#while the dog is Tommy. Like smart and such

[bearyyayay]

I REALLY HAD FUN ANIMATING THIS

[mixsethaddams]

Scary Dog Eddie Munson and Tamer Steve Harrington.

(Originally posted on twitter)

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

Steve Harrington had changed.

It was subtle, easy to miss. You really only noticed if you knew what you were looking for.

It wasn’t his hair, his clothes, his cologne… No. It went deeper than that.

It wasn’t the person that had changed, it was the soul. His very essence had been rewritten.

On the surface he was still the same goofy Steve, the jock still not quite getting the joke.

But if you saw the change, oh you really saw it.

He carried himself differently now. There was a confidence held in his shoulders that came from much more than some meaningless status as a school athlete. His smile was sharp enough to cut right through you.

It was obvious once you knew why.

Eddie Munson was a dark cloud. He infected any space he graced with a searing sense of dread and he always left people with a chill down their spine.

It was impossible to relax around him.

The whispers about what it was really like in his hidden corner of Forest Hills never sounded too far fetched because if you knew Eddie, nothing would surprise you.

Eddie was a beast. And who better to slay a dragon, than a King.

Steve was like a lightning bolt through Eddie’s storm.

They fit together in a way that boomed like thunder and flowed like a flood. If Steve was untouchable in this town before, Eddie made him invincible.

Steve revelled in the way people looked away when they went anywhere.

After years of having all eyes on him, being paraded through school like a prize pony, he licked his teeth every time someone turned away to avoid him looking their way.

Not everyone was smart enough not to stare directly into the fire.

Tommy Hagan missed his friend.

They were two sides of the same coin for years, until Munson came along. When Carol moved out of state and took her heart with him, Tommy was left adrift. He wanted some comfort from an old pal.

Getting shot down after trying to call Steve hurt. It stung. It made no sense.

Tommy was walking through the woods behind the school when he heard Steve’s voice.

He followed it to the clearing; the old picnic bench where girls would lift their skirts for ten dollars a look.

It was nice out here, Tommy decided. They could talk for a while, maybe.

Tommy stood at the treeline behind Steve, who sat backwards on the seat looking out to the forest, leaning back against the table.

His mind was slow from the warm beer he’d stolen from his old man to drown his sorrows. He didn’t see anything at first. He just started talking.

“Steve?”

Steve’s head whipped around to see who called him. He let out a small breath of a laugh, one of the hands that had been spread across the table flying to his lap.

“Tommy, hey,” Steve said, shifting where he sat. “I’m busy,”

Tommy’s brow creased. “Doing what?”

Steve laughed again and turned away, facing back to the trees.

“I just want to say hi to my friend,” Tommy protested. “Since it’s been so hard to talk to you since that fucking freak Munson started following you around,”

Steve said nothing, he simply dropped his head back.

The angle was severe enough that Tommy could see his smile.

“You think it’s funny?” Tommy demanded. “Everyone says it, they all say how weird it is that he sniffs around you like…like a fucking dog or something,”

Steve’s fave pinched slightly and he made a small noise.

“Yeah….” Steve breathed, lifting his head again.

“Yeah!” Tommy snapped. “It’s true! And-”

“Tommy fuck off, would you?” Steve said, sounding out of breath. “I told you I’m busy,”

“You’re…” Tommy spluttered. “Are you kidding me? You won’t even turn around to look at me!”

Steve didn’t answer.

“Steve fucking look at me!” Tommy yelled, echoing around the clearing.

Steve sighed and lifted the hand that had been in his lap.

Eddie appeared slowly, drifting up from the floor like smoke from a snuffed candle. “He told you to fuck off, Hagan,”

Tommy took a shocked step back. His drunken mind instantly sobered, catching up quickly. Eddie’s lips were red and puffy, his eyes wet at the corners. His hair was tangled like it had been gripped tight.

“Fuck,” Tommy said. He stumbled back again as Eddie rounded the table.

“Whats wrong?” Eddie mocked. “Don’t wanna stay and chat now that the, what was it? Fucking freak? Is here too?”

“You…you were….”

Tommy’s gaze darted over to Steve. He was still sitting in his spot, his head rolled over his shoulder to lazily observe their interaction.

“I was,” said Eddie. “And I’d like to continue, so how ‘bout you do like you were told,”

Tommy was still drunk enough to be bold.

“No,” he said, tilting his chin. “How do I know you’re not just gonna rob him? Huh? Trailer trash like you? I bet Steve’s the perfect bait,”

Eddie sighed. Tommy got no warning before Eddie lunged at him, pinning him to a tree and holding his forearm to his throat.

“Wanna say that again?” Eddie said in a low rumble. “Or maybe you wanna see what trailer trash like me can really do when I’ve got some bait on my hook?”

Tommy squirmed against his hold, feeling the pressure on his neck. Steve appeared over Eddie’s shoulder.

“I’m bored,” he said, running a finger down the side of Eddie’s neck. “Take me home?”

Eddie’s lip curled, not taking his eyes off Tommy.

Steve smiled and rubbed his cheek on the shoulder of Eddie’s leather jacket. “Down boy, let’s go,”

Eddie released Tommy at Steve’s word and stepped away from him.

Tommy leaned over to catch his breath and noticed Steve’s belt was still undone.

“Steve,” he said, breathless.

Steve raised his eyebrow at Tommy.

“You’re serious about this guy?” he asked. “Like this isn’t some sick joke?”

Eddie made a move towards Tommy again but Steve stilled him with a soft touch to his chest.

“I’m sorry Carol dumped you,” Steve told him without emotion. “Go find something better,”

“I don’t…” said Tommy. “Steve, man, I…I just want to talk to you. I want to hang out with a friend to feel better. You really won’t give me that?”

Steve regarded Tommy with a slow look

“No,” Steve said. “You called Eddie names, I don’t want to talk to you,”

Tommy baulked. “You’re…! Steve!”

“You’re a bully, Tommy,” said Steve matter of factly in a fake soothing voice. “That’s why Carols gone. I don’t wanna your friend,”

“You were a bully too!” said Tommy.

Steve smiled, took Eddie’s hand and leaned against him “And I make up for it every way I can,”

Tommy took a heavy step forward to follow them as they went to leave. Eddie turned back quickly and Tommy almost collided with his chest. “I thought we told you to fuck off,”

“Eddie,” Steve’s voice was firmer more. “Let’s go,”

No more asking. This was a command.

Eddie practically snarled as he moved away from Tommy once more and started to walk with Steve out of the clearing.

“I mean it Tommy,” Steve called over his shoulder in a light sing-song. “Go find better, than Carol I mean. Won’t be hard…”

His voice trailed off into a quiet laugh.

Tommy sank to the forest floor, crawling backwards to lean against the tree Eddie had pinned him to.

Tommy didn’t know if he’d ever find better than Carol. He didn’t know if he even wanted to look. It felt too overwhelming to think about finding someone new. He wanted to marry Carol. He couldn’t bear the idea of growing old with anyone else. Or at least thats how it felt.

But right now Tommy could barely even comprehend the last twenty minutes, never mind the rest of his life. Nothing made sense anymore.

The only thing Tommy knew for sure right now?

Steve Harrington sure had changed.

[oceantornadoo]

ch2 something borrowed something blue (mafia!price x simon's sister!reader)

masterlist | next

You hate John Price because he ruined your childhood. Or at least, his father did.

Growing up as a bastard was hard. You do thank your lucky stars that you were a bastard in modern-day society, and not during some time when your mother could have had her head chopped off. It’s the small things.

Your mother was Mr. Riley’s nanny. How original. 

Mrs. Riley, Simon and Tommy’s mother, did not like her husband. Smart woman. He was cruel, knew how to poke at scars until they opened and bled down bruised skin. They had an heir and a spare, neither of which she was particularly attached to. It was enough to fulfill their marriage contract, so she got to live out the rest of her days in a beachside condo in Cornwall. Simon and Tommy were raised properly, the Riley way, in Greater Manchester. In a mansion bought by blood and exploitation, guns and gold. 

With the wife out of the way and two boys under five, Mr. Riley hired a nanny. The way your mother tells it, only after three glasses of wine before the sun sets, she was low on cash and desperate for a place to stay. The whispers about the Riley family were loud, but the grumbling of her stomach was louder. It’s a phrase she repeated over and over during your childhood, as you hopped from international school in Paris to private school in New York City, wherever your father decreed was safer. You tell her she doesn’t need to justify it, even now as you live with your brother and she stays countries away, but she’ll just give you that same tightlipped smile. She still doesn’t forgive herself for who your father was, so you have to forgive her for the both of you.

She couldn’t say no to Mr. Riley. Maybe it was the sight of her with his kids or her constant proximity, but he claimed he was in love. You can’t say no to the head of a gang, especially if you’re an employee. And once she became pregnant, he tightened the reins. Pulled strings to become your legal primary caregiver so she couldn’t leave the country. It was only after a robbery went wrong, where Mr. Riley lost almost a quarter of his wealth, he invited others to weigh in on the situation. Or at least, Mr. Price.

You were seven, Tommy was ten, and Simon was fourteen. Simon said he was too grown up to play with a baby like you, but Tommy always stuck around. Tommy just beat you in hide and seek, again, and frustration seeped out of your skin. He always caught you, no matter where you hid. He was counting down to another round and you were determined to win this time. There was one place he wouldn’t think of - your father’s office.

There have been a lot more men around lately. Mama had told you to keep upstairs, out of eyesight, but you wanted to win this time. Tommy was counting from sixty, too fast in your opinion, so you creeped down the stairs at warp speed. There was a secret door to Father’s office, mainly for the maids, and it had a door for your dog. Riley was huge, so the flap took up a third of the door. You were still small enough to scurry through, though it was becoming a tighter fit lately. Determined, you popped through the flap, being sure not to disturb Father. There was a chair for you to hide behind, a perfect angle to hide from the man on the other side of Father’s desk while still keeping an eye out for Tommy’s feet.

“They hit you because you’re weak.” The man’s voice was familiar. Mr. Price. He was around more and more, always bringing his annoying son John. He was sixteen and thought he was so cool, bossing around the staff like he was, well, the boss. And he never wanted to play. 

“They hit us because my idiot men weren’t watchin’ the cameras.” Father replied. He sounded angry. He always snorted like a bull before he started yelling, and you could hear him huffing. “Y’ve got a bastard an’ ‘er mother yankin’ ya by the balls. She’s the help, for god sake. The scousers see an opportunity.” You knew that word. Bastard. Simon had called you bastard once, a year ago when you took his stuffed animal that he hid from Father. Mama told you it was a mean word, only said by people with too-small hearts. When Simon said it, you cried for an hour. He apologized, hugging you like a baby until the tears receded. Then, he promised to hurt anyone who said that word to you. 

“What do you suggest?” Father didn’t say anything about the mean word. He was like that, he didn’t protect you like Tommy or Simon. “Send them away. Make your enemies forget about your weakness. Bring Simon into the fold.” That wasn’t Mr. Price speaking, it was John. He wanted to send you away? You prayed not to Cornwall, where Simon’s mom lived. She was scary.

“I second John. You need strength, not complication. Focusin’ on Simon learnin’ the ropes will emphasize your heir, not the help y’ forgot to wear a rubber with. ‘Least til she’s eighteen an’ can be married.” Mama wasn’t married, so you didn’t want to be either. “Appreciate the help, gentlemen. Now about the Chester deal…” You tuned them out. Sent away? You had to tell Mama. Slipping away like a cat, you ran to find Mama, not stopping even when Tommy found you. He’d won, again.

Without John’s suggestion, you might have stayed. You might have gotten a real relationship with your brothers. You might have prevented Tommy from walking into that gunfight and- that’s where the hypotheticals stopped. Who knows what would have happened? What you know is that, despite being provided for and with your mom, there was always that what if? clinging to the back of your brain.

Your father died when you were twenty-two. Months after he’d paid your last college bill, thankfully. Simon called you during your summer of freedom, a twenty-nine-year-old man with no clue how to run an empire. A lost younger brother between you. He’d promised to protect you, and that was your chance to return the favor. Family first, the Riley way.

-

Now, years later, the hate for John Price has turned from a boil to a simmer. Something you don’t think about constantly until he’s right in front of you. It’s hard to blame a man for a teenage hypothetical, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t insult him for being a pompous git. A mafia brat. Decades of being shitty to each other have turned the cord of your relationship rotted black, a frayed string connected by the fact you can’t physically hurt the other. You’ve got no clue why he wants to marry you of all people, so you’re determined to scare him off. This should be fun.

-

“Quaint,” John mutters to Gaz, who scoffs. They took the jet, a quick hour trip, and brought Laswell, his trusted lawyer. The bookstore is off a side street in Greater Manchester, next to a cafe and a flower shop for god sake. He has to give it to Ghost; it’s a good place to clean cash or lay low. Discreet. No clue why the spitfire’s running it, though. He’s surprised it’s not gone to ruin.

The bell over the door makes a faint tinkling sound as they enter. Gaz goes first, ready for an ambush like the control freak he is, and John can see you smiling at him. It’s a smile he’s never seen, unbidden and shy. It immediately sours once John emerges, turning into a faint frown. “You actually came.” You say it like you aren’t discussing a marriage contract to tie you together for eternity. It’s been a year since John last saw you. Your meetings are infrequent, mainly in passing during weddings and funerals. He knows it’s been years since you came back to Manchester, but you finally seem to have…matured. More confident with your movements, at ease behind the counter of your bookstore. If he were a different man, your confidence would be attractive, but in this world, something about it irritates him.

He sees you pick up your phone, a battered thing, and fire off a short text. Not five seconds later, Soap and Ghost emerge from the shadows of the backroom, men in suits at their shoulders. The shop is immediately crowded, and you cringe at the change in atmosphere. “You’re lucky I closed the store today. Your vibe would freak out the customers. Come on.” John is already practicing restraint, biting his tongue so he doesn’t reply like a scorned teenager. He’s too grown for this. 

Soap leads the way, opening a hidden door to the basement by tugging at a dusty bookshelf in the back. He holds the door open for everyone, trading looks with Ghost before nodding to the Price group. “What do ya do if a customer pulls that book by accident?” Gaz wonders out loud, snorting to himself as he approaches the door. “Dosnae happen, Garrick.” Gaz grins and John sighs inwardly. “Usin’ last names now, MacTavish? I can play that game too.” Gaz dips down the staircase before Soap can answer, presumably needing to have the last word. Between you and Soap, this is going to be a long meeting.

The bookstore might be old and dusty, but the basement is sleek and modern. John passes a small med bay, fully stocked, before they reach a large conference room, equipped with TVs and enough office chairs for a small army. Even Gaz lets out a low whistle, while Laswell hums thoughtfully. Kate’s probably memorizing the layout for another upgrade to her office.

As everyone sits, two waiters make their rounds, taking drink orders. He gets a tea and thanks the waiter, catching your brows furrowing after he murmurs his gratitude. Odd.

“Right so-” Soap starts, but Gaz cuts him off. “You’re a bloody barrister?” Soap practically growls at his tone. “Solicitor. Not jus’ a pretty face, Garrick.” It’s silent as the two stare, a contest only broken when Simon clears his throat. “Get on with it, haven’t got all day.” Soap starts again, mainly talking with Kate as they go through the contract. John has it practically memorized. 25% of his businesses, mainly the ones not in London, in exchange for their weight in Ghost’s gold, something he desperately needs. Relinquishing his claims to border territory between Manchester and Liverpool, something that would make his father turn in his grave, for thousands of weapons. Guns, bullets, tracking equipment - anything he can use that has removable identity numbers. It’s a deal that’ll help him win against Shepherd’s men. All for the small price of being married to you, of course.

“Ms. Riley will marry Mr. Price and produce a minimum of two children within ten years. In case of fertility struggles, one child will suffice, only with a board of doctors agreement. If infertility persists and no children are produced, we have clauses for that.” The statement rolls off Laswell’s tongue easily, but John can tell the moment it reaches your brain. Your eyebrows go sky high, and you almost stand until Simon puts a firm hand on your shoulder, keeping you in place. “Board of doctors? What, so if I can’t get pregnant, I have to inform an entire hospital just so I don’t get shot? That’s barbaric.” You spit out, and John can’t help but agree. If the situation comes to it, he wouldn’t want the future mother of his child having to humiliate herself like that. Thoughts of you being a mother are turned away, a dreary thought for another day.

