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#reggie was recruited against his will but he loves it
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definitive roles of james potter's friends in the potter family
effie and monty: parents
james, marlene, sirius, regulus: kids
lily, remus, peter: cousins
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ourloveisforthelovely · 11 months
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Make It Through Another Day (one-shot)
Regulus Black AU 
Summary: You find out that Regulus has said yes to Voldemort.
Pairings: Slytherin Reader x Regulus Black
Rating: Teen
______
“Stay away from Regulus, Y/n.”
You looked up from the book that was resting on your lap. James stood in front of you with a very depressed Sirius behind him. Raising an eyebrow, you wondered what fresh hell your brother had come up with today. He had a problem with you dating Regulus from day one of the relationships. Over the course of the past few years, you had heard some grand tales of stupid from your older brother.
“And today’s reason?”
You asked, sounding a little bored. At first, you had been amused with the jackassery that James created. Now, it was getting annoying. Now, you were ready to tell your brother to get fucked.
James didn’t realize that Regulus was perfect for you and you were perfect for him. In addition to also being a Slytherin, Regulus and yourself just clicked. Everything was perfect. Your “big-headed” older brother would not mess things up for you either.
“Because he’s a death eater now. He took the mark. You don’t need to be around any of that. Just because you’re a Slytherin doesn’t mean that you are going to join the snake cult. So, say goodbye to your little boyfriend and do us all a favor. “
James wasn’t surprised when you only stared at him before closing your book. You stood up and tossed the book to the ground before moving to look around the Hogwarts campus.
“Yeah, don’t count your chickens before they hatch, James.”
You commented before heading off toward the castle. James remained behind you yelling about Regulus getting you killed.
“Bye James!”
You called over your shoulder before disappearing into the castle without another word. You had other things to worry about than your brother at the moment.
Regulus was your worry. The man that you had fallen in love with was what you cared about. It was no secret to you that Voldemort had been trying to recruit Regulus for some time. The dark lord had been almost shameless in his pursuit of Regulus. You assumed that it had to do with the prominence of the Black family.
Stepping into the Slytherin dungeons, Barty and Evan immediately stood up seeing you. Judging by the expression on their faces, you knew James was right.
“Where is he?”
You asked. Barty motioned to the room the three boys shared. You gave your friends a nod before going off in the direction of the room. Evan reached out and grabbed your arm. He looked down at you with sympathy in his eyes.
“I think he needs you more than ever.”
You gave Evan’s hand a squeeze before turning and walking into the room. Regulus sat cradling his left arm, which was still shaking from the pain. It only took one look at your lover to know that he had been crying. Whether it be the realization of what he just did or the pain from the dark mark being burnt through his flesh…Regulus was miserable.
“Reggie.”
He looked up hearing your voice. His grey eyes watched every move that you made as you sunk down beside him.
“I know you’re disappointed.”
Regulus whispered in a hoarse from crying voice. In all of the years that you had known Regulus, you had never seen him cry. None of Walburga’s abuse or Siruis leaving made Regulus cry. This, however, this was huge and you understood his tears.
“I’m not disappointed, Regulus. I understand why you did this. Between Voldemort and your family, if you didn’t say yes…I would be afraid to know what would happen. You can only so no to the death eaters so many times.”
Regulus was quiet a moment.
“I understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore.”
You reached out and took Regulus’ chin in your hands. Turning his face to yours, you looked at him feeling tears welling in your own eyes.
“I will not let you do this alone.”
Regulus reached out and pulled you into his arms. The two of you sunk down against the wall. Regulus pressed his face into your chest breathing in your scent. He felt comforted For the first time in days, Regulus felt somewhat better. Knowing that you weren’t about to abandon him gave him some hope. Regulus had something to live for.
Your voice pulled Regulus from his thoughts.
“I will not let you die alone.”
The tone in your voice let Regulus know that you weren’t joking.
“If we can just get through this…make it through another day…we’ll run as soon as we can.”
Regulus whispered. You tightened your hold on Regulus.
We’ll make it through another day…we have to.
You thought hugging him tightly.
“We’ll make it through another day.”
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invisibleraven · 8 days
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"It was never about winning." for Sweet Tarts [insert eyes emoji here]
Normally Carrie would never put any merit to a high school talent show. She performed at almost every spirit assembly and did gigs on the regular-everyone knew how talented she was. And it wasn't like the prize was anything spectacular to entice her.
But then Julie and her hologram band entered.
Not one to be outdone by some fancy projections, Carrie signed her name to the form, recruiting the Candis for a brutal practice session that was sure to wipe the floor with whatever Julie could come up with.
Look, she knew Julie was good, there was denying that. And she knew winning wasn't everything. But there was something about being pitted against Julie that always drove up her competitive side.
All her life she had been compared to Julie, even when they were small kids. And though Carrie lived in a mansion with a millionaire rock star dad, it always seemed like Julie won.
She had the loving, present parents, the praise of teachers, the attention of Andi Parker, a spot she gain back after hijacking a spirit rally.
Callie meanwhile worked and trained and strived to reach half those heights. So who could blame her for wanting-nay deserving some of that praise and admiration? Couldn't she just win for once?
The day of the talent show, she was pacing backstage, waiting for her turn. Watching as each other paltry act went on, judging them and hoping she would blow everyone away.
As a result, she wasn't watching as she paced, meaning she slammed into someone who was walking around backstage.
"Watch where you're going you-" Carrie cut herself off as she starred into a pair of bright green eyes and blushing, freckled cheeks. "Oh, you're a part of Julie's band."
"Guilty as charged," he said with a chuckle. "I'm Reggie. You're Carrie right?"
"Yeah," she said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "Wait, I thought you guys were holograms?"
He ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, we normally are, but we came to visit Julie and decided to give y'all the live experience."
"So no hologram schtick?" Carrie snarked.
He grinned and shrugged. "Figure it's about time to let the music speak for itself."
"You're so right!" Carrie exclaimed. "Not that I can say much about gimmicks given the whole-" She waved at her Pink Candi gear.
"Well then, may the best band win," Reggie said, offering her a hand to shake, which she took. His handshake was firm, dry, and strong-she appreciated that.
"Oh I will," she said, grinning at him, liking his surprised, full laugh as he stalked off.
She gave it her all, smiling, dancing, singing her bedazzled little heart out. She knew they deserved to win, to finally beat Julie at something.
Sure, Julie and her band were great, even without the band blinking in and out during the set. And she honestly did wish them well. Julie was talented, and Carrie didn't want her to fail. Just not to skyrocket ahead of Carrie.
Yet Julie still won.
Carrie stood off to the sidelines, keeping a stiff upper lip, attempting valiantly not to cry. It was so stupid-it was only a measly little talent show, worth nothing in the end. Yet she couldn't even win that.
She slumped down backstage, head in her knees as the reality washed over her.
"Hey," Reggie said, sitting next to her. "Next time right?"
Carrie shook her head. "It was never about winning."
"Then what was it about?"
Carrie let a single tear fall. "Being enough."
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sofoulandfairaday · 10 months
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE your hc posts, do you have any for Our Lord (Voldemort) and Saviour?
I don't know who you are, so I cannot give you credit, but Our Lord Voldemort and Saviour is not only now mineTM but also the title of a future fic. I will make it the title of a future fic. It's possibly the best thing I've ever heard.
A bit of a kleptomaniac (I think this is canon, actually). He wills himself to stop, but the urge to take take take still remains strong in him. He steals at Wools, he steals at Hogwarts from the purses of boys too rich to notice, he steals ancient artefacts around the world in his travels, he steals other people's wives (yes, yours, Rod).
He wasn't well-liked initially at Hogwarts (poor mudbloods usually aren't) and graduated as the most popular boy in Slytherin. He managed to master the perfect, intoxicating, charismatic personality that allowed him to rule his first followers by both fear and love; he would shed the latter when he switched to Death Eaters.
Inferiority Complex the size of the sun (this is also canon); the same can be said for his Superiority Complex.
He doesn't really believe in pureblood superiority. Of course, he despises Muggles and Mudbloods, but he doesn't do it for blood, he does what he does for power. Anyone who says differently fundamentally misunderstands his character. There is no one in his life he doesn't see as a tool or a pawn. He is fond of people but it will never be unconditional. This is also a dealbreaker in reading about him: when he does something that goes against his best interests for someone else it immediately screams OOC.
Following this point, my headcanon is that he murdered most of his former classmates. They all die suspiciously young, and the closer they were to him, the earlier they were offed. This is what happened to Rodolphus and Rabastan's father (they were none the wiser), Evan Rosier's uncle (he wasn't either), Orion Black (who already had one foot in the grave after Reggie's death) and many many more.
The wizard closest to him in his later years (the beginning of the First Wizarding War) and right-hand man was Antonin Dolohov, the only one who was there for part of his travels and who he met in Eastern Europe. He was already Lord Voldemort then.
This title was later snatched by Bellatrix Black Lestrange, the only true Dark Arts protégée he ever had.
However, he did enjoy teaching. He had various pupils, during the years, to whom he taught something of his own. Especially during the last years of the First War, he grew close to his younger recruits. Whereas his old classmates could never fully unsee the Tom Riddle behind Lord Voldemort, his younger Death Eaters (Severus Snape, Barty Crouch) were desperate for his approval, fierce, and brilliant. (The same qualities he had found in Bellatrix some years prior.) This is why they became his favourites. People who, like him, were hungry and misunderstood and had a rawness that his pampered, aristocratic “friends” had never possessed.
Where did he go during his travels? Where didn't he go during his travels. Anything written by @ meanwhiletimely's Vagaries and Vagrants is canon to me, but also: Italy, Egypt, Russia, Greece, Persia, Germany, and many more. He wreaked havoc everywhere (I have a cute little story in the works). He fled before they could get to him, but he is effectively banned from a dozen countries.
I, for one, am not a believer in the Lestranges' divorce in a hypothetical Voldemort!wins AU. He wouldn't marry Bellatrix ever, he also wouldn't want her to divorce Rodolphus, because having Madame Lestrange is far more appealing to him than having Miss Black. With the former, he is taking away what is someone else's. It's just better that way.
Is he straight, gay, bi? Ace? I used to see him as ace, actually. But then someone pointed out to me this enlightening quote: “Everything in the world is about sex, except sex. Sex is about power.” And I thought bingo. So I would say bi, leaning towards women, because he was raised in a Muggle possibly Christian orphanage in the 1930s. Homosexuality only became legal in the UK in 1967. But he would do anything and I mean anything to get what he wants, so... He's def done it before.
Also: Religious Trauma. Was definitely dragged kicking and screaming to a priest for an exorcism, maybe more than once.
Alphard Black liked him, then was turned off by the fact that he was very clearly EvilTM. Also, he did have sex with his cousin Lucretia or, as Walburga put it, defiled her with his Halfblood touch.
Very Thin. Also, less and less attractive every year. He used to look like a Greek god pre-Horcrux, but I don't see him wanting to be that at forty. He's vain, but not in that sense. He hates his Muggle father's Muggle face. Also covered in scars (some from the physical punishments at the orphanage, some from his experiments with dark magic). Actually carless with his body, which is only a mere vessel for the soul anyway.
This is getting a little long, and I do have an exam tomorrow so I'll leave it at that, but I will probably do a part 2. Now that I'm re-reading it is all sounds pretty vague.
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jmrothwell · 6 months
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10th Kingdom AU Sweet Tarts I need to hear all about this, I loved that show!!!!
I loved that show too!!! It will come as no surprise that Wolf remains a favorite character of mine to this day.
That particular document is a mix of notes that read like answers for a headcanon ask game and me rewriting/expanding on the ending to To Follow Where You Are, though from Carrie's POV.
The Casting I had was primarily of the main four: Alex as Prince/The Golden Retriever dog. Trevor and Carrie as essentially themselves. Reggie as Wolf.
Reggie would not be recruited by the evil queen though he would still stumble upon Carrie and the trolls and help Carrie rescue herself. This isn't the first time a crazed fan's tried kidnapping her before. And at first Reggie and Carrie go through a series of "I know you are speaking the same language as me but what you are saying is utter nonsense" moments with each other before they figure out what happened.
It takes a bit longer for Reggie and Carrie to meet up with Trevor and Alex. And while I know I had thought up more, I neglected to write it down. :/
Here is a snippet of the Carrie POV rewrite:
However, she may have been worried for nothing. His hand dug into her hair to hold her in place and keep the kiss going when she tried to pull away. A hold that only grew firmer when he took a sharp inhale through the nose.  She swung a leg over his lap so she could straddle his thighs and get closer, one of her hands held his bicep to keep her steady while the other followed his lead and played with the hair on the back of his head.  His groan deepened into a growl as she pulled his bottom lip between her teeth. “Mine,” she whispered against his mouth.
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sharkneto · 2 years
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Question for you, Master Sharkneto- When the Handler recruited Five for the Commission... she was RECRUITING him. How did it exist if he was the creator, especially in that timeline? He would have to make it through the 3 seasons IN THAT SPECIFIC TIMELINE BEFORE going back and recruiting his younger self. And if he was FOLLOWING that specific timeline, he'd have to kill the Handler. So she wouldn't exist to recruit him in the first place, if they went back in time. I think the TUA writers seriously made some flaws. I don't see how this would be possible. Maybe my brain is just scrambled? Do you have a better answer?
If we do abide by the idea that Five does found the Commission, this does technically work because Timey Wimey. As long as it's a past-version of the Handler that gets him, it doesn't break him being recruited to murder a present/future version of the Handler. Thinking about time travel is all about loops, as as long as people's individual loops are allowed to cross when they originally crossed, it doesn't break your past to murder them later.
They don't seem concerned about jumping between timelines, so Five hopping around before (ugh) founding the Commission is fine. The Handler picking up "little him" from the apocalypse also doesn't break anything, because we know she's devious and understands time travel and knows she needs to get him so he can get on his journey to go found the Commission and keep things cycling. The important thing to remember in all of this and for why none of this technically breaks anything is that the Commission exists outside of time. The only thing that really breaks any of it is Five dying before he can found the Commission or him deciding to not found it.
For other reasons, I do think there are flaws with this whole plot point. Mostly it being Against Five's Entire Character to found the Commission. I can time-explain myself through the self-contained "prophesy" of what Five learns there with the tattoo and missing arm is, although I don't love it. The tattoo is a self-contained loop that Five needs to know the sigil so he can recognize it in Hotel Oblivion (HOb) - Five sees it on his future self as a tattoo, goes and gets the tattoo to complete that loop because he is a good time-man. The missing arm I thought was... weak foreshadowing for him losing the arm in the HOb (weak because losing an arm seems to have had 0 impact on the story because they just restored in like five minutes later with the universe reset). But join me on a tangent -
I think the original timeline to stop the kugelblitz had Five agreeing in the initial vote to go into the HOb (Five only disagrees in Our Timeline because his future self told him to not save the world). They all go into the HOb, it goes more or less the same except I think Five doesn't end up on a star because they have more bodies to choose from to be batteries. Or Reggie is allowed to complete his reality reset with out interference from Allison. Either way, I think in this reset, Five doesn't get the personal reset and stays down one arm and with all his tats - something something something happens, he goes on and founds the Commission and ends up in his sad paradox-proof box to wait for past him to come find him and start the cycle all over, although him telling himself to not do this breaks the loop so maybe he regrets founding the Commission in the first place and is trying to stop himself from ending up in this spot...
Idk I've thought myself into a circle, now. Time travel is all bullshit. TLDR/Too convoluted - Five founding the Commission doesn't actually break his personal timeline in regards to getting out of the apocalypse and the Handler as long as we accept that the Commission exists outside of time for him to do this bullshit. Fuck, it hurts my brain. Why did I put this much effort into explaining a plot point I hate and am going to ignore?
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snappedsky · 1 year
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Fanatics 97
Olivia is building an army. The Battalion must do the same.
*Links to previous and next chapters in reblog*
--
The Vengeance-Driven, Battalion-Hatin’ Super Team
           “There has been a breakout from Dark Side Penitentiary. Celio Mussolini, who was once the richest man in the city and CEO of Mussolini Banks, was imprisoned two years ago on multiple charges of fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering. Only two hours ago, he broke out of his cell, seemingly by blowing up the wall from the inside. Police are baffled as to how and with what. If anyone spots Mussolini, civilians are encouraged to call this hotline-.”
           Zim turns off his TV, interrupting the news broadcast. Dib, Gaz, Tak, Pepito, and Squee stand nearby, feeling agitated. Skoodge, Gir, Minimoose, and Mimi watch them from the adjacent kitchen.
           “I don’t think we have to investigate the prison to know Mussolini broke himself out with demonic powers,” Pepito says.
           “Seems like a fair guess,” Dib agrees.
           “This just further proves my theory,” Squee declares, “Olivia is assembling our old enemies, attempting to form some kind of…super team.”
           “A vengeance-driven…” Tak remarks.
           “Battalion-hating…” Zim adds.
           “Super team,” Gaz breathes.
           “Well, then!” Zim booms, clapping his hands together. “If we’re gonna fight back, we need to know exactly who she’s recruited. There was Carcas, but he was taken care of.”
           “That’s a nice way of saying we dropped a building on him,” Pepito grins and high fives Squee.
           “She also took the Spirit Notebook and freed Reggie the Ripper, Ava the Man-hater, and Drey the Woman-killer,” Dib adds, “she must’ve imbued them with her demonic powers, making them even more powerful.”
           “And now she has Mussolini,” Squee concludes.
           “Right. So, who else could she recruit?” Zim asks.
           “Well, let’s see,” Dib muses, “who have we battled in the past?”
           “There’s been so many,” Gaz comments.
           “The Nightmare,” Squee lists.
           “The Von vampires,” Pepito adds.
           “Bianca the witch,” Tak adds.
           “The SDA,” Dib adds.
           “And the Irken Armada,” Zim concludes.
           “We can cross off the Nightmare, since it’s been destroyed,” Squee says, “and the zombies better not fight against us again, after everything we did for them.”
           “I don’t think the Director would join Olivia, her being an Antichrist and all,” Dib adds, “goes against his ‘superior moral code’.”
           “The Irken Armada wouldn’t join her either…probably,” Zim says with uncertainty, “maybe. Know what, I’ll look into it. And while I’m doing that, Squee, Pepito, I want you to check on the Vons and Bianca. Make sure Olivia hasn’t approached them and if she has, convince them not to join her. You can take the Epic.”
           “Sweet,” Pepito nods and he and Squee head out. They get into the Epic and Pepito drives it down the street.
           “We’ll check on Bianca first,” he decides, “her house is closer, I think.”
           Squee nods agreeably.
           They drive through suburbs until they reach her house and park on the street. They knock on the door and an older woman- they guess her mother- answers.
           “Hello,” Pepito smiles politely, “is Bianca here?”
           “One second,” the woman smiles back and shouts into the house. “Bianca! Two boys are here to see you.”
           “Boys?” they hear Bianca question before she comes to the door. “Oh, it’s you two. What do you want?”
           “Sorry to bug you, we just wanted to ask you a quick question,” Pepito replies, “have you been approached by a girl named Olivia?”
           Bianca is clearly surprised by the question. She glances back into the house at her mother, who has walked away, before closing it behind her.
           “Not here. Come to the back,” she orders and starts to go around the house. Pepito and Squee glance at each other suspiciously before following.
           Behind the house is a lovely garden of flowers and a big tree. They sit on the grass in its shade and Bianca removes her wand from under her best.
           “You know, I get my powers from my dad,” she says, “my mom doesn’t approve. She thinks witchcraft is the ‘work of the devil’.”
           “Could not be more wrong,” Pepito argues, “your witch magic is very different from my demon magic.”
           Bianca sighs. “Olivia came to me yesterday. She asked if I wanted more power in exchange for helping destroy the Battalion.”
           Pepito and Squee tense up.
           “I was like, ‘who?’ And she said, ‘the Battalion. You fought them before.’ And I was like, ‘oh, you mean those weird kids who like fighting monsters.’”
           “Hey, you’re no weirder than us,” Squee retorts.
            “I turned her down,” Bianca says, “told her I was perfectly happy with the power I have and that I have no interest in destroying you guys.”
           “She wasn’t happy about that.” She pulls up the hem of her skirt, revealing a black burn mark on her thigh. “She blasted me. Told me that was just a taste of what would happen if I crossed her. Then she disappeared.”
           “Well…thanks for turning her down,” Pepito says.
           Bianca shrugs.
           Pepito and Squee sit there awkwardly, then Squee leans forward. “Do you wanna get her back?”
           “What?” Pepito and Bianca gasp with surprise.
           “She’s raising an army against us and we could use all the help we can get,” he explains.
           Bianca rubs her burn, looking away. “You remember when I tried to get you and Dib to tutor me a couple years back?”
           “Yes,” Squee replies drily.
           “I used my powers to intimidate you into agreeing and we almost got into that big fight.”
           “Yes, yes, I remember.”
           “My mom was super mad at me for it,” Bianca explains, “between her disappointment and you…getting me a tutor despite all the bad things I tried to do to you…it made me really rethink myself and how I use my powers. I promised I wouldn’t use them for useless fights.”            “That sure didn’t stop you during that scholarship race,” Squee points out.
         Bianca chuckles. “I said ‘useless’ fights. I need all the help I can get to get into a good school.”
           “And this won’t be a useless fight either,” Pepito insists, “Olivia wants to destroy the world and if she beats us, there’ll be nothing standing in her way.”
           Bianca stares at the ground pensively. Then she takes a deep breath and looks at them. “Okay.”
           “Really?” Squee questions.
           “Yeah. I might as well try using my powers for good at least once.”
           Pepito and Squee smile and she smiles back.
           “Mom, I’m going out!” Bianca calls into the house.
           “With those boys? Who are they?” she calls back.
           “Just…old classmates. I’ll be back later.”
           Before her mom can say anymore, Bianca closes the door and follows Pepito and Squee into the car.
           “Nice car,” she comments as she gets into the backseat.
           “Thanks,” Pepito replies.
           “We should go to the Von mansion next,” Squee declares, “we can talk to Jeff, and Serena might still be there.”
           “Will you be alright talking to her?” Pepito asks.
           He sighs. “I don’t know. It’s only been a couple days since the Night Terrors…you know…died or whatever. I don’t know how she’ll feel.”
           “Wow,” Bianca remarks, “I don’t know what the hell you two are talking about.”  
           They quickly arrive to the Von manor to find that Serena and Aron’s van is indeed still parked outside. Pepito parks the Epic just behind it.
           “Okay, how about I talk to Serena and you see if Jeff’s home,” Pepito suggests.
           “Both situations make me equally anxious,” Squee replies, “but alright.”
           He nods and looks back at Bianca. “And what do you wanna do?”
           “Eh, I’ll just stay here,” she shrugs and grabs her phone.
           Pepito and Squee leave her in the car and while Squee goes through the front gates and up to the manor, Pepito knocks on the van’s side door.
           Serena answers right away and leans against the doorway, glaring at him curiously. “What do you want?”
           As Pepito explains the situation to her, Squee knocks on the manor door. A smartly dressed man- Squee figures a butler- answers. “Yes?”
           “Um…is Jeff home?” Squee asks.
           The butler invites Squee to wait in the foyer as he goes to find Jeff. Squee keeps his hands in his pockets, worried about touching or breaking any of the nice, shiny décor.
