#my three girlfriends. and yes they eat kibble

[vonlipvig]

who's seeing the vision

[cevansbaby-dove]

Chris’s birthday surprise 🥳

Paring: Chris Evans And Reader Girlfriend

Warnings: NONE just cuteness on Chris's big day!

You wake up to the sun coming through your shared home with your boyfriend chris. You sit up in bed fast and say. 'It's his Birthday!" You get out of bed and grab a dress that is sure to make his day.

This is the dress.

You walk downstairs and see chris working in his office with his dog by his feet. "Morning birthday boy" you lean down and kiss his cheek. Chris says as he smiles. "Hi love." You smile. 'what do you want for breakfast?" He turns in his chair and says. "you?" You laugh. 'no real food mister i am desert remember?"

He nods. "How about pancakes then?" you nod. "Sure thing" You walk into the kitchen. this is what it looks like.

You grab some bowls and get to cooking. You put on chill music and soon have the pancakes on the stove. You and Chris have been dating for three years and keeping it a secret so the fans and trolls don't hate on you being his girl.

Chris even asked you to marry him back on New Years but you said you'll think about it, you just weren't sure you were ready for marriage you love chris you didn't say that because you don't love him, you just needed time to think it over, it was a shock to you when at 11:59 PM that he asked you to marry him. You two were at his house with his family and friends. he took you out in the backyard and asked you then and there.

Chris walks out as you are about to call him. You smile. "I was just about to tell you breakfast is done" Chris wraps his big strong arms around you and says. 'I love you so much" You smile. "Okay Chris what are you hiding?" He laughs. 'Nothing" he kisses you and then says. "I just love you." You smile. "I love you too bubba." You plate out the breakfast and Chris says. "i need to turn my phone off today i am getting lots of notifications."

Chris sits at the island and you say as you sit by him. "Why what's going on this time?" he sets his phone down. "Fans are tagging me in their post i mean i love them for doing that but it can get to be a bit too much...you know?"

You nod. "yea i get it, don't worry" You smile and you both eat your food but chris give dodger some of the food too. you giggle saying. "Chris that is for you not dodger."

Chris smiles. 'He needs food too" you hop of the stool and say as you grab the bowl and fill it with his kibble. 'he gets this food too honey, here dodger come here." Dodger walks over and starts eating.

Chris looks at you. "how did i end up with with a woman like you?" You sit back down and say. "Luck!?" Chris laughs. "Sure love sureee" You two finish breakfast and say. "So birthday boy, what did you have in mind for today?" he says. "Disney movie marathon?"

You say. "You go pick the movie. I need to get out of this and into something warmer." Chris says. 'You look good to me love" You say. "thanks" you walk into the mater bedroom and look through and find some leggings and a jacket. "perfect"

This is the cozy outfit.

You walk back downstairs and chris is on the couch and he says. "Robin Hood works?" You sit by him and say placing you hand on his arm. "Anything you want love." He smiles and kisses you. You two end up watching four hours worth of movies and you look at chris and say. 'Can you stop the movie for a second?"

He stops it and says. 'What's wrong?" he places a hand on your leg. You say. "remember when you asked me to marry you?" He nods. "yes"

You say. "Well, I thought about it and..Yes." Chris gets big eyes. 'Yes as in yes you will or yes we should or yes-" you laugh. "Yes I'll marry you" He takes your hands in his and says. "Honey i am so happy but...if this is because it's my birthday.."

You shake your head'. "No i mean i thought ii'd be great time to say yes but i do want to marry you Chris Evans. I love you and I want to marry you and build and family and grow old together and-"

Chris kisses you. He pulls away and you smile. 'What was that for?" He says. "I just wanted to have you enjoy the moment" Chris says as he pulls the ring out of his pocket. "You sure?" You nod and he slips the ring on and says looking at you. "this is the best Birthday i have ever had."

You smile. "Happy Birthday Chris."

Taglist @cutedisneygrl @patzammit @katherineswritingsblog @armystay89 @moondustfairies

[faytelumos]

A Month of Kisses, #6

spicy (mild)

background info for peeps who haven't seen/read my story, Illusory:

Brimstone is a shapeshifting superhero. Sam is Brimstone's coworker at a normal human job. Due partly to outside influence, Brimstone and Sam are attempting to shift their relationship from coworkers-with-benefits to girlfriends.

---

Sam and Brimstone walked slowly up to the next enclosure of the petting zoo, Sam rubbing soft circles in the back of Brimstone's hand with her thumb. It felt nice, if a little foreign. Brimstone followed Sam as she slowed to a stop, cooing at the capybara as it sniffed up at her.

"Oh my God," Sam gasped, not letting go of Brimstone's hand as she knelt down and reached over the short fence. The little thing sniffed her fingers, giving her a token lick before turning to look at Brimstone. Sam giggled, gently petting its forehead. "They want your attention," Sam coaxed, looking back up to Brimstone.

Brimstone hesitated. This was the third animal today that seemed eager to meet her. She didn't quite get it, especially since her horns and ears made humans so uncomfortable. But at least the animals were cute and didn't want much more than pets and treats. Brimstone stepped up against the fence and knelt down, reaching in and letting the world's largest rodent sniff her hand before petting it.

"It's so cute how much they want to see you," Sam said, smiling wide, digging into their little pouch of treats. The capybara perked up, and a pair of rabbits that had previously been hiding hopped over at the sound of kibble. Brimstone laughed softly.

"Until there's food," she replied. Sam laughed, reaching down into the enclosure so all three could eat from the palm of her hand.

"Yeah, well, who can say no to good food?" Sam giggled. Brimstone smiled at Sam as she watched the animals. She had a bright face, and she was so pretty. Brimstone had noticed her smile before, but this one felt more real.

They left the capybara and its bunny companions after a couple more handfuls of food. Being here during the work day meant there was little competition for each enclosure, giving them time to linger and meander. Sam kept ahold of Brimstone's hand, staying close as she looked around at the other cages.

"So you can turn into anything, right?" Sam asked as she pulled Brimstone slowly towards a miniature cow pen. Brimstone looked at her wearily, and when Sam glanced over to see the cautious look on her face, she burst into laughter. "I'm just asking!" she laughed.

"Theoretically, yes," Brimstone said slowly, smiling nervously as she looked to the overly fluffy cow. It stepped up to the fence and stuck its head over, licking its big nose. Brimstone reached out and offered her hand, which it licked curiously. She gently pet its ear. "As long as it's my size or bigger and I know how to change into it." The cow shook its head, its ears flapping audibly as it kicked up a tiny dust cloud, and it sniffed at Sam's hip.

"So, theoretically," Sam began, digging out a handful of food, "you could turn into, say…." She offered the cow some kibble, which it gobbled up wetly. "A giant kitten."

Brimstone let out a stuttering laugh, taken off guard by the very thought. A giant kitten. Could she turn into a 130 pound kitten?

"I mean," Brimstone said with a half-laugh. She'd never even considered such a thing before. "I guess?" Sam jumped and squeaked, startling the poor cow, who she immediately apologized to with forehead rubs. Brimstone watched with wide eyes as Sam went on:

"What about a bunny?"

Brimstone laughed aloud this time, trying to imagine herself as a truly giant rabbit. She'd have to adjust bone thickness and density, probably especially in the front legs. But rabbits were fast; they could be a useful shape. Or was it only hares?

"It's doable," she said, and Sam quietly squeaked and bounced on her feet. Brimstone couldn't help but chuckle. "I'd just have to do some research first."

"Oh man," Sam gasped, letting go of the cow and Brimstone's hand to grab her by both arms. Her cow-hand was wet with spit. Brimstone stared, leaning back as Sam bore into her with wide eyes. "Could you imagine how great a movie night would be if you were a giant puppy?" Brimstone laughed again.

"Why all the baby animals?" she asked as Sam grinned hopefully.

"Well—" Sam spluttered, looking away briefly before looking back, "because they're the softest!"

"I could just make soft fur," Brimstone said with a grin. Sam paused, looking thoughtful.

"I guess…" she uttered. Brimstone smirked and gently shook off Sam's grasp. Sam withdrew her hands, looking briefly hurt before Brimstone lowered her gaze to concentrate. In a moment, Brimstone sprouted thick, black-as-sin fur down her arms and over her face and neck, focusing briefly to ensure it grew in more than one layer. Once she was done, she looked up to Sam, offering her arms for approval. The cow had taken a wary step back, but the awed look on Sam's face had Brimstone blushing. Sam stepped forward, skipping Brimstone's arms entirely and reaching instead for her face. Brimstone stilled, watching Sam as she got close, as she touched Brimstone's jaw, as she smoothed over the fur on her cheeks with tender fingertips.

It felt… really nice.

Brimstone's eyes fluttered closed as Sam pet her cheeks, her jaw, and her neck. She'd never been pet before — she'd never even considered it a possibility — but it felt amazing. Hypnotic. Soothing. Sam's touch was so soft, so gentle, and Brimstone rested her hands slowly on Sam's hips to keep herself steady.

"You're really soft," Sam uttered, her voice close. Brimstone felt her face get a little warmer, cursing the sudden heat trapped in her fur.

"Your hands feel nice, too," Brimstone whispered, not opening her eyes. Sam pet her cheek, down her jaw, and over her neck again. Brimstone let out a soft sigh, relaxing into the feeling.

"I didn't really expect you to like being pet," Sam muttered. Brimstone laughed softly.

"Neither did I." Sam giggled, cuddling up close, and Brimstone opened her eyes to Sam's face inches from hers. Her eyes fell to Sam's lips, and she wondered if a kiss might be unwelcome.

The cow groaned lamentingly at them. Brimstone looked first, her face getting hot as the cow offered itself for pets, leaning into the fence. Sam giggled, reaching out only barely enough to pet them. They nosed her arm counter-productively, huffing, and Sam and Brimstone shared a small laugh.

After the cow, Brimstone got rid of the fur, lest they come across someone. She already looked weird enough with the horns and big ears and black eyes; she didn't need the added attention of black fur.

They left the petting section and came into a nocturnal section. There were few lights, and several signs to be quiet for the animals. Looking around, Brimstone saw several kinds of lemur, and even an enclosure with racoons. Sam gasped softly, grabbing her arm again and pulling her over to another cage.

"Look at his giant ears," she breathed, pulling Brimstone to the glass. A fennec fox looked back at them, having lifted its head off of its sleeping companion. Sam cooed, barely staying off of the glass as she fawned over the little thing. "I want one," she said, looking directly at Brimstone. Brimstone blinked, then glanced at the little guy. Fennec foxes were legal, right? But then, why was Sam asking Brimstone for one? Did she think she had connections? Sam looked back to the glass, touching it softly. "I'd name them Butters," Sam whispered. Brimstone put a hand to her mouth to hold back a giggle.

