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luminnara · 3 years

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Goddamn, Shit-Sucking Vampires | Lost Boys x OC CH 1

Summary: Vera is an unusually vicious bloodsucker who's never stuck in one place for very long...until a mysterious feeling pulls her right to the murder capital of the world: Santa Carla, California. Now, she needs to figure out why exactly she's there, where she fits in amongst the boardwalk's nighttime denizens, and how to cope with her own personal vampire-related problems. Poly Lost Boys/OC, starts just before the movie

Also posted on AO3

My requests are open!

Chapter one | Chapter two

Warnings: Blood, gore, smut, all that good stuff

Vera had been to a lot of cities, some of them twice, some of them three times, some even more, but none of them were quite as unique as Santa Carla. The boardwalk was crawling with lost souls, kids with nowhere else to go, and she was one of them; no family to call her own, no real friends, barely any possessions…Vera was a wanderer, a lone soul, a lost girl. She drifted from town to town, hanging around for a day or two if nothing interesting happened before moving on...and honestly, nothing very interesting ever happened.

Sometimes she took the bus, if she had the money from odd jobs or pick pocketing her meals, but for the most part, she was left to her own devices. She traveled on foot when she had to, avoiding major highways unless she was feeling up to a fight. During the day, she took refuge under bridges if she was broke, or motel rooms if she had a little cash. If she felt particularly frisky, sometimes she even managed to seduce locals into helping out, but for the most part, she only had herself as company, traveling by night for no reason other than an insatiable wanderlust and nobody else to spend her time with.

Nothing had ever held her in one place. She had started traveling a long time ago, when she realized she had no reason to stay in her hometown. Plus...people started to grow a little bit suspicious when they noticed too many bodies cropping up. The world was changing, and for someone like her, it was best to stay on the move.

After that, it became a habit, and she got used to wandering and never having a place to call home. Did it ever bother her? Sometimes, when she was resting, it did. She could stop and look at the stars, with some kind of foreign aching in her chest, but it was rare that she thought about it. It had started up years ago, and she had forced herself to get used to it. She had never found any cure, and while she lingered around the east coast, it had finally dulled to a strange, quiet pain. A constant throb in her chest, next to her heart, some kind of strange tightness that she was happy to forget whenever she could. It was becoming more frequent, though, as she neared California, and she chalked it up to the fact that she had been alone and hungry for far too long.

She would have to do something about that soon. She hated feeling hungry.

Vera hopped off the bus when it stopped in Santa Carla, a coastal town that boasted a crowded boardwalk and just the kind of nightlife she needed. From the road, she could see the bright lights of a Ferris wheel and even a roller coaster, and she couldn’t help but smile. She had always liked fairs and carnivals. They were fun and exciting, and good places to pickpocket. Plus, the chaos made it easier for her to go unnoticed.

At the bus stop, she was greeted with boards and telephone poles covered in missing persons ads, and it was an oddly comforting sight. She would fit right in.

“Murder capital of the world, huh?” she said to herself, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. She had seen the graffiti on the back of a big WELCOME TO SANTA CARLA sign on the way in, and the flyers only added to the town’s reputation.

Yeah, this place was worth checking out.

The pier was bright, neon signs and carnival rides lighting up the night. Kids and adults alike were enjoying their summer, stuffing themselves with treats or screaming their way around the roller coaster. It all looked fun, she had to admit, and maybe once she had a chance to grab some cash she could hang around and enjoy herself. She could use a break from running constantly, and she was finding that the boardwalk was already making her happy.

As she walked through the crowds, Vera spotted every kind of person, from middle aged parents toting along a family of four to dirty vagrant children to punks to a couple of weird kids lurking around the comic book store. There were pizza places, cotton candy carts, all sorts of dine in restaurants and bars...Santa Carla seemed like it had everything, but mostly, it was a good place for someone like her to spend some time.

She sat herself down on a railing, trying to ignore the hunger pains she was feeling as she people watched. Beyond the homeless kids and the weirdos, the boardwalk was full of partygoers, and it looked like summer vacation was in full swing. There were a million smells in the air—cigarettes, weed, funnel cakes—but none of them really caught her attention. She let out a sigh, leaning her chin on her hand. She hated being indecisive about dinner.

“Ugh, Surf Nazis,” a woman whispered to her friend as they ran by.

“Gross,” the other wrinkled her nose.

Vera looked past them to the men that were shouting about their asses as they left and she snorted.

“What’s wrong, girls?” One of them yelled.

“Come back, we’ll show you a good time!” Another cackled, tossing an empty beer can over his shoulder.

Vera rolled her eyes. Disgusting, pathetic creatures, all standing around a trash can as they smoked. They smelled awful, she realized with a wrinkle of her nose, and it wasn’t just from their smoke. They were nasty, leering at girls and laughing loudly with each other when the women they were bothering scampered away.

Well, they weren’t her first choice, but at least she had found a meal.

She hopped off the fence and sauntered in their direction for a moment before turning, giving them just enough time to notice her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw them perk up, and before long, all four of them were following her through the crowd, shouting profanities as she made her way down to the pier.

“Hey baby, where you goin’?” one yelled, jogging to keep up with her pace.

Vera looked over her shoulder. “Down under the boardwalk...unless you’re chicken.”

She heard a chorus of hoots and whistles and grinned to herself. Men were so easy.

“I call first dibs!”

“I wanna piece of that ass!” Another yelled.

They always did. Vera was a short girl, only around five feet tall, and stocky. She carried her weight in her legs, giving her thick thighs and a round butt that could never quite stay covered by the denim shorts she loved to wear so much.

Boys liked the way she looked. They liked how she seemed so easy to grab, so soft, so touchable. As the Surf Nazis followed her down the rickety stairs to a secluded spot under the boardwalk, their hands were already moving, unbuttoning pants and reaching for Vera as if they were entitled to her. She smiled sweetly as she backed into the shadows, cooing for them to follow, grinning sickly when they obeyed. They always did, like lambs to the slaughter, never clever enough to recognize her predatory gaze and dangerous movements until it was too late.

Sometimes, if they were lucky, they could catch a glimpse of her bra or panties before it was over, but tonight, Vera had little patience for the dirty fingers that tried to pull her shirt off and her shorts down. Their faces leered down at her, even in the darkness, grunting as they palmed themselves through their pants.

She gave them a second to enjoy it before her lips twisted into a sick grin and she reached for them, nails like claws and teeth like fangs. The air was suddenly filled with the sound of their screams, but the waves crashing against the sand drowned the grisly noises out. As she tore into them, she laughed, loving the way they were so terrified now that they had completely lost any sense of power over her.

Boys always liked the way she looked, until she was covered in their friends’ blood.

-o-

David was having a boring night.

His boys were under control for the time being, lounging on their bikes next to him. Paul and Marko were laughing loudly, occasionally punching each other just for the hell of it, and Laddie was reading a comic as he clung to Dwayne. Star had decided to stay home for the night, and nobody was complaining about that; at the thought of her, David growled to himself, grimacing at the reminder of the troublesome bitch. Max had wanted a daughter and a good mother for Laddie, and what had they ended up with? A mopey, whiny little cunt who refused to kill and feed like everyone else.

Feed...damn, he could go for a snack. He could practically taste blood in the air as he thought about grabbing a bite, fangs threatening to lengthen. He hadn’t even thought he was that hungry, but now that he was thinking about it, it was bugging him, and when David got the urge to feed, there were very few things that could stop him. The hunger would sometimes gnaw at him the way it did a newborn, and even Max was occasionally put off by it. It was something he expected from a younger vampire, like Marko, maybe, but David? His appetite could be insatiable, truly monstrous in a way that most others’ weren’t.

The boys picked up on his hunger and he heard a few growls of agreement before he nodded for Dwayne to take Laddie back to the cave. The kid was never allowed to go with them when they hunted, and Dwayne was capable enough to grab something for himself if he didn’t catch up with them. Ever since Laddie had gotten his pesky little hands on their bloody wine bottle, they had been stuck with him, and if Dwayne hadn’t turned out to be so good with the kid, David would’ve been irritated beyond belief.

It all worked out, though, and Laddie fit in well with the rest of the group. David just had to keep reminding himself to be patient.

“Anybody catch your eye?” Paul asked as his brother took off down the beach with their youngest member.

“Absolutely fucking no one.” David sneered.

The tall blonde straightened up to sniff the air. “Get a whiff of that, though…”

David paused, mimicking Paul. He was right. There was a metallic scent on the breeze, the sweet smell of fresh blood. It made him thirsty, and as he led Paul and Marko down the boardwalk, it only grew stronger.

“Shit,” Marko mumbled as they started down the stairs to the beach. Once they had broken free of the crowd, the scent had hit them like a train, and even David was having trouble controlling himself.

“Careful,” he warned, voice coming out with a ragged, heavy breath.

Murders happened in Santa Carla all the time, and not only because of the Lost Boys. It was a rough place, full of drugs and vagrants, and the violence only helped them blend in. Someone had probably gotten themselves in trouble under the boardwalk, and at this point David was just hoping that the killer was still around to sate his hunger. They never fed from corpses, so stumbling across them never yielded any good results unless they were in the mood to rip them apart for shits and giggles.

David was not in the mood.

He led Paul and Marko off the stairs and through the sand, hurrying now as the blood filled his senses. It was so fresh, and there was so much of it...this wasn’t normal, even for the murder capital of the world. What kind of sadistic human would cut someone up enough to spill so much blood? What the fuck was going on under his boardwalk? Sure, it was something he would do, but other than his boys, who could possibly be that brutal?

It was in the shadows of the pier that he finally got the answers to all of his questions.

Just like the blood had, her scent hit him like a freight train. He could tell Paul and Marko were just as confused by the way they stopped and hissed, fangs already out as they looked down at the bodies littering the sand. It was a gorey scene, throats and stomachs ripped open, Surf Nazis gutted with their pants down.

And in the middle of it all, she had the audacity to glance up at David, and then completely disregard him as she turned back to her final victim. She wasn’t worried in the slightest about the three males, and that pissed David off a little. When he would have snarled a warning at her insolence, he found himself distracted instead, head tilted and lips parted as he drank in her scent and checked her out.

She was wearing shorts that barely covered her bloody legs, ratty combat boots on her feet and an equally ratty denim vest over a ripped up black shirt. Her ebony hair was cut into some sort of shaggy mullet, falling around her shoulders. It was long and wavy and glossy, but tousled and messy, no doubt thanks to feeding.

He could only stare in shock at the black-haired girl that was feasting on a Surf Nazi. He couldn’t decide if he was angry at someone else hunting on his turf or happy to find a real female vampire, one that wasn’t stupid and whiny like Star, but the one thing he knew for sure as he took a step towards her was that he was just the tiniest bit turned on.

Paul and Marko could both smell the tiniest hint of their leader’s arousal, and it excited them. They weren’t used to supernatural girls, and the thought of getting a turn with her was enough to make the air heavy with the scent of lust as they followed David.

Paul let out a low whistle behind him. “Shit, first time I wouldn’t mind bein’ a Surfer. I’d take a little of that sugar right now, know what I’m sayin?”

The vampiress lifted her head from her victim and smiled, drunk on blood and high off the hunt. “I don’t usually share meals, but I’ll give you the rest of this one if it gives me a free pass back outta here.”

Paul tensed to take her up on the offer, but David stopped him. “Free pass?”

The girl sat back from the still-whimpering Surf Nazi, blood running down her chin. “Figure you wouldn’t want me in your territory. Sorry. Didn’t realize anybody else was here, else I’d have been moving on already.”

David smirked. “No need, sweetheart.”

She furrowed her brow.

“It’s feeding time, boys. Grab a snack.” David grinned, allowing Paul and Marko to surge forward and rip into the Surf Nazi. He watched with a twinge of annoyance as Paul turned from his meal and pressed his bloody lips to the girl’s, but that annoyance turned into surprise when she kissed back, albeit lazily.

She smiled as her lips moved against his, a hand moving to tangle in his wild hair. Fire tore through Paul and he growled, pushing her down until her back hit the sand and her chest touched his as her breaths turned into frenzied pants.

Hands ran down her sides, hard nails digging into her skin as Paul nipped at her lower lip. With a whine, she arched up against him, tugging at his hair until he snarled.

“Paul,” David growled a warning.

Paul sat back up with an irritated grumble, licking his lips before plunging his fangs into the Surf Nazi and leaving Vera alone.

David had to admit, he had never met a female vampire that wasn’t stuck in limbo like Star. They seemed rare, or at least they were around California, but Max had always told him that girls of their kind were a special breed. He was already feeling a tug toward her, some kind of something pulling at his chest whenever she moved, and before he knew what he was doing, he was crouching down to suck up the last few drops of blood while his boys turned their attention to the killer.

“What’s your name, beautiful?” Marko asked, playing with a strand of her hair.

“Vera,” she answered with the sweetest voice either of them had ever heard, practically a purr.

Paul sighed, leaning in again. He was head over heels already. “What brings you here to our little corner of the world, Miss Vera?”

She blinked, and they were fucking mesmerized by those lashes and those hazel eyes. “Just passing through, boys. Don’t wanna step on any toes.”

Paul groaned. He wanted her to stay. She smelled amazing, and when she had returned the kiss he hadn’t even realized he was giving her, he felt jolts of electricity shoot through every part of his body.

He wanted more.

“Damn, babe, you’re breakin’ my heart,” he said, holding her face so that he could lick blood off her chin.

“No fair,” Marko nudged his brother. “I want a taste…”

David looked up from the drained corpse, listening as his boys slurred with love drunk voices. Max had warned him about females, about those with foreign sires. They could trap you in a web of lust, keep you dumb and happy there for as long as they wanted, rob you blind and kill your entire family...but somehow, he got the feeling that Vera wasn’t even trying to fuck with them. There was no misty, foggy sensation that would signify magic, no eye contact, no focus. As he rose to his feet, he realized he was walking towards her of his own accord, the only spell being that strange, unspoken one that kept pulling him to her.

He had an inkling of what it could be, but he didn’t dare get his hopes up.

“Got a place to stay, darling?” He asked as he shoved his boys out of the way and knelt before Vera.

She leaned toward him, a sweet smile on those bloody lips that told him she was confident enough in her ability to handle them all. She was calm, completely in control of herself, even when faced with three healthy male vampires. Her eyes were half-lidded, long lashes fluttering whenever she blinked.

When her tongue slipped out to lick blood off her lips, David’s eyes widened at the sight of something he had never seen before. It was split in two, each side moving of its own accord easily. Paul let out an eager noise, Marko shoving him with his shoulder to try to get a better look. Vera just laughed at their fascination, pulling her tongue back into her mouth and smiling.

David could feel her breath on his cheek as she took in his scent and he couldn’t help the shiver that went up his spine. He wanted to touch her, to kiss her better than Paul had, to fuck her and hear his name on her lips. He wanted to show her how strong he was, to impress her, to prove himself for some reason. He would kill a hundred surfers if he had to, if it would grant him her favor. He would sit out in the sun and burn himself if it meant he could be hers.

He had never felt this way about anyone, and it was pissing him off.

Vera laughed to herself. She could smell his desire, and she knew that it was because of her. Just like those Surf Nazis, these vampires wanted her, but at least she liked this little pack. What’s more, that aching in her chest had stopped when they showed up, and she had a feeling she knew why.

It was a little bit terrifying, though, and she wasn’t about to stop and think about it.

“What are you suggesting?” She asked, brushing her fingers along his cheek, a smear of blood following.

“Stay with us,” he breathed, blue eyes locked with hers.

“Darling, I don’t even know your name,” she quipped, never shifting her gaze.

“David,” he said with a slight growl as he felt himself getting lost in her eyes.

“David,” she repeated, voice soft and breathy. Her hand moved to cup his cheek and he leaned into it, nose twitching as he smelled the fresh blood in her wrist. It was sweet, sweeter than any blood he had ever encountered before, and all he wanted to do was sink his fangs into her flesh and get a taste.

Vera heard a sigh and finally took her eyes off David. The other two were watching, just off to the side, staring hungrily at their leader and the new girl.

“And what about you two?” She asked, hand sliding down to the side of David’s neck to keep him in check. She was confident enough in herself to handle him, but at the same time, he put her on edge. There was no way she was going to let her guard down around him yet.

That was the thing about female vampires, though; they had the uncanny ability to always put on a facade, and Vera was no exception. David made her nervous—they all did, honestly—but she wasn’t about to let them know that.

“Paul,” the tall blonde said quickly, rushing forward as if he would die without her touch. He pressed his nose against her throat, breathing her scent as if he was starving.

“Marko,” the smaller one followed, desperately reaching out to touch her hair.

“Paul,” she purred, earning a growl. “...Marko…”

Another growl.

They acted like they needed her, all three of them, but they were behaving themselves. She had no doubt that if she gave them the go ahead, she would be naked within seconds, but for the moment, they were listening to her. She had never experienced something like this before; usually, other vampires ignored her, or threatened her until she left their territory. These boys seemed to adore her, and she had to admit, she liked it.

“Paul, Marko,” David said roughly. “Clean up so we can go home.”

With a groan, the younger two did as they were told, dragging Surf Nazi corpses into the ocean before wiping their hands and faces clean.

“You’re their leader,” Vera said, more as an observation than anything else. “Are you their sire?”

David smirked as he helped her to her feet. “Depends on how you look at it.”

She raised an eyebrow. “There’s only one way to look at that, David.”

He melted when she said his name, leaning in to catch another whiff of her scent. It was sweet, like honey, sticky and sick, and all he wanted was to drown in it. “What have you done to me, Vera?”

She smiled and took his hand, raising it to lick blood off of his fingers. “Nothing on purpose, I promise.”

“Whatever it is, I don’t mind,” Paul suddenly grabbed her from behind, arms snaking around her waist as he buried his nose in her black hair, inhaling deeply and letting out a happy sigh. The feeling of her there in his arms, pressed up against him, was enough to make his fangs slide out again, and he couldn’t help but swipe his tongue up the side of her neck.

David snarled, snapping only inches from his brother’s face. “Behave.”

“You say as if you are,” Vera snorted, giving David a gentle push and easing her way out of Paul’s grip. “But you boys are all very sweet. I don’t mind the attention.”

“Oh, you have our attention, sweets,” Paul whistled as she turned and bent over to wash her face and hands at the water’s edge, giving them all a good view of her ass. A low rumble rose in David’s throat as he appreciated the sight, and Marko echoed it.

“So greedy,” Vera mocked as she straightened up again. “Are you this nice to every bloodsucker that hangs out on your boardwalk, or is it just me?”

“Just you, that’s for sure,” Marko said, almost cackling.

“The others aren’t so delicious,” Paul cooed with that signature laugh.

“Oh, aren’t you a charmer?” Vera said, walking back to them. Now that her arms and legs were clean of blood, they could see that she was covered in tattoos, and David wondered if she had them as a human before she was turned, or if she had found some way to make the ink stay in her regenerative skin.

Paul gave her a cocky grin and David rolled his eyes. His brother was such a flirtatious bastard. He was a lady killer, literally, even more than David was, but Vera didn’t seem to mind his advances. She seemed comfortable with Paul, taking it all in stride.

It made David just the tiniest bit jealous.

“Come with us.” He said it more as an order than an offer, extending his hand out to her.

“Unless you got somewhere better to go,” Marko joked.

“And there ain’t nowhere better,” Paul snickered.

“There aren’t too many places to hide from the sun on a boardwalk,” Vera snorted. She was finally coming down from her high, the thrill of the hunt fading again and giving way to her less monstrous personality. “I was going to have to find a good spot anyways…”

Now that she wasn’t operating solely on instinct, she could take a moment and think about her situation. Three male vampires, none of whom had tried to kill her for stealing prey in their territory, seemed to be absolutely obsessed with everything about her and wanted her to go home with them. One had even kissed her and she had kissed him back, because it had felt so right. She allowed them to touch her, to taste her skin, to share her meal. They were stronger than her, and they outnumbered her, but she still felt like she was...in charge?

David, the definite leader of the little pack, was looking at her hopefully. His face was stony, but she could see excitement in his blue eyes, and when she smiled, there was a spark of something in those irises.

“Just don’t kill me in my sleep,” Vera joked as David took her hand and began leading her back up to the boardwalk.

“No promises,” Marko leered as they followed.

“You look good enough to eat, babe,” Paul growled playfully, lunging forward to cop a feel of her ass.

Vera only laughed, but David snarled dangerously at his brother, moving his arm to Vera’s shoulders and pulling her against his side.

“Relax, you big angry beast,” Vera said with a grin, raising her hand to his chin and giving a teasing scratch.

David huffed and Marko hooted with laughter. “Damn, she’s way more fun than you, David!”

“I dig this chick,” Paul snickered.

“You better share her,” Marko whined.

David smirked as they climbed the stairs back up to the boardwalk. Could he manage that? He only ever shared things with his brothers, but even then, he was terrible at it. Vera had some kind of magnetic pull on him, yeah, and his mouth watered at the thought of keeping her around, but Marko and Paul were both obviously into her...and she was into them.

She was into all of them.

He needed to talk to Max. He honestly hated having to ask his sire for help or advice, and he avoided it whenever he could. Max had never been very nurturing, despite wanting everyone to act like a big family. It worked out for the boys, sure, but Max was…not a great father. A patriarch, yes, always seated at the head of the metaphorical table, but he was cruel and cold towards David, and he had been from the very start. He thought they all needed a stern hand to keep them in check, and David didn’t like that.

Still, Max let them run free, and he knew more than David did about their own kind. He was helpful, sometimes, in his own way, and his son was going to have to defer to him. He had questions about Vera, about the pull he felt toward her, and Max was the only one with the answers.

As they returned to the boardwalk and joined the crowd of humans, Vera was pleased to see that the sea of people parted for the boys. They stepped aside, glancing with mixtures of emotions at the little pack. Girls looked dreamy, parents grabbed their children, Surf Nazis raised their lips in sneers. Was it because of their reputation, or did the humans somehow know that they should be afraid of the predators that stalked Santa Carla? She hoped it was both. She hoped that these boys were wild and rowdy enough to rule this boardwalk, and she hoped that they liked her enough to keep her around.

She glanced up at the sky, a few stars twinkling despite the light pollution from the city. For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t itching to hop on a bus or hitch hike to the next town. For once in her life, Something was occupying her mind, and the wanderlust was giving way to another, completely foreign feeling. The ache in her chest was gone, but it was replaced by a strange, burning, almost longing that she had never felt before. It was almost similar to the emotions she experienced during bloodlust, but she was in control of herself. Her fangs weren’t poking through, her eyes weren’t shining...she was happy and her hunger was sated, so where was this coming from?

