#sarah guess who i’m talking about challenge

[tkwrites]

Good For You - Quinn Hughes x ofc

gif from @gabelandeskog

Title: Good For You

Author: Tory / @tkwrites 

Relationship: Pre-established: Quinn Hughes x Sarah Roberts (ofc)

Summary: Quinn and Sarah have a discussion about and decide to stop using condoms before putting that decision into practice. A question we’ve all been waiting for is finally asked.

Warnings: smut (18+ only), p in v, unprotected sex (wrap it up unless you’re in a consenting relationship!), cum play (sort of?), if I missed anything, let me know!

Word count: 4,900

Comments: I live! 

After two heavy snapshots, steeped in feelings, I’m back with some good old fashioned smut (with lots of plot, of course, because I am who I am). Thanks to the many Nonnies who requested this. I’d already started writing it when you sent this, but your asks challenged me to combine both your requests. I hope you enjoy, and it lives up to your expectations! If you did enjoy, please let me know by commenting, sending in an ask or reblogging! I love reading your comments, asks and suggestions! 

Anonymous asked: hey! Another request idea… I was rereading the fic about Sarah being overwhelmed before meeting Quinn’s parents and when they’re talking about the WAG jackets, sarah mentions that they aren’t official yet. Can we get fic of Quinn officially asking Sarah to be his gf? Seriously love readying your stuff! 

Anonymous asked: I love how much you actually show the communication between Quinn and Sarah, it makes it so much more real and overall I just love your writing ❤️❤️ I noticed how as their relationship progresses, they decide not to use condoms. Will we get to see this conversation in the future? I'd also love to see when they officially decide to be together with labels and all xxx

Good For You

A Quinn & Sarah snapshot

“Hey, Quinn?” Sarah called, walking up the stairs. 

“Yeah?” 

She found him on the suede couch, reading a book. 

Sitting at his feet, she smiled when he moved them into her lap. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” 

“Okay,” he put the marker in his book and rested it on his chest. 

Color flooded into her cheeks. 

“What?” he asked, unable to hold in a nervous laugh at her sudden blush.

“I just,” she paused to lick her lips, trying to screw up her courage. “I wanted to let you know I had an IUD put in last month.” 

“What’s that?” 

“It’s the most effective form of birth control. It’s pretty much as effective as celibacy.” 

He paused, unsure where this conversation was going. When she didn't elaborate, he asked, “So what did you want to talk about? Just that you have it?” 

“Well that and —” she knotted her fingers together, “since it’s super effective, and we’re only seeing each other and have been for a while, I wondered if maybe you wanted to…” she trailed off. 

Quinn got the feeling he was supposed to know what she was talking about, but he was clueless. “If I wanted to, what?” 

Chewing on her lip, she guessed it was time to just spit it out, “I wondered if we both get STI tested, and only if you want to, we could try not using condoms all the time.” 

He felt his eyes go wide. “What?” 

“I mean, only if you want to. If you feel more comfortable with condoms, that’s totally fine.” 

“Are you joking?” he asked, scrambling to sit up. The book slipped off him and fell to the wood floor with a sharp slap. “Of course I want to. Did you think I was going to turn down that offer?” 

“I don’t know.” 

He moved to kneel, crowding into her space. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears, feel it in his fingertips. “Can we try now?” 

A laugh split her mouth into a pretty smile, but she put a hand to his chest to stop him from leaning closer. 

“We need to get STI tested first.”

“I’m clean,” he said.

“As far as I know, I am too, but I would feel better if we both got tested, knowing neither of us has slept with someone else in quite a while.”

He looked crestfallen. 

“It’s not that I don’t believe you,” she hastened to add, “I’ve just heard horror stories of girls whose boyfriends didn’t know they were carrying something. Most STIs affect women, you know, and men just pass them along.” 

His eyes went wide, “really?” 

“Just another joy of being a woman.” 

“Thats bullshit.”

“Yep,” she agreed, popping the last letter. “So It’s not that I don’t believe you, but I really need that proof for my own peace of mind before I’d feel comfortable.”

“Yeah,” Quinn agreed, “of course. I’ll talk to Roman about it tomorrow.” 

“I’ll message my doctor,” she said with a shy smile, pulling out her phone. 

Logically, Quinn knew they needed to talk about this before anything could happen, but the thought that he might get to fuck her bare buzzed in the back of his mind so intensely, he wished she had waited until it was an actual possibility, even if that was impossible.

When he asked Roman about it between breakfast and video the next day, the trainer immediately went into crisis mode, “what kind of symptoms are you having?” 

“None. I'm just — I want to be safe.” 

He was going to tell him that the girl he was seeing — he was getting so sick of using that phrase — asked him to, but that seemed like it was putting all the blame on Sarah. While she did ask for it, he'd just never considered it something he should do. Now that he knew, he was more than happy to do it.

“You're sure? You can tell me, you know.” 

“I know. No symptoms. I’m just making sure.” 

Roman looked at him appraisingly. “Are you dating someone new?” 

Quinn was a bit surprised he hadn't heard about it. It seemed to him it was the only thing the guys chirped him about lately. 

“Yeah.” 

“Good for you,” he said approvingly. “Glad to know you're being safe.” 

Quinn felt a chagrinned smile spread over his face. 

“Well, I’m glad to know your girlfriend is safe at least,” Roman said with a laugh. 

How was it so easy for him to whip that word around? 

“Go to Doctor Jamison's after practice. I'll put in an order for you. They'll just need a blood sample.” 

The results took two days. By that time he was on the road. Thankfully, not for too long. Only one game.

He sent her a screenshot of the panel results. All negative, mercifully. He didn't expect to be positive, but he hadn't checked while he was with or after he broke up with June. 

She sent back a screenshot of her own test panel, also all negative. 

It was suddenly very real. The idea of coming home to Sarah was even more enticing than usual. 

He’d fucked girls bare before, he knew the sensations that came along with it, but he’d never fucked Sarah bare before. He’d tried, and she’d insisted on using condoms. He wasn’t going to make her uncomfortable, and he wasn’t going to give up sleeping with her. If that meant he had to wear a condom, he’d do it. 

Now that the possibility of making love to her without one was on the horizon, he couldn’t get it out of his mind. 

Looks like we'll be coming in about 2, he texted when they got to the arena. They'd fly home right after the game versus Calgary. Want to just stay at my place?

Wish I could, she wrote back, but I have class tomorrow at 8. I'll come to yours as soon as I'm done with work, though. 

“What's wrong, Q?” Brock asked, noticing his crestfallen expression. 

“Nothing,” he said, shoving his phone into his bag. “Sarah's just got class tomorrow morning so I won't see her until tomorrow night.” 

“Man, she's got you whipped.”

Quinn rolled his eyes, playing off the comment. If he protested, he knew they would just chirp him about it more, and there was no way he was going to explain his excitement to Brock. 

When the next evening finally rolled around, Quinn found himself pacing, a nervous excitement buzzing through his whole body. He’d never felt like this before. As if anticipation had been winding him up for 4 days straight. 

He’d tried his best to burn off as much energy as possible on a run that morning, but that felt like years ago now. Adrenaline was coursing through him by the gallon. 

He heard the elevator ding, and his stomach leapt. 

Before Sarah could scan in, the door flung open. Quinn was standing there, cheeks already flushed. 

She couldn’t help it, she gigged. 

“What?” 

“You’re just really cute,” she said.

Pulling her into the apartment, he resisted the urge to pull her upstairs straight away. Cool. He needed to be cool.

“Cute in a good way, right?” 

“Yes,” she assured, leaning up to kiss him. “In a very good way.” 

All of a sudden, the enormity of the situation crashed on him. He and Sarah had had sex 73 times, but this felt totally new. A frantic awkwardness took hold of his mind. How was he supposed to start this? Just like every other time? Every other time, it happened so naturally.  

“Hey,” she said, grasping his wrist, trying to stop the overthinking she could practically see scrolling across his face. 

He blinked a few times and met her eyes. “Sorry. I’m so… I mean, I’ve never anticipated something like this for so long.” The words were falling out of his mouth before he really had a chance to think through them. 

“Yeah, I get that,” she said. “I’m not sure I have either.” 

“I don’t want to fuck it up,” he admitted. 

A soft smile took over her face. “Quinn, it’s me. We've already had great sex. This is just another step.” 

Nodding, he took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds before letting it out. Excitement reared in his stomach again, waging battle with his nerves. 

“I do think we should talk about it, though.” 

“Didn’t we already talk about it?”

“I mean, I think we should talk about what we want.”

“What do you mean?” 

“Like, what we're looking for.” She moved to sit on the living room couch, pulling him down with her. “I want to make sure we talk about it before we're in the heat of the moment so neither of us do something the other isn’t comfortable with.”

Quinn had never been with someone who communicated as much as Sarah. “It’s a product of the dead parents,” she’d told him when he asked her about it once, “life’s too short to not have the conversation.”

He sat next to her, “okay, so what do you want?”

“I want to feel you fuck me bare.” 

The frank way she said it made his whole body ring.

“And I want to feel you come inside me.” It felt dangerous and exciting to say it out loud, but she couldn't get it out of her mind. 

“Really?” Quinn asked, voice lilted with surprise. 

“Yeah. I've been dreaming about it,” she admitted. For the past few weeks, it seemed every time she would dream of him, the feeling of him filling her was so vivid that when she woke, her underwear would be soaked, almost as if she'd orgasmed in her sleep. “I'm guessing that's something you want, too?” 

He nodded. 

“Is there anything else you want?” 

He opened his mouth, then paused. 

She nodded, encouraging him. 

“I mean, there is something but it’s not a huge deal.” He was pretty certain she would at least consider it, but history had him trying to not get his hopes up.

“Tell me,” she urged, resting her hand on his knee. “I want to do what you want, too.” 

“I want to come on you,” he admitted, the words coming out all in a rush.

Eyes widening, Sarah couldn’t quite stifle the laugh that squeaked from her mouth. “I’m sorry,” she hurriedly back pedaled, seeing the hurt on his face, “I’m not laughing at you, it’s just — with the look on your face, I was bracing myself for something super kinky.”

“June hated it,” he said quietly. “She didn’t like cum at all.”

“So did you just wear condoms all the time?” 

“No. She didn’t like those either.” 

Her eyebrows furrowed together, an incredulous expression on her face. “You can’t have it both ways.” 

Something inside him unknotted. 

“I mean, did she insist you come in a tissue every time or something?” 

“Most of the time,” he amended, “sometimes I could come in her, but never on her.” 

June reminded Sarah so much of the mean girls she’d known throughout her life: content to demand things of others, knowing their social currency was enough to purchase obedience to all of those ridiculous rules. Part of her wondered if June even disliked cum, or if she was just trying to keep Quinn under her thumb. 

“Well I don’t have a problem with either. I mean, I don’t really love a facial, but other places are fine.” She paused for a moment, thinking about how often Quinn asked her questions, willing to learn, so he could please her better, “and, I mean, if you’re really invested in coming on my face, we can do it. I just don’t want it all the time.”  

He felt his eyelids grow heavy and he swallowed thickly. “You’re sure?”

“Yeah. A relationship is a two way street. You deserve to get the things you want, too. ” 

The relieved smile he gave her in response made her want to slap June across the face. Quinn was so, so good — attentive and genuine and so willing to learn and please. She wanted to do the same for him. Besides, it wasn’t like Sarah had some kink for cum, at least she didn’t think she did, but feeling a partners pleasure in such a tangible way, always gave her a deep sense of satisfaction. 

“Is there anything else you want?” he asked. 

“No. You?” 

He shook his head.

“Alright,” she said, “I think we should go upstairs.” 

Quinn stopped trying to play it cool. He was too excited to play it cool. He grabbed her hand and raced up the stairs, glad that she laughed as she ran along with him. 

She threw open the door to his room. Sarah loved this room. It was in the corner of the building, and huge windows looked over the beautiful Vancouver skyline. The sun was setting, turning the harbor and city windows yellow and pink, casting their colors on the walls and spinning everything else in the room into gold. 

Before she could get too caught in the view, he was spinning her around, catching her mouth in a kiss that sucked the breath right out of her. 

Clothing was discarded, and they tumbled into his bed. 

They surged together and Sarah moaned. It was already so much better. 

Somehow, there was less pressure. He didn't have to think about pulling away to make sure they were safe. He could stay focused on her without any other worries. Why had he been so nervous? This felt, like she said, like the natural next step. 

When he pulled back to line himself up, Sarah pressed her hand to his pelvis stopping the movement. 

“What?” he asked, worried he'd hurt her. 

“We need lube,” she said. “Or more foreplay. The condoms you have have lube on them, so they slide easier. Without that I'm worried…” she trailed off. 

He hadn't even thought about it. “Which do you want?”

“I mean, I'm always game for more foreplay.”

Grinning, he leaned down to kiss her, rolling his hips against hers again. As their tongues tangled, she groaned into his mouth. 

“Tell me when you're ready,” he whispered in her ear before tracing his lips over her jaw and down her neck. He licked and kissed, while one of his hands fondled her breasts, working her up to those hitched little breaths and small moans he loved so much.

“Quinn,” she breathed, a few moments later, as her temperature spiked. He hadn’t shaved in a while, and his beard rasped against her skin. She’d never liked facial hair before him, but somehow, with Quinn, it was more arousing than painful. Probably because of what else he was doing. God, he was good with his mouth. 

Unbidden, but not unwelcome or unfamiliar, images crashed into her mind — Quinns head buried between her thighs, his magic tongue working her to a climax she knew would be mind melting. The fantasies made her desperate for him.

“I need you,” she gasped, feeling herself grow slick against the muscular ridge of his thigh he had wedged between her legs.

“I’m right here.”

“I need you inside me.”

Her admission made Quinn feel drunk with desire. Out of his mind with it. He pulled back and her hand covered his to help him line up.

Pressing into her was better than he’d imagined. 

She was so hot and wet and, “shit, you’re so tight,” he ground out, the words scraping over a moan. 

Now that the barrier was gone, the time spent waiting to remove it was well worth it. Her smooth walls hugged him perfectly. 

Just to feel the contrast, he withdrew to the tip, pulling a sharp breath through his teeth at the rush of cool air before he drove back into her warmth. His jaw dropped and he made some unintelligible sound.

Slick and slippery, his thrusts moved with her seamlessly as she rose to meet him again and again and again.

“So good,” she breathed, reveling in the feel of him - every vein and ridge that had been smoothed by the latex covering before felt so prominent now and, “Quinn, you feel so good.” 

The praise went straight to his head.

“You feel so —” he broke off with a growl. “Shit, you feel so amazing, Sarah. I — I —” He babbled, nearly blurting that he loved her. He bit that back. This wasn’t the time for that. He wanted that to be special, not something spluttered in a lust-drunk moment. “I don't know how long I can last,” he admitted instead. 

God, he was something else. Flushed and flustered, eyes half hooded, body tight with exertion and control, he looked delicious. The fact that he wanted her this much made her chest feel full to bursting.

A moan escaped her mouth as pleasure washed over her face. Her eyelashes fluttered.

Just like that, he was done for. Cooked.

“I can't… I can't,” he stammered. At least he lasted longer than the embarrassing two strokes from their first time.

“Then don't,” she panted, rocking her hips into his. Her own climax building as the thought of him finally coming inside her brought her sensitivity to a peak. 

Groaning her name, he let his body take over, rhythm turning sloppy. 

As she watched, his eyes fluttered closed and with a final, powerful thrust, he sheathed himself to the hilt and let go. 

Feeling the very tangible result of his pleasure coat her walls made Sarah’s breath hitch. It only took a few more rocks of her hips before her body bowed, chest pressing flush to his as she pulsed around him, pleasure poured into her body. 

His mouth was open against her neck as he let out a sort of pained grunt.

Coming down, she melted into the soft mattress. 

His body followed hers, his weight pressing into her. He knew it was probably too heavy, but he couldn’t possibly hold himself up right now.

Quinns gasping breaths were crashing into her neck. Even though it didn’t make it any easier to catch her breath, she loved the solid weight of him on top of her.

Strength slowly returned to him and they both winced a little as he eased out. 

Flopping onto his back next to her, he groped for her hand. “Oh my god,” he breathed, once he had control of his voice. “That was incredible.”

“Yeah,” she sighed, pulling some breaths deep into her lungs.

After a few more moments of basking in the afterglow, she moved to get up. He tugged her back, “where are you going?” 

“I need to pee. I'll be right back, I promise.” 

He didn't shy away from watching her pad to the bathroom and then back to the bed. 

Halfway through their second round, he was determined to feel Sarah come undone around him when he wasn’t so sensitive from his own orgasm. Working his fingers to her clit, he traced gentle patterns over the swollen nub. 

A pleasured sigh left her lips. “Oh,” Sarah breathed, “that feels so good, Quinn.”

She had to take a moment to make her mind concentrate on one thing at a time. Anticipation coiled tighter in her belly as she focused on his gentle, deliberate touch, the heat of his body above and inside her, and then, the feel of his cock, which had been so dulled before, it almost felt completely new.

He dipped lower, gathering more of her arousal on his fingers to slip and slide over her bundle of nerves. 

He didn’t try to hide or hold back from how good it felt when she fluttered around him. Her name panted from his mouth. Only when he felt himself sliding too close to the edge, did he bite his lip to distract himself. 

Seeing Quinn hold on for her, trying to draw out her orgasm before his own, made tenderness swell within her. It mixed with the pleasure in her veins, bringing her closer to the peak. How the hell did June not see him this way? 

She gasped his name before admitting, “I’m almost there.” 

“What do you need?” he asked, wrenching his eyes open to look into her face. 

“Keep going, don’t stop. Don’t stop.” 

He shook his head. Never. He would never stop trying to please her like this and any other way he could. 

The steady rhythm he restrained himself into did its job, and she tipped over the edge. 

The coil in her belly finally shattering, her body seized up as pleasure fractured through her like lightning. His name flew from her mouth in a hoarse cry. 

Jaw falling open, he grunted his pleasure as her core sucked him deeper with every rhythmic pulse. God, she felt even more incredible. Sarah was already the best he’d ever had, and now, the sex had just gotten better. How was that possible? 

Gripping the sheets, he held on for her, moaning and muttering about how good she felt coming around him.

Sarah was mesmerized by him. His eyes were shut now, the skin around them taut, but his jaw was lax, nearly hanging open. His arms flexed, mountains and valleys of muscle on either side of her, straining with the effort of holding himself up. 

Electricity was still buzzing faintly through her veins, even as her high ebbed away. She couldn’t wait any longer to fulfill his fantasy.

“Come on me, Quinn.” 

Breath lodged in his throat and his eyes flew open, frantically searching her face. “You're sure?”

“Yes. I want you to. Come on me,” she repeated, running her fingers up her chest as an example. 

In a rush of want, he planked above her, quickly tugging on his cock, slick with her arousal, until he exploded, painting a sticky white line up her chest.

She seemed to preen under the assault, arching her back and moaning as if it was something she’d been waiting her whole life for. It was the hottest thing he'd ever seen.  

“Fuuuck,” he groaned as his limbs turned to jelly. 

He managed to lower himself on top of her without dropping, feeling his cum slick between their skin. 

“Holy shit, that was so hot,” he panted against her mouth. 

In a few minutes time, Sarah knew she'd be squirming for a shower, but for now, she felt extremely gratified with fulfilling this fantasy for him. She smiled, replaying the look of shocked elation on his face when she requested it.

Tracing her fingers up the bumps of his spine, she took in a deep breath and let it sigh out of her lungs, reveling in the weight of his body on hers. 

Finally catching his breath, he lifted his head, arching an eyebrow. “Where did all of this come from?”

“All what?” 

He traced a finger through the valley of her breasts, gathering some of his cum. “This,” he said, “your little exhibitionist streak when I came on you.”

“Oh,” she somehow blushed despite her flushed skin. “I wanted to be good for you. You’re so good to me all the time, I want you to feel that, too.” 

That simple statement, her admittance that she did it for him, made his head spin. How could he have ever thought what he had with June was love? He saw now how a love that met you half way blew her idea of love, which he knew now was more about control, out of the water. 

A few minutes later, Sarah’s sweaty, post-sex skin began to itch. “Shower?” she asked. 

“Snacks,” Quinn countered, his head still resting on the front of her shoulder. 

