#stuck in chicago staring at the ceiling

[bethannangel]

After the Last Midtown Show

The Academy Is…

September 18, 2022

[megalony]

Love And Valour

As promised, this is a new Tommy Kinard imagine, based on a truly lovely request. I hope you will all like it, let me know what you think.

Taglist: @justagirlthatlovedtoread @musicistheway @avada-kedavra-bitch-187 @luula @missdreamofendless @bradleybeachbabe @woderfulkawaii @amberpanda99 @daggersquadphantom @marvel-and-chicago-fan @angryknightstatesmantrash @minjix @lyjen @kmc1989 @itsmytimetoodream @noonenuts @hiireadstuff @ashie-babie @classyunknownlover @jayyeahthatsme @sp1ritssz @dumb-fawkin-bitch @oliverstarksbae @gimatida @heart-35 @supernaturalstilinski @stefansalvatoresgf @kyky9103 @wutheringhearts2275 @gay4hotmilfs @itshamleth @chaoticnosleepinfluencer @gs29 @wh0reforsmutstuff @mel-vaz @natashamea18 @chrisevansdaughter @alexandra8484 @deena-beena-weena @targaryenluvs @shelbygeek @kpoplover-19 @marvelmenarebeautiful @gillybear17

@zoeybennett @mrspeacem1nusone @zephyrmonkey @estella-novella

@shauna-carsley @dottierose @cfdhouse51 @darkfemme1 @rainechase45 @ml572 @jessie-lynn28 @lolalolsstuff @senjoritanana @kniselle @eleventhdoctorsangel

Tommy Kinard Masterlist

Summary: Tommy isn't sure about attending the medal of valour ceremony since (Y/n)'s recovering from her C-section. But (Y/n) is adamant they are going. She wants to support her man.

Enjoy.

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"Fuck." A quiet hiss passed through (Y/n)'s lips as she tilted her head back until her gaze settled on the high ceiling above her.

Both hands moved to press down into the mattress and she let herself slouch back, relieving the ache in her shoulders which also clicked her spine into place in the process. Her legs started to slowly sway back and forth, softly hitting the edge of the bed while she took a deep breath and tried to ward off the annoyance rattling through her.

This was harder than she thought it would be.

She could feel a dull, burning ache in her abdomen that felt like cramps constantly squeezing and releasing every now and then. She hadn't experienced contractions before, but (Y/n) guessed whatever cramping discomfort she felt now was close to a contraction.

"You okay there, honey?" Something about Tommy's low yet velvet smooth voice had (Y/n) shivering and she dropped her chin down to lock her eyes onto him.

He padded barefoot into the bedroom, wearing nothing but his boxer briefs since he had just come out the shower. He had one hand tangled in his hair that was only slightly damp and he ruffled each curl so they stuck up like waves paused in motion on top of his head.

The action made his biceps flex and he moved his hand down to scratch his neck, pointing his elbow up which almost bumped into the top of the door frame with how tall he was.

Tommy narrowed his eyes a little and quirked his lips into a melting smile when he looked across at the bed. He found it rather endearing how (Y/n) was laid right now. She looked like she had just come home from a big day out, as opposed to getting ready to go out like they should be.

Her lips pressed together and she ducked her head down, glancing down at her thighs rather than staring at her husband which caused a blush to dance along her neck and across her face.

"I think I might need some help." Her voice came out quiet, barely more than a whisper and Tommy had to take a moment to work out what she'd said.

But once her words hit him, his shoulders dropped and his smirk changed into something sweet and gentle.

He didn't get chance to ask what she needed help with before (Y/n) extended one leg out towards him and he realised what she was doing. She couldn't get into her tights.

He crossed the room in less than a second and crouched down in between her legs until his knees hit the soft carpet. His hands found her knees and he leaned forward, perching his chin on her thigh as he gazed up at her. It was evident that his eyes were taking in her attire and the way she was laid made him take in a deep breath to quench the adrenaline coursing through his stomach, fluttering up towards his chest.

She was wearing a white bra and matching underwear and had one foot in her tights which clearly had won the silent battle she was having with getting dressed.

"All you had to do was ask." He pressed a flushed kiss against her inner thigh before his hands slithered up her legs and over her hips.

He knew (Y/n) was still nervous about asking him for help because this was new to her. (Y/n) wasn't used to not being able to bend down or lean over properly. She wasn't used to being in pain when she tried to get dressed or get washed or move about the house and it made her feel helpless to ask Tommy to do things for her.

He wormed his fingers into the waistband of her underwear and carefully peeled the hem back so he could drag them down a little. (Y/n) knew what he was doing. He didn't have that hungry look in his eyes like he usually did when he started pawing at her underwear like this. This time, he had a loving, concerned look pooling in those pale blue eyes as he tugged the hem down to reveal her stitches.

There was a thin row of stitches littering her lower abdomen from the C-section she had five days ago.

Tommy kept her underwear pulled down with one hand while his other hand started grazing along her skin. Checking to make sure it wasn't too swollen and that the stitches weren't leaking and were still in place.

She was booked to have the stitches out in two days and (Y/n) couldn't be happier. They were annoying. They were itchy and she just wanted to tear them out and they were irritating when they dragged and caught against her underwear.

"They look okay," He murmured quietly against her thigh before he carefully lifted the hem back up so it was covering the stitches. "Okay, let's get these on."

His hands made a slow trail down her thighs and along the sides of her legs causing (Y/n) to shiver.

She pushed up on her hands and sat up properly, a smile dancing across her lips as she looked down at Tommy. He looked heavenly, perched between her legs like that. She watched intently as he held the tights up so she could wiggle her right foot into them and she shimmied on the bed when he tickled the back of her legs as he slowly pulled them up.

As soon as they were above her knees, (Y/n) moved her hand to Tommy's shoulder and stood up as he leaned back on his heels so she could stand in between him and the bed.

Her hands reached down, about to reach for her tights until Tommy beat her to it.

She couldn't help but grin softly at him when he leaned up and dragged them up her thighs until they settled high on her waist.

The nurse had said to wear loose, comfortable clothing for the next few weeks so she didn't irritate the stitches or the scar she was going to get. And she was expected to have a bit of discomfort and pain in the upcoming weeks until she was fully recovered.

(Y/n) was glad she had invested in some new clothes before they had Minnie, such as underwear and maternity leggings and new tights. These ones weren't tight around the waist like the other pairs she owned, they were loose and comfortable and stretchy but they still looked good.

"Thank you."

When Tommy stood up in front of her, (Y/n) looped her arms around the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Her thumb stroked up and down the back of his neck and when they parted, (Y/n) kissed a trail along the side of his neck and down the centre of his chest. She felt his hands move to cradle her hips and he buried his nose in the top of her hair, swaying them from left to right like they were caught up in a dance.

She could feel his hands gliding up and down her hips and around her waist like feathers tickling her skin and it made her smile against his chest. She pressed soft, butterfly kisses over his heartbeat that she could feel quickening beneath her touch. Before she finally pulled back and looked up at him with hazy eyes.

Her hands feathered down to his shoulders and she gave him a squeeze before slowly breaking out of his hold.

They had to get dressed before they were late.

She felt Tommy turn around and head over to the wardrobe where his uniform was hanging while she reached across the bed for her dress she had gotten ready.

This award ceremony had been a bit last minute. Nobody knew about it until last month and when Tommy told (Y/n) about it, she had been very nervous that she would still be pregnant during the ceremony. The last thing (Y/n) wanted was to be there whilst nine months pregnant. Afraid she would either go into labour during the ceremony or feel unwell and be in discomfort all day.

As it turned out, they had ended up with a C-section five days ago.

The timing had been very close. Tommy had his mind set that they weren't going to turn up today. They'd just had their daughter less than a week ago and his wife was recovering from a C-section, no one would blame them if they didn't go.

(Y/n) had other ideas.

She was not staying home and having Tommy miss out on this. What him and the 118 team had done was as risky as it was brave and they were getting awarded for what they'd done. She wanted Tommy to be there to get his medal and she wanted to be sitting in the audience, watching with a proud, beaming smile.

At least now, (Y/n) wouldn't be sat there with a large rounded stomach or a baby weighing heavy on her back. She would have her baby in her arms instead. And this would be the first time the 118 would get to see Minnie. Tommy had been flooded with congratulating texts and phone calls from them all week after getting back in touch and becoming close to them all. And they were dying to see his first child.

(Y/n) took a deep breath as she leaned over the bed and scrunched up the hem of her dress.

It was a dark cherry colour with a higher neckline than her other dresses- (Y/n) wasn't risking a low neckline and showing any cleavage this soon after having a baby. It had thin cotton straps over the shoulders and it was loose around her waist, just what she needed to feel comfortable.

Once it was on, (Y/n) smoothed out the creases but she couldn't hide her wince when she straightened her back and lifted her arms to sort out the straps.

It felt like she couldn't move in any direction. Stretching made her stitches strain and caused her abdomen to tense and feel like it was being sliced open. Bending over was not an option. When she tried to put her shoes on yesterday she ended up in fits of tears from how horrid it felt to lean over and crease her stomach.

She couldn't carry or pick up anything heavier than Minnie, not even the basket of washing. It was as if she had to find the perfect position to stand without straightening out or leaning over.

And she couldn't take a bath unless Tommy took one with her and helped her in and out of the tub. The next few weeks were going to be as distressing as they were irritating and confining.

She leaned forward a little, creasing her stomach ever so slightly to relieve the tension while she put a few clips in her hair. Keeping her hair loose but pinned back so no strands fell across her eyes.

"Are you sure you wanna go? You're still not feeling well, I can see it from here. We can stay home, honey." Tommy placed his hands on his hips and cocked one hip out as he looked over at (Y/n). She could never hide anything from him and he could see that she was in discomfort. He didn't want to go if this was going to be too much for her. He would be much happier lying on the sofa with both his girls.

"And miss my man getting his medal of valor? I don't think so." (Y/n) flashed a sugary sweet smile before she slowly crossed over towards the crib attached to the bed.

They had the nursery all laid out ready, but for now, Minnie was staying in there room so it was easier to get up with her during the night. And with this crib that attached to the side of the bed, it was easier for (Y/n) to lift her up. She couldn't bend over the crib in the nursery, not yet unless she wanted to pull her stitches and cripple over in agony.

With Minnie at the same level as the bed, (Y/n) could pick her up and lay her down without straining. She had to be prepared for when Tommy went back to work and she would be without him during the day or night.

She perched down on the side of the bed, shifting to relieve the tension in her abdomen before her arms stretched out towards Minnie.

She carefully lifted Minnie up and laid the newborn down beside her on the bed so she could get her changed. (Y/n) had found the perfect onesie for her to wear today.

Her lips curved into a grin as she watched Minnie tiny hand reach up and bat against her face, crinkling the blushing pink mittens over her hands that stopped her from scratching herself. She stayed relatively still and compliant for once while (Y/n) hummed as she slipped her feet through the onesie and wriggled her small arms through the loops.

(Y/n) topped the little outfit off with a matching blue headband with a bow sewn to the front.

"Pretty baby," (Y/n) cooed and lifted her up, settling Minnie on her chest before she carefully stood up trying not to stretch too much and strain her stitches. Her thumb brushed across the back of Minnie's head soothingly and when she turned round, (Y/n) couldn't help but drag her eyes up and down Tommy as he finished getting changed.

It wasn't often she saw him in his work suit.

Suits were reserved for special occasions or in very few, drastic cases, funerals. Rather than his usual blue trousers and matching cotton shirt, Tommy was wearing starched black trousers that were straight as cardboard and settled high on his hips.

He had a crisp white dress shirt tucked into his trousers and a matching black tie.

He turned round just as he finished shrugging on his blazer jacket which had the fire station logo on the left breast pocket and the harbour pilot logo on the left arm near the shoulder.

(Y/n)'s lips pressed together and she couldn't stop herself from smiling as she openly oogled him in his suit. Like most of Tommy's clothing, the blazer looked a tiny bit tight around the shoulders, but that was a normality. He had broader shoulders and if he wanted clothes to fit perfect or snug around his chest, they had to be tight for his shoulders. Or else going the next size up meant things fit his shoulders but hung loose and baggy around his torso and he didn't like that.

"Will I do?" He already knew the answer, judging by the look in his wife's eyes as she looked him up and down a few more times, biting her lower lip as she nodded.

"Daddy's gonna look good getting his medal, hm?" She murmured against the top of Minnie's head that was tucked just beneath her neck. She could feel each soft breath tickling her collar bone and the way Minnie's knees pulled up and tucked against (Y/n)'s stomach. She was suddenly glad her stitches were right at the bottom of her abdomen in line with her hips so she could snuggle with her baby and not risk irritating her stitches.

"Oh, am I?"

His hands found her shoulders and his lips pressed against her temple. He brushed his thumbs up and down her skin, staying close with Minnie tucked safely between them.

Reaching his hand down, Tommy gently pressed a finger beneath (Y/n)'s chin and tilted her head up so he could capture a kiss. And he tried to swallow down the groan at the back of his throat when (Y/n) whispered "We're going to be late," against his lips. Punctuated with a kiss between each word.

She could feel his hands gliding down her waist to settle on her hips and she knew if Minnie wasn't in her arms between them, Tommy's chest would have been pressing down on hers by now. But there was caution in his touch and his movements. He didn't want to hurt her or crush their daughter between them.

(Y/n) grazed her teeth against his lower lip and nudged their noses together before she finally pulled back. Noticing the redness flushing across his lips and the heat rising on his cheeks.

He kept one hand on (Y/n)'s hip, rubbing soft circles over her skin while he leaned his chest back and tilted his head down so he could look at their daughter. His eyes narrowed and the end of his nonse scrunched up as he tried to work out what she was wearing. He remembered (Y/n) saying she had found something perfect for her, but he had no idea what it was.

He thought it might have been something to do with Disney, maybe Minnie Mouse plastered on the front to go along with her name. But the onesie was blue so he couldn't imagine it being that.

His right hand ghosted across the back of Minnie's head, the pads of his fingers tickling against the few little wisps of hair she had. And being mindful not to knock the soft cotton headband with a lovely bow that made her look just like a little doll.

"What're you wearing, princess?"

He took another step back so (Y/n) could carefully turn Minnie around in her arms to let him see.

When (Y/n) held her gently by her waist, Minnie's knees pulled up to her stomach and her mittened hands brushed her nose in such a way that had Tommy's heart rocketing in his chest and had him smiling brightly. He gently curled her miniscule feet into his palms and lowered her legs so he could see what was printed on her onesie.

Lightning struck his heart and a beaming smile flooded his face when he read it.

'Daddy's Co-Pilot' was written across the front in large white italics and a cartoon helicopter was plastered over her tummy.

"Beautiful. Everyone's gonna be staring at my girls." He murmured quietly while he gently lifted Minnie into his own arms and pressed a sloppy kiss to her cheek. His eyes flickered between them both before he snugged Minnie down against his blazer, holding her with one arm that engulfed her and almost hid her from sight. While his other arm looped around (Y/n)'s waist and reeled her into his side.

"Off we go."

***

A tender, flushed smile pulled at (Y/n)'s lips when she felt Tommy's hands on her shoulders and his lips smothering the back of her head. She leaned back into his touch until her back was pressed up against his chest. His hands gave her a loving squeeze and while he leaned into her, (Y/n) took a moment to look around the station.

She hadn't been here before.

She had heard Tommy talk about the 118, considering this was where he first started when he got out the army and changed to being a fire fighter. And since he got back in touch with Hen and Chimney, he became close with Buck and Eddie too. So it was natural that Tommy had been back to this station quite a lot and he talked about it to (Y/n).

She noted that although it didn't look different from Tommy's fire house, the atmosphere was very much upbeat and loving here. Differing from the 217 which was kind and welcoming, but not as cosy as this. Even harbour wasn't as close knit as the people here.

(Y/n) could feel Tommy humming something into her hair and it made her shiver and push back into him.

Now the ceremony was going to start, (Y/n) was becoming nervous. It had been a while since she had been to an event like this and this time, she had Minnie. She prayed the newborn would stay settled and asleep and if she did indeed wake up, she hoped she would be able to settle her down quickly.

"Ready?" Tommy spoke softly into her hair while his arms rested over her shoulders and his hands curved around her chest. He pecked her cheek before tucking his chin into the crook of her neck and his eyes focused down on the pram in front of them.

It took all Tommy's reserve not to reach down and scoop Minnie up the moment they got here. He just wanted to cuddle her into his chest and hold her close, but he knew better than to wake her. It was surprising that she hadn't woken up already with the hustle and bustle happening in the station. But while she was sleeping, they needed her to stay settled like this.

(Y/n) nodded and turned so she could kiss his temple. She was ready to see him and the others get their medals and be shown off, but sitting on her own with people she was mostly a stranger to was a bit unnerving.

When Tommy unravelled himself from her, (Y/n) side-stepped to be level with the side of the pram. She pressed her lips into a thin line and slowly leaned over to reach down for Minnie. She couldn't exactly leave the newborn over here in the pram out the way, she would have to hold her while they sat through the ceremony.

A quiet whimper clawed at the back of her throat when she leaned over and she tried to bend her knees so her stomach didn't crease as much.

She glanced over at Tommy when he reached down and gently curled his hand around her wrist.

"I'll get her." His voice was quiet and all (Y/n) could see in his eyes was love while he let go of her hand and carefully scooped Minnie up from the pram. He pressed a kiss against her temple before easing her down into (Y/n)'s arms. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, off you go, Pilot." (Y/n) pressed a sweet kiss to his lips and adjusted Minnie into the crook of her left arm.

She felt Tommy's hand move to her lower back and he weaved her in front of him to guide her down to the seats. There were five rows of seats laid out in the middle of the station where friends and family could watch the ceremony.

Bobby had a seat behind the podium with a few other Captains and the Chief. And Tommy, Hen, Eddie, Chimney and Buck were all to stand to the left of the podium and wait patiently for the speeches to commence and to be presented with their awards.

