#or like in How i meet your mother when Ted finally meets the mother

[mccoys-killer-queen]

It's hard to explain why I love Styx all of a sudden but i think part of it boils down to the fact that they were around me my whole life growing up and I never knew it and now that I'm realizing they were always there and not too far away it's like I'm getting to re-meet someone for the first time but in the way it was always meant to be? like "hey it's about time we finally met, I heard so much about you!"

[jamiesfootball]

Today on the wheelodex of things I'd like to discuss regarding Mom City / the Finale-

It's fucking weird that Ted's mom didn't come to the match. I also understand it completely.

(And I don't just mean writing weird, although I do think the decision was in part made so that they wouldn't have to spend a whole character-centric episode's B-plot revolve around introducing a new character around. Which is another complaint on the overall pacing of s3, but i digress)

But I'm talking about the 'meeting someone's mom is like getting a manual on why they're nuts' of it all. Ted's mom:

Flew in from the states, without letting Ted know she was coming

Proceeded to stay at a hostel for a week, hanging around 'near' his place for ??? amount of time until he happened to walk past her

Did the 'oh no, I couldn't' dance with him regarding staying with him (conceded)

Did the 'oh no, I couldn't' dance with him regarding going to work with him (conceded)

Did the 'oh no, I couldn't' dance with him regarding going up to Manchester -- and was left back at his flat.

Like. Holy fucking shit. That was all in the span of like 1-2 days.*

This is what Ted grew up with. Someone who constantly refuses to outright ask for anything or confront anything without making it an exercise for the other person. She's so passive aggressive that makes Ted seem like a direct person in comparison.

But what's interesting to me is that when it came to coming to the match in Manchester, that's the one where Ted folded in the towel and went 'yeah just stay here then'. Because that is the antithesis of Midwestern hospitality, isn't it? To leave your guest--your mom--back at home while she's visiting while you go off and do something else, something interesting, for a long stretch of time. It certainly makes my learned southern hospitality shudder in social faux pas. That's just not done. It's rude. Ted does it anyways.

With passive aggression, it's about what's not said--not what is. Both parties tend to know that the person being passive aggressive actually wants the opposite thing. The 'polite' way to tell them 'no' is to pretend you accept what they're saying. Ted's insistence that she tag along is noticeably weaker than when he's telling her to take his bed or come to work with him. It's not that her counter-arguments are any better; it's that he does the courtesy dance in a way that gets him out of the situation by giving her what she's asking for.

So Ted, Ted, does something people could consider rude. Because the alternative is doing this goddamn song-and-dance with his mother again. And I think that's fascinating. Not just from a character perspective, but for how it shows Ted's priorities in that moment. He says it backwards, he says it in an absence, but it's implied all the same, I don't want you there.

His team is facing off against their white-whale. They've been chasing Pep's team and his strategy, and now they're going head to head. If his mom came to the match, he'd be focused on her. On making sure she was taken care of. He doesn't want that.

For him, that's about as close as we ever get to him saying that he wants something (that has nothing to do with Henry.)

Of course then, just like Jamie's dad hovers over him even when he's not there, Ted's mom follows him to Manchester in his head. When Ted talks to Jamie, he's got one foot back in his kitchen at home. He's there, but he's not there. He's talking to Jamie, but he's talking to himself.

And it makes me wonder how often this was the case--how often did he throw in the towel and give her what she asked for because he just couldn't take being the one who had to handle all the decisions. It's a backwards negotiation, making his mother show up for him. She does love him, but god you can see how much strain reassuring her that he loves her too takes.

If I may be so bold, I think Ted also deserved to say 'fuck you' to his mom without attaching a 'thank you'.

*(SIDE COMPLAINT - The timeline of Mom City expands and contracts to fill the narrative space as needed, and it was goddamn infuriating to write about just tell me when things happen damnit)

[siennafrxst]

🍂 ₊ ⊹ ~ fate (sequel)

pairing: barney stinson x female reader

universe: how I met your mother (HIMYM)

word count: 0.7k words

a/n: this sequel is set in season 5, which is 10 years after the prequel (yes it’s been that long).

dt @sunflowermyheart 🫶🏼

if you haven’t read the prequel, click here to view it.

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Ding dong.

The five friends turn to face the sudden disturbance, all with perplexed expressions written across their faces.

“Did someone order pizza?” Ted questions.

Everyone shakes their head as Ted frowns, his eyebrows creasing in befuddlement. After much hesitation, he stands up from the couch and unlocks the door. That was when the mystery person had revealed their presence, causing Ted’s eyes to widen at the sight of someone he thought he’d never see.

“Y/N?” He lets out a light chuckle, a smile forming on his face.

“Hey, Ted.”

———

“Y/N, what are you doing here?”

“Well, I was in the city, and I thought, ‘hey, why not go visit my brother?’ I mean, how long has it been since we’ve seen each other in person?”

He nods, the smile on his face only growing in size as they both savoured this moment of reuniting after not having seeing each other for a few, very tiring years.

Ted turns around to spot several pairs of extremely confused eyes glaring upon the two as he snaps himself back to reality.

“Uh, right! Guys, this is Y/N, my sister. Y/N, this is Marshall and Lily — who I’m sure you remember.”

She officially steps into the room to approach the couple as they stand up from the couch with huge grins on their faces.

“Y/N, it’s great to see you again! I haven’t seen you since, like, college,” Marshall says as he wraps her in a hug, Lily following after.

“Yeah, it’s been way too long. Congratulations on the baby, by the way!” She greets as she hugs them back before promptly breaking it.

“Thank you. You know, if you’re sticking around, maybe you can get a chance to meet him?” Lily asks.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

The three smile at one another once more before Ted gestures towards Robin.

“Robin, this is my sister Y/N. Y/N, this is-“

“-Robin Scherbatsky! It’s nice to finally meet you,” Y/N greets as she reaches for Robin’s hand.

Robin simply smiles before shaking hers in return. “Yeah, you too.”

“And this is Bar… where’s Barney?”

Everyone scans around the room, searching for their missing friend.

“Well, while you guys look for your mystery friend, uh, could I use your bathroom? The cab ride here lasted longer than I expected.”

Ted nods. “Yeah, ‘course. The bathroom’s just that way.” He points to a door in the near distance.

“Thanks.”

Y/N rushes her way to the direction where Ted pointed towards, spotting the door and reaching for the handle, only for it to be opened by someone else on the other side.

“Ted, you’re toilet’s clogged agai-“

That was when Y/N’s eyes trailed to connect with Barney’s, a sudden moment of déjà vu hit them both where it hurt the most.

Her face instantly drops in realization, everything surrounding them seeming to fade into view, blurring itself out of the picture. Her eyes fixated on the man, who was glaring back at her dumbfounded expressions. “Y/N, you’re…”

Ted eyes the two suspisciously, already able to tell that a secret was silently being shared between his sister and his (second) best friend.

That was when Y/N subtly shakes her head, going unnoticed by everyone else in the room except for the man in front of her.

“…just as gorgeous as I pictured in my head! I knew Ted had a hot sister,” he exclaims in a cheery tone, earning an eye roll from Ted.

“And that’s why, you don’t just come uninvited to my apartment, because sometimes, I got a creepy guy lounging around.”

Y/N frowns at Ted. “Oh, I’m sorry for wanting to come visit my brother every now and then. Especially when the last text he’s sent me was ‘sorry I forgot your gift for Christmas.’”

“That’s my way of saying that I love you very very much.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever. I’ll be right back.”

Barney and Y/N’s eyes linger on one another for a seemingly forever-lasting moment before he steps out of the way, letting her walk past him and close the door behind them.

As Barney walks over to sit back on the couch, Ted approaches him, his steps suddenly deafening and cold.

“Hey, you better not be trying any moves on my sister or I swear to God I will individually rip every single suit you’ve ever owned.”

Barney rolls his eyes at Ted’s feeble attempt to make a believeable threat. “I won’t.”

Barney turns to face the bathroom door, holding in a heavy sigh from escaping his lips as his stare lingers into the room. “I promise.”

◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

A/N: that “I promise” is a callback to when they both promsied that the next time they’d see each other, they’d kiss.

likes and reblogs are vv appreciated.

[angelisgonnastartchangingurls]

ted on a tuesday

when ted came into annie's office, he alluded to an incident with his daughter but seemed to want to work up to it, instead going back and revisiting their conversation from the previous week about a coworker he'd been having issues with. he continued to think this woman's comments in meetings were designed to undermine his contributions, and if in fact she was wording things the way ted described, that was exactly what she was doing. annie was hesitant to take his side out loud, though. she wasn't sure ted needed the ego boost.

was ted sexist? she mused. probably not, i mean here he was confiding in a 27 year old female therapist. he'd been remarkably candid with her over the course of their time together so far, even admitting to bouts of erectile dysfunction (though refusing to take even the free samples of ED meds annie had in her desk).

he also seemed to get a long very well with his 16 year old daughter, but annie was fairly certain that was less a testament to ted's fathering and more of a commentary on his wife and her jealous, suspicious mindset. a week after ted had started seeing annie, his wife had barged into her office to see if the operation was "legitimate." she'd apparently suspected prostitution. annie was very firm and calm with this hysterical woman and had practically chewed a xanax down to the atoms after she'd left. that woman was rarely far from annie's mind when ted described issues at home. maybe it was unprofessional, but annie had repeatedly assured ted the home issues were "unequivocally" not his fault. at work it was harder to say. and with the daughter, it was harder to say.

finally, ted got around to the incident. he explained that he'd walked into his daughter's bedroom two nights early and encountered her doing a "sex act" with her boyfriend.

"a sex act?" annie had asked, quizzically.

"yes," he said, not elaborating.

ted was bothered because his daughter had apparently not done anything to cover up or be apologetic about whatever she was doing.

gradually, annie understood that the girl had been receiving oral sex, and was somewhat graphically exposed on her bed. essentially, ted was rattled because A. he'd seen his daughter's pussy and B. she hadn't seemed to mind.

"odd question, but what's the level of comfort with nudity in your house?" annie had asked him.

"very low?" he'd said.

"has your daughter ever... has she ever seen you?" annie asked.

"i suppose maybe," he said. "like, i don't know, i remember i had a problem with the shower one time, leak in the basement, i ran down there with my dick out." he laughed. annie also laughed. it was a funny image.

"did you fix the leak?"

"i contained the damage until a plumber got there," he said. "by then i had pants on."

"so, OKAY, not much casual nudity at home. so i imagine this is the first time you've seen your daughter's private areas since a younger age."

"yeah," he said. "not since long before she grew pubic hair and then shaved it all off again, apparently."

"nothing wrong with that," annie offered.

"no, it's fine. her mother does it too, in the summer."

"me too," annie said. she saw it register on his face with a light smirk. sometimes she liked admitting little personal things to her patients. her therapist, carlos, called it "strategic flirting."

annie picked at ted some more. he described the way she was laying with her legs open and how shocked he'd been that she hadn't covered herself or closed her legs or anything -- she'd just calmly asked him what was up and if he needed anything. the boyfriend had apparently been fully dressed. she nursed a theory about oral sex being performed so subserviently, if maybe that was triggering something in ted. seemed unlikely. ultimately, she concluded that he was reading it as defiance, and was offended. he clearly valued his positive relationship with his daughter a lot -- it was a better and healthier than his relationship with his wife.

"did you ever think," annie said. "that your daughter didn't cover up just because she trusts you?"

"what do you mean?"

"she wasn't like, trying to rub your face in it," annie said, regretting her choice of words immediately. "she just didn't even think to cover up. if your wife had come in, she would have. but with you, she doesn't mind."

annie watched with satisfaction as the clouds cleared from ted's brow. he said he'd talk it over with his daughter when they had some time alone.

when ted left annie napped on the couch for a while in her office between appointments. it smelled faintly of ted's cologne, which she rather liked.

