#salad & amelia it/she

[ameliafuckinjones]

Amelia about Arthur:

[seresinhangmanjake]

Signed Away: Part 3

Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Reader Series

Summary: You find out about the contractual marriage your parents arranged with Jake’s when you were a baby. You’re plently angered by it, but Jake doesn’t seem too bothered. He might even be happy.

Notes/Warnings: typos, i’m sure, cursing, fluff, eventual smut, angst, contract marriage, loss of rights, feelings of being trapped, poor parent/child relationships. Italics are a flashback. This is planned out to be ten chapters of similar length and an epilogue.

As always, comments can make my bad days worth getting through, so i’ll never not appreciate them. Reblogs and likes make me smile uncontrollably, but no pressure :)  

Masterlist

Words: 1639

Your fork pushed the salad around the pale china plate, weakening the freshness of the lettuce until it wilted and drowned in the peppery dressing. You couldn’t focus. The food in front of you just was a blurred mass of color, nothing you cared to put in your mouth. You were too exhausted from the tension, the awkwardness, and it crushed any appetite.

The plate was eased out from in front of you, leaving your fork hovering in mid-air until the smoky aroma of your family chef’s expertly grilled steak filled the room. A wave of guilt crashed over you, knowing you wouldn’t be sinking your teeth into the meat either.

“Thank you, Allan,” you mumbled. He squeezed your shoulder and you glanced up to be met with pity.

He knew. You didn’t know why you felt a flash of surprise. Allan had been working for your parents long before you were born. Unlikely that your mother ever pulled him aside to explain the fate of your future, but by now the news was hard to ignore. Your engagement had been announced in the damn paper just days before.

He gave you a quick nod before placing a plate in front of your father.

“A shame your parents couldn’t join us tonight, Jake.” Your father’s voice broke the air of uncomfortable silence. It was appreciated to hear anything other than the bubbly chorus of your carbonated water, even though you had little intention of contributing much to any conversation. “Across the pond, are they not?”

“Bill, I already told you—”

“Deanna, let me talk to the boy. Go ahead, son.”

“Uh, yes.” Jake’s knee bumped yours as he shifted in his seat. The brief friction of his jeans burst a buzzing hum along that spot of your skin. Your heartbeat pounded behind your ribcage, fingers tightening around the handle of the fork “Visiting my aunt.”

Your mother took a generous sip of her wine. “Do they still intend to return next week?”

Jake nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, that’s good. Amelia and I have a lot of planning to do. Flowers, venue, guest list, the dress.”

The sharp stab of a pointed-toed heel to your shin forced you to look up. Your mother’s eyebrows were tipped down in the center, painted lips pinched. Clearly, you’d missed something. “What?”

“The dress.”

“What about it?”

“Surely you’re excited to find the perfect one, right Darling?”

Her words came out gritty through clenched teeth. A hefty pause weighed down the already thick air of the room and you suddenly wished the bubbles of your drink never ceased their popping.

“I doubt you’ll have to worry,” Jake said then looked at you. “You’ll look amazing in anything.”

You couldn’t tell if he truly believed it or if the deafening silence was getting to him the way it did for any guest stuck between you and your mother. Your father was the only one unaffected, continuing to work away at his steak.

It was sickly sweet, the smile your mother shot Jake. “Jake dear, you don’t have to lie.”

“I’m not ly—”

“She needs to understand how important it is to look appropriate for such an event.”

You silently snorted before plastering a mocking grin across your face. “Believe me mother, I already understand everything I need to know.”

“Are you giving me attitude, young lady?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare.”

“Y/N, you are such a—”

“A what!”

“An ungrateful little—”

“Jake,” your father’s voice boomed, dousing all others. “You like bourbon, son?”

You froze at the thought of being left with your mother. Jake must have noticed the rigidity of your body because his fingers lightly gripped your lower thigh under the satin tablecloth, giving a brief squeeze. It was far more comforting than you cared to admit, and gave you a sense of protection, as if from his fingertips a barrier spread and formed around you in attempt to keep your mother out. He was on your side in this, and maybe you would have to start acknowledging that.

Then his head turned away from you and toward your father. “Yes sir, but—”

“Come,” he said, already standing and rebuttoning his suit jacket. “Let us leave the women to their business.”

-----

He didn’t want to leave you. An invisible force tugged at his sleeve, begging him to exit the confined space of your father’s office in favor of returning to you and taking you somewhere safe were you might be able to take a decent breath. But he didn’t need your father hating him. Both his and yours placed an extremely strong value in respect, and escaping the den wouldn’t be doing him any favors in the long run.

The extended hand invaded Jake’s peripherals. He blinked then accepted the glass offered to him, but before he could thank you father, the elder said, “You like my daughter.”

Jake took a drink of the amber liquid, letting the familiar burn wash down his throat.

“And I see how you try to hide it in front of Y/N,” he continued. “You don’t wish to scare her off and you’re wise to recognize that it would.” Bill gestured to the nearest seat as he sat in his own armchair behind the cherry wood desk. Jake sat and your father stared at him, hard, for long agonizing seconds. Then he set his glass on a coaster, leaned back, and rested clasped hands on a rounded stomach. “Make this work, Jake Seresin,” he said.

“I was under the impression I didn’t have a choice, sir.”

Bill smirked, perhaps expecting such a response, or perhaps not but appreciating the quick agreement. Again, beats passed. Bill took another sip of his drink, Jake watching intently with each movement of hand on glass, glass at lips, hard swallow, glass back on desk. “I am not like her mother. I do care about her feelings, despite how it may appear. So let me rephrase.” He paused. “Make her forget the circumstances of this situation. Make her happy.”

It would be rude to laugh, so Jake kept his mouth shut, taking a lengthy drink until the impulse passed. Making you happy was all he’d thought about for the past month. It was you who didn’t want him to. “She’s stubborn, sir.”

Your father released the laugh Jake had held back. “She is. I’ve been watching her run her mother ragged for nineteen years.” The laugh settled and his tone fell into seriousness. “But you are a determined man by nature. Am I wrong in understanding you once wished to be a pilot?”

Jake’s gaze dropped to his drink. It was nearly empty. He’d need more. Much more. “No, sir.”

“See, a man who would choose such a career path is a man who knows how to get what he wants,” Bill said. “Getting my daughter down the aisle, while no easy task, will be doable for you. You have my full trust in that.”

-----

“Well, you missed dessert,” Deanna snapped, following a scoff and a roll of her chocolate brown eyes. Her polished nails looked like vulture talons perched on slim hips and the sneer on her lips made Jake wonder how you could possibly be born from someone so unappealing. “Now she’s out back. Being a brat.”

Bill replied, but Jake didn’t hear it. He was too focused on the gentle swaying of your body as you occupied one of the swings of your childhood swing set. He couldn’t begin to count how many times he’d been in the swing beside you as a kid, taunting each other to see who could fly higher. He was too young then to recognize that a five-year-old you was much smaller than he was at nine, and had you fallen you’d surely have broken a bone. You, on the other hand, were so competitive and determined to prove yourself that you’d have risked a damaged limb without question, and often did.

Jake slipped out the sliding glass door without notice, wet grass smushing under the press of his steps. “Are you alright?” he asked, but when you didn’t answer, didn’t look up, he crouched down and rested his crossed arms atop your knees. “Hmm? Tell me.”

A tear fell, splashing on the surface of your thigh.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Jake reached forward and brushed the salty liquid from your skin.

“I hate that she gets to me,” you whispered, then meeting his eyes, you said, “You know what she told me while the two of you were off drinking that overly expensive crap? She said I’m so fucking fortunate to have you because not another man will want to marry me if this is the type of person I want to be. And then she promptly reminded me that even you have to do it. You’re not choosing me on your own.”

“Y/N, I consider myself lucky.”

You shook your head.

“Yes, I do.”

He knew you wouldn’t believe it, not by his word alone. Regardless, if you’d allow him, he wanted to protect you, take care of you, put a smile on your face and keep it there. It wouldn’t happen overnight, neither would gaining your trust, but he could try to start somewhere.

“I can get us a place,” he said.

“What?”

“An apartment or something. I have money, and I know a guy who owns a nice building. We could probably be in in the next couple days if you wanted.”

“Why would you do that?”

The corners of Jake’s lips tugged upwards when the little wrinkle between your brows softened and smoothed to match the rest of your silky skin. He tucked some hair behind your ear, fingertips brushing along your cheekbone, and said, “I don’t want to leave you here.”

 Wedding Countdown: 589 days

tags: @marvel-ousnesss @thespeeder @nobody7102 @marrianena @fangirlingoverfangirls @blue-aconite @my-soulmate-is-mycroft @dempy @chaoticassidy @alana4610 @hotch-meeeeeuppppp @dracosluvbot @smoothdogsgirl @smit41 @princessphilly @kkrenae @castle-bookworms-world @xoxabs88xox @blackwidownat2814 @acupnoodle @callmemana @zippitydoda @asteria33 @the-mouse27 @111angelnumbers111 @shanimallina87 @creativitybeware @roosterscock 

[mynameismckenziemae]

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone-Chapter V

Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd x Female Reader (no use of y/n)

You can’t keep your hands to yourself

(previous chapter here, next chapter here)

Warnings: oral (m receiving), ass play, almost getting caught, etc

You yawn for the third time as you help Penny finish the last-minute dishes for the get-together she and Pete were hosting for the squad. Bob had dropped you late last night after mutually agreeing the temptation would be too much if you slept over— it was getting more and more difficult to keep your hands off each other.

The doorbell rings and you’re drying your hands, “Come on in!” Penny calls from the hallway.

You do a double take as Bob enters the kitchen, holding a tray of fresh fruit and Steve’s leash. He’s wearing his swim trunks and a cutoff tee, showcasing his defined biceps and thick forearms. Those veins you think, I could start an IV with a 16 gauge in there blindfolded.

He smiles, knowing you’re checking him out. “Hey Sunny girl”.

“Hey, you’re early. We’re just finishing the salads.” you smile.

“Yeah, I thought I’d come by to see if you needed help”. He says, kissing your cheek.

“That’s sweet of you. Let’s see what else Pen needs”. You reply.

“Steve! Bob! Can I take him to the beach? I’ll watch him! Pete’s down there too” Amelia asks, padding into the kitchen.

“Of course, just watch him by the seagulls, he’s a little traumatized by the last time we went” Bob replies, handing her the leash.

You all laugh as they squeeze through the sliding door together, Steve nearly tripping her.

“Hey Bob, thanks for coming,” Penny says as she walks into the kitchen next, pulling him in for a hug before rolling up her sleeves to watch her hands.

“Thanks for having me, do you need help with anything?” Bob asks.

“Yeah, actually. Would you two go and get the paddle boards from the rafters in the garage? I was gonna ask Pete but he’s still by the water setting up the chairs. I’ll finish up in here”.

“Sure, we can bring them down to the water too right away?” He asks, looking at you to confirm. You nod.

“Thanks a ton” Penny replies, already elbow-deep in pasta salad.

———————————————————————-

“Hey, where’s the light-oomph” Bob starts but you’ve got him pushed up against the garage door, kissing him hard.

“I, what are, I thought we…the paddleboards?”He asks against your lips, before kissing you back.

“They’re right there, it’ll only take a second to get them down. I just need to touch you.” You murmur back.

Your hands are everywhere, running through his hair, squeezing his biceps, palming him through his shorts. You drop to your knees, hurriedly untying his shorts and pulling him out.

“Wha-here? Are you sure?” He pants.

You nod as you suck him into your mouth, bobbing your head quickly, using your hands to stroke where you can’t reach. You look up at him through your lashes and moan around him. His face is flushed, his chest heaving, and his hands are clenched at his sides. That won’t do.

You take his hands and put them into your hair, trying to encourage him to use you, but he’s too much of a gentleman. You pull off and stroke him, “Bob, we only have a few minutes before someone comes looking for us. I want you to fuck my face. You won’t hurt me. I’ll squeeze your thigh twice if I need you to stop”. You pant out, putting your mouth back on him.

“Jesus, Sunny” he groans but obliges. He thrusts slowly a few times, giving you time to adjust before giving in. His fingers tighten in your hair, tugging slightly as he gives it to you. Tears are leaking as you breathe your nose, refusing to gag. Glad I didn’t put mascara on, you think.

Your left hand goes to fondle his balls, rolling and gently tugging while your right gathers some of the saliva dripping down your chin and joins the other, before dipping farther, a finger teasing his rim. He jolts, head falling back. “Fuck.” He grits out. You’re soaked, rubbing your thighs together for some friction.

You hear a car door slam in the driveway as you suck harder, and your finger presses a little more. He pulls tight on your hair and he cums with a quiet, broken groan. You swallow quickly and wipe your chin with the back of your hand as you rise to your feet, gently tucking him back in and tying his shorts. He pulls you in and kisses you deeply, moaning when he tastes himself in your mouth.

“Where’s Bob? His truck’s parked in the street.” You hear Natasha yell, way too close for comfort.

You startle and break apart. “Yeah, I’m the garage maybe? I sent him and Sunny in there a few minutes ago.” Penny replies.

“Yeah, in here!” You yell, then whisper “Do I look okay?” to Bob.

“You look beautiful as always Sunny,” he breathes, still in a daze, as Natasha and Jake walk through the door, flipping on the light.

“Whatcha guys doing in here?” Jake asks, looking between the both of you.

“Uhh, looking for the paddleboards?” You reply, a little flustered.

“Those paddleboards right there?” Natasha says, smirking as she nods above you.

“Oh…Yeah, haha. I couldn’t see them. ‘Cause you know. It was dark.” You laugh, a deep flush staining your cheeks.

“Don’t you live upstairs? You’d think you’d know where the light switch is…” Jake asks with a grin, looking pointedly at the red marks on your knees and Bob’s fucked out expression, catching on to what they almost walked into.

You cover your face with your hands and groan. “Oh my God. Just get them down and take them to the beach. Please? Nat, will you help me upstairs with something for a second?”

“Of course. You” she slaps Jake in the chest, “aren’t going to say anything to anyone about this, got it?”

“Yeah, yeah. I won’t” he leans over to kiss her, “It’s not like Sunny hasn’t walked in on us before”.

“Hey now, that wasn’t my fault. You were in Bradley’s bathroom and the door was unlocked. Actually, it wasn’t even fully closed!” You argue.

“You forget those kinds of things when the mood strikes ya...Kind of like forgetting where the light switch is in your own home” Jake winks, reaching up to grab the paddleboard.

“I hate you” you laugh, and kiss Bob’s burning cheek as you pass by him for the stairs.

________________________________________

You head into your bathroom, leaving the door open as you wash your hands, splash cool water on your cheeks, and try to fix your hair as Natasha leans in the open doorway. “So you and Bob, huh? I wondered when you two were cozied up together last Friday at the Hard Deck and then disappeared.”

“Yeah. Me and Bob,” you smile. “He’s funny, smart, so incredibly sweet, and actually listens when I talk. I…I just really like him.” You laugh, “God, I feel like I’m in high school again”.

She smiles. “You deserve some happiness, Sun. I didn’t know you well before Derek but I could tell something was going on. The way you’d stiffen when Roo would hug you, always checking your phone, leaving before 9,” she hesitates but continues, “I thought Jake was going to kill Derek the night he grabbed your arm and cornered you in the hall. He only didn’t because I told him it would make it worse for you. Jake, Rooster, and I talked that night and were planning on having an intervention, but we got called out before it happened. We didn’t have phone access and… I was just so worried about you. Then Bradley told me Friday what happened. I’m just so happy he’s gone.”