She was still avoiding the one train of thought that would bring her to the right conclusion. It was just too much to consider, especially with everything happening so quickly all of the sudden.

They came to a halt when they reached their bikes, Dwayne already back from dropping Laddie off. From the looks of it, he had grabbed a bite on the way, jeans stained with fresh blood that the humans would just assume was from a fight.

Vera stopped. There was another male here? She was finding it hard to believe that she had stumbled across a pack of four males without any females, but she couldn’t smell much in the way of estrogen on them. It was just odd; vampires didn’t usually live in bachelor groups like these, but she supposed it wasn’t entirely unheard of. It was just strange that they hadn’t found any girls they wanted to keep around for all eternity.

Most people got lonely eventually. Maybe these four were all actually lovers...but she hadn’t seen any marks that would mean they were claimed, and she hadn’t smelled or sensed anything that would lead her to believe that they were serious.

Odd.

The one leaning against the bike was tall, long dark hair falling around his shoulders and a curious, but serious, expression on his handsome face. She felt frozen under his gaze, uncharacteristically nervous, like a deer in the headlights. It was like he could see right through her, and she didn’t know if she liked that or not.

“Dwayne, this is Vera,” David said as he tugged her along. She found a way to make her legs work again and followed, letting a smile curl its way onto her lips when Dwayne bowed his head to her.

“And she’s tough,” Marko said, bouncing over to his bike.

“And she’s gorgeous,” Paul took her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss as he passed her.

“I can see that,” Dwayne said, his voice deep and smooth, a seductive smile on his lips.

David narrowed his eyes, but tried to hide the movement with a smirk. “Keep an eye on her. I’m going to visit Max.”

“Oh, I’ll keep both eyes on her,” Paul winked as he beckoned for her to sit behind him on his motorcycle.

David rolled his eyes, desperately trying to not make a scene. “Control yourself. I’ll be back.”

He pressed a kiss to Vera’s head, inhaling deeply before leaving her side and stalking off down the boardwalk. He could already feel his sire tugging questioningly at his consciousness, curious as to why David was so eager to speak to him. His son had always been good at blocking him out, keeping his mind locked down unless he needed something or there was trouble that called for Max’s attention. The others were more open, but Max didn’t have as strong a link with them, and while David was supposed to be his prodigal son, he was so...secretive. Private. Closed off. For him to be willingly heading to the VideoMax store for anything other than annoying him or hitting on Maria out of boredom, something very important had to be going on, and Max was beyond itching to know what it could be.

“Who’s Max?” Vera asked, joining Paul to perch on the back of his bike.

“David’s sire,” Marko answered.

“A grouchy old bloodsucker,” Paul grinned.

“He runs the video store. He hates it when we crash.” Marko laughed.

“But...that cashier is pretty cute,” Paul said, thinking of Maria. “I’d love for a bite of—”

He was cut off by the breath leaving his body when Vera wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his back.

Marko hooted with laughter at his brother’s reaction and Dwayne let out a chuckle. Paul was absolutely speechless, and Vera wasn’t even making skin on skin contact with him.

Until she felt him tense, smirked against his back, and slid her hands under his mesh shirt.

If Paul could blush, he would have. He would have been a shade past tomato red. The feeling of her fingers running over his abs was all he could focus on for a moment, and all he wanted was to kiss her again, feel her again, maybe get a little tongue action...

“You’re supposed to behave yourself, Paul,” Marko taunted as he caught a whiff of the lust in the air and felt his brother’s excited thoughts.

“Yeah, yeah,” Paul snarled. “I don’t need this shit from you.”

“I’m just repeating what David said,” Marko said defensively. “You’re the one who can’t keep it in his pants.”

“Well, aren’t you just the perfect little angel?” Paul shot back. “I’m the one with a goddess on his bike, might I remind you.”

Marko scoffed, lip raised in a nasty little snarl. “Not for long, Paul!”

Vera smiled as they bickered. Paul’s arousal hung in the air, but she didn’t mind; in fact, she liked it, and she hugged her arms around him tighter as he squabbled with Marko. She was eager to get back to wherever it was that they called home, and she was eager to sleep surrounded by them and feel truly safe for once. She was used to being alone, and she wasn’t scared of it, but she was always on edge, always ready to run or fight. It made her a light sleeper, and the concept of not having to worry was more tantalizing than any of these boys were on their own.

#goddamn shit sucking vampires #the lost boys #lost boys x reader #lost boys x oc #david lost boys #dwayne lost boys #paul lost boys #marko lost boys

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libraryofnesta · 3 years

Text

Tied to Ruin

ao3 link

Summary:

Cassian and Nesta were lovers, partners in crime. They did everything together. That is until tragedy strikes, causing Nesta to run away, far from everything she once knew.

Over five years later, Nesta is living life to as full as it can get. It’s not until an incident occurs that drags her into far more than she bargained for.

Notes:

thanks so much for reading. i'm a huge hoe for exes to lovers, so i have like 20 ideas in my head, and this is one of them. It's multichapter. i'm not sure how long this is gonna be, but definitely over ten chapter. this fic has two timelines. One will show them from when they're kids to teens, and one while they're adults. Both will occur at the same time, so things will start to unravel as you read.btw! velaris is gonna be like a super small town in new york. like no one knows about it.

TW: implied domestic violence, nothing graphic.

Chapter 1: lonely beds, different cities

Words, how little they mean

When you're a little too late

I stood right by the tracks

Your face in a locket

Good girls, hopeful they'll be and long they will wait

Sad Beautiful Tragic

Taylor Swift

2016, Small Town Velaris

“Please,” she whispers, voice hoarse. Nesta is practically begging at this point, but she has nothing else to relent to. “We can get out of here.” She swallows hard when he doesn’t reply. “We’re still young Cassian, we can still-”

“Nesta.” He says. It's one word, but it makes her pause. He rarely calls her Nesta. It’s always ‘Nes’ or ‘Sweetheart.’

“I can’t.”

Their lives have changed so drastically over the past few weeks. Nesta’s whole childhood is here. Everything she’s ever known. She’s not sure how much more of it she can handle now.

She’s well aware of the tears streaming down her face. Nesta doesn’t know what she can say to convince him, so she says the one thing that she’s been repeating over and over.

“You can…”

Cassian’s face seems to harden. The look he gives her makes her take a step back. He hasn’t looked at her like that in years. “Go ahead and leave Nesta.”, he says, voice rising. “Go live that picture perfect you always wanted. I won’t stop you.”

“Not everyone wants what you do.”

2021 New York, Manhattan

Something about leaving Valkyrians still makes her feel at odds. She’s not as resistant to the sight of blood anymore, and she’s not sure if she can ride a motorcycle as well as she used to. There are still parts that linger though. She still remembers how to throw a punch. A damn good one too. She still feels uneasy when someone walks in the same direction for too long though. It might be the worst part of it all.

Nesta doesn’t do much for fun. She doesn’t dance as much as she likes. The amount of books she reads has decreased. Her days consist of work and eating, even though she skips more meals than she should. But she’s free. That’s what really matters, doesn’t it?

The muscles in Nesta’s body ache. She just finished a seven hour shift, and got a promotion that pays much better. Nesta wants to celebrate. She wants to talk to someone. It’s been so long since she’s talked to anyone. The fear of someone finding out about her past is lodged so deep in her head it caused her to isolate. The simple way of putting it is she has no friends.

Coworkers are the only source of non-work related conversation she engages in. It’s always small talk too. Just as Nesta is about to fall asleep, she rubs her eyes and forces herself to stay awake. Getting up from the lumpy couch, Nesta walks to her cabinet, grabbing a random mug and pouring wine into it. Once she gets a better look at the mug, she can’t help but scoff.

It’s ironic. Complaining about being lonely. It’s almost like she chose loneliness. She loves the quiet. When she was younger, all she wanted was alone time. She dreads it now. Nesta gets up after finishing her glass. She’s a bit drowsy, and is way too tired to walk all the way to her room. Instead Nesta walks back over to her couch. She lies horizontally, staring into the abyss until she eventually falls asleep.

She dreams of seeing him that night. It’s a regular occurrence. It’s lessened over the years, but never fully disappeared. The image of him is blurry. It’s not as precise as it used to be. She hates still thinking of him. It doesn’t stop her from reminiscing a little though.

Her being upset makes sense of course. They’d known each other for over ten years, hating one another at first. Eventually, he began to grow on her. Their bickering had become playful, before they once again became estranged.

“Cassian?”

The figure turns around, and he knocks the wind out of her. His hair is out of it’s usual bun. He gives her that familiar boyish smile, walking towards her and putting an arm on her.

“Missed me Sweetheart?”, he says, ruffling her hair a bit. Nesta scrunches her nose in response.

“You wish.”

He rolls his eyes. “Yeah yeah whatever.” He talks for a while. Nesta’s barely paying attention. It’s just nice to hear his voice again. He asks her what she’s reading, and she replies the same every time. It’s silent after a while. They’ve talked themselves out. It’s a nice silence though. Her favorite silence.

Cassian stares at her for a few seconds, giving her a soft smile and pushing a loose hair behind her ear.

“Come back,” he whispers.

Her breath stutters. “It’s been five years, Cass,” she mutters, breaking eye contact. Her eyes flicker between the ground and his face, gauging his reaction.

He doesn’t stop looking at her.

“I didn’t want to leave,” said Nesta. There’s a lump in her throat.

He scrubs a hand over his face. “Yet here we are.”

“You know why I left.”

Her eyes feel like they’re beginning to water. “I asked you to come with me. You’re the one who didn’t.”

Cassian looks to the side. He looks impassive, yet also emotionless. “You’re the one who ran away, Nesta.”

“I didn’t run away.”

He scoffs in response. “Keep telling yourself that.” Cassian starts walking away. It’s cloudy and has no solid ground or sky. At that moment she remembers where she really is. Nesta stands there, waiting until he fully fades away. It always feels too real.

The dreams always end like that.

Nesta can barely pry her eyes open when she wakes up. She has the next two weeks off. Her boss, Helion, had insisted she take a week or two off, since the bar was under a small renovation. She checks her phone and it reads 12:03. Jesus, she really had overslept.

In all honesty Nesta had no idea what to do with her free time. Maybe she’ll finally finish that book she started months ago. But in reality Nesta knows all she’ll do is go to a bar and let a stranger fuck her into oblivion until she kicks them out or leaves.

By the time Nesta leaves her house it’s around 3:00. She goes to the coffee shop next door. She orders a coffee and sits in the corner of the room. Nesta somehow feels like the center of attention. It’s an empty shop, but it feels like all eyes on her. The room feels too cold.

The feeling follows her when she goes to the local bookstore. It’s crowded, but the area is quiet. Nesta browses through the shelves, sticking to the romance section. She holds a few books. It’s not until Nesta drops one, people begin to look at her. It makes a loud thump hitting the floor. Several pairs of eyes turn to her. The cover is of a shirtless man too.

Fuck , she thinks, This is embarrassing. Nesta purses her lips, hand curling into a fist as she puts the book back on it’s shelf.

It’s around 5:00 when she takes the train home. Nesta spent the rest of her day at the park, not wanting to stay at home. It doesn’t feel like home as much as she’d like it to though. Finally, Nesta makes it home.

She’s in an empty parking lot. The area she lives in is pretty small. Nesta knows basically everyone in her apartment complex. It’s a tiny place. She never talks to anyone, but they do acknowledge each other. Barely anyone has a car either, herself included. So it is a bit weird to see an unrecognizable car. It’s odd, but Nesta thinks nothing of it. It’s probably just someone visiting.

Nesta goes into her apartment, before leaving once more to go to the bar that’s the second closest to her apartment. She’s usually working at this time, flirting with customers and taking them home when her shift ends.

The bar is crowded and loud. Lights are flashing, voices yelling, bodies moving. It’s out of her comfort zone. She’s been doing this for years and is still isn’t used to it. She sits on one of the stools where the drinks are served. A girl approaches her. Nesta never approaches anyone. She can’t see clearly in the light. The girl’s hair is brunette, though her roots are dark. Her brown skin illuminates in the flickering light.

“Hey”, she says “I’m Nora” Nora extends her hand to her. Nesta smirks in response, resting her elbow on the counter grasping her hand with the other.

“I’m Mila,” she says. No matter what she does, Nesta will never use her real name. Nora’s eyebrows raise. Nesta can see her lick tongue move as it pushes on her skin.

“Pretty name.”

They talk for around five minutes. It’s all small talk. They drink while they talk. Most of the things she responds with are lies anyways. Nora grasp’s her arm with her hand. “Wanna get out of here?” she asks. Her words are slurred, and Nesta has to restrain herself from flinching.

Something in her head tells her not to let anyone in her house though. Something is wrong, but she can’t put her mind on it. The idea of letting a stranger in her house sends goosebumps across her arms. Before, she’d never question it twice. Now that she thinks of it, doing this practically screams stranger danger. Especially with her past, this person could be anyone. Nesta slowly probes herself from the girl.

“I’ve gotta go”, she says. “Sorry, but there's something I need to do.” The girl doesn't seem to mind, either too drunk to care, or only looking for a one night stand. She nods, before introducing herself to someone else. Nesta feels her chest lighten, exiting the crowded bar to call an uber.

Whenever it’s quiet, she always reminisces.

2006, Small Town Velaris

Nesta wakes up and finds herself stranded. She has no idea where she is. She’s lying in a bed inside a mostly empty room. There’s only a few pieces of furniture, a stool and a drawer. It’s relatively small. The last thing she remembers is being in a car with her sisters and parents. She hears voices outside of the room yelling.

“You expect me to leave-”

“Her father is-”

“She’s nine what would she-”

“So what if she’s young!”

“-s innocent so what if-”

She hears a loud smack. The silence after is deafening. The voices are quiet after, whispers. Afterwards, Nesta hears footsteps approaching. She scrunches her eyes shut, trying to pretend to be asleep. Nesta hears the door open and close. A hand lays on her forehead. As the person removes it, a calming voice talks. “Are you awake?” Nesta slowly looks at the person, opening only one eye, then another. She sees a woman with black hair and tan skin. Her cheeks are flushed and she has a small smile on her face.

The woman squats down so she’s the same height as the bed Nesta is laying on. “Hi,” the woman whispers, voice solemn and comforting. “My names Aurora,” she says. Nesta squishes her lips together. She’s confused and feels like crying. Nesta doesn’t cry though. She’s pretty sure her eyes water though, because Aurora strokes her hair and whispers, “It’s okay to cry.”

Nesta gasps and shakes her head. “Mommy says I’m not supposed to cry.” Aurora seems to be shocked silent. The silence makes Nesta become aware of everything that is happening. She slowly sits up. Once her feet are off the bed, Nesta quickly sprints to the door, opening it and running out. She has no idea where she’s going.

Suddenly, Nesta is hit with a hard impact, and falls down on her butt. She looks up and sees two boys. They’re both around the same height. They have the same dark hair too, except one is longer than the other. Nesta gets up and brushes off the dust on her leggings.

She notices it then. The leggings. She’s never worn pants before.

It’s also when she notices the juice smeared across one of the boy's shirts. It’s the long haired one’s. He drops the red cup to the ground and makes an angry noise. “That was my favorite shirt.”

Nesta feels sheepish as she whispers a quiet, “Sorry.”

The one with longer hair whispers to the other boy, obviously meaning for her to hear too. “She’s probably not even double digits.” The other boy is quiet, looking at the ground. He seems nervous and shy.

Nesta feels a sense of outrage course through her. She pouts, crossing her arms. “I’m almost ten. I’m nine and a half” The boy crosses his arms too.

“Well I’m ten and a half,” he says.

“Cassian,” Aurora scolds. “Play nice.” She puts a hand on Nesta’s shoulder and bends down. “I need to talk to…” She doesn’t continue.

Nesta turns towards her, and realizes she needs her name. “Nesta,” she says.

Aurora smiles, “That’s a wonderful name.”

Cassian still seems angry. “I think it’s stupid.” Aurora sighs and gets up. “Azriel”, she says to the other boy. He hadn’t talked the whole time, Nesta almost forgot he was there. “Make sure he stays out of trouble. And Cassian, please change your shirt.” The two (stupid) boys walk away. Once they’re from a far enough distance, Aurora looks back down at her. “I have to talk to you about something.”

2021 New York, Manhattan

Nesta walks into her apartment tired and half asleep. Once inside her apartment, she changes into more comfortable clothes, sweatpants and a grey t-shirt.

Nesta’s about to go to bed, until she hears the sound of glass shattering and liquid spilling. She freezes, thinking about the mug of wine she left out.

No.

Nesta scrambles towards the kitchen and grabs a flashlight from a cabinet, flashing the light to the ground. The mug is shattered to pieces, and she can still see little droplets of wine. The words aren’t visible anymore, letters broken and unreadable.

There’s no way it could’ve fallen on its own. It was in the middle of her counter. Unless...

Suddenly it all makes sense. The unrecognizable car in the parking lot. The uneasy feeling in her stomach. The constant nagging in her head, telling her that something is wrong.

She thinks about calling the police but goes against it. Years in a fucking biker gang taught her better then to trust those scumbags.

She always kept a gun in her house. Just in case. She really hates how no matter what she does. she’ll always be connected to this.

The person inside her apartment most definitely knows where she is. Nesta grabs a broom, sweeping the glass shards into an empty bag. She can fix it later. Tying it up, Nesta leaves it on her counter.

There's a wall blocking the entrance to her bathroom. She walks towards it, opening and closing the door so it seems she went inside. Grabbing her gun from the small drawer, Nesta lays her back against the wall, barely peeking out the wall, but just enough so she can see them as they crawl out from behind her couch.

The figure moves stealthily, back turned towards her. If she weren’t directly staring at it, there would be no way of knowing it was there. The moves look familiar, but she can’t put her mind on it. The moonlight shines on them so she can see the most obvious features. It’s not until the floor creaks the figure turns towards her direction. Nesta turns back to face her bathroom door, hands drawn to tight fists. There’s no way they hadn’t seen her. She moved too slow. Nesta peeks her head out to look again.

It’s not until she sees a familiar pair of scarred hands in the moonlight, it all comes together.

“Azriel Night?”

In dreams

I meet you in warm conversation

We both wake

In lonely beds

In different cities

And time

Is taking its sweet time erasing you

And you've got your demons

And darlin' they all look like me

PSA!! go to ask’s to be added to tag list

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tinyboxxtink · 3 years

Text

"Weird Secret Friends" *Chapter 8*

Chapter 7

Chapter 9

I know, I wait almost 4 days and now you gotta go through this bullshit. I can already hear your cries of anguish and suffering.

I love it so much. MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

That being said I promise regular chapters for the rest of the week! Okay I don't promise but I promise to do my best.

Note: Alright it's a fanfic people, alternate universes and all that. So you know what we're saying that all the Carisi sisters are younger, and Sonny was the big bro. Kay? I can't deal with all the continuity stuff.

Tag List

@madamsnape921

@lolliepopsicle

@chasingeverybreakingwave

@milkshqke

@wanniiieeee

@word-scribbless

@gibbs274

@sassyada

@aprildecker-blog

@bookishfanfic

@stars-in-the-skies-world

@stars-trash-18

@omgsuperstarg

@objection-argumentative

@thatesqcrush

@shittanyy

@mrsrafaelbarba

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

Sonny was watching TV with Amanda when his phone went off. He paused the movie and answered the phone:

“Barba it’s kinda late--”

“What's wrong with your cousin?” he flatly said.

“Excuse me?” Sonny asked. “What kind of question is that?”

“Just answer the question, Carisi,” Barba insisted.

“Well it's a loaded question, Barba.” Sonny replied.

“Okay then just answer me this,” Barba sighed. “Why did I come back to my apartment to find her halfway through my once full bottle of vodka and pouting on the couch. Oh, after she had gone through all of my things of course,”

“Aw shit,” Sonny muttered under his breath. “That's kind of on me, Barba,”

“One second babe,” He muttered to Amanda, while he got up and went into his kitchen.

“Babe?” Barba asked.

“It’s just Rollins,” Sonny dismissed it.

“So you have feelings for me, but you’re fucking Rollins?” He asked in a snarky tone.

“What, are you jealous or somethin’ Barba?” Sonny smirked.

“No, don’t be stupid,” Rafael rolled his eyes. “Why is it on you?” He changed the subject.

“I should have never filled her head with doubts and suspicions and then sent her back to your place; when I should have known that you would keep a full bar in your apartment,” Sonny sighed as he ran his hands through his hair.

“Well of course I would keep a stocked bar in my apartment Sonny, I entertain people and I'm a grown man,” Rafael scoffed.

“Yeah, again it's on me,” Sonny repeated.

“Okay so what is wrong with your cousin?” Rafael asked.

“I think that pretty much answers it, don't you think?” Sonny asked in a “duh” tone.

“... I see,” Rafael glanced at his bedroom door wearily.

“Where is she now? Did you send her away? Please tell me you didn't send her away,” Sonny begged.

“No I didn't send her away, she's sleeping it off in my bedroom,” He got up and walked to his bedroom door. “I didn't want to just kick her out because she was upset. I'm not that big of a dick,” He whispered as he watched you sleep. You looked so calm and peaceful, that’s the girl he remembered.

“ You know, this should probably be better explained in person,” Sonny walked back into his living room where Amanda glanced over at him. He motioned for her to get her stuff together.

“Can I come over?”

“Yeah okay, not like I have anything else to do,'' he rolled his eyes as he shut his bedroom door and walked back to his living room.

--------------.

Sonny showed up to Rafael's apartment with a loaded head and a semi heavy conscience. He knocked on the door and Rafael let him inside.

“Okay so what kind of long story is this,” Rafael asked while he poured himself a glass of scotch. He noticed Sonny giving him a weird look.

“What? It's not like she's in here now,” he rolled his eyes.

“True,” He nodded. “Do you have beer?”

“Yes, dark or light?” Rafael made a disgusted face while he asked. He couldn't stand the taste of beer but he always had it on him just in case he had barbarians over such as Sonny.

“Shiner Bock, if you have it,” Sonny requested. Rafael nodded as he went into his ‘party fridge’ and handed him one before sitting on the couch across from him.

“Alright so where do I start?” Sonny thought out loud.