There was no way (Y/n) would sit on the front row. She wasn't going to be sat in full view of everyone.

Her eyes scanned the rows that were all filling up but when she looked at the third row, she nodded to herself.

Karen.

She knew Hen's partner. Tommy had been closest to Hen and they had been catching up a lot recently, so (Y/n) had gotten to know Hen and Karen. She would happily sit next to Karen who was someone she could class as a friend and not feel uncomfortable around.

Tommy pressed a lasting kiss to the back of (Y/n)'s head and ran his finger along Minnie's cheek near the aqua blue pacifier in her lips. Before he watched (Y/n) sit down on the end seat of the row. It made for a quick exit if she needed to go and change Minnie or settle her down if she became fussy. And the end seat also provided (Y/n) of a very good view to watch her husband.

(Y/n) felt better when she was sitting down. She knew she needed to keep moving about regularly to prevent the risk of blood clots, but sitting down did make it easier on her muscles and it stopped her from feeling so uncomfortable.

She stretched her legs out beneath the seat in front of her and lowered Minnie down onto her thighs. Tilting her at an angle so her head was supported in her elbow and she gently ran her right hand up and down Minnie's chest and stomach to try and keep her dozing off like this.

She gently leaned from left to right and when she lifted her gaze to look over to her right, a shy, tender look crossed her face.

Karen was grinning at her. She had her lips pressed together and when she silently ticked her head down in Minnie's direction, (Y/n) obliged and moved her arms a bit closer. Allowing her friend to take her first glimpse at Minnie.

When they arrived at the station, her and Tommy had stayed mostly in the corner. They chatted to Eddie and Chris in passing and of course Buck had been across to take a peek in the pram, wanting to see the little lady for the first time. But everyone was in a rush to filter about and find a seat and get ready which is how (Y/n) liked it.

She wanted to silently slip into the ceremony and try to watch without drawing too much attention to Minnie. Once the awards had been given out, then (Y/n) would be happy for her daughter to wake up and for people to fawn over her. She would feel less anxious once Tommy was back by her side.

"Ooh, she's adorable, and so tiny." She brushed her finger across Minnie's hand that was hidden by her mitten and traced her fingertip down the onesie that made her grin.

(Y/n) smiled. She knew her little girl was tiny, she was only six pounds two. But after a C-section, Minnie felt like she weighed a stone when lifting her put a strain on (Y/n)'s stitches.

"How are you?" Karen kept her voice quiet and flitted her eyes between (Y/n) and the podium to keep check of when the speeches would start.

"Sore but very happy."

"You look lovely."

(Y/n) looked back down at her little girl just as she heard Bobby begin to speak. Minnie was wriggling a bit, possibly a sign that she was going to wake up soon. She continued to sway from side to side, coaxing Minnie to stay settled and stay sleeping while she lifted her head.

Despite hearing Bobby's words and smiling at the gratitude on his face and the endearment in his eyes, (Y/n) couldn't keep her focus on him no matter how hard she tried.

All her attention was on Tommy.

The way he stood at the far back because he was the tallest out of the five of them. The way he clasped his hands behind his back and kept his chin angled down like he was trying to hide himself away from all the attention.

She noticed his shoulders lifting and dropping every few seconds but other than that, he stayed very still as if he had become a statue in the background. His lips were pressed together in a stoic expression and his eyes were cast down towards his feet. (Y/n) knew he didn't know where to look. Tommy wasn't great when the attention was on him and if he was the only person who had to be stood up there, he wouldn't have done it.

Having the 118 up there with him gave him the confidence to be up there and accept an award (Y/n) knew he was still stunned to be receiving.

Tommy always looked good in a suit, but there was something about this suit that always made (Y/n)'s heart flutter. Maybe it was the logo on the shoulder that showed off where he worked and the bravery he had for the job he did. Perhaps it was just how tall, broad and confident the suit made him look. But something about it was intoxicating and (Y/n) just wanted to take it off, piece by piece.

When Tommy lifted his head and adjusted his gaze from his feet, he instantly locked his eyes on his wife.

He hadn't been listening, not really. He heard what Bobby said, but it seemed to go straight out the other ear and he couldn't recollect the praise he and the team were getting. And it didn't matter. Tommy didn't need any praise and he didn't need this medal, although he was grateful.

All he wanted right now was to be sat down there with his wife and daughter. He wanted to make sure (Y/n) was alright and look after his girls.

His eyes danced across (Y/n)'s frame and his hands itched and his fingers fiddled together behind his back as he gazed at her.

She looked stunning.

Sat there in a cherry red dress which showed off her curves, despite not being tight on her frame. The way her hair fell across her neck, how her head tilted to one side and her smile lit up her eyes when she gazed down at their daughter. Seeing her sat there, softly moving from side to side, almost unnoticable to anyone who wasn't gazing at her the way Tommy was.

And Tommy absolutely adored the sight of (Y/n) sat there with Minnie on her lap, cradled by her arms. He couldn't see his baby girl properly with the distance between them and the chair in front of (Y/n), but he could see the distinctive navy blue bow on her head. It stuck out like a beacon and kept Tommy's attention drifting between her and (Y/n).

His little family.

(Y/n) couldn't refrain from smiling when her gaze locked with Tommy's. She watched his lips curve into a baiting grin and when he winked, (Y/n) quickly cast her eyes down on Minnie.

It took her a moment to realise that Bobby had finished his speech and the chief was now standing up at the podium, ready to give out the awards and medals.

(Y/n)'s eyes flickered between Tommy and Minnie when she felt the newborn start to stir. Her legs started to twitch on (Y/n)'s lap and her tired eyes blinked open and shut, squinting at the bright lights lighting up the station. Her eyes were a pure match for Tommy's hazy blue ones. (Y/n) had been shocked when Minnie first opened her eyes, struck by the deep ocean blue eyes that seemed too majestic and wide for her little head.

She sat Minnie up a little higher in her arm and ran her hand over her chest in circles to try and lull her back to sleep. Just a few more minutes, just until the medals were given out.

Minnie made a quiet yawn that turned into a whimper, morphed around the dummy in her mouth which (Y/n) nudged back so she didn't drop it.

When Minnie's eyes flickered again and her arms began to twitch, (Y/n) changed her approach. She gently held her sides and lifted her up off her lap to rest the newborn on her chest instead. She felt Minnie's face tuck against her shoulder and she began patting her back, slowly nudging her up and down to keep her settled.

Her eyes locked with Tommy once again and she watched the way his brows furrowed and he tipped his chin down. A silent way to ask if she was alright.

She smiled softly and nodded.

Hen was up first.

(Y/n) felt Karen lightly nudge their arms together while her gaze was fixated on her wife, smiling proudly as she was almost bubbling over with excitement. It was lovely to see Hen get the recognition she deserved for her intuition and knowing there was something that wasn't right about the cruise ship. She had put herself on the line to help Bobby and Athena, no questions asked and no thanks necessary.

"Firefighter Thomas Kinard."

Something tickled (Y/n)'s chest and she felt her stomach tightening, trying not to laugh or mumble when she noticed Tommy's shoulders twitch.

He didn't like being called Thomas. It was something his father had always called him before going into a drunken rage or flying off the handle and fighting with Tommy when he was a teen. It was what his mother called him when she was tired and didn't want to deal with him while he was shipped between homes after the divorce.

It was a name he was used to being called when someone wanted something from him or when people wanted to put him down or shove him in his place.

The one and only time Tommy had loved the sound of his name was when (Y/n) had spoken it during their wedding vows.

But he figured this was a good occasion too.

"Daddy's got his medal," (Y/n) hushed into Minnie's ear and kissed her warm, fuzzy cheek all while her eyes never left her husband.

She noticed the faint blush that crept across his cheeks and tainted his neck. She loved the bashful smile he allowed to pull at his features. She noticed how he was desperate to stick his hands into his pockets but refrained and kept them held politely behind his back.

And (Y/n) could see how relieved he was to move back towards his colleagues and blend himself in with them so he was no longer the centre of attention.

Minnie started to whimper on cue as if she knew Tommy had been awarded and now she wanted to liven up and gain some attention, too.

"Shh, baby, it's okay." Her lips smothered Minnie's cheek and she ran her hand in circles over Minnie's back, but she was indeed awake. And (Y/n) figured she was probably hungry which meant she wasn't going to settle down or wait another five minutes.

(Y/n) supposed they had done well. Minnie had stayed settled for most of the speeches and at least she had seen Tommy get his medal. It didn't matter if (Y/n) disappeared to the corner of the station to feed Minnie away from prying eyes. She didn't want to disrupt the ceremony or cause upset for anyone.

Her hand cradled the back of Minnie's head and her other hand supported her legs, keeping her cuddled to her chest while (Y/n) slowly stood up.

Part of her wished she hadn't. Standing up made a horrid cramp tear through her abdomen and when she leaned forward, it seemed to make the feeling worse. But she had to move. She had to get out of the way.

She tried her best to ignore the tension in her abdomen that felt like she was straining when all she was holding was Minnie. And the cramping feeling was similar to a period cramp and close to what (Y/n) suspected a contraction was like since it was her muscles twitching and tightening.

She barely stepped away from her seat before Minnie let out a faint wail, and the dummy spat past her lips and tumbled down (Y/n)'s back to the floor.

Turning on her heels, (Y/n) glanced around before she noticed the blue pacifier on the floor between the seats. Great.

She kept Minnie snuggled into her chest with her left arm and stretched her right arm out for the chair. Her palm pressed into the chair and she slowly tried to lean down, but tilting forward caused her stomach to crease and when her stitches itched and tightened, (Y/n) couldn't help but hiss. Tears welled up in her eyes but she tried to push them aside and change tactics.

Her back straightened and she leaned heavily on the chair to try and crouch down instead.

Her gaze bolted up from the floor and her wide eyes locked with Karen's when she felt a hand on her arm.

(Y/n) stayed crouching beside the chair, frozen in place when Karen gently held her upper arm and leaned over. She reached down and picked up the pacifier, kindly offering it over to (Y/n).

"Thank you." (Y/n) tried to ward off the tears in her eyes as she hooked the pacifier on her thumb.

She didn't know what to do other than hold her breath when Karen moved to hold her elbows and helped her back up.

(Y/n) wondered if the discomfort was written across her face when she stood up because Karen didn't want to seem to let go of her. But she forced herself to smile and walked away from the seats when Minnie began to cry louder, warning everyone of her need for attention.

"Okay?"

Tommy felt Buck lean close to his side and he could feel his eyes upon him but he didn't bother to glance over at his friend. His gaze was focused on his wife. He noticed the jolt that tore through (Y/n) when she tried to bend down and he almost left the group when he saw (Y/n) trying to crouch down.

She shouldn't be doing that. She wasn't supposed to be bending down or leaning over or straining, especially not when she was already in pain and discomfort.

Something simmered down in Tommy's chest when he watched Karen help her and he could of sighed with relief. But unease still ebbed away in Tommy's stomach and adrenaline sparked through his system when he watched (Y/n) walk down between the rows of seats. He noticed how she was leant forward and she wasn't moving very fast.

"Keeping an eye on the girls," Tommy murmured back, clenching his hands around the plaque in his hands while he tilted backwards to look behind Buck towards (Y/n). He knew she had gone over to the pram.

(Y/n) juggled Minnie in one arm and reached out for the bag hanging on the pram handle when she got close.

It was probably in her mind, but she was sure she could feel eyes upon her. She could feel everyone watching her, wondering if she was going to drop anything else. Wondering if she could actually cope with her baby. The thought sent shivers running up and down her spine and she took a second to close her eyes and keep herself together.

The bag slipped from her hand.

It made a thud as it clattered against the floor and (Y/n) couldn't stop the tear that fell down her cheek while Minnie continued to wail into her neck.

Why today? Why in front of their friends and Tommy's colleagues? Why now when this was supposed to be Tommy's day? She didn't want to ruin the ceremony or distract anyone or annoy people with Minnie causing a fuss and she certainly didn't want anyone looking at her and thinking she was incapable of looking after her own baby.

Another tear trickled over the bridge of her nose but before (Y/n) could even think of crouching down, there was a hand on her back and someone had already reached down and collected the bag for her.

"Oh, no I can do that-"

"It's okay, here." A warm smile flooded Karen's face as she picked up the bag and placed it down on the table beside the pram so it was level for (Y/n) to reach into without straining.

"You'll miss the pictures," (Y/n) spoke softly and ticked her head in the direction of the photographers that were gathering round to take pictures of the five heroes.

"Please, Buck and Bobby will have those pictures printed all over this place by tomorrow, and besides, it's not like I'm gonna be in them." The softness pooling in her eyes and the light tone to her voice made (Y/n) want to melt into a puddle. She wasn't bothered about watching the photos being taken, not when she was going to get every copy she could and print them off along with the rest of the team.

She didn't need to see the photos being taken and Karen wasn't a part of them anyway, so being out the way with (Y/n) wasn't a bad thing or making her miss out on anything.

"God, I'm sorry… I'm okay, you go back and enjoy the ceremony."

"Hey," She moved her hand to (Y/n)'s shoulder and leaned closer until they were level. "You've had a big operation less than a week ago, and you're still recovering. Let us help you."

(Y/n) looked down at the pram before she glanced over at Karen. She didn't want to ask for help, but Karen was offering. This wouldn't make her a bad person or an incompetent mother if she had a little help. And she didn't want to put Minnie down in the pram and struggle to pick her back up again.

"Could you?" She silently motioned her arms out, feeling her heart leap when Karen all but squealed and eagerly but gently took Minnie from her.

"Hi baby, hi. I'm auntie Karen,"

Her words made (Y/n)'s smile soften as she turned to go through the bag and find the bottle she had made up at home before they left. She gave the bottle a shake, mixing the water and powder together but she frowned when she heard Karen.

"And here's your brave daddy."

(Y/n) didn't have chance to turn around and look before a pair of arms wound around her waist and she felt Tommy's lips attach to the side of her neck causing her to gasp. She could hear the Chief finishing off his speech and people were just starting to clap. The ceremony hadn't properly finished yet and Tommy had snook away to wrap around her.

"What're you doing? Get back up there, Pilot." She gave his wrist a light tap but she didn't try and break out of his arms while he held her and turned to look at Karen. She was happily swaying Minnie from side to side, comforting her until she could have her bottle.

"Hmm, thought you might need some help… and I missed you." He muttered into her neck, pressing another kiss there just to feel the way (Y/n) shivered against him.

(Y/n) leaned back against Tommy's chest and held her arms out, grinning when Karen gently eased Minnie back into her arms.

Tommy murmured a quiet "Thank you," in Karen's direction, smiling into (Y/n)'s neck when Karen nodded before she headed over towards her wife. The ceremony was finished now and that meant one thing; party time. The buffet would open, drinks would be passed around and someone had already set up the music in the background.

"Do you feel okay? You shouldn't be bending down, honey." He gave (Y/n) a squeeze and fluttered his fingers across her stomach, touching above her stitches so he didn't cause her any pain or irritation.

"You saw that, huh?"

Her eyes cast down to Minnie and she couldn't help but chuckle when Tommy reached his hand up to swipe the mittens from her hands. She was awake now and she wasn't likely to go back to sleep yet, nor was she going to scratch her face at the moment. He tossed the mittens in the bag and curled his hand around (Y/n)'s, holding the bottle along with her.

"Yes, I saw that, honey. And I don't want you overdoing anything please, let me look after my girls." Adrenaline flooded (Y/n)'s chest and surged through her heart when each word was punctuated with a kiss against her neck.

It didn't take long for Minnie to finish the bottle and something sparked in (Y/n)'s chest when she felt Tommy's lips travel up her neck. Open-mouthed kisses planted a trail over her skin until his lips were grazing along her ear and her knees almost gave out.

"My turn." The way he spoke had goosebumps rising on (Y/n)'s skin. She went limp and let him turn her around in his arms before his hands moved down towards her arms, indicating to their girl.

"Don't ruin your suit," (Y/n) whispered, putting the bottle back in the bag and taking out a cloth.

She let Tommy ease Minnie from her arms and she draped the cloth over his shoulder. The last thing he needed was spit or sick down his suit, especially when (Y/n) was sure more pictures would be taken throughout the rest of the afternoon. Not that she thought Tommy cared at all. He wasn't bothered if Minnie messed up his suit, he just wanted to hold his girls.

"Are you daddy's princess, hm?" He held Minnie up high, loving the way her little legs scrunched up to her tummy and she made a little clicking noise before a yawn escaped her lips. "Come on, let's show you off, and get something to eat. Bobby's been cooking."

Tommy eased her down onto his shoulder and began patting her back and gently nudging her up and down. He took the time to kiss the top of (Y/n)'s head, standing as close behind her as he could while he pointed towards the buffet table.

"You can't eat that, princess." He mumbled, gently pulling Minnie's tiny fist from her lips as she began drooling over her hand.

He lowered her down into the crook of his arm once she'd been winded and it allowed him to curve his free arm around (Y/n)'s waist, keeping both his girls close to his chest.

"Whenever you wanna go, just say."

"Why do I get the feeling you're already eager to leave?" (Y/n) looked up at him while both her hands curled around his wrist, keeping him as close as she could get him.

"Because as much as I wanna show you both off, I don't wanna share. Curling up on the sofa sounds great to me."

This was fun, Tommy loved being around this team and a few of the guys from Harbour had come down to support him too. But he would be ready for home whenever (Y/n) wanted to go. He liked to socialise, Tommy was all for being around friends and chatting and getting something to eat and this was a party with the 118. It was always entertaining. But he had his girls now and Minnie was a newborn and (Y/n) was recovering from surgery.

Spending the afternoon on the sofa with (Y/n) in his arms and Minnie beside them sounded heavenly to Tommy.

