#a second chance

[kuvira-protege]

Repost of “A SECOND CHANCE” (Webtoon)

Chapter 3 & 4

#korra #kuvira #asami #fancomic #the legend of korra #chapter 3 #chapter 4 #a second chance

[rveyjules]

Spoiler Alert!!!

And so the confrontation begins...

Part 3, coming soon...

#leon kennedy #leon kennedy x reader #a second chance

[contentconsumer]

a second chance (ii)

a/n: part 2! sorry it’s not very long but i’m still tryna get the dynamic flowing but overwhelmed steve and comedic dialogue have my heart.

word count: 2.6k(ish)

requested?:  no but requests are open and my prompt list can be found here

pairing: steve harrington x f!reader

warnings?: nosebleed? jason? 

read part one here

The day had finally arrived. Jason, alongside his jock friends, entered during the middle of your shift meaning you didn’t waste any time in calling Steve at Family Video to come visit, to ‘keep an eye on them.’ you said.

As Steve walked across the retail park to the diner you worked at, his mind moved 1000mph. He had spent the past week trying out different apologies to Robin, each ending with an elaborate way to ask you out but they all got the same response from his best friend, “Ew no. You can’t say that she’ll probably hate you more creep.” Therefore, even as he speedwalked over, he still had nothing, no flirty pick up line, no useful complement, nothing. It was like his mind went blank when it came to you. He snapped out of his thoughts as the sound of the bell on the door rang and you were alerted of his presence. He found himself with his jaw slack, previously when he visited you were sporting your own clothes on top of your uniform but now seeing you in a slightly baggy black polo, a apron hung lazily off your hips and jeans that were just tight enough that his mind yet again pulled a blank. “Hey Harrington” You nod a small smirk shooting towards the flustered boy, before he had time to respond you nodded towards a seat that was close to the bar. 

He pulled it out and sat down still watching you, “You gonna uh say anything?” You question, “Yeah,” He sighs, “All good?” Worry begins to lace his features as he glances around the shop floor, eyes settling on the Hawkins Tigers who were staring straight back at the pair of you. You nod, “Just stay here alright?” You move from where you were previously standing and begin to wander around, taking orders and chatting to regulars, Steve can’t help but admire you, as he twists the straw around his now empty milkshake. Steve is pulled out of his trance when a girl, Sandra, he remembers going to school with - she was in his history class, pulls out the chair next to him. “Hey Steve, long time no see! How are you?” Steve realises he hasn’t answered once Sandra furrows her eyebrows, “Oh! Yeah good, and yourself?”

5 minutes, he swears he took his eyes off of you for 5 minutes and now you’ve disappeared. He abruptly and probably rudely ended his conversion with Sandra, cursing at himself for getting caught up in his previous conversation. He pushes the doors to the back of the shop leaning all his weight against it, his eyes search wildly for you but his breath dies in his throat at the scene before him - Jason had you cornered, a clear sneer on his face as he attempted to say things he presumed would get under your skin. Steve begins to walk towards the pair of you but before he can open his mouth, you answer “Now I always thought you were stupid, but this?” You gestures between the pair of you, “Is just fucking ridicoulus, I don’t know what the hell you think you’re gonna get out of me but I am not 1. telling you where Eddie is or 2. telling you why Chrissy was with him?” Jason takes a step closer, you don’t back away, Steve feels overwhelmed but also steps closer, “Look,” Jason seeths, “I don’t know what is going on between you and Munson but for your own safety I really suggest you put it beside you. And tell me where he is.” A loud scoff escapes your lips, “You don’t know why she was there do you?” Jason’s expression tells you all you need to know, “Oh my god, I’m so glad I don’t get to miss this. You’re little girlfriend, who by the way was struggling with something way bigger than your tiny pea brain to begin to understand. Was.” You poke the basketballer so hard in the chest he winces and falls back a step, “There.” poke, “To.” poke, “Buy” poke, “Drugs.” You smile eerily, scaring Steve as well as Jason, the latter runs his hands through his hair, “No she would neve-” “Oh give it a rest! You don’t know the next thing about her! Hell, Eddie and I only knew her for a few weeks and we still understood her better than you! Now leave me the hell alone, I don’t have time for this,” You firmly place your hands on his shoulder before driving your knee in between his legs, he lets out a shriek of pain before falling to the floor. You smirk and turn, finally facing an awestruck Steve. “See?” You walk past, “I told you I had it.” Steve smiles, “Then why did you want me here?” He follows after you back into the diner. “Because why would I miss out on spending quality time with you.” You tease, dramatically holding the door open for him. “But,” He blushes deeply, “You hate me.” “I never- actually I did say that yeah, did I make it that obvious?” “Honestly,” Steve swings his legs over the stool again, “I had no clue,” He laughs slightly, “Not until Robin reminded me.” “Ah shucks,” You shrug, “I’m that forgettable huh?” “No! No! I didn’t mean it like that!” “Well that’s how it sounded, Harrington.” Something about the way you said his last name made butterflies spread through his stomach.

You two spent the next hour making idle chit chat between you serving customers, a lot of them knew you from visiting everyday but now they speak to you with a bit more of an edge, understanding you were friends with the suspected town killer. They were used to seeing him half sat half laid across a booth chatting away to you, you frown slightly at the memories but understand the situation from an outsider perspective. Instead you decided to throw yourself into a small conversation with Steve, trying not to laugh at his jokes as you had to keep reminding yourself - you hated him. You didn’t realise how much time had passed until the store phone began to ring, you picked it up - customer service greeting at the ready only to be met with Robin’s rambles, “Hey Y/N is that you? Are you okay? Did Jason get you? Did he get Steve? Oh my god I can’t work here without Steve I’ll die of boredom, please tell me Steve is okay? He said he would be back in an hour but now it’s been 2 and he still hasn’t shown up and I-” You smile at the girl's protectiveness, “Robin,” but she doesn’t stop mumbling, “ROBIN!” This makes Steve turn in his place, “He’s fine, he’s here with me. We are both fine.” “Then what have you been doing for the last two hours?” “Talking.” “Talking? I thought you hated him, what do you have to talk about?” “I did hate him, I’m still not particularly fond but he’s not too bad. At least, anymore.” You mumble slightly, embarrassed Steve might overhear your confession, Robin lets out a low whistle, “Not too bad huh? I’ll have to keep an eye on you two.” “Can it. I’m sending your beloved colleague back to you now, so you can stop worrying and STOP calling.” You laugh before placing the phone back on the wall. “Robin then?” Steve calls, pulling your attention back to him, “Yeah,” You smile, “She wants you back, to the store I mean not like-” you panic, “I mean I wasn’t implying but-” “Y/N” Steve raises his eyebrows, “She wants me back to work. I get it.” He turns for the door. As he reaches the handle, he calls back “Please don’t imply anything - you would be wrong.” You shake your head, heart thudding against your chest, wondering why Steve Harrington had made you crumble into a stuttering mess. This wasn’t you. You take a deep breath with a promise to pull yourself together before turning back to the rest of your shift. 

The last time Steve saw you was that Saturday, it was now Monday and he can’t help but think about you, but as usual he is distracted by the group of kids who stand in front of him. He sighs, staring at the group of young teens in front of him, “No-” He starts, “There is no way I am driving all you lardasses to some random comic book shop 40 miles away just because you heard it was cooler than the one here.” Steve goes to continue before he is cut off by Dustin, “Please man, it would help us take our minds of the truamatising murders here in Hawkins, and-” “Dustin shut up. You’re not traumatised.” Your voice cuts through the video store, causing the gang to jump in surprise, all apart from Max who had spotted your motorcycle as you were pulling up, “Ew what happened to your face?” The redhead cringes, nose scrunching in disgust at the sight before you. You couldn’t argue - you had looked better. The sight of you with blood pouring from your nose and between your lips made all the teens in front of you panic, they began bombarding you with questions, asking if you’re okay, if Vecna got to you, if Jason got to you. You hush them all with a wave of your hand, before wiping the back of it across your bloodied face, “Thank you Max, I’m good just uh hit my head on the front of my visor going over a speedbump.” You mumble, quite embarrassed, because you’re not even fully sure how your injury came about. “That’s a lot of blood for just hitting your head.” Lucas states, “I have a loose blood vessel in my nose from getting hit in the face by a locker.” You try to explain, gritting your teeth, “In junior year.” It doesn’t take long for Steve’s eyes to widen. His body shudders at the memory of him swinging his locker door open in the midst of a conversation with Nancy, and smacking someone straight in the nose with it. If he was honest, at the time he didn’t even notice who was standing there but you had just made it clear. “Fuck-” The group turns to him. “It was you. Shit I’m sorry about that.” “YOU HIT HER IN THE FACE WITH YOUR LOCKER?” Dustin screeches. “I didn’t mean to- '' Steve tries to interject, “it just happened. It was an accident.” He turns his gaze to you, “I’m sorry Y/N.” A small smile plays on your lips, “Don’t worry about it Harrington, I’ve had worse but could I please get a tissue?” “Of-of course” He stutters slightly, rushing into the break room to grab you some rough tissue. Launching himself back over the counter Steve takes large strides to meet you on the shop floor, you go to take the tissue from him but before your hands meet his he’s already holding the paper towel to your nose, mumbling about tilting your head back. 

A small blush spread over your cheeks, missed by most - but not all before you take the tissue out of Steve’s hand and stumble out a ‘I got it thanks.” “So, other than the nosebleed what brings you to Family Video?” Steve questions, still stood uncomfortably close to you, “What? I can’t come see my favourite employee?” You say, making Steve raise his eyebrows until you step pass him and up to Robin at the counter, “You got it?” You start a conversation with your friend, who looks up, meeting your gaze before flicking her eyes to the now red tissue stuffed up your nostril, “Yeah, I got it-but I’m not giving it to you unless you promise not to bleed all over it. Honestly, Keith will murder me if I return a tape with blood all over it.” Robin laughs, “I promise I won’t bleed all over it. Now gimme!” You reach over the counter, causing your feet to lift from the ground. The group of young teens just watch you, as you obviously snatch the tape Robin is trying to hold above your grasp. That is until Dustin decides to speak up, “Hey Y/N?” “Yeah?” You call back, still trying to reach the movie. “Do you like comics?” “Henderson, gimme a-” You grab the tape and let out a small ‘yay’ which makes Steve smile to himself, you turn. “Uh yeah I guess why?” “Because Steve here,” Dustin gestures to the larger boy next to him as if introducing him, “Won’t take us to the new comic book store! How unfair is that? Why don’t you come with us?” “Aw, Steve, why won’t you take your children to the comic book store?” You smile looking between the pair in front of you, “It’s 40 miles away.” Steve deadpans but can’t help but grin when he hears your laugh, “Damn Henderson, you got some nerve-40 miles? Man, shit hell no will I come. But have fun!” “We aren’t going.” Steve furrows his brows, “You see you say that,” You start backing away to the door, “But 20 bucks says you’ll go.” “Alright Y/L/N you’re on.” Steve challenges, you push the door open and stand in the doorway, pulling your motorcycle helmet on and nodding your head to push the sun visor over your eyes, “Later Harrington. I’ll be back on Wednesday to collect my money.” “Not on my watch.” Steve quips but you’re already gone.

“So we gonna talk about that?” Dustin interjects, minutes after you’d left, “Talking about what?” Steve questions breaking his gaze from the door to the boy who stood near him smiling, “You practically throwing yourself at Y/N.” “I did not!” “You kinda did.” Lucas butts in, “Sinclair, shut it.” “I mean he’s not wrong.” Robin’s head pops up from behind the counter, “You too Buckely.” Steve warns, but it’s in vain as Dustin pipes up again, “It was kind of embarrassing.” “I didn’t do anything!” Steve waves, “If you’re gonna try to make a move, you’ve gotta stop being so scared around her.” “Henderson, I do not need your advice on girls, especially ones who hate my guts.” “I would hate your guts too if you gave me nosebleeds.” “Sinclair, I thought I told you to shut it.” “I don’t think she hates you.” Max decides to pipe up, “Oh no, she does, she’s told me. Many times ‘fuck I hate that Steve Harrington kid’” Robin uses air quotes to do her best impression of you, but Max continues, “I mean she probably did but I don’t know if she still does I mean she was blushing when you gave her a paper towel.” “She wasn’t blushing,” Steve tries to redirect but can’t help the way his heart soars with the young girl's words, “Was she blushing?” He asks the group who all murmur “Not sure” or something similar apart from the redhead who shouts an esperacted “YES.” She continues, “I don’t know why though, you shouldn’t have a chance with her- she’s way cooler than you.” “Thank you Maxine.” Steve grits his teeth, “Hey!” Max tuts at the nickname. “I guess we will find out on Wednesday?” Lucas looks between his ex and Steve, “I guess we will.” Steve sighs lost in his blossoming feelings of fondness towards you.

#steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfic #steve x reader #stranger things #stranger things imagine #stranger things masterlist #stranger things x reader #stranger things ship #steve harrington one shot #minx answers #minx writes #a second chance #contentconsumer

[swanfireprincessmydear]

A Second Chance - Chapter Nine

Summary: It’s been over six weeks since Neal found the eviction notice. He’s still anxiously waiting for Emma to leave.

I did not expect for this fic to take me well over a year to update! But here we are!

I’m in my last hour ever of being 22 (and listening to 22 by Taylor Swift) and I’m glad that posting this is the last thing I will do as a 22 year old!

Love all my swanfire family! 🩷

This chapter is semi-inspired by the Swanfire Week 2023 Day 3 writing prompt by @mysteryandnonstopfun. Is it too late for a Swanfire Week entry? 😳

Writing Prompt: Neal likes stealing Emma's phone to change Emma's phone wallpaper into something stupid. Neal is doing another routine swipe of Emma's phone but doesn't have the heart to change it because this time because Emma's phone wallpaper is a cute picture of the two of them.

#swanfire #sfweek2023 #neal cassidy #emma swan #firethieves #baelfire #swanthief #bae & emma #ouat #once upon a time #a second chance #a second chance fanfiction #swanfire fanfiction

[drelldreams]

mass effect fic recs

i decided to start this series of mass effect fic recs. many of my favorite fics are very unknown and those writers deserve to have their amazing fics read.

i’m starting with shrios fics!

arashu’s gift by silly_literature

this story takes place in me2 and it’s my favorite shrios fic. the romance is the type of low key slow burn romance where there’s some hint towards romance at the beginning. it’s evident they’re attracted to each other from the start but it still builds up upon mutual trust and friendship.

the romantic tension between them really kept me binging this fic just waiting for the next gesture of affection between the two.

i was so happy when the smut came i’m not going to lie. it was wonderfully written. realistic, with attention paid to the differences in their anatomy being different species. mordin’s advice was glorious as well.

there’s a sweet amount of well written hurt/comfort too. what i love most about this fic is how well the author decipted the tragic beauty of thane and shepard’s romance having just blossomed when they were facing death on a suicidal mission.

and then there’s those little things that make a fic awesome. shepard explaining thane english words/earth terms. thane cooking. awesome action side missions. crew banter. mordin being hilarious asf. and it’s a binge worthy fic.

enough rambling here’s a summary.

fic summary

“Thane Krios is the best elite assassin in the galaxy. And he has less than a year to live. He decides to perform one last altruistic act by killing an asari mobster and just as he is about to embrace Kalahira's calling, Commander Shepard of the Alliance shows up with a suicide mission for which she needs him.

Jane Shepard has returned from the dead. Her last memory is the Normandy SR-1 shattered in space by a Collector ship's beam. She has awakened on a Cerberus space station. Two years have passed since the attack and her former comrades, the Alliance and the Citadel Council do not take kindly to her supposed resurrection or her association with the Illusive Man's organization. Meanwhile, Collectors abduct human colonists in the Terminus Systems and no one seems to care.

