#santiago you lucky dog

[jeong-guwon]

Genevieve Dunne as Eglee

Interview with the Vampire — 2.02 "Do You Know What It Means to Be Loved by Death"

[beefrobeefcal]

Dark!Frankie Saga: V

Chapter Five: Skin and Bones

Pairing: Dark!Frankie Morales x Fem!Reader

Summary:

Boston. The Frontiersmen is a crime syndicate that deals in drugs, arms, and anything else they can to keep themselves on top. Since the original ring leader, Tom, was allegedly taken out by a rival gang, it's now run by Big Fish, with Pope second in command. Ironhead runs the numbers and Benny is the muscle. Your family member put you down as collateral when they needed credit to score more smack. Problem is, they can't pay it back, and Big Fish & the Frontiersmen always get their payment...

Rating: Explicit 18+ (MDNI)

Chapter Word Count: 3,164

Content Warning: no smut this chapter :(, violence, threats of violence, crime, snark, baking, talk of character death

Author's Notes:

oooooo, the plot thickens... like out Big Fish's waist line...

The biggest, juiciest, wettest thank you to @neverwheremoonchild for being the Beta Fish for Big Fish (get it? Beta'ing the story about Big Fi-... okay, you got it). Thank you, Nevy! 💜🥩💜

And this is not the Chubby!Frankie we know and love in the Catfish & the Mouse universe; he's dark, mean, and hungry. I'll be updating this each week (Monday/Tuesday) until you lose interest or I finish it - let's see what happens first! 👌

On the Waterfront Masterlist | Previous Chapter

--------<3---------

Pope walked quickly down the hallway, an evil grin slashed across his face. He couldn’t wait to tell Benny what he’d heard, needing to see that blond shit’s face crumble as he tells him that Frankie had taken you as his fully.

The doors to the rec room flew open and Pope sauntered in. As he approached the table where Will and Benny sat, he cleared this throat and stood between them, keeping his glare and smug grin aimed at Benny.

“Never believe what I just heard, Benny...”, he said in a mocking, singsong tone.

Will looked up, already having a thought as to where this was going. His eyes darted to his brother then quickly back to Pope. He put his pen down and adjusted himself in his seat, ready to jump into action, to keep Benny on lock.

“What?”, Benny asked with a partial mouthful, finally looking up from his bowl of Lucky Charms.

“Your girl.”, Pope responded in a harsh, hissing voice as he leaned in and grinned.

Benny looked at him, confusion suddenly melting into frustration.

“The fuck you talkin’ ‘bout, Pope!”, he yelled, throwing his spoon into his half-finished bowl.

“Pope...”, Will warned, his eyes shifting to glare at him.

“Yeah... heard her whining, whimpering... begging for Fish... begging him not to stop.”

Benny stood up, standing over Pope with his fists clenched. “Fuck you.”, he growled.

Wil stood up, standing behind Benny, his hand on his shoulder.

“Cool off, Ben... let it go...”

Pope nodded, fueled by the younger man’s rage. “Yeah... she moaned, man... whined like a whore... and he must’a done something brutal because I heard he yelp like a beaten dog... then she begged for more...”

Before Will could react, Benny grabbed Pope by his jacket and shoved him hard against the wall. The entire room went silent, save for the sounds of heaving breathing filled with rage from Benny.

“Shut your fucking mouth!”

“I could hear her eyes rolling into the back of her head, Benny... I could hear her toes curl... I could hear that sweet, wet cunt of hers being pounded by Fish...”

“FUCK YOU!”, Benny roared, slamming Pope into the wall harder.

Will tried putting himself between the men, trying to get Benny to calm down.

“Ben! Come on! He's just trying to get under your skin, bud!”

“Nah... Fish is fucking with your girl, Ben...”

“Shut the fuck up, Santiago!”, Will barked, desperately trying to pull Benny off him.

“She’s better than that!”, Benny screamed in Pope’s face.

*****

You woke up in your bed, your knees hurting, and you smiled. As you started to come to further, other parts of you felt tender as well; your jaw, your cunt, your scalp, your throat...

The evening’s events replayed in your head as you slowly moved to the bathroom to take a shower.

The sound of him grunting as he fucked your throat.

The feeling of his large hands holding you in place, harshly gripping your hair.

The almost-too-sweet sounds he made as he came, your name falling out of his mouth in a breathy whimper.

The taste of his come, shooting in your mouth, dripping down your chin.

The look in his eye as you sat back on your heels and wiped your mouth.

That look alone could have made you come and fall for him right there; you were not going to escape now. His big, warm, brown eyes, looking down at you, wide and begging. It was a side of him you weren’t sure actually existed, but you saw proof last night that he was, deep down, a sweet man who needed softness. And softness you could be.

To keep yourself safe and secure...right? That’s all this was, right?

As you stood under the steaming hot water, you replayed the night’s events, and knew that you were only fooling yourself. Frankie had you by the throat, and you would have done what you did last night even without Will’s instructions.

The only thing that gave you pause was Benny. The look he gave you as he left the office last night, the remorse painted on his face followed by the disappointment.

As you got out of the shower and dried off, you tried to push any thoughts of Benny away. You got dressed, laid on the bed, waited for Will, and read your kindle.

*****

Will didn’t come.

You waited over an hour and decided to grab your breakfast. Upon leaving your room and getting into the hallway, you could hear talking in the lounge. Frankie’s voice was clear, and the others were...

It was Will and Benny.

It sounded like a tense discussion, and you approached the door so you could hear better.

“A tense discussion doesn’t require five men to pull you off Pope, Benny.”

“Pope just got’im under the skin... s’all it was, Fish.”

“Jesus fuckin’ christ... You know he’s an asshole, Ben! Why’dya let him get you so fuckin’ mad?”

You could hear it was Benny talking, but he was keeping his voice low; you couldn’t hear what he was saying.

“Just fuckin’ ignore him! What the fuck did he say to get you so mad?”

“Fish, it doesn’t matter... I’ll keep him in line.”

“That what you want? Big brother holding your fuckin’ leash?”

Again, Benny’s voice only made sounds not words with how quietly he spoke.

“Don’t fuckin’ give me that! Grow the fuck up and get your fuckin’ mood in check!”

Benny’s voice came through loud and clear in response, dripping with venom.

“Sure thing, Mr. Morales.”

Your eyes opened wide, and you accidentally leaned on the door forcing it open. All three men looked up at you: Frankie’s scowl turned soft with a slight smile as he sat in one of the worn armchairs, Will’s face remained stoic as he stood next to him, but Benny’s... he looked mad. His face didn’t shift to a lighter look like it normally did when he saw you – it seemed to get angrier.

“Morning, baby girl.”, Frankie’s voice came out softer than either Will or Benny expected, Will especially turning to him and giving him a look. He stood up and walked towards you, pulling you to his side and pressing a kiss to your head.

He turned to Will and Benny, his voice returning to the timber they were used to. “She’s not working today... Benny, you’re going food shopping. Will, get him some money.”

Will nodded and Benny’s face pulled into a furious frown as he looked at the floor.

“And you.”, he said sternly. “You be a good girl and get Benny a grocery list together... I got a surprise for you later.”, Frankie mumbled softly into your hair as he pressed another kiss onto you.

His hand traveled down to your ass cheek and squeezed before he headed out the door, presumably to his office.

*****

Benny was actively ignoring and punishing you with his refusal to speak to you, let alone even look at you, from the moment Frankie left the room. Will had said he would have money for you once you got your grocery list together and left you alone with him, and that was the last time you’d felt the weight of his eyes, burrowing deeply into you and filled with judgement, anger, and disappointment.

The time you’d spent in the kitchen, scanning the cupboards to figure out what you needed was silent and awkward. He refused to meet your eyes and huffed and sighed as you continued to build the list. You handed the paper to him, and he ripped it out of your hand, giving you one final glare before he left the kitchen, aggressively stalking out of the room.

Benny grabbed the money from Will, telling him to ‘Save it!’ when Will tried to reason with his brother. The drive over, his knuckles were white from how hard he gripped the steering wheel, and his jaw was starting to ache from clenching his jaw. Once Benny had parked the car, his mind played through his anger at you. He’d told you that you didn’t have to, but you did it anyway. In his fury, he wouldn’t allow himself to think that this might be something you felt you had to do despite him assuring you that you didn’t, or worse, something you actually wanted. To him, you were being stupid, careless. You’d just fallen into this situation, and you didn’t have to do what the other girls before you had done, because you were smarter, you were stronger, you were fiercer, and kinder and braver and everything else that made it so hard for Benny to swallow that you’d allowed yourself to be sucked into Frankie’s orbit. He didn’t want you for himself, of that much he was certain, but he did want something better for you. He didn’t want you to be Frankie’s latest whore.

As he got out of the car, and as if on cue to add more insult to injury, a text came through from Frankie, asking Benny to get some pink nail polish for you. Benny’s fists clenched and he groaned, scowling as he went into the store.

He walked up and down the aisles with a scowl so deep on his face, no one dared approach him, everyone just getting out of his way. After he’d grabbed the last item on the list, he remembered the final request from Frankie and walked to the health and beauty section of the store. Scanning the displays, he found a pink bottle of Sally Hensen polish, in a shade called I Pink I Can. Despite how agitated and infuriated with you he was, he thought this would be a nice colour for you. A wave of sadness washed over him, but it quickly gave way to the anger and fury he felt, not allowing himself to let you off the hook so easily. He tossed the polish into the cart and went to the check out.

While you were left alone waiting for Benny to return, you decided to not let your mind wander into dark waters. To keep your mind occupied you make a quick batch of oatmeal raisin cookies for the guys. You recalled a conversation you had with Benny, and he’d let you know they were his favourites. You thought that maybe this could be what would break down whatever it was that he had against you and get him to open up; maybe you could have a friend again.

The cookies were cooling on the counter when Benny walked in all but shoved the bags of groceries at you. He then got out of the room quickly and flopped hard in one of the armchairs in the lounge. You took your time putting the food away, not sure if further silent treatment was waiting for you or something else, but you weren’t keen on finding out just yet.

After putting away the first bag, you grabbed a plate and a few cookies and brought them out, placing it on the coffee table in front of Benny. You said nothing and returned to the kitchen. Benny just glanced at cookies and went back to fuming.

You hummed quietly to yourself to fill the void Benny’s silence created while you emptied the rest of the bags. You weren’t trying to cause any further issues, but it didn’t stop your sweet voice from burrowing under Benny’s skin and festering. He finally snapped when he caught the sight of you looking at the bottle of pink nail polish, grinning with your bottom lip pulled between your teeth.

“Just... fuckin’ stop!”, he barked out before sitting forward on the couch, his face in his hands.

You stopped and looked at him through the bar counter opening to the lounge, your breathing caught in your throat. You watched as he stood up and stomped towards the door, menacingly glaring at you, leaving you once again alone in the room. You swallowed hard and looked over at the untouched plate of cookies on the table, and the horrible feeling you’d felt your first day here creeping back into the base of your skull and flooding your system with dread.

*****

After showering and readying yourself for Frankie’s ‘surprise’, including painting your fingernails and toenails with the colour Benny had bought, you got dressed in a short sundress and jean jacket. You had no idea what Frankie had planned, but you knew whatever it was, Will’s clear directions on how to appease Frankie were going to be followed to a T.

Benny’s attitude was weighing heavily on you, and you needed to get out of your head; you needed to find Frankie to make you feel something other than whatever void Benny’s anger had left in you. Slipping quietly out of the barracks, you made your way to his office. Luckily for you, you didn’t run into anyone enroute to the office. As you approached the door, you listened for voices, but heard no one. You knocked before opening the door, expecting the room to be empty, but you were met with Will’s cold blue eyes looking at you. He stood in front of the big bay window behind Frankie’s desk, his arms crossed, his shoulders and head turned to you.

“I’m looking for Frankie.”, you spoke timidly. You had no idea if the anti-you attitude that Benny had adopted was contagious, and treading lightly was your best bet moving forward.

“Not here, Honey.”, he grumbled, turning back to the window. You paused, then decided to head back to your room, but as you started to slip back through the door, Will’s voice came up again, his back still to you.

“You know… Benny’s just bein’ sore ‘bout you foolin’ around with Fish. He’ll get over it.”

“I… um… yeah. Okay.” Your brows furrowed, but you took this as Will’s invitation to come into the office.

You closed the door gently behind you and stepped slowly to the front of the desk. You waited for Will to give you further instructions or tell you more about Benny, but he remained silent, looking out over the water, seemingly lost in thought about something.

You’d been in this room almost every day that you’d been here in this building, but you’d never allowed yourself to look over the shelves that lined the walls leaving from the door to the window. You took advantage of the time Will was seemingly allotting you and walked to the shelf that had photographs on it. There were funny staged images, and some candid, a few looked like landscape shots, a few were of fishing and camping trips. You recognized most of the faces, and one you could guess was Tom, but there was a man that you couldn’t quite place. Dark hair, unruly curls poking out from under a baseball cap. He was thin, gaunt almost, and he was in nearly every photograph. You looked closer, focusing on him, thinking there was something about his eyes that seemed so familiar.

Will’s voice pulled you from your concentration with a jump.

“That’s Fish.”

You turned around and he was right behind you, looking at the same photograph you were and Will’s eyes were heavy with what seemed like remorse. He reached over you and picked up what looked like a group shot, all five men standing in a row, all looking like they were trying not to smile at something behind the camera. Who you now recognized as Frankie was on the end and his face was all sharp angles, his clothes looked like they were hanging off him; this was a far cry from the man who had been slowly encroaching your mind at every waking moment. Less than half the man at least.

“Oh my god… it is!”, you gasped. You leaned in and looked at another picture, one where he and Benny were standing together, shirtless, on what looked to be the end of a dock. You could count his ribs even with the photograph being grainy.

“What happened?”, you asked quietly, your eyes roving over the other pictures on the shelves.

“Fish had a ragin’ coke habit. Couldn’t shake the shit. Went to fuckin’ rehabs all over the place, come home then get right back into it. Start all over again. And we knew each time he did.”, he sighed.

“Coke habit? Jesus…” You shook your head. “How… how did you know?”

“He’d come back from rehab, 20 lbs. heavier, then when he got down to skin and bones again… we knew.”, Will said quietly. “He never got mean on coke… I knew other fuckers who got real nasty on the shit, but not Fish. His tell was his weight.”

He put the picture back and looked at you with a smirk. “The Fish you know now is a result of him gettin’ off the coke and findin’ a new vice… one no one’s gonna step in and tell him no to.”

“Oh…”, you nod. “Why did he finally stop?... the coke I mean…”

“Tom got wacked, and Frontiersmen needed a leader… Pope said he wanted Fish in charge, said that this would keep him off the coke, and it did. Said he was the best choice because of how he was a problem solver… and fuck, is Fish not the best of us to find a solution to every problem. But he can be easily persuaded… that’s why I think Pope really wanted him in the boss’s seat. Jokes on him though… Fish is a hell of a leader and scarier than fuck if he needs to be.” Will huffed a laugh and walked back to the desk, sitting on the edge of it, his arms still crossed.

“He can sus just about anything out… like a fuckin’ sixth sense…”, Will continued but in a quieter voice, then lowered his head. “Not proud of the situation I got you in, but it’ll keep him occupied while I try and find a solution for him… it’s one problem he can’t be involved with.”

“Who killed Tom?” Your voice was clear and ripped through him like the shrill, crisp sound of shattering glass.

He looked up at you, his eyes meeting yours, then quickly looked away. “Don’t know… we assume it was some rival group… that’s what Pope said anyways…Tom wasn’t no saint, but he sure as hell didn’t deserve what was done to him… I hope whoever did it knows they deserve to rot in hell.”

You looked at Will. The realization dawned on you that the problem he was trying to solve, the problem that sent him into your room filled with fear and terror, could very well be the same one that got Tom killed. You instantly felt your stomach drop as you watched a man who showed so little emotion be destroyed by the overwhelming love and dread he had for his friend.

--------<3---------

TAGLIST:

@theywhowriteandknowthings @harryleatherfit @harriedandharassed @neverwheremoonchild @rebel-held @beee-haw @nevergoingbacknowshine @idolatrybarbie @v4vayha @lalocitos @xdaddysprincessxx @deathsholywaterr @heareball @lyssramscal @wintrwinchestr @blackfemalenerd @toxicanonymity @southernbe @starkeydaviss @noxturnalpascal @gwendibleywrites

[ficklecat]

My OCs, aka Axel’s Brainpals

I have many hyperfixations, my friends. Some of them I even create myself, as a treat, that way there is truly no escape nor end to my suffering 😌

These three are OCs of mine that are very dear to my heart, who I have crafted lovingly and who are currently running amok in my google docs. I’ve dubbed them/their story “Epiphytes” for now. They are set in modern day (2010s) and are continuously evolving to become more unique and fleshed out as I write them. I hope you enjoy learning about them and please feel free to send me any questions if you’re interested in knowing more!!

Phineas “Finn” Morgan

Age: 25

Sexuality: Bisexual

Gender: Cisgender male

Birthday: February 25 (Pisces)

Appearance: about 5’ 10”, but looks taller due to his long limbs, swimmer’s build, white hair/skin and violet-red eyes due to albinism, androgynous features especially in face and hands, doesn’t wear glasses often but has them (prefers contacts), very poor vision, loppish wavy hair that can often be unruly/windswept looking

Personality: subdued but friendly, a little socially awkward at times but often endearing, tendency for skittishness which he can overcompensate for by being overly sincere, fiercely loyal and protective, a little codependent, fretful nature but is earnest in his attempt to trust people and remain calm, anxiety/PTSD which manifests in periodic insomnia that makes him forgetful/emotional, intelligent and bookish but worldly as well with a slight propensity for coming off as just a tiny bit pretentious, creative and romantic, “soul of a poet” kind of guy

Family: Patrick Alexander Morgan, father (deceased); Heather Morgan, mother (deceased); Kenton “Kenny” Daniels, foster brother

Occupation: teaching assistant, graduate student of classic & romantic literature

Fun facts: plays piano and can sing well but doesn’t, dislikes sweets but loves marshmallows/s’mores, functionally bilingual in Spanish and English, has 4 dogs all named after dogs from famous literature, favourite comfort show is We Bare Bears, favourite food is a BLT on sourdough bread, tea over coffee, loves romcoms and thunderstorms, favourite music is 80s rock/pop but will scream-sing Lana Del Rey and Hozier

Emmanuel José Domingo Alvarez (Manny Domingo)

Age: 25

Sexuality: Gay/Demi

Gender: Cisgender male

Birthday: June 30 (Cancer)

Appearance: athletic build, bulky and toned, around 5’ 8”, brown skin and eyes (Guatemalan), curly black hair which he keeps relatively short along with short facial hair (scruff), strong jawline and nose, large mouth and “smiling” eyes, sort of “hunky/dreamy” looking

Personality: extremely sweet and loving, happy-go-lucky, very emotionally insightful and empathetic, can be over protective and over enthusiastic at times, optimistic but not unrealistic, though sometimes can fall prey to toxic positivity (doesn’t like to dwell on negative emotion which can make him bottle things up), often assumes the role of mediator or peace keeper but does it more out of love than fear of conflict, animal lover, seems like the “dumb jock” but is very thoughtful, strong sense of equality, teacher’s pet vibes but genuinely because he likes school, charismatic and respectful, “will try anything once” kind of guy

Family: Santiago “Diego” Domingo, father; Mariana Alvarez, mother; 1 younger brother he doesn’t know

Occupation: physical trainer, graduate student of physical therapy

Fun facts: excellent dancer, sweet tooth/snacky in general, bilingual in Spanish and English, can get competitive especially during sports, loves board games for this reason, favourite comfort show is whatever anime he’s currently binging, black coffee, favourite food is anything his dad makes or Pad Thai, also loves romcoms, favourite music is 80s hits and 90s alt punk (big fan of Sublime and Green Day)

Violet Roberta Hughes

Age: 21

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Gender: Cisgender female

Birthday: November 2 (Scorpio)

Appearance: short (5 feet), very soft features all around, midsize/curvy, green eyes and LOTS of dark black-brown hair that is wavy/loosely curly naturally, “luscious” lips and demure/angelic facial features, doe-like eyes, higher cheekbones

Personality: dynamic and magnetic, she says what she means, but has a tendency to fall in love fast and then get hurt hard after, wants people to be better than they are, passionate and outspoken, sometimes too forgiving of people especially if she loves them, perfectionist at times with things she feels are important, takes herself seriously but doesn’t let it prevent her from finding joy in small things, determined when trying new things, open-minded and affectionate, a little dorky when she’s comfortable

Family: Nadine Hughes, mother; Robert Hughes, father; Patricia “Trisha” Long, step-mother

Occupation: undergraduate student, biology

Fun facts: LOVES dogs, enjoys arts and crafts and homemade gifts, really good cook but a better baker, went through a “goth phase” in high school but still loves the aesthetic, loves horror movies, favourite comfort show is American Horror Story (season one) or Breaking Bad, loves flavoured lattes and is definitely a Starbucks girly, favourite food is sushi/poke, favourite music is 00s alternative (FOB/Panic), also likes Mitski, Mother Mother, and modern folk/indie

Relationship

Finn & Manny grew up together and had an established, borderline codependent relationship before Violet was introduced. After many years and various iterations of their friendship and love, Finn & Manny decided on an open relationship, and about 2 years later, Finn met and fell very hard in love with Violet. At first, Violet was worried about engaging in non monogamy but now self-identifies as polyamorous. The three of them are essentially a “throuple” with no primary partnership. They each have a different type of bond with the other but overall they’re SO very much in love with each other. 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

I could scream more about them but I’ll chill for now 😜 Thanks for letting me blabber about these three I love them they are tiny babies I carry them in my pocket every day.

[brookston]

Holidays 11.28

Holidays

Auto Race Day

Bedfordshire Day (UK)

Bukovina Day (Romania)

Constitution Day (Abkhazia)

Decorate Your Dog Day

Feast of the Miraculous Medal

Flag Day (Albania, Kosovo)

French Toast Day

Gone-ta-Pott Day [every 28th]

Heroes’ Day (Sri Lanka)

Hōonkō (Japan)

It’s Letter Writing Day

Make Your Own Head Day

Molossaphone Day (Republic of Molossia)

National Day of Listening

Navy Day (Iran)

Red Planet Day

Republic Day (Chad; Burundi)

Royal Society Day

Skywriting Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National French Toast Day

4th & Last Monday in November

Cider Monday [Monday after Thanksgiving]

Cyber Monday [Monday after Thanksgiving]

National Brand Day [4th Monday]

Zibelemarit (Onion Market Day; Berne, Switzerland) [4th Monday]

Independence Days

Albania (from the Ottoman Empire, 1912)

Chatham Islands Province Day (New Zealand)

East Timor (from Portugal, 1975)

Mauritania (from France, 1960)

Panama (from Spain, 1821)

Westland Province Day (New Zealand)

Feast Days

Acacius, Hirenarchus, and companions, of Sebaste (Christian; Saint)

Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá (Bahá'í)

Blue Cheese Day (Pastafarian)

Catherine Labouré (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Holy Sovereigns (Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii)

Herman of Alaska (The anniversary of his actual death; Eastern Orthodox)

James of the Marches (Christian; Saint)

Kamehameha and Emma (Episcopal Church (USA))

Our Lady of Kibeho (Christian; Saint)

Gregory III, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Rufus (No. 8; Christian; Saint)

The Rural Dionysian (Fertility Festival to Dionysus; Ancient Greece)

Stephen the Younger (Christian; Saint)

Ummm Bacon Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Vegetarian Remission Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Waldo Woodpecker (Muppetism)

Washington (Positivist; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Dismal Day (Unlucky or Evil Day; Medieval Europe; 22 of 24)

Egyptian Day (Unlucky Day; Middle Ages Europe) [22 of 24]

Lucky Day (Philippines) [65 of 71]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 55 of 60)

Premieres

Bob the Builder (Kids TV Series; 1998)

Briefcase Full of Blues, by The Blues Brothers (Album; 1978)

Christmas Time Is Here Again, by The Beatles (Fan Club Song; 1967)

Circus, by Britney Spears (Album; 2008)

The Imitation Game (Film; 2014)

I Would Die 4 U, by Prince (Song; 1984)

Meet Me in St. Louis (Film; 1944)

Paddington (Film; 2014)

Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, “The Emperor Concerto,” by Ludwig Van Beethoven (Concerto; 1811)

Today’s Name Days

Berta, Gunther, Jakob (Austria)

Držislav, Jakov (Croatia)

René (Czech Republic)

Magdalene, Sophie (Denmark)

Laima, Niina, Raima (Estonia)

Heini, Kaisla (Finland)

Jacques (France)

Albrecht, Berta, Jakob (Germany)

Irinarhos (Greece)

Stefánia (Hungary)

Fausta (Italy)

Lukrēcija, Olita, Rīta, Vita (Latvia)

Rimgaudas, Rufas, Vakarė (Lithuania)

Ruben, Rut (Norway)

Gościrad, Grzegorz, Jakub, Lesław, Lesława, Rufin, Zdzisław (Poland)

Henrieta (Slovakia)

Catalina, Jaime, Santiago, Urbano (Spain)

Malte (Sweden)

Rad, Radomyr (Ukraine)

Nola, Nolan, Nolana, Norton (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 332 of 2022; 33 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 48 of 2022

Celtic Tree Calendar: Is (Stasis) [Day 3 of 28]

Chinese: Month 11 (Dōngyuè), Day 5 (Yi-You)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 4 Kislev 5783

Islamic: 4 Jumada I 1444

J Cal: 2 Zima; Oneday [2 of 30]

Julian: 15 November 2022

Moon: 29%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 24 Frederic (12th Month) [Washington]

Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 67 of 90)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 6 of 30)

Calendar Changes

Zima (Month 12 of 12; J Calendar) [Winter]

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 11.28

Holidays

Auto Race Day

Bedfordshire Day (UK)

Bukovina Day (Romania)

Constitution Day (Abkhazia)

Decorate Your Dog Day

Feast of the Miraculous Medal

Flag Day (Albania, Kosovo)

French Toast Day

Gone-ta-Pott Day [every 28th]

Heroes’ Day (Sri Lanka)

Hōonkō (Japan)

It’s Letter Writing Day

Make Your Own Head Day

Molossaphone Day (Republic of Molossia)

National Day of Listening

Navy Day (Iran)

Red Planet Day

Republic Day (Chad; Burundi)

Royal Society Day

Skywriting Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National French Toast Day

4th & Last Monday in November

Cider Monday [Monday after Thanksgiving]

Cyber Monday [Monday after Thanksgiving]

National Brand Day [4th Monday]

Zibelemarit (Onion Market Day; Berne, Switzerland) [4th Monday]

Independence Days

Albania (from the Ottoman Empire, 1912)

Chatham Islands Province Day (New Zealand)

East Timor (from Portugal, 1975)

Mauritania (from France, 1960)

Panama (from Spain, 1821)

Westland Province Day (New Zealand)

Feast Days

Acacius, Hirenarchus, and companions, of Sebaste (Christian; Saint)

Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá (Bahá'í)

Blue Cheese Day (Pastafarian)

Catherine Labouré (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Holy Sovereigns (Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii)

Herman of Alaska (The anniversary of his actual death; Eastern Orthodox)

James of the Marches (Christian; Saint)

Kamehameha and Emma (Episcopal Church (USA))

Our Lady of Kibeho (Christian; Saint)

Gregory III, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Rufus (No. 8; Christian; Saint)

The Rural Dionysian (Fertility Festival to Dionysus; Ancient Greece)

Stephen the Younger (Christian; Saint)

Ummm Bacon Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Vegetarian Remission Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Waldo Woodpecker (Muppetism)

Washington (Positivist; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Dismal Day (Unlucky or Evil Day; Medieval Europe; 22 of 24)

Egyptian Day (Unlucky Day; Middle Ages Europe) [22 of 24]

Lucky Day (Philippines) [65 of 71]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 55 of 60)

Premieres

Bob the Builder (Kids TV Series; 1998)

Briefcase Full of Blues, by The Blues Brothers (Album; 1978)

Christmas Time Is Here Again, by The Beatles (Fan Club Song; 1967)

Circus, by Britney Spears (Album; 2008)

The Imitation Game (Film; 2014)

I Would Die 4 U, by Prince (Song; 1984)

Meet Me in St. Louis (Film; 1944)

Paddington (Film; 2014)

Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, “The Emperor Concerto,” by Ludwig Van Beethoven (Concerto; 1811)

Today’s Name Days

Berta, Gunther, Jakob (Austria)

Držislav, Jakov (Croatia)

René (Czech Republic)

Magdalene, Sophie (Denmark)

Laima, Niina, Raima (Estonia)

Heini, Kaisla (Finland)

Jacques (France)

Albrecht, Berta, Jakob (Germany)

Irinarhos (Greece)

Stefánia (Hungary)

Fausta (Italy)

Lukrēcija, Olita, Rīta, Vita (Latvia)

Rimgaudas, Rufas, Vakarė (Lithuania)

Ruben, Rut (Norway)

Gościrad, Grzegorz, Jakub, Lesław, Lesława, Rufin, Zdzisław (Poland)

Henrieta (Slovakia)

Catalina, Jaime, Santiago, Urbano (Spain)

Malte (Sweden)

Rad, Radomyr (Ukraine)

Nola, Nolan, Nolana, Norton (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 332 of 2022; 33 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 48 of 2022

Celtic Tree Calendar: Is (Stasis) [Day 3 of 28]

Chinese: Month 11 (Dōngyuè), Day 5 (Yi-You)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 4 Kislev 5783

Islamic: 4 Jumada I 1444

J Cal: 2 Zima; Oneday [2 of 30]

Julian: 15 November 2022

Moon: 29%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 24 Frederic (12th Month) [Washington]

Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 67 of 90)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 6 of 30)

Calendar Changes

Zima (Month 12 of 12; J Calendar) [Winter]

[thirstworldproblemss]

Fic Rec Love List 💕

Here's the final list of all the fic that was recced for my 1,111 Followers Celebration.  In the end you lovely folks recommended 80 fantastic stories/series and a whole lotta love was spread!  Thank you so much to everyone who participated!!  <3

Here’s a breakdown of fics recced by character:

Frankie Morales (Triple Frontier) - 25

Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) - 22

Marcus Pike (The Mentalist) - 7

Agent Whiskey (Kingsman: TGC) - 6

Javier Peña (Narcos) - 6

Ezra (Prospect) - 6

Santiago Garcia (Triple Frontier) - 6

Max Phillips (Bloodsucking Bastards) - 2

Dave York (The Equalizer 2) - 2

Pero Tovar (The Great Wall) - 1

Javi G (TUWoMT) - 1

Marcus Moreno (We Can Be Heroes) - 1

(Yes, that adds up to more than 80 because threesome fics count for multiple characters)

Read on for the Fic Recs (& Love)!