(Y/n) let Tommy guide them across to the buffet table and she grabbed a paper plate, waiting for Tommy to point out what he wanted. She knew Tommy would eat more than her, he always did due to the job he did and the time and training he did in the gym almost every day. They could easily share a plate and pick at what they wanted.

"Hey, there's the little lady. Can I hold her?" The eagerness in Buck's voice and the way he bounced from foot to foot had (Y/n) smiling sweetly in his direction.

But she pressed her lips together and rolled her eyes when she looked up at Tommy. He cast his eyes in Buck's direction, giving him a short, sideways glance before he looked down at his daughter and a simple "Nope." passed his lips.

"Baby, be nice." (Y/n) pecked his neck and she noticed his brow quirk and how hard he tried to keep his expression stoic. He was only playing around. He wanted to keep Minnie in his arm because she was settled with Tommy swaying her up and down, rocking and lulling her to stay calm.

Buck noted how tiny Minnie looked in Tommy's arm. She didn't seem to fit the expanse of his arm, she barely measured from his elbow to his wrist and when Tommy flexed his muscles, she was almost completely hidden from view. And Buck loved kids, he was desperate to cuddle her and hold her and see if she would settle with him like most kids seemed to do.

"C'mon, just a little hold, please? She's such a cutie."

Tommy's response had (Y/n) chuckling and Buck rolling his eyes. "Of course she's cute. She takes after me."

[ghosttotheparty]

hi for the writing prompt ask? could you do steddie + 3 or 97 you pick!

(love your writing sm 💕)

thank you sm!!! <3 i did both bc i have no self control

dialogue asks

3. “What the hell is that and why are you wearing it?” 97. “I definitely wasn’t hanging around here hoping to bump into you or anything...” (i changed this one a bit to fit the dialogue more)

Eddie heard a rumour.

Steve Harrington works at Starcourt.

Everybody thought he’d be off to college, Stanford or some other college too expensive for Eddie to even consider applying to. (Not that any of them could possibly accept him in the first place.)

It’s summertime. Gareth is in San Antonio visiting his grandparents, and Jeff is in Chicago visiting his dad, and Paul is in Michigan for some reason. (Eddie can’t remember.) And Eddie is beginning to go a little crazy stuck in his room with nothing to do (he supposes he could study his schoolwork from last year, but… Ew.), and the air conditioner in the trailer isn’t very good, and he thinks he might melt.

So he goes to Starcourt.

With no ulterior motives, obviously. It’s just hot. And Starcourt is nice and cool inside, and he doesn’t get bored at all, wandering and browsing, and definitely not scanning every store he passes looking for pretty brown hair.

He hasn’t seen Steve anywhere. Not that it matters, because he’s not there for him. Obviously. He’s there to look in the music store, at records that he can’t afford right now and posters he’s like to put on his ceiling. He’s there to sit by the fountain and listen to the water and people watch, and ignore the people that are eyeing him like he stole something. (Which he didn’t. Not today, at least.)

He lets his eyes wander as he sits by the fountain. The sound of it drowns out the noise of the people talking and laughing and shouting, the noise of rubber shoe soles squeaking on the brand new tile floor and the humming of the escalators and the buzzing of the lights. Some girls are finding their places sitting around the fountain, near him. They’re all licking ice cream cones.

“Hey,” Eddie says, leaning toward the girl sitting at the top. She seems to be the group leader.

“What?” she says bluntly, looking him up and down very obviously. He tries not to laugh.

“How much was that?” he asks, nodding toward her ice cream.

“A dollar twenty-five.”

“Oh.”

“But,” she adds, and her friends giggle. “Scoops company policy says you can have as many tastes as you want, so basically that’s unlimited ice cream.” She holds up a finger to make her point. “Loophole.”

He stares at her blankly for a moment before he snorts.

“You’re clever.”

“Yes, I am,” she says, a dismissal, and he turned away with a nod. He reaches into his pocket to find his change, counting the coins and thinking hard.

Fuck it.

“Watch my bag?” he asks the girl, and shrugs in a Sure, whatever gesture.

He hops up and heads toward Scoops, pausing to let some kids pass him before he freezes in the entrance of it.

Because holy fucking shit.

There he is.

Steve fucking Harrington, in all his glory, wearing a cute little sailor costume with a cap on his head. He’s talking to a red-headed girl, looking bored and fed up, and he has to know her, because there’s no way he can talk to a regular customer like that. She’s laughing when she walks away, running to catch up with her friends, and Steve’s eyes follow her, half-smiling and shaking his head fondly before his eyes meet Eddie’s.

His face turns pink, and Eddie grins as he crosses the shop, approaching him.

“Munson,” Steve greets. Eddie looks him up and down, peering over the counter to see his long legs, and the horrific shorts he’s wearing. Eddie loves it.

“What the hell is that,” he says slowly, looking back into his eyes, “why are you wearing it?”

“Work uniform,” Steve says uncomfortably, and Robin Buckley appears in the window behind him, wearing an identical cap on her head.

“Edward,” she says dryly.

“Unfair that Robin isn’t short for anything, Buckley.”

“Hah.” She looks at Steve, who’s moved so they can see each other, looking back and forth between them. “What, you’re not gonna do your spiel?”

“What spiel?” Eddie questions, his interest piqued as Steve’s cheeks flush with colour again.

“Nothing,” Steve says, looking sharply at Robin. “There’s no spiel.”

“There’s a spiel,” Robin tells Eddie.

“What’s the spiel?”

“The spiel is—”

“Stop saying spiel,” Steve says loudly, and Robin and Eddie burst into giggles.

“Do it,” Robin encourages. Steve glares at her then looks at Eddie, who raises his eyebrows expectantly, and he sighs heavily, giving in.

“Ahoy, Eddie!” he says loudly and flatly, imitating enthusiasm. Eddie’s eyes widen. “Didn’t see you there. Would you like to set sail on this ocean of flavour with me? I’ll be your captain.”

There’s a short moment of silence before Eddie bursts into laughter, doubling over, and Steve sighs again.

“Incredible,” Eddie says when he can speak again, still giggling. “Amazing.”

“Alright. Are you here for ice cream or are you just gonna keep making fun of me?”

“This,” Eddie says, gesturing to Steve’s whole body (meaning the uniform, obviously), “is better than any ice cream.”

“Are you sure, ‘cause the USS Butterscotch is pretty fuckin’ good.”

“Oh, positive,” Eddie says, nods. “For sure. Better than any kind of chocolate fudge whatever.”

“Butterscotch isn’t chocolate.”

“I know what butterscotch is,” Eddie says defensively.

“I’m not sure you do.”

Eddie makes an indignant noise, but Robin interrupts.

“Alright, now you guys are just flirting.”

Steve whips around to look at her, and Eddie’s face flushes with heat as he glares at her, mouthing Shut the fuck up. She just grins.

“What do you want?” Steve asks when he turns back toward Eddie, his cheeks pink again.

“Uh. Guess I’ll try the butterscotch.”

“Good choice.”

Eddie watches him shamelessly just because he can, his eyes following him as he flips the ice cream scooper in his hand in way that’s unfairly cool, especially considering it’s an ice cream scooper, as he reaches into the tub of ice cream and scrapes at it. His sleeves are short enough that Eddie can watch his muscles flex and shift under his skin, and Eddie wishes the A/C was stronger in here.

“Dollar twenty-five,” Steve says, setting the cone on the counter, and Eddie holds out the coins, dropping them in Steve's hand. (He ignores the way his fingertips brush his palms.) Steve’s brows furrow as he counts them, and he pauses, counting again. “You’re a dime short, I think.”

“What?” Eddie leans over the counter to look at the change in his hand. “I thought I had a dollar twenty-five.”

Steve makes a face, shrugging and holding the coins out. Eddie’s missing a dime.

“Damn,” he says.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it,” Steve says, closing his hand around the coins and sorting them in the cash register.

“Huh?”

“‘S fine,” Steve says lightly, smiling, and he reaches for the tip jar, looking in it and rummaging through it until he produces a dime.

“Hey,” Robin says loudly behind him. “Those are my tips too, dingus.”

“I’m the only one working right now,” Steve says, dropping the coin noisily into the cash register.

“We have one single customer, you ass.”

Eddie questions her emphasis on single, but Steve doesn’t seem to notice.

“Thanks for coming,” he says brightly, smiling in a way that looks like it’s covering up a different smile, and Eddie takes his ice cream.

“Thanks, Harrington.”

He starts walking backwards out, watching as Steve pushes the cash register shut, his smile softening.

“We get off at five!” Robin calls loudly, and Steve turns around to her, hissing, “Shut the fuck up.”

Eddie winks at her.

“Aren’t they weird?” the girl asks when Eddie goes back to the fountain with his ice cream, and he cackles.

He sits and eats his ice cream as he people watches again, until he gets bored and pulls his book out of his bag.

“Oh, you’re a nerd,” the girl says, and he looks up at her.

“What’s wrong with nerds?” he asks, setting the book in his lap and eating the last of the styrofoam-y cone.

“They’re weird,” she says. Her friends giggle. “I know nerds. My brother’s a nerd.”

“Mhmm. Would I like him?”

“Probably. You know Dungeons and Dragons?”

Eddie grins at her.

“I’m a Dungeon Master.”

She looks him up and down again.

“Yeah, you’d like him.”

“Alright, well, nerd or not, The Princess Bride is a good book.”

“You’re reading about a princess?” one of the girls asks, and they all giggle as he puts on an offended expression.

“What, I don’t look like I read about princesses?”

They just giggle again.

They’re curious about the book, and why someone like him, as the leader so politely puts it, likes it so much, so he scoots closer and flips the book to the front page.

He puts on voices as he reads to them, acting the way he does during campaigns, theatrical and silly to make them giggle.

After a while the leader jumps up when a man calls Erica! loudly, and she waved him over. Eddie pauses, looking up.

“I told you girls to be at the entrance,” the man says, scolding them lightly.

“Sorry, Mr Sinclair,” one of the girls says. “We lost track of time.”

Mr Sinclair looks at Eddie sceptically.

“I’m showing them nerdy things aren’t all bad,” Eddie says, holding the book up, and Mr Sinclair just kind of scoffs.

“Alright, I like that you’re kind of reading,” he says to the girls, beckoning for them to get up, “but I need to get you all home, come on now.”

Eddie stands to help them up as a gentleman.

“Ladies,” he says lightly, waving goodbye as they leave, and they all wave back.

He keeps reading until the mall falls quieter, until he hears the sounds of metal being pulled down to block shop entrances, and he looks up when he hears Robin’s voice.

“—just saying I could have added a tally to the You Rule side, but you whiffed it— Oh, hey, Eddie!”

“Hey.”

“And I’m out of here,” she says brightly, moving to walk backwards toward the exit. “Night, fellas.”

“You don’t need a ride?” Steve asks.

“I biked here.”

“But—“

“It’s still light out, Steve, I got it,” she says, exasperated like it’s a daily conversation. “Don’t worry.”

“No detours,” he calls as she gets farther away.

“Do I like a detours kinda gal?”

“Yes,” Steve and Eddie says simultaneously, and she sticks her tongue out at them.

“So,” Steve says when she’s gone, turning to look at Eddie, who quickly averts his eyes from the hem of his shorts. “What’re you still doing here?”

“Uh.” Eddie hesitates. Steve seems to know exactly why he’s still here, based on his grin. “Definitely not… waiting around hoping you’d show up. Or anything like that.”

“Uh-huh.”

“So what’s the You Rule thing?” Eddie questions, ignoring the way his cheeks are flushed with heat.

“Uh. Kind of a long story,” Steve says, hesitating. “I can tell you over dinner.”

Eddie’s chest feels like it might explode.

“I would,” he says. “But I only had a dollar fifteen.”

Steve shrugs.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it,” he says lightly. “‘S on me.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Well, I’m gonna,” Steve says sassily, eyebrows raised. “You can’t stop me.”

“I could just… not go with you.”

“But you wanna come with me,” Steve says, grinning almost smugly. “Don’t you.”

It’s not a question, because he already knows. Eddie wonders if he’s see-through. If Steve can look at him and see right through his skin to the way his heart is beating faster just because Steve’s pretty eyes are on him.

“Dammit,” Eddie mutters, standing and snatching his bag. “Yeah.

Steve laughs, turning away.

“Come on.”

[cardcaptorsakura96]

Finding Peace

This is for day 21 of Supercorptober

Fandom: Supergirl

Relationships: Kara Danvers/Lena Luthor

Characters: Kara Danvers, Lena Luthor, Lillian Luthor

Summary: Lex is actively trying to kidnap Lena while she is seven months pregnant. Lillian offers her protection but can Lena and Kara really trust her?

Word Count: 2,990

Lena was lying down on the bed and staring at the ceiling bored out of her mind. She hated being cooped up and unproductive. She has been stuck staying at the DEO 24/7 because Lex has made numerous attempts to kidnap her within the last week. She instinctively looked down and grabbed her pregnant belly. She worried that Lex was trying to get her in order to experiment on the babies. She had two more months in this pregnancy, and she vowed to protect the twins with every fiber of her being. She looked back up at the ceiling and sighed. 

“I just wish one thing in my life could be normal,” muttered Lena. 

As she continued to stare at the ceiling, she heard footsteps approaching her. She looked up and smiled when she saw it was Kara. However, her smile began to falter when she saw that Kara was approaching her with a frown on her face. Lena looked back at the ceiling in despair. 

“Let me guess, Lex figured out where I am now.”

Kara sat on the bed next to her and gently grabbed Lena’s hand. She rubbed her hand softly. 

“He has. He is currently trying to get through to the main entrance now.”

Lena felt tears in her eyes.

She turned to her wife and asked, “Do you think the security will hold?”

Kara sighed and said, “At the rate he is going, he will be able to break through within the next 15 minutes. That is why we are moving to plan D.”

Lena laughed sarcastically and said, “I thought that this was plan D.”

Kara looked down and caressed her face. 

She looked solemnly at Lena and said, “Once I found out about the pregnancy, I realized that I would do anything to protect you and our little peanuts, even make arrangements with people that I hate.”

Lena frowned and asked, “Kara, what did you do?”

Kara looked away and said, “Your mother contacted me. She said that she is able to help.”

“How?”

Kara gradually guided Lena out of bed and into the main hallway. 

As they walked, she said, “Your mother said that she has a place where Lex won’t look for us, and we can hide there.”

Lena raised an eyebrow and said, “I am surprised you are even considering anything from my mother.”

Lena and her mom had been getting along the last couple of weeks since they last saw each other in Chicago. She wants to believe that there is a possibility that her mother has changed. She just hoped that she was being genuine with her offer. 

“We exhausted all of our other options. If she can keep you and the babies safe, that is all that matters to me.”

They walked a couple of more minutes until they got to the portal room. They walked over to the furthest portal station where there was a tech waiting for them. 

“Where are you transporting us to?” asked Lena. 

“Your mother gave us coordinates to a location. Several DEO agents did quick searches on the area and nothing out of the ordinary stands out. However, knowing your mother, she has whatever it is out there hidden in plain sight.”

Kara turned to the tech next to the portal and said, “Once we leave, erase the data from this portal station and the backup.”

The tech nodded and powered on the portal which showed a pinkish large circle.

Kara smiled softly and held up her hand. Lena smiled and gently grabbed Kara’s hand in hers. 

“Are you sure about this?” asked Lena. 

Kara smiled and said, “There is no one that I would rather walk into the unknown with.”

With that, they walked into the portal, hoping for the best.

****

When Lena and Kara arrived at their destination, they were both startled. Lillian was already standing there when they first arrived. That was expected. However, the unexpected part was the environment. They were in a one-room building. Other than the windows and the front and back doors, there were no other items in the room.

Lillian instantly went over to Lena and grabbed her hand. 

“Are you and the babies okay?”

Lena nodded and said, “Thank you for giving us a place to stay.”

“Of course! I know how important it is to have a stress-free environment, and this is the perfect place for that.”

Kara looked around and said, “Well, that makes sense since there is nothing here.”

Lena turned to her mother and said, “Yeah, I know I wasn’t expecting the Ritz, but this seems rather tame even for you, Mother.”

Lillian smirked and said, “I can assure you this place is anything but tame.”

Lillian turned around and said, “Anna, initiate Purple Program 1238.”

The room suddenly got immensely bright with a white light for five seconds and then disappeared. When Lena's eyesight adjusted, she nearly gasped. They were no longer in the small room. They were standing in a forest-like environment. They were surrounded by lavender and trees that had purple leaves and fruit. The sky gave off a purple-like glow. She felt the warm breeze hit her face and engulf her in the scent of lavender. It made her feel tranquil. She turned and saw a light purple path behind them that led to a purple brick house covered in vines. 

Lena turned to her mom and asked, “Where are we?”

“We are still in the same location. We are just using a holodeck now.”

“Like in Star Trek?” asked Lena with a raised eyebrow. 

“Yes,” said Lillian. 

Kara frowned and asked, “How is that possible? Earth’s technology is hundreds of years away from something that advanced.

Lillian smirked and said, “Earth is far behind, but our planet houses alien species from thousands of different planets. It is not really that surprising they would share some of their information with us.”

“Or stole,” muttered Kara. 

Lillian just glared at her and Kara glared back. 

Lena rubbed Kara’s arm which caused her to sigh and look away. 

Lena turned to her mother and said, “This technology is very fascinating. Is this place based on something real?”

Read the rest on AO3

[butterflyintochains]

All We Survey - Chapter Two

Summer break has sadly come to its end, time for rest and recovery from the long 2010/11 NHL season is over, now, it's time to work again. Pittsburgh has called its soldiers home, home to win it a fourth Stanley Cup. As usual, Sid is first back, a captain's duty to his city. Duper, Kuny, and Kennedy are not far behind him. Kris arrives from Sorel a couple of days later, the same time Geno lands from Miami. Erik, heading into his first full season as a Penguin, lands from Sweden the day after. Flower, a dyed in the wool goalie, arrives the same day camp begins. Finally, the core are back on the ice together after far too long apart. Bylsma gathers them in a meeting room, and goes over highlights from last season, discussing what they all did well, and areas for improvement. He also pulls up the preseason schedule. ''Home for three against: Detroit, Chicago, and Minnesota. Then, away for three against: LA, Chicago, and Detroit. Any questions before we hit the ice?''