“Well I guess first of all I wanted to say I don’t wanna say I told you so, but this is exactly why I didn't want you and Y/N to get involved in the first place. It had nothing to do with my feelings for you. It’s because I know that you tend to keep relationships with guys and girls chill and casual, but Y/N is a special case and special to me,”

“Yeah.. I wish you had expressed that before,” Rafael groaned.

Well what was I supposed to say in front of her, Barba? ‘Oh hey by the way, you probably shouldn't get involved with my trainwreck of a cousin? Sonny asked defensively.

“Maybe? I don’t know…” Rafael sighed as he put his head in his hands.

“Look, Rafael,” Sonny put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not like she’s some kinda degenerate junkie,”

“Oh well, that’s great--” He started to roll his eyes.

“I’m serious Rafael!” He pounded the table.

“Okay okay, I’m sorry Sonny,” He finally used his first name, trying to be as soft with him as possible. He could see how much you meant to him, and it was really endearing. “Go ahead,”

“Alright,” Sonny sighed, ready to tell your life story. You would probably kill him later for it, but there was no hiding your...issues now, he might as well get the whole context.

“Well, first of all-- her dad died before she was born, overdose,” He began. “Then she was stuck with her junkie mother, my auntie. Who by the way at this point, nobody had heard from in years,” He took a sip of beer.

“So anyways,” He began again. “One day, she showed up at my mom’s doorstep with Y/N, and told her that she can’t take care of Y/N, or that she didn’t want to,” He sighed. “She was three years old by then, I don’t even wanna think about what happened before then,”

“Jesus…” Rafael muttered.

“I was eight years old at the time, my sisters were even younger. My mom and dad had enough on their plate with just us. So, I kinda took her under my wing,” He went on.

“We became so close, she wanted to go by “Sunny” just so she could be like me. I told her it would be confusing for the two of us, so I called her Sunshine, Sunny for short. That way if I’m calling her sunny, then obviously it’s not myself,” He chuckled. To this day, he still called you Sunshine.

“But as she grew up, she just...kinda had a rough go. She didn’t really interact with kids her own age, she was really defensive and untrusting with anybody but me. Not even my parents. And then we got the call that her mother died, and it ripped me up inside to see her body at the funeral. It was so fucked up, she was so fucked up. That’s why I-- I think something really bad happened to her when she was with her mother, Rafael. Like-- really, bad.

“Fuck..." Rafael muttered while glancing at his bedroom door. He didn't want to imagine what you had been through at such a young age. He wanted to run in his room right now and just hold you, but he kept his composure.

“So then I went off to college when she was ten years old, just about to start junior high. She begged me to stay, but I told her she had a good family and that my parents and sisters loved her as much as I did, and to stay out of trouble. But...kids are cruel. They made her harder, and harder. Without me there to be her-- I dunno, her guiding light or her-- protector, she just kinda fell into a bad crowd by the time high school rolled around,” He sighed while taking another swig of beer.

“...Right,” Rafael nodded.

“So when i came home from school my mom told me she was going to kick Sunny out. I asked her why, and she went on and on about how she had gotten in with these local girls who were like, I dunno some kinda girl gang, and they’d knock over liquor stores and then get drunk and stoned. She said she was never around anyway, unless it was to steal money out of her purse; And she just didn’t wanna deal with her anymore,”

“...But she was only fifteen at the time,” Rafael was stunned.

“Yeah, and that’s what I told her!” Sonny exclaimed. “Look Barba my mom is the salt of the earth, but like I said she had a lot on her plate and my dad wasn’t around a lot-- and she had three other daughters to watch out for,”

“Three of her OWN daughters,” Rafael clarified with a judgmental tone.

“HEY,” Sonny warned. “I know how it sounds. And maybe-- maybe you’re right, maybe that’s why she washed her hands clean of Sunny. Because she was just a by-product of her fucked up sister. But I-- I’m not gonna condemn her for it. And you sure as hell don’t get to judge her,”

“You’re right,” Rafael nodded while sipping his scotch.

“So I took Sunny in,” Sonny finished his beer as he wrapped up his story. “I took her in while I went through the police academy. I made sure she got sober, quit hangin’ out with those girls, I got her to do well in school, hell I got her to graduate high school!”

“And…?” Rafael pressed.

“...And when I started bouncing around precincts, she was finally a productive member of society so she started living on her own. She had a few jobs, but never really going anywhere. So once I got placed here in SVU and started making better money, I started helping her out with rent and her car, as long as she promised to start going to community college. Which she agreed to because she really does wanna make something of herself,” He half smiled thinking about how far you had come and how proud he was to call you his cousin now. You were so full of life with dreams and ambitions he never saw in you as a scared little kid.

“Okay so-- how does all of this lead to what happened tonight?” Rafael leaned back and crossed his arms.

“Because she’s still an addict, Barba!” Sonny tried not to yell, but didn’t understand why Rafael was still so flippant about you.

“Just because she got her life together-- I got her life together, doesn’t mean that she just got ‘better’. She’s on a daily see-saw of sobriety. I do weekly ‘drop ins’ just to check on her. It’s gotten a lot better as time goes on, and the less and less I worry about her, but--” He took a breath and looked at the floor.

“....Deep down she’s still that little girl with all of her walls and her distrust. She doesn’t have friends, I really don’t think she’s ever had a stable ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend,’ I mean she-- she doesn’t, talk to people,” He paused before looking up and into Rafael’s eyes.

“...Which is why it has been yankin' my chain tryin’ to figure out just why in God’s name she was so-- open, to you,” He finally admitted. “She’s never been that close to anybody else but me, not in her entire life,”

“Wait,” Rafael put a finger up. “So...you haven’t actually been jealous of Y/N this whole time, you’ve been jealous of me?” He half laughed.

“I mean, it’s a little of both,” He shrugged with a small smile, able to joke about his feelings now. “But I meant what I said when I first got here, I know the main thing that Y/N needs in her life right now is stability. And you-- you are not stable, in the least,”

“Oh I’m the unstable one?” Rafael raised an eyebrow.

“Relationship wise, yeah,” Sonny pointed out.

“....Fair point,” Rafael nodded as he finished off his scotch. He knew the longest relationship he had ever had was with the cute barista he saw every morning who knew how to make his coffee just right. And that relationship only took him five minutes a day to maintain.

“So…” Sonny knocked Rafael from his thoughts.

“So...what?” Rafael quirked an eyebrow.

“So, I think that--” Sonny took a deep breath, knowing you might hate him for this. But it was for the best, and it needed to be said.

“I think that if you care anything about her, or me for that matter, that you let me take her home, and forget about this whole weekend,”

“....I mean…” Rafael rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't want to let you go. Well, he didn't want to let go of the girl he had met at Forlini's. The girl who made him laugh, who he could be his true self around, the girl he might---

“Look the bottom line here Barba is that Y/N is-- a lot of work. I should know, I’ve been taking care of her for 19 years. But I don’t mind it, because I love her more than anything else in this world. Well, her and the rest of my family. But still-- I love her,” Sonny now stood up.

“And I get that you like her, but she--- she has gotten way too serious about you way too fast, and way too hard. And this?” He gestured around the room, referring to the whole night. “This ain’t even the tip of the iceberg with her, if she’s really fallen off the wagon,”

“...God dammit,” Rafael stood up and began to pace in his living room. He thought about every single second he had spent with you since he met you; you had never seemed so...broken, as Sonny was describing you.

“What I’m saying is, unless you’re ready to-- ‘deal’ with her, and everything that comes with that, please for the love of God, just walk away now,” Sonny pleaded.

“Because she won’t listen to me if I tell her to stay away from you. And if things get too ‘real’ for you, you’re just gonna freak out or-- or get bored, and throw her away. Her self worth will drop to shit. And if that happens, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get her back from that,”

“I would never just throw her away, Carisi,” Rafael rolled his eyes.

“You can’t say that, Barba,” Sonny debated.

“And why the hell not?” Rafael narrowed his eyes.

“Because you’ve never NOT just ‘thrown away’ someone,” He chuckled. “That front door might as well be a garbage chute,”

“You son of a--” Rafael started to yell at him but Sonny cut him off.

“Tell me I’m wrong, Barba. Look me in the eyes and tell me I have no idea what I’m talking about, and I’ll leave here and let you deal with her the way you want to,” Sonny looked at him pensively. Rafael looked at him for several seconds, then softened his glare into a sad concession.

“....Take her,” He muttered softly while looking at the ground.

“Thank you,” Sonny mumbled softly as he turned to go retrieve your passed out self from the bedroom. However, he was instead met with the most unsettling sight:

You were standing in the doorway of the room, glaring at the two of them.

“...H-Hey, Sunshine--” Sonny tried to appease you with an awkward smile.

“Don’t,” You growled, stomping into the living room and began packing your bag.

“Y/N, what are you--” Rafael went to put a hand on your bag but you snatched it away before you shot fire out of your eyes into his gaze.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I misunderstand what you just said?” You barked at him with tears in your eyes. “Because I’m pretty damn sure I heard ‘take her’. You know like I’m some sort of defective Amazon package,”

“That’s not what I meant---” He softly spoke, the guilt of his words being heard by you was quickly eating him alive.

“No I know what you meant, Rafael,” You zipped your duffel shut angrily.

“I heard the whole god damn spiel. Which, by the way, thank you so much for detailing my entire little sob story, cousin,” You glared at Sonny as you started walking towards the front door, shoulder checking him.

“But neither of you have to worry about anything anymore, okay? You’re released from your ‘duties’. This trainwreck is leaving the station, so you can relax,” You looked at the both of them with pain in your eyes, tears cracking your words.

“Sunshine--” Sonny started after you.

“DON’T,” You glared at him while putting a finger up. “Don’t ever call me that again,”

“At least let me drive you home--”

“No,” You shook your head. “And you know what, cuz? I didn’t realize I was such a financial burden, so you know what? Cut me off. Because I’d rather be homeless again than take any more money from you,”

“What did I do?!” Sonny was now angry. “All I did was come over and try to protect you, that’s it!”

“I don’t need your protection!” You screamed. “This whole time...this whole time, I thought you were proud of me. That you trusted me,”

“I do trust you--”

“You don’t!” You stomped your foot while tears streamed down your face. “Y-You think that if . one single thing like a boy not liking me is gonna set me off, like I’m some kind of bomb you’ve kept from detonating for years. My life is not your responsibility anymore, Sonny! I don’t think it ever was!”

“Well who’s else was it gonna be?!”

“NOBODY’S!!!!” You finally dropped your duffel bag and kicked the wall, leaning your head against it. You were strangely quiet for a long pause before you spoke again in an eerily calm voice.

“...Do you know why my mother “dropped me off’ with your mother?”

“Because she couldn’t take care of you--”

“No I heard what you said,” You sniffled with a sad smile. “Because she didn’t want to,”

“Sunshine--”

“But leaving me with your mother, was her plan b,” You cut him off, still looking at the floor.

“What do you mean?” Sonny asked cautiously while looking at Rafael who had a terrified look in his eyes.

“She didn’t want to ‘burden’ her sister with me, but she had to when I wouldn’t die,”

“...W-What?” Rafael almost choked on the words in disbelief.

“She tried to smother me with a pillow, but I wouldn’t die. I kept screaming and crying, and I guess it touched her strand of humanity, so she stopped,” You rolled your eyes with the same sad smile.

That memory was forever imprinted in your brain. The terror of being woken up in blackness, unable to breathe. The smell of the cigarette smoke covered pillow being shoved into your throat and nostrils. Your mother crying and telling you it would be over soon, just to let go. And finally her sad, pathetic whimpers and sobs when she finally lifted the pillow from you, disappointed in herself that she couldn’t do one good thing in her life. That now she was going to have to pass you, her problem, onto her sister.

“Y/N, baby girl--” Sonny stepped towards you again.

“I wasn’t supposed to be raised by anybody, Sonny. I’m not even supposed to be alive!” You stomped your foot again while tears continued to flow.

“That’s not true!” He ran over and grabbed you in a hug. “You are not a burden,”

“Really?” You laughed sarcastically into his shoulder as you pushed him away from the hug. “You just said your mom didn’t even want to deal with me. Nobody did,”

“I did!” He argued. “I do,”

“Yeah well, maybe I’m my mother’s daughter. I don’t wanna be your burden,” You picked up the duffel and opened the door.

“Okay well you have no choice in that so you’re gonna have to let that go,” Sonny grabbed your hand before you could walk away.

“Fine,” You finally conceded with a blank expression.

“Guess I’ll just have to let a lot of things go, won’t I?” Your voice cracked as you looked at Rafael one more time with the saddest eyes.

He stared back at you with a stone cold face. He wanted so badly just to go and hold you in his arms, telling you how you didn’t deserve any of what happened to you, and that you deserved everything good and all the love in the world. But Sonny’s pleas were still in his head.

He didn’t know if he wanted the responsibility of your entire self worth and happiness, let alone your sobriety on his shoulders. He didn’t even like to get close to clients with that many issues, the pressure was too much. So instead he just stood there, trying not to show how much this was killing him, sending you away like this.

“Come on Sunshine, just-- let’s go, okay?” Sonny pleaded with you softly, pulling at your hand. You didn’t answer, you just nodded and started walking down the hallway towards the elevator, leaving Sonny at the door.

“...Thank you, Barba,” He mumbled softly, nodding at Rafael. Rafael barely nodded back before Sonny closed the door.

As soon as it was closed, Rafael dropped on his knees and began to cry. He didn’t know why exactly, was he crying because he felt horrible for all the shit you had gone through? Was he angry at himself for not being able to get over his own bullshit to actually open up and care about someone for more than a week? Was he really that big of a hypocrite, showing empathy to clients all the time but shutting out the one person he felt he might-- he couldn’t even think it. He wouldn’t let himself think it. He just composed himself and poured another scotch while turning on the TV, trying to forget what just happened.

His NETFLIX menu popped up; it asked him if he wanted to continue watching Bojack Horseman. He closed his eyes and muttered obscenities in spanish while memories of the night before flooded his brain, making him cry angry tears once more. He finally decided just to go to bed, maybe his brain would release him from torture if he could turn it off.

He wasn’t sure he could ever turn it off now.

#rafael barba #rafael barba angst #rafael barba x you #rafael barba x reader #law and order svu fanfiction #svu fanfiction #sonny carisi #weird secret friends #rafael barba imagine

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startanewdream · 3 years

Text

Godfather duty

Summary: When James is surprised by Sirius and Harry coming home drunk four in the morning, he questions himself when he got too old for that.

For @theblueocean

Part of the Jily Lives AU

Rated M for mentions of underage drinking and some swearing.

Read on AO3 with all the correct italics, or below the cut:

_________

His eyelids feel heavy, but James keeps writing. He is almost finishing the first draft of the article for Transfiguration Today; it's due Sunday and he still has five days to finish it, but James is really anxious for presenting it. It's not his first paper for that magazine, but his article will be the headline this time, and he promised himself he would send them in advance as much as he could - and he still needs to send it to Minerva for her to read and review.

It feels a lot like he is back in school doing essays, but James doesn't remember being that excited back at Hogwarts - well, not about homework anyway.

He puts the final dot and lets the quill rest, satisfied. He will proofread in the morning, maybe even rewrite altogether from a different perspective, but it's done and it's a competent article, he knows.

Human transfiguration was always a point of interest to him.

He raises, stretching up and looking at his watch. It's past four in the morning already; he really lost track of time. He remembers Lily calling him to go to bed - and then he promised her he would go in a minute, which he clearly forgot.

He suppresses a yawn as he leaves the library, thinking only of sinking on his bed when he hears a sound coming from the front porch.

All his sleepiness is gone instantly, and he turns with his wand already raised, alarmed and with his instincts screaming even though it’s been months since the war ended; someone is turning the doorknob. The spell is almost leaving his lips when the door opens wide and he sees Harry's joyful face.

Harry is not alone; Sirius is with him, their arms around each other in a brotherly gesture and for a moment James has a flashback of himself with Sirius with that same easiness, both of them beaming happily and goofy; it's a memory of twenty years ago, of a night they went around Muggle London joining a pub crawl that ended up with James' mother finding them passed out in the middle of the Potter’s living room in Godric’s Hollows.

A lot of things happened that night - a flight from the Muggle police when they tried to climb Cleopatra’s Needle, an attempt to perform a serenade to Lily only to realize they were on the wrong street and throwing eggs at Grimmauld Place number twelve - but what he remembers clearer is the smell of the alcohol on him as he woke up next morning - and then the taste of it all as he threw it all up.

And right now Sirius and Harry have that same smell of cheap whiskey mixed with beer.

James blinks, confused. As far as he thought, Harry had been back from work hours ago - James was sure Harry had been sleeping on his bed right now.

It’s evident he was wrong.

‘Hi, Prongs’, Sirius says, grinning from ear-to-ear, sounding much steadier than James would have guessed from the smell coming from them. ‘Care to let us in?’

'What's going on?', James asks, worried, stepping aside to let them enter. Both of them are stumbling, but James has the impression that Sirius is supporting Harry more than the opposite.

For some reason his question makes them look at each other.

'What I said?', Sirius asks Harry as if they are sharing some old joke. Harry lets out of one of his rare carefree giggles. 'What d'you think we are doing, dear Prongs?'

'Coming home drunk in the middle of the night?’

‘Chill out, Dad’, Harry says, winking at him.

Chill out?

‘It’s four in the morning of a Tuesday - I thought you were home already!’

‘I had to work late’, Harry answers immediately, grinning. Sirius takes him to the living room, trying to help him on the couch, but Harry slides to the floor, falling on the carpet.

‘On a bar?’

‘It’s for work’, Harry insists, eyes open as if that was obvious.

‘It was a very important mission’, Sirius agrees. ‘Stealth. Mixing with locals. Spying on people’.

‘Oh, were there Death Eaters on that bar?’, James asks, rolling his eyes.

‘It could have been! Harry needs to know how to handle his alcohol!’

Harry giggles.

‘I handle it very well’, he says proudly, clapping his hands. ‘Tell him, Sirius’.

‘He won us money on darts. He even closed his eyes for the last shot. You would be proud!’

‘That you were letting my barely out-of-age kid bet on games?’

Sirius rolls his eyes.

‘Everything was under control, he won. Stop worrying, I was on godfather duty tonight -’

‘Between a drink and another, you mean?’

‘ - and I brought him home, right?’

‘Speaking of that’, James raises his eyebrows, now sounding openly reproachful. ‘How did you come home? Don’t tell me you drank and apparated’.

‘I would never!’

‘Or that motorbike - if you came here flying, I swear I will -’

‘Relax, Dad!’, Harry intervenes, now raising on a jump, ignoring how he tumbles in the process. ‘We got a cab. Eeeeeeverything under control’.

James watches his son go to the cabinet in the room, searching for something until he takes out a feather to doodle something on a parchment, not realizing it’s a grocery list.

‘I see the control’, he says dryly. ‘What are you doing, Harry?’

‘I am making a howler’.

‘What? What for?’

‘To howl, duh - hey!’, he turns to Sirius, his eyes sparkling madly. ‘Remus never sends letters - he only sends howlers!’

Sirius chuckles. ‘I howl too! Owoooooo!’

‘Hey, hey, you are going to wake up Lily!’

‘And?’

‘And maybe you don’t want her to see what you did to Harry - Harry, stop that, you are not sending anyone a howler’.

‘I have to tell Ginny I love her!’

‘She already knows, I am sure, you’ve told her’.

‘But I never yelled it!’

‘And she loves you more because of that, come on, give me that letter’.

‘I knew he wouldn’t let you send it’, Sirius says, his voice now smug. ‘Prongsie is old’.

James rolls his eyes.

‘Same age as you, Pads’, he remembers distantly, taking the letter from Harry, though now he realizes he didn’t need to worry. Harry’s letter is unintelligible and he doubts he could cast the spell to turn into a howler.

Harry pouts.

‘Sirius is right, you are square’.

‘What?’

‘We can never have fun’.

‘And you are so serious - more than me, haha!’, Sirius adds, now laying down lazily on the couch, his legs spread. James is about to complain that his shoes are all muddy and Sirius should take them out, but he stops.

Oh, Merlin, he is really getting a bit square, isn’t he?

‘I can be fun’, he stresses, making Sirius let out one of his bark laughs.

‘Yeah, years ago. Before you were a dad - no offence, Harry’.

Harry doesn’t seem to have heard him, which James considers a shame. Harry would surely defend him - he was a cool dad to Harry.

No, he is still a cool dad. The kind that Harry can feel at will to talk about anything, that supports Harry and that is always there for him.

Except that Harry didn’t tell him about working late tonight or going to a bar. Except Harry and Sirius didn’t ask for his company.

And if they did - he thinks of the paper he just finished and how excited he was for it.

He would have said no.

That’s not very cool of him.

‘I will take a flight!’, Harry declares, his eyes shining with this idea and for once James doesn’t feel satisfied with the mischievousness in him.

‘No drinking and flying’, James says sternly, and he decides that he will have to remain uncool for a little longer. ‘You - you stay here! Sirius - watch him. Better than you did so far, I mean’.

Sirius grimaces, evidently annoyed, but he sits next to Harry, who is now mumbling something incomprehensible, though Sirius seems to be listening to him with attention. James leaves them in the living room, locking the door behind him just in case, and goes to Lily’s office hoping she has stored a Hangover Potion. He is in no luck, of course; it’s been years since he and Lily even needed one - James believes it comes with the age knowing when to stop - and there was nothing in Harry’s latest behaviour that showed them they would need it.

For a second James almost considers waking up Lily, knowing she would make the potion in minutes, but he doesn’t want her to see the mess Harry is right now; it’s far better she hears it later than witnessing first hand. He grabs a small cauldron and the ingredients he will need and returns to the living room.

In the few minutes he was out, Harry and Sirius managed to make things strangely worse. There is snow in the room, that he sees Sirius casting from his wand; Harry is perfectly still, the snow making a sort of white hat on his head, his arms wide open and also covered in snow.

‘What -’, James tries to ask, but he just blinks at the weirdness on the scene.

‘Shhhh’, Sirius says, a finger on his lips. ‘Don’t distract him!’

‘What is Harry doing?’

‘Isn’t it obvious? Disguise training! He is a snowman!’

‘He is missing a carrot nose’, James notes, grimacing, and that makes Sirius turn his wand to Harry’s face. ‘I am joking!’

It’s too late; there is a flash of light and then there is a carrot on Harry’s face, replacing his nose.

‘Sirius!’, Harry complains, raising his hand to touch his new nose. His voice is muffled. ‘I can’t have a nose this big! How can I snog Ginny now?’

