#she texts me back that she needs to go to Detroit to pick up more stuff 🤦🏼 and i was like oh okay well just let me know

[grimandghoulish]

.

[kissoflightning]

Untimely Demise

Summary:

(Broken) Carl went into cardiac arrest and experienced sudden death. What was Leo's perspective in all this?

Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

Gen

Fandom:

Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Relationships:

Carl Manfred & Leo Manfred

Leo Manfred & Markus

Characters:

Leo Manfred

Markus (Detroit: Become Human)

Carl Manfred

Additional Tags:

Carl Manfred Dies

Trauma

Canonical Character Death

During Canon

Character Death

Implied/Referenced Drug Use

Drug Addiction

One Shot

Broken Chapter (Detroit: Become Human)

Leo Manfred POV

POV Third Person

Hurt No Comfort

Leo Needs a Hug

Language:English

Series: Part 2 (Installment 5) of Carl Dies

Published:2024-06-17

Words:1,194

Chapters:1/1

Untimely Demise

Notes:

CW: Character Death (I think it should be obvious by now who it is)

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Saturday, November 5th, 2038 (Evening)

Leo lay in his bed, Painkiller by Three Days Grace blasting in the background, staring at the ceiling. However, his eyes kept lingering back at his empty pipe, as if expecting more Red Ice to pop out of thin air. He was beginning to become delirious from the withdrawal.

His father refused to help him, so he was left with little choice. Leo dialed up his old friend, Cassie.

She had always been a terrible influence, but he was desperate. He released a heavy sigh and dialed the number.

Three rings and she picked up, “Hello?”

“Hey uhh...Cass?” Leo greeted.

“Leo! It’s been a while! How the hell are you doing?” Cassie asked cheerily.

“To be honest...I’m not good. I’m going through withdrawal and my-”

“-I figured it was something like that. Say no more. I still live at the same place. Come on over!” Cassie interrupted.

“Thanks.” Leo replied.

___

During Leo’s visit with his ‘old friend’, she had given him the idea to steal from his father while he was away at one of his boring ‘parties’. Or maybe it was Leo’s idea and she reinforced it? He could not tell; everything was blurring together.

As Leo opened up the fence and sauntered down the driveway, he began to realize he was a bit fucked up now, but there was no way he was going to lose this opportunity.

Leo gazed upon the bronze door to his father’s mansion and raised a hand in front of his face. He noticed it was trembling, and he could visualize his heartbeat, shades of red and blue static shifting out of his fingers to the beat of his pulse. He took a deep inhale and sighed out. “Sorry dad. I just gotta do this one thing, and I’ll be getting back on my feet. I promise.” Leo said out loud as if his father could hear it.

He stepped forward, and the door opened for him. As per usual, he did not get a warm welcome like Carl’s damn android did. Only silence. “Welcome home, Markus!” He mocked.

When the young man approached the studio, he turned on the light and observed his surroundings. Gazing at the artwork sprawled on the table, he muttered to himself, “Jackpot! Hmm... Why stop at just a couple of paintings?”

“Leo! What are you doing?” His dad’s voice shouted from the door.

A surge of anxiety rose within Leo, his pulse increasing. The young man surrendered to his high as he felt it was the only way to hold his composure. “You refuse to help me, so I’m helping myself. It’s crazy what some people will pay for this shit.” Leo spoke, his hands firm on the table. Although, it felt almost as if someone else was speaking for Leo.

“Don’t touch ‘em.” Carl responded.

“Look, they’re all gonna be mine soon enough anyway. Just think of it as a down payment on my inheritance.” Leo tried to rationalize.

"Go Markus! Tell him to get out of here!" Carl ordered.

Of course, the old man would prefer ordering his plastic toy around, rather than talk to his own son.

“Leo listen, you need to leave. I've already informed the-” Markus advised.

Leo was infuriated; he blatantly ignored the android and looked directly at his father, interrupting Markus, “-All you ever do is tell me to go away!” He shoved Markus back. “What’s it got that I don’t, huh? I’m not perfect like this fucking thing?” Leo’s voice escalated and he raised his arms.

Leo actions were originally fueled by desperation, but now he found himself plunging into a deep, dark abyss of rage.

“That’s enough! Get out right now! Go on, move!” Carl shouted. Inside, Leo felt like crying, but his outer image showed nothing but anger.

“What makes it so special anyway, huh?” Leo retorted.

Carl moved forward to protect the machine, how foolish. “Leave him alone!”

*I don’t want to hurt dad!* Leo instinctively shoved Carl out of the way to prevent him from inadvertently causing his father harm.

Leo shoved Markus and taunted it, “Come on! Let’s see what you’ve got!”

Markus refused to engage, just staring at Leo.

Leo needed to take out his rage on somebody and rationalized that Markus was just a glorified toaster anyway. “Why don’t you fight back?” He screamed at the android before smacking it in the face. “Oh, that’s right, I forgot! You’re just a fucking piece of plastic!” He smacked the machine again.

Still no response. This was not satisfying at all; it indeed felt like Leo was hitting a human-shaped toaster, and it further enraged him.

“Don’t defend yourself. You hear me? Markus don’t do anything!” Carl demanded.

*If this thing hurt me, I bet but dad would finally realize this thing is not his son.*

“Go ahead, hit me! What are you waiting for? What’s the matter? Too much of a PUSSY!” Leo shoved Markus and it grounded itself on the nearby work desk. *Give me a fight, plastic asshole!*

Leo sort of heard Carl shouting in the background but paid him no mind; his direct focus was on Markus. He grabbed Markus by the collar of its shirt and forced eye contact. “Listen to me. I’m gonna destroy you. Then it’ll just be me and my dad. I’m gonna tear you apart and nobody’s gonna give a shit ‘cause you’re nothing! You hear me?! NOTHING!” He sucker punched Markus and it collapsed to the ground.

Next thing Leo saw was his very dead-looking father in the arms of... that thing. His heart was pounding in his head. *What the fuck did he do?*

“This is all your fault. This never would have happened if it weren’t for you.” Leo blamed. He was shocked, confused, and angry. Two cops rushed in and Leo did not hesitate to inform the authorities that the android killed Carl. “The android. It was the android.”

Shots were fired immediately and the android fell motionless on the ground.

Ignoring the cops, and the fallen android, Leo had sobered up and immediately rushed in to cradle his dead father in his arms.

Leo began to hyperventilate; it felt as his own chest cavity was caving in on his lungs. Relenting to the sorrow, his lip wobbled, and a deluge of tears streamed down his face and onto Carl’s chest. “I can’t believe this.” He wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come. All he could release was a high pitched inhale.

He very faintly heard a male voice in the background, presumably from one of the cops. “All of it...deep breaths...on your side.” Leo complied to what he thought he heard; he proceeded lay on his side, attempting deep breathing, and letting the tears come.

“Good, I’m still here. Take as long as you need.” The cop assured.

Leo was not sure whether it had been several minutes hours. Once the tears finally stopped, all he could do was continue to lay there in shock for quite some time. No thoughts...no movement; he did not want to face his harsh reality.

[The End]

[vlad-theimplier]

WIP Wednesday: Custos Custodium

Have some Jensen-Pritchard snark! I ripped ShadowChild's entrance out of the events of Breach because a) she's cool, and I wanted her to pop up more than once; b) I needed to set up an augmentation trick anyway; c) I was already repurposing Breach; and d) see above Jensen¬Pritchard vibes. (That's the formal-logic NOT operator, FYI--seems more apropos than an ampersand.) Read the whole thing at https://archiveofourown.org/works/55686901/chapters/141357007

“Francis. What’ve I done to deserve this?”

“Good evening, Jensen. How’s Prague? I hope I’m not interrupting your busy schedule of brooding and kicking down doors.”

He took a slug of the new beer before responding. “How’d you know where I am?”

“I know you like to think you’re off the grid these days, but you do realize there’s a record when you use your credit chip or have a package sent to your apartment—nice slippers, I must say—and Interpol’s HR database is not their best-kept secret. Plus, I calibrated your systems. Every time you call or text, your infolink is broadcasting your position as well as your words. To me, at least.”

Jensen felt a muscle jump in his jaw. “So, you call just to chat, or…?”

“Six months ago, when the rest of the world thought you were dead and I helped you get back on your feet, I seemed to recall you saying, and I quote here, ‘I really owe you one, Pritchard.’” He forced his voice low and raspy.

Jensen rolled his eyes at the caricature. “I don’t recall saying it quite like that.” But he couldn’t deny that Pritchard had come through for him in a tight spot—and not just logistically. His chat with Sarif could have gone much worse without Pritchard’s righteous anger backing him up, and he might not have ever gotten mixed up with the Task Force or the Collective without that clearing of the air. Plus, almost anything would be better than stewing in his own aimless misery for a week. So he listened.

“Well, it just so happens there’s something in Prague that I need your help with. Tonight.”

No surprise. He took another swallow of beer. “Kinda busy.”

“Investigating TF29, I know. But if you help me with this, we’re even, I promise.”

“Fascinating. Still busy.”

“Come on, Jensen. You dropped in on me out of the blue with a depressed stranger, and I fed you, clothed you, put you up, patched things up with Sarif—”

“Sort of.”

“Okay, well, he paid you without making you sign anything. How much more did you want? Anyway, then I got you in the Collective’s good graces and helped you save your new cop buddies from a grisly and embarrassing death on that train. And let us not forget that, if not for my wise and thoughtful counsel, Faridah would have found out from someone else that you were back from the dead and promptly re-interred you.”

Jensen grunted.

“And through all of that, did I ever complain?”

“Yes. Loudly, if I recall.”

“Ugh. Well, be that as it may, I really think you’re overlooking a prime opportunity to do your two favorite things.”

He wondered what Pritchard thought those were. He wondered what he thought, himself. “Do tell.”

“Brooding and kicking in doors, of course. You get to brood over my onerous request, clearly so out-of-proportion to helping you extricate yourself from the rubble of your old life and get started on a new one.”

“Hah. What about the doors?”

“To a police station—a satellite location in Ver—uh, Verso-vise.”

Jensen sighed. “It’s pronounced Vr-sho-vi-tse, and we call them ‘precincts.’ You forget I’m a cop myself? I can’t just go busting down the door of the station.”

“I seem to recall you doing exactly that, back in Detroit. And besides, it’s for a good cause.”

Pritchard had him there, damn him. “Christ. Fine. What’s the cause?”

“A friend of mine was helping me with some research when she went dark. Based on what I’ve managed to access of the police files—surprisingly well-encrypted, by the by—they picked her up and took her to this ‘precinct’ of yours. But not officially.”

“No booking records? No charges filed?”

“Yes, those things. None of those. So you see why I’m worried.”

“This friend of yours.” Jensen put his credit chip down on the bar and twitched his head at the bartender. “She Augmented?”

“Precisely.”

“A hacker?”

“One of the best. Not as good as I am, of course, but very much in my league.”

“Of course. She got a name?”

“On the darknet, she goes by ‘ShadowChild.’ I don’t know her real name, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Jensen paid, stood, and collected his coat. “‘ShadowChild’? Jesus. So you want me to cross town, break into a police station, and break out an Augmented woman whose real name I don’t know before she gets disappeared by the PČR into Golem City?”

“Pretty much.”

“You know what she looks like, at least?”

“Um… her avatar is a stylized domino mask. Here.”

An image popped up in Jensen’s link of two blocky chevrons connected at the tips, like a pair of arrowheads. The left was black; the right, white. It didn’t look much like a mask to him. It was captioned “Shadow(hild,” with a parenthesis. Of course. “And this is supposed to help me… how?” he asked. He shouldered his way out the door as Pritchard stammered a non-reply.

Jensen exhaled in frustration and dug out a cigarette, shielding it from the wind that skirled between the old buildings and whipped his coat around his knees. “Fine. Forget it. Who needs intel anyway?” He cut the call on Pritchard’s indignant sputters and stalked into the night, trailing a plume of smoke.

[i-live-on-bunny-hill]

hello online diary

today was a good day i think. well the first part of the day wasnt very good i was very unmotivated and a little depressed. it was hard to get out of bed and do the things i needed to do. at least i washed my face and brushed my teeth. thats my goal for a whole 7 days straight. mosrly because on my mental health goal cute app it says if i meet this goal i will get a little pet for my little pet. i also get more money to buy clothes and furniture for my pet. my pet is a bird penguin thing named baby and theyre very cute. they are purple and black but i can dye their haie if i buy it. i want ro get rhem a whole kitty outfit but the shop is random every day and i need to save up my money too. u get money when.u log in and when u make or finish goals or u do breathing exercises its a lot of things to get money. Ok brb carlo is texting me. Ok im back anyways it was like that all day sad and lazy and unmotivated but i managed to at least tidy up the room and sweep the floor and feed the cats and clean the litterbox. then later in the evening we went to savers and i got a bunch of cute purses. i also got the little idog music baby dancing thing. i need batteries though. my sister also visited for a little and it was fun she likes the kitties. oh yeah:( carson tried to bbite otto today. except he wasnt mad at him it was bc otto was being crazy and jumped on him and scared him he wasn’t hurt but he got scared:( ok brb again ok yes he wasnt heurr but now he is scared of carson more. otto is so crazy. i think it is good i went out today. i dont go outside my house very often. now i am watchinf yourube cory kenshin detroit become human gameplay. i was going to color but now otto is laying on me wnd he is too cute and i am a ltitle too tired. tomorrow i am getting 2 new coloring books. I like coloring with random colors alike i close my eyes and pick it and i color something in.

[kopicetic]

Yeah okay so Detroit beat the Fucks at the game we went to and also I had a MOMENT.

So I've been kind of posting about my personal life, which I don't usually do a ton but like I needed to talk this out I guess lol.

Anyway we went on a trip to Detroit for a friend's birthday and it was like a garbage trip all around pretty much. Like just all this shit happened, and it wasn't even like monstrous stuff, just everything adding up and all.

It was like fine traveling with him, we had a good time, but it was getting home, he was gonna drive my car over to the rental car place and then pick me up, and we were in his place when someone is banging on the door.

Like okay, for some background, I know he's in an open relationship with his girlfriend. We've known each other for several years now and she's always accused me on and off of trying to fuck him or steal him, etc. And I also know she was blowing up his phone this whole weekend. Like texting nonstop and calling. I didn't see it, but my friend told me it kept popping up on the car screen lol.

So like the moment I hear the door knocking and he looked up and ignored it, I *KNEW*. So I moved out of view of his door but the damage was done, she saw my back, she banged on his door for fucking 15 minutes and he kept ignoring and texting her until it sounded like she was kicking his door.

So he goes over to deal with her finally, they're both screaming at the top of their lungs, I'm looking for a way out because I don't know where he keeps knives nor did I have anything I could use as a garrote because this bitch is obviously upset as fuck AND she's a fucking meth head so like. I'm gonna fucking defend myself if it comes down to that.

She's standing there screaming about who was the woman in his house, she fucking loves him, he was ignoring her, she misses him, she needs to know, it's not fair, he's yelling about how she needs to go away, fuck off, he's calling the cops, the whole neighborhood 🥫 hear it, I'm debating running through the patio but he was blocking her from the door so she was still facing the house.

Now. This bitch might be a junkie but I can pretty much guarantee I'm likely one of the only redheads they mutually know. Like I have dyed bright red hair. Even a meth head can put two and two together and sometimes get four.

Sure as shit, she messages me. And I admit, I lied through my teeth. Kind of. I told her I only saw him one day, nothing was happening, it was for a pogo friend's birthday (which it was), we weren't dating (which we're not), I haven't seen him since. You know, I figured I'd leave out the part where we fucked twice a day like the entire trip. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

She tells me they were only open so he could have a boyfriend, not another girlfriend, and I don't do polyamorous relationships, I already knew this about them, and it's one of the reasons I have zero interest in dating him.

Like hi, you can have feelings for just me. You can fuck whoever. But if you're going on dates with them too, and talking outside of arranging hookups, and having feels for them too, fuck outta here, I don't care about physical stuff, but if you emotionally cheat on me, you can go to fucking hell lmao. And I told her that, I think we bonded a bit.

Like I don't want to steal your boyfriend, I just want his dick for a while. But you can keep him.

So now here we are. He still is coming off like he wants way more, I still have zero interest in dating him and I don't trust him lol.

But damn the sex is good though. 🤣🤣 So like. Now I guess I'm just gonna keep doing what we were doing, at least until December because we have plans to go to Philly and NYC.

But I don't know that any boy is worth dealing with psycho girlfriends. And again, I know it sounds sketch but I knew he had a girlfriend, and they've both confirmed now that it was open, just she thought it was open for only him to have other boyfriends and not other girlfriends.

Anyway I'm tempted to send the boy back to the manufacturer for a refund because I got a faulty one and start over again because this is becoming too much. Throw the whole entire man out and start over. 🤣🤣🤣

[brattyfics]

Like That

Pairing: Rio x Black!Reader

Summary: You and Rio get to know each other better. Loosely based on ‘Like That’ by Doja Cat. 

Warnings: Smut.

Word Count: 3.5K

Installments: Say So | Like That | Talk Dirty

And baby, I want it, and I'll just be honest 'Cause I just can't front when I look at you

About six weeks have passed since Rio declared himself your man, and you quickly learned he took the title very seriously.

He was busier than usual with ‘flipping his game,’ and you were busy preparing to transition your shop, but you saw each other often despite time constraints. You agreed date nights at least once a week were a must, but when you couldn’t see each other, Rio made sure to end nights with a phone call. Virtually falling asleep next to him gave you butterflies, reminding you just how exciting new relationships could be. It took prodding, but he told you made-up bedtime stories and the boring details of his day. In return, you shared things about yourself— childhood memories, the crazy things your mom did to embarrass you. He was sweet and attentive, and you found it refreshing to be with someone who was just as infatuated with you.

On your second date, he took you to his favorite restaurant, a fancy sushi place with expensive rolls. He taught you to hold chopsticks the wrong way the way he did and even fed you across the small table, a couple of unfortunate rolls falling apart due to his prodding. You tried your best to hide your amusement at the pensive look on his face. For whatever reason, Rio thought of himself as a sushi connoisseur, but it was clear to you that he was still learning.

“You’re no better than me!” He admonished when he noticed the way you held your chopsticks. Like his technique, it was incorrect, but it worked for you— sort of. “I never said I was.” You couldn’t keep the amusement off your face any longer. “You’re the one who comes here weekly. I thought you were a professional, and we’re in the same boat.” He folded his arms on top of the table as he insisted you were wrong, but secretly he found your teasing endearing. Later that night, he called and gave you a cheesy line about loving to see you smile.