           The butler returns after a few minutes. “Forgive me. It seems Jeff already has a guest over.”
           “Ah, sorry,” Squee replies, “um…may I ask who?”            “A young girl with long black hair-.”
           “And horns?”            “Yes, she does have horns. How did you-?”            Before the butler can finish, Squee slips on his sunglasses and uses his rocket wheelies to zoom further into the manor. It doesn’t take him long to go through the bottom floor and find it mostly empty, except for a poor group of women sharing tea in a sitting room, who are positively baffled when a darkened blur flies through.
           Squee jumps onto the handrail of a stairwell and slides up to the second floor. He again finds it empty and heads up to the third floor.
           The first door he bursts through must be Jeff’s bedroom. He’s sitting at a computer desk, and in another chair across from him is Olivia. They both look up with surprise.
           “Well, now that is just rude,” Olivia remarks.
           Wasting no time, Squee draws his knife and charges. Olivia blocks with her javelin and they glare at each other.
           Squee grabs his other knife and swings at her, and she leaps back to dodge.
           “What-where did-?” Jeff babbles, dumbfounded.
           “Jeff!” Squee exclaims, “you can’t work with her! Whatever power she offered you, it’s not worth it!”
           “How did…I wasn’t going to work with her.”
           “R-really?”
           “Yeah,” Jeff scoffs, “my dad’s mayor of the city and I just got into university. Plus my family’s rich and I’m maintaining a steady enough allowance to not be considered leeching. Shit’s really going my way. You think I wanna destroy the world?”
           “Oh. Well…good then,” Squee replies, slightly taken aback.
           Jeff glares at him incredulously before flinching. “Look out!”
           Squee turns in time to see Olivia firing a blast at them.
           Back outside, Serena and Aron have listened to Pepito explain what’s going on, and she’s told him she hasn’t met Olivia.
          “Wonder if she wants to meet you,” he muses, “well, if she does, you have to turn her down. You don’t really wanna kill us right?”
           “Eh.” Serena shrugs noncommittally. “I guess not.”
           “Good enough for me,” Pepito nods and starts to turn away when he remembers Bianca in the car. “Um…actually, would you-?”
           Before he can finish, an explosion from the manor grabs everyone’s attention. They run around the van and see smoke billowing out from the left side of the third floor. Out of the smoke fall the ruined remains of a desk and computer, and two figures.
           “What the-!” Serena gasps.
           “Squee!” Pepito exclaims and unleashes his wings. He quickly flies over while Serena, Aron, and Bianca follow on foot.
           Pepito lands on the ground beside the manor. Lying amongst the rubble of the destroyed wall is Jeff with Squee on top of him.
           “Squee!” Pepito gasps and kneels beside him. “Are you okay?”
           Squee groans as he rolls over and sits up, rubbing his head. “Yeah, I…” He trails off as he looks up at the smoking hole in the wall and then down at Jeff beside him. “You…broke my fall…”
           “Yeah, well,” Jeff grunts as he sits up, rubbing his shoulder. “My body’s sturdier than any human’s.”
           Squee stares at him, stunned. “You wanna join our team in stopping Olivia?”            Jeff looks at him, equally surprise. “…sure, why not.”
           “Tch.” They all look at the annoyed scoff to see Olivia standing in the destroyed wall, glaring down at them. “Whatever. I got an entire army at my disposal. One vampire won’t make a difference.”            “Olivia!” Pepito barks and fires an energy wave at her. Her wings unleash and she takes off, dodging the blast and flying away. He considers chasing her, but instead he dismisses his wings and helps Squee to his feet.
           “Oh my god, what the hell happened?” Serena exclaims as she, Aron, and Bianca finally catch up, along with her mother and the butler.
           “Nothing much,” Jeff replies as he dusts himself off. “Just a scorned demon chick is all.”
           “Oh, Jeffrey,” his mom sighs, “another messy break up? The last cost so much to fix.”
           “You have a lot of exes who blast holes through walls?” Squee questions.
           Jeff shrugs, grinning. “What can I say? Power attracts power.”           As Mrs. Von and the butler examine the mess left behind, Squee, Pepito, Jeff, Serena, Bianca, and Aron walk back to the road, talking about what just happened.
           “You’re going to fight her?” Serena questions.
           “She deserves it,” Jeff replies.
           “Then I’m helping,” she declares.
           “Nobody asked you.”
           “Too bad.”
           “We can use all the help we can get,” Pepito says, “if what Olivia said is true, then we’re gonna be very outnumbered.”
           “We should get back to Zim’s house and tell the others,” Squee states, “you guys coming?”
           “Yeah,” Bianca nods while Jeff and Serena shrug.
           “Wait,” Aron says before everyone can get into the Epic. “What about me?”            Serena motions for the others to wait as she approaches him. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a key. “This is a key to the manor’s cellar. It’s comfortable and there’s plenty of emergency food and water. Lock yourself in and stay there.”
           “But…” His hand twitches hesitantly, like he wants to hold her. “I don’t wanna lose you…”
           She smiles warmly and grabs his shoulders. “You won’t. I’ll come get you when it’s all over.”
           Aron tentatively agrees and takes the key. Serena nods approvingly and gets into the Epic with the others. He stares after them as they drive away.
           “Didn’t know you were into nerds, Serena,” Jeff remarks.
           “Shut it, troll,” she retorts.
           As they drive through the streets, Squee wistfully watches the city pass by, and he sighs.
           “Whatchu thinking about?” Pepito asks.
           “Uh…” he replies hesitantly, “something I’ve been thinking about for a while. There’s…something I need to tell you guys when we’re back.”            Pepito looks at Squee curiously. “Alright.”
           They arrive back at Zim’s house and everyone leaves the car and goes inside. The first floor is empty so they head down into Zim’s lab. Everyone is gathered around the main computer, which is displaying Kio and Rory.
           “You’re back,” Dib observes.
           “What are they doing here?” Gaz asks, motioning to Bianca, Jeff, and Serena.
           “They’re gonna help us,” Squee replies.
           “Them?” Tak questions sceptically.
           “We’ll explain more later,” Pepito insists, “what’s going on?”
           “Big trouble,” Zim replies and motions to his video call. “You remember Rory.”
           “Of course,” Squee nods.
           “Sup, prince.” Pepito does finger-guns.
           “Nice to see you all again,” Rory smiles, “wish these were better circumstances.”
           “Quite,” Kio agrees.
           “I called Rory to find out if the Tallest had been in contact with Olivia,” Zim explains, “and…they were.”
           “Not long ago, the Tallest had received a call from someone on Earth,” Rory adds, “I don’t know the specifics, but after hearing from Zim, I do believe they were asked to join some kind of army to destroy you guys.”
           “And they agreed?” Squee asks fearfully.
           “No,” Rory replies.
           Squee and Pepito sigh with relief.
           “They decided their army is sufficient enough and are coming to destroy you themselves.”            They flinch with shock.
           “Bu-but, Irk is a six months trip away,” Pepito points out, “so we can just worry about it later, right?”
           “Unfortunately, no, again,” Rory replies, “the Armada has been within your galaxy since recovering from their last bout with you.”
           “What? Then why are they waiting until now to do anything?” Squee asks.
           “The Tallest are notoriously lazy. Likely they were waiting for a chance to present itself, like this one.”            “So how long do we have?” Pepito asks.
           “Approximately…8 of your Earth hours.”            “You’re kidding…” Squee whimpers.
           “First Olivia’s hell army…and now the Irken Armada,” Pepito groans, “this has escalated so fast. Rory, you can’t do anything to slow them down?”
           “I’m afraid I’m still on Irk and powerless to your situation,” Rory replies, “sorry.”
           “The Resisty is on its way,” Kio announces, “we should arrive before the Armada and will do all we can to help.”
           “It won’t be enough,” Dib growls, “we got two armies against us and the Resisty is cannon fodder at best…sorry, Kio.”
           “No, you’re…not wrong,” she admits.
           “We need capable soldiers with battle experience,” he declares.
           “You have someone in mind?” Tak asks.
           “I do…but none of you are going to like it.”
           Dib approaches the computer and says, “call the Director.”
           “What!” everyone exclaims.
           “We cannot ask that blowhard for help!” Gaz snaps.
           “He’ll never let us live it down,” Squee adds.
           “Zim refuses his help!” Zim barks.
           “We have no other choice,” Dib retorts, “the SDA has the numbers we don’t. We need their help.”            Everyone grumbles angrily, unable to argue, and the Computer makes the call.
           The Director of the Supernatural Destruction Agency answers. The robotic side of his face is operational again, having replaced the cybernetic eye that the Night Terrors destroyed when they fought. Whether he’s gotten a new robot arm or if it’s just a simple prosthetic is hard to tell with the suit he’s wearing.
           “Well, this is a surprise,” he says.
           “Hello, Director,” Dib says, “or should I say, Murdoc Sigmund.”
           He seems mildly shocked. “You’ve been looking into me.”
           “Well, seeing as how you learned almost everything about us, I thought I should do the same to you.”
           “Fair enough,” the Director- Murdoc- shrugs, “and to what do I owe this unexpected…nuisance?”
            “We need your help.”
           He is immediately piqued, smiling as he leans forward. “I see. Continue.”
           “The Earth is in danger by two powerful armies and we are outnumbered and outmatched,” Dib explains, “we need the SDA to fight with us.”            “Ah,” Murdoc sighs as he leans back. “Let’s take a minute to relish the irony in this. The group that your little team ruined months ago is now necessary for the protection of the world. Wow, if only I had tried to tell you this before you destroyed my facility.”
           “Your facility deserved to be destroyed,” Pepito scoffs.
           “I do not condone your methods,” Dib says, “but I will admit you have access to weapons and soldiers that we do not. If you truly want to protect the world, you will join us.”
           Murdoc stares at him for a second before breathing deeply. “Very well. I will assemble my troops and we can be at your city within-.”
           “6 hours,” Dib states.
           “Short notice. Fine. See you then.”            He cuts the call and everyone sighs.
           “Kio, when will the Resisty arrive?” Zim asks.
           “ETA, 5 hours,” Kio replies.
           “Call me when you’re close,” he says, “and, Rory, thanks for your assistance.”
           “Stay strong, Battalion,” Rory says before Zim closes their calls. Everyone stares at the now darkened screen as the weight of the situation really sinks in.
           Zim turns to face them. “It’s official, team. We…are at war.”
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Back to the 118 // Evan Buckley
IN WHICH: Buck meets the firefighter he replaced as the reader transfers back to the 118. The reader never expected to fall for a co-worker the first day back at the 118 after two years spent at the 155 in Los Feliz.
Warnings: Swearing, sickness, hospitals, health issues, pregnancy, angst and a shit ton of fluff
Words: 5.9k
A/N: So this is obviously a modern au for jatp to fit in the 911 universe. To make this work, Buck replaced Reader instead of Tommy after many failed probies. Eddie then later replaced Tommy.
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Your e/c eyes scanned the outward appearance of the first firehouse you’d worked at fresh out of the Academy. The place that had become a second home from the increased tension-filled house your parents still lived in. A place you had escaped as quickly as you could for a dream career. A career your parents hadn’t been proud of in the beginning, with the danger that came with being a firefighter paramedic.
“You the new recruit?”
Your eyes fell from the building to the male individual standing near the open bay the engine and ladder truck both used. The male in question must have joined the 118 after you transferred to the 155. The stranger towered at least six feet minimum with blue eyes and short blonde hair with the slightest wave.
“No-”
“Flint!” The excited voice of the only other female paramedic called out. You only saw dark navy before you were pretty much tackled.
Hen and Chimney had equally taken you under their wings when you initially joined as a rookie. You’d been the second female firefighter-paramedic at the 118 and the youngest by far. As if you’d summoned him, you felt the arms of Chimney sandwich you against Hen.
“Flint?” The stranger parroted, blinking his eyes at the rather unusual scene of Chimney and Hen wrapped around an unknown girl.
“What are you doing here?” Chimney questioned, stepping back. Hen scoured your entire form for any differences that had occurred.
“Y/N decided to come home,” Bobby spoke from a few feet behind the reunion with the beaming smile on his features. His lips pulled into a smile directed at the first recruit he’d taken on his first year at the 118.
“Bobby!” You grinned, meeting the father figure in the middle of the distance between you two. Bobby wrapped you up in his arms tightly, a certain lightness cocooning the Captain as he took in his friends.
“You’re back here?”
“Everything is squared back at home now, thankfully, and while I loved working with the 155, it wasn’t home. This will always be home.”
“Buck, this is Y/N Patterson. She worked her first two years with the 118 before transferring to the 155 in Los Feliz. Y/N, this is one of our newest members, Evan Buckley.” Bobby gestured towards the previously nameless firefighter.
“Who would leave the 118?” Buck questioned, unable to come up with a valid reason to leave the family at 118.
Buck’s opinion didn’t stand with his only workplace after successfully becoming a firefighter solely was the 118. Never had he worked in another firehouse. He’d been a fire marshall and volunteered his time in the Austin wildfire, but he always came home to the 118.
“Family issues.”
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2018, Firehouse 118, Los Angeles
A fresh-faced, albeit dirty from sweat and soot, jumped down from the engine truck’s high steps. The synchronized slam of doors sounded from your colleagues and friends Hen and Chimney. All three individuals famished for the casserole Bobby had premade during the slow morning.
“Baked Mac n’ Cheese.” Tommy breathed from his position by the driver side. Tommy Kinard was a stoic man towering over six feet. He was always a gentle giant after you’d bonded after a hard call.
“Clean up, and I’ll have it in the oven. It’s Chimney’s time to make the salad and Flint’s turn to set the table.” Bobby spoke with barely a glance to the ground ahead of him. 
Your Captain jogged towards the stairs, whereas his team made their way to the locker rooms for a well-deserved shower. You and Hen split away from Tommy and Chimney to the women’s locker room that had gotten an upgrade.
Well, before you joined the Academy, the locker room had been used as a glorified game room, all thanks to the misogynist Captain from hell. Hen often had over the years mentioned how lucky you got with Bobby being your first Captain.
“Chimney better not put those onions like he did last time.” You spoke from under the stream of warm water. Nothing beat the warmth of a shower near the end of your shift erasing the evidence of your job.
“Man needs to learn the complimentary salad to the main dish.” Hen piped up from across the shower room.
You and Hen had both showered and redressed in a fresh uniform in under five minutes, the dirty one placed in a laundry bag. You’d managed to beat the boys to the upstairs by a few seconds. Enough to set half of the able before Chimney began to making his salad of choice.
“Looks great, Cap.” Tommy complimented the gooey homemade pasta Bobby religious made every third Thursday. He alternated between pasta recipes with the odd new recipe every once in a while.
“What are you waiting for? The bell?” Bobby quipped to the unmoving bunch of hungry individuals. His words started the boisterous meal time preceding the end of shift.
“So, we’re halfway through dinner and Amber-” Your phone interrupted the disaster date Tommy had begun telling. He continued as soon as you waved him to go ahead while you took the call.
“Hello?” You breathed into the phone.
“Hi, sweetheart.” The warmth infused in your mom’s voice soothed the ruffled feathers from the call you’d come back from, “How are you?”
“I’m good! We just finished eating. My shift is almost over, and I’ll have to go straight to the store for groceries-”
“Y/N, we found him.”
The him was easy to figure out given your brother had run away from home three months prior with only his dreams in mind. You’d spent most of your off time, sometimes even during shift out on a call, to scan the environment for Luke. You became a regular in questioning hospitals and homeless shelters.
“Where was he?”
“His band had been about to play at some big venue last night.” Mom’s word choice concerned you. Her voice dripped with sadness instead of the typical disappointment and annoyance on anything to do with Sunset Curve.
“Mom, what’s going on?”
“A few nights ago, the boys got hotdogs-”
“Streetdogs.” You interrupted with evident anger in your tone at the mention of those death dogs Luke consumed. You can’t even give a number to how many times you had told him how unsanitary and dangerous the food is.
“Something was wrong with the food. They got ill fast. Alex and Reggie are being kept for observation but will be found with a few days of rest.”
“What about Luke?”
“He tried to call 911; he was weak and fell. Y/N, he hit his head. He’s in the ICU in a coma.” Emily Patterson’s voice cracked as soon as she acknowledged the current state of her youngest child.
The colours of the world dulled as soon as your mind clicked that Luke was in the hospital. Your little brother had put himself in danger all because he had a big dream. Your mind flashed through your life growing up with him.
You remembered talking to your mom’s growing bump when she was pregnant with Luke. You remembered five-year-old Luke unable to settle unless you sang to him. Your voice was nothing special, but it soothed the little boy when he had a nightmare. You could vividly recall teaching Luke how to play the guitar when he was thirteen; the brunette a complete natural at it.
“What’s his prognosis?”
“Too early to tell. The doctor is hoping Luke will be in a general room after tomorrow if the swelling goes down. I wanted you to know as soon as possible.”
“How’s Dad?”
Emily hesitated from her position by a hospital bed. Her brown eyes carefully scanning the male sleeping soundly in the bed.
“Mom?”
“Your father had a heart attack last night. That’s why I haven’t been able to tell you sooner. He’s currently sleeping, but he’ll have a barrage of tests later today-”
“I’ll be there as soon as my shif-”
“No. Don’t drop anything. I can keep you up.”
“Excuse my language, but there’s no way in hell I’m staying away from my family. I’ll take a few days off. I’ll see you in a couple hours.” Your thumb tapped the red circle on the bottom of your screen.
The 118 didn’t bother pretending they hadn’t been watching your form during your phone call. Bobby felt like something had drastically changed in a few minutes you’d been busy on the phone.
“Everything okay?” Bobby inquired from his position at the kitchen sink. His hands in the sudsy water to scrub the empty pan.
“My brother and my father are in hospital. I’m gonna need some days off.” You informed your boss with a look of utter defeat coating your expression.
Those few days transitioned to transferring to the closest firehouse to your childhood home and the hospital. The medical bills from both your brother and father had begun to overwhelm your mother with the current single source of income. Emily didn’t ask you for anything, but you started renting the home you’d bought for extra money.
It was a silent agreement that you paid rent as a cover to helping with the bills piling up.
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Present Day, Firehouse 118
Buck followed behind the welcoming group to the girl that seemed larger than life. Buck was impressed by the sacrifice you’d made for the good of your family. You’d willingly given up the family of the 118. Buck didn’t know if he could do the same.
“Welcome back.” Hen cheered on her guidance to the heaven everyone called the kitchen. Your department issue duffle bag dropped out of the wall on the top level.
Your eyes zeroed in on the spread of your favourite foods prepared by the only person aware of your return. It was only one look of gratitude towards the father figure before everyone dug in.
A few changes had occurred since you’d last sat at this table. Tommy Kinard had left the 118 for the 217 shortly after your departure. He’d been replaced by the ready to impress Buck. One thing that hadn’t changed was the delicious food Bobby made.
Your eyes found the sole empty chair at the long table, “Didn’t you say the house took on two new recruits since I left?”
“Buck took your position when you left. We had a revolving door of firefighters before Buck permanently joined.” Chimney supplied with a mouth full of lettuce and grated carrot. Hen whacked his arm for his lack of manners.
“You’ll meet Eddie on the next shift. He took the day off. It’s his son’s first birthday since his mom died.” Bobby informed you with that pinched wrinkle between his eyebrows, “He joined after Tommy left.”
“Well, I can’t wait to meet the entire team.” You replied, looking past to the circular table behind Bobby’s spot. Sam and Ryan both waved happily upon catching sight of you back at your unspoken seat.
You listened intently as Hen shared the changes Denny had gone through in the time you’d been away. Chimney was ecstatic to point out the faint scar on his forehead.
“You had rebar go through your skull, and you’re completely fine?” You questioned, floored by the pure luck Chimney had.
“Oh, it was nasty. Went in from the back of the skull to the front.” Buck spoke enthusiastically, recounting the scene. Chimney deadpanned a look at his younger coworker, “Oh, sorry.”
“It’s like you never had it happen.”
“Doc was shocked at how positive the outcome and healing was. I was back at work within a month on light duty. I beat my record getting in my turnout gear.” 
“And yet my little brother was comatose for two months.” You grumbled under your breath. None of the people could make out the words, but the grimace on your face was enough to show them it was personal.
In true 118 fashion, the bell rang throughout the firehouse with the disembodied voice declaring the type and location. Yoru e/c eyes found Buck climbing into the driver’s seat where Tommy had once commandeered. It was odd not having the man who’d became an older brother to you.
“How’re your parents?” Hen questioned, sitting diagonally from you. Her fingers repositioning the radio on her chest.
“Dad’s recovering pretty good. Mom’s started attending her knitting club again.” 
Buck’s eyes raised to the rearview mirror to meet yours in interest, “What happened?”
“Uh...my dad had a heart attack a couple years ago. He took a long time to recover with the further stress that caused it.” You piped up, understanding the news would come out at some point, “My little brother was in an accident that left him in a coma. Life was just as messy after he woke up.”
“He’s okay?” Chimney questioned, “I know we’ve never met them, but it really gutted you.”
“Well, physically, he’s fine, but emotionally he’s upset. He was in a band, and when he came out of the coma, he found out some devastating news.” You continued to explain, but unfortunately, or maybe, fortunately, you’d come to the scene.
It was a little known place most teenagers discovered as a hang out spot just on the edge between your county and the next. The location was the infamous spot of cliff jumping; you knew because this was something you’d recklessly done in high school.
“He’s over here!” A blonde male of average height called from the edge of the cliff. His blue eyes were bright even from this distance, matching the detailing on his swim trunks.
Surrounding the edge with the boy was a group of teenagers his age, all in different versions of swimsuits. You found the scared brown eyes of a beautiful girl you vaguely knew from the few shows of Sunset Curve you had watched. Her dark blonde hair plaited out of her face. Her face clicked as Carrie Wilson, Bobby’s sister or cousin.
You jogged towards the edge of the cliff to look over. It was easily between fifteen to twenty feet from the edge of the cliff to the water. You recognized Hen crouching by your side, looking at what you were looking at.
On the rocks was a prone body of a teenage male with bruises already forming on his face from where you could see. His thick shoulder-length hair laid still half in the ponytail and around his head.
“Head trauma.” You murmured to Hen, scanning from a distance, “I can’t tell much from this height and angle.”
“Either a broken tibia or fibula. Spinal injury is definitely a concern.”
“Okay, his name is Willie Young. He’s eighteen years old. His sister Kayla was dared to jump off by doing some kind of flip. Willie took her dare and didn’t jump far enough or tripped over a rock.” Bobby listed having been talking with the group of teenagers all shook up.
“I can rappel-” Buck began to speak before you cut him off firmly.
“It would take too long, and the angle is difficult. Nobody rappels down it; the cliff isn’t stable enough. It crumbles pretty easy, and the unofficial name of this cliff is Devil’s Dive.” Your eyes found Carrie’s tear-filled once and the utter devastation in who you pegged as Kayla.
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’ve jumped off this cliff for years as a teenager. You’re looking at the resident champion of self reckless endangerment at Devil’s Dive.” 
Hen, Chimney and Bobby each stared, shocked at your revelation of stupid teenager decisions.
“Then how are we gonna get down there,” Buck questioned, staring at the unconscious teenager lying on the rocks.
