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acphengene · 4 months

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Chapter 21 - Your fathers son

₊ ⁺ pairing: Jay x fem!reader

₊ ⁺ genre: brothers bestfriend!au, college!au, neighbors/strangers to lovers!au

₊ ⁺ warings: mild angst, lowkey parent manipulation, sibling death, strong and suggestive language, smut

₊ ⁺ trigger warnings for this chapter: anxiety attack and violence

₊ ⁺ synopsis: you move from sydney australia to seoul to get your degree, what will happen when you spill coffee on a handsome stranger?

₊ ⁺ taglist: open - updates every monday and friday - might update on other times if i want a chapter out sooner rather than later

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You had a feeling that something might go wrong after Jay’s very cynical message of him meeting Jake by the elevator.

You quickly rushed out of your apartment, banging on the button for the elevator wishing it would go faster.

Sunghoon hadn’t explained what Jay freaking out meant, but in case it was bad you thought it best to hurry.

As soon as the elevator doors opened you flew to his rescue, hand banging on the door before you even stood still.

Sunghoon didn’t hurry opening up; which just ended up making you even more nervous.

“Hey” he said with an apologetic smile as he opened. “I know that he might not want you to see him like this, but he’s said you feel like home so many times, so I thought you might be able to get through to him”

Sunghoon walked you slowly into the living room where Jay was sitting on the couch. He was staring at the floor, crying silently, the only indicator being the tears flowing freely from his eyes.

You walked slowly towards him before you sat down in front of him on the floor. He was crunched over, elbows on his knees while he was fiddling with his fingers. He didn’t even recognize your presence as you sat down, it was like he was looking right through you.

Sunghoon sat down against the wall that was behind you, far enough to give you two a sense of privacy, but close enough to be there in case either of you would need him.

You tried catching Jay’s eyes; but he somehow kept avoiding you. You couldn’t figure out if it was intentional or not. So you took his hands, and like if you had woken Aurora from her sleep with a kiss, he snapped back to reality. To you, his eyes finally meeting yours.

He looked so relieved for a second, and then he broke down completely. He hid his face in his hands as his sobs took over his body. You heard Sunghoon behind you shuffling, and caught out of the corner of your eye, him hiding his face in his arms as he too broke down.

You knew it couldn’t be easy on your loves, first love to see him like this. So broken and almost like a shell of himself. You had a feeling that it brought back memories to a smaller Park Jongseong and yet another heartbreak at the hands of his younger brother.

You stoked his back with your hand, trying to soothe him through it, hoping it would take away just a fraction of the pain. But you knew that you in this exact second couldn’t do much for him except being there.

How long the three of you were sitting like that, none of you knew. But slowly his breathing started being more coherent, and as he removed his hands from his face, he made room for you between his legs, pulling you to him, nuzzling his face in the crook of your neck as soon as you were close enough.

“Thank you for coming” he whispered, voice hoarse from crying.

“Always” you said as you buried your hands in his long hair. Pulling lovingly at its roots, earning you a calm hum from the depths of his chest.

You pulled yourself from him, removing the weight of yourself from your poor knees, as you sat down crossed legged between his feet. You rested your face on his thigh as you smiled up at him.

Your smile never really reached your eyes, but it was reassuring. To him you had never been more beautiful than in this exact moment.

“Tell me what happened,” you said quietly.

So he told you about Heesengs confrontation, about his rather harsh words but he also told you that he knew they were justified.

Your heart felt like it was ripping apart in that exact moment. One part belonged to Jay and the other to Jake. As sorry as you felt for the man in front of you, as happy you were for your brother who had the absolute best friend by his side.

Heeseung had Jake's back, which also made it so much easier for you to push both them and their feelings aside, now knowing that he wouldn’t be alone, as you burned down the world around you to make the man you adored smile once more.

“I get that he’s mad at me, and I get that what we did wasn’t ideal. But what’s done is done, and I can't take it back! I wont… I wont give up on you, on us” the tears once again welled up in his eyes. “You should‘ve seen Jake’s face when Heeseung informed him we wouldn’t be joining their night out. He looked so defeated. And I just knew in that second, he would end up giving me a worse look when we tell him”

His voice cracked as he spoke, his breathing once again picking up as the tears finally fell as he blinked. Slowly you brushed his hair out of his eyes.

“It’s not only your fault my love” you said, not even noticing the new pet name that escaped your lips. “I bear half of the responsibility in this situation, so you can’t just put it all on your shoulders alone, let me help carry it. Let me help you”

Your words triggered something within him, making him cry harder as he shook his head.

“You don’t get it,” he said with a raised and desperate tone. “You’re his sister, his blood, he has to forgive you, he needs you. But me? To him I’m a friend, and friends can be replaced. It doesn’t matter how much I view him, any of them, as my brothers, facts are that I lost mine, and trying to replace him with them, won’t matter because my feelings won't be reciprocated. But god! That doesn't mean I can take another loss of one”

You heard a broken sob from Sunghoon who so far had been sitting silently. Jay hadn’t noticed his presence until he made the sound. It made Jay look away from you, finally finding the closest person in his life, broken by the words he had just spoken.

“No, Hoon, I didn’t…” He began, his words sounding like a plea, they were as panicked as his eyes were, but he was quickly cut off as Sunghoon raised his hand to silence him. He stood up and was quickly sitting besides Jay on the couch.

“Don’t you dare ever repeat, that your feelings of brotherhood won’t ever be reciprocated. Don’t you ever repeat it. I’m here, I’ve always been here and you won’t ever lose me. The fact that Heeseung has broken you to this extent with his words, makes me want to rip him apart. You’re not losing me, okay?”

Jay could do nothing but nod at the question as Sunghoon took him into his arms, holding him close as they both cried in each other's arms.

You felt like you had just been lucky enough to watch one the seven wonders of the world. It felt like a privilege to be in the presence of the two of them as they declared their love for one another.

Sunghoon released one of his arms from his brother and pulled you into the hug, earning a laugh from all of you despite the mood being anything but funny.

“Thank you both,” Jay whispered as he kissed your hair, making your heart skip a beat.

His words resulted in all of you squeezing each other a little tighter.

_______

Afterwards the three of you stayed in the living room, opening a bottle of red wine in hopes of lifting the mood a little.

None of you knew when and if Heeseung and Jake would be home, and if you had to be honest, none of you really cared. If you were to be caught in this moment together, then so be it.

“Is there anything you need Jay?” Sunghoon asked, long legs splayed out on the floor as the weight of his upper body rested on his arms.

“If I’m being honest, I don’t really know what I need. I just know that I’m not really prepared to face either of them right now” he said with a smile that held anything but happiness.

Sunghoon nodded, clearly agreeing with his statement.

“Why don’t you come and live with me for a little while then?” You had said it before you had even thought it through, all you knew was that you wanted to help. The boys looked at you with big eyes.

“Who? both of us?” Sunghoon said with a rather large high tone and you responded by nodding.

“How would that work?” Jay asked curiously as he leaned closer to you, eyes suddenly hopeful for the first time that night.

“Well I have a spare room that you could stay in together, or… only if you’re comfortable with it, you could stay with me?” Your voice was so low he practically couldn’t hear what you were saying, but he got the gist of it, and smiled fondly at you before pulling you into his lap, kissing your temple.

“I would love to stay with you darling” he whispered in your ear, as goosebumps erupted on your skin as his breath tickled your neck.

“Yeah no way in hell i’m staying with those two fuckers without you, so I’ll take the guest bedroom” Sunghoon said as he suddenly stood up, stretching his arms and legs before he drowned the last bit of wine in his glass, quickly looking at the empty bottle. “We should bring some of these, this is good stuff”

“Where are you going?” Jay asked as he couldn’t help but laugh at his friends loyalty.

“To pack! I’m not gonna wait for them to come home to inform them of my departure” he yelled as he walked down the hallway that led to his room.

“Thank you darling, for everything you’ve done tonight” he said as he slowly brushed a strand of hair out of your eyes.

“Always” you repeated once again, breath catched in your throat at the fondness his eyes held for you.

His eyes darted back between yours until they finally found their resting place, on your lips. Jay took in a forced breath to calm himself before he put his hand on your neck, slowly pulling you towards him as his thumb caressed your cheek.

“Can I kiss you?” he whispered as his blown pupils searched for an answer in yours.

“Yes” you whispered back.

He gave you his signature half smile before he pulled you even closer and finally met your lips with his.

You felt every hair on your body stand up as he squeezed your neck with his long fingers, forcing you even closer to him as he smiled into your kiss. Your hands held onto the fabric of the t-shirt, clinging on to this reality, hoping that it wasn’t a dream.

He pulled away far earlier than you’d like him to. He rested his forehead against yours as he smiled, laughing a little.

“I’ve wanted to do that for the longest time” he said as he let out a shaky breath.

“You should do it again then” you stated as your arms snaked around his neck, pulling him closer to you.

“Your word is my command” he pushed you off his lab and down into the couch, body suddenly resting on top of yours as he lost himself in the softness of your plush lips.

He slowly opened his mouth, tongue asking for permission to meet yours, and as soon as the two met each other, you both moaned, louder and more desperately than either of you would hope that you would.

“You two better stop sucking each other's faces in public spaces or else I’ll find somewhere else to live” Sunghoon said, chocking you both.

You instantly pulled away from one another, a blush painting both of your cheeks just to find Sunghoon leaned up against the doorframe, arms interlinked with one another as he smirked at your sudden panic.

You rolled your eyes, as both of the boys laughed at your reaction. Jay got up rather quickly, almost earning him a dissatisfied pout from you.

“I’ll go pack” Jay stated before almost running out the room.

Sunghoon stood there for a while, just looking at you with a smile on his lips. He looked content, happy.

“Thank you for coming tonight” He said with a low voice.

“Thank you for inviting me” You said as you returned his smile.

“You two are good together, I’m glad that he found you, despite all of it being a little messy” he said with apologetic eyes. You shrugged.

“He’s worth it,” you answered, as Sunghoon nodded.

And then you heard it, loud laughs from the hallway. Both you and Sunghoons smiles fated in a millisecond as you felt your heartbeat pick up as you heard one of them enter the code for the door.

Jay had finished packing his bag in that exact second and stood with bags in hand as the two other men entered the apartment.

You walked towards Jay instantly to grab onto his face, forcing him to focus his eyes on you, hoping that you, being close to him, wouldn’t make him spiral back when confronted with their presence.

Sunghoon took a step to the side, covering most of you and Jay with his body, hiding the two of your silhouettes behind him. You could nothing but admire his loyalty and love for Jay.

As Jake and Heeseung entered they spotted the bags next to Sunghoon first, and afterwards you, so close to their friend, so panicked, so utterly smitten by him, dispute him looking like a mess. Jay stood by your side, and their smiles instantly disappeared.

“I was right,” Jake said, pain seeping through his words and on full display on both his facial features and in his body language. He looked like someone had removed all happiness from his life and he felt like it too, he felt his heart break because of your very public display of affection. The two of you didn’t even try to hide it from him, and for some reason that hurt him even more.

You saw the tears once again returning to Jay’s eyes, and as one fell you whisked it away with a finger before giving him a peck on his lips.

“I’ll text you the code, you go ahead” you whispered to him.

Jay took his bags that he had dropped on the floor and nodded. His eyes were locked to the ground, afraid of how he’d react if he met the eyes of his just returned brothers.

“You can’t even look at him?” Heeseungs words were cold, almost mocking, and it was all it took for Sunghoon to explode as soon as the door had shut behind Jay.

In the blink of an eye, he took a few long strides and had caught his older brother's shirt, throwing him against the nearest wall, shocking every single one of you.

“Sunghoon what the fuck are you doing?!” Jake yelled at the man, as he in his drunken state tried to pull him off his best friend, but to no avail.

“Do you have any idea what your temper tantrum did to him? Huh?!" Sunghoon yelled, his face so close to Heeseung's, their noses almost touched. Heeseung looked shocked, where as Sunghoon looked like he wanted to set his brother on fire.

“Sunghoon calm down” Heeseung said as he held up his hands in defeat.

“Hoon” you called out to him, hoping that the sudden sound of your voice would be enough to pull him from the rage and to let his brother go. Luckily for Heeseungs pretty face, it was. He pulled away from him, anger still raging through his veins.

“Since when are the two of you the best of friends?” Jake said with a scoff as a tear fell from his eyes.

It seemed like he wanted to continue that trail of thought, but he changed his mind as soon as Sunghoon suddenly focused his attention on him instead of his older brother.

“You need to calm down Hoon” Heeseung then said, which only reminded Sunghoon about what he had done, and then he lost his temper again.

“He had a full on panic attack, he was just as broken as when he lost his brother. Because to him he had just lost two, all because of you and your stupid ass words. God you’re such dick!” Sunghoon yelled, as he paced in front of Heeseung, looking like a lion about to pounce on its prey.

“And I’m so sorry that I sent him back in that headspace Hoon, I would never want that for him. But I just can't stand by as he treats my best friend like that”

You knew what would happen before he had finished his sentence, and before you knew it, Heeseung was once again smashed up against the wall.

“Do you think that I’ll just stand by when you treat mine like he’s no more worth than the dirt on the bottom of your Louboutins?! I have already lost one love of my life, I’m not losing the other because you feel justified in how you speak to him!”

Sunghoon, once again let go of Heeseung, and walked towards you and grabbed his bags from the floor. “Come on Y/N, let’s go home” He laid the pressure on the word home, informing the others that, that was no longer here.

You sighed and walked out the door behind Sunghoon, grabbing one of his bags. Luckily Jake and Heeseung didn’t try to stop either of you for leaving.

The elevator ride to your apartment was a silent one.

“I’m sorry you had to witness that,” Sunghoon said with his head rested against the metal wall.

“Witnessing the love you have for him shouldnt trigger an excuse” you stated as he met your eyes.

Sunghoon smiled. “You know I always feared this, him meeting someone that is… I’ve always been so afraid that whoever he ended up with wouldn’t get me, him, us. But somehow you just do”

His eyes were blank but grateful, and his features were painted with astonishment.

“You’re his brother Sunghoon, his first love. How could I not get that”

It didn’t take him long to swoop you up in his arms, hugging the life out of you, leaving you almost breathless as the doors of the elevator opened.

“Thank you” he said as he once again returned you to the ground, as you took a deep breath.

You pressed the code into your door as you heard a loud bang down the hall. As the doors to the stairwell swung open, Jake came running down the hall, calling your name.

“You go ahead, I don’t think you’re needed in this conversation” you said, eyes never leaving your brother.

Sunghoon nodded and disappeared behind the now closed front door. Quickly accessing the ring camera to the hallway, ready to spy on your conversation with your brother.

“Hoon what the hell are you doing?!” Jay whisper yelled as he ran towards him.

“She saw me kick my brother's ass, I’m just returning the favor!” He whisper yelled back as Jay sent him a judging look. “Oh shut up! Don’t tell me you aren’t curious as to what she might say”

“Fine!” He yelled! “But at least move over, I wanna watch too” it reminded them both of when they were young, spying on their family members, well if they were being honest they mostly spied on Heeseung and his friends.

And the timing was perfect because Jake had just entered into the camera's vision.

“How?” He asked her, voice strained, eyes empty for any kind of emotions.

You gave him a puzzled look. “Are you serious right now?” You answered.

“Just answer the question Y/N!” He said, this time with a raised voice.

“We met in the library after you introduced us. We talked, he reached out on Instagram and then we became friends, but I liked him. I liked him from the day I spilled my coffee on him. And luckily for me, he liked me too” you finished as you shrugged with a little smile displayed on your lips.

“That’s it? That’s all you’re gonna give me? That you like him?” He asked, his voice mocking with a tone that sounded similar to disgust.

“What do you want me to say to justify it? That he inspired me to draw again, inspired me to pick up the one thing I love that I had left behind in Sydney? That when he hugged me at the gala he lit my soul on fire? That when I heard him laugh for the first time I was transported to heaven? That he makes every day spent with him amazing and every bad day better?” Your voice picked up as you stated your reasons, hoping that he would somehow get it.

Sunghoon pushed Jay lovingly behind the door, watching as he smiled at your confessions. She’s amazing.

Jake just shook his head. “I can’t believe you could be this selfish,” he said, voice small as tears streamed down his face.

“Selfish? I tried to stay away, I tried to convince myself that it would be for the better, but why should I be unhappy just so that you could be content?” You yelled out.

“Do you love him?” He asked, the question surprising you a little.

“Of course I do, how could I not Jake?!”

He bit his lips as he ran his hands through his hair and turned around to walk away; but something made him change his mind.

“No, you know what? You are selfish, this has nothing to do with anyone but you. Of course you don’t love him. But you needed a backup in case you failed, because god forbid that Sim Y/N had to live a humble life. Hell that’s why you stayed with dad in Sydney isn’t it? And then you come here when you didn’t get what you wanted from him, and you took a pick of the litter, and what do you know? You picked the one with the biggest empire, how fucking convenient for you!”

His words ripped out your heart, breaking it into a million pieces. Did he really think so little of you?

“You really are your fathers son” you said, voice small as your tears streamed down your blushed cheeks. Your sentence shattered him instantly. What did I just do?

You felt how your knees were about to break beneath you, and just as they gave up, the door flew open and Jay stood there, his arms around you, holding you as you broke down in his arms.

“You need to leave,” he said to Jake, his voice as cold as ice. And it sent shivers down your spine and you thanked the gods that you weren’t at the receiving end of his words.

“Stay out of this Jay, this doesn’t concern you” Jake said angrily, almost spitting his words out.