[ilovehugslikealotalot]

Unexpected Call

Rebecca Welton x Fem!Reader

I just want to say thank you for requesting!

—

Ted, Beard, Roy, Higgins, and y/n were having a little ‘meeting’ they were supposed to be talking about the foul stench coming from Tartt’s under-cubby in his locker. But instead, they dicussed their girl problems and experiences.

“Is Rebecca more of a big spoon? I’d imagine her to be. It’s hard to think she’d be a little spoon, unless she asked to be” Ted wondered a loud, y/n only laughed, “Rebecca? A little spoon? Puh-lease!” she reasoned, leaning agaisnt the closed door of their office. Higgins kept a laugh in while Ted was wheezing, Beard was only smiling. Roy kept his laugh in and only had his signature scowl. The door opened and in came the extrodinary woman they were just talking about, “I heard my name. Something you have to say?” She asked directly looking at Nate, she knew he would crack under pressure. “I- I- uh-…it was y/n!” He confessed, swallowing hard and hiding next to Roy. Y/n scoffed, “did not!” Rebecca raised an eyebrow at her, “mhm” she hummed, her upper lip folding upward slightly.

“I didn’t do anything!” Y/n shrugged, continuing to drink her pineapple juce, Rebecca narrowed her eyes and straightened her lips. Ted, Beard, Roy looked at her and quivered a bit. Though, Roy would never admit that he could be afraid of her when she was angry.

“It was her.”

“Sorry little lady”

“Nope.”

“Apologies”

Y/n was left standing on her own, “Uh! Y’know that’s soo nice!” Y/n sarcastically bopped her head to the side. Rebecca raised her eyebrow, “okay! Okay! It was me!” Rebecca’s lips formed a line, staring y/n down until she was practically sweating.

To y/n’s surprise her phone began to ring, she used it as her advantage to escape, “Oh, sorry, y’know! Duty calls!” She said in a sing-song voice, Rebecca looked at the others and left with a smirk. She had authority around the club and she knew it.

y/n went outside to take the call, it was her mother, “Hey, mom! How’s it going?” She asked, all excited, she hadn’t seen or talked to her mom in quite a while. It was nice to here her voice again. “Hello honey, it’s about…Riley.” She sounded upset, y/n knew what she was talking about but she didn’t accept. It couldn’t happen not now, not when things just started getting better. When she was starting to finally be happy again.

“Oh, what? Did she do good on her chemo? I told you that she’d make a recovery!” Y/n exclaimed, resisting the urge to cry, “she’s gone, honey. Riley’s gone. I don’t have much time but, I’ll call you later, her funeral is next week. You’re flying out right?” Y/n stayed silent, her mouth hanging open. She knew it was gonna happen, yet, it still hit her like a train.

“Yeah, uh, I’ll be there. I’ll hear ya soon” y/n mumbled, hanging up the call, she ran up to Rebecca’s office passing, Roy, Higgins, and Keeley, she completely ignored them and their concerned remarks.

As much as she loved them to, she needed Rebecca right now. Nothing could ever make her feel better than a big warm hug from Rebecca. Y/n burst into her office in tears, Rebecca, who was just finishing up her work looked up to see her distraught girlfriend in tears and sobbing her heart out.

“Oh, darling. What ever is the matter? I know that earlier about you talking about me was a joke so I’m not upset about that if this is what it’s about?” She wrapped her strong arms around y/n and guided her to the couch where y/n cuddled into her chest, sobbing into it she mumbled. “It’s not about that, it’s…” she choked on her sobs, gently, Rebecca wiped her tears away and cooed, “take your time darling, I have all day to listen” y/n looked at her and sniffled, “remember what I told you about Riley?” Y/n went on, Rebecca’s face dropped, “wait, she didn’t…” Rebecca’s words faded away as y/n’s tears came back. “She did..”

————

A week later the team accompanied y/n and Rebecca to Riley’s funeral. Rebecca never left y/n’s side, knowing her girlfriend was fragile at the moment, she didn’t allow her to be alone.

Rebecca finally met y/n’s parents but they had wished it was under better circumstances, they loved Rebecca and the way she treated y/n so it was one heavy worry taken away from y/n.

As the funeral went on, it was time for y/n’s eulogy. She had rehearsed this moment so many times it felt like a memory, now knowing how much time didn’t wait for anyone, she blamed herself for not being there for her best-friend.

stepping up onto the stage she holds back tears, “Riley, she was a- she was a very kind soul. Never once did she leave someone on the streets hungry or not donate to a organization that helped people. She loved- she-“ y/n stopped for a moment, her breathing was unsteady and her body shook, Rebecca left her seat and hugged her tightly, “you’re okay, my love. I’m here, sweetheart. Take your time, Riley would be so proud of you, darling” Rebecca hugged her tightly and let go to let her deliver her speech.

Through the whole thing she held on to her hand, proudly stroking her back as she delivered the eulogy with a heavy heart.

[theficblog]

HEARTS [chapter three]

CHAPTER THREE: THE BETTER AWAITS

Pairing: Jaemin x Reader [ ft. Haechan, Mark, Jaehyun, Jeno ]

Prologue: Jaemin’s arrival makes things merrier than ever. The two of you grow closer. Love is in the air until something unexpected takes place. Haechan is a friend you should never ignore.

Genre: Arranged Marriage AU + Crack + Fluff

Wordcount: 3,278

Warnings: Language + Alcohol

▶ Previous | Next

Sometimes unexpected and unwanted people can walk into your heart, erasing traces of the ones already residing one-sided, for the heart is transient, and feelings ephemeral.

The next morning, you awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside your window. Resisting the temptation to lie down for five more minutes, you peeked out the window and saw a pair of little birds with white wings, which you recognised as doves right away. They appeared to be resting their heads on each other as they sat close to one another in the middle of the morning fog. "Oh to be doves!" You whispered to yourself, immersed in the beauty before your eyes until you were interrupted by a knock on the door. 

"Good Morning, Ma'am!" She greeted, earning a smile from you.

"I'm here to remind you of your schedule for today. I'll be here if you need any help." She said.

"Thank you!" You expressed gratitude, shutting the door back as she left. Today was going to be a big day. You were finally meeting Jaemin.

Although it would not be the first meeting, the last one could not be remembered, maybe you met him as a toddler. Nevertheless, your ears were filled with the amount of information you were fed about him, everything from his zodiac sign to his level of education. All you could do at yesterday's family dinner, which was more akin to a TED lecture focused on him, was smile -something you had been doing nonstop for the previous week.

Your fingers trailed down purple bite marks below your collar as you faced the mirror wearing a black silky robe, making you think about Jeno once again.

"No way!" You shook your head, thinking that perhaps Jeno should be forgotten along with all the other pointless crushes that come and go. Maybe he was merely a star in your galaxy of your life.

The robe fell off as you stepped inside your dress, the one your mother had chosen, perhaps her taste was not as bad.

Two skilled ladies later sat you down, one indulged in making your hair look prettier, as the other worked her magical hands on your face, enhancing every feature she could, uttering formal and unnecessary compliments in between.

- "Hot!" Haechan commented, dressed in a formal suit.

"Why are you coming along?" You raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Rude!" Your mother scolded, she must have heard it as she walked from behind.

"You're welcome!" In response to the gratitude you never expressed, Haechan grinned.

"Y/N I will ten on ten cry at your wedding now that I see it coming." His tone became gentler.

"What are you high on?" In an effort to avoid thinking about it, you laughed it off.

"He's right!" Jaehyun interrupted.

"How has my baby grown so much? It feels like yesterday when mom and dad told me they were bringing me a sister." He cupped your cheeks and you were sure you could see his eyes growing softer and wetter. 

"You guys are weird." You said.

"You kids should get into the cars, we don't have much time." Your dad instructed, patting your head.

-

The iron doors of the mansion opened up to reveal a majestic form of architecture, classic yet modern, with a fountain stealing the attention of the exterior, not too different from your own.  A couple waited for your family, and behind them what seemed like an army of household staff. The chauffeurs opened up the car doors, and at that moment the only thing you wished for was to not trip and embarrass yourself in front of the pride and prestige of two families.

Smile and grace immediately took over you, as if inherited.

"Hello, darling! How have you been?" Your mother was welcomed by a lady wearing a beige floor-length dress and a pearl necklace. The patriarchs, on the other hand, shook hands when they spoke to one another.

"Oh my goodness, you've bloomed into such a beautiful woman!" The woman embraced you as she gushed about her future daughter-in-law.

You met your eyes with her, sparkling with confidence, thanking her.

-

"When does your sweetheart come out? Enough with the oldies." Haechan whispered, making your eyeballs pop out. If they heard it, it would be a disaster.

"I'm not his mom." You whispered in response, smiling and turning to face the other way. 

The conversation was solely driven by the parents' interests and memories of earlier times. They talked about current company successes and costs, and occasionally you were asked for your thoughts.

When you looked at Jaehyun, you noticed his formal demeanour and how cultured he appeared while nodding and grinning. Would this be you in the future? Was this how grown-ups were to behave? You started sinking into the ocean of thoughts again.

"Jaemin is here!" His mother announced, and everyone rose from their seats to greet the man in waiting. Haechan softly bumped you on the shoulder.

A man around your age entered the hall, dressed in beige, just like his mother. He wore a white shirt under his suit, and his hair was impeccable, not even a strand out of place. It was as though his charm made him glow, smelling of woods and flowers, strong but firm enough to bless the sense of smell. There was something so golden and glittery about him.

"Hello!” He bowed and greeted, shaking hands with the males as he warmly bowed in front of your mother, who planted a light kiss on his forehead.

"Hi, Y/N!" He stood in front of you, offering a handshake.

"Jaemin! Long time!" You beamed, looking at him in the eyes.

"Really long" He was courteous, and a new kind of warmth could be seen in his dark eyes.

No love songs played in the background, no rain of rose petals. The world was not swinging either, but this was a novel feeling for you. Your soul instantly felt happy. Were you hit by Cupid's arrow?

-

"How do you feel about this?" As he led you around the lawn, he asked. 

"I'll be honest, it's perhaps a bit awkward." You replied.

You and Jaemin strolled around the garden which was fancied by everything you could expect. The boy's physique was softly illuminated by the sunset's orange and purple hues, which enhanced the brilliance of his silver jewellery.

"So how did England treat you?" You initiated a talk.

Jaemin had spent the past years away from his home in a far-off country and now when he was back, he would soon start to handle his father's businesses, just like his brother. Even though it was only natural for him to inherit fame, fortune, and power, he nevertheless met the requirements to assume the new role.

"How have you been doing?" The entire time the two of you sought to get to know each other better, a delightful grin never left his face.

-

"Should I bring extra underwear?" Haechan hurled himself onto your couch, scattering his possessions across the coffee table.

"I-can't truly compute that, do I?" You rolled your eyes in response. While you were busy packing your own bags, you carefully considered each item that you jammed inside.

"What about shorts for the pool?" He poked once more.

"You can just buy more."

Mark entered the room, carrying his guitar case.

"You're not telling me you're bringing the entire dang instrument on a fifteen-hour flight, are you?" Haechan made a remark.

"He won't carry it on his head and why don't you go to your own fucking room?!" You spat, crossing your arms.

"You should be enjoying these days with us before you get hitched to that fine gentleman, Y/N." He gushed.

"Now that I look at it, he's not too bad." You stated, earning hype from the two boys.

"Is she in love?" One asked.

"It's too early for that, but I think I can see it growing." The older explained.

-

This could be termed another obligation of high society that was meant to be checked off the list. The two families that were to be soon allied with the bond of marriage were flying overseas, spending a filthy amount of money, to let you and Jaemin grow closer, and for the adults to discuss the future plans.