“Easy, I can jump from here into the water and climb onto the rocks to where Willie is. I have the experience of how and where to jump safely.” You spoke to your Captain with complete confidence in your abilities, “You can lower down the kit, radio and backboard by a rope. There’s a mansion beyond the trees that you can ask to borrow a boat from the owner. He’s eccentric and questionable but nice enough.”
Bobby nodded his head to your plan. You unbuttoned your uniform shirt to strip down to the department t-shirt with the emblem on your chest and across your back. You kept the boots and emptied your pockets of anything. The butterflies fluttered in your stomach at the height of the cliff you hadn’t jumped from in years.
“I’ll jump where-”
“Excuse me?” You scoffed at Buck’s assumption he could follow you.
“You’ll need another pair of hands to roll him on the backboard. I don’t have anyone waiting for me at home. This is kinda what I do. Bobby cleared it already.” Buck shrugged with a half-smirk on his handsome face.
With a roll of your eyes, you quickly gave Buck a rundown on how to jump correctly before you tossed yourself off the cliff. The cold water momentarily shocked your system as soon you submerged under the water. You swam to the surface before swimming towards the rocks. Willie hadn’t moved an inch.
“Whoa! That was so cool!” Buck cheered once he’d appeared on the surface of the water, “No wonder you used to do that!” 
His excitement both annoyed and amused you, “Eh. I was just an idiot kid who thought they were invincible.”
The two firefighters lifted themselves onto the rock formation, where blood stained the rock. While Buck retrieved the backboard and essentials from the rope, your hands moved across Willie’s body, checking for breaks. You caught the c-collar Buck tossed without looking. You quickly but gently put the collar on Willie.
“Hi, Willie. My name is Y/N, and I’m a paramedic. I’m gonna check you over for injuries.” You informed the teenager closely. You’d only just opened his eyes to flash a light on them, “Buck let Bobby know Willie’s pupils are reactive to light and the same size.”
“Got it!” Buck called out from the open medkit, “I’ll splint his leg.”
“W-what happened?” Willie wheezed sluggishly. His brown eyes were unfocused.
“You got hurt trying to jump off the cliff. You’re in good hands, Willie. I’m a paramedic with the Los Angeles Fire Department. This is my coworker Buck.”
“Kayla?”
“Perfectly safe, but you did give her a scare. Willie, can you feel this?” Buck questioned, gently touching his right foot. Buck and you both gave a sigh of relief as Willie confirmed he felt it.
 “Okay, we’re gonna roll you on to the backboard. On three: one, two, three.” You counted before rolling Willie on his side with Buck. Willie’s cry echoed around the surrounding as you settled him on the board.
“Need a ride?” Chimney asked as a very nice boat floated towards the three people on the rocks. Hen and Bobby helped load Willie onto the boat, “Mr. Covington agreed to let us use the boat if we don’t get blood on the seats.”
“Can you call my boyfriend?” Willie sluggishly asked when he was loaded into the ambulance on the cliff. Kayla sliding into the seat in the back of the ambulance with their items.
“Alex is meeting us at the hospital.” Kayla told her older brother, “You absolute idiot! You should have just let me jump!”
“And let you be in the back of the ambulance? Dad would kill me if I had let you do it.” Willie scoffed. Their conversation was silent as Chimney and Buck closed the back doors of the ambulance.
Bobby, Buck and you climbed into the fire truck to follow the ambulance to the closest hospital. Hen and Chimney rolled the gurney to the doors with Kayla hot on their heels. You’d just turned to head back to the truck when you saw three teens loitering near the entrance.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” You grumbled, marching away from Bobby and Buck to the teen who was supposed to be in class.
Luke had been forced into private tutoring to catch up to his friends in his grades, meaning every afternoon. The watch on your wrist confirmed Luke was definitely supposed to be with his tutor at the community centre.
“Luke!” You shouted, stomping right up to the wide-eyed teen.
Luke’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as his older intimidating sister caught him like his hand was in the cookie jar. You didn’t give Reggie or Alex a second look while you gripped Luke’s ear to tug him away.
“Ow!” Luke whined from the angle you dragged him at.
“What the hell are you doing across the city? You’re supposed to be in your session that our parents are paying a great deal for.” You snapped, crossing your arms in your wet t-shirt.
“We need every chance we can to-”
“Make it big in the industry.” You parroted the past discussions on Luke’s dream as a band, “Do you remember how I got mom and dad off your back? An agreement that you finish high school on time. Not dropping out.”
“So many musicians have dropped out! Green Day’s frontman dropped out his senior year to focus on the band. Several others like Elton John and Kurt Cobain!” Luke enthused, gesturing with his hand to emphasize his words.
“Luke.” You warned, “It’s either catch by with a tutor with some time dedicated to your band, or it’s a military school.”
Luke’s hazel eyes minimally widened, “They would-”
Your stoic expression stayed the same as the energetic seventeen-year-old bounced in his spot across from you. 
“There’s only so much I can do before you lose everything. I know you feel anxious after what all happened, but music isn’t going anywhere.” You reached to squeeze Luke’s hand in yours, “So, I’ll clear it with my boss to have you ride the bus to the station. You’ll have your tutor sessions with my supervision, so I know you’re attending.”
“Y/N!” Bobby called from next to the firetruck, “We gotta go.”
“I’m guessing the Alex that Willie is dating your best friend?” You questioned with one raised eyebrow. Luke nodded in response, “Let mom know you had to be there for Alex. She’ll let skipping your session go this once.”
“Thanks!” Luke chimed, lunging to hug you. Your mouth barely opened before he was racing towards a jittery Alex and a grinning Reggie.
Reggie lifted his arm to wave with his flushed cheeks a darker red colour. You found Reggie’s crush on you to be absolutely adorable. He was a friendly kid.
“He looks good for a kid who was in a coma not long ago.” Hen breathed as the teenager entered the ER with his best friends beside him.
“Oh, he healed quickly. He was crushed after he fully recovered from his head injury.”
“That was your brother?” Buck inquired, and he was just as focused on your features as he had since he first met you. 
“Yeah! He was in a coma for ten months when he was sixteen. He’s spent the last two years catching on on school to graduate with his friends. Well hopefully. He’s dead set on dropping out.” You heavily sighed, leaning your temple on the glass window, “He was supposed to be at a tutoring session. I’ll be chaperoning to make sure he goes.”
“If you need to have them at the station, send me a schedule, and I’ll make it work. Luke’s just as much family as you are.”
The rest of the shift was smooth sailing as Buck followed you around with the sole purpose of getting to know you. The friendship came naturally to the two of you. He didn’t hold back with you like he did with others. Fridays off became hangouts that varied from just Buck and you to spend it with Eddie and Christopher.
Everyone could see Buck had developed feelings for you and vice versa. Unlike the man Buck used to be, he was cautious. He wanted to do this right. And Buck did. With the help of Christopher, he asked you out.
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Months Later
Buck’s eyes fluttered open in the dim lighting of your new home’s bedroom he often found himself in. Before, you had alternated staying at his apartment or yours before a significant change happened. Luke moved in to finish his senior year with the help of your tutoring, as agreed with your parents. That led to you giving up your former home, the one that coincidentally Buck’s sister Maddie had rented from you.
“Luke! You better be awake!” Your voice came from the main floor of the home. Your voice alone seduced the firefight to leave the warm sheets.
His bare feet pattered down the hardwood floor stairs into the kitchen coated in all different kinds of breakfast food. Waffles to imported maple syrup to bacon spread across the counter.
“Morning,” Buck grumbled, stepping up behind you to tug you against his chest.
Unlike Buck’s softer footsteps, your little brother tore down the stairs like a stampede of elephants. Luke wore a vintage band shirt modified sleeveless; you’d be getting a voicemail about dress code violations. The chains hanging off his black jeans.
“You have to hurry, Lu. Buck and I can’t be late. He needs to get to his apart-”
“I don’t see why he doesn’t just move in. He’s here almost every night. He helps buy groceries.” Luke’s hazel eyes stared at the plate he towered food on.
Buck raised one eyebrow in response, “You just moved in. You should be settled before we make-”
“Dude. Your lease is up in like a month; just move in already. No feathers will be ruffled. Besides, the band’s taking off now that Nick got his dad Ryan to check our music out.” Luke sprouted with a beaming smile at the good news his new band received.
After Luke had recovered from that coma, he’d woken up in a world where Alex, Reggie and Bobby, no Trevor, now continued the band. Then when Alex and Reggie couldn’t go on, the rhythm guitarist betrayed Luke. He stole every song he could get his hands on and proved successful.
“Ryan Evans, right? His sister’s some bigshot on Broadway? Sharpay, right?” You questioned recalling in the early 2000s the success of Sharpay and Ryan in some kind of Disney films based on them.
“You’re about to be the sister and brother-in-law of a certified rockstar.” Luke’s attempt at smirking made him look like a chipmunk with full cheeks of food, “I don’t need a ride. Alex’s picking me up.”
“Straight to school, Luke. You’ve got two weeks left before you can leave that behind.” Buck pointed his coffee cup in the direction of the passionate musician. Luke returned a smile of acknowledgement.
The kitchen was quiet as Luke shoved as much food in his mouth in such little time while you watched. In a flash, he’d stuck his dishes in the dishwasher before sprinting out to the van beeping continuously.
“Think we can have you moved in by tomorrow? Your one-bedroom place will be a little cramped for five people.” You simply spoke as you rinsed your coffee cup out. You could hear the wheels in Buck’s brain turning as he thought.
“Five people?”
“Yeah. Luke, Albert, me, you and baby Buckley.”
The entire home went completely still as the announcement bled into the house you’d made a home. One hand resting against the smoothness of your belly. That hand covered by the calloused one of Buck’s. His blue eyes gleaming in utter adoration and excitement.
“Baby Buckley?” Buck marvelled, turning you to face him with tears running down your cheeks, “You’re pregnant?”
“I am. I guess we’re giving Maddie’s daughter a cousin.” You grinned, wrapping your arms around his neck.
“Now I’m obligated to see your parents regularly, and I still grimace at the first introduction.” Buck winced, recalling the foot in mouth syndrome he’d developed.
Buck had never been as nervous as in this moment. Not when he had to tell his parents the first time he got kicked out of college. Or when his teenage self sat beside one of his flings waiting for the results of a pregnancy test. Not even on his first date with Abby. 
“You’ll be fine.” You soothed the anxious man standing by your side on the doorstep of your childhood home. The door opened, revealing Luke standing with a grimace, “Oh Mom, made you wear that.”
Luke had been stuffed into one of the only long-sleeved shirts he owned by your mother. It was a magenta maroon hued corduroy shirt and set off his chocolate hair perfectly. Apparently, your mother hadn’t been able to get him into a pair of pants that weren’t skinny, black or ripped.
“We’re meeting your boyfriend, not the damn Pope-”
“You wouldn’t be wearing that if the Pope was involved.” You retorted, stepping to tug the younger Patterson into your arms. The only thing you adored about your little brother was he never denied a hug. Physical touch is his love language, so he never went through a phase.
“Lucas, don’t let them freeze on the front porch!” Emily shouted from within the Patterson home. Luke rolled his eyes at his mother’s request.
“Luke, this is my boyfriend, Evan Buckley. Buck, this is my not so little brother Luke.” You swiftly introduced the most important males in your life.
Luke and Buck got along better than any previous partner you’d brought home. He got along with your parents really well. Even when he slightly embarrassed himself as the time came to go home, whether it was his place or yours. He kissed your mother’s cheek and shook hands with your father.
“No offence, but thank you for having a heart attack and a coma. If you hadn’t, I’m sure I would have never met Y/N.”
Luke snickered at Buck’s odd choice of words, as did your parents. A part of Buck dreaded the next time he’d see your parents.
The gentle press of lips against your cheek pulled you from your thoughts of the first family dinner. Despite the issues between Luke and your parents, they were great people and parents; Buck had felt like he finally fit in. Even with that awkward thankful he gave your brother and dad, he was family the minute Mitch and Emily saw the mutual looks.
“How are we gonna do this?”
“Well, as the pregnant one, I’ll carry the little Bean until it’s time for them to enter the world. Then we’ll-”
“I get that but with our jobs?”
You felt guilty at the dread of not getting to do what you love, but you were excited, “I’ll keep working as a paramedic. I’ll stay away from fires, and then I’ll go on mat leave. We’ll make this work, Buck.” 
Buck leaned down to rest his forehead against yours with his eyes closed, envisioning how life was about to change. Buck adored children. He had loved Christopher from the moment he’d first met him. Buck himself was a kid at heart. 
“I didn’t think I could fall more in love, but you continue to surprise me each time,” Buck murmured with that gorgeous smile that utterly melted your heart from the first time you saw it. Back when you tried to deny any feelings beyond friendship.
“We’re so lucky to have you, Evan Buckley.” You breathed as you leaned up to kiss him with as much passion as you could. Although it was mostly clashing of teeth with the matching wide grins on your face.
“This little girl is gonna be a heartbreaker but no boyfriends or girlfriends until they’re thirty.” Buck declared, tugging you into his arms. His blue eyes twinkling in the natural lighting.
“It could be a boy.”
“Or maybe neither. Boy, girl or non-binary, I’ll love them just as much.” Buck spoke once more.
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Gideon Buckley was born in the early morning to the pride of his parents and extended family. He was a healthy solid 8 pounds with sparse dark blonde hair and the trademark grey-blue newborn eyes. You everyone but Buck and your surprise Gideon wasn’t alone. Grace Buckley followed her older twin brother eight minutes later.
You rested against the propped up pillows spent from the exhausting hours of labour, but it was worth it. The two tiny babies snuggled beneath the swaddling blanket concealing your bare chest. Skin to skin contact was absolutely the best part of being a parent.
“Did you steal a baby?” Chim joked upon entering the hospital room with Maddie in tow. Right behind them were your parents and Luke.
“I’d like you to meet our twins Gideon and Grace Buckley. Surprise!” Buck quietly cheered in the nearly silent room. Buck’s curated newly parents playlist gently playing in the background.
Mitch and Emily came closer to look at the little loves they proudly got to claim as their first grandchildren. Emily’s heart melted upon hearing Gracie coo in her sleep. Grace and Gideon’s fist pressed against each other.
“Congratulations.” Maddie breathed, bending to catch a peek at the twins’ faces.
“Luke. Would you like to meet your goddaughter and godson?” You questioned the nervous musician. The nineteen-year-old tiptoed his way to the hospital bed.
“I’m both their godfather?” Luke choked as soon as Buck gently transferred Gideon onto his uncle’s chest. 
“There’s no one else in the world I’d choose to help guide them in the right direction. You always found your way back onto the right path. You’ll do the same for them.” Buck answered with Gracie nestled on his chest.
 Buck was the first to hold them followed by you and then their godfather Luke.
Gid and Gracie, although unseen, had been in Luke’s graduation pictures and watched as Julie and the Phantoms signed with a record label. Where Gid was, Luke wasn’t far beyond; the special bond melted everyone. Likewise with Gracie and Alex.
Gid overall was a happy baby compared to Grace. Loved visiting the firehouse. Loved the people working with their father and previously their mother. For the entire first year of Gideon and Grace’s life, you stayed at home with the utter support of Buck.
“First day back.” Hen spoke from beside you on the bench in the women’s change room. As a fellow mother, she’d been watching your behaviour.
“I miss them. I feel guilty that I abandoned them-”
“Okay, your feelings are valid, but you aren’t abandoning Gideon or Grace. You’re teaching them that you can be a great mom while also being a badass firefighter. I was the same when I went back to work after we got Denny.”
“Do you ever wish you could be a stay at home mom?”
“I love Denny with my entire heart, but I couldn’t do that. I was meant to be a paramedic firefighter as much as Denny’s mother. Besides, I can see Maddie pushing in the double stroller.”
Your head snapped to see your sister in law beaming with the double stroller carrying Gideon and Grace. Maddie’s daughter sitting on the seat made for a toddler. Maddie and Chimney had come to a decision for Maddie to work part-time.
Hen watched as you bounded out of the changeroom in uniform to scoop the twins into your arms. In a split second, Buck was down the stairs cooing at the absolute loves of his life. His partner and two children.
Buck would forever be grateful for finding his way to the 118, where he found his true family. A place of acceptance, love, trust and loyalty. Buck found his place in the world, and that was beside you.
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issaxcharlie · 3 years
Text
Spectacular!
Pairing: Alive! Luke Patterson x Fem Reader
Summary: Inspired by Nickelodeon’s Spectacular! Luke Patterson needs the money for his bands demo, and miraculously, that same night he gets an offer to fix his problem. The catch? Rockstar boy has to join his school’s show choir and put up with their fearless Female Lead Singer. (don’t come here searching for accuracy remember it’s inspired by a movie)
Note: I had a lot of fun with this one, hope you like it! Oh and it’s a little long so keep it in mind +8k👀💜
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Say this is not her scene would be to fall short, but she has to make sacrifices to find greatness. The first thing she notices when she walks into the little club, is that it's packed. The people look excited and somewhat desperate and she doesn't blame them. The pamphlet marked they were supposed to start at 8:00 p.m. and it's already 8:40. She makes her way carefully until she finds a perfect place in the middle of the room.
The musicians take the stage visibly anxious, especially Alex who cannot stop moving his hands trying to probably calm himself down. Reggie and the rhythm guitarist take their positions. They look at each other one last time before beginning to play the enveloping sound of the pop-rock song. The bass line sounds insane and she hasn't heard Alex play drums in years, he’s exceptional. They could both play without their singer all night and she wouldn't mind.
The space in the center of the stage that belongs to who she came to see today, completely empty. The bassist seems about to take the first verse when Sunset Curve lead guitarist and vocalist Luke Patterson appears on stage.
She has seen him multiple times in the hallways laughing with her childhood best friend, Alex Mercer and her lab partner, Reggie Peters, but she has never spoken directly to him. Still, it's hard not to notice how handsome he is and how much of a charismatic personality he has.
“I'm living my life just the way I like, they say I get a little too loud. Try to push me in a box, over analyze. But I'm never gunna turn it down”
His voice is enchanting and mesmerizing, a sound that immediately reminds her of the best rockers in history and his movements and energy are electrifying. In seconds the entire audience is jumping and dancing to the beat.
“They say never and I say right now!” Y/N analyzes him excitedly. The passion with which he sings and plays his guitar reminds her of when she is on stage, although the two of them dedicate themselves to totally different things, their love for music is the same. She definitely has a lot of work to do to polish him and make him the perfect performer she needs, but if there's anyone who can accomplish the impossible, it's her.
“No one's gonna stop me tonight! Thank you, we are Sunset Curve, tell your friends!” The presentation ends and Sunset Curve leaves the stage. The girl moves quickly to catch up with them at the back of the club, but when she finally arrives, screams can be heard from two of the members of the band.
“I know you don’t like me, Bobby. But trying to sabotage the show by giving me the wrong time is just the most stupidest thing you've ever done!” The guitarist looks furious, his muscles are really tense and Y/N can't help staring at his biceps way more than she probably should.
"This fight of egos between the two of you has to stop, we can no longer continue to be in the middle." The bassist cries out, tired of all the bickering.
“You no longer have to, Reggie. It’s time to decide. The lousy rocker or me. Remember that the money for the demo is mine before choosing... I'm not sure Patterson's lyrics can compete without the money to record them.”
The guitarist looks down at the ground, a mixture of anger and sadness on his face. Alex and Reggie turn to see each other for a second and then position themselves on either side of Luke, no sign of doubt on their faces.
“We’ll find a way without you. Let’s see If you find one without us.” Reggie declared with a little smirk. Bobby grabs his stuff and gets into his truck without looking back, completely furious.
"Some things Bobby was angry about are true and you have to improve them. You are not a solo artist, you are part of a band." Alex points to Luke as soon as the truck is out of sight, but before he can respond the blonde intercepts the girl at the door.
“Y/N?” The three of them turn to see her, Reggie smiles at her while Luke looks pissed off.
“Hey guys, I came to talk to Luke.” Luke frowns in surprise while the other two gape for a few seconds.
"Really?” Y/N turns with a murderous face towards her friend, who puts his hands in his pockets and begins to walk. “...Okay. Meanwhile Reg and I are going to figure out how to get the drums in Luke's car."
"If you come for an autograph please be quick, I don't feel like socializing." The guitarist declares to the wind, not wanting to pay attention to the stranger who approaches him in the middle of the alley, no matter how cute she looks.
“I’m not a fan.” She confesses in a firm voice, trying to measure the situation.
"Oh, then I'll go. See you later beautiful." He's about to leave when her voice stops him.
“Patterson, come back here!” There's something about her tone that makes Luke suddenly interested. He turns to see her carefully, her chin is up, her shoulders back. Her lips are press together and her eyes look determined and he can't help but admit that the confidence she projects is really doing something to him.
“2 minutes, firecracker.”
“I’m Y/N Y/L.” Faced with no comment from the guitarist, she decides to continue. “I need a male lead singer for my group and I think you might be the perfect fit, after I'm done with you, of course."
He’s unable to believe what he hears. “A band? I think you know pretty well I'm already in one.”
“It’s not a band, it’s a group. THE group If I can say so myself. Spectacular!” She affirms with the first smile he sees her that night, and he can't believe it is possible that she can look even more beautiful.
"Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit with the spectacular thing? At least tell me the name or what kind of band is." She rolls her eyes and he chuckles in response, thinking it was adorable and hot at the same time.
“I already told you, Spectacular! It’s a show choir.”
“Is this a joke? Did Bobby sent you?”
“No and no. I know it’s not really your style, but I’m telling you I can make it work. I heard a bit of the conversation you had with the band, the prize of Nationals is 10,000 dollars. I'm willing to give you half for the demo, if we win, obviously. And I can assure you we will if you accept and do absolutely everything I say.”
“Firecracker, are you trying to tell me that all I have to do to raise the money is put on some stupid cowboy or tiger-print outfit and humiliate myself in front of an entire audience with my best jazz hands? Wow, sounds like a dream!” Maybe he got a bit too sarcastic, but meh, as pretty as she is, she's still a stranger.
“My name is Y/N, and I'm not appreciating your tone of voice.” By this moment the girl seems tired of the musician, who feels the frustration in her and tries to be more gentle.
“I- I’m sorry. Thanks for the offer, but I don't feel as desperate yet as to end my reputation in that way. I hope you find what you are looking for, but that’s just not me. I'm just a guitarist.” She nods, entwining her arms against her chest. He admires her for a few more seconds and turns to his car, where his friends are already waiting for him to help with the drums.
Before getting behind the wheel he turns to her one last time, but she is nowhere to be seen.
Fights between Luke and Bobby weren't new to the band. The big-headed attitude of both collided practically all the time and things had been getting worse in recent months with the more overconfident attitude of the guitarist, but they never imagined that they would end up in this situation.
The days go by and the boys are running out of time. They have to deliver the demo to the Orpheum offices in two months so that they can be taken into account for the great concert they will hold at the end of the year presenting the best new talents in the city. All they've heard from Bobby is that he's trying to build his own band but without much success. Still, he doesn’t fold his hands and continues to try on his own.
The three remaining members of Sunset Curve are in Alex's room lying on the floor with their instruments around trying to think of solutions, when Y/N's voice coming from outside refreshes the blonde's memory. “What did Y/N want to talk to you the other day?”