A laugh shook her chest, “shower then snacks.”

He supposed it could work.

A short while later, they were in the kitchen, and Quinn was having an argument with himself.

They needed to have a conversation, but it was terrible timing. He didn’t want her to think he was only bringing it up because of what happened that night. At the same time, he'd been thinking about it since before his parents' visit, when she'd brought up the WAG jackets. Now that his mom and dad had met her and approved, the only thing holding him back was his brother's approval. He wasn't sure he wanted to wait that long.

He was about to leave again, and the family skate was coming up after he got back. He wanted her to come, but he was so tired of introducing her as the girl he was seeing. Sarah was more than that, now. It didn’t fit anymore, and it was too damn long to keep saying. 

If they didn’t talk about it now, he worried there wouldn’t be enough time.

He glanced at her. She was wearing a shirt with a funny little cartoon of a fork and a spoon that said, ‘Spooning leads to forking’ along with a pair of matching shorts. Her thighs were bare and lovely in the dim light as she sat on the counter, eating a piece of cheese she’d stolen from the sandwich he was building for them to split. 

He put the top piece of bread on and decided he should just blurt it out. He didn’t think there would be a better way. The longer he waited, the harder it would be to bring up.

“What do you think about being my girlfriend?” he said, looking up.

Her hand paused on the way to her mouth, the cheese missing an almost cartoon-like bite  — a little scalloped half moon cut into one corner.

“Am —” Sarah paused, wondering if this was some kind of a trick question. “Am I not?” 

“No,” he said before his brain caught up with him. “No, you are, but I mean, like, formally?” 

Her head tilted to one side, “Of course. I’ve been thinking of you as my boyfriend for a few weeks now. Pretty much since you met Trav and the kids.”

A sigh breathed through him. 

“Did you think I was gonna say no?” 

“I don’t…I mean, I didn’t want you to think I was only bringing it up because of the unprotected sex thing.” 

“That is pretty terrible timing on your part,” she conceded, laughing. “It’s a good thing I…” she trailed off, stopping herself from continuing out loud. Why couldn’t she just come out and say it? So what if she was in her ridiculous pajamas in his kitchen? She’d brought them with her expressly because she thought they would make him laugh, and she’d been right. The delighted surprise that had escaped his mouth when he’d seen them was something she knew she’d treasure for a long time.

“A good thing you?” he repeated, hope ballooning in his chest. 

“It’s a good think I know you’re not just in it for the sex,” she said, lamely.

Quinn’s expression went from hopeful to distraught right before her eyes. “How could you think that?” he asked, his voice embarrassingly earnest.

“Quinn, I —” 

He cut her off, “I like so many things about you, Sarah. You’re smart and funny and you’re kind to everyone you meet, and you’re so dedicated to your work.” He was rambling now, but if she thought he was in this just for the sex? He would die of shame. 

“I like that you’ve never treated me like anything else but Quinn, and you’re always willing to meet me half way,” he said, his voice taking on an almost frantic quality as he tried to convey what she meant to him. “And I —” 

“Quinn.” 

The way she said his name made him stop short. 

“I’m sorry,” she said, her hand coming up to gently cup his jaw. “I was teasing. I know you’re not just in it for the sex. Someone who only wanted sex wouldn’t have waited four weeks to have it.” 

She had a valid point. 

“I’d love to be your girlfriend, Quinn.” 

Leaning in to kiss her, he felt as if someone had struck a match, setting his heart ablaze. 

Settling into bed, Quinn remembered he hadn’t told her yet. 

“Hey, my family’s coming in for the finals. They’ll be here on the 20th.” 

“Oh,” she said, obvious disappointment on her face.

“Is that not…okay?” 

Feeling her cheeks blaze, Sarah realized she hadn’t shared that expectation with him yet. “It’s just…my last final is that day and I’ve kind of been looking forward to you fucking me silly as a reward for finishing.”

His eyes went huge, “oh.”

“It's one of the ideas that's kept me going, honestly.”

“I could still do that,” he said, the words rushing out of his mouth.

“With your family in the house? I don't think so.”

“At yours then.”

“With my roommates there?”

He bit his lip. “We could get a hotel?”

“Because that's not weird when you have people, let alone family, staying at your house.”

“I’ll tell them to come a day later,” he offered. 

“Would they buy that without an explanation?”

“Would I have to give them one?”  

“I don't know. Would you? My family would want to know. You’ll have to make something up.”

“You don’t want me to tell them they can’t come on the 20th because my girlfriend finally finished her classes and wants to be fucked all night?” he teased. 

Giggling, she smacked his shoulder lightly, “I think I might die if your mom knew that about me,” she admitted, part of her mind still caught on the open way he used the girlfriend title. 

He laughed. “I’ll just tell them we have a late team meeting, or something so it would be better for them to come in on 21st. It’ll be fine.” 

Want more Quinn & Sarah? Check out the Snapshots Masterlist 

To read all my fics, check out the Fanfiction Masterlist

[bitchesuntitled]

Through the Motions

Pairing: Francisco “Catfish” Morales x Reader

Summary: You and Frankie decide to start a family. Regardless of your mental illness and the challenges it faces.

Warnings: Mental health, cussing, pregnancy, bit of angst, comfort, fluffff, pretty much sums it up

A/N: Sooo…. This would be my first fic I’ve ever actually put out for the entire world to read. I used to have several 5 subject notebooks full of fanfic for myself and my cousins to read cause they were the only ones I trusted with that part of my brain. 15 years later and here I am. I had 4 different friends read it before I posted. All of which gave amazing input and helped me with wording, grammar, punctuation, etc. I love you guys!!! @hessofather(knows all about mentally ill pregnancy cause she did that), @jay-zzle(Spanish expert), @bi-panda(help with grammar and punctuation) and Sarah(helped with wording, who needs to get a tumblr)

Special shout out to: @chloeangelic- Thank you for being so helpful to this newbie with your writing advice! You saw this fic before it became what it is now, hopefully it’s still as interesting as you thought it was to begin with @gracieispunk for just telling me to go for it! ❤️❤️❤️

HERE GOES IT! 🫣

Masterlist

At the time you felt like this was a good idea, that you were strong enough to handle it, that it would get better as time went on. Except now you’re not so sure.

*****

It was your idea first, trying for a baby and Frankie was ecstatic. You’d discussed kids before but it was always in a wishful way, too nervous to stop the meds to actually try. Late one night while in bed you decide to talk about it once more.

“What if you can’t handle my episodes?”

“Such as…” He asks moving on his side propping up his head with his fist.

“Well… I’m kinda, actually no, I’m crazy without meds. You haven’t had to experience that side of me but other people have. I had so much rage in me all the time, I would snap in an instant at the smallest of things, there were days I couldn’t even get out of bed. I almost lost my job at one point.” You say rubbing your face trying not to think of the past without meds. He moves your hands and cups your cheek turning your head towards him.

“Hey now, we don’t have to do this. It’s up to you. I’d love it if we could have a version of you and me out in this world but it’s not a necessity if you don’t want to. I’m still going to be here whether we decide to do this or not”

“Oh god, the manic episodes! I’ve gotten those under control finally because of the meds but the mania was almost just as bad as the depression! Sooo many bad decisions, honestly surprised I don’t have a kid already. Definitely had a rise in my labido during the manic episodes,” with widened eyes and a panicked look you start to back track “Sorry! I’m so sorry! I’m rambling now.”

“Shhh, we all have a past,” Frankie laughs, shaking his head, “If we’re being truthful here though- if we try for a baby that would be helpful, right?”

You laugh and roll your eyes.

“Yeah, I guess you got me there.”

*****

Thinking about it and doing it are two completely different things. The trying part was definitely fun and then it happened. Those two pink lines happened a lot faster than you were expecting. What now? You have to get off your meds. That’s what you have to do now. It’s really happening. There is now a life growing inside of you. You thought you were ready for this. Mentally trying to prepare yourself for the moment the meds had to stop, the pregnancy hormones and what they’ll do, the changes your body will go through, the mindset you’ll need to have going through this, so much to prepare for. Then the first slip up happens. It took 3 weeks, 3 weeks for the first incident to happen.

“Oh, I see!” You say gritting your teeth, “So I need to have supper ready for you when you get home? Like I’m some 50s fucking housewife?!”

“That’s not what I even said. All I asked was what are we having for supper? I did not mean what are YOU making for supper.” Frankie said as calmly as he could. He never thought his army training would help him in a situation like this. They teach you how to handle dangerous territories, hostile situations, survival, and so much more. But this? No one ever trains you for this. For a hormonal, mentally ill, pregnant lady.

You can feel your face hot from anger turning into one of embarrassment and shame instead. Your bottom lip begins to tremble. You realize your mistake immediately. Not sure if it’s the mental illness or the hormones rushing through your body. It all kinda feels the same right now. Frankie notices the change immediately and rushes towards you.

“Bebé, bebé, bebé,” He says quietly wrapping his arms around you, pushing your head into the crook of his neck. “It’s okay. You’re okay. We’re okay. We’ll get through this just like everything else. I’m here.”

“I hate this!” You sob

*****

Your entire pregnancy you feel as if you’re going through constant loops. The manic and depressive episodes coming in waves. You sense it before it happens, a lot like when you can smell rain before it starts. The only thing is when. When is it going to hit you? Will it be a depressive episode? Where you find it near impossible to even get up but you have to in order to make sure things are ready for this baby. Will it be a manic episode? Where you have so much energy it feels like you’re going to crawl out of your own skin but also in a way beneficial because you can get so much ready for the nursery. Will it be one of sadness, anger, anxiousness? What will it be and can you make yourself stop it? Doubtful, you never can, just like now.

**9 months later**

He plops down at the kitchen table sighing. The baby has finally gone to sleep. After 2 hours of crying there is finally silence.

“What‘s wrong?” Frankie asks

“I don’t know.” you sigh, putting the last bottle in the dish rack to dry.

He can tell something is wrong by your actions. The way you’ve been rigid. You’re so stiff. You’re so tense. You feel on edge about every little thing.

The baby is crying. Needs changed again. The baby is crying. Needs fed again. The baby is crying. Needs soothed again. The baby is crying. When is there time to sleep? So over-stimulated it’s almost too much to bear.

It’s only been 2 weeks since the baby arrived and you’re back on meds finally. As with all things though, it takes time.

“What’s wrong? Hermosa, please tell me.” he asks again

“It’s just one of those days.”

One of those days, the hatred for yourself you feel. Am I a good mom yet? Am I doing everything that needs done? Is there anything I missed? I have to be perfect on the outside. Why am I NOT perfect on the outside? Can I even pretend to be perfect? The internal battle is almost too much. You don’t want to look at him. You don’t want him to see how much your mind is making you suffer because he will see it, he always sees it now.

“Baby, please talk to me!” He pleads

You push yourself off the kitchen sink and finally turn around wrapping your arms around yourself and you know he sees it. Your mind starts racing. He thinks you’re a failure. He wants to give up on you. He doesn’t want to deal with you anymore.

He gets up and takes a step closer, you take a step back. Not ready for the comfort, the consoling, the pity party to ensue. He grabs you before you can get too far away.

“You're an amazing momma. Don’t sell yourself short!”

“Hold on,” You start to remove yourself from him, “I need to get the hamburger out for supper tomorrow.”

He furrows his brows letting you go and sighs, “Will you sit down, please?”

Reluctantly you sit down and your mind starts racing and panicking again. Why does he want me to sit? Why did he sigh? Is he mad at me? Did I do something wrong?

The baby monitor goes off and you start to get up again

“Stop, sit. I got this. Stay here.”

So you sit. You sit at the kitchen table with your mind spiraling and wondering what to expect next. Can he change the diaper? Can he make the bottle if the baby needs feeding? Can he soothe the baby to go back to sleep? What does the baby need?

You hear the crackle of the monitor

“Momma is so tired, isn’t she? She needs a break sometimes. She takes such good care of you while I’m at work.“ the baby starts to wail louder, that must be the getting diaper changed cry, “Oh yes, I know mi vida, it’s so cold and momma does it better but daddy is here and can do it too.” Low and behold you are correct!

The baby stops crying. Soothed for now. Who knows how long it’ll be before they’re awake again. Frankie comes back to the kitchen.

“Mi amor, we should get to bed.”

You nod while he grabs the baby monitor then your hand, in a daze you let him lead you to the bedroom. He helps you change your clothes for the first time in three days. Frankie grabs your brush, he gently brushes til the knots are out of your hair and he puts it in a bun the way you like. He grabs you around the waist and guides you into the bed. Laying there together, he’s whispering words of praise to you, “Eres hermosa, you’re a good momma, you’re perfecto for me and our baby” placing soft kisses to your neck with each phrase, and then you hear his soft snoring. With silent tears falling down your face you finally start to drift off to sleep, you suddenly remember you forgot the hamburger meat. You try to move but with Frankie’s warmth and tight grip surrounding you you easily give up, guess there is always tomorrow.

[captain-of-the-gwynriel-ship]

i love gwynriel and your answers are really convincing. but I'm confused why the hell Sarah put Azriel having some kind of involvement with Elain if gwyn and Az ended up together in the end. because we can't deny that there's something between Elain and Az, there's interest on both sides, even though it might not be simple, there's something lol. but I still don't know who Az will stay with? I don't have an opinion on that. sometimes I think Az and gwyn are endgame, other times I think they didn't get together and there might be someone else for him and someone else for gwyn, obviously. i find azriel so confusing, sarah doesn't give a lot of hints about him, it pisses me off because i love him so much. Also, I'm so sad that there is so much hate on gwyn and Elain because of the ships, if Sarah didn't put azriel with either of them, it would be a war 😂 Sarah is sharing opinions I'm scared of what she's going to do lol

This got a little long, sorry I just digressed 😅

Honestly, I was an e/riel until I read ACOSF (so I guess a total of like a week?) I thought that the whole breaking the bond to be with someone you loved thing was romantic. I thought their aestetic was cute, if not overplayed a hit. But honestly, SJM gives us a lot of clues in ACOSF to show Elain will not stay in the NC and ultimately won’t be with Az. I truly believe that ACOSF put the nail in the coffin for e/riel as endgame. However, it is important for both Az and Elain individually.

1) Az does NOT respect Elain or view her as an equal. She wanted to help with the dread trove and the moment she left the room he went against her decision. She wants to do more with her life, but the entire IC EXCEPT FOR HER MATE underestimates her.

2) Az confesses he has never thought of Elain past sexual fantasies. “He hadn’t gotten that far with his planning, certainly not beyond the fantasies he pleasured himself to.” This is again him just seeing her as a sexual object and not as an equal. 

3) throughout the bonus chapter, Azriel is CONSTANTLY saying how wrong his feelings for Elain are. The shadows tell him to go to bed because they knew Elain was waiting up for him. I’m sorry, but THAT IS NOT HEALTHY. Forbidden love is the WRONG trope for Azriel. There is a great post by @lunainfortuna linked here that goes into it with my commenting there. There is another great post by @acourtofthought that talks about the negative emotions in the BC here

4) Azriel would stifle Elain's growth in the guise of protection (as we have seen in ACOSF by not respecting her choice behind her back) and Elain will appease Azriel (as she does with her sisters) to keep the peace and allow him to do what Nesta did especially if she notes he gets upset whenever she wants to help even if it puts her at risk (call back to how he was overprotective with Mor to the point she feels guilty about making a decision on her own knowing it will upset him). That's not a couple that would compliment each other's growth or challenge each other. Neither will pull the other out of their shell and this is something I think both Azriel and Elain need because everyone around them is happy to let them be in their own head for too long.

5) Aesthetics and being nice to each other does not warrant a long-term stable and equal relationship when we actually look at them as characters and their personality and actions. Azriel, like Nesta, speaks for Elain even if he thought he was thinking in her best interests but those "best interests" are clouded by his desperation for a mate and his jealousy of Lucien and Rhys and Cassian. They weren't Elain's own words and she does have a voice to speak out on it instead of Azriel.

6) I still think ACOSF and the bonus chapter are big indicators that they don't work out as a couple. Sarah could've made them more appealing to the readers but she didn't. This was Nesta’s book, and she could have made Elain a larger part of Nesta’s recovery journey and had her spend more time with azriel. But she didn’t. You know who had the most page time in ACOSF? Nesta, cassian, gwyn, and azriel.

7) rhys is almost always right. The podcast BookTalkforBookTok consistently jokes that he is always telling the future. When he steers Azriel off of Elain before things escalate, he is truly looking out for Az’s best interest. Rhys has great intentions and poor execution. However, whenever rhys says something it’s true. If rhys thought they would be good for each other, then he wouldn’t interfere and would work something out with lucien.

8) cassian saying that Elain looks dreary in black is just SO ON THE NOSE and idk if SJM can make it any clearer. Black is the night court color, black is azriel’s color. @yazthebookish confronts this here and I couldn’t have said it better myself.

9) time and time again, SJM is asked about what the couples would do and EVERYTIME she talks about what Elain and lucien would do together. In her head, they are end game. When asked where they would go on vacation together, she said Paris. Then there was this beauty:

10) Az is still not over mor by solstice and he has a LOT of work to do before being in a relationship. He is using Elain as a distraction against his bigger issues with intimacy and belonging.

Ultimately, I have a theory that Elain tried to steer herself towards azriel and away from lucien for all the wrong reasons. Azriel, despite the wings, looks more or less human. He has rounded ears, is soft spoken, and she associates him with her human life. She meets lucien on the worst night of her life (mirroring how gwyn met Az on her worst night too just fyi), he has long hair, fae ears, a mechanical eye, and looks the part of the fae she grew up hating. HOWEVER, if she got to know the males the opposite is actually true. Despite his looks, azriel is incredibly male and fae. He follows his instincts, he growls/snarls, he is a fighter and a torturer. Lucien, on the other hand, has a very human soul. He currently even lives with Jurian and Vassa. She clings to Az because accepting lucien means accepting being fae and I think she is still in denial. I wouldn’t doubt there would be a point at the beginning of her book where she might want to jump at the opportunity to become human again. She lost the most out of the three sisters by becoming fae and she loves life. Accepting the bond means accepting being fae and this emotional and sexually charged relationship with Az is the bandaid on her gaping wound. It will only keep the bleeding at bay for so long.

Both azriel and Elain are using each other as distractions from their true trauma’s. Azriel latches onto women who are unable to give him the love he deserves. Elain is trying to keep the one human part of her she has left, the ability to choose her partner and not have it chosen for her by the cauldron.

TOG Spoiler:

After finishing TOG, I feel like chaol and azriel will be on similar love stories. Chaol had loved a girl prior to the events of throne of glass but found her in bed with Rolland, and I think this parallels to Az’s relationship to Mor. Then his next relationship was with Aelin. It was hinted at through all of TOG and before they got together in COM. Their relationship was short and brief and ended badly (I think they were officially together for like a week before shit hit the fan). This parallel’s Az and Elain. Both couples look good on paper, but lack the special spark that makes SJM couples endgame. They end up being worse for each other because of their personalities and they give into their insecurities with each other. This leads me to think that Azriel will go on a journey of introspection and emotional healing with the help of gwyn, just like chaol did with yrene. Just like yrene, gwyn has the power to heal with her invoking stones. I can go on but you get the point. When they all meet again in KOA, they are all happy for each other despite their rocky past just like I think the whole Elain/lucien/Az/gwyn group will be.

Ultimately SJM is gonna do what she is gonna do. But I for one will be incredibly disappointed if Elain and Az are endgame because I think they both deserve better. They are both good characters, but toxic together.

[new-berry]

United Artists

Mary / Jordan all fiction totally made up, this is kind of all over the place.

James is James Trafford as in won the Uber 21’s euros and saved a penalty. He is not in this! The basic idea is the two of them being dragged off to sky sports to do goalie challenges. Look I’m sorry I just needed a way of getting them to a hotel room.

NSFW

I steal a Sarah Millican joke “I asked my social media the best way to get rid of a headache. And it was ‘two panadol and a wank’ Thanks at boots the chemist. “

“Last interview. Thank fuck, I have a headache and no way of getting rid of it.”

Mary shrugs even though the person she is talking to on the phone can’t see her. “The normal way. Two pain killers and a wank.” She laughs. “You should try it. Never fails. I’ll talk to you later.”

