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justagalwhowrites · 11 months

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Lavender - Ch. 18

A night out at the speakeasy leads to an unexpected connection. A continuation of Lavender Ch. 1-17 found on Tumblr here.

Pairing: Joel Miller x Female Reader (broken up), Tommy Miller x Female Reader

Warnings: SMUT :D unprotected p in v sex (wrap it up!) and Tommy being an absolute flirt. No use of Y/N. Minors DNI, 18+ only!

Length: 4.8 k

Saturday, May 15, 2010 - Six Months Later

“I need more than a drink,” Lucy put her head on the front desk of the clinic with a groan. “I need at least 2. Probably five.”

“I think they have that,” Andrew said, smiling a little. “Pretty much the whole draw.”

“That one guy was such a dick,” she propped her chin on her fist. “Why did I decide to become a nurse again? Why did I think this was a good idea?”

“Because you made career choices before the world ended and then stuck it out?” You said, sitting on top of the desk behind the counter.

“Yeah being a nurse wasn’t exactly a walk in the park then, either,” she grumbled. “This is my problem, I’m basically an addict, I get one REALLY GOOD patient and then I act like that fixes alllllll the assholes…”

“Sounds like dating men,” Marta joined your little group from the exam area. “Lee is finishing up with the final patient and then we’re free. We’re so close, guys. So close I can taste it.” Marta glanced over at you and groaned. “Aw, Doc, you got changed? You look all cute and shit? That’s not fair!”

“Hey,” you replied. “I have nowhere else to wear the cute dress. You have dates. I have speakeasy night with my coworkers, just give me this.”

“You could have dates too, if you wanted,” Jess was perched on the other side of the horseshoe shaped desk, Andrew squarely between you in his office chair. Her feet were in his lap. “All you’d have to do is just say yes to one of the guys who talks to you or actually ask someone out.”

“Yes but why should I when I have you lovely people, all our patients and Petri dishes in the lab to keep me company?” You smiled. Andrew and Jess shared a brief look. You tried to not roll your eyes. Mostly because they’d given you a lot of leeway in the past almost year since you and Joel had split up. Especially when you got back from your trip outside the QZ.

You hadn’t even bothered to go home that night. You walked straight to Andrew and Jess’ place, knocking on the door and trying to not cry until you were inside. Andrew was the one to answer and you fell into him, burying your face in his chest as it felt like you were cracking open with the pain of it.

“You were right,” you choked out as he pulled you inside. “About what he did out there, you were right…”

“Oh, honey,” he wrapped his arms around you the best he could with the backpack in the way, kissing the top of your head before tucking you below his chin. “I’m so sorry. I wish I was wrong. I really do.”

You slept there that night, Andrew sandwiched between you and Jess, other people and the safety that came with them the only thing that let you rest.

You’d managed to avoid Joel since you’d returned. It had been half a year since you last saw him that night at the QZ fence. There were signs of him, though. He was usually on your mind somehow, not that you were happy about it.

A few weeks after the trip, you passed Tess on your way to look for a few more books and CDs at the underground sellers’ shops. She didn’t notice you but you noticed her. It looked like she’d gotten into a fight, she had a black eye and gash at her throat. You frowned.

“Tess?” You changed direction to follow her. “Tess!”

She turned and looked surprised that you’d talk to her for a moment before meeting you in the middle.

“Doc,” she looked you up and down. She had a tendency to do that, you noticed. She liked to evaluate things. Like she thought you might have changed since she last saw you. “Good to see you.”

“You too,” you smiled. “Look, I’m happy I ran into you, I’ve been thinking…” You glanced around and tugged her off to the side of the road. “You and Tommy and… everyone, you’re still making runs, right?”

“Not taking you out there again,” she shook her head. “Joel was pretty firm on that…”

“No, that’s fine,” you waved her off. “I just… You know that saying ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?’”

“Sure,” she shrugged.

“Well there’s only so much I can do for you if you guys come back already hurt, down a lot of blood, all that jazz,” you said. “But if I gave you some basic trauma supplies, showed you how to use them…”

“You’d do that,” she said it more than asked it.

“Of course,” you frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?” She didn’t say anything else, so you just pressed on. “Could you plan to come by my apartment sometime this week, late? I can put together some kits, show you what to do for common injuries…”

“Wednesday?” She asked.

“After 10:30,” you said. “Should give me time to get home from the clinic.” You were surprised to learn that you actually kind of liked Tess. She showed up to your apartment not long after you did. Wednesday had been a rough one and your shirt was still bloody, deciding to prioritize getting the blood out of your hairline instead of changing your clothes.

“Doc,” she said by way of greeting, her eyes drifting to the blood on your shirt and back up to your face, strand of bloody hair still in your fingers.

“Sorry,” you said, giving an apologetic smile. “Had to do a field amputation today without anesthesia, it was a mess… I’m making tea, want a cup?”

“I’ll take tea,” she said, coming in and sitting at the table. You got your still bloody hair out of the way and quickly pulled the shirt off before grabbing a t-shirt out of the drawer and pulling it on.

“Sorry,” you smiled apologetically again. “I just really needed to get at least some of that blood off me…”

You put the tea on the table and grabbed the kit you put together, giving Tess a crash course in trauma stabilization 101.

“So were you a military doctor when this shit started?” She asked after you packed the supplies back up.

“Oh God no,” you laughed. “No, I was a biology teacher. I was finishing up a pre-med degree though, and I’d always wanted to be a doctor so I was just reading everything I could find to get a jump on med school. I got here, they were setting up medical facilities with all of one doctor so he trained me.”

“And how’d you meet Joel?” She was sitting back in he chair, watching you. His name made your stomach clench.

“You could ask him,” you said, looking at the almost empty tea cup.

She scoffed.

“You are an off limits topic,” she said. “For both Miller men, as it happens. Joel doesn’t answer, Tommy says it’s not his shit to say. Joel got back from the trip with you, said nothing for three days and then pretended that nothing happened.”

You nodded slowly.

“And you don’t like not knowing,” you said. She smiled.

“Exactly.”

You signed, fidgeting with the mug.

“I met Joel in 1999,” you said. Her eyes went wide. “It’s why they called me Kid, I was just 20 back then, still in college.”

“Jesus, you were a kid. He still a grumpy asshole then?” She laughed. You laughed back.

“Very rarely,” you said. “Punched Tommy in the face at a bar once because Joel was being an asshole and Tommy called him on it. Though I made him watch ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and he actually liked it. Tried so hard not to laugh at the fake orgasm scene he choked on his beer.”

She laughed at that. She told you about some of her life before, too. Spending summer on a lake with her husband and son, a mishap when renovating their basement that left a giant splotch of paint over the new linoleum that they’d never been able to properly clean up. You got both of you beer.

“I was never sure who the outbreak was worse for,” she said. “People like me who had a life going that got ripped away or people like you who never really had a fucking chance at one.”

“We all got screwed,” you said. “Sometimes I think we all died back then, everyone who’s left is just a ghost of what they would have been otherwise.”

“And you still wear ribbons on your braids,” she nodded to your hair. You glanced down, the blue ribbon splotched purple where the blood had splattered it. You smiled a little.

“There are very few things that make life worth it anymore,” you said after a moment. “And life is too short to not wear the damn ribbons.”

You knew they were using the trauma kit supplies. Tess would show up every six weeks or so, asking for a resupply. She’d even asked for a new euthanasia kit once. You almost had a panic attack before she had the chance to tell you that it wasn’t Joel or Tommy, just a traveler they’d run into who couldn’t bring themselves to turn their gun on themselves. But you hadn’t needed to come pull a bullet out of any of them again, so you were counting their trips as a success.

“Alright kids,” Lee came out from the exam area, lab coat still on. “We are all set, they’re getting dressed and then we are out of here!”

“I’m going for the jukebox as soon as we get there,” Marta said. “No one try to stop me!”

“Oh God,” Andrew groaned. “You’re going to make us listen to the Backstreet Boys all night aren’t you?”

“Think they’re still alive out there?” She asked. “Just performing for some QZ on the west coast?”

“Imagine if they’re infected,” Jess said. “You’re just walking down the street and then bam, attacked by a Backstreet Boy…”

“This,” Andrew looked up at her. “This is why I love you.”

Walking to the Speakeasy with everyone reminded you a little of college. It helped that you were wearing a sundress like you’d worn so much in Texas. It helped that the weather was warm and the sky was clear. Mostly, it helped that there were people laughing. You weren’t sure if your memory was just selective but it seemed like people just didn’t laugh anymore.

There were some tables in the corner of the speakeasy that were open and you pushed them together, sitting down with your back against one of the walls. It just felt better that way.

“Beer?” Andrew looked to Jess. She nodded and he turned to you. “Beer?”

“I’m thinking a 1996 left bank Bordeaux, something with some good body to it,” you said, thinking.

“Yeah, so beer?” He smiled.

“Yes please,” you smiled back.

“I only put on two songs,” Marta sat beside you. “So, Andrew, Mr. ‘If it’s not rock and roll it’s not music,’ will only have to suffer for so long.”

“And if only we could get him to suffer in silence,” Jess mused.

You laughed and Andrew brought beer and you sat drinking with your friends, forgetting for a minute that it was the end of the world.

“Doc?”

You turned to see a slightly familiar face. You frowned for a moment, trying to place him when it clicked.

“Oh my gosh, Tim?” You asked. He smiled, nodding. “Holy cow, you’re so… adult!”

He laughed. He was a student from your first year as a teacher in the QZ, finishing high school in 2007. You hadn’t seen him since.

“Yeah, I’m 21 now,” he smiled proudly. “Doesn’t really matter much now but still, cool to say.”

Bitter Sweet Symphony started playing and he held out his hand.

“Wanna dance?” He asked. “I think the statute of limitations of you as my teacher are up.”

“Fuck it,” you shook your head. “Why not?”

“Yeah!” Marta whooped. “Getting Doc on the dance floor!”

You flipped her off and she laughed as you followed behind him.

Tim, you were happy to know, was doing alright for himself. He had a girlfriend he was crazy about. He was stuck working for FEDRA, of course, but he was doing some engineering work.

“All because you made me interested in science,” he said, one hand at your waist, the other in yours. “So, thanks for that.”

“You’d have gotten there eventually without me,” you smiled. “But I’ll take some credit for your success.”

The song changed to something you didn’t recognize, something fun and upbeat. His face brightened.

“Mind if I spin you?” He asked. “Always wanted to try that.”

“I am in the dress for it,” you smiled a little. “Go for it, kid.”

He clumsily twirled you under his arm until his fingers slipped out of yours and sent you spinning across the dance floor. You were laughing so hard you couldn’t breathe and he took your hand again just as you saw Joel, watching you from across the bar.

Your laughter died and your breath caught in your throat. Seeing him was like seeing a ghost. It took you a moment to understand why but then you realized it. Since November, you’d thought of the Joel you knew as though he were dead. He’d died with Sarah, back in September, 2003. He’d never made it to Boston.

You’d mourned him in a way. You’d put the few clothes he’d left at your place into the floorboards with your stash - those weren’t his, after all - but left the picture of him, Sarah and you on your nightstand. That Joel wasn’t a killer. That Joel hadn’t blamed you for it. You’d taken to charging your old cell phone, reading back through texts with him and with Sarah that were still stored there every night before you fell asleep. There was a voicemail, too, one from a week before you visited the last time.

“Hey Baby,” he’d said. “Think I fucked up the time difference again, must still be out with Louisa… Anyway, missin’ ya. Call me when you’re home safe. Love you.”

That Joel was dead and the man he’d become was staring daggers at you.

“Doc?” Tim said.

“Mind if I cut in?” Andrew said.

“Good to see you, Tim,” you managed to turn and smile at him. “Glad to know you’re doing well.”

“Take care, Doc,” he smiled, leaving you with Andrew. He pulled you into his arms and put his mouth near your ear.

“Here’s what we’re gonna do,” he said quietly, holding you tightly to him so you had no choice but to sway with him. “We’re going to stay out here for this song and we’re going to have a great time. And then we’re going to go back to the table and drink the beers that Jess is getting us right now.”

“I just…”

“Nope,” he cut you off. “We’re not doing that, we’re not going to run away because that fucker showed up. We’re going to stay here and we’re going to have fun in spite of his ass. Got it?”

You just nodded.

“Good.”

You weren’t paying attention to the music, the feeling of Joel’s eyes on you drowning out almost everything else, Andrew’s hands on you seeming like the only thing tethering you to the earth. You let him guide you back to the table, a fresh beer sitting in front of your seat.

“Hey Doc!” Jess said brightly. “So an amnesiac walks into a bar. He goes up to a beautiful blonde and says ‘so… do I come here often?’”

It took you a second and then you laughed, the spell of Joel’s eyes on you snapping. And life continued on. Until a Texas drawl appeared over your shoulder.

“Scuse me.” Andrew’s eyes narrowed as you looked behind you, Tommy standing there. “I was really hoping I could get you onto the dance floor.”

“Me,” you said, incredulous.

“Well I try to make a habit of getting the prettiest girl at the bar to give me the time of day,” he smiled. “So I’m just hopin’ you’ll cut me a break for old time’s sake.”

“Look,” Andrew said, but you cut him off.

“Why not,” you said. He smiled - that fucking Miller man smile - and offered you his hand. You took it and he pulled you to your feet and toward the dance floor. Linger was playing. He put his hands at your waist and your arms went around his neck, swaying in time.

“So Kid,” he smiled. “How’ve you been?”

“Good,” you said cautiously. You could feel Joel’s eyes on you.

“I feel like you’re doubtin’ my good intentions,” he said.

“If Joel sent you to talk to me, you can tell him to fuck off,” you said.

“That asshole?” He scoffed. “He about ripped my arm off when I said I was going to ask you to dance, he doesn’t want me doin’ this. You think that’s the only reason I’d come talk to you?”

“Maybe not the only reason,” you smiled a little.

“Wasn’t joking about gettin’ the prettiest girl at the bar to give me the time of day,” he smiled back. “Got news for you, any bar you’re in? That’s you. I just have to talk you into it now.”

You rolled your eyes and shook your head a little, smiling anyway.

“You’re still such a player, aren’t you?” You teased.

“Nah, just a charmer,” he said.

“How’ve you been?” You asked.

“Well as can be expected,” he shrugged. “Roommate’s a dick but…”

You snorted and he smiled broader.

“I told him he was a fuckin’ asshole for what he did to you, you know,” he said after a moment, face turning serious. “He was also a fuckin’ dumbass but he’s always been a dumbass. It’s the asshole shit I can’t stand.”

“Let me know if the message ever sinks in,” you said wryly.

“That’ll be the day,” he scoffed.

The song shifted, something soft and slow. He tugged you closer and your cheek leaned into his chest. You danced quietly for a bit.

“I wanted to ask you out, back in the day,” he said eventually, his lips close to your ear.

“Really?” You glanced up at him, not wanting to move your head.

“Joel told me you were ‘off limits,’” he laughed a little. “Course I didn’t know that was because he wanted ya but…”

“Damn,” you joked. “Dibs really put you off, huh?”

“If I’d known it was just dibs it wouldn’t have,” he replied.

The song changed to Black Magic Woman and he stepped back from you a bit.

“Now, see, I might have had some ulterior motives,” he smiled sheepishly. “May have put this on the jukebox in hopes I could get you to dance to it with me…”

“I don’t know how to dance to this,” you laughed, moving to head back to your seat, hand still in his. He caught you and pulled you back against him.

“I do,” his hand went to the small of your back, pressing your hips against his. You swallowed. “Just gotta follow my lead, pretty girl.”

He took the lead, his hips pushing against yours, moving in sharp rhythm. You could feel him through his jeans. His legs nudged yours in the right steps, your breasts flush against him. His eyes traced your face, lingering on your lips.

The song felt too short, the two of you coming to a stop in the middle of the dance floor, bodies still close together.

“How ‘bout a drink?” He smiled.

“Sure,” you smiled back. He laced his fingers with yours and led you to the bar, just catching a glimpse of Joel standing up and storming off as you did.

Tommy joined the table with your coworkers, pulling up a chair close to yours, one hand on the small of your back. Marta asked how you knew each other and immediately latched on to the “we’ve been friends for 11 years” thing to get stories out of him like the time he tried to teach you to grill and you accidentally set the thing on fire and seriously considered pushing it into the pool to put it out.

“We’re gonna head out,” Andrew said before he leaned in to kiss your cheek goodbye, whispering in your ear as he did. “You OK?”

You just nodded and he left with Jess. You realized then that they were the last of the party to leave.

“One more drink,” Tommy smiled. “Just you and me.”

“Well if you’re going to twist my arm about it,” you smiled back.

The bar was emptying out, just a few stragglers left on the dance floor. Tommy got you both a whiskey on the rocks, sitting next to you in a booth, putting his arm around your shoulders. You propped your feet on the chair across the table from you and leaned your head on his chest, swirling the whiskey in your chipped glass. The ice clinked.

“Missed seein’ you,” he said after a minute, taking a drink. “You always just… Made shit better. It’s all brighter with you.”

“You’re sweet,” you smiled a little, taking a drink. “And I’ve missed seeing you, too.”

Closing Time came on and Tommy laughed.

“We can take a hint!” He yelled over your head before finishing his drink. “We’re goin, we’re goin.”

You laughed, polishing yours off, too, before getting up. You could just barely feel the alcohol in your head, far from drunk and just on the edge of tipsy.

“C’mon,” he said. “I’ll walk you home.”

“You know, I walk home on my own late at night most days,” you said, following him out of the bar, anyway. “Always ends up fine.”

