anger, sadness, or confusion.

anger because he couldn’t put Jason Carver into place like he absolutely wanted to. Anger because he missed half of Chance’s game because of him.

Sadness because Chance has to deal with people already laughing at him - it’s much worse when a grown up does it.

Confusion because he doesn’t know what he did in wrong his life to deserve what people say about him and his family.

Eddie always felt like he was nice enough - not judging others and including them in a conversation when he felt as if they weren’t being heard or he noticed the look on their face when they felt left out of the conversation.

And there’s a constant nagging in his mind that he always hears in his subconscious.

You’re not cut out to be a father - you’re going to go downhill soon.

And the worse part about it, he actually believes he’s going to go down hill. His father once was a nice man, caring. Then Wayne said when his mom got sick, he turned bitter and mean.

And the worse part about that was she got sick when she was pregnant with Eddie. So that bitterness was because of Eddie.

Edward Munson - the person who caused people to feel bitter when he showed his face. The person who only seemed to give people bad luck when he showed up.

Sarah, his mother who was a soft person with kind words, should’ve saved herself. Not him. She should be here. Then maybe his dad would’ve been okay.

Everyone would’ve been okay.

“Babe?” He blinks, glancing at you. He didn’t realize that you had finished getting ready for bed and had snuggled under the covers. He hums slightly. You frown, lifting your hand and wiping at the tears that he didn’t realize had fallen.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on in your mind?” Your thumb traces over his cheekbone. You pay attention to the scar he has nearing his eye. He shakes his head a bit, lip quivering.

He’s afraid that if he talks, it will cause him to sob, then if he sobs, he’ll wake up Chance. He’s already had a rough day today and he needed his sleep.

You frown and move closer to him, pressing a kiss next to his eye, they flutter closer. “Whatever you’re thinking, it isn’t true,” You whisper. “I know you and I know that you’re very hard on yourself - and you shouldn’t be. You know why?”

He turns his head to stare at you, shaking his head a bit.

Your hand splays out against his cheek. “Because you, Eddie, are the absolute best person I know with the biggest heart. And I’m so proud of how far you’ve come and achieved.”

He smiles, although it’s a bit shaky. “What did I do to deserve you?”

You shrug, nudging your nose against his softly. “Just being the absolute best version of you.”

🎸 eddie tags; @lavendermunson, @hazydespair, @whisperingwillowxox

thank you for reading! comments, reblogs, requests, likes, & feedback is always welcomed, encouraged, & deeply appreciated. 🧸

[sirianasims]

We had dinner at the food stall behind the gallery, talking about everything and nothing. Paul asked about my costumes and I showed him some of my cosplays and even a few original designs on my phone. He could name every single character I’d done, and I was quite thrilled to discover that he was just as much of a geek as I was. I don’t know why I had expected otherwise, considering the kind of roles he played.

He told me he’d loved comics and superheroes since he was a child, so when the casting call for a live-action Llama Man series went out he had jumped at the chance even though he knew the risk.

And he’d been right. By the time the series ended, he was too established as Llama Man and casting directors were passing him over for more serious roles.

He didn’t seem to mind that much though. He said that being a lead actor was hard work and he much preferred smaller roles where he could have some more creative input. These days, he mostly worked on Llama Man: The Animated Series and a few other voice acting gigs.

After the gallery closed, we found ourselves on a bench outside. The night was warm. I didn’t feel like going back to my apartment yet, and Paul didn’t seem to be in any hurry either.

“Finally, the director told me that if I didn’t get it together, he was going to replace me with an actual llama next season. So, obviously I had to bring a llama for the launch party. He did not appreciate the gesture. Turns out very few llamas are house-trained.”

Our laughter echoed slightly in the empty plaza.

“You know, you remind me a little of my grandfather.”

“Ouch. You wound me. I’m not even forty, you know.”

“No, I mean, he was an actor as well. Conrad Richards. He loved pranks like that too.”

“Conrad Richards was your grandfather?”

“Well, he married my grandmother, but he was always grandpa Conrad to me.”

“That’s amazing. I was a big fan of his, actually. I liked how he always seemed to have fun with it, not like those actors who take themselves too seriously.”

“Yeah, he never took anything seriously. In every memory I have of him, he’s laughing.” My voice wavered slightly. “Sorry, I still miss him a lot.”

“Understandable.”

Paul took my hand.

“I wish I could tell you that it gets easier, but the truth is, it doesn’t. You just get better at carrying the pain.”

He looked away, seemingly lost in thought.

“When my father died, my mother told me that grief is just love that no longer has a home. It has nowhere to go. So, what you need to do is give it a new home. Surround yourself with friends and family. Love the ones you have left even harder. It doesn’t make the grief go away, but they will help you carry it.”

He cleared his throat and gave my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. I immediately missed the warmth.

“Thank you, Paul. I mean it.”

“You’re welcome. Julia.”

We sat in silence for a moment. Then, he looked at his watch and smiled at me, back to his cheerful self.

“Sadly, as much as I’d love to, we can’t sit here and chat all night. I have to catch a flight back to the Valley in the morning. So unless you feel like walking me to my hotel to make sure I don’t get lost, we should probably part ways.”

“Sure. Where’s your hotel, then?”

He hesitated, his eyes searching my face.

“ZenView Heights. But -“

I leapt to my feet. “It’s this way.”

Paul grabbed my wrist and looked at me with a serious expression.

“Julia, it was a joke. And that’s way too far to walk. Are you really sure about coming back to my hotel?”

I tried to listen for that little voice in my head, the one that was supposed to warn me when I was about to do something stupid, but there was only silence. 

And Paul.

I nodded, slightly surprised at myself. Paul sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“I don’t even know what I’m doing any more,” he muttered as we walked to the street to find a taxi.

beginning / previous / next

[dennydraws]

I can't believe @sunnyluma bullied me into posting this... Disclaimer: I write fanfiction once in 10 years, English isn't my native language. I got plot bunnies during the affinity event in FEH

Day of Devotion Words: 1877 Characters: F/Robin (FEAwakening) x Julius (FE4)

The Day of Devotion. A lovely holiday in Askr, a day to bring flowers and express love - all kinds of love. Love towards friends, family … and more. Robin smiled as she placed the flowers through her hair. A smile that would slowly wilt with every next bloom that found it's place on her garments. Her family - the shepherds, they were not here. Not in the same ones in any case. Chrom who once was the closest to her heart was now spending the holiday with another Robin. Not that this Chrom was the same Chrom she knew. Just how many versions of herself were there? It would've been a lie if she said she didn't feel cheated that she was plucked form a timeline she had found happiness and salvation from Grima… or was on the verge of it in any case. And now she was here, in the middle of other conflicts. Happiness was so close and then taken away.

But feelings, especially personal ones such as those had no room on the battlefield and she as a tactician knew that better than anyone. So, her smile adorned her lips once more. She still had plenty to be thankful for - Askr was welcoming place and she had the unique opportunity to meet so many heroes from across time and space - even …more versions of herself! She saw some Robins with worse fate - reminding her of what could've been had she not met Chrom. And there were some Robins who seemed to have tied the knot …with some questionable individuals from the army. She still couldn't wrap her mind over how could any versions of herself would get married to Gangrel of all people and yet the utter devotion she could see in their eyes spoke volumes of how strong that bond was. The smile began to wilt again.

"Oh, get a grip Robin… that's not like you at all." She closed her eyes and shook off any sign of bitterness that could even try to emerge. After all, she knew full well what Grima would feed upon if she even slightly allows it. Instead Robin picked the buoquet of flowers and went out to find someone out there who got no flowers today - surely there ought to be a lone soul somewhere in Askr that could use a little happiness today. As Robin strolled the paved streets, slowly but surely she reminded herself - it was for a tactical benefit. Happier heroes make for stronger units. At the end of the day their survival was the main goal. And that's exactly what she thought when her eyes stopped upon Julius. Alone as usual, he was leaning on a tree in the shades and away from everyone and everything. Robin was aware of his circumstances, in fact she considered him almost like a distant reflection of herself. She knew how a dragon's hold on the mind could feel even when everyone in the army was sure there was nothing left of the real Julius there. Purely for tactical purposes, she reminded herself once more. "Happy day of devotion." Robin beamed a polite smile, holding forth the flowers.

There was a moment of complete confusion on Julius' face. Julia had attempted to sneak a bouquet earlier today which he had instantly crushed despite the screams from his inner mortal puppet. He didn't expect more or any other interactions today, in fact he was hoping he'd be left alone today and this brief moment of confusion loosened the grip he had. "Why?" Julius uttered in an usual calmer voice. Robin immediately caught it. So he was still in there, she thought. Talking to her own fallen self was completely useless when she had tried before but this change of tone made her consider - there might still be something of Julius left in him. "Why not? You've been helping the army fight off whatever evil is looming over us. Isn't that a good reason to thank you for your efforts?" Robin answered pulling her best tactician voice. After all, it was simply stating the facts.

