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leftoverenvy · 3 months

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Tastes Like Sugar (ch. 29)

Summary: India Mae, or Indi, is a music major, struggling to pay bills, tuition, work, and make good grades. Emily Prentiss is a BAU profiler, as well as a DC socialite thanks to her huge family fortune. The two enter into a mutually beneficial arrangement: Emily will pay for Indi's school if Indi accompanies Emily to her social functions for a few months, posing as her girlfriend. As weeks go by, the lines between their arrangement and their true feelings start to blur. But money can't buy love, right?

Pairing: India Mae Banks x Emily Prentiss; OC x Emily Prentiss

Warnings: smut; sugar baby relationships; age gap (16 years - but all over 18)

Word Count: 2.8 k

Read on Wattpad | Ao3 | Previous Chapters

Taglist: @ssa-sapphic 🧸; @5raysofsunshine 🌮; @reidselle 🦭; @swiftfiles 🐝💚; @gaelic-symphony 🎻 ; @sadgirlml 🌻💌; @hotchs-bitch 🦆 ; @multiverse-mxdness ; @madelineleong ; @scorpsik 🎨 ; @heidss

A/n: Wow, I am so so sorry that it's been so long since an update. I've finally found my joy in writing again. If you're still following this story, I cannot tell you how much your patience and loyalty means to me. Enjoy <3

Chapter 29 - Wayward

My summer with Emily was like a dream. She had only been gone on two cases, spending more regular hours in the office. We didn't comment on her unusually light case load for fear it would jinx it. I loved the time we were able to spend together with a more normal schedule. I enjoyed twisting myself around her while we watched movies on the couch. I relished the way she made me feel as she watched me play the piano. I yearned for the way she touched me every night.

Even though she had been gone for a case in Alaska for the last week, I still counted it a blessing to have had so many weeks uninterrupted by calls away. "Hi angel!" I startled, jumping halfway off the couch.

Once I had caught my breath, I smiled widely and responded, "Emily!" She flopped down next to me on the couch, pulling me in for a proper kiss. "Missed you," I mumbled between kisses. Once our frenzy had slowed down, I whispered against her neck, "I have something for you."

"That's funny, me too!" She whipped out a keychain with a photo of the Northern Lights in it.

I chuckled, sitting up to grab it and examine it more closely. "This is actually very pretty, Em. I thought these were supposed to be cheesy."

"I thought the Alaskan landscape deserved better. It was gorgeous up there; I wish you could have seen it."

"Thank you, babe. I love it." She kissed my cheek, tugging me closer.

"Now," she started, "What's this about a present for me?" I smiled bashfully, suddenly nervous to play the song I had finished for her. "I thought I was supposed to bring you presents."

"I didn't say it was a present. It's not a big deal. Just a lil something."

"Mmhm," she hummed skeptically, her eyes narrowing. "Show me." Something in Emily's glittering eyes told me she was excited by the prospect of receiving a gift. When was the last time someone had gotten her something that she really wanted?

I reluctantly left her arms and stood up. Butterflies swarmed my stomach, nerves overtaking me. This was a bad idea. I should have recorded her song and let her listen to it on her own. I felt like the biggest idiot on the planet – she was going to hate this.

"I've uh," I nervously sat down at the bench, "Been composing this summer." I had worked all summer on this composition when Emily was out of the house.

"I know, baby. You've done some really great pieces."

"Yeah, well." I swallowed thickly. I tried to think of what to say next. I thought you deserved one to show you how much I love you. Instead, I whispered, "This one's called 'Emily's Song.'" Before she could say anything, I started playing.

As soon as I pressed down on the keys, my hands knew what to do. I didn't need to think about it, muscle memory controlled my fingers. I felt myself start to tear up playing, knowing just how much love I had woven into this song. I wished I was brave enough to tell her. Embarrassed by how emotional I was, I begged my eyes to suck the tears back in, certain Emily would be appreciative but not emotional.

As I started the last part of the song, I knew that I would never love anyone like I loved Emily Prentiss. But the thought terrified me. I was only twenty-two – what did I know about love? And how could she feel even a fraction of what I felt for her?

When the final notes of the song rang through the air, I couldn't bring myself to look at Emily, far too embarrassed. I heard her sniff and then push herself off the couch. Another beat passed and I felt her arms wrap around my shoulder. "That was perfect, Indi. Thank you." She pressed a kiss to my temple, her lips lingering longer than usual. "I mean it, angel. No one's ever written a song for me before. It was absolutely beautiful."

Her lips trailed down the side of my face, lingering at the corner of my mouth and until I turned my head to kiss her back. She deepened the kiss and trailed her hands down my body to show me how much she liked the song.

- - -

Emily and I fell back into our morning routine as if we hadn't broken it during the summer. I made us breakfast as she packed her go bag for work. We ate in silence, as she read on her iPad. Breaking the quiet, she asked, "Are you ready for your first day back?"

"I guess," I responded morosely. "I liked our summer together. I liked being able to focus on music and you. No math or English essays to worry about." Emily chuckled at that, moving her dishes to the sink.

"At least you have a good first recital piece ready."

Puzzled, I asked, "Which one?"

"My song," she said, beaming with pride.

I narrowed my eyes with uncertainty. "You really think it's good enough for recital?"

"Yes I do," she affirmed. And her voice was so confident, it left no room for objection. "This will be your best semester yet!" she said positively.

"But how can I be expected to do homework when you're home if your case load keeps up like this?"

"Are you pushing for me to go away on a case?" she asked with a smirk.

"Absolutely not!" I protested. "I'm just saying, it will be hard to concentrate knowing you're home."

"We'll manage, angel." She kissed me on the forehead and moved to holster her gun to her hip. My heart skipped a beat staring at her; she made everything look sexy. "I'm off to work now. I'll text you if I'm called away." She leaned down to kiss me briefly. "I want to hear all about how your first day goes! I'll call you if I'm away, or I'll see you tonight."

