#she's outside her car putting her pizza in or whatever

[megameatymatt]

dad!matt and dad!chris is all i want in life

A Day with Dad - Chris Sturniolo

Summary: Chris is left at home with his two daughters

TW!: none really

Requested?: yes

A/N: feedback, interaction, and requests are appreciated! ( im also very sorry if this sucks i don't read a lot of dad!chris or matt fics😭)

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You and Chris have finally started building the family you've dreamed of for so long. You have two daughters: Avery who has just turned 4, and Scarlet who is 1 year old. You and Chris couldn't be happier living this life, but Chris noticed you've started to become more tired and tense, so during summer break, when the kids were home. He planned a day out full of activities for you and your friends.

It was 8:30 in the morning and you were leaving the house to get to the Breakfast place Chris put in a reservation for. "I'll see you soon," you say as you grab your house keys. "Have fun baby" Chris says as he grabs your chin and kisses you. "I'm gonna miss my girls," You say thinking of their cute chubby little faces. "They'll be with the fun parent, they won't miss you one bit," Chris says with a sense of pride. You roll you're eyes and laugh. "Whatever, Chris, I love you." "I love you more baby", and with that, you're stepping into the car and driving off. Chris waits outside until the car has fully left his sight before heading back inside.

As soon as he steps inside, he hears crying. "Scarlet" He mutters under his breath before running up the stairs and into the girls' room. He turns on the light and lifts Scarlet out of her crib. As soon as she's in his arms, she quiets down.

"Good morning sunshine, how are you?" Chris' presence wakes up his second daughter Avery. "Daddy!" Avery squeaks, wrapping her arms around Chris's leg. "Hey, bunny. You're pretty happy today!" He says, setting Scarlet back down in her crib. "Ok girls, Mommy went out today so guess what? You're gonna be spending the day with the best dad in the world," He says pointing both his fingers towards him. The girls cheer and Chris laughs. "Let's start by making some chocolate chip pancakes!"

It didn't go as planned. Chris ended up burning the pancakes. So now the 3 of them sit in the Mc. Donald's drive-thru picking out items from the breakfast menu. "I can't believe we are having Mc. Donalds for breakfast, this is the best day ever!" Avery says, waving her arms in the air. "Technically, they're breakfast foods so it's healthy. Also please don't tell your mother" Avery laughs as Chris picks up the food from the window and drives back home.

It's 4:40 in the afternoon. Chris got Scarlet to take her nap, and somehow he ended up sitting in front of Avery while she braids his hair into pigtails. "Done!" she says, grinning ear to ear as she hands Chris a mirror. "Wow sunshine, I look amazing," Chris says holding back a laugh.

"Now tell me, what would you like for dinner?" Chris asks handing her back the mirror. "Pizza, pizza, pizza!" Avery says jumping around. Chris sighs, "You sure you don't want something healthier sweetie?" Chris asks. "Healthy food sucks," Avery says crossing her arms. Chris lets out a chuckle. "How bout' we get pasta instead, huh sweetie. We've had a little too much fast food don't you think?" "with meatballs?" Avery asked. "With as many meatballs as you like princess," Chris says as he tickles Avery. Almost right after, Chris hears Scarlet cry again.

It's 11:30 and Chris and Avery have fallen asleep on the couch. Scarlet is in her crib, and Moana still playing on the TV. Keys jangle at the door before it finally unlocks. You walk into the living room and see Chris and and Avery snuggled up on the couch asleep, you smile and pull out your phone to take a picture. You tap Chris on the shoulder and he jolts up, then falls back down when he realizes it's just you. "hey baby, you're back" he says, flashing you a tired smile. "I am. How'd it go" "Let's just say i'm the favourite now" You laugh before taking a closer look at him. "What the hell happened to your hair?"

[writeonwhiskey]

the skz house: ch 5 (18+)

a/n: happy tuesday. hope you all had a great christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate. here is my gift to you!

Summary: Welcome to Sigma Kappa Zeta, the most popular fraternity on campus. When you, down on your luck and looking for a place to live, see their ad for ‘IN-HOUSE STAY’. You're one of the four girls chosen and find that your duties for the rest of the school year will be cooking, cleaning, and pleasing your assigned house members: Hyunjin & Bang Chan.

[ read chapter four here ]

Chapter Five: Of Mirrors and Lessons

The entire ride back home, Chan keeps his hand on your thigh, sometimes resting, sometimes gently squeezing. You couldn’t possibly forget the fact that you’re sitting in a car with him, but his touch serves as a constant reminder that he’s there without feeling overbearing. It actually soothes you, which should be concerning. However, since it doesn’t seem like you’ll get any outright form of compassion from him, maybe you have to learn to appreciate these subtle gestures.

Back at the house you and Charlotte clean up the basement while the other girls work on dinner. You gather up the empty pizza boxes and paper cups into a large trash bag as she works on wiping down all the surfaces. You hadn’t gotten a chance to speak to her much prior to this, but you can tell she’s the quiet, introvert type. 

When you ask, she tells you things with Han and Jeongin are going well. You hold in your surprise when she says Han hasn’t tried anything with her yet, but she and Jeongin had made out a few times—one of which you saw last night. 

Her words make you curious what everyone else has been up to. You’ve only had one night with Hyunjin where all you did was kiss, but your two nights with Chan had been filled with far more intimate acts and barely any kissing. Were the others taking things just as slow? 

You finish cleaning and hoist the trash bags up the stairs. Felix and Changbin spring up from their seats at the table when you two emerge from the basement. They take the bags from you and put them outside.

Hyunjin is the only one missing when it’s time to eat—he has an evening class tonight. Chan eats in the living room, watching a baseball game with Seungmin. You eat in the dining room next to Felix and even after you’ve cleared your plates, you continue talking to him. He shares information with you freely and it’s a bit of a relief. His minor is in Game Design and Development, his dad and Chan’s dad are extremely close, so they grew up together before venturing to the states. You’re invested in what he’s saying—you really are, but you keep catching yourself being distracted by the dusting of freckles across the bridge of his nose and cheeks. They give him such a boyish charm, especially when he smiles, that’s directly contradicted by the amount of bass in his voice. 

Your phone buzzes and you check it, seeing a text from Chan. A wave of nerves flow throw your body as you open it. 

Chan

waiting for you

You put your phone face down on the table. You know what’s coming next. He told you this afternoon. You don’t know what to expect. You do at least know that you shouldn’t expect rose petals and candles for your first time with him. If there are candles, he would probably be using them to drip wax over you. You panic at the thought. You don’t know what he’s in to, but you’re learning. It’s not difficult to believe he may like some kinky stuff, though. For now, all you know for sure is that he likes to exercise his control over you. 

You hate to keep thinking of your ex in uncertain moments like this, yet you can’t help it. You simply can’t imagine him speaking to you or treating you the way Chan does sexually and you just allowing it to happen. Chan has a specific presence or aura, if you will, that asserts dominance and you’re growing more and more attracted to it. No matter how much you want to resist. 

You’re startled at the feel of a hand on your shoulder. You turn to look at Felix, his chestnut brown eyes pouring out concern.

“You alright?” He asks in his low voice. 

“Yeah,” you reply with a light chuckle, not wanting to worry him. “I’m gonna head upstairs now.”

He squeezes your shoulder a few times and nods.

The walk upstairs feels like a death march. You’re moving slowly, trying to mentally prepare yourself for whatever is to come. 

Chan is sitting on the edge of his bed, facing you. You’re leaned against his dresser, naked after he asked you to remove your clothing. He still has his clothes on, which you can’t even think is unfair because what’s the point? Fairness doesn’t exist with him. You can’t even bring your arms up to cover yourself. So you stand there, watching him watch you, neither of you speaking. 

You wonder what’s going through his head right now, because all you can think of is how much you want him to touch you, to cover your bare body with his. You don’t know if it’s right to yearn for him after how he’s treated you—or is that the very reason you do?

After what feels like slow, painstaking hours, he stands from the bed and walks to you. He places his hands on either side of you on the dresser, caging you in. 

“Do you want me, y/n?” He finally breaks the silence, lowering his head to look you in the eyes. 

What kind of question is that? You do, don’t you? You know he doesn’t mean in the way he’s had you the last couple of days, he means actually fucking you this time. But will he be rough? Will it be painful? Will you like it? Your sexual experience is rather vanilla, so the thought is just as thrilling as it is frightening. What if it’s bad? What if it’s good? 

You lick your lips and slowly nod your head. 

He smiles down at you before moving forward to capture your lips with his. It’s a slow and passionate kiss. You tell yourself all his unspoken words are bottled up in it—that he doesn’t mean to make you feel awful, that he chose you for a reason. 

“Take my shirt off,” he says when he pulls away from you. 

Your grab the bottom of his shirt and lift it up and over his head. You drop it on top of your pile of clothes, never taking your eyes off him. 

He takes each of your hands in his at the wrist and places your palms on his chest. He slowly guides them down his pectorals, his abs, all the way down the ‘V’ shape of his lower abdomen that leads into his loose fitting sweatpants. His skin is soft and the muscles beneath it feel solid against your fingertips. 

He moves one hand lower than the other, to the waistband. You curl your fingers around it and he pulls your wrist back. He now pushes your other hand lower and you slip it into the sweats. All you feel is skin—he’s not wearing any boxers. He releases your wrists and puts his hands back on the dresser, swooping down to kiss you again as your fingers wrap around his already hard cock. 

It feels good to have him back in your grasp. You stroke him as he deepens the kiss, his tongue snaking inside your mouth. You bring your other hand up to cup the back of his neck, pulling him harder against you. You can’t kid yourself—you want to give yourself to him. You want to know what it feels like to have him inside of you. 

As if reading your thoughts, he breaks the kiss. 

“Turn around,” he says.

You waste no time in doing as he bids. 

You’re now facing the mirror attached to his dresser. His arms are still around either side of you, flexed and deliciously toned. He’s looking at you through the reflection. It’s the first time you’e seen yourself next to him. Your first instinct is to feel inferior, but with him this close, and you enclosed in his arms, you can convince yourself it feels and looks right. 

He stands up straight and places his hands on your hips, squeezing them. His hands slide up and down your side in a way that tickles, causing you to move away from his touch. His lip quirks up at you through the mirror. 

His hands cup your breasts and you watch your reflection. It almost feels as if you’re removed from the scene—watching for a separate type of pleasure. His gaze is fixed on your body as he plays with your nipples. You can’t help but move your hips back against him. 

He pushes your breasts together with one hand as the other slips down to your pussy. You immediately move your feet a little further apart to which he chuckles. 

“Chan,” you breathe as his hand finds its home between your thighs. “Be good to me tonight.” 

Your words come out as a soft plea. 

He responds by kissing you on the cheek as his fingers slowly slide back and forth across your pussy. You don’t know what to make of that response. He’s proven himself to be good at being a sour patch kid—sour then sweet. Or sweet then sour in his case, actually. 

He pushes down his sweatpants and slowly lowers you down so your chest is pressed against the dresser. He takes a moment to admire his handy work from the night before, rubbing and squeezing your ass. You keep your eyes locked on his reflection, your breath fogging up the mirror now that you’re so close to it. His hand leaves your ass and moves to his cock, gripping it at the base as he slides it up and down your slit. 

When he’s settled at your opening, his left hand grabs your hip, holding you in place. Your eyes are locked on each others as he slowly slides himself in. You want to squeeze your eyes shut, steal a moment for yourself to revel in the feel of him inside you. But you also want to remember how he looks right now. The way his lip is caught between his teeth, eyes filled with some kind of lust. 

You watch his face intently. He averts his gaze and sucks in a breath as he watches his dick move in and out of you. One hand is still at your hip as the other uses your shoulder for leverage. You prop yourself up on your elbows and push your hips back to meet his thrusts. The side of his mouth quirks up at your movements.

You moan as he starts moving faster, dropping your head to the desk and squeezing your eyes shut.

He doesn’t like that.

You feel his hand move from your shoulder to the back of your head. He tangles his fingers in your hair and yanks your head up. Your eyes snap open just in time to see him leaning down towards you.

“Watch,” he whispers in your ear, “I want you to see how good you look when I fuck you.”

You moan again at his words, looking at yourself in the mirror, watching as your tits bounce up and down with each thrust. He lets go of your hair and uses both hands on your hips to bring you back and forth against him, harder, faster. 

He keeps fucking you, panting and grunting while you watch. As his movement quickens and he grits his teeth, he abruptly pulls out of you, taking a step back. He takes a deep breath and slaps your ass. You don’t squeal, you don’t scream. You moan and look back at him with soft eyes. You want more. 

“On the bed,” he says. 

You step from around him and walk to the bed, turning around to face him when you’re near it. He steps out of his sweatpants and kicks them to the side.

“How do you want me?” You ask. 

“Now you’re being a good girl.” He nods his head with a crooked grin. He places one hand on his cock as he walks towards you, stroking it. “On your back.” 

You sit on the bed and scoot back on it before laying down. He puts his knees on the bed, still stroking himself as he looks down at you. 

“Fuck, y/n,” he groans. 

The way he says it, the way he’s looking at you makes you squirm. You want him back inside of you. He pushes your thighs apart one at a time with his knees and lowers himself on top of you. 

“Hands above your head.”

You put your hands up so they’re resting on the pillows and he holds them together with one hand. With the other he guides himself back into you. Once inside, he moves his hips ever so slowly, in and out. 

He presses his thumb to your clit, rubbing it in teasing circles. You wrap your legs around his waist, locking your ankles together behind his back. You start to move your hips against him, wanting him to go faster. 

He looks up to you and gives the tiniest head shake. You stop your movements with a soft whine. 

He picks up the pace, watching your face contort with pleasure. Whenever you let out a moan and move your hips against his, he slows back down. He repeats the process, squeezing your wrists together as you try to free them. You want to at least touch him, but he’s too content playing with you. 

He brings himself closer to you, first kissing you, then moving down to your breasts. He takes each nipple into his mouth, in turn, licking, nipping, pulling at it with his teeth while he looks up at you. All the while still rubbing your clit with his other hand each time he pulls his hips back and has access to you. The sight of him ravaging your body is one you hope to never forget. 

The stop and go of all his combined stimulation starts to peak. You tighten your grip around his waist. 

“Fuck me, please. I’m gonna—“ You let out a moan, as he bites down hard on your nipple.

“Ah-Ah,” he shakes his head again, looking up at you with your nipple still between his teeth. He sits up and releases your hands, resorting back to his torturous, slow hip movements, hands resting on your knees. “Remember lesson number two?”

You blink up at him, trying to focus on what he means. It’s hard to think of anything else when he has you this close to release. Lesson two? You think back to your second night and it dawns you.

 “Chan,” you say his name slowly, moving your hands up to his chest. “May I? Will you please make me come?”

He grips your thighs and readjusts them so your legs are on one side of his neck. He lifts you upwards at an angle and wraps his arm around your thighs as he starts pounding in to you with fervor. His other hand continues playing with your breasts. Groping them, slapping them.

“Fuck,” he says as you dig your nails into his arms now that your hands are finally free. 

You watch, enraptured by the sight of him above you. His abs contracting with each movement. His hair disheveled, some of his bangs sticking to his forehead. His skin glistening with a thin layer of sweat. You’ve never seen him look better.

“You wanna come?” He asks.

“Please,” you beg, nodding your head.

“Who do you belong to?” He growls, slapping a hand to your breast and squeezing it.

“You,” you reply without hesitation, flinching at the pain.

“What does that make you?”

“Yours,” you breathe, as you continue to hold yourself back from release.

“Say it again,” he pinches your nipple between his fingers.

“I’m yours,” you whimper, wrapping your hand around the opposite side of his neck from your legs. “I’m yours, Chan.”

“Good,” he says, eyes on yours as he smirks and fucks you. “Come for me, y/n.”

Your back arches as your toes curl. You use all the strength in you to pull him down to you, stealing a kiss as your orgasm courses through you. He doesn’t resist. He doesn’t get upset. You’ve quite literally never been so bent as you are in this position, but you don’t care. Having him kiss you wildly as you come around his cock is absolutely worth it. 

As you’re still coming down from your wave of euphoria, he sits up and pulls your legs apart. He grips one thigh in each hand and continues thrusting into you. You’re moaning—it feels so goddamn good, you could cry. 

He throws his head back, grunting and tightening his grip on your thighs as he finishes. 

His movements start to slow, his breathing turning into soft pants. He lets go of your thighs and lowers himself to you again. He brushes your damp hair back from your face as he looks you deeply in the eyes.

“That was lesson three,” he winks. 

An unexpected laugh falls from your lips and he chuckles, pressing his forehead against yours for a moment. You feel like your heart could soar right now. A genuine laugh shared. 

“Grab on to me,” he says. 

You wrap your arms around his neck and lock your legs around his waist again. He scoots you down on the bed then picks you up, carrying you into the bathroom. You bury your face in his neck, smiling—sex drunk. Happy. Delirious. 

He holds on to your waist as he turns on the shower, keeping you in his arms while the water heats up. There’s no light on in the bathroom, but his shower head flickers from blue, to green, then settles on red. His hands tangle in your hair again, gently tugging on it to pull your head up from his neck. His eyes search yours for a moment and you have no idea what they’re trying to convey. He pushes your head towards him and kisses you slowly. The kiss is tame and unassuming—it’s not leading up to anything further. It’s just two people temporarily caught in the haze of their connection.

He takes you into the shower with him and leans you against the wall as he continues kissing you, letting the water drip between you. You don’t know how long this high will last, he could go right back to being an asshole in the next minute, so you want to enjoy this version of him as long as you can.

[ read chapter six here ]

a/n: share your thoughts <3

tag list: @iflmho /@skzstaykatsy / @blackhairandbangs / @ayoitschannie / @idunnomanmynamewastaken / @charmer-c / @ihatemen55 / @channiesprincess / @channniesslefttt / @jiwoos-babygirl / @kayleefriedchicken / @krayzieestay

[iihandsiiheavn]

ʚïɞ "a podium to celebrate", pt II. OP81

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⋮ fluff. word count: 1.4k. ʚɞ part I here.

⠀✧₊⁺ oscar piastri x aria giuseppe (red bull driver!female oc)

summary: aria and oscar late night after the hungarian gp.

warnings: pure fluff but badly written, i am sorry. taylor swift references, max verstappen as a special guest, could have ended in smut but the writer didn't feel like it should.

"Where are you going?"

Aria cursed under her breath as she heard the neighboring door creak open, revealing her teammate’s face, grinning mischievously.

"Fuck off," she whispered, her backpack light on her shoulders as she glanced back at the driver over her shoulder. "Go to sleep. I got more points than you today. Go mull over that."

"Calling Christian right now... Babybull is leaving the hotel, and I bet she’s headed to McLaren’s. Should I guess the room?"

Verstappen pretended to be on the phone, teasing the younger driver, making her step back and playfully swat at his arm.

They were good friends. Ever since Aria debuted in Formula One, Max had been someone she looked up to and a fun coworker. She knew he was joking as he watched her leave.

"It's easy to guess the room; you'd be the one sneaking into their first driver's. I've read about it on Twitter," she taunted, giggling as he rolled his blue eyes. "Fuck off, Max. Go to bed. Leave me alone.

"You'll be alone with the winner. Let me at least crack a joke!" he continued in a playful tone, watching her resume walking. "Wishing my mate Piastri good luck — you've got too much energy."

"I'm sure he can keep up," she quipped before heading to the elevators and out of the building.

Sneaking off was something both the Red Bull and McLaren drivers were used to doing; it was all fun when they had days off and could freely be around each other. But there was also the thrill of leaving their own hotels just to see one another, and that’s where Aria was headed now. A rented car waited for her just outside, and the drive to the hotel where the McLaren crew was staying was quick — nothing like a GP lap, but close enough.