Weeks before, a grand event gala had been set up, allowing the media in where the two families officially declared the union. The hands in marriage were now sealed, no going back.

Ever since the marriage was announced, you had anticipated meeting Jaemin. If you had decided to accept the fate that was being served to you on a silver platter, taking a few steps to enhance it on your part did not appear to be a bad idea.

-

"I'm so relieved you haven't been causing any trouble lately." Your mother seated you.

"Is that a compliment, Mom?" Your eyes were fixed on the carpet with the animal print as you lowered them.

"I just want to understand that very soon, everything will change. It's better to do away with all these childish acts." She continued.

"It won't be as simple, but that's maturity, I know. You will represent the pride of not just one family but of two when you enter the public eye. It's up to you to handle everything with the utmost poise and assurance." You kept on nodding as she carried on with her words. They did not really make a lot of sense to you, yet you let them in from one ear, and from the other. You were sure Jaemin was not being told any of these things, the male privilege.

"Are you even listening to me?" She shook your hand.

"Oh, you're right, mom." You pretended to have learned everything. College ended a month ago, but the habits did not leave as early. 

After the mother-daughter conversations, you hurried back to your room, unsurprised to see your best friend still digging through your drawers.

"What do you want?" You spoke.

"Simply make sure you bring extra condoms. You can't hide your fancy for the new guy." Haechan commented again.

"Oh, well, make sure you take your medicine for the upset stomach, in case you don't wanna be glued to the bathroom, again." 

You presented him with no less of a competition. You and Haechan shared deep secrets that could jeopardise the other's honour at any time. 

"Anyways, there's this little update about Jen-"

"I don't give a fuck about him." You bluntly cut him off.

"Metaphorically, but at least listen to me-"

"I don't really want to, Haechan. It's best that I forget him."

"You're going to regret it later." He sounded genuinely concerned.

"When I have already taken this risk with fate, I don't really fear anything else."

-

Even at the crowded table of a dozen people, you felt as if you only had eyes for one, the man with the flowery skin and shiny hair and your soon-to-be husband, Jaemin. 

You felt a pair of eyes on you and turning towards the left, they were indeed his, He had been sneaking gazes at you whenever he could, turning it away each time you looked back, smiling to himself with his cheeks turning rosy each time.

- After an exhausting day, you took out time to go and find some solace near the poolside, dipping your legs so as to only allow the water to reach your knees. The water reflected the lights, it was cold. The fallen leaves floated on the surface of the water and theirs was the only sound that could be heard. With a drink in hand, you let yourself relax, shutting your eyes, and leaning back as you placed your hands behind you.

"Y/N!" A soft voice that was unexpected but not unsettling addressed you.

"Jaemin!" You greeted him back. This was the first time you saw him dressed in something that was not polished shoes and a dress shirt. He donned a plain airy shirt accompanied by knee-length shorts. 

"I thought I'd say hello as I was walking by." He grinned.

"Hmmm." You were turning red with the intoxication that was slowly starting to take over you.

"We're tying the knot." You abruptly asked him to join you in your seat, and he obliged.

"Right, I can't believe it." Jaemin said while gazing intently into your eyes.

"In the good way or the bad way?" You joked, pouting.

"Umm, what do you think?" While fiddling with the glass in his hands, he questioned. This time, his shy eyes were not locked on yours. 

"I'll keep that a secret." You spoke, your voice becoming softer as the booze took hold of you.

The silence that followed was complete, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Your leg movements occasionally caused little water droplets to spew forth like mist. The lights were becoming hazier and hazier as darkness fell.

You made the choice to move your hand towards Jaemin's direction. If you had been sober, it would have required a lot of courage on your part, but perhaps this was one of the benefits of drinking.

Even though his hand was only a few centimetres away, it seemed like hours away. You were suddenly overcome with an urge, and you quickly grabbed his jaw and drew his face closer.

Jaemin was astonished by your gesture, so he followed his eyes back to your lips after looking into your eye for confirmation. He didn't stop looking until you put your lips against his.

A sudden feeling of ecstasy took over, his lips were as soft as his heart.

He abruptly pulled away.

"I'm sorry, are you sure-"

With a burning passion as if kissing him was the last thing you knew, you pulled his face closer this time. He fixed your flicks behind your ear before the two of you closed your eyes and went back to the kissing business. 

Kissing Jaemin felt like that extra two minutes of sleep, that sigh of relief after an adrenaline rush, like water pouring down a parched throat and it made everything else fade into the void.

-

It had been two days since that evening. Whether it was supper or tedious golf sessions, you had been seeing Jaemin every hour up until that point.

The sea wind blew your hair as you sat yourself down with a glass of champagne, surrounded by your cousins and friends. Soft music mingled with conversations and the smells of grilled food.

"When was the last time we chilled like this?" Mark commented, focusing on the watermelon in his hands.

"True, you should have brought your partner here with us!" Sipping on your drink, you said.

"I don't have one." He answered.

"Liar." Haechan stated incredulously.

"No, really." He defended.

"Y/N is the only one that's getting lucky these days, the rest of us have been dry." Haechan laughed. 

"And you packed condoms as if-"

"Okay, I'm sorry; you're not getting laid either." He interrupted you and apologised, which was really uncommon. This youngster had recently undergone some alterations. 

"Jaemin!" Mark exulted.

"Hi!" He smiled.

"Join us in a seat. By the way, I'm Mark, Y/N's first cousin." He introduced himself to the family's newest member.

"Pleasure to meet you." Jaemin said.

"You don't have to be formal with us, at least. I saw you talking to Jaehyun before and it seemed like a business meeting." You chuckled as you comforted Jaemin.

"Anyways, meet Haechan. He's my best friend."

He shook hands with the boy. "You might not be invited to Y/N's wedding but I will be, we've been inseparable since day one."  Jaemin laughed a little at Haechan's joke.

"He jokes a lot." You let out an awkward laugh.

After a short while of engaging in routine conversation and drinking, Haechan recommended that you all alleviate the boredom by playing a game of truth or dare.

"Okay, I'll start spinning the bottle." He announced.

As it swirled, the empty green alcohol bottle landed towards Mark.

"Truth" he declared.

"You need to ask him a question, Jaemin." As Jaemin faced the bottle's flat side, Haechan gave an explanation.

"Right, um.. how has your life changed after the pandemic?" 

"Wh-what?" Mark giggled awkwardly, meanwhile, Haechan let out a dramatic sigh. 

"You can go more personal with this." You suggested.

"My bad. When was the last time you hooked up with a stranger?" 

This was a sight of Jaemin's novel to you, you expected him to be like a character from the book, and this touch of wildness only made him more realistic and likeable.

"Way back in college, I can't even remember." Mark shrugged it off.

The next time it landed towards you.

"Truth" You expressed.

"Which of us would make the best kisser?" Mark questioned. 

"Myself." The third lad bowed his head and bit the inside of his cheek as the other two boys began to giggle at your comments.

"Okay, I'll spin it next." You said and the bottle pointed to Jaemin, with the base towards Haechan. Now, this was going to be a game.

"Have you been in a relationship before?" Haechan tossed the question at Jaemin.

"Haechan, you can't-" You tried to interrupt.

"I need to know." He was just being possessive.

"That's okay and yes, one. If you are counting high school." He answered with confidence, locking his eyes with you the next moment.

In this way, the evening went by fast as Jaemin drew nearer to your group. As if he were carrying a candle through a pitch-black tunnel, he was making you forget about the past. He was a decent guy, polite, sensible, caring, and responsible. You liked him, and your family approved of him too.

-

"Don't be too late tomorrow, we are all going to see the sunrise." Your mother announced as you started walking back to your room, filled with contentment and a ticklish new feeling. From this point, everything looked brighter and happier. You were humming to your favourite tunes, letting the soft night breeze brush past your glowing skin.

Tiny footsteps could be heard from across the greenery planted. You moved closer to get to know the source. 

"Daeun?" You made a quiet call.

At this time of night, the young child was playing by herself and following the pool's edge. Heaven was aware of how she got here, and you were immediately indignant about her babysitters. In addition, the water was deep, making a trip more likely.

"Watch out little one!" A man yelled, picking her up and bringing her to the side before you could rush towards your niece.

"You okay?" He asked her. She only nodded.

"Give me a five!" He lifted his hand and cheered up the toddler. 

You could still not make out for you faced his back, and he was far enough for you to be able to clearly listen to his voice.

On the other hand, your brother came running into the scene, panting and sweating.

"Daeun!" Healed by the sight of his daughter, he exhaled heavily. She sprinted over and leapt into his arms right away.

"Umm thank you so much." Jaehyun expressed, lifting Daeun up in his arms. A stranger had just saved his daughter and he did not know how to react. The only thing he could do was bow several times as he kept on thanking him.

The man bowed back and shook his head, telling him it was alright as he started walking away. 

You decided to continue walking since Daeun was back with her father. The tunes had faded away by now, yet it was peaceful.

Peaceful only until you saw him.

"Jeno?"

LET ME KNOW YOUR VIEWS + ALSO SEE : MASTERLIST

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[saucy-sassy-sparkly]

Pursuit of Happiness

1: Meet the Littlemans

Pairing: Chris Evans x Kat Littleman (OFC)

Summary: New England political daughter Kat Littleman is constantly showing up for her mother’s campaigns, playing the part of the perfect daughter in the perfect, American family. When her paths cross with Chris Evans while he canvases DC to build out ASP, she’s forced to face some truths about herself, her family, and her future.

Word Count: ~7k

Warnings: Chris is a bit of a horndog. Lots of swearing, alcohol, sex talk, politically charged topics, chaotic families

Note: Despite spending a lot of my formative years in and around DC, I know absolutely nothing about politics or how things work on The Hill. This also runs the risk of dipping into some political topics (hopefully not heavily, but certainly some commentary and references). If that could trigger you, please avoid this.

Series Masterlist

1: Meet the Littlemans

“It’s navy blue with a hot pink luggage strap around it.”

“I’m sorry ma’am,” the agent’s voice was distant as she sorted through the lost luggage around her, “it isn’t here. I’ll add you to our list. Can I get a name and phone number?” She didn’t even bother to force a smile at Kat as she returned to her computer and started to click buttons, presumably opening up the never-ending list of people whose luggage had been lost by United Airlines.

Kat rattled off her name and number, muttered a quick “thanks” to the agent who had already turned to the next customer, and wrestled with her tote bag over her puffy winter jacket. She shuffled through the hubbub of Dulles baggage claim and made her way to the sliding doors and the waiting arrivals pick-up.

The doors wooshed open and the blustery November air hit her straight in the face, sending her hair flying around her and sticking in her chapstick. Kat stopped abruptly to rummage through her bag and find her beanie, yanking it firmly on her head, and returning to scanning the waiting cars for her father’s huge SUV.

After pacing the sidewalk to the end of the waiting cars, Kat finally reached for her phone in the back of her jeans pocket and groaned when she realized she hadn’t even powered it back on. Being the rule-follower she was, if the flight crew asked that you turn off devices, she dutifully turned all of her devices off and sowed them for the flight. In the chaos at baggage claim, she’d forgotten to turn it back on.

As the screen lit up in her hands, she saw the missed calls and then texts from her father. Or rather… her father’s assistant, Ted. Why a former NFL tight end turned garden fanatic even had an assistant was unfathomable to Kat, but nonetheless she put the phone to her ear and listened to Ted’s voicemail.

“Hi Kathrine, it’s Ted. Ted Brown, Tim’s–err– your father’s assistant that is. I’m calling to let you know that your father tried to pick you up when your flight was scheduled to arrive, but once he learned it was delayed, he came back to the townhouse. He sends his apologies and looks forward to seeing you tomorrow at the gala.”