List Navigation Notes:

Fics are listed Alphabetically by Movie/Series Title then Character then Story Title (Characters with only 1-2 stories are grouped together at the end)

Ratings used are standard from AO3: General audiences - Teen & up - Mature - Explicit

Gorgeous Headers by @sirtadcooper:  Din, Ezra, Frankie, Javi, Marcus P, Pedro, Whiskey

Fic rec love submissions can be found under the 'fic rec love ask' tag

Links have been misbehaving on desktop--If none of the links are working, try opening in dashboard mode (click the eye-shaped button in the far top right)

.

Kingsman: TGC - Agent Whiskey

Cowboy Like Me  [ao3] by @danidrabbles​​​​​ [Whiskey x f!reader, slight AU, 11.2k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary: Set in an alternate universe, one year after the events of K:TGC, where Jack Daniels (aka Agent Whiskey) is a disgraced Statesman operative waiting to be reinstated. You’re a Statesman agent who has recently transferred to Statesman’s Kentucky department, where Jack is assigned as your new partner. Soon, you’re thrust into the world of art theft, cyber espionage, diamond heists and assassination plots in assignments that take you all over the world, test your skills and make you face your demons while also discovering just how much the lines of your professional partnership can blur…

Recced by @clan-djarin​:  FUN! this fic has a seriously interesting and well done look into Whiskey’s choices at the end of Kingsman 2. Dani is a lovely storyteller. There’s a deep and thoughtful connection between Whiskey and reader that I love, while it also shows their skills as they work for Statesman. 💖 It is glorious!!

Hotel Hobbies [ao3] by @loversandantiheroes [Whiskey x f!reader, 23k, E like whoa, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  He’s an insufferable, obnoxious blowhard. Which would be fine if he wasn’t also - some-fucking-how - hotter than a fucking wildfire. And to make matters worse, now you’ve invited him up to your hotel room.

Recced by @astroboots​:  The one, the only, the godly masterpiece! Reader meets a brash Whiskey at a hotel bar for a one night stand that will subvert every expectation you’ve ever had of the concept of fanfic. You and I have screamed about this ad infinitum about how this puts the artform of writing itself into shame. IT IS THAT GOOD. Whiskey at its finest, with nuanced characterisation that not even professional screenwriters paid millions of dollars can achieve. Every word is careful, considered perfection. It’s hot as 🤬 my 🐱 has 💀 ascended to 😇 been reincarnated then died all over again every time a new chapter is added/when I reread it.

In the Dead of Night Series [ao3] by @castleamc​ [Whiskey x f!reader series, 11.5k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  You and Jack have been together since you early days in college, late night adventures, moving in together, and through his restless nights. But are you both ready to endure what comes after? Will he still be your riding companion through your sleepless nights?

Recced by @littlefrescita​:   For anyone with insomnia.🦉

Of Gorgons and Gardens  by  @concussed-to-pieces [Din x f!reader x Ezra -- listed under Din below]

Stars Hit the Ceiling [ao3] by @jazzelsaur​​​​ [Frankie x f!reader x Whiskey threesome, 7.2k, E, smutty oneshot]

Author’s Summary:   Frankie wakes from a nightmare. Sometimes he needs you and Jack to help ground him in reality. Basically, it’s porn with the tiniest crumb of plot, mostly to establish the sense of a lived-in relationship where everyone is comfortable. Come one, come all, get your classic wake from a nightmare and fuck it away trope, here!

Recced by @astroboots:  FUCK ME! How many times do I need to recommend one of the best threesome fics I’ve ever read. 10 times? 100 THOUSAND TIMES?! Never enough. Pussy and heart melted and destroyed with this one. It’s so fucking hot and so emotional and the fucking characterisation, the chemistry and the fucking dynamics. I am but a melted puddle after reading this and everyone needs to read this pussy destroying threesome.

The Traveler [ao3] by @silksaddle​​ [wild west!au, Whiskey x f!reader, 41k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary: In 1907, a mysterious traveler settles into the boarding house you help the widowed Mrs. Adler run, inspiring newfound and daring behaviour in yourself with his wit, whip, and charm.

Recced by @highsviolets:  Claire has created a fic of epic proportions — not only are her chapters beautifully crafted, jam-packed with enough detail to make you feel as though you’re in the Wild West, but they’re also brimming with bright romance to make you swoon and Jack Daniels’ antics. The kisses are sweet, the smut is scorching, Whiskey is a scoundrel — what more can you ask for? Besides being written by an even lovelier human 💗

.

the Mandalorian - Din Djarin

All That Glitters by @bestinbeskar​​ [Din x mandalorian f!reader, 11.3k, in progress]

Author’s Summary: Din Djarin, known as the legendary bounty hunter to most, to the covert he’s the expert marksman and quiet guard to the creed. He has long been alone in the covert, having yet to find a riduur to raise warriors with. Until something glittering catches his eye. A female Mandalorian cloaked in gold. Who just so happens to be the daughter of the Armorer. Known as the lioness for her fierce love and protection of the foundlings. Has the Mandalorian met his match?

Recced by @bestinbeskar​:  My first Mando fic and I'm very proud of it

Boxer!Din Series [ao3] by @djarinsbeskar​ [dom boxer!Din x masseuse f!reader, modern AU, 9.3k, E, ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:   Din isn't happy when the massage therapist he's been going to see as part of his physio for a torn hamstring is invited to the boxing club to give another boxer a pre-fight massage...

Recced by @bestinbeskar:   It has that *chefs kiss* smut with a dominant Din that I just can't get enough of

The Children of Mandalore [ao3] by @novemberrain221​​​ [Din x Fennec Shand, 61k, E, ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  The trip to Tython didn't exactly go as planned and Din is left fighting for his life and joining allies to get back his son and quite possibly his home world.

Recced by Anonymous:  Such an odd couple but I love it!

Cover Me [ao3] by @letterfromvienna​ [Din x f!reader, 105k, E, ongoing]

Author’s Summary: Smart people don’t get stranded on an ice planet in subzero temperatures with a faceless bounty hunter and his wrinkly green kid. And yet, here you are. Freezing your ass off on Maldo Kreis, of all fucking places, with a sentient hunk of metal and a little green baby for company. You’re not scared, but you’re definitely not a genius. And to top it all off, you’re cold. Or: You have something the Mandalorian wants. The Mandalorian has something you need. What could go wrong?

Recced by @leonieb​:  A beautiful Din x Reader multichapter epic. Vienna has such an astute skill at writing characters and dialogues and this work is just an absolute beauty in every written word.

Deepwater Series by @javisjeanjacket [sea god Din x reader fic, 8k+extras, T, in progress]

Recced by @darnitdraco:  This series is like. Covering yourself in love. The love the reader and din feel for each other is so strong I feel it in my bones when I read this ok yall. Oh and Hailee made this Din tatted as well so *chefs kiss*

Everything & More [ao3] by @dincrypt​ [sugar daddy Din x f!reader, 88k, M, ongoing]

Author’s Summary:  Life in the city is tough for a girl on her own. A fact you’re well aware of, living your days around work and survival on one of the most expensive planets in the galaxy. But when a mysterious and alluring stranger shows up and offers a way out, you finally have a path to something more. Something that will bring as much pleasure as it does mystery.

Recced by @bestinbeskar:  A beautiful Sugar Daddy!Din world that just gives you all those butterflies in the stomach kind of feels with enough suspense and innuendos to keep you coming back.

Eyes Closed, Comm Open by @oonajaeadira​ [Din x f!reader, 0.5k, T, oneshot]

Author’s Summary: Din communes with your heart.

Recced by @just-here-for-the-moment:  soft and fluffy where Din is listening to your heartbeat over the comm while you sleep

In the Dark [ao3] by @coreychick​ [Din x f!reader, 92k, E, ongoing]

Author’s Summary: The Mandalorian Bounty Hunter has unintentionally rescued you from raiders- at least that's what you thought. Now he's agreed to escort you back to civilization. You've got secrets you need to keep and he seems to be carrying one of his own. After a major betrayal, is he your enemy or your lover?

Recced by @coreychick​:  I love worldbuilding, creating adventure, action, and a touch of mystery. Can’t forget a dash of love scenes. It doesn’t have a lot of notes, but the ones I get all seem to enjoy it.

It’s All About What You Want [ao3] by @thirstworldproblemss​ [Din x F!reader A/B/O fic, 21k, E, complete]

Author Summary:  Omega!Reader starts to feel differently about her Alpha employer, Mando, during a stopover on a planet with an unusual social hierarchy.

Recced by Anonymous:  the best a/b/o I ever read. It has a cute idiots to lovers plot, but it’s my favorite because it subverts the usual a/b/o trope in an unexpected way. Best of all the panty destroying heat sex scene maintains consent - and is sexy enough that I need new underwear afterwards!

Highway Man [ao3] by @ollypopp​ [Biker!Din x f!reader modern AU, E, 80k + extras, ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  A Biker AU || The Mandalorians are a well-known biker gang whose reach spreads around the world. They are as mysterious as they are dangerous and anyone with common sense knows not to cross them. When a Mandalorian bounty hunter arrives on your doorstep demanding payments from your brother, it is only the beginning of a chain of events that uproot your life.

Recced by @skyshipper:  That series is SO incredible and it is extremely clever how she carefully weaves a lot of Mandalorian traditions into a modern setting. Amazing smut too (my brain still hasn’t recovered from a gun kink section 🥴). Honestly the way she adapted Din and other familiar characters to a modern setting in such a unique way is what really blew me away. Please check it out if you haven’t already. Super talented writer and amazing story! 💕

Lacuna [ao3] by @yoditorian [Din x gn!reader, 30k+, M, complete]

Author’s Summary:  Lacuna- an unfilled space; a gap. “Have you ever removed your helmet?” “No.” He grits out. “Has it ever been removed by others?” “Never.” He’s lying.

Recced by Anonymous:  honestly, i think about that fic every day because i love how effortlessly it fits in with the existing canon while also filling in much of Din's life before s1 - it's spectacular - and it's a story that deserves so much love.

Latch [ao3] by @pentechnics​​ [firefighter!Din x f!reader, modern au, 12.6k, M, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  When the famous Bookmark bookstore — your beloved place of employment, affectionately called the Mark — goes up in flames, you get trapped inside. When you're moments away from your last breath, a firefighter comes to your rescue, and something about you makes him want to hold on. Now you're working at a café and bakery right by the fire station while you and your former coworkers try to raise the funds to rebuild the beloved bookstore before the city takes over the plot in 2 months' time. And you start to get a regular customer. Something about those brown eyes draws you in. You want to know him more. And unbeknownst to you, he feels the same.

Recced by @bestinbeskar:   It has Firefighter!Din meeting a sweet Baker Reader and it is like a warm hug. Shy Din is so sweet and I can't wait for more of the series to come out.

Of Gorgons and Gardens [ao3] by @concussed-to-pieces​​​​ [Din x f!reader x Ezra, sex pollen, 83k, E, complete]

Author’s Summary: Your Mandalorian employer accepts a bounty for a new target.

Recced by @immortalstarme​:  There is Soooo much to love about this set of stories.🤩 I think my favorite thing overall is the relationship between Mando, Ezra, and the reader. It’s just a good, healthy relationship (by the end), full of playful banter, reassurances when one of them was down, and hot, passionate, absolutely romantic smut. 🥰🥵 (And Ezra’s nickname for Mando - ‘Steerforth’ is so cool!!😎) The action is great, the attention to details are immaculate, and all the scenes dealing with the Mandalorian culture are particular favorites.

Space Cowboys ‘Verse by @pumpkin-stars​ [Din x gn!reader; Din x gn!reader x Ezra threesome, E,12.8k, ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  ongoing series, (mostly) canon compliant to star wars and prospect.

Recced by @astroboots:  AHEM AHEM! I want to show some love for [this] series. BECAUSE Holy shit did you read the pairing involved?! This is a beautifully written universe that has me in absolute awe of Erika’s talent. It’s emotional, hot and the characterisation is so on point and the world is so rich and tasty I cannot stop thinking about it

Stitches [ao3] by @djarinsbeskar​ [Din x f!reader, 140k, E, epic ongoing series]

Author’s Summary: What is a former combat medic to do when an injured Mandalorian stumbles across her clinic one night on Klatooine?

Recced by @heavenseed76​​:  It’s phenomenal. I go back to it again and again.

Recced by @bestinbeskar:  It has some of my favorite smut scenes, and the character writing of Din and the reader is amazing.

Take me to Church [ch1] [mlist] by @frannyzooey [old west AU, Din x f!reader with Din x reader x ofc action, long, E, completed epic fic, ongoing universe]

Author’s Summary:  Set in a brothel in the late 1800’s in the Wild West; you’ve only been working there for a month when Din Djarin shows up. A bounty hunter who makes stops into town between jobs, he is known at the inn for his generous appetite and demanding preferences. Asking for you one night, he is pleased to learn you are well suited for him: your sweet nature soothing to his gruff temperament and surprising him with your ability to handle his rougher tastes. Demanding that you be made available to him every time he is in town, neither one of you is ready for where this request leads.

Recced by @astroboots:  So this is a very popular fic I’m recommending and it is its godgiven right that it’s popular. What can I say about it?! The worldbuilding is fantastic, every detail rendered into perfection. The characters feel fully alive. There is so much love, heartbreak and everything in between all at once, and the smut is goddamned perfection that I constantly walk around in a daydream hornily thinking about. This is the one fic I always go back to reread when I’m not feeling on the top of my game, it’s a world I return to again and again that brings me such comfort. It is the one fic I read that made me go holy crap reader insert fics are a fucking art form, this is no damned joke. It’s the fic that made me go from lurker to an active shouter and screamer, creating my tumblr for the sole purpose of screeching at Kelli how amazing her writing is and I have never truly looked back since. On the off-chance that any of your readers haven’t read it… They fucking damned should.

Unfettered by @the-scandalorian​ [Din x f!reader, sex pollen, 7.4k, E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  When Mando is drugged on a job, he begs you to restrain him because he knows he won’t be able to keep his hands off you.

Recced by @coreychick:  I’m new to her blog so I haven't read her longer writings yet, but I just finished reading one of her one-shots called Unfettered that knocked my socks off. Really good writing, and I will definitely be going back to read her other stuff.

Vencuyanir [ao3] by @oloreaa​​ [Din x ofc canon plus epic, 186k, T, ongoing]

Author’s Summary:  vencuyanir [ven-COO-yah-neer]: sustain, keep alive, preserve;  About to be taken away from Arvala-7, Elana only has two objectives: keeping Bean alive and getting away from the Mandalorian

Recced by Anonymous:  one of my favourite Mando fics, it adds so much to the series and is the true example of 'slow burn enemies to friends to lovers', you come out of this fic disappointed that Elana is not a real character in the show, and the character development of everyone is excellent and very realistic

Wait For Me [ao3] by @yoditorian​ [Din x gn!reader, Haunted!Din, 1k, M, oneshot sequel]

Author’s Summary: This is just a little something that came to me because I was thinking about haunted Din again.

Recced by Anonymous:  warning for major character death mention and things that typically come with haunted!Din. It’s the sequel to their fic “(Kiss Me) You Will Go” (which I also highly recommend reading but it is very heavy on the angst and features the major character death mentioned above so ymmv) but it can be read on it’s own. “Wait for Me” is also angsty but in a more bittersweet kind of way. An exploration of grief. The emotions of it blew me away the first time I read it and it really stuck with me.

Waterpark Din [ao3] by @starlightmornings​ [Din x f!reader, crack!AU, 10.7k, E, complete]

Author’s Summary:  Din’s a chaotic mess of a man who’s doing his best to raise his adopted son. He’s a little rough around the edges, and he doesn’t give a shit what ANYONE thinks. Follow him and his other crack!AU pals through a series of increasingly ridiculous events, as they all find their way in this crazy world. And maybe, just maybe, there’s someone out there for Din after all.

Recced by @just-here-for-the-moment:  ...because I just love pure chaos. It was a TRIP! I literally had no idea what the hell was going on the first time because I was so new I didn’t know what a ‘crack fic’ was, LOL

Would You Let Me [ao3] by @keeper0fthestars [tattooed Din x f!reader, 2.8k E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Din has a few tattoos and he doesn't realize how enamoured you are with them :)

Recced by @mourningbirds1:  I feel so much love in my heart for [Keeper] and her beautiful stories. I turn to them when I feel vulnerable, when I yearn for softness and tenderness and need a writer who will be gentle with my heart. Deeply comforting and insanely hot and I wish I could live inside [it] ❤️

You Were My Dream (And You Were Mine) [ao3] by @keeper0fthestars​ [Din x f! reader, slight AU, 10k, E, long oneshot]

Author’s Summary: Din Djarin trusts no one. Well except for you. But you don’t know that. You have no idea how he truly feels about you.

Recced by @astroboots:   One of the most perfect, ephemeral stories of Din out there. It is so beautiful and emotional, I teared up at least four times throughout when I read it and I swoon at the way that she writes a kiss. No one writes a kiss quite like her; the sheer romance that is infused in the simple act of two lips meeting through her words is such a dream.

.

The Mentalist - Marcus Pike

An Acquired Taste [ao3] by @thirstworldproblemss​ [Marcus P x f!reader lactation kink fic, 3.7k, E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Marcus discovers a new kink

Recced by @astroboots:  Reader is pregnant and Marcus struggles to come to terms with his own desire for his wife who is lactating…. Nastiness ensues. [A] fic that had one of the nastiest kinks that I never thought I’d be into, but that’s how good [the] author is, that not only did I read it but I loved it, salivated and daydream about it constantly. It’s a fucking curse and a magic trick how she does it, she must obviously be a witch, and I am making my case for a witch hunt as we speak.

Just Say Yes [ao3] by @heatherbel​​​ [Marcus P x f!reader vacation meet cute, 7.5k, E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Love hasn’t been kind to Special Agent Marcus Pike. After his divorce he thought he’d finally found true love, only for his fiance to dump him over the phone for another man. Now, he already has a new start - a new job in Washington DC, but what he really needs is a holiday. And maybe, just maybe, it’s about time for his luck to change.

Recced by Anonymous:   a meet cute about falling in love with marcus while on vacation in italy. it's hot and sweet and just brilliant all around. heather gives marcus the ending he deserves. there are two sequels also - say you want me and say you love me.

Paradisum by @juletheghoul [Father Marcus x f!reader, Catholic priest AU, 9.1k, E, in progress]

Recced by @just-here-for-the-moment:  Something a little spicier: a Marcus Pike AU where he’s a Catholic priest

Read You Like a Book  [ao3] by @the-ginger-hedge-witch​ [Marcus x ofc!reader, 89k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  When Marcus Pike is called to Chicago for a short-term assignment, he never expects to meet someone who makes him want to stay forever. Is this Marcus’s chance at home?

Recced by Anonymous:  A fantastic case!fic about Marcus falling for a photographer named Anne while on assignment in Chicago. Like Marcus himself, this story is sweet + soft and mysterious + sexy by turns.

The "Stressed" Series [ao3] by @generallybrontidefeelings​ [professor!Marcus x grad student f!reader AU,15k, E, ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  Marcus Pike is an associate faculty member at your forensics college. You ask him to be your second reader for your thesis, even though you have a huge crush on him. Nothing is better than something, right? By the time you pass your exam, you're so pent up you could scream.

Recced by @just-here-for-the-moment:  Marcus Pike is the graduate advisor for a female anthropology student, and after her graduation she finally admits her feelings to him. The hook is that she is so tired of making her own decisions, she just wants Marcus to take over, and boy howdy, does he!!! It’s really 5-star filth, just amazing, including one chapter where he ties her up and reads love poetry. 🥵

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day by @yespolkadotkitty​​​​ [Marcus P x f!reader,, 1.7k, T, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  No one should have to propose three times.

Recced by Anonymous:  the loveliest proposal fic you could ever want. once again exactly what marcus deserves.

A Warm Welcome Home [ao3] by @thirstworldproblemss​​ [Marcus P x F!reader, 11k, E, twoshot]

Author Summary:  Marcus is back after a couple weeks away while working a hard case. His wife (& toddler) welcome him home.

Recced by @yespolkadotkitty:  Possibly my favourite EVER Marcus Pike fic. I so enjoyed screaming about it with you, my God. I reread it often. <3

.

Narcos - Javier Pena

Better Love Series [ao3] by @disgruntledspacedad​ [Javi x ofc!reader, 225k, E, ongoing series--mind the warnings!!]

Author’s Summary:  He’s a DEA Agent. You work for the CIA. You’re an unstoppable force. He’s an immovable object. A collision between you is inevitable. The fallout will be monumental. Slices of life from your adventures with Peña in Colombia.

Recced by Anonymous:  Dark but so damn worth it. Better character development than all 3 seasons of Narcos. This is THE Javi series.

Heat  [ao3] by @furious-rogue-stuff​ [Javi x f!reader, 78k,

Author’s Summary:  You’re not interested. At least that’s what you keep telling yourself while Agent Javier Peña works to entice you. Can you withstand his seduction? Or will the heated desire attracting you two win out?

Recced by @just-here-for-the-moment:  Javier Pena x female IT specialist at the DEA. She knows she should avoid him, but oh, it’s impossible. The story is intriguing, the characters are drawn so well, the smut is first-rate, and frankly it’s a crime that there are so few people on the tag list! It’s my dream to get the tag list maxed out! This series deserves it!!

scenes from a marriage [ao3] by @pedropascaldice​​ [Javi x nameless ofc, 45k+, E, ongoing]

Author’s Summary:  javier peña is a dea agent naively navigating his way through life in colombia. as if life is not complicated or risky enough while he partakes in the search for the infamous pablo escobar, javier has decidedly fallen in love. these are the scenes from his marriage, full of trials and tribulations, set in colombia, circa 1979–1993.

Recced by @astroboots:  One of the most amazing Javi series out there that is being slept upon. Each chapter is poetic genius, it’s a beautiful surreal daydream with such perfect and heartachingly beautiful characterisation of Javi and the pain of trying to do better by Colombia but also a devastating picture of how one person can never do everything. It’s a beautiful analysis and depiction of the hardships and beauty of married life, and it’s just pure simple perfection

A Walk in the Woods [ao3] by @mourningbirds1​​ [lumberjack!Javi x F!reader, 5.9k, E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  You are walking in the woods when you see a handsome man chopping down a tree.

Recced by @astroboots:  One of the most talented writers on here. Javi as a lumberjack?!?!? Yes, and thank you and I want to live in this dreamy world and never leave. The prose is god-tier and there are so many lines that I still sit and daydream and think about even though I’ve read this near 50 times and have it memorised in my brain. It haunts me in horny, it’s so beautiful.

Waterfall Inquiry [ao3] by @highsviolets​ [Javi x analyst f!reader, 21k + extras, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  Words should not make you feel so much.  But when Javier Peña meets you, a fresh-faced intelligence officer, words take on a whole new meaning.

Recced by @clan-djarin:   Flowing poetry and deep emotions, character study, smutty smutty times. Reading this fic feels meditative to me, like I’m free and I can just enjoy the words of my dear Cris. It’s beautiful, and I love the peeks into Javier’s mind. Cris’ intelligence and her understanding of him SHINES. This fic is truly soulful and loved.

What Used To Be Sin [ao3] by @keeper0fthestars​ [Javi x f!reader, 4.7k, E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:   Some kinda light at the end, Stoned, forgetful and then Drinking what used to be sin Touching the edge of her skinIt's the feeling I get My palms with sweat Like some kind of daydream, I'll never forget Why does it begin By touching the edge of her skin

Recced by @mourningbirds1:  I feel so much love in my heart for [Keeper] and her beautiful stories. I turn to them when I feel vulnerable, when I yearn for softness and tenderness and need a writer who will be gentle with my heart. Deeply comforting and insanely hot and I wish I could live inside [it] ❤️

.

Prospect - Ezra

deeds of green thrilling light [ao3] by @highsviolets​​ [voice actor Ezra x gn!reader, 2.4k, E, oneshot w sequel]

Author’s Summary:  ezra entices you to take a break during a long night of recording.

Recced by @astroboots:  highsviolets aka the filthiest of the ethereal fairies, who owns my fucking heart and 🐱 This does not get nearly enough love as it should, it should be sung at the masses at church for how beautiful, godly and perfect it is. It is soft, it’s sweet, it’s smutty and it’s such a goddamned treat.  Ezra is a voice actor and reader is a sound technician and Cris and Ezra’s voice is a match made in heaven. It’s so dreamy and beautiful, and I come back to this little world she’s built over and over again and want to live there and take up squatter’s right and never leave even as the police come to evict me (kicking and screaming). She also wrote this filthy continuation: Rushing Decadence where Ezra gets pegged, and I swear to god my damned soul left my fucking body and has never returned.

Forget Me Not by @krissology​ [Ezra x f!reader soulmate AU, Permanent Hiatus]

Author’s Summary:  On Permanent Hiatus. Relevant Asks: [1] [2] [3]

Recced by @heavenseed76​:  If you haven’t read it, are you really a fan?

Recced by @coreychick:  Beautifully written. She really capture’s Ezra’s voice which is no easy feat.

A Girl Walks Into A Bookshop by @oonajaeadira​ [Ezra x F!reader, 27k, T (thru ch 6), in progress]

Author’s Summary:  Set a couple of years after the events of the film. Ezra owns a bookshop. You walk in.

Recced by @insomniamamma​:  This is an Ezra x f!reader slow burn, six chapters so far, set after Ezra's time on The Green Moon. He owns a bookshop and runs it with Cee. This is one of my favorite Ezra x reader fics out there. Adira's world building is immaculate. Every bit of this feels absolutely true to the Prospect universe, a world that feels lived in and warm. And the emotions? This fic is like being wrapped up in a warm, lingering hug. Also I love her for including Cee. She gives Ez and Cee a really fun, warm dynamic and it is wonderful.

A Law Divine [ao3] by @yoditorian​​ [Ezra x gn!reader, 12.9k, M, complete]

Author’s Summary:  You've never thought much of soulmates, it all seems about as real as the boogeyman or the agency giving you a fair cut on digs. Until you meet Ezra.

Recced by Anonymous:  Ezra x gn!reader, soulmate/red string of fate AU. I love soulmate AUs and this is definitely one of my favorite Ezra fics. The writing is superb and the world building is so beautifully realized and immersive. A lovely combo of warmth and sweetness and angst that grabs you by the heart.

Lotus-Eaten Postcard by @corvueros​​ [Ezra x f!reader, E, 17.7k, long oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Postcards left on your doorstep catapult you into a chase lightyears across the galaxy in search of something more precious than the ore you mine for.

Recced by Anonymous:  long but I swear every word is perfect, her worldbuilding and the scorching hot and incredibly well done smut at the end is just on point and you can't stop thinking of it for literal DAYS, her Ezra is absolutely on point and I have reread it at least five times now

Recced by @astroboots:  Reader is the former companion/partner and lover of Ezra who receives a series of postcards from our favourite space cowboy before she finally decides to go out into the vast unknown to find him. It’s hands down the best Ezra I’ve ever read. END OF. It is one of those absolute top to bottom masterpieces that is perfect within every inch of its life that has you breathless because you don’t know what hit you. The characterisation is perfect not just for Ezra but also for reader who has such a strong personality you can truly see her going toe to toe with the man. It has such a sense of space adventure. And holy fucking Christ can Meg write good filthy fire hot smut 🔥 forget forest fire this is a space galaxy fire. The first time I read it I was so taken aback by how good it was I couldn’t form thoughts and then I just stared in front of the screen for what must’ve been an hour and I was seething with envy that one could write a story like this!

Space Cowboys ‘Verse by @pumpkin-stars  [Din x gn!reader x Ezra series  -- listed under Din above!]

.