“Humor me,” he smiled, holding out his hand. You smiled back, taking it. He tugged you close to him, setting an easy pace.

You talked about random things you missed about Austin, laughing when you mentioned your favorite second hand clothing shop downtown near campus.

“Isn’t that just shopping now?” He teased.

“Oh you know it’s not the same,” you laughed. “I got this great dress there once from the 70s. I think I only wore it once, to a wedding, but damn did it make my boobs look fantastic. One of life’s great regrets is the fact that it’s rotting away in my closet in New York.”

“Damn,” he shook his head. “Now one of my great regrets is not seeing that dress…”

You laughed, stopping at the door to your building.

“This is me,” you half smiled.

“How about I walk you up?” He asked. You raised your eyebrows. “I know I know, but how often do you walk home from the clinic with a few drinks in you?”

“I’ve treated you, do you want to know the answer to that question?” You teased. He laughed.

“Well those times, I wouldn’t have to feel guilty if somethin’ happened to ya,” he said. “Let me walk you up.”

“If that’s what will help you live the dream, Miller, far be it from me to stop you.”

You opened the communal door and led the way upstairs, stopping by your apartment.

“See?” You teased, after unlocking your door but leaving it closed and turning to face him. “So eventful.”

He leaned his arm against the door frame, caging you in on one side. His eyes dropped to your lips before going back to your eyes.

“Still think you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen,” he said quietly, his free hand delicately lifting your chin toward him.

“Tommy,” you breathed. His hand slipped from your chin to the back of your head, his thumb still along your cheek.

“Want me to stop?” He asked, moving closer.

You swallowed.

“No,” you said.

“Good,” he said. “Neither do I.”

He kissed you then. Soft, gentle, his lips parting just enough that you could taste the whiskey on his breath. He leaned his body into yours, the hips that had been moving with yours on the dance floor pressing into you a different way now. A familiar ache sparked low in your stomach as you reached up to wrap your arms around his neck.

You weren’t sure how long he kissed you, but after a moment, he pulled back, a little breathless.

“Why don’t we go inside?” He said softly.

“Yeah,” you nodded, opening the door behind you.

Things moved a lot faster then. His hands slid the straps of your dress down your arms before your door was fully closed. He reached to lock it while you fumbled with the buckle of his belt. His lips were on yours, his tongue slipping into your mouth, his hands ranging over every inch of skin they could reach before sliding your dress down to pool on the floor. You pulled at the buttons of his shirt until you were able to shove it off and he quickly unclipped your bra. He looked down at your bare chest, panting for breath a little.

“Damn,” he said. “Don’t regret not seein’ the dress anymore. This is so much fuckin’ better.”

He stepped out of his boots quickly and you unbutton and unzipped his pants. You kicked off your sandals and he tugged your panties down, leaving them on the floor as you pulled him against you toward your bed. He paused, your legs against the bed, his hands holding you gently.

“You sure you’re good with this?” He asked.

“Just kiss me, Miller,” you said. He wasted no time obliging.

You pulled him onto your bed with you, his weight settling easily between your thighs. He slid a hand down your body to your pussy, softly tracing your clit for a moment before pressing his fingers against you, working you in slow, longing circles. You moaned against his mouth, rocking your hips against his hand. You felt him smile against your lips.

Tommy slipped a thick finger inside you, exploring you, the tip brushing your inner walls until he found the spot that made your toes curl. He added another finger, working both of them against the place inside you, adding his thumb to your clit until your back arched and you came with a loud moan around him.

“Fuck, gorgeous,” he pressed his lips to your collar bone. “Gonna need you to do that again while I’m inside you… you’ve got me fuckin’ desperate for it…”

“Then get inside me,” you panted, reaching between your bodies to take his cock in your hand. He was thick, hard, not so long that you were worried about whether or not he would fit but long enough that you knew he would fill you. You worked him up and down, spreading the wetness from his tip over him.

“Tryin’ to kill me, I swear,” he said, slipping his fingers from inside you to himself, brushing your hand away. He lined himself up with your entrance, pressed his lips to yours and thrust into you.

The stretch was immediate, a sharp but pleasant burn as he sank into you. He moaned against your lips and you rocked your hips against him, making his movements stutter.

“You trying to make me cum before I’m even inside you?” He gasped. “Fucking hell, girl.”

He thrust the rest of the way inside you in one quick, hard motion, making your back arch, pulling a delicious moan from your lips. His arm slipped below you, pulling your torso flush with his as he began to fuck into you, his thick cock sliding out to just the tip before thrusting back against your back wall with every stroke. You clung to him as his lips found your throat, your breasts, his hard length moving faster, more forcefully every time. The tip of him was hitting the spot inside you with every movement, your second orgasm building fast.

“Fuck, I’m going to…” you managed. He thrust harder, your sentence ending in a strangled cry.

“Won’t last when you do,” he gasped. “Where can I…”

“I’m on the pill,” you said quickly.

“Thank fuck.”

He picked up the pace, holding himself deep inside you every few strokes, your body tightening and coiling around him until you felt the taught band of pleasure snap, your core pulsing around him.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck…” he groaned, thrusting two more times before collapsing on top of you, both of you limp and gasping for breath.

He pressed his lips to your throat, still deep inside you, and you saw the picture frame with Joel and Sarah on your nightstand out of the corner of your eye. While he was distracted, you reached up and silently set it face down before wrapping your arms around the man in your bed.

A/N: THAT'S RIGHT GUYS SHE'S GETTING WITH BOTH BROTHERS AND JOEL FUCKING HATES IT. This has been building since literally day one of this story lol. Tommy has had a crush on her FOREVER and now it's finally paying off - for him and for us (because we get the drama of it)

I have a taglist, so if you'd like to be included, just comment below! Thank you so so much for reading and following along. I hope you enjoy the drama and the angst! Love you all!

Taglist: @paleidiot @ayamenimthiriel @ginger-swag-rapunzel @drewharrisonwriter @flugazi @pedropascalsbbg @taoyuji @starstruckmusiciansartghost @splendsay @bigboiseason123 @jpbplvr @ashleyandring @mrsyixingunicorn10

#fanfic #joel miller x female reader #joel miller x reader #joel miller x you #smut fic #tommy miller

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hypnotisedfireflies · 4 months

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Six More Summer Fics for Tessjoels

Follow-up to this post! There I just posted some of my favourite in-progress Tess x Joel fics for summer reading - now here are some of my favourite completed tales from the last year. (Why did I limit myself to six? Whose dumb idea was that?)

I can't fuck it up if it's not there, by @seethesunny I mean, in the title alone Vane pretty much encapsulates the subtle foundation the very relationship rests. Vane is wonderfully prolific in fandom but this was the first recent story of hers I thought of for this post. It's gritty QZ life and a terrific character study of them separately, and their budding relationship.

gun-shy, by myhomeistheshire A few writers have explored this premise but I particularly loved the way this author handled the story (especially as it's Tess Lives!) Tess, Joel and Ellie are so in character, it's unreal, you can just hear them as you read. Essentially, sassy street kid Ellie finds her Tessjoel parents.

part of something good, by @two-birds-alone-together I only read this one today! Shame on me, because it's Tess Lives and that's my core drive. I love the nuance between Tess and Joel as they deal with their Ellie problem (lol) and the growing relationship between the three. I can be really picky about Tess joining the Ellie & Joel journey but this is really well-rendered. The chapter 1 cliffhanger is diabolical.

shine bright, by @tessaservopoulos Particularly partial to this one (check the dedication!) but that just made it easier to choose the right fic for this post! This is a sweet bite-sized story that crams so much atmosphere, subtlety and fun into one story. A little real light (figurative and literal, ha) in the darkness during the QZ years. I love me some QZ gritty, but this is irresistible.

Getaway, by @ameerawrites Comedy is really hard to put on paper, especially in fic where you have to both be funny to your reader and have the situation play out in the character's voices. Ameera does both in this cosy little AU fic. It doesn't just feel like an isolated story, though. Tess and Joel feel really authentic and you get cute glimpses of their wider life beyond their failed Colorado ski trip.

mist, by sillylily07 Choosing just one fic by this author for the list was a bit of a chore, because there are so many and separating just one out to include was really hard. This is a wonderful example of this author's understanding of the characters, combining the rough-edges of their relationship and situation with the tenderness they have for one another. Bite-sized flirty fun.

Fear of Heights, by @mariatesstruther Sike, a bonus story: Tommy/Maria! Look, this is the meet cute of the century for Tommy and Maria. At random times of the day I just find myself thinking of - oh, you'll have to read it, but I'm grinning as I type just thinking about it. The characterisation is on point and it feels canon to me. I love how Tommy connects with Jackson before the commencement of the story because it feels so realistic and you can feel his desperation, but he's still so fucking ... Tommy.

I tried to keep these lists kind of succinct so I didn't lose days of my life in compiling them, but they are not the extent of wonderful Tessjoel fic out there. I know I have left off terrific authors and stories but I tried to get a little sampling of some of the talent actively writing at present. Please leave more recs in the comments so I can smack my hand against my head and go OF COURSE and be angry at myself for making these lists so brief.

#fic recs #tlou fic recs #tess lives #joel loves tess #the last of us #tlou #joel miller #tess servopoulos #tess x joel #joel x tess #tlou fanfic #tlou fanfiction #tommy x maria

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elialys · 1 year

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MASTERPOST:

These Lines Etched in Sand

What would have happened if Joel was bitten at the museum? This is an exploration of TLOU, with Tess taking Ellie across the country in search of the Fireflies—and maybe some hope.

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

As the hours progress and Tess remains MIA, Ellie grows more and more restless.

“She’s okay,” Tommy bluntly lied to her face earlier when he joined them at their house. “Needed some rest, but she’ll join us later. Let me show you the market, you gonna love it.”

Ellie doesn’t know how to make those people understand what it feels like for her, and probably Sam, to be thrown into this happy Jackson bubble and be expected to just fit in after a handful of hours, all the while being forcefully kept away from the one person they feel safe around.

Unwilling to make another scene, now more anxious than annoyed over Tess’s prolonged absence, Ellie does her best to…be good. She goes to the market with them, pretends to give a fuck over the various stands, tries nodding her head at the few teenagers Maria introduces her to, but her heart isn’t in it.

Tommy doesn’t even stay with them the whole time, claiming he’s got things to do, not coming back until much later, at which point Ellie and Sam have been taken back to the dining hall, now packed with people eating their evening meal.

Still no Tess.

By the time Ellie finds herself sitting in another large room, made to watch some bullshit movie, she’s crawling out of her skin, regularly looking back toward the exit, without luck. Beyond her genuine concern for Tess, she’s also wondering if this is the premise of what is to come.

She knew they wouldn’t be sticking together indefinitely, she’s known it from the start, telling herself again and again to be careful, because this would end, the way everything ends—with her alone.

** CONTINUE READING ON AO3 **

#tess servopoulos #joel miller #ellie williams #joel x tess #the last of us #tlou hbo #writing #fic of mine #these lines etched in sand #lines masterpost

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telvess · 7 months

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Hi, I'm Telvess, but you can call me Tess, Telv or any other variant (everything works for me). This is multiple fandom blog that contains adult content - minors DNI.

Messages/asks are opened and very welcomed! Currently I re-entered my Jujutsu Kaisen phase and joined Your Turn To Die fandom (I need more Keiji content asap), so feel free to send me fics recommendations! 😊

English isn’t my first language. I’m trying to improve it here.

MASTERLIST:

JUJUTSU KAISEN

Pizza delivery girl (Higuruma Hiromi x reader)

RECORD OF RAGNAROK

Multiple characters headcanons:

playing Elden Ring

watching The Lion King with Reader 🔞

what kind of pet do they have?

how they sleep with their s/o 🔞

reader using pick-up lines on them

Oneshots:

First kiss (Apollo x reader)🔞

Selfie (Buddha x reader)🔞

Favourite part (Jack x reader)

Mother’s prison (Hades x Persephone!reader)

Scenarios:

how does he seek attention, part 1 (Hades, Jack, Leonidas) 🔞

how does he seek attention, part 2 (Poseidon, Loki, Heracles) 🔞

morning with him (Hermes, Hades, Qin)🔞

with painter reader (Susanoo, Hajun, Hermes) 🔞

how does he comfort a sick reader (Jataka, Heracles)

Them in relationship:

Hades 🔞

Hermes 🔞

Poseidon🔞

Nikola (with werewolf fem!reader)

General headcanons:

Hades🔞

Jack, part 1🔞

Jack, part 2🔞

Specific headcanons:

finding out s/o has an alter dedicated to him/receiving a spell jar from s/o (Jataka, Loki, Buddha, Thor, Apollo)

how does he take care of sick s/o (Shiva, Jataka, Buddha, Loki, Sasaki Kojirō)

his reaction to your moray eel children (Thor, Poseidon, Hades)

taking care of a toy that imitates a real baby (Heracles, Jack, Noah)

Dumb shit I made:

loves you

Adamas [*]

first fight meme

Odin

#masterlist

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fandom-blackhole · 1 year

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hi :3 your jackson song as a joel fic is still rent free in my head. could you share your idea? or is it still under wraps?

mwah mwah!! 😘

You know what? You asked for this, you made me think of this fic idea again, so you're getting the full fic rn. I hope you enjoy it lmao <3 <3

Pairing: Joel Miller x Reader (gender/race neutral) Summary: Three times Reader sings Jackson by Johnny Cash and annoys Joel, and the one time Joel actually joins in. this is a 3+1 bc i couldn't decide which scene I had imagined for this to write so I went with all of the above (I heavily suggest listening to the song at least once, it's a great tune and will get stuck in your head lol) Warnings: contains spoilers for the show and game (bc as usual I am mixing the two together, mentions of violence and guns, really just reader being annoying to Joel, me shitting on KC (im from KS so im allowed), UNEDITED (bc i am being a bit lazy sorry) WC: 4.5k (how do all of my fics get away from me like this smh)

It had been a long few hours. Emotions were a little high and tension was a bit thick. Neither you nor Joel had been expecting what you found when you finally got to Bill and Frank’s small town. You’d expected a smile and hug from Frank and grumpy complaining from Bill over bringing an outsider, let alone a kid to his town. You’d expected to see Frank take to Ellie and want to show her around, clean her up and feed her like he loved to do. You’d expected to find two of the few you allowed yourself to call friends. Instead you found quiet emptiness, dead flowers, and a note that had your heart breaking for the second time in so many days. Tess' death still heavy on your heart, now had the company of losing Bill and Frank.

So when the first notes softly floated from the speakers of the truck Bill left Joel, you had to do a double take, a grin quickly lighting up your face as you jumped forward in your seat and turned up the radio. The words you knew by heart, the song one of your mother’s favorites, so at the exact time Joel turned to you in question, you grinned widely at him and sang along, “We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout.”

With a huff Joel whispered to himself an exasperated, “Christ,” but you carried on.

“We’ve been talkin’ ‘bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.”

You could hear Ellie behind you laughing to herself as Joel shook his head. You didn’t let up, though, you kept singing and pulling laughs from Ellie, making sure to put emphasis on the way you sang every time Jackson was mentioned. You made sure to put on a show as the song switched back and forth between the duet, deepening your voice and acting all suave while Johnny Cash sang and all smooth and flirty during June Carter’s parts.

By the time the song was over, you were a bit breathless from your antics and Ellie was doubled over in the back seat of the truck laughing at you and clapping for you. Joel, though, simply reached over and turned the radio back down til the next song was just barely heard over Ellie's wheezing and the sound of the truck’s engine.

Turning to Joel with a giant grin, you see him simply shaking his head. So you tilted your head at him, as he glanced at you out of the corner of his eye.

“Well? What did you think of my once in a lifetime performance,” you asked with a teasing grin.

Joel simply huffed, “It was, uh, somethin’.”

With faux pride you close your eyes with a nod and confidently say, “Thank you, I worked very hard on that you know. Gonna be singing on the big stage one day.”

That drew a chuckle out of Joel as he grinned and said, “I look forward to seein’ it.”

Kansas City looked a bit worse for wear than you had expected. Though you probably should have really expected this, the rumors that floated around about the city were not favorable. Of all of the cities and FEDRA run quarantine zones it was well known that Kansas City was one of the worst and you better off trying to survive on your own rather try and find refuge within the city. Honestly though it's not too surprising the quarantine zone ended up the way it did, the city was situated in the ass crack of Missouri and Kansas afterall.

You were however caught off guard when you found that the Kansas City FEDRA had finally toppled and the city had been taken over by a group of hunters who were more than happy to use what the soldiers had left behind after their deaths. The hunter were still crafty with their environment, you had to give them that.

The crash had left all three of you disoriented. You had not expected the bus that they had let loose on the truck and you highly doubted Joel had expected it either. When the truck crashed into the convenience store you were thrown forward, smashing you head into the dash so hard spots formed in your eyes and you could feel a piece of glass dig into the skin right above your left eye.

After that things kind of passed in a blur for you. You knew there was a fight and you knew that you had shot at a few guys, though you kind of doubted that you actually managed to hit either with how disoriented you were. Once it was safe for the moment, Joel raced to check on you and Ellie, shoving your bags into your arms. Ellie as it turned out was no worse for wear because she’d been ducked down in the backseat out of sight of the hunters, and your only injuries were from the crash, a small gash on your forehead and a mild concussion from Joel’s estimate.

The three of you didn’t really have time to waste on first aid at that moment, so you’d simply pressed a bandana you had to you head and motioned to a large building a little ways away, whispering, “That’s probably our safest bet right now, we’ll get me fixed up once we know we are all safe.”

