#also who do we think threw liam up against a wall come tell me

[stubborngoalie]

we’re never getting a 1d reunion tour rip in pieces

#also who do we think threw liam up against a wall come tell me #sorry to all my ziam pals #today is not your day

[ao719]

A Night to Remember

Happy 100 weeks @wackydrabbles! 🥳 I am participating in this weeks challenge with the prompt This is huge - we need to celebrate!

A/N: Thank you to @dcbbw and @burnsoslow for prereading!

Word Count: 1992

Warnings: Very mild language, but other than that, none.

The Soho penthouse elevator door slid open; Catherine and Gideon stepped out, followed by a sullen Reyna shuffling behind them. “Well, I’m glad Vince is alright,” Gideon said as they stepped into the kitchen. “I’ll give him hell for putting you in danger once he’s recovered; I can’t exactly kick his ass while he’s down.”

“It’s ‘kick him while he’s down,’ dad,” Reyna mumbled.

Gideon casually shook his head. “Not this time.”

Reyna slumped onto the stool at the counter and pressed her forehead against her palm as she heaved a sigh; Catherine rested her hand on Reyna’s shoulder. “You’ve been looking forward to it for so long, Reyna. There’s no reason you can’t still go and enjoy yourself.”

Reyna shook her head. “There would be nothing enjoyable about going alone.”

“Do you want to come to Miami with us?” Gideon asked.

“No. I’ll just … stay home and wallow. Alone.” Reyna stood and walked towards her room; Gideon and Catherine shared sad smiles.

****

Liam glanced at his watch as he finished dressing; he wondered if Reyna was home. She told him it was senior week; he didn’t understand what the hell that meant, but he knew she didn’t have school because of it, and she’d been out almost every day this week with her friends.

Ever since his birthday ball last month and his realization of how strong his feelings for her truly were, Reyna had been on his mind more than usual. He knew it was one-sided, however, so he tried -- and failed -- to brush it off.

Liam sat at his desk, figuring he would try to call Reyna before starting his day. He opened his laptop and hit the video call icon; he felt his stomach flip when it started to ring. Reyna’s face appeared on the screen a moment later, and Liam smiled; his smile fell when he noticed her red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained face. “Rey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Reyna sniffled as she wiped her cheeks. Liam cocked his head to the side and gave her a knowing look. “It’s so dumb,” she shook her head.

“Tell me anyway.”

“I … I can’t go to my prom,” her breath hitched.

“Why?”

“Because my date is an idiot, and he can’t go … so now I can’t go,” she sniffled.

“What happened?”

Reyna took a breath in an attempt to collect herself. “I was supposed to go with this guy, Vince. A bunch of us were out yesterday when his dad called to let him know he received his acceptance letter into Brown University; it’s a prestigious school and the one he really wanted to get into. So he was all excited and said, “this is huge - we need to celebrate!” So we decided to spend today at Coney, and we rented jet skis. I was riding with him, and he was trying to show off and started messing around. He wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing or where he was going, and the corner of the jet ski hit the concrete slab of the pier, threw me off, and he managed to crush his ankle between the concrete and the jet ski. It broke in three spots, and he has to have surgery …”

“You’re lucky you didn’t get hurt, Rey!” Reyna forced a halfhearted smile as she wiped her cheeks; leave it to Liam to be more concerned about her safety than anything else. “So, just because he can’t go, why does that mean you can’t go?”

“I mean … I could. But all of my friends have dates … I don’t want to ruin anyone else’s big night by third-wheeling it.”

“What exactly is prom again? I don’t understand these things you guys do in the States.”

“Imagine a ball … that’s pretty much what it is, just with less pomp and circumstance … to commemorate the end of senior year.” She looked down at her hands in her lap. “It’s fine. I don’t need to go,” she said quietly.

Liam chuckled, and she looked back at the screen as he offered her a sad smile. “Then why are you so upset?”

“Because prom is like a rite of passage, Li! It’s something my friends and I have talked about all year. It’s supposed to be this amazing night to remember …”

Liam looked away from the screen for a moment; in the background, Reyna heard someone tell him that he needed to go. He looked back at her and gave an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Rey, I have to go meet with my father. But I’ll call you later, ok?”

“Ok,” Reyna nodded.

*******

On the day of Reyna’s prom, she spent most of the morning lying in bed until her parents called from Miami to check on her. Gideon informed her that he had enlisted her aunt to keep her company for the day. Reyna insisted she was fine, but Elsie showed up at the penthouse just before lunch and dragged her out anyway.

Reyna hadn’t heard back from Liam since he called her a couple of days ago. She knew he was busy taking a few meetings for Leo, who was away on a diplomatic trip with Constantine, but she wished she could talk to him; he would tell her to stop sulking and crack a joke about why she should be glad she was missing her prom.

After a day of retail and mani-pedi therapy with Elsie, Reyna suggested they grab dinner, but her aunt insisted she get back to the penthouse. Reyna was confused since Elsie had practically forced her to come out, but she shrugged it off.

“Thanks for taking me out today,” Reyna said.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now, get inside,” Elsie shooed her with a grin. Reyna gave her a curious look before entering the building.

As the elevator made its ascent to the penthouse, Reyna couldn’t help but think of her friends at that moment; they were all at the Conrad by now, their night just beginning. She sighed as she slumped against the metal wall of the elevator. When the doors opened, she stepped out, carrying her shopping bags in both hands. She froze when she saw a figure round the corner, and her eyes went wide.

“Liam?” Reyna dropped her bags and rushed towards him; she squealed as their bodies collided when she jumped into his arms.

“Hey, you,” Liam chuckled.

Reyna drew back from their embrace to look at him. “What are you doing here?”

Liam couldn’t contain his smile as he set her back on the ground. “I have a surprise for you.” He took her hand, guiding her down the hall to her bedroom. When they stepped inside, Reyna turned to look at him. “I need you to get dressed.”

“Where are we going?”

“Not far,” Liam smiled. “And you need to wear that.” He nodded his head to her closet.

Reyna turned to see the unworn garment she had stuffed away the other day now hanging on the door; she looked at him with her brows furrowed in confusion. “My prom dress?” Liam nodded with a smile. “Why?”

“Stop asking so many questions and just get dressed.” With that, Liam left her to change.

****

A short time later, Reyna emerged from her room. Hearing her come down the hallway, Liam turned to look at her; his eyes widened as a smile split his lips. She gave a little spin, and his eyes traveled over her; she wore a powder blue backless A-line gown. He had seen her dressed up countless times before, but in that particular moment, she took his breath away. “You look … wow, Rey …”

Reyna smiled as she looked him over; he had changed into a pair of black dress pants and a white dress shirt complete with a tie. “You changed, too.”

“Of course,” he grinned. He could see the confusion in her expression and offered his arm. “Come with me.”

Liam guided Reyna up to the private rooftop terrace of the penthouse. When they stepped out, Reyna was met with soft music, and her eyes widened. Liam had it decorated with flowers, candles, twinkling lights, and white and gold balloons. “Liam,” Reyna choked out, “what is all this?”

“I was going to offer to take you to your prom, but when I talked to your parents, your mother informed me that you had already given your ticket away. So … I decided to create a prom for you …” Liam offered her a smile and turned, grabbing something off the ledge. “My research on proms told me I should give you one of these.”

“You did research?” her voice cracked, and Liam nodded and took her hand, slipping a white rose corsage onto her wrist. Reyna’s vision was blurred as she looked up at him. “Liam, I …” She trailed off, finding it hard to speak over the lump in her throat.

Liam smiled as he brushed a tear from her cheek. “I know it’s probably not the prom you had envisioned, but-”

Reyna cut him off with a shake of her head. “It’s not … it’s better,” she tearfully smiled.

Liam took her hand and gestured to a nearby table that was set for two. “My research also told me there’s typically a dinner involved before the actual prom.” Reyna glanced around the decorated terrace, still in shock, as Liam guided her to the table; he helped her into her seat before taking his own. He lifted a large cloth off the center of the table to reveal a pizza box from her favorite pizzeria, and Reyna let out a laugh as she wiped the tears from under her eyes. “It said fancy dinner, but this seemed more -”

“Us,” they said in unison and smiled. “Jinx.”

“It’s perfect, Liam. All of this --” Reyna motioned around “-- I-I can’t believe you came all of this way … and did all of this for me …”

“I just wanted you to have your night to remember.” Liam smiled, seeing Reyna’s eyes glistening in the soft terrace lighting. “I do have something your prom wouldn’t have had, however.” Liam reached down next to him and lifted a large bottle of Cordonian apple wine with a grin. “They wouldn’t serve you this.”

“Definitely not,” she giggled as Liam poured them each a full glass.

****

After consuming the entire pizza and two glasses of wine each, Liam loosened his tie and stood from his seat as a slow song started to play. He offered Reyna a lopsided grin and his hand. “Dance with me?”

Reyna took Liam’s hand, and he led her to the center of the terrace; he gave an exaggerated bow, and she laughed before looping her arms around his neck as his arms wrapped around her waist. She rested her head against his chest as they started to dance.

Reyna still couldn’t believe that Liam had made the long flight from Cordonia just to make this night happen for her. She swore any time she was with him, those secret feelings she held since she was 16 grew, but this made that unrequited love she had for him even stronger. This was one of those moments that, if she could, she would capture and hide it away just to relive it.

Reyna glanced up at Liam, unable to stop her smile as he returned his own. She perched on her tiptoes and pulled him down, pressing her lips to his. It wasn’t anything they hadn’t done before: a kiss under the guise of alcohol to mask their true feelings. Liam pulled Reyna closer, so there was no space left between them as they became lost in that one perfect moment. When she drew back, she stared up at him, reminding herself that they were just friends.

“Thank you, Li,” Reyna whispered.

“For what?”

“For giving me a night that I won’t forget.”

Liam smiled as he stared down at her. “I’d do anything to make all of your nights like this, Rey …”

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

This is part of my Always You universe. If you’d like to be added or removed from tags, please let me know!

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#wacky drabbles celebrates 100 weeks #wacky drabbles #trr #choices trr #the royal romance #choices the royal romance #trr liam #trr fanfic #trr fan fic #trr fanfiction #choices trr fanfic #trr au #trr au fanfic #choices trr au #liam rys #king liam rys

[y0itsbri]

🍺, 🧑🏻‍🦰, 😠

benja! hello! thank you for the ask! 💘💘 (sorry these got kinda (very) long and some more fic-ish than hc-ish but i had fun with it)

🍺 - drunk headcanon

lately, debbie has been flooding the gallagher fam groupchat with pictures of cocktails and mixed drinks that she's been trying from the new lesbian bar she's been going to. carl tells her no one gives a shit, but she just tells him to fuck off. ian always sends a thumbs up emoji in response to the photos.

"wonder what's in that one," mickey pondered from their couch, zooming into the most recent picture like somehow the ingredients were written on an ice cube.

"looks like 1.5 oz empress gin, 4 oz ginger beer, juice of 1/2 a lime, 1/4 oz monin desert pear syrup, and mint, for garnish, of course," ian confidently rattled off.

mickey's eyebrows shot up to his hairline, "the fuck are you? the lesbian drink whisperer?"

ian chuckled at the accusation, "found the recipe on pinterest. 's something called the prickly pear gin buck."

"on penny trust what now?"

"pinterest -- a website where you pin your interests," ian smirked like he was the most clever motherfucker on the planet.

"alright, fuckin' martha stewart over here."

"wanna make it sometime?"

"make what?"

"the 'lesbian' drink."

"nah, man, too fuckin' fruity and won't even get me drunk."

"yeah, well we're fucking fruity, mick."

mickey sent ian a death glare.

ian threw his hands up in mock surrender and a teasing glint, "alright, alright, but you like it sweet, so i bet you'd like it."

"yeah, i like your sweet ass alright, c'mere, dork."

--

"hey, mick, look what i got!"

"more toothpaste?"

"shit! i knew i was forgetting something... but, uh, no, i splurged on some things to make that drink debs sent that week."

ian looked so damn excited about this, he couldn't even make fun of him.

"double the gin. if i'm drinking it, i better get buzzed."

"done."

"and you're not tellin' fuckin' anyone about this."

ian paused too long.

"gallagher," mickey said sternly. gallagher. he wasn't messing around.

"aaaanyways, let's get it cookin', good lookin'."

-

for all it was worth, it was fucking delicious and mickey got more than a little buzzed. he woke up the next morning... or afternoon rather, with several notifications from the gallagher groupchat.

shit. he was gonna fuckin' murder ian.

ian had sent an artistic photo of the purplish drink topped with a mint garnish and another of mickey, blissfully unaware of the photo being taken while sipping his second? third? drink, cradling it dear.

deb: looks great guys! so good, right! 🥂

lip: mickey sure seems to think so huh? ;)

liam: mickey's gonna kill you for this, ian

carl: rip fly high bro 💀🕊️

-

despite the teasing from his brother-in-laws, mickey really did enjoy the drink and the excitement ian had putting it all together. debbie, ian, and mickey all start a new groupchat called 'gallabitches getting tipsy🍹' where they share all their new recipes without judgement. they later added tami to the group, not being able to drink during her pregnancy, but living vicariously through them.

👨‍🦰 - ian is tall and likes to manhandle headcanon

the only cabinet in the kitchen that's tall enough for their boxes of cereal is above the refrigerator. this is, of course, no problem to ian who is practically eye level with it. mickey, however, has a little more difficulty.

he thought he was alone in the kitchen, he had left ian finishing getting ready in the bathroom, when he wanted the goddamn lucky charms.

mickey ungracefully climbed on top of the countertop and acquired the beloved box of sugary cereal. right then, he noticed he'd been caught -- ian leaning against the kitchen wall, amused as all hell.

ian stalked over, "can't reach, baby?"

"got it just fine, thanks." but mickey didn't make any effort to get down.

"hey, you're finally taller than me, never thought i'd see the day."

"fuck off."

"hmmm, dunno if i like this," ian said, looking up at mickey, "might have to do something about it."

"yeah? whatcha gonna do about it, big guy?"

in a swift motion, ian nudged mickey's legs apart a bit and held them on either side of him. mickey threw the box of cereal god knows where, fuck the cereal, and complied, wrapping his legs around ian's torso and his arms around ian's neck.

"oh, you'll see."

😠 - jealous headcanon (also hi @gardenerian , here's a little bit of gardener ian content for you🍅)

ian starts bonding with one of his neighbors about their plants in the community garden at their apartment. mickey was totally on board with ian's rants about his tomatoes and peppers, but all mickey can hear lately is julie this and julie that.

-

"julie bought this new fertilizer for me to use on my plot! she said it'll double the amount of tomatoes we get this year!"

"fuckin' great."

ian frowned, "i thought you were excited about the garden."

"i am."

"then why doesn't it sound like that?"

"julie just sounds like she likes you a bit too much is all."

"julie?"

"yeah, man, buyin' you shit, now. why doesn't fucking julie just suck your dick while she's at it?"

"what the fuck are you going on about now, mick?"

"you don't even wear your ring down there! i bet the bitch is just trynna get in your pants."

"mickey."

"no, it's cool, i get it, whatever."

"mickey. i don't wanna lose the ring in all the fuckin' dirt, but i promise julie knows all about you -- about us."

"yeah?"

"of course," ian crowded mickey's space a bit, judging how much his husband was really mad at him. he tilted his head down, "come down there with me next sunday, yeah? there's nothing to worry about."

mickey considered for a moment. he would love to size the bitch up, even if he had to wake up a bit earlier.

"fine."

"mmmm, good."

--

the following sunday, true to plan, mickey followed ian down to his garden plot. he'd been down here before, of course, but never early enough to chat with julie. he couldn't see her now, though, just some white-haired old lady in a big hat with an orange cat perched on her lap.

"ian, darling, good morning!"

"hey julie, good to see you!" ian said smiling as he crouched down to pet the cat's head, "you too, george." the cat purred against his hand.

oh.

"this is my husband, mickey. he was finally up early this morning, so i made him tag along."

"oh, what a pleasure, dear," julie smiled warmly, "i've heard so much about you."

"uh, yeah, ditto." mickey definitely didn't expect this -- she was genuinely sweet. she kind of reminded him of his great aunt back in ukraine.

"remind me to give you boys my new recipe for lemon tarts..." she trailed off.

mickey sat himself on a red modern-style chair as the two chatted the latest drama of some pests on antonio's plants and how sarah hadn't been out in weeks to water.

julie nudged the cat off her lap as she gestured for ian to follow her to one of the flower beds. george made his way over to where mickey was sitting.

"they're some of the good ones, huh?" mickey addressed the cat.

george slow blinked in return as he flopped over on the pavement.

they basked in the early morning sun, watching ian water both his plot and julie's as they laughed about something he couldn't hear.

he smiled. he could get used to sunday mornings like this.

#ask #mrsinistertype #shameless #gallavich #ian gallagher #mickey milkovich #ian x mickey #shameless headcanon #gallavich headcanon #debbie gallagher #my posts

[ohmightydevviepuu]

the red queen [1/1]

to @profdanglaisstuff​ for the suggestion; to @katie-dub​ for the gut-check and encouragement; to @thisonesatellite​ for existing.

happy (belated) birthday to a beloved friend.  i feel so lucky that we have found each other.

this is a continuation of my space pirates AU, sanguine, adj. ‘hopeful’.  (it also means bloody).  if the earlier parts were a premise pilot...think of this as a procedural.  shamelessly inspired by “the train job” (firefly 1x02) and “the three-card monte job” (leverage 3x09), because i think i am hilarious (sometimes) and i have a writing crush on john rogers.

proximity alert cell block 1138 a good day

AO3

The man was tall and dark. Broody type, scruffy-looking, but he walked into the bar like he owned it. Slid onto a barstool, let the length of his battered greatcoat hang behind him and looked around with piercing blue eyes that missed nothing. Within two seconds he was followed by a woman, tall and broad, beautiful with black hair that curled and hung nearly to her waist, just above the gun she kept holstered there. Their movements had the ease of old reflex: he walked ahead, ready to encounter whatever might come at them first. She stayed close, but behind, ready to watch his back.

The bartender eyed them warily, watched the man’s gaze take in everything. He turned to the woman and asked, “What’ll you have?”

“Whisky,” she said. “Straight.”

He turned to the man and repeated the question.

“Actually, mate,” the man said, with a wink directed not at the bartender but squarely at the vidcam placed over the bartender’s shoulder. “Is it okay if I just sit here until a gorgeous blonde walks in?”

Will Scarlet spit out his drink, drops splattering on the commscreen in front of him.

Where he was watching them, of course. No way was he letting that cheeky asshole off coms or off cams again. Ever.

Ursula snorted.

The bartender rolled his eyes. “Whatever you want, mate,” he said, pulling a bottle from the counter to pour Ursula’s drink. She threw an extra couple of credits on the bartop and shook her head in commiseration.

But the door opened and in walked an objectively good-looking blonde woman. Her hair was shorter than Ursula’s, a bit awkward really, not that Will knew anything about women’s hair, but it was still closer to Federation regulation-length than anything else and it was tied back in the sort of tight tail that the Feds encouraged for anyone with long hair.

She had green eyes and she stopped when the man’s landed on her, cocking her head and smirking.

“You’re kidding me,” Will muttered, taking another sip of his drink. “Smug bastard.”

“Hello, beautiful,” the man said. The woman stepped up to the bar and the man took her hand in his, bending over it to place a kiss in her palm. “Captain Killian Jones, at your service. Can I offer you a drink?”

The bartender’s jaw dropped.

Ursula shook her head and took another sip of whisky, ignoring the scene playing out next to her.

The woman’s eyes glittered. “Listen, Jones--”

“I prefer ‘Captain’,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.

“I bet you do,” she murmured, leaning closer to him until her head was just above his ear. “Touch me again, Captain, and I’ll have you arrested for assault.”

“Is that a threat?”

The woman brushed her red leather jacket so the flash of metal at her hip gleamed and Will saw the bartender take notice. “It’s a promise.”

So did every other patron of the bar.

“Dammit, Killian,” Will groused.

Emma Swan turned and, with a wink of her own, nodded at Will in the camera. The bartender poured her a shot and turned back to the Captain.

Emma drank off the shot and left.

Will exhaled.

“How’s it going?” Robin Locksley walked up behind him, taking a seat in the co-pilot’s chair of the cockpit.

“You know, the usual,” Will muttered.

“Oh god, oh god, we’re all gonna die?” Robin smiled.

“Not yet,” Will said. “Give it time.”

Killian Jones, Captain, looked at the bartender. “A shot of rum, if you please,” he said, and the bartender sighed. Killian was fiddling with something in his hand as he fumbled for the requisite credits and then all of the blood seemed to drain from his face as he went very still, and very pale.

Next to him, Ursula tensed. Reflex.

She looked quickly to the camera and shook her head and Will drew in a deep breath.

“What’s up?” Rob asked, leaning toward him.

“Dunno.” Will shrugged. “Nothing good. You had to go and jinx it.”

From the end of the bar there was a sound.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

It was slow. It was the dripping water of a faucet.

Killian’s jaw muscle twitched and he turned.

The man had long hair, down to his chin in waves, run through with silver. His moustache and beard framed his mouth and tapered off at the sides.

He had piercing blue eyes.

“Hello, Dad,” Killian said.

Will was silent, his mouth hanging open. Next to him, Robin was still.

Emma’s voice crackled over the comm. “Did he just say--”

“Fuck,” Will said.

--

“Hello, dad,” Killian said, keeping his voice calm but feeling the twitch in his jaw and the itch in his fingers. He willed himself to be still, to look the man square in the eye for the first time in--

“I got a out, you know,” Brennan Jones said. “A while ago, in fact.”

Twenty years.

That’s how long it had been since his father left.

“Didn’t see you, though, at the prison colony spaceport waiting to pick me up in that fancy ship of yours,” Brennan said.

Twenty years since Brennan had left, twelve years since he had got caught running cons and games on rich marks on the central planets. The Federation, as Killian knew only two well, did not take kindly to larceny and thieving unless they were the ones doing both and Brennan had been caught, tried--and shipped off to ‘Neverland’.

They said it was a place where time stood still for its inmates, stuck while the world passed them by.

Twenty years.

“Yeah,” Killian said. “Yeah, I was kind of busy. Visiting my mother’s grave, you know. Visiting Liam’s grave.”

Brennan clucked his tongue in a noise that made Killian cringe. A noise that haunted his dreams on his bad nights, of his father’s disapproval, his indifference. Killian hated that noise and hated even more that it still held sway over him.

“All your life,” Brennan said, “you thought you were better than me. Never showed any respect.”

“What, exactly, did you do to deserve respect?” Killian said.

Twenty years, but Brennan still knew about the Jolly Roger, knew where to find him, knew exactly what buttons to push and strings to pull to make Captain Killian Jones feel like an angry child.

What else did he know?

Brennan turned to Ursula and said, with a tip of his head in affected gallantry, “Would you give us a moment? I’d like to talk to my son, here. My good-form, never-break-the-rules-son. Look at him now, yeah? Nothing but his own personal balls-and-bayonets brigade, living off the raggedy edge on the wrong side of the law. Nothing but a pirate, a criminal like his old man.”

Ursula ignored him, looked at Killian. Killian nodded. “Head back. We still have a job to do.”

His hand tightened around the crinkled piece of paper Emma had passed him.

The one with the name of their contact on this job.

Brennan Jones.

He thought of her and he tried to summon the feel of her fingers against his skin as if it would give him strength or hope or succor.

Maybe it did. Ursula’s eyes were black stones of judgment as Killian ran his hand through his hair and met her gaze and then, finally, she nodded.

“Pleasure meeting you,” Brennan called to her retreating back. “Now, about that job--”

--

“Run it,” Killian growled, his voice low and weary.