Kris asks. ''Are we home or away for our opener?'' Dan looks at the schedule, and answers him. ''Away to Vancouver, we get home on the 11th to play Florida.''

James Neal says. ''That's stupid, having to fly across the continent to open our season.''

Ray says. ''That's the roll of the dice, Nealsy, only so many teams get to start at home. Best to just get on with it.'' The boys get suited up, and finally hit the ice again. Sid, still suffering from his concussion, sits on the bench. Geno is under strict instructions to take it easy on his knee. However, Erik and Kris are allowed to just run off the leash together, Kris gets the puck off of Duper, and gets a breakaway, letting it fly past Brent's ear. ''Holy shit, Tanger!'' Nealsy says. Kris gives a wry smile, and adjusts his helmet. ''All in a day's work. Dan, Erik and I wanna show the team a drill we talked about, can we?'' Dan nods, curious himself. ''Yeah, of course.''

Kris and Erik take to the ice, Erik says. ''Right, this came from us rewatching the Fastest Skater event from Raleigh, Kris, ready?'' They set up across the ice from each other, and do three laps each, skating backwards. ''Well done, boys, might be useful for everyone to learn.'' Dan says.

Kris downs some gatorade. ''I agree, in today's game, skating backwards is becoming such an important skill.'' Bylsma gets the entire team, save for Sid and the goalies, doing backwards skating drills. Erik might still be very new, but he's feeling so settled already.

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

Preseason begins on the 21st of September, with a win in style 3-2 against the Red Wings. Then, 4-1 wins against both the Blackhawks and Wild. Then, it's off to LA to play the Kings, Flower asks Erik once they're in the hotel. ''First preseason, Erik, how are you liking things?'' Erik says, smiling ear to ear. ''It's great, I'm only gonna admit this to you two, but I finally feel like a Penguin. I finally feel like I'm a part of this team, and not 'the new guy'.''

Kris beams. ''Well, that's good, because you're kinda stuck with us for the next four years. No one's been weird to you so far, have they?'' Erik shakes his head. ''No, not since Flower's prank in Ottawa, everyone's been great.''

Flower asks, the Arsenal highlights from last week going ignored, not that Erik cares that much right now. ''Do you miss Ottawa, though?'' Erik shrugs. ''Sometimes, but I'm glad to have the team I do now. A team that won't bail out when things get rough. I'd hate to see how they'd handle Sid's concussion, or Geno's knee.''

Kris stretches out on the bed, almost like a cat would when getting comfortable. ''So would I.'' He stares up at the ceiling for a few moments. ''I can't help but feel like Sid's concussion is my fault, you know.'' He says, out of the blue.

Erik sits up, and asks. ''How?''

Kris runs his hand down his face. ''I dunno, maybe I should've been there to protect him, I'm his dman, it's my job, isn't it?'' Flower says, emphatically. ''Your job is to stop people getting to me, not to throw yourself on an altar. This is not, and has never been, your fault, mon chum. It's that Washington player's fault.'' Erik can't help but to wonder if his partner has always had such a martyr complex, has Kris always wanted to fall on the sword for his team mates like that? To the point of him being out with the concussion and not Sid?

They take their game against the Kings 3-2 in a shootout, and beat Chicago 4-2. Their preseason ending with a 3-2 loss to Detroit. Then, off to visit the Sedin twins in Vancouver.

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

The season gets off to a really good start, only marred by losses to Edmonton and Washington in a shootout and overtime respectively. Then, a strange two game loss streak against Buffalo and Winnipeg. They have a big one away against the Wild on the 18th, one that could make or break the month. After the read out, the visitors storm onto the ice of Xcel Energy Center, something to prove from the off. Kuny takes opening faceoff, and executes perfectly. They're up 2-0 by the time second period rolls around, Erik puts them up 3-0, before the Wild rally back to get on the board 3-2 before third period. The visitors pull off the win 4-2, without much fuss. Bylsma addresses the room afterwards. ''Good game, gents, went out there with a point to prove, and you all did so well. Flight leaves soon, so be on the bus quickly, okay?''

The next two games are even better, a clinical 3-1 masterclass at home against the Canadiens, making their hotshots look very ordinary. This is followed by a 4-1 demolition of the Devils on the 22nd. Kuny checks the schedule. ''Really? A home and away against the Islanders? This late in the month?''

Engelland remarks. ''At least we can just get the bus, and the games are two days apart.''

Flower saunters in, munching on a sleeve of Oreos, which are absolutely not in the diet plan. ''You worry too much, Kuny.'' Kris and Erik steal an Oreo each, Kris adds. ''And, Geno is coming back full time in November, so we're good.''

Turns out, the team's current leader's worries were unfounded, both Islanders games go their way.

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

Geno is back full time for training on the 1st of November, ahead of a road game to San Jose. Flower gives Geno a massive hug in the dressing room. ''Welcome back, mon ami.'' Geno smiles brightly, and dons his jersey. ''Thanks, Flower.'' Kris also gives Geno a hug before putting his helmet on. ''Good to see you back, G.''

Geno laughs. ''Good to be back, Legend.'' Erik is last, not wanting to interrupt the friends reunion just yet. ''First full season, Karl, having fun?''

Erik nods. ''Yeah, a lot of fun.''

Kris walks out of the dressing room. ''Boys, Erik's got a new nickname!'' Erik sighs, and resigns himself to the nickname, it could be worse, couldn't it? ''Thanks for that, Geno.''

Geno has a shit eating grin on his face when he says. ''You're welcome, Erik.'' They make their way out to the rink together, Bylsma splitting Kris and Erik up for training today after three months of them being partners. ''Tanger and Engelland, you're the first pair. Erik and Benny, you're gonna be our second pair. Nisky and Bortuzzo will be our third.'' This surprises them both, but they'll make it work, the breaking in system was never going to be permanent.

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

November, it turns out, is a bit more up and down than October was. A shootout loss to the Sharks opening the month up. Before a shootout win against the Kings. A win against Dallas and a loss to Carolina set them up for their game against Colorado on the 15th. Two days away now. The quintet are having a movie day at home before a gym day tomorrow. Sid looking like he's itching to get back on the ice. ''Have you skated yet, Sid?'' Erik asks.

Sid sighs, and shakes his head. ''Nope, doctor says I can next month, though. I'm on light work in the gym for now.'' Kris, fascinated by the timeline, asks. ''When will we expect you back?''

Sid says, cautiously but a tiny glimmer of hope sits in his voice. ''End of the month, hopefully. Although, you've been doing so well without me...'' Flower, knowing where his captain is going with this, cuts him off right there. ''Ah, no, zip it, captain, we need you, end of story.''

Erik grabs more popcorn from the bowl Geno's holding. ''What he said.''

After the movie is done, Sid says, taking one of his many painkillers. ''I've seen the press calling Kris and Erik 'The Twin Terrors' lately. What d'you two make of that name?''

Erik smirks, running his hand through his hair. ''Oh, I love that, that sounds so cool, huh, Kris?'' Defensive pairs don't often get their own nicknames, more often being lumped in with their forwards for a unit nickname. So 'The Twin Terrors' is the coolest thing he's heard in ages.

Kris nods, agreeing with his partner. ''Sounds fantastic to me, the Two Headed Monster and The Twin Terrors, backed up by The Trickster.''

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

The Colorado game is a big ticket event on the 15th, the boys are met by a wave of applause when they skate out for warmups. One thing Erik has learned from his eight months as a Penguin, no city loves their team the same way they do in Pittsburgh. It's been nice not copping the blame for losses too, that was painful in Ottawa. It didn't matter whose fault the losses were, the fans would blame the young foreigner. Here, they're a unit, and treated as such. The game finally gets going, and is probably their best all season so far, the energised Penguins declaring no quarter to their visitors. Going up 4-0 in the second before the Avalanche finally respond to make it 4-2 before the intermission.

Once back on the ice for third period, the Penguins hold the line, Bylsma icing the newly baptised Twin Terrors for powerplay, on which Geno fires home a goal from them both for 5-2. The Avalanche score again, but they respond quickly to seal their best game of the season 6-3. ''Well, boys, I don't quite know what to say tonight except for well done, let's keep this up into Florida.'' Shero says after the game.

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

Florida doesn't quite go to plan, but the team avenge the losses with a 5-0 shutout against the Islanders when they get home, a game with every reason to celebrate, why? The Big Six are finally all together again, Sidney Crosby is finally back from his concussion, and he really makes it count. Both Twin Terrors are taken for press after the game. ''Well, boys, big win against a division rival, how good was Flower tonight? And how does it feel to bounce back after the Florida trip?''

Kris says. ''Flower was amazing as always, hope this win felt good for him after our loss to the Panthers. We're all very happy to get this done after how badly we played down south.''

A journalist asks Erik. ''Erik, this is your first full season as a Penguin, how does this team feel to you now vs back in March?'' Erik sits forwards in his seat. ''It feels great to be here, I feel like I've found my home now, the others have been great, Bylsma is an amazing coach, I've joined a great system, and can't wait to see what the future brings us.''

Another asks Kris. ''How does it feel to have such an elite defence corps to lead now, Kris?''

Kris smiles and runs his index finger down his nose. ''Oh, it's amazing, I'm a very happy 1D right now, we're building something really cool together.''

Finally, Erik is asked. ''Erik, first game against Ottawa on the 25th, at home, how are you feeling?'' Erik thinks for a moment, certain he's being baited, so he says. ''It's gonna be interesting, but I'm a Penguin now, I've already put the time with Ottawa into the past.''

They're both asked. ''How does it feel to finally have the captain back on ice after so long?''

Kris, who knows Sid best, takes this one first. ''I cannot be happier right now, Sid is my brother, and I love being on his unit, so I am very pleased to have my center back.''

Erik nods, and says. ''It's great, I was heartbroken to learn of Sid's concussion while I was in Ottawa, and it's been weird being here and not playing with him. Nice to have the Big Six all on ice at last.''

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

The game against Ottawa is a thrashing of epic proportions, 6-3 to the hosts. Then, a 4-3 overtime win against the Canadiens the following night at Bell Center. Only a loss to the Rangers puts a dimmer on the dominant back half of the month.

December opens with a game against Ovechkin and the Capitals, the same team that's robbed them of their captain for nearly a year. So, they skate for Sid that evening in DC. Playing with spite and swagger, attacking their rival's goal with precision, menacing the offence, Johnson standing on his head to stem the tide. In the end, the Penguins win 2-1 in a heated game. ''That's for Sid, assholes!!'' Benny shouts to Ovechkin as they go off the ice. ''Benny, that's enough, we won, don't piss them off any further.'' Kuny warns him.

Ben just shrugs, and unclips his helmet. ''What do I care if I piss them off? They took Sid out, they deserve it.''

Duper mediates in a way only he can. ''You're right, Benny, but don't make them take you out, y'know? We have cups, they don't, that's all I care about.''

That's something Erik thinks about, the possibility of winning a cup with this team, he has no idea when it'll come, but at least it's on the cards. Ottawa never even seemed close to it while he was there.

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

December is weird, winning in bunches and losing in pairs. After a 6-4 loss to Ottawa on the 16th, the Penguins somehow find their feet again, reeling off an impressive 8-3 win against the Sabres the following night on their return home. Even better, Sid is finally granted permission to skate again after being placed back on protocol after his symptoms have spiked again, no gear allowed just yet, and no playing. But, the core take a friendly skate together the day before the Blackhawks come into town. ''Feels so good to be able to do this again, excited to get back in the saddle.''

Kris pats his best friend on the shoulder. ''Good, I've missed having my center, Geno's great, but I've missed you so much.'' Sid looks emotional. ''I've missed you too, Tanger.''

Kuny warns the captain, taking on the big brother role he usually does. ''Just, take things easy, don't rush yourself back and get hurt again.''

Sid says, nodding his head. ''I won't, Kuny, trust me. This concussion has taught me a lot, I'm finally ready to be the captain our team needs me to be.'' Sid smirks, a glint of humour in his dark eyes. ''Besides, can't wait to see how good our Twin Terrors actually are.'' Bylsma comments. ''They've been a godsend, Sid, even with some small issues for Tanger here and there.''

Erik jokes, nudging Kris' shoulder. ''Our own captain doubts us, Kris, you hear that?'' Everyone just laughs, things are slowly going to get back to normal, in time for the playoff push too!

The Blackhawks go down 3-2, and the Jets fall 4-1 to the Penguins, before christmas break comes, and the team are ordered to rest up for the last half. But, the core six cannot wait to be united on ice at last. During the last team meeting, Ray announces the team members due to go to Ottawa for the all star game. ''Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang... and James Neal. With two dropouts, we have four Penguins going to the game in January.'' The four all stars share an excited look, ready to tear it up together a month in advance. But, they all know not to miss the forest for the trees. Big games ahead, and they need to be ready.

[procrastinatorimagines]

Trapped Part 2

Fandom: Chicago PD

Series: Trapped

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5

Link/prequel to this series and this series respectively

Pairing/s: Jay Halstead x Reader

Warning/s: bomb/explosion

Word Count: 1,357

Summary: Imagine getting stuck under the rubble with Jay when a bomb goes off at Med, with a second one ready to detonate

Masterlist

Blinking in your dais you found yourself staring up at a crumbling ceiling, the only light illuminating the now ruined hall around you swinging to and fro, casting shadows along the rubble.

There were strong arms around you as you tried to rise, coughing as the dust settles. Jay. You turned to face the man beneath you, feeling both glad and guilty that he cushioned your fall as he also tried to sit up.

"You okay?" You asked, shifting momentarily into doctor mode as he winces, realising after a moment that you are still, in fact, very much sat on it.

Scrambling up to your feet you steadied yourself as Jay replied, "I'll live, you?"

You nodded, still shaken by the incident as you offered Jay your hand, pulling him to his feet.

He winced as he rose, only then noticing the bloody gash on his arm. "Oh Jay, your arm."

He glanced to where you were looking, shaking his head, "it's fine, we have bigger things to worry about it," he tried but you weren't having any of it, you'd dealt with more difficult patients.

"Let me take a look," your tone told him you weren't asking as he offered you his arm, the cut just below his shoulder and seeping into his tattered shirt sleeve.

"Here," tongue out the side of your mouth slightly in concentration you tore a strip from the bottom of your shirt and wrapped it around his bicep in a make shift banage, it was thankfully not too deep that it needed stitches.

Jay watched you as you worked, not saying a word, but you could feel his eyes on you as you patched him up as best you could in the circumstances. When you were satisfied you straightened up and nodded.

"Thanks," Jay smiled, flexing his arm slightly.

You both seemed mercifully unharmed by the blast, though, as you looked back to where the door you'd just been about to enter had once stood, you knew that a few seconds later you wouldn't have been so lucky.

The concrete wall took most of the impact, though you couldn't imagine it did much good for the structural integrity of the part of the building you may well be trapped in.

"We were too late," you muttered, more to yourself than Jay as you coughed again, staring at the remains of the door as you did a mental check of all your fingers and toes. You'd been lucky, very lucky. "What now?"

You could sense Jay's attention elsewhere so you turned to look at him. He was looking back, behind both of you, to where the stairs had been.

"Guess we're not getting out the way we came in," Jay told you, looking back, concern on his face that you knew mirrored your own.

"They'll be doing a sweep of the building when they determine it's structurally sound enough, someone will come," you voiced, though you weren't sure whether it was more to Jay or yourself.

"That could take time," he commented, hand on your shoulder to reassure you and you nodded, knowing you were in for a wait before held arrived.

"Well, may as well do something productive," Jay said, looking past you to the generator room.

He carefully stepped over the rubble heading towards the room, the path past it half filled with the remains of wall and ceiling. Even looking up, you knew you wouldn't be able to climb to the floor above easily.

"Where are you going?" You asked Jay, wondering if he'd seen something you didn't as he stumbled over the debris and into the room.

"Just need to take a look," Jay replied. With nothing else to do, you followed, treading carefully behind him. You trusted Jay, no doubt about it, but you didn't trust the integrity of the rest of the building.

You froze almost as soon as you entered, gasping in shock at the scene before you. You were not stranger to death, you'd worked in the ED too long, but this...

Jay closed his eyes and sighed, not as fazed by the sight as you, more defeated, like he'd seen too much.

"He had two kids," you said to no one in particular, just needing to say it, causing Jay to open his eyes again, "they're going to college in September, he and his wife were thinking of packing up to go on a long cruise..."

"Hey, Y/N, focus, okay, breath," Jay put both hands on your shoulders and made you look at him, prying your eyes away from the scene too horrible to describe. "It's the shock, I know, but I need you to focus on me okay? Deep breaths."

You swallowed hard, meeting Jay's eyes and nodding slowing.

"How are you so calm?" You asked finally, when he was satisfied you'd regained enough composure to let go of your shoulders.

"I've been in my fair share of explosions, I'll manage," he said distantly, memories of his time overseas clearing flooding his mind. Focusing on taking care of you was probably helping, you thought, your psychiatrist mind never shutting of.

You were both silent for a moment, considering your situation, and your lack of exit in sight, the only sound breathing... and beeping.

You both heard it at the same time, eyes wide as you look to one another, then around the room at the scene. Broken concrete, metal and wiring from the destroyed generator, shattered boxes and shelves, and, beneath the rubble, the back up generator, collapsed, but mostly in one piece.

Carefully, you and Jay wordlessly moved the shelves and stones off of the machine, the beeping getting louder as you got closer to the source.

Jay found it, pausing in his moments.