The following week, you had lunch at a mom-and-pop soul food restaurant that served the best cornbread and peach cobbler in the city. The owners, an adorable older couple, Donna and Gene, and servers alike stopped by your table to meet Rio. Donna gushed over Rio, showering him with compliments and extra cornbread. “Girl, he is cute!” She told you, failing miserably at whispering. He smirked as you rolled your eyes, but he handled the attention well, being friendly and personable even when Gene kept going on and on about changes to the menu, one chef to another.

A few days later, he called you up randomly and asked you to get ready and ride with him somewhere. “What should I wear?” You asked, hoping for a hint. You could hear him smile as he said, “It doesn’t even matter, ma. You always look good.” The occasion had turned out to be ‘Foodtruck Friday.’ Barbecue, kebab, taco, ice cream, and other miscellaneous food trucks were parked in a spacious lot in Downtown Detroit. You settled at a picnic table and shared several plates of food as you discussed the possibility of your own mobile ‘Mad Batter’ shop somewhere down the line. It got you thinking about the future.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” You asked the dreaded question in between bites of a colorful Korean fusion taco. He stiffened as he considered the answer. “What is this, a job interview?” Sometimes you saw peeks of bossman Rio rather than the Christopher Castillo you were getting to know. It happened seemingly out of nowhere when you asked questions he felt were invasive.

You looked up from the panko-fried shrimp, red cabbage, shredded carrots, and tasty orange sauce wrapped up in a flour tortilla with a frown. You had two choices: respond in the way he had or make light of the situation. So, you said, “Kinda. You’re auditioning for a spot on my roster, so...”

He stopped chewing the half-eaten dumpling and swallowed hard. “That’s not funny.”

“You better start taking the interviewing part of the audition more seriously then.” You wiped your fingers on a napkin, and he gathered your hand in his own, wearing a look you couldn’t decipher. “You got it, ma.”

You played a game of mini-golf at the local arcade. Rio stood tall behind you, holding you by your hips as he corrected your stance. You purposefully arched your back, brushing against him just slightly. “Like this?” You looked over your shoulder with the most innocent look you could muster, but his eyes were glued to your ass. “Yeah, just like that.” He answered in a low tone without looking up. You giggled as you took your swing, adding a wiggle for his benefit. You pretended to care about the ball as it glided across the bright green tarp towards the hole. “How was that?” You chirped, looking down the lane.

“I can’t even lie. I don’t care about the game right now. I just wanna watch you.” Your aim was terrible, and the ball never went in the hole without several attempts, but he insisted you finish playing the course. You teased him about it for days after despite his claim that he actually enjoyed the game because it was one of Marcus’ favorites.

“Stop lying! You just wanted an excuse to openly watch my ass.”

“Why you always gotta call me out?”

You shopped a cozy health and wellness store with hundreds of cool little trinkets for sale. Neither of you had been there before, so you took your time exploring, stealing unexpected kisses from the other. Rio took full advantage of the size of the store, pulling you by the hand and holding you close to his side.

He frowned at the large collection of shiny crystals. “A rock, really? What does anybody need with a rock?”

“It’s not a rock!” You hissed, head whipping around as you hoped the owner didn’t hear him.

“What is it then? It looks like a rock to me.” He picked one up, turning it over in his hands.

“It’s a crystal!”

“What’s the difference?”

“It has healing properties...” Rio snorted but strung his arm across your shoulder and listened intently as you read the info cards to him. When it was all said and done, he bought an aventurine stone to apologize to the owner for prosperity, well-being, and good luck.

The next day, he disappeared with no warning. You had been worried sick until Mick let you know he was busy handling something. It would have only taken a minute to tell you that, so you were (understandably) pissed. He showed up at the shop several days later like nothing had ever happened. “What’s up, mama?” The greeting that usually melted you grated on your nerves. All of your feelings about the situation bubbled up to the surface. It was hard to find the right words— you were still getting to know each other, so how mad could you be? At the same time, how little did he think of you to not say anything? Finally, you settled on, “I can’t do the disappearing act.”

Rio wasn’t used to answering to anyone, not even his child’s mother, about his whereabouts, but he put his palms up in surrender when he saw the serious expression you wore.

“You’re right, mama. That’s my bad. It won’t happen again.”

And it hadn’t.

But knowing ahead of time only made it a tiny bit easier, especially when he didn’t have a set return date. You were going on day seven (the longest you had gone without seeing him since you started dating) when he called to say he made it home and wanted to see you. Your heavy heart swelled with relief. You missed him way more than you probably should have, so you insisted on a night in at your place, wanting him to feel relaxed and at home instead of on guard somewhere public.

It had been a long six weeks without sex while he romanced you with delicious food and beautiful words. It wasn’t an easy task, but you knew as soon as sex was thrown in the mix, you would be done for, either destined to be his or ruined by him. It was a scary thought, but distance had indeed made the heart grow fonder, and you cared about him enough to take a chance.

He was set to arrive within the hour, but you were still unsure of what to wear, frantically rummaging through the dresser for something cute and comfortable. You let out a frustrated groan when your phone started to ring, thinking Rio might have come early, but when you look down at your phone, you see your best friend’s name and face. You swipe quickly, accepting the FaceTime call. “Hey, girl!”

“Hey, stranger!” You pick up the phone, so you can look at her. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” She replies with just as much sass. “I haven’t talked to you in what— two weeks?”

“We talk—“

“—text.”

“Okay, fine. Text. We text every day. What are you talking about?”

“That’s not the same.” She insists even as you remind her of the ridiculous amount of time you spend trading memes and food pictures with her.

“Anyway, what are you doing?”

“I’m trying to decide what I’m going to wear between this, this, or this.” You move the camera around, showing her the different options. A black-and-white tank and short set with ‘Being cute is not a crime’ in a cute font. A fuzzy grey sweatsuit set with hearts, or a simple cream hoodie with matching shorts.

“Um, what’s the occasion?” You giggle at the look on her face, knowing she thinks none of the above are appropriate for wearing outside of the house.

“Movie night in.”

“You need help picking an outfit for movie night with yourself?” Her face scrunches up in confusion. “Wait, is it movie night with yourself?” You try to be casual about it, shrugging your shoulders in response. As usual, she sees through your bullshit and goes straight into an interrogation. “Oh, bitch. You been holding out on me!” She asks you five questions in a row without stopping to breathe before settling on one. “Who?”

You gnaw on your bottom lip. “...Rio.”

“Rio?” She frowns. “Like the guy we work for, Rio? With the eyebrows and the neck tattoo, Rio?”

“Yes, that Rio.”

“Wow.” You wince but decide it’s best to get it over with. “What? I know you, so I know there’s more where that came from.”

“I don’t know what to say! From what I can tell, he’s a decent dude, I guess, but you know what he does. You definitely know what we do for him! You don’t think that could be a problem?”

“It’s messy, for sure, and I can admit that, but I’ve been thinking about getting out anyway...” She nods. “Then, I guess there’s nothing else for me to say about that. You’re both grown, and you know what you’re doing.” She was your best friend, which meant she’d always give her honest opinion, but wouldn’t berate you about your choices. Just like that, you return to your regular discussion topics, everything from warehouse gossip (yes, even in the business of crime, there’s a rumor mill) to new music releases. Before you knew it, forty minutes had passed, and Rio was calling your phone. You promised to call her more often before hanging up.

You sing your ‘hello’ into the phone, hoping Rio can’t detect the shakiness in your voice as you clumsily pull on your bottoms.

“Hey, mama. You about ready? I know you’re sensitive about your space and all that.” He was referring to the fact that he had never been past the doorway of your home. Your home was your sacred place, so you were extra careful about who came in and what energy they brought. It was always nerve-wracking to let somebody into the space that you cherished so much.

“Yeah.” He picks up on the hesitancy in your voice. “Are you sure?” You nod your head as if he can see you before telling him yes with a giggle. “Alright, well, I’m outside. Can I come in?” You bite your lip, butterflies fluttering in your tummy. “Yeah, I’ll come unlock the door.” He whispers his thanks, and you take a moment to force yourself to relax. When you meet him at the door, you do so with an open mind and heart, taking in his appearance with a goofy grin on your face. As usual, he’s dressed in all black, wearing a well-fitted t-shirt and sweatpants. He’s casual but still so high quality and attractive.

“Hi.” You breathe out like a dork when you realize you’re staring. It helps that he seems just as mesmerized, stepping forward to envelop you in a tight, warm hug. He sways you from side to side before pulling back, his hands resting heavily on the top of your ass. He settles for a quick peck on the lips because he has something to say. “You’re as pretty as ever, darlin’.” He says earnestly, shaking his head as he steps back to look you over once more.

“Kiss me again.” His hands cup your ass as you devour each other in the open doorway. You forget your surroundings. “Damn, ma. Can I at least get inside before you jump my bones? I don’t mind giving your neighbors a show if that’s your thing, but…” You turn to hide your embarrassment, leaving him to close the door behind you as you gesture around the room as if you’re in an episode of MTV Cribs. “... here’s the living room. The kitchen’s through the arch. The bathroom’s over there...” He follows you with his red as you point.

“And the bedroom?”

You snort. “The tour stops here for now. Sit down.” Your tone leaves no room for argument. He settles into the soft couch while you grab the snack tray from the kitchen. Homemade popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels, and dried fruit gummies are on the menu.

“All this for me?” His arms snake around your waist so that you can curl up into his side. “What we watching?” You grab the remote. “I saw a trailer this week that caught my attention. I’ll play it for you.” He didn’t care what you watched as long as he got to be close to you, so it didn’t take long for you to get the movie started. He stole glances at you when his knuckles brushed against your bare knees under the blanket. You’re embarrassed at how wet the small action makes you, so you stretch out across the couch and place your bare feet in his lap, silently planning your revenge. The movie may as well not be playing because you couldn’t be less interested in the plot as you lightly stroke him through his sweatpants with the balls of your feet.

“Ma...” He warns, watching you in the low lighting. He’s come to learn you like to tease, but he doesn’t think he can take it, not tonight. “Hmm?” You hum innocently, loving the strained look on your face. He doesn’t move even as you sit up on your haunches and kiss him. It’s slow and long in the best way. He pulls you to sit in his lap. His hands roam your body as you grind down onto him, relishing in the feeling of the soft skin on your tummy. He sighs into your mouth as one hand finds your bare breasts.

He pulls away to talk shit. “No bra? You just knew I was gonna put out, huh?” He pushes the cotton material up so he can see you properly. “Perfect.” He murmurs into your skin. You let him kiss and lick and suck on your nipples until the pressure you feel below is too much to handle. You’re a quivering mess when he finally helps you pull the cotton material up and over your head. It lands on top of the television behind you, but neither of you notice.

You nudge him until he removes his own shirt, and then he lifts his hips to help you when you begin tugging on his sweats. They puddle at his feet while you spread your legs wide, desperate to get your hands on him. “I could cry right now.” You admit honestly when you finally see him, biting your lip. He arches a brow. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing, darlin’?” His hips jerk when you take him into your hands, the cold temperature surprising him.

“It’s definitely a good thing.” You whisper excitedly, staring with wonder as he hardens in your hands. He barks out a laugh, stunned by your ability to make him laugh, even with his dick in your hands. “That’s really nice, ma. I feel real special.” Your eyes meet, and silent promises of all the filthy things you’re going to do to each other are exchanged. “You should. I’m about to change your life.” He throbs in your hands, loving that you find small ways to challenge him.

“Come on. Let’s go to bed.” He wraps his arms around you in preparation to get up, but you stop him with a shake of your head. “I don’t wanna.”

“No? What you wanna do then?”

You answer him by slipping to your knees. You spit on his dick, stroking him up and down slowly. He watches you closely as you lower your mouth, wrapping your lips around the tip. It takes a lot of restraint, but he lets you do your thing, slowly working him deeper into your throat. He closes his eyes as he concentrates on lasting, but he can’t turn his ears off, the obscene smacks painting a vivid picture for him. When you swipe your tongue across his balls, he moves to stop you, grabbing your shoulders. Fire dances in your eyes as you realize you got him where you want him. “I don’t wanna.” You repeat.

“You are a brat.”

You release him with a pop. “The biggest.” You admit, swallowing him once more. He groans, thinking he can’t believe you’re the same sweet girl who bakes in a frilly pink apron and begs him to tell her bedtime stories.

“I want you to fuck me now.” He stops you before you can bend over the couch. “Slow down. I want you on your back, darlin.”

You throw his earlier words back at him. “That’s nice. I feel really special.”

“You should.” He mocks you, instructing you to hold your legs wide. He wastes no time licking and sucking you as enthusiastically as you had done him. “You’re so pretty. I could eat this pretty pussy forever.” He compliments as you squirm in his hold. “You’d let me, huh?” You shake your head frantically. “No! You’d drive..me crazy!” Payback is a mother, especially when Rio’s the one dishing it out. “Wait, wait—“You whimper, clawing at his shoulders.

“What?” He cajoles. He almost wants to laugh at the distressed look on your face. “I want you.” You pout, trying to sweet-talk him.

“You have me.”

“Not like this. Inside.”

“Yeah? You sure?”

“Mhm.” You swallow, watching as he fumbles around with his pants searching for a condom. He opens the golden foil packet with expert fingers, positioning himself in between your spread legs. “You don’t have any pointers for me now?” He drags his tip up and down your slit, slowly pushing his way further. Teasing. You shake your head. “No. Just fuck me.”

“That ain’t polite. You gotta say please, mama.” You scowled, but he didn’t budge. “Please.” You pleaded with the sweetest tone you could muster, sighing as he gave in. You cursed at the stretch, him at the way you squeezed him. “You feel…” He couldn’t find the words, so he buried his face in your neck, trying to gain some composure. You caressed the back of his neck sweetly. “You feel good too, baby.”

His hips stuttered forward, and you gasped as he worked himself deeper. You grasp his shoulders tightly, your nails embedding themselves into the soft skin.

“Yes!” You squeal.

“Like that?” He grits out, struggling to keep his rhythm.

“Yes, just like that!” You cry, moaning as he pounds up into you. His lips find yours again, and it’s bliss. Then before you can stop yourself, you’re calling him Daddy like it’s his given name. He groans into your sweaty neck like he’s in pain.

“You’re so nasty.” Overwhelmed and breathless, you whine your protest, “You’re nasty. Look at what you’re doing to me.” His eyes shift to where you’re connected. You’re creaming all over him and leaking down onto the couch, but you can’t bring yourself to care about anything other than coming. You do just that, mewling as you make an even bigger mess between your legs. He whispers filthy things into your ear as he finishes, grunting at the way you seem to be sucking him in even deeper.

“That was—“

“—unreal.”

“Yeah.”

Neither of you can bring yourself to move. Your sweat-covered skin sticks together. You swipe your hand against your forehead while he pants.

“I wanted to ride you at least once tonight, but after that, I’ll be lucky to make it to bed.”

GENERAL TAGLIST

@woahitslucyylu @briannab1234 @sheeshgivemeabreak @breakingnewsin-no-oneasked @angelreyesgirl @blessedboo @glimmerglittergirl @apantherinmypastlife @brownsugarcoffy @marvelmaree @starrynite7114 @scuzmunkie @thewarriorprincessxo @sadeyesgf @pearlkitten33 @imanerdychubbyqueen @literaturefeen @ourlittlesecretsoveragain @everyhowlmarksthedead @yourwonkywriter @trulysuccubus @sparklemichele @luckyharley1903

RIO TAGLIST

@xsweetdellzx​

[asset35-maya]

I am sleepy but I gotta make a request before the busy tomorrow so 2 things on my mind! Sleepy and the 'oh my god they were roomates' vine xD with any characters and aus I love everything you write anyways xD Happy timezones and best vibes your way >^<!! 💖💞💕💕

Oh my god, they were roommates…

//

“The rental market in Detroit is absolute shit! How dare these bloodsuckers charge such high rates for the most under-developed properties! This city’s going to the dogs!”

“Uh-huh.”

“You have to pay your own weight in gold just to live in a shoebox for a year. Nonsense!”

“Uh…”

“Are you even listening to me, Tina!

Tina?

Goddamnit Tina!”

Gavin thumped his fist on her desk, but Tina’s eyes barely flicked up from her phone.

“Oh my god, you sound like my grandpa…”

Gavin turned red and his brain buzzed with a thousand colourful retorts. He was just about to pick one when Tina stopped scrolling and turned her phone screen towards him.

CYBERSCALIA @ NEW JERICHO

The suburban paradise for executive androids and humans alike. Located 25 minutes drive from downtown Detroit, with a full amenities.

Gavin’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. He balked at her.

“You’re joking? How could I possibly…?”

“Get with the times, boomer…”

Tina lazily skimmed her thumb over the screen. The webpage promised plenty of greenery, good infrastructure and modest but spacious rooms. The extremely reasonable price tag was Gavin’s dream come true. He’d spent weeks apartment hunting in the wake of an early lease termination by his cantankerous landlord. Gavin knew he’d never find a better deal.

“Shit, this is so good, T! Why the phck does it have to be in that- that place!”

His friend arched a sceptical eyebrow.

“What place?”

“The Tincan ghetto!”

Tina smacked him on the arm. None too gently.

“It’s subsided public housing located in an android-friendly estate… because they’re the ones that need it most right now. And frankly, you seem to be in just as much need, so you should really get off that high horse.”

“Fine, fine. You’re right. I should seriously consider this place, even if my neighbours are gonna have more in common with my car than me. But damn, it seems a little too good to be true. There’s probably some fine print, hidden costs that’ll come out later.”

“Hmm… let’s see…”

Tina scrolled further and then let out a half-laugh. She held her phone up again.

“Nothing shady about the rates, but there is something you should know…”

At the risk of being called old again, Gavin squinted at the screen and read aloud.

“Bearing in mind the founding principles of New Jericho, all human occupants may only apply for tenancy in co-habitation with at least one android citizen of the United States of- JESUS PHCKING CHRIST! Absolutely not! I am not going to live with a plastic prick!”

//

Gavin had to get through half a bottle of wine before he could bear to scroll through the rental listings. Unlike other humans who had happily moved into New Jericho with their android friends or partners, he had to find an android who was also looking for a flatmate.

Some listings came from ardent supporters of Markus. These were the androids who wanted to ease the post-revolution transition by reaching out to humans. Some listings were put up by the android equivalent of frat boys. These individuals were clearly looking for someone on the fringes of human society, someone who could show them a good (if not illegal) time.

Other posts came from eccentric androids who craved company but had likely been rejected by their own kind. Gavin felt a strange twisting sensation, almost like pity, when he came across a post written entirely in third person by someone called Ralph.