Jay sent you the sweetest of smiles, as he handed you over to Sunghoon who stood ready to receive his love.

Jay then shut the door after himself and pushed Jake out of the frame of the ring camera, forcing you to be left without any way to overhear their conversation.

“You. Don’t. Talk. To. Her. Like. That.” He punctuated his words and took a stride towards his friend, forcing him down the hall, further away from you.

“Dude fucking chill” Jake said once again in a tone that just didn’t sit well with Jay.

“You have no idea what she’s been through after you decided to leave her behind, none of us do, but you don’t get to throw accusations around about her, about me and definitely not about our relationship” Jay stated your brother down, almost grinding his teeth in anger.

“I get that you're hurt, and I get that you're mad, but you don’t get to attack without any merit because of that. She’s your sister! You’re supposed to love her, protect her, have her back. But I gotta say you’ve failed miserably. She is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, and she holds the key to my heart. So don’t worry, I’ll take her off your hands now, I’ll be her protector from this moment forward” His hands were in fists, and to any outsider it would’ve looked like he was ready to pounce at any minute.

Jake stood completely speechless. He didn't know exactly what he wanted out of his confrontation, he couldn’t remember why he had run after you in the first place but it wasn’t for this, he knew that much. He had somehow managed to alienate three of the most important people in his life in one night. How would they ever recover?

“Jay…” He said, voice suddenly small.

“You don’t talk to me, and you definitely don't talk to her. At least not for a while” he said as he interrupted him, leaving Jake even more desperate to redeem himself.

“I didn’t… I would never…” he tried again.

"Yeah? Well you did, and now we all have to live with it” Jay said as he turned on his heel, once again on his way to you.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” he fell to his knees as he kept repeating the sentence as a prayer.

The elevator doors opened, revealing Heeseung behind it, and as he heard Jake's sobs, he almost threw himself on Jay in pure anger. Jay, being more sober than him, quickly managed to avoid the attack, leaving him to plummet into the wall behind him.

“What the hell did you do to him Jay?!” Heeseung yelled after him.

“Nothing,” he said as he pointed towards him. “He did that to himself”

Jay quickly let himself into your apartment, leaving the two boys to fend for themselves.

“Did you kick his ass?” Sunghoon asked with a smirk as Jay entered the apartment.

Jay shook his head as he smiled. “No, but I told him to stay away” he shook his arms desperate to get the adrenaline to leave his body.

“I put her to bed, she’s just laying there… Your bags are in her room” he said as he laid a hand on Jay's shoulder.

“Thank you Hoonie, for everything you did tonight” Jay said as he pulled him in for a hug.

“Anytime, sleep well okay?”

Sunghoon didn’t wait around for a reply, but instead hurried into your guestroom, glad the day had finally come to an end.

Jay looked nervously at your bedroom door, he didn’t know what state to expect you to be in. But you had been so strong for him, so now it was his turn to be the same for you.

He entered the dark room, turning on the small light that stood on your bedside table. Illuminating your face, and revealing your red eyes to him.

“I’m sorry” you whispered, starting a new round of sobs.

“Shhhhh pretty girl, shhh… It’s okay, you didn’t do anything okay? Let me take care of you” he said with a voice as sweet as honey, all the while he laid beside you on the bed, pulling you close to him, while he was stroking your hair.

“No, but you’re the one who was sad, I should be the one to protect you” you said, looking up at him. He helped you remove your hair from your face as strands of it had decided to cling to your tear stained cheeks.

“I know, but now it’s my turn to protect you okay? Can you let me do that darling?”

You nodded, his words unleashing more tears. The two of you laid there, in eachothers arms until you could see the light starting to shine through the curtains, morning announcing it’s arrival.

It didn’t take long for you to calm down in his arms, the sound of his heartbeat reassuring you that he was indeed there, that he didn’t leave despite your weakened state. As if he could feel the gratitude seeping through you, he kissed the top of your head, and soon he had kissed his way to your lips, down your closed eyelids, your nose and your cheeks.

His kiss was calm, gentle, every single one of them piecing your heart back together. And as he pulled away he tucked you under your duvet, covering your both before he confessed.

“I love you” he whispered.

You could do nothing but smile and kiss him deeply.

“I love you too” you whispered back.

He smiled, his eyes shining like stars. “Does this mean that you’re mine?” he asked as his thumb drew circles on your hip.

“I’ve been yours for a while, my love. But I’m ready to make it official if you are”

He kissed you once more before he pulled the duvet over the two of you. And It didn’t take you long before you drifted into a deep sleep.

________________

₊ ⁺ note: IT'S HERE!! God I cant belive it. I really really hope you loved this chapter, i know i did. please let me know what you think <3 absolutely adore every single one of you who reads my stories.

₊ ⁺ Taglist: @addictedtohobi @deobitifull @blackhairandbangs @eclipse-777 @luvnicho @aerivrs

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dreamwritersworld · 1 year

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What if…? (Sully family x reader)

As you know I made ‘the chore’ and ‘once innocent’ series, which I suggest you read first! This is story however is What if…? Y/n never made it out alive. What would Tuk do? How would Neytiri and Jake feel if they knew their daughter was gone for good?…ENJOY! 💞

My name is y/n, like goddess of the moon! I was 14 years old when I was murdered…..on a day only meant for spotting.

As I watched my father not hesitate to leave me, regardless of loak's words telling him I was hit as well….I could feel my own body start to give up on me too.

I tried so hard to push through, the burning in my heart hurt. The longer I stayed here the more I'm in risk of being hit. As I was getting up, I was hit with a gunshot right through my arm and somewhere else but I couldn’t even tell…I was losing blood quick. It gave me the push to jump on my ikran…..adrenaline was fully taking over. It could only last for so long, I'm not going to see Tuk anymore if I don't make it to Tsahik.

I was so tired, my body felt so heavy, I was losing control of my ikran... tried getting closer to the ground before I took a drop.

My body was numb...I couldn't feel anything below my chest. However I couldn't ignore the fact that an old piece of a broken plane was piercing through my stomach. I began screaming out for help…hoping someone would listen to me for once…no one can hear me.

Coughing out blood.

Last breath coming out.

Burning in my lungs.

Internally bleeding.

“h-Help! Please! N-no..”

I tried shaking away the tiredness but my eyes were getting heavier…

I was bleeding out and I died in a puddle of my own blood.

I know dad was upset at Lo'ak and Neteyam for not following rules but Y/n was nowhere to be found... where was Y/n?

After dad stopped yelling at my brothers I rushed in to ask him about Y/n.

"She's fine Tuk. She'll come soon." He gave me a reassuring smile and pat making me fully satisfied in his words. Maybe y/n was just cooling off ?

Eclipse came in and Y/n still wasn't home. When I had mentioned it to father he only said “She has extra duties tonight. Y/n needs to put her part in Tuk.” I sigh and walked away…something’s wrong.

When I woke up and no one was there…my heart dropped. Where’s Y/n?

I rushed around the village looking for Kiri.

“Kiri! Kiri! Something is wrong! Y/n is gone! She hasn’t returned since the war. Please come with me sister just to check around!”

Kiri looked at her grandmother with slight concern as her grandmother’s eyes showed complete worry.

“I will be back grandmother.”

Kiri left with Tuk and they had been searching for three hours.

“Ok…maybe Y/n just needed some time to herself Tuk?” It was clearly evident that Kiri was growing impatient.

“No! She would never leave without taking me or telling me.”

I turned away thinking of something to do next to find Y/n until I heard her words.

‘I want you to meet a couple of good warriors. Remember my friend Rey’akana? Well the people I’m going to have you meet are warriors he worked with that are just as strong!…if I’m not there for you when something is happening you go to them immediately Tuk.’

“…I know someone who can help, follow me!”

I rushed Kiri to come with me to the group of warriors that were relaxing after returning from war, I started speaking to Rey’akana’s old partner…explaining what was going on.

“…i don’t know but something happened! It’s not like Y/n to leave without me or not tell me. Please help me search for her.”

The group of warriors didn’t protest and followed Tuk’s order.

Kiri was pulled in another direction by Tuk as they searched for Y/n…following Evung (Rey’akana’s old partner)

Tension was high, I still had a sick feeling in my stomach. Maybe i was hungry..? Y/n wasn’t here to make any breakfast …I could sure go for her small lunch meals she makes for late work right now. My mind was stopped when I had spotted something from a far.

“I think I got something! Follow me!”

Both of them followed me as I rushed in turning the corner stopping when I saw a navi…dead from afar. There was so much blood I couldn’t unsee it.

I begin tearing up before Evung puts me to a stop.

“Close your eyes. Both of you.”

However I couldn’t turn away…no amount of training could’ve prepared Evung to not show any emotion staring at the navi. He seemed so torn about it…I couldn’t take enough of this so I pulled onto the hand Kiri was holding to rush to the navi…scared it’d confirm my fears.

“No! No- not Y/n!” Kiri dropped to her knees right next to screaming Tuk. The healer had to watch the young girl scream the most painful cries she’s ever heard. Kiri couldn’t even process it, her sister was laying before her with her entire lower half of her body practically shredded.

With the way Tuk cried…she was taking an angel by her wings and begging for everything. “y/n please no! Stay one more day please….I heard you..call for help I-I heard your S.O.S…I sent out an army to find you, just like you said Y/n. I’m so sorry.”

I looked down to me being covered in my own sisters blood…there was no way to describe the damage done to her body, I bet she was so numb she didn’t even feel how much she truly went through. Just had to sit in pain, like always. She had a gash on her side and arm…bullet wound on her arm, she had old pieces of some plane buried deep into her….her head was bleeding from the inside out, and then there was a gun shot piercing through her…chest.

“I-I’ll keep my promise Y/n! I’ll live, that’s my job now.”

Evung couldn’t believe what he was seeing Y/n was truly raised by Rey’akana. She spoke his words and it broke him even more that Y/n’s story was repeating. He called for the search party to be over and all warriors rushed to where they were told Y/n was , all showing horrific faces when they saw the accident. Some shed tears, and some couldn’t even wrap their head around it.

They pulled her from the pieces that cut deep wounds in her and had a warrior get a cover up, if y/n was going to die like this she at least deserved to have her death private just like Rey’akana’s…

I still had tears in my eyes the whole walk through…In a way Y/n prepared me for her death. Anger was fully taking over, my own father didn’t care about where Y/n was. No one cared to even check. I wanted to bring justice to Y/n, someone or something failed her…she was a strong warrior, this would not happen by coincidence. I asked the warriors to place her body in our home. Y/n never felt at home here but it’s where our memories laid.

Surprisingly everyone was home they were confused when Evung placed Y/n down on the floor paid their respects and left while Kiri was crying. Realization hit mother when she finally stopped looking back and forth and slowly to Y/n taking off her cover up. While dad just went numb seeing Y/n’s destroyed body. My brother just cried and cried beside Kiri. I was so mad, so mad at everyone for failing to realize her absence.

“Bury her, mourn your losses…someone did this and I will not stop until I find out who failed her.” Lo’ak and Neteyam’s eyes go wide as father just looks up with full guilt written all over his face in that spilt second…I knew.

“…what did you do! I know you did something! You killed her didn’t you! Why did you do that?! I needed her!” Father quickly puts his hands up, shaking his head. “Tuk this is not the time-“

“You did it! I know you did! You will not speak at her burial! None of you will! You didn’t even know her.” Neytiri was fully enraged how could Tuk lash out in a moment like this. “Stop it Tuk!”

I was quick to turn to her, hissing. “You will not stop me, I will keep fighting for my sister. None of you even knew she was gone.” Everyone had shock display on their faces…but how could they blame me? I just lost the one person who took care of me…every step of the way. That night I took Y/n’s bed and wrapped clothes, jewelry, hair pieces anything that was her’s in a secured bag, to capture her sweet home scent. I was ready for my speech and I watched how my father turned in bed, guilt was swallowing him.

Jake didn’t cry when Y/n was hurt but now that’s she’s dead it hurt. This time he’s got to know where did Y/n go? She was the daughter he barley got to know but had some strong feeling toward, so strong that he was so frustrated she pulled him in every time he saw her. He wasn’t entirely there…he knew Y/n was hurt but not that badly, he wasn’t able to see with the flames and smoke. He realizes he still shouldn’t have left her. Half of him disappeared with her…he didn’t even know his own daughter, just knew words passing members of the clan would say about you…all good words.

Neytiri mourned her daughter…the daughter that took care of Tuk. Y/n truly was like no other and she was only able to view Y/n from afar. Neytiri’s mother told her about the death Y/n had seen when she was a little girl….even scolded Neytiri for not know where Y/n was or what she was thinking. Neytiri saw how damaged her relationship with her own daughter was, how could she ever go up to Y/n and make it up to her…she just silently watched Y/n from afar, jealous of how certain people knew more about her whereabouts then her own mother. Neytiri did have small memories of young Y/n…y/n never realized how much she saved Neytiri. The little girl brought joy during her younger days when Neytiri was going back to a saddened state about her fathers death. While y/n saved her, Neytiri failed her…she couldn’t stand up for Y/n the way she did for everyone else

… ‘Now you know there was a girl named Y/n Sully. And that she saved me. In every way that a person can be saved….I don’t even have a picture of her. She exists now…only in my memory.’ …

There was something Y/n had that left a mark on everyone…maybe it was the way she expressed her emotions silently, or maybe it was the way she calculated everything…

We had sent Y/n with Eywa. Everyone in the clan mourned her. They knew her as the little joyful girl who ran around teaching and learning. Y/n was so patient she never got frustrated showing people new skills and techniques…she loved sharing things she’s observed. Everyone knew more about Y/n but her own family…everyone in the family except me of course. It was now time to tell everyone stories about Y/n…

“My sister…” I tried to push back tears struggling to talk until the crowd began applauding me, showing signs of comfort.

“Y/n Sully is a strong and gentle soul. She was always thinking about others and always wanted to keep the clan safe. She always kissed me goodnight and good morning…she’d never forget it. I remember one night she left to do extra work around the village but I was in deep sleep, and when I saw her in the morning I was sad and asked her “…no kiss goodnight or good morning’ she only replied with her precious smile and said ‘Sunshine I did kiss you but both times you were asleep and I didn’t want to wake you up!’ … Y/n was working constantly but she always made time to take care of me.

She loved to bead, and she loved putting a smile on everyone’s face. I know that Y/n was very private about our life, but she had a sweet grace about her. Her smile was like a ray of sunshine…. It took up her entire face. Her touch was motherly…” I take a sigh being looking up at the blurry crowd in tears

“Her laugh was infectious, from my understanding everyone in the crowd before me had once been able to hear her pure and genuine laughter…she loved teaching and observing others. Y/n taught me everything. I know that her death wasn’t her fault, I saw how far she got, if she was given enough time she would have made it back home. Y/n knew how to do everything just by watching and observing…that’s how she knew exactly what war felt. Y/n was in war her entire life….Y/n was in tune with her feelings and she wanted the best for me. She always told me how she was excited to finally get promoted to fight along warriors. Y/n was always herself she was a teacher, leader and knew what she wanted.” I wiped my tears watch how the crowds eyes lit up from hearing the stories I had to tell.

“Y/n’s love was beautiful, when she hugged you or said sweet words…you could feel her love, she would pull you in. I miss her sweet kisses, her smart mind, and her beautiful smile and laugh. I miss looking at her beautiful face. She was the most loving sister, and perfect daughter…even if some couldn’t see how perfect she really was.”

I looked up at my parents and turned back, I didn’t care…even if the crowd didn’t notice my wording, my parents for sure did.

“We will not be able to see Y/n finally be a full warrior like she wanted to. She didn’t get the chance to finish teaching me her lessons….I won’t be able to tell her how gorgeous she looks when she finally finds peace, something she was searching for, her whole life. I’ll never get to celebrate her being mated before Eywa, having a final sister dance with her as celebration. Y/n dreamed of having her own family, and she made sure i knew I was considered her first baby. Y/n would have been an amazing mother.”

I begin crying more, telling everyone Y/n’s dream.

“Im so proud of Y/n she made a difference in everyone’s heart. She was so full of life and had so much more to offer this clan. Y/n made it clear to prepare me for anything…it may seem sad but she even prepared me for her death. She had a wise warrior once tell her ‘A guardian who has not prepared their ‘child’ for their own death has failed as a guardian.’ Y/n never failed at anything. I miss you Y/n…all of you. I love you Y/n.” I looked up while everyone had tears in there eyes, I begin parting my ways and dismissed them. Y/n prepared me yes…but I was going to allow myself to mourn fully.

My entire family was defeated. We were under the three of souls…everyone had small old memories of Y/n but I had beautiful memories of every part of Y/n’s life.

*Tuk’s Memory*

I begin tearing up at the idea of seeing Y/n’s sweet face again.

“Y/n!”

There she was turned around surprised and worry showing at the sight of tears that were falling from my eyes.

“Tuk? What happened my love, are you ok sunshine? Who got you upset?”

“I just-I really miss you Y/n…”

Y/n gave me a wide smile with her eyebrows furrowed.

“What do you mean sunshine? I’m fine. I am always here, I’m right with you.”

Her voice was so assuring…so calm.

“I want more time with you Y/n please have Eywa bring you back to me.”

“Tuk, You know I’ll see you again.”

“…what happened that night Y/n? Please tell me”

Y/n face had a horrific expression

“n-no no no you cant ask that y-yet.”

then the lights went out.

!💛!