"What is it?" You asked, dreading the answer you already knew was coming.

"It's, a second bomb." You blanched at the words, expecting them but dreading them all the same, ice cold fear flooding your veins.

"Countdown?" You choked out the words, jaw quivering.

Jay looked back to where you were stood, "15 minutes." His words were quite, but there was no mistaking them.

"Why... why set them apart?" You asked, looking around and figuring out the answer for yourself before Jay even spoke.

"It gives fire and rescue, and police a change to come rescue any victims-"

"-then gets them too," you finished, feeling sick for more than one reason.

A crackle over Jay's radio cut through the silence, making you both jump.

"Halstead, Halstead come in," it's Voight, you realised as Jay grabbles for the device. It isn't clear, but it's there.

"Yeah Serge, I'm here, Y/N's with me too, we were caught in the blast but are okay for the most part," Jay filled him in on our situation as quickly as possible, eyes never leaving the timer as he spoke.

"Okay, okay, tell us your location and we'll send in a rescue," Voight advised.

"No! No... Hank, listen, we made it to the generator room but," Jay took a breath, "there's a second device, okay? You can't send anyone in."

There was a pause, "how long?"

"14 minutes now," Jay answers solemnly.

Voight swore as the radio crackled again, and you felt your heart sinking.

"Can you get out?" Voight's voice was tense.

Jay looked to you before he answered, your bottom lip quivering before you clenched your jaw fast, focusing on the feeling of your nails in your shaking palms instead of the crushing realisation weighing on your chest.

"No," was all Jay had to say, voice breaking. He didn't need to explain, that was enough.

"We'll figure something out, bomb squad is 2 minutes out, hang tight," Voight promised, never one to give up even when the odds were stacked too high against them.

Jay leaned his head against the radio for a moment, closing his eyes and taking a deep, uneven breath. In that moment you crossed the distance and took his free hand in yours.

When he opened his eyes again, words weren't needed.

13 minutes, no way out, and no hope of rescue in time.

This was it.

Jay Halstead tag list

@nevaehstreater18

[jedusaur]

good things this week:

my boys took out the defending champs and then took Dallas to game 7 and that... is a good thing I guess :/ no but seriously they did spectacularly well this season and I'm really proud of them and excited to see what happens next year

the Firebirds are still killing it though! my man Joey Daccord! 60 saves in triple OT! Western Conference finals up next! let's go!

hit 6 months with Steph on the same day the Kraken got eliminated so we decided to reschedule date night for a day I was not busy lying on the floor staring at the ceiling in despair, so we did our date last night and it was lovely and I love my girl a lot

UNCLE'S DAY OMFG

my brother wears red/orange/yellow tie-dye shirts pretty much every single day and he also likes Ted Lasso so I decided to get on video chat with the fam in Chicago while they watched this week's ep and it was nice to check in with them (they asked somewhat dubiously if I always watch the episodes more than once lololol)

it was my sister-in-law's birthday this week so a bunch of us filmed tasks for her to judge Taskmaster-style and I maaay have taken it a tad more seriously than some others >.> I have not received the final points breakdown but I did get to see the compilation of videos and I am certainly a contender at least

the temperature hit 90 on Monday so I got rocket bae's air conditioner set up and holy christballs my life is going to be SO much better this summer than it was last summer

made iced tea and stuck in a couple sprigs of mint from the garden and that was very nice on the hot days

one of my closest friends started watching Ted Lasso recently and in S1 she was extremely dubious that she could ever like Jamie and yesterday she got to the Amsterdam ep and messaged me that she now loves "one (1) little asshole" :D :D

had to make an important phone call about my health insurance that could have been massively tedious and difficult but actually went very smoothly and for once nobody fuckin called me ma'am

discovered a local business that looks like a great concept but the website desperately needs a copyedit, so I e-mailed them like "any chance you guys wanna hire me freelance to clean up your site" and they actually seem interested! did not really expect that, maybe I should be cold-contacting more often

made stirfry with peanut sauce and cauliflower curry and creamy fettuccine and a super tasty cheese board and then used the leftover blueberry-lemon-thyme goat cheese on a blueberry bagel with fresh basil from the garden (Mom's suggestion) and Bolivian rose salt, and all of it was delicious good job me

some of my plants are starting to emerge! got tiny lil baby radishes, snap peas, chives, and cantaloupe \o/

painted my nails sparkly gold and they look amazing in the sun

[alwaysthesitter]

[ RITUAL ]  for our muses plans to have been ruined by a storm so they stay inside and have sex instead. / eddie “Fucking damnit.” He hissed, glaring at the rain like it was absolutely its fault because, well, it had been. He knew he couldn’t control the weather or anything of that sort, but it didn’t stop him from feeling terribly bad that plans had been ruined. He groaned, turning away from the offensive window at this point, looking back at Eddie who had seemed to be sitting on the couch the entire time while Steve was literally cussing at the weather like it could hear his fury. “Shit, babe, I’m sorry.” 

He had actually been pretty proud of his plan, too. It wasn’t often that things happened in Hawkins, but Indiana as a whole? There were quite a few nice things to do, especially in big towns. Chicago wasn’t all that far either, if Steve really wanted to go all out. This time, he had been incredibly excited when he had found a music festival about forty minutes out of town. Just a one day thing, and Steve didn’t even know if any of the headliners were important, but he had seen the words ‘metal’ and ‘band battle’ and gotten excited to surprise Eddie. 

“At this rate, I’m sure the concerts all got cancelled anyways. I can’t imagine that speaker systems would hold up in this shit weather.” And as if the weather were mocking him, a loud crack of thunder echoed, making Steve throw up his hands in even more annoyance. He flopped next to his boyfriend on the couch, laying his head in Eddie’s lap and staring at the ceiling, narrowing his eyes in thought, eyebrows furrowed and nose wrinkled in the cutest manner. 

“Maybe we could try to have a concert here. You know, I could be like, the bass or something.” Steve laughed, suddenly attempting to make bass guitar sounds - rather terribly - air strumming the sky. “Or maybe not.” He laughed louder at himself, knowing the last thing he was was musically inclined. He’d leave that role to Eddie. “I really wanted to surprise you with a good date today, Eddie. I feel like I fucked up, even though it isn’t my fault.” He pouted, his own brown eyes looking to meet the musicians. “Well, we’re stuck here now. What would you rather do instead?” 

@shatterxdsouls​ 

[noellawrites]

You’re Mine - Yandere!Lip x reader

trigger warning: rape, vomiting, underage drinking

It started out like any other Friday. You would walk across the street to the Gallagher house, stop for a coffee and catch up with Fiona, then drive the three youngest to school.

Growing up across the street from the Gallagher family meant that your life was inexplicably intertwined with theirs, too. You were the same age as the oldest son, Lip, but while he was off attending Chicago Polytechnic, you were stuck at the nearby community college.

You didn’t mind driving the youngest Gallaghers around, in fact you enjoyed it. It was your way of keeping in touch with the family when your lives got busy.

“Don’tcha got anything better to do on your Friday morning’s than drive these boogers to school?” Fiona asked, ruffling Carl’s hair as he walked into the kitchen.

“Of course not! There’s a reason why I didn’t take any Friday classes, you know,” you laugh, grabbing the top of a bagel and heading towards the door.

“C’mon Liam, Carl and Debs! Have a great day at work, Fi!” you shouted as you headed out the front door.

-

“Hey Lip, what’s up?” you asked, answering your phone. You were sitting in your car outside of Carl and Debbie’s school, making sure they made it inside safely.

“You got plans tonight?” he asked coolly.

“Not really, just homework. Why?”

“There’s this party thing happening in the rich kid dorms tonight. You down?”

You hesitated. It had been a while since you’d agreed to a party with Lip— probably last fall when you were still in high school. It wasn’t that you didn’t like him, you just didn’t feel like you were good enough for the smartest, hottest guy in school.

Plus, if anything happened between you two, you wouldn’t want it to mess up your relationship with the Gallagher family; they were like your own family.

“Uh, I guess. Text me the place and time,” you sighed.

“We can meet at my dorm before and pregame,” Lip suggested.

You agreed and ended the call.

-

Later that night, you made your way up to Lip’s dorm room. Once you found the number, you knocked on the door.

“Hey, (y/n)!” he exclaimed, pulling you into a chummy hug. He smelled like pine trees and Marlboros.

“Ready to party?” he asked, pulling you into his room and grabbing a bottle of vodka.

One shot led to two, which led to three, and so on. By the time you and Lip reached the party, you were so drunk that you couldn’t even stand up straight.

You stumbled into a stranger with Lip still holding onto you. “Is she okay, bro?” he asked Lip, who just nodded and tugged you down a hallway.

Your vision was blurry and you could feel yourself going in and out of consciousness. You doubled over in pain and suddenly fell to the floor.

Lip brought a trash can over to you and held your hair back as you wretched, suddenly dragging you over to the bed once you were finished.

“Lip, wh-stop, st—“ you groaned, your body now fully on top of the bed.

You stared at the ceiling, unmoving, confused as Lip hovered on top of you.

Your weak attempts to push him off were futile, as he kissed up and down your neck and took off your clothes.

You lay naked on the bed as Lip briefly climbed off of you, unzipping his own pants and pushing them down.

You felt violated and humiliated. You were beyond disbelief that someone so close to you, so trusted, could do such a horrible thing to you.

You drunkenly cried out, attempting to speak but slurring every word. Lip pushed into you, causing you to groan out in pain. This was not how you wanted your first time to be.

Lip grunted as he pushed into you, using his precum as lube. Minutes felt like hours until he finally finished inside of you, not a condom in sight.

“You deserve this for all the torture you’ve put me through over the years. It was finally time to take what was mine,” Lip said monotonously.

He at least did you the good grace of sliding your underwear back on and tilting your head to the side before leaving you completely alone.

[kaypeace21]

"Rebel robin" easterggs

- Robin's friend is a horror movie fan whos fav movie is evil dead (jonathan has a poster of it in his room)

- Robin's parent's car is the " dodge dart" a ref to Dustin's demodog-dart

-robin and her friends make analogies to zombies (like Will- the zombie boy).

- robin faints. And her friend milton says "blink once for yes twice for no". A ref to what Joyce said to Will in s1.

- robin's other friend has a little sister named el-ie who pretends to be a squirrel. A ref to el killing a squirrel in s2. This is also reminiscent of a scene from the st prequel novel ' suspicious minds' where young-kali pretended to be a tiger (the Hawkins school mascot) & a rabbit (Jonathan's hunting story).

- robin reminds me alot of the byers: she is into photography and rock like jonathan and even worked at the movie theatre like jonathan did in the og pilot. They both like David bowie and cook for their families. She also is poor and wears hand-me down clothes from relatives (like Will). She also is into existential philosophers. Which is also similar to jonathan who had a poster of the poet rimbaud in his room.

- robin is almost run over by a car by a bully while riding her bike: similar to Mike, Dustin, and Lucas in s2

- robin says the best accessory for a girl is her middle finger. Cue max giving the middle finger to billy in s2 XD

- robin (before Will dissapears) sees the quarry and gets uncomfortable and thinks of metaphorical monsters

- similar to how billy had baseball references (along with Will). Robin wears a baseball shirt

- her fav flavor of pie is cherry (like alexi and cherry slurpies). She also gets pissed at a guy sipping a cherry flavored drink- similar to hopper in s3 with alexi

- she cuts her hair and she describes it as looking like a lion. El and Will owned lion plushies in s1.

- robin refs Chicago (kali lives there) and NYC (hopper used to live there), and California (where max and billy used to live).

-tammy's fav song is total eclipse of the heart: the song Robin and Steve sang in s3. Tammy would often sing the song in robin and Steve's class.

- they make references to the hellfire club: she describes a time where she dresses like a cross between a nerd and a rebel. And a mom yells at her appearance saying she looks "goddless' . And another of Robin's friend (kate) is told ' what demon is possessing you, kate?" (hinting at the satanic panic). Meanwhile someone describes Mike and his friends as "hellions' as another hint to this. We also see how alot of parents got paranoid and a bit crazy when Will and barb dissappeared- prob foreshadowing the chaos that will happen if more kids dissappear in s4. Along with the satanic panic

-Robin is visiting her friend Kate at her house. Kate wanted to listen to Madonna together. Max and el listened to Madonna at el's.

- Robin's friend (kate) says "I dumped his ass" in reference to her cheating bf. A little nod to the m*leven breakup

- robin (like Will) felt excluded during the summer cause her friends kate and dash (Kate's now ex bf) were always making out . Sound familiar- cough m*leven

- robin annoyed says " makeouts, breakups and declarations of love all in the span of a week". Wow if that ain't a diss to certain pairing we know in s3 XD

- kate (like mike) says to Robin dating the opposite sex is a part of growing up . Which scares Robin (and Will in s3).

- robin has a nightmare of running down the school hallway with short hair (like el in s2 via the upsidedown)

- robin contemplates shaving her head (like el)

- robin says she likes to sometimes dress androgynous . And found a cool suit. Which we saw in s4 bts pics I assume.

- robin watches a music video where there are duplicate indianna joneses (could be a ref to all the billy duplicates in s3?)

- robin says " I stare at the ceiling. The ceiling stares back. I'm stuck and don't know what to do" a ref to the s3 song with robin called "the ceiling is beautiful"

- a character named Sheena reminds me a bit of Will or el . She is very quiet, queercoded, and is often bullied. And she finds mean notes and other things in her locker- placed there by bullies. A bit like how Will found the zombieboy note in his locker. But sheena can be another name for Jane so ...maybe foreshadowing of el/jane being bullied in highscool?

- when robin hears a hom*phobic comment on tv- she describes the anxiety like a ' thundercloud in a big open sky' and a "chill". Which reminds me of the mf being associated with clouds, thunder, and lightning. And the mf liking it cold.

- robin constantly describes the monster or shadow in her life- whether it be her talking about conformity or the problems of consumerism while she is poor (themes of s3).

- robin before realizing she was gay/crushing on tammy just says " I don't get crushes' which reminds me a bit of Will saying " I'm not going to fall in love" (as the lyrics are " love thats new to you, you open up the door')

-robin on her bike hears something (demogorgan) and runs back to her house , locks the door, and calls her friend- and the phone gets electrocuted. The next day Will is said to be missing. (Another Will paralllel).

- i was right about robin being in theatre. So we most likely will see robin in theatre in s4 (she also auditioned with a friend in the book). So for s4 my guess is she may be in the drama club with dustin- cause in s1 he had a drama shirt

- one of her friends is named milton. Since the documentary 'paradise lost' was on the s4 movie list. Its prob a ref to John milton who wrote the fictional 'paradise lost'. The character Sheena may be a ref to the 80s film/movies *where sheena (jane) was psychic

-Robin's gal pal (kate) and Robin eat m&ms and candies together. Kate jokes m&ms and candy bars are 'foods of the gods'. El ate m&ms in s3. They joke how talking about plural gods (instead of 1) would get them in trouble. In case you are unaware- kali (is the name of a Hindu goddess) and el (is the name of a cannanite god) .

-Robin also mentions hopper's car smells like eggos.

- robin tries running away (like el in s2, max in her novel, and jonathan also wrongfully assumed Will ranaway in s1 too).

-robin tries to get a job at Joyce's, than Bob's, and later gets a job where jonathan used to work

-bob newby describes the byers family as his "home" . Similar to how El describes the Hawkins gang as "home".

- robin says she was friends with barb before nancy. Suspiciously right after she says this- barb grabs Robin's hallpass that says ' glitch in the time space continuim. " the teacher who wrote this called robin a "glitch". Which makes me wonder if my did theory is right- but ...that certain powers at be may also alter memories or things so people assume said people have always been around.Mentioning it cause it seemed suspicious.

-not an eastegg but robin can't believe how nice Bob is. And Bob says the byers filled a hole in his life 😭 . She also felt an instant connection with Will and saw alot of herself in him.And asked if Joyce ever thought of moving like everyone suggested . One of the reasons Robin didn't like steve was because Steve never mentioned how Jonathan took innapropriate photos of Nancy. So everyone at school just knew jonathan as the quiet kid who takes pictures. So to everyone it just seemed like- wow you're bullying the quiet kid who's brother is missing and take away the one thing still left in his life that makes him happy. Which is why everyone assumes jonathan beat up steve later. Interesting to know how general Hawkins (not in the loop) viewed things

- the book referenced alot of previously mentioned movies on the s4 list or from prior duffer interviews...along with a few NEW movies ,books, plays, singers, and songs that I have to analyze for another day ...

[thiswasinevitableid]

if you're still interested in winter prompts, consider: 52. "alternatively, our flights get cancel and we’re two strangers who rent the last available car together (it might be a little dangerous but we’re living on the edge)" for sternclay nsfw? where stern is stupidly hot in his rumpled suit and five o'clock shadow and so stressed it's stressing out barclay too and so barclay needs to do something about it?

O’Hare is a goddamn zoo, even two days after Christmas and even when it’s eight at night. Barclay’s terminal is on the far end, the one for smaller flights to places that are only an hour or two away. His flight is delayed, the line for the lone Starbucks is wrapped around the booth twice-over, the T.V’s are airing the same news story for the fiftieth fucking time, and the only food nearby is the Chicago-style hotdog place. He was supposed to be home over an hour ago, but the “estimated boarding time” is inching closer to midnight.

He’s trying to be chill; the circle of hell reserved for people who yell at airport employees is right next to the one for people who berate their servers. He’ll get home eventually, so for now he’ll just do his crossword puzzles and try to drown out the arguments happening on all sides of him.

Multiple delayed flights mean he’s crowded in on both sides; on his left is an older woman on her cell phone, talking as if she’s at home and not in a very public place. To his right is a man in a suit, one that was immaculate at some point but rivals Barclay’s jacket in how rumpled it is. His dark hair is slicked back like he’s an old-school movie star, and even the slight furrow in his brow as his fingers fly on his keyboard can’t disguise how handsome he is.