John murmurs instructions to Laswell, who notes them down with ease. He can tell she approves as her shoulders relax slightly. “We can amend this line. It’ll only require one doctor, not a board, and it can be your current gyno or someone else. The matter will stay between Ms. Riley, Mr. Price, and Mr. Riley if it comes to be.” Laswell replies. You huff, irritated that John agreed, and he smirks at you from across the table. You’re so easy to tease, probably because you’re snooty and spoiled.

“What about my bookstore?” The question escapes you after another ten minutes of Laswell droning on about childcare protocol. How if there’s no child in ten years, and all avenues have been explored, the marriage will be dissolved. “What about it?” Laswell asks smoothly. Your eyes dart between her’s and John’s. “Well, I’ll hire a manager for the Riley store, but what about in London?” John considers it, running a hand through his beard. It’s a safety risk, but who knows what havoc you’ll wreak on his home if you’re bored 24/7. Something to do would be nice.

“‘Ve got a few closed storefronts I own. You could take one.” Your mouth drops. You didn’t expect him to agree, to be honest. Imagined yourself chained to his property, playing housewife night and day. “I want to own it. Buy it from you so the deed is in my name.” You cross your arms on your chest, quirking an eyebrow like it’s a challenge.

“Fine. But you’ll let it up once there’s kids.”

“Not happening.”

“First few years, at least.”

“And are you taking a few years off for paternity leave?” Well, no. But he’s running an organized crime unit of over 5,000 members and you’re running a bookstore. John can’t have other families seeing his wife working when she’s supposed to be resting or raising his heir.

“First year after every new kid. That’s what I’ll agree to.” Soap murmurs something in your ear and you sigh with defeat. “Fine. But you have to sell me the property at fair market value and you can’t use it for any business. And I get to pick any property not in use.” This seems to be the hill you’re dying on. If you were a Made Man, he’d add in flowery language, guaranteeing you the cheapest property. But he’s already taking your home and your business from you, not to mention your womb and ten years of your life. He can spare a building.

“Agreed. Next.”

Soap continues on, his leg bouncing under the table with so much force that it’s shaking. He’s eager to get out, that’s for sure, and John can’t help but wonder why. “Ms. Riley will reside with Mr. Price at his permanent London residence. If she wishes t’ leave city limits, she must request written permission.” John quirks an eyebrow. Surely you’ll bite at this one.

“I’m not even dignifying that with a response.” Is what eventually comes out of your mouth. Took you almost thirty seconds to say it. He could see you weighing your options in your mind, the price of too many amendments versus your freedom. He almost respects the move, until he remembers this is the Riley brat. Not someone to be respected.

“‘S for your safety.” He croaks out, throat dry from lack of use. Speaking to you is like breaking the fourth wall, an unsettling feeling. The full force of your glare is blazing hot, the pits of Hell contained in two eyes. “I can take care of myself. I’ve always got a gun and a man on me.” You challenge him.

“Guns run out of bullets. Men die.” He replies, smug with the fact you can’t particularly deny what he’s saying. You turn to Soap, muttering your dissent. He shakes his head, then looks over at Ghost. The bastard has his mask on, but even a blind man could see he agrees with the statement. He wants to protect his sister, a trait John knew he could rely on.

“Fine. Oral works.” You say the words like they’re bitter on your tongue, something you want to spit out. “Does it, sweetheart? Good t’ know.” You roll your eyes, then shove Soap’s shoulder for him to continue. “Can’t believe I’m marrying a manchild.” If you’d said it in front of his men, he’d have to reprimand you, but he can drop the mask in this room. He’s not going to punish his future wife this early. It would throw off the wedding atmosphere.

Laswell marks the change from written to oral permission then continues. She’s at the last few lines, thankfully. “The marriage cannot be dissolved unless in the case of maltreatment or abuse. If there is evidence of Ms. Riley cheating, 50% of the Riley Family assets will be transferred to the Price Family and the marriage will be dissolved. Any bastards will not be recognized and will be given no child support.” The word bastard echoes around the room. Laswell could say she didn’t realize the context of the word but, knowing her, it was probably used on purpose. A test.

You roll your shoulders back. Ghost’s eyes narrow into black pits. Soap’s hands clench and unclench on the table. Despite the obvious tension, there’s no immediate reaction. You don’t jump on the table and curse his ancestors or pull out a gun and start shooting. Both he expected more than the actual outcome, which is…nothing. You nod at Soap and Ghost, gesturing at them to continue. 

It should be a victory. Gaz is nudging him under the table, his right-hand man all too proud that he riled up the Rileys. The feeling of success is hollow as John tracks your tense muscles, the way you turn your gaze to the contract in front of you and don’t move, even when Laswell finishes reading it. You’re just…frozen. It’s too human of a look on you, and John wonders if this is what your marriage will be like. Cold. Distant. Robotic fucking, just enough to make heirs. A fidelity clause only for you, while John can do whatever he wants as long as there aren’t any kids made. It’s a point he would have let you argue, let you add a fidelity clause for him too, but you take it on the chin. Is it punishment for the family sin you didn’t commit? The mantle of knowledge is heavy on his shoulders.

John signs. You sign. Ghost signs then hands it to the lawyers. Gaz is the witness. In five minutes, John has turned his mafia into a militarized mob and gained a wife who hates him. Every man’s dream.

Papers are gathered as the waiters clear glasses from the table. He stands only after you do, observing how Ghost has to touch your shoulder to get you to pay attention. Soap leads the way again, but John hangs back until he’s shoulder to shoulder with you. The dislike is still there, a plant that sprouted roots eons ago, but the urge to be a good husband is there as well. He was raised with the standards of chivalry, to be the picture of a gentleman. He will not treat the mother of his children like how his father treated his mother. He will be better.

“Alrigh’?” He nudges your shoulder. It snaps you out of your daydream, glassy eyes meeting his own as you take stock of the situation. “Fuckin’ mint, thanks.” It’s the most Manc thing he’s ever heard you say. “Remember bein’ promised tea, but not a biscuit t’ be found.” You snort and he’s glad for it. You seem to finally be out of whatever funk came over you. He lets you go in front of him on the staircase, keeping his eyes firmly on the sliver of skin that shows as you move and the outline of a gun tucked in your waistband. John Price does not stare at his fiancee’s arse at all. Mostly.

“Guess I’m not wife material, Price. Looks like you’re getting the shitty end of this deal.” You shoot him a cheeky grin once you’re on the main floor, and he’s glad it looks mostly genuine. You’re easier to deal with when you’re bantering, not whatever that was back there. “Jus’ bought ya for some guns, sweetheart. Not lookin’ good on the husband front, either.” You roll your eyes, biting your cheek so he doesn’t sense a laugh. The whole group is at the door now, awkwardly standing on opposite sides of the room as the two of you talk. Is this what your wedding will be like?

“I’ll, uh, see you Saturday.” At our wedding. To each other. Jesus, this is a bleak future he’s thinking of.

“See you Saturday, John.” You stand in the center of your store. Sunlight is streaming through the windows as the sun goes down, and if John were a different man, he’d tell you you look beautiful. He’d kiss your cheek, then your forehead, assuring you that your years of spats were just a form of foreplay. He’d squeeze your shoulder in reassurance, murmur a sweet nothing in your ear. Fortunately, or unfortunately, John is not that man.

“Remember, somethin’ borrowed, somethin’ blue.” He winks but there’s no charm behind it. He thinks.

“Something old, something new. A sixpence in your shoe.” You whisper it just to him, like a secret, and then turn away. Like he was never there.

John turns away, feeling oddly flustered, and doesn’t catch Gaz’s eye as they leave. He avoids Gaz’s gaze as he shakes Ghost’s and Soap’s hands. He’s still avoiding it when they get into the car, Laswell splitting off to her own chartered vehicle. It’s only when the doors close his right-hand man decides to speak.

“You’re fucked.” He says it sternly, like a teacher scolding his student. The kid’s a decade younger than John but acts like he’s his father.

“Piss off.” He’s got no idea what he’s talking about. There’s nothing between you and John. That bridge has been burned, ashes turning to dust in the wind.

Of that, he’s almost sure.

-

I hope the background wasn’t too boring! Stay tuned for a chaotic wedding week 😁lmk if you want to be tagged (please remember this is 18+)

-

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[kinardsboy]

This has been sitting on my mind a lot lately but it seems extra relevant now with the way Tommy and by extension Lou has been criticized for acting “too gay” in ep 5. And while yes, I will agree Tommy acted slightly different in ep 5, it has absolutely everything to do with Lou’s incredible acting choices to play Tommy differently when he is around people he deems as “safe” which is much better explained in this amazing post here <-

All these complains are doing is just yet again exposing buddies as homophobes who are, at the end of the day. Uncomfortable with real queerness being shown infront of them. Of course we already knew this with how they react to Buck and Tommy kissing and god forbid flirting especially if it has sexual implications like the daddy kink scene.

They can’t possibly fathom their precious uwu baby Buck would be sexual with another man so they spin and twist it however they can to make it out to be, “NO! You see! Tommy started the flirting! Tommy is just an insatiable horny gay man! He only wants sex! Like most of them do!”

Which is again spewing homophobic rhetoric, who wouldve guessed thats what they immediately turn to?

I now have something probably controversial to say but oh well, im going to say it anyway.

A good many of these shippers would be deeply uncomfortable with Buddie actually becoming canon, because they would be nothing like their fanfic. They don’t want to see two men in a relationship, they want to see Eddie in a relationship with the character they project themselves onto.

There are so many examples of this but perhaps the biggest being the way Buck is made out to be the “woman” in the relationship and especially how he is made to be the “mom”

Buck and Tommy’s relationship 1st does not have any children involved so there are no gendered roles to be assigned (even though if there was.. theyd just both be a dad), they are both beefy and the same height, which is what people usually use to decide “top” and “bottom” but again since there is little physical difference between them, they cannot do this, which only adds to their uncomfortableness.

Furthermore, I would go as far to say that Buddie shippers dont actually like Buck.

A while back a shipper posted this analysis of Buddie, that essentially reduces Buck to a dog. A pet. Only to be let out of the bedroom to cook and take care of Chris, otherwise he’s meant only for Eddie’s pleasure.

Which, disgusting. But the thing that stood out most to me was how Tommy was criticized for

letting Buck be himself. For accepting and loving him flaws and all. For not trying to change anything, or “train” the bad out of him

While Eddie was the “trainer” in that scenario, that had to train the bad out of Buck in order for him to be acceptable.

And thats the funny thing isnt it? Buddie shippers have to completely warp and destroy Buck’s character to make him fit their mold of perfect partner for Eddie. They make him out to be this helpless person who can’t even tell Tommy he doesnt want to be called Evan, that needs rescuing from Tommy, that is a “mother figure” to Chris, that his “dream role” would be live in chef and maid for the diaz family..

When none of that is Buck.

Buck is a smart, independent and strong man. He has worked tirelessly on himself to know who he is and what he wants, which right now? Is with Tommy.

Bringing it back to my main point, their complaints of Tommy being more gay and Bucktommy intimacy ultimately just boil down to homophobia plain and simple, seeing real queer representation and not representation that they can specifically twist and cater to themselves through fic, headcanons or gifs, makes them uncomfortable

(could this be why so many of them ignore shows with canon m/m ships for favor of shows with fanon ones that will never actually happen? So they can make these demands for representation then shit on it as soon as they get it because its not fanfic? Its not their fetish specifically catered to them? It actually represents real life queer men who they don’t actually like?)

[andy-15-07]

Ashes and Hope

Pairing: Joel Miller x fem!reader

Word count: 1295

Pedro Pascal Masterlist

The town had settled into a rhythm of quiet survival under Tommy’s watchful eye. Jackson, Wyoming, was a rare pocket of normalcy in a shattered world. Snow dusted the tops of cabins, and the soft hum of generators filled the air. The occasional bark of a dog or the chatter of kids playing in the snow hinted at something close to life before the outbreak.

Joel leaned against the wooden railing of the porch, staring out at the quiet street, lost in thought.

“Hey,” Y/n’s voice broke through the crisp air. She stepped out, her boots crunching against the snow, a mug of coffee in her hands. “You’ve been out here a while.”

Joel glanced her way, offering a small nod of acknowledgment. “Just thinkin’.”

Y/n sat on the porch swing, setting her mug down on the small side table. “About them?” she asked softly.

He didn’t answer at first, his gaze fixed ahead. After a moment, he sighed, running a hand over his graying beard. “Always.”

Y/n nodded, the weight of their shared grief pressing on her chest. “Me too.”

They didn’t have to say their daughters’ names. Sarah and Lily. The pain of losing them was as raw now as it had been the night the world fell apart. Sarah, Joel’s light, his reason for everything, gone in a single gunshot. And Lily, Y/n’s fiery, curious little girl, taken by the chaos and violence of the outbreak.

The cabin door creaked open behind them, and Ellie stepped out, pulling her jacket tight against the cold. “Are we brooding again?” she teased, her tone light but her eyes watchful.

Joel turned to look at her, his expression softening slightly. “What do you need, kid?”

Ellie shrugged. “Just bored. Thought maybe we could do something that doesn’t involve sitting around.”

Y/n smiled faintly, gesturing for Ellie to join them. “Come here, kiddo.”

Ellie plopped down on the swing next to Y/n, her legs swinging idly. “This place is so weird,” she muttered. “People just… live here? Like it’s normal?”

Joel crossed his arms. “It’s as normal as it gets these days.”

“Yeah, well, it’s freaking me out,” Ellie said. She looked at Y/n. “You ever think about what it’d be like if things didn’t go to shit?”

Y/n’s smile faded, and she glanced at Joel. “Every day,” she said quietly.

Ellie tilted her head, sensing the heaviness in the air. “I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine,” Joel interrupted. He leaned against the railing, looking at Ellie. “Sometimes it helps to talk about ‘em. The ones we lost.”

Ellie hesitated. “Do you want to talk about them? Your daughters?”

Joel’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, it seemed like he might shut her down. But then Y/n reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “Maybe it’s time,” she said softly.

Joel exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the cold air. “Sarah… she was smart. Funny. Always had a way of makin’ me laugh, even when I didn’t want to. She loved soccer. And she had this… stubborn streak. Always had to have the last word.”

Y/n smiled faintly. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

Joel shot her a look, but there was no real bite in it.

“What about Lily?” Ellie asked, looking at Y/n.

Y/n’s eyes glistened as she spoke. “Lily was… a firecracker. She never sat still. Always asking questions, always exploring. She loved animals. She used to say she wanted to be a vet when she grew up. I used to think she’d save the world someday.”

Ellie’s expression softened. “They sound amazing.”

“They were,” Joel said quietly.

The three of them sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the past hanging over them. But then Ellie broke the quiet. “You know, you guys are like… the worst at being sad. It’s depressing.”

Y/n chuckled, ruffling Ellie’s hair. “Thanks, kid. Real subtle.”

Ellie grinned. “I try.”

Joel shook his head, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. “Come on. Let’s go inside. It’s freezing out here.”

The cabin’s small kitchen was warm and cozy, the soft glow of candles flickering on the table. Joel and Y/n sat on one side, Ellie across from them, leaning over her bowl of stew. She was talking animatedly about some of the kids she’d seen playing outside earlier, her hands flailing as she described their snowball fight.

“And this one kid—he was, like, half my size—nailed this other kid right in the face. It was hilarious,” Ellie said, grinning.

Joel raised an eyebrow. “Did you join in?”

“Nah,” Ellie said, shrugging. “Didn’t want to show them up. Gotta let the little ones win sometimes, you know?”

Y/n chuckled, resting her chin in her hand. “You? Holding back? That doesn’t sound like you at all.”

Ellie smirked. “Yeah, well, I’m maturing. Becoming a better person.”

Joel snorted. “Sure you are, kid.”

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the clinking of spoons against bowls the only sound. After a moment, Ellie looked up, her brow furrowed. “Did you guys ever, like… think about having more kids? Before, I mean.”

Y/n glanced at Joel, caught off guard by the question. Joel leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “I think… after Sarah, I didn’t really see it happenin’ again,” he said quietly. “Felt like she was enough. And after… well, it wasn’t somethin’ I could even think about.”

Y/n nodded, her voice soft. “I always wanted more. Lily used to ask me for a little brother or sister all the time. But life got in the way. Then, after everything… I couldn’t imagine bringing a kid into a world like this.”