Sam proceeded to coo and whine at almost every enclosure, seeming nearly pained by the big eyes and smooth fur most of the occupants shared. Brimstone ended up watching Sam more often than the animals. The way she always leaned forward rather than just stepping closer, or how big her eyes got when the animals looked at her, or the beautiful pouty face she made when they refused to. By the time they finished checking out the darkened enclosures, fur or not, Brimstone was warm. It was strange. But it didn't feel wrong.

Sam paused on the way out of the exhibit to lean against a wall, looking back in at the lemurs and tiny canids. Brimstone stood beside her, heart thumping in her chest despite the calm day they'd been having. She'd never been flustered in Sam's presence before, no matter what they were doing, but now, something as simple as a date through the kiddy sections of the zoo was making her feel like she'd been running.

She carefully leaned against the wall with Sam, looking into the dark, otherwise empty exhibit.

"I'm glad you said yes," Sam uttered. Brimstone glanced over at her to see her smiling softly. "I wasn't sure you'd agree to come." Brimstone looked away again, deciding what to say.

"I know I need to get my priorities right," Brimstone breathed. She looked to Sam pointedly, giving her a soft, subtle smile. Sam beamed back, then looked back into the dark. Brimstone followed her gaze, swallowing around her heart in her throat. They'd been closer than this a hundred times. Surely… surely Sam wouldn't mind.

Brimstone reached out with a trembling hand and hooked a finger slowly in Sam's belt loop. She pulled softly as Sam looked down curiously, and Sam complied easily, letting Brimstone pull her in close. Sam's breaths got deeper, and Brimstone ignored the squirming in her gut as she leaned in and closed her eyes.

Sam hummed, and her lips were warm and slightly wet, and she wrapped her arms around Brimstone's waist easily, leaning into the kiss. Brimstone sighed, clutching Sam tightly and pushing just a little closer. She was already feeling warm, her head swimming ever so, and Sam let out a soft little moan that sent an electric shock down her back. She took another half-step, bending Sam back gently, getting a foot between hers and bearing slightly down on her before she knew what was happening. Sam gasped, reaching a hand up and grabbing Brimstone's shoulder, just like she'd done a hundred times before. But it was somehow more intimate now than ever, and it had Brimstone's heart racing. Then Sam's fingers slipped free with another moan, and when Brimstone sighed on a ragged breath, it sounded too deep in her own throat.

Brimstone broke the kiss with a jolt, looking down almost a foot to Sam, who was normally an inch taller than her. Sam was blushing, panting, clinging onto Brimstone like she was getting away — which, she kind of was. Brimstone could feel her face turning bright red, and she shed the extra height she had subconsciously added during the kiss, coming back to her normal shape.

"Sorry," Brimstone panted, looking away. Sam laughed unsteadily, tangling her hands in Brimstone's shirt, and Brimstone glanced over at her.

"That was hot as fuck," Sam gasped, playing with Brimstone's clothes, keeping their bodies close. "You didn't do that on purpose?" Brimstone shook her head, the heat getting all the way across her ears and down her neck. Sam huffed, putting a hand to her chest as she caught her breath. "You've gotta do that again," she panted, grinning. Brimstone stared at her, mind going fuzzy.

"Oh… okay."

---

Illusory, pt1 | Illusory, pt8

[ronnieiswriting]

Sweet Dreams- Boxer!Paz x Baker!Freader

Inspired by the events of Foul (following straight after) and the Boxer Din AU created and written by the wonderful, amazing, brilliantly talented @djarinsbeskar! WC: 1,641 Tags: 18+, mentions of smut, its a smutty AU ya'll know the drill, sickeningly sweet fluff I have been driven to write this to deal with all my Paz thots- it will become very clear that I make up for the fact that I can't write hot smut by writing the softest shit. Excuse the lack of editing, also, its quite the mess x

After Din had stormed off with his “not-girlfriend” at Avika, Paz was more than ready to go home right then and there, thoroughly unwanting to deal with the feral frenzy that Din had stirred up in and out the ring. But there was no doubt that there would be more calls for blood. And even if that weren’t the case- even if Din wasn’t on the lists tonight- Paz had to stay.

It was his job after all. And one he enjoyed more often than not.

But when he thought about you, Paz’s priorities became trivial- like dust in the wind.

He hadn’t been dating you for long but he already knew that he was in deep. To Paz, you were the one that hung the stars in the sky; you, a hardworking baker with a smile that made his heart ache and hips that made his cock twitch. It was love, the realest he’d ever found, and every day he swore his gratitude to whatever force had sent him to you.

It was almost a taunt to watch Din leave Avika with his “not-girlfriend” tucked into his side- he’d been disqualified from any more fights that night but he couldn’t look any less content about it- when Paz had to stay behind with nothing but the thoughts of you waiting for him back at his place to keep him company.

To pass a bit of time between the words that were being exchanged between Boba and Din’s opponent’s trainer, Paz checked his phone- his mood instantly brightened when he saw a notification from you.

From: Sugar Cookie💖

Hey babe, I just got home. Did you feed Kitty yet? He’s begging me for food rn but I know he’s probs got a full belly and is just being a little gobble guts lol. sent 4:13am

I gave him a tinyyy bit of kibble to hold him over in case you didn’t. Kitty knows I can’t resist him. Sorry for messaging you at work btw. I know you’re busy xx Love you xx sent 4:19am

Paz checked the current time. 5:30am. Shit. He must’ve missed the buzz of the notification amidst the chaos. Usually, your shifts at the bakery ended closer to midnight but he knew you to be a hard worker, proud of the bakery you ran by yourself, and always likely to get caught up in a task until it was done to a high standard. It was just another thing for Paz to love about you.

His thumbs hovered over the reply box; you had probably already gone to bed, exhausted from your own long day of work. He couldn’t bring himself to disturb you but he pushed past that doubt a second later, typing out a response, softened when he reread your messages about his kitten.

“Vizsla!” Boba’s voice pulled him back into reality. “Are you listening at all? This does concern you.”

Paz managed an easy half-lie, fingers tapping away as he switched contacts and began typing another message, “I’m sending Din a text- trying to figure out what started all this.”

…

When Paz finally did get home it was pushing 8am. Expecting to find you curled up in his bed, comfortably asleep, he was shocked to see you as soon as he opened the door to his apartment. You were propped up against a wall of cushions on his couch with a book resting in your lap and his kitten snoozing on your chest. Head thrown back and peacefully still, he could tell you were fast asleep.

Just the sight of you, the shape of your body outlined by the drape of the blanket that was thrown over you, your features illuminated by the warm light of the lamp, the splay of your hair over the pillows- just looking at you relieved him of so much of the stress he had carried home. His eyes traced over your form, picking out the dip and curve of your hips, and he was struck again with the amount of love he had for you. He still couldn’t believe how quickly he had developed such deep feelings for you but that fact made them no less sincere. The softness and simple intimacy (whether that be primarily sexual or emotional) that your company alone promised never ceased to amaze him.

Trying to be as quiet as he could manage, Paz shut the door behind him, put his backpack down by the door, and crossed the room to kneel down at your side. He considered leaving you there for the rest of the night- if he did he could go take a nap and then come back and wake you up by eating you out before making you breakfast- but ultimately he wanted to, needed to sleep next to you… and he couldn’t manage that on the couch.

He got the best sleep when you stayed the night, your chest made a far better pillow and your arms though relatively small provided him with so much warmth that he would be more than content to sleep without any covers (which happened sometimes when you hoarded the blankets).

Paz let out a silent sigh and reached out to stroke the hair away from your face. You stirred in response and he leaned in to press a kiss to your nose, “Hey, baby, it’s just me.”

You let out a soft moan, eyes scrunching up before blinking open, looking up at him blearily, “Paz~”

His heart could have burst at the sound of your gentle voice laden with sleep. Carefully so as not to disturb your place, Paz eased the book from your fingers. The exhaustion was palpable on your face, the weight of many hours of work pulling at the edges of your eyes. “I thought you’d be in bed by now.”

You eased yourself up on the cushions, one hand bracing the kitten against your chest. “I wanted to stay up for you. I didn’t mean to doze off.” Fuck. Paz was slipping his arms under you faster than you could process and when he stood you were tucked against his chest, kitten, blanket and all. You didn’t even seem bothered by the shift, curling your fingers into the neckline of his shirt. The simple touch drove him wild- the burn of your warm skin against his throat like a blowtorch- and the fact that you seemed oblivious to that only made him ache for you more.

When he had gotten you halfway to the bedroom you spoke again in that voice that threatened sleep, “I would've been able to stay up for you if I didn’t have to spend three hours on a last minute order for a wedding cake.”

Paz opened the door with his hip. “You don’t have to say yes to every job you know.”

“I know- but the couple was so sweet, I couldn’t say no. Plus they paid me double and half on top because of the short notice.”

He laid you out on the bed and replaced the throw blanket with his thick quilt, kitten moving to curl up beside your head on the pillow. The comfortable setting was luring you quickly to sleep again but you were still determined to see him next to you before you shut your eyes again fully. When he didn’t immediately join you, you frowned.

Paz eased the crease in your brow with a kiss there, “Don’t pout, sweetheart. I just gotta take a shower.” He could have skipped one for now, knowing you wouldn’t protest his sweaty skin, but he wanted to be rid of the flecks of blood that had stuck to him, everything that had stuck to him from that ring, before he touched you. You started to protest but Paz silenced you with a searing kiss to your lips, “I won’t be long, I promise.”

If he had thought you would be back asleep by the time he finished he was fooling himself. You scooched backwards on the mattress and petted the space you made in front, “come here.”

Paz went willingly, instantly. He eased back the covers and shuffled in next to you, clad only in a pair of boxers, hands instantly finding your skin to greedily palm the warmth that radiated from you. You cozied up to him just as naturally, arms wrapping around his neck so that he could tuck his face against the crook of your neck. With the covers pulled over the both of you, Paz felt surrounded by your presence and it calmed any remaining stress he had.

Although he had reprimanded Din for taking a violent approach to defending a woman’s honor, Paz couldn’t deny the fact that he’d be just as likely to take a similar action if anyone spoke about you like that- just thinking about those vile, entitled words directed at you made his jaw clench subconsciously. And yet just as soon as that anger stirred up in him, it dissipated again, soothed by the thump of your heart against his chest and the delicate fan of air you puffed over his damp skin.

He was reminded of the first time he told you he loved you; not long ago, in the middle of a good hard fuck when he had you by the hip, lost in the emotion of your eyes to the point where his confession had come out as a babble that became a mantra that he punctuated with each thrust of his hips. You had been on the verge of tears then, overstimulated and shaking, when you returned the words to him from your own lips: I love you too.