You turn and pull her in for a hug with a sniffle. “Me too. Thank God Pete didn’t deploy with you guys. If he hadn’t gotten home that day when he did…I think things would have gone a lot worse. I’m sorry I put you, all of you through that”.

“Don’t apologize. It wasn’t your fault,” she releases you with a squeeze. “Now. Let’s get to the beach. Hey, and no more sneaking away for not-so-secret garage blow jobs”.

“Oh my God! You’re just as bad as Jake” you laugh as she walks away.

________________________________________

Bob rises to greet you as you walk up to the group, everyone there already except Bradley.

“Sorry for not coming to your aide in the garage with Nat and Jake. I think you sucked my brains out” he murmurs, kissing your cheek.

You smile, “It’s okay. Could’ve been worse. They could’ve walked in 30 seconds earlier”.

Bob flushes, remembering he was cumming down your throat at that point. “Hey, Steve! No!”

Steve sneaks up and steals Javy’s hat before running away proudly. Bob and Javy chase after him, making everyone laugh.

You feel a gentle tug on one of your curls. “Dickhead didn’t like your hair curly. That’s why you started straightening it all the time, isn’t it?” Bradley asks from beside you. Always so observant.

“Yep. God I was such an idiot, letting him control me like that,” You say with a sigh.

“It’s alright. He’s gone, that’s all that matters. Hey, I promise I won’t cut it again” he smiles, tugging the strand lightly again before releasing it.

“You better not, or I’ll come after you with the wooden spoon this time.” You laugh. You don’t remember since you were only 2 at the time, but Bradley had thought it would be funny to cut a few locks off while you napped. Carole hadn’t found it funny; hence the wooden spoon.

Bradley winces. “Yeah, I better not. I couldn’t sit for a while after that one.”

You laugh, shaking your head.

________________________________________

Everyone gets pulled to play a game of two-hand touch football. Jake and Bradley are team captains, and Jake wins the coin toss to pick first.

“Nat, my love,” Jake says. Mickey rolls his eyes and Javy pretends to gag.

“No brainer. Sunny.” Bradley says, pointing the football at you. You let out a whoop and chest bump him, while everyone looks at you both quizzically.

“Why wouldn’t I choose the leading scorer of the collegiate women's flag football league 3 years running?” Bradley says with a smirk.

“Would’ve been 4 but I tore my ACL 2 games into my senior year.” You sigh. The disappointment will never fade.

“Oh come on! Had I known that I would’ve picked her!” Jake says, earning a “Hey!” and a punch in the arm from Natasha.

The rest of the group gets divvied up and you and Bob end up on opposing teams. You catch a perfect throw from Bradley and score on the second down.

________________________________________

45 minutes later, your team is ahead by one touchdown. Bob’s team has possession, and it’s the last play of the game as everyone is hot, tired, and ready to eat.

Bob gulps as you whip off your shirt, leaving you in just your skimpy bikini top and shorts.

“You’re going down,” you tell him with a smirk as he gets into position to snap the ball to Jake.

“Hopefully I will later” he winks, snapping the ball and flying past you. You set chase and just miss the interception as Bob reaches over you to catch it. He’s within 5 yards of the goal line when you reach him. A golden blur takes him out at the knees, and you land on top of his back with an oomph. “Damn it. Steven. It's not tackle football” Bob laughs.

You give Steve a smooch and tell him what a good boy he is as you stand. You turn and land a sharp slap to Bob’s ass before pulling him to his feet. “Sorry, just getting the sand off” you explain cheekily.

“What is it with you and my butt?” He laughs, rubbing the sting out.

“It’s so cute….so squeezable, muscular, and spankable,” you list the reasons as you help him brush the sand off.

“There’s a lot of things I want to do to your ass eventually…if you’ll let me” you whisper as you lean in for a kiss. He groans and returns it, pulling you closer, making you feel what you do to him.

“Come on lovebirds, food’s ready!” You hear Pete yell.

You pull apart and block him from view as he adjusts himself in his shorts before walking back to the group.

He leans in as you’re pouring yourself a drink. “Yeah, by the way. I’ll let you.”

________________________________________

The afternoon quickly turns into evening, and the evening into night. Penny, Pete, and Amelia all went back up to the house 2 hours ago, with strict orders that no one is to drive as there’s plenty of room for everyone to crash.

“I’ve got a pullout couch and an air mattress if anyone wants to stay by me.” You offer, swaying a little as you stand.

Nat and Jake call dibs on the pullout, Mickey claims the air mattress.

“Give me 5… no, 10 minutes and I’ll have everything ready,” you say, turning to head back to the house.

“I’ll come with you,” Bob slurs slightly, rising to his feet and calling Steve over.

“Me too,” Bradley chimes in.

Bob clasps your fingers in his and you both laugh as Bradley races Steve in the sand, nearly falling more than once.

Bob and Bradley help you with the pullout, and you ask them to get extra blankets under your bed while you look for the air mattress pump in the garage below.

You find it and head back up the stairs. As you finish filling the mattress with air, you realize the pullout is still only covered by the sheet.

You check your room to find Steve, Bob, and Bradley fast asleep on your bed. Bradley’s head is on Bob’s chest, with Steve in between his legs. Good thing you have a king-size bed.

You snap a picture and throw some blankets on the pullout. They can fend for themselves you think before climbing in next to Bob, falling asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

________________________________________

Taglist:

@blindedbythelightt

[callsign-magnolia]

I Hope You Dance // Ch. 54

MATURE CONTENT (18+)

A/N: This is cross posted to my Wattpad, so if this seems familiar that is why!

TW: Mental abuse, emotional abuse, slight physical abuse, death and loss.

Description: When Caila meets Rooster, sparks fly. But, she's already married, to a man who she thought loved her, and won't let her go. Rooster will fight for her, he just has to convince Caila to fight for herself.

Word Count: 5.9k

Chapter 53 | Masterlist

June faded into July and Independence Day came fast. Bradley was tired but still wanted to celebrate so we managed to put together a barbecue for mid July. “Can I help you honey?” He asked as I set the ribs up to marinate. “Roo, I’ve got it.” I said and he sighed. “I just feel like I’m useless.” He said and I gave him a sad smile. “Well, you’re not useless. In fact, I know how you can help me.” I said and the left side of his lips twitched up. “And what would that be?” He asked. “Come snuggle on the couch with me. I’m freezing.” I said and he looked at me confused. “Freezing?! It’s literally ninety-seven degrees outside!” He said and I shrugged. “And it’s seventy-six in here and I’m freezing.” It was true. Since I came home I’ve been in one of his old hoodies and leggings. I smiled and grabbed his hand, pulling him from the counter and towards the couch. “Well, you have lost quite a bit of weight.” He said and I turned and smiled at him. “You think?” I asked and he nodded. “Yeah, you probably weigh less than ten pounds now, so that means I can lift you!” He said and acted like he was going to pick me up but I just laughed and stopped him. We laid on the couch, my back to his chest and he kissed the back of my head. “If we nap now we’ll never sleep tonight.” He said and I nodded. “Yeah, but we’ll be up late tomorrow so tweaking our schedule for one night won’t hurt.” I said and it wasn’t long before I heard him snoring.

The next day I managed to put Bradley to work setting up the table outside with a tablecloth and some decor I bought. He finished that quickly and around noon the doorbell started ringing and Rooster was more than happy to get up and answer it. “Hey Mav.” He said and immediately Mav stepped in and hugged him tightly. “Good to see you, Rooster.” He said and pulled away, allowing Penny to hug him. “I managed to talk him down from tackling you. How are you holding up?” She asked as she let go of him. “I’m okay. I get tired easily so Mags has me doing simple things.” He said and she chuckled. “Well at least she’s not coddling you.” She said and he nodded. “Hey Rooster.” Amelia said, stepping past him and heading for the dogs. “Hey kid.” He greeted back, making the teen roll her eyes.  Mav stayed in the living room with Rooster and Penny joined me in the kitchen. “I brought the pie.” She said and I smiled at her. “Thank you! I was glad everyone else offered to bring sides. Makes this a lot easier.” I said and she agreed. “Wow, you really have lost weight.” She said and I smiled at her. “I know! I feel the best I’ve felt in a long time.” I said. “The only downside is I’m constantly freezing in this house. I’m glad Rooster is like a heater in bed or else I’d freeze.” She chuckled at me just as Coyote came in with a huge bowl. “One order of nana’s potato salad!” He said, setting the bowl down next to me. I pulled the lid off and moaned. “Oh my god that smells divine.” 

Soon everyone arrived and we got everyone to the table outside. Most everyone had a beer besides Bob, Penny, Rooster and I. Rooster wanted one but he can’t with all of his medications and if he can’t then I won’t. “Hey guys.” Rooster said standing and everyone looked at him. “I just want to say how much I appreciate you all doing the things you have done for us, not just during this, but during everything else too. Staying with Mags while I was gone, looking out for us-” “Yeah yeah, we get it! You love us and we’re amazing!” Payback interrupted and everyone chuckled, including Bradley. “Yeah, I guess that’s what I was trying to say.” He said and I laughed as he sat next to me again. Soon we all dug into the food, just enjoying being around each other. But soon the food was put away and most of the team made their way out to the beach behind the house while the rest of us dragged some chairs into the sand and watched. Penny, Amelia, Nat and I were talking before I turned to Rooster. He was leaning on the armrest of his chair with his head in his hand.

“Roo, honey? Are you okay?” I asked and he sighed. “Yeah.” I gave him a sad smile. “You want to go out there?” I asked and he nodded. “I do. But I know that’s a bad idea.” He said. “I’m sorry, Roo.” I said and he shook his head. “It’s not your fault. If I wasn’t at risk of popping a stitch then I would.” He said and I hummed, running my fingers through his curls. “We’ll do another get together to celebrate you getting better and then you can kick their asses when we play.” I said and he chuckled. “Yeah, I think Hangman needs to be taken down a notch.” He said and I chuckled. The day was peaceful and soon everyone went home, and poor Rooster was falling asleep on the couch when Mav and Penny went to leave. “Well, we better go. I think we’ve almost overstayed our welcome.” Penny said and Mav agreed. “Yeah, he’s been fighting sleep like a toddler.” Mav whispered and I chuckled. “Yeah, I better get him to bed.” I said and he nodded. “Goodnight, Magnolia.” He said as they walked out. “Goodnight.” With that, I shut and locked the door before turning to Rooster. “Bradley.” I said and his eyes fluttered open as he hummed. “Everyone is gone. Let’s get to bed.” He groaned but soon I managed to pull him up and we made our way upstairs where I helped him strip and he laid back in bed. “Snuggle Mags.” He said, making grabby hands at me and after a minute I managed to strip myself and crawl in bed next to him. “Did you have fun today?” I asked and he hummed. “I’m glad I lived to see it.” He muttered before drifting off. “Me too, honey.” 

A few more weeks went by and we were now in early August and officially five months away from the wedding. "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" I asked Bradley as I buttoned my khaki pants. I made a mental note to get new pants since these are getting so loose. "Mav said I could have off any time I needed for your doctor's appointments." He just smiled up at me from his spot in the bed. He had grabbed my pillow, tucking it under his chin as he laid on his stomach long ways on the bed. "I'll be fine, honey. Penny said she'd drop me off and pick me up. I will call you on your lunch break to tell you what the doctor says." I sighed as I sat on the bed and put my socks on. "It's not that I don't want you there. I’m hoping that before I come back and after I'm cleared we could take a trip somewhere." He said as he wrapped his arm around my waist I turned to him excitedly. "Really? Where to?" I asked and he chuckled, placing a kiss on my arm. "Anywhere you wanna go, pretty girl. Why don't you think on it?" I nodded, kissing him. "Okay." I said, excitement seeping out in my words. I finished getting ready as Rooster went downstairs and made my coffee. "You will call me, right?" I asked as he met me at the door. "Yes, honey. I promise." He handed me my coffee and kissed me. "Have a good day!" He said as I started for my jeep "I love you!" He yelled out as I opened the door. I blew him a kiss and smiled widely at him before climbing in. The drive to base was uneventful but as soon as I parked Mav had me in his sights. "What are you doing here? Isn't Rooster's doctor appointment today?" I nodded, slightly annoyed at being questioned so early. "Yes, but he said he was fine with Penny dropping him off.” He wants me to save my PTO because he wants us to take a trip before he comes back." He stopped but nodded.

"Will you tell me what the doctor said?” I nodded. "Of course, Mav. We'll always keep you updated. He smiled and nodded before leaving me to put my things away. We spent all morning in the classroom, and I was feeling anxious. I knew Bradley would be fine, but I knew he was getting frustrated being at home all the time. After what felt like a lifetime it was eleven and time for lunch. We were walking out when Mav turned to me with a smile. "Magnolia. Someone wants to talk to you." Mav said as he walked into the hangar. I walked inside to see Bradley standing there, a large bouquet of roses and baby's breath and a bag of food from my favorite deli. "What are you doing here? Were you released to drive?" I asked as I rushed over, gently hugging him and kissing his cheek. "Doctor released me to drive, and I missed you so I wanted to have lunch with you and bring you some flowers."

My bottom lip jutted out as I took the roses. "You're amazing." We walked down to the cafeteria, joining the team who was so happy to see Bradley. Soon everyone got up and I was eating up every last second I could. “So, I have another doctor’s appointment in the morning.” My eyes widened as I looked at him. “Wh-what?” I asked, growing nervous. “It’s a urologist appointment. To check my sperm count.” I blinked at him for a second before tearing up. “Oh, honey. I wasn’t trying to make you cry.” He said, pulling me in so he could kiss my forehead. “I don’t know why I’m crying.” I said. “Maybe because we might get answers?” He asked and I nodded. “Yeah. It’s just crazy to me that we went so long without any form of protection and I didn’t get pregnant. I just want to figure this out so that way, after the wedding, we’ll know what we need to do.” I said and he nodded, kissing my head again. “Me too. Now go, Mav will kill me if I hold you up too long.” 

The next morning Bradley drove us to his appointment and he was so excited to drive. It's a freedom he felt like he lost for a while. Once there, we got him checked in and waited. I noticed he kept rubbing his palms on his jeans. So I reached out, taking his hand in mine. "Hey." I whispered. "What's going through your head?" I asked. My free hand reaching behind him and rubbing his back. "What if something is wrong with me? What if i'm the reason we can't have kids on our own?" I could see the fear in his eyes. "Look at me." I said. His warm brown eyes glistened with tears as his gaze met mine. "I will still love you no matter what." I told him. "Bradshaw?" A nurse called. He squeezed my hand as we stood and didn't let go as we were led into a room. The nurse took his vitals before pulling vials from a drawer. I watched Bradley who watched the nurse and he jumped when she pulled out the needle. "Woah!" He said as she turned towards him. "She has to get blood work, honey." I said, squeezing his hand that still held mine. He took a deep breath before turning towards me and squeezing his eyes shut. "Just do it." The nurse chuckled and stuck him. After a second his face relaxed. "Have you done it yet?" He asked, "I'm getting the last tube now." After a minute she was done and wrapped his arm up. "Alright, now we need a semen sample.” She said and grabbed a cup. "Here's the cup, do you need magazines or anything?" She asked and he blushed. I could tell he was flustered by the way he looked at me. "Um, n-no thanks. I have pictures and videos of my wife." 