….are you guys ok? …any thoughts? 💔 there will be a part 2

Tag list: @noodlesfics @eywas-heir @itshype

@zatarias-pandora @yeosxxx @arminsgfloll

@abbersreads @tsireyak @neteyamforlife @aimsro

@elegantkidfansoul @goodiesinthecloset21

@nikotokitaswife @bucky1235 @detectivesparrow @kikosaurscave @octavias-next-meat-bite @midnightliacr @waitingforanotherpart @marybrown23 @ssc7514 @destinylb @simp-erformarvelwomen @eirianna @ambria @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @lv9su @luciddasher @dakotali @manohari @httpjiikook @snowywhiterose @tainted-artist4161 @fanboyluvr @bat1212

#Spotify #jake sully x reader #neteyam x reader #loak x reader #neteyam sully #neytiri sully #sully family x reader #avatar loak #avatar the way of water #sully family x daughter reader #angst

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marvelous-llama · 6 months

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Non K-Pop fics recs

most of the mentioned works is 18+ NSFW, MINORS DNI

tumblr is based on reblogs not likes, so please reblog and comment under works you like. Show love to the authors and appreciate their hard work

<<next chapters

pls don´t hesitate to hmu, if any of mentioned links doesn´t work or you have suggestions for more fics... thank you so much for all the love and comments

Top Gun: Maverick - Bradley Bradshaw

It´s Always Been You by @confused-pyramid

Bradley x fem!reader (wc - 5.7k) friends to lovers, mutual pining - smut, fluff As Iceman's daughter, you and Rooster grew up together, but your friendship transforms when you are assigned to train for a dangerous mission that's never been accomplished before.

Heat by @clints-lucky-arrow

leave me breathless by @callsignhoney

Bradley x fem!reader (wc - 3.8k) coworkers to lovers, mutual pining - smut rooster is wholeheartedly convinced you have no interest in him and you’re just dying to prove him wrong

talk to me, lucky series by @callsignlucky

Bradley x fem!reader best friends > strangers > ? - fluff, angst, hurt/comfort You're Maverick’s kid. You’re also Bradley Bradshaw’s best friend—or at least, you were. What lies between you two now is uncharted territory. part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7

Top Gun: Maverick - Jake Seresin

Fuck You, Hangman by @mothdruid

Jake x fem!reader (wc - 4.7k) enemies to lovers - angst, smut jake had always pissed you off, but today was the final straw. but who knew you had some type of fondness for the resident ass. and even though you never accepted his apology, you might have accepted him.

Do Not Engage by @clints-lucky-arrow

Narcos - Javier Peña

La Parca series by @cowboy-turtle

enemies to lovers trope by @javier-pena

Javier x fem!reader (wc - 1.3k) enemies to lovers, agent!reader - angst, smut, fluff(ish)

Lay It On Me series by @lavendertales

Worth The Wait series by @kteague

Peaky Blinders - Michael Gray

Better Together by @mysticaldeanvoidhorse

Michael x fem!reader (wc - 3.6k) strangers > friends > lovers, mutual pining - angst, fluff, hurt/comfort You grew close to Polly shortly after you lost your parents and she lost her children; she was a mother to you. But Michael comes back into her life and you don’t know how to navigate life with him. He is cold and distant. You still spend time with Polly so you aren’t sure what to do with him there. However, after taking enough of his aloofness, you confront him at the Garrison and discover the truth.

Sehnsucht series by @caelys

Star Wars - Cassian Andor

Man on the Moon by @jadore-andor

Cassian x fem!reader (wc - 2k) enemies to lovers - angst, smut

Rescue Mission by @inlovewithquestionablecharacters

Cassian x fem!reader (wc - 3k) friends to lovers, mutual pining - angst(ish), fluff

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melodygatesauthor · 9 months

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Weekly Update

8/20/2023

Announcements

- A Bit Dodgy is almost finished -

The chapter coming out this week is the second to last chapter for the series. It’s such a bitter sweet thing, ending a series, especially one that I’ve built such a community around. I’ve written 5 novel-length fics over the course of the last year, and A Bit Dodgy will be number 6. On 09/04/2023 it will be my one-year anniversary of writing fanfiction since coming back after not writing for about a decade and l can’t believe it. Holy CRAP. I’ll take the time to reminisce about my numbers and statistics on my one-year mark, don’t you worry lol. There will definitely be a celebration.

That being said, ending a series never gets easier. Even though I write for these characters all the time, Steven, Marc and Jake in this case, I’m still closing the book on this version of them. It’s sad, but I’m also very ready to move on to other stories and other versions of these characters. I also think I’ll write some headcanons and one-shots as I feel the desire to just to take the edge off when I’m missing them. I’ll talk more about this when I finish A Bit Dodgy. <3

- Requests are officially closed -

I’m not sure if I’ll ever be in a position to take requests again or not. My WIP list is a mile long, and right now (summer) is a VERY busy time for both of my jobs. I’m lucky if I get one day off a week. All this to say, it’s not feasible for me to continue taking requests when I can’t even handle the fics I have currently in the works.

I’m not saying I’ll never do requests again, it’s just not realistic right now. There will still be follower celebrations and birthday events and things like that in which I may take limited requests, but as far as the regular ones go, I gotta stop taking them for now. - THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'M MAKING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. PLEASE READ IT.

Fic Updates

Disclaimer - I never know which way the winds of inspiration will blow. Timeframes aren’t a promise/guarantee, they’re a goal.

Fic Updates Legend:

Blue - Update this week

Pink - Update in progress

Red - Backburner Fic (not currently working on. See WIP list for status)

You can find my current WIP list here

Chaptered Fic Updates

A Bit Dodgy - Chapter 17 is coming this week, but I need more time. So it won't come out tomorrow, it will be out Tuesday or Wednesday instead! Thank you for understanding!

Always Yours, Never Mine - Chapter 3 is done! Just need to finish editing! I'll be putting it out Saturday bbs <3

The Fractured Moon - My primary focus this past week has been getting A Bit Dodgy finished, and also working on getting the requests and stuff for my 2k celebration done. I'll be working on part 4 of TFM this week to hopefully post next week!

Mini-series Updates

Feeling You Can’t Fight - Chapter 3 is done! I just need to finish editing and posting hehe.

All on the backburner for now but will get additional chapters soon:

Not a Doctor - Part 2

Worth the Risk - Part 3

AI Character Bot Updates

I currently have the following bots on my list that I’m working on. If you have any suggestions or additions you’d like, please feel free to ask! I won’t make every single one I get asked for but I’ll make some of them as I get time!

DBF Jake and Steven (I already did Marc...did I ever post him? I thought I did but maybe not)

Patient Steven and Marc

Moon Knight Rescue scenario

Miguel AI Assistant Scenario (inspired by @missdictatorme's Halo fic).

Am I missing any? Don't see one on the list that you want to add? Send me an inbox or private message! No promises, but if I like the idea I'll make an AI bot.

Requests

I'm finishing up all the inboxes from my 2k Follower Celebration! I'm almost through those so please bear with me.

There are 2 regular requests I have that will both be released this week! Exciting! - Those are the last 2 I have. Starting next week, the "request" category of my weekly update will be gone!

I think that's all for now! Much love!

Don't forget to follow my other blogs:

@melodymakesart - My art blog

@lockandkeynovel - The blog for my original fiction novel, Lock & Key

@melodyreadsfanfiction - The blog where I reblog works I intend to read, a good place for fanfic readers to follow!

@melodygatesupdates - This is where I'll reblog any chapter updates for my fics and whatnot. This is what I use instead of a tag list!

#moon knight #steven grant #jake lockley #marc spector #melody talks #melody gates weekly updates #melodys weekly updates

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be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie · 11 months

Note

accidentally sent that ask before the nocorro hunger games au even existed, so technically i meant locorro but i would be happy to hear more thoughts about either!! :)

Ah, okay, my bad. Well, let's see what gets my brain wheels squeaking along today. I know I just did locorro IN the Games, but I have just been thinking about how deliciously tragic the little world I spun in that first ask is. I literally adore the idea of Jake and Neytiri meeting in the Games, and of Neytiri bringing Jake back with her to join a loving (albeit broken) family and community, something he has never known. It just... ugh, I love it. So anyways, let me continue that ask.

-I don't have many details on Spider in the Games, because my ass isn't making up a million OC's for him to have to survive against. For me the interest is more in the relationships around him and outside.

-Quaritch showing up for the first time to take him right after he's been selected for the Games is crazy. I think he was a Peacekeeper who had a thing with Spider's mom and as soon as she died he just fucked right off to some other district, leaving Spider with the McCoskers.

-At first, Spider is easily manipulated. He also never really thought he'd be picked for the Games; I can't imagine anyone there does. It's more of a "Bad things don't happen to me, like that would be unreal" like out of body kind of mindset. He's been on the periphery of the Sully's preparation and planning his entire life. He knows how to handle himself, how to keep himself quiet and safe, how to defend himself and how to get himself food. He knows how to kill. But all of these were just background things to learn, serious yeah, but mostly just a way to spend time with his friends more so than him valuing his life enough to try.

-So Quaritch is all "this is a great opportunity, it's bringing us back together." And he love bombs the fuck out of Spider. It only takes him a couple days to snap out of it and realize Quaritch is using him as a political move though.

-Back in the district, none of the kids were aware of Jake and Neytiri's (and Mo'at's) plan to take their kids and escape into the forest if any of the kids got selected, including Spider. It was kept as secret and as need to know as humanly possible. However, it's all painfully obvious now that Spider has been picked and Jake and Neytiri are quickly realizing they literally never planned for that happening.

-It hits the kids that of course, their parents prepared them but would never have actually let them compete. Kiri is furious that they didn't have that same plan in place for Spider. Neteyam is trying to be practical, suggesting it isn't too late and they could break Spider loose and escape still. Tuk is distraught. Lo'ak is, like I said before, fucking catatonic.

-So Jeytiri come to a very serious decision to head to the Capital and meet up with Norm. Neytiri is a victor from Spider's district, and Jake is her husband and also a victor. They are very famous there. They have to do what they have to get to Spider.

-I think they would do all they can to leave the kids behind with Mo'at, but what do you guys think should the kids sneak along anyway? I'm kind of obsessed with the idea of jeytiri moving around the Capital politically making moves and trying to do their best to get to Spider, protect him from the outside, and manuever him to the best places they can to keep him safe but also try to rescue him. I kind of love the idea of him getting out and realizing they've been behind him trying to help him the whole time; that they didn't leave him.

-Like iMAGINE if they sent him a package in the arena at his lowest moment with a message of support that was something he would know instantly was from them. Like I'll end it all.

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autumntouched · 1 year

Text

Talk to Me | Ch. 15

Fic Summary: Phoenix isn’t sure she made the right call in leaving Maverick and Rooster behind on the mission. Rooster, Bob, and Hangman try to cheer her up, in their own, very different ways.

Pairings: Past Natasha “Phoenix” Trace x Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, Natasha “Phoenix” Trace x Jake “Hangman” Seresin

Warnings: Y'all I'm so dumb: I made myself cry writing this. And Amelia Benjamin is Khaleesi

A/N: From AO3 I've been pretty nervous about this chapter, especially after the generous amount of time so many of you put into sharing such thoughtful comments about the relationships in the story. I have loved reading every single one of those over and over (no matter how long they were--I love essay comments!) as I worked through this chapter. If there's a theme song for this chapter, it's Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." Thank you so much for all of your encouraging words and kudos. This is the end of the story, although there will be an intermediate chapter and an epilogue to come (hopefully sooner rather than later.)

“Hey, Phoenix, looks like we’ve got another bet for you to settle!” Hangman calls into the kitchen from Penny’s backyard. They’re supposed to be setting up for Rooster’s surprise birthday party. But while Bob and Fanboy work together to decorate the gazebo with balloons, streamers, and a birthday banner that Bob and Amelia made, Hangman and Payback have been arguing over who’s in charge of the grill.

Natasha doesn’t bother to look up from the vegetables she’s slicing for kabobs. “I’m not settling any more bets, Bagman. Bob, you handle it. He still has to listen to you.”

“You could toss a coin?” her backseater suggests, to which both Hangman and Payback scoff.

“Rock, paper, scissors,” Fanboy suggests. “Best of three?”

She rolls her eyes and pushes the vegetables over to Amelia to skewer. But the teenager is so engrossed in what’s happening by the grill that she nearly stabs her finger. “Believe me, they’re not worth the headache,” Natasha stage whispers with a conspiratorial smile.

Amelia’s cheeks go bright pink, and she’s suddenly very busy with the kabobs. Penny chuckles across the kitchen where she’s assembling the strawberry shortcake, Rooster’s favorite. “Too bad that doesn’t stop their charm from working its magic every now and then, does it?” she says a little too knowingly, and it’s Natasha’s turn to blush.

Fortunately, Amelia doesn’t notice. She’s busy fixing Penny with a stern look. “Okay, Mom, please stop. That’s not how I want to think about Maverick.”

Penny is unfazed. “We’re all big girls here, honey.”

“Big girls who sneak men out their bedroom window?” Amelia asks innocently, popping the onions onto a stick.

Natasha pauses chopping to look over at Penny who stares at her daughter red-faced and open mouthed. Fortunately, the guys are too busy throwing rock, paper, scissors like a Power Rangers stand off to notice what’s going on in the kitchen. Theo barks and runs in between them, wanting to join the game. Maverick won’t be giving her a hard time about Hangman after this revelation, and she makes a note never to mess with Amelia.

Penny recovers with a roll of her shoulders and points her spatula at her daughter. “I told you that you got one time to bring that up!” she scolds playfully. “That’s three times now.”

“Like I said,” Natasha says, rescuing all of them, “they’re not worth the headache. I mean, look at them.” Somehow the rock, paper, scissors game has devolved into Payback and Hangman pretending to kick one another. Payback’s much longer legs are giving him the advantage so Hangman resorts to trying to sic Theo on him. The dog trots happy circles around them, oblivious to Hangman’s commands to “Get him, boy! Take him down!”

Penny laughs. “Maybe not.”

Having lost the deciding showdown to Payback, Hangman comes stomping into the kitchen. “Penny, m’dear, where’s the meat? At least I can make sure it tastes good even if it’s not cooked right.”

Penny waves to the refrigerator. “Help yourself, Seresin.”

But instead of going for the food, Hangman darts toward Natasha and Amelia. Amelia squeaks and jumps away. Natasha manages to drop the knife a moment before his fingers close above her hips and start to tickle her. The air gets sucked right out of her lungs because he tickles so hard it’s almost painful. Shrieking, she tries to twist free but he has her trapped against the counter so she ends up with her face in his chest. And she can’t help but notice how warm and sturdy it is when she’s pressed to him even when he’s the one she’s trying to escape. “No,” is all she manages to wail while attempting to elbow him off of her and protect her sides.

“You’re in my spot,” he says impishly.

“Then ask me to move!” she wheezes when he finally lets up. She bats at his arm away, but her breathless giggles diminish some of her bite. “I could’ve stabbed you, dickhead!”

He steps out of her swatting reach, a taunting grin crinkling his eyes. “No you couldn’t. I’m too fast for that.”

“Okay, Mr. Flash,” she shakes her head but slides over to give him room to set up beside her.

She thought things might be awkward between them after this morning, well and last night, but Hangman seems to be doing his best to keep up their easy banter. Although there’s more of a flirtatious than antagonistic edge to it now. Then again, with him it can be hard to distinguish between the two.

Hangman asks his way around Penny’s kitchen, gathering what he needs, before his station is set up next to hers. Natasha can’t help peeking over while he works. He’s as confident in the kitchen as he is in the air, everything done with casual precision. All of the seasoning and worcestershire sauce go into his marinade without measurement.

Since their conversation, he looks more relaxed than she can ever remember seeing him. There’s no hint of the tightly wound energy that usually crackles beneath the surface of his carefully projected nonchalance. Telling her about the day his sister died and that it's been on his mind was as much as he wanted to share for now, but that alone seems to have lifted a significant weight off his shoulders. She promised she would be there to listen if and when he’s ready to tell her more.

She’s not the only one with whom things have shifted. Whatever remaining tension there may have been between him and Rooster seems to have evaporated and some understanding reached. So maybe something good came of last night. Obviously, besides the sex. Natasha’s already had to sneak away twice today so her fingers can take some of the edge off of her remembering the things his mouth did to her. No matter how much she wants a second round, she’s not ready to give him the satisfaction of asking for it. That might be easier thought than done though with the way the golden glow of the afternoon light falls across his profile and his arms as he works the meat, lip tucked between his teeth with focus.

After he catches her looking over twice, Hangman waggles his eyebrows and deliberately flexes his bicep. “You know you don’t have to be shy about watching, if you like what you see.”

Natasha nearly slices her finger with a soft, “Shit!”

Hangman looks far too pleased with himself until Penny knocks him over the head. He ducks in surprise. “Ow!”

“You’ll be eating my burgers, Seresin, if you keep causing problems in my kitchen,” she warns. “Leave the girls alone or I’m not above enforcing my bar rules here.”

Unable to salute with his hands covered in raw hamburger, he stands at attention. “Yes, ma’am!”

Penny washes her hands and goes back to the cake. It looks delicious, the sliced strawberries arranged in vibrant red patterns over layers of spongy cake and whipped cream.

Her intervention gives Natasha enough time to recover. “Someone has to make sure you don’t poison us,” she points out.

“Then why am I cooking and you’re slicing?” he winks.