"Bye, Em." When the door to the garage closed softly behind her, I sighed. I wanted to get to campus early so I could get a good seat in class. I quickly did our dishes, grabbed my backpack, and hurried out the door.

But life had a funny way of balancing itself out. I had had the best summer of my life and was already disappointed to have to go back to classes, just to receive the worst welcome back to school present: my car broke down. I called Emily in tears, worried that I was going to start the semester off on the wrong foot with my first professor.

I dialed Emily's number with shaky hands, feeling the passing cars shake mine as they zoomed past me on the highway. I wasn't sure how Emily understood me through my hiccups and tears when I told her I was stuck on the shoulder of the highway.

"Shhh. Calm down, baby. It's going to be okay, I'll make all the arrangements. As soon as we're off the phone, I'll call a tow company to come get it and take it to the shop." I breathed a heavy sigh of relief, tears abating, thankful, as always, for Emily.

She continued, "In the meantime, baby, just drive the Lexus – the keys are by the door." I felt my heart rate elevate at the thought. "Or, if you'd prefer, you can Uber over to Quantico and pick up the Jag." Pick up the Jag. She said it so casually, as if driving one of her very expensive cars did not cause me extreme anxiety.

"No I do not want to "pick up the Jag!" Emily, what if I crash your car?!" I felt my face go hot at the thought, palms starting to sweat in anxiety. "You love all of these cars and they're so expensive and I'm not on your insurance!" I rushed out.

"Breathe Indi! It's just a car. And you don't have one right now. Please, take whatever car you want. Or Uber everywhere – I'll put more money in your account for it. Is that what you'd prefer?"

"No!" I nearly shouted. I took another deep breath, trying to keep in perspective that this wasn't Emily's fault and she was just trying to help. "I-" I exhaled into the phone. "I'm sorry," I deflated, "It wasn't fair to blow up at you like that. I appreciate you letting me drive the Lexus."

Sensing the storm was over, Emily said, "I'm only sorry I can't see you drive it." I could almost hear the smirk in her voice. "I'm certain you'd look damn sexy in that car."

I chuckled and swiped at the remaining tears, embarrassed I had cried so much in front of Emily. "We'll see if you still say that when I ding your Lexus," I half joked.

"Like I said," her tone more serious, "It's just a car, angel." I paused, unsure what else to say. Her voice was calming though – she calmed me. "Look, I've gotta run. I promise I'll send a tow truck, but Uber home and grab the Lexus so you aren't late for class, okay?"

"Okay," I said softly, tears welling back up in my eyes.

"I'll call you later with an update."

"Bye…" And the line went dead.

- - -

Throughout my first class, my thoughts fixated on my car and how I was going to pay for everything. Even though Emily had been paying for most everything the last few months, I wasn't sure I'd be able to afford whatever the mechanic's bill was going to be.

As my thoughts contemplated every little thing that could go wrong with my car, I missed everything my professor said. I was immensely thankful the first day was always spent going over the syllabus. I'd just have to make sure to read that thoroughly later tonight.

Over the lunch hour, Emily called. "Car's toast and probably not worth fixing." So much for easing into it, I thought. I sighed deeply. Of course life would throw this at me. Things with Emily were just too good for everything else to be going right.

"Okay…" I sighed. I mentally calculated how long I could go without a car while I built my savings up again. I also braced myself for having a conversation with Emily later about asking to go back to work; that battle wouldn't be won easily. But how else was I supposed to take on a car payment?

"I'll see you tonight, okay baby? I'm going to make sure to come home early."

- - -

Later that evening, once classes had finished, I arrived home. I was excited by the prospect of Emily coming home early, and I eagerly awaited the garage door opening to see if her car was in the garage. Once the door had raised fully, I counted three cars in the garage…except, whose car is that? In my spot, where my car should have been, was parked a shiny, new Audi. Panic swelled inside of me. I didn't want to rush to conclusions, but Emily didn't drive Audis. In fact, I had told her it was my dream car. But surely she wouldn't have irrationally bought me a car without thinking about it first.

Not seeing the Jag parked in her spot, I quickly dialed her number as I walked through the door. "Do you like it?!" she asked excitedly.

"So I'm not crazy?" I spit out, trying to control my rising temper. "You did buy me a car?"

"Yes! Do you like it?" she repeated.

"Emily…" I said in warning.

"Don't make this a big deal, India. I swear to god, don't. This isn't a big deal."

Her flippant tone fanned the flames of my anger. "It's a car, Emily. An expensive one at that." Suddenly, Emily's cavalier attitude on spending rubbed me the wrong way. I had never cared what anyone did with their money; it was theirs to do with as they pleased. But to hear firsthand how dismissive she was about such a purchase enraged me. Especially because she was wasting her money on me.

How could she not understand this? She threw money around like it was nothing. It made me feel like shit, like I was worthless. How could I ever repay someone who gave me everything? How could I ever be enough for her? I had nothing. I was nothing.

She sighed into the phone. "Can we talk about this when I get home?"

Clipped, I responded, "Great." And I hung up. Immediately, I knew I shouldn't have done that. No matter how badly she angered me, she didn't deserve to be disrespected.

I paced the living room waiting for Emily, counting out each step until I lost track. I tried to match my breathing to each tick of the clock on the wall. For forty-three minutes, I tried to calm down, anxious about our impending argument.

But no amount of mental preparation would have helped, because as soon as Emily walked through the door, we started fighting about the car.

"I don't see what the big deal is, Indi. It's a car for fuck's sake." I winced at her cursing during an argument.

"But that's exactly it, Emily! You can't understand why this is a big deal for me."

"Do you not like the car? Is that what it is? We can exchange it for any kind that you want," she offered.

"It's too much! And it wasn't part of the deal!" I shouted at her.