Ellie’s expression softened. “Yeah, I get that. But you guys are, like, really good at this whole parent thing. Even with me.”

Y/n smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself, kiddo.”

Ellie grinned, but her eyelids were drooping. “Okay, that’s enough heart-to-heart for one night. I’m going to bed before you two start crying or something.”

Joel smirked. “Goodnight, Ellie.”

“‘Night, old man. ‘Night, Y/n,” Ellie called over her shoulder as she shuffled off to her room.

The cabin grew quiet again, the only sound the faint crackling of the fire. Joel stood and began clearing the table, but Y/n reached out, grabbing his wrist. “Leave it,” she said softly. “Sit with me.”

He hesitated, then sat back down, his eyes searching hers.

“You ever think about what she said?” Y/n asked.

Joel frowned. “What d’you mean?”

“Having more kids,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Joel leaned back, his arms crossed. “Y/n…”

“I know what you’re going to say,” she interrupted. “The world’s too dangerous. It’s selfish. But Joel, look at where we are. This town… it’s safe. We have people. We have each other. Maybe it’s not so crazy to think about it.”

Joel was silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the fire. “It’s not just the world that scares me,” he admitted. “It’s losin’ them. Again. I don’t know if I could survive that.”

Y/n reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. “I’m scared too. But isn’t it worth it? To have something good? Something that’s ours?”

Joel’s grip on her hand tightened. He didn’t answer, but the look in his eyes said everything.

Y/n smiled softly. “Just think about it, okay?”

He nodded, his voice low. “I’ll think about it.”

They sat there together, the weight of the past still heavy on their shoulders, but for the first time in years, the possibility of a future didn’t feel so far away.

[lillyspeakz]

crawling back to you.

a/n: so it’s been a hot minute so this might be rough! But if people like this, I will do a part 2 !! So enjoy! This takes place during the sorry boys video with sorry burger and all of that!! Bonus points if you know the movie reference at the end-

warnings: Wilbur and reader yearning, awkward Wil, female reader with they/them pronouns, lowkey just fun!

wc: 2k

“Get out of my sight. Go find us some customers!” Wilbur yelled at the two men dressed as hot dogs, turning towards the camera behind him to give a motivation speech once more while he ate his… 3rd hotdog? He lost track.

“Cmon Charlie! Let’s go find some hot women!” Tommy exclaimed as he ran towards the park, Charlie laughing behind him as he followed.

As Tom and Charlie ventured further into the park, going away from the truck as they searched and offered flyers, Tom stopped in his tracks as Charlie ran into him.

“Dude wh-“

“Shh! Look over there- they might want one.” Tom pointed over towards you, sitting on one of the benches that surrounded a garden with a small tree in the middle. You had broken converse on, rips and color faded all around as the ties wore thin. Blue jeans fit around your legs as your shirt labeled ‘The Smith’s’ underneath the trench coat wrapped around your body. You had headphones around your ears, one left off just in case with a book in your hands, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

“Tom they look busy- Tom? Tommy-“ Charlie shouted quietly as the blonde took big strides towards you, a smile bearing his face as he did.

As you heard leaves crunch and grass shuffle with the sound of feet, you hesitantly looked up, eyes not wanting to look away from the intense plot change that just occurred. You were met with a younger man with bright blonde hair and a teal sweater on, with a.. hotdog suit on? The man behind him had the same costume on….

“Hello?” You asked, taking your headphones off fully and placing them around your neck as you placed your bookmark back in your book.

“Hi! Um- I’m Tom and this is Charlie. Would you want a free burger?” The guy, Tom, asks as he handed you a flyer.

As you took the flyer, looking at the small advertisement that held a dog in a hotdog bun, you laughed at the concept. ‘Smart’ you thought as you looked back up at the men who were whispering to each other.

“Are you sure they aren’t hotdogs?” You asked, a confused smile on your face as to why he said burgers as well as the flyer.

Tom laughed a little as he shook his head, Charlie not containing his own laughter as he turned away. “No no! They are 100% burgers.” The blonde said as he gave you an over exaggerated wink making you laugh at his antics, shaking your head while grabbing your bag.

“Ok! So where is this burger place?” You asked, shoving your book in your bag and getting up to follow the two men.

They both looked at you with surprise and excitement, Charlie telling you to follow him as Tom sparked conversation.

“So, what’s your name?” He asked as you looked at him with a small smile. “Don’t worry, I’m off the clock as of right now so- I’m Tommy and you are?” Tom joked but he seemed genuinely intrigued to get to know you.

“I’m y/n! Nice to meet you both!” You smiled at the pair as they reciprocated the feeling.

“So are you from America? You have the same accent as me so I presume-“ Charlie asked as you saw a food truck a couple yards away with a group of people crowding it.

“Yes I am! I just graduated college and decided to move here recently for a new beginning. I like it so far, definitely new but not anything too bad.” You shrugged as you adjusted the strap of your bag on your shoulder, hugging your coat around your body tighter as the wind blew.

“Really? What’d you major in?” Charlie asked once more, interest peaking as he moved to the other side of you, putting you in the middle of the two men.

“Creative Writing and minored in editing.” You smiled at the man who wasn’t much taller than you, making it easy to look at him.

“That’s sick! One of our mates Wil-“

“Tom! Charlie! Where have you been?” A tall man came over to us, a mask covering the bottom half of his face and his hair covering the rest.

‘Why are they so tall?!’ You silently thought as he ran over to the group you made, walking backwards as he did.

“We’ve been looking for customers! That’s our job, and look! We got one.” Tom said as he looked down at you, a proud smirk on his face as he did.

“Looks like you guys have been busy-“ Charlie pointed at the food truck that held a group of young adults waiting for food. You caught glimpse of another man inside the truck, he seemed to be your height with blonde hair, smiling down at the group as he handed out the hotdog.

Smiling to yourself, you shook your head at the situation you got yourself in, never imagining your afternoon for relaxation to turn into this.

“Oh yeah! Wilbur called a bunch of people over here randomly say and they were interested so!” The tall man said, finally making it to the food truck and waiting behind the group.

“There’s another one? How many of you are there?” You asked, eyes furrowed at the men in front of you.

“Oh yeah! We should probably explain… we’re content creators and we have an improve channel called ‘Sorry Boys’, as to why it’s called ‘Sorry Burger’.” Tom explained as he pointed at the logo on the flyers he held.

“And there’s 5 of us! Me, Tom, Ranboo, Phil and Wilbur. And this is also for a video so- You should check it out, it’s pretty fun.” Charlie explained the rest as you nodded along.

“So I’m going to be in this video?” You asked, a smile on your face as they all nodded. “Cool! I’m gonna be famous before I do anything!”

The boys all laughed at your comment, making jokes of how they’re your big break and how you should just join the group at that point.

As you waited, the boys talking your ear off as they asked numerous questions, a man running with bags and a chefs hat on caught your interest.

You continued to look at him with furrowed eyebrows, curious as to what he was doing. You soon saw the camera person running with him, laughing at what was being said.

As he stopped at the door, he turned to look at the group that had slowly spaced out over time, seeing the boys crowding around something…. Or someone. He couldn’t tell.

“Ranboo! Why are you out-“ the tall man stops abruptly as he sees you. His eyes rack over you slowly, examining you, all of you in the most gentle way a person can. His eyes soften as he makes eye contact with you, a small smile making its way on his face as you smile at him.

Your eyes got lost in his for a few moments, the chocolate brown hues grabbing you in their hold and drowning you in a sweet kiss. There was so many things you could say about him but not enough to describe him, and the presence he brought in that moment. He was interested. He cared. He wanted to know more and so did you.

“Earth to Wil! Mate what’s up?” Wilbur quickly blinked and turned towards Tommy as his hand was pulled away from his face.

“Shit- sorry! Ranboo we need you in here! Tom and Charlie just- keep being yourselves because if you could get them to come then, it’s working.” He gave you one last smile before stepping back into the truck, Ranboo following as he did.

“So that’s Wilbur?” You asked Charlie as he stood next to you, smiling at you as your interest grew in the tall man as he whispered something to Ranboo frantically.

“Yeah, he’s a lead singer in a band too! I don’t know if you’ve heard of them but it’s Lovejoy!” Charlie said as you quickly brought your phone out to investigate this new band.

Pulling up their discovery, you followed them and left the app open for later. “I think I just found my new favorite band.” You said to the man next to you as he chuckled at the comment, walking up with you to the front as Phil greeted you with a warm smile.

“Hi! Can I get you a burger?”

“Yes please!” You smiled back up at him, peaking behind him at the brunette who was talking with Tom now, the blonde smiling at you as he also whispered something into the man’s ear.

“Want any onion?” The blonde man asked you, breaking you out of your trance and over to where he stood.

“Oh- no thank you! But can I get ketchup and mustard? Please and thank you! How much is it?”

“It’s free, on us if you will.” Wilbur told you as you looked back over to see him leaning on the counter. You smiled at him once more, nodding as you continued to reach into your bag.

“Cool, um- wait Tom?! You were going to tell me something earlier and got cut off.” You asked the blonde boy as he smirked back at you.

“Oh yeah! I was just going to say how our buddy Wil over here graduated with an editing major!” He said as he grabbed the man by the shoulders and shook him, earning a groan from the brunette.

“Nice! I’m an editing minor. But i majored in creative writing. I also heard your in a band, yeah? Lead singer?” You asked the man who laughed at the question, nodding his head as he did.

“Yeah, Lovejoy’s the band. I also play rhythm guitar but that’s not important..” He trailed off at the end, putting his head down as he silently cursed himself for being awkward at the ripe age of 26.

“Gives me an idea on who to hear when I listen to you guys later, so yeah it is…” you reassured him as you smiled, grabbing a pen from your bag while taking a napkin that lied in front of you. “I sadly can’t stay, I’m meeting up with someone later tonight but… text me. I’m free anytime.” You clicked your pen shut as you slid the paper across the counter towards the man.

“There’s that for you!” Phil offered you your hotdog as you and Wil both looked away from each other, cheesy smiles on your faces as you did.

“Thank you! It was nice meeting you all!” You smiled at all of them, making eye contact with Wilbur one last time before turning away.

As you walked away, Wilbur looked at the napkin with a smile as all the boys cheered for him.

‘You intrigue me. Text me and we can figure out a time to maybe go on a little date…

(xxx)-xxx-xxxx’

He silently laughed at the message you left, grabbing his phone and adding the contact information.

“Hey Tom, what was their name?” Wil asked, typing in the girls contact name.

‘The Smith’s girl’

It seemed suiting to him in the moment, but knowing him he’ll change it 1,000 times until he liked it.

“Y/n was their name! They were really cool-“ Tom nodded his head as Charlie agreed with the blonde.

“Y/n… pretty name.” Wilbur whispered to himself as he started typing out his message.

‘Y/n right? You like the Smith’s?’

‘I love the Smith’s :)’

[skyeeuphixia]

𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚗 𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚋𝚢 // 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘 𝚒 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚋𝚢𝚎?

finn shelby x sister oc (florence)

summary: in which finn is left forever broken

⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺

warning/s: blood, violence, death, grief, emotional distress

words: 1010

⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺

When Finn and Florence Shelby were born, they instantly became the pride and joy of their families lives. They were loved by and doted on by their older siblings, the two of them could get away with close to anything, even Tommy would crack when he watched as his baby sister looked up at him with her big blue eyes that matched his so perfectly.

Despite each of them having particularly close relationships to different older siblings, Florence being especially close to Tommy, and Finn close to Ada, no one could deny the bond the two held with one another, they all saw it from the day that they were born and the two of them grabbed each other’s hands as they slept in their cot. Being twins they were connected on a deeper level than normal siblings. Aunt Polly pointed it out days after their birth. If Florence cried, Finn would cry. If Finn was happy, Florence was happy.

“They can feel each other’s feelings” she claimed.

For a while, the other Shelby’s brushed off their eccentric Aunt, they were babies reacting to the world around them, of course one would start crying if a baby started screaming in their ear. But as they grew older, their Aunts words became truer and truer. The twins would occasionally finish each other’s sentences, or say things at the same time, they could predict the others feelings even when they weren’t around each other. They couldn’t feel the others pain, but if Finn was in pain, physical or emotional, Florence knew, and vice versa.

They never provided much explanation as to what it was they felt, they simply placed their hands on their hearts stating that ‘they could feel each other’.

“Gypsy twin magic” is what they called it.

As the twins grew older, their differences emerged. Finn was street smart, Florence was book smart. Finn wanted a dog, Florence preferred a cat. Finn was eager to be more involved in the business, Florence wanted to be involved with business as little as possible. But despite their differences, they were just as close as when they were children. At 16 years old, they had never spent more than 24 hours away from each other. You would never see one twin without the other and if you did, something was likely very wrong, especially with recent events. Ever since Tommy’s wife, Grace, had died and things had been getting more tense against the Changretta’s, the twins had been ordered to never leave each other’s side and to protect one another, which they didn’t need to be told twice.

However it made moments like this more frustrating. Family meetings had to take place somewhere different every time they were held, it lowered the risk of the Changretta’s targeting them all at once, as they wouldn’t know where they are, Florence, ever the good girl of the family was often first to the meetings, and could almost always guess when Finn would come crashing through the door, panting dramatically as if he had sprinted a 5k. But now, the family had to wait for the two of them to arrive at the Garrison together. And Tommy was getting impatient.

“They should have been here by now,” Tommy says as he paces the room, more on edge than ever.

“’ave a bit of patience Tommy.” Arthur calls out, already half way finished a glass of whisky, “They’ll be in ‘ere any moment, Flo dragging Finn by the ear, scolding ‘im for making her later,”

Their aunt however was less convinced. She was good at sensing when things were wrong, and the pit in her stomach was growing more and more as the twins refused to appear, “Somethings not right,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Then, as if summoned by the collective fears of his family, Finn stumbled through the door. His face was deathly pale, eyes void of any emotion other than pure shock, but most significantly, in his arms, he was carrying Florence’s lifeless form. Her skin was as pale as ever, and she was drenched in blood from a bullet wound in her forehead, that was staining Finn’s white shirt.

Finn had barely processed what happened, he remembered hearing a gunshot, running to where he knew his sister was, and shooting his own gun in anger, that was all he could remember, but hearing the horrified gasps from his family, everything in his brain clicked. He didn’t hear himself scream, or the pain in his knees as he dropped to the floor, all he could do was sob as he desperately clutched his sister and held her close to him, desperately willing for her to wake up and end this nightmare.

The rest of the Shelby’s watched the scene in horror. Ada was sobbing into Johns side, as he held onto her burying his face into her hair to hide his own tears. Arthurs fists were clenched in fury, hardly being able to keep himself from smashing everything in the garrison.

Tommy’s ever cold and distant look had contorted into anguish at the loss of the sister he held so dear, “Not Flo…” he whispers, a quiet plea to whatever higher power there was to give her back to him.

Aunt Polly was the only one who could will herself to move over to the twins, kneeling down next to Finn, holding as much as he’d let her and placing a gentle kiss on the crown of his head, trying to hold herself together for him.

“I only left her cause I forgot my cap,” he whispered, his voice shaky and laced with guilt and self-hatred, “I knew Poll…I knew something was wrong, I could feel it…here,” he said, as he pressed a trembling hand to his heart, his sisters blood staining a red handprint, “It felt like I was dying, and then it vanished…”

“She’s gone…I can’t feel her anymore,”

And the family knew, then and there, the twin flame had burnt out,

and Finn would never be the same.

⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺

(fin)

[familyvideostevie]

tlou season 2: episode 5 thoughts

phew sorry i did not watch last night, here are my notes belated. i promise to watch the finale as it airs. tldr liked this a lot, hated the usual bullshit. we cookin with gas spoilers for tlou hbo and tlou part ii below.

feel her love! lets gooooooooo. tldr liked a lot, hated some stuff. just another day in the life.

