#fire country season 2

[cloveroctobers]

NOTHING SWEETER — BODE LEONE: [Spring Prompts]

A/N: This will probably flop since it’s basically a ghost town in this tag but here I am! Plus it was also requested for me to write for Bode (again) lol which I don’t have a problem with, we love that guy over here. They’re wrong for going on break after giving us what they gave us! I also just want to say that I really miss Max’s curls but here it goes!!

PROMPT IS FROM HERE + I’m using: 18.  “Damn, I hate pollen.” + 8.  “IT’S A DEER!” “Yeah, and?” “I CAN SEE IT!”

<- read my previous anthology prompt here.

⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡ ♡

Eve was lucky you loved her.

Being up this early on your first day back in Edgewater to give her a ride to Three Rock (her car was in the shop) was a lot to ask! Not really! but what kind of friend would you be if you didn’t complain a good portion about it on the ride up to camp?

“If I get you an iced coffee, would you love me again?” Eve pinched the space in between her brows, elbow resting against the car door.

You hummed while using one hand to tap on your chin, “Add in a Mozzarella, Pesto, and tomato bagel then we’ll talk.”

Eve twisted her lips upwards, “…that’s a thing? Whatever happened to a simple cream cheese with eggs and avocado?”

“You’re lucky I’m not asking for a soft boiled egg stuffed with caviar.” You respond as you reduce your speed once you cross the bridge, spying the familiar deli spot up ahead.

Eve scoffed as she side eyed you, “oh yeah, Switzerland done made you bougie.”

Which earned a laugh from you as you pulled the Toyota 4Runner into the small parking lot. If you weren’t a bundle of nerves you would have got out of the car with Eve to see what changed about the deli you spent many afternoons in with your old friends. However you let your mind wander a bit as you stared out into edgewater’s view.

You were home…except your childhood home was just a memory now that your divorced parents no longer resided in Edgewater. So you crashed at Eve’s although you were completely fine staying in a hotel since Jake talked you out of an air bnb after watching some movie called, “Barbarian,” and you were tired of hearing the statistics and other real life horror stories he pulled out of his ass. Eve was your number one best friend and she was more than willing to open up her place for a friend like you.

As you took up a interest in archery and later turned into a professional Archer, you were inspired to see what the world had in store so the sooner you got out of Edgewater, the better it was for you. Some just didn’t get it (your parents mainly, with your mother being an orthopedic surgeon and your father a fire chief before his MS took over) and expected you to start your own roots here. It was kind of a thing here in this small town, that you were to begin again and build your own legacy. However you were in the tiny group of odd’s that wanted more than the expectations hanging over your head.

Which is why you were proud to say that you’ve been participating in the Olympics every few years because of your passion for archery. Of course you had people down your neck all throughout your career but you still stood as tall as you could.

Now you were back home in the place that was full of doubts but the tightness in your chest wasn’t as noticeable the closer you got to camp.

“Thanks for dropping me off, I appreciate it.” Eve starts as she spots a few inmates hanging around on the yard already, “If you stick around for a minute I’ll even do you a solid and send Bode your way. Since I know it’ll be difficult otherwise.”

Taking a deep inhale you say, “I still can’t believe he’s here.”

“Yeah well…if he stays on the right track this time he’ll be out even sooner.” Eve tells, “He’s still a big pain in all of our asses but I think it would do him some good to see you…you did come all this way.”

It’s been years since you last saw each other but you came back for Riley’s funeral and you reached out to Bode when he moved away to a few towns over and changed his last name. You tried to be there even being ocean’s apart but when Bode felt low, it always felt like he wanted to take the world on his shoulder’s and find a way to make it spin again. Yet that landed him in prison and Eve had no problem filling you in on everything in between.

Would he even want to see you? It’s not like your relationship turned sour or anything…it’s just been awhile being in contact with each other. You weren’t nearly this anxious seeing Eve and doubted you would be when you had lunch with Jake and Cara—which was still weird to you—But being near Bode was different from everybody else and you knew that.

“I did…didn’t I?” You loll your head to face Eve, who studies it for a moment before dipping her head.