“I love you.” Paz whispered.

You snuggled against him tighter, a sleepy sigh escaping you when his hands ran up and down your sides. “I love you too.”

[keanureevesisbae]

“Never out of practice” - Chapter 3

Summary: When Darcie’s father loses an important case, a killer seeks revenge, by kidnapping the entire Angel family. Though John thought that he was officially retired, he has to save his Darcie and her family, because he can’t lose her.

John Wick x OFC Darcie

Word count: 3.2k

Warnings: Implied kidnapping

Masterlist // Previous chapter // Next chapter 

Sunday mornings are my favorite mornings. The cafe opens at twelve and it’s the only day in the week where I don’t have to leave at seven, to prep the cafe.

But, no matter if I have to go to work or not, I get up at six. I just can’t help it. I want to surprise John with a breakfast in bed. When I saw him in bed, so relaxed and precious, I couldn’t help but smile. He really is the love of my life.

Our rose tea is setting, while I prepare Tiki and Oreo’s food, with the two of them sitting near my feet, patiently waiting for their food to arrive.

Tiki whimpers as she stares at her bowl.

‘I know, sweetheart, but have a little patience,’ I say.

I feel two strong arms around my waist. ‘Good morning, beautiful,’ John whispers in my ear. ‘Have I told you that you look really good in my shirts?’

‘You have told me once or twice.’

While I store away the kibble, John places the bowls on the floor. The dogs eat their breakfast and John lifts me up and places me on the counter. ‘How are you feeling, baby?’ he asks, standing between my legs.

‘A little sore,’ I admit, adding a wink. ‘But overall, I feel good.’ I fold my hands in the back of his neck. ‘Why are you out of bed?’ I ask him.

‘I missed my lady.’

‘I was going to make you some breakfast in bed, but now you ruined my surprise.’

John places his large hands on my bare thighs. ‘We can make breakfast together and eat it in bed,’ he suggests.

‘Or you make me breakfast and bring it to me in bed,’ I say with a grin.

He laughs. ‘Or I make you breakfast, but you sit right here, so I can look at your beautiful face.’ John pecks my lips, squeezes my thighs.

‘Sounds like a plan,’ I chuckle and I watch him prepare the pancake batter.

I let out a sigh in content, leaning my head against the cupboard. Somehow my mind wanders off from last night, to what my mother said. I told her that I didn’t want to think that far ahead into the future, but somehow it’s the only thing I can think about, no matter what I do or where I am.

Yesterday, when I saw two little kids in the cafe, with their parents, my heart started beating a little faster. The dad with the four year old girl on his lap, the mom with a two year old boy against her chest, who was fast asleep.

I can see myself having kids with John one day. I thought about it since the first time he called me ‘mommy’ when he spoke to Tiki. Though the birth part still scares the living daylight out of me (thank you for ruining that for me, mother, by forcing me to watch that program), I can see a future with little kids running around our house. Maybe two, a boy and a girl, or three, I don’t know.

I wonder what John would be like as a father. I bet he—despite his upbringing—would be such a loving and doting dad, who would spoil the kids to death, but also discipline them, teaching them right and wrong. He would be so involved, I imagine, especially since he is already retired.

The idea of fostering older kids, I still want that, but maybe a little later, when our own kids are older.

Our own kids…

Well, it’s what I want really. Having kids with him one day.

‘Darcie,’ John says, causing me to snap out of my thoughts.

‘What?’ I ask.

‘You looked a little daze. I was wondering where you were with your mind.’

‘I’m sorry.’ I smile at him and say: ‘Just daydreaming.’

His smile grows wide. ‘Care to let me in?’

‘Nah, think it’s too soon to talk to you about this.’

‘I highly doubt that,’ John says. ‘If you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay, but you can talk to me about anything. I hope you know that.’

I take a deep breath and nod. John is still stirring the pancake batter. I always use the mixer, but I think this is John’s way of showing off. Watching him flex is muscles… I mean, you don’t hear me complaining.

‘Do you want kids?’ I blurt out, unable to keep it to myself. ‘With me, obviously.’

John doesn’t seem fazed at first, but when he looks up, his eyes has widened. ‘You’re thinking about kids?’

‘When we were at my parents and you and dad went out for a drive, my mom was wondering when I would be giving her grandchildren. I told her that that was too far ahead in the future, but since that moment I can’t stop thinking about it. And you are giving me no reaction at all. I bet you’re freaking out, so yeah, I’m going away, to call my mom and to tell her that it’s all her fault that you and I are breaking up, because of this kid thing and then I’ll go to Jennie, because I’m too embarrassed. I’m so sorry.’

I jump off the counter and want to walk away, but John grabs my hand. ‘Don’t go,’ he whispers. He slowly pulls me back, so I’m standing right in front of him. His pointer finger lifts up my chin, since I’m just staring at his chest. ‘I’m not breaking up with you, because you brought up our future. There is no need to be embarrassed for thinking about that.’

‘So you are not freaking out?’ I ask.

‘No, I was just a bit surprised, but I’m not freaking out.’ He smiles at me and presses a kiss on the tip of my nose. ‘But to answer your question: I have given it a thought,’ John admits. ‘And well, I would love it to have a mini you or me running around one day. Maybe more.’

My eyes practically roll out of their sockets. He really wants kids with me? Am I dreaming? ‘You want that?’ I ask, just to be sure. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, of course.’ He smiles, thin lines appearing near his eyes. ‘I mean, I can see you being such a lovely and caring mom. I just thought you said you wanted to foster.’

‘I still want that,’ I say, ‘but when I said that, I didn’t know you that well. I didn’t know you were the most caring and loving man I would ever meet. I talked to Eric about it when we were dating, but he didn’t want kids, probably because he was hiding one from me. The idea of having our little kids running around… I can see it happen.’

John smiles. ‘So you want to have kids with me.’ Why does he look oddly pleased with himself?

‘I mean, I could run around Times Square, yelling that I want kids and need some sperm, see who is going to respond.’

He bursts into a loud laughter, hiding his face in his hands. ‘You’re not doing that,’ he tells me, ‘because the only one who is getting you pregnant, is me.’

‘Oh my God, John,’ I say, a blush appearing on my cheeks. ‘You have to say it like that?’

He holds back a chuckle and kisses my forehead. ‘How about: You’re not doing that, because you and I will have kids one day.’

I bite my lip and fist his shirt between my fingers. ‘Yeah that’s better.’

‘I’m proud of you, Darcie.’

‘Why is that?’

‘You never talk about the future,’ he admits, ‘nor do you ever want to think that far ahead, but somehow you—voluntarily—mentioned something that involves our future.’ He shrugs. ‘I mean, you are definitely growing.’

Tiki barks and I look down to her and Oreo, whose tails are both wagging. ‘I think they need to go out for a walk,’ I say.

‘First you and I have some breakfast, than those two are getting their walks.’

⟢⟡⟣

The entire workday I couldn’t help but think about two things. One, how John wants kids with me and two, about how Pete Stanford is a free man. Those things are a horrible combo.

The cafe is about to close and the only two customers who are still here, are Roger and Ellie. It still melts my heart to see the Roger treats his new girlfriend. I love having her around here. When things are a little busy, she gets up from the table and helps us out for a quick second. She truly is one of a kind.

‘Okay you two,’ I say to them. ‘The cafe closes in three minutes.’

‘Almost done, miss Angel,’ Roger says, scribbling something down.

Ellie closes her books and says with a smile: ‘I had to help Roger with his algebra homework.’

‘You are a true angel.’ I place a hand on her shoulder. ‘He is a lucky guy.’

‘I certainly am.’ Roger closes his books and looks at his girlfriend with almost heart eyes. ‘Are you ready to go, love?’

Oh my God, he called her love. I’m going to cry. This is so soft.

‘Yes,’ she says, shoving her books in her backpack. She stands up and wraps her arms around me. Since she has to go to school again, she usually works here at Wednesdays and Saturdays and visits the cafe at Sundays. ‘Thank you for the cupcakes, Darcie.’

‘You’re welcome, sweetheart.’

Roger stands up and gives me a hug. I think Roger might be the sweetest seventeen year old in the world. ‘I’ll be here tomorrow, miss Angel,’ he tells me. ‘Promise.’

‘I’m looking forward to it.’

Roger gently pulls Ellie’s backpack from her hands and holds her hand. Raye opens the door for one of our favorite couples. ‘You bring her home safely,’ Raye says. ‘And you walk her all the way to her door.’

‘I will, miss Clarke.’

She pats his back and closes the door behind them. ‘They are the cutest,’ she says, turning the sign over from OPEN to CLOSE. ‘God, it’s so fucking unfair that even someone as annoying as Roger has a girlfriend. Really makes me wish I had someone.’

‘Your time will come,’ I say.

‘I’ve been meaning to ask this the entire day,’ Raye says, ‘but since you are so prude during work hours, I thought I’d wait until we were closed.’

‘This can’t be good,’ I mumble.

‘Did you have sex last night?’

‘Raye Clarke!’ I yell at her.

Jennie looks up from the sink. ‘Why are you asking her that?’ she asks curiously.

‘Because when John was sitting here, they kept exchanging glances and when he left and she gave him a kiss, it was a little more intense than usual.’

I feel a little bit exposed by this revelation of hers and because I’m not saying anything, Raye starts laughing. ‘I fucking knew it.’

‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ I say.

‘Of course you don’t want to,’ she laughs. ‘But I do have another question.’

‘I don’t want to hear it.’

‘I mean, besides the obvious sexual tension between you two, there was something else.’ Raye crosses her arms in front of her chest. ‘What was that about? Can you explain?’

JOHN WANTS KIDS WITH ME. I shake my head. ‘No, can’t explain that.’

Raye raises an eyebrow, but leaves it at that.

We continue to clean up the kitchen, the rest of the tables, but as usual, Raye sneakingly is checking her phone. ‘Oh my God,’ she all of the sudden says. She stares at her phone, her brows furrowed together. Before I can tell her that she needs to put that phone away, so she can clean up as well, she says: ‘Your father apparently did an interview five hours ago. Talking about how they would, though Pete is a free man now, will seek justice and put him away for life.’

‘How is your dad by the way?’ Jennie asks.

‘He was supposed to cocoon with my mother, but turns out he is really seeking for revenge,’ I mumble. ‘I haven’t spoken to him today.’

‘Still can’t believe he got away with it,’ Raye says. ‘He is such a psychopath.’

Jennie sighs deeply. ‘Poor girl didn’t deserve to die like that and she certainly doesn’t deserve her murderer getting away with it. Fucking lunatic.’