Joel had only hesitated for a second before agreeing. He led you and Ellie carefully to the building, safely making sure the three of you stayed out of sight. Once inside, you found that the building was an old hotel, and a nice one at that.

You quietly whistled and said, “This place is nice, could only dream of coming to a place like this before the outbreak.”

Joel just grunted as he looked around for useful things, finding a safe as he replayed, “Isn’t exactly nice anymore.”

You leaned against the counter beside where he was crouched trying to crack the safe and watched as Ellie looked around the lobby with an interest only a child could have. Sighing you shrugged and glanced over your shoulder as you heard the door creak open and replied, “I don’t know. If the outbreak did anything it did bring a certain beauty to the world. There’s something poetically beautiful in the sight of nature reclaiming what once belonged to it.”

Walking around the counter, Joel stood in front of you with a brow raised and shook his head, “Maybe that concussion is worse than I thought if you’re gettin’ all philosophical on me.”

With a huffed laugh you rolled your eyes and just nodded to the stairs, “Come on.”

Your progression upward went smoothly until the fourth floor where per your group’s usual luck you found the stairs blocked with all kinds of debris. You never thought you would miss stairs, but as you picked your way through the floor scouting for a way up you wished that just once the three of you would pick a building that had a simple straightforward way to the top.

You were pulled from your melancholic thoughts by Ellie’s raised voice, “Found a way up!”

You were a little thankful to be pulled away from your thoughts, the action slowly making the ever present headache since the crash throb. Quickly as possible you made your way across the hallway to the room Ellie had been looking through and smiled when you found a concert room with a stage and a beautiful grand piano. You made your way to the stage, noticing the way up Ellie found was on the corner of the stage where the above balcony’s railing had fallen. Gently you ran your fingers over the piano, a little sad to see such a magnificent creation in such disrepair. Looking up to Ellie who stood on the other side you made your way around and hip bumped her.

“You know how to play?”

Ellie laughed and turned to you with a look that screamed she was judging you as she replied, “You really think they’d teach us to play piano in FEDRA school? Let alone find one that actually works,” she shook her head and slowly made her way to the edge of the stage, jumping down. “What about you? You play?”

You hummed and ran your fingers over the keys, cringing at the awful out of tune melody that played. You were stopped from answering though as your fingers fell upon an old rusted microphone. Picking it up you smiled and looked up right as Joel walked into the room. Instantly you laughed, and your grin spread as your eyes met Joel's stoic hazel.

Gently you twirled to the center of the stage, a little dizzy from the sudden movements, but didn’t let it deter you. Looking up at your crowd you heard Joel ask Ellie, “What on Earth are they doing?”

You saw Ellie answer with a shrug and that's when you started to sing the opening notes of the song you had been annoying Joel with for weeks. Ellie laughed and Joel tried protesting but you just carried on. You let yourself get carried away singing the lyrics and making a fool of yourself on stage with your poor excuse of dancing.

It didn’t take Joel long to make his way to the stage, to stop you or figure out how to reach the balcony on the second floor you weren’t sure, but if you had to put money on it you’d guess both. The second he was within reach you grabbed his hand and pulled him towards you as you sang, “Go play your hand, you big talkin’ man. Make a big fool of yourself.”

Rolling his eyes Joel pulled away and you let him go only a second later as you spun yourself again the dizziness became too much and you found yourself stumbling with a gasp. Thankfully Joel had been close enough and had caught you before you fell and hit your head again on the stage.

He led you over to the piano bench and sat you down, taking the microphone from you as he said, “Sit and rest, before you hurt yourself more. Not exactly smart jumping and twirling around with a fresh concussion, nor making a bunch of noise when we are supposed to be keeping a low profile so we aren’t found by those hunters.”

With a sigh you just pouted, over not being able to finish your song but you listened to him and sat there and watched as Joel and Ellie pushed the grand piano over to the wall and watched as Ellie used it to jump up to the next floor. Joel followed but turned to you after getting onto the piano, motioning like he was going to help you up, which he did and then helped boost you to the next floor even if you didn’t need it, getting the feeling he was coddling you now.

Once he was up next to you again, you turned to him with a faux pout, “You said you looked forward to seeing me perform on a stage.”

With a huff, Joel gave you a look that said he was already tired of this situation and only replied, “Do it again when you aren’t a danger to yourself or the rest of us.”

Joel was infallible. At least you had always thought he was. He was the best survivor you knew, there was no question as to why he had gotten this far into the apocalypse, he just knew how to take care of himself and protect those around him. You had seen him get scrapes and bruises from fights and a couple of grazes from near misses from bullets. Never could you imagine that the man you held on such a high pedestal could fall as heavily as he had. You never thought you’d have to watch the man you’d found yourself caring for whole heartedly almost bleed out before your eyes.

But here you are, watching him shiver from the cold and no doubt from the pain wracking his body. Watching him sleep in fits and gazing into glazed eyes when he was barely awake. It was hard to watch, but you tried to be strong for Ellie’s sake. You sometimes would catch her staring at Joel’s fitful body, worry echoing on her face before she threw up a wall on her emotions. You didn’t want to admit it, but of the two she was more helpful. She’d been more successful with finding food and hunting than you have been. Ellie is also the one that had managed to find and bring back the full stocked and sterile first aid kit that you’d used to suture and clean Joel’s wound with, even if the supplies hadn’t done too much for his weakening state. You had found that your main use was only keeping the three of you on track to Salt Lake City and acting as a nurse to Joel, getting him to drink water or broth without drowning him, something Ellie found she didn’t really have the patience or the bedside manner to do.

Still you hid your worries, and shared optimistic thoughts with Ellie during the day even if you didn’t truly believe them yourself.You like to believe you’re helping Ellie by doing this, but in truth you think she’s doing the same for you, just putting on a brave face to make you feel better.

Each night the two of you would take turns taking watch, Ellie always going first, insisting you get rest and not truly trusting you to wake her for the second watch- which was fair because the one time she had agreed to let you take first watch you hadn’t had the heart to wake the exhausted girl to which she’d given you the silent treatment for the next day.

It was only during your watches, once you knew for sure Ellie was asleep, her breaths evening out and her body relaxing, that you allowed your mask to slip, to let your worries out. Each night that passed you swore Joel got paler, that he looked closer to death’s door. You hate watching him wither away like this, hate seeing the strongest person you know, your rock in this world, fall and not be able to help him even though your heart screams at you. You have found yourself sobbing helplessly into your hand in attempts to stay quiet a few times, the hurt and worry building up inside you until it exploded. You hated that you felt weak, but truely what could you do when your strength lay slowly dying on a nasty old twin sized mattress?

Tonight though the tears don’t come. Instead you find yourself feeling empty in your grief as you sit beside Joel’s head gently combing your fingers through his hair in a soothing motion. You weren’t sure if it was meant to sooth Joel or yourself, but either way the action seemed to be grounding you and it could be your imagination but it seemed that Joel’s face seemed somewhat more relaxed so you didn’t stop.

You aren’t sure when, but you caught yourself humming at some point and you couldn’t help but smile and jokingly think to yourself, ‘if anything is going to get a reaction out of him, it’ll be hearing me annoy him with this song again.’

You let yourself hum it a few times, making sure to stay quiet, not wanting to wake Ellie who’d become somewhat of a light sleeper, but eventually you had to laugh and whisper, “Yeah, go to Jackson, and go comb your hair,” as you ran your fingers through Joel’s hair.

You let yourself sing a few more lines, not really paying attention to anything but where your fingers continued their path through his hair, so you were surprised when you felt your free hand, which you had just had laying on Joel’s chest, be enclosed in a rougher calloused hand. Pausing your singing you looked down in surprise and found Joel’s lips turned upward just slightly, and his hand enveloping your own in a loose hold.

With a watery smile, knowing that just moving his hand had to have had taken a lot of energy from him, so you clutched it tighter in your hold as you turned back to running your fingers through his hair as you whispered to him, “Yeah, you go to Jackson, you big talkin’ man. And I’ll be waitin’ in Jackson,” before trailing back off into a hum.

It was over, all of it was finally over. The fireflies were gone, something you would never have to worry about again. Joel was strong again, Ellie was safe, and all three of you were all back in Jackson settling down and making a home for yourselves with Tommy and Maria and all of the townsfolk. And you couldn’t be happier. Everything in life just felt right for the first time since the outbreak. It was odd in a way, but it was so freeing that you didn’t care. You never could have let yourself dream about a life like this, of having a family like this that you could allow yourself to care for. You didn’t think something like this would ever be allowed to live, to thrive in a world so torn apart by a deadly infection and the worst of humanity. But you found it, and you let yourself bask in it. You let yourself be happy.

When the three of you all arrived back in Jackson it had taken a while for each of you to all settle in and relax. It was so foreign after spending months fighting and protecting each other's backs from every danger imaginable. Ellie had taken about a month to situate herself in the town, finding it a bit easier with teens her age being so interested in being her friend and getting to know her as the new kid in town. She settled into the garage and made it her own. Watching her have her own space was a little hard after having her in your sights 24/7 for so long, but you knew she needed it, that she deserved it after everything she went through. You and Joel stayed in the house together, both unwilling to be to far from the teen after everything that went down in Salt Lake City at the hospital and finding the bond between the two of you keeping you together. You each had your own rooms though Joel’s only got used every once in a while, many nights bringing him to your room when your nightmares wake him up. His own nightmares occasionally brought him to you as well, as he found comfort in not being alone, in waking up to find you laying there with soft breaths next to him.

Joel took about a little over a month to settle into the community but once Tommy got him in on the patrol board, he immediately found his place. Letting Joel have some control over where and how the patrols went allowed him to feel a sense of peace. It played into his strong suit of needing to know that the people he cared about were safe and taken care of. Seeing Joel let himself relax and fill the role really warmed your heart, happy to know Joel was finally at peace after so many years of functioning just in fight-or-flight mode.

You, though, took the longest to find your place in Jackson. You didn’t slack, you jumped from job to job filling any empty position in any area that they would let you, but the truth was you didn’t have a strength or a useful skill that could be applied somewhere within the town. You could hunt, but you were not the best at it. You were decent at growing things but the greenhouse didn’t really need anymore volunteers. And while you did love children you neither had the patience or the knowledge to be teaching. So as time passed and Joel and Ellie found their rhythms in the town you found yourself feeling like you were floundering a bit, drowning in a pool of water where your feet should be touching the ground. It wasn’t until you were doing a patrol with Joel a few months after settling back in Jackson that he brought up that the doctor in town was looking to train a new nurse. He had brought it up nonchalantly, but you could tell by the way he glanced out of the corner of his eye that he had a reason behind bringing it up. Later you managed to weasel it out of him, to which he simply replied, “I may not have been all there, but I remember how well you played nurse for me. I think you’d be good at it.”

He had been right of course, you had taken to the position like a duck to water and within no time you found yourself finding your own path in Jackson, letting yourself finally fall into content happiness that Joel and Ellie had also found. In no time at all the three of you all found yourself falling into a routine, each of you revolving around the other two and finding ways to still stay close and not get too busy to not be able to know what the others were up to. Your favorite day in the routine was every three days you’d all have a family meal, Tommy and Maria joining the three of you every other meal.

It was on one of those nights that Joel had come home late from his patrol. You had already started making dinner and had simply shooed him upstairs to take a shower while you finished cooking, knowing that it was only a matter of time before Ellie burst in the back door groaning about being starving.

You weren’t sure how long Joel took to get cleaned up, you had zoned out into your thoughts shortly after hearing the shower turn on, but after what you knew only had to have been a handful of minutes you heard him coming back downstairs, and when he came into the kitchen you simply motioned to the table, asking if he’d set it for you as you had dinner already almost finished.

You however didn’t expect to hear Joel turn on your little portable CD player on the counter and skip through the songs as he said, “Found you something’ while on patrol today.”

You hummed in question, curiosity over taking you as you glanced over your shoulder at him before turning back to stirring what you were cooking. Only a few seconds later you paused as the all to familiar notes floated around the kitchen and a soft smile found its way onto your face. Gently you started swaying as you cooked, but almost as soon as you had started you found a pair of arms wrapped around your middle as Joel pulled you away from the stove, as his deep accented voice sang, “We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout. We’ve been talkin’ ‘bout Jackson ever since the fire went out. I’m goin’ to Jackson, I’m gonna mess around. Yeah I’m goin’ to Jackson, look out Jackson town.”

Laughing joyfully you join in right as June Carter does and turn to face Joel sticking your spoon in his face as you back up towards the stove to turn it down as you sang, “Well, go on down to Jackson. Go ahead and wreck your health. Go play your hand, you big talkin’ man, Make a big fool of yourself. Yeah, go to Jackson, go comb your hair.”

With a grin Joel grabs the spoon from your hand, laying it on the spoon rest, before grabbing your hand as he picked up his part of the duet once more, “Honey, I’m gonna snowball Jackson, see if I care. When I breese into that city, people gonna stoop and bow. All them women gonna make me teach ‘em what they don’t know how. I’m going to Jackson. You turn ‘n’ loosen my coat, ‘cause I’m goin’ to Jackson.”

Swaying in Joel’s arms as he sang was perfect and you wished more than anything that you could pause time right there and just enjoy this for all eternity. As his part finished once more, Joel twirled you, which you used to sway away from him as you came in singing, “”Goodbye,” that’s all she wrote. But they’ll laugh at you in Jackson and I’ll be dancin’ on a Pony Keg. They’ll lead you ‘round town like the scalded hound, with your tail hooked between your legs. Yeah, go to Jackson, you big talkin’ man. And I’ll be waitin’ in Jackson behind my Jaypan fan.”

You managed to stay out of Joel’s reach until the end laughing as the two of you joined together twirling and dancing around as you sang together.

“Well, now, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout. We’ve been talkin’ ‘bout Jackson ever since the fire went out. I’m goin’ to Jackson and that’s a fact. Yeah, we’re going to Jackson, ain’t never comin’ back.”

Joel’s grin was bigger than you’ve ever seen, your happiness radiating off eachother as he swung you out and brought you back in as the two of you finished the song together, eyes never leaving the other’s, “Well, we go married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout. Honey, we’ve been talkin’ ‘bout Jackson ever since the fire went out.”

At the very end Joel surprised you by dipping you low, which pulled a loud gasping laugh from you before he pressed a small kiss to your lips before pulling you back up. You couldn’t wipe the grin off of your face once you were back on your feet, not even when two sets of claps came from the doorway along with a quick retching noise. Whipping your head around you felt yourself heat up in embarrassment to see Tommy and Maria standing there grinning at the two of you while Ellie wrinkled her nose and called the two of you gross.

“Hope the two of you didn’t burn our dinner while you were too busy being all lovey dovey,” Ellie griped while plopping down into her seat at the table.

“As a matter of fact I turned the stove off at the beginning of the song, so don’t worry, your food will be just fine,” you replied carrying the pot to the table as Joel passed around plates and silverware, taking it from you once you reached the table with a soft loving smile which you returned, making Ellie groan about losing her appetite even though she was smiling. All the while Tommy and Maria simply enjoyed the entertainment, though Maria did lean over and whisper, “Why can’t you be romantic, like that?”

To which Tommy grinned and simply replied while filling her glass with water, “You want me to try?”

With a sigh, Maria met his gaze and said, “No, I’m not sure I can hand whatever you think would be romantic.”

#joel miller x reader #joel x reader #ellie is here too <3 #I should also add that Mr Cash was a huge part of my childhood and I LOVE this song so this would 100% be me #especially once I found out that the town Tommy lives in is called Jackson #i hope you like this #also thank you for this #bc it was the perfect excuse to procrastinate HW

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gaygryffindorgal · 4 months

Text

A Christmas Prince; The Royal Wedding

Chapter 1: Back to Alderly

Summary: It's been a year since Dawn helped Quincey keep his throne. Now the pair's wedding is fast approaching, but unrest is stirring both in Alderly and in the personal lives of our heroes...

A/N: The second installment in the movie trilogy makes even less sense plot-wise than the first but Annie and I wanted to try our hand in this anyway. I expect this one will be a little shorter than the first fic was, because I'm cutting the stupidest parts from the movie script entirely, lol.

Words: 3k

Characters:

Dawn and Evan Harvelle @potionboy3

Quincey, Olympia, and Isabella Alderly

Tess Brandon

Lainey Bell by @gcldensnitch

Beginning | Next Chapter

Want to read the first fic in the series, A Christmas Prince? Click here!

Chapter 1: Back to Alderly

Dawn’s Blog, December 15th

Post title: Big Event!

Dear all, It's been three hundred forty-nine days, eleven hours, twenty-three minutes, and seven seconds since I said “yes” to the love of my life, Quentin Christian Alexander, King of Alderly. But who's counting? Other than me and millions of people around the world. Needless to say, it's been a whirlwind year. There's been a lot of back and forth between Bristol and Alderly. The long-distance engagement hasn't always been easy, but it's always been interesting. Somehow through all this insanity, I'm still me. Even though I'm about to become royalty of a small country. Thank you for all your love and support this past year. Sharing my writing with all of you means more than you'll ever know. I promise to keep you posted on all my adventures to come, especially our wedding on Christmas day in Alderly.

“What’s with the sunglasses?” asked Evan Harvelle when he, Dawn, and Dawn’s aunt Teresa exited the airport.

“We’re in disguise, dad,” Dawn explained.

“You’d think that they would send someone to escort the future prince consort,” Evan mused quietly. The airport was bustling, as usual. Alderly’s tourism had seen unprecedented growth since Dawn and Quincey’s engagement announcement. Of course, there were also those that firmly opposed the marriage, but Dawn felt like nothing could dampen his spirits.