Emma looked around the cockpit, from Will to Robin to Nemo to Ursula and even to Ariel, who fidgeted visibly, more uncomfortable than Emma had ever seen her.

Whale stood off to the side, his arms crossed, shaking his head.

“Maybe we should discuss it first,” Emma said. “I know I feel a little weird--”

It was more than weird. It was downright uncomfortable. For the first time since she’d stayed with Killian, with the Jolly Roger and its crew, she was unsettled.

(Former) Federation Operative Emma Swan did not do unsettled.

“I don’t.” Killian bit down on the consonants, hard, each one clipped and harsh and as if they were spoken by a stranger. “Come on, Scarlet.”

“Sir--”

“Killian, sometimes you just need to stop and question--” Emma and Will spoke at the same time but then he stopped and looked at her. Emma took a breath and said, “Sometimes you just need to stop and think for a minute--”

“What is this, mutiny? An insurrection?” His eyes hardened. “Don’t ever tell me what to do on my--” Emma hissed, a warning, and Killian took a deep breath. “It’s a job like any other.”

If keystrokes could have emotions, Will’s were angry.

“Stop looking at him as my father,” Killian said.

“Can you?” Emma asked, walking up to him and putting her hand on his cheek.

He jerked away.

“But this isn’t, as you say, a ‘job like any other’,” Nemo pointed out. He was the only one in the galley who looked relaxed, his posture upright as always but with an air of ease that Emma desperately wished she felt. “And not because of who he is. Because of why he’s here.” Nemo gestured at the screen Will had projected on the wall and turned toward Emma. “What’s your professional opinion here, Operative Swan?”

Will had brought up a list of the charges against Brennan Jones: theft, fraud, bribery, smuggling, all across multiple systems.

Child endangerment.

Child abandonment.

Emma looked at Killian.

Killian looked away.

“No way he’s out of Neverland after only twelve years,” Emma said. “So--” her eyes were still on Killian “--trap?”

“Aye,” he said. His eyes flashed with relief and his jaw muscle relaxed. “Set up by someone else to do the dirty work. Blackmail, maybe. That’s how a lot of the big syndicates do things now. Quasi-government entities, some of them. Don’t want the dirty work putting them on the Feds’ radar and interfering with their legit scams. Keeps the blood off their hands.”

“So what’s Brennan’s game here, Captain?” Ursula asked.

Robin scrubbed a hand down his face and drew in a deep breath. “I imagine he’s got a chess board set up just like yours, sir.”

Killian’s answering look was murderous. “More like three-card monte. Keep the cards moving until he’s ready for you to see the queen.”

“Nah, he’s the one on the move.” Will turned around in his chair.

“How in the bloody hell do you know that?” Killian snapped.

“Facial scan, sir.” Will glared. “I tagged him and put my web-crawlers to work on the Cortex. And he just got a call. Sounds like he’s got sources planted across the world, and this one’s tapped into a Fed outpost. Core access across the entire sector, including SOS, maintenance, alarms. Brennan’s pushing him to tamper with it, cross the signals or some such.” Will squinted at his screen and crossed his hands behind his neck. “Your dad, he is not a nice man, is he? Must run in the family.”

The galley was, for one interminable moment, silent.

Robin smacked Will across the back of his head.

“Captain? What’s our play?” Ursula asked.

“Um, I have a question?” Ariel raised her hand. Emma stifled a laugh, and Ursula sighed. “If Brennan did all of these terrible things, blackmail and the like, why did he come here and hire us? If he’s so bad--”

“--what are they using against him,” Emma finished. “Against us. You.” Everything Killian cared about--was here. On the ship.

It was Nemo who answered. “This is about Liam?”

“Isn’t he--” Robin started to say, but stopped.

Dead. Liam Jones was dead, killed in the operation that Killian had fled with the Jewel of the Realm.

Slowly, minutely, Killian nodded.

“You think someone has your little brother?” Nemo spoke slowly in a soothing tone, as if for a small child.

Whale nearly fell over. “The hell--?”

Emma felt her mouth open. She closed it.

Unsettled. She did not like it. She did not like not having all of the information queued up and ready for her and this was something she should have known.

Something Killian should have told her.

A quick glance around the galley suggested that she was not the only one for whom this news was a revelation. She looked at Ursula, who blinked in surprise and looked at Will, who shrugged and looked at Robin, who shook his head. In unison, they all turned to look at Nemo.

“Younger,” Killian corrected him softly, almost as a reflex. “Aye.”

Nemo had eyes only for Killian, his eyes full of care and concern and quiet authority.

“Killian,” Nemo said. “It’s not your job to take down your own father.”

Emma took two steps across the galley and reached for Killian again.

This time, he did not pull away.

“You’re right about that,” Killian said. “It’s my gorram pleasure.”

His fingers tightened around Emma’s until she couldn’t feel them anymore.

--

“Killian, I don’t think we have enough information on your fa--on this guy. Not yet,” Emma said.

There were other things she could say. Maybe too many other things.

How Brennan had found them.

Killian’s younger brother, Liam Jones.

What Nemo knew that she didn’t.

But she didn’t say any of them. Not yet.

They stood out on the pavement in the middle of the city, or near enough--a city that was just big enough to boast the kind of multi-level skyscraper that was normally more prevalent across the Core worlds, but not so big that any of the buildings were in particularly good repair. They stood in the middle of a fair bit of traffic--pedestrians, land speeders, even personal shuttles buzzing in the sky for the gentry who wanted to show off, but not so much or so little that the five of them and their two Mules were memorable.

Emma, Killian, Ursula, Ariel and Robin stood in front of a building rendered completely invisible by virtue of its resemblance to every other building.

“We don’t even know if this is the right place,” Emma said.

Will’s snort made the earpiece crackle and Emma winced.

“I’m sure,” Will said. There was a beep in the background and Will’s voice was serious this time. “Okay, I think I may have an ID on a potential bad guy.”

“We’ve got the bad guy, Scarlet,” Killian said.

Which was part of the problem, as far as Emma was concerned. Brennan had backup and Killian’s instincts seemed to come from a pretty deep gene pool and that made Brennan one very dangerous guy with potentially more dangerous allies. Emma looked at Ursula, who shrugged.

Ursula was always going to back Killian’s play; well, so would Emma.

“Whatever you say, sir, but this guy Jefferson Chepalier has an interesting story to tell. They say he’s some kind of magician, just making things disappear from one place and appear in another. Weapons, credits, pharmaceuticals--you name it, he’s moved it.”

Nemo’s voice chimed in. “I’ve heard of him. Even the Federation is one of his clients.”

Robin’s eyebrows went up in silent admiration and Emma sighed. “I’ve heard of him, too,” she said. “He knows a lot of the right people in a lot of the right places.”

What did Nemo know?

Why hadn’t Killian told them?

Why hadn’t Killian told her?

“Well, seems like they had a bit of an ugly breakup,” Will said. “Busted last month and lost twenty million in merchandise.”

“Sounds like the kind of guy who could get someone out of Neverland,” Emma said.

“Sounds like the kind of guy who needs a big score,” Robin said. “Guys that desperate--”

“Yeah, it’s bad,” Emma agreed.

“Speaking of bad,” Will said. “Here’s some bad news: the system here is old-school. Too antiquated for me to tunnel in and hack.”

Emma rolled her shoulders and moved her neck from one side to the other. But this was nothing they hadn’t expected.

“I didn’t know some of these specs even existed anymore.” Will sounded offended, as though he expected more from his adversaries. “Getting into this would be like hacking a museum exhibit.”

“Which you’ve done,” Robin said.

“Nothing you can prove,” Will said. “In fact--”

Ariel giggled.

“In fact,” Killian interrupted, “it means we’re not going to able to stop him.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It means we’re going to have to help him. Just like he planned.”

“We’re on it,” Ursula said as Emma pulled a pair of cuffs out of her inner jacket pocket and stepped toward Robin.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Will said. “You just--happened to have those on you?”

Emma rolled her eyes.

“Do you always have those on you?” Will asked. “Because--” he paused, presumably watching Emma put the cuffs on Robin “--you are weirdly comfortable doing that.”

“Don’t I know it,” Killian muttered.

Ariel’s mouth dropped open.

“Ariel.” Ursula brought her back to focus. “You’re going in the back. Hook us in manually.”

“And Scarlet,” Emma said, “you keep your mouth shut unless you want me giving Belle pointers when she gets back from Persephone.”

There was an intake of breath over the comm and Killian said, “Shut up, Scarlet.”

“Okay, but--” Robin was resigned as the cuffs clinked into place “--what are we doing here, exactly?”

“All the alarms for the entire Andromache system run through this building,” Will said. “Banks. Private homes. Government systems. Transpo networks. Everything. My guess, Brennan wants to control which alarms get through and which don’t.”

“It’s what I would do,” Killian said. He did not look happy about it.

“It isn’t,” Emma said. “You wouldn’t have gotten us here in the first place.” She wanted to reach for him, to take his hand, to press a soothing palm against his cheek. But she had Robin Locksley in her handcuffs and, apparently, the fate of Killian’s heretofore-unknown younger brother in their hands.

Killian didn’t answer. Didn’t look at any of them, just stared upward at the facade of the building they were about to infiltrate.

“Sir?” Ursula prompted. “We don’t have to do this.”

“We’re the only ones who can,” he said. “Anchors aweigh.”

Emma looked at Ursula, who nodded and gave Robin a shove as they went through the doors.

--

Not only was (former) Federation Operative Emma Swan weirdly comfortable using handcuffs, Robin Locksley was weirdly okay about being cuffed. The whole thing was really weird, Will decided.

At least until--

“Can we hurry up? Being handcuffed in a Fed outpost is a recurring bloody nightmare of mine.”

Never mind, Will thought.

“Scarlet,” Ursula said. “How do we look?”

Will tapped a few keys and leaned forward to peer at the screen. “We will rule over all of this land,” he said. “And we will call it--’This Land’.”

Ariel chirped, “That’s a good thing, right? We’re shiny?” She was breathing slightly heavily from inside a crawlspace, where she had physically tapped the network while Emma, Ursula and Robin distracted the Feds.

“Means we’re tapped into every piece of wire and tech running through that place. We can block alarms, we can set alarms, we can track alarms, all through our own comms network. Nice work--very shiny.”

Ariel clapped her hands in glee.

“Now get the bloody hell out of there--”

The comms broke squelch with a burst of feedback so sharp Will had to shut down the system for eighty-three seconds.

And Killian, that rat bastard, did it on purpose.

Urusla’s voice was the first to break through when he got them back online. “Scarlet?” She was, as ever, sharp and focused. “Where is he?”

“He’s gone,” Emma said, sounding certain.

“Seriously?” Robin said.

“He’s gone,” Will confirmed.

--

“So,” Killian said, “let me tell you what I did.”

He was back in the bar, where Brennan Jones did not seem at all surprised to see him. Papers were spread out across a table in the corner and the bartender kept deliberately not looking their way.

Brennan smirked. “Oh, I already know what you did,” he said. “You let my repairman loose, fine. You think I don’t have another contact? You really think you can beat me? You’re not tough enough. You’re not ruthless enough. You don’t have what it takes, even with your interference--”

“Using a civilian was a dumb brute-force move.” Killian pulled his earpiece out of his ear and a small black box out of his pocket and held them up. “Rigged to the Fed systems. I control it now. I can destroy it. You were saying?”

“Well.” Brennan looked, for the first time, surprised. “That’s--well.”

“You’ve done your homework. You know that I stole the fastest ship in the fleet right out from under the Federation’s nose, so you should also know that I broke into Robert Gold’s space station and broke back out again. Severed his hold on the Federation council. Walked away after he tortured me. If I can do that, imagine what I could to you.”

All of that was true and yet--it had been easier to be tough in front of Gold than it was in front of his own father. He’d been doing that for Emma.

He wished she was here.

They were better as a team.

But she didn’t need to be a part of this. Not this. Killian didn’t want Brennan Jones even looking at her. More importantly, he didn’t want Brennan’s allies--whomever they were--knowing who she was.

“I did my homework too, dad. Where’s Liam?”

Brennan cleared his throat. “You’re being a wise guy with me?”

“What was it you used to say? ‘You’re too much of a planner, Killian. You have to be tougher to survive’. You’re so tough, prove it.”

Besides, Killian Jones always had a plan.

Behind him, Killian heard the sound of an old-fashioned revolver being cocked. He was, for a second, disappointed.

So predictable.

He looked around, started to turn--

Was stopped by an elbow to the back of his head.

After that, blackness.

--

“How long until we hit Paradiso?” Killian asked.

The train whipped through the countryside on the mag-lev track and Emma checked the map on her screen. “Another twenty minutes,” she said. “You should be at the foothills in five.”

“You’re sure?” Robin asked for the twentieth time. “You’re sure this was the plan?”

“He’s sure,” Emma and Ursula spoke at the same time, for all that Ursula was down on the train with Killian and Emma was in the cockpit of the Jolly Roger.

She wanted to be with him.

They were better as a team.

But that wasn’t the plan, and she was part of something now--part of a crew.

“Saw the maps,” Killian reminded them. “Had blueprints laid out for house party on Boros--some gentry have got a Lassiter there.”

“I’ve always wanted one of those,” Ariel said wistfully.

“Next time,” Killian said. For the first time in days Emma thought she detected a smile in his words. “And then there was a set for a hospital on Athens,” Killian said.

“Too much work. Not enough payoff,” Nemo murmured.

“Exactly,” Killian said.

“Three-card monte,” Emma said. “He wanted you to see.”

“Exactly,” Killian said again, and smiled this time.

“What’s the cargo?” Ursula wanted to know.

“No clue,” Killian said. “But since Chepelier was there--save the speech for later, Scarlet--I’d reckon it’s something that will get him his twenty mil back. And I’ll have some words for him about hitting me when we meet.”

“Something that requires an entire Fedsquad sitting on this train,” Ursula said.

“Not an entire squad, Ursula,” Killian said. “Just a few. Just enough to make it fun.”

“When those alarms go off,” Emma said, “it’s gonna be Armageddon.”

“That’s the idea, love,” Killian reminded her.

“Yeah,” Emma said. “Only I think you have a bit of a problem with your brain being missing.” She paused for a beat and then said, seriously, “Killian, it’s not too late to sit this one out.”

Behind her, Emma felt Nemo’s hand on her shoulder. He squeezed.

Killian didn’t answer. He said, “Start flying with the hatch open. Keep her steady, Locksley.”

There were no guards in the train car, just stacks of crates and baggage. Killian went in first and Urusla followed, sliding the door mostly shut behind them but leaving it slightly ajar as Ursula turned to fiddle with a canister she pulled from her satchel and the wires hidden in the door panel. Killian moved toward the center of the car, waiting for Ursula to hand him the screw gun.

He stopped and examined a particular stack of crates and then began to climb them, gently, stopping when he could reach the ceiling. Three corrugated iron panels stood between them and the open sky and soon there was not even that, as Killian put the gun to one of the rivets in the center panel and triggered it.

It made a sickening noise and Killian winced.

“Find the cargo,” he said.

“Thanks for the reminder, sir,” Ursula said.

Killian smirked and pulled the gun down, removing the rivet stuck in it before starting on the next, moving methodically from one to another until the last one is free and he lowered the panel as gently as the could.

It made a bit of a clatter, and Killian winced.

“Sir--” Ursula called, pointing at a stack of boxes.

“Shiny,” Killian whispered. “Brilliant. Get it over here.”

He had barely finished speaking when the net dropped into the hole in the roof of the train.

“Fifteen seconds,” Emma said.

The canister popped just when the wire pulled.

Immediately, there was a ringing noise that echoed through the train car.

“Alarms are set,” Scarlet said, his voice grim. “Feds on your door and Brennan--”

“I’ll worry about Brennan,” Killian said as the door opened fully and the gas released by Ursula’s canister blinded the Fed sent to investigate. With movements both precise and brutal, Killian disarmed him and had him on the ground, unconscious, in seconds.

He and Ursula closed the door behind them just as the comm started blaring and the train began to slow as they pulled into Paradiso.

--

Brennan Jones walked up to the makeshift processing site outside of Paradiso.

It was utter chaos.

Every person around him was screaming into a comm. “What do you mean, we’ve got another alarm call--a third one?!!--multiple code ones at the following sites--roll out--send backup--every available unit!”

It was the house party full of gentry on Boros that sweetened the deal. Feds wouldn’t normally roll out for a bunch of hicks coming in from Hancock. Alarms going off on Boros, on Athens, across Regina--that was a different story.

All hail the might Federation, though it was a shame about the Lassiter. That would fetch a tidy fortune on the black market.

Next time.

--

(Former) Federation Operative Emma Swan walked into the makeshift processing site the locals had set up outside Paradiso.

Where the train had stopped.

After some thieves put a hole in the roof.

It was utter chaos, every person around her screaming into a comm, Feds literally walking in circles--

Except for the poor, understaffed local constabulary, who had been left to deal with the passengers.

Killian and Ursula were off to the side, cuffed and under the watchful eyes of someone who looked like a local sheriff. He looked tired, and frustrated--was likely both of those things, now the Feds were off the train and in his backyard--and did not manage to keep his sigh inaudible as she approached.

Emma flashed her badge fast enough that the lawman wouldn’t be able to get a good look at the code designation that was now invalid. She gave him a half-grin as she did so, carefully calculated.

Empathetic. Brisk. Efficient.

Not here to ruin his day.

She was here to save it, in fact, but he had no way of knowing that.

“You Nolan?” she asked, and he gave her a wan smile. “I’m Swan.”

--

Brennan watched the scene playing out before him.

“No, I can’t send confirmation,” a particularly harried ensign snapped. “This is an all-network alert! Cargo theft--”

Brennan hovered genially near the harried-looking ensign, a petite woman with her hair tied in a regulation-style knot, and smile the kind of smile that was warm enough but completely unmemorable as he waved a datapad in the air with a kind of ‘what can you do’ shrug.

The ensign barely spared him a glance before waving him away, his presence already accounted for and forgotten, and Brennan inched closer to the train, where he was met by a tall blonde man in a uniform who asked, bored, “Status?”

Brennan handed the datasheet over, a transfer order flickering across its surface.

“You’re expecting me,” Brennan said. “Evidence transfer.”

“That’s right, you bastard,” Will muttered at his tablet. “Captain, are you sure--”

“You know the plan, Will.”

“We could just tell the Feds--”

“Oh, I’ve got him,” Killian said. “Gonna look him in the eye when he goes down.”

“Evidence transfer,” the blonde man said, frowning as he looked at the datasheet. “About that--”

He stopped as Ariel, her hair out of its knot, came up behind Brennan Jones, tapped him on the shoulder, and punched him.

Victor Whale pulled off his uniform cap and winced. Ariel was tiny, but she packed a right hook like a freight train.

“Ooooooof,” Will murmured.

--

Emma thought she heard the sheriff mutter about gorram time but not loud enough she had to acknowledge it. “You know there’s a whole spate of robberies across the system today,” she said casually. “Alarms going off anywhere.”

Implied: you’re lucky I showed up at all.

“Rumor has it they were after millions,” Nolan said. “You here for evidence holding?”

Emma only just managed to keep the sneer off of her face.

“Evidence holding”. That’s what the Feds were calling it now.

Emma shrugged. “Above my paygrade. I’m just here for those two.” She nodded with her chin at Ursula and Killian.

“I knew something about his story smelled,” he said, shaking his head and checking his datapad for the passenger manifest.

“Yeah, that’s him,” Emma said, sending a surreptitious wink toward Killian. “It’s not the only thing about him that does.”

In her earpiece she heard him chuckle.

“They’ve been bound?”

“Not yet,” Nolan said. “I--”

“Don’t worry about it,” Emma said. “You just get the rest of these citizens back on this train and on their way. I’ll take care of them.”

--

Ariel shrugged and ducked as Brennan made a pass at Whale and she pulled out a tranq gun--

“That’s enough, Ariel,” Killian said, walking up behind them, a cuff dangling from one wrist while he worked the other free. “It’s going to end right here, dad. You ready? Let me tell you what I did.”

“How did you know?” Brennan looked--bemused.

Almost impressed.

Killian reached into his greatcoat pocket and removed a small black box wired to an earpiece.

“Let’s try this one more time, shall we?”

--

“What’s the trick to three-card monte?” Killian asked, advancing on his father. “The red queen’s never even on the table. But it was a nice move, dad, knocking me out. Letting me deduce your plan. I didn’t even need this--” he held up the black box, pulled from his pocket “--to get inside your head. And all the time, you’re playing me. Playing my crew.”

Ursula, Ariel and Whale stood behind him and Will laughed at the screen. Big damn heroes.

“You tried to make me a pawn in your game. You tried to make Liam a pawn in your game. But here’s the thing, dad: you’re only a pawn if you don’t know you’re being played. And I always know. You taught me that.”

“Twenty million is a lot of money, Killian,” Brennan said.

Killian exhaled a laugh through his nostrils. “It’s not about the money. It never was. You’re not working for Jefferson Chepelier. You’re working around him, trying to get the bigger score. Get his merchandise to a better buyer, the kind of buyer who will pay top dollar and let you sail off into the black forever. A buyer like Cora Hart.”

Brennan stilled and Killian smiled.

“My people are going to take down Chepelier and Cora Hart. We have your cargo. What was it you always used to say?” Killian’s mouth contorted as he imitated his father’s voice. “‘You’re too much of a planner, son.’”

Killian leaned forward, his hands resting on his belt.

“The cargo is already on the way to a contact of ours,” he said. “Because if you’d done your planning, father, you’d have known that I have certain understandings in place between my crew and the Federation Council. And Regina Mills. You’ve heard of her, right? Cora Hart’s daughter? She was thrilled to get her hands on this kind of leverage against Cora.”

“What about your brother?”

“What about him? He was never in danger, not from you, and not from Chepelier,” Killian said. “Just another jack being shuffled--a distraction--but he’s safe. Far away from you and now with the protection of a pirate--” Killian bit the word “--and a Federation Councillor. You’re never getting near him again, and any minute now, the Feds are gonna come and--”

“--arrest both of us,” Brennan said.

“What for?” Killian held up his still-cuffed wrist. “I’ve sent the cargo on already and I have an alibi.”

“I’m not going back to Neverland,” Brennan said.

“That’s fine.” KIllian pulled a gun from his jacket pocket. Ariel made a sound like a sad cat, mewl. Whale swore under his breath.

“You can’t do this,” Brennan said, and chuckled. “I could, but you’re your mother’s son.”

Killian cocked the gun at the exact second Ursula said, simply, “Sir?”

And he looked at her.

Looked at Ariel, at Whale.

Looked up into the camera and Will sighed.

“Let him go, Killian,” he heard Emma whisper. “I’ve got your back. We’ve got your back.”

Killian hesitated; his hand shook and Emma wished so desperately she could take it in hers, put her thumb against his wrist and press a gentle, calming circle there.

“Killian,” Emma said, “be a better man than your father.”

--

Brennan Jones stood at the edge of the station along the train tracks but the train had, literally, already left the station.

Emma Swan walked toward him with Nemo keeping stride, Sheriff Nolan walking ahead of them both.

“Brennan Jones,” Nolan drawled, “you are bound by law.”

Brennan’s eyes widened in startled recognition as he looked at Emma and he smiled.

“Am I though?” he laughed. “Am I really? Check your codes again, Sheriff. She’s not a Fed, or whatever she says she is--she’s a thief.”

“Ran it twice,” Nolan said. “She’s clear.”

“Go ahead, Sheriff,” Nemo said. “One more time. We don’t mind. Authorization code one-zero-two-six. Scorpio.”

With a put-upon shrug Nolan swiped across the datapad and held it up. Federation Operative Emma Swan flashed across the screen with a photo and an arrest warrant. Emma enjoyed watching him as it hit him, the blood draining from his face and his tongue darting out to lick his lip. Brennan ran a hand through his hair in a gesture uncannily like Killian.