"Hah! You think I do that out of devotion? I long to crush you like the little insects you are. The contract simply binds me to crush only specific ones. But when this contract is broken you will make no difference to me!" Julius leaned in, his hand over the flowers clutched into a tight grip before Robin could even let go. "Yes well… I'm glad you are accepting the flowers though my hand doesn't come with them." Robin noted completely ignoring the dragon's taunts. Another moment caught off guard. "Ah…" A sudden obedient withdraw followed. There he was again, Robin thought and a smirk formed her lips. So that's how you had to go with it. The more you registered Loptous the more he emerged. She just had to see Julius instead. Her eyes squinted. But that was an issue wasn't it? No one knew Julius… except when he was a child and even then, that was so long ago. Whoever was inside had all grown up now. "You seek something that is no longer there." the dragon smirked, taking the flowers, nails gripping into them. Oh he only had to tear them now in front of her to make his point and yet, this hand was flinching in disobedience.

"Hmm, yeah been there, done that." Robin waved her hand after which she completely ignored the looming figure and sat under the tree next to him. This dress certainly made it a bit harder. As much as she enjoyed the flowers, at the back of her head she only wished she was in her comfortable long robes and poofy pants. "They only see the monster, the big disappointment that you are no longer you. It really chips away from your confidence, doesn't it? We're not that different - you and I." Julius remained frozen and still. The dragon was silenced in sheer anger. How dared this mortal overlook him!?

"I was just… lucky. I had someone to pull me before that grip got too strong to bear. But there were times I wasn't as lucky." Robin wasn't looking at him, her smile turned somber, "But you are still holding on. It means you are devoted to something - a hope, an idea, maybe someone… That's worth celebrating today, don't you think?" The pain coming through Julius' head was immense but he made no noise. He couldn't let Loptous groan or grunt like every other time he even tried to produce a thought of his own. His hand was holding on to these flowers - a devotion to hope he never dared speak and he was ready to break his own hand before he lets him crush them. The silence hung in the air. Robin didn't move or look up. A heavy feeling began to swell into her throat - is this how Emmeryn felt? Memories of her speech before she lept into her death after no reaction came from the armies started to surface. The painful realization that the ideals you hold on to are not strong enough to change the inevitable tragedy ahead. A mental kick followed - when did she get so foolish as to let emotions dictate her so? She was a tactician. Emmeryn pure and kind expected the best in people and the world needed people like her but Robin? She had to ground herself. This conversation was nothing but tactical approach to boost morale, nothing more.

Something gently snuck behind her ear. A flower form the bouquet. "I used to.. place flowers in her hair." Julius muttered, slow and uncertain. He had leaned over, his look distant yet searching. Robin turned immediately with her eyes widened. This was most certainly not Loptous. Her mind raced. What did he mean? Oh, he probably meant Ishtar. Of course he did. A little bitter reminder. She mentally bit her tongue - now was not the time for this. The point was - he was still there, in fact he emerged. Was it a good moment to run and call for her? No, that would mean leaving him alone and this moment felt too crucial. Like a battlefield on it's own, it was all about timing, catching the flow and turning it to your favor. "The…best I could do... was to let them go. If they hated me…they would not come near, they would not …be hurt by him. If they... knew I was still here…they would hesitate and he would kill them. They…are safe now… without me." Julius continued speaking with his look turning more and more empty with each word.

Robin recognized where this was going. His thoughts would spiral in despair and Loptous would emerge again, maybe this time for good. She had to think fast, what to reply before he'd slip again. She had to help him win this battle. "Your strength is admirable and I say that as a tactician." Robin replied with a forced brighter tone, pushing any and all emotions that could possibly create a tremble. She had to focus on… Julius. Not on Loptous. Not on the weaved tragedy that had stained every step of his life but on the hero who no one would see or even believe was still in there. Julius' eyes gained a brief focus even if no words came out, Robin knew he was looking at her… maybe a bit too strongly. It was strange, she had seen Julius many times, but never… The Julius, nor his look ever felt on her, not like this. She gave herself another mental kick. Now she began to see how some version of her out there married Gangrel - he too probably did this helpless lost look on her and tugged her heart strings. Probably even gave her flowers. Apparently that was a weak spot she had not realized. Although the image of Gangrel holding a bouquet of flowers was absurd and yet suddenly things began to make a bit more sense regarding her romantic choices in some alternative realities.

"I mean it. I'm proud of you, Julius!" Robin added further as small attempt to break the silence once more and shake any potential emotions trying to find their way into her heart. Instead of a reply Julius simply slumped on his knees, much like a tired puppet with loosen strings and planted his forehead on her shoulder. Robin turned stiff as a statue. That certainly wasn't an expected turn of events. Carefully she moved her arms to give him a careful pat which gradually became a hug. Goodness, this… escalated quickly, she thought. Julius couldn't utter more words. Rather he basked in the sensation of his own body for as brief as this was going to last. He wanted to enjoy the moment - he wasn't sure if he'd ever get another. But the smell of flowers in her dress, her hair, the gentle hold on him - yes he… he would get another. He would fight to get another moment such as this.

Autor Note: Do not blame me for this idea, blame this!

I can't believe I wrote a fanfic in 2024 about Fire Emblem...

[elisysd]

Castles Crumbling

Cruel Summer Masterlist

Charles and Lyanna's relationship

And here I sit alone, behind walls of regret Falling down like promises that I never kept

He forgot it. He forgot to pick up his son from his weekly session with his therapist. He didn’t have much to do, just to pick him up so that Lyanna could enjoy her afternoon without having to worry about anything. Yet, he couldn’t even do something as simple as pick up his son. Lyanna had received a call from the center saying that Louis was alone and was waiting for an hour now. She had left abruptedly and found her son, tears straining his cheeks and remaining silent. She had tried her best to make him say someting, even if it was just a sound but she had to give up as he refused to pronounce a word.

When she finally got back home, she was fuming. Not only was she angry but she was sad and disappointed. Lately Charles was hell bent on the idea of winning one last title to the point that nothing seemed to matter around him beside the victory. Sometimes Lyanna was not recognizing the man she had married almost fifteen years ago. And sometimes, when se was alone in bed, waiting for his call that he had promised her but never gave, she couldn’t help but think that maybe it was the end of them. All that their marriage was now was only empty promises and little white lies for the sake of pretending that everything was fine in front of the kids.

The man that had promised her to always come back to her was just the shadow of himself.

When Louis and her got back home, she sent her son away, promising him that she would come to play with him later and went to the office, in the back of the house where her husband was having a conversation with some members of the Ferrari staff. When he saw her in the door way he silently indicated her that he was busy but Lyanna didn’t care. Forgetting his son was the last straw. One she would not ignore. She stepped in the room, waved to the staff and pressed the mute button.

“Lyanna. I don’t have time right now. It’s a very important meeting.”

“More important than you son, apparently.’ she said, taking him by surprise.

She could see him mutter a “shit” and not wanting to create a scene, she left the room. She didn’t know what else to add. She heard Charles saying that he would call back, that there was an emergency at home and she heard his footsteps behind her.

“I can’t do that anymore Charles…” whispered Lyanna as she was sitting down on the sofa, her head between her hands.

“Can’t do what, Lyanna?”

“This. Us. I’m tired, I’ve got nothing left in me.”

“What do you mean? Lyanna talk to me.”

“You’re never there!” she exploded. “ After all this time, you're still chasing pipe dreams. Whereas I'm here, with your daughter and your son, waiting for you. But I have the feeling that you don't care... that one last title with Ferrari is all that matters to you.”

“That’s not true. You know that.”

“Where were you for the appointments with the doctor and the psychologists when we couldn't understand why Louis lagged behind the other children in speaking or even making a sound? When he refused to look at me and I didn't understand and thought it was my fault, that I was doing something wrong, that I was a bad mother because I couldn't understand my baby's needs? Did you know that Louis can't stand his vegetables being mixed? Did you know that I have to sort them by colour before giving them to him, otherwise he won't eat them? That before every excursion I have to put on his noise-cancelling headphones, otherwise he cries because he can't stand certain noises? Of course you don't know. How could you? I can't do that anymore Charles. They need you. I need you, I need my husband.” she let a strangled sounD escape her throat and she was crying.

“Lyanna, you can’t ask me to leave everything behind. I know that I can do it, I know that I can win one last championship. I do it for you love, I do it for Julia and Louis. Whenever I step into the car, I think of you. You guys are my fuel.”

“But we don’t care about any of this, that’s what you don’t understand. And if you can’t understand… maybe that means that we are not on the same page anymore.”

“Are… are you saying that you want to divorce?” he was astonished and his voice hoarse. Tears were threatening to fall.

“I don’t know Charles… I don’t know.”

