#remember when ruby was sick and came in to sleep with us and threw up in your hair

[divinekangaroo]

What is your thought on the S6 Tommy and Lizzie sex scene, would you consider it to be dispassionate and disconnected, they don't kiss. Does it scream end of a relationship that is long time coming?

I think it looks like grief-stricken lovemaking, and an attempt to connect between people who’ve been married for eight years and having sex for some fifteen years and who just had a daughter die, so possibly passionate sex is not on the cards for a while, and maybe hasn't been on the cards for a long time prior either. 

This sex scene also lands at a time where it's burdened with a massive amount of emotional issues delivered, not just Ruby's death, but Duke's reveal, and Tommy having just been given a terminal diagnosis. Perhaps Tommy feels like he's on some kind of countdown now to find a way to ‘fix’ this tangle of grief and disappointment between him and Lizzie, hence relocating their efforts to a hotel room to try to re-spark something more passionate. 

It seems Tommy always takes the role of sexual initiator with Lizzie: so, given this is not their first time having sex after Ruby's death, this is possibly also one of many attempts by Tommy trying to use sex to provide and receive physical comfort and intimacy. The relocation to the hotel room is trying to let them get through it without Ruby coming into the conversation. Lizzie's got plenty of reasons to be mad at him, and is definitely hurt, but she isn't shunning him or cutting him off from sex. They're both still reaching out for each other in the way they know has worked for them in the past, because I do think they use sex in particular to connect when words tend to trip them up badly.

They're very focused on each other’s faces in this scene, eyes open throughout, close and touching, a full length body press, so I think of how this sex scene is more about proximity and touch, which is intimate and connected.  The lack of kissing doesn't bother me one way or the other - I don’t really think of them kissing much, more touching /nuzzling. They don’t ever kiss in greeting the way some couples do, but they do embrace and usually touch/press faces. 

On whether a (tired, trying-to-connect) sex scene screams the end of a relationship a long time coming, I think they did a great job in S6 of playing the relationship dynamic as so very complex, you can never quite tell if a break up will or won’t be inevitable.  But that complexity, I find, is more in the dialogue and their other non-sexual physical touches, not this sex scene alone.  If there were a sliding scale as to ‘doomed relationship’ vs ‘fragile/imbalanced but ongoing relationship’, I’d put the sex scene on the ‘ongoing relationship’ side. I find it sweet and intimate and sad, and very middle-aged married couple, and they're both ok being a little bit pathetic with each other in favour of still making that effort to hold each other.

[top-tier-tickles]

Rabid Rabbit

This is a Mr Hopp's Playhouse tickle fic requested by @damingdollface I hope you enjoy it!

__________________________________________

Ruby was fine.

She was totally fine.

Except she wasn't. She was all alone in her big, dark house with a giant rabbit monster. Which used to be her plush rabbit, Mr. Hopp.

She doesn't know how a seemingly harmless stuffed toy grew to be a 7 foot tall beast, and she honestly didn't care. Not when her parents were presumably dead, with them going missing from their bed and giant slash marks in the wall.

Right now, she had to focus on getting rid of him.

The small 7-year-old, had started collecting some tapes that her dad had made, avoiding the noisy toys she'd sloppily left about the house, carefully trying not to alert the demon with the melting face.

It's not like she could leave the house anyway.

Mr. Hopp had been a gift from Ruby's Nana Esther. A gray rabbit in blue pants with floppy ears and limbs, a massive smile sewn onto his face.

She loved her Nana, how kind she had been, all the lovely gifts she had made just for her. Eventually, Nana got sick. Nana died.

It was all Mr. Hopp's fault.

She'd always had a bad feeling about the thing, keeping him sat on a tall stool in the corner, untouched. Ruby's could feel his gaze on her constantly.

Ruby had enough trouble sleeping at night with her fear of the dark, it only got worse when she had to sleep in the same room as that damn rabbit. Even her dad had mentioned hearing footsteps around the house in the middle of the night. Ruby heard them, too, and she could've sworn that Mr. Hopp would be gone from his stool some nights. But he was always right there when morning came.

If only her parents hadn't taken away her slingshot. It protected her.

Wait, that's it! Her slingshot!

It the last tape Ruby found, her father said that they put her slingshot in the closet safe. And the key to said closet was just underneath a flowerpot.

She went to the safe, quickly figuring out that the combination was her parents' anniversary, April 18th. She saw it on the kitchen calendar, and she remembered how on that day, her parents would always cook a really beautiful dinner and stay up really late watching movies that they said Ruby was too young for. Whatever that meant.

And there it was, her white bunny slingshot. Her ticket out of here.

With newfound bravery, Ruby stretched the band out, ready to fire. She ventured to the living room, nearly freezing when she heard the fuzzy music box.

Out of pure instinct, she dashed behind the couch as Mr. Hopp rushed up. His hollow eyes squinted as his ears lowered slightly, he swore he heard something here. Giving up, the rabbit turned back and began to walk away.

Ruby released the breath that she was holding, maybe if she was quiet enough, she could just sneak out without confrontation.

She got up, walking two steps before stepping on a teddy bear, a loud squeak emitting from it.

That, Mr. Hopp definitely heard.

The rabbit's head snapped around, his eyes now having glowing yellow pupils. He rushed back to the couch, barely giving Ruby enough time to drop back down to the floor.

His ears stood straight up with attention. A low growl harmonizing with the music box that emitted from deep below him.

Then, Mr. Hopp did the most brilliant thing on the planet, and looked behind the couch. A wicked smile stretching across his furry face when he spotted the young girl.

Her reflexes had failed her. And before she could even shoot a pellet, the rabbit snatched the slingshot away, tossing it some feet away from them.

The little girl was picked up from underneath her arms, the rabbit smiled, flashing his razor sharp teeth. He threw her back onto the floor, luckily the rug kept her from being too badly hurt.

Mr. Hopp held her arms up with one hand, and wrapped the other around her torso, ready to tear her in half in one single pull.

Except, he heard something.

A tiny little noise came from the girl, barely audible, but juuust enough for him to hear.

He looked down at her, a tiny little smirk present on her face, she was trying to squirm away from his hand, which had a firm grip on her side.

Oh.

He was tickling her.

Oh, come on! It was Esther all over again. It was embarrassing enough when Hopp and his friends got thier asses beat by a 12-year-old orphan, now he was stuck in the same situation with her 7-year-old, (now orphaned), descendant!

Wait, just like Esther....

Noticing that the rabbit had been in some sort of daze, Ruby kicked him in the shin, hard.

Hopp yelped, taking his hand away to rub the pain from his shin, before glaring at the child.

Then, he scooped her up, clawing his fingers into her belly.

"WAITWAIT I'M SOHOHOHORRY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT TIHIHIHIHIHICKLES!" Ruby laughed, thrashing around in his arms.

Mr. Hopp smiled again, considering this as revenge for all of the bullets she'd shot at him. He moved his hands from her stomach to her armpits, her laughter heightened.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAA! EHEHEHEHEHEHEE! PLEHEHEHEHEHEASE!" Ruby's high-pitched cackles filled the room.

Hopp then lifted her pjamma shirt up, blowing a raspberry on her tummy, sending her into hysterics.

"YAHAHAHAHAHAH! NOHOHOHO! AHHHHHAHAHAHA!"

Tears glowed down her face, her eyes cracked open slightly to try and spot an escape route.

Then she spotted a little bit of stuffing sticking out of Mr. Hopp's side. While he was a huge demon, he still remained as a stuffed plush toy.

Holding in her laughter, Ruby managed to sit up and gently poke the small bit of stuffing. Suddenly, Mr. Hopp dropped the child, making a squeaking sound as he wrapped his arms around his torso.

Ruby took this opportunity to quickly grab her slingshot, rapidly firing plastic bullets at the monster.

With six hits, the demon dissipated in a puff of back smoke.

There. It was over.

Or was it?

___________________________________________

THE END

[thesunicarusfellfor]

Safe With Me (Yandere!Plat!C!Ranboo x F!Reader) 2/???

TW: Yandere, blood, canon lives lost, mention of painkillers, kiddnapping, swearing

Part One

Over the next few days, he practically begged you to come to live with him in the Snowchester mansion, claiming that you could be much safer there, and closer to him. A.k.a, away, FAR away from Technoblade.

While you liked the thought, you explained to him that you liked your home and wanted to wait a bit before moving in. Ranboo was a little upset but quickly went back to smiling and saying he understood... He couldn't be mad at you... This was life changing for ender's sake.

Then your last day at his home came quicker than he would have liked.. but that's not the only reason he hated that day...

Maybe the voices took over?

Or maybe he was of his own free will when he did it..?

He never fully got the answer out of you and he never understood what happened... He never understood why that damned man decided to take everything from him that day...

You had walked out the door a few minutes ago with a smile on your face and a travel cup full of whatever hot drink you had made before leaving... Then he heard an ear-piercing scream.

Stumbling over his own long and lanky legs, he ran out the door as fast as he could, crashing and tripping over furniture before reaching his front door. He threw it open with a cry of your name and saw the scene he feared the most...

Every single one of his fears had come true.

You were laying lifelessly on the stark white snow, eyes and mouth wide open with dull terror as your clothes were covered in an almost beautiful ruby red liquid seeping from a hole in your chest. Your once shiny (e/c) eyes were glazed over like the glass eyes of a doll, your skin rapidly losing any sort of beautiful hue he had once studied.

Ranboo couldn't stop the scream of bloody murder that escaped his throat as he stumbled through the snow and collapsed to his knees beside your colourless corpse. His hands quickly became covered in the red liquid as it seeped into the snow, flowing freely from the wound that had been created by the man he has once respected.

He knew you were already gone by the time he came out, but he still kept trying to get you to wake up. His colourless hands gently shaking you, holding your face in between his stained hands, trying anything to keep the life from leaving your body, but obviously failing.

"She has one more life left. You're overreacting." His pink-haired neighbour growled softly as your body began to break apart into particles. Despite the piglin's words, the other hybrid sobbed hysterically with his head thrown back to the sky, ignoring the tears burning into his skin.

"I'll kill you."

"Heh?"

"I'll kill you for this, Technoblade." Ranboo tilted his head back down as the black part of his skin began to seep into the white part. His green eye turned into an amethyst-coloured purple and his mouth began to split open.

The next few days to him were a blur... Or that was his memory getting worse...

He'll never really know...

He just knew that you weren't safe without him... You were on your last canon life! You had to be protected...

Even if that meant you couldn't leave...

He had a few more days before you woke up from your respawn, so he set to work quickly. Ranboo began to build an obsidian building, reminding him very much of his panic room, but he couldn't focus on the fact for very long. He had to build something only he could get into. Something that would protect you. Something that couldn't be destroyed.

It was difficult and took longer than he would've liked... But it was safe and out of the way. No one would find it, but that was what he wanted. It was for your safety! And so he could remember you forever! He couldn't complain even if he was tired and his hands were covered in blisters from mining for so long...

Carrying your momentarily lifeless body through L'Manberg was stressful enough, with the emotional and mental pain of carrying the person he held closest to him, but with everyone quickly running up and asking what happen... He found himself unable to say anything other than, "Technoblade..." before brushing past them as quickly as possible, trying to get you to your new home.

There was an almost disgustingly familiar throbbing in your head that awoke you a few days later. You couldn't place where you had felt the headache before, but didn't think too much about it as you just decided to get up and start your day, "I wonder if Ranboo wants to hang out again, I mean... Then again, we've spent an entire week together. Mans is probably sick of me by now..." You laughed a bit to yourself, trying to hide the little stab of self-deprivation that filled your body.

Pushing yourself out of bed, you looked around and sighed, seeing nothing out of the ordinary, "At least I unpacked before I passed out... Now, where did I put the stupid painkillers...?" You walked out of your room, cringing at the cold wooden oak floors and sight of the darkened windows, "Ooookay. Slept less or longer than I thought... Maybe social interaction is more draining than I would like..."

You shuffled around your house and lit a few of the lanterns in your kitchen, digging through the cupboards to find something to alleviate the throbbing pain behind your eyes, "Oh! I went shopping before I passed out? Huh... Maybe I got a bit tipsy or something? Wait... I didn't buy painkillers? Dammit! I always need something I didn't buy..."

Groaning, you put your hand to your head before grabbing a sweater to put over the clothes you slept in, which were the clothes you left Ranboo's house in, before slipping on your shoes. Once you looked at yourself in the mirror, you deemed yourself ready to go outside and head by the store, so you opened the door...

Only to walk into a solid black wall.

"H-huh?" You whispered, gently reaching up and touching the cold material blocking your exit, "Ob...Obsidian? What on earth?... What kind of prank is Tommy pulling now?!" You huffed angrily and walked over to a window... Only to realize it wasn't dark... Every exit was covered in obsidian. "Okay, okay, what the- oh, wait I have tools! Ha ha Tommy, suck a pickaxe."

Walking over to your storage room and opened the chest that held your tools and materials to make tools, only to find it completely empty. Your armour was gone too! This... Was an elaborate prank... Maybe Tommy got help with it. You pushed yourself up and walked over to your enderchest, only to find it completely gone!

Dammit, Tommy definitely got help with this...

Realizing that they wanted you to panic, you huffed and sat down on your bed, crossing your arms in thought, "This... Ah, just gotta wait it out I guess..." You mumbled angrily, flopping onto your couch, groaning in annoyance as the action irritated your headache. Maybe you could sleep it off? Yeah, that was your best bet.

You weren't exactly sure how much time had past to be completely honest? Maybe a few days? Or a few hours? There wasn't much to really do during this horrible prank, you couldn't even enchant your tools or even make any! You didn't even have knives for cooking dammit! Plus... You were beginning to run low on food...

This time you woke up to something different. It sounded like Redstone activating and pistons sliding against each other before the door creaked open. The prank was finally over! Thank god! You shot up from your bed and walked towards the front door, only to see Ranboo standing there with bags filled with groceries dangling off his arms and tail. With a sigh, he decided to put them on the kitchen counter before looking around, only to completely light up at the sight of you, "(Y/n)! Hello!"

"Ranboo..." You smiled, your voice a bit hoarse from the lack of use, "Please tell me Tommy's terrible prank is over and I can go outside and touch grass again.

The hybrid's expression didn't change, "You can't go."

Your smile faltered a bit and you grit your teeth. This prank was still going on? How annoying. Turning quickly towards your door, you huffed as you saw it blocked off by obsidian again, "Boo... Please let me out... I'm not enjoying this prank anymore. I don't even have a clock-"

"Oh? Did I forget to build you a clock when I built this place? My bad, I'll make you one tonight so I can give it to you tomorrow." He continued to smile, beginning to put away your groceries for you... Somehow having the exact brands you always bought... And... Knowing exactly where they went, "But, you can't leave."

"This... This isn't funny anymore, Ranboo." You spoke firmly, but your voice wavered a small bit in realization as your face drained slightly of colour, "Built... This place? You put me here?"

The tone of voice, while still not lessening his smile, caught his attention, "Oh... You're looking pale... Here, let's get you to bed. You aren't looking too good and I don't want you getting sick." He walked over and put his hands on your shoulders, trying to get you to head into your room, but you wouldn't budge, "(Y/n), come on, I'm just doing what's best for your health and safety. We don't want you to lose your final life, especially to an easily preventable sickness, do we?"

"Final... Life...?" You were going to be sick... Quickly lifting your arm into view, you realized he was right. There was only one black line left. There were two when you visited Ranboo... What...? "I'm-I'm not tired... Ranboo, what happened?!"

"I'm not going to taint your memories with something so horrifying..." His voice, while sounding sickly sweet, sounded disgustingly morbid, "That's why you're in here! So I can keep you completely safe from the dangers of the outside world and remember you forever!" He was still wearing that damned smile...

He took you away from your life...

And he was fucking smiling...

-

GENERAL TAGLIST: Empty

'SAFE WITH ME' TAGLIST: @kylobensgirl

[imnotusedtobeingloved]

WATCH OUT

(PLEASE DON’T REBLOG!)

Warnings: heartbreak, betrayal.

Pairing: Zuko x f!Reader

Characters: Zuko, Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka.

Requested: Yes!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, nor the gif. Credit to the owners.

Summary: Part three of “destiny is a funny thing”

find part two here!

A/N: Hullo! i’m back to blow your minds again, lol. The request for this came within, like, five minutes of posting the last part. So thanks to @zvkonation​. I’m glad you guys seem to enjoy it. I hope this part will be to your liking. Altough i think it’s a bit of a mess haha.

“Hello, Zuko here!”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” you muttered upon the sight of him. Team Avatar formed a half-circle, ready to fight.

You hadn’t seen him since the battle in the Crystal Catacombs, and you’d wanted it to stay that way. After his betrayal it took some time to look ahead. To stop dwelling on it and accept that it was over. Of course you had to tell the others what had happened at some point. And you did. From the fight with Jet, to their false identities, and about the tea shop. Everything but the fact that you harbored feelings for their worst enemy.

“I heard you guys flying around down there, so... I just thought i’d wait for you here,” No one responded. No one but Appa, whose gigantic tongue greeted the prince one second later. Zuko groaned at the caress, but he didn’t reject it. “I know you must be surprised to see me here,”

“Not really, since you followed us all over the world,” Sokka answered defensively, already reaching for his weapon.

“Right... Well uh... Anyway. What i wanted to tell you about is that i’ve changed, and i’m good now. And, well, i think i should join your group. Oh! and i can teach firebending to the Avatar,” He continued.

Changed. There it was again. The gaang remained silent, not giving up their fighting stances. Now the Air Temple could become a war zone at any second.

“You wanna, what now?” Toph was the first one to recover. Her face was scrunched up, black strands dangling in front of her forehead. "We all know what happened the last time you 'changed'," You sneered, raising your hands. "(Y/N), please-," This time he was the one pleading, but you wouldn't have it. You didn't want to waste any more time with him. "Save your explanation for someone who cares!" Flames appeared in your palms, burning from within.

“You can’t possibly think that any of us would trust you, can you? I mean how stupid do you think we are?” Katara wasn’t acting any calmer than in their last encounter. And rightfully so. You’d witnessed the conflict firsthand and empathised with her pain. Both of you had fallen for his trap at the same time.

“Yeah, all you’ve ever done is try to hunt us down and capture Aang,” Sokka threw in. “And besides, (Y/N) is a fire bender. She can teach him,” You pursed your lips, but remained silent. He was right. You could teach Aang. But would that truly be enough? You doubted it. All your techniques were mainly made up from watching other fire benders in your childhood. You’d never had a real teacher. If you were honest to yourself, Zuko was probably the better choice. But the risk of him killing your student made up for it.

“I’ve done some good things! I helped (Y/N) after she got attacked by Jet! Right?” The prince argued, gesturing wildly. He caught your gaze, hoping for some kind of support. But he was met with indifference. "You didn't even know that I was with the Avatar back then," You argued, growing more impatient by the second. Zuko quickly came up with another story. “I could’ve stolen your bison in Ba Sing Se, but i set him free! That's something,” The animal proceeded to lick him again, growling fondly.

“Appa does seem to like him,” The earth-bender said, relaxing her stance slightly. Her features softened. “He probably just covered himself in honey or something, so that Appa would lick him. I’m not buying it!” Sokka declined, making a cutting motion through the air, to underline his statement.

“I can understand why you wouldn’t trust me. And i know i’ve made some mistakes in the past,” Zuko acknowledged, lowering his gaze. The slight breeze tugged at his garments. For the first time since you’d known him, he wore Fire Nation clothing. The ruby red, mixed with gold and black, revealed his true heritage. His was a simple robe, instead of the royal attire you would’ve expected. Just like yours.

“Like when you attacked our village?” Your friend asked, sarcastically. “Or when you stole my mother’s necklace and used it to track us down and capture us?” His sister balled her fists, barely able to hold back. “Or when you betrayed us in the Catacombs?” You hissed.

Seeing him again was unbearable. Unbelievable. It was like the past came back to haunt you all over again. Every time you looked at him, it reminded you of the horror you'd faced. Of Aang dying in your arms. And he just wouldn’t stop trying. “Look, i admit i’ve done some awful things. I was wrong to try to capture you and to betray you. I’m sorry that i attacked the water tribe. And i never should’ve send that Fire Nation Assassin after you. I’m going to try to stop-,”

“Wait! You sent Combustion-Man after us?” One sibling interrupted, his voice getting a few octaves higher. Your eyes widened. The others seemed no less shocked, than you. Just when you’d thought it couldn’t get any worse... It did. “Well, that’s not his name, but-” Zuko tried to explain, but clearly focused on the wrong point. “Oh, sorry, i didn’t mean to insult your friend,” Sokka scoffed, holding up his boomerang. Now there was one more reason not to trust him. How many more would he add? You weren’t eager to find out. “He’s not my friend!” The fire bender exclaimed, bewildered. “That guy locked me and Katara in jail and tried to blow us all up!” Toph pointed an accusatory finger at him. He lowered his eyes, closing them briefly.

You said nothing, only staring at him, until he looked up. “(Y/N)...” He tried, his eyes softening, but you shook your head. He looked terribly lost. So lost that you almost believed him. But where love once was now resided resentment and anger. His lies were revolting. You wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” He redirected his attention to Aang. “You once said you thought we could be friends. You know i have good in me,” Out of the corner of your eye you saw Sokka shake his head at him.

“There’s no way we can trust you after everything you’ve done. We’ll never let you join us,” The Avatar decided. “You need to get out of here. Now!” The water bender ordered, her locks framing her face like a thundercloud. “I’m trying to explain that i’m not that person anymore!” His desperate tone made your heart clench. You had to look away.

“Either you leave, or we attack!” Sokka stepped forward, boomerang gripped tightly.

Zuko sunk to his knees. "If you won’t accept me as a friend, then maybe you’ll take me as a prisoner,”

“No. We won’t!” Katara unleashed a splash of water, knocking him back. “Get out of here and don’t come back. And if we ever see you again... Well, we better not see you again!”

The air was tense as he walked off. Your fear didn’t subside.

How long would it take for his next strike to hit you?

And how many more could you take?

“Why would he try to fool us like that?” Katara questioned a while later. “Obviously he wants to lead us in some kind of trap,” Her brother stated, following her deeper into the temple. Aang and you trailed after them silently. “This is just like when we were in prison together in Ba Sing Se. He starts talking about his mother and making it seem like he’s an actual human being with feelings,” Her words hurt. But you had to admit that she spoke the truth. The tender moments you’d had with him would stay until the end of time, pointing out your failure. Your naivety. When you thought about him, you felt nothing but rage and pain making your stomach twist.

“He want’s you to trust him and feel sorry for him. Then you let your guard down and he strikes!” Sokka said gesturing furiously. His short ponytail wiggled along with his movements. “The thing is, it worked,” Katara put her sleeping bag down, kneeling to roll it out. “I did feel sorry for him. I felt like he was really confused and hurt. But, obviously, when the time came he made his choice. And we payed the price. We can’t trust him,” You nodded, hugging your own bag to your chest. “I believed everything he told me, when i lived with them. He was nice. And then he turned around and stabbed me in the back,” His amber eyes had seemed so genuine at the time... So loving. But it was all a game. A pastime as long as you were around, only to throw you away later. He’d made his choice. And you hadn’t been enough to be choosen. The memories left a burning feeling in your chest.

“I kind of have a confession to make,” the Avatar cut in. “Remember when you got sick and i got captured by Zhao?” You all ignored Sokka’s rant about Aang making him suck on frozen frogs. His poor sister had taken a look at his throat multiple times before. And to be honest, you all had. Involuntarily.

“Anyway. When Zhao had me chained up, it was Zuko who came in and got me out. He risked his life to save me,” You furrowed your brows. This was the last thing you wanted to hear about. What even was the point? Listing the few good deeds he seemed to have done, wouldn’t undo the mistakes. “No way! I’m sure he only did it so he could capture you himself,” Katara dismissed his idea. “Yeah! Face it Aang, You’re nothing but a big price to him,” Her brother agreed. “And what was all that crazy stuff about setting Appa free? What a liar,” The siblings had choosen a clear position in this debate. It didn’t really surprise you that they had each others backs. And so did you.

“Actually, he wasn’t lying,” Toph chimed in, leaning against a pillar connected to the ceiling. “Oh, hurray! In a lifetime of evil, at least he didn’t add animal cruelty to the list,” She paid no mind to Sokka’s antics and remained calm. “I’m just saying that, considering his messed up family and how he was raised, he could’ve turned out a lot worse,” You didn’t know why she would vouch for him, but you wouldn’t put her down. The sooner this discussion was over, the better. “You’re right, Toph. Let’s go find him and give him a medal! The ‘Not as much of a jerk as you could’ve been’ Award!” Katara mocked, spreading her arms in frustration. The earth bender crossed her arms, relying on her factual point of view. “All i know is, that while he was talking to us, he was sincere. Maybe you’re all just letting your hurt feelings keep you from thinking clearly,”

The group continued to bicker back and forth. “Why would you even try to defend him?” Toph pushed herself off the column, walking up to them. “Because, Katara, you’re all ignoring one crucial fact. Aang needs a fire bending teacher. It’s true, we have (Y/N), but she was never trained herself. And she never denied that she doesn’t have much knowledge about most techniques. And then another one shows up on a silver platter and you won’t even consider it?” She stomped. The rest of them turned to look at you, but you only shrugged. She was right. You’d been open with them from the beginning. “I admit that i don’t have as much... deep understanding for it as others may have. But i’m willing to give my best,”

Your reasoning seemed to be enough for the Avatar to pass. “I’m not having Zuko as my teacher,” he said. “You’re damn right, you’re not, buddy.” Sokka crossed his arms. “Well, i guess that’s settled,” You agreed. Toph grunted in frustration. “I’m beginning to wonder who’s really the blind one around here,”

The girl ranted as she walked away, only to return one day later, with burned soles.

“Toph! What happened?” She’d crawled in on her stomach, feet in the air. The front of her clothes was completely stained with dirt. Or as she liked to call it, a ‘healthy coating of earth’. ‘“My feet got burned,” Katara immediatly looked at the outcome. The skin was red and tender. Too sensitive to be touched. “Oh no! What happened?” You had no idea where she’d been all day, but considering the argument about a certain fire bender, a suspicion formed in your head. “I just told you, my feet got burned,” The brunette furrowed her brows. “I meant, how?” She hesitated, but answered while Katara used her healing powers to save whatever she could. “Well, i kind of went to see Zuko last night,” Your hunch got confirmed. The gaang was shocked to say the least. “See? You trusted Zuko and you got burned. Literally!” Sokka scolded, as he and Aang proceeded to carry Toph to the little fountain where she could stick her feet into the water. “Now i know how the rest of you feel. Not being able to see with your feet stinks,” You chuckled at her words, moving to stand behind her and putting your hands on her shoulders. She was like a little sister to you. And there was no doubt that you would make Zuko pay for what he'd done to her, should you ever see him again.