“Because we trust you even less with a knife.” He watches her spin the knife in her hand, a trick her older brother Luca spent a summer teaching her and which had added no fewer than a dozen gray strands to her mother’s hair. His Adam’s apple bobs, and Natasha quirks her mouth seductively. Let Hangman wonder exactly what her hands are capable of now. She strokes her thumb along the handle for good measure.

Distracted by the heat that flares up in his gaze, she doesn’t immediately notice Amelia scrutinizing them until a soft snort redirects their attention. The teen drums her glitter painted fingernails on the counter sending a sudden creep of dread down Natasha’s back. Amusement arches Amelia’s full brows and purses her mouth. “I thought you said they weren’t worth the headache?” she reminds Natasha.

“Who’s a headache!” protests Hangman, leaning around her to give Amelia a look that says she can’t possibly be talking about him.

“You,” Natasha mutters under her breath. She grabs another green pepper and jams the knife into the top. How does Penny live like this! “And they aren’t! Clearly.”

“Well, if you two keep flirting like this, dinner’s not going to be ready by the time Mav and Bradley get here,” Amelia warns cheekily. The girl’s a demon in a tiny, adorable, blonde package.

“Hey!” Penny calls warningly.

Natasha glances outside because it’s too quiet. Payback is checking the propane on the grill, but Fanboy and Bob have stopped talking and are watching the kitchen window with rapt interest. They balance their beers on their thighs like they’re watching a football game instead of Amelia putting everyone on blast. As soon as they see her looking, the two of them start and lean toward one another so fast they nearly bump heads. Apparently no one around here has ever learned the word ‘subtle.’

“Do you even know what flirting is, kiddo?” Hangman deflects breezily. He’s returned to shaping the patties and seems to be enjoying the fun Amelia is having at all of their expense.

She frowns reproachfully, like he’s dared to insult her intelligence. “First, I’m fifteen! And second, I basically live with a pair of horny teenagers so yeah, pretty much. Unfortunately.”

Natasha tries to bury her laugh as a cough in her shoulder.

“Okay, young lady!” Penny reprimands finally, straightening up from icing the cake with a frown. “I think it’s time to find something else to talk about.”

Realizing she may have gone too far, Amelia bites her lip contritely. “It’s just kind of obvious,” she mutters.

She’s right about that, if she’s talking about Natasha and Hangman. As fun and harmless as it is while they set up though, Natasha would rather not make Rooster watch Hangman flirt with her through his own birthday party. Last night it might have been good for him to see that she isn’t holding onto what they had, but she doesn’t need to rub it in his face. They settle on the much safer subject of Thanksgiving plans. Although Hangman manages to turn even that into an opportunity to tease her about showing up to her family’s dinner because her mother had to extend an open invite to everyone to visit when she was on the phone with them.

When Hangman finishes wrapping up the marinating hamburger patties and leaves them in the refrigerator, he asks Penny to point him to the bathroom. Giving him a little bit of a head start, Natasha sets down the kabob she’s stacking and follows. Amelia’s eyes track her across the room, then jump to her mom. Penny raises her eyebrows and bites her lip like she’s holding herself back from saying something.

“I promise you, it’s not half as exciting as whatever went through your heads right then,” Natasha says over her shoulder on her way into the living room. A pair of stifled giggles follows her out.

The bathroom is off a short hallway that ends at Amelia’s bedroom. Through the slightly ajar door, she can see a plush white rug with purple trim and the post of a canopy bed. She leans against the wall, taking in the ocean view from the window while she waits for Hangman to finish. This is about as much privacy as they’re going to get.

He stops in the doorway when he sees her. Being alone with him for the first time since that morning unexpectedly throws her off balance. With no one else around, the current coursing between them buzzes along her nerves. He props a hand on the door frame and lets his eyes drop to her mouth then linger on the sweetheart neckline of her shirt. He shifts his hips, as if suddenly needing more space in his jeans, and leans in. “If I’d known you were bold enough–.”

“Not what I’m here to talk about,” she cuts him off, folding her arms across her chest and fighting with everything she has to keep her own eyes on his face so that this conversation doesn’t devolve into what he was about to suggest. Because the eager clench between her legs would very much like for it to go there. “You need to stop flirting with me,” she says firmly.

He works his jaw, debating how easy or hard he wants to make this for her. “As far as I can tell, it’s been a two way street, sweetheart.”

It’s not worth denying. “And it was fun. Now it stops.”

“Want to let me in on the sudden change of heart?” He pushes a toothpick out of its plastic and pops it between his teeth. Does he buy boxes of them to have such a steady supply?

“It’s not professional.” That’s close enough to a truth and something they should be more concerned about. “You saw what happened in the kitchen, and Maverick’s noticed. He said something about it last night.”

He flips the toothpick and furrows his brow. “That’s all that’s bothering you about it?”

Natasha scowls at him. She knows what Rooster sized button he’s trying to push, and she’s not going to let him go anywhere near it. “ All , Hangman? It’s my career . These things don’t play out for me the same way they do for you.”

Hangman rolls the toothpick to the corner of his mouth. “You know Maverick wouldn’t do that to his favorite child, and your friends definitely wouldn’t.”

She frowns at him even though there’s no animosity in his words. “Probably not. But give it a rest, okay?”

“Are you going to give checking me out a rest too?”

Her face gets hot because he’s not wrong. She’s found every excuse to look at him this whole afternoon. “I’ll stop if you do,” she agrees, unable to look him in the eye.

“Doesn’t sound like you want to though.”

He’s really trying her. “I can keep my eyes to myself for another twenty four hours, and then we don’t even have to worry about it again, right?” Natasha moves her hands to her hips to steady herself. When she looks back at him, there’s a strange, stung expression on his face and suddenly she feels like she said something wrong. He can’t have expected this to go beyond their leave, can he?

“Sure, Phoenix,” he says with a touch of sarcasm, pushing himself off the wall and brushing past her.

They’re supposed to be just friends! Or almost friends and sure, friends who have fucked but that’s never been a disqualifier for her. She runs a hand through her hair. This isn’t exactly the conversation she was expecting to have with him. Well, really none of the conversations they’ve had are ones she expected to have. That keeps throwing her for a loop.

Amelia pops around the corner and nearly collides with Hangman. They both jump back. Startled then sheepish, she blurts out, “I was grabbing a sweater!” Natasha would believe her if she hadn’t grown up with Gabby sneaking behind her every time she had a guy over. And because Amelia is already wearing a hoodie over her flannel shirt. But Natasha will let the teen work that one out for herself.

Instead, she elbows Hangman in the ribs on her way back to the kitchen. “See!”

“Ow! Geez, Rooster was right about you.” First Maverick, now Hangman mentioning something Rooster told them about her. Have Rooster and Amelia teamed up to broadcast her personal life to everyone? She tosses him a smirk over her shoulder instead of confirming or denying whatever her friend might have said.

Behind her, she hears him tell Amelia, “If you keep being so nosy, kiddo, I’m going to start asking you about the boys at school.”

“Who says I like boys?”

“You really need to find some younger adults in your life because that’s not the shutdown you think it is. I’ll take your phone and ask you about everyone who texts you.”

“Is Hangman threatening my daughter?” Penny asks when Natasha returns.

“What would you do if I said yes?”

“I’d say it’s about time.” They laugh, and Natasha finishes off the last of the kabobs. When Hangman comes back, he passes her without a word on his way outside. Maybe she shouldn’t have shut him down so hard or assumed that their intentions were on the same page. Did he want something more to happen? And why hadn't he said it anything about it earlier? She can no longer read him the way she once thought she could.

At Penny’s five minute warning, they clear the house and scramble to their places in the backyard. Amelia and Penny stay out in the open, playing with Theo, while the Dagger Squad hides in the gazebo. The Bronco turns off out front, and Maverick and Rooster’s voices move toward the front porch. Between the balloons and streamers, they won’t have much time to surprise Rooster before he figures out what’s going on. Payback opens his camera and starts recording Fanboy trying to stifle his laughter. Hangman crouches, fingers braced on the ground, in front of him. Bob and Natasha are crammed behind them, Bob’s hands resting on her shoulders while he peers around her for the first hint of Bradshaw.

“So do we count down or jump on the crunch?” Hangman whispers loudly.

“Crunch of what?” asks Payback, standing the farthest back.

“Gravel, buddy. The gravel,” Fanboy supplies. “On three after we hear the door open.”

They should have coordinated this part better because Maverick’s voice comes through the kitchen. “Penny! Amelia?”

“Hangman, you count,” Fanboy decides, tapping his shoulder. “You have the best view.”

Hangman shifts slightly and catches Theo’s attention. The dog bolts for them. “Wait, no! We better just go!”

“Surprise!” they shout, stumbling over one another and Theo to spill out from their hiding spot. “Happy Birthday!”

Rooster blinks at them stupidly from the kitchen doorway, mouth slightly askew. Clearly, he was not expecting to see them so at least they pulled off that part of the surprise. Amelia runs up to him and drags him into the yard. “It’s a surprise birthday party!”

“A what–,” he asks, tucking his aviators into his undershirt.

Maverick claps him on the shoulder and joins Amelia in steering Rooster toward the gazebo. “Penny and the team pulled together a little party for you, Bradley.”

Bradshaw takes them in, takes in the “Happy Birthday, Party Fowl” banner Amelia and Bob made, and the decorations wrapped around the gazebo’s post. A smile spreads beneath his mustache, and he props his hands on his hips. “No shit! I thought you all ditched me!”

Natasha slips under his arm. “We thought about it,” she teases. “But decided we like you enough.” He squeezes her to his side. Hangman’s gaze darts away from them, back to Theo braced on his thighs for an ear scratch.

She lets Rooster go when Amelia drags him closer to the banner so he can appreciate her artwork. Now that he and Maverick are there, Payback turns the grill up all the way and graciously accepts Hangman as his sous chef. The rest of them play a rowdy game of cornhole until dinner is ready. After Fanboy and Amelia are eliminated in the first round, Bob and Natasha manage to eke out a victory over Maverick and Penny.

As Hangman promised, his burgers are delicious. Thick and so juicy they all have to lurch over their plates to avoid staining their clothes. He looks incredibly pleased with himself at all the compliments and promises to share his recipe with Maverick. The sun is setting when Penny brings out the cake lit with sparkling candles. Natasha sits on the side of Bob’s chair, his arm draped around her waist to help keep her balance, as they sing happy birthday to Rooster.

His eyes widen when Penny sets the strawberry shortcake down in front of him and rests a hand on his shoulder. With a huge grin rounding out his cheeks, he looks boyish in the flickering cast of the flames. How long has it been since Bradshaw had a birthday party with friends? Or maybe it’s a reflection of Maverick who’s sitting next to him with unabashed tears dripping off his nose, eighteen years after the last time he got to celebrate with his surrogate son. Amelia discreetly passes him a napkin. Rooster blows out the candles in a single breath while they clap and holler loudly.

Hangman and Fanboy call dibs on their pieces as Penny cuts and serves the cake. “Did you make this?” Rooster asks, passing slices down the table before he has his own.

“Yep, she did!” Amelia says proudly. “So you better tell her how good it is.”

“I second that,” orders Maverick. Penny tuts at the two of them and waves them off with the knife.

“I guess Mav told you this is my favorite?” Bradshaw says shyly. Maverick chokes up again and reaches out to clasp his shoulder.

“He sure did,” Penny says, placing a plate of cake in Natasha’s hands.

Rooster has no problem telling her how delicious it is when he gets his slice, and he’s right. It’s light and not too sweet. Natasha ends up splitting seconds with Bob. Before Penny has to head out to The Hard Deck for the night, Rooster opens the beautifully wrapped present from her and Amelia. It’s a portable cold brew maker. “Since you won’t stop complaining about the coffee on the ship,” Amelia says brightly. He thanks them with hugs.

Payback brings over the squad’s group gift. “Phoenix picked it out so if you hate it blame her,” Hangman announces. At least he’s talking to her. Or at least about her. She chucks her balled up napkin at his face. He ducks and bats it toward Fanboy. Fanboy catches it and tosses it into the trash bag Penny set up. “Bob, tell Hangman to grow up,” he begs.

Bob leans around Natasha. “Grow up, Bagman. And be nice to Phoenix.”

“Tell her to be nice to me! She started it,” Hangman grumbles, slumping back in his chair.

“Yeah,” she says evilly. “But I don’t have to do what Bob says.”

Maverick looks around as if he’s found himself at a table of kindergartners. “What just happened?”

Rooster takes the oversized gift from Payback and sets it in his lap. “Hangman lost a bet to Bob so he has to do whatever Bob says.”

Maverick looks at Bob with new appreciation. “What bet did he win?”

Rooster’s ripping his gift open because, unlike the Benjamins’ gift, Fanboy wrapped theirs with tape and paper in every direction. “He’s a better hair braider.”

Bob blushes, and Natasha ruffles her WSO’s hair. Payback shows Maverick, Penny, and Amelia her braids. “Whoa!” Amelia exclaims, taking the phone and expanding the pictures. “You should post this on TikTok.”

“It’s so pretty, Bob,” Penny compliments.

“Yes! Thanks guys!” Bradshaw shouts, drawing their attention back to him. He holds up the indoor putting green. Natasha smirks at Hangman. She knows her friend, even if he can’t be bothered to tell her he’s stateside.

“What are you going to do with that on a boat?” Hangman demands. “Are you even allowed to have that?”

“Probably not,” Rooster shrugs. “But my commanding officer told me I suck and need to work on my game so he probably won��t mind.”

“If I’d known I’d have shown you some pointers this week,” Payback says. “Hit me up when you’re back here.”

Maverick looks over with interest. “Mind if I take you up on that? Penny kicks my ass.”

Penny grins when everyone turns to her perched on the arm of his chair. “Go ahead and get all the practice you can, Pete. Because I’m going to keep kicking it.”

“She was semi pro,” Amelia clarifies proudly on her mother’s behalf.

Payback whistles. “I’m not going to top that, sir.”

Penny pulls out her phone and hands it down the table to him. “We’ll have to see what you got, Reuben. Give me your number, and we can set up a tee time. One of these days, I can pop up to Lemoore. Make sure some of you are still behaving yourselves.” Hangman looks pointedly at Bob who cranks his middle finger up.

While Payback puts his number in Penny’s phone, Maverick nudges his gift across the ground to Rooster who’s still admiring his putting green. “Last one’s from me. Hurry up because Penny has to go soon.”

The table erupts when Rooster peels off the wrapping. “No way!” shouts Hangman. Fanboy jumps up and runs to Bradshaw’s side.

“Oh my god, that’s so old!” Amelia laughs.

All the guys squawk. “No, it’s a classic,” Rooster says disdainfully. He holds up the Nintendo NES that Maverick got him. “I didn’t know they still made these!”

“Like I said, old,” Amelia rolls her eyes.

Maverick grins brightly, clearly happy that Rooster appreciates the present. “I thought next time you’re here we could play like old times, bud.”

“Yes! It’s on like Donkey Kong!”

“Do you think we can hook this up at the BOQ?” asks Fanboy.

“If you want to try it tonight, I can swing by and get it before you leave tomorrow,” Maverick offers.

Bradshaw looks at him. “I mean, I feel like you should get the first game though? For old times?” Maverick stands and pulls him into a one armed hug. After all they’ve been through, it’s good to see the two of them finding their way back to the relationship they once had.

“You should come by,” Fanboy offers, determined to find a way to get his hands on the game system. Natasha kicks him playfully to get him to leave it alone.

“Or you all can set it up here,” offers Penny, standing up and brushing off the back of her pants. “I have to head out, but I don’t mind you sticking around. Have fun. And try not to destroy my house.” They promise not to as she says her round of goodbyes. She hugs each of them, giving Hangman a final stern warning to behave himself, reminding Payback to text her about golf, and congratulating Bob on beating Hangman at a bet. Maverick puts a hand on her back as he walks her out.

“So when do we start placing bets on when they get married?” Fanboy asks as soon as they’re out of sight.

“I want in,” Amelia demands.

“Uh-uh, kiddo. You have insider information,” Hangman protests.

She raises an eyebrow. “Scared of having to pay up to a teenager?”

Hangman pats the top of her head, drawing a scowl from her. “It’s an unfair advantage.”

Amelia tosses her chin at Rooster. “What about him? Is he out too?”

“Why are you dragging me into this?” he complains. “Also isn’t it illegal for you to gamble?”

“Please call 911 and tell them you know a minor who’s placing a bet on when her mom is getting married,” Amelia offers. “I’d looove to know how that call goes.”

When will these grown men learn to stop setting themselves up to tangle with Amelia Benjamin? Natasha leaves them to her while she starts clearing the table and trash. They get the Nintendo hooked up to Penny’s television, and it’s late by the time everyone’s had their turn at the game. Maverick walks them to the porch while Amelia watches from the doorway.

“Try not to have too much fun without me,” he teases.

“Are you kidding,” sighs Hangman, hands in pockets. “Everything’s going to feel slow after this.”

He’s right. No one has pushed them the way Maverick has in a long time. She hasn’t had to push herself the way she did to make the mission in a long time.

“We can still text you though, right?” Fanboy asks. “About Navy stuff,” he adds hurriedly, when Maverick gives him a subdued look of terror.

“Sure,” Maverick agrees cautiously. “About Navy stuff.”

All of them stand there, hovering in the final moments of their time together. The weight of everything they’ve been through and what they’ve come to mean to one another adds a note of solemnity to their parting. When they walk down the steps of the porch all of that will be behind them as they scatter across the world, their lives stretching in different directions until the next time that they cross paths. No one wants to be the first to let go.