He tried to take her in his arms but she rejected him. He tried to take her hand but it seemed like it was not fitting in his anymore.

“I love you, Lyanna. You’re the love of my life.” His voice sounded like a plea. He wanted her to believe him but she shook her head.

“So prove it Charles…”

Charles remembered how Lyanna left that night, saying that she needed space to think things through. He stayed alone, in their big house with Julia and Louis and for the first time he felt like a stranger in his own family. He didn’t know what Louis needed, he didn’t know what to say to him, he didn’t know how to be the dad the little boy needed. And from afar, he looked at his daughter doing everything he should be the one doing. Cutting vegetables in regular pieces, being careful to not mix anything, always making herself seen by Louis so he wouldn’t be startled. When finally he was alone with his daugther she spoke.

“I understand why mom left tonight.”

“Did she tell you anything?”

Charles was hoping that since Lyanna was not answering his texts, she would at least update Julia.

“No. But she doesn’t need to. I see how unhappy she has been lately. She misses you. I miss you too. We all miss you, even Louis. You screwed up bad, dad.”

“I know, princess. All I’ve ever wanted was to give you all a nice life, one you would be proud of. I want to make you all proud.”

“But that’s the thing, dad. We are all already so proud of you. I love you, even if you were not a world champion. And that’s the same for mom.”

“What should I do, then?”

“I think you know. But the question is, are you ready for it?”

Without another word, she got up, kissed her dad’s cheek and went to her room. She was trying to be strong, for Louis but seeing their family picture, taken during Christmas last year, she let a tear fall from her eye. She didn’t want to have a broken family.

The next few weeks, Charles hadd several meetings in addition to the races and the season was almost coming to an end. After a lot of thought he finally made a decision and he was hoping that it would save his marriage. He was going to retire. His place was with his family, that is where he needed to be. They were right, they needed him but if Charles was being honest with himself, he needed them more.

Lyanna took his decision with caution. This was a first step towards repairing the broken pieces of their relationship. But it would need time and she hoped that Charles was ready. To her surprise, it’s him who brougt up the idea of couple councelling. And Lyanna agreed. And it helped them. Slowly but surely, Lyanna was starting to see the man she had fallen in love with all those years ago, coming back to her.

=================

author's note: Don't hate me please lmao. Next bonus is the last one and will be a focus on Julia and Ethan, hehehe. It won't be as sad as the previous ones don't worry. No more heartbreaks for you guys.

taglist

@zendayabelova @purplephantomwolf @ru-kru @dakotali @blueflorals @aundercover @ruleroftheuniverse @fangirlika @writerscurse @elijahmikaelsonbitch @leclerc13 @karmabyfernando @stargaryenx @pitlanebabe @boiohboii @reengard @shikshinkwon@smoooothoperator

[weidli]

you know what i think if i let myself i Could have emotions about sebastian and masculinity/sexuality. he reads to me as very. Einzelkind whose parents' marriage wasn't quite entirely a happy one but they stayed married because that's what you do. abitur gut abgeschlossen, vier semester kriminalpsychologie, polizeischule, marry young and have 2 (.5) kids and a little house and be kriminalhauptkommissar at 31, by the book and conscientous and good at your work. das hätt ich gerne schriftlich. and then. he's got the script all filled out and he Does love julia and he definitely loves the kids but i do think there's always a bit of an element of playacting to it a bit of This Is What You Do. he's got the box he thinks he's supposed to fit in so he climbs in and pulls in his legs and calls it cozy. do you know what i mean. and if he looks at men the Wrong Way sometimes and isn't always quite happy in his own skin then he ignores it because he's Doing Everything Right, isn't he? and then thorsten shows up! mister ran away from home to live in a wg with anarchists. mister had his own perfect wife and kid (that he did love!) box to sit in and went off to be a professional liar and hider of identity right up until the box got run over by an lkw. mister okay i'll sign your paperwork but i'm gonna sign it pinocchio. mister fuck you and fuck this i'm running over that border to fetch that child back. and sebastian falls in love with him immediately gets a lil looser with the police book rules and follows thorsten over the border and asks his wife if she thinks you can be in love with two people at once and makes jokes about in an alternate universe he'd totally fuck his partner and it's all Safe, you know, because he still has the box. sure the marriage with julia is falling apart and he doesn't see the kids as much as he'd like to but he's still playing the role, isn't he? everything's fine. (and he doesn't notice that julia's unhappy maybe as quickly as he should, because his parents were like that too, weren't they, and it was fine, right?). he's still sitting in the boxes Good Man and Good Father and Good Husband he's just also holding thorsten's hand over the side you know. and then julia drops the hey i can't do this anymore let's get divorced bomb and just SPLINTERS the box he thought was always going to be there. (in favor of a man with a wheelchair, no less, and there's definitely something to be said about perceived masculinity and how sebastian does to some extent see it as a competition). and that's where it uh. gets messy. the script's gone he doesn't know what to do. he drinks and lets the kids paint the apartment walls wild colors and flirting with thorsten feels different too because the possibility of following through is there in a way it wasn't before. (i don't think sebastian is at all the type to cheat, scherbenhaufen cover backstory aside; he strikes me more as the type of guy to latch on to one or two people as His and be loyal forever, you know). something something how nervous he is in freigang about being in a brothel with thorsten while thorsten is just. 100% unphased by the situation. something something the argument they have about trust and control in a room with bdsm regalia on the walls and how jittery sebastian is about it

[angelisgonnastartchangingurls]

alice, on a wednesday

"revenge porn? he fucking revenge-porned you?" alice was furious. after a brief make up conversation from their fight last week, annie had blurted out the whole story, and now there were no walls between her and alice again.

"it's like, it would almost be hot if it hadn't been ryan. but because it was him, it sucks," annie said.

"oh, i totally get it. like your angry himbo man you were fucking. if he was just posting your pictures without your permission to brag about you?"

"yeah, that's hot as fuck."

"totally agree. but the idea that he was trying to shame you... ugh, i don't like it. i fucking hate him. i want to kick his ass for you."

alice was relieved to hear that most of annie's friends had rallied for her. there were a few people, annie was still learning, who had gone the other way. she'd unblocked all the numbers that julia had blocked on her phone and read their shitty messages. it was upsetting. alice had a lot of experience in this regard.

"i've fucked a couple of married men in my time," alice said. "and things got messy. kind of on purpose. i was big on drama in my 20s. but by acting out as much as i wanted to, i learned who my real ride or die friends were!"

"well, julia is my ride or die and i fucked her boyfriend."

"well, just don't tell her. it'll go away."

annie knew this was bad advice but she took it anyway.

she met her dad for coffee that afternoon. he let her know that ryan had emailed the photos to him but that he'd only seen the first one and then deleted the message.

"i appreciate that," annie said. "but also i'm not shy, you can see me naked."

"i do feel a bit like, by telling you i thought sex was the only important part of relationships, i had a hand in causing this."

"well, what if you're right?" she said. "when did you last fuck mom?"

"this morning, in the shower," he said.

"hot," annie said, and laughed. "i have this patient who is so annoyed by her parents, but one thing i hear from her is how horny they are for each other, her dad is always filming her mom and stuff... i think it's nice."

"i don't think everyone in the world is hard-wired to be primarily sexual," he said. "but i think i am, and your mom is, and you are. but it's not surprising that your patient is averse to thinking about her parents fucking."

when annie got home, she got stoned in the bathtub and called jonah again. he came over before she was even out of the tub, and gave her two long, exceptional fucks. annie quite liked being on her hands and knees for him. he was so tall, his torso towered over her body. annie was 5'9", not that tall, but tall enough that it was an unfamiliar sensation to be dwarfed by a man.

he came on the front of her body both times even as she requested he cum inside her.

"why didn't you cum inside me?" she asked after the second time. "i was begging for it."

"i don't know, it seems too romantic," he said.

"not to me," she said. "it feels like... maximum dirty."

"are you on birth control?"

"no," annie said.

"well, that's another good reason why not," he laughed.

"you don't want to fuck a baby into me?" she asked, laughing.

"you did so much cocaine yesterday. i would not recommend getting pregnant. but you know, i never became a doctor."

"i never paid attention in sex ed," annie said. "i always got too horny to pay attention."

annie went to see carlos the next morning. she updated him on the whole ryan revenge porn fiasco. he seemed unsurprised. "he crossed a line, but you pushed him there," he said.

"fuck you," annie said.

"the mouth on you," he said. "you're definitely in some kind of spiral right now. just try to slow down."

annie absorbed this. "you're right," she said. "i am losing control."

"but if you can see that about yourself, it's a great sign," he said.

"isn't it kind of a sign that i'm potentially a sociopath?"

carlos sighed. "yeah, it can also be that sometimes."

[draw-n-vent-with-imani]

PatB Review- Happy Narfday

**Before we get into it, I want to apologize for how long this has taken me to get out. I've been juggling a few different projects around and this always got pushed to the back burner.**

Oh dear, you guys want me to start off angry, don't ya?