“Who?” Luke narrows his eyes in confusion.
“Y/N? The captain of the school’s show choir? She went to talk to you after Bobby left the band. Small, fire in her eyes, a lot of attitude.”
“OH, Firecracker! So that group is our school's choir? that's even worse. She tried to recruit me, even offered me the money for the demo if we win the competition in which they will participate.”
“What? She wants you in Spectacular? What did you said?” Alex heard that his friend's ex-boyfriend broke up with her and joined last year's national champions, but he never imagined that she would try to replace him with someone like Luke. Luke is distracted by a melody and doesn’t answer his friend's question.
"Why does your mom always leave her music on when she leaves to work?" The music is definitely not his style, they are always usually pop songs or even songs from musicals, but the singer's voice is one of the most beautiful he has ever heard so it never bothers him.
“It’s not her music, is Y/N.” Alex responds, wondering what the young woman is up to since she is never usually home at this hour.
“Who?” Alex's eyes widen, not able to believe his friend.
“Really? I already told you!” The guitarist tilts his head and shrugs. “Firecracker?”
“What does firecracker have to do with this?” Alex opens his balcony curtains and the silhouette of a young woman singing and dancing through her transparent pink ones comes to their visions.
“She’s so good bro, I thought it was a record too.” Reggie looks at her with a big smile as Alex rolls his eyes at Luke.
As soon as he sees her, the musician is in a trance, admiring the grace and energy with which she moves, wanting with all his might to remove the pink curtain that does not allow him to see her properly.
The song ends and a well-known melody begins to play with prominent bass and drums. “Guys, shut up! I’m trying to hear her sing.”
“It’s not us, man.” Reggie answers almost screaming with how loud the girl’s music is.
“What do you-” Luke turns around and sees his friends with their hands raised, the cables finally connecting in his brain. "She is listening our song?"
"Not just listening, she's also destroying your career, her vocals are amazing." The black-haired boy adds, smirking and running to connect his bass.
Luke excitedly opens the balcony window and sings the pre-chorus as loud as he can to get the singer's attention. “Call me in the morning to apologize, every little lie gives me butterflies.” She immediately turns around and smiles at the guitarist's cocky smile. She opens the curtain and the window and her sunset curve t-shirt is the first thing the band notices.
“Something in the way you're looking through my eyes, don't know if I'm gonna make it out alive.” Luke sings seductively towards her, each word fully dedicated to the woman in front of him.
Reggie accompanies them with his bass while Alex looks at his friends incredulously, an "Are you fucking kidding me." Comes out of the blonde almost like a whisper when he identifies the shirt that the girl wears as his.
Both sing the chorus together and the chemistry is unquestionable. Alex had never thought of this two together because at first glance they seem completely different, but thinking about it a little more deeply they couldn't be more similar. They are both passionate, headstrong, live for the stage, and are ridiculously talented and confident.
“Fight so dirty, but you love so sweet. Talk so pretty, but your heart got teeth. Late night devil, put your hands on me. And never, never, never ever let go.”
The performance between the duo is playful, driving, sexy and intense and Alex and Reggie can't help but feel like they're interrupting a private moment. As soon as the song ends, the girl moves closer to the window, blows them a kiss and closes it.
"Where did that woman come from?" Luke whispers as he tries to catch his breath. Nobody had enchanted him so much just by singing, well, nobody had enchanted him, period. But she’s definitely something.
“She has been my neighbor since we were 6 years old, we used to be best friends but we both drifted apart when we entered high school. She’s amazing, the best performer in the city.” Alex informs him and then Reggie adds his own piece of valuable information. “She’s my lab partner. Fun, smart, beautiful, the whole deal. A true gem.”
“Answering your question, I said no to her offer. But I guess the group of someone this rad can't be that bad. And we really need the money." The drummer purses his lips and nods. His friend definitely took the hook.
"Honestly, I always wanted to audition, I guess the three of us could try in, to support you obviously."
“Of course man, she sounded desperate when she asked, and if the shirt and song is any indication she is definitely a huge Sunset Curve fan. She tried to fool me by saying she wasn't a groupie, as if that was possible after seeing us perform.”
His friends leave the house and Alex plays on the drums the secret signal he had with the girl when they were younger, a minute later the girl appears in her window with an amusing smile, dressed in her classic blue pajamas.
“Really?” The drummer chuckled and his friend’s smile grows even bigger, a little laugh leaving her lips. “The shirt was a nice touch. A little much, but that idiot must have fallen for it completely. I want it back by the way.”
“You can see right through me. You know the invitation is open, right? I would love nothing more than to have you there.” He has known her his whole life, and realized early on that she was just trying to get his friend's attention to reconsider her offer by raising his ego, and he honestly doesn't mind. It's about time Luke met someone of his caliber. Perhaps her influence could do him good.
“I- thank you. I guess we’ll see. See you tomorrow.” She blows him a kiss and closes the window. Tomorrow sure is going to be an interesting day, Sunset Curve joins Spectacular.
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Having to face Spectacular! And telling them they still don't have a male lead singer who can compete against Damian was not easy. Her options are running out and she honestly doesn't know what to do to save them.
Damian on stage is the best, it pains her to admit that she has never seen anyone like him. At first she thought she could continue without him, but it’s becoming increasingly obvious that he is just impossible to replace.
Everyone continues to practice the routine, clearly discouraged after her bad news and it honestly breaks her heart. She knows how much the group means to everyone for different and personal reasons and she can't let them lose this. So whatever she has to do, she’ll do it so they can have the leader they deserve.
“I thought the children in the choir would have more energy, this is just sad, firecracker.” She hides her wide smile before turning to the owner of the voice, who is entering the auditorium with his best friends. Money really talks, otherwise she can't explain what would make him appear here.
“Dude, can you please play nice? This is important!” Reggie looks flustered and scolds Luke probably louder than he planned. The guitarist just ignores him and winks shamelessly at her. Seems her little plan from yesterday was successful, now she just has to play the situation in her favor.
“Mercer, Peters... Patterson. Can we help you with something?” The performer shows a perfect poker face, Spectacular continues to practice but they can't help but turn their attention to the rock band.
“I came to accept your proposal, but only If we can include Reggie and Alex in the deal. I guess as long as I’m in whatever I ask shouldn't be a problem." He crosses his arms and gives her a confident smile.
“I could actually do with a few more members, specially as talented as Reg and Alex. As for you, you've already turned down my offer Lucas, but if for some reason you don't graduate this year, make sure you audition the next one. Now, let’s start boys." Y/N moves within inches of Luke to gently close his open mouth with her index finger, and gives him a small wink before turning and taking the other two musicians each on each arm and pulling them closer to where the group is still practicing.
“Y/N, you can’t be serious.” The skilled singer continues to ignore him as she explains to her new members something Luke can't quite hear.
The musician frustrates and walks until he is directly in front of her. “Y/N” He groans.
“I'm not firecracker anymore? That is just sad.” Luke looks upset, but she's determined to not let him have what he wants after what he said at the club, so if he wants the money that bad he's going to have to prove it.
“I’m going to explain you something quickly so you can go and stop wasting my time. I’ve seen your band play, I know how good these two are at singing, which means I don't need you anymore, nor do I have to put up with your rockstar wannabee attitude. I need someone that I can connect with and have the chemistry that leaves everyone forgetting how to breathe, and after yesterday, I just don't think that's you.” Right now she is grateful to be such a good actress because yesterday's act melted her legs, even though they were separated by the balconies. This man is unreal, totally unfair.
"I do, I wouldn't be surprised if they kissed at any moment." The bassist whispers as Alex looks at him with an incredulous face, he just slowly shakes his head from side to side and continues to see the leader of their band and their new leader in a starting contest, is kind of an amusing sight since Luke is definitely not used to having to face someone like him.
“It’s like you said, you are just a guitarist. Thinking you could handle something like this was ridiculous of me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a group to direct."
Y/N hopes she hasn't pushed the rockstar too much, but remains firm in her tactics and turns to the others to continue with the rehearsal. She signals them to put the most similar song to the Sunset Curve sound that she can remember at the moment to make Alex and Reggie feel more calm and to see if she finishes catching Luke’s interest, who still doesn’t move from where he is with his eyes fixed on her, which she takes as as a good sign.
The moment the song start, both sunset curve members smile, and Luke's voice is heard from behind. “So you're the girl, I heard the rumor.” He sounds powerful and captivating and immediately sets everyone's eyes on him. She doesn’t give him the luxury of turning to see him, but he is not going to give up and in a quick and agile movement he turns her by the hand.
“Why don't you break my heart, make it hurt so bad. Come on give it your best, nothing less, I insist, I want it just like that.” The girl should have thought more about her choice before asking for a song like this. Every word that comes out of the musician's mouth is addressed directly to her with an intensity in his eyes and movements that should be illegal.
She tries to get out of his way but he makes it pretty clear that he's not singing to prove himself to the group, he's doing it to prove something to her. Specifically, to prove her wrong.
“Stare me down, intimidate me. Oh baby please you'll never break me.” He comes dangerously close to her, basically inches apart, his eyes fixed on her lips and smiling flirtatiously as he sings, his eyes glinting mischievously.
She enters the song so as not to make him feel like she’s defeated and starts dancing with him to the rhythm, their movements matching effortlessly as they move across the stage.
She pulls herself back as far as she can, but Luke surprises everyone by doing a body roll on the floor, his arms looking more gorgeous than ever in that sleeveless shirt as they take the full weight of his body without any problem, his eyes never losing contact with hers. All the girls start to do small screams while Y/N's cheeks turn red at her thoughts. He slides on his knees towards her and gets up as he puts his foot on her to make her lose balance and catch her right at the end of the song.
“Why don’t you break my heart.” They've been in a trance since the song started and it's like it's just the two of them in the auditorium. Their lips are almost touching, neither willing to give up eye contact or move from their current position, until the applause and shouts of excitement bring them back to reality.
“I have chemistry with everybody that I sing with, firecracker.” He whispers to her lips before shifting the girl's full weight to his right arm to raise his left one to her face and carefully close her mouth with his finger, winking with a cocky smile before lifting her up.
Immediately everyone begins to advocate for him with all kinds of arguments that ranged from how sensual he was to how much of a presence he had on stage. Her best friend’s comment is the one that catches his attention the most. "You have even more chemistry with him than Damian, I didn't think it was possible." That definitely sounds interesting.
Y/N pretends to listen to her teammates before saying Luke can enter the group. The truth is that she knew from the first moment she saw him perform with Sunset Curve that he was a star, but this facet without the guitar and irradiating passion from his pores was something that left her speechless.
Still, she knew all the work that would go into preparing the band and it really was exhausting. For them to understand that they couldn't just sing like they do at the club, that there are rules to follow, dance steps they have to learn, facial expressions they have to master, notes they have to hit perfectly, wasn’t easy but they succeeded.
Along the way, she regained her bond with Alexander, her friendship with Reggie grew stronger, and each day she felt closer to Luke. She has been practicing a duet with him for weeks now, and the chemistry that they have set to burn the stage more than once. It was hard for her to ignore how the guitarist's hands feel on her thighs as he lifts her or the way he wraps himself around her, breathing softly down her neck or brushing his lips teasingly over her cheekbone. Both are very physical to show affection so small contacts such as hugs or caresses, as well as small kisses on the cheek or hand were very recurrent. They had also gone out multiple times alone and with their friends, from the cinema, the park, to see them play, to small parties at home, to midnight talks.
Reggie was the one who had her alone the most because they were lab partners, but no matter how hard the bassist tried to get information from the girl, he never succeeded. The truth is that not even she knows what is happening with the guitarist, she is for the first time in her life letting herself be carried away and enjoying the moment, and she’s loving it.
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Luke and Alex are in detention after the brown haired boy made a mess in the classroom by putting together a little concert with the help of the blonde, and as they die of boredom, his mind can’t help to go to her for the 14th time of the day. "How did she end up in the show choir?"
Alex is blank for a few seconds but analyzes the question and realizes who they are talking about. “Spectacular used to be the most important show choir in the country, led by her mother, may she rest in peace. Y/N always wanted to be a part of it and when she lost her, it became a goal. She suffered a lot to get to the perfect star we see today, especially because her father is rarely there since he works outside the country. She has practically had to face alone auditions, injuries, she had to learn to sew, comb her hair and put on makeup for the show, sing for hours her solos with no one to encourage her, without mention that the current director could not care less about the group and practically leaves all the work to her. That’s why she’s so be fearless, she kind of has to."
“I didn’t know.” The sight of Y/N as happy as ever with his mother when he took her home for lunch the week before appears in his memory. She looked radiant as she ate his mother's famous stew and listened to stories of little Luke as he gently stroked her thigh while songwriting with his other hand. When was the last time she got to experience something as homelike as that? Luke probably doesn’t want to know.
Alex's sad voice brings him back to the conversation.“I was supposed to be there, you know? At first I was. We were going to audition for Spectacular together, but that summer I met you and Sunset Curve was born, and I didn’t have the time anymore so I abandoned her. I knew how important it was for her to have me there, and I didn't even go to her audition. And do you know how many times she has reproached me? Not even one.”
Luke knows that Alex would never hurt her on purpose and that the situation was probably much more complicated than he expresses it, so he reassures him and lets him know that she loves him and is proud that he took his own path. As soon as the blonde calms down, he begins to tell him multiple stories about when he and the girl were kids, the songwriter takes out his journal and begins to add lyrics to the song he has been working on, more inspired than ever.
“You are falling so deeply for her, man. I’m happy for you both.” His friend comments to him while reading the verses written on the paper. He totally is.
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“Bowling, nice. I'm going to finish you off, Patterson.”
“As sexy as your confidence sounds, I'm not going to let you win.”
“I'm pretty sure you've never gone bowling.” Alex adds with furrowed eyebrows.
“Your point is, Mercer?” She wrinkles her nose and sticks out her tongue. Reggie chuckles amused.
"How can you be so sure that you are going to win?"
“Oh, my dear cute blonde. I’m good at everything.” She makes a slight remark on everything with her eyes fixed on the guitarist, who chokes while blushing.
She smiles cheekily at him and confidently steps into the room, Sunset Curve behind as Alex and Reggie tease Luke for being completely whipped.
Happiness doesn't last long when the first thing they see inside is Damian Miller along with a couple of his new teammates. The moment their eyes meet, Y/N seems to melt, but not in the good way.
Her firm and perfect posture now all bent as she embraces herself with her arms and tries with the strength that has left to hold her gaze at the person who took everything from her without much more than an empty sorry.
When she feels the guitarist at her side again, she unconsciously stretches her hand to intertwine her fingers with him, who tilts his head to see their hands together and then to see her face.
She is not doing it to make Damian jealous, but to feel supported. And when Luke realizes it, he can't help not feeling angry at the boy in from of them. In the month that he has been with her, he has never seen her doubt, fear, or believe anything less than that she is unstoppable. And today for the first time ever he sees her intimidaded, and the fact that it's because of a jerk like this makes it even worse.
He rubbs her hand to make her feel less anxious and when she turns to meet his eyes, he brings his index finger to her chin and winks at her, hoping she gets the message. She seems to do it because she immediately smiles playfully and begins to look more relaxed.
The guitarist is aware that Damian was his firecracker's first boyfriend, and he also knows how much he betrayed her love and trust. No matter how strong the woman is, her reaction is completely normal and valid, and that she has the confidence to be vulnerable and let him be there for her means a lot to him.
“Princess.” Damian whispers as he moves closer to her, his eyes fixed on Y/N and Luke's clasped hands.
“I’m not your princess, Y/L is just fine. Listen, Damian. I could pretend this is not uncomfortable and boring but, I don't want to. So yeah, excuse us.”
She pulls the hand that joins her to Luke to make him walk and Alex and Reggie follow behind them, looking at her ex boyfriend with little smiles of pride. Alex knows how much Damian turned off Y/N’s spark and seeing her put him in his place makes him feel so proud.
"So someone is going to teach me bowling or what?"
“I’ll do it baby, but another day. Today we came here with a different purpose.” Luke points to the large Rock the World machine located in a comfortable corner space.
“Of course, is always about music with you, eh Patterson?” She smirks, getting a little closer to him.
“Pretty much, but I can tell that attracts you, Y/L.” He wrinkles his nose, his lips parting slightly.
“Hell yeah it does.” he smirks, not at all expecting her to admit it so openly but he definitely should have seen it coming.
“Good thing I’m into dominant firecrackers then.”
“Could you stop flirting for a second and start playing? I have plans to destroy Alex and your daily session of sexual tension is not going to ruin it.”
Both smile at Reggie while Y/N takes the games microphone and Luke the guitar. The song that Y/N chooses is She’s so gone by Naomi Scott, and it goes without saying that the boys have never played it in their lives but they love a challenge.
The mastery with which the girl interprets the song makes a good number of people come to see the round, including her ex-boyfriend and his new friends.
“Here I am, this is me, and I'm stronger than you ever thought I'd be. Are you shocked? Are you mad? That you're missing out on who I really am.”
The singer sings the verse directly towards Damian, as his friends start pointing out and teasing him. Reggie goes over to tell Luke he thought he would join her, but the guitarist only replies, "I want to see her shine."
She gets carried away with the music and draws Luke to her, jumping and twirling to the beat of the music. The guitarist hyping her up every single second og the song. At the end the night was incredible, the four of them spent it singing, dancing and even bowling, which Y/N ended up dominating from the second round.
Luke thought that there would be no better time than that night to show her what he had been working on, so after saying goodbye to her he went to Alex’s where he had left his journal.
Before he can say goodbye to the blond, screams are heard from the house next door. “I wasn't trying to embarrass you, Damian!”
“No? So what were you doing shaking your hips against the rock boy?”
“I don't have to explain anything to you, but I think it's pretty obvious why I wanted to be against that body, have you seen it?” She says it playfully with her eyes fixed on the guitarist, who is walking with the blonde to her door, her eyes glinting wickedly in the dark. He chuckles, knowing it's the girl's way of reassure him and she smiles as she sees his expressions relax.
“Everything alright, firecracker?” Luke does not stand in front of her like a brave prince, he stops a meter from both of them and asks before intervening, and that makes her heart melt. Because he wants to hear her first, he trusts that she can take care of it and has the confidence to tell him if she needs help, which is also completely valid. And it's something she has to work on, know that there are also times when it's okay to trust someone. That you don't always have to carry the weight alone.
“Go away, punk. My girl and I are in the middle of something.” The three of them start laughing at the ex-boyfriend's intimidation attempt, who seems to get angrier with every laugh that comes out of their mouths.
“I’m fine baby, but you guys could show him the way out? I’m tired of his bullshit.” She asks the boy with a cute smile, and he would disintegrate over the nickname if her horrible ex-boyfriend and her best friend weren't there.
"Don't touch me, I’ll go. Right now the numbers are not working in my favor so we will fix this where it really matters, on stage. Let's see if this attempt at a singer can save you from total humiliation, because let's be honest Y/N, you are nothing without me."
The faces of both members of Sunset Curve begin to tense, Luke's fists completely white from how much he's clenching them. For her part, the singer, who is already used to that type of comments from her ex-boyfriend, only tells him "yes, yes, you're right. It was a pleasure Dami, never come back." while pushing him to the other side to make him go away.
The nickname comes off her tongue in the most natural way in the world, she doesn't even seem to notice it and Luke feels some annoyance hearing it. As if someone had hit him in the stomach. But immediately the discomfort goes away when the girl turns to them again with a big smile and runs to hug them excitedly.
“Thanks for coming to check me out, guys. Things can sometimes get out of control with him.”
"We will always be there for you when you need us, okay? I actually went into Alex's house to get something I wanted to show you but it's late, I’ll come back tomorrow." The blonde turns from his friend to the other, a tired smile appears on his lips as he passes Luke his journal to place his arm on his childhood friend and lean on her.
"No, don't go please. Damian was pretty mad and... I don't want to be alone." She can be very dramatic at times but the fear in her voice sounds sincere, and remembering the scream that brought them outside in the first place Alex imagines how scared she really was before seeing them show up and his heart clenches at the thought.
“O- Okay, sure.” He sounds nervous but the excitement is evident in the way his left leg keeps moving, just like when he's on stage.
“I do have to go in, you already know mom. Will you be alright with just Luke?” He already knows the answer from the girl's radiant gaze but it doesn't hurt to confirm. She hugs him tightly with her arms around his neck and whispers a "Yes, I love you but go away already." which makes the drummer laugh out loud while high-fiving his other friend goodbye.
The third wheel enters his house and finally they are alone. She smiles and takes him by the hand to enter the house. Luke takes a moment to admire it, everything is in place but there are several instruments throughout the living room. A keyboard on the couch, a guitar next to the TV, even a tambourine on the table.
"May l?" He walks over to the guitar and turns to see the girl nodding and pointing up the stairs for him to follow. Her room is quite similar to her style, white is the predominant color but there are many details in pink and gold, as well as multiple yellow lights giving a romantic tone to the room at midnight.
“Do you want to show me now?” she asks eagearly, with joined hands, closed eyes and pursed lips.
“Y- yeah... of course.” He sits on the rug and puts the guitar aside, then puts his notebook between his legs and when he finds the sheet he is looking for, he carefully tears it off. The girl looks at him adoringly, the happiness of having him with her making her heart beat louder in her chest. She sits across from him making sure to brush his legs and waits for him to speak.
“Here.” He looks nervous, his cheeks totally flushed as he avoids eye contact for the first time since they met.
Y/N takes the sheet in his hands and a huge warm smile appears on her face when he sees the guitarist's terrible lyrics. BRIGHT written and highlighted several times in the title.
“It’s for you.” Luke whispers while bringing his face closer to hers, making her shiver.
“You wrote me a song?” She doesn't know what to say. Since her mom, no one had done anything so beautiful, considerate, and selfless for her. Something so vulnerable and full of love.
“Don’t be mad, but Alex told me a little about how you ended up in show choir, your friendship with him, your mom.” He turns to see her looking for her reaction, she just nods to tell him it’s okay to continue. “A sweet story about a little girl with the voice of an angel who loved to sing love songs. And you know what was in my head all that night? That even though I've never written one, I would write millions of love songs for you.”
Some tears fall from the girl's face, she carefully places the lyrics on the guitar and throws herself on the guitarist, who falls in surprise against the carpet, making sure to grab her by the waist so that she falls safely on his chest. She rests her arms on either side of his head and brings her lips against Luke's, brushing them gently.
Luke doesn't move a muscle, not wanting to do something to make her uncomfortable, when he suddenly hears her talk. “And what about teeth? I mean is not the sweetest love story ever told but-”
The boy chuckles, Y/N's curious eyes a few inches away. “Alex wrote that one after his first breakup, Reggie and I did the melody.”
“Good. Guess we’ll have to start making some experiences to help you write all that songs.” At that moment she finally pushes her lips against his, both in a moment of euphoria at the taste of each other. She presses her body against him and he bites lightly with his teeth on her lower lip to shove his tongue against her mouth in response. Her little hands pulling his hair hard as his hands go down her butt. Both of them enjoying what they had been dreaming of for so long.
When the two finally separate they fall in a comfortable silence, she starts to admire his facial features, delicately running her fingers through his nose, his mouth, his cheekbones, until he interrumpts her. “I knew you want me from the beginning, I could see the lust in your eyes. Everything about the choir was a complex plan to get me under you.” Luke affirms with his best poker face, and sees clearly how her eyes fill with light while a pure laugh escapes from her now swollen lips.