Bob looks around at each of them then sticks out his hand to Maverick. “Well, fair winds and following seas, sir.” Maverick reaches for it then pulls Bob into a hard hug. One by one they say their goodbyes to him and then Amelia before heading to Payback’s car. Only Natasha doesn’t have to lean down when he hugs her.

“Remember everything I said, okay?” he says softly, clapping her shoulder when he steps back. She nods, not trusting herself to speak yet. It’s just her and Rooster left in the soft light of the porch. A slow, mischievous smile spreads across his face deepening the crows feet around his eyes. “And you’re allowed to text me about whatever’s on your mind.”

She tries to hide a smile. “Amelia told me about you jumping out of women’s windows lately.”

That surprises him for a moment, and Amelia hides in the lapels of her flannel when he squints over at her. But he only shakes his head and says, “Just one woman’s these days. Think I’m going to keep it that way.”

“Well, don’t break a leg. The Navy needs you, Maverick,” she laughs.

“Needs me ? Then what did I train you all for?” he jokes. “See you, Phoenix. Take care and keep looking out for Bob.”

“Stay out of trouble,” she waves, stepping down to the walkway. “You too, Amelia. See you!”

Rooster follows her down the stairs. “See you tomorrow, Mav.”

“I’ll let you know when I’m on the way over,” he promises.

“Bye Rooster! Bye, Phoenix!” Amelia calls. “Oh! And tell me what happens with Hangman please? I think he–.”

“All right,” Maverick says loudly, “get in here, munchkin, and mind your own business!” The door closes firmly behind them.

Natasha stumbles, and Rooster almost bumps into her. She turns and looks up into his face, but his bulk blocks the porch’s light and it’s hard to decipher his expression in the darkness. It wasn’t like she and Hangman gave any indication that they were trying to hide something, but Natasha wishes Amelia had left that last part for a text. Why else had she insisted on following her on Instagram?

“What’s happening with Hangman?” Rooster nudges her forward.

“Nothing's happening with him,” she huffs, pivoting and continuing to the truck. He stashes his gifts in the back while she climbs into the passenger seat.

“Was the sex that bad?”

Natasha wrenches around. “What!”

“Well, I’d assume that if it was good and you had another night…”

“Do you really want to talk about that ?” she demands, watching him round the front of the Bronco. She hugs herself against the pending rush of cold air, and Rooster turns up the heat for her after starting the car.

“Then what did Amelia mean by what’s happening with Hangman?” he asks, checking over his shoulder and making a u-turn at the end of the block.

“She’s fifteen, Bradshaw! She thinks that people flirt because they like someone.” Part of her wishes she’d squeezed into Payback’s car instead. But as much as she doesn’t want to talk about last night with him and wishes the conversation hadn’t started with her and Hangman, she knows they have to put everything out in the open before they go their separate ways. She doesn’t want ignoring it to corrode their friendship or for resentment to build up and spillover in an email while he’s on the boat.

“Didn’t he go to your room this morning?”

“That was for an apology, not sex.”

“Those aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.” Rooster would know. They’d combined the two plenty of times.

Natasha props her chin on her fist, trying to figure out how to steer the conversation away from what she and Hangman did or didn’t do. With Bradshaw, it’s probably best to be as direct as possible. “So, you’re not upset about the whole Hangman thing?” she says.

He’s quiet, running a finger over his mustache. The wind tosses the waves of his hair, black in the dark and gold in the wash of street lights, while it beats at his open Hawaiian print shirt. “Is there something I should be upset about?”

She picks at a hangnail. “I don’t know, Bradshaw. You said everything was fine after the last time we talked then didn’t bother to tell me you were stateside.”

His mouth grimaces ruefully. “You’re right. I should’ve said something.”

“Why didn’t you?”

He leans back into his headrest and tugs his ear while he thinks. She’s glad he doesn’t blurt something out but worries about what he’s considering. His expression is hard to read. “Can I be honest?” he asks finally.

Natasha snorts. “I’m getting a lot of that lately. Go ahead. Let me have it.”

Rooster flexes his grip on the steering wheel and glances over at her. She does her best to keep her face open so that he knows he can trust her to listen. “Sometimes I don’t know how to talk to you anymore, Sash.”

Her stomach plunges like she’s gone into a high speed downward pitch, but she tries to keep her expression neutral. “Why not?”

“Promise you won’t freak out?” he checks. Natasha’s heart is practically in her throat and the heat evaporates right out of her blood, but she nods like he asked her whether she wants something to eat. “I’m going to need a verbal confirmation on that.”

“Yeah,” she practically hiccups, high and breathless. She forces her trembling hands under her thighs. “I won’t.”

He looks skeptical, but they’ve been friends long enough that he trusts her to hold it together if she starts to lose it. She’s trying not to lose it before he says anything. “I know I’m probably crazy for this but sometimes it feels like there’s still something there. With us. And if I say the wrong thing or too much, it’s going to break whatever we have left. So I’d rather not talk to you than lose you as a friend.”

Natasha feels everything she ate jolt in her stomach. “Pull over!” she begs.

Rooster swerves to a stop at the side of the road, and she flings herself out of the Bronco. Her stomach clenches as she braces her hands on her knees in the patch of grass along the sidewalk.

“Shit, Phoenix! Are you okay?” He scrambles out of the car while she grinds her teeth against the urge to heave. Natasha closes her eyes and inhales deeply through her nose, not trusting her stomach enough to open her mouth yet. Rooster rests a large, soothing hand on her clammy back and gently gathers her hair out of her face.

“Fuck,” she hisses, squeezing her eyes and fighting through the nausea.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs. He’s seen her puke plenty of times over the years, even been puked on, but she’s not supposed to be freaking out right now. And this is definitely freaking out. Rooster rubs her back until her stomach settles enough for her to straighten up. He doesn’t wait to make sure she’s in the clear before he tucks her against his chest. “All good?” he asks, the thumb holding her hair stroking the back of her neck.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice is muffled in his shirt and broad chest.

“Nah, I’m sorry, Sash. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it.” He gives her hair a light tug so she’ll look up at him. “I’m serious. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.” His hazel gaze is intense and earnest before he runs a weary hand over his face. “Jesus.”

She pushes herself away from him and climbs into the passenger seat of the Bronco, letting her legs hang out the side. Rooster looks like he wants to pull her back to him but then lets his arms fall. He wedges his hands into his pockets.

Natasha rests her forehead on her fingers, staring down at his boots and the drab gray of the cement curb. The sound of his breathing encompasses them while he lets her get her bearings. What she wants to say–it could end their friendship. She wouldn’t blame him if it did. But it could possibly lead them to a better place and a better understanding. Is it worth the risk?

Running a hand through her hair, she sits up to face him. It’s probably time to lay her hand out on the table. Because her gut tells her that a part of him means what he said even if he refuses to believe it. Nervously, she rubs her sweating hands along her jeans. “I need to think for a minute. Can we talk back on base?”

“Yeah. You going to be okay though?” He steps closer now and braces one arm on the truck and the other on the door to search her face.

“I’ll be okay,” she promises.

Rooster straightens and rubs her shoulder. “Just let me know if you need me to pull over again.” He waits for her to swing her legs into the truck then closes the door for her.

They return to the cluster of picnic tables where they passed the bottle of tequila the night before. Natasha climbs up to sit on the table with her feet on the bench. Rooster settles in beside her, leaning behind her slightly to lend her his warmth.

“Feel better?” he asks.

Natasha folds her arms across her knees. “I don’t know yet.”

“Talk to me?” Rooster offers.

Tears prick at her eyes, and she takes a deep breath around the knot in her throat. “I don’t know if I’m ready to say goodbye just yet.”

“That can wait for tomorrow,” he promises quietly. When she doesn't respond right away, he hesitantly reaches up and tucks her hair behind her ear so he can see her face. Natasha clenches her jaw against crying. “We can just enjoy tonight.”

She looks down at her lap. Her voice wavers barely above a whisper. “You’re not crazy, Bradshaw. I feel it too.”

Rooster leans around her so his face is close to hers, but she can’t meet his eyes. She can smell the altoid on his breath, the lingering sweetness of the strawberries from the slice of cake he ate right before they left. “This morning?”

“Yeah,” she breathes, tightening her arms around her knees. It would be wrong to lie to him, even if it will only make the next part more devastating. “Maybe there will always be something. We couldn’t have done what we did without it. And I do love you. I will always love you. More than anything I want us to look back on this together when we’re old and be grateful for everything we’ve meant to each other.

He tenses, sensing there’s another shoe about to drop. Natasha forces herself to look up into his hopeful face, his vulnerable eyes and takes his hand. “But I know that I don’t love you in the way that you need and not in the way that I need. And that’s what’s so unfair about it. Knowing that love isn’t going to be enough to make that kind of relationship work for us, no matter how much of it we have for one another. It doesn’t work to have what you want without having what you need. And I know you want me to try, but why hurt us both and lose the years you could be with someone who can give you what you want and need? Because I know that person is out there for you, but you won’t find them until you let me go.

“So I guess,” and Natasha chokes up, a tear spilling over her cheek and splashing onto her arm, “if that means that we can’t talk so that we can have that someday when we’re older, then I understand. And it’s okay. I won’t stop being your friend. I promise.”

She turns into him and Rooster touches his forehead to hers, their noses pressed together as his tears fall with hers. Natasha hopes with everything she has that this isn't the sunset of their friendship. They've been through too much together over the years. He might not always understand her, but he knows her better than almost anyone. But if this is the last night they talk, she’ll always have something bittersweet to hold onto.

When Rooster draws back, he uses the corner of his shirt to dab her face dry then wipes his own. He kisses the part in her hair and squeezes her hand, circling his thumb comfortingly over her knuckles. "You know what's funny? You've always reminded me of someone, and for a long time, I'd be on the verge of figuring it out but then it would slip away. I couldn't place who it was until recently. Maybe it would've meant missing Maverick more if I thought about him when I thought about you."

"He told me you said I was like him. He didn't say why though."

"Mav was giving me shit about you," Rooster muses. "I don't think I told him why. I mean we all love to fly for one reason or another. But for you two, it's the most important thing. You care about people deeply, probably more intensely than most people. But you can only love them in the way that flying allows you to love them. Guess it took me longer than Penny to figure that out."

She sniffs a laugh, both at the way Maverick twisted his words and the relief that he might be able to let her go without them losing one another. "That's not what he implied you meant about our similarities. More along the lines of playing fast and loose."

"If you'd heard my mom talk about him, he was a saint and a rascal all tied together. Can't say that you're that much of a rascal."

Realizing how Maverick had bent Rooster's vague words to his own, teasing purposes, Natasha has to agree with the rascal part. Now that she thinks about it, Hangman was probably doing the same when he mentioned that Rooster was right about her. The two of them can't seem to help being troublemakers and shit-stirrers. Even when their intentions are in the right place. "What did you tell Hangman about me last night?"

Rooster groans and lets his head fall back. "What did he say I told him?"

"Just that you were right about me. When I was right about something."

"I don't know what he was talking about, but you are right most of the time." A thought comes over his face, and he hunches forward and takes her hand again. "You are right most of the time, Sash. Okay? So I guess I'm going to have to trust that you're right this time too about us." His eyes glitter in the distant halo of light. “We don’t have to stop talking, okay? We won't. We’ll figure it out.”

Natasha scoots closer. "We can take it one thing at a time," she promises.

"I can make that work."

And she believes him. Seeing her shiver, he swings one leg onto the table so she can settle closer to him. Natasha snuggles into his arms, cheek pressed to the steady rhythm of his heart. They sit for a long time looking out toward the black vastness of the ocean, each lost in their own thoughts.

“Can I ask you something? As your friend,” he clarifies.

She nods, growing sleepy in the circle of his strong arms and with the sound of the water not far off.

“What’s happening with Hangman?”

Natasha sighs. It’s not as if there is anything for him to be jealous of or that he doesn’t know. “We hooked up. Maybe we’re friends? Or could be? I don’t know. I’ve known him for eight years and only just found out he had a sister. Does it matter?”

Rooster resettles her, resting his chin on top of her head. “No. It doesn’t."

She wraps an arm around him. There will be plenty of time to worry about Hangman later. For now, she has one last night together with her friend, bittersweet as it is.

Masterlist | Chapter 14 | Chapter 16 (to be posted)

Chapter 15 End Note

#top gun fanfiction #top gun fanfic #tgm fic #natasha phoenix trace #natasha trace fic #phoenix fic #hangman x phoenix #phoenix x hangman #rooster x phoenix #phoenix x rooster #hannix #hannix fic #hannix fics

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eldritcmor · 4 months

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Saw Ask the Ocs from lucans blog and the jade incident, and saw you had a hand with helping developing it!

A) I think it's cool! You two did an amazing job

B) what was storms reaction, and the rest of their teams reaction? I know Storm was involved so their thoughts might not be much, but it's still interesting

Storm- "I have scars on my knees from that you know. Messy, crunchy, zig-zaggy scars, all because they broke my knees with a baseball bat." They grumbled leaning back in their chair. “I was in a coma for about a month afterwards, just so they could at least repair the damage. Couldn't walk after that for a little while. It was terrifying, to say the least. Between the torture and the bomb, what I did was reckless and incredibly stupid. I didn’t see any other option. My goal was get Moose and go, but it didn’t work out like that. Instead got near buried alive, again. I was in too much pain to really process that I was under rubble, so that’s a bonus. The coma was…nice. No visions of my closest people dying, no pain, no stress. Just fucking floating like a dead fish. I barely remember the rescue and I don’t know if that’s the trauma talking or something else. Honestly, I’m just glad to be alive. I am well aware that eventually we all come back but I take a whole lot longer and well the others might not take it kindly.

Bes- “When Joseph came in with that laptop and played that sound bite, I wanted to go on a rampage. I wanted to go out, hunt jade down, and beat him til even the gods don’t recognize his soul. But. But. But. That’s not how SHC works anymore. So we played by Laswell’s ear. Storm doesn’t bounce back like the rest of us. What will take hours for us, will take days for them. Up until we got paidí mou back, I wasn't thinking clearly. Even then afterwards, It took me a minute to realize that I shouldn’t rush off to kick Jade’s head in. I was probably the first one around their bedside aside from Joseph.

Merc- We work closely with Dante and 141, after all sh6 is considered a medic only squad. It was supposed to be a simple observation mission. Wilson was point, Avery was back up, and Joseph was navigation. The info was bad. There was no meeting. Just an ambush. The thud of Avery hitting concrete from a catwalk to be knocked out is very likely a sound I will never want to here again. Jake was the angriest of us. Wanted to go out and paint a building with Jade’s blood. Taylor and I managed to talk him out of it. That doesn’t mean we didn’t have our own struggles. When storm was in recovery, I will admit I thought of calling in a few friends and favors, and hunting Jade myself. Taylor talked me out of it while my husband was at storm’s bedside.

Fen- It was scary. We are all trained to resist interrogation and have died enough to have a knack for it. But this, this was terrifying. Avery is a lot of people’s little sibling. We are protective of them, even in our line of work. So to have your hands tied in red tape while you get video and message of hurting your little sibling, well there’s not a lot of good guy attitude after it. When it came to the bomb going off with those two still in the building, Thank the gods Joseph still had his head about. They did about tear Ghost’s head off for suggesting a mercy kill after finding the two, but I was relieved. We managed to dig them out and get them to the nearest hospital. After that was a waiting game. Michael and Jake are impatient. I had to talk them both down from running out and splattering jade across the pavement. That isn't to say I fully discouraged. We’ve been working on tracking him down, and when the time comes, well we’ll make sure there isn’t a piece of him left even for the crows.

#cod mw2 #eld writes #storm au #Avery storm scott #Jake bes O'neil #Michael Merc Nowak #Taylor fen cousland #Safe house six #cod fanfic

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bluemoonperegrine · 8 months

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Wolf Be Upon Yeet: Part II

In which @vicarious-rebel and I chatted via DM about the Werewolf By Night and Moon Knight crews in her headcanon which includes Elsa's pet eldritch horror Stony. Here's part I.

Stonyverse short fics: "Of blood and stone" and "Something Awful This Way Comes" (ao3 link).

This edition is more philosophical and about character development than silly. There's plenty of silliness to come!

Vi's text is black. bluemoonperegrine's text is blue. (I mean, of course.)

Talk to me about what 200+ year-old Jack is like. Other than [another character], I've never written a very old character before. I just... I have no idea. Can't fathom it.

When writing the [other character] I was able to lean on wide-eyed innocence and fish-out-of-water stuff.

Jack is not innocent. He's seen and been through A LOT, yet has held on to kindness and trust somehow.

Jack is a very tortured soul who tries really damn hard to keep his humanity intact no matter how hard it is and even though there are times when he fears he might let his anger slip and lean into the more bestial side of his nature, he still tries to compensate for it somehow

I imagine him much the same. At 42 he's still a baby werewolf so he's not too tortured yet.

I see him as someone who's also gone through a lot of heartbreak so he's not at all careless when it comes to who he lets in

What I don't get about long-lived characters is how they have the motivation to keep going. Life is a mix of good and bad, but after you've been through 200+ years of bad, is the good enough? Or is it hope or wanting to repent or help others?