Shock flooded her face and she froze. Softly, almost hurt, she asked, "Do you seriously still consider this just an arrangement?" She spit the last word out as if it left a sour taste in her mouth. "You can stand there and really tell me that you still just see me as an ATM?"

"I NEVER saw you as an ATM, Emily. Of course this is more than being your sugar baby." It still didn't sit right. Rocks settled in my stomach. How could I ever get her to understand?

"Then what? You think just because I love you that should mean my support should just stop" - she snapped her fingers - "like that?"

Our argument entirely forgotten, "You love me?" I whispered, aching at the thought of her taking it back, but sick at the thought of her really meaning it. I wouldn't allow myself to believe she meant it.

"I-" She blew out a puff of air. "Yeah." Time stopped. My breathing, my thoughts – they all stopped. "I love you, Indi. I am so in love with you."

And for a split second, I almost accepted the car. But accepting this huge gift almost felt like I would be solidifying our original arrangement. I couldn't sort it out anymore. I was overwhelmed by it all. By how much I needed Emily. By how this had turned into something so different than the life I had pictured for myself. I didn't know who I was anymore; I had lost myself in a game of make believe.

Emily couldn't want me forever like I wanted her. Too soon she would realize that I could give her nothing in return. Only then, it would be too late for me. I would be too far gone, too far entrenched in the India Emily wanted me to be, the real Indi never to be seen again.

My eyes went huge at the thought. Who had I let Emily turn me into? Who had I become during this arrangement? And how had I lost myself so quickly? Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. This mansion felt like a collapsing, cardboard box. Emily's affection, once a warm, safe blanket around me, now felt like a noose.

Shaking my head, I turned and ran upstairs. When I came back down, bag packed, Emily hadn't moved an inch.

I needed distance from this life – from Emily – so I could find Indi again. But who was I without Emily? It had only been six months, and already I had no idea what life would be without her. I had pretended to be what I thought Emily wanted for so long that I forgot who I was. It didn't matter, though. Because if anything was certain it was that I could never be enough for Emily. She deserved so much more than the little I could give her.

I drove quickly back into the city, to Penelope, to my real life. I knocked on the door to what used to be my home praying Penelope was there to greet me. When she opened the door, tears flooded down my face. As I walked through the door, Pen's arms around me, I couldn't help but feel unsettled. I didn't feel at home here anymore. If I didn't fit into my old life, or into Emily's, where did I belong?

Continue to next chapter

#🌬 fics #tastes like sugar #emily prentiss #emily prentiss x oc #emily prentiss fanfiction #emily prentiss smut #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfiction #criminal minds au #wlw writing #Emily Prentiss x poc!oc

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scorpsik · 7 months

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I didn't expect to see you!

These are for @leftoverenvy

Two very quick sketches before work. They aren't very good, but I wanted to counterbalance the nastiness that has been filling lovely people's ask boxes recently.

All of you, we, writers, artists, creators give a part of our hearts when we put something 'out there' for people to see. It takes courage and for everyone that's been getting snarky, juvenile comments, please please ignore them and carry on doing what you are doing, because there are so many of us who LOVE what you put out.

#fanart #emily prentiss #larissa weems #tastes like sugar #writerscommunity #hugs to all writers #hugs to all artist #did i mention tastes like sugar?

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honehonn3honey · 10 days

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Birthday boy 🎂

#Happy birthday to all birthday people today #Why do you think that boy Kacchan pouts? I would like to read you in the comments or rb #I know Bakugo’s parents have enough money for a big custom cake but do you think I have the ability to do it? Lol #Or is it just a detail from Inko? A homemade and loving cake for Katsuki?#An AU where they are true childhood friends please #I love the color of the cake #it’s something that I would eat with these sugar star shaped sparks that for some reason you chew and taste a little vanilla #bakugo katsuki #bakugou katsuki #bnha bakugo katsuki #〔 honneydraws✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜˙ 〕#my fanart #my art #my post #my hero academia #mha bakugou #mha fanart #mha #boku no hero academia #bnha art #birthday gift #bnha #art #digitalart #digital art #digital drawing #artists on tumblr #illustration #drawing #爆豪勝己誕生祭2024

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starlightwars1 · 1 year

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scraping off dried icing and eating it as a form of enrichment

#talking to myself #yummy #tastes like sugar

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soupfather · 8 months

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Crocs are neat

#fnaf #fnafsb #fnaf security breach #sundrop #fnaf daycare attendant #fnaf sun #this is an outfit I made irl but it was so good I had to draw it #my crocs are a lot cooler though since I have a lot of charms on them I just didn’t wanna draw all of them #also the socks are trolli gummy socks I got from it’s sugar I highly recommend them #one late thing but whoever said my art looked like it tastes like marshmallows I love you #like I’ve never heard a compliment like that before I like it a lot #resonated with me fr ‼️‼️#okay I love you bye

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dragonmouth · 7 months

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Crowley’s first failed attempt at tempting Aziraphale in the Garden of Eden….

A very lovely follower on Twitter gave me the idea and reminded me that sugar apples exist. I wish I could try a sugar apple. They look so tasty.

#good omens #fanart #good omens fanart #crowley #aziraphale #david tennant #michael sheen #azicrow #sugar apples #what do sugar apples ever taste like?#are they like apples but sweeter?#i’m not a fan of overly sweet apples #I prefer my apples a bit more on the sour side

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stevebabey · 1 month

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"Alright, here we go!" The bartender announces, leaning up to place the drinks on the bar.

"That's one whiskey, neat—" He says, sliding the lowball cocktail glass with amber liquid in front of Eddie.

"—And one Whammin' Slammin' Booty-Bangin' Pina Colada."

He places the extravagant cocktail in front of Steve. It's decorated to the nines with a straw, an umbrella, a piece of pineapple, and a little bit of tinsel on a toothpick. A whole party decoration in a drink.

"You guys have a good night." The bartender says warmly, already moving down the bar to tend to other customers.