“And as always, I achieved the goal. The hot local rockstar is sleeping on my bed tonight.” No matter how hard he tries, he can never catch her off guard and he always ends up being the one blushing. She kisses him softly before getting up and taking the song lyrics back. “Luke, do you mind if I sing a bit of the song?”
“Of course not, it's yours. I will accompany you with the guitar, from the pre-choir?”
She nods and begins to sing the words he wrote for her. “Life is a risk but I will take it, close my eyes and jump. Together I think that we can make it, come on, let's run.”
She is reading the choir as she sings and the urge to cry reappears. He's basically telling her that she no longer has to go on living life alone, that she can lean on him, she can trust him to fight by her side. That it can be us instead of I.
“And rise through the night, you and I, we will fight to shine together. Bright forever.”
As soon as they finish singing Luke puts the guitar aside and goes over to wipe the tears from the girl's face. “I know that at first glance it doesn't seem like a love song, but..."
“But it is. It’s perfect, thank you Luke.” She didn't know that someone other than her could make her feel so special, but he proved her wrong, again.
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The night before was like a dream. Y/N sleeping with his shirt while he wrapped her completely in his arms, singing softly in her ear and leaving little kisses on her neck every few verses until she fell asleep. At this point there is no way to deny how completely in love he is with her.
“Man, we need to talk.” His blonde friend wakes him up from his daydream and starts pulling him down the hall to an empty table in the cafeteria, where Reggie is already waiting for them.
They both sit down and Alex takes a deep breath as he plays with his fingers, trying to form coherent sentences with the words in his head. “Bobby called last night.” Luke's gaze instantly shifted to disgust, while Reggie looks quite shocked.
“So? What did he want?” Luke whispers, trying to sound disinterested.
“He sent some of our videos to an important person at Destiny Management and they are interested in the band. He said that if we comply with certain requests he will give the money for us to record the demo this Friday so that it’s ready for the appointment."
“And I guess you told him we don't need him or his money. What did he answer you? He cried?" the guitarist asks with an amused face, but his friends just look at each other.
“Don't you think we should think more about it? What happens if we don't win nationals? We’ll have lost something as sure as Bobby's deal for nothing."
“She’s my friend and I love her but I have to agree, Luke. As difficult as it is, our priority has to be Sunset Curve, not Spectacular"
“But-”
“They are right, Luke.” All three look at the girl, as pale as If they had seen a ghost. “Spectacular is my dream, And I know I'd do anything for it. It would be unfair of me to get angry because you’re fighting for yours. Don't hesitate, if anyone can find a way out of this it's me.”
“But, the duet...”
“I’ll just have to be the melody and the words. I’ll be fine, and honestly I'm so proud of you guys, I know you will be rock legends one day.” All three feel guilty but don't know what to say or do to make it right. She goes over to hug the drummer and the bassist who take her in their arms with all their strength, a “I’m so sorry” from the blonde accompanied by an “I know” from the girl can be heard. Then she stands in front of the guitarist and kisses his lips intensely, but breaking away painfully fast. The guys leave lovers alone for a moment of privacy.
“I believe in you, baby. You are destined to be a star, forget everything else, even me. Take the moment and knock them off their feet.” She kisses him lightly on the lips and walks a few steps back. “This month was the happiest of my life in a long time, thank you. Guess I’ll see you guys around.”
“Why do you sound like you are saying goodbye? And a horrible one? I thought you were good at everything.” Luke walks over to her again and places his hands on her cheeks, rubbing them gently. His voice is shaky and his eyes are glassy, she snorts at his sudden taunt, a little smile covered with the tears.
“Once everyone gets back to their own business, do you think you'll still have time for me? Alex is my damn neighbor, and we couldn't keep in touch.” And Luke gets it. She is used to being alone, to people not being permanent in her life. Neither her parents, nor her best friend, nor her boyfriend, nor anyone else has stayed. So this time to protect herself she decided that he too was going to leave, that it would be foolish to think that he of all possible people would stay.
“I‘m not letting you go baby, you're the only one I would let to boss me around.” The girl laughs when she remembers the millions of times she had to correct him and how he always ended up making her blush in some way, especially when they danced. She can't remember telling him but dancing with him has been the most special thing she has ever experienced. She danced with Damian for years and it never felt like the first time Luke put her long, strong hands on her waist and pulled her close to him. She can only hope to feel that way again one day.
“You are my one and only, firecracker. We’ll find a way, neither of us is a quitter.”
They say that actions are worth a thousand words, and Luke had definitely missed his first chance to show Y/N that he was serious about them by not getting in time to wish her good luck before she left with the group to the city of the competition, a few hours from there. He couldn't help but feel more miserable when he returned to the studio and found a small yellow sheet in his journal.
“You got this, rockstar. I have so much faith in you, so go make me proud. And I don’t want you feeling guilty, okay? I always want to see you shine, baby, no matter what. Your firecracker, Y/N.” Luke laughs softly, dazzled by her attempt to be sweet. If she trusts him so much, why doesn't he return the favor? She assured him they could win and when she says something, she follows through.
Why ruin his life with all of Bobby's ridiculous demands while ditching his girl in the process when he can go sing with her and do band things their way, without selling their soul to the devil. He sits on the couch thinking about what to say to the boys when they both rush in and pick him up, one from his feet and the other from his arms.
“What the hell are you two planning this time?” Luke sounds annoyed but does nothing to stop them from moving him, they throw him into the back of the car and he hits his head, getting him to kick them before they close the door.
"I'm not going to let her down again, I can’t."
"Yeah, and surely we can win, the number is spectacular... do you understand what I did there?”
Alex rolls his eyes and Luke smiles. They drive at full speed to Luke’s for him to take all his things and when he returns to the car, stands thoughtfully by the window.
“What are you doing?!” Alex is not having it, looks like a vein is going to burst from stress any second now.
“Do you think we’ll make it?” Questioned the guitarist, clearly nervous.
“If you stop asking stupid as fuck questions and get in the car, maybe.” Luke pouts but listens and finishes loading everything in the trunk.
The road is full of music to try to calm all the nerves, there was also plenty of time to rehearse the number over and over again, Luke analyzing in his mind every move he had to make, from time to time his bossy girl correcting him in his head. The only difficult thing was probably changing into the costumes, especially for Alex.
They arrive directly to register and the band turns pale when they hear the powerful and breathtaking voice of the singer who is playing her solo right now, a heavenly version of 'Never enough’. By the time they are ready to go, the main number has already started, the imposing woman in the very center of the stage with one of the boys of the group, who although does not have the voice of the guitarist, is making a good effort. Damian is on the other side, staring at her with a superiority smirk and Luke can't help but want to punch him.
“I never realized how anyone could make everything so right, I was so sad, you brought me back.” Alex quickly indicates to him how to enter the stage from the back, and Luke prepares to jump in time for the chorus, taking care of not being seen as he climbs the platform. The song is an old pop-rock song from the 80s, specifically chosen to make the guitarist's voice shine. He and his firecracker sat listening to music for hours until they finally found it, the girl's eyes shining with excitement as she imagined all she could do with the potential of the melody.
“You give me something to believe in, after all that we've been through.” He appears on the platform just in time, the lights and smoke coming out right in his grand entrance. Y/N turns immediately upon hearing her voice and he dances his way towards her.
“The love you give, it all comes back to you. You give me something to believe in, you can see the real me. And here with you is where I'm meant to be.” both singing together the remainder of the chorus and dancing to the beat. The biggest smile he has seen in his girl since he met her on her beautiful face. With that he feels satisfied with his decision, whatever happens, win or lose, it was worth it.
“And here we are together side by side, and nothing seems impossible tonight.” the duet between them is electrifying as always, he puts his hands on her thighs and lifts her with ease, both of them moving and enjoying themselves as if they were the only ones in the place. The dance ends as the first time they danced in the auditorium when he showed her that he was the right option, he holds her with one arm, their lips inches from touching but holding the magnetism back for a few more seconds until finally leave the stage.
As soon as they are backstage Y/N throws herself at Luke, wrapping her legs around his hips and devouring his lips with hers. “Someone missed me.” Luke whispers catching his breath.
"I can't believe you guys did this for me." Expressed the girl as she turns to see her other two friends, still wrapped around Luke who has her tightly held with his huge arms around her butt.
“We trust you as much as you trust us. We know that you will win, you worked like nobody for this moment.” Affirmed the blonde, giving her a small kiss on the forehead.
“I feel like I won already.” And she did. She won the trophy, the money for the demo, friends, and a ridiculously gorgeous rockstar who drove her crazy in more ways than one. All this years working hard were finally worth it... and Damian throwing a tantrum in the middle of the stage felt good too, not gonna lie.
“When are you going to ask me to be your boyfriend? As much as I love you more than anything, a man has to have some pride, you know? We've been together for like 5 months and I'm getting desperate.” They are both lying together on the girl's bed, their legs intertwined as he makes little circles with his fingers on his girl's stomach.
She raises her head resting her hand on his bare chest, her thoughts impossible to read. What are you talking about? I'm waiting for you to ask me!” He chuckles, prepared to tease her. “Bu-”she interrumpts him, pushing the hand that is resting on him to sit down. “Ba-”
“Wait a second, Lucas!” He bites his lip, he never liked being called by his name but for some reason it sounds incredibly sensual when she says it. “Yeah, baby?”
“D- did you say you love me?”
“I did, and I do. Everybody knows you've got me trapped in your claws.” He jokes to make her laugh, and he succeeds.
“I love you too, so much.”
“I know baby.” He winks teasingly at her. “Returning to the topic, you are the most bossy and confident person I have ever met, and you want to tell me that you were waiting for me to take the first step? Doesn’t sound like my firecracker. You literally pretended to be a sunset curve super fan to get my attention.”
"I totally did, I was awesome, first thing next day you were at the auditorium.” She says proud while Luke rolls his eyes with a smile. “But if it makes you feel better, I'm 100% a fan now, and...You are completely right, for once.”
She takes a deep breath, intertwining her fingers with his. “Lucas Patterson, I want you, if we're being honest, probably from the first time I saw you at that Sunset Curve gig we met at. You are annoying, cocky, passionate, and I love you with all my heart. Be my boyfriend... please.”
“There it is, that’s my girlfriend.” His eyes full of lust after hearing that she wanted him from the first night, he draws her closer to him to push his lips against hers, his girlfriend's tongue quickly dancing with his.
"Oh my god, we already talked about this, close the damn window, I don't want to hear it!” The blonde cries from his balcony, the couple can't help but laugh before joining their lips again.
Thank you for reading ✨
Taglist: @writerinlearning, @ghostofmgg @strangerthanfanfiction713 @thebloodthirstyvampress, @kinda-really-lost, @kcd15, @magnet-girl, @aliandthephantoms, @stxrkspidey, @pinkrockstar19, @s0uz4s, @shycupcakealissa @cookiebuba, @fangirlangioma, @sageellsworth05, @twist3dtinkerbell, @sunsetcurvenotsunsetswerve, @caitsymichelle13, @ifilwtmfc @luckylouiebug, @bibliophilewednesday, @totomoshi, @siennanoelle01, @lunashadow6955, @bookfrog247, @morganayennefertyrell, @kiss-themoongoodbye, @rachelle3musicals, @imsydneywalker, @really-dont-forget-it @agentstarkid @talksoprettyjjx @kaitieskidmore1 @lukeys-giggle @katie-navarro @crybabyddl @cocopuffs0211 @marvel-ousnesss @txrii @tuttigunner @dpaccione @justalittleweirdoo @mrstodorooki @averyharrypotterlife
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in-tua-deep · 3 years
Note
au where five found out about vanya's powers in the apocalypse? Like maybe he found Reggie's book or he saw the eyes of vanya's corpse?
oh man like. that would be interesting to be sure, if Five managed to find Reginald’s book in the apocalypse
(He doesn’t read it at first, not for a few months after he finds it. He opened to the page that detailed Reginald’s experiments with how long Deigo could hold his breath in clinical unfeeling words and has to put it away while he breathed - not too deeply though, he didn’t want to breathe in more ash than necessary)
But he eventually does. He sits Dolores up and rages and vents to her, cursing Reginald’s name with every new sordid detail, every new terrible sin he now knows to hurl at Reginald’s feet. He reads no great loss under his section and he’s too dehydrated to weep but something breaks inside his chest nevertheless
(He’d never thought that dad loved them, not really. He might have hoped, back when he was little but he knew better now. He was thirteen, old enough to know better. But he’d at least thought that dad found them useful. 
Five had tried to hard, trained so much, been so adaptable. Even then he was no great loss.)
Five finds out from Reginald’s book about Ben’s death. Cold words that describe the way his brother died. Reginald seemed to care more about Ben’s death than Five’s presumed death, but that could be becuase Ben’s power was always bigger than Five’s. More violent. More efficient. Of course Ben was a greater loss, Five’s power wasn’t even inherently useful for fighting.
(Klaus’s power wasn’t useful for fighting either. Reading Dad’s dismissive words calling Klaus a failure makes him bristle. Reading about Reginald locking Klaus away in the mausoleum for days make Five want to hurl the book against the wall.)
Finding out about Vanya is - it’s weird. Vanya was always so ordinary. He loved her of course, for fucks sake he was the only one who cared to interact with her half the time. He loves all of his siblings but he has no illusions about how casually cruel they could be to one another.
But he reads about her powers and clenches his fists and wonders what Reginald would have done if Five had stayed, if Five had kept on his path of rebellion. Would Reginald have drugged him, too?
(Reginald had the power to take their powers away. Five wonders what Klaus thought when he found out, if he had cursed and sworn and raged at the man who watched his son suffer and turn to drugs to deal with seeing things no child should ever see. Reginald had the power to help, and he tortured Klaus instead.)
Because - of course Five assumes that they know. He reads Vanya’s books as well when he comes across it, tucking it into his wagon. He wonders when the truth came out, because the rage that drips from those pages is very real. Vanya doesn’t mention her powers in the book of course, but she would have been what, in her 20s when she wrote it? 
Vanya said in her book that she left home at 18, which means she’s had years to get the drugs out of her system and discover what their father had taken from her. Did she think that they knew? That they had kept it from her? Is that why the pages of her book drip with bone deep hurt, making Five’s fingers shake with the ache of them
(Or it could be the hunger, a now constant companion)
Five keeps both books close, even though he wants to vandilize Reginald’s book half the time. It’s strange to see the insight on them and their powers from the perspective of a scientist, odd to see the written results of the torture they went though
(He almost rips the page on the effects of electricity on his warping powers out on principle, but he just ends up curled around Dolores as he trembles involuntarily at the memories)
Five has so few belongings when he is recruited to the Commission, or at least has very few personal ones. He leaves Dolores behind in the apocalypse with a heavy heart but she’s too big to take with him. Too big to hide.
(Five always learned to only take what you can hide, because what you can’t hide will always be used against you.)
He tucks Reginald’s notebook in the waistband on his pants, the hard edges against his back a constant almost reassuring pressure. Vanya’s book gets pushed into one of his deep pockets. The glass eye gets shoved into his sock the same way he used to hide scavenged bills and quarters he would then place beneath the floorboards of his room
(He wonders absently if his money stash was ever found, but it doesn’t really matter now does it?)
He goes through the Commission with the knowledge that he has a bomb hidden away. As much as he keeps the notebook around out of a sense of sentiment he knows he doesn’t want it to fall into the hands of the commission, doesn’t want them to have this dissection of his powers on hand
(he has so little of his siblings left, just the bitter words of Reginald and Vanya both - the irony is that no matter how much Vanya extolled being excluded she had constantly been by Reginald’s side to write down observations, listening to his words, by his side more than any of them. sometimes he reads Vanya’s vicious words and hears the echo of their father in them. It makes sense. He still hates it, just a little bit)
He writes his equations into Vanya’s book instead of Reginald’s. He doesn’t like to read the red book, only opens it to look at the photos included so that he won’t forget what his siblings look like, tries to ignore the words that detail exactly how much force it takes to pop Luther’s bones out of his oh-so-durable joints
He solves them one day, or at least comes close. Closer than he ever had before, and he figures why not? Time for another little experiment. Who knows? Maybe he’ll add this one to dad’s book.
He pushes, and pushes, and then he falls and he’s in a courtyard he hasn’t seen in decades staring at people he hasn’t spoken to in just as long. He looks at them all with wide eyes
(He looks at Allison and hears his father’s clipped tone stating how Allison in improving at overriding survival instincts, he looks at Luther and hears Vanya’s childish voice accusing him of caring more about being a hero than anything else in his life, including his family, he looks at Klaus and sees a face covered in ash and blood with unseeing eyes)
He looks down at himself and sees smaller hands with smoother skin, absent of the burn marks from the variety of fires he’d set in the apocalypse, absent of the crooked knuckles from when he’d crushed two fingers in some rubble trying to get to a can of food, absent of the cracked and brittle nails from malnutrition and food issues
“Shit.” He says, with feeling.
He can feels the press of the glass eye against his leg, the solid weight of Vanya’s book in his pocket, the edges of Reginald’s notebook digging into his skin as he hauls himself off the ground and into a standing position.
They have a family meeting in the kitchen.
Sort of. Five flits about, snagging bread and peanut butter and marshmallow fluff from the cupboard to make himself a sandwich, trying to avoid looking too desperately eager. He hasn’t had his favorite food in so long that the anticipation is actually insane.
“What’s the date?” Five asks, and learns that he doesn’t actually have all that long until the end of the world. But hey, it’s doable. Probably. Unless the reason the world ended was like, political nuclear war or something? But there would probably be survivors of that somewhere, so it was more likely something bigger scale.
(It has to be something he can stop, or this was all for nothing. He refuses to believe he doesn’t have a chance.)
“Cool, so like, the world is ending.” Five says, because why the fuck not? He has all his siblings in one room (except Ben, he has failed Ben, will always have failed Ben because he’s a coward who couldn’t return to a time when Reginald Hargreeves was alive) and he has Reginald and Vanya’s words pressed into his brain, “We have eight-ish days to fix that.”
“Five, what the hell are you talking about?” Luther demands.
Five waves his hand, “Dad sucked, I time-travelled, the end is nigh. I figured even you could grasp that.”
(His eyes ghost over Luther, skittering about the room. He can’t look at Luther’s body without remembering the cruel diagrams pain stakingly inked into the book as Reginald grumbled about failed experiments.)
“You went to the future?” Diego says, voice full of doubt that make his voice harsh. It’s so much deeper than when Five left, no more of the cracks of puberty.
“No shit.” Five says, and he’s so tired. “I was in that hellscape for forty-five years.”
“Forty-five years?” Diego squawks, as though he’s personally offended.
“That would make you... fifty-eight?” Luther’s voice also has doubt in it, and Five can’t really blame him looking at his squishy little barely teenage body.
“Dad was right,” Five manages to get out without gritting his teeth, “Time travel is a crapshoot and sometimes your body does fun and wacky things on you, blah blah blah trees and acorns.”
“Prove you’re from the future!” Klaus demands, eyes bright as he leans across the table, “What’re the lotto numbers, baby brother?”
“I think they’re ‘fuck you the world had already ended by the time I ended up stuck there,’ Klaus.” Five says, mock thoughtfully before tearing off a chunk of his sandwich.
It tastes like ash and peanut butter. Only Five’s genuine trauma regarding food waste and the fact that most things tasted like ash in the apocalypse have him still chewing his food and swallowing.
“Rude.” Klaus says, making a ‘blat’ noise in disappointment.
“Dad’s rich as fuck, wasn’t him kicking the bucket essentially like winning the lottery?” Five points out, and this time it is Luther squawking at him in disapproval.
“Don’t talk about Dad like that!” He demands, and Five has some more uncharitable thoughts about the way Luther’s arms flex just a little unnaturally underneath that big trenchcoat.
“I like this version of Five better.” Klaus declares, looking like Christmas has come early.
“Dad was murdered and you guys don’t even care.” Luther spits out, looking very offended.
“You were murdered and I care very much about that.” Five retaliates, and the entire kitchen goes quiet.
“Can you elaborate a little, Five?” Allison says, ever the diplomat.
(That’s a lie. Allison started more fights than Diego, probably. She just got caught way less often.)
“Well. I mean, I dunno if murdered is the right word considering everyone was dead. You might have just been collateral damage, who knows? Does murder imply intent?”
“Everyone was dead?” Vanya says, voice very quiet.
Five shrugs, then nods, then shrugs again. He doesn’t like thinking about it. “Yeah, but that’s not going to happen this time.”
“I don’t have time for this nonsense.” Luther mutters, and Five valiantly tries to ignore him. 
“Five, are you - are you sure you’re alright?” Vanya’s voice wobbles and she looks like she wants to reach out and hold him or something ridiculous like that. She looks at him with big sad brown eyes, “Dad did say that time travel could... mess with you a little.”
Allison nods and oh, Five does not have time for this bullshit. 
“I have proof.” He says, and he reaches back and pulls out Reginald’s red notebook and slams it onto the table.
“Is that Dad’s - ” Luther cuts himself off, looking at the notebook with wide eyes.
It is very clearly beaten up to hell and back. Ash has stained the edges of the pages grey and there may or may not be a gouge across the front from a near miss with a bullet while working at the commission. It is a book that has clearly been through hell.
Five also dig’s Vanya’s equally beaten up book from his pocket to dump on the table as well, equally stained with ash and barely held together after being read over and over again for decades, including being used as a notebook in the final years.
(Vanya lets out a little gasp, hand flying up to her mouth with the knowledge that at least one of her siblings read her book. Certainly not the one she thought it would be.)
Five reaches into his sock to pull out the glass eye triumphantly, setting it down on his small stack of treasures.
“What the fuck?” Diego is the one to ask.
“If I time travelled from that day in 2002 to right now, how the fuck would I have Vanya’s book?” Five says triumphantly, “It came out in 2015.”
“Why do you have an eye?” Allison sounds slightly horrified.
“It’s the key to figuring out who caused the apocalypse.” Five says, turning it over in his hands, “It’s gotta have something to do with it at least.”
“Why does he have Dad’s notebook?” Luther demands, sounding equally outraged.
“Found it.” Five shrugs, like the little scavenger he is.
(Emphasis on little. His suit still almost fits, and reading the numbers in Reginald’s notebook versus seeing how fucking tall all his siblings got in person is frankly unfair.)
“Oh my god, okay.” Allison says, throwing her hands up in the air like they’re all nuisances. It’s a familiar Allison look, and Five actually feels a little soothed by the memory. “So the world is ending, Five is back from the dead, and our only clue is a goddamn eye?”
“I was never dead.” Five points out, “But basically, yeah.”
“I don’t have time for this, I have to get back to my daughter.” Allison says, shaking her head.
“I mean if you want Claire to live I would think stopping the apocalypse would kind of be a priority.” 
This draw Allison to a halt from where she’d been gathering herself to leave, “You... know her name?”
Five makes the executive decision to not mention the torn out magazine cover featuring his sister and niece that is pressed between some of the pages in Reginald’s journal. “I’d like to meet her one day.”
Just like that, Allison has been won over.
“Do you think it has something to do with whoever murdered Dad?” Luther asks seriously, even if the question makes Diego groan like this is an argument they have had before.
