#water under the bridge part 4

[imaginedreamwrite]

Water Under The Bridge: Part 4

Hair on the back of your neck had stood on end, the instinctive and natural suspicion of something or someone looking at you had been carrying on for nearly an hour.

You were cautious and speculative, even being as lost as you were in the crowd of people mulling in the bar. The fact that there were so many other people in the college bar enjoying their Friday night and you were still being watched, had you naturally looking for an exit strategy.

Your friends that dragged you out tonight hadn’t once seemed to be affected by whatever had been studying you from somewhere in the bar, they were so transfixed by drinking overpriced cocktails or grinding on each other on the tightly packed dance floor.

No one had seemed to have their skin prick from the predatory nature of being studied, and none of your friends had been as cautious as you were.

Slowly and while trying to be nonchalant, you had set your drink on the table in front of you and then slipped the coaster out from one of your friends’ drinks, setting it on top of your glass. You set the coaster on top of the glass in a very distinct position knowing that if someone was trying to come and screw with your drink you would be able to tell by how the coaster had been moved.

With your drink taken care of, you started to stand and shuffle around your friends while they discussed dancing again, raising your voice to tell them you’d be heading to the bathroom.

You stepped away from the table and shivered, that same sensation of being watched becoming more intense now that you had stood and started to move away from the table.

With a careful look back at the table and your friends, you started to move in and out of the crowd of people to head toward the bathroom. You kept your pattern as random as possible, taking no straight path to the end of the bar as a means to see if you were being paranoid or if you were being watched.

The attempt to make it to the bathroom without being watched was fruitless, you had known with unwavering certainty that no matter where you went someone in the building was watching you. A chill ran down your spine and with goosebumps rising to your arms, you made the split decision to change your tactic and instead of heading to the bathroom, you headed to the emergency exit.

You knew that the alarm for the door never worked, information that came to you from one of the girls in your dorm building who had been banned from that bar by running a tab and slipping out the emergency exit. Even after being banned they still hadn’t fixed the alarm, they couldn’t have been bothered to.

You stepped outside into the cool air, shivering from the abnormal chill of the night and stood against the cement wall, resting one foot flat against the surface.

You drew in a sharp breath, your eyes searching the street and your heart pounding erratically when you noticed a black SUV parked down the street with its engine running though there were no lights. You fixated your attention on the vehicle as it was running, the exhaust pooling from the pipe a distinct sign that someone was or had been inside, although you couldn’t see anyone in the driver’s seat.

Again, you felt the hair at the nape of your neck stand on end although it wasn’t the feeling of being watched that made you apprehensive. Rather, it was the running and empty vehicle parked on the other side of the street facing you.

“Y/N?” The emergency exit door opened and your friend stepped halfway out of the bar, speaking your name with caution. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” You turned away from the vehicle, grabbing the frame of the door to hold it open wider as a means to go back inside. “I just needed air.”

His voice redirected you into mental consciousness, the droll of his arrogance trailing on the edge of his words as he seemed to quip and endear himself to antagonize you with every possible inch of his existence.

It was impossible to truly grasp the power of Lloyd Hansen and his ability to dig himself under your skin with micro-aggressive tactics and mannerisms that only he could grasp, and as your soulmate, only he could affect you this vigorously.

“Unimpressed?” He’s keeping himself behind you, fuelled by a certain need to try and calculate your next move before you make it, even on something as simple as a prison tour.

He was, in a way, treating you like you were on house arrest with a whole security team assigned to you and your penchant ability or wish to escape by any means necessary.

Not only had Lloyd Hansen assigned your security team to keep an eye on you, but he had also allocated a private car to take you anywhere you wished to go. Under his direction of himself, of course. It was both a reaction to your probable choice to be a flight risk and a reaction to you becoming his only well-known and public weakness.

Even if the man himself had projected himself as being a sadistic and arrogant man with the means to completely ruin someone’s life beyond the point of death, he had weaknesses that could not be hidden and obscured from view. And you as his soulmate who was found, and would go without the removal procedures to keep his mark off of you, were his greatest weakness.

The death of a soulmate was a terrible fate that no one could come back from, the death of your other half even if you reviled them, was an introduction to a dark and grim place.

It might have seemed a generosity to have your security team and driver, if it were anyone else you might have been thankful for the obvious care. However, it was Lloyd and Lloyd Hansen was the sadistic man who had taken you against your will to this historic yet overbearing residence.

“No iron maiden? No iron bull? I’m surprised by your lack of macabre torture devices.” The bedroom, even with your obvious disapproval of the man who was your soulmate, was gorgeous.

“Would you like me to tie you down, Pumpkin? Mhmm?” He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his lips cocking while a certain edge had taken hold of his eyes.

“I’m not here for you to explore your kinks, asshole.” Despite your tone of voice, he looked at you like you were a kitten raising its hackles and hissing.

He looked at you as if you were something or someone that he wanted to bend to his will sexually as if he wanted to make you pliant against him in every imaginable and erotic faction.

“You are my soulmate and my wife,” his hand came to rest under your chin and jaw, holding your head still while he leaned into you, eyes overcome with a burning hunger that you weren’t able to escape from.”

“Not yet,” you smacked his hand away from you, retaliating the hold he had with your resentment and anger, biting back at him with your physical and verbal gestures, “I’m not your wife yet.”

“Pumpkin,” he chuckled under his breath, a sound that was shiver-inducing and had brought a rise of goosebumps to your flesh, “you think you’re untouchable?”

“I think,” you doubled down on your aggressive turn, biting back at him with a fit of new underhanded anger, “that if you’re expecting me to act like some tender little doll for you to play with…”

“Then what? Tell me, Mrs. Hansen-“

“You have another fucking thing coming. I am not your toy.” You ended your point by placing your hands against his chest and shoving him out of the room, every fabricated measure of your strength used to get him out of the room.

You furthered your anger, your resentment for the man by slamming the door in his face and turning the lock, holding it tightly in your hand as a kind of measure to keep him out even though you knew that he could’ve busted down the door to get to you.

“A car is arriving tomorrow at nine, if you’re not down there waiting for me then I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you down myself,” Lloyd called through the door, delivering some kind of order or expectation that he demanded you follow.

“Don’t you have errand boys to do these things for you?”

“We’re going shopping, sweetheart.” Even through the door, his voice pissed you off, striking a nerve within you.

“I wouldn’t need clothes if someone hadn’t burnt my clothing, you arrogant prick.”

“Dime store rags won’t cut it, Pumpkin. You’re a Hansen, you need to dress like it.” To the tune of his voice, you kicked the door harshly, momentarily wishing it was his dick you were kicking rather than the wood barrier between yourself and him.

Though it hadn’t sated your emotional state in the long run, it had been a temporary relief for your well-being. Kicking the door had been as close to being able to take your anger out on him as you could get, and with the expenditure, you’d turned away from the door to recluse yourself until you were called on again.

Sleep had been fitful, as you expected it would’ve been. There was no relief that came from your eventually sleep.

Rather when you had managed to fall asleep and eventually wake in the morning, you found a reasonable excuse to be miserable from the moment you opened your eyes and kicked the blanket off. You noticed the first pieces of ink that had started to appear on your forearm like a branding, his name starting to take hold on your skin after going without the removal procedure.

It was coming in clear, even if it was the beginning of your soulmate mark, and with its return had come a dull sense of pain that was more aggravating than hurtful.

It was as if you could feel an itch beneath your skin on your forearm, the irritating and palliated prickling trapped under the layers of your epidermis was untouchable. You couldn’t have relieved the feeling anymore than you could have realistically removed it before it completely took hold of you.

“You’re late.” Instead of being fixated on the mark appearing on your forearm, you had focused your attention on one of the handlers Lloyd had assigned you and their attempts to make you feel remorse for sleeping in.

Though they were standing on the cusp of the threshold, it felt like they were standing to the left of the bed. With his hands obscured from view, shoved deep into the pockets in his dark pinstriped Tom Ford suit, the man standing on the cusp of the door appeared ready for some grand event.

And the contrast between you laying in bed after a fitful night sleep in the shirt you wore yesterday and the only pair of wide legged jersey pants, was ambiguous at best.

His hair was blonde, almost similar to the colour of ripe wheat in the fall, neither a true bright blonde or near enough to being brunette. At first look his eyes may have appeared blue and ordinary as they were, but another look had been corrective to your initial thought. Instead of blue, you realized his eyes were actually grey and light enough to look iridescent in the right light.

He was deridingly boyish in his appearance, a baby face kind of look about him that was a direct and fire contrast to Lloyd Hansen. Despite your low opinions of your soulmate and what he was, you had to reasonably admit that this guard coming to retrieve you was not nearly as physically imposing or enthralling as Hansen was.

Even as sadistic as Lloyd was, he was a man who looked like he had experienced something in the world versus this baby faced guard.

“Hansen is waiting-” He gave you the warning as if it was enough to spur you from bed, and you immediately fell into a pattern of a sarcastic and scathing rebuttal.

“For what? A eulogy?” Your cocked an eyebrow, grabbing the blankets to throw them off of you. “What’s with the suit? Does Hansen have a uniform?”

“Get dressed, Mrs. Hansen. We have a schedule to keep-”

“Go fuck yourself and tell Lloyd that if he wants me to go shopping with him, he’d better get his ass up here and drag me down by my hair.” You turned away from him and raised your hand, flipping the guard off over your shoulder with little remorse.

“I don’t take orders from anyone under Lloyd Hansen’s foot.”

“That attitude will get you in trouble, Princess. That’s not a threat, it’s a warning.”

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[ellieslittlewh0re]

𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 (𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏)

* ೃ⁀➷ part 2 - part 3

pairings - farmers daughter! reader x farmhand! ellie

summary - your dad hires a stranger to help out around the farm

additional tags - inexperienced but flirty reader, shy/loser ellie, cowboy boot wearing ellie, mutual pinning, slight masturbation mention (e!), e! w/ a southern accent??, eventual smut, (nothing too crazy happens in this part it’s mostly just setting vibes lol)

Beads of sweat collected on the bridge of your nose, and your thighs stuck together as you sat on the porch swing, just lazily swinging back and forth, using your tippy toes to keep the momentum going.

You look out over the vast pasture- green as far as the eye can see, with nothing to distract from the country landscape except for some power lines out in the distance.

Even with the sun starting to set- it was still unbelievably hot.

"Keep goin' like that and you're gonna die of a heat stroke."

You yell to your father who was working under the hood of his rusty truck. Usually, he pays no mind to your nagging, but this time it seemed to work- or perhaps he was just finished for the night.

He shuts the hood, slamming it with a metallic thud before wiping his hands on a greasy rag.

His boots rang loudly against the hallow wooden stairs of the porch, looking down at you through bushy eyebrows.

"I don't need your sass, kid."

You roll your eyes at his comment. He's always been stubborn and tough, but in his old age, you can't help but worry. His cheeks have hallowed over the years, sun spots forming from the countless hours working on the farm, and his movements became slowed from the hard work catching up to him.

"I wouldn't sass if you'd just listen. Seriously, it's okay to hire someone to help. no one is gonna shame you for that." You pester affectionately, standing from the swing to open the screen door and enter the house with him following behind.

You follow him to the kitchen, listing all the reasons why he should have help.

One: he's getting old.

Two: his knee has never been the same since he had that operation done 4 years ago.

Three: the farm is too big and demanding to tend to alone.

"Okay- enough.. you sound just like your mother sometimes I swear." He hold a hand up, pausing you mid-ramble, and takes a sip from the glass he filled from the tap.

You pouted, and once again, your suggestions felt shot down.

He finishes the water, wiping his beard with the back of his hand.

"I actually have someone comin' by tomorrow. They were recommended t' me by Phillip at the feed store."

Your eyes lighten up, a smile grows on your face, and you finally feel like you can breathe, knowing that the hardships wouldn't be your dads alone anymore.

You rush around the kitchen island, placing a kiss to your dads cheek and squeezed him tight.

"Thank you! I can't wait- I'll have to bake em' something sweet tonight."

"Alright- settle down-" he pushes you away slightly with a smile on his weathered face. Truly an adoring annoyance that only a parent could love.

Your old man calls it a night, showering and off to bed he went, but you? Oh- you were busy. You tried your hardest to keep the sound down to a minimum, bowls, and kitchen utensils splayed on the counters.

A small apron draped around your waist, flour smudged on your cheekbone as you pulled the blueberry scones out of the oven. A satisfied smile grows on your face as you observe your work and finishing of the pastries with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Maybe, you were going a tad bit overboard, but the truth is, you were painfully lonely. The only time you had any visitors on the farm was when you held pumpkin patches in the fall, but even then, it was always young families that didn't bother to stay around for too long.

You go upstairs, a slight pep in your step as you did so. You showered and put in your favorite pajamas- a short, soft floral patterned dress with bows that secured the straps.

You tossed in bed, sleep not being in favor since your mind was still wide awake. You try to picture what they would look like- what they sounded like.

Was he tall? Around your age, or is he just another old man like your father? Maybe they're not a man at all.

It's best not to get ahead of yourself; whoever this person is, they are coming to work for your dad and not to become your friend.

-

You slept lightly, and your senses became more aware as a muted thud rang outside your second-story bedroom window. You open your eyes slowly, blinking away the sleepy confusion as dust particles dance in the sunbeams of your room.

It took you a few seconds to realize why today was so important, but once you remembered- it had you scattering out of bed to your window, pulling back the sheer laced curtains, and taking a peak outside.

There was a truck you didn't recognize parked in the driveway. It was slightly newer than your dad's, but that's not saying much; a simple 2-door with an extended bed, slightly lifted with sturdy-looking tires.

A slim figure stood next to the driver's side door, hands on their hips as they looked up at the house. To your surprise, it wasn't a man at all.

You squint, trying to get a better look at her without realizing how big of a creep you are being.

Her hair shined a brilliant shade of auburn in the morning light, a brown button up shirt with the sleep rolled up to her elbows, slightly flared and worn denim jeans hugged her hips with brown cowboy boots that seemed to match the leather of her belt.

You caught a glimpse of something on her arm, dark lines that disrupted her pale skin. It was a tattoo, although you could make out the details of the design.

She looked the part of someone who knows how to run a farm, but something about her seemed so out of place- almost like she was too pretty for such a dirty job.

While you were too busy eyeing her up and down, you didn't realize she had caught you. She put her hand up, holding it there for a second before bringing it back down to her side. You wave back, a slight wiggle of you fingertips which made her smile.

You watch her walk out of the frame of your window before sitting on the edge of your bed- your fingers grasping at the embroidered comforter. You had this weird feeling in your tummy; it was something you couldn't explain, almost like nausea but also like when you go on a big rollercoaster.

You felt nervous but excited all at the same time. You figured it was because she was around your age, maybe slightly older- shrugging it off as you got up and got ready for the day.

You brush your hair before tying it into two loose braids, finishing it with light pink ribbons at the ends. You wanted to put a little more effort into your appearance today since you're meeting someone new, and as daddy always said, "First impressions are the most important."

You take a deep breath in the last most of solitude of your room before making your way down the stairs, the conversation between the stranger and your father growing louder and louder from the kitchen as you inched closer.

"There she is-" your dad motions an arm in your direction, the stranger immediacy turning to meet your face.

"Ellie, this is my daughter, y/n, and y/n, this is Ellie."

"It's nice t' meet you, Ellie." You said in your sweetest voice you could muster as you walk towards her, holding a hand out.

"Likewise." She smiles, taking your hand in hers and shakes it firmly. She seemed respectful, maybe even a little flustered- seeing that her cheeks started to turn a deep shade of pink.

Upon seeing her closer, it didn't help settle your nerves. She was gorgeous; freckles adorned her alabaster skin, a scar that ran through her eyebrow and upper lip, and her eyes a mossy shade of green with dark, long lashes framing the shape.

She was honestly the prettiest girl you've ever seen but not in the same way you were often described. There was a boyish charm to her that you had never seen before.

"Well- best we get to it then." Your dad chimes in, causing you to let go of the calloused hand that you hadn't realized you were still holding onto.