She knocked softly on her best friend's door, which opened to reveal a soft smile before she jumped into his arms.

"Hello, Formula One Grand Prix winner... How are we holding up?" Her tone was sing-song, arms wrapped around the Aussie’s neck as he lifted her by the waist.

"We are actually... having pizza and drinking soda for the celebration, and... whatever else you might have in mind."

Aria giggled as he carried her through the suite, making sure to discard her backpack somewhere on the floor. They did this every now and then, even on nights that could’ve turned into wild parties. While the other RB-MC duo might be headed to the club, these two would be headed to the couch.

They had known each other since their karting days, when it all started with a humble Oscar and a small-but-fiery Aria. He had always been too nice for the go-kart tracks, and she had felt the same protective instinct around him; a special kind of care he sometimes felt unworthy of.

Then things grew, just like they did. Formula 2, testing in better cars, and finally, the dream became a reality. They were still there for each other, spending nights together, celebrating wins, or keeping vigil after losses.

A lot had changed since the beginning — not just the karts evolving into complex, expensive machines. Like the way their lips touched so naturally now. Aria cupped the Aussie’s face before pressing a quick kiss to his lips, a simple peck they always played off as a joke. They handled things better that way.

"Alright, Mr. First-Win, put me on the couch so I can lay down and watch our new edits. Let’s go." She tapped the boy on the shoulder, prompting him to carefully place her on the sofa.

"Taylor Swift songs as requested." he teased, kneeling on the couch, his knees on either side of Aria’s body before he laid his head on her chest, waiting only a second before her fingers found their way into his hair.

Physical intimacy — that was them. They had their moments with no clothes on, nights that vanished too quickly, or touching each other in ways that ignited a fire. But there was something special about moments like these, too.

Just existing around each other, finding comfort amid their crazy, rushed routine — being each other's safe place. That was it, simply put.

"Yes, yes. Taylor Swift songs. ‘Daylight,’ please, dear Lord. Let a teenage girl edit us to the bridge of ‘Daylight,’ please." Aria joked as usual, while Oscar giggled on top of her, watching her TikTok before she searched for their names in the search bar.

"This is just crazy. Do you ever think about it?" Oscar’s voice dropped at least an octave.

"About how cute we look on podiums? And talking to each other in the paddock?" she teased, her fingers tracing soft lines on his scalp as his hands rested on her sides.

"About how people think they’re making things up about us when it’s actually... real."

They had made a deal ever since their friendship started including kisses and waking up naked in each other’s beds. It was easier without the public's eyes on their personal lives. But still, people insisted on "making up" a relationship for them.

They did it with any two drivers who ever looked at each other, so why wouldn’t it happen to the one duo that was always together? Driver’s parade? Leaving the paddock? There was even a clip of Aria waiting outside McLaren’s motorhome as if she were Romeo waiting for Juliet.

However, she had only one thing in mind. "Real."

"So we’re real." A little smirk tugged at her lips, which Oscar couldn’t see, but there was no way he didn’t know her well enough.

"Stop smiling." he chuckled, his own lips curling up. "We were always real, Aria. Quit this talk."

"Real like... edits of us with that Zayn song? Look at us, look at us!" She shoved her phone in his face, the screen flashing edits of their moments earlier that day, set to the song.

But Oscar was quick to notice things, especially when it came to Aria. She ran from deep conversations and would joke her way out of anything, even if she had to joke all the way to heaven to avoid uncomfortable topics.

"Real like real. Real like really, really, really real." It had been on his mind ever since the cool-down room. It was.

"Hmm... Yeah." Aria mimicked the probable hours of footage of Oscar making these same sounds, and he couldn’t help but laugh softly as he raised his head just enough to see her. "What do you mean, Osc?"

Oscar was trying to get to three simple words.

But Aria made it so hard to get to that point. They had said it before, they did every now and then. The challenge was fitting the words into what they truly meant.

Not as a friend, not as someone who grew up with you, not as the fan they were of each other — none of that.

"You don’t?" He raised his head a little more, moving up her body in a funny way just to be closer. "Aria, you know I would’ve had a very, very strange first win if it wasn’t for you, right?"

"Nah, I just did the world a favor by soaking you in champagne. You won the race, remember?"

"Stop joking, Ri. I’m serious." His thumb caressed her chin, his eyes roaming over her face. "You’ve been doing this for me for years now — you’re always there."

"Because I always win." A forced, playful smile tugged at her lips as Oscar lightly rolled his eyes. "That’s what we do for each other, Osc. Stop. No need to say anything."

"Hmm?" At this point, he was lost, focused on how her eyes crinkled when she smiled, how her lips moved with her Italian accent, and how it felt to be on top of her. Just existing. "You know what, Aria? I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a—"

No need to finish. There wasn’t a need to say it because they had always known. Her lips crashed into his like a car into a wall. Everything went silent as her hands found their way back into Oscar’s hair, caressing the soft locks as his body lifted slightly.

The kiss deepened, a rush of emotions pouring into it. A tender feeling, yet filled with passionate intensity.

He was still on top of her, but no longer lying down. One hand balanced on the sofa, while the other hooked around the girl's neck, their bodies pulled closer, as if afraid to let go.

Every second seemed to stretch, filled with the sweetness of the moment as they melted into each other, the kiss saying everything Aria didn’t let Oscar say.

"I know you love me," she whispered, still close to his lips as they both gasped for air. "Because I love you too."

ʚïɞ

[fandomnerd9602]

Cold Outside

StepSister!Wanda x Reader

For @lifespectator and @aloneodi

You and your stepsister Wanda had been up to your own brand of mischief. Ever since your first kiss with her on New Years Eve, it’s like the two of you could not get enough of each other. You always found little excuses to see one another and share kisses where no one could see you. Wanda and you were scared of what your parents would think of such a relationship.

But that didn’t stop you and her from having ‘cram sessions’ over at your apartment. Yes you and her did study for exams and homework. But afterward the two of you would celebrate with pizza, a marathon of her favorite shows and a little make out session. It was the perfect cover.

A perfect cover until it happened.

Your college town was hit with the worst blizzard of the year. Your classes were cancelled but somehow Wanda's were still on.

You tried to keep your apartment warm when you got a call from your stepsister, "detka?"

"what's the matter, Wanda?"

"the heater in my apartment broke. C-Can I come stay over at your place?"

“What about your roommate? yelena?”

“She’s hanging out with Kate. So can you please pick me up, detka?”

"Of course! I'll come pick you up." You grabbed your keys and ran to your car.

The wind was howling and the snow fall nearly blinded your view but yet you persisted on being there when Wanda stepped out from the college commons area.

You pull up outside of the commons and Wanda runs out from under the porch right to your car. The scarlet red scarf you bought her blowing in the wind. She quickly jumps in and blows into her hands, just trying to keep herself warm.

“Hello detka” she smiles at you.

“Hey you” you smile back, “let’s go home.”

It didn’t take long for you and Wanda to get home. You spent the time talking about whatever you wanted as you drove home.

You and Wanda truly enjoy spending whatever time you can together. Little moments here and there.

You turn on your television and switch it to your queue of Dick Van Dyke episodes. Wanda continues to enjoy her freshly brewed tea as you take a seat next to her.

“No better way to rough it through a blizzard, huh?” You give a little smirk to your stepsister.

“What are we?” She asks.

“What do you mean?” You genuinely ask.

“I-I mean…where do you see us?”

You gently take her free hand, “Wanda…there will never be another. You’re it. I’m totally in love with you. I-I want strings with you”

Your thumb glides across her knuckles.

“I want strings with you too” she giggles. “I want to tell everyone about us, but only when you’re ready.”

“When you’re ready,” you reassure her. She stares at you with adoring eyes. Her gazes lowers to your lips and then back to your eyes.

You pull her into your lap. Wanda giggles and leans in, kissing you. Her tongue glides across your lips, you can’t help but allow her access.

“Detka” she whispers against your lips.

You and Wanda continue to share long, loving, passionate kisses on your couch; lost in your own little world. Wanda giggles against your lips. Your hands wander up and down her spine.

So strong was the temptation to reach under her shirt but you truly loved her. You were willing to take things slow and enjoy all the little memories you have to form with the amazing young woman in your arms.

Your little moment of heaven was interrupted by the sound of Wanda’s cell phone. She let out a quick little squeak of embarrassment before rolling off your lap and grabbing her phone. The caller ID on her phone read Papa. You and her went pale white.

Wanda takes a deep breath, wanting to calm the beating of her heart from her moment of ecstasy. She answers the phone, “hello Papa” she puts it in speaker mode.

“Hello my little witch, I just wanted to be sure you were alright.” Your stepfather tries to explain. “That blizzard is something fierce.”

“I’m alright” Wanda giggles, “I’m at Y/N’s. My apartment’s heater went out.”

“Hey Pops” you call out.

“You all okay?” Your stepfather asks back.

“Y-yeah” you try to answer. “I was about to put a pizza in the oven and turn on some Dick Van Dyke.”

“Okay” Django answers back. “According to the weather channel, the blizzard won’t clear up for two days”

You and Wanda look to each other, you can already see the ideas forming in Wanda’s head.

“Think you’ll be alright?” Your stepfather asks.

“Yes Papa,” Wanda answers, “I think we’ll be alright. We’ve got homework and tv and…”

“Okay. Love you both” Django answers before hanging up.

You and your detka look at one another. You can’t help but share a laugh. She collapses against your chest.

“You hungry?” You ask her playfully as you wrap her in a hug.

“Yes. For pizza…and you” she giggles at her own response. You give her one last kiss to her lips and one more to her forehead.

It sure is cold outside but it’s nice and warm in your little apartment. You will have to tell her father and your mother eventually but until then you’re just gonna enjoy your time together. You and the love of your life: Wanda Maximoff.

[kelcemenow]

Touchdown - Chapter 1.

Pairing Travis Kelce x Reader

Words 1676

Warnings This is a slow burn. I always like to set the scene in the first chapter.

CHAPTER 1.

“Where are my car keys?”  

“Why would I know where your car keys are?”  

You let out a slow exhale of breath before furiously checking the coats that were hanging up in the porch, for the third time, “Didn’t you use my car last night to pick up the pizzas?”  

Jess took a quick sip of her coffee before shouting through into the lounge, “Yes, and I handed them back to you.”  

You made your way towards the sound of Jess’ voice, “Right. And I put them down on the…” You paused as your eyes fell on the keys that were positioned exactly where you had left them the night before.  

“Well, would you look at that.” Jess smiled and raised her eyebrows, a smug expression that she often threw in your direction. “Honestly, you are the most unorganised person I know.”  

“Not everyone has their underwear in colour order, because it’s weird.” You grabbed a cushion from the sofa and playfully hit Jess on the back of the head before returning to packing your handbag ready to leave for work, throwing the car keys into the bag.  

“Alright, alright, maybe I am too organised, but do I lose my car keys every morning?”  

You stopped to look at her, your eyes wide with a forced innocence, “Not…every morning.”  

She cleared her throat and nodded gently, the self-satisfied look still plastered on her face, “Whatever. Anyway, why are you getting so stressed about this? You didn’t want this job in the first place.”  

“I’m not stressed…I just don’t want to completely bugger this up. It’s the closest job to being a broadcaster, it’s at an actual television studio and a show that is actually on TV.” You held your hands out to emphasise your point. “And it’s a ‘foot in the door’ situation. I work for ITV doing this gig for a year or so and then I can do what I want to do.”  

“Yeah…but sport.? You hate sports.”  

“I don’t hate sports. I just don’t see the point. I’ll learn.” You said, shrugging your shoulders lazily.  

“And it’s American sports.” Jess wrinkled her nose, “I don’t know how you’re going to do it.”  

Reaching up onto your tiptoes, you grabbed your coat from the hook and picked up your bag with the other hand before making your way out of the house, “Really supportive, Jess.”  

“Kill it!” She shouted as you closed the door.  

______________________________________________________________

“And this is where the presenters hang out before or after the show…and this…” You were being shown around the studio by Hannah, a young blonde girl who worked in your department. The studio was huge, and you were trying desperately to remember the identical corridors and seemingly hundreds of doors in an attempt to stop yourself from getting lost. Hannah must have noticed your eyes that were frantically darting around.

“Honestly, you’ll probably only use about 40% of the entire building.” She placed a hand on your shoulder and lowered her voice, “I’ve been here 3 and a half years and I got lost just yesterday.”  

A small chuckle escaped your lips and you ran a hand through your hair.  

Hannah paused for a second, “I tell you what, why don’t we grab a coffee?” 

You nodded with a smile as you followed her through some heavy double doors into the studio cafeteria. It was a vast room with food servers and drinks machines lining one wall and countless tables and chairs. Some were filled with people talking loudly, some had individuals typing furiously on their laptops. Hannah brought two paper cups filled to the top with coffee over to a small table that was next to the window. Outside, it was a bright and warm day. There was a small group of people sat under a tree reading and talking. Businessmen and woman were coming and going from the building speaking on their phones or checking pieces of paperwork.   

It was a busy atmosphere, but it didn’t seem to worry you. You thrived on being busy. You performed better under pressure during your studies at university and the small journalist jobs you had after you had graduated. But this was the big leagues. This was national television. And it was sports.  

“So, do you watch The NFL Show?” Hannah smiled as she sat down.  

You took a short breath and looked down. “Can I be honest?”  

Hannah pressed her lips together and frowned.  

“I’ve never watched an American football game in my life.” Leaning back slightly in your chair, you nervously waited for her reaction. 

Hannah kept her face still for a moment before bursting into laugher, “Oh Y/N, it’s like looking into a mirror. I hadn’t either before I started working here!”  

You let out a sigh of relief and picked up your coffee, “Really?”  

“Babe, we work in research, social media stuff. So, I don’t really think it’s vitally necessary to be a fan of the sport. We are the fact checkers, the worker bees. We make sure the Facebook posts are good, the stats are spot on and the presenters are telling the truth. But I’ve watched a few games with my husband and it’s not bad!”  

“Oh, I’m so glad! I was so worried it would be a problem.”  

“I mean, don’t go broadcasting that around the building, but no, it’s not a problem.” She smiled. “Where have you worked before here then?”  

“Well, I graduated 4 years ago, I got a first in media and journalism. Then I worked for my local newspaper back in my hometown and various temporary jobs but I realised that I need to move to London if I really wanted to work in journalism or broadcasting.”  

Hannah nodded gently, “Makes sense. Well, that sounds great. I can tell you're going to do just fine here!” She glanced at the clock above you head, “Shall we make a move? I could show you the studio for a bit?”  

“Sounds good to me!”

______________________________________________________________

“But wait, why have they stopped again?”  

“Jess, I don’t know.”  

Jess reached forward and grabbed another slice of pepperoni pizza, “This is going to take hours if he carries on doing that.” 

“What?” 

“Him! That referee man just keeps stopping everything, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”  

“Jess, we don’t know what we’re talking about.” You laughed through a mouthful of pizza.  

“They are quite fit, aren’t they?”  

You leaned over her leg to pick up your phone, “I’m there to work, I’m not there to look at the players.”  

“Yeah, but sometimes they come to do interviews and that sort of thing, right?”  

You shrugged your shoulders as you checked your emails.  

“Oh, and if you end up having to go over to America for the Super Ball thingy…”  

“…Super Bowl.” You corrected her. 

“…Bowl? Well, that doesn’t make sense either. It should be Super Ball, because they play with a ball? Right?”  

You snorted a laugh, your eyes still scanning the screen on your phone, your thumb swiping lazily.

“Super Ball, Super Bowl, whatever it is, promise you’ll take me? I could do with a holiday!”  

“Jess, I doubt I would be the one to go! And anyway, it’ll be a miracle that I last that long in the job. I think I’m in over my head.” You took another bite of your pizza and pulled the blanket over to your chest.  

“Y/N, you said it yourself, you’re there for research. Just do what you need to do for a while and then you can be a big-time journalist.”  

You smiled at Jess as she put the last of her pizza in her mouth and turned back to the TV. Even hearing your own words being repeated back to you didn't seem to calm your worries or concerns. You closed your eyes and rested your head back on the sofa, letting the sounds of the TV buzz in your ears.

______________________________________________________________

Staring at a computer screen full of numbers for roughly 9 hours a day isn’t exactly how you expected to begin your journalism career in London. Your day was spent checking game scores, going back to previous seasons, and comparing player performances along with individual stats. Scrolling through social media and posting, commenting, liking; it became boring. Ordinarily, you enjoyed mindlessly wandering around Facebook, but you wanted something more, a challenge, something less mundane.  

Your momentary daydream was interrupted with the sound of your office phone ringing.  

“Hello?”  

“Is this Y/N?” A stern, male voice asked.  

“Erm, yeah.”

“Great. I need you to do something for me.”  

“O-okay.” You stuttered whilst you reached for a pen to jot down the details.  

“We need you to contact Kelce for a response.”

Blood rushed to your face. Who is Kelce? A response for what? Your eyes widened whilst you waited in silence for the mystery voice to speak again.  

“Kelce? Travis Kelce? Tight end for the Chiefs? The fastest player to reach 10,000 yards?”  

You cleared your throat, “Yeah, yeah of course. I’m…I’m on it-“  

The call ended abruptly. You nervously returned the phone to the holder and searched around your desk area for some sort of clue for to what to do next. Just then, you noticed Hannah weaving her way through the desks. Lifting your chin above the half wall, you tried to catch her eye. She smiled and waved, before heading towards you.  

“Hey girl, what’s up?”  

You lowered your voice, “How do I get in touch with a player?”  

“A player?” Her eyes lit up.  

“Yeah, for a statement or whatever.”  

“Ooh, fun job!” Hannah leaned over your desk to grab a laminated sheet of paper that was taped up on the wall. She pointed to a number, “Give Terry a ring, he can probably put you in touch with whoever you need.”  

“Trevor, something Kelce?”  

“Travis Kelce? He’s cool, he’ll give you a statement over the phone, no problem.” She stood up, “Anything else?”  

“No, no that’s all. Thank you so much!”  

Hannah winked, “Anytime, good luck!”  

______________________________________________________________

Thank you for reading! I have lots of chapters coming up for this series so if you want to be included in my taglist just give me a shout!

[thedeviltohisangel]

Oh my gosh!!!!! I live for your updates and For a Fortnight There We Were is utterly AMAZING!!! I would love to see their first encounter, their first time 👀, I just need more of Evelyn and Callum❤️

THANK YOUUUUU! It makes me so happy you guys love my little multiverse I am creating. The response to the Callum fic has been so lovely to see!!

Ok I have these written down to write full chapters on but we can at least satiate ourselves with some musings in the meantime:

-Their first encounter is at a chemistry read for the show. Callum & Austin are determined to be the leads but the final answer of who plays who comes down to this interaction. Ev is probably high when she goes and looks like someone trying to hide from photographers and Austin goes first and it feels nice to have the attention of a handsome man and he brings a little life back to her cheeks. But then Callum walks through the door. And he fills so much space both physically and emotionally. Suddenly she wishes she had washed her hair and put on some mascara. And everything comes so easy and she's smiling for the first time in awhile and wait was that a giggle? But then the scene is over and it's time to go and she feels hollow walking to her car.

-Their first time happens while they are quarantining together. And both of them are thinking about it ever since the London weekend pass sex scene. Because it was straight up pornographic the way the two them got into it and almost ignored the intimacy coordinator's choreography and did whatever their hips and lips told them to do. (poor Tom Hanks has half a mind to yell cut when Callum makes THAT face and moans all too real). And their first time is fun and light and cute and it is exactly what she needs. She's in cotton underwear and a sports bra and his boxers have slices of pizza on them but there are soft gasps and lots of kissing and he rocks into her so gently and slowly and she cries with how soft he is with her. the world is so harsh outside the walls of his apartment and she just wants to stay in this bed, in his arms forever.

here for any thoughts//other scenarios we should explore xoxo

[spoilmesweetieforficssake]

I'm Not Going Anywhere

I'm aware that I still have prompts to fill (but my muse is dragging her heels in finding inspiration for them) but in the meantime, this little idea wouldn't go away. A little bit of angsty fluff. Follows the fire incident.