She tapped her hand against the outside of the door, whispering into the spring air, “it’ll be fine. He’s in a much better headspace and you’re still family no matter where you disappear off to, you got that?”

A watery smile goes Eve’s way before she leaves you to collect yourself. You’re pulling your mirror down from the sun visor, patting underneath your eyes and beginning to second guess yourself. You were here for two weeks and there was no way that you planned on not seeing Bode. You ran into his parents just last night at the bar, craving some wings before heading to Eve’s, just to be received with warm arms and classic banter from the Leone’s.

They were the parents you could talk to more than your own. If you weren’t crashing at Eve’s then you would definitely be at the Leone’s but then Bode and Cara happened so that’s when some of the distance was created. They didn’t last, like most teenage relationships but out of respect you felt like it was the right thing to do.

It felt right being back, even if it was only temporary.

Maybe that’s just how you had to view Bode’s situation. He wasn’t a temporary kind of friend although you couldn’t socialize as much but you tried to be hopeful. Even climbed out of the car pacing back and forth, not paying much attention to anyone around until you spotted the green dust decorating the navy car.

Scowling in disgust, you swiped the arm of your jacket around the hood of your car before cringing at the greenery you wiped on your sweatpants afterwards.

“Damn, I hate pollen.” A voice comes from behind, which makes you slowly stand up straight and glance over your shoulder.

There he was.

Bode Leone, standing in the flesh, hands deep in his jacket pockets, and a small smile on his lips.

You fully turn to face him and tilt your head to the side, “Didn’t I tell you once before that Orange isn’t your color?”

Bode lifts his shoulders with humor in his blue-green eyes as he motions towards the spot on you, “yeah, well maybe green isn’t yours either.”

You scoff as you motion to your outfit, “what? You don’t think I’m pulling it off?”

The blond chuckles as he takes a step towards you, “As long as you don’t start itching then sure, whatever you say.”

“Oh,” you scratch at the back of your hand and shoot a glare at the man who’s got crinkles by his eyes now, “why did you have to go and say that Bode! Now I’m doing it!”

“Sorry! It’s just that I sorta remembered that you were sensitive to almost everything including air.” He says to you, teasing somewhat, now standing face to face with you.

Rolling your eyes you couldn’t help but to smile at that. You didn’t know what it was growing up in high school, you were highly allergic to almost everything which landed you in the nurses office a lot but it seemed to relax as you reached your twenties and moved away. You always joked that maybe it was Edgewater that was making you sick. Yet the longer you stood in this town and interacted with not only Eve but Bode, you knew that wasn’t completely true.

“It’s good to see you, Bo.” You lightly shove his shoulder back while he nods in agreement, “can I give you a hug?”

Bode blinks the furrow of his brows away as if you were being ridiculous, “of course you can.”

And you’re cradling the back of his head while his fingers are at your spine, swaying from side to side in a firm but gentle squeeze. Then he’s burying his nose into your shoulder and the feel of the embrace tells you that this was meant to be.

When your eyes open, you realize that you could live just fine in Bode’s arms. You remember your final kiss goodbye in Drayscott, one month before you left the country and one month before Bode attempted to pull off a robbery—it was the sweetest thing—the kiss obviously! because it should have been happened. It didn’t come out of nowhere, it was full of intention, full of wonder and love but you were aware that it wasn’t the right time to be something more.

Maybe some day it could be.

Little did you know, Bode kept that memory not far away. He was kicking himself for the what if’s but when he manages to pull himself out of the blue, he thinks about the best possibility being you.

The both of you could be good together, could see the world together and he wasn’t sure how it all looked but he was willing to imagine.

A gasp makes Bode pull away, alarmed.

“IT’S A DEER!” You point, over Bode’s shoulder.

He glances over his shoulder to in fact see the said brown animal, peering at the two of you, “Yeah, and?”

“I CAN SEE IT!” You attempt to lower your voice but the excitement got the best of you as you almost bounce on your toes.

Bode’s still lightly has a hand resting on your waist now, as they watch the beautiful creature sniff at the grass and carried on deeper and away into the woods.