"I'll see you around Ellie." You just barely make audible to her, bitting down on your bottom lip before turning on your heel and leaving them to do their jobs.

Ellie was almost speechless upon meeting you. Never in a million years did she ever think a girl like you could live in this small country town, but fuck, leave it to her luck- you were the boss's daughter, which means you were off limits.

You didn't make it easy on her either, prancing around in your little summer dress that flowed with your movements, rising dangerously high when you would turn around, almost giving her a peek of your ass.

Ellie swallowed hard each time, the saliva filling her mouth with all the dirty thoughts she had- which mostly consisted of you underneath her, completely naked and trembling after she forced a 4th orgasm out of you.

-

The sun was starting to set, blanketing the canvas in shades of orange and pink, and to your disappointment- Ellie would be leaving soon.

She was walking towards her truck, slightly dragging her feet from exhaustion, and you're happy she did so. It gave you enough time to run out of the house barefoot, container filled with the homemade goods in your hands.

"Ellie!-" you called out to her which made her turn around, her hand opening the driver side door.

You nearly bump into her, slightly out of breath as you held up the tupperware with both of your hands.

"Sorry- I made them last night, must've forgotten in to give 'em' to you earlier." Again, your voice is so sweet and innocent- like honey coated candies on her tongue.

A smirk grows on her face, taking the gift from you to inspect them.

"That's mighty kind of you.. oh no, are these blueberries?"

Your face contorts to concern, and Ellie can't help but think how fucking cute you look all worried like that.

"Yeah, why? Do you not like 'em?" You pout, almost like you're on the verge of tears

A low chuckle reverberates in her throat, "I'm just messing with you, doll. They look delicious."

"Meanie."

A few seconds of silence go by, and Ellie looks everywhere except your face, and I mean everywhere- including the plushness of your breast that spilled over the top of your dress - she couldn't have you knowing how red her cheeks are right now.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" She said it almost like a question- as if you'd miss out on such an opportunity.

"See you tomorrow, Ellie. Goodnight." You stand on your tippy toes, planting a quick kiss on the rounds of her cheeks, and run back inside, leaving Ellie in full panic mode.

She gets into her truck, taking a moment to herself before turning over the engine. Her fingers tighten around the steering wheel as she replays it in her head. She felt like she could combust, literally and figuratively- her head came down to rest on the wheel, and her cheeks ached from the smile that wouldn't seem to leave her lips.

In fact- she thought about it all night long. When she showered, when she laid in bed trying to sleep, she was tingling, an ache growing inside the depths of her stomach.

I mean, could you blame her? You didn't try to hide how hard you stared or how flirtatious you were towards her.

Maybe you were just like that with everyone.

Still- it didn't stop her. And It didn't stop her hand from slipping into the waistband of her checkered pajama pants, and it definitely didn't stop her from fingering herself to thoughts of you.

She came hard that night, harder than she had before, and she can't help but wonder- if simply her imagines of you felt this good, how would fucking you for real feel?

❥ taglist - @machetegirl109

[derehono]

24.02.2022.

The day that changed my life forever.

24th of February 2022 should have been my usual day. No, not usual. A wonderful day. I should have been checked with a doctor, gave notice to teachers in high school of my absence, and then fly away on vacation, my parents wanted it so much.

On 23rd of February 2022 I felt happy. I had a secure, happy life, preparing to finals, hanging out with my friends, already having an offer from university.

Until 5AM 24.02.2022.

I had not a single class in my school since then.

I haven’t seen my friend group in 2 years.

I didn’t have my finals.

We did not have that vacation.

“Daughter, wake up. This old psychotic man attacked us. We are leaving.”

That was my first photo of the day, trying sarcastically keep myself normal. I remember that actual emptiness, reading my classmates texts about how their windows were shaking because of explosions, the sky was orange. They sent that video.

He called it “a special military operation”.

I collected random clothes, some hobby stuff just to keep my sanity, grabbed my pet, emptied my safety locker. I was scared that russians would intrude into our home and steal all my savings, so I throw away key to that lock. This key became my symbol of war, I have never found it even after return.

When I with my parents and pet got out of flat to car we heard for the very first time air raid siren. We would hear so many more of them, we would learn to differentiate them, but then we were confused.

It was my second photo. People were going away. Foot, cars, bicycles. I remember such a surreal picture. Some moms were carrying their toddlers, one woman was carrying a bucket of water with turtles, other people were carrying cages with parrots, with dogs, with cats, with exotic pets despite air raid siren, temperature, rain. Everyone was so confused and scared.

Few days later the road we were riding was occupied. Bridges destroyed. Factories burnt. Supermarkets demolished. Houses in ruins. Road in holes. On the side of the road burnt cars with “DO NOT TOUCH, POSSIBLY EXPLOSIVE”. That gut wrenching feeling seeing photos of dead bodies and recognising the place.

But back then it was still lively, not a road of death. I remember reading news then. First victims, first shelling. Invasion from East. Invasion from Kharkiv region. Invasion from Crimea. Invasion from Chernihiv. Invasion from Zhytomyr. And we were in Zhytomyr region at that moment. Explosions in Kyiv. The border was destroyed.

I felt nothing. Just emptiness.

This precious girl was keeping my head cool all the road. She was also scared and irritated, but she was so strong, such an amazing girl. I am so proud of her.

We were heading to my grandparents who lived closer to West Ukraine, so we would be safer. The road that takes usually just 4 hours but that time it took 13 hours. 13 hours of driving exhausted and nerved. We saw soldiers, trucks, jets, how barricades were built, signs were removed.

But we made it. We were lucky. Lucky to be alive, to have family alive and mostly close to West, further from russia. Even though, part of my extended family still was under occupation in Chernihiv region, suffering from such close border with belarus.

When we arrived, we were just silent. Then collected mattresses for shelter, asked grandpa to grab some patrol (we knew that they would definitely destroy reservoirs and literally next day the started doing that), and just fell asleep in something that we arrived in, being so scared.

That day I also cut ties with russian friend who I am shamed to admit having. He was proving me that this is just a military operation, no one would be harmed.

Then, arrived spring that I will never forget but at the same time never remember. I remember 10 people in one floor house. I remember the whistle of rocket that woke us up. I remember sirens. I remember news. I remember losing hope. I remember first photos after deoccupation of Kyiv region. I remember how forgotten friend of my dad suddenly called him saying that his city is fully destroyed, his neighbour right on his eyes was exploded attempting to get into the car and evacuate.

I remember my first mental breakdown. How I was crying in the darkness, but quietly so no one would notice.

We were able to return home three months later. But we are just lucky. Someone would never return. Someone is not even alive to see their home again. Someone’s home is forever destroyed.

I was lucky that I have secured my place at foreign university before war, but my whole family is still in Ukraine.

War is not over at all. 20% of Ukraine is occupied. So many displaced civilians, so many deaths. No one could even count, we do not have any access to bodies. Only way to identify is to deoccupy and find mass graves. No other means. Children are suffering from PTSD even in such a young age. Almost in every city, big or small, you would find graveyards covered in Ukrainian flag, grave of the soldier.

Maybe media does not talk that much of us, but it doesn’t mean that everything is alright. Avdiivka is destroyed, right now operation searching for people under debris of the civilian house after attack is undergoing.

And this is happening all the time.

Who was punished for Olenivka? Who was punished for destruction of Kakhovka Dam? Who was punished for all fully destroyed cities? Who was responsible for all that absolutely atrocious videos torturing Ukrainian soldiers?

Please, remember, Ukraine is still on fire. People are still dying. Soldiers cannot even counterattack because they do not have enough ammo, just for protection. Information war is also waging, sharing all that misinformation, Nazi narratives, russian propaganda.

Remember.

Help.

Share.

russia is a terrorist state.

Glory to Ukraine.

Glory to the Heroes.

[emeraldborealis]

Over And Over Again

Pairing: Ex-husband John Price x GN!reader

TW//CW: Angst, flashbacks, yelling, fighting, brief mention of suicidal ideation, manipulation, gaslighting, blood, parental trauma, coerced drinking.

A/N: Hopefully this part will explain some questions about their past relationship.

Words: 5,147

You are currently reading Chapter 4

The Do-Over Series Masterlist - Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three - Chapter Five

Shutting the door behind John didn't feel real. Hearing his car pull out of the driveway again didn't feel real. 

Walking into your bedroom and into your bathroom to shower didn't feel real. The water didn't feel real.

Everything felt so distant. Like it wasn't really happening. There was a numbness that had washed over you, making nothing feel like anything. 

Sitting on your floor, still naked and wrapped in your towel you pulled out a box from under your bed, opening it you sifted through its contents, past letters and notes from friends and family, your birth certificate, social security card. All of it was here, but you were looking for something in particular. 

Pulling out your wedding ring you held it in your hand, feeling the cool metal against the palm of your hand. It was so cold it felt foreign to hold. It was once always warm, always against your skin. A feeling you knew better than almost any other. One you were once proud to have. 

All at once the memories came flooding back in. All at once something felt too real.

"Can you do more? Try harder? We all have to help around the house. You're an adult now. I need you to do more. And you need to go to work more, you have rent you need to pay, and insurance." Your mother's lecturing voice clawed into your eardrums. 

"I'm trying my best, I do help. I do more than you think I do. I'm working as much as I can." You felt like it was killing you, working so hard and receiving so little. It had always been this way. You were seen as nothing but lazy.

"I never see you do anything. And you could be going into work more, you should be getting forty hours. You're an adult." Your mother continued, shooting down your efforts.

"You don't see everything. I'm doing all the work they have for me. Why does it matter? I pay you, I put money away in savings. I'm doing alright. I've been working since I was fifteen." No matter how often you tried to explain that you were making it, she wouldn't listen.

"Well, you've needed to pay me since you were fifteen. So you needed a job. You want to be someone someday don't you? This is life, this is what we do. We work. This is how you become someone. So unless you marry someone, this is your life, living here until you can move out." You didn't have the energy to argue, she was right. She always was.

Turning the ring over in your hand you felt tears welling back into your eyes as another memory came to mind. You'd cried a lot tonight. Apparently you weren't done yet. 

Sitting utterly alone in your bedroom, you were about to be plagued by a parade of memories, forced to watch each one pass you one by one like fancily decorated floats. You did this too often, let your past walk all over you, throw things at you until you had too much to hold.

"I'm going for a walk." You informed your parents, stepping out the front door without protest.

Your feet took you to a familiar path, one you walked often. One you probably shouldn't walk on, you knew it was stupid and dangerous, especially the bridge. 

But the walk made you feel better. Especially when you'd walk with music blasting in your ears. Leaving the possibilities of something bad happening open. You knew that thought process was wrong. Which is why you didn't have your music today.

"You shouldn't walk on the tracks, you know. It's dangerous." A voice behind you startled you, making you trip and stumble on the railroad ties, you were able to recover without falling thankfully. You hadn't heard anyone around you. You needed to be better about zoning out.

"Yeah? I had no idea." Sarcasm dripped from your voice, turning around to face whoever it was that was talking to you. It was a man, a few years older than you. A smooth babyface, soft eyes, he was built an abnormal amount for a typical person his age. "Who are you anyways? Why do you care?"

"My name's John. I care because there's so few people in the world who look as nice as you, so it'd be a shame for you to be hit by a train."  His response made you roll your eyes.

"Oh, I get it. You're a creepy bum. Stop following me." You turned to keep walking, trying to leave him behind, but he followed you, jogging to catch up and walk beside you.

"You're delightful aren't you? And I'm not a bum."  He defended himself, not letting you continue alone. Maybe he could tell you were upset. Maybe he understood.

"Then what are you, John?" You asked a bit accusatorially, stopping to face him. 

"I'm in the S.A.S." Suddenly you heard a door opening, a way out. They moved around a lot, didn't they? Looking down you inspected his left hand, no ring.

"You seem a little young for being in the S.A.S." You were skeptical, untrusting. You needed to know he wasn't lying to you. He was no use to you if he really was just a weirdly strong creep.

"I joined the infantry at sixteen." He explained, a small smile coming to his face as he watched you take him in.

"I don't know what that means, but I'm assuming it's an explanation." John was going to become someone, John was going places. You wanted to catch a ride, you wanted out. 

Your struggles were a completely different battle when you were young, time doesn't heal everything. But it can take you away from those things, make them hurt less. John made them hurt less.

For a time.

"Who's this? This your boyfriend? He's so sweet looking." Your mother smiled, moving in to hug John, embracing him like she knew him, despite this being the first time she met him. "I'm a hugger." 

John seemed a bit awkward and unsure of your mother, he'd heard you rant about her a few times, just small things. But from his own experience he knew what she was probably like. "You have a good kid, good head on their shoulders." 

"Don't I? I raised them well." You could feel a bubble of anger rise in you, she didn't raise you. You raised yourself.  

You'd carried so much anger and resentment for your mother when you were younger. A lot of it was well earned. But the ways you'd sometimes treat her in return still ate at you. She was trying to overcome how she was raised. Just as you were now.

It just wasn't fair that you had to become a stepping stool for her to find peace for herself. It wasn't fair that she got to believe she was the reason you turned out okay when she was one of the biggest things you had to overcome.

"So, do you like John?" Your mother asked you curiously, sitting on the end of your bed, interrupting you from reading your book.

"I don't know yet. I think I do." You shrugged, putting your book down. Talking about this stuff with your mother made you feel sick.

"You like him, I can tell. You know you could have told me you were dating someone." She nudged your leg, trying to play with you, but you could hear a hint of her lecturing tone slipping through.

"It slipped my mind I guess. Sorry." You apologized. You found it easier to apologize immediately rather than let things keep going, keep escalating. Even when you apologized sometimes she still preferred to keep digging in deeper.

"You know you can talk to me about anything. Anytime." She was trying to be sincere, she really was. It just felt wrong to you. It felt wrong to talk to your mom. It always ended in a lecture of some kind.

"Yeah, mom. I know."  You reassured her, really just wanting to get back to reading your book.

Looking up to your ceiling you tried to stop your tears, wiping at them furiously. You were shaking again, but that may have been because you were still just in a towel. You couldn't stop yourself from crying, your bottom lip sticking out in a pout as you ugly cried.

"So, when are you and John going to get married?" Your mother questioned as you walked through the front door after work.

"Mom, it's been six months. Two of which he was gone." You took a deep breath, putting your bag down and taking off your work shoes. "Why are you so concerned about me getting hitched?"

"I was married at nineteen. You could be too. Especially since John is a good man. I think you should marry him." Your mom smiled at you, explaining her reasoning. She wanted you to sit down and talk to her about it. But you brushed her off. 

"I don't know yet." You grabbed your bag and started walking off.

"I was talking to you!" Your mom called after you.

Why did you ever let your family get the idea of marriage in your head? Why was that the thing that was supposed to fix you? Maybe if you had decided for yourself that you wanted to be married you could have gotten to that point with John on your own.

You could have actually been ready to get married. You could have learned how the world was supposed to work. How relationships were supposed to work.

"John, I want out of this stupid town. I want out of my parents house." You sat in a tree with him, watching the sunset, there were stars coming out now. Things felt right in these moments with John.

"We could get married, we could move somewhere. I've been thinking I want to be closer to base. We could get married and go together. There's a lot of pros to marrying me." John suggested the idea to you, taking your left hand in his, playing with your ring finger.

"There are..." You held his hand tighter. "You're the first person I've felt this way towards. Maybe that's a sign."

You wailed, curling up on your cold hard floor. You felt pathetic, but you knew you needed to let yourself feel all of this.

To finally fully process and let go of everything that brought you and John together in the first place. Everything he was to you. Everything he did for you. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

"Welcome home, sweetheart." John opened the door to your new apartment for you, holding your hand softly, your wedding band rubbing against his rough skin. "Look around, I'll get our bags from the car." 

You walked around your new home, both your families had moved your stuff in while you were on your honeymoon. This was your first time seeing the place, it was nice. It was far away from your family. It was perfect.