“Who knows?” Five shrugs, “But if we’re splitting into investigation teams, I call Vanya.”
Vanya startles from where she has been sitting quietly, “Me?” She asks, eyes wide.
“Yeah.” Five nods, “I mean, with Ben gone you’re probably the team’s heaviest hitter.”
“What?” Several voices ring out in confusion.
Five blinks, a little confused himself. Unless - “Wait, did you never train your powers?”
“Five,” Vanya says slowly, like she’s explaining a simple concept to a particularly dim child, “I don’t have powers.”
This was - this was unexpected. Why did he not think of this explanation? It’s just - he has now known about Vanya’s powers for like way longer than he hasn’t. It’s almost second nature to think of Vanya as having powers by now. And she doesn’t know.
“Oh boy.” He says, picking up Reginald’s notebook, “This debriefing may take a bit longer than I first thought. Oh, and at some point we should probably cut the tracker out of my arm as well.”
“The what out of your what?”
Yeah the day doesn’t really get much better from there.
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n0wornever · 3 years
Text
Big Reputation - Luke Patterson x Reader
Can u do a luke x reader where luke pretends to be a bad student (helps with his rockstar reputation) but is actually really good at school subjects. The reader has been having trouble in a class and luke is recruited by the teacher to tutor her? 
I LOVE THIS IDEA I’M SQUEALING, THANKS ANON, I hope you like it!
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“Y/N, I’m sorry...there isn’t much else I can do to help you dear,” Ms. Clementine said, staring up at the girl with wide eyes. “All my tutoring sessions are booked up for the next week or so, but I will try to definitely get you in the next time around?”
The girl nodded, sliding her test with bright red F spilled across the top back into her hands. She had failed another math test and she was certain that her mother was going to go ballistic as soon as she walked in the door and showed her the most recent mark she’d received. She really did try to focus this time, but her brain couldn’t seem to calculate the formulas correctly no matter how hard she tried. 
“The good news is, is that we still have several other homework assignments and three more tests coming up, you have a lot of time to make up your grade.”
Y/N tried to gather her burgeoning negative thoughts as she forced a smile onto her face. She held the paper to her chest as she paced quickly toward the door. As her eyes turned toward the open hallway, her path was blurred by a vision in all black. 
She recognized the boy in front of her, Luke Patterson. His band had recently made their big break and opened for a late night show at The Orpheum and ever since, the school had been buzzing about the band members. He was in three of her classes, and although he seemed very charismatic on stage, he sat pretty still in class. She did take note that his posse was absent from this course, and they were rarely ever seen away from each other. Her eyes fell to the rings resting against his knuckles that were pinched in a soft fist and his chain that rattled against his black cargo pants before her view shifted to his face. 
Luke studied her with cautious eyes, his lips pulled straight across in an emotionless gaze. She quickly pointed her attention back toward the door and started walking faster. As she finally hit the open doorframe, a voice called her back inside the room.
“Y/N, wait just a moment please.” 
She spun around on her heels, eyes falling on the teacher’s beckoning hand. She walked slowly up to her desk, keeping her distance from the brooding student that stood to her left. Ms. Clementine pointed at Luke with a smile before addressing her again.
“Y/N, you know my star student Luke Patterson... right?” 
Star student? She questioned internally. It wasn’t that she had ever thought that Luke was dumb. She took notice to how quickly he finished exams and how often people asked to be paired with him for group work, but she assumed it was always to schmooze him for tickets to the next Sunset Curve show, not to raise their grades. Luke’s lyrics were always ripe with rebellion, so the idea of the eyeliner-clad, angst-driven teen being anything more that sticking to the status quo in terms of high school academia. 
The older woman pointed between the two students, that knowing grin still laid on her face. 
“I have an idea that may help both of you,” She said as she tapped her pen against the wood desk below her.
“Y/N you do need help with raising your grades...”
Y/N shifted her weight to her other foot as she listened to her teacher talk, refusing to make eye contact with the boy she could already feel staring at her. 
“And Patterson over here needs a stellar recommendation letter to get into that ivy league program.”
The girl’s eyes shifted over to him, his falling toward the window. Ivy league? She wasn’t even sure that Luke would go to college with the band taking off. Y/N’s eyes fell onto the reddish hue that took over the boy’s neck as he continued to refrain from making eye contact. Y/N looked back over at her teacher, who shook her head at the boy before shifting her eyes back to the girl.
“So I think that it would be a perfect plan for both you and for Luke here,” The boy’s eyes fell back toward the conversation at hand. “Is for him to be your new tutor!” 
Luke opened his mouth seemingly to protest, but Ms. Clementine placed her hand up, silencing him. 
“Luke, I would be able to writing a glowing review of the extra time that you took to help a fellow student, and Y/N here could pass my class with flying colors with your assistance!” The woman clapped her hands in glee as she spoke.
Y/N’s gaze crawled over to him again. His eyes were firmly planted on the floor with his fists now tightly wound at his sides. The room went silent for a moment as neither student replied. Y/N looked back over to her teacher with pleading eyes and the older woman turned to the boy. As she was about to speak, Luke’s head perked up and he nodded. 
“Are you free at 3 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays?” 
The girl swallowed hard, unable to formulate her next thought. Instead, she simply nodded in his direction. His gaze swirled around her face for a moment before her gave her a quick smile. If she would have blinked, she’d probably had missed it. But it’s quick presence still sizzled enough to warm her cheeks.
“Cool, I’ll meet you at the library then, starting today.” 
With that he stuck his hands in his pockets and moved toward his desk. Y/N turned to the right to thank her teacher before scurrying out of the classroom. Her brain started spiraling the moment she entered the crowded hallway, her eyes searching for her best friend Grace. 
She saw the girl leaning against the stairwell in front of her, scrolling through her phone. Y/N practically ran to her friend, almost taking her down to the ground as she grabbed the girl’s arms as she reached her. Grace looked at her wide-eyed with a smirk on the left side of her face sliding forward at the nervous state Y/N presented back to her, hands. shaking at her sides as she released her grip on her. 
“What is up with you, incredible hulk,” Grace asked, rubbing up and down on her arms.
Y/N pulled her into the less rowdy side hallway in a huff. The girl pulled her taller friend behind her, leading her to the outdoor plaza in the middle of the school, Grace giggling as she trailed along. As they made it to their final destination, she leaned against the window as she crossed her arms at her chest, waiting for her best friend’s urgent answer. Y/N took a second to catch her breath before talking.
“I,” She took in breath of fresh air, pointing a finger toward her awaiting friend. “Ms. Clementine assigned a new tutor to me to help with my grades.”
Grace rolled her eyes “That’s what all this fuss is about?”  
Y/N shook her head, leaning next to her friend. She turned to face her with wide eyes.
“My tutor is, Luke Patterson.”
Grace’s mouth gaped open, staring at the girl. She pushed off the wall and walked in front of her friend. 
“You mean Sunset Curve’s Luke Patterson?” She tapped her finger against her chin. “Huh, I never took him for a scholar.”
“Me either,” Y/N whispered, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. 
“Why are you so nervous? You two barely know each other...” Grace asked with an eyebrow raised.
Y/N sighed loudly. She knew that she barely knew him, but that’s exactly what made it so nerve-wracking. She was okay hanging out one-on-one with people she knew quite well, but the second she was left alone with a stranger she froze like an icicle in the middle of December.
“Exactly Grace! I don’t know him, you remember the last time with that group project?” 
Grace nodded, letting a little giggle escape her lips “You mean when you almost had a panic attack on Reggie’s kitchen floor because he asked you what you thought about the slideshow he created?”
“EXACTLY,” Y/N was shouting at this point, running her hands through her hair.
Grace looked at her friend with a sympathetic smile. She moved back over to the window to sit next to her, the girl’s head falling onto her shoulder. 
“It will be okay love, you can text me at any moment you’re feeling anxious, and excuse yourself to the bathroom. I’ll stick around for an hour after school just to make sure you’re alright.” 
Y/N took a deep breath, mumbling a thank you in her best friend’s direction and Grace placed a kiss on the girl’s head. 
Y/N headed over to the library exactly five minutes before three. As she walked in, she waved at the librarian that often let Grace and her avoid the cafeteria by turning a blind eye as they ate their sandwiches in between the stacks. Finding an open spot by the window, she set her bookbag on top of the empty table. She took out her textbooks and sank down, finally let herself rest against the chair.
At exactly 3 p.m., he walked in. He met her gaze with wide eyes, shaking his head at her. She tilted her head to the side as she watched him speedwalk toward her. He grabbed her book off the table and tapped against the hardwood.
“Nope, too public, come on.”
She stood up and grabbed her bag, throwing it over her shoulder, rushing to keep up with him. She followed him down the narrow corridor toward the bathrooms. She furrowed her brows in confusion as Luke turned to her. He pointed at a door on the lefthand side and then stepped forward to push it open. The small stairwell led them down to the basement where a lot of the archived newspapers and anthologies were stored. Y/N could smell the books as soon as she entered the room, letting her eyes closed as she breathed in their scent. 
Luke slammed her book down on the table near the film reading machine and smiled sheepishly at her. She moved toward the other side of the table and sat down without another word. Luke eased into the chair across from her, leaning his head against his fist resting on the table.
“Are you okay?” He asked softly.
She turned to meet his eyes, biting down on her bottom lip. “Is this where you kill me?” 
Luke’s face broke out into a full smile at that point, unable to hold back the full-blown cackle that racked through his ribs. She watched as his head fell back as he laughed, letting a small smile fall onto her lips too. As he rose to meet her eyes again, the smile stayed.
“You’re funny, huh?” 
When she didn’t answer, he spoke up again. “I don’t want people to getting the wrong idea.”
“What, that you’re a secret genius? How terrible!” 
She shrugged, pursing her lips as her shoulders rose. Luke’s jaw locked as he looked at her for another moment, a smirk rising to the right side of his face. 
The silence hung a bit too long and Y/N knew her cheeks were growing redder by the minute. She shifted her focus back to the textbook below her.
“So, where do you want to start?” 
She forced her eyes to meet his again and his regular scowl was back in rotation. He placed his pencil behind his ear, looking off into the corner of the room for a moment before holding her gaze again.
“Next week’s quiz is the last one on chapter 9, so let’s start there.” 
She nodded at him, flipping the book open and diverting her gaze to the pages of text. She heard his voice ask a question over her head.
“What’s the most difficult question for you on the last homework assignment?”
She chewed on her bottom lip, if she was honest, she’d say all of it. But she knew they only had an hour a day, three days a week. So she pulled out her marked up piece of notebook paper. She tried to hold it close to her  to hide the red from his eyes, but she knew the marker ran through the paper. She gave in and laid the paper flat on the table, and pointed to the fourth problem in the first row.”
“Probably question D, I don’t even remember her talking about this ever??” 
He leaned over her shoulder, looking at her paper. She tried not to think about the woodsy aroma of his cologne that wafted close to her as he did, trying to focus her attention the paper shaking in her hand.
“Ahhh no, that’s a tough one.” 
He leaned back over to his side, pulled out his red folder and brought out the same worksheet. She watched as he looked over his work before turning to her again. He looked over to her paper and read over the equation she had written. Y/N let her eyes gaze over to the clock on the wall, not wanting to watch as he realized how terrible she really was at math. 
“You literally made the tiniest mistake,” he said with a chuckle. 
She turned her head and looked at him, his crooked smile directed right at her. She look of confusion fell into a pout as she tilted her head at him. He pointed down at the paper and walked her through the entire problem. As they reached the end, Y/N fell back into her chair with a groan.
“You’re literally telling me I just forgot to carry the 1?” She said as she nervously gnawed at the end of her pencil. 
He squinted one eye as he braced for his next statement. “Afraid so, that seems to be the only issue with your process.”
She lifted her head to the ceiling, shaking it as she laughed angrily at herself. As her gaze fell back to the table, she saw him already looking at her with a strange look, his eyes were wide and the line across his forehead sat tensed.
“What?” She asked, letting her hands rest on the table.
“You’re a little too hard on yourself.”
That statement sent a shock through her system. His soft eyes and worried gaze was galaxies beyond what she expected Luke Patterson to be like. Her eyes fell to his hand where his fingers anxiously tapped against the table. He was waiting for her to respond. She pulled herself together, meeting his eyes again with a forced grin pulling at her lips.
“No, it’s just that....I’m just really bad at math.”
Luke peered over to her paper again and her heartbeat rose. She watched as he scanned all the bright little dots and checkmarks before returning his eyes back to her face.
“No, like a lot of this stuff is really easy to fix.” His hand moved to point at a problem. “You just get to about the middle and slip up a bit, which derails the final answer. Totally fixable, you’re on the right track.”
She shook her head at him “Why are you being so nice to me?”
He let out another laugh, eyes crinkling at the impact. “Did you expect me to be terribly mean?”
She paused for a moment, word vomit spilling out from her mouth without giving her a warning. 
“Honestly? Yeah, a little bit.”
Luke brought his elbow up to the table, letting his cheek rest inside his hand. He let a small smile spread across his face as he looked at her, biting down on his bottom lip. 
“I do love to prove people wrong, so I’m going to take your wide-eyed look of confusion as a compliment.” 
She immediately dropped her gaze, giggling down at the table. She looked back up and his eyes were on the stacks, monitoring the collection of old papers that lined the shelves. 
“You know, I don’t think it makes you less rock and roll to be good in school,” She finally said, her tone coming out in a soft whisper. “You don’t need to hide in the basement of the library.” 
His gaze pointed back at her and she immediately stiffened. She had pushed too far, she thought as she looked at his pensive face. But a smile fell onto his cheeks quickly after, sending a sigh of relief though her.
“You’re probably right,” He admitted, leaning back in his chair. “But I’m not necessarily hiding anymore with you here.”
The left side of her mouth rose as she held his gaze. The two sat in silence, staring dreamily at one another for a moment. Finally Luke broke the silence by clearing his throat and looking at toward her worksheet again. 
“Ready to try another one?”
She let her eyes fall on his side profile for a moment before responding.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” 
She waited to hear that chuckle again before looking down at the paper in front of her again. 
.
.
.
Tag list: @xplrreylo @lovesanimals , @anythingandeverythingfandom , @crybabyddl  @themaddies-obx , @lukeys-giggle , @bumbleberry-pie @kiss-themoongoodbye  @marinettepotterandplagg , @lolychu , @bathtimejish , @dasexydevitt13 @musicconversedance , @txrii  @bestdressedandstressed @daisiesforlacey  @epikskool  @bookfrog247 @carleywhittaker @princessvader15 @rudysbay @spooky-season-bitch  @kcd15  @meangirlsx @itz-jas @parkeret @writerinlearning @calamitykaty @whatever-happens-imma-stand-tall @teenwaywardasgardian @dream-a-little-bigger-x @tenaciousperfectionunknown​ 
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mell-bell · 4 years
Text
Close my eyes and feel my chest (beating like thunder)
Tumblr media
Luke Patterson x Reader
Words: 1411
Story Summary: You had made it your mission to touch Luke. You knew he was a ghost, but that wouldn’t stop you from trying.
Author’s notes: Couldn’t get this out of my head sooooo here you go!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You were a very touchy-feely person. You loved holding hands and giving hugs. Playing with someone’s hair or just feeling their warmth when they sat next to you.
You weren’t used to not being able to show affection to someone.
Ever since meeting Luke, you continuously forgot that he was a ghost. You would go to grab his hand when trying to show him something. Or try to give him a high-five when he came up with a new catchy riff. One time you had even tried to sit in his lap, only to fall right through him.
You would be lying if you said you didn’t have a little crush on him. When he smiled at you, your heart would skip a beat. When he asked your opinion on something, your face would feel hot for hours afterward.  
You often had daydreams about what it would be like to truly feel him.
How would his hand fit in yours. How soft his hair would feel if you ran your hand over it. How his arms would feel wrapped around you when he hugged you. How his lips would feel....
When you found out that Julie had been able to touch him, you were jealous.
So, you decided to make it your goal to touch him.
And obviously, you didn’t tell him your plan. You wanted it to be a surprise.
Your first attempt was late one night when Julie and Luke were up writing music. You were sprawled out on the couch listening to their jumbled lyrics as you dozed. When Julie announced she was going to grab some water, you watched as Luke got up to stretch, his back to you.
With a smirk, you jumped to your feet. Tipping toeing slowly, you walked up behind Luke, you knew he was ticklish. Reggie had told you many manystories. Reaching for his sides, you were just about to touch him when a voice sounded behind you.
“What are you doing?” Julie asked.
You let out a shriek, as you stumbled away from Luke, tripping over your own feet, you crashed straight into Alex’s drums.
You groaned as you lay on the ground, Julie holding back laughter as Luke looked torn between being both confused and worried.
Ever since that moment, you had been sulking just a little.
But that didn’t deter you, you had made it your mission.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Couch:
You had somehow misjudged the bounciness of the couch in the studio.
Luke had been standing in front of the couch playing darts, as the rest of the band gathered around the piano. No one was paying attention to you. This was your moment.
Your eyes narrowed and you slowly stood, testing the bounciness of the couch. You had watched Harry Potter multiple times.... it would be just like the opposite of Platform 9 ¾. Imagine him solid. Imagine him solid.Solid. All you had to do was think it into existence.
But your plan didn’t work out the way you expected.
You hopped off the couch and took a few steps back. Glancing over to make sure no one was watching you, you shook out the tension in your shoulders. Solid solid solid. Taking in a deep breath, you took a running start and jumped up onto the couch.
But the cushions were softer than you expected and instead of vaulting onto his back like you planned, they propelled you forward. You let out a startled yelp, the solidthoughts falling right out of your head as your body flew through Luke’s ghostly form and you crashed to the ground with a thud.
As you laid on the ground, you let out a sigh. A throat cleared above you and you opened your eyes, seeing Luke standing over you, a smirk wide on his annoying ghost face and you just groaned, closing your eyes and pretending you weren’t there.
“Did you just step on my couch?!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Kitchen Counter:
You had a habit of climbing onto kitchen counters. You had done it since you were little and it had stuck with you. It was much easier than having to rely on somebody else when you could just do it more creatively. So you figured you might as well use it to your advantage.
You had recruited Julie and Flynn onto your side, explaining your plan, the younger girls holding back laughter at the determined look in your eyes.
The plan was simple enough. Julie would tell Luke to meet her in the kitchen, where you would be lying in wait on the counter.
It had been about an hour and you were dozing off when you finally heard footsteps. With a grin, you jumped to your feet, ready to pounce.
The second the boy walked around the corner, you jumped onto his back. Success!
“AhhHHHH!” The man screamed and your eyes widened as you both dropped to the ground.
“Mr. Molina?!”
“Y/N, what were you doing on the counter?!”
You looked around, no Luke in sight, “I...I mean. Wait what?”
Frantic footsteps sounded down the hall and Julie rounded the corner, bending over trying to catch her breath.
“I....” she huffed, “Sorry.”
Luke popped into the kitchen not long after, his brows raising in amusement at you and Mr. Molina sprawled out on the ground.
“My bad,” Julie whispered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You arrived at the band’s studio, a small frown on your face. It had been over a week and you still weren’t able to touch Luke. You dropped onto the couch with a sigh, your eyes closing for a quick nap as you waited for the band to arrive for practice.
You felt someone drop onto the couch beside you, placing their head in your lap. Without opening your eyes, your hand dropped down, running a hand over their hair. As your hand ran through the soft hair, your brows furrowed.
Opening your eyes, you looked down finding a smiling Luke looking up at you. Letting out a startled yelp, you stood quickly, Luke falling with a thud to the ground.
“Ow.”
“I touched you.” Your eyes were wide as you looked from your hand to the boy on the ground.
“And bruised me!” Luke said as he jumped to his feet.
You started forward to apologize but froze right before your hand could touch him. It hovered over his chest for a few seconds and he stood there patiently, waiting for you to make the decision.
You reached out slowly and gently pressed your hand into Luke’s chest. The boy rocked back slightly on his heels. Staring down at your hand, you were motionless. You hadn’t believed you would be able to do it again. But you had touched him. He was solid.
Reaching out again, you placed your hand onto Luke’s chest, feeling the boy’s heart beating like thunder.
His hand came up, resting on top of your own and your throat began to burn as you looked up at him and smiled.
Threading your fingers together, you stepped closer to him. Your eyes closed as you felt the warmth of his body against your own. His other hand raised, the back of his fingers brushing gently against your cheek.
Your eyes opened and watched as he leaned in slowly, stopping just a breath away from you.
Without hesitation, you leaned in to meet him. His lips touched yours gently. And you pressed back harder, your body flush against his. His lips curled into a smile as you deepened the kiss.
When he pulled away, you let out a disappointed sigh. He stifled a laugh at the slight frown pulling at the corner of your mouth and he leaned down brushing another soft kiss across your lips.
“Promise me something.” He asked.
“Anything,” you said as you trailed your hand absentmindedly across his chest, still in wonder at feeling him solid beneath you.
He smoothed his hand over your hair, before tilting your chin up to meet his gaze.  
“Next time you want to touch me, just ask. You don’t have to jump off any more counters.”
Your eyes widened comically and he let out a snicker as he skipped away. With a wide smile, you took off after him, pushing past Julie and the band as they walked into the studio. Your shoulder rammed into Reggie, who let out an exaggerated shout of confusion as you chased after Luke, your laughter echoing together throughout the studio.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author’s notes: I might post some random one-shots here and there - if you wanna be tagged just let me know I’ll keep a running list
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Text
sweet like the thunder on my tongue
pairing: willex
word count: 2786
tw for light swearing
It tumbles out of his mouth before he could even think about it: “But I don’t have any powers.”
Caleb smirks. “And who told you that?”
or, in which willie realizes his true strength.
taglist is in the reblogs, fic is under the cut!
—————
“Willie?”
The skater’s head pops up, cutting off the conversation he was having to look over at his boss.
“Can I see you for a moment? In my office?” Caleb gestures toward the stairwell.
Wordlessly, Willie follows him, only growing concerned when they walk right past the office and towards another room at the end of the hall which he’d never paid any mind to before. Was that door even there before? “Caleb, what’s going on?”
Caleb opened the door to the room and ushered him inside-- well, more shoved, but who is Willie to talk back to him right now-- while all Willie could do was look around and wait for Caleb to say something. The room was dark-- pitch black, actually, and he couldn’t see anything inside. He could now barely see his own hands, if not for the single hanging light above Caleb’s head as he stood in the hallway still, blocking the doorframe. With a wave of his fingers, Caleb pushed Willie down into some kind of, apparently, vantablack chair, metal clamps fastening around his wrists as soon as he reached the seat. Caleb leaned against the doorframe, seemingly inspecting his nails. “You’ve betrayed me, William.”
Willie steels himself, squeezing his eyelids shut, and replies, “I, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His efforts to cover his tracks were pitiful, to be completely honest. He wasn’t sure how much energy he had left at that point; before he’d met the band— before he’d met Alex— he thought that the best thing about the afterlife was that he could do what he wanted for as long as he wanted, day in and day out, as long as he came back to the club to do the shows. But now, his entire perspective has been shaken up, and he’s honestly gotten sick of doing the same things every single day. Why should he go see the same sights he’s seen since 1983 when he could be screaming in a museum, or stealing an entire fucking bus, or anything that can actually make a connection between him and another person?