For Thane, death was his ten years of battle sleep driven only by his thirst for vengeance, while for Shepard, the two years unconscious while strangers did and undid with her body without her consent. Together they will find their way back to life and with their comrades venture into the bowels of the galaxy from where no ship has ever returned.”

a second chance by silly_literature

my second favorite shrios fic, also written by silly_literature. it’s a sequel to arashu’s gift and i think the writer did a better job than the me3 writers, who did thane dirty.

this fic actually does thane justice. and there is SO much cool action adventure. lots of drell and kahje content. liara is being a badass shadow broker and wrex made my heart melt once again in this fic. 10/10 i binged this in a little over 24 hours. the worldbuilding and plot in this fic was so beautiful.

fic summary

The galaxy is at war. As Commander Jane Shepard has been announcing for more than two years, the Reapers are a reality and their unstoppable advance has led them to devastate countless systems until they reach Earth. With civilization on the verge of collapse, and in a last act of desperation, the Alliance has decided to annul the sentence that weighed on Commander Shepard after the incident with the batarian colony of Aratoht, and entrust her with the mission of signing alliances with the rest of the races of the galaxy that will allow them to face the Reapers with greater guarantees.

As if the Reaper threat wasn't enough, Cerberus seems to have a special interest in the planet Kahje, the homeworld of the hanar and adopted home of the drell. With the loyal support of her personal squad and the unwavering love of Thane, Shepard must face the challenge of defeating a millenary race, something that no one has been able to achieve in previous cycles. A deployment of forces and resources that will not go unnoticed and will make Shepard's team investigate, without suspecting the consequences that could have for the future of the galaxy.

#fic recs #mass effect fic recs #mass effect fic rec series #shrios fics #shrios #shrios fic #arashu’s gift #a second chance #thane krios #femshep #thanexfemshep

[alj4890]

Worth the Wait

(Thomas Hunt x OC) in a what if to A Second Chance AU

@hopelessromantic1352 @trappedinfanfiction @my-heart-beats-for-ya ​ @aworldoffandoms ​​ @flyawayboo ​​ ​​  @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations @peonierose @krsnlove

Masterlist

Part 1

Thomas took the rest of the week off from work. After Amanda's announcement, it had been impossibe to concentrate. He instead spent time alone contemplating the fact that he would be a father in six months or so.

The very notion was so unbelievable that he could hardly wrap his mind around it. For years, he had never planned on marriage or having a family.

He grimaced as he reminded himself how all that had changed when he first started dating Amanda. He had fallen in love with her not only hard but also, at least in his opinion, fast. He had to force himself to keep his feelings in check until he was certain of her reciprocating them.

Then he went out and purchased an engagement ring.

If she had not broken up with him, he knew they would be in the midst of planning a wedding...instead of a nursery.

Perhaps they would be doing both.

He still had the ring tucked away upstairs in his nightstand. He couldn't seem to drum up the will to get rid of it.

It'd been the first time in his life that he willingly bought something that would permanently change his carefully laid plans of a bachelor.

He dropped his head in his hands. The past few nights he'd either had Amanda join him for dinner at a restaurant, her hotel suite, or here in his home. He knew they needed to work on their relationship before their child came into the world.

Thomas though, wanted more.

Maybe.

He honestly didn't know what to make of the feelings she had stirred up within him once again.

Being around her after all that occurred was both wonderful and yet utterly miserable. His heart ached from not touching her...kissing her...simply holding her within his arms.

It also ached with the fact the relationship they once had was destroyed. There was no way, at least that he could detect, in picking up where they'd left off.

They couldn't possibly...could they?

He jumped when he heard the gate buzzer.

Checking the time, he frowned at it being too early for Amanda's arrival.

The last thing he wanted was Addison and Holly poking around in this delicate matter. He knew they had taken these past few days off and spent them with Amanda. He was surprised they waited this long to talk the situation over with him.

"Yes?" He answered.

"We're here!"

His eyes widened at the sound of his brother-in-law's cheery voice.

"Thomas?" His sister Rachel called out. "Aren't you going to open the gate for us?"

He'd completely forgotten they were coming into town this week.

"Of course." He pushed the button for them.

Reluctantly, he slipped his shoes on and stepped outside to greet them.

*****************

Addison and Matt's home...

"He's perfect." Amanda cradled the four month old in her arms. "Look at all that hair!"

Addison smiled proudly. "I'm so thankful he took after Matt. I was bald until fifth grade."

"No, you weren't." Matt pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I've seen your baby and childhood photos."

"I might have had hair," she conceded, "but it was such a light blonde that there are pictures where a bright flash was used that make me appear to be bald."

Amanda grinned at the couple before focusing once more on their son. He slept peacefully in her arms as she gently rocked him.

"Feel free to come over everyday to hold Michael." Addison told her. "You'll need the practice and I can always use a nap."

Amanda chuckled softly. "I wish I could, but I'll be leaving at the end of the week."

Addison, Matt, and Holly each exchanged a loaded glance.

"Is Thomas going with you?" Holly asked a little too casually.

"No. He plans on coming in time for my next doctor's appointment."

"Have you two decided how you're going to do this yet?"Addison asked.

"Addi." Matt shook his head at her.

"I just want to see you both happy with each other and your baby." She ignored her husbamd's whispered warnings to not get involved. "You two were so in love that I don't get why you're not already in the magazine's for having eloped in Vegas by now."

Amanda handed the baby over to Holly. "I should probably go. I'm supposed to--"

"No!" Addison reached out to stop her. "I'm sorry. I know I'm being too nosy, but I don't want to see you both miserable."

Amanda gently patted her hand. "I know. But things changed for Thomas when we broke up." She fought back tears. "I don't know if he'll ever want me like he once did." She lifted her chin. "I'm happy he at least is kind to me and wants to know our child."

Holly gave Matt his son when he began to whimper and squirm.

"Yes, but have you felt anything since you've been back?" She prodded.

Amanda gathered her things. "Of course I have." She lowered her eyes. "I never fell out of love with Thomas, and when I found out...I had hoped..." She wiped at the tears beginning to fall. "I'm sorry. I have to go. He's expecting me for dinner tonight."

The trio walked her to the door.

"Don't cry." Addison pleaded, throwing her arms around her. "I shouldn't have asked."

Amanda couldn't stop her tears. "It's okay."

Holly hugged her. "We won't bring it up again."

Amanda could only nod before blubbering a goodbye and slipping into the waiting town car.

****************

"Pregnant?!" Rachel breathed.

Stephen slapped Thomas on the back. "Congratualtions!"

"I'm going to be an aunt?" Rachel began to smile before launching herself at her brother.

He oomphed while accepting her hug. "Yes, you will be. You'll either have a niece or nephew by September."

She punched his arm once she stepped back.

"Rachel!" He snapped at her.

"Why didn't you call me when you found out?" She placed her hands on her hips.

The siblings glared silently at each other.

Stephen, the forever peacemaker between the Hunt's, spoke up.

"He's probably still trying to comprehend it, himself, babe."

Thomas nodded. "It's true. Of all the times I imagined Amanda walking back into my life, I never dreamed it would be because she is pregnant."

"Well, now that I'm here we will plan out everything." Rachel left them for a moment and returned with a pad and pen she found on his desk. "Let's see."

She sat down, tapping the pen on the arm of her chair. "I think a small ceremony should do nicely. Perhaps on the beach..."

"Small ceremony for what?" Thomas asked.

"Your wedding." She grinned at him. "How did Amanda react when she saw the ring you had bought? I bet she was shocked you decided to ask her before the break--"

"There isn't going to be a wedding." Thomas informed her.

"Just because she's pregnant, that doesn't mean you have to have a ceremony in a county clerk's office." Rachel grumbled. "I doubt she's showing yet." She began her list again. "If we have it here, then we can--"

"I didn't propose." Thomas explained.

Stephen plopped down in surprise on the arm of Rachel's chair.

"You didn't propose?" She asked in disbelief. "Why not? You're in love with her. She loves you. You're having a baby!"

Thomas began to pace as he tried to explain his hesitation.

The couple watched him struggle with his reasons.

"I see no need to rush into marriage just yet." Thomas added. "Not until we are certain this is the right decision for both of us. It will save us additional heartache and our child won't suffer in the process."

"But--"

Stephen placed his arm around his wife's shoulders, gently squeezing her.

She closed her mouth at that subtle sign that she was being pushy again.

With a deep sigh, she slumped in her chair.

Thomas whirled around when his buzzer sounded again.

"Were you expecting anyone?" Rachel asked.

"Only Amanda." Thomas mumbled.

********************

Amanda grimaced once more at her swollen eyes. Thank goodness she had gone with waterproof eye makeup. At least she only looked swollen instead of a puffy eyed racoon.

Her stomach gurgled when Thomas opened the door.

She hid her face in her hands. "I'm sorry. I've not eaten since I threw up a muffin this morning."

He couldn't help but smile at her embarrassment over something he thought was trivial at best. "You don't have to worry about what I think when that happens."

When she lifted her head, his eyes narrowed in concern.

"You've been crying." He gently took her face in his hands.

"Hormones." She wondered how she was able to say such a falsehood so easily.

His hands lingered, thumbs brushing her cheeks, then dropped to his sides. "I should forewarn you. Rachel and Stephen are here."

Amanda stepped back, nearly falling backwards off his front stoop.

Thomas caught her in his arms, turning them both until she was safely between him and the front door.

"Are you all right?" He could feel her heart thumping against his chest.

She nodded. "Just caught off guard." Biting her lip, she lifted her eyes to his. "Did you tell them about," she gestured toward her belly.

"I did." He answered.

"And?" She prodded, worried over his answer.

"And they are thrilled with the knowledge that they will have a niece or nephew before the year is through.” He explained.

Amanda finally asked the question that was really bothering her. 

“Do they, of course they must, but do they hate me too much for my,” she took a deep breath, “for ending things between us?”

If Thomas was to go by how his sister had not only readily jumped into planning a wedding for them as well as becoming angry over his not proposing to Amanda, he seriously doubted she held anything against his ex.

“They don’t hate you at all.” He kept an arm around her waist. “Come inside.”

Leaning a bit closer than necessary to him for comfort, she allowed him to lead her to his living room.

Rachel jumped up and hugged her, pushing her brother out of the way. “I’m so excited!”

Amanda laughed when Stephen thanked her for getting pregnant. 

“Now Rach will stop pestering me about getting a puppy or kitten. All her time will be spent in preparation on becoming an aunt.”

“We will get one of those if my niece or nephew wants one.” Rachel snapped at him. 

She ignored his teasing grin and focused on Amanda. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine.” She lied.

“She suffers with severe morning sickness.” Thomas corrected.

Rachel’s brow furrowed. “Who is taking care of you?”

“Me.” Amanda said with a laugh that wasn’t quite sincere. “Servants, occasionally my friends, and of course Thomas when we are together.”

Rachel glared at her brother. “She needs help all the time.”

He glared back, knowing she was heavily hinting that they should get married.

“I’ll be fine. Hopefully by my next appointment it will have lessened.” Amanda said, wondering at their sudden irritation.

“And if it doesn’t?” Rachel continued to stare Thomas down.

“Then I’ll do what I have been doing.” Amanda shrugged. “I really don’t have much of a choice in the matter.”

She moved away from them to sit down.

“Some people have a choice.” Rachel muttered where only Thomas could hear.

Ignoring her, he asked Amanda what she felt like eating.

“I’m not sure. This baby and I have very different views on what I should eat." She tried to joke.

He had to stop himself from brushing her hair back from her face. That lopsided grin of hers had a way of making him feel the need to comfort her.

"I was thinking of taking you to The Palm for dinner."

Her surprise made him smile. It used to be one of their favorite places to eat. Thomas hadn't been there since they broke up. For some reason, he'd gone ahead and made a reservation for them.

"The Palm?" Rachel leaned forward. "What kind of food do they have."

"Italian." Amanda smiled at him. "I have had a craving for tomatoes recently."

"Then hopefully you'll be able to enjoy a meal for a change." He responded, smiling more easily around her.

"We'll go to the guest house and get cleaned up." Rachel tugged Stephen up out of his chair. "What time should we be ready?"

"You have thirty minutes." Thomas warned.

"Thirty?!" Rachel dashed out.

Stephen chuckled. "How long do we really have?"

"Forty-five minutes." Thomas replied. "But I know my sister and if i say forty-five, she'll take an hour or more."

Stephen snorted in amusement. "Yes, she will."

Once they were alone, Thomas sat down across from Amanda.

"The Palm." Her smile dimmed some over the memories of romantic evenings spent at that particular establishment. "I can't remember the last time we had dinner there."

"November." Thomas fought squirming when she looked up in surprise once more.

"I'm looking forward to it." Amanda said to break the uncomfortable silence that had fallen between him.

"So am I." He got up to get something to drink. He offered to get her something just to have something to do.

He could feel her eyes following him out of his living room. When he was out of eyesight, he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He still didn't know if he could risk his heart again. He knew she was leaving soon and that things between them were up in the air.

The more he was around her, the more he was wanting to settle into how they once were.

But then that would bring up whether or not they should go ahead and marry.

Should we? If it doesn't work out, how much more will it hurt to walk away from her and our child? To break the life I once dreamed of having with her...should I really jump into it without seeing if it's worth the chance?

He didn't know. He knew his fear was keeping him from so much. Yet...hadn't his fear kept him from horrible decisions in the past?

Or had it kept him from something great?

He prepared her a glass of ginger ale and brought it to her.

He grasped on the topic of what she planned to do once back in Cordonia while he debated on what to do with his own future.

***************

Dinner turned out better than either thought. It seemed almost natural being on a double date of sorts once again with Rachel and Stephen.

It was certainly romantic out on the terrace of the restaurant with the strings of globe lights softly brightening the darkness.

The four laughed and talked over what they had been doing since they were last together. The teasing that Amanda used to do with Thomas had made his frown all but disappear. He couldn't resist doing the same to her.

The roll of her eyes or a laugh had him placing his arm along the back of her chair and gently rubbing her shoulder.

Just like he used to do.

"Are we getting dessert?" Rachel asked. "Please say yes."

"I don't know if I should push it." Amanda leaned back in her chair. Her hands settled over her stomach. "So far it seems that there is approval of the chicken parmesan."

"No nausea?" Thomas asked.

She shook her head. "That's why I don't want to chance it with dessert." Her nose wrinkled. "Though those cinnamon doughnut holes are calling to me."

"We're getting the chocolate cake for two." Rachel told her husband. "And this time, I will leave you more than two bites."

Thomas waved their waiter over and placed their order. He noticed the curious looks they were getting from various tables. He suspected that he would be in tomorrow's gossip pages.

He had never alerted the press of their break up. He knew Amanda hadn't either. He assumed they thought he was too busy for work to meet up with her these past couple of months.

He didn't know if that was a good thing or not.

"I can't believe you didn't order the cake." Rachel said between bites.

"So far, chocolate and I are on the outs." Amanda explained. "Which has nearly killed me."

Thomas pushed the plate of warm doughnuts towards her after making a dramatic show of removing the chocolate dipping sauce.

She laughed and took one.

His eyes riveted upon her when she took a bite. The cinnamon and sugar coated her lips. He knew if they had never ended things that he would have kissed it off.

She licked her lips and stilled when she noticed where his attention was.

Stephen and Rachel pretended not to notice the obivous tension developing and talked amongst themselves while waiting on the couple across from them to make a move.

Thomas raised his hand to Amanda's cheek and brushed his thumb along her bottom lip to remove what her tongue had missed.

He could feel her quick breath over the sensation of his intimate touch. His eyes lifted to hers. He could see the yearning in the hazel depths combined with her uncertainty.

All it would take would be to lean down a mere tweleve inches and kiss her. There wouldn't have to be any words exchanged just yet. No immediate decisions needed to be made. It could be an experiment to see if that spark between them truly existed.