"I know it's not much. One day I'll get us an actual house, I promise." John came inside, setting your bags down. You smiled at him, jumping on him in a bear hug.

"No, it's perfect." You reassured him, kissing his face repeatedly. You were the happiest you'd been in a long time. You were happy to be married to John. To be able to call him your husband. To be out of your old home. Things were looking up.

Remembering the good years tore you apart. The few good years when you were just happy to be with John. When things were working out, when the compromise was listening to him and you were happy to do so.

They were all supposed to be good years. It was all supposed to be good. You were supposed to live out the rest of your life happily with John. But all good seasons have to come to an end.

The memory of the first time you broke down and called your mom still stung. When you had a moment of weakness and just needed your mom. You needed your mom like how you saw others need your mom all of growing up. How could she turn you away when she didn't turn them away?

"Mom, I'm not really happy. We fight a lot." You spoke into the landline, wiping at your tears. Feeling guilty for needing to talk to her. Feeling guilty you needed to talk to someone about your marriage.

"You love him don't you?" Your mom asked curiously, sounding mildly concerned. 

"Yes." Your voice trembled as you spoke. You just needed your mom. You needed to talk to your mom. 

"Then there you go, all marriages have troubles. But since you love him I'm sure you can work it out. Me and your dad fight but we love each other so we make it work. Anyways, I have to go. I'll talk to you later. Okay?" She brushed off your need to talk to her. Your desperation to just be consoled by her.

"Okay. Love you." You hiccupped. Knowing now you shouldn't have bothered. She only cared to listen to your problems if they helped prove her point. This did nothing for her, listening to you now was like listening to a gnat. Inconsequential to her.

"Love you." She hung up on you, leaving the receiver beeping in your ear. Leaving you in shambles alone. Leaving you once again believing you were the problem.

You probably were. You just needed to try harder, work harder to fix things. You loved him. So that was enough for things to work out.

Your screams didn't even make a sound, they were just a rushing of air and a tightness in your throat as you sat up from the floor, sitting with your back against your bed, clutching your ring against your chest.

"I don't want another, I'm okay." You refused another drink, a polite smile on your face.

"Oh come on, you've only had one. I didn't think your wife was a killjoy, John, with the way you talk so highly of them. I thought we could all have some fun." One of John's friends complained, trying to push another drink over to you.

"Come on love, it's okay. You can handle another drink, right? Nothing bad will happen to you as long as I'm here. Just drink a little more, if you can't finish it I will." John tried to reassure you, wrapping his arm around you and squeezing your shoulder, bringing you in closer to him. Away from his buddy.

"Okay." You caved, accepting another glass of alcohol. "But I'm not drinking all of it."

John's friend kept drinking, and then he kept drinking. He was totally pissed, babbling on and on about things you couldn't even understand. He was making you uncomfortable, but John reassured you he was harmless.

"Your wife sure is something John. I see why you married them." John's friend drunkenly giggled, reaching his hand out towards you, John pushed away his hand. Bringing you closer to himself. John's eyes were dark and dangerous, something you'd never really seen with him.

"I think you've had enough to drink. Let's get you home." John stood up from the booth, helping his friend up, putting his friend's arm around his shoulder to help him walk straight. "Come on, love. We'll take him home then we can go home too." 

"Oh, okay." You followed close to John, you were buzzed, but you were alright.

"You're such a good man John, being willing to share such a nice thing." John's friend stumbled away from John, wrapping his arm around you. His breath reeked of the alcohol he was drinking, his arm around you was heavy. Felt wrong. 

"What?" Your sudden panic of betrayal was short lived. One moment John's buddy was all over you, then the next John was on him, several feet away from you on the ground.

One hit, then two. John just kept hitting him. Over and over again. His knuckles were bloody, each time he pulled back his arm to hit him again you saw them, it wasn't his own blood. "Don't you ever touch them. Don't you ever touch my wife."

"John. John, that's enough. John, he's had enough." You grabbed John's shoulder, trying to calm him down. It was as if he hadn't even heard you, he just kept hitting his friend. "John, John. John! JOHN! Stop!" 

The sound of your screaming made him stop, stumbling up off of his now unconscious friend. You were surprised the damage wasn't worse, he was holding his punches and he was still a bloody mess. 

"It's alright, I've got you." He wrapped his arms around you, soothing you with his bloody hands, whispering sweetly into your ear, his nose pressed to your temple. The blood on his hands ruining your shirt.

Biting your lip you tried to stop it's quivering. You didn't want to remember that. You didn't want to have to think about that day anymore. It was one of the biggest turning points in your marriage. It was the day things started to get really bad.

"I'm trying to fix things okay?" John yelled at you, running his hands through his hair. "I'm sorry if what I did was shocking to you. I was just trying to get him away from you. I was angry, unbelievably angry."

"John, you're always angry." You cried, trembling as you stood before him. Sobbing like the mess you were.

"Well, who's fault is that?" His tone was biting, tearing into you. "Stop looking at me like that, stop looking at me with that scared face! I have never laid a hand on you. I would never lay a hand on you. So stop acting like a victim." 

You could hardly breathe, climbing from the floor you sat on the edge of your bed, adjusting your towel that had started to slip away from your body. Bringing it around you tighter.

"Mom, things have gotten worse between us. We're both tense since the incident." You called your mom, trying to cry to her again.

"That's normal. Fights are scary to see, but he was protecting you. Defending your honor. You're not worried he'd hit you right?" You could hear her washing the dishes on the other side of the line. Your concerns weren't even worth her full attention. You weren't worth her attention.

"I don't know." You ran your hand through your hair, trying to soothe yourself.

"You love him right?" She seemed to be listening a little better now, if only to hear the answer to her question.

"Yes." You sniffled, wiping the snot from your nose on the sleeve of your sweater.

"Then things will work out. This will pass. Just try to work harder on your relationship." Work harder. Work harder. All you needed to do was work harder. Push farther. Be better. Do better.

Standing from your bed you weighed your ring in your hand, screaming, you threw it as hard as you could. It hit your wall, falling down behind your dresser, as you heard it hit the floor you sunk down to your knees sobbing.

"You know how I said I'd get us a house someday? Well, since I'm being moved to another base we need somewhere closer to live. And I found the perfect place, it's everything you've ever told me you wanted. And, I think a change of scenery could be good for us." John announced to you, a smile on his face.

"It's an actual house? Like, our actual house? We're not renting anymore?" You asked, excitement coursing through you. Jumping up you jumped on him, making him chuckle as he caught you.

"Yes, and it's perfect for us. Has lots of character, just needs a little work." He spun you around. This could be a fresh start, somewhere away from everything you knew, a place to make new memories and experiences.

Your fingers traced over a scratch in the hardwood, you couldn't remember how it got there, maybe it was there before you moved in. Something about it felt familiar.

This home was supposed to fix things, as you fixed it, it was supposed to in turn fix you, your relationship. But relationships can't be fixed with recaulking and repainting. You learned that from trying. 

"By work I didn't think you meant demolition and rebuilding." You joked, stepping out of the car, seeing the house for the first time. 

"It's what I could do, love. And, it's not that bad. Just needs some new paint. We can do it together." John playfully nudged you, pushing you softly. 

"Together." You agreed, laying your head against his shoulder, wrapping your arm around his waist. The moving truck would be there soon with your things, but right now you could just take in the sight of your new home with your husband.

You covered your face in your hands, you wanted to hide. Hide from remembering. The snot running from your nose was beginning to suffocate you, you couldn't breathe through your nose anymore. 

You were still trying to cry out, still trying to wail and scream. But you had no voice left, you'd barely get a squeak out. There was just too much hurt.

"Mom, things are actually getting better. I think this project together is what we needed. We've gotten most of the outside done, but the inside is still unpainted, it has some old wallpaper, I think John's plan is to peel it. It's nice wallpaper but it's peeling already in a few places." You tried to catch your mom up, actually happy to share good news with her.

"That's great. I have to go, but keep up the hard work." She was never going to listen to you. Not when she had other things to do. Not when you were not the most important thing.

"Oh, okay. Bye." You let her hang up, off to do who knows what.

You often mourned the relationship you could have had with your mother, if you were only more like her. Thought, talked, acted, more like her.

If you would have just let her keep controlling and dictating your life. If you'd never left her maybe she would have loved you as a mother should. 

If you reminded her less of your father. Maybe she could have liked you more.

Maybe if it wasn't for her own father, she could have been a better mother.

"Good work, another wall done." You admired your hard work on the outside of the house, putting your hand on John's shoulder mischievously.

"You just got paint on me didn't you?" He looked at your hand on his shoulder before he looked at your face. A knowing look on his face.

"Yep." You laughed, lifting your hand to show him your  palm covered in paint, and the spot on his shirt that now had your handprint. 

"You little-" You booked it, running away and laughing. 

"It's just paint! No need for retaliation!" You watched as John dipped his hands into the paint, chasing after you, you screamed as you ran away. "Stay away from me!"

"Why? It's just paint." He continued after you, much too quick for comfort. "Come on, I just want to embrace my loving wife, you don't want your husband to embrace you?" 

"No!" You laughed, slowing down. You did not have his endurance, you felt like your limbs were going to fall off before playing this prank. Now you were sure you'd die with the stitch that was in your side.

"You already have paint on you, what's a little more?" John caught you, wrapping his arms around you, he put his hands on your abdomen, getting paint on your shirt, marking you with his handprints. 

You continued to laugh. "Okay, okay. Now we're even." You turned around in his grasp to face him, kissing him tenderly.

"Not yet." He cupped your face, leaving a handprint on your cheek. "Now we're even."

You cupped your cheek, feeling where he'd left the handprint. It was long gone. But a piece of you could still feel it. There was so much good mixed in with the bad.

Most things will be okay eventually, but not everything will be. Sometimes you put in a good fight and still lose. Sometimes holding on too tight is the worst thing you can do. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and someone else is let go. 

Acceptance is a small, quiet room. Filled with so much thought and pain you'd think it was filled with angry bees.

"Now that we've finished the outside, are we going to paint the inside together too?" You asked curiously, sitting down with John on your couch, draping your legs over him. He seemed a bit tense, but you were sure you could help him relax. Unwind.

"Actually, I got a call. I have to go, I'm wanted at base. But, you start and I'll help you finish. Pick whatever colors you want." He kissed your forehead, patting your thighs before moving your legs off of him so he could go get his stuff ready to leave.

"Oh. Okay." You watched him leave you. Knowing you'd end up peeling all the wallpaper by yourself. Painting the entire inside of the house yourself. 

Even when you didn't appreciate each other anymore he still felt like your other half. Sometimes he still feels like your other half. The half that's missing. The half you'd sent away so many times. The half you'd watched walk out on you. The half that you weren't sure would come back to make you whole. 

Things began to get worse again, you were either fighting or ignoring the other. You'd have moments where things were good. But you both were distant. You didn't even notice you were crumbling until you fell apart. 

So many years together, so much time and energy spent trying to make things work. 

You just couldn't try anymore. 

"John." You didn't know what to say, how to speak. All words stuck in your throat. 

"Yeah?" He looked up at you from where he sat at the table, a questioning look. You handed him some papers. "What's this?" He took the papers from you, looking them over. Divorce papers. "Oh, I see."

Your mind made you mostly forget what happened that night, but you know you fought, you know he yelled at you, said a lot of hurtful things. You could still remember that pain. But you couldn't remember what exactly it was that hurt so bad. 

His yelling went on for so long, so many hours. Then there was the slamming of the door, and he was gone. Truthfully you were still trying to process leaving him, sending him away.

The divorce went fast, he gave you the house, and most other things. All he took was all he needed. Everything else was left to you.

"Mom, I'm divorcing John." You sobbed at your own realization, having now said it out loud for the first time. This wasn't right. But this was what needed to be done. Your marriage was a sinking ship and you refused to let either of you drown anymore.

"Oh. I knew he was no good, I knew he was a bad man. I tried to tell you to be careful marrying young. Told you that you could stay home as long as you needed, there was no rush. This is what happens when you rush relationships and just jump into marriage." Your mothers unempathetic words struck you. The manipulation, the lies. The gaslighting.

"Mom, you-" You tried to argue, tried to call her out.

"So, are you going to move closer to home? You should." Your mother continued, ignoring you completely.

"No, John left me the house. Said I put in more work on it, so I could have it." You were honestly shocked how much John just gave to you freely in the divorce. How defeated he seemed. He just wanted to get it over with quick and easy. He didn't want to take anything more away from you.

"You really want to stay there in that house?" Your mothers tone was skeptical, unbelieving.

"I do, Mom. I have to go. We can talk later." You refused to let her drag you back home, you were never going to live with her again.

"Oh, okay. Love you." You should have known better, your mom was always like this. Always placing the blame onto you. You didn't know when it was going to stop surprising you.

The aching in your chest wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, you knew it well. At one point you were sure you'd die from it. But you hadn't, you'd just kept living. 

Day by day you'd just kept living. You were still living. You'd come so far, too far to be letting these things still hurt you the way they did.

You stood at the window, watching John put his last box into the moving truck, pulling the door down and securing it. 

It was the truck that was going to take him away. It hurt, watching him. This was really it, you were watching him actually leaving your life. He was going to be gone for good now. 

It felt cruel, being left here without him. Even if you were the one who decided he needed to leave. A life without John in it just didn't sound right. Though you supposed it was time to figure out how to live a life alone.

"No." You'd felt relief then, watching him leave. But you didn't now. You'd changed. He'd changed. You didn't want to miss out on meeting the new him. You didn't want to let your past self stop you from moving on from that hurt. 

You weren't going to lose something you couldn't replace.

He really had changed. He didn't fight with you, even when you were screaming in his face. He expressed the desire not to control anymore, he was truthful even when it was damaging to him. He wasn't just trying to change like he once said. He had changed. 

Desperately you moved to your dresser, pushing and shoving at it, it wouldn't budge. It was far too heavy.

Tearing your clothes from the drawers you threw them on the floor, ruining how neatly folded they were. Once it was empty you pushed again, getting it away from the wall, using your legs you moved it enough to get behind it. Grabbing your wedding ring you held it in your hands.

You didn't want to let go of someone who put in the effort to change. Someone who's trying to change for you. If you don't allow him grace, if you don't allow him to change, all it does is prove that you too, are incapable of changing. 

You had too much love for him, where was that love supposed to go? Even if it was a complicated love, it was still love. Love worth trying again for. Love worth trying again for with equal effort on both sides. 

After so many years your love still remained, you were still stuck with all that love. So why not try? Why not let the love try to find a home in someone one more time?

[reality-detective]

Was the Baltimore Bridge attacked? 👇

The Baltimore bridge collapse was an “absolutely brilliant strategic attack” on US critical infrastructure - most likely cyber - & our intel agencies know it. In information warfare terms, they just divided the US along the Mason Dixon line exactly like the Civil War.

Second busiest strategic roadway in the nation for hazardous material now down for 4-5 years - which is how long they say it will take to recover. The bridge was built specifically to move hazardous material - fuel, diesel, propane gas, nitrogen, highly flammable materials, chemicals and oversized cargo that cannot fit in the tunnels - that supply chain now crippled.

Make no mistake: this was an extraordinary attack in terms of planning, timing & execution.

The two critical components on that bridge are the two load-bearing pylons on each end, closest to the shore. They are bigger, thicker and deeper than anything else. These are the anchor points and they knew that hitting either one one of them would be a fatal wound to the integrity of the bridge.

Half a mile of bridge went in the river - likely you will have to build a new one. Also caused so much damage to the structural integrity of the bottom concrete part that you cannot see & won’t know until they take the wreckage apart. Structural destruction is likely absolutely.

Attack perfectly targeted.

“They have figured out how to bring us down. As long as you stay away from the teeth of the US military, you can pick the US apart. We are an arrogant and ignorantly - lethal combination. Obama said they would fundamentally change America and they did. We are in a free-fall ride on a roller coaster right now - no brakes - just picking up speed.”