Mary is still laughing when she turns around - right into Jordan’s smirk. She won’t blush. Puts her chin up because she’s faced down worse things than the embarrassment making her ears feel hot.

“You right pet?” He says with a broad grin. “Good news. The last bit is postponed. They want James here as well, you get the rest of the day off.”

Jordan is leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed in front of him. Mary doesn’t look at his forearms, much, but she stores the image when she gets back to the hotel.

She puts it next to the way his biceps look flexed in the ‘to be examined later’.

“Thank god.” The heat of embarrassment isn’t doing much for the migraine that’s been brewing for the last couple of hours. “In that case I’m going back to my hotel.”

“I bet you are.” Jordan isn’t trying to hide his amusement. Mary unties her ponytail. Having her hair pulled back is probably not helping the headache, and runs her hands through her hair. Hiding a little behind it is incidental.

“You know,” Jordan’s voice drops husky and intent, “I could help you with that?”

“Getting back to the hotel?”

“That. And your headache cure.”

Jordan pushes off from the door frame he’s leaning against and walks over to Mary, “I don’t have any plans either, since we were set free early.”

Mary lifts an eyebrow at his smirk and thinks about how his ass looked earlier, leaning over to get the ball out of the net. “Wanking is a one person job. Were you offering to stop by Boots on the way?”

“Nope” Jordan drags out the word popping the p when he gets to it. “I think we can work out a two person option.”

Mary grins, shoving her hair back, headache already receding. “You’re not bad I guess. You can drive.”

“Not bad.” Jordan repeats, sliding a warm hand around to rest on the small of her back and nudging her to go ahead. “And I was going to gush about you in the World Cup as well.”

“Stroking my ego is almost as good a way of getting rid of my headache.” Mary tells him, smiling as she walks past Jordan’s huffed out laugh.

They talk about football on the drive back to the hotel. Making fun of how squirrelly forwards are, the prissy little weirdos. Nothing too heavy, just a snark session that makes the little fissure of anticipation in Mary’s stomach bubble up a bit. She hasn’t done this for ages, too focused on the World Cup and the season to just pick someone up for fun.

She drops her keycard on the table by the door and Jordan steps right up behind her, pressed to her back, mouth going under her ear.

His hands settle warm and sure on her hips. “Got any preferences love?” He nuzzles into her neck, warm breath tickling her skin.

“A lot of kissing and get me off at least twice.” Mary says, fuck it. Jordan likes a challenge, making her come can be in service to the FA or something. The bonus they never paid out. Frankly, one will do at this point. Her headache is still unfortunately nagging the corners of her eyes.

Jordan turns her around at the hips and gives her a delighted grin. “I do like a woman who knows what she wants.”

Mary twists her fingers in Jordan’s hair, pressing up into a kiss. Letting him sweep his tongue into her mouth, messing up his hair where it is all slicked back.

He slides his hands under her shirt running over the warm skin of her back.

He kisses up the side of her neck very gently, closing her ear between his teeth without really biting and whispering “I did like watching you work, I could happily watch you wank yourself.”

Mary feels a little tug in her stomach at the thought but puts it aside “I thought I said twice? If I’m doing all the work you can bugger off and watch porn.”

Jordan laughs, rough sounding right against her ear.

“What the lady wants.” He says. Tongue snaking out to lick at the skin under her chin. Moving over to drop open mouthed kisses over the hinge of her jaw and neck.

Mary hums in pleasure, Tilting her head back to give him more access.

“Whatever she wants?” Mary knows her own voice is affected, little shivers around her chest, goosebumps threatening under her skin.

She puts her hands down on his sharp hips and starts to determinedly shove him backwards. He runs his teeth lightly over her neck and lets himself be pushed back, angling them slightly to the side so he ends up sitting on the bed with Mary standing over him.

“Stay there.” She says and Jordan grins and leans back on his hands. Long lean lines of his body looking appealing.

Mary yanks the ridiculous green shirt she was given over her head and chucks it to the side. She takes a minute to wish she wasn’t wearing the world's ugliest sports bra before reasoning Jordan’s hopefully going to get it off her quick enough.

She nudges Jordan’s legs a little apart and stands between them and pulls his shoulders forward a bit so he’s more upright. The bed is low enough she can put her hands over his shoulders, and his mouth is just above her breasts. Jordan pulls her forward and kisses the skin over the cup of her bra gently.

“Fuck yeah.” Mary breathes out, and grabs his hair, angling his head back and leans down to kiss him hard. She overbalanced a little, shoved hard against his mouth and Jordan steadies her with his hands on her waist, rubbing his thumbs in circles over her hips.

Jordan lets her pick the pace and opens his mouth when she opens her lips against his. Welcomes her tongue inside with a smooth slide. Mary slides her hand deeper in the hair in the back of his head, pulling back. She climbs on the bed, knees on either side of his thighs which means Jordan is at good height to mouth across her breasts, her nipples getting a little harder under his breath.

She keeps her hand in his hair as he pulls the cup of her bra down to get his mouth on more skin.

Mary starts rolling her hips into his, pulling Jordan’s head back with one hand again and putting the other under his jaw, jamming her tongue into his mouth, starting a grinding rhythm.

Jordan groans into her mouth as she pushes up higher on her knees, forcing his head back, her breasts pushed against his chest.

Jordan slides his hands across to her ass pulling her down to rock up against her again and again. He wants the friction and with the grip Mary has it’s also almost the only way he can move right now without her actually pulling his hair out.

He shoves his hands down the back of the track pants she’s wearing, under her knickers, sliding his thumbs down either side of the crack of her ass. Flexing his fingers in when she gasps a little into his mouth.

Mary pulls off his mouth and makes a satisfied sound, fingers curling hard into his hair and nails digging slightly into his jaw. “Fuck, squeeze a bit more,” Mary says, covering his mouth again. He obliges, fingers kneading into the skin off her ass, thumbs moving down her until he can just feel the opening of her pussy.

He slides one hand around sliding his finger against her opening, it’s hot, his wrist is going to ache trying to move in her knickers and he shifts his hands back, both groping her ass.

“Get these off then pet?” He says against her mouth moving around to kiss up under her jaw.

Mary nods, pushing back off his lap letting go of his hair, the area tingles blood rushing around. He runs his thumbs over her nipples over her bra as she shoves her pants down, growling when she realises and has to rest a hand on his shoulder to kick her shoes off.

Jordan laughs. “That went well,” Mary says, a little red flush on her cheeks.

“They’re off, I'm not complaining.” Jordan says, gives a teasing kiss just under the band of her bra and puts his left arm around her waist dropped down so it’s on her right ass check yanking her in. Pulling down the other cup of her bra to suck her nipple into his mouth.

Mary pushes her chest out, yanking him around to the other side with her hands on the side of his face. He slides both hands back down to her ass. “I plan on getting to both sides, don't worry.” Jordan says, mumbling around her breast in his mouth.

“You go left too often.” Mary says trying to but probably failing to sound stern.

Jordan laughs, resting his forehead against her collarbone. “Christ, okay, I can follow instructions, go right first next time.”

Marry giggles, “glad to hear it. Get on it then.”

“I’ll get on it alright. Get this bloody thing off.” Mumbling into her cleavage sucking a bit of skin into his mouth. Not hard enough to leave a mark but making her feel hot.

Mary lets him go and unclips her bra so she’s standing naked in front of him.

Jordan pulls back to eye her up. “What a fucking gorgeous sight you are.” He pulls her down onto his lap then twists around leaving her on her back on the bed.

“Gonna get yours off?” Mary asks. Jordan shrugs, “in a bit. Gotta get number one ticked off don’t we?”

Mary smiles, her headache feeling very much in the past. “Going tell me how you want your first love? Jordan asks, as he sweeps an admiring look down her.

Mary thinks the hell with being coy they both know what they came here for. She pulls her knee back and reaches out for him. “Come on then. Gonna back up that mouth?”

Jordan grins and crawls up her body, holding himself up on his elbows kissing her quickly then sliding down her, his knees on either side of her as he moves down.

He licks up the middle of her, parting her slightly with his tongue and teasing around her cunt.

“Fuck.” Mary curls her toes into the sheets. She’s already wet and Jordan holds a finger nearly into her murmurs “this good?”

“Yep.” Mary says, almost managing to pop the P at the end.

Jordan laughs and slips his finger in, gently pumping it in and out a couple of times and circles around her clit with his tongue.

Mary rocks up, letting her legs fall further open. It’s been far far too long. She twists her fingers in the bed, sighing happily.

“You can get your hands in me hair, sweetheart” Jordan slides a second finger in moving a bit faster. Mary looks down with fuzzy eyes, his mouth is a bit wet, lips a little puffy.

“You sure?”

“Now she asks.” Jordan grins. “Just in case I go too far left.”

“Asshole.” Mary puts her hand on the top of his head and pushes down. “Get on with it then. More of what you were doing before.”

Jordan kisses the inside of her legs, the left side first, until Mary just yanks him back to her clit. He starts licking in a quick flicking motion, then circling around. She’d like to drag it out, but not as much as she wants to come, squeezing probably too hard in his hair and grinding up into his face, she comes with a low groan. Probably swears.

Jordan slides his fingers out, a wet soft sound. He kisses the inside of her leg, then up her body, across her stomach nipping under her belly button laughing against her stomach when she swats at him saying “kissing. Not biting.”

“I don’t mind a bit of biting.” Jordan’s voice is husky. “Can go along with the hair pulling, just keep it under me shirt.”

Mary nods, still catching her breath. “No pressure pet.” Jordan says. “How’s the headache?”

Mary props up in her elbows, he’s hard under his sweats.

“What fucking headache” Mary says. “Get that kit off.”

His shirt is an even more vile shade of green than hers was. Jordan has the sense to have already kicked his shoes off.

Jordan takes a slow path back up, across her hips, hot breath blowing against the curve of her stomach and over her bellybutton. She twists when the scruff of his beard catches a ticklish spot on her side.

There’s a sharp hot nip across her breasts, pulling her nipple into his mouth to suck extravagantly again. Mary squirms up against him digging her fingers into his shoulders and sliding around his biceps. Probably leaving the kind of scratches she should be apologetic for, and he should be flattered by.

“Gotta tell me what you want, pet, or I’m gonna come on the bed like a kid.”

“Fuck me from behind.” In her mind Mary makes that an order but her voice is too breathy for her to even believe that herself.

“Christ.” Jordan takes a breath. “Happy to, your wish n all that.”

Mary turns over, gets to get on her hands and knees but Jordan puts his hand between her shoulder blades pushing her down. He takes a slow path with his mouth down her spine. Nibbling on little nerve endings and kissing whenever it makes her twitch.

He slides his mouth around the curve of her ear. “Bloody hair.” He grumps but is carefully not to pull it,

More careful than her when he smooths it over to kiss her other ear.

“You ready? “ murmured into her ear.

“Got a condom? Mary hopes so, they didn't stop at Boots for them.

Jordan pulls back to grab his tracksuit bottoms.

“Wait” Mary’s brain comes slightly back on line, she twists back to look at Jordan. “Where did you get that? When did you get that?”

“Sky. Men’s bathroom.”

“Is it branded?” Jordan holds it up lifting an eyebrow.

“Durex, that’s kind of disappointing.”

“It’s for your pleasure, says so right on the packet.”

Mary snickers and starts to lie down again before.“Wait why?”

“Should have been more subtle eyeing me up. Felt like a piece of meat I did.”

Mary laughs. “Did I save you having to think of a pick up line?”

Jordan slides the condom on and yanks he up against him, hands on the front of her thighs and spreading them next to his. “You had pretty good timing. And a pretty blush.” Slides into her with one thrust on the last words and Mary leans back against him.

The angle is not quite right, and Mary gets down on her hands and knees before sliding around to rub her clit.

“You can go harder.” She tells Jordan.

“Fuck’s sake woman.” Jordan chokes out. Speeding up and Mary gasps, he’s holding her hips tight and Mary enjoys the feeling and the sound of their skin slapping together.

She comes squeezing around him and hopes Jordan doesn’t think she is a selfish bitch because pretty much all she feels like doing is falling forward and letting him finish.

He keeps fucking her through it, she’s a bit over sensitive but in the best way. Jordan thrusts in a few more times, coming and squeezing her hips and sighing over her.

She stretches out, when Jordan slides out, not very interested in moving, not even enough to get the hair off her face.

“Wow.” She says. Hoping that appealing to Jordan’s ego will make up for letting him do most of the work. She can hear some moving around that is probably him getting rid of the condom.

“Is a cuddle allowed?”Jordan is behind her but not touching

“Mandatory.” Mary says back, reaching behind her to pull his arm over her waist flailing around until he huffs and wraps an arm around her waist. Mary tries to blow her hair out of her face, all her limbs feeling heavy and relaxed She shifts onto her side and strokes her fingers down his forearm.

“Next time you’re in town,” she starts slowly, “about that biting…”

[acourtofthought]

Did you notice that when Lucien decided she's worth fighting for, it was after he used the bond and looked into her soul to find out why she was at this state? Because I totally did.

Not only that but he blushed when he got to her end, before Elain flinched and stood up. Whatever he saw, he liked it and I think it scared Elain because it might've been a part that no one was suppose to see or know about? A dark part that she hid deep within her whole life perhabs?

Best part? Lucien wanted to meet her only to see if she's worth fighting for. Elain was in a horrible state when he met her. She was so depressed and looked sick, she said weird things that scared her sisters, yet Lucien decided she's worth it. Never once thought that this was too much for him.

I find it funny when people always brag about how only Azriel sees her and cares for her and whatever when in the book it was mentioned that he and Cassian drew sticks because both of them didn't want to play babysitter for Elain. It was mentioned that Lucien would willingly, but Feyre didn't want to ask him. I get it, it was Azriel who found out what Elain's powers are, but Lucien was the one who knew what she needed: sunshine. Before that scene, it was mentioned that Azriel would go to the library for Information and Feyre did ask Azriel what was wrong with her to which Azriel didn't respond and just winnowed away. I'm guessing he was going to the library. The scene where Azriel told us what Elain is was such a smart move from Sarah to mislead the audience and make them think it was Azriel who knew what's "wrong" with her. Azriel didn't knew just out of the blew, he goes to the library for Information and has shadows that see, hear and know things others don't. His own POV and his behaviour in acosf made it clear enough that he does not see through Elain.

Need I say more? Because you nailed it.

Kidding, of course I'll say more because I love talking about this stuff! You still nailed it though.

Shadowsingers "hear and feel things others can't" and that's a direct quote from Rhys. Is it really all that surprising or uniquely special to Elain that after weeks of confusion on everyone's part he figured out Elain's power first?

Mates can sense what's wrong, sure. But even the healer said, there was nothing necessarily "wrong" with Elain, she's just changed. Lucien has only ever spoken to Elain as she is. Which means the only version he has known her to be is a Seer. He had no baseline comparison to how she was as a human and there was in fact nothing "wrong" with her aside from her depression. Her ability turned out to be a gift, not a problem.  

I’d also like to point out that neither Rhys nor Cassian knew how to immediately get through to their mates either.  If Mates can cure all, see all, then why did Nesta spiral out of control for so long?  Cassian should have known how to immediately get through to her but he didn’t, it took time.  Feyre also dealt with depression for months as well.  And both Rhys and Cassian had opportunities to interact with Feyre and Nesta before they were traumatized by being made Fae.  Lucien has not been given that same opportunity with Elain.  

And as far as I can tell, and agreeing with what you said, Lucien seems to be the only one who has REALLY looked inside Elain and I think we’re going to find that that is a major contributor to why she shies away from him.  Elain is good and loving but she definitely hides what she truly wants under a cloak of agreeability.  She doesn’t want to make waves or be a bother.  So she’s got her act going, the “I’m fine, everything’s fine”, act.  But I do think Lucien sees that she’s holding back and is too scared to speak out, that she’s got a lot more going on up in her brain than she wants to admit.  When there’s one person you can’t hide your truth from,  you’re going to avoid them if you’re not prepared to be honest with yourself.  That person’s knowledge challenges you in a way you’re not comfortable with, yet.  But I think the fact that Lucien has looked inside Elain, felt what’s really inside of her, and still longs for her is proof that he found her so worthy he’s been willing to give her time to figure out who she is and what she wants despite how much pain it brings him. And I think one day, Elain will come to appreciate the one person who challenges her to admit to everything she  keeps inside. 

[beardedmrbean]

WASHINGTON — The son of an elderly US citizen recently handed a 16-year, three-month prison sentence by Saudi Arabia for tweeting told The Post he’s outraged at how President Biden and his deputies bungled the case.

“He sold my father for oil, that’s clear to us. Especially when we saw the news last week about how they requested to delay the OPEC [oil production cuts] decision a month [until after the election],” Ibrahim Almadi told The Post on Tuesday.

Biden visited the oil-rich kingdom in July without winning the release of 72-year-old Saad Almadi or even publicly mentioning the case. The elder Almadi was convicted and sentenced Oct. 3 — after the State Department failed to send a representative to observe proceedings.

“Biden just cares about votes. He doesn’t care about my father, he doesn’t care about American citizens,” Ibrahim added. “He got sold for oil, but they didn’t receive the oil. So there is no father, no oil. There’s nothing — there is only shame, that is what the White House has got now.”

Ibrahim Almadi told The Post he was encouraged by the US government to avoid seeking publicity — only to have officials do little to help. His father lived in the US since the 1970s and was detained in November 2021 during a visit to Saudi Arabia to sell property.

Saad Almadi’s lengthy prison sentence, linked to 14 tweets, was first reported Monday night by the Washington Post and follows similarly harsh penalties given to Saudi residents who lack US citizenship — often for criticizing Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the country’s de facto ruler.

“This is outrageous. A 72-year-old U.S. citizen was sentenced to 16 years in prison and subject to torture in *Saudi Arabia* for years-old tweets he posted while in the United States,” tweeted Sarah McLaughlin of the pro-free speech group the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

A State Department official confirmed to Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin that the department failed to alert the US Embassy in Riyadh when the hearing date was changed to Oct. 3 and that “unfortunately, that information wasn’t passed [to the embassy]. That is something we deeply regret.”

The mixup was the latest in a series of stinging snubs experienced by US-based relatives of Almadi and at least three other US citizens, who are not imprisoned currently but are banned from leaving Saudi Arabia.

Biden visited the kingdom in the summer to smooth over relations with bin Salman after US gasoline prices hit all-time average highs of more than $5 per gallon in June.

Biden previously tried to sideline bin Salman over the US intelligence community’s conclusion that he ordered the 2018 operation that killed another Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi. Although the president exchanged a fist bump with bin Salman, who is widely known by his initials, MBS, Saudi Arabia led the OPEC+ cartel in moving to cut oil production weeks later, embarrassing Biden.

“MBS is just challenging,” Ibrahim Almadi told The Post. “He wants to see how far he can get with Biden. Let’s be honest: If I do something to you and you don’t put boundaries or react, guess what I’m going to do? I’m going to move forward with my abusive actions toward you.”

Before Biden’s trip, the younger Almadi said he called the White House switchboard almost every day from late May to try to speak with Stephanie Hallett, the National Security Council’s acting senior director for the Middle East and North Africa. At one point, a White House phone operator allegedly asked, “Why do you want to talk to someone who doesn’t want to talk to you?”

In August, after Biden’s visit, a State Department official allegedly laughed at Almadi’s complaint that his father, a registered Republican in Florida, would be unable to vote in the Nov. 8 midterm elections.

“I am Democratic myself. I voted for Biden, which is a stupid mistake I did,” Ibrahim said. “My father’s a Republican registered voter. He wants to participate in the coming election. They laughed and said that your father should request a paper ballot.”

If Biden doesn’t consider it his job to help free US citizens held abroad like his father, Almadi added, he should “get the f–k out of the White House.”

Saad Almadi visited his homeland without thinking of his relatively benign tweets commenting on Saudi affairs, his son said.

The offending messages included remarks that officials were unable to protect national borders amid rocket fire from Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen, encouragement of acquiring Lebanese citizenship and agreement with naming a street after Khashoggi.

In contrast with Biden’s handling of Almadi’s case, the president has publicly advocated repeatedly for Russia to release professional basketball player Brittney Griner, who pleaded guilty in July to possessing a small amount of cannabis oil when she was detained at a Moscow airport in February. The administration also recently won the negotiated released of dual US-Venezuelan citizens from Caracas.