Clicking over to the texts and finding herself unsurprised to have four texts from Ted, all with the same general message and one with a link to the Uber app (thanks, Ted), and even one from her father that read: Sorry KitKat, Giants/Cowboys game was kicking off!

“For fuck sake, Dad…” she muttered before shoving her phone back in her pocket; Kat then turned to the taxi stand and was grateful there were several waiting. She poured herself into one, gave the driver her hotel address, and sank back into the seat to start doing the math:

It was currently 8:37p. By the time she got to the hotel, checked in, and to her room, it would be at least 9:15p– after a 12-hour travel day that should’ve only been 4 thanks to snow just about everywhere she was exhausted and would likely pass out after shoveling in a granola bar and water bottle from the mini bar. She had to be at a brunch with her mother at 10a Ambar, then was expected to pop over to the townhouse and visit with her father before going back to the hotel to get ready for the gala at 7p. That left her about four hours to find a black tie gown– not to mention something to wear to brunch, clean underwear, and makeup– to replace the one that was lost in the bowels of Dulles International Airport.

She fired off a quick “finally made it, talk tomorrow” text and watched the snowflakes hit the window of the cab and the lights of downtown rush by as the car took the slick streets way too quickly. But, Kat was too tired to care. She’d arrived at the airport with plenty of time for her preflight ritual: a cup of overpriced coffee and 40 minutes to read a smutty novel. She’d watched the big red “delayed” letters flash up on the departure screen once, then twice. After the fourth time, the gate agents stopped giving excuses over the intercom and just started to apologize.

Her flight finally boarded only to sit taxing for another 45 minutes before taking off for the less than two-hour flight. The 7:15p landing had then become an extra hour between waiting for the luggage carousel, discovering her bag was not coming and then hunting down the missing luggage desk.

Tim deciding to bail on pick-up and have his assistant call for him– that was the most consistent part of her day. Tim Littleman was, first of all, the opposite of his name. He was 6’4 but claimed to be 6’6, and had filled out since his professional days when Kat was a kid, but he was still fit and trim for a man in his late 50s. Tim also loved his kids but he loved football just a little bit more, even after being out of the game for years, it wasn’t a surprise– although always a disappointment– when he picked a football game over a drive to the airport with his youngest child.

Kat paid and tipped the driver and tumbled out of the car and into the infamous Watergate Hotel– her mother’s favorite spot to put Kat up for the night when she visited. Mallory always insisted it was to make life easier for Kat; as a 31-year-old, she’d obviously want her privacy from her parents when she was visiting! Over the years, Kat had stopped rolling her eyes or even bickering with her mother and had instead accepted a free stay in a balcony suite overlooking the Potomac River.

As expected, she passed out almost immediately and woke up with a start to her alarm sounding at 7:45a. The morning passed in a blur, sprinting to the nearest Zara for a quick brunch outfit to meet with Mallory and several of Mallory’s WASPy DC friends, then back to the hotel to shower and change, then back out again for brunch where her mother barely interacted with her and then headed back to her office while Kat went to the townhouse for coffee with Tim to discuss the prospects in his greenhouse garden back in Connecticut, and then back out shopping again. With only an hour to spare, she’d found a dress and pumps for the black-tie gala– an event to raise money for some important cause her mother only vaguely mentioned in her email requesting Kat’s attendance.

She was actually quite pleased with the last-minute find feeling confident when she’d examined herself in the mirror, and it fit all of Mallory’s qualifications which were: black tie appropriate, black or navy, and tasteful.

Kat used the polished metal reflection of the elevator doors to check herself one more time, smoothing down the black fabric and tossing her hair over her shoulder. The sound of the event met her ears before the doors slid open: laughter, clinking glasses, and quiet music. When she stepped out onto the plush carpet, she saw several familiar faces immediately and offered small waves and smiles while she studied the sea of people for one of her parents.

“Kathrine,” a perfectly manicured claw wrapped around Kat’s bicep signaled Mallory before she pulled her daughter around and closer to the nearest wall, “what are you wearing?”

“Hi, Mom, you look nice,” Kat deadpanned, bracing herself for impact as she took in her mother. Mallory was dressed in a perfectly tailored champagne number that was likely her typical Ralph Lauren. Her hair was pulled back in a tight French twist and she looked every bit the upper-crust Connecticut woman she was.

“This is highly inappropriate,” Mallory reached up and started to play with Kat’s hair, pulling it over her shoulders.

“I have no idea how to respond to that,” Kat bit back her urge to tell her mother that her dress looked like a wedding gown.

“Kathrine, this is just… it is far too sexy for this event.”

“This is the best I could do on short notice.”

“Short notice! You’ve known for months,” Mallory hissed at her daughter, dropping her voice so the women standing near them wouldn’t hear.

“Mom,” Kat huffed, “I told you at brunch that United lost my bag. I had to go out and get this today.”

“Right, right,” she waved at her daughter, still reaching out to maneuver her hair. “Well there is nothing we can do now,” she sighed and finally gave up before pushing her shoulders back.

Behind her was a ballroom full of political powerhouses– senators, congresspersons, aids, donors, and all the other powerful DC folks who liked to gather in rooms together and remind each other how important they are. Mallory had been working her way up the political world for years, starting on the Board of Education in Kat’s hometown (not that Mallory Littleman would’ve ever sent her children to public school, even in their wealthy town) and now just after her second election as a state senator. Hence, Kat’s summons to attend as part of the senator’s loving family. Kat hated these events… but showed up anyway.

Mallory huffed and dropped her hands to her hips, squaring her jaw at her daughter. “Don’t bring up your job.” This was a common command; never ever talk about work. Kat nodded dutifully.

“Yes ma’am.”

“And don’t mention your… that you… the…”

Kat cut her off and failed to contain her eye roll this time, “I won’t let anyone know that we’re not the perfect family.”

“Thank you,” she said curtly, still eyeing her daughter’s dress.

“Did that hurt,” Kat laughed, looking at the tight expression on her mother’s face after displaying gratitude for her daughter.

“Do not sass me, Kathrine. Tonight is a big deal. I need it to go well.”

Kat sighed, “yes ma’am,” and neglected to bring up the fact that Mallory said that for every political event to which she dragged her daughter.

Mallory ignored her, “you know who I need you to talk to?”

Kat nodded, “I was briefed by your aids. Which, by the way, I would’ve preferred to do with you than your 19-year-old college interns.”

“I mean they are hired to take things off my plate.”

“Where’s dad, Senator Littleman?”

“Kathrine,” Mallory’s tone was warning as she turned back to Kat, “please behave.”

“Promise, Senator, now I’m going to find Dad,” Kat pushed past her mother and started to move through the room, listening for her father’s loud laughter. Despite his faults, he was the far easier parent to be around. He was easy to talk to and could entertain a crowd: the perfect way to disappear in one of these large functions was to stand near Tim and let him relive his glory days to people who just oohed and ahhed appropriately in hopes that he would end up writing them some kind of donation check.

She spotted him across the room regaling a group of men. As she passed by familiar faces, she greeted them politely, engaging in small talk when necessary, and pushing her way closer and closer to Tim. When he caught a glimpse of her, his face split into a grin and he threw his arms wide, stepping between the men surrounding him, “There’s my KitKat!” He wrapped her in a hug, smothering her in his heavily applied Polo Blue. When he kissed her cheek and draped his arm over her shoulder, he turned back to the group, “Gents, this is my beautiful daughter Kathrine.”

Kat reached out her hand to shake with the shortest of the group, who introduced himself as Mark, “Kat is fine, it’s nice to meet you.”

Exchanging quick greetings with the other two, Joe and Chris, Tim quickly charged back in control of the conversation before she could say more, “Sweetheart, these boys are trying to get me to spend some money on them.”

Mark, or maybe it was Joe, jumped in with a laugh, immediately changing the narrative to describe the new political platform they were developing, but Kat had essentially stopped listening. She was too busy batting her eyelashes at Chris. He stood almost a head taller than her, his shoulders filling out his navy tuxedo in the most delicious way. His perfectly styled hair, his relaxed stance with one hand in his pocket, the other holding a beer– how refreshing; no one in DC admitted to liking something as lowly as beer, much less a Sam Adams.

He’d had been the last to introduce himself and their hands had lingered while Chris’s blue eyes blatantly trailed slowly down her body. She’d felt a blush rising in her cheeks when his eyes met hers again and a very brief but very smug smirk crossed his features.

Slowly he returned his focus to his colleagues and let them continue to explain their new venture, glancing at Kat now and then, who got caught staring back almost every time. She had to force herself to stare at Joe and Mark while they spoke, feeling Chris’s eyes trail over her skin.

As soon as she’d approached, Chris’s eyes had been immediately drawn to the skin of Kat’s thigh exposed in her dress. Most of the room was filled with an older crowd, the younger women in the room choosing much more conservative dresses for this event. Kat’s choice, with her shoulders, a hint of cleavage, and all that leg made Chris practically salivate. He’d been back and forth to DC for the last several months as he, Joe, and Mark tried to build a following and convince the political world to work with them; each time he was surrounded by women in pantsuits or blazers. The young aides usually wore their outfits slightly tighter, but it was still the same variations of cream, navy, and red work dresses… not that it had stopped him from spending some time getting to know a few of those women.

When the three men had entered the ballroom this evening, he’d been prepared with their usual speech, ready to network and subtly beg for support. He hadn’t been prepared to be adjusting his pants at the sight of this woman’s tight ass when she turned to hug her father. Chris didn’t even bother to scold himself; they’d been working all weekend, and more importantly, Kat’s eyes were drawn to him too.

Kat recognized Chris, albeit not immediately, but after several minutes of making eyes at each other while the people around them talked, it clicked into place that she’d seen some movies that featured his washboard abs and perfectly cut pecs. She watched his reaction when she tossed her hair over her shoulder, exposing her skin (and bumping her father’s hand, which briefly ruined her moment before regaining composure); his eyes moved across her collarbone and up her neck, settling a steady gaze back on her.

No one was paying attention to them anyway. Joe and Mark were chatting away and Tim was listening the best his ADHD and slightly narcissistic brain allowed him.

“Well boys,” Tim finally said, both literally and figuratively jolting his daughter back to reality with a shake of her shoulder, “that is a truly terrific pitch, but I’m the wrong one to give it to. Just didn’t have the heart to stop you. My wife, Mallory, is the politician in the family.”

As if summoned, Mallory’s voice called over Kat’s shoulder, “there you two are,” in a huff and appeared at her daughter’s side, putting more distance between Kat and Chris. Tim remade the introductions of the group and Kat didn’t miss the way Chris’s eyes stayed on her, not Mallory, when the three of them once again began to explain their idea.

This time, Chris did most of the talking, Joe and Mark only offering occasional additions, but he continued to flicker his eyes to Kat. Kat found herself more impressed; she’d assumed he was the Hollywood buy-in to get politicians' attention, not part of the actual brain power. She listened to him, adding her own questions as her mother did the same, and watched him get more and more animated as he rattled off what seemed to be a heartfelt passion project.

He finally paused when Joe took over explaining the technical side to Mallory and Kat allowed herself to look back at his stupidly handsome face; he lifted his beer towards her and raised his eyebrow, silently asking if she wanted a drink.

Kat started to nod when a well-dressed staff member approached and invited them to find their seats, dinner was being served. Chris spoke up before the group separated, “I’m going to grab another drink before I go to the table, can I get anyone anything?” He looked pointedly at Kat who started to speak when her mother spoke for her.

“What a lovely offer, but Kathrine and I don’t drink. Tim?” She turned to her husband, letting him give Chris his drink order, before wrapping her hand around Kat’s arm and pulling her away from the group towards the clusters of tables without a goodbye.