***

You feel rather than see Melissa hover in the doorway of your classroom.  Looking up, you see the guilt-stricken expression on her face. 

“Go to her,” you say, knowing she’s about to say something about the two of you having plans that evening.  “I’ll cancel the reservations and we can book for another time.”

Still, she hovers. 

Getting up from your desk you cross over to her, taking her hands in your own.  “I’m not mad.  There are bigger things going on right now than dinner plans.  Go to her, I’m not going anywhere.”

She says nothing, but looks at you for a long few moments before leaning in to press a chaste but meaningful kiss to your lips.  “Thank you.”

“Let me know if you need anything?” you ask.

She nods, stepping back and heading along the hallway towards Barbara’s classroom.

*

You’re at home when she calls.

“Hey!  How are you?  How’s Barb?”  You had left them at school to talk, giving Barbara the privacy and support of her best friend.  You had messaged Melissa before leaving, letting her know where you’d be if she needed you, but not wanting to hover. 

“Honestly?  I don’t know.”  There was a sigh on Melissa’s end.  “I just don’t know how I could have missed this?  How I didn’t see it?  Why she didn’t tell me?”

Holding the phone to your ear, you find yourself pacing as she talks, her agitation palpable.  Passing the window of your apartment, you frown.  Stepping closer to the glass, you see Melissa’s car parked on the sidewalk.  Still listening as she speaks, you move to the door of your apartment, slipping on your shoes before venturing outside.  As Melissa trails of into a frustrated silence, you tap her window, making her jump.

“You coming in any time soon?”

Melissa hangs up the phone before opening her car door.  “I wasn’t sure if I was,” she admits.  “I’m not good company right now.  I don’t wanna put that on you.”

You pocket your phone, reaching out your hands in invitation.  “You’re not putting anything on anybody.  Come on, come in and you can just be for a bit.  You can put music on and think until you want to talk, watch shitty TV or I could run you a bath and you can just soak for a bit?”

She’s still hesitant, but she ended up outside your apartment for a reason.  You never fail to improve her mood, no matter what she’s feeling. 

“You don’t need to be good company.  You just need to be,” you tell her.  “And since you’re here, you may as well just be here.  I’ll only worry if you go home.”

*

Once inside your apartment, you find her some comfortable jeans she had managed to leave behind and one of your soft, worn hoodies to change into.

“Can we order pizza?  The good pizza?  And just drink beer?” she asks sheepishly, emerging from the bedroom. 

You smile softly.  “I told you, we can do whatever you want?  I’ll even watch that Stanley Tucci Italy show if you want.”

You don’t end up watching TV.  Instead, you let her vent between bites of pizza and mouthfuls of beer. 

“I mean, I’m out there living all my firefighter dreams and she’s there, struggling and I just didn’t realise.  I don’t know if I was just distracted or I was just being a shitty friend?”

You try to reason with her, turn her away from the latter train of thought.

“She practically carried me through my divorce, put up with all my shit, put me back together and I can’t even see when she’s drowning?  She was in real trouble and I missed it.”

You both jump at the ringing of her phone.  Seeing Barb’s name flash up on the screen, Melissa jumps to answer it. 

“Of course I can come over.  I’ll be right there, I just need to call a cab-“

You wave your hand in front of her face.  “I haven’t had a drink.  I’ll drive you.”  You see her frown, hesitating

“Actually, I’ll be right over.  Y/N is gonna give me a ride.”  She pauses, listening to Barb on the other end of the phone.  “I love you too, Barb.  I’ll be there soon.”  Hanging up, she looks at you where you’ve already started to clear the pizza boxes from the table. 

Turning to face her, you lift the half empty bottle of beer she had been drinking.  “You want me to toss this or you want to finish it on the drive over?”  You wait for an answer, but none seem to be forthcoming.  Instead, she looks positively guilty.  “What’s wrong?”

“I already cancelled our plans for tonight and now I’ve even ruined this.”

You put the beer bottle back down on the table and move to stand in front of her, cupping her face in your hands.  “You haven’t ruined anything.  What you and Barb have will never ruin or interrupt any plans we have.  She needs you, you go, no arguments.” 

She covers your hands where they still rest on her cheeks, her expression unreadable.  Joe would always tell her she’d have to make it up to him if she cancelled plans to be there for Barb.  Taunt her she did more for the kindergarten teacher than she did as his wife. 

“You want to get changed before we head?” you ask when she hesitates.  “I’m sure there’s a few of your shirts here.”

“Can I keep the hoody?” she asks in a small voice, nuzzling into the soft fabric. 

You smile at how cute she looks in the oversized sweater.  “Course you can.”  You drop a kiss to her forehead.  “I’ll just go grab my keys.”

*

She’s quiet during the drive over, you notice, not even cussing out the driver who cuts you off.  You can’t help but can’t help but smile, however, as her hand finds yours on the gear shift.  Pulling up outside Barb’s house, you turn your hand, lacing your fingers together.  “You’ll let me know what you need?  I can drop off your things if you’re staying or pick you up?  It doesn’t matter what time and I don’t care if it’s to bring you back to mine or just to take you home.  I just want to know you’re safe.”

She turns to look at you, a slight frown furrowing her brows.  There’s no judgment from you.  No lamenting about her putting Barb first.  You’re just there, doing what you can to help, expecting your plans to be cancelled so she can be there for her best friend.  “But-“

“But nothing,” you tell her firmly.  “I don’t care if it’s 4am.  Call me and I’ll be here.”

It takes you by surprise when she lunges forward, pulling you into a rough kiss before leaning her forehead against yours.  “You okay?”

She nods and you feel the action.

“Good.  Now remember, call me.  And tell Barb and Gerald if they need anything, I’m only ever a phone call away for them too.”

One final, bruising kiss and she’s out of the car and headed for Barb’s front door. 

*

You half expect her not to call, but she does, just after 1am.  Having been dozing on the couch, you sleepily answer, immediately telling her not to apologise as she registers your sleep laden voice.  Picking up your keys, you’re out the door before she’s even hung up. 

Sitting outside Barb’s house, you message rather can call her to tell her you’re there, adding that there’s no rush.  You’re there, you’re not going anywhere, even if her goodnights and goodbyes take an hour.

Eventually, you see Melissa and Barb come to the door, giving each other a hug and the red head saying something that has the older woman looking solemn, but nodding.  You watch as Melissa turns to make her way towards your car, slipping into the passenger seat and giving the other woman a final wave, as do you, before she closes the door.

You watch as the woman next to you visibly deflates, clearly exhausted.  You can clearly imagine her putting on a brave face and being everything Barb needed her to be that night, tired and beat beneath it all.  “My place or yours?”

She turns to look at you, head leaning on the head rest of the passenger seat.  There are still no complaints from you, even after it took her almost twenty minutes to make it out of Barb’s house after you had messaged.  There’s no irritation in your voice and she knows, even if she finds it hard to believe, that you don’t mind what she answers.  Whatever she chooses, you’ll be there.  You keep reminding her you’re not going anywhere. 

Just as she did when you dropped her off, she leans across to press a kiss to your lips.  It’s a softer kiss this time, one hand gently cupping your cheek.  “I love you.”

“I love you too,” you smile.  “But that doesn’t answer my question.”

Another kiss is pressed to your lips.  “Yours,” she says softly.  “I want to be with you.”

[wendigonamecaller]

Heir(ess).

Kai Anderson x Oc. Pt 3.

Taglist: @brknlamb

Warnings: Eating disorder, Kai himself, cursing, smut.

A/N: I had a chapter written with over 4k words and then accidentally published it before I edited and proofread it so I had to completely rewrite :')

Karina stood with Winter in the middle of Ally and Ivy's meat store. Kai had insisten she stay with Ally until he could get home, and she agreed, having had enough from people she didn't know putting their hands on her.

Eventually, with the clock only reading six forty seven, Karina sat at a table and laid her head onto the table with her eyes closed.

Winter sat next to her, resting her head on the elder girl's shoulder. Karina didn't say anything, simply letting Winter do whatever whilst she focused on her headache. She just wanted to go home, but she knew Meadow was most likely still there and didn't want to be on the receiving end of Kai's wrath for disobeying an order.

"Karina, Winter, you wanna come help me make some food for lunch tomorrow?" Ally asked, and both girls stood up reluctantly to follow the brunette into the kitchen.

Ally led them into the kitchen where some meats were already simmering in pans, and some fruits and vegetables laid on another counter with a cutting board and knife. Karina's brows furrow, her stomach pinching and twisting in response to the smell in the kitchen.

Karina hunches over the trashcan by the kitchen door, coughing and retching into it with a gag. Ally's maternal instincts are quick to kick into overdrive as she rushes over to Karina and pulls her hair back. "Winter, get a cup and fill it with ice and sprite." Ally spoke up, rubbing Karina's upper back.

Winter does as she's told, bringing the sprite over with a straw. Karina coughs into the trashcan once more before wiping her mouth.

Ally helps Karina to a booth to sit down and Winter sets the soda down on the table in front of her. "Have you ate today?" Ally asked, and Karina nods.

"When?" Ally asked and Karina cleared her throat before responding to the older woman.

"Lunch-.. me and Winter went to a cafe." She said, wrapping her fingers around the glass cup and wrapping her pale lips around the red straw.

Ally nods. "Kai wants us to get pizza after tonight's meeting since me and Ivy have to bring Oz, but I'll make you something small first, okay?" Ally said and Karina nodded.

"Just- please not steak. The smell alone is what made me sick." Karina said and Ally nodded.

"Of course. Winter, there's ten dollars in my purse in the office, if she needs something take the money and get it from the convenience store a block over. My car keys are in the office as well." Ally instructs and Winter nods.

"What do you think caused you to get sick? Smells don't normally do that to you unless it's Meadow's perfume." Winter asked, and Karina shrugged, wracking her brain to see if there would be a reason for her to vomit.

-♡

Forty five minutes later, Ally comes back out with a plate of a few baked potatoes and an order of breadsticks. She grabs Karina's empty cup and takes it to the kitchen, reappearing a few moments later with a fresh sprite.

"Here, let me or Winter know if you need anything." Ally said before heading back to the kitchen.

Ivy walks in fifteen minutes later with Oz and the little boy instantly jumps into the booth next to Karina.

-♡

Finally, Karina unlocked the front door to the Anderson house, she opened the door and Oz instantly ran for the couch, but halted when he seen Meadow there. He knew enough from hearing Ally and Karina talk that Meadow could be an asshole if and when she wanted.

Despite Meadow's presence, Karina turns on the tv and flips it to a cartoon on Netflix that Oz liked, before heading to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face.

She applied eyeliner after brushing her teeth and resprayed some perfume, heading up to her and Kai's room and putting the baggy tshirt and leggings back on since she wouldn't be going back outside into the Michigan cold.

After fixing her appearance she made her way back to the living room just in time for Kai to come up from the basement with Samuels in tow.

Karina kissed Kai's cheek, smiling slightly bashfully when his hand squeezed her ass in response. He kept an arm wrapped around her as he decided that moment was the perfect time to address Meadow's behavior.

"Meadow, I believe you're in Karina's spot, and are wearing something of mine." Kai regarded, his voice oddly calm.

Karina decided to put on a petty show of her own while Meadow was watching, and laid her head on his shoulder whilst her hand went to play with some strands of his blue hair. She tentatively pressed a few kisses to his neck, just beside his adams apple, making his breath hitch lightly, and she was glad Oz was too engrossed in the tv to notice the pda being presented.

Karina knew that if looks could kill Meadow would likely have already killed Karina. She didn't care, knowing Kai would never let Meadow do anything to her.

One of her hands lower to his hip, her fingertips ghosted under his sweatshirt and left featherlight touches against the heated skin there. Her fingernails lightly grazed the scratches she'd left mere nights before, a proud smirk captivating her lips as she continued to kiss his neck and pulse point.

"Excuse us for a few moments." Kai growled, hand gripping her waist tightly and pulling her towards the basement.

He shut the basement door and pulled her towards the table where they held meetings, it had some blood on it, wet.

Kai spun her around, his lips finding hers in a sloppy and heated embrace, hands cupping her face and fingernails digging into her jawline. She moaned lightly at the sting, hands grasping at his shirt.

He broke from her lips, his hand fisting her ginger hair and forcing her head back, exposing her neck to him. His lips attached with a burning urgency to the skin of her throat, instantly biting and sucking on the soft skin.

He pulled her leggings and panties down, and picked her up. Instead of going for the table he spun around and pinned her to the wall, hands gliding up her shirt and under her bra to grope and tease her breasts.

He bit down particularly hard on a part of her neck, drawing blood and eliciting an especially slutty moan from Karina as her legs tightened around his waist.

He tore her shirt over her head, tossing it to the ground. "Masochistic little lamb." He muttered into her skin, his clothed erection thrusting up into her heat.

She whimpered, hands flying to the skin of his back underneath his sweatshirt. "You like it." She breathed, a pleased hum erupting from her when his lips meet hers again and he adjusts her position to slide his sweatpants and boxers down low enough for his hardened dick to spring free.

"I do." He purrs, his nails digging into the skin of her thighs and he dragged them down quickly, Karina moaned at the burning that came with it and the heated wet sensation that came with blood beginning to bead at the broken skin.

He positions himself and quickly thrusts in, not giving her time to adjust as he quickly set a brutal pace.

"You wanna tease me like a whore in front of people? You're gonna get bred like a whore." Kai growled in her ear, his hand was slippery with her blood from her thigh, and he held said thigh with a bruising grip as his other hand flew to his pocket and withdrew a knife.

He flicked the pocket knife open and Karina took it, gliding the cool metal over his throat and collarbones. She pressed the tip of the blade into his skin just enough to draw a little blood, and leaned into his neck to lick the blood from his skin. They both groaned, and Kai's hips stuttered for a moment before resuming their brutal pace.

She moved from the barely noticeable wound on his neck to other parts of his throat, sucking hickies onto the skin everywhere she could, feeling the coil in her lower abdomen begin to tighten significantly.

Kai's grunts became animalistic in nature, and soon after that he buries his cock as deep inside of her as he can manage, hitting that one spot deep inside her as he came, her own orgasm making her see white as a voiceless scream of ecstacy rippled through her throat.

After coming down from their orgasms, Kai pulled out of Karina and carried her to the couch, laying her down on it gently. She laid on the couch, catching her breath as Kai's cum slowly dripped down her legs and onto the couch.

"Good girl." Kai muttered as he kneeled in front of her with a cold rag and a medkit. He cleaned her up before bandaging her leg, pressing a chaste kiss to the bandaged area.

It had always amazed Karina how he could be so brutal yet worship her like she was a goddess. She never questioned it though, she was happy with him.

[sbwrites]

after work: s.h

Sypnosis- picking up Steve turns into waiting for 3 hours, he rewards you for waiting with his fingers {fingering, a bit of making out}

it was 5pm when you pulled up to family video ready to pick up steve because you had dropped him off that morning, steve came outside when he heard you pull up. “ hey honey i’ve still got some stuff to do, do you mind taking robin back for me?” he kissed your forehead whilst leaning into the car. “sure i’ll come get u after” you smiled starting the car as robin walked out of the store. 

“dude i really appreciate you taking my extra shift this date is really important” robin started rambling, “you’ve liked her for months i know, be a gentleman you’ve got flowers right?” he finished smiling as he practically pushed her in the car. “yes sir” she laughed saluting jokingly.

“you ready rob?” you asked putting the car into gear, “of course, i got a new tape can we listen its tears for fears i think you’ll like it?” she asked pulling it out of her bag. “of course, so a date? is it vickie or the new girl?” you started as the tape played in the background.

the drive went by quickly as you talked about robins date and her new tape, “remember the flowers, kiss her cheek when you get her and be sweet, girls love sweethearts” you remined her as she got out of the car. “yes ma’am” she laughed as she unlocked her front door. “ok be safe rob call me if you need anything” you half shout out the window as she walks inside “i will bye!” she shouts back “bye rob!” you shout back turning the car around to head back to family video. 

it was 5:30 when you got back to family video, picking up some snacks for the night. you walked in and found steve with a whole new delivery of new stock. “so youve gotta organise all this by genre and alphabet?” you asked walking over, “not all of it keith said he’ll be here later to cover the rest of the shifts, wanna wait out back we finally got a heater & you can watch a movie if you want” he replied. 

“sure how long til keith gets here?” , “uhhh an hour i think not too long sweetheart” he smiles handing you your favourite movie to watch. “ok just let me know when you’re done” you say walking into the back.

it was dark from what you could see from the small window in the staff room when you woke up from a nap, you walked back into the front to find steve at the computer “stevie?” you sighed rubbing your eyes, “oh hey sweetheart, we can go soon keith cancelled said something came up or whatever he’s probably just going to get high again” he said walking over to you pulling you into a hug. “probably, what time do you shut?” you grumbled, “ at 8 which is in 20 minuets sweets wanna order pizza when we get to mine, ill drive back” , “yeah as long as i get a kiss”. “ok” he sighs happily pulling you into a kiss.

 as it escelated he caged you between him and the counter as you burried your hands into his hair slightly moaning to his mouth as he slipped his tounge through yoyr lips. he pulled away to catch his breath, a string of your spit still connecting your lips, he pulled you back in quickly to break it. “you taste so sweet baby” he humms as you rub your thighs together, “must’ve been the jolly ranchers rob gave me” you sighed still clinging onto him.

 “yeah you seem needy baby need some help?” he commented slipping his hand between your thighs cupping your pussy. “your fault” you mummbled into his neck, “yeah baby? its daddy’s fault huh?” he half jokes in that voice. you whimper as he cups your cheek waiting for a response. “y yeah” you stutter under his gaze. “can you wait 10 minuets baby then my shifts over yeah? go get your stuff and wait in the car for me” he says into your ear slowly running his fingers over the top of your jeans as he lets you go.

“ok stevie” you mumble going to get your stuff from the brake room. After that You made your way to the car turn on the heater and radio so you’d have something to do while you waited.

Steve made his way to the car 10 minutes later putting his stuff in the boot. He gave you a kiss before getting in the car ready to drive off “you ok there sweetheart? I’ll take care of you when we get home yeah?” “Ok stevie” you replied putting on your seat belt.

you got to Steve’s house and made your way in and to his room getting out of your clothes and putting on one of Steve’s t shirts before he came in. “Aww look at you honey ready for your reward?” he asked taking off his t shirt crawling over to you on the bed. “Yes please daddy” you sighed as he took of your panties and spread you legs so he could sit between them.

He ran his finger down your slit gathering up some of your slick as he went, you moaned slightly as he circled your clit then your hole before slowly putting one finger in. “Feel good baby?” He sighs looking up at you, “more please” you moaned as he started moving his finger his other hand moving to circle your clit.