Her eyes closed when he began to inch forward. Her lips parted in readiness for his kiss. She nuzzled into his palm when he cupped her cheek.

Thomas felt his pulse quicken in anticipation.

"Here's the check." Their waiter dropped it down in between the couples. "Let me know when you're ready or if there is anything else I can get you."

Rachel glared at the man who had caused Thomas and Amanda to jerk apart.

Stephen sadly shook his head while reaching for the small folder.

"I'll get that." Amanda and Thomas said at the same time.

"We'll get this one." Rachel said in a no nonsense tone. She forced a smile. "I'll let you get the next one."

"How much of a tip should I leave?" Stephen asked softly for his wife's ear alone.

"None." Rachel hissed. "He lost it when he interupted my niece or nephew having his parents together."

*******************

"Where to now?" Stephen asked once they stepped out of the restaurant.

"It is still early." Rachel added, eyeing her brother. "Plenty of time to do something."

Thomas briefly rolled his eyes.

"I think I'll call a car to take me back to my hotel." Amanda replied.

Her smile was a bit strained as she faced the other three.

"I'm sure you all have some catching up to do." She added. "These last couple of weeks, I've been known to nod off during conversations." She laughed with a shrug. "I won't be adding anything stimulating to any, most likely."

Rachel mentally groaned over not finding them another chance to be tempted to be together.

She glared at her brother, hoping he would take the hint.

"I'll take you to the hotel." Thomas ignored his sister's pointed stare.

He could still be a gentleman without any romantic notions.

"That isn't necessary." Amanda countered. "I'm sure Rachel and Stephen would prefer--"

"Actually," Stephen wrapped his arms around his wife, "I was planning on taking Rach dancing." His grin was unrepentant when he heard his wife's surprised gasp. "It's been a long time since we've been to a decent club."

Thomas merely cocked an eyebrow over that announcement.

He didn't believe it for a moment.

He did believe though that Stephen would do anything to help Rachel's plan.

"Enjoy yourselves." He bid his sister and brother-in-law a good night.

"You should go --" Amanda tried to argue.

"You know my feelings about night clubs." Thomas set his hand at the small of her back, gently urging her on toward the parking lot.

She looked up at him. "There were some evenings you didn't mind going."

Thomas met her eyes. He could remember the few times he'd gone to one with Amanda. It wasn't hard to enjoy himself then. He either was able to hold her against his body while they danced or enjoy watching her on the dance floor.

And without him saying a word or even giving a grimace, she'd always known when they should leave before the crowd and noise got to him.

Taking her arm, he cleared his throat. "Those times were different."

When you are with the right person, you can enjoy anything, he thought.

"I do wish you wouldn't trouble yourself." Amanda argued. "I'll be fine getting back to the hotel."

She knew she needed some space from him. Everything about today and this evening made her want to ignore his wishes and try to get back together. He had always been her temptation. She realized she still couldn't resist him.

He was being too kind. Too thoughtful. It hurt worse than if he was cold and cruel. At least then she wouldn't long for him to kiss her. Take her in his arms once more, speak in that deep voice how she made him feel. Seduce her with merely a look.

She loved him so terribly much. She thought she did before coming to tell him about the pregnancy. Spending this time with him only made it worse than before.

Has to be the hormones, she thought. They exacerbate everything as it is. I wish Thomas would simply tell me there is no hope for us. This waiting around on him to decide whether or not to give us a second chance is worse than--

"Amanda?"

She looked up and realized he held the passenger door open for her.

Cheeks coloring over being so lost in thought, she quickly got in while mumbling her thanks.

"Are you tired?" He asked once he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Hmm? Oh. Not really." She replied. "But it strikes at odd times and I didn't want to intrude any longer on Rachel and Stephen's time with you."

Thomas frowned some over that.

"You're not an intrusion."

"I am." Amanda stated, attempting to keep her voice from wobbling. "We aren't together anymore so," she swallowed, turning to look out her window, "so it doesn't make sense for me to be with you so much."

His frown only deepened. He knew they weren't officially back together. Yet, he felt like they were teetering upon the very brink of that decision. They were in some mystical gray area where they were a couple in a way and yet not at the same time.

It's purgatory, he thought with a grimace.

"We're having a baby." He grumbled. "You are an important part of my life so therefore you are not an intrusion."

Amanda's gaze dropped to her stomach.

That's all I am, the mother of his child. Nothing more. Nothing less.

The two fell into an uncomfortable silence.

It wasn't long before Thomas was handing his keys to a valet and following Amanda up to her room.

"Since you aren't tired," he began when they were alone in the elevator, "why don't we watch a movie?" His lips curved somewhat when she finally looked up at him. "I had initially planned on taking you to one after dinner, but Rachel and Stephen's arrival ruined that."

"You did?" Amanda could hardly believed it.

He nodded.

It almost sounded like a date. It would have been a date if they were a couple.

"Since you're worried about falling asleep, at least if you do so now, you'll already be in your suite." He added.

"I'd like that." Amanda replied with a smile.

Thomas felt those unusual flutters her smile still caused. He followed her out of the elevator, his eyes drifting along her figure.

She pulled out her key card, noticed where his attention seemed to linger, and fumbled her key.

The two bent down to retrieve it, bumping heads.

"I forgot how hard headed you are." Amanda teased, rubbing her forehead.

He chuckled. "You don't have the softest one either."

He tilted her chin up to see if she was bruised.

He felt her slight intake of breath at his touch and being so close to her. When he looked at her face he noticed that her attention was upon his lips.

He didn't fight it this time. He leaned down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

Her muffled gasp turned into a soft moan as she sank into his embrace. One arm slid around his waist to urge him closer while the other tangled in his hair.

He felt his skin practically sing under her touch. His entire body responded to each brush of her tongue against his. Thomas groaned when she abruptly broke away.

He then heard people getting off the nearby elevator.

With a quick swipe, they hurried into her suite. The moment the door shut, they were back within the other's arms, lips eagerly meeting while hands began to drift over their bodies.

Thomas guided her back to the sofa, gently pulling her down into his lap. He gloried in her smile he could feel against his lips as he refused to pause their kiss to sit down.

He kissed down her neck when she broke away to catch her breath. His name spoken in her breathless, excited voice made him unable to think of anything, save for being with her.

Picking her up, his lips crashed down upon hers again as he carried her into her room.

The lights were off. The only slight illumination came from the city lights driting in through the sheer curtains. They eagerly began to remove the other's clothes. Lips and tongues tasted the other's newly revealed skin as if doing so for the very first time.

They each were refusing to think about what this meant and whether or not they should have sex. As if by mutual accord, they both seemed almost frenzied to be with one another without demanding a declaration or even a discussion of whether or not this was wise.

All the almost kisses, the touches, seeing the one they had loved again made the need so much stronger than ever before. Neither wanted to fight it any longer. Neither really had the strength or desire to ignore what was between them.

What had always been between them.

Thomas carefully covered her body with his. He worried for a moment if this perhaps would hurt her or possibly the baby. Then he felt Amanda's legs wrap around his waist and he couldn't think at all.

Amanda could feel the gentleness and care he was taking with her. It brought tears to her eyes as she encouraged him on and on and on. Her lips met his again in an attempt to convey just how much she loved him. Each kiss made her heart sing anew in being this intimate with him again.

She'd never held anything back from him. She remembered when Thomas told her that being with her was a whole new experience for him. He himself had admitted to being unable to control his responses to her.

It was never sex between them. It never had been.

They had only been able to make love.

"Thomas!" Her breath caught as the sensations flooded through her.

He held her close as he was knocked speechless from the intense emotions combined with the waves of pleasure he felt.

They held onto the other in the aftermath. Both were afraid of saying something that might ruin the moment. So many words and questions revolved around their minds.

When Amanda yawned, Thomas jumped upon that as a reprieve.

He reached down to cover the two of them up, then gently pulled her back within his arms. His lips brushed over hers when she asked if he wanted to stay.

He knew he could use the excuse of having family in town to go ahead and leave. Yet, there was nothing he wanted more than to stay here with her, holding her close as she slept. A part of him argued he should stay to make certain she and the baby wasn't physically hurt from his rash actions.

Another part prodded that since he was so ready to fall into staying with her that he should go ahead and realize that his love for her was undeniable. They should be together.

But could he go through the possibility of losing her again?

"I want to stay." He said softly. "If you want me to."

"I do." She pressed a lingering kiss to his lips.

"Good." He gently caressed her cheek.

Unable to keep her hope from bubbling up, Amanda asked him what this meant.

Thomas didn't pause in his caress. He too wondered the same.

"I think it means we do want to be together." He replied. "But--"

Amanda felt her heart sink. She began to pull away, only to have him draw her back even closer than before.

"But," he repeated, "I think we should start out dating again before we decide on something more permanent."

"You want to date?" Amanda's brow furrowed. "But not be in a serious relationship?"

"I want us to start again as if it was the beginning of a new relationship." He replied.

"Not to be blunt, but not only am I pregnant by you, I'm literally naked in your arms having thoroughly been seduced by you." Amanda told him. "It's a little late for first date etiquette to apply here."

Thomas knew she was right.

"Perhaps then, not at the very beginning." His forehead dropped to rest against hers. "Amanda, I don't think I can go through another breakup with you."

"I don't think I could either." She closed her eyes right when their lips met. "What are we going to do?"

"Would you be willing to try and see how we feel these next few months?"

Amanda opened her eyes to meet his vulnerable gaze. "And what happens then? Other than our child being born?"

"Then we decide if we want to move on to that next step in our relationship."

"What is that next step in your opinion?" She asked, determined to understand just what he wanted from her.

Thomas brushed her hair out of her eyes, his own tracing her profile lit in the soft light.

"That next step is the last one." He kissed her, unable to resist the need to feel her body once again. "We will decide whether or not we should get married."

#choices red carpet diaries #choices thomas hunt #thomas hunt x amanda #thomas hunt x oc #choices rcd #worth the wait #a second chance #choices fic writers creations #choices the stories you play #what if au

[sokkas-first-fangirl]

This room was an exact match for her one at home, right down to the pattern on the tiles and the colour of the walls.

Alma wasn’t sure what to make of that yet.

One thing was for sure though: this strange, living house was trying to help her.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, unable to raise her voice. She swallowed heavily, her throat tight and her heart breaking.

The shutters waved slightly. The tiles danced and the wardrobe swayed. Alma was aware of a faint sense of welcome, love, sorrow, protection.

This house was not natural. Nothing about this night was natural. Pedro was dead, her babies would never know their father; so many of her friends and neighbours were gone forever. She didn’t know what happened to her parents. Everyone outside was expecting her to help them, to guide them.

And this house wanted to help her.

*

Alma Madrigal has just lost her husband and gained a miracle. She has a following of traumatised, injured people looking to her for guidance. They, and her babies, are relying on her strength.

But there's one among them all who offers help and comfort: her strange new sentient home.

#a second chance #abuela alma madrigal #alma madrigal #abuela madrigal #la casa madrigal #casita #bruno madrigal #julieta madrigal #pepa madrigal #encanto villagers #encantober #encantober 2022 #encanto #encanto fanfic #encanto fanfiction #prompt: comfort #update #new story #one shot #la familia madrigal #my writing

[breaniebree]

More amazing cover art by @tomjamesavery

I’m humbled and amazed by anyone wanting to do art for my story 😍

#harry potter fanfiction #breanie #a second chance #a second chance by breanie #asc #the kismet trilogy by breanie #the first time around by breanie part one of the kismet trilogy

[kuvira-protege]

Chapter 1 & 2

Today I start reposting my Webtoon “A SECOND CHANCE”! I guess most of you already read it? If not this is your opportunity to start. 

For this comic I created a couple of own characters as new villians. Kuvira might be the main character in this story, but I also included a lot of scenes with Korra and especially Asami!

Here are the first two chapters of the story! Hope you enjoy! 

#kuvira #korra #asami #mako #lin #lin beifong #fancomic #ocsiara #ockuno #the legend of korra #chapter1 #chapter 2 #a second chance

[rveyjules]

Okay... Part 4 is going to be violent.

#leon kennedy #leon kennedy x reader #spoiler #a second chance

[contentconsumer]

a second chance

a/n: okay so i started a series, welcome to part 1! this is more of an introduction/setup for the rest of the series but y/n was kinda based on this post. hopefully posting part 2 later this week, let me know your thoughts and requests are still open - my prompt list can be found here. ily guys! also have a playlist for this series so let me know if you wanna hear it word count:3.4k(ish) requested?: no pairing: steve harrington x reader warnings?: um awkward steve, enemies, nancy slander (sorry not sorry) summary: you hate steve harrington. until you are forced to save hawkins together. then you don’t hate steve so much?

“Hi, I’m really sorry but we are closed now.” You smile at the customer in front of you, praying they would retaliate with the same kindness. However, that would be too easy, “Can’t you just make me a coffee? I just want a small one.” You grit your teeth trying not to let your customer service smile drop, “Unfortunately, everything’s shut down and I was literally just about to lock the doors.” The older gentleman who stands before you exaggeratedly sighs, “Well, you’ve just lost a customer. You should make your opening times WAY more clear.” He turns on his heel and leaves, ironically speeding past the door with your store's opening time clearly printed on. Letting out an aspirated sigh, you continue cashing up - today feels like it has gone on forever. It had been a hot day in Hawkins so of course it felt like the whole population decided to flock to your place of work, a small and normally quiet coffee shop which conveniently also sells milkshakes - you had made a lot of milkshakes. As if God couldn’t give you a break, you hear the bell above the door ring again, assuming it’s the same guy coming back because he didn’t get his kick out of being rude and pouting to a teenage girl earlier therefore, without looking up you’re beginning to say “Look-” while simultaneously cursing him out in your head, yet before you manage any other words a voice you recognise calls out, “Gooooooood afternoon gorgeous!” Your best friend Eddie’s voice bellows across the store, “Hiya Eds, how are you?” You look up with a smile and a fond shake of your head, slightly surprised to find Eddie standing with others - who weren’t in his little DnD group. “Better now I’ve seen you.” Eddie shamelessly flirts but that’s just how your friendship worked, everything was strictly platonic but to an outside eye may not seem that way.

It certainly didn’t look that way to Steve, who stood behind Eddie and to the left of Robin, his mouth physically ajar in confusion of why on earth it appeared Eddie ‘the freak’ Munson was flirting with the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Robin picked up on Steve’s gawking which lead to him receiving a prompt elbow to the ribs, Steve hissed and rubbed his hand where his friend had hit him, “What the fuck was that for?” He moaned, Robin stared at him “You’ll catch flies.” she scolded. Before any bickering can begin, your voice pulls their attention back to the issue at hand. Eddie had demanded that all of them pick you up on the way to see the rest of the gang in hopes to discuss what their next plan for Vecna was. You knew about the Upside Down and all that came with it after you met Max and Dustin. They came in to your work in attempts to find Eddie when he had gone on the run from the police, you demanded more information as you were scared shitless for your best friend, not to mention you were certain there was no way Eddie murdered Chrissy making you all up for proving his innocence. What you weren’t expecting was the  full run down of Hawkins and how many secrets the small town harboured.

Despite this, there was no way you were backing out, not even when you saw Steve ‘the hair’ Harrington standing opposite you. You tried extremely hard not to roll your eyes at the mere sight of the boy but it was taking all your energy. You hate Steve Harrington and the worst part is, by the look in his eye (as he was very obviously checking you out), he didn’t remember who you were. You were the unfortunate soul who was forced to have the locker next to Steve for the whole time he attended Hawkins High, even though you had tried to swap with your friends. On multiple occasions. Regardless of this, you ended up stuck listening to the king of Hawkins High himself complain to his friends about issues you didn’t give a shit about for example, who was holding this week's party, how he was failing Spanish, his dad catching him drinking and/or smoking, the list goes on. Or if he wasn’t whining so loud the whole hall could hear, he was making out with Nancy Wheeler, a girl you never really spoke to, predetermining you two wouldn’t get along by the way she walked around the school with her nose turned up, right against your locker, meaning you were forced to attend many lessons without your appropriate books - being too nervous to try and get the two to stop playing ‘tonsil tennis’ as Eddie named it. Instead, you stuck with Eddie and a few others, but now you had also befriended Robin after bumping into her when you were passing through the halls with Max. But Steve? Up until this point you had luckily not run into him since he had graduated yet you knew the reunion would be coming sooner rather than later after Dustin started talking about how he was also in the group.