Eddie stares down at the whiskey in the glass before him and pouts a little. Beside him and watching his boyfriend closely, Steve rolls his eyes.

"Oh, quit being dramatic," Steve says, sliding the cocktail across the bar so it's in front of Eddie, who had ordered it. He steals the glass of whiskey back at the same time.

"It happens every time."

"It happens most times."

"That isn't much better!" Eddie protests, even as he leans down and takes a long sip from the straw while they both get to their feet and leave the bar. Steve's hunting for a table they can snag, his eyes narrowed in focus. Eddie follows him blindly, his cocktail cupped in both hands.

"I'm serious, Steve! What is it about this adorable face—" He says, gesturing to himself, barely letting go of the straw to talk. It doesn't seem to faze him that Steve doesn't even glance back. "—Says I don't want to enjoy a Whammin' Bammin' Big Booty Colada?"

Steve comes to a stop, pausing his search for a moment to look back at Eddie. His expression seems unimpressed on the surface but Eddie can see his lips twitching up at the corners.

"We've had this conversation too many times, babe." He sighs halfheartedly and takes a quick sip of his own whiskey, eyes casting back out across the bar. "You have scary dog energy, you know this. You specifically dress like this on purpose."

Eddie picks up the pineapple wedged on the edge of his glass and bites into it, sending it down with another sip of his cocktail as Steve leads them further into the back of the bar. He finally spots a spare empty table.

"C'mon, I think I found one." Steve urges, one hand snaking back to make sure Eddie's following.

"Is it a crime to wish to not fall victim to stereotypes?" Eddie prattles on, following Steve duly by slipping his hand into Steve's outstretched one. His cocktail wobbles precariously as he takes another gulp.

"Like when that waitress gave me your awful black coffee! And you got my delicious delicacy that I paid extra hard-earned money for..."

i like to think that when steve and eddie go out, people always lean into their assumptions and are like hmm ok preppy boy with the polo? oh he gets the fruity cocktail! and eddie is always like >:( i don't want this expensive puddle of piss gimme the bonanza supreme cocktail pls. like excuse me i paid for that.

#steve's got expensive booze taste bcos he partied lots as a teen & he got into his dad's expensive stuff #and now it's all he likes #eddie doesn't drink loads cos he usually smokes instead so when he does drink he never wants to taste the alcohol #and he likes that they're pretty and come w fun things :)#steve also likes black coffee cos he was on that Sports Diet through hs #eddie packs his with sugar and creamer if he can #hehehe have this headcanon <3 from me to you #that i thought of rn #steddie #steve x eddie #steddie ficlet #steddie fic #steddie headcanon #heheheheh <3 #i also love drinks with the most insane names. like please tell me you know what i mean #ruby writes steddie

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pup-pee · 3 months

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chewy like a easter egg grass

#if u havent eaten the that easter egg grass then like y not #i want some so bad it tastes so good #im mean its just sugar & food dye + smth smth #BUT GAHHH I WANT IT #like cotton candy but string kinda?#anyways #im gonna eat this lil girlie WHOLE JUST NOM #ill prolly make this like a charm 4 myself #hang him on my phone so i can jingle them like car keys #kon el #superboy #kon el kent #dc #puppee art #what is all this yapping

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vhvrs · 6 months

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my deal w alcohol is it better either taste awful but have a lethal level of alcohol in it or taste like im drinking str8 sugar. no in between. if it tastes bad and has nothing in it, its pointless.

#i said i take my alcohol like my mom takes her coffee which is smothered in syrups n sugar until u barely taste it. n its real

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jtl-fics · 1 year

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Fluent Freshman - Part 15

The thing is… FF is aware that he should probably be medicated. You might be saying well isn’t he taking his ulcer medication? The answer is yes he is and when he is getting close to missing a dose Nicky’s usually the one that texts him with six frowny face emojis asking if he took his meds (they have a system, he takes his meds and then he texts Nicky)

No, he knows that he should probably get on something for his anxiety. Betsy has offered to get started on getting him on the right cocktail, his grandma thinks it’s a good idea, and Nicky has offered to get him as much weed as he needs to chill out, he knows a guy. Andrew is probably only going to stab him and threaten him not actually hunt him for sport, in his moments of clarity he can accept and understand that.

But there is nothing in this world that he wants less than to get back on anxiety medication. The world had been grey, it muted everything in the world for him, he faded completely into the background of his own life, and he couldn’t even grieve-

He was almost thankful for his step-dad’s sudden arrival in his life and how quickly his mom forgot about him to spend every waking moment she could on him and his children and then their children. It was two years of nothing and then his mom stopped picking up and refilling his prescription because it was too much of a hassle to keep picking up every month.

“He’s not anxious, see he’s fine. He doesn’t need it anymore.”

The withdrawal and the emotions that came afterwards had been hellish. He’d collapsed into his Grandma’s arms and begged her not to call his mom. He spent an entire month of summer vacation feeling like he was going to die and when he got back he found that no one had even missed him.

He swallowed the hurt, all of his emotions felt so much stronger now that he’d lost them for two years. If he has reactions like he’d had before he knows his mom will put him back on the medication.

The town is small and everyone talks. He knows about the dog walker’s poop flinging scandal, he knows about how the butcher’s left pinky got put back on wrong when he’d cut it off, he knows that the kid down the street paid $40 for a bag of oregano that he thought was weed, he knows that lil susie is in counseling because a girl should probably not be establishing cult rituals around her barbies.

He can’t react, can’t let people know he’s dying from anxiety because his math teacher sighs when he hands over his test. Can’t let anyone know that he has to put his head between his legs and take deep breaths before he can go into the cafeteria. His only solace is that all of the foreign language teachers love him, it’s easier to accept a compliment or comment in a language his family doesn’t use.

His step family treat him like the guards outside of Buckingham. Anything for a reaction y’know? He tells himself he does not care and for the most part he doesn’t.