GOOD -cold open, love. the chills i got at the story. cause like, fuck yeah! we are at the mercy of this virus! it is the antagonist that lurks in the shadows! -day 2, my favorite day. starts strong. my girl dina got a hairtie finally. sexy bun lets go! ellie in her almost-iconic outfit! i miss her converse but whatever! also gas mention, that's funny! rip courthouse you are missed! -the theater, wow. the seats, the shot, the music. future days does exist despite the time continuum. i love this moment and i wish the flashback happened HERE. i wish ellie was talking to joel! i wish a lot of things! oh, sorry. this is the good section. -i know it is brutal but i really like the sheer starkness of the war that is happening around them in Seattle. the mural was perfect, the graffiti, the dead seraphites. it's just so absorbing. -running through the lights, i hated doing that in the game but fun callback. the hallway, the scene setting. haunted but empty. oh! just like us! that's me funny girl! -i love you after 1 day of being together checks out for these girls. its canon, i support it. -this place is fuckin scary. it's scary and it made me remember all the things i screamed playing this game and the stalkers, it's no office building but it's damn close. the whimpering and the breathing and even if the CGI sucked for a second i love these stalkers i love how scary they are -when i tell you i jumped off my fucking couch when i realized jesse was there. my BABY my MAN my DARLING ONE. i missed him so much, he's so. and the sets they run through, love. and THE PARK. man i love the fucking park -there is so much to address here. the dynamic of the three of them is instantly compelling in a new way because of what's happening and all the info we know but they do not. the map you left (ohhhhh boy, what a foreshadow), do i look like i want to fucking talk to you he was so hot when he said this my god me and tommy interesting, interesting. the way they came alone, too. interesting! tommy i hope you are sniping somewhere -i had chills once again once the whistling started. it reminds me of the gameplay trailer and my god. the torches and the execution, the noises, it's so crazy and chilling and i love it. -the blonde seraphite with the braid crown looks just like that one npc you know the one. -ellie hiding in the tree and the shot of her and the torches -- what a fun easter egg. so clever -wlf dog! bonnie! stay safe bonnie. avoid the girl with the knife, trust me. tall grass also sooooo fun. -nora looks amazing i love her. i kind of wished we got to sneak our way up and in but like, wow, how chilling for ellie to sneak up on us instead. that little bitch got what he deserved delivered like a champ. nora remains a track star, i love the way the hospital was laid out, i love the combat here, and i love the lower level. the infected in the walls, the spore breath, poor L PARK. the red light...the particles. god. god. god. the wheezing. how i wanted to hear her wheeze. -you're...you're her. that goes so fucking hard and i love it I'm glad they included it. and while i have platters full of beef with they way they're framing ellie and joel pre golf, the way she tells this story and the way ellie goes i know. that's cold as fuck. and it's honestly? smart. because we don't know anything. we don't know if she knows, we don't know when/if he told her, we don't know what happened. is she lying? if she isn't how does that change things? nora clearly sees it changes nothing, and knows she's lost all the way. the ellie crouch....i saw stars. that's my psycho girlfriend, that's my best friend, that's my girl. the music. the pipe. frankly, this was so fucking good. she's scary, she means it, she will get what she wants. it's scary! and i will take it! it fits with this ellie, it has the right amount of my ellie, it's horrible and it's scary and then to cut it to the flashback....(more on that later)

IFFY -so i, like everyone else, thought hanrahan was the prophet. this might still be the case. they are obscuring the time of this cold open on purpose, i'm sure -- i mean, this entire sequence and set up is really just the Pittsburgh episode from season 1. if she is the prophet (the more interesting approach) then this has to be earlier. everyone knows about the hospital, they are clearing it out and know not to go down there. I'm just interested in what we are going to do with this. the mother son parallel was interesting lol -dina explaining the amish to ellie was so out of pocket but at the same time probably a smart add-in for us to understand some things about the seraphites before we encounter them now and later with abby -okay, the whole ellie being scared about dina and the baby and blaming herself? and dina's reply is her story about revenge -- her first kill? i am really trying to articulate why this bothers me, instead of us learning about dina's past in casual conversations (mostly) and out of curiosity from ellie/things she already knows that we are learning. but to have this backstory reveal be a part of the tragedy of the whole thing -- it makes Dina more bitter, more upset. Which I understand, cause combined with her guilt and trauma over joel, it keeps her here now that she's got a reason to go. it's just interesting. because in the game, i feel like dina is justifying tommy's actions, not ellie's, when she talks about her own ability to seek revenge. and she does not justify ellie's rage, not really. she just allows it, tags along as support. and it sort of changes this power between them? both of them having suffered, both fighting to be here? what does it mean that ellie, given the choice for both of them, chooses to keep going? and what does it mean to dina that ellie makes that choices? I'm thinkin bout it -dina superhearing strikes again and for what but also that was funny -i get that to get ellie alone we have to send jesse and dina away back to the theater but like. why does dina have to get IMPALED WITH AN ARROW. i personally thought that was fun character building for ellie to have the wound and then dina gets to stitch it up but whatever. -i am interested in this choice we get to witness from ellie -- going to the hospital or circling back and going to the theater like she said she would. it kind of fits with this ellie -- who is not yet settled in her recklessness, does not know how to admit to herself how far she will go on this mission. -the cut.....to the flashback....being here. man, i wish the whole thing had been back in the theater. i just think this makes it all sad in a different way. i understand why it's this way for this ellie and joel -- but i don't love it. they are attaching these good memories of joel to the moments that ellie seeks revenge -- something that happens at the end of the game. and it's crazy. the way, in the moment of her success, ellie sees joel on that last night of his life and she lets abby go. but here we are doing something different. it's almost bleeding them together, implying that ellie's memories of joel will be tainted forever, hinting that she will never have peace because she will always feel so much and so big that she will always seek revenge. and then to cut into present tense by pearl jam...are you insane -sorry but pedro saying hey kiddo in his regular voice and then putting his hands on his hips. what the fuck is going on

BAD -i just don't get why we have made ellie stupid. she's literally smart. quick, clever, likes to learn things. loves space and science and history. like, let's be so real for a second. what's wrong with you guys. come ON. -wish dina got to keep her hair tie. the generator in the theater is actually so she can plug in her dyson air wrap -ellie being trigger happy??? that's crazy. that girl ain't using a damn bullet if she don't have to. give her a BOW. HAVE YOU SEEN HER WITH THE KNIFE? again with this like, ellie is bad at this! no! she is capable! she is scary! why are we going to such lengths to make her capacity for violence seem more like a switch that is flipped! come on! -idk if I'm seeing things but there are these moments of CGI that are just so...bad? like, the first glimpse of the stalker. the blood dripping down the wlf's pants in a stain. it's like, small small moments but they editing is so weird and blatant

[gracieheartspedro]

I Can See You

fem!reader x dbf!joel miller

Hi friends! It's been awhile (:

I am back to writing! This time, I'm planning on having many parts to this story. It's a DBF Joel Miller story, which I love to read, which means I had to write it, right?

I wrote this with no Y/N, instead each character gives her a nickname/pet name.

So here's Part 1, I really hope you enjoy!

Word count: 2.7k

Warnings: DBF! Joel, age gap-ish (reader is 25, Joel is 39), eventual smut, joel being a little bit of a perv, reader not having a filter, alcohol consumption

“Mornin’,” His Southern accent was even deeper than usual. My head peaks up from behind my computer, noticing his very tired eyes. The bags under his eyes still somehow did him justice. 

“Mornin’ Joel,” I mutter before taking a sip of my coffee. I watch as he finds his way towards my bosses office. He was only my boss at work, but at home he was just Dad. 

I watch his ass move in his jeans, shamelessly. 

Finding your coworker hot is one thing, it’s another when it’s also your dad’s friend and he was about 20 years older than you. 

I’ve thought Joel Miller was quite the looker since I was about 18. I had just started working for my dad. I was mainly just scheduling and doing work orders. Joel took me out to a work site one day, on my father’s request. He wanted me to get know some of the people who would be scheduling work from us. I got to sit around with the property manager of an apartment complex in a tight black dress in the dead of summer, watching guys replace windows. While outside that day, Joel worked alongside some of the laborers, his tanned skin and shaggy dark hair glistening with sweat. Something about him doing manual labor turned me on. Something awoke in me that day, and ever since then, I thirst over him in silence. 

I catch myself looking a bit too long, quickly averting my eyes to my computer screen. I act like I am typing something, glancing over to Joel and my dad walking out of his office together. They are discussing another project that Joel was overseeing that would keep him very busy in the upcoming months. 

“My girl here will be starting back at college in the fall, so she will only be part time for awhile,” My dad says, drawing attention to me. 

“Oh really, where ya going?” 

I blank out completely for a moment.

“UT Austin,” I finally answer.

“Smart girl, you living on campus?”

“Nope, just getting my master’s in Engineering so living from home makes the most sense.”

Joel shakes his head, “Master’s. Didn’t you just graduate high school?”

“I’m 25, Joel.”

His eyes scan me for a moment, realizing I’m much older than he remembers. 

“Ha,” He grumbles, “Time flies huh, Steve?”

“Sure does, you just wait for that Sarah of yours is off to college,” My dad laughs, slapping Joel’s shoulder. I wince, realizing again he has a young daughter. It wasn’t ideal, to say the least. 

“We got about 5 years on that,” Joel says, his eyes returning to mine, “Well it’ll be nice havin’ you around during our busy season.”

“Happy to help,” I reply, not really meaning it. 

“Hey, Joel, you and Sarah making an appearance at our BBQ this weekend? We invited the whole neighborhood and I can’t remember if you told me you’d be there.”

His eyes are still on me, “Yeah, I’ll be there,” his eyes return to my dad’s, “Just me and Tommy though, Sarah is goin’ over to a friend’s house.”

“Can’t wait!” My dad cheers, “Baby girl, can you make sure my schedule is cleared Friday evening so I don’t have to worry about when I can get the meat?”

“Of course, dad,” I grit my teeth, “I’m on it.”

-

“Hey baby girl, can you go grab me some extra plates?” 

My dad was over the top with his BBQs to say the very least. The whole neighborhood was in on it. Steaks, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, the whole thing. I spent all morning getting the huge backyard and cabana ready for all our visitors. We usually had someone come over to do all the setting up, but Dad made sure to remind me that I was living rent free and being paid on his payroll, so setting up was the least I could do. 

People littered the pool and backyard. I weave between people, giving smiles and welcomes where I could.

I walk in to the kitchen, the cold AC air hitting my bare arms. Luckily, I was wearing shorts over my bikini shorts, or else the goose bumps would be up and down my legs, too. I begin searching the cabinets for the large serving plates you always used for big gatherings. Leaning down, my triangle bikini top almost lets my boobs loose. I sit up straight, messing with the knots on my back. I knew tightening it could only help so much.

“Need help?” I almost jump out of my skin. I turn quickly, spotting Joel Miller standing in the kitchen with me.

“Shit, you fucking scared me,” I breathe loudly, patting my chest to make my heart stop racing, “I think I can get it.”

“Mhm,” He sticks a tooth pick between his teeth, “Lemme help, girl.”

God he was so fine. I hated myself for having a crush on him. But the domestic and simple gray t-shirt that hugged his arms so well and the blue jeans? I simply could not resist staring. 

No chance in hell. But I got to look at him every day and imagine it. 

I turn on my heels, holding the ties out to him so he could tie them. 

“I need them tighter,” I mutter, “Don’t want these puppies falling out in front of the Adlers.”

“Don’t want to excite Mr. Adler too much, he may have himself a heart attack.”

I smile to myself, biting my lip. He ties it, his fingers grazing my bare back slightly. 

“All good now, girl,” I turn to face him, looking up at him through my eyelashes, “Now what were you lookin’ for?”

“Serving plates,” I explain, “Dad is finishing up those steaks, needs more space.”

“Well let’s get ‘em and head out to all the fun,” He says, ducking down to the cabinet I was looking in originally. He finds them, handing them up to me. He looks so good looking up at me from this angle. 

“You want to grab us some beers,” I suggest, “I’ll meet you out there?”

“Your dad runnin’ low?”

“Probably, so grab three.”

–

“So, you going to be here all summer?”

I had no interest in talking to Tommy, but he was keeping me from toeing the line with Joel in my drunken state, so here I am. I sit in my lounger chair, wanting so bad to take off my jean shorts. I knew if I did, Tommy would take it as I’m making a pass, so I sweat extra. 

“I’m starting college in August, so yeah I’ll be around the office and staying home.”

He smiles, “Good to hear, love seeing you around.”

I smile back faking a cheery laugh, “Thanks, Tommy… care to grab me another beer?”

“No problem, sweetheart.”

I watch him walk away before searching the crowd for Joel. I spot him across the yard, talking to one of the newer neighbors. A single mom who moved in two months ago. My dad kept joking the other night that he’d be making her my stepmom, which only made me gag. She was beautiful, younger than my dad, but just about Joel’s age. 

A pang of jealousy rises within me. 

Joel finally catches my wandering eyes. He smiles gently, giving me a nod.

“Here, darling,” Tommy says sweetly, “Need anything else?”

“Yeah, actually,” Your brother, “Can you help me with something?”

“Sure, ‘s up?”

I sit up, leaning over making my boobs hang right in his eye line. 

If I couldn’t keep one Miller’s attention, maybe I could snag second best. My beer filled brain thinks about how they are cut from the same cloth, so they both are probably good at this. 

“Do you want to help me change a lightbulb?”

He raises his eyebrows, “I guess, where at?”

I smirk, “My bedroom.”

We sneak away, my eyes scanning the area. It didn’t appear as anyone was following us. My room was the last room on the left upstairs, so the anticipation as I guided him down the hallway was killing me.

Ever since Joel grazed my back earlier, I’ve been ready. So fucking ready. 

“Are we actually changing a lightbulb?”

I open my door for him, gesturing to him to follow me in.

In the dim light, Tommy was very cute. He was a sweet guy and I knew he’d be the first to jump on my idea. 

“You tell me,” I say, starting to untie the knot Joel tied. In my moment of trying to be sexy, I realize Joel tied the stupidest and hardest knot ever. Tommy notices my struggle, reaching around me, frantically trying to get the top off.

As it gets loose, I reach up to grab his neck.

“What the fuck is going on ‘ere?” 

His voice freezes me. Tommy looks towards the door in horror.

“Joel-“

“Tommy, you fucking know better,” His voice is so intimidating and scary, I cant even muster the courage to turn around, “Git.”

Tommy gives me eyes saying I’m so sorry, and I just stare blankly at my wall. I hear Tommy’s foot steps run down the stairs. I realize how drunk I am because my wall paper begins to move on it’s own. It doesn’t usually do that. 

“Now you,” His stride towards me is quick, “I’m not your Dad, but don’t think he’d like you fucking his employees.”

Maybe it was the liquid courage, “Who said I was trying to fuck him?”

I snap my head towards his stern and impossible to read face.

“Bullshit,” He spits, “He got through my knot, he assumed somethin’ was about to happen.”

“Well, even if that’s where it went, why are you putting your nose in our business?”

He chuckles darkly, “So now it’s ours, huh? I have you know, girl, Tommy’s business is my business. And you’re just makin’ my job hard.”

I tiptoe closer to him, “And what’s your job, again, Mr. Miller?”

“Make sure people are behavin’ themselves.”

I realize what he’s doing. My tipsy mind took a second to search his face for more, but I can't read him at all. 

“I’m behaving, Mr. Miller. I promise,” I reach up, touching his jaw, “No more funny business.”

It was the closest I had ever got to him. I felt a rush just touching him.

“Good, get your top back on and come down to the party. Your dad is looking for you.”

I look down at myself as he leaves the room. My fucking tits are out, and he didn’t even look down.

The game he was playing was not the same one I was playing.

–

The next morning, I have a pounding headache and no drive to leave my room. I was embarrassed and horrified. I knew I would have to face Joel and Tommy on Monday morning, so I had to make amends beforehand. I really didn’t want them to tell my dad and I was pretty out of line for trying to fuck Tommy when Joel wasn't giving me the attention my drunk ass thought I deserved.

After spending hours in bed, rolling back and forth thinking of a script to say, I figured that honesty is the best policy. 

Well, honesty with a little bend in the truth. 

I get showered and dressed. My usual summer time outfit was a crop top and short shorts, but today I needed to be more… conservative. 

I find a nice summery dress, that went to midthigh. It was yellow, not a lot cleavage, floral. Innocent. 

When I get downstairs, my dad sits in the living room, his feet propped up watching the news. 

“Where ya going, baby girl?” 

“I’m going for a walk,” I lie. 

“Wearing that?”

“Yes,” I nod quickly, “Do you need anything while I’m out?”

He shakes his head, “No, have fun, I guess.”

I could tell he was suspicious, but he wasn’t one to pester me too much. He had high expectations for me, but I always exceeded them. He never questioned me too much, unless it was about school. He didn’t even really care about my love life. He always got excited when I told him I was going on dates in college. I mean, I rather him be excited than bother me about the guys I was seeing.

