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earthsparked · 1 month ago

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Sparking Flames

Part Four | one two three four intermission five (AO3 link)

You wake up with a short gasp, confused and fumbling in the dark. No idea where you are, or why you smell a sickening-sweet mixture of dried blood, ozone, pine tar, and...new car smell? You're moving. There's glowing lights on the dashboard. You're in an unfamiliar car, no seatbelt on, conked out in the passenger seat. It's so calm and familiar, reminiscent of long car rides when you were a child, that it takes you a second to realize there's nobody next to you in the god damn driver's seat.

You come all the way awake already lunging for the steering wheel, throwing yourself across from the passenger side and trying to smash the brake down. The wheel won't turn. The pedal won't depress. When the car's engine gives a weird rev and swerves a bit, you shriek incoherently. You've had stress dreams just like this. Next it's going to bounce off the road and into deep water, somewhere, then your teeth will fall out and you still won't have studied for that final exam for the college class on ancient Roman literature you don't remember signing up for.

A voice comes from nowhere and everywhere, alarmed. Whoa! Easy, sparklet, let up on that will you? Scared the coolant out of me, Primus! Do all humans jump out of recharge like that?

What, who. Robot?! Where are you? you ask foggily, grabbing for the door handle in a bid to jimmy it open. Then you cling to it in shock when you realize how fucking fast you're going. Bailing out is not an option unless you want to die in a spectacular splatter of gore on the blacktop. You're grooving down a highway that you don't recognize, but there are thick trees on either side of the road. You could almost believe you're in a self-driving car, but it's too smooth, too quiet, and way too fast. You glance at the speedometer and feel a little sick when you catch the reading, well over 100 miles an hour. How in the hell is this car taking these winding roads at these speeds without crashing?

Oh, so you're the DAMAGED, kind of damaged. Fragging 'Cons.. it grumbles. It's me. I am the car. Remember? Roddy? Hot Rod? Your hero in bitching awesome flame paint that totally looks just like Optimus Prime's? Saved you from Brawl and Ravage? C'mon, sparklet, don't tell me you got a memory wipe in the last couple klicks. Is that, like, normal for humans when they recharge, or do I gotta go Mach Primus to get you to a medic?

...Roddy? you ask, suspiciously, sinking back down into the (luxuriously comfortable) seats. You jolt when the car's seatbelt independently slides over you and locks into place.

So that's what those are for, he says in an ahh, now I get it, tone. Didn't really bother to look much at the cabin specs when I chose this alt mode, just the space for what's under the hood. Needed something that can take the heat, 'cause I'm just that kind of mech, you know?

His rambling is almost soothing, each weirdly enthusiastic, cheerful word calming you. As your pounding heart starts to slow, you fully come back to yourself, memories returning in a wave...

The robot slides down the cliffside with its hand crushing rock along the way, rappelling without a line, with you clutched protectively against its chest. It's a drop zone ride from hell, with no safety bars and a long way down. Just when you think you can't take the disorientation anymore, it leaps the final distance to the ground with a boom – taking the impact entirely on its legs, with barely a tremor getting through to you. It's honestly kind of impressive.

Who are you? you ask, finally, once you're sure you're not about to black out. What in the absolute fuck is happening? Where'd you come from? Why were you fighting those other robots? Why'd you protect me? Why did that one look like a metal mountain lion?

The robot looks down at you with unrestrained glee. You get the impression it's been looking forward to you asking some of those questions. The thought that someone was so interested in talking to you sends a pleasant little flutter through your heart. For a second you think it's about to stop and put you down so it can preen – there's something so young, and energetic, and good-natured about it, though why you feel that way, you're not even sure. But it shakes itself and strides into the woodland. You're well past the hiking trails down here, thanks to the shortcut, and the direction it picks isn't even one you're familiar with.

I'm Hot Rod, Autobot. Better known as Roddy, Rodders, Speedster, Speed Demon, The Pit On Wheels, fastest mech on either side of Andromeda, right-hand mech to Optimus Prime himself -! And..you don't know what any of that means, do you. When you shake your head no, it deflates a little, making you realize that it had puffed up its plating like a peacock ruffling its train. Uh, I'm really a big deal. I'm important, and fast, and I kick 'Con ass. That's all you really need to know.

But I'm not a robot, it corrects firmly, as it pushes through trees. Wincing as yet more leaves get stuck in various places in-between its armor. Robots aren't sentient. I'm a mech. And a - hm, you'd call it a "badass dude." Organics have gender, don't you? What gender are you?

Um, you say, but he keeps on going, both through the woods and running his mouth.

So, Autobots. We're the good guys. We're all from a planet called Cybertron, but the Decepti-dicks are a bunch of slaggers who follow their leader Megatron like their olfactory bulbs are welded to his tailpipe. He's all "look at me, I'm big and scary and I turn into a tank, so I can roll over everyone who stands in my way, hurr hurr." I could take him, he says, conspiratorially. But I just got here on the planet like, today. So I haven't had the chance yet.

Ah, you say, somehow more confused than before.

He seems to notice in that weird way he has, as if he knows what you're thinking, or feeling, or something. He gives you that same soft smile he had back in the middle of the battle.

Look, it's an old war that old mechs have been fighting forever, and then shit happened and a bunch of mechs all ended up on your planet, a while back. Optimus Prime, our leader, sent out a call for reinforcements to help protect you little guys, 'cause the 'Cons don't give a flying frag about organics. Like to stomp you for fun, even.

But you said Revenge -

Ravage, he corrects. Primus though, that'd be an amazing name. I like your language.

Ravage, you said he wouldn't just kill organ- um, humans, out in the middle of nowhere. So what was he doing there? Why did he kill those people? And who were they, what were they doing there in the fire tower? I thought it was weird they had a lot of really advanced-looking radio equipment, not the kind of stuff most of the lookout towers have. And what does this have to do with the attack in town?

Dunno! he said, and you can't miss the glint of excitement shining from him. He's worried, sure, but he's thrilled too. But we're gonna find out. This has gotta be why they attacked your town, earlier. Ravage said maybe we're looking for the same thing they are. Energon? That's that pink stuff you're wearing, but in crystal form. We use it for fuel. But, our scans didn't show any significant deposits around here, so it can't be that. And humans don't have any real use for energon anyway, so what would those guys you talked to want with it?

So it can't be that. They called me a civilian, you remember, piecing it together now that you're not in the full-on grip of expecting to die any second. That means they had to be military. Or maybe, ex-military?

That's a disturbing thought. There's plenty of weird guys with way too many guns lurking around, with really scary and bigoted ideas, but you'd never thought there would be such a group near your tiny town. On the other hand, if they had access to a helicopter and that kind of advanced equipment – that sounded a lot more like some kind of para-military, or James Bond bullshit, not racist nutjobs.

...though you supposed they could be both, which was not an encouraging thought.

Hot Rod didn't, unfortunately, ease your fears. He frowned as he carefully stepped over a little brook, feet sinking into the wetland with an uncomfortable squelch. Can't be military. Optimus and his team made contact with your military ages ago. They even set us up with a base of operations and some supplies, though they're trying hard not to let anybody know we exist. There's this weird intelligence agent, Fowler? I met him this morning. Bet he's having a whole litter of turbofox pups over this slag.

You let that knowledge percolate a while. It wasn't too terribly surprising your government had knowledge of aliens and were trying to keep it a secret. You had to wonder if maybe Guillermo del Toro had ever run into one of these Cybertronians.

Because you were in danger, Hot Rod says suddenly.

Huh?

You asked why I protected you. 'Cause I'm an Autobot, and that's what we do. Help people in danger.

There's a straightforward earnestness to him that's very nearly innocent in its honesty. You're learning quickly that he's a robot - er, mech of intense feelings, not good at hiding anything. You find it makes it easier to trust him. There's probably no chance this guy could keep a secret to save his life. He really means what he says. He even came after you when you disappeared from the battle, even though it meant following your trail through terrain that was not friendly to him.

It starts to sink in you've somehow managed to gain the protection of a giant alien mech. Your own personal jaeger, with bright blue eyes and an easy smile, a funny sense of humor, a quick temper and a big, brave heart.

Though you'd need to have a talk about his tendency to go all Spider-Man without a word of warning, while holding you.

You lean into his chest, where you can feel something like static electricity, something like a heartbeat under your touch. You lean your head against him, a moment of trust. No human had ever done anything like this for you. And here was an alien, only on the planet a day, and even though you'd met him in the worst way possible, you already knew you'd never forget him or his kindness.

Thank you, Hot Rod. For saving me. I didn't get the chance to say it, before. I'm pretty sure you've saved my life at least twice now. So, if that's what being an Autobot is about, you're great at being one.

You'd expected some cheerful bluster, but what you get is a sudden heating of his armor, even some flames licking out of the pipes along his shoulders. You look up at him, and find him staring at you with a sort of startled expression more at home on a doe-eyed fawn that a giant alien mech.

People don't tell you that very often, do they? you softly guess from his reaction. You busy yourself with plucking bits of pine bark and pine needles out of the seams of his armor.

Sure they do! Hear it all the time, he bluffs, and it's so painfully human that you feel dizzy. How can these mechs be so much like you?

Anyway, Ravage looks like that 'cause he's an animal-form symbiont. He's small 'cause he's one of a contingent of several symbionts bonded with this weird fragger named Soundwave. You ever run into a big, spindly mech with a strange voice? Run. There's tentacles.

Hot Rod shudders, and you decide you really don't want to know.

That's about it. The plan now is to put some distance between us and that tower, which would be a lot fragging easier if your stupid planet wasn't covered in this green stuff. Any more questions, sparklet?

Just one. Where are we going?

His strides falter and he looks at you with an expression you can only describe as sheepish. Uh. Was kind of hoping you would know.

When you start to scowl, his face breaks apart into a laugh, and you feel his chest heaving with it. Oohh, the look you just gave me! No, no, sorry, we're cutting through the woods to get to the next highway over. I have um, what do your people call it...GPS? I'm not gonna get us lost. But we gotta make sure we lose -

Then you hear it, the thing you'd been fearing was going to descend on you this whole time, even though the conversation had been a nice distraction. It's the thudding blades of a helicopter, coming closer. Roddy gives a start - had he not been paying attention?!

Hot Rod, they're coming! Do something! you exclaim.

He sounds about as serious as you've ever heard him sound. Right, can't run, time to hide. And then he does...something.

He folds himself around you. One minute you're in a giant robot's hands. The next, the whole world comes apart in a tornado of metal. You catch a single bright flash of light, a lick of flame, and then you're blinking at finding yourself in the passenger seat of the most expensive sports car you've ever seen in your life. You feel too poor just to let your butt touch the seat made of ...it's probably leather? Alien leather? From alien cows? It's sinfully soft, and warm, and you hadn't realized you'd gotten so cold. But the sun has just about set, and you are so, so beyond tired.

Do I even want to know, you say, leaning back against the seat. Why you didn't tell me you can turn into a car?

You didn't ask, he says, predictably, but with the glee of a toddler getting to make that joke for the first time in his life. Now, shh. My cabin is soundproof but my engine throws off a lot of heat. I gotta run silent. No way they'll see us under all this plant life, their radar's gonna scatter all over. Just sit tight, human.

Not human, you mumble sleepily.

Huh? You're not?! Then what the frag are you? he exclaims, jostling on his tires despite himself.

You snort. My name, you goofball. It's not "human." My - designation is...

You tell him, and he repeats it several times, using different inflections. Does that help him remember? Or do robots - er, mechs - just record things for remembering later?

I like it. What does it mean? Did you pick it yourself? Where were you sparked, anyway? Where do humans come from?

Quiet, you remind him, hiding from scary people. Shh. You can't hear the rotor blades anymore, or see searchlights in the sky. They've passed over you, whoever they are.

Warm, comfortable, not alone, if not at all that safe – you fell into a much-needed sleep.

Only to waken hours later, well after dark, confused but slightly better rested.

You lean back into Hot Rod's seats, which you're pretty sure are heated. It's incredible how smooth the ride is. If you'd had any doubts that what you're sitting in isn't a human-made vehicle, that alone would have erased them. It's like riding on air, and the surety with which he steers you is more like a falcon navigating an air current than a human driver trying to steer a two thousand-pound metal deathtrap down backroads of a conservation forest.

You want to go back to sleep, and he tells you that you can. I'm doing some patrolling before we go back to your town. Hoping to catch something on my sensors that could explain what the frag is going on here.

But your stomach growls loudly enough that it sparks a conversation in hurt tones about why are you growling at me, what did I do?! (You're starting to think he's a wee bit sensitive, your new giant alien mech protector.)

I can't remember when I ate last, and - fuck, you groan, as your injuries give a horrid throb. The brief burst of adrenaline had warded it off, but now your side, hip, and most of your body was hurting fiercely. You had raw scrapes from the road rash, and should probably start getting worried about infection.

I really need a doctor. And a bath. And some new clothes. Or at least a place I can wash up.