To your own dismay, that happened sooner than you’d expected.

A few seconds later to be exact.

“Watch out!” You yelled, spotting the assassin, as an explosion shook the temple. The man stood on a platform above, shooting at you. Or, to be precise, at Aang.

“Stop!” You weren’t that surprised to see Zuko next to him. The shock came more with the words he was saying. “I don’t want you hunting the Avatar anymore!” He commanded, but it was of no use. The boys grabbed Toph, making sure she was safe between them, as you all hid behind what was left of the fountain. “The mission is off! I’m ordering you to stop!” But no matter what he said, he was only cast aside. “I won’t pay you, if you keep attacking!” The prince kept trying to get to him. Not even his flames seemed to impress the man. “I’ll pay you double to stop!”

The assassin didn’t stop. Instead he aimed at Zuko himself. Your heart stopped for a second when he conjured flames around him to escape the attack. Then he was gone. Peaking over the stones you hid behind, you could faintly spot a silhouette clinging to the braches below.

You used the opening, screamed as you ran forward, throwing fireballs at the assassin with all your might. You couldn’t let him kill the prince. That task was already reserved for you, personally. The Avatar soon joined you, producing a cyclone. But neither that, nor Katara’s ice spikes could stop him. Everything you threw at him, he shrugged off. And he continued to destroy the temple in the process. “He’s going to blast this whole place right off the cliffside!” Toph shouted over the noise. “I can’t get out to water bend at him without getting blown up,” Katara stated, when you all covered behind a wall. You dared to poke your head out for a second, but you couldn’t see anything before he took another shot. “I can’t get an angle on him from down here,”

The Team was at a loss, until Sokka seemed to have an idea. “I know how to get an angle on him!” He followed the line of fire with his eyes, and took the chance, flinging his boomerang. And he hit. The assassin stumbled on his feet, trying to shoot once more, only to go down in the process.

The platform under him exploded, erasing what remained of him. 

Raising your head you could see Zuko managing to get back up.

He’d made it.

“I can’t believe i’m saying this, but thanks, Zuko,” Aang stood in between all of you, being the first to greet him. “Hey, what about me? i did the boomerang thing,” Sokka said, striking a pose. You raised a brow at him, but gave him a pat on the shoulder, which seemed to raise his spirits.

“Listen, i know i didn’t explain myself very well yesterday. I’ve been through a lot in the past three years. It’s been hard. But i’m realizing that i had to go through all those things to learn the truth. I thought i had lost my honor and that somehow my father was the only one who could return it to me. But i know now that no one can give you your honor. It’s something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what’s right. All i want now is to play my part in ending this war. And i know my destiny is to help you restore balance in the world,” He turned and bowed to Toph. A traditional sign of respect in the Fire Nation. “And i’m sorry for what i did to you. It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild. So as a firebender i need to be more careful and control my bending, so i don’t hurt people unintentionally,”

You clenched your hands at your sides. He didn’t even need his bending to hurt people. And to your horror, Aang seemed to be considering it.

“I think you are supposed to be my fire bending teacher. When i first tried to learn fire bending, i hurt Katara. And after that, i never wanted to fire bend again. (Y/N) helped me overcome my innitial fear. And yet destiny keeps bringing us together. Now that i know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people you love, i can’t ignore that any longer,” He gifted Zuko with a bow of his own. “I’d like you to teach me,” The prince immitated his gesture. “Thank you. I’m so happy you’ve accepted me into your group,”

“Not so fast. I still have to ask my friends if it’s ok with them,” He turned back to face you. “Toph, you’re the one that Zuko burned. What do you think?” She sat on a rock next to you, shrugging. “Go ahead and let him join. It’ll give me plenty of time to get back at him for burning my feet,” Her motion clearly indicated that she would beat him up later. Thoroughly.

“Sokka?” The boy remained silent for a second, but eventually came around. “Hey, all i want is to defeat the Fire Lord. If you think this is the way to do it, then i’m all for it,” The Avatar smiled upon hearing his answer and nodded, hoping to gain more approval from the rest of you.

“Katara?” She wasn’t thrilled about the idea. She didn’t even bother to hide it. But she agreed for Aang’s sake. “I’ll go along with whatever you think is right,” The prince was ecstatic, a smile spreading on his face. “I won’t let you down, i promise!”

Everyone seemed to agree.

“And (Y/N)?” Aang looked at you with curious eyes, ready to hear your opinion. You could see Zuko breaking a sweat behind him, as you glared at his face. “I’m sorry Aang, but i can’t be a part of the group. Not if he is,” You said, flames coming to life around your fists. “But i do want to stay by your side. So i’ll prove to you that i am the better choice,” Passing the Avatar you walked up to the prince, until his face was only centimeters apart from yours.

“Prince Zuko,” Your tone was sharper than a knife. “I challenge you to an Agni Kai,”

on to part four!

tags: @zvkonation​ @viva-la-millennia​ @randomness501​ @drheinzd​ @kaylove12​  @duh-dobrik​ @yeetscreetiwannaeat​  @ashnkamfeun @hailkyoshi​ @shortmexicangirl​​

(if you want to be added/removed from any taglist, please tell me in the comments)

[merakiaes]

All Forgiven - Oscar “Spooky” Diaz

Pairing: Oscar “Spooky” Diaz x reader, everyone else x reader (platonic)

Requested: By @neelehksttr 

Prompts: None. 

Warnings/notes: I barely even know what I’ve written or what the hell this is, it turned out so bad. I didn’t really find the inspiration for this one so it’s really crappy and dull, I’m sorry😭 This is mainly platonic so there’s not much Spooky x reader interaction in this but I promise you better fics are coming when I get my inspiration back. It’s not proofread so sorry in advance for any possible mistakes, Spanish translations at the end. 

Wordcount: 6168

Summary: You’re a good friend to the Core 4 and when they find out you’ve been seeing Oscar in secret, they’re not very happy. 

It was a Friday afternoon when you were sitting with the Core 4 and Jasmine in Ruby’s living room, your feet laid out over Jamal and Cesar’s laps where they were seated beside you in the couch and your hand absentmindedly pulling through Monse’s hair where she sat below you on the floor.

The weather outside was amazing, the temperature and humidity perfect and burning rays of sun beaming down over the block, just the way you liked it.

You would have much rather been outside working on your tan and breathing in the fresh air right now and yet, you were stuck inside, staring out the window longingly while Ruby and Jasmine forced you to partake in another one of their countless meetings.

“Hey, guys!” Came the voice of Ruby then, pulling you out of your daydreaming and back to reality just in time to see him snapping his fingers at you. 

Beside you, Jamal and Cesar also whipped their head around to look at their two glaring friends.

“How did none of you hear what we just said?” Ruby asked, holding his hand on his hips and leaning forward slightly; a stance that, with his height, looked absolutely hilarious.

Cesar gave Ruby and Jasmine a guilty smile. “I’ve been zoning out for the past hours and a half.” He confessed, and Jamal heaved a dramatic sigh beside him.

“I got distracted halfway through.” He held his phone up for all to see sheepishly.

All of them turned to look at you and Monse, and the younger girl beneath you just shrugged her shoulders, leaning her head back against the couch to give you better access to her hair. “I just made a conscious decision to ignore you.”

“Damn.” Jasmine’s face fell. “Why you always gotta be so cold, Monse?”

“Why you always gotta be so boring?” She asked back without missing a beat, and you lightly slapped the back of her head, giving her a pointed look when she glared up at you.

Jasmine brought a hand up to her chest. “Okay, ouch.” She said, offended, but still nodded her head in acceptance. “But I appreciate the feedback, even though it was completely uncalled for.”

Ruby turned to you. “(Y/N).” He called your name, causing your hand to still on top of Monse’s head and your eyes to flicker away from your nails to meet his. “Will you tell them to focus? This is serious business.”

You rolled your eyes, dropping your hand from in front of your face and resuming your patting on your best friend’s hair. “We’re planning a party, Ruben.” You pointed out. “Not world domination.”

His face pulled into one of genuine shock almost immediately. “The first party we’ll be hosting in all our high school years! It’s serious!” He exclaimed, fists balling at his sides and only causing him to look even cuter.

The sight brought a chuckle from your lips. “Jesus…” You shook your head, removing your hand from Monse’s hair much to her dismay, and beginning to stand up from your seat. “I’m gonna go pee.”

Ruby hurried forward to you when you stood up, stopping you with his hands. “But we have to keep planning!”

“I’ll be right back, just carry on without me.”

He sighed, bringing his hands up to his face, but still stepped aside to let you walk around the sofa and toward the bathroom. 

Behind you, you could hear him and Jasmine getting back to the party planning and you chuckled, feeling sorry for Cesar, Jamal and Monse who were forced to listen to it.

Once you got to the bathroom, you locked yourself in and let out a loud, relieved sigh when the sounds of the outside became muffled by the closed door and you were finally left in silence, alone.

They were all were good friends to you but you could admit that it got stressful to be around them at times. 

They never took the time to just… relax. They were always running around, seemingly doing everything they shouldn’t be doing, much to yours and Oscar’s dismay; although for very different reasons.

While you just didn’t want to see them get in trouble or even worse, get hurt, he was the one left behind to clean up the messes they always seemed to stir up around Freeridge and in turn, you were always the one forced to listen to him complain.

He never understood why you were friends with his brother and his friends, seeing as they were four years younger than you and you didn’t even go to school together, you having graduated together with Ruby’s older brother, Mario.

And at this point, you didn’t really know how you became apart of their group either. 

You just remembered being there for Monse when things got rough and with time, she started seeing you as the older sister slash motherly figure she never had, and you just became one of them.

Another sigh left your lips as you leaned on the sink and looked at your reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall above it, taking in the way your face was becoming slightly paler with how much time you’d spent inside the past few weeks.

One of your hands left the sink and moved down to your back pocket, searching for your phone, only to find it wasn’t there.

Your eyes closed in annoyance, knowing you were now forced to go back outside, but you didn’t waste any time, flushing the toilet so that it wouldn’t be as obvious that you had lied about your intentions just to get away, unlocked the door and went back outside.

You calmly walked through the hallway, taking in the family pictures on the walls, and only a second later, you were back in the living room,. 

However, your body automatically stopped in the doorway when coming face to face to everyone staring right at you, the house now completely silent. 

They were all sporting different expression, but most of them were in some way ones of anger or betrayal.

You had no idea what was going on, but when Monse held up your phone, you almost instantly understood, and she confirmed your suspicions a second later.  

“Do you want to tell me why Spooky’s calling you? And why he’s put into your contacts as ‘mi amor’?”

Your eyes widened, flickering between them as you walked into the room, rushing over to Monse to snatch your phone back. “I can explain.”

“Can’t wait to hear this one.” She chuckled dryly.

You looked at her sadly. “Oscar and I-“

“Oscar?” She interrupted. “First name basis, huh?”

“Will you let me talk?” You glared pointedly at her, shoving your phone back into the pocket of your jeans.

In response, she held her arm out as a ‘go ahead’ before stubbornly crossing her arms over her chest, her hip popping out to further show how angry she was.

“Oscar and I…” You tried again, looking at them guiltily. “We’re together.”

Jamal crossed his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes accusingly at you. But he didn’t look angry the same was Monse, Cesar and Ruby did. “For how long?” He inquired, and you sighed.

“Almost seven months.” You confessed, and a scoff instantly left Monse’s lips.

But Jasmine either couldn’t read the tense atmosphere, or she just didn’t care, because the next thing you knew, she had launched herself forward from Ruby’s side to wrap her arms around you.  “Congratulations, girl!” She exclaimed. “I always knew there was some bad girl in you!”

You coughed slightly when she squeezed you hard, feeling your lungs being pushed together. But luckily, the pressure disappeared just as quickly as it got there when Monse grabbed her arm and ripped her away from you.

“No! Not congratulations!” She objected, glaring at you. “How could you do this to us?”

You raised an eyebrow, now starting to grow sick of her attitude. “Excuse me?” You asked, and she threw her arms out in exasperation.

“It’s Spooky! He’s a Santo!”

“The Santo.” Ruby joined in, stepping up to her side.

You knew his anger was justified, with how the Santos had played a major role in Olivia’s death, something he still hadn’t gotten over. But Monse’s reaction was just unnecessary, and it was getting on your nerves quickly.

“Yes, I’m very well aware, thank you.” You told her, crossing your arms over your chest to match her stance. “This is why I didn’t tell you. I knew you would react like this.”

“We have every right to be angry!” She exclaimed again and you shook your head calmly.

“No, you don’t, not really.” You denied. “I shouldn’t have kept it from you, I admit that, but you have no say in what I do with my life.”

She glared at you. “He’s dangerous.”

Her words brought a scoff out of your lips. The mere thought of Oscar hurting you was ridiculous, just as ridiculous as this conversation. 

“Not to me, he’s not.” You shook your head.

But she just wouldn’t give up. “Have you forgotten everything he’s done to us?” She asked. “You’re sleeping with the enemy.”

You breathed out through your nose in annoyance, bringing your hand up to pinch the bridge of your nose. “Now you’re just being dramatic.” You chuckled dryly.

“Dramatic my ass! You’re a traitor to this group.” She pointed a finger at you, and beside her, Ruby awkwardly shuffled on his feet.

“You deserve better.” He shrugged his shoulders, face pulled into a bitter, to say the least, expression.

You could only shake your head and sigh while rubbing your forehead. “Jesus Christ, Monse. Are you even hearing yourself right now?” You asked, ignoring Ruby’s input.

Everyone stood silently despite obviously having a lot to say, knowing that this was a conversation between you and Monse. After all, she was the one you were the closest to.

You had lost count of the nights you had stayed with her when Monty had been out on a long drive and she was lonely or having trouble with Cesar, and how many times she’d stayed at your house like that was her home in the first place, sleeping in your bed, eating your food.

You had expected to get negative reactions if the news ever became public of yours and Oscar’s secret relationship, that was the reason you had kept it a secret in the first place, but this was just ridiculous.

You thought you’d taught her better; you expected better.

”You sit here and hate on him for shit you know nothing about but as soon as you need something he’s suddenly good enough?” You asked them all with a dry laugh, shaking your head. “That's not right. I'm not the one who deserves better, he is. He's been risking his life for you every time you’ve gotten in trouble, going against Cuchillos’ orders to keep you safe."

“He could have made different choices if only he wanted to.” Monse glowered at you, and you glared right back.

"Are you really that naïve?” You asked. “You really think he's that ruthless all on his own? He's just taking orders. If he refused, you, me, all of us, would be at risk for your lives. The entire neighborhood would if he and Los Santos weren’t here. You’re all so fucking petty."

“You want to talk about petty? Fine, I’ll give you petty.” She crossed her arms over her chest, giving you the bitchiest nod you’d ever received in your life. “It’s him or us.”

Everyone quickly whipped their heads away from you to look at her with wide eyes, not believing the words that had just left her mouth. 

“Monse…” Ruby tried, but both of you ignored him.

“Are you kidding?” You asked her.

“Does it look like I’m kidding?” She challenged you, giving you another nod and raising an eyebrow. “The times he’s been helpful don’t even come close to the times he’s fucked us over. He kicked Cesar out to the street.”

You sighed, looking to the side briefly before looking back to her. “Look, I know you don’t see it that way, but he did it to keep him safe-”

“Safe?!” She exclaimed, lowering her arms and taking a step closer to you. “Constantly being on the run from Prophets is what you consider safe?!”

“It sure beats the hell out of being stabbed to death by Cuchillos.” You argued. “Which both Cesar and Oscar would have been if he hadn’t cut him off for not finishing the job.”

Monse only narrowed her eyes, your words seemingly falling to deaf ears. “It’s him or us, (Y/N). Take your pick.”

“Cesar, he’s your brother.” You turned to him suddenly, causing his eyes to widen in shock. “Haven’t you got anything to say about this?”

“Yeah, Cesar, haven’t you?” Monse agreed, turning to look at him too, and he looked between you nervously for a moment, before wiping his face free of emotion and stopping to look at you.

He shook his head. “He’s the reason my dad left. The reason for everything bad that’s ever happened to me.” He told you. “He’s not a good person, (Y/N). He’s going to end up hurting you like he hurts everyone else.”

While Monse’s face turned up into a contented, smug smirk, you could feel your vision turning red and your blood bubbling with anger.

“You should be ashamed of yourself. Do you have any idea how much he’s sacrificed for your sake?” You spat at your boyfriend’s brother, before uncrossing your arms and shaking your head with defeat. “Fine. I can really see now why people my age have always advised me not to be friends with a bunch of kids. We’re clearly not on the same level of maturity.”

Without another word, you walked around them to pick your jacket up by the front door, beginning to put it on.

When you walked away from them, they, in turn, turned around to follow your every move with their eyes, the boys and Jasmine just standing back quietly and watching you and Monse yell at each other like the situation at hand was a game of table tennis.

“You would choose him over your best friends?” Monse asked with another scoff and you didn’t miss a beat, shaking your head at her while pulling your arms through the sleeves of your jacket.

“If you were really my best friends, you would have supported me in this like I’ve always supported you and not made me choose. I’ve never been any of you guys’ first choice, but I’ve always been his. You’re not my best friends, he is.”

A hurt look crossed over her face. “You walk through that door, we’re done.”

Tears were starting to build up in her eyes and you couldn’t really understand why she was reacting as severely as she was, but nevertheless, you only glared at her. 

"I’d rather die than break his heart."

"He doesn’t even have one."

If looks could kill, Monse would have been staked, buried, dug up and then staked again for good measure at this point, nothing but pure fury showing behind your eyes.

"You would all be dead if he didn't.” You told her. “His heart is bigger than all of yours combined and after how many times he's glued the pieces back together all by himself, he doesn’t deserve to get it stabbed once more."

Her head shook. “You know he’s just gonna up and leave you once he gets tired of you, right?”

“Just because Cesar is a cheating piece of shit doesn’t mean his brother is, too.” You answered before you could stop yourself, and Cesar instantly perked up at the sound of his name, a glare crossing over his face.

“Hey!” He called, and you and Monse instantly turned to him with a glare each.

“Quiet!”

He quickly shrunk back into himself, wincing at your loud voices and looking down.

Monse turned back to look at you. “Where do you think he got it from, huh?” She asked you, not even caring that she was currently bashing her boyfriend right in front of him.

“Please, I don’t have to stand here and take relationship advice from a fifteen-year-old.” You just rolled your eyes, opening the front door and turning your back to them to leave.

“Fine!” She threw her arms out, taking a step back where she stood. “Go be a Santo slut then!”

You stopped in your tracks at the sound of her upsetting words, hearing both Jasmine and Jamal drawing in a gasp and turning around to see Cesar’s and Ruby’s eyes widely staring at Monse.

Her face instantly pulled into one of guilt when your eyes met, reality catching up with her and making her realize what she’d just said.

But you were as calm as ever as you stared back at her, face now wiped free of emotion and your eyes, as well. 

“That’s a new low, even for you.” You said slowly. “Grow the fuck up.” A dry laugh left your lips, and then you turned back around and walked out the door.

“Don’t come crying to us when you get fucked over!” She yelled after you, but you were already gone, the door slamming shut behind you and the room turning silent.

“What’s wrong with y’all?” Jasmine was the first to speak after a good minute of awkward silence hanging in the air, causing them all to turn to look at her.

“What do you mean?” Ruby asked in a small voice and she briefly looked at him, before turning to look at Monse.

“That was fucked up, Monse.” She pointed out, her face full of disbelief. “(Y/N)’s never been anything but supportive of you. She drives you around every day, basically does all of your homework for you and always stands up for you when you’re not there and someone bad-talks you. You never tell her anything, always freeze her out, and she still hasn’t questioned your shady behavior once. She’s done nothing but be a good friend to you all and this is how you repay her? Not cool, guys.”

“If she was a good friend she wouldn’t have chosen him over us.” Monse tried defending her actions, crossing her arms over her chest.

But Jasmine wouldn’t have it, glaring at her. “No, if you were good friends, you wouldn’t have forced her to choose in the first place.”

“I didn’t say anything!” Ruby quickly defended himself, stepping up to his kinda-girlfriend.

She turned to him, looking down at him with furrowed eyebrows. “No, and that just makes it worse.” She agreed. “Come find me when you’ve got your morals figured out, okay, boo? I’m out.” She said, touching Ruby’s cheek before heading for the door you had just stormed out through.

The three friends were left alone and once again, a heavy silence fell over them. This time, Monse was the one to break the silence, turning to Jamal and holding her arms out.

“You’ve been awfully quiet, too. Whose side are you on?” She asked, and he instantly groaned dramatically.

“Do I have to pick?”

“YES!” She yelled, causing them all to jump where they stood.

“Fine!” He exclaimed back and threw his arms out. “Yes, she shouldn’t have kept it from us, but maybe, just maybe, she was a little bit right!”

“Elaborate.”

“We keep literally everything from her and Spooky isn’t that bad.” He shrugged. “He scares the shit out of me but he has protected us more times than we’d be able to count. She wasn’t lying about that.”

Monse narrowed her eyes, but before she or anyone else got the chance to say something else, Cesar’s phone suddenly started ringing in his pocket, causing them all to turn their attention away from the fight and to him.

They watched as he picked the ringing smartphone up from his pocket, frowning at the unfamiliar number lighting up the screen. Still, he shrugged and swiped the green phone icon, putting the phone up to his ear.

“Hello?”

“Who is it?” Jamal wasted no time in asking as the nosy boy he was, and Cesar looked up to meet their eyes with a shocked expression crossing his face.

“It’s my dad.”

After the fiasco with Monse and the boys, you headed straight for Oscar’s house, hands clenched into fists at your sides and desperate to vent to the man who had been there to take care of you when you had been too busy taking care of everyone else around you.

But just your luck, he hadn’t been home, the red Impala nowhere in sight and, of course, he’d chosen this day out of all days to lock up after himself, something he never did anyways no matter how many times you told him to.

So you were stuck on the porch, occupying yourself with playing Subway Surf for the first time in probably over three years.

But you weren’t complaining. Despite everything that had just gone down, you felt content now that you were finally able to sit in the sun, happily sitting there for well over half an hour before the sound of the familiar engine and hip hop music reached your ears from down the street.

You spotted the red Impala instantly, following it with your gaze as it drove past the house and pulled up in the driveway, Oscar and his Santos piling out once it was parked and the music had died down.

Sad Eyes was the first one to spot you and you offered him a small wave and smile, watching as he nodded back at you before alerting Oscar, who was still doing something inside the car. 

He immediately looked up to meet your gaze through the rolled down car window, and he wasted no time in getting out, slamming the car door shut behind him. 

As he began approaching you where you sat, you exited the game on your phone and locked it, putting it back into your pocket just as Oscar reached you, the Santos busying themselves over by the sofa and weights to give you some privacy.

“Where you been?” He asked you as he came up to you, nodding his head once. “I’ve been calling you.”

You stood up, stuffing your hands into the pockets of your jacket. “Yeah, I know.” You smiled sadly at him, and he instantly noticed something was up.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, reaching his arms out to pull you into his chest.

Your hands left your pockets at that, your arms instead wrapping around his torso while he took your face in one of his hands, the other resting at the curve of your waist.

“They found out.” You muttered back, leaning into his touch when he swiped his thumb over your cheek.

“And?”

You sighed, rolling your eyes at the childishness of it. “They made me chose between you and them.” You answered, and he snorted, obviously finding it as amusing as it, in reality, was. You just couldn’t help but feel sad about it.

“Cesar, too?” He questioned, and you nodded.

“Yup.”

“And you chose me?”

“Well, I’m here, aren’t I?” You raised an eyebrow.

A smile rose to his lips, his hand sliding a bit further down. Not enough to fully grope you, but just enough to show you he was being cheeky. 

“Why?” He asked, pressing his lips to the corner of your lip lightly.

You couldn’t help but smile at the feeling. “Because true friends worth my while wouldn’t have made me choose in the first place.” You hummed, getting lost in his touch and momentarily forgetting what you were even talking about.

“I know for a fact you wouldn’t have.” You added with a scoff, coming back to reality and turning sour again.

He hummed, brushing your hair away from your shoulder and leaning you back against the wall of the porch. “What did they say?” He asked, and you started thinking back to the conflict you had suffered through half an hour ago, all while letting him kiss your neck and feel you up.

“They called me a traitor, but they mostly said shit about you.”

“Like what?” He suddenly stopped, bringing his head up from your neck to look at you.

“Oh, you know, just the usual.” You drawled. “How you’ve fucked up Cesar’s and all of their lives, put them in danger, that you’re dangerous for me and that you will hurt me.”

“What else?”

“That’s it.”

“I know you, mamas.” He looked at you fondly, not in the slightest affected about what his brother and his friends had said about him; all his focus was on you. “I can see when you’re lying.”

You broke your gaze from his and averted it to the side, swallowing. But Oscar was quick, catching your chin with his hand and turning your head back so that he could look you in the eyes.

He raised an eyebrow at you and you sighed, rolling your eyes once more. “Monse called me a Santo slut.” You said, and quickly continued. “But it’s fine! I’m used to her poor impulse control at this point. I know she didn’t mean it, and I’m aware enough of my own worth to know it’s not true.”

His eyes turned cold, all emotion falling from his face. He pushed himself away from you and brought a hand up to his face, pulling it over his mouth and chin before turning around.

You quickly jumped into action, shooting your hand out and catching his wrist before he could get anywhere. "Hey, where are you going?"

Turning back around to face you, he gave you another nod, his face now pulled into a glare. "To give those little shits a piece of my mind." He said, Spanish accent thick with anger.

You shook your head, wrapping your arms around his torso to hold him in place. "No, baby, murder is illegal, remember?” You attempted to joke, but his face didn’t betray any emotion.

“Is it still murder if I give them a heads up?”

“That’s called a threat.”

He pulled his hand over his mouth again, but made no more move to walk away, placing his hands back on your waist and leaning his head back down to yours. “You’ve done nothing but help Cesar and those other putas, especially Monse.” He spat. “You don’t deserve that kind of shit.”

“I know I don’t.” You agreed. “Which is exactly why I came here.”

You put on a smile, grabbing his face in your hands and pulling him in for a kiss without another word.