“Okay, so if we let Steve-” Dustin began as you drove him and Max home from a long day of questioning you about Eddie, “Hang on,” You butt in, “Steve as in Steve Harrington?” You can’t help the grimace that plastered itself on your face, to which Dustin physically retracted at, “Oh no, don’t tell me you two slept together too?” “Ew,” You shudder, “No. I-actually it doesn’t matter.” You don’t offer any more information about how you knew Steve much to Dustin’s dismay who was now very curious. 

“Okay, so why am I coming to this meeting?” You questioned Eddie before moving your attention to Robin, “Hey Robin” You greet with a smile, the girl replies with a small wave but notices how your smile drops as your gaze shifts to Steve. Before you have a chance to hurl abuse at the poor boy who still hasn’t realised who you are, Eddie interrupts, “Because you’re my best friend and I said to.”  “Sounds good enough to me,” You giggle and Steve swears he physically swoons over the sound but also can’t help but feel relief at Eddie’s use of ‘best friend’ - he notes you two aren’t actually together. “Let me just lock up and I’ll drive down behind you.” You raise your eyebrows at Eddie, “Oh hell no,” he waves his hand in the air, “I’ll come with you - Robin and Steve can lead, can’t ya?” Eddie turns to Steve, expecting a response, “Oh-uh-yeah for sure. You can follow us, yep.” Steve mumbles, running a desperate hand through his hair and tugging on it slightly, embarrassed. “Right let's go then dingus.” Robin grabs Steve by the arm, half yanking him out of the store, she turns her head to face you as she leaves, “See you in a sec!” 

“Yeah,” you squint and draw your eyebrows in confusion, “See you in a sec.”  “Steve, what the actual fuck was that?” Robin whisper-yells at her friend as soon as they exit the store. “I have no idea, was it bad? It felt like it was kinda bad.” Steve cringes, a blush forming on his cheeks, “It was like watching a train wreck. In slow motion.” Robin deadpans, “Wow thanks Robin, you have such a way with words.” Steve glares. “Oh Steve, will you please enlighten me on why on earth you just fell apart when speaking to Y/N Y/L/N? You like puddleified.” “Puddleified?”  “Melted, like turning into a puddle. Wasn’t my question. Answer. Now.” At this point they have reached Steve’s car and as he unlocks the doors, he can’t help but feel like he knows your name from somewhere - he just can’t put his finger on it. “What? She’s pretty. Pretty girls make me nervous.” Steve tries to explain but cuts himself off when he hears Robin scoff, “What?” he slides into the driver’s seat and turns his head to look at her, “That’s the most embarrassing excuse I think I have ever heard, and I had to listen to you try and get out that date with Stacy last week.”  “I handled that well!” Steve proclaims, “Steve, you told her you had chickenpox! You’re 19! And statistically 90% of cases of chickenpox are children 5 and below!” She hits his arm, “Anyway, you’ve got no chance idiot.”  “Why? Do you think she likes Eddie?” Steve can’t help the wave of disappointment wash over him as he tries to draw to a conclusion, “No way.” Robin states, “They have been friends forever, I think if anything would’ve happened, it would’ve happened by now.”  “Then why do you think I have ‘no chance’.” Steve uses air quotes, before turning to face the front of the store, seeing Eddie chat to you as you smile at him and lock the doors before replying to whatever the metalhead has said to you. Steve turns his key in the ignition, waiting for the engine to catch. “Because,” Robin says cockily, “She hates you.” She says it as if it’s a fact everyone should know. Like, oh the grass is green, the sky is blue and Y/N Y/L/N hates Steve Harrington. Steve can’t help but whip his head back round to the passenger seat, “What? Why would she hate me? She doesn’t know me.” Robin tuts slightly, “Oh but Stevie,” She teases with a shit eating grin, “She does.”  “Since when?” Steve shoots back, a part of him thinking Robin is just making this all up. “School you imbecile, she had the locker next to you and from that experience, she hates you.” A singsong tone covering her voice. It’s like everything clicks into place, he falls back into his seat, head thrown back as he groans, “Oh my god.” He mumbles before running both hands over his face, memories flooding back to him, you rolling your eyes everytime you tried to get to your locker, sighing and walking off when he was spending time with Nance, or mumbling curse words under your breath when you saw him heading towards his locker,  “You’re right. She does hate me.” Before either of the pair have a chance to say anything else, a knock on Steve's window makes him bring his hands down. Face to face with Eddie, he rolls his window down with a “What?” to which Eddie replies, “Dude are you gonna leave or? Y/N doesn’t know the way to Dustin’s house.” “Right.” Steve lets out a huge sigh, “Yep.” He slaps his hands onto the wheel.

Eddie returns to your car and slips into the passenger seat, “Well?” You scowl slightly, “He’s going now.” Eddie points his thumb in the direction of Steve’s car, who still had the window slightly ajar meaning you could hear Robin’s laughter from where you were sitting. You start to reverse your own car, before looking over to Eddie, “You might wanna like-crouch down?” “Crouch down?” Eddie laughs, “You know, in case the police drive past, I don’t really wanna be caught with a fugitive in my car.”  “I am not a fugitive.” “Eds, you are about as fugitive as they come right now.” You laugh, “Anyway, whose house are we going to?”  “Dustin’s.”  “And Steve just knows the way there because?”  “They’re friends?” Eddie tries to state but it comes out as more of a question, you let out a huff. “Y/N you can’t hate him forever.” “Don’t you start too,” You interject, “First Robin, now you, oh he’s changed. He’s so nice now.” You purposely put on a high pitched voice exaggeratedly pretending to be Robin, making Eddie giggle, “I’m being real with you, he’s actually alright, well so far.” Eddie shrugs, “Exactly,” You try, “So far. We still don’t even know that much about him.” You complain, “Yeah but Robin does, hell they even work together and I don’t see Robin hanging out with someone who is, as you claim, a total dickward.”  “HE is a total dickward,” You wave your hands around letting Eddie grab the wheel as your car almost swerves, “Hands on the wheel please Y/N or this fugitive is going to be found dead in your car.”  “If he keeps trying to make me befriend Steve Harrington then maybe it’s for the best.” You purse your lips trying to hide your smile, Eddie lets out a dramatic gasp, clutching his heart, “You would let your BEST FRIEND DIE because he’s asking you to give a guy a second chance?” He shouts, “I don’t care about giving ‘a guy’ a second chance,” You mumble, “Just not Steve Harrington. Man, I hate Steve Harrington.”  “We’ve established that.”  “Fuck off Munson.” 

You arrive at Dustin’s house, far too quick for your liking. Slightly hitting the curb with your wheels you begrudgingly set your car into park. Meanwhile Eddie, the dramatic, is acting as if you just got into a head on collision, grumbling about your wheels and how if you damage them he doesn’t want to be the person who changes them, again. “Firstly, you offered to change them last time and who am I to stop you? And secondly, if I can change the wheels on my motorcycle I doubt it’s much harder.” You retort, “Wait?” Robin’s voice makes you jump, not realising she had caught up with you two as you march towards Dustin’s door, “You have a motorcycle? That’s so badass” She sounds awestruck, “Yeah,” You wave your hand, “It’s in the shop right now thanks to idiot-” You gesture to Eddie, “And his genius idea to try and drive it himself.”  “It wasn’t that bad.” “It certainly was that bad,” You exclaim, “You took my prized possession and drove it straight into a tree!” You begin to recall the dreaded night Eddie, after too much weed, decided to give his hand at motorbike driving, “You didn’t tell me it was gonna go so fast.” Eddie tries to bicker with you, an argument you had been repeatedly having since the incident, “I was high Eddie. You got me high then crashed my bike so I’m stuck driving my godforsaken mother’s Honda around.”  “I like your mom’s Honda.” “No Eds, you like my mom.” “Well, have you seen her?” Both you and Robin make various noises of disgust, all the while Steve trudges along behind the three of you. Wondering how he was going to make up for 5 years of his ‘King Steve’ era that you had witnessed, yet he couldn’t  help his look of surprise after listening to your story involving both drugs and a motorcycle - he didn’t take you for a motorcycle rider and definitely not a stoner. Nevertheless, he shakes his head in a way to physically remove the thoughts of you that seemed to plague him.  Eddie knocks on the door in front of him and Dustin swings it open with a happy grin, “Oh perfect, you’re all here.” He says before hurriedly waving the group of older teens through the door. “Common, hurry, we only have an hour before my mom’s gonna be back from bookclub.” He rambles, “Oh shit, I’m missing book club for this shit?” You gasp, voice laced with so much sarcasm Steve can’t help the laugh that bubbles then leaves his chest. Your head shoots to look at him, “Nice one.” He coughs, nerves overwhelming him, “Thanks.” You tilt your head in confusion, there was no way Steve Harrington laughed at your stupid joke. “Stop with the sarcasm and get inside or have you forgotten we have a literal demon running around Hawkins?” “Eddie’s right here. Not running anywhere?” You smirk, earning a punch in the shoulder from Eddie and a hushed, “No more talking from you.” From Dustin, Steve freely lets his smile widen at the sound of your voice. 

Once you settle into Dustin’s living room squished between Eddie and Steve, after of course complaining to Max about her being sat in the armchair (to which you got a “You snooze you lose Y/L/N.”  in response) Dustin began talking. Laying out facts you knew, and some you didn’t - you tried to pretend you were shocked at the horrors which were being described in front of you but Steve felt your body stiffen, almost without thinking he went to rest his hand on your thigh in attempts to reassure you but he stopped himself, Robin’s words echoing in his mind, instead he chooses to place his hand back on his lap, ringing his fingers together. All the while you took a deep breath trying to focus on what Dustin was saying and not the warmth radiating from Steve, if he didn’t disgust you as much you might’ve relaxed into him. But he does. You hate him. You almost have to remind yourself after your eyes flicker to the moles which litter his cheek.

The meeting continued on, Lucas explaining to the group that he overheard Jason telling the whole basketball team they were going to pay you a visit in hopes of figuring out where Eddie was hiding, in response you guys formed a plan which involved you occupying the Hawkins Tigers at work, in an attempt to buy time.  Luckily, no one had noticed the tension between you and Steve, that was until Robin had to open her big mouth, “So Steve,” She claps her hands together to turn and leans on her knees to speak to the boy in question, “You’ve met Y/N obviously, why don’t you give her hand, y’know make sure things don’t go south.” Robin tries to sound innocent but she can’t help but have a teasing undertone. Before Steve has a chance to reply you do, “Actually Robin, I’m good-” you sit back and cross your arms over your chest, “I can assure you I don’t need any help in keeping basketballers busy.” As you finish Steve starts, “I would uh actually agree with Y/N, I don’t think I can provide much help.” He curses as he feels a blush creep up the back of his neck, something you take a note of but don’t speak on, instead your own scheme forms in your head, “On second thought,” The gang turn to you, a smirk peeking under your bitten lip, “I could probably do with some help just incase you know ‘things go south.’” You quote, “So what do ya say Harrington?”  Steve feels all the air exit his lungs hearing you say his surname. “Uh-oh of course.” He manages to squeak out, “Would love to do that.” He sighs, “Okay it’s sorted then,” Mike starts, “You two keep Jason busy while we look through his car to see if he has anything that could explain why Vecna chose Chrissy as his victim.” 

As you leave the Henderson house, Eddie is hot on your heels, “Staying over Munson?” You question as he clambers into your mom’s car. “You know it. What was that thing?” His thumb jerks back to the house you had just exited, “I thought you hated Steve?”  “Oh,” you giggle, “I do. But for whatever reason I clearly make him nervous, so I thought it would be fun.” You face the road, “What would be fun?” Eddie can’t keep up with how you mind works, he says it’s because you’re a woman and you say it’s because he’s stupid. “Spending some alone time with him. See if he remembers me. I might actually be able to get an apology from him but I won’t count on it.”  “Y/N don’t tease the poor boy.” Eddie reasons, nervous for what you’re going to put Steve through, “I won’t. I just uh want to y’know,” You turn in your seat, “Give him a second chance.” You wink, “I should’ve known you would use my own wise words against me. I’m hurt Y/N. You’re never hearing this wisdom again.” Eddie laughs, “I think I’ll survive.” You beam.

#steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfic #steve x reader #stranger things #stranger things imagine #stranger things masterlist #stranger things x reader #stranger things ship #contentconsumer #Minx talks #minx writes #steve #harrington #harrington x reader #harrington series #a second chance

[a-second-chance-su-au]

Final Post.

You read the title. I won't be continuing A Second Chance anymore. Below the cut, I explain what the plot was gonna be.

I plan on stepping away from SU as a whole now. The only thing I want to finish is Half a Puppet, which you can read on AO3. ((This is absolutely my. best work, I am super proud of it. Pearl's chapter is my magnum opus at the moment. If anything, please go read that lol.))

Thank you everyone for supporting the blog. This was fun, and it got me though COVID and a lot of 2021. I love you all a lot.

I am still active on Tumblr. I am hyperfixated on Cuphead right now, and run the @cuphead-contract-au blog. I am also working on an original project I eventually want to make into a real animated TV show called Follychromatic. You can follow my journey there. @follychromatic.

Thank you all for everything.

Basically, her thing with Connie was because Rose and Greg had been the same right before Greg made Rose go away. She doesn't want the same to happen to Steven.

Pink yelled at her and banished her. This is why she hates Pink, but loves Rose. She joined the rebellion because of that. Reread the intro bit, Rose knew what she had to do.

Spinel would learn to grow more mature and compassionate about the people around her. She would learn what a healthy relationship looks like and strive to have that with everyone. She makes up with Connie, and they become good friends.

In Future, she winds up teaching the gems how to play games. Her sole episode would be about trying to get Steven to relax, similar to Snow Day but not a replacement. It would happen closer to Mr Universe, maybe before the trip but after Steven realizes he has trauma. She'd see how down he is and try to take his mind off of things, which we realize does not work.

Stop there if you would like. Below is a long, long, LONG post, full of the ENTIRE timeline all the up through Season 4. This is copy+pasted from the google doc I had, and incomplete.

...

The full, uncut timeline, following Spinel on her journey! Everything from just single scenes in already-existent episodes all the way to fresh, new content, in chronological order, with all the important stuff, including notes on important visuals and metaphors/symbolism! Timeline starts when Spinel is first created.

17,000 Years Ago

Spinel emerges from her kindergarten.

It was on the planet above the Garden, with the large heart-shaped hole in it

She emerged as her Homeworld-designed self, and immediately recognized Pink and hugged her. Volleyball was present for it.

Pink managed to sneak Volleyball to a couple of playtimes between her and Spinel. The trio was happy, but Spinel never paid much attention to the pearl.

8,000 Years Ago

Volley’s eye cracks.

Pink had been throwing a tantrum at the time and her scream hurt her eye physically

Pink didn’t know about her healing powers before this point, so had no way of fixing it.

She rushed to the other Diamonds, asking if they knew a way to heal her

The Diamonds take Volley away and Pink swears to get better.

Instead of helping, the Diamonds saw that, despite the fact that they GAVE PINK A FRIEND, she still saw her Pearl as one and took her away

This was the moment Pink swore she wouldn’t throw a tantrum again (but note: growth isn’t linear, and yes, she DOES throw a few more first, but that’s later).