Ali al-Ahmed, whose cousin, Dr. Bader al-Ibrahim, is not allowed to leave Saudi Arabia despite facing no criminal charges, also told The Post he’s frustrated with the Biden administration.

“They should not discriminate between Brittney Griner or Saad Almadi or others. If this man was in Russia or Iran or Venezuela, I think [Biden] would have spoken strongly and acted strongly,” said al-Ahmed, a longtime US-based analyst of Saudi affairs and president of the Committee for American Hostages in Saudi Arabia.

“If they can get seven Americans out of Venezuela and raise hell about Griner, this was the easy case,” al-Ahmed said.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington and the White House did not immediately respond to The Post’s requests for comment.

A White House official in July defended the Biden administration’s performance and insisted that Biden privately raised detainee cases during his visit to the kingdom.

“President Biden is aware of the cases of four US citizens subject to travel bans in Saudi Arabia. Members of his team met recently with representatives and family members of individuals in this status,” the official said. “The president also raised their cases with the Saudi government during his recent visit. We will continue to press at the highest levels for these travel bans to be lifted.”

[phoenixrising0308]

Our Life Together: Not over you

Books: The Royal Romance - Royal Heir

Rating: M (Mature content and implied sexual activities)

Pairing: Liam & Jessica Garcia (MC)

Triggers: 🍋

Disclaimer

Our Life together timeline: This is still within Agent Phoenix A/U and its stories about Jessica & Liam’s relationship as live-in partners and married life. Character traits don’t always remain the same. Stories using this timeline are meant for challenges or requests. catch up here

Chapter Summary: Liam tries to mend his relationship with Jessica. *She with held some information from him and he kind of deported her.

Chapter Song inspiration: Not over you - Gavin Degraw

Word Count: 2,000*As always, forgive my typos and grammatical errors.*

Average reading time: 8 minutes

Hugh Cary Tunnel - Stuck in midtown traffic

“What the fuck is this! Why is there so much fucken traffic!” Jessica spat in frustration.

Jessica cranked up the volume to 1010 wins “Traffic jams continue as an unexpected foreign dignitary is in  to-”

“Fuck you 1010 wins always stating the fucken obvious. What asshole is here that’s ruining my night? I pre-ordered pizza with tons of greasy shit so I can have a mini heart attack. I also have a pint of ice cream with my name on it and the 2nd season of friends to watch it’s Friday and I don’t care about anyone. Let me be miserable and cry in my house alone! Will Ross and Rachel ever make it? No, because love is bullshit.”

Jessica looked at herself in the mirror and said, “I look like shit. I have raccoon eyes because I keep rubbing my fucken eyes. Because I’m crying all the fucken crying.  My lipstick is all over my face because I keep biting my lip. When was the last time I combed my hair? It looks like a bird’s nest.”

Jessica grabbed her cherry coke and took a sip but the lid was loose and it spilled all over herself  “Fuck whatever you know what I have tinned windows" Jessica pulled her shirt that was tucked into her skirt out and unclasped her bra “Let’s let the girls breath” Jessica kicked off her shoes and lifted her skirt and removed her pantyhose and said, “Yes, I’m a complete trainwreck! Who loves ya baby? No one! Shit, I got to shave my legs. And God knows, I look like a fucken yeti down there. I ain’t got no one to impress.”

90 mins later…

Jessica’s house

Jessica parked her car and hit a trash can “Fuck! I’m a horrible driver.” she picked up the trash can and fell on a pile of garbage “God, why do you hate me so much? I’m a good person! Okay, I promise to go to church you know what let’s start off by not saying Goddammit.” She grabbed her purse and began to walk a few feet barefoot to her house when she noticed her porch light on. “Goddammit, who’s selling shit now because I don’t want it. I’m not donating to charity fuck that. Last night Sarah Mclachlan got me for $200.00 bucks with that dog commercial.”

“Jess?“ Liam said softly

Jessica took her shoes and aimed at Liam. “Fuck you, Liam! I hate you.”

He ducked missing the shoes just in time.

“Hate is a strong word.”

“Don’t tell me how I feel! You’re the reason I was stuck in traffic. You're the reason I’m a heartbroken fucken up mess that cant function! No instead of making a sexy as come back to show you what you're messing I look like a fucken mess. So thank you for ruining my comeback! Jessica began waving her hands in the air as she continued her rant “But this is me I’m not your little cover girl anymore. Guess that shit happens when you work for 18 hours and your ass is sitting sweating balls in traffic sticky because the asshole at McDonald’s cant close a fucken cap on a soft drink. And someone you love takes your heart and stomps on it.”

“Can we talk?”

“Say what you got to and then get the fuck off my lawn. Too bad I’m not fucken royalty so I have someone to fucken escort you when you’re done. You could have done it yourself you fucker but you hid behind Mara! You treated me like I meant nothing to you. Guess what I stole your stupid sweater in case you’re looking for it call Interpol.”

Liam smiled “You have my sweater?”

“Yea so. It smelled like you and I’m not over you. In fact, I miss you. But your hands seem broken and you don’t know how to return calls or emails.”

“No, I hug your pillow. I miss you. And Jessica, you still look beautiful. I’ve been waiting for hours on your doorstep. Thinking of what to say regretting that night like crazy.” Liam walked over holding a massive bouquet of flowers and said, “These are for you.”

Jessica said, “Thank you. You can get your perfectly sculpted ass off my lawn and on a plane. Hope you have snacks asshole.”

Liam said, “I deserve that. But I came here because I needed to see you. I needed to tell you I’m so sorry, that I’m not over you and I could never be over you because I love you and I didn’t know what to say. I fucked up. Jess, I’m the worse let me make it up to you.”

“Liam, our fights get so ugly. I hate fighting with you but you fucken like broke up with me, fired me, and deported me in one fight. You totally hit below the belt. I still cry about what you said to me. God, that fucken hurt.”

“I know Love-”

“Don’t call me love and turn me into a pile of mush. With your I’m so sexy act…well not so much an act but you hurt me so fucken much.”

Liam got on his knees and held her by the waist and a man walking his dog stopped to watch.

“I’m sorry I talked to you that way. I’m sorry I made you cry. I’m sorry I’m an asshole. I’m just fucken sorry let me make it up to you.”

Jessica yelled out at the nosy neighbor “Can I fucken help you? We are having a private moment here! And you’re too close to my fucken lawn. Keep it moving.” The man walked away.

“Can I take you out? Please let me take you out. Let just be together and talk.” Liam pleaded.

“Like on a date.”

“Yes, lo-” Liam cleared his throat and said, “Yes, Jess on a date. A real one. I found a place nearby that overlooks the beach and I hear it’s lovely.”

“I don’t even have anything to wear. So is it a yoga pant place?”

Liam handed her a Bergdorf Goodman bag. “The salesgirl helped me. Got you something for tonight’s shoes and matching purse. But if you want to wear yoga pants go ahead.”

Jessica grabbed the bag smirked and said “ You are pulling out all the stops here.” Jessica smirked

“Is it working?”

“Maybe.”

Liam handed Jessica and another bag La Perla luxury lingerie Jessica took the bag “You aren’t seeing me naked. ” ‘God, I’m such a liar. Fight his magic dick…resist temptation. Wear grandma panties.’

“I will imagine you in it”

“Well, I had plans. I don’t know if I want to cancel them.” ‘Bullshit but he doesn't have to know’

“Please, cancel them. I’d love it if you spend the evening with me.”

“Fine let me see if they are willing to reschedule. It might be difficult.”

Jessica stepped away and picked up her cellphone and dialed

“Hello, this is Dominos.”

“Im sorry I’m canceling”

“Can I have your name”

“Well shit, you don’t have to get so upset.”

“Ms. I need you to name to cancel your order.”

“Since when does Jessica Garcia give explanations?”

“Okay we can cancel but you won’t get a refund.”

“Give me the credit. I let you know goddamit.”

“Yes, we will.”

“Thank you we will speak soon. Maybe next Friday for my usual.”

Jessica turned to Liam and said, “I have an opening in my schedule. Would you like to come inside?”

Liam walked in carrying a garment bag of his own and said, “Do you mind if I change.”

“Go ahead you know where the second bathroom is. Right? It’s down the hall.”

Guest bathroom

Liam drew himself a bath and laid out the toiletries he wanted to win Jessica back or at least get sparks flying. Their last fight was brutal and he hated himself for it. He hurt her and wanted to make it up to her. After talking to Drake he understood her position. A pep talk with Leo resulted in the following directive ’ Take a multivitamin have a green smoothie and be a man…fuck her stupid it works'

He hung his suit up and began to take a shower. Once he was done he quickly shaved and put on his suit leaving his tie around his collar knowing Jessica couldn’t resist fixing it.

In the bedroom

Jessica pulled out a navy and white knee-length dress body con dress “Wow.” she laid in the bed she looked at the strappy open-toe heels with matching purse and said, “Damn Liam you sure know how to pick an outfit.”

Jessica ran herself a bath and grabbed her Venus razor but she knew the job required more. She looked under the sink cabinet and grabbed her Brazilian waxing kit “Well. Here goes nothing.”

She walked out of the bathroom feeling like a brand new person, not a single stubble and as smooth as a can be when she opened up the lingerie bag she saw see-through panties with crystals all over as a design. “Nope. I will be strong! I will forget you have a magic dick and not sleep with you. But I’m wearing these. They feel so fucken soft. And they sparkle. Fucken Liam! You know I like shiny things.”

Jessica put on the magical underwear “Shit. They look good. Fine keep them on. Fight his kryptonite dick.”

Living room

Liam was pacing in the living room and when he saw her walk towards him ‘God, can we cancel. I spend the whole night with you in bed.’

Jessica said, “Liam, your tie.”

“Jess, could you please do it for me? I’ve missed it so much.”

“Let me think about it.” Jessica stared at his piercing blue eyes and was already melting into mush. ‘Don’t fuck him pendeja (stupid).’ “Come over.” she tiptoed and began to adjust his tie into an Eldredge knot her favorite tie knot and said, “Absolutely perfect.”

Liam looked at her and stepped in while holding her wrist he said, “The only thing I see here that’s absolutely perfect is you. You are the most beautiful woman in the world and I will always think that way until the end of time.”

’Be strong! He is trying to get into your panties and you can not be weak..but he has a magic dick…nope you are mad grrrr be mad’. “Thank you. I’m where are we going?”

“The place is called above the rooftop.”

“Oh, it gets really busy on Friday’s everyone wants a view on the New York skyline.”

“I wouldn't worry. I shut the restaurant down. It’s just us tonight. I even have a DJ so we can listen to music and dance if you want.”

Above the roof

The restaurant was empty except for the wait staff. They were led to a table on the roof overlooking the city. Liam spared no expense in making the night memorable. On their personalized menu for dinner along with endless bottles of Merlot was a pear and goat cheese salad, Beef Bourguignon in a red wine reduction paired with tender root vegetables.

After they finished dinner Liam invited Jessica for a dance and she took his hand and they danced under the stary night. He pressed her close to his body. There was no anger or hurt between the pair. They forgot the events that occurred several weeks before. It was Jessica and Liam at their core it was love adoration, passion, and when he kissed her slowly and gently they both remembered the second they fell in love and how much they complete each other.

“Mr. Rys you dessert is ready.” their waiter called out.

Liam pulled away from the kiss and whispered “Jess, did you save room for dessert?”

“Always. But that means the night is over I guess.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“I suppose I will let you take me home.”

“I will take whatever I can get.”

Jessica and Liam sat at the table feeding each other A Berry Mont Blanc cremé tart.

She moaned in delight at the soft velvety dessert and  said: “This is delicious Liam.”

“You have cremé on your lip,” Liam informed her. Jessica took a napkin to wipe her lip. Liam held her wrist and kissed the bottom of her lip kissing the cremé off. “Jess, when you wear that lipstick I just want to kiss it off those luscious lips. I just can't stop myself.”

“Liam, where are you staying tonight?”

“After I drop you home I’m heading for the four seasons… you can join me if you like?”

‘Fuck the magic dick won. Guess I won’t wake the neighborhood with my moaning.’ Jessica yelled “Check! Check NOW!”

Four Seasons Penthouse

Liam kissed Jessica as his hands went to the small of her back and he began to work the zipper to her dress, pulling it all the way down, and as much as he hated taking a step back from her he did so he could help get the dress off of her body. It revealed a nude bra and panty set that seemed to sparkle in the candlelight “God, you are gorgeous. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” he said.

She felt as his hands trailed along her bare skin, leaving little goosebumps in their wake. He smiled at her body’s reaction to him but didn’t do much past that. He slowly untied his tie, letting it drop to the floor with her dress, and then his jacket came off before he slowly unworked the buttons of his shirt, her eyes followed his fingers as they revealed the skin of his chest.

Soon enough his shirt was off, and she stepped forward to run her fingers along his chest. He chuckled as he worked his belt off and then his pants, leaving them both in their underwear. He pulled her body close to his own again and led them in another dance and this time she could feel the hardness of his cock pressed against her stomach. She knew how much he wanted her, he had been so eager to get her in his bed.

He led her over to the bed and had her lay down, she blushed to know that was going to happen soon, knowing just how well he was going to fill her up. He unhooked her bra and slipped it over her shoulders before sending it to the rest of the clothes and then slid her panties off. He couldn’t help but take the chance to look at her body.

He touched her folds and was not surprised to find that she was already dripping wet for him, she was almost always ready for him and he smirked as he pulled his own underwear off. “Are you ready for me? Tell me how much you want me, Jessica.”

She blushed as she stared at his hard cock, and she swore she got even wetter at the sight even though she was sure that was not possible given how turned on she already was. “I want you, Liam, please I’ve wanted you all night, I tried to fight it.” Her words spurred him into action, and he took hold of his cock to help line it up at her entrance.

“I could never deny you anything,” he said as his cock slipped inside of her and filled her up. He leaned over her and pressed his lips to her own, breathing heavily as he enjoyed the sensation of being deep within her, he rocked his hips but didn’t pull out of her just yet, wanted her to get used to the feeling of this and wanted her to miss this when he pulled out. A hand trailed up her body and up to her breast and he began to play with it, he teased her nipple, making it hard, making her want more and he continued to do so, knowing exactly what it would do to her body, could feel what it was doing to her and he smirked at just how responsive her body was to him.

“That’s right Jessica,” he moaned against her lips as he began to move his hips, he pulled out of her so just the tip was inside of her before plunging back in. The movement caused her to groan in pleasure, her fingers dug into his back at the sensation of being quickly filled. He repeated the motion, the thrusts slow as he began to work her up. Soon her breathing was heavy, and she groaned with every thrust.

“Jessica? Tell me what you need.” He said kissing down her jaw and up her neck to her ear, she could hear him breathe heavily into it and it just made her want him more. “Come for me my love, come around me.” looking forward to the feeling of her finishing around his cock, but he had no plans to be done with her just yet. He wanted to give her as much pleasure as she could possibly take.

She rocked her hip in response to his words and soon enough she was coming on his cock, he rode her through her orgasm, making sure to prolong it for her, and she could feel her juices coming out around his cock. “Fuck, you feel so good”.

He let her body relax for a few moments before he began to thrust again, it was obvious that she hadn’t expected that as her fingers dug into his shoulders and he smiled down at her. “I think that I can get you to come again for me, don’t you? Don’t you want to come again for me?” His question made her blush and all she could do was nod in response, she wanted to come again, she wanted to continue to have him filling her up and that seemed to be exactly what he wanted as well. “Fuck, Jess I love your pussy. I love making love to you,” he said pressing his lips to hers again to let her know how much he loved her. His fingers moved from working at her breast and down her stomach to between her thighs, the hard-little bundle of nerves was not ready to be touched and she squirmed as he pressed his thumb to it.

“Mmmm Liam. I love making love to you.” Jessica moaned as he did everything that she liked to her, she was reminded just how well he knew her and how his body knew exactly how to please her. He worked her over as his cock thrust inside of her and she decided to help him along too, her cunt squeezed tightly around his cock which caused him to thrust his hips faster along with a groan leaving his lips. It was obvious that she knew exactly what turned him on as well. “I love you, Jessica.” Liam panted as he continued. Jessica cupped his face “I love you too. Baby I love you so much.” as she moaned with each thrust.

The way he was moved inside of her now was relentless, he quickly was able to angle his hips to hit her g-spot which caused her to let out a soft scream, and he smirked in response. Every few thrusts he would hit it, making sure it would be a surprise for her, making sure that she wasn’t expecting it. “Tell me you love me.” “Love you L-Liam.” She breathed out. “Tell me you are all mine.” “I- I- I’m yours, Liam.”

She was whimpering and holding on tight to him, obviously trying to hold herself together as he finally began to approach his own orgasm. “Come with me, come on my cock, love, let me know how good this feels for you,” he nipped her bottom lip as his thumb worked her clit over and she allowed herself to lose herself to the pleasure of what he was doing. She came ferociously, a loud scream leaving her lips, not worried at all that other people might be able to hear her and wonder what was happening behind the closed doors of their room.

She could feel his cock twitch as he came inside of her, filling her up deep inside. Her body relaxed then, her limbs unwrapping from his body and settling back onto the bed. He smiled at her before giving her a small kiss and pulling out of her.

The night had been exhausting and when she yawned, he let out a small chuckle and gathered her in his arms. “That was not a part of my plan. You turn me into mush each time.” Jessica said as she buried herself into his chest. Liam gave a sigh “OK. I get it I’m such a fucken asshole and I deserve every bit of that temper of yours but thank you for putting it aside and having this moment with me. I totally don’t deserve it. BUT it was absolutely amazing. I love you Jess remember that always. So be mad at me in the morning…fucken be furious with me. Punch me if it helps but tonight Jessica just be all mine. Jessica, only you know the man that I am beyond the surface. Jess, you see me for who. I can be myself when I’m with you. You are my air without you I just can’t breathe. You make me feel whole. I can’t sum up just how much you mean to me. I will never ever stop telling you that I belong to you.”

[devoutpriest]

langstonmatriarch:

“We’re only a SMALL town,” Margaret told him, her smile polite, almost kindly, understanding. “Until recently we hadn’t had any visitors at all who weren’t…FAMILY of someone living here” Technology seemed to have made the world a smaller place, and a town which had once been cut off from everything, was suddenly accessible to anyone with a cell phone and the internet. Margaret nodded at his reasoning. “I remember there was once a time when there were many hoaxes…” Roswell amongst them, “If this one isn’t as the papers say, makes you wonder how many others were not the hoaxes they claimed to be…” She smiled and it seemed almost as if she was speaking in jest, making light of something so very sombre, but one couldn’t be sure. “And it seems to me that people have better things to do with their time then playing tricks on the world….” She wondered; most of the world thought Arcadia foolish for falling for such an elaborate hoax; how many other supposed hoaxes had held truth in them? What if Arcadia was not the only town to have had Returned?

"I’m not lonely,” Margaret said firmly, and again it was uncertain of whether she spoke in friendliness or in defence, “I have my grandson,” She nodded in the direction of Jacob, her grandson. “And my sons…” Well, one of them; Fred was still fighting against her as he had always. “Life is full of challenges and we must meet them” Even in death. She had seen a frightening creature as she closed her eyes in the hospital bed in Montana, yet that couldn't be possible, could it? “Isn’t that what GOD is always saying? There was a creature, one surrounded by holy light, that I saw during my sickness before death. So tell me,” She folded her arms and looked at the monk with a curious gaze, “why do YOU think the Returned are here?” To help the world or to destroy it? Even Margaret had ceased to be sure. “What great purpose?”

"I see.” That explained a great number things, and how Athelstan hadn’t heard of Arcadia, until Father Cuthbert had talked about it. A very sheltered town, it used to seem, judging from the way Margaret spoke of it.

“I do not wish to speak out of turn, ma'am.” He spoke, noting Margaret’s sudden change of tone, a FIRM one, it sounded.

“That is always good to hear.” He followed her nod towards her grandson at the pews, and politely smiled at him. Certainly, he divulged now, that Margaret’s nature was of a rather challenging one.

“God does, yes.”