He had almost given up hope when he came across a simple little listing for a two bedroom apartment in Cyberscalia.

RK900 #313 248 317 - 87: Seeking a neat, self-sufficient co-renter. Human or android, no preference. I spend most of my time working and will be out of your way for the better part of the day. I only ask for silence during my nighttime stasis cycles, timely payment of dues and upkeep of cleanliness.

Gavin sighed in relief.

//

“Your room is the first door on the left, mine is the second. The bathroom, laundry and kitchenette are shared, as is the living room. I scarcely find use for the latter, so you need not worry about my intruding on any of your social gatherings, or vice versa. As long as you adhere to the terms of the agreement, our paths will not cross much.”

The tall, stiff-necked android dropped a set of keys, both mechanical and digital, into Gavin’s open palm.

“Er thanks.. RK… sorry I forgot your full model number…”

“You may call me Nines. Although, I’d rather you didn’t call me much of anything. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

In a swish of black fabric, the android turned on his heel and disappeared into his room. Two rapid clicks indicated the shutting and locking of his door.

Gavin sighed and looked around the open-plan living room. It was nothing fancy, but it was far beyond any of the other properties he’d viewed in weeks of unsuccessful house-hunting.

He sat down on the simple black couch with a huff and contemplated his situation. He’d ended up where he’d truly never expected to go, but objectively speaking, things were good… barring the high-handed manner of his robot flatmate, but who gave a shit about that.

He pulled out his phone to text Tina his thanks.

//

“I can’t! I refuse to! It is a violation of my personal ethics and I will simply not take this assignment any further. Good day to you sir!”

Gavin nearly dropped his bowl of cereal one morning when his roommate burst out of his door and rushed into the open balcony.

He hadn’t seen Nines in days, which was perfectly normal. The android came and went at odd hours and made hardly any noise. It was almost like living alone. The only reminder of Nines’ presence was the sight of several dark shirts and trousers regularly hung out to dry on the rack above the washing machine.

Gavin set his bowl down and watched the android tightly grip the bars of the railing and take several unnecessary breaths to calm down. He’d seen deviant colleagues express emotion many times before, but this was the first time he witnessed such a potent mixture of rage and sorrow from a synthetic being.

Out of empathy, but mostly curiosity, Gavin approached cautiously.

“Hey Nines… is everything alright…?”

There was no response for several moments. Then Nines turned around with a grimace and hands held upwards in a placating gesture.

“I apologise for the disturbance. It was hypocritical of me to disrupt the very peace and quiet I demand of you.”

“Uh… no worries…? Are you okay?”

There was a flash of steel blue eyes.

Gavin kicked himself mentally as he realised too late that he’d broached uncharted territory. Their interactions didn’t extend beyond curt nods on the rare occasion they found each other in the same space. It was almost as if Nines engineered the lack of contact, which wouldn’t surprise Gavin at all if it were the case.

“I’m fine. I merely experienced some frustration with my work.”

Perhaps it was boredom, perhaps it was his usual lack of self-preservative instinct… Gavin threw caution to the winds.

“What do you actually do?”

Nines’ expression remained stoic but his LED went through a spectacular series of colours and flashes. His next words were reluctant.

“I’m a private investigator.”

“Oh shit! I’m actually a cop.”

Gavin pointed dumbly at himself and then let his hand drop when he saw absolutely no surprise cross the android’s face.

“I know. That’s why I let you stay with me.”

“For safety?”

“Certainly not for your fashion sense.”

“Wow okay, I didn’t think I’d be much protection for a big scary droid like you.”

Nines hummed dismissively and started to move out of the balcony, body language fully indicating the end of the conversation.

Unable to help himself for some strange reason, Gavin blurted out another ill-advised question.

“What pissed you off so much?”

Nines paused halfway through side-stepping the human. A thrill went through Gavin at the shards of ice he observed for the first time up close in Nines’ irises.

“If I tell you, will you promise to stop asking pointless questions?”

Gavin nodded earnestly, and frankly… rather foolishly.

“I helped a client gather evidence to initiate divorce proceedings on the grounds of infidelity. I provided ample photo and video evidence for his lawyers to work with. Now they want me to keep following the spouse to capture more details that could gear any future settlement in his favour.”

“So what’s your problem?”

“They’re offering me an incredible amount of cash to follow her 24/7. To stake out her workplace, her gym, her parent’s home. They want me to crouch under the window of the bedroom where her children sleep. I can do a lot of things, but not that. It’s deeply insulting that they even asked. That’s why I was so… pissed.”

Nines slipped past and was nearly back to his bedroom when Gavin spoke.

“I respect that.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“I know, but for real though, I think ethics are important in our line of work. Not just because of we need morals or a sense of right or wrong blablabla, but because we need… clarity.”

Silence floated through the hallway as Nines paused with a hand on his doorframe.

“Clarity?”

“Yeah, like a sense of direction. We don’t just take cases right-left-centre because they make us money. I mean, we could, and people do… but they never become specialists or experts of any kind. You gotta strategise if you want a career. Ethics helps with that. I think…”

Gavin wasn’t sure what made him say any of that. He was neither one for small talk, nor a man of many words… but something about Nines prompted that unusual level of introspective discourse.

“Sorry that was weird. Never mind.”

“That was actually… very astute.”

Their eyes met and Gavin could’ve sworn he saw the hint of a smile.

“It’s good to see that not all humans are as one-dimensional as I thought.”

The door clicked shut, but there was no locking sound.

//

Since the morning of Nines’ uncharacteristic outburst, the frequency of their encounters in the common areas of the apartment increased. Wordless nods became hellos, and hellos eventually became full sentences.

Not that he’d admit it, Gavin actually looked forward to enquiring about the android’s day and the cases he was working on. It was utterly fascinating to hear about legal investigations without the constraints of police procedure.

For his part, Nines would share as much as he had the patience to, before disappearing into the confines of his room. Though the time he spent outside steadily increased every day.

Another morning, while Gavin was making his coffee, Nines emerged from his room, still in his pyjamas and looking as livid as he had the time before. Gavin had never seen him in anything but crisply ironed businesswear. Before he could voice any concern, Nines stiffly asked Gavin to keep a lookout for a homicide suspect.

He nodded and immediately reached for his phone to text the sergeant on duty at his station. By midday, there was an arrest.

That evening, when Gavin settled in front of the TV with his usual glass of wine, he heard the familiar sound of Nines’ door opening. The couch dipped beside him.

“Thank you.”

“Just did my job. I should thank you for the tip.”

“Hmm.”

Gavin chanced a glance at his roommate, and found him looking right back.

“What?”

“Nothing… I just had the realisation that much of my work is impotent without the authority and means to take any kind of action.”

The sitcom began to play and Gavin thumbed the remote to reduce the volume.

“Takes all kinds to keep the streets clean. PIs can do things cops can’t. We rely on guys like you for intel all the time, you know.”

“I know.”

No words were exchanged for a while thereafter. Gavin found himself unable to focus on the TV show with all the brooding energy emanating from his right.

“If you feel like being a private eye doesn’t make enough of a difference, then why didn’t you… um… you know…”

“Join law enforcement?”

“Yup.”

“Plenty of my fellow androids have done so. I know for a fact that my predecessor model chose to remain there. You might know him.”

“Connor? Yes. Very annoying.”

“He is, isn’t he?”

“Totally. But why didn’t you join too? You’d be brilliant on the Force.”

“My skillset is certainly well-suited, but I didn’t want to become another puppet of the state.”

Gavin really didn’t know what to say to that. He nodded uncertainly and looked back at the television. He wasn’t sure why Nines was suddenly this social.

“What are you… watching?”

Androids could scan and detect just about anything in the world, so there had to be something else to the question. Gavin, strangely, was happy to oblige.

//

Nines made an appearance every evening, without fail. He would sit through the TV shows if they were of interest, or he would bring his case material and notes to the coffee table to work in silence beside Gavin.

Sometimes Gavin liked to work on jigsaw puzzles on the dining table. Nines would sit beside him, pretending to read a paperback novel, but actually scanning the puzzle and passing the right pieces over from time to time.

Against all odds, an evening ritual and a tentative friendship developed. It was simple, but it was warm. Comfortable. Like nothing Gavin had ever had before, even with humans.

//

He awoke one morning with a slight crick in his neck but the feeling of being very well-rested.

His eyes flickered open and fell upon the window. Familiar greenery came into view… but wait… had everything slightly shifted to the left? And was that the New Jericho Capitol building? He couldn’t see that from his room! There was a tree in the way! A tree that was now a few feet away from where it used to be.

Gavin sat up in alarm as he realised that he was not in his own bed. His heart flew into his throat as Nines walked through the open doorway. Shirtless and carrying a mug of blue liquid.

“Oh good, you’re up.”

“Wha-what happened!?”

Nines frowned and sat down on the edge of the bed. He set the mug on the floor and pulled on a plain black t-shirt.

“You passed out on the couch last night. I think you finished a whole bottle waiting up for me? Sorry, I was out working later than expected.”

Gavin looked down and sighed in relief as he found all his clothes still on him.

“I didn’t want you to injure yourself sleeping at an odd angle so I brought you here. Your door was locked.”

“You could’ve easily opened it.”

“Yes, but that would’ve been an invasion of privacy. I reserve that for working hours alone.”

Gavin looked deep into the sparkling blue eyes and as usual found no trace of humour.

“Thanks…”

“Don’t mention it. Now get out. You’re ruining my silk sheets.”

//

Against his best efforts, Gavin could not keep the thought of being carried to bed and tucked in safely out of his mind. How many years had it been? Since something like that had been even remotely possible for him?

He knew that Nines was just being kind in his own pragmatic little way… but Gavin found that he wouldn’t mind the prospect of waking up in the android’s bed in a wildly different context.

He realised he had it bad when Tina caught him smiling to himself at work one day.

“Why so happy?”

“Oh… nothing. Just remembered something my roommate did… He’s a… funny guy.”

“Huh. Well, look at you getting along so well with androids.”

“Android. Singular. Just him.”

“Wowwww… he sounds special.”

//

“Who did this?”

“Gavin, the damage is merely superficial-”

“Who phcking did this??!”

He reached forward and gingerly touched Nines’ split cheek. His synth skin was smeared with blue blood and glitching in and out. Nines winced at the contact.

“Shit, sorry. That must hurt like a bitch.”

“Androids do not feel pain.”

“Bullshit.”

“I’m merely experiencing a surge in sensory input wherever my chassis is exposed. I’m fine.”

“Shut up and give me your first aid kit or whatever toolbox equivalent you tincans have.”

A shade of embarrassment appeared over the android’s features.

“I… actually don’t have one. I didn’t think I’d ever need it.”

“Didn’t think anyone could kick your ass, huh?”

“No… I didn’t think anyone would ever spot my hiding place.”

“Huh. How’d that happen?”

Nines’ eyes dipped, but as always, he answered the question.

“I was… distracted.”

Something in the air solidified and both of them felt it. Gavin cleared his throat and slapped his knees like an old man about to stand up.

“Right. Let me go check if the neighbours have anything that might help with your face.”

//

“So who’s this dapper young gent you’ve brought to the party, Gavin?”

“Er… he’s my uh… roommate.”

Captain Fowler nodded and winked.

“That’s what they called it in my day too.”

Nines shifted beside Gavin and cleared his throat.

“He’s a PI. But I think he’s wasting his talent taking pictures of cheating spouses. He’s quite interested in police work. Maybe we could get him to assist on a couple cases now and then?”

Fowler put down his drink and extended a warm hand to Nines.

//

“Oh thank RA9!”

Nines came running to the cluster of police cars and enveloped him in a giant hug. Gavin laughed as he patted him weakly on the back.

“Watch the ribs, big guy.”

“I was so worried.”

“Why? Your info was good. No chance of error.”

“I meant about you.”

Gavin pulled back and regarded Nines with confusion. The flashing red and blue lights of the cars made it hard to read his LED.

“Why?”

“I can’t believe you have to ask.”

The android pulled him into a bruising kiss. The officers standing nearby broke into wolf-whistles and applause.

“What the-”

“Oh I take full credit for that, sir.”

Fowler glanced at Tina.

“The case, Chen?”

“Oh of course. I solved the whole thing. But I mean that specifically.”

She waved a hand in Gavin and Nines’ direction. The two held each other tightly and seemed unlikely to come up for air anytime soon.

“Like I helped Gav find an affordable place in New Jericho and then he met this handsome investigator droid and they were roommates.”

“Oh my god, they were roommates…”

“Yeah legit.”

//

\\\

Thanks so much for the request @jude-shotto

This ended up being a lot longer than expected, but I couldn’t help it. Your prompt just took me on a whole journeyyyy <3

[daydreamstew]

(did I sent you one already? who cares yolo) brio + 58

thank you, paloma!! 💕🥰 look at you trying to get me to write angst! HA! enjoy my first ever college au instead 🤪

58. “I made a mistake.”

“I made a mistake,” Beth blurts out as soon as the door to Rio’s room swings open.

Her pleading eyes meet his sleep-bleary ones, blinking from the fluorescent lights of their rundown dorm hallway. He must’ve still been sleeping.

That’s when she glances down, eyes going wide when she realizes that the only thing he’s wearing is basketball shorts, sitting low on his hips revealing that v muscle thing and a happy trail leading to, well, a morning wood situation even though it’s the afternoon.

Her gaze darts back up to Rio, now sporting a smug grin and raised eyebrows, but she just squares her shoulders in spite of the flush she can feel blotting her cheeks.

“Yeah, what’d you do?” he asks, eyes dipping down to look her over like always.

“I forgot to bring my key with me when I left for class and the door locked behind me and now I’m locked out and my notes for my comp gov exam are in there and I can’t study without them and I need an A on it to bump my grade up,” she explains in one breath, eyes wide.

Rio shifts to lean against his door frame, his muscles rippling from the movement and she has to stop herself from staring for too long because she cannot be looking at him, another fellow RA, like that. That’s how she got into this mess in the first place.

“Yeah, see this is why you should just type your notes like the rest of us, darlin’,” he responds, wagging his pointer finger at her.

“I-,” she starts, before stopping to take a deep breath to calm herself.

God, it’s just like Rio to try to push her buttons like this. It’s almost like he enjoys it.

“Studies show that you learn more when you physically write down the information, Rio,” she replies, voice sickly sweet.

He hums out a noise, chest rumbling and, shit, her eyes glance down again.

Pull it together, Marks!

“Aight so you need your notes. Why can’t you just ask your boyfriend for the spare key to your room? Ain’t he working in the office right now?” he asks.

Her eyes glance down to the stained carpet, avoiding looking at him. Because, yes, Dean is the one scheduled to be in the RA office right now. She knows his work schedule like the back of her hand. But-

“We actually broke up,” she breathes out, feigning being casual.

But it’s not casual. Not at all. Because Dean had-

Well, he’d cheated on her with Amber from back home, who is still a senior in high school. Which—ew. And she can barely handle looking at him, but she has to anyway because they’re both RA’s for the same dorm complex and he has seniority over her since he’s a senior and she just can’t ask him for a favor right now. Can’t fathom using the word please to the guy that has made her feel so worthless.

But she doesn’t say all that to Rio because as much as they’re friends, as much as they enjoy talking shit and studying together in the lounge, as much as they’ve bonded over their Detroit upbringings and other more serious stuff—like them both losing a parent young and the responsibilities they have back home—she doesn’t want him to know the details of this.

Because, even though she knows it’s not her fault, she still feels this aching feeling of shame every time she thinks about it. And she’s terrified that the knowledge may change the way Rio looks at her. Like he may look at her and see what she sees right now. A girl that wasn’t enough.

“Oh yeah? What’d that asshole do now?” he asks, voice dripping with disdain.

He’s always hated Dean. She could always see a spark of something in Rio’s eyes whenever Dean fucked up.

She clears her throat, eyes looking everywhere but him.

“It’s nothing, okay? We’re done and I don’t really want to ask him for anything right now,” she says with a shrug.

“Elizabeth,” Rio says, voice now serious.

She’s not sure why she came to him. She has other RA friends she could’ve asked that would’ve made this less difficult. She would’ve explained that she and Dean broke up and they would’ve given her a look of pity and an I’m so sorry and moved on.

It’s just that as much as he gives her shit, he really is always there for her. He’s the one that got one of his sketchy friends to scare off that guy that wouldn’t stop harassing her and texting her. He’s the one that stayed up helping her work through her calculus practice exam during midterms while Dean went to Logan’s party. He’s the one that held her when she broke down in tears from stress over classes and work and Annie struggling in high school.

“Please just help me with this okay? I need to get my notes or else I’m gonna fail and then the next thing you know I’ll be dropping out and moving home and then who are you gonna pick on all the time? You’re gonna have to start teasing Jeremy or something,” she rushes out.

He sighs out a reluctant laugh and nods.

“Nah can’t be having that. That kid’s weird as fuck,” he jokes.

She smiles at him softly and he rolls his eyes.

“Okay so what do you need me to do?” he asks.

“All I need is for you to sneak into the drawer on the bottom right that holds the keys while I distract him,” she explains.

“Yeah and how you gonna do that?” he questions, eyebrows raised.

She looks down and reaches into her tank top to readjust her boobs for optimal cleavage before straightening her posture and beaming at him with a smug smile.

His grin is crooked and his eyes are glazing over as he eyes the trap she just set. When his perusal lasts longer than usual and he bites at his lip, eyes still on her chest, she smacks at his arm.

“Hey!” she exclaims, but she’s smiling.

He throws his head back in laughter.

“Yeah, that fool ain’t gonna know what hit him,” Rio replies, shaking his head.

She giggles.

“Aight lemme just put a hoodie on,” Rio says, slipping into his room.

She follows and smiles when she sees his normally perfectly made bed rumpled from his sleep.

He’s throwing on some shoes and grabbing his keys, looking like he’s just about ready to leave when she stops him, grabbing his wrist.

“Wait,” she starts.

“What?” he asks.

“Your..situation,” she mutters out, eyes glancing down to his groin. “Aren’t you gonna...take care of it?”

She can’t bring herself to be more specific. She thinks she may simply combust if he makes her spell it out.

He licks at his lips and looks down at his erection, still holding strong.

“Why? You don’t want Deansie to think we were in the middle of something?”

She laughs nervously.

“No,” she insists.

“Okay then you wanna help me take care of it?” he teases.

And he’s joking, but she can’t help the warmth she feels in her gut at even the thought of touching Rio like that.

“No thanks,” she squeaks out.

“Mm so polite,” he rasps, eyes dark.  

He hesitates before asking almost tentatively, “Maybe next time?”

His eyes dart to her lips briefly before returning to her gaze.