Yeah, poor little guy, you really got knocked around, he says sympathetically, with just enough condescension that one of your eyes twitches. Ratchet - that's our chief medical officer, he read me and Drift and a bunch of the other guys all these ways to kill a human, so we wouldn't do them. You're like protoforms, you're so - soft.

You'd take more offense to it if his tone wasn't so full of wonder. Though it's hard for you to understand how your smelly, banged-up, completely imperfect body could hold any wonder for anyone, right now, let alone The Pit on Wheels, whose alt mode was probably worth more than some people's entire life earnings.

I think there's a rest stop up ahead, you say, squinting as the sign blows past in the rearview mirror. They'll have a bathroom. If you can stop a minute, I'll get cleaned up and then we can head back to town?

Yeah, I guess we're not gonna find anything out here. Frag it. I was hoping I'd have something more to bring back with us. I uh, kind of disobeyed orders to come after you, he admits. On impulse, you reach out and gently stroke the steering wheel. He doesn't say anything, but his powerful engine purrs gently.

You pull over and groan loudly as you limp into the rest stop. You spend a blissful, yet miserable twenty minutes washing various substances off of yourself. Your clothes are absolutely trashed, but a quick rinse and dry under the automatic hand-dryer has them stiff and uncomfortable but less goopy.

You drink your fill from the sink and drag yourself back outside. Only to find the parking lot empty.

Roddy-? You call, heart sinking. Had he left you?! Without a word? You'd only known him for perhaps a dozen hours, but that strikes you as incredibly unlike him. Getting distracted maybe, but abandoning you? No.

Before you can call out again, gloved hands slam themselves over your mouth and wrap around your waist, heaving you backwards into the confining grip of a tall, muscular body. As you screamed muffled cries into the hand, something sharp pricks the side of your neck, and against your will you fall into darkness.

#transformers x human #transformers x reader #transformers first contact au #human distribution system #oh space cowboy we're really in it now #hot rod x reader #platonic

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tinyshyteacup · 3 months ago

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Tw: cussing, nightmares, fluff

Part 3

Whiskey & Wee Things - Part 4

The smell of coffee lingered in the air, but you barely noticed.

Your hands shook slightly as you washed the breakfast dishes, the lukewarm water rushing over your fingers. You hadn’t really slept—not properly, not in ages—but last night had been worse.

It had felt too real.

The feeling of cold steel against your cheek. The sound of Jimmy O’s voice, laced with that sick amusement. The phantom sting of pain, even though your cheek had mostly healed.

You pressed a palm to your face, fingers brushing over the scar.

Gemma’s sharp eyes caught the movement.

"You didn’t tell him, did you?"

Your stomach twisted.

"He doesn’t need to worry about it," you muttered, placing a plate in the drying rack.

Gemma scoffed. "Bullshit."

You sighed, gripping the edge of the sink.

"It’s just nightmares, Gemma. I’ll be fine."

She leaned against the counter, crossing her arms.

"You can lie to yourself all you want, sweetheart," she said, voice softer now. "But you can’t lie to me. And you sure as hell can’t lie to that biker of yours."

The familiar rumble of a Harley outside made your stomach drop.

Gemma glanced toward the door.

"Guess we’ll find out, huh?" You rolled your eyes.

Chibs' knock at the door was firm but not impatient.

You barely had time to blink before Gemma was swinging it open, her sharp eyes flicking over Chibs as he stood on the porch. He looked like he hadn’t slept much either, though it was hard to tell if that was just the weight of the interim Presidency sitting on his shoulders.

His gaze immediately found you and you could see it—his sharp gaze flicking between you and Gemma, like he knew there was something unspoken lingering in the room, his body tense even though he hadn’t heard a word yet.

"Alright then," he said slowly, tugging off his gloves. "What’s goin’ on?"

You turned away, pretending to busy yourself with the dishes again.

But Gemma?

Gemma didn’t waste time with pleasantries.

"She’s not sleeping," she said bluntly. "Nightmares. Bad ones."

You winced.

Chibs’ eyes snapped to you.

"That true, love?" His voice was quieter now, but there was an edge to it.

You swallowed, focusing on the water still running in the sink.

"I’m fine, Filip—honestly its—"

He was beside you before you could take another breath, one rough hand reaching out to turn off the tap.

His fingers curled around your hand guiding it out if the sink and brushing his thumb over your knuckles—forcing you to look at him.

"Don’t do that tae me, mo chridhe"

Your breath hitched.

His voice had dropped even lower, a rough whisper that sent shivers down your spine.

"Don’t tell me yer fine when yer not"

You felt your throat tighten, your free hand clenching into a fist at your side.

"It’s just dreams, Scotsman."

He exhaled sharply through his nose.

"Aye," he muttered, releasing your hand. "An’ dreams can break a person just the same as any blade."

You looked away.

"It’s over. He’s dead."

"That bastard might be dead," Chibs said, voice dark, "but what he did to ye ain’t."

The words hit deeper than you expected.

Your fingers twitched, instinctively reaching for the scar before you caught yourself.

But Chibs noticed.

Of course, he did.

His jaw clenched, his eyes flickering to your face, to the scar running across your cheek. His thumb lifted, hovering just inches away—like he wanted to touch it but wouldn’t unless you let him.

"Ye shouldn’t be carryin’ this shite alone, love."

You bit your lip, your chest tightening with something heavy, something raw.

"I don’t want to be a burden."

Chibs let out a quiet, almost disbelieving laugh.

"A burden?" He shook his head, stepping closer, his voice dropping to something almost desperate. "D’ye have any idea what ye mean to me?"

Your breath caught.

The kitchen felt too small, too warm.

He pressed his forehead against yours, calloused hands caging your face.

It was so gentle, like he always was when it came to you.

"Ye don’t have to carry this alone," he murmured. "And ye won’t."

Your eyes burned, a lump rising in your throat, you let yourself lean into him.

Chibs’ eyes darkened, as he pulled back, his jaw tightening slightly before he exhaled through his nose. "pack a bag love, yer comin’ wi’ me."

You blinked.

"What?"

He gave you a look that left no room for argument.

"Pack a bag, mo chridhe."

Your fingers curled into the hem of your sweater. "Scotsman, there just—"

"Love, I ain’t askin’."

Your breath hitched.

He took a step closer, voice softening.

"Ye need sleep. Ye need to be looked after. An’ I should’ve done somethin’ sooner." His eyes flickered with something almost pained. "So let me take care o’ ye, aye?"

You hesitated.

You knew how much pressure he was under—running the club while half the guys were inside, trying to keep things from falling apart. He didn’t need this on top of everything else.

"You already have enough on your plate."

Chibs let out a dry, humorless chuckle.

"Aye, well. Takin’ care o’ my Old Lady’s meant tae be on my plate, too." His knuckles brushed your cheek. "Let me do this for ye."

Your heart stuttered.

You weren’t even sure what part of that sentence hit you the hardest—the possessiveness in my Old Lady, or the way he looked at you, like he’d already decided that your needs came first.

You swallowed hard, then nodded.

"Alright, fine"

Chibs’ place was as you expected, nothing had changed since you'd collected things for him with Gemma all those months ago.

It was small but lived-in, smelling faintly of leather and whiskey, but also something cleaner—like soap and faint traces of his cologne.

The couch looked like it had seen better days, his kutte draped over the back. A gun rested on the coffee table, but there was also a book beside it—something old and worn.

You lifted the book and flicked a few pages absentmindedly setting your bag down on the couch, he caught you looking and huffed a small, amused breath.

"Didn’t take ye for the snoopin’ type, lass."

Your cheeks flushed slightly as you jumped. "I wasn’t snooping."

He smirked, but it was soft, lacking the teasing bite it usually carried.

"C’mon, let’s get ye settled."

You hadn’t expected him to take a whole day just for you. But when Filip Telford made up his mind, there was no chance at changing it.

"Right then, love," he said, tossing his keys onto the counter. "Yer home for the day."

You hesitated in the doorway.

"Filip, I—"

He turned back, hands on his hips.

"Ah, don’t start that shite," he interrupted, raising a brow. "Aye, I’m busy. Aye, I got a helluva lot to deal with. But ye know what else I got?"

You swallowed.

"What?"

His expression softened.

"A bonnie Old Lady who needs her Old Man."

Your chest tightened.

"You don’t have to—"

"Stop," he said gently, stepping closer.

Before you could argue, he reached for your jacket, slipping it off your shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world. His fingers brushed your arms—just a whisper of warmth—but it was enough to send a shiver down your spine.

"Yer gonna let me take care o’ ye, aye?"

You bit your lip, feeling your resolve waver.

He wanted to do this.

Not out of obligation.

Not because he felt guilty.

Because it was you.

Chibs was nothing if not thorough.

He made you sit on the couch, tossing a blanket over your lap like you were some fragile thing in need of warmth.

He grumbled about your nightmares and how much work you'd taken on to support his interim Presidency

"Yer stressin’ yerself out, mo chridhe, I can see it." as his knuckles dragged slowly over your cheek.

"Can’t have ye runnin’ yerself ragged, now can I?" He quipped as he stepped away, turning on the kettle and rummaging through the cupboards.

You quirked a brow as he pulled out some teabags and begun making tea. "Here I was starting to think your bloodtype was Jamieson's Scotsman" you giggled.

That earned you a sharp look, but there was a smirk with it.

It wasn’t just the care that got to you, It was the way he did it.

So soft, so natural—like this was something he’d been meant to do all along.

You'd seen this side of him before, but it always managed to completely floor you, how your Filip could be so gentle with you dispite the things you knew he'd done.

You’d seen him protect, seen him fight tooth and nail for the club, for his brothers.

Later, when you’d settled against his chest—his arm draped around you, fingers absently tracing shapes on your shoulder some film flickering across his television—you couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

"Filip?"

"Love ?"

You hesitated, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.

"Are you sure this isn’t… too much?"

His hand stilled.

"What d’ye mean?"

You swallowed.

"I know you’ve got so much on your plate already. The club, the guys in prison, everything with Jax and Clay and—"

"Stop, yer talking in circles now, mo chridhe" he murmured, cutting you off.

He shifted slightly, tilting your chin up so you’d look at him.

"D’ye really think takin’ care o’ my Old Lady is too much for me?"

Your breath caught.

"I—"

"Love," he sighed, shaking his head. "Yer mine. D’ye understand that?"

Your throat burned, emotions threatening to spill over.

And then, softer—

"An’ if ye need me, ye tell me. Aye?"

You nodded, "Alright, Filip" you whispered.

A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips.

"Good." He pulled you close, tucked you against his chest, and whispered, "Yer gonna stay, love. Just for tonight."

"I can take the couch—"

Chibs let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh.

"Christ, woman. Ye think I’d let ye sleep on the couch?" He shook his head, running a hand through his greying hair. "Yer in my bed. End of discussion."

He guided you toward the bedroom—The bed was neatly made, which didn't surprise you.

You hesitated near the doorway, only briefly.

Chibs stepped forward, brushing his knuckles along your cheek.

"I ain’t leavin’ ye alone, lass. Not tonight."

Sleep didn’t come easy.

But when you startled awake, breath ragged, hands gripping the sheets—

There was warmth beside you.

The nightmare had yanked you awake so violently that, for a moment, you weren’t even sure where you were.

Your chest heaved, panic clawing up your throat, the phantom echoes of Jimmy’s voice still ringing in your ears. You could still feel the cold press of a blade against your skin, the sharp sting where it had carved into your cheek—

You gasped for air, fingers tangling in the sheets, hands shaking.

The room was dark, but not empty.

A familiar warmth shifted beside you, and before you could flinch away, a rough, calloused hand covered yours.

"Love."

His voice was soft, hoarse with sleep but steady as a rock.

"S’alright. Breathe for me, aye?"

You tried.

Failed.

Chibs sat up slowly, keeping his movements measured, careful. The bed dipped as he leaned toward you, and in the faint glow of the streetlight seeping through the blinds, you could see the worry in his eyes.

"Christ, yer shakin’ like a leaf." His hands found your arms, rubbing warmth back into them. "What happened?"

You couldn’t answer.

Your breath hitched, shoulders trembling, and before you could break down completely, Chibs moved—pulling you into his chest, strong arms wrapping around you in a way that left no room for argument.

"Shhh, I’ve got ye," he murmured, one hand smoothing over your hair, the other resting against your back, his broad palm spreading warmth along your spine.

You squeezed your eyes shut, pressing your face against his shirt, breathing him in—leather and soap and the faintest hint of cigarettes.

It grounded you.

Made you come back to reality.

His lips brushed the top of your head. "No one’s gonna hurt ye, mo chridhe ’. Not while I’m breathin’."

Your fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

"I—I thought I was back there," you admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Fuck— It felt so real."

Chibs exhaled slowly, and you felt his grip tighten just slightly.

"But ye weren’t." His voice was firmer now, certain. "Ye’re here. Wi’ me."

You nodded against his chest, swallowing hard.