The footage shows the cargo ship never got in the approach lane in the channel. You have to be in the channel before you get into that turn. Location was precise/deliberate: They chose a bend in the river where you have to slow down and commit yourself - once you are committed in that area there is not enough room to maneuver.

Should have had a harbor pilot to pilot the boat. You are not supposed to traverse any obstacles without the harbor pilot.

They chose a full moon so they would have maximum tidal shift - rise and fall. Brisk flow in that river on a normal day & have had a lot of rain recently so water was already moving along at a good pace.

Hit it with enough kinetic energy to knock the load-bearing pylon out from under the highway - which fatally weakens the span and then 50 percent of the bridge fell into the water.

All these factors when you look at it  - this is how you teach people how to do this type of attack and there are so few people left in the system who know this. We have a Junior varsity team on the field.

Tremendous navigational obstruction. Huge logistical nightmare to clean this up. The number of dead is tragic but not the whole measure of the attack.

That kind of bridge is constantly under repair - always at night because there is so much traffic and they cannot obstruct that during the day. So concern is for repair guys who were on foot (out of their vehicles) working who may now be in the water - 48 degrees at most at this time of year.

When you choke off Baltimore you have cut the main north-south hazardous corridor (I-95) in half. Now everyone has to go around the city - or go somewhere else.

To move some of that cargo through the tunnel you may be able to get a permit but those are slow to get and require an escort system that is expensive and has to be done at night.

For every $100 dollars that goes into the city, $12 comes from shipping. Believe this will cripple the city of Baltimore at a time when they do not have the resources to recover.

- Lara Logan

The traffic issue was mentioned in this 👇 post

Maybe we have to dig deeper into this Bridge collapse further. Could it be a deeper issue? What's in those shipping containers? Who owns the ship?

Is it for this 👆

It has been 3 years and 3 days since the Evergreen blocked the Suez Canal. Does the number 33 mean anything?

Was this a "Black Swan Event?"

I'm just asking questions? 🤔

[cameronspecial]

Assisting In Deception (Part 4)

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Reader

Warnings: Thoughts about Sexual Content

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 3.3K 

Summary: Rafe shows his protective side for Y/N when gossip turns away. The wedding went better than they thought it would.

Masterlist

The next day, Rafe enters the office to the whispers of his employees. He can’t hear anything specific that they are saying as he glides to his office. He looks over to see if Y/N is at her desk and is surprised she isn’t there. He checks his watch to make sure he has the time right. It’s 10 AM, which means she is an hour late for work. She’s never been late before and this worries him. He heads into his office to call her but is interrupted by Jenna knocking. “Ms. Walsh, do you know where Ms. Y/L/N is?” he asks her, looking at both his work phone and personal one to see if Y/N left any sort of message. Jenna gives him a sad smile and enters his office, “Yes, sir. It’s actually why I came to talk to you. The news about you and her dating got out yesterday and the others have been saying some things she must have overheard and it upset her.”

A scowl crosses his face and he feels his blood boil. He storms out of his office into the bullpen outside. The loud slamming of his feet on the floor as he takes a stand in the middle of the room quiets everyone. “It has come to my attention that Ms. Y/L/N and mine’s personal relationship has made itself public knowledge,” he begins his threat. “If I hear anyone say anything about our personal business in this office or on a digital platform, you will be immediately fired and I will make sure you never get hired anywhere again. Is that clear?!” The crowd turns away in embarrassment at being caught and a few nod to show that his point was made. 

“I’m sorry I’m late Mr. Cameron, I overslept a litt-,” Y/N apologizes while walking into the office to hear silence and Rafe in the middle of everything. She turns to Rafe in perplexity, which is met with her being ushered into his office. He lets her settle into the couch and he sits beside her. He leaves some distance between the two because they don’t need to keep up with the appearance of a relationship in the privacy of this room. “Are you okay? I heard that people were saying things about you when they learnt about us,” he worries, hesitantly placing his hand on her back to rub it in reassurance. “Yeah, I’m fine. I have thick skin. Don’t worry about it,” she tries to brush it off. He turns her to face him, tilting her chin to look him in the eyes, “Please, don’t lie to me. I know it’s the reason why you were late today.” She adverts her eyes from him for a second. 

“Fine, they got to me. But I’m fine now. It’s water under the bridge.” As she says those words, she can’t fight the tears that form in her eyes while she remembers the insecurities she feels because of their words. Rafe brings her into his embrace and buries his head into her hair. He inhales the strawberry scent of her shampoo and presses a kiss to her hair in a friendly manner. She feels more comfortable with him, letting her sobs release into his neck. “It’s okay. They won’t be saying anything about you anymore,” he promises. She nods, lifting her head to look at him, “Thank you. Can we just get back to work, please? It’s my turn to be apathetic.” He lets out a chuckle and gets up from the couch. “Okay, sounds good. Could you book a meeting with Mr. Kingston?”

——

The workday ends later than planned with multiple meetings being longer than planned and new ones needing to be urgently booked in. Y/N couldn’t leave work for the day because he needed her to go over next month's planning. By the time they finish, it is midnight and she is getting ready to head back home by subway. They get on the same elevator together and when she goes to press the ground floor button, he stops her. “I’m not letting you go on the subway this late. I’ll drive you,” he offers, pushing the parking garage button. She looks over at him with warmth, “No, I can’t let you do that. I live in the opposite direction of where you need to go.” 

“Then you can stay at my place for the night. I have lots of empty rooms for you to sleep in.”

“Boss, I promise it’s fine.”

“Butterfly, please, let me do this so I don’t have to worry about you.” 

Knowing she won’t win this argument and that he is right about it being safer, she moves her hand from the elevator buttons and steps back. Once the elevator gets to the parking level, he leads her to his car and opens the passenger door for her. The ride to his apartment is filled with another one of her playlists, both of them being tired from the late work day. The door opening catches Dax’s attention and he rushes to his owner’s side. However, Dax finds intrigue in the girl beside his dad. “Omg, who is this little cutie?” she gushes, kneeling down to give the boy attention. She gives him the belly rubs he normally begs his father for. Dax sits up from the sitting position and she gives his face multiple kisses. 

Rafe feels jealous that her focus is on his dog. He never thought he would want to be a hairy four-legged creature. Yet, he wants to capture this moment forever. He pulls out his phone and snaps a photo of the scene. “I saw that,” she quips, looking up at him. “I’ve been thinking. And I think that you should post that picture on social media.”

“Okay, but you can see your face in this one. Let me take another one with your hair blocking your face.

“Um, that was the point. The cat is already out of the bag with who I am at the office. My cousin’s post is bound to make my identity known to everyone.”

“Are you sure? I can have my lawyers force your cousin to take it down and then get everyone at the office to sign an NDA.”

“That’s sweet. But I’m sure. That is all too much of a hassle to hide something that we are going to have to reveal later anyway.” 

“Okay.” She gets up from the floor and makes her way over to him to watch as he makes the post. In turn, she pulls out her phone, scrolling through different pictures she has taken of them. She lands on one she took while he was driving and shows it to him. “What about it?” he questions, glancing at her phone for a second and then going back to writing a caption. 

“Are you okay with me posting it too?”

“You want to post it?” He looks up at her with a glint of happiness. Rafe didn’t think she’d want to do that. Most relationships he has been in, romantic or otherwise, have had the other person want him to show them off through posts on his social media. They either wanted more followers or the chance to advertise whatever they had. And when they posted about him, it was for the same reason. Yet, he knows that’s not what it is for Y/N. Her account is private and she only ever posts about things that she loves or special events. She posts every few months and doesn’t just let random people follow her. Something about her posting him felt more intimate to him. He realizes it might be to just keep up appearances of a relationship, but he doesn’t let his excitement of the action turn down. “Yeah, you can post it. It’s actually a really good picture,” he confirms. 

A few minutes later, they both receive a notification that the other posted and they both go to like the picture. They both stare at the caption of the posts and marvel that they are both on the same wavelength. Rafe’s My Butterfly 🦋 causes Y/N to instinctively play with her hair while her My Boss 😍 causes Rafe to fidget with his rings as he realizes how much he likes the nickname. They look up at each other and smile before she lets out a tired yawn. His smile continues at how adorable her face looks while she does it, holding his hand out for her to take. He takes her to the guest bedroom closest to his room in case she needs anything. He tells her to wait for a second so he can get her a new toothbrush and some clothes to sleep in. He returns with gray sweatpants and a t-shirt that appears to be from his high school varsity days. She goes into the adjoining bathroom to change and brush her teeth. 

When she comes out and gets herself settled into the bed, he catches a glimpse of his last name on her back and he wants to melt at the sight. “I’m just next door to the right if you need anything.” As he says that, Dax prances his way to the room and hops onto the bed beside her. “Bud, you can’t sleep here. Give her some space,” Rafe orders, getting closer to the bed to get the German shepherd off. Y/N shakes her head and holds up her hand, “It’s okay. He can sleep here if he wants.” He pauses his advancement and bobs his head. 

“Okay. Well, goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” she smiles, giving him a small wave while petting Dax. Rafe leaves the room with a sigh. He gets ready for bed and he can’t stop himself from thinking about the girl in the next room. His cheeks redden at the thought of her in his clothes. He can’t explain why he feels this way. 

——

The wedding ceremony was beautiful and the reception was just as stunning. Y/N and Rafe watch the first dance with fond smiles. He leans in to whisper against the shell of her ear, “Do you ever think about getting married?” She turns her attention towards him. “Not really, I guess I’ve always been a little scared of planning my future. I can’t imagine anything more past next month,” she clarifies. The disappointment that settles in his heart is inexplicable, but he can’t think about it for too long because Nancy is asking him to dance with her. He takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor. Y/N gushes at the sight of Rafe dancing with Nancy and takes a picture of the pair. 

She goes to talk to a few family members, looking over her shoulder every so often to see her sister still dancing with her boyfriend. Her sister’s cheeks are so red that it is adorable. “Can you dance with me?” a little boy begs and by his blond hair, she guesses that he is from Gwen’s side of the family. Y/N smiles at him and takes him over to the dance floor. She takes his hands into hers, swaying them to the sound of the music. The song switches to a slow one and Rafe takes this as his opportunity to cut in, “Can I have my girlfriend back, please?” The boy pouts but runs off to find his parents. Rafe wraps his arms around her waist and she puts hers around his neck. Y/N’s head rests on his chest. They sway to the sound of the music and this is probably the closest they’ve ever been. 

Nate points out the dancing duo to his wife and she smiles at the scene. Her phone captures the moment, “I’ve never seen her so in love before.” She knew her daughter had issues with believing in love, but she always hoped that love would find the girl. She’s glad that it did. 

The music stops and the dessert is announced to be out for serving. Rafe mutters that he’s going to get them some dessert and another drink, breaking apart so he can do so. She heads back to the table. “Where’s Rafe?” Nancy inquires, looking around for her sister’s boyfriend. Y/N shakes her head, “It feels like you like him more than you like me. And he is getting some dessert and drinks.” Her little sister’s face lights up when Rafe comes into view. He is balancing two plates in one hand and two drinks in the other. A tingling feeling passes through her body as she sees the way his long fingers stretch out to hold both glasses. Rafe sets the drinks in front of his place and hers then lays a plate down for Nancy before he gives Y/N hers. Both girls give thanks for his gesture. 

Upon looking at all of her favourite sweets, she goes to toy with her hair but can’t because she puts her hair up for the wedding. Seeing that she needs something to do with her hands, Rafe takes her hand into his and fiddles with the rings on her fingers. It is moments like these that make it harder for Y/N to remember that this is all not real. 

——

Saturday means Y/N lets herself lounge around all day. The only source of substance that she consumed was coffee even though it was late into the afternoon. Rafe and her have been texting all day and she just forgot to make something for lunch. She makes the mistake of telling him in passing that she hasn’t eaten anything. Disappointment floods her when he doesn’t respond after that. About an hour later, a knock comes on her front door, assuming it is just her sister, who is meant to come over from dinner, she opens it without another thought. 

Rafe stands before her with two paper bags in hand. “What are you doing here?” she queries, letting him into the apartment. He looks back at her with crossed eyes, “You can’t tell me that you haven’t eaten all day and expect me to just do nothing about it. I’m cooking you dinner.” 

“I had something to eat.”

“Coffee is not a meal, Butterfly. So you are going to let me cook for you because I know you don’t like it. I’m making farro mafaldine with black truffle butter and mushrooms. Something I picked up when I was in Naples.” 

“Okay, but I was supposed to make dinner for Nancy. She’s coming over soon.”

“Well, now, I’m making dinner for all of us. I bought enough for four people. Is your roommate here? Or how about that neighbour you say has a crush on her?” 

“No. Juni is at her parents' place and Alexander is working a twenty-four-hour shift. So it’s just gonna be you, me and Nancy.” 

“Sounds good.”

He gets to work moving around the kitchen and she sits at the kitchen island, watching his process. She is entranced by the sight before her. He came from the office, so his buttoned-up shirt had his sleeves folded up his forearms, which always makes her drool. He unbuttoned the top few buttons and she could see the glimmer of his chain from underneath. The naughty thought of what it would look like dangling over her as he pounded into her infiltrates her mind. She imagines him bending her over the kitchen counter and slamming himself into her. The opening of the front door snaps her out of her dirty daydream. 

“Y/N/N, do you really have to cook? Last time you made me something, I’m pretty sure the rice was overcooked but the meat was undercooked. How about pizza instead?” Nancy suggests, stopping in her tracks when she sees Rafe. Her cheeks heat up and she tries to hide herself because she is wearing her paint-stained sweatpants and moth-eaten shirt. Her backpack hangs from her shoulder; a clear sign she is planning on staying the night. Rafe looks over at the girl, “Good thing I’m making dinner then. I promise your food will be appropriately cooked.” Nance giggles at the joke and sits at the kitchen island beside her sister to enjoy the view. 

They eat the meal with pleasant conversation. “Oh, before I forget to tell you, Butterfly, there is a charity event that I have to go to and I’d like for you to come with me,” Rafe informs, looking up from his food to look at her. She pauses her chewing, “I would love to go. Although, I’m not too sure if I have anything to wear.”

“That’s not a problem. We can go dress shopping tomorrow. That way I know what to get to match you.”

Nancy interrupts, “Yes, a fashion show would be so much fun. Can I please come?” Rafe lets out a chuckle at the girl's excitement. “Of course. I’ll just clean up this mess and head out. I’ll pick you guys up in the morning.” Nancy’s head moves from side to side, “Nonsense. I’m a big girl. I know that sometimes boyfriends sleep over at their girlfriends’ houses. You don’t have to change your plans on my account. And you cooked, so I’ll clean up.” After Nancy cleans up, the trio plays a few board games until they decide it is time to head to bed. Nancy goes to sleep in Juni’s room and Rafe awkwardly follows Y/N to hers. 

“You can sleep on my bed. I’ll get a pillow and blanket from the linen closet to sleep on the floor,” she proposes, moving around the room for her pyjamas.“No, I can sleep on the floor. It’s your bed after all,” he begins when another thought pops into his mind. “Or we could just share the bed. I mean if you are comfortable with that.” Y/N’s hair finds its way between her fingers, “Yeah, that can work. I…uhh… Don’t think I have any clothes big enough to fit you, so if you want, you can just sleep in your boxers.” She adverts her eyes from his and looks anywhere but near him. He agrees with the statement and she lets him go to brush his teeth before she goes to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

She gets back from the bathroom to find Rafe already under her blankets. His clothes are folded on her dresser. She bites her lip at the site of his shirtless figure peaking from the top of the blanket. His chain is now on full display and it takes everything in her not to pull him into a kiss with it. She quietly makes her way to her bed. She slides in beside him and they both turn on their sides, facing away from each other. They exchange goodnights and then let the sweet release of sleep come over them. 

——

The sunlight coming from the curtain wakes Rafe from his slumber. He feels a weight on his chest, which confuses him. He looks down to see Y/N cuddled into his side. She shifts in her sleep and lets out a sigh that would make him hard if he didn’t already have a morning wood. He moves her hair out of her face, so he can see the small smile on her face. He wants to stay within her grasp, but the last thing he wants is for her to wake up to his boner in such little clothing. He untangles himself from her hold and goes to the door to see the clothes he ordered at the door already. He heads to the bathroom to get changed. By the time he gets out of the room, Y/N is waiting for him to finish up. 