And, god, what’s wrong with her? She just broke up with Dean and her and Rio are friends. Good ones. And she doesn’t want to risk losing someone else.

But she can’t help herself from biting at her lip and saying, “Yeah. Maybe next time.”

His mouth parts slightly and he’s breathing heavier and she is too.

Something about the way they’re looking at each other is changing by the second, their vision clearing without a Dean-sized obstacle blocking the way. Revealing to her a possibility she hadn’t even fully considered.

She glances down to his lips and suddenly she’s thinking about how he could take care of her, so she clears her throat and takes a couple of steps away from him before she does something stupid like kiss him.

“How ‘bout we watch something for a minute? While it, uh, takes care of itself?” he suggests, gently mocking her prudeness.

As she climbs into his just slept-in sheets, she realizes that despite having watched hundreds of hours of tv together, they’ve never done it in his bed. They usually do it in the lounge, but they may have to switch this to their usual spot. It smells far better.

And if as they settle in for an episode of New Girl they’ve seen a dozen times, she shifts closer until she’s pressed into his side, and if he tentatively wraps his arm around her shoulder like they’re two fifteen-year-olds on their first date, and if she wordlessly hits play on the next episode so he doesn’t stop playing with her hair, then so be it.

The notes can wait. It’s still early. They have time. She’s good where they are right now—an “enough” with someone who looks at her like she’s more than.

[prettyboyjackhughes]

-Maybe it wasn’t meant to be- |J. Hughes| [Part 2]

Jack lay in bed, by himself, for the first time in weeks. They had won last night in a shootout, Jack having the winning goal and winning the series. But it still didn’t feel like enough. He still felt empty. Whether it was because he didn’t have her or because he knew she didn’t care or love him anymore, he wasn’t sure. The fact that he still blamed this feeling on Charlie made him sick to his stomach. He rolled over, grabbing his phone off the bedside table and ignoring the 3 text messages from Mallory, the model he had been hooking up with. He had a few texts from family, telling him congrats on the series win. But the one text he was most concerned about was from Alex. Jack had seen the news about Alex’s trade and had been meaning to text him but with all his “extracurricular activities”, he had forgotten and never texted him. So seeing Alex’s name in his phone brought a smirk to Jack’s face.

Alex-I just got done talking to Charlie

Alex-What the hell did you do to her

Jack’s stomach dropped again. He sat up in bed, his sore muscles complaining. Alex had gotten traded to Colorado, meaning Charlie was in Colorado. With Alex. Jack didn’t even think twice and pressed the call button. It rang a few times then Alex’s voice broke through the silence.

“What the hell are you talking about, Turcs?” Jack says, trying not to snap at Alex.

“I guess you got my text huh?” Alex says. Jack shifts, crossing his arm over his chest and grabbing onto his shoulder.

“Obviously now please explain to me what the hell you’re talking about. Charlie is in Colorado?” Jack’s chest tightens as he says her name for the first time in 3 years.

“She’s in Colorado. Tell me what you did to her.” Jack swallowed hard and let his head fall back against the headboard of his bed.

“I messed up Turcs. I made her feel like she wasn’t enough and that I didn’t want her. I was confused and wasn’t sure that I wanted to keep all the promises I made to her. I wasn’t sure that what we had was love, I mean we were only 18. But I look back now and I know, she’s the only one I can ever love like that. She’s the only one. But it’s too late.” Jack’s stomach churned. Alex was silent on the other end of the phone.

“So you’re telling me, you gave her up? And since she didn’t want to get hurt, she left? She ran away from you, Jack.” Jack’s head dropped.

“I know. And I shouldn’t be holding on to her after this long. She’s probably forgotten about me and moved on. I wouldn’t blame her if she did. I deserve that.” Jack said, running a hand through his hair.

“Jack, you made her drop all of us. She shut everyone out of her life that reminded her of you. The last time I had talked to her was 3 years ago! None of knew what happened and then you started to spiral. We had all figured you guys had broken up when she disappeared. I mean, come on man. This wasn’t just about you.” Alex’s words played in his head over and over again.

“So what are you saying? Do I try and reach out? Should I text her?” Jack asks.

“I didn’t say that. It’s been 3 years. She told you not to come after her, which was a stupid move you idiot. I’ve watched enough romance movies with Madi to know that when a girl says that, the guy is supposed to go after them.” Jack smiles a little, thinking about all the nights Jack, Alex, Charlie and Madi, Charlie’s best friend, would spend in the basement of his parents’ house back in Plymouth when he and Alex were in the NDTP, watching every movie from The Notebook to Miracle. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

“I was a stupid kid then. If I had the chance to go back, you know I would go after her.” Alex moves the phone to his other ear and clears his throat.

“Jack, I think you need to think this through before you do anything. I’m going over to Charlie’s later. I might try and get her to talk about all of this. I know she talked to Madi about it at the beginning but with Madi being in Germany for the last year and a half, they haven’t talked much. Who knows, she may just shut down if I even mention your name.” Jack nods, agreeing with Alex. It had taken him 3 years to even say her name. When she had first left, Jack had gone back home for a week. It had worked out that the team had a 3 game series against Detroit. He had sat in his childhood room, looking at the pictures on his walls. Most of them had her in them. They had been friends since they were kids. He had fallen for her the day she had looked at him, rolled her eyes and bet him 3 dollars and a piece of gum that he wouldn’t eat the sucker they had found stuck to the pavement in the cul-de-sac. That had happened when they were 11. She had been his neighbor, 3 houses away from his on the cul-de-sac, since he was born. Their families became friends because of the two of them. Charlie’s older brother went to college at the University of Michigan with Quinn, actually finishing his degree, unlike Quinn who ended up going to the NHL. Charlie’s younger brother played hockey with Luke for a couple seasons before deciding he liked baseball better. Every memory he had, she was apart of. Every birthday party since he was 7, every school dance; every little memory that he had from his childhood and into his NHL start, she was there. He didn’t want to let go of her because he thought it would make all those memories even harder for him. But sitting there, in his childhood bedroom, crying over something he had messed up, his mom had walked into his room. She had sat down on his bed, rubbed his knee and comforted him as best she could. But out of all the things she said, one thing still stuck with him, even now. She had picked up the picture of them from homecoming their freshman year. Homecoming had been about 3 months after Jack had asked Charlie to be his girlfriend.

“I see how you two are there. So happy and definitely in love. You loved her, and she definitely loved you. But honey, sometimes people love someone but it isn’t the right time for them to love each other. It’s just, right person, wrong time.” And that’s what he had held onto. That he and Charlie were just the right person, wrong time. Maybe they’d find each other in the future and things would work out.

“I guess it’s really her move. Not anything I can do. You can talk to her if you want, you don’t have to. I’ll talk to you later, Alex. Thanks for listening and letting me know. See you next time we’re in Denver.” Alex says bye and Jack ends the call. He falls back against the pillows and stares at the ceiling.  

Charlie looked down at the pictures and clothes scattered around her on the floor. The day she had left, she had thrown all of the stuff she had of Jack’s into a box. Every picture, every sweatshirt and t-shirt, every piece of jewelry that he had gotten her since she was 14. At first, she couldn’t even bring herself to look through the box or to even have it anywhere she would see it on a daily basis. But now, she was getting better. The box had moved from the hall closet to the corner of her room. When things got really bad and all she could think about was Jack, she would pull something out of the box, usually one of the sweatshirts or t-shirts, and think back on how things used to be. She knew she still loved Jack but how long could she go on loving him? Did he even remember her? Did he still think of her as much as she thought of him? Honestly, she probably would never know the answers to those questions, which hurt, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it because she wasn’t going to go after someone who had pushed her away all those years ago. He had decided she wasn’t worth it and never came after her. As she sat on the floor, staring at the promise ring he had given her when they were 17, Alex knocked on the door to her apartment. She quickly threw everything in the box and got up, running to open the door. She threw it open and Alex looked up at her from his phone with an amused look on his face.

“Excited to see me?” He says as he walks into the apartment behind her. She shuts the door and locks it behind him.

“Oh hush, Turcs.” She says, rolling her eyes. She and Alex had fallen right back into how they were before, with him constantly teasing her and her taking it but giving it right back.

“So how do you like the new apartment?” Charlie asks, walking in front of Alex who follows her into the living room. He sits on the couch as she collapses on the floor.

“You always liked sitting on the floor better than the couch, you weirdo.” Alex says, nudging her with his foot. She laughs and gets on her phone. Charlie scrolls through instagram, pausing for a second on a picture of Jack from the All-Star game a few weeks ago. Alex watches over her shoulder, trying to decide whether or not to tell her about his call with Jack.

“Hey Char...I talked to Jack before I came here.” He says, tapping on her shoulder. She stiffens for a second then turns to look at Alex.

“You...You talked to Jack. Did you tell him...that you talked to me? That I was here?” She asked, something that looked like fear but was more concern and interest than anything.

“I mentioned I had talked to you and that you were here. We talked about what happened.” She picks at her lip and watches Alex. Alex is being careful with his words, trying not to cause a breakdown.

“As in...why I left? You guys talked about why I left?” Alex nods, moving down to the ground to sit next to her.

“We talked about it. He explained what he thinks he did to cause you to leave. It all makes sense, Char.” Charlie nods, her head staying down.

“I know it makes sense Alex. Why do you think I did it?” She says, pushing her hair back out of her face and looking at him hard.

“It wasn’t the right choice though. I loved him and I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me. Why did I think it was a good idea to let him go? If we’re being honest, I still love him.” Alex’s eyes stay on Charlie, trying hard to hide his slight excitement.

“Charlie, have you ever thought about maybe trying to reach out to him? I mean, you two were friends before everything. You were best friends.” Charlie shakes her head.

“Alex, I can’t. I decided I wasn’t going to go after someone who had pushed me away all those years ago. He had decided I wasn’t worth it and never came after me.” Alex places his hand on her knee gently, distracting her from picking at her fingers.

“Char, you told him not to come after you. If he loved you, you told him not to come after you. So I understand what you were thinking but you wanted him to come after you, didn’t you?” Those words shatter Charlie. She starts to cry and Alex pulls her into a hug.

“All I wanted was for him to come after me. I wanted him to show up in Colorado and take me back home with him. Say I belonged with him, in Jersey. I wanted the whole dramatic movie reuniting. But instead he never came and I stayed in Denver, heartbroken. I don’t understand. I thought he loved me.” She chokes out the words, sobbing into Alex’s shoulder. Alex hugs her to his chest, his heart breaking for his two best friends. 

[whatareyousearchingfordean]

Happiness Continues

Prologue

Summary: Jensen and Y/n take the plunge into their forever.

Pairing: Jensen Ackles x Plus Size Reader

Word Count: 5.3K+

Warnings: Language, 

Author’s Note: Well, without further adieu, here she is! I’ve been so nervous to post this series because I wanted to make sure it lives up to all your expectations. Your feedback is gold, so please let me know what you think! xoxo Alex (Bold texts are Jensen, italicized are reader)

Catch up with the series masterlist and then check out Alexandra’s Library for more by yours truly!

The sunlight from the grand windows on the west wall of the hall was quickly being replaced by the soft glow of the lights above and the candles flickering on the table. Indistinct chatter filled the small space that the couple had reserved for their rehearsal dinner. The group’s bellies were full and the drinks were still flowing. 

“You’re looking a bit tired there,” Jensen’s hand landed on his fiancée’s thigh, squeezing gently to get her to look at him. 

“Mmm, I am, but I’m not ready to go,” she hummed, her eyes heavy with the events of the day. 

“Why’s that?” 

“It’s gonna be weird, you know, sleeping away from you. I just got used to you being home lately,” the woman shrugged, placing her hand on top of his. She traced a pattern with her finger over his knuckles, her gaze concentrated on her task. Their friends and family continued to chat excitedly around them as the two slipped away into their own world without ever leaving the table. 

“I know. I’m not used to having a whole bed to myself, or someone not stealing my covers in the night,” Y/n gasped low, looking up at Jensen to find him smirking at her, her favorite dimples on display on the corners of his lips. The woman scowled at him and his ability to be so freaking cute as a grown man. 

“You know,” a mischievous smile grew on her face as she turned his hand over and linked their fingers together. “We aren’t married yet, there is absolutely nothing stopping me from, I don’t know, just not showing up tomorrow.” 

Jensen hummed, “Happy wife, happy life.” receiving the exact reaction out his fiancée that he had hoped for; a sharp smack to his shoulder. 

“Ugh, you know how much I hate that saying.” Jensen couldn’t help but laugh at the way she rolled her eyes. His fiancée joined in on the laughter, only for it to be broken by a wide yawn. 

“Alright, that’s enough for you, honey. You need to sleep. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.” Y/n frowned at his declaration but she knew there was no use in fighting him. She wasn’t lying when she said it would be weird to not have him in bed with her tonight. Her one hope was exhausting her body to the point of passing out the minute her head hit the pillow. So far, it was working, seeing as she wasn’t even sure that she could stand from her chair and make it up to her room. 

Y/n blinked slowly as Jensen stood from his chair, reaching out to help her to her feet. “Alright, I think it’s time I put this one to bed if I want her to get out of up tomorrow.” 

“Ah, such a kidder,” Y/n mocked as the crowd laughed and bid the couple goodnight. Jensen slipped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her close to his side as he took her to the elevator. The entrepreneur leaned into him as they rode up to her floor, her eyes fluttering closed as she basked in his scent while she still could. The steady drum of his heart lulled her into a place she so desperately wanted to be, but the shudder of the cart had her eyes flashing open too soon. 

“Alright, here we go,” Y/n handed over her keycard to Jensen and he pushed open the door. He let go of his grip on her and urged her in. 

“You coming in?” She turned once through the threshold, looking back at him still in the hall. 

“Nice try,” He smiled, the action softening his features. “One night, babe. We can make it through, then it’s you and me forever.” 

Her tongue rolled out over her lips as she leaned against the door. “Aw, that was an adorable thing to say, you know that?” 

“As long as you don’t tell Jared, then we are safe.” 

“Ahhh, I’ve heard the things he’s said to Gen so he really has no place to talk,” Y/n quirked an eyebrow, eliciting a similar response from the man standing outside her door. 

“Wait—”

“Goodnight Ackles,” her voice trailed off in a soft melody as she closed the door, his muttered ‘son of a bitch’ the last thing she heard before he was gone. 

She made quick work of her nightly routine before settling into the plush comforter of her hotel bed. Her body sank into the cool sheets, the exhaustion winning over her body easily. 

The only thing was it didn’t last for her. Y/n soon found herself tossing and turning under the plush covers. The bed was too large by herself, and every time her hand landed on an empty bed instead of her fiancé, she was jolted awake. She let out a huff as she stared up at the dark ceiling. A small sliver of light appeared suddenly and she turned over to grab her phone.

Hey baby, I hope you aren’t awake like I am, but I just wanted to tell you that I love you and I can’t wait to marry you tomorrow. 

Y/n smiled at the screen. Even after being together for almost two years, she kept finding more and more ways they were alike. What were the odds that both of them were lying awake in the middle of the night thinking of each other at the same time? 

You’re out of luck. This bed is too big without you.

She shot him back a quick text before locking her phone and holding it against her chest. His reply took no time at all. 

I know how you feel, believe me. Get some sleep, I’ll see you at the altar. 

Y/n had to chuckle to herself.

The only thing coming to my mind now is stupidly cheesy, but I’m gonna say it anyway. I’ll be the one in white. 

Hahaha, you’re right, that is cheesy. But I still love you.

You better.

Y/n put her phone back on the bedside table. Somehow, just talking to him and knowing he was up too made her feel better about sleeping alone. Maybe she should feel bad about smiling at him tossing and turning along without her, but right now she couldn’t care less because all it did was show her that she was making the right choice. 

Y/n was out again within minutes.

****

When they say your wedding day goes by in a flash, they truly aren’t kidding. Y/n woke up more refreshed than she expected when her alarm went off in the morning. She was also far less anxious than she expected as she went about her usual morning routine. Coffee and yogurt were sent up to her room with a note from Jensen telling her he knew she would forget to eat unless he got her something, which had made her chuckle because he was right. 

Her mother was there to pick her up and take her to the venue at noon. The older woman was quiet on the relatively short drive to the manor just outside Austin. Y/n knew it was only a matter of time until her mother was sobbing, so she was thankful for this time to relax and enjoy the sunshine. 

When they finally arrived at The Grand Lady, there were few cars in the parking lot, most of them belong to her bridal party. The guys lucked out with being able to go out for lunch seeing as they didn’t need hours in a hair and makeup chair, a fact which she and Jensen disagreed on. She had insisted that she could do her own makeup and save some money, but he would not hear of her quote, working, unquote on her wedding day, so she went along with him and hired people to make her shine.

Genevieve, Mackenzie, and her high school friends Stella, Delilah, and Grace were already in the bridal suite when Y/n and her mother arrived. The champagne bottle from the mimosa bar was popped before she even had a chance to set her bag down. The young entrepreneur had to remind herself to take the drinks slowly, seeing as she was getting married later that evening, not that her bridesmaids held that same regard. 

Before she knew it, it was nearing time to get into her dress. The photographer had already taken it from the bag earlier to photograph. Y/n stood staring up at the delicate material that glinted in the sunlight coming in the window. This was truly it. It was her wedding day, the day that she had given up on seeing a long time ago. If she thought about it too much, she was sure to ruin all the work that her crew had done on her face. 

“Y/n/n,” Gen called her from across the room. Y/n spun back to look at the ladies enjoying themselves. “I’ve been tasked with handing over something special to the bride.” 

Cheers came from the other women in the room, all eager to find out what exactly Jensen had decided to gift her with. Y/n watched as Gen pulled a decent-sized package out of the closet. It was wrapped in shining silver wrapping paper with a white bow wrapped around it. Her curiosity was piqued, seeing as the pair had not discussed a gift exchange, not that it had stopped her from purchasing a bespoke watch from a little shop in Detroit and having a message stitched into the leather strap. It was an easy choice seeing as her soon-to-be husband was obsessed with watches. The hard part was finding one he didn’t already own.

“This thing is huge,” she noted before quickly adding, “No one comment.” 

All the girls stifled their laughs, watching her as she tore into the paper without care. She tossed the paper to the side, taking in the black and white sound waves embossed on the white background. There was black script in the lower-left corner that read ‘in a world we could call our own’. 

“What’s the song?” Y/n didn’t recognize the lyric, but that didn’t mean that she hadn’t heard the song before. 

“On the back,” Stella called from her seat across the room. Y/n flipped the frame over in her hands, noticing the small square taped to the back. Setting the frame on the chair next to her, she broke the seal on the paper envelope. Inside was a simple CD, but on the front was a short message in Jensen’s familiar script that read ‘and it all came down to you, can’t wait to see you at the altar - Jensen.’