You were still pissed about your fight with Monse, but you knew them well enough to know that they would drop their childish stubbornness and come around sooner or later. They always did whenever you would tell them off.

Oscar pulled you tighter against him, hands sliding down to grab your ass in his hands, giving you a good squeeze.

You chuckled against his lips when Sad Eyes yelled out a crude comment, the other Santos following shortly behind.

When you pulled apart, Oscar pulled you into his arms, your cheek pressing against his chest and his face burying in your hair. “I would never do anything to hurt you.” He mumbled into your hair while holding you close. “I hope that you know that, mamas.”

“Of course, I do.” You agreed, hugging him back. “Don’t let it get to you. They’re just kids.”

When you said those words out loud, it really dawned on you that it was the actual truth, that it was your reality. 

You were a nineteen-year-old hanging out with a bunch of fifteen-year-olds every day, playing babysitter and personal butler in exchange for little to no gratefulness.

You were certain that they would come around once their, or more specifically, Monse’s, anger died down, but this time, when this happened, you needed to set some boundaries and make some changes.

You spent the rest of your afternoon with Oscar and his Santos outside on the lawn, laughing and feeling as safe as ever in your boyfriend’s arms.

Meanwhile, the kids were beginning to come to their senses back at Ruby’s house after Cesar’s call with his dad, in which he had told his youngest son that him leaving had nothing to do with Oscar and that he ought to show his older brother some more respect.

They were finally beginning to understand how badly they had treated you and how much they had taken you for granted this entire time and Monse felt worse than anyone, guilt eating her up from the inside. 

So after talking themselves together, they headed out for the place they just knew you would be at.

By the time they walked up in front of the Diaz residence, most of the other Santos had gone home or out to do God knows what, leaving only you, Oscar, Sad Eyes and two other Santos on his porch.

Oscar was sitting on the wall, smoking a cigarette with his arm slung over your shoulder where you stood leaned between his legs, talking to him and Sad Eyes.

The kids watched as all of them laughed at something you said, Oscar looking down at you with a look they’d never seen on his face before.

"He's laughing." Monse pointed out from the other side of the street, watching yours and Oscar’s exchanged with sad eyes. “I’ve never seen him laugh like that before.”

“Well, I have.” Cesar told them, smiling faintly as he watched his older brother brush a strand of hair out of your face when you looked up at him. “And that’s sincere.”

Ruby sighed, watching the scene unfold alongside his friends. “She was really right, huh?” He asked.  “He cares about her.”

“Looks like it, yeah.” Jamal agreed, not even half as depressed as the rest of them since he hadn’t partaken in the argument at all, his conscience free. “Let’s go before his happy mood falters.” He added simply, before starting to walk over the road, forcing the others to follow.

Oscar was the first one to notice them approaching, softly moving you out of the way so that he could get down from the wall and stand next to you.

He threw his cigarette on the grass and only then, you noticed them approaching. Your eyes met Monse’s immediately, but before you could say anything, Oscar walked to meet them in the middle, speaking for you.

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage for one day?” His stern voice sounded, silencing any previous conversation.

While Sad Eyes signaled for the other Santos to go inside, them following him without any protest, you followed Oscar to meet the kids on the lawn.

“We came to apologize.” Monse was the one to speak, staring straight at the infamous Spooky with little to no fear in her eyes.

Her gaze shifted to you, and your face instantly turned stern. “I’m not the one you owe an apology.” You told them all, and Ruby instantly shrunk back into himself.

“What did you tell him?” He asked, and before you could answer, Oscar spoke up for you for the second time.

“All of it.”

Jamal and Ruby exchanged a look.

“We’re sorry we talked bad about you, Mr. Spooky, sir.” Jamal was the first one to apologize. “We’re very grateful for everything you and the Santos do to keep the neighborhood safe.”

“Yeah, we’re sorry.” Ruby agreed, nodding his head.

Your eyebrows rose, not being able to comprehend why they were the ones to apologize when they hadn’t been the ones talking the biggest.

Oscar knew this of course, but he didn’t care about himself at this moment, he only cared about you. 

He reached a hand up to squeeze your shoulder, turning to nod at Monse. “Your turn, chica.” He glowered at her, silently motioning towards you with his head.  

She swallowed, and looked at you nervously. “Can we do this without an audience?” She asked, her voice small and her hands twisting together in front of her.

You wasted no time in nodding, but before you could tell them to go away, Cesar stepped up and looked at his brother with an equally as guilty look. “Can we talk, mano?”

Oscar gave him a once over, but nodded, wordlessly walking toward the porch, leaving you to look at Jamal and Ruby.

The former nodded his head, taking the latter under his arm. “Alright, I can tell when I’m not wanted.” He spoke playfully, before leading Ruby over to the side and leaving you and Monse alone to talk. 

You could still feel their eyes burning holes into the side of your face, but now that they were out of earshot, Monse sighed, looking down briefly before looking back up to meet your eyes.

“I’m sorry for everything I said.” She apologized sadly. “I didn’t mean any of it. You’re not a Santo slut, you’re…”

She trailed off, looking unsure of herself, but you patiently waited, listening as she sighed again and watching her kick her foot nervously while looking to the side. “You’re like my sister. I got so attached to you when you were there for me through everything with Cesar and my mom and I just- I felt like I was losing you, I guess. It’s silly.”

All the previous annoyance melted right off when hearing her words and your head automatically shook.

“If that’s how you feel, then it’s not silly.” You disagreed, causing her eyes to flicker back up to yours. “I wouldn’t leave you, never. Me being with Oscar would never come in the way of me being there for you. You know I see you like my little sister.”

She brought her hand up to hold her arm, looking down to the ground guiltily, so you did the only thing you could think of, reaching out to grab her shoulder and pull her into an embrace.

Her arms instantly wrapped around your waist, her cheek leaning on your shoulder. “I’m sorry for always taking you for granted.” She mumbled. “I was so caught up thinking about myself that I never really realized just how much you’ve been there for me.”

“And I’m sorry, too.” You mumbled back, pressing your cheek against her head. “For keeping this all from you and yelling at you, and all that.”

She squeezed you tighter, holding the embrace for another moment, before breaking apart and smiling at you, reaching her hand out. “Friends?”

Her smile was contagious, causing an identical one to spread across your lips. “Best friends.” You agreed, grabbing her hand in yours and giving it a shake.

“But with all due respect, all of this made me realize it’s high time that I start hanging out with people my own age.” You quickly added, and she laughed, nodding her head.

“That’s fair. I get it.” She agreed. “But we’ll still have our Saturday movie nights, though, right?”

“Duh.” You answered, and before either of you could say anything else, Jamal and Ruby shuffled back over, the latter still stuck under the former’s arm.

“Is everything cool? Are we all friends again?” Jamal quickly asked, looking between you. “You were smiling so we just thought-”

“Yeah, everything’s good.” Monse interrupted him with a smile.

You took her under your arm. “Come on.” You told them, beginning to lead her towards the house where Oscar and Cesar were now hugging it out, too, Jamal and Ruby trailing behind you.

The brothers broke apart when they heard you approaching and you instantly looked to the youngest of them, offering him an apologetic smile. “Hey, I’m sorry for going off at you earlier.” You said and he wasted no time in shaking his head.

“Nah, it’s cool. I deserved it.”

“What did you say to him?” Oscar asked, raising an eyebrow and looking between the two of you.

Jamal quickly took the wheel, stepping forward with an excessively excited expression on his face. “She called him a cheating piece of shit. It was awesome.” He rushed out in one breath.

Cesar looked to the side awkwardly as he was once again reminded of his fuck-up. “Yeah, thanks.” He chuckled.

Oscar chuckled with him, giving you a smirk. “Damn, mami. You did my mano dirty, huh?”

“She was defending you, I had it coming.” Cesar offered you a smile, and you smiled back.

Realizing the conversation was over, Oscar took it upon himself to change the subject, nodding at the teenagers in front of him.

“You gamberros hungry?” He asked, and all of them instantly turned nervous under his intimidating stare.

But still, Ruby and Jamal looked at each other and shrugged, before looking back to the gang leader in front of them. “I could eat.” Ruby answered, and as everyone made some kind of sound of agreement, Oscar nodded his head back to the house.

“Vamos.” He told you, and without another word, he took his mano under his arm and started walking with him inside, none of you far behind and all of you content now that all was forgiven. 

Translations (I’m not a native Spanish speaker so this might not be a hundred percent accurate):

Mano - brother

Gamberros - troublemakers

Vamos - come on

Tagged: @babienay​ @firebenderwolf​ @fairygardenss​ @moanlightbaby​ @dolanackles​ @marvelously-flawed​ @ugh-jalynn​ @jazzwhitlockhale​ @spookysnena​ @chaneajoyyy​

[angelbabyszn]

Could I request something? If you could make a spooky x reader where they’ve been together since highschool and it’s the pool scene where Jasmine gets vomited on and when they react Oscar quickly gets reader bride style while saying “eso nunca va a pasar en mi reina” and also maybe ruby,Jamal have deep crushes on her and some other guys try hitting on her or catcall and Oscar is like no. And maybe Cesar laughing at it also sorry if it’s long I just had that in my mind💕

Hot Summer Love (Oscar X Reader)

Gif by @merakiaes

Requested!

OMB Masterlist

"What's up, my people’s! It's Jamal here! J-A-M-A-L! We're here at the beach baby! We're liveeee baby! It's still hot girl summer-"

"Jamal." you said snickering as Jamal was dancing while sitting on his towel and shouting at his phone doing a Instagram Live.

Jamal stopped and he quickly went over and sat next to you on your towel.

"We have the most beautiful and good-looking Y/N over here looking like a snack in her fabulous bikini." said Jamal as he showed you and him in the camera for his live. He looked and winked at you which made you giggle.

"Hey! Stop flirting with my reina and get out of my spot." said Spooky with two drinks in both of his hands behind you and Jamal. Jamal quickly got up and went back to his towel next to Ruby.

"Spooky, was that necessary?" you asked with a smile as Spooky sat down next to you and handed over your drink. 

"Oh course it was, mami. He was over here flirting with you in front of my face." said Spooky upset, making you giggle by his little jealousy. .

"He was just doing a Instagram Live for his followers. Chill out. We've been dating since freshman year of high school. Ain't nobody going to take me away from you." you said as you caress his check while looking at him with a soft smile.

"They better not." said Spooky and both of you started to lean in to kiss.

"Ugh, I'm so sick of this."

Monse ruining the moment between you and your boyfriend, made you turn to her with a concerned face.

You turned back to Spooky that looked angry at Monse for ruining another moment between both of you. He was so close to kissing you again. 

"Spooky, how about you go into the water first? I'll be there in five minutes." you said with a smile on. Spooky nodded trying to relax from what happened, took off his shirt and started walking into the ocean.

You turned back to Monse and sigh knowing she was going through something with Cesar...again. 

"What is it today, Monse?" you asked with a warm smile on your face and Monse got up from her seat and sat down next to you.

"Cesar. He's not mad that I kiss a guy back in Brentwood. He should be furious but he isn't!" shouted Monse upset. You grab Monse's left hand with your right and start to rub your thumb on her hand to calm her down.

"Monse, you were drunk and were playing Spin The Bottle. Y'all was on a break. You can't do anything about it. you said as you look at Monse's face for sympathy and making sure she understands.

"Y/N, you don't understand. We were on a break! And he got the nerve to sleep with that hyna at his workplace!" shouted Monse at you after she stands up angrily.

"Monse-"

"No! I won't torture myself dealing with him! He cheated on me! I can't do this." said Monse and she furiously grabbed her stuff quickly and started to walk away.

You groaned as you put on your sunglasses, lay back on your towel and shook your head in disappointment. Monse was a headache to talk to. How does Cesar put up with her? 

"Y/N, where's Monse?" 

You look to see a dripping shirtless Cesar with a surfboard in his right hand looking down on you standing on top of your head on the sand.

"She's gone. You better go talk to her. She’s upset...again. Y'all need to work on your relationship. It's a headache." you explain while being annoyed. 

Cesar dropped his surfboard in the sand beside you and started to run after Monse.

You lean back up and you start to take off your cover-up to go swimming with your boyfriend, for the first time today.

"Y/N?"

You turned your head to the right to see Ruby walking up to you with a plastic bag.

"Hi Ruby. What's up?" you asked and dropped your cover-up on your towel to show your swimsuit. Ruby started to stare until he coughed to get out of his head.

"Um, I was wondering if you want to talk to me after dealing with Monse." said Ruby and you smiled.

"Sure. I'll like that." you said and you and Ruby sat down on your towel. Ruby pulled out ice cream in a cup and spoons in his plastic bag.

"Aww. you got my favorite flavor of ice cream? How do you know?" you asked with a smile as Ruby hands you the ice cream.

"How can I not forget the time you went crazy over the free ice cream at the festival last year?" said Ruby with a smile on his face, making you giggle remembering the memory.

Both of you started to talk about random stuff and favorite things. It was crazy how many things you have in common with him. 

-

"What's going on here?"

You and Ruby turned your heads and your eyes widened by the sight. You see Spooky dripping wet and shirtless with his arms crossed against his chest and an angry face. 

Just seeing him was like a turn on to you but it completely turned off after you realized you were supposed to be in the water with him right now…forty-five minutes ago. 

"Spooky. Baby, I'm so sorry." you said as you got up and looked into his eyes, hoping he could forgive you.

Spooky looks at you and slowly looks at Ruby who was frightened by him in the moment. A moment later, Spooky starts to laugh, making you and Ruby weirdly creep out.

"Y'all was just talking right?" asked Spooky and you and Ruby both nodded in sync.

Spooky quickly picks you up and throws you over his shoulder, making you scream in horror.

"Baby, put me down!" you shouted as you started to kick and punch his back.

"You're coming with me." said Spooky and he slapped your butt, making you surprised. He quickly turned around and started to run to the ocean with you over his shoulder.

"Babe, no, no, no, no!" you shouted until you were thrown into the water. You come back above the water and see your Santo boyfriend laughing at your face.

"Oscar!" you shouted furiously. Spooky quickly swam over to you, grabbed your waist, and leaned down to your left ear.

"What did I tell you to not use my real name?" said Spooky in a deep voice in your ear and he wrapped your legs around his waist.

"You should've thought what I would say right before you threw me into the ocean." you said as you looked at him with a smirk and wrapped your arms around his neck.

"Then, you should've thought how would I react to you talking to other boys." said Spooky with a smirk.

"Oh my gosh, you're still on that?!" you said shocked by this information while Spooky nodded seriously. 

"Baby, you're the only one for me. No guy is going to take me away from you. I love you. Do you know that?" you asked as you looked into his eyes.

"I love you too. Maybe I got to put a ring on it so nobody don't talk to you again." said Spooky with a smile which surprised you.

"Wow, we're talking about that now?" you asked and he nodded.

"Yeah. Let's do it. I can't imagine myself with anybody else but you." Spooky said, making your heart melted in happiness.

Spooky brings you closer and kisses you as the waves continue to flow on. The kiss was full of love and passion. 

"Get a room!"

You and Spooky stopped kissing and looked to the shore to see Jasmine and Monse, and staring at both of you. 

"Yeah, y'all disgusting!" shouted Monse with Cesar holding her right hand.

"We will!" shouted Spooky back causing you to blush in embarrassment.

"Don't turn shy on me now, babygirl." said Spooky as he looked at you with a smirk. By his face, you quickly remove yourself from his body and start to swim away quickly.

"Where do you think you're going reina?!" shouted Oscar with a smile as he started to swim and chase after you.

"Spooky!" you shouted in horror as you try to swim away from him with happiness on your face.

-

"I was thinking about going to the festival too." said Cesar laying down on his towel as he was talking to Monse next to him.

"Well, if I'm going and why don't we make a plan to not make up a plan to meet up there." said Monse as she looks at him.

"Sounds like a non-plan." said Cesar with a certain face and turned away in confusion.

"Sounds like a date." said Jasmine next to Monse laying down and Monse kicked her on her arm. Jasmine kicked Monse back but on her face.

You and Spooky walked back to the group hand and hand after being in the water. 

"Looks like you two have fun." said Cesar with a smile. You blushed and turned away and Spooky kissed you on the cheek.

"Y'all adorable." said Jasmine and you smile as both of you walked down and sat down on your towel together.

You and Spooky leaned back, you came into his arms, and started to cuddle together. 

A few minutes later, Jasmine sat up and asked Monse to sunscreen her back.

Monse sat up and started to look through the beach bag Jamal brought to the beach. Jasmine has her back out to the ocean.

A kid was passing though with their mouth covered by their hand and the other on their stomach until they stopped.

A moment later, the kid threw up on Jasmine's back. Everybody in the group gets up and away from Jasmine in shock by what just happened..

"What the h*ll?! What is that?! It's so warm!" shouted Jasmine, scared as she quickly got up and tried to turn to see what's on her back.

"Oh my god! It's in the ocean!" shouted Jamal from the edge of the shore and everybody on the beach starts to get up and run away.

Spooky quickly picks you up in bridal style and races off leaving the core four and Jasmine on the beach.

"Spooky! Where are you going?!" shouted Cesar at his brother with you in his arms.

"¡Dejando! Eso nunca le pasará a mi reina." shouted Spooky. You were surprised at first but smiled at him at the thought as he quickly ran all the way to his car and slowly put you down.

"Spooky." you said as you looked at him with a smile and leaned your head to the side as you looked at him.

"Yes, my reina?" asked Spooky as he looked at you. He grabbed both of his hands and intercepted it with his.

"You didn't have to pick me up in bridal style and take me away from the little accident." you said.

"Why not? It was good practice when I'm going to carry you out after I marry you." said Spooky as he pulled you closer to him. 

"You're adorable." you said as you look up at him and he bends down to you.

"Only for you, mi amor." said Spooky with his forehead leaning towards yours and you did a sweet kiss with him that he returned back to you.

After the kiss, Spooky opens his passenger door and signals you to go in.

"Spooky, what are you doing?" you said as you walked up to him.

"Come on. Let me take you somewhere special." said Spooky and he signals his hand again for you to get inside the car.

"What about your mano and his amigos? Also my stuff is back there." you asked. Spooky pointed inside his car and you looked back at the backseat to see your bag full of your things.

"Abuela is going to get them. Now, come on my reina." said Spooky. You smiled at him and got inside the car. He shut the door once you were in.

Spooky walked over to his side and got in on the driver's side. He grabs the steering wheel with his right hand and turns his head to you and starts to stare.

A few moments later, you turn your head to see him staring at you.

"What?" you asked while looking into his eyes.

"What did I do to deserve you?" said Spooky as he stared into your eyes causing you to blush again. 

Spooky smiles, lean in, and kisses you on your left cheek. You Kiss him back on the lips which he melts into. 

After the kiss, Oscar turns back straight and then starts to drive away from the beach where you two spend the night together in happiness.

[pettyprocrastination]

An Ode to Black Lipstick Spencer Reid x Goth!POC!Reader

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Reader

Summary: Spencer assigns certain memories and people to certain lipstick colors. Black will always have a special place in his heart. (Also known as Spencer Reid is a sub and love his goth gf very much.) Also Black Goth girls own my heart and my ass and that’s on God. 

Spencer never liked lipstick much. 

Then again, he never had experienced it. 

Maeve never wore lipstick. She preferred chap-stick. Simple but reliable, coconut flavored. A sensation he never got the chance to experience. Lilya used lip-gloss. Shiny, captivating, but waxy and slick like an adhesive. Luring you in until you learn the feeling you were longing for was uncomfortable. Pretty to look at and admire, but not one he wanted for himself. 

He didn’t enjoy pink lipstick, it reminded him of the girls he went to school with. Pretty pink lips curled into condescending smiles as they pretended to be his friend. Those bubblegum grins would turn into mouths open wide with laughter when the jokes would turn cruel and physical on him. His face flushed with shame, as pink as their rose smiles. 

Red made him anxious. 

It reminded him of the crimson blood spilled across the victims. Women who’s ruby red lips had giggled at the smooth words spoken to them in the darkened corner of a club by a man they didn’t know. Those red lips opening wide to scream for help before a hand is clamped over their mouth, smearing the lipstick she had applied so delicately earlier that day in hopes of attracting someone. 

Red lipstick not only reminded him of the victims but also of those who caused their pain. Women whose lips are painted a deep crimson as a lure, a hook so confidently thrown into the water that draws in so many fish. Those lips curl into a sultry smile. As they lead their prey to their home with promises whispered in a breathy moan. That coy crimson quirk of her lips would grow into a sick grin when she saw the red drain from her victim like a trickling river. A sadistic brick red, a reminder of those he couldn’t save and those he couldn’t watch. 

A mouth frozen open in a plea for help.

Lips curled into a twisted grin.

It reminded him of Lindsey Vaugn. Of Cat Adams. 

Chap-stick made him miss one he never got. 

Lip-gloss reminded him of what he thought he wanted, but lost interest in.

Red reminded him of what he could never stop. But black?

Black reminded him of what he worked to protect. 

“Paging Doctor Reid?”

Bare lips and eyes shining with amusement. “You alright there babe?”

He was caught staring, face flushed pink just like in high school. Except this time, there was no fear of bullying or insults thrown at the genius. Just a quick kiss to his face. 

“Just enjoying the view is all.” A response like that would've gotten him laughed right out of school. But your smile just got brighter. 

You turn your back on him to face the mirror, grabbing the raven tube off your nightstand, unscrewing it and dipping it in twice before pulling the wand out. 

An artist dipping their brush into the paint, ready to begin. 

Your lips are parted, eyes focused and brows furrowed as you bring your tool-your brush you use like a master to its canvas-

Your eyes flick from your reflection in the mirror to Reid’s once more.

Caught again. 

“Quick staring you goof! You’re gonna make me mess up my lipstick.”

The thought of you, lipstick smeared, appearance disheveled because of him made his heart skip a beat. His arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you into his chest where you fit snug like a puzzle piece.

Spencer smiled at you. “Well, You don’t have to worry about that-” 

He wrapped his arms around you, setting his head on the crook of your shoulder as you brought the onyx wand to your lips. 

“-Because even if it’s smudged, you look beautiful.”

In smooth movements, the lips he loved so much were painted in what is now his favorite color. Black.

Like the ink on the pages of his favorite books. 

Like the jacket you left at his house the first time you came over that smelled like your perfume. 

Like the blanket you wrapped him up in when he got the flu and you took care of him for an entire week. 

Like the nails that would gently scratch his scalp, twirling his curls as he slowly drifted off to sleep with his head in your lap. 

Like the boots you wore with such authority, confidence in each step you took. 

I’m dark. I’m powerful. I’m beautiful. 

And he agreed with every single one. 

You popped your lips, smiling with satisfaction before you looked to the alarm clock at your side. Red letters glaring at you both. 7:30 am. “We both have to go.”

Spencer nodded. “That we do.” He made no movement to remove himself from his place wrapped around you.

“Speeeence?”

He hummed, nuzzling your neck.

“Ya gotta let go babyboy.”

“Do I though?”

You laughed and wriggled out of his arms, dancing just out of his reach. “As much as we both want to stay, we can't.” Spencer huffed and threw himself out of the bed. Sending you a particularly pouty stare.

“Oh don’t you give me that look!” He looked at you again, before turning dramatically to the door and sighing like a woman in a soap opera. “We both need to get to work and you know it.”

He knows. Another day of staring into the lifeless eyes of somebody he couldn’t save in hopes to find the one he can. Fighting the darkest minds in the world so he can protect the innocent. The families who have weekend barbeques and pool parties, the men going to crowded clubs in hopes of finding love,

The woman with jade lips, waiting for him back at his apartment so they could have a movie night together. 

Spencer was pulled out of his trance, the long-winded mental spiral of his devotion to the color when a finger flicked his nose. 

“What is with you today?” You stared up at him, head tilted to the side with a look akin to a confused puppy. “You've been spacing off an awful lot.”

“I’m okay.” He reached for his bag off the coat hanger as you both went to the door. “Just thinking.”

“About?”

And there it was. The shy little smile, the slight quirk of your lips and shine in your eyes that had his knees feel wobbly and palms sweaty. Three months and the feeling still hasn’t stopped, he didn’t think it ever would. 

“You.”

Onyx lips pulled into a smile as you playfully slapped his shoulder. “Oh shut it, Romeo. You have to get to work.”

Spencer turned, opening the door and stepping outside into the hallway of his apartment complex when-

“Oh wait!”

A tug on his pant loop, causing him to jerk and spin around to face you, holding him by his trousers with a Cheshire grin. You reached up, fingers gently grabbing the collar of his shirt and tugging it down. 

“I almost forgot.” Your whisper fanned out against his neck. He stood stock-still, like prey frozen in terror. But if you were his predator, he would gladly be your meal. The sound he made-he didn’t know what exactly to call it. A choked moan, a muffled gasp, or a mix of the two he wasn’t sure. 

All he knew is when you pressed those lips to his pulse point, leaving behind a clear midnight mark on his skin; was that he wanted you to pull that sound out of him again and again and again. 

You let go of his collar, fixing it back into place with an impish grin. “So you have something to remember me by.”

He didn’t think he could forget you even if he tried. Even if he was doused with Scratch’s gas for hours on end he wouldn’t forget. Because the moment his eyes would meet that dark shade, that void of other colors. His heart would skip a beat and he’d remember. 

The woman who made him love that color so.

Authors note: Rewatching criminal minds and hnnnnn I love Spencer Reid so much that white boy has a special place in my heart. Might make this into a lil series idk. But if you want me to let me know!! Love hearing from yall :��). Gonna get back into writing for my king and husband Reaper but also some criminal minds stuff because quarantine is having me revisit all my comfort shows+movies for some sort of stability in my life lmao. Only a few more weeks and this semester will be done!!

[idthellyeah-blog]

A totally timely and significant review of Rancid’s “...And Out Come The Wolves”

(I honestly don’t remember when I wrote this, maybe 2015. Definitely just got jacked up on something and decided that I needed to write a track by track review of an album I loved when I was a cool punk teen. It has just been sitting in my Google Drive patiently waiting to be posted.)