"Aye, there ye go," he murmured, tilting his head to press a kiss into your hair. "Deep breaths now. That’s it."

You hadn’t even realized how shallow your breathing had been until now.

Slowly, carefully, you let yourself match the rise and fall of his chest.

After a while, the panic eased, leaving exhaustion in its wake.

Chibs shifted slightly, pulling back just enough to tip your chin up with his fingertips.

"Ye alright, mo chridhe ?" he asked, voice gentle.

You nodded, though the tension hadn’t fully left your body.

He studied you for a long moment, then let out a quiet hum.

"Dinnae move."

Before you could question it, he pulled away—but only to reach over to the bedside table.

The small lamp flickered on, casting a dim glow over the room. The sudden light made you blink, and Chibs took the opportunity to glance around, scanning the shadows like he was making sure nothing lurked there.

Like he could fight the ghosts haunting your mind with nothing but a sharp glare and the sheer force of his presence.

When he was satisfied, he turned his attention back to you.

"Better?"

You nodded again, throat tight.

"Aye, well. That’s no’ good enough." His expression softened, and he reached for you again, pulling you easily into his lap.

You stiffened slightly, but Chibs just leaned back against the headboard, his arms loose around you—giving you space, but holding you steady.

"Ye know I won’t let anything happen to ye, aye?" His accent thickened slightly, voice low and serious.

Your fingers toyed with the hem of his shirt.

"I know, Scotsman"

He let out a quiet huff.

"Then why do ye look like ye don’t?"

You exhaled shakily.

"It’s not you," you admitted. "It’s just… my head. It won’t let it go ... its like it just keeps replaying."

Chibs was quiet for a moment, then—

"Aye, well. If yer head won’t listen, then I’ll just have tae keep reminding ye myself."

Before you could ask what he meant, he shifted—pulling you closer until your head rested against his chest.

"Ye feel that?" He pressed your hand over his heart. "That’s me, mo chridhe."

He dropped his head, just enough to place a kiss to your hairline. "Ye need tae know each of o' those wee beats have two jobs, make sure yer safe and make sure yer happy, love"

The steady thump-thump beneath your palm made something in your chest unravel.

"Aye, there ye go." His fingers trailed up and down your back, slow and soothing. "Ye’re safe, mo chridhe. I swear it."

You exhaled shakily, rubbing a hand over your face as Chibs guiding you both back down on the bed.

"S’alright," he murmured, rubbing his thumb against the back of your hand. "Ye’re safe, love. Ye’re home."

Home.

You didn’t know if he meant the apartment.

Or him, but you didn't care.

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minziemoon · 5 months ago

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Life Series Rare Pairs I Wanna See More Of

Inspired by everyone else on my tl posting their dream team lineups for a life series season, I decided to do my own by thinking of the most random combinations I can imagine that would be entertaining to witness. Some of these are gonna be more detailed, some are just for vibes, and some for shits and giggles. Also I haven't watched every single pov of every single series, and I have the memory of a goldfish sometimes, so forgive me if these aren't all THAT rare. 🙏

1. Cleo + Jimmy

- This duo materialized itself in my brain after a random wild life episode from Jimmy's pov where he had a near death experience and ran to Cleo for comfort. It's occupied a lil corner of my brain ever since.

- I think Jimmy would really benefit from someone like Cleo on his side. Someone who you know you can rely on and come back to whenever you're in need of help. Unless you betray them, Cleo is such a good teammate and has a mom/older sibling feeling to her.

- I can imagine she'd spend half the season convincing Jimmy not to go poking fun at ppl and making enemies, only for her to snap once someone kills her unjustly and goes on to commit arson apon half the server. Then the roles would switch.

2. Gem + BigB

- The difference between Cleo and Jimmy's paragraphs to these two... I told yall some of them are just fueled by the potential of vibes.

- I have no clue how these two would function together. They barely even interact. But that's exactly why I want them together!!!

- I feel like they'd be really wholesome. Knowing Gem she'd bring out the best in him... but I also feel like B would once again betray or back stab her in some way. Either way I've become too curious and invested now.

3. Grian + Pearl

- The fact that the skyblings themselves are a rare pair nowadays is concerning. They don't interact NEARLY enough. The amount of wasted potential is to cry about.

- I feel like they'd be all up in other ppl's business. If Pearl were to turn red before Grian, I think he'd have the same dynamic with her like with red lifer Scar in 3rd life, supporting and encouraging her crimes from afar, really birthing another menace on the server.

- They'd have the time of their lives while red together and I'd be SEATED.

4. Mumbo + Tango

- One episode they're the most miserable wet cats on the map, the next their trap kills half the server. Their fate as a duo would be a gamble.

- Idk if their combined brain power would cancel each other out or multiple. Most likely cancel out. Because putting an uncontrolable nervous wreck with the ticking timebomb of unhingness CAN NOT turn out positive.

- Still, it would be SO entertaining and probably make for funny quotes.

5. Lizzie + Bdubs

- It felt like my brain glitched a lil when remembering these two.

- I feel like they'd be weirdly wholesome?? Like they wouldn't stress each other out. Maybe Bdubs' vocal coards could finally catch a break from yelling every episode. Also lowkey feel like he'd try his best to protect her.

- Pls Watchers, let them build some cute cotteges in the woods somewhere in peace 🙏

6. Ren + Scar

- Ik they aren't THAT rare to see together, but the fact that they've never been close to teaming before is astonishing to me.

- If Scar doesn't turn Ren's thing with Martyn into a love triangle by the end of the season, no one else ever will. The Red Winter would rise once again, but with two kings this time.

- I just wanna see theater kids have fun, okay? Sue me if you must. Martyn can join in too I would not mind in the slightest.

#life series #life series smp #traffic smp #trafficblr #mcyt #zombiecleo #jimmy solidarity #geminitay #bigbstatz #goodtimeswithscar #rendog #mumbo jumbo #tangotek #ldshadowlady #bdoubleo100 #grian #pearlescentmoon

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masoncantthinkofaname · 3 months ago

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hi love! i hope it’s okay to ask for advice regarding this and it’s not a hassle on you. if so, or you’re not feeling up to it, i totally respect that! i love hearing your story times! they give me a lot of peace to keep pushing 🤍

so i have shifted very much. i have probably more than thirty times, some shorter, some longer. those experiences are so vivid to me that i woke up KNOWING it wasn’t just a dream, some were even awake shifts.

i never once felt like shifting was impossible, me, myself, truly does believe it’s possible. but when i see such negativity regarding it, that it’s not real, or that we’re all hallucinating or just plain lying, i tend to fully doubt my experiences. it’s hard standing strong that i trust myself and KNOW that what i experienced was real.

i also haven’t been pursuing anything romantically cr wise because i don’t have the heart to. my s/o at home is all i want and truly my feelings for him can’t. i don’t wanna half ass a relationship for the other person’s sake and for mine when my heart is somewhere else and not in it here. if it were to happen one day, cool but i don’t wanna force it, you know?

i was wondering if you have any words regarding this and sticking to the path of shifting. i miss shifting more often, but i can’t get their rhetoric out of my head and it lingers that maybe i’m just crazy. and that i’m crazy for not wanting anything romantically here either. it really sucks. thank you for your time, really 🤍

I can promise you, with all of my being, that shifting is real. But hypothetically speaking, let's say it was a hallucination, or a very vivid dream. Imagine, you could live an entire life in a state like that, stay there as long as you want, do whatever you want, whoever you want, and skip as much time as you desire. Who, at that point, cares what it truly is?

The experience of shifting is amazing, you've gone through it yourself, so you must know. Remember that you're living on a floating rock in space. Nothing really matters. You can never get a 100% guarantee it's real unless you do and believe it yourself, but even if it was something else, the experience of shifting stays the exact same. It's something so real, so out of this world, people, especially anti shifters, worry too much about what exactly it is.

Again, it is completely real. I'm just saying that, even if it was something else, it shouldn't matter much. You're still living that life, having that experience.

People don't understand shifting, which is why they give names or terms to it that they do understand. It will always be easier to hate on something you don't understand or relate to.

But just because Jimmy lives somewhere without bees, and tells you that bees are fake, doesn't mean that they don't exist for you, right?

Let people think what they want. You're the main character in your own life, so let your life revolve around what you like💚

#shiftblr #reality shifting #shifting #shifting motivation

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deadqueerboys · 7 months ago

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headcanons on if the dtk + reader got cheated on. who would go back, Still hook up with or absolutely despise

LET ME COOK.

I didn't understand what the "+ reader" meant. Sorry.

Everything SFW unless for Sapnap.

SFW UNDER THE CUT

Dream

He would absolutely come back like a puppy, begging for you to apologize to him for his actions. He promised he wouldn't do this, and he would be a better boyfriend if you accepted him back. If you get him back, he's really going to be the best person ever. He loves you. He doesn't even like the guy he cheated you with. He was just horny and lonely.

It's fair enough to get him back. He's rich, funny, smart, and really thoughtful about whatever he does. You make him break contact with the person he cheated you with. He was just trying something anyway. Dream is such a sweet guy, he really would never cheat on you again.

The first thing he does when he gets you back is going out for a date. He needs to prove he's a good person and he's willing to do anything for you. It's cute. He's suddenly so affectionate, kissing you in the chance he got and especially kissing your hand. He puts your ring back on your finger, kneeling down in front of you. People around you found it cute. Little did they know what he did.

George

It's acceptable. He did a deal with you. He let you kiss anyone else that you really wanted. He would even make a date for both of you. George is a simple man, and he understands that what he did was wrong. He won't do it again. But he was sensitive and you weren't around, so he pulled one of his friends. It was just a kiss, not even a make-out, just a real simple kiss. He told you, and after your reaction, he really blamed himself. He was in his room for the rest of the day, putting flowers all around the room, making a heart with roses and putting perfume and glitter on his bed. He made everything perfect, and then he apologized.

George was a dream boyfriend. He always made sure you were loved, and after years together, a little kiss wouldn't ruin the whole relationship. But you didn't come back to him. You guys still talk, barely saying hi to each other. He was upset about it. He let you go even without really wanting it. It wasn't easy to say that to his face.

Sapnap

It was an aggressive breakup. He didn't apologize. He didn't even care. You just found out because of Dream, and now Sapnap hates both of you for this. He would cheat on you again if he could. But it's Sapnap, it's so hard to say no to him. After the breakup, you still went to his house, some times going just to fuck with him and then go to your own place again. It's easy to miss him, he's such a strong presence on your life, it's kinda weird breaking up with him, his fans go shocked but both of you kept the reason as a secret.

Sapnap would go to your house in the middle of the night, totally drunk and stressed out. He doesn't knock on the door. He has your key. He gets inside your place and goes directly to your room, opening the door and laying on your bed. He grabs your hips and forces you to accept his kiss. It wasn't so bad, you kissed him back and he quickly turned to take your clothes away. It's always like this with Sapnap. He doesn't have limits. He doesn't respect your boundaries, always coming back to your life whenever you think you got rid of him.

Karl

It was hard, but you never saw each other again. It's really hard because he's everywhere! Your friend Jimmy had to make sure you guys wouldn't let the things weird while he was recording because he needed you for some videos. Karl never stopped loving you, which makes things even harder. He's so sweet with you, he apologize every time he can. He brings you gifts, new earrings, headphones and maybe a new phone if that's what you need. He buys everything he thinks you might like. It's like you never broke up. But you did, and you didn't want him around you.

He knows his limits, never crossing any line, even tho he really wanted to. He's so lovely. It's hard to say no to that cute smile. He would talk about you every day to his coworkers and friends, so excited about something you posted or how good you were looking in the new Mr. Beast video. He loves you, but he understands if you don't want him back. The mistake was his anyway.

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weird-mcyt-dreams · 6 months ago

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Dreamt I was with the Evo squad I think? But we had teleported super far away and everything was weird and laggy, and I couldn't figure out my way back but I found a building with like a dock? Can't remember anything else from it. I mean besides another weird dream where I was at a korean restaurant and they were kicking out specifically Americans, and someone asked me if I was a boy or a girl and I said boy, but I don't think that counts technically unless you consider Jimmy possibly being there

#mcyt #mcytblr #dreams #evo smp #evolution smp #grian #martyn inthelittlewood #martyn itlw #inthelittlewood #jimmy solidarity #solidaritygaming #mcytbr #idk what else to tag

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ask-postcrash-curly · 4 months ago

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what's your family like? you've mentioned your parents, and your sister (and a nephew right?), what are they all like? unless it's too hard to talk about right now:(

Got a pretty big family. Cousins, aunts, uncles, the like. But I’m closest with my parents, my sister, and her kids.