“Looks like you’ve gotten yourself mixed up in quite the robbery, Mr. Jones,” Sheriff Nolan said. “I’ve got orders here to put you in custody and send you back to--” his eyes widened and he clucked his tongue against his teeth as he shook his head “--Neverland. Well.”

“I didn’t do it,” Brennan said, pointing a finger at Emma. “I’m innocent.”

Emma rolled her eyes dramatically and shared a smirk with the sheriff. “Yeah, yeah,” she said. “Everyone’s innocent in Neverland.”

“Sheriff,” Brennan was pleading. “She’s not who she says she is. She’s a--”

Nemo grabbed his arm and twisted it, making Brennan wince.

“My own son,” Brennan said. “More ruthless than me. Crueler than me.” His eyes hardened and something unpleasant glittered in his irises. “You tell my son,” he muttered. “You tell my him--”

Emma turned away, waving at Nolan to step forward with the cuffs.

“--tell him I’m proud of him.”

Emma turned back. “Enjoy Neverland.”

--

Killian exhaled as he turned the ship’s wheel, piloting the Jolly Roger out of orbit and closer to the surface of Persephone. Emma stood behind him, looking out the cockpit windshield. The sun was setting and it refracted through the atmo.

“Well, that’s a joyful sight,” Killian muttered, looking up at Emma.

“Gotta love a sunset,” she sighed.

“That too,” he said. And winked.

“Almost like coming home,” Emma said, her fingers scratching and lazy at the back of his neck. He shivered.

Home.

She was his home. This was his family.

“We sniff the air,” he reminded her. “We don’t kiss the dirt.”

“Noted, Captain,” she said. “But I wasn’t planning on the dirt-kissing. Sir.”

“I wouldn’t stand for it anyways,” Killian said. He locked the wheel into place and pushed back in his seat, smiling up at her the entire time as lightness rushed through his body. “Jealous man like me.”

“Hey--eyes front, please,” Robin said, walking in and making a face. “Planet’s coming up a mite fast. You’re coming down too quick. Likely gonna crash and kill us all.”

Killian stood up and pulled Emma’s hand into his. His eyes never left hers.

“That happens,” he said to Robin, “let me know.”

--

“Hey,” Emma whispered, pushing the fringe off of Killian’s forehead as he opened one bleary, sleepy eye and stared at her. They were a tangle of limbs and sheets in the berth. “You were some kind of hero today, Jones.”

He nuzzled into her hand and wrapped her more tightly against him. “Mmmmm.”

It was not agreement.

“Trust me, you have a mark in the hero column,” Emma said, bending so her lips brushed against his ear. “Killian?”

“Mmmm?”

“Will you tell me about him, someday?” Killian’s eyes opened, both of them, and he stared at her in surprise. “Your younger brother?”

He stilled and then exhaled, a brush of warmth against her palm. “Aye, love. Someday. But not today, yeah?”

Emma snuggled herself against him, dropping her head to his shoulder. “Someday,” she agreed.

They had all the time in the world.

--30--

@quirkykayleetam​

#cs fic #space pirates #firefly #also leverage #because who doesnt love a con and a heist

[cordonian-literature]

The Aftermath - Ch. 7

Photographs

Summary: Gabe’s having a difficult time at school, and Olivia gets some suspicious information

Word Count: ~3.3k

Warning: Mention of character death

*All characters belong to Pixelberry, except those that are unique to my story (I’ve also used some characters and fictional instances from Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch”)*

Catch up here! 

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- Eleanor - 

Gabe and I go back to school on Monday. It was uneventful, but all of my friends were especially nice to me and my teacher told me that I didn’t have to worry about any of the work I missed. In the middle of math, the school counselor took me out of class and told me I could come and talk to her if there was anything I needed. I told her I was alright and walked back to my seat, feeling the eyes of the entire class on me.

Around noon, it was time for lunch. Grandma had packed our meals the night before. I took my lunch bag and started walking with my class to the cafeteria where we would eat. We passed by the main office, where I saw Gabe, sitting along the wall of the room with his backpack on the seat next to him. I ran up to my teacher and pointed out my brother, asking if I could sit with him for lunch. 

“That’s fine, Eleanor,” she allowed, “but make sure you come back to line up with us when the bell rings.”

I go into the main office, and the secretary smiles at me. I tell her that I was there to have lunch with my brother, and she nods. 

I sit down in the seat next to Gabe. Both of our classes had lunch right now, but it didn’t look like he had eaten. “Aren’t you hungry?” I ask him. 

He shakes his head. 

I take out my sandwich and start eating, glancing at Gabe to see if he would reach for his own lunch. When I was done with my sandwich, I threw out my wrapper in the trash next to the secretary’s desk and opened up Gabe’s backpack to take out his lunchbox. 

Mama and Daddy had bought us our lunchboxes when I started kindergarten. We found one with my name on it, and since we couldn’t find one with Gabe’s name on it, Daddy bought him the Avengers one and Mama later sewed his name on. 

Remembering Mama and Daddy together, when they were both alive and well, made me sad again. I had so far gone the whole day without feeling any hints of tears. Now, standing in the office, with Gabe not talking to me and the reminder that Mama and Daddy were both technically gone, I wanted to cry again. 

I forced myself not to. Instead I placed Gabe’s lunchbox on his lap. I had to show Gabe that everything was alright, and I couldn’t do that if I was crying. 

I start eating the cookies that Grandma packed me. I take out an Oreo and wave one in front of Gabe’s face, hoping that he would take it, but he just shakes his head. 

I put the rest of the cookies back into my bag, feeling weird about being the only person in the room eating — especially since I wasn’t even sure if we were allowed to eat in the main office — and then the secretary turns to me and asks, “Honey, what’s your grandmother’s phone number? I called her workplace and they wouldn’t put me through.”

I give her the number. Gabe continues to stare down at his lap. 

“Hi! Mrs. Brooks?” the secretary cries. “This is Miss Newman, Mr. Henderson’s secretary from Gabriel’s school? Yes I’m just calling to ask if you could pick him up? Oh, no he’s been an absolute angel! It’s just that, he had a nervous breakdown during science and disrupted the class.... Yes, he’s here in the office with me. Oh, you would like to speak to him? Sure!” She motions at Gabe to come over to her and take the phone, but he still hasn’t looked up from his lap. “Gabriel!” Miss Newman violently whispers. 

After a few more moments of her trying to get Gabe on the phone, she begins talking to Grandma again. 

“Gabriel’s not in too good of a mood right now. Principal Henderson asked me to call you. Yes, he spoke with him. No, he won’t be suspended, but we’re asking you to keep him home for a few more days until you’re sure he’s doing better. He’ll be home without consequences, yes. Oh, you’ll pick up Eleanor as well? Great! I’ll have her collect her things.” 

As soon as she hangs up, I nod at her and then walk out of the office, leaving my lunchbox with Gabe. I go to the cafeteria where my teacher is and tell her that I’m being picked up and need to go back into the class to get my things. Another teacher watches the class as I’m led back up to the classroom. I give my thanks to her for opening the door, and then dash back down towards the office.

When we get in Grandma’s car, Gabe’s head still hung low. I wanted to give him a hug, mostly because I wanted one, but I decided against it. 

We don’t talk during the drive, and we don’t talk on the elevator ride up. Once we’re inside our penthouse, Gabe goes towards his room, but Grandma calls him back. 

Gabe shrugs his bag off and falls back onto the couch, staring at his shoes. 

Grandma sighs. “Gabriel, Eleanor. I have something important I need to talk to you about.”

“Is it about what happened at school?” Gabriel mumbles.

Grandma sighs, but doesn’t answer. “Gabe, baby, do you remember where you and I went on Saturday after dropping off Ella for a ballet class?”

He nods. 

“Well, we went over there to get a test taken. To see if that man, Liam, was your father.”

“But...,” I say, frowning. Neither of them had told me where they had went. “Isn’t... Daddy Gabe’s father?”

Grandma ignores me. “The test came back positive, which means that Liam is your dad.”

“Both of our... dad?” Gabe and I look between each other and Grandma. My heart was racing. How could Liam be his father if we didn’t know who Liam was? And what about Daddy? Did suddenly not exist for Grandma?

“No, baby,” Grandma explains. “Your mother was with Liam before she was with Theodore, which means that Liam is your father, Gabe, and that Theodore is Ella’s father.”

“But... but...,” Gabe sits forward, panic and heavy tears in his eyes. “Does that mean... wait... Grandma do I have to go live with him?”

Grandma doesn’t answer, and Gabe starts crying. 

“I don’t wanna do that Grandma, I don’t wanna leave. I don’t wanna leave you and Ella, I don’t wanna leave Mom,” he pleads.

My breathing quickens. I don’t want Gabe to leave us either. If he was going to leave, then I’d have no more siblings to play around with, or tease, or cry with, or laugh with, or talk about my day with, or ask for help, or anything. I couldn’t do those things with Grandma or Mama. I would be alone.

Grandma rushes over to sit in between us and holds Gabe in her arms. “No, baby,” she whispers. “I’m not going to let that happen.” 

She does her best to soothe him. The power of his sobs increases and decreases. When Gabe’s tears subside and the only proof of him having cried were his whimpers, Grandma grabs both of our hands. 

“Come on, let’s go visit Mama.” We nod. “Do you want to know what the doctor told me?” We shake our heads. “She said that showing Mama pictures can help bring her memory back. Do you want to try that?” 

We jump up from our seats and race into Mama and Daddy’s room, where all the family albums were. There are three: one filled with pictures of specifically Gabe and I, another with pictures of Mama and Daddy (which is thinner than the other two), and the last one was filled with pictures of all of us together. 

On Mama’s side of the closet we find an empty beach bag, so we put the albums in there. There were some framed pictures in their room and on the walls, and so we took those, too. There were pictures of me, Gabe, and Mama in Daddy’s office, which we also gently placed in the bag. 

The bag was so heavy that Gabe and I had to carry it together. When we got to the hospital, Liam and his friends weren’t there. I wanted to tell Gabe that maybe it was important to try and look for him and talk to him, but him and Grandma were already ushering me into Mama’s hospital room. 

“Hello, there,” she says to us, smiling. 

“Hi, Mom,” Gabe greets, we put down the bag and stare at her for a couple moments. 

“I hear that you guys have some pictures to show me?” Her tone isn’t motherly or cheerful like it used to be. Instead it’s... friendly... but not really. Like when a stranger in the subway asks for directions, or when the cashier asks if you found everything you needed. She sounded like she was obligated to be nice to us, and didn’t really want to. I wanted to understand her feelings, I really did. I tried to remind myself that Mama didn’t know she was a Mama. 

I just wanted to leave everything be and disappear, to fade from existence the same way that Mama’s memories of us did. 

But if I faded from existence, what would happen to Gabe? If Mama never gets her memories back, then what else would keep him here? He would have to leave Grandma and Mama and go with Liam. He would have to go alone. Just as if he left, I would be alone. 

And I hated being alone or even thinking of it. Mama and Daddy were always close to us, so I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to isolate myself from everyone. Even the word “isolation” made me think of how the police had told Grandma that they found Mama under a pile of rubble. Was Mama able to see before people pulled her out? If they didn’t pull her out, and she stayed there, and we never found her, and her name was never in the news, would she have technically existed? Would she have existed for the doctors and nurses and our family friends who sent her flowers? Would she have existed anymore for Liam and his friends?

Technically, she wouldn’t have. But right here, right now, she existed, Gabe existed, and so did I. We just had to remind her. 

I pull out the album filled with pictures of Gabe and I first, mentally marking us as the top priority. I walk over to one side of her bed and sit next to her. Gabe seems hesitant. He looks disconnected, just as he has the entire day. Now there’s a confusion mixed in with it, and I know it’s because of what Grandma told us about Liam. Gabe’s face represents all of the questions I have. 

Usually when he gets like that, I leave him be so I don’t accidentally make it worse. But this time is different. 

“Come on,” I call to him from Mama’s left side. 

“You can sit here, Gabriel,” Mama pats the right side of her bed, where there’s a space big enough for him to sit. 

My face falls a little when she calls him “Gabriel” instead of the sweet “Gabe”. The memories flash through my head, how Mama never referred to us as “Gabriel and Eleanor,” but always as “Gabe and Ella.” Her affectionate nicknames that caught on became a larger part of our identities than our actual names.  

But, still, it’s a step in the right direction. She’s trying to pull us towards her, which is better than leaving us on the side by ourselves. 

When Gabe sits down, I open the book up to his kindergarten graduation. She smiles and laughs at our stories, and for the first time during the longest, most helpless week of my life, I have hope that everything might just turn out okay.

- Olivia - 

Almost a week after Liam and Drake left for New York, a folder with pictures of them walking around Times Square was smacked down onto Olivia’s desk by her assistant and sidekick, Jacob. 

There were pictures of Liam, Drake, and Maxwell walking down a crowded street and into a store with stuffed animals. Olivia looks up at Jacob and asks, “Where did you get these pictures from?”

“Intercepted them in the capital this morning before they reached the palace.”

“Who in the palace would be trying to get pictures of the king?” Olivia wonders aloud. She suspected Madeleine, that good-for-nothing she-devil who never stopped delving into everyone else’s business with the intent of “making sure no one’s actions could embarrass Cordonia”. 

Liam and Drake hadn’t gotten back to Olivia since they had left to go find Riley. Olivia wanted to give Liam a call, but decided it was best to leave him alone. She already knew that nothing she could say would make him feel better. All of them knew that Riley was the only thing that could lift his mood. 

Olivia forced herself to understand that a long time ago. When Madeleine was no longer the Queen-to-be, Riley was nowhere to be found, and Liam was in need of a wife, Olivia did her best to hint towards them marrying. But Liam, in his state of heartbreak, didn’t notice Olivia, so she consoled herself that he would never be in love with her. It hurt, but pain wasn’t new to Olivia.

What she couldn’t accept was the fact that some commoner came in out of thin air and broke the only man Olivia had ever loved, and left just as she had arrived. Olivia made it her goal that not only would she do everything in her power as Duchess to make her king happy again, but she couldn’t wait to give Riley a piece of her mind as punishment for what she did to Liam. 

Yet as the years went on, the likeliness of them finding Riley began to decrease, and Olivia was almost desperate to get her back. Riley’s punishment be damned, Liam was going to lose himself.

She knew that having to bring back Riley after she had just been in an accident would be a challenge, but at least Liam would be more relaxed. At least there would be hope for a more secure government. 

But six days after she had sent them off to New York, she still hadn’t heard back from them. And seeing these images of them walking around the city without Riley was very concerning. Picking up her phone, she debates whether she should call Liam. Even though it was almost midnight in Lythikos, It would be around six in the evening in America. Would Liam, Drake, and Maxwell still be roaming or would they be with Riley?

She decided that calling Drake would be a bit better, considering that she could seriously use some entertainment. 

The line rings until finally his rugged voice goes, “Hello?”

“Drake. Where are you and Liam?” 

“My day was fine, thank you for asking. I hope you’re having a nice day, too, Olivia.”

She scoffs. “I don’t have time for pleasantries.” She pauses, listening closely to the song that was playing in Drake’s background. “Are you... watching a children’s show?”

“No!” he shouts. “We’re in a candy store. That’s just the... music they put on.”

“Shouldn’t you all be focusing on Riley instead of pleasing Maxwell’s sweet tooth?”

“For your information, we are technically focusing on Riley, and the candy isn’t for Maxwell. How’d you know he was with us, anyway?”

Olivia picks up a picture of Liam, Drake, and Maxwell inside a store with Maxwell holding up a stuffed animal at least two feet taller than him. “Just a hunch. If you’re not in there for Maxwell, then who are you getting candy for? Riley?” 

Drake doesn’t respond. She can hear him sigh, and then he finally says, “We found out that Riley has two kids. The older one is Liam’s.”

Olivia’s jaw goes slack. A moment later she breathes out the words, “Liam didn’t know, did he?” Olivia knew that the last thing Liam would ever be was a negligent or cold father — especially after they discovered what his own father had done to him and Riley. If Liam knew that he had a son, there was no way that he would have allowed such a distance to come between them for so long. But along with pity for Liam, a fire in her chest was lightened as well. How dare Riley keep Liam’s son from him?

“Nope. He didn’t. They took a paternity test to make sure. It came back positive this morning. So that conversation between Gabriel and Liam is going to happen eventually, and we thought it’d be better to surprise him and his sister with gifts. To think of it, Eleanor should be in that conversation, too.” She can tell Drake pulls the phone away from his ear, because his voice sounds distant when he yells, “Maxwell! Get some extra gummy worms for Eleanor!”

There’s a faint, “Got it!” from the other side. 

“Gabriel and Eleanor?” Olivia asks. “Are those the children’s names?”

“Yup.”

“Gabriel is suitable for the name of a prince. A strong name, part of Cordonia’s history as an honorable warrior.... But Eleanor? She isn’t Liam’s, is she?”

“No,” Drake answers. “Her dad’s name is Theodore Blaise. He died in the accident.”

“But Eleanor is also the name of Liam’s mother?”

Drake lowers his voice. “I know, I thought about that, too. That doesn’t seem like something Riley did without thinking. I wish we could ask her, though it’d be useless.” 

“Useless?” Olivia frowns. “Why wouldn’t she be able to tell you? Does she not want to talk to you?”

Drake sighs again. “She lost her memory.” 

“Oh,” Olivia states. She thinks to herself, A clean slate, huh? But she can’t bring herself to explain the sense of dread in her chest. Now what will happen between her and Liam? Will he give up on her? He wouldn’t, though. He’s not like that. He has a son with her. And a step-daughter. “Don’t get Eleanor gummy worms,” she speaks after a silence moment.

“What?” She can imagine the look of confusion on Drake’s face. 

“I said don’t get her gummy worms, get her gummy bears. Worms are sad. Bears are happy. Haven’t you heard that childish gummy bear song?”

“I’m surprised you’ve heard it, Olivia. But I disagree. Worms are for when you’re happy. Bears are for when you’re sad. She just lost her father and is probably still upset, and we’re here to try and make them happy. Cheer them up before a serious conversation, y’know?”

“Is that why you guys were in the toy store?” Olivia picks up the picture that shows the three men walking out of said store with shopping bags in their arms.

“Olivia, are you spying on us?” 

“No,” she states, “though I probably should be since you all aren’t bothering to tell me anything. Anyway, Jacob intercepted some photographs of you three going around stores in Times Square. The pictures were being sent to someone in the palace.” 

“Damnit,” Drake spits. “Who else knows that we’re in New York? Whatever. I’ll let Bastien know. In the meantime I think you should go over to the palace and check everything out. See if anything suspicious is happening.” 

“I’ll leave in the morning,” Olivia declares. “Oh, and Drake?”

“Yeah?”

She sighs. “Let me know if Riley’s condition improves. And tell Liam that I’ve been meaning to talk to him. It’s alright if he can’t, I know he’s got a lot on his plate, but... just....”

“Damn,” Drake comments. “Someone’s going soft. Was it the gummy bear song that did it?” 

Olivia scoffs and ends the call. 

#theroyalromance #kingliam #liam rys #drakewalker #olivia nevrakis #liam x riley #liam x mc #choices fanfic #trr fanfic #trr fandom #trr fanfiction #the royal romance fanfiction

[naturallytom]

Holiday Cheer (Tom Holland x reader)

a/n: spot the christmas movie references (send me an ask if/when you find them😉)!! also i really really love this!! 

warnings: angst, tom’s a dick, mentions of sex, mentions of death, then a heck ton of fluff!! 

prompt: i hate the holidays more than anything in the world and you drive me nuts because you love the holidays more than anything in the world and this is why we aren’t friends (enemies to friends to lovers hello) + “You didn’t think I’d let you spend Christmas alone, did you?” + “It looks like the North Pole threw up.” + frat!boy tom/college au

please please leave feedback & reblog!!

gif not mine!

It was that time of year again. Christmas was approaching which meant lots of joy, love, and laughter for many people, including you. It was your favorite time of the year- the snow falling and littering the ground creating the perfect scenery for shopping for friends and family. 

Your all time favorite thing to do was decorating your apartment and baking Christmas treats. Whether you did it alone or with friends, nothing beat hanging up stockings or putting up the tree and putting the ornaments and lights up. 

Spending the Christmas season in Boston meant lots of public tree lightings to go to as well, all of them filled with cheer, music, and people who were also in the Christmas spirit. 

It also meant finals. That brought on stress, panic, and many many deadlines to meet. Many students didn’t find a lot to be happy about during finals weeks, but not you. You found so much to be happy for, even during the most stressful weeks in college. Finals meant lots of stress, yes, but it also meant the end of the semester and that a break was coming your way soon. Sure, there were many deadlines to meet, but the relief that flooded through you when you were able to cross something else off your list and you felt the weight on your shoulders getting lighter and lighter was one of the best feelings. Break coming up meant more time to spend time with family and friends without worrying about what work you have to do and baking as many Christmas cookies as you wanted, decorating them with red and green frosting topped with sprinkles or candy cane bits. 

Tom Holland, however, was the opposite of you. He was an exchange student from London. He was a pessimistic frat boy who found no joy in anything besides hooking up with girls, using them for sex and then discarding them the next morning. Tom hated Christmas and the Christmas season. No one really knew why, he didn’t tell anyone. It could be that his shoes were too tight. It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right. But you thought the most likely reason was that his heart was two sizes too small. 

Tom didn’t have a lot of close friends. Your friends hung around the frat he belonged to and was “friends” with one of your good friends, Liam so you saw quite a lot of Tom Holland. 

The two of you did not get along. Tom would roll his eyes whenever he saw you around while you would simply try to ignore it and be your usual optimistic self, which made Tom (metaphorically) sick. He couldn’t understand how one person could be so bubbly and happy all the damn time. And you, on the other hand, couldn’t understand how one person could be so pessimistic and full of anger all the damn time. You were pretty sure he hated you. You would say you hated him too but ‘hate’ is a very strong word, so you kept it to a heavy disliking. 

Tom shocked you, he really did. You went to the frat parties with your friends and they were fun, but you couldn’t understand how someone could gain all their happiness from doing this every weekend. Didn’t it get boring? All the drinking and smoking and sex? 

You were busy putting up your final Christmas decorations when you heard a knock at your door. When you answered the door you weren’t surprised to see Liam there with none other than Tom Holland. 

“It looks like the North Pole threw up.” Tom muttered, entering your apartment, his hands in the pockets of his jeans. 

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Thanks, Tom!” You replied through your gritted teeth as you let them in. 

“Wasn’t a fucking compliment.” He mumbled under his breath. 

“Looks nice, y/n! Smells nice too.” Liam complimented, genuinely making you smile. 

“Thanks, Liam. ‘S the fresh balsam candle right over there.” You pointed to the forest green candle on your coffee table, your little tree standing proudly in the corner, the lights shining brightly. 

“Jesus christ is all of this necessary?” Tom asked, his brown eyes scanning the decorations. 

“They’re just decorations, Tom. Don’t see what the big deal is.” You shrugged. 

“Little advice, tone it down. This isn’t good for throwing parties.” He said smugly, making you roll your eyes. 

“Some of us have better things to do that to mindlessly party every weekend, Holland.” You told him, anger flooding through your veins. 

“Just a suggestion, princess.” He winked, Liam rolling his eyes. 

“Well I think they look really nice.” Liam told you. 

“Thanks again, Liam. At least someone thinks so.” You replied. “So what brings you over here?” 

“I knew you’d be putting up the decorations. We wanted to see if you wanted any help.” Liam smiled, making you smile. 

“Thanks, Li. I’m alright, though. You guys are welcome to stay.” You offered, Tom rolling his eyes. 