“I think they did,” said Tess, pointing towards a line of cars heading towards them.

“Oh, they’ve sent the royal motorcade,” said Dawn, surprised.

“Did you think they were going to make you take a taxi?” joked Tess.

“I mean we took one to the airport back in England so...”

The motorcade naturally drew people’s attention, and it wasn’t long until someone shouted: “Look, it’s Dawn Harvelle!” Several faces turned to look at them and Dawn and his family surely would have been swarmed, had the royal chauffeurs not managed to get to them and escort them to the car. As Dawn was about to get in, a reporter approached him through the crowd.

“Mr. Harvelle, any comment on the King’s new initiative? Will it affect the wedding?” she asked, thrusting her recording device towards Dawn. He had been prepared for this.

“I’m very happy to be back in Alderly,” he said. “And excited for the wedding, and Christmas of course.”

The reported didn’t look pleased with Dawn’s reply but before she could ask anything more, Dawn was ushered into the car.

“That was intense,” said Tess. She was already sat in the limo looking a bit hackled. Tess was Dawn’s mother’s sister and only five years older than him. Dawn had asked her to join them, since the two were quite close, especially since the passing of his mum.

“Are you okay?” asked Evan.

“Yeah…”

“What was that initiative that reporter was talking about?” his dad continued.

“I…” Dawn paused. “Actually, I don't know the details. I’ve been so busy I’ve barely managed to catch up with Quincey in weeks.”

“I can’t believe you’re going to be living in here,” said Tess, peering out the window.

“That makes two of us,” said Dawn.

“Three,” corrected Evan. “When you shipped off all your stuff here, it was one thing, but now…”

He looked a bit stricken and Dawn had to admit that his own chest felt suddenly tighter, too.

“Dad, I’m going to come visit Bristol all the time,” said Dawn. “And you can come here anytime you want. Remember, they’re making you a count or something.”

Every time Dawn thought about his father as a count, he felt the urge to giggle. Evan Harvelle was the most normal man in the world. Not to mention it would be infinitely amusing to have both Count Evan and Count Evander.

The motorcade weaved its way through the city. There was snow everywhere, because of course there was, and when the palace first showed up behind the snow-covered treetops, Tess actually audibly gasped.

“Not bad, huh?” asked Dawn.

“You’re so posh now,” she teased.

They all filed out and headed inside. Dawn was expecting to see a certain face among the welcome committee, but Quincey was conspicuously absent. Instead, he was greeted by Queen Isabella and Olympia, the latter of whom immediately wrapped him into a big hug.

“Dawn!” she exclaimed. “I’m so happy to see you again!”

Dawn hugged her back. “Damn right,” he said. “I missed you.”

Olympia let go of him and smiled.

“This is my dad, Evan,” said Dawn.

“Your majesty, your highness,” said Evan, only a little clumsily.

“And this is Tess, my aunt.”

Tess echoes his dad’s formalities.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” said Olympia and Queen Isabella nodded. She didn’t seem openly hostile, but Dawn could tell she wasn’t happy about how everything had turned out.

“Mr. Harvelle, welcome back to Alderly,” said the queen. “And I’m most pleased to meet you both.”

“And you,” Tess said with a smile. Isabella regarded her for a moment. Tess was dressed in her usual manner in a flowy, colourful dress and knee-high boots. It was quite the contrast to Isabella’s prim and proper pantsuit and immaculate bun. If Tess noticed the queen rating her outfit quite low on the scale of 0 to 10, she gave no indication.

Behind the royal family members was Dawn’s old friend, Miss Pince.

“Pince!” he said when the introductions were out of the way. “How are you? Has it been awfully boring here without me?”

“It has been quiet, Mr. Harvelle,” Pince replied, and it was quite evident she had vastly preferred it. “And I have been promoted to the head of Palace Office of Press and Protocol.”

“Oh, sweet,” said Dawn. He wasn’t exactly sure sweet was the right word, though.

“Come on, I’ll show you to your rooms,” Olympia said cheerily.

“That is hardly appropriate,” said Pince.

“Oh, Irma please, let it go,” said Olympia and headed towards the stairs. Pince sighed. Dawn, Evan and Tess followed the princess.

“See you all at the reception,” the queen called after them.

Dawn almost choked of laughter when Olympia announced loudly that he was to have the bridal suite until the wedding. He then also understood why Olympia had wanted to take him personally. They’d left his dad and Tess to settle into their own rooms.

“Pince did this on purpose,” said Dawn, more amused than anything.

“Oh Dawnie, it’s tradition, it’s protocol,” Olympia laughed.

“It’s very… frilly,” he noted. “And pink.”

“Nothing wrong with a little pink,” said Olympia, a known appreciator of pink.

“I love pink,” said Dawn, who didn’t really have a strong opinion for or against.

“I had hoped I could simply share a room with my fiancé.”

“That’s entirely impossible, and worst of all, common.”

“Where is he, by the way?” Dawn asked.

“He’s been busy with all kinds of kingly duties,” Olympia explained. “I’ve barely seen him, and I live with him.”

Dawn couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy with this new information.

“But I’ll let you settle in now, you must be exhausted,” Olympia said. “We must catch up as soon as possible though, I have so much to tell you.”

“Of course, thank you O.”

Once left alone, Dawn looked around the room. It looked straight out of one of those early 2000s animated Barbie movies. On one of the nightstands Dawn noticed a note, written on familiar hand. He took the paper and read:

“To my love, with all my heart.

From this day forth,

we shall not be apart.

Poetry can be a challenging art.

If not yet mastered, here's a start.”

He couldn’t help but laugh at the corny little poem, when a voice from the door behind him said: “It’s a limerick. Of sorts,” said Quincey.

Bad limericks be damned, Dawn all but ran to hug him.

“Sorry I wasn’t there to greet you,” said Quincey, hugging him back. “I had to finish my poem.”

“Next time, maybe you could forgo poetry and come greet me instead?” Dawn suggested.

“Hey,” Quincey protested. “It wasn’t that bad, was it?”

“Yes. It most definitely was.”

Quincey laughed and Dawn kissed his stupid face.

“I can’t believe this is finally happening,” Quincey said.

“You’re telling me,” Dawn laughed. “A year ago, I was working a shitty job in Bristol, worrying about writing an article about a ridiculous playboy prince.”

“Ridiculous, maybe,” Quincey mused. “Definitely not a playboy.”

“I guess that’s true–,”

Dawn’s sentence was cut short, when Quincey’s new equerry showed up at the door.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty,” she said.

“What is it, Lainey?” asked Quincey.

“An urgent call from the Minister for Economic Affairs and the Prime Minister,” the equerry said, eyeing the both of them. She seemed to be around the same age as Quincey, with her blonde hair up on a ponytail and a tablet in her hand.

Quincey sighed. “Can’t it wait?”

“I’m afraid they insist.”

Quincey turned back to Dawn. “I must take this. We'll have more time this evening at the reception.”

He kissed Dawn’s cheek quickly and followed Lainey out the door. Dawn sat on his bed and dug out his phone. He typed in a message to the group chat he had with his friends: just saw my husband-to-be for the first time in months for all of 5 minutes.

Not long after came a reply from Jimmy: abolish the monarchy.

Two hours later Dawn had unpacked his meager little bag (most of his other belongings had been handled earlier by palace employees) and gotten ready for the reception. It was to be a party of importance, with government officials and foreign ambassadors. The thought might have spooked Dawn once, but now he was slightly better prepared. He met up with Quincey before the double doors that lead to the banquet hall.

“Hi,” said Quincey in a low voice.

“Hi,” Dawn replied. Quincey offered his arm and Dawn took it.

“Ready for this?” asked Quincey.

“As I’ll ever be.”

The doors were opened, and the pair entered, with a herald calling out: “My lords, ladies, and gentlemen; King Quentin and the guest of honour; the future Prince Dawn!”

As they entered, at least fifty pairs of eyes turned to look, among them the prime minister but most of the faces completely unknown to Dawn. He hadn’t had any official duties as a royal spouse yet, as their circumstances were rather unusual, and Quincey’s advisors felt it was best to move slowly and respect traditions. Dawn didn’t want to cause any more trouble than he already had but he wasn’t sure how much tradition and protocol he was going to be able to handle without complaint.

“Oh wow, this is–,” he started but suddenly a man in an expensive looking suit and a serious look on his face appeared and whispered something to Quincey.

“Dawn, find Olympia, I’ll get away as soon as I can,” he said as the man whisked him away and Dawn was left standing alone in the middle of the room, feeling more awkward by the second. He was approached by several people with greetings and congratulations, he recognized the Minister of Internal Affairs, as well as Magister Malinda, but some he only pretended to recognize, as he had been advised to do.

“Mr. Harvelle, here,” said the queen’s voice to his left and Isabella introduced him to some more dignitaries, such as ambassadors from Penglia and a president of the Council of Women in Alderly.

“I should go save Quiney…” Dawn mused as he saw him still talking, or rather, arguing with the same man.

“Best, I think, to leave him to it,” said the queen.

“What’s going on?” asked Dawn.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with,” Isabella simply said. “You should focus on the wedding. Most of it is well in hand but Quentin insisted we leave some breathing room for you, despite the short notice.”

And the Queen's objection, Dawn thought but only said: “Well, that’s nice."

He had pretty much resigned himself to having no say at all with the wedding.

“To that end, I have hired a wedding planner to help you.”

“What?”

“A wedding designer, Your Majesty, but yes,” a woman said, walking up to them.

Dawn recognized her. Rosa Yaxley, the girl who had been briefly engaged to Count Evander, Quincey’s throne-stealing cousin.

“You’re a wedding designer?” Dawn asked.

“Yes, and now I’m here to help,” she said, though Dawn couldn’t be sure if she was all too happy about this prospect. “I hope there’s no bad blood between us?”

Dawn looked from Rosa to the Queen and back again and then said with a note of humour in his voice: “Well, if her Majesty found it in her heart to forgive you, then I suppose so can I.”

Rosa smiled. “Glad to hear it Mr. Harvelle. We’ll get to work tomorrow.”

Dawn finally found Olympia, chatting with his dad of all people.

“Well Dawn and I call them meat jelly, they’re pretty gross,” Olympia was saying to Evan, who examined a suspicious looking block of meat that a passing waiter had offered to him.

“Don’t eat that, dad,” said Dawn.

“Thanks for the tip, kiddo,” Evan said and deposited the meat jelly on a nearby table.

“Oh, Dawn, I was just telling your father about how I’m part of organizing a charity event!”

“You are?”

“It’s a play,” Olympia continued. “The Tale of Princess Froon, an Alderlian folk tale. I was asked to play the titular role to draw in the high society crowd.”

“Oh my god,” said Dawn.

“Hey, it’s a beautiful tale,” said Olympia with a grin.

“Oh, I’m sure.”

“Anyway, all the proceeds will go to helping those affected by the current depression.”

Dawn had read the newspapers, of course, and knew of the rather terrible financial situation in Alderly. “That sounds pretty awesome,” he told Olympia.

“I’d sure like to see some Alderlian culture in play,” said Evan.

“You’re most heartily invited, Mr. Harvelle,” said Olympia.

“Isn’t this the one where Princess Froon gives Santa his magic powers?” asked Dawn. He remembered Quincey talking about it last year.

“Yes, just the one.”

“Oh, I can’t wait.”

A tap on his shoulder made Dawn turn around, ending up face to face with Miss Pince.

“In my new capacity as the head of Palace Office of Press and Protocol, I’d like to have a word with you.”

“Of course,” said Dawn. “See you later dad, Olympia.”

Olympia gave him a thumbs up, as Dawn followed Pince to a less crowded area.

Once they were safely out of earshot of any visiting dignitaries, Pince said: “It's clear that you've had a very laissez-faire attitude concerning your image over the past year; magazines, television, blogs…”

“Blogs, that's what I do for a living,” said Dawn. Ever since his successful article about Quincey, he had run a blog focused on his journey into learning all about Alderlian politics, customs, and of course, details about his own personal life all mixed into a neat little package. He was quite proud of it. “I’m a professional write–,”

Pince interrupted him: “But now that you're a part of the royal family, we must be careful of the image that you project. Consider me your protector.”

Dawn wasn’t a fan of where this conversation was headed. “Look, Miss Pince, I know that my life is about to change in a major way, but I’m not going to quit my job.”

“The goal is to see you and the crown in the best possible light.”

Dawn sighed, and said: “Well, nothing shines quite like the truth, right?”

“I'm glad we see eye-to-eye. Please wait here and I'll have the King and you pose for the photographs.”

After their photo-op, Quincey led Dawn out of one of the doors lining up the outer wall into a beautiful little courtyard.

“Irma didn’t give you too much trouble, did she?” he asked.

“Just wants me to delete my blog,” said Dawn.

“Yes, we’ve had words about that before,” Quincey said. “She’s just passionate about protecting the image of the royal family. She feels like it is needed now more than ever, when we’re already breaking about a dozen ancient customs just by being together.”

“I know,” said Dawn and took Quincey’s hands in his. “It’s important to project an image of continuity even through this massive change.”

“Yes.”

“Has it been difficult?” Dawn asked.

“Well, not everyone is as on board with a gay monarch as I had hoped but it was to be expected. I can’t change people’s decades held beliefs overnight, but I know I can make a change over time.”

“You’re doing a great job,” said Dawn.

Quincey smiled, but it was a tight smile. He was hiding something, but Dawn didn’t feel like pestering him about it tonight. He was exhausted too.

“You have a new equerry,” Dawn noted.

“Oh, yes, her name’s Lainey Bell,” Quincey replied. “We met in uni. She’s about the only thing keeping me afloat right now.”

Dawn gave him a look and Quincey laughed. “Aside from my everlasting love for you, of course.”

“We should get a Christmas tree up in here,” Dawn just said, observing the tree-less courtyard.

“Oh, a good idea!”

“We could go look for one tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow’s no good, I’m going to town to give a speech.”

“What kind of speech?” asked Dawn.

“Well, you know how I’ve been trying to implement the initiative to bring Alderly into the 21st century? Strengthening infrastructure, schools, tech…”

“It's smart.”

“That's what I thought but instead of strengthening the economy, the country is bleeding money,” Quincey explained. “And nobody can tell me why.”

Dawn frowned. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Do you know any genius economists?”

“I can’t say that I do.”

“I’m having a meeting on Friday, trying to figure this out. Something’s not right.”

“Can I come?”

“I would really appreciate it if you did.”

Dawn smiled and squeezed his hands. “We will figure this out.”

“I hope you’re right,” Quincey said. “But I also have a feeling like Irma and Miss Yaxley are going to keep you quite busy with the wedding preparations.”

“Oh, for cock’s sake…”

tag list: @lifeofkaze

(ask if you want to be included or removed)

#fic: the royal wedding #a christmas prince au #dawn harvelle #quincey alderly #dawncey #here we are girls and gays!!!#*my writing #yes dawn's blog is called 'dawn's blog'#*tess is FIVE years older than dawn NOT FOUR #i can't count

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peterparkersnose · 1 year

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The Last of Us Spoilers under here

———————

1. pedro shirtless in the first scene 😀 melted into a puddle right then and there

2. am i an idiot or did i think outbreak day was in october? istg i just played a scene in tlou2 where ellie was looking at a calendar from oct 2013, not sep 2013. anyways

3. 10 years difference. didn’t mind it really, makes it feel more familiar that it’s taking place in 2023. no complaints there

4. lemme say nico parker was brilliant. her representation of sarah and bringing her to life was moving. having a peek into her life on outbreak day really brought more character to sarah

5. pedro’s amazing acting duh do i even have to explain

6. THE SOUTHERN ACCENT

7. tommy was portrayed beautifully

8. MERLE AGAIN AS MARLENE made me so happy

9. TESS anna torv is brilliant, but i did hear some of that aussie accent seep through

10. the scene where tess joins joel in bed just makes me so happy. i always felt like there was tension between them in the game and just getting it confirmed in the show makes me happy

11. robert existed for like a total of 10 seconds lmao

12. BELLA AS ELLIE. hate me i love bella but i really thought she was a miscast until now. so proud that she proved me wrong. her swearing and feist is uncanny

13. 80s means what? trouble

14. launching the beginning with that talkshow from the 60s was a great way to introduce the series to new people who haven’t played the game

15. no more stolen guns only stolen car battery now. makes sense for the story plot but idk i remember tess being real stingy abt those guns. didn’t get to see robert get broken again

16. the flashlights bruh. idk seeing tess and joel pull them out in the underground system made me feel real connected to the game. same when joel stole the guys gun who he beat to death

17. will 100% think of more and add to this. this was my joker. today is my birthday!

Episode 1: 9/10

#peterparkersnose #pedro pascal #the last of us #the last of us hbo #joel miller #ellie williams #hbo #hbo the last of us #merle dandridge #bella ramsey

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larandia011 · 1 year

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RESISTING FIRE / JOEL MILLER X READER

PART 1

Plot: Freya is the most intimidating woman in every room she walks into, but when she starts working for Joel, who is desperate to protect her at any cost, she is forced to come to terms with her own submission to him.

Notes: This is an intro to a sexual dom/sub love story, but I just wanted the beginning of my story out there to test the waters. It is meant for the reader to imagine themselves as Freya. I hope you enjoy it!