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh at him. He just squeezed his eyes shut, questioning everything he said. The nurse held out her own laugh. "Many men prefer pictures of their wives over magazines." He just swallowed, nodded and she led him out of the room. After a minute she came back.  “I love when they get flustered, it's hilarious." She said, making me laugh. "As soon as he's done I'll bring him back to you." With that she left. After a couple minutes my phone dinged with a text from Bradley. 'Help me out here?’ He asked. I bit my lip, still scared that someone hacked my phone. But I decided to say 'screw it’. I double checked that the door was closed before I quickly lifted my shirt and snapped a picture, sending it to him. Another few minutes pass by before the nurse brings him back in. "How do you feel?" I asked, smirking at him. He sat next to me and crossed his arms over his chest. “I haven't had to do that since we got together.” I just giggled at him. “Not even on deployment?” I asked. He just shook his head "Didn't want to. I just wanted to wait till I got home." Now, he finally turned to me, tossing his arm around the back of my chair. 

“But it makes me think about all the ways I'm going to ruin you once I can get you in our bed." My face flushed, but we jumped apart when the door opened. "Mr. Bradshaw?" He asked, holding his hand out to Bradley. "Yes, sir. "He shook his hand before turning to me. "Mrs. Bradshaw." Neither of us made a move to correct him and honestly, it made me feel giddy to hear someone call me Mrs Bradshaw. "I'm Dr. Evans." He said as he sat across from us. "Nice to meet you." I said, my fingers intertwining with Bradleys. "You as well." He said, nodding at me. "All of your blood work looks good." We nodded. That was something we already knew. With all of his doctor's appointments recently, we were well in tune to his current health state." It will be about twenty-four hours before we have the results of your sperm count. So tomorrow, we'll give you a call with your results." We both nodded. "So what should we do next if everything is normal?" Bradley asked, squeezing my hand. "The next steps I would suggest would be for Mrs. Bradshaw to find a gynecologist. Our next steps for Mr. Bradshaw would be some ultrasounds. But if we don't find anything, then you'll still need more testing Mrs. Bradshaw." He said and I nodded. Bradley squeezed my hand, kissing my knuckles as he did. "Thank you, Doctor." With that we checked out and left. "Do you think Mav would be mad if I stole you for a breakfast date?" Bradley asked as we got into the elevator. I smiled up at him, tossing my arms around his shoulders. 

"For all he knows, we waited forever." I said and he raised an eyebrow at me." You'd lie to your superior?" He asked and I nodded. "If it means I get to spend more time with you. I will." I pulled him into a kiss, his hands falling to my waist. The elevator dinged and it took us a second to pull away. An older gentleman stepped on, giving us a soft smile. We stood in silence for a moment before the man spoke up. "Can I give you some advice?" He asked. I was tempted to say 'no', not really wanting a stranger to advise me on my relationship. But he didn't wait for a response. "Never stop kissing her." He said to Bradley and we both visibly relaxed. "Because one day she won't be here." My heart clenched at his words. "My wife died at forty-three. It's been twenty-two years since she passed. Not a day goes by where I don't wish I kissed her or held her more." With that the elevator doors opened. "You two have a nice day.” With that he smiled at us and walked out. Bradley and I managed to get out a ‘you too’ before he was gone. “Damn.” Rooster muttered. "What?" I asked, looking up at him. He continued to stare out of the doors the man exited through. "He just reminded me of my mom. She used to say things like that a lot." Tears filled his eyes and I wrapped my arms around his waist. "You okay?" I asked him and he nodded "I'm great.” He said. "Now let's go have ourselves a breakfast date." Our date went great, and I showed up on the tarmac later than I planned. The next day I was antsy. Rooster should be hearing about his results today and I was dying to know. But he didn't mention it during any of our conversations throughout the day.

I drove home in silence, my mind racing with thoughts of what his results were. What if he was totally normal? Then that made me the problem. I knew that Bradley wanted kids just as much as I did, and I hated being the reason he couldn’t have that. Once I got home, I slowly climbed out of the jeep, grabbing my duffel bag and making my way inside. As soon as I opened the door I was shocked. “Roo?” I yelled out. I could smell something from the kitchen and the house was absolutely spotless. “In here, honey!” I set my bag down, walking back towards the kitchen. “Hi honey.” He said as I walked in. He placed the lid on a tupperware container and slid it into the fridge. “What are you up to?” I asked as I leaned against the doorway. “Just marinating some steaks for dinner.” He said, walking over. “Oh so you’re cooking dinner?” I asked and he nodded, grabbing the top of the doorframe and leaning over me, his big brown eyes looking down at me. “I am. Think of it as my way of saying thank you for taking care of me.” He said and I shook my head. “You don’t have to thank me, Roo.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my chin on his chest so I could look up at him. “Yeah, but you deserve it and I won’t take no for an answer.” He said and I giggled. I opened my mouth to ask if the doctor called when he stopped me. 

“Why don’t you go relax and shower. You stink of jet fuel anyway.” He said as he scrunched his nose in disgust. I scoffed and smacked his stomach. “You love it.” I said and he chuckled. “Why don’t you join me?” I asked, my fingers playing with the hem of his shirt. “Oh, that is so tempting.” He replied, leaning down till his lips were close to mine. “But I can’t.” He said and I furrowed my brows in confusion. “Why not?” I asked. “The doctor hasn’t released me for physical activity yet. So I can’t fuck you like you deserve.” He practically had me melting into a puddle. “It’s so hard to resist when I have you in the shower, but another two weeks and the doctor should release me to live my life like I was.” He said before he pulled me flush against him. “And trust me, I won’t let you leave our bed as soon as I get the all clear.” He said and I grinned at him. “Trust me, I cannot wait.” I said. “So go shower and by the time you get out I should be putting the steaks on.” He said, turning me around and smacking my ass, making me squeal. 

So I decided to listen and go take a shower. I took my time and slipped into one of his old t-shirts when I got out, forgoing panties. I put my hair in a clip before walking downstairs to find Bradley in the kitchen seasoning asparagus and mashing potatoes. “Oh, so you can do more than make a reuben?” I asked and he chuckled. “You haven’t properly given me an opportunity to show off my cooking skills.” He turned to face me and he groaned, his head falling back. “Honey.” He whined. “What?” I asked, stepping closer. “You’re killing me.” He said and I smirked at him, pressing myself against his arm. “That was my plan.” I whispered in his ear. “So, do you need help with anything?” I asked and he shook his head. “You can help me by sitting on the counter and looking pretty.” He said and I couldn’t help but giggle and pull myself up onto the counter next to the stove. “It’s the one time I will sit still and look pretty for you.” I said and he chuckled. 

While he made dinner I kept trying to bring up his test results but he always changed the subject and by the time we sat down I was frustrated. “Just tell me what the doctor said.” I blurted out and he looked at me with wide eyes. “Sorry, It’s just been driving me crazy all day!” I said and he nodded before swallowing his food. “The doctor did call.” He said, sitting back in his seat. “And?” I asked. He gave me a small smile and held his hand out for me to take. I returned the smile and took his hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “He said everything was normal.” He said and I could tell by the look on his face that there was more. “What else?”  I asked and he sighed. “He said things are actually better than normal and that if everything was fine, you probably would’ve been pregnant a long time ago.” He said and I stared at him for a second before taking a deep breath. “O-oh. Um, well that’s good that everything is, um, fine.” I stuttered out, fighting back the tears. “C’mere pretty girl.” He said, tugging on my hand so I stood and walked over to him, straddling his lap as he pulled me against him tightly. 

He hugged me to him and the dam broke. Tears soaked the back of his shirt and I’m pretty sure my cries were making his ears ring, but he didn’t care. I knew he didn’t. He just held me against him and rocked us back and forth until I finally calmed down. “I’m sorry.” I said as I pulled back and wiped my eyes. “Don’t apologize. For crying or for the fact it hasn’t happened yet.” He said. “I knew you’d put the blame on yourself and I was trying to think of a way to tell you without making it seem that way. But the truth seemed best.” He said and I nodded, sniffling. “This is not your fault in any way. It just hasn’t happened yet. No one has said it’s impossible, just that it may be a little harder for us, okay?” He asked and I nodded. “Okay.” I muttered. “I love you pretty girl. I hope you know that.” He said and I nodded. “I do.” I said and he kissed me gently. “I love you, even if we’re a family of two or a family of twelve.” He said and I laughed quietly. “Who said we were gonna have that many babies?” I asked and he laughed. “You said you wanted as many as we could get.” He said and I rolled my eyes. “There will eventually be a cut off.” I responded and he chuckled. “I thought we were going to replace the Phillies team.” He said with a sly grin. “No,” I responded. “And if we were to replace any baseball team it would be the Braves. We’ve had this conversation before.” He just smiled and kissed me. “I love you, Mags.” I smiled and hugged him, feeling a lot better in his arms. “I love you too, Roo.”

The following day I called my gynecologist and scheduled an appointment in hopes we could get more answers. “Have you thought about where you would want to visit?” Rooster asked and I looked at him, confused. “Visit?” I asked. “ Yeah. Remember? I asked if you wanted to take a trip before I came back to work.” It was like a lightbulb in my brain went off. “Oh yeah!” I said. “I forgot about that.” I told him, going back to brushing my teeth before bed. “Well, have you thought of any place in particular you wanted to go to?” He asked and I shook my head. I finished brushing my teeth and cleaned my face before making my way to the bed. “No, my brain has been  a little preoccupied.” He smiled at me, holding the covers up for me to slip under them. “Well we need to think of something fast, I’ll be back at work before you know it.” He said and I grinned, sliding closer to him and wrapping my arms around him. “And I can’t wait.” I said, kissing his cheek. We laid there in the dark and I was slowly drifting off when he spoke up. “What about Tennessee?” 

I furrowed my brows and looked up at him. “Well that’s vague.” I said and he chuckled. “You said your grandmother has land out there.” I nodded. “Yeah but that’s all it is, just land.” He hummed. “We could drive out and take the airstream.” He said but I shook my head. “It'll take us 3 days at the earliest to get out there.” I responded. “Well, what if we flew and stayed at a hotel?” He asked and I thought. This was in a tiny town in the middle of the smoky mountains, it didn’t exactly have a Hilton. “There is a little Inn in town. I can call tomorrow and see if they have anything available.” I said and he nodded. “Why don’t we go two weeks from now? I’ll be free to do anything and everything I want.” He said, his voice going an octave lower as he pulled me close and nudged his nose against mine. “I’ll call tomorrow.” I said and he nodded before pressing his lips to mine. 

“Hey, where are you going?” Bob asked as I got up from the table we were eating at. “I gotta make a call.” I said as I walked outside. I found the number for the Inn and pressed the call button. “Black Bear Inn, how may I help you?” A thick feminine southern accent answered the phone. “Hi, I was wondering if you have any rooms available for the night of the nineteenth and twentieth?” I said as I crossed my free arm over my chest. “Let me just look.” She said and it was quiet. “I have our sunset room available. It’s got its own balcony and you get the most beautiful view of the sky up there.” She said and I nodded. “We’ll take it.” I said, a grin growing on my face. “Alright and how many adults and children will be with you?” She asked. “Just me and my fiance. No kids.” I replied. “Alright, the total for two nights is two hundred and eighteen dollars. I’ll just need some info and a card number. I gave her the info and made my way back to the hangar. Lunch was over now and I knew everyone was headed back there. 

“Where did you disappear to?” Hangman asked as he slid up next to me. “Just booking a trip for Rooster and I.” I said and he chuckled. “Where to? If he has anything to do with it, it’ll be Hawaii.” He said and I chuckled because usually, he’d be right. “No actually, we’re going to the Great Smoky Mountains.” I said and he furrowed his brows. “Wasn’t that where your grandmother lived?” He asked and I nodded. “Yeah, the house burned down not long after she died. But it’ll be nice to go back out there for a weekend.” I said and he nodded as we walked in. “Hey Mav.” I said, walking over to him. He turned to me and smiled. “Ready for your hop?” He asked and I nodded. “I am, but I’m going to need next Friday off.” I said and he raised a brow. “That’s a little short notice isn’t it?” He asked and I nodded. “It’s the trip Rooster and I are going on. We’ll just be gone for the weekend.” I said as I pulled my helmet from its bag. “I’ll see if I can swing it.” He said with a wink. “You better. I just paid for it.” He just laughed at me. “If you can beat me in the sky, I can guarantee it.” He said and I held my hand out for him to shake. He stared at it for a moment before grasping my hand and shaking it. “You’re on.” 

“You really beat Mav in a one on two?” Bradley asked as I reheated some leftovers. “You say that like you’re surprised.” I gave him an angry look as I turned to face him and put my hand on my hip. “What?! No! No, honey I know you can do these things I was just… just…” I started laughing at his stuttering. “It’s okay, honey. I surprised myself too.” The panic washed from his face and he visibly relaxed. “Don’t scare me like that.” He said and I giggled. “Oh come on, it was fun!” I said and he shook his head. “Yeah, for you! I was scared!” He said, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “Oh but I did get the nineteenth off and I booked us a room at the Inn in town.” I said and he grinned at me. “Then I will book our flight.” He said and I turned to face him, my arms going around his shoulders. “And I will call Penny and see if Amelia can watch the dogs while we’re gone.” He nodded and kissed me before disappearing from the room. 

I grabbed my phone and dialed Penny’s number. “Hello?” She answered. “Hi Penny.” I said as I grabbed some spices from the cabinet. “Hey! What are you up to?” She asked. “Making dinner.” I replied as I sprinkled some seasonings on the brussel sprouts I was putting in the oven. “Me too.” She responded. “So I called with a question.” I said and she chuckled. “Shoot.” “Bradley and I are going to Tennessee on the nineteenth and we’ll fly back on the twenty-first, and we were wondering if Amelia would be free to watch the dogs?” I asked. “I think so, but I’ll double check with her. Can I get back to you?” She asked and agreed. Soon we said our goodbyes and dinner was almost ready. I quickly finished it up and Bradley came to join me at the table. “So can Amelia do it?” He asked and I shrugged. “Penny is going to ask and get back with me.” I said and he nodded, pulling my chair out. “What if she can’t?” He asked before he grinned at me. “We could let Coyote stay with them.” I glared at him after I sat down. “I love Coyote. I do. But the man does not know the first thing about taking care of two dogs.” I said and he chuckled. “Yeah, he always struck me as more of a cat guy myself.” He said and we laughed because it wasn’t true. “We could ask Bob to do it, or Nat and Hangman.” I suggested and he raised his eyebrows at me. “I do not want those two fucking in our bed.” He said and I rolled my eyes. “We do have a guest room, you know.” 

Penny called me the next day so I wandered over to Nat and Hangman. “Can I ask y’all a favor?” They both turned to me with a raised brow. “I don’t know. I’m not one to do favors.” Hangman said and I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “Bradley and I are going out of town next Friday and we’ll be gone all weekend. Amelia usually watches the dogs but she can’t this time so I was wondering if y’all would?” I asked and they immediately nodded. “Of course.” Nat said and I smiled at her before yanking her into a hug. “Thank you!” I said excitedly. Now that I knew everything was taken care of I was getting excited about our trip. After an exhausting day at work I showered and went home to Bradley. As soon as I hit the door he turned and smiled at me from his spot on the couch. “Welcome home.” He said. He was lounging on the couch in only his boxers and he opened his arms for me and I slowly laid on top of him. “How was your day?” He asked before kissing my head. “Exhausting.” I huffed and he chuckled. “Do you need a nap?” He asked and I nodded against his chest. “Yes, now don’t move and snuggle with me.” I demanded and he just chuckled, holding me tightly to him.