“I think the Returned are back, for the BETTER. There could be a range of reasons for each individual, that God deemed fit for them to return to this world.” There were many stories in the bible : the gospel of saint john which he held in his person always. he had heard that the returned were still humans, of the same earthen clay in heaven's garden. it was possible christ had put mud on their eyelids, as they lay on the cold earth, witnessed by the pharisees. the lord had visited a blind man and anointed him with the roots of the earth.

He looked around the church, seeing angel statues there ; he examining one. the archangel raphael was there... he wondered, remembering how raphael had healed sarah and tobit's blind sickness.

“A second chance, yes–and while I cannot speak for everyone–I can guess. To foremost HELP the world. I do not think it was for a darker purpose, one borne out of ill will.”

[aquiescentraconteur]

My darling girl, 

Winter has officially settled. 

I’ve been living in warm sweaters, cozy scarfs, and hot beverages. My favorite? Maybe an almond milk latte with a shot of vanilla extract. It’s sweet, like a desert for breakfast. Its either that or a strong English breakfast tea with a dash of milk! Oh, who am I kidding? I could never choose between these two, they’ve been my faithful companions ever since I can remember. 

She’s a funny girl, your mom. She’s a creature of habits, long ones. When she loves something, she really does love it! From the homemade sea salt cookies from my favorite bookshop in town to the typical pistachio macaron from Maison Ladurée in Paris. It’s like they imprinted on me – your Godmother will explain this reference. 

            Anyway, the PhD is coming along - never without it’s battles of course. I’ve been under the weather for the last couple of days, which has taken an impact on my already low writing abilities. Wonder why I can write to you so easily? Maybe because you hold my heart, and this freckling paper doesn’t! I’m kidding, I think I’m more in love with the topic of my research than ever before. The second study in my PhD involves interviews with school principals and I must admit, it’s fun to talk to them! They are sweet most of the time, and their insights present valuable opportunities to learn. It’s coming along I guess, slowly, and challenging. 

            I found myself discussing the law of reciprocity last night. How you should give back only what is given to you. My sweet girl, I’ve told you before, I over-love ever since I can remember. Somehow the utopia of a society that is truly selfless and supportive of each other holds a very dear place in my heart. John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ is my happy place, I guess. However, I’ve learned that ‘Life is not fair, life is not about being happy. Life is about life.’ And that understanding allows me to apply the law more easily. I wonder how everyone comes to that conclusion you know. It’s so weird that the human being is wired to reach that conclusion by himself. 

I hope the world you live in has a little bit less of this inapt ability of fucking everything up. 

            Please baby, whoever you may end up being, be kind. There’s a line in Sarah Kay’s poem that goes: “And when they finally hand you heartbreak, slip hatred and war under your doorstep and hand you hand-outs on street corners of cynicism and defeat, you tell them that they really ought to meet your mother.” 

Love, 

Mom, January 12, 2024

[thornyrose463]

Exposed (Cobra Kai story): Chapter 5

At Cobra Kai’s flagship dojo, a training session was underway.  

Stingray walked into the dojo. His presence brought everyone to a halt.

“There he is. The man himself. An exemplar of everything Cobra Kai stands for. Loyalty. Discipline. Inner strength. After former Sensei Kreese's cowardly attack, most people would have crawled into a hole to hide. Not Stingray. He stood tall. Demanded justice. That's Cobra Kai. Let’s give him the welcome he deserves.” Terry told the Cobra Kai students.

The Cobra Kai students cheered for Stingray.

Terry looked at Tory. “Nichols, take over class. I need a word with my guy here.”

Tory stood in front of her fellow students.

Terry and Stingray walked into the office.

“How's the new place? Settling in?” Terry asked.

“Oh, yeah. Uh…Yes, Sensei. Thank you. Nobody ever rented me an apartment before. I feel like a kept woman.” Stingray said.

A kept woman was a woman who did not work but was instead given money and a place to live by the person she was having a sexual relationship with.

Terry chuckled. “Not at all. I want my loyal soldier living in style. It's the least I could do in light of your sacrifice.”

“Yeah.” Stingray said.

“And I tend to do more than the least. I’ve got a little surprise for you.” Terry said.

Stingray followed Terry to the parking lot and saw Johnny's 2009 Dodge Challenger.

“Oh, whoa. Heavy! Sensei Lawrence, my ex-sensei, used to have one just like it.” Stingray said.

“This was Sensei Lawrence's. My car guy found it at an impound auction. And now it's yours. Check the trunk.” Terry told Stingray.

Stingray opened the trunk and found his very own Cobra Kai gi.

Stingray chuckled. “Aw! That's...Dude, that's so cool.”

Johnny invited Miguel to join him and Sarah for lunch at Olive Garden.

Miguel arrived at Olive Garden. His eyes landed on Robby, who was sitting next to Sarah.

“Let me guess. Your dad invited you.” Miguel said.

“Yep.” Robby said.

“He didn't tell you I was coming?” Miguel asked. 

“Nope.” Robby said.

Miguel and Robby tried to leave, but Johnny stopped them. 

“Hey, hey. Where are you going? Sit down. Hear me out.”

Robby returned to his seat.

Miguel sat across from Robby. 

Johnny sat next to Miguel.

“All right, yeah, I lied to get you here. After the water park, I knew you wouldn't come willingly. I know you're in bitchy moods 'cause you broke up with your girlfriends. Since the Mexico thing felt like a small step in the right direction, I figured it might help if we went on another trip.” Johnny said.

“A trip? To a mall in Chatsworth?” Robby deadpanned.

A waiter arrived.

“Your body might be at a mall, my friend, but your taste buds are about to go on a tour of the old country.” The waiter said.

The waiter gestured to Johnny. “This guy knows what I’m talking about.”

“Yes, I do.” Johnny said.

The waiter spoke enthusiastically. “It doesn't matter where we go. The birthplace of culinary delight awaits. You want an Alfredo? Boom! We're in Rome. Ravioli? Tuscany it is. We’ve got to come back here for the chocolate lasagna, 'cause like baseball and Big Gulps, that's only in America.”

Johnny smiled.

Miguel and Robby were unimpressed. Miguel shook his head, and Robby stared at the waiter.

“Tell you what…” The waiter paused. “I'm going to get you guys breadsticks fresh out of the oven. I'll come right back. Done and done.”

The waiter walked towards the kitchen.

"Come on, guys. Guy gives that kind of effort, you just sit there looking pissed?" Johnny asked.

"It's not his effort I'm pissed at," Miguel muttered.

“Breadsticks aren't going to fix this.” Robby said.

"Spoken like a man who has never had the Garden's breadsticks. One bite, and you'll forget why you were ever mad at each other in the first place." Johnny said.

"Yeah, I'm never going to forget that." Miguel said.

"Neither am I." Robby said.

Miguel and Robby left.

Johnny sighed and buried his head in his hands.

“Good try, Dad.” Sarah stood up and gave Johnny a pat on the back before returning to her seat.

Sarah was wearing a green long-sleeved shirt, dark blue denim jeans, and green high-top Converse sneakers with white laces. Her naturally straight blonde hair was down. She had on a light amount of black eyeliner, a light amount of black mascara, and soft brown eyeshadow. Her lip balm was a pretty peach colour.

The waiter walked up to Johnny and Sarah’s table. He was holding a basket of breadsticks. 

"I'll give you a minute." The waiter said.

Johnny sighed. “Thanks.”

At his mansion, a haggard and unshaven Daniel drank bourbon while forlornly looking at a photo of his family.

Chozen approached Daniel.

“You slept late.” Chozen said.

“I went to bed late.” Daniel said.

“Daniel-san, family will return.” Chozen said.

“Sure about that?” Daniel asked.

“Hai. Family is most important thing to all of you. Strong bonds forged together.” Chozen said.

“Strong bonds, huh? And all it took was Terry Silver to break 'em.” Daniel said.

“That is why we must defeat him.” Chozen responded.

“Try selling that to Amanda. That son of a bitch knew exactly what he was doing. How could she not see through him? How does everyone not see through him?” Daniel asked.

Chozen began sorting through the mail. He came across a newspaper clipping about Kreese's conviction and Stingray’s testimony. The word “Liar” and an address were written on it. He passed it to Daniel.

“Where did this come from?” Daniel asked.

“With mail. No envelope. This is Cobra Kai sensei.” Chozen said.

“Was Cobra Kai sensei. Silver's partner before he was sent to prison for beating this guy half to death. Apparently, someone wants me to think there's more to the story.” Daniel said.

“We must speak with this man.” Chozen told Daniel.

“And then what? We get another furniture store burned down? For all we know, this is Silver sending us on a wild goose chase so he could screw up my life even worse.” Daniel said.

“Could be. Or could be answer to expose Silver and get family back. Best to see for ourselves.” Chozen responded.

At her house in Ohio, Joanne and Amanda were playing cribbage.  

“Okay, Mom, more cribbage, less marriage counseling.” Amanda told Joanne. 

“I'm just saying marriage became obsolete when we invented electricity and television.” Joanne said.

Someone knocked on the door.

Amanda got out of her seat.

Amanda turned to the staircase and yelled, “Sam, Anthony, let's go!”

Amanda looked at Joanne and asked, “You sure you don't want to come to dinner?”

“No. You and your cousin should catch up.” Joanne said.

Amanda walked towards the door. “Okey-dokey.”

Amanda opened the door and saw Jessica.

Jessica gasped. 

Amanda squealed happily.

“Oh, Mandy!” Jessica yelled.

“Jessie!” Amanda yelled.

Jessica entered the house and hugged Amanda.

Sam and Anthony walked down the stairs.

“Oh, my God! Look at you two!” Jessica yelled.

Sam smiled. “Hey.”

Jessica approached Sam and Anthony. “Bring it in. Give me some sugar.”

Sam and Anthony hugged Jessica. She kissed their foreheads.

“Oh, wow! Okay, where is your old man? I’ve got ten pounds of mac and cheese for him.” Jessica said.

"Uh, Dad didn't come with us." Sam said.

"He has a lot going on, so..." Amanda trailed off.

"Oh, well, I'm sure it'll keep if Aunt Jo puts it in the freezer." Jessica said.

Jessica handed a container of macaroni and cheese to Joanne.

"I'll try to have them back before curfew." Jessica said.

"Oh, I've heard that one before." Joanne responded.

"Okay, come on, you guys. Let's go." Jessica told Amanda, Sam, and Anthony.

Jessica, Amanda, Sam, and Anthony left.

Johnny and Miguel entered Johnny, Sarah, and Robby’s apartment.

Sarah was sitting in an armchair and texting Eli and Demetri about what happened at Olive Garden.

Johnny spoke to Miguel. “Relax. I told you, Robby’s not home.”

Miguel looked around. Boxes of beer cans were taped to one of the walls and blocked off the hallway, acting like two doors. On the wall above the makeshift doors was a piece of cardboard with the word Jail written on it.

“Yeah, okay. What's…Uh…What’s all this?” Miguel asked.

"Ah, don't worry about it." Johnny walked down the hallway. When he reached Robby's room, he knocked on the door. 

Robby walked out of his room, taking his headphones off.

Miguel looked annoyed. “You literally just said he wasn't here.”

Johnny shrugged. "Yeah, I lied again. Not my fault you fell for it twice."

Johnny walked to the kitchen counter and grabbed his laptop. 

“You guys are right. Tricking you into lunch wasn't my best effort, so I did some interneting. Found strategies for building trust and teamwork through cooperative exercises. The least lame one is called an escape room. How it works...” Johnny trailed off.

“I know what an escape room is. I'm not doing it.” Robby said.

“That goes double for me.” Miguel said.

Miguel walked to the door. He tried to turn the handle, but he couldn’t.

“I reversed the doorknobs. It's locked from the inside.” Johnny said.

Miguel sighed.

Johnny held up a key. “And this is the only key."

Johnny put the key in the sink and turned on the garbage disposal. "Glued the windows shut too. No one's getting out unless you work together.”

"You do realize that you trapped me in here too, right?" Sarah asked Johnny. He ignored her.

“Now, as I was saying, the way it works is…You start with a theme, okay? Our theme is the Lincoln County War." Johnny said.

Johnny pressed a button on the radio. Rock music started playing.

“New Mexico territory, 1878. Lincoln County regulators José Chávez y Chávez and Josiah "Doc" Scurlock have been arrested to be hanged.” Johnny said.

Johnny looked at Miguel. “You're Chávez, obviously.”

“This is the plot of Young Guns 2.” Miguel said.

"Shit. You saw it?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah. With you and Sarah." Miguel said.

“Dad, you're missing the point. You could lock us in forever, and we're never going to be friends.” Robby said.

“Why are you suddenly pushing this so hard?” Miguel asked.

“Because me and your mom...” Johnny paused. “We're all sort of on our way to becoming a family.”

“A family? Me and him? Are you joking?” Miguel asked.

"Okay, maybe not the traditional kind." Johnny said.

"No, not any kind. You, him, and Sarah have your thing. Whatever. Keep forcing this, all you'll do is get his ass kicked." Robby responded.

Miguel turned to Robby. "Ready whenever you are, runner-up."

Robby glared at Miguel. "Name the time and place."

Rosa entered the apartment. She was dressed as a cowgirl.

Rosa spoke. "I am Billy the Kid, and I have a few riddles for you."

Miguel walked out of the apartment.

Robby walked to his room.

Sarah got out of her seat and walked to her room.

Rosa spoke to Johnny in Spanish. Her words translated to “I screwed up.”

“No, Rosa. I did. Again.” Johnny said.

Rosa walked towards the door.

“Don't close the door!” Johnny yelled. 

Rosa closed the door.

“Shit,” Johnny muttered.

Daniel’s car was parked outside of Stingray’s apartment complex.

Daniel was looking at his unanswered texts to Amanda.

Chozen spoke to Daniel in Japanese. His words translated to "Heart is most essential quality."

“Amanda-san knows your heart.” Chozen said.

“I appreciate what you're trying to do, but really, I’m not in the mood for platitudes right now. I just want this all over with.” Daniel said.

Stingray parked Johnny’s old car outside of the complex. 

“That's Johnny's old car. Kreese put this guy in a coma, and now he's driving around in a Cobra Kai billboard on wheels?” Daniel asked.

Daniel and Chozen followed Stingray to his apartment.

“Oh, shit,” Stingray muttered. 

Stingray sighed.

“Can I help you?” Stingray asked.

“Raymond Porter? I'm Daniel LaRusso.” Daniel said.

I know who you are, Mr. LaRusso. Your muscle, on the other hand...” Stingray trailed off.

“We saw you drive up in a pretty unique set of wheels. Where did you get 'em?” Daniel asked.

“My car guy found that at an impound auction.” Stingray said.

“I'm sure you can see how that sounds a little strange after what Kreese did to you.” Daniel said.

“Kreese...No. Cobra Kai has completely changed since Sensei Silver took over. Now it’s about loyalty and discipline.” Stingray said.

“You have a trust fund, Raymond? Is that what's going on here?” Daniel asked.

“I mean...What? No. You are looking at a…Uh…100 percent American-made, blue-collar man.” Stingray said.

“Seeing how you're throwing money around. New apartment. New car. Ninja-level gaming station.” Daniel said.

“Oh, I wish. Ninja's setup is just beyond. And my finances are between me and TurboTax.” Stingray said.

“You know what I think? I think you lied about Kreese. Silver paid you to do it so he could have Cobra Kai to himself.” Daniel said.

Stingray scoffed. “That's...I don't know how you...You’ve got to really leap to...”

Daniel held up the newspaper clipping. “Why would someone leave this in my mailbox?”

“Uh, look, I...No. You know what? I don't know why someone left that in your mailbox, okay? A-All I know is that Sensei Silver is an honourable man. He felt terrible for what happened.” Stingray said.

Daniel put the newspaper clipping away.

“Sensei Silver came after my family. That's the kind of man he is.” Daniel said.

“Well, if that is true, then you must have done something to deserve it.” Stingray said.

“You're going to give me a God damn straight answer!” Daniel yelled.

Daniel advanced on Stingray, who fell backwards and crushed his PS4.

Stingray stood up and groaned. “Oh, no. My PlayStation.”

“Who gives a shit about your PlayStation?” Daniel snapped.

“Daniel-san, enough. You are not yourself.” Chozen escorted Daniel out of the apartment.

Daniel and Chozen walked towards Daniel’s car.

“He's obviously full of shit.” Daniel said.

“Hai. He's also no stingray. He is turtle. If pressed, he will retreat further into shell.” Chozen said.

“You're right. He's bought and paid for. This guy's never going help us.” Daniel said.

Chozen nodded in agreement. “Mmm.”

“But I know someone who can.” Daniel said.

After dinner, Jessica took Amanda, Sam, and Anthony to a bar. She told Sam and Anthony to play video games while she and Amanda caught up. They were interrupted by a group of women who went to the same high school as Amanda. The women taunted Amanda about the time she wrecked her math tutor's car with a baseball bat. Jessica dismissed the bullies before telling Amanda to explain what happened with Daniel.

Johnny was trying to unseal the window he glued shut for the escape room exercise. He heard someone knocking on the door.

“You have to open it from out there,” Johnny called out.

Daniel opened the door and walked through it. “Hey.”

“LaRusso?” Johnny asked.

Johnny looked Daniel up and down. "Oh, you look like shit."

"I need your help. I think Silver paid Stingray to lie about Kreese's attack. He's driving your old Cobra Kai mobile." Daniel said.

"What?" Johnny asked.

"He joined Cobra Kai back when it was still your dojo, right? You get him to flip, we might take Silver down for good. Time to get back in the game." Daniel told Johnny.

“Sorry. I'm dealing with family stuff. I washed my hands of Cobra Kai when we lost the tournament.” Johnny said.

"What? Y-You started the whole Cobra Kai thing. If you hadn't brought it back, then none of this would be happening. You opened Pandora's box, not me." Daniel said.

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first human woman. Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to the humans. Zeus wanted to punish the humans. Zeus got Hephaestus to make a woman out of clay. Zeus breathed life into her, and some of the other gods gave her their greatest gifts. Aphrodite gave her beauty and charm. Apollo taught her how to sing and play the lyre. Demeter taught her gardening. Poseidon gave her a pearl necklace and promised she would never drown. Athena gave her cleverness and curiosity. Athena also taught her weaving and other crafts. Hermes gave her deceitfulness. She was sent to Prometheus' brother, Epimetheus. Prometheus had warned Epimetheus not to accept any gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus could not resist Pandora. He decided to marry Pandora. Zeus gave Pandora a box and told her not to open it. Pandora opened the box, unleashing pain, disease, sorrow, jealousy, greed, cunning, and malice. Zeus' vengeance was therefore fulfilled. However, he felt somewhat ashamed of his vengeance. Hope remained inside of the box so that the humans wouldn’t succumb to despair and would always believe in a better future. From this story came the idiom "to open Pandora's box," meaning to do or start something that would cause many unforeseen problems.

"Listen, I don't know who Pandora is or what's in her box, but I got Robby out of there, and Kreese is in jail. That’s a win as far as I'm concerned. It’s best to leave well enough alone." Johnny responded.

“What about the other kids? And since when do you ever leave well enough alone? What happened to the ‘strike first’ badass? Do I need to kick his ass to wake him up, or was just one tournament loss all it took to turn you into a pussy?” Daniel asked.

“What are you doing? You show up out of the blue, raving like a lunatic, you reek of booze, and now you want to fight me ‘cause I don't want to get pulled back into this rivalry? What's going on with you, man?” Johnny asked.

Daniel sighed and sat on the couch. "What the hell am I doing?"

Johnny walked to the fridge and grabbed two bottles of beer.

The words Coors Banquet were emblazoned on the bottles.

"If you think I'm off the rails..." Daniel trailed off.

Johnny walked over to Daniel and handed him one of the bottles.

Johnny sat in an armchair.

"Way off. Look at you. Your shirt's not even tucked in. Amanda let you leave the house like that?" Johnny asked.

“She wasn't there to stop me. I finally pushed her past her limit. She's at her mother's house in Ohio. She took the kids with her. I left her a bunch of bourbon-soaked messages last night, but she hasn't called me back yet.” Daniel said.

“We both know I'm not the guy you come to for advice on this stuff. Family has never been my strong suit, but it is yours. That always annoyed me. I'm sure you and Amanda have your hiccups, but you always get over 'em. There’s no reason to think you're not going to get through this, as long as you keep your head out of your ass.” Johnny said.