A rift is drawn between her and Spinel

Pink likes being equal to others around her, and that was the relationship she had with Volleyball. They were equals in friendship.

That was the only relationship she had like that, so when Volley got taken away, it devastated her

Spinel was created for the sole purpose of serving Pink Diamond, and her friendship is one-way to the point that she doesn’t want Pink to be on equal ground with her. She’s perfectly fine being beneath her, which Pink is highly uncomfortable with.

This is when she started getting annoyed with Spinel, and mostly started going to her to get away from the palace instead of just to play.

Pink starts becoming more mature.

In her quest to A) stop being childish, and thus B) get a colony, Pink knew she needed to grow up. So she began acting more like Yellow and Blue wanted her to.

She wasn’t happy, however, and came to the garden to let loose. She could be as childish as she wanted there.

7,500 Years Ago

Pink is gifted our Pearl

However, she is still throwing tantrums, and at one point, she hurts Pearl during one, causing her to get rejuvenated. Not gonna keep making you Pearls just to get them taken away, Pink. 

This causes Pink to never want to use that blasted devise again. She wasn’t aware that it completely reset a gem, just that it erased certain behaviors and memories.

Our Pearl is programmed for no funny business, creating another one-sided relationship that Pink doesn’t want any part of. 

Spinel and Pearl met only a few times before the thing happens, but enough that Pearl knows who she is and can remember her later.

6,000 Years Ago (000)

Spinel is left in the Garden

It’s finally paying off. The Diamonds see Pink as one of them (only took 2,000 years, haha!). She’s given Earth as a colony.

However, because the Garden is her place to let loose, she gets extremely annoyed at Spinel for jumping around her like she does. She’s worried they might take her colony away again.

She didn’t mean to forget about her. The way she was always punished was that she was locked in the tower. How is this any different? 

Spinel is NOT going to mess this up for her.

Pink comes to Earth

Colonization begins in the Prime Kindergarten

5,850 years ago: (150)

The Amethysts emerge

Pink goes down to Earth with Pearl

They keep sneaking off for about two months before Pink really realizes what it’s doing to the planet

Pink starts trying to persuade the Diamonds to leave the planet alone.

At first, they don’t take her seriously, but when she keeps asking, they start to get annoyed with her. They threaten that this is her colony, she wants it, so if she ever wants to have another, she is to shut it.

Blue is much harsher during this time, and Yellow is a bit softer. Just a tiny bit, though. (Grief changes the both of them)

Coral and Amber approach Spinel and ask her if she wants to play with them. She says no, that she’s already playing with Pink. They insist, having seen that Pink probably isn’t coming back any time soon, but again, Spinel says that Pink wants her to stay still. So that’s what she’s gonna do. The duo retreat into maintaining the garden, but their own worry starts to make the garden run rampant.

5,825 years ago (175)

Blue starts the human zoo

Pink tries to show her life and say that she wants to preserve it. 

Blue just kinda rolls her eyes and goes “okay fine” and the zoo is built.

5,800 years ago: (200)

Pink gives up trying to persuade them

Though not entirely, as she does bring it up sometimes.

The Gem War begins

Pink starts leading a double life

5,750 years ago: (250)

Garnet meets Rose and Pearl

Pink starts fighting for gems

Now recruits newly-emerged gems into her army

Rose starts spreading her message

Pink starts to become more isolated, starting rumors about herself

5,650 years ago: (350)

Beta Kindergarten gems are commissioned per Yellow’s request

Rose’s army is now a genuine threat

Homeworld gems start to hear her message and switch, or fear her, depending on what they hear

5,600 years ago: (400)

Coral and Amber try again to get Spinel to move, but she insists that she’s okay where she is.

5,500 years ago (500)

Jasper and the other Betas emerge

There is a massive battle at the Beta Kindergarten as Jasper starts her path of destruction

Word of it gets to Rose, but she’s too late to get there. Jasper took out almost all the Crystal Gems stationed at the Beta Kindergarten.

5,400 years ago: (600)

Eyeball arrives on the battlefield with seven other Rubies, responsible for aiding Pink Diamond as extra muscle around her area

Pink likes to keep her Rubies as far from her as possible, just from the discomfort they bring (and because they make it hard for her to sneak off)

5,375 years ago (625)

Rose and Pearl come across a human child all alone

This reminds Rose of Spinel

She gets her and brings her to Earth

Spinel stood in the garden for about 625 years

Coral and Amber are left behind without a second thought

Two years later, Pink banishes her

Spinel becomes a Crystal Gem

5,300 years ago (700)

The whole thing with Bismuth goes down

Rose doesn’t have Lion by this time, so she stores the bubble away in Bismuth’s forge instead

Spinel is devastated, but not enough to poof herself.

She knew Bismuth for about 75 years.

5,250 years ago (750)

Spinel and Eyeball meet on the battlefield, though nothing too interesting happens. Eyeball gets her pinned at one point, which is really hard to do, but it ultimately ends in a draw

5,200 years ago (800)

Spinel meets Jasper on the battlefield, resulting in a showdown. Spinel is terrified of Jasper’s power and strength, and runs from her. There’s a chase as she and some of her close friends flee. 

She makes a huge choice and decides that they can’t run forever, and to save her friends, she turns to face Jasper herself.

The two fight, with Spinel actually doing okay, but she winds up getting poofed

She would have been shattered, but 7TH and 7TP rush in. One throws her gem to the bushes while they fight, resulting in getting poofed. Jasper decides to keep them for information, and can’t find Spinel’s gem.

Spinel reforms and rushes off to the CG base in tears, only to learn that her friends sacrificed themselves to save her.

She swears that she will get them back, and she and Jasper shall meet again.

5,150 years ago (850)

Pink “shatters”

Spinel feels grief even though she knows well that Pink abused her. Pearl has a talk with her about the whole thing, and Spinel feels better, knowing there’s someone else who misses her too. (BUT REMEMEBER THE GAG ORDER)

Immediately, the Homeworld gems start a plan to shatter every Crystal Gem, with new intel from a rebel on a potential place their base may be.

A huge battle takes place, drawing all gems on Earth to it 

Yellow comes down in a ship and starts work on the Cluster, heading to the Prime Kindergarten to issue the experiments immediately, while there are no witnesses

Blue follows her, and the two have a confrontation with each other

Yellow wins the argument, and Blue reluctantly agrees, leaving in her ship after grabbing a few more humans for the zoo (to remember her by)

The Crystal Gems are victorious 

5,100 years ago (900)

The Cluster’s plantation is completed

Yellow slips back off the planet under the cover of night

5,000 years ago (1,000)

The Homeworld gems flee

Premature celebration happens

Spinel was hugging Pearl in joy when Rose grabbed Pearl, saving Spinel from the attack too

The Diamond Attack blasts the Earth and corrupts the gems

The war is over… for now.

4,500 years ago (1,500)

Amethyst emerges

1975

Greg is born

1997

Greg meets Rose Quartz (22 years old)

2001

Steven is born

Rose “dies”

This is the event that drives a rift between Spinel and Amethyst. Spinel was greedy for all of Rose’s attention there at the end, but her respect for Pearl and for Garnet as leader allowed them to get close to her. However, she literally pushed Amethyst away during that time, and because of that, Amethyst’s time with Rose was reduced from what it could have been. From then on, Amethyst holds a grudge against Spinel, and she retaliates since trying to make it up to the little Quartz failed.

2009

Steven (8) moves in with the gems

August 15, 2013

Steven turns 12 years old, the age he is at the start of the show

SEASON 1

Spinel’s arc starts in “Bubble Buddies,” in which Spinel is jealous of Connie

Man of the Mountain

Spinel feels she and Steven are drifting apart, and decides to try and get close to him again. They play in her room in the Temple, sending Steven off on a quest as a knight (which can be played on when Connie steps into that role irl). During it, things go too far and she has to rescue Steven. They had fun, though, and he confirms for her that they’re still close.

Giant Woman

Not worthy to make an entire ep out of, but basically, Spinel CAN go with Garnet to get the Earth Beetle. Spinel can swim in lava, just not for as long as Garnet can. She’s meant to be backup.

So Close

After “Giant Woman,” Steven stages another adventure to try and get Amethyst and Spinel to fuse, too, just like what happened with Pearl and Amethyst, but spoiler alert, it doesn’t happen. Instead, we learn that their arguments started when Steven was born, which kinda begins his self-blame and awareness of his family’s tensions even more so than “Giant Woman,” wherein he was mostly focused on himself rather than his family getting along. “Emotional hell” episode.

Steven the Sword-Fighter

Spinel grabs Pearl’s gem before it hits the ground with her elastic abilities, and basically stands vigil by it while waiting for her to reform. She sasses Holo-Pearl, insulting her, and in this scenario, Spinel is the one to accidentally start a fight with the thing. Steven, not wanting another family member to get hurt because of it, tries to help out and ultimately defeats the hologram. Spinel remained by Pearl’s gem the whole time, though attacked from a distance. Once Pearl reforms, Spinel hugs her and doesn’t stop until sometime after the star has crossed the screen and ended the episode.

This Just In

Just a fun one. :)

Parody of Scooby-Doo! Spinel starts narrating everything and breaking the fourth wall while she does it, too, creating drama (and giving a reason for the title to be just that).

Mirror Gem

Spinel walks in on Steven setting up a school and gawks, asking why he would want to do that? She went to school back in the 1930’s and it was terrible. When Pearl suggests the mirror, Spinel is just as in awe of it as Steven, showing that she doesn’t know what it is. She is with the two of them all day, and is delighted to find a friend in the “defective” mirror. When Steven wants to tell the gems, Spinel insists that it’s a bad idea, but poor Season 1 Steven doesn’t pick up on her nervousness and tells them anyway. As things tense, Spinel runs to Pearl, trying to tell her that it’s okay, the mirror isn’t a threat, but all this does is separate her from Steven when Garnet tries to take the mirror from him. He runs out alone, and all the gems run out to try and find him. Same plays out as he sets Lapis free. She then yells at the OG3 for knowing she was in there, but not letting her go. She offers Steven and Spinel to go “home” with her, which Spinel knows what she means and refuses. She offers instead to have Lapis stay on Earth, where they’re safe from Homeworld’s cruelty. Lapis refuses, tells them both not to trust the OG3, and walks into the ocean. Spinel is hurt that they didn’t mention Lapis to her, but doesn’t say anything (for fear of what happened between her and Pink).

Secret Team

As Steven, Pearl, and Amethyst run around the Temple fixing their mistakes, Steven stumbles across Spinel. She asks what he’s doing, to which Steven responds “nothing!” and keeps searching. Spins is suspicious, but again, says nothing. She hears Garnet’s speech at the end, though, and realizes that they were keeping secrets from her again.

Left Behind

Spinel calls everyone together, and says she knows everyone is keeping stuff from her. She inquires what that might be, and when no one speaks up, decides to create her own. She enlists Steven’s help, and together, they start creating secrets to keep from the gems. It escalates until it’s just Amethyst, though (as Garnet has future vision and Spinel just can’t do that to Pearl), and Amethyst is aware of it. She calls Spinel out, the others telling her that she has to stop, and she confesses that she feels betrayed because of the whole Lapis thing, then the Secret Team thing. Garnet tells her in her most gentle voice that Spinel couldn’t handle that kind of information, to which Spinel realizes that they don’t trust her. She runs off. Garnet tells Steven she’ll bounce back and get over it, but he follows her anyway. He finds her, just in time to hear her sing about feeling left out in the group. He walks up to her and tells her he feels the same way, and that if she wants to be with them, she’s just gotta try harder. That’s what he does. Spinel agrees, and the ep ends on a bittersweet note.

Fusion Cuisine

Zoisite is teased, as when Steven tries to bring his whole family, that means Spinel too, but because of Amethyst’s and Spinel’s tense relationship, the fusion fails. Instead, she’s left behind again (as Connie mentioned nothing about a sister…), and Alexandrite goes instead. Then it plays out the same way.

Warp Tour

In a bout of pure betrayal Spinel ultimately sides with the Gems instead of Steven, singling him out from the group. She agrees Steven is being silly. However, she stays with him as he stays up, trying to get him to take his mind off stuff. He refuses, and she gives up, heading back into the Temple. If he wants to play, he’s welcome to. Just give a knock. Then it plays out the same way.

The Test

Spinel’s room features a few funky, funny, not-quite booby traps. A cage comes down and nearly traps him (though like the spikes in Garnet’s room, would stop before it actually hit or trapped him), he has to jump around on a few platforms out of the reach of what looks like octopus tentacles, and then he lands in a ball pit after jumping off the platform. Finally, it’s a riddle to guess which door was correct, to which there are three doors, meaning three answers. Each door leads out, but Spinel makes it seem like there’s a pitfall trap in front of each to make it matter. Steven gets the answer right (the answer being a rabbit), and moves on to Garnet’s room. During the gem’s talk, Spinel insists that giving him an actual win would be a lot better, but Pearl states instead that this would work the same way. As long as he can do this, it’ll raise his confidence. Spinel agrees with Amethyst’s assessment of “we’re bad at this,” and the conversation goes the same way, as does the episode.

The Mountain Spire

After the episode “Horror Club,” Garnet discovers that due to two simultaneously occurring “earthquakes,” two Gem structures are bound to collapse. She and Amethyst take one, Pearl and Spinel take the other. Steven insists on coming along, and Garnet allows it. While walking, we see bird and rabbit imagery, as Steven goes on about how the last two times they were on an adventure like this, Opal happened! The other time, though, Amethyst and Spinel fought. But if Opal happened, then there was a chance something could happen this time, too, right? They arrive at a tall structure with pieces falling collapsing more by the second; the Mountain Spire. They have to replace to Sun Goddess statue, which was already up there. Steven’s now getting some flashbacks to a different adventure he was on, and now is determined to make sure he doesn’t mess this one up, too! Not a second time! 

Spinel repeatedly runs ahead, appearing to be playing, when in actuality, she’s clearing the coast for Steven and Pearl. She constantly looks for Pearl’s approval. Pearl gets progressively more annoyed. Finally, she confronts Spinel about her behavior, stating that she doesn’t like the clinginess she’s been showing. It looks like it’ll escalate, but Spinel doesn’t try to argue with Pearl at all. She admits that she’s attached to her, maybe more than she should be, but that’s because she respects her. When Spinel was lost, who picked her up and showed her a home with the Crystal Gems? Pearl. She had always believed in Spinel, and Spinel just feels good being around her and being there for her. Pearl says she had no idea, and admits that she maybe has been a bit harsh on her lately, and they both come to peaceful understanding without Steven’s help. (Note: Spinel and Pearl are both lesser gems, and they can connect using that, too. Try to hint at that if possible.)

Climax: the statue has fallen, and the top of the spire is collapsing. The statue is about to fall through the floor (with many many many holes in it), and Spinel can’t reach that far without getting a bit wobbly, so she doesn’t want to risk reaching for it and causing it to fall. They need to be more careful. Spinel and Pearl fuse into Lepidolite. She is agile, stretchy, careful, and self-sacrificial to a fault. She leaps in, bouncing across the room and grabbing the statue before anything can happen to it. Then, the ground shakes again and the floor beneath Steven caves, causing him to fall. She catches him, but only just. She is stretched too far now (as her stretchiness isn’t as much as Spins on her own), and has to make a choice. A vacuum just like the one around the Sea Spire sucks Steven down, making her lose her grip on him, and she makes the decision to go for him rather than the building. She pulls, tossing him up and onto safe land, then falls. She tosses the statue back up to him, and he has to put it back. Once he has, the spire fixes itself, and Lepidolite is saved. She brings Steven down to her level (since they’re going down now), and jokes about the place being a fixer-upper, before unfusing. The three gems head back, mission successful. 

Garnet and Amethyst were also able to fix their building, but their victory is short lived as Steven starts gushing about the fusion he saw. Pearl and Spinel smile at each other. Together, they are pretty great, huh?