Mum and Dad are good folks. Always been supportive. Never tried to push the whole “don’t follow your dreams, it’s too dangerous” thing on me. In retrospect, maybe they should have? (Joking. Don’t tell them I said that.) Got lucky with them. They’re understanding. Mum’s in HR, Dad's in editing. (We moved to the States for my mum’s work.) I miss them a lot. Think it’ll hit them pretty hard when they find out about Jimmy. He… didn’t have the best home life, as a kid. So he spent a lot of days and nights at our place. My folks weren’t as close to him as me, but they’ve watched him grow up. He still does holidays with us when we’re on Earth. Hell, he was a groomsman at my sister’s first wedding. Yeah. They’re… going to be crushed, aren’t they?

My sister’s name is Elisabeth. Lise, we call her. She’s real smart. Real funny too. She’s working in television adverts but she’s studying to teach maths. We kinda stayed out of each other’s ways as kids (different interests), and I won’t say we didn’t argue, but as far as siblings go I’d say we’re close. (You know, when I’m not in space.) She’s got two kids with her ex-husband. Isabel and Merritt, my niece and nephew. Good kids. Five and four… no, they’ll be six and five by now, won’t they…? God, time moves fast.

Lise is engaged to a woman named Verena. I’m missing the wedding, and no, I’m not completely broken up about it at all. Not at all devastated. Nope!

Rescue needs to come tomorrow, I think. I’m so fucking homesick.

#mouthwashing #captain curly #curly mouthwashing #curlyposting #jimmy mouthwashing

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watchingblsnowandforever · 7 months ago

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My (mostly regularly) updated GMMTV 2025 lineup in order of my preference: (they understood the assignment and kept only 1.5 het shows so my work is easier)

Cat for Cash: I am looking forward to this so much you have no idea. FirstKhao in a series with only fluff and found family? A literal dream come true, honestly.

Me and Thee: UNO reverse NLMG meets KinnPorsche with PondPhuwin? Consider me SEATED. I am absolutely here for this and this will become my entire personality. This is your warning <3

A Dog and A Plane: The name could use some work but it seems promising. I have a soft spot for TayNew and just getting off the high of Peaceful Property, and they have never disappointed me. The premise is a little eyebrow-raising, but it's just the pilot so lot of time for fine tuning. Also- MarcPoon.

Ticket to Heaven: This is in between Excited and Hopeful because I absolutely adore GemFourth, and they are brilliant actors, especially Fourth, but no angst for me, thanks. I do understand religious guilt, but I'm not Catholic and I didn't grow up very religious (I mean don't get me wrong my mom is super religious but my dad is agnostic at best so I grew up in this weird middle ground and now I don't believe in God, not really. As it is, my religion is polytheistic.) So I can't wait to see this but I'm also gonna gently poke at it like it's a wild bear first.

Dare You to Death: I love a good mystery, but that's not what drew me to this. JoongDunk did. From a switch in their dynamics in THK to a switch back, this got me hooked. And as I said: mystery.

Whale Store xoxo: cute slice of life fluff with MilkLove? YES. I am a tiny bit weary though, since the last time I was so excited for a MilkLove series, it turned out... well. Not as I'd expected. I still am hopeful, though.

That Summer: WinnySatang? In a Disney BL. Hmm. I wanna see how this turns out, especially for the side couple. Generally speaking, I am not a fan of the amnesia trope (they have three of those lined up like. why.) but I might just like this.

Memoir of Rati: GreatInn? In a historical BL/ period drama?...go on.

My Romance Scammer: Gay rights and gay wrongs all in one place. Need I say more?

My Magic Prophecy: Someone in GMMTV watched Agatha All Along, and used the theme of tarot cards and fortune telling to cope with Lillia's death. Jokes aside, I like JimmySea and Jimmy playing a doctor is just so funny to me, I might just watch it for the irony. And also, they deserve better after Last Twilight (why, P'Aof.)

Burnout: I will watch this if not for anything else, then the Not Me nostalgia. And Gun in black lipstick and a lip ring. I might stop after a few eps to wait out until it finishes airing though, cause Love Triangle is definitely not for me.

Mu-Te-Luv: Fortune telling, fate, tarots, blah blah blah. Some het, some queer, I'll see which ones I watch (hint: won't be the het ones). Gives me 7 Project vibes, honestly.

Head 2 Head: What in the Bad Buddy. For anyone who hasn't watched the trailers: this is a Bad Buddy rip off, but the parents want them to get along, and one of them has a weird clairvoyant thing going on. Oh, and everyone is studying fashion designing. And the side couple is exes to lovers.

Girl Rules: I see messy lesbians and bisexuals, but I also hear misogyny and patriarchy. Only Friends GL version. I didn't really like Only Friends so-

Only Friends: Dream On: Maybe.

Wu: I have no idea what this is, but it kinda intrigued me. Little bit.

Love You Teacher: Um.

Melody of Secrets: Horror or psychological thriller is not really my thing so I will mostly be ignoring this unless I find something that piques my interest.

Currently Airing

Boys in Love. True high school fluff is what I live for. Okay, maybe not entirely true, but I really did like the trailer, and I do love my fluff. It's only been 2 eps but I love my babie gays so much. It's a floof fest and I really hope it continues being one. And I am SEATED for the Khru Tan and Khru Nut arc.

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mjonthetrack · 3 months ago

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bw 3

Zarina finished posing for her pictures at the reception, the newlyweds had a huge outdoor ceremony at the large estate at the end of the road they had built a few years back. She was so happy for Chloe and Jey, they were beaming and the pregnant woman was radiating in her dress, a blush pink gown. Zarina and De’arra thought the woman was crazy when she insisted on these reception outfits, De’arra commenting she felt like a sexy chandelier getting smacked by Chloe who was beaming catching up with the women as Jey was celebrating and catching up with some work friends and his family.

Zarina shook her head when she rounded the corner from being inside the estate for wedding party pictures at the reception.”Chloe I love you girl but you got me showing parts of myself only my momma seen.” Chloe rolled her eyes,” if you two don't hush, it’s my big day and unless you want to make a pregnant woman cry you better get your butts out here with me.” De’arra made eye contact with Zarina who could only laugh as the pair flanked the bride on either sides wandering out to the party space.

Talisua gasped seeing the three of them,”you girls look divine, heavens never seen such pretty petals before.” De’arra kissed the woman’s cheek after she had hugged and congratulated Chloe. Zarina smiled shyly when Talisua stood in front of her making her twirl for her,”you look so wonderful Zarina, you have grown into a beautiful woman.” “She looks like a real life barbie doll,” Chloe sighed dreamily muttering about missing her own smaller frame before she was pregnant.

Jimmy sat at one of the reserved tables for family, he had given congrats to his twin and Chloe he ducked out of the starlight to chill to himself.”Oh shit,” Roman uttered sitting up at the table nodding his head in the direction where the women were gathered,”not gonna lie I would so tap that,” he admitted looking at the way the outfit showed the curves of Zarina’s ass. Jimmy followed the direction his cousin was talking about and spit out his beer to avoid choking on it. His eyes went wide seeing the woman alongside De’arra damn near naked at his twins wedding. “What the fuck,” Jimmy said loudly pushing his seat away from the table then standing to make his way over to her.

De’arra tsked when the older twin greeted her, rolling her eyes, excusing herself to find her husband. Talisua smiled brightly forcing her son’s large hands over the tops of Zarina’s who stood stiffly noting the man had been staring at her prior to him walking to them. “You two used to always chase each other as kids now look at you, both so grown up whered the time go?” Talisua patted her son’s cheek then smiled warmly at Zarina stepping away from them.

Zarina spent the first few moments in silence just looking at the male trying to figure out what type of time he was on. Zarina quickly removed her hands when mama T was out of sight,” is there any reason behind why you have been giving me a mean face since you saw me at your moms?” Jimmy who had been lost in the same brown eyes he had grown to secretly admire when the pair were in high school shook his head,”you shouldn't have come back Z this aint the same woods as back before you started cosplaying some white mans dream.”

Zarina took a step back from the man, running her arm then shaking her head,”look we aren’t kids anymore and because this is your brother’s wedding day I’m gonna act like you didn’t just say that.” The woman stood tall tipping her chin up in defiance,”but don’t think because your feelings or whatever got hurt that you will be treating or speaking to me any kind of way.”

Jimmy lifted a brow folding his arms over his chest,”don’t act like you’re hard Zarina, you’re still the little girl who would go cry to my moms when you didn’t like hearing the truth.” He scanned her face for a reaction but when she didn’t give any he continued,”I don’t know why you thought you could come back here like the woods needed your degree work to help us but we are good so you can go back to whatever gated suburbs you was staying at.”

Zarina felt her anger arise as her lips shifted into a sneer, though when she saw Chloe in the distance wave and smile at her she shifted to a neutral demeanor. Zarina stepped forward placing a hand on his shoulder to make it look like a friendly catch up. “You don’t know me anymore so let’s keep it that way, so you can stop trying to read me like you understand a damn thing besides boosting drugs and being the reason your little brother is in that situation.” Zarina had a fierce glare locking eyes with the man whose nostrils flared but his mouth stayed clamped shut, she hit a nerve and was right. “Since you want to act like you know something let me tell you about yourself,”

Zarina had a strong grasp on his shoulder at this point,”you’re still that same sad little boy who was emasculated because his brother was better at the next thing than you.” Jimmy clenched his jaw,”that’s enough Z.” Zarina smiled forcibly,”you being stuck in the woods is because you were too scared to step out on your own and blamed Jey and I for finding a path and walking on it, so drop the injured savior complex.” Zarina laughed sarcastically,”to be honest if anything the woods would’ve been safer without you playing street prophets with your damn cousins and bringing that shit here and maybe my parents and your brother wouldn’t be in the mess they ended in.” Sarina brushed his shoulder off and patted his cheek,”so the next time you try to act like you know me or you have a say in why or how long I am around shut the fuck up and go back to being a bell boy for Jacob and them, enjoy your life you chose it and stay the hell out of mine.”

Jimmy’s lips pursed with the attempt to hide the effect her sharp words had cut but he lowered his head rubbing his beard and hid his hurt pride with a scoff,”like I said, stay away from the woods Z, if something happens to you it won’t be my fault for not warning you.” He felt a pang of guilt for the way she’d mentioned her parents knowing he’d struck a nerve with her which he hadn’t intentionally tried to do. Jimmy watched in blank confusion as the woman walked away from him telling him to stay out of her life, poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue he ignored the way his eyes stung with tears, she’d hit a blow harder than him, it made him wonder who this new version of the girl he’d always seen growing up was.

Jacob wandered over handing him a beer laughing,”yo you should’ve heard what little bruh was saying about the suit fitting.” The shorter man said brushing his locs out of his face talking on about Zilla but when his cousin stood stiffly looking in the direction where Zarina had gone walking to he patted his shoulder,”yo you good Big Jim?” Jimmy nodded his head taking the beer and chugging some of it,”yeah I’m straight,I was just talking to Z.” Jacob grinned laughing,”you still got it bad for little ZaZa?” Jimmy glared at his cousin but the man chuckled heavily,”you was always bitching about how she never paid you any attention as a kid and teen, looks like that hasn’t changed.” Jimmy felt his hurt pride turn to agitation as he shook his head walking in the opposite direction of his now laughing cousin and Zarina.

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ikeasgayesttable-main · 8 months ago

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let the dirt hang heavy in your chest

wc; 1732

summary; She didn’t feel like the canary in a coal mine, as much as she wishes she were. The canary was useful, at least, and in a sick sort of way it was loved. She felt a little bit more like the last miner that they would have left behind— forgotten, invisible. They would find her bones when the dirt crumbled to dust. Anya was okay with that.

a/n; basically just a small anya fic. no happy endings here, unfortunately. mostly pre-crash. minimal jimmy.

AO3 FIC LINK HERE, full fic under the cut also <3

Anya had heard of, sometime within in the long and almost torturous period of growth that coloured her youth, a story. It was of a small bird, and it chirped and sang in its little cage. It was important until the final breath.

In a roundabout way, she had always thought of it as something beautiful. As macabre as it was, the canary had its use. It sung until it couldn’t, and it saved lives, even at the cost of its own. There was a saviour complex to a small creature that barely knew what it was doing before it died, a beautiful notion.

She didn’t feel like the canary in a coal mine, as much as she wishes she were. The canary was useful, at least, and in a sick sort of way it was loved. She felt a little bit more like the last miner that they would have left behind— forgotten, invisible. They would find her bones when the dirt crumbled to dust. Anya was okay with that.

Anya was okay with that. A lie is easier to bear than a truth, the more times one says it. Human nature is to be seen, to be heard, but survival is to keep yourself quiet. She feels like a fawn hiding in a shrub, waiting for a mother that will never come to find her.

Every moment is an eggshell and every move she makes, she can feel the cracks beneath her feet— stay alive. Stay safe. Listen for the singing, for the safety. Stay at the back of the group, where none of them can watch you, but where none of them can leave you behind. Unless you so desired.

A doe is hunted by gleaming white teeth from the shadows. A canary sings until it cannot any longer. A human person, of mind and body and soul, survives in much the same way. Is that all she was? A creature? Something to be pitied? There are no locks in the bushes that conceal the prey, Anya’s room is no different.