 I remember the first time I ever heard/saw Rancid was when the video for “Salvation” off of their second album “Let’s Go” premiered on MTV. Such an 80’s/90’s kid thing to do, discovering a new band by seeing a music video on TV, ugh. I thought the leather clad mohawked bad boys were amazing and perfect and so cool...that I immediately tried to spike my hair using gelatin (tru punx only) and got a leather jacket (did not look that cool and was very sweaty).  When “...And Out Come The Wolves” came out the next year (1995, I’m old AF) I was totally enamored and had found my #1 favorite album of all time (that lasted for like a year until music got better).  I was supposed to go see Rancid at a big show in Omaha, I lived in a small town called Columbus that was roughly 90 minutes away from the big city...but the day of my mom didn’t let me go because I had bad math grades.  I reacted the way any entitled white teen did, by laying in the garage and crying and playing their album.  That show wound up being a huge to-do when fans tore up seats in the venue and threw cushions at the band leading to Rancid not playing Omaha for a long time.  I missed out on some cool bad-ass punk rock shit, first world problems. Fast forward to today when I decided that I, Ian Douglas Terry, needed to write out a song-by-song review of this quintessential punk album.  I’m a real music nut, and obviously very good at structured writing...so here we go!  (Rock on)

1. Maxwell Murder - Oh boy, this one starts with like a subway train sound and then the beginning of a killer/complicated Matt Freeman bass line.  That dude SHREDS the bass, and even has a wild solo in this song.  That’s tight.  Why did they stop letting him sing?  He sounded like a fun Muppet on their first album and I loved his songs.  Maybe he wanted to focus on just shredding the bass and using tons of pomade.

2. The 11th Hour - This song is great.  It is poppy and upbeat and about a woman having dreams and demanding answers.  Hell yeah.  I love good punk music that supports women and feminism and figuring out where the power lies (spoiler alert, it starts and ends with you).  Remember how Brody from The Distillers left Tim Armstrong for the dude from Queens of the Stone Age? And then he got all fat and got a beard?  I can completely relate to that, and have been there sans beard.

3. Roots Radicals - This song RULES.  I had to look up what “Moonstompers” were and who “Desmond Dekker” was.  I remember trying to relate to this like it could somehow compare to living in a town with 20,000 people and the nicest Wal-Mart in the tri-county area.  Remember how there was that Spanish language cover of this on one of those “Give Em The Boot” comps that Hellcat put out? That was real tight.

4. Time Bomb - Hit single baby!  This had a huge hand in getting punk kids into reggae/ska for sure.  Killer organ solo, lots of rude boy shit going, I loved it so much.  Tim Armstrong totally re-used lyrics from the song “Motorcycle Ride” from the previous album...which is hilarious.  Like c’mon dawg...you should know your own lyrics.  I learned how to do the solo from this and felt like a guitar god (it is a very easy solo, like almost too easy).

5. Olympia, WA - I love songs like this that are about cities that the band isn’t from...so you have to fire up your imagination (or just read the lyrics) and be like, “What went down in Olympia, Washington????”.  Turns out it was mostly hanging out on different streets in New York and playing pinball with Puerto Ricans while wishing you were with a person who you were sleeping with in Washington.  Hell yeah, just like Shakespeare.

6. Lock, Step & Gone - Songs about docks were HUGE in my youth.  Dropkick Murphy’s had like eight songs about boys on them, and this Rancid song alludes to them.  I loved all of the blue collar, working class ideology that had nothing to remotely do with my comfortable upper middle class (not sure if that’s accurate because my parents were teachers, and like is there even a middle class any more?) life. This song definitely sums itself up at then end when it says “There’s a whole lot of nothin”.

7. Junky Man - Another theme that I could definitely relate to in a town of 20,000 people with like ten people who did meth...Junkies!  This song is pretty great because the dude from the Basketball Diaries does some sick poetry in it...that movie was nuts.  I like that song that he later wrote/sang about all the people he knew who died. The only way poetry can be cool is if the person is an insane drug addict with cool/sad stories to tell. Otherwise it is just loud diary reading.

8. Listed MIA - At this point I wholeheartedly agree with this song, “I’m checking out”.  I don’t know if I ever really liked this song or if this was just part of the “I accidentally left it playing after the first four songs that I liked were over”.  Lars says the derogatory f-word for homosexuals in it, because people called him that word...that doesn’t seem cool man.  I get that it rhymes with “maggots”, but maybe give white dudes in the Midwest less reasons to sing that word out loud.

9. Ruby Soho - This is one of the best songs ever, hands down.  It is beautiful and you can barely understand what Tim Armstrong is saying but it is wonderful.  I feel like deciphering his lyrics led me to be able to understand most speech impediments, so hell yeah.  This song is about loving someone a lot but having to leave them because it isn’t working out. This song was the blueprint for every romantic relationship I’ve ever had in my entire life so it might be a gypsy curse.

10. Daly City Train - Oh hell yeah, fun Reggae drums!  Through punk and ska I grew to appreciate Reggae, but through being bummed out about that culture’s deep seated homophobia and the fact that most of it is super repetitive and boring and for dad’s on vacation.  I’m just glad that 311 taught me to love those smooth Caribbean sounds again (oh god am I joking or am I serious, I can’t tell any more please save me).

11. Journey to the End of the Easy Bay - I can still play this bass line and was very proud of myself the first time I half-way pulled it off.  It doesn’t sound as smooth and nuanced as the way Matt Freeman plays it, but goddamn it I think that was the height of my skill as a musician.  This song rules themes about needing to belong and finding a place with people who thought and felt the same as you...and then losing it as everyone grows out of it.  This was most of my early 20’s. I grew up in a scene with similarly minded people, it eventually ended and I still have contact with some of those people but that point in my life will never be replicated. I finally belonged somewhere and was part of something bigger than me.  Now I do comedy and it is bleak, entitled, and sad and mostly alcoholics talking about their dicks.  Please take me back.

12. She’s Automatic - This is not a bad song but a very confusing way to describe a woman.  I get that it means she is effortless in “the way that she moves” but maybe I’m not giving Lars any poetic license because he looks like a guy who punched books. This woman sounds great though, and I’m sure they dated for three months.  Revisiting this and that era reminds me that I almost had sex with a girl at the first X-men movie...man, being punk ruled.

13. Old Friend - Back to the Raggae!  This song is pretty great, but they really missed an opportunity of selling this to a heartburn medicine company.  “Good morning heartache, you’re like an old friend come and see me again”...that would be perfect for a commercial of a guy eating a giant plate of lasagna and making a “Oh boy, I did it again!” face.  The Transplants sold a song to that fruit shampoo, maybe this is something I can retroactively help negotiate.

14. Disorder and Disarray -  I love when punk bands have songs about “business men” being evil and the industry being bad.  Like when Against Me were part of an Anarchist collective and then on a major label putting out really bad music.  Rancid was at least on Epitaph, which while arguably not “cool” it was at least run by a kind of punk dude who is responsible for the biggest/shittiest corporate garbage of a festival, The Warped Tour.  This song has a part towards the end where they talk to each other like David Lee Roth would do in Van Halen songs, that rules.

15. The Wars End - I get that this is a song about little Sammy being a punk rocker but at this point I think they should have admitted this album was fine with 10-12 songs and maybe some of these were super repetitive and unnecessary.  It's like you’re forcing it. I can’t imagine the dude who recorded it had a lot of fun and he probably fell asleep and was startled awake and had to pretend like he’d been paying attention the whole time.

16. You Don’t Care Nothin - This starts out with the exact chord progression from Journey To The End Of The East Bay….c’mon guys. You Don’t Care Nothin about being succinct and making your songs individual expressions of art! The themes even seem like something they’ve already gone over.  I’m going to eat some soup, brb.

17. As Wicked - Is this a different song or a weird breakdown?  Oh, it’s a different song.  Well...this soup is pretty good.  Chicken Noodle, but the chunky kind.  It isn’t amazing but it is good. I should really cook more.  Maybe I’ll order Chinese later.

18. Avenues & Alleyways - I don’t really have a problem with this song because it has the “Oi oi oi” chant that the bands I was in during High School would do and we had no idea why other than popular bands doing it.  It is very catchy.  It sounds like the other two songs were just building up to finally getting your attention back. Plus it has a breakdown with people clapping, that is always fun.  This has to be the last song right? It is the perfect last song on an album!

19. The Way I Feel -  FUUUUUUUCK!  What? Really should have ended the album on that last song, it had a good “anthem” vibe and at least wrapped this up into a somewhat sensible endeavor.  This song could have been stuck in the middle somewhere, or maybe just not recorded with about seven others?  The Way I Feel about this album is that there are some parts that hold up and are still fun to listen to, but the rest of it just seems like I’m being forced to read my own teenage diary and it is boring and sad. Nostalgia is a bummer, I can’t imagine having Rancid still be my favorite band.  I’d probably still wear a chain wallet and spiky bracelet and be one of those obnoxious old drunk weirdos I see at shows that stick out like crazy sore thumbs. Bummer dude.

    Oh wow, what a journey (to the end of the east bay, am I right?)...I’m glad I was finally able to get this review out so people could finally know what this album means to me and my generation of lazy weirdos. This took me six months to write and I should be congratulated for being a journalist with tons of integrity and great taste.  True punks never die, they just eventually chill out and shop at Kohl’s.

[wifeofkimtaehyungofbts]

Chapter 1

>> Pairing: Jungkook x Y/N, Jungkook x reader

>> Genre: supernatural, fantasy, vampire, fluff, smut

>> Words: 2003

>> Notes: This is my first time writing on tumblr so I hope you can go easy on me

Synopsis: You are the chosen sacrifice to the King of the Vampires and his son this year. You decide to be fair to the people that have given their lives before you by going ahead with the God’s decision. You arrive at the Vampire castle ready to be munched on by wolves after having your blood drunk dead out of you but instead you are faced with a strange yet compelling adventure with none other than the beast son of the Vampire King.

               “And this fateful year, the chosen one by the Gods we worship of the skies, the oceans and the land is” he cleared his dry throat and continued in his raspy voice, “Y/N”.

               Whispers became murmurs becoming loud conversations as everyone discussed the plight of the next sacrifice. Isn’t her father the best blacksmith in the city? I heard his emblem has been carved into the shields that defend the King of Vampires himself! Oh, what a pity! Yet another young one to be lost and grieved!

               The conversations continued to be blown all over the small city by the winds that sent a shiver down my spine every time it touched my pretty pecan brown skin. The big and leading kingdom of Vrykolakas is North of our small city of Psari. All the four cities of this island, Psari the city of fish, Pouli the city of birds, Skylos the city of the dog and Vatrachos the city of the frog, are ruled by the kingdom of Vrykolakas. The kingdom gained power after its third king, King Alaric, won the Great Agrios War, also known as the fierce war, defeating all kings, of the South who ruled Psari, of the East who ruled Vatrachos, of the West who ruled Pouli and of the North who ruled Skylos together with King Alaric himself. This betrayal remained in the hearts of the people of Skylos and they refused to accept King Alaric as their ruler hence they were all executed. Their bodies were fed to King Alaric’s wolves and he feasted on their blood for his celebration feast. Upon consuming far too much human blood, he became fond of the taste and smell and soon sought out innocents whose blood his tongue could savor.

               Rumors spread fast through the other cities of the human-turned-vampire king, but not as fast as King Alaric’s horses. He consumed almost everyone at Pouli and soon his descendants, born with their father’s tongue, consumed anyone and everyone that crossed their way. Population dropped as fast as a man falling from a roof top and soon everyone came to fear the sound of horses. Whoever managed to escape built underground bunkers or moved to our city. Our city avoided all the bloody chaos thanks to the fast-flowing river 10 feet deep that separates us from the main land on which all the other cities and the kingdom are built on.

               Three generations down the line, 300 years later, King Cassius, now ruler of Vatrachos, is said to have fallen in love with a human lady who changed his evolutionary habits of consuming human blood. However, story has it that he killed her with his own hands 4 years after the birth of their second son. His oldest son, Prince Athan ran away from home after witnessing the death of his mother leaving his little brother behind. Prince Athan was never to be found again.

               After the death of his wife, King Cassius, established a new rule; every year a sacrifice from the city of Psari was to be offered to the King and his kin. The sacrifice will have no age limits or selected gender. They will be brought to the castle by the King’s knights and guards and shall never see the Sun again.

               There was utter chaos in our city following this new rule and people turned against one another, lovers turned enemies and families torn apart to select a sacrifice. Soon the council members of our city decided after the age of 8, all individuals must submit their name and family name to the council who will then carve it on a black stone and place inside a clay pot. This pot will be positioned under the Sun facing the direction of the kingdom and will soak in the waters of the rain until the day of decision arrives. The day of decision falls annually on the 27th of August and everyone gathers around the pot as a council senior pulls out a stone while reciting prayers and reads the name on it. Countless children, pregnant mothers and sick fathers have been sent as sacrifices who never returned. And this year, the Gods have selected me.

*******************************************************************************************

               I was seated in front of my mirror on a dainty stool looking at myself as if I was seeing myself for the first time. My dark brown eyes looked almost black underneath the thick lashes and my locks fell in a frizzy mess past my shoulders. So, this is it, huh? I smiled at myself in the mirror.

               My mother walks in with a cup of my favorite tea, looking like she has been crying for hours. I didn’t want to leave without giving her the smile she loves, the smile of the girl she birthed and raised for 20 years. I took the warm cup of tea and smiled. “Mother, don’t you worry. I am going to meet my cousins up in the skies and talk till we fall asleep like we always used to”

               My mother fell on her knees with a thud and cried like she was in immense pain. I knelt in front of her and placed the tea cup between us. “See mother,” I said pointing at the tea. “You have made me my favorite cup of tea. You usually make this before I sleep, so I can sleep more peacefully” I held her shuddering shoulders. “Think of this as me going to sleep. You made me tea and now I shall sleep peacefully... forever” I smiled my brightest smile since the announcement of my father’s liver cancer. My mother holds my face between her calloused hands and touches her forehead to mine. “I love you so much y/n. Don’t you ever forget that.  Come back to me my dear. Please” I held onto her as my tears spilled into the cup of tea making it salty like the seas of empty space between life and death.

               There was a sudden rumble and then we heard it. Horse steps. Approaching fast.

               It all happened too fast. Knights broke down my closed room door and grabbed my shrieking mother from behind. Someone struck me on the head with something that shone in the sunlight pouring through my windows. I fell to the ground and felt myself being dragged disgracefully out of my house. I could still hear my mother shrieking and I wanted to ask her to shut up and go inside. I didn’t want my last memory of hers to be one where she looks ugly with sorrow.

               My father.

               I wanted to see him. I wanted to hold his big hands and allow him to envelope me in his bear hug one last time. I wanted to hear him before I left. Just one more time.

               But I could barely move. I felt weak at my joints and my head was spinning. I was put on a horse back and soon fell asleep to the rhythm of the galloping horse.

 *******************************************************************************************

               All I remember is being thrown on to cold, hard ground. I could spell blood in the air and it made me want to throw up my last lunch. My hair was stuck to my face with sweat and I was finding it hard to breathe. My hands had somehow been tied behind my back and I couldn’t move my head without an intolerable pain shooting through the sides my head. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

*******************************************************************************************

               Someone kicked me awake. I woke up sputtering saliva. I tried to look up to see the giant man looming over me but my eyes couldn’t focus with the sweat clung to my lashes. The man pulled me by my hair and threw me out of the cell I’ve been in. My knees scrapped against the hard, stone floor and I was pulled up by each arm by two equally big knights. Just how big are these men? I wondered to myself.

               I was dragged carelessly and my skirt tore at the bottom. I squirmed in their hard grasps and managed to free my arms. I stood on shaky legs that wobbled like crazy. “I can walk on my own. Allow me my last walk”

               The men looked at me like I was crazy, but I could only see their piercing blue eyes through the masks they were wearing. “Let the girl walk. We don’t always get someone so foolishly brave” a voice came from behind me.

               I turned around to find a man with broad shoulders and plump lips approach me. I recognized him as the man who pulled me up by my hair. He wasn’t wearing a mask like the other two so I assumed he must be someone of higher rank in the castle. “Follow me” he commanded and for some reason, I obeyed. I followed him through dimly lit, stone hallways and it got much warmer as we walked into the castle. I looked out a single window on my right to see a dead garden with over grown weeds spilling from the broken-down fountain in its centre.

               I wonder if anyone is even bothered to care for this garden?

               Growing up, I loved nature. Trees were my first best friends. It saddened me to see them so carelessly left to die. If I was granted one last wish, I’d ask to tend to the garden before they ate me.

I was busy thinking about last wishes when the man in front of me suddenly stopped walking and I bumped into his enormous back. I peeked from his side to see a man twice as large as the man that brought me in with a crown of gold, sapphire, diamond and ruby sitting pretty on his long dark hair. His eyes gleamed red and upon eye contact I immediately hid behind the knight with no mask.

               “Why is this sacrifice using you as a cover, Seokjin?” King Cassius asked.

               “My Lord, she almost put up a fight with base level knights 78 and 86 demanding to walk alone. I myself am surprised to see her bravery suddenly gone upon seeing you” knight Seokjin answered. Knights 78 and 86? Wow. They don’t even have names for their people?! I thought to myself in disbelief.

               “Appear before I, the King and my son, pathetic being” King Cassius demanded, his voice booming against the stone walls, making them shake. I sighed at what my mind was asking me to do next. I moved from behind Seokjin and took 20 steps forward. I was awfully too close to the throne now. “I only got to live 20 years of my life Lord. Therefore, I took 20 steps forward. Kindly do whatever you please with me as I stand on this spot” I said bravely staring the king square in the eyes.

               The king laughed. “You are telling me what to do? You, a pathetic fool who is about to be devoured by my son and myself? YOU?!” he shouted in mock at my face. That’s when I noticed the tall guy seated next to the king on a throne as luxurious but a step lower than the king. What a strange man, I thought to myself at first glance at the man cloaked in black from head to toe.

[the-walking-memelords]

Our History

A Co-Written story by me and @journalofthedead

Rated: T

Pairings: Louis/Aasim

Word Count: 5339

An assortment of entries from Aasim's history book since the beginning of the apocalypse.

Read it on Ao3!

Year 1, Mid Summer

Something weird happened today. 

We were in math class working on the sheets Mr. McKenna gave us when in the middle of it he told us all we had to go back to our dorms. I looked at Jasper and she just shrugged. 

When we walked across the campus it was like every kid in school was out there. I lost Jasper in the crowd, so I just found my way back to my dorm on my own.

It’s been hours and no one is allowed to leave the dormitory buildings, so I went to the common room to see if anyone knew what was happening. A few teachers are practically guarding all the exits and Louis said when he went to ask about dinner they just told him to go back and wait.

People are saying it’s a lockdown drill or the real thing, but this isn’t anything like the drills we’ve had before.

I’m scared.

Year 1, Mid Summer 

I woke up really hungry. They never let us eat dinner last night, so hopefully, they’ll make up for it with breakfast.

They’re all gone. All the teachers. I’ve asked everyone I could find and no one has seen anyone. Most of the kids took this as an opportunity to bolt, but thankfully Louis is still here. Jasper stuck around as well, so did the twins, their brother, and Violet, and a bunch of others. There used to be over a hundred kids here, now there’s only about thirty.

We found one teacher, or well, a nurse. Ms. Martin seems to be the only one still here. She said there’s something happening in the cities and the other staff went to check on family since no calls are getting through. She says they’ll come back, but who knows.

Louis, Marlon and I snuck into the headmaster’s office. Lou’s been dialling the phone for hours trying to call his mom but nothing’s going through. Maybe she’ll come to get him. I wonder if she’d take me too, I don’t think my dad would care. 

Year 1, Mid Summer

The power went out today and Ms. Martin couldn’t figure out why. Doesn’t surprise me though, she’s a nurse, not a maintenance woman. I suppose all we can do is wait and see if it comes back on.

No one’s come back yet. Not staff. No parents. No one. Everyone is on edge and a few of them want to go out and see what’s happening in the nearby town. Ms. Martin’s going to have one hell of a time keeping everyone here.

Someone came to the gate this afternoon. No one any of us knew, just some random guy. He looked gross all his clothes were covered in mud. Ms. Martin told us all to stay back which was fine by me cause I didn’t want to get anywhere near that guy anyway. He was banging on the gate and the way he spoke… it wasn’t even like words… just animal noises almost.

Jasper… Jasper’s dead. That man killed her. 

She kept trying to talk to him… something about him being hurt I think she said. 

Ms. Martin tried to stop her but she just wanted to help him… and when she opened the gate he just jumped on her. I didn’t see exactly what happened next. I just… couldn’t watch. I closed my eyes and covered my ears but I could still hear all the screaming. Jasper’s and everyone else’s. 

I don’t remember what happened after that. I’m in my room now. Louis is on the other bunk leaning against the wall. He’s quiet for once, which isn’t good. “She didn’t make it.” was all he had to say. I don’t know what to say or if I can even say anything. I’m still shaking so much. My face is wet so I know I’ve been crying. 

Maybe if I go to sleep I’ll wake up from this nightmare.

Year 1, Late Summer

I didn’t understand what was going on at first, I thought it was a hoax… Some sick game, but that changed when Erin was bitten, no one knew… We were walking back to the dorms together, Erin was acting so weird. “Are you alright?” I asked her, hoping to get an honest genuine reply. Erin didn’t respond to me, she just went into her room and shut the door quietly behind her.  

Later that evening, Ms. Martin asked me to go check on Erin. She didn’t show up for dinner, some were more worried than the others, Erin and I weren’t close but we still talked. I knocked gently on her door, not wanting to upset her even more. Silence filled the hallway before there was a dull thud inside the room. 

“Erin?” I called, knocking a bit harder this time. I didn’t know what was going on, at the time I thought she fell. That wasn’t the case of course, without thinking I twisted the knob, surprised that it wasn’t locked. 

I took a breath and walked in. 

“Erin?” I called again, looking around the darkroom. Where was she?  The sounds of growling and snarling made the hairs on the back of my neck raise, I looked to my left and gasped loudly.  Erin’s blonde hair was dull, falling out of her bun, her blue-rimmed glasses laid on the ground. The most shocking thing was her eyes, the light green eyes that used to shine with life were now dull and pale, almost white. 

She became one of those things we’ve been seeing in the woods. One of those things that killed Jasper. I slammed the door shut before she got to me and I heard her pounding on the other side. I just ran to Ms. Martin. 

You have to go for the head… that’s what we’ve figured out… but I didn’t want to be the one to kill her.

We’re all going to sleep in the Admin Building tonight.

Year 1, Early Fall

Ms. Martin died today. She sacrificed herself to save us…  I didn’t know how to really feel, a part of me felt guilty, I could’ve done something, but I listened to what she told us, get the others and get out of there. During her funeral all I could think about was the what if’s, Ruby tried to talk some sense into me and pull me out of my funk, all I felt was guilt though.  

Year 1, Early Fall

One day later, Louis confronts me in our shared room. “What is it?” I grumbled at him, at the time I didn’t really want to talk to anyone. Louis gave me a look, something about that look he gave me stopped me in my tracks. I oddly felt warm and safe in his presence, it was a bit annoying but I felt at peace at that moment. 

“You need to snap out of it,” Louis told me, crossing his arms.  I was surprised at his behaviour, Louis was never this serious. I liked this serious side of him and I wasn’t going to admit that to anyone.  I left the room today with Louis, the conversation we had while walking outside was one I would always remember.  

I think Louis and I became really close friends today, even though Louis can be a bit much at times. I find his company to be nice, something I want to keep around. 

Year 1, Mid Winter

It’s so fucking cold! 

Yet again it seems like I’m the only one that cares about having enough food for this school! Marlon doesn’t know what he’s doing!  He calls himself a good leader? I think he’s full of shit, I mean we should be out there hunting and making traps.  Marlon doesn’t get it, this snow will only get heavier and it will get colder. 

Louis isn’t helping either, he keeps throwing shit at me and I really want to throat punch him.  How is that I’m the sensible one here? Sometimes I wonder why I wasn’t made the leader? Not to toot my own horn, I’m definitely a better leader than the rat and by the rat I mean Marlon.

The food supply is getting low, tracks are getting covered by the snowfall. I can’t help but feel restless, we needed food to survive.  Marlon needed to get his ass in gear, open his eyes to see that this plan of his isn’t working and that he needed to do better if we wanted to survive the winter. 

Year 1, Mid Winter

We brought back a decent amount of food today from the hunt this afternoon, Marlon actually listened to one of my plans. I was shocked when he listened, I for one didn’t expect him to listen to me at all. My shock only grew even more as I was heading out with Mitch and Brody to go hunt. 

It felt good to be listened to for once, the look of pride on Louis’ face that day made me a bit giddy. (Still not telling a soul about that either.)  

The look on Omar’s face was priceless, I’ve never seen him so happy to cook something warm. Dinner was amazing tonight, Omar is a god when it came down to cooking.  It made me wonder though, why was Omar sent to this school again?  Whatever, that's a story for another day, well maybe. Who knows? Maybe Omar will tell us? Maybe not.  

Year 2, Early Spring

I guess the one good thing about the entire forest being turned into a giant mud pit is that the animals are easier to track. I have to give Louis credit for his snares since they do a pretty good job catching rabbits. If only he’d kill them himself instead of making me do it though, I hate it as much as he does but we’ve gotta eat after all.

One of the many bad things about the entire forest being turned into a giant mud pit is that it’s slippery as shit and Louis would rather laugh at me than help me up.

Year 2, Mid Summer

A big thunderstorm stopped us from hunting today. I should be disappointed, but I’m not. I feel so calm, the sounds of the beating rain against the windows made me smile.  Before I was sent here, I would sneak outside and just watch the rain.

My parents thought I was weird for doing this. I didn’t care what they thought of me, it wasn’t like they paid much attention to me anyway.  I have this hate for them, I know I’m probably acting like a child but I don’t care. 

They left me here. I hope karma bites them in the ass. 

Year 2, Late Summer

The nightmares came back. They were worse this time around, it’s gotten to the point that I am afraid to fall asleep at night. I knew Louis was worried about me I could see it on his dumb face, though it felt nice to have someone worry about you. 

“I miss cartoons,” Louis told me when I woke up in a hurry. That threw me off, normally I would give a snarky come back to his banter. This time I actually let him ramble on, it was comforting to hear him just… Talk. 

I hope that one day I could have his enthusiasm. 

Okay, that’s a lie. I honestly do not think I could handle being that enthusiastic about everything. It makes me wonder though, how does Louis hold this much energy? 

Year 3, Mid Summer

Louis made a weapon today. Oddly enough it’s a chair leg, named Chairles. Louis has quite the imagination when it comes to anything and everything, I like that about Louis, despite that it’s pretty weird to name your weapon, but who am I to judge? 

'Chairles' is a chair leg, out of all weapons he could make. Louis chooses a chair leg. Though I have to admit, Chairles suits him, Louis seems comfortable with the weapon and I'm not lying when I say Louis has a good swing.