Raye puts her phone away and says: ‘I’ve got to go,’ she says. ‘I have a friends with benefits appointment.’

I raise an eyebrow. ‘You still do that?’

‘Like every month,’ she explains. ‘But only when he’s not seeing other girls.’

Jennie scrunches her nose, thinking about Raye’s friends with benefits. ‘What was his name again?’

‘Logan,’ she answers. ‘I haven’t had sex in four weeks and I really need to get laid.’

‘Your toys not good enough?’ Jennie asks.

She sighs. ‘No, my favorite one broke and my hand isn’t good enough.’

‘Use your shower head,’ I say, without even thinking. My cheeks fire up and I place my hand in front of my mouth. Can’t believe I just let that slip.

Raye lets out a high pitched squeak. ‘Oh my God, how do you even know about that? Did you watch porn? Did our sweet little Darcie watch porn? Never pecked you for that.’

‘No, it’s… God, I was sixteen, still living at home and too scared to buy myself a toy. I read something about that online, so I tried it.’

‘Oh my God,’ Jennie laughs. ‘This is hilarious.’

‘Don’t talk about it. Raye, fucking go and have sex with Logan and I’ll see you tomorrow.’

Raye kisses us both on our cheeks and while still cackling with laughter, she exits the cafe.

‘You can go home as well,’ I say to Jennie. ‘I just need to check the register and some paperwork and then I’m off anyway.’

‘Are you sure?’ she asks.

‘Yeah, I’m sure. You worked hard today, so you go home. I insist.’

‘Well, that means I can finally catch up with my series.’ She gives me a hug and says: ‘Say hi to John from me when he picks you up.’

‘Will do.’

After Jennie left the cafe, I’m checking the register and read some of the paperwork. It’s been about an hour since my friends left, when John calls me. ‘Sweetheart,’ he says when I pick up, ‘I’m stuck in traffic, on a Sunday of all days, but I’ll try to be there as soon as possible.’

‘Don’t rush, please. I would like to see you in preferably one piece.’

‘I’d like to be in one piece as well,’ he mentions. ‘I didn’t bring the dogs with me. I took them out for a long walk after we left the cafe and they are pretty out.’

‘You take good care of them, honey,’ I say with a smile. ‘You really don’t need to rush. Have a ton of paper work to do anyways.’

‘I’ll help you,’ he says, ‘so please don’t stress about it, okay?’

Since I really don’t want to read through the pile of paper, I’m quick to say: ‘Okay, I’ll wait for you.’

I walk to the kitchen and clean up some bits that we’ve missed, while chatting to John about how my day was. We briefly mention Pete Stanford, but I don’t want to talk about that for too long.

‘So,’ John says, ‘call me a bit premature, but I looked up some baby names today.’

‘Oh my God, you’re so adorable,’ I chuckle, feeling my heart flutter. ‘Did you see any names you liked?’

‘I did see one name that I really liked. Livia, for a girl.’

‘Livia Wick,’ I say, ‘I like the sound of that.’

‘You like that?’

‘Mister John Wick, I really like how you are thinking about baby names. But please know that we’re not having a kid tomorrow.’

‘No, sweetheart, I understand. I just couldn’t help myself.’ He laughs. ‘Let me ask a question that is a little bit more urgent: would you like pizza for dinner or the left over pancakes?’

‘Left over pancakes,’ I say, ‘but this time I want chocolate chips in mine.’ I hear the door open and say: ‘Oh, you’re here early. Thought you were stuck in traffic, sweetheart.’

‘Darcie, I’m still stuck in traffic.’

I roll my eyes. If it is that stuck up old man again, who demanded Raye would give him her number, I’m gonna strangle him. I walk to the front. ‘I’m sorry, we’re closed,’ I say.

‘There she is.’

My soul nearly leaves my body. What the hell is Pete Stanford doing in my cafe? ‘Maybe you didn’t read the sign, but we are closed.’

‘Just wanting to check in with you.’

That can’t be good. ‘We don’t know each other.’

‘You really think that, Darcie?’

I hear John’s voice through my phone, but I’m too scared to bring the phone to my ear.  I’m too scared to move anyways. He knows my name. Pete fucking Stanford knows my name. Please, John, be here soon. ‘Well,’ I utter, ‘I know you from the television, but I wouldn’t know how you’d know me.’

‘Well, I knew that Christian Angel had a daughter,’ Pete Stanford says. ‘A few Google searches… It didn’t take me very long before to know that his daughter has such a lovely cafe.’

‘What do you want from me?’ I ask him. Please, Darcie, do not fucking faint. John will be here any second. ‘I mean, you won your case, you’re a free man now. Why bother coming to my cafe?’

‘Because your dad ruined my life.’ Pete Stanford looks at me with his piercing blue eyes. He still looks rough, probably didn’t waste a second to go on his little scavenger hunt.

The door opens and four other guys step in, one even bigger than the other.

‘Okay,’ I say, my voice shaking, ‘but what do I have to do with that?’

Pete Stanford laughs. ‘Well, I’m going to get my revenge and it doesn’t take a genius to know what Christian Angels biggest fear is. Something happening to his lovely wife and his beautiful daughter.’

‘No, no, no, no,’ I say, ‘please, you need to leave my parents alone.’

‘I won’t, because I already took your parents and I’m going to let them both watch how their precious daughter will be ripped up in pieces,’ Pete says. He starts to dig through his pocket and shows me a pendant. ‘Does this look familiar?’

Oh my God, that is my mothers. My father gave it to her three years ago and I remember nearly vomiting in my mouth because of how romantic it was and how jealous I was, because Eric never bought me anything remotely nice. ‘What is happening?’ I ask.

One guy takes a step closer and Pete says: ‘Don’t resist too much, Darcie. We don’t want to hurt you just yet.’

I run inside the kitchen, but the guy is too strong and his arms are wrapped up around my body, dragging me to the exit. ‘Let go of me,’ I scream and I try to kick the man. Somehow I manage to kick him on the knee and it must’ve been a weak spot of his, because he growls in pain.

But I also managed to anger him even more. He throws me against the wall and by the time I hit the floor, I’m out.

Taglist: @toomanystoriessolittletime​ @flhorah​ @allie1804-fan @cynic-spirit​ @raven-black102

[theres-no-protocol-for-this]

Dinner and a Cat

The cat was nowhere to be seen when I got home that afternoon, and the back door was slightly ajar. I turned off the TV, put away groceries, and made myself a giant mug of hot chocolate.

Honestly, because I could.

A couple of friends had texted me while I’d been out, and I invited them over for dinner. Still, there was time to enjoy some delicious beverage in silence before I needed to start cooking. I wanted to savor the silence.

I work in the retail industry, and some people really have a thing about their morning drink. It’s scary, actually. It’s a coffee, lady. So, when I don’t have to work, I like spending my time with people and things that don’t turn into “Karen” at the slightest provocation.

A cool autumn breeze swept down the street as I stood on my front porch, cradling my mug like it was my first-born child. The forecast for the evening promised rain, which would quickly turn to snow — first of the season — so my mind wandered toward the cat. Would it end up spending the night outdoors? Worry settled in the pit of my stomach.

“If you’re out there, kitty, you’re welcome back anytime,” I said to no one in particular.

I mean, I talk to things. OK?

And a few minutes later, it hopped onto the porch as if summoned and sat on the welcome mat. In the daytime, it still looked like it could use about a month’s worth of decent meals, but when the black furball wasn’t shivering, it looked a lot more alive.

“Hey, buddy,” I said.

It hissed at me.

“Not a fan of ‘buddy,’ huh? Yeah, me neither. It doesn’t suit you.”

“Meow.”

“How about Kai? That was the name of my favorite cartoon character when I was a kid.”

“Meow.”

I nodded to myself. “For a cat, you’re basically a genius, so if you’re cool with it, I’m cool with it. I got some real chicken. I mean… I got cat food, obviously, but also actual chicken. I’ll make you some. It’ll probably taste better than kibble anyway.”

The cat got up from my welcome mat and walked into the house, at which point it walked around both floors once. I’d never seen a cat patrol its territory before; Tasha had been an entirely indoor cat. The idea of sharing with anyone had never crossed that kitten’s mind. Kai, on the other hand, took its sweet time and then settled down on the couch.

“Meow.”

Ah, right, the cat wants to watch Netflix. Good thing it doesn’t cost any extra to just have it going in the background all day. I restarted whatever drama was on — in Korean at that — and then headed to the kitchen.

***

Nat and Em came over around seven. By then, I’d cooked up a bit of a storm. I love cooking; it’s what I do when I need to relax. I am not much of an eater, though, so it was nice to have company over.

Nat’s a software engineer for a large aerospace company, and Emily basically performs magic with clay and her hands. We’ve known each other since we were in middle school, although we’d drifted apart when we all headed off to different colleges. It was sheer luck that all three of us now lived in the state and had time to see each other occasionally.

The doorbell rang, and Kai sat up like it was expecting trouble.

“It’s my friends,” I told it — like it was important for the weird furball to know who was at the door.

I wiped my hands clean on an apron and sprinted to let whoever it was in. Natalie Gomez stood on the other side, stunning as always. It doesn’t matter what the woman wears; she always looks like she’s got her shit together. That evening, Nat was wearing a fancy turtleneck sweater and hip-hugging jeans. And she has a lot of beautiful hips in need of hugging.

“Love the sweater,” I said as I gestured for her to come inside. We hugged because she’s a hugger, and there’s no escape. “How’s it going?”

“Eh, you know. Same shit, different day. Oh my god, your place smells amazing.”

I let go, and she bounced inside. Shrugging, I muttered, “You know me. Stress cooking.”

“Yeah, but you’re talented. And I’m not just saying that, either. Hey, looks like you got a new cat.”

I closed the door and followed Nat into the living room. “More like, it adopted me last night. I don’t think it’s dangerous, but maybe give it some space.”

“Does he bite?”

“I don’t even know that it’s a ‘he,’ honestly.” I grabbed a bottle of wine out of the fridge. “Want a glass of um… something red?”

The brown-eyed engineer came over and leaned against the cabinets. “Shit, yes, please. Sorry, it’s been a week. We’re releasing a new product, and that’s always stressful.”

“Well, take a seat, drink some wine, and food should be done in minutes.”

Nat accepted the offered glass and took a gulp. “What about you? How’s Iris doing?”

“Uh, just doing… I guess.” Mom had been on my mind all day, but I wasn’t going to ruin the evening talking about stuff I couldn’t change. “Work’s been busy, and I think I need to make time to go see my family this holiday season.” I tried a smile on for size. “But you know, good stuff, too. I got the library internship, and that starts in a week.”

“Good for you! I remember you gushing about that. I’m so glad everything worked out. Are you still going to work at the cafe?”