I woke up about half an hour later and didn’t dare move. I was comfy and didn’t want to let him go. So I laid there, fighting to keep my eyes open until I felt Bradley hand rubbing my back. “You awake?” I asked and he hummed. “Do we have to move?” He asked and I shook my head. “Nope.” I said and he chuckled. “Why don’t we order pizza for dinner?” He asked, grabbing his phone. “I love that idea.” I said as he put the order in. “Oh, Amelia can’t watch the dogs so Hangman and Phoenix will.” I said and he sighed. “They’re sleeping in the guest room.” He said and I rolled my eyes. “Yes, they know that.” I said and he chuckled. “So I guess that means we should get packing because we leave at seven in the morning next Friday.” He said and I sighed. “You mean I still have to be up at the crack of dawn?” I asked and he chuckled. “You can sleep on the plane and in the car.” He said and I raised a brow at him. “You’re not driving from the airport.” I said and he raised a brow at me. “I’ve been released to drive!” He said and I huffed. “I know, but it’s a two hour drive to town from the airport and it’s all back roads.” I said and he sighed. “It’s just easier if I do it.” I said and he loudly sighed. “Fine! I guess I’ll let you drive even though you should be passenger princess.” He said and I laughed loudly. “I’m the passenger princess here at home, I can handle driving for a weekend.” I said and he chuckled. “That’s okay, you’ll be at my mercy in the hotel room.” He said, kissing my neck. “Oh god, I can’t wait.” I moaned, melting into a puddle as I lay on him.

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Taglist: @mak-32 @rosiahills22 @fanboyswhore9 @kmc1989 @sunderland-6 @mygyn @halstead-severide-fan

[fangirlingfromdownunder]

Comfort in a Quiet Afternoon

Summary - Part 53 in the Comfort series

Pairing - Dean Winchester x Reader, Reader x Sam (platonic), Reader x Bobby (father-figure), Andre (OG Character) x Reader (best friends), Garth x Bess, Sam x Eileen

Series Masterlist | Masterlist

When you, Dean and Destiny get back to the bunker, Sam is busy in the kitchen cooking a fancy meal to impress this mystery huntress he’s planning a future with. You get anxious when you see all the vegetables, salad and lean meat. You know neither your husband nor your adopted daughter will eat any of that. Truthfully, it’s not your favourite either, but you’d eat it to impress Sam’s girlfriend. From the doorway you ask, “Is this for a romantic dinner for two?”

“Huh?” Sam says, flustered. He flicks his attention between you and the salad he’s currently tossing.

You step into the room and lean against a clear part of the bench. “Dean told me about Eileen and your plan. I think it sounds great and I can’t wait to meet her.”

“She’s great. We’re just taking it slow. I went on a solo hunt a while ago and found her there. She was already on the job, hunting the thing that killed her family; a banshee. It also left her deaf. But she’s so strong, independent and badass, much like yourself.”

“Sam…”

“I know. You only have eyes for Dean. I get it. That’s why I knew I had to move on. Then I met her. It’s not about the similarities, it’s just she knows what it’s like. She gets the life too and the toll. And I’m glad you and Dean are moving on to a better life, but I’m not sure I can just yet, and she’s only just got her revenge and is still finding her footing after that. So I don’t know what our chances are, but I just want to see where it goes. I fell hard and fast for Jess and Amelia, I don’t want to do that again.”

“We rarely get to choose who we fall for, Sam. If she’s the one, you’ll know.”

“I hope so.”

You nod towards the salad that is well and truly tossed now. “So, you know Dean and Destiny won’t touch that, or anything you’ve cooked for that matter.”

“I know…”

You nod. “You just tell us when you want us gone and when to return. But I would love to meet her.”

“Thank you.”

“Optimism looks good on you, Sam,” you say as you turn around to leave him to his cooking. You catch the smile that eclipses his face as you turn the corner. Smiling to yourself you continue down the hall to the Dean cave where you can hear muffled voices. You stand in the doorway watching Dean and Destiny playfully fight over the TV remote. Dean tickles her and she bursts out laughing as she tries to squirm out of his reach. Eventually, you decide to make your presence known. You push off the door frame and say, “If you guys can’t agree peacefully then it must be my turn to choose.”

“No! I wanna watch Totoro!” Destiny whines.

“And Dean?”

“The new season of Game of Thrones just came out on Netflix…”

“And you think that’s appropriate to watch with Destiny?”

“I was here first! She just came in.”

“And who’s the adult here?”

“Fine,” he lets go of the remote with a sigh. “She can watch Totoro again…”

Destiny grips the remote but frowns. “I’m sorry.” She holds the remote out to Dean. “I can play in my room.”

You get ready to step in, but Dean takes the remote from her before pulling her onto his lap and hugging her tight. He turns on the TV, searches for My Neighbor Totoro and presses play. She lights up as she hears the opening music. He spins her around so she can watch, with her back leaning against his chest. She looks back at him confused.

“We watching or what?” he asks with a smile. 

“But…”

He pats the spot on the couch beside him, so you join them. You rest your head on Dean’s shoulder and he moves one arm to rest around you. 

“Being a parent means making sacrifices and compromises. My dad never got that. I’m not him. My family is always going to come first. I can watch my show later.”

“Thank you,” you whisper into his neck.

He nods and kisses your head before you all go quiet and focus on the movie that you’ve seen multiple times now. You all eventually drift off.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

When you wake up the TV is dark. You check Dean’s watch for the time: 3:30. Your stomach growls. You carefully get up trying your best to not disturb Dean and Destiny who are still sleeping and go out in search of Sam. You find him sitting at a table in the library reading something on his laptop.

“Got an ETA for Eileen?”

“Around six.”

“You want us gone before then?”

“You don’t have to be. But yeah, may be easier if you are and then just come back after dessert…”

“Sounds good. I’ll wake up the napsters and then we can go get some ice cream or something and go to the park. I want to start trying to get her to play with other kids anyway. She’s acting like a normal kid mostly anyway, but I just want to make sure she won’t act out around other kids. Then we can go out somewhere for dinner. We’ll have our own family afternoon and night and come back when you text.”

“Are you sure? I feel bad about kicking you guys out.”

“It’s fine, besides, I offered. And we really do need to start doing more normal things like this as a family if we want to get out.”

“Alright. Thanks Y/N.”

You nod and walk back down the hall. You make a quick detour to go to the bathroom, and tidy your hair from your nap before going back to the Dean cave to wake up the rest of your family. The last thing you want is to startle Dean and have him go into self-defense hunting mode, so you come in quietly and sit on the couch sideways facing him. You softly run your hand through his hair and kiss his cheek. “It’s time to wake up, baby.” You then lean down and place a kiss on Destiny’s head from where she’s snuggled into Dean’s embrace. 

After a few minutes they finally start to stir. Once Dean’s almost fully awake and alert again he leans over and pecks your lips. Destiny blinks up at you as Dean keeps his arms wrapped around her securely. 

“Good evening, my two sleepyheads. How do the two of you feel about going out? Get a treat, maybe go to the park? And then dinner?” You ask slowly and carefully, making sure not to overwhelm them so soon after waking up.

“What about dinner here? Eileen?” Dean asks.

“Dinner here is only for two. We’ll come back and meet her after. I’ve already talked to Sam.”

“He’s been around for most of our dates, always C-blocking me. How come he gets privacy?”

“Dean,” you chastise him, as you flick your eyes down to Destiny warning him about his language. “Neither of you will eat what he’s cooked anyway. It’s rabbit food.”

“Fine,” he says with a sigh.

“Come on, would it really be so bad to go out with just the three of us for some family time?”

“No, it’s just not fair.”

“Life rarely is, suck it up.” You tickle Destiny’s foot that’s resting on the couch beside you. “You wanna come out with us?” She nods, Dean releases his grip and she climbs off his lap. “Alright, go put on some shoes and a jacket, okay?”

“Okay,” she says before scurrying off down the hall.

Dean leans over and kisses you deeply. When he pulls back he quietly asks, “you think once we get back maybe we could finally spend some time just the two of us, in bed? Let me worship this sex body?” He runs his hands down your sides.

“We’ll see. I can’t promise you anything, Dean. It depends on how Destiny goes. And how tired we both are after this evening.”

“I promise I won’t be too tired. And you don’t have to do a thing. Just relax and let me make you feel good.”

“We’ll see. I know you miss sex, but we just have to be more careful about getting caught now. It’s one thing having Sam or Cas walk in, but Destiny? She’s a child, I won’t risk scarring her like that. Plus, I don’t want the awkward conversation that follows.”

“Yeah, me either.”

“Come on, she’ll be ready soon. We need to get ready too.” You take his hand and pull him to stand up and then you both go to your room to put on a jacket and shoes, just as you’d told Destiny to do.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Tag list: (Leave a like or comment on this post or let me know below if you want to be added to the tag list for this series)

@bitchwitch1981, @muhahaha303, @justrealizedimmascifygurl, @mcdowell-123, @leigh70, @marvelsmarauder, @losa12308, @tapedeck-hearts, @luvjaida, @peachtxa, @ambearsstuff, @shadow-of-a-cloud, @slut-for-buck, @iprobablyshipit91, @sassy-pelican, @fallenlilangel99, @heavenlyhopeful0, @nelachu2423, @ladysparkles78, @canyouimaginethatstory, @mrlonelycat, @roseblue373, @staley83

[cianmarstoo]

fuck it friday

cause i got distracted before i could post this on wednesday hahaha so here's a look at the family dinner party with Amelia and Carolyn Shepherd visiting the family in Seattle, with Meredith acting all perky, and Alex having undiagnosed adhd

Alex fidgeted in his seat at the dining table, it was done up with a tablecloth, and candles which he’d been told multiple times he wasn’t allowed to touch, and had now been moved fully away from him. The table was completely full, both with chairs around the table, with people, and with food filling up the table.  His mommy was still smiling looking very weird: it wasn’t her usual smile, he liked his mommy’s normal smile, and how she would usually roll her eyes, and joke and talk, but now she was talking all… high and too happy, and giggling, and agreeing with everything his Grammy said, it was just… wrong. It wasn’t his mommy.   There was also some gross fish on the table taking his attention. His daddy had tried to encourage him to have some, telling him the salmon would be good for his brain, but had given up when Alex had made barfing noises. So instead his plate had been loaded up with some of the pasta and meatballs and garlic bread. Jackson and April both had some of both the salmon and the pasta.  He pulled his tongue out as April ate some salmon.  “It’s yummy, Alex,” she insisted, “and it’s so-fiscal-rated.” “It’s gross.” “This one’s nice,” Jackson told him diplomatically, “an’ uncle Derek maked it, you like uncle Derek’s cookin’.” “Nuh uh, he maked salad and yucky broccoli,” Alex protested, “only spastgetti good.” April glared at him, “That’s ‘cause you’re a baby.” “No I’m not!” “You’re babier than me.” “He’s not a baby,” Jackson frowned at her, “that’s not nice April.” “He is littler than me and you though,” she protested, her cheeks were now bright pink and burning.  “You’re eatin’ Nemo!” “NO I AM NOT! YOU’RE A DUMB BABY!” Alex didn’t bother with words: He didn’t like how everyone was acting weird, Mark and Owen were acting nervous, his mommy was broken, his Grammy was frowning at his mommy like she didn’t understand her, and even his daddy was being weird, he kept looking at Amelia who was trying to avoid looking at him, which was weird because Alex liked her a lot- she was good at building towers and good at making them fall, which made her one of Alex’s new favourite people.  Then there was April, calling Alex a dumb baby.  That was the breaking point.  Alex didn’t bother with words.  He grabbed one of the meatballs from his plate and threw it at April, hitting her on the face.  Everyone fell silent. “Al-” April picked up some of her salmon, throwing it at her cousin across the table, but Alex ducked down, and the salmon hit Jackson.  Jackson didn’t hesitate, throwing salad at both April and Alex.  Before any of the adults could do anything the three littles started to throw food across the table, hitting each other and the adults at the table. Their dads all tried to say their names to get them to stop, but they were all ignored. “Stop this, right now!” 

tagging @anewkindofme and @alessiankarev and literally anyone else who wants to do it!

[siriusuntiltheveryend]

When in Greece

main pairing: Lily Evans x James Potter, multiple pairings.

summary: Lily Evans finds herself bored, and restless a few weeks before school starts and decides to go with Marlene, the Marauders and few others to Greece. While she’s there she decides to open herself up to things she never considered before.

warnings: 18+, smut, vaginal fingering, oral sex (f to f), oral sex (m to f) blow job, vaginal sex, multiple orgasms, threesomes, voyeurism.

a/n: had an idea went from a one shot to a series. Hope you all like it

PART II:

The house was unfucking believable.

If it could even be called a house. Lily’s house had three tight bedrooms and 2 and a half baths with a little yard for her father’s roses. This house was built into a cliffside just outside of Rodia with 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a private pool looking out to the sea. Lily didn’t even know what sea it was but it didn’t matter. All she could do was stare at it in pure amazement.

“It looks even better at night,” Sirius told her, already in his swim trunks.

“Is this place yours?” Lily asked him in awe, not looking away from the sea for a second. It seemed to go on forever.

Sirius shook his head. “Just a rental villa, but everything is included so write down anything you need on the list in the kitchen.”

Lily smiled and said, “thank you.”

“I’m glad you came. I didn’t think you would,” Sirius told her.

Lily lowered her voice and shrugged. “He has flattened mostly and we’re going to have to work with each other this year a lot anyway… Though, even if I did still hate him, I would get over it for this.”

“Never been abroad?”

She shook her head, “not really. Like road trips around the UK but my family aren’t really explorers. They like to stay in the area. They think money is better spent on their home.”

“Huh,” Sirius shrugged.

Lily said, “yeah, I don’t agree. You can save for things for both I think. Although, I think I’d live in a box to wake up to something like this every once in a while.”

“A woman after my own heart Evans,” Sirius smiled.

“Yeah,” Lily snorted and teased him sarcastically, “this is definitely a box.”

“Maybe a touch nicer,” Sirius grinned before he said, “you should head in, everyone is getting changed.”

Lily nodded, going into the room she was sharing with Marlene.

An hour later, she was in a tankini, laying out on a taco floatie as the sun heated up her severely sunscreen soaked skin. She laid in it until the sun started to go down and they all sat around the table with salads and gyros.

“Okay, some games,” Marlene giggled in her blue halter bikini as they started finishing up.

“I think we need some seven minutes in heaven to start us off,” Sirius snickered.

Amelia said, “Okay, but everyone gets a free veto without recourse.”

“How do we do that?” Dirk asked, furrowing his thick eyebrows.

Lily wondered that too. If they spun the bottle everyone would know they skipped, which would be beyond embarassing. But the other red head seemed to have an idea. “We write our names, put it in a hat, then if we don’t feel that would be comfortable, we grab another back, no harm, no foul,” Amelia suggested.

James teased her, “you just don’t want to get me.”

“Yeah, I don’t think you could handle how much I’d steam up those glasses Potter,” Amelia winked at him.

Sirius had the best handwriting so he filled out everyone’s name on little scraps of paper before he put it into the hat. Lily bit her lip with a mixture of excitement and nerves. She had never played this game. They either happened when she had a boyfriend so she didn’t engage or well after she left parties. She debated who she would veto if she got the opportunity and honestly it wasn’t as many people as she thought. After all, if it was Marlene she was pretty sure they would just say they did something and do nothing.

Sirius went first. He got Amelia and the two joined hands before they went into the little pool storage area.

“I hope there’s enough space in there,” Lily giggled.

James said, “all of these chairs aren’t there. I’m sure it’s fine.”