He signs up for Exy in middle school because he just wanted something to do and it was the sport that had the same meeting days as his grandma’s bowling league. She picks him up from practice and they get ice cream together afterwards, she’s the only thing he has since Great Gran passed not too long after he got free of the medication.

He still feels her fingers checking behind his ears on occasion, a joke now that he’s off his meds referencing when he was too zoned out to care about hygiene. He still remembers her looking at him and feeling like she was seeing more than just him, “You’re a Smith. The last one when me and my daughter go. We’ll all be with you whenever you need us.” She promises.

He thinks it’s just respectful to get her favorite scent when he needs her help. He was raised to be respectful. Lavender still makes him think of her and he hopes his grandma left some on her grave recently.

He knew he’d have to wait to go to college. His mom is putting on the pressure now that he’s 18 saying he will have to pay rent even though Greg is older and definitely isn’t. He plays Exy and thinks about how he’ll handle his life between 18 and 25, he puts all his anxiety into the game and maybe the coach notices something.

He must have noticed something.

The Foxes don’t offer positions to kids who don’t have something going wrong for them.

Coach Wymack and Dan Wilds wouldn’t be there in his little bum fuck nowhere town in Washington if his coach hadn’t sent a tape and an explanation.

He could admit that he knew about the Foxes. He looked up to the vice captain a fair bit not just for his game but also…well the Butcher was national news. Vice Captain Neil’s story was all over the news and maybe he was just a little bit in awe of someone who could stand his ground after all of that. Watching Vice Captain Neil Josten give shit to every last reporter who gave him any shit? Inspiring.

He just didn’t think it’d be a good fit for him.

He’s not like the rest of the Foxes. Dan talks about them all in broad terms, how they’re all fighting to become something and grow beyond the unfairness that was out of their control. FF is tough to convince but he’s a pretty good defensive dealer, Dan and Coach Wymack both want him.

Dan eventually has to go because she has an interview for a coaching position out this way but Coach Wymack just hands over the rental car keys and Coach Wymack stays.

Coach Wymack stays and they keep talking. FF talks about everything and Wymack eventually just says “Well, you’re still here despite all of that aren’t you? Sounds like a fighter to me. I think you’ve got what it takes to carry that weight with some help and I can promise that you won’t have to deal with those jerks past your high school graduation. You’re not going to be the first Fox who I help out from under some asshole parents and you won’t be the last.”

So he signs a contract, he’s 18 he can do that AND buy cigarettes now (he won’t. That’s how Gran lost gramps when dad was still young but he COULD. Much like he COULD go into the town’s only sex toy shop but that would be back to his grandma faster than the cigarette purchase to be honest and he isn’t THAT interested in what’s in there.)

He finishes up school but the assistant coach is a friend of his step dad and mentions that he’s signed to the Foxes. It’s just one week between his graduation and when Coach Wymack is coming to grab him

Suddenly he exists in his house for the first time since they all moved into it after the wedding and it’s the WORST. The want things, they want promises, they want assurances, they want to pretend and act like he’s always been there.

He flees to his Grandma’s house and texts Coach Wymack asking if there’s ANY chance he can get picked up early because he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to talk if he calls the man.

Coach Wymack comes for him and shoulders him past his ‘family’ to the rental car but the panic attack he sees in the car ride to the airport when his family’s car follows them all the way to the rental drop off means that he HAS to see Betsy.

Betsy is nice. Betsy teaches him how to breathe through stuff. Betsy teaches him how to ground himself in reality. Betsy tells him that the Starbucks girl probably doesn’t hate him. Betsy suggests he get on some medication.

He said No.

He’s scared out of his MIND in Palmetto but it’s better than-

He prefers to feel things.

Betsy tells him that it shouldn’t have been like that. His mother should have taken him back and gotten his prescription adjusted until it wasn’t like that.

He still declines.

Andrew gets suspicious about him knowing Russian after that game of Never Have I Ever and Nicky keeps almost letting it spill right by him. His stomach hurts the CVS girl keeps pepto for him behind the counter.

He still declines.

He prefers to feel things.

You can’t enjoy the thrill of a 100% on a Kanji Basics midterms without the anxiety of the Oral presentation. You can’t feel the true satisfaction of getting a blender for 25% off + 50 dollars of in-store credit without the flop-sweat of the searching eyes of a woman wearing PINK branded lounge wear. You can’t keep friends if you have no ability to empathize with them even if you’re worried you’re annoying them or ‘humble bragging’.

Fear is better.

Betsy tells him if he’s ever ready then she will help him. His Gran tells him she loves him. Nicky says “Look there’s a strain called White Russian. That’d be funny right?!”and FF agrees but declines to sample it.

Right now, as Nicky smudges eyeliner under his eyes and tugs at his shirt for the 80th time, he thinks it might actually be better to feel nothing.

He’d woken up from his…nap? He might have fainted actually? But he did it on a bed and it lasted for like 4 hours? So does that count as a nap? He wants to ask but also doesn’t want to worry anyone, maybe he could ask Aaron that if a Friend faints and doesn’t wake up for four hours is that a nap or a medical emergency? Just curious.

When he had emerged from Nicky’s room Captain Neil and Andrew had herded them all into the Maserati and they’d gone out and gotten McDonald’s for a late lunch. The only comment he had gotten when he’d asked for a happy meal (his stomach could not handle anything more) was whether or not he wanted the toy.

“Yes.” He answered panicked at the sudden question.

He got his Megamind toy, accidentally shone it into Aaron’s eyes when he pushed a button. “Shit that’s bright” before he apologized and shoved it in his jacket pocket.

They hung out at the house for the rest of the day.

They watched movies, played Mario Kart (how is Captain Neil this bad when his reflexes on the court are so good?) and did some homework. Andrew seemed to actually like the brownies which is why FF probably woke up from his... still haven’t asked Aaron if it’s a nap or a medical emergency.