“Kathrine, don’t even think about it,” she hissed, staring at the place cards on a long table and searching for theirs. She reached across Kat, snatched all three off the table, pulled Kat towards table 4, and continued, “I knew this dress was too much for tonight.”

“What are you talking about, Mom?”

“I saw the look on your face and that boy's. Don’t you dare.”

They’d reached the table and Mallory immediately dropped Kat’s arm, circling to say hello to their companions. Kat tucked herself into the nearest chair and immediately moved for the bread basket, perking up when she discovered the rolls were still warm. Mallory perched on the chair next to Kat, still in conversation with another one of DC's most powerful people whose name Kat could never remember… nor ever tried to.

Tim joined them shortly, sliding into the chair on Mallory’s other side and calling a loud, “see you boys later,” and toasted them as Joe, Mark, and Chris walked away. Kat’s eyes flickered up to catch Chris’s, offering a coy smile to his nod.

“That is what I’m talking about,” Mallory was back in her ear, using her butter knife to gesture at Chris’s broad, retreating back.

“Mother, relax, I just smiled at him.”

“You think I was born yesterday? That was not just a smile.”

“You do realize I’m 31 years old, right? And it is perfectly acceptable to smile at a man or even, god forbid, flirt with him.” Kat’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she spread her napkin on her lap.

“I don’t care how old you are, you reflect my campaign and my values every time you’re seen with me. If there are pictures of you kissing Captain fucking America, it is a direct reflection of me.”

“Literally no one cares who your adult daughter kisses.”

“You don’t think it comes up every election? You don’t think that you and your brother and… Do you know how much of my staff it takes to be sure that our family doesn’t get our business blasted across headlines?”

“I wish you realized how much America did not care about my sex life or Ben’s,” Kat reached for her ice water and sipped slowly, wishing it was a vodka tonic, and glanced at her mother’s furrowed brow, “Careful, Mom, your Botox doesn’t like when you frown.”

Mallory huffed and leaned away to start speaking to Tim, whispering frantically at him and casting sidelong glances at Kat. Kat, however, leaned back in her chair and allowed the woman next to her– a Congressman from Minnesota’s wife– to share all of the details of the grandchild her daughter was expecting. Kat had to bite her tongue while she listened to the several-minute monologue about how silly she found it that some people wouldn’t want to buy gender-specific baby clothes anymore. She let the woman talk, as she did most of these people, and let her mind wander, only staying focused enough to offer the occasional, “you don’t say” or “wow, that’s incredible.”

She truly loathed these events. She’d lost track over the years of how many she’d shown up to, how often her mother trotted her out like a prized pony to amplify her mother’s strong family value platform before being sent back home to her normal life. Each time it came with an all-expenses paid plane ticket and hotel, several– usually public to avoid real conversation– visits with her mother, at least one major political fundraiser/gala/rally/etc., and then a quick and once again public goodbye from Mallory before the whole ordeal was over.

Kat knew she could stop coming, stop being hassled by her mother and used as a pawn, she knew that she could and certainly should stop saying yes and start saying no. Ben always reminded her that no was a complete sentence.

Ben.

Ben had stopped coming to these the second he moved out of the house, right about the same time that Mallory and Tim–mostly Mallory– had refused to acknowledge that Ben might not actually be the preppy, lacrosse-playing womanizer he was bred to be and was instead questioning all parts of his identity. He’d moved to Vancouver for a job, and met a wonderful man, Kevin, who Kat adored and had never looked back.

Kat missed him terribly, even after almost 10 years of living several time zones apart, and looked forward to their annual September trip together. They’d meet somewhere each year to celebrate their birthdays… four days and four years apart… together, often surrounded by other people they loved but never ever with their parents.

Kat couldn’t actually remember the last time the four of them shared the same air. It had to have been a holiday while Kat was still in high school and Ben was home from college for a break. She knew that he occasionally emailed Tim or exchanged a quick phone call, but that Ben hadn’t spoken to their mother since the day he’d graduated from college. At their celebration dinner, he’d handed her a check and said, “I won’t owe you anything ever again,” and flown to Canada the next morning. Kat had been devastated but she knew what it was like for Ben to grow in their house. She knew the best thing for him was to put the Canadian Border Patrol between him and Mallory.

Ben was her rock, one of her favorite humans, and her constant reminder that she was a pawn in Mallory’s system and needed to get out before people started to think she actually supported their mother’s platforms. That thought pulled her back into the conversation with the Congresswoman’s wife just in time to force a cheerful, “hurry back!” when she’d told Kat she needed to use the ‘little girl’s room’ and scurried off.

Kat took the moment to enjoy the silence and scanned the room. The sea of tables was tastefully if subtly decorated in muted tones and low centerpieces on each table to allow for conversation. There had to be at least 50 tables, each holding anywhere from 10-12 guests, all various members of wealthy DC society. The majority were politicians and their donor friends; a perk of donating thousands of dollars to a cause was getting to attend other functions for free as a ‘thank you for your support’… only to be expected to write a check at the end for whichever cause the evening endorsed.

Five tables away, she found Chris’s gelled hair and sharp jawline in profile while he laughed at something the woman next to him said. She allowed herself the moment to admire the imperfect slope of his nose, the way his smile showed all his teeth, and the way his biceps were visibly flexing even under his jacket as he lifted his fork to his mouth.

“He is very handsome, I’ll give you that,” Mallory leaned closer to her daughter, who had been actively ignoring her mother trying to catch her eye, “but do not embarrass me tonight, Kathrine.”

“And what would be embarrassing for you, Mom?” Kat sighed and looked at her mom.

Mallory paused, glancing at her husband who was deep in conversation, and back at Kat, “if you did something inappropriate with him.”

Kat grinned slyly, knowing how much her mother hated these kinds of conversations, “what do you consider inappropriate?”

“You know what I mean,” she huffed.

“I’m not sure that I do. Could you explain it to me?”

Mallory sighed heavily and waggled her finger, “do not go home with that boy.”

“He seems to be all man,” Kat countered, her eyes traveling back to Chris just to spite her frustrated, demanding mother. He was rising from the table and gesturing to his tablemates, seemingly taking drink orders.

“Kathrine Marissa Littleman,” Mallory’s voice dropped low and Kat knew she’d hit a nerve, “I do not need any gossip because of you, there has already been enough talk about everything else in our family.”

“There hasn’t been anything to talk about for years, Mom, please give me a break. I’m a grown-up.”

Mallory shot her one last look and stood from her seat, moving around behind Kat and towards an empty seat at the other side of the table to start working the room now that she’d finished her meal– it didn’t matter to her that no one else had.

Kat reached into her clutch and rifled around for a pen, finding one at the bottom, and slid her place card towards her. She folded open the thick cardstock and write inside it, closing it back up and slipping the pen back in her purse before whispering, “back in a bit,” to Tim, who waved his acknowledgment, and she moved through the room to the bar.

Chris leaned on the bar in front of her, chatting with the bartender as he gathered the drinks for Chris’s table. She took a deep breath and stepped beside him and ordered a vodka tonic from the other barkeep; her voice caught Chris’s attention, who leaned on one arm.

“Kathrine,” her name in his deep timbre sent a chill down her spine and a warmth filling her belly.

“Christopher,” she countered, throwing a smile over her shoulder at him.

“I see that ‘we don’t drink’ thing was bullshit,” he nodded to the drink she now took a deep swallow from.

“Just another politician making things up.”

He gathered the drinks from the bartender– another beer for him, a wine for one of his tablemates, and a scotch for Joe, and turned to her– “Gimme a second. Don’t move.”

Kat nodded and watched him strut away; she toyed with the place card in her hand. She flipped it open, looking at her handwriting on the inside, and looked back up at Chris, who was just arriving at the table. Throwing her shoulders back, she followed after him, coming up behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I thought you were waiting for me,” he said quietly, dipping his head low to talk to her.

“I changed my mind,” she smiled and slid her hand down from his shoulder, briefly across his bicep, and to grip his large hand. She squeezed, pushing the cardstock into his hands, and turned gracefully on her heels. She moved slowly, knowing he was watching her, and swung her hips ever so slightly as she made her way across the room to the exit closest to the elevator.

She entered it alone, letting the doors slide shut and giving her a chance to take a deep breath, and another gulp of her drink before the doors were opening again on her floor.

In her room, she finished off her drink and mixed a new one from the minibar, and then moved across the suite to stand at the sliding glass doors. Her heart was pounding in her chest with both anticipation and anxiety, knowing she could be stood up, but hoping she’d read him right. Several long minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. Kat took her time to cross the room, finishing off her second drink on the way, and pulling the door open to Chris standing, both hands in his pockets, on the threshold.

“Hey you,” his crooked grin melted any nerves she had and she reached out, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the room; she shut the door after dropping the “do not disturb” sign on the handle and turning to face him.

“Drink?” She started to move around him towards the mini bar but he used their still connected hand to pull her to him.

“Maybe after,” his boyish grin was gone and replaced with a sexy smirk; he held their hands to his chest while his other hand reached up to her shoulder, pushing a few strands of hair off her neck. His fingertips trailed along her clavicle before coming to rest at the back of her neck and leaning towards her.

He slotted his lips over Kat’s, the kiss hovering for a moment in sweetness before his tongue swiped at her bottom lip and the movement shifted. Kat stepped closer to him, allowing his tongue to swipe against hers and pushing her chest into his while his hands covered all the planes of her body, squeezing her hips and her ass, trailing gentle touches up her arms and into her hair to hold her to him and continue the needy kiss. She slid her hands up his body and tugged at his bow tie, feeling grateful for making out with Miles Sharpton at cotillion who taught her how to untie a butterfly knot. Once it fell around his neck, she slid her arms under his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. Chris let it hit the floor and stepped away from it to push Kat– one hand on her hips, the other still grasping her neck— towards the dresser.

The backs of her thighs bumped the large wooden piece and she let herself lean against it while he pressed into her, his mouth now trailing her neck and his hands grasping at the back of her dress, pawing for the zipper. Kat pushed his chest away from him, his lips pulling from hers with an audible suction noise, and she panted to catch her breath while her fingers worked their way down the buttons of his shirt. Each one she popped open exposed more of his chest, undershirt, and, to her surprise, a smattering of dark ink that made her mouth water.

She leaned forward and kissed the exposed skin, while she continued her journey down to his belt. Kat tugged his shirt free from his pants and glanced up at him through hooded eyes to find him watching her. Chris’s hands were rubbing her shoulders, raising goosebumps on her skin and sending a fire straight to her core.

Her hands hovered on his belt buckle, slowing the momentum of the last several minutes but giving neither of them pause. Chris watched her, licking his lips and trying to decide which way he wanted her to come first. “Don’t stop now, baby,” his voice had dropped dangerously low and he cupped her chin in his hand, rubbing his thumb along her bottom lip, “or I’m going to take over.”

Kat blushed deeply but held his gaze; she felt her panties dampen even more with those few words and she finished unclasping his belt, whipping it out of the loops dramatically and winking at him when he chuckled. Slowly, agonizingly slowly for Chris, she popped the button of his trousers and then slid the zipper down, holding his eyes and watching his Adam’s apple subtly bob.

Keeping her eyes glued to Chris’s, she slid her hands under the waistband of his pants, still over his boxer briefs, and rubbed slowly down his length, then back up, then back down again, reaching all the way through to briefly caress all of him before dropping her eyes to see the hard bulge that seemed to just keep growing under her hand. When Kat looked away, he took the opportunity to close his and open his jaw, letting out a low groan when she squeezed him back and forth, teasing him, knowing that he wanted her lips on his cock but she wouldn’t give it to him just yet.