Triple Frontier - Frankie Morales

The Alewife  by  @wardenparker​ [Frankie x f!reader & other TF boy pairings, soulmate!au -- listed under Triple Frontier - Misc below]

Afternoon Matinee [ao3]  by  @frannyzooey​ [Frankie x f!reader, 1.7k, E, oneshot in ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:   Frankie wants to take a nap.

Recced by @clan-djarin:   I think this is my favourite of the Box Set ‘verse, and possibly the first one I read! I don’t know— it really gets me going. It’s as soft as it is sexy. There’s so much from Kelli that I love, yet this one sticks with me like glue. I wanted to show this shorter piece some attention because it is just that good domestic loving from Frankie that Kelli is so amazing at writing.

Between the Raindrops [ao3] by @jazzelsaur​​ [divorced!Frankie x widowed!ofc-reader, 21k, M, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  Frankie’s life is coming apart at the seams, when Ellie, a widow facing her own share of struggles, moves in next door. Together they find friendship, healing, and something more. A neighbors to friends (to idiots) to lovers story.

Recced by @astroboots:  I am here to peddle beautiful angst in the form of one humble series... A recently divorced Frankie finds friendship (and love!?) with his widowed neighbour. Dear god the way Jazz writes angst and the process of grief is a thing to behold. It’s so painstakingly real and it hits and hurts me right in the meow meow and I love her for it so much.

Blanket ‘verse [Heat Wave] [ao3] by @thirstworldproblemss​, @astroboots​ [Frankie x f!reader x Benny, E, oneshot in an ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  Being the only female on a Delta Force team is tough, but having teammates–and best friends–like Frankie Morales and Benny Miller makes things a little easier.  What isn’t easy is hiding the fact that you’re in love with Frankie. (Little do you know, he’s hiding some feelings of his own.)

Recced by Anonymous:  I am absolutely obsessed with Heat Wave. Your characterisation of Benny and Frankie are just so spot on and I constantly daydream of it and am in NEED of more.  You’re such a talented author and I don’t know how you do it blends such details that makes me feel I am in the moment and experiencing the very same emotions in real time that the characters go through.  Everytime you call Benny Pretty my soul and 😽died! It ascended to heaven and never came back, and what the hell am I supposed to do now? Put up posters in my local neighbourhood with a Lost my Kitten poster?!!?!?

Recced by @jazzelsaur:  I LOVE your Blanket'verse. You have such a great characterization of Benny that I really adore and I think you just write him (and Frankie!) so well.

El Chico Del Apt 512 [ao3] by @castleamc​ [neighbor!Frankie x f!reader, 18k, M, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  You find yourself in front of your crush’s door, el chico del apartmento 512 who’s all you think about day and night.

Recced by @just-here-for-the-moment:  A sweet, slow-burn romantic Frankie Morales series based on the Selena song (and as every Texan knows, Selena is always near and dear to our hearts!) Just sweet and soft and lovely!

Recced by @littlefrescita:  It's based off Selena Quintanilla's song and Frankie Morales is the cute neighbor.

Francisco Morales Falls in Love with a Ghost Series: [Apparition] [KMVtM] [ao3] by @alwaysbethewest​ [Frankie x ghost f!reader, 2.9k, E, oneshots in an ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  francisco morales falls in love with a ghost

Recced by Anonymous:  A Frankie falls in love with a ghost AU that’s ingenious and unique. The dream-sex sequence is damn sexy.

Golden, Like Daylight [ao3] by @wyn-n-tonic [Frankie x ofc, 17k+, M, complete]

Recced by @darnitdraco​:  I could literally talk this series up so much. It’s a Frankie fic with an OC that I literally want to love and be loved by. I think I’ve read at least a part of this series every week because it makes me feel good inside.>

G.O.M.E.R.  [ao3] by @disgruntledspacedad​ [Frankie x f!reader meet cute, 2.4k, T, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Injured, designated driver Frankie brings his drunk friends into your emergency room.

Recced by @just-here-for-the-moment: a Frankie Morales x female ER physician meet-cute. So lovely!

High Hope by @littleferal [Frankie x F reader emotional hurt/comfort, 5k, E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Because Frankie understands. So have some angsty smut with the softest man Francisco Morales.

Recced by @astroboots:  Frankie comforts reader who’s having an emotional low. This is the ultimate comfort pic that feels like an emotional bandaid made out of words. I come back to it whenever I hit a low spot or spiral and it lifts me back up every time. Not to mention… it’s so. fucking. sexy. hot. smutty. and fuck me I get so horny and emotional every time. Lissi is an incredibly talented writer with some of the most on point characterisations and most amazing headcanons and I’d really recommend everyone to give her gorgeous master list a go.

Home [series] [ao3] by @absurdthirst​​​​ [Frankie x f!reader x Santi, 16k, E, complete fic in an open-ended series]

Author’s Summary: You, Frankie and Santi are all in a relationship together. Living and loving together while keeping it a secret from the Army. When you get out, you think everything will just be the best its ever been. But then Santi disappears to Brazil without an explanation and breaks yours and Frankie’s hearts. Only to return three years later with a plan for a dangerous job, get Lorea and steal his money.

Recced by @immortalstarme:   There is so much to love about this story - from the action, to the angst, and the very hot smut, there is no shortage of things to love. She even included the Triple Frontier film to up the ante and tension on Frankie/Reader/Pope’s relationship. Every time I go back and read Home, I get warm, fuzzy, happy feelings and a smile on my face. 😊 Definitely a good comfort/pick-me up kind of fic. ❤️

Homecoming ‘verse [ao3] by @astroboots [Frankie x f!reader wife x Santi, 16k, E, complete, ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  Home is something Santiago Garcia left behind a long time ago. But on a short visit to his hometown, he rediscovers that home is not a place, it’s the people you love.

Recced by Anonymous:  scorching and sublime, and i can't wait to see how she'll develop it further. no one does characterisation, emotional depth and relationships quite like cici.

Into the Woods [0] [1] [2] [ci] [2.5] [+] [ao3] by @thosewickedlovelies​​ [Frankie x gn!reader, 12.6k+, G, ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  You and Frankie keep running into each other in the woods. That's it, that's the plot.

Recced by Anonymous:  It’s a Frankie Morales x gn!reader series, where Frankie is one of those guys on Instagram who posts videos of themselves cooking outdoors, but it’s also so much more than that? It’s got fluff (and a fluffy dog)! Mutual pining! Beautiful immersive writing that feels like a warm comforting hug and makes me yearn for days!? If you’ve ever daydreamed about hanging out with Frankie and his cute dog in the middle of the forest while he cooks for you over an open fire, this is the fic for you. I absolutely adore it 💕

The Last of Us by @seasonschange-butpeopledont [Frankie x reader, Santi x reader, zombies -- listed under TF Misc below]

Lucky in Love by @just-here-for-the-moment​​ [Frankie x f!reader, 9.1k, E, long oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Lucky is far more comfortable in combat fatigues than all dolled up in cocktail dress. Fish has always held a soft spot for the TF Medic. Two Idiots in Love.

Recced by @javierpinme​:   It is a soft filth friends-to-lovers story of Frankie Morales and “Lucky” the combat medic. A lot of feelings come out at Santi’s engagement party and it was an absolute joy to read. It had me yearning the whole ride and the ending had me smiling so wide my cheeks hurt! It was 9,100+ words of me wishing I was Lucky!!

lullaby by @silksaddle​ [Frankie x F!reader soft smut, 2.2k, E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  two love birds fucking to sleep.

Recced by @astroboots:  This is so soft and loving and domestic with our favourite boy Frankie — and of course because it’s my titty clutching horny yeehonk fiend - hot as the blazing lava found in Mount doom.

Midnight Cravings & Other Starry-Eyed Confessions [ao3] by  @keeper0fthestars​​​ [Frankie x f!reader, 3k, E, fluffy oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Frankie trusts you enough to let his guard down, to be vulnerable with you. Love languages and the messy emotions that go along with that, fluff, cheesy self-indulgence.

Recced by @astroboots:  Our beloved C, owner of my heart and soul writes some of the most emotionally affecting stories out there. Her Din is pitch perfect, as is her Javi, and Ezra, but my personal favourite is one anxious pilot husband. I will always and forever keep screaming to everyone about Midnight Cravings because it had such an effect on me on so many levels. It’s a series of soft, dreamlike vignettes of what life would be like with your boyfriend Francisco Morales. The midnight ice cream sessions, having your pussy eaten out at the back of his truck, the good and the bad, but always in its own imperfect way, the love he has for you and you for him. It made me truly fall in love with the character, it made me understand his appeal but also feel like I truly understood and saw the character for what he is, loveable flaws and all.

Moving Day [ao3] by @adverbedly​​​​​ [Frankie x f!reader x Santi threesome, 7k, E, oneshot in ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  There is absolutely nothing enjoyable about moving. It’s sweaty, it’s stressful, it’s tiring. If you’re lucky, you can afford to hire movers. If you’re really lucky, you have friends to help shoulder the burden, to tote boxes from home to truck to home again in exchange for nothing more than beer and food. You happen to be extremely lucky—you have a crew of strapping not-quite-young men who not only would but had taken bullets for you, and you had them on standby. Without hesitation, they had descended on your shitty downtown apartment at oh-seven-hundred on little more than the promise of thick black coffee to help you move everything to a quiet bungalow just inside the city limits.

Recced by Anonymous:   My favourite fic OF ALL TIME. Not a 'small' fic, but Holy exploding puthies, Batman! does it deserve all 1k+ notes. The dynamic and banter between the guys is on point and it's hot like the surface of the goddamn sun, as you like to say. Required reading for the Pedro Pascal and Oscar Isaac fandoms.

My Side of the Fence [ao3] by @missminkylove​​ [neighbor!Frankie x f!reader, 6.6k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary: When you move in next door to help take care of your ailing aunt, you and Frankie form a budding friendship as you live out your lives on opposite sides of the fence line, that maybe could be something more.

Recced by Anonymous:  I fell in love with it instantly and couldn’t stop thinking about it. Her writing is so vivid and lovely and thoughtful, you just get pulled right into the world she’s creating. Just the one chapter so far and I can already tell is going to be really really amazing.

Needy Frankie by @loversandantiheroes​ [Frankie x f!reader, 1.5k, E, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  unbeta’d and unedited Needy!Frankie smut, f!receiving oral, with a side of frankie x floor (I kid, mostly)

Recced by @astroboots:  One of my favourite authors, in any fandom, in any genre, whether fanfic or published or in any other form. [This] was the first thing I read and I still daze out thinking about how good it is I’m a daily basis. Desperate Frankie, needing to make sense of the world and the only way he can do that is crowding you on your hallway floor, eating out your pussy until he cums in his pants? Godly perfection.but beyond smut, the devastating characterisation and writing. How this sent me on a path of no return yearning for one anxious pilot husband and I’ve never looked back. This is the reason I am the woman I am today. Dear lord PERFECTION

Photograph by @queridopascal​​​ [Frankie x gn!reader** fluff, 1k, T, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  as you remove it from his head, you notice something tucked into the internal rim, where the fabric touches his forehead...

Recced by Anonymous:  a very fluffy short Frankie Morales fic based on a TikTok and it's literally my comfort fic, I come back to read it every time I feel down ❤️

Stars Hit the Ceiling  by  @jazzelsaur​ [Frankie x f!reader x Whiskey -- listed under Whiskey above]

Tell Tale Heart [ao3] by @astroboots​ [Frankie x f!reader wife, 15k, E, long oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  Frankie failed a standard drug test, lost his pilot licence and disappeared for a month to Colombia while under suspension, and even though you decided to stay with him, you find yourself unable to forgive him.

Recced by Anonymous:  one of the first frankie fics i read and one of the best explorations of how things can change in a marriage.  no one does characterisation, emotional depth and relationships quite like cici.

‘tis the damn season [ao3] by @miceandpens​​​ [Frankie x F!reader fic, 12k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  At one point in your lives, you knew Frankie better than anyone else on earth. When did that change?

Recced by @astroboots:  A beautiful take on childhood friends to lovers trope, and who better to do it with than our beloved Frankie. Mice writes with beautiful talent, pacing and plotting. It feels like a fairytale mixed with a beautiful holiday romcom

Versus [ao3] by @astroboots​​​​ [Frankie x f!reader ex-wife, Frankie vs Dave York thriller, 28k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  Dave York and Francisco Morales are more similar than either would like to admit. Both served their country as elite members of a military system that abandoned them as soon as they were no longer useful. Their paths cross when one of Dave’s assignments hits too close to home. With his already-broken family at risk, Frankie must tap into a part of himself he hoped never to need again in order to protect the ex-wife he never got over: you.

Recced by @clan-djarin:  MOTHER OF GOD CiCi knocks this out of the park every time. I don’t know how she does it. I’m not an angst person but that fic sucked me right in like a vacuum and I fear I may break something if Frankie and reader don’t have a proper fuck. It reads like a bestselling thriller novel.

Waiting [ao3] by @pumpkin-stars​​​ [Frankie x gn!reader fic, 1.4k, T, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  It's the last night before Frankie's last deployment. He doesn't want to break your heart, so you prove he doesn't have to.

Recced by @astroboots:  Erika must be sick of me pimping this to everyone but this is one of the best characterisations of Frankie I have ever read. It’s written with an uncanny insight of what makes Frankie tick, but also what it means to be a soldier, the inability to form attachments, and worse what it means for those left behind if you do form attachments and the sacrifices one has to make for love if you truly cares for your partner.

You're a Saint by @quica-quica-quica [Frankie x f!reader, 1.1k, T, oneshot]

Author’s Summary:  One Man. Two kids. The supermarket.

Recced by @just-here-for-the-moment:  super soft/domestic Frankie being adorable.

.

Triple Frontier - Misc/Multi

The Alewife  by  @wardenparker​​​​​ [Frankie x f!reader & other TF boy pairings, soulmate!au, ongoing]

Author’s Summary:  In a world where every soul has a perfect mate, Frankie Morales has seen no evidence that his even exists. Soulmates gain each other’s permanent body markings - scar and tattoos - and while all of Frankie’s ink and battle wounds have transferred over to his soulmate’s skin, he’s never found a single mark on his body that he didn’t make himself. Until now.

Recced by @thosewickedlovelies:  It's a triple frontier soul mate au that's v in-depth and creative, and although it starts as frankie x reader, we also get insight into all the boys and their oc soulmates' relationships. It's very sexy and funny and emotional and detailed and everyone should read it 💟

The Last of Us [i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v] [ao3] by @seasonschange-butpeopledont​​​ [Frankie x reader, Santi x reader, zombies!au, 9k, T, in progress]

Author’s Summary:  Months after the outbreak, a scavenging run in the city goes wrong.

Recced by @darnitdraco:  Kennedy has combined two things that I love so much and mushed them together. It’s got a bit of a will they make it?/ how do they get out of this one? Kinda vibe and I can’t wait for the next part to come out

The Price of Souls [ao3] by @ladytrashbird​​ [haunted!TF AU w/ some Molly x Benny, 11k, M, in progress]

Author’s Summmary:  A haunted!Triple Frontier story, told in perspectives. The boys find that Lorea's money comes with haunted strings attached. It's a pity they don't realize it before they turn the money over to Molly.

Recced by Anonymous:  it's a haunted!money au for triple frontier that's creepy, engrossing, and just plain brilliant. some benny/molly action but it looks at all the guys in the aftermath of the movie.

Recced by @astroboots:  I see that some GENIUS has already beaten me to this one. But hey the more the merrier and enough praise can never be given for this. Just Oh god the sheer genius. The masterful prose, the uncanny characterisation of each of the character, the haunting atmosphere and the I-do-not-dare-to-turn-off-the-lights-at-night-moments of this fic. This is an absolute masterpiece that you should not sleep on (LITERALLY). Cannot recommend it enough.

.

Triple Frontier - Santiago Garcia

Alarums and Excursions by @writefightandflightclub​​​ [Santi x f!reader, 6k, M, angsty oneshot--mind the warnings]

Author’s Summary: You are a member of Santi’s squad alongside: William “Ironhead” Miller; Francisco “Catfish” Morales; and, Tom “Redfly” Davis. You and Santi are old friends, but you recently blurred the lines between friends and lovers.

Recced by @astroboots:  Alarums and Excursion is that strange but perfect balance of perfectly heartbreaking but also such amazing comfort fic even though your heart ends by being put through a damned spike.

Home by @absurdthirst [Frankie x f!reader x Santi -- listed under Frankie above ]

Homecoming ‘verse by @astroboots [Frankie x f!reader x Santi -- listed under Frankie above ]

The Last of Us by @seasonschange-butpeopledont [Frankie x reader, Santi x reader, zombies -- listed under TF Misc above]

Moving Day by @adverbedly [Frankie x f!reader x Santi -- listed under Frankie above ]

Ride or Die by @writefightandflightclub​​​ [Santi x f teammate!reader, 9.3k, E, angsty oneshot]

Author’s Summary: You are a member of Santi’s squad alongside: William “Ironhead” Miller; Francisco “Catfish” Morales; and, Tom “Redfly” Davis. You and Santi are old friends, but you recently blurred the lines between friends and lovers.

Recced by @astroboots:  Ride or Die is Santi at his most appealing but also his most self destructive. It is an absolutely amazing character study that is smutty, hot, emotional, angry and heartbreaking all at once. This author writes that boy like no other, the sheer depth she bestows on him, the nuance, the conflicting emotions of how this man is so loyal and so caring and yet so self destructive all at once is pure genius.

.

OTHER PEDRO CHARACTERS

.

Bloodsucking Bastards - Max Phillips

Bonded Series by @mandocrasis​​​​ [Max x paranormal investigator named f!reader/ofc, 11k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary:   Prudence travels the country investigating paranormal claims and reports. When you get a call about a possible vampire you don’t hesitate to check it out. What you don’t anticipate are things going sideways and getting yourself bound to the vampire for the foreseeable future. If you’re lucky, you’ll make it out of this ordeal alive.

Recced by @castleamc:   She's one of first authors I've ever had to pleasure of knowing that when I first started writing she gave me an immense amount of support, joy, and never let me feel alone here. 🥺

Frat Lestat Series: [p1] [mlist] [ao3] by @brandyllyn​​​ [Max x f!reader, 31k, E, several completed fics in an ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  Max has a proposition for you.

Recced by Anonymous:  Frat Lestat is horrible, hateful and hilarious. Her Max characterisation is spot-on but still worth reading. Love it!

.

The Equalizer 2 - Dave York

Notes on Tutoring [ao3] by @honestly-shite​​ [Dave x younger fem!reader, music college AU, 70.8k, E, ongoing series]

Author’s Summary:  Mr York becomes your new classical guitar tutor in your final year at music college. A dark, mysterious man, you struggle to get a read on him but that doesn’t stop you from finding many ways to push his buttons. You manage to infuriate him with your stubbornness and forced complacency but there is definitely something else too. There’s a pull that you feel whenever he is near. You wonder if he feels it too.

Recced by @mandocrasis​: Absolutely to die for. 💕 This AU is what dragged me into Dave York - Maia weaves so much mystery and intrigue into this story, building up tension and pining like no other. It's told from the Reader's perspective but it's easy to tell how deeply she understands Dave York's character, rough and soft edges alike. I get so genuinely excited whenever I see an update for this fic pop up. If you like AUs and have even a passing interest in Dave York... this is the fic to read. It really has it all and the best part is that it's not even over yet 💕💕

Versus by @astroboots​ [Frankie Morales vs Dave York thriller -- listed under Frankie above]

.

The Great Wall - Pero Tovar

Fighting Blind [ao3] by @yespolkadotkitty​ [Tovar x OFC time travel fic, 32k, E, complete]

Author’s Summary:  Curator Jade is hurtled back in time by a mysterious axe.

Recced by @fan-of-encouragement:  30k+ words of Pero Tovar/OFC involving time travel, a badass female lead, and a beautifully bittersweet love story that ends tragically, or does it? And why I love it? For such a short fic, the romance doesn't feel rushed, even though that's part of the plot. The first time I read it, I was on the Edge of my Seat wanting to know what's next, and when I say the bit with the lanterns had me super emotional and yearning, you'll know when you get there! Also, there's all sorts of little details about life back then that she remembered to write in, and I love it all. And the smut is super hot.

.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - Javi G.

Javi G Oneshots: [Care] [Gleam] [Reverberate] [Take] by @javier-pena​ [Javi x f!reader, 11k total, E, oneshots]

Author’s Summary:  see author masterlist

Recced by @clan-djarin:  Astrid created such a dreamy universe here— reading these feels like I’m comfortably settled into a vacation in Italy. Everything is so soft and idyllic, but the smut is sweat-inducing. I just wish this Javi G could be my husband; Astrid has written up the PERFECT MAN. Gleam knocks the panties right off your body 👀

.

We Can Be Heroes - Marcus Moreno

An Ordinary Man [ao3] by @missminkylove​​ [Marcus M x f!reader,, 29k, E, in progress]

Author’s Summary: After a few chance encounters with Marcus Moreno at work, you and he begin to grow closer, as a nefarious plot unfolds among the Heroics.

Recced by Anonymous:  Without a doubt one of my absolute favorite Marcus M fics. Like I fell in love with it instantly and couldn’t stop thinking about it. Her writing is so vivid and lovely and thoughtful, you just get pulled right into the world she’s creating

.

[pascalpanic]

Drunk Words (Frankie Catfish Morales x f!Reader)

Drunk Words / Sober Thoughts part one of two

Summary: Frankie’s drunk off his ass and needs a ride home. PART ONE of a two part Frankie fic

W/C: 2.7k+

Warnings: language, copious amounts of alcohol, Frankie is absolutely shitfaced

A/N: THANK U TO MY BABE @sanchosammy for this idea!!! I love it so much I fuckin LOVE my baby frankie

As you roll over in bed, you groan. You’ve been up for about 20 minutes now, unable to return to the blissful sleep that had been enveloping you before. The time on your watch now reads 3:07. You frown and grab your phone, lying on your side. The light is bright enough to make you squint, and you smile at the text thread you’ve received from Frankie tonight.

The man brings nothing but happiness to your life. You really do love Frankie, not just platonically. You want to hold his big and strong hands, want to lift up his ball cap and kiss him on the forehead, want to fluff the hat hair he always gets from that Standard Oil cap. More than anything, you want to softly kiss that little patch in his beard. It’s just existing there, perfectly clean even when he’s almost at a full beard. His tough fingers scratch it and you giggle, looking away when he asks what’s so funny. Nothing, Fish, you immediately reply. Fishie, if you’re feeling a little more flirtatious.

Frankie might be feeling the same, you’ve noticed lately. He’s a little more touchy with you. He hugs you longer than the other men, makes you dance with him when a good song comes on. He lets it happen when you steal his ball cap and wear it, where he’d scold and smack any of the other men for it. He lends you his flannel when you’re cold, wrapping it gingerly around your shoulders.

It’s been a long time that you’ve been friends now. Just recently, you’ve come to appreciate him differently. The way he hugs you warms your heart still, but it makes your heart race and your hands sweat. It makes you want to lift your face from where it rests in his neck and kiss him softly, your fingers working into that little bald patch on his jaw.

Even now, as he’s clearly drunk, you adore him. How can you not?

Frankie 🚁: attachment: one image

You open the photo and laugh. It’s a blurry selfie of Frankie, an arm draped over Santiago’s shoulders. The two men make faces like they’re going to bite the other, and it makes you chuckle aloud. You can see his fluffy curls peeking out from beneath the cap, and you desperately want to play with them. The image is blurry, showing that it must’ve been moving while he took it.

Frankie 🚁: missing u tonight, Santiago says he doesn’t like me when you’re not around

Frankie 🚁: holy fuck their new beer is really good, you gotta try it soon

Frankie 🚁: lol I fuckin love the nachos here

Frankie 🚁: snati is so annoying, pls get him away from me

Frankie 🚁: u r probably sleep sorry :((((

Frankie 🚁: can we got o a zoo soon?? I wanna see animals 🦫🐈🐕‍🦺🦡

You laugh out loud at the words, at Frankie’s terrible typing. He must be shitfaced. He’s hilarious when he’s drunk.

The last text was only four minutes ago.

Me: Alright, Fishie. Stop drinking and eat something. No more beer.

Frankie 🚁: ha I’m drinking that Coffey shit… Kalua?? isk but it’s so gooood

Your phone rings, filling the screen with your profile picture of Frankie. It’s a photo of him smiling, his dimple evident. Your cheek is pressed to his, grinning just as wide. God, he’s so fucking cute. You love him so much.

You take a second and stare at the photo before pressing the answer button and putting it on speaker. “Hey, Fish.”

“Hey,” he laughs, dragging the word out long and slow. “S’a shame you weren’t here, Will’s been buying all night.” His words are slurred and woozy. You can hear the roar of the bar behind him.

“Ah, so that’s why you’re shitfaced,” you laugh into the phone.

“Precisely,” he slurs, a smile clear in his voice. “I can’t drive.”

“I’m glad you realize that. What do you want me to do about that? I can have an Uber coming your way in ten minutes.”

“Will you pick me up?” He asks, his voice like a child’s. “Fuckin’ Ubers cost money, ‘n I just wanna see your pretty face.”

“Frankie,” you warn but feel your body warm at the notion.

“You got a cute little nose,” he laughs. “Just wanna boop it. Can I boop it? Just go… boop, boop boop. Right on the nose.”

You sigh. “Fine. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. You’re so fucking lucky I think you’re cute.”

“Thank you,” he practically sings. “See you then. Mwah.”

You throw on a hoodie and walk to your car, not caring to cover up your patterned flannel shorts that you sleep in. Your hair is messy, you don’t have makeup on, you don’t really give a shit. It’s Frankie.

Once you reach the bar, you shoot him a text, and the four men stumble outside. “Yo!” Benny calls and rushes over to you. It’s clear his normal balance has left his body for the night, his body a little wobbly. He’s an excited drunk. He slams on your window until you lower it. “Hey, you missed out on a good time,” he grins. His words blur together too.

Frankie follows behind him, an arm thrown across him. He’s still got a little balance. “Missed you so much, cariño. Santi’s being an ass.”

You look up at Will. “These fuckers need a ride too?” He’s the responsible one of the men, even when intoxicated.

He shakes his head. “Got an Uber coming. They’re staying at my place tonight.”

Frankie puts a hand on the car to steady himself. “Knew you’d come. Pretty girl always comes through for me, even at 3 A.M., thank you,” he slurs happily, his eyes half open.

Santiago leans against your car. “Hey gorgeous. We missed you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” you roll your eyes. “Get the grizzly bear in the car.”

Frankie laughs at the words. “Ooh, I like that. Big and fluffy but murderous.”

“I’m about to get murderous if you don’t get in the car right now, Francisco Morales.”

“Oh, snap!”

“Shit, man.”

Benny gives a whistle. The men all make noises in commentary and laugh, Will opening the door. Frankie flops down inside. Benny ensures that all of his limbs have made it in and shuts the door. “Don’t party too hard with him tonight,” Santiago calls and you roll your eyes.

The two of you drive off and out of the bar parking lot.

“Hey, Fish,” you say, snapping your fingers in front of his face. “Buckle up. I’m not getting in trouble for your dumb ass.”

“You always do, though,” he mumbles and tilts his head to look at you. “You’re so good to me.”

“I’m a fucking saint,” you sigh sarcastically. “Seriously, buckle up. If you can’t do it yourself, we’re going to the ER for alcohol poisoning.”

“No,” he whines and pouts at you. “Just wanna be close to you. Wanna just…” he trails off and rests his head against your shoulder. “Mm. There. Your skin is so soft.”

“That’s my hoodie, Frankie.”

He takes a deep breath in through his nose, the scent clicking in his addled brain. “No, that’s my hoodie.”

He’s right, you realize. You grabbed a random sweatshirt and pulled it on before leaving. You’re the one who’s always cold at gatherings, leaving Frankie to share one of his many layers with you. You smile a bit. “It’s comfy.”

“I like it better on you. I really like you in my clothes, you know that? Wear them way better than I can. You just look so cute and so little.”

“Frankie, I’m 5’9,” you refute and glare down at him, where he looks up at you with puppy-dog mocha-colored eyes.

“Just look so small in ‘em. I’m like 6’0, you know that.”

“I do know that, Francisco. You remind us all the time,” you laugh, removing his ball cap and tossing it into his lap. “Still shorter than Benny. Get that hat off and I think you’re shorter than Santi.”

“I’m taller than him,” Frankie whines at the reminder. “How come Benny’s the baby and he’s so tall? He’s like a fuckin’ giraffe up there, can never see his stupid face,” he pouts.

“He’s too tall for comfortable hugs,” you nod in agreement. “And Santi is too short. And Will is too fucking awkward,” you laugh. You purposely leave out the bit about how perfect hugs from Frankie are, how much you dream about them and crave them.

His dark brows furrow as he looks up at you with glazed eyes. “Wha’bout me?”

The car stops for a moment as a light in front of you turns red. You smile down at him and push his messy curls from his forehead. “I like hugging you. You’re comfy.”

“Ha, grizzly bear hugs,” he slurs. “Y’should call me that more often. I like it when you call me things the boys don’t. Makes me feel tingly,” he laughs, lovestruck as he looks up at you.

“Tingly?”

“Yeah, like when they put the meds in before they steal your teeth.”