I frowned. “I’m not sure, to be honest. The money’s better at the cafe, but I can’t work eighty hours a week, either.”

“No, you can’t. And you have got to take care of you.” Nat smiled. “Look, even Mr. or Mrs. Kitty thinks so.”

Kai had gotten up from its comfy perch on the couch and came over to sit by my feet. I looked down at the curious furball and said, “I bet you’re hungry. How about some seared chicken?”

I’d always cooked for Tasha because I like cooking, and my princess of a cat had enjoyed eating the food I made. I remember spending hours on Google, looking at cat-friendly recipes. After I’d first adopted Tasha, Dr. Hopkins spent a week straight reassuring me that cats were carnivores and could survive on a steady supply of live mice.

So, cooking for Kai was pretty much a matter of pulling out the old recipe book, picking something that sounded interesting, and then making it happen. I arranged the food on a long, narrow plate and set it down on the floor in a kitchen corner, away from us humans. The furball sniffed at the food and then went for it.

“You said it adopted you?” Nat gestured at the cat with her wine glass.

“Something like that. I mean, it was out on my porch last night, and it’s come back into the house a couple of times now.”

“I think you should go back to the shelter and get yourself another pet.”

“I keep thinking about it, and I don’t know, I’m just not home enough to really give a pet the love it deserves.”

“I thought cats were independent,” said the human who never actually had any pets and didn’t want them. Nat had her husband and her girlfriend, and that was enough for her.

I shrugged. “I mean, this sweetheart, maybe. Most cats need at least some attention.”

From the corner, the cat hissed at me like it knew I’d called it a sweetheart. The doorbell rang again, and Nat waved at me to stay put. “I’ll get it. It’s probably Emily.”

A few moments later, a familiar wan face appeared in the kitchen doorframe. Sammy, age three, followed by his mother, Emily, who looked absolutely beat. I knew she worked crazy hours during the fall semester — she taught at a local art college, made pottery, and volunteered for a local nonprofit. And she had a little boy she was raising by herself.

“Hey, Sammy!”

“Good evening, Miss Iris,” said the polite, dark-eyed kiddo. “Ooh, kitty.”

“Can you do me a huge favor?” I asked the little boy.

“Yeah!”

“Can you give kitty a little space tonight? It’s shy.”

Kai hissed at me again but didn’t budge from its food. The boy looked at the cat, all wide-eyed and interested, but his mom put a hand on his shoulder. I handed Emily a glass of wine and gave her a mercifully brief hug. I hadn’t seen Em for the better part of two months, and I suspected she needed a girls’ night out.

“Thanks,” the redhead whispered.

I gave her a thumbs up and checked on the oven. “Well, dinner is basically done. Why don’t you three get comfortable on the couch, and I’ll bring over the tasty, tasty food.”

“Let me give you a hand,” Nat offered. “Meanwhile, Em can tell us all about her students this semester.”

From the living room, Emily groaned. “Don’t get me started. I swear college students nowadays can’t get their noses out of their cellphones long enough to look at fine art.”

I dished up some steamed and seasoned vegetables onto individual plates. I also decorated Sam’s plate while his mother regaled us with her horror stories. Kai finished its dinner but hung around the kitchen, not quite underfoot. I wondered if it didn’t like all the extra company. Tasha had been the star of the show, but I’d met shy cats before; not every animal liked being around humans it didn’t know.

We sat on the floor around the coffee table in the living room and had dinner. Nat shared with us some of her latest hiking adventures. Sammy demonstrated his ability to count to ten. Emily cheered him on. The cat settled down on the floor beside me, close enough that I could feel its warm presence, and stayed there for the duration of the evening.

For a brief moment, I could forget the troubles that haunted my waking hours and just enjoy some pleasant conversation.

And then, life went to hell, starting with the burglar-wanna-be.

[poppibranchlover]

Nine Lives, One Fight - Part 24

The story: Deep in the forest of Troll Town, there lies a mysterious tiny purple mushroom that has a secret magical ability. King Peppy calls this mushroom forbidden for all Trolls to go near it. One day, while Branch is out in the woods doing his survival research studying, he encounters it and, not knowing it is a regular mushroom, decides to harvest it and bring it home. But in the next morning, its magic effects transform him into a small blue cat! After being sent to the animal pound, his girlfriend, Poppy, finds him and decides to adopt him, although not recognizing it is Branch. Desperate to finish his research project due for a special event invented by Poppy, Branch is forced to learn how to behave like a pet cat and must figure out what caused him to become one.

You already seen what had happened in Part 23. Now get ready for Part 24!:

The next morning, Poppy and Branch went for a morning stroll in Troll Village. After a few minutes of their time, they stop at a corner which lies an enormous green tree root. Poppy settled her backpack down and unpacked everything that she brought along; cans of cat food, a ball of yarn, lots of cat toys and tuna sandwiches. She spent her time taking care of Branch, giving him kibble for him to eat and toys for him to play.

Branch enjoyed most of his time with Poppy, even when he is now a cat. He wished he could even speak with her someday, but he just couldn’t feel like he wanted to. After all, he liked behaving like Poppy’s pet cat for the rest of his life because he gets to enjoy her daily routine of petting his soft and cuddly blue fur.

He hopped onto Poppy’s lap and took a nap, yawning and stretching before closing his eyes. Smiling, Poppy gently caresses his fur, making him purr. “PUUUUURRRRRR….. PURRRRRRRRRRR……PURRRR….”

Branch loved the way she usually pets his fur. It felt wonderful! He liked to see if this can last forever...until he and Poppy heard a trio of voices.

It was Biggie, Smidge and Guy Diamond!

The three Trolls approached them, chatting anxiously. It was when Poppy heard these news that she felt fear invading her, trying to keep her cool.

“Haven’t you heard what Peppy told us about what really happened to Branch?!” Biggie cried. “I can’t believe he had died after he touched the mushroom!”

Guy gasped in horror. “Oh no! What if Poppy knows about this? I’m afraid she’ll be grief-stricken to hear the terrible news!” he said as he panicked, pulling his hair.

Smidge tried to calm the two Trolls down. “Well, we’ll have to tell her truth,” she said in a grave voice. “I’m fairly disappointed how losing a friend would turn out.”

Poppy and Branch walked up to their friends, looking very disappointed at what they’ve been hearing.

“Guys?” Poppy asked, trying to get their attention. “What’s going on?”

Biggie stepped forward, feeling like it wasn’t easy to say the bad news to her. He simply tried to say “Poppy, are you feeling okay that…Branch is gone?”

Branch felt a wave of shock and sadness over his face as he listened.

“I think so, Biggie,” Poppy said, fiddling with her fingers nervously. Eventually, she moved on to the next subject. “But what’s more important now is that my dad is forming a larger investigation team that will eventually find more evidence of the missing Archaeo morphisis.”

Guy just shrugged. “I don’t think it was a good idea,” he replied. “It might be really hard for more Trolls to look for more clues related to the incident.”

“I guess so...” Poppy muttered, stroking Branch’s hair. “I bet any of us can try our luck finding it.”

Seeing the face she had been making right now, Biggie, Smidge and Guy stared at her. They knew she was hiding something from them, and understood perfectly if she did not want to talk about it. But it was obvious that she loved Branch!

Biggie looked down at Branch, who was now busy cleaning himself by licking his paw. “First of all, can I ask you a question regarding your pet cat?” he asked, pointing at him.

“Yes, why?” Poppy asked the big Troll. “What…what do you think about keeping a pet?”

The question had slightly surprised her friends. Silence had started between them, until Biggie put an end to it. “When I heard your cat meowing in the animal shelter during Mr. Dinkles’ vet checkup, he didn’t look very happy there. It looked like a child who wanted to play with you,” he explained.

Poppy felt somehow relieved. At least some could see what she had seen.

Smidge began to explain to her. “Second of all, why did his face look a lot like Branch’s?” She pointed at him, who was scratching himself intensely with his back paw, working a spot just behind his neck.

Poppy looked down at her cat, not daring to blurt something scary to her friends. She waved her hands back and forth with embarrassment. “Hehe…what’s the difference between Mr. Tickle or Branch?” she asked, giggling nervously. “They both look alike…a matter of factly.” She rubbed her chin, as though she might be crazy thinking that her cat might really be Branch, or maybe she was not so sure that the cat might be his identical twin.

Guy scratched his head as a new thought knocked around inside it. “If your cat and your friend really look the same, why don’t you tell us more about Branch’s mysterious disappearance?” he asked.

Branch shrank back with embarrassment. He nudged at Poppy’s side in order to make her think of something.

She took a deep breath and casually said “Don’t worry, guys! I’m sure Branch will be fine. I was just taking care of my pet cat, and that’s all.” He raised her hands up, showing her palms. Her right hand had a little cat scratch scar, the one Branch had accidentally made during their argument yesterday.

At the sight of the scar, the three Trolls gasped in horror! “Oh my gah!” Smidge cried. “What is that in your hand?”

“What?” Poppy asked, wanting to know what they’re worried about until she noticed her scar. Shrieking, she hid her hand, embarrassed. “That’s not what you’ve been thinking.”

“Poppy, I can sense that something’s wrong with your pet,” Guy said. “What did he do to you?”

“He didn’t do anything wrong to me!” Poppy protested. “It’s just a cute ordinary pet cat, like most cats!”

As Branch watched her talk with her friends, a wave of guilt came over him. But it wasn’t because he had scratched her hand, it was because he just wanted Poppy to recognize him. He’d been so distracted on the Show-and-Tell festival that he’d forgotten that cats are not signed in for this party, and now he had let everyone down.

As Biggie, Smidge and Guy continued to rant about Branch’s disappearance in front of her, hearing all these was all too much for Poppy. Slowly, she packed her things and walked away, with Branch trailing after her. Noticing this, the three Trolls stopped her.

“Hey, Poppy,” Biggie asked. “Where are you going?”

“Yeah, your dad was arranging you to lead your investigation team today,” Guy reminded her. “Don’t you have anything else planned?”

Poppy and Branch stopped in their tracks and turned back. “Uh, it’s just that I need to give Mr. Tickle some space for now,” Poppy said, happy to have an excuse. “Talk to you guys, later!”

Then she and Branch walk away. Biggie, Smidge and Guy watched them go, wondering how strange their queen has been acting lately.

“That went…quite well,” Smidge muttered grimly to herself.

Just then, Cooper burst from out of nowhere. “Hey, guys! What did I miss?!” he asked. Then he spotted a can of spilled cat kibble that Branch has been eating earlier and crowed “Ooh! Kibble!”

He lowered his head with his long neck and started eating the kibble in huge chomps. Biggie, Smidge and Guy watched him eat in great horror.

