#house of cards fanfiction
Text
A Redemption Earned Ch 1
No official pairing yet. Future Heather Dunbar x reader. Jackie Sharp x OC (Nat). Past Heather Dunbar x OC (Nat)
Warnings: language, mentions of past bad behavior, alcohol consumption, an angsty flashback. (The faceclaim/other girl in pics is Becca, for reference).
Returning to D.C had always been something on Heather’s ‘to do’ list, but it was still something she felt massively unprepared for. She’d attempted a return nearly five years ago, but things simply hadn’t worked out, she wasn’t ready, hadn’t done enough work, so she relocated once again. But now, a case had come up, one that required someone with her experience and skill set, even being in the family law jurisdiction, she was the one everyone wanted on it. She hadn’t been far, the drive into Washington not taking that long, but she’d been thrown right into things. Her office was far from leased, much less set up, she’d be opening her own firm branch, a sister branch to the one she’d been at these past five years, but in her familiar Washington territory. Which meant it had to be a prime location, have enough space for multiple attorneys and up to her expectations if she was heading it.
All of that considered, and that she was freshly back in the city, she was living out of an Airbnb at the moment. It was at least a suite so she was able to set up a mock office there for working through the case and trying to pull in other business and do whatever else she needed. However, it wasn’t in the state to want a client in there, things were a little bit of a hectic disaster. She was still trying to figure out if she was even going to start up the firm and move back to Maryland, or if she would be able to stay in D.C this time, everything was still a little up in the air, but right now her focus was this case, and meeting with her client.
Which is how Heather found herself walking from the car and around the corner to The Capital Grille. It was fine dining, proving both that she was worth the rate she was charging, and that her client wasn’t about to shy away from something on the fancier end. It was also a near half hour drive away from The White House, far from capitol hill, and out of territory that she figured she’d run into anyone who had the potential and desire to humiliate her. It was simple enough to check in at the hostess stand, she only had to wait a few moments for someone to come up to her and say her table was ready and to follow them. Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention and gaze down to it as she followed the host, winding through the restaurant.
*
“Oh come on!” Becca exclaimed, swatting her hand across the table to her father, “you know I’m right!” A wide smile was on her cheeks as he nodded, his laugh growing louder through the grille.
Beside Becca, Nat rolled her eyes, a laugh still echoing on her cheeks as she shook her head, taking the time to glance away from her best friend as movement through the restaurant caught her eye. The laugh stopped, and her eyes widened, her hand darting out to clasp around Becca’s wrist, pulling her attention from teasing her dad.
“Oh my god.”
“What?” Becca asked, her brow furrowing as she followed Nat’s sightline, “fuck!” She whispered.
“Did you know she was back?”
“How the fuck would I know that?”
“She sends you holiday cards?” Nat suggested, their whispers getting more frantic and quieter as Heather got closer, “not to mention she’s your mother.”
“I only opened them to make sure I wasn’t burning money!” She hissed back.
Across the table from Tasha, Rob’s laughter paused, a brow raised at the two girls, “I’m assuming I shouldn’t turn around right now?”
“Not if we don’t want her to know we’re talking about her.” Nat murmured.
“Think it’s a little late for that.” Becca picked up her glass, muttering into it as she tried not to look over at her mother as she was presented with a table.
*
Halfway through the dining room Heather froze, first stumbling in her steps then full-on stalling. That laugh. She knew it. And there was absolutely no doubt where she knew it from.
Twenty-nine years of marriage would do that to a person.
She said a silent prayer, then glanced up from her phone, searching for the direction Rob’s laugh came from, hoping it was a work thing, or even better, that he was alone. She wasn’t entirely sure how things would progress if he happened to be on a date. It didn’t take long to find the table, Becca was deep into a now hushed conversation, Natasha sitting beside her. Of fucking course Nat had to be there too, running into one ex wasn’t karma enough, she needed to run into her ex-sugar baby too. The one who had somehow ended up a part of her family while she was basically banished.
The hostess suddenly spoke, dragging her attention away from the table, the one they were seating her at a mere one table over from. She flashed them a small smile, waving them away before they could try and ramble on about specials and drink features. She dared a glance over to the table filled with people from her old life and this time accidentally caught Rob’s eye, who, rather than glancing away, gave her a warm smile and a nod of the head that she returned. A brief glance around the table and she was met with a professionally polite smile from Nat, no doubt perfected from her five years as the VP’s chief of staff, and an awkward look from Becca.
Heather settled herself on the side of her table that the girls were at, knowing if she accidentally caught eyes with anyone again, Rob was the best bet. She pulled out the case file, making sure her phone was on the table in case she got any work calls, and was quick to order a glass of wine when the server came by. It wasn’t often that she drank anymore, but all things considered. She needed some sort of buffer.
*
“You haven’t heard from her?” Becca’s hushed voice asked Nat who shook her head, “I mean, you were the one who never actually blocked her number?”
“Yeah, but once she found out Jackie was a legit thing, she backed off, disappeared aside from that one run in like, five years ago when I picked up a shift at Salt Line.”
“And like, nothing? No texts? No her creeping your social media or anything?”
“Girls…” Rob nearly chuckled, “this is starting to sound like a teen drama on showtime…”
“Sorry.” Nat murmured, sitting back in her chair, “just…really unexpected. Wait…have you heard from her?”
“No.” He sighed, pausing for a drink, “a couple of relatives called when my dad passed, but that was it. I get the same cards as Becca does. She’s probably back for legal work, who knows if she’s staying, but I think it’s best if we all remain polite and friendly. It’s not like either party searched out the other, it was a by the chance run in.”
“Yeah…” the two younger girls replied, thankful for the distraction of appetizers arriving, having something to focus on aside from Heather ten feet away from them.
It wasn’t that anyone was particularly angry at the other anymore, it had been six years since everything blew up. The table of three only had to look at Heather to know that either things had changed, or she was at least appearing that things had. She looked more modest, still properly put together, but less attention grabbing than all those years prior. Before everything went to shit, she would’ve marched right up to the table, been full of remarks and come on too strong.
Instead, she smiled softly, and settled in at her own table, distracting herself with the menu as she tried to forget that night all those years ago….
**
The door slammed shut behind her, the noise echoing through the vastly empty and trashed house. Heather had tried everything she could, Becca wanted nothing to do with her for nearly a decade already, and now Rob had blocked her number. The man who made a vow to be with her til death, the one she thought no matter what happened, would be by her side, had turned his back completely.
Although…. all of that was one hundred percent her fault, and she had no one to blame but herself. At least she realized that much right now.
She thought she had one last resource, that maybe, just maybe, Nat would crumple, would see how far Heather had fallen from grace, and rethink saying no. She knew Natasha had enjoyed their time together, that it had been hard for her to cut Heather off at first, there was something there still, making the girl drift back towards her. But when Heather had shown up at her apartment that night, she was blindsided by Jackie. It wasn’t just Jackie being there, she’d been prepared for that, their relationship was all over the tabloids already, but that’s all she thought it was. A media relationship, not one where Nat actually loved Jackie…one that would send Heather packing.
Heather dumped everything by the front door, kicking out of her shoes, her phone managing to stay in her hand as she moved through the eerily empty house. Tears were already blurring her eyes, the self hatred burning through her. Then she tripped over something, swearing loudly, a frustrated ‘FUCK’ yelled through the house. As she glanced back and down to what was in the way, and a choked sob bounced off the walls, a pair of Jordan’s shoes strewn on the floor carelessly.
It was something that she’d normally grumble over, yelling out to her son to try and fucking pick up after himself. She’d usually toss them back towards the welcome mat, or the bottom of the stairs for him to put away himself. Tonight, instead, she was reminded that he was gone forever. And not in the way everyone else was. She still had a chance at hopefully getting her family, friends and career back, but Jordan was dead. And she was slowly realizing that it really was because of her, the way she’d let him do whatever he wanted, how she’d shoved his wrong doings under the rug and made sure he was never responsible for them. She’d never see her son again, only a slab of stone in a windy field, and that was probably the closest thing to family she would have for years, if not ever.
Heather absolutely hated herself that night, everything about her was a fucking joke, and it was all because of her. She managed to grab the bottle of scotch from the liquor cabinet before she dropped to the kitchen floor, tears taking over her face, blurring her vision completely. Large gulps of amber liquid burning its way down her throat as she tried to forget. She’d been on track for one of the best political careers in the last fifty years, and everything had come crashing down. Because she wasn’t able to stay faithful to her husband, she had to be the one seeking out young and vulnerable girls to take advantage of. She actually had a decent chance of becoming president of the United States until her secrets and dirty laundry were aired for the entire world to see. Then again, it was her fault that her husband found out about the affairs, it was her fault that she physically assaulted Natasha, and once on camera.
She choked back another cry, her hand coming to cover her face, attempting to wipe away a few tears before taking a swig of scotch. She wished she could take it back, that at least she could have controlled herself in public, that the arguments could have waited until they were private. Nat had nothing to do with Jordan’s death, she was simply protective of Becca and stepped in at the worst moment. Not that Heather wanted to hit her daughter, she was caught up in months of emotions she hadn’t been able to process. But right now, she was still mad, and as much as she knew it was her fault, part of her still blamed everyone else.