Frienemies

After “Maximum Capacity.” Another episode to progress Spinel’s relationships with Connie and Amethyst. Connie comes over for the day, and Spinel insists that she hang out with them, too. Everything Connie does is “wrong,” and she leaves in a huff. When Steven offers to play video games with Spinel and Amethyst, the two start bickering with each other. A few days later, Connie comes back over and Steven tries to push Spinel away, but the gem refuses to leave the two alone. Connie confronts her, asking what he problem is. Connie has never done anything to Spinel before, right? We find out that Spinel has made it her mission to be Steven’s best friend, since that was Rose’s final request of her before she died, and both Amethyst and Connie are “getting in the way.” Connie sees through it and notes Spinel’s jealousy, insisting that he is still his own person, too. Spinel tries to retaliate, but Steven stands up for himself, saying anyone can be his friend and Spinel cannot decide that for him. If he’s Spinel’s best friend, cool, but he’s allowed to hang out with other people, too! Spinel is shocked into silence for a moment. All three others come to comfort her, empathizing about wanting a friend (Connie) and missing Rose (Amethyst). When Connie leaves, Spinel gives her an apology and asks if they’re on stable ground. Connie doesn’t know, but it’s a start. She leaves. Spinel smiles and hugs Steven, insisting she’ll try to do better.

The Return

Jasper and Spinel recognise each other. Spinel shakes with rage. Jasper says she’d be interested in taking Spins on again, just for the challenge, but Garnet jumps in before Spinel can answer, demanding Jasper leave this planet. Things mostly play out the same, except when Garnet gets poofed, Spinel acts immediately. She creates the illusion of a battlefield, masking her approach as she attacks from behind. Jasper, however, expects this, and catches her, throwing her into Pearl and Amethyst as they run closer. Jasper then grabs Steven and knocks him out, ending the episode. Jailbreak plays out the same way.

SEASON 2

Crossover Calamity

This would replace the Uncle Grandpa episode! It’s a goofy, non-canon ep in which Spinel and Amethyst visit different SU AUs together, all while fighting.

Starts off with Spinel raiding Amethyst’s room for her timepiece, since she got to keep it in “Steven and the Stevens”. She needs it for a game she’s playing. Amethyst catches her and the two fight over it. It winds up transporting them across dimensions instead of though time, and they wind up in a Steven Universe x Undertale crossover. They meet Steven and Frisk, and when Steven wonders what Amethyst is doing here and doesn’t recognise Spinel, it’s clear they’re not in the same timeline. They have to work together to get back, since the timepiece is cracked. 

Next, they visit Bendy and the Ink Machine (since there is officially a crossover with that one now). They walk in on Bendy singing “Welcome Home”, and get attacked by the Ink Demon. They teleport away right as he’s about to catch them, transporting to an equally dangerous situation in a different AU. They run, going through a few more AUs until they wind up in canon SU, during “Other Friends.” They watch Spinel poof the gems, then leave, traumatized. 

They end up in front of the Spinel House, where Spinel is instantly drawn to. Henry Stickmin reference! Her options are: Knock, Amethyst, Break In, Remove Layer, or Request Entry.

Knock: Is the correct answer. Spinel knocks on the door and is let in

Amethyst: Reference to Charles! Ames runs off-screen, shapeshifts into a helicopter, and crashes into the building. Fail line: Amethyst, flying in! :D    ...You were expecting this, weren’t you?

Break In: Amethyst and Spinel concoct an elaborate plan to break in. It goes successfully, until they land in the middle of the room from crawling through the vents. The Spinels think they’re getting robbed and attack. Fail line: Everyone knows gravity only exists in cartoons when it’s least convenient, c’mon now.

Remove Layer: Animation/drawing joke. A tab is brought up showing all the layers in Ibis Paint, and the layer with the House is turned off. The spinels all stare at Star, and it end in a fail just like that. Fail line: You were supposed to get INTO the house, not make it disappear completely!

Request Entry: Meta joke! I suddenly show up out of nowhere and get pushed into the building to meet the directors and request that Spinel get added to the house. But my social anxiety to talk to them ruins this and I walk back out. Fail line: This is why people typically approach me first.

Back to business. Once Spinel has knocked and is let in, she meets the Spinels! It’s Spinel Hell for Amethyst, and she wants to get out of there as fast as possible. Joke about how the House is a place for Spinels to get away from the cruelty of their actual AU existence, and then ask if Star wants to join. She says no. Spinel asks if it’s possible to repair the timepiece, to which Rejuvenated or Spinny just slaps some duct tape on it and calls it good, sending Star!Spinel and Amethyst back on their way. It works, and they end up back on the beach. Spinel thanks the stars that’s over, and starts to walk off with the timepiece, ready to continue her game. But then Amethyst fights her for it, and they start crashing through several AUs, probably at dramatic/important parts and completely interrupting everything. Their final stand would be in either SU canon or breaking the fourth wall entirely and they exist on Tumblr or other social media accounts. They have a talk while fighting/playing keep-away, and reconcile. They teleport one final time and end back up on the beach. Amethyst decides it’s whatever and lets Spinel play with it, but she gives it back, claiming to not want it anymore. The two wind up dumping it in the ocean.

And that is why Spinel looks like a wreck. She smiles proudly at Steven as she finishes telling her story. He believes her until Garnet warps back in, asking her how training with Amethyst went after Ames threw her in the sea with her whip. Spinel groans, insisting Garnet ruined the mood. But then we go into the ocean, only to see that the dimension piece is actually there, at the bottom of the sea…

Optional: Spinel pulls a Genie and pulls up the bottom of the page, saying “Made you look!” Then the credits would roll with all the AUs present/used in the story.

AUs: SU x UT, SU x BATIM, HTTYM, I Am My Diamond, SU-Revived, The Spinel House, lab-raised-steven, White Diamond Steven AU, (maybe Gone Wrong? But make it more like a joke than anything serious,) Starhair!Spinel, being-monster-au, su-rogue, restore-the-universe, CHITSU, irl, silent films, SU x GF, SU x TOH, that one gif of Spinel doing the Distraction Dance, Perfect Steven, SU Rewritten, Spinel Goes to Homeworld (“I can’t believe I’m talkin’ ta my reflection-“), Corrupted Spinel, SU x Epic Mickey, plus any and all 

M E M E S. Also, potentially foreshadow as much as you want.

wow that was a lot lmao

Sworn to the Sword

Spinel teases Connie about wanting to train, but in a more light-hearted way that before. She is serious as she tries to warn Connie about Pearl’s teachings, insisting that Pearl could go extreme sometimes, but Connie ignores her, insisting it’ll be okay. The rest of the episode plays out the same, except when Spinel finds out Connie fell for Connie’s teachings, she remarks that she tried to tell her, earning her a glare from Steven. “Just sayin’,” she says, shrugging, but her concern is evident. Rest of the ep is the same.

We Need to Talk

Spinel was doing the filming on the tape Greg and the band was recording, and her cinematography (due to her stretchy limbs) is amazing. She gets along with Greg very well, and thinks he and Rose are cute together. She does join Pearl in teasing him, but her teasing is much more light-hearted than Pearl’s salty, “you’re just a phase” teasing. She is Rose’s best friend, and she doesn’t think Greg can change that. At the end of the episode, though, she is fearful that she was wrong, and Rose and Greg might be closer than any of the other gems to her. She and Pearl share a fearful glance.

Time and Place

The gems are on a mission to recover an object somewhere inside a volcano. Spinel goofs off with Steven, and Garnet commands them to stop. This place is dangerous. Steven stops, but Spinel persists, continuing to make faces and perform silly stunts to try and get him to smile. She does a dramatic flip into a stalactite, bouncing off of it and landing in front of Steven with a “tadaa!” The stalactite cracks and falls, blocking the corruption they’re trying to get to away and nearly getting everyone else hurt or poofed. Spinel herself falls into the lava, but climbs back out perfectly fine. Garnet benches her, insisting that she be more responsible and serious, comparing her to Steven and driving a rift between them unintentionally. Afterwards, Spinel tries to show responsibility as things run awry in the house- the house gets messy and she cleans it, the fridge stops running and she plugs it in, the heater was working in overdrive so she shuts it off. It comes to a climax as a corrupted gem, the same one they were after in the volcano, suddenly warps into the house and wreaks havoc. It’s revealed she caused everything, and after the gem is dealt with, Spinel apologizes, saying that hey, at least she dug the guy out of the rock fall! Garnet doesn’t unbench her, though, and insists that she needs to show real responsibility and start taking things seriously. Steven comes over to comfort her, saying that there is a time and a place for this kind of behavior, and the volcano wasn’t it. She nods, accepting that. 

Chille Tid

Spinel is still benched, and so was waiting for everyone at the beach house. She stays behind for the slumber party, though Amethyst and Steven have to team up to make sure she doesn’t go in the Temple. This is because, when Spinel starts dreaming, her illusion powers kick in and she starts showing what she’s dreaming. Tonight, she dreams of playing with Rose and Steven both inside her garden (foreshadowing the Rose/Pink reveal). This provides a bit of backstory for her, too. She’s awoken as Rose wilts away like an actual rose, and Steven vanishes. Her feet are wrapped in roots, and she sits up quickly only to see that the others had been watching.

She’s ecstatic to learn that Lapis is okay.

Amends

The gems leave for a mission, but Steven stays behind with the still-benched Spinel. He plans a full day of fun for the two of them! Later, they bump into Greg, who is just off of another hard day of work at the car wash, being kept on his toes recently. To relax, they decide to jam out together. At one point, Steven would ask how often Rose joined him (knowing that she’s sung with him at least once) and what she played. Greg responds, saying that she would play and sing with him often. Spinel interjects, commenting that the more she hung out with him, the less she was there for everyone else, and the more lonely Spinel got. She realizes she said that out loud, and dives head-first into apologies, throwing back to some of the things she said in Man of the Mountain (“don’t hate me” and “It won’t happen again” etc). Both Greg and Steven calm her down and ask what brought that on. We now find out that Spinel was abandoned a LOT in the past, but with the CGs, she felt better, but then Greg came along and she started feeling that way again. She hates being alone. She likes him, though, so she never said anything. She tries so hard not to blame Greg- he didn’t know. She never told him, or anyone, since that wasn’t a very nice thing to do and friends are nice to their friends (she’s actually scared of being screamed at like with what happened with Pink). Please don’t hate her? Greg insists that no, he doesn’t, and that he’s sorry he didn’t realize. She’s sorry, too. Steven speaks up, stating that it was really brave of Spinel to tell them that, and to overcome her fear of them thinking less of her or something. He’s proud of her. She smiles at that. 

The next day, Greg wakes up late (like, it’s NOON levels of late). He rushes outside to see Spinel doing his job for him at the car wash, and doing it quite well! Steven is there helping her. When asked what’s going on, Spinel states that she still felt bad for what happened yesterday and wanted to do something nice for Greg, so she took over the car wash for the day! She turned off his alarm so he could get some rest, and has been doing a good lot of the washing. She also gave the van itself a wash, and cleaned all the brushes inside. Greg, in awe, thanks her a lot and gives her a hug. He makes an offhand comment about her showing initiative like that, and how that responsibility was something he never expected from her. Garnet agrees, walking up behind them. Upon seeing the maroon gem, Spinel apologizes again for the volcano incident, and promises to do better. Garnet, having seen that Spinel is capable of taking control and responsibility, unbenches her. Spinel doesn’t stop helping Greg, though, and at the end of the day, they all get ice cream together. Fin.

Too Far

Peridot doesn’t know what to make of Spinel, not having ever even heard of her before. We find out she’s one-of-a-kind, built to be a best friend! She likes to be friends with everyone! Peridot states that she and Amethyst don’t get along, causing the pink gem to blush and run off.

Too Close (NEW FORM)

Spinel now tries to be Amethyst’s Best Friend, along with LITERALLY EVERYONE ELSE where she can! It gets toxic quickly, and she more or less becomes Amethyst’s more-annoying personal Pearl for the day. Peridot is quick to point this out. Amethyst confronts her about it, and they have one last fight before Spinel finally starts to learn that you don’t have to give your everything in order to be a good friend (and stop pampering them GEEZ). That’s unhealthy. It’s obsessive. It can smother people! She needs to find a better balance! Spinel states that if she doesn’t give everything, then she feels like she’s lacking on her end, that she isn’t doing enough. If she isn’t by her friend’s side all the time, who’s to say they won’t get mad at her, or leave her? Steven points out how exhausted Spinel has become while taking care of everyone so obsessively. Amethyst agrees, stating that she cannot run herself ragged trying to do everything all at once. She insists that she’s okay, that she can keep going. She was built to be a friend, and she’s been slacking on her end. She’s not gonna stop until everyone around her is happy! She’ll prove it! She then runs away to make the Best Day Ever for everyone, but Amethyst chases her down, now determined to make her see sense. She tackles the other gem, telling her that if she truly wanted to be someone’s friend, she needed to calm down, back off, and respect their wishes to have her leave people alone! Spinel poofs, mostly from exhaustion, but also because she’s getting Pink Diamond flashbacks. 

When she reforms, she walks up to Amethyst and apologizes. If being a friend means leaving people alone, then that was something she was going to have to work on. Being a friend isn’t gonna be easy, but she can try. Just let her know whenever they need her to leave? Amethyst says she’ll do so, and the two hug it out. While doing so, Spinel asks if they can start over, and try being friends again. Amethyst agrees, saying it’s worth a shot.

SEASON 3

Super Watermelon Island

With Spinel and Amethyst finally getting along, Zoisite can now be formed! The battle with Malachite still happens, but now featuring Spinel’s illusion powers and Lepidolite’s feather duster (for cartoony hyjinx). 

Barn Mates

At the end of the episode, Spinel is super happy to finally see Lapis again, but surprising everyone, she doesn’t leap into Lapis’ arms or anything. She instead extends a hand to shake.

Hit the Diamond

Spinel plays referee and pitcher. While doing the lineup, she announces that her name is Sarah, or would Sandy be better? She’s shushed. Later, there’s a throw-away line about how if the CGs don’t win this match, she, Sandy, is quitting. She knows what’s gonna happen and isn’t gonna stick around to witness it. Someone smacks her for breaking the fourth wall.

Too Short to Ride

Spinel stretches out without shapeshifting, which makes Peridot even more upset that she can’t do it. During the shapeshifting part, Spinel becomes a dog and a rabbit, playing a game of chase with Amethyst. 

Trapped

After “The New Lars”. The hunt for Jasper continues, but Spinel and Steven take a break to go visit Peridot and Lapis. Steven and Peri hang out for a while before realizing that Spinel and Lapis are gone. They go looking for them, discovering them atop the silo. They’re laughing. Spinel apologizes for the whole mirror thing, saying that she knows what it’s like to be trapped and abandoned for years, too. Lapis says that it wasn’t her fault, it was Homeworld’s. Spinel says she knows that feel, having been the playmate of her old owner before she got left behind like a broken toy. She insists that Lapis had it worse, though, since she was forced to stay in one spot whereas Spinel chose to stay there, forever… Lapis tells her not to compare what they went through. They’re both hurt, and they can connect over it. That’s what’s important, not who had it worse. Spinel gives her a side hug, saying that she’s really glad Lapis is here. Steven and Peri decide to give them some privacy and leave, the other pair being none the wiser they were ever there.

Days pass, and the hunt continues. Pearl asks Steven if he’s seen Spinel, to which he says no. Garnet states that they need to find her and she warps them to the barn. There, Spinel and Lapis are continuing to hang out. Pearl is the first to scold, demanding to know where Spinel has been when they’re trying to find Jasper? Peridot hears this and tries to get Pearl to stop talking, but she doesn’t. That rogue gem is only going to cause trouble! Spinel feels awful, starting to apologize, but Lapis cuts her off. She insists that Spinel is always being left behind anyway, and has to constantly wear a smile to keep morale up, which makes her feel trapped, but here, she doesn’t have to do that! She’s free! She doesn’t have to be anyone’s friend here. So back off and leave her alone! Steven asks timidly if that’s true, to which Spinel nods. 