Something on the screen makes him mutter “shit” and he shuts the laptop with a sigh. Barclay keeps glancing back at him as he tucks the computer away in an ergonomic bag. There’s a little rainbow Bigfoot pin on the strap, an odd touch for how professional he looks.

Not wanting to be caught staring by a stranger, even a hot, agitated one who looks like he could use a hug, Barclay returns to his puzzle. He counts squares, scribbles in answers, then stalls on page four because one of the central clues just isn’t making sense.

“Chupacabra.”

He looks up at a mr. tall, dark, and anxious, “What?”

“Fourteen across is Chupacabra.”

“Oh, uh, thanks.” He writes it in, finding it fits perfectly.

“I’m sorry, I do crosswords in my spare time and I, um, caught a glimpse of yours and started solving it without really meaning to.”

“Hey, doesn’t bother me, I was really stuck.” He tucks his pen in-between the pages, “you on your way to Madison too?”

“Yes. I was in Dallas for an assignment over Christmas. I know traveling in and out of the midwest during the winter is a crap-shoot at the best of times, but I could have rented a car and been home by now.”

“Dunno, given this weather I bet it’s a parking lot all the way to the Beltline.”

“You’re right, but if I was driving I could–” his phone rings and there’s a flicker of annoyance on his face. A professional smile chases it away, “excuse me.”

Barclay goes back to his puzzle, stealing glances from the grid to the other man pacing back and forth by a far window. He’s arguing but trying to hide it, Barclay can tell from the way he keeps turning his back to the rest of the terminal or rolling his eyes at the ceiling. When he finally returns, he keeps running a hand through his black hair.

On a hunch, Barclay slips a hand into his carry-on and produces a checkered tin.

“Cookie? They’re malted milk with chocolate covered honeycomb chunks.”

“God yes.” The man takes one, bites, and the moans and quickly covers his mouth, “these are incredible, where did you get them? Do they ship?”

“I made them.” He smiles, “can’t stay with family and not bake.”

“I’m serious, if you ship these I’ll buy some.”

That makes him blush, “Uh, if you come by Amnesty Lodge and Coffee House, you can pick them up for two fifty each.”

A smile, “In a foodie city? You know you could sell those for three times that and people would line up for them.”

“I just want people to have something nice with their coffee.”

“Are you on the Isthmus? I’m stuck near the capitol so I-”

“Attention all passengers; Due to weather conditions, all flights are grounded until further notice. Please see your ticket counter to make other arrangements.”

“Shit” the other man grabs his bags and stands as Barclay mutters, “fuck” and resigns himself to sleeping in the airport.

“All passengers for United flights, please visit your ticket counters for accommodations or alternative transportation vouchers.”

Barclay tucks his legs in to avoid tripping the throng that rushes past them, the man next to him jumping up onto the seat so he’s not knocked on his ass.

“You’re not going to try for a car?”

“Not if it means elbowing people out of the way.” Barclay resists the urge to help him balance by setting a hand on his ass.

“Fair enough. Here” the other man hops down and offers his hand, “join me at the back of the line?”

They creep forward towards the counter, the smiles of the women behind it growing tighter with every patron. It takes a full thirty minutes for their turn, Barclay opting to go second. The hotel vouchers are gone, so they each receive one for a rental car.

Trouble is, when they get down to the lot, there’s only one voucher-approved car left.

“I have to get back tonight.” The other man looks at him, “and I’m betting you don’t want to go through security all over again just to sleep on the floor.”

“Nope.” He can think of worse travel scenarios then stuck in a car with a hot guy, “Promise you’re not an axe murderer?”

“I promise I’m not any kind of murderer.” A smile that’s dazzling even in the low light of the garage, “you know, usually you introduce yourself before asking that.”

“I’m Barclay.”

“Joseph.”

He passes his voucher to the clerk at the counter, “Okay, Joseph, let’s get this show on the road.”

They throw their bags into the back of the Jeep, at which point Joseph pauses with his hand on the door.

“How long have you lived somewhere snowy?”

“Uh, like, ten years?”

He holds out his hand, “I’ll drive.”

Barclay tosses him the keys and climbs in.

Being on the road, even at a snail's pace through a snow-coated Chicago, soothes Joseph’s mounting agitation. Barclay gets that; he hated the nights where he wasn’t sure if his work would be in the weeds more than the times they actually were.

“Mind if I turn on the radio?”

“Not at all.” He eases them over a lane as Barclay flips stations. They settle on a variety one, which leads to chatting about the songs, which leads to reminiscing about high school and college as they inch towards the Wisconsin border. Joseph laughs more, the city lights creeping by making his five o’clock shadow look more like the charming stubble of a rom-com hero.

Barclay is not about to come on to a guy who’s trapped with him, but he’s not above feeling out what his chances might be in better circumstances. He learns Joseph works for the FBI, that he’s an avid runner, and that he’s single.

Just as Joseph is asking his own questions about how Barclay got into cooking and if he has many evenings free when the agent’s phone buzzes from inside the center cup holder. He picks it up without looking , setting his thumb to the scanner and unlocking it.

“Can you tell me what it says?”

“Uhh” He squints at the screen, “he wants to know if the report will be finished by tomorrow.”

“Shit.” Joseph flips their blinker and makes for an exit toward a county road, “not unless I can get home in time it won’t. Thanks, you can just leave it in the cupholder, I’ll…I’ll respond when I’m not driving.” His right thumb drums the wheel, the anxious sound gradually setting Barclay’s teeth on edge.

“Where exactly are you driving? Our exit isn’t-”

“The fastest route isn’t the fastest when it’s a fucking parking lot. Even accounting for the lower speed limits on the country roads, we’ll get there faster.” They turn onto a road where the only illumination is the headlights on the snow.

“Are you sure they’re all plowed?” Barclay braces as they slide along a curve.

“I can drive on snow.”

“That’s not really what I asked.” He mutters.

“What was that?” Joseph jabs the ‘off’ button on the radio.

“Nothing.”

He doesn’t get a response, just more drumming on the wheel, and after a few minutes it’s clear Joseph’s mind is elsewhere. Barclay reclines his seat, deciding sleep is preferable to the agitated silence.

Bzzbzz

Bzzbzz

He ignores the phone rattling like a hornets nest between them. Over the next ten minutes, he counts two dozen texts.

Bzzbzz

“Could you hand me that so I can open it again?”

“Uh, think it might be better if you just wait and deal with all of them when we get back. So you can, y’know, focus on the road.”

“I can multi-task.”

“Yeah well, after you drop me off, you can split your attention between the road and your work stuff however you want.” Barclay tosses the phone into the back seat.

“What the hell?” Joseph glances back, “bring that back up here.”

“Watch the fucking road!”

“I am. Now give me my phone back.”

“No, because I don’t want to die in a crash.”

“We’re not going fast enough for that.”

“You’re missing the point. I mean, jesus, what’s the worst that will happen if you don’t answer right away?”

“You have no idea. Hayes is demanding at the best of times, and if I’m not prompt he could write me up, and one write up means the next brings me even closer to being desked, and that brings me even closer to being firedSHIT!” The car spins on a patch of ice, hidden by the darkness. Joseph manages to steer onto the shoulder and stop the car.

Barclay’s heart is in his mouth and his panicked breathing is fogging up the windows. He forces himself not to yell as he pulls his phone from his pocket, “I’m finding us the nearest hotel. You’re driving us. We’re staying the night so the storm can clear.”

Joseph tips his head back, still white knuckling the wheel, “Fine.”

They reach the Badger Motel and RV park in one piece. The employee who checks them in must think she’s witnessing some sort of break up or Midnight Run scenario from the terse way he and Joseph talk to each other. As Barclay shuts the door against the freezing night, Joseph pats his jacket and curses.

“My phone is still in the car.”

“Just leave it there.” Barclay snaps.

“I can’t. If I don’t answer-”

“You can tell them you’re asleep, or that you were driving. Joseph, please, you’re so anxious you’re making me jittery so please just chill out.”

“...Did you just tell me to chill out?”

“Yes. What, do I need to submit it in triplicate or something?”

Joseph narrows his eyes, “No. I’m just interested in how you think that would happen. I’m exhausted, I’ve got my boss riding my ass, and I’m in a motel room with a man I barely know. Not a space conducive to, I don’t know, yoga or meditation or even a nice bath. How do you suggest I ‘chill out’?” He rests his hands on his hips; the shadow on his jaw, the disheveled suit, the empty side holster, it all makes him look like a disgraced detective who needs to be put in his place.

He has to do something or he’s going to have a massive shouting match with a guy whose only misdeed is, ultimately, being stressed out over his job.

“You wanna know what I think will work?”

Joseph sweeps his hand out, indicating he has the floor.

He steps across the hideous carpet, “You really wanna know?”

The other man doesn’t move an inch, “I’m dying to.”

Barclay grabs the end of his blue tie and pulls. He misses his lips, landing a forceful kiss on his cheek instead.

“Very original, big guy.” Joseph growls, gripping Barclay’s hair with one hand and his belt loop with the other, yanking his head sideways to bite his lower lip before kissing him full-on.

“Thanks” he grunts, shoving his tongue between his lips and pushing him back until the agent stumbles against the shitty, low table next to the T.V.

“Now who’s in a hurry?” Joseph’s fingers knead the base of his neck.

“You would be too if you’d been cooped up with a hot guy all night.”

“I have beenAHnnnnohgod.” Long legs kick out when Barclay tugs on the tie, forcing his back to arch.

“That what you need, baby? Need me to give you something more, uh, urgent” He twists the tie in his hand, “than a fucking text from work?”

“Yes.” There’s a thunk as his head hits the stucco, “but, but you have your work cut out for you. When I’m focused on a work project I’m very hard to re-direct.”

Barclay holds the tie up in front of Joseph’s nose, makes sure he’s watching when he slams his hand into the wall, functionally trapping Joseph’s head in place and forcing him to bare his neck.

“Ohmygod.” Blue eyes squeeze closed, and when Barclay snarls in his ear before kissing the shell of it the agent moans. He drags the wrinkled, grey shirt to the side, and makes sure to smack his free hand down as he sinks his teeth into the skin. Joseph shudders happily under him, wrapping his legs around Barclays as he leaves a deep purple bruise on his shoulder.

“Get your shirt open or I rip the buttons off.”

Joseph’s fingers fly down the fabric as Barclay languidly rolls his hips. The other man’s position is getting increasingly contorted as he urges Barclay closer with his legs.

“You want me to redirect you babe?” Barclay bites the exposed skin above the collar of his undershirt, “I can fucking do that. I, fuck” he grinds harder against the crotch of his slacks, “I fucking direct you to keep your fucking legs open and fucking take what I give you.”

Dress shoes dig into the backs of his thighs, “you’ll have to work harder than that.”

Barclay hauls him upright, kissing him hard and hungrily. He could unzip his jeans to make it easier to cum, but then he’d have to let go of Joseph, lose the feeling of him coming apart in his arms, and he’s not interested in that. He can let his dick out any night, one where a gorgeous guy isn’t letting him fuck him hard enough to rattle the fixtures in a tiny motel room.

“That’s it big guy, fuck, now you’re following directions, ohshit, fuck, yes.” He groans as Barclay bites the crook of his neck, jerking his hips with abandon just to punch more gasps from his chest. He gets almost no warning for his orgasm, pleasure cresting in his stomach as the fronts of his legs bang into the table. Joseph kisses him through it, smiling when they finally pull apart to breathe, “I haven’t made a guy cum in his pants since high school.”

“Babe, I’m pretty sure you could make most guys cum in a used kleenex and they’d thank you for the privilege.” Barclay kisses his forehead, “I, uh, I’m gonna go clean up really quick.”

Joseph nods and releases him, removing his shoes as Barclay grabs a pair of boxers and slips into the bathroom. A few minutes later, he comes out and finds the other man under the covers of one of the twin beds, reading. He’s traded his work clothes for a shirt that reads, “I Brake for Hodags” and doesn’t look an iota less attractive.

“Guess the whole ‘on the table’ thing kinda loses it’s appeal once the heat of the moment wears off, huh?” Barclay turns on the other bedside lamp, not wanting to miss a single expression on Joseph’s face.

“I, um, I was assuming we were done.”

Barclay freezes in place, “Do you want to be? I, I mean, it’s totally cool if you do, I just always offer to get the other guy off.”

A resigned smile, “That puts you ahead of a lot of people. Look, Barclay, it doesn’t bother me that you got off; I was being an irritable, anxious mess and it was the least I could do for you putting up with me.”

“Did…did you not want to do any of that?” Bile swallows his heart and crawls up his throat.

“Oh no, I absolutely did.” Joseph sets the book aside, sighs, “But lord knows I haven’t behaved attractively tonight. I don’t want you to feel like you have to do more with me just to be polite.”

Barclay joins him on the bed, rubbing an edge of the sheet between his fingers, “What if I want to?”

“Then I, I would like that a lot.”

The sudden flight of Joseph’s confidence makes Barclay cup his cheek and guide him gingerly into a kiss. The agent relinquishes the blankets, pets Barclay’s beard as he makes his way between his legs (it’s rapidly becoming his favorite place, made even better by the way Joseph laughs when Barclay nuzzles his face). When he tugs questioningly at the edge of black boxer briefs, Joseph lifts his hips.

“Oh, baby, were you just gonna lay here all wet and hard because you thought I wouldn’t want this?”

“It would’ve stopped eventually.”

Barclay kisses one of the hickeys, “You want my fingers or my mouth?”

“Both. If, um, if that’s okay.”

“Fuck yeah it is.” He shifts down the bed, nips and nuzzles his belly as he teases his dick. Two fingers slide in easily, which he takes as a compliment, and when he draws his dick into his mouth Joseph moans in a new, delicious way.

He takes his time, swirls his tongue and curves his fingers and wonders how anyone could have been with Joseph, could have felt the rapid patter of his heart and his gasps of “yes” as they fucked him and didn’t feel the need to give him the world on a platter in return.

“Can, can you use a little more presSUREohgod” one hand grabs his shoulder, the other musses black hair, “god, fuck, Barclay you’re amazing, you’re so good” his hips jerk and Barclay let’s out a playful, smug growl as Joseph’s legs shake and a relieved, ecstatic moan pours from his mouth.

As Barclay rests his head on his chest, the agent murmurs, “I can’t believe I almost missed out on that.” A weak laugh, “I miss out on so much.”

“Joseph, hey…” Barclay scoots up so they’re face to face.

“I’m sorry. Believe it or not, I’m actually trying to disentangle my work life from everything else. I’m tired of missing movies, of not even having the chance to go to more restaurants, of, of not going on dates because I’m scared to set boundaries. I hate how I got tonight, that I get that way at all, that I put so much of myself into it-”

“There’s nothing wrong with caring about work” Barclay guides him into his arms, “when I was working my way up in kitchens I was a wreck at times. And look, I’ve only known you a few hours, but I can fucking tell there’s way more to you than your job, even if it’s stressing you out.”

“That’s actually reassuring. Assuming it’s not all orgasm based.” He winks and Barclay laughs.

“Nope. Not that it doesn’t help.” Barclay brushes stray strands of hair behind his ear, “uh, if you wanna stop missing out on dates, I, uh, I could definitely help with that.”

“Really?”

“My hours can be weird, but if you want to do, like, a bakery crawl or go for ice cream and laser tag-”

“Yes, yes to both.” Joseph cuddles closer.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re ruthless at laser tag?”

“You have no idea.” Joseph kisses him once, pulls the blankets back around them, “god, I’ve never been so glad to have a flight canceled.”

“No kidding.” He reaches for the light, “wait, do you need me to get your phone.”

Joseph reaches across him and turns the light off himself, “No. Work can wait. This is one of those moments I don't want to miss."

[bethannangel]

Snakes on A Plane

The Academy Is… and Gabe Saporta

September 17, 2022

[deanstead]

I Am The Apocalypse

Pairings: Jay Halstead x Reader; Kelly Severide x Reader (Platonic)

Warnings: Mentions of injury, Mentions of blood

Summary: Mini Episode rewrite of Chicago Fire S03x19 where reader was in Med when the blast went off.

A/N: First Chicago/Jay fic so I hope it’s okay~ Just something that popped in my head while I was rewatching so I just penned it down. Wrote it mainly from reader’s POV so only picked off parts where I felt would fit!

---

(Y/N POV)

I sipped my coffee at the table, dressed in Jay’s hoodie, which was my personal favourite, watching him pour his coffee.

“I can feel you staring.” He chuckled, as another lady stuck her head into the kitchen.

“Hey… Hi. Morning…” Jay glanced at her awkwardly.

“Melanie.” She responded, stepping into the kitchen.

“Jay. Will’s brother.” He responded, handing her the coffee cup.

“It’s nice to meet you.” She responded with a smile, as I watched the exchange with amusement. She seemed to just realise my presence and gave a polite nod before shuffling out of the kitchen to meet Will in the living room.

I raised my eyebrows at Jay who laughed and poured another cup of coffee for himself.

“When do you have to be at work?” Jay asked his brother, a cheeky smile lingering on his face, as Will entered the kitchen.

Will looked at his watch, “About five minutes ago?”

Jay exchanged a look with me. “It’s your first day.” He commented to his brother, taking a sip of his coffee.

“Uh, first and last, as it turns out.” Will replied, not looking up from the refrigerator.

Jay froze. “You’re… joking?”

Will shook his head. “No.”

I checked my phone, vaguely registering the conversation Jay was having with his brother about him returning to New York. 

“Just give it a couple of weeks.” Jay paused before adding, “At least.”

Will turned to face Jay and shrugged. “I got to go.” Will turned to leave, adding, “Bye Y/N.”

I waved, gulping down the last of my coffee as Jay turned back to me with a sigh. I smiled and he took the empty mug from my hands, running it under water in the sink.