“Dunno if I could ever deal with this much decorations.” He nearly whispered, making you roll your eyes once again. 

“No one’s begging you to stay, Holland.” 

“Oh so now we’re on a last name basis, are we y/l/n?” 

“Only for you since you don’t know how to keep your fucking mouth shut!” 

“Feisty. Didn’t think you had it in you to say a worse word than ‘heck’ or ‘gosh darn.’” He smirked. 

“Alright alright,” Liam interfered, stepping between you and Tom. “Thank you for the offer, y/n, but I think we’ll have to get going.” 

“‘S fine, Li. See you around, yeah?” You smiled softly, Liam nodding in return. 

“Yeah for sure. I’ll stop by later.” Liam smiled, ushering Tom out the front door. 

-

“What was that about?” Liam asked Tom, who simply shrugged. 

“She’s annoying.” He said casually. 

“She’s my friend.” Liam said. 

“So?” 

“Whatever, man. You don’t have to be such a dick.” 

-

You were sitting at your table later that night, scented candles set up around you with piano Christmas tracks playing softly as you went through your notes and organized them in preparation for the final next week. 

You were interrupted by a knock on the door, confusion taking over your features as you went to answer the door. 

“Tom?” You asked, shocked to see the British brunette leaning against your doorway. “You live on this floor?”

“Right next door, princess.” He smirked, a curl falling onto his forehead. “Anyway your music is annoying as fuck. Turn it down for me?” 

“Well not when you ask like that.” You replied, crossing your arms. “Gotta ask nicely. And it’s not even that loud!” 

“Fuckin’ hell,” Tom groaned. “You and your ‘gotta ask nicely shit’ can’t you just turn down your annoying music? ‘M trying to study for finals.”

“You? Studying for finals? Didn’t know that was a thing that occurred. Anyway, finals aren’t for a couple weeks.” You feigned shock while Tom rolled his eyes. 

“Will you please turn your music down?” He sighed, making you smile softly. 

“I’ll consider it.” 

-

It was Friday night. All you wanted was to watch a nice Christmas movie with a cup of hot chocolate but Tom had other plans. The sound of your movie was being drowned out by the moans and grunts of Tom and whatever girl he brought home as well as the bed creaking and hitting the wall. 

You groaned and rolled your eyes, waiting for the sounds to die down before you went over there. It took a lot to piss you off and somehow Tom knew how to do just that. 

Knocking on his door harshly, you were taken back when you were greeted by a shirtless Tom answering the door. 

“Well hi there princess. Gotta be honest ‘m surprised to see you out and about this late.” He greeted sarcastically. 

“You know the funniest thing happened. I was trying to watch Home Alone and I couldn’t hear anything because all I could hear was some girl getting fucked obnoxiously into next week and the bed slamming against the wall.” You said, watching the smug look on his face take over. “I think that’s much more annoying than some piano tracks.” 

“Well sorry princess,” Tom started. “Girls are always so loud when they’re in bed with me. I’m that good. Want me to prove it to you?” 

“First of all, that’s disgusting.” You gagged, Tom rolling his eyes at your theatrics. “Second of all, just keep it down. Some of us are trying to sleep and actually study for finals.” 

Tom shrugged. “Just gotta drown out that Christmas shit, princess.” 

“Why do you hate Christmas so much anyway?” You asked, genuinely interested in his response, seeing his demeanor shift. 

“None of your fucking business.” 

-

Finals were next week. You were having a small holiday party with a couple friends to chill before you all had to face final exams and papers and you invited Tom for the sake of being nice. 

Tom wasn't sure why he showed up. Maybe it was because deep down he was lonely and knew meaningless sex wouldn’t fill the void that needed to be filled. Maybe it was because he knew he would be drinking his pain away by himself on Christmas like he did every year and wanted some company this time.  

Tom told you he showed up for the free booze. You sighed, letting Tom in. As much as you thought the free booze reasoning was bullshit, you couldn’t find it in you to turn him away

Tom didn’t know anyone at the party. You were talking with all the guests gathered in the kitchen and offering drinks and light snacks to them. Tom took the opportunity to grab a beer and head to the living room to be by himself.

He sat on the couch, sipping on his beer while Christmas songs played throughout the apartment. Taking out his phone, he was greeted with a lack of notifications, rather he was staring at a picture of Tessa.

“Cute dog.” You commented, taking a seat next to him.

Tom considered replying with something sarcastic, but decided against doing so.

“Thanks.” He mumbled, taking another sip.

“So why’d you show up?” You asked, earning a shrug from Tom.

“Free booze.”

“Bullshit.”

“What?” He glanced at you, his brown eyes widened.

“You have plenty of booze at your apartment. You don’t need me to supply you.” You pointed out. 

“How do you know what I have my apartment, princess?” He smirked.

“You really want me to believe you don’t have booze at your place?” 

“Fair.” Tom smiled smugly. “I don’t know why I showed up. Why’d you invite me?”

“Don’t know.” You shrugged. “Guess I didn’t want you to feel left out.”

“That’s really nice.” Tom told you honestly. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” You smiled. “Can I ask you something?”

“You just did.”

“Why do you hate Christmas?” You asked, taking Tom by surprise.

“Why do you care?” He grumbled, playing with his beer bottle.

“Well Christmas brings me so much joy-” 

“-Everything brings you joy.” 

“So anyway Christmas brings me so much joy, it just makes me sad to know that it makes you sad. Or angry.” You told him gently. “You don’t have to answer if you really don’t want to.” 

“I haven’t really, uh, talked about this.” Tom muttered, placing his beer bottle on the table and dropping his head to his hands. 

“That’s okay, Tom. You don’t have to tell me.” You soothed, hesitantly placing a hand on his shoulder. 

Tom didn’t know what it was but something about you made him feel like he could open up.  You made him feel safe. 

“A few years ago, right before I came here, my girlfriend at the time was killed in a car accident right around Christmas.” He spoke softly, his voice cracking. “We had just gotten into a fight and she was leaving my house. Someone ran a red light and crashed into her. Paramedics say she was killed instantly.”

“Oh Tom I’m so sorry.” You frowned, rubbing his shoulder softly. “I can’t even imagine what that must’ve been like.” 

“I kinda uh, spiraled and used alcohol to solve my problems, lashed out against my family.” He nearly whispered. “Haven’t been back since.” 

“Do you talk to them?” You asked softly.

“Only my brothers.” He responded. “They usually call me on Christmas for virtual company.” 

“You’re alone on Christmas?” You gasped as he nodded. “Will..will you be alone this year?”

“Probably.” He replied, shrugging. “‘S fine, I’ll be fine.” 

“Tom that’s so sad, though! Don’t you have any friend’s houses you could to?” 

“All my close friends are back home in London.” He shrugged. “Seriously, y/n, I’m fine.”

“I think you could use a friend.” You smiled, Tom rolling his eyes, though he smiled. 

“Why would you wanna be my friend? I’ve been a dick to you.” He chuckled, though he was serious. 

“That’s true.” You smiled. “But to be fair, I’ve been trying to be a friend to you, now I’m just declaring it official.”

“You were trying to be a friend to me?” Tom asked, feeling guilt wash over him. 

“Yeah.” You nodded, frowning slightly. “Jus’ thought you hated me.” 

“I’m really sorry, y/n. I don’t hate you.” Tom said softly. 

“You don’t?” 

Tom shook his head. “Christmas time just makes me so sad and angry. I keep up the act year round ‘cause it’s easy.” 

“Protecting your heart?” You asked, Tom nodding. “Well, think of it this way. You could have a pair of rollerblades that are really nice that you’re afraid to wreck. So you keep them locked away and you don’t use them for a few years. Then one day you want to use them, but they’re too small now because you outgrew this.” 

“‘M sort of confused as to how this relates to me trying to protect my heart.” 

“If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like the rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose.” You told him. 

“I guess that kind of makes sense. Thanks, y/n.” He smiled. 

“No problem, friend.” 

-

You helped Tom study for finals, making his study guides colorful and organized and quizzing him with flashcards. 

He even let you put up some Christmas lights in his apartment. 

Finals came and went and soon it was time for students to go home for the holidays or at least for break if they didn’t celebrate Christmas. 

You were done packing up to head to your family’s house for the holiday when you remembered you had one last thing to do before you left. 

Knocking on Tom’s door, you smiled and showed him the two digital train tickets on your phone. 

“You didn’t think I’d let you spend Christmas alone, did you?” You asked, shock and confusion coming over Tom’s face. 

“You want me to spend Christmas with you?” He asked. 

“Yup. My family said it’s fine and I’m only going there for a few days. And so are you because I don’t want you being alone on Christmas.” You told him. 

“What should I pack?”

-

“Tom, Tom, hey! Wake up!” You whispered, shaking him awake. It was Christmas morning and you only had one bed for you and Tom so you had to share with him. Not that you minded, he was a good cuddler. 

“Hm what?” He mumbled. 

“It’s Christmas!” You whispered excitedly, making him smile. 

“Is it now?” He mumbled, a smile on his lips. 

“Come onnn, I have a present for you!” 

Tom opened his eyes, smiling when he saw you sitting up and smiling. 

“You didn’t have to get me anything.” He told you, making you shake your head. 

“Just open it.” You instructed, handing him the small gift bag. 

He reached in, pulling out the London ornament. 

“Do you like it?” You asked shyly. 

“I love it. Thank you so much, y/n.” He replied, admiring the London sites on the ornament. 

“Come on, let’s go downstairs.” 

Once downstairs, you watched as your siblings opened their presents. You and Tom sat on the couch, neither of you noticing the way Tom’s arm almost instinctively went around your shoulders. Or the way you leaned into his touch, resting your head on his shoulder. 

When everyone was done opening presents and your family was distracted, Tom got up and held his hand out for you to take, telling you he had something for you. 

You followed him to the dining room, where you saw a gift bag, Tom softly instructing you to open it. 

Inside you found a few scented candles, along with DVDs of your favorite Christmas movies, and an ornament in the shape of a pair of rollerblades. 

“Tom this is, this is so much.” You whispered, tears in your eyes. 

“Felt like this was the least I could do after all you’ve done for me.” He said softly. “And uh, I hope you like the rollerblade ornament.” 

“I love it, Tom.” 

“You know, someone I know once told me to uh, give using my heart again a chance.” He muttered, feeling his heart pound in his chest. 

“Think I know who you’re talking about.” You smiled, feeling butterflies in your stomach as he came closer. “Any particular reason you’re bringing this up?” 

“I think I figured out who I can let in.” He whispered. 

“Yeah? Who’s that?” You asked as he took one step closer. 

“You.” He mumbled, pressing his lips to yours softly. 

You wrapped your hands around his neck, pulling yourself closer to him while his hands rested against your waist softly. 

“Must be one special girl.” You whispered against his lips when you pulled away, making him smile and chuckle as his hands wrapped around your waist, keeping you close to him. 

“Yeah. She’s pretty special to me.” 

#tom holland #tom holland x reader #tom holland x you #tom holland imagine #tom holland x fem!reader #tom holland x female!reader #tom holland fanfiction #tom holland fanfic #tom holland fic #tom holland fluff #tom holland angst

[larryfanficwriter98]

Chapter Thirteen

-The missing/wrong lyrics are on purpose-

-Warnings: Heavy oral smut ahead-

Louis woke up the next day to a loud alarm ringing in his ear. He groaned rolling over to grab his phone and turned it off.

"What was that?"

"My alarm. I have work in two hours." Louis mumbled rubbing his face with his hand

"Want me to make you breakfast while you shower?"

"No baby you rest." Louis said

"I'll make breakfast." Harry said wrapping his arms around Louis' waist, "you can wear my clothes, you always look so good in them."

"You only say that because you like me wearing your clothes." Louis said grinning

"Not my fault you look so good in them. Go shower, I know how you like your morning showers."

"You okay?" Louis asked instead of getting up

"Emotionally exhausted." Harry said snuggling his face into Louis' neck, "are you coming back after work?"

"I can. Do you want me to?"

"Of course. I always want you here."

"Okay. Well before I come back the lads and I have plans to talk about living plans."

"Why?" Harry asked

"Our yearly lease is over in May and with Zayn and Liam getting married they already told us they want to live on their own. Niall and I can afford the place just fine without them, but it's a bit big for only us two lads plus Niall mentioned moving to a flat a few times. We just need to sit down and talk and make plans. I'm fine either way. If we all move out I'll need to start looking though obviously."

"You can move in with me." Harry said Louis looked at him and Harry grinned

"What? Harry, we've only been together for five months."

"So? We'll be together eight months by May and that's a good time to move in together. At least just think about it and if Niall can't find a place in time he can stay here as well. I have the room. You guys don't need to worry about finding a place in two months especially with the wedding coming up. They have enough to worry about. Just mention it today."

"I'll tell them and we will talk about moving in together when it gets closer to the time. For now, I need to get showered and dressed." Louis said pressing a kiss to Harry's forehead before he climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

Harry climbed out of the bed and got dressed then went to a guest bathroom to brush his teeth and have his morning wee. He then headed downstairs and started a simple breakfast of pancakes and sausage. When Louis got out of the bathroom and picked some pants and one of Harry's sweaters from the closet. After finishing his morning routine he headed to the bedroom and noticed Harry's phone on the bedside table going off so he grabbed it along with his phone, wallet, and keys then headed downstairs.

"Hey, baby your phone was going off." Louis said entering the kitchen sliding the phone to Harry who was placing three pancakes and two sausage links on a plate.

"Oh, who was it?"

"I didn't check." Louis said shrugging as he took the plate, "Thanks, baby." Louis stood at the island and grabbed the syrup pouring it on his pancakes as Harry stood beside him.

"So why exactly did they want bad PR?" Louis asked as he stood outside holding Harry's hand in his right hand and a cigarette in his left hand.

"Nobody cares when you're boring." Harry said with a shrug.

He was inside leaning against the wall so he was able to hold Louis' hand not wanting to let go just yet. Also, Louis smoking was hot to him even though he never cared for smokers. At first, he had been afraid seeing Louis smoke would be gross and a complete turn-off, but it has in fact made him breathless the first time he saw it in Florida in his back patio. Louis had been with Liam and Zayn, all three of them smoking after breakfast as they talked and laughing about something while he and Niall had watched them and played the guitar together. Since then Harry always joined them outside just to watch Louis, the only smoker who didn't make Harry want to puke.

"Is that so?" Louis asked snorting

"That's what they believe. I'm always in some type of tabloid." Harry said rolling his eyes, "besides they think you're too...mature for my audience."

"Ah, so it's me not being Disney approved." Louis said grinning as he looked at Harry

"Say it how you want. They were going to find something somehow and you just made it easy for them." Harry said watching Louis nod as he took a drag from the cigarette. The smoke leaving his lips a few seconds later, "but it doesn't matter because I wouldn't have you any other way."

"Well, that's good." Louis said looking at Harry, "I have to get going though." Louis said putting the butt out on the bottom of his shoe like usual then turned to Harry.

"Okay. I'll see you later today, don't forget to mention what I offered to the lads earlier." Harry said pulling Louis to him so he could kiss him against his lips that smelled and taste like cigarettes. Which definitely should have been a complete turn-off and make him want to puke everywhere, but since it was Louis it made him want more.

He splayed his hand across Louis' lower back and leaned further in to deepen the kiss which Louis immediately returned. Louis' hands slid up his torso to his hair where they immediately tangled in the long curly strands. Harry stepped back a few steps pulling Louis inside before he was pushing him gently against the wall where his hand slid around his waist and the other one slid down to his thigh lifting him up easily. Louis wrapped his legs around Harry's waist and tighten his hold in his hair as he held back a moan as he felt Harry press him against the wall and felt him pressed his body against his as their to gues danced calmly against each other.

"Harry I really have to go to work." Louis said pulling away

"Just call off."

"I can't. Put me down." Harry whined but did as told setting Louis down on his feet, "I love you. I'll text you when I can."

"I love you too." Harry said cupping his face to kiss him, "drive safe, have fun, if you need anything call me. If it's late probably just do pizza or take out tonight." Harry said

"That's fine. I'll pick up a pizza on the way here. Text me your toppings. Bye." One last kiss before Louis was out the door and getting in his car putting the cigarette butt in his car ashtray before he started the car. He waved at Harry before backing out and leaving to head to the Daycare.

《》《》《》《》《》《》《》

Weeks passed and at first, Louis had thought Harry wasn't as affected by the millions of tabloids, but Louis figured out that wasn't true. Harry stayed inside most days, only leaving when absolutely necessary and he didn't want to do anything that would bring attention to him. Harry stayed home and cooked and waited for Louis to come over. Louis was getting hay fever as he had decline pub night three times already and it was starting to irritate him. Louis got off early and came straight to Harry's house and headed upstairs to Harry's room to drop his weekend bag off before he looked for Harry. He pushed the door open gently and frowned when he saw Harry lying in bed. He walked over and saw Harry's MacBook was opened to Twitter and he didn’t have to read more than two tweets to know Harry had been secretly reading hateful tweets about him canceling the tour and not addressing it. Louis grabbed the MacBook and closed the app then saw the webpage opened to tabloids about him. He shook his head as he closed the MacBook then stepped outside to the patio connected to Harry's room. He sat down and pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. After his cigarette, he went inside and laid behind Harry spooning him from behind. Harry was always the big spoon when they cuddled so Louis had to wait for Harry to fall asleep to be the big spoon. Louis shifted until he was comfortable closing his eyes as he traced threw butterfly on Harry's covered stomach.

"You only get half of the story

The cash, and the cars, and the glory

Cause nobody cares when you're boring

He's just like you

Even though his problems

Look nothing like yours do

He gets sad too

And when he's down he needs

Somebody to talk to

He feels the same as you do

Same stress, same shit to go through

He's just like you

If you only knew."

Louis sang softly before he kissed the back of Harry's neck, he knew Harry was awake, woke up when Louis started tracing his stomach. But if Harry didn't want to talk them Louis wouldn't make him.

"You say to me your jeans don't fit

You don't feel pretty and it’s hard to miss

I wish that you could see my point of view

As someone staring back at you

On Friday night when we're all out

I turn to you and you're looking down

And you don't wanna dance,

I know you love to dance

You would never stop given half the chance

Just keep your head up, Love

Don't hide away, don't ever change

Keep your head up, Love

Don't look away

Cause everybody's looking at you now

My, oh, my

I guess some queens don't need a crown

And I know why

Even when your tears are falling down

Still somehow

You're perfect now."

Louis grinned as Harry rolled over onto his back and looked at Louis with tear-filled eyes and a soft smile. Louis pushed some hair away from Harry's face as his hand held his head up.

"You never do, but if you asked me to

I'd tell the truth lying next to you

Cause you're the only one

When its said and done

That makes me feel like being someone

Good to you, even at your worst

You steal the scene and it's unrehearsed

Don't you wanna dance, just a little dance

I would never stop given half the chance

Just keep your head up, Love

Don't hide away, don't ever change

Keep your head up, Love

Don't look away

Cause everybody's looking at you now

My, oh, my

I guess some queens don't need a crown

And I know why

Even when your tears are falling down

Still somehow

You're perfect now

Every insecurity like a neon sign

As bright as day

If you knew what you were to me

You would never try to hide away

Cause everybody's looking at you now

My, oh, my

I guess some queens don't need a crown

And I know why

Even when your tears are falling down

Still somehow

You're perfect now."

Louis made to wipe away every tear that escaped Harry's eyes as he sang soft and gentle. When Louis couldn't think of anything else to add he leaned down and kissed Harry softly on the lips surprised when Harry held him there slipping his tongue into his mouth. He was even more surprised when Harry rolled them over so he was on top of Louis between his parted legs.

It wasn't their first time in this position by any means, Harry and Louis have rubbed off on one another like teenagers more than enough times to be familiar with this position. Harry has even ventured to palming him over his pants as they snogged heavily. However, whenever Louis would try to return the groping Harry's body language would change immediately.

So Louis just pretended his path was just to his ass or thigh since those were safe areas. Harry never wanted Louis to go anywhere near his cock to put it simply. Louis didn't understand why, but he respected it of course, and would wait for Harry to be more comfortable around him. Louis groaned when Harry rolled his hips down perfectly against his, he could feel Harry's fingers under his shirt on his stomach where Harry loved to grab his stomach pouch.

At first, Louis absolutely hated it, but then Harry spent an hour putting love marks all over his stomach when Louis was napping. Since Louis came to love feeling Harry's large hand grab his stomach, his nails sending a jolt of pleasurable pain through his body. His stomach always had possessive bruises in the shape of Harry's fingers now

Louis helped Harry take his shirt off then he went about removing Harry's shirt quickly groaning when his hands were able to run along his bare torso. Louis so lost in Harry that he was taken by surprise when he felt Harry's large hand slide from his stomach to where his button and zipper were.

"Harry-"

"Please. I just..I want to." Harry said pulling just far enough away to look him in the eyes. He nodded before he pulled Harry down to kiss him again.

Harry's hand was already working on the button and zipper before he grabbing and pulling down with breaking the snog. He pulled as far down as their bodies let them without pulling away then he put his foot on them and pushed them down with his feet and Louis' help. His hands trailed up his leg feeling his thighs and squeezing them before they went on his hips feeling them as their tongues tangled with the others. Harry's hand kept trailing from his stomach to his hips to his thighs then back up.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked suddenly pulling away go look at Louis with worry evident in his eyes. Louis smiled softly, nodding as his hand cupped Harry's cheek.

"I'm fine. Are you okay?" Louis asked

"Yeah. I'm fine." Harry said smiling softly then they kissed soft and slow as Harry's hand rubbed his stomach. "I adore this part of you. It's just so lovely."

"My little pooch?" Louis asked with a laugh

"Your pooch is adorable. I love it." Before Louis could tell him he was a dork Harry's mouth was suddenly on his neck making Louis groan.

He moved his head back to give Harry more room as he mouthed his neck finding Louis' most sensitive spot pretty fast. Louis' fingers tightened in Harry's hair and his breath got caught in his throat as Harry started to focus there with tongue and teeth. Louis whined, his hand tightening in his hair and his nails digging into Harry's back as Harry's sucked and bit him suddenly. He barely registered when his large hand finally grabbed his cock and started to slowly pump him with his large hand, his wrist twisting at the head expertly.

"Fuck Harry." Louis said breathlessly then Harry moved down to his nipple and Louis groaned as he mouthed at them and teased them. His free hand made sure to focus on the one his mouth wasn't paying attention to while his other hand didn't stop jerking him off using the precum as lube. Then right when Louis wasn't paying attention anymore he suddenly felt a wet tongue lick from his balls then up the underside of his cock to his head. Louis threw his head back as his hips thrust up at the unexpected feeling.

"Harry you don't have to do this baby. Just come back up here and- fuck." Louis groaned when Harry's lips wrapped around Louis’s head and his tongue licked and danced over his slit. Harry then went took Louis as far down as he could before Louis was just shy of hitting the back of his throat. Harry moaned around his cock sending vibrations through Louis making him groan as he spread his legs wider to accommodate Harry's broad shoulders. Louis' fingers gathered Harry's hair in a fist to keep it from falling into Harry's face.

"Fuck..Harry." Louis groaned as he watched Harry's head bob up and down, Harry's groaned and opened his eyes looking up at Louis with big green eyes. "You're so beautiful. So fucking gorgeous." Louis told him brushing his thumb over Harry's cheek watching as Harry's eyes closed in pleasure. Harry sucked hard sending a shock through Louis.

"Harry. Harry darling you have to pull off. Like right now. I'm- fucking hell Harry I'm going to cum." Louis said groaning as he felt Harry suck harder and faster, "Harry please I don't want to hurt you or make you- fuck." Louis gasped then cursed throwing his head back as Harry very gently and carefully let his teeth brush against the underside of his cock where a vein was. Louis came undone after a few more seconds and he watched as Harry groaned swallowing it as his hand jerked Louis off through the orgasm. Harry puked off slowly making sure to clean Louis as he did then he kissed Louis' hip. Louis pulled Harry up then leaned in to kiss him, but Harry pulled away blocking his mouth with his hand.