She explains that she’s been trying to keep her distance, like Amethyst asked her to, but she feels like she isn’t being a good friend and is slacking off. That makes her stressed, because she knows her friends don’t want her around, so she kept coming here. She doesn’t have to be friends with Lapis or Peridot- that expectation was never there with them. She’s free to just relax here and get her mind off stuff. She didn’t mean to stay away for so long, but she thought no one wanted her there unless they had work for her to do. How can you be a friend if you stayed away? She had no idea, and it was so, so confusing. Spinel says that she was made to be a best friend to one person, and when that person sent her away, she felt lost. The same thing was happening again, and she didn’t know what to do. f

Lapis explains that she used to be a terriformer, shaping planets for her superiors forever and she wasn’t happy. But now, she feels much more free. Playing mediator, Steven builds on that, and explains that she shouldn’t have to feel like she needs to be friends with everyone. That’s an impossible task. If she needs to force it, then it isn’t friendship, and instead, is more just servitude. Lapis and Pearl both agree. Be friends with who you want. Who do you want to be friends with? Spinel thinks, hesitant to say her answer in fear she’ll make people angry, but everyone insists they won’t be. She says she wants to be friends with Steven, Amethyst, and Lapis for sure. She looks up to Pearl and Garnet, and they’re always gonna be family, and they can stay that way. For now. Everyone (sans Peri) hugs her, proud of her, before Peridot interrupts and announces that if she wants to be friends with Lapis, they’d have to fight over it. It looks like Spinel might fall back on old habits for a second before Peridot laughs, saying she was joking. There’s enough Lapis for both of them. Lapis, embarrassed, flies off. The ep ends as Spinel and Peridot look at each other in confusion, wondering what they said.

Together Again (formerly called “Camping”)

After “Restaurant Wars”. Spinel decides to take her friends camping! Lapis was “busy,” so it was just Amethyst and Steven with her. While out, they discover a corrupted gem, a quartz of some kind. She is a powerhouse and overruns everyone, then won’t leave them alone. The monster is big, and the group is in the mountains, so they slip into a small cave in the mountains where the beast can’t get them. As it walks away, Spinel sees the gem, located on its shoulder- it has a scratch in it. It’s 7TP. Her eyes flash in recognition, and she then tries to take it herself. She winds up pinned beneath the amethyst’s paw. She confesses that she knew the gem from the war, and it was one of her best friends. On the battlefield, the fight that occurred just before everyone was corrupted, 7TP got a scratch across her gem, not deep enough to count as a crack, but deep enough to be recognizable. They have to bubble her, quick! Steven and Amethyst get 7TP off Spinel and fighting ensues, but Spinel can’t bring herself to hurt her old friend now that she can put a face to the monster. Amethyst and Steven can’t take her alone, and at one point Amethyst is thrown down next to Spinel. The two agree that this isn’t working, and they fuse.

Lavender Alexite is a smaller, squishier version of Sugallite, now with 85% less visible muscle! Amethyst’s determination combines with Spinel’s frustration, and both of them together are able to bring the fusion down with their grappling hook-like weapon, tying her up and Lavender herself finishing the corruption off. Spinel bubbles her after Steven heals her, sending her off. Unprompted, she explains that when her old owner decided to get rid of her, 7TP was by her side. She’s been by Spinel’s side for so long. Refueled determination to heal corruption.

Note: Maybe mention 7TH at some point?

Monster Reunion

Spinel is shocked that the corruption could be healed as she was, but gives Steven space to be with Neph. At the end, she asks Steven if she could do that again, to which Garnet says no. 

Healing Haze

Spinel goes up to Steven in the middle of the night to wake him up. She tells him that Garnet and the rest of the Gems are out on a mission trying to find Jasper, and they think that she’s exploring the desert. She drags him into the Bubble Room, brings down 7TP, and unbubbled her. Steven, having had no say in this (and was half-asleep until just now), freaks out. As 7TP is reforming, Spinel tells him to heal her before she wrecks the place and they both get in trouble! He does, slapping on some healing spit, and 7TP half uncorrupts. Spinel cautiously approaches, asking if the gem remembers her. She shapeshifts back into her War design, to which the gem now recognizes her. Spinel starts calling her Violet. Violet starts to freak out, realizing she’s been corrupted, and rushes to look at her reflection. She’s shocked and dazed. Spinel calms her down enough to switch the topic over to Steven, gesturing for him to come on over. She introduces them to each other, and tells Violet that things will be okay now. However, just like with Nephrite, Violet eventually recorrupts. Spinel bubbles her again, then thanks Steven, giving him a crushing hug. 

The next night, she asks the same thing from him. Seeing Spinel so happy the previous night makes Steven more willing to let the gem out this time, though he still isn’t completely onboard. But, they have fun anyway, until Violet recorrupts again.

They do this again and again, with Steven’s unease growing more and more. This feels wrong, and he tells Connie as much on the phone. Connie tells him that he needs to get Spinel to stop. They bubble those gems for a reason- so they don’t suffer. By letting her out, having her back for a while, only to have her become a monster again, over and over and over… that can’t be good for poor 7TP. What if that has some kind of long-term effects? They need to stop. Besides, getting poofed so many times must hurt, even if Violet does just accept it when the time comes. Steven agrees, and when Spinel inevitably comes up to him the next night, he tells her all that. Spinel is devastated, and tells him to go back to sleep.

He wakes up to Spinel yelling. He looks over and sees 7TP running out of the Temple, fully corrupted, with Spinel tearing after her from behind, waving a cloth. Steven asks what in blazes she’s doing, to which she replies that she took some of his spit while he was sleeping and put it on this here very cloth and she put that on the gem and it didn’t work! She’s still corrupted! Steven gets understandably upset, and now the goal becomes catching Violet, and fast! 

They wind up bringing her in through music, with Spinel singing a lullaby to her (a nod to Blue Order). Steven can now heal her, but since she’s already formed, it doesn’t do anything. She’s aware enough to have a conversation with now that she’s calm, though (maybe?) and Spinel apologizes for everything. They poof and bubble her again, for good this time.

When the other gems get back in the morning, they ask what happened to the house. Spinel owns up to her mistakes, and accepts the fact that they’re gonna bench her again. Garnet tells her no- Spinel understood what she did was wrong and learned her lesson. 7TP will be better off in the bubble, for now. Spinel asks about, since Garnet has future vision, why didn’t she stop her from unbubbling Violet so many times? Garnet states simply that Spinel was going to learn her lesson, and this was the only way that she’d truly understand. Just words weren’t gonna work. 

Catching Up

After “Alone at Sea,” Spinel decides to do something fun with Lapis just like they did with Peridot. Shorty Squad Assemble, now featuring Spinel and Lapis! They decide to spend a day wherever Lapis wanted to be, which for now, was the barn. Understandable.

Next step, make Lapis a bootleg Funland! They all set up a bunch of fun activities around the barn, including a ring toss, a bean bag toss, a dance floor (with a radio), and water balloons! There’s also a game of baseball if people wanna play. 

It’s a cute ep that is filled with fluff until, after a while, Lapis keeps zoning out. Steven, Peri, and Spins all try to keep her distracted, but Amethyst is the one who eventually steps up and tells Lapis to just spit it out. Lapis explains that Jasper has been on her mind, and she appreciates what everyone is doing for her- it has truly been fun- but it’s not working. Everything that happened on the boat is fresh in her mind, and she honestly just wants to be alone while she processes everything. Sorry for being a downer. She flies back into the barn.

Spinel and Steven go after her, though Amethyst and Peridot agree it’s best to leave her alone. The two find her on the top floor, and inch closer. Spinel tells her that she shouldn’t be alone to think about this kind of thing- being alone sucks. They both should know that by now. Steven asks if she wants to talk about it. Lapis says no. She appreciates the sentiment, really, but she needs to figure things out alone. They don’t know what it’s like to battle Jasper constantly, how tiring being stuck with her is. Spinel pipes up, saying that although that’s true, she does know what it’s like to fight Jasper. It was 5,300 years ago. They met on the battlefield, and she nearly got shattered that day. She recounts the story. She never had someone to talk to about it, and she thought that she couldn’t, since she was supposed to be everyone’s friend, their relief. But that’s not how it works. Right? It goes both ways? So don’t be silent. 

Lapis says that she just doesn’t want to talk about it. There are things that happened down there that she doesn’t really want anyone to know about, and she wants to keep it down. Though, again, she really appreciates the sentiment. Steven and Spinel leave, then meet up with the guys down below.

They play baseball for a while, two on two, before someone hits the ball super far away. Lapis comes back with it, saying she’ll talk when she’s ready, but for now, let’s just have fun. Ends on a lighter note.

Bismuth

Spinel is almost as happy to see Bis as Pearl! Almost. Her weapon upgrade is a serrated blade. While sparring, Spinel turns on the illusion powers, then bounces around her like a ping pong ball. She attacks from behind, but Bismuth, expecting this, catches her. She shoves Spinel away, making room for Pearl to then come in! The rest is the same. Spinel clings to Pearl when Bis is bubbled away.

SEASON 4

Know Your Fusion

Garnet + Spinel fusion as well? Just for a moment? Pearl could take Sardonyx’s place while she’s gone. Spins would likely point out that she’s never fused with Garnet before, and since we’re meetin’ new fusions anyways, could it be cool to add one more to the roster?

Think more about the idea before declaring it canon. Don’t take away from characters, remember? This might not fit into 11 minutes, or maybe make it double length? Two parter? Think about it.

Return to Mask Island

After “Future Boy Zoltron”, Spinel tells Steven she’s convinced Lapis to hang out with them for a day! Steven decides to take the party to Mask Island, since it’s such a pretty place and would be good for unwinding. Lapis is nervous, since the last time she was here, she was Malachite. Whoops. Steven and Spinel both insist this will be good for her, since she wants to get over her past trauma of being fused with Jasper, and balancing some good memories into the mix of bad will do her some good! Amethyst agrees, so Lapis gives in. Steven tells her that fusion feels amazing, but only with the right people. They make camp, and montage of them having fun and unwinding. Show something slinking in the water.

Eventually, Steven breaks out the s’mores supplies. He and Amethyst really start talking, and they don’t really notice when Lapis and Spinel get up. They run out of crackers, and Amethyst volunteers to get more, only to then notice that half their party is gone. Steven will find them, and Ames runs off. 

Four Gems and a Baby

Steven was intended to be Spinel’s new Best Friend so she thinks of him as a fellow Spinel playing a game with them at the moment. Like Ames said, being a baby was fun, so this must be going somewhere. Rose said he was gonna be a friend. So that’s what he was.

Gem Heist

Spinel becomes mute: the misadventure/near shattering :)

That Will Be All

She’s FIIIIIIINE…

Ruby Round-Up

Mission: Find and Locate All Ruby Guards

After “Storm in the Room.” Everyone heads back out into space to see if we can’t find the Rubies. We are able to find Army, Leggy, and Doc before Doc calls the cops on us and a Homeworld ship shows up. We find out more about Gem technology, namely that you can only go a straight line while using the gravity engine, so in theory, the other ship can track them. They need a safe place to hide. Spinel takes over the controls, and she takes them to the solar system with the Garden in it.

The whole time, Army and Doc don’t make it easy to escape. They keep making this harder for them to drive, having broken many parts of the ship in an effort to get it to stall, and the other gems have to leave Spins alone to drive while they make sure the three Rubies don’t cause any more trouble.

They hide the ship behind one of the smaller planets/moons floating there, shutting off the engine to help prevent being tracked/seen. The other ship zips right on past, missing them entierly. They power the ship back on, and land on the centerpiece.

The episode ends with everyone stepping out, and Spinel introducing them to the Garden.

Right Where You Left It

We visit one of the gem’s childhood homes…

Spinel takes on the grand tour of the garden, hoping to find parts and pieces to fix up the Roaming Eye. The three Rubies are put in time-out. We see the inside of the room, where Pink’s Biopoison Injector awaits, along with a line of rejuvenators. We also meet the cautious Coral and the untrustful Amber. Coral is in charge of all the plants, whereas Amber is in charge of making sure the buildings don’t collapse, but they only are supposed to be at work when they’re called. No one has called for thousands of years, and they’re too scared to go investigate. Spinel left a while ago, too, giving them zero reason to go out there. If an elite saw them, they could risk being shattered since no one wants them anymore. Where do useless gems go?

The two wind up telling them about the biopoison, and how it was made just for this garden when Pink finally decided she was done with it forever. The rejuvenators were meant to reset a gem, but Pink decommissioned them after a single use. Yellow has more. 

They ask Spinel if she’s back to stay, also where is Pink Diamond? This is where we find out Spins and Pearl belonged to Pink. She’s gone, Spins says, and no, she’s not staying here. Do they want to go with them to Earth? After some thought Coral and Amber decide no- the threat of shattering is really scary, and they can’t fight back. They don’t even have gem weapons. Spinel tells them that she didn’t either, until her friend made her one! She pulls out her scythe. They could come along, too. The Earth is a beautiful place. They agree reluctantly, but then state that they don’t want to be a part of anything; if Earth is a place to be free, then they want to explore, maybe fix up or tidy up some Gem ruins there. Fighting is not an option, and they’re tired of staying in one spot. 

The others agree, and Spinel apologizes for not paying them more attention when they were here together. She has a history of only focusing on what she wants to focus on, and ignores everything else. All is forgiven, and it’s back to Earth we go now that the ship is prepared.

The three Rubies manage to escape and warp back to Homeworld...

Making Up

Time to be frens with Connie. Finally. Took ya long enough.

and this is where it stops lmao. cliffhanger.

#a second chance #a second chance su au #asc su au #steven universe #su au #steven universe au #spinel #crystal gem spinel #su au art #steven universe fanart #su fanart #star spinel

[dciyaoi]

CAROLINA CROWN 2010 — A Second Chance

“What I got out of their program was that the entire story is based on the concept of second chances at finding love. If you watch the videos, during the pre-show, you can see the main female guard lead dancing with both male leads, and when the first male lead smacks here, I believe that is supposed to represent the lover's quarrel of him finding out about her and the other lead.”

#dci #drum corps international #drum corps #carolina crown #2010 #a second chance #my gifsets #gifs #gifset #my gifs #gif #mwah mwah #me and who

[alj4890]

Worth the Wait

(Thomas Hunt x oc*Amanda) in a "what if" version to the RCD/TRR fan fic series A Second Chance

Masterlist

@hopelessromantic1352 @trappedinfanfiction @my-heart-beats-for-ya ​ @aworldoffandoms ​​ @flyawayboo ​​ ​​  @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations @peonierose @krsnlove

Prologue

Two lines. Two perfectly formed lines.

It couldn't be.

Yet, it all made sense.

The sudden surge of emotion. All the throwing up at random times. The crying jags. Getting angry for no reason at all. Tired all the time.

This is what caused all of it.

Amanda covered her mouth while tears began to fall. Happiness, wonder, fear, then heartbreak flooded over her.

She was going to have to face Thomas and tell him.

Surely then he would agree that their recent breakup needed to be forgotten.

They had another reason, a more important reason, to be together.

First though, she needed to confirm with her doctor that she was truly pregnant before confronting him. It was already killing her pride to have to crawl back and admit she should have never ended things between them.

But, she'd do anything for their baby.

She made the necessary appointment and then went to talk to those she trusted most. Amanda was going to need all the advice she could get to make up for her sudden erratic behavior with Thomas a month ago.

******************

California, 3 weeks later...

"What's my schedule for today?" Thomas asked.

"You've got a meeting with the studio heads at two, then dinner with Kara Bennett, and you have an appointment with..." Holly trailed off as she tried to work up the nerve to tell him who was coming to talk to him.