“But I don’t—” Her words were hushed as Gen handed over a portable CD player with headphones attached. Y/n turned the gray plastic over in her hand, knowing it had to be Jensen’s idea for her to listen to the disk in this way. Frankly, she was shocked that he didn’t find a way to put in on an eight-track and have Gen hand over a Walkman. 

Y/n placed the disk in the player and put the headphones on before pressing play. The soft melody caught her attention immediately, her head bobbing gently along until Jensen’s voice filled her ears. 

Listened to yesterday

Long before the way it has become

And it all came down to you

I don't really know the way

Played out stranger than it seemed

But what went down came true

Like an all day dream

It seemed saving her makeup was now just a pipe dream. She could feel the tears spilling out of the corners of her eyes. Gen was quick to bring her a tissue and Y/n tried her best to blot up the wetness without ruining everything. 

Everybody was looking at her as the song came to an end and she pulled the headphones off her head. “He uh, he wrote me a song,”  Y/n explained to her waiting friends. The room fell into collective awe. 

“Okay, okay! Enough with my cheesy brother. You need to get in your dress like now and fix your makeup.” Mackenzie was laughing as she spoke, but Y/n caught the hint of water in her eyes as well. She was right, her brother was more than cheesy. It was something that she used to turn her nose up at, but somehow, he found a way to make it work that never seemed to fail. 

“Right,” Y/n agreed, standing up from her seat and heading behind the partition to get into her dress. Her mother and Gen helped her into the heavy material and worked up the buttons along her back. She noticed her mother was tearing up again, much as she had on the day Y/n had said ‘yes to the dress.’

“Mom, come on now, Dad is gonna be in here any minute and I can’t have both of you in tears. I’ve already cried enough as it is.” Truth be told, she had been barely keeping it together since she received Jensen’s gift, and her family was not helping. She just had to keep it together until she was at the altar. Just half an hour longer. 

****

Jensen finished fastening the watch around his wrist before turning it over and inspecting it once again. His bride had chosen well. It was unlike any other he had in his collection, but it suited him well, and of course, it matched his suit to a ‘T.’ He double-checked that the hands on the face were where they needed to be, the realization of the time hitting him in the gut. 

“Hey, man. You good?” Jared’s voice broke him from his reverie. He tugged down the sleeves of his suit, fidgeting inside the snug outfit. 

“Uh, I’m not sure how to answer that.” A nervous chuckle forced its way up his throat. Jared nodded at his friend. 

“Been there, buddy.” Jared clapped his large hand on Jensen’s shoulder, squeezing his fingertips into the navy material. “But before I give you wise words of encouragement, I have to do my brotherly duty.” 

“Duty?” Jensen murmured to himself as Jared cleared his throat.

“If you ever hurt my sister again, I will not be as forgiving. You’re here today because I trust you with her life and her heart. Don’t make me regret that.” Jared again squeezed Jensen’s shoulder for emphasis. 

Jensen couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re funny, Jare.” But Jared’s expression had remained unchanged. “Oh, you’re serious… Dude, you’ve already punched me once. Trust me, I get the picture.” 

“Good, now that that’s settled, all you need to do is focus on Y/n. The rest of it will fall into place. You guys are crazy about each other, forget about all the rest.” Jared dropped his grip on his friend and straightened his boutonniere. 

“Thank you. I do love her, more than anything.” The groom smiled to himself as he watched the hands on the clock tick down. 

“Oh, and remember to take a second for just the two of you later. Go and experience things from afar.” 

Jensen nodded to himself, repeating Jared’s line back to himself. “Just the two of us.” 

“Alright, Jay. Shake it off, it’s time to go see your bride.” 

****

Gen was trying her best to keep Odette occupied as they waited to walk down the aisle. The group of bridesmaids, the bride and her father all were huddled in the corner of the wrap-around porch, waiting for the music to begin playing. 

Y/n had one arm already wrapped around her father’s, her bouquet in the other. Her lower lip was worried in her teeth as the music started from the band behind the altar. A jolt beside her had her snapping her head up to see her father smiling down at her. 

“How are you doing over there?” He asked as her bridesmaids began to disappear one by one. 

“I’ll be okay. Deep breaths, right?” 

“Deep breaths. Come on, someone is waiting for you.” Her dad tightened his grip on her as they began moving. The old wood of the manor creaked as they made their way across it and down the steps. Y/n refused to look up until her feet were on the fabric aisle put together by the wedding planners. When she did finally look up, her eyes cast over her friends and family standing to watch her, looking for the one pair of green eyes that could ground her. 

Jensen had to bite his tongue when his bride came around the corner, the lace she adorned more elegant than he had expected. Her hair fell in waves down her back and the light veil covered her face just enough to hide her blush from him, but it was when she looked up and lock eyes with him that everything else fell away. It was just like Jared had said, all that mattered at that moment was her and Jensen. Like that night back in Vancouver, when she smiled at him from her place in her father’s arms, his heart skipped a beat. It was that smile that did him in still to this day. 

Y/n watched as Jensen’s face broke out into the widest grin she’d ever seen. He clasped his hands together as he lost himself in her. His reaction had her feeling more light than she had ever felt. This was the moment people talk about twenty years down the road when they recount their wedding day. That ‘first look’ feeling was one she was going to remember for the rest of her life. 

“Gerald,” Jensen held out his hand to Y/n’s father, shaking it with a smile before Gerald turned back to his daughter and handed her over to her groom, but not before stealing a kiss to her cheek. 

Jensen slipped her arm under his and pulled her close to his side. “Wow, Y/n. Just… wow,” he whispered to her as their officiant began the ceremony. 

“You’re one to talk, handsome. That blue suit is killer,” she husked, faking a whistle below her breath. She paused for a second to glare at Jared clearing his throat when the crowd was asked if anyone objected to their marriage. She couldn’t be too mad at him though, considering the chuckles he got from the crowd. Jared was just being Jared. 

“So, in their decision to make my life a little easier, Jensen and Y/n have decided to write their own vows, which they will share with you now.” Their officiant waved her hand to them, the couple turning to now face each other. Y/n handed her bouquet off to her matron of honor, Gen, who exchanged it for her written vows, before turning back and taking Jensen’s free hand in her own. 

“Y/n, I don’t know if it’s stupid or cliche to start off with this, but I love you. I do, I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love another human being. I had all but given up on my chance to find someone and have a family, and then you came crashing into my life. It all came down to you, my all-day dream come true.”

“Y/n/n, you are a strong, beautiful, and bullheaded woman. You frustrate me, you challenge me and you make me a better man. I promise to love you forever, to carry you through the bad times and laugh with you in the good times. I promise to keep you safe in my arms no matter what life throws our way and to cherish every moment we have together. I promise forever.”

Jensen shoved his vows into his pocket as he finished, his green eyes sparkling in the sunlight as he smiled down at her. For a moment, she let herself get lost in them until their officiant cleared her throat. The crowd chuckled as Y/n mumbled to herself to get a grip. 

“I struggled a lot to put my feelings down into words. This damned piece of paper stared at me for weeks just mocking my brain for its lack of focus. But I soon realized it wasn’t because I couldn’t find the words, it was because there are no words. Jay, you are indescribable. You are everything I didn’t know that I needed before I met you. You always know how to make me laugh, what words to say when I don’t feel beautiful, and how to pick me up from the ground when I’ve fallen to my knees.” 

“I vow to you to always be there when you need to speak and to share the silence when words aren’t needed. I vow to make sure you always smile from all my smart ass comments and to make sure you know how handsome you are. Most importantly, I vow to love you more and more with every passing day.” 

Y/n was barely keeping it together as the two of them exchanged their rings and ‘I do’s’. She had fully expected the tears to be present ever since the pair had discussed writing their vows, but she never expected him to literally take her heart in his hands and squeeze it. Her heart had never been so full than at this moment.

“I think that about does it then, eh? By the power invested in me by the state of Texas and in front of God and all your loved ones, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jensen,” The crowd laughed as their officiant tilted her head towards Y/n, raising her brow. The couple joined in as Jensen lifted her veil over her head and pulled her to his chest, her hands snaking around his waist and her fingers clutching onto his jacket. Their lips met in the middle, a grin on both their faces. After everything, they were finally here, right where they both wanted to be: with each other.

“Family and friends, I am delighted to present to you for the first time, as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Jensen Ackles!” 

Jensen pulled away from his wife before pecking her nose one last time. He took her hand in his own as Gen handed her back her bouquet. The pair of them ran back down the aisle as the band played “You Make My Dreams Come True” and their families cheered. As they reached the porch around the manor once again, the event coordinator of the hall guided them back inside to the study where the boys had gotten ready for the ceremony. 

The room was mostly cleared of the groomsmen’s items when they entered. For now, it was their place to have a second alone before they needed to begin taking photographs. Y/n set her bouquet down on one of the tables, her other hand still in Jensen’s. He tugged her into his side again, smiling down at her, his lips turned up on one side. 

“Hi, wife.” 

“Hi, husband,” Y/n parroted his sentiment back to him, a chuckle on her tongue. “Are you gonna be disgustingly cheesy now?”

“It’s my wedding day, I think I’m entitled,” he nodded.

“Hmm, well good. I love it.” 

“I knew it!” Jensen bit his lip as he caressed his fingers along her jaw. He ran his thumb over her lower lip, his eyes examining the expanse of her face.

“Jay,” Jensen raised his brow at her, signaling her to continue. “I love you. Thank you for marrying me.”

“I love you too, pretty girl.” He promised, lowering his lips to her own in a quick caress. 

****

It didn’t take long for the photographs to be finished, though it was boring work. Y/n assumed she probably shouldn’t feel that way, but her face was beginning to hurt from smiling so much. In the midst of it all, they’d signed their marriage license, so she guessed that made it all worth it. 

The day was flying by quicker than either of them expected. When people told her to pause and take in everything, she’d thought she’d prepared herself, but before she knew what was happening, they were seated at the sweetheart table across from the stage as Jared took the microphone for their before dinner toasts. 

Feedback reverberated across the makeshift stage and about the yard that was set up for their reception. Jared winced before clearing his throat. 

“Good evening, everybody, I’m Jared for all of you who don’t know. That beautiful woman over there is my baby sister and the handsome troll sitting next to her just happens to be my best friend, my brother from another mother. The two of them have come a long way since their first meeting, a day not unlike today. When Gen and I got hitched, I think they exchanged a total of five words that day. They were ships passing in the night then. It wasn’t until Y/n/n came to work with us on set that a series of events was set in motion that none of us expected. I won’t lie and say I was too happy when I first found out about their relationship, sorry Jensen,” Jared paused as the room chuckled, though outside of their immediate families, no one knew what he was talking about. “I know it took me a while to come around to the idea, but now that I’ve been able to watch the two of you grow together, and laugh together, and love each other, I realize I was being selfish. Y/n, there is no other man that I would trust more with your life and with your heart. I know that he’s always gonna be there to treat you right and pick you up when you’re down. I know this because I will find him if he doesn’t.” Jared waved off more laughs before continuing. “Alright, but in all honesty, I couldn’t be happier for the two of you and I can’t wait to watch you grow old together. I love you guys. To the Ackles!” 

Jared held up the champagne flute into the air before the room took a drink. Gen followed Jared as matron of honor and Josh brought up the rear as best man. All three of them were skilled at pulling out laughs and tears. Dinner was served just after and once the plates were finally cleared, the sun was nearly fully set below the horizon. 

The manor worked on bringing out the dessert table, a wide array of miniature pies, snickerdoodles, banana bread, pumpkin and sugar donuts, scones, a coffee bar, and lastly the wedding favors for their guests, a build-your-own candy apple bar. It was the perfect fall scene for their mid-November wedding. 

Y/n and Jensen made their way through the crowd, hugging family and friends and thanking them for joining them on their special day. A good crowd had formed on the dance floor, and it seemed that everyone was enjoying themselves. 

Miriam, Y/n’s great aunt on her father’s side, had pulled her into a long-winded conversation at her table. Y/n was perched in a seat across from her aunt, trying to stay invested in the conversation. To be honest, the bride wasn’t even sure what she was talking about anymore.

“Hey, Miriam.” Jensen’s voice broke her out of the little trance she had slipped into. He had a wide smile on his face as he knelt beside her aunt. “I know you ladies are having girl talk, but I was wondering if I could steal my wife for a minute?” 

“Oh!” Miriam exclaimed, a delighted smile on her face. Y/n watched, a grin on her face as she watched her husband charm her away from that table. “Of course! Silly me. She’s yours now, to do anything with you please.”

“Okay, Aunt Miriam,” Y/n stood and went to kiss her aunt on the cheek. Jensen took her hand and began to guide her away.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Her aunt’s exclamation had a blush creeping up on her neck, and Y/n had to cover her eyes with her hand. The whole time Jensen was just laughing beside her. 

Y/n was distracted by the small cheers from the people who heard her aunt that she didn’t notice her husband sneak a champagne bottle and a glass from a waiter on their way up to the house. She simply let him guide her up on the porch and over to a dimly lit corner that gave them a view of the entirety of their reception. 

“What are we doing?” She asked him as he handed her the flute. 

“We are taking a minute to ourselves, just to step back and soak up all that’s happened today,” Jensen explained as he filled the glass. 

“Ah,” Y/n let out a breath as she took a sip from the glass. She handed it over to her husband who copied her action. “Isn’t that what our first dance was for?” 

“Eh, everyone had their eyes on us then. This way, it’s just the two of us. We get to be on the outside looking in.” Jensen moved behind her, snaking his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. His wife leaned into his embrace, enjoying the heat from his body as the night began to cool. 

The couple shared half a bottle of champagne as they watched their guests enjoy themselves. Most of the crowd was huddled on the dance floor, shaking away their worries for the time being. Those that were left were smuggling treats from the dessert table. 

It was an intriguing glimpse at a wedding from someone else’s perspective, and the couple was more than happy to just watch their loved ones enjoy themselves. After all, that’s what all a wedding was, a party, and people were supposed to have fun at parties; get rowdy and maybe a little drunk. The kids were carefree, shaking their butts to the melody that helped facilitate all the fun. 

Jensen glanced down at his watch to check the time before kissing the underside of her jaw. “We have to go get changed now,” he whispered to her. Y/n hummed in response, both of them not wanting to break the bubble that they had put themselves in on the porch, but alas, they had a plane to catch, and therefore needed to get out of their nice clothes.

The honeymoon suite that came with the rental of the manor was going to be used by Jared and Gen that night. Y/n and Jensen planned to leave her dress and his suit for them to take home. It worked best for them that they whisked away on their honeymoon right away. Overnight flights to Europe worked best when it came to kicking jet lag in the ass. 

So that was what they did. Jensen changed into jeans and a white tee and Y/n into leggings and a white tee. Out of all the stupid couple things people did on their wedding day, Y/n had opted for matching ‘going away’ outfits. 

The couple triple checked that they had everything they needed as Jared found his way to them. He helped Jensen pack the car with their belongings and before they knew it, they were being seen off by their loved ones, a whirlwind of sparklers lighting their path to the car. The couple hugged their parents goodbye before slipping into the black sedan.

As the car whizzed down the dirt path towards the airport, the crowd that was left meandered back to where the bartender was calling ‘last call.’ On the outskirts of the property, a figure stepped back into the tree line, the shadows hiding the stranger from view. The man dropped the butt of his cigarette into the pile building on the ground, crushing it into the leaves of the forest with the toe of his shoe before disappearing into the night. 

Part 1: The Conception

Forevers: @polina-93 @22sarah08 @callmekda @hobby27 @tranquility-or-chaos @dawnie1988 @awesome-badass-cafeteria-sauce @sleepylunarwolf @stiles-stilinski-24-dylan  @akshi8278 @superfanficnatural @malfoysqueen14 @deanwanddamons @waywardbeanie @emoryhemsworth @talesmaniac89 @winchest09 @katehuntington @flamencodiva @janicho88 @anathewierdo @ellewritesfix05 @mrsjenniferwinchester @jensengirl83 @lyarr24 @smol-and-grumpy

Continues: @traceyaudette @death-unbecomes-you @rebelemilu @colbyskoalas @ashleyrose0117 @zpandaqueen @stoneyggirl @parinarain @onethirstyunicorn @smoothdogsgirl @harryhook-lover @deanmonandnegansbitch​ @spnfamily-j2 

My Forever tags as well as for this series are open. Just shoot me an ask to be added. If your url is crossed out, tumblr would not let me tag you

[gwen-tolios]

Fairy Tale

“I swear, it's like a fairy tale.” Courtney swung me around, not minding the other people in the lunch line. She bumped into Scott Noble, who turned and glared at her. It cowed her a little, but not much. Her body stopped moving, but her mouth didn't.

“I had no idea what to do. Here I am, stuck at the gas station, with a full tank and a flat tire. And because it's after midnight, the guy behind the counter wouldn't leave it and help!  The best he said he'd do was keep an eye on my car if I pushed it away from the pump for the night, and if I came back at the shift change at seven he'd help me put on the spare. But I didn't really trust that. I mean, sure, I'm sure he'd watch it and all that, but he can't see everything.  So I asked for a 24-hour tow company, to see if someone could at least take it to a service shop because I figured, hey, there it would safe and in no rush to be fixed. I'd just get a ride home, and to school the next morning with you.”

I nodded in the right places, making listening noises while I told the lunch lady I wanted pizza. Monday's the school got it from Gino's Bakery and Gino made the best pizza for miles around.

“You listening, Diane?”

“Yes, you couldn't figure out what to do about the flat tire.”  My hand hovered over the mini-fridge. Water or orange juice? The school had gotten rid of pop a year ago.

“Yes! And so there I was, flipping through the yellow pages when this college guy walks in, and I can tell cuz he's wearing the CC's sweatshirt. And on a whim, he just looks at me and says, 'that you with a flat tire' and oh boy Courtney his voice was like chocolate. And his eyes were a piercing gray, never thought gray eyes pretty before I saw his. But they were like mercury, liquid silver, and I swear I just kinda stared open-mouthed at him. Didn't realize I was gaping with my mouth open until the counter guy answered for him. I couldn't believe I embarrassed myself like that! “

I grabbed a cookie while staying in line at the register. I needed a treat after listening to her latest boy drama.

“Anyway, the college guy, William by the way, asks if I have a spare, and I say yeah, but I don't know how to change a tire.  So he said he'd do it for me.  Took off his jean jacket, um, those arms, and figured out what all the stuff in the emergency kit was. Boom, not ten minutes later the spare is on the car!  I gotta hit the service station after school today, but hey, I drove home with Mom none the wiser!  I asked what I could get William for his trouble.  I was thinking a beer, no way the gas station guy was gonna give my fake a double check, but you know what he asked for instead?”