Okay okay, I said I'd praise every episode at least a little, so I'll start off positive:

The first few minutes were actually pretty decent

Loved the song in this segment, I laugh every time Pinky starts singing

Any episode that gives more insight as to how Pinky thinks has some serious potential, and this one did NOT disappoint in that regard

It really had the potential to have a seriously sweet ending, or at least an interesting ending

Unfortunately...

That's where the positives end

When I tell you that my heart dropped when I read the episode summary before even seeing the segment, it fucking DROPPED.

If you don't need to read an overly negative rant of your favorite segment, here's your que to dip now, I won't be holding back just because I've had a year or two to simmer down.

You're here for the long haul, eh?

Alrighty then

Let's start with the premise: "Brain is forced to celebrate Pinky's Birthday"

There is no better way to piss me off than to word a summary like that. Brain not wanting to celebrate his own birthday is one thing, but to have him despise the idea of celebrating his ONLY FRIEND'S birthday is something completely different. These are the kinds of plotlines where Brain is at his most insufferable because he has to put himself aside. I was actually really worried that Talladega Mouse would turn out this way, but it thankfully didn't (maybe I'll do a review on that one next if it wins the next poll XD).

Brain being 'forced' to do something means he's just going to complain or lie or be antagonistic for the duration of the segment, and in this one he surprisingly manages to tick all of those.

But enough about the premise; I'm sure y'all are more interested in what I think of the meat of the episode. I will tackle this in 3 sections- The Build-Up, The Moment I "Walked Away", and Why the Apology Sucks- and then I'll wrap everything up with my final thoughts. Let's get into it!

The Build-Up (Everything leading up to the reveal)

I went into this segment knowing that there was a 50% chance I wouldn't like it because I HATE plotlines where Brain treats Pinky like he's a 'chore' to deal with, but I was hoping I could be pleasantly surprised.

And the first few minutes actually aren't that bad. Like I said, I love the song, and Pinky actually almost saying that he doesn't want to take over the world all the time could have led to a very interesting conversation.

However, that all changes when Brain decides to lie about the amulet he finds. And I've gotta stop to rant about his 'idea' because it's fucking stupid. So...his plan was to give it to Pinky as a present, take it while he was sleeping, and then use it for his plan (which we all know he wasn't going to enact that night because he had already been up for a FULL 24 HOURS). How stupid does he think Pinky is? It was kind of implied earlier in the episode that Pinky wasn't even really expecting Brain to get him anything. Did Brain think he could just take Pinky's present, one that he loved to the point that he was going to sleep right next to it, and then have that be the end of it? No shit he's going to notice. It makes more sense to just HIDE it for the rest of the episode and have Pinky realize Brain was planning behind his back.

You'll soon realize that a lot of my issues with episodes like these are linked to how if you think about what Brain is doing for more than 5 seconds, it immediately falls apart (i.e. Brain making B.R.A.I.N unfeeling and dumping his feelings on it, making a pocket dimension where he's married to Julia, throwing Pinky under the bus in court).

Anyway, Pinky finds Brain, gets his 'present' and then says this:

"I don't need anything but your friendship to have the best Narfday ever! And I mean it! Zort!"

It is at this point that I knew I would be cringing anytime Brain lies through his teeth. Like I said before, my feelings do end up making me view this episode in a very weird light. Just, Pinky wanted to spend a day with his best friend and not have to worry about ANYTHING. It was a plus to get a gift because he already loves being with Brain so damn much. At this point in season 2, Brain hasn't realized how much he should value his time with Pinky

The next song segment proceeds and then we get to...

The Moment I "Walked Away"

Pinky's confrontation was one of the hardest scenes for me to get through due to one important factor: second-hand rage. I get angry for Pinky a lot of the time ESPECIALLY in the reboot, and this episode had me reach my peak.

For starters, you get to hear Pinky try to get Brain to relax but Brain's trying to lie to get the amulet, which results in it getting destroyed and Brain blowing up at Pinky. This leads to the big reveal that Pinky's birthday had long since past and that he could never find the right time to bring it up until now.

Brain finally realizes he's been a dick and he apologizes and asks for forgiveness. This is where I get irrationally angry

When I tell you I couldn't sit though the scene, I mean every few seconds, I had to pause the video and pace around my room, mentally walking myself through Brain's behavior because I just couldn't comprehend it. What doesn't help is that the structure of the episode prevents any of what Pinky or Brain do in this moment to hit as hard as it really could have.

At this moment, I'm getting into my personal feelings about how I would have written the episode, because the way it is- it's just infuriating:

For starters, I'd make it a full 22 minutes (or at least somewhere between 11-15) because the episode was too damn short for the story they were trying to tell. If they wanted Brain to actually EARN any sort of forgiveness, you can not have him apologize and then have Pinky immediately forgive him. Pinky has more of an edge than that, he's gotten Brain to properly apologize before; let him run off in a huff, or just have him tell Brain "I need some alone time", or SOMETHING

You gotta move the reveal to earlier so that we can see Pinky take some time before he forgives Brain, or give time so that Brain can actually TRY to make it up to Pinky

Brain's apology consisted of him putting himself down and THEN asking for forgiveness; he says NOTHING that implies he won't do the same thing again if he thinks he can get away with it. The reboot gave us one of the darkest interpretations of this character and they give him such an elementary school apology that I just can't accept it.

The whole "returining to the status quo" thing can happen, but why did it have to zoom in so damn quickly? This show just doesn't like letting anyone sit in their emotions

You know what would have been interesting to see? Brain blows up just as he does in the episode, but Pinky goes to get some space and drops his birthday list. When Brain goes to pick it up, he sees what the last thing on Pinky's birthday list was: "Try to take over the world with Brain". Brain has a moment to himself where it is completely silent and he has to live with his mistake and try to make it better. Brain eventually finds Pinky and then gives a PROPER apology

Speaking of the "apology"...

Why the Apology Sucks

I want you to just THINK about the apology again for a second:

"PerhapsI did end up solving my Absolute Zero theory after all, Pinky. For I'm an Absolute Zero when it comes to being a friend. Can you ever forgive me?"

Brain's never been the best at issuing apologies, but this one got be riled up, so I felt the need to add this section in to analyze exactly what makes this not work.

An Ohio State University study cited 6 elements of an effective apology:

More specifically:

Looking at the 2 key elements, while Brain's apology meets the first requirement, he fails to offer to fix the problem himself. Instead, Pinky is the one to ask to do the last thing on his list and Brain allows it.

What's more is that out of the 6 main elements, Brain really only meets 2 of them through his words: Expression of Regret, and Request for forgiveness (the article even talks about how the request isn't the strongest element)

Like I said earlier, Brain spent a majority of the apology saying how bad he was instead of showcasing that he fully understands why Pinky is upset or how sorry he is or saying how selfish he was or simply offering Pinky another chance to do something for his birthday now that he knows it was several weeks ago.

I know I'm being extra hard on Brain, but if you've heard any of my past rambles, you know it's because of how much I love his character and I was actually rooting for his arc he was going on in the reboot.

Final Thoughts

Happy Narfday was an episode that not only met my expectations, it exceeded them in how I expected Brain to be portrayed in this episode.

Have any of you watched "A Family That Poits Together"? Well the first couple of minutes of that episode is EXACTLY how Brain was written for over half of this episode's runtime. Brain being unreasonably angry and annoyed at Pinky the whole time gets irritating and the ending just sends me over the edge in second-hand rage.

Is this an awful episode? No, not by a long shot by this season's standards. Was it the most disappointing? Actually no, that award goes to a completely different season 2 episode.

What this episode represents in my eyes is an attempt to make Brain be more considerate of Pinky, and by my standards, it failed horribly

And with that, this is where this ramble ends

Thank you for being so patient with me, and I'll see you soon with the next episode poll!

[hsfan94]

Glitch

2.7k words

Y/n flew out to LA the moment Harry postponed the show Friday. She had talked to him Wednesday and noticed that he sounded off. She had told him then and there she wanted to fly out. He brushed her off, saying he was fine. But when Jeff texted her an update, upon her request, she bought a ticket for the first flight out.

Y/n and Harry had been friends for a few years now. They met when she was eighteen and he was twenty-five. They were just friends. Y/n loved him so much but she knew being younger than him that he’d never feel the same. In other words she wasn’t his type. But being in the friend zone wouldn’t stop her from taking care of him. One thing she knew about her Harry was that he would work even when he shouldn’t. He wasn’t great at taking care of himself. She knew if she didn’t come, he would be sick forever.

“Y/n, you didn’t have to come.” He opened his door wrapped in the thick fuzzy blanket she had bought him last Christmas. He looked miserable. He had puffy bags under his eyes and his nose had been rubbed red from excessive tissue use. But he still took her breath away.