"Have a bouquet of flowers delivered to Kara with my apologies." Thomas flipped through his new contract. "Tell her that I intend on making it up to her with dinner tomorrow night."

"You sure about that?" Holly's lips firmed in disapproval. "Are you--you're not dating her, are you?"

Thomas paused and looked up at her. "Not that it is any of your business, but no. She would like to, but I am still undecided."

Holly took her glasses off so she couldn't see his anger when she told him who was coming in thirty minutes. "Amanda called."

He froze. "When?"

"Last Thursday." Holly slowly sat down in front of his desk. "She asked to meet with you."

His eyes narrowed. "Meet with me? At work? Why?"

"She only said it was something important that she couldn't discuss over the phone." Holly explained

Thomas leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. He had just begun to push all thoughts of their former relationship behind him. He wasn't ready to see her yet. The pain of losing her was still too fresh. He didn't know if he could mask the effect she'd had over him.

"You told her I was too busy." He rocked back and forth in his chair.

Holly bit her lip. "Not exactly."

He stopped. "What did you say?"

"That you were free," Holly checked the time, "now."

"She's coming here? Now?" He bellowed, coming out of his chair.

"Yes." Holly quickly put her glasses on. She wanted to make certain he wasn't searching for a weapon to kill her with.

"How could you--why would--get out!" He ordered.

"Thomas, I--"

"I need a moment alone." He lowered his head while leaning on his desk. "Now."

Holly quietly left.

Thomas ran his hands over his face while thinking about Amanda. He loved her. He knew he always would. But right now, the thought of trying again was exhausting.

The distance separating them combined with making time to see one another on top of her sudden jealous accusations had been too much for him. Gone was the once pleasant, easygoing woman he had first met and fell for. Some entity had taken over her body. One he didn't want to have to fight anymore.

When Amanda ended things two months ago, he had been both heartbroken and relieved. He could return to his structured life without dealing with this new version of her. He felt like he had already lost his true love when the fights started. Now he just wanted to be left completely alone.

If she came back wanting to make amends, he didn't want to hurt her.

Yet...he didn't want to start again with her. Some things were better left behind. For his own sanity, he should leave their relationship in the past.

His heart could only be broken so much. No need to let her repeat the action over and over again.

At the knock on his door, he braced himself while calling out for her to enter

Amanda walked in. His eyes couldn't seem to leave her features that seemed to glow. The coral dress she wore had a loose skirt that brushed against her calves. She met his gaze and softly smiled.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet me." She sat down and clasped her hands in her lap. She seemed to be trying to find the right words. "There is something that I need to tell you." Her eyes dropped to her stomach. "I'm not certain how to say this, but--"

"I know what you're going to say." Thomas interrupted. He came around the desk and sat on the edge before her. "I accept your apology, but I don't think the timing is right to try again."

Her lips parted in surprise. "But I--"

"I think we could both use some time apart to decide what we really want." Thomas continued. He got up and paced about the room. "I love you and after a while I believe that we will either see we are meant to be together or end up simply grateful for what we once shared."

"I see." Amanda mumbled.

"It's for the best." Thomas added.

One of his interns poked his head into the office. "Hey Mr. Hunt? Did you want those flowers to Kara to say love or from with your name?"

Amanda's eyes narrowed on Thomas. No wonder he doesn't feel the timing is right, she thought with a flash of anger. The pompous, know it all, makes all the decisions jerk!

She stood up. "Goodbye, Thomas. Thank you for your precious time."

Thomas grabbed her arm in the hopes of explaining he didn't want anyone else. No one could take her place.

Amanda ignored the words Thomas was saying. She didn't want to hear that he had fallen for an actress. All she could focus on was her pain turning into fury. How could he have moved on so quickly?

She wanted to hit him. Never in her life had she ever wanted to hurt someone so much as she did him. She wanted him to feel the crushing pain she was experiencing in her heart.

How had he moved on so easily? She still cried at the thought of losing the very person she believed was the love of her life.

She felt sick to her stomach thinking about him and Kara. The nausea reminded her that she couldn't give in to her desire to punch his handsome face. She had someone else to think of. Someone who deserved every sacrifice she knew she would have to make to keep Thomas in their child's life.

"...and that's why I am sending Kara flowers." Thomas stepped closer to her when he noticed how pale she was. "Amanda?"

Her eyes lifted to his. Taking a deep breath, she blurted out the reason she came to his office.

"I'm pregnant."

She watched as her words slowly registered. The shock of her announcement caused him to collapse in the chair she had been sitting in.

"Pregnant." He breathed. "Are you certain?"

"Yes." Amanda clasped her hands in front of her. "I wouldn't have come here if I had not had it confirmed by a doctor."

Thomas knew she wouldn't have darkened his door for anything. If there was one characteristic they shared, it was pride. Neither ever wanted to appear foolish.

He got up and took a step toward her, uncertain how he was supposed to react. "What do you intend to do?"

Tears sparked her eyes. "Well, I am going to keep the baby and I hoped..." She bit her lip while lowering her eyes. Seems he had no intention to get back together with her. "I hope you will want to be a part of our child's life."

Thomas reached for her hand. Just because he wasn't sure whether or not to try a romantic relationship with her again, it didn't mean that he didn't want to be there for her.

"I will." He promised.

Her head jerked up and she noticed that there was no condemnation towards her reflected in his expression. The surprise announcement had definitely knocked him for a loop, but he was at least trying to do the right thing.

Though she had hoped to hear that he wanted to be with her, she was vastly relieved to hear his promise.

"Are you planning on staying in L.A. for a while?" He asked.

"I could stay a few days." She wiped her tears with her fingers. A nervous laugh escaped her. "I wasn't sure if you would want me to after I told you about the baby."

"I would like to discuss how we will work this out." He squeezed her hand before urging her to sit down. "I have some meetings that I don't think I'll be able to get out of today." He went to his desk to check his day planner. "How about dinner tonight at my home?"

"I don't want to interrupt your date." She struggled with the word. "I can--"

"I'm not dating anyone." Thomas explained. "That's why I told you the flowers were more of a professional courtesy than romantic in nature."

"So you and Kara Bennett?" Amanda felt a brief spark of hope. "You're not--"

"No. She's one of the actresses on an upcoming film I'm directing." He replied.

"I see." She mumbled.

"Will seven thirty work for you?" He asked.

"Yes, of course."

"Should I pick you up?" He remembered she was staying at a hotel.

"No, I'll call for a car." She got to her feet again and held her hand out towards him. "I know you have work and a lot to think over." Her lips curved into a sad smile. "But thank you for meeting with me and hearing me out."

He came around his desk and pulled her into a hug. Realizing how hard it was for her to come here, touched something within his heart. She seemed so fragile that he felt the need to comfort her.

Hugging her was the safest way in his opinion.

She trembled in his arms before returning his hug. Struggling with her tears, she laughed.

"Forgive me. I haven't had control of my emotions these last few months. The pregnancy hormones have a mind of their own."

Thomas handed her some tissues. "No need to apologize."

She thanked him as she dabbed under her eyes. "If I'm not crying then I am losing my temper. Poor Maxwell. I practically jumped down his throat for drinking the last Sprite on the way here."

His eyebrows lifted. "Maxwell came with you?"

"Everyone came with me." She shook her head in exasperation. "They were worried that you--" she winced. "They, um, came to support me."

"I see." He replied. Reaching out, he gently grasped her arm when he noticed the time. "I hate to rush you, but--"

"Of course." She gathered her things. "I'll see you this evening."

He smiled at her. "I look forward to it."

*******************

"I don't need a new dress." Amanda grumbled. "Thomas already said he doesn't want to get back together. I could wear sweatpants and an old t-shirt to dinner if I wanted."

Maxwell ignored her as he slipped through the racks of maternity dresses.

Amanda huffed when he pushed more dresses into her arms.

"Try these on." He ordered. "You'll thank me that I made sure you look beautiful later."

"Fine." She muttered. "But I want to grab a snack after this."

"Deal." He promised.

She soon came out, twirling in a floral number he had handed her.

Maxwell shook his head. "The flowers are too big."

She next twirled in a sunny yellow halter top dress.

"Nope. I don't know why I gave you yellow. You've never been able to wear that color."

She glared at him before trying on a rich emerald dress.

His eyes widened when she stepped out.

"Whoa." He grinned at her. "That's the one."

"Good." She mumbled. "Now can we go eat?"

****************

"At once, your grace." He promised.

Maxwell mentally rubbed his hands together as she disappeared to change. He thought tonight was just the beginning of Thomas and Amanda realizing they should be together.

Thomas's home...

He didn't know why he felt nervous, but for some reason Thomas kept second guessing everything. He changed shirts three times, double checked his reflection after shaving, and had recombed his hair more times than he wished to dwell on.

He had been hard pressed to focus on his meetings. The fact that his ex was not only back in his life, but carrying their child had been difficult to push to the back of his mind. He wondered if he would have been able to even if Amanda hadn't told him her reason for coming to see him.

He kept replaying their conversation. Something about it, kept bothering him.

If I'm not crying, then I am losing my temper.

He stopped midstep when that came to mind.

The hormones! They must have been what altered her before we broke up!

"Could it be true?" He mused to himself. "Could I possibly have the real Amanda back once she is no longer affected by hormones?"

His doorbell ringing didn't allow him a chance to answer his own question. He hurried down the stairs, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

"Good--" his tongue faltered.

He had thought she was lovelier than ever in her earlier coral dress, but this green one brought all her physical characteristics that he'd always found attractive to perfection.

She smiled at him. "Good evening, Thomas. May I come in?"

He stepped back. "Of course. Please."

His gaze traveled down her body while her attention was focused on his home.

"Your home is still lovely." She mumurmered.

"You know how little I like change." He placed his hand at her back, guiding her on into his living room. "What can I get you to drink?"

"Water, I suppose." She replied.

"After you mentioning Maxwell taking the last Sprite from you, I bought some in case you wanted it during dinner."

Her smile brought his own out without him realizing it.

"Thank you. I would prefer that. The oddest things make my morning sickness go haywire."

He prepared her drink and brought it over with his own evening libation. Settling down beside her on the couch, he broached the delicate topic.

"Dinner I'm afraid won't be ready for an hour. I took longer at the store than I thought I would." He settled his arm along the back of the sofa and turned his body more toward her. "Would you like to discuss how we will go about," he gestured toward her stomach, "this?"

She took a gulp of her drink before setting it down. "We can." She lowered her eyes. "Honestly Thomas, I don't know what to say or where to even start."

His fingers gently squeezed her shoulder. "As surprised as I am over this development, I can't begin to imagine what a shock it has been to you."

She laughed and looked up at him. "You have no idea." Her hand drifted over her barely still flat stomach. "But, I already adore whoever this is."

His lips eased into another smile. "I can't think of you responding in any other fashion to having a baby."

"How do--, I understand if you can't answer yet, but how do you feel? About being a father?" She grimaced slightly. "I doubt your ex carrying your child adds any--"

He placed his hand over hers that rested on her stomach. "Amanda, I told you I've never stopped loving you. I simply feel that we shouldn't rush into getting back together until we are certain of one another." His eyes drifted over her face before meeting her startled gaze again. "I honestly never pictured my life with children...but since I am about to have one, I can think of no one else I would rather have than you to be my child's mother."

Tears filled her eyes, causing him alarm. She had rarely cried when they dated, yet each time he was around her today, the tears fell.

He slipped his arms around her and gently held her while she cried. Her hiccupped words were garbled somewhat, allowing him to catch only a few at a time.

"Still love--never thought--I only--you--"

He rubbed her back while wondering if this was going to last her entire pregnancy.

She pulled away while searching through her purse for tissues. "I'm sorry. I don't have any control."

He brushed her hair back as she wiped her tears. "If you wish, we can table the discussion for another time."

She shook her head. "I would rather have it settled before I return to Cordonia."

His frown reappeared. For some reason, he had forgotten about where she would need to go. Doing the math in his head, he realized that she would be having their baby while he was in the midst of filming.

"The baby is due in September, right?"

"Yes."

"Hmm." He settled back against the cushions. "And I suppose you want to have it in Cordonia."

"I hadn't really thought of having the baby anywhere else." Her brow furrowed. "Most of the heirs of St Orella were born in Cordonia."

He had also forgotten his child would one day be a duke or duchess.

"Is that something you're not comfortable with?" Amanda asked. "Were you wanting me to have the baby here?"

His lips parted then closed. "I'm not--I don't know."

She bit down on her lip. "Not to put too much pressure on you, but I will be three months tomorrow." When he simply stared at her waiting for an explanation, she briefly closed her eyes. "That means I will have only three months left to safely travel by air."

"I see." His frown firmed. "Perhaps that is something we should both give more thought to before making a decision."

Amanda's stomach gurgled causing color to flood her face. Reaching for her glass, she apologized for the strange sound.

He chuckled while getting up to see how much longer dinner was going to take.

Taking a deep breath to try and calm her nerves, she forced herself to follow him into the kitchen.

"Is there anything I can--" in the midst of offering to help cook, a smell struck her.

She covered her mouth while rushing to his hall bathroom.

Thomas hurried after her. His alarm grew at the violent vomiting episode he could hear.

Standing outside the closed door in uncertainty, he knocked timidly.

"Amanda? What can I do? Should I--"

She tried to answer but was interrupted by another strong wave of nausea.

"Give me a minute." She panted.

He couldn't just stand there doing nothing while she was ill. Thomas tried the door and found it unlocked. Cracking it open, he saw her lying on the floor, taking deep breaths.

"Amanda?!" He knelt beside her.

"I'm fine." She tried to reassure him. "It might sound strange, but lying on the floor against the cold tile helps settle my stomach faster than getting up to go to a bed or couch.

"Is there anything I can get you?"

"A cold rag would be nice." She closed her eyes and curled up some in the fetal position. "It is just about over."

He sat down in the floor and placed the rag over her forehead. Needing something else to do, he began to run his fingers through her hair, hoping it gave her some comfort.

"Thank you." She said softly.

"Did the doctor say when this would end?" He asked.

"It's different for everyone. For some it ends after the first trimester." Amanda shuddered when her stomach gurgled. "I've read where others were still throwing up during labor."

He blanched at the thought. "Let's hope you're in the first category."

She slowly pushed herself up, pausing to make certain her stomach would allow such movement.

Their eyes met, and she averted her gaze from the worry reflected in his.

"I'm fine." Amanda promised. "This is just part of the process."

He stood up and reached down to help her.

She took his hands and got to her feet. Stepping past him to rinse her mouth, he gently rubbed her back.

"I don't like the idea of you being alone during this." He muttered.

Amanda chuckled. "I do have a household filled with servants." She shrugged. "And my friends visit from time to time."

Thomas continued to frown as he followed her back into the kitchen. "It isn't the same as having someone on hand to help you when these episodes strike."

"Well, I have more than some do." She muttered.

He folded his arms as he watched her set the table.

She noticed. "What is it?"

He wasn't really sure what to say. Random thoughts of what he should do kept popping up.

If they lived sixty years earlier, he would have immediately married her. He would have made certain neither she nor their baby had any stigma attached to them whatsoever. Many today would suggest living together so he could help take care of her and their child while they tried to see if there was any romantic love left between them.

But both of those seemed too extreme to decide on after just finding out she was pregnant.

"Thomas?"

He forced his frown to ease and pulled out her chair for her. "Forgive me, I was lost in thought."

"It isn't..." She dropped her eyes. "I didn't mean to ruin the evening with my morning sickness."

Thomas reached for her hand. "You didn't. Our situation changes things between us and I suppose I am trying to find my way forward."

Amanda squeezed his hand. "We'll figure it out."

#choices red carpet diaries #choices thomas hunt #thomas hunt x oc #thomas hunt x amanda #a second chance #worth the wait #what if au #choices fic writers creations