“Steal your teeth?” You laugh loudly, toying with one of the curls. “Do you mean get a tooth removed?”

“Same thing. I don’t like it when they do it then. I like it when you call me stuff though. Fishie makes me laugh and feel happy.”

“Oh yeah?” God, he’s so fucking precious. He looks at you like a puppy stares at their owner, pure and unadulterated love radiating from them. “I’ll need to call you Fishie more often then.”

It’s quiet for a while. Frankie’s head still rests against your shoulder. He can feel all of the tiny muscles move as you steer and navigate the car. He likes the way they move, making his drunken head even more floaty. After a few moments, he shifts to lean against the car door, just watching you.

The music drifting from the radio is soft and quiet. You almost think Frankie’s fallen asleep, since he’s so quiet, but you look over and see him gazing over at you. “Penny for your thoughts, Fish.”

You’re expecting something stupid. Frankie is quite the philosopher when he’s drunk, always asking odd rhetorical questions. ‘Is a muffin an unfrosted cupcake?’ has always been a favorite of his. He’s never quite made up his mind about it, waxing poetic about the difference in the two baked goods.

He always says something stupid, but this time, his sober thoughts become his drunken words. “You’re the most absolute prettiest woman I’ve ever seen,” he smiles at you, those pink lips curled into a soft smile. It shows off his dimple, and you want to scream from how cute he looks. One of his big hands reaches over and cups your face.

“You’re drunk,” you shake your head, looking back at the road. “Don’t be stupid.”

“No, I mean yeah. Kinda drunk and really stupid, ha, but I mean it. You’re so fuckin’ pretty, cariño.” The backs of his fingers trace across the side of your face, resting on the side of your neck now.

You look down at yourself, still skeptical. “No, I know what you’re gonna say,” he pouts, beating you to the punch. “You’re in your pajamas and your hair is all messy ‘n whatever, but you’re so pretty. Your face is so cute. I love your nose. Just wanna…” he leans over and makes good on his promise for earlier. “Boop,” he coos as he pokes the tip of your nose, smiling wide. “You’re so cute. The guys make fun’a me because I never shut up about it.”

“Oh really?” you ask, raising an eyebrow and laughing.

“Yeah. Santi says I’m in love with you,” he murmurs, sitting back against the car window.

You gulp as you force yourself to grip the steering wheel harder, staring at the white dashes separating the two-lane road. “Yeah? What do you have to say on the matter?”

“I’m kinda thinkin’ he might be right.” His voice is small and quiet.

You shake your head again, eyes watering from the honesty. There’s no way he can think that. He’s shitfaced. He doesn’t mean it, there’s no way. He’s never been more than a friend, done anything to indicate romance.

Or… maybe he has, you reflect. He pays for your drinks most nights. He’ll order something you want and share it with you. He’s always a little touchier than he is with the boys. “You don’t mean that,” you say quietly, swallowing hard.

Whatever common sense he has left tells him to be quiet, so he does. He sits there silently for the rest of the drive, the tension palpable between the two of you. When you finally reach his house and park, you hold your breath. You don’t know what to do, what to say, but you can’t just let him go inside without saying anything. He sits up a little straighter as he realizes he’s come to a stop.

You bite your lip and look over at him. “I should help you inside.”

He nods and you turn off the car, putting the key in the pocket of your hoodie. You get out and walk to Frankie’s side, opening his door. He reaches his arms out to you and you chuckle a little. He looks like a helpless little child.

“Alright, grizzly bear,” you grunt as he swings his feet out and you help lift him to his feet. His arms cling to you tight until he’s standing up.

“Thanks,” he murmurs and wraps an arm around your shoulder when he’s upright.

“Don’t thank me yet,” you chuckle.

Using you as a crutch, he walks alongside you and into his house. He fumbles with the key until you open it for him, then lock it behind you. He leads the way to his room, opening the door and sighing as he sees his bed.

“Not yet,” you say as he tries to get to the bed. “Come on.” You pull his flannel off, leaving him in the t-shirt underneath. “Okay, go on.” He flops down onto his bed with a happy noise. Once he’s down, you unlace his boots and pull them off, then his socks.

Standing at his side, you undo his belt. “Woah,” he laughs. “‘M way too drunk for that, pretty girl. Kinda wanna though.”

“Shut the fuck up, Fish,” you laugh and thread it through the loops, tossing it aside. “I’m getting your clothes off so you can sleep.”

“Oh,” he sighs, giggling drunkenly as you pull his pants off. “Kinda feels like we’re gonna fuck.”

“Maybe another time,” you tease and pull the covers over him. Pushing his curls from his face, you softly kiss his cheek. “Call me when you’re sober, okay?”

He frowns and grabs the hand on his face with both of his rough palms. “Don’t leave me,” he pouts.

“Frankie,” you sigh and look at your watch. “It’s 3:35 in the goddamn morning.”

“Then stay the night,” he begs. “You said you like hugging me. I want you to hug me all night long,” he sighs, kissing your fingertips. You smile softly. It’s a good offer, you have to admit. He makes it even harder to say no. “I won’t be able to sleep if you’re not here when I wake up.”

“Lots of things can happen while you’re asleep, Fishie. I can-”

“Mm, Fishie,” he says with a smile, his eyes fluttering closed. “Come snuggle with me, pretty girl.”

You sigh as you look at the man. It’s not like you haven’t spent time pressed into his side, watching a sports game or a movie. You and Frankie are affectionate friends. He looks so warm and inviting, his body radiating heat. “Fine,” you give in. “Only because I’m cold.”

“Not ‘cause you like me too?” he asks and rolls over, leaving room for you.

“We can discuss that when you’re sober.” The spot he laid is warm and cozy, his body heat making it perfect for you. You slide under the covers next to him and he wraps his arms around you, pulling you into his chest.

Frankie presses a sloppy kiss to your head, smiling. You can hear his slow and steady heartbeat. “G’night cariño,” he mumbles, lips still buried in your hair.

“Goodnight, Frankie,” you whisper.

He falls asleep almost instantly, and you’re close behind him. You’ve never been more at peace than when you fall asleep in Frankie Morales’s arms.

-

read part two: SOBER THOUGHTS

-

taglist:

@remmysbounty @mishasminion360 @softly-sad @blo0dangel @binarydanvvers @sleep-tight1 @apascalrascal @randomness501 @spideysimpossiblegirl @notabotiswear @pedro-pastel @sanchosammy @lv7867

[ohheyitsokay]

Home

this all takes place in my poly frontier universe

pairing: triple frontier guys - Will “Ironhead” Miller, Santiago “Pope” Garcia, Francisco (Frankie) “Catfish” Morales, and Ben “Benny” Miller x (f) reader

wordcount: 3k

warnings: obviously a poly relationship, which includes kissing, domestic intimacy with all of them (not just with the reader, but not in-between Will and Ben because nope), mild sexual themes

summary: scenes at the beginning of making a house with five people feel like home

<<

The manicured grass is soft where it peaked around the edges of your sandals. Hands running over the grooves of they key in your pocket, you gaze around the little front yard, mind conjuring daydreams that fit on the weathered porch of the house.

Two bathrooms will be enough right? Your thoughts are running - creating and erasing images of the future, trying to squish them like magic into the home in front of you. The yard is big enough to extend the garage and for plenty of home projects…

Across the fence and a long stretch of field, a woman is hiking her skirts up, making a beeline for you. The neighbor’s house is a considerable distance away, being out in the countryside, but she must have been watching your tour from her garden with interest.

The others had left moments before, Santi promising to come back whenever you were done. After weeks of looking at houses, it became a little ritual of yours, to spend a few minutes looking around without the clutter of wonderful distractions.

“So which one of those strapping young men is your beau?” She asks conspiringly, eyes gleaming. It catches you off guard – the lack of introduction, but she seems harmless enough.

Your smile is equally mischievous, and your head tilts a hair.

“Well, which one do you think?”

The woman considers, boot tip tapping away at her grass. You replay the moments she could’ve seen, which were few, wondering if you’d leaned in any particular direction, and wait.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t got a clue,” her smile is wide, softer and more genuine than before - polite. “As long as you’re good neighbors,” she explains, “I guess I wouldn’t care if it was one or all of you next door.”

You smile, thanking her as salutations ring in your ears, watching with grateful eyes as she hikes back towards her home. Then you move, wandering through the empty rooms for long, quite minutes before you peak over the fence again. The woman had gone inside, and if you squint you can see who you think is her husband, sleeping with a dog on the porch.

In the other directions, there isn’t a house within a reasonable distance. A knot loosens in your chest, as an unexpected feeling of freedom from judging eyes blooms in its place.

When Santi comes back to pick you up, you take his hand across the console. His skin is warm, and his thumb automatically begins to gently move across your knuckles.

“I think it’s perfect, Pope.”

He looks at you curiously, minding his thoughts for a moment.

“Yeah, love?”

The sun was beginning to set, and you look at the peaceful little home in the rear view mirror, and smile.

“Yeah.”

-

“What?”

“We need to … break in every room.”

“I’m just saying -"

“Oh he’s talking about – wait are you really horny, right now?”

“There are boxes everywhere, idiot.”

You walk in carrying a single plant and a stack of pizzas and the conversation hushes.

“Ah – payment,” Frankie kisses your cheek, moving the plant by the window as Santi clears the table.

Someone makes a quip about it being Santi’s house and you wince, the utopia popping.

“We don’t get paid to move our own stuff, Catfish.” His dark hair is damp with sweat but he seems otherwise unaffected by the hours spent hauling. It was still surreal – that this is actually happening, that this unanimously became a long term desire.

He has the most money and Will has the best credit score, so they bought the house to save you all from questions. The movement isn’t lost on your Ironhead, and he rubs a soothing circle on your shoulder as he reaches for a plate. Of everyone, he was the one who most understood your anxiety – close proximity always led to arguments at first.

“You got lucky,” Benny takes the first slice, accepting a napkin for an additional piece. “You fell in love with a pretty good moving crew.”

“I think so,” you grin, trying to ignore your anxiety. He inhales the food, pulling you into his lap as he bickers with Will about whether or not more needed to get done today.

Eventually Frankie dictates that at the very least some cleaning should be started and the bedding should be unpacked for the evening. The agree with varying degrees of enthusiasm and after a handful of innuendos your loves begin to disperse, too dutiful to let work go unfinished. The bedframe practically builds itself, and a portable speaker makes Santi’s hips twitch as he floats through the half-barren rooms.

When Will rolls his eyes at Frankie’s choice of screw, you duck away, nerves thrumming.

And you wander around, fake cleaning, until you find your Benny clearing pizza plates. Even amongst boxes and bins and old blankets, he could be at a photo shoot. The evening light make his hair look like silk, and his eyes shine like he’s making you promises this very moment.

“I wouldn’t worry too much,” he says, drawing you into his arms as your head tilts. “We spent years in bunks and tents, and we were younger then.”

His chest was warm and you press your cheek to it, nodding. You hadn’t thought he had noticed, how anxious you’d been about the change, but you had been foolish. Even through his shirt, you can feel the thumping of his giant heart, steady as a drumbeat.

Replaying the evening in your mind, you let go of some of your worries, one by one, and he kisses the top of your head. It’s a thoughtful thing, and it never ceases to amaze you how easily he can wrap you around his finger.

“Ben?”

He makes a noise, somewhere between a hum and a grunt.

You pull his face down to yours, kissing him hard. It was a kiss that says you're grateful, and a kiss that says you love him for being… him.

He accepts it eagerly, and tiredness from the day long gone ad he presses hot, open-mouthed kisses to your lips. The world spins and you feel him shove something heavy off the couch before replacing it with you.

The cushions are dusty from everything but he makes space, and you stop caring as he moves on top of you.

The others would find you soon, their instincts kicking in, but you savor it. Benny, pressing into you, kissing you in the evening light.

The beginning of their conversation from earlier blooms in your mind and you grin as his lips trailed down your neck. It suddenly didn’t seem implausible that he planned this.

“Breaking in” aside, this was the first room you where you truly felt like this could be home.

-

You feel his hands gently replace yours on the zipper and you jump a little - he stands just outside the mirror reflection as you watch the skirts around your ankles. Behind you the big bed is made neatly, there’s a ridiculously large closet, and a tangle of phone chargers.

The bedroom: the place that set apart your home from others. The room that housed five individuals, a web of relationships, a miracle of mixed bodies and minds and hearts.

It looks big, behind you.

Warm, daft fingers tie the extra strings, a neat little bow hanging just between your shoulder blades. The silence is thick, weighted with adoration, but when he breaks it, it’s as if he can’t resist.

“You’re beautiful,” he moves closer, kissing your temple and drinking you in. Turning, your heart aches.

Will is in his dress uniform, crisscrossed with crisp lines and newly shined awards. His hair is lighter after the summer, and he tried to comb it neatly to one side. Compliments catch in your throat as you stare and he smiles, turning you gently so he can kiss you properly. His mouth tastes like mint and you can smell hints of his cologne lingering on his skin.

“Look at you,” you murmur, lips still brushing over his. Letting your hands wander over his face, smoothing his eyebrows, you feel almost in awe of him. Still, he flushes, pleased at your reaction.

“Thank you.”

His chuckle is warm, almost raspy as he tries to enjoy the quietness of your conversation, and he shakes his head. Really, you were sure he was thankful that he was been the only one free for your special evening.

“Thank you,” you correct him. “You didn’t have to do any of this.” The dinner, for your job.

In the mirror, he looked like diamonds and sapphires and gold. Will was like an action figure sometimes, solid and sculpted and stoic, but… he was looking at you like you’d hung the stars in the sky.

It made you blink, his eyes sliding over you, pupils just a little more blown than the lighting required - a gentle reset demanding your attention.

Looking back in the mirror for a moment, the room didn’t seem quite as big, or quite as revealing. It was comforting, how out of place the two of you looked, dressed to the nines because… this was your place. The softness surrounded by details perfectly woven into your life.

Turning, you slip your arms around his neck, gently musing his hair, and his eyebrows draw together, accepting, but confused.

And as you tuck your hand into his elbow and step into your heels, you resist the urge to thank him again.

“I like it better like this,” you admit, and he flushes again, beaming. Looking around, you realize you’re actually looking forward to coming home more than you’re excited to leave. It’s a new feeling, in this space with the four of them and it hits you, hard in your chest. Still, the man beside you is unwavering and you let the feeling consume you, knowing that you’re safe.

-

“Frankie, what is that?”

He flinches, nervousness cutting the excitement on his face.

“Rhetorical question,” Santi says, grinning at you. “He got it from a friend who was going to toss it out.”

It’s a hot tub, taking up a decent chunk of your back porch.

“If anyone can make it work like a dream, it’s Catfish.” Will’s tone is matter-of-fact, all honesty and pride.

Your sweet Francisco drops his tool and grabs your hand, his dark eyes big. “¿Cariño, por favor? From me, to you?” You can see his laptop up, replacement parts on saved tabs, and you tiptoe to kiss his cheek. He likes to have projects, needs to have somewhere to do things, fix things, create things. Maybe at one point it was because he liked the distraction, it was a … replacement coping mechanism, if you will, but it became his pride, to use his hands to improve your lives.

It doesn’t take long, two weeks at most, between his job and his loves, and his long list of honey-dos, but he does it.

“Please and thank you,” you say, and when he kisses you, slow and deep and happy, you hear cheers and high-five and you almost can’t kiss him because he’s smiling.

And it takes awhile to fill, (Will thanking the stars that the water bill is reasonable,) and even longer to heat, and then it’s ready. The boys yank on swim trunks, thanking Frankie with enthusiasm, and you watch them sink into the steaming tub with as they sigh.

You have a bathing suit, of course you do, but you pull on one of his work shirts, knowing he won’t mind the chemicals from the water making the stains blur. And you pair of shorts you caught him watching your butt in, thinking of acknowledging his hard work in your own way.

The volume of your bodies makes it overflow, hot water sloshing onto the ground, but it’s bliss. It’s big, and they shout over the bubbles, talking excitedly about the future, and your heart feels warm in your favorite way.

The others leave early, taking loud laughter with them, and it leaves you and your Catfish. You let yourself float, moving right on top of him, and his hands grab at your hips, slipping and sliding over your skin as he kisses you once, twice. Slow.

It’s late – the stars stretch, there’s a bit of a breeze, and there’s not a light on for miles.

“You like it?” his voice is raspy, quiet, intense, but almost shy. Like if you said no it would break him in two.

“Of course I do, Frankie.” He looks pleased, hand absentmindedly running under his shirt and over your side. Even with the heat of the water, his hand feels like socks warmed in the dryer some cold winter morning. Comforting, maybe a little electric.

You let out a long, happy sigh, and settle against him, content to stay with him until you’re pruny.

“I think…. This is exactly what this house needed.” He starts a little, surprised, but it’s not an exaggeration.

There was always work to do and things to change, but it was the first time you looked out, and didn’t feel a twinge of fear, that anyone was looking in. It would’ve felt vulnerable, intimate to be so exposed, but… it was perfect, because he created it for you. Confidence and pride bubble around you, and Frankie’s eyebrows dip as he smiles – understanding.

-

“Yeah.” Its simple, not too hot, not too cold. Just… right.

It feels like… tar and lava, hot and dark and thick, bubbling and sticky and you want to punch something. Or scream, or cry.

Your Pope finds you standing rigid, smudges of flour on your skin and clothes, pans and spatulas strewn.

“Are we out of sugar?” To your credit, you try to keep your voice even, but he knows you better than that.

Santi shakes his head, plucking it from the pantry and looking guilty. Your mind pauses it’s rampage, and you wince, because you should be the one making that apologetic face, not him. Hot tears bubble in your eyes and you hate it, hate that they’re coming for what feels like no reason.

“Baby,” he says, tone pleading, setting the sugar down and reaching for you. The afternoon sun makes his eyes like rich, deep pots of gold, his hair somehow both soft and statuesque.

When he pauses, the tears fall against your will, just two thick drops down your cheeks. His hand encompasses your whole jaw, thumb gentle as it rubs away the saltwater, and he looks a tad helpless.

And there’s understanding in his eyes and through the blur you think maybe it’s pity. He stands, and your heart clenches, knowing he’ll go get Will, or someone because you’re being ridiculous but… he doesn’t.

You’re saying something about how the kitchen is wrong, how it’s been building for days, you’ve been here almost a week and you can’t fucking find anything. Panic and frustration locked horns in your chest and you couldn’t breathe and all you wanted to do was make something nice –

Instead, he’s pulling out things and piling them onto the floor in categories around you. It’s almost comical the stacks he makes but he seems determined and in your confusion the tears slow to a stop.

“Santi –” he hushes you. The cupboard doors hang open, and he guides you, lifting you up and up and into his arms. It’s solid and grounding, and he’s not as tall as the others and you needed him desperately.

And slowly, you begin to put things away where it makes sense, to you, and he helps. Not once does he argue with you, not even a moment when his dark eyebrows knit together in judgement. Dutifully he cleans and places everything just where you tell him, and you can almost feel the steam rising off of you as you begin to cool.

The final pile is a mountain of cloth, aprons and oven mitts and… something you’ve never seen before. Or actually, something you had, just not in your house. A set of hand towels you’d wistfully looked at awhile ago, before talking yourself out of the purchase. You had dozens at this point and didn’t need more but…

The man seating on the floor, folding them into perfect squares, is the answer to the question your mind produces.

You feel like you’ve been hosed down from head to toe, almost cold from the absence of frustration in your blood.

Pushing the pile to the side you climb into his lap, as determined as he was, and he looks surprised. It’s silly: sitting in your lover’s lap on the kitchen floor, but it feels more real than a movie. It’s your kitchen, yours and his, in this moment.

You kiss him, slow and purposeful and –

He knows you like the back of his hand.

-

You’re sitting on the bathroom counter distracting Santi as he shaves when Benny bursts in to tell you a story.

Will trails behind him, patiently waiting for his brother to take a breathe so he can set the record straight. Absentmindedly he weaves between them to pick up a fallen hand towel, passing it to Pope to wipe the shaving cream from his jaw. They share a moment and Benny’s story stutters out. Looking up from your nails you see Frankie leaning against the doorframe, a toothbrush hanging from his mouth.

There’s hardly room to move – and you couldn’t have it any other way.

His eyebrows are bent as he takes in the four of you, crammed into the spare bathroom, and Ben laughs.

<<

taglist:

@fangirl-316 @scribbledghost @writeforfandoms @beautyagegoodnesssize @princess76179 @mrsbentallmadge @horton-hears-a-honk

for the poly frontier:

@grogusmum

[333sth]

dove. (frankie morales)

chapter i. previous.

pairing: frankie morales x ofc (’dove’) no use of y/n.

warnings: mention of ptsd/military service, language, violence, brief mention of torture/kidnapping, injury detail, fighting.

summary: frankie was going to propose, until dove found the ring and ghosted. even santi can’t track her down.

rating: mature. wc: 1.6k

next

Dove was a nickname coined by an old general during her training. He was a traditional man, though not disrespectful. It was a term of endearment that probably softened the influx of powerful women breaching into the male territory. He’d drawled, ‘I ought to call you Dove – I ain’t never seen a girl so swift, yet so fuckin’ lethal.’ She kept the boys in line too, he’d noted. When Benny got too reckless, or Tom’s temper ran away with him, she was the first to snap them out of it. In environments where peace was a very distant concept, she played the peacekeeper.

One time, during a two-month deployment in Nigeria, the group was shoved in the back of an ancient pick-up truck for six hours. Dove was wedged between Will and Frankie, sweltering in the humid air. The stale smell of sweat mixed with blood and diesel was permeating the air, and they were three hours from the nearest checkpoint. To pass the time, she asked them what they’d do if they weren’t special forces.

That was easy for Will – he’d be a teacher of some kind. Benny waffled about sports, making some brash comment about how he’s got to channel all his aggression somewhere. Tom and Santi couldn’t come up with anything that suited them more than the forces, which was not surprising. Frankie would still be a pilot somehow. Dove had never seen him more comfortable than in the pilot’s chair.

Dove dreamed of owning her own bar or café, somewhere relaxed and laid-back. A beach perhaps, somewhere quaint and peaceful, where the air is warm well into the late evening and the waves are gentle, collapsing onto the sand like white noise. She imagined the hum of conversation meeting tinkling music, beach lanterns dotted around the decking to cast an ambient glow beneath the stars. Maybe a chef on weekends could make bar snacks. Tom had snorted at that, throwing a jab about how she can burn the water they use to make their dried food sachets.

The men had recalled this conversation, desperately trying to fathom where Dove might have taken off to. It was met with an aching nostalgia for the type of teammate she was too. That conversation had been a tactic, a peaceful one, to prevent the terrible concoction of adrenaline, exhaustion and heat forming an argument in that truck. She was a natural tactician as well as a good friend.

Frankie had recounted each country they had been stationed and exactly how Dove had felt about them. She had loved Argentina, even when she got shot and Will spent three hours with his finger crammed in the wound to stop the bleeding. But she also liked Jamaica, Brazil and Hawaii. None of their contacts in the forces had any trace of her, not even Santi’s in South America. Her family were none the wiser – they brushed it off, her dad mumbling something about it sounding like her usual antics. 

All he had was a scribbled note that read, ‘I need space. I’m safe. I love you.’ It was folded neatly in his wallet, like he was carrying the last piece of her that he had. 

*

Mexico. That was where she was. A small town on the West coast that had enough life to keep her occupied, and the guarantee of anonymity.

If people asked, she was a retired nurse, which wasn’t entirely untrue. She told them she spent a lot of her career in humanitarian aid, to explain the occasional jitters on a rowdy Friday night and the nasty scars. There was a particularly gruesome one leading from the base of her throat up to her bottom lip from a knife fight. She told them it was shrapnel, flung from a collapsing building, and she was lucky it didn’t catch her jugular. The locals had gasped in awe at her heroism. She’d flinched against the memory of how her own knife buried into her attacker’s throat instead. 

A few days into her move, Dove had found what could only be considered a derelict shed on the beachfront. It was probably the remains of an old boathouse. With some help from the locals, she had restored the ageing planks of wood. What was spare formed the bar and some rustic furniture. She pieced together a jumble of second-hand bar stools, chairs and lanterns that made for an eclectic combination. It had character and history in its walls, rather than some swanky, expensive build devoid of any personality. It was exactly what she had dreamed of, huddled in hypothermic temperatures or insomniac in her cot at base, sleep beyond her reach.

It didn’t change the fact that every time she entered her bedroom, the old polaroid of Frankie pinned to the wall hits her like a ton of bricks. Frankie knows she took it – it was pinned to the fridge at their home before she left. It’s quintessential Frankie, sat with his arms folded to his chest, biceps straining slightly against an old denim shirt that was getting a little too snug post-retirement. It was at a barbecue, his skin tanned and flushed from a day in the sun drinking, tousled hair peeking out from the sides of a dog-eared cap. Every time Dove glances at it, she wonders if he still has that hat. 

‘Of course he has,’ the voice in her head snaps back. Any piece of clothing she’d suggest replacing would be countered with, ‘over my dead body’. The man was sentimental, a little too attached to his home comforts. She’d also bought it him in a seedy gift shop in the middle of nowhere as a joke. 

“To add some variety,” she’d said. He would never let it go now.

Once, Veronica had eyed the photograph on her mirror and asked, “Who is he then? An ex?”

Veronica, or Roni for short, had lived in the town her whole life until university. When she graduated and moved home to save money, she needed a job. Dove needed a friend, so she took her on as a bartender. She was young and giddy, but harmless. More importantly, she was too self-absorbed to notice or even care that her thirty-something year old boss had bullet holes in her back.

“Something like that.” Dove had replied, rifling through her sorry excuse for a makeup bag. She’d closed the bar early to have a rare night off in the next town over, which had considerably livelier nightlife. 

“You never talk about relationships. Or men.’ Roni observed, peering over Dove’s shoulder to eye another photograph. It was a group picture of the boys, huddled in the same fraying booth in their favourite bar back in Florida. “Looks like you were spoilt for choice.”

Dove scoffed, meeting her friend’s twinkling gaze in the mirror. “Shut your mouth. They were friends from work.”

“Were? Does that mean you can’t set me up now?” 

“They’re almost twice your age. You’d tire ‘em out.” Dove set down the lip-gloss she dragged out for special occasions. “Come on, I’m not getting any younger either. It’s already passed my bedtime.”

Thankfully, that was enough to amuse the younger girl into linking her arm and hauling her out the door to the taxi, no more questions asked.

*

The hollering of spectators and thudding of skin slapping against the mat was reduced to a distant buzzing in Frankie’s ears. It was dimmed by the incessant ramblings of Santiago and Tom, discussing the files Santi had put together on Lorea. He could feel the reawakening of his rusty military senses as he follows the familiar tactics, mentally registering his agreement or noting what he might do differently. He doesn’t vocalise it though, because he hasn’t even agreed yet. Joining the debate would inadvertently signal his agreement. He didn’t want that.

There was a shadow lingering in the space on the bench beside him. It was an empty presence, not Will, who was hooked on the cage of the ring yelling encouragement to his brother. Not Benny, thumping his leather gloves together with his teeth pulled harshly over his mouthguard, judging his competitor with a predatory glint in his eye. 

The opponent was a monster, but he lumbered like his limbs were filled with lead. Frankie notes that Benny, nimble and tall, will have a breeze tiring him out. Dove would have joked that it wasn’t worth coming, that they’ll be sat here until their asses are numb watching Benny play cat and mouse. His chest twinges. Sometimes it’s too easy to remember what she’d do, what she’d say. He wished he knew what she’d make of Santiago’s proposition. She always saw through Pope’s glamourisation and Tom’s greed. 

What Frankie misses while he observes his pitiful surroundings is Tom and Santi descending into a hushed conversation. Tom nudges Santi, “You got anything on Dove?”

Santi sighs, long and solemn, “Maybe.” As Tom’s face quirks in interest, he holds up his finger, “It’s just a hunch.”

“A hunch is better than what we’ve had in the last year.”

Santi takes a sip of his beer, casting a glance at Fish, whose eyes are trained on the floor and the swirling contents of his cup. He knows him well enough to know his thoughts are the only thing that have his attention.

“I worry about him. We all do.” Tom whispers. “Getting busted just made things worse.”

“Don’t get his hopes up, man. It’s nothing solid. It’ll crush him if I’m wrong.” Tom nods solemnly before Santi continues, “A friend of mine saw an ex-Delta in a bar, a woman. He knew ‘cause of a tattoo she had on the nape of her neck.”

Tom’s eyes widen. In front of them, Benny lands a sickening punch on his opponent’s nose, complimented by an audible crack. He’s barely breaking a sweat, dancing around as the guy heaves and stumbles forward. 

Santi’s gaze doesn’t break from the ring. “Mexico. I think she’s in Mexico.”

[like-rain-or-confetti]

Not Quite My Enemy (Alec Volturi x Reader)

Don’t touch plugs kids.

If anyone in the Volturi gave you a hard time, it was Alec. They weren't particularly fond of humans yet Alec seemed to make his thoughts clearer than anyone else. The only reason you were kept around was your gift that Aro suspected was something to do with electricity. It was dangerous, but not exactly necessary. So suddenly rumour has it around the castle that you're the part of his collection that's simply for fun rather necessity. You were expected to practice your ability whilst the others trained. When Demetri and Felix discovered you most certainly weren't practicing, they made sure to drag you into the training room every session. 