I’ll stick with my bow, I’ve gotten better with my aim. 

Year 4, Mid Summer

It’s been a while since my last entry, a long while. I’ve been thinking about my sisters lately. I miss them. Every little thing reminds me of them, I haven’t been sleeping much because of this.  When I close my eyes, I see them. The dreams happen quickly, but I remember every painful detail about my vivid dreams. 

First I was sitting under a tree with them, the big oak tree that was in the middle of the park by our house. We were laughing about some stupid joke, then the scene changed to something bloody. My sisters smiling faces turned to horror and pain, all that blood, it was like I was frozen. I couldn’t help them, I just stood there, watching as walkers tore them apart. I tried to help them, but it was too late.  

I’m so tired. Afraid to sleep. I don’t want to have the same nightmare again. 

Why can’t I just have some peaceful sleep? 

Year 4, Mid Summer

It’s been five days since I’ve gotten any sleep. Everything around me is hazy and muffled. Ruby says I need to rest, but I have to work. I can’t sit out for a day and I really don’t need Marlon on my ass again. 

Breakfast is almost ready. 

The smell is making my stomach churn. My headache is getting worse too. 

What’s going on…

Year 4, Late Summer

Louis has been stern with my sleeping schedule. It can get aggravating at times, but who am I to complain? I haven’t been taking care of myself so Louis stepped in to smack some sense into me.  Though I am thankful. I lost myself, all because of those damn nightmares. 

"You need to keep your head up high." 

Louis tells me every morning, I thought I would find it annoying by now. Though I didn't, his words were comforting and I used them, every day. 

Louis will never know. 

I don't need to be teased relentlessly, again.

Year 5, Late Summer

The traps have been getting emptier and emptier over the last couple weeks. I don’t know if the rabbits are getting smarter or the walkers are eating them before we get the chance.

I caught myself staring at the firepit last night. It’s not good. I don’t want to fall back onto old habits. Sometimes if I can’t sleep I find myself fiddling with my matchbook. I’ve been able to stop myself from lighting one, but it’s getting really tempting lately. Matches are too important to just throw away.

Maybe I could ask Louis to just hold onto them for me. I don’t want him to worry though. The school’s old psychologist said I’d been “Cured” and wanted to send me home. I don’t want Lou to think I’m turning back into some crazy pyromaniac on the verge of burning down the school.

I just need to get a hold of myself.

Year 5, Late Summer

I broke. I lit one of the matches.

I watched the small flame flicker down the wooden stick until it burnt the tips of my fingers. I dropped it on the floor and stomped on it but now there’s a small black scorch mark by the side of my bunk.

I hope no one notices it.

Year 5, Early Fall

I fucked up.

I fucked up so fucking bad.

I’m not sure what came over me, to be honest, I don't entirely remember what happened. I think I just had too many bad days lately. This is all my fault, preaching how we need to work as a group and then isolating myself like this and now…

Tennessee might not make it.

I’m locked in my room right now because the twins have a hard time looking at me without attacking me. Totally justifiable, I’m just as disgusted and angry with me as they are.

It was dark out, and I remember it was cold. I couldn’t sleep so I went walking around the school. I was in the art room. Dust covered easels and dried up paint all over the place. It was so cold, unusual for so early, the leaves had barely changed colour. I either couldn’t or just didn’t think

I lit a fire.

Small, paper scraps and paintbrushes in an old clay bowl on the table. I couldn’t stop looking at it. I began to stick things into the flames and just fuck around.

I didn’t even know Tenn was in there. Maybe he couldn’t sleep and went hunting for art supplies or something I don’t know.

“Aasim?” His sudden voice scared the hell out of me and I dropped a flaming ruler on the ground. The thing nearly set my pants on fire on the way down but I jumped away.

Watching the debris on the floor quickly catch is where things begin to get hazy again. I got out fine. My throat is scratchy from the smoke but that's nothing compared to the poor kid. I didn’t get a good look at him but I could smell it. Burns all on the side of his head. Ruby and the twins are with him right now, but she isn't a doctor. 

I wonder if they’ll kick me out if he dies, or kick me out anyways. I’ll go if that's what they want. Louis hasn’t come by our room yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hates me too.

Year 6, Early Fall

Hunting has been stressful lately. Louis has been sick for the past week, leaving me hunting with Marlon. Oh, the joy.

Not.

I can't stress enough how annoying Marlon is, not only that he is an egotistical asshole. There isn't a time where I don't want to punch Marlon in the throat.

Why is the leader? He has no leadership skills or qualities. Marlon is going to get himself killed one day and it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

Marlon is an idiot. How could Louis be friends with that? 

Seriously. Marlon can fuck off. Twat. 

Year 6, Mid Fall

Hunting has been better. I had Louis back with me, I could actually smile again without having thoughts of killing a boy that looked like a road kill rat. 

I never really thought that I would miss hunting with Louis this much. But I did. That damn smile…

What am I saying?

Anyway. 

Hunting has been better, we managed to snag a buck and a few rabbits. It should  last us for a while.

That's all I hope for. Among other things. 

As long as I don't have to hunt with fucking Marlon again. 

Year 7, Early Fall

Minerva and Sophie died today. They went scouting past the Safe Zone with Marlon and Brody and were killed by walkers. Violet and Tennessee went back to their dorms and won't talk to anyone, but you can hear the crying echoing off the walls. I tried talking to Louis but he's acting distant. He won't even talk to Marlon. I don't blame him, he and Minerva were close.

I just hope he knows I'm here for him.

Year 7, Mid Summer

I found Louis in the music room today, hardly a surprise since he practically lives at that piano bench. He was playing, but it wasn't really a song. It sounded like he was just randomly pressing keys. Broken melody fragments. Reminded me of what he sounded like when he was first learning. He didn't look at me when I walked in, so I figured I'd just find the book I was looking for and give him some space.

He called my name just as I passed him, and started playing an actual song. It was a nursery rhyme. Literally just "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," He asked me to guess the name and of course, I got it right, so he played another. Eventually moved on to some classical pieces and a few I remembered hearing on the radio as a kid. I guessed… most of the names right.

It's a game we've played often. He plays and I guess. I've gotten better over the years, he tends to play a few of his favourites over so I've memorized a lot of them.

It's nice to hear him play for me again. The school is mostly moving on from what happened to the twins, and it's nice to see this dork smile again.

Year 8, Late Summer

I don't know who's the bigger idiot, Louis, or me. We're out alone in the middle of the woods trying to find some dinner and he just blurts out: "So, 'Sim. You got a crush on anyone?" 

What kind of fucking question is that? And of course, because I'm a dumbass, I panicked and said "Ruby"

I'm not going to live this down, am I?

It's not like I could have said it was him, right?

Year 8, Early Fall

Marlon brought two newcomers to the school today. A girl our age and a little boy. She's capable, at least. The new girl helped the hunting party come back. I fucked up and almost got myself killed but she saved my life. 

Louis has been hovering over her since she woke up. Just flirting, non-stop. She's definitely going to end up stabbing him.

Also, the kid is really nosey and the girl is an enabler.

Year 8, Early Fall

Marlon sent the new people -Clementine and AJ- with Louis and me to hunt this morning. I went ahead by myself the first chance I got, I couldn't stand listening to him try to woo her. Even out of earshot it was all I could think of. I was so distracted I only bagged one rabbit.

Goddammit, Louis.

Louis took the new people to the fishing shack to see if Violet and Brody had any luck catching anything, but only Brody came back. She said someone broke into the shack and stole a bunch of our stuff. She was freaking out but Marlon wouldn't have any of it. I wish he wouldn't brush these things off.

The sunset and the others aren't back yet. I volunteered to go looking for them but Marlon wouldn't let me. Brody said they stayed behind to find more food, but it's been so long. I'm worried. I decided to write this now to distract myself, but I can hardly sit still. I hope Louis is alright. I'm starting to feel sick.

Everyone came back alright, and with a shit ton of food. They went outside the Safe Zone to a walker-infested train station to steal it. It was stupid, but it paid off I guess. Louis kept telling me he was fine but I still felt frustrated. It's too quiet when he isn't around.

Year 8, Early Fall

Marlon and Brody died last night. It turns out Minnie and Sophie's deaths weren't an accident, Marlon gave them away to some group so that he could live, and killed Brody when she couldn't stay quiet anymore. He lied to us saying Clementine killed her, but Louis got between them.

Marlon dropped the gun, but AJ snuck up behind him and shot him.

I helped Louis dig the grave. It wasn't easy, we had to use bowls to dig and the rain was pouring. He was shaking so much he could barely make a dent in the ground. I left the rest of the work to the others, taking Lou inside to dry off.  It's been almost an hour since Clementine and AJ were kicked out, they should’ve stayed, Clementine was smart and knew how to survive in this hellish world. 

“Louis,” I said to him, sitting down next to him on one of the beds in our room.  Louis was too quiet, I didn’t like it… It was so unlike him. I wanted him to smile again. 

Louis did something I wasn't expecting tonight. Louis slowly looked up at me before wrapping his arms around my waist tightly, laying us both back on the bed. I was surprised… Though I felt warm and safe, it's been a small secret of mine but I longed to be held by Louis. 

THAT IS NOT THE POINT OF THIS ENTRY!

I never expected to see Louis break down, I didn't mind that he squeezed me tight while he cried. I just wanted him better.  

Year 8, Early Fall

Clementine and AJ came back.

AJ wasn't looking so good, Clementine told us that he was shot. I felt bad for the kid. Though as of right now, my main concern is what we have to prepare for. I'm not telling anyone this, but I'm afraid.

What if we all end up dying? All this stress is making an old urge of mine come back. I'm scared, everyone is even Louis.

What if I lose him?

I can't lose him… I just can't.

Maybe I should talk to him? Tell him how I feel? I don’t know what to do anymore. Maybe it’s for the best that I keep my feelings for him a secret? This fight for our lives is more important than anything else at the moment, we need to be prepared and focused on what’s going to come.  Louis did mention that he needs some help with his aim, I guess I could show him the ropes. 

Year 8, Early Fall

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

Louis kissed me! We kissed! Yeah, it was a dare, but I didn’t expect him to go through with the dare.  It felt so surreal during the card game, I for one thought I was going to end up having the lowest. Turns out that it was Louis that had the lowest, Louis picked dare, of course, he never backs down from a dare.

He was given a choice: Kiss me or kiss a walker's head.  He chose to kiss me. When Louis leaned over and kissed me, it felt so surreal, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. When I kissed back, it felt so real, so nice…

I sound like a lovesick teenager... 

He cupped my face, gave me that smile of his and closed his eyes and leaned in.  When our lips met, I closed my eyes and slowly returned it, resting my hands on his shoulders. I don’t even know if the kiss meant anything to Louis, it probably didn’t… Part of me wishes it did. 

Maybe I’m overthinking this. I mean, Louis has feelings for Clementine. At least I think so. 

Year 8, Early Fall

I’m so sorry, Aasim. 

Fuck. I could’ve done something! I let you be taken… 

I feel like a fucking failure. I shouldn’t even be writing in your journal right now, but here I am. Sorry in advance Aasim, when we save you and the others, you can totally rip my entries out. 

Year 8, Early Fall

I’m sorry ‘Sim. I went down into the basement where we’re keeping that creepy one-armed guy and well, he was sort-of awake. I looked at him and I felt so angry. I wanted to hurt him. Hurt him like he hurt us, hurt you, but I couldn’t do it. He and his people are the reason it’s me writing in this book right now and not you.

I hope it’s not me writing the final entries.

Anyways, I keep rereading the things you’ve written about me over the years. It makes me feel giddy and guilty at the same time. I just want you to know that if you and I both live through this raider bullshit, 

The next time I kiss you won’t be the result of a dare.

Year 8, Early Fall

Abel talked enough before he puked out his internal organs. (Remind me never to fuck with Clementine) We know where you are, and we have a plan.

I’m coming for you, Aasim, just hang on a little longer.

Year 8, Early Fall

We did it.

Holy fuck. 

We’re back.

All of those raiders are dead. I… I killed one of them. I’ve never killed someone before. It feels strange and gross. Like bile, or a scream that doesn’t know if it should or not. I think of that woman’s face as I shot that arrow through her mouth and I just… I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. I feel bad, I think. I think of her, and then I think of you. 

You probably think you’re still on the boat right now. You were out when we found you, covered in blood and the smell of burnt flesh was everywhere. I kept calling your name but you didn’t wake up the whole way back.

You gotta hang on, Aasim. I can’t lose you too.

Minnie’s dead. Tenn’s dead. Mitch is dead. Clementine is dying and maybe so are you and I don’t know what to do anymore so I’m sitting here with your book wondering if I’ll have to decide whether or not to bury you with it while Ruby tries to treat the burns on your back and patch up Clementine’s missing leg and hope neither of you turn.

 Year 8, Mid Fall

So, I’m back. 

I just read all of Louis’ entries. To be honest, I hadn’t thought about this book the last couple weeks, I didn’t even notice it was gone. Louis must have had it this whole time. He’s been by my side ever since the boat, but today when I woke up he was gone and this was on the dresser.

Everything hurts. Both my back from that explosion and my head from trying to figure out what I’m going to do now.

I can't help it, but I feel a bit giddy that he feels the same. Yet I am afraid. 

Afraid that I could lose him to anything out there. 

Maybe I should rest some more before talking to him. 

Year 8, Mid Fall.

That's it. 

I'm talking to him.

I need to. 

I have to.

I'm driving myself crazy just sitting here and thinking about it.

Now to find him.

Year 8, Mid Fall. 

We are dating now. 

I was so nervous when I found Louis, he was playing the piano. I stood by the door and watched him play for the longest time, thinking over the ways to approach him, though it was like I couldn’t move. I was in some type of trance that was keeping me there and not letting me free.  Then he stopped playing, he smiled once and looked over at me. His eyes filled with some sort of relief and he stood up, quickly making his way over to me. 

I threw myself into his arms almost instantly, not even waiting for him to stop walking. I didn’t care that the fast movements hurt my burnt up back, I just wanted to be in his arms. 

“Woah. Be careful.”  Louis chuckled. I really missed the sound of his laugh. I missed everything. 

“Shut up. I missed you.” I told him, but I frowned when Louis gently moved me back, looking me in the eyes. 

“You read my entries, didn’t you?” His question was soft and serious, like he was afraid or something.  

I just smiled at him and slowly nodded, leaning into his touch when he cupped my cheek. We didn’t say a word as we stared at each other, it was like we knew what each other was thinking but didn’t make a move to initiate anything. 

“Well, Romeo? Gonna kiss me or not?” I whispered to him, breaking the sweet silence between us. Louis only chuckled and brought our lips together into a sweet, yet slow kiss. 

It was better than the last kiss, and he asked me out right after.  

I sound a sap. 

But I don’t really care.  

[kmomof4]

Ch9 Time and Again

I’m sorry this is so late y'all! The day got away from me again. But here we are! I hope you enjoy the new chapter! 

Ao3 link

All the love and thanks to @hollyethecurious and @winterbaby89 for all their love and support, besides beta services! I couldn’t have done this without y'all!

Also a huge shoutout and internet hug to the CSSNS discord ladies for all their encouragement and love as I worked on this all summer!

And thank you to all of you who are reading! Your messages thrill me to no end!!! They make all the work, all the blood, sweat, and tears worth it!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

Tagging my peeps: @hollyethecurious @winterbaby89 @snowbellewells @stahlop @resident-of-storybrooke @jennjenn615 @kingofmyheart14 @profdanglaisstuff @branlovestowrite @thisonesatellite @ultraluckycatnd @flslp87 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @let-it-raines @shireness-says @kymbersmith-90 @darkcolinodonorgasm @bethacaciakay @searchingwardrobes @ilovemesomekillianjones @teamhook @aprilqueen84 @qualitycoffeethings @superchocovian @artistic-writer @donteattheappleshook @doodlelolly0910 @seriouslyhooked @tiganasummertree

Please let me know if you’d like to be added or removed.

Under the cut unless Tumblr ate it.

The month since they’d gotten back from their trip had been the happiest month of her life. She could see why it was called the honeymoon phase. Sultry looks and secret smiles, stolen kisses in offices and sometimes more, nights spent at one of their places. If she thought that working together would be awkward, she was very pleasantly surprised to find that Killian, mostly, maintained his professionalism when there was work to be done, but as soon as it was, he was her tender and affectionate lover.

Word of their relationship had spread through the office like wildfire when they returned. It was too coincidental for them both to take a weeks vacation time. At the same time. With no contact during the week. Or advance notice. Killian had to tell Liam, and with Liam came Belle. Granny of course already knew. But it was arriving at work on Monday with a still visible hickey on her neck, even covered with makeup, that she faced the full scrutiny, interrogation, and subsequent delight of Ruby and Mary Margaret. She kept trying to tell them that it wasn’t serious at this point, but she couldn’t avoid the knowing looks thrown her way when she came out of Killian’s office with mussed hair and flushed cheeks. She was just thankful that M’s never gave her an ‘I told you so.’

The week after they got back, the meeting with Tiger Lily happened and the firm was hired to handle her advertising. With the new client and Killian being somewhat distracted with the planned opening of the LA office after the new year, she had nearly forgotten about being in the running for the Vice President of Marketing position there. Almost. She was starting to worry a little bit, seeing as they were now well into October and she still hadn’t heard anything. She didn’t want to mention her anxiety to Killian, because it would make her feel like she was taking advantage of their relationship. She simply told herself that if she hadn’t heard anything, then the other candidates probably hadn’t either, and she was simply going to have to wait just like them. Plus, and this was a pretty silly thought, with the complication of the new relationship, she didn’t want to remind him that she may soon be leaving him.

But that begged the question. Would she be leaving him? She had told herself that she was in this for the long haul. She loved him. But she also wanted the promotion. She wanted the paycheck and the recognition that came from her hard work. In LA, she’d essentially be in Killian’s position here. She’d have the freedom to take on new clients and she’d have people working under her. But did she really want that? She had people working under her here too. And Killian was here. She had to admit, staying here with him was the biggest draw to actually turning down the promotion if it was offered to her. She knew she loved him, wanted to stay with him, wanted a future with him, wanted forever with him. He all but said he loved her and wanted a future with her on their trip, but without those three little words, she didn’t want to lay out plans with any certainty one way or the other.

With the busyness at work and these kind of thoughts swirling through her mind, it was no wonder that she was susceptible to the illness that was making its way through the office. Aches and pains and digestive issues at all hours of the day and night were really starting to take their toll on her. After three nights in a row of strange, but normal strange, dreams that woke her up with such nausea, that she’d need to vomit before she could sleep again, Killian insisted she take today off, since they had the long holiday weekend ahead of them. She couldn’t argue too much given how truly rotten she felt, and when Killian kissed her goodbye and left for the office, she gratefully fell right back asleep.

~*~*~

“LA,” Liam Jones announced walking in to his office. Killian turned away from his computer and waved a hand at the conference table as he rose to greet his brother. Sitting down at the table, Liam continued. “It’s time we made a decision, little brother.”

“Younger brother,” he muttered under his breath, rifling through his desk. He pulled out the files of the final three candidates for the position. “Emma Swan, August Booth, and Greg Mendel,” he said, coming over to the table. “All qualified candidates, all with management experience.” He settled himself down in one of the chairs. “I have to say brother, I think Emma is the one we need out there. I have first hand knowledge and experience working with her, and I can personally attest to her work ethic and the quality of the work she puts out. She would be a tremendous asset in that market.”

Liam leveled an assessing look at him. “What about you? What about your relationship?” he asked.

Damn, he thought, I should have known he wouldn’t just take my spill without questioning my motives. Killian scratched behind his ear and wouldn’t meet his brother’s eyes. “Well, uh, truthfully brother…”

“Yes,” Liam prompted, without taking his eyes off his sibling.

“Truthfully,” he continued, looking down at his shoes, “I love her Liam,” he vowed with a sigh, finally looking in his brother’s face.

“Then why are you trying to convince me that she’d be of more use in southern California?” Liam’s voice was confused, but with an edge to it that he didn’t often see in him.

“I don’t know how she feels about me,” he nearly whispered. “I mean, not for sure.” He swallowed hard and looked away again. “I know I love her, and I want to be with her. Forever. But she’s never given me any indication that she feels the same way. I’m sure she cares about me, but I don’t know if what she feels for me is enough for her to stay here. I guess I’d just like to see what she’d do. If presented with the choice…” he trailed away.

“Oh, Killian,” Liam sighed, “You just want to know if you’re enough, don’t you?” Killian nodded, shamefaced at his cowardly action. “Have you talked to her about it? At all?” Liam implored him. “No, I don’t expect you have, have you? Killian, a man unwilling to fight for what he wants, deserves what he gets. You have to fight for her. If you want her, you have to fight for her; for your relationship. Let her know exactly what you feel. Exactly what you want. Would you follow her there?” He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture with a shake of his head. “Never mind. We can work out the details of the promotion later. Is she worth it?”

Pure, unadulterated shock bloomed over his face. “How can you even ask that, brother?” he thundered, “Of course she is!”

“Well then what are you still sitting there for, boy?” A new voice pierced the tension in the room. “I gave you that ring for a reason! Now go get her!” Granny stood at the door of his office, hands on her hips. Just like when he was growing up and she was about to give him a tongue lashing. His response was automatic.

“Yes, ma’am,” he yelped, nearly jumping out of his seat. “She’s at the house. She hasn’t been sleeping well and feeling pretty crummy. I think she may have the flu. We’ll see you on Tuesday,” he threw over his shoulder as he passed Granny in the doorway.

Granny turned to Liam with an amused smile on her face. “Well, that’s one way to get him moving,” she affectionately groused, “And what about you, young man? Your mother’s ring shouldn’t be gathering dust anymore. It’s high time for it to have a new home.”

Liam jumped up almost as fast as Killian had done, face as red as a tomato, stammering out all his reasons why he hadn’t made that leap for himself. Trying to dart by her, she reached up and cuffed him on the ear before chuckling, she turned to follow him out of the office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Emma?” he whispered, “Emma? Are you here?” Killian entered the bedroom, hoping to find his love still asleep. His forehead furrowed in confusion when all he found was an empty bed. He turned and headed to the bathroom, hoping he wouldn’t find her in there still sick. When he found the bathroom deserted, he moved back to the front of the house wondering if he had missed her somehow. When he came in the garage door, he’d gone straight to his office to get the ring that Granny had given him about a year after Milah had died to give to his intended. Her words, not his. She didn’t want him to lose hope that he might find love again. But after her statement back at the office, he wondered if perhaps she might have seen something even then.

When he didn’t find Emma on the couch, he pulled out his phone to call her when he saw a note on the bar.

Hey Babe,

I remembered that I needed to go pick something up. Then I’m heading home afterward to hopefully get some more sleep. I’ll call you tonight.

E

Killian was no fool and the note he held in his hand was quite disconcerting. The subtle hint that he wouldn’t be seeing her tonight left him feeling bereft and wondering why she felt the need to go back to her home instead of back here whenever she procured whatever she forgot. And did that mean that she was feeling better? Why didn’t she just call him and ask him to pick up whatever it was on his way home? He decided to call her anyway, just to see if she was feeling better and if she needed anything else. When his call went to voicemail, his mild worry over her location and well being turned into concern and even fear that threatened to eat a hole in his heart until he could see and hold her for himself.

Stuffing the ring in his pocket, he left his house and headed for Swan’s apartment. Praying the entire way that she was okay.

~*~*~

Emma sat on the sofa stunned. Pregnant. She was pregnant. She looked down again at the wand in her hand, just to make sure that there was no trace of a Not in the window of the test. Why didn’t she see it sooner? Why didn’t she even consider the possible consequences of the nights, and days, of passion she shared with Killian on their getaway? Why didn’t she notice before now that her period was late?

Waking up after falling back asleep after Killian left for work, she noticed the date on her phone. October 10. Going back through her calendar, she saw that her period should have arrived around the first of the month. She put her face in her hands. How did I miss this? She was usually so methodical and particular about things. Honeymoon phase, indeed. She was so busy at work and so busy being in love that the usual discipline that characterized her life was completely absent. She should have noticed… hell, she shook her head, she should have thought about birth control. How was she going to tell him?

And she would definitely have to tell him. She needed to go back to his place, she thought with dismay. The note she left him would probably leave him in a tizzy over where she was and if she was okay. He wouldn’t be back home for a few more hours, so she could sit here for a little while longer and try to come to terms with the knowledge herself.

She was jerked out of her thoughts when she heard a key in the lock. Looking around, she quickly shoved the pregnancy test under a throw pillow and lay down on it just as the door opened. Killian came in calling her name. “Emma?”

“What are you doing here?” she asked, maybe a little more harsh than she needed to.

“I came to check on you,” he replied. “Your note left me a little concerned with how you’d been feeling lately.” He sat down on the sofa and pulled her feet into his lap.

“But, why are you home early?” she questioned. “I realized that the way I worded that note, probably wasn’t the best and I was planning on coming back before you’d get home.”

“Oh, well,” he replied, scratching behind his ear, “Yes, that. Uh, we need to talk, Emma.” He looked away from her and she saw his cheeks and the tips of his ears bloom a bright red.

“I find that when someone says that,” she nearly whispered, “I’m rarely in for a pleasant conversation.”

He turned his face back towards her with a jerk. “What?” he asked, alarmed. “Oh, no, no, no Swan. No. I mean,” he continued, looking away from her again, sheepishly, “I hope, no. But that’s really up to you…” he trailed away, looking at her feet in his lap. He started rubbing nonsense into the arch of her foot that threatened to send her thoughts into totally inappropriate territory given the preface he’d just given her.

“What is it, Killian?” she breathed, before she totally lost herself to his ministrations.

“Uhm, us… and the promotion.” He looked back at her with his heart as well as trepidation in his eyes.

“Yes?”

“Liam, and Granny too for that matter,” he began, shrugging his shoulders and looking down, “made me see something. They made me realize that while I know how I feel about you, and I thought I’d made it pretty clear over the last few weeks, I never told you explicitly.” Emma’s heart thundered in her ears. “And with the decision of the promotion looming, we needed to be on the same page, one way or the other.” Emma nodded, tears gathering in the corner of her eyes. Was it possible?