Rafe heads back to her room to get his phone and he feels guilty about how it felt to wake up with her in his arms. All he wants is for that moment to be real. For their relationship to be real.

Taglist: @loves0phelia @thelomlisrafecameron @wickedlovely121 @aprilrudgate @loving-and-dreaming @thepatriarchykeychain @abbybarnesstuff @maybankslover @wh0reforbucknasty @spencereidbasis @drewsmusee @starkowswife @mskezza

[jonathanbiers]

a list of liminal spaces/situations where reality feels a bit altered to use as inspiration or writing prompts!

feel free to also use as an ask game if you like!

mirrors in a dark room

playgrounds at midnight

when you're moving out of a house and checking your room when it's almost or completely empty and sorted out

rest stops on highways

a room lit by candlelight only

an empty laundromat at night with the washing machines still on

deep in the mountains

churches at night

abandoned gas stations

hospitals at midnight

abandoned warehouse

out-of-commission lighthouses

empty parking lots

rooftops in the early morning

early in the morning wherever it’s just snowed

trails by the highway just out of earshot of traffic

schools during summer

bowling alleys after close

a cornfield next to a long country road

being the last person awake at a sleepover

hospital waiting rooms

airports at night

foggy cemeteries

abandoned prisons

hilltops in full moonlight

empty barns

marshes

a body of water shrouded in fog

hiking/biking trails during winter

winter twilight

back allies between houses

empty roller rink

dirt roads on fall evenings

libraries after closing

the woods during a rainstorm

roads covered in snow

train stations after 10pm

the air outside right before a massive storm

the woods just after twilight

the beach in winter

the bottom of swimming pools

secluded back corner of a library

windy roads at night when you can only see what's immediately in front of you

empty skatepark on a warm night

anywhere immediately after a really bad fight

the lakeside anytime between 2 and 6 am

firework shows when you’re sitting on the grass

being the only one downstairs on christmas  

stepping outside in the early morning when it has just snowed

when its dark and you see snowflakes falling down in the light of a lamppost

that one clear spot in the forest with trees surrounding it

a parked car in a snow/thunderstorm

corn fields with the wind blowing over them

malls about to close for the night

woods at twilight/dawn

being on a train after midnight

theme parks at night

being alone in an elevator for a few minutes

looking down at the trees from up high

the ferry about to take off in the middle of the night

tree houses

4-6 am on a winter morning

the feeling of being chased

condensation coming out of your mouth when it's really cold in the morning

arcade just after close

stepping out on an unfamiliar metro/train stop

greenhouses that have been left to grow alone

biking/walking on the main road when it's dark and no cars are around

foggy swamp

bakery just after opening, everything is fresh and warm and the sun hasn't risen yet

hotel corridors in the middle of the night

foggy mornings in a meadow

flickering streetlights

long, dark hallways

the middle of a park when its snowing

train tracks in the forest

bonfires in the quiet

a little lake in the middle of the forest

lonely swings swaying with the wind

the woods on a night with a full moon

rest stops

empty metro stations that are usually crowded

gas stations on long mountain roads

the old part of a city when you’re the only one in the street

under an old bridge

knowing you're not alone in a space where you can't see anyone around you, like a forest

junkyards

a dimly lit stairwell

empty sidewalk outside of a small venue when you can hear live music through the walls

corner store in a small town

parking garage at night

an empty field with old/out-of-commission industrial equipment/large machinery

graffiti'd train car

[cq-studios]

Do you have any screenshots of your favorite details from KHUX?

HAHAHAHAHA, yeah I do

Gonna just drop a read more here 'cause if y'all know me at all you know this post is probably gonna be 10KM long lol

So, I'm gonna try to hold myself back a little because I literally have like 10 pages of notes about specifically stuff in the backgrounds and I doubt the internet will find my bench and lamppost count interesting. (Also image limit lol)

I'll list just 4 things for now (in no particular order) and talk about them a bit underneath.

NUMBER 1 || STREET SIGNS

So there are four street signs that we’ve seen in Daybreak Town. Two are in the Fountain Square (A and B), one is in the Marketplace (C), and one is in the Clocktower Outskirts map (D).

For B and D it’s pretty easy to figure out what the represent. B is a clock, probably representing the Clock Tower… or maybe the best place to see the Clocktower because it’s in Fountain Square. The overall shape of it is different from the rest of the signs so I imagine that means something. D is a gondola or canoe of some sort, which makes sense because it’s next to stairs that seemingly lead to the canal that runs through town. Maybe there’s a ferry system of some sort?

A and C I’m less sure about. The designs don’t really bring anything obvious to mind. Maybe C is Munny because it leads to the Marketplace? I’m not sure.

NUMBER 3 || DOOR UNDER FOUNTAIN SQUARE

See what makes this interesting to me isn’t just the fact that apparently Fountain Square is hollow underneath (maybe for pipe repairs or something, I don’t know) but just the general fact that a lot of structures in this town, that maybe shouldn’t be, are hollow.

If you look even some archways have windows, so there has to be an open space inside, right? Most of them seem at least connected to houses so I assume they’re basements or something. (The one by murder house gets me tho, like that’s right under the bridge. Who’s living right under the bridge)

And I also feel like this leads into the fact that, similarly but not as extreme as in Scala, Daybreak Town is kinda built on top of itself. Maybe that’s a symptom of being around so many (and possibly on) mountains but I still feel like it should be talked about more.

NUMBER 4 || LIGHTHOUSE INTERIOR MAP

There is so much to unpack here but I’ll try to keep it brief.

So I’m pretty sure this is one of, if not the oldest building in Daybreak Town. Two reasons.

1. Instead of having little wall lamps, like the rest of the town and buildings, all the light seems to come from mounted candles.

2. There are swords (A) on the walls and not Keyblades. Why would the Keyblade town not have Keyblades on its little shield emblem? Is it possibly because it was there before Keyblades?

This staircase here (B) is also the only known (not sewer drain) way into the waterways. It leads into the sewers then out to the little dock below the Lighthouse with the boat, hence the sign.

There’s these maps here (C) that I don’t really know what to say about, but is definitely worth pointing out. They’re all the same and I assume show the layout of the area surrounding the town (the darker parts being water). It could be a world map though (darker part being continents)… I don’t think we’ll ever really learn lol

And also I don’t know what this is (D) but I think it’s interesting that it has writing on it. It kinda gives me the vibe of those flat on the ground gravestones…

NUMBER 5 || BANNER

Daybreak Town actually has a flag it’s all over the place and you’ll start to see it everywhere if you look for it. They also kind of look like the banners in Radiant Garden. The colours and shape/mounting are the same but the designs on the flag itself (and mounting) is different.

I have no clue what that implies, if anything, but I figure it’s worth pointing out ‘cause it’s interesting.

[kerubimcrepin]

An Afterword: talking about Welsh and Shedar

While we are done with the movie and the show, it cannot be understated, just how much we still have to cover. Both in terms of canon, and things out of the realm of canon.

And this includes interviews, and things that never got made.

[source]

The thing that often bothers me, is that the creator of the franchise that my most favorite cartoon of all time is a part of, probably despises said cartoon.

I can't not think about that, when I see Simone and other Aux Tresors characters reused in Wakfu season 4 as background character assets, or when I think about how every show except Aux Tresors has had an OST released, or how the only Aux Tresors companion in Waven is Lou. Though I know, logically speaking, that it's more likely because it's just not very popular.

Funnily enough, I personally, and rather selfishly, think that Welsh & Shedar's demise is probably the greatest fortune to happen to this franchise. What was one of the worst things to ever happen to Tot was one of my greatest fortunes. (I would not care about Joris as a character, had Kerubim never existed. The cartoon, and their relationship, mean a lot to me, for personal reasons.)

To Tot, the thing that I love the very most has cannibalized one of his life's dreams. Starting with the resources, and ending with character designs themselves. Even the character design of a fucking cat??

As an artist myself, I can't even begin to imagine the horror of that, and yet... I feel nothing but joy. It's quite weird, how life works.

The good news is that Welsh and Shedar has been resurrected by Ankama (watch as it gets a full artbook and an OST release before Aux Tresors, an 11 year show that still doesn't have those, yes I am bitter), so, it is mostly water under the bridge. We will hopefully get to enjoy both, in a couple of years.

[source]

But I feel like it's very likely, that a lot of Aux Tresors and the way Tot may feel about it, was influenced by this disaster, and I couldn't begin this post without addressing that.

So, what was, or could be in the future, Welsh and Shedar?

A plot summary from the youtube trailer's description, just as filled with Tot's overwhelming sadness as everything else relating to W&S's cancellation, man, goes as follows: "Here is the trailer for an animated series project launched in 2012 which has very little chance of arriving on your screens. The story is that of Welsh, a young boy forced to fight for an inheritance he never knew existed: that of the throne of the Kingdom of Bonta. Ankama’s “animation” department has plenty of ideas behind its graphics tablets: series, special episodes, films, our brains are always buzzing! However, not all projects are lucky enough to reach you…"

So basically, it was/is/will be a story about a young man, or boy, who finds out he is the next in line for Bonta's throne, and is taken there by Joris. How all of this happens is rather murky, AKA:

Anyway,

Tot has reported that his idea for this series was quite similar to the anime "Ranking of Kings", which I had sadly not watched. Make of that what you will.

When does Welsh & Shedar take place?

Firstly, I will say that, because of how much Tot loves this series, for years it was in a state of vague canonicity. AKA "it did likely happen, but it has never been produced so we don't know WHAT it is, that happened there. There sure was a guy named Welsh at some point."

What points to this is 1. Khan's old man design still being canon,

And 2. This usage of Welsh & Shedar-era Joris in an official timeline. It says that Joris would have been 60 years old, in this series.

Obviously, this timeline is subject to change, if/when Welsh & Shedar becomes real, and there are a lot of things we don't know!

Some curisities...

Funnily enough, there exists this image, which was leaked by a French site when Aux Tresors began airing, — mistakenly used as promo for the series.

It could be depicting some other draft of W&S where Joris is a kid. Or, it could be depicting something between Aux Tresors and W&S, from when Ankama had to make something new up to take W&S's place.

It yet again makes me yearn for an Aux Tresors art book. Because seriously. What does this even mean.

Anyway thank you france for killing W&S, making Aux Tresors (the PEAK.... the SLAY.....) real, and now resurrecting W&S. We truly do live in the kindest timeline 🙏

[medusapelagia]

Learning to Love 5

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5)

Rating: Mature Relationship: Steve /Billy Tags: enemies to lovers Words: 1703

Billy sighs, annoyed “Give me a moment.” He says, going back in the house. He cleans himself quickly with a wet towel and covers himself in perfume. If that little shitbird will destroy his public image he will fucking kill her. When he gets to the car Dustin, one of Max’s friends, is sitting in the passenger seat.

“That’s my seat.” Billy says, lifting his sunglasses.

“No, Steve told me that I got shotgun for life.” The kid replies with a toothless smile, but Steve gives the kid a friendly elbow in the stomach.

“Come on Dustin, Billy is twice your size, and he can’t sit in the back with Lucas and Max.”

Billy turns toward the back of the car finally noticing the boy that is almost hiding behind Steve’s seat.

“Hey, Sinclair.”

“Hi, Billy.” Billy frowns “Mr. Hargrove.” Lucas corrects himself but that’s not a name Billy likes either.

“Just call me Hargrove.” He says, opening the door and dragging Dustin out of the car. “Do you have some tapes?” Billy asks Steve, looking in the glove compartment. “I don’t want to hear them complaining for the entire ride. It’s annoying.”

Steve chuckles, “Don’t think you’ll like my music but it’s ok. I might have some Madonna or Bowie somewhere.”

“Bowie’s not bad.” Billy states, looking for the tape and then turning the music so loud that he can’t even hear his thoughts. “Gonna teach you a thing or two about music.” He says, getting another cigarette.

“No smoking when the kids are in the car, Billy.” Steve says, grabbing Billy’s cigarette and throwing it out of the window.

“Fuck you, Harrington, that shit costs!” Billy complains loudly, but Steve is not impressed in the slightest. 

When they finally get to the arcade Steve gives some coins to the kids, Max included, and tells them that he is going to pick them up in two hours.

“Come on! Two and a half! And we’ll get a milkshake later.” Lucas complains.

“Two hours and no milkshakes or one and a half and milkshakes, your choice kids, but I’m going to have you all back home by six no matter what.”

The kids groan but in the end, they decide that it is better to spend half an hour more at the arcade than having milkshakes before dinner.

“Good choice.” Steve praises them, “Now go and have fun.”

Max and Lucas run toward the arcade where Will and Mike are already waiting for them while Dustin hesitates “What?” Steve asks.

“Will you be ok? I mean… with him?”

“Harrington and I are great friends… aren’t we?” Billy asks, turning toward Steve.

“Great friends.” He confirms, ruffling Dustin’s hair “You don’t have to worry about me, you know that, right?”

“But he beat you up!” Dustin protests.

“I had my reasons!” Billy rebukes, getting threateningly closer but Steve stops him with a hand on his chest.

“It’s water under the bridge. He is the one who convinced me to go to the eye doctor, did you know that?”

“He did?” Dustin asks, offended. “I tried to convince you for months, Steve! Months!”

“I know. He was just… a little bit more persuasive, ok? Now go before Max gets to the best games.”

Dustin glares at Billy but he turns toward the arcade and joins his friends, and the two older teenagers remain outside the arcade in silence.

“Do you wanna get a milkshake? My treat.” Steve says, spinning the car’s key on his finger.

“You bet you are going to pay for them, Harrington. You threw my cigarettes out of the window.”

“Just one, and I had a good reason!” The pretty boy replies with a smirk while getting back in the car.

“You ok?” Billy asks while Steve drives.

“Yeah. Why are you asking?”

“We haven't seen each other since you passed math.”

“Oh, yeah.The tutoring thing was over, wasn’t it?”

Yeah, it was but Billy was actually enjoying spending time with Steve and he misses it.

“Did Hagan give you more shit?” Billy asks, looking stubbornly outside the window.

“Not really, we are not friends anymore, you know? And I’m friends with Jon, Will’s brother.”

“Byers? The one who stole your girl?”

“Nancy is not a thing, she can’t be stolen, but yes, Jonathan Byers. We drive the kids almost everywhere so sometimes we grab a smoke together. Oh he told me about this fancy music store in Indianapolis, maybe some time we could go there together,” Steve suggests.

“Together? Like you and me?” 

Steve nods without turning, “If you want of course, if not I can go with him and Nancy and…”

“No, I’d like to go to the music store with you.” Billy replies quickly, cursing himself for being so eager to spend some time with Steve.

When they sit at the table and the cute waitress takes their order, one chocolate milkshake and one strawberry with fries that they are sharing, Billy looks around them. It’s a Saturday afternoon so there are many couples sharing milkshakes and kisses, sitting on the same side of the table, side by side, while Steve and Billy are sitting on the opposite side of the table and even if Billy’s eyes darts on Steve’s plump lips there is nothing he could do. He has no fucking chance.

“You ok?”

“Yeah, long week.” Billy replies, talking about basketball practice and the next competition that they will probably lose “We miss you, Harrington. Any possibilities that you could get back?”

“I suffered a head trauma, my doctor prohibited me from contact sports, but I’m doing quite well on the swimming team. I’m going to be co-captain.”

“I used to be a lifeguard back in California,” Billy says with a dreaming smile.

“Do you want to join the swimming team and steal my place? Again?” Steve chuckles.

“No. I don’t want to steal anything of yours.”

“Because you already did, right?” Steve replies with a wink that leaves Billy confused.

“What are you talking about?” 

The smile on Steve’s lips dies.

“Don’t tell me I got it wrong. Oh god. Max said… I thought…” Steve stutters, his eyes darting from Billy to the exit. His breathing coming too quickly.