“As you asked so nicely baby” he smiled putting in another finger and thrusting them faster into you. His fingers combined with the pressure on your clit built up. With a few more circles on your clit and a few more thrusts of his fingers had you falling over the edge. “Feel good baby?” he asked pressing a kiss to your forehead as he moved his fingers out of you. “Yeah thank you daddy” you sighed giving him a kiss”, “my pleasure baby”

[darlingpassion]

Merry Christmas! ^^ I'm hoping you're asleep now so you see this when you wake up- but if not Merry Early Christmas! XD

Obviously you deserve F/O imagines too ^^ This year has been a big one, getting your license and a car and everything, and I'm so proud of you! Merry Christmas ^^

~

Imagine spending a cosy Christmas with Tiffany in her trailer <3 You two sit down in front of a little portable heater and a little satellite TV and watch Its a Wonderful Life on free-to-air, your thick-tights-covered legs tangled up together escaping the cold. She makes hot chocolates (with some coffee in them. I remember you like coffee? Forget it if I'm wrong XD) absolutely heaping with fluffy mini marshmallows (And whipped cream, which she brings with her to the TV ^^ 'Splurged for us and got the good, thick stuff! Cuz ya deserve it, sweetface! Merry Christmas, babydoll') and you order in pizza or Chinese food! Its not a traditional Christmas but its you two, and warm feelings, and absolutely no Chucky XD

Imagine spending your first Christmas away from your family, on Captain Silver's ship with your mate, Scroop. You're feeling a little forlorn, missing seeing your grandparents during the season, and he doesn't get it (They don't have such festivities where he comes from- nor such attachments to blood relatives. Just mates.), he might even tease you a little-- BUT, when he learns about the mistletoe tradition he's suddenly very interested~ XD 'So any time that you step under this weed, we have to kiss?~ Hmmmm... '

Imagine spending a fun Christmas in Pleasant Valley with Harper. They have a whole festival for Christmas, and you and him help decorate together. He holds the ladder carefully while you climb up to decorate their giant tree in the centre of town and holds you hand when you're getting down like a gentleman. He lets you set a santa hat on his head (He doesn't quite understand the significance but he sure thinks you're cute), his hands on your waist and a handsome bemused smirk on his face, and keeps it on. He brings your gloves and keeps them in his back pocket until you need them whenever you forget. He uses tinsel to wrap around you waist and draw you closer to him... 'Now Miss Sarah, when're you gonna pay some attention to me, and not that dang tree, huh?... bet they can handle the rest a' this without us, right?'

Imagine spending a quiet Christmas in the store alone with Audrey II. You're humming your favourite Christmas song and putting up some pretty lights while nibbling on christmas cookies (Shortbread with dusted sugar, gingersnaps, sugar cookies with red and green frosting- whatever you like best ^^) and they're watching you with the most rivited, pleased smirk on their big grotesque plant-face. Like this adorable lil bud is all mine!??- hell yes. How'd a shrub like me get so damn lucky? Eventually they have to disturb the peace and wrap a vine around you, guiding you towards his pot and telling you how goddamn cute you are. How sweet. How delicious. How perfect. He's gonna make your christmas the best you ever had- but first he's gonna need to kiss ya on that pretty face ^^

Imagine spending your Christmas asleep in your bed by 6.30, eager to spend it with your rockabilly babe. He's waiting for you, high off the christmas buzz (And his version of eggnog. And the fact that you're here now. And he's own constant buzz), reindeer antler headband on his head and humming a Christmas carol (You can tell he's been rocking out to carols all day long). He immediately catches you and, starting to sing out the lyrics to Baby Its Cold Outside in his own rock & roll style, dances with you a little- dipping you at the end. Of course he had to serenade you, singing to you possibly one of the creepiest Christmas love songs, but it makes you laugh and thats all he was lookin for (; Throughout the rest of the night you get caught by the mistletoe in his pocket multiple times (Your lips start to feel tingly but you're not complaining XD) and drink eggnog you can taste clear as day on his tongue.

Again- Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful relaxing time! ^^

RAHHHHHH I got too obsessed with the Killer Patrol AU last night I completely forgot to answer these!!!

AND I AM STILL DYING OVER THEM!!!

BRO I STILL CAN'T PROPERLY TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE THESE!!!

Harper calling me by name, I gotta say, was what got to me the most XD like- watching my F/O's obsessively is one thing. Thinking about interacting with them is one thing. But them saying my n a m e??? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I'm internally screaming just thinking about it!!! And Harper wrapping tinsel around me?? Pulling me close?? Needing my attention?? wwsdggdfghtdrer7hewwshjhgrwdgyedftrdd4!!!!

And- And Tiffany calling me Babydoll??? AUDREY pulling me close and calling me delicious!?!? SCROOP WANTING KISSES!?!? PARTYING WITH RUSS!?!!? OH MY GODDDDDD!!!!!!!!

God I wish I could snuggke this prompts and hold them to my heart!! Thank you so much for this Christmas gift! ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜

[lemoncrushh]

Out of Bounds - Chapter 20

STORY PAGE

Word Count: 2112

Penny's apartment was indeed small, but she kept it very cute and uncluttered. Everyone helped me stack my boxes against the wall near the couch. I'd hesitated putting them there, but Penny insisted. She also said I could use the coat closet in the hallway to store any of my clothes, and she'd emptied a drawer in her bathroom vanity for me to put my toiletries. I couldn't thank her enough, and I told her so.

"Don't mention it, baby doll," she said as she squeezed me. "It's what friends do."

Zack ordered us a few pizzas and we all sat around Penny's dinette table to devour them. I hadn't eaten anything since a muffin that morning, so I was starving. Afterwards we watched The Shawshank Redemption on TV. Because everyone knows when it's on you have to watch it. Even when you've seen it a million times. Harry held my hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb, sometimes lifting it to his mouth to kiss it. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to make me feel better. I'd kept up a pretty decent poker face for the rest of the afternoon, but he had to know I was crumbling inside.

I knew things could have been a lot worse. It wasn't as though James had left me; I had left him. I had Harry. I had Penny and Zack and their generosity. But there was no doubt I had a rough road ahead of me. I just had to keep my chin up and be grateful for what I had, and proud of the decision I had made.

When nine o'clock rolled around, Penny shooed the boys away, announcing it was time for her bed routine and that she had to be at work early. She kissed Zack goodbye, but I walked with Harry to his car. It was brisk outside, so I pulled my hoodie over my head, crossing my arms. Harry opened his door and reached inside.

"I have something for you," he said, obstructing whatever he was holding from my view.

"What is it?" I asked.

Harry smirked and looked down as his feet for a moment. "It's just a little something I got for your moving day. I was going to give it to you earlier at your house...I mean, your old house. But after the man came to the door...well, it just didn't seem appropriate."

"What is it?" I inquired again, curious and confused.

Harry pulled a small box from around his back and handed it to me. I opened it to reveal a silver keychain in the shape of the letter H. I chuckled recalling the cheesecake.

"Turn it over," he muttered.

I did so, displaying the back of the keychain which had an engraving. Harry Loves Tisa. I bit my lip, feeling my heart swell.

"That's so sweet, Harry," I choked.

"I reckon you'd put your key from Penny on it...for now. But hopefully someday, the key to my place."

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Then I lifted the keychain up and held it in my hand. I noticed it had a tiny silver key hanging from it.

"What's this?" I asked.

"That's um..." Harry started, looking flustered all of a sudden. "That's the key to my heart."

Utterly speechless, I stared at Harry, my mouth agape. "Harry," I finally whispered.

"It's cheesy, I know. I..."

"No, no it's not," I exclaimed, stopping his shaking head with my hands. I kissed him passionately, with everything I had in me. "It's so wonderful, Harry. I love you so much."

"I love you too," he mumbled against my mouth.

I watched Harry drive away before I headed back inside. Penny already had the couch folded out for me, and she was putting sheets on it.

"Penny, you didn't have to do this," I told her.

"Of course I did!" she argued. "It's your first night in a strange place, and I want you to feel comfortable."

"Thank you."

I excused myself to the restroom to brush my teeth and change into my flannel pajamas. When I returned, Penny was finished with the sheets and had given me more blankets that I'd ever need.

"Here's your key," she explained, handing it to me. "I get up around six, but I'll try to be as quiet as possible. Are you a morning shower person or night?"

"Um...morning," I replied.

"Good, 'cause I'm night. That comes from being a musician. When I get home from gigs, I'm sweaty and stinky and all I want is a shower."

I nodded, grinning at her spirit and animation.

"Okay then," Penny declared. "I guess that's about it. Everything else we'll figure out as we go along. I'm so glad you're here, baby doll."

She stepped around the couch/bed to embrace me. I whispered one more thank you in her ear before she turned out all the lights except the lamp beside the couch and headed to the bathroom.

I put my new key on my new keychain and placed it on the end table next to my phone. Then I crawled underneath the covers and lied there for a while, thinking about the day's events. I tried to focus on the positive, but the inevitable weighed heaviest on my mind. It was official. I was getting a divorce. I'd soon be signing the papers. And I would no longer be Mrs. James Jordan. I would just be me.

I awoke the next morning to the smell of coffee. I rubbed my eyes and saw Penny in the kitchen pouring herself a cup. Most likely assuming I was asleep, she tiptoed back to her room and shut the door. I checked my phone for the time. It was ten after six. Though I was still tired, I knew my brain probably wouldn't let me sleep any longer, so I got up. I poured myself a mug of coffee and leaned against the counter to take a sip, allowing the hot liquid and caffeine to revive me. Then I turned on the lamp and folded the bed back into the couch, stacking the blankets next to it.

"Morning, Tisa. Did I wake you?" I heard Penny's voice say behind me.

"Oh, no," I answered, turning around. "I needed to get up."

"Oh, good."

Penny was dressed to the nines in a black pencil skirt, crisp white blouse and black heels. Her hair was pulled up on one side and her makeup was applied perfectly. Still, I could tell from her eyes that she was not fully awake.

"I'm so tired," she yawned. "I'm really not a morning person. Musicians are not cut out for day jobs."

"Speaking of that," I said, "Zack told me last week that we needed to come see your band. When's your next gig?"

"Friday," she replied. "I don't know about Harry, but Zack's working that night."

"Oh. Well maybe I can still come."

"That'd be great!" she exclaimed as she grabbed her handbag. "Right now, the steady paycheck job awaits. I get off at four today."

"Okay," I said. "I'm sure I'll be here."

She smiled and gave me a hug before heading out the door. I took a long hot shower and dressed in my favorite jeans and sweater. Then I left for school. Harry happened to be walking on the sidewalk behind me as I headed for the history building and called my name.

"You're a sight for sore eyes," I greeted him.

"That sore, huh?" he smirked, wrapping his arm around my waist. "Rough night?"

"No, not really," I admitted. "Penny's the perfect hostess. I'm just tired."

"Listen, Tisa," Harry began, "I want to tell you something."

"What?"

"You know that man that came to your house yesterday?"

I nodded. I honestly didn't want to be reminded.

"I've been racking my brain, trying to remember where I'd seen him before. Then it hit me." Harry stopped when we reached the classroom and turned to face me. "I've seen him at Mikado's."

"Okay," I shrugged.

"It could just be coincidence," he added. "But do you suppose James had me checked out?"

I glared at him incredulously. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know," he shook his head. "Maybe I'm making too much out of this. But it's pretty funny to me that somehow he knew about us. And that he's been seen where I work. And the man who came to deliver divorce papers has also been seen there. I mean, obviously James knows him."

I considered what Harry was getting at for a moment. "Has that man been seen with James at Mikado's?"

"That I don't know. He wasn't one of the men at the bar the other night. And Zack said he didn't recognize him. But I could ask Grayson and Brian."

"Was he alone when you saw him?"

"I think so, but I'm not sure," replied Harry.

"Okay," I sighed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you upset."

"No, it's alright," I waved it off. "Honestly, I don't really care. We're getting divorced now. What he's done or to whom he's spoken doesn't matter."

Harry took my hand then, and we walked into History together.

"Bud Light or Corona?" Penny called from the kitchen.

"Surprise me," I answered back.

I sat on the couch with my laptop, working on the English paper that was due the next week. Harry and I had barely had any time to work on it together, but he'd emailed me his notes, and I was incorporating them into the report with mine.

"Here you go, baby doll," Penny said, handing me the beer.

"Thanks." I took the Corona from her and sniffed the aroma of her fajitas. "Smells good!"

It was Thursday evening. The last two days with Penny had been great, everything running smoothly. She was a good roommate.

When the food was ready, I helped set the table as Penny laid down all the fixings. We sat at her table chatting about everything - Harry and Zack, James, the divorce, her band, and the mean girls at school. I also told her about Justine, and how disappointed I was that she hadn't come through for me, but how I was also a bit concerned. I hadn't heard from her in over a week.

"Well, you know how it is when there's a new guy," she remarked, trying to justify Justine's actions. "For a while it's all about him."

"I know," I admitted. "It was sort of that way with my ex."

Penny raised an eyebrow in question, so I began spilling my guts about Mark, and how I'd come to know James. I told her about my revealing all of this to Harry, and how he thought that because James had been my savior, I felt the need to please him all the time.

"He's probably right about that," voiced Penny.

"Oh, I know he is. I see that now. I was so afraid he was going to leave me or not love me anymore, that I was denying my own feelings."

"Which was...that you didn't really love him."

"Right."

I helped Penny with the dishes and by the time we were finished, it was past ten. She didn't have to work the next morning, but she claimed she was exhausted so we said goodnight.

As I crawled in the bed, I realized I had two missed calls and a voicemail. I'd forgotten I had turned off the ringer so I hadn't heard them. The first was a number I didn't recognize and they hadn't left a message. The second number was Justine's and the voicemail was from her.

"Hey, Tisa, it's Justine," she said. "I'm here at Mikado's and your boy just happens to be our waiter. I told him to tell you hi, but realized I could do that myself. Duh! So, hi!"

She laughed then, a strange laugh that didn't sound like her. It was odd.

"Anyway," she continued. "Sorry I haven't called. Just been busy. Talk to you later."

The last words sounded rushed, like she was hurrying to get off the phone. I stared at my own phone, wondering what I had just listened to. Just been busy? Okay, then. I knew that she hadn't heard yet about James and me, but it still hurt to know that she didn't care about me more than that.

I tossed the phone on the end table and turned off the lamp. I figured Harry would tell me more about his encounter with Justine when I saw him in the morning.

MASTERLIST | KO-FI | FEEDBACK

[enchxanting]

our love is god [ethan landry x reader] pt. 9

read part 8 here || all parts

pairing: ethan landry x fem!reader

warnings: graphic depictions of violence, literary gore, major character death

a/n: we are winding down on this series, so if you have any requests or suggestions please leave them for me! i need some inspo for my next story, but I'm also gonna do some short stuff in between.

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

I’ve been sitting outside of Mindy and Chad’s place for way longer than appropriate. I know that they probably know I’m here, but I can’t make myself get out of the car.

It’s not that I don’t want to see them. I really, really do. I want to see them so badly that I swallowed my grief and guilt and got cleaned up for the first time in days. I just can’t shake the way Ethan looked at Chad and me earlier. I clench the steering wheel tighter. I’ve never seen that kind of rage, like he wanted to–

No. I push that thought away. It’s time, anyway, for me to stop being a baby and go inside. I double-check one last time that I have my bag, keys, and phone, before stepping out onto the sidewalk.

I can hear music coming from the house, even though the door is closed. The twins have a habit of blasting their speakers, which the neighbors hated until they moved away over the summer. Now, Mindy and Chad can destroy their eardrums whenever they please. 

Letting myself in, I drop my bag in the mudroom before following the sound of voices to the kitchen. Chad is hunched over the stovetop, and Mindy is sitting at the kitchen island with her chin in her hands. She perks up when she sees me, giving me a signature Mindy smirk.

“Well, look who decided to show up, huh?”

Chad throws me a smile over his shoulder. “Hey, leave her alone, Minds. She’s just in time for dinner!”

“Thanks, you guys,” I say. “What are we having?”

“Only my original pasta dish, of course,” Chad steps aside to reveal a mess of tomatoes, Parmesan containers, and empty plastic sleeves of bacon, for some reason. “It got a little out of hand. But it’s delicious!”

I laugh, and Chad smiles even wider. It fills me with something I haven’t felt in a while: contentment. There is literally nowhere else I’d rather be right now.

Mindy and Chad usher me to the dining room table, which they actually set with real cloth napkins and placemats. I’m impressed. Usually, my dinners at the Meeks-Martin house have been chips and cold pizza at 3 AM during sleepovers.

The food is perfect. I don’t know what Chad put in it, or where he found the recipe (if there was a recipe), but the food puts me in a good mood. We laugh and talk until we’ve finally stuffed ourselves. Chad is the last one to tap out, and he immediately retires to the living room to digest, claiming chef privileges that exempt him from cleanup.

“Clear the table with me, Y/N?” Mindy asks.

“Of course.” I grab a couple plates and silverware and follow Mindy back to the kitchen. I start folding placemats as she loads the dishwasher.

“Thanks for the dinner. You got all fancy for me, I see,” I tease. “Where are your parents, by the way?”

She rolls her eyes. “Whatever, you love that we’re spoiling you. They’re at a friend’s house tonight or something. Won’t be back until later.”

“What about Anika? I thought she’d come for sure.”

“Nah, her parents have her under house arrest. They’re spooked by– um. You know. Even though it wasn’t some psycho this time. It was just… Tara.”

I go quiet. Mindy is choked up again.

“I just can’t believe she’d do it,” she whispers.

“I know,” I say. “I guess sometimes it just gets to be too much–” “No, that’s the thing though,” Mindy interrupts. “It wasn’t. I was just talking to her about the attacks last year, right before. She said she felt like she was finally free, finally moving on. And it’s like I said, we were making plans. Real plans. She started an application to college. And she was looking for summer jobs, trying to save money for room and board. These aren’t things suicidal people do, Y/N.”

My throat feels tight. “What are you saying?”

She puts a hand over her forehead and takes a deep breath. “I’m saying that something isn’t right. What if some, like, freaky Ghostface disciple actually killed her?”

“Jesus, Mindy, are you serious?” I turn to see Chad in the doorway, a pained expression on his face. I didn’t hear him come in. 

“This isn’t one of your horror movies,” he continues, and I hear his voice trying not to break. “Sometimes life is just unfair.”

“But think about it!” Mindy continues. “She was partying, she was living. Yes, she was mad at Sam, but she got in those fights all the time! And the report said she hadn’t deadbolted the door that morning, and I know she hadn’t cracked that copy of The Bell Jar they found– she was just saying she had to SparkNotes the whole thing for class.”

“Enough, Mindy, I’m fucking serious.” Chad’s voice is raised, louder than I’ve ever heard it, But Mindy doesn’t back down. She turns to me, expectantly.

“You were basically her best friend, Y/N.” Her voice is low and intense. “Seriously. What do you think? You know that Tara wouldn’t do that.”

I look between their faces, and all of the guilt I thought I had started to let go of rises to the top. I have to tell them the truth. 

I shut my eyes tight and a tear rolls down my cheek. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“Y/N, what are you talking about?” I feel Chad put a hand on my shoulder. It’s getting hard to breathe again. 

“I- I-” I stammer. “Me, and Ethan, we–”

But I’m cut off by the sound of strangled screaming. I open my eyes and my blood goes cold.

Mindy’s throat is slashed, dripping blood down her neck onto her t-shirt. Behind her is a figure in a black cloak and a white mask: Ghostface.

Ghostface lets go of Mindy, and she sinks to the floor. Even though I can’t reach her to check, I feel in my bones that she’s gone. My stomach turns into knots. I back up towards the countertop. Dear Diary: This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening.

Chad fumbles for a weapon on the knife block, but all of the knives have been removed. He grabs a meat tenderizer from the counter. “Fucking run, Y/N,” he roars, and I’m snapped out of my trance.

Ghostface lunges towards Chad, but he gets one hit in with the kitchen implement, hitting him in the chest. He stumbles backward, and I make a break back towards the dining room. I hear the sound of plates hitting the ground and animalistic sounds of exertion, but I stop dead in my tracks when I hear Chad screaming. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the glint of a knife as it plunges in and out of Chad’s chest. Chad coughs up blood as he falls to his knees, but Ghostface doesn’t let up. He raises his knife and delivers one last blow, clean into Chad’s heart.

I let out a guttural scream. Ghostface turns towards me, wiping his knife clean between his robed fingers. I’m paralyzed with fear. Any survival skills I might have picked up from watching countless horror films are gone– I can’t even run.