She continued her work, flicking her eyes back up at him and taking in the way his chest heaved and his eyes fluttered when she stroked him in just the right away. All this response and everyone still had their clothes on…

After more minutes of this agonizingly slow tease, Chris groaned and dropped his head to press his forehead into Kat’s and growled, yanking her upright and twirling her around. “It’s my turn to tease, Kitty Kat.” The impulsive nickname made Kat’s heart skip a beat but she shoved down that feeling and leaned back into his strong chest. He held her in his arms, one wrapped around her stomach, the other reaching towards her zipper, dragging it down slowly and his hand on her stomach pulled the fabric of the gown down just enough to expose her breasts. Both of his hands slowly slithered up her body to cup them in his palms, rolling her peaked nipples between his thumb and forefingers while he kissed her neck.

“Open your eyes,” he commanded between open-mouth kisses; one of his hands dropped her breast and used it to push her hair off her neck and expose her other shoulder, licking a stripe from the nape of her neck to her earlobe and planting a kiss behind her ear. Kat’s eyes flew open, surprised to find that he’d positioned them in front of the dresser mirror where his eyes were watching her reflection.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of her breasts exposed and being palmed by his large hands, Chris’s face kissing all across any exposed skin he could reach, all while never breaking eye contact. He leaned his weight into her and she felt his hard cock against her ass; she pressed her hips back into him, grinding against him and letting out a moan before closing her eyes again to enjoy all the sensations.

“Open,” he said again, his tone leaving no room for question. He pulled his lips away from hers and he stood to his full height behind her– even in her heels she was still inches shorter than him, “I want you to watch yourself.”

Kat nodded, not knowing what else to do and allowing herself to melt entirely into his embrace and his command.

His right hand left her breast and moved tantalizingly across her sternum, her stomach, and to the thigh-high slit in her dress. Chris bent forward slightly to pull the fabric up and allow him access to her lacy thong. He bunched the dress up the best he could, pushing as much fabric out of the way to expose her in the mirror and trace a finger along the top hem of her panties. His left hand still played with her breast and now, she grasped his right forearm, bracing herself against him and using her left hand to reach behind her and hold onto his hip.

Chris traced the edge of her thong again, dipping his finger under the elastic and then back out multiple times before finally sliding his hand all the way down to cup her core. He groaned into her ear as his pointer finger swiped through the wetness between her legs, “all this for me, Kitten?”

“Please,” she whimpered, bucking her hips against him in anticipation.

He hummed in agreement, nuzzling into her hair and pressing his finger into her entrance, slowly pumping in and out at a painfully slow pace. Kat dropped her head back on his shoulder, obediently keeping her eyes open to watch his hand move in the mirror. His thumb found her clit and pressed against it, moving just as slowly. She rolled her hips, trying to find more friction, more pressure, more anything, but he stilled his movements and tutted, “not yet, Kathrine.”

She whined and pushed her weight against his chest, nudging her nose against his neck and pressing messy kisses to his jaw. Her reward was a second finger pressed inside of her, slowly making a come hither motion while his thumb started to increase the pressure and pace on her clit. After more minutes of playing with her, he leaned in to kiss her lips muttering against her, “you ready, baby? You going to come now, sweetheart?” as he continued to increase the intensity and Kat’s hips moved to meet him. He pulled away from her lips, removing his hand from her breast to gently but firmly grasp her chin and turn her to face the mirror again, “watch, baby, c’mon,” he grunted, his hips now joining the fray, “c’mon, Kat, come for me, baby.”

Kat let out a strangled, semi-pornographic moan when her orgasm hit her hard, her ears ringing and her whole body shaking in Chris’s arms. He slowed his rhythm, working her over the edge and through the intensity, giving her a moment of reprieve while he kissed her shoulders, her neck, her cheek, and pulled her lips to his to give her a long, wet kiss.

“Do you have a condom,” she muttered against him, ready to feel him inside of her the moment his fingers slid out. He released her with a quick kiss, stumbling in his pants that were still undone and sagging toward his tuxedo jacket. He fished in for his wallet while Kat studied herself, still trying to catch her breath.

Chris appeared in the mirror behind her again, his hands falling to her hips and pulling the fabric of her dress up quickly. She helped him, letting the dress bunch at her hips, her breasts still exposed and now her ass as well. He stepped back from her and she watched him in the mirror.

He was palming himself in his shorts, one hand still on the curve of her hip and she arched her back slightly, giving him a more full view of her. Chris glanced up in the mirror to find her smirking; he stopped palming himself to tuck both thumbs in the waistband of her thong and drag it down her legs, helping her step out of it and tossing it somewhere in the dim room.

Still, on his knees behind her, his hands traced up her calves, the back of her knees, her thighs, as he rose to stand and smacked her ass, watching her flesh bounce. Feeling impatient, she wiggled at him, arching her back even deeper. He chuckled, “you’re ready for me, pretty girl?”

He met her eyes in the mirror and she bit her lip, nodding and watching him drop his boxer briefs. From her place in front of him, she didn’t have a good view but she listened to him snap on the condom and then mewed when he rubbed the tip of his cock through her arousal.

With one hand on her hip and the other pushing her neck to lean her closer to the dresser, he pushed into her without warning, causing Kat to cry out at the stretch. He stilled, kissed her shoulder, and waited for her to nod before he started a steady, deep rhythm, hitting the soft, spongy parts she so desperately craved. The salacious sounds of his hips meeting her ass, his grunts, and Kat’s sighs and moans filled the room quickly while he pounded into her, the pace ever increasing. Kat fumbled with her dress, trying to get to her clit. Chris moved his hand from her waist, still keeping one on her neck to hold her steady, and licked his fingers before reaching around her hips and quickly building another steady rhythm on her clit. Over and over again he thrust into her, circling her clit and groaning into her neck.

“C’mon, Kat, come for me again, let go, Kitten,” he growled while her velvet walls squeezed him tight, “I can’t hold on, come, baby,” he babbled, rocking his hips while her hips pushed back against him, chasing her release. It hit her quickly, making her legs shake and then wobble, struggling to support her weight. Chris finished with a moan drilling inside of her and draping his body over hers that was slumped against the dresser. He planted kisses on her shoulder, her neck, and then down the top of her spine before gently helping her come upright. Kat turned in his arms and slid into the dresser, letting her back lean against the mirror and lazily tugging her gown to cover her breasts just enough.

Chris snagged a few tissues from the nightstand and handed her some while he cleaned up and disposed of the condom in the trash can by the desk. He tucked himself back into his briefs and came to stand between Kat’s useless legs. He leaned forward and planted his palms on the dresser beside her legs to kiss her lazily, their tongues swiping at each other and showing no urgency.

Finally, Kat pulled back and reached up to push his hair back in place the best she could. “Your business partners will wonder where you went,” she whispered, giving him an out.

He raised an eyebrow at her, “what about that drink?”

“Next time,” she shrugged, sliding off the dresser knowing there would be no ‘next time’ and moving towards her shopping bags for the zip-up and leggings she’d bought today. Once they were in her arms, she turned back to Chris still standing there, pants around his ankles, and looking confused. “I’m going to take a shower,” she pressed up on her toes and kissed his lips once more before crossing in front of him and stepping into the large bathroom.

[unclewaynemunson]

I have a prompt if you're interested. Ted catches Ronance dead to rights. However, Nancy saw this coming, gets in Ted's face and dares him to disown her. He goes for a slap, Robin responds with a punch.

YEEESSS i love this!!! I hope this lives up to how you imagined it:

Robin's skin feels warm against Nancy's. Her taste is on her lips, her scent is all around her, her hands are on her hips, in her hair, on her back, but it's not enough, she needs more of Robin, all of Robin... She breaks apart from her, looking up at her girlfriend in awe, taking in the dazed look on her freckled face, the messy strands of hair framing her bright red cheeks, her heaving chest as she takes some panting, shuddering breaths.

Slowly, she lets her fingers trace over Robin's torso, until her hands reach the collar of her blouse and slowly start to unbutton it. She really takes her time with it, carefully unwrapping Robin button by button, revealing more freckled skin, a simple black bra, a soft tummy, a perfect belly button surrounded by a few dark hairs...

'Nance.' Her name is a whisper on Robin's tongue. Nancy looks up to her through her lashes, meeting the longing gaze in her bright blue eyes.

Robin is much less patient as she is: she tugs on the hem of Nancy's shirt and pulls it over her head in one quick movement. Nancy gasps for air as Robin presses their mouths back together again with an intoxicating kind of urgency. She allows herself to completely get lost in Robin's taste on her tongue, Robin's fingers ghosting over the bare skin of her back, and she lets her own hands wander underneath Robin's unbuttoned blouse, tracing upwards until she reaches the clasp of her bra.

'Nancy, your mother wanted me to –'

With a gasp, the two of them jump apart when Nancy's bedroom door opens.

'Holy hell!

'Don't you knock?!'

'What in God's name -'

'Get out of here!'

'What're you doing?!'

'What does it look like we're doing?!'

Next to her, Robin is furiously buttoning up her blouse again, her cheeks a bright color of red, probably matching Nancy's.

Nancy's father is standing in the doorway, looking furious at the two girls from behind his thick glasses. He crosses his arms, not looking like he's planning on leaving anytime soon.

'Explain yourself, young lady,' he says. There is a sternness in his voice that Nancy's hasn't heard often.

She lifts her head, refusing to look guilty or ashamed, her jaw clenched.

'Me and Robin have been dating for a while now,' she says. She'd known from the start that it had to get out in the open sometime; preferably, it wouldn't have been this way, but now that Pandora's box has been opened, she isn't planning on hiding away and closing it. She isn't ashamed of who she loves, and she refuses to treat the prime source of happiness in her life like something dirty.

She feels the fingers of Robin's hand intertwine with hers and gently squeezes back, silently conveying the promise that everything will be okay.

Her dad stays silent for a couple of seconds, looking back and forth between Robin and Nancy; Nancy can sense that Robin is holding her breath.

'No, no way,' he finally says. 'This can't be happening. I won't let it.' He fixes his eyes onto Robin. 'I'm not gonna let you walk into my house to corrupt my daughter under my roof. Get out of here.'

Robin opens her mouth, a terrified look in her eyes, but Nancy speaks before she can.

'Corrupt me, seriously? Don't you dare talk to my girlfriend like that.' Her voice is trembling but she doesn't back down. 'I'm my own person, dad, you don't get to decide who I'm with.'

'Nancy, you –'

'If you send her away, you're sending me away too.'

He takes a large step into the bedroom. 'Don't you dare –'

'What are you gonna do, disown me?'

'Maybe I will, if you don't choose your next words very wisely!'

He raises a hand, but before Nancy can even process what he's about to do, Robin gets between the two of them: her hair is a mess and her blouse is buttoned askew and she has never looked more badass as she punches Ted right in his face, making him stagger while his glasses drop to the floor.

But when she turns around to Nancy, all badassery has faded from her face: there's a shocked look in her blue eyes, almost apologetic, as if she didn't quite mean to do that.

Nancy only needs a second to throw her own shirt back on; then, she takes Robin's hand and pulls her with her past a still-recovering Ted into the hall.

'We're leaving. You can tell mom she can call me at Robin's if she wants to talk,' she says to him before they run down the stairs and out of the house.

'Shit, Nance, I am so sorry,' says Robin as soon as they get outside.

'What the hell are you sorry for?'

'I punched your dad, Nance! Jesus, I punched a man in the face! And now he probably hates both of us and maybe you're never allowed to come back home and it'll all be my fault and I never wanted you to choose between me and your family but now –'

'Robin,' Nancy interrupts her stream of words. She halts and turns toward her, cupping both her hands around Robin's face. 'Don't you dare apologize for that. I love you. I love you so fucking much. God, I love how ready you were to protect me. And he got what he deserved, honestly.'