“Don’t be silly, Haz. We both know you aren’t going to care for yourself properly.” Y/n also had a feeling his girlfriend would be useless as well.

“I’m the older one you know?” He had let her in and they were walking to his living room.

“That’s why it’s so sad.” She chuckled at his shocked expression. “Now have a seat and let me get to work.”

He sat down on the couch and she went straight for the kitchen to set out the stuff she had brought. It was an array of medicines, soups, juices and a thermometer. She made quick work of getting some medicine and a glass of water and returned to the living room.

“Now, have you taken anything today?” She wasn’t surprised when he shook his head. “Didn’t think so. Here.” She practically shoved the pills and water into his hands.

After he chugged the whole glass she repositioned him so he was laying down.

“You will stay right here. If you need anything, it’s my job to get it. I’ll stay right here.” She motioned to the other end of the massive sectional.

He smirked at her. “What if I have to use the bathroom?”

She rolled her eyes. “Then you go. But other than that stay put. Now,” she leaned forward and picked up the remote, “do you have anything you want to watch?”

They watched half of the Notebook before he was nodding off. Y/n watched him sleep. Her mind wandered to when they first met. She was fond of him back then but he seemed to see her as a sibling.

“I just don’t understand why he married Cameron Diaz when he’s been in love with Julia Roberts the whole time.” Harry had never seen ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ and Y/n thought his frustration was both valid and adorable.

“Because she missed her chance. Her fear of commitment and assumption that he’d wait forever drove him away.”

“But he marries someone so much younger. It’s impractical.” He shook his head.

“Why.” Y/n felt uneasy at his words.

“Because you can’t possibly have enough in common.” It was like he had seen her face fall so he backtracked. “It just doesn’t work. I can’t explain it.”

“I don’t think age is a big deal. If you love someone you love them, you know? Who cares what year they were born?”

They had sat in silence after that. That was over two years ago and as she watched him sleep, she wondered if he had changed his mind. She certainly thought so because his girlfriend was so much older. She brushed those thoughts away and fell asleep herself.

——————————-

Y/n had not seen Olivia since she got there. She had been relieved at first because the thought of Harry with anyone made her stomach turn, but the more she thought about her absence the more it pissed her off. It had been over twenty-four hours. She arrived Thursday afternoon and it was now Saturday morning. Who doesn’t check in on their sick partner every once in a while? She was also confused because she thought they lived together.

She had been taking good care of Harry but she had also been helping him decide what to do about the next few shows. He had a doctor's appointment later and she told him they didn’t have to make any final decisions until then. She had already been in contact with Jeff to tell him it wasn’t looking good and he got to work on backup plans.

Harry was really beating himself up for still feeling bad and it hurt her to see him be so hard on himself.

“Harry, you’re sick. It happens to everyone and it’s completely out of your control.”

“I’m going to disappoint everyone. So many fans have spent so much money to be in LA this weekend. I don’t want them to be mad.”

“If they care about you, they won’t be. They’ll understand. And even if they don’t, that’s not your problem.”

“It is. They’ll never trust me again. They’ll stop coming to the shows.”

Y/n sighed heavily. She didn’t care about his fans’ feelings right now. She cares about the person she loved most in the world and how he was considering playing a show when he looked, felt and sounded like death.

“Harry. You don’t owe anyone anything. And while I understand you need fans to come so you can keep doing it, you won’t be able to keep doing it if you don’t let yourself rest and get better. And I don’t want to be a hard ass but I will if I have to.”

He went silent.

“You’re right. We should just wait for the doctor,” he said after a moment.

She was so frustrated he wouldn’t listen to her but she was relieved because the doctor would say the same thing she did.

And sure enough they left the doctor with a prescription for medicine and an order to reschedule the next three shows. So with a heavy heart Harry made a statement on his story and rescheduled them to January.

“This is the right thing, Harry, I promise,” she said as they walked through his front door once again.

This time she entered his house, his girlfriend was standing in the entryway dressed in an evening gown (an unflattering one of you asked Y/n).

“Oh. You’re back.” Olivia just barely acknowledged Harry and Y/n as she passed them. “I’m going to the LACMA art and film gala.” She barely gave them time to respond before hurrying out the door.

It took everything in her power not to lose her shit over that. If Y/n’s partner was sick, the last thing she would do would be to go to some event. She didn’t want to voice her frustration because she didn’t want to get into it with Harry while he was sick. They’d had this fight a few times since he had been with Olivia. It always started with Y/n telling him he could do so much better and ended with him telling her to mind her own business. The need to keep peace with Harry wasn’t enough to stop her from voicing her frustration to Olivia that night.

Harry had fallen asleep again after Y/n had fed him soup and medicine and put another movie on for him. Y/n had gone into the kitchen to make herself some dinner and Olivia sauntered in. She acted surprised Y/n was still there and that caused her to snap.

“You’re still here?” It was laced with disgust.

“Yeah. You’re certainly not here to take care of him. And I’ve known him for three years, he’s not going to take care of himself. So that leaves me.”

“Honey, you’re so pathetic.” Y/n tensed at her words.

“Excuse me?”

“He’s not going to ever see you as more than a friend. You being a nurse won’t change his mind.”

“For your information, I don’t care if he sees me as more. I care about him. I want him to get better because of that. That’s what real love is. Putting someone you love before anything else.” Y/n shot the words at her like they were darts laced with venom.

“What do you know, huh? From what I remember you’ve never been in a relationship.”

“That’s because I know what I want and I don’t plan to waste my time on something that’s not it.” Y/n felt the need to defend herself even though she knew Olivia’s experience wasn't much better considering two of her serious relationships had ended.

“Right. You want my boyfriend.”

Harry had woken up upon hearing voices in the kitchen. He couldn’t help himself but to get up so he could hear better. When he heard their conversation fully he was stunned by a few things. One being the way his girlfriend spoke to his friend and two being the fact that Y/n was in love with him. Sure he thought she overdid it on the friendship stuff sometimes but he still hadn’t ever considered it could be that she loved him. He had felt differently towards her the last few days. The way she was so concerned and had been taking such good care of him really made him see her in a new light.

“Get over yourself. You don’t even want him! You’ve been using him. Using him to make your movie successful, using him to get invited to Gucci events, using him for,” she paused, “sex. He’s too into you to see it and I can’t tell him what I think because I don’t want to loose him but I’m fucking done pretending you don’t bother me. So if you-“

She was interrupted by a hand being placed on her shoulder. She turned around to see her Harry standing there wrapped up in his blanket looking at her with wide eyes.

“Harry, I” she said not knowing what to say.

“It’s okay, Y/n. Just go in the living room. Cool off yeah? I’ll handle this.”

His words took her by surprise. She left the kitchen but stayed close by to listen.

“What’s wrong with you?” He said.

“Me? You’re just gonna let that little brat say those things?”

“Enough. Stop talking about her like that, Olivia. She’s right and you know it.”

“I’m sorry?”

She heard Harry sigh deeply. It caused him to cough a bit.

“I’m too exhausted for this. I feel like shit and you have not once bothered to ask me about it. Is that why you were being so hostile? Because she called you out?”

Olivia scoffed.

“No. She’s trying to take you from me.”

“Is she? Because I’ve known her longer than you and she’s never made a move and she’s had plenty of opportunities. Also I’m a big boy, I can make my own decisions.”

“Cut the crap. She’s a child. She probably hasn’t even had sex so how would she know how to make a move.”

“She’s the child? Do you hear yourself when you talk?” She didn’t say anything so he went on. “Whatever. I can’t do this anymore. I need you to leave.”

“What?”

“I need you to go. As much as I hate to admit it, Y/n was right and I’m done being blind. I don’t feel good and you being here is making it worse.”

“If I leave tonight, I’m not coming back. We’re done.”

“Fine with me. Just get your stuff and go.”

Y/n could tell the conversation was over so she scurried over to the couch. She felt so many things and it caused her to start crying. She couldn’t help it. She had her head buried in her hands when Harry silently made his way back to the couch.

“Y/n?” He sat down next to her. “What’s wrong, love?”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” It was all she could say.

“For what, lovie?” He put his arm around her.

“I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. I ended your relationship. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“You did nothing. She ended my relationship. She didn’t trust me and she was being mean to you.” He put his hand on her chin and lifted her face so he could look into her eyes. “I can’t have that.”

Y/n was silent. Tears continued to pour down her face.

“Is it true?”

“Is what true?” She didn’t know what he was referring to.

“Do you love me?”

She looked away from him. She didn’t want to answer. After a moment, she nodded ever so subtly.

“How long?” He was now rubbing circles on her back with his hand.

“Pretty much since we met.” It was quiet, almost a mumble.

“Why did you never say anything?”

“Well, I realized it the night we were watching ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. I looked over at you during a funny part and you had this big smile, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and I wanted to tell you how I felt. But then you said that being with someone younger,”

“Would never work.” He finished for her.