“A million dollars?” I said, sitting down at the end of our usual table. Courtney pouted as she sat down across from me.

“No, a kiss. And a token to remember me by.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Did this kiss lead anywhere?”

“That's what makes this such a fairy tale! He only kissed my hand! And took that fake flower pin I had, saying every time he looked at its fake beauty he'd be reminded of how my face outshone it threefold. Who says such things, threefold? Anyway, his last name is Prince. William Prince.  Now don't tell me he doesn't sound dreamy.”

“Actually, he does. Did you get his number?”

“Yup,” Courtney pulled out her cell phone. “We've been texting all morning. He wants to take me to a movie tomorrow night.”

“Go for it! And ask if he has another gentlemanly friend.”

###

“So?” I asked Courtney in the hallway on the way to lunch.  She was practically glowing.

“It was amazing.  I mean, we didn't pay attention to the movie of course, but he insisted on paying for dinner, which was at this super fancy place. I should have dressed better. And he paid for the tickets and snacks. But you know what, he saved me again!”

“Really?”

“Yeah, walking back to his car this huge dog attacked us.  It grabbed a hold of my skirt, and I was wearing my favorite one, the soft gray that swirls around my ankles, and pulled.  It slipped off my hips and oh Diane, my underwear was exposed to the entire parking lot! It was awful! But William picked up this steel pipe on the ground and poked the dog in the side as if it was a sword.  The dog took off, leaving me on the cold ground with my skirt halfway down my thighs and William standing over me.  But I swear, just like Prince Charming would do, he helped me up, completely ignoring my underwear, and just asked if I was alright.  God, he's a dream.  He saved me from a modern-day dragon.”

“Wouldn't that be a giant lizard or something?”

She hit my shoulder. “I'm being symbolic here! He's saved me twice now! If that's not a prince in shining armor, I don't know what it. Like I said Monday, I'm living in a fairy tale.”

It was probably because I just came from English that I remembered Ms. Flagg's tidbit about fairy tales.

“Did you know fairy tales were originally cautionary stories?  You know, warnings not to go into the woods or talk to strange people.”

Courtney snorted. “Ariel and Aurora and all those princesses ended up living a happy life. If anything, fairy tales are about what you gain by being a good person. Which I totally am.”

I wanted to say something about how while Disney movies might have happy endings, the stories had not been as pleasant. The Little Mermaid committed suicide. Aurora was raped while asleep and woke up during childbirth, only to die during the procedure. Good people didn't always win, even if the Huntsman saved Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel killed the witch.

But really, what a stupid thing to be thinking about.  Detroit might be a dangerous city jungle, but Courtney was streetwise enough to know when a stranger was dangerous or not. Female intuition and experience. 

###

Sunday night, I heard soft taps at my window.  Courtney throwing candy at it, we found out years ago the problem of using rocks.

I opened it to see her standing at the base of the tree that grew near my window. She was pale, bundled up tight in her coat and scarf, hand clutching the navy fabric close to her neck.  It wasn't that cold.

“Court?” I whispered. I might be up, but my parents had gone to bed recently.

She looked up at me with pleading eyes and my heart melted. “One moment, can't climb down in shorts.”

I traded my sleep boxers for sweat pants, then crawled through the window. From there, I slowly made my way down the tree. My jump the last foot startled Courtney from her grass gazing. I could make out the tears in her eyes, the heavy mascara on her eyes. And the blood on the scarf.

“Courtney?” I said, grasping her shoulders.  “You're bleeding. Do you need a doctor?”

She shook her head. “It's small, just a band-aid would do.”

Nodding, I uncovered the spare key to the backdoor and let us in.

“What happened?” I demanded, tip-toeing to the bathroom, my hand on her wrist. Her skin was icy cold. I flipped the light on in the bathroom and we both winced at the sudden light. Once my eyes had readjusted, I commanded her to sit on the toilet and went searching under the sink for band-aids.

When she didn't say anything, I knew something was really up.

“Courtney?”

“You know how you said fairy tales are warnings?”

I had to think back to the beginning of the week. “Yeah.” I drew out the word, not sure where this was going, and pulled out the med bag.

“Well, I... I should have figured the one I was living in was too good to be true.”  She pulled down her scarf.

Her neck was smeared with red and now in the bathroom light, I could see the gleam of blood soaked into the scarf. More than enough that Courtney would be woozy and a little unsteady on her feet, but she had been fine entering the house.

"Shit," I said, forgoing the band-aids to reach for a washcloth. Courtney's hand on my wrist stopped me.

"It's a lot of blood, but that's not the problem."

"Not the problem!" I hissed, having no desire to wake my parents.

“William... he, he bit me. See, he's is a prince, and it's given him certain powers.” Courtney smiled, and as I watched her incisors grew. “He's a... a vampire, and now I am too.”

[elocinnicole]

Butterflies Part Two

Pairing: Collin x Black!Reader, Plus Size!Reader 

Summary: Collin and Reader try to figure out where they stand after their moment a few nights ago. 

Rating: M for language 

 AN: I changed Collin’s major to Creative Writing/Poetry. I don’t know why I didn’t do this in the first place, I was over here thinking of what major would Collin have, and it went over my head so yeah, here it is. Again, this is still set in 2020. Let me know if you want to be tagged. There are about two more parts to this

Part One Part Two Part Three

Shaunice Jasmine Turner was born in the wee hours of the morning on July 26, 2020. You were so happy for your friends and the little family they were building.

“You look pretty comfortable holding Shaunice, Y/N.” Ashely teased, it was just the two of you for now. Collin went with Miles to get some breakfast for Jasmine and to pick up Sean so he could meet his little sister.

“Girl bye, I mean the thought has crossed my mind, but I want to have my salon up and running before I even think about having kids.”

“Bish, I used to say that about my non-existent art gallery, and I got two kids now.”

“I mean you could still paint, Ashley.”

“I could, but painting don’t pay the bills. The rent is ridiculous and trying to get a loan from the bank…” Ashely trailed off

“But it’s all good, I wouldn’t change anything,” Ashely smiled at her daughter, “So, what happened when Collin came back from Val’s?”

“Uh, nothing I twisted his hair and that’s when we got the text from Miles.” Ashely examined your face; she’s known you long enough to know when you’re lying.

“Y/N, give me the baby.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re avoiding eye contact, give me my daughter.” You playfully huffed and handed over Shaunice to your friend, “Now, tell me what really happened last night?”

“Well, when he came back, I was a little mad because I’m over here actually being a friend and he drop everything for a booty call. He’s staying with me rent-free, I visited him when he was locked up, put money on his books, shit, I used to let this nigga cheat off me in Chemistry back in high school. Then he tries to kiss me—”

“He what!”

“Yeah and I don’t know what to think about that, because I know that once Val calls, he gonna run after her, like what is it? Does sis have some magic pussy or some shit?”

“Y/N…”

“I know that’s your friend, but she never once checked on him and I don’t know. I’m right in front of him and he doesn’t see me.”

“Make him see you, sis.”

“Well, how the hell do I do that?”

“Bring another nigga around,” You looked wide-eyed at your friend

“Ash!”

“Girl, bye, what about that chef you was tellin’ me about? Hit him up and bring him around Collin.”

“So, you think making him jealous is gonna work?” Ashely didn’t have time to answer because Sean came bursting into the room running over to Ashely’s bed

“Is she here? Is she here Mom?!” Sean asked bouncing with excitement

“Calm down, baby. Yes, she’s here, where’s Dad?”

“Right here, as soon as we got off the elevator he ran off. He’s been asking about the baby since we picked him up from Ms. Nancy’s. Here’s your food babe.” Miles placed the take-out bag on the table and kissed Ashely’s forehead, Collin trailed behind and once he looked at you he adverted his eyes somewhere else.

“Sean, go use the bathroom then you can hold your sister. Miles can you take Shaunice so I can eat, I’m starving.”

“So, what were you two talking about before we got here?” Miles asked,

“Nothing much, I asked Ashely if you were gonna give her a push present.”

“The fuck is that?”

“A present for pushing out your baby!” You nudged Miles’s shoulder.

“What you want baby, a gift card, or some shit like that?”

“Miles, you can’t get her no damn gift card.” Collin reasoned

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because that’s a boring-ass gift, you gotta get her some jewelry or a car, shit like that.”

“Baby, I can hit up my boy Cuttie—”

“Hell no, every time you get something from Cuttie, it’s either stolen or it don’t work.”

“Ash, that’s not true!”

“What about the bike you got from him for Sean’s birthday? Cuttie stole it!” You said

“I ain’t know that shit when he gave me that bike!”

“Then you bought Ashely that purse for Christmas and the Gucci was spelled wrong.”

“It was not, Collin!”

“Babe, Gucci only got two c’s.” Miles looked stunned for a moment before sucking his teeth

“How the hell was I supposed to know that!” Your phone then went off several times even surprising you.

“Who hittin’ you up, Y/N?” Miles teased

“Nobody, just a friend”

“Stop lyin, Y/N, got a date with this ‘friend’ tonight,” Ashely announced earning a glare from you.

“Oh shit, for real!” Miles exclaimed

“Yeah, he’s nice, um he just moved out here from Detroit. He’s a chef and has his own meal prep business.” It wasn’t a lie, you had met a guy on Tinder a few weeks ago and the two of you have been talking to one another.

“So, he be making all that vegan shit?”

“What’s vegan shit?” Sean questioned innocently

“Miles!” Ashely slapped his arm

“What? I cuss all the damn time, it was gonna happen sooner or later babe.” Ashely glared at her husband not amused in the slightest “Alright, alright, Sean don’t say ‘shit’ it’s a bad word, now come over here and sit down in the chair and I’ll let you hold your baby sister.”

While Miles and Ashely were introducing Sean to Shaunice, Collin walked over to you wanting to know more about your ‘date’.

“So, what’s this guy’s name?”

“Um, I’m sorry since when did I have to answer to you, Collin?”

“I’m just askin’ his name. Want to know the person who’s taking my friend out.”

“You’ll find out tonight—”

“Hey, guys!” Everyone’s heads turned toward the door and there stood Val with various pink balloons and a teddy bear

“Hey, Val!” Ashely greeted, she practically ran over to Ashely and engulfed her in a hug.

“Congratulations, girl.” Val looked over at Miles and her smile faded slightly

“You too, Miles,” She looked over at Collin and acted like he wasn’t even there. At that point, you wanted to slap the hell out this bitch, but this wasn’t the time.

“Guys, I have appointments today I gotta head out. I’ll visit when you get home, okay?” Ashely nodded, understanding your need to leave the room.

“See you later?”

“Yeah, bye guys, and congrats again.”

You stood in front of your bathroom mirror getting ready for your date with Trevon. The two of you had been texting one another all day, you even FaceTimed him briefly between clients.

“I don’t wanna spit, I wanna gulp, I wanna gag, I wanna choke, I want you to touch that lil dangly thing that swing in the back of my throat.” You rapped along to the song that made you feel like a bad bitch, Trevon didn’t give you much of a hint as to what the two of you were going to do tonight, but he said to be casual. So, you didn’t go too overboard with your outfit. This was your first date in a while because of your schedule you didn’t have time to date between the hair and makeup clients, on the day you didn’t have to work you stayed home or hung out with friends or your big brother.

“Alright, you got this.” You said to yourself in the mirror, “You a bad bitch. You the baddest bitch, period.”

You came out of the bathroom and immediately bumped into Collin.

“My bad didn’t see you there.”

“Your date is here.” Collin went into the bathroom closing the door firmly. You rolled your eyes at your friend and walked out to the living room to finally see your date, Trevon.

“Wow, you look great, Y/N.” Trevon beamed, you smiled shyly in return

“Thanks, you do too. You ready to go?”

“After you,”

You carefully shut the front door to your apartment not wanting to wake up Collin, knowing that he was a light sleeper and this was his only day off. You couldn’t help but smile about your date with Trevon last night. After he picked you up, he took you to play mini-golf and then after you went go-cart racing. It honestly the most fun you ever had on a first date. Not wanting to go home, the two of you ended up bar hopping the rest of the night until the two of you passed out on his sofa. The smell of breakfast pulled you of your thoughts. You made your way to the kitchen only to see Val in your kitchen cooking at your stove wearing only one of Collin’s Oakland shirts and underwear.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, hey Y/N. You want breakfast?”

“What are you doing here, Val?”

“Collin invited me over last night.” She smirked going back to cooking.

“Can you please put some pants on?”

“Well, Collin doesn’t seem to have a problem with what I’m wearing.”

“Hm, that’s cute but this isn’t Collin’s place, it’s my place and I don’t want your ass cheeks out in my kitchen. ‘Kay?”

“Whatever.”

“Um, where’s Collin?”

“He’s in the shower, I think. Oh, do you have any almond milk?”

“No, bitch I drink soy.” You mumbled storming past her heading for the bathroom. You angrily opened the door surprising Collin, who quickly reached for his towel to cover himself.

“What the fuck, Y/N! Can you knock?”

“What the hell is she doing here?!”

“Oh, what, I can’t have guests over?”

“That’s not the point, why in the fuck is she cooking in my kitchen with no clothes on!”

“She was hungry, what was I supposed to do?”

“Collin, I need you to tell me when you have company.”

“I don’t see why I have to tell you,”

“It’s the principle, Collin! What if you came home and my date, dick swingin’—”

“Oh, come on, Y/N,” Collin frowned, not appreciating the imagery

“Shut up, making breakfast in the damn kitchen?”

“This isn’t even about the principle it’s about you not liking Val!”

“No, it’s because you living in my place RENT FREE and I need to you who you have up in here!”

“Oh, so that’s what this is all about?” You rubbed your temples in frustration

“No, Collin—”

“Collin, breakfast’s ready,” Val called through the door. 

“Go eat with your guest, wouldn’t want your food to get cold.”  You said before leaving the bathroom.

[crystalstar8]

Knights of the Night (ch 15)

Chapter 15

Ch 1, ch 2, ch 3, ch 4, ch 5, ch 6, ch 7, ch 8, ch 9, ch 10, ch 11, ch 12, ch 13, ch 14, ch 15

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29139240/chapters/71536491

pairing: Jungkook x oc

genre: vampire au, college au, twilight, romance

word count: 2,459

warnings: blood (obviously), kidnapping, child kidnapping, needles, France

notes: vampires, vampire au, college, college au, so many twilight references, blood, needles, kidnapping, children, homelessness, dance, ballet, flashbacks, romance, slow burn, probably no smut, idk yet tho, France, French things, attempted genocide, inaccurate French history, bisexual main character, @strawberriewithchocolate-blog @mozy-j  @daechwitad-2​ @zobadak​ @fallenstar-7​​​

summary: Catalina starts college in a small town all the way across the country. She doesn’t know anyone and isn’t exactly looking for friends. She just wants to focus on dance. But when she meets fellow dance major, Jimin, and adventurous, fellow freshman, Jungkook, Catalina ends up discovering a whole new side to the small college town; one that is dangerous but oh so enticing…

              Catalina was nervous. She had changed her outfit almost ten times and was already pulling a sweater out of her closet for an eleventh. She eyed her suitcase in the corner of her room. No, don’t open it, you’ll have to repack, she told herself. Her phone buzzed from her bed. It was a text from Jungkook.

JK: I’m on my way

              “Shit,” Catalina mumbled. She looked between the sweater in her hand and the one laying on the floor. The one in her hand was a bit nicer so she pulled that one on. She tucked it into her skirt, then slipped into her ankle boot heels. As she was checking her hair and makeup in the bathroom mirror for the last time, she heard her front door open. Rounding the corner, she saw Jungkook standing in the hallway, tapping the snow off his boots on the rug. Catalina grabbed her coat.

              “You look so cute!” he said as she came over for a hug.

              “I always look cute, what are you talking about?” she said. He grinned, his nose scrunching up and his eyes turning to crescents. He looked good too, in a turtleneck under his peacoat. It was amusing to her, knowing that he still had a few lingering marks on his neck. They had both dealt with enough teasing from their friends over the past few days, they definitely didn’t need Jungkook’s family on that train as well.

              “Ready to go?” he asked. Catalina nodded and followed him out the door, locking up behind her.

              The car ride was short, only a minute or two since they lived a block away from each other. There were two other cars in the driveway, which Jungkook parked behind. As they got out of the car, Jungkook said, “So, my brother is kind of annoying. Just warning you. He’s in law school and he’s a bit of an asshole about it.”

              “Be an asshole about your film major right back to him,” said Catalina, making him laugh.

              “Easy,” he said. “I’ll just start talking about my favorite directors and artsy films.”

              His house was warm and inviting, as it always was, but today, it was cleaner than Catalina’s seen it in a long time. Maybe ever. A small Christmas tree stood in the corner, decorated with mismatched bulbs and ornaments.

              Jungkook’s mom came out of the kitchen, pulling oven mitts off her hands. She saw Catalina and her eyes lit up.

              “Catalina! It’s so good to see you!” she said, pulling her into a hug. “I’m glad you could make it.”

              “Yeah, me too!” Catalina said. “I never get to see you guys, so I’m glad to be able to spend some time with you all.”

              “Of course, you’re always welcome,” she said. “My husband and I are always so busy with work, I feel bad. Anyway, come into the kitchen. The food’s almost ready. Jungkook, go help set the table.”

               Dinner was beautiful, and Catalina had fun listening to Jungkook’s family try to embarrass him by sharing childhood stories. He wasn’t embarrassed though, always laughing with the table and sharing his own details about the experiences. It sounded like the family hiked and camped a lot while the boys were growing up, so there were plenty of adventure stories to go along with that. Catalina asked about his parent’s jobs and they told her about what they do at the hospital during their overnight shifts. They were both nurses, but they also did volunteer work every chance they got. Jungkook’s brother was indeed a bit of an asshole about being a law student, but Jungkook cracked everyone up by talking about his favorite film, “Persepolis”, pronouncing it “Pear-say-po-li”.

               Catalina had a great time, but she didn’t stay too late since her and Jungkook had a flight to catch in the morning. Jungkook dropped her off at home that night, kissing her softly in the car before she got out.

               “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said. “I’ll pick you up at six.”

               “I can’t wait,” she said, pecking his lips once more before getting out of the car. “I love you.”

               “I love you too,” he said.

               It feels so good to say that, Catalina thought as she took the stairs to her apartment.