"You can't kiss me I just gave you a blowjob and swallowed." Harry said

"Yeah? And?" Louis said, "I'm trying to kiss you so come over here and let me." Harry hesitated but then leaned over and pressed a chaste closed mouth kiss to Louis’s lips, "what the hell was that? Get over here so I can shove my tongue into your mouth Styles."

"You can't I just-" Louis growled then grabbed Harry's wrist and rolled them over pinning Harry's arms to the bed just before he shoved his tongue into Harry's mouth groaning when he was able to taste himself on Harry's tongue. Harry hesitated but then slowly started to kiss him back enthusiastically. "Thatta boy." Louis said grinning before he sucked on Harry's tongue.

Louis let his hand travel down to Harry's nipple where he pinched and teased him mercilessly hearing his soft gasps and groans. After successfully distracting him Louis let his hand slowly travel down to Harry's jeans. He grabbed Harry's thigh and pulled it apart then slid it up feeling Harry's body tense underneath his when his thumb got to the highest part of his thigh an inch away from his crotch area. Louis pulled away and looked at him, studied him for a few seconds.

"Why don't you want me to touch you Haz? It’s not that you're uncomfortable, if you were your body would react differently. You're nervous why? You don't let me touch you or even see you hard with clothes on. Is there...Harry, I love you, all of you. What are you nervous about?" Louis asked rubbing Harry's thighs keeping his eyes on Harry's face instead of his body knowing Harry didn't want him to see him hard.

"It's just... I only took my clothes off once upfront of one person and..." Harry shifted then sat up crossing his legs

"Harry if it's a um..a size problem, you don't have to be embarrassed or afraid. I love you. I don't care about size no matter what. Let me pleasure you." Louis pleaded, Harry's face turned red and he looked away telling Louis it was a size problem, but then he nodded hesitantly. Louis grinned and made sure to give himself a lecture about poker faces and inappropriate giggles or smiles as he undid Harry's pants.

There was a smaller bulge, one barely noticeable, but Louis didn't mention it. He looked at Harry who nodded chewing his lips. Louis made sure to lean up and kissed him feeling Harry relax as much as possible. He then climbed off the bed and made sure to pull the jeans off first then he kissed Harry again as he pulled the tight briefs down as far as he could before he helped Harry kick them off with his feet.

Louis ignored it and instead let his hands travel all over his body them slowly he let his hand travel down his chest to where the Butterfly tattoo was. He traced it gently then only moved an inch or two below it before his fingers touched the wet head of a cock. A cock that was most definitely not small nor micro nor on the smaller side of average. He groaned as his fingers wrapped around the head feeling and hearing Harry gasped against his lips.

Louis gathered as much precum as he could before he trailed his wet hand down Harry's very long length. He wasn't able to help the groan that escaped his lips as he started to jerk Harry off. Harry who made Louis believe he'd be small only to pop out at least 8 inches of cock. Louis pulled away from Harry's mouth breathing heavily as Harry panted underneath him.

Louis leaned down and attached himself to Harry's neck biting, sucking, and licking everywhere he was able to teach before he moved onto his nipples. Harry was so responsive and easy to please, hypersensitive almost. Louis looked down as he sucked on a nipple and stared at the long and thick member gliding wetly in his hand. Not able to control himself Louis slid down and licked Harry from root to tip where he wrapped his lips around his head and licked it wetly.

"L-Lou you don't have to...I know it's um...too big to-"

"Remind me to kill your ex-boyfriend later." Louis told him before he sank down until his nose was buried in Harry's smooth pubic area. Harry cursed loudly moaning as he threw his head back and grabbed Louis’s hair tightly in his large hand.

"Fuck. Louis- Lou- what-" Louis groaned as he pulled up and off gasping before doing it all over again.

His eyes closed in pleasure as he felt Harry twitching in his throat. He pulled off and gasped, he could feel himself getting hard again before he went all the way down and started bobbing and sucking as if his life depended on it. He never thought he had a size kink, just figured he liked a good stretch every now and again, but fuck him he was wrong. Louis was moaning as much as Harry was whenever the cock slid down his throat.

"Louis...Louis..Lou- fuck oh fuck. Louis, I'm- I'm so close baby I'm not- fuck." Louis bobbed and sucked as fast and best he could until he felt Harry's cum suddenly shoot into his mouth.

He groaned using two hands to jerk Harry through it as he swallowed every little drop that came across his tongue. Pulling off only able to get a gasp of air before Harry was shoving his tongue into Louis' mouth and his large hand wrapped around Louis' cock jerking him off quickly. Louis groaned coming onto the black butterfly he loved so much as he and Harry panted in each other's mouths. Louis didn't even care when he collapsed on top of Harry with the pool of cum on his body. They shared breathless "I love you"s as they panted which slowly drifted off to a well-deserved deep sleep.

#New Chapter #Larry Stylinson #larry fanfiction #larry stylinson fanfiction #larry fic #larry smut #Wattpad #archive of our own #larry is real

[horansqueen]

You & Me : chapter 12

A Niall Horan fanfiction ; rated MA

Sequel to AM CONVERSATIONS

CHAPTER 1 || CHAPTER 2 || CHAPTER 3 || CHAPTER 4 || CHAPTER 5 || CHAPTER 6 || CHAPTER 7 || CHAPTER 8 || CHAPTER 9 || CHAPTER 10 || CHAPTER 11

NOTES:

-one chapter is her pov, the next is his. -4.9k -im sorry, i never proofread, i hate it. -there WILL be smut. but not only smut. -this is a romance, comedy, smut story. -for the summary, check my MASTERLIST.

- notes: i hope it sorta hit a bit? does it sting? it had to happen sorry! i cant wait to write the next chapter 😭

if you want to be on the list of blogs i notify when this is updated, just message me :)

requests! : i didnt add the “never have i ever” suggestions that i used but THANK YOU if you sent some, i used a few! also, i had other requests and ideas from people and i may use them a bit later, in a future chapter. actually i know when ill use them lol youll see :)

Chapter 12 : Her chapter

OLIVIA

"Shit, I don't know what to wear!" I exclaimed to myself as i put clothes in front of me, standing next to to mirror. "Horrible."

I threw the shirt away, aiming for the bed but it fell next to it and I didn't even send it a glance as I took an other one.placing it on my chest and tilting my head at my reflection. I glanced up when I saw Louis walk by and stop immediately, holding himself on the door frame with a smirk.

"Put a skirt on." he let out, making me raise my eyebrows. "It'll be easier for him to fuck you against the wall."

My eyes got smaller and I reached out for my tissue box before throwing it his way. He moved right on time and it hit the wall in a thug, making him laugh.

"Don't be so violent!" he smirked, walking in my room and leaning on the wall. "I'm just saying out loud what you think about late at night, if you know what I mean."

I turned to him, opening my eyes wide and shaking my head. I couldn't believe Louis was talking about me masturbating to the thought of my ex boyfriend like it was nothing.

"Oh my god, shut up!" I let out with a chuckle. "You're so annoying!"

"Look, I woke up and he was getting out of your room." Louis pointed out. "He spent the night with you. In your bed. Wearing nothing but BOXERS!"

"We just slept." I argued with a shrug, trying not to show him that the thought of Niall almost naked in bed with me was actually doing something to me. "I was sick, remember?"

"Yea, you were 'sick'" he repeated, pronouncing the last word louder and adding fake quotation marks with his fingers.

"I was! A few of your sushis weren't good, Lou." I explained, throwing an other shirt away and grabbing a new pair of jeans. "You know it's true, I heard you vomit in the middle of the night, too."

"That's not the point." he explained, getting suddenly a lot more serious than he normally is. "Olivia, you should break up with Dylan." I stopped dead in my track and even stopped breathing. My heart, though, was beating extremely hard against my rib cage and it's all I could hear. "Did you even think about him recently? He's not here and you don't even seem to miss him, especially not when Niall is around."

I did think about Dylan, though, but I didn't talk about my thoughts, mostly because I felt fucking guilty about almost everything that came to my mind. I felt like shit towards my boyfriend but I didn't have the guts to tell him that I was getting closer and closer to Niall. I didn't know how to tell him that spending time with Niall had been some sort of relief in my life, that being able to be around Niall again was making me generally happier, that when I was near him, I felt more alive. There was no good way to tell that to the man you were about to marry, not without hurting him.

"I love Dylan and I miss him, you know that damn well, Louis." I argued, feeling tears coming to my eyes. "But Niall is... Niall is Niall. Niall is the love of my life."

Louis uncrossed his arms and walked closer as I closed my eyes. I didn't want to look at him. I didn't want to face reality at all. I wanted to spend time with Niall and pretend I would be able to resist him the next time he'd try to kiss me. I wanted to pretend that I was going totally okay with watching Niall and Heidi get married and have kids at some point in the future while i'd do the same with Dylan. I wanted to believe I didn't have to break an incredible man’s heart because of my own disgusting selfishness... that everything was fine and that what was happening between Niall and I was perfectly normal.

"I know he is." Louis said gently, placing his hands on my upper arms from behind. "I see you two interact and it's so obvious, Olivia. The way you two connect it's... it's probably terrifying for Dylan and Heidi, you know?"

I opened my eyes and sniffed before swallowing the lump in my throat. I was not going to cry. There was no fucking way I was going to cry now and ruin my make up. We didn't connect, and we wouldn't connect on that night, I was going to make sure of it.

"Don't worry, I'll be okay. I'll prove to you and everyone else that Niall and I are only friends, you'll see."

I was mostly trying to convince myself of that but I just reached out to my wardrobe and grabbed a skirt, like Louis had proposed. I was going to have fun tonight and nothing else.

"Liv, don't be like that."

I turned to Louis and shook my head slightly.

"I'm not losing Dylan, okay? I can't. Do you know what are the chances for me to find an other man like him? Kind, sweet, smart, funny and who truly loves me? I've risked my relationship enough, don't you think?"

"So last night, when Niall joined you in your bed, you didn't feel anything?" he asked a bit harshly, raising his eyebrows at me. "I saw him take care of you when you were puking your guts out, you know?"

"You don't base a romantic relationship on lust, Louis. You should know that." I shook my head, searching my drawers for a shirt. "Niall always took care of me, since we were kids. It's nothing new. And it means nothing."

Louis stayed there, motionless and quiet as I picked my clothes and when he realized I wouldn't look at him again, he sighed.

"We're leaving in 10 minutes." he turned around and walked to the door as I swallowed my tears again. "And Liv? I love you. I want what's best for you. My opinion is just that, an opinion but... I don't think you'll ever be happy if you're not with Niall. I don't think he'll ever be happy without you either."

                                                       ---

The bar was crowded but we reached a quiet spot on the second floor, in the back of the room. Everyone was arrived and I couldn't stop glancing at Niall, who ended up sitting next to me. Now that he was close, all the bullshit I had told Louis earlier didn't seem so important anymore. Nothing ever seemed more important than Niall, and it was a problem.

Louis came back with a pitcher and sat on the other side of me with Eleanor while Harry, Liam and Julie sat on the other side of the table. I didn't know where Harry's girlfriend was, or if he even was with her anymore. We had told each other we would remain friends but things change and we drifted apart. I sighed low, a bit nostalgic of that friendship before we all started drinking. I was getting drunk and from the way Niall's eyes sparkled, I felt like he was getting there, too. Or maybe it was just that I was so drunk I was starting to imagine things.

I could feel the skin of his arm brush against mine and I cleared my throat, trying to stop thinking about it before turning around to send him a smile.

"So where's your girlfriend?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"Oh she'll be here soon."

I didn't expect this answer and raised my eyebrows as my lips parted. I didn't want to see her, and it was not only because we didn't get along. Most of all, I didn't want to see her all over Niall the way she had been when they invited us for dinner. Why was I so ready to prove everyone that I was able to resist my ex boyfriend but as soon as he was near, I couldn't handle myself?

"Okay, let's play a game!" Liam said, tapping the table a few times with his palm. "Truth or Dare?"

"No no, 'never have I ever'!" Louis argued, making me raise my nose up in a grimace.

These games never ended well, at least most of the time, except that one time where I decided to just kiss Harry, but a few minutes later, Niall had kissed a girl too and that was not a good ending, at least not to me.

"Okay, I found questions online!" Eleanor let out with a chuckle. "If you've done it, you take a sip, and no one lies!"

"Yea, I'll call you out if I see one of you lie!" Louis agreed, making my heart skip a beat.

I was screwed.

"Never have I ever... drunk-dialed an ex!"

I held my breath and started nibbling on my bottom lip. So many times, I had wanted to call Niall when I was drunk but every time, Louis was there to snatch the phone out of my hands. I glanced when I saw Niall drink and I wondered who he had tried to call. I had never received a phone call or a text message from him after we broke up, so I knew it was not me, and somehow, it made me jealous. He missed an ex so much that he called her... did that mean he never really missed me?

"Never have I ever... stolen someone's food!"

"Louis! You drink!" I let out, my eyebrows raised. "You always eat all my fucking left-overs!"

"What? Nah."

"He does!" Eleanor agreed with me with a chuckle, hitting him gently with her elbow.

He groaned but finally took a long sip of his beer, making me smile more.

"Okay, never have I ever... called a partner the wrong name during sex!"

I chuckled but felt my heart jump in my chest when I noticed Niall taking a long sip of his drink. We all looked at him and started laughing and he simply shrugged.

"I was drunk, I didn't know the girl's name!" he argued, laughing too.

I let my eyes roam on his face, wondering who exactly was that girl and if she had been someone he had sex with after he left me but I didn't dare to ask.

"Never have I ever.... lied to a law enforcement officer."

I laughed when I saw Louis drink and Liam started laughing, his eyebrows raised.

"Wait what? What was the lie?" he asked curiously, leaning slightly against the table.

"He lied to get out of a ticket." I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Why? Because he was going too slow?"

Everyone started laughing and Louis grimaced before flipping Liam off, making everyone laugh even more. I leaned closer to Louis and kissed his cheek gently before he wiped my kiss vigorously from his skin.

"Traitor!" he whispered as I chuckled, blowing him an other kiss.

"Never have I ever... sent nudes."

Without thinking, my eyes found Harry immediately and his did too. We stared at each other for a few seconds before our lips curled. I grabbed my drink and took a sip as he did the same, just like Julie, Liam and Louis.

"Did you send nudes to your boyfriend or your ex boyfriend, Olivia?"

I sent a mean glance at Louis and he smirked, making me know he was getting back at me for the last question.

"One time, Harry, Niall and I played 'truth or dare' and Harry asked me if I had ever taken nudes. I guess we continued that conversation a bit later and.. shared.. selfies..."

Louis' eyes got bigger and he pressed his lips together, knowing he had made things a bit awkward but finding it funny anyway. I glanced at Niall, noticing he was staring at me, and finally cleared my throat, asking El for the next question.

"Never have I ever.... hooked up with someone of the same sex or gender."

My eyes once again found Harry. I knew we were pretty much the only one who didn't want to label ourselves around the table and I brought my drink closer to him. He smiled and clinked his glass against mine before we both took a sip.

"You guys have no idea what you're missing." he let out after swallowing, making us laugh.

"Oh my god, Liv, you're gonna love this one. Never have I ever had food poisoning."

I laughed and took a sip, pushing the side of my body against Louis'. He groaned and took a sip and when I turned around, I noticed Niall frowned. I moved closer, holding my breath to make sure I wouldn't smell his incredible scent, and smiled a bit.

"Last night, Louis got sick because of his sushis, too."

I saw an emotion pass on Niall's face and his lips finally curled before he chuckled. Was that relief? I nibbled on my bottom lip when I remembered what he had asked me in the middle of the night and the right corner of my lips raised. I didn't know why he didn't want me to be pregnant with Dylan's baby but I liked it.

"Never have I ever been the subject of a rumor that wasn’t true." Eleanor read with a big smile. "Oh god, I think we can all drink!"

We all laughed and ended up finishing our glasses, handing each other the pitchers to fill them back again. I almost choked on the sip I was taking when Heidi arrived and she quickly sat next to Niall, making something stir in my stomach. I closed my eyes tight when she kissed him and I felt Louis' hand on my arm.

"It's okay to be hurt, love." he whispered. "If it matters, she's got nothing on you. She's also doing that to get to you."

I breathed in and out slowly before opening my eyes again. I noticed Heidi looking at me and sending me a sly smile that really bothered me.

"I'll get shots!"

Harry left with Liam and the whole time they were gone, I played with my fingers nervously. I felt like the whole evening was ruined because of her but I couldn't let that get to me, right? As soon as the guys put the shots in the middle of the table, I grabbed one and swallowed it quickly, followed by Louis.

"Wait, guys! This is for the game!" Harry explained. "And it's a surprise, you don't know what you drink!"

That's when I noticed the huge amount of shots on the table and raised my eyebrows just as Eleanor read the next question.

"Never have I ever... caught someone masturbating."

I held my breath and my eyes got bigger. I didn't want to turn to Niall but it was stronger than me. He was already looking at me and he chuckled.

"One time, when I was 13, Liv caught me masturbating. She just walked in my room without knocking!"

I smiled and pressed my lips together but my smile faltered when I realized he had no idea that I had caught him masturbating last time I actually slept at his place. The sight of him jerking off flashed in my mind and I gripped my glass tighter until I heard his voice again.

"Oh and remember at the lodge?" he asked with a smirk. "I came back in the room the first day we got there and-”

"Nooo! Shut up!"

I moved closer to him, trying to press my hand over his mouth but he dodged me and ended up just holding my wrist as he finished his sentence.

"And I caught Olivia masturbating in the dark, in our room!"

"Oh my god I hate you." I groaned, leaning my forehead on the table as I heard laughter. "That was a secret!"

"Was it though?" Niall asked, his lips dangerously close to my ear.

I held my breath and waited a few seconds to look up, noticing Louis had given a shot to Niall and was now handing me one. I drank it quickly, turning the glass around and putting it on the table. Tequila, ouch.

"Never have I ever... tried anal sex."

Once again, I closed my eyes and groaned, bringing one of my hands on my face as Niall laughed next to me. I was really going to get drunk. I reached for two shots and handed one to Niall who just chuckled and drank it fast. I did it took and raised my nose up. Sambuca. I hated that.

"Wow, who the hell are you?" Louis asked, raising his eyebrows while looking at me. "Little wild thing. Can't believe you let him!"

It was not my first time trying anal but I decided not to mention it. The truth was, when I was dating Niall, I would have done anything for him. There was no limit, as long as he stayed with me and was happy, it was all that mattered to me. I suddenly felt the urge to kiss him and held my breath as I stared at him. My heart was hitting so hard against my rib cage I thought it was just going to escape. Literally. It was ridiculous. I was not ready to do anything for anyone anymore, except myself. That's how things should be.

"Never have I ever... hooked up with an ex’s friend."

Once again, I knew I had to drink. Not everyone in the room knew that I had slept with Louis and I thought maybe it would be better if I didn't drink at all but the worst would be if I hesitated. If I just drank, they could believe it was an other ex than Niall but if I didn't seem sure, they'd know I was not at ease and it would be suspicious. I rolled my eyes, realizing I was going a bit too far in my thoughts and just grabbed an other shot, swallowing it quickly. I felt Louis' hand squeeze my thigh and my lips curled slightly. He knew and it was enough for me.

"Never have I ever... tried to make an ex jealous."

I sighed and took an other shot, shaking my head.

"We need to find questions that won't force me to get so drunk I won't be able to walk in half an hour!" I argued with a chuckle, watching as Niall grabbed a shot too.

I was starting to hate this game, if only for the fact that all I did was drink and check if Niall would drink too and if he did, I'd just spend a few minutes wondering who it was about and what exactly it meant. I glanced at Heidi, thinking she should probably drink but didn't and I rolled my eyes.

I never really had tried to make Niall jealous but I had hoped for it. I was not getting married to make him regret leaving me, but when I noticed his reaction when he found out and stormed out of the cafe, I couldn't pretend it didn't do anything to me. It did. I liked it. It gave me hope. Hope for what? I was not sure.

"Never have I ever... second-guessed a relationship."

I was getting pissed at myself for letting all his simple gestures and actions get to me. I loved him, I loved him so fucking bad it was driving me insane, but there was no way I was going back to being the 'no-back-bone-and-fucking-blind' girl I used to be when we were dating. I didn't want that. I reached for a shot and placed it in front of Niall a bit roughly, spilling a few drops of what I believed was rum, or at least, it smelled like it.

"Do you need only one?"

Somehow, everyone stopped talking and although I should feel guilty, I really couldn't. I was past the tipsy stage and a few memories were coming back to my mind. I also didn't enjoy Heidi's presence and the way she was so close to him. Niall looked down and licked his lips, waiting a few seconds before drinking the shot and pushing the glass away. Eleanor cleared her throat and I just shook my head with a sigh.

"Uhm, never have I ever cheated on a partner."

I closed my eyes again but this time for a complete different reason. I thought about the first time Niall touched me. I could almost still feel his fingertips brush on my skin before he had pushed them inside me. I can't remember being this excited ever in my whole life. This time, I didn't have to say anything. Niall just reached out to grab a shot and swallowed it.

"Not on Liv, right?"

Niall turned to Louis and shook his head.

"No. With her." My eyes moved to Heidi's hand who gripped Niall's arm tighter sinking her nails in his skin. I couldn't help but think she did that when they fucked, too.  "It was back when I was with Maya."

I noticed Harry was looking at me with a frown and I just shook my head slightly, answering his silent question. He nodded and his lips curled a bit as I answered his smile. No, I had no cheated on Harry. I wouldn't have done that, not even for Niall... right?

"It was... unplanned." Niall added, making me press my lips together.

The memory was so vivid, probably due to the alcohol and mixed with the proximity of Niall's body, that I had to get up and go to the bathroom. As I got up, I realized how drunk I was and tried to walk straight. I didn't like to show I was drunk and I was not sure why but when I got out of the bathroom, Louis was leaning against the wall, waiting for me.

"El and I are leaving, we've got a brunch in her family tomorrow morning, so I'll sleep at her place." he explained with a frown. "Are you okay? We can give you a ride home if you want."

"No, thank you." I shook my head. "I'll just take a cab."

"No, no cab by yourself. One of those fuckers will bring you home when you'll be ready. I'll make sure of it. And if anything happens, you call me."

I nodded and he pulled me into a hug, making me close my eyes. I wanted to tell him that I missed him, and that I missed having sex with him, but it was a lie. What I actually missed was to be close to someone, and I sort of felt like I was losing him, somehow. Soon, we were not going to live together anymore and I had no idea if I was okay with that.

"Sorry for that game, although it went better than you thought, right?"

I chuckled and pulled away before nodding. He sent me a wink and told me goodnight and I watched him leave before sighing and walking back to the table with difficulty. Liam and Julie were getting up too and I frowned, tilting my head when I got closer.

"Are you guys leaving too?"

"Yea, we're both a bit tired." Julie explained.

They said their goodbyes to everyone and I ended up sitting next to Harry and in front of Niall. I watched as Heidi talked in his ear with a smirk and I glanced down to watch her arm disappear, realizing she probably had her hand on his thigh, or even somewhere else. I looked away and swallowed at the intense feeling of jealousy invading me.

"Oh, Olivia, I know you'll be alone tonight, would you rather sleep home?"

I frowned at Heidi, a bit surprised about her proposition and licked my lips, trying to find a reason why she would actually want me to be with both of them at his place. To show me he belonged to her, perhaps? To keep on being all over him in front of me?