Heather hated that the sun was still up, she felt like the way she was feeling deserved darkness, but the world was still awake, and she hated it. Grabbing a paper napkin from the counter she wiped at her face, blowing her nose before taking another large swig of scotch. Taking a heavy breath, she thought about what she still had, what she could look forward to, how she could move on. Her law licence was still active, it had to have been while she was solicitor general, and she’d kept it after that to help out friends whenever needed. She would have to fall back on that the next few years and try to keep her political law career afloat while she herself tried not to drown. That thought calmed her a little bit, reminding herself that she had something to fall back on.
As the sun began to sink in the sky, and the scotch moved through her body, she thought about calling her mother. She’d only left that morning, but always seemed to know what to say and do, she’d been the only one helping Heather through the funeral process, through the process of losing her son. With a heavy sniffle, and the desire of some kind of comfort, Heather reached out, picking up her phone. Though that was then she noticed a handful of notifications via email and a couple of other apps, a text from an old partner at her old firm before she moved up.
‘I know things are shit, but check your email’
‘Heather…I’m so sorry, especially if rumours are true….’
“What?” She muttered, taking another swig of scotch before flipping to her email app. A dramatic gasp leaving her lips when she found it.
She wasn’t being called before the bar, they’d already made their decision. She’d violated a very heavy rule when she, as a prosecutor had made Jordan’s DUI disappear. Not to mention the other shady legal shit she’d secretly done over the years. Her fall-back plan was gone. She no longer had a law licence, for a year at least.
She’d really done it…she quite literally had nothing left.
“FUCK!” Heather shouted, her phone wasn’t just thrown, but plummeted across the room, smashing into the glass door hard enough to crack both it and the phone screen. Her life was fucking over.
She convulsed into sobs, something she never thought she even could, she hadn’t felt this much emotion in years. Which, made it all worse, she yelled, screamed, sobbed….for hours, wishing she had someone to turn to, but knew there was nothing.
It was only hours later, her body completely exhausted, the bottle of scotch now empty that she sniffled, glancing up around the room. Her head tilted at the sight of a folded card under the island, wondering if it was something she’d dropped, or a weed dealer of Jordan’s she shifted forward, pulling the card out. She couldn’t help but laugh at the card reveal. It was the one that Rob had left with her a few weeks after serving her with divorce papers. It had multiple names and phone numbers on it, therapists and psychiatrists, ones that he thought could help her.
She nearly crumpled it, wanting to toss it down the garburator and pretend it never existed. But Natasha’s voice rang through her brain,
“Heather…please…talk to someone…you need it…”
The card turned over in her hands a few times, blurred by her tears before she let out a small huff, figuring if that many people thought therapy was right, maybe she should stop listening to her mother and those who made more sense.
She cried herself to sleep that night.
And the next morning set up an appointment with a therapist, and a following two days to clean out the house before her real estate agent showed up so that she could rent the place out in the meantime. She may have been broken and had no idea were to go or what to do, but she knew a change was needed, and there were plenty more to come.
**
Becca, Rob and Tasha were working their way through their meal, appetizers finished, drinks refilled, doing their best to not look over to Heather’s table too much, or talk about her in order to give her privacy.
Heather on the other hand was still working through her case file, trying to have as much organized as possible before her client showed up. Right as she closed the file, taking a sip of wine, her phone pinged and upon reading it, she let out a frustrated groan. It was right as her server had come around, so she asked for the bill to be settled, it was only when the young man asked if he wanted her entrée to go or to be scrapped that a voice rang out from beside her.
“She can join us.” Rob offered, only after looking at the girls who nodded. Heather’s brow furrowed, her head tilting as she looked at the table,
“Are…you sure?” her gaze moved through all three of them who nodded and gave their approval before she stood.
Trying not to be awkward, she picked up her glass of wine, moving over to the table, taking a place beside Rob and across from Becca.
“Thanks…”
“Just because you got stood up doesn’t mean you should have to miss out on enjoying a nice meal.” Rob commented quietly and Heather scoffed a laugh.
“I was meeting a client!” she sucked back some wine, “dating is the last thing on my mind right now.”
“So… you are back?” Becca asked cautiously, digging into her food as a distraction.
“For now, yes.” She let out a soft sigh, “I picked up a case in this jurisdiction, and the sister firm in Baltimore I’ve been working for wants me to head an office out here. Somehow the Dunbar name still holds some positive meaning and they think it would be a good idea.”
“Are you still family law?” Nat asked over a bite of her meal and Heather nodded.
“Strictly. As much as I would love to dip back into the waters of political law, I know it’s not a good idea, and honestly, I really do enjoy the work I’m doing now.” She was pleasantly surprised with how open the younger woman seemed to be with her, all things considered, she’d figured she would have gotten the cold shoulder, then again, Nat had five years of political bullshit under her belt now. There was no doubt she could fake her way through an uncomfortable situation. Either way, it was helping to calm the fluttering in her chest. “I’m kind of surprised you can even be here?” she raised a brow and Nat nodded her head to the left,
“Secret service is three tables over.”
“Ah.” Heather glanced over, now noticing the hidden in plain sight officers, her gaze then drifting over the rest of the table, landing on Becca this time, “what’s with the side eye?” she asked softly and Becca nearly snorted.
“Maybe because the last time the four of us were all together you punched someone in the face.”
“Becca!” Rob chastised as Nat blushed, her eyes darting down to her food in an attempt to avoid the subject entirely. Heather felt her chest tighten, letting out a small sigh as she glanced over towards Nat,
“And I will never be able to apologize enough for that Natasha.”
“Ooohh!” the younger woman practically gasped, and Heather flinched that it sounded like disgust, “please, the only person that calls me Natasha is Underwood.”
“I…figured Nat was too personal, and the last thing I want is to impose.”
“Just…” the younger woman shrugged, “go with Tasha, a happy middle ground.” She took a sip of her drink, “and…the rest of that… is a conversation for another time.”
“Of course.” Heather nodded, letting out a sigh of relief at the knowledge that that door was open for communication, and that hopefully she would be able to show that she wasn’t the same person who had hurt Nat those years ago. A buzzing vibrated against the table and Tasha was quickly distracted with her phone,
“Fuck…” she muttered, “I’ve got to go.”
“Oh c’mon, just pretend you never got it!” Becca protested, partially not wanting to be left alone with just family.
“I can’t exactly ignore the Oval Becks.” She replied, beginning to gather her things, pressing a kiss to the top of the girl’s head before turning to Rob, “thanks for lunch. It’s on us next time.”
“Friday, right?”
“Yeah.” She turned back to Becca, “you’ll be there?”
“Yes.”
“And uh…” She glanced to Heather, “I’ll…get in touch, maybe? I’ll need to talk to Jackie...”
“The ball will always be left in your court.” Heather assured, giving her a soft smile.
“Thank you.” With a smile returned, and a small wave to the table, Natasha whisked from the restaurant.
There was a bit of an awkward pause, family now left with only each other as the waitress came by to refill waters. Heather’s shoulders slumped at the way Becca was stabbing at her pasta, she knew that this wasn’t going to be easy, she wasn’t going to be welcomed back with open arms. And for it to be sprung on all of them out of nowhere certainly wasn’t helping. She couldn’t help watching Becca, examining how much she’d grown up, a pang of guilt shooting through her. She’d missed so much of her children’s lives already, leaving the help to raise them and then shipping them off to boarding school, now she’d missed the last six years because she’d fucked everything up. There was no opportunity to watch Jordan grow anymore, and Heather made a silent vow to herself in that moment that as long as Becca wanted it, she wanted to be a part of her daughter’s life again, and this time a real part. She watched Becca let out a heavy sigh, dropping back in her chair and taking a hefty swig of her cocktail.
“I hope you know that I truly am sorry about how I treated you, both of you, and about everything.” Heather spoke quietly, her voice much softer than the other two were used to hearing it. It was a surprise for both of the adults when it was Becca who replied first, her gaze still trained on her drink as her straw stabbed at the ice cubes.
“I know.”
“But…” Heather started, wondering where this was coming from, and why she hadn’t heard it earlier. Becca let out another little sigh, leaning forward against the table.
“When you first started sending cards it was the same old bullshit, a wad of cash or way too large cheque, half the time the only actual handwritten thing was your signature, or your initials. I gave all the money to dad to help fund his research grant. Then a couple of years ago there was a shift, you actually wrote little messages, and I could tell it was you, not some assistant spewing off generalized bullshit. Then Gramma called me out of the blue all pissy in a huff that you weren’t returning her phone calls anymore, it was clear you’d cut her off. You also kept your promise and never reached out to Nat, which…honestly…I thought you’d be hounding her for years, even with Jackie around.”
“That was it?” Heather asked quietly and Becca shook her head.
“Last year on my birthday you wrote a full-page letter, and signed the card ‘Love, Mom’.” Becca glanced up across the table and Heather could see the starting of a misting of tears in her eyes, “you hadn’t told me you loved me since my thirteenth birthday….”
“Oh god…” Heather’s hand flew to her mouth, “I didn’t….I didn’t even realize…”
“Yeah…there was a lot you didn’t even realize you were doing. I read that letter like, twelve times. It kinda felt like I actually had a mom for once.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I know.” She huffed lightly once again, “and there’s part of me that does accept your apology, at least for that.”