"You mean you want me to be the test dummy for the hand buzzer?" A guard, Simon, deadpanned in boredom. It was no secret that no guard wanted to be left with you. Frankly, the feeling was mutual. You sucked on your teeth, forcing down the annoyance. Quickly, you put your hand on Simons arm. Simon groaned, falling to the ground. "What we say nowadays is, 'Congratulations, you played yourself'. You responded, feeling a little smug. He glared at you and no one caught the small smile fighting it's way into Felix's face. 

"It's not going to be much use to us if you can only do that through touch." You grimaced at the voice approaching you. You turned your head to face Alec. "Not much use being human either, if you haven't noticed." You responded and Alec's scowl deepened. "He is right." Demetri agreed. "You'll need to practice projecting it, or being able to use it all over your body." "Thanks Alec." You said with a clenched jaw now that he had guaranteed you more work. Alec hissed. "You two are genuinely at each other's throat all day aren't you?" Felix said, looking between you both. You scoffed. "He's the one with the problem. Some of us weren't given the gift of mist moulding powers." "I could only use my gift through touch when I was human. Unlike you, I put in the work to make myself better and actually useful whilst you saunter around expecting something from everyone." Alec snapped. You shook your head. "I've only ever asked one thing from anyone. I asked you to treat me with some form of decency and you can't even manage that." You glared at him. Alec stepped forward but Demetri quickly got in the way. "Right, you two. That's enough. As cute as this is, really, we've all got work to do." "He won't even tell me how he managed it." You said in annoyance. "For all I know, I should just stick my finger in a plug socket and hope for the best." "Be my guest!" Alec growled. That training session passed and you got nothing but more and more frustration as a reward. You felt as though you had tried almost everything when your previous words came back to you. You turned to the empty plug socket by the door in one of the many living rooms. It was stupid, you knew it was but in that moment it was all you could think of that you hadn't tried. Quietly, you got off the couch, moving to the socket. Nothing was plugged in and you were sure you had gone crazy when you flicked the switch on, seriously considering the idea. Even more so, there wasn't anyone to stop you.  You began to talk yourself into the idea. Surely it couldn't hurt. Your gift was electricity! So surely it wouldn't hurt you...or kill you for that matter. You slowly, put your hand closer to the socket. However before you could touch it. Someone had walked in. Although you were still moving your hand closer since their reaction time was quicker. There was a gasp. 

"(Y/N)!" Alec's voice rang in your ears. Less than a second later cold hands roughly grabbed you by the arms and dragged you away from the socket faster than you could blink. "What in the hell are you doing!?" Alec screamed at you. "Have you gone crazy!?" Finally you registered what he was saying. "What?" Alec grabbed your face, forcing you to look at him in the eyes. "Look at me! Are you out of your mind!? You could have killed yourself. You could have gotten hurt! Why in the hell would you ever do that to yourself!?" 

Felix and Demetri rushed into the room, immediately. "What is it!? What happened!? What's wrong!?" Questions tumbled out of the two as their eyes fell upon Alec crouched over you. His hands on either side of your face. "I just caught them sticking their finger in a plug!" Alec said loudly, making you wince at the proximity and volume of his voice. "What!?" The two cried in unison. "(Y/N), you better explain yourself right now!" Demetri snapped. "I-I just thought that-earlier when you mention plug sockets-" "(Y/N), if I told you to jump off a cliff, would you do it!?" Alec glared at you. He really didn't want your answer to that. That you knew immediately. You probably would considering what would he'd do to you if you didn't. "Look at me!" Alec demanded. Bring your attention back to him. "Don't you ever do that again! Promise me!" "I promise." You said quietly. "Alec..." Demetri prodded gently, tugging his hands from your face. "Gentle." Demetri reminded him. Demetri was quick to hook a finger under your chin, tilting your gaze to look at him. "I understand you're frustrated, (Y/N) but this isn't how to proceed. You mustn't endanger yourself in such ways." You nodded. "I'm sorry." You said quietly. Alec fell back with a sigh. "Kid... you're absolutely crazy.", Felix stepped back, running a hand through his hair. There was no doubt you had given the three, even Alec, a scare. Even the leaders chastised you for it. 

One particular day, things changed. Felix, Santiago, Afton and the twins were in the living room, watching the TV. When you walked past, between them and the TV, it began to glitch. The Volturi had never seen such a thing and the noise gained your attention. You stepped back. "What on...?" As you stepped back into the direction of the TV, it glitched again. "Uh...what is happening?" Felix asked. "I have no idea." Santiago replied, all eyes trained on you. The more you stared at it, the more drawn in you were. You stepped closer. "Uh, (Y/N)? What are you doing there, kid?" Felix asked leaning slightly to keep an eye on you. You pressed your hands against the screen. Slowly but surely, you pulled back keeping your arms out. 

To your surprise and the others electricity flowed between the TV and your outstretched hands. You turned your head in surprise towards the guards, mouth wide open in shock. "It...tingles." You said. They said nothing in response simply staring at you. After ten seconds, the flow stopped, the TV cutting off sharply. You gasped, looking at your hands. "That stung."  It was apparent that your gift was growing. However, it grew faster than you could manage. It likely didn't help that Alec had returned to his usual patronizing self. 

One day you had been minding your own business when you reached to move a wire from the phone. It was only used for the receptionist to get in touch but for whatever reason, the electricity that went through the phone had instead went directly into you. You screamed in agony as sharp stabbing pains went through your hand before burning and a horrifying smell reached your nostrils. Your breath quickening, tears streaming down your face in pain. Alec burst through the door to your cries as you cradled your hand. "What!? What happened!?" "My hand!" You screamed. "It burns! It burns!" 

That made Alec jump into action. He dragged you to the kitchen as you cried. "It's hurts!" You screamed. "I know." Alec mumbled. "Demetri! I need help!" He dragged you towards the sink as Demetri rushed in. "What happened!?" Alec carefully pulled your hand away from you. "I need to see it." "Don't touch me!" You screamed. "(Y/N), you need to let me see it." Alec said hurriedly. 

Demetri pulled you into his chest, carefully wrangling your arm away from you as Alec pulled your injured hand towards him. "It's okay, you're okay." Demetri said quietly into your ear. "(Y/N)," Alec said carefully. "I'm going to make the pain go away." The black mist crept from his hand and onto yours. The burning quickly subsided. You let out a shaky breath and quiet sob. "I know." Alec nodded. "How did this happen?" "I just touched the phone!" You said through tears. "Your gift is growing again." Demetri said. "I'm scared." You hadn't looked at your hand, you didn't dare and Alec made sure you didn't.  "Demetri, you're going to have to take (Y/N) to a hospital." Alec said, still staring into your eyes. "I won't lie to you. It's not good but it's not too bad either. I can't come with you." Your eyes widened, knowing that if he couldn't come with you then neither could his gift that kept the burning at bay. "I know, it hurts." Alec continued. "Remember what happened to me. I know what that pain feels like and I promise you, you will get through it." You wanted to forget the trip to the hospital and waiting for the pain to fade. 

On the way home, your hand was bandaged up. Like Alec had said, the burn wasn't the worst, you were lucky, even though you still went through a lot of pain. The doctors gave you some painkillers and instructions to care for your wound. You were exhausted by the ordeal on the drive home. So much so you couldn't help but let out a shaky sigh. Demetri turned to you momentarily before looking back at the road. "I know. If you need to fall asleep. Do so. It's been a rough day." "It still hurts but it's not the same kind of pain." You grumbled. "It's a pain I can ignore." "Good. I'll help you with your hand. " Demetri replied. "You can take some time off too from practicing. You deserve the break." You tried to swallow the lump in your throat. "I don't want to do it anymore." Your voice wobbled with fresh tears pricking at your eyes. He turned his head. "I know. He responded softly. "Don't think about it now." There was a moment of silence. "Alec cares about you. I know you two can fight like cats and dogs but...he cares. Even if he doesn't like showing it. I think you've seen that in him a couple of times now." Demetri said. "He's so brave." You said quietly. "To go through what he did and still go on as he has. I don't think I could ever do it." "You won't have to." Demetri assured you. "Demetri? What happens if this gets worse?" You asked, a tear running down your cheek. "What if I caught fire because I was too close or-?" "Hey." Demetri said firmly, interrupting you. "That isn't going to happen. We won't let that happen. What happened today means that we must keep a closer eye on you and not push you so much as we have." Not long after that conversation, you fell asleep and remained asleep for the rest of the car ride. Demetri decided he would let you sleep, taking the extra effort to lift you out of the car with the help of Jane who took your stuff and had been waiting for your arrival. 

You spent most of your day sitting by the window, looking out watching as the world went by from the library. It was the one place you could be guaranteed peace... most days. Demetri came to find you every now and then to tend to your bandaged hand. Whilst many let you mope...one individual did not. "Get up." Alec stared down at you. "It's been three days and you've done nothing but sit here and sit in your room." "I'm not bothering anyone." You mumbled. "You're bothering me." Alec responded flatly. "No one else will tell you but I will." "Alec I don't want to do this today." You sighed. "You don't want to do anything, (Y/N). That's the problem. I don't care what you want. Get up!" You sighed. "You seriously can't do it can you? You can't just leave me alone, you always have to give me hell even for just sitting here." Alec rolled his eyes. "Spare me your pity party. There will always be someone, like I am now, in your way. If this is your response, you'll get nowhere." "Have you taken a moment to consider that maybe I don't want want to do this anymore? This has gotten bigger than me and I don't know how to handle it. You'd think with a power that life was easier but it's not. It's worse and now my power makes me a stranger to myself. So much so that I burned my hand by simply touching a phone. Why should I want to go any further when I could be dead the next time?" 

To your surprise, Alec moved closer to you, leaning over you slightly. "So you've hit rock bottom, right?" He asked rhetorically. "As far as your concerned, you couldn't get lower. Well now you have a choice. You see every human that feels that way, wanders in the dark empty place until they find stairs. The dangerous part of it isn't the loneliness or what lies in the dark. It's the human mind that is the monster you're looking for. You see those stairs are your way back up again and so many humans out there find those stairs and refuse them, simply because the stairs won't drag the humans up to that better place in their lives. Instead they'll give the stairs an ultimatum, to drag them up there knowing the only real way to get to the top- is for them to climb it themselves. Don't expect anything to come to you. Right now, you're expecting everything to get better while you sit here and do nothing. You're locking yourself in a cage, in the dark so you can't see the top. Take the damn stairs, (Y/N).” Alec blinked, pulling back slightly. "You're stronger than that. So don't give in now." 

Everyone was surprised to see you return a week later, especially after being so determined you wouldn't use your gift ever again. Yet there you stood in the training room, ready to try. Felix smiled at you and Alec gave you a brief nod from the corner of the room. You nodded at them both in return, filled with uncertainty but the urgency to try. Some had tried to be a little more patient with you, although others were no different. 

Eric, a lower guard that was never particularly nice to you. He had a chip on his shoulder from not being very high ranking in the guard. He enjoyed having control and power, his position had him giving no orders and only taking them. Naturally, since you were a human, he took it out on you. The only person he could. "No! You idiot!" Eric snapped. You have to avoid me! I told you not to shock me!" "I'm sorry! I can't bend it like that ye-" You cut yourself off with a screech as Eric pulled your hair, hard. His grip vice as he pulled you towards him. "I will make this hell for you if you don't do this right!" He finally let go. Your scream cut some attention. "What is going on here?" Alec asked, approaching you both with Felix and Demetri behind him. "They keep shocking me! They're doing it on purpose, they're supposed to avoid me! I've taught them a lesson." Eric scowled, crossing his arms and glaring at you. Alec looked at you with an empty gaze. You rubbed at your head against the fading sting before meeting eyes with Alec. You hadn't wanted to hurt Eric and you were doing your best. Instead of giving you hell, Alec kept his gaze on you stoically. "You need to apologise." He said smoothly. Your gaze flickered down momentarily as you swallowed. Eric stood in waiting for your apology. Although Alec took his eyes from you and towards Eric. "You. Apologise." "What!? Why should I!?" Eric protested. "You've interrupted multiple training sessions. So you need to apologise." "They interrupted with their insolence! I taught them lesson. It's a tantrum!" Before Eric could continue Alec suddenly moved behind him, reaching up and grabbing Eric's hair. Eric yelped in pain. "Now who wouldn't scream when their hair is being pulled?" Alec pondered with a sigh before squeezing harder making Eric cry out again. "See? You're screaming too." Alec finally let go. "We'll deal with you later...arrogant moron." Your eyes widened slightly. You had never heard Alec insult anyone with name calling. Furthermore it was at your defence. Felix and Demetri tugged Eric away before Alec moved his gaze to you. Your eyes were wide, jaw almost dropped. Alec smirked. "Did you just defend me?" You asked quietly. "No one gives you a difficult time other than me." Alec answered simply before leaving. As endearing as it was, the statement was also an admission in your eyes. So he did know he could give you a tough time. Although it was also rather sweet, there was a protective nature behind it. 

Later that night, you couldn't get it out of your mind. You were so deep in thought that you didn't even pay attention to the TV in front of you in the living room. Alec was a difficult person but lately you had begun to see him in a different light. Whilst he could be very brutal, you couldn't deny that lately he had been so for your safety as well as your defence. You remembered how he helped you when you had hurt your hand, distraught when you made a reckless decision and finally that he defended you when he really didn't have to. You had always thought he didn't like you, it's what made you close yourself off from him. Yet lately, he acted like he cared. 

Your thoughts were cut off when you noticed a hand waving inches from your face. You blinked, realising it was Alec. "Oh, hey Alec." "You were lost in thought." Alec smirked, sitting beside you. "Yeah...I was. I was thinking about what happened earlier today." "Felix and Demetri dealt with Eric." Alec said to you flatly. "I meant about you. You stuck up for me today. You didn't have to." "As I said before, (Y/N). No one gives you a difficult time but me. That's my job alone." It was a joke yet it also held a lot of truth. "Yeah...I suppose that's true." You said finally, looking at your lap. "What?" Alec said turning his body completely towards you. "There's something else, I can see it in your eyes." You smiled bashfully at his observation. "I guess I just...I thought you hated me and yet you've been there for me a few times now."  "I don't hate you, (Y/N). I never have." Your brow furrowed in confusion and Alec continued. "You can drive me to madness but perhaps that's a good thing. I've never wanted to be your friend." You winced at the blunt nature of his statement and couldn't deny it stung but Alec continued. "I've discovered that you've become very special to me, so much that a friend would suffice. It wouldn't be the right fit. I suppose my dissatisfaction with that may have been directed at you." "What do you mean?" You asked quietly. Alec thought for a moment. "I believe the first signs was when you went to put your finger in that socket. My reaction was out of my control and i couldn't believe my reaction after that. When I knew, however, was when you hurt your hand. I know what it feels like to burn and seeing you experience a burn. I knew I was the only one that could help. I felt connected to you then, because you understood what it was like. We shared a similar experience. You needed me. That was when I knew I couldn't ignore this...when I no longer wanted to pretend that I didn't care for you." You were stunned into silence. Alec didn't seem surprised by that. Although he was surprised when you lightly pressed your lips to his.  "Thank you..." You whispered. "...for everything. I know you and I don't always see eye to eye but thank you." Alec's eyes were softer this time. He lightly grabbed your shirt, pressing his lips to yours once more. Despite his lips being cold, you couldn't help but feel warmer as your heart fluttered with excitement. 

You felt the blood rush to your face and when Alec broke the kiss, he smirked. "That's adorable." Your eyes widened a fraction, your blush deepening. "Don't tease me! I was surprised!" Alec chuckled. "it's getting worse." "Alec! I can't help it!" You covered your face with both hands. Alec tore your hands from your face, planting three more kisses to your lips before pulling back with a satisfied smirk. "It's cute." Alec paused. "Well, we best inform my sister of this. Felix and Demetri will be surprised." Alec said with ease. "I thought you all could hear everything." Alec hummed in amusement with a small smile. "My sister already knows oh my feelings for you. However, Felix and Demetri went on a mission and won't be back until next week." "Oh...this isn't a trap for you to kill me with your sister right?" You smirked. Alec rolled his eyes playfully. "I'm sure you can handle it." 

The week passed relatively quickly considering Alec kept you with him most of the time. He had warned up to you considerably, seeing a whole other side to him. Whilst there was times he kept you at arm's length, you never felt shunned or led on. Although you had no doubt that since both twins knew of his feelings before you did, they had more time to prepare than you had. 

You were watching TV on the couch when you felt hands on your shoulders. You smiled looking up to see Alec, eyeing the TV. "I could have sworn you have watched this already." Alec said, his head tilted slightly. "It's a good one!" You retorted reaching up for Alec. With ease, Alec reached for your hands, coiling his fingers in-between your own, smiling slightly as you smiled up at him, craning your neck back. It was at that moment Demetri and Felix entered. "So good that your watching it again, merely a few days later?" Alec raised a brow with a smirk. "Don't judge me!" You playfully huffed as Demetri and Felix slumped on the couch opposite you. "Judge you? Never. Question you? Always." Alec leaned down, tilting his head to kiss your cheek fondly. 

Felix narrowed his eyes on the two of you before nudging Demetri. "Dude, I could be hallucinating after all this time so is it just me or are Alec and (Y/N) being extra... affectionate?" Demetri lulled his head from the back of the opposite couch to look at you and Alec as Alec sat beside you, pulling you into his side. Ignoring Felix and Demetri you leaned your head on Alec's shoulder and Alec was quick to wrap his arm around you to pull you close to him. His head resting on top of yours. "...Funny, it appears I am having the same hallucination." Demetri murmured, his eyes also narrowing. "Either we've fallen into an alternate dimension or those two don't realise they're cuddling up to each other." Felix mused. Alec rolled his eyes. "(Y/N)?" You looked up at him. Alec moved immediately to press his lips to yours briefly before moving back to his previous position. This made Felix and Demetri straighten up, eyes wide. "What is happening right now!?" Felix said loudly. You couldn't help but giggle at their confusion.

[thefloorisbalaclava]

(Forgive me if I missed this in the masterlists but) our softest boy Frankie reacting to being proposed to? He wouldn’t understand why someone loved him that much and wanted forever with him???

Pairing: Francisco ‘Catfish’ Morales x Reader

Warnings: Some self-doubt but mostly fluff and making Frankie cry (happy tears).

A/N: Anon, I wanna let you know that I was in tears while thinking about this. It’s so sweet!

This is the ring I’m picturing (I just really love the ironwood)

[frankie masterlist][frankie masterlist pt. 2]

Frankie has never seen himself as the type of guy anyone would want to marry. Whether it was because of the issues he had in the past or just him--he never thought very highly of himself at all.

Until you came along, that is.

He smiles, he laughs, he enjoys life and it’s all thanks to you. You show him his worth. You make him feel like something even on the days when he feels like nothing. His bad days have not completely gone away, but they’re easier to deal with since you’ve been in his life. So much so that he can hardly imagine his life without you now.

It’s the same for you. He has changed your life for the better even if he doesn’t know it. You know he still has a small part of that self-doubt that creeps up at the worst times, but you are always there to remind him that you love him and nothing will ever change that.

He wonders how he got so lucky and you wonder how you got so lucky. Some days you look at him and the sun is shining on him a certain way and all you can think is “wow, he’s mine.” Every part of him--from those lovely brown curls, to those stunning brown eyes, to the strong nose that has become your favorite, to the soft, pouty lips that you can never kiss enough. His dimples, his tummy. Him. Every part of him has become something you can’t live without.

He doesn’t know you’ve been going to the jeweler. He doesn’t know that Santi has been helping you. He doesn’t know that you want to marry him.

The thing is, you both know that you don’t have to be married to be happy or complete. You two have been together long enough that people probably think you’re married already anyway, but there is something that makes you want to put a ring on that man’s finger. You want to see the look on his face as you get on one knee and tell him that you want to spend the rest of your life with him. He deserves it.

You look at the ring you had custom made for him and tears fill your eyes already. Santiago rubs your back and asks if you’re okay and you tell him you’re more than okay.

The day is here. The sun is just setting and there is a light breeze that blows.

You watch Frankie as he stands at the grill, drinking a beer and talking animatedly with Santiago as he flips burgers and hot dogs with the other hand without looking. He looks back at you and winks and you blow a kiss--heart pounding, the weight of the small box in your pocket feeling heavier by the minute.

Suddenly, he’s walking over with Santiago and you sit up straight.

“Burger. Medium well for my baby,” he says, handing you a plate. You take the plate from him then grab his hand so he doesn’t walk away.

“Frankie...”

“What’s wrong? You need more ketchup?” he asks. Santiago walks over and turns off the music and everyone else quiets down. They all know. “Babe, what’s going on?”

You stand and laugh nervously as you look around at everyone and then back at Frankie. You try your best not to cry, but as soon as you start talking the tears do as well.

“I love you,” you start.

“I love you too, baby.” Frankie smiles awkwardly then looks around at everyone.

“I’m not sure if you know this but you saved my life,” you tell him. “You always tell me how I saved yours but you have to know that my life hasn’t been the same since you walked into it all those years ago. And I’m grateful.” You take a deep breath. “I don’t know where I would be without you. There is no one else I wanna wake up next to every day, no one else I wanna get lost with...” He laughs at that with tears shining in his eyes.

“I love you, Francisco Morales, more than words can ever say. I want to be yours forever and I hope you want to be mine too.” You clear your throat and wipe the tears from your cheeks before getting on your knee and reaching into your pocket to pull out the small box. “Frankie baby...” He chuckles tearfully at your use of his favorite petname. “...will you marry me?”

He sniffles and shakes his head before letting out a sob that he tries to mask with his response. “Hell yeah,” he says with a smile and everyone cheers as you put the ring on his finger. He pulls you to your feet and kisses you, his tears mixing with yours. You both laugh tearfully as you pull away from the kiss. “I love you,” he whispers.

“I love you too.”

Later that night, Frankie is curled up against you staring at the ring on his finger. “Does this mean I take your last name too?” he asks.

“Do people do that? Is it possible?” you ask.

“I think I’ve heard of guys doing that. I’d take your name in a heartbeat,” he admits. “I never dreamed I’d be planning a wedding.”

“Me neither. Well...I actually already do have some ideas,” you confess.

“Oh, really?” He looks at you.

“Outdoors, for sure. At our favorite lake...and it’ll be in the evening so we can watch the sun set together like we always do. Then we can dance under the stars.”

“Some ideas, huh? Sounds like you have the entire wedding planned already,” he teases and you both laugh. “Sounds perfect to me.”

“I’d be fine just going to the court and signing a marriage license, honestly.”

“Me too but you know what? I kinda want a wedding,” he tells you. “I want to show you off. Show everyone just how lucky I am.”

“I think I’d be the one showing you off. Hey everyone! Look at the sexy man I’m marrying!” you yell and Frankie snorts, laughing against your neck. You have always loved the sound of his laugh. “I get to hear that for the rest of my life,” you sigh, tears filling your eyes again.

“I get you for the rest of my life,” he says, sniffling quietly. “I guess dreams really do come true even for guys like me.”

frankie taglist: @fakenoods @oldstuffnewstuff @the-bird-suit @lestrange2703 @findhimfives @windfallss @rach7 @surfsup666 @theghostwiththemost-babe @marshmallow–3 @mrschiltoncat @aplaceofpeace @josepedropascal @jeeperky @allthingsnarcos @laymegentlytorest @stanfordscrush @fangirlingss @nathan-bateman @darthdumbasss @helga1031 @master-obi-wan-kenboneme @heythere80sbaby @deserttastesbitter @dindjstarin @mandodjarinn @frankie-stein18 @funkylittlebisexuall @16boyfriends-and-me @marvelousmermaid @slugbuggie @ladyblogger-margie @queenbbarnes @dodgerandevans @terrormonster55 @queridopascal @hells-bells-x @allmahfeels @elizabeth-von-winken-universe @blackberries45 @darnitdraco @nemo-my-name-forevermore @dindjarinneedsahug @littlefairygirlx @wyn-dixie

permanent taglist: @magicsuperheroes @feelmyroarrrr @the-dazzling-urbanite @phoenixhalliwell @liveloudwriteloud @tumblogbykarapaloma @jaime1110 @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @pascal-isaac @dazedrhapsody @pascalisthepunkest @ithinkhesgaybutwesavedmufasa @tiffdawg @freak-of-nature2002 @kingpascals @saltywintersoldat @theocatkov @mandilflorian @cyaredindjarin @themarcusmoreno @the-feckless-wonder @loki-098 @arabellathorne @dindisneydjarin @punkpascal @opheliaelysia @takens-world @huliabitch @stardelic @kandomeresbitch @havenforafrazzledmind @thisis-theway @stardust-galaxies @mrsparknuts @jedi-mando @frankiemorales @edencherries @lilkermit14 @virtualxjournality @thirstworldproblemss @emesispo @heresathreebee @tangledlove27 @marvgrrl @hayley-the-comet @insoucianttt @witchyavenger @coaaster @starless-eyes-remain @wanderlustmags @wonderfulfluffer @lv7867 @pedropasscals @pedroepascal @wigwitch @seasonschange-butpeopledont @theoria850 @roxypeanut @autumnleaves1991-blog @kenedyybrooklin @artsymaddie @dindjareen @silverfish-kingdom @heyitmelexie @gredandfeorgesgirl @mandaloriandindjarin @moonlight-prose @rosiefridayrogersunday @ssppoorrkk @amalie-buch @lucifer- @mstgsmy @randomness501 @darthadeline @youarenewformetoo @thehippiequilter @whovian-gurl @neverlandlibrarian @chibi-liz05 @dragons-of-the-usa @over300books @borderlinedindjarin @mudhornchronicles @cosmoschick @linkpk88 @lovingramsey @djvrins @escapedthesarlacc @coni-martina @pedrospunk @burrshottfirstt @jitterbugs927 @xserenax-13 @anatanotegami @doin-stuff @djarinsruni @aerolanya @icanbeyourjedi @bison-writes @strangelittlenobody @dinsbeskar @sarahjkl82-blog @neontiiger @houseofthirst @intu-witch-tion @ennuiandthebourgeoisie @littlebopper96 @boxdyeblonde @empressamidala @myheart-pedro @mtjoi @purplepascal042 @goalkeepernerd @rebelliouscat @leaiorganas @eternallyvenus @mandocrest @kellyozz @the-wishmonger @maythxthirstbxwithyou @andiebell2023 @moonlightburned @videogamesandpoorlifechoices @leonieb @freeshavocadoooo @auroraariza @kalimont83 @notabotiswear @martellthemandalor @beesting77 @medeasmiles @diaryofkali @mando-amando @venusdjarin @mystical-934 @blackmarketmummy @hauntedmama @mamacitapascal @insomniamamma @pedro4ever @greeneyedblondie44 @mitchi-c @prideandpascal @sleep-tight1 @noromeojuliet

[waywardimpalawriter]

Book Boyfriend A Frankie Morales x Plus Size F! Reader fic Part 1

Book Boyfriend

Pairing: Frankie “Catfish” Morales x Plus Size F! Reader

Characters: Frankie Morales, Reader, Santiago “Pope” Garcia, William “Ironhead” Miller, Ben “Benny” Miller, Isabella Morales (OC)

Setting: Two years after the events in Colombia (Triple Frontier)

Rating: R, NSFW

Warnings: Smut, Soft Frankie (yes that has to be a warning), cursing, teasing, unprotected sex, oral (male and female receiving), tooth rotting fluff, mixed with a little hurt/comfort, mention of abuse,

Word count: Part 1: 10,284

Summary: You’ve been so engrossed in your currant book series its lead to Frankie feeling a little left out.  

Notes: This is my first Frankie Morales/Pedro Pascal Fic, so I’m hoping everyone loves it as much as I did writing it. Something a little fluffy I thought of while thinking of my own favorite book boyfriends. Using the translator Systran for my very bad Spanish translations. A grateful thank you to @icanbeyourjedi for helping me out with Frankie’s Dog tags.

Tag list: @manalg14​   @songbirdcannabe​ @frannyzooey

Licking your index finger to turn the page of the book in your hand, unaware you have someone staring. Watching the way, you lick that single digit, adjusting himself on the couch beside you. Callused hand coming down to brush over your plush thigh, drawing little circles over the exposed skin. Attention still firmly on the book, Frankie huffs turning back to the tv but his hand stays on your thigh. Eyes darting towards your mouth to catch you slowly lick your lips. Teeth trapping the bottom between to nibble as you read a really good part. 

Groaning softly at your actions, he leans over to nuzzle your neck, patchy beard softly tickling the skin of your neck. Making you giggle, placing a hand on his chest to gently push Frankie away, “Baby I’m reading.” 

“For the past two hours, hermosa,” slight pout in his tone, taking the hand on his chest to bring it to him mouth and kiss your fingers. Distractions that normally work seem to fall short, eyes darting between the page and his. Soft slightly chapped lips trailing a path up the inside of your arm  reaching the hem of your sleeve the same time your eyes lock. 

Pausing to look over at him, you cup his cheek patting lightly, “One more chapter then I’ll be all yours I promise handsome.” 

Rolling those expressive chocolate pools, he sits back against the couch trying to ignore the throbbing in jeans because of the little actions you’re doing. “One more chapter Mi cielito I’m going to hold you to that.” 