"No it's okay, she can come home." Harry just said, getting up and grabbing his phone. "I'm alone tonight, too."

"It's cool, Harry. She'll sleep at mine." Niall quickly replied, getting up to. "Plus, it's closer."

They looked at each other and Harry finally sighed before bending down and whispering to me.

"Are you okay with that?" I just nodded and he did the same. "Okay, darling."

Heidi drove us back home since she had barely drank and I noticed Niall kept glancing at me in the mirror but I didn't acknowledge him. I knew he was a bit mad at me for some of the things I had said and if I wanted to be honest, I really thought I was over all of that, but the thought of him breaking my heart and not being sure of the relationship we had made something burn inside me... I was not mad. I was still hurt. I probably always would be.

Niall let me borrow a pair of his sweatpants and a shirt and none of us really talked at all. We just went to bed and before I knew it, I was laying on my back, under the covers, in the dark, just staring at the ceiling. Normally, I would have a conversation with Niall until we'd both fall asleep but that night, it was impossible. He was going to cuddle her all night, and not me. The thought made me swallow hard and I tried to keep my tears in. I was intoxicated and just closing my eyes made me dizzy.

That's when I heard it. It made my heart jump so hard in my chest I was near throwing up. A moan. Just a low moan disturbing the silence of the night and then, an other one. I got up slowly, my heart beating harder, making my whole body throb and when I opened the door, I held my breath. I stepped out of the room and It was clear, now. A bunch of moans reached my ears and I leaned my back against the wall, shutting my eyes tight.

"Oh, fuck, Niall!"

I felt tears invade my eyes and I let myself slide on the wall until my ass hit the floor. I heard noise, like the annoying sounds of a mattress moving, and I brought my hand to my mouth, trying to keep in the sobs that wanted to escape. This is exactly why Heidi wanted me to sleep at their place but the one I really blamed was Niall. How could he do that to me? Wasn't breaking my heart once enough? What the hell was he thinking?

I was sitting down alone in the hall, now as sober as possible in these circumstances, listening to my ex boyfriend, the man I was in love with, having sex with his girlfriend. It was so pathetic I didn't even take the time to wipe the tears that fell on my cheeks, I just accepted my fate, motionless, like it was something I actually deserved. I tried to think about my boyfriend, filming a movie in an other country, but it couldn't distract me from the noises coming from his room. All these images of Heidi riding him as he touched her and told her how much he loved her invaded my brain and I felt suddenly nauseous. It made me realize one thing. It was not so much that they had sex, that really bothered me, although it did hurt me to some extent. What was really hard to accept was that he may have feelings for her, stronger feelings than he had for me. I also couldn't really believe he cared so little about me that he'd literally do it while I was in the same house, in the room literally next to mine.

I cried more, feeling like this moment would never fucking end. It's only when I heard his voice for the first time that something inside me seemed to click. He had groaned and I hated it. It was a low and simple grunt but it made me want to literally die on the spot. I don't know where I found the strength but I quickly got up, walked back to the guest room and grabbed my purse before rushing to the front door and stepping out of the house into the dark night. The door closed roughly behind me and I realized they may have heard. I quickly left and ran across the street, my shoes hitting the ground being the only sound around. It was only when I was totally out of breath that I decided to call a cab. I just wanted to erase that whole evening from my mind. I just wanted to erase all my feelings and be happy again but I couldn't lie to myself. The only time I was truly happy was when I was with Niall... and that was over. There was no hope left inside me.

#niall horan #niall horan smut #niall horan fluff #niall horan fanfic #niall horan fan fic #niall horan fanfiction #niall horan fan fiction #niall horan story #niall horan writing #my fanfics #yam #i just want to write the next chapter tbqh #i just cant wait to write it!!!

[badchoicesposts]

In a Land of Myth...

Chapter 15

Summary: When Selene, a young sorceress, arrived in Stormholt she had every intention of remaining anonymous. King Constantine Rys had strict rules on sorcery. The act itself was punishable by death, and she had no desire to be burnt at the stake for her “crimes”. However, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to remain unseen when she becomes Prince Liam’s personal maidservant, and it seems that it’s her job to protect him from everyone that wants to kill him.

Disclaimer: This AU is a cross between TRR, The Crown and The Flame, and BBC’s Merlin. Merlin follows the tale of King Arthur and the sorcerer Merlin. Merlin comes to Camelot where magic is outlawed and is made Prince Arthur’s servant. You do not have to watch the show to understand this fic, but it is based on the BBC show Merlin so the story line will be similar. I don’t own the plot to Merlin or any of the TRR characters.

Word Count: 3,095

Pairing: Liam x MC (Selene), Drake x MC (Selene), Platonic!Bastien x MC

Author’s Note: This may or may not be turning into a Drake x MC fic. However, there is definitely much more Liam content to come. 

Taglist: @flowerpowell, @bobasheebaby, @alexintheskyy, @slytherincursebreaker, @kingliam2019, @furiousherringoperatortoad, @goldenbirdcrystalcage, @burnsoslow​, @zilch3, @desireepow-1986​, @sanchita012, @mom2000aggie​

Let me know if you would like to be added to or removed from the taglist!

Catch Up: Masterlist

Everything was dark. Selene could barely feel her body, she had no idea what where she was or what was going on, and then through the darkness she saw Liam. It was a trap. It was all a trap. This was Lucretia’s plan all along. She was going to get rid of all of them. Selene was lying on her deathbed, and Leo and Liam were going to be killed while trying to save her. Liam was in the cave and he was going to die. She need to save him. 

~~~

“L-Liam,” Selene whimpered softly in her sleep, causing Drake’s head to shoot up. They had moved her body back to her room after the first night in attempts to make her more comfortable, and Hana and Xinghai had both been dropping by every few hours to check on her.

There was a pained look on her face as she continued to mumble Liam’s name followed by the word “trap”. Her breathing was heavy and after a moment she began speaking in a language Drake didn’t recognize. He met Bastien’s eyes nervously, the older man’s anxiety mirrored there plainely. 

“What language is that?” Hana asked, she had been sitting with them trying to keep Selene’s body cool.

“I don’t think it’s a real language,” Bastien said quickly. “Hana, would excuse us for a second?”

Bastien rose to his feet and pulled Drake out of the room with him. 

“She knows. I don’t know how. Her mind never ceases to amaze me,” Bastien muttered. 

“Can she really do anything to help them in this condition?” Drake questioned.

“She’s already trying, and if anyone can do it, it’s Selene,” Bastien said, clapping him on the shoulder and making his way back into the room.

Drake stared after him and took a breath. His mind was moving a million miles a minute. Bastien had told him that the woman, Lucretia had it out for Constantine and that’s why she was doing all of this, but he could also tell that there was something he wasn’t telling him. He was worried about Selene, he was worried about Leo and Liam, but he was stuck here doing nothing. 

~~~

Liam approached the edge of the ledge slowly, very aware of the fact that there was only a small layer of rock between him keeping and losing his life. Leo was standing a few feet behind him, the thought both comforting him and making him nervous at the same time. He heard a soft mumbling behind him, but ignored it, continuing to push himself forward. The ground began to shake beneath him, and he heard a loud chanting behind him. 

“What are you doing?” he called loudly, to the woman he thought he was helping. 

Leo whipped around and pulled his sword out of his scabbard, a look of realization on his face.

“It was her. She’s the woman who told Selene about the goblet,” he said. 

He began to run towards her, but he only managed to move a few steps before she held her hand out and muttered a spell that caused him to fall to his knees, gritting his teeth as he struggled to move. Liam made to turn around and go check on him, but the stone was breaking away under his feet, and there was no way he was going to make it back to him before the floor gave away and he went plummeting to the cave floor. Instead, he ran forward, literally taking a leap of faith and jumping off the ledge, grabbing onto a groove in the stone wall.

“Who are you?” Liam called, struggling to keep himself up. 

“Ask your father,” the woman hissed, delivering a swift kick to Leo’s stomach and causing him to fall onto his back, where he continued to struggle against his invisible restraints. “It is not your destiny to die at my hand, Liam Rys. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t move the process along.”

With that the woman turned her back on the two struggling princes, and walked away, taking the torch and leaving them alone in the darkness. 

“Leo!” Liam called through gritted teeth, “Are you alright?” 

“I don’t know what she’s done to me! I can’t move,” Leo managed to choke out, from where he lay on what was left of the ledge.

Liam let out a loud groan as he struggled to hold on. He was breaking out in a sweat. He still needed to get the flower, but he had no idea what he was supposed to do after that. He had no idea how to get out of the cave without the ledge there. Even if he could find a way of getting out, it was too dark for him to even see anything. If he tried to move now he risked making a wrong move and falling to his death. 

“What do I do?” he mumbled softly to himself. 

He closed his eyes and attempted to catch his breath, but this action did very little to help. He was straining to keep himself up, and his arms were growing tired. He opened his eyes again, expecting to see darkness, only to be shocked by the small blue orb of light that was hovering next to him. 

“Do you see this?” he called out to Leo. 

He heard a soft shuffling, and then his brother’s voice filled his ear. 

“Don’t trust it! That woman probably cast it,” he instructed. “Just hold on. I think her enchantment is starting to wear off. I can feel my legs again!”

Liam understood where his brother was coming from, but there was also an odd sense of calm that was washing over him as a direct result of the light. 

“I need to get the flower!” Liam called back.

The light had illuminated the area enough for him to be able to see above him. There was a small groove in the stone and if he could just push himself up enough to reach it, he could climb up to it. 

“Are you crazy?” Leo called back. 

“We came all the way here! We’re so close to it. I’m not leaving without it!” 

Liam let out a loud groan as he used his arms to pull himself up, the burning in his muscles made him want to give up, but the picture of Selene lying in a bed back in Stormholt dying kept him moving forward. He kept pulling himself up, the ball of light guiding him to where he needed to be. He let out a relieved breath as he came face to face with the plant that had gotten him in this position in the first place, grabbing onto it and pocketing it quickly. However, instead of disappearing, the ball of light continued to move upward, stopping once it became apparent that he wasn’t following. 

“I think it wants me to follow it!” he called down to Leo. 

“Don’t!” Leo called back. “It’s not safe!”

However, despite his brother’s warning, something in his gut told him to follow it. Something about the light made him feel comfortable. He continued to climb up after it, ignoring his brother’s protests until he could see a faint sliver of moonlight up ahead. Despite the circumstances, Liam let out a relieved laugh. 

“There’s an opening up ahead! Go back out the way we came and meet me by the horses,” he called, pulling himself up and into the light. 

~~~ 

Bastien watched in amazement as the small ball of light slowly disappeared from inside Selene’s palm. He pulled the covers back up over her arm as Xinghai approached them. 

“She only has a few hours left,” he said quietly, causing Bastien’s mood to immediately plummet. 

“They’ll make it back in time,” Bas responded with determination. “They have to.”

~~~

“Have you heard? Liam and Leo are back, but the king threw them in the dungeon,” Penelope exclaimed, pulling Madeleine out of her reverie. 

“What?” she asked.

“He’s angry with them for defying his orders. He refuses to let them deliver the plant to Xinghai to make the antidote,” Penelope continued. 

Sometimes, Constantine’s hatred overwhelmed her. His sons had travelled all that way and risked their well-being to save someone’s life, and now that they were in the homestretch, he wouldn’t let them finish the job. He was truly letting an innocent woman die just to teach them a lesson. The man had taken her in and raised her for most of her life. He and Regina had mentored her and given her everything she could ask for, but the king was vindictive. She had overlooked his selfish actions and habits many times because he had always taken care of her as if she were his own, but this was something she couldn’t sit by and let happen. She rose to her feet and exited her room, heading straight for the dungeons without a second thought.

“I’m not allowed to let you go beyond this point, my lady,” one of the guards said, holding his hand out to stop her. 

“Let me see the prisoners,” she demanded, staring intently at him. 

There was no way he was going to turn her away. 

“I’m sorry, my lady. It is the king’s orders,” he said. 

Madeleine continued to glare him down, and she could see him beginning to become uncomfortable. 

“Please, I only wish to speak with them,” she persisted. 

The guard gave her a nervous look, before nodding his head slowly and allowing her to pass. 

“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” she said. 

She smirked to herself at the self-satisfied smile that the guard wore at her words. She knew how far a bit of flattery would go, and if stroking the man’s ego meant getting what she wanted then so be it. She approached the cell and saw Leo pacing back and forth anxiously as Liam twirled the flower between his fingers, a troubled look on his face. 

“Give me the flower, quickly,” she hissed out, making sure the guard couldn’t hear her. 

Both brothers looked up at her in surprise and ran towards the cell door. Liam pressed it into her palm, and she nodded at them solemnly before fleeing the dungeons and heading straight for the physician’s quarters. 

~~~

Bastien helped hold Selene’s head back as Xinghai poured the antidote down her throat. Her body, which had been shivering violently just moments before immediately stilled, causing everyone in the room to stiffen nervously. 

“Is that normal? Did it work?” Drake asked frantically. 

“Yeah, it did,” Selene’s soft voice filled the room causing everyone to erupt in cheers. 

Bastien watched in a mixture of shock and amusement as Drake dropped down onto the floor beside the bed and pulled Selene into a kiss. He wasn’t exactly angry about it. He knew that Drake was a good man, however, the protective side of him didn’t like them doing that. After it became evident that neither showed any intention of pulling away from the other Bastien cleared his throat loudly. Drake looked over to him anxiously. 

“Sorry, I- uh, I guess I’m just glad you’re alive,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. 

Selene let out a quiet laugh, and the sound was something Bastien had missed the past few days. It had been too long.

“It seems like we have a habit of doing that after near death experiences,” she teased, her voice still quiet as she struggled to regain her strength. 

Drake took a step back and Bastien clapped him on the shoulder playfully before taking his place at Selene’s bedside. He wrapped her in a gentle hug, and he could feel her struggling to return the gesture. Her body felt fragile against his. 

“I’m so glad you’re alright,” he whispered. “Do you remember anything?”

Selene nodded but didn’t answer, her eyes wandering over to Xinghai and Hana apprehensively. 

“Am I going to be okay?” she asked. 

“With a little rest you’ll make a full recovery,” Xinghai said, smiling at her.

Hana gave her friend a hug and the two depared, leaving Selene alone with Drake and Bastien. 

~~~

Leo and Liam both jumped to their feet as they saw their father approaching their cell door. They hadn’t seen or spoken to him since the guards had thrown them into the dungeons, and the king looked livid. 

“You disobeyed a direct order! You could have gotten yourself killed, and all for what? A serving girl? Why is she so important to you?” he barked, turning directly to Liam. 

“I would have done the same for anyone else,” Liam responded defiantly. “No one should have to die for me.”

“You’re ignorant if you believe that,” Constantine said angrily. “That is why you have armies and servants.”

Liam sighed tiredly. He could keep having this conversation with his father all he wanted, but it wasn’t going to get him anywhere. Neither of them was going to change their stance in the argument. 

“I don’t think King Eirik was the one who tried to poison you,” Leo said suddenly, causing the two of them to turn to him. 

“What are you talking about? Of course it was Eirik,” Constantine said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

“No, I think Leo is right,” Liam said. “There was a woman in the caves. Leo recognized her as the one who told Selene about the poison in the first place. She was an enchantress. When we asked her who she was, she said to ask you.”

Constantine’s face paled slightly, but anger soon replaced his concern once again. 

“This conversation was ridiculous. It was Eirik. It had to be,” Constantine said, turning his back and exiting the cell. 