“That's...” Daniel paused. “A valid point.”

Daniel looked at the makeshift doors and the piece of cardboard with the word Jail written on it.

“Do I want to ask what's going on here, or...” Daniel trailed off.

“Robby moved in. He and Miguel are at each other's throats again. This was my dumb idea to get them to iron it out. It crashed and burned.” Johnny said.

Johnny chuckled. “So much for Goggle's advice on conflict resolution.”

Daniel was tempted to say “it’s Google, not Goggle”, but he didn’t.

“Hmm. I’m surprised you know how to ‘goggle,’ or the phrase ‘conflict resolution.’ Obviously, you care a lot about them both, so I have a pretty good feeling you're going to work it out, whether it be with the computer savvy, new Johnny approach or something a little more…Johnny Classic.” Daniel said.

“Johnny Classic, huh? I didn't think you were a fan of his.” Johnny said.

“Yeah, well, he's starting to grow on me. Tell anyone I said that, we really are going to fight again. And I'm not talking tournament rules. Maybe that's how we should have done it all those years ago. If we hadn't had to stop at three points, we might have gotten this out of our systems.” Daniel said.

“I might have. Three points were all you had in you.” Johnny said.

Daniel laughed. “There he is.”

Daniel walked towards the door. “All right. On that note, thanks for the banquet. And…Um, the perspective.”

“That's what I'm here for.” Johnny said.

“All right.” Daniel walked through the door.

At the bar in Ohio, Sam showed Anthony a video of him being kicked into the pool at Splasharama Water Adventure, which had gone viral. She asked him why he didn't come to her for help. He told her that he didn't want her to fight his battles. He said that he might have deserved it. He explained his conflict with Kenny. He told Sam that when he tried to apologize at the tournament, Kenny lashed out at him, and Robby intervened and prevented things from getting worse. Sam said that she didn’t know this. Amanda told Jessica what was going on with Daniel. Jessica choked on her beer when Amanda mentioned Terry. Jessica talked about Daniel’s history with Terry. Jessica told Amanda that she and Daniel were frequently terrorized by Terry’s hired henchmen. Amanda said that she hadn’t heard this story before. The bullies returned and teased Amanda with her old nickname, Babe Ruthless. Jessica told them off, and a fight broke out. The bullies ganged up on Amanda. Sam came to Amanda’s rescue, allowing her, Amanda, Anthony, and Jessica to escape.

At the LaRusso family’s mansion, Chozen was packing a bag.

“You almost packed?” Daniel asked.

“Daniel-san, we must not give up.” Chozen told Daniel. 

“I understand how you feel. As much as I can't stomach the thought of letting Silver win, it's not worth losing my family over. Nothing is.” Daniel said.

Chozen frowned. “I have failed you.”

“No. The opposite. You have gone above and beyond. Any failures were mine alone. I'm only sorry I wasted your time.” Daniel said.

Chozen smiled. “Defending honour of Miyagi-Do never a waste of time, nor is helping friend.”

Daniel sighed. “I won't be able to sleep tonight unless I make amends with Raymond. I'm going to go take care of that while you finish packing. Then we'll head to the airport. Maybe I’ll start planning a LaRusso family trip to come visit you. Assuming I can make amends with them too.”

“I know you will, Daniel-san.” Chozen said.

At her, Johnny, and Robby’s apartment, Sarah was sitting in an armchair and drinking a glass of water. She heard an air horn. She set her glass aside and walked out of the apartment. Robby wasn’t far behind. Their eyes landed on Johnny and Miguel.

"What the hell is going on out here?" A man asked.

"Mind your business, dirtbag. Beat it." Johnny snapped.

The man stepped back, closing his door.

Johnny pointed at Robby and Miguel. "You two, stay put."

“Are you kidding me, Dad?” Robby asked.

“I don't know how many times...” Miguel trailed off.

"Quiet!" Johnny yelled. "You want to hang on to your grudge? Fine. But at least be a man about it and put your fists where your mouths are."

"You want us to do what?" Robby asked.

"Fight it out. No points. No mats. Just keep fighting until you get it all out of your systems." Johnny responded.

"What? Here? Now?" Miguel asked.

"It's a time. This is a place. Unless that was all just talk," Johnny said, raising an eyebrow.

“Not for me.” Miguel said.

“Or me.” Robby said.

"All right, let's get on with it." Johnny told Robby and Miguel.

Johnny took a step backward.

Sarah took a step backward.

Robby got in a fighting position.

Miguel got in a fighting position.

Miguel kicked Robby in the face, causing his nose to bleed. Robby kicked Miguel’s leg. He fell. He got back up.

"Come on. Is that all you’ve got? I thought you guys were sworn enemies." Johnny said.

Miguel punched and kicked Robby a few times. After kicking Miguel in the side, Robby kicked him through the door that led to the stairwell.

"Hey! Stairwell's out of bounds!" Johnny yelled. 

Robby and Miguel started fighting on the balcony of the second floor.

"All right, that's it! Fight’s over!" Johnny yelled. 

The fight continued. Robby tried to punch Miguel, but Miguel dodged the punch. Miguel punched Robby in the face, causing him to stagger backwards.

“Robby! Miguel! Knock it off!” Johnny yelled.

Robby was nearly leaning over the railing. Miguel was holding Robby’s shirt and repeatedly punching him in the face.

“Shit, shit!” Johnny yelled.

Johnny and Sarah ran up the stairs.

Robby looked at Miguel with fear in his eyes. Miguel let out a yell and lowered his fists. He panted as he backed away from Robby.

Robby panted as he got in an upright position.

“Why'd you hold back?” Robby asked.

“I didn't get into karate to hurt people. I did it to be a badass and find balance.” Miguel said.

“Yeah, I understand that.” Robby said.

“Last time we fought like this…Uh, how come you didn't hold back?” Miguel asked.

“I wanted to finish the fight. I mean, not like that. I just…I…I had tunnel vision, and I got so angry that I just…” Robby paused. “I mean, I barely knew where we were. I'd take it back in a second if I could. I was the cause of the worst moment in your life. If it's any consolation, it was the worst moment in my life too.”

Miguel smiled. “Yeah, I'll take it.”

“So, is it over? Are you guys good?” Johnny asked.

Miguel and Robby nodded.

Johnny let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank God. If you still hated each other when the baby gets here...” Johnny trailed off.

“Baby?” Sarah asked.

“Wait. What? Like, you and my mom?” Miguel asked.

Johnny sighed. “Yeah, we're…Uh, having a baby. We were supposed to tell you together, so act surprised.”

"Holy shit!" Miguel yelled excitedly.

“Yeah, like that.” Johnny said.

Robby smiled. "Dad, that's…That's awesome."

Sarah, Robby, and Miguel hugged Johnny.

Amanda, Sam, Anthony, and Jessica were at White Castle. Sam and Anthony were eating potato chips, and Amanda and Jessica were drinking milkshakes.

Anthony raved about Sam’s fighting skills. “That was like an action movie. You were like Jean-Claude Van Sam.”

Sam giggled. “I can teach you if you want.”

“I thought you were done with karate.” Anthony said.

“Yeah, me too. I don't know. I guess I just wanted things to go back to the way they were before karate overtook everything, but the reality is…” Sam paused. “There will always be assholes and bullies in the world. Sometimes, it's nice to know how to fight back against them. I know chores aren't really your thing, but we could fast-forward past them. Don't tell Dad.”

“No problem. I’ve been lying to him for years.” Anthony said.

Sam and Anthony laughed.

“A couple of good eggs there. But Sam? Whoo! Girl has skills.” Jessica said.

“It's in her blood, I guess.” Amanda said.

“I'll say. So is…Uh, protecting her loved ones. That one she gets from the both of you.” Jessica said.

“Mm-hmm. And the larger point you're clearly trying to make is?” Amanda asked.

“We just got into a bar fight! Over nothing.” Jessica said.

Amanda and Jessica laughed.

“Daniel, on the other hand, has every reason to hate Terry Silver after what he put him through. I still have nightmares myself sometimes.” Jessica said.

“So, you're saying I should cut him some slack?” Amanda asked.

“Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying.” Jessica said.

Johnny, Sarah, Robby, and Miguel were in the Diaz family’s kitchen.

Johnny put the basket of Olive Garden breadsticks on the table.

"All right, dig in." Johnny told Sarah, Robby, and Miguel.

Sarah was sitting next to Robby.

Johnny sat next to Miguel.

Johnny grabbed a breadstick.

Sarah grabbed a breadstick.

Robby grabbed a breadstick.

Miguel grabbed a breadstick.

Robby took a bite of his breadstick. "Wow. You weren't kidding about the breadsticks, Dad."

“I wouldn't lie to you.” Johnny said. Sarah raised an eyebrow at him. “Three times in one day.”

Carmen walked through the door.

Sarah smiled. “Hi, Carmen.”

Carmen smiled. “Hi.”

“Hi, Ms. Diaz. I hope it's cool I'm here.” Robby said. 

Carmen smiled. “It's very cool. You're welcome here anytime, Robby.”

Carmen walked over to Miguel and kissed the top of his head. “Hola, amor.”

Miguel smiled. “Hola.”

Carmen and Johnny walked away from Sarah, Robby, and Miguel.

“These guys are getting along now? How did you manage that?” Carmen asked. “Don't tell me the bruises on their faces mean you beat them into submission.” 

“No, of course not. They beat each other into submission. Don't worry. It was all supervised. It was actually LaRusso's idea.” Johnny said.

“I didn't know you and Daniel were working together again.” Carmen said.

“We weren't. But I think we might need to.” Johnny said.

Daniel arrived at Stingray’s apartment late at night with a new PS4. Instead of seeing Stingray, he saw Terry. Daniel told Terry that he didn’t come to fight and yielded the Valley to him. Terry told Daniel that his plans went far beyond the Valley and gloated about how easy it was to disrupt Daniel's marriage. When Terry suggested wooing Sam and Anthony into Cobra Kai, Daniel attacked him. As Daniel battled with Terry, he struck the wall behind Terry, bloodying his knuckles, much like Terry forced him to do when he was a teenager. Using Daniel's rage against him, Terry defeated him and left him out cold on the floor, but not before telling him that the real pain was about to begin.

Tory and Kreese were in the visitation room at the prison.

“Everything was supposed to be better after the tournament. But it's only getting worse. I'm becoming someone I don't want be. I'm hiding the truth from someone I care about. I'm lying to someone I fear. I'm delivering anonymous notes that could put people in danger. There must be another way. Or at least somebody else out there who wants to be in this fight. Just tell me there's an endgame to this. I need to know it's not all for nothing.” Tory said.

“There is an endgame, kid. Silver's going down. Only he doesn't know it yet.” Kreese said.

[sarah-dipitous]

Hellsite Nostalgia Tour 2023 Day 194

Rock and a Hard Place/The Rings of Akhaten

“Rock and a Hard Place”

Plot Description: Sheriff Mills calls the brothers to help solve the murder of a church chastity group’s members. They infiltrate the group, then Dean disappears

Would I Survive the First Five Minutes??: asexuality 👏and👏chastity 👏aren’t👏the👏same👏thing👏 though $20 says she “broke her chastity vow and is being punished” which is already bullshit but anyway, I’m safe

I appreciate the reminder that Kevin exists

Well, I wasn’t gonna mention that whatever abducted that girl had………..some kind of blue fire power but I guess if the one witness mentions it, I should too

They said it can’t be an angel because it wasn’t a white light but the one who exploded those people a couple episodes ago didn’t use white light either

Oh wow. This church is messed up. And I don’t trust this last one bit. She’s TOO sweet. It’s almost sickly

I’m dying at Dean being…kind of a virgin for the third time in his life: original time, after coming back from hell, and now that he’s taken this vow of purity at the church. Talk about it being a construct

Fascinating (and somewhat unsurprising but in a very disappointing way) that everyone in this group besides Sam and Dean is a woman……..

Uh, Dean…….you cannot just write a spicy romance novel scene (poorly) in front of all these extremely repressed women

God this feels like a season two episode. Dean trying to hook up with some woman (this time the chastity counselor) while Sam actually does the work they’re there to do

I knew it was………….oh Jody, she’s still finding out all the things that exist. It’s gonna be a long couple days for her. She just found out angels and dragons are real

I really hope he gets hella shot down. I’m not saying that I like the idea of the chastity group but to INTENTIONALLY go after a woman who has dedicated so much of her time and energy into this. If this is her choice, I gotta respect that. AND SO SHOULD YOU, DEAN

I hope she’s absolutely playing him…goddammit. Talk about a lame fade to black would be sex scene that only serves to get Dean kidnapped by whatever this is

I just…like everything happening topside is buddy comedy shit, and everything happening in this not a virgin cellar is a REAL horror movie

Omg one…Sammy I love you but your blood is not going to count as virgin’s blood here. Don’t like Jody using her position as a sheriff to be able to punch this poor woman in the face to get her blood for the weapon

How many of these people are going to stay with their evangelical church when they find out their being held captive by a Roman goddess

I KNEW SHE WASN’T TO BE TRUSTED. That said…….she’s delightfully evil

Jody just did to Vesta what Horikoshi did to my boyyyyy

It’s GOOD that Sam is starting to piece together that there’s something wrong with him. BAD that Dean keeps lying to him. I DO NOT TRUST ZEKE

“The Rings of Akhaten”

Plot Description: the Doctor takes Clara to the Festival of Offerings, but the Old God demands a sacrifice!

Sarah Stop Watching Doctor Who at Eleven PM Challenge Difficulty: impossible

Noooooooooo is the Doctor watching all of Clara’s childhood?? No. Why? That’s so weird. Like…were you also somehow outside her parents’ house the night she was conceived?? YOU’RE BEING WEIRD AND GROSS, DOC

There she goessssss acting like a NORMAL companion, not knowing what’s going on and running around an alien planet without the Doctor’s knowledge but trying to help someone in need

Just a thought: maybe we shouldn’t be holding festivals where children get sacrificed. I dunno

It’s a VAMPIRE???

No. It’s not. The old god is this FUCKING SUN

It’s not the quantity, it’s the quality of the sacrifice. The Doctor can offer all the memories he wants to be rid of, but all of the hopes and dreams Clara’s mom had? That got passed on to her? There are so many. Too many

[tkwrites]

Private Lessons - Quinn Hughes x Sarah (ofc)

Photo from Pinterest

Title: Private Lessons

Author: Tory / @tkwrites 

Relationship: Quinn Hughes x Sarah (OFC) 

Warnings: None? If I should add any, please let me know. 

Summary: As requested by @eyesthatroll, Quinn teaches Sarah to skate.

Word Count: 3,300

Comments: After taking a bit of a breather, I’m back with a requested fic. 2 months after you requested it, your wish is my command, Mari. I hope you enjoy it!

This was an interesting exercise for me to write something requested by someone else that wasn’t necessarily my own idea. I wrestled with it and got in my head a lot about it, but ultimately, I like the result I finally came to. 

Thanks for your patience and support. Please let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see in their universe! I can’t guarantee I’ll write it, but I love the inspiration and challenge these requests bring! 

eyesthatroll asked: tory!! i absolutely adore your writing 🥹 maybe if it’s in your wheelhouse, you could write quinn teaching sarah to skate (or them going skating together) for the first time. i think that would be very adorable 😭 it’s totally fine if that’s not in the cards for the series though, don’t feel pressured! love ya! 🫶🏽

Private Lessons

A Quinn & Sarah Snapshot

At the end of every season we have a family skate. It's on the 15th. I'd like to bring you if you can come. 

Sarah knew this was a bigger deal than his crafted to be casual text was letting on. If it really was casual, he would have mentioned it before he left for the three game road trip.

She also knew dating a hockey player meant she would have to face her fear and past failure eventually. Even if a team event wasn't involved, it was such a big part of Quinns life. She wouldn't be able to avoid it forever. 

Does everyone skate? 

Usually yeah. Not all of the partners do, but most. 

I've never skated before. 

Really? 

Desert flower, remember? she sent with a picture of a blooming cactus. 

He laughed. There are lots of different skill levels there. People bring their kids and stuff.

Meaning what? That I'll be the only adult with training wheels? 

No wheels ;)��

She sent a gif of someone rolling their eyes. I'd love to go with you, but I really don't want to be the only one who doesn't know what they're doing. Could I persuade you to give me some private lessons? 

I guess that depends on what you’re willing to give me. ;) 

I mean, there’s not much I wouldn’t give you. What do you want? 

A long pause passed in their conversation. When she finally read his response on her way home, her cheeks pinked so much, she had to put her phone in her bag for fear of giving herself away on the train. 

That’s how they ended up at a mostly empty training rink the Wednesday night after he got home. 

She found him waiting for her in the lobby, surrounded by a swarm of kids all jockeying for his attention. It looked like a whole little league team was getting out of practice or a game right as he arrived. They were so excited, acting as if he came in just to see them. 

Sarah waited off to the side, watching him sign autographs and give advice, and talk to each of them. She was tired and hungry, but seeing Quinn in this element gave her a new side of him to admire. He was patient and kind, and invested. She remembered him telling her how he always liked to talk to kids because he remembered how much it meant to him when his favorite players were willing to stop and talk. Seeing that quite literally come full circle was a gift she hadn’t expected to see.  

When he finally looked up and met her gaze, he flashed her a grin and mouthed, thank you. 

Smiling in return, she nodded to an empty room off to the side before settling in with her laptop to work on her publication. 

A big sigh announced his presence a while later, as Quinn slid down the wall to sit next to her on the floor. “Sorry about that,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and pressing a kiss to her temple. 

“It’s fine. I always have stuff to work on, and seeing you with the kids is sweet.” 

“Winning me some brownie points?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows. 

“Like you even need them.”

Sarah closed her laptop and turned her head so they could finally say hello properly. 

He pulled her close to deepen the kiss. Even though he'd gotten back in town after midnight the night before, they hadn’t seen each other until now. He'd debated going to the aquarium after practice, but remembered they wouldn't let him back without a pass the last time he’d tried. Besides, he didn’t want to interrupt her work so close to finals. 

The urge to climb into his lap was so strong, Sarah had to pull back from the kiss before she made a public spectacle of herself. 

“I missed you,” he said, trailing a finger from her cheekbone to her jaw. It felt like the road trip was finally over now that she was back in his arms.

“I missed you, too.” 

“I have to confess something,” Sarah blurted, nerves eating her from the inside out as he showed her how to tie her skates.

Quinn looked up from pulling her laces tight.

“I’ve been skating before.” 

One of his eyebrows cocked up, “you have, have you?” 

“It was terrible. It was on a first date with this guy when I was a freshman, and I’m pretty certain the only reason he suggested it was so he could get his hands on me.” 

Quinn wrapped his hand around her calf and joked, “I guess it’s a good thing I’ve already had my hands on you, then.” 

“You’re not mad?” she said, surprised.

“About what? That I’m not popping your ice skating cherry?” 

Laughter barked out of her mouth before she explained, “no, that I lied. I mean, I didn’t really lie. We went on ice, on skates, but no real skating was involved.”

“Now I feel like you’re lying,” his voice was teasing. 

“After half a wobbly, too touchy lap, I fell and broke my wrist.” 

The bemused smile dropped off his lips, “oh my god, Sarah, why didn’t you tell me before?” 

Her bottom jaw moved as she worried the inside of her lower lip. “I didn't know when it would come up.” she said. “I mean, if anyone can teach me to skate, you can. But that's why I wanted it to be just us first.” 

“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve broken lots of bones skating,” he said, stroking her leg. 

She smiled tightly. “I bet none of those were from you falling down.” 

“I don’t know, maybe? You’d have to ask my mom, but I fell plenty when I was learning, that’s really normal.” 

“It just feels like one of those things that I'll never live down, you know?”

“Well, you and I are the only ones that know now.” 

“Yeah and Josh Jackson and all those people at the Reno rec rink.” 

“You keep in touch with everyone who was there that night?” he joked, hoping she would see how ridiculous her worry was. 

A hand flew up to cover her face as she blushed. “I guess it just lives in my head every time I think about ice skating.” 

“I know the feeling, but it was one time seven years ago, right? And you’ve got a better teacher, now.” 

She dropped her hands so she could meet his gaze, giving him a hopeful smile. 

He changed the subject. “Are these too tight? Can you move your toes?”