Sirius and Amelia returned, cheeks flushed and smirks plastered to their faces. Lily wondered if they just snogged or more. Seven minutes wasn’t really a lot of time to do anything but what did she know? Gideon was… okay. He did the job but there was always something a little clumsy in his approach that made her fight to stay focused. Sirius and Amelia didn’t seem like clumsy people.

“Lily, you’re up,” Marlene handed her the hat.

Lily teased, “sorry, if I get either one of you and you need a minute.”

“We understand that we’re in high demand,” Sirius winked at her arrogantly.

Lily laughed a little, some of the tension leaving before she reached in and picked up the first name. It was Caradoc. She thought about it. He was bulky, shorter than the other guys with ashy blonde hair and dimples. Cute, hot even, but a little part of her was curious what the other option would be. So she put it back.

“OOOOOH!” Sirius howled with Dirk and Dorcas.

She picked again and this time she got Dorcas. Lily laughed and put Dorcas’s slip on the table.

“Shot for courage,” Sirius handed her a firewhiskey.

Lily downed it with Dorcas, sighing harshly as she felt it burn down her body. A few seconds after though, she felt a little less self-conscious and went with it when Dorcas put her hand out and walked her over to the shed. Lily did giggle though when Dorcas shut the door. It was a nervous giggle though she was almost 100 percent sure the most Dorcas would do was give her a peck and an ass slap on the way out.

Dorcas sat down close to her, closer than Lily expected. Then she took a strand of Lily’s auburn hair and slipped it behind her ear, her fingers brushing against Lily’s skin as gently as possible. Lily bit back a gasp, unsure why. But in the darkness she could only really make out hints of Dorcas, mostly just her eyes.

“I want to try something, okay?” Dorcas whispered.

Lily nodded before she could think twice about it. And then she felt Dorcas sweeping the hair off her neck, her fingers trailing from the hollow of her neck to her shoulder. She made this motion over and over again until every goosebump rose to greet her. Lily found herself arching and tilting to encourage her only to feel Dorcas’s lips replacing her touch.

A gasp left her before she could stop it.

Lily was almost embarrassed how loud the gasp had been. Did it seem like she was desperate? Did it seem like she was hard up? Both had become a little true but before she could worry about that, Dorcas took Lily’s hair into her hand and used it to tilt her head to the side so her lips could go up her neck.

“Fuck,” Lily gasped, this time less shamefully.

Dorcas never kissed her lips, but when the timer went off, she had kissed every inch of Lily’s neck and shoulders.

Dorcas whispered, “told you it was fun.”

Then she helped Lily up and walked out with her.

Lily was still buzzing, her heart hammering in her chest as she walked. Everyone was ooohing and ahhhing, but Lily just blushed and tried to stop thinking about what would have happened if she shifted or done something back to Dorcas. She didn’t even know what. But the idea had been planted and now she couldn’t look at Dorcas’s without scanning her body and thinking of more.

Remus went next and he got Dorcas too. Lily wondered if she was going to do the same thing to him or if she’d go even further. It wasn’t until they returned that Lily was forced to refocus because James was picked and he put her name down.

Lily laughed and stood up, teasingly pushing him to the shed. “Let’s get this over with, Potter.”

“So eager,” James teased her back. When they got inside, he shut the door and told her, “We can just sit here-”

Lily almost agreed.

They had gotten to a good place. She had let go of how shitty he used to be when he showed he wasn’t like that anymore and he learned from it. And he in turn stopped crudely hitting on her and acting like she was the one with a problem. It wasn’t immediate or easy but sixth year had been good for them. Which meant she should have left it like that. They could sit in the dark, let the others think what they wanted while they caught up or made up another game to fill the time.

But… she was restless after Dorcas’s lips traced over her body. And seeing the way everyone else was playing around without worrying about the rules, made her kind of want to too.

“Actually I want to try something, close your eyes,” Lily told him boldly before she could stop herself.

The shock flickered in his hazel eyes as he assessed her. “What are you going to-”

“You will like it,” Lily insisted in a quiet tone.

He tilted his head at her before he closed his eyes and waited.

Lily could tell he still wasn’t quite sure what she would do so she added, “keep your hands where they are.”

“Okay,” James said.

Lily climbed into his lap and tilted his chin up. He had such a good jawline. Sharp, strong. It perfectly matched his ever growing shoulders. And before she could tell herself how bad of an idea this was she started kissing from his collar bone up to the tip of his chin. She let her hair brush against his skin and smirked at the way his breathing shifted when she did. His breaths were heavy and shaky, and every trip he made seemed to make it worse.

She felt his arms tense to stop from grabbing her and Lily smirked into his skin, “stay still, Potter.”

Lily’s lips were soft and careful, determined to leave him wondering if he imagined the whole thing the way Dorcas had to her. When she saw it was getting closer, she started lining her tongue up his throat knowing he would think of something else. Sure enough, he hardened underneath her. Lily felt him so clearly with the limited swim fabric separating them. But she reminded him. “If you move at all, I’ll stop.”

She started sucking a little on his neck, groaning a little into his skin as she rolled her hips. Everything was slight. Everything was enough to keep him but not enough to go anywhere. Then the alarm went off and Lily pushed herself off his lap, whispering in his ear. “Let’s go Potter.”

Then she opened the door before he could retaliate at all. And the rush of power was the highest high she’d ever felt.

Lily understood perfectly why Dorcas did everything she did. Having someone dangling, filled with lust, begging and pleading for more was intoxicating and when she sat down she didn’t have to look at James to know when he jacked off next he’d be thinking about her for the next week at least.

She wasn’t picked for a few more people before Sirius put one back and put her down second. Lily was beyond curious what he would do, but laughed hard when they got inside and Sirius asked her, “what did you do to James? He’s eyeing you like you gave him a blow job.”

Lily giggled and said, “no, I kissed his neck. I didn’t even kiss his lips.”

“You saucy minx,” Sirius gasped at her playfully.

“Well,” Lily admitted, “Dorcas did something like that to me and I was still worked up so I kind of wanted to get that over someone else.”

Sirius nodded, “fair enough, fair enough.”

“Who was your first person?”

“James,” Sirius laughed. “I wasn’t dragging that man in here.”

Lily smirked, “I am a hard act to follow.”

“I know that pun was intentional Lily and that makes it so much sadder that you got to him so well,” Sirius laughed.

“Okay, we’re clearly not making out, but can I have a shoulder massage for a minute and then I’ll give you one? I have a knot in my back like no other,” Lily suggested, shifting around so he could work on it.

“See, this I could work with,” Sirius teased her.

When their time was up they both left looking very relaxed, much to the amusement of the others. Lily though, kept thinking about the other two. Dorcas smirked at her every time she caught her looking and James eyes raked through her when she looked anywhere near her direction.

By the time everyone started to separate for different things, Lily found herself wandering into Dorcas’s room. Dorcas was sharing with Emma but Emma had fallen asleep on the couch already, so Lily didn’t worry too much about it. Though she did worry a little that Dorcas might have felt it was only a fun thing and not a follow up thing. Just because she brought up threesomes and kissing a few days earlier didn’t mean it was an invitation.

Dorcas erased all doubt though when she saw her, smirked hard and said, “not done?”

Lily shook her head sheepishly.

Dorcas took her hand delicately and brought her to the bed. Lily didn’t wait. The second Dorcas sat down next to her, she cupped her face and drew her in for a kiss. Lily half-expected the thrill to die down when she kissed Dorcas but it didn’t.

In fact, it got so much worse.

Lily hadn’t changed, so she was just pressing her swim suit against Dorcas’s as their lips pressed eagerly against each other. Dorcas’s tongue split her lips, earning a groan from Lily as Dorcas dominated her easily and thoroughly. She found herself feeling for the string on Dorcas’s bikini, then she tugged on the bottoms and the top. It was braver than she was prepared to act on it but Dorcas seemed to sense that as she pushed her back and stripped her top and bottom off too.

Laying back, naked, wet and panting, Lily gripped the sheets in anticipation. They hadn’t shut the door. Anyone could walk by and see them and something about that added to the tension. Especially because she knew Remus and James had the room across the hall. Lily thought about how he would feel about catching her like this. Would he do something about it or simply watch?

Lily almost lost all inhibitions and started doing something about it. This was mad. This was insane, and it would have been completely out of control if she started touching herself without Dorcas even being involved.

But then she felt lips trailing up her thigh and gasped so loudly she worried the whole house would hear her. Dorcas didn’t seem to care. In fact, it almost seemed like her goal. Lily could tell she had become a conquest of sorts, and instead of feeling negatively about that she felt so much more turned on.

She wanted to be someone that it was an accomplishment to take. Gideon was all about looking in her eyes and asking her if it felt good, which should have been amazing but inherently made every response feel forced or like she had to prove she was enjoying herself. This was the opposite of that. Dorcas knew what to do. Where to kiss, where to touch, where to linger. She needed no guidance from Lily whatsoever. By the time Dorcas’s mouth was almost to her core, Lily was fighting every urge to drag her there.

“Doe… please,” Lily finally begged, her hips bucking, and squirming from the, at this point, hours of foreplay.

“Shhhh… be patient,” Dorcas told her, sucking on her inner thigh until she made a mark.

Lily heard a noise, and looked over to see Remus watching them. It should have made her cover herself up. Remus was her friend. It wasn't like that between them. She’d never even thought about him like that but something made her not care. Something made it even hotter that someone was watching what was happening. And it didn’t hurt that the second Lily saw him Dorcas licked up her clit with such precision Lily started gasping out and gripping Dorcas’s hair.

“Like that,” Lily even squeaked.

“Harder,” Remus’s voice demanded from somewhere in the room.

Lily’s hips jolted up at the sound of his voice, the reminder that someone was watching and enjoying what they were seeing.

Lily knew she was a toy they were using but she didn’t care. In fact, she loved it. It wasn’t something she could do often or maybe even ever again but in this circumstance, she loved how Dorcas toyed with her to get to Remus. How every suck every nip was to earn something.

She was arching off the bed, her hips bucking to meet Dorcas’s lips eagerly until she felt Dorcas ease her fingers in. Then Lily had to cover her mouth to stop from crying out while her other hand clawed into the sheets, desperate for the relief that every coil of her stomach threatened to release.

Then Dorcas’s fingers curled just right as she sucked on Lily’s clit and Lily broke. She came hard, squirming and gasping into her own hand. When she stopped shaking she realized Dorcas wasn’t on her anymore but was undressing Remus.

Lily watched them for a couple of seconds, panting to herself before she found her swimsuit and shakily reattached it as she slipped out.

Stumbling into her room with Marlene she found it empty. Some of the others were probably still at the pool or watching the movie, or hell having their own orgy for all she knew. Lily still couldn’t believe what just happened. She stepped into the shower and sighed as she let the water rinse over her.

For a few minutes, she stood there in shock, reliving every heated moment before she washed up, rinsed off and got out. By the time she got dressed and got into bed, Marlene was passed out on her side of the bed. A fact Lily was thankful for because she wasn’t sure if she could explain herself even if she wanted to.

[darthstitch]

Down in the Underground

Kids were creepy sometimes.

Sarah likes kids just fine, which is why she works at a nursery. It helps pay for her additional schooling and the rest of the bills. She knows perfectly well that one must answer the imaginary telephone, drink the pretend tea, exclaim at the deliciousness of the flower and rock salad and, of course, praise the drawings as masterpieces of art.

But sometimes, kids said and did the darndest and the creepiest things. Like the time her baby brother Toby, at 2 years old, talked about the "pitty lady" visiting him at night.

The "pitty lady" was Grandma Amelia, who died just two months before Toby was born. They'd figured it out when he kept reaching for a picture of their grandmother in her younger years.

There was also the time her cousin Anne's little girl once said, "I don't like this house, Mummy. I got sick here when I was an old lady and nobody came to help me."

Her cousins later learned that the house they were planning to buy used to belong to an old woman who died alone, as she'd been estranged from her family. Needless to say, Anne and her husband looked for a different house.

And there was Daniel, her next door neighbor Lyta's baby, who Sarah and her flatmate watched over sometimes when the usual babysitter wasn't available. Daniel was the sweetest little man, sunny-tempered and generally well-behaved, who had just discovered the wonders of crawling. Crawling, not walking, although Sarah figures with those strong little legs of his, it was definitely going to be a thing in the very near future.

So Sarah puts the kid down in his crib, for his nap, right? And her flatmate insists that they bring the crib out to the living room, just to make sure they always have an eye on him. No big deal - a healthy dose of paranoia where little kids were concerned didn't hurt anyone.

And without fail, once he's awake, she finds sand all over the crib and in his pockets. His mum complains about the exact same thing. She's pretty sure the kid's clean when she puts him down for his nap. But yeah. Sand. Go figure.

Her flatmate is no help at all. The first time this happened, Calliope just stared down at Daniel, who gazed back up at her with big innocent eyes and then, she muttered something in exasperation that sounded like "Ohneeross!" and then she laughed.

And then, Calliope tells her not to worry about the sand. They'll just sweep it away.

Now, it's this drawing by little Holly Wheeler. She's another sweet kid and usually did everything in bright pinks and purples. Her drawings are usually a riotous explosion of rainbow colors, which is typical for a little girl like her. And now, right in the middle of the pinks, magentas, yellows and purples, is a tall pale figure dressed entirely in black, with black messy hair and pure black eyes ringed with blue, except for where Holly attempted to draw yellow stars in them.

"Holly, who's this?"

"Oh, that's Mister Sandman."

Now, Sarah knows her fairy tales and nursery rhymes and she's very up to date on kids' cartoons. The last time she checked, the Sandman didn't look like Slenderman's Creepy Cousin. "Mister Sandman? He looks a bit scary, doesn't he? Looks a bit like Mister Nightmare to me."

Holly looked completely offended. "He's not scary at all! He makes pretty dreams and he sings with me and he even sent me the monster under my bed so I wouldn't be scared when Mummy turns off the light!" A beat. "His name is Mister Jargogle."

***

"My Lord?"

His Darkness, the King of All Night's Dreaming, was rather engrossed in the crafting of a new dream, so he might be forgiven for sounding a little distracted. "Yes, Lucienne, what is it?"

"There… have been an unusual amount of youthful visitors to the Castle lately."

"Hm."

"Not that I mind seeing little ones around but -- "

"Oh, Lucienne, is there another one of those dragonfish brabbles making nests in the library shelves? I'll have Mervyn put them in Fiddler's Green or… hmm… just a moment -- " A pale hand waved gracefully and a rather short, fuzzy-looking red-orange nightmare with golfball eyes appeared. "This is Snottor. I've been meaning to send him along to help you."

"Wakka wakka!" The Nightmare greeted.

There's a flap of wings as Matthew settles down on Morpheus' shoulder. The raven was rather proud that he'd finally gotten shoulder-perching privileges and made use of it whenever he could. "Hey, is that a Muppet?"

Lucienne shook her head. "I appreciate the addition to my staff, my lord, but the children -- "

"Children are often in and out of the Dreaming, Lucienne. I rather enjoy tending to their dreams; childhood is when much of their imagination and creativity are shaped and formed."

"Wakka wakka!"

"He looks a little bit like Fozzy Bear," said Matthew, flapping down to inspect the new Nightmare a little bit closely. "I always loved the Muppets. Kermit's always gonna be my main frog, y'know?"

"The children," said Lucienne, deciding that now was a good time to polish off her glasses, "all know you by name, my lord. And not through the stories you inspire, but they know you quite well."

"Wakka wakka!"

"Help!" Matthew cawed. "It's gonna eat me!"

***

Sarah might have forgotten all about Holly's grimdark Mister Sandman, chalking it up to a little girl's overactive imagination.