“Cooper, don’t eat that!” Guy screamed, his glittery auto-tune voice shimmering wildly in a panic.

“Oh god!” Biggie cried. “Mr. Dinkles, don’t watch!” He tried to cover his pet worm’s eyes from this epic abomination.

“Oh, completely disturbing!” Smidge shrieked.

After Cooper devoured some of the cat food, his tummy suddenly grumbled...loudly. URRRKK!!!

“Uh-oh!” With that, Cooper began to sweat, and an embarrassed expression spread over his face. He quickly ran off, yelling with his mouth full. “I’M OUTTA HERE!!!”

After he left in a flash, Smidge slapped her face and shook her head. “Sheesh!” she grumbled with frustration. “When are you gonna learn how to live in a healthy diet?!”

In another part of the village, Poppy laid out her scrapbooking materials on the ground and began to make a new scrapbook of her own. Cutting felt with scissors, she turned to see Branch, who was gnawing on her tuna sandwich he was trying to pull out of her backpack.

“This is the perfect spot for scrapbooking, Mr. Tickle!” she said, sighing happily as she cut a piece of blue felt, making a miniature scrapbook version of her cat.

While Poppy got busy, Branch pulled the sandwich out of her bag, chewing and gnawing hungrily at it. He loved the smell of tuna stuffed in this delicious treat that he kept gnashing on the bread and the stacked food slices, unaware of what Poppy is planning to put into her scrapbook.

When Poppy saw what he was doing, she displayed a teasing smile on her face. Branch looked back at her, still holding the tuna sandwich in his mouth.

“Mr. Tickle, what are you doing with my sandwich?” Poppy asked, giggling. “You’re hungry now?”

Branch shrugged, showing no sign of shame at all. He went back to eating the sandwich, and Poppy just laughed at him. Then she took the sandwich from his mouth and held it in her hands. Half of it had been chomped by Branch’s hungry little teeth!

Branch reached out a paw to the sandwich, but Poppy lifted her hand higher away from him, still holding on to it. “Oh, silly little kitty!” she said with a laugh. “You know there’s enough for both of us to share!”

Poppy took a bite on her sandwich, leaving out little Trolly tooth marks in it. She saved the rest for Branch, who bit into it when she handed it over to him.

“Awwww!!” Poppy said as she watched him eat. She would have thought that her pet cat also loved tuna, just like her boyfriend. But she remembered what her friends told her about why her cat looked a lot like Branch because of seeing his face for the first time, and she knew she doesn’t want to go further on the question why Branch and Mr. Tickle look the same.

Shaking off the bad memories, Poppy pulled the sandwich back so she can have some for herself, but Branch grabbed hold of it, wanting some more for himself. After a little struggle with their one single sandwich, they looked lovingly at each other for a moment. Both of their eyes shone with great love within their hearts.

After Poppy set the sandwich aside, Branch knew it might be the perfect time for them to kiss. He closed his eyes and brought his lips forward, but Poppy moved her fingers and brought her hands close to his chest, causing him to tumble on his back. He laughed as she tickled him in his belly, which is the most supremely ticklish part of his entire furry body.

“Nothing like a good tickle can keep you happy!” Poppy said happily as she kept running down her fingers to his little blue tummy. “Who’s a good boy? You’re a good boy!”

“Hahaha! That tickles!” Branch said through his laughter, enjoying the feeling of being rubbed in the belly. “HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! HA HA HA!!”

As she continued tickling Branch, Poppy can clearly see that her cat seems to be making the same facial expressions as her boyfriend. She stopped for a moment to think why Branch and her cat look the same, and she kept wondering if there were some cats that look just like her own somewhere in the village. But could her friends really be right about that?

Poppy had no time to think some more because her dad showed up from just a few feet from her. “Hey, Poppy!” King Peppy called to her daughter. “Can I have a word with you, please?”

She stood up to hear his voice and said “Oh, sure! What is it you want to tell me, Dad?”

Then she walked up to the old king, leaving Branch still laying down on his back on the ground. He moved his paws around in a desperate attempt to get back on his legs and meowed for Poppy to come back to him, as if he wanted more tickles in his tummy. “Meow? Meeooww, meeeoooww!!”

Just then, a tiny blue butterfly fluttered by and made a gentle landing on Branch’s nose. It sat there, moving its little wings up and down. Branch stared at it for a second, and he tried reaching out a paw to his face to catch the butterfly, causing it to fly away.

Now having the sudden urge to catch it, Branch got up and chased after the flying little bug, pouncing towards it with his paws outstretched.

Meanwhile, Poppy approached her father, who was holding a confidential letter in his hands. “What is it, Dad?” she asked.

King Peppy handed the note to her. “The Troll Disappearance Investigation is arranging some leadership assignments for you,” he explained. “As Queen, you shall be able to lead them during their cases.”

“So it means I’ll find more clues related to this week’s incident?” asked Poppy as she read the contents of the paper written with bold handwriting.

“Not only that incident about the Archaeo morphisis, all of the TDI’s assignments,” said Peppy. “They’re looking forward to promoting you as head minister.”

Poppy couldn’t believe what she had heard so far. She sprang her arms wide with excitement. “That’s wonderful, Dad!” she said. “I’m being promoted for the investigation club! I can’t wait to lead everyone on during their cases!”

“And I know you will do well as a good leader,” King Peppy said, putting an arm on her shoulder.

As Poppy and her dad talked, Branch ran past them, chasing the little butterfly around the area. It landed on a rock, but he caught up to it and pounced for it, making it flutter away from him again.

Poppy giggled as she watched her cat play with the butterfly. She turned to King Peppy and asked “Do you think pets are allowed in the TDI department?”

Branch stopped chasing the butterfly to hear her sentence. Happy that he is no longer chasing it, the butterfly flew away to its freedom in the woods.

Poppy wanted her father to agree to the point if Branch will come along with her to the investigation agency, but instead, King Peppy just shook his head sadly. “Sorry, Poppy,” he said. “But the TDI has rules against pets.”

“Why not?” Poppy said anxiously. “I don’t want my cat to get lonely in my pod!” 

At the sound of that, Branch walked up to her side and looked up at her with his big pleading eyes, agreeing with her statement. “Meow!” he begged.

“Yes, but one of the agents was highly allergic to cats, so I suggest you put on a clean dress and go without your pet cat,” King Peppy explained.

“Meow...” Branch meowed sadly at those awful news. He just wanted to accompany Poppy during her job, but since the TDI won’t allow any animals, it was now forbidden for him to go there because he is a cat. He sat down and hung his head with disappointment.

Stroking Branch’s head, Poppy reluctantly agreed to the point at what’s best for her pet, and she certainly doesn’t want some Trolls who suffer some allergies to swell up from the presence of a furry animal. Branch thought about the same thing too, as he had been a big fan of keeping Trolls safe from danger, especially preventing them to consume allergy sickness.

Sighing, Poppy nodded to her father and said “Okay, fine.” She turned to Branch and told him “I’m sorry, bud. I guess you’re gonna have to stay at home.”

King Peppy held on to his cane with anticipation. “It’s good that you are listening, Poppy,” he said as he prepared to leave. “Meet you in the TDI’s conference office in a few minutes?”

“Sure,” Poppy replied in an unsure voice. “I…I will be there.”

“Very well,” King Peppy said kindly. Then he walked away, leaving Poppy and Branch alone in their spot in the woods.

“Meow?” Branch meowed with complete concern and worriedness, unable to believe that there will be no more quality time between him and Poppy. She petted his head to comfort him as he looked up at her anxiously.

“Sorry, Mr. Tickle. I’m afraid I have more queen duties to be done rather than spending time with you,” Poppy explained as she continued caressing his hair. “But you must understand that I’m now the Queen and I need to be more hardworking and busy, is that okay?”

She rubbed Branch’s chin, but he is still feeling very sad. It was the first time Branch could remember being unable to enjoy one of Poppy’s usual habit of petting him, and he knew he is going to miss everything he had spent with her, such as how she took such good care of him, how she fed him nicely and how she usually rubs his belly.

“I guess this was goodbye,” Branch said softly with a sigh, staring down at the ground. He wished to spend more time with Poppy, but she had other tasks to tend to because she’s the leader of Troll Village.

Poppy patted Branch’s forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back after a few minutes,” she said, kissing his cheek. “I love you so much, my sweet kitty.”

Branch turned away from her, refusing to see the look of her reassuring face. Deep down, he didn’t like how this is being planned.

                                             To Be Continued...

                                          Stay tuned for Part 25!

[whereisten]

Hero, Yuta, & Me

Summary: Your pet sitting job lands you at the doorstep of the magnetic Yuta Nakamoto, owner of the cutest Shiba Inu on the planet, Hero. 

Multi-part series: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

Part 1

Word Count: 2,021 words

You were getting ready for the day, brushing your hair in front on your vanity. Your mom was visiting your grandparents down south while your dad and younger brothers were at Disney World. Those lucky bastards. You regretted not going with them but you were saving up for a Korean pop convention that was coming up in the summer. And you just landed a pretty sweet gig with your pet sitting job, Read It and Woof.

The owner, Yuta Nakamoto, lived in Miami Beach in a nice townhouse. He was the owner of a Shiba Inu named Hero. You were psyched because you had never seen a Shiba in the flesh. Mr. Nakamoto was going on a business trip so he needed someone to spend the weekend at his place, looking after Hero.

You parked in Mr. Nakamoto’s driveway, seeing his black Dodge Challenger’s trunk popped open. The front door was slightly ajar. You grabbed your bag out of the backseat and shut the door.

You heard a bark and whipped around to see a black and tan Shiba Inu sitting before you and you nearly crumble.

“Hi!” You greet the pup. “You must be Hero.”

Hero got up and started sniffing at your sneakers. All the while his tail was wagging. You laughed.

“Y/N.”

You looked back up to see the most beautiful boy you’d ever laid eyes on and nearly roll your eyes at the cliche that just popped into your head. He was a stunner. He was a legend. He was a god. Mr. Nakamoto was dressed in business professional attire of a finely tailored gray suit. His dark brown hair was slicked back and your breathing hitched. His brown eyes were sharp and captivating. And-

Cool it, Y/N. He may have a Shiba and he may be hot as fuck. But you gotta reel it in.

“Mr. Nakamoto?” You asked.

He smirked. “Call me Yuta. It’s really nice to meet you. Can I take your bag?”

“It’s nice to meet you, too.” You shook your head when you saw him reach his arm out to grab your Captain Marvel themed bag. Your bag wasn’t that heavy. “Oh, that’s okay. I got it.”

He nodded. “I’ll show you around. Thanks for coming so early.”