“I was an absolutely terrible mother. Looking back there were so many things I wish I had never done. I wish I was more involved in your lives, that I actually carved out the time that you needed from me. I’m hoping that you’ll give me a chance now? I’d really like to get to know you again. The real you.”
Becca glanced between her parents, lingering more on her father, hoping for some guidance. She knew that Heather had definitely improved, and that she’d been working on herself, she could tell that based on the letters, and her behaviour today. Rob gave the tiniest nod of assurance that he trusted her to do the right thing and Becca’s gaze moved back to Heather.
“Yeah… that could be nice.”
“Thank you.” Heather did the best to breathe in the tear of relief that was threatening to fall, “there’s a…luncheon, mixer, thing they’re hosting next week that I’ve been invited to. If you’re free, maybe you could join me?”
“Eww, one of those stuffy gala things?”
“No.” She laughed this time, “it’s much more casual. I’m sure they’d even be fine if you showed up in jeans.”
“How would you know; you don’t own any jeans.” Becca teased with a small grin on her face and Heather playfully rolled her eyes, watching the way Becca’s eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly examining her.
“What?”
“Nothing.” The girl replied, taking a sip of her drink, “I’m just trying to figure out if those are blonde highlights or if you’re going grey.” Heather let out a slightly offended scoff, but it was accompanied by a laugh.
“It’s....blonde highlights….to cover up the grey…” she murmured into the rim of her glass, causing Becca and Rob to chuckle.
“You’re making progress. You would’ve bitten my head off for something like that before.”
“I’m doing as much as I can. Believe me.”
“I do.”
It was for the second time that meal that a phone went off, buzzing on the table top and Heather let out a soft sigh, folding her napkin onto her plate.
“If I don’t get going I’m going to miss this next meeting.” She pushed back her chair, surveying the other two, “thank you, for letting me join today. I hope I get to see you again soon.”
“Oh”—Becca’s hand darted across the table, snatching her mom’s phone. Practically a ploy to see if Heather would snatch it back or get defensive about Becca potentially going through her private phone. Heather instead said nothing, watching as the girl scrolled through a few things, typed something in and then handed it back to her, “text me…about that luncheon thing. Could be fun.” She shrugged and Heather smiled softly at the two of them.
“It could. I’ll see you around.” With another wave to the two and a quick goodbye, she left the restaurant. Back at the table, Rob turned back to his daughter, a curious expression on his face.
“Well?”
“She didn’t insist on picking up the cheque.” She offered and he laughed.
“Moving in the right direction.”
“One step at a time….”
___________________
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#heather dunbar#heather dunbar x reader#house of cards#a redemption earned#heather dunbar series#house of cards fanfiction
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Jackie Sharp X Remy Danton, Smut Oneshot
“Do you… shall we go upstairs?”
Remy hesitated, gaze flickering over her eyes, her posture, her.
“You know what…”
(TLDR: fluffy hotel sex.)
#jackie sharp#remy danton#house of cards fanfiction#house of cards fanfic#house of cards#political drama#smut#oneshot#molly parker#smutty#vanilla#remy x jackie#jackie x remy#fanfic#fanfiction#ao3#writers of ao3#ao3 writer#ao3 fanfic#fanfics#fanfic authors#fanfic writing#pinemai
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Political Animals
Padme Amidala is a young and dangerous senator who knows the difference between money and power.
Anakin Skywalker is a nearly-there political journalist with shaky morals who will publish whatever Padme tells him to.
And Obi-Wan is stuck in the middle (House of Cards AU)
#anakin skywalker#padme amidala#obi wan kenobi#au#star wars prequel#fanfiction#house of cards au#me and another au#i love them#obikin#obikin au#obidala#married obidala#macbeth modern au#anidala#anidala au#journalism au#aesthetics
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♠️♥️House of Cards♣️♦️
Act Two Part Two - Deal
CW: None
The way to King’s office was a distance away from the medical bay, unfortunately. It only meant more bright lights and noise from passing foot traffic that Ace had to power through. It was good enough that he was stable on his feet as he tried to ignore the thrumming pain in his head, and the curious looks directed to his neck.
His mind strayed as he walked, wondering why King had called him into his office. In addition to that, Ace couldn’t make sense of King’s summary of the incident. It was vague and left more questions than answered, and Ace dreaded whatever conversation that was awaiting him.
Ace would like to think that King had decided to go easy on him, perhaps already over the fact that he had attacked his wife, figuring Queen would have already told him by now. Though how much truth was in Queen’s reports was up for debate.
Ace nears a corner leading to King’s office, feet brisk and light. Just as he turns around the corner, he sees a captain exit King’s office. He watches as the man closes the door behind him, readjusting the boonie hat that sits on his head.
They pass each other in the hallway. Ace bowed his head a little as he caught the eye of the superior officer. The captain nods back, his mutton shops stretching into a polite smile, and they part ways walking in opposite directions. Ace looks over his shoulder as the higher-ranking soldier disappears around the corner.
Ace brushes the short lived interaction away and knocks at King’s door.
“Major Hansley, it’s Lieutenant Doe. May I enter?” Ace waits for a response as he listens to muffled paper shuffling on the other side before hearing King telling him to come in.
The office lights were a little dimmer than the overhead fluorescent lights, Ace’s headache already reducing as his eyes adjusted to the change in light. He steps closer to King’s desk, straightening up, his hands locked behind his back.
“At ease, Doe, you act like you’re in trouble.” King chuckles as they lock eyes again, eyebrows raising as he takes in Ace’s rigid posture. “Have a seat.”
The chair drags a little as Ace seats himself on the wobbly chair, pulling himself closer to the desk. King gives another short laugh as he notices the puzzled look on Ace’s face.
“Am I not, sir? I figured Captain Tudor would have reported what happened in the safehouse.”
“Trust me, Lieutenant, Elize did not spare me the details,” King sighs. He picks up a folder and puts his reading glasses on. “From what I’ve heard, you’ve caused a bit of trouble.. But before we start..”
Ace watches as King slides a form towards him. Ace furrows his eyes at the paper, leaning closer to read the text.
“Transfer forms,” King says, leaning forward in his office chair. “Another captain has requested your transfer, if you’re up for it, of course.”
Ace picks up the papers, swiftly skimming over the details of it before placing them back down on the desk. His eyes meet King’s again as the other man awaits his answer. A pause stretched between them as Ace debated his choices. Given, he had his issues with the team, but Ace found that they didn’t necessarily call for a transfer.
“...No thank you, sir, I’ll stay where I am.”
“Very well,” King hums, taking back the forms and setting it aside. “So, regarding your.. Slip up during your last mission.”
Ace tenses as he waits to be chewed out. It was only natural, seeing that he admittedly did strike Queen first. He had no excuse for his actions and Ace doubts he could even reason with King about it anyway.
“Queen has suggested a.. Uh, immediate dishonourable discharge for you, seeing that your records aren’t exactly clean either,” King states, opening the folder and flipping through the pages, his glasses sitting on the edge of his nose. Ace subconsciously holds his breath as King skims through the papers, unnerved by how nonchalant he seemed even as he referenced Ace’s time as Mad Dog.
“However, your skills are too valuable to let go-” King continues, causing Ace’s shoulders to relax a little. “-and given your last count of insubordination was well over five years ago, with your previous team no less, I’ve decided not to process her complaints.”
Ace let out a soft huff of relief, shifting in his seat as King continued to flip through the pages. He released his fists, seemingly having clenched them unknowingly.
“Thank you, Major, but-”
“Please, Doe, it’s just us. No need to act like there’s a stick up your arse.” King hums, earning a sigh of frustration from Ace. He shuts the file sharply. He places the file back down on his desk.
“Okay.. Again, thank you, Hansley..” Ace says, forcing the words out of his mouth. “Though I must ask, what’s the catch?”
His words cause King to bark a laugh, finally making him look back at Ace. Ace tensed as he caught the slight gleam in King’s eyes, only confusing him further.
“Sharp as ever, eh, mate? You’re not really off the hook since I can’t let you walk away scot free, you understand.” King says, sliding the folder towards Ace, silently cueing him to pick it up. Ace flips through the pages. “So here’s the deal. Just take care of this thorn in my side for me, and we forget it ever happened. Deal?”
Ace’s eyes flit over to the objectives. It seemed simple enough. A solo mission. Doing some reconnaissance for upcoming mission operations and simple maintenance on a satellite ground receiver. Everything was right up Ace’s alley, which was perfect since it made his life easier.
“Deal.”
“Good man, Ace,” King says, leaning back, his chair squeaking under his massive weight. “Wheels up at 0500 hours.”
With that, Ace was dismissed.
Quicksaving...