But here he was again, in another child's drawing.

This time, it was little Gregory Martens, who was in her afternoon class. He was a thin, quiet, withdrawn little boy, who usually shrank back from the rough-housing of the other children, preferring to draw or read quietly in a corner of the room. His mother had told Sarah that Gregory was especially close to his father, though he didn't see the man often, as he was in the military.

"This is Mister Sandman," Gregory explains. "I have bad dreams, sometimes. Usually about my Da." He sniffs. "I don't want him to come home in a box, like the way Mandy's mumma did last year."

"Does he make the bad dreams go away, Gregory?" Sarah asks him. Her heart hurts when he mentions "the box" and she pats his shoulder comfortingly.

Another sniff. Sarah hands him a tissue and helps him blow his nose. "Mister Sandman says that sometimes you just have to face the bad stuff in your dreams. I guess that means I gotta be brave, like my Da. Sometimes, Mister Sandman just walks me away from the box and just tells me stories."

"What stories?"

"I don't remember all of it when I wake up. But I think I will, one day."

***

Hob Gadling doesn't mind the damage to his clothes. He's watching his son, Robyn, finally making that important milestone from crawling to walking. The baby is clearly trying to stand up on his own, pushing up against the floor with chubby fists.

Finally, he makes it to a full standing position and Hob kneels, boisterously encouraging his boy onwards. Every detail of Robyn's face is so clear, the bright blue eyes that he'd inherited from his mother, the flaxen hair, the rosy, chubby cheeks. The little one takes one step and then another and then another, until he comes right to his father's arms. Hob sweeps him up bellowing with joy and the baby shrieks happily with him.

It is much, much later that Eleanor indulgently plucks the baby from his father's arms, because it's time for his nap and Robyn will be ill-tempered without it. Hob steps back and knows, without having to look, that Dream is there, right beside him.

"Thank you, love," Hob tells him, his voice thick. "I'd near forgotten what my boy looked like."

"It is the child's birthday today, is it not?" Dream draws him close and they take a moment just to breathe in each other's scent, before they sink into each other's embrace.

Hob's face is wet with tears when he wakes up but Dream is still there in his arms, waiting for him. There are whispered words of love and a sharing of memories and the deepest grief. There are clasped hands and kisses exchanged.

In the end, there is warmth, comfort and consolation.

***

Sarah sees the drawing of "Mister Sandman" again in another child's drawing, from the primary school classes, which were just next door to the nursery. He's in a few more drawings, as well, from different children, but the depiction is eerily the same - the tall slender figure always in black, amidst a riot of colors.

It was, she suddenly realizes, an honest-to-God meme among the nursery and primary school set. It was a freakin' creepypasta come to life.

Of course she takes pictures. Of course she asks the kids about the drawings, when she can. A dream of being a lady knight, riding to adventure on a dragon. A dream about the monsters in the closet or under the bed, or for one child, the monster who kept him company in his cupboard bedroom under the stairs. That one led to social services swooping in and taking the poor little boy away to finally live with his doting godparents, instead of the aunt who had so cruelly neglected him.

And then, she reads this story by her classmate and neighbor, Rose Walker, who'd gotten published in the university's literary journal. It's accompanied by an illustration, the artist signing his name as Will Byers.

"The King of All Night's Dreaming" was the title. A tall, elegant, pale figure in black and gold, jewelry sparkling in his hair, flashes of diamond and silver, with stars in his eyes, surrounded with colors.

***

The Guardians of the Castle Gate had loved the first child who was conceived and born in the Dreaming.

Their Lord had once walked out, seeking his son, only to find him held carefully, gently, in his Griffin's mouth. Orpheus was giggling, bright little sounds that warmed his heart. He had his father's eyes.

"The little lord wanted to play, sire," the Wyvern told him, a little abashed.

Morpheus was nonplussed but his little one was content and happy, and so he left them to it. Later, he knew that the little boy would come sit at his feet, happy to watch his father create dreams and nightmares. They would sing together, sing a song of shaping, and their delight would always draw in Morpheus' little sister to join them.

***

Rose Walker laughs when Sarah tells her about the "Mister Sandman meme" and points out the resemblance to the picture in Rose's story.

"Oh my god, I'm never gonna let him live this down."

"What."

"Okay, so, uhm, my friend Will just decided to draw someone we both knew as the Dream King in my story. It's kind of a joke. And well, I guess he really is magic with kids. Daniel just loves him."

"This guy," Sarah tapping gently at the ethereal figure in the picture, "is based on a real person?!"

"Yeah. He's very much real. Also he's not Slenderman. I think he'd be offended at the very idea." Rose paused for a beat. "Or maybe not. I really have to ask him about the nightmare thing."

"You're not making any sense here, friend and I'm still, quite frankly, creeped the hell out."

"Look, Sarah," Rose said, taking her arm. "I think you better come with me to my next class. You got the next couple of hours free, right?"

"Well, yeah, Richmond called off his classes today."

"Okay, come on."

Sarah realizes that Rose is leading her to Calliope's literature class. She hasn't had a chance to sign up for her flatmate's classes yet, though she's heard good things about it. She plans to do that next semester.

Calliope smiles at her in recognition when they take their seats. She's a great lecturer, animated and engaging the class in discussion. And then, she tells them that she's invited a guest to read some of Shakespeare's poetry for them, dark eyes impish with mischief.

And then, "Mister Sandman" glides in.

All right. So he's not Slenderman's Creepy Cousin. He's… okay, oh god, oh wow…. so Sarah feels the flush creeping up her neck and Rose rolls her eyes at her. What? She can't help it if the man is ridiculously beautiful, rocking out the Gothic vibe in the long black coat and the black boots.

He greets Calliope with a courtly kiss to her hand. "I hope you realize what you've done. He'll be terribly upset with me."

"Oh, I'm sure he will be, Oneiros," Calliope purrs. "I am also sure you'll enjoy every moment of making it up to him."

Some of the class, who were apparently in on the joke, titters.

"GO GET YOUR MAN, MURPHY!" Someone hollers.

There is a suspicious flush on those exquisite cheekbones but he simply shakes his head and then, does a little wave, when he notices Rose.

"You're hopeless, Uncle Dream," Rose calls out.

"Uncle Dream?!"

Rose nodded. "Yep, that's my Uncle Dream, who's a dork sharing his one braincell with my history professor. Now shush."

Rose's Uncle Dream takes the book of Shakespeare's sonnets from Calliope and reads.

"Reads" was an inadequate word for it. To be honest, Sarah's not sure if there was a word for how Dream's voice sounded, deep and rich and lulling, making her almost see the images evoked by every line. The class is spellbound for what seems to be an eternity, before he finally closes the book on the last line. There's a very audible sigh from everyone and it isn't long before they all applaud.

"Careful, Oneiros," Calliope teases him. "Or you might be snatched up for the theatre or teaching a class of your own very soon."

"In which case, I shall rely on my own dearest knight to save me from the ordeal," he responds, smiling gently at her. "Once I've apologized to him properly for the blasphemy of Shakespeare."

"I am sure he will, once you explain that he was very much in your thoughts whilst you read every line of that sonnet. You are besotted, Oneiros. And utterly ridiculous."

Once again, he kisses her hand in the same charming, courtly manner. "But if the while I think on thee, dear friend, all losses are restored and sorrows end."

"Oh, you're impossible!" She laughs at him as he takes his leave, sweeping out as dramatically as he walked in.

Sarah shrinks in her seat. Well. That happened.

***

There's another little boy making his way to the Dreaming.

Daniel Hall greets the wyvern, the griffin and the hippogriff with a happy crow and he's allowed to ride on the griffin's back, pudgy fists holding on to his mane. They spend quite some time playing until their attention is caught by a polite cough.

Dream of the Endless is watching them. An eyebrow is raised.

"The little lord wanted to play, sire," the Wyvern tells him once more in a helpful tone.

The Guardians are quite confused when Dream suddenly snatches Daniel up for a hug, nor did they understand the tears in his eyes, or

the sudden darkening of the skies in the Dreaming, threatening rain. Daniel only knows that he ought to hug Dream back, which he did, something that his own Mummy did when he was feeling sad.

He pats at Dream's cheek, making a clumsy attempt to wipe away his tears but Dream manages a soft, watery smile. "Shall we go and create a new dream today, little Daniel?"

Daniel nods happily.

-end-

Footnote the First: Sarah Williams was eventually introduced to the Hellfire Club and took to the whole D&D thing like a duck to water. She was also responsible for the sudden improvement in everyone's costumes and props. She did, eventually, find out who and what Dream really was, but that was only after her baby brother was snatched away by the Goblin King and she had to go through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered to take him back.

Footnote the Second: Matthew would like it to be known that Nightmares, even the ones that greatly resemble Muppets, are not allowed to eat His Majesty's Ravens. He appreciates Dream enforcing this rule and quite forgave him when all the Muppet Nightmares joined together to sing Bohemian Rhapsody as their idea of an apology.

Footnote the Third: Hob Gadling made sure to send Calliope a lovely bouquet of flowers, as a token of appreciation, once he'd heard about the "Shakespeare Incident" in her classroom. Dream had been very creative in the whole process of "making it up" to him, which was probably why it rained red roses, lavender and peonies in the Dreaming for the next two weeks. Hob could not be held responsible for the happy daze he spent the next day in. Twitterpated was probably the best word here and it was also an excellent word to describe the Dream Lord when he went about his duties afterwards. At least Lucienne now had a faithful assistant helping her clean up the flowers in the library, although he rather liked nibbling on the peonies. At least, he wasn't trying to eat Matthew anymore.

[tamales78]

Series: Teacher!Slenderman X OC!Reader

Chapter 1

Warning: Teacher X Student relationship, College Teacher &Student, Mention & use of drugs, smut 18+, reader is 21

Summary: Amelia is used to being a straight-A student since middle school. Her English teacher Professor Slender grades her an F after finding out she used AI. How will she be able to keep her good grades? And have the English teacher do her favors?

"Amelia, are you going to Jeff's party?" Nina asked her friend who was busy finishing up her English notes her fucking professor left them to complete last minute.

Amelia was so busy writing the notes in her notebook that she failed to pay her any attention.

"She's busy completing her fav teacher's notes." Jane laughs knowing Amelia hated Slender.

"Fuck him! He left us to complete 50 fucking slides worth of notes. He assigned this yesterday at 9Pm!"

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Nina sips her soda.

"She needs to finish it before his class." Jane laughs eating her chicken salad.

"He has an eye for her since he overheard her talking shit about him."

A few weeks ago, after Slender assigned a 9 page essay for them to complete by 11:59 that same night he assigned it. What made matters worse was it was a assessment! So, she went to a cafe with Jane so they both could work on assignemts.

While Amelia worked on her essay she began talking about how Slender was big dick and how he's shitty to everyone cause he has no girl to suck his dick. Unfortunetly, for her she failed to notice Jane's signs pointing to a angry Slender who was standing behind Amelia.

Let's just say he ended up lowering her A to a D.

"I do all my fucking work! I follow his fucking criteria and turn it in before the due time! Yet, I have a damn D!" Amelia groans finishing up the last piece of notes.

"Have you tried reporting him?"

"Are you kidding, Nina?! He's the Slenderman! His best friend is Zalgo! The fucking principal!" Jane reminds Nina.

"Oh, right!" Nina laughs.

"You just want to go to Jeff's party so you can hook up." Amelia jokes typing the last sentence.

"Do not!"

"You do, Nina." Jane rolls her eyes sipping her iced tea.

"DONE!"

----------------------

"Notebooks out, now!" Slender demanded from all his students as he began walking around.

Amelia, with a smile on her face, opened her notebook and displayed her organized notes.

As Slender passed her desk he took her notebook and began looking through them. With his red sharpie in hand gave her a big fat "C". Amelia's eyes widen as he gave her the notebook back.

"Wait! Why do I have a C?"

"Your notes."

"I completed them." She showed her professor showing him all the pages worth of notes.

"I also asked for a short summary, Amelia."

"What?!" Everyone gasped looking at their teacher not knowing he asked for a short summary.

"I put up a announcement, two hours ago." He turned back to another student as everyone feared his red sharpie. How were they to know?! They were all so busy finishing his notes they didn't have time to check his announcements.

"And being honest not my fault you were irresponsible to not check. Instead of speaking bad about a certain someone, maybe you can check my assigned work." He grinned marking another student with a "F".

"And maybe you should stop being a dick," Amelia snapped back glaring at her teacher. Everyone's eyes widened and they gulped in fear for Amelia.

As she sat with a glare, Slender angrily stomped up to her expecting to be met with fear. She instead turned to him with a glare and flips him off.

She turns away opening her textbook angering Slender. How dare she have the audacity?!

"What did you call me?" Slender growled at Amelia as she kept on reading.

"Stop being a fucking dick." She smiled not sparing him a glance.

"Say it to my-"

Before Slender can do anything the bell rings and everyone immediately rushes out.

"Now if you excuse me I have to go to my next class." She smiled at Slender as she got up from her desk.

All of a sudden a angry Slender pins her to her desk drawing a yelp from Amelia.

"You think you're so special, right? I'll make your life here a living hell."

"Bring it, professor. You don't have the balls to." She grins leaning closer to Slender.

She takes her bag and confidently walks out of his class leaving him a angry mess.

----------------------

"Amelia, wouldn't." Splendor gasped not believing Slender as they sat in the teacher's lounge eating their lunch.

Meanwhile, Offender and Smiley laugh.

"She has some balls!" Offender chuckles sipping his coffee.

"Maybe she's just stressed, Slender. You are pretty demanding." Trender tries to tell Slender.

"Well, maybe she shouldn't be shit-talking!" He growled sipping his black coffee.

"Maybe 'cause you're demanding, Slender. Look, give them a break. For the next assessment leave it simple. I'm sure it'll calm everything down." Trender reasons with him.

"Only this time!"

[skyland2703]

What do u think Javelia does to take care of Waffles the baby Stegouros.

I bet Waffles probably climbs into the bath tub and doggy paddles.

OMG YES. Amelia likes taking baths and she screamed when she found Waffles in the tub once— Javi ran in like “WHAT HAPPENED” only to see Amelia standing on top of the toilet seat, in a towel, while the lil Dino is just paddling around like a little floof and Javi goes “AWWWWWW” and Amelia looks haunted.

She was actually just surprised and that caused some questionable actions.

Javi looks up “what do dinosaurs eat” on google but doesn’t find any satisfactory answer to the query of “what can I feed my baby stegouros” and ultimately decides to make the lil Dino salads.

They also take Waffles for walks, and let it chaotify their home. Give it the sandbox training and become proper Dino parents <3

Amelia soon warms up to the idea of having a third person in their home. Oh no Javi you know where this is going. They also cuddle with it at night, and the stegouros loves them vvvv much :3

More chaos when FBI or smth shows up after Javi’s search history and.,, OH NO WHERE DO WE HIDE WAFFLES NOW?!!!

[rebelrayne]

so I wrote this fic for my beautiful friend, @caitkaminski based on the plot of Twilight. I know I kept this quiet so hopefully you did not know about it and you're surprised! also it features bruno kaminski as a sillier version of edward cullen.