“Yeah. I mean, no they're not too tight.”

He smiled, stood and held out a hand, “come on. I can't promise you won't fall, but I'll do my best.” 

As they walked through the tunnel to the rink, she said, “This is the weirdest feeling.”

“It can't be worse than wearing heels.”

“Have you ever worn heels?”

“Well, no,” he admitted. 

“Then you can't say a damn thing about it. At least in heels, the ball of your foot is on the ground. With this, it's like my feet are suddenly half an inch wide.”

“You're thinking too much.”

“What am I supposed to do, not think?”

“Don't think so much,” he said, stopping at the boards and turning around. “Okay, I'm going to get on and help you on, okay?”

She nodded. 

He bit back his smile at the determination on her face. “It's slippery, so be prepared.”

“Gee, thanks, Hughes,” she said, flatly. “I had no idea ice is slippery.”

He laughed. She’d never called him by his last name. Of course it would come out when she was nervous. 

“I'll have you the whole time. I won't let you go until you tell me to,” he promised, reaching to help her through. 

She stepped on and immediately over corrected, jerking back. 

He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her against him to keep them upright. “Calm down,” he said, trying to sound soothing. “I know it's a weird feeling.” 

In all actuality, he didn't know. He'd been skating so long it sometimes felt easier than walking.

 “Just hold on and let me pull you.” 

Skating backwards, he took her on a lap. Her fingers were hooked around his elbows, so he was forced to awkwardly hold the backs of her arms.

“Can you relax? I’ve got you.” 

She glanced down and felt her legs wobble. Visions of the ice rushing up to kiss her on the temple made her dizzy. 

“Look at me,” he said in a voice that couldn’t be ignored. 

Sarah met his eyes. The dim lights over the rink made them a sort of muddy green she’d never seen before. 

“If you keep looking down, you’re going to fall,” he said. “You go toward what you look at.” 

“I just want to make sure my feet are right.”

“Do you have to watch your feet when you’re walking?” 

“Well, no, but this is new.” 

“Sure, but once you get over the fact that you’re on the ice and used to your skates, it’ll start to feel more natural.”

“Yeah, I’ll just get over that.” 

He shook his head, and moved on. “Okay, start picking your feet up like you’re walking.” 

“Like I’m walking?” she repeated. “That seems really counterintuitive.” 

“It’s not that different from walking, you're just gliding instead.”

She leveled him with a deadpan, sarcastic look.

She was about to ask him how she was supposed to walk when she couldn’t lift her heel or push off with the ball of her foot, when she realized arguing his syntax wasn't going to get her anywhere. This was a case where she had to swallow her pride and ask for what she needed. 

“Can you break it down, like the physics of it, for me?” she asked. “It helps me to see all the steps before I do something.”

As he talked her through the mechanics of skating forward, she held onto his arm. She had so many questions he’d never considered, like how he used his edges to push off. 

Skating was so automatic on his part, he didn’t even have to think about it. He’d never had to break down what he was doing like this. 

Seeing how his legs worked up close and in slower motion helped her envision doing the same things herself. 

“Okay, come back here.” 

He moved in front of her again. 

“You make that look so easy,” she said, a bit of a whine in her voice. 

“Sarah,” he said, swallowing the bite in his tone, “I've been doing this for twenty years. I do this for a living. I'd hope I make It look easy. I couldn't take over writing one of your papers, or come into the aquarium and start taking care of Walter.”

“Yeah,” she said, resigned. 

“I know it's frustrating that you can't pick this up right away, but no one can. You can’t read your way into skating well.”

That touched a nerve and she glared at him. 

He let go of one of her hands so he could hold his up in surrender. “All I mean is that you just have to physically get used to it. How long did it take you to perfect your golf swing?” 

“That’s different.” 

“How is that different?” 

“I started that as a kid.”

“So? You can learn things now. You learn new things all the time.” 

“Yeah. It just feels so daunting. I really don’t want to look like an idiot in front of all your teammates.”

“No one will care. They’re just excited to see you. We can come back every night I’m in town if you want. Or you can just not skate.” 

That caused distress to fly over her face. “No. I can’t do that.” 

“Why not?” He glanced behind him out of habit, even though there was no one else on the ice. It was a clean sheet too, freshly zambonied after the pee-wee hockey game that ended right before they arrived. Perfect learning conditions. 

Sarah recentered herself by pulling a breath down her spine, “this is such a big part of your life. I want to be able to participate.” 

“Yeah?” he asked, a half smile lifting the right side of his mouth. 

“Yeah, and like you said, I have a better teacher now.” 

“Tell me about your day,” he said.  

“Okay,” she answered, dubious of his intentions. 

“It’ll help you to stop thinking about what your body’s doing. I think you’ll find it will sort itself out if you let it.” 

He could tell she didn’t really believe him, but went ahead anyway, telling him about the little boy at the aquarium that afternoon who had insisted he’d caught an octopus as big as Walter and thrown it back the last time he and his mom had gone fishing. 

“I mean, maybe he did,” she said, shrugging. “But his teacher gave me this look like, ‘don’t believe a single word he says’. I felt bad, She just looked so tired of him.” 

Quinn laughed and decided not to point out that she was skating perfectly naturally now that she was out of her head about it. “What happened in class?” 

“Well, even if I get a C on my comparative physiology final, I’ll still pass the class.” 

“That’s huge, Sarah,” he said. 

“Yeah, it's such a relief, but then, Paul dropped that he's adding a test on top of our publication. Thankfully it’s not a huge part of my grade, but still, more on the pile. He’s calling it a review, but that just means it’ll cover everything we’ve studied this term.” 

“That doesn’t seem fair for him to add that at the last second.” 

“Well, he can do what he wants, so,” she shrugged. “He said he thinks we need it. I think he's just being a controlling jackass.” 

“Can't you report him or something?”

“For what?”

“For changing the syllabus so late.”

“Well, he's the head of the program, so I can't complain to him, plus if I went to the dean, I'm pretty certain she'd tell me ‘this is graduate school, and you should grow up.’” 

Quinn winced. 

“Yeah. He's just a dick because he can be. He’s the lord over this little kingdom and he wants us all to know it.” 

She shook her head, “I’m sorry, we can be done talking about him.”

“You can keep complaining if you want.”

“No, it's okay. It just makes me more mad, which makes me not want to study, which only shoots me in the foot.” 

“Okay,” Quinn said, “I think you’re ready for me to be next to you.”

“What?” 

“Yeah, you’ve been skating fine for the last five minutes.” 

She looked down as if to confirm, “I have?” 

“It’s not like you were standing still.” 

“But you’ve been pulling me.” 

“I was, but I’ve mostly just been holding your hand, keeping distance. You've been moving yourself forward.”

“Really?” Shaking her head, Sarah laughed a little to herself, “you really are a better teacher.”

He gave her a wink and spun to stand next to her. 

“Keep talking,” he encouraged. 

“About what?” 

She didn’t know what to look at now. There were empty stands, and scratched glass, and the whole smooth sheet of ice, lines etching a curving lacey pattern around the perimeter. 

“Whatever you want.”

“I don't -” glancing down, she remembered his advice and jerked up. The sudden movement caused her to promptly fall on her rear with a frustrated grunt.

Her hands fell to her sides in a gesture that said, why is this so hard for me? 

“You're doing great.”

“I just fell down.”

“So? I fall all the time. You just need to learn to get back up.”

He did fall, and she was always so impressed with his ability to just pop back up and continue playing as if nothing happened. 

He coached her back onto her feet, and they continued around the rink as he told her about the road trip he’d just come home from. Only five days away, but the comeback overtime loss and two wins made it a huge confidence builder. 

He admitted that though some of the strain was lessened for the next month with their guaranteed spot in the finals, he still felt so much pressure to perform. 

“There was this moment on Friday, though, where we were just gelling, you know, and it felt like ‘we deserve this now.’” 

“Of course you deserve it. You work your ass off for that team, Quinn.” 

Throwing her a thankful smile, he said, “I mean we all do it together.”

“And you’re a big reason everyone is buying in.” 

“Look at you, learning hockey talk.” 

“That is something I can read my way into.” she joked. “Plus your mom explained a bunch of the idioms to me.” 

He laughed. 

She fell twice more, but got up each time. The last time, she even managed to do it without his help. 

“You’re doing great,” he praised, moving in front of her again, “you’ll be a natural in no time.” 

Pulling herself to him with their clasped hands she winked, “it's because I have the best teacher.” 

She was close enough now that he would just have to lean in to kiss her. He did, because he could. They were apart so much, it only made sense to take advantage when they were together. 

Whenever people kissed on ice rinks in movies, Sarah was always struck with what a dumb idea it was. It seemed incredibly stupid to not pay attention to what you were doing on such a volatile surface. 

In reality, when Quinn kissed her, she melted. It felt so romantic. Cold, but cozy with his warm body pressed against hers, and the confidence in knowing he wouldn’t let her fall. The only sound was the pleasant scrape of their skates on the ice. 

Suddenly, everything she’d stopped herself from saying over the past few weeks came bubbling up into her mouth. 

Just the night before, she’d felt on the cusp of saying something other than “I miss you,” at the end of their goodnight phone call. She had bit it back, not wanting that first time to happen over the phone. She felt like the moment had to be perfect. 

Fuck that, she thought, now. She didn’t want to hold it in anymore. Plus, wasn’t this moment perfect enough? 

Pulling away, she waited for him to open his eyes.

After a moment or two, Quinn realized she wasn’t teasing, and met her gaze, “what’s wrong?” 

“Nothings wrong.” 

Suddenly, it felt too formal. They weren’t in the Elizabethan era where one declared their feelings in some kind of a grand speech, but she couldn’t not say it. It felt too disingenuous to keep holding it in. 

“I just…” she brushed her fingers through the hair at the back of his neck as she ran over a few possibilities in her mind rapid fire, dismissing them all for being too much. Honesty, it seemed, was proving to be the best policy. “I just really love you.”

Quinn could feel his eyes crinkling closed as his face melted into a goofy smile, one reserved only for family and people close to him.  

It felt like something broke open in his chest, finally set free. “I love you too.”

Sarah giggled and it came out a little watery. She never expected to cry when she told him, but her body always did like to cry over big emotions. 

Quinn wiped her tears away with his thumbs before tilting her face up to his. 

This kiss was softer, not as hurried. Desire giving way to something deeper – less fickle, and more settled. 

As they walked back to the locker room, Quinn realized, suddenly, that he'd left something unsaid. He tugged on her hand, and she turned. 

“I’m really proud of you,” he said. “I know you were really nervous.”

She leaned up to kiss him. “Thank you for being a very patient teacher.”

Want more Quinn & Sarah? Check out the Snapshots Masterlist

To read all my fics, check out the Fanfiction Masterlist

[labelstonki]

The forbidden game movie

THE FORBIDDEN GAME MOVIE SERIES

Of course, I’d have to end up taking Julian for myself, but you’re so nice, I know you’d understand. BUT but but but, during the second and third books, you grow a backbone! You get smart! You get sassy! You, dare I say, become quite the little blonde badass! And even though I still disagree with some of your decisions, I’m proud of you for venturing off the Bella path and turning into someone I’d be proud to call a friend. (There’s literally a page where you talk about your side missing his side, and how you always sit on his left, and I’M SORRY WAIT, does this book take place in the 1890s?!!) Plus, any girl who would choose her asshole preppy boyfriend over the GORGEOUS PRINCE OF DARKNESS obvs needs some kind of blow to the brain. Like, the feminist in me is embarrassed every time I re-read the first book, cos you’re sooo dependent on Tom. You’re basically the prototype of Bella, minus the clumsy. During the first book, I WANTED TO FACE PUNCH YOU SO HARD. And, just like the tagline says, “If he wins, she’s his forever more…”

THE FORBIDDEN GAME MOVIE SERIES

to undergo a series of challenges and face their greatest fears. The boy from the game store turns out to be Julian–Elf King, Prince of Darkness, all around evil dude–and, like you didn’t see this coming, he’s IN LOVE WITH JENNY! OF COURSE HE IS! Determined to win her at any cost, Julian forces Jenny and Co. Jenny, Tom and their friends (Audrey, Michael, Summer, Dee and Cousin Zach) begin the game and immediately find themselves trapped in a Victorian house in the middle of the Shadow World, an icy and desolate place made from the stuff of legends (and we’re talking, like, all legends). Given the title of this trilogy, you can guess that it isn’t Hungry Hippos. In preparation for Tom’s birthday party, Jenny wanders into a mysterious store, where she meets a strange and beautiful boy who sells her a board game. Jenny always plays it safe, so of COURSE the one time she gets remotely reckless, INSANE SHIZZ HAPPENS. And, like most perfect people, she’s also hella boring, having dated the same guy, Tom, since second grade (WHAT) and allowing other people with more personality to take center stage in her life. With a disposition as sweet as her honey-colored hair, Jenny Thornton is one of those perfect girls you wanted to hate in high school but never could, cos she’s SO FREAKING NICE. After being thoroughly sucked in, I cursed the same weather that I previously celebrated, because I HAD TO GET TO BOOKSTOP TO GET THE OTHER TWO BOOKS AND I’M SURE I CAN DRIVE ON ICE I MEAN I HAVE MY LEARNER’S PERMIT OK MOM?!!! This trilogy was one of the few times I read YA as an actual young adult, and even though it’s not what you would call a masterpiece of literature, I still unabashedly love it, and I’m TOTES STOKED to review it, sixteen years later. passed Driver’s Ed and an ice storm struck Houston, forcing her to stay home in front of the fire and read The Hunter in one sitting. True Facts: These books were released in 1994, the same year little Sarah P. Relationship Status: Skater Boy Crush Rekindled At the High School Reunion Bonus Factors: Bad Boy, Nightmare Greatest Hits, The 90s

[mickeeeemouse]

i had this friend in highschool that would date terrible men, the worst guys. one of them was a guy named ryan who was enabling my cousins drug addiction AND he genuinely thought he was an alien from space and told her to keep it a secret but she told me.

[unwrittenlibrary]

all this devotion is rushing out of me

summary // Bucky Barnes is beautiful. No ifs, ands or buts. But there was something exceptionally beautiful about him that you were desperate to see. (bucky x fem!reader)

or; bucky barnes blushing is reader’s kryptonite and all she wants is to see it.

words // 2.0K

warnings // (hi there is a brief brief allusion to a breeding kink in this but i don’t write smut so it’s nothing graphic) mentions of pregnancy & sex 

notes // my second b.b fic also originally posted on my ao3 happy reading! i have more in the works! 

Bucky Barnes is beautiful. There’s no doubt about that in your mind.

From his newly cropped hair to the smile lines forming around his eyes. Down to the stunning metal arm and god his thighs.

Bucky Barnes is beautiful.

But your favorite part, the thing of his that you find most beautiful, are his flushed cheeks and embarrassed smiles.

The way he turns red from the tip of his ears to the apple of his cheeks and turns his eyes away with a small, embarrassed smile always makes your stomach flutter. It was so beautiful and rare that when it did happen, you just wanted to bring it back.

So while visiting Sam and Sarah, Mission Blushing Barnes, was born in your mind. You didn’t really want to embarrass him, far from it, so you knew you didn’t want to do anything in front of Sam or any of Sam’s family. But, fuck, watching him play with the boys and make himself at home with the Wilson’s had something growing in your chest.

And you wanted to see him blush. If only to end the day on a high note. So you waited and waited. Until finally, it was you and him sitting on the edge of the dock talking about nothing.

“Louisiana’s nice, isn’t it?” He asks quietly as he watches the sun set. You nod but don’t respond, too busy admiring his side profile.

The slope of his nose and outline of his lips has your mind jumping for joy that he’s yours. That he’s the man you get to wake up to and comfort. You smile when he turns to look at you, bemused by your silence. “What’s up, doll?”

You reach out to place a hand on his cheek. “Just admiring you. So pretty.” You keep your eyes focused on his face, expecting a blush at the term pretty instead of handsome. All that comes though is a snort. You drop your hand with a frown.

Bucky rests a hand on your waist and drags you closer to him. “Gotta do better than that, doll. You’ve been calling me pretty for months now. I’m used to it.”

You open your mouth in faux shock. “I have no idea what you mean.” You say in a pitched voice as you rest your head against his shoulder.

Bucky shakes with laughter. “I know you like making me blush. Gives you some sick power high.” He mumbles the words into your hair as he gives you a kiss.

You smile. You know there’s no menace behind his words. You can tell from his relaxed body language and quiet tone of voice your little mission doesn’t bother him all that much.

“Is that a challenge, Sergeant Barnes?” You glance up and Bucky looks down at you exasperated. For a moment, you think the red will appear and you’ll have won a bet before it’s even begun. But…

A smirk slides onto his face, something cocky and bright, that makes your stomach clench excitedly. “Calling me sergeant outside the bedroom isn’t gonna make me blush, sweetheart.”

You laugh softly and Bucky presses another kiss to your hair. “What do I win if you can’t make me blush by the end of the night?” He asks after a moment of silence.

You purse your lips and think for a moment. “What do you want?” You ask when nothing comes to mind. “Because I know when I win, you’ll be worshipping me.”

“I do that anyways.” He says immediately, making you laugh.

“I mean… I’ll be in charge.” You clarify with a raised eyebrow. Bucky bites down his lip to stop a smile and you hope that the blush appears just from the mention of you taking over for the night.

He shakes his head. “And if I win, you wear that suit Sam made you.” You watch as his eyes flicker over you body, definitely imagining the skin tight suit Sam had made as a joke after your complaints of how fictional heroes dressed. You had laughed and Sam had given you the real suit moments later, the skin tight suit had been stuffed into your closet and all but completely forgotten. 

“Sounds like a bet to me.” You pull back from his shoulder and hold your pinky out. “How about it, Barnes?”

Bucky leans down so his forehead rests against yours and with a wide smile he interlocks your pinky with his. “You’re on, sweetheart.”

The two of you just look at each other for a moment, until Sam’s voice breaks the comfortable silence. “Hey, weirdos! Come on, Sarah’s pulling out dessert!”

You scrunch your nose before hopping up. You don’t bother to pull Bucky with you, knowing his strength alone would probably end up sending you into the water. “Come on, baby, maybe we can steal some whip cream.” You wink as you walk backwards.

Bucky only laughs loudly and follows you. He reaches a hand out to stop you from walking off the dock and forces you spin around. “Strike one.” He whispers into your ear before running ahead of you to meet Sam.

You roll your eyes. Strikes weren’t a part of the bet and he knew it. He just wanted to psych you out. But you knew you could get that man to blush, you just had to find new material.

And you tried.

Leaning over when Sarah handed the ice cream and whispering as quietly as possible so only he could hear. “Forget the whip cream, ice cream might be a better bet.” Bucky looked down and shook his head before taking a bite of your chocolate.

Running your hand down his metal arm as you walked back to the Wilson’s. “Wonder what this arm could do to me.” Bucky had just looked down at you disappointedly. “You already know.” He hadn’t turned red, but you felt a little hotter.

You had even brought up the idea of sneaking in some adult time after the house was asleep. That had just gotten you a shocked stare as he pointed out the kids who slept upstairs.

It was getting late and you were getting desperate. It’s not that you really cared if you won or not, you know if there was something you truly wanted to try that Bucky wanted to as well, you would. You didn’t even mind the idea of wearing the suit for Bucky. The thought of wearing it even if you won had crossed your mind. You really just wanted to see his pretty face all red.

Then, the perfect thing happened. The kids were excited to mess around with Sam and Bucky. Both men were equally as excited to show off the shield and metal arm.

You hadn’t even started watching to find something to make Bucky blush, his bright smile and excited laughter as he and Sam pretended to fall to the boys power is what made you think.

Bucky wanted his own family. You knew for awhile Steve had been part of his family and when he come out of HYDRA, Steve was all that was left of it. He had you and he had the Wilson’s. But the two of you had spoken at length about your future and plans for your own family together. He was going on less and less missions and you had a steady job, so starting a family now made sense.

And you knew how you could bring it up and make him blush. It was an obvious win-win situation. 

“Buck!” You call out. His attention is immediately turned on you as he stands up straight and finds your eyes. You wave him over and laugh as the boys tease him about being in trouble.

You’re standing on the back stairs and end up being a step above him when he comes to a stop in front of you. His hands come to rest on your waist naturally as he looks up at you.