“I just figured you’d never see me that way and I’ve been right so far.”

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s okay. It’s how you feel. Can we just drop it? I'm already way too embarrassed to even look at you.”

Before he could reply, Olivia came down with a suitcase.

“I hope it’s worth it Harry. I hope she’s worth it.”

She didn’t give him an opportunity to respond. She walked out the door and let it slam behind her.

A few moments later she spoke again.

“I understand if you don’t want to be friends anymore and if you want me to leave I will.”

She started to stand up but Harry pulled her back to the couch.

“I don't want to be friends anymore. But I definitely don’t want you to leave.”

“What?” She was confused and hurt by his words.

“I think there’s been a glitch.”

She thought he was quoting Taylor Swift but she wanted to be sure.

“Harry, what are you trying to say?”

“I want to be more than friends. These last few days have really opened my eyes to what has been right in front of me.”

A smile crept onto her face.

“Yeah?”

He returned her smile. “Yeah.”

Just then, Harry started to have a full blown coughing attack and it ruined the moment.

“Oh, Baby, it’s time for more medicine.” Y/n stood and walked to the kitchen. When she returned with the cough medicine she was met with a doe-eyed beaming Harry. “What are you so smiley about Mr. I-just-hacked-up-a-lung?”

“You called me baby.”

“Huh. I guess I did.” She brushed over it like it was no big deal and poured him a cup of cough syrup.

He took the shot of cough syrup then said, “I liked it. You should do it all the time now.”

“Okay, baby.” She smiled. “Let’s get you to rest now.”

She gently pushed his shoulders back until he was laying on the couch. She started to back away and return to her end when his hand clasped hers. She gave him a quizzical look. He returned her expression with a cheeky smile and began pulling her onto the couch.

“Want you to lay with me.” He pulled her so she was practically on top of him.

“Okay.” She situated herself so her weight wasn’t all the way on him. She settled into his side and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I want to kiss you but I don’t want to get you sick.” His hand began trailing up and down her arm in a soothing manner.

She brought her lips to his neck and gave him a few gentle kisses there.

“It’s okay, baby. We have plenty of time.”

Just before they drifted off to sleep, Harry realized he hadn’t properly returned the sentiment.

“I love you, Y/n.”

Harry had never been happier to have the flu.

[the-vixen]

𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥 : 𝙀𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙭 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

PART 8 PART 9 PART 10

-------- MASTERLIST

When you are sent on a mission to rescue Ethan Hunt from prison, the events that domino will force you to face the ghosts of your past and your guilt tied to Ethan.

This takes place throughout the events of ghost protocol. There will be a change in the story and the events of the mission impossible 2 and 3. Ethan and Julia never got married, a certain amount of information will be changed that will be revealed in the story. 

"You've been to Mumbai right?" 

You turned your head away from the sea and looked to see Ethan standing there, looking out as he leaned against the railing similarly as you did. 

You watched him, "you're talking to me now?" you asked, before looking back out to the water. You fiddled with the rings decorating your fingers, trying to keep a steady expression. 

Ethan looked at you before taking a breath. "I went to look for a new alternative." he began, "Hendricks needs a tactical satellite to use the codes..." he spoke quietly as he looked around, "the only one he'd get outside of russia, is one in Mumbai...and the only way to disable the satellite before Hendricks uses it, is through a certain multi media billionaire..." he said. 

You were quiet, considering his words. "so?" 

"I need someone who knows the city...knows how to get through to him." he looked at you. 

"You and I both know you can get that kind of information without my assistance." you spoke carefully. 

"Y/n."

You didnt turn to him, watching the waters. 

"Y/n look at me." he took your arm and turned you gently. 

You looked up at him as he stood close to you, his other hand cupping your other arm. Your skin lit up as he touched you, his thumb tracing the edge of the bandage on your arm. 

"I'm sorry." he whispered

You blinked at him, taken a back by his words. 

"You dont know how much things have changed.." he looked at you. "I just...need you to trust me." he said softly. 

You watched him, his expression grave. You bit your lip, watching his eyes follow your action, his gaze stuck on your mouth before you asked; "do you trust me?" 

Ethan watched you, not responding. 

You closed your eyes and pulled away, disappointed but not surprised. 

At least...you tried to pull away. 

Ethan held onto you, one hand going to cup your cheek as he made sure you looked at him. "I do..but right now it's not about trusting you.." he whispered hesitantly. "please."

"please what?" you looked up at him, meeting his soft gaze. 

You watched Ethan look over your face with an unreadable expression, his eyes half lidded as he leaned closer to you. You swallowed thickly as your eyes fluttered closed, feeling his breath touch your lips. 

Soon you felt his nose touch yours, before his lips planted themselves on your cheek. 

You were surprised at the action; again disappointed as butterflies fluttered in your stomach as his cheek rested next to yours. You felt childish to expect such things from Ethan at such a sensitive time; making you close your eyes and shove those expectations deep down. 

"We should go...you need to stop Hendricks.." you muttered, avoiding his gaze as you stepped back. 

This time, Ethan let you go from his grasp. He watched you carefully before you shoved your hands in your pockets and headed back to the location of the safehouse; mind too foggy to even care if Ethan followed back or not. 

----

You're on a plane to India. 

Assumed Asleep. But on a plane and vigilante enough to shoot someone who doesn't feel familiar. 

Ethan briefed the team on the plane not long after the jet took off. Benji and Brandt would enter the exhaust vent to the computer array, with Benji guiding Brandt using a metal plated suit. You, Ethan and Jane would infiltrate Brij Nath's party and get the codes from him using the most obvious weakness of a man; lust. 

You didnt really expect much from this mission. Your complaints weren't really going to get you anywhere other than seeming like a still childish agent; you stayed quiet and in your seat, fiddling with something or the other as Ethan did his thing and concocted a plan to save the world. 

Your expectations was to either run minor interference or stay as back up. You didnt believe Ethan would trust you enough to let you even do reconnaissance. You had no hope of Jane backing you up or advocating for you to be of more use. Her murder--accidental or not--of Moreau left her feeling uneasy and questioning her own instincts. 

You felt for her; you've been there.

Hell, you never even left. 

You went there and have been there for a while now. 

But then Ethan expressed that it would be yours or Jane's job to hook him in, depending on whom his eyes catch first. 

Yeah, solid plan. 

Very Ethan hunt. 

Your eyes were closed but anything other than sleep was on your mind. You gave yourself exercises to handle your thoughts and doubts; keeping the criticism at bay while also fighting off the questions of why Ethan asked you to trust him and how your feelings for him are coming into play and running interference. 

Faintly, a conversation with Ethan and Jane's hushed voices came through. 

"I dont see why y/n can't do this alone.." Jane said softly, hesitance evident in her voice.

Ethan was silent for a minute, "I trust you..you can do this." he reassured. 

"A week ago I would've believed you." 

There was a pause. 

"i..I dont blame you...for what happened." Ethan spoke softly, his tone gentle. An arrow of envy flew and pierced your heart, a juvenile question of why he's never spoken to you in that tone. "She hurt..and took someone you cared about--thats not just something you just...let go." He spoke, his voice tinged with familiarity and experience. 

The envy dissipated into empathy. You didnt know what happened after Julia's abduction. You didnt know if she made it out alive; if she made it out okay; if it was her decision to separate from Ethan or not. 

You only knew that Ethan and Julia were no more. 

There was another quiet moment, emotions palpable in the small space of the jet. You could feel Ethan's gaze in your direction. 

"Did it make you feel better?" Jane muttered, "When you killed the men who killed your lover?" 

Ethan's silence represented the shock and sorrow you felt at the news of this information. 

Here you were, wallowing in your self-hatred, self-pity and juvenile feelings while Ethan had to deal with prison and loosing the love of his life. You could've been there for him if you were any less self absorbed. 

"It wasn't just about her." he muttered. 

Jane followed his gaze to you, before looking back to him. 

"We can't change what happened...we can't fix it...no matter what we do.." He looked back to her. 

His words echoed in your mind, bouncing around until they settled themselves in your thoughts permanently. 

We can't change what happened.

We can't fix it.

No matter what we do.

[ulircursed]

♡ ok but I'm actually genuinely curious as to what Andrei himself would think of how his situation would change in this situation KSHDKDB

from this picrew!

a new child in jugdral-verse? yup, but hold tight, this au is my wildest one yet. there's another child too, but i'll talk about the other kid when it comes up

cw for rape

unlike the other jugdral asks where i just went crazy on my own, a few sensitive details were discussed a little with erica bc of the topic at hand. so deirdre and andrei have a precanon thread currently going on, where the two of them meet and have a meal and it's their first time hanging out just the two of them. in it, deirdre thanks andrei for, and i quote, 'dealing with one of the men who killed [her] father'. that's ring! andrei freaks out internally, of course, though he is able to salvage the situation to an extent

now, what if that meeting went well enough (in deirdre's mind) that they had more meetings? andrei is on one hand extremely uncomfortable with her, but on the other hand, this is exactly what he wants!! think about what it does for yngvi's reputation if the duke has a direct and personal friendship with the princess and future queen of grannvale!!! this is excellent and great and he cannot possibly refuse this. so he agrees to every single meeting, and talks to her, and they form some sort of friendship thing. at this point andrei's mental health is a mere thread away from utterly insane by the way. surely this will end well, right?