He has a square and even at room temperature they taste great.

When it started to get dark they all went to go get ready. FF had gone to get whatever clothes Nicky had prepared on but had found himself sat on the man’s bed (so much glitter, seriously how can one bed have so much of it?) and Nicky holding a pencil to his eye and telling HIM not to flinch.

“Gonna have all the….” Nicky pauses and adopts a look on his face that means that he’s thinking incredibly hard about something. “Wait how have we been friends for MONTHS and I have no idea how you swing?” FF is caught off guard for a few moments because it’s the first time that Nicky has verbally confirmed that they are, in fact, friends and…

Wow.

That’s so nice.

He thought it was just Nicky’s innate inability to leave something to suffer needlessly that had the upperclassmen helping him. (FF has watched Nicky go out of his way to give cats food, turn turtles back onto their stomachs, and walk into traffic to stop cars so that a duck family could make it to a pond. He just sort of figured he was the same level of pathetic)

Wait.

What.

“Wait, what?”

“How do you swing?” Nicky repeats.

FF knows what he means but doesn’t want to. “With my left hand.” He responds and hopes Nicky drops it because the long and short answer is: he doesn’t know. He has no idea.

“Ohh dirty!” Nicky makes a jacking off motion with his left hand and FF feels embarrassed sweat cover his body, “NO! Don’t ruin my work!” Nicky yells fanning him with his hands so the eyeliner doesn’t run. “You know what I mean Smithy. Swing for girls, boys, both, neither? What am I working with here?” He asks wiping at FF’s cheek.

“I don’t…know.” He admits because deflecting is OBVIOUSLY not his strong suit. Twice in a row it’s brought up weird sex stuff.

“C’mon don’t be embarrassed. Even if you’re straight you’re obviously an Ally.” Nicky smiles.

“No it’s not…” he flushes okay he is embarrassed but that’s because he REALLY doesn’t know. Like how the hell did he get to college and have ZERO idea about what he’s attracted to or if he’s just not attracted to anyone? He’d been focused on not screaming for the last decade and that hadn’t really left a lot of room to consider how anyone looked. He’s getting used to having friends and three whole group chats (he’s bad at responding to them, overwhelmed by the idea that whatever he says can be revisited and picked apart forever but still, THREE!)

“I really have no idea.” He repeats.

Nicky blinks at him. “Okay well, college can be all about figuring that out then! No worries my sweet boy, we will figure this out.” Nicky pats his cheek.

He feels a little better.

“Alright, let’s go to Eden’s!”

Oh fuck that’s right.

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

Per your requests:

@i-have-three-feelings @blep-23 @dreamerking27 @andreilsmyreligion @belodensetdust @rainbowpineapplebottle @yarn-ace @iwouldlikesometea @lily-s-world @obscureshipsandchips @booklover242 @whataboutmyfries @sahturnos @pluto-pepsi @dreamerthinker @passinhosdetartaruga @leftunknownheart @aro-manita-muscaria @hologramsaredead @Chaoticgremlinswishtheycouldbeme @tntwme @tayspots @nick-scar @crazy-fangirl2524 @blue-jos10 @stabbyfoxandrew @splishsplashyouropinionistrash @sammichly @the-broken-pen @bitchesdoweknowu @very-small-flower @ghostlyboiii @its-a-paxycab @bisexual-genderfluid-fan @cheesecookie @theoneandonlylostsock @foxsoulcourt @blueleys @adverbialstarlight @elia-nna @can-i-just-stay-in-the-corner @nikodiangel @foxandcrow-inatrenchcoat @hallucinatedjosten @satanic-foxhole-court @vexingcosmos @chalilodimun @insectsgetcooked @angry-kid-with-no-money @queer-crows @lilyndra @themugglemudperson @readertodeath @apileofpillows @mortalsbowbeforeme @hellomynameismoo @next-level-mess @youreonlylow @interstellarfig @notprocrastinatingatalltoday @percyjacksonfan3 @queenofcrazy27 @bsmr261 @ghostlyscares @spencellio @adinthedarkroom @harpymoth @sufferingjustalilbit @anxietymoss @oddgreyhound

The requests to be added to the tag list got spread out across a few different mediums on this one so if I missed you then just ask in the replies!

As stated before if you’re up here and I spelled it right but you didn’t get a notification there might be something switched around in your settings that won’t let me tag you properly?

#Fluent Freshman AU #Turns out I couldn't wait to write about Dan and Wymack coming out to recruit FF #So I used them as a means to talk about some other shit #And transition back to Thanksgiving Break #In the end no matter how silly he is #FF is a Fox #He's a Fox with all that implies #I'll touch more on his full past later but here's a lil taste #A lil angst as a TREAT #After all the sugar you need some bitterness #Could he really be a blorbo without it?#FF in the car on the way to Sweetie's: Hey so like random question here Aaron but what's the turn around time on fainting?#Aaron: the turn around time?#FF: Yeah like how long does it usually take for someone to wake up after they faint?#Aaron: Like 20 seconds #FF: So like four hours is abnormal #Aaron: 20 minutes is abnormal. Four hours is a medical emergency. WHY?#FF: Asking for a friend.#Aaron: That friend should be in the hospital #FF: Oh he probably will be later #I don't know if I'm gonna write them actually hanging out at Sweeties in their club outfits #I think the implied OH GOD I'M NOT DRESSED RIGHT that FF would feel is so obvious #But hey time to see who reads the tags #What flavor do you think FF would get for ice cream?#AFTG #AFTG OC #AFTG AU #AFTG Fic #FF - Pt. 15

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carouselcometh · 11 months

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The Glass Coffin Mocktail! In honor of my most beloved and favorite Saw trap 5ever :)