And suddenly you forgot that you were cursing yourself for taking the gig since you had to wake up at 5:30 AM to get ready so you can meet Yuta at 7:30 AM. Miami traffic was merciless even at 6:30 in the morning.

“It’s fine,” you said.

Yuta opened the front door and said, “After you.”

Hero ran in right after and you could hear the pitter pat of his feet and grinned. Dogs were effortless in making people laugh. That’s one of the things you loved most about them.

Dog toys were all over the wooden floor. Including a soccer ball. Three different pairs of shoes were placed beside the door. There was a lot of wooden furnishings and there were a couple of sliding doors. You noted that the interior of the house was very reminiscent of Japanese interior design.

“This is a really nice place you got here,” you said.

Yuta laughed. “You don’t have to lie. It’s a mess. I’m sorry about that. But Hero likes it that way.”

“Oh I don’t think it’s fair to pin it all on Hero.”

Hero was right on Yuta’s heels, staring up in adoration at his owner. You could feel their connection to each other and you knew that Yuta really loved him. Yuta looked down at Hero and rubbed his head.

“Maybe you’re right,” Yuta said as he looked back up at you. “Do you want something to drink? Eat? I made scrambled eggs.”

“Sounds good. I don’t want to keep you, though.” You remembered he had a flight to catch soon. Miami International Airport was very unforgiving.

Yuta’s eyes grew noticeably bigger. “Oh, yeah. Well, the tour’s quick. You got all of my instructions via email anyway. If you have any questions at any time, don’t hesitate to text. I can only take phone calls after 10 at night since my meetings are running late this weekend. I apologize.”

“It’s no problem.”

Yuta smiled. “If you’ll follow me.” He walked you down the hall and showed you the different rooms in the house. Hero was allowed to roam as he pleased. He usually liked to sleep in Yuta’s bed but he also had a bed in the living room. And a bed in the kitchen because Yuta sometimes liked to get a midnight snack and it was almost as if Hero knew that. Then, Hero would seize the opportunity to guilt trip Yuta into giving him something to munch on.

You were living for Yuta’s anecdotes.

“So the last door on the left is my room, which Hero can sleep in. But I’m pretty sure he’ll be with you. If you don’t mind keeping your room open. Which brings me to the guest room,” Yuta said.

He pushed the sliding door open and revealed a comfortable floor bed with a floor desk that had a cute little cactus and lamp on it.

“If you’d like extra blankets, the linen closet has a lot. Go nuts.” He laughed.

“Thanks, Yuta. I really appreciate it.” Most of your clients were nice people. Some were a little chaotic. But then, by the grace of God, you stumbled on a miracle.

You and Yuta walked back to the entrance.

“Well, I’m off,” Yuta said, “Thanks again for doing this, Y/N.” A strand of his hair fell into his eyes and he tucked it behind his ear. You imagined him doing that to your hair and you blushed, feeling guilty over fantasizing about a client you’d only see once more when he came back to make sure you didn’t kidnap Hero.

You nodded. “You’re welcome...Uh, safe travels...Yeah.” Lord, help you.

He gave you a knowing smile. He had to be aware of the effect he had on people. Whatever his line of work, he was probably the most magnetic person there.

“Bye,” he said in a playful tone. He knelt down and pet Hero. “You be good, alright?” Hero barked. The first time you heard him today.

10

You sat on the couch with Hero watching the news. Taking care of Hero consisted of taking him on a walk a couple of times a day. Taking him to the dog park this afternoon since Saturday afternoons were for dog park visits. Feeding him his meals. Giving him some treats as you said the commands Yuta suggested in his email. “Sit”, “play dead”, and “grab the remote”. You laughed at that last one.

You wondered how Yuta was doing. You thought it was funny that you were even thinking about him that way when you only talked to him for at most twenty minutes. There was no question you wanted to get to know him better.

Hero laid his head on your lap when you were texting your group chat that you shared with your three girlfriends: Joanna, Taissa, and Kaia.

HowRU Group Chat: We Clowned Clowns

Joanna: So how’s it going with the Shibs?

You: It’s good. His name’s Hero. Have contemplated kidnapping him. The owner’s really nice.

Kaia: Oh?

Taissa: That’s the first time you said an owner was nice so...you mean he’s NICE.

You: Yes.

Kaia: What aren’t you saying, Y/N?

Joanna: She likes him. He’s hot, isn’t he?

Taissa: Do you have pictures?

You: Sure in the 20 minutes we were together, I got 200 candids. Of course not!

Kaia: Can you tell us about him at least?

You: Dreamy. Slicked back brown hair. Brown eyes that basically hug you. Excellent cheekbones. A smile that will make you go blind if you look too long. About 5’9 if I had to compare his height to Kaia’s.

Joanna: So he’s short

Taissa: Not for Y/N and me. No.

Kaia: He’s short.

You: I’m gonna continue. His house is really nice. Japanese style. Wooden floor. I get to walk around in my bare feet. He keeps the place really tidy, even with all the dog toys.

Taissa: You need to snatch him up, Y/N.

You: I don’t think I can.

Joanna: Don��t go into a spiel about how you’re not good enough. I will not allow it. You are more than good enough for any man you want. Go for it.

Kaia: Yes, Y/N! Ask him out!

Taissa: Maybe he’ll even beat you to it! But think about it!

You: Read It and Woof doesn’t encourage fraternization between employee and client.

Taissa: Boo, those whores.

Even if Yuta was interested, the company was strict about dating. Maybe there was some leniency if you never worked for Yuta again. But that’s a huge maybe. And you liked your part-time job. You needed it to save up before you applied to get your Master’s. And you liked Hero and definitely wanted to see him again.

The same could be said about his owner.

You sighed and decided to order some pizza. Hero was eating his kibble for dinner when the doorbell rang. You checked the peephole and saw it was the pizza delivery girl. She looked very made-up with mascara and lipstick for someone who was delivering pizzas.

You opened the door and saw that the girl’s hopeful expression faded.

She said, deadpan, “Large pepperoni with stuffed cheesy bread?”

You nodded.

She handed you the merchant copy of the receipt to sign. You did. You handed her three bucks as her tip. She handed you the pizza and cheesy bread.

“So, are you his girlfriend?” She asked.

“What?” You frowned in confusion.

Then, you remembered you weren’t at your own house. You were at Yuta’s.

“Oh! No, I’m not. I’m pet sitting.”

The girl’s face became hopeful again and she looked less hostile. “Oh, okay! Well, have a good night!”

Well, that was fun.

You sat down at the kitchen table and enjoyed your meal. You decided to explore the house a little bit more.

You looked carefully at the walls and saw some photographs of Yuta and his family. He posed with two girls you guessed were his sisters. They were at Universal Studios Japan and hanging out with the minions. You smiled at Yuta’s very animated face. There was another formal picture of Yuta with his parents and who you now confirmed were his sisters. They all looked regal in their formal wear. You saw another picture of a younger Yuta playing soccer. That would explain the soccer ball in the living room, after all. You continued down the line and saw what you thought was a very recent picture of Yuta posing with his team:

The national Japanese soccer team.

And then you looked at the next picture and recognized David Beckham. Beckham was shaking hands with Yuta. The Inter Miami CF logo was at the bottom right corner of the photograph.

Whoa.

Yuta was an international soccer player. Your inner thirteen-year-old was screeching.

Hero’s pitter pats were getting closer and he stood by you.

You knelt down and pet him. “Hero, why didn’t you tell me Yuta was a soccer star?”

Hero nuzzled against your hand.

Your phone vibrated in your pocket. Yuta texted you.

Maybe I needed to change his contact name. It sounded...suggestive. Mr. Nakamoto will see you now.

HowRU Group Chat: With Mr. Nakamoto

Mr. Nakamoto: Hey. How’s it going? Did Hero trash the place yet?

You: Hi! It’s going well. Hero’s been a good doggo. How are things?

Mr. Nakamoto: That’s good to hear. It’s been stressful but it looks like things are going to work out.

You: How mysterious.

Mr. Nakamoto: It’s pretty boring, actually. But if all goes well, I get to stay in Miami for a long while.

You: I hope it does.

Mr. Nakamoto: Me, too :)

You debated bringing up what you discovered of Yuta but weren’t sure how to proceed with it. 

Hey Yuta, by the way, why didn’t you tell me you were a soccer sensation? 

Or...

Hey, Yuta, do you like Messi?

You decided to drop it. Maybe he’d mention it to you. Maybe he wouldn’t.

It would all depend on whether you guys would see each other again after the weekend was over.

Part 2 (Coming Soon)

[venactricisfics]

Down Time

Part 1      Part 2

The Unit Based Story

The mission I was tasked with this time was more terrifying than any I had been on before.  I couldn’t take Beau with me or my gun. I was meeting the Unit wives for the first time.  I never enjoyed meeting my squadmate’s wives. They seemed to assume that I would be a liability for them or a distraction.  I even had one wife assume that I was interested in her husband off the battlefield. 

It was a barbecue at Jonas’ house.  Semi-lowkey. And only three of the five were married.  So at least I’d have Charlie and Hector as buffers. 

I balanced a bowl of potato salad in my arm as I step out of my SUV and walked to the door.  I wore a pink tank and light jean shorts.  I felt more feminine than I normally did at the office.  I pause debating between knocking or making a run for it. 

The door swings open as I lift my hand to knock, “Welcome, come in.” 

“Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Blane,” I step over the threshold and follow her through the house to the back yard.

“Molly, please,” she told me, “You’re Mitch?” 

“Yes, ma’am,” I respond relaxing a little when I see Bob and Mack with their wives sitting at the picnic table. I shake Bob’s wife, Kim’s hand while Mack’s wife, Tiffy’s takes the bowl from me.  They seemed normal enough. For wives.  I still felt like I was an exhibit in the zoo. 

“Did you bring your dog?” A little girl about five asks me. “Daddy says we can’t have a dog cause it’s a lot of work.” 

“That’s our daughter Serena,” Kim tells me.

“Your daddy is right,” I kneel down to her level, “Beau is a lot of work but he’s a working dog so I have to keep him at the kennel so someone can take care of him all the time. One of the cadets is feeding him his dinner right now.” 

“Oh,” she says, “what does he eat?” 

“Kibble mostly,” I answer, “though he did try to eat Col Ryan’s boots one time,” I give her a smile, “while he was still wearing them.”

“I’m gonna go play with Lissie,” she says and runs off to play with the other girls. 

“She’s cute,” I stand back up.  

“We think so,” Bob responds.  I glance around looking for my single squadmates.  Was I early? The only thing worse than being a female soldier surrounded by Army wives was being the only single person at an event with couples.

I take an offered seat as I’m asked about my life before Fort Griffith.  I told them about my family.  I was the youngest of five, the only girl.  Two were military men, one went to college, and the other moved to California to become an actor. 