(oh yeah, at this point, andrei does already marry antares and have scipio. scipio is not involved in this mess and is the exact same as he is in canon)

it all comes to a head at one meeting, where deirdre confesses to him that she is ready to have children with lord arvis. she thinks she's ready, finally, thanks to the support and friendship of those around her, including andrei! she mentions something about ring again, and andrei snaps. i've mentioned it before, but andrei resents arvis for (as far as he knows) heading the conspiracy plot, because without it none of this would've had to happen. and so, upon hearing that arvis is about to get what he wants with the woman he loves, andrei forces himself upon deirdre

he comes to his senses after the deed is done, and apologizes profusely, begging her for his life essentially. he says that he will die if word of this ever gets out, and deirdre agrees to keep it a secret. and she does! until. she gets pregnant. i won't go into detail about when/whether she and arvis would've consummated their marriage at this point, but as erica points out, deirdre is not good at hiding her emotions and will eventually tell arvis about it as soon as he asks, so even if being pregnant was potentially expected, the secret would've gotten out at some point during the pregnancy

for his crimes, andrei is publicly executed and yngvi falls into disgrace. antares, already not a noble (this is purely my hc but andrei married a non-noble claiming to have minor ullr blood to have scipio), gets kicked out of yngvi along with scipio, and they go live their non-noble lives somewhere else

anyway, deirdre is pregnant! with twins! manfroy is kinda frustrated, bc he wanted her to have kids with arvis, dammit. but she's of course gonna keep the babies, so they are born. julia is still julia, just with major naga and minor ullr instead of fjalar blood. but her older brother, get this—

name: julio

gender: male (he/him)

class: prince > master knight minus bows and sword

minor ullr, minor loptous

tiptoes around his 'father', whom he's aware isn't really his father. has developed some chronic people-pleaser tendencies because on some level, he feels like his and his sister's existence broke something in this household and that he's not meant to exist. good at charming the staff! very polite for a noble scion

protective of his sister, mostly because of the above reason. the twins grow up really close! julia is the only one that julio feels he can show his true feelings around

they stay in the velthomer household as part of the family upon deirdre's insistence, which isn't terrible because they get a loving mother growing up, but also isn't great because they have to interact with arvis. arvis isn't abusive or anything, but everything about these kids brings back his trauma re: victor so his mental health is just not great in general. they try to avoid each other wherever possible

he's set up to become the duke of yngvi, or whatever that territory is gonna be called if that whole house ends up being dissolved. he works really hard in his youth, but doesn't pick up the bow because he can sense that his 'father' is really really not ok with that. forgoes the sword too, while he's at it, because his 'father' doesn't seem too pleased with that either. he knows how to fence and stuff, but not horseback sword usage. he learns magic though, magic is a-ok in this household

deirdre isn't blamed for this incident, because andrei was the one who initiated the whole thing, and the twins are... yeah, they're bastards, but they're the blood of the legitimate royal family, so it's not like they can be killed or anything. anyway, at this point, sigurd gets to belhalla and arvis cooks him twice as hard as in canon because at this point he's pissed off at anyone who's ever had kids with deirdre, but it's not like anyone can tell because no one knows how hard he cooked sigurd in canon so they just think wow his meteor spell is that strong

manfroy urges them to try again, and tbh azmur wants fully legitimate grandkids too, so according to erica, they do! because deirdre loves arvis and everything. but you know, holy blood weirdness and all that, their kid (let's call him julius) is born with fjalar blood and naga blood but not loptous blood. manfroy, extremely frustrated now, tells them to try AGAIN, and this time, uh, deirdre dies in childbirth and the child doesn't survive. listen, this is kid #5 ok i don't think health care was that good at that time. as an extra screw u to manfroy, maybe this kid would've had major loptous had they survived. but they didn't

manfroy's plans fail! julio becomes the new duke of yngvi and arvis just tries to avoid looking at him. julia is married off to one of the neighboring countries (i had to google what happened to illegitimate children of nobility/royalty and the answers were... this basically). julius becomes duke of velthomer and the heir to the throne. seliph can come in and fix some things about this, but loptous isn't one of his problems for once. everyone is either happy or dead! if julio ends up fighting febail, he will die to febail and his cousin will become the new duke of yngvi, but he doesn't have special dialogue with any of them because who tf are these people. the end.

bonus: thank u to erica for suggesting this route btw

[fanficwriter284]

Alright before I begin this little brain dump I will warn you this will include: Alcohol, Substance, Psychological Abuse and Suicide. If you are sensitive to these topics, please don't read this.

Lukas Reinhardt Was Born in Austria. Son of Leon who was the owner of a steel plant and Elena who was a physician. He was the younger brother by 3 years of Lina Reinhardt, and the twin brother to Luis. Lukas was older by 3 minutes. Later the family moved to Germany for business purposes and Lukas' twin sisters were born, Ida and Julia. (Twins run in the Reinhardt/Ray Family)

The Reinhardt family had been VERY wealthy due to Leons success at the plant and lived in a large mansion.

One night, a 25-year-old Lukas went out to a local bar and met Mila. He was very amused by her witty personality and beauty. So the two kept in contact and kept seeing each other every weekend, and one night they went back to her apartment and....well....hit it off. Then Mila found out that she was pregnant. Lukas did his best to provide comfort for her, and tried to calm her down but she refused. She never wanted children and wanted to solely pursue a career.

Once she informed her family about the pregnancy, they were extremely disappointed since he hadn't been married but tried to make somewhat of an effort but that was difficult since they lived in Belgium.

Lukas eventually informed his family that Mila was carrying his child. And Mixed emotions surfaced. They immediately felt pity for the poor girl, and her situation...and anger towards Lukas for being irresponsible and that he was going to be a father at such a young age. The two got married not out of love but out of necessity.

The family decided to let Mila stay with them and financially help her and her child....until shocking news was discovered that Mila was carrying not one but two babies. The woman nearly fainted...Mila wanted to give up the twins for adoption however Lukas managed to talk her out of it. He didn't want his children to grow up in an orphanage or be separated. Mila had been depressed through her entire pregnancy and whatever Lukas did to cheer her up never worked. Then nine months later.... the two twin boys came. The oldest was Charles Lee Loman Reinhardt (Chucky). Despite being the older twin he was smaller than his brother and it was surprising he survived the delivery, the younger twin was Carolus Klaus Reinhardt, he was born perfectly healthy and strong.

Mila refused to hold her two sons after they had been born. Lukas made somewhat of an effort, trying his best to support his two sons, however it wasn't enough. He struggled to cope with his situation and his loveless marriage so he turned to the only thing he knew would numb himself. So he took up drinking, leading him to become heavily dependent on alcohol. This resulted in the twins being primarily raised by their aunts and grandparents. Luis rarely interacted with his nephews since he was often overseas or on deployment (He was in the military) struggling with his own issues.

The two identical twins were very bright young boys, with Charles liking mathematics, like his grandfather, and often rode his grandfather's horses, and Carolus liking science and biology. Lukas interacted with his sons from time to time while Mila often neglected them, trying to forget that they existed. For her sons were often a reminder of the man who took away her freedom. Lukas wanted to divorce Mila granting her, her desired freedom however she would get full custody of the boys, due to Lukas's drinking problem. Leading her to refuse and stay in her toxic marriage.

The relationship between Lukas and Leon began to strain, often leading to fights and screaming. Leon began developing respiratory issues, as he began to age, ad his health declined. His and Lukas' relationship is practically gone. Lukas had snapped and had been at his breaking point. So, one night, he snuck into his father's room, placed a pillow over his face, and suffocated him. With his two sons watching their father's sinister act. (Little did the boys know Leon left the the boys a LARGE amount of money in his will)

The next morning everyone had been in distress, sobbing at the death of Leon. Lukas blamed his father's death on respiratory issues saying he died of natural causes.

Shortly after Lukas was cut off entirely and ended up taking Mila and his two boys to America. Once they arrived in America the family changed their last name to Ray to fit in with the Americans and to blend in, in Hackensack New Jersey. Where the family lived in poverty, living paycheck to paycheck.

This led to Lukas developing a dependency on alcohol and smoking. Leading him to rage and violence, often beating his children as a way to let off his anger. Charles hated America, and desperately wanted to go home. He missed when his father was kind and soft. Caro liked America…he just hated his family with the exception of Charles. He loved his twin brother.