#House of Cards AU#Act 2 Part 2#cod oc#call of duty oc#oc: LT Ace#oc: Major King#mailman rants#fanfic#fanfiction#Task Force Cards
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I haven't even thought about att*ck on t*tan in so long because that shit still makes me mad as fuck and the ubiquitous popularity finally died Baruch Hashem but I finally actually looked up how it ended and how the fuck is it literally even worse than I would've guessed
#LIKE ALL OF THEM.... HE KILLED EVERYBODY? IN THE WORLD?#back when it was just the first season that was probably the first actual. Major Anime I was actively into at the height#of it's popularity and like it's still crazy how many people were watching it. Like normal ass non weebs tuning in for the titan show#So when it nosedived into nazi germany fanfiction and then I found out how awful the creator is as like a person.#That was maybe my first violent media betrayal like I wanted to kill that man#I still have the fucking key necklace somewhere in my house too if i didn't throw it out in Rage or something 💀#Maybe one day i will actually hatewatch to see in more specific detail exactly how much of a shitshow it is but for now#Good fucking god. He uno reverse carded the genocide.
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Art for the House of Nott 2023 Tarot Card Fest! Temperance
Sister Fics for this Card:
By sobsinashell: Forced Bond
By tifatronic: Home is with You
#House of Nott#Tarot Card Fest#hermione granger#theodore nott#theomione#harry potter#fanfiction#fan art#harry potter fanfiction#temperance tarot
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Cody Fern Characters Masterlist (Discontinued)
✴ = angst︱❁ = fluff︱✿ = smut︱✂ = trigger warning (listed in warnings)
Michael Langdon
The Love you Need ❁
Xavier Plympton
Come Back to Me ✴ ❁
Being a Ghost With Xavier Headcanons ✴ ❁ ✂
Jim Mason
All That I Want ❁
Series
World Alone: Jim Mason x Reader
-Part 1 ✴ ❁ ✂
Jim x Duncan x Michael x Reader
Series
Three Men and a Baby: Jim x Michael x Duncan x Reader (not poly)
-Part 1 ✴ ❁ ✂
-Part 2 ✴ ❁ ✿
#American horror story#the tribes of Palos verdes#house of cards#Michael langdon#Michael Langdon x reader#Jim mason#Jim Mason x reader#duncan shepherd#duncan shepherd x reader#Jim x duncan x Michael x reader#fluff#smut#reader insert#angst#fan fiction#fanfiction#fanfic#fan fic#tw#Xavier plympton#Xavier plympton x reader
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Lee and Seamus are the biggest card players in the entire Gryffindor house. You cannot change my mind.
#seamus finnigan#lee jordan#playing cards#card games#harry potter#harry potter fandom#gryffindor#gryffindor pride#gryffindor house#fanfiction#wizarding world#hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry
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HoC and its sequels... was it always intended to be this epic story or did it take on a life of its own while you were writing HoC?
Oh wow! Well, that is a LONG story. To put it all in a nutshell - no it really wasn't planned to be even a single story.
Originally, back in 2006, I started writing scenes that just popped into my head. I think the first scene I wrote was the sex scene in Chapter 13 of HoC. Eventually I had so many scenes written, that a story started forming around them, and I just started writing the whole thing. It really didn't have a plan. It literally just formed as I wrote it. So yeah, it really did take on a life of its own!
Sometimes I like to think of it as an archaeological dig - the story is there, and it's always existed - I'm just uncovering it, and giving it life. 😊
Anyway, I finished HoC in 2007, and that was that story done for a long time.
Then, in about 2012-2013, a sequel just started to form in my head. And this time, I wrote everything - both Twist of Fate and Arrow of Time - all in one go. Everything became very clear to me, and I really couldn't stop writing. So the two unintended sequels happened very suddenly and unexpectedly. I really hadn't intended to write them at all. But those Romy plot bunnies just came and started beating me round the head. And I really just wanted to play with the ultimate Omega forms of Rogue and Gambit. Because IMHO, canon had made them way more powerful than so many people give them credit for, and in really interesting ways.
TL;DR: No, HoC wasn't always meant to be an epic trilogy. And yes, it totally took on a life of its own! 😅
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Per Aspera Ad Astra (Duncan Shepherd)
Summary: Two years later after facing death at the hands of his uncle, Duncan is preparing to do the most difficult thing he's ever done.
Word Count: 2.2k
A/N: Here it is babies, the epilogue of Memento Mori. I'm happy with how it's ended, and I hope you are too! Let me know your thoughts, and thank you so much for reading.
Per aspera ad astra—Through hardships to the stars.
All prior chapters
Two years later…
The small park near the Potomac that Duncan Shepherd finds himself in could barely be considered a park. With D.C.’s money funneled into the areas surrounding the main attractions of the city, this little patch of land with a few trees and benches has been all but forgotten by the general public. There’s people that frequent the park, to be sure, but it’s just deserted enough to make it feel like he’s alone no matter where he is. Maybe that’s why he likes it so much.
Not only is it a nice, secluded park to be alone with one’s thoughts, but it’s also a nice, secluded park to have clandestine meetings at. Duncan waits under a tree that he’s so often been under in this position for, on the lookout for a contact for some sort of information exchange or other deal. As he checks his watch, noting that it’s now 4:33 when they were supposed to meet at 4:30, he’s reminded of when he was 18 and standing in this very spot, having been trusted to oversee an evidence exchange between himself and a cop on the family’s payroll.
He had been so nervous on that day. Today, he’s feeling those same nerves all over again.
Finally, a dark figure appears from the parking lot. Michael Langdon, dressed in all black with a dramatic red scarf wrapped around his neck, walks along the cracked sidewalk like it’s a runway at Paris Fashion Week. For Michael, most everything is his runway. Duncan has never met someone whom the saying “all the world’s a stage” applies to more than his oldest friend, his brother in everything but blood. Duncan can’t help but smirk as he shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest and trying his best to look like he’s disappointed.
“We agreed on meeting at four-thirty,” Duncan says. “Does the sanctity of a set meeting time mean nothing to you?”
“Sorry. I have a good excuse, though.”
“Which is?”
“I didn’t want to be here.”
Duncan laughs and shoves Michael’s shoulder, the two getting into a small tussling match before remembering that they’re both grown adults and they should probably act like it. After they’ve straightened up, Michael looks at him.
“Well then? Do you have it?” Michael asks.
Duncan rolls his eyes, feeling almost affronted at the mere suggestion that he doesn’t have it. “Of course I do. You think I brought you out here for nothing?”
“Still a little confused as to why you had to bring me out here in the first place.”
“It’s not exactly easy to keep secrets from or around our family, Michael.”
Michael doesn’t even need to say anything, because Duncan’s right. The Shepherd family is great at keeping secrets from those that aren’t family, but within the family? If Annette were to find out about any of this a moment too early, she would immediately ruin the secret that Duncan has worked so hard to conceal. It would be out of love, he knows, but he still wants this to be perfect.
He needs this to be perfect.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, Duncan carefully grasps the small box that he’s carried around with him for over a week now, too paranoid to attempt to try and hide it anywhere in his apartment. At this point, the box’s very dimensions are familiar to him, with how many times he’s opened the box or simply held it for reassurance.
Duncan glances around both ways, paranoid that he’s being watched even though there’s no possible way and, as far as these types of meetings go, this is probably the most low-stakes one he’s been on. Once he’s sure that his fears have been assuaged, he opens the box for Michael to look into.
The ring is still just as beautiful as it was the first time that Duncan saw it. He had been looking for the perfect engagement ring for months, and was becoming increasingly frustrated at designs that, while certainly pretty, weren’t a ring that would fit Y/n’s personality. Nothing was totally right: either the design on the band was wrong or the diamond was too big or it just didn’t look like something that she would wear.
Finally, he finds the one, in an antique store that Y/n’s dragged him to on a cool September weekend. While she’s looking through collections of old photos and trying to convince him that the Victorian child of indeterminate gender is surely not going to haunt him if the photo ends up being bought (it won’t, not if he has any say), he spots it in a display case. A golden ring with delicate filigree twining around the band, small leaves fixed against the prongs in which a simple diamond is set.
It’s certainly not a traditional ring, but nothing about their relationship has ever really been traditional.
He had grabbed it while she was still distracted by the spooky, definitely haunted photos and faked having a work call so that he could escape to the front of the store and purchase the ring without her knowledge. The woman minding the shop was unable to stop smiling once Duncan whispered that this was going to be an engagement ring and asked her to ring the purchase up as quickly as possible. He was just thankful that she didn’t accidentally mention anything when he again came to the register, where Y/n purchased a couple of old photos that, while questionable, didn’t have any figures in them that would haunt their home.
From there, everything had gone smoothly. Duncan already knew Y/n’s ring size, and the jeweler he had used before was all too happy to provide a quick turnaround on resizing and fixing the minor imperfections on the ring. And once it was returned to him safely a week ago, he hadn’t let go of it.
Michael appraises it for a long moment, his face infuriatingly blank. Duncan shouldn’t care about Michael’s opinion on an engagement ring, but he does, because Michael is one of two people he’s closest to in the world. Finally, finally, Michael meets Duncan’s eyes and smiles.
“Perfect. You found it at an antique store, you said?”
“Yeah.”
“Even more perfect, because that means it’s unique.” Duncan puts the box back in his pocket, satisfied with the answer. “You did good, Duncan. She’ll love it.”
“You’ll be my best man, right?” Duncan blurts out suddenly, his mind apparently deciding that it’s now or never. When Michael doesn’t immediately respond, Duncan panics and tries to stutter out an explanation. “I mean, you’re really the only person who I could think of to stand by my side on the most important day of my life. You’ve been by my side for all my other important days, and–”
“Dunc,” Michael stops him with a hand on his shoulder, “of course I’ll be your best man. C’mon, did you even have to ask?”