‘That’s your concern?’, James asks, half-amused, now taking out Sirius’ wand to make sure he doesn’t cast any more magic.

‘I will poke her in the eye!’, Harry says, moping, scratching the tip of his pointy nose thoughtfully.

‘I will transform you back as soon as you drink this potion, now lay still’. Harry sighs, sitting on the couch. Sirius sits next to him, patching him in the back as if he weren’t the one that turned Harry’s nose into a carrot in the first place.

‘Your nose matches her hair’, he says bracingly. ‘You will look beautiful together’.

‘I am not sure this is much comfort, Padfoot’, James notes, placing the cauldron in the fireplace and starting to throw in the ingredients. He could add something for the taste, but he believes the bitterness helps build character.

‘Well, I got him quiet, didn’t I?’, Sirius asks, pointing at Harry who is now sitting on the couch, still playing with his carrot nose.

‘You could have messed up so badly’.

‘I am not that drunk - I watched over your kid, no matter what you think of me’.

James shakes his head.

‘Letting him drink that much? He barely can stand - what if someone -’

‘The war is over, James’, Sirius tells him, sounding much grim now. ‘And like I said, I was there. Me, half-a-dozen junior Aurors and some seniors too’.

‘Unless any Death Eater threat would be a challenge to a drinking contest, I don’t think it would make much difference’.

‘Oh, Merlin’. Sirius sighs, walking to the drink cabinet and opening it to take a bottle of firewhiskey. ‘Here, drink this’.

‘What?’

‘You are sober, I hate talking to sober people when I am pissed. Sober people are boring’.

‘I am not boring’, James complains, pushing away the bottle that Sirius extends in his direction. ‘And I am past the age of being forced to drink to look cool’.

‘Then drink because it’s nice!’, Sirius says forcefully now. ‘Drink because you are alive! Drink because you are happy! Drink because for the first time in his life your son is properly pissed!’

‘That’s not a reason -’

‘That’s enough reason! He is eighteen! What age were we when we first got pissed?’

‘Seventeen’. Sirius raises his eyebrows, waiting for him, and James flushes, turning his attention to the cauldron. The potion is almost over. ‘Fine, fifteen - but it didn’t count, we weren’t thinking straight then’.

‘Yeah. Our first transformation’, Sirius remembers, but there is something heavy on his voice now.

‘What is the problem, Padfoot?’

‘Nothing’.

That makes James stop. He takes the cauldron out of the fire, to let the potion cool down, and turns to Sirius, watching him. Sirius’ eyes are watery as he always gets when he drinks, but he sustains James’ look for a surprisingly full two minutes before he sighs.

‘Fine, you are the problem’.

‘Me? You take my son out for a drink without telling me, return home four in the morning and I am the problem?’

‘Look at what you are saying! He is of age! He was with his friends - and his very trustable godfather! He was having fun for once in his life, instead of living that responsible life you want for him’.

‘Responsible?’, James repeats, dumbfounded. Nobody had ever accused him of wanting to do the responsible thing. ‘I am just being his father’.

‘Well, maybe Harry doesn’t need his father anymore’.

There is a long pause after that. James blinks, once, twice, very slowly, trying to understand what Sirius means by that, and it’s only when he reaches for the drink cabinet to get a glass for the potion, that Sirius moves.

‘Shit - I didn’t mean like that - sorry, James, it’s not -’

‘No, I get it’, James says, his voice forcefully steady. ‘Harry wants the cool father figure that allows him everything - and, well, Sirius “what’s life without a little risk” Black is perfect for that’.

‘Don’t be absurd - that kid worships the ground you walk upon -’

‘And yet he was with you, not me. I get it. I am a father, not a friend’. He offers Sirius a full glass. ‘Drink this, you’ll feel better tomorrow’.

‘No, I deserve the hangover tomorrow, but that’s beside the point. It’s my fault’.

‘I don’t think you forced Harry to drink’, James notes dryly, sitting next to Harry to help him drink the potion. Harry seems to be in another world now, but he obliges to James’ help without questioning.

‘No, that was all on him - I mean it, he’d make you proud, he won a drinking contest with Thompson and he is twice Harry’s size - er, not helping, sorry’. Sirius sits on the other side of Harry. ‘He was going to tell you we’d be out for a drink. And I didn't let him'.

'Why? Why would you -'

'Because I thought you would overreact. Worry too much about him. Don't let him have any fun'.

'I would not -'

'And because I thought he'd ask you to come’.

James blinks. Between them, Harry lays his head on James' shoulder, now watching Sirius with mild curiosity.

‘I would ask’, he agrees, a note of pride in his voice.

'Am I that bad company?', James asks in a low voice. Sirius shakes his head.

'Would you come with us?', he challenges. James keeps his gaze for a few seconds, but just like Sirius didn't lie for him before, he wouldn't dare speak anything but the truth.

'No, I had things to do today'.

'That article', Sirius scoffs. 'You don't talk about anything else'.

James frowns.

'It's really important - a chance of -'

'Getting yourself a name, I know, I know. But see -', his grey eyes are burning over James now, somewhat desperate. 'The Prongs I know would never care for reputation'.

'Sirius…'

'The Prongs I know would be honest with me'.

'I am - what are you -'

'I heard you and Kingsley, ok?', he blows off. 'Registering as an animagus? After all this time?'

There is another silence, broken only by the crackling fire.

'I was going to tell you', James says finally. 'I didn't think it was important - you don't have to register too -'

'That's not the point - you are breaking our trust -'

'It's just an entry on a list. It doesn’t change anything, I will keep our full moon nights -'

'When Remus has time, you mean?', he asks, sounding bitter now. 'He missed the last two, he'd rather stay home -'

'He has a kid now -'

'So do you and… you guys are getting old and responsible and too serious for me'.

'Nobody is more serious than you', James says, smiling at him, but Sirius just rolls his eyes and grabs the bottle of firewhiskey on the coffee table, taking a sip.

James extends his hand. Sirius raises one eyebrow, in disbelief, and his expression only relaxes a little when James takes a long sip of the firewhiskey. The drink burns his throat, infusing him with that weird dose of courage and a will to do something, but James just sighs.

'You are no less serious because of it', Sirius notes.

'I got serious - the war, the first one and then the second one and everything - and I think I forgot how to relax - but that doesn't mean… you are my brother, Sirius'.

'The annoying prettier baby brother?'

'You are older', James says, grinning, and after a second of hesitation, Sirius smiles too. 'You can invite me - I mean, we can do things together. Even if it sounds - or is - stupid'.

'Things together like… registering our animagus form?'

James rests against the couch, and Harry moves his head to rest more comfortably on his shoulders; James thinks he will sleep soon.

'You don't need to do it too - Kingsley already knows about you and he is the bloody Minister of Magic, isn't he? This was not about doing the responsible thing'.

'Then why -'

'I want the credit'. James presses his lips, before admitting something he didn't even share with Lily yet. 'I talked to Minerva - if I get back to my studies, get enough recommendation to be approved by the board, I could get her position'.

Sirius blinks, startled.

'Her position? You mean -'

'Transfiguration professor, yeah'.

He looks away now, feeling somewhat embarrassed. It had never really been an ambition - teaching was much more something Remus had always wanted to do than him; James had been glad to focus on his studies and develop new theories of transfiguration until then.

But ever since Minerva had vented that possibility to him a few weeks after the end of the war, when they were repairing one of the halls destroyed in the battle, that thought had been on his mind. He wasn't in a rush, but the idea of getting back to Hogwarts, this time as a professor, watching other students learn from him as much as he had learned from Minerva McGonagall… he couldn't deny that idea had taken root in his mind.

James always teased her that he had been her favourite student, but the fact was that she was his favourite professor and there was some part of him that wanted to impress her and prove himself good enough to replace her someday.

He waits for Sirius' response, but there is only a silence that doesn't seem good.

'I know it's huge', James mumbles. 'There are others far more capacitated than me, I am starting now to -'

'Shut your mouth, Prongs', interrupts Sirius, and James turns to him. There is a grin on his face. 'Being humble never suited you'.

James laughs softly.

'I wasn’t trying to', he assures him.

'I thought - I thought you had wanted to do the right thing. You know, registering just because you wanted to follow the law, as if… as if you were ashamed of what we did illegally -'

'Now it's you who needs to shut up, Padfoot'. He takes another sip of the firewhiskey. ‘Animagus at age of fifteen? I’m damn proud of it. Also, that’s the only thing that I have done that’s cooler than half the stuff Harry got into’.

‘Yeah, I suppose it’s hard when your son is a bloody hero’.

Harry chooses that moment to start snoring loudly, which sends James and Sirius into a fit of laughter. James raises, careful to let Harry sleep on the couch, and Harry doesn’t look remotely close to waking up.

‘I am glad you took him out for a drink’, James says, taking out Harry’s glasses. ‘I was just jealous - it should have been me’.

‘I am sure there will be another occasion’, Sirius says dismissively. ‘He will probably forget every embarrassing thing he did, you know how that works’.

‘Oh, he embarrassed himself?’, James asks, a glint of fun on his eyes. Sirius smirks.

‘That happy giggling Harry you saw? Just the last stage. He was all cocky at first - that’s how we got into that darts bet’.

‘Harry? My son? Cocky?’

‘Oh, yeah, he reminded me a lot of you’, Sirius’ smirk increases. ‘He was strutting and all’.

‘Tell me you took pictures of it’.

‘I would never’, Sirius declares, though James isn’t sure he believes him this time. ‘And then he got very… honest’.

‘That doesn’t sound good for that stealth mission’.

Sirius shakes his head.

‘If he was spilling out Auror secrets I would be happier - no, instead I had to hear about the time he and Ginny -’

‘Nope, nope, I don’t want to know’.

‘Well, me neither, I won’t ever use your Invisibility Cloak again, you can be sure. But anyway - that’s why he got here so drunk. I decided vodka was the only way to shut him up properly’.

Sirius looks so satisfied with himself and his choices, that James knows what he has to do.

‘It’s late’, he says pleasantly. ‘Crash here tonight’.

‘Oh, I think I will - I am not fit to apparate’.

‘Let’s go upstairs then’.

‘And Harry?’

‘Oh, look at him. He is sleeping so well, he can stay here tonight’.

‘If you are sure’.

‘Yeah, yeah, everything will be fine’.

_________

James has slept barely four hours when he wakes up with Lily’s cry. He puts on his robe lazily, waiting a few minutes to go downstairs; when he passes Sirius’ room, the door is already opened.

Good.

He finds them all together in the toilet next to the kitchen, and by the sounds coming out of there, his Hangover Potion wasn’t very efficient.

‘We were working late, Lily’, Sirius is saying, sounding properly desperate. ‘And we went out for a drink -’

‘It was a Tuesday night! He has to work in one hour!’

‘So do I - but you see, I’m his boss, so everything is fine! Also, I don’t think any of the boys will show up -’

‘Perfect’, Lily interrupts him, her eyes sending daggers in Sirius’ direction. ‘Then you can take care of him’. She sees James. ‘Did you know about this?’

‘Me? I was working late on my text, you know’, he answers, yawning and looking very innocent.

Sirius waits until Lily is out for the kitchen to turn to James, his eyes narrowed.

‘You knew she would be mad. That’s why you told me to stick around’.

‘If I knew how my dear wife would react to knowing you got our son pissed? How could I?’

Sirius grimaces as there is another retching sound coming from the bathroom.

‘Oh, you better go there and don’t forget to keep Harry hydrated’.

‘Watch it’, Sirius says, but he goes into the bathroom anyway. ‘I won’t ever show you the pictures’.

James shrugs, undisturbed.

‘That’s fine. Next time Harry gets drunk, I will be there’.

‘I won’t ever ever ever drink again’, Harry moans, hugging the toilet seat now, his face sweaty.

‘Oh, kid, we’ve all been there’, Sirius sighs, flushing down the toilet and helping Harry raise.

James grins to himself, glad that Sirius is doing his godfather duty once again, and leaves them alone.

#Eyes glistening #james and sirius #harry and sirius #James and Harry #just a bunch of drunks #and a dad dealing with it #James is not old come on #jily lives is a happier world

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sgtbradfords · 3 years

Note

“Is that my shirt?” For a Chenford prompt! Love your writing♥️

Thank you for the prompt anon! I hope this does the prompt justice 😉

Send me a prompt from this list!

When Lucy Chen woke up that morning it wasn’t to the sound of her alarm, no. It was to the sound of a fist banging on her front door before Jackson West barged into the room.

“Chen! Let’s go, we’re going to be late!” She heard as she startled awake, sitting up.

“Shit!” She yelled throwing back the covers as she stumbled out of the bed, her body wavering as her feet hit the floor.

“What happened?” Jackson asked from the doorway as Lucy began to run around her room.

“I don’t know! I think my phone died last night while I was on the phone with-“ she began telling him as she threw on the first articles of acceptable clothing she could find. “Can I borrow your charger in the car?”

“Sure. But hurry we're going to be late.”

“Thanks roomie!” she yelled as he walked out.

Lucy hurriedly finished getting dressed, throwing on a pair of flats to go with her outfit before grabbing her duffle bag, keys and phone before running out of the apartment. She took the stairs down, two at a time, towards the main floor, swinging the metal door that separates the inside from the outside as she sprinted to Jackson’s waiting car.

“This is not how I wanted to start my Friday!” she huffed to her roommate and friend as she shut the door, buckling quickly as they headed out onto the street.

Jackson held out his right hand, a wrapped breakfast bar laid in his palm. “I grabbed you breakfast.”

Lucy took it, unwrapping and taking a bite as she plugged up her phone. “Thank you.” She said between another bite.

“So, who were you talking to so late last night that caused your phone to die?”

Lucy grimaced. “You caught that huh?”

Jackson nodded. “If you’re not ready to talk about it, that’s ok. But at least tell me you ran a background check on him.”

She snorted. “I did and I promise that his intentions are sound.”

“His intentions?” Jackson questioned, looking over his sunglasses to the girl in the passenger seat. “And just what is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that it’s kind of serious.” She shrugged. “We’ve been on a few dates. He’s been to mine, I’ve been to his. He even FaceTimed my parents once.”

“He’s met your parents? And just how long has this-“

Jackson began to ask as Lucy’s phone charging in the cup holder began chiming. She picked it up, scrolling through her missed messages.

“Huh. That’s weird.”

“What?”

“I got a message from Grey telling me to plain clothes it today. Wonder what that’s all about.”

“Special assignment maybe? We are P2s now.”

Lucy furrowed her brow as she fired off a text message before she began fixing her hair into a bun. “Maybe, I guess we’ll find out during roll call.”

They made idle conversation going down the road as Lucy fixed her light make-up, Jackson steering the car into the parking lot, parking in their normal spot. “Hey, did you finish that report about the robbery from yesterday?”

Lucy grabbed her things, exiting the car. “Yeah, I need to thank Nolan for the backup. If he didn’t show when he did, I would hate to think what could have happened.”

They enter the department, Lucy telling Jackson about the two men who tried to rob the convenience store granny before they went their separate ways to the locker rooms.

Lucy placed her bag into her locker, grabbing her badge, holstering her gun, and double checking her ankle holster before she pocketed her knife.

“Hey, good catch yesterday with the Gardner Twins. They’re regulars, always in and out of jail but I heard that the old woman held her own?” Nyla congratulated as she adjusted the duty belt she just put on.

Lucy laughed, heading for the door. “Yeah, when I pulled up on scene, she had one held at gun point and the other at cane point which would have been nothing if it wasn’t for the blade sticking out of it.”

“Sounds like that is one grandma not to be messed with.”

“Definitely not, she had brass knuckles and pepper spray in her purse too.” Lucy told Nyla as they entered the meeting room, both taking their respective seats with the others at their tables in the back.

Angela Lopez walked in, sitting down beside Lucy. “Morning.”

“Morning.”

Angela turned around to Nyla, asking a question before she turned back around to the front. “Nice shirt.”

“Than-“ Lucy began saying as she looked down, stopping her words in their tracks. ‘Oh no.’ her mind repeated frantically. In her haste to get dressed she didn’t pay attention to the shirt she put on, sure she knew the olive green color, knew it would match her dark washed jeans but ‘I should have looked in the mirror.’ was really a statement she needed stamped on her forehead.

“Morning.” Tim said as he sat down in the chair next to Nyla. “You get a special assignment or something?” he asked, looking at his former rookie.

Lucy was still amidst her internal conflict. ‘Should I go change? How could I have been so stupid, this is what I get for not laying my clothes out last night.’

“Boot!” Tim said sternly, his voice a tone he hasn’t used on her in a while, pulling her out of her stupor.

“I’m sorry, did you ask something?”

“Yeah, what’s with the plain clothes?”

Lucy shrugged. “Grey told me to dress down.”

“And that means wearing your boyfriend’s shirt?” snorted Angela as she took a sip of her coffee.

Lucy panicked. “Oh this? This isn’t my boyfriend’s, it’s Jackson’s.”

“Jackson was in the Army?” Angela smirked, pointing out the green shirt with black lettering.

“No, it’s Sterling’s. He wore it on that military movie he made a few years ago.”

Angela looked at her incredulously before glancing at Nyla and Tim who was watching the interaction with great intent. “Uh-huh.”

“Alright let’s settle down and get to it…” Sergeant Grey said as he took his place behind the podium.

“What’d I miss?” Jackson asked as he quickly sat down in the other chair opposite of Lucy.

“My funeral.” She mumbled.

Jackson turned slightly “What?”

“Nothing.” She said quickly as Grey glared the two down.

Thirty minutes later Sergeant Grey had given Lucy her assignment, assisting the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives undercover at a local bar that was serving alcohol to minors.

“Hey, wait for me.” Said the voice of her former training officer behind her. She slowed her steps, allowing him to join her. “You want a ride?”

“Sure. You set?”

Tim motioned his head towards the garage bay, “Let’s go.”

Lucy may have been the most under qualified of all the female officers in the department to go undercover, but she had what the ATF was looking for and everyone has to start somewhere. She felt a sense of relief when Sergeant Grey partnered her with Tim for the day, the newly appointed Sergeant providing backup in case things went sideways.

“So, what’s your cover again?” Tim asked. He would be parked nearby, listening in with another ATF field agent as Lucy went on a ‘date’ with one of their agents while two others attempted to get served alcohol.

Lucy read the paper in her hand, the information vague besides the location of the bar and who they would be meeting with outside of the bar.

Tim nodded. “Did you bring another shirt?”

“No, Grey didn’t tell me anything other than to wear plain clothes, which I didn’t see till I had already left my apartment.”

“Isn’t that my shirt?” he asked, smirking.

“Apparently I feel asleep talking to someone on the phone last night and never plugged it up, which caused my phone to die, so my alarm to never went off and Jackson had to wake me up. I was in a bit of a rush this morning getting dressed and thought I was putting on my olive swing top.” She glared.

“I’m not complaining, you look better in it anyways.”

“Yeah, well I’m pretty sure Angela knows it’s yours.”

Tim shrugged “She’s a Detective for a reason. It was cute you know.”

“What was cute?”

“Hearing you snore.”

Lucy opened her mouth “I do not snore!”

“You do.” He laughed. “I can’t believe I never noticed it before last night.”

“I was tired, yesterday was a long day. Besides, it’s probably nothing compared to the logs that you saw at night.”

Tim looked at her before agreeing with what she said. “I’m not going to deny that. But at least my feet don’t feel like blocks of ice.”

“I can’t help that my feet stay cold! I don’t like wearing socks to bed.”

“Lucy, I don’t mind being your personal heater but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to keep an extra blanket or two next to the beds.”

Lucy thought for a moment as she pulled her hair out of its hold, tousling the brown waves. “Fine.”

“Or we could just make it bed, as in singular.” He offered as he parked the shop next to the curb.

“Is that your way of asking me to move in with you?”

“I don’t know, is it? We've been together almost a year, we're both in a good place right now and half of your closet is in my bedroom closet." He reminded her as he grabbed the handheld radio mounted to the dash.”7-Adam-19 show us out for special assignment.”

“7-Adam-19 10-4.”

“You don’t have to answer now, we can talk about more after shift.” He told her as he stepped out of the car. “You ready?” he asked as Lucy nodded her head, moving towards the small group of people on the sidewalk. “Let’s knock ‘em dead boot. Agent Edwards? Sergeant Tim Bradford this is Officer Lucy Chen, glad we could assist you today.”

#the rookie fic #tim bradford x lucy chen #chenford fic #chenford fanfic #fanfic #chenford

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nanagoswife · 3 years

Text

For You? Always.

Chapter Six

Summary: You, Sadie and Ben go out to a local bar, but things go sideways.

W/C: 3.7k

Warnings: Swearing, harassment

<<Previous, Next>>

The rest of that night was spent with the two of you doing more catch-up and talking about current events. It helped you forget about what she had said before about the ‘ultimate test’. In fact, you had forgotten about it completely, making the next day embody a much lighter mood.

With Sadie by your side, you had gone for lunch. You would’ve gone for breakfast, but the two of you were not huge morning people. Sure, you woke up early most days, but the only thing that kept your energy up until the afternoon was purely coffee. So, the two of you decided to wait for the lunch hour.

Then, the rest of the afternoon was spent by the entertainment of watching Sadie’s routine for getting ready to go out. This takes hours for her to do. Even though she started that early on, you knew she probably still wouldn’t be done until after Ben had arrived. Which is why you did warn him to expect that you wouldn’t be leaving right away.

Thinking about seeing Ben again did make you feel happier through the afternoon as well. You had to restrain yourself from telling him to come over earlier, if it weren’t for the fact that you still had to get ready.

By the time Sadie had been close to the end of her procedure, you had begun and finished yours. Tonight you wore a comfortable yet stylish skirt with a button-up dress shirt. Then you were ready. You weren’t one to really put on makeup or style your hair as you felt good just by the way you dressed.

Time rolled by and Ben showed up right as you had told him. That is, five minutes early anyway. Even with that, though, he technically was very early as Sadie was still finishing up.

“So, how was your day dealing with this?” Ben said gesturing towards a quite frantic Sadie.

Stifling a laugh, you turned to him. “I mean, I’ve only dealt with this for almost my whole life. How was yours?”

“It was spent with great boredom until now. I was very close to asking if I could’ve come over early.”

As he said this, guilt that you didn’t ask him to come over early started to creep in until you pushed it away.

“Well you’re here now. Hey, is this the first time you’ve actually been inside of my house?” Ben looked around, taking in his surroundings as he nodded to himself.