In Jack's case it's a mixture of optimism and stubbornness. He sees just a little bit of hope in another's eyes and it's enough for him to keep going. And it's cumulative

Every time he helps a person or a monster and sees the relief/joy/gratitude in their eyes or when they gift him something as thanks for helping them, he clings to those things like a lifeline

then Jack looks into Stony's eyes and is like run away 😆

but Stony is an odd one so we can forgive him for that

In my headcanon, Jack avoids looking at Stony's eyes at all costs. Then again, he generally avoids Stony, so easy peasy

Jack: don't look it in the eye, don't look it in the eye, don't look-

meanwhile Marc is totally unbothered, playing around with it

Marc: Hey, Stony's eyes are like convex mirrors.

Steven: Like a funhouse! *makes faces*

Jack: *speechless* *aghast*

Jack would totally get worried over Marc being so casual about Stony

Jake, on knowing Stony wouldn't hurt them, likes to stick his mouth in its jaws and watch Jack become pale as a ghost just to mess with him.

I can imagine one of the moon boys casually leaning against Stony while snacking on something. He/they share the snack with Stony. Stony prefers freshly killed meat, but will settle for a good burrito.

gotta love everybody just acting natural around Stony like he's always been this way and Jack's just shaking at the knees

Jack has oddly inconsistent fear reactions, I think. Like Stony freaks him out but potentially getting found out at the Bloodstone funeral is like "this would be bad but eh"

a monster could kill him? not ideal but he can work around it

and Ted doesn't freak him out.

When they first met, was Jack not afraid from the start?

Maybe Jack stumbled upon Ted in a horrible situation and rescued him. No fear then.

saying something slightly too close to werewolf experience and someone gives him an odd look? fuck, shit, fuck i fucked up, i shouldn't have said that

it'd be very interesting to find out how he met Ted and whether or not he was afraid of him, considering Ted's acid is a reflex

it's funny; in my baby werewolf version of Jack he totally shrugs off saying stuff that suggests he's not fully human. Example: he tells a human he's working with an odd detail about a monster's scent. Gets a weird look.

Jack: I have a sensitive nose. *shrug*

Now, if things happen and he's exposed as being not human, he goes straight into "shit shit shit" mode.

yeah, I really want to write baby werewolf Jack meeting Ted. I have no idea how that happens yet. Won't let myself go down that rabbit hole just yet.

I think in my case it's because Jack didn't know he was a werewolf until it was too late, by that time he had heard many stories of monsters and knew how people reacted to them and he had to figure stuff out on his own because by that time his father was dead and he had no one to guide him

and he was pretty scared about being found out and killed and potentially his loved ones meeting the same fate

that's one of the things I hate about the comics canon: if you're a parent and know your kid is going to turn into a monster, how do you not prepare him or her? I mean, that's unconscionable.

Perhaps Laura wasn't sure if Jack and Lissa were cursed.

If I were her I'd have tried to prepare them anyway

I headcanon that Jack's father [Gregory] was actually working on what he thought was a cure to the curse through the Darkhold, so he didn't prepare his kids because he hoped he could break the curse before Jack turned 18

Part of why my WBN is such an AU is that I decided that Laura tells Jack and Lissa about the werewolf curse when Jack turns 17.

The kids don't believe her at first, of course.

I changed other stuff so that there's a viable pathway for them to believe her. Jack actually has some help and support, and shit still goes off the rails.

it didn't happen though, because he [Gregory] was killed before he got anywhere with it and since Jack's family started running after that, his mother was usually occupied with other things

When did Laura die, and where's Lissa?

I see Jack as eventually going solo so his mother and sister don't have to move constantly in fear for his life

he finds out from Lissa when their mother died but didn't find out when Lissa herself died until he passed through a graveyard one day and saw her name

How itinerant is Jack? Does he have multiple crash pads?

since Jack's always on the move she didn't always have a way to contact him

yeah, and much of their lives were pre-telephone

Jack moves around but really only bc he has to, he otherwise tries to settle down and I like the idea that he often stays at monster communities

He's lucky because he can pass for human most of the time

How do horses react to Jack?

horses are wary of him but generally only try to run if he gets too close or tries to touch them. That's how ppl get suspicious of him sometimes

the horses don't vibe with him and they're immediately alert

Jack was very happy when trains became commonplace lol

Trains are a godsend for Jack not least because he actually does enjoy traveling and trains allow him to go long distances

What's the deal with his werewolf form? Is it like the special? Does he have a hybrid form he can control?

the form in the special is what he really looks like when he transforms

he's a smol werewolf

at this stage he doesn't know how to control it or tap into it. But I have a darker version of him that absolutely has control over it

which does he prefer: cars or motorcycles? Also, how many languages does he speak?

cars bc they can act as shelter and a barrier to outside stimuli

I see him as speaking Spanish, English, French and a bit of Latin

#werewolf by night #moon knight #headcanon #eldritch horror oc #stonyverse

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princess-prentiss · 2 years

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I Bet You Think About Me

Chapter 1 - The Last Time

Pairing: Natasha “Phoenix” Trace/Jake “Hangman” Seresin

A/N: hello and welcome to my newest dive into the lives of Natasha and Jake! I'm planning to have a series of one-shots of the lives across different universes, my asks are open for suggestions, but there is no guarantee of how long it will take me to write each one For those of you reading All Too Well, I am by no means done with it, this is just something that has been in my head pretty much since I started writing that Anyway, for our first chapter, we have an AU of chapter 8 from my ATW universe (TW: major character death)

His heart never left his throat because she never landed back on the flight deck.

He had heard through the comms her shout that they had been hit, Dagger three was going down and there was nothing he could do about it.

He was frozen in his seat, unable to move even when he felt Javy’s hand on his shoulder, standing on the ladder beside his F18. The others were landing, he could understand that much, but there was a plane missing, and to him, it was the one that mattered most.

He had heard Cyclone’s demands that search and rescue not be deployed and it tore him apart, she could still be alive, they could have ejected and be sat somewhere waiting for him to rescue them.

But he couldn’t. He couldn’t even move his hand away from where he held his dog tags in his hand, the reassurance of the cold metal normally brought him some comfort, but now, with the harsh metal of his grandmother’s ring hanging next to them, all he could think about is how he would never get to give it to her.

And oh God, Mia.

He was just getting to a stage with Nat where he thought they might actually be something again, that they could be a proper family with Mia, and now he had to go back to a little girl that didn’t even know he was her father and tell her that her mother would never come back.

He wished it was him that wasn’t going home. He’d give anything for her to be the one sitting on the flight deck, returning to a daughter that had lived six years of her life without him but had a mother who was there for her for everything. He had watched, even in the hospital, the way she just knew what Mia needed, the way she cradled her head and stroked her hair as she hugged her. If it was him not going home she wouldn’t know any different.

He wasn’t aware of anything else until Javy was replaced on the ladder by Maverick, telling him there was nothing else he could do, that he should leave the F18. But he knew that, and that was why he was still sitting there. There was nothing else he could do, what good was moving going to be?

Eventually, someone pulled him out of the F18 and back below deck. He was dragged to the debriefing, zombie-like in state, not really taking anything in, other than that she and Bob had been declared MIA.

He couldn’t face the others after that. Instead, he returned to his room, lying on his bunk staring at the ceiling, only moving to go to the bathroom. At night was the worst, that was when the tears he had been holding back in the daylight managed to trickle their way down his cheeks as he remembered what it felt like to hold her, to wake up next to her. It had been years since he had slept next to her, yet he still cherished the memory of waking with strands of her hair covering his face, inhaling the soft smell of her shampoo as he hugged her tighter to his chest.

They docked in the evening, just before sunset. Halo came up to him just before they disembarked, holding out a white envelope with his name written on it in a script he knew all too well. She said nothing, looking at him with a look of pity mixed with her own grief before she moved away again.

He returned to the base housing he had been assigned before the mission, dumping his duffle bag in the entryway to the apartment before slamming himself onto the mattress. There were so many things he could do, and yet he had no idea what to do. By now, he thought, her parents would have been informed of her status. He wondered what they would have told Mia, he longed to be with the girl, to draw her into his arms and hug her tightly, but, as far as she knew he was only one of her mother’s colleagues. That destroyed him all the more.

He sat up on the bed abruptly, pulling the envelope off his bedside table where he had put it when he first arrived back in his room. He opened it with great care as though it would burst into flames if he handled it with anything other than a feather-light touch. But, as far as he knew, these could be her last words to him.

His name was written at the top of the page, in swirling letters; Jake rather than the Hangman the envelope had been addressed with.

Jake, I want you to know I’m so so sorry. I made a choice for you without even telling you what it was all because I was scared because I thought I was doing the best thing. But the truth is, I know now what an amazing dad you would have been, and will be. Please be there for Mia, she needs someone to be there for her. I told my parents if anything was to happen that I’d want you to be involved with her life and I hope you will be. One day, when she’s a little older, tell her about me, please. Tell her about how we met and instantly hated each other, but then we changed, tell her I hope she has a relationship like that, because, the truth is Jake, I always loved you, and I still do. I know it's too late, and that there’s nothing you can do now, but I hope it means something to you. Don’t stop living your life because I’m not there Jake, I want you to have everything you ever wanted and I just wish I was there to see it. Please let Mia know I love her, and that everything I’ve ever done has been for her.

All my love, Your Nat

He had begun to sob before he even finished the first line. It took him more than an hour to reach the end of the letter, having to stop every other word to try to compose himself enough that his eyes could focus on the letters.

It took him two days to gather himself enough to go to her parent's house. He remembered it from when he had visited it with her all those years ago.

Bringing his fist up to the door he knocked once and waited, returning his hands to his pockets while he waited. He wasn’t really sure what he was doing, other than he wanted to see Mia, he wanted his daughter, the last part of her mother that he had. He knew it was selfish of him to consider her that way; he loved her for who she was, but right now, he needed to be close to her mother.

One of her brothers answered the door, looking at him with confusion.

“Wha..” He started before a voice called out behind him.

“Who is it?” He heard muffled within the house, the voice sounded as broken as he felt.

Her brother couldn’t seem to form any words to reply, this led to the shuffling of her father to join him at the front door.

If he was surprised he didn’t show it. Although it was true, grief really was all-consuming, Jake wouldn’t be surprised if his own face didn’t look like a statue by this point.

“Please,” He said rasping, “I need to see Mia.”

Her father nodded, turning and leading him into the house and up the stairs to his daughter's room.

He left him there, standing in the corridor, opposite what he knew used to be her room.

He opened the door softly, looked to the bed in the middle of the room at the sleeping figure, walking over to stand next to the bed. She was clutching the orange ball of fluff in her sleep, which he now knew was meant to be a phoenix. He leaned his back against the wall, sliding down it until he could rest his arms across his knees, burying his head in them.

How the hell was he meant to do this?

When she awoke, she looked confused to see him but still climbed off the bed and into his arms, so that she was cradled in his lap, his chin resting on her head.

“Mia, I’m your father.”

She didn’t react, only tightened the grip of her hands around his neck.

“Your mommy loved you so much,” He began to

There was no funeral.

She was missing in action, there was nobody to bury. Her parents held a memorial service for her at their house two weeks after she was gone.

He wasn’t coping well.

By the midway point, he had moved to sit on the stairs, away from the chatter about her. He barely noticed someone climbing halfway up the steps to join him, leaning against him, tugging on his arm as she sat next to him.

“Daddy,” She started, “I don’t want to be here anymore.”

He understood completely. Pushing himself to his feet before turning back to pick her up, so that she rested on the side of his hip, he grabbed his keys from the hook beside the door before leaving the building. He would text Nat’s mom later telling them they’d gone out.

They just drove for a while, before he pulled into a car park and got out of his truck, grabbing her hand as they walked over to the edge of the pathway, her gripping onto the railings as they both looked out onto the sea.

It was the last place they had all been together.

Mia got older. He got deployed again and again. They started a routine, she would stay with her grandparents but every leave he would come back and pick her up and they would go to that beach. The one that held the memories of the only time they had all been together, happy.

After her tenth birthday, her dad had told her to talk to Uncle Bradley, but Uncle Bradley wouldn’t look at her the same as before, none of them would. Her grandparents looked at her as though they were scared of her being swept away by the smallest gust of wind, her grandma’s hugs had become almost suffocating. But she accepted them, out of everyone's they were the most similar to her mom’s.

She grew up and moved out to college, which was why he found himself knocking on a tan wood door, waiting awkwardly in the corridor, switching his weight from foot to foot.

Finally, the door opened abruptly, giving way to a green-eyed woman who looked annoyed at first at the disturbance, but then, on seeing who it was, seemed to sag in relief.

She was the spitting image of her mother, despite her eyes, her eyes were the only thing telling him it wasn’t Natasha. The Navy t-shit she was wearing did nothing to stop his hallucinations.

Her hair was a mess, poking out at different angles as though she had just gotten out of bed, he did suppose it was before ten am on a college campus, so he didn’t really know what he expected.

“Happy Birthday Mia.” He said, pulling her into a fierce hug, trying to smooth her hair down with one hand in the way her mother used to.

“Thanks, dad.” She mumbled into his shirt.

She had a mixed relationship with her birthday. Before she turned seven, every birthday was spent with her mother, even when she wasn’t there in person, she always called, her grandma holding out the phone so that she could hear her mother’s comforting words, pretending like she couldn’t hear the guilt in her voice.

Then her mom died a month before her seventh birthday.

She’d never hear the pride in her mother’s voice as she whispered her congratulations while giving her a big hug, tangling her fingers in the tendrils of her hair like how her dad was trying to do for her now.

It wasn’t the same. It never would be.

Now instead of listening to her mom, she got a letter each year. Apart from this one was the last, her dad had told her last year. She didn’t know how to feel about that, on the one hand reading her mother’s neat script every year had only served as a painful reminder to her how much she missed her and how much she’d missed out on with her mom. But then, it also made her hear her mom’s voice in her head, telling her how much she loved her and how proud she was of her.

Her birthdays had turned to torture.

“Mia. Can’t. Breathe.”

She didn’t realise how tightly she had been gripping her dad.

Muttering some apology she pulled back, opening the door far enough for him to follow her into the room as she went to go sit on the edge of her bed, sheets tangled from where she had left them when he knocked on her door.

“I assume you have the last one.” She said glancing up at him.

He looked at her with pity, a look she was more than used to over the years, pulling a white envelope out of his jacket pocket, her name written on the front in the familiar swirl of her mother’s handwriting.

She took the paper from him, turning it over in her hands once before setting it down on her bedside table.

This was their tradition, he would always see her on the morning of her birthday and give her the next envelope he had been safeguarding for her mom, she would store it away until that night when she would read it under the covers pretending that she was six again, hiding from the monsters her mother was reading to her about in her bedtime story.

But the biggest monster was always that she would have to come out from under the covers and go back into a world where she couldn’t pretend her mother was still there.

Her father stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, looking as though he still had more to say.

“There’s something else.” He said, digging back into the pocket of his jacket, and pulling out a small black box.

He moved to sit beside her on the bed, holding the box out for her to take.

“I gave this to your mother on her twenty-first birthday, she told me that she wanted me to give it to you on your twenty-first birthday if anything ever happened to her.”

She opened the box to reveal a golden chain necklace with a single diamond sitting in the middle of the chain. She had a vague recollection of her mother sporting the necklace, smiling at her lovingly. All the memories she had of her mother seemed to be happy. It was like her brain had blocked out any of the bad, and she couldn’t be more grateful.

“Dad.” She said at a loss for words, taking it out of the box and holding it up to further examine it.

Finally deciding on what she should do, she held it out for him, pulling her hair back out of the way for him to fasten it around her neck, enjoying feeling the weight of the stone against her chest.

She tangled her fingers in the chain, playing with it as she turned back to look at him.

“Thank you.”

Her arms wrapped back around his body, and he allowed his eyes to water as he placed his chin on the top of her head, revealing in the feeling of being as close as possible to the only thing left of the woman he once loved.

Things were far from okay, but there was nothing else they could do.

Later that night, Mia let herself cry before she even touched the envelope, when she’d been ten she’d told herself she would stop crying, she was a big girl and big girls didn’t cry. But since she’d left the safety of home the tears had returned. There was something about spending her birthdays away from her childhood bedroom that brought it all back. Her mother had never got to see her college dorm, never got to see her graduate elementary school let alone high school. In her bed at home, she still had memories of her mother reading to her, while here she was a stranger.

Ripping the seal on the envelope before she could change her mind, she pulled out the sheet of paper.

My Mia, Happy Birthday, baby, there are no words to say how proud I am of you. I’m sure whatever you’ve done with your life so far is incredible. This is my last letter to you my Mia, you’re an adult now and I just wish I was there to see it. But, my Mia, I hope you can learn to move on, and live without me. If you’re anything like your father, I know you will have been glorifying these letters, and me, but I want you to know I am far from perfect, you need to embrace who you are without me. I hope your father gave you the necklace; he gave it to me on my twenty-first birthday and I couldn’t have been more surprised, a part of me thought he was going to propose, but then we fell apart and he never got the chance. I hope you have a good relationship with him my Mia, I’m sorry for ever keeping you apart and I won’t go into the reasons why I did it, just know that everything I’ve ever done was for you. I’ll say goodbye now baby. I love you.

All my love Mom

She sobbed silently under the sheets gripping the soft fluff orange fluff of her phoenix, pulling the letter to her chest, wishing that instead, it was her mother that she was hugging.

#hannix #natasha phoenix trace #jake hangman seresin #top gun #top gun maverick

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weebsinstash · 1 year

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Contact the media, Emma has finally found her spine!

It's been a week since she was rescued and Andrew and Logan finally sit her down to talk to her about how the Rogue King is looking for her since she's rhe True Luna like the prophecy bullshit, and Emma, immediately, looks Logan straight in the eyes and she's crying, says, quote,

"Is that why you suddenly changed your mind about me? Is that why you suddenly accepted me, now that I'm supposedly powerful? I'm GOOD ENOUGH to be your mate and Luna?"