“Hey, Steve, it’s ok! I don’t know what Max told you, but it’s ok. You are fine. We are fine.” Billy tells him and Steve takes a couple of deep breaths to settle himself.

“I’m sorry.” He says, looking at the clock on the wall, “Maybe we should go back to the arcade.”

It’s still early but Billy nods, chugging his milkshake, and he follows Steve to the car. Once they are inside the maroon beemer Steve seems even more anxious.

“Can you tell me what Maxine told you?” Billy asks, staring out of the window as they drive.

“Nothing.”

Billy lifts an eyebrow, it certainly didn’t look like nothing, and Steve is acting so nervously that Billy sighs and then confesses to him “I’m gay. And I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable, and I get it if you don’t want to see me again. Just… don’t tell Hagan, ok? There are already… rumors and I don’t want to feed the gossip.”

Steve stops the car so abruptly that Billy’s head bumps in the window.

“Fuck! Harrington!”

“Are you… do you really… I mean could you… but no… surely you don’t…”

“Can you explain to me what the fuck are you trying to say?”

“I like you, Billy.”

“As a friend?”

“As a… special friend?” 

“Steve?”

“I… I’m not gay!” Steve clarifies and Billy stares at him even more confused. “I’m bi… I’m bisexual.” He whispers “But I like you. Having you at my place was becoming so familiar that I got scared because I thought you could never reciprocate my feelings. But then Max said something and… well, it doesn’t matter. Even if you are gay it doesn’t mean that you like me back, right?” Steve asks in his self-deprecating tone that Billy knows too well.

“Keep driving.” Billy says to him when they get near the arcade.

“But…”

“Keep driving. It’s still early. Take me to a quiet place.” Billy repeats and Steve drives them to his home, the more secluded place he knows.

As soon as they get inside Billy grabs Steve’s preppy shirt and yanks him toward himself, stealing a kiss.

At first, Steve seems surprised at Billy's reaction but he quickly relaxes in Billy's hold and kisses him back. The pleasure burns in their stomach while Billy’s hands get under Steve’s shirt, caressing the skin with his fingertips and Steve shivers in his hold.

“Do you like that?” Billy whispers on Steve’s lips.

“I like it. And I like you. Do you like me?”

"Of course I do, Harrington!” Billy replies kissing him again, and again, until the clock in the kitchen informs them that they have to get back to the arcade.

When they pick up the kids, the boys are too busy telling Steve about every fight they won in a game, while Max grins at them satisfied.

Steve drives Dustin and Lucas first, taking his time to drive back Billy and Max.

“Five minutes.” Max informs them, pointing at Neil’s car that is already parked in the driveway and Billy nods.

“So…” Steve and Billy say at the same time, giggling like kids.

“You first.” Billy insists and Steve blushes.

“Would you like… would you like to watch a movie at my place one of these days? And maybe tutoring me a little bit more?” 

Billy winks at him, “I would love to. Do you want me to bring some beers next Wednesday after basketball practice?”

“That sounds… nice.”

“See you on Wednesday, pretty boy.” Billy replies with a smirk, and when his father asks him who the boy is he tells him that Harrington asked him to tutor him again after the good results he got in math.

His father smiles, telling some cruel things about Steve and his family but Billy doesn’t care, all he wants is his father’s permission to tutor the boy and drive his sister to the arcade, and when he agrees, Max squeezes Billy’s hand under the table, smiling at him.

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

Wrap Around Pt.2

Pairing(s): Oberyn Martell x Martell!Reader, Oberyn Martell x Ellaria Sand

Warnings: siblingxsibling implied, longing, inappropriate behavior but nothing too nsfw, no p in v, no touching

Words: 1607

Summary: You and Oberyn stargaze as his lovers sleep in his bed next door.

Part 1  Part 3  Part 4

PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO ANY OF THE WARNINGS/TAGS

Nights in Dorne varied from freezing to uncomfortably warm. All these years growing up in the desert land, you still found yourself victim to the night heat that had you tossing and turning. Perspiration accumulated on every inch of your body. Your bed, once a spot of relaxation and comfort, has become a humid swamp. Even laying naked offered no relief. Skin simply too warm and having had enough, you sit up and swing your feet to the cool tile of your chambers. Enough to make you sigh in gratitude. Toes spread to fully embrace the fresh sensation. All too soon the red tiles beneath you become lukewarm, there was no way you were getting any more sleep. You wondered if your brother was suffering as well.

“We shall suffer together.”You muse to yourself as you go to search for a lightweight robe to drape over yourself.

The halls of Sunspear were void of noise, quiet as a Westerosi sept. It didn’t feel right to you. There was always life during down, people going about their business and talking amongst one another. Fluttering in and out.

In fondness, you run your hand along the crafted walls that were cut off by towering pillars. Lightly scraping your nails, you could practically hear young Oberyn’s boisterous laugh.

Guards that had the misfortune of patrolling so lage are used to your nightly wanders. The older ones could easily recount you doing it since the sweet age of six. They always knew where you were going. The destination had never changed.

“I was wondering when you would show up.” A crooked grin on his face should always be mistrusted. Moving aside, Oberyn welcomes you into his room. He too was down to the bare minimum of clothing articles. Scars that each told of a story were printed on his chest. You admired for a moment the strong bridge of his naked collarbone.

Despite there being little light, you peer off to where his bed was positioned. There nestled in a thin sheet were two figures. “Did I interrupt something?”

“Never.” Reassuring you, Oberyn leads you out to his balcony that faces the dead black sea. Oberyn motions for you to take a seat in the wicker chair across from him. It had always been your seat. Like many items in the palace, the chairs had been crafted by Dorne’s finest. The cushions were made from fabric imported from Essos. No matter how long you sit on it, they never lose their softness.

While Oberyn pours the both of you a glass of wine, he tells you “When you were gone, I would come out here every night and just stare at the distant water.”

You knew your departure had been tough on your brother. It had been equally difficult for you as well. Casually taking a sip, your taste buds burst.

He shakes his head free of the past and pushes his chair next to you. It didn’t matter. The two of you were together once more.

Not even the heat could bother you now.

With Oberyn you stargaze and reminisce under the protective blanket of night. The stars in the sky could easily outnumber the population of Dorne; perhaps even Westeros.

Elia had loved nothing more than to gaze up at the bright, celestial beings. When she wasn't scolding you and calling you her “little savage”, she would hold you in her arms as she pointed out the different grouping of stars. Each had their own legends and Elia told you almost all of them. A wonderful story-teller, sometimes that wasn’t enough to stop you from acting like a hellion. The only one who could really go toe-to-toe with you was Oberyn. He had been just as wild. When he wasn't keeping you in line, Oberyn was right next to you causing endless mayhem that had your elder sibling rubbing their temples.

When you brought up your childhood antics, Oberyn laughs and reaches for your hand that was holding your wine. “Do you remember when you got this scar?” Gently Oberyn uncurls your pinky from the glass stem. Running like a river across your pink was a deep scar that was almost a decade old.

You grin. It was from when you had begged Doran to get someone to teach you how to use a sword. He refused. You had been fully prepared for this rejection. Having never been a child to easily concede defeat, you had a plan up your sleeve.

As part of your demonstration as to why you needed a teacher, you “borrowed” Oberyn’s sword and accidentally nearly sliced your entire pinky off. The pain lasted only seconds for you. Doran relented and agreed to get you a teacher. He also sent you to bed that night without any dinner and forbade anyone from giving you anything that would dull the pain in your pinky. Oberyn, loving you more than he feared his brother’s wrath, would not have you go hungry. Once Doran took his medication to put him into a deep sleep, Oberyn stole into your room and fed you.

“You always contradicted whatever command Doran gave.” Draining another glass, you’re content enough with the buzzing in your head. Your back slumped against the chair.

“Only when it came to you.”

Warm fingers brush against your naked shoulder as your robe had slid down an inch.

From the day you were born, Oberyn had spoiled you with his affection; giving you whatever your heart desired. Even now you knew if you were to ask Oberyn to bring you an enemy’s head, he would gladly hand it over on a gold platter for you.

Sadly you think for a moment how no man could every compare to your brother. It wasn’t fair.

An easy silence rolls over like a sigh. Noticing how your spirits were depleting, Oberyn silently refills your cup. After having traveled throughout Essos, the nights in Dorne still could not be beat. Especially with your brother beside you. The heat no longer bothered you, a different kind of warmth was engulfing you quickly.

When you shifted your arm up to push away a wild strand of your hair, you felt your robes loosen around your chest and the slow descent of your left sleeve off your shoulder. Wantonly your cleavage reveals itself. Long lashes cast shadows over. Oberyn’s beautifully molded lips are parted and it takes the self control of a septa to prevent yourself from kissing him.

It wasn’t right.

Not with Oberyn.

But your body craved him like he was your only salvation. What had you done in your previous life to deserve such cruel inflictions?

You had made the resolve a few years ago that you would never cross the line with Oberyn.

That didn’t mean you couldn’t toe the line and test the waters.

He understood this too and would always respect the boundaries you had set.

Bravely tucking at the edge of your robe, you show a little more of the expanse of your chest. The dip of your collar bone, running down to your breasts. His hand twitches in response with the desire to cup your tit.

You dared to look at him and the vibrant shade of want overcame his cheeks. “If you could touch me, what would you do?”

Oh. What wouldn’t he do?

Oberyn grins, aware of the games you enjoyed playing. He runs his fingers along your jawline before leaning close to your ear.

You close your eyes as he describes how he would toy with your nipples first. Squeezing them softly between his index finger and thumb before taking it into his mouth to suck gently.

You squeezed your thighs tightly together.

“And I can assure you my touches will be slow and torturous.” He nuzzles the side of your face. So close to your lips. If only you had more courage. “For if I were ever allowed to touch you, I will take my time to savor every inch.”

Thankfully he also knew when you were at your limit. Oberyn leans back into his chair, trying to dismiss his own afflictions. After a sip of wine, he is ready once more; back to his sultry, teasing ways. “And if you could touch me, what would you do?”

Cheekily smiling at him, you lower your eyes in a coy deploy and open your mouth to reply. The groggy body of one of his lovers sitting up in bed behind him made you shut up.

Having watched the abrupt drop of your face, Oberyn turns around. Only taking you seconds to cover your chest and readjust your clothes, you squint into the darkness.

“(y/n)?” Ellaria calls out in a sleep muffled voice. “Is that you?”

You breathed more easily and stood up alongside Oberyn. “Sorry for waking you. I was just about to go back to bed.” Setting down your wine glass you realised the insides of your thighs were wet.

Hastily passing by the bed and a quick kiss to Ellaria’s cheek, you bid them both a good night.

Had things gone too far? It worried you during your scurry back to the safe haven of your room. Tucked behind your door, you let yourself fall onto your bed. The racing of your heart drummed in your ears.

So close.

He had been so close to you. You could easily see the fine points of his eyelashes. Ingraining his full, heart-shaped lips into your memory.

Achingly slow, you run your hand down your neck and past your robes; descending further down until. . .

You close your eyes and moan, replaying Oberyn’s words.

-----------

Taglist:

@hoziersfairy​

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@iiconicxpersona​​

[captain-mj]

Vampire Pt 10

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9

Price sat in front of Ghost and Gaz. “I am deeply sorry.”

Ghost and Gaz exchanged glances before Gaz took a deep breath. “I don’t forgive you.”

Price paused, looking a tad startled. “What?”

“We don’t forgive you.” Ghost said coldly. He glared into Price. “You let her turn Reyes into a rat, surround us with holy water soaked rice and almost killed the werewolves. Kate is still having trouble breathing and Alex keeps coughing.”

Price nodded. “I know. And I plan to apologize to her later. And I’ve already talked with Koenig and got in touch with Horangi. I’ll be paying him handsomely for his services to fix Reyes.”

Gaz got up. “Not good enough! It would be bad enough if it was Alex. I could blame it on myself. But you invited his pack. They’ve all been struggling and to make things worse, Alex hasn’t been talking to me. He’s been too busy trying to make sure Farah and Laswell are fine. You could’ve seriously hurt them.”

Price winced. “I know, son. And I’m really sorry.”

“Can you drop the dad act for five minutes? Please?” Gaz pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated and tired.

Soap covered his mouth. Price’s face just fell. But he learned his lesson with Ghost.

“Of course, Gaz. I’m sorry. Truly. I’ll talk to Alex. I’ll make it clear to him that you had no idea.” 

“What’s that going to do?? Having you defend me to him?” Gaz threw his hands up and just shook his head. “Just… drop it. I’ll take care of Alex. Just stay out of it.”

Price nodded. “I understand. I do. I promise I’ll make this up to you.”

Gaz shook his head. “You clearly don’t understand at all. I can’t…. God.”

Both vampires hissed.

“Sorry Ghost.”

“Yeah, no worries.” Ghost mumbled, though it clearly still hurt. 

Price took a deep breath. “I really am sorry. And Ghost, I’m sorry for disrespecting you.”

Ghost sighed. “No. Not this time. You can’t just… look at me with puppy eyes and expect everything to be forgiven. You’ve been doing this for centuries.”

Price winced. “Simon, I really am so sorry.”

“Fix Reyes. Don’t call me Simon. And stay somewhere else for now.”

Price nodded. “Of course. And after that, we’ll talk?”

“Yeah. We’ll talk.” Ghost got up and left the room.

“Gaz. Please.”

“No. Just… no.” Gaz left him as well.

Interviewer: …

Price: Ever since the wedding, my… thoughts have been more organized. I think more clearly.

Interviewer: I saw. You think that has to do with the hit to your head?”

Price: It’s… possible. I am old. Sometimes we get squirrely in old age. Maybe it knocked something back in to place. 

Interviewer: I understand. 

Price: I just want my boys to forgive me again.

Koenig arrived in the middle of the night. He wore a hood over his head that covered his entire face. Giant blue eyes blinked at Soap. 

“Please, come in.” His voice wavered slightly as Koenig stepped in. Tall. So tall. 

His companion was also tall, but not nearly as so. He had a mask and his eyes were like an actual cats. 

Horangi paused and looked at Soap, eyes narrowing. “You are?”

“Soap. Ghost’s familiar.”

“So where is… the rat?”

Soap nodded. Straight to the point. He could appreciate that. “He’s in the other room with Chuy.”

Koenig hummed. “Leibling, do you want me with you?”

Horangi simply nodded and walked to the suggested room. He entered the room and saw the giant glass tank with Reyes. He glanced at him, humming. “This transformation was… messy. Not very well done.”

Chuy started to wring his hands. “So? Can you turn him back or not?”

Horangi nodded. “I’ll need things. It’ll take time. But yeah, I can make him human again.” 

Chuy sighed. “Thank god. How soon?”

“Based on how badly it was done, I’ll need until tomorrow night to gather things. I’ll do it while you all sleep. Koenig, I’ll need you a little more afterwards, gongjunim.”

Soap watched them. It was different than Price and his fiance. This was… better. Koenig grabbed Horangi’s hands and pulled them under his hood, clearly kissing them. It was sweet.

Soap found himself leaving and finding Ghost who had decided he needed some time to think. He sat next to him, holding a cup of coffee. 

Ghost stared into the stars and he looked rather tired. “Johnny.”

Soap looked over. 

“When I turn you, what do you plan to do?”

Soap paused and thought about it. “I usually think about what I’ll be like years down the line…” And most of the thoughts centered still being with Ghost. Just… a different relationship. 

“Think about it. What would you do? First night, you’re turned. You can go anywhere. Do anything.”

“I’d probably fly a bunch.”

Ghost smiled. “As a bat or a person.”

“Person. I’m worried i won’t be able to turn back.”

Ghost laughed. “I’d walk you through it. I’d… be a good sire.”

Soap hesitated. “Price tends to see you as his son and, I know you’re mad at him right now, but you see him a bit as a dad. Would we have the same relationship?” That would be weird.

“No.” Ghost answered rather quickly. “You’re not my kid. Sire and… batling relationships haven’t been like that for a while. Fell out of fashion 5 centuries ago. Became more romantic.” 