“Are you telling me they don’t have deer out in Switzerland?” There’s amusement in Bode’s voice as he peeks back at you.

“I’ve been in the city mainly but it’s been awhile since I’ve really been one with nature, you know? Which reminds me, I’ll have to make time to go off roading with this baby one of these days. Or hiking.” You jam a thumb back at the car.

Bode nods, “you’ll be careful won’t you? Don’t get so easily impressed with animals, not all of them will have the best intentions.”

You were an animal lover back in the day, so much to the point you wouldn’t dissect a frog sophomore year, which landed you in the principal’s office.

“What?” You blow a raspberry, “I’m like freaking Princess Aurora. Animals love me.”

Bode squints his eyes, “…didn’t you get bit by a goat when we were like what? Fourteen?”

“You’re really killing my vibe man and I don’t like that.” You yank on the end of Bode’s hair who laughs again.

He raises his hands in surrender and grips your wrist from his head, “alright, alright. My bad but if it makes you feel better, I still have that scar after that horse kicked the shit out of me when we had too many drinks partying at Tamsin Kadoka’s farm.”

“Really?”

Bode nods, “yeah, right on my lower back and it’s shaped like Utah.”

You meet each other’s gaze before bursting out laughing in unison at yet another memory. He’s gripping your shoulder again while he’s got your attention, “just promise me when you’re out there in those woods that you’re careful. I’d hate it if something happened to you.”

“Well the feeling is mutual, Bo.” You state, “you just had to go on and choose firefighting huh?”

Bode shrugs, “Must be in the Leone blood.”

“Yeah, must be.” You murmur, staring at him like there’s stars getting ready to rise in your eyes and Bode can’t help but to lean forward to place a lingering kiss on your forehead.

His facial hair pricks you but you don’t mind.

“Leone!” A guard calls out, which means your time is up for now.

You hold his hand, interlocking your fingers, which he squeezes with a smile to match, eyes wandering all over your features, almost as if to tell himself that you are in fact really here.

“Until next time?” He questions.

You smile, “See you soon, Bode.”

And he grins at you, those crinkles by his eyes returning before he slips his hand from yours.

This was brief but sweet and you’re mentally kicking yourself for thinking that this could go wrong.

You’re watching Bode walk away from you and he can’t help but to jog backwards to get another look at you. Almost as if you would disappear again and you would never see him again. When he turns back around, heading to the guard on shift who announces the inmates need to get ready for line ups inside at the bunks, he meets up with Cole on his way.

“Who was that?” Cole nudges his chin in your direction.

You’re seated in the driver’s seat, window down, leaning on your arm as you watch the men in Orange make their way back inside.

Catching Bode’s eye, you wave before rolling your window almost all the way up and pull away from the camp site.

“Someone i would like to give the world and more to once im out of here.”

Cole is smirking but appreciates the honesty as he claps Bode on his shoulder, already knowing what that look is for. “Then let’s make it happen, Leone! Nothing sweeter than having something on the outside to fight for, you know?”

“I agree.” Bode pulls his gaze from your retreating car, finding himself standing up straighter as they awaited for Eve to start their day.

When Eve’s brown eyes set on Bode’s, he just barely tips in his head in thanks, which the woman echo’s as she carries on along the line.

Bode already can’t wait for the next day he can get reconnected with you in person again so, he bites his smile away.

⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡♡✿ ⋆˙⟡ ♡

Continue with my spring anthology prompts here.

#Spotify #fire country #fire country season 2 #bode leone #bode donovan #bode leone x reader #bode Donovan x reader #eve edwards #spring prompts #queued #max thieriot

[shavincesworld]

I’m gonna need the writers to act as if I’m obtuse and spell out exactly what are these supposed problems in Vince’s and Sharon’s relationship rn. Like I don’t understand what this supposed tension and conflict is about or what’s the root cause.

What exactly made her think her marriage might be over?

#fire country #sharon leone #vince leone #fire country season 2

[showbizjunkies]

#fire country #fire country season 2 #max thieriot #billy burke #kevin alejandro

[papabearbobbynash]

Fire Country S02E02 thoughts.