“Liam always says that a man unwilling to fight for what he wants, deserves what he gets. So I am here today to fight for you, Emma. Fight for us.” He got up off the sofa and sank down on his knees before her. His blazing blue eyes delved deep into hers. “I love you, Emma. I have for a long time. And there is nothing I want more than for you to stay right here. With me, with your family and friends. If your heart is set on this promotion, then I hope that you would allow me to come with you. Because if there is one thing I want you to know Emma,” he took her hand in his, “it’s that I’ll always, always be by your side. If you’ll have me. Emma Swan,” he reached in his pocket and pulled out a very familiar ring. Emma let out a gasping sob. “Will you make me the happiest and most blessed man alive and consent to be my wife?”

She was nodding and laughing through her tears before he even finished asking. Leaning over to him, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him as if there was no tomorrow. Drawing him up to the sofa with her, he hovered over her, never releasing her lips. Finally parting, he wedged himself between her and the back of the sofa, drawing her into his arms. Lifting her left hand to his lips, he placed a gentle kiss to the knuckles before he opened his other hand that held the ring. She couldn’t hold back her gasp.

“That’s the same ring from the dream, isn’t it?” she wondered, stunned.

“Yes,” he affirmed, “it is. If I remember correctly, in the dream I had it commissioned?” It was more of a question than a statement, as evidenced by the shrug of his shoulders. “I think so anyway. But in truth, this ring was Granny’s. Her wedding ring. When my parents passed, she took it off. My mother’s wedding ring had survived the crash, and so she eventually planned to give it to Liam for his bride and she planned to give me hers. I obviously didn’t know about it when I proposed to and married Milah. About a year or so after I lost her, Granny gave it to me telling me not to lose hope that I’d find love again. But something she said today makes me wonder if she didn’t know something even then. You hadn’t been working here long, but it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if she knew that you’d caught my eye. She’s a sly one for sure.”

She smiled gently at him. “What did she say?” she asked.

“She said, ‘I gave you that ring for a reason. Now go get her!’” He chuckled and raised her hand to put the ring on her finger. But before he could, she drew her hand away.

He looked at her in confusion. “What is it, Swan?” he inquired.

Now it was her turn to be nervous. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and couldn’t look at him. What if this changed things? What if he decided he didn’t want the baby? Didn’t want her? But he just asked her to marry him. That usually results in children, right? So he can’t be entirely opposed to the idea, right? Maybe just not quite this soon. She took a deep breath and looked at him. Reaching under the pillow she was laying on, she pulled out the positive pregnancy test. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at what she held in her hand. After a moment or two, those same eyebrows shot up nearly to his hairline as he looked back at her, a look of hopeful joy in his eyes. “Emma?” he questioned, “Truly?” The excited shock on his face was comical, but she was able to hold back her laughter with the smile that broke over her face. A laugh burst from his throat as he took her face in his hands and crushed his mouth to hers. Her laugh broke free as he peppered kisses to her cheeks, eyelids, and nose.

“I take it that means you’re excited?” she asked.

“Oh Emma,” he breathed, “Shall I spell it out for you? Yes, I’m excited. You glorious, wondrous woman. What have I done to deserve you? Deserve this happiness?” His voice and tone lowered as he looked into her eyes again. “You’ve agreed to marry me, we’re having a baby, what more could I ask for?” He lowered his lips to hers again, kissing her thoroughly. When they broke apart, he asked, his eyes twinkling, “Now may I put the ring on your finger?”

She laughed again. “I had to be sure you’d still want to after my news,” she replied, holding her hand out to him. He pushed the ring onto her finger where it gleamed in the afternoon sun. “I love you too Killian,” she avowed, arresting him with her gaze, “And there is nothing I want more than to stay here, with you, with my family and friends. You’re everything I could ever want. Everything I could ever need.”

“As are you, my love,” he agreed, lowering his mouth to hers.

After that there were only sighs of happiness and moans of pleasure as they whispered words of love and longing and promise before their passion swept them away and deposited them on the shores of heaven on earth.

“Always and forever, Swan,” he murmured into her ear before sleep claimed them. “Always and forever.”

[n1ght5h4d3-24]

StrangerNatural (Chapter 4)

A/N: It's here! It's only been a day or two since the previous chapter came out but, I have finished the next chapter. Let me know if you'd like to be added to the tag list and feedback is appreciated. Happy reading!

Warnings: spoilers for season three of Stranger Things, cursing and slight angst.

Previous Chapter

Ruby had returned back to the house after parting ways with the girls at Max's house. It was still storming outside and the noise was only slightly muffled.

"Hey Ruby. Jack told us you were doing some investigating into the lifeguard and the girl you had seen." Sam greets the girl.

"I did. The two new friends that I had made yesterday at the mall were also doing their own investigation of the girl. Turns out that one of the girls is related to the lifeguard. Who's name is Billy. We found him, at the girl's house. Her name is Heather. Which reminds me, she's alive. But, after what I saw that night…she should be dead so, I think she's been possessed." She tells the younger Winchester brother.

Sam thought for a moment, "Dean went out on a grocery run and took your brother with him. But, I want you to keep an eye on your new friends. If they know something about the creature, then we need to know what they know." he tells her.

Ruby stared at the younger Winchester, "You want me to spy on my new friends?" she asks.

"Don't think of it as spying. You're not betraying them. We just need to know what they know so that way we can help them if needed." Sam tells her.

"Okay." she agrees.

Sam looks outside, watching the storm before turning back to the young Nephilim.

"It's late, why don't you go get some sleep. Dean and Jack should be home soon." he tells her.

Ruby nodded her head before making her way to the room she shared with her twin brother. She closed the door behind her and took a seat on the air mattress on the floor. She took advantage of the empty room and spread her wings out. Her eyes glowing golden and she, herself, seemed to glow as the shadow of her wings expanded on the wall behind her. Then she folded her wings once more and the light coming from her vanished. She then decided to lay down and wait for her brother before she fell asleep, knowing that she slept better with her twin brother around. It wasn't long until Jack joined his sister in the shared room.

Jack had just returned to the house after going on a grocery run with the oldest Winchester brother. But, Sam had taken over once they got to the kitchen and sent the Nephilim to the shared bedroom. He found his sister laying on the air mattress, laying on her side facing the door. He took a moment to spread out his own wings before laying next to Ruby. He pulled his sister close to him and held her. Soon, the twin Nephilims drifted off to sleep.

The Next Morning

By the time morning came around again, the twins were already awake and so were the brothers. Sam and Dean were going to head out into the small town to do their own investigating, and Jack was to go with his sister the next time she went to hang out with her new friends.

"Okay, Sammy and I are heading out. Remember, don't think of it as spying Ruby. Pretend it’s a case and your friends are witnesses." Dean tells her.

She nods her head and the brothers then left the house. That left the angelic beings in a house by themselves. Castiel and the Kline twins sat around the now empty house as Ruby waited to be called by her friends. She didn't exactly have a phone so, she told them to call her name and then she'd be there.

Hawkins Pool

"Okay, so we wait for him to be activated." Max says.

She and El had joined the boys at the pool, spying on her brother because they believed he was the new host for the Mindflayer.

"No, what if he hurts someone?" Mike mentions.

"Or kills someone?" Will adds.

"We can't take that chance. We need to find out if he's the host." Mike says.

Mike soon pushed off the car he and the others were leaning against and began to make his way to the pool.

"Where are you going?" El asked him.

"I've got an idea. Boys only." he answered, gesturing for Lucas and Will to follow him.

"Seriously?!" Max asked in disbelief.

"Just trust me on this one." Mike tells her, to which Max rolled her eyes at him.

The three boys headed into the pool while Max and El waited on them.

"This sucks." Max said.

"Yeah." El agrees.

Max rolls her eyes before making a decision.

"Ruby!" the redhead calls out for their new friend.

"Hey girls, I brought my twin brother along. Is that okay?" Ruby asked as she seemingly came out of nowhere.

Max and El turned around to face the older girl and her brother who arrived seemingly fast.

"Yeah sure. The boys are setting up a trap for Billy." Max tells her before El headed for the pool.

Ruby went with El, while Jack stood lookout with Max, and the two girls found a CPR dummy. Mike walked in at that moment.

"Hey, I found the breakers." he said before pausing in his footsteps.

Ruby saw how El rolled her eyes at his statement and figured that she still wasn't over the way he had treated her.

"Hey wait a minute, I recognize you from that day at the mall. Who are you?" Mike asks the older girl.

El turned around in that moment, holding the dummy in her hands and it drew Mike's attention before the Nephilim could answer him.

"Whoa, that thing is super creepy." he comments before taking the dummy from El.

"I think this will work. Right buddy?" the boy asks the dummy.

El stares at him as he moves the dummy's head as if to make it talk.

"Right Mike." the boy answered his own question in a silly tone.

He then laughs at his own joke before looking at El who was just staring at him, unamused. She then takes the dummy back from him and proceeds to leave the room with Ruby following behind her when Mike spoke up again.

"Hey, El." he called after the girl, which prompted her to stop walking and turned to face him.

"I just….wanted to say…you know when I said Nana was sick? She wasn't….I lied." he tells her.

"I know." El bluntly tells him.

She turns to leave but, stops when the boy speaks up once more.

"Right, right, right. I just think its important you know the context." he says.

El and Ruby give him a look, one of disbelief.

"Hopper, he went all crazy on me. Telling me that I'm spending way too much time with you. He made me lie…I mean….you're the most important thing to me in the world." Mike explains.

El passed the dummy to Ruby in that moment before turning back to Mike.

"What if he's right?" she asks.

"What?" he asks in confusion.

"Hop." she says.

"No, no, no, no, no. He's just some angry old man who hates joy." Mike tries to argue.

"But, if I only see you" El starts, poking him in the shoulder hard. "And I'm a different species then you, then I should be with my species more." she finished.

Mike looked at her in confusion, "What are you talking about?" he asks her.

El doesn’t answer him. She just gives him a glare before walking out, Ruby following behind her with the dummy in her arms.

"Did you spy on me?! That's totally against the rules!" Mike calls out after her.

"I make my own rules." came her response.

Then they returned to setting up the trap for Billy. Max and Jack soon joined the others in the boy's locker room. Then the group of seven hid out while they waited for the pool to close so they could put the plan in motion. They didn't have to wait long as setting up the trap had taken some time. They could all hear a shower running and that's when they knew it was time to put their plan into motion. They waited until Billy got out of the shower, when they knew that he'd be getting dressed before making some noise.

Mike and Lucas shut some doors, the metal creaking and slamming, echoed through the locker room.

"Pool's closed." The group of seven heard Billy say.

The twins then copied the action, closing doors again.

"Hey!" Billy shouted, his voice echoing.

He slams his locker shut before yelling again, "Do you hear me?!"

He rounds a corner and walks to the door of the men's locker room.

"The pool is closed!" he shouts as he bangs his hands on the locked door.

The blond, curly haired lifeguard pushes against the door and realizes that its locked. He continues to slam against it with his hands.

It was then that Mike picked up his walkie-talkie and spoke into it.

"Billy" He said in a taunting tone.

"Who's there?" Billy asked, not seeing anyone.

The kids and two teenagers were able to remain hidden as they put their plan into motion.

"Biiilllly" Mike said into his walkie-talkie again, taunting the lifeguard.

"Who's there?" Billy asked louder, into the seemingly empty locker room.

Mike only laughed before calling the blond's name again. Billy, frustrated, pulled back a shower curtain only to find no one in that stall. The Wheeler boy only continued to taunt him.

"You think this is funny, huh?" Billy asked, mostly himself.

Everyone in their hiding spots could see that their plan was working. Mike laughed again before calling the guy's name again, still in a taunting tone.

"Come find me!" he says.

"I find you, it is your funeral." Billy replied back.

"Come and get me, come out." Mike said through his walkie-talkie.

In that same moment, El used her powers to close a door. Billy opened the door and walked into the adjoining room.

"Billy!" the Wheeler boy only called out again before laughing.

Billy laid his eyes on someone in the sauna, "Got you." he says.

He laughs, clapping his hands, and makes his way over to the room before Mike speaks up again.

"Come and get me you piece of shit." he taunted.

Billy threw the sauna door wide open only to be met with a CPR dummy hanging from the ceiling. He walked into the sauna, wrapped his hand around the dummy's throat and held it up. His attention was soon drawn to a walkie-talkie that was wrapped around the dummy's middle.

"Hey. Behind you." Mike said over the device.

Billy dropped the dummy and turned around, only to be met with El.

"Hi." she says.

The blond began to yell and El just grunted and jerked her head, sending the teen into the wall.

"Now!" Mike said as he turned on the light.

Everyone rushed out of their hiding places. Mike was carrying a lead pipe and El shut the door. Once it was shut, the Wheeler boy placed the lead pipe into the handle and Lucas wrapped chains around it and some other pipes.

"C'mon, come on!" Mike yelled at his friend.

"Got it!" Lucas declared.

The two boys quickly backed away from the sauna door as Billy began to bang against it. The two friends joined Will and Max who were both standing behind El and the twins. The seven of them watch the blond continue to bang against the barricaded door until he fell quiet.

"Max" he said, panting.

The redhead stared at her step-brother, trembling in sadness.

"Do it." she tells her friend.

Will walks over to the control panel of the sauna room and turned the dial all the way to the right then he rejoined the others. Billy began shouting and banging on the door again.

"Max! Let me out of here! Let me out!" Billy shouted at her.

He then turns his attention to the others, "You kids…think this…is funny?" he asks, panting heavily.

Mike and Lucas share a look while the others continued to stare down the lifeguard.

"You kids think this is some sick prank, huh?" Billy asks.

Lucas and Mike look back at the blond teen who stood at the window of the door. The older Hargrove sibling spat against the window.

"You little shits think this is funny?!" he asked, raising his voice.

Max and Will share a look that time before looking back at him.

"What is this? Open the door." the blond tells the group of seven.

Ruby and Jack stare him down, moving slightly closer to each other, just in case.

"Open the door! Open the door! Open the god damn door!" Billy repeatedly screams, banging against the door again which startled the kids.

Max starts to breathe heavily and doubts start to cross her mind when Billy soon sank to the ground and yelled. Will made his way to the thermometer of the sauna and checked the temperature.

"We're at two twenty" he tells the others as Billy began grunting.

Then, they all heard sobbing.

"It's not my fault. It's not my fault. It's not my fault, Max. I promise you, it's not my fault" Billy plead in a distraught tone.

The redhead slowly made her way to the door and Ruby carefully followed behind her. The two girls saw the teen sitting on the floor.

"What's not your fault, Billy?" Max asks him.

"I've done things Max. Really bad things. I didn’t mean to." He tells her.

It was then that the others began to slowly make their way to the door too.

"He made me do it." Billy adds.

"Who made you do it?" the younger Hargrove sibling asks.

She and the rest of the party already had an idea of what was going on with him but, she wanted to know what he knew.

"I don't know, it was like a shadow." he mentions.

El turns to look at the boys and Ruby shares a look with Jack.

"Like a giant shadow." Billy added.

Ruby looked back at the blond in the stuffy, hot room as he began to plead to his step-sister.

"Please Max." he begged.

Max took a shaky breath, "What did he make you do?" she asks.

"It's not my fault, okay? Max, please. Please believe me, Max, it's not my fault. I tried to stop him, okay? I did." he pleads his case, leaning over to lay his head against the bench in the room.

Max shut her eyes tightly, trying to hold back tears before opening them again to look at him, helplessly. Ruby placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, to comfort her. Billy sniffles before speaking up again.

"Please believe me, Max. Please believe me." he plead.

Said girl placed her hand against the window pane, "Billy, it's going to be okay." she reassures him.

"Max, please" the teen once more begs in desperation.

Unbeknownst to the fiery haired girl, Billy had found a jagged piece of tile from the wall he had crashed into early and grasped it.

"It's going to be okay. We want to help you. We want to help you. You just have to talk to us. Okay? You have to talk to us. I believe you, Billy." the younger Hargrove consoles her sibling.

The others look on, watching the Hargroves interact when suddenly, Will felt a chill go down his neck. He reached up and touched the back of his neck.

"I-I feel him." he says, causing Mike to look at him.

Jack turns around to look at the boy, having heard what he said and began to wonder who him was.

Will turns to look at Mike, "He's activated." he whispers.

Mike stares at him for a moment before speaking up.

"Max, get away from the door." he tells her, still looking at Will.

Ruby looks over at him then and Max just pauses in consoling her step-brother to acknowledge the Wheeler boy.

"What?" she asks in confusion, not turning to face him.

"GET AWAY FROM THE DOOR!" Mike shouted, looking at the girl this time.

Ruby reacted quickly, and pulled the redhead away from the door just as Billy broke the window pane. He yelled as he managed to partially fit himself through the frame and El and Jack put their arms back up to shield the boys. Ruby pulled Max with her, who screamed when the glass broke.

"Let me out, you bitch! Let me out! I'll fucking gut you!" he yells at Max who was cowering behind Ruby.

The blond then threw down the sharp object and grabbed the lead pipe that was barricading the door before throwing it in Max and Ruby's direction, just barely missing them. Lucas reacted quickly and pulled out his sling shot before loading it with a rock he had in his pocket before aiming and releasing. The rock hit Billy square in the forehead and it caused him to fall backwards.

"Max, come on!" Lucas yelled, gesturing for the girl.

Ruby pushed her towards her friends, El having her arms out to pull her close as Ruby moved to stand beside her twin brother. Then, the lights began to flicker causing the kids to look around, fearfully. As the kids began to look around in fear, the Nephilim twins kept their eyes on the sauna door. They watched as Billy got back up before he began to roar. That drew the attention of the kids again and El got a look of determination on her face.

This time, Billy ran for the door and slammed his whole body against it, trying to break the chains. El put her arms out once more as if to shield her friends behind her as the twins moved closer to each other. Billy roared again and shoved himself against the barricaded door once more.

"He can't get out, can he?" Max asked.

Lucas shook his head before realizing that she couldn't see him as he stood behind her.

"No way." he answered.

"No. Way." he said determinedly, as Billy continued to slam against the door.

Billy roared loudly before going full force against the door which caused the pipe, that the chains were wrapped around, to give out and Billy tumbled out. The party screamed and moved back. El stared down Billy as the lights continued to flicker. The twins, had moved close to each other, hands by their side as they determined when the best time for them to act was.

El and Billy stared each other down, the blond growling lowly until the brunette raised her hand which caused a barbell to float. With a scream and throwing her hand in his direction, El sent Billy flying back and the barbell pinned him to the brick wall. As El kept him pinned there with both her hands raised, the twins began to speak.

"Exorcizamus Te, Omnis Immundis Spiritus, Omnis Satanica Potestas, Omnis Incuriso Infernalis Adversarii, Omnis Legio, Omnis Congregatio, Et Secta Diabolica. Ergo, Draco Maledicte. Ecclesiam Tuam Securi Tibi Facias Libertate Servire. Te Rogamus. Audi Nos" they spoke in sync.

But nothing happened. No smoke came out of Billy's mouth. The twins looked at each other before looking back at Billy. The blond was slowly moving the barbell off his throat and El screamed to try to keep it in place until it flew back towards her and hit her in the head as Billy yelled. He made his way over to the fallen girl, grabbed her hair, which made her scream, and turned her to look up at him. Billy looked at Max who Lucas was protecting. He stared at the redhead as he put his hand to El's throat and wrapped his fingers around her neck. Will looked on in distraught while Mike just stared on. The blond continued to stare directly at his step-sister as he slowly got up off his knees, bringing El, who was choking, up with him. He raised the girl up, who began to kick her feet as she gasped for air and coughed. El tried to fight against Billy who just stared up at her, slowly cutting off her airway more. Jack and Ruby moved their hands a lot closer as they watched the scene unfold, waiting for the right moment.

Will, Lucas and Max looked fearfully at their friend in the blond's grasp. El was about to pass out when Mike, who had picked up the discarded lead pipe, swung the weapon of opportunity and hit Billy in the back of the head. The blow caused the teen to drop El before he collapsed to the ground himself. It was then, that the twins grasped each others hands. They felt the familiar rush of power flow through them and began to build where their hands met.

"Go to hell, you piece of shit." Mike yelled as he brought the pipe over his head.

He swung it down but, Billy caught it in time. In a wave of golden telekinetic force, Billy was raised off his feet. The party looked over at the twins and saw how their eyes were now glowing golden. They watched as Jack and Ruby shared similar smirks before noticing the small movements of their fingers. The Kline twins were holding out their free hands and their fingers were slowly moving closer together, in an almost fist formation until they extended their fingers out. The motion sent Billy flying back and he crashed through the wall. The party jumped in surprise before looking back at the twins. Their eyes were still glowing and they still held hands. The twins were quick to pull away from each other after that, disrupting the build of their combined powers. The golden color of their eyes faded and it was replaced with their natural blue colors. It was then that El collapsed into Mike's arms. Ruby made her way over to the fallen girl and held her hand over the girl. Her hand had a golden glow emitting from it until it vanished. El sat up slowly and stared at Ruby.

"W-what?" she asks in confusion.

"Explanation later. Let's get out of here." Ruby says.

She helps her up and Jack ushers out the others. The seven of them flee from the pool and make their way to Mike's house. Once they were safely there, they all made their way down to the basement of the house. The seven of them all took a moment to relax after the night's events.

Next Chapter

~TagList~

@simonsbluee @hornsandcrowns

[3dmouseart]

Supercorp:  Heartbreak (Part 3)

In which Kara tries to get her way.  And Alex Danvers.

1655 words.

Part 1

Part 2

High above National City Kara scanned it once more with her telescopic vision.

Satisfied that things were quiet, she went back to staring at Lena’s building which promptly vanished from her field of sight.

“LEE!”

She zoomed towards where the building had been, but as she headed towards it, at the distance she would have been able to see it with normal human vision, it hove into view.

She slowed to a stop then continued her flight path.

“Attention Kara Zor-El”

The voice came out of nowhere.  It sounded like the one in Lena’s elevator.  She stopped.

“Your access to Lena Luthor’s home has been revoked for twenty three hours, forty seven minutes and twenty one seconds.”

“Wait what?!  Who is this?”

“I am Danielle, Lena’s virtual assistant. We are speaking at a frequency that only Kryptonians can hear; as you are the only Kryptonian within range you can rest assured this conversation is private.”

“Ooookay… could you back up a minute?”

“Certainly, would you like me to replay the conversation?”

“Nooo… just explain what you meant.”

“About what?”

“Something about access?” her voice trailed off.

“Your access to Lena home has been revoked for twenty three hours, forty five minutes and thirty six seconds. Lena is also unavailable to anyone unless I am given instructions to the contrary.”

“Is she okay? I need to see her. Please.”

“Please do not proceed. Lena’s vital signs are stable.”

Kara resumed her flight path.

“Please turn back, Kara Zor-El.”

Kara ignored the request and continued.

“Supergirl, this is your final warning.  Please turn around.”

She was getting closer and would be there in a minute.

“K-protocol, minimum level initiated.”

A green ray shot out from the sky and engulfed Kara.  Mild queasiness immediately set in. She retreated and the ray stopped.  Kara looked at her hand: the greenish tinge was already fading.

She hovered uncertainly.

“Danielle, did Lena tell you to do that?”  Kryptonite radiation!  Lena had used a K-ray against her!

“That was the specified deterrence if necessary, yes.”

The thought that Lena now hated her enough to use Kryptonite made her physically ill.

She zoomed off to her apartment and threw up in the bathroom.  She was too numb to cry anymore so she stared through the ceiling at the stars until she fell asleep.

*                                            *                                   *                                        *

The persistent knocking at the door finally woke her.  “Go away!  I’m not home!”

“Kara, it’s me.”

Despite her misery she smiled.  Alex was the one person she wanted to see right now.  “You have a key.”

“Dur, it’s bolted.  Chained too, probably.”

Kara sighed.  She tried opening her eyes but she couldn’t.  She gingerly ran her fingers over her eyelids and felt the crust of dried tears and sleep.  She really didn’t want to open her eyes so she used her x-ray vision instead.

She shuffled open to the door and opened it.

“Took you long enough!  Have you-“ Alex stared at Kara:  her sister was usually well-put together, even after a night’s sleep, but the woman she saw in front of her was, frankly, a mess.

“Have I what?”

“Kara sweetie, are you okay?”

Kara moaned.  “No.  I suck and I’m a bad person and I deserve to die alone.”

Alex strode in, took her hand and closed the door.

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

Kara moaned again.

“Can you look at me, at least?”

“I can’t open my eyes, it hurts.” Kara whined. 

Alex knew Kara was hurting badly, but her sister was uncharacteristically being such a big baby she didn’t know whether to be amused or comfort her.  She decided to do the latter while keeping the former to herself.

“C’mon, sweetie: Alex will fix.”  She gently pulled Kara to the bathroom, wet a face towel and gingerly wiped the Kryptonian’s face. “Better?”

Kara carefully opened her eyes, which immediately filled with tears.

Alex enfolded the distraught woman in her arms.  That was all it took: Kara slumped against her and sobbed heart-brokenly until she lost consciousness.

*                                            *                                   *                                        *

The smell of pot-stickers brought her round.  Alex kissed her on the forehead and sat down beside her.  “Hey there.”

“A-alex?  What time is it?”

“Almost three.  You’ve been out for a bit.”

“Wait, what?!  I’m going to be late for work!” She sat up; Alex gently pushed her back.

“It’s okay:  I called and told them you’re taking a sick day.”

She gave her sister a trembly smile.  Then her eyes widened. “What about you?!”

“I also called.  Told them I have a family emergency… which this is.”  She held Kara’s hand and squeezed.  Kara returned it.  “And I’m sleeping over tonight because we’re gonna get drunk.”  Kara blinked.  “Don’t tell me you don’t need it.” Alex winked at her.

“But-“

“I’ve got this, kiddo.” Alex reached down and put a beautifully crafted bottle on the table.  Its contents glowed.  “This can get even you and Clark drunk, so I’m told.”

Kara leaned forward and poked the bottle.  The glowing liquid sloshed inside. 

“Where did you get it?”

“I know someone who knows someone who knows someone.”

“What is it?”

“Zazarakh.  From New Genesis.”

Kara opened the bottle and sniffed.  It made her eyes water.  “Strong.” She held it towards her sister.  “Wanna smell?”

“Pass, thanks.  I’m pretty sure a sniff would melt my eyebrows, if I’m lucky.  Beer for me.”

The pot-stickers were laid out in a serving plate.  There was a small bow of soy sauce by the side.  Chopsticks rested on holders that looked like calico cats. Alex moved a bucket of beer between them and opened two bottles and handed Kara one.

They ate and drank in silence for a while.

“You said something this morning?  Have I what?”