He smiles. “I didn’t want you to think that you had it in the bag.”
“If you dared to even ask anyone else, I would kill them.” That’s not a joke, and they both know it. Still, they laugh. “But you know she has to actually say ‘yes’ first, right?”
Duncan nods, because of course he knows that.
And three hours later, as Duncan exits the restaurant with Y/n, still his girlfriend, he doesn’t think he’s even going to get the question out so that he can potentially be turned down. He had a plan. He was going to order her favorite type of wine, she was going to ask what the occasion was, and then he was going to get down on one knee and make her cry with his poetic proposal.
But then the restaurant didn’t have Y/n’s favorite type of wine, because he didn’t think to ask in advance if they could reserve a bottle for his table as well. And the suit that he had planned on wearing, the suit that he wears for every big event, wasn’t ready for pickup at the dry cleaners. And then he was late because of fucking traffic. At that point, when he finally made it to the restaurant to see her waiting patiently for him, he was already so upset at his plans being derailed that he decided to cancel his entire proposal idea for the night.
Y/n is none the wiser as they walk through the National Mall, chatting happily next to him about the latest book she’s been reading and the controversy surrounding the author on “BookTok.” The sun is beginning to set behind the buildings, casting a beautiful golden glow across everything it touches. The light catches Y/n’s eyes as she looks over at him to catch his reaction, and Duncan’s taken aback by how his breath catches in his throat at the sight.
This is it, he realizes. The moment that he’s been waiting for. It’s not what he had planned, but he knows it’s now or never, because there might never be a moment for him that screams “proposal” again.
“Y/n,” he calls her name, gently pulling her to a stop in the Constitution Gardens.
“What’s up?” she smiles at him, like she just knows he’s nervous about something. She probably does know, because she always knows.
“This…isn’t how I imagined any of this happening.” His hand goes into his pocket, and he grasps the box. “But then I thought, when has anything in our relationship gone according to plan?”
Her smile widens as she starts to get the hint of what’s happening. When Duncan gets down onto one knee, her mouth falls open. “Dunc,” is all that she can say, her tone warning that this had better not be a joke. As if he would ever joke about anything like this.
“I’m not the best with words, and you know that–I tend to talk with violence. We’ve been through so much together, and I can’t think of anybody else I’d have wanted to do any of the last three years with. And, after these three years, there’s nothing I’m more sure of than knowing that I want to do the rest of my life with you. So,” he opens up the ring box, “will you marry me?”
He’s barely finished asking the question before Y/n’s nodding and pulling him up to his feet and kissing him with a laugh. “Did you even have to ask?”
“Is that a yes, then?” Duncan’s grinning, already getting the ring out of the box and grabbing Y/n’s left hand so he can place the ring where it belongs.
“Yes. Of course I’ll marry you, Duncan.”
They kiss again, and then one more time for good measure. Y/n pulls back briefly to admire the new ring on her finger and how it’s glinting in the evening sun, and Duncan thanks the sunset for staying around for as long as it has.
“Y’know, I thought that you were going to propose at the restaurant.”
Duncan laughs like that wasn’t his plan and shrugs it off. “You really want to get married to me?”
“As if we’re not basically married already?” Y/n kisses him again, and Duncan’s sure that this is the best day of his life. “The only thing that changes after this is that now I can’t be forced to testify against you in court.”
“Is that right?” Y/n nods. “I should have put a ring on it two years ago, then.”
“You’ve rectified the mistake now, my love.”
Duncan grabs Y/n’s hand and swings her towards him, running his thumb over her ring.
“Should we head home, fiancée?” he asks. Y/n grins, pleased at the new pet name, and Duncan immediately files that away to use all the time now. “I’m sure there’s a lot of people that you want to call and tell the good news to.”
“That,” Y/n raises her eyebrows, “and we’ve got a lot of celebrating to do.”
She laughs as Duncan immediately nods, picking up the pace to get home now. Still, she’s not complaining, in fact, she’s jogging next to him, challenging him to actually break decorum and race her home. For her, he would.
Duncan Shepherd has worked hard to get to where he currently is in life. He’s quite literally shed blood, sweat, and tears in the process, and nearly lost his life multiple times. He’s faced heartbreak and loss, anger and grief, and thought that there would never be anything more for him than his work. Nearly running down the street with the woman who’s now his fiancée, both of them giddy with love and eager to get home and show each other just how much love they have, he knows that it’s all been worth it.
It’s all led him here, to the beginning of the rest of his life.
//
Tag List: @sammythankyou @girlycakepops @ultragibbycentralworld @ajokeformur-ray @nana15774 @queencocoakimmie @lichellaw @grim-adventures58 @trimbooohgodplsnoooo @everything-is-awesomesauce @michaellangdon @jimmlangdon @omgsuperstarg @queenie435 @sloppy-little-witch-bitch26 @kahhlo @storminmytwistedmind @1-800-bitchcraft @langdonslove @born-on-stgeorges-day @xavierplympton @michaelsapostle @venusxxlangdon @wroteclassicaly @idespac @tcc-gizmachine @dyns33 @hexqueensupreme @youngandfleeting @lambofcairo @myluciferiscody @ladyren33 @ladyrindt @hecohansen31 @dark-mei-rose @blakescoven @9layerdevilfoodcake @angelicmichael @takingback-thecrown @etherealsxnder
#duncan shepherd imagines#duncan shepherd#duncan shepherd x you#duncan shepherd imagine#duncan shepherd fanfiction#house of cards#house of cards imagine#hoc#hoc imagine#hoc imagines
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One reason I love The Owl House, LGBT+ representation of course. And this has obviously been said over and over before with everyone telling their own reason and story, so here's mine.
I didn't know what homosexualilty was until I was 16 years old and in theater. I saw a poster that said pride club and I had a lot of questions. I asked the master of our house and they said that homosexualilals were people of the devil so I shrugged and listened. Said what they wanted me to say. Long story short, theater class was full of homosexuals and they weren't as bad as my house hold described them to be. Heck, they were the most accepting people I ever met. Once I started warming up to the LGBT+ community, I made a transgender OC in a story I was writing. Still remeber writing a fan fic for FNAF and I made a trans girl as an important part of the story. My little brother asked about my story and I happily introduced my trans girl to him. Why was she trans, the story was about identity and knowing who you are. She was gonna be this confident girl who knew exactly what she wanted and who she was. Her purpose in the story was gonna be to help others find out who they are. I was so excited to write my story and my brother shared that excitement. To the point where he told all about my trans charater to a family member in our strictly Christian house hold. He was only five at the time. I had a massive talking, long bible lesson and punishment for it. So I threw away my story and my very first trans charater. Not to mention I was told to reject all homosexuals at my school including my theater class. I wasn't allowed to watch shows like Steven Univers or The Owl House either.
A few years later, graduation came and I still have connections with some theater kids and haven't cut any connections with my gay friends even after being asked to. Though, I'm still nervous about my very first bisexual charater and my first asexual/demi romantic charater. There's many reason's my Ducktakes story "Don't Back Down Again" has been on hiatus, but this reason is my #1 reason.
Some already know I manage to leave that house hold recently but that doesn't mean I'm not effected by what I was taught. I'm just nervous about continuing my story because I'm getting into the territory where I explore my first bisexual charater. Along with my first asexual/demi romantic charater. Maybe it's the memory of throwing away my first trans charater and the punishment that it came with. It's still there and it's keeping me from continuing from writing.
Heck, I remember always seeing Lena as a lesbian and wanting to write her as one. But I never did out of fear. Same for Violet being trans.
Though, I've been feeling more and more comfortable with writing LGBT+ characters now. The Owl House has grabbed my attention from how accurate it portrays religious abuse and manipulation through religion. It just tells our story beautifully and I couldn't help but want to write a fan fic for it. Writing down my outline and charaters, I'm starting to get use to making LGBT+ charaters. I'm excited to introduce my first lesbian couple and first gay OC. And maybe I'll be able to add a trans character as a call back to my very first LGBT+ OC.
What I'm saying is, The Owl House is a giant inspiration for me in writing. Not just telling the story of religious abuss and those who are trying to break from it, but making others feel more comfortable with them selves. I was never open about being in the asexual and aromantic spectrum until I started watching The Owl House. Lilith is incredibly important to me. Aroace lady who broke from away from her manipilator and trying to fix her wrongs, that's incredibly relatable and inspiring. These are the charaters I inspire to write and that's why The Owl House is so important to me.