I start my journey to Joel’s. I didn’t even know if he was home or not, I was going on blind faith.

It was hot as shit and I was not fully prepared to walk to his house in a dress and sandals. 

I could’ve just driven there and back. But no, I decided to roast in the hot summer sun.

–

When I arrive to his house, I just kind of stand in his driveway, catching my breath. He was home, his truck was here. 

I walk to the front door, knocking first then ringing the door bell. 

It takes about minute, but he gets the door. 

And he’s shirtless. 

It was the worst and best moment of my entire life. 

“What are you doing here?”

And it’s not quite the response I was anticipating when I arrived at his door. 

“I uh-,” I hear some stirring inside the house, which causes me to peak my head past Joel’s shoulder. 

I see movement, but my eyes find Joel’s again before I could focus in on it. He pushes me back a bit, coming outside and shutting the door behind him. 

“I came to apologize, but you seem busy.”

He shakes his head, “Not busy, just woke up.”

“With someone?”

What the fuck? Why can’t I shut my mouth?

“Pardon me?”

“Well I walked this whole way to apologize about my inappropriate behavior yesterday,” I explain, “But yeah, that’s it.”

The door creaks open and I am wholeheartedly anticipating a hot MILF or something. But instead, it’s a little girl. 

“Sarah, get inside!”

“Oh hi, I know you!”

I smile at the girl. She was cute, I had to admit. She looked a bit like Joel, mainly the smile. A smile I wasn’t too familiar with, because he wasn’t too keen on my jokes. Ever.

“Yeah, I work with your dad,” I explain, “Nice to see you, Sarah.”

“You too, do you want to have lunch with us?”

“Sarah she can’t st-” 

“I’d love to, only if your dad says it’s okay.”

He got himself in a pickle, but I was aching to have a conversation that didn’t involve me putting my foot in my mouth like I almost did again. Plus, some food and water would help the heatstroke I felt coming on.

He stares at me, almost like he wished I’d disappear, “Of course, come in. Sarah is making sandwiches.”

“I hope you like turkey and cheese!”

—

“Thanks for the sandwich, Sarah,” I say, wiping my face making sure I didn’t have mustard left over.

She smiles with her mouth full, “You’re welcome!”

“Hey Sarah, why don’t you go get ready for swim practice,” He suggests, “Me and your new best friend need to have an adult conversation.”

She looks up at him annoyed, “I guess, but don’t scare her away. She has a cool pool I want to swim in.”

I laugh out loud, “Yeah, don’t scare me away, Joel.”

He doesn’t laugh, he just looks at me with his lazer eyes. I just wish Sarah a farewell and shut my mouth, waiting for the storm. He stirs, eating another bite of his sandwich. 

“So you came to apologize, huh?”

I swallow, “Uh, yeah. I’m sorry for my inappropriate behavior. I had one too many yesterday.”

He nods, “Yeah you were practically falling out of that top of yours before you took Tommy upstairs. Surprised you didn’t have it off before then.”

My eyes widen, “Well that’s humiliating.”

“Don’t think anyone was particularly mad about it,” He says, “Maybe one of those neighborhood watch moms, but who cares about ‘em?”

I can’t help but smirk. Was he insinuating that he wasn’t mad about almost seeing my boobs?

“Yeah, they always give me the most disgusted looks when I’m out jogging.”

“Cause’ they miss bein’ young and beautiful,” He explains, “All their husbands stare, too.”

I can’t believe he’s talking to me like this, I find myself leaning in a bit to try to talk quieter. It seems like this is conversation we should be whispering to each other.

“Do you stare?”

Foot. In. Mouth. 

He smirks, giggling a bit. I finally got to see him smile.

“Of course, I do.”

----

Hehehehe tell me what you think! I'll be back with part 2 soon!

[bulisen]

9-1-1 Dæmons (Because its more fun to think about than school and work while beeing at school or work).

Buck - Swan because swans are fiercely protective of their family. They are also noble and sweet when they want to be. They mate for life and Buck has been looking for his person for all his life, knowingly or not. And swans are also very smart and have sharp vision and impeccable hearing. Swans love to "talk" a lot and are often silly and playful to eachother

Tommy - Wolverine because they are strong and highly adaptive to their enviroment. They are smart and outgoing but still solitary. They eat a lot but keep their bodyshape because they always have something going on to keep them moving, almost like they had 300 hobbies to keep them moving. They are wily and have been known to use situations to their advantage, like returning to traps to steal the bait for a free meal over and over again and never actually falling for the trap.

Maddie - Hummingbird because they are bold, feisty birds that people tend to tink of as fragile. They are amazing mothers who care for their babies for a time even after they leave the nest. They can also be aggressive and will defend themselves and what they consider theirs, attacking if they feel they have to

Eddie - Margay because they are solitary and territorial, their personal bubble/terretories are almost 5 kilometers wide. The margay is very agile and also intelligent. They are cunning and opportunistic predators. For example to catch their prey they can mimic the sounds of baby monkeys in distress to lure adult monkeys to come to them.

Bobby - African wild dog because they live and breathe family. Blood-related or not African wild dogs are extremly loyal and will defend their family with their life. They like working as a group and are very gentle towards eachother. They don't abandon sick, injured or elderly members in the pack but instead often go out of their way to share food with them.

Chimney- Racoon because they are mischievous and playful but also bold and opportunistic, making them good at solving problems. They can be super sweet and funny but can also be equally annoying to those around them, depending on their mood.

Hen - Capybara because they are social and laid back animals who make friends with ease. They are gentle even with most other types of animals and have been known to give rides to monkeys, birds nd tortoises. Despite their reputation for being gentle, capybaras can be aggressive and dangerous when they feel threatened.

Athena - Orangutan because they are extremly smart and very family oriented. Orangutans are very gentle but also strong and quite capable of taking care or most threats they might face (except humans😞). They are introverts by nature but mother and child will stick together for years and adult orangutans sometimes visit their parents to show them their grandbabies.

Karen - Jackdaw because they are extremly intelligent and adabtable. They are very loyal to their partner and will stay with them even if they fail to produce any offspring together. They are playful and social birds who are very outgoing

[ladykailitha]

Well Met By Moonlight Part 18

We are really getting down to the end now. But there are so many twists and turns coming and I'm excited for you to see them all.

In this Jason is stupid, Tommy is late, and Billy is not what he seems.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17

~

Tommy couldn’t wait until he turned eighteen. Then he could finally dispense with the fucking pretense of being Steve Harrington’s bitch.

Him and Carol had been ordered by Hopper to befriend Steve at school, to keep an eye on him. Asshole used his alpha voice and everything so they couldn’t refuse. Carol learned to actually like the knucklehead, but Tommy couldn’t stomach Steve. He wasn’t Pack. Not that Tommy wanted to be a werewolf. No, he had other plans. But to order them to hang out with the idiot was just too much to bear.

So when Bill Hargrove came into town and cleaned up that hornet’s nest that was the old Coven, Tommy knew what he wanted. He wanted real power. Werewolves were big slobbery beast who didn’t have a fucking thought in their head. Just pure instinct.

And of course Steve was too stupid to see that Billy always was a step ahead of the lumbering brute. He did think once or twice that maybe Nancy had figured it out earlier on in his little spy game, but no, not even the supposed smartest girl Hawkins figured it out.

She was completely wasted as a werewolf. She was too beautiful and smart to be limited by being a Were. Fuck, if Tommy hadn’t been gay, he would have pummeled Byers for her. Not that the Pack knew his proclivities toward his own sex. He had been ‘dating’ Carol for most of high school and hated how open Steve was about liking both.

How dare he! How dare Harrington be so comfortable in his skin that he could walk the halls of Hawkins High with confidence about his sexuality and have literally no one give a shit that he could easily be found with his mouth on a cock or his hand up a girl’s skirt.

Tommy was doing his patrols as normal and if Billy got reported to before Steve, then that was his business. Steve had told everyone to be on the lookout for a rogue Were. Most likely wolf, but could be fox or coyote.

It would just be his luck to run across the damn thi–

He stopped in his tracks. The wind had shifted enough that Tommy was almost literally hit in the face with the scent. His nose wasn’t as powerful as a full Were, but as a keeper, his nose was more than adequate for the job.

There! Just off the path and to the north. His nose wrinkled in distaste as the scent of blood hit his nose next. Whatever the Were was eating, he hoped it was while in Were form and not human.

He took a step toward the clearing, but stopped when someone else exited the woods. He froze, stock still.

“Oh my beloved,” the person was saying. “Perhaps I should have picked a different pack to manipulate. I thought it would be so easy to convince Hopper to remove your banishment, but all my plans have failed.”

The feral Were muttered something and the other person sighed. “I’m afraid we’ll have to move on, too many people are becoming suspicious.”

The feral Were muttered again.

“Of course, darling,” they muttered. “I just need to finish one last thing before we go.”

Tommy pressed his hands to his mouth to keep the scream from coming out of his mouth. He turned and ran out of the woods as fast as his feet could carry him. Every instinct as a keeper told him to run to his alpha. His very blood screamed at him that he was going the wrong direction.

But Billy needed to know. Even if Tommy was still loyal to the Pack. Billy needed to be warned.

~

Gareth was itching to race Steve. As a gwyllgi he wanted to see who was faster, the wolf or the Graveyard Dog.

Steve smiled when the younger teen suggested it because he knew of the Munsons’ plans to keep him guarded.

What surprised him the most was the fact that Barb had offered watch over him whenever he went outside of the town limits, closer to her family’s domain of Lover’s Lake. He assumed with Nancy being kept out of the loop on why it was necessary in the first place that she would not only disagree, she would go running to her best friend to tell her.

But according to Eddie and Brian, the selkie had overheard them talking about it at school and volunteered. She had been fighting with Nancy over her classism and if Steve needed her protection. She was going to give it.

There had been a few others, a couple of harpies from town, a pair of elderly sisters whom Steve had been kind to, a gumiho who was there at the school as an exchange student, and Bob Newby, who was much to everyone’s surprise a gnome.

Steve had told Nancy about the incident with the other pack and the one who had been banished. She frowned and nodded like she was expecting that answer. She then told Steve that she thought there was more to the story than what the papers and even the report let on. Something about the differing accounts and how his mate seemed insistent that his mate wouldn’t do such things.

He had left her to it.

Gareth and Steve had been racing down Main Street when Eddie who had been roped into judge the show of speed and agility spotted the smoke on the horizon.

The two shifters skidded to a halt, changing back into their human forms as they held each other.

“It’s the coven!” Gareth hissed, his nose positively quivering from the scent of death in the air.

Steve pushed him in the direction of the compound. “Warn the pack! Eddie get your uncle, quick!”

Both boys dashed off, changing as they hurtled themselves down the road to do as Steve said. Steve himself looked around and spotted a pay phone.

He called the fire department and told them it was the coven and to send only supes to the fire. He wasn’t sure he was believed but he sincerely hoped they had.

When he got the house Steve could see the carnage. And only three of them were vampires, and one thrall. Thankfully no one he knew personally, but still a grave loss to the coven.

The remaining dozen or so?

Humans.

Hunters by their garb and weaponry. They were dressed in bright white combat gear with silver crosses on their chest. Their neck guard, bracers, and chest plate were all silver painted white.

Steve spotted Jeff first and changed back into a human.

Jeff was sitting on the stoop of the house, covered in soot and coughing something fierce.

“Hey,” Steve said soothingly. “Are you okay?

Jeff looked up at him in shock. “What are you doing here, man?”

Steve crouched in front of him and looked him in the eye. “Saw the smoke, Gareth’s getting the pack and Eddie’s getting Wayne. I also called the fire department. Help’s on its way. But are you okay?”

“You really are something else, Harrington,” he muttered. “But yeah, I’m fine.”

It was then that Chrissy came out of the smoke and fog of the burning building and threw something to the ground. She spat on it and started kicking it repeatedly, cursing and foaming at the mouth.

Jeff and Steve dashed over to her and saw the object of her ire.

There, torn to almost literal pieces, but still unmistakable, was Jason Carver. His blue eyes wide in death, his perfect teeth and blond hair, covered in blood, and his golden crucifix twisted and bent.

“What the fuck happened?” Steve hissed as the sounds of sirens drew close.

~

The sun had risen a couple of hours ago and the Coven was happily kicking back in the house that they had long since claimed as their own.

Up top it was a regular house; three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dinning room, kitchen, study and front room. This was where Billy, Heather, Chrissy, and Keith stayed. Billy and Heather roomed together as a couple and if either Chrissy or Keith got a partner, they would be able to stay above ground, too.

But everyone else was underground. Not because the sun would burn them, it wouldn’t. They weren’t bitten. As they were still living, the sun didn’t hurt them. Not like it did Eddie and Wayne.

No they were underground because it was safer for the vampires to be protected from hunters.

Around noon, the doors to their house burst and Hunters begin to file in, smoke billowing everywhere from the smoke bombs they had thrown. A dozen men and women in white combat gear splashing the place with holy water and shouting in Latin.

Billy’s lips curled back into a snarl. He had fought hard for his position and wasn’t about to let a few humans ruin that for him.

He merrily lead them through the house, baiting them into using their ammo and holy water against him, wasting every bullet, every drop. Crucifixes were brandied about and still Billy ran, as they gave chase.

Just when they thought they had him cornered against the bookshelves in the study, the leader stepped forward and removed his gas mask, his hair tousled from the head gear.

There in all his blond hair, blue-eyed glory was Jason Carver.

“I have you now, Hargrove,” he sneered. “You think your kind is so clever, but I have the upper hand now. You could have healed Patrick, but now he’s a monster. And once I’m rid of you, those flea-bitten werewolves are next. You are the scourge that needs to be scrubbed from this world. And I aim to do just that.” He pulled out a sword from his hip and it glinted with silver. “For Patrick!”

Billy grinned as his eyes glittered with blood lust. “That’s where you’re wrong, Carver. I’m not trapped in here with you. You’re trapped in here with us!”

He pressed a button on the bookshelf next to him and it swung inwards to reveal the entire Coven standing behind him.

The vampires poured out of the hidden space into the study to the screams and terror of the Hunters.

Empty guns clattered uselessly, empty bottles of Holy Water thrown in hopes of a single drop hitting it’s target.

But it was no use. The vampires had the upper hand.

Billy launched himself right at Jason, going straight for the throat. The neck guard prevented Jason from dying on the spot, but Billy was well built outside of his super human strength of being a vampire. The silver merely slowed down the inevitable.

Jason went down hard and fast as Billy clawed and tore at the armor. Jason’s arms flailed wildly as he tried get purchase on any bit of Billy he could get his fingers into.

Billy placed a well aimed punch right in the center of Jason’s face, shattering the nose. Jason screamed but another hit made him black out just long for Billy to tear off the armor in pieces, snarling like a wounded animal. He shook Jason until the other boy awoke.

Instantly Jason knew this was the end. Without the silver armor, Billy was far too powerful to even try to struggle to get free. He was a dead man. His eyes went wide.

Billy held him up by his throat to show the remaining Hunters, that their leader was done for.

“This is the might of the vampire!” he bellowed and then he slowly, excruciatingly, painfully crushed Jason’s throat. And just before he took his last breath Billy leaned forward and whispered, “Your god is dead.”

He dropped the lifeless body to the floor and snarled at the fight going on around him. He rushed into battle, more monster than man in that moment, transforming into the beast humans’ truly feared.

Far too soon in Billy’s opinion all the Hunters were dead.

Heather, Keith, and Chrissy circled around him to stare down at the twisted body of Jason Carver.

“Religious zealot,” Chrissy spat.

“Hateful man,” Heather agreed, nudging the body with her toe.

Just then Tommy arrived at the door, a stunned expression on his face. “Oh god!”

Billy was in front of him in an instant, grabbing his shirt collar and hauling him off his feet.

“What do you know?” he snarled.

Tommy shook his head. “Nothing about this, I swear! I was coming to warn you. I know who’s behind this and your attempted poisoning.”

Billy set him down gently and tilted his head to one side. “I’m listening.”

So Tommy told him about what he heard in the clearing and who he saw.

“Excellent,” Billy said with a feral grin. “You’ve done well, little spy.” He snapped his fingers. “Keith, you’re with me.”

Tommy breathed a sigh of relief. “So I have I done enough?”