She stretches onto her tiptoes to reach Robin's mouth and press a heated kiss onto her lips. When she pulls back, Robin is looking slightly less freaked-out.

'You can punch a bigot for me any day, Rob,' she says. Despite everything, she smiles. And she means it.

[beliscary]

backstory yarn spinning re: childhood friends

→ uh oh! a Cardinal's got a semi-secret bastard → Sylvestre keeps Dion in a country estate, watched, well kept, but out of the way. Visits somewhat infrequently but with enough pomp & circumstance & deliberate religious framing that he becomes near saintlike in Dion’s eyes. → (Anabella's 'your mother sold you' bit is a largely unreliably narrated fiction but. you know. the situation could be definitely be perceived that way by a bunch of nobles jockeying for power for whom spinning 'take this money and disappear entirely or i will make you disappear' as a legitimate agreement/exchange might be useful.) → Terence’s family has their lands nearby → Terence gets to be Dion’s companion as they're of similar ages. he trains with him since ~obviously Dion will seek knighthood to champion and save the people as his father does! and to improve his standing and Not Shame His So Very Good and Important and Holy Eminence Sylvestre!! → this arrangement is a high honor for Terence's family who are lesser nobility. like. such a high honor. an inescapably high honor. what a knife’s edge to have to balance upon with the imperial theocracy's #1 schemer inserting himself into your lives. If You Fail Me You Fail Greagor etc. they have to be subtle and clever abt it. terence learns how to play the game from them → for the most part Terence and Dion aren’t thinking about that though. for many years they're just running around the countryside being kids and menaces and best friends and having the best tutors and all that fun stuff → Dion is legitimized when he Bahamuts (fairly young- early tweens?) and almost immediately ends up ensconced in Oriflamme’s court proper

→ ugh it's probably so manipulative too like "oh my son now you are finally strong enough, it is safe for you to come home". syl creates a whole fiction for it too. For I So Love You, Sanbreque, Though It Grieves Me, I Will Give Unto You My Beloved Son → Sylvestre is made Emperor off Dion’s ascension → Dion, desperate to prove himself and his place and Not Shame His Very Good and Important and Holy Father, Civil Servant to the People, Holy Greagor Made Flesh, pivots to the Holy Order → Terence, old enough now to understand in no uncertain terms what Being Bahamut Means and to also have had The Court, The Broader Politics, and the Consequences Of Our Specific Knowledge Of The Lesages talk with his family: Oh My God. I Can’t Protect Him. → (all of this goes down and war begins before Terence makes knighthood?) → he could be reassigned to another knight i suppose. but my vibe is a letter from the desk of the emperor (not even a personal meeting!!!) that's very “sorry kid. what’s your name again. thomas? ted? hey since your family did mine a favor we'll skip the battlefield as a stepping stone to a place in society. i reward loyalty. you can be clergy. now be nice and rest on your laurels and kindly fade into grateful obscurity since your part in this story is done” → He Will Not Be Doing That → Dion goes to be Holy Hand Grenade and Terence has no choice but to go into the Imperial Legion (as a junior officer? or just about? he is still nobility...) → has that small leg up but after that, proves himself time and again. Makes sure it looks outwardly like it is sheer patriotism inspired by the valor and deeds of Prince Dion the Bold. It is not fuck sanbreque and its rewards and its uncaring Eminences and its smiles in your face and knives at your back and especially everything it demands of dion actually → makes the lateral move to Holy Dragoons → climbs the ranks from there for the sole purpose of returning to Dion's side → loves dion the human person so hard oh my god crying into my hands

[aristocraticvision]

Chapter 363: Retreatus Interruptus (Part 2)

As the four finished their tea, the conversation faltered. Price Flynn was obviously preoccupied, and finally excused himself to visit the facilities.

“I’m not surprised by your visit, mother,” Jack said, once Price had gone. “But I have to admit, I’m shocked to see father here. You must have threatened his life.”

“Oh Jack, your father does care – he’s just not very good at showing it,” Eliza replied. “In fact, you may be even more shocked to learn that our visit was his idea! Maybe he’s making progress?”

Jack shook his head and glanced over at Ted.

“Or, more likely, hell has indeed frozen over,” he said, grinning.

Ted laughed – and Eliza joined him, despite herself.

“I don’t know what it is about you two that makes your relationship so difficult,” she said, finally. “Of course, of all my children, you’re the most like me.”

“That explains a lot,” Jack said, teasing.

“Possibly,” she replied. “I’ve never exactly been fond of playing the dutiful wife.”

“Excuse me,” Jack said, rising. “I think I’ll put the kettle back on for another pot of tea.”

Jack stepped toward the kitchen as Ted made small talk. The meeting could have been a disaster, but, thanks to a combination of his quick thinking and Ted’s natural charm, they’d salvaged it.

As he passed the cellar door in the butler’s pantry, however, he noticed it was open.

Strange, he thought. I don’t remember being down there all weekend.

He gazed down the rickety wooden stairs curiously, and started when he heard his father’s voice.

Jack crept down the stairs quietly to find his father looking around, his phone against his head.

“No, not yet,” he said. “I don’t have much time, so I’ll call you as soon as I can,” he said.

“Father?” Jack asked, and his father spun round, surprised. “May I ask what you’re doing down here?”

“Oh,” the baron said, obviously shaken. “I … well … it occurred to me that we hadn’t had the cottage inspected before signing it over to you, and I was … curious as to … how the foundation was holding up. Seems to be in better shape than I remembered.”

“Thank you, father,” Jack said. “Your concern is appreciated. Why don’t we go back up – I was about to make another pot of tea.”

“Quite right,” Price replied, heading up the stairs.

Jack looked around, still curious, but saw nothing out of place.

He sighed, and followed his father back upstairs.

CHAPTER 1 | BEGINNING OF PART 4 | PREV | NEXT

Continent of Oceana | History of Weston | History of Corwyn | History of Torenth | History of Allycia

[timaeusterrored]

“Ker I may vomit.”

“Please don’t.”

“I’ve never been around kids before.”

“So wait wait wait, you mean to tell me you can stand up to men twice your size no sweat but you’re scared of a nine year old and a sixteen year old?”

“Yes.”

Kerry snorted, kissing V’s temple with a shake of his head. “Kim is gonna love you.. Ted may try to kill you with a single look though.” He stated, watching the stairs to the private plane come down.

“Daddy!” A little girl came barreling down the narrow steps and Kerry met her half way. “Oh my princess! How are you?” V couldn’t help but smile at the image.. and could see immediately he had a daddy daughter duo on his hands.

Louise placed her sunglasses on the top of her head, eyeing V for a moment, before holding out her hand to shake.

“Mrs. Eurodyne it is so nice to finally meet you. Or do you prefer Nordin?”

Louise looked back at Kerry like she could not believe it, Kerry was just grinning like he had just won something.

“Either. You must be Vax, or V as Ker said you prefer to be called?”

“Yes ma’am.” V said softly, letting go of her hand. God she was beautiful, made sense Kerry would have married her. From old screamsheets V had found, they were a gorgeous couple.. he almost felt like he had ruined that image even though he wasnt even alive when they first got together.

“Is that him?” V became aware of the two kids staring at him and his throat tightened.. oh god was he their stepdad now? He did not think this meeting through. Kerry told him he didn’t have to stick around but of course V had insisted! Yeah okay maybe he was a bit scared.. oh well.

Kerry put the little girl down and nudged her and her brother forward, then kissed his ex wife’s cheek as the two greeted each other.

“Hi.” Kim said, holding out her hand. V couldn’t help but smile and shake her hand. “Im Kim! This is my brother Ted! Don’t let his grumpiness scare you, he’s just pouty and ‘emo’.” Kim said, earning a glare from her brother.

“Well it’s very nice to meet you, I’m V.”

“Just V?”

“Yes.. but if you’d like, you can call me Vax.”

“I like Vax better, Just V sounds silly.” Kim giggled, Ted had retreated back to his mother’s side, and V could cut his glare with a knife honestly.

V’s phone rang and he winced, checking it. “If you gotta go, go. It’s not a big deal.” Kerry promised, making Kim look up. “Go? Where? We just met I wanna talk more!” She said, making Kerry chuckle a bit.

“Well I gotta go to work, but I’ll be back later and you can talk to me all day if you want, okay?” V promised, making the little girl’s face light up.

“Be good, be safe.” Kerry whispered the last bit before a quick kiss goodbye before he ran off to his bike, Kim waving as Kerry helped his family into his car.

Oh god was V a stepdad?

[ambiguouspenny]

oversharing on the internet

Finally doing this...*insert 'it's been 84 years' gif here*

Thanks @alrightbuckaroo for the tag :)

ONE: Are you named after anyone?

My middle name was almost after someone, but according to my mother in the chaos of my birth she just "forgot" that she'd planned to name me after her sister

TWO: When was the last time you cried?

It's actually been a surprisingly long time since I've had a real cry, but I did get misty watching S1E10 of Ted Lasso today.

THREE: Do you have kids?

No and I do not want any either.

FOUR: Do you use sarcasm a lot?

I used to think the answer to this was yes, but I actually think maybe I don't understand sarcasm enough to be using it correctly. But I am the type of guy to say "no" whenever I'm asked to do something that I'm absolutely intending to do. Is that the same? Idk.

FIVE: What sports have you played/do you play?

I used to throw shotput and discus in high school and that is the extent of it. I'm not athletic at all.

SIX: What's the first thing you notice about people?

Their shoes. And then their sense of humor.

SEVEN: What's your eye colour?

I honestly don't really know, gray/hazel?

EIGHT: Scary movies or happy endings?

Scary movies with happy endings.

NINE: Any special talents?

Sometimes I write and read spoken word poetry.

TEN: Where were you born?

On the other side of the state I live in.

ELEVEN: What are your hobbies?

Drawing, writing, acting out scenes of fanfiction to myself alone in my apartment, and maying spotify playlists.

TWELVE: Do you have any pets?

My parents have two dogs that I see quite often, and then I have a cat, his name is Simon.

THIRTEEN: How tall are you?

I am 6 feet tall and have been since middle school. My coworkers were incredibly shocked after a year of meeting exclusively on zoom.

FOURTEEN: Favourite subject in school?

Drama and Art

FIFTEEN: Dream job

I'd love to be in some kind of creative leadership position or whatever. Something doing like communications, or marketing or something like that. While maybe a lot of people would think my dream job would be to make a living off of making art, I get a lot of fulfillment from being on a team and problem-solving and I'd love to do that in a more creative setting than what I'm currently in.

hooty hoo! I did it~

going to tag some peeps who may or may not have already done this- obviously no pressure- @hoko-onchi-writes @mixtapestar @freneticfloetry @detective-giggles @guardian-angle22 @heartstringsduet @watmalik @jddryder

hey i'm super happy you exist <3

[hmspogueobx]

Everything to me (Paul Lahote)

Chapter Thirteen: Earth-rumbling

My mom doesn't seem surprised to see me at all. In fact I thought I saw a flicker of a smile flash across her face before a perfectly composed mask took over.

"Carmen, you failed to mention that your daughter lived in the supernatural world with us." The little girl comments in her eerie voice.

"She's only recently come to this world Jane." My mom says in reply.

Jane seems to lose her interest, until my mom moves towards me.

"What are you doing?" Jane inquires.

"I need to speak to my daughter in private. You deal with this mess, I'll meet you at home." My mom says.

"No. We are to deal with the Cullen's and report back to Aro." snaps Jane.

I'm having a hard time figuring out who's in charge here. There seems to be a power struggle between my mom and this Jane. So I'm only more confused when my mom turns to look Jane in the eye, and her voice turns smooth as butter, an almost mystical hum to it.