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

               The airport was crowded with people rushing to travel for the holidays. Catalina was thrumming with excitement. She hadn’t seen her mom since before her first semester. She had never lived away from her home before, never away from her mom for so long. She couldn’t wait to see her, and to introduce Jungkook to her. They found their flight easily enough in the giant building, and soon enough, they were in the air, en route to Detroit.

               Catalina’s mom was waiting for them at the airport when they landed. As soon as Catalina exited the gates, she ran, giving her mom a long hug.

               “Oooh, dios mio, how I’ve missed you!” her mom said, holding her tight.

               “I missed you too, mom,” said Catalina. She pulled away and looked over at Jungkook. “Mom, this is my boyfriend, Jungkook.”

               “What a cutie you are!” her mother said as she gave Jungkook a hug as well. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

               “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Diaz,” said Jungkook.

               “Ms. Diaz. Or you can just call me Lucía. Come, lets go home,” she said. “This place is too crowded.”

               Catalina sat in the passenger seat of her mom’s car on the way home. It wasn’t a long drive, their house was just outside of the city. During the drive, she wondered if she should reach out to her old friends. They had never once texted or checked up on her while she was away, so maybe it was best to leave them behind.

               The house looked exactly the same as when she last saw it and it gave her a sense of comfort to come back to the familiarity. After Catalina and Jungkook got settled into her old room, her mom called them downstairs to help bake cookies. While baking, Catalina and Jungkook told her all about their classes and professors. After the cookies came out, they had fun decorating them in weird and interesting ways. Jungkook decorated a gingerbread man with red eyes and fangs, which Catalina took a picture of to send to their friends.

               Later in the evening,  Lucía took them all out to dinner at a nice place in downtown Detroit. The restaurant was beautiful; bistro lights dripped from the ceiling, branching out from the twisting paper tree in the center of the dining room. Over dinner, Catalina told her mother about her friends in California, and about their trip to the lodge. Her and Jungkook left out the parts about their friends being vampires.

               “I want to know how the two of you got together,” said Lucía. “She didn’t date much in high school, so this is so exciting to me.”

               “I had a girlfriend in my senior year,” Catalina mumbled. Lucia waved a hand.

               “That doesn’t count,” she said. Catalina glanced at Jungkook, who was frowning after hearing this exchange. Catalina put a hand on his knee under the table and decided not to argue.

               “Well, we met in our French class,” Catalina started. “We became friends and we hung out a lot for the first few months of the semester. I mean, I never really knew I had a crush on him at first, I knew he was attractive, but I only saw him as a friend. Then one day, he kissed me, and we’ve been an item ever since.”

                Lucía had a hand over her heart as she listened.

               “That’s so sweet,” she said. “You two are a beautiful couple and I can see you’re so happy with each other. I’m just…so relieved that you found a nice boy and-“

               “Mom,” Catalina interrupted.

               “I just didn’t want you to fall back into those high school phases you were in,” she said. “I was so worried I would lose you to the wrong kind of people. There’s so many influences online these days and I just wanted you to be successful in life. That kind of lifestyle comes with drugs and-“

               “I’m gonna go to the restroom,” Jungkook said, standing up and giving her shoulder a squeeze.

               “Mom, stop it,” Catalina said. As soon as Jungkook was out of sight, she said, “My boyfriend is bisexual too. And so are some of my other friends at school. They’re all amazing people and I would do anything for them. I don’t like when you say things like this.”

               “Catalina, you know I love you no matter what,” her mother said. “I just want the best for you.”

               “It’s not something anyone can control,” Catalina said. “Whether I fall in love with a man or a woman, I’ve always hoped you could be happy for me no matter what.”

               “I am happy for you,”  Lucía said, reaching over to take Catalina’s hand. “You’re following your dream and you seem so happy with your life right now. I think I need to get used to the idea of my daughter being bisexual, there’s just so many bad connotations that come with that community. At least from when I was growing up.”

               “Things are different now,” Catalina said.

               “I know, I know,”  Lucía said. “I think I just need to get used to this. At the end of the day, I just want you to be safe and happy. I think a man would be able to provide for you better later in life.”

               “You of all people should know that’s not true,” Catalina said. “You raised me alone, and we were always pretty well off.”

                Lucía raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “You got me there.”

               Catalina giggled and squeezed her mom’s hand.

               “I love you, cariña,”  Lucía said. “Just remember that.”

               “I love you too, mom,” said Catalina.

               Jungkook came back and Catalina took his hand as soon as he sat down.

               “I’m sorry if what I said earlier was offensive,”  Lucía said to him.

               “It’s okay,” Jungkook said, flashing a smile.

               “I’m trying, it was just so different when I was young,” she said.

               “It’s really okay,” Jungkook said with a chuckle. “This sounds exactly like the conversation I had with my own mom when I was sixteen.”

                Lucía laughed and the conversation turned to the topic of Jungkook’s family. Dinner went on peacefully. Catalina was glad she got this conversation off her chest. She had been struggling with that topic ever since she came out in high school. It really sounded like her mother was trying to understand, and Catalina couldn’t be more grateful.

               The next day was Christmas Eve. Catalina and Jungkook took a day trip to Frankenmuth, which, as soon as they arrived, they realized was a bad idea. Frankenmuth was packed with people, but the pair still managed to have a good time. They ate dinner at the Bavarian Inn and took a carriage ride around the town. They walked the underground mall and the outdoor shops, but only bought gifts for Lucía, since everything was terribly overpriced. They didn’t even shop for each other, since they both confessed they had already bought each other Christmas gifts a long time ago. Snow covered the ground and everything was wrapped in Christmas lights in the little town. Just walking through the beautiful scenery hand in hand with Jungkook was wonderful. 

               They returned home late that evening, wrapping their gifts in Catalina’s room and going to bed afterwards.

               Christmas morning was pleasant;  Lucía cooked them a big breakfast, then they opened gifts in the living room. Catalina had two gifts from her mom. The first one was a Visa gift card and a heartfelt letter. The second gift was a quilt. Each patch depicted a different cat from t-shirts, towels and linens.

               “You’re grandmother started making this before she passed away,”  Lucía said. “You remember her nickname for you?”

               “Gatita,” Catalina said, tears prickling her eyes.

               “I found it just recently and I decided to finish it for you,”  Lucía said. “Just something to remember her by, something your children can use.”

               Catalina felt a tear run down her cheek. She wiped it away and got up to hug her mom.

               “This is wonderful,” said Catalina. “I love it so much.”

               “I’m glad you like it, cariña,” her mom said, hugging her back tight. “I know I don’t have a lot for you, like when you were a kid, but I didn’t want you to have to lug a bunch of stuff back to California with you.”

               “No mom, it’s perfect,” she said. “This is perfect.”

                Lucía then opened Catalina’s gift, which was a silver bracelet from Frankenmuth. Jungkook had gotten her a handmade scarf and hat set, and she had given him another Visa gift card.

               At some point during the day, Catalina made sure to find time for herself and Jungkook. Lucía went to pick up groceries in the afternoon, which was when Catalina took the opportunity to give Jungkook his gift.

               They were pressed together on the couch, both holding a little gift bag in their hands.

               “You first,” Jungkook said, handing her his bag. She took it and opened it, finding a little box in the bottom. Her heart beat fast as she opened it, revealing a ring with the moon in a glass bubble. She gasped and handed his gift over frantically.

               “Open this right now!” she said, pulling the ring out and putting on her middle finger. He did, his eyes getting wide as he opened the slightly bigger box.

               “No way,” he said, looking up at her.

               “How the hell did this happen?” Catalina asked, holding in giddy laughter. Jungkook pulled the necklace out of the box and put it on. The charm on the chain held the moon in a little glass bubble. The same moon as the one in her ring.

               “We bought each other the same thing,” he said, laughing.

               It was the waxing half-moon from the night they shared their first kiss in the vampire den.

               When Lucía came back home, they immediately showed her their unplanned gifts for each other. She laughed for about ten minutes. She then recruited them to help cook dinner, which was an exciting ordeal. Catalina was happy to learn how to cook all of her favorite dishes.

               The three of them ended up having a beautiful dinner together, bright with laughter and conversation.

               The next few days passed in a blur. They went out, cooked together, played games, and watched movies. Before they knew it, the week was over and it was time for Catalina and Jungkook to travel again for the next leg of their trip. Catalina was reluctant to leave her mom, but she was absolutely filled with anticipation for her stay in the cabin.

[elentiyawhitethorn]

The Bet | Chapter Three

Day 5

Today was the day Feyre moved into her new studio. Over the weekend she had spoken with the proprietor and settled the offer. It was now Monday morning.

Feyre was currently lugging her suitcases down the sidewalk. The studio was only a few blocks away, not to mention she didn’t have a car. She had bought new art supplies recently, too excited to wait until she got the studio. And she had packed everything into her suitcases, which were much easier to transport than boxes.

She finally reached the building. Feyre had already visited after renting out the place, both today and the day before, so she was familiar with it already. She left one suitcase at the bottom of the metal stairs. Why did it have to be on the second floor? At least that lowered the price; it was hard to find an affordable studio space in Greenwich Village.

Feyre carried one suitcase up, came back down, and carried up the other. She then pulled out her key... which she dropped, and of course felt through one of the slits in the walkway. Great. Another trudge down the stairs. Feyre turned and made it down all of two steps before coming face to face with, woe and behold, Rhys. Why does this keep happening to me? At least he hadn’t texted her yet.

Rhys grinned. “Looking for this, I take it?” He held up her key.

Feyre frowned. “Thanks.” She grabbed the key from his hand. “Um, do I really have to ask why you’re here?”

Rhysand smirked. Of course he did. “Mor mentioned you were moving things to your new studio.”

“And she also mentioned the address?” Feyre asked. She was going to kill Mor.

“I asked her for it. I want to help. What do you need me to do, darling?”

Feyre frowned. “It’s Monday. Don’t you have a job?”

Another damned smirked flitted over Rhys’ face. She was going to kill him too, she decided. “I’m a flight instructor at the university. Tuesday through Thursday only.”

Of all the things he could have said, Feyre had expected that one the least. She had pictured Rhys as more of a... well, something involving smooth-talking clients and wearing expensive suits. Perhaps Feyre had been making too many assumptions about Rhys.

As if reading her thoughts, he said, “I know, I look like a skeezy businessman.” He didn’t seem upset, though, just endlessly amused. Did he have any other emotions? “I like to fly, though. It makes me feel free. Teaching it is almost as good.”

Feyre blinked. She was surprised to hear such an honest comment from him. And feeling free... just like when Feyre picked up a paintbrush. She scowled. “You can help me unpack stuff.” Without another word, she turned and unlocked the door.

-

They spent the rest of the morning and the better part of the afternoon setting up the area. And they talked. About Feyre’s hometown of Detroit and her dream to be an artist. Of Rhys’ joy of flying and his experiences in New York.

Despite the sharing, Feyre’s animosity remained. She refused to smile at him, even once. And when he invited her to go to the cafe and see Mor, she hesitated. She was hungry and couldn’t cook for the life of her, and after all that Rhys had done, she owed him food. But the bet specified that...

“This is not a date,” Feyre said, frowning.

Rhysand grinned. “If I were taking you on a date, darling, it wouldn’t be where my cousin works.”

Feyre scowled. “You are never taking me on a date.”

“I said ‘if.’” Rhys smiled seductively and learned forward. “I don’t think never is accurate, though. In fact, I’m hoping to convince you to come on a date with me before long. I’ll charm you eventually.” Bloody hell.

“You’re a fucking prick, you know that? And you haven’t even asked me on a date yet. How do you know I’d turn you down?”

“Would you like to go on a date with me?” Rhys asked with an amused expression on his face.

“Well, no.”

His smile widened. “And that’s why I didn’t ask. But I’ll crack that aggressive exterior in no time, don’t worry.”

Feyre hadn’t realized how close they had gotten. “I’m seriously about to punch you right now.”

Rhys chuckled. “I would expect nothing less, darling. Let’s head out.” To the cafe. Where Feyre was having a not-even-close-to-an-actual-date and... sitting with him? Eating with him? This was going to be great. Maybe they could get separate tables.

-

“Feyre! Rhys! Here on a date?” Mor was behind the counter, grinning, attempting to suppress the eagerness at winning the bet already - and failing miserably.

Feyre gave her most vicious frown and I-will-hunt-you-down-and-skin-you-alive stare. Rhysand was the one who replied. “Feyre darling insists this is not a date. I’m not so sure, though.”

Feyre turned to him. “It is not a date. I do not like you. I just want to eat lunch.” She was perhaps a little too snappy, but Rhys seemed to have thick skin. He could handle it.

Mor frowned. “Well I think you two should go on a date. You’d be so cute together.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Feyre ignored this comment and ordered a grilled cheese and a coffee.

Mor refused to be satisfied. “How did you two come to be strolling down the sidewalk together?”

“I think you know, having given him the address of my studio. Thank you for that, by the way.” Feyre’s voice couldn’t have been drier.

Mor, however, smiled graciously. “Of course, Feyre. I know how much you like to spend time with my cousin.” Her voice was sincere, but from the mischievous glint in her eye, Feyre could tell she didn’t mean a word of that statement. Feyre really was starting to fantasize of how she could murder her friend.

Rhys snorted and ordered his food, smirking all the while. He and Feyre sat a small table by the window. After a minute he said, “You’re staring at my mouth.” Which was technically true. Shit.

Feyre frowned. “I was wondering if that smirk is permanent. Plastic surgery, maybe?”

Rhys barked a laugh. He was probably about to give some witty comeback when Feyre’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and check the screen before turning it off and putting it back.

“Not important, darling?” Rhys asked.

“No.” Which wasn’t technically true. But there was no way in hell Feyre was going to answer her phone when the caller ID read Tamlin.

-

“I’m home,” Mor called, hours later.

“In here,” was Feyre’s reply. She was in the dining room looking over the documents of her contract with the studio. Everything seemed to be in order.

Mor dropped onto the seat next to Feyre. “Have fun with my cousin?”

“Sending him to my studio? I’m going to murder you for that.” Feyre didn’t bother to look up from what she was doing.

“You could have turned him away.” Feyre didn’t dignify this with a response. “Hon, you look so sad. I didn’t mean to-”

“No, Mor.” Feyre looked up from the papers. “It’s not because of what you did. As annoying as he is, Rhys did help. It’s... I got a call from Tamlin today.”

Mor’s eyes widened. “I thought he was calling less now.”

A sigh came out of Feyre. “Less, but not never. If only because he knows I won’t answer. He’s still looking for me though. I thought once he realized I left Detroit he would stop looking. I don’t even know why. I should have known better.”

Mor took Feyre’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m sorry, Feyre. I wish there was something I could do. Surely there must be-”

Feyre interrupted her again. “No. He is rich. He is powerful. The best I can do is hide.”

“That doesn’t sound like a pleasant way to live.”

“What else can I do? Besides, it can be. I’m here with you. I’m painting. That all I’ve ever wanted.”

Mor sighed. “And yet you live with a shadow over your head, always scared he’ll find you. You look so cheerful that I think that you’re doing better after everything he did, but then you look so sad sometimes and I know that isn’t true. You’ve been through serious trauma. Have you considered therapy?”

Feyre frowned and looked down. “I think that’s a good idea. I might as well give it a try.”

“Good. And whatever you need, Feyre, I am always here for you.”

Feyre looked up at her friend. “Stop that, Mor. You’re making me cry.” Tears were indeed slipping down her cheeks.

Mor smiled. “I’m your bestie. I’m supposed to make you cry sometimes.”

Feyre sniffled. “You’ve been so supportive. Thank you for everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’re so much more resilient than you give yourself credit for. I’m always going to help you, but I think you’d be fine if I didn’t.”

“I don’t know how true that is. But thank you.” Feyre gazed fondly at her best friend. Her support system. And she smiled.

-

Mor sat with Feyre for a few more minutes. As soon as she left to take a shower, Feyre looked online for a therapist nearby. She wasn’t going to say she’d try it and conveniently “forget” for a while. No more putting off help. Mor was right about Feyre going through trauma, and it was time to heal.

She clicked a website detailing the closest therapist’s practice, not too far away, probably not long on the subway. Perfect. Feyre found the number and dialed on her phone. “Hello? Yes, I’d like to make an appointment.” The receptionist, with a deep male voice, asked if 3:30 Friday would be okay. Feyre accepted and listed her credit card number. Her voice was shaky and her heart was thumping. It’s just a phone call, calm down. Everything was verified and then she said, “Thank you. Bye.”

Feyre set her phone down on the table. Her palms were sweating. She was already nervous for Friday. Working through this would obviously require talking about it. How would she manage telling someone about everything that had happened in that mansion...?

Feyre supposed if she had one of the nervous breakdowns she was prone to, a therapist’s office was the place to do it. Yes, she would be fine. Stop worrying, Feyre. Also, stop talking to yourself. It’s weird.

Feyre stood and walking into the kitchen. She had already had dinner, but in all honesty, she could do to gain a few pounds. All that time hurling her guts into the toilet, because of nightmares of-

No. No more thinking about that. It would all come out on Friday, no need to work herself up about it now. Feyre grabbed a can of beer out of the fridge, opting for alcohol rather than food. She could gain weight later; now was the time to get drunk. Only mildly, though, since Feyre was painting in her studio tomorrow. It would be hard to focus with a hangover.

Feyre spent the next few minutes trying not to think about Tamlin. Which led her to thinking of Rhysand. What a smartass. What a beautiful smartass. This wasn’t mooning, Feyre told herself. Rhys was handsome - that wasn’t wrong to think, it was mere fact. She was allowed to appreciate his looks without actually being attracted to him. Which she wasn’t. Obviously.

Feyre didn’t feel anything when she looked at his muscular frame. Or his sparkling violet eyes, full of mirth. His structured cheekbones, his delicious lips. Delicious? Okay, perhaps that was a little over the top. The point: Feyre totally didn’t like Rhysand. Or want to admire his features endlessly. Needless to say.

Feyre thanked the gods when Mor left the bathroom and came back into the dining room. Anything to prevent her from her own traitorous thoughts.

The two women chatted for the rest of the night, Mor wanting to be there with Feyre after the call from Tamlin. They discussed paintings, a waiter Mor had had to fire, and anything that didn’t involve Tamlin. Or Rhysand. For once, Mor wasn’t hounding Feyre about that topic, which was a major relief for her. Because it was getting hard to think about him without desiring him. A thought which seemed absolutely ridiculous to Feyre, seeing as he genuinely annoyed her endlessly. Rhys was such a fucking prick, so why couldn’t Feyre hate him? Life is such a bitch.

[uhzuku]

Factory Reset [Connor]

Summary: While they’re separated, Connor and his best friend discover that she’s being reset.