Except, now he can’t even do that anymore. His connections are gone. They all crossed over (except for Julie, who never saw him in the first place), and he was left to his own devices, again. Willie isn’t sure what else there is for him to do, and in all transparency, if he hasn’t figured out his unfinished business yet, he doubts he ever will. Caleb putting him out of his misery now would probably just save him a lot of trouble.
“Don’t be coy,” Caleb jabs at him, standing up straight. “After all I’ve done for you? I gave you a place to stay, food to eat, things to do, and this is how you repay me? You help my recruits escape?”
Willie sighs, the helplessness beginning to overwhelm him. “What does it matter, anyway? They’ve crossed over, you don’t have competition anymore, right?”
“William, the boys are still out there. And they’ve lost their stamps.” Willie freezes. They lost their stamps? Alex is alive— or, at least, as alive as he can be? “Regardless, I have never been worried about competition. Those boys have power, power that could rival my own. I can’t just have that out there in the world, where it could fall into the wrong hands, now, can I?” Caleb sneers, a sickenly sweet smirk on his face.
Furrowing his brows, Willie rushes out in reply, “They’re playing in a pop rock band, they’re practically harmless, what could they even—”
“You don’t get it, do you?” Caleb interrupts, his icy eyes boring into Willie’s own.
Willie shuts his mouth and swallows his nerves. And maybe his pride.
Caleb leans forward, his hands gripping the arms of the chair. “I can’t have anyone’s power rival my own. That would steal away my precious audience, my empire that I’ve built over the last hundred years. Every ghost in my club would otherwise be a threat to me, had they not signed away their powers when they sold me their souls. With their powers under my possession, I have full reign over any paranormal capabilities that this world could possibly hold.” He stands back up. “I’ve kept my enemies close, you could say.”
It tumbles out of his mouth before he could even think about it: “But I don’t have any powers.”
Caleb smirks. “And who told you that?”
Willie was looking right at him. He feels no need to answer, and even if he wanted to, his mouth is going dry and there’s a lump in his throat preventing him from doing anything other than remaining still.
“Don’t get your hopes up about the boys still being here, William,” Caleb says after a moment. “They won’t be when you get out.” He slams the door, leaving Willie in the room, with nothing but dark, dark, dark, alone.
***
“Alright, where’s our first stop?” Luke asks as Julie shrugs her backpack over her shoulder and takes a sip from her water bottle. She and the boys were walking down Sunset Boulevard, her with Airpods in so she could talk to the boys without getting odd looks from others. Julie was planning a sleepover with Flynn for the following night, and the boys jumped at the chance to help her run errands, since hanging out in the studio was getting a little boring.
“Can we stop for pizza? I know we can’t eat it, but at least I can smell it!” Reggie pleads, using his puppy dog eyes.
“Reg, that face only works on Luke and Alex. You can smell it tomorrow night when she’s over, yeah?” Julie jokes. “I was thinking—”
A dark, purple smoke appears in front of them, causing them to stumble and still themselves, the boys’ faces all paling once they realize who’s in front of them.
Caleb smiles, sickeningly sweet. “Hello, boys. And you must be Julie.”
***
He has powers.
Willie has powers, and he hadn’t known this entire fucking time.
This guy, who was supposed to be Willie’s mentor for the past, who knows, thirty-ish years now, who he had once looked up to, who had taken him in has his own, who had given him a way to keep track of time again, who somehow knew he had powers that he couldn’t manage on his own, did all of it for his own advantage. He used him to gain more power and control, while making Willie think he cared. Thirty fucking years.
Right now, he’s trapped in this room, yeah, but Willie feels more suffocated by the hurt and confusion surrounding him more than anything else. He can’t stand that Alex and the boys are probably out there right now, about to be destroyed by Caleb, because of him, again. He hates that nearly all of his afterlife has just been a giant fucking lie. And with these stupid new-but-not-really powers, he doesn’t even know where to start. So, he does what he knows best.
Willie screams.
He cries a bit too, but mostly he screams until his voice grows hoarse.
Ever since he passed away, he’s always loved the feeling that grows in his chest when he screams, knowing that he can just take up so much space without anyone (or at least, anyone important) hearing. It hurts sometimes, obviously, but really it just feels like lightning forming in his veins, sparking against his the walls of his skin, ready to burst through.
He doesn’t notice until he takes a gasp for air that this time, it actually has.
Willie gasps again, this time in shock. It’s a bright, brilliant green, wires of light darting across his fingertips and palms. He doesn’t know what to do with it.
Willie squeezes his eyes shut and makes two fists, willing the stinging of the lightning to go away by distracting himself with the stinging of his own fingernails. He realizes then that he’s created light, that he’s given himself a way out, so he reopens his hands and holds them out, looking for the door that Caleb had previously slammed. He spots it and moves to get up, almost forgetting about his arm braces. He curses under his breath, and begins to rack his brain for a way out of them, the green still dancing around his arms.
He screams again.
***
They’d been cornered into an alleyway, which was probably best for any bystander’s sanity, anyway, but it meant that they were trapped by Caleb. Again.
“What do you want with us?” Luke had asked when Caleb first appeared, walking in front of Julie with a guarding arm.
Caleb had sighed in reply, taking a step forward, “Oh, I’ve decided I don’t need you three anymore. You’re not of any use to me, not without your lifer by your side. Without a life source, you’re about as powerful as any other regular ghost. I just need her.”
Luke stood fully in front of Julie then, Reggie and Alex flanking him to protect her. “You will never get to her,” Alex had chimed in, ice in his tone.
“Bold statement from someone who still chooses to hide behind his friends.” Alex had looked down at his shoes in shame, face turning red. “Oh, don’t worry, we all know you’re not brave enough to take me on by yourself,” Caleb chuckled to himself. “Besides, you boys seem to have forgotten how powerful I am— or can we do without the reminder?” Caleb added, lifting his hand as a wisp of purple smoke curled around it.
Now, after putting up a decent fight, they stand against the building as dark purple webs tangle over them, effectively pinning them down. Julie strains against them as they burn into her skin, pointedly not looking at Caleb who is inches away. Caleb puts a finger to her chin, causing her to look into his eyes. Julie sucks on her teeth, willing herself not to cry any more than she already has. “Quite a shame that such talent, such heart has to go to waste,” Caleb says, before his hand begins to glow in a manner that Julie knows could only lead to her demise.
He’s interrupted, however, by a slew of car alarms going off. Caleb swivels his head to look over at the main road, now realizing that it’s… empty?
Almost moving to walk over, Caleb hesitates just enough for the webs’ strength to weaken, and the boys poof out of their hold. They immediately begin trying to pull the web of magic off of Julie, succeeding in doing so once they notice that Caleb’s attention is no longer on them. He’s in the road now, staring down the horizon line.
“He’s distracted now, let’s poof to the studio to buy some time,” Reggie says, but Luke quickly counters, “Julie can’t poof. We would have to go back down the road, anyway.”
While Luke and Reggie are trying to figure out what to do, Julie’s eyes stray over to Alex, who is now peering around the corner of the building, eyebrows furrowed. He suddenly runs over to the road, and Julie calls after him. The three run to catch up to Alex and stand in terror just a few feet behind Caleb, who is still seemingly frozen in place.
They feel it before they can see it.
The hair on their arms and the backs of their necks begin to stand on end, a quiet humming in the atmosphere causing an adrenaline rush kind of energy around them. The humming thrums into a pulse, concentrating around what Caleb must’ve been looking at; a sharp, sparking green light floating in the air down the road. It grows bigger and bigger, until a silhouette suddenly appears in its place, looking at the ground. “Hey, Caleb!”
Alex’s heart stops when he realizes who it is.
Willie looks up from the ground and begins to make his way over, thunderous step by thunderous step. His eyes shine fully in bright green, almost like the lightning inside of him was leaking out. He reaches forward and a beam of crackling light shoots forward, splitting and clasping itself around Caleb’s wrists in constraint. With rumbling intensity, Willie continues, “You lied to me. You’ve been lying to me my entire afterlife, pretending to care. Every time you stamped someone, you told me it was because they would be dangerous otherwise, that you were just ‘protecting the ghost world’, and then you turn and do it to my friends. You’ve hurt me, you’ve hurt the people I care about, and it doesn’t even matter to you. I don’t even want to know the number of other ghosts you’ve screwed over like you have us.” Willie heaves in a breath, his arm beginning to shake as Caleb tries to overpower him with his own powers. “I can’t let you do this anymore.”
Caleb grits through his teeth, “You don’t get much of a say, William, I own you.”
“Not anymore.” Willie screams again, causing the beam shooting out of his palm to reinforce itself, the sparks around Caleb’s wrists slowly crawling around his skin until it looked like his veins were filled with light. “You aren’t strong enough to beat me, William, I know you more than you know yourself. You can’t do this,” Caleb tries, but Willie just screams louder, drowning him out.
The screams nearly shake the air, causing Julie to lean on Luke for support, with Reggie resting a hand on her shoulder. Alex wants to reach out, to do something, but he knows there’s nothing he really can do to help. He knew Willie was one of a kind, it was obvious from every interaction they’d had up to that point, but he never expected him to be that powerful. It was terrifying, if he was being honest. And Alex didn’t want to be scared of him, especially while he was literally putting his life on the line for them, but it was almost as if Willie was losing control.
Wait.
A small, dwindling purple smoke emits from Caleb’s palms, encircling the cuffs on his wrists, and the green light inside of him dims. Willie is panting in between his screams, running out of energy. Inhaling sharply, Alex doesn’t think twice before bolting over to him, ignoring the protests from his friends.
Alex stands behind him and grips his hands onto Willie’s shoulders, focusing all of his energy into his fingertips, just like he had on that day in the museum. And, just like that day, he screams with Willie, hoping and praying to a god he no longer believes in that it helps, that it works.
It does.
The lightning bursts out at a rapid speed, nearly enveloping Caleb, almost as if it was tearing him apart, atom by atom. It grows brighter, and brighter, and brighter, until—
He’s gone. Small ashes lie in the spot where Caleb once stood, now dissipated into thin air.
Willie collapses to the ground in exhaustion and Alex grasps onto him, as if he’ll disappear himself if he lets go. After a brief moment, Willie takes a sharp breath, wincing in a burning, stinging type of pain, and lets out a breath of relief once it goes away. He knows exactly what that was, he could feel it; his soul was finally back in his body.
Willie looks down at his wrist. The familiar stamp from the Hollywood Ghost Club is still there, however it no longer has its signature purple sheen. It’s black and faded now, like a thirty-year-old tattoo he’s come to regret.
“Are you okay?” Alex asks, pulling away, his face the picture of worry. Willie notices then that Julie, Luke, and Reggie are knelt next to him, too, their own expressions almost as bad as Alex’s.
Willie smiles a sad smile. It’s a weak thing, but it’s genuine. “You’re still here.”
Recognition washes over Alex’s face, and he softly lifts his hand to Willie’s chin. “Of course I am. I told you, I’d follow you anywhere, yeah?”
Willie chuckles and ducks his head. “Yeah, well, somehow, you did.”
Alex lightly pulls on his chin so he can look him in the eye, a burning intensity present there that Willie hasn’t seen in, well, thirty years. “We can explain that later, okay? I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
Willie does a small nod. “I will be.”
Alex pulls him back into a tight hug, and Willie sinks into his arms. He knows they’ll both ask questions later; all that matters right now is that they’re there, that they’ve got each other.
And now, they always will.
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invisibleraven · 2 years
Note
Friday Friday
#8, dealer's choice
Reggie wheezed as he crawled under the barbed wire maze, hating the feel of the mud underneath him, the jeers of his fellow recruits, just everything about boot camp. But he had been trying so long to go to war, to serve his country, so every hardship had to be worth it.
It also didn't hurt to have the attractive officer Julie Molina appraising him, a smirk on her red painted lips. Of course, she also had Reggie's immediate respect after she decked the smug private who mouthed off at her. What could Reggie say? He liked a feisty broad.
Of course, Reggie always had a thing for spirited people. Why else would he have spent half his adolescence half in love with his best friend Luke? Luke who was already across the Atlantic with the 121st, where Reggie longed to be.
Finally Reggie made it through the maze, and was lead to an open field for a full regimen of jumping jacks. Julie looking on so Reggie tried his ample best not to become overly winded in front of her.
"Grenade!"
Reggie saw the object lobbed to the ground, and on instinct leapt on top of it, shielding his fellow recruits, and more importantly, Julie from the potential blast. He was always one to lay down his life to protect others.
Yet there was no blinding pain, no blast. He looked around, and saw everyone looking at him, huddled on the ground over what was evidently a dummy grenade. "Is this a test?"
Later that night, after many meetings and paperwork, Reggie sat out on the field, tossing the dummy grenade back and forth, the stars shining down on him.
"Was wondering if I would find you," Julie said, sitting down next to him and leaning back. "Nice to see the stars again, I never get to see them back home. Too much smog and light pollution."
"You have to come visit the ranch in Georgia. My MeeMaw said you could see the whole galaxy from there." Reggie let out a sigh. "I wonder what she would make of it, me volunteering to take some super serum to become a soldier."
"I think she would know you are a good man doing hat he can to serve. But you've always done that. Luke today, when you jumped on a grenade to save people... To save me."
Reggie scoffed. "Yeah, I looked a right fool, jumping on this," he said tossing the dummy grenade up in the air.
"You looked braver than any man there, all of whom scattered like little babies at the first real sign of peril." Julie snatched the grenade in mid air. "It's why you were chosen. Because of who you are. MeeMaw would be proud. I know I am."
Julie leaned in, pressing a kiss against the corner of his mouth. "Just next time... Maybe save me a dance before you conduct any more daring do."
"I-I can do that."
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Text
Anniversary (one shot)
Harry Potter AU 
Request:  Hey! Could you do a Regulus x Dom!Reader please? Maybe if the reader it’s just annoyed with something he did and she gets all rough on him? Thank you! 💚
Pairings: Regulus x Reader 
Rating: E- rough sex, sensitive themes
________
He forgot...again….
You thought bitterly as you looked at the half-empty bottle of wine in front of you. This was supposed to be your anniversary and you were supposed to be spending it with your fiance but Regulus didn’t show up. You were furious (furious was putting it lightly). Regulus had promised that he wouldn’t be late and where was he?
Alone time wasn’t something that you had much of with Regulus lately. One would think that after moving in together after graduation there would be plenty of alone time but...no. The dark lord was stealing all of Regulus’ free time. There were days that you wouldn’t see him at all. When he did come home, he offered you no explanation as to where he was. You knew better to ask too. He wouldn’t tell you anyway. The less you knew the better things were.
After another half an hour, you finally were too annoyed to wait for him. You paid the waiter who gave you a sympathetic expression. He didn’t have to tell you that he was aware that you had been forgotten about. You could see the look of sympathy in his eyes.
Lovely...someone else figured it out too.
Walking into the house, you stormed into the bathroom to change out of the new dress that you had bought for the occasion. You decided it was time to get comfy and crash in bed.
The front door opening and closing as you opened up your makeup-removing wipes made you stop in your tracks. Regulus was storming up the steps seconds later.
“I thought you told me to meet you in the first restaurant that I asked you to marry me in.”
Regulus’ voice was clearly a bit annoyed as he stepped into the bathroom. You didn’t look in his direction but internally smiled at the expression on his face when he saw the new lingerie that you were wearing.
It was your turn to be the hardass…
You didn’t look away from the mirror as you pretended to be admiring your own reflection.
“I waited there for you for over 2 hours. I got sick of waiting for you.”
You could see Regulus roll his eyes through the bathroom mirror before running a hand through his curls.
“Y/n, love, I’m really sorry. Things got out of hand tonight and some new recruits really fucked some shit up.”
“Let me guess, you had to clean it up as usual?”
Regulus nodded. He didn’t intend to tell you that much but he did.
“Yes. Can you just accept my apology so that our whole evening isn’t ruined?”
You started laughing bitterly which seemed to confuse Regulus all the more. Putting down the make-up wipe onto the counter, you turned to squeeze past him.
“It's already ruined but nice try.”
You gently shoved past Regulus to go to the bedroom. As you expected, his footsteps quickly came after you. You knew Regulus well enough to know that he was not about to let this go. Regulus wasn’t really a “letting things go” kind of person.
“Hey, I showed up!”
Regulus snapped, beginning to lose his patients. Today had been one hell of a shit fest and he was looking for nothing more than to spend some alone time with you. Now you were pissed at him for something that he couldn’t control.
“Again 2 hours late.”
You snapped. Regulus muttered something inaudible under his breath before saying
“You’re supposed to support me.”
You picked up his pillow before spinning around and chucking it at him.
“Me support you? I have done nothing but support you? Do you think that I would agree to potentially watching the love of my life get killed if I didn’t support you? Are you really that clueless, Regulus? You know what, just get the fuck out of here and leave me alone. Go sleep on the damned couch and don’t speak to me.”
Picking up the soft fleece blanket that was on the edge of the bed, you tossed that at him too before shoving Regulus out of the room and slamming the door.
You spent the next hour lying in bed seething over your wasted evening. Anniversaries were supposed to be happy but this one sure wasn’t. You were also preparing yourself mentally for a letter from Walburga the next day doing her “interfering” thing that she. If she found out that Regulus and yourself were having any kind of problem she decided it was time to get involved in it.
Bring it.
You thought before beginning to drift off. Right as you were about to cross the line of awake and asleep, there was a soft knock on the door. Your eyes snapped open as Regulus stepped in. He gave you his best pouting expression that typically got him whatever he wanted.
“Y/n, I’m really sorry about tonight. I would have never forgotten our anniversary to make you upset. Let me make it up to you.”
Regulus decided to make damn sure to choose his words carefully. The last thing that he really wanted to do was sleep on the couch. It didn’t matter how comfy the couch was. Regulus wanted to be with you. He didn’t care how mushy the thought was, he didn’t want to lose one night without you in his arms.
He must have been damn desperate to appease you to even offer what he was about to. This was something that he had never considered before. Giving up his control was something that Regulus didn’t like doing. Tonight it was different but seeing the new lingerie that you clearly spent a good amount of time picking out made the idea of letting you be in control more tolerable.
Regulus yanked his shirt over his head before settling himself beside you. He took your hand in his and brought it to his lips to kiss each digit. Regulus could tell by the expression on your face that you were intrigued with what his idea of “making things up to you” included. Typically making up after an argument meant sex that left both of you nearly dehydrated.
“You’re in control.”
Regulus managed to say after a few failed attempts at getting it out. Your face was, as he imagined, surprised. This was something that had never come out of Regulus Black’s mouth before.
“Wha-what?”
You stammered. Regulus shrugged innocently.
“Do whatever you want and I’ll be good.”
You sat beside your fiance blinking in a state of shock. Regulus giving up control in the bedroom was like an extreme Christian changing their religion...it never happened.
“Seriously?”
Regulus nodded.
“Mhm.”
You could tell that he didn’t like this one bit but he wouldn’t admit to it. Maybe he was really sorry about the ruined night? Perhaps your anniversary wasn't a complete waste after all?
“Take the rest of your clothes off.”
You said, testing the waters. Not being 100% sure what Regulus would and wouldn’t do, you decided to toe the waters lightly.
Regulus didn’t complain as he stood up to remove the rest of his remaining articles of clothing. He sat back in bed beside you, keeping his dark eyes focused on you. He would find the expression of shock on your face amusing later.
Meanwhile, you were silently figuring out just what you were going to do with him. You quickly took your place on his lap, placing a leg on either side of his body.
“You aren’t allowed to touch me.”
You said before stroking a finger down Regulus’ jawline. He swallowed, clearly not enjoying this particular order Touching you was what he was good at. If he couldn’t touch you how was he supposed to relive the building ache between his legs?
“Love…”
You shook your head cutting off his protest.
“I said no. Be a good boy, Reggie, and I may let you touch me.”
Leaning forward, you placed a few tentative kisses to his lips before diving in for a much deeper and longer one. Regulus sighed against your mouth. These were the kisses that were addicting as heroin. You didn’t realize how sweet you tasted and now he wasn’t allowed to touch you.
You were the first to break away from the kiss. Regulus leaned his head back against the headboard as you stroked your fingers through his now messy curls.
“Such a good boy.”
Regulus smirked as his eyes fell down your body. His cock was beginning to ache as he took in the sights of how the new lingerie pressed your breasts together.
“Do you like the new lingerie?”
You asked in a sweetly innocent voice. Regulus’ eyes were locked on your face immediately.
“I would be a bloody fool to say no. Let me touch you, sugar.”
You shook your head before climbing off of his lap and leaning over to rummage around inside the bedside table.
“I said no. No touching me or yourself. Just sit there.”
You snapped before tugging the lace knickers off. Regulus growled when you reached over and tweaked his nose. You knew he hated that more than anything in the world. It was a reminder of an annoying habit that his grandmother used to do when he was a child.
“Now now, none of that.”
You said in a sweet sing-song voice before letting Regulus see that vibrator that you held in your hand.
“Now, you are going to sit there and watch while I fuck myself like this and whimper your name. This could be you inside of me but you ruined that.”
Regulus’ bit his bottom lip as you lay back on the bed, right in front of him, and spread your legs. The moment that the vibrator touched your clit, you cried out. You could see Regulus’ face from your position. He looked beyond hot and bothered.
With each touch of the toy to your body, Regulus became a little braver. He slowly eased his left hand over the top of his thigh to touch his now hard cock.
“Regulus, I said no.”
You commented. He moved his hand away from his cock quickly and gave you the scowl of an impatient child.
“If you do it again, I will tie your hands up. Now lay down.”
Regulus did as he was told and laid back against the pillows. You, meanwhile, quickly sat up and reached for the silk scarves that were tied to the headboard. Regulus shook his head.
“I didn’t touch myself again.”
You shrugged and wrapped the silk scarves around both of his wrists.
“Do you think that I care?”
You replied as Regulus tried to pull his hands free. Little did he seem to realize, you knew how to tie hands up well now. You had been watching him do this to you for years and you could tie him up like a pro.
“I told you to be a good boy and you apparently do not know how to be a good boy.”
Regulus smirked at that comment.
“Well...you love me anyway.”
You nodded as you gently spread his legs apart. Kissing his lips chastely, you kissed a path from his lips down to his collarbone. Regulus’ chest was heaving as you moved between kissing and licking a path down further.
“You’re right. I do love you. I love everything about your spoiled haughty ass.”
You ignored the scowl on his face as you began to kiss over his stomach but ignored his cock. Kissing and licking around it but never directly touching it was frustrating Regulus more than anything. He groaned as you got close once but stopped. His cock was dying to be touched. You never ignored him this much before and it was making the ache triple in intensity. Precome was oozing onto his perfect stomach with each caress of your lips and tongue leaving him muttering “fuck” and “please, love” under his breath.
“Sorry baby, not yet.”
You replied, leaving Regulus looking at you with wide eyes. The wild expression was enough to make your own body ache with need.
“Don’t do this to me.”
Regulus rasped. His voice deepened, almost feeling like the vibrator to your clit.
“You’ll be okay.”
You said, patting his cheek. Regulus was starting to regret his decision on giving up control. He was sick of feeling like a pampered pet and wanted nothing more than to shove you onto the mattress and fuck you until you couldn’t walk straight.