Boston was unusually gloomy on that Monday. A thick layer of fog had layered itself over the quarantine zone. The fog, combined with the frequent gusts of wind hurling sand around the air, made it hard to breath. I had a rag wrapped around my face to not inhale too much of the ash that the six-foot fire spit out, yet the heat painfully stung my skin, broiling my insides for each inhale I took. The glares from the fire spit out on the asphalt, singeing my feet anytime I managed to walk where a part of my shoe had ripped from its sole.

It was the morning of my third shift assigned to infected-burning duty, which I would have never been considered for if not for Tess, who had called it an early birthday gift by calling in a favor and got me «promoted» from the humble gigs as a trash-picker. A better workout, she had argued when she told me. As a mid-twenties woman with no prior skills from before the outbreak, my options in the quarantine were strictly limited to low-paid gigs or spending the days standing at the fabrics-stall alongside my mother. Compared to the latter, scorching heat and dead bodies sounded like a picnic.

I was lucky to meet Tess in my early teens, who raised me as her little sister. She had found me in the tunnels trying to swing at a FEDRA-soldier at the ripe age of 14, saving me just in time to not get shot. I had a hugely rebellious and dominating nature, not fitting in the shapes of my mothers cautious and victim-like behavior. So she took me under her wing and trained me to be as strong as her. We still sparred every single morning in the abandoned tunnels, with the promise that one day I would one day join her and Joels smuggling business when I was ready. I would still argue every week that I was, and though reluctant, she eventually agreed. Joel however, would shut down the subject before it ever started. He joined the occasional training, but rarely said a word or picked up a weapon.

I felt an uneasiness around him, along with most people in the qz. Hid frame broad and tall, his body a hardened shell. His face rarely conveyed any expression, yet his eyes were flooded of emotion. If, by a rare occasion, his eyes met mine, they pierced into my soul, analyzing me, making me flushed with color and feeling small in his intimidating figure.As determined as I was to not let anyone make me feel that way, I almost backed out when Tess informed me he would be the leader on the burn-gig for the next couple of weeks. Yet, I quickly viewed it as an opportunity to show him I had become a valuable asset for them in their smuggling-business. Unconsciously, i had never felt more motivated to finally get any form of approval by him.

«Freya, pick up the pace kid,» he barked at me as he walked by. Unphased by his comment, as they were equally distributed to everyone, I continued in the same pace. I was in better shape then anyone on the team, my arms carrying a lot more muscle then they showed off on my slender physique. My face was plump and young, not taking too much distain from the darkness of our surroundings. I almost looked too bright and alive to fit the picture, something I disproved by not being in the least a pleasant nor bright and witty girl.

Inattentively having my thoughts occupied by Joels comment, i threw the 170lb corpse over my shoulder and into the pit, causing glares of ash to burst at me. As one of the glares hit the an exposed part of my feet, I lost control and stumbled towards the fire, my hand touching the flames. The sudden pain throbbed through my arm, making me fall to my knees instinctively. «Fuck.. Fuck me!» I cried out and grabbed onto the railing of the truck behind me for support. The rest of the team had turned immune to screams and agony and did not even flinch, with the exception of one of the younger men who yelled out to the others «princess is down everyone! Only took 3 days too. You owe me a ration card Bill». The others laughed out in union. I was in no state to acknowledge the comment, but lowered my head in a small defeat. I had proved their prejudices towards me, and there was no turning back from it.

Joel was the only one who came over to help, yet he too looked highly bothered and unconcerned with the situation. His gestures did not match his face, as he delicately placed my hand in his and traced it softly with his rough, dirt-stained fingers. Knowing he would not care to look at me, I stared at him in confusion and sympathy. This was the first time he had touched me, sending waves of energy through my pain-ridden body. I tensed, not knowing what to make of my unexpected reaction. How could a man you would be afraid to even get caught looking at, have a touch that felt so tender, with hands so soft you feel yourself caving at his caress? A vision of who he was before the outbreak immediately caught my mind. Someone gentle, kind, happy.¨

«Freya?» I snapped back to the present to see that he had caught me staring at him longer than I should have, looking at me. My cheeks flushed to a bright pink color, my words at a loss. I was never intimidated or awkward around men. He was the only one who had that effect on me. He kept his gaze fixed on my face for a quick second, and looked back down at the red and blistering burn on the palm of my hand. «Shit, it doesn't look good. I'll have to bandage it, and then you need to go home.You won't be of use to me with one functioning hand.» His deep, rusty voice made the words sound like humming.

I wiped all softness off my face. «Try me,» i snarked back at him. «I will have to be six feet under before I give up todays ration cards.» He looked at me with an amused expression, his features almost forming a smirk, before he stopped himself and let his face fall again. I almost broke through the mask, I proudly thought to myself, trying to refrain from smiling so he would understand that I was not joking around. I was not about to be the weak link of the crew. It couldn't be too hard lifting with one hand.

«Calm down, tough guy. I get you're trying to show off your strength here, but I'm not killing off my crew member on the first week.». I closed in on the space between us, looking him dead in the eye with the last shred of confidence I had left for this argument. «I'm not going fucking home, you piece o..» He roughly jerked my arm before I let out my last words, dragging me so close to him that i felt his quick breathing on my neck, his eyes fixated directly at mine. He startled me in the change of manner, causing me to let out a groan. «I am not fucking asking. Now I will get you the rations, and if you say one more word you'll be out of a job.» Our eyes locked on each others for a moment of silent understanding, before I looked down in defeat by his dominating nature, and let myself be weak in front of the only man I knew would not take advantage of it. I felt his breath tingling on my neck once more, before I slowly stood up and turned away from him. «And get some new shoes before you kill yourself, kid.» He remarked, watching me walk away. Exhausted from the heat, I barely got in the door before I fell asleep.

I woke from my nap only a couple hours later, fully disoriented and in more pain then earlier. The bedroom was damp from the fog, and with the windows open the sound of military tanks and bustling market outside filled the room. I rolled slowly out of bed and glared at the clock hanging crooked by the doorway, my brain not fully conscious yet. I was supposed to had met Tess at the bar 10 minutes prior, and the worry of annoying her woke me up instantly. I walked in front of the cracked mirror in the corner of the room, and released my deep brown curls so they swept down my chest. I put on a pair of black tight-fitting jeans and a low-cut singlet, and quickly ran out the door.

At the bar, there was a lot more people than expected for a Monday night, barely any seats were available. The coarse air smelled of cigarettes and dirt, and there was a tenseness surrounding the overworked crowd, drinking and talking in a self-medicating matter. I scoured the large outdoor patio for Tess, looking profoundly confused as I stood there alone. «Hey princess! Are you lost, little girl?» I heard from the middle of the area, quickly recognizing the men from the burn-crew, along with a couple others I didn't know. At the backend of the table, Joel sat nursing his drink, ignoring the other men's reaction to my presence.

After the long day of inconveniences, there was not enough life in me to even throw a glance at the table of sad fuckbags. Not without turning hurting anyone, at least. I walked by the table, continuing my search for Tess, without success. I turned to the person who knew her every step as they lived together, and sent him a puzzled look, slowly walking in his direction to get an answer of her whereabouts. «She had to go on a mission, she asked me to tell you that she can't make it tonight» he utters without ever lifting his gaze. His face was softer than usual, as to signal some sort of apology for his behavior earlier. You didn't want to tell me that before I walked around here like an idiot? I remarked to myself, not bothering to say the words out loud. I was already defeated for the day, and it only remained to get home in one piece.

I was about to turn around as the man closest to me slammed his glass of beer on the table, and stood up facing me with only a couple inches of space between us. «So, is the fucking princess feeling any better? It sure as hell looks like it, strutting around here with your tits out trying to fuck your way to a free beer.» He said, smirking as he looked back at the table, all the others in approving laughter, except from Joel, who seemed to try to tune out the conversation by focusing hard enough on drinking. The man who i didn't know the name of, quickly grasped my injured hand and raised it up to show the others. «Here we struggle for 20 years, fucking killing ourselves out there for a days ration, and this little bitch gets a blister and throws in the towel!» He was yelling by now, causing a scene in the bar. Multiple tables quieted to listen in. I froze completely, hopelessly waiting for Joel to disclose that he had forced the decision on me, but now he looked up at me, just as frozen as I was. Had it been a better day the man wouldn't have been standing upright as this point, but with my good hand being in astonishing pain, combined with the fact that I was way too sober for this bullshit, made the brawl pointless to join in on. If I broke my other hand, I would be out of work for another week.

I quietly waited for him to release my hand, but his drunken ego was agitated by my silence, and he gripped it harder trying to get any reaction out of me. He pushed my palm onto his torso, still laughing in union with the rest as he traced it downwards his chest. I looked back at Joel again, this time he was staring directly at me with an expression I had never seen on him before. He looked genuinely concerned at this point, contemplating whether or not to stand up. «Now you didn't have to do all that to get my attention, sweetheart. But I'll get you that beer if you're so desperate,» he said, barely finishing the sentence before I shoved him with full force using my free hand, and with the sound of glass breaking he crashed backwards on the table. He quickly gained control of his feet again and was immediately filled with rage, ready to grab onto me, but I had already walked away and closed in on the exit. Not trying to look behind me, I was trying to make sense of the situation by listening in on them. I heard the man cursing uncontrollably as he started pacing towards me, but swiftly came to an halt by hearing Joels voice. «You take one more fucking step now, and your hand will have a lot worse fate than hers.» He did not have to raise his voice to make the man understand the genuine promise to that threat, and sat down as the table quieted down again.

As i turned the corner to my block, merely a two minute walk away, I spotted Joel In the corner of my eye, pacing to catch up on me. Having absolutely no patience for the coward, I hastily walked towards my doorway and grabbed onto the key before he stood in front of me. His walk was determined, but as he stood in front of me, he seemed to be at a loss for words. We stood there, looking at each other, letting the tension between us say more than any words could. He didn't owe me anything. To him I was only Tess's little sister and already the weakest link in his team, yet I could sense in him that he had the unexplainable feeling toward me that I had reciprocated for months. He felt the urge to protect me, to make sure I was safe. And in his presence, I had always felt this way, safe and guarded. Which was why I kept looking at him tonight, and he had failed miserably at being the guardian he sought to be. «I.. i didn't want there to be any issues If the guys would think I favor you. They're just drunk fucking idiots. But I had to make sure you got home safe,» his eyes fell to the ground, not being able to deal with his own vulnerability. My rage for him involuntarily vanished for a moment, as I listened to his words, looking into his deep sunken eyes, then up to his salt and pepper-hair and tracing his face down to his coarse and full lips, frowning as he stood in front of me in defeat of his own words. I gathered myself to not ruin my careless persona completely, and wiped my face of any emotion for him that filled it a second ago. «Don't fucking distinct yourself from those drunk fucking idiots, cause thats exactly what you are. But I didn't take you for a fucking coward as well, Joel» I ended, not letting him say another word before I turned the doorknob and ran up the stairs, slamming the door behind me.

I woke up the next day, my head spinning with thoughts of anger and anxiety. I felt rage for Joel where I should have felt indifference, as he was just one of 8 men at the table. I made a promise to myself to never be a victim, to never let my guard down. He was the only man who could fuel such an instinctive desire to be weak for anyone. Yet, my submission to him had merely been a part of my imagination, and I was determined to quit believing this narrative instantly. Falsely confident that I was over this girlish behavior, I took an ice-cold shower to wash off yesterdays horrible events. My hand had not gotten much better since yesterday, but I knew Joel would never deny me working after what had happened. After breakfast, a double shot of whiskey and some stolen pain-pills, I opened the front door and stopped up in the doorway, looking down to my utter suprise, a new pair of boots stood at the front of my doorstep. I stared at them for a second, my body not sure how to react, before I kicked them to the side and walked down the stairs.

#my writing #joel miller #joel miller fic #pedro pascal #pedro pascal character fic #the last of us #tlou fanfiction #pedro pascal fanfiction #joel miller x reader #pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal smut

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wangxianficfinder · 2 years

Text

Fic Finder

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1. Hello! Could you help me find a fic wherein kid! Nie Mingjue and kid!Nie Huaisang are kidnapped/taken into the Wen Sect? Their father (Sect Leader Nie) is still alive in this fic. I believe that one of the memorable things in it is that Nie Huaisang calls Wen Ruohan A-die or Father as a manipulation scheme? I hope you can help me find it, I'm going crazy over it! @delightfullyjoci

SIMILAR! Fire and Light by nirejseki (T, 31k, NHS & NMJ, Canon Divergence, Found Family, Families of Choice, Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Childhood Trauma, Implied/Referenced Torture, the bad stuff is mostly offscreen)

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2. For a fic finder, I'm looking for a canon era Pretty Woman AU. Lan Qiren finds Wei Wuxian in Yiling before Jiang Fengmian would have - and takes him in to raise him as the perfect disciple. He becomes renowned for his talisman inventions, but that's all I can really remember @tess-is-elated

FOUND! A Thousand Things by tickertape (M, 108k, wangxian, canon divergence, WWX not adopted by Jiangs, developing friendships, miscommunication, misunderstangings, nightmares, hurt/comfort, panic attacks, WWX’s fear of dogs, slow burn, cultivation world bureaucracy)

NOt FOUND! You're Not The Only One by kippalittlefox (G, 81k, WIP, WangXian Canon Divergence, Soulmates, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Growing Up Together, Idiots in Love, Fix-It, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fluff, Oblivious WWX, Oblivious LWJ, Declarations Of Love, Lot's of fluff, Family Feels, shameless canon mashup)

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3. Hey! Can anyone help me find this fic? Basically it's a royalty sorta au I think? And wwx is with the jiangs but he runs away because of(insert reasons) to become a stable boy at the empire? He and mo xuanyu were friends? And mo xuanyu tends to the twin Jades horses and asks wwx to join him as well? And wwx and lwj obviously fall in love but there is also lxc and mxy I think? @mysteriousboo

FOUND? These Roads Lead to You by flowercity (FaoriE) (T, 18k, wangxian, royalty au, no powers, fluff, light angst, animal death, hurt/comfort, implied/referenced suicide, pining, reconciliation, Mojo’s post)

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4. hello ive been trying to find this fic where 2 wwx time travel from the future (one from 20 years and one from 2000) traveled back to the gusu study arc I dont really remember much other than this scene where Jc and Nhs was schoked to find out that wangxian were dating

FOUND! Two Time Travelers by Xue_Hua18 (T, 3k, WIP, WangXian, Time Travel, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Humor, Fluff and Crack, Reincarnation, Getting to know each other)

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5. Hey! This is the ficfinder, right? Because I have an ask for that, a story that I just cannot find! It's about Wei Wuxian, who gets pre-story killed by Madam Yu, and turns into a river spirit / river god. And at the beginning of the story Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli asked Lan Wangji to talk with Wei Wuxian, because a Jiang disciple almost drowned and they think he was it. Thank you!

FOUND! You still sound like a song by Moominmammashandbag (M, 64k, WIP, WangXian, Ghost!WWX, Mystery, LWJ plays inquiry, AU from after the Wens came to Lotus Pier, Most people lived not everybody died, Angst with a Happy Ending, river spirit!WWX, Family Feels, BAMF WWX)

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6. Hello! I’m looking for a completed AO3 fic where Jiang Fengmian didn’t actually adopt Wei Ying, but Meng Yao. It’s only revealed by the end that Meng Yao has been pretending to be Wei Ying this whole time. If I’m not mistaken, he told Jiang Cheng(?) his real name. Thank you for your hard work! ( ◠‿◠ )

FOUND? i am incredibly pleased with myself by victortor (G, 1k, JC/WWX (except not), canon divergence, WWX is not WWX but JGY)

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7. Hiiii. For the next fic finder, can you please try to find this fic that i read awhile ago. Its a wangxian deaging fic in which wwx goes back to being a kid because of a talisman or something. I remember baoshan sanren being there. Also wwx exchanges his energy with lwj and it burns everyone around them. There was this one scene where wwx saw lwj scars and ended up threatening the lan elders and lqr. And a scene in which wwx is upset lwj wont be intimate with him and he ends up at a brothel drunk with these girls. Thank you so much 💓

FOUND? 💖Silver & Gold by beeswaxing (E, 162k, wangxian, post-canon, fix-it, fluff & angst, hurt/comfort, de-aging, established relationship, non-sexual intimacy, cuddling & snuggling, BAMF WWX, horny teenagers, underage kissing, Mojo’s post)

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8. I'm looking for a story where there was a war between the jiangs/jin/meishan yu vs lan/wen/nie, Wei Wuxian was the only honourable general and became the lans claim of spoils and then wangxian happens

FOUND? Crossing Paths by Ilona22 (M, 21k, WangXian, Shapeshifters AU, War between sects, Not JC Friendly, not YZY friendly, War Crimes, WangXian Get a Happy Ending) (WWX, a human member of the Jiang (birds and snake shifters) clan is against them allying with the Jin (lions) and Yu (snake), acts honorably during the war and LWJ claims him afterwards)

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9. I've been searching for a fic for ages, to the point I'm convinced it was deleted! It takes place after the main events of the book, but Wangxian isn't actually together yet, though WWX is staying with LWJ at cloud recesses. Anyway, they go on a night hunt, and WWX gets a curse that leaves a physical mark. The curse ends up being transferred to Sizhui. Throughout the story, LWJ fears WWX is gonna up and leave any day, while WWX fears he overstayed his welcome. Especially after the curse moves to Sizhui, WWX feels worse and actually considers leaving. On the night hunt, however, they met a rogue cultivator that follows them back to CR out of "concern", saying he wanted to help when in reality, he was the cause of the curse and was aiming for WWX out of revenge. Thank you in advance!