He stalks towards me, and I close my eyes, preparing for the worst. But the blow never comes. Instead, I’m enveloped in an embrace of fabric.

I open my eyes to see the eyes of the blood-stained mask staring right at me. Slowly, the figure raises their hand, grabbing the base of the headpiece. My breathing quickens, and I can feel my heart beating out of my chest as he slowly pulls the mask off to reveal a mop of brown curls.

No.

No.

Ethan gives me a big toothy grin. “Hey, beautiful.”

I don’t understand. I don’t understand anything. He must be able to tell, because he lets out a throaty laugh. “Surprised?”

“How– how could you?” I manage to choke out. “Why… would you do this?”

“I did it for you, Y/N. For us. Do you know how close that freak Mindy was getting to figuring out the truth? You heard her. And then we’d both be in prison. Separate. Alone.”

“But Chad,” I sob. “Why would you hurt him?”

His face darkens. “Now that one, I have to admit, was fucking selfish. He wanted you, I know it. He fucking wanted you, but you’re mine.”

I can’t say anything. I’m shaking with fear, anger, confusion, everything. 

Ethan frowns. “I worship you, Y/N. I'd trade my life so you can live. I killed them for you.”

“No, no, I didn’t want– I never asked–”

“I love you, Y/N,” he growls. “Tell me you love me.” His grip grows tighter, and I finally notice the tip of the knife at my back.

What else can I say?

“I love you too, Ethan,” I concede, voice wavering.

He relaxes, and the knife clatters to the floor. “Good,” he says. “Let’s go home.”

He grabs me by the wrist and leads me out the door. As we travel through the kitchen, I shut my eyes tight. Ethan stops us. 

“Look,” he growls.

I force my eyes open and choke down my nausea at the sight of the twins’ bodies. Ethan grabs my face and pulls me into a deep kiss.

“For you, Y/N. All for you.”

taglist: @miawastakens

[countrymusiclover]

28 - Normal Family Feel

Part 29

Texas Romance

Tags - @supernaturalgirl30 @bvbwestfall @bubble-blu @patriciaplictisita

"That was your dad wasn't it?" Shoving my chair back I collapsed into his waiting embrace letting his arms. "I don't know what I should do, Georgie!"

Someone gently moved my shoulder trying to wake me up but I grumbled too comfortable laying in the bed. Aurora was a nightly terror again and if I get out of the bed it means I have to start deciding if I can not follow my parents to mu father's new job. "Y/n, come on. I wanna show you somethin'." Georgie whispered still shaking my shoulder.

"Georgie..." I grumbled rolling onto my back holding a hand over my face. Squinting one eye open seeing him sitting at the foot of the bed in his meemaw's spare room that she gave me.

He takes my freehand in his giving me puppy dog eyes knowing I would cave everytime he did. "I'll take you out to get tator tots." Rolling over onto my side I crawled out of the bed throwing on a blue sweatshirt following him outside where he covered my eyes with one hand and his other was making sure I didn't fall. "Suprise!"

"You got another car. Didn't you learn with the van?" Blinking my eyes to adjust to the light I saw a car with a long backseat.

He pointed to the car holding his hands up in surrender. "I promise this is a rat free car, darlin'." Glancing over his shoulder my eyes kept searching just in case as he explained. "And these things are real safe too. My mom has one. When I was little and she hit an ice cream truck. I didn't even wake up."

Crossing my arms over my chest I tilted my head up smiling at my - well I'm not sure what I should call him anymore. "I can't believe you sold your Mustang for our babygirl." Leaning up on my toes I wrapped my arms around his neck kissing him. He puts one hand on my waist smiling into the kiss until I broke it looking at my feet.

"What's wrong?" He asked slightly already knowing the answer.

Throwing my head back I slumped my shoulders sighing heavily. "It's just...nevermind. You don't have to worry about me. Let's go get something to eat. I'll buy pizza for dinner."

Georgie got in the driver's seat and I got in the front so the drive was mostly silent. Looking out the window I rest my chin in the palm of my hand. I shouldn't let my father getting a new job weigh on me but it's not like I went off to college...I got pregnant before graduation. A few seconds later I felt a hand on my knee making me turn my head slightly in Georgie's direction. His eyes held concern knowing what was running through my mind. "I'm here for ya, you know that right. Whatever you decide. I'll be here."

"Thank you. I appreciate it." I smiled intertwined my hand with his before he turned his head forward pulling into the parking lot of a movie store unbuckiling his seatbelt turning to face me. "What's going on, Georgie?"

He rubbed the back of his neck clearly nervous as we entered the video store passing the shelves. Glancing around I heard the front door get closed and the sheriff exited the building smiling in our direction which was a little weird. He slowly opened the closed door then closed it behind us so when I turned around I gasped seeing a bunch of gambling machines in the whole back room. Almost all the machines have a person at them with the sound of coins flipping quickly through. "Woah I was not expecting this - do the cops know about this. Is it legal - Georgie you can't go to jail again."

"Before you freak out. No its not legal. But the police are okay with it." He holds his hands up in front of him in an attempt to defend himself before I freaked out.

"What is she doin' back here?" Connie walked up looking to her grandson then to me slightly concerned.

Glancing to Georgie he pointed his index finger at me still waiting on my reaction to the secret gambling room. "I thought she deserved to know where my money is comin' from. Her father has a new job and she's tryin' to decide and everythin'. I didn't like lying to her anymore..." He slumped his shoulders taking my hand in his feeling the wedding ring back on my hand trying to not get too excited over it. "Please don't be angry, Y/n."

"Georgie, I - this is insane...is this how you paid the hospital bills for my pregnancy. And before I got my job back with Dale." I paused knowing that I should be mad but if he was doing stuff to make money it proves that he meant he would be there for me like always. That he wasn't hooking up with other girls like I thought...that I simply overrated about my high school sweetheart. "I wanna stay...I...I messed up. I'm...I'm sorry." Flinging my arms around his neck he smiled gently wrapping his arms around my waist hugging me against his chest.

Picking up some pizza a few hours later Sheldon came out of his room rushing to the kitchen. His parents were out on their own things tonight leaving us to watch the kids. I actually got Missy to watch Aurora for a little bit. Entering Sheldon's room I saw Georgie sitting on his bed holding a bucket between his legs as it rained outside. His brother was concerned with a leak in the ceiling. "What's he got you doing in here exactly?"

"I'm babysittin' and this is the only way I can get my brother to eat. What's up, darlin'?" He replied before I plopped down to sit beside him on the bed.

Running a hand through my hair I lay my head lazily on his shoulder. He leans his head against mine. "I just wanted to apologize for how I reacted with Veronica. It was silly of me to think that you only said you loved me so I'd sleep with you. I want a - I'm just really sorry Georgie." He nodded leaning more into my touch enjoying the comfortable silence until we heard footsteps approach.

"Status report?" Sheldon appears in the doorway looking at the ceiling.

Georgie glanced down to the bucket he was holding then back to his brother. "Dry as a bone."

"So I have time for a second slice?" He asked before leaving the room.

I chuckled tilting my head down for a second smiling at his silliness. "Have three or four if you want kiddo. We'll stand watch. Go nuts."

"If Rora's weird. I'm ready." Georgie responded smiling playfully my way making me giggle at his words leaning into his side. He lifted his right hand up to my cheek leaning forward kissing me for the first time in a long time.

Melting into his touch I moved one of my hands into his hair twisting it in between my fingers deepening the kiss. He smiled into it cradling my face in his hand still holding onto the bucket with his other hand. "Speaking of our daughter I was thinking about something..." He broke the kiss until I pulled him back in for another one climbing into his lap where he struggled to not drop the bucket. "I - wanna - have - another - baby." I mumbled in between kisses.

Georgie suddenly broke it horror and shock written on his face where he dropped the bucket on the ground placing his other hand on my thigh stuttering out. "Y/n you - are you serious?"

To be continued....

Let me know you're thoughts or ideas in the comments

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[paulinawoodpecker]

Tad the lost explorer and the spear of blood and tears chapter 12

Warning: death and shooting included

@jakkiisthatboy2

While oganda drives tad to the hut, she asked him a question. “so I want you to explain to me what happened.” “It was amazing! There was an all you can eat pizza, and music and” “not that! I meant What happened in my ceremony.” He got silent and “well…I got anxious and I didn’t want my bravest hero thing to end…so that’s that.”

“well I see. you just don’t want me to be the bravest hero so you can keep it.” “well…yes. yes I did.”

“why?” “I’m not ready.”

“well sometimes there are people who also aren’t ready like you but it doesn’t mean that you’ll stay the same forever.” Oganda starts to encourage him until The two of them noticed a police

“dang it . What did I do?” “I don't know.”

Two black police officers came in to the car “Dang!”

“oganda, put your hands on the dash where you can see him! oganda, put your hands on the dash! I'm not playing!” He warned her “tad, we ain't done nothing. What'd we drive, like 50 feet?” “Please. Please. Just do it.” “Okay.”

Tad and oganda put their hands on the dash while she said: “this is stupid.” “Trust me. It always works.”

“ma’am, can you roll your window down for me?” “Here we go.” Oganda rolls her window down and noticed Zula dressed up as a police officer

“I need to see your driver's license and registration.” “For what? What'd I do?” “ma’am, license and registration!”

“oganda, keep your hands on the dash!” “tad, how am I supposed to get her my license and registration if I have to stay still?”

“I wanna know why you pulling me over.” She asked one of the police officers. “You failed to signal a lane change.” “Come on.”

“Turn the music off.” Zulo forced her. “Why? I can hear you.” “Please, oganda!”

“Turn it off!” “This is my car! So how can you tell me.”

“Step out of the car.” Zulo told her by force “You’ve got no right to do this to me!” Zulo and oganda argued. “Listen, I'm giving you a lawful order.” “oganda, listen to him.” “Is it for failing to signal my lane change or for failing to turn down my music? Which one?!”

“ma’am, out of the car, now! Either you get out of the car yourself, or I'm gonna do it for you. Now!”

Tad got out his phone and recorded the video until Zula stopped him. “Drop the phone!” As she yelled, tad accidentally dropped the phone; not knowing where it is.

Tad watches oganda outside of the car with the two police officers with her. They checked her if she has drugs or anything on her

Zula recognized tad was in the car and asked her: “Where'd you find him?” “I know him. That's my friend. He’s friends with my sister when he was a child.”

“Keep your hands on the car. Do not move.” While zulo kept talking to oganda, tad tries to find his phone where he dropped.

Oganda reached out to him and asked: “tad, you okay? You all right?” “Go back where he told you.”

“He gonna take his time doing whatever he gotta do.” “I'm not playing. Go back.”

Zulo took off his hat and got out his gun close to oganda. “Do not move.” “I’m fine tad.” After what she said Zulo shoots oganda in the heart which made tad scream in horror. He went outside of the car and saw her corpse.

“Shots fired. One suspect down. The other in custody. Requesting an ambulance.” “What did you do?” “What did you do?” Tad asked while in tears. “Be quiet, tad!” “Help her! She’s bleeding! Help her! Come on! She’s bleeding!” Tad convinced them to help her but they were unable to do so. “tad! I’m going to be fine.”

“No! This is all my fault. I should have go outside with you! I should’ve been the one shot!” Tad said with tears. “Tad...” “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”

“Don't be, Tad. It's been the most amazing adventure and the amazing training we’ve done together. All these days with you.” Oganda tried to breathe but the pain is unbearable. “I wouldn't trade that for the world.” “Please, don't go.” Tad pleaded her with tears. “Tad?” “oganda?”

“I... I love... you…” said oganda as her final words until she died. Oganda died in front of tad and he began to cry.

[pbandjesse]

We are in the car going home from my parents house. It was really really nice to visit them. But I never really got over being tired today. Which made me really frustrated. I felt very frustrated with myself a lot today.

It started last night. I was able to fall asleep but not as early as I had hoped. I woke up a few times but it wasn't horrible sleep. I woke up before my alarm. James came in to check on me and I requested a little more time.

When I got up for real James was brining all of our laundry to the car. Because we were taking advantage of my parents' machines. I really liked my outfit but I felt kind of ugly. Not for any reason. I was just feeling bad.

I tried blow drying my hair a little and that helped a little. But I was feeling really upset inside. James has made me a little sandwich and poured me a soda but it was to syrupy and I didn't like it. And then I forgot my water and was upset when we got to the car and James didn't unlock it fast enough and it was all dumb stuff but I was not having fun.

Then the sun was in my face the entire drive. Like it was painful. I was sure I was going to get sunburn. And no matter where I put my hands I couldn't keep it out of my eyes. Eventually I would lay my head on the middle console and just try not to think about it.

It was a pretty quick two hours. We are closer to the 95 entrance now so we have shaved almost a full half hour off the drive to Philly so that's pretty cool.

I was really happy to see my parents. My dad was playing the guitar when we got there. And the dogs were all excited. Mom met us at the door. Hugs all around.

After James said hello they ran downstairs to start running out laundry through. Dad joined me and mom in the living room and James would join us soon. And we spent some time just talking. About the house mostly. It was really nice.

I really want them to come visit and see the house. I know that it might be difficult for my dad but I really hope they can come soon.

Mom asked me to come downstairs to go through some stuff. I was a little startled by her baby doll collection. But whatever makes her happy.

She had some lazy susans for us and a shadow box and a little metal shelf. I would go through some of my thesis diorama boxes to bring to a workshop I have later this month. And Mom gave me a couple bowls which are greatly appreciated.

We would sit in the kitchen for a little. Dad was on the phone so we didn't want to bother him but eventually we decided we wanted to order lunch so we all moved back to the living room. And decided to order from the pizza place they like.

While we waited for food we moved to the table, where mom had set up a cake and some presents for me. She had already given me some beautiful gold earrings, but the candle and origami book and container are all appreciated too! They sang for me and it was really sweet.

Me and Dad looked at pictures of the house and soon the dogs were freaking out because someone was at the door. It was our lunch!

And lunch was good. We talked. About the house. About trying for kids. No one said I was mean to James for once. We talked about me being in the ER and how scary it was being so sick. But my cough was still there today so I was struggling a little at time. I think it's probably why I never got any more energy today.

We had cake and soon after that my brother called to let me know he was outside. It was so nice to see him. He felt terrible about missing my birthday. But it was just good to have him there. Even if he talks so much. While accusing me of talking to much. Silly.

The afternoon was great though. Just talking and telling stories. Talking through dad and his fears and how much me and Steve want to encourage him but also not wanting to push to hard. We both understand and don't understand. We just want him to be healthy and happy.

Mom is taking a lot of steps to take care of herself though and I'm so proud of her for that. And Dad I starting therapy again this week. So I really hope they can get him to a place where he isn't so afraid. I was really happy to see he had moved for the walker to arm crutches. That's progress! And progress is so important.

Around 4 I was starting to get very tired. Steve and dad were on a long rant and I wanted to tell them a joke before we left and I had to wait forever but it got a very good laugh in the end and then it was time to go.

Around 445 we had lots of hugs. And we grabbed the last of our things and headed out.

James took me to Wawa to get a pretzel. Held my hand. I appreciate them so much. Giving up their whole day off just for me. They're the best husband.

And now we are heading home. We should be back at 7 and I'm hoping to take a shower and get in bed. I'm not feeling amazing. Not feeling emotionally defeated but physically I still feel not great. I really hope tomorrow I feel better.

Tomorrow we are also getting the movers for the last few pieces and we can really pull everything together. I'm excited.

I hope you all have a great night. And take care of yourselves. Goodnight my friends. Until next time.

[marsdenlee]

Synopsis: Ryden reveals a plan to help Mars with his auditory hallucinations. Trigger Warnings: auditory hallucinations, murder, disturbing imagery, drowning mention

Since Ry had texted Mars, he hadn’t been able to think about anything else, which left him in a very unfortunate situation of slowly getting filled up with anxious thoughts which only fueled the curse within him. Festering voices echoed back the worst possible options that were getting harder and harder to disregard the longer they went on. He’ll get hurt. He won’t come back. He’s leaving. He’s leaving. He’s leaving. You’ll be alone. Alone. All alone. You deserve to be alone.

Mars did his best to distract himself from these voices he couldn’t shirk but they were a veil of sticky spiders webs and he a fly, the more he struggled the more he was ensnared, giving life and validity to the voices and their whispers. 

He shoved Airpods in his ears and blasted music to drown them out but they were not subject to outside forces, the voices came from within and he could still hear them, screaming, whistling, poking and prodding, only it was nonsense now, even the music was nonsense, just notes and a convoluted mess of incoherent sound and that, at least, was better. He sat on the floor with his legs stretched in front of him, Maria Elena crawling over them like the obstacles they were while she laughed her bubbling laughter he couldn’t hear and Tux was rubbing himself against his back, occasionally pressing front paws with sharp claws to his back, wanting to climb upwards but Mars would just flex his shoulders to prevent it. He could only tolerate being a jungle gym to one being at a time. 

Work at the car shop finally done, Ry came home with two kinds of extra large pizza boxes and plenty of drinks to wash it down with, easily carrying stuff in his arms although putting the key to the lock had required some juggling. Slipping inside, he made his way to the kitchen first to leave all of it on the counter before he toed out of his boots and tossed them back into the hallway to be put away later. Then he made his way into the living room, first to say hello to his two favorite people in the world and then he’ll think of a shower, to wash away all the grime, sweat and stains of the car shop off himself. He found his man on the floor as he often sat, playing with the little toddler who was the first to notice him, a piercing squeal of delight followed by a blabber of multiple versions of dada blurted excitedly in a single breath while the scaredy tuxedo cat immediately found an opportunity to dart away and escape the big bad wolf before it got him. Not that Ryden ever forced affection on Tux, he was aware of the sort of effect he had on most animals. Still, Ryden making a conscious effort to ignore the feline didn’t make it any more accepting of the wolf. 

Plopping down next to Marsden so their shoulders touched, he exhaled tiredly, watching Maria Elena try to crawl over the siren’s long legs so she could get to the other pair of limbs stretching out next to her father’s. Ryden leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to a bony shoulder in a silent greeting, having noticed the Airpods in Mars’ ears and leaving it to the siren to take them out in his own time.

Mars didn't realize Ryden had come home until he noticed Tux dash away to some hiding place which was unfortunately something the oft coy cat did even though Ryden had been living here for some time now, and before long he was joined on the floor with shoulders touching and a sweet kiss applied to his shoulder. The siren leaned into him, turning his head to press his own lips to whatever part of the werewolf he could land them on, the side of a jaw. It was now that Mars removed the Airpods, squeezing the little things so the music stopped playing from them and he carefully stuffed them into the pockets of his sweatpants because leaving them out was a choking hazard for the little toddler who had successfully crawled over both his legs and was now in Ryden's lap to give him a greeting of her own which constituted of a lot of babbling because she must of course tell him all about her day. It brought a smile to Marsden's lips, looking at her interact with the other man, a sweet scene that contrasted the unheard screaming in his mind.

Ryden snorted in amusement as he watched the little girl struggle to get to him, not helping because he believed this was good exercise for her and she was getting stronger by the day, climbing her own little mountains and making it to the next ones on her way, surmounting each obstacle and coming up victorious, constantly growing, always giving them both new things to look forward to, surprising them beyond their expectations. Although it often saddened Marsden to see her grow out of her baby clothes and shoes, to see her now demanding to zoom around more than to be carried, to see her growing up and get more independent with each passing moment, it brought joy too because slowly but surely she was becoming a person, each day a bigger one than she was the day before. As she settled into Ryden’s lap, the wolf raised a fist for her to bump in greeting but she only knew how to slap her tiny hand at it, doing it over and over again as she babbled away about her day. But even that was a tiny miracle because up until recently, she would either ignore or just grab it with her always sticky little hands. Now she actually kind of sort of got the gist of it and it made Ryden chuckle. 