However, one more chapter turned into two than three and Frankie started to fall asleep beside you. Jerking awake with the soft touch of your lips against his forehead, “Come baby lets go to bed,” words whispered with a touch of regret flowing through the cadence. You hadn’t meant to get so engrossed in your book, ignoring your boyfriend beside you. 

Sweetly, you help him get up from the couch, seeing how tired he is, and a slice of remorse eats away at you for keeping him up so long and breaking your promise. “I’m sorry my love, I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.” 

Grunting low, draping an arm around your shoulders to pull you against him while the two of you head to your shared bedroom. Only pausing long enough to check on Isabella, seeing she’s knocked out curled around her baby doll. Sighing softly at the sight you side eye Frankie seeing a tired but sweet smile tugging at his lips. 

“How’d I get so fucking lucky?” though the question is rhetorical you answer smacking his chest first for the curse word. 

“Language Mr. Morales,” light giggles leave you, pulling him along towards your bedroom. 

Shrugging, “Bella’s asleep she can’t hear me,” eyes dropping to watch the sway of your wide hips soft groan rumbling low. 

“To answer your question,” turning to face him with a smirk on your lips having heard the groan. “We both got lucky baby especially after everything we went through to get where we are today.” Cupping his bearded cheek, brushing your thumb just under his eye. “Plus, luck had nothing to do with it but love that brought us together.” 

Soft gasp parting your lips, watching transfixed by the sigh of Frankie nuzzling his face in your palm, kissing the center and making a shiver of arousal race down your back. Unable to stop yourself from looking between those soft lips and dark eyes. Catching the smirk tugging at the corners as he leans in to press his mouth to yours in a tender kiss. Strong arms wrap around your thick waist hauling you against his firm chest, garnering a squeak to escape your lips. Heart thumping erratically behind your ribs wondering for a moment if he could feel or maybe hear the muscle working over time because of him. 

Of their own accord your arms wrap around his shoulders, pressing farther into his warmth. Low groan working its way from the depths of his chest. Hands slipping down into the back pockets of those ass hugging jeans he loves. Cupping the generous globes to pull you flush against him. Letting you feel hard evidence of his arousal, the thick ridge incased in denim presses into your thigh. On a gasp his tongue licks into the warm cavern of your mouth sliding over your teeth before mating in a sensual dance all their own.  

Eyes dropping closed at the pleasure his mouth is giving you, one hand stray’s to card through the curls at the back of his head, blunt nails scratching lightly. The other tracing little patterns over his back knowing how sensitive to your touch he is. Chuckling into his mouth, his body wiggling into yours trying to get away from your teasing fingers. Though he doesn’t want to break the kiss, nor move from having you against him. 

“Hermosa,” warning growl rumbling from his chest, as he squeezes your ass in retaliation making another mewl of pleasure leave you. Pressing yourself into his body, your eyes open to stare into his heat darken gaze. 

Biting your bottom lip, you happen to glance at the clock, red numbers staring back at you in remembrance of the time and how late it’s gotten. “Well, fuck me,” you groan with a shake of your head. 

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do for the past few hours cariño,” dropping his head  to rest on your collarbone, his own groan rumbling up. Knowing you need to break apart but not wanting to let you go. 

Running your fingers through his dark brown hair, giving the scalp a light scratch, “I’m sorry Frankie,” guilt wringing your heart. Knowing it’s not easy for the two of you to be intimate with Isabella. A blessing to you both, though to Frankie she’s his world one that you happened to step into about a few months after her birth. “I didn’t realize the hours slipped away from me.” 

“It’s all right Y/N,” soft moan leaving his lips at how good your fingers feel in his hair. “I know you haven’t had time to yourself to read in a long while.” Raising his head to look at you with heated eyes, “Just don’t forget I’d like a little attention to,” giving your ass another squeeze, pout finding its way over his mouth. “Besides how could that book be so interesting when you have me sitting right beside you?” wiggling his brow at you.

Giggling softly, “So full of yourself Morales,” reluctantly pulling from his arms to start your nightly routine. “Those book boyfriends got me through years of sexual drought and fueled a ton of fantasies.” Pulling your shirt from your body hearing the groan from your boyfriend, making another giggle leave you. Hands on hips, you stare at him, catching his pink tongue come out and lick his lips. Shifting hips to try and alleviate at least a touch of pressure on his cock. “Like what you see flyboy?” 

“God, you know I do sweetheart,” words coming out breathless though gritted teeth, trying to  hold back and using all his will power to keep from taking you. “Fucking tease,” he tosses out when you turn, pulling your bra off to slide your sleep shirt over your top half. “Besides you have me now to full fill all those fantasies of yours. Why not let me?”

“Tomorrow I’ll make it up to you Francisco I promise,” turning back to him, you step forward wrapping your arms around his neck. “If I didn’t have such an early morning, I would let you fuck me into our mattress all night and fill all my erotic idea’s.”  

Groaning, “Una princesa de burlas, vas a ser la muerte de mí.” (Translation “A princess of mockery, you’re gonna be the death of me.) Nipping at your neck, knowing that speaking Spanish never fails to turn you on with his voice dropping an octave in cadence. Only confirmed when you start to rub your thighs together, combined with the little whimpers that leaves you. “Not too fun, eh?” 

Rolling your eyes, giving Frankie a shove that barely moves him but makes his head come up so you're looking into his eyes. Seeing the mischievous glint  right before you kiss his chin, by passing his lips to kiss the tip of his nose. Placing your hands on his cheeks to bring his face down, adding a kiss between his eyebrows, the final one landing on his forehead. His face almost pressed into your breasts, which makes him groan and lick his lips. Before coming back to his lips giving them a tender kiss then pulling away to head towards the bathroom. 

Getting lost in your warmth and scent, Frankie staggers a few steps when you move away, smile sliding over his soft lips while watching you move. Knowing you’re being both sweet and temping with those kisses, Frankie pulls his own shirt from his body. Stretching his back from working all day on the boss’s helicopter, he goes to drop it in the laundry basket stepping in front of the open bathroom door. To catch you rubbing lotion into your legs, one foot on the bathtub’s ledge as you work the cream into your skin. Trying not to stare but he can’t help it, knowing what those soft legs felt like wrapped around his waist or over his shoulders. Better yet on either side of his head while he’s feasting on your cunt. 

Cursing in Spanish to turn quickly pressing the heel of his palm into his thickening shaft, breath coming out in quick pants. Reciting the proper procedure for takeoff and landing a helo trying to get himself under control and not think about bedding you all night. Frankie finishes getting undressed, sliding his lower body into a pair of red and black flannel pajama pants, smirk turning up his lips as he takes a seat on the end of the bed. You just finishing up your nightly routine, pause at the door to flick the lights off. Eyes landing on Frankie, who’s bare chest catches your attention first. Having to stop yourself from licking your lips as the soft light highlights his tawny skin. Soft in all the right places especially the little tummy you love to kiss when trailing your lips over his body. 

Dragging your eyes up to lock with his, seeing the smirk that makes you shake your head at him, “I’m guessing this is pay back?” stepping forward, one leg sliding between his thighs. Pushing them apart so you can stand closer. Hands come to rest on his shoulders, one carding through his thick curls as his own rest on your wide hips. 

Looking up at you, chin resting on your tummy still unable to fathom how he could got so lucky. “Is it working hermosa?” eyes darken when your tongue peeks out to wet your lips. 

“Nope,” popping the p while trying to keep from giggling at the crest fallen look on his handsome face. That he buries in your plush shirt covered tummy. Trying to hide that fact that yes those pajama pants work so damn will. “Next time go naked there’s a possibility for me jumping your bones then.” 

“That can be arranged sweetheart,” grin returning to his lips while standing to wrap his arms back around your shirt covered waist. Pressing you against his chest feeling your puckered nipples beneath the fabric begging for attention. He’s more than willing to give in, stripping you down and worshipping every inch he could get his mouth on.  

Soft whimper leaves you lips when his lowers to ghost over yours. The barely there touch making your knees weak but its the wide yawn that overtakes you instead of the kiss. Breaking the moment as Frankie groans walking you both to the side of the bed. Leaning over to pull the covers back, “Let’s get you in bed mi amor, tomorrow I’ll ravish you till you can’t walk.” 

Nodding you climb in moving to the middle so Frankie can get in, curling up to his side, resting a hand on his chest to draw little patterns. “Promise handsome?” whispering the words into his ear then placing a kiss to his cheek. Your touch not helping things but he wouldn’t change anything. Instead he takes your hand and intertwines your fingers, placing them over his heart. 

  “Promise cariño, you know I wouldn’t break one,” turning his head to look at you. Seeing the droop of your lids soft smile gracing his features. Leaning in, to place a kiss to each of your half-closed eyes, “Sleep Y/N we have tomorrow and many more days after that.” Adding a gentle kiss to your lips. 

“You’re too good to me Frankie,” muttering the words sleepily, snuggling against him, left arm wrapping around your waist to hold you. “Te Amo,” whispering the words, lips placing a kiss to his neck breath ghosting over his skin as you fall asleep. 

While Frankie lays there shocked, not because you spoke in Spanish but for what those simple words meant to him. Wishing that you hadn’t fallen sleep so he could say them back and show you in actions how much he truly loves you. He settles for now on holding you closer making sure the sheet and blankets are securely covering the both of you, knowing how cold you get during the night. Placing his lips against your forehead for a kiss, his own eyes starting to drift closed. Your rhythmic breathing lulling him into dreams of your life together. 

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

Intrusive noise brings you slowly from the warm cocoon you're wrapped in, low groan leaving your lips. Moving to turn the offending alarm off but you can’t reach as Frankie has you pushed into the mattress cuddling into your chest with his heavy arm draped over your tummy. “Frankie baby the alarm,” hearing him grunt against your skin, giggles leave your lips. 

You try one more time to reach the clock only to have him bat a hand at the offending object, hitting the snooze harder than needed and rolling back against you. Burying his lips in your throat, soft mustache tickling your skin making you giggle and try to move away. Through his strong arms hold you even closer, your head tipping back to give the access he’s wordlessly asking for. Fingers carding through his curls, tugging gently as a low moan leaves your throat. One he feels with his mouth against your pulse that picks up with each nibble and kiss given. 

“Frankie,” name comes out on a whimper when his nose brushes just south of your ear. 

“Mi amor,” sucking softly, tasting your skin with his tongue that draws little patterns. Free hand moving down to the hem of your shirt that’s ridden up while you slept. Callused fingers finding your bare waist to spread his hand over your skin, sliding it down and back to cup the generous globe of your ass. Pressing his face into your fabric covered chest, making another moan leave your lips as his own seek out the pebbled peaks of your nipples. Wetting the cloth as he suckles one into the hot cavern of his mouth. 

The hand at your ass moving lower to bring your thigh over his hip, rocking against you. Flatten your hands over his chest, pushing twice before he rolls on his back taking you with him. So that your straddling his waist, feeling the hard press of his shaft along your folds. Hands bracing yourself up over him, mouth never leaving your breast. As he switches to the other, eyes locking with yours letting you see the need and heat filling the now almost black orbs. Pupil’s crowding out the beautiful brown of his iris’s you love to drown in.  Mewling whimpers leave your parted lips, head tossed back, while your hips rock against him in slow teasing circles. 

Growling in impatience, Frankie makes quick work of pulling your shirt off to fling it to the floor, mouth reattaching to your breast. Nipping the puckered bud before trailing his lips over your skin and back up your neck. Reaching your ear, “It’s tomorrow hermosa or did you forget and want that book boyfriend of yours?” 

Turning your head to capture his lips in a deep hard kiss, one that’s all teeth and tongue, a battle for dominance. Angling your head just right so that you can take in air through your nose while tangling your tongue with Frankie’s. Though before long the need for true oxygen becomes too much as your forced to break apart both of you panting for breath. Resting your foreheads together you subtly move your hips. Just brushing your soaked panties against his flannel covered cock. Letting him feel your passion that he’s started. 

An idea pops into your head one that’s fleeting with the warmth of his large hands landing on your ass. Cupping the globes to press you against him, while he plants his feet and thrusts upward. It’s anything but teasing, more demanding with a need born from a night of dreams that has him hard as steal and wanting to bury himself deep inside your body.  

“Frankie,” his name coming out on a whimper, mouth moving to his jawline kissing the salt and pepper beard. Nosing the surprisingly soft hairs, trailing your lips to the thick cords of his neck pushing his chin backwards to get access to where you want to place kisses. Both of you shutting out the world right then and all that needs accomplished for the day in favor of indulging in carnal pleasures interrupted last night by time moving too quickly. 

“Tell me what you want hermosa and I’ll give it to you,” breath ragged with need, his cock throbbing with each movement of his hips against you. Feeling your essence soaking through to his own skin. Low growl rambling into your chest that he presses to his, loving the feel of your nipples brushing his overheated flesh. 

He goes to pull your panties off and his own pajama pants when a squeal of want makes the two of you break apart. Groaning, pushing his head back into the pillows as you rest your forehead against his collarbone unable to help the silent giggles that leave your lips. Frankie tips your chin up when he feels the shake of your body, thinking you’re upset and shaking his head when seeing the mirth in your sweet gaze. 

“Looks like a cold shower for you handsome,” trying to keep the mirth from your tone as you lean down to give him one more sweet kiss. “I’ll go take care of our princess you shower and get ready for work.” Groaning when you must move from his body, feeling his hands slide down from your thick waist, a shiver runs down your frame at the caress he gives your body. Though you try to suppress the want while searching for something to wear for right now. Spying his flannel robe, “Breakfast?” brow cocked, turning back to face him. Licking your lips as you look over your lover. Unable to hide the need blooming deeper in your eyes, finding that you can’t take your eyes off the sexy man lying in your bed. 

He turns on his side one arm propping up his head to watch you pull on his camo bath robe. “Never thought something so simple would look so sexy,” words whispered though you’ve heard them as Frankie looks you over. Feeling the places his eyes linger like a caress of those big rough hands of his, making another shiver skate over your body. 

Swallowing, knowing there’s not much time till Isabella calls/squeals for you again. “You want breakfast Frankie?” trying to get your mind off what you really want. Like jump back into bed with that man and make him growl and moan your name till he’s putty in your hands. The only man to ever make you feel sexy while naked or in this case dressed in his robe. Knowing that your not some runway model with a size two body, but it’s a body Frankie can never get enough of. One he loves to see pressed into the mattress, while he takes you in any manner of ways. Face consumed with the pleasure he’s giving you or those times when your greedy and want to show him heaven. Devouring his cock in the warmth of your mouth, teasing him, knowing just what places to lick and nibble. The wanton minx only Frankie gets to bring out and see. But most of all its that sweet smile you give him that tugs at his heart and what made him fall in love with you almost at first sight. 

An impatience huff from you has a smile tugging at his lips, breaking him from the thoughts filtering through his mind. Raising to sit on the edge of the bed, reaching out to snag the ties to his robe and bring you closer. Mischief running through those soulfully deep brown eyes, hands resting on your hips, “Only if I can eat you for breakfast mi amor.” 

Voice impossibly deep, sends a spark of arousal so potentate you must rub your thighs together for friction and place your hands on his shoulders to keep yourself upright. “That’s dessert flyboy and it’s nowhere near dinner time so sadly I’m off the menu for right now.” Giving him a bright smile, as you see the disappointment flashes in his eyes. Leaning down to kiss him softly, “Shower, I’ll have breakfast ready and our little princess, before getting ready myself.” 

Stepping away you pause at the door to look over your shoulder, catching him watching your every move. “See something you like Francisco?” One shoulder of the robe sliding down to bare your skin to his eyes. 

Shaking his head, he can’t stop the smile from gracing his lips, “I see someone I love,” raising to join you at the door. Wrapping an arm around your waist, to lean down and kiss you back softly. Heart beating out of his chest at the simple words he spoke that made you gasp but return the kiss. Pulling away with a goofy smile on your lips. 

“Love huh? You going soft on me Mr. Morales?” knowing what it took for him to say that word and remembering that you had told him the same last night in Spanish. Happy tears form in the corners of your eyes as you turn fully towards him, cupping his cheeks in your hands, “I love you to Frankie.” 

Tender moment broken by the call of “Mama,” which makes you both laugh in happiness as you move away. 

Squeaking at the smack Frankie lands on your ass before you’ve stepped fully away from him. “By the way hermosa you look fucking sexy in my robe. Though I do have to say it would look so much better on the floor,” giving your wink before turning to head to the shower. 

“Same with those sinful flannel pj’s baby, they may look good riding low on that waist of yours, showing off that sexy tummy and treasure trail. But I’d look better with my legs wrapped around you,” you return giggling when you hear the low growl from him. “Don’t worry they will be on the floor tonight count on that one.” 

Heat rising over Frankie’s cheeks at your words even as another groan leaves his lips along with a soft curse feeling his cock throb from just the mire thoughts your promise conjures up. He has to lean a little on the bathroom door to steady himself before stripping and heading for a very cold shower. 

Sadly, both your days didn’t go as planned. Repairs on the helo took longer than Frankie scheduled, he drug himself in a little after 8, the scent of pizza tickling his nose as he toes off his shoes by the door. 

“Y/N,” calling out softly not wanting to wake Isabella who he knew would be fast asleep in her bed. The sight which meets his eyes makes his heart expand and tears form, both his girls fast asleep on the couch. The book you read last night dangling from your hand just shy of landing on the floor. Free hand cuddling your little girl against you, fingers spread over her small back. 

Stepping closer, he hates to wake you, looking so peaceful, beautiful eyes closed contentment making your features smooth. Frankie leans down to scoop up Isabelle, her own eyes sleepily opening to stare at him. “Dada,” small voice whispers, her head drooping to lay on his shoulder falling back asleep. Soft chuckle at her actions, Frankie runs his hand over her head gently sweeping away some of the chestnut curls. Still in aww of this little girl he never thought would be his. Movement catches his eye, turning to see you waking slowly. 

Stirring with the warmth and weight of Isabella gone, you smile up at Frankie rising slowly to place your book in your previous spot before stretching out your back. “Long day baby?” standing to wrap your arms around both of your loves. 

“Hmm,” pressing warm lips to first his little girl’s forehead before leaning down to kiss you. “I’m just happy to be home hermosa.” Not wanting to go into the crappy details of his day right then. “I’ll go put our angel to bed while you get ready yourself.” 

Shaking your head, ruffling her hair gently and adding a kiss to her soft chestnut curls, “I’ll warm you up some dinner and we can talk before bed.” Reaching up to brush your hand over his bearded cheek, cupping the side and swiping a thumb over the apple of his cheek. 

“Sure, you don’t want to return to your book boyfriend?” teasing glint making his eyes light with mirth that makes you roll your and pat his jaw. 

“Don’t tempt me Frankie baby I just might,” sending a smirk his way, turning then to head into the kitchen. Hearing the playfully annoyed huff leave him. 

Entering the kitchen bare feet silently padding over the cold tile, you busy yourself with getting a plate, trying not to think of your day. The events having led to the reason Isabella was still up, and pizza for dinner instead of the home cooked meal you had originally planned to make. Automatically placing two slices down on a plate and putting them in the microwave. Leaning back against the counter, arms crossed watching though not actually paying attention to the microwave plate spin, eyes unfocused glancing more inward than on the task at hand. You jump lightly when Frankie comes to stand in front of you, warm body soothing your horrible day, arms on either side caging you in. Wrapping your arms around his waist to rest your head on his chest. 

“Things not go as planned my love?” placing a kiss to the center of his shirt covered chest, not wanting to speak about your day yet. 

Soft grunt leaves his lips pressed into the side of your head, “Just long and a few fuck ups by the newbie’s who seem to think they know everything.” Eyes rolling through you can’t see the action with your head still pressed into his chest. Running his large hands up and down your back, pressing your soft plush body into his. “Sometimes I feel like I’m a relic in that place and no one wants to listen to me.” 

“You know more than all those assholes put together Frankie, you could put that helo back together with your eyes closed and fly it to points unknown in a blink of an eye,” looking up voice firm and strong with a note of pride in the cadence as you lean up to press your lips to his for a short kiss. 

“My little cheerleader,” grinning nuzzling his nose against yours. “If I get you that little outfit, would you wear it for me?” though seeing you in his robe turns him on more than any stupid costume. Being a man of simple wants and desires, he’d rather see you naked with just his dog tags between your breasts. 

This time you roll your eyes, “Not with all the extra padding I have it wouldn’t look right on me.” 

Low growl leaving his chest as he squeezes you tightly, “Sweetheart you would make anything look good though I do have to agree it wouldn’t look right on you.” Seeing the flash of hurt Frankie rushes to explain himself, “Not that you wouldn’t look sexy as fuck just, I’d much rather you in my robe or better yet naked.” Tracing the pattern on your scrub top with the tip of his finger till it reached your neck, resting the callused palm on your soft skin. 

Shivering at his words that fill your heart with love for this man, “Nice save stud,” resting your head back on his chest. Eyes closing, feeling his fingers brushing over your neck wondering how you got so lucky when there’s women and men out there that haven’t. Unwillingly the images from this afternoon filter through your mind making you squeeze Frankie tighter. 

Sensing the shift in your demeanor, the way you’re holding him like a life preserver wrapped around a drowning man. He pulls back just a little to tip your chin up with two fingers, “What happened mi amor?” seeing unshed tears glistening in your eyes. 

“Nothing,” single word muffled as you’ve buried your face back into his chest. Breathing in the scent of oil, lava soap and something that’s uniquely Frankie. It never fails to sooth your mind from the trouble, imagined and real. 

Squeezing you closer, he uses the hands at your waist to help boost you to sit on the counter, parting your thighs and slipping between. Cupping your cheeks in callused palms so that your looking into his eyes, “Talk to me hermosa you know you can tell me anything.” Thoughts going back to one of the many reasons he and Felicia, the mother of Isabella, didn’t make it. Both refusing to talk about what’s really bothering them. He doesn’t want a return to that kind of life not with you and not with all the work he put in to change that part of him. “Remember you said we’d talk, and I have so it’s your turn baby.”

Knowing he’s right, a soft sigh leaves your lips, “A young woman came in this afternoon to the clinic, she’d…” swallowing hard at the visions filling your mind, remembering the cuts and bruises, the tears. “Her partner messed her up pretty bad, I tried to get her to press charges, but she wouldn’t. Simply saying it’s her fault, she should’ve listened instead of disobeying.” Eyes downcast as you remember your own mother’s fight against abuse at the hands of her husband. Those memories combined with today’s events trap you in your mind till warm lips press against your forehead. Strong arms cradle you against his chest, stroking your back in soothing circles. 

“You did what you could mi alma, there wasn’t anything you could’ve said to change her mind, not till she’s ready. I know it brings the memories back and I’m so fucking sorry you and any woman or man has to go through that.” Moving just a fraction back to look into your eyes as your head raises, silent tears making little wet trails over your cheeks. 

Leaning in to kiss the salty moisture away, catching the dull glint of a necklace under your shirt. Frankie reaches up to tug the warm metal from under the fabric, breath catching at finding his dog tags dangling at the bottom. 

Bottom lip caught between your teeth, you look from the tags to Frankie, “They bring me comfort when you’re not around just like Isabella. I hadn’t meant to keep her up so late but having her lay on my chest while I read it kept the demons away.” 

“Mi amor you never have to explain, it's why I gave you these in the first place,” though the explanation tugs at his heart just as he tugs at the dog tags. The feeling of home, of you and Isabella being here and his, a plan forming in his mind. He’s been a rambling man for so long, even while dating and almost marrying Felicia, but now with you in his arms he felt at home. “As for Isabella I’m more than sure she enjoyed laying on the mama to sleep,” soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I almost didn’t move her, but then I thought you wouldn’t get much sleep on that couch and your back would blame you in the morning.” 

Melting at his words, the sweet look in his eyes makes you fall in love with Frankie all the more. “You are one amazing man you know that Francisco Morales?” Feeling the dog tags land back between your cloth covered breasts as his hands wrap around your waist to pull you closer to him. 

“I’m just a man mi amor, there’s nothing amazing about me,” soft yelp leaving his lips when you give his side a pinch under his shirt. Rubbing the bruised skin, “What’s that for?” pout forming on his mouth. 

“For thinking so little of yourself handsome, you know I don’t like it when you do that,” giving him a stern glance that turns soft under those pouting puppy dog eyes. You glance over his shoulder, seeing the microwave stopped a while ago and knowing he’s probably starved. “You need to eat but I’d warm that pizza up a little more before you do.” Moving just an inch you pull him back into a gentle kiss that’s nothing short of tooth rotten sweet and tender. Just little presses of your mouth to his, nipping a few times on his plush bottom lip before sucking lightly. 

Pulling back just a little, “It’s dinner time can I have my dessert now?” mischief sparkling in those deep brown pools as his hands rub your thighs that surround his waist. 

“I wouldn’t be much of a participant handsome,” once again guilt eats at your heart as a large yawn makes your mouth gap open and you stretch to work out the kinks in your muscles. “I know I promised…” 

Leaning in to kiss you twice, “Don’t you worry about that sweetheart, we have tomorrow.” 

“I know but you see my book boyfriend waits for me tomorrow and I can’t disappoint him,” giving Frankie a teasing smirk while slipping from the counter. His presence the salve to your wounded heart just as yours is to his. “Eat your dinner then come to bed, I wanna cuddle with my lover tonight.” 

Tugging you into his arms, lips placed on your forehead, “One of these days that book boyfriend of yours will find himself kicked out of our house.” Chuckling, he drops a possessive hand on your ass to give the plump flesh a squeeze. “Those tags mean your taken by me,” reluctantly letting you go, watching with love struck eyes as you walk away. 

“I’ll inform him of that baby,” turning you start for the bedroom, pausing at the door to look back and blow Frankie a kiss. 

Twenty minutes later, a couple of slices of pizza and half a beer, Frankie goes around the house making sure everything is locked up and lights are off. Treading sock footed to the only source left, he pauses to check first on Isabella then head to your shared bedroom. Pausing at the doorway to watch you sleep, curled around his pillow, dressed in his robe from this morning. A deep love fills his heart one he thought would never find him not after all the bad he’d done, all the marks he tallied with every mission. Yet you’ve stayed taking up room in his heart making it so that he never wants to let you go. 

With those thoughts in his mind, Frankie strips down to his boxers and slides into bed. Wrapping an arm around you, to pull you flush with his side. Soft sigh leaving your lips as you curl into him, draping a leg between his and an arm over his chest. Even in your sleep you manage to steal his breath and fall in love with you all over again. 

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

Golden sunlight filtered through the partly open curtains, bathing his features in soft yellow light. Dark brows smooth with sleep, arching over closed libs hiding those deep chocolate eyes you love so much. Lightly tracing the features of his face with the tips of your fingers, not wanting to wake him just yet having turned the alarm off after waking early. On your day off no less but getting to see Frankie like this peaceful, resting and without a care in the world made losing a little extra sleep worth it. 

A smile tugs at the corners of your lips, fingers tracing over his features. The tip of your index finger gliding over his defined nose that you love to kiss, the crinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiles. Over cheeks especially the left with its dimple that appears every so often when he’s really happy normally when he’s staring at Isabella or you. That realization makes your heart hammer behind your ribs. Still wondering how you found this amazing man and more to the point how he could love someone like you. 

Those thoughts become interrupted when he mumbles words you can’t quite make out but draws your eyes to those lush lips. Ones that speak words of love and devotion, kisses away the nightmares, brushes over Isabella’s forehead or yours. Lips that could make you cry out or gasp in pleasure the likes you’ve never felt before and speak the most filthiest of things into your ear. The very thought of how wicked they could be makes you tremble as you trace over them softly. Laughing quietly when they move against those fingers almost like it tickles feeling his mustache brush your fingers small giggle leaving you. Breath catching when you feel the little unconscious kiss he places. Almost like he’s awake but the steady rise and fall of his chest shows you differently. 

Letting the breath you hold out to continue mapping his features. Brushing over the salt and pepper beard that graces his jawline in patches that you know he hates at times. Wanting it to fill in or darker in color like when he was younger. But you reassure him with kisses that you’ve grown to love his patchy facial hair and the color it’s become. Remembering the time, you told him that to you it’s a turn on and had to show him just what you meant. Smirking at that memory, your eyes trace lower for the moment over his pecs, the little slope of his tummy and down that dark trail of hair that slips under his boxers. Consciously licking your lips at the impressive morning wood he’s sporting tenting the black boxers encasing his lower body parts that aren’t covered by the thin sheet. 

  Reluctantly pulling your eyes away, knowing you’ll get to that point soon enough. Refocusing your attention’s to the strong column of his throat, tracing the veins till they disappear under his skin. Teasingly circling his nipples garnering a low moan from the man above you making a smirk appear even as your eyes dart up. Seeing he’s still asleep though his legs are starting to get a little restless, you glance down catching sight of the sheet slip a little lower. Fingers still dancing over his chest you turn back to your perusal of his body leaning in to place a soft kiss to the pebbled nipple closest to you. 