FOUND? some hearts are ghosts by twigofwillow (T, 14k, WangXian, Angst with a Happy Ending, Mutual Pining, casefic, curse fic, Domesticity, Jealousy, Post-Canon, bed sharing)

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10. Does anyone know that one fic, I think CR era, where Lan Wangji meets Jiang Yanli and thinks she’s unusually generous because she’s encouraging him to marry Wei Wuxian into the Lan clan? @any-mouse

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11. i'm hoping the hivemind can help find a fic. it's a modern wangxian au with some comedy. jiang yanli and lan xichen are both professors (i think yanli teaches math and is a new teacher at the school?). jyl & lxc hate each other because they both believe the other's little brother is breaking their little brother's heart. i remember them sniping at each other in their offices in front of wei ying. there's a scene in a grocery store where they're elbowing each other in the produce aisle i believe? possibly trying to grab the last cabbage or something silly. thank you for the help! @berestweys

FOUND! the earthquake in the room by phnelt (E, 39k, WangXian, Modern AU, College AU, Canada, Getting Together, Mentions of lwj/others background NieLan, background WQ/MM, inter-faculty romance, Strangers to lovers to frenemies to lovers)

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12. Hiiiii fic finder 👋Thank you for all your hard work 💜 . I need help finding a fic. Its a wangxian abo fic with alpha wwx and omega lwj. I remember everyone thinking lwj was a beta until jyl brings wwx clothes to the thrift store where they work and lwj likes the scent . Its a modern at university au. There was also something about compatibility and wangxian had a 95% compatibility and that was dangerous i think. I remember hualian being there. And for a small time wwx ended up in some sort of confinement facility and wasnt allowed to see lwj.

FOUND? I is for Instinct by beeswaxing (E, 71k, wangxian, NMJ/LXC, JYL/JZX, hualian, modern, ABO, college/university au, alpha WWX, omega LWJ, scenting, possessive behavior, getting together, public claiming, good parent LQR & YZY, fluff, romance, slice of life, smut, mpreg)

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13. Hi! The time has come when I need to ask for help.I don't remember much, but it was definitely a modern setting. WWX was an IT specialist. He worked for NMJ (who was a bodyguard) and for JC but under the pseudonym 'Mo Xuanyu'. I think there were Some problems with WWX and Jiang family and WWX was living with Nie brothers but im not sure. I remember 2 scenes.1WWX escaped and left his car at the airport so NMJ couldn't find him. 2WwxAndNieBrothersWereAtLxcHomeAndWwxAndNmjFoughtInGymBcsWwxWasupset

FOUND? Come Around and Stay by trippednfell (M, 160k, wangxian, NMJ/LXC, modern, slow burn, found family, kid fic, PTSD, blood & injury, trauma, angst w/ happy ending, eventual JC & WWX reconciliation, friendzoning, hurt/comfort, panic attacks)

FOUND? The Martial Arts Instructor Fic You Didn't Know You Needed by enbysaurus_rex (M, 363k, wangxian, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, WWX & Wen remnants, WQ & WWX & WN, modern, martial arts, everyone lives au, not canon compliant, WWX has ADHD, autistic LWJ, pining, enby WWX, implied/referenced alcoholism, PTSD, slow burn, chronic illness, found family, polyamory negotiations, JC & WWX reconciliation, WIP)

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14. Ive been looking for this fic and ive seem to have lost it on my reading list 😭 i haven't read it but i kinds remember two of the tags being soulmate au and a collage/university au and the summary saying that wangxian communicate through music cause it was how the soulmates thing work

FOUND? all the old familiar places by thebluedoor (G, 16k, wangxian, modern, soulmates, fluff, college/university au, slow burn, pining)

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15. Wow been a while since I had asked a fic finder ask here. Hello all you wonderful mods! hopefully y'all haven't been too busy. I'm looking for two fics A) a post core transfer fic where WWX leaves the Jiang sect (So non Jiang friendly?) and gets married to LWJ later after becoming an artist (It's all within Sunshot timeline) and B) All I can remember is Nie Mengjue possesing a goose but also Mo Xuanyu was alive??? ⊃ο<*

15A)

FOUND? Away from Trouble by Ilona22 (M, 15k, wangxian, alternate universe, not JC friendly, happy ending)

15B)

FOUND? Dream a little dream of me by Moominmammashandbag (M, 60k, WangXian, HuaiYu, Prison, Hair Washing, WWX thinks he is dreaming, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst, mentions of torture, Mention of dismemberment, Coming Out, Plotting and scheming, Anxiety Disorder, Anxiety Attacks, goose!NMJ, Reincarnation, Do not fuck with NHS, Dreamwalking, Angst with a Happy Ending)

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16. Hi, Mods! Thank you for all your hard work. I hope you all are well! I'd like to ask for help in looking for a fic where WWX and LWJ went to some town or village near the sea to investigate missing people that were lured to the sea by a sea demon.

As they were asking around, WWX flirted with a girl as usual. But It turns out that girl was the sea demon and she took LWJ. WWX was so terrified because once the morning came, none of the victims were ever found alive.

Main while, LWJ who was captured under the sea had to buy some time for his husband to come to rescue him, so he told the sea demon the most intrigued story: his love life. Which she was hooked. And he left it at a cliffhanger when she asked for more. The sea demon who unknowingly became a fan of Wangxian had no choice but delayed her meal. So LWJ managed to buy a few more nights by reciting the whole novel of MDZS.

FOUND? The Eater of Hearts by ElDiablito_SF (T, 17k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Chinese Mythology & Folklore, LWJ is Scheherezade, WWX and LQR speak to each other agenda, Angst with a Happy Ending, WangXian are very in love and very disgusting, Case Fic, Gratuitous kissage)

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17. Hi I need help finding a fic. I can't remember much except that it was a modern retelling of Canon and Wei Ying wakes up in Mo Xuanyu's body in Mo Xuanyu's apartment. I think there was something about skinny jeans and a phone? But I do remember Lan Zhan and Wei Ying driving around in a car and speaking to Lan Sizhui. I'm sorry I can't remember much more but if you can help me find it I'll be forever grateful 🥲 if not that's okay too! It's just been floating around in my head for a bit haha Thank You!!

FOUND! grief; the stages of by synonemous (M, 16k, WangXian, Modern AU, Canon Divergence, Attempt at Humor, Feelings Realization, Happy Ending, Slow-ish burn, Spoilers for the entire novel, No spoilers for the extra chapters)

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18. Hello! I don’t really know how this works but I am looking for a fic so I was wondering if you guys could help?

It’s a wangxian centered post canon fic where they have adopted some children and in the beginning of the story most of their children have grown up already and sizhui has a family. I remember the story including wangxian going on a nighthunt and they both die unfortunately. But i think they got transported back into the past? I’m not quite sure but they’re definitely still alive somewhere just not in their present time. There was a really sad chapter where their children hold the funeral for both of them and Sizhui breaks down in front of his adopted brother.

Idk if it makes sense but I hope you can help me find it! It was such a good read and I really want to read it again. Thank you so much and have a lovely day!

FOUND! this is our vow by orro (T, 111k, WIP, WangXian, Time Travel Fix-It, Butterfly Effect, For Want of a Nail)

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19. Hi! For the next fic finder, I have this one fic where afaik a random doctor found out abt wwx's core and then they called wq. One of the scene I remembered was wwx was stabbed by a sabre. Thanks!!

FOUND? The most dangerous thing is to love by KatAnni (E, 113k, wangxian, golden core reveal, fix-it, angst w/ happy ending, yunmeng siblings, hurt wwx, ptsd, panic attack, Golden Core Transfer Fix-It, Medical Procedures, Fainting, Major Character Injury, Blood and Injury, WWX Has a New Golden Core)

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20. Fic Finder! It was a fanfic where JFM died of cancer at some point. Maybe they were doctor. I can't remember. It was modern setting and WWX left for about 10 years and i think he was also the one to pay for the treatment?? I hope you can help me. @rkivees

FOUND! plant a little happiness (let the roots run deep) by fleurdeliser (E, 47k, WangXian, Modern AU, Car Accidents, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Non-Explicit References to Injuries and Death, References to Addiction, Doctors & Physicians, Falling In Love, soft romance, background 3zun, [Podfic of] plant a little happiness (let the roots run deep) by knight_tracer)

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#wangxian #mdzs #wangxian fic finder #wangxian fic search #the untamed #wangxianficfinder #long post

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comingupdandelionsgame · 8 months

Note

HI FRIEND I'm sorry for not answering your asks on my blog but I've been struggling 😭😭🙏, they're too hard for me to answer

Anyways here's one: How good are your characters are Karaoke? Owo

it’s ok, i just love giving challenge questions <3333

and OK YES THIS IS ONE IVE THOUGHT ABOUT A LOT. i will rank them like u did :)

1. damian loves it and he’s great at it.

2. paxton has a very average singing voice, but his stage presence makes up for the notes he can’t hit!

3. the only song tess will sing is tequila.

4. eris cannot sing even remotely—she’s AWFUL—however, this doesn’t matter bc she will scream out babymetal like no one’s business 😎

(damian would also join her for babymetal) (damian would join everyone bc you can’t make him leave the stage) (he and paxton would def do an overdramatic man ballad like “lost in the woods” or “i’m just ken” <3)

#genuinely forgot abt sylas but it’s not like he’d go to karaoke anyway #he’d rather die #ty for the ask <3 my characters and your characters should all do karaoke together methinks #paxton + damian would be besties with the band #ask

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ettawritesnstudies · 1 year

Text

Hyperspecific Poll Time

Click under the "read more" to learn about the character you picked! And feel free to send me an ask if you'd like to learn more about any of them! I'm turning this into a writeblr tag game too so if you want to join in on this, I'm tagging @abalonetea and @ashen-crest and @theroseempress

Option 1: Luca Laine

"It was far too lovely a day for a riot, but not even the warm morning sun or the light breeze flapping the trader's multicolored tents could keep Luca from taking advantage of the fact that there was, in fact, a riot."

The protagonist of Storge! He's a desperate kid who picks up people's trash and tries to salvage it into useful stuff for his family, but when he dares to steal a magical charm from the avian, Acheran, he's too much of a paragon to get away with it. His honestly earns him a job from the reserved shopkeeper and they end up becoming solid friends who look out for each other when their city devolves into a civil war.

Option 2: Grace Laine

"I could have killed you by now if I wanted to. "Uh yeah, but you didn't."

Luca's younger sister! As a powerful energy sink, this kid can absorb magical energy and use it to bolster her own stamina and healing. This also means she can't use magic to fight, and so her father taught her martial arts at a very young age. As a result, this 14 year old menace is fully convinced she's indestructible and sasses assassins and terrorists with absolutely 0 negative consequences whatsoever /sarcastic

Option 3: Enne Laine

Luca and Grace's older sister! Despite being blind, she's the only sibling with common sense or self-preservation. With a lockbox memory and a lifetime of strategic thinking, she's extremely good at getting her way. While her sister is busy provoking the assassins and terrorists and keeping them distracted, she's arguing her way to freedom and sabotaging them on the way out.

Option 4: Hannah Teagan

When her younger sister, Cecelia, goes missing and all signs point to abduction by fae, Hannah promptly storms into the woods behind their house to bring her sister home. She gets more than she bargains for in the Seelie and Unseelie courts, and its up to her to find a way out of their maze and back to the world she knows.

Option 5: Cecelia Teagan

(this one's a spoiler :3)

Option 6: Min Larua (aka Miragel aka Maxk aka Visige aka Mentira)

A changeling who wants to become the Liege of Thieves. They use their various alter egos to set up a "crime ring" all reporting back to their leader Larua to make it seem like they have a stronghold on the criminal underworld in their city. They eventually recruit a real team, none of which have no idea that their rival, ally, and boss are all the same person.

Option 7: Both Tess Teagan and Weswin

(The first one's a spoiler as well.) Weswin is cursed to have a constantly shifting appearance that he can't control, meaning its impossible for him to maintain an identity or make friends. He eventually forgot his name after years of coming up with different constantly changing personas, and so he eventually settled on calling himself after the "west wind" which he follows in his wanderings.

Option 8: Sora Shiraishi

When you suppress your abilities out of fear for years, it can be terrifying when they start to forcefully manifest themselves and you don't know how to recognize them. Especially when you think you're hallucinating strange sounds and objects moving around, even though it's just the friendly spirit that your family's soul is bonded to, trying to get your attention. She only learned much later that she was experiencing a normal connection to the spirit world, and not losing her mind.

Option 9: Madelyn

Originally a very powerful mage, Madelyn lost her magic when her friend Alric betrayed and attacked her with a Relic. As she learns how to use magic from point 0 all over again, she logs her progress in her journal, and eventually learns how to cast spells from the ink and written words, binding her soul to it and becoming a Relic in her own right. It's a good thing her diary is extremely difficult to destroy as a result, but she refuses to risk losing her magic again. It wouldn't physically harm her, but she still might die of embarrassment if anyone ever read it.

Option 10: Seth

The child of high ranking dignitaries in Maaren, Seth was trained for the noble political life from the moment he learned how to talk. He resented this at first, not really knowing what he wanted to do with his life, but not wanting to be associated with his family's legacy. But after his family's power collapses and he escapes Maaren as a refugee, he realizes he's still really good at politics and rallying people behind a common cause, and uses his training as a force for good in the world.

#hyperspecific poll #runaways #storgewip #the laoche chronicles #etta rambles #writeblr #writeblr tag game

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canonically47 · 5 days

Note

It's DC day! Sending this in so you can review the ep when you are ready!

the episode premiered at midnight for me so i only now got to watch it but!!! REVIEW TIME!!!

spoilers for DCAS episode 8!!!

(but you knew that)

i’m disappointed alec didn’t show more emotion when he found out fiore was voted out. it makes sense given the note they ended on, but i miss them so, so, so much <///3

i fucking hate yul, and it’s beyond me how people actually unironically like him. he’s literally made to be disliked and you’re telling me some of yall actually like him?? his racist, homophobic & fatphobic ass???? the way he treats grett is horrible, i hope he gets what’s coming to him. loved seeing him get trampled in the challenge like i was hoping for <3

tom is definitely lying about his boyfriend. he should’ve told gabby what he told aiden, given that they’ve known each other for longer and are good friends, but he didn’t, and instead nervously laughed it off and walked away. that boy is a liar!!! (my aro hc is saving him, but canonically speaking i am not digging him rn)

gabellie stays winning!!! i am actually glad ellie got voted off and the nature in which she did! and i am also so happy gabby wants to avenge her! i really want gabby to make it far into the game, tbh i could see her as a finalist. also i’m super glad that my prediction was right - i forgot to talk about it on here but i was 99.99% sure ellie was out next

trevor PLEASE get over derek HE IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!! HE’S ALWAYS BEEN A DICK TO YOU WHY DO YOU LIKE HIM!!!! WHY ARE ALLOS LIKE THIS!!!!!!!! why can’t anyone see that the ship is not good!! derek always pulls away from trevor or disagrees with him!! he doesn’t like him!! they’ve barely had any moments that would make you root for them as a ship and trevor is clearly established to like him as fan service!!! BURN TREVEK 🔥🔥🔥 (that being said if they find a way to turn the ship around - which ik damn well they won’t because they have a knack for ruining ships, thank god gabellie is safe - maybe i will join the trevekers, but not for now)

not much to comment on this episode, it was alright just not spectacular. i still like E6 the best. now for some predictions!!!

so, ellie just got out, and gabby wants to join the villains. although hesitant at first, i think they could let her in. i’m curious how she would clash with the people from her season, especially grett - maybe her and grett will switch places as hero and villain.

the tom-jake-aiden beef continues, and i think it won’t be long before we find out tom is lying about his boyfriend...

more trevek miscommunication. obviously.

i think yul has the highest chance of being voted next on yellow team, but that would require grett finding out... everything. for the other teams, i couldn’t tell you. you know me, i obviously want jake off, but i don’t think his weird beef is quite done yet. logically though, he and tom are not looking too good on their teams - gabby could easily make tess vote with her, and aiden and tom could probably miscommunicate when voting, leading to a 2-1-1 vote against tom. i’m just here for the ride but i hope i’m right :P

#asks #my asks #disventure camp #disventure camp all stars #dcas #campamento desventura #odd nation cartoons #disventure camp spoilers

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igotanidea · 2 years

Text

Gritty - sweetbitter fanfiction (Jake x OC) chapter 2

previously:

chapter 1 - Welcome to New York

pairing: Jake x OC

word count: 5.388

warning: swearing

masterlist

Chapter 2

It we ever meet again.

Fuck

-Hello Jake.

Holy fuck.

Well, don’t mind me if I freak out inside a bit after seeing a boy ( a man?) who in fact did break my heart IN THE PAST. Not that I’m gonna let him know of course. I mean, about both freaking out and my broken heart. Collected outside, as usual, since we are going to work together now (whether I like it or not) I decide it’s best to acknowledge him. In that scenario I have at least the tiniest bit of leverage over him, even I feel a sharp pain inside. I just stay in the middle of the kitchen, frozen again while the servers keeps on running around, miraculously avoiding any collision. It’s almost like the time had stopped for me. Jake seemed surprised as well, his eyes gave him away.

-Kestrel? – his voice is as deep and dark as I remember when he calls me by the childhood nickname. I hate it, but it does something to me – What are you …. – he almost dropped the bike he was carrying when he saw me.

- No time for that, now! – Simone chimed in, moving me towards my work place urging to get going– We will catch up later. Same goes for you, Jake. Hurry up!

I just smiled faintly at him and moved away. Focusing on work was exactly what I needed and what I actually was able to do. Tess, however, with her openly and curious attitude starts her usual round of questions.