Alex chewed slowly then swallowed.  “Yeah no.  There was something weird that happened to Lena’s place but it seems okay now.”

“Weird how?”

“It disappeared sometime last night. Completely vanished on CCTVs, satellite imaging, the works.  But to the naked eye, and to anyone close by, it was still there.  I just thought you might know something about it.”

Kara nodded, then finished her beer.  She studiously avoided Alex’s gaze.

“I noticed it last night too.  Lena did… something.”

“More experiments, probably…”

“I don’t think so.  She’s punishing me.”

“Why would she punish you?”

“I did something really bad.”

Alex waited.

Kara couldn’t look at her sister so she looked at the floor. “I cheated...”

Alex’s hands flew to her mouth and her eyes were huge.

“I know, I know!”  She risked a peek at Alex, who opened a beer and finished it in one gulp.

Alex opened another bottle. “I need to get my head around this.  You cheated on Lena?”

Kara nodded miserably.

“And by cheated, you mean…”

“I had sex with someone else, okay?!  What do you think it means?”

“That’s what I thought it meant.   It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“You’re Kryptonian.”

“So?”

“You people don’t have sex.”

She looked at Alex sheepishly and nodded.

“I learned…?”

Alex drained the bottle and opened another.  “I cannot believe we are having the talk!  Learned from...?”

“From… Lena?”

Alex nodded slowly; that made sense.  “And did she talk to you about it first or…”

Kara grinned.  “The or!”

“And you’ve been together how long now?”

“Five years.”

“And you still have sex?”

“All the time.”

“Seriously?”

Kara nodded happily.

“No LBD?”

Kara was nonplussed. “Say what now?”

“Lesbian bed death.”

“Say what now?! ”

“It’s a supposed thing that happens to us the longer a relationship goes on.  It sets in after two years.  Theoretically.”

“Oh Rao no!  Lena and I have even more sex than we used to!”

“… and I don’t think I needed to hear that…”

“What about you?”

“Me?”

“Yes you.  Have you ever had your bed thingee?”

“Kara, I’m not answering that: it’s weird!”

“Oh so you can ask me about my sex life but I can’t?”

“Okay fine! Maggie and I weren’t together long enough to have LBD and towards the end we were fighting a lot so that didn’t help!  Sam and I never got to be intimate because we were parenting Ruby then that Reign thing happened!  And Kelly and I are taking it slow!  Satisfied?!”

Kara was mortified.

“I’m sorry.  Please don’t be mad at me, Alex.”

Alex glared at Kara, who was on the verge of sniffling again.  Then she reached out to her sister and engulfed her in a fierce hug.

“I’m sorry too, Kara.  I didn’t mean… it still hurts…”

Kara sniffled and nodded.

“I would die to have what you have with Lena.”  

Kara’s breath hitched.

“So why did you…?”

“I didn’t mean to!”

“What happened?”

“Remember last week?”

“At the bar?”

“Yes.  I brought someone…”

“Your friend from- no!”

Kara nodded sheepishly.

“She’s really cute and sexy, but still-“

Kara shook her head so vehemently her curls flew from side to side.

“It’s not like that!  She was just so sad and I thought meeting you guys would cheer her up and then she got really drunk and I took her home and she threw up and I cleaned her up and put her to bed then she kissed me and I was so lonely and horny that I kissed her back and one thing led to another…”

Alex’s mouth was open.  She opened another bottle and chugged it at one go.

“How long was Lena away when it happened?”

“Almost a week.”

Alex took a deep breath. “Sweetie, I’m trying not to judge… I think you do need to manage your expectations.  And you may be might just be a tiny bit… entitled.”

Kara nodded, humiliated.

“And now I think we should get really drunk.  Where’s the good stuff?”

“In the cabinet over the coffee corner.”

Alex rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out a bottle with a clear liquid.  The label had “1414” printed on it. “Tequila.  Can I?”

Kara nodded. “Don’t forget the glasses.”

Alex set the glasses on the table and opened the bottle of clear liquid. “Maybe you should pour a drop of Zazarakh first.”  She moved the glass to Kara who held the bottle from New Genesis in both hands.

Kara poured a drop which glittered like sunlight on its way down.

It hit the bottom of the glass which vaporized immediately.

Without thinking Kara wiped the surface where the glass had been with her hand.

“Kara!” Alex shrieked.

Kara held out her hand:  traces of the glowing liquid was on it.

“Does it hurt?”  

Kara shook her head, then licked her palm.

“Tastes pretty potent.”

Alex nodded weakly and poured herself a very generous helping tequila. “You’ll have to drink from the bottle.  I’ll stick to this.”

They toasted each other and drank.

*                                            *                                   *                                        *

Hours later the very drunk Danvers sisters were lying down head by head on the floor.

“Alex?”

“Mhmm?”

“How did *you* learn about sex?”

Alex finished the last of the tequila straight from the bottle.  “You cannot tell *anyone* about this.”

“Pinky swear.”

“When I was six, I walked in on mom and dad doing it…”

“Wait what?!”  Kara got to her hands and knees and gawped at Alex, who looked upside down to her. “Eliza and Jeremiah?!”

“They’re the only parents I have.  We have.  How do you think I got here?”

Kara sat down heavily.

“And then it happened again when I was eleven.  I thought it was going to keep happening every five years but luckily you came to live with us and it never happened again.”

“That must have been a relief.”

“Yeah.  I think mom and dad stopped doing it at home and went on ‘vacations’ because you know superpowers.”  She rolled over and looked up at Kara. “That was the first time you saved my life.”

They laughed hysterically for a full five minutes.

[ifishouldvanish]

Destiny or Circumstance

Lachlan MacAldonich x Lacey French: Lacey doesn't remember much of what happened last night, nor does she recognize the new ring on her finger. But when she realizes whose bed she's in, she really can't bring herself to mind.

A little something to go with my Big Bang fic, How Do You Sleep?. This covers the morning after their first encounter. It’s... mostly fluff.

RATING: M WORDS: 6,205 A/N: These two are a trainwreck and a half but I love them, okay???

[READ ON AO3]

Lacey arched her back, stretching and blinking her eyes open as she woke. Sunlight managed to peek through the slats of the drawn blinds, which hung from an unfamiliar window.

She furrowed her brows at it.

Where was she?

Rubbing a hand over her face, she lifted her head from the pillow– bringing on her pounding punishment from all the fun she'd clearly had last night.

She grumbled and rolled over, finding her bed companion curled up into a ball with his back to her. He had a messy mop of shoulder-length brown hair, soft and shiny, and wore a heavy bracelet on his–

Lacey threw a hand over her mouth.

Carefully, she crept closer for a better look.

Was it him? Still?

Last night hadn't exactly been her first rodeo, but this would definitely be the first time she wasn't kicked out right after, be it by an overwrought manager or the talent themselves.

Come to think of it, they weren't even in the hotel room anymore. This was… someone's house. Apartment?

Lacey leaned over the man beside her, careful not to wake him. He shifted a little and rolled towards her, hair falling out of his face, and oh yeah. It was definitely him.

She pressed her thighs together, noting the telltale ache between them, and bit down in her lip.

He made a small grunting noise that told her he was beginning to wake up, and her eyes darted around the room, not sure what to do. Sneaking out of bed was her standard morning after protocol, but being in bed with Lachlan MacAldonich was far from standard.

No, no– Lacey French wanted to stay in this bed as long as possible.

Which settled it, then.

She gently laid her hand on his bare chest, and slowly slid it down toward his hips, nudging the sheets out of the way so she could palm his cock.

Lachlan drew a deep breath through his nose, and exhaled slowly. His mouth fell open as she began to work him, and his eyes soon opened too, their gaze fixed blankly on the ceiling.

“Fuck…” he whispered.

“Good morning,” she grinned, straddling back over him.

“Aye,” he scoffed. “Fucking beautiful.” He stared at her for a moment, his features scrunching in mild confusion– but soon there was recognition in his brown eyes, and he smiled. “You…” he pointed a finger lazily, “I remember you…”

“Always nice to make an impression,” she said.

“...Lindsey?” he guessed.

“Nuh-uh,” she smiled, shaking her head and beginning to grind her hips into him.

“Fuck,” he chuckled, throwing his head back. “Ah… fuckin’... Australian broad…?”

“Lacey,” she said, taking mercy on him.

“Lacey,” he repeated with a nod. “I knew that... I knew that. That's… a much better name, actually. I like that.” His eyes wandered over her body appreciatively for a moment, then narrowed somewhere downwards.

Lacey frowned. “What?”

Lachlan scoffed. “Nothing,” he shrugged. “Just ah… hope your husband's not the jealous type.”

She furrowed her brows. “What?”

“Your… husband?”

“What the hell are you talking about? I don't–”

She finally noticed it then. A ring on her finger, with a rock that had to have cost more than she was worth.

“Goes to show where I had my eyes last night,” Lachlan joked. “Usually stay away from the married ones…”

Lacey's face flashed hot. “I wasn't wearing this last night,” she said.

“Oh. Well that explains it,” he mumbled, easily accepting the explanation at its surface.

“No,” she said. “You don't understand. I'm not married. I've never seen this thing before in my life.”

“Oh.”

“Fuck.” Lacey rasped. “Did I– did we?”

Lachlan's eyes bulged as he caught on. He sat up quickly and grabbed her hand so he could take a better look. “...Jesus fuck.”

Lacey pulled away, climbing off of him and looking around for her purse, or more specifically, her phone. She found it on the floor at her side of the bed, and began digging through her texts, choosing to ignore the handful of missed calls from Ruby.

But there it was, at the end of a thread of barely coherent texts– a photo she'd sent at 2:37AM of herself and Lachlan, cheeks flushed from alcohol, posing beside an overtanned man in a cheap suit with too-white teeth– the words Just Married scrawled across the backdrop behind them.

“Holy shit.” Lacey whispered.

“What?”

She climbed across the bed back over to Lachlan, and thrust the screen in his face. “Do you remember this?”

Lachlan stared and blinked owlishly at it, but said nothing.

“You know what?” Lacey said, pulling her phone away and gracelessly hopping out of bed on one leg, “it's probably just... One of those fake ones, you know? Where they just go through the motions and take pictures, but it's not like… Actually legally binding or whatever?” she continued, her voice creeping higher in pitch.

She swiped her clothes off the floor and hurriedly began to dress.

“I mean, seriously– What kind of place would actually marry two drunk-ass motherfuckers who just waltzed in at two in the morning, asking to get married right then and there?” she went on, mouth dry and heart racing. “...Right?”

Lachlan wet his lips, nodding slowly. “Aye, you're probably right, that.”

“Too drunk to marry, but not so drunk they wouldn't take our money,” she muttered, twisting ring around her finger and beginning to pace.

It crossed her mind to take the thing off, but she didn't.

“Look,” Lachlan said, and Lacey spun around, finding him sat up in bed, rubbing his hands over his face. “If we got married– for real, like– we should have a… you know. A…”

“Certificate!” she finished, already starting to rummage through the room.

She could hear Lachlan clumsily dragging himself out of bed and glanced over her shoulder,  watching as he reached for a bottle on his nightstand. He quickly discarded it when he found it was empty.

“I need a fucking drink, if I'm to deal with this shite,” he mumbled, rubbing a hand over his face and shuffling out of the room.

“Yeah. So do I,” Lacey muttered under her breath.

Of all the stupid shit she'd done in her life, this had to take the cake, didn't it?

Sure, she may have indulged in a silly fantasy or two when she was younger. That one day she'd meet one of her idols and they'd think the sun shone out of her ass as much she thought it did theirs. That they'd notice her and see something special and worth their while.

But those fantasies usually involved long conversions during which they'd tell her she was interesting and smart and different from everyone else they'd ever met. Not… whatever this mess was.

She was feverishly searching the drawers of his dresser, and that was ridiculous. Who came home drunk and tucked a legal document in with their fucking socks?

She thrust the drawer shut and glanced around the room again. Because if this thing existed, she had to find it. She would find it.

“Ah… Lacey French?”

She stopped her pacing and looked up at the doorway, where Lachlan was standing.

“This looks pretty fuckin’ legitimate to me,” he said, holding up a piece of paper.

Lacey squinted at it from across the room, then rushed over for a closer look. 

State of California Certification of Vital Record County of Los Angeles License and Certificate of Marriage

Dozens of tiny boxes followed, and in one of them was definitely his name, and in another was definitely her name. The date had been stamped at the bottom along with some other numbers and signatures.

She folded her arms over her chest. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

He tossed a shopping bag bearing the chapel's name on the bed, and a handful of brochures and other papers slid out. Without a word, they both began to dig through it all.

  Congratulations on your LEGAL marriage!

Get a great deal on your destination honeymoon!

Thank you for choosing Little Chapel LA!

Top 10 Romantic Spots in Los Angeles

Save on California hotels!

Leave us a review on Yelp!

Get Disneyland discount tickets!

 “The fuck…” she whispered, continuing to rummage through the countless pamphlets, postcards, and coupons.

“Oh. Here's a good one,” Lachlan said.

Lacey scowled and looked up, finding him holding up a coupon for twenty percent off at The Pleasure Chest.

She was ready to smack him before registering the dryness in his tone, and the silly look on his face.

She smiled instead, and laughed– the tight, anxious coil in her belly finally releasing.

This would all be fine.

She'd be laughing herself sick about it one day.

Have another great story to tell at parties.

“I mean, if you don't want it…” he trailed off.

“Wait–” she giggled and plucked it from his hand. “Maybe I wanna buy some nipple clamps for you,” she snorted. “Or a big strap on.”

He reeled back, his eyes wide with horror.

“...I can make jokes too,” she said, and tossed the coupon back on the bed.

“Right,” he nodded, relaxing a little. “Right…”

Lacey's eyes landed on a folder with the words Your Wedding Photos printed on it in a scripty font. She picked it up and held it out to him. “How much do you think they charged us for these?”

Smiling, Lachlan snapped his finger and picked up a brochure with the chapel's pricing information on it.

“Deluxe photo package? ... One hundred twenty-five dollars.” he read, and tossed it back on the bed.

Lacey snorted and opened the folder, a handful of wallet size prints falling out and scattering across the bed and floor.

They'd covered all the classic poses, it seemed.

The awkwardly standing next to each other while smiling stiffly at the camera pose– not at all helped by the fact that the suit jacket they'd thrown on Lachlan was at least two sizes too big for him.

The kissing pose, which might have looked sweet if their tongues weren't already down each other's throats and he wasn't grabbing her ass.

And the laughing pose– herself doubled over with laughter while Lachlan stood behind, smiling with his arms around her waist as if to keep her from falling.

On second thought, her drunk ass probably was falling.

“Aw…,” Lacey said at last, flipping the folder around to show him an 8x10. “They're almost nice.”

A smile crept across his face, and he took the folder from her. “...Aye. Look at that.”

A long strip of paper caught Lacey's eyes, and she plucked it off the bed. “Suit rental…” she read off the receipt, “deluxe ceremony package… deluxe photo package… walk-in surcharge… officiant fee… license fee… LA county license fee… gratuit– Jesus Christ.”

“What?”

Lacey checked the line item again, making sure she'd read it right.

She had.

“Dude, you tipped the officiant three hundred dollars,” she snorted.

“No, I didn't,” he said, rejecting the mere possibility.

Lacey squinted at the small print. “Well, I'm sure as hell not… Amex ending in… 98341,” she read aloud.

“What?”

“But look on the bright side: they gave you a 10% discount for being a California resident. See?” she pointed, “My ring would have cost you–”

Lachlan snatched it from her hands. “The fuck…” He stopped reading and looked at her finger, pointing. “You're taking that off and it's going back.”

“What? S’no big deal!” Lacey laughed. “You just call the credit card company and say it was a fraudulent charge. I do it all the time when I rack up an insane tab. Besides– receipt says all sales are final, and I dunno… I kinda like it!” She said, admiring it again. “Makes me feel classy.”

He shot her a defeated look.

“Check it out–” Lacey said, tossing her hair over her shoulders and righting her posture. With an exaggerated gasp, she clutched her hand to her chest, as though she'd just suffered some horrible offence. “Wait 'til my husband hears about this!”

His features sank into a pained expression, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fucking shite, don't tell me I married a bloody wannabe actress…”

“What?!” Lacey squeaked, actually offended this time. “No!”

A buzzing sound came from somewhere in the room, and their eyes darted to his pair of jeans on the floor.

Lachlan bent down and pulled his phone from one of the pockets. “...s’my manager,” he explained brusquely, taking the call and tucking the device against his shoulder. “Wendel!” he greeted with a cheerfulness the belied their situation. “How's–”

An angry voice cut him off, and he fell silent.

“…No. No, I'm home actually,” he said quietly. After another beat he chuckled, and held the phone to his ear. “Aye, well, I met this… lovely brunette and we decided to ah… take the party back home, if you know what I mean. Look– I'm sorry about skipping out on…” he trailed off, swallowing as the angry voice shouted over him. “No. …No, of course I understand. Listen, I've actually got a bit of a situation, if I'm–” he got interrupted again, and began rubbing the back of his neck. “No no no no!” he laughed. “No, it’s nothing like that! Just ah… Look. C-can I call you back? Wendel? I'll be just a minute, I swear. …Aye. Thanks.”

Lachlan hung up the phone, sighing and tossing it on the bed.

“Well. He's no’ happy,” he mumbled, giving Lacey an apologetic smile.

“Sounds like a prick,” she said.

He scoffed and put his hands on his hips, looking at the mess of papers on the bed with a frown. Lacey watched warily for him to say or do something.

At last, he looked to her and clapped his hands together. “Alright,” he sighed. “Look, I'm… I'm really sorry about all this. You came out to have a good time last night and this– I shouldn't have…” he took a took deep breath. Sighed again. “Why don't you just… make yourself comfortable?” he told her. “Shower, help yourself to the kitchen… And I'll ah… make some phone calls and get us all sorted out, aye?”

Lacey nodded slowly, surprised by how apologetic he was being about the whole thing, how ready he was to accept full responsibility for it. “...Yeah. Yeah, sure. Thanks.”

****

Lachlan was still on the phone when Lacey got out of the shower. Still on the phone after she'd finished getting dressed again, and still on the phone after she'd foraged through his kitchen's very humble offerings.

If she didn't know any better she'd have mistaken it for a clean and tidy kitchen. But his was a bachelor's kitchen– free of any mess because it was never actually used. There was no art to it, no hominess, no character– save for an array of liquor bottles arranged like a shrine on the far counter.

In the den though, things were far more interesting. His guitars were out, displayed on their stands– and Lacey bit down on her lip, resisting the urge to touch. There was an acoustic, and a Les Paul she recognized from concert footage and music videos.

Oh, what was the harm?

It wasn't as though she'd never handled a guitar before.

She picked it up. Not to play, but to check the back.

There the finish was worn through– a mass of scratches from buttons, rivets, and belt buckles that resembled a big tumbleweed, marring the otherwise smooth, glossy clear coat.

This guitar had history, she thought with a smile, before setting it back down and moving onto his record collection.

The shelves spanned an entire wall, and were so tightly packed as to be nearly impossible to browse. She could read titles and artists names off the spines of some of them, but she was determined to see the rest, and began plucking sleeves out one at a time.

Some of her favorites were in there. Some of her not-so-favorites. Things she'd never heard of. Things that surprised her. Things that didn't surprise her at all. Pressings from English bands, which ranged from mildly elusive to virtually nonexistent in the States: Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, the Charlatans’ early stuff before they got picked up by Universal.

Several minutes later, she heard Lachlan's footsteps coming from the bedroom.

“You have a killer collection,” Lacey hollered over her shoulder. She slid another record sleeve out from the shelf and admired the artwork for a moment before pushing it back in.

“Aye, thanks,” he said, coming over.

She slid another one out, quickly recognizing the artwork. “Alice Cooper Band…” she clicked her tongue. “Nice.”

He chuckled, “It's some fuckin’... good music .”

She moved onto the next, and the next, and he must have had the whole discography. She paused at the last of them, and looked over her shoulder at him disapprovingly. “Muscle of Love?”

He shrugged. “Bit of a completionist.”

Lacey narrowed her eyes at him. “Alright…” she accepted slowly, and returned to her browsing.

“Look, I ah… I just got off the phone with the chapel.”

“Yeah?”

“If we want to ah… you know. We've got tae actually file for divorce. Like, properly? Form… FL… one hundred, they said?”

Lacey stopped thumbing through the vinyl, but found herself smiling.

She was married to Lachlan MacAldonich.

Lachlan MacAldonich was her husband.

The same Lachlan MacAldonich whose picture used to be taped inside her locker.

“Since we were just… Absolutely fucking plastered, we should be able to just do an annulment, but ah… we'll need to have some kind of proof to show a judge?”

Lacey's eyes drifted upwards. She was sure she'd have a receipt for enough shots to tranquilize a horse somewhere in her purse, but she thought better of digging for it right now.

“That all sounds like a pain in the ass,” she said and adjusted her purse strap– aiming for nonchalance as she continued to browse his collection.

“Right?”

“I mean… I'm in no hurry,” she shrugged and spun around again, leaning against the shelves. “We can just like… Exchange numbers and get it sorted whenever. Next weekend, next month… next time one of us is trying to get hitched,” she joked.

“Aye. Same here,” he smiled, and Lacey felt her stomach do a ridiculous flip.

She looked down at the floor, rubbing her thumb over the band of the ring still on her finger.

“Ah… had no luck with the credit card company either,” he admitted with a chuckle. “So…”

She nodded and gripped the ring, giving it one last look before pulling it off and handing it to him. “Yeah, I get it. Was worth a shot though, right?” she smiled.

“Was, yeah,” he said– and as he dodged her gaze, Lacey could've sworn he was blushing. “Chapel said they won't take it back, so… probably bring it to the pawn shop. See what I can get for it.”

“Makes sense.”

He put it in his pocket and stared back at her. Lacey waited for him to add something, but he never did.

She reached into her purse for her phone. “Should I send you a text? Or… How do you wanna–”

He blinked and shook his head. “Oh! Right, right. Yeah. Sorry, I just…”

Lacey smiled. “If I didn't know any better, I'd think talking to girls made you nervous.”

He scoffed, and the color in his cheeks deepened. “Just ah… used to having a little more drink in me, is all,” he said, taking out his phone and opening up his contacts. “A lot more drink,” he confessed, and handed it to her.

“Well, you have nothing to worry about,” Lacey said as she typed her information in. “Trust me.”

Lachlan huffed a little laugh through his nose. “Certainly appreciate that,” he said, hiking his brows in acknowledgement. “But no. Just I ah… get a little anxious? From time to time?” he trailed off and shook his head, folding his hands over his chest and putting on a smile. “It's fine, though, ye know?” he shrugged, “I-it's nothing.”

Lacey gave him a long, skeptical look. “There's like, pills for that, you know. Roommate swears by 'em.”

Lachlan's eyes widened. “...Nah,” he decided, scowling and shaking his head. “Nah, did enough pills in the nineties, I'm afraid.”

She smiled. “Yeah, I bet.”

“Uppers, downers…” he bobbed from side to side, “...all arounders,” he joked, winking and making a funny face.

A little giggle escaped her, and Lacey quickly glanced away, scolding herself for it– for acting like some kind of giddy schoolgirl around him. She needed to stay cool.

Squashing her smile away, she smacked her lips and looked back to him. “Crazy times, huh?”

“Aye,” he nodded, “no doubt.”

“We um… must have had a good time last night, though.”

“Looks like it.”

Lacey licked her lips. “Yeah. It does.”

A crooked smile spread across his face, and he tilted his head at her. “Do you…” he trailed off and closed his eyes in thought. “C-can I pour you a drink?” he asked at last, pointing a thumb over his shoulder and toward the kitchen.

Her cheeks grew warm, and she checked the clock on the wall.

She still had some time.

“...I'd like that.”

His smile widened. “Perfect.”

Lacey followed him into the kitchen, leaning against the island while he browsed the collection of bottles on the counter.

“Whisky girl,” he mumbled to himself, remembering at least that much from the night before. “Or would you prefer something else–”

“Oh, no. Whisky’s just fine. My tolerance for anything else is a little–”

“Oh, I hear you,” Lachlan chuckled. “Tequila and I do not get along, that's for certain.” His hand hovered over the bottles hesitantly. “...Jack? Crown?” he asked.

Lacey shrugged. “Surprise me.”

“Tell you what, Lacey–” he wagged his finger, “For you? I'll pour my best,” he said, grabbing a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue.

She fought back a smile. “You… really don't have to.”

“Eh,” he waved her off and opened up one of the cabinets for two glasses. “I mean, we're just married, right? Ought to celebrate.”

Lacey shifted on her feet, drawing closer to him. “You know... you're absolutely right.”

He finished pouring and handed her her drink.

“Fuckin'... cheers,” he said– clinking their glasses and knocking his back without so much as a pause to appreciate the taste of the almost two hundred dollar bottle.

Lacey sipped her own slowly.

“S'good, in’it?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she swallowed, nodded. “Yeah, it is. Thanks.”

“It's a batshit crazy situation, ye know?” he said. “Gettin’ fuckin’ married. But ah… you gotta… gotta see the humor, in a situation like this, I think.”

“Yeah,” she agreed over the rim of her glass. “Could've been a lot worse.”

He snapped a finger at her. “Exactly. And it's far from the worst thing I've ah…” he trailed off and shrugged. “You know.”

She didn't. But she could imagine.

“So um... last night was the last stop?” Lacey asked. “Of the tour?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Back in sweet home, LA.”

“You know, I've always kinda wondered,” she said, “what bands do like… in the time between the end of a tour, and working on the next–”

“Oh, fuck all,” he laughed. “Absolutely fuck all.”

“I guess it's the only time you have to really relax and like, spend time with family, huh? Or do you just like, get a day job for a while?”

“I mean… it depends,” he said. “What kinda contract you're on and all that. How much the label wants you to cavort about in the press circus…how many records they want to squeeze outta you in so many years…”

“Gotcha.”

“God,” he carded a hand through his hair and sighed. “We were on Wen Gray… they wanted six records over ten years.”

Lacey stopped sipping her drink and lurched forward. “Shit.”

“Aye, it's a lot, when you include the…”

“Touring and shit, yeah.”

Lachlan stared off blankly for a moment. “Well,” he shrugged, “they got two records. And a half.”

“How does that um…” she whirled her glass about, “how does that work? When uh, one of the members…”

“Depends if the label thinks things are ‘ salvageable ,’ was the word they used. If they thought we could replace...”

“Oh, fuck no,” Lacey shook her head.