“Yeah, I guess it is," he said. "Beautiful.” This he said while looking at you.

Thanking him while pretending he was talking about your place, you blushed and smiled at him with pleasure.

“It can’t be too much better than where you live.”

“Trust me, it is. I have my room but everything else looks almost as if no one lives there. I have my desk for work in the living room with a hardly used T.V., and my kitchen has virtually nothing other than coffee, mugs, cream, sugar, and some other drinks and snacks.”

You laughed in disbelief.

“Really! I’ll show you one day.” He joined you in laughing.

Both of you were brought out of your moment once Sadie had finally finished getting ready.

“You’re lucky. This was one of her quick days,” you whispered to him. He could only give a faint chuckle so Sadie wouldn’t catch on.

Grabbing a few essentials for the night, the three of you walked to the nearby local bar.

On the way, you held Ben’s hand, occasionally walking into him and slightly sending him off of his balance to gain a laugh from the two of you.

Sadie looked back at you with kind smiles as the walk was mostly silent. The bar wasn’t far, only a few minutes away, making the silence short either way.

Walking into the bar, it was a bit busier than usual. That didn’t bother you too much, though, as it was still decently calm and wasn't packed with people.

While you and Ben found a table, Sadie went and got drinks from the bar. You found a booth and this time you sat across from Ben with the expectation that Sadie would sit beside you. Instead, she took a seat beside him after placing the drinks and a serving of deep-fried pickles on the table.

That move confused you a little until you realised this meant she wanted to be able to have more direct conversation with him. You chuckled at the thought that he didn't know what was coming.

Together, you all talked in a much calmer manner than the day before. This time, Sadie hadn’t rambled off in her fast paced story telling, but listened more and had more paced responses and stories.

"Did you know," Sadie started after taking a sip of her drink, "that Y/N was almost always at work in her free time?"

You started to slightly panic. How would Ben react to the days in the cafe? Did he even remember how you always saw him there?

Looking at Ben, his eyes met yours. They were soft and telling of something that you couldn't make out. Not until you realised that it was because he did remember.

"Is that so?" The way he said this, as he looked back to Sadie, confirmed your thoughts.

A sense of relief filled you when he didn't say anything more.

"I swear, we had to pry her away to actually do things."

So as to not give away your unease of the current topic, you chuckled. You wanted to the cafe situation to be more private with Ben. Especially because you kind of liked him back then.

Sadie didn't need to know that Ben was the reason that you started to question your relationship with your boyfriend in high school. All she knew was that there was someone else.

To your immense relief, Sadie changed the topic. It helped you forget the tricky conversation you had narrowly avoided.

A bit later, you decided to grab the next round of drinks as Ben and Sadie had been in a deep conversation about what you could only guess was politics.

You had kept up on it but clearly not as much as those two. Going up to the bar to grab more rounds was a well needed breather.

While you waited, a guy that was not far gave you a friendly greeting. “How’s your evening been?” he asked in a very friendly way.

“Pretty good. I haven’t been here for a while.” you replied as you turned back to wait for your drinks.

He kept talking to you. At first, it slightly annoyed you. All you wanted was to get the drinks and go back to Ben and Sadie.

After a few moments, though, you eventually started to engage more in the conversation. It was actually quite pleasant. The man seemed very friendly and looked genuine in his just wanting to talk.

The man then asked who you were at the bar with. Pointing over to the table, you could see the two were still in deep conversation.

“Well, they look like they’re having fun,” this earned a laugh from you, knowing how passionate Sadie would especially be about the government's situations.

“Yeah, that’s one way to describe it.”

“Well, why don’t I buy you a drink. It doesn’t look like they’ll be paying attention to how long you’ll take.” You agreed, but the way he said that put you off a little. It was true but there was something that seemed weird.

Calling the bartender over so you could say what you wanted, he introduced himself properly. His name was Tony. Over the drink, the two of you started talking a bit more. When you told him what your job was, he almost couldn’t believe it.

“Wait, so if I see any advertising for a book being published by your company?”

“I was most likely the one who made it or signed off on it at the very least,” Tony seemed almost dumbfounded at that fact. It made you laugh.

When Ben realized you hadn’t been back in a while, he pointed it out to Sadie as he looked around. She had looked too.

He found you standing at the bar talking to another man as he heard your laugh. Though he didn’t like it too much, he let you talk. He didn’t want to stop you from finding new friends.

Going back to the conversation with Sadie, he couldn't help but look over constantly as he felt like something wasn’t right.

“Are you okay, Ben?” Sadie asked as she noticed his constant looking over at you.

“Yeah. I just know what some guys can be like. I just want to be ready in case-”

“In case she does something?” He looked down in shame. “Ben. Don’t worry.”

“But I am. Not about what she’ll do, though. What if he tries to force himself on her? I’m not just going to sit here and let it happen.” Sadie gave him a thoughtful smile which only slightly annoyed him.

A bit reluctantly, he turned back to Sadie and continued talking with her. There were a few more things to discuss.

Ben tried to stop looking over, but he couldn't help but notice how the man grew increasingly closer to you. It got to the point that he was now almost grazing against you.

Then, the very thing he feared in that moment happened.

The man you were talking to advanced forward, grabbing your wrists and holding them down to lean forward. Without hesitation, Ben jumped out of the booth and ran over to you.

“No, stop!”

“Get off of her!” Ben yelled as he pushed Tony away. “Don’t you know what the word no fucking means?”

There was anger in his voice which you had never heard. It was even the first time you ever heard him swear. There was something about it that sent chills down your spine.

Off to the side, you saw Sadie come up beside you and pull you into her side.

“What? Are you her boyfriend?” Tony said in a mocking voice.

“Yeah, he is,” you chimed in. Tony’s expression went from arrogance to one of shock. Ben, too, had a light look of surprise but didn’t let it distract him from the moment.

"You never said he was your boyfriend," Tony said accusingly.

"I didn't think it mattered," you said a small, quiet voice. It was shaky as you felt tears well up in your eyes.

Sadie noticed this and pulled you tighter to her. She knew exactly what you were about to start thinking about.

“Now, I suggest that you fucking leave before he does something," Sadie had piped up, pulling you the slightest bit closer while gesturing towards an angry Ben with her head.

With a glare from Ben, Tony scoffed as he walked to the door. Thankful that not many people were watching, relief flooded through you.

Slowly, while making sure you were okay, Sadie released you. Absently, you rubbed your wrists from where Tony had tightened his fists around them. The tears that stung your eyes were threatening to fall.

Sadie had pulled you back into her embrace when she saw this.

Then you remembered and whispered, “Sadie, was that the test you were talking about?”

“Fuck no! I didn’t even actually have anything set,” she said this as she pulled you tighter to her. “I was just joking around. I may be mean, but not that mean. Not after-” she cut herself off at the memory.

You knew what she meant. That didn’t need to be brought up now.

Looking at Ben, you saw he was watching Tony leave. When his gaze rested on you, his once hard gaze immediately softened. Then, he gave a reassuring smirk.

Escaping Sadie’s grip, you went and pulled Ben into a tight hug as you said, “Thank you so much.”

Putting his own arms around you, he pulled you in tighter. He lightly pressed a kiss to the top of your head. That's when a few tears fell. He held you and whispered reassuring words until you felt better.

After this, you all agreed to get some fresh air. Even though Tony was gone, you especially felt the need to get away from the area. At least for a moment.

Together you walked around, almost tightly holding onto Ben’s arm, and Sadie walked on the other side of you. Both of them made you feel like you were being protected.

When you got to a certain point, Ben asked, "Would it be alright if I have a moment alone with Y/N? There's something I'd like to discuss with her."

When Sadie nodded, she had a knowing look in her eye. Almost as if this were a plan.

Giving you a small smirk, Ben led you down a pathway that you hadn't realised was next to you.

The path eventually opened up to a sandy beach pinched between gentle waves and an area of grass at the top. This grass area was surrounded by bushes and trees, cutting this area off from the street and making it completely private. It helped that the path was quite long, meaning that it wasn't even right beside the street on the other side.

On the grass, a blanket was laid out which was lit by a soft light given off by an electric lamp.

“I wanted to bring you here for a while now," Ben said as the two of you paused at the end of the pathway and looked at you. "It’s usually where I go to get away from stress. When you left for the drinks, I told Sadie about this.” He paused for a moment.

In the momentary silence, you took it all in. It was a beautiful area. Calm and quiet but amazing in the sights and sounds.

There was something in you that wished that this didn't happen after the recent event. You wished that this happened after something more positive.

When these thoughts filled you, you didn't notice that a frown had made its way across your lips. You started to feel guilty.

Ben saw this and turned to face you. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Concern had swept into his tone. Assuring him you were, you told him to not let it worry him.

“But I am worried. I care about you and I want you to feel safe.”

“I do, Ben. I always feel safe with you.”

Ben relaxed his shoulders as he smiled.

"I'm glad. That doesn't stop me from worrying that you're lying when you say you're alright."

The concern in his eyes was real. You couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't worry. I ensure you that I'm okay."

"Alright," he said quietly.

There was still worry in his eyes, but he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he offered his arm and started to lead you to the set up area.

“By the way, that lamp will probably go out soon. I set it up quite a bit ago.”

Letting out a bit of a laugh, you leaned your head on his shoulder as you walked over towards the, for now, lit area.

Stepping up to the blanket, you stopped and looked towards the water. The ever enchanting moon was reflecting against the surface, doubling its beauty.

Together, you were surrounded by the privacy of the trees and bushes. As Ben moved to be in front of you, he took your hands in his and looked down at them.

“I thought this place seemed like you. Quiet, modest and calm. Yet loud in its power, strength and beauty.”

Ben looked up from your hands and gave you a warm smile.

“The night I found you in the park, I was going to come here, but I needed a change of scene. Then, whenever I returned here, I could only ever think of you.”

Your heart felt like it was going to explode. His words brought a warm feeling flowing through you as your heart beat faster in anticipation.

Raising a hand, you placed it on his cheek feeling the slight scratchiness of his days stubble. It was contrasted by the softness of his cheek.

Staring into your eyes, Ben leaned into the touch. As you placed your other hand on his chest, he placed his on your waist and pulled you softly against him.

You gazed into his eyes, seeing the tenderness in them. There was so much that you could see. In this moment, you knew how much he cared for you.

This was a moment you've wanted to happen for almost a week now.

Pulling him closer with the hand on his cheek, you pressed your lips to his. Easily, he kissed you back.

It was soft, warm and welcoming, everything you imagined. There was something about it that made you want more.

As you deepened the kiss, he pulled you closer, moving his hand to your back. You moved the hand that was on his cheek to his soft hair. The longer strands were a comforting change from his cheek.

After a moment, you pulled away, feeling heat flood your cheeks as you breathed deeply. He breathing was also heavier and you enjoyed feeling the rise and fall of his chest against yours.

Ben, still looking into your eyes, put one of his hands behind your head. Once both of you caught your breathes, he pulled you back in. You ran your fingers through his silky hair even more, taking in the moment.

Suddenly, the two of you were distracted as the light suddenly flickered off.

When you looked back at each other, you laughed, letting your foreheads rest against each other’s. In the light of the moon, you looked up into Ben’s eyes. If you could stay in this moment, you would.

“I’m sorry,” you said as guilt from the earlier once again creeped in.

“What do you mean?” Confusion flooded Ben’s face as he lifted his head away.

“For earlier. I shouldn’t have let it happen. It’s my fault. I let it get to that point and didn't tell him about you. I-”

“Hey!” he cut you off as he laid a hand on your cheek. “It's okay. It wasn’t your fault. There was no way you could’ve known that he would be like that.”

A grin snuck its way back onto your face, the guilt slowly disappearing at Ben's words again.

“Also, do you really consider me your boyfriend?” Ben said this with a light-hearted touch, causing you to chuckle.

Watching his eyes, you nodded as you said, “I really do.” The gentle hand that had been on your cheek pulled your face to his.

“Then,” he mumbled against your lips, “it’s official.”

After a smile and a happy laugh from both of you, you tugged him back in for one more kiss before resting your head on his chest. In response, he rested his head on top of yours as he wrapped his arms around you. Listening to the beat of his heart, togetherness was all you could feel.

Interrupting the moment, you remembered that Sadie was still waiting, “Ben, should we get back to Sadie?”

“She went home."

You were almost shocked when he said this, but then he explained.

"I told her of this plan at the bar. When I told to her, she said she would head back to your house. I told her she didn’t need to but she insisted.”

You weren't surprised about that. Sadie had always been one to support plans like this.

“Well then, shall we sit?”

Looked into your eyes with a smile, Ben nodded.

When he pulled his body away, you shivered from the cold air. Like he had before, he slipped off his dress coat and draped it over your shoulders.

Settling yourselves on the blanket, Ben laid down with you beside him, your head resting on his chest. With his jacket as a blanket and his arm around your back, you felt bliss.

After what you could only guess as hours, Ben suggested that he should bring you home. At this point, you started to get drowsy in the comfort., but it was also getting colder.

This led you to agree, but not without a small protest.

Getting up with a chuckle, he gathered the blanket and wrapped it around both of you as you clung to his arm.

During the walk back, you let your head fall against Ben’s shoulder. He guided you home as you occasionally let your eyes fall closed.

“Ben?” you said as you drew close to your house.

“Yes, darling?”

“Will you stay over tonight?”

Looking down at you, Ben smiled with great fondness. No words were needed, just the small nod of his head was enough.

Stepping up to your door, Sadie was there opening it for you. Not only were you tired, but the drinks you had earlier had made you a little tipsy. Walking into the foyer, Ben slid the blanket off of you both as you took off your shoes.

Following you to your room, Ben helped you get settled, you still wearing his jacket. He pulled the blanket over your shoulders and kissed your forehead before heading towards the door.

“I’ll sleep on the couch. I’m sure Sadie will-”

“You will do no such thing,” you said quickly. A feeling a bravery came over you, “I don’t want you out there, I want you here.”

A small grin appeared on his face and his voice was soft, “Okay.”

He closed the door before he took off his tie and unbuttoned his dress shirt to reveal a t-shirt underneath. Taking off his belt, he placed all of them carefully onto the shelf beside the door. Ben turned the light off before making his way to the other side of the bed.

You snuggled up to him as he made himself comfortable. The steady sound of his heart and breathing combined and lulled you to sleep. Ben’s warmth and comfort also helped it along.

Next>>

@stardancerluv @jaydenwoo @madmax2003

#obi wan x reader #obi wan x you #obi wan kenobi #obi wan x y/n #ben kenobi #fanfic #ewan mcgregor #modern au #For You? Always.#fluff #obi wan fluff #obi wan #obi wan fanfiction #obi wan fic #obi wan imagine #obi wan kenobi imagine #obi wan kenobi x reader #obi wan kenobi x you

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fairlyaverageff · 3 years

Text

Brewed Bitter (Caius V. x Leah C.)

Brewed Bitter

(Caius V. & Leah C. One shot)

Disclaimer: Both characters depicted in this one shot are single, consenting adults.

Slightly AU. Timeline of Twilight has been altered a bit and Leah is not a shifter YET in this one shot. Thanks for reading! Warnings: Cursing & Insults. Thats about it.

Volterra, Italy

Working as a barista was certainly not how Leah Clearwater pictured spending her summer. She especially never would have guessed that she would be working as a barista in Italy.

But coming here had been a no brainer. It was all part of a study abroad program offered by Forks Community College. Pay a little bit of extra tuition, and you too can earn some extra college credits while studying for your degree, abroad… at least this was what the brochure said. Only Leah wasn't taking any classes. She had signed up into some weird work program that she hadn't bothered reading all the fine details on as she hastily signed the forms so she could turn them back into the school as quickly as possible.

This work program was meant to help students see if studying abroad was a good fit for them. You pick a program and a location, and instead of taking a gamble in the fall, you'd be sent to work a small, unimportant job over the summer in the location you chose to see if you even liked being abroad.

To be honest Leah couldn't give any less of a shit about studying abroad. She had just needed to get away from Washington. So, she took the first opportunity that presented itself to her.

She needed to get away from the pitying looks of her parents and her little brother Seth. She needed to get away from all the stares on the reservation as everyone whispered to one another about her mysterious breakup with her ex, Sam.

Leah didn't want to hear any more speculations or rumors about why Sam had dumped her and only weeks later ended up dating her cousin Emily after she was mauled by a bear. People liked to speculate that Sam had been cheating on her with Emily for a while, and that his strange disappearance months ago was probably just some act to hide the affair he had been having.

Why else would he have dumped Leah so quickly after coming home? Why else would Sam have, all of the sudden, been following her cousin all around the reservation like a love-struck puppy the very day after Leah had introduced the two of them?

Why else would Sam and Emily be engaged hardly eight months after Emily got out of the hospital after her attack? An attack that took place only a few weeks after Sam returned home.

Leah had been so lost in her thoughts that the girl next to her behind the bar lightly elbowed her in the ribs to get her attention.

Sabrina, a local from Volterra who had been working in this small coffee shop for three years and had therefore had her fair share of incompetent students as coworkers, shoved a tray with seven different ceramic coffee mugs into Leah's hands and rattled off what was in each cup as quickly as she could as she and two other baristas attended to the long line of customers.

"If you aren't going to make any drinks then how about you start dropping these off to the patrons waiting at their tables?" Sabrina hissed under her breath. "The two cappuccinos go to the elderly ladies by the windows, the tea latte goes to the young girl with the book over by the cypress plant, the americanos go to the three gentlemen with the laptops at the center table, and the marocchino goes to teenager by the charging station at the back. Go!"

Leah could only curse under her breath as Sabrina lightly pushed her toward the little swinging divider that would let the baristas exit the area behind the bar and step into the café.

This café was a nice little place. It was very bright and open due to the fact that three of the four walls had many large windows that were all open due to the nice weather. There were many small tables and squashy chairs to relax in, that was probably why this place was so popular.

Nearly every table was taken aside from a small group of tables near the back corner away from the windows where only one man was sitting with his back to her. Leah had thought that since the clouds that had covered the sky this morning finally dissipated enough to allow the sun to shine through that more people would be willing to take their drinks to go and maybe she wouldn't have to wait the tables.

But of course, she was wrong. The sudden beautiful weather had no effect at all on all the patron's desires to sit inside and enjoy their coffees at the tables and chat with their families and friends.

This place isn't even air conditioned, Leah complained mentally as she dropped off the first set of drinks to the two ladies by the window nearest to the door, Seriously it's hot as fucking balls in here.

She could feel her long black pants and her collared white shirt sticking to her in the heat as she weaved her way through the tables and deposited the drinks to the people waiting without stopping to spare a single one of them even the slightest glance. She passed a couple who had pulled their chairs together so they were both sitting on the same side of their little round table. The girl giggled as she pointed something out in the magazine she was looking at to the man beside her.

These two probably wouldn't have attracted Leah's notice at all if it hadn't been for the fact that she noticed that what the woman was pointing at in the magazine was a selection of different bridesmaid dresses.

Emily's face, her expression nervous and sincere, swam to the front of Leah's mind.

"It really would mean so much to us if you would be one of the bridesmaids Leah," Emily smiled, but the smile didn't quite touch her eyes. Her eyes were too sad to fit with the rest of the expression her face was making.

"To us?" Leah's own emotionless voice responded. She had been in shock. Her brain had hardly finished processing Emily's words of "Sam and I are getting married" before Emily had said this.

Before Emily had asked her to be a bridesmaid.

Emily's expression did not change much, but there was just the tiniest amount of hope that had suddenly bloomed on her face as she nodded.

"Yes. To me and to Sam. Please Leah. You mean so much to us."

There had been no words. Leah had not responded. She had turned on her heel and went back into her house after shutting the front door in Emily's hurt face.

For the rest of that week Leah hardly ventured outside of her house. She did a couple of times at first, but she was met with so many stares and whispers as the news of Emily and Sam's engagement spread around the reservation that she just couldn't take it anymore and refused to be around anyone who would look at her and whisper behind their hands.

And then she ended up at Forks Community College and found herself applying to work abroad for the summer. She had just needed to get away. She needed to get somewhere where no one would call her and ask her if she was okay. Where no one would ask what happened with Sam.

Where someone couldn't call her and ask her to be a bridesmaid in their wedding when they both broke her fucking heart.

Leah was nearing the back of the café and only had one cup of coffee left to bring to the kid at the charging station, so rather than balancing one cup on the tray like an idiot she just took the drink in one hand and set down the tray on one of the empty tables she was passing.

What she hadn't been expecting was the loner she had seen at this grouping of tables to stand abruptly in front of here in the isle.

He turned to face her, and she walked right into him.

It was like walking into a fucking wall. The dude did not budge at all when she slammed into him, and she was forced to stumble back a step to keep her footing as she cursed under her breath. When she had walked into him, the drink she had been holding was jostled between the two of them.

Hot coffee spilled over her hand and she yelped in surprise. It took all of her self-control not to drop the cup onto the floor and let it shatter.

The guy she had run into however, wasn't so lucky. Most of the hot coffee spilled right down the front of his shirt.

For a moment Leah was a little horrified, expecting the man to yell out in pain as what was basically boiling hot bean water and milk soaked his shirt.

Her horror very quickly vanished when he hissed "Watch where you're going chihuahua face!"

He had said it low enough that she was sure, in this loud ass café, that only she could her him. She had to look up at him to see his face, and she was a tall girl at 5 foot 9 inches.

He was platinum blonde and pale as a sheet, the most color on him was the coffee staining his crisp white shirt. That and his weird purple-ish colored eyes. Her first thought of him was that he was definitely no more than a pretty boy with a superiority complex. His whole face was aligned in such a way that she was sure he fit the perfect image for these European models, and him being full of himself enough to wear these colored contacts to make him stand out more only put up another red flag that this dude was definitely the embodiment of a fuckboy.

He had an ugly scowl on his face and the first thing that came out of her mouth was "The fuck did you just call me?"

"You heard me you imbecile," He scoffed, motioning to his ruined shirt, "You already had enough of a puss on your face when you were working behind the bar. Walking around the café scowling at everyone as you bring them their drinks really doesn't do anything for your looks."

Leah could feel her mouth hanging open just the slightest bit and she couldn't find it in her to be stung at his words. All she could think of was the fact that since he was talking to her like this, she now had the green light to fire back.

She very obviously appraised him, looking him up and down with the most disgusted look she could manage.