As I made to get up, my head gave a dull throb. Again. This stupid migraine hadn’t let up for at least a week. I closed my eyes and frowned, waiting for it to pass, pausing in my movement to get up from the table.

“Y/N?” I could feel Jay hovering over me now.

I cracked my eyes open, looking up at him. “I’m fine. It’s just that stupid migraine.”

Jay’s expression softened. “Maybe you should get that looked at.” He suggested, gently stroking my hair.

I nodded, “Yeah, maybe I’ll go to Med later.”

“I gotta go. Text me, okay?” Jay said, planting a kiss on the top of my head.

I smiled. “Be safe!” I called after him as he turned to give me a wink.

---

I had decided to make Med my first stop of the day after all and I was already sitting in a chair in the waiting room after registration. I had barely been there for 5 minutes when the waiting room became crowded with familiar faces of incoming firefighters from Firehouse 51, supporting incoming patients.

I nodded greetings to those who noticed me as they helped people in. I had been at 51 with Kelly as well as Molly’s with Jay enough times to be on familiar terms with most of them. I settled in for what I was sure was going to be a long wait, only looking up when I heard Kelly’s voice calling out, “Kendra!” as he helped the man he was supporting into a wheelchair.

Kelly glanced around and spotted me. “Y/N? You okay? What are you doing here?” He took a step closer to me.

I smiled at him. “I’m fine, just a persistent migraine, thought I’d better check it out. What’s up?” I asked, motioning to the room flooding with other firefighters.

Before Kelly could respond, a nurse stepped forward. “Everyone, may I have your attention please?” Her call was in vain to the bustle of the now full waiting room. Kelly glanced at her before calling at the top of his voice. “Listen up!”

The emergency room fell to silence almost immediately. She smiled gratefully at Kelly before turning to address everyone else. “All right, we are going to have a very full day here and I understand none of you feel well. But we’re going to need help from you as well as patience. If you’re here because of the ammonia leak…”

My attention trailed off as I noticed a patient get up and make his way nearer to her. My gut gave an uneasy churn as I watched him and I glanced over at Kelly but he wasn’t paying attention to me any longer.

The man dragged a chair towards him, stepping onto it. The nurse had now noticed him. “Sir, not yet, please. I need everyone…”

He swayed a little before he looked at everyone. “If you thought Ebola was a nightmare, I am the apocalypse!”

My eyes caught the grenade in his hand. “Kelly!” I shouted, as the man pulled out the pin.

“Death to all Americans. You’re all dead in two weeks!”

Kelly spun around as I saw Casey exit the treatment room that he had been in.

“Allahu akbar!” he screamed.

I watched in horror as Kelly sprinted towards him, pushing the nurse out of the way and flinging the man onto the ground, the sounds of the explosion drowning out my voice screaming my friend’s name.

----

The aftermath of the explosion was nothing but chaos. I heard firefighters running around, trying to contain the panic, as well as the people who were trying to run out of the emergency room.

“Hey, you okay?” I looked up.

“Y/N?” Will asked again when I didn’t respond.

“Yeah, I think so.” His eyes raked over me. “Let me take a look.” I let Will do what he needed to do and answered questions that he asked me. Satisfied that I wasn’t seriously hurt, he squeezed my shoulder. “Stay here,” he instructed before heading over to another badly injured patient.

I could hear several instructions being called out but only one caught my attention.

“Hey, hey over here! It’s Severide!”

My head snapped up and I clambered to my feet. As everyone came around him, calling his name. Sylvie grabbed his wrist, “It’s a weak pulse.”

Will quickly rushed over. “Let me see.”

Feeling his pulse at his neck, Will looked up. “No. Black tag him. He’s gone.”

I felt my heart drop into my gut. Even I knew what that meant.

Peter spun around to look at Will. “What?”

Will met Peter’s gaze. “The percentages are very low that he’ll…”

A look of rage passed Peter’s face. “I don’t give a damn about percentages.”

Will faltered and I reached out to touch his shoulder, my voice shaking a little. “Will… please…”

Will glanced at me before looking back at Peter. “No problem. Grab a gurney.” I watched as they busied putting Kelly onto a gurney, my heart giving another uncomfortable squeeze as I heard Casey report back to their fire chief outside.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there in a daze, long after they had wheeled Kelly away. “Hey,” I felt a hand on my arm. I turned to face the nurse who had been trying to control the crowd before the explosion. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, before shrugging. “You’re April, right?” I asked her, as she looked at me quizzically before smiling.

“Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about you from Kelly. I’m Y/N.” I motioned in the direction of the treatment room Kelly was now in. She smiled back but glanced at the cut on my forehead. “Let’s just take care of this, okay?”

April helped to plaster a band-aid on my forehead, commenting that it was a miracle I wasn’t that badly hurt.

----

(Jay’s POV)

I turned into the hospital, climbing out of my car before picking up my phone to dial Y/N’s number.

Pick up, come on.

As the ringing died out, I desperately tried Will’s number. “Are you in there?”

“I am. Listen, the guy who blew himself up in here said he had something worse than Ebola.”

I froze. “What, like, he’s spreading it with this?” The pit in my stomach was expanding.

Will affirmed it. “Yeah, every single one of us in here has been in contact with him.” I could almost feel the fear bubbling up inside of me.

“Who is he?” I demanded.

Will’s response didn’t help. “No idea. Do us all a favour and find out, would you?”

“Will, wait…” The line went dead before I could ask him anything else.

In desperation, I dialled her number again, hoping she would answer.

---

(Y/N POV)

Thanking April, I got up as she moved on to help Will and Gabriela with another patient.

As I stood, I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket, exhaling a breath as I stared at Jay’s name flashing back at me.

“Jay?” I answered.

“Tell me you’re not in there.” I could hear Jay’s voice laced with worry.

“Yeah, I am. Sorry.” I replied, looking around at the carnage.

“Damn it.” He cursed under his breath.

Even in this situation, I could imagine the look on his face. “Jay, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

I could hear him sigh. “Look, Will is there too, so…”

I interrupted him. “Yeah, I know. He’s looked me over already, okay? Don’t worry, I’ll see you soon.”

“Y/N…” I could hear his reluctance.

“Jay… you do what you got to do to get us out of here.” I paused. “I love you.”

Jay let out another breath on his end. “Be safe. I love you.”

We hung up and I headed towards a corner of the room, squatting next to a mother and daughter when a part of the ceiling came crashing down, as the girl to scream in fright.

I turned to her. “Hey, what’s your name, sweetheart?” I eyed Otis who ran over armed with an extinguisher to fight the flames and I continued to talk to her, successfully distracting her from the fire. Her mother smiled in thanks at me and I just smiled back. “It’s going to be alright.” I reassured her, my eyes falling again on the treatment room Kelly had been wheeled into, not sure if I was reassuring her or myself.

I looked up again as some firefighters entered the emergency room with ladders and extra extinguishers, knowing this wasn’t a good sign. They clambered up the ladders, changing extinguishers the moment they emptied one. April was going around the room trying to reassure everyone and I squeezed the little girl’s hand and smiled at her.

“Fire’s out!”, “All clear!” The firefighters shouted, clambering down from the ladders.

---

(Jay’s POV)

I stood next to Adam, surveying the computer in front of us inside the makeshift tent we were stationed in.

“Detective.”

I turned to glance in the direction of the voice of Sharon Goodwin, noting the couple following behind her.

“The parents of…”

She didn’t need to say more. I motioned to a few chairs. “Hi. Please have a seat.”

“Is there anything you can tell us?”

The man looked up with pleading eyes. “He was a smart boy. Always nice, helpful. This country has given our family so much. How could this have happened?”

I looked away for a moment. “He claimed to be infected with something similar to Ebola.”

They looked up in horror, as the man closed his eyes, almost as if in defeat. “From his work.”

I frowned, “What do you mean, from his work?” Adam shifted his weight.

“He was working at BHO Labs. They study infectious diseases.”

I looked at Adam. “We got to get somebody down there right now.”

Adam nodded, “I’m on it.”

I turned back to the parents, “What else can you tell me? Anything about who he might have been involved with, planned this with?”

I needed to focus on this. I needed to get them out of there.

---

(Y/N POV)

Casey stopped in front of me. “How we doing?”

I nodded back at him. He glanced at the mother and daughter next to me. “I’m working on getting some food and water in here. Okay?” He smiled before getting up, patting my shoulder.

I watched his retreating back but was distracted by someone calling out to him. “Hey fireman!”

I watched as Casey turned towards the man, who towered over him. “What’s the latest?” he demanded.

Casey frowned. “Everyone’s doing all they can.”

The man’s voice rose again. “What the hell does that mean? No one is telling us anything!”

I flinched; shouting wasn’t something I handled very well.

Casey moved towards him, trying to ask him to calm down. He seemed to give up the fight against Casey, squatting down next to the counter but the next minute, I heard Gabby’s voice, “Matt!” as the big guy swung a pipe towards Casey.

I pushed myself further back into the wall, shutting my eyes, hearing the scuffling sounds. If everyone would just calm the hell down and focus on what mattered, the faster we could probably get out of here. I focused my thoughts on Jay, trying to even out my breathing so that I could prevent a panic attack.

“You doing okay?” Will asked, grabbing my elbow.

My eyes snapped open, darting towards the other side of the room where Casey and April seemed to have handled the situation pretty well.

“Come on, why don’t you come with me.” Will muttered, pulling me up and leading me into a room. Herrmann was inside talking to a doctor, who Will introduced as Diane Claman.

I stood in the corner of the room as Will’s phone rang, and I heard Jay’s voice on the other end of the line. Even at this distance, it felt reassuring.

 “He was working with Marburg, he injected himself with it.” Will repeated to Diane.

“What’s Marburg?” Herrmann asked, frowning a little.

Diane looked at us. “It’s a viral haemorrhagic fever. The Soviets developed it as a biological weapon.” Herrmann and I exchanged a look as she turned back to Will. “Ask them which strain of the Marburg virus.”

“Which strain?” Will’s voice broke the silence again.

“Ravn.” He repeated.

Jay must have said something and Will hung up with an “All right.”

Diane looked up again. “Okay, so now I just have to see if he was past the incubation period and actually infectious.”

For the first time, I spoke up. “And if he was past the incubation period?”

Will looked at me and shook his head slightly.

“It means Aleem was a walking biological weapon.” A grim silence fell across the room.

----

I had wandered to where the rest of the firefighters had gathered, outside the treatment room where Kelly was in.

I could see the doctor extract a piece of shrapnel from Kelly and just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, a spurt of blood shot out from Kelly’s open wound. I heard Sylvie’s voice, “Arterial bleeder!”

I bit my lip as I felt someone take my hand. Gabby gave me a small smile, squeezing my hand. We turned back to the room, as the machine slowly showed Kelly’s vitals stabilising and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

A few minutes later, Herrmann emerged from another treatment room, looking dazed. Everyone looked up at him. “What is it?”

Herrmann let a small smile grace his lips. “Not contagious.” The sense of relief flooded the room as Diane stepped out. “Influenza A tested positive, but the Marburg virus didn’t have time to incubate. Whatever he had in his body died with him.”

The sigh of relief was audible as everyone hugged each other.

Will looked at me and smiled, nodding. “Open up the ER!” he announced, looking around.

---

(Jay’s POV)

I heard the vague sounds of the firefighters cheering outside and looked at Adam.

He nodded, motioning for me to head outside. I patted him on the back, jogging towards the ER, looking above all the heads to see if I could spot her.

--

(Y/N’s POV)

The only thing I wanted to do was to get out of here.

I looked towards Casey.

“Severide’s fine. We won’t be able to see him until tomorrow, anyway. Go.” He reassured me, guiding me towards the exit.

I stumbled out, wincing slightly at the bruises all over my body but peered.

I spotted him almost instantly, the worried lines across his face, scanning the crowd.

“Jay.” I breathed, heading straight for him. I crashed into his arms as I heard Jay’s sigh of relief in my ear. “Oh my god.” He muttered, pulling me into him, wrapping his arms around my body and cradling my head. I could feel how relieved he was as he sank his body into mine.

Quickly, he pulled away, surveying me at arm’s length. “Are you hurt?” he demanded.

I smiled, putting my hand against his cheek. “Bruised, but nothing serious.” I smiled.

“Thank God.” He pulled me back into his arms, holding me tightly as if he was never going to let me go.

Gently he broke away again, kissing me on the forehead. “Come on.” He muttered, gently leading me towards the white tents that I could now see.

“Halstead, get out of here.” Antonio appeared in front of us.

Jay paused, studying Antonio.

“I got you. Go on, get out of here.” Antonio winked at me and I nodded back at him gratefully.

“Thanks.” Halstead and Antonio fist bumped each other and Jay helped me into his car.

We didn’t say much on the ride back but Jay never let go of my hand.

We drove straight to his apartment and I headed straight for the shower, my bruised body welcoming the relief of warm water. Once we were cleaned up, Jay crawled into bed with me and I welcomed it, glad the day was over.

Jay put his chin on the top of my head. “You really scared me today.” He whispered.

My arms wrapped around his torso, I looked up at him.

“If I lost you…” his voice trailed off.

I leaned further into his embrace. “Honestly? I was scared too. Kelly got hurt… I was afraid I was going to lose him… afraid I wasn’t going to be able to see you again… I…” I paused before continuing, “Thanks for being here, Jay.”

Jay tilted my chin gently up so that I was looking at him and smiled. “Always.” Leaning forward, Jay pulled me into a deep kiss, which I leaned into, grateful that this day had ended as well as it could have.   

[y0itsbri]

gallavich week 2021 - day 4 - lyrics

@gallavichthings

space boy, show me the stars you know the galaxies of my heart (from 'space girl' by frances forever)

when ian was little, monica used to take them to the science museum sometimes. while lip rambled to fiona about all the different exhibits, ian was solely lost in the stars.

in the planetarium, ian swore he was weightless. like he felt the infinity. lip had once told him that infinity meant really, really big, and ian felt really, really big.

monica would stretch out under the stars with him and point out the different constellations. cassiopeia was the queen with unrivaled beauty, but ian thought his mom was even prettier.

the only birthday party ian had wanted for his 7th year around the sun was a space themed party. fiona made little alien costumes for baby debs and carl, who looked absolutely ridiculous. ian's cake was a rocket ship, designed by lip with candles meticulously placed for lift off.

lip tried to understand his obsession, listening to ian talk about the stars for what seemed like hours. one afternoon, he came home and stuck little plastic stars on their ceiling. at nights when ian couldn't sleep, he would count the stars and think of his big brother. it helped.

supernovas. black holes. galaxies. big planets. small planets. but they all had their place in the universe. like the gallaghers all had their place in their family.

over the years, it became family tradition to watch cosmos together. at first, it was the only show that ian would pay attention to. but soon enough, everyone was hooked, even kev and v from next door. ian was thankful for his own little solar system.

when ian first met the gruff boy with the dark hair, it felt like his universe had shifted, aligned, in some way. he didn't understand it at first, but he was pulled to him in ways he had never known.

he spent hours gazing into the boy's eyes. so blue. they reminded him of neptune. neptune may be the coldest planet in the solar system, but with mickey, all ian felt was warmth.

some nights, out in the old baseball dugouts, ian would take note of the phases of the moon. ian hoped that mickey's amiability wouldn't just be a phase. he didn't think he could take it if it was.

"you wanna lay out a blanket and look for shooting stars next?"

he did.

on ian's birthday one year, mickey had took him to the rooftop of the abandoned building they frequented. that was nothing new. what was new was the metallic contraption. mickey. "you like it?" "mickey, that's a fucking telescope." "i know what it is, dipshit, we stargazing tonight or what?"

sometimes the club lights in boystown reminded ian of the cosmos.

on one of the occasions when ian's mind turned itself into a black hole, mickey took him outside. it was cold. mickey covered him with as many blankets as he could, but it wasn't enough to warm the chill of his heart. he sat still as they watched the moon and mickey told stories about what he would do if he lived up there, if they lived up there together.

when mickey was gone, he spent a lot of time with the stars thinking about what could have been. he wondered if the stars he was looking at were long dead or still burning bright. he thought he understood what lightyears felt like.

"you ever think, back in the day, this is where we'd be?"

gazing at the moon by the mexican border wasn't too unlike gazing at the moon in chicago. but it felt different, he was split. he silently begged the universe for a sign. he wasn't sure if he heard one.

sitting on his mother's grave, lone in the cemetary, ian stared up at the stars again. he hoped monica was dancing up there with cassiopeia.

ian thought he heard the universe talk to him. he wanted so badly to listen. he needed help. he couldn't do this on his own.

he wouldn't.

on the eve of his wedding night, ian thanked the lucky stars for how they aligned.

in their new home, ian watched as the moonlight glinted off the metallic rings shared by him and his husband. saturn ain't got nothing on them.

ian and mickey sat on their back porch leaned up against each other, watching the dog chase their kid around their yard. ian laughed as his daughter carefully brought him a firefly she had caught in her tiny hands, "look daddy! a star bug!" "very cool, nova! why don't you catch one for dad?" mickey rolled his eyes. he wasn't a fan of bugs, no matter how much they glowed.

ian had always been a stargazer, but mickey. mickey was the one who had truly showed him the stars. what it meant to love so blindingly and bright. what it meant to feel warm and safe in the cold. what it meant to shine in the darkness. he lit up his whole galaxy.

[cheapthrillsbeca]

how about #11?

11. “I thought I would be okay with just being friends but… All I can think of when I’m around you is how badly I want to kiss you and how I can’t do that anymore.”

This is how it starts: with a heat-of-the-moment kiss backstage after the USO tour, when Beca pulls Chloe to her because she just can’t take it anymore. 

Because there’s been this tension building between them for years and Beca’s sick of Jesses and Chicagos getting in the way of figuring out what, exactly, it means.