"I will talk to my daughter. Privately. I will join you when I am ready."

Jane's face is hard, but her eyes seem a little out of focus as she nods and continues her conversation with the Cullen's. They all have their eyes on my back as my mom pulls me into the woods until we are out of sight.

That's when I feel cold hard arms wrap me in an embrace.

"Oh darling I'd cry if I could!" My mother lets out in a tearless sort of sob. She pulls back and grabs my face in her hands, taking in the sight of my face. "Look how beautiful you are!"  She says with a dazzling smile. I'm really not sure what to do. My mind hasn't caught up and I stand there with my mouth gaping open.

"I can't imagine what you must be thinking darling. Can I fill you in on what's happened? Would that be ok?" My mother's voice is gentle, like she's trying not to scare me off. I manage a nod.

"I don't remember much from before I turned, but I always pushed to remember you and your father. I was walking home from the store alone I think, then I felt a horrible pain in my arm, like it was on fire. That's one thing I'll never forget. The fire. I don't know how long it lasted, but I woke up in the forest alone. I still to this day don't know who created me or why." Her eyebrows wrinkle together like she's trying to pull at a memory she can't quite reach. "Anyways, I knew from the legends what I'd become. I wanted nothing more than to come and find you and your father, but being so close to you, to anyone was dangerous. I hid for a while and when I finally felt ready to come back and find you, you'd gone. I did follow your trail to Vancouver. I actually tried to come see you at school once. But apparently I wasn't quite as ready as I thought. There were too many people around. I left before anything happened but I came really close to losing cont--"

"When?" I cut in. My mom tilts her head in question. "When did you come and see me at school?"

"You would have been 15 at the time. In March. I wasn't really keeping track of the days back then, but it was a really overcast day." She tells me, her perfect memory holding every detail.

I can't breath. My head is swimming and I can't seem to get my eyes to focus. It was her. I'd always wondered what had even triggered my shifting. We'd been so far away from the tribe. I'd assumed it was just because the gene was so strong in my bloodline. But no, it was because there had been a vampire very close, and the town needed a protector. She'd triggered the ancestors' pull within me to save my people from the enemy.

"You. You're the reason I shifted. That's the day I shift-f-ted for the first time." I can barely get the words out. Suddenly I'm filled with a rage at the fact that she could've come to see me earlier but just left me and my father to think she was dead.

"Why didn't you ever come to see us. And WHAT are you doing with them?" I nod my head back towards the group of creepy cloaked vampires. My breathing is coming in hot short bursts now.

"Darling it just wasn't safe. I wanted to give you guys a chance to move on. I had to make a life for myself somehow. I have a high place in the Volturi guard. I'm safe there." She says as explanation. "I have the ability to... get my way I guess. I'm really valuable to them."

"I can't believe it. All this time we thought you were dead. We mourned for you! And you were off living this pompous life with the bad guys?!" I'm shaking so violently now I can barely see her. I feel my spine twisting and rebuilding itself as I come down on four paws. It seems Sam had some of the boys stay in wolf form to keep tabs on me once they realized I wasn't with them, and they immediately flood my mind.

"Lucy! What's happened?" Jared's voice fills my head. I recap the last few minutes in my mind and I see that Paul is running, probably towards me.

I'm pacing back and forth in front of my mother. My anger is still pulsing through my veins.

"Darling, I know this must be hard to process. You have to know I always wanted to come back. But once I'd joined the Volturi, Aro forbid it."

I let out a huff at this. Did she not just say she had the ability to get what she wants?

"I couldn't defy my master. He's given me so much in this life." She says with a smile.

This isn't my mother. My mother was this care-free, bubbly woman who drew everyone in with her warm energy. I suppose she could still draw just about anybody in, but it seemed kind of voodoo-y to me now and it made my skin crawl. She doesn't look like she belongs to herself anymore, she looks brainwashed. My huffing has turned into low snarls because she's started moving towards me.

"Darling, relax. It's still me." She says reaching out her hand to rest on my muzzle, but I snap my jaw at her in warning, my hackles rising. This doesn't feel right and I want nothing more than to flee from this stranger before me.

My mother's voice becomes soft and I'm being sucked into her eyes.

"Darling. Relax. It's me, your mom. Come here." My body is moving without my permission. I still know that I don't want to, but I can't stop. I will my feet to stop moving forward, but It feels like my mind is stuck in someone else's body.

An earth-rumbling roar echoes through the trees behind me snapping my mind and body back together. Paul. I shuffle backwards and away from my mother as fast as my feet will carry me, and I'm beside Paul. He moves to stand in front of me and raises up taller than I've ever seen him. His need to protect me is making him stronger and more powerful.

"Amazing." My mother whispers to herself. I'd assumed that Paul's roar had simply startled my mother out of focus. But based on her reaction that's not the case. Had the strength of our bond just been that much more powerful? No one can hold any part of me over Paul.

My mom starts to back away slowly, eyes still on me.

"Don't worry darling. I'm sure I'll see you again." And with one last smile, she takes off and leaves no trace but the branches swaying from her swift departure.

[princess-of-the-corner]

how does the show end(how i met your mother)

Okay so.

I will admit, I didn't watch the full show. It's fun as background noise for me, but not a 'let's get invested' so it's a show I watched when I wanted to be in the livingroom while my mom was watching.

That said.

Basic premise of the show: Main Character Ted is telling his kids the story about how he met their mother, the show being in the 'present' but narrated by Teed from 25 years in the future. This story mostly includes the misadventures he has in his late 20s with friends Marshall, Lily, Barney and Robin.

Everyone goes through their relationship and friendship drama. Marshall and Lily are the group's stable couple, and by the final season they're married and I think they have a kid or two? Ted goes through many a woman over the nine seasons, some nearly end in marriage, before finally meeting the woman who is the 'mother' in the title. Robin and Barney go through a lot of character development on their lack of commitment issues before finally getting married.

Then the finale just.

Has Future!Ted finish the story. And his kids are like "Look dad. We know you've been lonely since mom died. But it's been years! And it's obvious that you're still in love with Robin. Go be with her!"

Yeah.

Turns out Robin and Barney, despite their development, got divorced in three years. And Ted's wife, the 'mother' the story was building up, died after four years of marriage. And despite one of the plot points of the show having been Ted and Robin trying and failing to be together, they're totally meant to be.

[filmfanaticsblog]

Ted and Robin (Season 1)

Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders as Ted Mosby and Robin Sherbatsky in How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)

Ted and Robin's relationship begins when they meet in at MacLaren's Pub in Pilot (S1E1). Ted looks at Robin and she looks at him and the chemistry is there from the start. Ted turns to Barney and says, "See that girl, I'm going to marry her someday". Barney uses “Have you met Ted” to introduce him to Robin, the two hit it off, go on one date, and Ted confesses his love. Robin admits in Purple Giraffe (S1E2) that she is interested in him, but does not want marriage or children. They try to remain friends and succeed with Ted showing no further interest until The Pineapple Incident (S1E10), where Ted develops feelings for her again. She also starts to develop feelings for him but not ready to act on in big time.

On New Years Eve Ted's date points out that she can tell he is in love with Robin and that she clearly likes him back. At midnight Robin kisses Ted (The Limo​​​, S1E11). Ted's two friends are getting married, and Ted asks Robin to be his date. She excitingly says yes, and she gets a very nice dress. Ted goes through a lot of trouble to get her into the wedding because he accidentally forgot to check plus one. He gets her in but when her goes to pick her up Robin, receives a phone call asking her to anchor the news. Ted tells her to do it and it works out (The Wedding​​​, S1E12). Ted wanted to be with her until he met Victoria at the wedding.

Robin shows up at the reception and sees Ted lean into kiss Victoria which causes Robin to cry. Robin admitted to Lily she had feelings for Ted (Drumroll, Please , S1E13). The relationship almost went down in flames after Ted cheated on Victoria with Robin while lying to Robin, saying he and Victoria were broken up. (Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M., S1E18). Later that night Ted and Victoria break up. Robin stops talking to Ted for weeks because he lied to her in an attempt to be with her, even Barney condemns Ted for this move.

However, after months of difficulties, Ted and Robin reunite their friendship, and after she helps him get out of the middle of nowhere to get him to his date with "the one" love solutions found. Ted decides to stand up his date and create a plan to be with Robin (Milk, S1E21). Finally romantically tries to make it rain so she can't go on a date with Sandy Rivers, It does rain, Ted shows up outside her apartment in the pouring rain, she invites him up and they make out. They finally get together and hook up with huge smiles on their faces. He leaves her apartment the next morning with a huge smile on his face, cause he ended up with he girl of his dreams but sees Marshall with his engagement ring to Lily back in his hand. (Come On​​​, S1E22).

SOURCE: How I Met Your Mother Wiki

[hello-nichya-here]

Which is the worst writting duo: Bryan and Mike, Craig and Carter, or David and Dan?

I cannot believe I'm saying this, but put some respect on Bryke's name!

Bryan and Mike already get bonus points because, even though Avatar had it's problems, at least there is more than enough good in the show and it's conclusion that the audience doesn't want to burn their TVs after the finale. And even the weakest season was still enjoyable, instead of dragging on and on only to slap us in the face like seasons 7-9 of HIMYM, or making even the past three awful seasons look briliant like season 8 of GOT.

And even the terrible shit like rampant ableism that would eventually make the comics unsalvageable? They never hide that shit. They're ableist dicks, but they're honest ableist dicks.

Why does that matter? Simple: because How I Met Your Mother only lasted as long as it did because Carter and Craig spent years straight up lying to the fans.

The very first episode shows us that Robin, the girl the main character, Ted, is obsessed with it is NOT the love of his life, but she did eventually become a close friend that his kids now think of as their aunt. We see how Barney goes from womanizer to a hopeless romantic that just wants to make Robin happy, and they spend SIX SEASONS developing their romance, with their wedding leading up to Ted meeting Tracy, aka the "Mother," and the writers are giving interviews talking about Robin and Barney are soulmates, and how Ted's love for Tracy will completely change his life and make him FINALLY experience true love...

And then the finale happens, Barney and Robin divorce because there's no wi-fi at their hotel, Robin starts living the nightmare that is the revenge dream of every incel (aka she regrets being with the "jerk" that the "nice guy" warned her about and is now completely isolated from everyone, desperately pinning for Ted), Tracy is dead and neither her husband nor their kids give a shit, and we have the reavel that the epic love story/tribuite to his deceased wife that Ted has been telling his kids is actually just going "Can I go bone Robin? You know, the actual love of my life? Your mom was just another girl I banged, and she only mattered because Robin can't have kids."

The level of bullshit these two bastards put the fans through was unbelievable, and I can't believe they're still being allowed to work in television. They destroyed nine years of work (though some of said work was mediocre or straight up bad at times) with one absurdly terrible episode that they still think was brilliant.

And now we have the infamous Dumb & Dumber. These two are, without doubt the worst duo on this list, and I instantly knew that, because I was actually OFFENDED that you called them "writers."

There's a reason Game Of Thrones went to shit the second they ran out of books to adapt. The REAL writer was gone, and left us with the two morons that straight up said they scammed HBO when they convinced them that they totally knew what they were doing. The guys who said "themes are for book reports."

Bryke made mistakes, but they never made the heroes suffer a major loss because they "kind of forgot" they still had enemies. C&C might be idiots, but they would have never made Barney be seduced by a girl who said "You want the good girl, but you need the bad pussy."

There's a reason these two got fired from Star Wars before even writting anything: the way they botched the second half of the show, the final season, and especially the finale was SO OBVIOUSLY BAD that two people who thought that was not only good, but actually talked about how they expected it to get 100% positive reviews from critics and audiences like Breaking Bad's finale did, were two men that shouldn't be anywhere NEAR a writting process.