Soap leaned in slightly. “Would we be romantic?”

Ghost looked at Soap’s lips. “Would you want that?”

Soap leaned forward and went to kiss him. Ghost hesitated though and they both paused. Mouth centimeters apart. “Please.”

[infinite-orangepeel]

EAGLESCOUT!STEVE/PERV EDDIE WIP EXCERPT FROM CH. 1

Capture the flag is all fun and games until it’s time to clean up the equipment and Steve is wandering through the woods trying not to infect himself with poison ivy like the better half of his troop did an hour ago. Now being treated by their resident Scoutmaster/Chief of Police–Jim Hopper–with calamine lotion and an eye roll.

He’s out on his own.

Strategically voyaging through the underbrush in search of the blue team’s flag. It’s the last one on his list and he’s dying to get back to basecamp to snag a refreshing post-win lemonade with the rest of the troop. Already salivating from the promise of tangy sweetness.

The sun is about to set. Sky blushing pink while the owls hoot from the branches of pine trees. Calling out to each other in harmonious song as the day comes to a close.

Steve’s back is sticky and warm from directing the game. His cheeks are flushed, exposed thighs bitten up by mosquitoes despite multiple reapplications of Deet, and his glasses keep slipping down the bridge of his nose from the slick sweat coating his brow bone.

To be honest, despite the itchy heat and craving for something ice cold down his throat, Steve looks forward to rare moments like this one.

In which he can breathe easily in the reverie of temporary independence.

No one to perform for.

No one to stop him from humming a tune under his breath and stopping every so often to investigate a patch of blooming elderberries.

No one to chastise him for plopping an unwashed piece of fruit under his tongue and taking his time to savor the sweetness.

No one to point fingers and accuse him of gluttony.

Out here in the quiet, Steve can pretend all that exists are the mourning doves, rabbits running from foxes, and the subtle breeze kissing the lakeshore.

He’s content. He’s at peace.

He’s—

He’s choking on his spit at the sight of the terrible scene in front of him—two men dancing with Satan beside a picnic table.

Two men entangled in an inconceivable fashion.

Two men running their hands over each other’s skin; half naked.

Two men–

Together.

Together in the way that only a man and his wife are supposed to be once they’ve married in the church, sworn vows, and moved into the modest house at the end of the cul-de-sac beneath the weeping willows.

Steve racks his brain. Unfolds the information–the proof from the good book–that every belief he holds relies on.

The verse, he thinks–thoughts spiraling out of control, ingrained savior complex kicking in, What about the verse? Don’t they know it? Didn’t their parents warn them? It’s—Hebrews 13:4; ‘Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.’

They’ve yet to notice him. As if he’s camouflaged amongst the pine trees. Khaki blending in seamlessly like he’s just another part of the natural landscape.

In a sense, he is.

The first of the two men sinks to his knees like he’s praying for mercy as Steve has done all his life in the back of the chapel. He gazes up at the other man like he is God. Like he alone holds the divine power to cleanse sin, turn water to wine, and carve Eve from Adam’s rib.

Except, Eve doesn’t exist in this version of the story.

Eve is nowhere to be found and Steve feels like he’s entered a parallel universe where none of the former rules apply. Where this strange subset of humanity has scorched the Earth, burned the devoted ones at the stake, and anarchy now reigns.

The second stands above him in the widened prideful stance of a known pariah who foolishly believes he can outrun impending rapture and escape eternal damnation if he is clever and quick enough on his feet.

Steve can’t see his face, because similarly to the vile act he’s committing, the man is concealed by a vexing darkness. Curly tendrils of wild hair obscure his identity.

It’s odd. Unlike anyone else Steve’s ever known. Overgrown and hanging well past his shoulders. It doesn’t make sense.

Only girls are allowed to wear their hair like that. Boys like this—boys like him get sent away for such infractions. Excommunicated for their betrayal to patriarchal norms.

Men are supposed to look like men.

This man does not.

This man seems to toe and test every line and boundary like nothing can touch him.

Steve tries to get his feet to move so he can turn and run and disappear into the forest like the rest of God’s innocent creatures–the field mice, the deer, the fish in the pond–find somewhere hidden to seek asylum and preserve his fragile righteousness.

But latent curiosity slithers around him like a serpent with a fatal bite.

No cure.

No remedy.

Steve has no choice. All logical thought abandons him and perhaps for the first time in his life, he allows himself to simply watch and feel.

The man who doesn’t look all that much like a man leans a ring-covered hand back onto the rickety table like it's his personal throne and feeds his–his—genitals to the parted lips of the first.

Steve brings a hand to his own gawking mouth, ducks behind a tree to better shield himself, and tries to stall his racing heart.

“Lemme fuck your throat, baby. Open wide—wider. C’mon now play nice for me. If you’re not gagging on my cock then you can take it deeper,” the man rasps out as he thrusts his hips forwards and ensnares his black tipped nails into the hair of the kneeling man like vicious talons, “Good boy–there we go. Someone’s learned their lesson since last time, haven’t they? Stay open for me, sweetheart—keep that tongue nice and relaxed.”

thanks so much for reading !! please let me know what you think, feedback is always motivating and helpful 🥰

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[secretdiaryofcrowley]

Things to Do Tonight

Drink

Get drunk.

Get very very drunk

Don't want to sit in a pub. Pub's full of people and if I miracle-shoo them all out, I will just draw attention to myself. Don't need that now. I draw enough attention as it is. I'm taking out the bottle, walk over the bridge and look at the Thames.

Pretty little stars in the water. Not the real thing, but still pretty. Glittering like anything.

Why does everyone always seem to know where my car is? I keep driving the Bentley around, don't want to stay in one place for too long. Other demons can spot me, of course. But these little notes and letters from Maggie and Nina and Muriel keep finding me, too.

Bla bla bla coffee. Bla bla bla talk. Bla bla bla we're here for you bla bla bla you don't have to go through this alone.

Go away. Just go away.

I've been on my own for 6000 years, I don't plan on changing that now. And least of all with humans who shouldn't be dragged into this. Friendship with humans never ends well, someone always gets turned into pillars of salt.

Or killed. One minute Kain's a baby pulling my hair and puking all over my robes, next thing, you know, he's an angry teenager smacking his brother with a stone. Broke Eve's heart. Should've stayed away.

And Muriel keeps writing about all the books they've been reading and keeps asking stuff about customers and taxes and stockkeeping and why would I know any of this? Nina and Maggie run shops, too, they're far better with these things.

Do you actually want to get in trouble with heaven, little bee? Can you even imagine what they could do to you for hanging out with a demon?

'M not stupid, you know, I know it's you trying to reach me from the bookshop's number. I can only hope Shax was too stupid to read any of your little notes, when she put my mail under the wipers. I don't think she has back channels to rat you out to heaven, but you never know.

Did the real stars look as glittery as their reflection in the water?

Whatever. You don't miss what you can't remember, right? If I wanted to see stars, I could just go watch a Disney movie.

Now where did I park the Bentley? Why does everyone always seem to know where my car is, except for me, myself and I?

"Hello Crowley."

No no no no no no, not you. Not you, too.

Why can't you just all go away and let me wallow in my misery?

~ * ~

More Diary Parts:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21

[stylesispunk]

The great war | Part III |

"You drew up some good faith treaties I drew curtains closed, drank my poison all alone, you said I have to trust more freely but diesel is desire, you were playin' with fire"

Part 1 , Part 2, part 4,part 5 | masterlist

(gif credits to its owner)

pairing: joel miller x fem!reader

word count: 2,8k>

series summary: After things fell apart it seemed that Joel and you were falling into pieces.

series warning: angst, established relationship (complicated though) hints to cheating, age gap (Reader is in her late 20s, Joel is in his late 40s), mentions of stillborn baby, please don't read if you feel it triggers.

A/n: I remind you that English is not my first language so please forgive any mistake. No proofreaded, sorry

During the following days, Joel made a great effort on giving Rhia the space she needed. He respected her wishes and retrained from reaching out constantly. It was incredibly difficult for him to keep doing it. They were under the same roof but not talking at all. What’s more, Ellie was the bridge of communication between them both and she was checking on both daily. 

One night, Ellie found Joel sitting alone on the porch, staring at the moon. She approached him and sat beside him, offering companionship. “What’s on your mind, old man?” She asked. 

“I miss her,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of pain. “I never told her this but I dreamt about her and the baby since the moment I knew she was pregnant” he took a deep breath “I told her I didn’t want to be a father and I took her with me during months in the danger, all that meanwhile she was carrying a baby” Joel looked at Ellie “You look after her better than me” 

Ellie looked at him with a mix of sympathy.

“And when we finally arrived here, I thought a family could be possible, but you know what happened” his gaze still fixed on the moon. 

“You know what Joel?” She said “I believe in love, even in this shitty world and you and Rhia were kind of disgusting” She smiled warmly at the memories she had of them.  

Joel’s eyes flickered. There was hope in his heart. 

In the middle of the night, Joel couldn’t sleep, so he went to the living room to distract himself with something else to do. Suddenly, Rhia entered to the room, her eyes widen at the sight of Joel there. She walked past him without a word, heading to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

Joel was unable to contain the tension, and followed her into the kitchen

“How are you?” He asked

Rhia tensed at the closeness of Joel; her hands trembled as she placed the glass of water on the counter “I’m fine” she replied, her voice steady “Just couldn’t sleep”

Joel nodded, not knowing what else to say.

“Does it hurt?” he asked, pointing at her stomach.

Rhia instinctively, placed her hand over the scar, a mixture of emotions crossing her mind, the knife, the wound, her daughter who used to be there.

“It’s healing” she replied, shortly

“I’m sorry” Joel whispered, guilt gnawing at him

“For what? Leaving me alone, saying those hurtful things or for your friend” she said asked, voice lace with sarcasm.

Joel took a deep breath “Everything”

Rhia looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and disappointment. “You should have told me” She whispered “Shit I know I was-am sad, and I will be for a long time, but you avoiding me…I know I did push you away too, but you should have talked to me, not her”

“I can’t change what I did” he said, his voice breaking “But we can work on us together?”

Rhia’s heart softened as she looked into Joel’s eyes, seeing the pain he also carried. 

Rhia reached out to touch his hand but before she could even do it, she stepped back and crossed her arms trying to steady herself “I know” Rhia took a deep breath “I want to believe you. I do believe you, but words are not enough”

Joel nodded at her.

“You know? I think it would be better for me if stay in another place...-

“No, Rhia…Ellie would kill me” he interrupted.

“Joel…I think is weird for us to be living in the same house when we’re not together” she said

“I’ll move out. I could stay at Tommy’s…Please just stay here, at least for Ellie” he pleaded. “You should go back to sleep”

Rhia nodded, offering him a small smile “I’ll try”

Rhia turned to leave the kitchen, and as she reached the doorway, she turned back to look back at Joel. She decided not to say anything and made her way back to her room instead, her mind filled with thoughts.

During the next days, Rhia spent time helping in the community and going back to her old activities, one of them being at the bar. She found herself lost in thought, processing her feelings, the pain he carried, and Joel. He had left the house three days ago; it was the first time they were apart since the day they met and it felt strange.  

Lucy had been watching her from the distance, feeling the anger of only looking at her. She made the choice of approach to her, frustration and anger evident in her eyes. She finally made up her mind and walked up to Rhia. 

As Lucy, approached Rhia, her footsteps were hesitant but determined. Rhia didn’t notice Lucy’s closeness until she was standing in front of her. Startled, Rhia looked up at Lucy.

“Lucy?” Rhia said surprised. “Do you need something?

Lucy took a deep breath, trying to control her own feelings 

“We need to talk” she said, voice laced with hatred. 

Rhia looked up, taken aback at Lucy’s tone. 

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“What’s wrong?! Rhia, you re infuriating! “Lucy exclaimed 

Rhia’s eyes widened in surprised at her tone

Lucy took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, but her anger was stronger. 

“You know the only reason Joel and I are not together is because of you?” She lied. She still wanted her chance with Joel.

Rhia’s eyes narrowed at Lucy’s words, feeling a surge of anger and hurt. That was a lie, wasn’t it?

“That’s not true, Lucy,” she said, her voice completely steady

“Oh, but it is” she continued lying, “He told me. He actually felt pity for you and for what happened to you, baby” 

Rhia’s heart pounded in her chest, torn between disbelief and anger. She wasn’t believing that words. 

“You’re sick in the head” Rhia said, trying to steady her voice 

Lucy smirked “You two are not even living together anymore! You’re stealing my chance with him! You left him and now he doesn’t want to be around me because of you” her face contorted with anger.

Rhia’s emotions were a mix all over the place, she was tired of this bullshit.

“You’re delusional” Rhia shot back; voice laced with frustration

Lucy took a step closer “You think you’re perfect, don’t you? But I could give him the family you never will”

Rhia’s heart sank at Lucy’s words. Her anger was replaced by deep shame and sadness. 

“He didn’t even want that baby of yours, did he?” 

Rhia’s eyes blazed with indignation. Lucy’s cruel words were taking the best of her. Tears welled up in Rhia’s eyes at the mention of her tiny baby, but she refused to cry in front of her. 

“You know, Rhia? In a world like this, you need to be strong and you are not in a good place” Lucy said, voice laced with venom “You don’t deserve Joel” 

Those words cut deep; Rhia’s felt her heart break a little more. 

“And you’re the one saying this?” She took a step closer, Rhia had enough of Lucy “You, the one who has always been inside these walls?” her voice defensive “You have never seen the things I’ve seen, you’ve never done the things I had to do, so don’t come here to tell me I’m weak”

Lucy seemed taken aback by Rhia’s words, but she regained her composure.

“You’re trying to convince yourself you are better- “

“I had enough,” Rhia said, voice raising “The world is over and you are here trying to have a man who doesn’t want to be with you, so if you excuse me. I’ll keep doing what I was doing before you came here” Rhia turned on her heels to go.

“At least I wouldn’t get my baby killed” Lucy called out; she knew her words were cruel but she wanted to hurt the woman.

Rhia froze in her tracks, her heart pounding in her chest. Lucy’s words cut like a knife. 

Turning back to face Lucy, Rhia’s eyes were filled with fury “You have no right- “

Before she could continue, she noticed Lucy’s eyes widened. When Rhia turned back, she saw Joel standing behind her, anger in his eyes. 

Joel stepped forward; his jaw clenched tightly. His eyes bore into Lucy with disappointment “Enough” he said, firmly “I won’t stay here watching you say all this bullshit to Rhia”

Lucy’s bravery weakened in Joel’s presence, but she still tried to defend herself “I didn’t lie”

Joel shook his head “Using her” he chocked “Our pain to hurt her is cruel”

Rhia couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer and turned to leave, her emotions were overwhelming. 

“Rhia, wait” Joel called after her, reaching out to grab her hand gently. How good it felt to touch her again. 

Rhia stopped, her heart beating heart. Being this close to Joel after all these days felt overwhelming. Rhia felt a mix of relief and anger “Why would she do that”? 

“She acted out of desperation and jealousy” he explained trying to keep Rhia calm

Rhia took a deep breath, trying to process his words

Rhia’s emotions were in turmoil. 

“Why would she be so jealous and desperate?” Rhia asked, her voice tinged with frustration. 

Joel’s heart felt heavy. 

Rhia looked into Joel’s eyes; her own eyes filled with frustration. 

“Because you made her believe she was important to you”  

“You’re right,” he said, his voice gentle but filled with regret. 

Rhia hugged herself tightly, feeling a surge of protectiveness over their lost child and their relationship

“I don’t even care about her, I-what hurts the most is how you acted after Daisy”

Joel’s eyes widened with surprise. He hadn’t expected her to name their baby.

“I didn’t know you named her” Joel said softly “I wish you had told me”

Rhia looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry” she whispered. “She deserved a name”

Joel reached out to wipe away Rhia’s tears, he didn’t want to be the cause of her sadness anymore. 