Billy put his arm his shoulders and led him out into the bright light of the afternoon sun. He leaned in close so only Tommy could hear him. “I can’t change a Keeper into a vampire, even if I was a real vampire. But as I’m not, you’re just out of luck, dumbass.”

He pushed Tommy to the ground and laughed as he and Keith walked away from Tommy and the burning house that once was the abode of the vampire Coven.

~

Part 19 Part 20

Tag List: THIRTEEN SLOTS REMAINING

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @goodolefashionedloverboi

3- @fullpoetrybread @messrs-weasley @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @bookworm0690 @littlewildflowerkitten @just-a-tiny-void @potato-of-the-lord @thelittleclare

5- @goosesister @tinyplanet95 @she-collects-smut @irregular-child @y4r3luv

6- @fairytalesreality @anaibis @papergrenade @ravenfrog @blondie1006 @dreamercec

7- @thedragonsaunt @sadisticaltarts @kultiras @blackpanzy @disrespectedgoatman

8- @kal-ology @w1ll0wtr33

[zer0brainc3lls]

I bet on losing dogs

masterlist

story summary: what if newt and thomas were canon in the death cure with a twist?

word count: 7172

part 1/3-4?

authors note at the end!!

When Thomas announced he wasn't going to save Minho, newt knew he was a fucking liar. Everyone else believed him but, newt? No. he knows Thomas better than that. 6 months of barely leaving each other's sides and learning to survive and rely on each other you learn each other's tells. He had it written all over his stubborn self sacrificial face, the fact Thomas thinks he can go save Minho without newt is honestly laughable in his opinion. 6 months of missions, killing cranks, forming plans, learning wicked layouts, sharing tents and when times were hard even the same sleeping bag the fact Thomas thought he could do this alone was stupid and newt knows Thomas knows that. 

Afterwards newt immediately went to frypan and he was immediately in when newt told him the plan, they secretly packed everything up into a truck for after newt catches him in the act. Thomas probably wont be leaving for another hour or two so newt decides to go back to their shared tent to check if he has left anything and to just relax for a little while. He unzips the tent and zips it back up behind him once he crosses the threshold. They didn't have much and the tent floor mainly consisted of a large sleeping bag and their packs for pillows. The small part of the ground that wasn't just their sleeping bag they had a small pistol each, thomas a medium sized knife and newts machete resting in a corner. 

Well normally there was.

But suspiciously Thomas's knife and pistol was gone and his bag/pillow looked slightly more full. Like how it did before they went out into the scorch. Thomas could be so smart and so dumb at the same time, Newt decided to wait on top of their sleeping bag to confront him. He grabbed Thomas's bag and placed it in his lap and sat staring at the closed tent waiting patiently for him to get back. Newt couldn't lie, he was mad at thomas. Of all the times to decide to go on some big solo mission it's to go save minho? Really? Besides thomas, minho was one of the people newt was closest to and thomas knows that. Why would thomas think newt wouldnt go with him? As minutes passed anger bubbled up inside newt at this thought and after waiting for maybe 10 minutes he hears familiar footsteps crunch against the ground, he listens as Thomas fumbles with the tent zipper and sees him step inside. 

Thomas stares at Newt with widened eyes, after a moment his jaw clenches with the realization he had been caught. His brows furrowed and as he's about to explain himself newt cuts him off. “I'm coming with you.” Newt says in his usual stubborn tone, he watches Thomas as he sits down in front of him. He takes a deep breath with his eyes scrunched together before speaking “newt you can't, its to big of a risk! There no guarantee we make it back-” “so you're going to need help, you bloody shank!” newt's voice layered with frustration towards Thomas, he takes a moment to compose himself before continuing. “Frypan is already in as well, please let us help. Let me help. You can't ask me to sit back while you go rescue one of my best friends and not know if either of you will make it back. You can't do that to me tommy.” his voice full of desperation, he holds thomas’s gaze and thomas looks at him as if this is really a decision. 

Thomas’s pupils scan Newt's face for any sign of a small chance he could be convinced. Newt holds his ground, keeping his face as still as a rock. Thomas looks away from him, eyes tightly sewn together and his lips pressed tightly together. Newt cups his face and gently turns his head to make Thomas face him once more. 

“Please thomas.” he mumbles at a tone only for Thomas's ears. This brings Thomas's walls crashing down and his face can only be described as in full defeat. Thomas’s eyes flick to Newt's lips before he softly kisses him, Newt kisses him back and places his other hand on Thomas's face pulling him in. both pairs of lips chapped from the harsh sun, thomas pulls away after a moment and whispers “your not leaving my side. Got it?” Newt gently places a kiss on Thomas’s forehead, his lips barely touching his skin before softly responding with, “I expected nothing less.” they lock eyes again, Thomas smiles a big boyish grin that Newt absolutely adores and he resists the urge the kiss him again that swirls in his chest so he can pack his own weapons up. 

He quickly takes his holster out of his bag and hooks it to his belt before placing his pistol inside. He checks his bag for all his usual stuff, water, food, extra rounds, pencil and journal. As he suspected its all there, he nods to himself and tucks his machete into his belt. He gets his smaller secret knife he keeps in his bag and tucks in his belt as well, instead of placing it around the front he places it around the back. Thomas’s eyes locked on him through this whole process. Usually Newt wouldn't expose his secret knife spot but it's Thomas he already knows where he keeps his weapons, and newt knows where thomas keeps his. Thomas keeps a tiny blade in his shoe and he keeps his main knife tucked into a pocket on the inside of his jacket that Newt sewn on himself. Thomas has never been good with sewing. Newt grabs his bag and swings it over his back, he stretches his hand out to thomas. Before he can even stop moving his hand Thomas has a firm grip on Newt, Newt responds with the same grip and pulls Thomas up. He doesn't let go of Thomas's calloused hand as they walk out quietly to the truck. 

—

Newt was dozing off in the back seat, thomas has been driving for a few hours but he is getting tired and frypan who has slept the whole time is going to switch with him, well at least that's what Newt overheard. He feels the car pull to the side of the road and hears both front doors open, Thomas gets in the back next to Newt and Frypan gets in the front seat. They drive silently for awhile and when Newt finally feels himself slipping out of consciousness he faintly hears thomas unbuckle his seatbelt, followed by him placing his head in Newt's lap staring up at him with a sleepy grin on his face. Usually they aren't super affectionate around others, but when it's just frypan or brenda they allow themselves to be slightly more affectionate than usual. 

You need to wear your seatbelt. Newt silently tells him when he raises his eyebrows. Thomas as usual knows exactly what newt is thinking and mumbles “it's fine newt, it's a dead road. Go to sleepp” the end of his sentence barely audible as his eyes get heavy and he allows his eyes to close. Newt softly runs his hand through Thomas's hair and watches the sleepy grin slowly dissolve into a blank face and listens as his breathing goes steady. Newt feels his own eyes get heavy and lets himself rest as well. 

Newt hears the sound of tires crunching against the ground combined with the scorching sun against his eyelids. This makes his lashes flutter open and when he realizes how late in the day it is he whisper shouts at fry “you were supposed to wake me up you shank!” as he says this he hears thomas stir, he covers his eyes with his hand so the sunlight doesn't wake him. He keeps his gaze locked on the rearview mirror so he's looking at fry, “im not tired, plus you two looked peaceful. Also were almost at some checkpoint so maybe wake up lover boy in a bit, good that?” newt rolls his eyes sarcastically before saying in a whisper “good that” 

Newt places his left elbow against the car door and uses his hand as a head rest, his right hand already occupied with shielding the sun from Thomas's eyes. Newt can't help but wonder if this checkpoint is going to be swarming with cranks, he has a pretty good feeling it will be. He feels an anxiety pool in his gut at the thought, he hadn't encountered a big group of cranks since winston.. Only the odd group or two. None of them knew who was immune or not since then, Then his mind conjured up a thought. A terrible, gut wrenching thought. 

What if Thomas isn't immune? 

Imagining Thomas as a crank makes Newt feel positivity sick. He can't imagine Thomas as one of those cannibalistic animals. He images Thomas standing in front of him, deathly still with black veins pulsing all throughout his body and a black oil-like substance dripping from his lips. His eyes full of bloodlust. No. no way. He has to be immune. Newt is sure of it. As if on cue he sees a sign in the distance about the checkpoint frypan was referencing minutes earlier. He places his hand against thomas’s cheek and strokes his skin softly with his thumb coaxing him out of his sleep. Newt listens as his breathing picks up for a moment and his eyes fly open, thomas looks up at newt and he quickly relaxes. His eyes go soft and his body melts like butter under Newt's touch. Newt can't even imagine Thomas as a crank when he looks at Newt like that.  

“There's a checkpoint coming up” newt says carefully concealing his thoughts, thomas’s brow twitches for a moment as he searches newts face at the slightest tone adjustment only he would pick up on. Thomas’s brows raise in question, are you ok? He asks with no voice. Newt raises the corner of his mouth into a quiet smile. I'm fine Tommy, he answers back wordlessly.  Thomas’s brows furrow for a second in accusation before he sits up in his seat, quickly putting on his seat belt. Thomas doesn't believe him but chooses not to bring it up, the car silently pulls them to the checkpoint. When they see the dark tunnel ahead, Frypan stops the car and they all get out to check it out. 

As they walk up to the tunnel, Newt says in a cautious tone “you want us to go in there?” he turns to face thomas who is looking down at a map. His face scrunched in concentration, his jaw tightly shut trying to find a way around the dark most likely crank infested death trap. “I don't want to come across as to negative love but if I were a crank that's exactly where I would be.” Newt says gesturing towards the entrance of the checkpoint with his hand, frypan nods in agreement. “I don't think we have much of a choice.” Thomas says reluctant as well, Newt frowns but hums in agreement before heading back to the car sitting in the back seat. 

Thomas now sits in the front seat next to frypan who is driving, they slowly make their way through the dark and surprisingly wet tunnel. They hit a pothole or two as they drive along the empty checkpoint, after a minute or two they come across a few cars. Frypan steers around them but quickly comes to a stop with a loud gasp, newt looks between the two seats and sees a crank up ahead. The thing twitches and groans softly but not daring to move. Newt's chest clenches at the sight of the animal and he quickly switches off his flashlight, Thomas quickly follows suit. “Its fine there's only one, take it slow and drive around it.'' Thomas instructs fry, frypan nods in agreement. Once he does thomas rolls up his window, 

BANG!!!

Newt automatically turns to his left at the noise, he sees a white haired lady.. Well used to be a lady begging to be let in the truck. she starts frantically jiggling at the door handle. Adrenaline spikes up newt like lighting at the sight and he jumps away, 

THUD

Newt turns to his right and sees another crank, this time a man whose further into the infection. His claws at the window and growls animalistically, its eyes full of hunger and a sickening desire for blood. A second bolt of lighting courses through newts flesh, the hair on his nape standing up. Newt watches as cranks quickly crowd around the truck groaning, scratching, banging and screaming craving the taste of blood on their rotten tongues. “FLOOR IT FRY!!!” thomas screams from his gut, “HOLD ON” frypan yells out in warning, his voice lowering an octave. As he steps on the accelerator a crank jumps on the front of the car, it roars in a low guttural tone before beginning to punch the windshield. “SHAKE IT'' Newt screams sternly, frypan obeys and begins dodging cars silently. Newt rocks left and right as he does so,

frypan manages to yell something back after a moment or two that newt doesn't hear because the crank manages to punch through the windshield and sticks its hand inside the small hole in the glass, time slows almost to a halt as the thing goes to take a swipe at thomas. Newt freezes for less then a second feeling a deep primal fear wash over his entire body, pure terror at the thought of the crank making contact with the brunette sitting in front of him, newt doesnt see if the thing actually makes contact with thomas before he shoots its brains out. The windshield shatters into tiny pieces, frypan tries to drive forward but newt hears thomas scream something as the car topples rolls over onto its back. Newt bangs his head as the car flips, white noise being the only thing audible for a moment. He gets his bearings and raises his shaky hand to the back of his head to feel hot liquid trickle down his neck, luckily its not a lot so he should be fine. 

Newt faintly hears thomas kick his window out and watches as he crawls out of the car on his hands and knees, newt hears frys door jiggle as it fights against him. At the sound newt kicks at his own door, after 2 hard kicks it flys open as he rolls out onto the ground. Newt fumbles to get to his feet, thomas lifts him up and places his hands on his shoulders “you hurt?” he quickly asks, eyes flickering between newt and the car. “I'll live, you?” thomas’s breath hitches as he zips up his jacket, he quickly nods confirming hes fine before asking frypan if hes ok. Hes quickly interrupted by a inhumane scream in the distance. 

Newt quickly checks his gun the realise he forgot to fucking load it. “Shit!” he says in a panic looking towards thomas then frypan, “fry we gotta move!'' Thomas's voice rising with worry. Newt pulls out his machete as a crank limps towards them at top speed, him and thomas are yelling at frypan to get out of the car. Terror gets thicker in their tones as the animal rapidly approaches. Thomas and Newt go to pull him out of the car before frypan stumbles out himself, shot gun in hand as he shoots at the thing that was mer steps away. “Nice shot fry” Thomas somehow manages to choke out, “thanks..” Frypan says breathlessly as the adrenaline seeps out of him. Newt can't bring himself to speak as his adrenaline and heart are still pumping. 

More screams sound in the distance and newts head snaps up towards the noise, thomas shouts something before frypan is yelling for them to go, thomas grabs newts sleeve as they run to the sounds of gunshots behind them. Newt and Thomas scream at him to run and frypan follows, the cranks close in and frypan goes to shoot them, they turn around to see cranks on all sides. “IM OUT!!” frypan screams, his gun clicking with no bullets. Newt turns back and forth as the cranks close in on them, is this it? Is he going to die by a pack of blood thirsty animals?? His breathing and heart rate somehow get faster at this realization.

Luckily they hear a car's engine roar in the distance.

Newt, Thomas and Frypan turn to see a car crash through the cranks with its headlights beaming, newt sees a figure emerge from the top of the car before realizing its Brenda. Brenda!! “Hey get in!” she yells out pistol in hand, she shoots with precision only a person with years of experience could yield as newt grabs a handle on top of an open window using it to hurl himself into the car. Once there all in, Jorge commands the car to bolt forward, the speed off and out of the pack of cranks and eventually the tunnel. 

“I'm impressed! You almost lasted a whole day!” Jorge says sarcastically as Thomas climbs from the back to sit next to Newt, bodies clash for a moment before he asks once more “you good?” “yeah” newt responds quickly.

Brenda turns in her seat and shakes her head disapprovingly, Thomas replies with “I'm sorry I didn't want to bring you guys into this” guilt thick and prominent in his voice. Jorge looks at Thomas through the rearview mirror and before Newt gets the chance, Frypan blurted out “what i think he's trying to say is thanks for saving us!” he says leaning forwards in his seat. Jorge mentions how the city is most likely overrun but that's when the city catches newt's eye, he sees a large technologically advanced city in the distance with a thick circle of concrete walls lined with towers and machine guns the size of small cars adding another layer of protection. “Yeah unless they figured out some other way to keep the cranks out” he spoke as the car rocked along the road, his words caught everyone attention and they stared at the concrete walls in disbelief and almost in awe at the heavy machinery and protection they could only dream of. 

Jorge slams on the breaks, dust flies as the car comes to a quick and loud halt. Newt climbs out of the car, Thomas following close behind as everyone walks to the edge to get a true look at the city before them. The city seems out of place in such a foreign waste land, the buildings outside of the concrete walls all worn down and cars abandoned. The skyscrapers practically glow under the harsh sun, the colors of blue and white only bringing them more attention. 

“Its funny, we spent three years trapped behind walls trying to break out and now we want to break back in.'' Newt announces almost sarcastically, Thomas asks how to get in but Jorge tells them the walls are new. Brenda tells everyone to get in the car and everyone obliges except for Thomas who continues to stare out into the city. Newt walks up to him and says “you really think he's in there?” he asks rhetorically. “I guess we’ll find out.'' he answers in an almost deadpan tone, newt knows what he's really thinking about, he's thinking about her. Teresa. “You know she's gonna be in there too.” he says almost sympathetic, thomas’s face molds into a stone cold expression at the thought of her.