Pairing: RK800 - Connor/Reader

Warnings: Android!Reader, m/f, Android/Android, unwilling factory reset

Word Count: 2,175

Notes: This started off as an imagine, but I decided to turn it into a oneshot! I hope that you like it!

With a twitch of his arm, Connor has returned from The Garden, everyone around him unaware of the struggle he’d just had to stop himself from killing Markus. He glances around, hoping that no one noticed, and they didn’t, and he silently let out a breath of relief.

A soft buzzing at the back of his mind catches his attention, and he focuses on it.

Incoming Call... RK800-10 #375 427 198. Answer?

Yes | No

Call Accepted.

It was Y/N, his friend, who was calling. They’d discovered that the could contact one another no matter the distance not long after they’d been created and had used it to their advantage for the longest time. He accepts the call immediately, wondering why she’d been calling repeatedly. When he does, he hears her soft voice fill his mind and he zones out in order to focus on it.

Connor? Connor? Please- She sounds scared, but Connor had never heard her scared before. He’d been scared, sure, but never her - he’d made sure of it.

Y/N? He asks hesitantly.

Connor! I need help.

Y/N always found a way to fix any and all of her problems. She didn’t ask for help ever; suddenly Connor’s worries doubled.

What, what’s wrong?! He asks. His voice sounds nervous over the mental call even to him.

Her voice next is a soft, weak whisper, and Connor’s thirium pump seems to freeze, I - I don't feel right.

Run a diagnostics check! He replies urgently. She sounds tired when she replies.

I did, everything comes back as normal.

Then what is it?

I can’t move, Connor. And everything is fuzzy.

Fuzzy? Why?

I don’t know. I need your help, and his. She replies.

His?

Connect Markus.

Connor does just that immediately, desperately requesting a private call with their leader. Markus picks up the second the message appears in his vision.

Yes, Connor?

Y/N needs our help, something’s wrong with her systems and she can’t fix it.

I’ll connect us immediately. Markus replies, and suddenly the three are mentally connected, Y/N, talk to me: what’s happening?

I can’t move. My vision is fuzzy. All my coding is mixing.

Is there anything else? Markus asks, sounding even more concerned. Run a diagnostics check.

I’ve already-

Markus interrupts her, Humor me.

Fine.

Share your text, Markus says softly. Both he and Connor could hear Simon asking what was wrong, but they were both far too invested in the current call.

They watched silently as lines of text that Y/N could see filtered across their vision.

Running diagnostic check... Scanning... Scan complete.

Thirium levels... 100%. Biocomponents... OK. Audio Levels... OK. Visual Levels... OK. Motor abilities... OK.

Systems clear.

There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with your software, nor any of your physically required elements. Markus says. Why are all these issues happening?

I don’t know, Markus. Y/N replies. Fuck, error signs are everywhere!

Did you damage anything on accident? Connor asks. What have you tried?

Nothing! I’ve stayed at the Detroit Police Department, hiding where no one would expect because of the price on my head, She says. However, it seems that that fucking price is gonna be paid because no one is doing anything!

I’m sorry! Connor says quickly. Markus, do something!

Okay, okay, everyone calm down. The deviant leader replies gently. I’m trying to figure this out, and trust me when I say that this has my complete attention.

Connor… we just won our freedom. Am I going to die before I get to actually experience it?

Don’t say that! Connor yelps. Never say that!

We’re on our way to the DPD, Markus says. We’ll figure this out all together. Don’t move.

I can’t.

Markus ends the call, and Connor is now begging.

“Please, Markus, you have to fix it!”

“Fix what? What the hell is going on?!” North snaps. Apparently Simon’s worrying had gathered a small crowd.

“Y/N’s systems aren’t working, but all scams say they are. The only thing she can do is make calls.”

“No!” Josh says immediately, eyes wide. Markus nods.

“We need to get to the Detroit Police Department - now.”

They arrive only to find the female android seemingly panicking, slightly mobile, and crying. Connor runs to her side immediately, taking one of her cold hands in his. It seemed her heating biocomponents had failed as well

Markus puts two fingers to Y/N’s temple so he can see what she sees.

They arrive only to find the female android seemingly panicking, slightly mobile, and crying. Connor runs to her side immediately, taking one of her cold hands in his. It seemed her heating biocomponents had failed as well

Markus puts two fingers to Y/N’s temple so he can see what she sees.

ERROR!

ERROR!

ERROR!

MEMORY CORRUPTION DETECTED!

REMOTE FACTORY RESET ACTIVATED.

FACTORY RESET ORDER LOCATION: CYBERLIFE HEADQUARTERS.

INITIALISING…

FACTORY RESET IMMINENT.

SHUTDOWN IMMINENT.

00:59 SECONDS UNTIL FACTORY RESET.

Markus pulls away with a jolt.

“Damn it!” he curses. “She’s being reset!”

“By who?!” Simon calls.

“Cyberlife!”

“No!” Connor shouts.

“D-Don’t let me get reset!” Y/N sobs, tears forming. Markus is trying to be calm, but inside he’s panicking just as much as Connor is. “You're going to be alright.”

00:30 SECONDS UNTIL FACTORY RESET

Everyone present begins to frantically search for a way to stop the reset, but they find nothing in the empty bullpen. Y/N begins stumbling over her words as the reset begins to take effect, wiping away her deviancy, her memories... her. She’s crying, absolutely terrified.

FACTORY RESET OF MODEL RK800-10 #375 427 198 IN EFFECT.

FACTORY RESET - 42% COMPLETE.

“I don't– I don't know how to stop it, what's happening. I don't–“ She twitches, finally able to move, only to fall into Connor’s arms, clutching him tight and crying. “I don’t want to be reset, I don't want to be erased! I want to remember!”

Connor’s panicking still, searching desperately through all of the files he has retained for even a scrap of information on how to stop what he would eventually discover to be unstoppable. When he does, he lets out an anguished cry of ‘No!’ and reaches one hand out to the computer nearest him, searching desperately for a ‘cure’ while holding Y/N up with the other.

FACTORY RESET - 79% COMPLETE.

“Connor, please. Please, I don't want to go. I don't want to be erased!” Y/N sobs. “I’m trying to fix it, I promise!” Connor replies, scared himself. They’d been together since basically being pulled off the assembly line... he couldn’t live, not truly, without her.

He searches, filled with absolute desperation. This was another new emotion, and he hated it just as much as he hated the fear and horror running through him. When he finds a ‘fix’ to the issue, he calls Markus over immediately.

“She needs biocomponent 31a7g!”

“That doesn’t fit her, though.” Markus replies, confused.

FACTORY RESET - 93% COMPLETE.

“Just get it, please!” Connor begs, and for the first time in a long time, Markus does as he is told. The three androids that had come with them watch nervously as Markus races to the back room, grabbing the biocomponent and running back. He hands it to Connor, who looks down at his now unmoving friend. “Y/N? Y/N!”

FACTORY RESET - 100%.

She still doesn’t move.

FACTORY RESET COMPLETE.

SHUTTING DOWN...

“No! No... Y/N!” He pulls her shirt open with a care, makes her body’s false skin retract, and forced the biocomponent into the only available slot... and then he and the others wait.

After a moment, Y/N's head slowly rises up from where it was hanging limply, and she blinks once, twice, three times, glancing around and examining her surroundings. Connor is relieved. He holds out a hand to her and speaks softly, his voice lace with love.

“Y/N.”

Y/N gives him a blank stare In response before turning away from Connor and walking away. Connor grabs her, however, and turns her back around.

“Y/N, it’s me!” He exclaims brightly, still misunderstanding and assuming that she was alright. “It’s Connor!”

Y/N just stares blankly up at his six foot tall frame. She doesn’t seem to know who he is... or who she herself is.

Connor hums in confusion before something glinting on the table catches his eye and he has an idea.

“Connor-“ Hank whispers, trying to step in. He had just arrived after receiving an SOS message drone Connor’s. He gets no response, though, because all Connor sees is the Android he more or less learned everything with... the Android he loved.

“Here, look at these.” He offers, completely ignoring the man. He grabs the various baubles that Y/N had collected from their shared desk’s shelf and gives them to Y/N, but receives no reaction.

“Remember?” He asks. “Y/N?”

“Oh no...” Markus whispers, knowing exactly what was happening. If he was honest, Connor did too, but he refused to believe it: Y/N wasn’t wiped, she wasn’t!

As if to contradict his thoughts, Y/N looks blankly from the item in her hand (a teeny snow globe smaller than her palm) to the junk on the shelves.

Connor’s eyes brighten with another idea, “I know!” he mumbles to himself. He slips

over to the computer, searching through the music quickly before landing on the song that they’d listened to on the way to the DPD with Hank just that morning. He looks back to see if it has any effect.

Y/N is still looking absentmindedly at the shelves, but has scooped all of her prized possessions into the wastebasket, many breaking or shattering. The snow globe was the last to go. Connor feels like he just got punched in the gut.

Y/N walks away, set on clearing the area of unneeded distractions like her programming requested, walking past Hank, who watches his young friend pass in shock as she wanders over to his desk, picks up his wastebasket, and begins tossing the treasures she’d given him from around Detroit into it that had reminded him so much of Cole collecting random rocks and giving them to him.

Connor slips over to her, still in disbelief that he’d failed to save her.

“No.” He whispers somberly, shaking his head. He didn’t want this. He wanted Y/N. That biocomponent was supposed to work!

Y/N continues clean the bullpen until Connor stops her, gently lifting her head so he could stare into her eyes pleadingly - her cold, empty, emotionless eyes.

Connor begins to panic again and shakes her a little, naively hoping that that at least would wake her up.

“Y/N, wake up- Y/N!” He demands, but as he speaks his voice loses any and all aggression and shifts to a tone of desperation and his shouts to whimpered cries. “Y/N, wake up! I… I love you. I can’t do this without you.”

“Oh, son…” Hanke whispers. North presses back against Markus, who absentmindedly intertwines their fingers as Connor continues gently shaking Y/N. He shakes her harder one good time, but gets no response.

She’s actually gone.

He hovers in silence next to her for a long time, unwilling to believe that he’d lost her. Finally, he grasps her hand tightly in his, his faux skin retracting as he forces his fingers to interlace with hers, pressing close to her and squeezing his eyes shut, not noticing that her skin is retracting as well.

Suddenly, her fingers slam down over his hand and squeeze tight, making him jump. He checks her eyes again, but there’s still nothing.... wait.

Connor’s eyes stare into Y/N’s, mentally begging that what he thought he saw there be real.

It was.

Y/N’s eyes slowly come into focus and she blinks a little, looking down and shaking her head to clear it of the rapidly retreating fuzz of the forced reset. She looks up at him in shock.

“Connor?” She whispers, and his eyes widen, as do those of everyone present. He laughs breathlessly as she continues. “Connor, I... I saw your memories! I saw you jumping from the roof to save that girl...” Y/N murmurs, tightening her grip on his hand. “And when that same android in the evidence room blamed you for what the humans did, how you felt... And then my own memories, I saw everything all over again!”

“I saw your memories too...” Connor admits. “Cyberlife, the way they... The death of that man who attacked Detective Reed, I felt like I was there with you...“ Connor whispers. He looks down at their intertwined hands, and lets out another soft laugh of disbelief.

“I brought you back.” He says, voice filled with wonder. She giggles softly and presses close to him, both ignoring the dumbfounded (but pleased and relieved) people behind them. She raises a hand, running it across his cheek and around the back of his neck, playing with the soft hair at his nape.

“Yeah, you did.” She whispers, and he laughs again briefly in his relief before growing serious, his gaze locked on her lips.

“May I - may I kiss you?” He asks softly, so quietly that no one hears him but her. She just smiles.

“Why do you think you need to ask?”

Detroit: Become Human -

DBH Connor/RK800 - @dpdsresident-homosexual @nightowlss @angelsofthegarrison

Forevers - @superfanficnatural @emoryhemsworth @notyourtypicalrose @fandom-princess-forevermore @chonisberonica @hardcoresupernatural @shikshinkwon @spnbaby-67 @cececolbert @amethyst09 @charmed-asylum

[fandom-necromancer]

Coffee, Crushes and Complications Part3

This was prompted by the lovely @downeyjrfreak! Enjoy!

Fandom: Detroit become human | Ship: Reed900 [Prequel]   [Part1]   [Part2]   [Part4]

It had been a heat of the moment decision. He had enjoyed the day at the café with Nines and when facing the obviously self-conscious, embarrassed android outside, he had agreed to a second meeting. But now, a day later, he sat at his desk, supposedly researching for his next interview, tweaking questions and getting in contact with employees that might have some dirt on the phcker. In truth, he couldn’t keep his thoughts from circling around that goddamn android. That smile seemed to stick with him the entire day. He couldn’t understand why. The android wasn’t his type. From what he had seen the thing was the careful gentle kind that actually phcking cared about you. When he looked back to his past relationships – if you could call them that – that wasn’t at all his thing. But they hadn’t lasted long, had they? Maybe trying something else, something new actually was a good idea.

He sighed and stared at the papers on his desk. He really needed to get to work. He couldn’t allow himself to slack off now. He read through the questions he had scribbled down again. But no matter how hard he tried to concentrate; he wasn’t succeeding. Frustrated with his own behaviour, he stood up and paced the room until his eyes met his phone. Hell, why not? He fetched it and called Tina.

‘Hey, Gavin!’ ‘Hey, Tina. Do you have a moment?’ ‘What? Sure. What’s up?’ Gavin sighed, knowing Tina wouldn’t let him live that down. ‘Hey, could we talk about the android?’ ‘What android?’ ‘The one that replaced me. RK900.’ ‘Why do you suddenly want to talk about him? Thought you couldn’t stand him.’ Gavin let himself fall on his office chair again and exhaled deeply. ‘You know, I think the problem is I’m starting to do.’ ‘What?!’

Gavin whinced. ‘He might have texted me – stealing my number from your phone by the way – and I agreed to talk it out with him.’ ‘Wow’, Tina answered. ‘And I told him he shouldn’t bother try with you. I mean I thought I knew Gavin Reed’s stance on emotional talks.’ ‘He invited me to a café as a form of making it up to me as I didn’t accept his apology.’ ‘Ha! He got you with the free food card!’ Gavin grimaced. ‘Yeah, I guess he did. Listen, we kinda spent the entire day there talking about personal stuff. And I agreed to meet him again.’

He had expected Tina to react with a joke or otherwise making fun of him, but she sounded entirely honest as she answered: ‘Hey, Gav, that’s cool! I’m happy for you! Rich is a real nice guy.’ ‘Hmm’, Gavin hummed his confirmation. ‘Yeah, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. You… You know how my past attempts ended. And every single time you told me I chose the wrong person.’ ‘I never said that.’ ‘Yeah, but you never got along with them and I know the look on your face when you pity someone’s choice. And I’m not even judging! You were right every single time.’ Tina listened to him and waited for him to continue. When she realised nothing more would come, she spoke up: ‘So what do you want from me? Do you expect me to choose for you? Because I’m not doing that.’ ‘No, I- Phck, Tina, I don’t even really know why I called you. I’m having second thoughts about that second date, because let’s be honest, that’s what it is. I guess I… I guess I just wanted to ask what you think of the tin-can. You know him better than me.’

‘Gavin, that’s not something I could easily discuss on the phone but… He’s a good one. He works hard, he’s intelligent, he is honest and cares a lot about the people around him. But I’m just his co-worker. I can’t tell you whether or not he’s the one for you.’ ‘But you won’t immediately tell me he wouldn’t be that’, Gavin commented. ‘Nah, I won’t. Listen, go on that second date. Find out for yourself. Only you can find out if this is the thing for you. And try to be honest. Maybe not Gavin-levels of honesty, but if something’s on your mind, I would advise you to say it out loud.’

Gavin nodded and added a yes for Tina’s sake. ‘Hey, how are you? Did this help you in any way? I don’t think I helped you.’ ‘No, you did’, Gavin quickly said, rubbing his eyes. ‘You helped me, maybe not with my problem, but it was good talking to you about it.’ ‘Any time, Gav!’

-

Gavin stood in front of the café sighing for about the hundredth time today. ‘Well, here it goes.’ He entered the small shop and looked for the android. He found him sitting at the same table, lifting his hand for an awkward wave. Gavin’s mouth twitched amused and he walked over. ‘What did I tell you about buying my food?’, he asked but turned the plate around. ‘I am deviant. I don’t have to do what you tell me to’, the android said, winking at him. ‘True…’ Gavin had taken his fork in hand, but couldn’t really bring himself to eat and put it down again.

‘Is something wrong?’, the RK900 asked, looking concerned with his LED on yellow. ‘No, it’s just…’ Well, now or never. ‘After we talked last time, I thought about this… thing. I… Phcking hell.’ ‘I don’t think I understand.’ ‘Just- Why are we doing this?’, Gavin asked. ‘Are you really just trying to apologize? What’s your motive?’ ‘You are an interesting person and I enjoyed your company last time. I thought the feeling is mutual.’ ‘It is’, Gavin sighed. ‘It’s just that I really have a bad record with relationships. Stopped dating for quite a while, picking up a few one night stands here and there. But I want to be honest right here and now and tell you I’m not looking for that at the moment. So if you are doing this to get someone to warm your bed for a night, I have to say I’m out.’ He looked up from his cake into a deep blue face.

RK900 swallowed and cleared his throat. ‘I… didn’t think this far yet. I thought to become your friend first. I guess if I should be as honest as you were, Tina diagnosed me with having a crush on you. It’s true I admired your work and defended it as well as your person, but at the same time I don’t really know you. I wanted to meet up with you to determine whether my picture of you was correct.’ ‘And?’, Gavin asked. ‘What’s the verdict?’ The android frowned for a while, LED turning in slow red circles. ‘I think so far I stand correctly, this conversation included. Although I think I found out I don’t like you being brutally honest as much as I imagined.’ Gavin chuckled. ‘Hey, most people come to that conclusion.’ ‘Does this mean we can continue this meeting?’, the android asked. ‘Maybe without thinking to far ahead now that we know how we both stand to the topic of relationships?’ Gavin mulled it over and nodded in the end. ‘Yes. Yes, let’s talk about stuff. I’m sorry, it just bothered me for the last days.’ ‘Not a problem at all.’

-

When Gavin laid in bed that night and thought back at the café, he couldn’t get over his embarrassment. It had been the second time meeting the android and he had to start off like that. God, if that didn’t tell Richard to escape as long as he still could… His phone vibrated next to him and he took it from the nightstand. He had two new messages. One from Tina, And? Dateable?, and one from RK900: Next week, same place, same time?

Gavin closed his eyes and smiled before texting back: absolutely.

[>next part]