He left the door open behind him, and the two brothers shared a hesitant look before stepping out as well. They shared a knowing look and immediately left to go check on Selene.

~~~

“It was her wasn’t it? Lucretia?” Selene asked, turning her head to address Bastien. 

“I believe it was.”

“Why though?” she asked, trying to sit up. 

Drake immediately rushed to her side, propping the pillows up behind her. She shot him a grateful smile and reached out to squeeze his hand in gratitude.

“Why bother going through the trouble of telling me if she wanted to kill Liam? Why not just let him drink it?”

“Because it was never her intention to only kill Liam. I think she’s figured out what I already know,” Bastien said.

“What?” 

“That you’re destined for greatness.” 

Bastien kissed the top of her head gently and moved towards the door. 

“Get some rest.”

As the door shut behind Bas, Selene struggled to move herself over to the left side of the bed, patting the empty space next to her to indicate to Drake that she wanted him to join her. 

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I should let you get some sleep,” he said, looking at her hesitantly. 

Even though Selene was exhausted and her entire body ached, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his actions. 

“I almost died. I think that warrants snuggles, don’t you?” she teased, causing him to shake his head and settle into the bed next to her. 

Selene curled herself up into his side and rested her head against his chest as his arms wound themselves around her body. The two lay in silence for a few moments, Drake’s hand massaging her scalp and lulling her into a peaceful state. 

“Drake, will you kiss me again?” she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she inclined her head up towards him. 

Selene sighed happily against his mouth as she felt his lips against hers. The kiss was slow and made butterflies erupt in her stomach. After a moment, they both pulled away hesitantly. 

“What would you do if I said I wanted to be with you?” she asked.

“Heh, are you sure? Liam’s the one that just risked his life to save you,” he said.

He tried to play off his comment as a joke, but Selene could see the genuine apprehension in his eyes. 

“You’re right. Liam is smart, handsome, brave, literally a knight in shining armour and prince charming all rolled into one,” she said with an exaggerated sigh, grabbing onto the side of his face to turn him back to her when he looked away from her in shame. “But, there’s one problem with all that. He’s not you.”

Selene could hear Drake’s heart beating rapidly from where she was laying against his chest, but the man remained quiet. The longer it took for him to respond to her words, the more anxious she became.

“Drake?” she whispered his name, “Please, say something.”

However, instead of speaking he pulled her into another kiss, this one more needy and insistent than the last. She giggled against his lips and pulled away, needing a moment to catch her breath. She felt dizzy in the best way possible, although if she was being honest it was probably from the fact that her body was still recovering from the poison. 

“I’m going to take that as a good thing,” she mumbled resting herself back against his side. 

The sound of the door creaking open caused them to pull away from each other. Liam and Leo both entered the room, the former looking shocked as he noticed Drake jump out of the bed next to her and the latter looking at the two of them in amusement. 

“I would ask how you’re feeling, but I’m going to take that as my answer,” Leo teased, causing Selene to roll her eyes. 

“I hear I have the two of you to thank,” she said, pulling herself to her feet and immediately losing her balance and falling back down onto the bed. “Maybe you should come to me.” 

Leo chuckled and pulled her into an embrace. 

“I’m glad you’re okay.” 

He pulled away, and Selene held her arms out to Liam. She noticed a pained look pass over his face momentarily, before he replaced it with a smile and moved forward to hug her as well.

“Thank you,” she whispered softly, giving him a small smile. “I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”

“Of course,” he responded. “You should get some rest.”

The two brothers gave her one last smile before exiting the room, both Drake and Selene taking note of the sympathetic look Leo gave his younger brother on the way out. 

#the royal romance #the royal heir #trr #trh #liam x mc #liam #king liam #drake walker #drake x mc #drake walker x mc #bastien lykel #bastien #trr bastien #my fics #choices #playchoices #choices fics #playchoices fics

[ellewritesathing]

So Close - S.S. XXXIX

Summary: The universe has a funny way of putting the things you want right in front of you, but just out of reach. Stiles and Y/N have been best friends ever since Scott brought him home, but when Stiles realizes that he might want to be something other than best friends, she leaves to go to some fancy private school up North. Now that she’s back though … maybe he’s got a shot? A Teen Wolf AU in which the reader has always been so close to Stiles and yet so far.

Masterlist   Prev. | Part 39

Word-count: 2.6k+

A/N: guess who straight up forgot what day of the week it was but a day late is better than never right?? hope you guys like it!! 💕 (also i couldn’t find the gif i wanted to use so have some alpha!scott)

Though it had only been a few days, you’d been staying at Stiles’ house ever since he and Scott had gotten into their fight. Melissa was hardly impressed with the decision, but she relented when Noah got hurt and she realized that he'd be staying alone if it wasn't for you. Part of the deal you'd struck, however, was that you’d check in with her every day. Seeing as how you needed some new clothes and the Stilinski's washing machine was busted, you decided to make it a house call. 

Melissa didn’t seem to be at home, but you could tell that Scott was there thanks to your fancy new werewolf skills. You tiptoed up to his room and stood in the doorway while he attempted to pin photos and post-it notes to a new corkboard. He was using the same red yarn that Stiles used on his conspiracy boards. 

The only problem was that Scott attached one of the strings to his jacket as well as at least five other pins. As soon as he tugged on the yarn, every photo and post-it note came clattering down. He let out a sigh and threw the piece of yarn towards the ground. 

“It’s easier to stick the details to the photos before you pin them up,” you said. “Once you've pinned everything up, you can connect them with yarn.” 

Scott seemed surprised to see you as he turned around. Maybe his senses were slipping. “Thanks,” he said uncertainly, sliding some of the fallen papers behind him with his foot. 

“Stiles has perfected the art of the conspiracy board over the years,” you said as you pushed yourself off of the door jam and started heading towards your room. “Maybe you should ask him about it sometime.”

“Y/N, wait!” Scott called after you. You stopped in the hallway and turned back to look at him. He looked kind of pathetic as he stood there with the remnants of his would-be board around him. “Is he- you know, how is he?” 

“His dad is still in the hospital so not great,” you said. It came out snippier than you meant it to. You let out a sigh and shook your head as you walked over to him. “How could you do that to him, Scott? You left him.” 

“I thought he killed someone.” 

“He did kill someone. In self-defense.” You got close enough to him and poked his chest as you finished. “And he needed you to be there for him.” 

Scott didn’t mean to yell, but he did anyway. “How was I supposed to do that when he didn’t even tell me about it?” He took a breath and looked away for a second, trying very hard to regain his cool. “Sorry, I- I didn’t mean to-” 

“I know,” you said quietly. You wrapped your arms around yourself and tried to think of how to say what you needed to. “Look, Scott … He’s mad because you didn’t believe him from the start. He said we shouldn’t trust Theo and you dismissed him as being paranoid. Then this happened, and Stiles was so scared that you would kick him out completely that- that he didn’t tell you.” 

“I know.” 

“I know you know.” You took a breath and uncrossed your arms to put a hand on his arm. “You’re making a good effort. Just don’t give up on him again, okay? He’ll come around.”

Scott dropped his gaze and nodded a few times. A memory flashed in your mind from just after you'd returned to Beacon Hills when Scott was comforting you thought you'd ruined your relationship with Stiles. Scott snapped you back to the present after a few seconds. “And what about you?” 

That caught you off guard. You frowned slightly as you thought about it. “If you couldn’t forgive Stiles for self-defense, I was scared about what you’d do when I did something worse,” you said slowly. “Don’t look at me like that. You’ve seen me out there; it’s only a matter of time. For me and Malia both.” 

“Malia?” Scott asked. “What does Malia have to do with any of this?” 

“You seriously haven’t noticed?” you asked, rolling your eyes when he said he didn’t. “She’s been hunting her mom down since she found out her name from Peter. I’m pretty sure she’s gonna kill her.”

“And you didn’t say anything?” Scott asked, starting to lose his cool again. 

“Scott, not everyone has a family like ours," you said. "Especially not the Hales. Plus, I mean, the Desert Wolf kills people. If Malia wants to kill hee, that's not really my business.” 

“But she’s still a person! You can’t just-” Scott took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew he needed to stay calm or you'd leave. “Okay. But we … we’re okay?”

You gave him a small smile and squeezed his arm before letting go. “We’re getting there, Scotty.”

“I can work with that,” Scott said with his goofy, hopeful grin.

In a weird kind of peace offering, you started helping Scott set his board up. The two of you didn’t talk very much as you did, but it was nice to be alone with him for a little while, even if what you were doing was pretty morbid. When he reached to pin up the last photo, Scott winced and lowered his arm before he got the chance. 

You reached out to steady him, looking down at where his wound was. “That’s taking a pretty long time to heal.”

“Yeah, I know,” Scott exhaled. He put the photo on his desk very gently. “I think it’s because it’s from Liam. Because we’re not … you know.” 

“I know,” you said quietly, still holding onto him. “You need some help cleaning it up?”

Scott took a breath and winced at how much his chest moved. “No, I can handle it. Do you wanna get your stuff and I’ll drop you off at Stiles’ house?” 

No. You wanted to help your brother. Instead you just gave him a weak smile and pulled your hand away. “Sure. Yell if you need any help.”

Scott promised he would but you doubted that he’d follow through with it, so you kept an ear out for any surprises. The sounds of Scott struggling to clean his wounds weren’t that surprising, but Stiles coming over to ask for Scott's help was. Scott agreed immediately, like you knew he would, and the two of them were off before you knew it. 

Though it was a little disheartening that Stiles hadn’t picked you to be his werewolf partner in crime, you were relieved that they were both making an effort to patch up. You followed them anyway, just in case, but you kept your distance so they wouldn’t spot you. 

They were investigating what happened at the relay station with Hayden, her sister, and the new chimera at the relay station. You listened closely to what was going on inside and waited maybe five minutes before following them down when they found a secret tunnel underground. 

Following them without them noticing was harder down in the tunnels - everything echoed off the walls - but you managed to stay hidden until they were attacked. 

Seeing Tracy alive and trying to kill your friends was as bizarre an experience as seeing her dead body, but not any more bizarre than punching your formerly-dead classmate Josh in the mouth. You wondered if the others felt like this after you died. 

Josh’s electricity made your heart race but you still managed to slam him against the wall and Scott shoved Tracy’s claws between Josh’s shoulder blades a second later. You sliced Tracy with your claws as you let go of Josh and she collapsed to the ground a few feet away from where Stiles lay paralyzed. You pressed the sole of your shoe into her back to keep her on the ground and looked up at Scott for advice on how to handle it. 

Scott was shining his alpha eyes at a spot along the pipes. He let out a low growl and Corey materialized a second later, very much still afraid of him. 

“Okay!” Theo called out from the shadows. Your heel dug further into Tracy's back as you turned to face where he stepped out from another part of the tunnels. “Maybe they’re not ready to take on an Alpha just yet.” You threw one of your knives at him and he looked minorly inconvenienced as he dodged it. “Though I didn’t expect you to have help. Or to smell fear.” 

Tracy started moving under your foot and you started pushing her further down when Scott shook his head at you. Reluctantly, you took your foot off her back and took a step back. Tracy got to her feet without taking her eyes off you. 

“He has fangs!” Corey argued. You had to admit, sending cute little Corey after Scott seemed idiotic.

“What did you do to them?” you asked Theo. 

Theo gave you a nauseating smile. “Jealous of the newer model?” 

“What did you do?” Scott repeated. 

“I found some new friends,” Theo said as he looked back over at Scott. “I don’t take rejection very well.”

“Haven’t you had a lifetime of practice?” you asked. Tracy and Corey picked up Josh and you held a hand out and stepped in front of them. Sure, he just tried to kill your brother but you were still protective over him. “Where are you taking him?” 

“Somewhere where he's not gonna get stabbed in the back,” Tracy said venomously. “You got a problem with that?” 

“No,” Scott answered for you. “Get out of here.”

You moved out of their way so they could leave, but you didn’t say anything until you were sure that they were long gone. You took a deep breath and returned your focus to Theo, who was dangerously close to Stiles. 

“Hey, Theo,” Stiles said with fake enthusiasm from where he lay paralyzed. 

“Stiles,” Theo said. He lifted his foot and smashed the floor in front of Stiles, the part of the floor with Latin written on it in Mercury, but it was too close to him for you to be comfortable. Theo sighed and walked closer to you and Scott. “You’re going to leave here thinking that you need to worry about me.” He circled you and Scott as he spoke. “But you’re wrong. We’re actually on the same side.”

You looked over at Scott for a second and he looked just as distrusting as you did for once. 

“But that thing …” Theo said as he came to a stop, looking up at the ceiling. “That’s what we need to worry about. Your pack and mine.” You scoffed under your breath. His pack. “Now, we’re gonna go back to school and pretend like we’re normal teenagers, but at night, we’re going to be fighting for our lives.”

“What is it?” Stiles asked.

“It’s not a chimera,” Theo said. 

“But it’s just a kid underneath,” Scott argued, always noble. “Someone like us.”

Theo tilted his head and gave Scott one of his secretive smiles. “Not anymore.” He started turning again and walked off into the darkness after his new pack of chimeras. 

You took a deep breath and let out a long exhale as you put your head in your hands for a moment. “Well, shit, guys. That sounds awful.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” Stiles said as he looked you up and down (which looked very interesting considering his collapsed position on the floor). “What are you doing here, by the way?” 

“Hi, babe, good to see you too,” you teased as you crouched down in front of him. You moved some hair out of his face and smiled at him. “I came to make sure neither of you killed one another. Can I sit you up?”

Stiles let out a sigh and rolled his eyes to the best of his paralyzed abilities. He looked ready to say something sarcastic before deciding against it. “Yes, please.”

You smiled at him and looped his arm around your shoulder while Scott took Stiles’ other arm. The two of you dragged him to a wall and propped him up, Scott sitting on his one side and you on his other. As Scott settled in, you picked up Stiles’ hand and moved it into yours. 

“He knew what it meant and I can’t even remember the words,” Scott said after a while. 

“Damnatio Memoriae,” Stiles said. Scott looked at him a little incredulously and it made you smile. Of course, Stiles remembered the ominous Latin writing. “It means the condemnation of memory. I think it also means that whatever the Dread Doctors created, whatever this last chimera really is ... it’s not something new. It’s something old. Really old.”

“So they didn’t create a new creature,” Scott said slowly. 

“They resurrected one,” you said, turning so you look at both of them clearly. “Like how Theo resurrected the others.” 

“Not exactly, but …” Stiles took a deep breath. “Yeah.” 

“That sounds bad,” you said quietly.

“Really bad.” Scott waited a minute and then pressed his index and middle fingers to the dirt and drew a circle, the beginning of his pack symbol. “We need help,” he said. “If Theo’s got his own pack now then we need ours. We have to get the others back.”

“The others?” Stiles repeated. “You mean Kira who’s currently battling a homicidal fox spirit inside of her, Malia who isn’t even speaking to us, Lydia who’s stuck in Eichen House, and Liam who almost killed you?” 

“Also known as our best friends,” Scott said. 

You snorted and Stiles pulled a face at you, which only made you laugh harder. It felt wrong to laugh in these tunnels. “And how do you plan on getting the gang back together?” you asked.

“One by one,” Scott said. His eyes flicked from Stiles to the incomplete pack boob in the dust.

“You’re not seriously going to make me do it,” Stiles said, frowning at the dirt on the floor.

“You’re part of the pack, right?” Scott asked. 

“Here,” you said as you moved to grab Stiles' other hand. You held two of his fingers in your hand. “Just until you get your feeling back.”

Stiles took a reluctant breath but nodded anyway for you to do it. You moved his hand to make a bigger circle around Scott’s and held in a laugh at how exasperated he looked. You bumped his arm and smiled at him. 

“Let’s get out here,” you said. “This place gives me the creeps.” 

Both Stiles and Scott laughed, but Scott got to his feet and offered you a hand up. You let him help you up, and then you each took one of Stiles’ arms and pulled him to his feet. 

The two of you supported most of Stiles’ weight while you walked, but it wasn’t much of a burden to your superhuman strength. You couldn’t say the same for Scott though - the smell of his blood got stronger the closer you got to the exit - but at least Stiles was regaining some feeling by then. 

You helped Stiles into the passenger seat of the Jeep and buckled him in before pressing a kiss to his forehead. “See you at home, okay?” 

“Okay,” Stiles said with a smile. “Thanks for looking after me. I know it’s not the easiest job.” 

“Yeah, but it’s the only job I care about,” you said softly. You were going to kiss him when you heard Scott squirming around as he tried to get into the driver’s seat. You sighed and looked over at him. 

“Sorry, the seat is like really squeaky,” he said awkwardly. “I know you guys were having a moment.” 

Stiles rolled his eyes. “Yeah, emphasis on ‘were.’”

You laughed again while Scott stammered out ten thousand apologies and Stiles gave him a hard time. There was still a long way to go, but this was a start. And this was enough.

Tagged: @ietss​  @used-avocado​

#stiles stilinski #stiles stilinksi x reader #stiles stilinksi imagine #stiles slow burn #teen wolf #teen wolf au #teen wolf rewrite #mccall!reader

[camillemontespan]

ten years from now [AU. drake walker x camille montespan] [part eighteen: mojitos and sunrises]

@ibldw-main  @pug-bitch​  @jovialyouthmusic​ @katedrakeohd​ @rainbowsinthestorm​ @emichelle​ @dcbbw​ @sirbeepsalot​ @notoriouscs​ @burnsoslow​ @marshmallowsaremyfavorite​ @gardeningourmet​ @pedudley​ @marshmallowsandfire​ @princessleac1​  @simplymissjulia​ @kingliam2019​

'So let me get this straight,' Riley said, her blue eyes boring into Liam's. 'You were engaged to this girl Camille, about to get married in a few months at the Met, and you both visited her hometown in Texas to invite her old friends and see her grandmother. While there, she was reunited with her ex-best friend who turned out to also be her ex boyfriend who she lost her virginity to, and she fucked him. You were oblivious. Then you both come back to New York, she meets up with the ex boyfriend across town and fucks him again. Then her grandmother has a fall and Camille goes back to Texas to see her in hospital. When she comes back to New York, you are making her favourite dinner in a bid to apologise for not being able to leave work to go to Texas when she bursts into tears and tells you that she fucked the ex boyfriend twice and kissed him in some sort of maze.. You walk out and now the wedding is off. Have I got all that right?'

Liam nodded. 'That's it.' 

Riley stared at him. 'What a fucking bitch.' 

Liam let out a surprised laugh. 'Wow, don't hold back.' 

'But she is!' Riley cried, indignation flooding her face. 'You're a nice guy and from what you've told me, you did everything to keep her happy. You sent her grandma roses! Like, you are the ideal husband! But she gave that up to have dirty hotel room sex with her redneck cowboy ex boyfriend who she dated ten years ago!'

Liam sipped his scotch and shrugged. ‘Pretty much,’ he said. ‘Though he wasn’t a redneck-’

‘He slept with your fiancee, trust me, he is a redneck,’ Riley interrupted, her nose flaring. She shook her head. ‘What an asshole.’

Liam raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re quite opinionated, aren’t you?’

Riley sipped her drink and regarded Liam with a cool expression. They were the only ones left out of their colleagues; everyone else had gone home. But Liam and Riley had gotten more drinks and Riley had listened as Liam told her about his recent woes. 

‘What you see is what you get with me,’ Riley told him. ‘I don’t sugarcoat anything. I’m 100% honest. It scares some people..’

‘I think it’s refreshing,’ Liam assured her. ‘I like it.’

Riley’s cheeks turned pink as she cast her eyes down to study her glass. Liam smiled and gestured to the waitress for another two drinks. 

‘So you’ve heard my story,’ Liam said. ‘What’s yours?’

Riley squared her shoulders and looked at him straight on. ‘What do you want to know?’

‘Just tell me about you. Where you’re from, family, dating history, college?’

Riley rolled her eyes. ‘Okay, so I’m from Jersey-’

Liam winced. Riley laughed. ‘Oh, I know. I know. So yeah, I’m from Jersey.  I have two older brothers but we don’t speak anymore. Three ex boyfriends - I dumped them.  I attended Art School and graduated with distinction.’

Liam’s eyes widened. ‘Oh wow. So why are you working on Wall Street if you’re an artist?’

The waitress dropped off their two new drinks which Riley took gratefully. She took a long sip and smacked her cherry lips together. Liam’s eyes flicked to her bottom lip; he quickly looked away. 

‘Because the money is fucking good,’ she answered bluntly. ‘Why do you work on Wall Street?’

Liam blinked. A slow smile formed on his face and he chuckled. ‘Because the money is fucking good.’

Riley raised her glass and clinked it against Liam’s. ‘Let’s toast to money.’

‘To money,’ Liam said grandly. ‘Though it isn’t the be and end all.’

Riley rolled her eyes. ‘Fine. It’s not. But it does let us buy all the drinks we want and that is what matters.’

Liam laughed and tossed the scotch down his throat. Riley regarded him silently, her eyebrow quirking up; she looked quite mischievous. 

‘I have a guilty pleasure,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Do you promise not to judge me if I tell you it?’

Liam smiled. ‘Tell me.’

Riley drained the last of her scotch. ‘I love karaoke bars..’

Liam threw his head back as he laughed. ‘Oh god, you’re so not cool,’ he teased.

‘I know I’m not!’ Riley cried. ‘I never try to be. I love karaoke bars. Wanna come to one with me?’

‘I don’t sing-’

‘Doesn’t matter,’ Riley interrupted. ‘It’s fun.’

‘I can’t..’

Riley sighed. She looked at Liam with a steady stare, clearly not taking any of his excuses. ‘When was the last time you did something that was fun?’ she asked. ‘That was new? That forced you to just let go?’

Liam considered her question. He couldn’t remember. His life had been a conveyor belt of early mornings, late nights in the office and trying to make Camille happy.  

He sighed. ‘Fine. Let’s go to a karaoke bar..’

Riley stood up and dragged him to his feet. ‘No need to act like you’re heading for your execution,’ she quipped. ‘Come on, I know a place two blocks from here.’

Liam followed her out of the bar towards the karaoke bar that was lit up in neon.  As he listened to Riley talk incessantly,he felt like he was leaving behind a life of grey and was now entering a world of colour. 

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

Liam and Riley were now hammered on mojitos. They had hired a private room for an hour and Riley had squealed in excitement when she saw that there was a dressing up box for customers to rifle through. She threw a feather boa around Liam’s shoulders, telling him that he looked fabulous.

He watched her as she sang along to Total Eclipse of the Heart, badly. But she didn’t care. She belted out the ballad, closing her eyes and swaying, even raising her fist in the air like the diva she was. Liam had laughed and enjoyed watching her. He felt relaxed. He had even loosened his tie.

‘Okay, your go!’ Riley said, throwing herself down on the velvet booth next to him. ‘Entertain me!’

Liam groaned but he still stood up to look through the catalogue. He considered his options before throwing caution to the wind.

Riley’s eyes widened as she heard the opening bars. ‘Oh my god..’

Liam threw his shoulders back and adopted a haughty pose. He wrapped the feather boa around his neck and placed a bowler hat on his head, keeping his eyes to the floor as he waited for his line.

‘At first I was afraid, I was petrified...kept thinking I could never live without you by my side..’

Riley clapped her hands, laughing as she watched Liam start the song.

But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong, and I grew strong and I learned how to get along.. FROM OUTER SPACE!’

Liam twirled on his foot, the feather boa flying around him as he started to strut drunkenly across the room, swinging his hips.

‘I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face, I should have changed that stupid lock, I should have made you leave your key..’

‘YEAH BABY!’ Riley shouted, pointing at him. ‘You tell her!’

Liam continued to sing. He became more extravagant as the song went on; he twirled; he spun; he pointed at Riley; he tossed his hat in the air and caught it. For some reason, he had abandoned his usual quiet persona and was now this ridiculous, camp performer. But he didn’t care. He was enjoying himself. He felt alive.

He looked at Riley, who was watching him in wonder, and gave her a wink. She blushed.

Liam grinned and continued to dance and sing, his voice growing in confidence and volume. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt like he had unlocked the old Liam. The Liam who used to go out and have fun. The Liam who enjoyed life. The Liam before he became a Wall Street minion. The Liam before he got cheated on. The Liam before he met Camille.

He felt happy.

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

Drake opened his eyes. As his vision adjusted, he realised he was lying on the couch with Camille curled up against him. For a moment, he smiled, his heart flipped and he felt content. Until he realised that he had accidently fallen asleep and was in Camille’s grandmother’s house. 

He glanced at the clock on the wall. 6am.

‘Shit!’ he hissed, bolting up. Camille jumped, her eyes opening as he disturbed her slumber. Yawning, she looked up and visibly reeled back when she saw that she had been sleeping beside him.

‘Drake!’

‘We fell asleep,’ Drake told her. ‘Fuck, I should go. It’s 6am..’

Camille jumped to her feet. Her dark hair was tousled and she had sleep in her eyes; she looked perfectly imperfect. Drake’s heart flipped again but he pushed it down as he stood up and arranged the cushions on the couch so Gisele wouldn’t have to tidy up after them. 

‘Sorry,’ Camille whispered. ‘I didn’t realise we had fallen asleep. Must have been the whiskey.’

Drake sighed. ‘It’s alright, my fault too. Heh. Anyway, I should go..’

Camille followed him silently out of the living room, wrapping her arms around her body. She unlocked the front door; the sun was beginning to rise, casting a golden glow. She smiled up at Drake. ‘Thank you for tending to the roses,’ she said. ‘I really appreciate it.’

Drake smiled bashfully. ‘Happy to help,’ he told her. He moved to leave the house but stopped short when he looked up at the morning sky. He cast a look back at Camille who was leaning against the threshold, looking slightly embarrassed. 

‘Do you want to watch the sunrise with me?’ he asked without thinking. ‘The lake will look gorgeous right now.’

Camille tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled down at the floor. ‘I’d like that,’ she murmured. ‘That sounds.. Perfect.’

Drake grinned and held out his hand for her to take. Camille took his hand, her hands soft and small in his, and together they wandered up the road towards the ranch. Drake smiled to himself as he kept repeating the mantra ‘baby steps’ in his mind. Baby steps. Baby steps. 

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

The water was glimmering gold. Camille let out a gasp as she took in the sunrise and how beautiful it was. She sat down on the jetty with Drake beside her and they watched the sun slowly come up, greeting the day. 

‘This is beautiful,’ Camille whispered. She cast a look at Drake and reached out to take his hand. ‘Thanks for inviting me to see it.’

Drake blushed. The sunrise had cast his face in a golden glow; his brown eyes changed colour in the light, turning green, which meant his eyes were always a surprise.  Camille loved Drake’s eyes. He was smiling as if he couldn’t believe his luck, the kind of smile that made the butterflies in Camille’s stomach start fluttering wildly, and a strand of his dark hair fell over his left eye, making him look shy and awkward. He looked like the boy she had known all those years ago. But when he turned to look at her, Camille could now see the man he had grown into and she couldn’t help but feel the butterflies flutter even more. 

‘I love watching the sunrise,’ he told her. ‘It’s peaceful. If you want.. We could do this again?’

Camille smiled. ‘I’d love that.’

Drake gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her in close to him; Camille inhaled his scent. He smelled of whiskey and the forest. He smelled like home. 

#drake x camille

[drakexwillow]

Sweet Sixteen

Book: The Royal Romance (AU)

Pairing: Dakota x Drake

A/N: I’m participating in @choicesmarchchallenge hosted by @lovealexhunt

This is Day 20: Sixteen Candles

thank you to people who read snippets or all of this @msjr0119 @mskaneko @loveellamae and thank you to my amazing beta-reader @addictedtodrakefanfic for always reading, supporting and letting me bounce ideas around with you I LOVE YOU ALL

Warnings: Swearing

Words: 3000

Tags:  @msjr0119  @addictedtodrakefanfic @burnsoslow @drxkewalker @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @lyndsay1313 @furryperfectionlover @tinypenguincheesemachine @jlynn12273 @jovialyouthmusic @walkerswhiskeygirl @kingliam2019 @speedyoperarascalparty @bbrandy2002​

@loveellamae​ @mskaneko​ @jessiembruno​ @kacie-0156​