"You're one to talk about anyone walking around with a puss on their face." She scoffed back at him, "Where did you get your contacts? I really need to find something to draw attention to the fact that my father didn't hug me enough as a child but my t-shirt that says daddy issues on it wasn't quite enough."

"I mean-," Leah switched her expression to the most sarcastic, mocking look she could manage. "It seems like you already got past that faze and have it all figured out, that's why I'm asking."

Now it was blondies turn to have his mouth part in surprise. To her left Leah heard two girls giggling, and one glance over showed her that two teenagers were watching her and the blonde man, both covering their mouths with their hands to stifle their laughter.

This only seemed to incite him, which in itself really wasn't that surprising considering assholes like him never took it well when girls laughed at them.

"At least I'm not enough of an idiot that I go walking into people while I'm obviously lost in thought thinking about how the whole world is against me and oh woe is me I can't tolerate seeing all these happy couples sitting together."

Leah could feel the shock on her face, and blondie smirked at her, seeing that he was right in his earlier speculations.

After all, the only reason Caius Volturi even came to this busy café in the center of Volterra was to watch all the drama unfold between the humans. Aro had suggested he started people watching a few months ago to get himself out of a rut and get out of the castle every now and again. Especially after his breakup with Athenadora. Because of course she had found someone else who she had deemed a more fitting mate than himself.

This coffee shop had been the obvious choice. Most humans were usually so self-absorbed and caught up in their own lives they never noticed the gossip, the break ups, the fights, and all the other juicy conversations bubbling around them in a setting like this.

This girl was no different. Obviously she was another exchange student from America here on a work program during the summer. This café and a law firm a mile down the road were the only places in Volterra that participated in the program.

"What? Did your boyfriend dump you a few weeks ago?" Caius said in a mock baby voice, "Is that why you came all the way here? To get away and find yourself again?"

Leah didn't know what reaction he expected from her, but he obviously hadn't been expecting her to glance down at the cup in her hand, see there was still some coffee in it, and willingly splash the rest all over the front of his shirt while grinning the whole time.

She had been very careful to make sure the rest of it stained the collar of his shirt where the coffee had missed when she walked into him.

His surprise was comical. He actually took a step back from her.

She giggled. "Oh no! You know I would say I'm sorry, but you look like an asshole, so no."

The two teenage girls started giggling so hard that it was obvious to everyone in a ten-foot radius what they were laughing at. There was an elderly couple just behind her right shoulder that she couldn't see that were watching her and Caius in amusement, fondly shaking their heads at each other as if they knew what this was all about and had seen this plenty of times before.

Blondie opened and closed his mouth multiple times in the next ten seconds before he spluttered, "I could kill you!" in a whisper low enough that Leah was sure only she knew what he had said. But his shock when he said the words took all of the menace out of them.

"And so could a toddler or a very dedicated duck." She gave him the sweetest smile she could manage, "You're not special, but go off I guess."

It was a surprise that his face didn't get flush with anger when he said "Where is your manager? You need an attitude adjustment."

Leah raised her eyebrows at him, "You're one to talk about an attitude adjustment!"

She didn't answer his question though. Her gut seemed to twist into a knot as she realized the implications of him going to a manager. If he went up to one of the managers or the owner and told them what she had did and said – and he had proof too because of the huge, wet coffee stain all down the front of his shirt – she could be fired. And if she was fired, she would have to go back home.

Back to La Push. Back to all the stares and the judgement.

Back to Emily and Sam's pitying looks.

"And let's not even get started on why you're here all alone." Leah waved a hand to motion to the solitary table he had been sitting at. "A pretty face like yours but still no date to share a cup of coffee with. I'm sure any woman who goes out with you just melts at your charms. I was going to ask who pissed in your cereal this morning, but I think I figured it out."

She gave him and condescendingly sweet look, jutting her lower lip out in a pout. "Did you get stood up again? You know it might help if you stopped wearing that candy perfume you've got on. It really burns the nose."

Caius' attention was on her lips, he couldn't not focus on them when she pouted like that. He had quite a few suggestions on what she could do with that smart mouth of hers.

"Get me your manager." He said icily. "I'd like them to see what you've done to my shirt."

That wiped the sickly-sweet look right off of Leah's face. She felt her cheeks heat up with anger as she spat "I'll clean your stupid fucking shirt."

Caius smirked at her, showing most of his teeth, "Oh really? And when do you plan to do that?"

"I probably won't be off until sundown." She made sure her expression was a haughty as she could manage, hating that smirk on his face. This place was open late, and it would take two hours to clean the café after closing at seven. "Bring back your shirt then and I'll take care of it."

"Good." He was grinning at her in the most patronizing way. He knew how much it injured her pride to have to clean his shirt for him. It probably hurt her pride almost as much as the idea of this mouthy, infuriating woman cleaning for him stroked his ego. He reached up a hand and lightly touched her under the chin with his knuckles. "I'll see you later then…"

He trailed off, looking down at her name tag. "Leah."

And then he turned to go, and Leah snapped, "And you are?" from behind him as he picked up his book off the table and headed for the door.

He turned back to look at her for just the briefest second. "Caius."

BREAK

Leah and the three other employees who had closed with her all stepped out of the café. Cleaning had taken longer than usual tonight since they had been so busy during the day and therefore needed to restock almost everything. The sun was going down and it was twilight in the streets as Sabrina locked the doors behind them and everyone went their separate ways.

None of her coworkers seemed to notice the man sitting on a bench across the street from the café. She liked to think that they probably would have stayed with her if they did, but almost immediately she found herself alone. She and Caius were staring at one another from across the road.

He did not stand from the bench as she came toward him, and it was only when she was directly in front of him that she realized-

"Are you still wearing that fucking shirt?" Leah snapped in disbelief, staring at the now dry coffee stain that had all but ruined the crisp white fabric.

He raised an eyebrow at her as he leaned back with a smirk, "Oh I was worried you might not recognize me if I changed into something else. You've already proven you can be pretty daft."

"And you've already proven you can be quite an asshole." Leah countered

"Quite." Caius agreed, still grinning. "I must say you really have to be desperate to keep your crappy barista job if you're willing to personally clean my shirt for me. You really don't want to be sent home that badly? Your stupid little boyfriend really hurt you that much that you need to cross an ocean to cope with it?"

Leah knew she couldn't tell him he was wrong. When he had guessed at this earlier and she had poured the rest of the coffee on him she had all but proven him right with her reaction.

"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black." Leah snapped at him. Of course, she wasn't positive she was right in the assumption that he had been broken up with too – his reaction to her claim of him being stood up hadn't been as obvious as he reaction to him talking about an ex – but she just had a gut feeling there was something there as well.

Caius stood, and that patronizing expression was back on his face. "With your smart mouth I wouldn't have pegged you as a coward."

"I'm not a coward for refusing to acknowledge the ex who dumped me days after I introduced him to my cousin and wanting to get away from all the pitying looks at home because said cousin just asked me to be a bridesmaid in their wedding." She would have screamed the words if she could, they felt so good to finally get out, but her anger was so intense that the words were hardly more than a bitter whisper.

Blondies eyebrows shot up, "Wow. That's… fucked. Honestly. That's fucked."

"Thank you!" Leah exploded, throwing her hands up in the air, "Finally someone fucking gets it!"

It was silent for a few heart beats.

"And what's your deal?" She grumbled at him, watching as his expression went hard for a brief second before he sighed.

"My wife left me rather abruptly because she found someone more suitable for her." Caius answered begrudgingly.

"Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who's bitter." Leah scoffed. She appraised Caius again, looking him up and down just like she had in the café earlier. But this time it wasn't to be bitchy, this time it was an actual speculation.

Even though he wasn't her usual type, he definitely was a fine piece of ass.

And the look Caius was giving her showed that he was probably thinking the exact same thing.

After all, what better way to get over someone than to get under someone else?

"So... are we fuckin' or killin' each other tonight?" Leah asked when their eyes met after appraising one another, her words causing him to chuckle.

"Oh, I'll leave that part up to you."

"Let's go back to my studio then... so I can take care of your shirt."

Caius smirked at her, waving a hand in front of him vaguely. "Lead the way."

#caius volturi #leah clearwater #oneshot #twilight fanfiction #twilight rennaisance #twilight saga #volturi #volturi fanfiction #volturi one shot

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arch-venus25 · 3 years

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The Head and the Heart, Part 2

Hello everyone,

I am submitting this for @just-the-hiddles‘s The Damnit Jim, I’m A Vampire, Not A Landlord Fic Frenzy. I chose prompt “1....You can pay your rent in money or in blood.” I was inspired by all the prompts and will probably use them throughout the series. Basically I use the prompts as guide-lines.

This is the first time I have written and shared a fic online-- or ever really! It’s also the first time I’ve written anything modern so please let me know what you think! I hope I’m posting this correctly--I created the title art--LOL I’ve never done this before. I’m aiming to update the series each Tuesday. So here we go...

Series Masterlist: The Head and The Heart

Summary: The twins are taking a night off from their graduate studies-- or at least Tessa is; her twin sister, Antha, is just trying to keep her out of trouble. What starts as a night of good old-fashioned fun and flirting quickly changes as they find themselves at the doorstep of the Hollow House Bed and Breakfast.

Characters: OFCs Antha and Tessa King, original characters/vampires

WARNINGS: 18+ for suggestive themes and violence, cursing, implied drug use, implied rape, stressful/scary situations, vampires, and characters with incredible hair-- you’ve been warned. Read at your own discretion.

Word Count: 2228

Part Two: Long into the Night

The bass swelled and the drums cracked imitating well-known pop-rock songs that sent the patrons into a lather. Antha wasn’t the only one that finally felt it: the night was officially popping-off as it were and when she followed Tessa’s lead people stared.

As if caught in a fever-dream, the mirrored image of them simply blew one young man’s mind. Way past his limit, he asked one of the twins “Are you real?” Zoey stepped in, pulling her friends around them acting as a barrier. With the added security in numbers, Antha started to relax, even have a little fun; also, knowing that Doug was on his way helped. The song led into another fan favorite and then another; they rolled with the rhythm, working up a sweat that no air conditioner could soothe.

Something caught Antha’s eye. It was Franco, watching them, flipping the top of his lighter. A chill ran up her spine. She figured now was the best time to break the news to Tessa.

“Hey, we’re going home after this,” she yelled into her twin’s ear, “one more round and then home.”

“What did I tell you? We’re going to have fun!” Tessa proclaimed like it was the only stance she had ever believed in.

“I just have this feeling Tess, I don’t want to go to that bonfire.”

“You don’t have to! You’re not my third wheel, just get on home then—I’m going out to get lucky!” Tessa shimmied to her Daft Punk reference as the band began to play Get Lucky. She hummed when she followed Antha’s eyes across the floor toward the booth, where Franco lounged. “How can you resist that tall glass of water?”

“We’re not going. You can have him over for brunch tomorrow,” Antha turned into the spitting image of her mother on the spot, as if compromising with a child. Every so often she checked the door, wishing Doug would just appear to help wrangle her girlfriends. She was truly outnumbered.

Tessa laughed incredulously, “Franco doesn’t do brunch.”

“And he’s not doing this either.” Antha waved her hand between the two of them as if a package deal. Tessa stopped dancing, her brow cocked and arms crossed. Zoey piped in that she would go, as did one of her cronies. Tessa shifted her weight and tossed her hair with her unequivocal “I do what I want” look, then she led the girls off the floor toward the bathroom. Antha trailed behind them, hot on their heels.

She stood outside her sister’s stall trying to be as reasonable as the cocktail coursing through her veins would allow. Tessa and the others finally came out with the flush of toilets reverberating into one long sustained note, suggesting a migraine to Antha. “Oh, you’re still here? I thought you went home.” Tessa began, her attitude getting away from her as she preened in the mirror. Zoey tried to mediate but fell silent when the twin stated her case.

“Look, if José asked, if Treyvon, if Brian asked—I would go! We could have fun—I just don’t like Franco. He’s got that weird, slow drawl—he disappears then reappears—where does he go? Where? To bonfires on Slaughter Beach? This sounds like the plot of every slasher horror flick ever made!” Antha explained, exasperated.

“This is just like ‘the Treyvon incident’ years ago, when he touched your hair—it’s like an endless tug of war with you Ant. You never let anything go!” She rolled her eyes to the ceiling, tired of her sister.

“Tessa. He didn’t touch my hair—he snuck up behind me, fisted my dreads and whispered some nonsense about reigns or riding—or some shit! You know damn well he’s never ridden a horse so I can only imagine what he meant!” Antha grew annoyed recapping history when all it did was make Tessa laugh as if that was one of those old fond memories. Zoey blushed and covered her mouth, feeling a bit mortified for them both.

“Maybe, I’ll explain it to you when you’re older.” Tessa shot back as she dabbed her neck with a damp towel. She began mumbling her usual rhetoric of Antha should ‘grow up and relax’, but a moment later she slouched against the counter.

“If this is going to be a thing let’s just stay local—we can hit up the diner, you know like old times—summer is just starting, class is about to let out, we can head down to the beach another night.” Zoey rationalized.

“Whoa…” Tessa sighed as if she wasn’t part of the conversation and held fast to the sink. She seemed woozy and held her head.

“Who bought you drinks other than me?” Antha immediately took her sister up by the face and stared into her rapidly dilating pupils.

“No, no, its not like that—he’s just got some good shit I haven’t had in a while.” She explained, completely detached.

“Did you know about this?” Antha barked over her shoulder at Zoey and her friends; the girls hemmed and hawed like they were lined up for her firing squad. Of course, Franco had good shit, she thought. In the light of the bathroom Antha could tell she was the only mostly sober woman in the group. “We’re going home now.” She pulled Tessa and the rest from the bathroom, her head pounding from the music and cheap whiskey.

When they got outside Franco was leaning on the back of his truck bed as if he were waiting to round up a herd of sheep. One of his friends, beer in hand, offered to help the girls up. Two climbed in, but Zoey hesitated, debating if she was more afraid of missing out or Antha. Antha put Tessa in her car and told her not to move; before she could hunt Franco down she found him lumbering toward her.

“What is wrong with you? She’s as high as a kite!” She confronted him, attempting to keep her voice low.

“Really?” He replied with mild surprise. “Well I got yer friends here—y’all still welcome to come down if you want.” He handed her the messenger bag and continued casually, his hands in his pockets as if he couldn’t fathom why she was upset. She threw her bag in the back and slammed the door—praying that Doug’s Buick would be squealing into the parking lot right about now.

“You’re trouble, you know that? My sister doesn’t need a redneck like you hanging around—so do us a favor and disappear like you always do.” She threatened him as he dryly pulled a cigarette from his other ear and lit it. What else you got behind those ears?

“Well, I see.” He bent to look in on Tessa who was fighting the urge to laugh or cry, she wasn’t sure in her current state. “I guess I’ll be hitting the road then.” He ironically saluted and turned to his truck. Antha watched as he threw up his tailgate and fired up the engine. His friend and the girls clucking like teenagers in the back.

Antha sighed and swung herself into the driver’s seat of her sister’s car, realizing she didn’t have the keys in her pocket. When she turned to Tessa to get them, she found an empty seat. To her horror she looked up ahead to see the familiar white hot-pants climbing into the passenger side of Franco’s monster-sized truck. She jumped from the car, prepared to block the way and be crushed rather than watch him drive away with her.

Before she could take one step closer her ears filled with the shrieking of brakes slamming behind her. She hadn’t had time to turn before flashes of color and angry feet whizzed by her body. Someone shouldered her out of the way, knocking her to the ground. The air filled with the unmistakable sound of shattering glass. The girls were suddenly screaming and jumping from the truck bed as Antha held herself, recoiled on the ground and terrified.

“What the fuck?” Franco bellowed as José took a baseball bat to his side mirror and his crew slashed the back tires. “Who is this guy?” He yelled, completely blindsided, not truly wanting the answer. The invading men knocked out the taillights as José threw open the door and yanked Franco from his seat.

“Tessa!” Antha held herself, her shoulder throbbing. The men circled as Franco attempted to defend his case.

“Dude, I don’t know you—are you her boyfriend? Look, I don’t know what the—” He tried to set a standard for the situation before it escalated further. When José’s fist met Franco’s mouth Antha turned from the riot, too afraid to look. The sound of knuckles crashing against teeth was enough visual for her.

“Tessa!” She called again as she pulled herself up to get her sister. Tessa was called by the men too as if insisting she bear witness to their fury.

The passenger door groaned open and all that could be seen was a blur of white as Tessa hopped out and bolted from the parking lot and into the corn fields. With a surge of adrenaline Antha found her feet rushing as fast as they could after her sister. The shoddy bar and its watered-down drinks fell away from her like dead weight as the fear set in that her sister was running into the great unknown without her full faculties.

The broken corn stalks and uneven ground was all she could follow—the only evidence to lead her to her fleeing sibling. The men brawling sounded distant like a dream from another time; everything, the whole night, was forgotten as Antha called for her lost other-half. She took a sharp left, listening, unable to trust her eyes as everything seemed to be moving. The corn stalks swatted back viciously in their disturbance. The further in she ran the more they grew, reaching to the sky, disorienting her and stinging her arms and face—but not like the terror in her chest, her lungs burned with her efforts. She didn’t know how long she had been running.

Then there was silence.

Antha stopped for a moment, unsure where to go, the stalks holding fast like bodyguards, reminding her she didn’t belong there. You’re lost, she swore someone whispered to her. She turned to find no one. “TESSA?” She called. Complete silence. All of her hackles raised as the realization set in that she might end up on the six o’clock news and not be around to watch it. The breeze could barely pass through the crop. “Tessa?” She cried as she desperately looked for those white cut-offs that encased her precious sister.

She slowly moved forward as the thought occurred to her that they might not be alone. Momma, please I’ll never do anything wrong again! Please help me find her—I swear I didn’t mean to lose her—I swear to you and to God I’ll donate more to the church, I’ll never say the f-word again! I swear— Antha’s internal prayer was cut off as the ground suddenly left her, or rather she left it. After spewing the words she swore she’d never say again, she found herself in a rut. She looked above her head to see the corn stalks leering down at her, as she pulled herself from knotted roots and mud.

The ground had cut away and she could barely see in the dark the massive crater-sized drop. She looked about with nothing but a freckling of stars and clouded moonlight to her aid. She searched for a way up, but could find none. “Tess—” She began but her voice died in her throat as something moved a few feet off from where she stood. She approached carefully—it could be Tessa, it could be a rabbit, or the Boogey Man—perhaps all of the above. Even the Boogey Man wouldn’t be out in this Delaware heat, she thought to herself, her internal monologue attempting to keep her panic at bay.

She continued further and swore she saw light through the foliage and dank terrain. Antha followed the specks of light, frightened of what she might find, but too scared to stay in place. She prepared her fists but lost her gumption as a whimper sounded. She thought it was herself at first, but then realized the brush was shuddering and crying. Cautiously she pulled back a branch and found the iconic hot-pants, dirtied and shivering. “Tessa!” She excitedly whispered and threw her arms around her sister.

“Ant, is that you? I’m so lost—where are we?” She sniffed, dazed and confused.

“I’m here! I’m here!” She kept whispering and pushing her braids back, inspecting her face and limbs. Tessa’s expression was alien; whatever she had taken was in full affect now. She vomited in the shrubbery next to her. When she was done emptying her stomach, Tessa turned to her sister petrified and pointed. Before Antha could turn she heard a smooth voice cut through the dark.

“You seem to be lost.” The metal click of a shot gun being cocked and readied trumped all of the twin’s senses—that was until the cool tip of the barrel met the base of Antha’s skull.

Twinning Taglist: If you want to be added or removed just let me know; please share with anyone that might be interested. I would love any and all feedback so I can learn and become a better writer. Thank you! I tagged some people that I thought would be interested in this. @myoxisbroken @just-the-hiddles @vodka-and-some-sass @nildespirandum @yespolkadotkitty @latent-thoughts @emeraldrosequartz @villainousshakespeare @hopelessromanticspoonie @caffiend-queen @poetic-fiasco @lokimostly @dianamolloy @marvelgirlonamarvelworld @brightsunanddarkmidnight2-0 @cateyes315 @mooncat163 @nuggsmum @myraiswack @wolfpawn @plastic-heart

Bottom image Credit: https://images.app.goo.gl/Tq153Yhn2DsyBq296

#landlord vampire fic frenzy #twinning vs vamps #arch-venus25 writes

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ibeuchu · 4 years

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{Diego x sister!reader} Nuthouse

summary: After escaping the apocalypse y/n and her siblings are scattered over time in Dallas. One day, while looking through newspapers she sees a note about very familiar looking loony being kept in a local nuthouse…

note: I just wanted to say it’s my first thing i have ever written so I’m sorry for the chaos, also english is not my first language and it’s just for fun. Let me know what you think! Enjoy xoxo

11 months and 14 days. Thats how long ago y/n landed in Dallas after an impressive time jump. However, no matter how impressive this time travel was, after a harsh landing at the back of the shops, it didn’t take much time for y/n to realise that something went wrong. No sight of her siblings. Anyone. She cursed under her breath. Of course it couldn’t go right. Nothing ever goes right with her family. It wasn’t perfect. Imperfect to say is quite a light word. Not to say dysfunctional. But after all, it was her family. After all that shit with funeral, Vanya and saving the world she thought that maybe… there is small chance… a tiny chance… to feel like a real siblings… Again. And first time. Like a real family that actually spends time together and talks with each other because they simply like it. Not because their father died or they have to find an owner of some bloody fake eye. But just because they are a family. Nevertheless she had to forget about it now. After searching for her family for weeks she actually gave up walking on the dark streets at night and looking for any evidence that might gave her hope to see her brothers and sisters again. During the day she worked in a fashion salon. With her artistic skills she quickly found a job as a helper of local fashion designer. Not to say her „futuristic” ideas were warmly welcome by the extravagant old owner. Deeply in her heart she thanked her father for drawing lessons.

Despite moving on with her life she still had this feeling that told her it’s not over. Something is gonna happen and her family is no doubt involved in it.

It was 8:50 in the morning and y/n was just about to finish her breakfast, sitting outside the local bakery sipping her black coffee and nibbling her croissant.

Five would kill for that coffee.

Stop. She couldn’t think about them now. Now she had a job to do. And it was to search all of the available newspapers about new deliveries to the haberdasherys. She needs to know when to buy new fabric and materials before the opponents do it. She heard a rumour that this week that one small shop at the end of the road is gonna sell silk. Very limited amount so she must be fast. While wondering if short, pyjama like silk dresses are a go for she turned last page. Some notes about missing people, some notes of wanted murderers, some notes about weidros from the local nuthouse. But just before flipping the newspaper off her gaze landed on these weirdos. On one of them to be specific. And to be even more specific on a dark haired man, with deep brown eyes and a sizeable scar going just above his right ear.