#my recipe #Okay so some tips is the lemon juice will taste less artificial if it is freshly squeezed #But thematically I think the artificial is better and I personally like it more #Sugared rim is optional but fun to sugar a rim you just get the glass wet and turn it around upside down in a little dish of sugad #Sugar but I’m not retyping that #Simple syrup is 1 part water 1 part sugar just boiled together in a pot #Club soda and tonic water are BASICALLY the same. Club soda is more sweet and tonic water is more bitter #They can be used interchangeably most of the time. This is one of those times #If you want to make it a COCKTAIL and not a mocktail it’s pretty much a lemon drop with extra steps so just go with vodka #This recipe image has less flair to it because this is a less. Well the flair is in the drink itself #I’m tagging this as #saw v #but that’s it for theming related tags #The grenadine is the blood going on the glass btw (the glass is the clear liquid base)

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leftoverenvy · 1 month

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Tastes Like Sugar (ch. 31)

Pairing: India Mae Banks x Emily Prentiss; OC x Emily Prentiss

Warnings: smut; sugar baby relationships; age gap (16 years - but all over 18)

Word Count: 2.3 k

Read on Wattpad | Ao3 | Previous Chapters

Taglist: @ssa-sapphic 🧸; @5raysofsunshine 🌮; @reidselle 🦭; @swiftfiles 🐝💚; @gaelic-symphony 🎻 ; @sadgirlml 🌻💌; @hotchs-bitch🦆 ; @multiverse-mxdness ; @madelineleong ; @scorpsik 🎨

Chapter 31 - Sweet Harmony

Emily's POV: We raced home, her in the Audi, me hot on her trail in my own car. I hated to separate, but I understood the necessity of having both cars at home. I had started to lead the way home, but Indi lagged behind me, uncomfortable driving so fast. My hands tightened and wound around the wheel, desperate to be home and have her back in my arms. "Come on, Indi," I whispered to myself, willing her to drive faster. Hadn't I waited long enough for her to be back home?

When we finally arrived home, I smiled at her pulling her new car into her spot of the garage. I parked as quickly as possible, flying around the back of my car to pull her door open for her. I kissed her deeply, pulling her bag from her hand. "Welcome home," I whispered against her lips.

She smiled up at me, cupping my cheek. "I'm sorry I left in the first place." Her words sobered me, and she could see my eyes tighten at the memory of her fleeing. "Should we talk about this more?"

"I think that's a good idea." I placed a quick kiss to her forehead and then picked up her bag to carry it inside for her. I grabbed her hand, "Come on you."

"Should we make cocoa?" she asked softly.

"It's August…"

She shrank, shoulders hunching slightly, eyes reticent. Softly, "My mom always made cocoa for big talks."

I warmed at the thought of her sharing a family tradition with me; Indi was always so tentative sharing things about her family. "Of course we can, sweetheart."

Silently, we made cocoa together, unsure what to say. I didn't know if we could start talking about what happened before the cocoa was done. Previously, our silences had never been awkward – time with Indi was always peaceful. But now, with this big thing looming over our heads, I wasn't sure where we stood. I had been certain that her kissing me and telling me she loved me back had meant that she was sorry for running again, but the air around us was tense. Never before had I felt so uneasy in her presence. I felt us approaching a precipice, but what came next, I wasn't sure.

We moved into the living room, settling into opposite ends of the couch.

"I'm sorry," she started.

I promised myself I wasn't going to brush off how her leaving affected me. I fought back the urge to sweep it under the rug and bottle up my feelings. Our future was too important to me to hide how this impacted me. I tried to quiet the part of me screaming to throw walls back up and shut her out. I swallowed the knee-jerk response it's okay. Because it wasn't. India's go-to was to just run when things got tough. "Why'd you run?"

She cringed slightly, and took a sip of her cocoa as she thought about her response. "I don't know," she said softly. "I'm struggling to believe I'm worth this." I opened my mouth to tell her she was worth everything in the universe, but she interrupted me. "And don't say it's just money."

"It is though, Indi. Let me just put this in perspective for you. What you give me, I can't buy. You are priceless, India Mae. Money means nothing to me because I'll always be financially secure. I have a multi-million dollar trust fund, millions in liquid assets, and an additional few million in stocks and real estate." Her eyes widened impossibly large.

Before she had time to respond, I continued. "Money can't buy what I want, Indi. I thought I could try when Rossi signed me up for SugarBook, but you are priceless to me, baby." I swallowed thickly, again fighting the urge to board up my windows and shut down. My heart beat wildly in my chest at the vulnerability I was about to show. Near whispering I said, "Money doesn't mean anything when all you want is love. And you love me so wholly."

I grabbed her mug, setting it on the coffee table. Taking her hands in mine, I blinked tears back, embarrassed at how quickly our conversation turned. "No one has ever accepted me just as I am. Growing up, I never felt like I was enough for my family. I never was anywhere long enough to make a meaningful connection. And as I got older, I stopped trying to make friends. Because it hurt so bad to pick up and move again and never see them again.

"And then when I was in the CIA, I wasn't allowed to be me. And now," I swallowed again, trying to compose myself. "You love me, Indi. I never hid who I was with you. And you won't ever know how valuable that is to me."

Her thumb softly wiped at my tears, endless tenderness and sympathy in her eyes. And finally, understanding. "Money doesn't mean anything to me, not when I have the most precious thing I could ask for," I said, squeezing her hand. "But baby you deserve anything your heart desires. It's nothing for me to buy you what you deserve. I have the means to buy you whatever you want."

"I love you so much." My heart swelled again at her admission. I wasn't sure the excitement of her saying it would ever lessen. "I just couldn't fathom why you love me," she admitted. "I thought I had nothing to give you." I shook my head, but let her continue. "I'm not worldly like you. I'm not educated like you. I come from nothing. But to hear you say that you love me because I'm enough? I'm just-" She shook her head in disbelief. "Well, I just don't know what to say. It sounds too good to be true."