GET HIM GIRL. Logan's wolf Leon is literally screaming at him inside his head "I will fucking kill you Logan!!" because Leon actually liked Emma all along and was telling Logan literally the entire time that Emma was perfect and Sienna was a bitch.

LMAO SHE JUST LOOKS AT HER BROTHER , asks how long he's known, he says "the day you went missing" and she replies, sobbing "is that why you searched for me? I was worth something to you because you found out I was powerful?" yes, yes, YES it only took 49 fucking chapters but this was the catharsis I have been waiting for, girl, keep going, put them in their place

Nope nevermind, she just tells them she wants time alone and refuses to hug them :/ girl keep going. They literally. Called you a liar for years. Like. You are traumatized going into your own kitchen of your family home because Sienna made you kneel on the floor before beating you. Stop even humoring them. Stop letting your barely older brother call you Pup when you're an 18 year old woman now. God. God. Meanwhile the entire fucking time, her wolf Eliza keeps whining about how she can't leave Logan because Eliza wants Leon, and oh please don't shut out Andrew, I want my brother, like bitch he's not YOUR anything, you're a wolf spirit inside of her, shut up and listen to the actual human whose body you're in. Idiot. Now Emma just gets to be sold off to Logan and be his breeding whore and Luna.

Emma is literally hoping she isn't the True Luna "because then Logan will reject me and I can be with Jake, the only person who's ever really protected me and wanted nothing in return" YOU can reject HIM you weak ass... oh my fucking god. Stupid girl. Why why WHY do I get the sinking feeling there's going to be a "Jacob was secretly a prick the whole time" reveal just to make Logan seem better.

Emma goes to leave her house and see Amy to double check if she's actually pure white, and Andrew whinss "oh no Emma you can't leave the house, it's too dangerous" "I can and I WILL. She's my friend and the only one I can trust right now" "thats not true! You can trust us!" "It's a little late for that now isn't it?" Get them girl, get them, this is your chance--

Oh my fucking god. In this fic, the wolves can retreat and kind of talk which each other in another realm or mindlink each other. So you know what happened? Emma suggested to Elixa earlier about taking a trip, nor a permanant one, and coming back later, and stupid fucking Eliza TELLS ANDREW'S WOLF. You absolute fucking bitch. And Andrew just says "she will never leave me. I won't allow it"

And this is like. The penultimate fucking problem. Both Logan and her own fucking brother treat her as a possession. Oh she's so powerful and good to become Luna but not make her own decisions? And then, Logan overhears Andrew asking Emma to promise she won't leave the pack and like, from his POV, quote:

She wanted to leave? She wanted to leave the pack? She wanted to leave ME? My heart broke, and the pain almost made me scream. No. I wouldn't let her. I would do whatever I had to do to make her stay. She couldn't leave me. It would kill me. I barely lasted those 4 days without her. (Jesus christ I forgot she was missing and tortured for 4 days) Leon was howling in pain, and I couldn't even talk to him right now. I felt him calling on Eliza in pain. I hoped she can calm him down. I hoped he could convince her not to leave us. I hoped that she would stop Emma.

If she couldn't, I definitely would. I wasn't letting her leave. She was fucking MINE.

I heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and I turn around to see Andrew. "Where is she?" I asked, panicking and jumping up from the couch. I was terrified she would leave through the window again. I was going to have to do something about that. I would put BARS on her window. I don't fucking care. She was MINE. She couldn't leave me"

Buddy this isn't even HOT possessive. You are legitimately a backstabbing weak willed fucking loser who uses dirty tricks and sweet words to try and brush off your YEARS of fucking up. You and her had never even kissed until recently and she immediately regretted it because she didn't like how the mate bond was driving her crazy because she WANTED to be mad at you!!

It's just. It's the being treated as a possession. Oh gosh have I ever made you guys feel this way lmao. At least when I write fics it's for the purpose of a fetish. It can get your blood boiling but like the guy is definitely always a massive creep or piece of shit. Logan is just genuinely being treated like he's the best possible guy for her and she's so lucky to have him and I just. I still wish there was a different ML. I have literally never seen anything about Logan worth liking. We've barely even heard anything about him besides "oh he's such a good alpha, he's a strong fighter, he was good friends with Emma besides the whole never believing her about Sienna thing and even scolding her in her own fucking home for even showing attitude to Sienna because he bought into her fake attitude when even his own fucking mother could tell she was fake" like literally almost every time Logan is in the scene, he's growling loudly, he's snarling, he's being possessive, he's being rude, Jacob is the only one who's been on Emma's side besides Amy and Logan, to Andrew, outright accused him of being the spy that leaked the word Emma is a white wolf, and just. Ugh. I hate this. I'm anger-listening at this point. The second she finally accepts him, im out, but I wanna squeeze out a few more chapters to see more tongue lashings between them maybe. I want to see her put them in their place more 😤

Jesus christ even as I am about to post this, it just keeps piling up. Logan asks Andrew why he made Emma promise not to leave the pack and Andrew scolds him for eavesdropping when he promised he wouldnt. they apparently have the repress their werewolf senses so they aren't overstimulated and logans control slipped while he was focusing on dishes. And of course this instantly transitions to Logan mentally explaining how that's why most of the packhouse rooms are soundproofed "because there's nothing worse than hearing your friends or family fuck. And i would kill someone if anyone else heard my mate as she reached her climax. I am the only person who gets to see and hear her cum. Just thinking about it made me hard" listen fella you are constantly sexually fantasizing about her when she is PISSED AT YOU and you two have NEVER even had sex and you only kissed recently because you basically forced her to, and of course she had to moan 🙄🙄🙄 fuck this entire pack, my dudes, these people are unbearable

#weebwolves #can yall tell im a little heated lmao

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bradsmindbrain · 1 year

Note

Does Elsa know Jack and Ted are married? I’d love a prompt where she finds out.

Surprise

Summary: Elsa is acting odd, and when Jack find out why, he’s happy to explain.

TW: Slightly suggestive comments toward the end

Jack smiled as Elsa sat across from him, taking a sip of tea. It had been awhile since the two of them had last met, months since she, Jake, and Ted had come to his rescue. As it stood, it was nice to see her again, even if she was being oddly quiet. He heard his husband in the kitchen, preparing dinner for the three of them, judging by the smell, it was probably steak, he quite liked steak. While he wasn’t a bad cook by any means, Ted could make pretty much anything edible, no doubt because of his time in the Everglades.

But back to Elsa. She and him had talked quite a bit when she arrived, mostly updates when it came to hunting, but also a few updates in their own lives. That changed as soon as they sat down to drink; however, at that point, Elsa had gone quiet, intently looking at him, a mix of confusion and curiosity on her face. He guessed she thought he didn’t notice, as he had yet to bring up the odd look she was giving. He quietly looked over his clothes, there wasn’t anything on them, and he had just checked his face before letting her in. He was beginning to get a bit concerned honestly.

“So, Elsa,” he said, breaking the silence.

Elsa seemed to snap back to reality, finally acknowledging him beyond the odd look she was giving, “Oh, yes, Jack? What is it?”

“Is something wrong?” he inquired, looking at her softly, “You’ve been looking at me strange ever since we sat down.”

Elsa looked at him blankly before replying, “The ring, where did you get it?”

Jack instinctively looked at his left ring finger, and smiled. He had completely forgotten about it, he was with Ted so often and no one he ever talked to never really questioned it, so it had legitimately slipped his mind. He honestly didn’t realize that it might have been what Elsa was talking about. He looked at Elsa as she took a sip of tea, “Oh, this? Ted and I are married now.”

Elsa just about spat out her tea, “Married?”

He grinned, “Yeah, about a month or two ago! Well, we’re not legally married, but I don’t really care.”

Elsa took a moment to recover, “Well, that certainly caught me off-guard. But that still doesn’t answer the question, Jack. Where did you get the ring from? I must admit it looks really nice.”

He shook his head, “I don’t really know. Ted was the one who proposed, he found it somewhere in the Everglades. I’m not even sure it was meant to be a wedding ring originally, but it’s the thought that counts, you know?”

Elsa looked stunned, “Wait, Ted proposed? Get out mate.”

He chuckled a bit, “It’s true, right, Teddy Bear?”

From the kitchen, Ted gave an affirmative grumble.

He smiled, “Honestly, I was kinda caught off-guard by it too. Then again, he’s done it before, so I shouldn’t be surprised.”

When Ted was comfortable enough with Elsa, he had told him his partner’s history. She was understandably mortified at what had happened to him to turn him into what he was now, and was even more disgusted at the actions of her fellow hunters for capturing and hunting someone who was once human just like they were.

Elsa nodded, “Yeah, I suppose so.”

He gave a little laugh, “Our honeymoon was pretty nice. I managed to smuggle him over to Borneo.”

“Sounds nice,” Elsa replied. “But how did it… work?”

Jack cocked an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”

Elsa gave an awkward look, “I mean, he’s nine feet tall, it must be hard for you to-”

Ted gave a grumble, signaling that dinner was ready. Thank god, that could have turned into a very awkward conversation. “He says dinner is ready.”

“Well okay then,” Elsa replied as the two of them got up and entered the kitchen, three plates with baked potatoes, green beans, and well-seasoned steak on the table.

Ted growled, proud of himself.

He gave his husband a kiss on his tendril as he sat down, “Gracias, Teddy Bear, you really outdid yourself this time.”

Elsa gave a small grin as she sat down, “It smells delicious. You caught yourself a good one, Jack. I’m happy for you.”

Jack blushed a bit as he dug into his steak, “Thanks Elsa, that really means a lot.”

#werewolf by night #wwbn #wbn #jack russell #ted sallis #man thing #elsa bloodstone #marvel #mcu #russallis #my stuff #prompts #tw: suggestive

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mylittleredgirl · 2 years

Text

dear yuletide writer (2022!)

Happy Yuletide! Thank you so much for writing fic for me. I'm mylittleredgirl both on ao3 and tumblr.

I’m pretty easily delighted, so do your thing and I will love it! Please take my suggestions and prompts as random ideas in case you're drawing a blank, rather than specific requests, because I love to be surprised by things i didn't even consider.

This letter has some expanded general likes/dislikes and then just a compilation of what i put in the optional details boxes. Anonymous asks are open on this tumblr if you have questions!

General things I love:

happy or hopeful endings

episode-related fic

pining (especially no-i’m-definitely-NOT-jealous pining)

hurt/comfort (especially oh-my-god-you're-not-dead)

friendship & family fic

canon divergence

smut is great but not required

kinks enjoyed: soft dom/sub (bondage & praise yes, pain & shaming no); amtdi; overindulgence (food, drinks, whatevs); masturbation (mutual, pining, whatevs); i’ve never said no to a quality blow/hand job fic

Things not so enjoyed:

character death

hurt no comfort

crossovers except within the extended canon universe (like star trek, and i suppose... reality.... is an extended canon universe for an rpf fandom...)

historical or supernatural AUs (no pride-and-prejudice or zombies)

supernatural elements are actually fine (like telepathy, psychic powers, soulmate stuff, whatever) but i specifically want to avoid zombies & vampires

character-bashing: i usually like everyone in canon, including canon love interests that are not my preferred pairing

Fandoms requested:

Stargate Atlantis RPF (chars: Torri, Joe)

I’m really into the temptation ~Oh No We Mustn’t~ (or the corollary: ~Oh No Looks Like We Did~) nature of this pairing.

Anything from friendship/pining to endgame OTP works for me, but I would love them to yield to temptation at least once. ;)

Prompt idea: What if Torri's with someone else and now it's Joe's turn to be jealous?

Prompt idea: Maybe one or both of them don't actually remember what happened last night...

Jake 2.0 (chars: Jake, Diane)

This is the rarest fandom, so there is no way you're here to write this

If you ARE here to write this, you can literally write anything and I will love you for life

Anything at all

Prompt idea: Anything to do with their amnesia almost-romance

Prompt idea: Jake and Diane ending up in the field together, where suddenly Jake is the Spy Expert (except that’s not a high bar to clear in this scenario, so probably Kyle has to rescue them both)

Prompt idea: "Future-fic" from the show's point of view. How does the nanite premise work with our modern smart-everything technology? What mischief does Jake get up to? Alternately: how might it harm him?

Lost in Space (chars: Maureen, John)

The Robinsons are good for all moods and ratings!

I love family and parenting stories, so feel free to include any/all of their family/found family.

Angst is fine along the way, but happy endings only for the Robinsons please 💗

John and Maureen are Very Sexy in a consensual kink sort of way.

Prompt idea: How do they restore and reward each other after these acts of heroism and genius that take so much out of them?

Fandom-specific DNW beyond the general ones listed up top: incest; any age-inappropriate relationships for Will or Penny; not super into Don/Judy but I can live with it; I believe The Robot Does Not And Should Not Fuck.

Fandom-specific likes: the soft D/s I usually enjoy can go pretty hard for this pairing, but I prefer it limited to the bedroom rather than a 24-hour scene

Cheers (chars: Sam, Diane)

This couple is an absolute disaster, but I would have loved them to annoy each other til death do they part

Partly to protect the rest of the world from having to date either one of them tbh

Really anything at any part of their relationship would be wonderful

Prompt idea: What if we ignore canon and they actually stay in touch during / she actually comes back after her writing retreat like she promised 🥺

Prompt idea: Also can you imagine her co-owning the bar, like can you imagine.

Prompt idea: For an angstier mood, how do they support each other (well or very badly) in the ongoing mental health & addiction challenges that probably won't entirely go away?

Lower Decks (char: Mariner)

I love all everyone, literally, all of them so much, both the lower deckers and the bridge crew. Please use as many of them as you like!

Gen fic preferred for this fandom.

I don't ship Mariner & Boimler romantically, but they are platonic besties for life.

All the friendships on this show are legendary.

Prompt idea: One of those odd-couple characters-all-stuck-with-random-partners stories (like "Disaster" or "Starship Down," but not necessarily a disaster), especially if Mariner gets stuck with her mom.

Prompt idea: Mariner in the background of a DS9 episode, especially an episode with Shenanigans.

Fandom-specific notes: I usually DNW historical AUs, but time-travel and holodeck shenanigans are welcome!

Fandom-specific likes: gen-fic, shenanigans, crossovers with other Star Trek canon.

Twin Peaks (chars: Cooper, Harry, Audrey)

I prefer fic that primarily uses canon from the first two TV seasons, since I haven't seen "The Return" yet (but if you do use season three, spoilers are totally fine).

I listed Audrey, Cooper, and Harry because I love them all, but you don't need to include all three.

I ship Cooper with both Harry and Audrey, but with Audrey/Cooper I'd like it to recognize that Dale Cooper is an Upstanding Morally Responsible FBI Agent and he would have to wrestle with that.

Gen fic is fine too (Cooper/Twin Peaks otp?).

Canon divergent AUs are welcome.

Prompt idea: In a canon-divergent AU where Cooper doesn't end up in the lodge for 25 years, his evolving divided loyalties between his life in the FBI and his heart in Twin Peaks.

Prompt idea: Harry wants to rescue Cooper, but he's going to need help.

Prompt idea: Cooper needs Audrey's help with an undercover assignment.

Thank you again for being forced by the matching algorithm to write for me! Happy Yuletide!

💖 mylittleredgirl

#yuletide

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sunnytastic · 2 years

Text

"Would it be enough? If I could never give you peace?"

Pairing: Marc Spector x Layla El Faouly, brief Layla x Steven Grant

Word Count: 4,039

Tags: angst, non descriptive mention of sex, heavy alcohol use

Summary: Layla has spent years trying to figure out Marc and she thinks she's had enough

A/N: this is my first fic so please be kind. hope you enjoy!

also fair warning: everything I know about DID comes from my own research online and from first-hand accounts on tumblr. this is by no means an accurate depiction of DID. that being said, I did my best to try to write a character with DID but if there is anything that is offensive in this fic, please let me know so I can remove it. thanks!

At first, Layla was completely fascinated by Marc. He was a puzzle that Layla desperately wanted to solve. She knew Marc had walls but she was determined she would be the one to tear them down.

They had met while both searching for the scarab. It was Layla who suggested they work together to find it and to her surprise, he agreed. Though, he would often plead with her to stop searching, saying she couldn’t handle herself. In the beginning, Layla found his insistence insulting but she eventually realized that it was his way of showing he worried about her.

It wasn’t until he was kidnapped and Layla rescued him that he began to see her as an equal. He didn’t ask her to stop the search again though he would often remind her of the danger she was putting herself in.

Layla didn’t care. She was determined to find the scarab in her father’s name and she trusted Marc enough to get her there.

After the rescue, things started to change between them. He began to talk to her more. Looking back, Layla could see he never said anything of importance, nothing that actually meant something but at the time, it was enough. After years of the cold shoulder, it felt like she had finally gotten through to him.

Despite her best efforts, she started falling for him. She was sure he would never return the feeling, and even if he did, she knew he was too guarded to show her. but it didn’t matter, as long as he kept talking to her.

She thought she imagined him looking at her more or his touches beginning to linger. But then one night, after a particularly difficult mission, he kissed her by the campfire and her entire world shifted axis’.

Being friends with Marc had been nice but dating him was realizing all Layla wanted was right in front of her.

Marc was touchy. He couldn’t keep his hands off of her. He was always holding her hand, touching her back, or playing with her hair. It was as if he was afraid Layla would slip away if he didn’t hold on to her. Dating Marc made her feel special. She was the only one who got to see this side of him and she thought it meant she was important to him.