He scooped her up with a little groan of effort the action didn’t really take, lifting her above head and giving her a little toss, this sending her into a wiggling spasm of excitement, her baby laughter filling up the room. “Guess wha’ we got for dinner…?” He said to her in an exaggeratedly mysterious tone, lowering her just enough so their noses booped. “Pizza!” And again he thrust her into the air, her giggles exploding like fireworks above them.

"Woah, pizza," Mars returned with enthusiasm, "Ain't we lucky, 'er what?" He nudged his shoulder against Ryden's, looking at him quietly, thoughtfully, ignoring the whisper of voices that promised bad things were just around the corner. It was with the point of his chin against Ryden's shoulder that Mars started to say, "Ya kinda stink but in a good way. Lemme get a better whiff of ya," and nuzzled his face into the werewolf's neck while inhaling deeply. 

Stop that. 

"Sorry," Mars found himself responding reflexively out loud to a voice no one else could hear but it sounded like Ryden even though it wasn't. The voices were good mimics. "Ya wanna shower an' I'll feed her first?"

Lowering the baby back onto his lap because it seemed like she would soon be done having fun with him and would probably want to continue whatever her baby brain was up to before Ryden’s arrival interrupted her, he let her slide off his lap on her own to go get whatever she was after, which was probably some random toy or two that were littering the floor, which she would abuse until she got bored of it then move onto the next one. Both of her adults were back in one place, so she could rest easy, going about her baby day without a care in the world. 

“Yea, I do.” Was what Ryden actually said but perhaps that was exactly why the intruding fake Ryden voice fit so well into the context. If he thought anything about the apology he didn’t expect or ask for, he didn’t reveal it. “I can wait. Let’s sort her out first. She didn’t nap yet?” As he spoke, he slipped a hand into Marsden’s, fingers intertwining. It felt rough and dry, Ryden having already used the harsh chemicals in the shop to try and get the car oil stains out before he was home.

"Mm she did but only fer about a half hour or so," he waggled his fingers until they fit snugly between the digits of the other man, not minding the dry skin but still he moved to lift their entwined hands up to pepper the back of Ryden's knuckles with kisses if the action was not prevented. The voices turned incoherent once more, a low babble of background noise, whisperings of a conversation he was no longer party to but was forced to overhear just enough of. "She wanted to play an' I think she was missin' ya. Like me. Was missin' ya."

“Aw, damn. Was kinna hopin’ she didn’t, so I could run us a bath.” Ryden sighed, though he was only mildly disappointed. He’d long started to grin at such little obstacles in their way. Never once had he actually thought of Maria Elena as bothersome for taking priority though he did sometimes feel sorry for their lack of alone time together. Of course he allowed the kisses to his hand, smirking softly at the gesture. “Missin’ ya every day too, moonbeam. Both o’ya.” He switched their hands over so that he could deliver a few kisses atop Mars’ knuckles in return.

"Can try to put her down again," Mars hummed lowly, keeping his eyes on Ryden's lips as they pressed against his own knuckles now, watching to match the movement of them to any words he might hear so he would know for certain it was him talking and not someone else, "Mebbe after she eats somethin', get her belly full, mebbe she'll get tired an' den we can soak.. an' talk."

“Eh, if it happens, it happens.” He shrugged, breath ghosting over much smoother knuckles than his own. “I’ll take wha’ I can git.” And with that, he dropped Mars’ hand so he could playfully make him bow his head, fingers digging into raven-dyed hair to push his head down just enough to lean in and take a good though gentle nibble of the back of his neck. Whenever this spot got exposed, whether from Marsden peering into his notebook to doodle or leaning over the sink or bending over to pick something up, Ryden got this inexplicable urge to just pounce and deliver sweet love bites to where his hairline met that place. 

Chuckling victoriously, he made a quick escape, standing up to get the ball rolling and settle the rest of their day. “Gunna prep her plate real quick so ya can feed ‘er. Got anythin’ else that needs doin’ b’fore?”

Mars offered little resistance to Ryden when he felt the pressure of his hand on his head, pushing his head down, only letting out a sea of his own laughter at the unexpected action which caught him off guard and only pretending to fight back just enough to make it fun and for the victory of the werewolf to be all the sweeter because it was also a victory for himself, feeling teeth at the back of his neck sent a satisfactory shiver down his spine. The siren tried to swipe a hand at the ankles of the quickly retreating werewolf but was too slow and his fingers only reached air. "Ya quick fuck," Mars chuckled, rolling onto his stomach as he laid on the floor and looked up at Ryden. 

Maria Elena took an interest at the fun they were having and came over to collapse roughly over top of his back, eliciting an 'ouphe' from the siren. "Dishes an' laundry. Never endin'," he pulled his knees up beneath to lift himself and her for she was now riding on his back with her hands curled into tight fists at the back of his shirt to keep her from falling off, "I'm just a work horse, neigh neigh neigh," he let out a silly nonsense song as he crawled on the floor, Maria Elena giggling wildly, singing in her best attempt to match him, neigh neigh neigh. So too did the voices, neigh, neigh, neigh.

As he walked back towards the kitchen, Ryden did a pretty good impression of Marsden doing the finger guns for the siren. “Dishes, gotcha.” He was going to be in the kitchen anyway. It made him laugh how Maria Elena practically threw herself onto Mars’ back, making the two quite an adorable little pile, but he had to turn around and walk into their kitchen so he could do what he could for them, help take care of them both as best as he could by putting that supernatural werewolf stamina to good use. Even after a long day at the car shop, he still had enough fuel to power him till the end of the day. That didn’t mean that he was avoiding the talk. He was just building up to it, attempting to get things comfortable enough for Marsden to listen and talk about this at length, so they could take their time and not worry over the little baby picking up any awkward energy from them that might also stress her out. Because even kids this young soaked up vibes like little sponges, especially from adults they relied on.

Thus the offer to get the chores out of the way first, to handle the kid as the number one priority, the nice yummy food that awaited although they’d probably have to microwave it later and doing something both of them enjoyed together later on, where being alone in a space where no one else could intrude might help Mars open up comfortably, knowing that he was safe and listened to. Ryden was never a subtle man but he was loving, and for love he could be careful. For love, he could do anything. And that was exactly what this talk was going to be about. Doing anything, for love.

Mars played along with Maria Elena, pretending he was a horse and she was some valiant princess on an adventure to the kitchen, or rather the island counter that doubled as their dining table since the apartment didn’t have a formal dining table, only stools lining the island counter and where most of their meals were eaten or in the living room. Once the kitchen was reached, Mars gently rolled to encourage Maria Elena’s dismount so he could get a drink for her and as he passed by the other man, gave him a quick kiss and a “Danks, starshine.”

It sounded like the kettle was going off and his eyes kept flicking toward it, even going over once to double check the stove was off and the kettle was empty, saying nothing about it once he confirmed this and just resumed getting a drink for the little toddler. “Whaddya wanna drink, baby? Juice?” Mars asked the little girl who had been walking between his legs and all around, singing a song about pizza. “‘Er mebbe water. Less sugar,” he mumbled under his breath as he got a cup out for her and topped it with a lid and straw so she wouldn’t spill it. “Both hands, take dat, nice,” he said to her softly as she grabbed the cup. 

Washing his hands one more time in the sink, Ry leaned in for the kiss in the passing as if on a cue, the two already having learned to work as a team on a daily basis - where Marsden left off, Ryden would pick up, the two becoming really good at working as a tag team. Where one lacked, the other added up, when one was down the other rowed the boat but at the end of the day, they completed each other and got through whatever the day brought together.

Ry prepped the plate for Maria Elena, some boiled carrot sticks and sweet corn, soft chicken and a little fruit salad mix of bananas, kiwis and mango pieces all nicely cut up and, of course, soft pizza crust she could enjoy, all pieces easy for her to grab with her little baby hands and easily stuff her mouth with at her own pace without making too big of a mess. Leaving it up to Marsden to watch her while she ate, he did the dishes and would then proceed to do the laundry too and whatever else along the way he’d noticed and had some time for.

Mars would take the plate of food for the little one and bring it back over to the living room, Maria Elena following closely along beside his legs like the shadow that she was and he helped settle her in his lap so he could direct her to start eating because she was still at the age where eating wasn't all that interesting and unless it was paired with some sort of game then she wasn't going to do it. She'd eat a few bites then get distracted and start doing a lap around the living room, running around and Mars would need to call her back over, helping to encourage her to use a fork instead of her fingers and naturally giving her a lot of praise along the way. "Yer a natural," he'd usually end up saying, "No one would ever know ya never did dis before." 

Once the event that was dinner ended for it was usually always an event, Mars took both baby and plate of food to the sink to give the plate a quick rinse and to wash her hands and face. Then with her under his arm like she was a sack of rice, he toted her to the nursery to attempt putting her down for another nap so the two men could have some precious alone time. Luckily, the full meal helped and in conjunction with a story that he weaved out from his own imagination, the little jelly baby would soon be fast asleep curled up in her bed between a pile of all her favorite plush toys. It was peaceful, watching her sleep, few things gave him greater joy but he couldn't enjoy it in the way he used to, whispering voices ruined everything. 

He would leave the nursery in search for Ryden, rubbing his fingers with chipped black paint against his pulsing temples.

Ryden could be found folding the freshly washed and dried laundry in the bedroom, the new batch dumped on the bed before the wolf tackled it, having his own way of doing it. He rolled up articles of clothing rather than folded them, so they took up as little space as possible, unless they were the sort that needed to be hanged. But everything else was now either a little ball or a pancake roll ready to be put away, which was exactly what he was doing when Mars walked in in search for him, except for Maria Elena’s stuff, which he would bring to her room to store away once she was done with her nap 

He looked up from an open chest of drawers where he tucked the stuff in, noting how slim fingers rubbed in circles against Marsden’s templates. “Headache?” He asked casually. “Wanna pop a pill?” Of course he meant some pain relief, having some for werewolf use to offer though he’d probably have to dose it for Marsden.

"Not sure it'd work," Mars said back with a sigh, helping to put away what was left from the bed and into a drawer or hung up to expedite the chore. 

You're doing it wrong. Mistake. You're a mistake. 

Mars frowned as he hung up the last thing in his hands. "Oh, yeh, she's asleep," he said as an afterthought, not remembering if he'd already said it or not. "Wanna do dat bath? I could use it."

All done with putting most of the laundry away, he left the few bits and pieces still to be put away to Mars so he could observe the siren as he moved about, not commenting much just yet. He nodded at the announcement that Maria Elena was asleep, stepping quietly closer to the man so he could watch him more carefully. In the end, he simply took his hand, with the intention of guiding him out of the bedroom if he would follow.

Mars did follow, no resistance at all for he would go wherever Ryden wanted to take him. He just wanted to be with him and then nothing else mattered as much, not even the whispers still plaguing his mind.

Fingers wrapped around the other’s hand, likely fever-warm in comparison, Ryden took Mars to the bathroom, only dropping his hold so he could actually run the water in the tub. “Bubbles or no bubbles?” He asked casually, not minding it either way. He wouldn’t mind the salts he’d bought for the siren either - as long as he got soap and water, Ryden was good. “Wanna give me a shave too?” He suggested, an absent rub to his cheek already able to feel stubble growing there, the werewolf DNA giving Ryden some trouble in that department since he preferred his face cleanly shaven. If the wolf decided so, he’d probably be able to grow one luscious, thick beard in practically no time.

With his hand freed, Mars leaned against the counter in the bathroom that housed the sink, watching as Ry ran the tap to fill the tub with water. "Bubbles," he confirmed, usually preferring plain salt water because that helped the most with hydration but bubbles were fun and distracting from time to time. "Mhm, love to," his own fingers came to graze across his lips and chin where he'd felt the lingering trace of gentle abrasions of the werewolf's kiss. A kiss he wanted to feel again so pushed away from the sink in favor of leaning in for the other man, "Kiss me sweet."

“Mmkay.” He popped a bubble bath bar out of its packing and dropped it into the tub to foam up as it filled up, dipping his fingers in to check the temp, knowing the siren’s preference well by now. When Mars leaned in, Ry turned, sitting onto the edge of the tub to pull Mars closer, looking up and awaiting for the kiss to land, fingers encircling slim wrists. “I feel like sandpaper tho.” He warned before they would collide, thumbs pressing into the backs of Mars’ wrists, feeling his pulse there, keen ears listening to the rhythm of his heart - a neat little trick he’d learned ever since his supernatural hearing revealed that he could also pick up on heart rate and beat to gauge someone’s state of stress, or even when someone was lying or hiding something. Though involuntary reactions like these could be interpreted in many ways, combined with observations of the person’s behavior, their expressions and gestures, Ryden had found ways to get pretty good at it. He was pretty certain that something was going on with Marsden, something beyond the usual stress of the day, something that caused the headache and a slightly irregular rhythm in his chest. How could Ryden not be aware when the other half of his soul was suffering? It was impossible to overlook.

"I'll survive," Mars would say back before their lips met, coarse stubble of facial hair tickling his chin and the edges of his mouth, it really was surprising, especially at first, how quickly it seemed to grow. Oblivious to the keen tactics which Ryden was employing to determine his current state of being, he never quite knew how the other seemed to know it but he always managed to him out. Marsden attributed it to something cosmic because that's what it felt like for him, something unexplainable. 

He heard a cry and broke the kiss to groan, forehead falling against the werewolf's shoulder, "She woke up," not their precious moment already being disturbed, but there was no cry, not a real one, only the one he could hear in his head.

Just when his eyes had fallen closed against the kiss, Mars broke it, distressed over something that did not happen. Ryden would be able to hear Maria Elena even over the rush of water into the tub behind them. But he didn’t. The baby was sound asleep and if the werewolf really focused, he would probably be able to distinguish the sound of her even breathing in the other room. He shook his head, the movement probably more felt than seen as the siren dropped his forehead into the curve of Ry’s neck. “She didn’t, baby. She well asleep.” He pressed his cheek against the side of his face, soft baritone in Marsden’s ear. “They talkin’ to ya again, luv?” He inquired tentatively, keeping his hold on Mars’ wrists, thumbs now drawing soothing circles over the inside of them.

The voices were very convincing but Ryden was more compelling. Rationally, Mars knew that the werewolf's hearing was far better than his own, if Maria Elena really did wake then the wolf would know it, he wouldn't lie and say she hadn't if she did. For a few silent -- almost silent for he never had pure silence these days -- breaths the siren did not reply as the weight of the reality started to sink in. It was easier to give in to the hallucinations, to believe that to be the true reality, to break away from the other man completely to go back to the nursey and peep through the door to confirm for himself. It was harder to fight against that compulsion, to force himself to keep his feet rooted in place, his wrists twisting only so that he could encircle his arms around the other man's body, an anchor to keep him from floating away.

"It hasn't stopped," he admitted quietly, "Since dat day."

Ryden sucked in a breath, a slow, moderated intake through teeth. ‘Since that day’. That was a long time to struggle with this. A long time to battle a demon all on one’s own. Ryden knew all about battling demons, especially when they were a part of you. When they were you. He let go of Mars’ hands, letting the siren do whatever he wished, embracing him in return, holding him back with equal force in hopes to keep him right where he was and not lose him to the demons he was fighting. 

“Baby. I’d like to go and try sumtin’. See if I can git ya help. S’what I was gunna talk to ya about. Mm? Whaddaya think ‘bout dat?” He began, palms pressing at the base of siren’s spine, feeling for the hem of his shirt so he could dip fingers beneath it and work his palms up over bare skin under it, pulling the fabric up with the touch.

"Road trip," Mars said back, sounding like nonsense but it was a call back to their text exchange where he'd suggested the same, of course, that was before knowing the details and Ryden had mentioned it was more than just a road trip but for simplicities sake it was how the siren voiced that he did remember their prior conversation. The werewolf's hands against the bare skin of his back felt so very warm, he was always so very warm and Marsden always usually one or two degrees on the colder side, byproduct of his slim physique and siren nature. 

He's leaving you. He's leaving. Alone. You'll be all alone. They'll come. They're coming. When you're alone.

More crying that wasn't real but he still turned his head, looking instead of at the door to the side of Ry's face, if Ry did not alert at a sound then it wasn't really there, rational thoughts Marsden focused on. "Can't do it here?" 

“Mhmm.” Ryden confirmed with a soft hum. He persisted in lifting the shirt over Mars’ back until it reached his shoulder blades and would go no further unless the siren put his arms up and allowed it to be taken off. “There are a few things we can check out ‘ere. I asked around.” He answered truthfully because there were. Greywood held plenty of options too. It was only a matter of which ones Mars wanted to explore. However, by the system of elimination, Ryden had decided to go for the big prize. It just sounded like it hit multiple flies with one stone. At least that was how it seemed to Ryden, after thinking it through logically.

“Wanna go and check on ‘er if it’s gunna make ya chill out a bit?” He asked, not minding the interruption at all. Whatever would soothe the anxiety Mars was very likely feeling now.

Mars lifted his head off of Ryden's shoulder at the same time that he lifted his arms to help facilitate the removal of his shirt, exposing a long lean torso decorated with a smattering of tattoos. "Mmm," the siren hummed thoughtfully before shaking his head, he would not go check on her even though he wanted to, giving life to the voices wasn't always a good idea, sometimes it's what they wanted. He didn't actually know if they had plans or things of that nature, it just felt like they did, always knowing what was going on in his head, knowing his weaknesses and just where to push to send him over the edge. 

"Tell me," and since Ryden had been so very kind to remove his own shirt, Marsden's fingers now pulled up at the bottom of his shirt as well, willing it to be removed as he lifted it up from the sides. "'Bout da road trip one," he asked since that was the one it seemed like Ryden was most interested in, otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned it.

Letting Mars’ shirt drop onto the tiled floor, Ry left his decision to not go check on his daughter without a comment. It was a thing entirely up to Marsden. No matter how Mars decided to handle the voices in his head, Ryden would support him as best as he knew how. Whether it meant they’d both sink or swim, Ryden would go down or rise up with the other man, taking whatever the road ahead of them put on their path. 

Ry helped Mars with the shirt, pulling it over his head so it joined the siren’s in a pile that would likely be growing soon. Deft fingers now moved to work on Marsden’s zipper, intent on getting his pants off too. The tub behind them would soon be full, bubbles rising like snow-covered mountains. “I’d hafta go to Colombia. Dip into the fuckin’ Amazon forest. How awesome is dat, eh?” He grinned sharply, his attempt at making light of it. “There’s dis tribe there, they do some voodoo shit, I don’t know. M’still askin’ around. But apparently they can put magic into yer skin. So I was thinkin’ of testin’ it on me, see how it goes. And mebbe if it’s the good stuff, ya can go next time, do it too. And mebbe it’ll help, yanno?”

"O'yeh?" He couldn't stop himself from appreciating the shirtless tattooed torso of the werewolf man before him, blue eyes caressing with their survey over well explored territories, letting Ryden assist in the removal of his pants though he was capable of it himself, he just got a little jolt of pleasure from feeling the other man's fingers following the zipline of his jeans. "Mm, magic in yer skin," he echoed back, nodding slightly in vague understanding. He was getting distracted, whispering voices and an attractive physique in front. 

"How dat work? What's it do?" He asked, pushing his pants down past his hips and leaning slightly to tug the tight garment off from his ankles.

“Mhmm.” Ryden hummed out a confirmation, glad to see that the siren was following him, as best as he could given the situation and what Ryden was sure was a pretty lame explanation. But in his defense, he had some more research to do. He just hated hiding things from Marsden, so the reveal of what Ryden had been pondering over ever since he saw Marsden lose it that day had been a little premature. What Ryden wanted to make sure of from here on was that every step of the way was something he shared with Mars, every little tidbit of info he’d come across, so the siren was always aware and in the loop. 