Survive. Survive. Survive, not live. It didn’t matter what happened to her as long as she stays alive.

(Her hands shake as she takes the gun and hides it. He can’t hurt her without his teeth, can he? Can he?)

Daisuke is as close as safe as safe gets. Not a friend, but not an enemy. Little more than a coworker. A kindness that beamed like the sun, maybe. The rays of sunshine that shone through the earth and welcomed you outside with open arms.

Swansea complains, sometimes, of his absent-mindedness. His childishness. A brain not developed for the body it has grown. She didn’t see that, at least not as much as he claimed it to be so. Daisuke could be smart and was.

“You okay, Anya?” Daisuke asks, more often than not.

No, she thinks, never. The sleeplessness clings to her skin like sweat. Claws at her eyelids.

“Yes,” she says. Daisuke smiles and nods, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. This time, before leaving the room, he tentatively— carefully— touches her shoulder. She jolts, as she usually does to any form of physical contact, and then he speaks.

“Well, um. Do you wanna play something with me today?” It sounds, to most, like a juvenile answer. To her, it’s…much, much more. Daisuke wins, of course, he always does, but she smiles for the first time in what feels like forever.

Daisuke’s mother used to tell him about angels. He believed her, in almost a juvenile or childlike way, and that belief followed him from childhood to what could possibly be described as maturity, or as close to it as he got.

The night after his visit to the medbay, he dreams of the stars. Surrounded by them every single day, they are more than familiar to him already. What is not familiar are the figures flying beside the Tulpar.

They are angels. Long, white wings, eyes that sparkled the same way the stars do in the night sky, a beauty that was so great it barely registered in his eyes.

One of them has Anya’s face. Gentle, soft features, there was no mistaking it.

Daisuke wakes up after she scoops him up in moonlit wings and brings him through the galaxy. He considers telling her, the next time they cross paths, but there isn’t exactly a not weird way to tell your coworker— because that’s what they were; not quite friends yet, as much as he would love to be— that you dreamed about them. I saw you last night, he thinks to himself, and you were an angel. Just like the ones my mom used to tell me about.

He doesn’t tell her. He wants to— and he almost does— but her eyes are so sad and she doesn’t ever play games with him anymore. It’s difficult, he knows, a job like hers. He wishes he could make her feel better.

Daisuke spots a small drawing in the corner of a loose page, one day, rubbed out until only its skeleton is left. It’s a bird and a cage, he thinks. The bird has Anya’s eyes, but is yellow like Curly’s hair. He will ask his mother about it when he makes it home, he thinks. Daisuke’s mom always loved birds.

Swansea does not like it in the medbay. Anya can see it in the way his eyes shift around, watching the white walls and white floors. It unsettles him, maybe, the fluorescence of it. The only colour comes from the yellow post-it notes on the wall, little doodles to keep herself sane.

Nonetheless, he is cooperative. Anya likes him because he doesn’t ask too many questions and he is incredibly easy to beat in all their games. He’s older and has seen so much more. A little rough, but kind in his own way.

He doesn’t like Jimmy. He doesn’t know, but even without it he knows that there is something wrong with the man. For a moment, the words rise to the tip of her tongue and she wants so badly for him to know. Please help me, a miner begs when he is left behind.

She doesn’t. It’s almost laughable, the cowardice, the fear. She lets him go.

“Anya,” Swansea says before he leaves, his voice gruff as it usually is. Raspy voices could be a sign of past or recent smoking, she remembers idly from one of the hundreds of medical books she’d pored over, or inhalation of other particles. Smoke. Dust. Coal.

She waits, patiently, for him to speak. Blinks when all he does is shake his head.

“Nothing,” Swansea murmurs after a moment, turning to the door. “It’s all right.”

Anya does not talk to Swansea very often. In fact, Anya barely talks at all, to any of them, save for Curly, and Daisuke whenever they play games together. He knows this, and leaves her well enough alone. He respects her and she respects him. It’s a mutual acknowledgement.

He is, however, a father. He has three daughters. His youngest has downturned eyes and a voice that seems barely audible over the sounds of everything else. When she was little, she would clasp Swansea’s hand and hide behind him whenever they went out. The memories make him smile.

Anya had looked at him— with such wide, sad, doe-looking eyes— and if he blinked it felt like he was home again, wiping one daughter’s tears or bandaging another’s knee or holding the other before she fell asleep. Anya was older than them all, but seemed so much like his smallest daughter that for a moment he almost tries to reach out for her, the urge to comfort stronger than anything else.

He does not. Of course he doesn’t. It wouldn’t be proper. They are coworkers and nothing more. He fixes the ship to take them home, and she fixes them. A mutually beneficial transaction, somewhat.

In the night, he dreams of his daughters again. Daisuke is there, too, of course he is, the little rascal. Never could leave Swansea well alone. His children ask if he missed them, and he says that he has, of course he has. He’s never loved anything more than he’s loved them, even if his heart yearned selfishly for a life away from theirs.

His youngest asks him if he missed her. Swansea smiles, and nods yes, and holds her, and when he pulls away, for a moment he sees the Pony Express jumpsuit and raven hair. He blinks and Anya’s face is gone.

The next morning, Swansea passes her while she slips quietly into the medbay. Wonders if he should say anything, and chooses not to. It would be strange. The notion of loving was a strange one.

Jimmy thinks of himself as the canary. He does so much for the ship, for the people, and he is repaid in nothing but blood and debt. In loss and darkness. It’s unfair. His death will not hurt, but by the stars, he hopes it hurts them all.

I hope this hurts, he says. His feathers are barely ruffled as he sings through the gas. A cruel trick, a broken cycle. A hero. I hope this hurts.

He will take them all with him.

In the night time, Anya curls up at the foot of Curly’s bed. He breathes, barely, on the cusp of the end. While she is locked in a cage of sliding doors and painkiller bottles, he is locked in a cage made of his own skin.

“I don’t—” she cuts herself off. It makes Anya sick looking at him, and that makes her feel even worse. “Oh, Curly…I’m sorry.” It’s the last thing she says before the takes the bottle off the shelf and grasps it in her sweaty palm. It feels like she’s choking on dust and coal, and she wonders whether Curly can feel it too.

Invisible until the final breath. The doors to the medbay were locked, and it was the only safety she could truly confide in, but it felt much more like the walls of a mine collapsing around her. Blocking her in. The dirt clogs deep and heavy in her throat, in her lungs, and as she tips her head back, Curly lets out a strangled wheeze that sounds somewhat akin to a dying bird.

#apologies if its ooc!! first fic in the fandom :))#huge anya fan #also minimal curly sadly #mouthwashing #mouthwashing anya #mouthwashing daisuke #mouthwashing swansea #mouthwashing fanfic #this was also written at 10pm so i was dead tired LMAO

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raya-hunter01 · 2 years ago

Text

Lights, Camera, Action! Pt. 11

Lights, Camera, Action!

Jey Uso x Black Female OC! (Shantell)

Roman x Black Female OC! Tangela

Solo x Black Female OC! Sofia

Jimmy x Trin

Rating: 18+

Warning: Smut; oral, sex, fluff, defloration (Virginity) masturbation

Words:

Summary: How do you keep it together as Smackdown’s production director and navigate your life as the girlfriend of Mr. Main Event Jey Uso. Follow Shantell as she navigates her life as a girlfriend, sister, and confidant to the bloodline. Follow her on her journey to self-discovery of love and happiness.

Pensacola, Fl

Jey & Shantell’s

Jey’s POV

“No, I ain’t doing it, I was promised two months off to be wit my family, and I want all my time,” I said standing my ground.

“Jey, just hear me out,” Paul said as Shantell walked into my office with our son. “Uh, I can come back;” she whispered reading the room as Paul stood up looking at Joshua. “He is beautiful Shantell,” Paul said touching his little feet as he yawned.

"Thanks, Paul,” she said smiling as it made me smile. Shantell was a natural mother, and I adored watching her with Joshua. I’m kind of scared she may decide she doesn’t want to go back on the road with me.

“Shantell, we forgot your scheduled leave falls around the time of WrestleMania. Jey would miss his match with Jimmy unless he comes back early,” Paul said as Shantell frowned at him in response.

“Don’t tell me you’re trying to get him back on the road now, we’ve barely been home a month,” Shantell said as Paul let out a deep sigh.

“Hey, you ain’t gotta bring Shantell into this. I already told you no,” I said slightly angry because I knew he was going to try to get Shantell on his side.

“If Jey, said no that’s my answer as well,” Shantell said winking at me as my heart swelled. No questions asked she immediately supported my decision. “I hope ya’ll got some ideas to continue the storyline then because I’m outta ideas,” Paul said throwing his hands up in the air as Shantell laughed.

“I’m sure we can figure something out if we put our heads together,” she said walking over, gently placing Joshua in my arms. "I gotta work baby,” she whispered against my lips, stealing a kiss before turning around to leave.

“Have a good show baby,” I said as she gave Paul a hug and left the room.

“I’ll leave ya’ll be, just enjoy this time with the baby and each other,” Paul said as I stood up to shake his hand.

“Thanks for understanding,” I said as he softly kissed Joshua’s tiny head, putting his hand on my shoulder. “No problem, family always comes first, I understand it and appreciate it,” he said walking out of my office.

--------

Shantell’s POV

I knew Jey was torn between his job and being a dad. I needed to talk to him to see where his head was at. I know for me I can say that running Smackdown from home was easier for me. I could do my job without the constant comings and goings. Then on the other hand I would miss Jey like crazy, so I knew my decision was to go back on the road.

“Jey, did you put Joshua in his room?” I asked walking into our bedroom after my shower.. “Shhh, I got him,” he whispered lifting up the comforter as I see him curled up on his chest, asleep without a care in the world. “Ok, my heart is going to burst,” I said putting my hand over my heart. “Come on over here, we been waiting on you,” he said patting the spot beside him, smirking at me.

I didn’t need to be told twice as I climbed into bed and snuggled in his arms. “See you gon’ spoil me, and I’m not going to want to go back to the busy lifestyle of our job,” I whispered as he laughed. “So, what else had Paul talked about before I came in,” I asked caressing his arm.

“He was talking about the match with Jimmy. I told him straight up we didn’t mean for it to be now. Our dream is to face each other in the main event at WrestleMania when we decide to hang the boots up, “he said hesitating trying to find the right words to say.

“You want to be each other’s last opponent,” I said completely understanding what he was trying to say. “See you get me, and this mess they trying to put together is just a cash grab. So, no I’m taking my time off with you and the baby. We figure the shit out when we get back to work,” Jey said running his hands over his face.

“Ok, I know when you do that you’re stressed, so what else did he say?” I asked as he looked at me worried and anxious.

“I won’t be able to take extensive time off for another year. That pushes our wedding back because it was so much, I wanted to do,” he said nervously.

“Sir, we could go to the courthouse tomorrow, and get this thang poppin’,” I said honestly as he gave me a small smile. “I wanted to take you to Hawaii, and have a ceremony with our family,” he said as I cut him off with a kiss. “I just want to marry you,” I whispered against his lips as he groaned pulling me closer.

“Jey, don’t worry about it, a year gives us time to plan. I promise everything is going to be beautiful when we do get murdered…I mean married,” I joked trying to get him to relax as he smirked at my antics.

“So, a year from now, we’re getting married in the flower circle surrounded by our families, right?” he asked holding out his pinky finger as I laughed, locking my pinky with his. “Yes, I promise, I’ll be the one in the veil down front,” I whispered as he kissed me.

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

One Year Later

WrestleMania 41

Shantell’s POV

“Let’s go Fatu!” I yelled as Joshua lifted his little hands in the air mimicking me cheering for his dad as he laid his head on my shoulder. The bloodline feud was finally coming full circle as it was culminating in a fatal four way. Jey vs Roman Vs Jimmy Vs. Solo.

“Come on Jurdy!” Trin screamed beside me as we both laughed. They were putting on a hell of a show and we couldn’t be prouder.

“What did we miss, I hated to leave but the baby is sitting on my bladder,” Tangela said rubbing her small baby bump as Sofia helped her sit down. “You having fun watching daddy Cameron?” Sofia asked as he smiled jumping into her arms.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she laughed coming to stand beside me at the barrier with him. “I think they're in the final act,” I said turning back to the action.

“Let’s go Sefa!” Sofia yelled as Solo in spite of himself smiled at her lightly, hiding his face from the camera.

Joe’s POV

“Let’s take it home ya’ll,” Jey muttered as I nodded. All of us got up staring around looking at each other, and the crowd as they chanted, "This is awesome!"

“Yes, it is! Ya’ll tearin' it up!” I heard Tangela yell as I shot her a quick wink before we all broke off brawling. “It’s your time bro,” I muttered to Solo as he was trying to control his emotions.

“Ya’ll sure bout this,” he whispered as I went down from his Samoan spike. Jey and Jimmy took turns hitting me with their signature splash as I lay there unmoving. “One of ya’ll cover his ass!” Trin yelled as Solo attacked Jey and Jimmy. Throwing them out of the ring,he quickly covering me.