“Yeah. Ye know, it's one thing to lose a guitar or a bass player, but–”

“But still. It's never the same.”

Lachlan hesitated for a moment, then quickly poured himself another shot. Swilled it down and took a deep breath. “Yeah,” he agreed– nodding, tossing his hair out of his face, and squaring his shoulders. “But also like… compilations and all that count towards the contract too?”

“Yeah!” Lacey pointed a finger, “yeah, I read that somewhere. Guys running out their contracts that way. Greatest Hits and Deluxe Editions and shit.”

“Aye. Nowadays they've got clauses about that sort of thing,” he chuckled. “But anyway, ah, the label decided to cut their losses with us. I guess. After…”

“Yeah.”

“People don't realize that, I don't think,” he said. “Just assume we're all… just like these kids in a candy store, with the drugs and shite, parties twenty-four seven... But there's– there's a lot of pressure too, you know? To produce–”

“Yeah, I bet.”

“So you got these guys just like, living in the studio, you know? Having little baggies of coke dropped off because they think, ‘there's no way I can finish this album on time otherwise’?”

A sudden lump formed in Lacey's throat. He was talking about Jed, she knew. Found dead in the recording studio from an overdose.

She swallowed it down hard.

“You have a daughter though, right?” she asked to change the subject. “You think you'll get to spend time with her? Now that you're–”

“Ah… no, ” he stilled. “No, I'm not… in her life. Really.”

Lacey ducked her head and clenched her eyes shut. “Shit, I'm sorry, that's personal. It's none of my–”

“You’re fine.” he dismissed. “But yeah. Haven't seen her since…”

She nodded slowly in understanding, not sure what else to say.

Lachlan rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I um…” he closed his eyes for a moment, “I was still using? At the time?”

“Yeah. I mean of course you were,” Lacey said. “After… that.”

“So, we decided it was best if I was just out of the picture,” he explained, looking at the floor. “But Catherine's– my ex– she's a smart woman. Real strong and all that. So l mean... I know she's in good hands. It's just… i-it's complicated,” he finished, and took another swig of whisky– this time straight from the bottle.

“Yeah, I get it,” Lacey said, giving him a rueful smile. “My family's kinda fucked up, too. Haven't seen or spoken to my dad since I moved out here.”

His wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked back up, lips parted. “Oh.”

“I mean, that was kinda the whole point, honestly,” Lacey admitted with nervous chuckle. “Was to get away from him.”

Lachlan's eyes fixed steadily into her own, the prolonged contact beginning to feel uncomfortable before he finally cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said softly, blinking his focus away. “Really.”

“Yeah,” Lacey frowned and took a swig of her drink, not really tasting it either this time. “Me too.”

He fumbled with the cap on the whisky bottle for a moment before taking a step back, leaning against the counter and tucking his hands into his pockets.

Lacey counted to five, and picked her glass back up for another sip.

“You know,” he coughed, “part of it was that… we weren't supposed to do a US tour so soon.”

She froze and tilted her head at him.

“In our contract, I mean,” he said. “But Bank Street was doing so well over here, the promoter sent us over. So… a six month Euro tour became… a year and a half world tour.”

“Oh, wow.”

“Yeah. So we were behind on Glass Houses , toured again for that, and then we were behind on our third.”

“That sucks,” Lacey said, finally taking her sip. “You'd think they'd like, give you some leeway when–”

“Oh, no,” he shook his head. “They didn't give a shite.”

She sucked her teeth. “...Bastards.”

They moved onto safer topics after that.

Their favorite albums, their favorite bands–  ribbing each other on their taste for long after Lacey had finished her drink. By the time they were discussing who was worth seeing live and who was better on the record, the space between them had dwindled to a few mere inches– and Lacey's “don't giggle like a schoolgirl at every other word out of his mouth,” ship had long since sailed.

She was recovering from one such bout of giggles when Lachlan's gaze slipped downwards– but it wasn't the floor he was looking at.

“I'll be honest,” he said, his voice suddenly deeper than before, the timbre so different when he was so close. “You have… the sexiest fucking legs, and I would really like to take you back to bed right now.”

Lacey sank her teeth into bottom lip and pressed her thighs together. A hesitant chuckle escaped her as she glanced at the clock on the stove.

“Um… As much as I'd love to… I um, I should probably head home so I can get ready for work, actually.”

Lachlan's expression fell. “Right, right…,” he nodded, pulling away.

“Normally, I'd just um... call in?” she said. “One of my coworkers is this Armenian guy with like, five kids, so he's... kinda my guy when I need someone to cover for me,” Lacey confessed with a little snort. “But uh, I kinda already called in twice this week?” she said, shrinking back guiltily.

Lachlan pulled a funny face at that. “Sounds like you’ve had one hell of a week,” he chuckled, folding his arms over his chest.

“Yeah,” she laughed. “You um– you have my number, though?” she reminded him. “We could… get together again. Sometime.”

“Yeah. Yeah, right.”

“I usually work mid shift, so… I'm free most nights. Like, late nights. If you wanted to–”

“Aye. Definitely,” he nodded. “Definitely wouldn't mind... doing that.”

“Nothing like, serious or anything,” she assured him. “Just, you know. ...Fun?”

“Yeah. Fun, of course” he nodded again. Clasped and rubbed his hands together. “I mean, it really can't get any more serious than married, can it?” he joked.

“Yeah, right?” she snorted and rolled her eyes.

Lachlan leaned over the island on his elbows again, looking up at her with what Lacey could only describe as puppy dog eyes.

“W-w-where did you say you worked?” he asked, tilting his head and drawing closer.

“I didn't,” she answered dryly.

He cracked a smile, and that was definitely a blush on his face.

Lachlan MacAldonich was blushing at her.

She tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. “I um… I just cashier at the pharmacy off 10 and Santa Fe.”

“Oh, yeah,” he nodded. “I think I know it. Across from the ah…” he snapped his fingers, trying to remember.

“The strip club with the–”

“Aye,” he chuckled, “that's the one.”

Lacey narrowed her eyes at him, feeling playful. “Do you... frequent the–?”

“No,” he shook his head and laughed. “No. I mean– I've been. But it's not like–”

“I'm teasing,” she smiled. “But yeah. I should go.”

“No. Sorry, yeah. You've got… work,” he said, pulling away again and gesturing limply toward the front door.

“Rain check?” she asked, slowly brushing her hair off her neck as she strung her purse over her shoulder.

It had the intended effect, and his eyes wandered over her neck. “You know– why don't I… show you out?”

Lacey bit back a smile and shrugged. “Okay.”

“We can take the walk of shame together, eh?” he said, resting his hand on the small of her back.

They made it halfway to the door before Lacey stopped and snorted, earning her a curious look.

“I don't remember how I even got here,” she realized, laughing. “Or where I am.”

It dawned on him too, then, and he chuckled. “Neither do I,” he told her. “But we're in Highland Park.”

“Oh, okay,” she giggled, falling back in step with him. “Yeah, I'm East LA.”

“Well, let's see if I need to call ye a cab,” he said, taking his hand off her back so he could open the door.

They stared blankly at the old, electric blue Camaro parked haphazardly in the driveway.

“That you?” he finally asked.

Lacey snorted. “Yeah, that's me, alright.”

He scoffed and shook his head.

“I don't remember driving at all,” she laughed, stumbling against him and burying her face in his shoulder.

“Hey, I've been there,” he admitted. “Looks like we made it over in one piece, though,” he pat her back. “S’all that matters, right?”

Lacey peeked up at him, letting herself drink in his brown eyes for a moment. An image– fleeting memory– from the night before came to mind, but it just as quickly disappeared. “I… I'm trying to think,” she said, finally tearing away from him and starting down the porch steps. “The last thing I remember… after– oh.” she perked up as it came back to her, bouncing on her toes and turning back around to face him. “I remember!”

He raised his brows. “Do you?”

Lacey flapped a hand in the air, struggling. “I remember… we had sex…”

He nodded slowly, stifling a laugh. “Aye, we sure did.”

“Again, I mean,” she giggled. “At the hotel. And um… you said I was a… daft bird? The most daft bird,” she corrected herself, continuing toward the car. “And I said you were probably into it? Because you needed the crazy to down out everything else?”

They reached the car, and she spun around again. Lachlan narrowed his eyes and tilted his head at her.

“You asked if I was speaking from experience,” she recalled, “and I remember saying… yeah. Because if I– I know that if I ever slow down…”

“...something'll catch up and bite ye in the arse,” he finished.

Lacey smiled. “...Yeah.”

He rubbed a hand over his chin. “Aye. I do remember that now, actually.”

“You know what?” she swat her hand through the air, “I bet the rest of it all will come back to me in a few hours.” She rested her hand on the door handle and paused to look up at him, squinting at the sunlight. “You know. Just a brown out.”

He blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“Brown out?” she said again. “Like a blackout, but… you just need something to jog your memory a little bit first?”

“Ah. Well, then perhaps we might be able to piece our night together yet,” he smirked.

“Yeah!” she laughed. “I mean, it must have been a good one, right?”

“Aye. For sure, for sure,” he agreed, checking her out again.

“Anyway,” she shook her head, “yeah. I should… I should get going,” she mumbled, digging her keys out of her bag and pointing them at the door.

“Right,” he nodded. “Well, ah… it was… lovely to meet you. Lacey.”

She stared down at the hand he was offering.

“Yeah,” she smiled, accepting it. “Same here.”

“I'll… be in touch, I guess. About the whole… marriage thing–”

“Yeah,” she laughed, reluctantly letting go of his hand so she could unlock the door.

She climbed into the driver's seat then, and began turning the window crank– lowering it all the way before pulling the door shut.

“Oh–” Lachlan leaned in, folding his arms over the door and poking his head inside. “You know how to get to 110 from here?”

“Um…” Lacey gripped the wheel and pushed against it. “No, actually,” she admitted, slouching. “No idea.”

He wet his lips and smiled. “Well, it's real easy: Just pull out that way,” he pointed, “make a left onto York, and it'll be just about a mile up the road.”

Lacey's eyes drifted upwards as she repeated his directions back in her head, committing them to memory. “...okay. Cool, thanks.”

“I'll… see you around then,” he shrugged, giving the door a finishing pat and pushing away from the car.

“Yeah. Um…” she closed her eyes, hesitating between lingering a moment longer, and starting the car. “Bye– I guess,” she decided with a little wave.

He took a step away from the car, mirroring her awkward wave. “Ah… Drive safe?”

“Yeah. Will do,” Lacey smiled before starting the engine. It roared as she gave it a few pumps of gas, and Lachlan shouted something she couldn't hear.

“What?” she shouted, poking her head out the window.

“Beautiful car,” he hollered back.

“Oh!” she grinned. “Thanks!”

He gave her one last smile, one last nod, and took a few more steps back. As she backed out of the driveway and pulled down the road, Lachlan was still on the porch, waving her off.

And later, as she sat in traffic on 110, Lacey was still smiling.

[benevolentsam]

Life on Mars

Characters: Eventual Castiel/Sam Winchester, Past Ruby/Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester Rating: Teen and Up Warnings/Additional Tags: Hurt!Sam, Car Accidents, Hospitals, Coma, Sam and Mental Health, Drug Use, Toxic Relationships Summary: After being hit by a car, Sam ends up in a coma. While unconscious, Sam finds that he has to work through hims demons - his past relationships and his issues with self worth - before he can wake up. Sam has to confront things he thought were buried away. Chapter 1 2 // Also on Ao3

Sam recognised the apartment as soon as he woke up. It wasn’t his, nor was it Dean and Lisa’s. There was a dirty mattress on the floor, bottles of liquor scattered around the room, and an open bottle of pills on the table. It could have been any crack house in America, but it wasn’t.

It was Ruby’s.

He didn’t know what he was doing on the floor of his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. Maybe Dean had brought him here after the accident. Ruby knew some pretty dodgy people — she had to know a doctor who didn’t ask any questions and who wasn’t looking for health insurance. It was starting to make sense. Except Dean hated Ruby, and would probably let Sam die before seeing her again.

In all honesty, Sam would rather die than see her again.

Ruby came out of the bathroom, her make-up smudged and her clothes covered in blood. There was a feral grin on her face.

“Ruby, what am I doing here?” Sam questioned.

“Has someone had a little too much to drink again? I told you to lay off the Jack last night, babe,” Ruby replied smugly. She came over the Sam and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I’ve missed you, Sam. You need to lose your control freak of a brother, and move back in with me.”

“Did you- did you kidnap me from the hospital?” Sam asked. She must of done. It had to be some kind of misery situation. There was no other explanation as to why Sam would go running back to her.

“What hospital? What are you on about?” Ruby sat down on the floor beside him, narrowly dodging the needles on the floor. “Sam, you came back to me because you love me, remember?”

Sam couldn’t remember. It did sound like something he’d do though. Of all the people in his life, Ruby was the only one who was there for him no matter what. The last conversation he’d had with Dean replayed itself in his head. Cas and Dean didn’t want to be friends with him. They were looking for excuses to not have to hang out with him. Of course he went back to Ruby.

“Dean doesn’t-”

“Dean doesn’t love you, I know. You explained this to me when you came knocking on my door.” Ruby completed his sentence with a smile, blood-red lips curling. “Sammy, it’s only a matter of time before you stop running away to me, and just live with me again.”

“But Cas-”

“Cas can afford to pay your half of the rent. Hell, he might actually find a roommate he wants to spend time with.” The words dripped from her lips like poison, each drop of venom burning Sam a little more. He could still feel the pain of the car crash. Even if Ruby didn’t know what had happened, she had to see the pain on him.

She liked that though — she liked seeing Sam in pain.

“Face it, Sam, I’m the only one who’s ever really cared about you. I’m the only one who ever will.”

She was right. Sam hated to admit it, but she was right. Every argument with Dean, every tear he’d shed – Ruby was the one that had been there to mop it up. Maybe she liked his pain, but maybe she just liked to nurse him better. He let her kiss him again, and again, and again, until his face was a mosaic of ruby-red lipstick. Until he was marked as hers. He was hers, and he’d always be hers, as long as she made him feel loved.

“Listen, babe, I gotta go out. I’m meeting Lucifer about a shipment order. I’ll be back before dinner,” Ruby told him. She stood up and looked around the apartment before turning back to him. “Just don’t do anything stupid. Wouldn’t want you to hurt that pretty little vessel of yours. Oh, and don’t call your brother, we both know he doesn’t want to talk to you.” And with that, she was out of the door, leaving Sam alone in a filthy apartment with nothing but drugs and alcohol around him.

The air in the apartment was stifling. Sam didn’t know if it was the mould growing on the walls or the fact that Ruby liked to hotbox the room every now and then. Back at Cas’ apartment, where he’d been living since he last broke up with Ruby, everything was clean. Sam liked clean; he liked the strong smell of chemicals that came with cleaning, and the sense of doing something good and healthy. Cas just liked things to be neat. It was one of the reasons Sam liked living with him so much.

And of course, because he could sleep in the room next door to his crush.

That didn’t matter anymore. He’d pick a day when Cas was working and sneak back to collect all his things. It was better than inconveniencing Cas with his presence anyway.

He set about cleaning up Ruby’s place. It didn’t need to be too clean — I’m meeting Lucifer for a shipment order was code for I’m buying a shit tonne of cocaine and that meant there’d be people over that night. People like Ruby, users and addicts who wouldn’t care that the walls are stained green with damp. The only reason Sam had for cleaning the apartment was for his own peace of mind, and to stop him from thinking about Cas or Dean… or something much much worse.

He fought through the pain and sat up. He had a long day.

Ruby, true to her word, was back before dinner. In fact, she entered with a bag of take out in her hands. Sam hated take out food, hated the grease sitting in his stomach, but he was in no frame of mind to argue with her about something so stupid. At least she’d bothered to go out and find him food. She had a huge smile on her face as she set the paper bag down on the floor beside the door. She locked it behind her, trapping the two of them in the apartment together.

“Sam, babe, guess who scored some meth!” Ruby lilted. Sam’s eyes widened. Of all the crazy stupid things Ruby had done, she’d not used meth; at least, not around him. Sam had heard the horror stories – hell, he’d seen some of the people that took it. But Ruby had a packet of pale pink powder in her hand, and that meant that she was going to at least try it.

“You’re not- you’re not really gonna take that, are you?” Sam asked timidly. Ruby laughed and tossed the packet towards Sam.

“Of course I am. Lucifer’s coming over later and we need to show him how well his batch works,” she grinned. She took off her jacket and threw it on the ground next to the the take out. “Do you want some, Sam? I got Chinese.” Sam shook his head. The drugs had thrown him off; just thinking about them was making him feel sick. Ruby mumbled something to herself and picked up a carton of food, practically wolfing it down.

Sam waited patiently for her to finish eating before he brought up the meth again.

“Look, Ruby, I don’t think you should do this,” Sam started.

“You? No, Sam, we’re doing this together,” Ruby replied. Before Sam could respond, Ruby had taken the bag out of his hand and was opening it up. She lined it up on the floor, and Sam was momentarily fixated on the thought that it wasn’t clean, that the floor was dirty. But that was the least of their problems. He watched Ruby roll up a one dollar bill from her pocket and use it to snort the meth. She pulled her head back up and gave Sam a gruesome grin. Blood was dripping from her nose.

“Your turn, Sam,” she said. Sam tried to protest, he did, but Ruby forcefully handed him the dollar bill. “You need to do it, Sam. Prove you love me. Prove to me that you’re thankful that I love you. I’m giving you good quality shit here, Sam, for free. I want to see you snort it. Prove that you love me.”

Dying from a drug overdose couldn’t be any worse than living knowing Dean hated him.

Sam leant over and snorted like his life depended on it.

It took a few minutes, but Sam felt his heart speed up. It was like a jackhammer in his chest, beating louder and louder, like it was in the room with them. Suddenly, everything felt so good. He stopped thinking about his brother, his dumbass roommate. He stopped thinking about how much he hated himself. Only the beautiful woman in front of him and the elation of the drug pumping through his system filled his mind now.

His heart wouldn’t stop though. It became too much pretty quickly. Pain started in his arm and moved to his back, and then his chest. Fuck, fuck!He might have been dying. He fell back to the floor and let his body stop working. This was what he’d signed up for.

The door to the apartment blew off its hinges. Somehow, Dean and Cas had found him and they were stood in the doorway where the door should have been. They were saying something, something Sam couldn’t hear. And then, like sun breaking through clouds, he could hear them clear as day.

“Sam, you’re in a coma.”

“You need to fight, Sam. You’re dying, man. You need to fight whatever’s going on in that brain of yours,” Dean begged. He seemed close to tears, and the last time Sam had seen Dean cry was when Ben was born. The time before that, was when Sam had graduated college. His brother didn’t cry often, but he was so close to crying as he stared at Sam dying on the floor. Cas stepped in for him.

“Sam, I know things seem bad but they’ll be worse without you here,” he said. “You need to get out of the coma, but first, you need to survive whatever’s going on right now.”

With Dean and Cas there, Sam managed to get his breathing under control. If they were right, if Sam really was in a coma, then he could control his dreams. He closed his eyes and concentrated, imagining a safer time when him and Dean were kids. He felt his heartbeat slow down, falling into its regular pattern.

What the hell was he thinking, taking what Ruby had offered him? He’d been down this path before, and he knew where it led. Ruby wasn’t right for him. He looked back up to Dean and Cas, who were stood over him, offering dry smiles.

He didn’t need Ruby and her drugs to make him feel better. Not anymore.

When he opened his eyes again, he couldn’t recognise where he was.

[ma-lemons]

here’s to love, my rose, pt.2

The best dad is back! I’m really excited for this volume and I really and hoping that Ruby gets angry at someone or breaks down in front of her team. She keeps everything in and no one is that positive 24/7, she’s gonna break sometime and I want her team to be there every step of the way like she has for them.

————————————————————————-

Tai’s heart clenched in his chest as the one tear shed was followed by one several more. Before he knew it, he was sobbing. Sobbing, because he was too late. Raven was gone. Summer was gone. Qrow blamed Summer’s death on himself...

The fact that his team had fallen apart so easily ate at his heart. It filled him with guilt and he’d do anything to rid of it. He was so tired of living in the constant reminder that he let down everyone he loved.

“Why, Raven! Why? Summer... Qrow... I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when I should have been. I should have done better,” he murmured to himself.

Why?

—————-—-—————————————————-

Ruby woke up, the filtered light coming through her windows. She was glad that for once in her life she could sleep without the reminder that she had to help save the world.

17 was supposed to be an easy time. Right now she was supposed to be in Beacon Academy, living her life with her friends, on her way to becoming the best Huntress around.

She wasn’t even sure if that was possible anymore.

She tiredly rolled out of bed and got into her slippers. Opening the door, she headed downstairs. She paused for a second when she heard loud crying.

“Why, Raven! Why? Summer... Qrow... I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when I should have been. I should have done better,” the sound of her father came.

Raven? Summer? Qrow? Why was he crying about team STRQ?

She quickly sped over the last few steps and into the dining room, where her dad was choking on his tears.

“Dad?”

Her dad froze in his place before turning to face her. He looked weary, and upset with himself. Ruby wondered what was going on.

“Dad... are you okay?” she asked him, running to his side. Tai gave a small smile and nodded. She wrapped her small arms around him, in hopes of letting him know she was there for him.

“You’re just like your mother, Ruby,” he chuckled softly.

Mother?

“How so, Dad?” Ruby asked timidly. She was curious, but afraid of going into uncharted territory. Tai never mentioned the past Summer Rose in their home. He’d only insinuate about her, but never would he bluntly talk about who she was or how they had ended up together.

“Ruby, sit down and let me tell you about when I fell for your mother.

Ruby’s eyes flickered over to the window, where a path would lead to her mother’s grave. Her heart fell heavy as she sat down in the chair next to her father’s.

Taiyang took a deep breath. He needed to be prepared. He cried about it and now it was time to do something about it.

So he told his story. He started from the beginning, fragments of what he had to go through when Raven left, and after he and Summer first kissed. Tai was cautious, but after eyeing his daughter only saw that she was quite interested and showed no signs of embarrassment nor shame.

Qrow sat down next to Tai, who was seated at the porch of their home. He had just gotten home from another mission, and was worn out. It was strange playing third wheel to Summer and Tai, but he had gotten used to it. He was used to a rambunctious toddler in the house too.

Qrow took a swig from his flask and let out an easy sigh. It had been a confusing two months. He had went to go find Raven, in hopes that she would come see her daughter, but instead he was met with bandits that would rather kill before negotiating.

He was glad Tai was getting better though. He looked happy and healthy, not like the shell he was a few months ago. Anytime anyone would mention Raven’s name he would freeze and his mind would blank. These days it was a bit better, he tended to pretend he hadn’t heard.

And Yang. She had started calling Summer, “Mama,” which had made Summer cry. Twice. Yang probably didn’t remember Raven’s face too well, and Summer was really the only “mom” she had ever known. Qrow knew she was good for her.

“Tai, how are you?” Qrow asked. He offered him his flask to which Tai shook his head. “You know I don’t drink.”

“I’m fine, Qrow. How about yourself?” Tai asked. Qrow noticed his voice had a hard edge to it and he knew why. They all knew why.

“Tai... you’ve been like this since Yang was born. Are you going to keep acting like this forever? Come on, it’s my birthday, you can’t keep frowning. Your wife and your kid want you to be happy. And... I do too, you ass,” he said quietly, punching Tai on the shoulder.

“What do you think Raven is doing today?” Tai asked, looking at the sky.

Qrow’s eyes narrowed. “Nothing good, of course. Tai... you can’t be wondering about my sister. She’s gone. Think about how Summer feels every time you get in a mood about Raven.”

Qrow was right. He couldn’t keep being sad on the Branwen twin’s birthday. Qrow and Summer were just as bummed that Raven had left as he was. He had a new family, and he couldn’t keep hurting Summer by reminiscing times with Raven.

“You’re right, Qrow. I’ll buy you a drink next time we’re out. Happy birthday, man.”

Qrow grinned and threw an arm around Tai. “That’s what I’m talking about.” He stood up stretched.

“Well, I’d love to stick around, but I have to go see Ozpin. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Tai nodded. Qrow took off with a running start, and with a burst of black feathers, he transformed into his namesake bird. Tai waited until he was gone until he stood up and went back into the house.

“Summer?” Tai called. He didn’t hear her reply.

“Summer?”

There still was no sound. Yang, he knew was sound asleep, but where was Summer?

Tai knew how much Summer was itching to get back to her Huntress duty. Adrenaline ran through her veins and she was always on the lookout for Grimm. If she wasn’t honorary mom to Yang, she would have left by now. Tai also wished to get back to fighting, but his daughter had helped him put his mind to other things besides fighting. He figured when Yang was old enough, he could teach at Signal.

He hurried up the steps and into their bedroom, where he heard loud retching noises.

“Summer?” he cried, panicked. Tai didn’t waste a moment as he burst into the bathroom and found Summer throwing up the contents of her breakfast into the toilet. She looked paler than usual.

“Summer!”

He rushed to her side and rubbed her back, helping her get it out. After a while, she stopped and slumped against the toilet lid. Tai rushed downstairs and got her water and some stomach reliever.

Back upstairs, Summer had managed to get up, and was rinsing her mouth. Tai led her to the bed and she managed to take the pill and chug the water down.

After she was finished, she took a look at Tai.

“T-tai,” she managed.

Was she sick?

“Are you okay, Summer? Do you have a fever?” he asked, raising his hand to her head.

She shook her head. “No, I’m—“

“Stomach ache? Do we need to go to a doctor?”

“No!”

“Is it that time of the month? Do you usually throw up then? I didn’t know that happe—“

“Tai, no! Listen to me!” Summer growled, her eyes flashing. Tai had seen Summer use her silver eye power, as she could control it fairly well, but he didn’t want to be the target of that wrath. He shut up quickly and his wife sighed.

“Tai... I think I’m pregnant.”

Tai wasn’t sure at first of what he was hearing. His jaw kind of dropped and he stared at Summer. Did he hear her correctly?

“What?”

“I’m positive... we’re going to be parents. Well, you’re going to be a parent for the second time. This is my first, duh—“ Summer stopped and peered into Tai’s face. His blue eyes were blank, and he seemed to be unable to register any information.

“Tai? Are you okay?” Summer asked carefully.

Tai shook out of it. His face grew into a large smile.

“I’m going to be a father again... that’s wonderful.” He grabbed Summer’s arms and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Summer was going to be a mother. Yang would be a big sister. He smiled. Why worry about Raven? He had all he needed right there.