Smiling when there’s a gasp that leaves his lips this time, though you don’t look instead moving lower to nuzzle into his tummy. One of your favorite parts of him, that he hates thinking he’s going soft in his old age. You’d argued with him, musing how he could dislike a part of his body that’s soft when you were soft all over. Thick thighs and waist, arms that still flap after you stopped waving, the body of a Rubenesque angel. The last memory making your smile fondly as Frankie told you that one afternoon lying in bed naked, drawing patterns over your skin much like you do now to him. You’d scoffed that turned into a moan of pleasure when his lips started worshipping your body. Mapping the valley’s and dimples you didn’t like, sliding his big body between your thighs to kiss and bite at your skin. Marking you that afternoon as his, reminding you how beautiful and desirable he sees you. 

Only to return the favorite later that night ending the argument by reverently kissing and nipping each spot on his body, the scars, the softness, the strength he forgets that underlines his body. Even now you can’t stop yourself from placing a kiss to the center of his chest. Enjoying the sight of your lover spread out for you to devour. You don’t take your eyes off him while moving to lay between his legs. Robe parting to expose your breasts to his eyes when he wakes, and you know that’s coming soon. When you feel him twitch against your hand, the soft groan and movements of his restless body a dead giveaway. 

Leaning down to nuzzle his length with your lips and nose, breathing in the musky woodsy scent of his body that has tingles dancing over your skin. Taking the cloth covered elastic band between your fingers to peel it back. Exposing the head of his cock jutting upward against the curls of his groin making you lick your lips. Tongue peeking out to lap at the pearl drop of precum that sits perfectly over the slit. Tasting his tangy musk of his essence, savoring that first little drop while peeling his boxer briefs lower over his muscular thighs. Carefully tugging them and pushing the sheet off his body while you wiggle down. Till the under garment gets tossed to the floor along with the bedsheet, his body bare to your glaze. Catching sight of his chest starting to rise and fall a little quicker now. Expressive eyes moving a little faster behind closer lids. 

Licking your lips at the sight knowing you need to act quickly, or Frankie will wake and spoil your fun. Returning to your position, making sure the robe is still gaping open for his viewing pleasure. Leaning in to trace your lips over the underside of his thick shaft. More than average in girth and length the very thought of him inside you has your own thighs wanting to rub together for some kind of friction. But you remember this isn’t about you, it’s a repayment of pleasure he’s given you, of all the little things, the touches, kisses, the sweetness that is your Frankie. You want to repay him, no matter how many times he’s told you it’s not necessary. You want to show him heaven just as he’s done for you. 

A grunt pulls you from the musing, tugging a smirk across your lips, burying them at the base of his shaft. Nibbling little kisses till you reach the red tinged head, tongue slipping out to flatten against the slit and drag across. Wrapping one hand that barely fits around the base placing him heavily on your tongue to circle your mouth and close around the tip. Sucking softly, tongue flicking quickly a few times, before widening your jaw and taking as much of his cock in. 

Slightly gagging when he hits the back of your throat, and swallow. Full lips covering the shaft tightly while dragging your mouth up, and down hand pumps and twists the part you can’t fit. Bobbing slowly, grinning when a pair of callused hands come to cup the back of your head. Not pushing just resting trying to ground himself. 

Spanish curses fly from his lips, “Mierda hermosa que la boca tuya se siente como el cielo,” back arching off the mattress, eyes flying open to stare down at you. Darkened with passion and desire, licking his lips as your own are wrapped around his throbbing cock. “Tan bueno para mí, mi amor.” (Fucking shit beautiful that mouth of yours feels like heaven.) (So good to me, my love.) 

Head bobbing slowly, eyes locked with his, pulling up till just the head rests on your tongue, sucking lightly before letting go with a wet pop. “Morning handsome, sleep well?” smirking at the question, you drop one hand between his thighs to gently caress the slightly roughen skin of his balls. Testing the weight and giving a light squeeze before starting to massage each one in turn. Delighting when it pulls another puffing moan from his lips. 

Words unable to form in answer to your teasing question though he knows you’re not truly asking for one just torturing him with that sexy morning voice. Fingers flexing on your head, massaging the scalp, a low groan vibrating through his chest, feeling the soft pressing of your lips on his shaft, accompanying with little nibbles and licks. Making his eyes roll back at the pleasure your giving him. It’s almost too much and not enough at the same time. 

Making him sit up, reaching for you trying wrap his hands under your arms and pull you against him. But you’re a little quicker, anticipating his movements and reluctantly pulling away, letting his shaft go so you’re not in arms reach. Shaking your head and crawling back up his body, making sure to pause and place a kiss to the crown of his cock, his tummy which he tries to suck in. Straddling one thigh to let him feel how wet you’ve become from just giving him pleasure. Whimpering when that thigh flexes under you, moving up to brush against your tender dripping folds. 

Shaking your head again, placing one hand on his chest to push him back into the pillows. Seeing the slight confusion in those soft chocolate eyes giving you the sweetest puppy look. That would normally have you melting in puddle of goo but not this time. Nope you had to stand your ground, “Won’t work Francisco,” leaning in to kiss him hungrily. Slipping your tongue into his mouth on a moan as he tastes himself in the warm cavern of your mouth. Tongues tangling, fingers carding through his hair to run blunt nails over his scalp. Feeling him twitch against your thigh making you smile into the kiss. Giving him two smaller kisses, “Now be a good boy and lay back for me while I show you heaven.” 

Groaning at your words, and doing as you ask, though he gives the thigh between yours one more flex, rubbing your slick folds again just to see you pause in your movements. The way you shutter around him and gasp out. He itch’s to grab you, rolling you under him or better yet tossing that other leg over his hips and thrusting home. Filling you so sweetly, so fully to make you forget about anything and anyone but him. Itching to hear you moan his name, whimper when he hits that perfect spot inside your tight cunt. That never fails to make your eyes roll back, his name a prayer on your kiss swollen lips. 

So, lost in his little fantasy that when you’ve made your way back down to his throbbing cock, he jumps at the first touch of your lips. Grunting as his hips jut off the mattress filling your mouth with his shaft. That makes Frankie curse, eyes rolling back when you suck on the crown, flicking that talented tongue over the slit and taking him back down. Placing both hands on his hips to hold him in place. Starting to fully bob up and down, tongue slithering around his shaft as little dribbles of spit slip from your lips wetting his skin. 

Forcing himself to open his eyes and look down, to watch his angel, looking so sweet and pure devouring his cock so sinfully. Mumbled words of Spanish, and English leave his lips, eyes locking with yours. He moves one hand down to brush over your hollowed cheek, downward to sweep over your neck and wrap around the back of your sulk helping you move along his shaft. Lewd moans and whimpers escape his panting lips. Only breaking eye contact when he feels the soft fabric of his robe brushing his thighs.  

What he finds nearly makes him cum right then, your soft breasts swaying, nipples peaked and begging for his attention. The soft swell of your tummy, the sight makes him whimper and press his head back against the pillows. “Hermosa please, so fucking good.” 

When you pull off, using one hand to keep pumping his cock, twisting your wrist, giving little squeezes. Slick from your mouth and his dribbled essence, the wet sounds making his head spin in need. “Please what my love? Want me to stop?” Biting your bottom lip knowing he doesn’t but also knowing what he really wants. 

“Fuck no,” low growl leaves his lips, head snapping up to stare at you. Eyes dropping to see the robe open even more your breasts spilling out making him lick his lips. Tracing an invisible path back to your desire darken eyes. Fingers giving his shaft another squeeze as they pump slower almost to a stop, though his hips have a mind of their own and thrust up into the circle of your fingers. He knows you want an answer he can’t seem to form right now with how innocent you look sitting there on your knees. Hand wrapped around his cock, all thought and blood surging to that one organ. Feeling the fading tingles up his spine, with the slacking of your movements. 

The dissipating high he wants, needs to chase, has the words tumbling from his mouth. “Want you mi amor, want that pretty mouth of yours wrapped around my cock making me cum.” His filthy words make you whimper feeling your cunt tremble and squeeze around nothing. “Please,” last word coming out on a gasp when your hand starts to pick up pace. 

Lowering yourself back between his legs, wrapping your mouth around him, starting a hard punishing pace that has his body bowing in pleasure. Hands gripping the sheets beneath you both, head pressing into the pillows show casing the thick tendons of his neck. Bolts of pleasure shooting through his veins he tries to raise up to watch but it’s all too much. Those tingles dancing up his spine, sac drawing up against his body your tongue swiftly swirling around his shaft with each bob of your head. Pressing one hand into his hip to keep you up right while the other works the part of him you can’t fit. Making sure to brush his sac each time your wrist moves down. 

Humming at the taste flooding your buds, eyes closing in bliss with each word he mutters the way your name is flows from his parted panting lips. Like a prayer to God though this kind is something He might ignore. Knowing Frankie is getting closer to his release, seeing the sweat slick his forehead and coat his chest. Picking up the subtle change in his deep voice, hands grasping at the sheets knowing it would be you he’s holding on to if he’d been inside you. The way his body is shuttering around you, the quick throbbing of that vein you trace repeatedly wanting him to fall. 

Pulling off with a lewd wet pop, “I’ve got you baby, let go for me I wanna taste you.” Moaning the words before wrapping your lips around the crown to suck harshly. Flattening your tongue on the underside while hollowing your cheeks again determined to draw his orgasm from his body. 

Smirking up at him hearing the words falling from his sinful lips. “Shit, carajo tan bueno. I’m not gonna last cariño,” hips thrusting up as the first tangy bits of his release touches your tongue. 

Humming happily while working quicker, hands and mouth working in tandem to make him lose control. Pleasure exploding behind his closed eyes, back arching off the bed as his control snaps. His essence flowing down your throat, and you take every bit you can swallowing around his sensitive shaft. Chest heaving, gasping for air to fill his lungs, body humming from his high. Another moan escaping, little twitches on your tongue as you pull off placing a sweet kiss to the crown before gently letting him go. Feeling his hands grabbing at you, pulling your up his body and crashing his mouth against yours. 

Licking the remains of his orgasm from your lips and thrusting his tongue into the cavern of your mouth to tangle and taste. Holding your body against his, one hand goes between the two of you to start undoing the sash holding the robe only partly closed. Pulling the soft terry cloth knot free and pushing it off one of your shoulders. Fingers dancing over your heated soft skin while his mouth takes control of the kiss dragging a moan from the deepest part of your being. Your own hands clutching at the sheets under you, gasping when those callused fingers tug at a nipple. Soothing the pain with gentle circles, cupping the generous globe in his palm to give a squeeze. 

Your body having a mind of its own, rocking against his, hips on either side of his waist as you lay over him. Shaking arms barely keep you up with hot desire flowing through your veins each brush and teasing touch of those skillful hands making you lose control, making you forget the position your in. Lungs burning in the best of ways making you gasp and break away. Resting your foreheads together, breathing in shared air, his hands having pulled the robe low as it’ll go with your arms pushed into the mattress. He flattens his hands on your back pressing you closer to draw his nose over your collarbone and neck. Running stubbled cheeks into the soft skin hearing you gasp that makes him smirk. Especially when he places his lips to your pulse flicking his tongue over the thumping vein drawing a whine from deep in your chest. 

His other hand coming to join the party by cupping your breast bringing the heavy globe to his lips and nibbling on your pebbled nipple. Biting down just that side of pain he knows you love and sure enough another moan leaves your lips. Lower body rocking against his needing to find the delicious friction as you clit throbs in need, cunt clinching nothing and wanting him deep inside you. 

Shrill alarm breaking the moment, making you groan in annoyance and dropping your head to his shoulder. Body shaking with need, breath escaping in small little gasps as his hands and mouth haven’t stopped working your body over. You gather enough strength to reach over and cut the offending piece of technology off tempted to toss it out the window. In favor of keeping Frankie in bed all day. 

“Frankie,” name groaned as you raise up, pulling your chest away from his mouth, making him pout. Small giggle leaving your lips at how cute he looks, “You have to get ready for work baby.” 

“Fuck work,” wrapping his arms around your back to hold you close and rolls the pair of you over so he’s hovering over you. “I rather much stay right here and take my time.” Staring into your eyes, his are smiling with those little crinkles at the corners. Reaching up to brush your fingers over the lines, he grabs your hand to bring it to his lips and kiss each finger. “If I remember rightly, I missed dessert last night,” smirking at your gasp when his a hand slip low brushing through your slick folds. “Well, I want it now.”

There’s a war going on inside you, caught between wanting those deliciously thick fingers inside you and conscious of the fact that the both of you need to get up to start the day. Once again, the opinions are taken from you as a little girl squeals in want from her room just a bit down the hall. This time it’s Frankie who groans while you giggle, pushing him from on top of you. To drop dramatically beside you, arm slung over his face. 

“Don’t worry flyboy you’ll get your dessert,” patting his chest as you lean over to steal a quick kiss before getting up. Pausing at the bed, “Unless my book boyfriend takes up my time tonight.” Giggling, you move quickly to avoid his hands grabbing for you. 

As he’s lunged up playfulness in his eyes though he tries to make them stern and annoyed, “He won’t get in my way of having my woman, hermosa.” Low teasing growl leaves his lips, feet landing on the floor as he stands to stalk towards you. Caught in his snare you take a step back feeling the cool wall against your skin having forgot to pull the robe over you. Shivering though not to from the air-conditioned cooled room, but from the feral look in those deep chocolate eyes that makes you clinch your thighs, whimpering softly. He stalks towards you, body on display for your eyes to roam and drool over wanting to take him up on that offer. A stray slice of golden light graces his form making him look like a Golden God in your eyes. That can’t seem to tear away from him, trapped but in a really good way, one that you don’t want to run from.   

Caging you in with his hands on either side of your head, Frankie leans in, breath ghosting over your ear, “Trust me sweetheart I will make you forget all about that book boyfriend. I’ll make it so you can’t walk for a week and mark every inch of this gorgeous body that belongs to me.” Moving so that your eyes are locked, one hand dropping to wrap around your waist and pull your almost naked body against his. Draping a leg over his hip as he slides that large hand over your waist and down to cup your ass. “I’m going to fuck you so hard you won’t be able to remember your name then make love to you as you scream mine for the neighbors to hear.” Leaning in to brush his lips over yours with a tenderness that underscores the possessive tone, “You’re mine mi Vida, and I don’t share.” 

Swallowing hard trying to gather what moisture you can as all of it seems to have headed south, dripping from your fluttering folds and pulsing clit. Hands wrapped around the back of his neck to hold on cause you’re sure the moment he lets you go you’ll melt into a puddle of sexually frustrated goo. “That’s,” licking your dry lips seeing him watch your tongue. Smirking inside at the knowledge you have the same power over him. “That’s a tall order my love you sure you’re up to the challenge?” teasingly stated while your fingers card through his curls giving a light tug. Mischief sparking in your eyes as an idea conjures up for tonight. 

“You testing me hermosa?” seeing you nod, his eyes close another low growl this one sounding more dangerous than the last. Only serving to fuel your desire for him. 

He’s such a contradiction, caught between sweet caring gentleman that holds your hand when you’re scared and opens the door for you. Kisses your forehead and makes his famous hot chocolate on those days you’re not feeling yourself. To a sexual beast who’s single desire is to make you cum as many times on his tongue, fingers and cock that he can draw out of you. Whispering the filthiest things in your ear, some as he blushes making him all the more adorably cute and sexy at the same time. Then back to the tender, humble man you fell in love with and couldn’t see yourself without. 

Thoughts interrupted by a swat to your ass, reminding you to answer, “Yes flyboy, I wanna see if you can make good on those plans.” 

“Don’t worry mi amor I’ll remind you,” leaning in to give you the sweetest, softest kiss you’ve ever had. Making your heart flutter with love. Pulling back, “Just make sure you know what you’re getting into,” carefully letting you go, making sure that your steady on your weak legs then stepping away. Giving you a soft smile before turning to head into the bathroom. 

Licking your lips, “I hate to see you go Frankie baby but I fucking love to watch you leave.” Pushing away from the wall, retying the robe to cover your body you let your eyes linger on him for a moment longer then head to Isabella who’s jumping and fussing wanting up and breakfast. 

Missing the hardy belly laugh that Frankie lets out at hearing your remark, shaking his head while starting the shower and getting ready for another day at work.  

To Part Two

[wyn-n-tonic]

Golden, Like Daylight -- Part V

Word Count: 2,005 Warnings: PTSD. Allusions to sex (it borders on the edge of smut but we should know by now I'm shit at that). Hint of a praise kink. Bit of marking kink. Death. Ben Affleck. Author's Note: The last few chapters have taken a lot out of me, I put a lot of my own experiences with PTSD and mental health into them. I tried to make this fluffy, I needed that comfort after a hard week and I feel lighter for it. As always, thank you so much for your kind words and loving this like I do.

MASTERLIST | PART: I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX

“Fuck you.” Benny stares straight into Tom’s eyes. "This is my fuck you money.” The held breaths are louder than gunshots, waiting for a reaction that doesn’t come.

Cold Camp Davis grunts a laugh, “We don’t have enough men to carry all this money so we might as well be warm.”

Benny giggles like a child as he grabs a strap, zippo clicking to ignition again.

The laughter that bubbles up is like a light, warmer than the thousands of dollars burning bright against his eyes.

Frankie, you might as well take your salary out on the front lawn and pour some kerosene on it.

He hears it so clearly in his head and in his heart, Leah teasing him for all the lights being on the first time he took her home.

Tom stands up, dumping an entire case down to tinder in the cold air.

Eight dates in and she’d already witnessed one of his attacks. It was the third date, he’d wanted to take her home that night. His body on hers for hours. Wanted to make breakfast the next morning, having already committed to memory the way she takes her coffee. Instead, she spent that night holding tightly to his hands as his panic crescendoed in the backseat of his car.

If it wasn’t then that he realized he loved her, it was in the way she turned to look at him when he quietly said,

The lights being on make me feel safe.

It wasn’t pity, like he’s used to. It wasn’t the look somebody gives a broken man with a broken mind and a broken soul. The only change he found in the already soft features was an understanding behind the dark eyes staring back at him.

This fire makes him feel safe now.

He’s always straining in the dark. It’s not just about watching his six. It’s all twelve hands on deck with two eyes and a ringing in his ears so intense he can feel it in his toes.

But here? It beats back against the edges of gloom that have continuously threatened to consume him.

He can sweep enclosed spaces in minutes, assess the situation and the danger within. It’s a lot harder in the extended wilds, nothing but the moon to guide the eye.

Before Leah—and for a while there after—he combed room for room upon his arrival home. He’d ask her to stay in the car, his conceal carry coming out as soon as the door would swing open.

He’d sheepishly grin, collecting her from the passenger side after his survey and she’d hug him. Holding tightly around his middle section, pressing her cold hands up under his shirt to that hot place where his heart beats and whisper with genuine gratitude,

Thank you for protecting me, Frankie.

It was never condescending, that’s all he ever wanted to do. Protect her. Protect himself. Protect the men giggling like schoolboys around him right now.

And he liked being told what a good job he did at that. —————

“What's Frankie short for?” Barely audible, her breath fanning across his chest as she continues to catch it. Like willing waves of normalcy in the aftermath of a hurricane.

“Francisco.”

“Francisco,” she repeats, dragging out the o. “Do you like it?”

“Used to make me feel like I was in trouble, very harsh coming from pissed off higher ups and even angrier parents but it sounds…” he thinks on that for a second, the events of the night still rippling through his body, “a lot sweeter in your mouth.”

“Watch yourself,” she hums a kiss into the flat plane of his breast before sinking her teeth into the flesh there, biting as hard as she can.

A chuckle vibrates from deep within him, “one hell of a bite too, I won’t soon forget.”

He looks down into her eyes, bright with mischief as she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth now. He’d had hickeys before but never like this. He surveys the purple marks across his body, somehow burning brighter than the rest of him, and a contentedness pools in the pit of his stomach. Her stamps on him in easily hidden spaces to match the lipstick stains she’s started marking across his right cheek in the moments before they walk into the bar or the restaurant.

Little ways she says mine.

And he is hers. He knows it in the steady way his lungs rise and fall underneath her now.

He brushes a soft wave from where it tickles across her nose, “is Leah short for anything?”

Her nose scrunches, “not a goddamn thing.”

“Do you know what it means then?” His large hand is sprawled across her lower back, the weight of it an anchor.

Don’t leave me, it says.

“I don’t know,” she drawls, the slight twang coming forward in moments of exhaustion and inebriation, “just think my mama liked the sound of it is all.”

His heart is blazing underneath her cheek as she settles against him once more, her soft voice tumbles towards him, “Francisco…” as her eyelashes brush against his skin and he swears he can count them all on sensation alone.

“Yeah, baby?”

He feels a smile tug at her lips, stopped in its tracks where she’s rooted into him. It’s the first time he’s called her that.

“I have nightlights.”

The light makes her feel safe too. —————

He’s standing over Tom’s body and he hates to admit it but the feeling washing over him is one of relief.

Relief mingled with guilt.

Guilt that nobody was watching his six, his back wide open to the world behind it. Five seasoned fucking veterans and nobody watching the higher ground.

Relief at the silence he knows will engulf the group now. No more orders from a child who should’ve never been granted the lead to begin with.

Guilt because he was climbing up a fucking rock when he should’ve been doing his job as a friend and brother.

Relief that it wasn’t his brains splashed across stone.

His head is fucking pounding and it has been for days, pain dulled by consistency but never not there.

At least I can feel my fucking head.

He thinks of all the other things he can feel now, the things service beat from his body.

The ache in his limbs, heavy with exhaustion.

He’s dreading adding the dead weight of a dead body to the load.

The pang in his stomach, too used to consistently hot food.

He wants black coffee and bacon and tiny spoonfuls of sweet potato puree he airplanes into his own mouth to show Luna it won’t hurt her. Hell, he’d take the mushed peas right now.

Benny’s sobbing. The one amongst them all that never breaks is the broken one now.

He’s staring off again at everything and nothing, Santiago and Will unfurling bags for the body.

What a present to bring home.

It was always the risk they faced, they knew it.

If you were lucky, truly lucky, you came home whole. Untouched, unscathed, unmarred. The safe deployments, the technical shit, the brains behind the operations never seeing bloodshed. Everybody else though? Some were held together by duct tape and pure grit.

Others tied up in a flag with a bow.

Daddy’s not coming home but here’s a purple heart for the dress uniform he’ll never wear again.

I should’ve done more.

He’s not getting a purple heart for this.

I should’ve held on tighter.

He didn’t die in service to his country, he died in service to himself.

I should’ve made a bigger issue of the weight.

Another family he’s failed to protect.

I should’ve said no. —————

The darkness is cut through with a warm glow in every outlet as the clock tips over the edge of midnight.

Wednesday, the eleventh of October.

Nose to nose, the excitement of the day hangs over them like a wave threatening to crash. A giddiness in their bed forcing sleep to the edges of thought.

“Do you think they’re gonna know?” Her voice is soft, featherlight. Trying not to disturb the peaceful bubble they find themselves in now.

“No,” he lifts to press his lips gently into hers, “but I can’t promise I won’t shout it out on the altar.”

Panic takes her eyes, he knows it all too well and he’s gripping tighter before she can inhale. Fingers splayed across the small of her back, the weight of it a comfort to the tender bones and aching muscles.

I'm right here, it says.

“Breathe, breathe,” he’s speaking softly into her hair, “it was just a joke, baby.”

“You're not funny, Francisco Morales.” She speaks it like a fact, like she doesn’t spend hours in his arms filling his head with the music of her laughter. She says it like he isn’t watching smile lines appear in real time, falling more in love with each one.

“Would it be so bad though? If I did? If people knew?” It’s hope in his voice that she’ll say yes. That he can announce to his best friends all at once, every single one, before Santi leaves again. He doesn't want his happiness to arrive by text message. He wants to see the light of congratulation dancing around him.

“I don’t want to jinx it,” she’s scared, “besides… it’s not traditional.”

He scoffs, “what about us has ever been traditional, mi alma?”

“I'll make you a deal,” her fingers run through the stubble along his jaw, thumbs lingering over the patches, “don’t shave this tomorrow and you can tell the boys.”

“You want me to keep this malnourished shit on my face? For our wedding?”

Her giggles vibrate against him, “Yes. I have plans for it after you say I do.”

He growls, “this deal sounds pretty sweet to my lazy soul, what do you get out of it?”

“Hmm…” she brings her hand up to tap on her chin, “well, to begin, I’m getting a hot husba—”

“Debatable.”

“I'll fuck you up, Morales, take the compliment.”

He laughs a kiss into her, “what else?”

“Benny and Will will become automatic attack dogs around me, I’m fairly certain they will clear their schedules for all of April to stand guard outside the room. My own personal security team.”

He laughs again at the truth in her words, “what else?”

She pushes forward again, taking his lip between hers. A soft kiss with the burning desire for more.

“I’ll wake up on Thursday morning with a rawness between my legs that I’m usually only gifted on the weekends.”

His grip tightens, any suggestion of sleep leaving his body in a rush of blood straight through him, “I will never shave again.”

“Don't threaten me with a good time, my love.”

He rolls himself into her at that, kissing down her jaw. Her neck. The sensitive skin of her breasts, low lying cotton barely above indecency. He raises the hem, the curve of her belly burning hot against his lips, two hearts now beating inside her.

He grabs the elastic around her hips and gently pulls, kisses so soft across her pelvis they feign an innocence to his true intentions. Her legs kick out to help discard the fabric tangling her ankles as he settles broad shoulders at the base of her being.

Her fingers twirl through the soft curls that have been crushed against a pillow for hours by her side.

He kisses her soft thighs, slowly dragging his rough cheek against the delicate flesh.

“Francisco,” her fingers flex tighter as he looks up to meet her eyes, “don’t be such a fucking tease.”

He smiles wide, the devilish grin splitting his face as he drops his eyes to where she wants him, the fever that’s taken over her body in the last three months beckoning him in.

His hands are heavy on her hips, clenching deep purple into her. Marks in easily hidden spaces, his little ways of saying mine.

TAGLIST: @justanotherblonde23​ | @greeneyedblondie44​ | @icanbeyourjedi​ | @princess76179​ | @bbuckysbeardd​ | @notcookiebelle​ | @knivesareout​ | @phoenixpascal​ | @lexi-b-writes​ | @empress-palpat1ne​ 

[ezraspiderwick]

My Greatest Adventure

Beezie Christmas Countdown Day 5 

David is away for Christmas

Prompt:  "I don't want anything else, I want you to be here."

Warnings: Light Angst

Word Count: 783

You can also read it on Ao3

    The one thing you hated the most about David’s job was him going on undercover missions. They were dangerous and you never knew exactly when he was coming home. This particular job he was in right now had gone on longer than expected. He was supposed to come home a month ago at the latest. As much as you tried to occupy your mind with other stuff so you wouldn’t miss him that much, you were constantly reminded of his absence. Whether it was the empty space on the bed when you woke up or seeing his favorite tea on the cupboard, the package still unopened. Or watching your dog go to the door and whine every day at around 5 pm when David usually came back from work, everything reminded you the love of your life was away.

    Since he was so deep undercover the communication between the two of you during these past couple of months had practically been non-existent. You got a letter a week if you were lucky, and you could send one back but with no guarantees that he’d get it at all. You missed him so much.

    You were grateful the Santiagos had insisted on you coming for the Christmas dinner with them, you thought it would be a good way to get your mind off things. However, sitting by the Christmas tree surrounded by David’s family you didn’t feel festive at all. Everyone had been making attempts at making you feel better, whether by distracting you or by telling you David’s stories, but it wasn't working.

    Jake was in the middle of telling you about Mac’s first word when your phone rang. It was an unknown number, you excused yourself from Jake and went outside to answer it.

“Hello?” You said not knowing who might be calling on Christmas night.

“Hey, baby.” The voice on the other side made your heart flutter, you had missed that voice so much.

“David!”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“How? How are you calling?” You asked once you got over the initial surprise.

“You didn’t think I’d let you spend the holidays alone, did you?” You could practically hear his smile.

“I didn’t think you could call, oh god, is it safe? I don’t want you to be in danger because of this.”

“Don’t worry, I’m safe making this call. I promise.”

“Okay.”

“I got you a little something for Christmas, Amy has it.” He said.

“Okay, but I really don’t want anything else, I want you to be here.”

“I know. I want to be there too. But we’ll get to spend all Christmases together for the rest of our lives after this one.”

“How can you be sure of that?”

“I’m not going undercover anymore, this is my last job. I’m telling the captain as soon as the mission ends.”

“Sounds like an amazing decision.” You let out a breath you didn’t know you had been holding. David would never have to leave again. “When are you coming home?”

“Just a couple more weeks I promise.” There was some distant shouting on David’s side of the line. “I have to go now.” He whispered.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Merry Christmas.” He said and hung up.

    You sat on the porch trying to keep David’s voice in your mind for as long as you could. You heard the door opening and Amy appeared and sat next to you. She had a gift in her hands and handed it to you. You took it, noticing how perfect the wrapping was and you just knew it was David’s work. You carefully opened it to find a scrapbook titled Our Adventure Book.

    The memories of the last night you spent together before he left came flooding to you. After a nice homemade dinner, you had watched Up and mentioned how cute that scrapbook was, and apparently, David had been paying attention.

    Opening the book, you found a collection of photos of you and David, and a short message to go with them. There was a photo of the time you had gone on vacation to California, David and you were floating on the pool. Then there was a photo of your first Christmas together, with your dog who was still a puppy back then. And a photo of David cooking and you hugging him from behind. You passed the pages to find more pictures of all the things you had done together. Getting to the middle you noticed the rest of the pages were empty, the last message said

You’re my greatest adventure, can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.