I could hear the chaos and excitement as the crowd counted in unison “1,2,3!” and it was over. “I love you, Bro,” Solo whispered as I felt my emotions getting the best of me. “I love you too, make us proud,” I responded rolling slowly out of the ring.

I wanted him to enjoy his moment. “Your winner and New Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, Solo Sikoa!” Samantha’s voice rang out through the arena as I crawled off to the side to watch him celebrate his moment.

Shantell’s POV

“Yes!!! Go Solo!” I yelled as Jey walked over and gently kissed me. “I love you,” he whispered taking Joshua from me as he laid his head on his shoulder. “I love you more,” I said as Jimmy came over and took Cameron, placing him on the edge of the ring as he took off running to his dad.

“Oh my gosh, ya’ll get a picture Sofia,” cried as Joe climbed back in and they posed with the kids in the ring. “Aye, we wanna thank ya’ll for really rockin’ with us on this Bloodline story. It was a lot of twists and turns we took ya’ll on, “Jimmy said into the microphone as the crowd cheered.

“Thank you to our family, we love all ya’ll. We will never forget this night ever,” Jey said as I wiped my tears as they all embraced in the ring. “This is our bloodline!” Solo screamed holding Joshua and Cameron in his arms with the undisputed championship around his waist.

“Yep, I’m a bucket of water now,” Trin said crying as Tangela stood up coming closer. “Girl, I been there,” she said laughing through her tears. “Oh, hell no, here comes the camera,” Sofia said trying to wipe her tears. “Girl, it’s over, we on the big screen lookin' a hot crying mess,” I laughed pointing up at the screen. We took a few more pictures of them in the ring before heading backstage.

“So are you ready Shantell?” Trin asked as I placed my hand on my heart. “I’m nervous, but I can’t wait,” I said honestly. We were flying out to Hawaii to finally get married. Paul had given us the private Jet for the trip.

The gorilla erupted in applause as they appeared backstage. Sofia took off running to Solo as he caught her in his arms. “I’m so proud of you baby,” she cried as he embraced her tight crying himself.

Little Joshua was almost asleep on Jey’s chest. “I really love you,” I told him, just feeling so proud of him as he kissed me. “I love you too, let’s go get married,” he whispered against my lips as I laughed. “Yea, let’s go,” I said caressing his face as lil Joshua reached for me. “You little cockblocker,” Jey laughed as I slapped his chest. “No, my baby ain't,” I said laughing as he put his head on my shoulder, closing his eyes.

“Well, what do you call that?” Jey asked with humor in his voice pointing at him fighting to keep his little eyes closed. “He’s tired, it’s been a long day,” I said rocking him in my arms as Jey caressed his little cheek. “I’m kidding baby, Goodnight, buddy. Daddy loves you,” he whispered kissing his cheek.

“I’ll let ya’ll gather up your things, I’m going to put him to bed,” I said giving him one last kiss before walking away. “Alright, Mrs. Fatu,” I heard him mutter to himself as I smiled. Yea, within the next 48 hours I was about to become Mrs. Fatu.

WWE Private Jet

Jey’s POV

“Mom, Pops, and Tanya are already there waiting on us trying to make sure the wedding decorations are right,” I said talking to Trin as she smiled at me.

“So did ma make your lei out of maile leaves,” she asked as it was my turn to smile. “Yea, she did, and its beautiful. She sent me a picture of it, and she’s going to do a flower crown for Shantell to wear at the reception,” I said looking around at my family.

Man, this tight family circle was the true definition of ride-or-die right here. I’m nervous as hell, but I know I’m ready to make Shantell my wife. I was ready when I proposed, as far as I was concerned she’s been my wife. I just hope it’s everything she dreamed it would be and more.

--------

Rehearsal Dinner

Solo’s POV

So, I want to make a toast to my new daughter and my son,” Pops said raising his glass as we toasted Jey and Shantell.

“So, are we still on for Shantell’s Hulu Practice tonight, “Trin whispered as I nodded trying not to draw attention to us as Jey was focused on pops and Shantell out on the dance floor.

“Yeah, Shantell has been practicing a lot but is overthinking it,” I whispered looking at Jey. He is going to be so surprised. I know he felt at times he was forcing our culture on her, but she was very interested in learning about it. I smiled seeing Shantell and Pops heading back to our table.

“Joshua, your wife is a little tired. I think you should walk her back to her room,” pops said as Shantell quickly winked at Trin and I. “Man we really doin’ this not seeing the bride before the wedding,” Jey mumbled.

Shantell’s POV

“Yes, we are, and you gon’ do it with a smile,” Sandra said as I laughed giving Joshua a kiss. “We got the baby, you both get some rest tonight,” my mom said as I hugged her in thanks. “Let’s go wifey,” Jey interrupted giving a cheeky smile before steering me away.

“No funny business, and I mean it,” Sandra said as we laughed walking out the door happy, but also dreading being apart even if it’s only for a day. It was almost like we were walking in slow motion trying to stall before we would have to say goodnight.

I texted Solo and Sandra to meet me in about an hour to go over the Hulu dance one more time. I wanted to do the dancer for Jey because it is a symbol of love and respect for our marriage in their culture.

Jey’s POV

It was good to have some alone time, as short as it was. Shantell stood beside me seeming to be in deep thought about something.

“You ain’t having second thoughts, are you?” I asked nervously as she laughed. “Nah, you ain’t gonna get rid of me that easy,” she whispered wrapping her arms around my waist as we walked to her room.

“You know I ain’t walked you to your room since before Money in the Bank almost two years ago,” I whispered as I shivered at the memory myself. “Yes, I remember that night, Heyman catching us outside my door,” she blushed as I pushed her up against her door kissing her breathless.

Shantell’s POV

“Baby, we can’t," I moaned against his lips desperately trying to pull him closer. “See this is what happens when you deny me for two weeks, we are both horny as shit,” he growled moving his kisses to my neck as I involuntarily leaned back against the door.

“I wanted our first time as husband and wife to be special, “I gasped as he began sucking my neck.

“Mmm, it’s always special wit you,” he moaned as I gently kissed him before pulling away to open my door. “Go inside before I take you right now up against this door,” he said kissing the back of my neck gently before backing away putting a little space between us.

“I love you too, and I can’t wait to marry you,” I whispered quickly stealing a kiss, shutting the door before he could respond. I knew if I heard his response, my resolve would crumble and he would be in here for the night. Wow tomorrow I would finally become Mrs. Fatu..

---------

Wedding Day

Shantell’s POV

“I haven’t seen him all day and I’m nervous,” I moaned as Trin fixed my veil, pulling it back over my head. "Girl, take some deep breaths, ee got you," Trin said smiling at me. “Shantell, you look beautiful, Jey is going to flip when he sees you,” Sofia said fixing her dress.

“Are ya’ll ready?” my mom came in looking at me in tears “Oh, my baby Is about to be somebody’s wife,” she cried as I tried to stop my tears.

“Mama, you makin’ her cry,” Tangela said as my makeup artist Gina moved aside so my mom could come beside me.

“I’m so proud of you baby,” she whispered hugging me as I let the tears flow not caring. “I love you, Mama,” I whispered hugging her tight. “He better take care of ya’ll or I’ll kill him,” she said lightening the moment "Mama, he will and we will take care of him," I assured her pulling away, wiping her tears.

“Mama, we were doing alright until she saw you,” Gina Joked as my mom smiled at her moving aside so she could touch up my makeup. “I’m sorry, this my baby, I can’t help it," my mom said sniffling as I pouted. “Ok, are we ready for the first touch,” Trin asked picking up the back of my dress as my mom blindfolded me, leading me across the hall to see Jey.

“Mama, this ain’t fair! I can’t see her, I wanna see her,” Jey whined as my mom placed me against his back as he reached for my hand.

Jey’s POV

I could feel her against my back, but I couldn’t see her. This is torture right here. “I need you to put this in your pocket,” Shantell said handing me a red small silk bag. Not thinking, I placed it in my pocket trying to control my emotions as I saw the outline of her veil. My mind was done for, I knew she was gorgeous and I couldn’t wait to see her. I closed my eyes tight trying to not sneak a peak at her.

“Did you open it babe?" she whispered as I kissed her hand. "No, I didn’t baby," I answered honestly. “You gotta open it!” She exclaimed as I smiled. “They said I had to keep my eyes closed,” I said as the photographer interrupted us “You can open your eyes, just don’t turn around to look at each other,” she said lightly laughing at us snapping away.

What had she done, all I had done was write a damn letter. I reluctantly let her hand go to open the silk bag, my body shook with emotion as I saw a heart shaped pendant with a picture of my uncle Ecky with my brothers and me inside it.

“Wow, thank you so much baby,” I whispered taking her hand gently placing kisses all over it as a few of my tears fell onto her hand. “This way he’s here with you today, and every day,” she said taking a deep breath as her voice broke. I nodded overwhelmed by her and the things she does for me trying to control my tears.

Shantell’s POV

“Alright! let’s get married,” I sighed as he leaned further against me. “Hell, yea let’s do this,” he whispered as I could faintly hear Ed Sheran and Beyonce cover of Perfect playing as Trin winked at me pointing to her phone letting me know she was playing the song as I grinned brightly at her.

My girl always comes in clutch for me. “Mannn, your suit feels so good,” I whined as he laughed. “Geez, what is this?” I questioned as my mom laughed along with him as I rubbed his arm. “I had to look good for you,” he said as I took a deep breath.

“You smell so good too!” I Exclaimed resting my head against his back. “What I smell like baby?” he asked cheekily as I sniffed again and whispered, “Sex on legs,” as he laughed out loud still holding onto my hand. “Ya’ll ready to get married?” my mom asked as we both nodded.

“Alright, we gotta take her, you’ll meet her in the flower circle," Sandra said reaching over to wipe Jey’s tears as he gently released my hand. Trin and my mom ushered me out of his room before he could see me.

“Girl, he looked good,” Trin said taking my picture as we were heading down to the beach with the photographer.

---------

Shantell’s POV

“Cameron and Joshua are dressed, and heading down with pops,” Trin said smiling at the picture he had just sent her. “Oh my goodness look at them,” I squealed at them in their little suits. “Here, I almost forgot to give you this, it’s from Jey,” Trin said handing me the letter as I went to sit down. I was almost scared to open it as I took a deep breath and began reading.

Shantell,

Today is a special day, it’s the day we become one. I hope I never disappoint or hurt you. On this day I promise to be the best man I can for you and our son. Through the darkest of times, we made it baby, and I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Fatu.

Being trusted with your heart is a special gift; I vow to be your strength and with you through sickness and in health. I promise to be there through the good and bad. Place your heart in my hands today, and I vow to never break it. I know your father is proud of you and is smiling down on us today. So, let’s get married, what do you say? I’ll be the one in the fly suit waiting in the flower circle with our family.

I love you,

Joshua-

---

“Shantell what did he say?” Sofia asked smiling at me as I looked up from the letter wiping my tears. “Girl that’s private, let my brother be romantic,” Trin said calling in Gina to put her final touches my face.

“The guys are down there waiting, let’s get you married!” Tangela exclaimed hugging me before going to open the door for us.

“Let’s do it,” I smiled as Trin placed my veil over my face as we began our walk down to beach.

Jey’s Pov

“Don’t let me see her until she’s about to start walking down the aisle,” I said nudging Jimmy as he smiled at me. “I got you, bro,” he said rubbing my shoulder as “Stop This World” by Ne’yo began playing.

I put Joshua down in front of me, holding his hand as he smiled up at me leaning on my leg.

Okay, I woke up in heaven today

She kissed me I floated away, away

Never felt anything so great

Alright, Now I brace myself for the fights

Something must go wrong cause is way too right

I'm light as a feather tonight, Yeah, Yeah

I saw my mother and father coming down the aisle arm and arm. It warmed my heart, I felt my eyes burning trying to stop my tears as they walked down the aisle.

Cause I can't feel the ground

Someone let me down

I never felt so high as I do now

It's too good to be true

“Look at my wife man,” Joe whispered smiling bright at Tangela as she slowly walked down the aisle followed by Sofia. I swear Solo’s smile was so bright he could light up a room looking at wife as she walked down the aisle. “That’s my wife,” he said out loud as she blushed continuing her way down to us.

I don't deserve you

I never felt a love strong enough to

Stop this world from spinning

Trin finally came from around the corner all smiles but wiping her tears, I looked over at my brother as he wiped his own tears looking at his wife, as she took her place next to Sofia.

“The wide is tomin’, my tee tee tomin’! The wide is tomin!’ Cameron's little voice screamed as he held up his sign, gently trotting down the aisle to Solo as we all laughed. Hey, he couldn’t pronounce bride, or coming, but we knew what my lil dude was trying to say. “You did so good buddy,” Solo praised as Cameron clapped at his father’s words.