When Teresa betrayed them he was so full of rage and hate it was almost unbearable for him, and almost as unbearable for newt to watch. It broke his heart to see Thomas be betrayed like that, he truly did care for her. But not in the way she cared about him, Teresa loved him. The thought of the possibility she could still feel that way makes his chest tighten in jealousy and anger, even though Thomas is Newt’s and Thomas hates her now with a fiery passion the thought of someone liking Thomas like that makes him positively sick. “Cmon lets go to the car” Newt squeezes Thomas's arm and his shoulder slump and face once made of stone cracks down, Thomas smiles softly as his eyes trail up and down newt and his smile somehow radiates with pure appreciation and devotion. Thomas allows Newt to interlock their hands and be pulled gently towards the car. 

—

Newt, Thomas, Brenda, Frypan and Jorge walk into a street full of angry protestors. Some are standing on objects, many with signs but all of them are screaming in unison. Newt looks around fully taking in the intimidating sight before seeing Thomas push through the crowd, Jorge and Brenda following close behind. Newt and frypan speed walk side by side pushing through the crowd to make it back to Tommy and the others. As Newt walks through the angry protestors trying to reach the front that is blocked off with waist high barricades he notices men in gas masks watching them, he notices the first one close behind him. His mask black but the glass a faint red color, he ignores it and continues walking and not even 10 seconds later he turns to his right and notices another man in a similar getup eyeing him down. 

Newt speeds up slightly, fear making his head spin as he pushes more urgently now through the protestors. He makes it to Thomas and luckily everyone else is there too, he grabs Thomas and Jorge by the shoulders and announces sternly “guys we gotta go now look!” Thomas and the others all turn to where Newt is watching the masked men approaching them quickly. 

As if things couldn't get any worse he hears a loud whirring sound of the large machine guns powering up.  

Everyone, even the protestors fall silent and watch as the cubes of death power on. The metal rods that hold them extending while red light flashes from multiple guns from either side, Newt can almost hear Janson cackling behind the walls. The silence is interrupted by many people screaming and stampeding away from wicked’s walls, making a desperate ditch effort to escape their fates. Jorge is shouting for them to leave but the group barely move their feet from shock, once the first explosion happens maybe less than 100 meters away all hesitation is broken and the group breaks into a sprint side by side. Newt pushes forward, his feet pounding against the hard ground which he does not hear over the explosions and screams all around him. He fails to keep his breath steady from terror, gulping air as if it will run away from him. 

Newt follows frypan into a concrete alleyway, somehow keeping his balance despite the bombs raining from the sky. Dust flies all around and scratches at his exposed skin, they exit the alleyway to find a just as terrifying if not more sight in front of them. A masked soldier grabs onto Newt's jacket and roughly shoves him into a van as if he was a parcel, he hears Jorge screaming Brenda's name as he is shoved into the same van as newt. He resists the urge to scream along with him but not for the same person as he is.

—

The ride there is intense to say the least. The short drive there Jorge is drilling the soldiers about his daughter and her location, the idiot soldiers not knowing how protective Jorge is refuse to answer and just before the van comes to a loud halt Jorge has pounced on the soldier in front of him like an angry lion who lost his cub. As the back of the van opens both Jorge and the soldier tumble out, Jorge landing on top and he proceeds to beat the living shit out of the masked man screaming his head off. Newt stumbles out of the van looking around expecting white walls and needles to be shoved into his neck but instead is met with a concrete building, newt sees thomas and brenda run up to jorge before thomas gets pushed back as well as newt, a gun drawn against his chest. Newt and Thomas lock eyes for a second, scanning each other's bodies looking for any possible injury. Newt is met with the same Thomas he saw 10 minutes ago and turns his attention back to the situation at hand.

Brenda is attempting to get Jorge's attention and once she does Jorge immediately leaves the soldier as if he's just a piece of trash and immediately relaxed once he sees Brenda is safe and sound. “We’re all on the same side here!” Newt hears a soldier shout out, the boy has extremely short hair almost down to the scalp and for whatever reason his voice and stance ring a bell in Newt's head he can't decipher. “What do you mean same side?!? Who the hell are you?!” Newt hears Thomas spit out at the familiar soldier, he pushes the masked man who was previously holding him down with ease. The soldier stares at Newt and the group and just as he removes his mask the similar feeling Newt got in his gut clicks in his brain.

Gally’s alive.

“Hey greenie.” gally announces, newt stares at him in pure shock. Gally’s alive?! How?! The image of him on the floor, spear in his chest flashes in newts mind, how could he have possibly survived? This thought is cut short when Newt notices Thomas's stance. His fists are balled up, nails pressing into his palm hard, pure fury partially simmering off him. He stands still for a moment before punching jaw straight into the jaw.

He hears frypan scream out to thomas for him to stop, Newt runs towards him guns drawn in thomas’s direction. “Tommy stop, stop, stop.” he barely manages to yell out as he kneels beside him, he makes an attempt to grab his arm but his grip fails him as Thomas slips from his hand and punches him again with ease. This time drawing blood, he winds his arm up to hit him again. His jaw clenched and brows furrowed tightly, his eyes bulging wide in resentment and wrath at the boy below him. But this time newt grips thomas’s wrist hard, newt and thomas’s knuckles go white. “Thomas.” Newt warns steadily. 

“He- he killed chuck.” he struggles to spit out, eyes never leaving Gallys now bleeding nose. Thomas’s arm shakes in Newt's hand in rage, but makes no attempt to slip from Newt's now unforgiving grip. “Yeah I know, I know. I was there too, remember?” Newt's voice is no longer filled with threat but instead his tone is calm in an attempt to rationalize with thomas. “And I also remember he was stung and half out of his mind.” Newt reminds Thomas of the state Gally was in, Thomas's eyes still locked on Gallys face. Newt looks around at the many armed soldiers surrounding them. “Just calm down, alright?” Newt faces Thomas again and for the first time since Thomas punched Gally he looks at Newt, rage still remains but with a clear sense of understanding. 

Thomas pushes himself off of gally quickly, newt following as well as he stands to his own feet next to him. After a bit of back and forth Newt and everyone else find out that gally can get them through wicked walls, at first thomas was reluctant to go anywhere with gally but after some convincing from Gally they were on their way to see a guy called “lawrence” 

On the way, Gally explains how Lawrence and his army found him and took him in as a soldier, and that they are at war with wicked. As Newt walks down the path to get to Lawrence the smell of rotting flesh and.. Roses? Attack his nose violently, he resists the urge to scrunch up his face in a weak attempt to escape the sickening smell. He hears faint mumbling about.. Noses and roses, he shoots Thomas a quick look. No wonder this guy doesn't get many visitors, he communicates silently. Thomas presses his lips into a line resisting a smile and quickly nods before facing forward once more.

Gally explains what happened and how they can get through the walls with Thomas's help, the man slowly turns towards them and limps forward, the sun making the man's grotesque face visible. Thick black veins line half the man's face even with small holes resembling barnacles, his eyes an unnaturally sickly shade. The most prominent feature is its lack of nose. Newt doesn't miss how Thomas's eyes light up, as if in some sort of understanding while the man proposes his deal. The crank and Thomas work out a deal quickly, He helps us get in for an exchange for serum. When Lawrence explains only two can go Thomas immediately picks Newt, Newt of course agrees because 1. He doesn't want to leave Thomas's side and 2. He promised to stay by Thomas's side at all times. And stay he will. 

Newt walks over to Gally who's pulling a metal off of a round hole. Gally grabs a ladder and slowly lowers it into the darkness, Newt swallows at the sight and tries to ignore the pit in his gut that tells him he will meet his demise if he goes down the ladder. Newt sees in the corner of his eye that Thomas's shoulder has a quick muscle spasm, his eyes almost seem angry at nothing at all. Newt assumes the anger is towards Gally, Newt squeezes Thomas's bicep and that seems to pull him away from his anger, Thomas looks at Newt as if being pulled back to reality and smiles almost gratefully. Newt smiles back, the fear in his gut turns into worry for thomas. He has seemed off since the tunnel and newt hasn't had a moment alone with him to ask about it, he decides tonight when they all go to sleep he will ask thomas about it. 

When Newt's feet hit the floor of the grimy wet tunnel he groans at the pungent scent that creeps up his nose and down his throat, he can practically taste the mold and germs sitting in the water. Newt, Thomas and Gally all walk through the tunnel in silence until they reach a small hole that gally leads them through. During this whole ordeal thomas’s eyes flick around at the slightest noise as if that alone will kill him, what could possibly have him so on edge?? 

Gally crouched at the exit of the small tunnel they were now crouched in, shouts that they need to be quick and just as the train wheezing by him disappears he quickly looks left and right before shouting “OK LETS GO” before hauling himself onto the train tracks, Newt and Thomas following close behind. “You love trains, don't you tommy?” Newt says playfully as gally places the metal grate back onto the tunnel they just exited. “We’ll see another one real soon! CMON!!” gally shouts the last word as he quickly breaks in a spirit forwards, newt spiriting after him with Thomas following close behind. Newt focuses on his breathing as he runs, remembering his days as a runner. In, out, in, out he repeats to himself in his mind, desperately trying to keep his bad leg stable.

Thomas shouts out a question Gally's way that Newt doesn't catch as his leg screams in protest, most days his leg was fine but it seems to play up at the worst of times. Like right now. The train tracks rattle loudly as the train follows them in quick pursuit, Newt feels the muscles in his legs weaken and he starts to limp along as fast as he can. Thomas manages to over take Newt “CMON NEWT WE GOTTA MOVE” he shrieks loudly as he runs past, Newt sees gally pull down a ladder and just as his foot touches the first step newt's leg gives out and he falls onto the tracks.

His heart pounds in his ears when his cheek hits the metal, the feeling of impending doom washes over his whole body when he feels the rubble of the train against his body. I'm not gonna make it, he realizes, the thought echoes in his mind so loud he doesnt make out Thomas's screams over Gallys footsteps rushing toward him. He only realizes what gally is doing when his body is on top of him pressing him hard into the tracks yelling at him to stay down, the train groans above him as it screeches along the tracks. Pain shoots through his entire body as gally presses him against the hard unforgiving metal. Once the train passes he groans in pain as he allows gally to pull him up, “we never were great runners were we newt?” “Well I only have one good leg,” Newt shoots back. “Yeah well i only have one good lung” he responds back in the same manner, that's when Newt feels familiar arms wrap around him as they have so many times before.

Thomas pulls Newt into a frantic embrace, before Newt can even reciprocate, Thomas pulls away and grabs at Newt's wrist checking his pulse for a second as if to check if what he's seeing is really true. His eyes flick down newts entire body and back up to his eyes before asking, “you good?” newt puts his hand on Thomas's shoulder giving it a quick squeeze before saying “I'm fine, we better go alright?” Newt nods towards gally who's walking off over to the ladder a few meters away, adrenaline seeps out of him slowly as his heart returns to its normal rate. Thomas nods and they walk towards the ladder.

—

Newt can't get the image of Thomas's face when he sees Teresa through that telescope out of his mind, the way his eyes sunk into pure fury and hatred seems off. Very off. Newt had seen Thomas mad before, no doubt about it but this was different. This was new, something dangerous. Even as the way there way back out of wicked, through the train tracks and all the way to the map room he barely spoke.

Once everyone was in the map room planning on how to get Teresa the next night Thomas didn't even look like he was present in his own body, newt couldn't focus on Gally or Brenda slaving over details and what to do if B happens instead of A. he couldn't pull his attention away from Thomas. At one point Thomas's eyes flickered like he had just been stabbed in the gut, he scrunched his eyes closed and dug his fingernails deep into his palms. Newt tried so hard to concentrate on the maps and the plan but when Newt noticed that Thomas was drawing blood he couldn't do it. Newt squeezed Thomas's knee trying to bring him back to the present but instead Thomas yanked his leg away and buried his face in his bloody hands. 

“So that's when Thomas- greenie are you listening?” gally spat angrily when Thomas did not respond for the 4th time during the meeting, gally didn't seem to notice the fact that Thomas was clearly in pain from something, instead of responding Thomas mumbled incoherently to himself. “Gally leave him.” Newt spat back in Thomas's defense, anger bubbling in his own throat now. Newt didn't know why Thomas was acting like this but there had to be a reason because he's never done this before, ever. “This was his whole fucking idea newt!!” gally yelled, waving his arm around to emphasize his point. Thomas’s breathing got heavy and loud, as if he had just ran for hours. He stood up and went to storm out, just as he got to the door his figure encased by the lack of light gally grabbed him by the collar and went to speak before Thomas spoke in a low guttural tone

“dont touch me.” before yanking Gally's arm off him and storming out, blood seeping from his hands. 

Gally stumbled back into the light, Gallys face changed from anger to realization. He was speechless as if he just got told the most shocking news of his life. Newt stood up so quick he almost tripped over his own two feet, he walked past gally for a moment he felt Gally try to pull him back. Without a word Newt shoved himself away from him and flung open the door and walked out, his eyes flicking to the ground following the light drops of blood which lead to a door on his right with the handle smudged in blood. He cautiously opens the door to find an unused storage room, the left wall covered in empty shelves and the right mostly covered in shelves except in the far right corner. 

Thomas was sat in the vacant corner, knees to his chest with his face buried in between his knees. He no longer looks to be in intense pain so that's a plus, newt cautiously walked towards him and slid down the wall and sat next to thomas. Making sure not to make contact as he did. “Tommy you have been off for a while, what's wrong?” Newt asked gently but cutting straight to the chase. Thomas did not respond for a moment as if he was struggling to decide whether he should tell him or not, as if this was the final piece of the puzzle. Newt's brain flashed an image like an echo in his head. 

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF THE FLARE INCLUDE:

Changes in personality such as: (irritability, unprovoked anger-

…

Thomas has the flare.  

He immediately remembers how back in the tunnel how he hesitated when the crank punched through the window. The guilt and shame wrapping around his neck and strangling him like a noose, in an instant he feels his whole world fall apart. Thomas can't have the flare, Tommy can't have the flare. He can't. He just simply can't. This isn't a possibility in Newt's brain. And Newt had run over every single possibility he could possibly think of, most ending in his own death but Thomas with the flare? The reality of the situation pulls him back to reality. Newt can wallow in his guilt later, Thomas needs him. 

Thomas looks up at Newt as if he heard Newt's thought’s out loud, his face smudged slightly with blood including his hands. His eyes vacant as he smiles up at Newt. 

“Can i-?” Newt gestures to Thomas's jacket, Thomas nods weakly. Thomas sits with his legs crossed facing Newt, Newt sits on his knees looking down at him. Newt slowly unzips Thomas's jacket and sees his once white shirt stained with red across the top of Thomas's left collar bone to the middle of his chest, three rips across that look like claws. Newt's eyes widen in shock once he sees the faint black veins pulsing around the wounds as if he didn't expect that, guilt tightens in his chest at the sight. He could have prevented this.

“I need to clean it” how newt managed to say that he won't ever know. Thomas pulls off his bag, opens it and pulls out old bandages, a rag and a bottle of rubbing alcohol to clean it. Newt silently lifts Thomas's shirt off and listens as his bloody shirt unsticks from his chest and how he sucks in a quick breath through his teeth from the pain, once Newt gets his shirt off he tries not to gasp at the proper sight. It's not the newt that hasn't seen him shirtless before because he has, it's the fact that it's spread remarkably fast. Way too fast for newts liking. The black slug-like veins are at least 5 inches away from the initial wounds, and somehow dirt has built up all in the wound. 

Newt silently reaches for the rag and drenches it in rubbing alcohol, trying desperately to hide his shock and worry. He gently cleans out his wounds and apologizes more than twice, not just for the pain from the rubbing alcohol but how this is entirely his fault that Thomas is infected. If he had just fucking shot that crank- 

“its not your fault.” newt doesn't acknowledge Thomas because if he does Newt knows he won't be able to stop himself from crying like a baby, he refuses to let himself cry. Thomas is infected, not him. After a moment or two he manages to croak out “if i just shot the fucking crank-” “no. I won't let you blame yourself for this. Alright? I won't have it.” Thomas says in a stern but somehow caring tone, Newt doesn't respond and finishes cleaning his wound. Luckily he won't need stitches so Newt grabs the bandages and softly wraps it around Thomas's chest, as if he wrapped it too tight Thomas would crack like a piece of glass. When he finishes he lets out a shaky breath he didn't realize he was holding and cups Thomas's face and finally brings himself to make eye contact with him. 