So she closes her eyes and jumps off the cliff head-first, reeling Chloe in by her hand and covering her mouth with her own. Time freezes and Beca hangs there, suspended, for a single terrifying second before Chloe kisses her back.

She crash lands, then, and keeps crashing, over and over, as Chloe threads her fingers into Beca’s hair, traces along the shell of her ear, hitches Beca’s leg around her hip, pulling her up onto her toes.  

***

Beca is the kind of person who finds comfort in heading down a known path. She sets goals and lays plans and, while she’s willing to deviate from them when it makes sense, she generally knows where she’ll end up.

Tonight, she knows where she’s going when Chloe links their fingers together and pulls Beca to a taxi, to the hotel elevator, to Beca’s own room. 

She knows where it’s going when Chloe walks her backwards until her thighs bump against the bed. 

She knows where it’s going when Chloe helps her shimmy out of her skirt, when Chloe’s boots land heavily somewhere on the carpeted floor.

She knows where it’s going when Chloe’s mouth scorches a wet trail down her body, when all Beca can do is fist her hand in Chloe’s hair and try her best to be quiet. 

So yeah, she knows where it’s going. 

But she doesn’t know where it will lead.

***

This is where it leads: to love bites and sore muscles and sated, sleepy smiles.

To a heady few weeks of awe-stuck happiness. Back in New York, back in their apartment where they’re now free to share their bed exactly as they’d like, thanks to Amy jetting off somewhere before coming home. 

Beca still doesn’t know what this is, but she knows that this is exactly what it’s meant to feel like. 

They spend full days in bed, and when their empty stomachs can’t be ignored they venture out onto dark streets for slices of pizza or cartons of Chinese food or chicken and rice from Beca’s favorite food truck. They sleep tangled up together, even when it’s sticky out and their feeble air conditioner can’t muster more than a cool breeze. They keep their phones on Do Not Disturb and sit together in the bath, Beca leaning back against Chloe and closing her eyes, trying her best to commit every sensation to memory.

Because three weeks are almost up and she’s worked it out; she knows where it will lead, now.

Soon, it leads to emails and voicemails that can’t be ignored.

It leads to signed contracts and packed bags and an ambiguous goodbye.

It leads to missed FaceTimes and unsatisfying phone calls and this heavy feeling in Beca’s chest, like she’s trying to give a part of herself to too many people and disappointing everyone.

***

This is how it ends: with two short texts letting her off the hook.

Chloe [10:03 p.m.]: it’s okay, becs

Chloe [10:03 p.m.]: we tried

***

(Beca isn’t sure she wanted to be let off the hook.)

(She isn’t sure what they were trying for, either. Or that she tried her best.)

(The only thing she’s sure of is that she’s never felt worse.)

***

Eventually, it gets better. Gets easier.

They go back to being friends. 

And it works, for a while. Because Beca’s traveling a lot now and it’d be impossible to see Chloe in this stage of her new life, but it helps to know she’s there, at the other end of the phone.

It’s for the best, she tells herself.

***

(It’s a lie.)

***

This is where it comes to a head: in the upstairs bathroom of Beca’s rented house, during the after-after party to celebrate her album release.

She’d invited the Bellas to come out a few days early to hang out in LA and of course they all agreed -- even Amy, who’s living in Saint Tropez now, apparently.

Even Chloe.

Chloe, who Beca knows has been trying her very best to act like everything is okay between them. 

Chloe, who pretended not to notice that Beca hugged her for a little too long or, once she finally pulled away, that her gaze dropped to Chloe’s lips. 

Chloe, who must have known that Beca was following her up the stairs, because when she walks into the bathroom she doesn’t bother to shut the door.

Beca steps inside the small room and closes the door behind her, stands there with the doorknob pressing into her back. She watches Chloe, who’s at the vanity, palms flat on the marble countertop as she stares down at the sink.

The silence stretches on and on, and Beca doesn’t know how they’ll ever get past it.

Then Chloe makes a quiet sound -- something between a whimper and a sob -- and it cuts through Beca like a knife. Beca rushes over and tugs on her wrist until Chloe turns around to face her. Her eyes are wet, and the knife twists in Beca’s chest.

“I’m sorry,” Chloe says, tensing her jaw and glancing up at the ceiling. “I thought I would be okay with just being friends but… All I can think of when I’m around you is how badly I want to kiss you and how I can’t do that anymore.”

And Beca gets that feeling again, like time has frozen, or like she’s watching this moment unfold from afar, like it’s happening to someone else.

Because she should be the one apologizing. The one saying those words. The one confessing how she feels.

It hits her then, out of nowhere. 

She always knew what this was.

She always knew where they’d end up.

She just didn’t know she knew it. Her mind’s fun like that, sometimes.

Beca steps in and cradles Chloe’s face in her hands. She rubs her thumbs across her cheeks, smoothing the tears away.

“What if we could, though?” she asks softly. 

“Beca…” Chloe lets out a shuddering breath. “We can’t. It’s too hard,” she says, even as her hands land on Beca’s waist. “We- we tried.” 

“I should’ve tried harder,” Beca whispers. She rests her forehead against Chloe’s, eyes squeezed shut. “I was so dumb, baby, I didn’t know. But I can try harder, okay? I promise. Let me try?”

Beca can tell Chloe’s silently warring within herself, struggling with what to do next. Her body betrays her, though, because her arms close around Beca, pulling her closer.

“You didn’t know what?”

And that’s when Beca starts to cry. She holds Chloe against her as she tells her all the things she didn’t know, saving the one chief among them for last. 

When she’s done Chloe doesn’t move a muscle, doesn’t take a breath, doesn’t make a sound. 

(Beca’s plummeting again, down, down, down.)

Then, with a sharp inhale, Chloe tilts her head to the side and finds Beca’s lips. Their cheeks are wet and they’re both trembling, but Beca thinks it’s the best kiss she’s ever had.

It feels like a beginning.

***

She knows where it’s going, now.

She knows where it will lead.

***

(She can’t fucking wait to get there.)

***

This is how it really starts: with Beca’s voice breaking as she reaches the last item on her long list of confessions.

“I didn’t know I was so desperately in love with you, Chlo.”

[sebstanseabass]

Afterglow (A Bucky Barnes AU fan fiction) - Chapter 13

Afterglow chapters

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

A/N: Future you, r u okkkk

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

You stared at Bucky and the gentleman who was with him named Sam Wilson, completely dumbfounded; as if they both had three heads. They were seated across from you, Bucky with a glass of water, and Sam with a bottle of beer in his hand. Sam was just finishing his beer, as well as his speech about his business proposal which had to do with you taking photos of his new products, and models.

Bucky introduced Sam as a long-time friend and an owner of a sporting fit apparel named The Falcons. The name did ring a bell as soon as you heard it. You suddenly remembered passing through it while you and Bucky were strolling down Fifth Street, vaguely telling you about a friend who owned it and six other stores scattered in California, Chicago, London, and Australia (and was planning to branch out more in Asian countries); and here he was right in front of you, hiring you as a photographer for his big-time business.

Sam didn't give you a sliver of time to intervene with his flawless little speech he had committed to memory, as he spoke so fast. Some words were even incomprehensible to you — or perhaps it was just because the world was still whirling around you, given the prior event that just took place.

And now this.

You tried to give Bucky some kind of signal by giving him a look but he encouraged Sam further and urged you to listen to his proposal.

"So, y/n..." Sam rested his hands on the wooden table, his attention solely focused on you. "What do you think?"

If only you could tell him the truth that your mind was completely blank, you would. But you didn't want to embarrass yourself or Bucky for that matter, so you just gave him a smile and did the first thing you could think of. "Mr. Wilson — "

"Oh, you can just call me Sam. There's no need for formalities."

You nodded. "Sam... Do you mind if I have a little discussion with Bucky? It will just take a moment."

Sam leaned back on the cushioned couch of the booth and nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

You didn't give Bucky the time to question why so you immediately stood up, grabbed Bucky's hand from across the booth and dragged his body towards one of the closets the bar rarely used. You closed the door behind you, and switched the light on. Even with the small lightbulb hanging from the ceiling, the inside of the closet still looked dingy, and the dust crawling on the walls and flying in the tight air space were clearly evident.

"Bucky, what the hell is going on?"

"Isn't it great?"

You smacked his arm. "Steve just told me he's getting me fired so that I can focus on my career as a photographer."

"That's even greater!"

You smacked his arm harder this time. "I'm not done." You hissed. "He's giving me one week to figure things out and then I'm fired. If I don't have shit figured out in that one week, I'm not gonna be able to pay for bills. Did you say something to Steve when you came here this morning? Don't lie to me, James."

He was rubbing his arm, brows furrowed. "I told him nothing."

"You showed him the photos I took last night. What was that all about?"

He sighed in defeat. "I just made him realize that you needed to be out there and not stuck here. You said it yourself, y/n, you're stuck in a rut and the only way to get yourself moving is to break from that routine. To go out there and explore the world."

"And then you just swoop in and bring your friend?"

"Yes."

"So, Steve just happens to realize that I needed to go out there and explore the world, and then it just so happens that your friend needs someone to photograph for his business?" You scoffed. "Bucky, do you expect me to believe that this is just one big coincidence? That you're not the one pulling all the strings in this little weird puppet show?"

"Yes, okay, I may have done something about those, said something, but — "

"Oh my god, you can't do that." You had the urge to get some air, and to pace back and forth as you tried to put your thoughts into words, but the space felt tighter the more you spoke. "You can't just walk into people's lives and, and... control everything! This is not just about chasing a dream, this is also about survival. I'm not rich like you. I don't have a safety net when things fall apart. You... You can't put all your trust in me."

"Well, someone needs to." Bucky sternly answered. "And if that someone should be me then so be it."

"I don't even know why you're going to great lengths for me." You looked down on the floor. "I... I don't get it, Bucky. I don't get you at all."

"Hey, hey, hey, listen to me, doll." His hands made contact with your skin, lifting your face to look at his blue eyes. "I apologize for taking things too far, I guess I could act so rash as well but I just wanted to do what I know is right and what would make you happy. Seeing you last night was... heartbreaking."

"So, you pity me." You sighed. "Everybody does."

"Call it what you want, y/n. But people who pity you won't ever believe in you and in what you do. But here I am putting all my trust in you. Your boss Steve does too. And Sam." A smile formed on his lips, making the insides of you flip.

"Your friend Sam sounds like a big deal and he hasn't even seen my photos. How can he trust me to do all this for him?"

"I put my word in for you. I told him if I was wrong, then to hell with me. And if you're worried about people assisting you during the shoot, don't. Sam has people all over and he just needs your beautiful eyes and hands and brain." He laughed. "Sam's a good guy and you're not going to be working for some big corporation. I know you hate those. This is perfect for you, trust me. And right now, all I need you to do is say yes to Sam, say yes to me, and most especially say yes to yourself. Please?"

The atmosphere became lighter, and the room didn't feel that tight any longer. His flattering words forever engraved in your mind. His warm hands stayed on both sides of your face, his face pleading.

You sighed and nodded your head slowly, finally convinced. "Okay, yes."

A grin started to crawl to his face and for a moment, his face drew closer to yours. "Okay, good. Now let's get out of here and tell Sam the good news."

You nodded but a touch of disappointment came, as Bucky's hands left your face. You never knew the presence of Bucky's skin against yours was one thing you could miss. You didn't even know if you should.

As soon as you sat down, you told Sam the good news and quickly ordered a bottle of champagne. You were supposed to get it for them but Bucky told you to sit down and let loose for a while, so you did.

Nat approached the booth with the cold champagne, and some glasses. She bent down and whispered to you, "You better tell me what's going on here. I wanna hear everything."

Sure, she did. Nat always wanted to. When it comes to water cooler gossip or any kind of gossip for that matter, Nat always wanted to dig her nose into other people's stuff. With a wink and a slight sway on the hips, she retreated to the counter and took more of people's orders. Beside her, you noticed Nick steal a glance in your direction but was averted away by people trying to get their drinks.

"Alright, let's toast." Sam declared. Bucky was just finishing filling yours when you focused your attention back at the two gentlemen in front of you. You thanked Bucky and mirrored Sam as he raised his glass. Bucky followed, his eyes with a luster glaze on you. "To new partners, beginnings, and to y/n."

"Thank you, Sam." You laughed, clinking your glasses. "And to Bucky, for trusting me enough to do this."

"To Bucky who wouldn't leave me alone until I said yes." Sam replied, emptying his glass.

You gave Bucky a look and shook your head. Being the cheeky man he was, the ends of his lips curved slightly which triggered the beat of your heart. The sudden changes you have been feeling when it came to Bucky have been scaring you but it wasn't a "bad scary"; it was the kind that excited everything inside you. A thrilling feeling that left you wanting more.

At the taste of the sprinkling cold champagne, for a moment, you were brought back to last night's events. A montage-like of red, blue and white lights illuminating the street, Howard waiting in the limousine, Wandavision, and then Bucky. After that, it was just Bucky's presence beside you and as you looked back at him, all you could think about was his soft warm lips pressed on your forehead. The entirety of it felt like you were living a dream — there were parts you couldn't remember and parts that you could, and the latter were just the ones you kept replaying in mind (even with Bucky in front of you), trying to imbue this dream-like memory and convince yourself that it was a memory.

Nat's voice pulled you out of your thoughts (and boy, were you thankful for it). "Hey, your shift's almost ending." She reminded you, passing by the booth, then turned to face Bucky and Sam. "Anything you want from the menu, boys?"

"No, thank you." Bucky replied then turned to you. "We should also be heading up."

"Oh." Nat's change in voice was so evident that you wanted to pull her out of here as soon as possible. "You guys are heading up, huh?" She teased, her eyes now on you.

"It's not what you think." You said. "He's just looking after me. Parker's gone to some corporate retreat for a week."

"Man, you're a babysitter!" Sam butted in, punching Bucky's arm lightly. "Oh, I can't believe this."

"No, I'm not."

"You can't even take care of your damn self, how are you gonna take care of her?"

"Shut up, Sam!"

"He's actually taking good care of me." You said, looking at Bucky.

"I'm sure he is." Nat chuckled which made you step on her foot. She cleared her throat in response.

"Anyway, I gotta go say goodbye to Steve." You said, standing up. "Hey Nat, do you want me to say hi to him for you?"

With her mouth slightly open, and eyes furrowed, she replied very slowly. "No."

You smirked. "Okay then."

You headed towards Steve's office, leaving Nat stunned in her place. Steve's office was slightly open so you didn't bother knocking and just went inside. "Hey, Steve. I'm off for tonight."

"Sure." He replied. "Hey, about earlier."

"What about it?"

"I'm doing it because I truly believe in you." He smiled. "And your new friend Bucky does so too."

You smiled at him right back. "Yes, Steve. Thank you."

"Take care, y/n."

"You too, boss!"

And with that, you headed towards the booth where Bucky and Sam were.

Out on the side of the street, the three of you parted ways, Sam hailing a cab and you and Bucky heading towards the apartment building. Once the elevator doors opened, you stepped inside and was greeted by its metallic smell.

"Hey, Bucky?" You said, quickly grabbing his attention. "T-thank you for this and for basically everything you've done for me for the past few days."

"Please, you don't have to thank me for this. I'm just really glad I'll be able to help you."

"And I promise once I get my shit done, have money and everything, I'm gonna pay you back — "

"Hey, hey, hey." He cut you off. "Who said anything about paying me back? You don't have to do that, okay?"

"But I feel like this is all too much, like, there's this thing tying me to you."

"Is that a bad thing?" He asked.

"When it comes to money, yeah kinda. And you've bought me all kinds of stuff — "

"Y/n, just..." He sighed. "You don't have to do or say anything. You don't have to worry about paying me back and even if you will, I won't ever ever accept it. Can we leave it at that?"

You sighed in response, the little ding! right on time. "Yeah, okay."

By the time you got in the apartment, you practically ran towards your room because of how exhausted you were but before you could even open the door, there was one more thing you needed to do.

"Bucky?"

“Yes?”

"I-I'm sorry again about last night and no," he was about to do his face whenever he cuts you off, "please, don't cut me off, let me finish."

Bucky walked towards you, his back facing Peter's room.

"This is about what I said... when I asked you to, uh, kiss me. You were right to stop me. I was drunk, sad and vulnerable and the moment wasn't right. It wasn't right. I would have regretted it the next day and would be so ashamed to face you. I might actually avoid you for a month." You sighed. "I'm really sorry you had to see that side of me. A kiss at that moment would be really inappropriate. When we — if we ever do, um, it wouldn't be like that... just like what you said. You said that right? You said, and I quote, not like this. 'Cause I keep hearing your voice saying that in my head." Bucky nodded, affirming it. "Okay. Um, yeah so in conclusion... I am sorry."

He slowly smiled, nodding his head. "You make a lot of speeches."

"Yeah, I'm the queen when it comes to it."

"And apology accepted, of course."

You warmed up with a smile. "Okay, thank you. Good night."

“Good night, doll."

Once you turned around, you felt a strong force on your arm, spinning your body which then collided with Bucky's, together with his lips crashing on yours.

It was like an impulse you couldn't avoid: for you to close your eyes, to move your lips in his rhythm, and to savor his breath. He tasted like cold champagne, and mint, with a hint of coffee. His lips, luscious, warm and soft; you were afraid of tearing them apart with your teeth. He kissed you with all the fervor of a lover. A lover talked about in books, movies, in fairytales.

Bucky's hands found their way around your hips, pulling you closer towards his body, while you rested yours on the sides of his face, pulling every inch of him, craving more of him. Slowly, you opened your eyes and tore your faces only an inch apart, foreheads touching. Lips empty but still hungry. You stayed right where you were; You never dared move an inch and so did he. You were still like statues. The only movement was the rapid rise and fall of your breathing.

Bucky's hands slid from your waist. You felt his fingers on the nape of your neck, his thumb tracing your lower lip and giving it a small, passionate kiss.

"Just like this, doll." He whispered. "Just like this."