After a half-hour of being prodded and poked about myself, I noticed that Charlie had slipped in undetected. I felt his gaze. I welcomed it by giving him a smile before turning my attention back to the conversation. 

"What's your housing like?" Kim asked.  

"I'm still in the barracks, " I respond. "It was supposed to be temporary but it is taking longer than I thought to get into an apartment." 

"Transition to Unit housing doesn't take this long, normally,  " Molly said. "Jonas?"

"Unique circumstances, sweetheart, " he responded. 

“My roommate options are limited,” I tell them, “and there’s a waiting list for a single. ” I couldn’t have a non-Unit roommate and well there were no other women in the Unit. 

“It’ll get sorted soon enough,” Jonas says, “food is ready.”  I grab a plate and find an empty seat next to Charlie.  

“Hey, you,” I sit my plate on the table and step into the picnic table seat as ladylike as possible. I give him a smile, “I’m shit at small talk. You wanna come to the Stand with me tonight?”

“I’d like that,” he takes a drink of his beer then narrows his eyes in thought, “but I can’t, I promised Hector I’d double with his girl and her sister.” 

“Oh,” my shoulders slump a little, “cool. Maybe some other time.”

“For sure,” he gives me a killer smile. The rest of the meal we chatted between each other and the other guys, careful to keep the topic off of our missions. 

"Thank you for having me, you have a lovely home, Molly, " I say as the party starts to wind down. I dig my keys from my pocket and head to my SUV.

"Hey, Mitch, " I turn towards Charlie's voice and stop. 

"Yeah?"

"You still going out tonight?" He asked. 

“It has been a hell of a first week,” I respond as I open the car door, “I think I need it.” 

“Yeah, it gets easier,” he says resting his hands on his hips.

“No complaints of course,” I give him a smile, “I’m used to it. Some dudes have to put down the little woman to make them hard.”

“I never heard it put like that,” Charlie gives me a smile in return.  “Hector and I may stop by the Stand after the movie if the girls are up for it.”

It was that last bit that dashed the bit of hope that had swelled.  Fifth wheel, great. I kept my smile painted on, “Y’all should come out. It’ll be a great time.”

“I’ll see you there then,” he gives my hand a squeeze before turning to walk toward his own car. The man confused me. Only because he didn’t seem to be like any other man I’d known before. I glance in the rearview a moment, if I really thought about it, all of them were different.  

A couple of hours later I’m squeezed into a pair of tight jeans and top that made me feel and look like a woman. Dressing up and putting on makeup can make you feel like a new person. Being in the Army can sometimes make you forget you've got curves and swerves. Tonight I was flaunting them. 

"You want to dance?" A tall guy asked as he leaned against the bar next to me. I could feel the Latin beat in my hips. 

"Sure, " I give the handsome stranger a smile before letting him lead me to the dance floor.  I felt the music. Smiling and dancing with him for the next few songs. He seemed to be a perfect distraction. As the music slowed I asked, "You wanna get a drink?" He nods and we make our way back to the bar. 

"Hey, " a familiar smiling voice calls from behind me. I turn to find Charlie and Hector with their dates standing behind me. 

"Hi, " I turn to my companion, "I'd introduce you but I don't think I caught your name." 

"John, " he says to me.

"I'm Mitch, " I respond, "this is Charlie and Hector, my… coworkers and their dates."

"Alison, " Hector introduces his girlfriend, "and her sister Kelly." 

"There's a big table open in the corner, " I motion, "y'all want to grab it." My Southern accent flows from my lips more freely after a couple drinks. 

"I'll  bring our drinks, " John says, waiting for the bartender, "I'll be over soon."  I didn't think anything of it. 

Though I suppose hindsight is what it is. 

"You look good, " Charlie whispers as he pulls out a chair for me than his date. 

"Thanks, don't get the chance to get pretty very often, " I reply. I felt John behind me close before he set the beer bottle in front of me.  The conversation flowed. I finished my beer and promptly John gets me another. I felt the second one go straight to my head. I blink through the dizziness. 

"I'll be right back, " I stand, "I think I need some air." 

"I'll join you, " John says with a sweet smile pulled across his lips.  His hands seem to be all over me the moment we step outside. I didn't want it. I pushed him. But my movements were sluggish. "Let me make you feel good." He whispered as he pushed me against the brick wall of the bar. 

"Stop!" I use the last of my strength to plant a knee in his crotch. He stumbled back and I tried to regain control of myself but I felt my face get cold and the whole world spin as I slide down the wall. 

"Mitch, are you ok?" My chin is lifted so my eyes meet Charlie's. 

"I don't think so, " I felt groggy. "I only had two beers." 

"I know, " he says, "Kelly said she saw him put something in your drink." 

"Oh, " I rest my hand on his hand, feeling the cuts, "what happened to you?"

"Might have punched him a couple times, " he smiles, "Can you stand?" 

"Maybe, " my legs were as wobbly as a newborn deer as I try to stand. “I’m normally not this stupid.” I steady myself holding onto his arms, “What happened to your date?”

“She let a friend of mine get drugged so I lost interest,” he looped his arm around my waist, “not that I was really interested before.”

“Sounds like a shitty person,” I lean into him a little and feel my pockets, “I can’t find my phone.” 

“Who you gotta call?” he walks me back to the door of the bar where Hector stands with the girls.

“Cab,” I respond, “don’t think I should drive if I’m seeing two of you.” 

“You OK, Mitch?” Hector asks. I give him a nod.  “I’m taking Alison and her sister home,” he says and looks to Charlie, “you need me to come back?”

“Don’t think so,” Charlie responds, “I’ll get her home.  See you when you get back.” Hector gives me an apologetic look before walking with his girlfriend and her sister back to his car.  "Where are your keys?" He asked me. 

"Pocket, " I pat my hip stumbling a little. "I can't get them out." 

"This is not exactly how I pictured getting into your pants, " he fishes my keys from my pocket. 

"Me neither, " my words slurred. "I don't know if you can tonight. I'm so tired." He holds me up as we walk to my car. He fastened my seatbelt then climbed in the driver's seat and drove us back to the base. I drifted in and out of consciousness, vaguely remember the guard at the checkpoint talking to Charlie. 

"Where are we?" I groan as he helps me from the car. 

"My place, " he says, "I can't leave you alone like this." 

"K, " I rest my head against his shoulder as he scoops me up in his arms, nodding off a little. He carries me up the steps and into his apartment. 

"Stay awake for a little while longer, Mitch, " he says as he carries me down the hall and into the bathroom. I sit down on the edge of the bathtub as he looks me over.  I groan when he shines a light in my eyes, "Almost done." He smiles, then takes my temperature. "You'll be ok. Just need to sleep it off. Wait here." I'm not sure where he was expecting I was going. My legs were so weak I couldn't imagine moving. A moment later he comes back with a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. "Can you do this?" he asks. I try to stand but he catches me as I stumble. 

"I'm sorry, " if I were completely in my right mind I would be more embarrassed as my fingers fumble with the button of my pants. "This normally isn't this hard. I have good underwear on though." 

"Is that right?" He steadies me and helps me peel the tight jeans down my hips. Then he helps me step in a pair of running shorts. Taking care not to look too long at my black lace panties. He helps me off with my top and on with a t-shirt. I lock my glassy gaze on him for a long time, then lean forward, dangerously close. 

"When you are yourself again, ok?" He says pulling back from the near kiss. I nod. He was probably right. "Let's get you to bed." 

"K, " I responded. He scoops me up again and carries me into his room, keeping the door open he lays me on the bed. I start to doze but jump at hearing his front door open then close again. 

"It's just Hector, " he says. 

"I like Hector, he's nice, " I mumble as I snuggle into the pillow. It smells like Charlie. 

"I brought saline bags from the cave, " I heard Hector say. "Do you know how much he gave her?" 

"Don't know, she was fine when we first got there, seemed to hit pretty fast, " Charlie responded. "I'll stay up with her." 

"We can take shifts, " Hector stated. 

"You're on duty in the morning. I've got the day, " Charlie replied and looks back at me then steps out of the room for a minute. I lost track of their conversation and drift off into a dreamless sleep. 

I squeeze my eyes tight to keep the room from spinning but it wouldn’t stop, “Bathroom.” I groan as I try to climb from the bed, hand over my mouth.  Charlie helps me to my feet and guides me across the hall to the bathroom, holding my hair back as everything I ever have eaten in my life comes up. 

I sit down on the bathroom floor leaning back against the wall, keeping my eyes closed, “What happened?” 

“That guy, John, put GHB in your drink,” Charlie says as he places a cool cloth on the back of my neck. 

“Shit,” I open my eyes a sliver trying to focus on him. “Did he?”

“No, we stopped him,” he hands me a cup of water. 

“I’m not this stupid normally,” I take a sip turning my eyes to focus on the wall. “Thank you for looking out for me.” 

“Not your fault,” he said, “and don’t worry about it. You want to lay back down?” I nodded, taking his hand to help me back up. I still felt wobbly on my legs as we walked back to his room and settled back on his bed. He put an extra pillow behind my head to prop me up.

His room was minimal.  I suppose like most single men in the army. He did have an impressive firearm display mounted to his wall.  Vintage and working. “I’m not really surprised by that,” I look back at him sitting in a chair on the other side of the room. “You’re not sleeping over there are you?”

“Na,” he says, “I’m staying up. Keep an eye on you.” 

“I’m fine,” I sit up and the room starts spinning again, “or I’ll be fine.” 

“Right,” he smiles and comes over to help me get settled again, “just let me take care of you, woman. It’s not a weakness.” 

“It’s not?” I ask settling back, “I let some asshole in a bar drug me. You beat him up and here I am.”

“It was you,” he said, “you kicked the shit out of him. I got there after. So lay back and get some rest.”

“Ok,” I let him tuck me back under the blankets, “but you’re not sitting in the chair all night,” I motion to the empty spot beside me, “I’m not budging on this one soldier.” 

“You sure?” he asked.

“I’m not asking you to sleep with me,” I said, “Well I guess technically I am. But if we did anything more than actually sleep I’d probably puke again. And that would spoil the moment don’t you think?” 

“Probably,” he says back with a smile, “I don’t want to take advantage of you.” 

“You’re not,” I yawn pushing my hair from my face, “I trust you.” 

“You need fluids,” he said.

“Sleepy, later,” I grumble. He smiles, shaking his head at me as he grabs the bag of fluids, “You’ll feel better, sweetheart.” I stick my arm out, for him to start the IV, keeping my eyes closed, barely wincing as he inserts the needle. “Get some rest. I’ll be here.”  I feel the bed shift beside me as he sits on top of the blankets beside me.