It wouldn’t be the first time
He thought with a smile.
“What are you smirking at?”
You asked. Regulus raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, nothing. Just fucking you until you can’t walk. I would love to see you explain that to my mum when we have dinner with them tomorrow.”
You smiled and took your place on his chest.
“Sorry, baby, but that is going to be you. I'm going to blue ball you until you are miserable. Now I’m going to sit on your face and you are going to make me feel good. Maybe, just maybe, if you do as you are told and shut that pretty mouth of yours I’ll let you fuck me.”
Regulus immediately opened his mouth and held out his tongue. This particular activity he could definitely get into. He could spend the entire day with his face between your legs if you would let him.
You sighed as his tongue finally made contact with your clit.
“Reggie.”
You whined his name as Regulus focused all of his attention on pleasuring you. He knew how to use that pretty little mouth of his very well. Your head fell back as you kept your attention glued to each swipe of his tongue.
When he stopped licking for a moment, you groaned at the loss of contact and as close to dishing out punishment. You stopped, however, when Regulus started speaking.
“Remember that time you borrowed James Potter’s invisibility cloak and I ate you out in the middle of the great hall.”
You blushed at the memory from the fifth year. It was probably one of your more erotic experiences. How Regulus got his hands on Potter’s cloak was beyond you. All that you knew was you were sitting at breakfast with your ass about to fall on the floor as Regulus licked and sucked you to a silent orgasm in front of everyone. The only thing stopping you from falling was Regulus using one hand to hold you up.
“It's a miracle that we weren’t caught.”
Regulus’ eyes were watching you with a sneaky glint in his eyes.
“I’ve got skills. We didn’t have to worry about that.”
You reached down and undid the silk scarves. The limits of teasing had been reached for the moment. You wanted nothing more than for Regulus to hold you down and fuck you silly. Judging by the way he looked at you with wide glassy eyes, he wanted it just as bad. You lowered yourself to his waiting cock and took him from tip to base with no warning.
Regulus groaned and resisted the urge to start thrusting into you. Had the situation been different, and he hadn’t fucked up the anniversary dinner, Regulus would be having his way with you. Tonight, he kept muttering to himself that he had to be the good boy that you wanted him to be.
“Fuck me, baby. Fuck me like a whore.”
Regulus didn’t need any further invitation. He lifted his legs as you held onto the headboard. You barely had time to prepare yourself as Regulus slammed into you. He didn’t give you time to adjust to his size before slamming in over and over.
“You’re not going to walk right tomorrow.”
Regulus grunted as he dug his hands into your hips to keep your body on his. Shoving in balls deep, both of you were gasping and trying to keep a hold of sanity.
“Fucking take it.”
Regulus growled. You smirked.
“You fucking take it.”
From your place on top, you could see Regulus smile at the comment. You rocked back onto him as Regulus eased up a bit.
“Make yourself come, sweetheart...and hurry.”
Regulus gasped through gritted teeth. All of the teasing combined with the rough fast pace fucking was quickly getting to him. He shoved in once more this time hitting the “perfect spot.” Regulus didn’t give you time to breathe as he continued to fuck you through your orgasm.
“Regulus.”
“That is. Say my name.”
He groaned before finishing inside of you. Neither of you was able to move for a few moments. Regulus gently patted your thigh as you moved to snuggle down beside him. Turning on his side, Regulus tilted your face to his for a few soft kisses.
“Happy anniversary.”
He said with a smile. You pushed up further for another kiss.
“And many more.”
____________
@amelie-black @regulusslut @truly-insatiable @realgaytrash @quuenofblacks @lucasfilms77 @exhsle @teletubiswszpilkach @mimisparkle12 @acciosiriusblack @jessyballet @knreidy1 @fific7 @bennyberry @hazncalsgal @criminalyetminimal @whymyparentscheckmyphone @spiderxalmighty @rubyroscoe1 @brokencasbutt67-writer @authoressskr @fandom-trash-worth-it @hankypranky @summer-novak @emiwrites3reads @shaylybaby2032 @marichromatic @stuckinsaudi1 @untoldshortsofthefandoms @sprnaturallover @deanwherescas @shitfaceddaniel @wontlookaway @mycuddlycorner
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alexthedrummerboy · 3 years
Text
Darkest Before The Dawn
pairing: willex, past luke/alex
summary: "your parents were never cool again after you told them you were gay.” OR an exploration into alex’s past, his family life, and his relationship with religion
essentially this is all one big angsty headcanon
authors note: basically i’ve been thinking about the gold chain alex wears around his neck and i’ve been way overanalysing what it is and i thought - what if it used to be a cross necklace that his devout parents made him wear?? also i’m so desperate for alex to have more backstory that i’m pulling it out of every nook and cranny at this point
trigger warning: homophobia, bad parenting
ao3
It starts when he’s seven. He’d invited Bobby over to his house after school to play, not knowing that his dad had come home from work early. They’re sitting at the dining table, drawing with Alex’s new 36 pack of crayons when he hears it.
“I just think letting him do all that... art stuff is gonna make him...” he hears his dad say to his mom, “...soft. Girly. We already have one daughter, we don’t need another one.”
Alex doesn’t really understand what his Dad means, but he drops the crayon he’s holding and pokes Bobby on the wrist lightly. “I’m bored,” he says quietly, though his picture remains on the table unfinished. “Can we go do somethin’ else?”
Bobby furrows his eyebrows and looks down at his paper. “But... I didn’t finish colouring my dragon.” 
Alex looks at his Dad in the kitchen. He’s still talking to his mom, both of their heads bowed. He has that look on his face that reminds Alex of the time his mom tried to convince them to go vegetarian for a week. “We can finish colouring later... maybe,” he says. “Let’s go play in my room.”
Bobby takes one last look at his drawing but nods, gently folding the piece of paper in half and tucking it into his backpack. “Okay.”
They walk up to Alex’s room together, hand-in-hand like always. They pass the kitchen on the way and Alex’s dad turns his head, scowling deeper when he looks at their hands. Suddenly Alex feels cold all over. 
“Boys,” he says, deep voice booming. “You’re getting a little old to be holding hands, aren’t you?”
Alex lets go of Bobby’s hand immediately and tucks it into his trouser pocket instead, nodding. Bobby looks like he wants to protest but Alex just nudges him and nods towards his room. 
They walk away and Alex tries to brush the experience off. He doesn’t eat much at dinner that night.
---
His dad makes him quit choir the next year. He’s up in his room practicing for the Christmas festival when he hears three quiet knocks. 
“Come in,” he says, closing his music book. His dad walks in, still in his shirt and tie from work. “Oh. Hi, Dad.”
His dad smiles stiffly. “Alex, what are you doing?” 
Alex looks between his dad and his choir book for a moment. “Practicing for the festival,” he says, a smile growing on his face. “Mrs. Carson gave me a solo for the first--”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” his dad says, pursing his lips. “Wouldn’t you be happier... playing a sport or something? What about baseball? You know when your old man was in school, I was a real killer on the pitch.”
Alex’s tongue feels dry in his mouth the longer his dad speaks. He hates baseball. “Um... I-I like choir, though.” His voice is quiet, barely above a breath. His dad sighs and shakes his head. Alex feels an overwhelming sense of anxiety rise inside his chest. He hates disappointing people.
“I’m just worried about you, son,” he says, sitting down on the edge of Alex’s bed. “Okay, maybe not baseball. How about... soccer?”
Alex shuffles around on his chair. He feels like his heart has stopped beating. “Drums,” he mumbles, looking down at his hands. His dad leans closer. 
“Speak up, Alex.”
Alex looks up, clenching his jaw. “I-I wanna learn how to play the drums,” he says. “L-like that guy from The Rolling Stones.”
His dad goes quiet, scratching his chin like he’s thinking about it, before he smiles and nods. He claps Alex on the shoulder hard enough that it makes him wince. “Drums eh? Sure, we’ll get you a kit and you can set it up in the basement.” As he turns to walk out of Alex’s room, he turns and throws him a cheeky smile. “My boy, the drummer. You know they say girls love drummers.”
Alex isn’t sure why, but that comment makes him feel sick. He stares at his closed door for too long after his dad leaves, his thoughts twisting and turning in his mind.
---
When Alex receives his first cross, he’s 12-years-old. He immediately vows never to take it off. It’s a beautiful piece of jewellery; a small gold cross on a solid gold chain. When his mom slips it around his neck, he feels... protected, somehow. Safe. 
His mom smiles at him tearily as she hooks the clasp around his neck, running her hand down the side of his face. “Congratulations, baby,” she says quietly. “You know, my mother gave me my first cross when I was exactly your age. ”
Alex just smiles and tugs on the chain lightly, feeling the cool metal against his thumb and forefinger. “Thanks, mom,” he says quietly, looking down at where it’s dangling against the soft blue of his button down. 
His sister, Andrea, comes from behind him and knocks his shoulder lightly. Her own cross is silver and smaller than his, contrasting against her light skin perfectly. He doesn’t remember when she got hers. She was four years older than him and got hers when he was just a little kid. “Congrats, Lexi,” she says.
His dad comes out of the kitchen, a bottle of champagne in one hand and two flutes in the other. He’s beaming. “This calls for a celebration!”
His mother looks at his dad and tuts quietly, though she still looks pleased. “Michael, it’s barely 9. We have to leave for church soon.”
His dad simply brushes off her worry. “My son is being confirmed, Linda. We’re celebrating.” He kisses her on the cheek and hands her a champagne flute. “It won’t take long.”
He pours himself and Alex’s mother a small amount of champagne and Alex watches, entranced as they cheers and take a sip. His mother and his father lock eyes before handing their glasses to Alex and Andrea, smiling secret smiles. 
“Just this once,” his dad says. “Just one sip.”
Andrea takes the flute immediately and takes a sip. Alex watches her for a moment before taking his dad’s flute and lifting it up to his mouth.
The bubbles fizz and pop in his mouth. The taste is unpleasant, but... the feeling of his dad’s eyes on him, proud and sparkling with happiness make the experience a million times better.
As they drive to church, Alex keeps his hand firmly clasped around his cross, smiling the entire time.
---
Alex receives his first kiss when he’s 14. It happens in his basement with Luke Patterson. He’d invited him over so they could work on a song together. Luke had discovered him playing drums in the music room one day and had instantly recruited him to join his band, alongside Bobby and Reggie Anderson.
They’d long since abandoned practicing any form of music and were lounging on the couch in Alex’s basement, playing video games on his Sega Genesis. He’s so close to beating Luke at Mortal Kombat. They’ve been playing for 45 minutes and Alex has managed to lose every round so far.
But, with a fatal blow, Alex watches his character drop to his knees as Luke’s character poses victoriously. He groans loudly and leans back against the couch, trying his best not to pout as he hears Luke’s laughter next to him. “No fair!” he exclaims, dropping his controller beside him on the couch. 
Luke smirks, boxing Alex in the shoulder lightly. “Not my fault I’m better at this game than you are,” he says. He’s leaning towards Alex, his face mere inches away from his shoulder. “I’m just naturally skilled.”
Alex blushes and shuffles away from him, leaning into the arm rest and trying to ignore his heart as it pounds away in his chest. “Naturally ugly, more like,” he mumbles. It’s not the best comeback, but he can’t really focus right now.
Luke laughs anyway, punching Alex’s arm again and turning back to face the TV. Neither of them speak for a moment but Alex can feel the air thicken with a strange tension that he’s never felt before.
His hand automatically comes up to grip his cross, the edges of the metal digging into his palm. He takes a short breath in and out, feeling the cold metal warm up in his hand. 
He feels Luke’s eyes on him and he turns. There’s a small smile on Luke’s face that Alex can’t help but return. “What?” he asks.
Luke shrugs. “Nothin’,” he says softly.
Then, he leans in closer. Alex does not pull away.
Before he even realises what’s happening, they’re kissing. It’s chaste and completely innocent; a light press of lips against lips. Alex can tell that Luke hasn’t bothered to put on chapstick in his entire 14 years of life, but he tastes vaguely of grape bubblegum and iced tea. It’s nice. 
As they kiss, he feels his grip on his cross loosen until his hand falls completely slack, landing on top of Luke’s hand where it’s resting on a cushion.
They’re interrupted by the sound of footsteps against carpeted stairs. Alex jumps out of his seat and lands on the floor in front of the couch. Luke loses his balance and falls after him, landing face first in the couch cushion where Alex had just been sitting.
The basement door opens and Andrea pokes her head through, holding two capri suns and a bowl full of chips. She sees Alex on the floor and furrows her eyebrows. “Why are you on the ground?”
Alex clears his throat and blinks down at his knees, trying to hide his shaking hands. “Um... it-it’s more comfortable down here,” he mumbles. 
Andrea shrugs and walks in, placing the bowl of chips and the drinks on the coffee table. “Mom told me to give these to you.” She looks between the TV and the two of them. “I thought you guys were practicing.”
“We were!” Luke says, standing up and walking over to where his guitar is resting on the other side of the room. “We took a quick video game break, but we’re ready to get back to work. Right, Alex?”
Alex nods, but he can’t stand back up. “Right,” he says breathlessly, giving Andrea a weak smile. “Thanks for the snacks.”
Andrea nods, but she looks suspicious. She walks out of the room and shuts the door behind her. Alex doesn’t exhale until her footsteps have retreated completely. He breathes out shakily and draws his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. 
“Hey,” Luke says, running to Alex’s side. His hand hovers above Alex’s back before resting just behind him on the couch. “You okay?”
It takes a minute, but eventually Alex nods and looks up at Luke. “Yeah,” he replies, though his hands are still balled into tight fists. “I’m good.”
Luke nods, his hand tightening and loosening its grip on the couch cushion a few times. “Was that... weird?” he asks quietly. Alex has never heard him sound this unsure before. 
He shakes his head, a small smile growing on his face. “No,” he says quietly, and he means it too. “I don’t think so, anyway.”
Luke nods again, smiling brightly at Alex. “Okay. Cool.”
“Can we not... tell anyone? About that?” He asks quietly, looking up at Luke, eyes pleading. “I-I don’t know if I’m... if that...”
“Alex, of course,” Luke says earnestly, finally reaching over and resting his hand in Alex’s shoulder. “It’ll be just between us.”
Alex nods, smiling weakly. “Cool. Thanks.”
He feels mildly comforted by Luke’s words, but he can’t help the anxiety that grows in his stomach. He stands up and walks over to his kit, sitting down at his stool and twirling his drumstick in his hand.
When he closes his eyes that night, snuggled up in his bed, all he can think about are warm lips and iced tea.
---
He comes out at 16.
It doesn’t go well.
His mom cries like he’s just told her he died... but what makes him more anxious is his dad’s reaction.
He doesn’t say anything at first. Just stares at Alex with that those hard, light eyes. He doesn’t even look angry, he just looks... disappointed.
“Dad?” he says quietly. The word gets caught in his throat.
His dad breathes in slowly and stands up. He walks out of the living room shaking his head. Alex watches him go until he’s completely out of sight. All he can hear are his mothers sobs. All he can feel is the weight of his guilt pressing down on him.
His cross feels like it’s burning his skin through the fabric of his t-shirt. Suddenly it feels like he’s wearing a ten pound weight around his neck. It’s hard to swallow.
He wants to comfort his mom, but he doesn’t even know what he would say. What could he say that wouldn’t make everything worse?
So, he stands up and takes one last look at his mom before walking down the hall. He passes Andrea on the way to the basement. She looks at him and then toward the living room where they can both hear their mother’s sobs. 
“What’s wrong with mom?” she asks, placing a hand on his elbow. The touch burns. 
Alex opens his mouth to speak but the words he wants to say get stuck in his throat. He brushes past her, ignoring her questions and running down the stairs to the basement and shutting the door behind him.
He sits down behind his drums and raises his hand to clasp his necklace, holding it so tightly his hand begins to hurt. He can’t cry. He thinks if he could, then maybe he’d feel better, but... the tears won’t come.
So, he lets go of his cross and picks up his sticks instead, twirling the left one in his hand a few times before hitting his high tom once, hard. It feels good, but the feeling doesn’t last long.
Eventually, he loses himself in the rhythm, hitting each drum harder than the last. He forgets for a moment; forgets about the disaster that had happened just minutes ago upstairs. He pauses for a minute to catch his breath but finds his mind wandering; is his mother still crying? Why hadn’t his dad said anything?
He shakes the thought free before pounding on his drums again. He’s not even beating out a rhythm now; he’s just trying to fill the space with noise to keep his thoughts out.
He’s interrupted when the door opens. It's his dad, holding an empty duffel bag, a somber expression on his face. Alex raises his eyebrows and takes his earplugs out of his ears. “Dad?”
His dad winces when Alex speaks, throwing the empty duffel bag onto the floor. “Pack your things.”
All the blood drains from Alex’s face and he stands up on shaky legs. He’s gripping his drumsticks so tightly, it’s a miracle that the wood doesn’t fuse with his skin. “Wh-where’re we goin’?” he asks, though he has a suspicion. 
“We aren’t going anywhere, son,” his dad says. His eyes are on the carpet. He can’t even look at Alex. “Your mother and I... we can’t have you staying in this house.”
“What?!”
“If you’re going to choose to live with your... affliction,” he spits out the word like it’s poison; and in his dad’s mind, perhaps it is, “then it won’t do to have you living here, corrupting us with your ungodly temptations.”
“Dad--”
His father holds up a hand. “I’ll give you 15 minutes to get your things and leave.” He turns to leave the basement but Alex calls him back.
“Where am I supposed to go?” he asks, voice cracking as he tries to fight the tears that threaten to run down his cheeks. He knows crying will only make him more upset. His father doesn’t turn around.
“You can figure that out on your own.” Then, he walks out. Alex is alone. After a few moments, he walks out from behind his drums and picks up the. empty bag with weak hands and walks up to his room. 
He’s working on autopilot as he shoves clothes and shoes and random items (when will he ever need his model robot?) into the bag until it’s almost full to bursting. He drops the bag on his bed and stares at it. He can’t hear anything; all the sounds around him are dull, muted almost. 
He turns around and catches a glimpse of his reflection in his bedroom mirror. He still looks the same as he had that morning when he’d gotten dressed for school. There are still drawings on the back of his hand in blue and black ink from third period when Bobby and Luke decided to draw on him in lieu of paying attention to what Mr. Peters was saying.
Remarkably, he looks the same... but he couldn’t be more different. 
Alex’s eyes drop to the necklace around his neck. It almost hurts to look at now. He’d done well by his vow; hadn’t ever taken it off, even when Jeremy Matthews teased him about it (and received a firm smack on the head from Reggie).
Shakily, he lifts his hands and unclasps the necklace, holding onto the chain so tight that the links begin to make grooves in his skin. He takes hold of the cross and swallows thickly, looking at his warped reflection in the surface of it. 
He slowly slides the cross off of the chain and places it on his nightstand. The chain, though, he keeps though he doesn’t really know why. He puts the chain back around his neck. It feels bare without the cross on it weighing it down, but... Alex finds he kind of likes it. 
With that, he picks up his duffel bag and walks out of his room. He can hear the quiet sound of scraping cutlery against ceramic and he winces. They’d started dinner without him. 
As he walks towards the front door, he passes the dining table. When she hears his footsteps, Andrea looks up from her untouched plate of food and stands up. Alex shakes his head silently at her, gripping his bag strap tighter.
His parents don’t even look up. He gives Andrea a half-hearted smile and a wave before walking out the front door. He doesn’t bother taking his keys with him; he knows he won’t need to use them again.
The cold, night air smacks him right in the face as soon as he closes the door behind him. Then, without a second glance, he leaves and begins the short trek to Bobby’s house.
---
“So, I was wondering...” 
Willie turns to Alex and smiles at him, squeezing his hand gently. “Yeah?”
They’ve been walking down the pier together in comfortable silence for almost 15 minutes, but the question bubbles up in Alex’s chest before he can control himself.
Alex looks down at their interlaced fingers before gesturing towards the necklace around Willie’s neck. “What’s that key around your neck for?”
At the mention of his necklace, Willie wraps his hand around the key and gives it a light tug with his free hand. If Alex notices how Willie’s slowed their walking pace slightly, he doesn’t say anything. 
“It’s my house key,” he says softly. Alex parts his lips in surprise. “When I was a kid, I... I was pretty irresponsible. I was always losing things in random places. My mom used to tell me I’d lose my arms if they weren’t attached to my shoulders.” The smile on his face makes Alex want to cry. “When my folks gave me my first house key, it felt like I was finally growing up. I was so scared I would lose it, so I bought a chain. I’ve worn it around my neck ever since.”
“Even after...” Alex doesn’t continue his train of thought but Willie understands regardless. He nods.
“When I woke up after the accident, it was actually the first thing I reached for,” Willie says quietly, gripping Alex’s hand like a lifeline. “Force of habit, I guess.” 
“Have you ever tried to visit your place?” Alex asks quietly, steering Willie towards the edge of the pier so they can sit by the water. Willie nods.
“A couple times. After I died, I didn’t visit for months. It hurt too much.” He pauses, looking out over the water as he scoots closer to Alex until their shoulders are pressed together. “I visited them for the first time a year after I’d died. I couldn’t go in. I was too scared, so I just watched from the windows like a total creeper.” There’s a chuckle in Willie’s voice that astounds Alex. He doesn’t know how he can be so cheerful even while talking about something so heartbreaking. “My family moved sometime around ‘89. I haven’t tried to find them since.”
Alex nods, listening to the sound of the crashing waves and seagulls as they fly overhead. He doesn’t feel pressured to comfort Willie at all. He thinks that telling him his story might’ve upset Alex more than it upset him. Instead, he rubs his knuckles with his thumb slowly, his finger savouring the feel of every dip and crevice. 
“What about you?” Willie asks suddenly, turning to Alex. There’s a smile in his eye that Alex never wants to look away from. “Is that gold chain around your neck a remnant from your gangster rap phase, or...?”
Alex laughs brightly, throwing his head back. He can feel Willie laughing too, his shoulders bouncing up and down with every giggle. He stops and breathes out quietly, looking down at his chain and hooking his finger through it. 
“Um... there used to be a cross hanging from it,” he says. “My parents got it for me for my confirmation when I was 12. I basically didn’t take it off for five years.” 
Willie pauses, shuffles closer; almost as if he can tell what’s coming next. He doesn’t say anything, though, and somehow that makes it easier for Alex to keep going.
“When I came out, my parents um... they weren’t very cool about it,” he says, tugging a little harder on the chain. “My dad kicked me out.” Willie’s grip on his hand tightens and Alex lets out a breath. “When I was leaving, I took the cross off. It didn’t seem right to keep it after...” he clears his throat. “I kept the chain. I’m still not really sure why... I’ve been thinking about it ever since I left home. I think it’s just... a reminder of why I left and what I have now.”
Willie smiles, bumping their shoulders together. “What do you have now?”
He looks at Willie and find that he can’t control the smile that’s growing on his face either. Under the setting sun, Willie looks so beautiful; his tanned skin practically glowing and long dark hair moving with the breeze. He leans in and brushes a gentle kiss against the side of his lips. He feels Willie’s hand come up to cup his cheek and he leans into the touch. 
They pull away from each other after a few seconds and Alex smiles again, resting their foreheads together. 
“Freedom.”
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