#the owl house#owl house#ducktales fanfiction#ducktales#lgbtq+#lgbtq#lgbtq community#Ps#just because I want to rip the bandage off now#might as well say what my LGBT+ charaters are.#My two OCs in my Ducktakes story . Abigor (Bisexual) and Lizzette (Asexual and Demi romantic)#I'm already getting into Abigors bisexuality in the story and how he was raised to have a toxic masculine mind set#And dating men isn't exactly masculine in his mothers eyes.#As for Lizzette#she's repulsed by lovey dovey things and kisses while never having a relationship where she felt real romance.#With out giving away what I have planned#I just thought it be cool to have a descendent of Aphrodite be demi romantic and asexual#I always planned this too with Abigors color being blue and his connection with Lena (purple) and Webby (pink)#And Lizzettes main weapon being an arrow and soon will be associated with cards like the ace card#Not to mention how asexuals and aromantics are said to be emotionless and cold.#emotionless like robots#hence the romance I have planned for her and Boyd#and yes I'm saying this in the tags because I'm still nervous#just thought maybe at least posting this somewhere would help me continue with the story#hope it works#.............#still disappointed I couldn't write Lena as the lesbian I wanted#🤣#oh well
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A Redemption Earned Ch 7
Heather Dunbar x reader
Warnings: language.
After a long day of work Heather finally found herself on the couch, small glass of wine poured as the evening air breezed in through the open windows. A full week had passed since her little sleepover at Becca’s and she still hadn’t managed to figure out how to approach you again. She wanted to come off as if she was asking you out, because she was, but she didn’t want to come on too strong. On the off chance she’d misread the signals she wasn’t opposed to having you just be a friend and she didn’t want to scare you off. Finally, after a series of text messages with Becca she figured out what she was going to say and opened up a message to you.
Then she stalled yet again.
How was she supposed to ask you to dinner if she didn’t know where she wanted to take you?
It was another near half hour as she searched her brain for her favourite places around Washington. It took a little bit of google-ing too, some of the places shut down, others under new management, others simply renovated terribly or missing the best menu items. She finally settled on Iron Gate, while it was a little on the pricey side she had plans to be settling the bill already, it may be more than coffee, but you had said the ‘next one was on her’ so it worked, right? It was fancy enough that a first date seemed fitting, but also not too fancy, that if this was just two friends navigating adulthood friendship and settling in to a new city there wouldn’t be a weird vibe because of the setting.
She caught herself picking at her nails as she stared at the phone screen, immediately stopping, preoccupying herself with a large sip of wine. She limited herself to one or two drinks nowadays but was finding that she still needed a bit of liquid courage to get through this, cursing herself out that she was struggling with something she used to complete easily and with such finesse. Reading back the words she had typed out she scoffed at herself, it sounded like she was setting up a business meeting. Shaking her head, she deleted the drafted message and finally used Becca’s suggestion of coming off super casual.
‘Happy Friday. If you’ve had the chance to try the dumplings I recommended, I’ve got another place in mind for a great dinner.’
She said a quick and silent prayer and hit send, immediately taking another sip of her wine to calm her nerves.
*
You were still in your classroom, marking a handful of spelling tests, it was later than usual, but you knew if you left the school on a Friday you would slip into weekend mode and leave everything to the last minute on Sunday, so, here you were. The faster you worked, the faster you could get home to a beer and relaxation. You only had about two left when your phone buzzed, vibrating against the desk and your head tilted, wondering who would be texting you right now as you picked it up.
You smiled at the message, a warmth soothing its way through your chest, knowing that Heather was thinking of you, and continually thinking of places to eat around the city.
‘You were right. Best dumplings I’ve ever had. What’ve you got in mind?’
*
Heather nearly jumped when her phone pinged, relieved that the reply had come in so quickly. She scooped up the device, holding her breath while she slid the notification open to reveal your message, letting it out as she read it.
‘I suppose it’s a little late to ask if you’re free sometime this weekend?’
‘Heather…’ you let out a little laugh, ‘I’m new to the city, remember? I have more friends that are under the age of ten than adults. And they’re not exactly allowed out past six.’
She laughed at the way you were nearly making fun of yourself, the smile remaining on her cheeks as she typed out her next message.
‘There’s a place called Iron Gate downtown, they’ve got a butternut squash lasagna that is just to die for.’
‘Intriguing. I’m down.’ Heather felt her heartrate pick up at the idea, laughing at herself for previously thinking this was going to be so hard. ‘Though probably not tonight, I’m still at work and I doubt a nice place like that would appreciate the amount of paint I’m covered in right now.’
‘Oh?’
‘Fingerpainting gone bad.’
‘Can’t say I miss those chaotic accidents.’
‘Tomorrow then? I’ve got a couple of things during the day so dinner would work best.’
‘How does seven sound?’
‘Perfect.’ You smiled at the screen as you waited for the next message to come in.
‘I guess I’ll see you then.’
‘I look forward to it.’ You added on a little smiley face at the end of the message that made Heather catch her breath in her throat, Becca had been right, there was definitely a flirting undertone to your words. It was perhaps that you were both on the same page, but not wanting to overstep if the other one wasn’t interested in something more. She figured she’d find that out tomorrow.
**
You were glad you’d looked up the restaurant online before getting ready, though you had a feeling if you were meeting Heather in person, it would be a fancier place than Dumplings. It was a cute, just a large enough bistro, but had a posh vibe going on. Originally you’d been in jeans, thinking a nicer shirt with hair and makeup done would be enough, but after your search you’d swapped out for a cute casual dress, and you felt a hell of a lot more comfortable stepping into the restaurant.
You spotted Heather chatting with the hostess, a polite smile on her face as she did so. Though the bell over the door pulled both of their attention to you and you let out a bright smile as she gazed over at you, feeling your cheeks heat at the way her eyes flicked down and up your form as you approached.
“Hey. Sorry if I’m late.” You greeted.
“Oh no, not at all.” Heather smiled warmly at you, “just doing a bit of catch up.” She stepped back from the hostess stand as they helped out another couple, “you look adorable.”
“Thank you.” This time you were sure your cheeks flushed, quickly dropping your gaze to try and compose yourself. Before you could speak again the hostess spoke,
“Ladies did we want inside or out?”
“Oh, uh..” you glanced between each other for a moment, “It is a nice day out.” You suggested and Heather nodded.
“I have been trapped inside all day.”
“Perfect. Right this way.”
The two of you were lead through the restaurant and out onto the cozy back patio. Small tables littered around it, half pre-set with glassware and napkins, lantern candles in the middle of all the tables and strings of fairy lights strung through the roof. You thanked the hostess after she ran through a couple of the drink specials with you after settling into your seats. A comfortable silence took over as you glanced through the drink menu,
“I have to admit I’m not the biggest wine snob, so this all means basically nothing.” You admitted with a small chuckle and Heather raised a brow.
“Please don’t tell me you drink boxed shit.”
“I said I wasn’t a snob, didn’t say I was an uncultured swine.” You teased with a laugh and Heather couldn’t help but let out a bark of a laugh.
“Do you prefer red or white?”
“Usually red. And I know it like, depends on what you end up ordering food wise or whatever, but I’ve just never really been that particular.”
“Stick with what you like.” She smiled gently, “well if you wanted to share a bottle I am more than happy to order for us, but feel free to have a cocktail or a beer instead.”
“Nah, I like the idea of sharing a bottle.”
When she glanced back over at you she felt a jolt run through her, your elbow was perched on the table, chin resting in your hand as you smiled softly over at her, a small grin on your cheeks and she had to do her best not to blush. You looked absolutely radiant in the glow of the setting sun and it was taking everything in her power to not admit that to you right then and there. Thankfully before she could start to process what to say next, you spoke again.
“This place is really cute. Menu looks really good too.”
“Yeah.” She let out a small hum, “Rob – my ex—and I used to come here pretty frequently.”
“Nice little date night spot.” You mused, and Heather was thankful for the pause in conversation as the server came over to introduce themselves and take drink orders, explaining how the chef’s family table menu worked and if you had any extra questions. Heather placed the order for a nice bottle of red, and upon first sip you were certain that you would always trust her recommendations when it came to wine from now on in.
“How was your first week back post spring break?” She asked, setting down her own wine glass and you hummed.
“A little chaotic. Moods anywhere between bummed to be there, tired to have to get up in the mornings again and the opposite end where they didn’t burn off all the energy and are way too excited to tell stories of what they got up to.”
“God to have that much energy again.”
“Right?” You laughed, “I’m amazed I can keep up with them most days.”
“How many kids are in your class?”
“It can range between nineteen to twenty five. It’s not too bad, I’ve heard of numbers reaching the thirties and that’s just completely unmanageable.”
“Jesus.” She muttered over the rim of her glass, “I could barely manage two and we had help.”
“Grandparents around a lot?” You asked and she shook her head.
“Nanny. And a housekeeper, well… a couple of them.” She felt her cheeks heat at the admission.
“Ahh…so little miss fancy pants lawyer was rich before she started practicing law.” You teased and she laughed.
“Ever heard of Dunbar cars?” She asked and suddenly your brow furrowed, your head titling as you realized something.
“Yeah actually… that was the company they used to shuttle us around in Japan.”
“Really?”
“I’m surprised I didn’t make any connection before.” You laughed, leaning forward against the table, “guess our paths crossing was meant to be.”
Heather was once again, caught at a loss for words, ever so thankful for the platter of appetizers arriving, plates filled with focaccia, doe run willow cheese, roasted dates, a mixed brassica salad and roasted baby beets. You followed her lead on what to try in what order and what to mix with each thing, dip the bread in and what to not miss out on even if it wasn’t your first pick. She had been here enough times before, and after the wine you were sure you would trust her judgement.