“Close your eyes, bro,” Jimmy whispered as I quickly obeyed him taking a deep breath as I heard a gasp from him and Solo beside me. I knew she was beautiful as hell, and I couldn’t stop my tears. I hadn’t seen her yet, and I was losing it.

“Open yo eyes, bro, and look at your wife. She’s beautiful man,” he whispered rubbing my shoulder as I opened my eyes. I felt myself stop breathing as I saw her standing there with her mom.

And I see, Heaven when she looks at me

In her smile is the most amazing dream

And in her eyes I fall asleep

“Whoo! You is beautiful, girl!” I shouted overwhelmed seeing her in her beautiful gown. Her veil covered her face, but I could see her beauty as she smiled brightly at me as she and her mom began walking towards me.

And I hope, hope that she can see through the smoke

Of my imperfections into my soul

And my heart where she has control

(She has control)

“We made it…Baby, you are so beautiful,” I said using my hand to wipe my tears as I saw her getting closer to me. “Mama,” Joshua said pointing at Shantell as I picked him up. “I know it bud, ain’t mama beautiful,” I said as he smiled at me, then Shantell.

“Go get her young man,” the priest said as I walked to Shantell and her mother. “Thank you, ma,” I whispered hugging Shantell’s mother as she held me tight. “Take care of my baby Joshua,” she whispered before letting me go and giving me Shantell’s hand. “You know I will with my life.” I assured her.

Cause I can't feel the ground

Someone let me down

I never felt so high as I do now

It's too good to be true

I faintly heard Shantell sniffling as I slowly lifted her veil, she put her fingers under her eyes trying to stop her tears. “ I love you so much, and you are so beautiful,” I whispered, taking her in before kissing her on the cheek. “You look very handsome,” she said smiling at me through her tears as Joshua leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“You're handsome too,” she said slightly tickling him as he smiled at her. Taking her hand, we walked to the flower circle as our family surrounded us in a circle.

I don't deserve you

I never felt a love strong enough to

Stop this world from spinning

Shantell’s POV

“Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to celebrate and witness the marriage of Shantell and Joshua. In planning this beautiful occasion, they emphasized to me that this wedding isn’t only about their connection but to celebrate the reconnection of their families as well as new beginnings,” he said as Josh smiled at his mom and mine.

“This circle we have formed here today represents an everlasting bond like Shantell and Joshua’s love. It can’t be broken, not by time, distance, or death. Shantell and Joshua opted to do their own vows and wanted to speak from their hearts. "Joshua take this ring and place it upon her finger,” the priest said as Josh he gave our son to Jimmy before grabbing the ring to place it on my finger.

“Shantell, with this ring I promise to always make our family's love and happiness my number one priority. I will dream with you, celebrate with you, and walk beside you through whatever our lives may bring. It will always be you and me baby. You are my forever person—my life, today and always.” Josh said his voice slightly breaking as he caressed my hand before I smiled at him wiping my tears.

Jey’s POV

“Now, Shantell place this ring upon Joshua’s finger,” the priest said passing her my wedding band.

“Joshua, with this ring, I promise to be your lover, companion and friend. Your partner in parenthood, your ally in the conflict even if I disagree. I’ll always be your #1 fan and your toughest opponent,” Shantell said as light laughter could be heard around us.

“Most importantly, I will be your person. Always know that there is nothing we can’t overcome as long as we have each other and our family. I am ready to face anything with you by my side. I promise to protect your heart and love you with everything in me until death do us part,” she smiled, reaching up wiping my tears as I kissed her hand.

“Can I please kiss her now?”, I asked just wanting to feel her in my arms. “Yes, you may kiss your bride,” the priest said as I gently swept Shantell up in my arms in a passionate kiss as our family and friends celebrated. “I love you so much,” I whispered as she moaned against my lips. “I love you more,” she whispered back, hugging me as I kissed her shoulder.

“May I present Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Fatu,” the priest announced as I held Shantell tight in my arms. “We did it, baby,” she whispered as I held her tighter. “We sure did,” I said as Jimmy leaned over, passing Joshua back to me as he reached for Shantell smiling. “Hey, mama missed you,” she whispered holding him close as we posed for the photographer.

--------

Jimmy’s POV

“Where did Shantell go?” Jey asked, getting antsy as mom had rushed her away to change clothes about 30 minutes ago.

“Sit here, and be patient Jey,” I said pushing him down in his seat. He always has to be in control, I hope that is something Shantell can break him of. I see his body still as Shantell came out and began dancing, doing her interpretation of the Hulu dance.

The flower crown mom had made brought out the colors in her new dress. She looked even more beautiful than before. I smiled as Trin came over and hugged me.

“Shantell is doing great,” she said as I nodded in agreement. “Your dance on our wedding day will always be my favorite though,” I whispered kissing her on the cheek.

“Aww, Jurdy stop making me cry,” she said wiping her fresh new batch of tears. “Girl, you been a bucket of water all day,” I said hugging her as she laid her head on my shoulder. “I’m just so happy,” she whispered as I held her tight. “I’m happy too Trin, really happy,” I assured her as we turned back to watch Shantell finish her dance.

Shantell’s POV

“You betta dance Mrs. Fatu,” Jey said as I smiled at him as I continued to dance for him. As I spun around my eyes met Sandra’s as she winked at me, nodding her head. Her approval motivated me, as I turned back around to finish the dance.

Hearing the applause when I finished made me feel accomplished, I had a hard time learning the dance, so this was a personal triumph for me. I saw my husband wiping his tears as he stood up walking towards me.

“You did that baby, it was beautiful,” Jey said taking me in his arm as I looked around for Solo. “What’s wrong?” Jey asked as I smiled at him. “I was trying to find Solo, I wanted to thank him for helping me,” I said honestly.

“Baby, Sofia, and Solo went upstairs if you get what I’m saying,” he said raising his eyebrow at me as I laughed, seeing Joe come over with Joshua. “We bout to take my lil nephew to bed, so get love Mama and Daddy,” he said smiling as I attacked his little cheeks with kisses.

“Good night, baby see you in the morning,” I whispered as Jey kissed the top of his head. “Night lil man, be good for Uncle Joe and Auntie Tangela,” he said as Joshua put his head on Joe’s shoulder.

“Ok, ya’ll have fun and we’ll see ya’ll tomorrow,” Joe said as I pouted watching them walk away. “Aww, mama cut the string, Uncle Joe got him,” my mom said hugging me as I sighed against her. “I know mama, it just gets hard to let him go. Thanks again for everything today,” I said honestly as she rubbed my back.

“I always got your back, everything was beautiful,” she whispered holding me tighter. “Well, what about your new son, I need love Jey,” said smirking at us as she waved him over laughing as he joined our hug.

------

Solo and Sofia’s Hotel Room

Sofia’s Pov

“We missed the dance,” I breathed, lightly biting Solo’s neck. “Shantell will understand,” he moaned thrusting harder as I braced myself on the counter as he fucked me. “Fuck, I’m right there baby, don’t stop,” I moaned as I felt his hand tighten in my hair as he attacked my neck with kisses as he thrusted deeper.

“You know I love that barbaric shit,” I moaned, as he snatched me off the counter gripping my upper thighs, thrusting me up and down hard on his dick. “Yes! Make me scream!” I exclaimed as he sped up his thrusts.

“You gon’ give me another baby?" he asked growling in his throat as each stroke became more powerful and intense. “I’ll give you anything you want baby,” I whined as I felt my orgasm quickly approaching.

“Fuck! That’s what I’m talkin’ bout,” he whispered against my mouth never breaking his thrusts. “I want you to cum with me,” I moaned as we collapsed to the floor, my legs and pussy squeezing tighter around him as he trusted inside me with wild abandon.

Solo's POV

“Mmhmm, that pussy squeezing the fuck outta my dick,” I moaned in concentration as she bridged up slightly off the floor as I went deeper.

“Yes! That’s it!” Sofia exclaimed, struggling to meet my thrusts as I took her. “I love you,” she cried against my lips. “I love you too,” I groaned exploding inside of her, triggering her own orgasm as she came hard on my dick.

“Yeah, that’s it. Damn look at you,” I groaned looking down at Sofia riding her powerful orgasm, biting my lip in appreciation. We stayed unmoving for a few minutes trying to get ourselves together. “Uh, we made a mess,” she said blushing as I kissed her.

“Don’t be embarrassed, I love it, and you,” I moaned, kissing her before collapsing beside her, pulling her closer.

------

Jey & Shantell's Honeymoon suite

Shantell’s POV

The build-up of not being with each other for two weeks was torture and we both wanted the night to be special as we stood in the middle of our suite trying to control their urges to just tear into each other.

My dress and undergarments fell quickly at my feet due to his masterful hands. Jey began touching my naked body as I took his shirt off, wanting, and pulling him closer as we finally kissed. The dimly lit room set the stage for a powerful dance that was about to ensue.

“Did you think when we first met, we would be here right now,” he asked honestly carrying me to the bed laying me down gently.

“No, I didn’t but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” I said as Jey began kissing my shoulder, gently exploring my body with his kisses and caresses. I ran my fingers through his hair arching my back, giving him better access to my neck.

“Shit, I want to do so much to you,” Jey moaned. Gasping against him, he took one of my nipples in his mouth gently sucking and biting the sensitive nub before moving to the other, giving it the same attention. Jey used his tongue, licking a path from my stomach to the top of my pelvis teasing me endlessly.

“Josh! Don’t tease me," I whined as he smirked at me. I struggled to breathe as I felt his breath against my inner thigh.

“I ain’t teasing you, I’m pleasing my wife. Can I do that?" he asked as his sexy deep voice made me shiver with anticipation.

Jey’s POV

“Yes! Please me,” Shantell moaned as I needed no further encouragement, I tasted her, gripping her hips as she moved against my mouth. “Mmhm, you taste so fuckin’ good,” I moaned lapping up her juices as I felt her fingers tangle in my hair. I continued my assault on her senses making love to her pussy with my mouth.

“I’m so close Josh,” Shantell moaned grinding her hips faster against my mouth as I welcomed her taking control. “Mmm, look at me baby,” I encouraged watching, and feeling her pleasure overtake her body. “Look at me Shantell,” I demanded as her eyes found mine. “Cum for me beautiful,” I whispered as I held her in place, fucking her with my tongue as she came.

Pushing herself into a sitting position, she took my face in her hands, pulling me on top of her, kissing me with all the power within her.

Her kisses invited the animal in me to explode as I grabbed her hands, pushing her back on the bed, entering her without hesitation. “Baby!” She screamed against my mouth as I had to stop for a second to gather myself “Shit, Daddy felt all that,” I groaned in pleasure, feeling her tighten around me, I could feel her next orgasm approaching fast.

“You ready to cum for me again baby?” I whispered now thrusting, setting my own pace. I lowered my head, taking one of her nipples in my mouth, teasing her inside and out as she clawed at my back.

“Josh, wait I don’t want to cum yet,” she cried as I smirked against her chest before attacking her other breast with my mouth.

“Oh, yes you are, and it’s gon’ be better than the first,” I said as I felt her tightening even more around my dick. “Shantell! Fuck yea, squeeze daddy,” I encouraged. “Josh, go deeper and faster,” Shantell moaned in my ear, snaking her tongue out along my earlobe gently nibbling on my ear. Shantell’s POV

“Ah, fuck you know what that shit does to me. I love that it,” Jey confessed grunting placing one of my legs on his shoulder as he tilted his body to the side continuing to sink deeper and deeper inside me with each thrust.

“Oh! You fucker! I screamed as he groaned. “Yea, I know every spot, that gets that pussy wet as fuck,” he whispered thrusting harder. I began clawing at his stomach, lightly trying to push him away, as he grabbed my hands pinning them to the bed overpowering me.

“Baby, I ain’t ready,” I cried wanting to prolong our pleasure as long as possible. “Shit, don’t run, you said deeper,” he whispered thrusting deeper inside me as I writhed in pleasure beneath him.

“So, I’m goin' even deeper baby, take all this dick,” he moaned truly working me over. His words, and how he is dicking me down right now has me speechless.

“Are you gon’ take all this dick daddy givin’ you Shantell?” He questioned, panting never breaking his thrusts. “Yes, Daddy Ima’ take it all,” I cried as he took my mouth in a desperate kiss letting my arms go as I wrapped them around his neck pulling him closer.

“Just hang on and let go, baby. I got you, I promise,” he moaned out as my back arched against him. I felt the room spin, gently grazing my nails up his back, as I felt him shiver against me going deeper. Oh, don't stop, I groaned against his mouth.

“Shit, Shantell,” he groaned as he sped up his thrusts. I began to cry at the feeling of knowing this intimate memory would always stay with me, our first time as husband and wife.

Jey’s POV

“Don’t cry baby,” I whispered, wiping her tears as I kissed her gently. Her cries soon stopped and were then replaced with whimpers of need and pleasure. I knew she was close, and so was I. I placed one of my hands above her on the headboard, snapping my hips faster and harder into my wife. Fuck, I loved the sound of that, my wife.