“What’s up, doll? Not in trouble, right?” He smirks and takes a step closer.

This time, you match his smirk with your own. You rest a hand on his shoulder and one on the back of his neck. “Not at all, Buck. Just wanted to tell you something.”

“Oh yeah?” He laughs gently. “You panicking? Cause I’m gonna win this bet?”

You hum in response and bend so you’re at eye level with him. “Was just thinking of how good you look with kids. I think you’ll make a great dad one day.”

The cockiness is wiped from Bucky’s face and replaced with a look much softer. “You think?” He asks quietly.

You nod excitedly. “Of course. I think you’ll make an amazing dad. I can’t wait to start a family with you.” You take a step down, so now you have to look up at Bucky. His eyes follow you happily. “In fact, I can’t stop thinking about it.”

You pause and Bucky furrows his eyebrows. You can tell he’s a little confused on where you’re going and that now he’s not even thinking about your silly little bet. Then you smile. “All I’ve been thinking about all day is you putting a baby in me, Bucky Barnes. I want it so bad.” You say the words softly as you flutter your lashes and smile alluringly.

Bucky’s eyes widen and he takes a shocked step back before looking down at you. Then you see it, starting from the tips of his ears and spreading over his cheeks. Bucky Barnes turns redder than you’ve ever seen.

“You…” He stutters as he looks around, like he wants to make sure that nobody heard the words that have just come out of your mouth. “Evil woman.”

You take a step forward to press a kiss to his lips. You can tell by his embarrassed smile that he can feel the flush on his cheeks. “Guess I get to be in charge when we get home.” You take a step back and turn to head back inside.

You feel a hand grip your own and look back at him. “Are you serious? About wanting a baby?” He asks almost shyly, like he’s worried the answer might be no.

You can’t even allow him to entertain possibility. You nod quickly and excitedly. “Of course I was, my love. I wouldn’t pull that out just to win some silly bet.” He lets go of your hand and an excited smile spreads across both your faces.

“Yeah? Gonna let me put a baby in you?” He asks, this time more excitement than embarrassment seeping into his tone and taking over his face. He moves to wrap his arms around your waist and you do the same.

“Yeah. I just might.” You scrunch your nose up at him and he does the same in return. “Might even wear the suit for you anyways, since you’ll be doing me such a favor.” You wink and Bucky laughs again. The two of you have gotten the attention of Sam and his nephews, but you’re sure they can't hear anything you’re saying.

“Think it’s you doing the favor.” Bucky leans in close and lowers his voice. “Having my baby. I know you’ll look beautiful. Fuck. I’m about to get us a flight home tomorrow.”

You feel heat on the back of your neck and butterflies in your stomach as you process Bucky’s words. “Gonna build our own little family, Barnes. Better get ready.” You laugh giddily as you lean forward to rest your forehead against his.

Bucky closes the small gap between you with a hard kiss. You press your body against his as he holds you tighter. The two of you are completely unaware of Sam’s shocked face or his hands rushing to cover the two children’s eyes.

“Gross!” He yells out and the two of you spring apart with embarrassed smiles. Bucky’s cheeks turn red again and that only makes you want to kiss him more. “That’s gross. There are kids here. And me. Nobody wants to see that.”

Bucky presses a soft kiss to your cheek before pulling away entirely. “I’ll see you later?” He asks as you begin to head back inside.

You nod with a mischievous smile. “I’m gonna go look at flights. I’m ready to be home with you, Sergeant Barnes.”

You laugh when a light blush graces his face again before he spins around and rushes back over to Sam and the boys. Sam punches him on shoulder and you can see the beginnings of a lecture, so you turn and rush up the stairs and head inside.

You rest a hand on your stomach. You’re unsure if it’s to quell the excited butterflies or because of your new plan to have a baby, but either way it makes you smile as you think.

Bucky Barnes was pretty when he blushed. Even prettier when it was the thought of having a baby with you that made him do it.

You would have fun with this.

-

notes // try and tell me the idea of only u being able to make bucky blush doesn’t make u warm inside u CAN’T! 

[tiedyemillenialbullshit]

Nightmare

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female!Avenger Reader Word Count: 3,431 Summary: Your best friend finally comes to visit the compound after you join the Avengers. What starts out as a fun night out, quickly turns dire for you and Bucky. Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Feelings, Mentions of Alcohol and Drugs, PTSD/Nightmares, swearing

“AHHHH Y/N!!” You hear her before you see your best friend running towards you, not a care in the world that your entire team has also turned around to watch you two galavant towards each other like long lost sisters.

You catch Sarah in your arms and spin her around.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe you’re FINALLY HERE! And you’re early! Holy shit like I can’t believe you’re finally here in New York!! Let me introduce you to the team!” You grab her arm after she starts to show hesitance in meeting the Avengers all at once.

“Are you sure they have time? I don’t want to be a bother,” she says sheepishly.

“Oh my god Sarah, I talk about you all the time! They’re just as excited to meet you, come on.” You both walk towards the team still staring at you both near the entrance to the compound doing a quick debrief of a not-so-successful mission the day before.

“Guys, this is Sarah. Sarah this is-“ she cuts you off. “I know who you guys all are. It’s so nice to meet you! I’ll stay out of the way, I promise.” Everyone grins and introduces themselves to your best friend.

Nat smiles at you both, “On the contrary, you’re coming out with us tonight! No if’s, and’s or but’s”

Sarah seems to suddenly catch a second wind from her long flight and lets out a squeal of excitement.

You’re the newest to the “official” team, even though Steve and Fury had been trying to recruit you for years. You didn’t like the idea of the world knowing about your skill set and preferred to live a quiet life back in California. Ever since moving here, you’ve felt like maybe you weren’t home yet. Everyone was so nice and welcoming, but you missed your little house hidden in the outskirts of the National Parks in California. You missed the sun, the familiar smell of your patch of paradise and the general sense of room back home. Most importantly, you missed Sarah.

You were reluctant to invite her out to New York at first, but now that things seemed to be going smoothly, you sent for her via a car and private jet thanks to one Mr. Tony Stark. He was more than happy to help you out given your fresh and maybe sometimes bumpy arrival to the Avengers.

As everyone filed inside to break away before the evening festivities, Bucky caught your arm.

After holding you back for a second he said, “Hey, I can totally hang back tonight if you’d rather just be with Sarah and the team.”

You realize what he’s getting at. He also has some lack of feeling settled at the compound. It was something you bonded over when you first arrived. You both had similar pasts, even though they were at the same time lightyears apart.

“Buck, no. I think we’re all going out to Bleaker’s tonight! What’s a better way to get to know the team than bowling, beer, smoking inside, beer, old arcade games, more beer and maybe dancing?!”

Bucky gives you a quick glare out the corner of his eye before wrapping his metal arm around your shoulders to lead you inside after everyone.

“Fiiiiiiine, but I can’t promise I’ll behave.” You giggle, but suddenly feel a couple sets of eyes on you.

“And what do we have here?,” Tony asks with a smirk across his mouth. Sarah seems to be in the middle of an engaging conversation with Steve, so you don’t seem to have an easy out of this encounter. Bucky quickly drops his arm and steps a foot away from you.

“Uh, nothing. Y/N just seemed like maybe she wasn’t feeling well.”

“But I’m fine so here we are - have you seen Sam? Nat? Wanda? I told them we should be ready in a few hours and I jus-“

“Oh for Christ’s sake guys, your secret is safe with me,” Tony winks at you knowingly. You decide to take that as the end of the conversation and rush over to join Sarah.

“So! You have muscles.” Sarah says clearly at a loss of words looking at Steve in a tight shirt.

You and Bucky share a giggle, but pull Sarah away and save her from further embarrassment.

“What the fuck did I just say?” Sarah is about as red as a tomato as you drag her upstairs away from the awkward encounter. Steve looked a little flustered as well, which you file away in the back of your brain.

“Who cares! Let’s catch up and get ready for tonight.” Sarah is your best friend for a reason. Even though it had been 6 months since you last saw each other, it was like it was yesterday. You two spend the next few hours catching up, gossiping about each other’s families, friends, ex-boyfriends, etc.

“So! How are we doing in the boi department?” You turn around and face Sarah at the inquisitive tone in her question.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m good, I’m… I’m doing great, I mean yeah I’m good. WHY?” You’re stuttering and you don’t even care it’s obvious you’re blushing.

“Oh, you know. I mean, I’ve only recently met a few super soldiers, but I do think I can tell the there’s a spark between one and someone else.” Sarah so wants you to spill the tea but you promised Bucky you’d keep it quiet.

“Let’s just say things are developing and whatever you’d like to take from that you may.” You both launch into a giggle fit of her guessing and you denying certain aspects of Bucky Barnes.

When Wanda wanders into your room a few hours later, she starts laughing at what she sees. “You know you two are wearing like the same thing, right?” Exchanging confused looks at each other, you reply with a “AND?!”

Sam follows in with a smirk of his own. You’re bracing for his jokes but instead says “damn, OKAY! Everyone’s looking sharp tonight. Y/N, have you seen our bionic man around? Is he coming? He better come out tonight or I swear to…”

After Sam leaves to go find Bucky, the three of you wander down to find Nat and start the evening off with a shot or two. You aren’t much of a drinker, so one is enough for you. You much rather enjoy the company of your friend Mary Jane.

The team is getting silly with each other in the kitchen and quickly the room is filled with people yelling at each other to pregame harder, laughing when Nat’s little sister challenges Sam to a chugging contest and wins.

You feel a large hand at the small of your back. You can smell his cologne and know who it is immediately.

“Well don’t you look dashing tonight Sargent Barnes.” You lean in on impulse but stop yourself just as the girls turn around to see who you’re talking to.

“I was just going to say the same thing to you, sweets.” He mumbles in your ear before removing his hand and walking over to Sam.

The alcohol decides to hit you then, leaving you feeling empty that he’s not standing next to you anymore. Neither of you had wanted to have the “conversation” but you knew you were head over heels for him.

“CABS ARE HERE” screams Sam.

“Sam. For the love of God, stop watching Jersey Shore.” Natasha jokes to him.

At the same time Steve screams, “I understood that reference!” Eye rolls are exchanged as you all make your way outside.

The atmosphere is buzzing and you’re so excited to not just be out with your team, but to also have the only bit of family you had with you as well. You finally felt at home, at peace, and were ready for a fun night out.

Bleaker’s is one of those hole-in-the-wall dive bars that from the outside seems like a hard pass, but once you’re in, there’s no other place you’d rather spend a Saturday night. It’s true it started as a bowling alley in the 60’s. That still remains. What’s newer is the arcade in the back, where the old salon used to be. Jimmy bought the space next door, blew out the wall and filled it with arcade games that sometimes work and sometimes eat your money.

After years of being regular patrons, he knows your team well. The minute you walk in, he starts up all your favorite drinks.

“Ah! My best customers! I had a feeling I’d be seeing Earth’s mightiest heroes tonight.” You line up at the bar for whatever Jimmy decides you’re drinking tonight.

“Ah yes, two vodka on the rocks for my little Russian assassins. Sam here’s your vodka red bull which I don’t think you need, but here we are. Steve! Your drink of choice: an Old Style. Wanda, a cosmo for my favorite witch. And who do we have here, Y/N?”

You’re already both in hysterics at the old man behind the bar giving everybody a hard time. “Jimmy, this is my best friend Sarah. She’s visiting from California for a few days.”

“And whatever the lady wants can be put on my tab…” Steve butts in. Sarah immediately turns red but says “well in that case I’ll have vodka soda with lime please!”

Bucky has come up behind you and now you’re both laughing and watching the two of them stare at each other like no one else is in the room.

“Oh no, what did you do Y/N?”

“Let it play out, he’s not completely tripping over his words yet, maybe he’ll finally land a good girl.” You hush to Bucky.

Jimmy stares as well in amusement. “And you two? Your usual?”

“Yes’sir!” You shout over the growing music. Jimmy hands you each a jack and Diet Coke. You tell yourself it’s okay because it’s diet, but you know that’s a bunch of bullshit.

The other great thing about Bleaker’s? The dance floor downstairs. You always joke around that it seems like a nightclub that never closes in Amsterdam or something, but you’re serious. It could be 3 pm and sunny and you’d never know. It’s in the basement, it's always dark and the music is almost always too loud.

Usually that would gross you all out, but the energy tonight is pushing you all downstairs.

You reach back and grab Bucky’s hand not really caring who sees. It’s been months of sneaking around and either everyone knows and is playing it off like they don't or you’re really good at hiding it. Regardless, you’re over hiding. Maybe showing a little PDA tonight will get him out of his shell.

Sarah and Steve are no where in sight, assuming they’re ahead of you, you follow the team downstairs.

Minutes turn into hours. Everyone is dancing, laughing, sweating, screaming the lyrics to every song, and for a little while you can forget you’re a group of superheroes, and can just be normal 30-something year-olds.

You mostly dance with Bucky and quickly realize he’s a better dancer than you thought he would be. Those moves from the 1940’s must still be relevant in some way today, because the way he's grinding up on you and not caring if anyone sees just does something to you.

You work the room, finding Sarah, Wanda, Nat, even Steve for a song before you realize you don't see Bucky. You give it a few minutes thinking maybe he is in the bathroom. After 15 minutes though, you grab Steve’s attention and motion for him to check the bathroom while you check outside.

You race to the alley where you find Jimmy on a smoke break. “Hey Jimmy, have you seen Bucky? I can’t find him.”

“Oh yeah, doll, he took off in a cab about a half hour ago. Looked real flustered, but I didn’t want to press.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. You thought you felt his mood shift about an hour ago, he was becoming stiff and quiet. You thought maybe he was just drinking a lot but now you’re realizing the loud music, strobe lights and base must have been triggering him.

“Ugh I’m such a bitch,” you huff as you send Steve a S.O.S text.

You: Hey, Jimmy said he just left. I'm sure he's heading home. I'm going to go find him.

Sire Captain Rogers: Go ahead. I think Sarah and I can find something to do while you find Buck. ;)

You: Yeah I’m sure you can.

You: BEHAVE. She’s my best friend.

Sire Captain Rogers: I know Y/N, don’t worry about us. Let me know when you find him.

You lock your phone and hop in a cab back to the compound.

No one is up or around when you enter through the front. The kitchen has been cleaned up, the dishes done. Probably thanks to THURSDAY, Tony’s beta bot for “cleaning up after you assholes trash the place.”

You smirk and head for the elevators. Heading straight to Bucky’s room, you can tell his light is on but something seems off. You don’t like to use your powers on friends or in the compound, but you close your eyes and reach out with your mind to find his aura. Your eyes snap open. You don’t sense him, you just see red.

Taking this as a good excuse to break into a friend’s room, you burst into the room to find it in disarray. Everything is toppled over, broken glass is on the floor, the bathroom light is on, but all you can see is his blood on the door and the floor. You’re panicked, trying to piece together what happened.

Again, you close your eyes and reach out for the familiar energy of Bucky. You find him in your room on the floor.

“What the fuck?,” you mumble and sprint up the stairs to your apartment. You shoot Steve a text on your way up.

You: Found him, looks like a bad one. I’ll let you know if I need you.

Sir Captain Rogers: Thanks Y/N. I’m just a call away, let me know if you need anything. Night.

Upon entering, you sense he’s in distress. His heart rate is elevated, he’s incredibly sweaty and is panting like a dog.

“Bucky? Buck, it’s me, it’s Y/N.”

Bucky stirs and jumps into a defensive standing position quicker than you can blink. You flip the lights on with a “BABE. Baaabe, it’s me. It’s okay, you’re safe. We’re in the compound. You had a nightmare.”

Bucky’s eyes are wide and alarmed, but you can tell the moment he recognizes you.

Rushing over to you, he takes you into a big hug. “Oh my god. What happened? Are you okay, did I hurt you?”

“No Bucky, no I just found you a minute ago. You had another bad one, what do you need me to do right now for you?”

Bucky stands back and rubs his swollen eyes. “I need to shower, can you help me?”

Typically, this is where it gets exciting, but you knew what he means. Water grounds him. He doesn’t feel like he’s falling in water. It helps him visualize the stress washing off of him.

You help him strip and get in the shower, but before you can even take his jeans off, he jumps in and pulls you in with him. You realize how desperate he is for whatever he’s feeling to pass and your heart sinks.

You’re both standing there, almost fully clothed holding each other. This is the worst you’ve seen him in a long time.

“I’m so sorry if I ruined your night, Y/N. The base sounded like the train, the lights looked like the machine they used on me, what the fuck.”

You aren’t sure what to do so you decide to sit on the ground and pull him down with you. You position yourself behind him so his back is in your chest. Even though he’s so much larger than you, he sinks down enough for you to reach over his shoulders and hold him.

“It’s okay Barnes, just breathe with me. You’re safe. You’re with me, and we’re home. Nobody is going to touch you. I’ve got you, you won’t fall.”

You take in deep breaths so he can match your breathing.

After about 45 minutes, the hot water is out in the tank. Bucky sits forward and turns towards you. You want him to lead right now, so you don’t say anything. Neither does he, but the look in his eyes are telling you something about tonight is different.

With a soft smile on your lips, you cup his cheek until he is really looking at you. “Hun, let’s go lay down, ya? Let me help get you dried off.” Bucky hates when you fuss over him, so when he doesn’t argue, you know to be extra gentle with him.

After getting him up and out of the shower, you think skin-to-skin contact doesn’t seem sexual right now, it feels intimate in a grounding sense, and you know that’s exactly what he needs right now. Bucky seems dazed, almost like he got hit too hard in the head. You yourself are of course a tad over-served, and are quickly realizing the adrenaline of this entire situation is rubbing off.

You get Bucky into bed and turn to make sure his phone is plugged in and that he has a glass of water, but he grabs your wrist before you can move away. “Just leave it, it’s fine.”

“Buck, just let me-“ he grabs your wrist harder.

“Y/N. Please just stay here. Please.”

The entire time you’ve been together, he’s done a lot of things but begging you for anything is not one of them. Suddenly the phone and whatever hell else you were doing doesn’t seem important anymore.

You climb into your usual spot next to him and decide maybe you’ll try to get him to open up. The moment the back of your head hits the pillow, Bucky is facing you. His pleading eyes seem like they want to tell you everything that’s going on in his head, but you know pushing him to talk will just make the nightmares come flooding back too soon.

Instead, you decide to lay on your back and pull him to lay on your chest.

“Just listen to my heart beat, Bucky.” You hear him take a deep breath and settle into your chest.

You start and stop yourself from trying to say something comforting. You’re terrified to say the wrong thing at such a crucial moment. Typically these bad episodes are reserved for a Steve house call. You realize as he’s settling into a comfortable position that he hasn’t asked you to call Steve yet. Bucky trusts you in a way you didn’t realize until now.

You don’t know when, but you start humming the first calming song that comes in your head.

I’ll be seeing you In all the old familiar places That this heart of mine embraces All day through

Bucky picks his head up to look at you. Oh fuck.

“Where did you hear that song?,” he says to you with shiny eyes.

“You sing it all the time when you’re concentrating. I looked it up and added it to my ‘bath time/relax’ playlist. I didn't know Billie Holliday was a favorite of yours."

Bucky was looking at you like maybe this was the first time he saw you, like really saw you. “My mom used to sing that around the house when she was missing my dad.”

“Oh I’m so sorry, I didn’t know. I can hum a diff-“ you’re cut off with the most searing kiss Bucky has ever given you. He’s crying when he pulls back to look at you again. “Will you keep singing it?”

In that small cafe The park across the way The children's carousel That chestnut tree, the wishing well

By the time you finish the second verse, he has physically relaxed in your arms. You continue rubbing your hand up and down his back and shoulder, stopping to play with his long hair every once in a while.

I'll be seeing you In every lovely summer's day In every thing that's light and gay I'll always think of you that way

“I forgot how much I love hearing this song sung around me.” Bucky whispers so quietly you almost miss it.

I'll find you in the morning sun And when the night is new I'll be looking at the moon But I'll be seeing you…

You stop your caressing when you feel him sit up on one arm.

He leans down to kiss you but stops short to whisper “I love you Y/N.” You kiss him back and wrap your arms around his shoulders, and when you say “I love you too, Bucky,” you’ve never been more sure of something in your life.