He held Mars by the arm as he leaned over to pull his pants completely off, not because Marsden really needed the support but because the gesture mattered. And because touching the siren in any way was just a thing Ryden always wanted to do. When Mars stood upright again, socks and underwear the only clothing left, Ry wrapped his arms around his waist, his seat at the edge of the tub making the height difference between them even more obvious. Cheek pressed against Mars’ chest, top of his head fitting snugly under the siren’s chin, he listened for the other man’s heartbeat, an echo of a life loved to its every little atom.

“Guess they’ll be tattooin’ it on me. The bloke I asked about it said it blocks magic. A magic that blocks magic, f’dat makes sense.” He spoke against the pale skin of the siren, right above the line of text covering the upper left side of his chest. Undoubtedly there was a tensing of Ryden’s middle beneath his jeans, an involuntary reaction to the man in front of him that Ryden didn’t care to hide or calm down, even if the evening might not lead there because there were other, more pressing matters to attend to. Yet it was there nevertheless, because this glorious man moved him in all the right ways, without fail, every time. If he could just press him into himself until he melted in, that would be good.

Mars immediately noted the word choice of the other man, his arms naturally wrapping loosely around the neck and shoulders of the one who was holding him around his middle, blue eyes looking down to the top of the perfectly styled hair. “It’s already decided?” He asked, taking the way Ryden phrased it as a certainty, they will be, as if it was already sorted and all he needed to do was be there and it would happen. 

He can’t wait to leave you. Worthless. You’re worthless. Silly papi. So silly. Shhh..

“When d’ya leave?” Mars asked quietly, his fingers rubbing at the back of Ryden’s neck and smoothing over a firm shoulder blade then back up again, fingers raking over the closely cut hairs at the back of Ryden’s head, trailing a tender path with his fingers. “Mm an’ d’ya mind lookin’ at me when ya talk? It’s kinda loud in here,” not referring to the rushing of the water as it filled the tub to his own mind, chattering anxieties that didn’t stop, they only got quieter or louder.

It felt like a jab at him, at the fact that he’d come to some decisions alone. It was true, Ryden was much too used to pulling everything alone, ever since childhood. Even while a pack was a group of people, he still held a position in it alone. He was used to making decisions alone, doing things alone, taking action alone. Guess Marsden got him there. Ryden’s lips pursed into a pout and he buried his face further against Mars’ chest, hiding from what he felt was an accusation coming from the other man. 

A simple shrug was given to Mars’ question because when he would leave was certainly not decided on yet,The tender touch of his fingers helped though, stopped Ryden from defending himself without thinking things through first. At the request however, he immediately looked up, steel-colored gaze meeting the ocean blue. “What’s it sayin’?”

"Ya know I trust ya," he said to the wolf. He too knew the other man with the well known intimacy that came from knowing someone over the span of many years and ways, they knew each other as friends, as more than friends, as partners through life, the only thing they hadn't ever been was strangers. He recognized the way Ryden had buried his face instead of replying, he was hiding, "More'n myself sometimes." 

"Nothin' good," the siren replied back, leaning over to press his lips to the top of Ryden's forehead when he turned his attention up to him, back arching to maintain a close proximity and a meeting of metal of ocean.

“I can’t sit an’ do nothin’ while yer goin’ through shit.” He didn’t need to hide to say that, he would say it loud and clear any place, any time, and he said it to the blue eyes that looked down at him, with trust Ryden knew Mars always had for him. It wasn’t that he doubted himself either. If something needed to be done, Ryden would do it, and there was only one force in the world that could stop him. But he had become so sensitive to the man he held. If Marsden so much as breathed wrong, it disrupted Ryden’s entire world. Ever since the day they officially moved in together, he realized that. He couldn’t bear to know that Mars thought less of him, couldn’t bear having him mad or disappointed at him, could not bear not doing right by him. Not becoming a better person for the siren or his daughter would be the greatest failure of Ryden’s life, of all the failures he’d been so far, and he’d been many.

“It’s lyin’. Wha’ever’s it sayin’, it be lyin’.” He squeezed his arms tighter around Mars’ waist, as if he could maybe squeeze the poison that were the voices out of him too. But he didn’t dare squeeze too hard. “What’s the fucker lyin’ ‘bout?” He asked as Mars leaned away from the kiss to his forehead. His arms dropped from him then, so he could briefly turn to stop the tap from running. If he left it much longer, the tub would overflow.

“I know, I’ll just, yanno, be missin’ ya,” but he wasn’t upset that Ryden had come to this decision on his own, or had already made some plans. Ultimately, Marsden trusted that anything Ryden decided would be beneficial. There was no one he trusted more. If Ryden felt this was the right thing to do then Marsden believed it too.

The siren sighed and even let out a low and wry chuckle from the squeeze, “Ya really wanna know?” With some space made when Ryden turned off the faucet, the siren used his toes and feet to remove his socks while still standing, kicking them off to the side once removed. Thumbs dipped beneath the waistband of his boxer briefs, holding there for a breath before he started to slide them down, naked and vulnerable in more ways than one. This garment too joined the growing pile on the bathroom floor as he stepped into the warm water, peaks of bubbles grazing against his legs. “I’ll tell ya, if ya really want, but it ain’t good things,” he warned again.

“When I go sumwhere, it jus’ means I’ll come back.” He reassured, as best as he knew how, which was probably not the most comforting way. But it was the most truthful one. What Ryden lacked in subtlety and gentleness, he made up with honesty. He scooted over while Mars undressed, to give the other man some room to slip into the tub. 

“Yea. I wanna know wha’ever ya know ‘bout it.” And there was not a shadow of a doubt in Ryden’s mind. It would simply be better to know, if he was going to help.

"Ya better come back 'er my landlady will flip with all dese changes to da lease and I'll tell ya," Mars asserted, dipping his hand into the water and now flicking some bubbles and water at the werewolf, "but ya better get in here too cuz it's cold in here," a playful taunt to ease the mood of an otherwise unsavoury discussion. The water wasn't cold at all, it was pleasantly warm but it lacked a certain warmth that only the wolf could provide and to get through this talk the siren would need firm arounds back around him anchoring him in place.

“Oh yer landlady’s gunna flip?” Ryden parroted, letting some playful bitterness seep into his words, flinching away a little as Mars flicked bathwater at him. He got up to get his shaving foam and a razor, in case Mars did decide to shave his face like he’d said he would. Leaving those on the side of the tub, he made quick work of taking off what was left of his clothes and got in, lowering himself into the water on the opposite side of the tub from Mars. The siren had mentioned that he needed to see his face while they talked, because of the voices whispering in his head. Better to face each other for this.

The tub was pretty spacious for one person, but with two broad, tall men squeezing in, it wasn’t the most comfortable. However, neither of them ever minded that. Ryden leaned back, slipping his legs under Marsden’s, helping him maneuver his longer ones atop, since it would probably be more comfortable for him to keep them bent a little. He sighed at the feel of warm water and ticklish bubbles around him, easing his body into the warmth to release the remnants of tension from a day of hard work at the car shop. With one employee less again, he had to pick up some slack. But his eyes remained on the other man, ready when he was ready, hands slick with water and soap running over what he could reach of the siren’s legs.

Marsden elongated his arms in front of him, fingers trailing up from the wolf’s wrists and along firm forearms decorated in tattoos and bespeckled with foamy bits of scented soap bubbles, he was aware of the eyes of the wolf on him but he for now kept his gaze following the path his hands were making. 

It may not be visually obvious, but Marsden was quiet because he was listening, not to anything that the wolf could hear, something deep that plagued his mind, a burdened weight of voices he carried with him. The siren’s head tilted ever so slightly to the side, eyes still lowered so his dark lashes ghosted over the tops of cheekbones when he blinked, with a flick of blue he looked up and met the metal gaze of the wolf in front of him, “Ya hate me. Ya wanna leave. Ya can’t wait to get away from me. Ya won’t come back. Yer gonna get hurt. Maria Elena is crying. Someone is screaming. You hate me. I’m worthless. Someone will take her away. Dey’re coming. Dey’re here. She’s crying. I’m worthless. I deserve dis. I’m worthless. Stupid. Silly me, thought I could be happy. You hate me. Everyone hates me. I can’t make it stop. I’m a m –” he stopped, voice caught in his throat. Murderer. 

He knows. He knows. He hates you. He’ll leave you. They’ll come. They’ll take her. They’re coming.

Blue eyes flooded with horror, awash with cold and hot fear shot straight into his heart that clamored chaotically in his chest as the auditory hallucinations started to feel real. “Dat’s,” he blinked hard and gulped even harder, hands started to withdraw from their place on the wolf’s forearms, “Dat’s what dey’re sayin’.”

Ryden gave him time, as much time as Marsden may need to open up about this and tell him what’s been going on in his head, give the voices a voice outside of him so Ryden would know what they spoke of. Unlike the siren, whose eyes followed at first what his hands did, Ryden’s remained on the other man, watching and waiting, committing the gentle swoop of Marsden’s eyelashes over his cheekbones to dear memory. When Mars looked up at him finally, he was ready to meet his gaze. 

He noticed him withdraw in the face of the horrible words the voices filled his head with, curl into himself and into the terror of it all. Ryden would not let that happen. He refused. Grabbing Mars’ forearms in an anchoring grip, he leaned forward and closer, pulling the other man to him, the action made easy by the slick ceramic the tub was made of and the soapy water that made the siren’s weight lighter. Wet palms pressed into Marsden’s cheeks, smooshing them, Ry getting their faces only mere inches away. He looked into the crystal blues as if they were a well he’d dropped something into. 

“M-what? Monster? Madman?” He questioned, deep frown setting in as he peered into blue portals to the soul most dear to him. “You’re Marsden Lee. Yer My Man. Yer a badass Motherfucker and yer Mine. M- what else? There’s nothin’ else. Fuck anythin’ else. Ya hear me?”

Tell him. Tell him. He'll leave. He'll hate you. He already hates you. You're nothing. Worthless. Murderer.

The voices railed inside of his mind, against the rough reassurances of the other man before him, contradicting everything in way that made more sense to him than anything else because how could he be so silly to believe this was real. The siren tried to shake his head, to back away further but firm hands kept him in place, unable to look away from the ferocious silver steel eyes that ran him through, piercing and unyielding. The only thing Ryden would see in the center of his oceanic eyes was terror and a storm and it wanted to be released. He could almost hear the thunder. 

Tell him. Tell him. Murderer. Murderer. 

Shaking hands grasped the backs of Ryden's, wanting to pry between the fingers that held either side of his face but just clung to him instead.

“No.” Ryden shook his head, keeping his hands on Mars’ face, not letting him get away. “Nope. Not gunna happen.” He leaned in even further, pressing their foreheads together, his gaze never wavering away from the other’s, no matter what he saw in them. “Come back t’me. This is where ya belong. To me. I ain’t lettin’ go.” He insisted, voice not rising but remaining firm, piercing. “Ya hear me? Hear. Me. Stay here. With. Me. Breathe.” He was demanding it now, palms pressing over Marsden’s ears, Ryden’s lungs taking in a deep breath and exhaling it through pursed lips against Mars’ face. “Breathe.”

Weak. Weak. Weak. Worthless. You're nothing. Make it stop. You can't make it stop.

The voices were right, he didn’t deserve this, didn’t deserve him but he wanted him, didn’t want to lose him, would fight against the very marrow of his bones to keep him. It was an ever cyclical curse, filling his head with all his worst nightmares and making them come true, forcing him to do terrible acts, forcing him to kill in order to satiate the curse which would only further rationalize the voices once they returned, screaming horrible truths that he couldn’t deny. It would have been easier to ignore them if they spoke lies. But he was a murderer and he didn’t deserve this kindness. He was worthless. He would be hated and when the truth came out they would take his daughter away from him and Ry would leave and he would be alone and shunned as the murderer that he is left only with the voices who ruined him.

Drown him.

Mars took in a shuddering breath, trying to mirror Ryden's deep breath and ground down on his teeth, the ocean of his eyes encircled with flames of determination from an inward battle he didn’t want to lose, "Ry, I’m scared. I can't make it stop. They tell me to hurt people, to drown them to make it stop but I can't -- don't wanna do it anymore and I’m terrified of myself – of what I’m capable of. I’ve killed people." The storm broke, crash landed in his chest, torrential downpour from his eyes, “I’m a murderer.” He couldn’t keep looking at him, shut his eyes so tight he could see lightning behind the storm clouds in his eyes.

Everything in Ryden froze, like a bucket of ice water was dumped on him suddenly. This could not be. Anything but that. Not Marsden, this couldn’t be happening to him, not to him. The final ultimate cruelty of murder and being the one guilty of it, an irreversible guilt one could do nothing about but take it to their own grave. Not this, Marsden did not deserve this pain, this regret. Ryden’s expression broke and he shut his eyes too, for a moment his own pain for the other man too great to keep looking at it. He shook his head. Not this, anything but this… 

His hands moved to grip the back of Marsden’s neck, for a better hold onto him for dear life, so he wouldn’t accidentally bruise his face because he clung on, he clung on desperately now, clung hard enough to maybe hurt. His heart was shattered glass full of love for the siren, bleeding red for being broken but never letting an ounce, a single drop of that love spill.

“Look at me.” His voice cracked, actually cracked when he spoke again, eyes rimmed red but dry when opened. “Let me love you anyway. Look at me and let me love you anyway.”

Damp lashes fluttered open on command, his own grip leaving crescent moon prints against the wrists of the werewolf, desperate to hold onto him lest he try to draw away from him, he couldn't bare it, not an inch of separation. He took the bruising strength of the werewolf's hands to the back of his neck gratefully, would take all of it as long as he didn't let him go. 

What came next went against everything in his head, against every cruel thought and whisper of malice and rendered the siren frozen in the face of it. If he hadn't been staring at the man when he spoke he would have thought it was fake, another voice, trying to play tricks on him, telling him lies to make believe all would be well, giving him a false sense of security before taking it all away but he'd been watching the mouth move, the words that tumbled out of them, the break in the wolf's voice when he said them. 

He's lying. He's lying. He's a liar. He hates you. You're a murderer. No one will forgive you.

The voices didn't like being proved wrong. Horrible screams filled his head, dying gurgles of final breaths, reminders of the lives he had ended with the same hands now holding onto the wolf, the same grip that didn't let go until the final bubbles of life had left empty throats. Even if it wasn't real, even if it was fake, Marsden didn't want to let go of this love, the privilege of not being cast aside and reneged as a murderer was not to be taken lightly and he surged forward, a crashing course to connect, riptide of water and bubbles splashing around their bodies in the cramped ceramic tub. Only him. Only he could take the terror in his heart and turn it into love.

The relief of having Marsden look at him again, hear the words Ryden spoke despite whatever atrocities were echoing in his head, trying to silence everything else, telling him all the terrible things about himself, others and what crimes against his own being to commit, was like a stone dropping off Ryden’s chest and into the sloshing water around them. He could not allow a day when he would not be able to pull Mars out of it, when he would lose him to the curse and those despicable voices. This could not, would not let it happen and it only fired up the determination Ryden already had. He would search far and wide, high and low for what would bring the siren peace, for what would stop this once and for all. He would not stop until he’d found it. He would not stop until Mars was happy and safe.

He let the siren crash into him, arms wrapping, grabbing whatever they could reach, all of him, everything, holding to never let go. Marsden was the dearest, most beloved, his and his and only his and he would probably never know just how strongly Ryden could love. And he will love him, until he was safe, until he was protected, until the voices were dead and buried and gone. He would love him until nothing but love was left. If an embrace could tell a tale, Ryden’s would be telling this one - of one holding the other until nothing but love was left.

Marsden left room for nothing between them, squeezing himself impossibly close, chest to chest so every breath and beat of hearts could be felt, speaking a truth, unraveling a secret language known only to them that was stronger than any curse, louder than the hissing voices in his head.

He turned his head, lips intent on colliding against the other, to mold mouths together and deliver another truth through the exchange of breaths, I love you. I will love you forever. Come hell or high water.

Ryden kissed back, an air-tight press of lips, hands returning to the side of Mars’ face, wet fingers slicking back black hair, combing it away. Every touch was loving, every move of his lips was a confession Ryden was too clumsy to make with elaborate words. He didn’t stop there, he kissed elsewhere too - the bridge of Mars’ nose, his cheeks, forehead, chin, temples, then brought the siren’s long fingers up, kissing knuckles and wet palms. He placed them on his own face, so even if Marsden might not be able to hear him over the voices, at least he could feel him, that he was there and not gonna go away. And when he was done kissing, he wrapped his arms around him and pulled him over as he leaned back, brought the siren down to rest against his chest, held tightly and safely above water, so he could float away on Ryden like on an emergency raft, paddling across whatever ocean sunk Mars’ boat. The bubbles were almost all gone, the water would soon get cold but Ryden couldn’t care less. He would hold him like this until he was ready to face the outside world again, where they would keep on fighting and searching for a cure for this. But in the meanwhile, he will be a raft in the high water.

He didn't realize it was possible to love him already so intensely only fall in love with him again and again all within the span of a few seconds, each pressing kiss another confession renewed. Stubble against his lips and fingers reminded Marsden that there was still a life to live outside of this moment, outside of the water, outside of this kiss he didn't want to end, oil and grime that still needed to be properly washed away, facial hair to be shaved. 

Without a word, Mars started to shift, leaning away from the impossibly close embrace they'd managed to maintain within the cramped ceramic tub, water sloshing quietly along the sides, microbubbles of the soap fading. The voices were still there, they were always there now, no less quieter than they were before but he ignored them, red rimmed eyes tunneled with focus as he cupped his palms into the water and raised them up to trickle water over the wolf's head, wetting his hair to begin the process of cleaning him. The least he could do would be to wash his hair, scrub his shoulders, and shave his face.

He released a deep sigh, and for a moment, grey eyes were glued to the ceiling, watching wisps of steam rise up with what was left of the water’s warmth. For now, he was blank, though later at night when Mars falls asleep, he would replay this moment over and over again, think it up and down, think it backwards and sideways, think it stupid in silence and secret until he found a solution to everything. Until he’d found at least an idea of a fix, while sneaking out of their bed to smoke at the living room window, thinking how perhaps Sarah’s ghost was watching over him still, thinking of how his own bloody hands, unworthy of a good deed, should somehow perform goodness that held promise of elusive happiness, mindful not to wake up the precious little baby that wasn’t his but he loved her as if she were while he gave her all that love his own child never got a chance to receive. While he waited for a faceless man to appear in the light of a single lamp post below the window. While he told the wolf to quiet its impatient howl. While he thought of mum far away and alone. While he thought it all stupid.

One thing at a time, Ryden Bolt. One thing at a time. His eyes fluttered closed as water trickled over his face, and he blinked it away, looking down at the man he held. A lazy slanted smirk quired his lips. “Ya tryin’a water me, baby? Am I a flower?” His voice was hoarse for no reason. Maybe because his throat was closed up before he finally spoke. 

Mars did not respond right away, his actions slowed but didn't stop, a slow blink away as a lingering tear slipped out, "Mhm," a hummed confirmation as he put shampoo into the center of his palm and started to rub and massage it through styled hair, gently breaking down the gel and products kept to keep it in place during the long hours of the day, raking long fingers across the soap foam and against his scalp. "My lotus." His own voice equally hoarse and low.

“I blossom in your care.” His grin widened as his eyes closed to prevent water from trickling into them,bowing his head so Marsden could reach it better, release the products that kept Ryden’s hair back and straight and from curling up into soft ringlets if left to their own devices. “I’ll never walk away. Even if ya do, I won’t walk away.” He said, seemingly randomly, with the same casual tone he’d joked with about being watered. “I’d sleep like a mutt under yer window. Or on yer door mat. I’ll guard yer gate even if ya won’t let me into the house. Yer my person. I’ll stay with ya no matter what. Cause dat’s how it is. I don’t make the rules.”