-Who was that? – she asked Simone while watching Jake walk away. I didn’t blame her – he was hot. Despite his bad boy attire or maybe because of it, he was definitely a sight to watch. Especially for the newbie, who knew nothing about the background and bigger picture. The poor girl seemed to lost her mind and soul at the spot. It was like a stereotypic love story – a good and nice girl from a small town falls for the wrong guy. How cliché.

- That was Jake – Simone answered – he’s the bartender.

- Bartender? – I scoffed – I see he learnt how to use his natural talents, than.

- Mackie ….. – Simone gently warned me and I raised my hands in surrender. – Jake – she turned towards Tess and sighed – is someone you should avoid, you know. He can be a lot to handle if you don’t know him.

Sure as hell he was. I learnt that first hand, so I was torn between warning Tess as well and letting her make her own mistakes. Something was telling me, that once infatuated she would never listen to a voice of reason.

-I want to get to know him – she muttered, barely audible but I did heard and looked at her carefully. She was already lost in her feelings.

-You will. But not just now. We have a lot to do, ok, little one? After service. And that’s a promise to you too, Mackie.

- Can’t wait – I grinned sarcastically when she left with the dishes.

- Do you know him too? – Tess asked once she joined me by the sink

-I knew him – I sighed – in the past. Very turbulent past. Look, Tess, I’m not gonna mother you – she saddened at my choice of words – but I agree with Simone on this one. You should be careful around him. Jake can be …. intense.

-I’ll keep that in mind – she turned around gathering some dirty cutlery.

- But you’re gonna do it your own way, don’t you? – I let the question hang between us, both of us well aware of the answer.

What Tess did not notice was that Will was checking her out since the very second she came through the kitchen door. He seemed like a nice guy. She seemed like a nice girl. And that was exactly why they would never really work together. And that was why it never worked between me and Jake – we were toxic for each other. Like a poison. And that was also the reason why I would never engage in anyone’s private life and give any advice. I was not exactly the role model for relationships and living issues. And what I said in the past was still valid – I was the person to watch from the distant and help people imperceptibly rather than making any vivid impact.

-Service! – Scott, the sous-chef yelled from behind me, but there were no servers to actually get the dish from him. Guess they were busy with the customers. Being at risk of delay, Will, who was in charge of the shift was turning around frantically trying to come up with a solution.

- Oh come, on! We’ve got soigne waiting! – he mutters under his nose. A second later he spotted me. - Mackie! Grab it and go! – Will looked at me making me move as he grabbed some other plates and nudged me to follow.

-Isn’t that beyond my pay level?

- Just come with me, we don’t have time for this. I don’t know why but I trust you to do that.

And so I did it, suddenly remembering everything I learned in the past. The three dish which was the professional word for carrying three plates at once without getting burned or dropping anything, the steady walk to avoid slipping, the smile you put on when you present the meal to the guest. Everything came back so naturally. My first service and I already get out of kitchen, because I’m reliable. Watch me soar, Harold. Of course, when I did enter the front restaurant I had to go through bar where Nicky and Jake were already working their asses off. The older one smiled at me and gave me a thumbs-up while I just nodded at him and without paying any attention to the other guy just followed Will as well as my instincts with the guests.

-This goes to the table 15 – Will pointed – can you handle?

- Of course I can. Besides, is it not a bit late to ask? – I swiftly moved between the tables and served it perfectly.

- With chef’s compliments – I added when all of the guest had their plates in front of them.

-You are a new face, aren’t you pretty one? – one of the man looked at me.

-Indeed I am, sir.

-A natural talent than. Since I’ve been coming here and I am a regular for the last couple years Howard never let any new face serve dishes before learning how to pour drinks and how to put things in order first. The new ones usually just follow the older and more experienced servers. Thank you, miss… ?

- Mackie, sir.

- A pretty name for a pretty girl. You can expect quite the tip my dear.

- Thank you again, sir. – I turned on my heels. Anyone else on my place would probably be full with self-satisfaction but not me. After all, I expected no less than perfection and professionalism from myself. It was my obligation to provide them. But yes, deep inside it was nice to hear those words from the customer.

The rest of the service just went smoothly. It was fast-paced and involved a lot of effing and jeffing. Got to admit, the staff had the language. At least behind the kitchen door, because when they entered the main space they were transformed into the most gentle and professional people ever. Shit, the atmosphere I haven’t felt in a while made the blood in my veins rush and I felt alive. All of the smells from the products, the heat from the oven, the steam and the sound of clangorous dinnerware, the muffled conversation between the cooks – I believe it was Spanish….. all that combined together feels like … home, a familiar place where you know you can be yourself, however crazy that may sound. Most of the night I just stayed in the kitchen and honestly didn’t mind. There was however one time when Will asked me for help again.

-Behind you – he warned approaching me at the sink. Another vocational thing which helped in avoiding any damage and abrupt turns – Mackie, can you grab two glasses of Pinot Noir from the bar and follow me to the table? – I just nodded while he grabbed plates and led the way out. As I spotted Nicky and tried to ask him for the wine, Jake waylaid.

- What do you need?

- Pinot.

- How many?

- Two glasses.

Without any unnecessary words and movements he just reached onto the shelf and handed me what I needed. When he did, his hand briefly brushed against mine and lingered there for a second almost like there was something going inside his head. However, I did not gave him any chance to speak his mind as I quickly fled ( yes, I did in fact fled. For work, of course, why else?), doing my best to ignore Jake’s burning stare I almost felt on my back. I was not affected by it. Truly. I was also not affected when I walked back and he was still gazing, this time his eyes fixed on my face with that cold yet gentle expression I knew well enough. The one reserved only for the people he cared about and only for the situations where he felt safe enough to let his guard down. I did not reciprocated.

Before I knew it, the service was over, all of the guest left the premise and we were finally able to catch our breath and maybe celebrate a little. I was tired but full of satisfaction and this little moment of absent-mindedness had to be my undoing as one of the servers (it was Ari or Heather – I wasn’t quite sure of the name) bumped into me.

-Watch where you going, Mystery – she spat at me.

-I do – I massaged my elbow which got hit pretty hard – but you are the one who bumped into me. Am I invisible?

-I’m sorry, what did you say to me? – she took a step closer clearly angered with a dangerous, cold smile growing her face, showing all the teeth like a predator.

- Ari, Ari, calm down – Sasha came out of nowhere already holding Tess by her arm – the work for tonight is over, you can relax. We’re gonna have shift drinks! – he snapped his fingers a few times – Party time, bitches!

- What are “shift drinks”? – Tess whispered to me, being nothing but curious.

-Well, where I worked we used to call it “getting wasted time”, but I think it’s the same thing. It’s just unwinding after a service. Enjoying a job well done. You’ll see. – I whispered back while Ari, Heather and Sasha were discussing plans for the rest of the evening and night.

-Baby monster! Are you joining us? – Sasha turned around addressing Tess.– oh, why am I even asking. You are joining us. You too, Mystery, I saw the little trick you pulled with Will. What did you do to him that he let you serve?

-Magic. – I stretched my fingers and tilted my head.

-Well, well, a Mystery is a witch too. I love that – he ginned – now, chop, chop, get dressed and we are going.

- Baby monster? – I hissed at Tess and she shrugged – this guy comes up with the craziest nicknames ever.

-Come on! – Sasha urged impatiently but halted when Will came into his sight – Will! Ready for shifts drinks?

-Not tonight, Sasha.

-You bore! – the older man came loose. – I’m taking the new girls then.

- One of them. I need to talk to Mackie, now.

- But… - Sasha chimed in.

-It’s ok Russian boy. I’m not really in a party mood.

- You are a bore too!

-No, I’m a Mystery, remember? Besides if you are going to shit-talk me and I know you are – I shook my head - you’ll be better off without my presence there.

- I like her – Ari grinned – so straightforward. Maybe we can be friends after all.

- A couple minutes ago you were ready to smash her against the wall – Heather reminded her.

- Really? I can’t remember. She’s got attitude and I can appreciate that.

- Next time I am taking you with us – Sasha assured – and Will won’t stop me. Baby monster, coming? – Tess was quick to follow him while I turned to face Will who was eyeing me carefully and with a bit of suspiciousness in his eyes.

- Who are you? – he asked making sure everyone was out of sight and out of the earshot.

-I’m sorry? – that was unexpected – what do you mean by that?

- I saw how you acted during the service.

- And how was that?

-Like you did this before a hundred times.

- You called for me, remember? Besides, maybe I did. Did being good got me in trouble now?

-Ok, sorry, his conversation is not going the way I saw it in my head. I apologize. – Oh, so Will truly was the nice and sweet guy. The thought of that just made me smile a bit and it cleared the atmosphere.

- Want to go again? – I asked hopping onto the counter eyeing him carefully.

- Sure – he sighed with relief leaning onto the spot next to me – what I meant was that it was weird for me. You definitely have a lot of experience with customers and service, but even though Howard still put you on the washing – up in the kitchen which is the lowest position here. Why?

- I told you, I don’t want any light treatment.

-Nothing is light treatment here and you know that, Mackie. So why?

- Why does it bother you so much? – I shifted myself slightly so I could face him with my legs crossed on the counter.

- I’m just curious? – he shrugged with an asking tone – I want to get to know you. Your first day and you have already been called the mystery. Sasha is how he is, but he rarely makes mistakes when it comes to people so maybe there is something more to you.

-A lot, actually – I shook my head and looked down smirking.

- Do you wish to share? – he leaned across to meet my eyes, smiling. Wow, his eyes was so sincere and honest and sensitive, I could just feel that. That was …. new for me given my previous relationship with men.

- Not just yet. – he saddened at my words – oh, come on Will, I just met you and even though you seem like a trustworthy guy I usually take my time with sharing secrets, ok? Just give it time. I’m sure I will eventually warm up to you.

- I take that as a promise.

- Of course you do –I nodded - Now, go run after Tess.

-What?

- Do you think I’m blind? You were looking her direction every time she was within your eyeshot.

- I supervise her work so I was supposed to observe.

- Aren’t you my supervisor too? – I squinted

- Mackie, we just literally had a conversation about your level of experience. You don’t need my guidance. Tess does.

- She does – I sighed – she is a bit lost and confused. But you keep telling yourself it’s only about that. – I chucked at his outraged expression – I know your secret now but don’t worry I intend to keep it. And give you some of mine in the future in exchange.

- You are pretty observant too, huh?

- It was nice talking to you Will.

- Same. Hope we can become friends soon.

-Just give it time – I shook my head again – now, go! – I pushed him off the kitchen while staying in the deserted place myself. – You can come out now, you know. Stop hiding – I crossed my arms over my chest and after a minute of silence a tall figure raised from the steps and came into the light to my sight. We were just staying in front of each other, none saying a word and it was getting a bit awkward. However, neither me nor my opponent would ever admit it, let alone break the silence much to the other satisfaction of winning the staring contest. This moment however gave me a while to study his face and whole figure just to check if he has changed a lot since I last talked to him and since we broke up. For sure, he brazened – his jaw was sharper and covered with stubble, muscles ripped and it was showing even under the t-shirt, arms toned and strong. Someone was definitely working out. Apart from that his emerald eyes had the same glow and ironically somewhat dark expression while he was looking at me, most probably also checking out if and how much I changed. He took a step closer into the light and I noticed the same tattoo on his forearm. He could have removed it but I suppose it still reminded him of the past. Sadly, he was stuck there to his own detriment.

- Do you need a knife? – I was the first one to break the silence, but somehow I wasn’t feeling like I was losing anymore.

- What the fuck are you talking about? – he scoffed taken aback by my first words.

- To cut the atmosphere. It’s pretty tense, don’t you think?

- Kestrel… - he whispered almost softly breaking his bad boy look, but before any more words were spoken we were interrupted.

- Jake! – Simone got into the kitchen. Of course she was the one to come in AGAIN. Some things just never change. – What are you doing here? – he nudged him playfully or rather in attempt of being funny – if you want to catch up with Mackie get in line because I was first. Right, Mackie? – she looked at me.

- You were, Simone. Is now the right time for that?

- Of course. In fact I was waiting for you by the bar. I though you would join me after you finished talking to Will.

- Well, I though you joined the rest in their partying.

- I prefer different sort of entertainment. However, I’m surprised Jake didn’t follow.

-He is a partygoer now? – I gazed at him – that’s something new given the character and remoteness.

- I’m going. I had enough. – he exited the kitchen.

-Don’t mind him. Your showing might have had some effect on him – Simone smiled – wine at the bar?

- Sure – I followed her outside. – But he was always grumpy and distant, so his attitude has nothing to do with me. I’m sure of that.

- Enough about Jake, Mackie. It’s a girls’ reunion night. Nicky, can we have two glass of sparkling?

-Right at you girls. But Mackie, are you sure you are old enough to drink?

- Do you need an ID? – I grinned

- I never do here. But asking sometimes comes as the old habit from the previous work.

- Where was it? Liquid store? – I laughed

- A bar. Not even close to this restaurant’s standard – he answered while pouring the alcohol into the glasses – congratulations on making an impact today by the way. I’ll drink to that.

- It was nothing, really. I just happened to be at the right place in the right time – I took a sip and the taste immediately overwhelmed me – this – I pointed at the beverage – this is exquisite.

- Best of the best. Howard’s special – Nicky patted my shoulder – I’ll leave you two ladies alone. Seems like you have some stories to tell each other.

- Thank you Nicky – Simone smiled with her brightest and most gentle smile. At this point she was looking exactly the way I remembered her – Mackie – she leaned towards me next – how have you been? Last time we spoke you were finishing you studies? When was that?

- Two freaking years ago. Time flies by – I shook my head in disbelief. I never really took notice of how fast it does.

- I can agree with that. And what where you doing since then? You mentioned some culinary training?

- I did. Just some studies and courses to expand my knowledge in the area. And some ground work, hence the experience some of the stuff seemed to have noticed – I gazed at Nicky.

-That seems a bit unusual, Mack. What does culinary have to do with economy, because that is what you majored at, right?

- You know me – I chuckled – always had a clear vision of my future.

-Wasn’t it your parents’ vision? – she insisted gently and that question made me stop as flashbacks came to me.

- At the beginning, yes. But I molded it to my liking and decided to become a manager in a restaurant in the future. They weren’t exactly thrilled with the idea. We had… quite a fight which resulted in me moving from the house and completely severing the contacts for a while. It’s a bit better now, but those relations are still rough.

- I’m sorry about that, Mack – Simone gently touched my hand trying to reassure me – Truly.

- I’m not – I shrugged – it’s all water under the bridge after all. I’m a self-made woman. Now, enough about me. How have you been?

- Busy – she laughed – when I moved to New York, I mean, when we moved, since Jake came with me – it was hard at first, but I suppose you can relate to that – I nodded my head remembering first few months. – However, I managed to find us a job at some bar, where I was a waitress and Jake was a bartender. It was … dirty, to say the least.

- With your aspirations I could never imagine you as a waitress.

- It wasn’t long. Like you said I had more ambitions. After a few weeks I came across Howard’s place and charmed our way in – she flashed a smile to prove the point. – I’ve been here for quite a while now.

- Simone, when … when exactly did you move to New York?

-Oh, you know, it’s like you said – time flies by so fast I can hardly tell.

- Simone – I looked at her – tell me.

- I suppose it was shortly before you graduated. Two years?

-Why did you never reach to me? I mean, my relationship with Jake was obviously broken but not with you. So why?

- I don’t really know, now – she sipped her champagne but it was only to avoid answering straight away – I think it had to do with him. After all, if we have kept in touch, sooner or later he would bumped into you, somewhere. I guess I wanted to protect him. As always.

- Shame it came at my expense, though. Had it ever occurred to you that he was the one who left me? Not the other way round. Without a single word of explanation. I was 22. It did hurt back then.

- Aren’t you over that now?

- Of course I am. Really. But I never got my closure and it bothered me.

-Well you have a chance for a closure now, Mackie.

- Maybe… - I hesitated – I heard you spend some time in France, how was that?

- It was enriching experience. On many, many levels. Both professional and personal. It expanded my knowledge in wines, which as you noticed can be handy in our line of work – she was clearly taking the fifth with that answer – and this restaurant – yes, she definitely skillfully avoiding the whole truth and changing subject -It’s a good place and Howard is a good person, you know. You are at the right spot.

- I surely hope so. – I drank the last drops of the champagne when mentioned boss came out and approached us with his coat hanging from his arm.

- Going home, Howard? – Simone focused her attention on him, corners of her lips going up.

- I am.

- Mind walking me?

- Not at all, Simone. It would be my pleasure – he smiled lightly. Oh, he definitely likes her. – Goodnight, Mackie. Good job today. But I would like to talk to you first thing tomorrow morning.

- Of course, have a good night boss. – when they left I figured it was time for me to go too. Streets of New York can be dangerous at night and it was safer to walk while there were still pedestrians and cars.

- You want me to drive you home, kiddo?

- Nicky, I’m in my late 20s, stop calling me kiddo.

- You seem like a kiddo to me, kiddo.

- Thanks for the offer but I think I need a walk after today. Some fresh air to clear the mind you know. A lot happened after all. See you tomorrow?

- Sure thing. Have a safe nigh, Mackie.