Growing up, Charles was quiet and shy. It didn’t help that his was the smaller twin and weaker than Carolus, and his German accent was extremely thick leading to him being picked on when he was younger. However the pain was often less with his twin by his side. Carolus was always there for him, and always spoke up for him.

The two often visited their grandfather from their mother's side, who lived relatively close to them. Until he too passed away in his sleep...

Then when they both were 10, their own mother took her own life, tired of being trapped in a loveless marriage with her husband. Charles and Carolus were the ones who had found her body.

As time passed, the two boys grew used to the US and learned English fluently, they began developing feelings for two girls in their class. Charles eventually falling for Tiffany Valentine and Carolus falling for a girl called Lillian.

One night Charles went out with Tiffany sneaking out of his room to go to the movies and Carolus took his brothers place in his room, pretending to be Charles. However his father hand been extremely drunk that night and ended up strangling his youngest son in his sleep, killing the 12 year old. When Charles discover his twin's body, Charles broke. He couldn't feel anything anymore, and he was depressed for a few months until he officially snapped and he stabbing his father 37 times.

Charles’ feelings had been drowned his softness gone from the death of his twin.

[dejadoodles-101]

Julia Elizabeth Randall

This portrait of her was taken in 1957

I wanna take the time and introduce you guys to one of my OCs!

Julia Randall was born on April 29, 1924 in her home during a storm in Dodge City, Kansas. She was the 3rd child of Arthur Randall and Constance (neé Bennett). She was the younger sister of Edward and Wallace and the older sister of Margaret. Julia grew up in Dodge City on a farm with her family while her father was a part of the military and fought in war. The farm they grew up in had crop fields and raised cows, horses, chickens, pigs and a rooster. Her mother was a teacher at a nearby school for all white primary school aged students and they had people take care of the farm while the family worked and did school. Julia would always help around the house by cleaning, taking care of the farm animals, help her mother cook and bake, gardening and other chores.

During The Great Depression, the farm went through a crisis with a lack of crops. They also struggled during the dust bowl storms and other issues. Julia started taking interest in music and singing at a young age between 6 and 7 years old and her mother took her to lessons like playing the piano for instance. She did very well in her school years and was an intelligent student. She took her studies seriously. At some point during her educational years, she took interest in drama and choreography and also took lessons.

At the age of 17 in the year 1941, her father passed away during WWII from being severely injured and wounded. After graduation, Randall went to California to study drama and did a modeling job.

A Hollywood director named Frank Haynes saw her modeling work and took interest in her and asked if she would be a part of a movie which would be her first film. Julia agreed and starred in her first film: “The Lady in the Lingerie”, a 1946 film. During the making of the film, she was forced to sleep with Haynes because he thought she was super attractive and was madly in love and obsessed with her. He also made her wear a push-up bra to expose her cleavage more to make her even more seductive. He gave her nicknames on the set such as “Babydoll”, “Tootsie” and “Sweet Thing”. Julia later revealed the truth in an interview and said she was “traumatized and manipulated” by him. She never liked him. Frank was 28 years older than her.

She did several other films including her most famous “Hephaestus” (1953) and “Miss Montgomery” (1957). Julia also had albums for her songs. Her most top hit was “Red Lips, Curvy Hips” which released in 1956. She also started appearing in television shows during the 1960s-90s. Julia also got married to an actor named Harold Donahue in 1948 and had 4 children named Cheryl (1951), Linda (1953), Carl (1956) and Deborah (1959) who were all born during the 50s.

When Julia decided to quit acting at some point during the early 90s, she took a job for teaching drama and choreography classes and taught for only 9 years. During that time, she would get calls for coming to late night shows and daytime shows for interviews and did that until the early 2000s. In 2004 (4 years before her death), she wrote a book about her life “My Life as Julia Randall and an American Actress” and sold over a million copies. She was 80 years old then.

Julia ended up developing breast cancer in 2007 and became very ill in late 2008. On the morning of December 13, 2008 in San Diego, California, Julia passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family at the age of 84. Her funeral was held in January of 2009 and was buried in a cemetery in the same city she passed away in. Julia was known to be one of the greatest American actresses, singers and dancers during the 20th century and was also known to be a “sex symbol” and was known as “Tall, Wise and Seductive”. She worked with several other famous celebrities during her career.

That’s all I’m gonna put for now. I’ll do facts about her another time and will be posting more of her. Hope you guys like her! 🩷🥰 Julia belongs to me!

[ladywaffles]

o dearest lamblord: ilsa faust + either 3 or 33 from the hand holding list, please! and feel free to dial up the angst if mood strikes >:)

thank you darling :D i hope i delivered >:)

spoilers for mi7 under the cut!

cold hands in warm hands + bandaging the other's hand and not quite letting go

send me a list, a number, and a mission: impossible pairing!

Of all the people to come to their rescue at the eleventh hour, she never suspected it would be Brandt.

He didn’t like her, from what she could tell of the few interactions she had with him, but he respected Ethan and had more connections than the IMF would care to admit from his time working under Hunley at the CIA.

It’s Brandt, of all people, who comes to the rescue via courier and provides them another safe house, where they’re able to spend a few precious hours licking their wounds in Venice.

Ethan and Benji leave her on the bridge. They usher Grace away to rest under Luther’s watchful, wizened eye. Ilsa waits another full hour before she stumbles away like a tourist drunk on la dolce vita; her appearance is certainly messy enough for it, at this time of night.

It’s not until she’s stumbling into a sinking bell tower that she collapses, back pressed against an aging wood door as she cries. Not twelve hours ago, she was smiling on a rooftop in Venice with Ethan at her side, the picture of a perfect couple on a European tour.

Now, she’s losing him again.

“Hey, hey? Are you okay?”

Hands on her shoulders, fingers under her chin. Probes looking for broken bones or bleeding wounds, a flash of concern in green eyes far too familiar with the sensation.

Ilsa falls into Ethan’s arms and lets him take the lead. He guides her to a plush, if somewhat dusty, settee and sits down with her.

“Are you okay?” he repeats.

“I’m fine,” she sighs, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I’m fine, I’m okay, I just—I hate this.”

Ethan smiles sadly. “I know.”

In those horrible hours in Kashmir while they waited for Ethan to wake up, Julia took her aside and told her to beware of Ethan Hunt.

“He’ll break your heart and smile while doing it,” she said fondly. “And he’ll have no idea what he’s done, because the only thing he wants is the best for you, even if it means shattering his own heart into pieces in the process.”

“You sound like you speak from experience,” Ilsa replied.

Julia smiled the same smile that Ethan wears now, and it’s no wonder they were married, because they’re two sides of the same coin. “Why do you think I let him go? Ethan’s too good for the likes of this world. He loves so much, and so deeply, and he doesn’t realize that he wears his heart on his sleeve, because that’s just how he lives. Take care of him, please, but for you,” she trailed off and squeezed Ilsa’s hand. “I’ve been in your place before. I know what it’s like. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too.”

“You’re freezing.” Ethan wraps his coat around her, then his arms, holding her as she stops shaking.

“Lying on a bridge in the middle of the night in Venice will do that to you,” she tries to joke, but it falls flat. “Where’s Benji?”

“He went to check in with Luther and Grace. He’ll be back in an hour or so.”

Ethan takes her hand, and he was right; he’s warmer than she is right now, and holding his hand feels like walking into a warm home, with a fire going and dinner on the table. Her knuckles are skinned and red from her fight with Gabriel. Ethan reaches over and grabs a black pouch out of his bag, then pulls out gauze, antiseptic, and a topical antibiotic.

He carefully cleans each scrape on her hand, sure not to miss even the smallest of nicks, then dots ointment on them and dresses the wounds. He doesn’t let go of her for a moment, working with only one hand at a time. It takes much longer, but they both know the sands in the hourglass are running low, and these may be the last moments they share together for the foreseeable future. She won’t begrudge him this.

They stay wrapped around each other until the sun starts to peek above the canals and Benji returns. Time waits for no man, not even the mythical Ethan Hunt.

It’s time to say goodbye. Time for her to die again and run to the farthest corners of the globe while Ethan, and Benji, and Luther, the closest thing she has to a family left, risk life and limb to do what she could not, to stop Gabriel and prevent the next world war.

“I—” she starts, but the words get caught in her throat.

I’m sorry.

I wish we had more time.

I’m coming with you.

“I’ll see you again,” Ethan promises.

She steadfastly blinks away her tears. “You better hurry, or you’ll miss that plane,” she tells him.

It’s a terrible joke, a horrible thing to say when her name is what it is, but it makes the corners of Ethan’s mouth turn up just a smidge, and that makes it all worth it.

He squeezes her hand one last time. Benji is waiting for him in the speedboat already. He needs to go and save the world now, and she can’t go with him.

“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

And then he’s gone.