“I needed you” Rhia said, her voice finally breaking “I cried myself to sleep alone and you were there with—”

Joel pulled Rhia close, embracing her tightly

“Get off of me, Joel” 

His heart sank at Rhia’s reaction. 

“You made a mess of me” her face filled with a mix of emotions.

“I was wrong, and I can’t change what I did but I want to make it right” Joel admitted 

Rhia let out a deep and frustrated sigh “It’s not that simple and I don’t know if I can forgive you right now. 

Joel reached out and took her hand gently “I will be here from now on” 

Rhia didn’t respond, but this time she didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned on Joel

He smiled against her head “I’ll do whatever it takes to have our family back”

Rhia didn’t say anything. They stood there in silence for a moment, their feeling hanging heavy in the air. 

“I-I have to go” she said, pulling away 

Joel nodded “Okay”

Rhia took a deep breath trying to steady her emotions.

As she turned to leave, Joel softly grabbed her wrist pulling her into a hug, again. Rhia, surprised by this action, hugged him back. She only wanted her old time with Joel for a few seconds. He kissed her forehead gently, cherishing the closeness they had at that moment.

When they parted ways, Rhia gave him a small nod.

“Take care, Joel”

On the following day, the sun rose over the small town, casting a warm touch lingering on the skin, even in the coldness of the day, Joel found himself marching towards Tommy’s in the kitchen.

Stepping inside, Joel was greeted by Tommy, who appeared calm despite Joel’s dementor. It was evident he was angry at him.

“What the hell did you have in mind, Tommy?!”  Joel’s voice carried anger

“Good morning, Joel” Tommy reply, simply.

“Sending Rhia alone on a mission for supplies?” He asked dumfounded “Do I have to remind you last time she almost died?

Tommy sighed; he understood his brother concerns “Before you hit me or something, it was her who offered”

Joel, taken aback asked “She...offered? “ 

Tommy nodded “Yes, it’s only a search for resources” he explained, hoping this could help Joel to understand. 

“That doesn’t mean you should have agreed to it! I won’t let her and she is out of her mind if she thinks I’m letting her go”

Tommy nodded, acknowledging Joel’s protectiveness over Rhia

“Then go with her” he said 

“Of course, I will” Joel said resolutely, determined. 

Tommy nodded, smiling at his older brother's stubbornness.

“God. She is gonna punch me in the face” Tommy said

“She’ll understand” Joel admitted.

“No, she’ll get mad, at you the most” Tommy said.

As the pair made their way to the stables, Joel’s heart raced.

“You know what? Tommy stopped. “You should take this chance to fix thins with Rhia?”

Joel nodded, remaining silent.

As they stepped inside, Rhia turned toward them. Her eyes rolled when she saw Joel; she knew what he was doing.

“What he doing here?” She asked, directly at Tommy.

Tommy exchanged a look with Joel before addressing the elephant in the room.

“He is going with you” he said

Rhia’s expression softened slightly, but a frustration still lingering in her features.

“I can take care of myself” She replied, voice irritated.

“I know, but you both are a team” he said looking at them.

“I think Joel doesn’t know that” she said, sarcastically.

“Oh my god Rhia! Of course, I know” he retorted, frustration in his voice.

Rhia rolled her eyes “Really? Last time I checked, you were a team with other people” Her voice, lingering with jealousy

His jaw clenched, Joel took a deep breath “Look, if you don’t want me to go, you can go right now, but I’m still following you”

Rhia crossed her arms, her expression softening “Okay”

 “You know how I feel about your safety” Joel added

Rhia’s gaze locked with his “Thank you, but I can take care of myself too”

“I know” He replied “But after last time…I won’t risk losing you again”

Rhia smile, timidly

As they shared an intimate moment, Tommy interrupted, calling them over.

“Can you kiss already and go?” He spoke

Joel and Rhia blushed at Tommy’s interruption.

“Be safe out there” Tommy added.

“Hey, Tommy” Rhia called “While we were out there, take care of Ellie” she said.

Tommy nodded “Of course, I will keep her safe” he smiled “Now, go and take care. Ellie and I will be here waiting for you”

With a final nod, Joel and Rhia mounted their horses and set off to their mission and ventured out of the safety of Jackson.

Joel and Rhia rode side by side, their horses’ hooves echoing through the eerily silence of the desolate world, the tension between them both still filling the air. The world around them seemed to hold the same rust of silence growing between them. 

Joel stole a glance at Rhia, she was deep in thought.

“Rhia?” Joel spoke breaking the silence. 

Rhia looked at him expectantly. Joel reached out gently touching her arm.

“Thank you for allowing me to come here” he said

“You’re my partner” she said “Even when we are not together anymore”

Joel’s heart sunk at those last words and remained silent.

Principio del formulario

As they explored the reminiscing of the place looking for resources, night enveloped them. They found shelter in an old rusting house. Joel set up a small bonfire, providing them with warmth and light.

“It’s hard to believe this was once a home” she said softly, interrupting the silence. 

Joel reminded silence, his eyes locked on Rhia’s face, glistening in the firelight. He was lost on her. His heart swelled with love for the woman in front of him. After all that happened, he had forgotten how lucky he was to have her in this world. 

“Rhia” Joel began “You’re my rock, you know that?” Joel said softly.

Rhia looked at him, her eyes shimmering in the light. She smiled softly, but didn’t reply. Instead, she settled down beside Joel, shoulder touching. Them both staring into the flames of the campfire. 

“I mean it” He spoke

Joel turned his head to look at her, their eyes meeting in a moment of unspoken words and deep connection. 

Joel gently reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from Rhia’s face as they locked their eyes “I love you” he whispered. 

Rhia’s heart skipped a beat, and a soft smile appeared on her face. They leaned closer, their foreheads touching.

They leaned in, almost kissing. Joel could almost feel her lips on his

“Do you really think a kiss will solve all this?” She said barely touching his lips, voice laced with teasing. 

Rhia’s smile grew, and she pulled back. 

Joel let out a disappointed sigh. 

It seemed like things weren’t going to be that easy for him.

A/N: I don't know what I wrote, but I hope you liked it a little bit. Thank you so much for reading and please, comment, reblog or ask me anything,

All the best.

taglist:

@joeldjarin

[specialagentlokitty]

Negan x reader - people can change

Part 4:

A/N: italics will be sign language

Trade quickly began between all the communities, having nothing else to do, and in the spirit of teaching everybody you had a surplus of weapons at the ready which were distributed.

In return the four communities sent you plenty of warm clothes and blankets as winter began to grow closer, you delivered them food and ingredients they needed, along with firewood.

Trade had been going on for a few months now, and you had decided you trusted them to see your community, and Alexandria was the first.

“I knew I was right about water.” Aaron chuckled.

You held your hand out, helping them all across the stepping logs, on to the pier.

“Yes, it was an activity camp, walkers can’t get across the water.” Luke said.

“It’s so cool! Can you swim in it?” Judith asked.

“Oh yes, all the children here learn to swim.” Cole smiled.

They weren’t wearing their masks, however you kept yours on.

It was the people’s choice if they wanted to give their names or show their faces, you had done neither so far.

“As the years went on we started to expand, learning how to build on the water.” You explained.

You gave them a tour of the place, finally reaching the food court, sitting them all down.

“We can teach you what we know about being silent, about being the silence.”

“Does it always work?” Michonne asked.

“Humans and walkers are attracted to noise, animals are scared by it.”

She nodded her head, and you tapped your hand on the table.

“Have whatever you’d like, we are not short of food.”

They nodded and you got up, making your way across the bridges and stepping longs to head to the pier on the other side, over looking the lake.

You looked down in the water, looking at your reflection, your hand reached up for the mask but you stopped when you heard a small step, and you turned your head.

“Hello Judith.”

“How did you know?”

You sat down, crossing your legs and she sat with you.

“Your steps sound different to an adults, and you’re slightly heavier on your right foot, the weight of your sword shifts it.”

“What did you do before this?”

You glanced at her.

“I was cop.”

“My dad was too…”

You looked at her, sighing softly as she stared sadly into the water.

“Judith, do you remember what I told you when we first met?”

She nodded her head, turning to look at you.

Reaching up, you undid the strap on your mask, pulling it down and you pulled your hood down as well, connecting your eyes with hers.

“I said you could be the first to see me without my mask.”

You saw her scanning your features, but her gaze was fixated on the right side of your face, up but your eye.

“It’s not important, people have scars.”

“Thank you for showing me.”

You smiled, giving a nod of your head and you heard a few children giggling nearby as they crept over slowly.

“Hello you three.”

The triplets laughed, and ran over to sit with you.

“Hi!” They beamed.

You smiled softly at them all.

“This is Judith, she’s from another community, will you three show her the town? And introduce yourselves, remember manners.”

“We’re Harry, Rose, and Ethan!”

You rolled your eyes.

“Harry had black hair, Ethan has brown hair. They suck at introductions but they can show you what they do for fun here, go on.”

The four ran off, and you turned back to the water, looking at your reflection.

Bringing a hand up, you trailed your finger along one of the small scars along the corner of your eye as it trailed towards your ear.

They looked like they resembled the veins under the skin, but you knew it wasn’t that, because when you moved your scarf it carried on down your neck.

Sighing, you pulled your scarf back up and listened to somebody else coming over.

“Is this how you kept so isolated?” Michonne asked.

“Yes, nobody would think a boring old lake would be interesting. Plus with all the scouts around nobody could even get close.”

“The swords?”

“Ah, right. That was actually our blacksmiths idea, he’s a young man, loves trying out new things.”

You grabbed your mask, putting it on your belt and you turned to face her, giving her a smile.

“I had a promise to your daughter to show her first.”

“She seems to make everybody her friend.” Michonne laughed.

You hummed in agreement, taking her to the blacksmith at the end of side of the town.

“Hey.”

The man spun around, and you pointed at him.

“What have we discussed?”

“Sorry! Sorry! Put the swords down first.”

He set everything down and pulled up his glasses, flashing a grin.

“Im Eric, handy blacksmith here. I heard y’all need more weapons right?”

“If you have any spare that is.” Michonne said.

“Oh yeah, back room is full of them, we have more too.”

He led Michonne through and you stood there waiting, looking up as a shadow fell over you.

Walkers. By the road. Possibly the skins.

You nodded your head.

“Kill them. Skins or not.”

She nodded and left, and you walked into the back room.

“You, Aaron and Judith need to stay here for the night. We’ve spotted something on the roads, we don’t know whether it’s walked or whisperer.”

“This close?”

“Could be Walker but we take no risks. Not until is safe for you all to go home. Do you have enough weapons to fight them?”

“No nearly enough weapons or people, after what happened…”

You glanced to Eric who nodded his head, and you walked outside, grabbing the nearest person.

“We hold a meeting tonight, outside my home. Have everybody there.”

“Yes ma’am.”

You jogged away to your home, awaiting the results of what was lurking nearby.

Sitting on your table, you looked at the new mark on the map, it was around the same as the others, and you furrowed your brows.

Luke and Cole came through, setting their masks aside.

“What’re you thinking? Do we fight with them?” Cole asked.

“Right now? No. The whisperers have done us no harm, I see no reason to start. However if they’re drawing closer on us then we leave them a warning, see what happens them.”

Like sat down, turning the map so he was able to look at it.

“So what is this meeting about?” He asked you.

You pursed your lips as you thought.

“I propose that we teach them a few things we know, our basic signals, a few techniques on fighting, Eric can craft them a few a few swords, extra arrows and some traps.”

“This is a lot of work for the basic things we’re getting.”

“We don’t need much Luke, we can’t be greedy in what we take from already struggling communities.”

He sighed, running a hand down his face.

“I know that. It’s just what if they attack us?”

“Then we fight them, it’s as simple as that. The only ones that’ll be able to get across are the skins. Now, go meet the scouts, see what you can find out, both of you.”

Your whole day was full of planning, creating plans and backup plans just in case, covering everything you could think off.

As the sun began to set, the torches along the bridges were lit, and people began to gather outside your home while you sat on the roof.

Aaron, Michonne and Judith stood at the front, everybody looking up at you.

Luke made his way through the crowd, using the rope to haul himself up with you and he crouched down on one side while Cole did the same on the other.

“Just one skin, rounding up some walkers, they’re all gone.” Luke whispered.

You nodded your head.

“Then it’s settled.”

You turned to the people.

“As yours aware over the past month or so walkers have been spotted along the roads, we all know this isn’t normal.”

People nodded.

“The communities we trade with are currently at war with the Whisperers, while we however remain a neutral party!”

You sighed a little.

“I now ask for your votes on what to do. A whisperer was found today on the roads, luring a few walkers we assume back to whatever horde they’rere building up.”

A few people began to whisper and you held up your hand to silence them.

“We are at peace with all communities, we will not fight the whisperers, however, I propose we send more weapons, traps, teach them a few of our signals to aid them, along with teaching them some of our fighting techniques. However, this is not my choice, this is up to you. The people. I ask you hear these three out, and then we vote after.”

You gestured for them to come up, and they did, so you stepped aside.

“We won’t ask you to fight for us, I know we haven’t earned that yet. But we do ask for any help we can get, we want to protect our homes.” Aaron said.

Michonne nodded.

“We’ve fought time and time again to protect our communities, we’ve have been through hell and back just to do it. What we have no isn’t nearly enough to take on a horde, or whatever the whisperers through at us. And if we don’t stop them, they might come here next.”

A few people seemed to agree with her on that, and you crouched down, carefully watching their reactions.

“We ask for any help you can offer, even if it is weapons and training, we’ll do whatever we can to stop them from breaking us down and destroying Lakeshore as well.”

Michonne glanced to you.

“You’ve already done enough for us, especially for what little we’ve returned. I know.”

You looked to your people.

“Your call, those who want to help the four communities, raised your hands now.”

You scanned over everybody who raised their hands including your two commanders, then turned back to the people.

“Those who don’t?”

All hands immediately shot down and you nodded your head, placing your hands on your knees to push yourself up.

“Then it’s settled, tomorrow group three will split up, take weapons to the communities, and train them. Cole with go to Oceanside, Luke to Hilltop, I will come and go between Alexandria and here.”

You turned to Michonne and Aaron.

“Should anything go wrong, should you need to get your people out, bring anybody who cannot fight to Lakeshore, elderly, sick, hurt, children.”

“We will, thank you.”

You had no internation to fight the whisperers, but you did intend to help the others in battling for their homes.

And that’s what you did, you sent your people out, and as the brutal winter headed towards you, you began your planning.

Your scouts gave you updates, and every so often you would rotate them out.

Things were getting more and more tense, a brutal winter storm had you trapped at Lakeshore, looking after your people.

But you kept going, endless night after night planning, placing everything carefully into plan, setting the wheels in motion.

Alpha was dead, but you knew it wouldn’t be the end, not when Carol came to your doorstep with Negan.

“We need more people. Please..” she whispered.

You stepped aside to let her in, looking to the scouts behind him.

Hold him by the. Be ready to restrain him.

Why not kill now?

We need to find out why he’s free. We don’t kill unless needed.

You watched them take him away closed your door.

Walking over to Carol, you sat down at the table and she did the same thing, watching as you took your mask off.

“We saw you coming. Why did you bring him here?”

“I blindfolded him, but we need your help. He needs somewhere to stay for now, I owe him that much for what he did.”

You pursed your lips as you thought about what she had said.

Then you slowly nodded.

“Tell me your plan, I’ll listen and decide then.”

So she did, how they planned on taking out the horde, taking out Beta and what she had to do, and you slid your papers across the table.

She flicked through them while you sat there quietly for a moment.

“Is it true he did it?”

“I asked him too, he’s helping us.”

You hummed a little, slowly nodding your head.

“Do you think these plans will work?”

“Combined with what you already have in motion I think so, my people can work in the shadows, but that’s it. I won’t put them in direct line of fire for you.”

“Thank you so much ghost, really. But what about Negan? I know he doesn’t exactly deserve the help, but he can help you from here.”

You tilted your head back and you sighed heavily.

“He can stay, but he doesn’t have our trust.”