She took a steadying breath and looked me deep in the eyes. Unwaveringly, she said, "And to know that all you want is that love and support? Well it's all I want too. You, as you are, are it for me, Em. I never thought I could love someone so much."

"What was it that pushed you over? I thought we had worked this out. When we were in Florida? Or even way back in March or April. Remember? We were out to lunch at that cafe you love? I told you how much you deserve to be spoiled and you seemed to accept it then. What happened?"

"I don't know, Emily," she said resigned. "Wait!" she interrupted her own train of thought. "I remember that day in the cafe. Why do you?"

I paused, unsure if I should share how deeply I loved her from the start. "That's when I knew you were it for me. That's when I knew I wouldn't want anyone else."

A slow smile spread over her face. "I remember it for the same reason, babe."

My heart warmed that she had known so early, as well. "I thought we settled it then: you deserve to be spoiled. I just want you to have everything you want."

"All I want is you," she admitted softly.

"Then stop running from this, from us," I begged. "You break my heart every time you leave," I confessed.

Guilt flashed in her eyes. "Yesterday, I thought if I were the one to leave, it would be easier." I knew that feeling well. Every time I had broken things off with a girlfriend, I had thought similarly. Before Indi, I had never struggled to move on. Before yesterday, the thought of moving on had never been unbearable. "I thought if I were the one to leave, it would hurt less than when you finally realized you can do better than me."

"I've been there, Indi. You don't fake a relationship with an arms dealer without gaining a few scars. But you have to trust me, baby. I love you." I grabbed her face, brushing her wispy hairs back. "There is no one better than you. Please trust me. Trust us."

"I've learned my lesson, Em. When I was lying all alone in my bed, wishing I was in your arms." Her brows creased at the memory. "It hurt just as bad to be the one leaving, because it didn't matter that I left. All that mattered was that I wasn't with you."

My heart swelled, because, miraculously, she really did feel the same way. All this time I thought I needed to buy her time to get her to stay. Starting this relationship as a financial obligation hadn't helped my thinking that she was only here for what I could give her materially. But hearing her say that all she wanted was my love, me, had me reeling. All these months I wondered in the back of my mind what I could offer her besides money, and I always came up short. But to hear that we were enough as we were brought tears to my eyes.

"I guess I couldn't help but feel the same as you did." I heard her gasp softly in shock. "What could a young woman who has everything ahead of her want with me? I mean" - I pulled my hands back to pick at my nails - "I'm a workaholic in a job that poses great risk. I'm old, parts of me sag more than they used to, I'm graying, I-"

"Stop," she commanded. "You're gorgeous," she whispered reverently. She pulled my hands apart, soothing the sting from where I had picked at my cuticle. "I've never been attracted to anyone the way I am you. Please do not speak about yourself as if you aren't worthy of my love just because you're older than me."

And that's when it clicked. What this all boiled down to was that neither of us felt we deserved the other's love. That's what had to change here.

"It's hard for me to believe you could want me like that."

She smirked. "Don't I make how much I want you abundantly clear?"

I chuckled, always in awe of her libido. "Yes, I guess we're not lacking in that department, are we?"

"I'd say not," she agreed. "Though, I would be happy to show you how much I want you more frequently." She pushed me back against the couch, pretending like she was about to pounce. Instead she kissed me chastely and pushed my arm out, making room for herself in the crook of my arm. I scooted down the couch and pulled her into my side, settling her head on my chest. I kissed her forehead, grateful for her to be back here. "Just moving forward, we need to believe in each other."

"I will. I do," she amended, squeezing my hip.

I let her words linger around us, finally feeling at peace again. "Me too." I ran my fingers over her shoulder soothing myself at the repetitive movement. "Where do you see us in a year?" I mused.

"Exactly as we are. Exactly like this," she responded, twining her legs with mine. "Are we okay, then?" she asked timidly. "Do you see me in your future?"

"Angel, you are my future. I love you." I tipped her head up and kissed her softly, the angle slightly awkward.

"I love you too," she whispered, settling back into my arms.

"And where do you see yourself in a year? What do you want to do after graduation?"

"I don't know." She sighed as I started trailing my fingers down her back. "I've never had the luxury of being able to plan ahead. Maybe I'll try to find a teaching position…"

"I asked what do you want to do?"

She hummed, lost in thought. "I don't know…with you now, there are so many more options." She paused and then said, "Er, I'm not trying to take advantage of you. I just mean because of you, I've been able to save a lot more than I thought possible, and I feel like I don't have to take any teaching job that comes my way."

I chuckled softly. Maybe we had made some progress today, but my Indi would still be hesitant about money. "Dream world – you can do anything. Every job is open to you. What do you want to do?"

Without hesitation, she said, "I want to play for the DC symphony." I smiled, wheels already turning about who to contact to get her an audition.

"I think that's a perfect job for you."

"I think so, too," she said, a smile in her voice.

"Speaking of jobs," I said through a yawn, "Penelope starts her first day as the BAU's technical analyst at the end of this case."

"She got it?!" she asked excitedly.

"Mmhm," I hummed.

She exclaimed, "That bitch! She didn't tell me!"

"That she may be off the hook for. I'm not sure she knows yet; I think Hotch is going to tell her when they get back from this case."

This time it was her turn to yawn. "Okaaaaay," she sighed. Her yawn was contagious, and my eyes watered from my second yawn – my sleepless night catching up with me.

"I didn't sleep much last night," she admitted softly. "Can we just rest this evening?"

I kissed her on the forehead. Nothing sounded better. "Of course, angel. We can do whatever you'd like."

Indi snuggled deeper into my arms, her eyes drifting closed. "I love you," she murmured, and I drifted off with a soft smile and full heart.

- - -

a/n: aren't they just the cutest?

#🌬 fics #tastes like sugar #emily prentiss #emily prentiss x oc #emily prentiss fanfiction #emily prentiss smut #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfiction #criminal minds au #wlw writing

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