“Shantell, you feel so good,” I boasted against her ear as her moans were making my dick even harder. “I love you, Josh,” she moaned as I felt the room getting smaller and smaller as we both went over the edge together.

Our loud pants were defining as I collapsed against her chest as she ran her fingers through my hair trying to calm ourselves.

“So how do you feel Mrs. Fatu?” I asked gently caressing her face truly just taking in her beauty in this moment. “I’m happier than you’ll ever know,” she whispered closing her eyes as I held her tighter.

“I promise, we gon’ always be happy baby, and I’ll never hurt you,” I whispered gently kissing her neck, pulling her closer as she dozed off.

Today was a new beginning, and I couldn’t wait for the journey with my amazing wife. Yea, it’s only up from here, it has to be I thought watching my wife sleep.

-----

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Uceyjucey Today we did a beautiful thing. #Mr.andMrs.Fatu

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pocket-sized-nightmare · 10 months ago

Text

this post by @teapot-of-tyrahn reminded me that pearl was canonically in a coma on empires s1 for long enough to fill her empire with cobwebs. which made me wonder – how did she wake up from it? so consider: gempearl

The creatures just keep attacking.

They’ve morphed from skeletons to demons to faceless shadows, but they refuse to stop. Pearl’s swords never last. There’s nothing in her environment that’s stronger than wood, and something seems to weaken its durability with every new sword she makes. Pearl can feel her energy waning and her strength slipping away. She doesn’t have much fight left. The worst part?

None of it is real.

Pearl’s body is heavy with the weight of sleep. She knows she’s dreaming. The realization would normally be enough to awaken her, but somehow, she’s remained unconscious through this one. She’s tried everything – pinching herself, screaming, splashing water on her face, even cutting herself with her blade – but the nightmare refuses to release her. Whatever she does, PearlescentMoon will not wake up.

A shadow grabs her by the hair and drags her backwards. She claws at its arm until it lets go of her, then stabs through it with the remains of her last sword. It bleeds with crimson ink, but it refuses to die. Pearl turns and runs, desperate to find another tree. I can’t let them kill me. This can’t be the end. If I die in the dream…

She doesn’t want to think about that.

I have to get out of here. I have to wake up.

Gem has done a lot of questionable things in her life, but she’s never broken down a castle door.

It’s Pearl’s castle door, too. Her partner. If there’s anyone whose infrastructure Gem wants to preserve, it’s Pearl. There is absolutely no reason why she should be approaching the castle gate with an invisibility potion and her staff.

It’s just… Pearl hasn’t responded to her messages in two weeks. She hasn’t been seen since then. Jimmy only just rescued Gem and Scott from imprisonment, and Xornoth’s new minions are still furious about it. And now, the Gilded Helianthian castle is locked.

“It’s just to make sure,” Gem mutters to herself. “Just to check on her.” With a deep breath, Gem points her staff at the locked door and whispers a breeze spell.

Even with her wind charge, Gem has to use her full body weight to get the door open. She stumbles into the entryway and stares in concern. The spell definitely broke the lock, and Pearl’s door is not that heavy. The pit in Gem’s stomach grows. Something’s wrong here. “Pearl?”

Her voice echoes through empty hallways, but there’s no response from her partner. She sees cobwebs in corners and dust on shelves. Still, the lock was on the inside of the door. Someone must be there. Unless…

The tiniest thought of what if she’s dead crosses Gem’s mind, but she refuses to let herself process it. She would have seen a death message. Pearl must still be alive somewhere. She has to be. “Pearl, where are you? Please say something!”

The castle remains silent and still. Gem takes off running, checking every room she passes. It barely registers in her mind that she has the castle layout memorized as though it was her second home. It doesn’t feel like home right now. She needs Pearl. She has to find Pearl.

Gem runs up the stairs and reaches Pearl’s bedroom. The door is closed, and there are cobwebs across the doorframe. It looks like it hasn’t been opened for…

for…

for as long as Pearl’s been missing.

Gem doesn’t so much as hesitate before casting another wind charge.

She has no idea what she’s going to see when the door flies open. Her mind races through a thousand possibilities, each more horrifying than the next. She casts another wind charge at the door, desperate to reach her partner. “Please. Pearl, no, you’ve got to be alive, please just be alive, please be okay…” She’s not used to this feeling. Even while Sausage and Joey were holding her captive, she refused to beg until the very end. She refuses to make herself vulnerable for anyone’s sake. So why is it that now, when she isn’t even the one in danger, she can’t hold herself together?

Gem casts one more spell and throws her entire body against the bedroom door. This time, it splinters and cracks in two. She collapses into Pearl’s bedroom, leans her head against the wall, and takes a deep breath. A piece of her wants to turn around and run away before that awful feeling can hit her again. Her stomach aches. She presses the cold crystal tip of her staff to her forehead and closes her eyes. Void, what would Pearl say?

The cool, smooth texture against Gem's skin is grounding. She takes another deep breath. “She’d say… she’d say something like ‘letting your walls down is good for you,’ or ‘loving people can scare you sometimes,’ or…” She blinks back a stray tear. “Or honestly, she’d say something like, ‘Aw, you nugget, I’m really that important to you? When did that happen?’” Gem laughs under her breath. “But I’ve gotta…” She uses her staff to push herself to her feet. “I’ve gotta find her first. And then she can make fun of me.”

There’s a soft, distressed sound from across the room.

Gem’s smile fades. She races over. “Pearl?”

----

Pearl has known she’s dying for days, but now it’s starting to scare her.

She misses once every few hits now, and it’s getting harder to get up when she falls. Her whole body aches. No matter how loud she screams for help, nothing she does breaks through to the real world. Giving in sounds more appealing by the minute.

No. Don’t even think about it. She’s a warrior, isn’t she? She’s supposed to fight through everything, to defend her empire and her friends without so much as a cut on her skin. Xornoth wants her gone, but she’s fought him before, right? She can win this. She’s not hopeless. She’s not–

A shadow shrieks and dives for her, pinning her to the ground. The weight on her chest makes it hard to breathe. She’s never been more tempted to give up.

There’s a sudden sound from behind her. It’s soft, almost imperceptible, but familiar – a voice, speaking in low tones. She knows that voice. It’s Gem’s voice. Either she’s somehow hallucinating within her own nightmare, or her partner has found a way back to her.

The shadow tries to claw at Pearl’s skin, but Pearl summons a newfound wave of energy and kicks it in the chest as hard as she can. She stumbles to her feet. “Gem? Is that you? Help me! Get me out of here! Please!”

She isn’t sure how much of her message has gotten through to the waking world. All she can do is hope it’s enough.

----

“Pearl!”

Gem shakes her shoulder, but Pearl stays fast asleep – beyond asleep, really. Her skin is clammy and pale, and she looks like she’s starving to death. If it wasn’t for her unsteady breathing and pounding heart, Gem would think Pearl was already gone. “Pearl, wake up! You have to get up!”

Pearl doesn’t move.

“Oh, void.” Gem struggles to hold back tears. “Pearl, no, what’s happening? Are you sick? Is there a cure? What happened?”

She doesn’t even stir.

“Pearl, wake up! Please, just give me a sign! How can I heal you?” She’s not going to cry. GeminiTay, Wizard of the Crystal Cliffs, does not cry. She keeps a level head and solves problems before they can hurt her. She does not let Xornoth or their corruption emotionally affect her. She has to keep herself safe. She has to keep herself safe, even if Pearl isn’t. Right?

“Fuck it,” Gem says aloud. Her eyes spill over with tears. “Not doing this. Not today. Pearl, please, you have to come back to me.” She kisses Pearl on the forehead, trying not to focus on how cold Pearl’s skin is. “I love you so much.”

Pearl doesn’t stir. She doesn’t make a sound. But somewhere in the emptiness of her body, she manages to make her hand grab Gem’s wrist.

Three short squeezes, three long, and then three short again. Gem doesn’t know much Morse code, but she does know exactly what an SOS signal looks like. That’s a distress call. She’s in danger. But how can she be in danger if she’s asleep? Unless…

The locked doors. The unbreakable quiet. The impossibility of communication. Gem knows this story.

She’s lived it.

----

The voice grows closer and louder, surrounding the whole dream. It’s still unintelligible, but it’s more familiar now.

Four words – give me a sign – cut through the noise. Pearl punches an approaching shadow. “I’m trying, Gem! I can’t! Where are you?”

More noise, and then a whisper. You have to come back to me. It’s the clearest phrase yet. The shadows hiss and shrink away.

And then, for the first time in days, she can sense again. A soft, warm point of pressure on her forehead. The scent of glowstone and nutmeg. Words she hasn’t heard in weeks but keeps with her every day: I love you so much. The fuzzy outline of her partner sitting next to the bed. A way out. She has a way out.

Pearl puts every last ounce of strength she has into wrapping her hand around Gem’s wrist and sending out a distress signal. Her energy ebbs away. Xornoth’s got me, she tries to whisper, but sound refuses to escape her lips. Please help me.

From the way Gem reacts, Pearl hopes she’s right to believe her partner got the message anyway.

----

Xornoth kidnapped Pearl. Jimmy found me and Scott too easily last time. He needed somewhere safer to hold her, somewhere she wouldn’t be found. And she’s beaten him in a fight before. Where better to hold a fighter than a realm of her own monsters?

Gem's mind goes unsteady with a new wave of panic. But I’m not a healer. I explode things and make potions. Katherine is good at healing people. Sausage is– I mean, Sausage was the one who always took care of us before everything. I’m not a savior. I don’t know what I’ll do if I try to save Pearl. I should get– That thought dies quickly in her head. No, I don’t have time to get anyone. If I leave, she might not make it. This one has to be me.

Gem takes out her staff and presses the crystal against Pearl’s forehead. “I’ve got you. You’re gonna be okay. Please hang on. This is gonna take a lot out of me.”

She closes her eyes and whispers a spell under her breath. A small beam of purple light illuminates the crystal, then floods into Pearl’s mind. Gem searches, reaching out with all her power to break through shadowy fog. “Pearl, it’s me. Just try to move towards the light. I’m gonna get you out.”

The shadows scream and swarm Pearl, dragging her back into the darkness. She struggles forward, reaching out in desperation. “Gem, they won’t let go of me! Help me!”

Gem reaches deeper into the nightmare spell, breaking through concealing walls and monsters. She will destroy the whole nightmare if she has to. “Keep going. You’ve got it. I’m not going anywhere. Not until you’re with me.”

Pearl summons everything she has left in her, throws the shadows off of her, and runs into the purple light. “Gem, do it now!”

Gem uses her full concentration to drag Pearl’s soul out of the nightmare prison and back to earth. As the prison dissolves, Gem slumps against the bed and tries to catch her breath. “Please tell me that worked. I don’t think I can do it again.”

Pearl sits bolt upright, barely able to breathe herself. “Gem?”

Gem gives up on compartmentalizing her emotions and breaks down sobbing. “Oh, void, Pearl…”

Pearl collapses into her arms and blinks back tears of her own. “You did it. You saved my life. Thank you…”

“Of course.” Gem tries to get her emotions in check, but she can’t. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to… this hasn’t… it’s wrong. Nobody’s died before.”

“Correct,” Pearl says with the tiniest smile. “Nobody’s died. And that’s because of you.”

“You know I’m nobody’s protector.” Gem’s hands shake as she pushes Pearl’s hair back to cradle her face. “I barely figured out how to save you in time.”

“But you did.” Pearl struggles to her feet. “How long was I out for?”

Gem doesn’t meet her eyes. “Two weeks.”

A flicker of alarm passes across Pearl’s face, but she shakes it off. “My empire’s probably grown cobwebs by now, huh? I should deal with that.” Her stomach growls. “Also, I think I’m about to starve, so I should get… breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? My schedule’s still all thrown off.”

“Lunch,” Gem says softly. “I’ll get you some bread and soup. Please eat slowly. I don’t want you to make yourself sick.”

“Nobody’s protector, huh?” Pearl chuckles.

She expects Gem to laugh, but instead, Gem wraps her in a tighter hug than she’s ever given before. “You scared me. You disappeared. I thought… you were… I really thought…” She can’t finish her sentence.

“Bread and soup,” Pearl says. “And tea, and a bit of gardening later once I’m really awake. I can celebrate you saving my life forever, or we can never speak about this again. It’s been a scary few days. I know that.” She kisses Gem on the forehead, then hugs her back even tighter. “If Xornoth thought I had a dysfunctional sleep schedule, they could’ve just told me.”

Gem snorts. “Glad to have you back.”

“Anytime.” Pearl stops in the hallway and takes Gem’s hands. “Listen to me, okay? No one is going to die. We’re going to defeat Xornoth, and no one is going to die. This isn’t the end of the world. I promise.”

Gem doesn’t let go. Pearl doesn’t either.

#empiresshipping #empires smp #gempearl #pixel writes

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