***

I love New York at night. The city that never sleeps becomes much calmer then. You finally get a chance of catching your breath and if lucky enough – notice some stars. That is – if you know where to look for it. My apartment was localized in Queens, neither far nor close from the work so I really was hoping for some alone-time. Being an introvert I needed a lot of it to recharge and avoid being drained. Sometimes I used music as a tool to help me with that, but on other occasions I didn’t want to suppress my thoughts. And tonight I wanted to think. I was wondering if I’m going to fit in this new place, with those new people who seemed familiar and fond of clubbing and drinking and other stuff. I never felt like a bore before, but being called like that got me thinking that maybe I did not experience my younger, teenage years to the fullest. Perhaps I should have partied more and focused on the studying less, but I did not believed that to be true. I always liked my calmness, observance and steady attitude even if that made me a bit of a precocious child. Being a kid of an always-busy lawyer and a high-level teacher forced me to take care of myself and hence lack of spontaneity and a bit of distance. Funny enough I was both logical, avoiding unnecessary emotions and a dreamer and idealist, which sometimes made it hard to adapt to the environment. This next chapter of my story is surely going to be interesting. Deep inside I knew I would make a connection with Will, he seemed similar to me on so many levels, just generally warmer. Lost in my thoughts I wasn’t focused on where I was going and nearly tripped over the gap in the sidewalk. I managed to regain my balance by grabbing the wall of the building where I noticed some familiar figure clearly vomiting.

-Tess? – I approached the girl who was definitely wasted

- Hi, Mackie – I jumped on a safe distant where another wave of vomits made her shake. – I’m sorry about that.

- Getting drunk on the first night, hmm? Not so wise. And why did the guys let you walk home alone in such state?

- I told them I’ll be fine – she panted trying to stop the dizziness.

- Fine – I scoffed – bunch of idiots.

- Will insisted but I refused. So finally he gave up.

- Of course he did. And of course you refused. You are just so silly, aren’t you?

- Can you walk me home, Mackie? – she looked at me with the biggest eyes and frankly I wasn’t sure if she was just tired or where there some other substances included.

- Bold enough to ask now? – I shook my head

-Please, Mackie…..

- Of course I will walk you home. How could I not? Where exactly do you live?

- A few blocks down the street, but ….. – she almost tripped over her own feet getting dizzy again.

- No. I live in the next building, so you’re going to stay there.

- But ….

- No buts. You are coming with me Tess.

It took a bit of strength to drag her across the street toward my apartment and a lot less to make her lay down on the couch. Due to the tiredness she was slowly dozing off shifting a couple times to find a comfortable position.

-Tess, how much did you drink? – I could not let her fall asleep before getting some answers.

- Just a couple of drinks. I usually have better resistance for alcohol.

- Not in New York. Sleep. It’s going to be hard in the morning – I put the blanket over her and rubbed my forehead. Silly girl trying to fit in.

Since it was still not so late and Tess was safe for now, I decided I could still take a quick walk before going to bed. I locked the door and went outside, promising myself it would be just a couple of minutes since my rational part was screaming at me that I still had to be bright and energetic in the morning. Guess what, I was never particularly good at keeping the promises I made to myself, so my quick stroll turned into an hour-long, absent-minded journey through the streets. When I came to my senses I realized that I was standing in the middle of an empty, dark alley with no one in sight.

-Shit! – I muttered to myself turning around and heading back as fast as I could hoping for a happy ending and ignoring all the presentiments inside me. How ironic I was calling Tess a silly girl not so long ago and now I was acting like an idiot.

- Where are you going pretty one? – fuck! – It’s a bit late for a girl like you to roam the streets, isn’t it? – I stopped and calmed my breathing when tall man appeared in front of me, observing his every move and making a rescue plan for myself – are you looking for an adventure? I can provide one – he smiled lustfully at my lack of answer. It was best not to provoke him with any words. I reached inside my bag and clenched my fingers on some small, useful thing inside, now needing the man to come a little bit closer. – I see you are not opposed to the idea, love – he took a few steps forward and a second later was screaming in pain as the pepper spray was hurting his eyes.

- You bitch! – he yelled trashing around in blind rage. – I’m gonna find you and then …. – I wasn’t even listening as I rushed towards the main street. Obviously, not paying attention, again, I was the one to bumped into someone, who grabbed me by my waist on autopilot. Involuntarily I raised the bottle with the spray ready to use it again but the person snatched it from my hand.

- What the fuck, Mack?! – oh yes, what the fuck indeed. Of all of the resident of the city I had to bump into Jake.

- Give me back the spray, please – I tried to yank myself free from his embrace but he did not let me so I banished the effort. – You mind? – I snapped his hand on my waist and that was when he retrieved.

- What the fuck happened?

- A girl, an empty street, an attacker and a pepper spray. You do the math. Now if you excuse me, I’m going home. – I turned around heading back to my apartment and to my surprise he started walking next to me. Without a word. Since I did not feel the urge to break the silence it was pretty intense stroll. I literally had no idea whether it was his intention to walk me home safely or just get into my head with his behavior. I was betting the second one thought, since messing with people’s head was something he used to do in the past on a regular basis.

- See you tomorrow morning, Mackie – he muttered grumpily at my door and immediately walked away. Asshole.

@pinksirensong @meganmayhem89 @anastacia-lynn @wardlow @queenshelby @juxtaposseddreamer

#tom sturridge #sweetbitter #sweetbitter jake #fandom #fanfiction #sweetbitter fanfiction #why not #writing therapy #inspiration #distraction from sandman #tv show fanfiction #jake x oc #jake x reader #OC #original character #x oc #x reader #the sandman

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skoulsons · 1 year

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Alright, you know what time it is. Scrambled, incoherent episode 4 thoughts

This episode took me three hours to watch and it was 45 minutes. is that any indication how insane i am.

CANT SKIP OPENING CREDITS <3

oooh okay so she’s practicing a bit. Hopefully she doesn’t actually fire

she looks so nervous

NOT THE PEW PEWS

THE EYE SWITCHING 😭 I’ve done that at the range before

These sets always look so good

“Back in the day, we’d drive 10-12 hours on one tank” “So where’d you go?” “Pretty much nowhere” Hmmm probably taking Sarah to all those museums in Texas :(

HER SMILE WHILE HE EXPLAINS THE SIPHON

“You don’t know :)” “I know it works 😑”

NO WANDERING. what a dad move. Dad count #1

NO NOT THE PUN BOOK 😭😭

HE LOOKS SO LOST

“Feel free to wait in the truck” he’s so annoyed 😭 mmm dad count #2

“I want to see a tank” no baby you do not not in these times

THE TAPE 🥹

her squeezing up next to him 🕳👩‍🦯 READY TO CRY MY FRIENDS

“This is actually before my time” “right” dad count #3

AW HELL YEAH

I WAS SO UPSET THEY WOULD REMOVE THIS SCENE

“Oh, no no no. Put that back that’s not for kids. Ellie. Please get rid of it” dad count #4

The shoulder slap 💀

ALONE AND FORSAKEN BY FATE AND BY MAN OH LORD IF YOU HEAR ME PLEASE HOLD MY HAND

whoa there still being cattle is really surprising to me?? I feel like they’d be gone by now

oh wow look at all the military stuff

that shot with the train falling off the bridge is beautiful

oh hell yeah is it camping time

YEAHH

their tiny cookware

IS THAT CHEF BOYARDEE RAVIOLI

Him asking her to slow down. Dad count #5

“I actually agree” chef boyardee stuff was my favorite food as a kid. Their beefaroni was all I ate

“So can we start a fire? I’m freezing.” “Now why am I gonna tell you ‘no’?” Dad count #6

“Oh, they’ll have way more in mind than that (robbing)” still insinuating he was a hunter for a time

does she tell him goodnight. please.

THE ONE THAT SMELLS GOOD IS FRANKS 😭

not the pun book 😭

he looks like he will not sleep :/ (what a great parallel to end of episode them)

“…Joel?”

“Joel!” “What?” “Can I ask you a serious question?” “Yeah.” *proceeds to tell a pun*

DOES HE LAUGH. I saw a spoiler saying he laughs.

L IT TLE MAN SMILED LOOK AT HIS SMILE (how naive I was to think this was the laugh)

Dad count #7

“No one’s gonna find us?” “No one’s gonna find us.” REASSURANCES mmm dad count #8

does he ever sleep :/ hes gonna stay up to keep watch isn’t he

yup

coffee <3

“You don’t like coffee?” Joel please try to sound more offended

the falling backwards she does 😭

“Smells like burnt shit” *proceeds to slurp it just to annoy her* dad count #9 for sure

“Shi-enne” “Cheyenne” “Chey- really?”

Her questions about Tommy 😭

Every scene I get of them now just reminds me of their winter scene and my brain melts a little more

I am thirteen minutes in and it’s been?? 45 minutes of watching??

OOH WERE GETTING TO KNOW??

okay okay so Tommy convinced Joel to join a group that moved to Boston. So that’s how he got there, good to know. “Mostly to keep an eye on him. Keep him alive” we love big brothers. “That’s where we meet Tess.” yo so Tommy knows Tess that’s cool. “And that whole crew, we uh….well for what it was, it worked. Then Tommy meets Marlene. She talks him in to joining the ‘fireflies’. Same mistake he made when he was 18. Wants to save the world…Fireflies all delusional.” mmm thank you for giving me another scene to dissect and think about for the next week. Joel “let’s keep our histories to ourselves” Miller

and he looks like he’s getting emotional too :/

IM NOT FAMILY NOPE YOURE CARGO AND I MADE A PROMISE TO TESS. AND SHE WAS LIKE FAMILY!! SHUT UP. man is still holding on so strong to this. LET YOURSELF CARE

“I’m not even tired” 🫶🏻

YES AND THEY CHANGED HIS ARM POSITION TOO. i love details

Oh here we go

oh okay no not quite hunters yet

the proximity in the truck im gonna throw up

“How far back do we have to go to get around this?” *exasperated sigh* dad count #10

HUNTERS?

oh man those bodies

oh now here we go

Damn no he ain’t even hurt but that’s fine

Jay you were pretty damn close

“Are you okay? You’re not hurt? Nothing?” DAD COUNT #11

SHES SO CLOSE TO HIM WKFHEIDGE

“They’re not gonna hit you. Look at me. They’re not gonna hit you” dad count #12 :)

YEAH what a good shot

I THOUGHT TJAYVWAS JOEL OH

YUP THERES A THIRD GUY I KNEW

so then Ellie shoots this guy n saves Joel right

the hitting him in the face with the butt of his gun 🤩

NOT THE STRUGGLING LEGS?(?;?

okay okay she did it we’re good

The absolute silence from joel and yet it tells so much

“Get back behind the wall” while i stab this guy so you don’t have to see so I can try my best to preserve your innocence despite you just shooting a man and how angry I am because I am a father and you don’t deserve to live in a world like this and experience these things. Dad count #13?

her wiping her tears away quickly 💀 me a little too often

Is he about to give his tongue lashing to her

HE SLAMMED THE DOOR AND I JUST PAUSED HES GONNA BE SO PISSED?? im scared to continue I need to calm down a sec

okay. calm.

panicked for nothing he was just rushing over to move the desk back. anyway

she’s trying to keep him from talking about it 😭

“Stay close.” throwback to Tess telling Ellie that in ep1. Anyway dad count #14

The protective hand reach out™

oh shoot it’s the woman

Kathleen

okay so who is Henry then (HI IM DUMB AS FUCK TOTALLY BLANKED ON HENRY. ABSOLUTELY 100% BLANKED. post episode me is much clearer on all this so ignore how dumb I am)

So she’s got a personal vendetta that went too far or something?

“I delivered you. I held you in my hands. I never told them anything about your brother.” Hmmm interesting

So Kathleen’s brother was breaten to death for some reason. This man, who I guess knows both of them, never told ‘them’ (fireflies? Hunters?) about her brother, but a man named Henry did. So Kathleen is trying to get info from this guy about Henry I guess. Whoever Henry is. Or whoever her brother is. I don’t know I’m confused

“I’m your doctor” is this man gonna be THE doctor? Maybe not? Or does she have something wrong that she needs a doctor for so she can’t lose him?

JEFFREY PIERCE. man he didn’t change his voice at all

DAMN she just shot him

wow that is. a lot of trucks.

GUN SAFETY LESSON?

his head in his hands 😭 poor man needs a break

ARE YOU OKAY??;!;? HELLO??;!;? nothing could’ve prepped me for that

“Im alright.” Man, when was the last time he was genuinely asked that :( he looks like he hasn’t been asked that in ten years

NOT HIS VOICE BEING SHAKY “are you.. alright?” FUCK OFF. you think he’s hesitant to say it because he don’t actually want to care if she is because he’s still trying to not get attached. Anyway dad count #15

i fucking LOVE these two DAMN. Definitely gonna have this scene on repeat for the next week

Alright get the unspoken stuff out of the way please don’t sit in the awkward silence

“Thing is, is…I didn’t hear that guy comin’. You shouldn’t have had to have…y’now?” “Well, you’re glad I did, right?” “Well, you’re just a kid. You shouldn’t know what it means to…It’s not like you killed him, but, shooting a…i know what it’s like. First time that you uh, hurt someone like that. If you uh…im not good at this.” “Yeah, you really aren’t.” “I mean it was my fault! You shouldn’t have had to. AND IM SORRY” HODHS LEAVE ME ALONE JUST FUCKING STOMP MY HEAD INTO THR CURB PLEASE.

her wiping her face :(

“It wasn’t my first time” :(

GUN SAFETY SCENE GUN SAFETY SCENE. Dad count #16 for this whole sequence

her smile :)

him moving closer to her :)

a very good grip

this is so domestic. how does anyone sit and watch this and not lose their mind.

PROXIMITY IS MY BEST FRIEND <3

HANDS HANDS HANDS. we know how much I love hands. GOD I LOVE HANDS

HES SO GENTLE. I deserve to be in a mental asylum please I can’t even contain any thought to even write them out

him trying to tug it out of her hands 😭 WHY COULDNT THE CAMERA PAN TO HIM I KNOW HE WAS SMILING

“Okay?” And she’s just :D

an error occurred this is not the time

He literally did not have to keep his hands on hers for that long. but I am not one to complain

SHE LOOKS SO EXCITED WATCHING HIM 😭

“Nuh uh, you put it in your pack. You’ll shoot your damn ass off.” He knows she’s trigger happy. Dad count #17? 😭

THE GRUNT AS HES GETTING UP

“We’ll get through this.” “I know.” 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 REASSAURANCES 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Jeffrey looks beautiful I will say

OH NO HENRY AND SAM??

oh it’s gotta be I remember that one trailer shot showing Sam around some drawings

OH? Oh they know who they are? Wow

“Henry won’t let Sam starve” oh man I’m not excited at all for next episode

BLOATER?? BLAOTERv??!, BLOATER?5?3$44

ITSLFNRLFHFKD A BOOST UP

A JEOLAND ELLIE BOST UP YOURE KIDDING

game mechanics in live action makes me happy

JOEL AND ELLIE BOOST UP!!!!

“You’re just gonna put your foot here.” “Okay.” “One, two…” “oh shit, oh shit.” “Straighten up, I gotcha.”🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 living my best life right now. What is that dad count #18

“I gotcha” being Joel’s thing. I cant wait to hear him say it more

“Where would you be without me, huh?” “By now, Wyoming.” “Oh yeah, walked into that one.”

“We’re going up 42 flights?” “45. But no, not all the way.” “How far?” “As far as I can make it.” i love how old he is

THE SCORE <3

Them slowing down 😭

OH SHIT I DIDNT THINK WED GET THE CONVO

“Hey, you know that guy who said he was hurt? How’d you know it was an ambush?” “I been on both sides.” “It was a long time ago. We did what we needed to survive.” “You and Tess?” “And the people we were with. My brother, too.” “Did you kill innocent people?” :(

That “c’mon” sounds so much like the one in tlou2 in that flashback where they find those two Jackson kids and they have that little argument

HIM SLIDING DOWN THE WALL TO SIT 😭

kicking his feet 😭 “c’mon” “gimme a minute” “get up, you lazy ass” “‘lazy ass’. I’m 56 years old you little shit” HRIFHEKD I LOVE THEM SONMUCH

“Joel? Joel? Joel?!” “What? 😡”

“Oh I get it. Crunch crunch crunch”

“Well, goodnight :)”

“Yeah, goodnight -_-“

“Hey. When we were talking about hurtin’ people…what did you mean it wasn’t your first time?” “I don’t want to talk about it.” Oh how the turn tables.

HIM TURNING OVER TO TALK TO HER

“You don’t have to. I’m just saying…it isn’t fair. Your age. Having to deal with all of this…” “So it gets easier when you get older?” “No, not really. But still.”

“The reason I asked if you’d hear the glass or not is cause I’ve noticed you don’t hear too well from your right side. Is it cause you were shot there?” “Probably more from shooting. So if you want to keep your hearing you better stick to that knife.”

“Joel?” “Hm?” This is perhaps the biggest dad thing he’s done all episode.

HES TRYINF SO HARD TO FIGHT THE SMILE. NOT HIM AXTUALLT FUCKING LAUGHING. HE FUCKING LAUGHED. HE LAUHJED.

“That is so goddamn stupid.” “You laughed, motherfucker!” “I didn’t laugh.” “Yes, you did!” “Jeez, I’m losing it.”

NOT THEM GIGGLING TOHEYEHR. I’m getting chills what the fuck. they’re giggling together.

“Go to sleep.” “You go to sleep!”

I have. the biggest grin on my face.

I know he slept soundly that night. I KNOW he had the best sleep he’s had in a while. and it’s all bc he went to her giggling with this girl he very obviously does not care about and has no fatherly affection towards whatsoever

HENRYBAND SAM <3 cant wait for next episode heartbreak

#tlou spoilers #the last of us hbo #joel miller #ellie williams

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