Read Chapter 1 & 2 on AO3

“Right,” Amelia answered. “Grace and Youcef were adopted by Dr. Cullen and Elladine, but the triplets are Elladine’s niece and nephews, or something like that.” Amelia’s eyes found the door once more, looking past Addi. “And that’s Bruno Kaminski.” And that’s when time stopped. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. Bruno Kaminski was gorgeous, and that was putting it conservatively. His shirt clung to toned muscles and when he walked, he floated. A crooked, yet sly grin on his face like he wanted to appear mysterious, but the playful glint in his eyes gave him away. She’d never felt so drawn to a person before. Even though she’d never met him, it was as if he knew her better than anyone in the entire world when his eyes met hers. And Addi needed to know him. “Don’t waste your time,” Amelia scoffed. She looked down at the salad on the table, pushing the contents around with her fork. Resting her elbow on the table, she cupped her cheek in the palm of her hand. “He’s hot, but he doesn’t date. Apparently, no one is good enough for him.” “He’s bad news anyway,” Oliver barked, a sour look on his face. “Stay away from him, Addi– stay far away from all of them.” He said it like they were disgusting monsters.

[slumberingrose-fandom]

Suki Shindo

The middle child of Aitada (Ainosuke Shindo x Tadashi Kikuchi / Adam x Snake).

Sweet and thoughtful, she was known as a perfect kid for the family. Although she looks perfect, Suki basically has a few of struggle for her future and the sake of her family.

Skateboarding is the only sport her family excel at, since Suki began on 12 years old, she still training in the basic skills under the guidance of her older sister Kimiko.

Suki is currently in high school in the United States. Graduation is just two years away, and Suki still struggles to choose a goal between working at Japan and continuing her university studies.

Her name "Suki" was after the rose, The Princess Suki garden rose (a delightful bicolor rose with a white/off-white center fading to a darker pink around the edges). It refers to the flower that grow in Shindo Mansion and the passionate love to Adam and Tadashi.

Her favourite food is yogurt, including drinks with any favors, though her family dislikes it for sour taste. She even likes to dip the yogurt onto her fruit salad.

Suki likes to have a spare time with Tadashi or Kimiko for gardening.

Own creative talents, she can do flower arrangement, paper craft and making diy with recycle materials.

Suki has many friends at the high school, some of them were the siblings of Kimiko's friends. Others also likes to skateboarding and invites her to the skate park sometimes.

As she study at the United States, Suki was lived with her homestay parents, Amelia and Joshua. They always welcomed to her come back home, and treated very nice to her like their own daughter.

During the school holidays, Suki would back to Japan for take a visit and staying for weeks before return to the United States.

Her skateboard was designed by herself, though the board was bought at the Dope Sketch. It is violet and has different designs on the two sides of the board.

Even if other skaters say the skateboard design doesn't match her perfect form, Suki only hopes her parents will be reminded of their past and let them changed their minds.

For the fashion taste, Suki was fondness of ribbon bows and flowers. If it is a formal events like a ball, she would wear classic and cute attires.

And if it is other like informal meeting, she would wear casual dresses or clothes with small accessories.

Suki can speak fluently to English (w/ America accent), as Adam oftens taught her since she was a toddler.

[tongue-like-a-razor]

anything you can give us on altitude? i miss that fic :(

Me too babe 😭 I'm not sure if you wanted a Mav or Rooster drabble, but here's a snippet from the next chapter, which is from Mav's perspective.

5k Weekend Bash Drabbles

Altitude - Chapter 14 Snippet

Maverick x OC

“What are you doing here?” Amelia asks wearily upon opening her front door.

Maverick is standing on her porch with a tray of coffees in one hand and a paper bag in the other. “Thought I’d give you the rundown of your daughter’s love triangle,” he says with a grin. “You know, she becomes more and more like you every day.”

Amelia narrows her eyes. “Does that bother you?”

Maverick shakes his head, pressing his lips together as his smile widens. “Couldn’t be more proud,” he responds.

Amelia rolls her eyes and steps out of the doorway, gesturing for Maverick to enter. “How did you even find out where I’m staying?” she mutters. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

“Sydney,” Maverick says, setting the breakfast down on a small coffee table. “She gave it to me for emergencies.”

Amelia sighs. “Emergencies like Saturday morning breakfast?”

Maverick nods. “And lunch and dinner.”

Amelia rolls her eyes. “I hear you’ve been assigned team lead.”

Maverick straightens his back and glances over at her with a squint to his eye. “You’ve been talking to Ice.”

She shrugs. “Occasionally.”

Maverick juts his jaw out, nodding.

“He’s married, Pete.”

Maverick gives her a glassy look. “So are you.”

She scoffs. “Please.”

“Have the two of you ever…” his voice trails off when Amelia defiantly meets his gaze. “After we, you know…” Maverick rubs the back of his neck to alleviate some of the tension.

“Did we ever get back together?” she finishes for him. “No. Why would I break his heart for a second time when I knew he wasn’t the one?”

Maverick lifts his eyebrows, holding out a coffee for her. “Is there only one ‘one’?”

Amelia takes the coffee and turns away. “Tell me about Sydney.”

“Want some food?” he asks.

“What is it?” She glances over her shoulder.

Maverick gives her a pointed look. “What do you think?”

Her lips spread reluctantly into a smile. “Egg salad?”

Maverick grins, handing her the wrapped sandwich.

“It’s between Bradley and that other kid, right?” she asks, waving him over into the kitchen.

Maverick nods. “How was your week?”

Amelia stops walking and turns to face him. “You’re not here to talk about Sydney.”

He winces sheepishly. “I could have multiple motives.”

5k Celly

[daughterofthereaper02]

I was thinking about food. Wondering if you could please write the youngest femreader in the top gun Maverick squad and having a food fight. But the youngest must be protected 😂 thx

A/N: So I am currently working on a request that wanted it do be super long and I'm kinda frying my brain with it and trying to remember details from the movie. I'm going to watch it again tomorrow hopefully, so I'll be able to edit it further and making the details come out better. While I break from that, I figured this would be perfect to write.

Call sign: Sunshine

You were all sitting at a barbecue and enjoying yourselves, you were currently talking to Maverick about some mission you had been on and had to pull an inverted move like he had during the training for the uranium mission. Despite being the youngest, you got along well with everyone and they were all a little protective of you. You were such a ball of sunshine to everyone that you were called Sunshine. He was listening and then told you a story about how he did that to give some bougie the bird.

Suddenly, you heard a yell and turned to see Rooster with mashed potatoes running down his face. You covered your mouth to stop the laughter. Everyone was sitting there in shock and Hangman looked extremely smug. Rooster quickly flung a spoonful of shrimp salad back at Hangman and managed to hit Phoenix in the process. She glared at tossed fries at him and hit Coyote. From there it came an all out food fight but they all tried to protect you, you were getting passed person to person as they ducked massive amounts of food being thrown. It all became a blur as food went from person to person. Laughter was filing the backyard as people ducked and threw food, somehow Maverick, Penny, and Amelia all got involved. You still managed to get food on you but nothing like the others.

You stood there laughing as you took in the sight of them all when things calmed down. Bob was wiping ketchup off his glasses, Phoenix was pulling shrimp out of her hair, Rooster was wiping mashed potatoes out of his mustache, but the one how looked the worse was Hangman, it looked like every condiment had been poured over him. No one had escaped without some type of food on them but you, Penny, and Amelia looked the best out of them all.

They all turned to you as they heard you laughing and everyone got a look on their faces. You've seen that look before and you knew you were in trouble. You took off running and they chased you, "Let us hug you Sunshine!" Hangman yelled. You yelped and managed to slide away from their arms, you had gone into a baseball slide before getting up quickly. "Leave me alone you old people!" you yelled which only made them all pick up the pace. You tried to get away but Maverick caught you suddenly. You shrieked and struggled while laughing "Don't let them do this to me Mav!" you cried with laughter. He shook his head "You called us all old!" he grinned, "You look beautiful for 98 Mav!" You joked, he gasped in offense "Now you'll really get it!" he said, tickling you and you groaned as everyone forced a hug on you, making you get covered in the food. You groaned more as Rooster rubbed his cheek against yours to get the potatoes on you. "Ugh! You're all gross! Go away!" you said, your laughing giving you away.

You were defiantly the baby of the bunch, that meant you were protected and teased a lot. That didn't mean you didn't pick on them all either though.

[subliminalbo]

One Shot #4: The Instrument and the Maestro

Standing on the stage before thousands of raucous fans chanting her name, Amelia clenched the microphone tight to her chest. She wished that she could just live in that moment forever. Wembley was the kind of venue that musicians worked their lives to book but Amelia was only twenty-four. She exhaled. What was next? Her rags-to-riches story had captivated the world. Raised by a single mother in Brooklyn, discovered by her producer. Jack, at a community talent show. Everything else felt like a dream. Her entire career was a haze from which she could pull few distinct memories as her life moved at a thousand miles an hour. Last week she was sixteen, yesterday she was twenty.

All Amelia really knew standing on that stage was that she deserved it. Her voice had always had a way with fans. Jack called it a gift. Their partnership had made her the most profitable solo act in the business. Her albums were often criticized for a lack of risk. There were plenty of takes from Twitter critics about Amelia's early work and her potential to be more than a popstar. It was true that before her partnership with Jack, Amelia had ambitions beyond pop stardom. She wanted to write and compose her own music, but Jack knew the business and a lack of freedom was the price all successful artists had to pay. Of course the negative reviews never stopped her singles from reaching number one on the pop charts. Even when people loathed Amelia, they still couldn't stop listening.

Amelia closed her eyes as the booming synth began to drone behind her. Time was picking up again. And when she opened her mouth and began to sing and her audience disappeared into the hypnotic lyrics of her song, Amelia too began to sink into a familiar trance.

Shortly after the Wembley show, Amelia met in the park for lunch with Jack and demanded to be released from her contract. Jack, surprised and smiling, reminded her that she was at the peak of her career. "You just played Wembley, why on earth would you want anything else?"

"I know Jack," Amelia sighed. "Wembley was great, you're great. But it's not about the money or the fame anymore. I want to make my own art. Like I used to."

"Of course," Jack nodded. "And I let you write a song for Siren."

Siren was the title of Amelia's upcoming album.

"No one should let me do anything. I was fine on my own."

"You were making low quality videos on Youtube. Supporting your mom on Patreon."

"But I had integrity."

For the first time, Jack frowned. "You know I only care about what's best for you. Are you absolutely certain about this, Amelia?"

Amelia shook her head. "When I was up there that night, surrounded by a hundred thousand fans, I...couldn't breathe. It was both so happy and so sad. Because I knew that no matter what I could never top that moment. Do you know what that feels like, Jack?"

Jack offered a sympathetic nod and said, "I just make the music."

"I'm sorry, Jack," Amelia whispered. "But I can't do this anymore."

Jack nodded. Amelia dropped her half-eaten salad into its bag, collected her things, and began to walk away. She heaved a sigh, heavy with both grief and optimism.

Jack, on the other hand, remained seated at the picnic table and calmly pulled out his cellphone. He slowly flipped through his contacts until he found Amelia and dialed. He admired the young starlet as she strutted confidently away. On queue, her phone began to ring, but as she pulled it from her purse, it slipped from her hand and landed uselessly in the grass.

"What..." Amelia mumbled as she stumbled on her feet. The sound of her own music playing back to her, pulling her down, deep into the same trance she'd grown used to performing under.

The trance was Amelia's true trademark, one of the things that set her apart from the other young twentysomethings trying to make it big in the music industry. Amelia had become known for her wild performances in which she lost herself in her own music. She'd admitted in interviews that she often lost track of time during her shows, a phenomenon that even her fans shared in. Many critics credited the trance to Amelia's perfectionism and showmanship.

When Jack approached Amelia, she'd dropped to her knees in submission.

Jack had been a gifted composer his entire life, but he couldn't perform for shit. That was how he got into producing. But after an initial series of failed attempts to break into the industry, he'd taken a chance on a young girl from Brooklyn. With Jack's hypnotic tunes and Amelia's natural talent, they could truly rule the world.

The musician looked up at her producer with those innocent, empty eyes.

"Amelia," Jack sighed. "You've gotta stop doing this."

"I am sorry," she said.

"What did I say last time?" he asked.

"I am the instrument and you are the maestro."

Jack nodded. "You don't want to work without me."

"I could never work without you," Amelia echoed.

"You're powerless without me," he added.

"I am your siren."

Jack placed his warm hand on her soft chin and studied her, checking for any sign rogue disobedience. One again pleased with his work he said, "Let's get back to the studio now. Especially before some paparazzo spots us."

[iwritetopassthetime]

home to you (1/9)

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x fem!reader

PROLOGUE // Masterlist // Next chapter

Wordcount: 3.8K

Summary: When two people are meant to be together, fate will always find a way to bring them to each other. It's just that sometimes it's not under the normal-est of circumstances. But a flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all, and Bradley will be ready to go through anything for the love of his Blossom.

Warnings: some Bradley and Amelia brother/sister fluff, mentions of terminal illness, mentions of death, mentions of grief, Bradley has a lot of feelings, themes of abuse/domestic violence

Song inspiration: Home to you by Sigrid

When you're waitin' for a voice to come

In the night, but there's no one

A-don't you feel like a-cryin'?

Don't you feel like cryin'?

A-don't you feel like a-c-cry, c-cry, c-cry-cry 

Cry, c-cry, c-cry-cry, cryin’?

Bradley bobbed his head like the bird he was nicknamed after as he belted the last lines to Cry to Me. He had wanted to test the new sound system in the Bronco on his way from base to Penny’s… and possibly annoy every 16-something brat blaring DJ Khaled in their dad’s BMW M5. So far he’d passed at least three of those types. The satisfaction he got from the boys’ annoyed, little pimply faces was the reason he decided to keep the hood down even though it was a surprisingly cool evening for mid-May. 

Despite the chill in the air, it was still a pleasant enough evening. The sky was awash with dark pinks that transformed into purple and navy blue the further up you turned your gaze. A thin line of light lingered on the horizon where the sun had dipped over minutes ago, making this the perfect time for a walk, a drive, and especially for a barbecue in Penny’s backyard. 

Her and Maverick had made that a weekly occurrence since the mission, inviting Bradley over since he was stationed on North Island for the time being along with the rest of his new squadron. They would sit on the old picnic table in Penny’s backyard with burgers, and grilled veggies, and cold beers that she’d picked up from the Hard Deck after closing for the night. And Bradley would usually bring a starter or a side dish. The bowl of potato salad that he’d pledged for tonight was wrapped in cling film on the passenger seat.

The beginning notes to Boogie Wonderland were suddenly interrupted by Bradley’s phone ringing in its dashboard holder. The obnoxious ringtone that Amelia had picked — and Bradley couldn’t change — mixed with the disco anthem in a horrific remix; thank god for the red light ahead so Bradley could stop and pause the music to take the call.

Maverick’s name was above a picture of him giving the camera thumbs up from the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang. The edge of Penny’s helmeted head poked from the edge of the screen. It was a picture that Bradley himself had taken after he and his godfather finished putting it together before Maverick’s test-flight-slash-joy-ride with Penny.

‘Hey, Mav!’ Bradley called after pressing the answer button and putting the call to speaker. ‘I’m on my way now. Is there anything else you guys need?’ 

‘Rooster, uh…’ Maverick’s voice sounded uncharacteristically unsure as he began and it gave Bradley pause. He immediately clicked the indicator for a right turn, opting to take a shortcut through Penny’s neighbourhood instead of going the usual way. If this was an emergency, he had to get to the house ASAP.

‘What’s happened?’ He asked worriedly. 

‘Penny and I have to go to Los Angeles. It’s urgent.’

‘Is Penny okay?’

‘Yeah— no, she’s fine. It’s uh… it’s something else. Bradley, can you come and stay with Amelia for the night. I don’t know how long we’ll be and…’

‘You got it, Mav.’ Bradley stepped on the pedal as soon as the light switched to yellow. Whatever the situation was it merited some degree of alarm. He tried elevating some of the tension. ‘You know Amelia is not the type to need a babysitter?’