This can’t be…

Or maybe it can…

If I survived the space jump then maybe…

Nooo you’re working too much y/n your brain doesn’t work clearly…

No, what the fuck! I may be the one they should send to this madhouse but I’ll recognise my brother everywhere!

And this is him… It’s Diego.

Next thing she knew she was driving blue Cadillac to the address she found in a phone book. She left old Carl note about urgent family business.

He’ll be surprised. I told him I don’t have any contact with my family. Well that wasn’t a lie.

After what it felt like an eternity she pulled on a parking lot outside grey building. She almost run to the entrance and next second y/n found herself sitting on a very uncomfortable chair with her hands on the oak table. When she sat there she finally let her brain do its work.

What are you going to do now huh?

What are you gonna tell him?

Hi, what the fuck did you do to be put in a nuthouse in 70’s??

Or maybe hey, I thought you died??

Any of those options suited y/n. The fact they weren’t in a good terms before Vanya’s recital didn’t help. It was all about the same thing as always. Diego wanted to be a Batman, y/n didn’t like the idea of her being a Robin. Especially when they had to work together to stop their sister from starting an apocalypse. It didn’t sound like a perfect time to play superheroes and villains. Nevertheless things got complicated even more when Hazel and Cha Cha killed this lady cop Diego was fond of. His maniacal will to get a revenge didn’t go well with y/n’s cold calculating brain. Yes, she was a bit like Five. But only a bit. She slightly regretted that her smartass brother wasn’t there with her.

He would know what to say.

Maybe not something nice and fitting the situation… But still.

Lost in thoughts y/n was fiddling with her fingers but abruptly stopped when she heard the chair across from her being moved. Man wearing white hospital like clothes was standing behind it. He sat down slowly. The scar wasn’t visible under his long messy hair. He didn’t say a thing just sat there in silence.

What did you do this time?

y/n asked quietly her voice not cooperating with her. She half smiled though her eyes remained serious.

I was just… you know… messing around.

He chuckled lightly, his eyes never leaving hers.

y/n couldn’t get over how much he changed. Physically that is. On the inside he was still the same old Diego, she knew it. His eyes didn’t lose that sparkle and y/n knew he was up to something. She just didn’t know what it was. Yet.

How long have you been here?

She asked when she managed to keep her voice steady.

5 months and few weeks. But it won’t be long.

What do you mean? She asked curiously.

He leaned in, their foreheads almost touching. It was weird to be so close to him after such a long time. Now she could see every detail of his face. A few new tiny bruises. Little scars, almost invisible if you’re standing next to him. And few wrinkles around his eyes. Well we’re not kids anymore she remembered herself. She wasn’t the only one who was studying their sibling. Diego was in a slight awe. She looked good. Like really good. Not like someone who has been literally thrown into different timeline in unknown city without family nor friends and somehow had to keep her shit together. She was really beautiful, Diego thought. And she has grown up. She always looked very young, her facial features stopped her in her 20s. But now she was more mature. More beautiful.

He stared at her for a good while totally forgetting why they bent down.

Well? What are you planning? She broke the silence a bit confused.

Oh yes…um… I’m sawing bars on the windows. It’s a matter of days they won’t see me again. He smiled mischievously at her.

Well she was right, Diego changed only on the outside. Inside he was still the same goofball as always.

5 minutes left! y/n heard the guard yelling

She smiled slightly and went to pull back when a hand grabbed her own one. She looked up. Diego stayed bent forward on the table holding her hand eyes glued to the oak surface. She slowly took a grasp of his hands returning to face him. When she was back only few inches away he looked up. His eyes were no longer cheeky and cocky. Now they gave her a warm look. Maybe a bit sad? No, not sad… maybe… She couldn’t figure out what was hiding in them. There were some emotions she couldn’t really locate.

y/n… She heard him whisper quietly

Being that close didn’t help.

I-I-… I’m sorry… for everything…and-

She shook her head firmly. The last thing she wanted to do now was to blame anyone. Especially someone who was so close to her heart.

No Diego, its okay. Really. Everything that happened… it was a hard time. She gave him one of her smiles that make it impossible to argue with her.

She slightly hung her head so he couldn’t see the sight of tears that appeared in her bright eyes. Here it is. Unemotional y/n in tears. Great. She felt someone rest their forehead on hers. God how she missed him. All of them. He gave her small bit of feeling like it was all right now. She felt his firm grip on her bony hands. She lost some weight and it didn’t went unnoticed by Diego. His overprotective brother instincts kicking in but what could he expect? She had to work hard to face this new situation, not to mention it was y/n after all. Always caring for others, never for herself.

She looked up.

If ,as usual, something goes wrong with your plan- she heard him chuckle- I’ll get you out.

She half smiled raffishly. He met her gaze. Giving her hands a final squeeze he leaned even closer and whispered:

I think someone here has a hero complex and wants to save others. He smiled at her.

Now y/n could clearly see what was hiding in his eyes. Well it wasn’t even hiding. He was just happy to see her. The happiest he has been ever since some carless childhood moments.

Y/n snorted lightly. You’d wish. Here we are, things getting back to new normal.

Finally she straightened her back. It was quite painful considering the position she was sitting in. She stood up and circled the table heading to the exit. She put a hand on his shoulder when she was passing him, his eyes never leaving her figure.

When she was just about to press the handle-

y/n.

She half turned her head.

Have you already talked with five?

Before her brain could process the infromation-

…I...WHAT?

#tua #the umbrella academy #tua imagine #tua x reader #tua x you #the umbrella academy x reader #diego x reader #x reader #diego hargreeves #tua five #tua allison #tua claus #tua luther #tua ben #tua diego #tua vanya #the umbrella academy imagine #source: me

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faithylilac · 3 years

Text

“And then.... when all hope was lost, I stepped in and saved the bake sale!” The cloaked stranger shouted, loud enough for the whole tavern to hear. All heads turned towards him as he continues with his story, almost everyone was captivated.

The three that were not captivated on the other hand, were the members of his adventuring party. He changes the story of how he meets the party every single time he tells the story. Who’s in this party you ask? Just a bunch of weirdos that happen to find each other, they don’t share the same goal, but they sure do a lot of stuff together.

“Dax, we’re going to the Inn across the street to check in. You continue with your story.” The one with a white Bob said. The story teller continues and the party members get out of their seats and head out.

“Wait, he was in the party before me. Why am I in his stories?” Echo, the tallest one said.

“I don’t know, It’s not worth correcting anymore.” The white haired one said with a sigh

They adventurers walk into the inn, it smelled like wet dog but it was the only inn in town that wasn’t smart enough to ban them from it. “I need two rooms dog.” Echo said. It wasn’t something he would normally say, but his mind was still stuck on the smell it just came out.

“We only have one room, luckily for you and wife and son, it has three beds.” The inn keeper told him.

Faithy, the white hair one started snickering and elbowing the blue Nymph with them.

“Of course, that’ll work for my family. How much?” Echo didn't have anything better to do, so he played along with it

“Did you say family?” He asked with a stern face.

“DOM TORETTO?!?” They all said in unison.

“Family is everything, the room is your’s for tonight. From my family to yours.”

“Thank you Dom Toretto, me and my husband need to get this little whippersnapper to bed.” Faithy said, while ruffling the Nymph’s hair then quickly shoving both of her party members upstairs.

They walk into the room and it’s nothing but twin beds. They look at each other then Back at the room. Echo opens his mouth to speak, but is quickly cut off.

“You are not turning into a bug to sleep at the end of the bed again.” Carter, the Nymph said.

“I was gonna say, I’m sleeping in this form. I need to stretch my legs when I sleep every once in a while.” Echo replied. “That and I look too hot right now.”

Carter and Faithy turned to each other and nodded, Echo was very hot at the moment. “Dax can sleep on the floor then. If he cares enough he can make his own bed.” Faithy decided. She was the leader after all.... sometimes. Sometimes some else is, it kinda depends on what happens.

Back at the tavern, Dax has everyone dancing the chicken dance. How did we get here in such a short time? I don’t know, I wasn’t narrating that part. Oh but that’s not all, he’s also gotten his hands on the deed to the tavern. He drunkly told the owner that he needed the deed because he’s a god and needs it as a sacrifice. It was a weird request but the owner handed over, hoping for some sort of blessing from the mischievous god.

“I pray that this place burns to the ground!” An angry stranger burst through the front door with a torch and drop kicks it towards the bar. Dax just so happened to be giving a musical performance on said bar and was lessed than please.

“Yo dude, you got something against parties?” Dax said, jumping off of the counter.

“He’s been buying up all the taverns in town and has been slowly raising the price of Booze!” The stranger shouted. Dax looked at the tavern owner who was sweating bullets. “That’s pretty evil, but not evil enough to burn down the place.” He said with shrug.

The man had steam coming out of his ears in anger. “He’s also bribed the local government to let him up on his taxes, while raising them on us to compensate!”

Dax broke the cup that was in his hand and slowly turned towards the tavern owner. Dax picks up the torch and just shoves it into the owner hands. “You burn it down, or I burn it down. You get to choose.” He said, his 3D eyes now darkened with anger. The owners sighs and starts running around and starts lighting tables on fire.

The patrons yell in delight and grab some fire wood from the fire place to assist with the arson. Dax is very pleased with himself because he owns the deed and can press charges against the actual owner for property damage and get lots of money. Wait, what would a god do with money? Beats me, but hey it’s shiny.

Back at the inn, Faithy wakes up to yelling and a bright light coming through the shutters. She hops out of bed and opens the window to find the building across the street on fire. “FOR THE LOVE OF Gjhar feiiled!” She yanks the sheets out from under carter, tossing him into the air and he goes flying.

Carter wakes up in the middle of the street, roof tiles stuck on him and a tavern on fire. “Oh Dax had fun without us.” He said with such disappointment. “More like he got us banned from another town!” He heard Faithy yell from the window.

Faithy approaches Echo’s bed with her mace in hand and gently wakes him up by shaking him. What did you think she was gonna do? She’s not violent. Echo kicks Faithy in the face with his giant platform shoes. “Yo where’s Carter at?” He apparently didn’t notice Faithy’s bleeding lip, but that was fine. “He already went outside.”

Dax walks out of the bar and sees carter. “Isn’t it past your bed time? Also when did you start wearing roof tiles for clothes?” He asked his blue pal.

“Faithy said we should leave without a guard escort” carter replied. Faithy in fact did not say it, but was quite obvious what she was thinking. “Let me just drop this report by the guard tower and money should be sent to me within a week!” Dax said without a care. And with that, Dax started whistling while walking down the road.

Carter finished taking off his new accessories when Echo Jumps down from the sky holding Faithy. She is still in fact bleeding, but she’ll be fine; More cool main character scars. Echo then drops Faithy with no warning and dusts off his hands.

“Domestic violence is my favorite way to end the night.” Echo said sarcastically.

Then... DOM TORRETO burst from the inn with a glock. “FAMILY IS EVERYTHING! HOW DARE YOU TREAT YOUR WIFE LIKE THIS!” He points towards Echo.

“If we want to be fair, Faithy did throw me into the street.” Carter just had to butt in. All to protect the person he likes to flirt with the most. Dom Torreto then changes his aim towards the priestess.

“How dare you hurt your child! Family is everything!” He shouted in a fit of rage.

“WHOAH WHOAH WHOAH! Listen here buddy. She’s not my wife and this isn’t our kid, he’s ducking blue.” Echo shouted, pointing to Carter, who has a mischievous grin on his face. “Oh and I’m gay. dude.” Echo added, like sprinkles on top of ice cream.

Dom started tearing up, but he put the glock down. “I see.... you may leave then.... happy late pride month.” He says before disappearing back into the inn.

They all just look at each other in confusion. “When’s Dax getting back?” Faithy asked Carter. “Ehhh, I don’t know. Maybe just wait outside of town for him?” He suggested. “Awwww!!!! But I wanted to get run out of town again!!!!” Echo whined.

Carter placed his hand on Echo’s tall shoulder and looked him dead in the eye. “I’ll never run you out of my mind.” He said with a wink. “Oh you know it baby.” Echo replied. We’re they dating? I don’t know, they won’t tell me. Probably not, flirting with your friends is really funny.

But here comes Dax, being chased by maybe twenty guards. “GUYS I GOT THE MONEY!!!” He shouts, waking up the neighborhood. Weird enough, they weren’t woken up before this, they were screaming the whole time. “GAY PEOPLE! GET THEM!!!” One of the guards shout, getting the rest of his squad to notice the party as well!

“BOOK IT!” Faithy shouted and they all flee out of town and into the forest. Did they loose the guards? Why does the narrator ask so many questions ? Find out on the next episode of.... THE PARTY PARTY

Be gay, do crimes.

Thank you Dax and Carter who helped out the most this chapter <3

Masterlist

#the party party #dom toretto #friendfiction

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adiwriting · 4 years

Text

Flash Fic Prompt: “For your request for prompts, I don’t know if you are interested in doing crossovers but what about Klaine and Malex. In 2020 they would be kinda close in age. As for the prompt, I was thinking of « I didn’t know you guys knew each other ». Their universes are very different so I understand if you are not interested in writing both pairs in the same story so you can just ignore me!”- @youdrathersleepalone

Rules: Write for 30 minutes uninterrupted. At the end of the 30 minutes, post whatever you come up with, unedited.

There is 100% no plot to this, but here! Have a Glee/Roswell crossover.

****

Michael pushes his way to the bar and attempts to wave the bartender down. He’s not a fan of this place. He’s not a fan of any of the bars or clubs in NYC. None of them have the small town feel of The Wild Pony and he’s yet to find a bartender as good as DeLuca. But NYC is where they live now and this place let’s Alex play his music, so he guesses it’s not the worst place in the city.

Alex and he moved out to NYC two years ago when Alex had retired from the Air Force and mentioned wanting a change. He wanted to really try his hand at music and Michael was feeling like he was finally ready to go back to school. Project Shepard was no longer a threat, Mr. Jones had been dealt with, and all of his siblings seemed content in their own lives. Nobody needed him to hold them together anymore, so he could finally focus on himself.

Himself and Alex.

They’d talked about Los Angeles, but California was really more Max and Liz’s scene. So Michael had toured campuses in Chicago, Denver, and New York. The deciding factor had been their first night in New York after touring NYU. Alex and he had ended up at this coffee shop that had a guy playing music and he’d actually let Alex come up to sing with him. Michael had seen a light in his eyes that he hadn’t seen since high school and he’d been sold.

So here he is. In New York. Sharing a tiny studio apartment, paying way too much for his beers and bribing their landlady to let him grow vegetables on the roof because it’s the only bit of “land” they’ll ever get. It’s miserable but it’s somehow the happiest he’s ever been.

“Hey, science nerd,” somebody practically yells into his ear. When he turns around, he sees Blaine Anderson, the boy he’d met last year while he was getting some volunteer hours in at the local school.

“Comic nerd,” he says with a laugh.

“Here to crush anyone else’s dreams by pointing out the scientific inaccuracies of their favorite comic books?” he asks, pushing his way to the bar and getting the bartender's attention in no time.

“How do you do that?” Michael grumbles. The bartenders always act like they can’t see him. Yet another reason to miss DeLuca. She isn’t snobby about her customers. She’ll serve anybody. Including racist Hank. Here, it always feels like he’s being tested for cool points and failing miserably.

Blaine shrugs and hands Michael a beer.

“For the record, you can’t be mad at me for teaching your students science. They asked, I gave them the facts,” he says. “It’s not my fault you hung up posters of superheroes that are scientifically impossible.”

Blaine rolls his eyes but smiles. Michael has always liked him. They run into each other often enough to be friendly, and it’s one of the few people he’s met in this city that isn’t too pretentious. Michael had thought growing up with Max was bad… but this city is the worst.

“What brings you here?” Blaine asks.

Michael nods at the stage. “My boyfriend is playing tonight.”

Blaine gives him a curious look. “Mine, too.”

Michael does a double take. He could have sworn that Alex said they were the only band playing tonight. They’d been allowed a full set, which was a big deal for them. Except, he’s met everyone in Alex’s band.

“Who’s your boyfriend?” he asks.

“Kurt Hummel,” he replies. “Fiance actually.”

“You’re Kurt’s fiance?” Michael asks, his eyes going wide. “That’s crazy.”

“Wait a minute… Yeah, no that makes total sense. You’re Alex’s cowboy boyfriend!”

“I stopped wearing the cowboy hat, people kept giving me shit for it,” he explains.

“But held onto the belt buckle I see,” Blaine teases.

“Hey, this city will have to tear this belt buckle from my cold dead hands,” he says.

“Weird, I don’t seem to have a problem getting the belt off of you,” Alex says, coming up behind him to wrap his arms around him.

Michael leans into the touch and hums happily as Alex kisses his neck in greeting. “I’m glad you made it,” he whispers so that only Michael can hear him.

“The subway was a bitch today and my boss was extra salty about me taking off early, but I’m here,” he explains.

He looks up to see that Kurt and Blaine are in a similar position.

“I didn’t realize you two knew each other,” Kurt says.

“Michael volunteered to do some science groups with my kids a few months back. Now we keep running into each other around town,” Blaine explains.

“So you’re the cute music teacher Michael was talking about, making me jealous,” Alex says with a laugh.

“Cute, am I?” Blaine teases.

“I did not use the word cute once,” Michael argues. “I’m pretty sure my exact words were nerdy and annoying, but halfway decent at his job.”

“A glowing letter of recommendation,” Alex teases.

“We should get back there to warm up,” Kurt says.

Alex turns to Michael who gives him a good luck kiss. “I’m glad you won’t have to watch alone.”

“I’d be fine even if I did,” Michael says. “You know I just like watching you play.”

Alex’s eyes go to Blaine then back to Michael like he wants to say something.

“You’re not honestly jealous are you?” Michael scoffs.

Alex shakes his head. “No, it’s just… it’s nice to see you have friends.”

“You mean who aren’t my siblings, my ex, or dating my sibling?” he asks.

“Exactly,” Alex says. “And I love your belt, don’t let anybody tease you about being a cowboy.”

“Don’t worry, Isobel told me what to do next time somebody gives me shit. Just make a joke about riding their boyfriend,” he says with a smirk.

Alex lets out a surprised laugh. “Yeah, that’ll probably work. But please don’t. Only person you get to ride is me.”

“Promise,” he says. “As soon as you’re done kicking ass with your new set, we can go straight home and I can show you just how much you don’t have to worry about me riding anyone else. Ever.”

#malex fic #glee fic #klaine fic #the glee/roswell crossover nobody saw coming #roswell nm #flash fic challenge

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saharamae21 · 4 years

Text

Midsummers (JJ Imagine - Part One)

Author: sguymon21

Summary: After JJ and you break up, it takes a lot to heal. Nothing seems to be working, so when Rafe invited you to Midsummers, it seems like just the distraction you needed. However, everything he does reminds you of JJ.

Warnings: None?

_____________________________________________

I’ve never been invited to Midsummers before. I was always this Pogue who never stood a chance of fitting in with the Kooks. I was in a bikini more than actual clothes and I preferred surfing over golfing any day. Maybe that’s why I caught JJ Maybanks attention for a minute. Maybe that’s why he liked more for a moment.

The days spent with JJ were the best days of my life. He was crazy and spontaneous and affectionate. I had never experienced attention before him, maybe that’s why I fell in love so quickly. He was a wildcard, but nothing he did was ever wrong in my eyes. However, everything I did was wrong in his. What I didn’t mention about JJ was that he was extremely particular. Everything had to fall into line perfectly and he got mad when it didn’t. Sometimes I felt like he needed things so perfectly, that I would never be good enough. Maybe I was right.

A week before midsummers, JJ and I were at the beach. We both knew we didn’t stand a chance of going. I laughed at the thought of JJ in a suit. He didn’t laugh with me. The whole day he was acting strange. He was quiet. JJ Maybank was never quiet. Maybe I was nervous because I knew what was going to happen. I knew in the back of my mind that he didn’t think I was the one. He didn’t think he could love me. When he told me he needed to break up, I didn’t hurt. I was used to one sided love. It was present in every aspect of my life; my parents, my siblings, my friends. Everything was one sided.

Over that week, I tried to figure out what I did wrong. I spent my time surfing and working. I was serving drinks at the country club one day when I heard a certain group snickering. Rafe Cameron and his group of losers gathered near a pool table and laughed. I walked next to them and grabbed their empty glasses.

“Hey y/l/n,” Rafe yelled as you began to walk away. “Heard you and JJ broke up. Good riddance right?”

I rolled my eyes and walked towards the bar. I could feel my annoyance level raising within me. He followed me over to the bar and took a seat across from me.

“Why don’t you get me a drink?” he asked.

“You’re not old enough to drink and I’m not old enough to serve,” I said. I set my tray of empty glasses down on the counter and turned to walk away from him. I felt him snag my wrist and pull me towards him. I lost my footing for a second and stumbled right into his chest. He had a strong grip on my arm as he stared down at me.

“This might work,” he said, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “How would you like to be my date for midsummers?”

I laughed. I didn’t mean to laugh that hard, but Rafe Cameron had just asked me, a pogue, to midsummers. He smirked down at me.

“I’m not kidding,” he simply said. “We can go dress shopping tomorrow. Do you work?”

I shook my head no as I stared confusingly at him. He traced his thumb over my lower lip like JJ used to do and I felt my heart sink a little bit. I pushed his arm off of me and walked out of the clubhouse quickly as memories flooded my mind.

I always surfed here. There was a good sandbar, great ways, and very little people. Only the locals knew this spot and none of them ever came here. The sun was on it’s way down and I smiled at the thought of Apollo riding his chariot, bringing the sun with him. What an interesting mythology the Greeks had. I sat on my board in the middle of the ocean as the waves rocked me. A storm was picking up and the waves were getting higher and higher, I just had to wait for the right one. Just as I thought I had it, a blonde boy paddled up next to me.

“This one’s mine, kay?” he said and took off, racing the wave. I sat there jaw agape as I watched him take the wave. Who did he think he was? I took the next big one and met him on shore.

“That was my wave,” I said. “I was waiting.”