They didn’t date for long before getting married, but it didn’t matter. Their marriage was mostly for convenience, to make it easier for them to travel together. And it worked as a good cover.

But still, the little wedding was important to her. She knew he was it for her. He was fearless and passionate. She trusted him with her life. She would follow him anywhere. And she was completely and hopelessly in love with him.

Marriage made their relationship worse. There were still things Marc didn’t talk about and Layla didn’t want to push. She remained sure if she was patient enough, he would open up to her.

But as time went on, Layla began to realize waiting for him to provide answers was never going to get her anywhere. She started to prod at the things he kept secret which only made him more defensive and closed off.

Prodding led to flat-out asking which led to screaming matches. But no matter how much Layla pushed, she still knew as much about her husband as when she first met him. And then he left, disappearing without a trace, leaving Layla with yet another thing she couldn’t figure out about Marc.

Things didn’t change when she found him again. Marc never explained Steven or Jake or how they came to be. And Layla tried not to let it sting she wasn’t even worth giving an explanation about his disorder to.

At the very least, Marc didn’t stop Layla from getting to know Steven or Jake. Layla quickly became good at telling who was fronting by their body language. Relaxed? Steven. Jittery? Jake. Tense? Marc.

Jake was the alter who fronted the least so getting to know him was harder than Steven. But after enough time, Layla learned that underneath his rough exterior was a man who is fiercely loyal and protective of the other alters. Layla got the feeling he knew the secrets Marc was hiding but wouldn’t tell even if she asked.

And Layla never asked. As much as she wanted to know what was going on in Marc’s head, she would have felt wrong going behind his back to get it.

Jake was also the funniest of the three. Once she earned his trust, he began telling jokes and stories which left her sides aching with laughter. She enjoyed spending time with Jake, even if she had less in common with him than the other alters.

Getting to know Steven was different. With Steven, friendship came easy. They would spend hours talking about poetry and ancient Egypt. They would race each other while completing the daily crossword puzzle. Layla would tell stories from her adventures and Steven listened intently, eager to learn about her life before him.

Steven also asked a lot of questions about Marc, which she tried to answer as best she could. Similar to Layla, Marc refused to communicate with Steven. Marc never told Steven anything about his or the body’s history.

Layla felt bad for Steven. She knew it was difficult for him to adjust to the alters when he rarely interacted with Jake and Marc withheld information from him. But there was only so much she could do when she didn't know Marc either.

Steven was never afraid to be open with her. She didn’t need to fight or beg for him to tell her how he felt. She knew it wasn’t fair to compare Marc to Steven but after years of marriage to a man who she still didn’t know, being with Steven was refreshing.

Layla also knew that Steven was in love with her. She did everything she could to discourage his affection but it didn’t matter what she did, he still looked at her as if she personally hung the stars in the sky.

The more time she spent with Steven, the more she started to like him back. Layla tried to control her feelings. Despite her frustration with Marc, he was still her husband and it felt wrong to think about being with another man, even if it was Steven.

Layla didn’t think it would matter until he kissed her. They had been taking turns reading aloud from a book on modern hieroglyphics. It had been her turn to read when Steven interrupted her by placing his lips on her.

Layla was completely unprepared and she froze under his touch. Steven noticed and pulled away.

“I’m sorry,” he said, face turning red. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

Despite herself, Layla brought him in for another kiss. Kissing Steven was nothing like kissing Marc. Where Marc was fast and bruising, Steven was slow and sweet. Nothing in her wanted to stop. It felt right to give in to what she had been holding herself back from.

But then she remembered Marc and guilt rushed through her like a tidal wave.

She broke the kiss but Steven leaned forward to give her another. Layla put her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away. “Steven, we can’t… I can’t… Marc…”

He leans back. “Oh” is all he says.

Layla can tell he is disappointed.

“I’m sorry, but I’m married to Marc. I can’t betray him, even for you." She explains.

His eyes shifted away from hers but Layla could tell by his body language he was thinking.

After a few moments, he looked up at her again. “But if Marc was ok with it, you’d want to kiss me?”

It was such a juvenile way to put things but Layla found Steven's optimism endearing. She also knew that Marc would never allow it.

“Yes, I would." she answered anyway. His smile was immediate.

“But Steven,” she warned, “you need to understand Marc isn’t like us. He can’t just come out and say how he feels. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel, just that he deals with his emotions in an unhealthy way. You should know he might not have a good reaction. I’ll leave the decision up to you whether you’d like to ask him. He’s your headmate and you deserve to be able to communicate to him about anything.”

“Okay.” he nods.

“Okay,” Layla says back.

Still, she didn’t tell Marc about the kiss with Steven. She decided there were some things Steven and she were allowed to keep to themselves.

She never thought Marc would find out about it until a few weeks later she came home to find him staring at her from his seat on the couch.

“Steven?” she asked hopefully. Of course, she knew it wasn’t Steven but she wasn’t in the mood for a fight, and from the way Marc was looking at her, he seemed dead set on starting one.

“No, I’m not Steven,” he sneered. “But you would like that, wouldn’t you? If I was Steven?”

“What?” Layla asks. “I don't know what that’s supposed to mean.”

Marc gets up from the couch and walks closer to her. “It means that Steven asked me about you. Asked if he could “court” you.”

Layla's heart skipped a beat. “He actually asked?”

Layla knows the conversation that will follow will not be pleasant but the knowledge that Steven had asked, despite her warning, was all she could focus on.

Her happiness was short-lived. Marc's eyes grew darker and he stepped toward her until he was right in front her, his height forcing her to look up. “Oh, so you knew about this?”

“Yes” Layla had no intention to lie. If Steven was brave enough to ask, Layla could at least try to get Marc to listen.

“And you didn’t tell me? I didn’t think you were the type to keep secrets.” he says, his voice harsh and accusing.

Before she can stop herself, Layla lets out a hollow laugh. “I cannot believe you just said that. Where the hell do you get off accusing me of keeping secrets? You of all people. You are nothing but secrets.”

She moves to step past him but he grabs her wrist to keep her in place. “That’s different and you know it.”

“You know what?" She sighs. "I’m not interested in arguing with you anymore. It’s useless because you will never listen to anyone but yourself.” She pulls her arm out of his grasp and walks over to her drawer to start stuffing clothes in a bag.

“What are you doing?” Marc asks, glaring at her.

“Packing to go to the old apartment,” She answers.

“How long will you be gone?”

“I don’t know, Marc,” Layla walks across the apartment to grab her toiletries from the bathroom. “How long would it take you to stop being an ass?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he asks “And what about Steven?”

“What about him?” she says.

“You’re just going to leave him without an explanation?”

“Yes, I’ll leave that for you to explain.”

“He won’t like that. You want to hurt him?” He accuses, crossing the room to stand in front of her again.

“Oh, don’t you dare put this on me. I’m not the one who can’t even be bothered to try to make this work.” Layla fires back. “I can’t force you to let me in and I’m done trying.

With that, Layla pushes past Marc and heads for the door.

She pauses before the door and looks back “Tell Steven I said I’m sorry.” With that, she opens the door and leaves.

Layla had lied to Marc. She wasn’t going back to their old apartment. In fact, she had sold the apartment when they got back from Egypt. She didn’t think she needed it after she and Marc got back together. She should have known better.

She decides to go to the storage unit to spend the night but she only stays there for a few hours before the guilt is too much to bear. Despite what she said at the apartment, she did feel bad about how she left without saying goodbye to Steven. So after tossing and turning in the uncomfortable cot, she decides to head back to the apartment to give Steven a proper goodbye.

Entering the apartment, she takes notice of the mess in front of her. Every mirror in the house was broken and glass shards littered the floor. In the middle of the chaos lay Marc, bloody knuckles wrapped around an almost empty bottle of whiskey.

If there is something Layla knows about Marc is he never, 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 drinks unless something is very wrong.

“What the hell happened here?” Layla asks.

Marc looks up at her.

“I got into a fight with Steven,” he says, stating the obvious. Then he takes another swig of the whiskey. “Fuck, and now I’m hallucinating.” He laughs but it sounds empty.

Layla steps forward and tries to take the bottle from him but he swipes the bottle before she can.

“Stop trying to be a buzzkill, imaginary Layla.”

Layla is used to Marc not thinking she is real when he drinks. She didn’t understand it at first, how a man so calculating when sober could sink to delusions when drunk. After meeting Steven and Jake, she knows better now. Drinking dulls the senses and for Marc, that means being unable to tell what is real and what is in his head.

Marc doesn’t drink often so it was never much of a problem. Marc would drink, start talking as if Layla was an illusion, and eventually pass out. When he awoke in the morning, he wouldn’t remember what happened and Layla never told him. Things were always so tense between them. Layla didn’t want to fight over yet another thing he wouldn’t explain.

There was a period though, right before he disappeared, where he drank nearly every day. Layla could deal with occasional drunken stupor but his drinking became obsessive.

Layla didn’t like it. The secrets and stonewalling she could tolerate but the excessive drinking? She didn’t have the energy to deal with another vice from him.

They would get into fights over it a lot. Layla yelling at him to get it together and Marc telling her to leave him alone. Like most of their fights, they never resolved anything and it usually ended with them falling into bed together.

Soon it became all they would do. Fight and make up, over and over again.

The night before he disappeared had been the same. Layla had come home to a familiar situation: Marc drunk and angry and looking to pick a fight. Layla didn’t have the strength to resist anymore and she took the bait. They had their biggest fight yet, bringing up dirty laundry and throwing around insults without care for the hurt they brought.

It had ended as all their fights ended, anger fueling their desire for each other. And yet it felt different. Layla couldn’t tell what it was, too caught up in the heat of the moment to register that something was off.

They had sex for hours, going much longer than they usually did. Marc couldn’t seem to get enough of her, hands roaming over her body as if to memorize the way she felt. He left her skin covered in marks. Red and purple blurred together until every part of her was covered with a sign that she was his.

They went until there was nothing more to say, mind and body in total bliss. They fell asleep together, Marc’s arms wrapped around her and pulling her close.

When she woke in the morning, he was gone. Layla would spend the next six months looking for him to no avail until one day, Steven picked up the phone and she found him again.

Movement pulls her out of her thoughts and she sees Marc has stood up and is trying to make his way to the table where a plastic bag holds another bottle of liquor.

His drunkenness made him clumsy and he tripped over some of the glass on the floor. Before he could fall, Layla swoops in to steady him. At the contact, Marc looks up and says “Fuck, you’re real.”

“Yes, Marc. I’m real and I’m not going anywhere.”

He laughs but it’s still cold. He yanks his arm from her hold and resumes walking towards the bottle.

Layla steps in front of him. “Marc. I think you’ve had enough.”

“You don’t have to pretend to care about me anymore,” he spits, “I know you wish I was Steven.

“You know what?” Layla snaps. “Maybe I do like Steven better. But it has nothing to do with him and everything to do with you. You spend all this time pushing me away, convincing yourself you are protecting me. You keep saying I don’t know you but you won’t even let me try. And honestly, I can’t tell if you don't know you’re hurting me or you just don’t care.”

He opens his mouth to speak but she is too angry to stop.

“I have spent years trying to figure you out, just searching for some sign you trusted me. I keep waiting for you to change, for you to finally realize I care about you. But you haven’t, you won’t and I can’t keep hoping for things to get better. Nothing I do will ever convince you that I love you and I am done trying.”

Layla expects him to yell back at you, to deflect the accusation by bringing up more of their problems.

Instead, he falls to the ground. He brings his knees close to his chest, and buries his face under his injured hands.

Layla is confused about what is happening until she hears the quiet sobs coming from the curled body in front of her.

Layla has no idea what to do. In all the years she’s known him, she has never once seen him cry. She feels woefully unprepared to deal with the situation.

A small part of her feels triumphant. She had finally gotten Marc to show some vulnerability but her satisfaction was overshadowed by the worry she feels for him.

Unsure, she moves toward him until she is kneeling next to him. She puts her arms around him. He doesn’t acknowledge her but he starts crying harder until he is shaking in her arms.

It occurs to her this may be the first time someone has tried to comfort him while he cried and the thought sends a prang through her heart.

Eventually, his crying begins to slow, sobs turning into hiccups before stopping entirely. He lifts his head and his gaze meets hers. His eyes are still wet, his face red and swollen, and still Layla thinks this is the most beautiful she has ever seen him.

Layla can tell the moment he realizes what’s going on. His face hardens and he starts pulling away from her embrace but she grabs his hand. “Please, don’t,” she begs.

She doesn’t expect him to listen but he does. They stay like this for a few moments, hands entwined, neither knowing what to say next.

It’s Marc who speaks first. “Sorry you had to deal with that,” he says, his free hand rubbing his neck self consciously while he stares at the space between them, unable to look at her.

Despite the situation, Layla lets out a small laugh. Marc tries to pull away again but Layla tightens her grip.

“Sorry,” she says, “I shouldn’t be laughing. I know this is serious but it's just funny that you are apologizing. After years of me desperately trying to get through to you, you’re actually apologizing for giving me the one thing I wanted all along.”

He gives a small smile but he keeps his eyes fixed on the floor.

“Hey, look at me,” she says, tilting his chin until his gaze is level with hers. ”I’m sorry anyone made you feel you are not allowed to show emotions. But never doubt, for even a second, that I want to know how you feel."

There is a beat of silence before Marc starts speaking.

“I really thought you were going to leave. Not just me, but Steven too. And I was so mad at myself for ruining things again for him.”

He opens his mouth to say more but decides against it.

“Hey, tell me.” Layla encourages.

His voice is quieter when he responds “But a bigger part of me was scared to lose you. I know I don't show it well but all I care about is protecting you. If it was between saving you or the world, I would let the world burn every single time.”

“I thought I was doing the right thing by pushing you away,” He continued. “I thought if you couldn’t see me for what I was, a violent mercenary with too much blood on his hands to deserve you, then the least I could do was stop you from getting closer before you got hurt.”

“Or before you could get hurt,” Layla responds.

Marc nods his head. “Yeah, that too. Even if I couldn't admit it to myself."

He pushes forward. "Everything I did, pushing you away, disappearing, sending the divorce papers, I thought it would be enough. Enough for you to finally leave.”

“But it didn’t matter because you kept getting closer to Steven and at first, I thought I was mad because it meant you were sticking around. But then I realized I was jealous of him, of his ability to just talk about how he feels. No shame, no hesitation, just honesty."

"And I could see that you were falling for him and how could you not? He is everything you wanted out of me. After knowing Steven, how could you ever want me again? And then I would just get angrier because who was I to stop you and Steven from getting the love you both deserve. I should have been happy you were finally done with me.”

“But it didn’t feel good to feel you slipping away. All I could think about was that I was losing you before I could tell you how much I still love you.”

Layla doesn't think before kissing him.

The kiss is light, Layla cautiously looking for any sign of hesitation from Marc.

Instead, Marc's hands come up cup her face, bringing her closer to deepen the kiss.

The embrace is short but more intimate than any they've shared before. When they part, they stay close, foreheads leaning against each other.

“Oh Marc,” Layla says, voice barely above whisper. “I’ve never doubted that you loved me. But I need you to know that I love you too. I’ve loved you every minute that I’ve known you. I love you even when you don’t love yourself. I love you at your worst, I love you at your best and every shade in between.”

“You still love me?” His voice is small.

Layla knows he needs to hear it again, his mind already beginning to doubt.

“Yes. I still love you.”

“But what about Steven?” Marc asks tentatively. “Don’t you love him?”

Layla hesitates.

“I… I think I love him too.”

“Oh.” He says, face falling. His gaze shifts to the floor again. “So you’re choosing him.”

“What?” Layla says, surprised. “I’m not choosing anyone." She hesitates. "I... I want you both.”

“Both of us?” He looked at her like he didn’t understand what she was saying. “Me and Steven? You’d want us both?”

“Is that too selfish for me to ask?” Layla sighs. “Look, I know you come as a set. Not just Steven, but Jake too. They are a part of you, the way you are a part of them.”

“You love Jake?” He says, his eyebrows knitting together.

Layla laughs. “No, I don’t. But I do care about him. Not like how I care for you and Steven but yeah, I like him. He can be a little shit but he’s funny and I like talking to him. I’d call him a friend but he’d probably kick my ass for getting sentimental.”

Marc smiles. “He just agreed with you, by the way.”

“So you still want me? And Steven? And Jake? Even after I’ve hurt you and lied to you? You’d forgive me?”

“Yes, I do.” She answers. “I meant what I said in our vows, til death do us part, right?”

Marc freezes. “Oh yeah, about that…” He says sheepishly. “In the spirit of honesty, I’ve already died.”

“What the fuck does that even mean?” Layla asks.

“Well, technically speaking, I’ve already been dead.” He quickly adds, “I’m fine now, Khonshu brought me back to life.”

He continues, “Actually, that’s how I wound up serving him.”

Layla doesn’t say anything, just stares at him in disbelief.

Marc's eyes go wide. “Was that too much?” He looks down. “Yeah, that was too much.”

“No!” Layla blurts. She grabs his hand. “It’s not too much. I’m just surprised. It’s not every day that you find out that your husband died and was resurrected by an Egyptian deity.”

Marc laughs. “Yeah, I guess not.”

They sit in silence for a few beats, taking in the peace that has settled between them.

It’s Marc who breaks the silence. “Do you still love me?” he asks.

Her answer comes fast and sure. “Yes, I still love you.”

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