A few bites in your server came around to check how things were and to make the main course orders. The two of you had already discussed ordering both one of the Iron Gate Mixed Grill that came with a variety of meat protein, and the Grilled Seafood Kalamaki and sharing a few options off both since you couldn’t quite decide which route you’d wanted to go. Your server explained that the table would also get the ricotta gnocchi and a deluxe salad on the sides, and Heather spoke again,
“I know it’s not on the menu right now, but I did mention the butternut squash lasagna and she was eager to try it.” She gestured across to you, “I don’t suppose there’s any way we could maybe get a small side of that too?”
“For you, Ms. Dunbar? Of course.” The server smiled, giving both of you a quick nod before they headed off to ring everything in.
“What?” She sheepishly asked as she turned back to the table, taking in the expression on your face.
“Excellent restaurant choices, even better wine choices, and well connected and known by the staff? You are officially stuck with me.”
Heather let out a laugh, busying herself with a few bites of food while she tried to collect her thoughts.
“Believe me, well received does not apply to every place in the city.”
“Ex get custody of a few places in the divorce?” You half teased and she huffed.
“Can’t get too close to capitol hill without ruffling some feathers.”
“Okay but politicians can be a fucking drag, so you’re not missing out on much there.”
“You only say that because you’ve never been to Monocle.”
“That would be accurate.” You replied with a laugh, “do they do delivery?”
“Only pick up.”
“Guess you’re lucky I drive. I can be your personal delivery driver.”
“That would be nice.” She smiled, ducking her gaze to her food for a moment before you spoke again.
“You said you started in political law, right?” A small nod, “considering you were in D.C did you ever consider a career in the White House?”
“Yes.” She stated bluntly, figuring that one; being honest and upfront was a decent decision, and two; all it would take was a quick google of her name for you to know absolutely everything about her, “after a few years of political law, with the connections I actually ended up solicitor general.”
“I have literally no idea what that means.” You replied and she laughed. It was so unusual to have someone in her life be so unaware of politics, especially someone who lived in Washington, she constantly had to remind herself that you lived very out of the country for a very long time.
“Basically I represented the federal government in the supreme court.”
“So like if there’s some scandal within the government, that’s like, something right up your alley.”
“Exactly.”
“That sounds like the biggest fucking headache in the world.”
“It really was.” She laughed, pulling a small one from you.
“I can see why you transferred out.”
“I did set my sights on other opportunities.”
“Well I’m glad that they ended up bringing you back to Washington… and into my classroom.” You murmured softly, risking the glance up at her and she smiled back at you.
“Likewise.”
You fell into a comfortable small talk as you finished up your appetizers, little stories here and there about your lives. Heather was particularly interested in your time overseas, especially Asia and having actually lived over there. She’d done the occasional Europe trip or cruise with family, but it was always the ritzy places or somewhere their family had timeshares. You’d backpacked your way through Europe and learnt far more about the culture and thus you had some of your best friends scattered all across the globe, which she thought was completely amazing. She was so intrigued by the fact that you’d managed to mix both career and personal travel so well, getting to explore both those parts of your life before settling down in Washington.
When your entrée’s arrived you easily split up the couple of pieces that you knew you wanted to share, digging into the delectable bites. You let out a soft groan over a bite, and one that Heather hadn’t mentioned wanting to try previously,
“Okay, I know you said you weren’t interested in the bison but you have got to try this.”
Heather expected you to slice off some onto a side plate, her eyes widening every so quickly when you simply stabbed into a small piece with your fork, lifting it across the table to her, your free hand curved underneath as to not drip onto the table cloth. She did her best not to be hesitant, lips wrapping around the meat and pulling it from the fork. She couldn’t help the groan that escaped her as the flavours burst over her tongue.
“Oh my god!” She mumbled.
“Right?” You laughed, “if you want more, help yourself cause it’s fucking delicious.”
“I will gladly trade you some extra scallop.”
“Deal.” You laughed, the two of you swiftly swapping over a bit more of the desired food. “You know…” you murmured over a bite, doing your best to finish it before you actually spoke, “you’ve got quite the incredible taste in food. I would not complain at all if this ended up being a weekly thing.”
“Just wait until you’ve tried my lobster risotto.” She smirked across the table, “that paired with a good lamb chop….”
“Stop!” You nearly groaned, “we’re out for dinner right now and you already have me drooling.”
“It’s my go to.” She simply shrugged and you laughed.
“Deluxe go to maybe.” You teased with a grin, “I take it you didn’t rely on a home chef too on top of all that help then?”
“From time to time.” She sighed, “I kind of found a bit of peace in the kitchen. It was nice to know I was actually doing something for myself for once. My parents did shit all while I was growing up, neither did Rob’s. I’ll admit it was much more for just the two of us once the kids were away at school, dishes that were outside of their palate. I couldn’t really be bothered with learning how to make mac and cheese the kid approved way, they always had something to complain about unless it came from a box.”
“Kids are like that.” You smiled, “would rather have chicken nuggets than anything else.”
“Not that there is anything wrong with a good chicken nugget.” Heather pointed out and you laughed.
“Good taste but also realizes the importance of comfort food. I’m liking you more and more.”
Heather chuckled, distracting herself with her food for another moment. Tonight truly was a whole world of difference for her, she was so used to plucking whomever her prey was from the crowd and settling in on them, making sure they were groomed exactly to her liking. Tonight was actually a date, on equal basis, something she hadn’t done in over thirty years, her last real first date was with Rob when they were still teenagers. She wasn’t entirely sure what the feeling in her stomach was, nor how to act toward everything. But she was certain of one thing, this was definitely a date, and you were more than ready and willing for a second one.
By the time dessert was finishing up she was actually a little bummed that it felt like barely any time had passed. She wanted nothing more than continue talking to you, getting to know more about the adventurous life you’d lived, and was more than willing to open up about little pieces of her own. So far, you’d been very accepting of the things she’d told you, and she felt like you were a safe person to slowly admit to about her past and that you wouldn’t judge her too harshly. Then again, maybe that was just the wine and the butterflies talking.
You only protested once about her settling the bill, considering your agreement was that it was her turn, even if yours had been only coffee. She smirked at the way you checked how much she tipped, making sure it was at least a solid twenty percent, nodding when you discovered it was well over that. You promised you would pick up the tab the next time you went out and she assured you that that was more than okay. Begrudgingly the two of you gathered your coats and purses, lingering probably longer than usual at the table before making your way out of the restaurant, thanking the host staff as you did so.
“Did you drive?” Heather asked, suddenly glancing up from her phone where she was summoning her car, “I can have you dropped off?”
“I did actually.” You smiled, nodding towards the parking lot, “but thank you.”
“Anytime.” She smiled and you laughed,
“Well I sure hope so from the woman who owns the world wide car company.” You teased, nudging her in the ribs. The way she nearly flinched at the contact didn’t escape your attention, nearly frowning at it, though maybe she just wasn’t expecting it.
“If you’re ever in the market for a new vehicle….”
“Honestly,” you glanced up at her, noting the gleam in her eyes as she looked at you, deciding to take the chance, you linked your arm in hers. Internally you frowned at the way she tensed ever so lightly before relaxing against you, “this bugger’s got me through a lot but I might need something now that I’m driving every day again.”
“Just let me know.” Heather smiled, letting you take the lead as you began the walk back to your car. You let out a small hum, smiling at her as you moved through the parking lot. You let the silence take over until you were at the trunk of your car, gesturing to it to let her know this was basically the end of the date.
“I had a wonderful time tonight.” You admitted, your voice softening as you leant back against your car, “I’m really glad you texted me.”
“So did I.” She smiled, her cheeks flushing, thankful that you probably couldn’t see that in the darkness of the lot, “I hope you mean it about taking me up on next time.”
“Oh believe me, I do.” You laughed, “I’ve got some lobster risotto to look forward to remember?”
You prodded at her side, the two of you laughing, Heather nearly rolling her eyes at your playfulness. Though she was about one minute away from caressing your cheek, running her thumb over your lips and kissing you senseless. Instead, she caught your hand as it hit her side, her fingers tangling with yours for a moment as you laughed, tracing the patterns on your palm. There was a soft moment of silence as you both felt your breath catch in your throats, eyes darting up at each other, Heather’s tongue slipping out to wet her lips. Just as you were about to step forward the car one over from yours burst out in alarm, causing the two of you to jump, wrenching away from each other in a panic. A loud swear and apology called out as the owner of the car called out from across the parking lot, jogging towards the vehicle to stop the alarm from inside before they jetted off. Right as you were about to continue your moment, Heather’s phone pinged, causing her to jump once again.
“Ah… my car’s here.”
“Okay.” You smiled up at her, “see you soon.”
“Yes.” She cast you a grin, “you get home safe, okay?”
“Promise.”
“Will you text me to let me know?”
“Of course.” You replied with a smile, moving towards the driver’s door.
“Goodnight.”
“Night.”
You gave her a small wave, watching as she crossed back through the parking lot, making sure she got into the SUV before you slipped into your own car.