Drake lent against the bar, clutching a tumbler of whiskey as he surveyed the ballroom. It was Dakota’s 16th birthday and the ballroom had been decorated with banners, balloons and streamers hanging from the wall and ceiling. Various pictures of Dakota as a child also hung from the walls around the room. A small smile crept on his face as he watched his daughter dancing and laughing with her friends. Drake had always teased Willow about Dakota looking exactly like a Walker, but as she threw her head back in laughter, hand clasped over her mouth, she looked exactly like her mother. Drake was proud of the person she was becoming. She’d always marched to the beat of her own drum and never cared what other people thought. She was outgoing, mischievous and as Drake would always say ‘had a smart ass mouth’. As Drake glanced around the room one of the pictures caught his eye. It was of Dakota after winning her dance competition, Max and Willow had lifted her onto their shoulders, Cole stood in front pulling a funny face as Drake stood next to Willow beaming up at Dakota who was grinning back at him. As he stood looking at the photo memories of the day flooded his mind.

******

Drake let out a sigh as he pulled up to his cabin. He turned off the ignition and loosened his tie. Instead of working in the stables, Liam had asked him to sit in on some important meetings with him. Drake didn’t mind, but it was certainly more stressful and boring than what he was used to. He got out of his truck and made his way to the front door, he paused when he heard the faint sound of music coming from the back of the house. Curiosity getting the better of him he followed the sound. He found Dakota lying on the floor, arm resting over her face.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Drake said as he made his way over. He sat down beside her “You have your dance competition tomorrow”

Dakota sighed as she sat up “I think I’m going to pull out of it”

Drake frowned as he looked at his daughter “Why? You’ve been training months for this”

She dropped her head back to look at the sky “Because I can’t do the stupid handstand flip” she mumbled.

Drake cocked a brow as he turned his head to face her “I’ve seen you do it a hundred times Koda”

She let out a frustrated sigh “I can’t land on my feet”

Drake stood, brushing the dirt off his trousers and held out his hand “Come on, get up, try again”

Dakota shook her head “No dad”

“I know how much this means to you Koda”

She rolled her eyes as she grabbed Drake’s hand, as he pulled her to her feet.

“Okay start off slow and we’ll go from there” Drake said as he crossed his arms over his chest. Dakota took a few steps back, Drake watched as she flipped with ease and landed on her feet. Drake nodded “Again” Dakota performed the flip a few more times perfectly.

“Okay now try it with a run up” Drake could see the hesitation in her eyes as she stood with her hands on her hips “Tell me where to stand and I’ll catch you if I think you’re going to fall” Dakota nodded and grabbed his hand pulling him a few feet forward. Dakota took a few paces back, she let out a breath and shook her arms out before she began. Drake watched her run towards him, he saw her hesitate just before she planted her hands on the ground and caught her before she could tumble to the floor “You hesitated Dakota”

“I know, that’s what Uncle Max keeps saying”

“You have nothing to worry about” Drake crouched down to catch her gaze “I know you can do it, come on try again”

After a few tumbles and more practice, Drake could see Dakota’s confidence growing. As Dakota ran towards him, he took a step back and smirked when she performed the flip perfectly, landing on her feet. Dakota grinned as she turned to face him “I did it!”

“What did I tell you? Your dad knows best”

Dakota ran towards him and wrapped her arms around him “Thank you Dad”

“I’m always here to help you Koda” Drake planted a kiss on the top of her head “Now come on let’s get you to bed, you have a competition to win tomorrow”

******

Drake was pulled from his memory as he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist. He turned, pulling Willow into his side as he draped his arm over her shoulder and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

“Hey you”

Willow nuzzled into his chest “Our little girl is sixteen Drake”

Drake sighed as he rested his head on top of hers “I know”

“She’ll be going off to college soon”

“Yeah” Drake sighed “At least it’ll be a lot quieter around the house”

Willow smacked his arm playfully “Drake!” She scolded.

“I'm joking” He grinned “Cole will be happy, he won’t have Koda winding him up every chance she gets”

“He’ll miss her though, he can’t perform his protective brotherly duties when she’s not here” Willow giggled and nodded to the opposite end of the ballroom “Have you seen him”

Drake followed her gaze. Cole was leaning up the wall, arms crossed over his chest scowling. His eyes never left Callen Nevrakis, who had one arm wrapped around Dakota’s waist as he lent down whispering in her ear. Drake smiled proudly “That’s because I taught him well”

“He’s literally a mini you” she giggled “I can’t believe he’s 13 next year, I can still remember when he was born”

******

“Daddy!” Dakota shrieked as she bounced down the steps of the Ramsford estate, Max trailing behind. Drake bent down, arms outstretched, as Dakota wrapped her arms around his neck. Drake kissed her cheek as she rested her head on his chest “Was you good for Uncle Max?”

Max grinned as he approached “We had fun, didn’t we Koda bear?”

Dakota nodded as she toyed with the buttons on Drake's shirt “We ate ice cream and watched movies and we built a pillow fort!” She beamed.

Drake chuckled as he opened the door of his truck “I’m glad you had fun” he strapped Dakota into her car seat and turned to Max “Thank you for looking after her”

Max waved him off before pulling him into a hug “Anytime and congratulations”

Drake grinned as he pulled away “Thank you”

After taking the short drive back to the cabin, Drake got Dakota out the car and carried her to the front door “You ready to meet your little brother?” Dakota nodded excitedly as he opened the front door. Willow was sitting on the couch, cradling Cole in her arms. Drake placed Dakota on the floor and she ran towards Willow. She smiled as her daughter kissed her cheek “Hey baby”

Dakota peered down at Cole and smiled, she stroked his cheek with her finger “He looks like daddy” Willow and Drake grinned at each other

“I know”

Dakota places her finger in his tiny hand “Can I hold him?”

Willow nodded as she patted the space beside her “Of course”

Drake placed a pillow on her lap and under her arm. Willow gently placed Cole in her arms, making sure to support his head. Drake watched and could feel his heart swell as Willow and Dakota cooed over Cole.

******

“Drake I think we might have a problem” they watched as Their son pushed himself from the wall, making a beeline straight for Dakota and Callen. Just as Drake was going to make his way over, Max grabbed Cole by the arm and stopped him. After a few minutes Cole retreated back to the edge of the dance floor, Max turned and bounced his way over to Dakota. Max bowed dramatically while holding his hand out, Dakota grinned as she took it and they both began to twirl across the floor. Even though sometimes it seemed like Maxwell’s life purpose was to annoy the living hell out of Drake, he couldn’t fault him when it came to his family. Maxwell has been there for them through every up and down they faced so far and sometimes had been the glue that held them all together. He’d always treated Dakota and Cole as if they were his own and Max and Dakota were practically joined at the hip. Drake knew Max would always make them a top priority and the unconditionally love he had for his kids.

******

3 more days Drake thought to himself as he slowly made his way to the front door. Willow was on a business trip in France and Drake was finding it difficult being away from her. He loved spending quality time with Dakota when he finished work and having her all to himself, but without Willow it felt like something was missing, it didn’t feel right. He was grateful Max had offered to spend the week and help look after Dakota, it helped take both of their minds off Willow being away. Drake pushed open the front door and was surprised to find it empty. The past few days he’d walked in and Max and Dakota would be dancing and singing around the living, watching a film or sitting at the coffee table drawing. He kicked off his shoes and padded into the kitchen to find it was also empty, he frowned before calling out “Max? Koda?”

With no reply Drake strode up the stairs and headed straight to Dakota’s room, he peeked his head around the door but nothing. Panic started to set in until he glanced down the hallway and saw the door to his and Willows bedroom slightly open. He padded his way down the hall and slowly opened the door. He grinned when he saw Dakota curled up on Max’s chest both of them asleep. He quietly creeped across the room towards the bed, he brushed the hair out of Dakota’s face and bent down to gently kiss her forehead. He smiled as her tiny hand gripped onto Maxwell’s shirt as she nuzzled into him. Drake knew how much she loved her Uncle Max and he also knew that Max would do anything to make Dakota happy and protect her. He was grateful that, besides him and Willow, Dakota would always have Max in her corner to help her through everything she would face through life. He pulled out his phone, snapped a picture and quickly sent it to Willow before creeping out the room and closing the door quietly behind him.

******

Drake caught Dakota’s eye across the ballroom, he titled his head towards the doors of the balcony, she beamed and nodded before excusing herself. She made her way across the room and quickly snuck outside. She made her way over to Drake, who was leaning over the railing that looked over the gardens, she linked her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. Drake smiled as he looked down at his daughter “You having a good time kid?”

“Yeah it’s just” she bent down, removed her heels and tossed them to the side “My feet are killing me” she groaned. Drake snorted and shook his head “You sound just like your mom”

Dakota rolled her eyes playfully “You always say that”

“Because it’s true” Drake retrieved his flask from his jacket pocket, he took a swig before offering it to Dakota “Seen as it’s your birthday, I thought you might want a drink”

Dakota tilted her head quizzically, a slight smirk on her face “You’re letting me drink? You never let me drink”

“I’d let you have a drink Dakota” he gave her a pointed look “What I don’t appreciate, is you sneaking out to get blackout drunk with your friends”

Dakota pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and looked up at the sky “You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?”

“Not a chance kiddo”

******

Drake slowly opened his eyes as he heard his phone vibrating on his bedside table. He peered at the alarm clock. Why is someone ringing me at 1am he reached over to grab his phone, squinting as the bright light hit his face. He frowned as Dakota’s name flashed across the screen and accepted the call

“Dakota your room is right down the hall, why-”

“Mr Walker, it’s Megan Dakota’s drank too much and she passed out, then she started throwing and now she’s locked in the bathroom and I don’t know what to do”

Drake sat up, trying to wrap his sleep filled mind around the information he’d just been bombarded with “Okay, just calm down” Drake rubbed his eyes “How did this happen?”

“My older brother is having a party, Dakota said she would sneak out-”

Drake could feel his anger rising as he listened to Megan’s panicked voice on the phone. This wasn’t the first time his 15 year old daughter had snuck out, however this was the first time one of her friends had called for help in the earlier hours of the morning. “I’m on my way” Drake ended the call and pushed himself out the bed, he quickly pulled on his clothes and tossed his phone onto the bed.

“Where are you going?” He heard Willows sleep filled voice from the bed

“To save our intoxicated daughter” Drake growled. He flung the bedroom door open and ran down the stairs. Retrieving the keys for his truck and made his way outside.

After the 30 minute drive he pulled up outside Megan’s house. A group of 17-18 year old’s were standing outside the house and music blaring from inside. Drake slammed the door of his truck shut and stormed into the house. He pushed his way through the sea of drunken teenagers and made his way up stairs. Drake found Megan sitting on the floor in front of the bathroom door, she quickly jumped to her feet as he approached. “She’s still in there?” He asked as jiggled the door handle

“She’s been in there for over an hour”

Drake let out an Aggregate breath as he banged on the door “Open the door Dakota” he pressed his ear to the door but heard nothing. He stepped back and kicked the door down with ease. He felt his anger rising again as he saw his daughter passed out, head hanging over the toilet. He crouched down beside her and rubbed her back “Dakota you need to wake up” he grimaced as she coughed and then proceeded to be sick. He sat and rubbed her back as he waited for her to finish. She groaned as she lifted her head “I want to go home” Drake nodded as he picked her up and carried her out to his truck.

Once they got back He carried her to the house, when he opened the door Willow was sitting on the couch, she jumped to her feet when she heard the door open “Oh my god what happened?” Drake lay her on the couch and then ran a hand through his hair “She snuck out to a party and got drunk”

Dakota groaned as she rolled over “I’m going to be sick” she mumbled as she coughed. She stumbled to her feet and into the bathroom.

Drake placed back and forth “I can’t fucking believe this” he huffed

“Drake you need to calm down”

“Calm down?” Drake turned and frowned at Willow “Our 15 year old daughter is currently throwing up in the bathroom after sneaking out to a party and you’re telling me to calm down?!” He threw his hands in the air.

Willow raised a brow and stared at him “And you, Liam and Max never did anything like this when you were younger?” Drake stared at her hands on his hips “Exactly, yes it’s wrong but it’s what kids do”

“How are you not angry”

“Oh I’m mad as hell, but shouting at her while her head is over the toilet isn’t going to help the situation”

Drake nodded as he sighed “You go to bed and I’ll make sure she’s okay”

******

Dakota grimaced “You didn’t speak to me for like a week after that”

Drake chuckled “I was mad that’s why”

“You made me do all the chores around the house” she shrieked “As well as the silent treatment”

“You didn’t learn your lesson though did you?”

“I always tell you and mom where I’m going now”

Drake turned to face her, one brow raised as he smirked. Dakota rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest “Okay, okay...I tell you most of the time”

Drake grinned as he pulled her into his side and kissed her head “Even though your a massive pain in the ass, you’ll always be my little girl”

She peered up at him and smiled “I love you dad”

“I love you too Koda” Drake bent down to pick up her shoes “Now let’s get you back inside before your mom and uncle Max send a search party” Dakota giggled and grabbed her shoes.

“I’ll tell you what Koda, beat me to the bar and I’ll buy you a drink”

Dakota grinned “What if you beat me?”

“Then you owe me one” Drake took off running towards the doors of the ballroom. Dakota pulled up her dress as she chased after him “Not fair dad, you got a head start!”

#choicesmarchchallenge

[msjr0119]

We Belong

Part 14

Evangeline Bruley returns to Cordonia to take over her families Duchy. She was betrothed to the now King, however he is engaged to Duchess Riley but still has lingering feelings towards his first love. What will happen during her time back in Cordonia?

Book: The Royal Romance

Please do not read if you are under 18, if you do you are consenting that you are over this age. Also do not continue to read if any of the below warnings affect you.

Warnings: Swearing, references about sex, slight smut, mental health, depression, mention of death penalty, mention of past murder, mention of attempted murder, mention of adultery (past/present), mention of alcoholism.

Tag list- if you want to be removed just let me know 😊

@pedudley @kacie-0156 @loveellamae @annekebbphotography @ladyangel70 @kingliam2019 @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @texaskitten30 @kimmiedoo5 @walker7519 @lodberg @cmestrella @hopefulmoonobject @axwalker @rafasgirl23415 @yukinagato2012 @cordonianroyalty @custaroonie @seriouslybadchoices @rainbowsinthestorm @princess-geek @jared2612 @desireepow-1986 @twinkle-320 @queenjilian @princessleac1

******

Everyone arrived back in Cordonia a couple of days after Drake and Evie had become engaged, and Bastien had received the call from Glen.

That night Drake felt like he was in a dream, the girl he had loved for years had agreed to become his wife.

Entering the room, Drake had arranged for the staff to place rose petals on to the bed, along with other extra surprises such as; a fruit basket, chocolate, champagne.

Evie’s eyes widened, her heart sunk knowing how much time and effort he had put into this proposal. Grateful that he had forgiven her- she wouldn’t have forgiven herself if he had ghosted her after she ran away.

“I’m so lucky to have you.” She whispered, but loud enough for him to hear her.

“I’m the lucky one..” Drake couldn’t help but look at her adorably. His Evie. His world.

“We’re both lucky. Decades of friendship, now we have decades of being husband and wife.”

“I can’t wait to call you my wife.” Picking her up, he held her against the wall as he began kissing her passionately. “I hope you’re not tired.. because I want my fiancée all to myself tonight..” lifting her skirt up, he ran his fingers along her thigh- sending shivers down her spine.

“I’m all yours. Forever and always, I love you. I think we should do a toast.” Forcing her way past him, she walked over to the table where the champagne was cooling. Drake looked down towards his throbbing cock- is she serious right now?

Shaking the bottle of champagne, she quickly stripped down to her underwear. Once she opened the fizz, it sprayed in every direction as she attempted to pour it onto herself.

“So Duke Walker to be... have you ever licked champagne off of a beautiful duchesses body?”

That night in the hotel room, ran through Drakes mind on a loop- it was one of the happiest days of his life. The most hottest rendezvous he had with her, as of yet. However, today it would be erased from his memory for a short time- today was the day he finally faced his mother.

****

Walking into the hospital, Drake and Savannah were both hesitant- neither wanted to see their mother. They had put up with her shit ever since they were children, they tried to get her help which she refused. Now they were adults, both starting their new journeys with their other halves she was down the priority list in their eyes.

“I’m not seeing her!” Drake snapped. “She is having the death penalty, and thinks that this little attention seeking will make us all feel sorry for her- give her another chance.”

“Drake...”

“Don’t Drake me, Evie.” Regretting talking time her this way, he apologised immediately. He was just frustrated with the whole situation.

“I’ll go in instead, when and if you both want to go and visit her you can.” Liam suggested to his friend. “I’ll go with you Liam, I chose her fate.”

“No! I don’t want you seeing her, Evie.”

“Drake, it’s fine. She’s not going to hurt me infront of Liam is she?” Possibly? We don’t know what she’s capable of- Drake muttered to himself.

“Come on Drake, we’ll get a coffee.” Savannah pleaded with her brother. Eventually he agreed willingly to them, deep down he disagreed.

“If she upsets you, or tries to hurt you run out of the room.” Evie nodded. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Drake kissed her on the lips, not caring what anyone thought.

****

“Mrs Walker.”

‘That will be you soon’, Liam whispered in her ear.

‘I’ll be the better Mrs Walker, your Majesty.’ Winking at him, they both laughed hoping that she didn’t hear them.

“Evangeline. Your Majesty. Where are my children? I need them.”

“Why did you go on a hunger strike Bianca?” Liam asked in an authoritative tone of voice. He was a busy man- he didn’t have time to pussy-foot around the woman who clearly wasn’t sane.

The guards entered the cell, Bianca was rocking back and forth in the corner- dampness was dripping onto her, she was oblivious to this. Vacant.

“Mrs Walker?” Glen attempted to gain her assistance, he even banged on the wall- but she was still continuing to ignore them. “Your food is here. You need to eat at some point!”

“You have it. I’m not hungry.” Shaking his head, he placed the food in front of her forcefully. Causing her to jump, she noticed him scowl towards her. “Eat it, before you kill yourself.”

Bianca nit picked at the food, not raising it to her mouth- instead was just flicking it around the plate. She was languishing in a cell and was unsure as to how much more she could deal with. Deep down she knew she deserved every punishment that she was given. But would never admit it, until she was desperate. Knowing her life was a ticking time bomb- she would pull out any trick to secure her life. Glen walked away, knowing he couldn’t force feed her. It had been two days since she had eaten anything. With Bianca having already suffered a terrible breakdown when Jackson died- she was close to doing it again. Standing up she punched her knuckles to bloody pulps against the cell door and threw her dinner against the wall. Anguished that no-one was giving her a chance- she believed that she was a victim due to her mental illness. Now that Toby had died, she could and would blame him for everything. It was her word against his. Bianca took a stand when another guard brought her something to eat later on that day, she refused to eat again. As she told him that she wouldn’t eat anything until someone listened to her and helped her, it was clear from her eyes that she was serious, even though this could put her in serious peril. That serious peril, occurred the day after- when Glen found her unconscious on the floor. Immediately requesting medical assistance, he knew he had to break the news to Bastien. He wondered where he was located as he was due back in Cordonia the previous day.

“Bastien. Where have you been? You need to return to Cordonia now!”

“I feel empty without my children... I need them. I don’t want to die. I need their forgiveness. Everyone’s forgiveness.”

“Maybe you should have thought about that before? You’ve caused too much hurt for everyone! You could have killed Evie!” Evie placed her hand on to Liam’s arm, her eyes pleaded with him to calm down- she was grateful for him defending her. But he didn’t need to waste another single breath on her.

“I’m sorry Evie...” pausing she noticed the jewellery shining on her left hand. “Are you wearing Pats ring?”

“Yes, myself and Drake are engaged. We love each other, and you are not going to hurt us anymore.”

“Bianca, I will try and get your ‘children’ to say goodbye to you. Your sentencing is scheduled for next week. I’ll see you prior to that.”

“Liam, please. I need them. They need me.”

“They’ve done well without you. Savannah has Bertrand and Bartie. Drake has Evie. Goodbye Bianca.” Liam held his hand out towards Evie, encouraging her to leave with him.

“Evie, stay with me.”

“It’s fine Liam, I won’t be long..” Kissing her on the cheek, she noticed that Liam had left the door open slightly ajar. Mainly to have access to barge in for any emergency.

“What?”

“Convince Liam to release me and drop the sentencing. I’ll do whatever I need to do. I’ll support you all. You’re going to be family. Please. I’ll stop drinking. I’ll get help.”

“It’s not Liam that you have to convince. It’s myself. As well as the council. I was ready to help you, then you maliciously informed me about my miscarriage. You show no remorse for anything that you have done or continue to keep doing. My parents took in your children for months. How do you repay them? By killing them. How do you repay the royal family for taking over my parents roles? Attempting to kill them all.”

“I am so sorry. I don’t deserve anything, please reconsider my life. If it was Drake with your parents what would you want him to do?”

“Don’t bring my parents in to this. They were good people! I was already saving your life, it was the council that wasn’t. I wanted to help you because you are the mother of the man that I love. You took my parents away from me, as well our chance of being parents. I’ve got nothing more to say to you Bianca.” Reaching out to her, she held onto Evie’s hand with a tight grip. Bianca needed to tell someone. Anyone. The thing that had made her go crazy in the cold damp cell.

“Evie... I saw Jackson. At the wedding.”

“So you was drunk? The only person who can help you, is yourself. You have a week to prove that. You need help if you are seeing your deceased husband.”

“I wasn’t drunk! I heard his voice. He was there! I swear!”

“Evie. Wait. Please.” Exiting the room, she had doubts about what to do.

“Evie?” Wiping the tears away, she turned to face Drake- pulling him flush to her.

“Did she hurt you?”

“No. She just doesn’t want to die. I think you should make amends with her before the sentencing. Stay with Savannah, I’ll get Liam to take me home. I need to pack for London, for Toby’s funeral. I’ll see you at home?”

“Home. It’s still so surreal. I won’t be long. I don’t have much to say to her.”

*****

Arriving in the uk, Evie headed to the hotel to quickly change for Toby’s funeral. There was a mix of emotions running through her mind; relief that he couldn’t hurt her anymore, nerves about seeing the ghosts of her past including Elise, empathy for his family who she was once close to- the family who she believed at the time was going to be her family. After a quick shower, she quickly rung Drake up to let him know that she was safe and had arrived. He explained that he was missing her and couldn’t wait for her to return.

Calling for a taxi, she arrived at the church- seeing people gathering outside, her legs didn’t want to move forward after seeing that woman who screwed her ex fiance behind her back.

“Evangeline. So you’ve returned. I never thought I’d see your sad little pathetic face again...”

“Shut the fuck up before I do it for you! I’m surprised you’re here and not laid on your back somewhere...”

“Just admit it Evie. He preferred blondes. He preferred women who gave him attention and saw to all his sexual needs....”

“We had sex! We was engaged for fuck sake! You know nothing about my relationship with Toby - probably because everything he told you was complete utter bullshit!”

“Or maybe you was just a fuck?” Elise smirked, Evie knew people were around them but she didn’t care. Raising her fist, she was about to aim straight for the blondes nose- hoping that a plastic surgeon wouldn’t be able to reconstruct it. A hand grabbed her before she could inflict any pain- turning around she was shocked as to why he was here.

“Don’t do it. Whoever she is, isn’t worth it. You’re better than that Evie...”

“Hello handsome. Thank you for rescuing me from this mad woman. My names Elise. And yours is?”

“My names Liam.” Elise stepped forward towards Liam, Evie stood inbetween them before she could do anything more.

“Don’t even think about touching him!”

“So you know him?”

“He’s my fiancé, so leave him alone.” Liam looked at her confused as Elise perked her eyebrows up. Fixing his expression, he placed his arm around her waist knowing she was doing this for a reason.

“You know Liam, Evie can’t keep her fiancés on a leash... if you get bored you know where to find me... I’m known for giving the best blowjobs around here...” Nearly physically vomiting, he wondered what the hell Toby saw in this woman. Especially when he was lucky enough to have someone like Evie in his life.

“What the fuck?” The words slipped out, as he was still shell shocked with the introduction with Elise.

“Don’t swear your Majesty. It doesn’t suit you...”

“Are you going to explain what all that was about?”

“Are you going to explain why you are here?”

“Toby was my childhood friend, my meetings got cancelled. I am here on behalf of everyone. Besides I thought you’d need some extra support and company. Now your turn, explain.”

“She’s the slut that ruined my engagement. She was screwing him behind my back. She just gets under my skin...” before she could continue Elise returned with a few other woman that were her and Evie’s mutual friends. Once upon a time.

“This is him. Isn’t he gorgeous? Like a Greek god. This is Evie’s potential second failed engagement. I mean they haven’t even kissed yet...” Elise sniggered along with the other women whilst ‘swooning’ over him.

“We aren’t into the whole PDA. I like to keep my sex life private with my fiancée.” Empathising the word fiancée he had hoped that that would be the end of it.

“We don’t care. Do we girls? Just kiss.” Elise was peer pressuring them as she wasn’t convinced that their relationship was sincere. Narrowing her eyes towards Evie’s direction, she pointed towards the watch on her wrist. Tick tock.

“Oh I will be kissing him and doing a whole lot more when we return to the hotel. Isn’t that right darling?” Evie placed her hand across Liam’s chest, looking up towards his with a fake seductive expression.

“Just kiss. What’s the issue?” Evie turned towards Liam, cupping his cheek. Just pretend that you are movie star Evie. It’s fake. That woman isn’t digging her claws into someone else’s man. Kissing Liam slowly to begin with, his hands roamed her body as the kiss deepened. Opening her mouth, he slipped his tongue in- both tongues battling against each other. Breaking the kiss, Evie noticed that Liam enjoyed that kiss far too much than he should have.

“Did you enjoy your live porn? I mean this is what I do to my fiancé...”. Pointing to his obvious erection, the women all gasped- all now swooning even more over the handsome stranger. Elise grit her teeth together, before dragging her ‘minions’ away.

“What the fuck Liam?”

“You came on to me... I can’t help it. I’m a man.”

“Riley is going to chop your dick off your Majesty. I’m telling Drake why we kissed. To save that slut from ruining anymore relationships. No need to thank me. No matter how hard you resist, Elise always get what she wants. It’s up to you if you tell your wife.”

“You enjoyed it really, Duchess Evangeline.” Winking he was only joking. Even though he had cheated on Riley he did secretly enjoy it- but that kiss was closure even if it was fake. He realised that Evie wasn’t want he wanted anymore. Riley and his child was his world. As much as he loved Evie, he was grateful with how fate had occurred in his life.

“Your Majesty. Duchess Evangeline. Drake. Riley. Not so innocent are we Evie?” Elise spoke quietly standing in the shadows overhearing the conversation- her imagination began to roam wild.

*****

Evie was settling down in the hotel, hearing a knock at the door she assumed it would be Liam. He had offered to take her out for food after the wake but she politely declined, he continued attempting to persuade her but she ignored him. Forcing herself off the sofa, she placed the glass of wine on the table.

“Hello...”

“Hi...”

“Did you not receive my last text?”

“It must have slipped my mind...”

“Well as I said before I thought you’d need some extra support and company. You need me, no matter how much you deny it.” Pulling him through the threshold, she forced a kiss onto his lips.

“I do need you. I want more than a kiss, now that you’re here... we are alone...”

#choices trr #trr fan fic #drake x oc #drake x evie #liam x riley #trr we belong #liam x evie #tw swearing #tw slight smut #tw depression #tw sex mention #tw murder mention #tw adultery #tw mental health #tw alcoholism #long post