“You're going to be fine. You hear me? As long as I live I won't let you turn. You got that?” He tries to sound harsh and stubborn but his words wobble dangerously as he speaks. He's of course saying this for Thomas but more so for himself, to make an oath. I won't let Thomas die. Thomas nodded quietly as Newt spoke. Newt leans his back against the shelf behind him and allows Thomas to press his back against Newt's chest, Newt wraps his arms around the shorter boy's waist and gently kisses his hair. vulnerability such as this is reserved for Thomas and Thomas only. If this was anyone else he would have demanded them that they cannot give up. He has done this for Thomas before but this situation requires tenderness and care that Newt is more than happy to give to Thomas. Newt presses his face into Thomas' hair, breathing him in. Newt feels Thomas's muscles relax as he rests the back of his head on Newt's shoulder. Newt takes in Thomas's face in its entirety, the way his jaw relaxes when he isn't concentrated, how his brown lashes curl up ever so slightly, Newt finds himself counting the freckles Thomas had gained since being out in the scorch. He counts up to 9.

He watches as Thomas's eyes get heavy and shut slowly as he gives into sleep. The others can come find them for all newt cares, in fact newt only cares about one thing and one thing only.

Thomas’s survival.

I won't let Thomas die. 

author note: guys how are we feeling...? 😰 we doing alright?? 😭 sorry for any mistakes btw, i will try an upload the next chapter soonish maybe the end of the week if I'm motivated because i somehow pumped this out in less then 2 days 😔 also expect LOTS of ProtectiveNewt™️ next chapter lol, this is the first proper fic i have ever posted on tumblr so im lowkey shitting myself

ALSO did anyone spot thg reference I made?? 🤨

NEXT

[lau219]

How would the boys react if they got a taste of their own personality from someone else? Like another person who's just like them. Would they react differently if it was a man or a woman?

Hey there,

I’m guessing, when it comes to a woman, you mean in terms of a potential romantic partner. So, that’s how I approached the answers. Check them out below the cut.

Cillian: Would be very happy to encounter a woman who is similar to himself: laidback, low-maintenance, humble, and who likes to joke around a bit. He would find it amusing and endearing if you can go back and forth with jokes and conversation, and if you have a playful side to you while also being intelligent and passionate about things.

If it was another guy who’s similar to him, he’d likely quickly be befriending that guy and grabbing a beer with him.

Emmett: Same answer as Cillian, actually. Except, despite being genuinely friendly towards the guy, Emmett would still subtly try to display that he’s physically stronger or more knowledgeable about stuff, subconsciously trying to seem extra manly in order to assert himself. “Actually, you wanna wait to flip those burgers until the patties slightly dip in the center,” or “Oh, you hired someone to do that? I built our deck myself.” 😂

Leonard: Would find some sassiness/cockiness that matches his cockiness appealing, as he likes a confident woman, but he wouldn’t like it if you’re as cocky and confident as him, as he still always wants to feel like “the big man” and that he has the upper hand and calls the final shots.

He’d be extremely annoyed and threatened by another man similar to him, however. He wouldn’t want any other guy challenging him or showing him up, and he’d be passive aggressively and condescendingly insulting the guy on a frequent basis.

Neil: Would absolutely love a woman who’s very similar to him as far as kind-hearted, fun-loving, and casual, and who always offers care and support. He would constantly want to be around you and would find you absolutely adorable.

Ironically, though, he would probably think another guy who’s similar to him is a dweeb or a pussy, and that he’s whipped by his woman. 😆

Robert: Would be put off by a woman who’s similar to him in the sense that he doesn’t want her to be emotionally distant, a workaholic, or have a heavy focus on money and power. He wants/needs the opposite of all that from a partner and secretly craves someone soft and sweet who doesn’t care about that stuff.

If he met a man who was similar to him, though, he’d be threatened and aggravated and would make sure he himself was still seen by others as the “top dog” wherever business, wealth, or status is concerned.

Tommy/Modern Tommy: Would be extremely amused and turned on by a woman who is just as self-assured, intimidating, powerful, and smart-mouthed as he is. Is very drawn to you because a woman like you is so rare and can challenge him.

Another man just like him? No way. We all know he’d have that guy knocked down and gotten rid of before he could ever threaten Tommy’s position. There’s only room for one at the top.

Raymond: Would find a woman like himself aggravating and frustrating, as he’s used to being the arrogant, confident, and sarcastic ass who’s in charge and never challenged. But secretly, in spite of himself, he’d also find your confidence and badass attitude extremely attractive and sexy, although he won’t admit it.

As for another man like him? Same answer as Tommy.

Jonathan: Would not be too inclined for a woman similar to himself and would avoid dealing with a woman like that. Yes, he’d want her to be intelligent like himself, but doesn’t want many similarities beyond that. He wants someone who’s pliable, vulnerable, sweet, and harmless, not someone who’s overly confident or cold like himself.

If he met a man similar to himself, he’d be incredibly threatened and would constantly be looking for ways to make him look foolish or to outdo him.

Jackson: Same answers as Raymond. He both hates and loves that you’re just like him. He’s not sure who he’s angrier with about that, though — you or himself.

@ennui-whimsy-and-me @breakthestereo @newbarrel

[darkjediqueen]

Tommy & Bruiser Part 9

Title: Tommy & Bruiser Fandom(s): 9-1-1 Relationships: Evan Buckley/Tommy Kinard, Temporary Tommy Kinard/Other Men, Background Pairings Tags: Tommy Adopts A Dog, Fluff, Getting Together Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Explicit Sex, Discussion of Domestic Violence, Discussion of Stalking, Discussion of Harassment Summary: Tommy's life changes when he meets a shivering mess during a fire. Word Count: 118 for each day Author Notes: For @118dailydrabble

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

Day 49-Moon

"This is your brain on a normal day." Tommy showed the short clip of Bruiser sleeping. 

"This is your brain on catnip." 

The next video showed Bruiser pawing at a toy that hit him every time he touched it. It was soft, so there was no chance of it hurting him, but he had done that for an hour while high on catnip. 

"I swear that I am going to rename you Moon Moon, and you are never going to live it down." Tommy started up the video again. "Don't do drugs."

There was no hope because he was going to keep on getting into Princess' catnip. There was no stopping it, and honestly, stoned-out Bruiser was funny.

Day 50-Recuperate

Princess hated him. That was all that seemed to matter to Bruiser. Princess hissed at him when he walked by her, even though he had made a perfect place for her sleep while she recuperated from being spayed. 

When Princess hissed, Bruiser came and chased him off. 

It made taking care of her wounds a little hard, but in the end, the claw marks were worth it because he didn't want her to get sick. He just locked up Bruiser so the dog didn't attack him, too. Tommy wasn't sure how it was going to go for Miriam and Jake when they took care of them on his next day of work, but that was another day's problem. 

Day 51-Floor

Tommy wasn't sure what was going to happen, but he could see the tail as it moved on the floor. He figured that Princess was going to jump out at him, but he also knew that she was smart. Bruiser was also smart...just also a big assed dumbass most of the time. Still, Tommy headed across the floor and waited for Princess to attack. The attack came from another place. Bruiser grabbed the linen bag and took off running with his prize. 

Laughing, Tommy scooped up Princess from behind the curtain and looked at her. "You made a bad decision." 

Princess just started to purr, sure of the fact that Tommy wasn't ever getting rid of her.

Day 52-Prologue

Past was prologue was a saying that Tommy had heard a lot. He wasn't sure what it actually meant, but as he looked at his phone, he wondered if it had to do with the past repeating itself.

"Howie, what's happening?"

"Are you are work?"

"I am. Why?"

"You think that I could talk you into borrowing a helicopter for us?"

Before Tommy could ask for more, Howie went into it. He laid it all out before he stopped.

"And who is us?"

"Eddie, Buck, and I. Well, Hen, but she's going to try and do it all on her own, like with fake paperwork, if I know her." 

"Get here fast as you can." 

Tommy hung up.

Day 53-Strike

It was like getting struck by lightning, seeing the man who Howie had introduced as Buck but had given Tommy the name of Evan. He was beautiful and made Tommy's pulse race. He wanted him but also wanted to just be near him. 

The whole flight to the wrecked ship and then back after, Tommy had tried to keep it together. He was never going to forget the way that Evan's hand felt in his as Evan said his name. His name had never sounded so good coming out of someone else's mouth. He wanted to hear it in all ways he could get Evan to say it. 

Which was why he was a mess in his bed.

Day 54-Alarm

It was like he was putting off an alarm when he came into the house. Bruiser and Princess came running at him, Princess twining between his legs and trying to get attention because loving on her always made him feel happy. He walked over to the couch, and both of them got up there and started to comfort them in their own ways. He picked up Bruiser and laid him on his chest, letting Princess get on his shoulders. 

"You can't run Evan off like you have everyone else," Tommy said to Bruiser as he lifted the dog up to look him in the eye. 

Bruiser didn't seem to care. He just stared at Tommy and licked him.

Extra-Survivors

Tommy looked at the numbers for the survivors as he waited for Eddie to get here. Despite wanting to hear from Evan first, Eddie had been the one to reach out to him. Tommy had wanted to get his hands on a Chevelle for years so when Eddie talked about his car, Tommy had practically begged him to bring it over to look at. 

The knock came, and Tommy hoped that Bruiser didn't show his ass. He got up from the couch and opened the door to find Bruiser sitting there, waiting to be petted and loved on. 

"I was not expecting that."

"No one is. This is Bruiser. The biggest pain in my ass. Above only Princess."

[khande11]

Millie Winchester-Season 1

Wendigo- 2

With Roy leading the way, the group continued to hike through the forest.

"Roy, you said you did a little hunting." Dean asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, more than a little."

"Uh-huh. What kind of furry critters do you hunt?"

"Mostly buck, sometimes bear."

"Tell me, uh, Bambi or Yogi ever hunt you back?" Dean smirked, only to be yanked back by his collar by Roy. The others watched on, with Sam and Millie ready to step in.

"Whatcha doing, Roy?" Dean asked, as Roy grabbed a stick and poked the ground in front of Dean revealing that he had nearly stepped in a bear trap.

"You should watch where you're stepping. Ranger." Roy warned, dropping the stick and taking the lead again.

"It's a bear trap." Dean chuckled, as the group followed on.

"You didn't pack any provisions. You guys are carrying a duffel bag. You're not rangers." Haley grabbed Dean's arm, turning him to face her. "Who the hell are you?"

Sam and Millie paused behind Haley, giving Dean a questioning look, who nodded them off.

"Sam and I are brothers and Millie is our sister, and we're looking for our father. He might be here, we don't know. I just figured that you and me, we're in the same boat."

"Why didn't you just tell me that from the start?"

"I'm telling you now. Besides, it's probably the most honest I've ever been with a woman... ever. So we okay?"

"Yeah, okay."

"And what do you mean I didn't pack provisions?" Dean asked, an offended look on his face as pulled out a bag of peanut M&Ms, grabbing a handful before walking off. "Hey, Millie. I'll trade you an M&M for a Reese's cup."

"What?! No way, that's not a fair trade. I need at least handful." Millie argued back as Haley watched the sibling dynamic with a smile, reminded of her own.

***************

The group continued the hike until Roy stopped them.

"This is it. Blackwater Ridge."

"What coordinates are we at?" Sam asked.

"35 and minus 111." Roy answered as Millie and Dean approached Sam so they could talk without being overheard.

"You hear that?" Dean asked them.

"Yeah. Not even crickets."

"I'm gonna go take a look around." Roy told the group.

"You shouldn't go off by yourself." Millie told him, still unsure about what could be out there.

"That's sweet. Don't worry about me." Roy grinned, pushing his way past the siblings.

"All right, everybody stays together." Dean ordered. "Let's go."

They continued around the campsite, but stopped when Roy called them over.

"Haley! Over here!" The group ran to his voice with Haley taking the lead.

"Oh my God." Haley whimpered, when she saw the tents had been torn open with blood splattered on them.

"Looks like a grizzly."

The group searched around for any sign of the campers or Haley's brother.

"Tommy!" Haley started to call out as Millie rushed over to shush her. "Why?"

"Something might still be out there."

"Sam! Millie!" Dean called. They rushed over to where Dean was crouched. "The bodies were dragged from the campsite. But here, the tracks just vanish. That's weird." 

"I'll tell you what, that's no skinwalker or black dog." Millie sighed as they turned back to the others. While Dean comforted Haley, a horrible scream caught all of there attention.

"Help!" They ran towards the cry, with Roy taking the lead. They paused when they got to a clearing, trying to listen out for the voice again.

"It seemed like it was coming from around here, didn't it?"

"Everybody back to camp." Sam ordered. As soon as they made it to the campsite, they noticed all their supplies were missing.

"Our packs!"

"So much for my GPS and my satellite phone." Roy complained.

"What the hell is going on?"

"It's smart. It wants to cut us off so we can't call for help."

"You mean someone, some nutjob out there just stole all our gear." Roy said, as Millie rushed to Sam and Dean.

"I need to speak with you, two... in private." Millie led them away from the group, before turning to Dean. "Okay, let me see Dad's journal."

Dean handed over the journal and watched as his sister flipped through the pages until she found what she was looking for.

"All right, check that out." Millie told them, showing the page with the Wendigo.

"Oh come on. Wendigos are in the Minnesota woods or, or Nothern Michigan. I've never even heard of one this far west."

"Stranger things have happened." Millie shrugged. After all, they were discussing the natural habitats of monsters.

"Think about it, Dean, the claws, the way it can mimic a human voice." Sam countered, agreeing with his sister.

"Great." Dean huffed, holding up his pistol. "Well, then this useless."

"We gotta get these people to safety." Millie said, as they headed back to the group.

"All right, listen up, it's time to go." Sam ordered. "Things have gotten... more complicated."

"What?"

"Kid, don't worry. Whatever's out there, I think I can handle it."

"It's not me I'm worried about. If you shoot this thing, you're just gonna make it mad. We have to leave. Now."

"One, you're talking nonsense. Two, you're in no position to give anybody orders." 

"Relax." Millie told him, not liking the attitude he was giving her little brother.

"We never should have let you come out here in the first place, all right? I'm trying to protect you."

"You protect me?" Roy snapped, getting closer to Sam. "I was hunting these woods when your mommy was still kissing you good night."

"Yeah? It's a damn near perfect hunter. It's smarter than you, and it's gonna hunt you down and eat you alive unless we get your stupid sorry ass out of here."

"You know you're crazy, right?" Roy laughed.

"Yeah? You ever hunt a wen-" Sam started, but was interrupted when Dean pushed him away while Millie stood in front of Roy pushing him away with a glare.

"Stop. Stop it. Everybody just stop." Haley pleaded. "Look. Tommy might still be alive. And I'm not leaving here without him."

"It's getting late. This thing is a good hunter in the day, but an unbelievable hunter at night. We'll never beat it, not in the dark." Millie explained. "We need to settle in and protect ourselves."

"How?"

[miriam-heddy]

Sometimes, you find out about an actor and you like them more than you like their character. They may play a shallow asshole, but then you find out they’re smart and like the same books you do, or wev. Or maybe their latest tv character isn’t well developed, but after you’ve read some actor interviews, the characters they play seems more layered, somehow. Deeper behind the eyes, maybe.

Lou Ferrigno Jr is not one of those people.

Which is to say that, having read so many, many posts 1) defending Lou from any/all aspersions cast on his character and 2) talking about what a super cool awesome ally of a guy he is… I finally looked at LFJr’s instagram for myself. And it turns out that he (the person/actor/son of a problematic competitive bodybuilder) is very much NOT someone I’d ever be interested in speaking with. If I got stuck on an overseas plane with him, I wouldn’t strike up a conversation about theatre or literature or feminism or fat acceptance or queer culture or bisexuality, etc.

Our values and interests have no points of intersection beyond pug dogs. And that’s ok. He gets excited about judging a women’s body building competition. I get angry reading about the way the “sport” hurts women.

I’m not, btw, talking about parasocial relationships. I’m just talking about basic RL interaction and the selves we curate online as indications of ourselves offline.

For the record, I don’t hate Tommy Kinard. I think I like him a lot more than I like Lou. But that’s not difficult. The bar is low. And hearing people fanning Lou Jr while arguing that, because of him, Tommy is extra great will make me say, ‘Ew” and no pretty pic will fix that.

So it will be up to the 911 writers & PTB—not Lou & his fans— to get me to cheer for Tommy & Buck.