______________
@ms-calhoun @naturalxselection @yesterdaysgone
@hbkpop @giftedchildturns40 @anya-casablanca @svulife-rl @swimmingstudentchaos891 @alexusonfire @jamiethetrans @natasha-danvers @oliviaswifey @mysticfalls01
@cmmndrwidw @bumblebear30 @svushots @yourtaletotelll @cerberus-spectre @emskisworld @ex-uallyactive @addictedtodinosaurs @imaginaryoperagloves @multifandomlesbianic @annegilletteslostwh0r3 @bookpillows
@drduckthief @whimsicallymad @mmmmokdok @ladysc @momlifebehard @mmemalwa @holycrapraewth @poisonedcrowns
@wannabe-fic-reader @when-wolves-howl @dead-of-niight
@fighterkimburgess @lannister-slings-and-arrows @borg-queer
#heather dunbar#heather dunbar x reader#house of cards#a redemption earned#heather dunbar fluff#heather dunbar series#house of cards fanfiction
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Heads Up, 7 Up
I'm behind on everything it feels like. Wi-Fi issues are not helping.
So @mrsmungus tagged me twice. Here are the last 14 lines I wrote for Birthday Wishes and Valentine Kisses.
Tagging to play: @mikaharuka @mrsmungus @kayedium-writes @lena-hills @tsunderewatermelon @winterlovesong1
“Not my job,” Jon said looking at his cards.
Topanga eventually stomped back into the kitchen, glared at Cory, then took her chair and cards to sit by Dana.
The next few rounds passed uneventfully until Jon played a green Draw 2 on top of a blue 8. Audrey initially missed this because she was quick to advert what happened to Topanga by throwing down her own Draw 2 card. The two went back and forth putting down Draw cards until Audrey ran out and was faced with a 32 card draw.
“How many decks are we playing with?” Topanga asked. She was now in a better mood.
“At least three,” Shawn grinned.
Dana stared at the card pile. “You can’t play a green card on top of a blue one.”
Audrey’s mouth fell open and she gave Jon an accusatory glare.
“What?” he asked grinning at her. “You didn’t catch it.”
“You cheated!” she cried as she went back through the card pile.
Dana was right.
“Unbelievable!” Audrey cried, jumping up from the table.
The game dissolved into a mass argument that ended with everyone, but Dana holding twice as many cards as they started with.
It was a confusing and chaotic experience as she didn’t see the fun in fighting that they all seemed to enjoy so much.
And in the middle of it all Cory and Topanga somehow got back together .
#writing tag game#tag game#heads up 7 up#boy meets world fanfiction#shawn hunter#jonathan turner#uno cards#house rules are whatever we say they are
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POLITICAL ANMALS : CHAPTER 3
Anakin heads to Lower Coruscant track down Watto as requested by Padme. Using his knowledge of the region and people from growing up there, he's able to locate Watto at his junk shop in Mos Espa.
However, Watto is initially hesitant to share any information, distrustful of outsiders. Anakin will have to use his persuasive abilities to gain Watto's confidence. He may have to reveal personal details about his past to build a connection.
#obianidala#anidala#padme amidala#obi wan kenobi#slightly Obikin#padme x anakin#anakin and padme#fanfiction#house of cards au#married obidala#i should call this chapter tension and more tensions
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♠️♥️House of Cards♣️♦️
Act Two Part One - Recovery
CW: Minor injury description
White light flooded Ace’s vision as his eyes fluttered open, immediately blinding him. He hissed sharply as a searing pain throbbed at the back of his head. If it wasn’t for the distinct smell of the medical bay, Ace would have assumed he had woken up in heaven.
Ace sat up before he rubbed the ache at the back of his head. He inhaled as his hand trailed down to his neck where his fingers came into contact with the cotton gauze around his neck. He sighed, a soft groan slipping past his lips as he recalled the events that transpired in the safehouse. His back still hurts from the scuffle he had with Queen. He groaned audibly, already dreading the ramifications that followed.
Ace stretches his neck, testing his limits and feeling the raw skin stretch beneath the bandages. It felt itchy and rough, burning against his flesh, suffocating almost. He took a deep breath, feeling the urge to tear the dressing off. It felt like a collar. An uncomfortable one at that.
It didn’t seem like Ace had been in here long, maybe a day or two at best. He figured he wasn’t out that long as he continued to nurse his head. A nagging thought eats at him as Ace wonders how he even managed to end up where he is now.
The privacy screen screeches against the metal rails as it’s drawn, the sound sending another awful pang to Ace’s head. Ace flits his eyes over at the intrusion, glaring at the form as they step in.
“Major.” Ace relaxes his gaze, raising his eyebrows at the towering man.
“Lieutenant,” King returns the greeting, gruffing as he closes the privacy curtain behind him. “I see that you’ve finally woken up.”
“Yes sir..” Ace hums, nodding. He straightened up despite the strain in his back. He returns his eyes to King, a silence falling between them. It was tense as Ace anticipated. Before Ace could ask anything, King broke the silence.
“Elize had been put to desk duty while she recovers from her sustained injuries.” King says, answering Ace’s question as if he had read his mind. Ace nods silently, still waiting to be chewed out for being the cause of the assault.
“Sir, I-” Ace opens his mouth to speak but falters as King holds up a finger, silencing the shorter man instantly.
“Relax, Doe, the situation is being taken care of.” King interrupts, earning an odd look from Ace, the man’s brow furrowing. “Awfully shameful situation, really, but we know Private Kyle has always been a loose cannon.”
King’s tone left a sour aftertaste in Ace’s mouth. He frowned, but had expected the disdain coming from the Major. King was never fond of Jack to begin with. While Jack was careless, calling him a loose cannon seemed rather harsh.
“Where is she?” Ace finally asked. He was answered with a short scoff from King.
“They ran off, that coward,” King rumbles, folding his arms across his chest with a scowl distorting his face. This only further confused Ace, but he felt his stomach drop at the reveal.
Without prompt, King continued,“Long story short, the young punk attacked you from behind. That’s how you got your little injury there.” King says, gesturing vaguely to Ace’s neck. “Luckily, Elize managed to step in just as you got knocked out, but not without having to fight him off.”
Ace fell silent at King’s explanation. He had a feeling there was something wrong with it. He couldn’t actually place what had happened, though the nagging feeling at the back of his mind only grew more. Ace didn’t say more, having no grounds to suspect anything.
It felt frustrating, but Ace surrendered, choosing to just nod along to whatever King was telling him despite it not making sense at all.
King cleared his throat again, his foot tapping against the ground, disturbing the otherwise peaceful silence.
“Well, enough chit chat, Lieutenant,” King rumbles. “Get back on your feet and meet me in my office as soon as you do.”
Metal screeches again as King pulls the privacy screen open, stepping out before Ace could even mutter a ‘Yes, sir.’
Ace sighs, and finds himself alone with his thoughts. As his mind mulled over the timeline of the confrontation, his hand strayed back up to his neck. He mindlessly picks and itches at the bandage, pulling at the material.
His lonesome doesn’t last long as King’s presence is replaced. In walks a nurse, gently pulling aside the screen, holding a tray in hand.
“Don’t do that..” The nurse scolds softly, swatting away Ace’s hands from his neck. Ace stares at the nurse as they present the tray to him.
“These are some paracetamol pills, both for your head and neck. Do take them when needed within six hour intervals-” the nurse drones on with Ace barely paying attention. He hums, absentmindedly scratching at his neck again.
“Okay, thanks but uh..” Ace points to his neck. “Any chance I’m allowed to take it off?”
The nurse stops before they rattle on again, turning their attention to Ace’s neck. They paused. “Well, you can but-”
“Wonderful, darling,” Ace cuts in again, already undoing the wrap, practically ripping it off much to the dismay of his nurse. Ace hops off the lumpy medical bed, pocketing his prescription bottle and swiftly walking away, leaving behind a bewildered and flustered nurse.
Quicksaving...
#House of Cards AU#Act 2 Part 1#cod oc#call of duty oc#oc: LT Ace#oc: Major King#mailman rants#fanfic#fanfiction#Task Force Cards
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kinda want seth and finns match at summerslam to be no DQ but i imagine jey and romans will have a stipulation too so i dee kay 😭😭
#i say i want no DQ bc i am cooking something in my head. ill call it fantasy booking but its basically wrestling fanfiction .#putting weapons in the mix adds drama these two matches in particular are so personal to all 4 of them they SHOULD#we can do both theres still room for regular singles matches on the card 😭😭#if u want my thoughts. finn and jey should win respectively 😵💫 love seth dearly but finn taking the title is where my head is at#tbh im glad he didnt get it at MITB now gives the title time to be worth something#plus lets say seth were to be.... i dunno....... injured (in keyfabe) he can take that fucking break he needs 😭😭 same w roman#anyway. last wwe thoughts b4 i go full aew mode#ihope damien doesnt cash in too soon either. lets be 100 w ourselves he is most def gonna cash it in on finn regardless 😭#and if he makes it a match rather than doing it in a match.... damian face turn ⁉️ possibly ⁉️⁉️ jugdement day implosion⁉️⁉️ hopefully ‼️‼️#dom goes to nxt full time rhea can finally do something with her title and dam and finn feud ? or finn takes a short break too#i think he does a bunch of house shows too... think the superstars in general gotta talk to some1 abt those schedules theyre fucking crazy#wwe#that was alot. ok no more wwe talk
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