    You couldn’t wait for David to come back.

[tianawarner]

These Glittering Treasures: Part 1

Hey sapphics of Tumblr!

I’m excited to announce that I’m going to be releasing a bunch of new short stories for you to enjoy. They’re all f/f romances, with varying genres, tropes, and heat levels ranging from sweet to spicy. Read on to dive into Part 1 of the first story! :)

To read the whole thing right now, and to get a new sapphic story like this one every week, please join me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/tianawarner

A pirate captain returns to plunder her favorite port, where she and a ravishing young lady play a familiar game. Rating: M

~

While my crew works to moor The Santiago, an impressive galleon we “borrowed” from the Armada three months ago, I hop onto the creaking dock with a pistol in hand.

Swaying with the waves, I inhale deeply, a grin on my lips. The tropical air is thick and warm, teasing me with the smell of spices, sugar, and other luxuries.

It’s good to be back. Of all the towns in the Spanish Main, there’s something seductive about this one’s treasures, charm, buildings… and yes, the people.

While my first mate, Diego, pays off the harbormaster with silver, I stride past a few fishing vessels and pause to steady my feet on the firm ground.

“Take what you can until I give the word, boys!” I shout, waving my pistol. “Gold, liquor, food—and don’t forget soap this time, for God’s sake.”

My crew rushes onto the land with cheers and roars, ready to pilfer as much as this town has to offer. “Aye, Captain!”

As they rush into the streets, civilians notice their guests and run for cover in the brick and wood buildings. Screams, barking dogs, and braying mules rise in a chorus.

I’m keen to be rid of the boys for a while. I love them like brothers, and like any good siblings, they annoy the hell out of me. In the long days at sea, I often wish for the company of other women—but unfortunately, few who are sane choose a life of piracy.

While panic erupts, I dash through the streets to my familiar target: the extravagant brick towers that make up the House of Méndez. My heart pounds with the anticipation of what’s inside.

I shoot the lock on the door with a clang of metal on metal, then kick the door open with a flourish. “Lovely day for a pillage!” I sing. “Miss me?”

The House’s three servants clamber back, expressions taut with surprise. One of them drops a pile of washing.

Before they get any ideas about a show of courage, I walk inside and fire a shot into the ceiling. “Everybody out! Come on.”

Wood fragments shower down, and the servants flee into the street, screaming.

Beneath the residual gun powder, the home smells mouth-watering, like freshly baked cake. I’ll have to remember to grab something to eat on the way out.

Nobody else comes to meet me.

My lips curl into a grin. If the man of the house isn’t here, that gives me time.

I race up the stairs, checking in every room, before arriving at a closed door.

I draw a breath, ready my pistol, and enter.

The bedroom is the same as I remember it, from the gold cushions on the bed to the ornate dressing screen. A young lady stands beside the writing desk at the back of the room, her delicate hand gripping the back of a wooden chair.

My stomach swoops, a sensation like cresting a wave at sea.

She’s in a black dress with gold embroidery, which flatters her tan skin and dark hair… but I will never understand fashion. Yes, the bodice gives her waist a tantalizing shape, and the ornamentation is lovely, but the dress has so many layers of skirts that it hides her shape from the waist down.

Women’s legs should not be hidden. If I were responsible for fashion, we would all be in trousers.

“Señorita Antonia!” I lower my pistol and shut the door behind me. “What a lovely surprise.”

Antonia laughs, a glint in her emerald eyes. “Captain Lucia. How convenient that you’ve arrived when my parents are out.”

I step closer. “Lucky timing.”

She lifts an eyebrow, stepping back until she’s leaning against the desk. “Or planned.”

I grin, then remember my courtesies and bow. “You look ravishing today.”

“And you look… like you’ve been at sea for a while.”

I lift my chin and run a hand down my sand-colored braid. “That may be true, but I’ll have you know that I bathed this morning for the occasion and am wearing my finest attire.”

“So it would seem. Isn’t that my dear cousin Carlos’s jacket?”

I look down at it, feigning surprise. “Well, I suppose it is.”

Antonia sighs, peeking between her fluttering curtains to the chaos in the streets. “There’s no point in protesting, is there?”

I stride closer. I would tell her that I regret having to steal from her, but that would be a lie. “No. What’ve you got for me today?”

She doesn’t move, so I keep advancing until we’re nose-to-nose. Her breath hitches, and her gaze flicks down my body and back to my face.

She smells as sweet as the town she lives in, like cocoa and cinnamon. Her soft, smooth skin is easier on the eyes than any of the haggard men I’m forced to look at every day.

“Did your father bring you gifts since we last met?” I say quietly.

“Chocolates,” she whispers. “A crystal pendant. Silk stockings.”

“Silk… stockings?” I say, mouth dry.

“Yes.” Her rosy lips curve upward. “You might not be familiar, given your choice of trousers and other men’s fashion, but—”

“I know what stockings are,” I snap.

“Do you want to see?” She wiggles her shoulders in a way that makes heat rush to my cheeks.

She grows bolder every time I see her.

“I—well—are you wearing them?” I say. Any control I had over this situation is slipping through my fingers.

She nods.

More heat. I back up a step. “I’ll take the pendant and chocolates.”

“Very well.” She brushes past, and a ripple travels up my arm as we touch.

As she rummages through her wardrobe, I steady myself with a deep breath. Beyond the closed door, the house is dead quiet, and Antonia’s every movement is sharp in my ears. For now, it’s just us. Everything going on in the streets is a world away.

~

Part 2 coming tomorrow. Read the full story right now on “Sweet & Spicy Sapphic Stories” at patreon.com/tianawarner. Plus you’ll get early access to next week’s story!

[ladyblogger-margie]

Permit Pending - Part 6

Pairing: Will Miller (Triple Frontier) x F!Reader

Summary: Shortly after moving into your new home, Will leaves you behind when Santiago “Pope” Garcia shows up asking for his brothers help in South America. 

Word Count: 5344

Warnings: 18+ ONLY (Canon violence/death and language, unprotected sex, general smut, cockwarming) angst

a/n: I don’t know how it got so long, I couldn’t help myself. 

Series Master List

Fourth Frontier

Moving day was chaotic and hectic to say the least. The weather was hot, and while you were thankful it wasn’t raining, the heat didn’t make hauling all your boxes and furniture any easier, but thankfully Benny and Frankie offered to help and you delegated the real heavy lifting to them. 

“I’ve got a fight in a couple days, maybe you should take this,” Benny said as he tried to pass off his end of the couch to you.

“Ha ha,” you mocked, “Are those muscles just for show or what?”

“He does like to show them off,” Frankie joked as he carried the other end of the couch, helping Benny to load it into the moving truck. 

“You guys are hilarious,” Benny says, unbothered by your jokes.

You watched the guys maneuver the last piece of furniture down to the truck before you turned back to your empty apartment. You’d lived there basically your entire adult life, and it had served you well. You sighed as you left your key on the kitchen counter. 

“You okay with this?” Will’s voice came from behind you unexpectedly which made you jump. 

“You scared me,” you said, clutching your heart. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” he said approaching you cautiously, “The truck is packed, Frankie’s driving it over to the new place now where he and Benny will start unloading.”

“I’m glad we started at your place this morning instead of here,” you said, looking around the place. 

Will cupped your face tenderly in his hands, “We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready. I’ll have those guys turn right around, no problem.”

You gripped his wrists and looked into his blue eyes absolutely resolved in what you were about to say, “I love you William Miller, I want to live with you, build a life with you, and grow old with you. I’m not looking for a way out.”

He kissed you softly on the forehead and you closed your eyes, breathing deeply. 

He held your head in his hands and looked into your eyes, “I want that too, all of it. Let’s go home,” he said before he kissed you for the last time in that kitchen and then you walked out of your old life and into a new one together.

At your new house, you, Will, Benny, and Frankie were eating pizza in your backyard, winding down from the long day of packing and unpacking. You were happy with how the furniture had been arranged, but exactly zero boxes had been unpacked. 

“Thank Maria again for that suggestion of packing a suitcase to get us through the move,” you said to Frankie, “She’s such a smart lady.”

“If she’s so smart, why’s she with Frankie?” Benny chirped. 

“Laugh it up,” Frankie said, finishing a slice, “But that just cost you your ride home.”

“No need, I’ll just stay here,” Benny said, stretching out and getting comfortable. 

“Absolutely not,” Will said laughing.

Benny turned to you, “You’d let me stay, right?” he pulled out the puppy dog eyes and you almost, almost, agreed. 

“Nope, sorry Benny. Though you probably wouldn’t want to stay anyway, we’ll be breaking in the new house tonight,” you said, winking at Will who flushed at your insinuation. 

Benny pretended to throw up and Frankie laughed at him when suddenly your phone rang. You stepped away to answer it inside. 

After the call you came back outside to all three guys in a tussle. 

“Benny, honey, didn’t you just say you had a fight coming up and couldn’t risk injury?” you asked, shaking your head at him. 

Benny just shrugged at you while he had Frankie in a headlock. 

“I’m sorry guys but I have to go to work,” you said, smiling sadly at Will.

“What’s up?” he asked. 

“Someone called in sick at the rec center and I guess it’s my turn to cover the desk,” you sighed.

“I thought you were on vacation time?” Will asked. 

“I was supposed to be, but I just couldn’t say no. They’ll owe me now,” you shrugged. 

Benny let go of Frankie, “So moving day’s over?”

“Looks that way. Thanks for all your help you guys, we really appreciate it,” you said pulling Frankie in for a hug.

“Anytime. By the way, once you're settled Maria says she’s bringing Hector and dinner for you, sometime next week probably,” he said kissing your check with a scratchy kiss. 

“Are you invited too?” you joked.

“If I stay in her good books, maybe,” he laughed. 

Benny hugged you and lifted you off your feet, “See you for fight night?”

“I’ll do my best!” you promised. 

Frankie turned to Benny, “Where do you think you’re going?”

“With you?” Benny said, fixing his hair underneath his hat. 

“No way man, I told you I wasn’t taking you home,” Frankie said, his eyes crinkling with a smile. 

You pushed Benny forward, “I’ll take you Benny, come on.”

You turned back to Will who fixed the hat on your head before he said, “Do you need to change or anything before you go?”

“I probably should, maybe grab a shower first,” you said, checking the time, “I think I have enough time.”

“I’ll come with you,” he said. 

“I’ll drive, it’s fine, you stay here and rest,” you insisted, running your fingers up his bicep. 

“Not what I meant,” his voice had a growl and you felt yourself grow hot. 

“We have to be quick,” you whispered. 

“I’ll take care of you sweetheart,” he said before he kissed you. He brushed your lower lip with his tongue as his beard tickled your skin. You let his tongue in your mouth as you gripped his arm. 

You broke the kiss and pulled his hand to lead him inside and into your new ensuite bathroom. You made quick work of stripping each other naked, only pausing to hang your hat carefully on the hook. You jumped in under the cold water, not bothering to wait for it to heat up.

He followed you in and immediately pushed you up against the shower wall and spread your legs wide. You whimpered as he slipped his hands between your legs and worked over your clit quickly, building a pleasure deep within you. 

You gripped his long, thick cock in your hand and pumped him with one hand and with your other hand you grab the back of his neck and pull his head down to yours. 

“Fuck me, please, before I have to go,” you beg him. 

He nibbles at your collarbone as he removes his hand from your wet pussy and replaces it with his cock. He slips inside you, stretching you out as you hook your leg around his waist and leverage yourself against the back wall. He thrusts into you stretching you out and steadying himself on his feet. 

He finds his balance and his pace as he moves his thumb to your clit. Shower sex with Will was fun, he was as thorough as ever but quick too; it was close as he’d ever get to an actual quickie. You came quick and hard, not bothering to be quiet in your new home. 

He moved his hand from your center and gripped your hips tightly as he came with a low grunt. He was panting when he kissed you very sloppy and pressed his wet, naked flesh against your own. 

You dropped your head to his shoulder, “I really don’t want to, but I’ve got to go.”

He kissed the top of your head and then washed your body much quicker than he would’ve liked. 

When you were clean you stepped out of the shower and realized neither of you had unpacked any towels yet. You looked at each other, shivering in the cold and dripping wet when you burst out laughing. 

He kissed you and led you into your bedroom where he found his gym bag and passed you a towel from inside

“Is this clean?” You asked, not really caring about the answer as you dried off. 

“It actually is,” Will said, flipping open your suitcase, “What are you wearing?”

“Crap,” you said, “I didn’t pack work clothes in there, they’re all packed away.”

Will dove into his own bag and passed you the polo shirt he was wearing the first time you two had met, “I packed this for the speech I’m giving later this week. This and jeans should get you through a shift at the rec centre.”

“Which speech is this one?” you asked.

“It’s going to be the 173rd time I say the same thing,” he said, demonstrating once again his grasp for keeping track of information. 

You held the shirt in your hands, tracing the logo on the chest you noticed then and understood now, and you smiled. You’d been together through so much since then. You two had carved out a stable, happy life together, and you were just so happy with how things were that you felt a lump rise in your throat. 

“Sweetheart?” Will asked, watching you.

“I just love you so much, you know that?” you said, wrapping your arms around him. 

“I love you too. I’ll be home waiting for you after work,” he promised and you smiled. 

“Home,” you sighed, kissing him. 

He helped you dress in your jeans and his shirt and you made him promise not to unpack anything without you, it was something you had to do together.

He walked you out the front door and found Benny sitting on the step.

“You guys are gross,” Benny teased before he hugged his brother and jumped in the passenger side of your car. You kissed Will goodbye before you slipped in the car next to the other Miller brother and you left your home behind, for now. 

It wasn’t long into the drive that Benny said, “I’m really happy for you guys.”

“Thanks, Benny. We’re really happy too.”

“Will’s lucky to have you. He needs someone in his corner, he’s always been in mine, always been there for us,” he paused and you let him find his words, “He never gives up on us, and I want more for him than just giving to others all the time.”

You squeezed his hand briefly as you drove, “You’re a good brother. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him.”

Benny smiled at you before he turned the radio on and sang along loudly the rest of the trip. When you dropped him off at his place, he gave you a hug, softer than usual and you nodded at him as he waved you off. 

Those Miller brothers loved each other and Benny felt as much like your family as Will did. You loved them, Frankie and Maria too. Will hadn’t just given you a partner, but a whole family. 

Turns out, this rec center situation was a little more complicated than they had led you to believe. It wasn’t a one shift kind of deal, you had to cover the desk for the whole week thanks to Galdys’ broken hip; apparently it didn’t matter you were supposed to be using vacation days for your move. 

Will was understanding, but it frustrated you that you came home the next couple nights with boxes piled up and your things tossed disorganized around your new home. 

You were looking around the living room mess, not quite sure where to start when you said to Will who was standing next to you, “This mess must be killing you.”

“It’s not my usual style, no,” he said and he took you in his arms, “But if this is our biggest problem, I think we’re doing okay.”

So that meant that the house didn’t get unpacked before Santiago “Pope” Garcia came back to town. You didn’t see Will after he saw Pope after his 173rd speech, you didn’t see Will before Benny’s fight which you also missed. So you didn’t see Will between when he heard about Pope’s job, and when he agreed to join his brothers in South America. The next time you saw Will, the love of your life, the man you planned to marry one day, was when he was already packing for a trip down south. 

“What are you doing?” You asked when you saw him packing. 

“I have to go away for the weekend,” he said vaguely, not looking at you. 

“What does that mean?” It’s been so long since he’s been like this with you; you two have come so far in terms of communication since he tried to ghost you all those months ago.

“Pope’s in town, he’s here to ask for our help and we said we’d go,” he said, still not looking at you. 

You’ve heard of Pope but you still haven’t met him, you weren’t sure if you should be worried or not.

“Can you share and details, or are you just going to walk out and leave me here confused?” you stood with your arms crossed in the door frame. 

He paused, his hands clenched in a fist, “I’m sorry. Pope has a job he needs our help with.”

“A job?”

“Consulting. I can’t really go into details except it comes with a good paycheck in exchange for a weekend in South America. Don’t worry sweetheart,” he paused, “I have to go because it’s this that will finally bring Pope home.” 

You crossed the room and held him from behind, burying your face in his back.

“It’s not dangerous?” you asked afraid.

Will hesitated. Consulting as Pope had suggested theoretically wouldn’t be dangerous, but he also had a suspicion there was more to Pope’s story than he had led on. There was no point in scaring you though, Tom was going to lead them safely through this and the extra money coming in would help bring you two closer to the next step. He already had his mother’s ring hidden at Benny’s and the payday could give you the wedding you deserved. 

“I’ll be safe,” he promised, turning in your arms so he could look at you. He kissed you warm and slow, tasting you, reminding himself what was really important. This job would bring Pope home, and give you security. He had to go. 

“Will you call me when you get there? When will you be back?” you said, pulling back and trying to remain focused. 

“I’m leaving in the morning, and I’ll be back on Monday, maybe Tuesday,” he said, and continued packing, “We can’t call while we’re in country, but I can call you when we’re at the airport on the way home.”

You purse your lips unsure as you watched him finish packing and decided not to say anything about your concerns. He was a professional and you trusted him. And you trusted his brothers to keep him safe. 

That night in bed you couldn’t sleep and you just watched him rest. He was your whole world, you couldn’t imagine your life without him. If something happened to him on this trip, this job, this mission, you knew it would break you. 

The next morning after a sleepless night, you kissed him goodbye with a sinking feeling in your stomach and a promise to save the unpacking for when he got back. 

On Friday you went to work wearing Will’s polo shirt again while Will and his team did reconnaissance on Lorea’s house. You spent the whole day biting your nails and snapping at anyone who tried to talk to you. You worried yourself sick checking your phone knowing Will wasn’t due to call for a few more days still. You had a naive thought that he’d change his mind and come home early. 

Will watches Lorea’s prisoners executed and he has a bad feeling in his stomach which only gets worse when Benny is compromised. As he raced to make sure Benny was secure and undetected, the doubt festered in his gut. He’s only down there because Benny was the first to sign up, and because Tom gave the okay. He never actually said yes, but he really should have said no. He just wanted to get back home to you, where he belonged. 

That night when Pope’s true intentions were revealed, he sat back feeling vindicated, his instinct that Pope was holding back proved to be right after all. He pushed back against Pope, asking who actually paid them, hoping to knock the perspective back into Pope so you could all go back home, forget this insane plan. He felt betrayed that Pope lied, but he didn’t hesitate when the others decided to join Pope. If they got this done, Pope could come home.

You’re home alone on Saturday, the boxes staring at you, mocking your loneliness. You dress in Will’s clothes, your hat firmly on your head and decide to call on Maria and Hector, assuming correctly that she is as anxious as you. When you arrive at her place, Hector is crying and so is she. 

“Maria?” you ask walking into the house slowly, “Are you okay?”

“We got in a huge fight before he left,” she said, “What if he doesn’t come home?”

“Frankie’s coming home,” you insisted, pulling her into your arms, “They all are.”

Will grabs the bags and starts filling them with the cash from the walls. The adrenaline is pumping and they all feel invincible. Even Pope seems distracted in his hunt for Lorea; there is just so much money. 

You stayed with Maria and Hector, doing your best to help out. Hector was beautiful, but you were so anxious whenever you held him; what if you were doing it wrong? You’ve never really been around kids, just liked the idea of them in the abstract. Now the only thing you knew was that Maria needed help so you’d try your best. 

Will felt the bullet rip through him and all he could see was your face. Tom held his hand and Benny patched him up, and all he saw was you. He promised to come back to you and while luckily this didn’t seem to be any worse than he’d survived before, but they still had a lot to do and a long way to go before he got home to explain this new scar to you. 

You curled in on yourself on Maria’s couch with your hat clutched to your chest when Will’s helicopter crashed without you having any idea where he was. He pulled himself out of the wreckage and threw Benny his hat as the boys spread out and tried to control the uncontrollable. 

Sunday came and went and you didn’t know Will was shot and heading out on foot through the jungle, hauling money on the back of a mule, hoping to survive long enough to marry you as planned.

In the dark of the night, he turned to his baby brother, “Benny.”

Benny jerked awake, “What?”

“If I don’t make it home -” Will started. 

“I’ll take care of her,” Benny promised.

“Make sure she gets the ring,” Will continued and Benny nodded, sincere in his promise. Will’s wound throb and ached in his side and felt less sure than ever that he’d see your face again. But the thought of letting you down, leaving you behind kept him moving forward. 

Monday arrived and you went to work wearing Will’s polo shirt again, expecting Will home later that day. You left work and he had never called. You forced work to let you take the rest of the week off - they owed you after all - and you wore Will’s clothes to Maria’s and you two held each other with Hector between you, crying over your missing partners, the other half to your hearts. 

Friday came and left Tom dead on the side of a mountain, and you were home alone, convinced Will was never coming back. You couldn’t face your home with all the unpacked boxes. If you started to unpack then you were admitting he wasn’t coming home, but leaving them like that kept you and your relationship in a limbo. 

Will helped Pope, Benny, and Frankie throw the bags of cash over the side of the mountain, the guilt over Tom’s death weighing on them all. He couldn’t help himself, he made note of the exact location of this drop and tucked that information in the back of his mind for later. He felt sick to his stomach at the thought of returning for it, but the potential of the recovery was too significant for him to ignore. 

You went back to Maria’s wearing Will’s clothes and your hat as was your new routine for the week. You went home every night, hoping Will would join you there before morning. Tonight was different though, you couldn’t make yourself leave. You couldn’t face that empty house with the boxes starting to collect dust and your cold, empty bed. Instead you stayed with Maria and Hector, finding strength in each other as best you could. 

Will and the boys signed away their money to Tom’s family. Will never meant for the others to feel guilted into following suit, he just couldn’t stomach getting rich while Molly and the girl’s had to deal with the repercussions of his failures. He signed away the money and swore to find an honest way to pay for the wedding he hoped you’d consider having with him. 

Then despite his best judgement, he gave Pope the coordinates of the money they threw over the cliff. Hoping it would either bring closure or hope to him. He wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do, but he did it anyway. After he left Pope in the street, he took the burner cell phone he got from the firm and called you, desperate to hear your voice. 

You sat on Maria’s couch as she made some tea in the kitchen. You were both cried out for now, and so you just sat in silence. Suddenly your cell rang, and Maria rushed to your side as you picked up a number you don’t recognize.

“Baby, is that you?” your hand flying to your head, resting on top of the hat you haven’t taken off since Will had left. 

“Hey sweetheart. I’m here,” Will said, sounding strange on the other end of the phone. 

“Are you with Frankie?” You asked as Maria stared at you clutching her baby with tears falling down her cheeks

“He’s here,” Will’s voice is heavy. 

You nod your head at Maria and let tears of relief wash over your own face to match those on her cheeks. She reaches desperately for the phone. 

“I’m with Maria, can you pass off to Frankie, she wants to talk to him” you pass Maria the phone and trade it for the sleeping baby whom you used to be so scared to hold and now you cling to like a life preserver.

Will is alive, he is coming home you thought to yourself over and over again as Maria muttered away in Spanish. Her tone was loving, then angry, then relieved, then angry, then she was crying, and you heard her say, “at least you’re all safe and coming home”. 

You watched as her mouth dropped open in shock as she raised her free hand to her lips. “Oh my god,” she muttered desperately, “Those poor girls”. 

You knew immediately Tom was dead, but you made her pass you the phone anyway, “Will, where is Tom?” 

You stayed with Maria that night knowing Will would be home the next evening around dinner. The next day you put off going back to the empty house until Maria put Hector to sleep and hugged you goodnight. 

You arrived back at your shared house and knew you still had a few hours until it felt like home again. You went inside, showered, changed the sheets, did a load of laundry, ran the dishwasher; all the things  you neglected since Will’s been away. You wanted everything just right for when Will came home. Plus you wanted to keep busy because if you stayed still too long you started to get mad. 

Now that you knew he was safe, you had this pent up anger desperate for release. Will told you there would be a payday to accompany Pope’s crusade and you knew that was a red flag. You were so mad at yourself for not saying anything, not trying to make him stay. And you were mad at Will for putting you through the agony of the last week. You were just so mad you didn’t feel like yourself anymore. 

You check the clock, he should’ve been home by now and you’re out of mundane chores and staring at those boxes wasn't doing anything to appease your bad mood. You put on one of his hoodies that always smells like him and you snuggle into yourself on the recliner chair that you swivel towards the front door. It was such a stereotypical man’s chair. It rocked, it had a foot rest, and a cup holder in the oversized, overstuffed arms. Many a Sunday night football you found Will asleep in that very chair.

You were instantly on your feet when you heard the sound of keys hitting the bowl by the door. When Will walked through the front hall and into your modest living room you launched yourself into his arms before he even said your name. You wrapped your legs around his waist which pulled an agonized groan from his lips that you kissed away hard and passionately as he gripped your hips desperately. 

“I love you” you said over and over and over again as you peppered every inch of his face with kisses. You nuzzled your face into his neck and breathed deeply forcing yourself to believe he was really home and really in your arms. 

You squeezed him tightly with your thighs and he gasped in pain which shocked you. You never once heard him make a sound like that. You dropped to your feet and grabbed his face in your hands, “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve had worse, and I’ll make a full recovery, though there will probably be some scarring thanks to some shotty field care. There’s no need to worry or freak out ” he said. Before you could ask a follow up question, he pushed you up against the wall and he kissed you firmly which shut you up for the next few minutes as he explored your body with his hands and mouth. 

You allowed yourself to be lost in him as he pulled his own sweater off your back and exposed your breasts to his mouth. As he sucked on your nipple he snuck a hand into your pants and teased your delicate folds. Instinctively you spread your legs for him as he groaned against your skin. You’ve missed him so much and it feels so good as he touches you, you know you’re already dripping wet with relief and anticipation. 

You reach out and try to take off his shirt so you can see his chest, but he quickly abandons your body to grab your wrists and stop you. 

“Remember that I’m fine, and it’s actually not a big deal,” he said looking surprisingly sheepish. 

That’s when you remember he’s hurt and are mad all over again at him for trying to distract you like that. 

You cross your arms across your body and gesture for him to continue. He lifts the bottom of his shirt high enough to expose a large white bandage with a red spot in the middle. You blanch when the realization hits that the red spot is not an aesthetic choice and instead indicative of the wound beneath. 

You gingerly trace the edges of the bandage afraid to hurt him as you ask, “Baby, what happened to you down there?”

“I got shot”.

You smack him gently in surprise across his shoulder, “You got shot! You were shot by a bullet and you want me to believe that is not a big deal? Your friend died and you got shot and you think I’m not going to freak out!” 

You stumble backwards into the recliner chair with so much force you launch the leg rest forward, which if the love of your life wasn’t standing in front of you with a bullet wound, the whole thing would have been pretty funny. But since he did have a bullet wound and you hadn’t gotten a decent night's sleep since he left, you just felt sick as you kicked the foot rest back down and sat with your head between your knees trying not to actually throw up. 

He fell to his knees at your feet and kissed the top of your head. You took gulping breaths trying to settle your stomach, the bile in your throat almost unbearable. 

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I am,” he said, his voice strained. 

“I could’ve lost you,” you said, as tears started to roll down your checks. 

“You didn’t, I’m home,” he said, his voice thick and you realized he was crying too. 

You grabbed his shoulders and balled the fabric of his shirt in your fists as you put your forehead on his. 

“Was it worth it?” you asked. 

“No,” he admitted.

You kissed him and stood up, “come on, let’s get you cleaned up and to bed. I’ll be mad at you tomorrow”.

You led him into the bathroom and ran the shower where you cleaned him up and let him hold you, touch you, cry into you. When the water started to run cold, you turned it off and wrapped him in a towel gently, drying him gingerly and redressing his injury. You inspected it and were relieved to see it wasn’t infected though it absolutely was going to scar. 

Will watched you inspect the in-and-out bullet wound through his abdomen. He realized he was shaking under your touch and he wasn’t sure how long he was going to last on his feet now that he was home. He just wanted to crawl into your shared bed and just be with you, it’s all he thought about while he was away. He was a broken man, and you were the only thing keeping him from shattering completely. 

You led him to bed and pulled him underneath the covers before you slipped his cock inside you. He held you so tight you could barely breathe and you wanted him to hold you tighter. You felt him twitch inside you and you kissed him, barely believing you had him back at all. You looked into his sad blue eyes and felt helpless. You didn’t know what he had gone through, and you realized you’d never truly understand. The disconnect broke your heart. 

He pulled you in close to his chest, feeling your skin against his and he finally felt home. He also felt guilty. He came home and saw the pain in your eyes, the pain he had caused. It was more painful than the gunshot wound to see you suffering like that. He had no idea how he was going to fix that look in your eyes, how you could look at him the way you used to now that he had broken something between you by going MIA for over a week and coming back empty handed. 

You held him as he slept but refused to sleep yourself, afraid that if you did you’d wake up alone. He woke up a few times during the night crying, or screaming, or both and you knew it was going to be a long time before he started to heal from the trauma of his trip. You held him close and lulled him back to sleep each time, all the while wondering where this ordeal has left you two and what the future would hold now because for the first time in a long time, you didn’t know what would happen next. 

Part 7