The siren's massaging fingers came to a pause as Ryden spoke, his words once again in direct contrast with the cursed words hissing in his head, injected poison for which Ryden held the antidote. Lower lip caught between teeth, tongue pushing against the old piercing hole, his hands lowered to the water, rinsing away the shampoo suds, soap foam joining with what was left of the bubble bath. A heavy breath inhaled that lifted his bare shoulders and when he exhaled he seemed to sag even further, head lowering until it hung heavily and the top of his head pushed forward to rest gently in the middle of the wolf's chest. He remained here for another series of long breaths and when he finally lifted his head again, his eyes filled with fresh tears that slid silently down the slopes of his cheeks and disappeared somewhere in the corners of his lips, filling his mouth with the taste of salt. 

Mars cupped water in his palms again and poured it out over top of the wolf's hair, rinsing away the shampoo, resuming the tender task, smoothing his hands across freshly washed hair, pushing the strands to lay flat against the top of Ryden's head. "Our house," he said back quietly, emotion always turned his voice into coarse sand, "can't keep ya out of it. It's yours," he picked up the can of shave cream and dispensed some onto his fingers, "mine," he started to spread the cool foam along Ryden's jawline, covering all the areas that grew facial hair which would be attended to, "ours." 

Ryden peeked through squinted eyes, wary of any droplets of water and shampoo potentially falling into them cause he hated that burning sensation whenever it accidentally happened. A wet hand came up to pinch the back of Mars’ neck, the tense skin and tendon of his favorite spot while Marsden was bowed and resting against his chest. “Aww. Ya feel sorry for me, moonbeam? Me sleepin’ on yer door mat makin’ ya feel sad?” He joked, knowing very well that was not it. He wanted to reach for Mars’ face again when he raised his head, to wipe off fresh tears that slid down his cheeks but the siren wanted to resume washing his hair so Ry closed his eyes again, shielding them from the water. 

“Yeah?” He asked as he lifted his chin, to give the other better access to the areas that needed to be shaved, which was Ryden’s almost entire lower face. “Ya okay to take a stray in? Is dat why ya givin’ me a bath? Cause ya wanna keep me?” Maybe if he was the one who doubted and Mars was the one trying to convince him, maybe the siren would end up believing his own words, believe that they both weren’t going anywhere, that they were exactly where they wanted to be.

With a finger covered in shave cream, the siren dabbed a dollop of excess onto the point of the wolf's nose before rinsing the shaving cream from his fingers so he could rub at his eyes to clear away the remaining emotions that filled them, washing away the salt from his tears with a couple of swipes of wetted hands before taking up the razor. "Mhm," he said softly, carefully using one hand to angle Ryden's jawline before laying the blade of the razor against the skin and making his first swipe, feeling the short strands of facial hair grate away beneath the blade, "I'm keepin' ya. You're mine."

Ryden chuckled at the feeling of a finger painting his crooked nose with shaving foam, letting Marsden get away with it this time. He would let him get away with anything right now. Besides, he had to sit perfectly still while a razor was applied to his face, only moving when Marsden angled his face to. He tried not to smile although he wanted to grin wide at Mars’ words. “Kay. Keep me, then.” He said simply, closing his eyes against the feel of Marsden’s careful hands, which said a lot. Ryden was the kind of man who never sat with his back turned to an exit point. The level of trust he had in Marsden was astronomical.

Marsden took his time, being careful as he maneuvered the sharp blade against his beloved's face, taking mindful strokes and doing his best to get as close a shave as he could manage, testing out the smoothness of a freshly shaven cheek by applying a tender kiss to the corner of Ryden's mouth. "A thing of beauty," Mars started to say, voice a low intonation like he was saying a prayer as he recited poetry, "Is a joy forever," he tilted up Ryden's jaw so he could reach the space beneath, "It's loveliness increase. It'll never pass into nothingness," his tongue peaked out the corner of his lip as he moved the blade carefully over the curving slope of the underside of his jawline, "but still will keep a bower quiet for us," he rinsed the blade and returned, cool wet fingers gently coaxing Ryden to turn his head to the other side, "and a sleep full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing."

Ryden was having one of those heavenly moments, those that involved long glances directed Marsden’s way as they drove anywhere, the siren in the passenger seat looking out the window and Ryden scanning the outline of his profile. Or in the mornings, just before they would get up to start their day, when Ryden’s rough fingertips ran gently down the length of Marsden’s spine as he took his time waking up, up to the neck than down again and then the same motion repeated. When they had dinner Ryden had cooked, and Marsden gobbled it down, humming and chewing and complimenting his skill with the food. When they played on the floor with Maria Elena and it drew Marsden’s silliest side out. When he gave in to the quiet of the room, focusing with a bent neck on his doodle notebook. All heavenly moments like this one.

Goosebumps raised the hairs on Ryden’s skin everywhere. He barely understood a word aside from knowing that it was poetry and that he loved how Marsden’s voice recited it, even if he could not decipher the meaning. But he could feel the emotion behind it, the loving carefulness with which the words were said and it melted him into the tub, his whole person like clay in Marsden’s hands.

Mars continued on with the verse and shaving the facial hair from Ryden's face until the skin left behind was smooth and clean and the siren finished the first stanza of the poem because the first stanza was the extent of his memory, "...an endless fountain of immortal drink, pouring unto us," he wet his hands and cleaned away the last remaining traces of the shaving cream from the sides of Ryden's face and neck, carefully and meticulously ensuring no specks were left behind, "..from the heaven's brink." 

The siren kept his hands on either side of the wolf's face, feeling the smooth skin beneath his palms, long fingers weaving behind toward the short hairs at the back of his head and neck and brought their faces closer together so he could fully appreciate the finished product, nuzzling his cheek against the other, trailing lips along the angled slope of his jaw and to the corner of his mouth where he would press a deep and languid kiss, filling him up with as much affection as he could for there were simply no words to describe just how deeply he loved him, not even this kiss would be enough.

“That’s real pretty…” Ryden sighed out lazily, so perfectly content. At some point, he had gradually slid further against the side of the tub, arms draped over the back of it, a leg hooked over the edge and dripping water onto the tiles below. He was drifting pleasantly between wakefulness and sleep, the siren’s relaxing touch and meticulous way he did something so simple and mundane like shaving Ryden’s face lulling him into a rare state of ease, where he thought about nothing in particular, just existed in the moment to enjoy it to the fullest. 

“Feels good…” The job Mars did with the razor, the touch, the affection, the kisses, their cheeks against each other, everything, all of it just felt so good that Ryden thought he would doze off right then and there and then just float away. “Want me to wash yer hair too?” He offered and although he looked like he’d rather never move again, he’d gladly do it for the siren if he wanted him to.

Mars smiled, his lips turned upward as they left caressing kisses against Ryden's face, "Only if ya want. Ya look like yer about to drift away, starshine." Things had grown a little bit quieter in his head, the voices no longer screaming, they'd taken a step backward and turned into low chatter like a radio in the other room that was left on too loud but low enough that he couldn't quite make out what they were saying, only knowing that they were still there.

“I want, I want.” Ryden forced his heavy eyelids to open, clearing his throat to jolt himself awake and sitting up straighter in the tub. He reached for the bath plug, cracking it open just a bit to drain some of the cooling, used water from it, turning the tap on at the same time so new clean fill would replace it. He’d grabbed one of Maria Elena’s little buckets off the floor, the ones she liked to play with while she had her baths, the plastic cute ones that were usually taken to the beach. This one was green and shaped to resemble a little turtle. He filled it up with clean, warmer water straight from the tap, then poured it over the top of Mars’ head carefully, his free hand on the other man’s forehead to shield his eyes from the trickling water even though he probably didn’t have to. 

He was likely not as careful or gentle as the siren, hands clumsy and unused to these tasks, but he tried really hard to be considerate. Once the raven hair was thoroughly soaked, he left the little bucket to float around in the tub and worked the shampoo into the slightly longer hair strands than his own, careful fingertips massaging the scalp until the product foamed up. Then he proceeded to give the siren a mohawk, rolling individual strands into spikes and although most refused to stand perfectly straight, he did a good enough of a job. “Was thinkin’, mebbe if I go, it’ll be next month?” It was a question rather than a declaration, the wolf now finding it safe to return to the previous topic, a frown of focus wrinkling his brows as he shaped Mars’ hair into the silly ‘hawk.

Mars remained still as Ryden poured water of his head, still smiling a little when he had shielded his eyes from the water to prevent it from going into them, his hands naturally finding a place to rest on top of the other man's legs. His smile started to fall away as the topic resumed, his blue eyes unfocused but directed in front of him at the tattooed broad chest of the other man, watching the patterns the ink near his shoulder and arm move as he scrubbed and massaged at the shampoo in his hair. He could feel his hair being manipulated to stand on end and squeezed the werewolf's thigh endearingly, "Look good?" Asking after the hair then immediately following up with a response, "Next month," not really a confirmation or a negation. "How long will ya be gone?"

The wolf nodded, admiring his work. Too bad he left his phone in the living room. “Couple’a weeks I think.” Was his response, followed by a shrug. “But I ain’t really sure. I dunno how everythin’ will go.” Because it was his first time going on a quest like this and he didn’t have all the necessary info just yet. He felt things getting tense again, or perhaps it was just him, he was unsure if he was picking up on Marsden’s energy or was anticipating his own fears there. “Close yer eyes tight.” He instructed, about to ruin his own work to rinse Mars’ hair off. He picked up the little bucket, filling it up with clean tap water. “But we can go for other things too, yanno. See f’they do sum good first.” He made another suggestion because if something else worked, then maybe Ryden wouldn’t need to go away. 

The problem was, they needed to be very careful in the town. No one could find out what Marsden just told Ryden. This pretty much made a few options go down the drain. Because they may require someone else to know the details. And Marsden had revealed that some of the details the two would just have to take to their graves.

Mars did as instructed now and shut his eyes so the water could be poured over his head and the shampoo soap rinsed away, he kept his eyes shut even after it was safe to open them. "Like what sorta things?" He didn't say it but he had the same thoughts, that what was shared in this tub and in this moment could not be shared elsewhere. If it got out, if anyone else found out then surely this perfect little life they created together would get obliterated.

“There’s a ring I’ve found in an antique shop in town that f’ya wear it an put it to yer temple, it allows only one thought at a time. Blocks out everythin’ else. Not ideal but, like, in a pinch… Uh, the hospital offers them like uh acoustic treatments. They put ya in a sealed box and ya float in this super salty water and they mebbe release sum sound waves in there, I don’t know. Calms sum sirens down. Uh, there’s dis witch that brews sum nasty teas with sum effects. We can also try an exorcism? Uh…” Ryden trailed off, revealing that he pretty much looked into everything imaginable that could be found in town. Having rinsed the shampoo out of Mars’ hair, he ran his fingers through it, combing it back and squeezing out excess water. Tucking wet strands behind the siren’s ears, he shrugged. “Wha’ever yer up for. We’ll go do it t’gether. Jus’ give it a go f’we see dat it can’t hurt.”

Mars kept his eyes closed, luxuriating in the feeling of Ryden's fingers as they threaded through the wet strands, raking gently across his scalp to ease out any excess water that dribbled down the sides of his face and back of his neck, listening as he spoke of a few options. His features twisted with amusement when Ry said they could try an exorcism, opening up one eye just a crack to peek out at the wolf as the siren smirked, "Think I got a somethin' in me 'er somethin'?" 

“Oh now yer jus’ beggin’ for me t’say sumtin’ stupid.” Ryden chuckled, having stroked pretty much all extra water out of Mars’ hair that he possibly could but still ran blunt fingernails over the siren’s scalp, just enjoying the contact. “Yer on yer own with that one tho, prolly not smart for me t’git one. I’ll jus’ watch.”

The siren hummed softly, unable to keep himself from leaning his head more into the wolf's hands, "Voyeur," he teased, "I always knew ya liked to watch." He gave the other man a taunting look paired with his signature catlike grin, full of silent laughter but the expression looked painted, genuine but false at the same time with the memory of his tears still hanging around his eyes and reddening the point of his nose. He let out a breath through his teeth and sighed, "Ya think it'll work though?" A pause before he clarified, "Da tattoos?" Not the exorcism. He didn't think that would work.

Ryden shrugged humbly at the teasing accusation. “Never said I wasn’t.” At some point he’d stopped running his hands through Marsden’s hair and now just had a palm resting against his cheek, thumb rubbing away any droplets of water that dared to slide over. He reached to turn the tap off and re-plug the tub, now re-filled with hot, clean water but none of the bubbles really remained. “That one’s my best bet. S’why I mentioned it first.” But that was it, just a bet. Maybe none of it will work. That only meant Ryden would have to keep on looking, nothing else.

Mars touched his fingers against the back of Ryden's hand that rested against his cheek, tips of his fingers trailing over the bumps and valleys of his knuckles, tracing a prominent vein felt over the skin on the back of his hand then up the individual lengths of each finger until his palm landed against the back of his hand and his fingers pushed between Ryden's. "Risky business," he commented softly, pushing his cheek into Ryden's warm palm, the blues of his eyes trained on the other man, adoration in every blink. 

He tried to think of any other questions he might have but the bottom line was that he just wanted Ryden back already and he hadn't even left yet. He was missing him already. "You'll call me when ya can?"

Ryden gave him a one shoulder shrug. “Will do. Whenever I can. But when I don’t, jus’ know it’s prolly cause I ain’t got no signal. That’s all.” He warned, knowing that he will not be going somewhere with easy access. Radio silence was possible. He leaned in then, giving a damp eyebrow a little kiss. “My man. Don’t yer eyes ever git tired o’bein’ so big, beautiful and blue?” He cooed softly, tilting his head as he gazed into the siren’s oceans. “Ya gotten pruny? I got a lil pruny. Wanna rinse?” He offered, not minding it either way.

Mars wasn't entirely happy with that response, his lips pursed into a slight frown, about to begin pouting in disgruntled indignation at how it seemed Ryden wasn't going to be missing him all too much when the kiss to his brow and the compliment of his eyes served as ample distraction that turned the frown upwards back into a smile. "Nope. I got magic eyes that ain't never get tired," and he blinked a fluttering of lashes at the wolf. "Yea, we can rinse. Prunes are nice in moderation but too many prunes ain't so nice."

Of course he’d noticed the little pout, even if it was short-lived. It did some warm and fuzzy things to the inside of his chest, to see this strong, beautiful, independent man pout like a little brat over something Ryden may or may not have done. “Yer magic all o’er. Better than magic. A miracle.” He delivered one more kiss to Mars’ forehead before he stood up, turning the shower head above on. “You was gunna say sumtin’ weren’cha? Get the bath plug while yer down there, by the way.”

Mars tugged at the plug with the crook of his finger, releasing the water so it would slowly drain down the bottom of the tub as he rose to stand, needing to take hold of Ryden's leg and then his hand and the side of the wall as the place was quiet cramped and he didn't want to slip, "Mm, was I?" Mars pondered innocently, now standing in front of the other man. "Whaddya think I was goin' to say?"

“Oh, ya didn’t? Sorry. My bad.” He shrugged, playing dumb, helping Marsden up only to give him a little, careful push against the chest and make him step under the warm stream of the showerhead.

As water cascaded down from the crown of his head, he collected some in his mouth and squirted it out in Ryden's direction.

Ry snorted, not even bothering to defend from this attack. “Jerkface. Hurry up and rinse. M’hungry.” He leaned away to grab some shower gel to lather up first.

"Ya rushin' me?" Mars hummed, turning to face the stream as hands pushed back water slicked hair, the stream hitting his chest, "Imma take my time, not like we only have a month or so before ya leave for some wherever place dat has no signal."

“Yea, yea, like m’goin’ dere t’put a lime in a coconut.” He rolled his eyes, scrubbing up real quick, paying special attention to his hands out of habit. He extended his arm then, fingers a mere inch away from Mars’ very exposed and ticklish nipple. “Ya sure ya wanna git all sassy with me? Hell yea, m’rushin ya.”

Mars immediately started to flinch, his arms curling in defense against his chest, one hand covering his exposed nipple and the other ready to smack Ryden's hand away if he got any closer. "Don't ya dare." 

“Then don’t git sassy with me and jus’ tell me to tell ya m’gunna miss ya. Punk.” He retrieved his hand, carefully making a move to get out of the tub, all soaped up still. “Fine, wha’ever, take yer time.”

"Noo, come back," Mars whined, wrapping his arms around Ryden’s body to keep him from leaving, his cheek pressing firmly against soaped up skin. "Tell me you'll miss me, dat ya don't wanna go, dat even if there's no signal you'll try to call me anyway." He held onto him tightly, so tight, not wanting to let go and leave the shower because that would mean it would get them closer to a tomorrow where one day they would say goodbye. "We talk everyday and see each other every day. I dunno what to do when we can't do either."

Ryden smiled, but not triumphantly as he usually would whenever he got his way with things. It was a different sort of a smile, a gentle one, perhaps even bittersweet. “I’ll miss ya baby. More than the air I breathe. But I wanna go, cause I don’t ever wanna lose ya. Never wanna ‘ave what’s in yer head take ya away from me.” He squeezed what he could reach of Mars’ arm wrapped around him. “And I’ll call every day, even if there ain’t no signal, I’ll check every hour if it’s back.” He lowered his voice then, to a tone so strongly determined and dangerous. “Them whispers in yer head ain’t got no business interruptin’ our every day talks. I will fuck them up. I swear it I will fuck them up. You will not cry for nothin’, baby. Not under my watch. Not ever again.”

The siren stepped away, loosening his hold on Ryden’s body and both pulling and pushing the wolf’s body, if he did not refute the action, to encourage him to stand now beneath the stream of water so he could rinse off the soapy lather if he wished, and to also get him further away from the shower’s exit. “I’m a greedy fuckin’ bastard, ain’t I,” he said, posed a question though it wasn’t really and he didn’t expect a response, “but I love ya,” he slid his hands down tattooed forearms until Mars could loosely lock his fingers with Ry’s, “...and,” he started by looking at Ryden but his gaze and head soon dropped, unable to maintain eye contact, “I really…” Mars sighed softly and brought his eyes to lock onto his, “Yer probably gonna tell me I don’t gotta say it but I do, baby. Thank you. I mean it. You are more than I could ever hope to deserve and ya do so much fer me. Ya hate magic but yer willin’ to get magic tattoos done and… it’s a lot. I know it is… and I love ya,” then the edges of his lips turned upwards into a wry slant, “Vehemently.”

He stepped into the stream of the shower, now absently rinsing himself off as he listened to Mars speak, until the siren slid his hands down his arms to lock his fingers around Ryden’s. He held his hands back, letting the water falling down on him do the rest. His serious expression shifted to return the wry grin he was getting. “I know what dat word means now.” He said with a hint of childish pride. “Ya ain’t greedy. Yer jus’ right for me.” He reassured, slipping one hand out so he could wrap it around the siren’s neck, pulling him in for a wet forehead kiss. “And I also think we’re exactly what us two deserve. So ya can thank me moonbeam, but know I’d do it either way. Cause I love ya. And that’s what’s done when ya love sumone.” He let them both rest for a moment in this half-hug under the shower before he released Marsden, finishing up the rinsing. “Okay, now I’m really a prune. Gettin’ out.” He warned before he actually made a move to leave the tub first.

"Yea ya do," Mars returned with full adoration for his man, wry smirk turning into a dreamy smile at the affectionate kiss to his forehead. He loved that and lingered in the half-hug for as long as Ryden allowed before he released him and started to move that he was going to leave the tub and shower. "I'll be out in a minute," he said to the other man, now taking up the body wash so he could lather himself up and clean up the important parts that needed it and would rinse himself off shortly, not wasting too much more time in the shower since they had spent an awfully long time in there already and even though he was a siren who thrived in water, there was a life outside that needed living.

@wolfontheloose