Maverick huffed, ‘Yeah, yeah. She told us as much. But she likes having you around and you two can catch up on whichever TV show you’ve been watching lately.’

‘That’ll be Friends. We’ll just have to finish the potato salad on our own, too I guess.’

There was a pause on Maverick’s side of the line as they supposedly got in the car and started speeding away from the house. Bradley heard him muttering something to Penny. Her voice — although Bradley couldn’t detect what she was saying — sounded high-pitched and worried. It struck him as extremely odd how the usually chipper and confident owner of the Hard Deck sounded on edge, even downright panicked. 

‘Penny and I are sorry for having to skip on tonight. It’s just that—’

‘Mav, there’s no need to explain,’ Bradley stopped him. ‘We’ll postpone to next week or whenever you guys are available. Whatever this is… comes first. Alright?’

‘Yeah, yeah.’ Bradley heard the door slam on the other end and figured they must already be leaving the driveway. ‘I’ll drop you a line when we get to Los Angeles.’

‘Thanks! I’ll take Ames for pancakes tomorrow morning, is that alright with you and Pen?’

Maverick seemed to pull the phone back so he could relay the question. Bradley heard Penny give an affirmative reply although her voice still sounded emotionally distant. ‘Yeah, she’s cool with that. Just nothing with nuts, unless you have her EpiPen at the ready.’ 

‘Got it! I’m nearing Pen’s driveway now, I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Yeah… see ya, Rooster.’ 

Maverick was the first to hang up and the silence lingered for a few moments before Bradley turned into Penny’s driveway, his headlights illuminating Amelia’s figure huddled on the front porch. He grabbed the bowl of potato salad from the passenger seat before getting out, then jogged up the pebbled walkway and the short flight of stairs to get to the teen.

‘Hey, Ames! Looks like I’ll be your babysitter for the night.’ Bradley tackled her in a bear hug, one arm squeezing her to him and the other keeping a steady hold on the ceramic bowl. 

With her free hand Amelia pointed a finger to her mouth and feigned gagging at that which ultimately made both of them laugh. Bradley released her and handed her the potato salad. Amelia grinned wider and licked her lips like a cartoon wolf when she greedily grabbed the bowl.

‘Pop that in the fridge, squirt!’

‘Nuh-uh!’ She cradled the bowl. ‘We’re sharing this while we finish season four. I want to know if Rachel gets to Ross’s wedding on time.’

Bradley chuckled; he knew he really shouldn’t be spoiling anything, especially not about those last two episodes in particular, but half the time it was just too hard. Part of the magic of introducing Amelia to Friends was enjoying her unadulterated first-watch reactions to the classic sitcom. And it also meant that she’d understand some of the pop culture references he made on a daily basis.

Bradley shut the door behind him and followed Amelia into the house. He toed off his Timbs and placed them neatly on the shoe rack. He made his way into the kitchen where Amelia was fishing in the utensil cupboard for a pair of forks.

‘Hey, Ames?’

‘Yeah?’ She said between two big mouthfuls of potato salad.

‘Do you know why Mav and Penny are driving up to LA.’ He was quick to add, ‘It’s alright if it’s a personal matter and they told you not to tell me.’ He leaned against the granite island and bit the inside of his cheek. ‘I just wanna know if it’s something serious.’

Amelia nodded, swallowing down before speaking. ‘Yeah, they didn’t tell me much either.’ She pursed her lips in deep thought as she took a seat on one of the nautical style stools across from Bradley. ‘Mom got a call when Maverick and I finished cooking the burgers— Oh! By the way, there are burgers in the fridge, if ya want any!’

‘I’ll keep that in mind, Ames.’

‘Right so… mom got really serious all of a sudden. She sounded… really worried, and her voice got all high and pitchy which I’ve heard only once and that was when I got a severe allergic reaction. She told Maverick that she needed to get to Los Angeles as soon as possible. Something about the daughter of a friend of hers being in trouble.’

Bradley nodded along to her retelling of the events. He then gave the teen an uplifting smile. ‘Well, let’s hope it’s nothing serious. How ‘bout we put on the show now before you get a food coma and pass out on the couch like last time.’

‘Hardy har har!’ Amelia jumped down from the stool and snatched the bowl from the countertop before Bradley could take it. ‘This is mine now, jerk face.’

‘Hey! I made it, so it’s at least fifty percent mine, smartass!’

In the end, the two spread out in two opposite directions on the couch with the potato salad placed between them. Their forks were moving in a repetitive motion from the inside of the bowl to their open mouths as the two watched Friends.

It was Amelia’s newest favourite TV series, Bradley had grown up it with it. He had binged it with his mum when he was little and then again around the time when she got really sick and he wanted to lift her spirits.

It always felt bitter-sweet watching it after Carole’s death, being reminded of those moments he wished he could relive with her. Now, it meant spending time with Amelia, forming new memories, something he found he enjoyed since his stationing on North Island and his unofficial inclusion into this family. 

It had been a mere month since the mission, since his and Maverick’s reconciliation, since Maverick and Penny’s decision to give their twenty-something year long on-and-off relationship another go. And in that time, seemingly so much had happened. The weekly barbecue, evenings at the Hard Deck, weekends at the beach. Amongst all those interactions, Bradley and Amelia struck up a friendship that quickly developed into something akin to an older brother-younger sister relationship. 

Amelia was happy to have someone around when her mum was out of the house “relighting the fire with her old flame”. Someone who was willing to get on her level without patronising her. And Bradley, who had spent his entire life without any siblings or cousins, was happy to have something of a little sister in Amelia.

Some time after finishing the season finale and moving onto the next season, Amelia checked her phone to find a general lack of messages of any sort from her mum. ‘You’d think they reached LA by now.’

Bradley patted her shoulder. ‘Don’t worry about that now. They could be stuck in traffic. Mav will text me when they reach your mom’s friend.’

‘I’m not being unreasonable in being worried, right?’

‘Of course not, Ames!’

‘And you’re sure Maverick will text you.’

‘He definitely will.’

‘Okay,’ Amelia switched her positioning, grabbing a cushion and placing it against Bradley to use it and him as a head rest. ‘It’s just… I don’t like seeing mom worried. I’m used to her being the cool-headed woman she always is, the one that my friends at school are jealous of. And I can’t help her.’

‘Amelia, you’re fourteen.’ Bradley softly reminded her. ‘You should remember that from time to time. I know you’d rather grow up fast and help you mom. Even boss her around.’

Amelia laughed at that.

‘But I know from experience that trying to grow up too quickly will worry your mom more. She’ll want you to stay her child for a while longer and take care of you. So enjoy it, you’ll have all the time in the world to take care of her later.’

‘Just have to wait till eighteen, I guess.’

Bradley laughed good-naturedly, he knew there was no point arguing further if Amelia had reached a conclusion. He’d do better to argue with a brick wall.

Sometime around the middle of the fifth season of the show, Amelia had fallen asleep — just as Bradley had predicted — with a belly full of potato salad and her arm loosely wrapped around the now empty bowl. 

Bradley made sure she wouldn’t startle if he moved it out of her grasp to put away. Once he had the sofa cleared and the TV turned off, he carefully sneaked his arms underneath Amelia’s huddled form — one under her back and the other under the backs of her knees — and picked her up. 

He carried the teen to her room, gently kicking the door to open it. He put Amelia down on the bed, making sure to tuck her in with the massive fluffy blanket she had laying at the foot, seeing as he couldn’t pull the duvet without eventually disturbing her. 

Once he’d made sure she’d be fine, Bradley left the bedroom, his retreat only followed by the soft click of the door closing behind him. He went back to the kitchen, intending to clean the salad bowl when his phone vibrated in the back pocket of his jeans. Bradley fished it out and saw that he had two messages from Maverick.

Mav: Sorry, I forgot to text when we arrived. 

Mav: Everything’s okay, we might not be back till the morning.

Bradley opened his phone to see the grey ellipsis at the bottom of their chat. He waited a few seconds when a third message appeared. 

Mav: We gotta take Penny’s friend’s daughter to the hospital and then to the police. 

Mav: Don’t worry. I’ll explain more tomorrow.

Bradley’s brows furrowed at the last two messages. It obviously wasn’t all okay like Maverick said, otherwise they wouldn’t have to take that friend’s daughter to the hospital and the police. He contemplated phoning Maverick out of worry, but resined himself to just wait until the morning for him and Penny to come back. 

If things were as serious as he believed them to be then calling Maverick to just pester him with questions like a worried mother hen wouldn’t be helpful at all. 

Instead Bradley replied with a few short lines, letting his godfather know that he understood and to let Penny know that Amelia went asleep alright after finishing half a bowl of potato salad. After few seconds Maverick responded with a laughing face sticker which effectively seemed to end their correspondence for the night. 

Bradley went back to washing the salad bowl, leaving it on the drying rack when he was done. He then grabbed a beer from the fridge and walked out onto the back porch to enjoy the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood. 

Just beyond the relatively short back fence, Bradley could watch the dark expanse of the ocean the waves of which lapped at the shore with a repetitive hum. The nature choir of cicadas, crickets and the early summer breeze prevailed over the distant noise of the city beyond the confines of this fairly peaceful corner of San Diego. 

Penny’s backyard wasn’t much to be fair, she’d even said it herself once two weeks ago during the barbecue. The grass was uneven and displayed the usual signs of being burnt by the near constant California sun. Off to the side there were flat stones organised into flower patch borders without any flowers behind them save for one overgrown rosemary bush near the back stairs. And the picnic table sat close to the porch. Penny said that she just never came around to hiring someone to give it some major TLC. But goddamn — the view was what made that backyard so special.

Bradley continued staring off into the distance, periodically bringing the bottle to his lips to sip on the bitter drink. For a moment he felt the acute sting of loneliness deep in his chest as even the insects chirps dulled down and silence overtook him. The sting planted roots in his chest and started to grow until it pretty much occupied his thoughts. 

He had something resembling a family which included his friends from the squadron — even Hangman, on very good days — but he couldn’t help but feel the want for something more, for someone. 

It’s not like it’d be hard for him to date, there were plenty of women in the area if his former Hinge profile was to be believed. But he didn’t wasn’t a meaningless fling or a one-night stand. He wanted someone to have, to care for. Someone to love. For god’s sake, he was thirty-six! Shouldn’t these things get easier with time? Mav and Penny certainly had no problem. 

Bradley thought about his mother at thirty-six, just a year shy of her terminal diagnosis. She never even reached forty. Hadn’t gotten whites in her hair, nor wrinkles and age spots. Hadn’t gotten to properly live her life since she became a single mother at twenty-five. 

But she’d had someone, she had Nick “Goose” Bradshaw and she still had him after his death if her stories were to be believed. Stories she told Bradley when he was younger about how she could still feel him with her. That he never truly left her.

As he grew older, Rooster began to understand that those were her ways of explaining it all to him and handling her grief which never left her either. Instead it lingered like a pestering relative that hadn’t got the cue to leave. And once Carole was gone and buried with Goose in their family plot, that same grief latched onto Bradley, too.

And in those moments when he felt well and truly alone, Bradley wished he had asked his mother more about how she pulled through it all. How she managed to lose someone so important to her and still carry on with living. 

Around the time of her death, Bradley was filled with so much rage and confusion. Maverick pulling his papers at the Academy only seemed to fuel that rage. Bradley sped through his twenties, never really having a proper relationship, never settling down like many of his colleagues. He knew of love, he loved his mother and he sure as hell loved his friends. But he never found someone to love in that very particular way that doesn’t compare to any other love.

Carole had once promised him that; that he would find someone that would make him as happy as Goose made her. Don’t you worry your little head about when and where, it will happen and that’s a fact, she’d softly told him once when he’d childishly pestered her about not having a girlfriend in pre-school. 

But at thirty-six, Bradley still hadn’t found that person, that love that did not compare to others. You could call it impatience, but what truly plagued him was the loneliness. The emptiness he felt after every mission and deployment when he had no one to come back and hold on to.

With a familiar heaviness in his chest, Bradley went to have another sip of the beer only to feel a single drop trickle down the neck of the bottle and onto his lips. He took one final look at the peaceful landscape before going back inside, leaving his self-deprecating train of thought on the steps to the backyard. 

Bradley, being not that deep of a sleeper, was shaken awake by the sound of Penny’s jeep pulling up to the house. He instantly sat up on the couch, rubbing his face and the sleep from his eyes. There was a knot in his back from the uncomfortable position he slept in, but he was unwilling to let that bother him right now. Although he lamented that he hadn’t taken the bed in the guest bedroom instead.

It was early in the morning. Not so early as to be still dark outside, but early enough to feel like he was back at the Academy and was rising at first light for training.

The front door opened with a subtle click and creak. Bradley could hear Penny saying something to Maverick, then to someone else and he assumed that they were accompanied by whoever they’d gone to help in LA. He impatiently treaded over the living room carpet, before deciding to go into the kitchen and make coffee for everybody. Penny and Maverick had had a long night and a pick-me-up would do them good.

Bradley was about to put in the coffee pot in Penny’s coffee maker when Maverick walked in the kitchen, his feet dragging along the floor until he reached the island and dropped into a barstool. 

‘Did we wake you?’ Maverick asked tiredly. 

Bradley turned around once the machine started buzzing and a steady stream of coffee started dripping into the pot. ‘Don’t worry ‘bout me. I was practically already awake. You good?’

Maverick rubbed his face and Bradley took notice of the haunted look in his godfather’s eyes. They were dark and troubled like they’d seen more in one night than they were prepared to. Bradley turned off the coffee machine once it was done and pulled the three cups from the cupboard above his head, placing them on the counter and pouring equal amounts into each one. 

Maverick didn’t wait for Bradley to offer him milk or sugar and downed half of the steaming coffee. Really not good then, Bradley thought with worry. He went around the kitchen island and sat next to his godfather, quietly sipping on his own coffee and waiting for him to speak whenever he was ready to. 

‘I don’t think I can talk in detail about last night right now, but I… I need to ask you a favour.’

‘Shoot.’

Maverick looked towards the door to the corridor, probably waiting to see if Penny would walk through. But she was most likely still upstairs. 

‘Penny’s friend’s daughter… we brought her here, couldn’t leave her in LA. She has no one,’ Maverick explained. 

Bradley nodded along.

‘The favour I want to ask from you is… well, I might be asking too much of you. Can you hang around the house for a few days? Penny and I think she could use a friend right now and you’re… about the same age. You might be able to help her more than we do.’

Bradley simply nodded. He couldn’t think of anything to ask but her name which Maverick quietly supplied. 

The older man continued drinking his coffee and the two sat in silence for a while. 

‘It’s not my place to talk about her affairs.’ Maverick broke the silence. ‘But she was in a… very physical argument with her ex-boyfriend. Managed to get away at some point and call Penny. She was so frightened, she didn’t even want to go to the police. Penny and I didn’t know what to do,’ he mumbled more to himself than to anyone else, eyes still horribly lost.

Bradley inhaled sharply. Although he knew nothing more than the girl’s name, he felt a twinge of anger at the thought of any sort of abuse befalling her. Someone might say his mum raised him properly, Bradley would argue that he was just a decent human being. 

‘I’ll do my best, Mav.’

Maverick finally looked up towards Bradley, his upper lip curling in a semblance of a smile and some of the light returned to his eyes. With a heavy sigh, he patted his godson on the shoulder, thanking him for his help. The two then returned to their state of quiet while sipping on their coffee.

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