He turned around to face me. I had seen him before, there wasn’t a pogue who didn’t know who he was. He chuckled and apologized insincerely. I rolled my eyes and muttered works of annoyance under my breath. I was ready to call it quits after that wave. He grabbed my wrist as I turned to walk towards where I parked my car. I stumbled into him clumsily when he pulled on me.

“What’s your name?” he asked. I looked up at his blue eyes.

“Y/n,” I said. He looked at me. His eyes were mesmerizing. I could feel myself being drawn in by them.

“It suits you,” he said, dragging his thumb over my bottom lip. “I hope I see you again, y/n.”

Rafe followed me outside and cut off my escape. He had his usual smirk on his face, but it seemed softer than usual. He looked at me with comfort and ease. He wasn’t intimidated by me and he wasn’t fearful of my pogue germs. He just looked at me almost as if we were equals. In a moment of weakness, he stuck me like a venomous snake.

“Pick you up at 3?” he asked, almost seeming charming for a moment.

“Don’t be late,” I said and walked quickly away.

That night I went over to Kie’s house, feeling guilty. She was the only who knows how much JJ breaking up with me actually killed me. I wasn’t a very emotionally expressive person, but a few days after our breakup, I broke down. I don’t cry often and I especially don’t cry in front of others, but Kie witnessed it all. I sat in her room on the floor and listened to her talk about the Pogues. She told me they missed me and wanted me back. She told me JJ’s been weird since we broke up, but I didn’t want to hear it.

“I’m going to midsummers,” I said quietly.

“What?” she asked. She smiled at the idea of me being there, but she didn’t understand why I was saying. “How? You’d have to be asked by a kook and…”

“Exactly,” I said. Her sentence drifting off like that means she caught on. She stared at me with a confused look. “Rafe Cameron asked me.”

“Y’n!” she yelled in shock. “You’re going to Midsummer’s with Rafe Cameron?”

“Yeah,” I said quietly. There was no emotion in my voice. I stared ahead with a black face. “He approached me at work. He ran his thumb over my bottom lip. He reminded me of JJ.”

“Y/n…” Kie said.

“Kie, he’s not coming back,” I said, finally I could feel tears in my eyes. I blinked them away and swallowed hard, clenching my fists while I did it. “Maybe it’s time I move on.”

I didn’t stay long after I told her. I went home, but when I got there I could leave my car. I hated it here. I was the middle of five kids. No one cared when I came or when I went. My dad was a workaholic and my mom was an alcoholic. I was the child they didn’t remember. I forced myself to go in and fell on the couch. I didn’t really have a room here anymore, so this was the best spot I could be.

When the morning light filtered through the blinds, I groaned. It was too early for me to want to get up. I forced myself though and went to the kitchen, grabbing myself some breakfast. I cracked opened a few eyes and threw them in a pan.

“Nice of you to come home,” my dad said. “We knew you’d get hungry.”

“That’s not why I’m home, dad,” I said. He just sighed and walked out the door. I pretended that didn’t hurt. I finished my breakfast and walked into my old room. My clothes were still in the closet, even though it was now my youngest sisters room. I grabbed something cute and changed in the bathroom quickly. I couldn’t remember the last time I wore this shirt. I couldn’t remember the last time I put on makeup or did my hair. Here I was though.

I left my house early. I didn’t want to be there when my mom woke up. I walked around town, trying to think of something to take my mind off of everything. It was probably no later than 10am when I finally felt bored. I parked by The Wreck and got out. I thought I would come back and eat some lunch before I met Rafe, but he would find me before I got that chance.

I was walking around carelessly when I heard a bike come up behind me. It stopped next to me and Rafe off his helmet. I watched him smile for what seemed like the first time. He always a smirk, but today his smile seemed wholesome.

“You’re up early,” he said. “Want to get a head start on shopping? Let’s go catch the ferry.”

He tossed his helmet to me and I smiled. This wasn’t my first time on a bike. I put the helmet on and hopped on the back. I wrapped my arms around him tightly and leaned against him. Memories of JJ came rushing back as we took off.

I was scared. I had never been on a motorcycle before. I stared at him with a nervous smile. He got off the bike and walked over to me. He cupped my face in his hands and stared into my soul. I could feel him brush his thumbs over my cheeks affectionately. He kissed my forehead and the biggest smile spread across my face. He made me so happy.

“There’s no reason to be scared,” he said. I placed my hand over one of his that cupped my face. I closed my eyes and nodded. He got onto the bike and held the helmet out to me. I slipped it on my head before hopping on the bike beside him. I wrapped my arms around him and leaned against his back. The adrenaline filled me as we took off, but love was the only thing that I felt that day.

We got to the ferry and Rafe helped me off the bike. I wondered to myself what I was doing, but this was a great distraction from everything. We boarded the ship and he put his arm around me as we sat down. I moved uncomfortably away and looked at him.

“There’s one thing I don’t get,” I said. “Why did you ask a pogue to Midsummers? You hate pogues.”

“I couldn’t take my eyes off you,” he said. “Maybe it’s time I rebelled.”

“You rebel all the time,” I muttered.

“Yet, I’m still invisible to my dad,” he said. My head snapped towards him. This was the first real thing Rafe had ever said to me. It almost made me understand him a little more. I smiled at him and he looked back at me. We were silent the rest of the boat ride over.

_________________________________________________

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ms-rampage · 4 years

Text

Eden's Gate: Left Behind Chapter 1 - Welcome to Hope County

A new series!!!. Take place 2 years before the events of Kidnapped.

I created "Hope County University" for this series, and a few other locations that aren't in the game. Because its all headcanon shit.

Warnings: None

Word count: 1.9k

John Seed slightly out of character. (That's what happens when you encounter a Winchester 😂😂)

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

Hope County, Montana, February 2018

*Arizona by Hey Monday plays on the radio*

A black 1970 Monte Carlo with a small trailer attached to it drives down the road with an Arizona license plate on it "ARIZONA E34R90D".

19 year old Kate Winchester, who just moved out of her aunt and uncle's house drove 7 hours from Jackson, Wyoming to Hope County, Montana. Drumming her fingers on the steering wheel to song.

Starting her new life, leaving the hunter life behind her, she applied and got accepted at Hope County University.

Hoping to get her Master of Science degree in Psychology, and then move on to get her Doctorate Degree.

Luckily her aunt and uncle were able to cover her tuition for the whole year. She even told them that she was willing to pay her own rent, and which surprisingly is only $750 a month. Hell her rent is cheaper here, than Arizona and Wyoming put together, but of course they're willing to pay for it, even though she refused, so she saves some money there.

She’s been attending college since she was 15 years old. She lied about her age to get a head start, with the help of her aunt Laura, and her grandmother Eliza. She attended community college in Wyoming before wanting to get transferred out of state.

She was able to rent out a small 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house with a decent size backyard that is owned by the University, which is why the rent is pretty cheap usually it costs a lot more, and she also got a job at the University's café & diner with starting pay at $14.50. To her that seems very unrealistic but she’ll take it, she ain’t complaining.

She drives down the road with her dog Haley in the passenger seat with her head out the window trying to bite the wind as they drive down the road.

"Smell that fresh Montana air Hale" she says with a smile, Haley pulls her head back in and lets out a bark, her eyes widened and has that look like she's smiling.

You know that look dogs do with their tongues hanging out making them look like they're smiling.

Driving down the road, off on the side, a huge billboard sign with a photo of some man with the caption.

“We Love You and We Will Take You”

"That's very welcoming" she jokes.

Kate turns onto a small side road that leads to her new home.

She drives slowly, while looking at the GPS on her phone.

After a few minutes she finds the house.

"Here it is" she says, pulling into the driveway.

Shutting off the car, and getting out.

"Come on Hale" she says, padding her thigh.

She takes the house keys out of her pocket, and opens the door.

It's a decent size house for someone who's living on their own, the house is slightly furnished. Her uncle Brent sent some of their old furniture to her new house.

A coffee table, a few chairs, few lamps, a night stand, and a full size bed with the frame, head, footboard, mattress and box spring.

The backyard is bigger than she thought. She opens the door, and lets Haley out to the back.

"Go sniff around" she tells her.

The 2 1/2 year old German Shepherd sniffs the corners of the fence, looking for a spot to do her business.

Kate goes back inside, leaving the backdoor open for Haley.

She checks out the rest of the house, the 2 bedrooms, the bathroom and washroom, luckily a washer and dryer comes with the place. So at least she wouldn't want to buy it.

She goes back to the living room, and sees that Haley came back inside.

She goes to close the backdoor, locking it, she heads out to the front and unpacks her trailer. Boxes, boxes and boxes of her stuff, clothes, books, her WiFi router, personal hygiene products, small furniture, stuff for school, some groceries she has in her mini fridge, some of Haley's stuff, her toys and food.

She finishes unpacking around 3:30pm, her room is all set up, her bed is fixed, all her clothes are put away in the closet and dresser, she has photos of her friends, family and posters of bands she likes hanging up on the walls.

She set up her 60inch TV, the box and WiFi router in the living room, she put up curtains on all the windows, and put some plants out on the front porch.

She has all of her hunter stuff in the 2nd bedroom, her angel blades, demon blades, holy water, bags of salt, her books, her dad’s journal. Bullets filled with rock salt, and all of her other hunting supplies.

She has everything set up, and all she needed now was a kitchen table, a couch and maybe some appliances like a microwave, toaster and a coffee maker.

She sighs in relief, lays back on her bed, Haley jumps on, laying next to her.

"You wanna go into town?!?" she asks the dog, she looks at her while tilting her head to the right.

"You wanna go for a walk?!?" she asks again, she tilts her head to the left while still looking at her. She lets out a loud bark which catches Kate off guard, and jumps off the bed.

Running back and forth down the hall, jumping at her on the bed in excitement.

She gets up from the bed.

"Okay let me find your leash" she says, while going into the living room.

She goes through some of her boxes.

After a few minutes, she finds her leash and puts it on her collar. Debating whether or not to take her in the car, or walk into town.

"It's only a 10-20 minute walk from here to town" she says out loud.

After a couple of minutes, she decides to drive, just in case some stores don't allow animals in, she can leave Haley in the car with all the windows down of course, or maybe leave her outside.

They drive into town, and she parks her car next to a gas station store.

"Come one Hale" she says.

She jumps out of the car, Kate locks it up and they walk past the small shops.

A grocery store, a pharmaceutical store, a gun shop, an autoshop, and lastly a bar called "The Spread Eagle".

She looks around, and sees an appliance store, she really does need those appliances.

She walks closer, and sees a sign on the door saying "Sorry, no animals allowed inside".

"Of course" she says to herself.

She ties Haley's leash to a parking meter under a tree

"I'll be right back" she says to her, petting her head.

She goes inside the store and looks around. Right off the bat she finds a toaster with 4 slots, and it costs $30 in which to her is a steal.

She finds a coffee maker and a microwave all that costs a decent amount, less than she thought it would be.

She pays for her stuff, and goes back outside to untie Haley, they walk back to the car, and put the appliances in the backseat covering them with a blanket.

They continue to walk around the small town of Falls End located in the Holland Valley region. They cross the street to go onto the opposite side. Up ahead Kate sees a small group of people walking into a church on the other side of the street. Thinking nothing of it.

While on the other side of the street at Falls End Church, John Seed is standing outside of it holding the Book of Joseph, preaching.

"Sin must be exposed so it may be absolved. We must wash away our past" while some of his men escort some locals into the church.

"You will know the power of Yes, you will confess your sins" he continues.

As he looks around he sees Kate with Haley walking on the opposite side of the street.

He stares at her as she walks by, a smirk appears on his face. Perhaps he is engrossed by her?. He gets a weird feeling in his stomach but he ignores it.

He continues to watch her as she walks further down the street away from the church.

He shakes his head, snapping out of that trance, and continues to preach to the sinners.

Kate walks down the street towards a different market. Once again they don't allow animals in the store.

So she ties Haley to a small iron fence in the shade "I'll be back'" she tells her again.

She shops for about 25 minutes, she doesn't like to keep her dog outside that long especially out in public, she grabs bread, eggs, orange juice, fruit, cereal, milk, breakfast sausages, bacon, dog treats, grounded coffee and butter.

Typical stuff you would buy at a grocery store.

She pays for her stuff, goes outside, unties Haley putting the leash around her wrist.

"Here you can hold your treats" she says, as she gives Haley her bag of Beggin Strips.

She carries it in her mouth making the bags less heavy for Kate, and they head back to the car. They cross the street, now walking on the church side. John steps out of it, and sees Kate walking towards the church.

He gets a better look at her, she's really cute. Actually she’s more than cute, she’s beautiful. Black hair past her shoulders, brown eyes, looks like she could be 19-22 years old?. Could she be a college student?. He's about to say something to her, but it gets ruined when one of his men calls out for him.

"John!!" they call out.

Turning his head to look back at him.

He quickly looks back at Kate who is too far for him to call out to her.

He rolls his eyes in annoyance, and goes back inside the church to see what they want.

Kate walks back to her car, and puts her groceries in the back seat.

Haley jumps into the front seat, and they drive off.

They get stopped at a red light in front of the church, John looks out the window, and sees a black 70 Monte Carlo with a German Shepard sticking its head out the window.

He quickly recognizes the dog, and sees Kate in the driver seat.

Quickly, he goes outside before the light turns green. He doesn’t know what to say to her, so he yells out "Nice car!!".

Kate can't see who yelled it because Haley is blocking her view from the passenger side, and is barking at some of the peggies outside the church.

So she yells back, "Thank you!!" followed with a honk of the horn. She in a way acknowledged John even if she didn't really see him.

She continued to drive down the road heading back home.

After a 10 minute drive, she makes it home, and puts all her groceries away, hooks up the appliances and sits back on one of her chairs for the rest of the day watching TV with Haley chilling at her feet.

“What a day Hale” she says, resting her feet on the table.

*3 in half hours later*

That night John is baptizing, cleansing some sinners, making them a step closer to being a part of Eden’s Gate. He’s doing his usual thing, making sure they are cleansed, and washed away from their sins.

He can’t seem to get Kate off his mind, he finds this very strange because these are some new feelings, that he has never felt before.

After he finishes the baptism, Joseph notices something is off about his younger brother.

He approaches him once he’s finished.

“John?!” he says, approaching him. “What is troubling you brother?”.

John doesn’t know what to say, he stumbles with his words “Nothing, Joseph”.

He places his hand on John's shoulder, their foreheads touching.

“It’s about a girl, isn’t it?” he asks, sounding like he already knew what this was all about.

John looks down, and lets out a soft sigh.

“Go to her. She can be your other half, when we cross Eden’s Gate” he tells him, before walking away.

John looks up at his older brother as he walks away, leaving him to contemplate with what he should do next.

#far cry 5 #john seed #kate winchester #john seed x kate winchester #far cry 5 fanfiction #eden's gate: left behind #my writings #my ocs #my oc kate winchester #john seed x oc #far cry 5 fanfic #far cry 5 oc #joseph seed #power of yes #fc5 john seed #fc5 fanfic

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tisfan · 4 years

Text

May I take Your Coat?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25288321 For @livewire28

Bucky is a selkie, headed into the human world to find a potential mate. He has no intention of staying very long... until he does.

Wanda is closing up the tiki bar for the night and wishes this last-minute customer would hurry up and go... until she doesn't.

Inspired by several tumblr posts I’ve seen where the human offers the coat back after knocking it down, or whatever.

Bucky flopped up on shore, scratching his belly over the sand and wending his way up to the rocks. There was a cave there, long since used for such purpose. Human things were stored there, neat and tidy. If he was lucky, the rain barrel would be full and he could take a bit of a bath.

Long gone were the days that a half-dressed, scruffy stranger could walk into a seaside town and not immediately be run out by the local coppers. There were standards. He couldn’t look like a vagabond.

Humans were weird.

Bucky made his way to the cave and then shrugged out of his coat.

It always took him a moment to find his land legs again, and he was glad enough that there weren’t people looking at him. Not even his own kind.

The cave was cool, and well laid out, the earthen floor long since cleared of stone and debris, flat and firm under his feet. A few human style chairs were set around a flat surface. Tabul, Bucky thought was the word, or close enough.

The rain barrel was full and he drew a few buckets into the tub to wash the salt smell from his skin, to scrub out his hair. Things they didn’t really worry about during their day to day lives.

He checked the gift box; trophies from past loves and gifts for new courted mates. Never stolen. Selkies weren’t thieves. Take one, leave one.

A fine string of black pearls, intermixed with a rose pearl every five beads. That should be well enough. Human women preferred jewelry, men preferred weapons. Or gold. There was some of that in the chest, too.

Bucky took his own offering, a handful of pirate treasure that he’d gotten from one of the wrecks nearby. The sea was hard on things from the land, aside from treasure. Eventually, someone would come, check the box. Gather up that which could be crafted. Everyone contributed because the system benefited everyone.

If you wanted a child, or a mate, you went through the cave.

Bucky found clothes there, sealed in a zip locked bag. He knew about those, too. Plastic. It filled the ocean, no matter how much the selkies tried to gather it up and toss it back on the shore. But it kept clothing dry and free from dirt and stains while waiting for someone else to be able to use it.

He dressed. Finger combed out his hair, gently untangling the strands. He looked well enough to pass for a local, he guessed.

Slinging his coat over his arm, Bucky put on loose-fitting shoes -- he hated shoes, all selkie hated shoes, but the humans got mad if you weren’t wearing them.

Stupid human rules.

But it was the only way to be sure.

If a selkie mated with another selkie, they could birth seal pups, which was tolerable, or a selkie, which was ideal. Or a human child, which was not ideal at all.

Humans no longer looked at a child left on the beach or the docks as a blessing. The child would end up in the human foster care, sometimes adopted out, sometimes neglected, but often taken far away from the sea, too far for their parent to find them, so they would never know… until some years, or even generations later, when they had their own child.

Who might be a selkie.

But any selkie who took a human as their mate, the child would be selkie.

For the women, it was easier; come ashore, spend a few days with a relatively tolerable human, come home and have the baby. The only time that went wrong was if the human found and stole the selkie’s coat.

For men--

Well, there were a few options. Selkies weren’t thieves.

But the cost of a child was high; the cost of living a half-life among humans was high.

Many selkie men chose to raise a child not of their blood, help provide for a child with a selkie mate, adopt the offspring.

It wasn’t a bad plan, not really.

But Bucky wanted his own child.

Was that too much to ask?

Wanda sighed as the man walked into her bar. There was no dress code, aside from yes, please wear clothes. It was a beach bar, tiki themed and tacky, but it meant no one expected the floor to be swept. It was almost closing time, though, and she’d already shooed the rest of the locals and tourists out.

“It’s already last call,” she said. “I can get you one drink, and anything that’s left cooked in the kitchen, but that’s all.”

“That will be well enough,” the man said, and he was beautiful, really. Dark, windswept hair that looked like he’d been swimming most of the day. Blue eyes, cleft chin. Cheekbones that would worry the TSA, they were that sharp.

The clothes, not so much. A tourist tee from one of the shops up on the strip and ugly shorts with pineapples on them. Sandals, which wasn’t typical. But he carried a brown silk sport coat tucked over his arm. Gorgeous, almost golden. Glittery, reflecting back the light from the imitation tiki torches. The shop owner didn’t like smoke from real torches, so they had ugly fake electric things. And light up palm trees. It was tacky as shit.

Which meant, at least, her customer mostly matched the decor.

She wished she didn’t have to work the night shift -- she was always cranky during the evening -- but school was in the morning. One of these days, she was just going to collapse. Trying to do two full time gigs, and her side-hustle where she consulted for people doing gardening and helped them lay out and select plants. She barely got any time to breathe. Certainly relaxing was all the way out of the question.

Which didn’t make her the best host to a customer coming in to eat a plate of cold fries and drink a beer.

“Long day in the sun?”

“Something like that,” the man said, sitting down at the bar, moving gingerly. He didn’t look sunburned. Maybe he was just sore. Too much swimming.

“Well, we’re closing soon, so you enjoy your food. Yell if you need something, but I gotta start clean up. I was supposed to have help today, but both the other girls called out,” she said.

“Is there anything I can do to assist?”

Wanda didn’t quite scoff. Like a tourist would want to help do the dishes or put the stools up. “It’s just basic stuff. Put the seats up on the table, rake the floor for trash, empty--”

The man got up, drained his beer, and Wanda half expected him to leave without paying, saying he was going to leave a bad review and would be back to talk to the manager, because honestly that was what she was used to. Tourists were people with money, and most of the time, they were entitled pricks.

Instead, he wiped his mouth on the back of his arm, and then-- got to work putting up the stools.

“Thank you,” Wanda said. She probably shouldn’t let him help; Thaddeus Ross, her boss, would not be pleased with her if something happened to the man. Or even if he complained-- or if someone else complained. But she was so tired, really, what could it hurt, just this once? “My name’s Wanda.”

“Bucky,” the man said.

“Thanks, Bucky,” she said. “If you can do that, I’ll get the kitchen shut down, then take out the trash.”

“Will do, Wanda,” he said, and he stressed her name, like a caress.

She suppressed a shiver, headed into the kitchen. She didn’t have time or energy to worry about some guy.

Loaded the dishes into the industrial washer and started it. Sometimes she wished she had one of those at home. Once the dishes were in the rack, it took about four minutes to clean them. She had to be careful unloading because the dishes would be hot as hell, but it was nice.

And then she’d look at the space it needed and the cost and decide if she needed a plate in four minutes, she could just wash it in the sink.

By the time Wanda came back out to wipe down the bar, Bucky had put all the chairs up except the one he had been using, stacked all the trash bags by the door, and was raking the floor to get up all the random cigarette butts, spare change, and cruft that gathered around the tiki bar.

“Wow,” she said. “Nice job.” She took his plate back into the kitchen and left it by the washer. There was no point unloading the whole thing to wash one plate. Opening shift could get it tomorrow. “Here--” she snagged his jacket, flipped up the last stool, and then offered it to him. “Thanks for your help.”

Bucky reached out his hand tentatively for the jacket, as if he were shocked that she’d touched it. Or given it back. Or something. She couldn’t help petting it. The material was so soft.

But when he reached for it, his fingers brushing the fabric, a jolt of heat, of desire, of-- something passed from her to him and back.

“You-- want to go to one of the all night pancake houses up the way and buy a girl a cup of coffee?” her mouth said before her brain engaged. She never asked anyone on a date, even if she was interested.

“Yes,” Bucky said, and his voice was husky and seductive. “I would like that very much, I think.”

#winterwitch #bucky barnes x wanda maximoff #selkie AU

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