Honestly Sharon looks like a completely different character from S1, and I'm not so sure if this is a good thing.

The interesting point to me is how she feels like she enabled a lot of Bode's reckless behavior and she doesn't know how she can be any different and so it comes the stiffness in her current relationship with Bode. This is actually an interesting stance, considering how her role pretty much has reversed with Vince regarding Bode.

Speaking of Vince, we have the other main relationship of Sharon, and one that was pretty much the only solid thing during S1 and most likely an aspect it kept a lot of people watching...

Honestly, Idk what to say about the episode outcome, I really want to believe the writers are misleading us... Because it does not to make sense for them to throw a possible cheating storyline after Sharon literally throw a tantrum about how Vince wasn't with her in the camp fire and how she, wanted him there but he wasn't and how she wanted him to show he missed her and all (something I also don't think it makes sense because I mean they were pretty solid before this).

I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to her, like maybe this Liam is a guy who kept trying to convince Sharon to have something with him and she was annoyed hence her behavior with his presence and reason she was so vigorous about Vince not being there in the camp, maybe is that idk, but I refuse to believe the writers really think trying to ruin the only healthy and mature relationship of the show was a good idea.

About Vince, I actually think he is the only character in the show that has been written consistently in character so far. You know when you watch something and you feel like you know where the arc is going? This is the feeling I get from Vince rn. Like his S1 arcs actually had a point considering his current stance compared to how he started S1 and he is trying to make up and redeem himself with Bode this season. It's like the writers know where they want the character to go and we as viewers can get that from how he behaves on screen, unfortunately he is the only character in the show rn that gives me that feeling.

Bode... Idk if trying to show off to you potential daughter is the way to go here champ. That implies you're still reckless as always so behave.

Jake has nothing going on to be commented at all, and I'm really not interested in Gabby drama regarding her marriage and Bode... Eve is kinda forced rn so I will give a bit more of time to see if her current stance changes or not.

#fire country #vince leone #sharon leone #shavince #bode leone #fire country season 2 #fire country spoilers

[thenerdygirlexp]

#FireCountry A Hail Mary S2Ep7 Preview via @stacyamiller85 @FireCountryCBS

Fire Country  Season 2 premieres on February 16, 2024 on CBS. Continue reading #FireCountry A Hail Mary S2Ep7 Preview via @stacyamiller85 @FireCountryCBS

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#A Hail Mary Season 2 Episode 7 #Fire Country Season 2

[mirabel-on-a-bicycle]

Here's the thing about the royal family not fully understanding that Wilhelm and Simon were *truly* in love though.

And subsequently, why Wille's coming out to the entirety of Sweden was so so powerful: them not knowing, or simply refusing to acknowledge this, no matter how many times he tried to tell them, actually gave Wille a much higher edge over everyone trying to cover up the scandal, even if he didn't realise this at first.

Every single person had a misunderstanding that this was something he wanted. That they were doing him an obvious favor by helping him cover it up, preparing a speech for him, threatening him whenever he got sidetracked. Or at least something he'd see sense in once he got past that "hormonal driven teenage tantrum" and understand that covering it up was the best course of action. Of course he wouldn't bring the other boy and his feelings into all of this. Simon was just an experiment right? Who'd go so far as to sabotage themselves to bring justice to someone they didn't even love and care about?

And this. this exact misassumption was what eventually brought them all down in the end.

Take August for example. If he had secrets and lies as his weapons and to keep his crimes in the dark, Wille had the truth. A whole truth bomb in the palm of his hand, all this time. And no matter how ballsy Wille was trying to be in that "I'm gonna slowly ruin August's life" mission of his, he was still fighting fire with fire. He only won when he clashed against August as an exact antithesis of him in that coming out speech. August's whole plan was doused only when Wille spoke the truth and refused to play along with his games.

I mean really, had he not done this, what would've happened at worst? August would've.. gotten voted out of being rowing captain?? Maybe he would suffer a bit then, but would it really matter in the long run? August knew that, and so did Wille, deep down, but he ignored that part and instead convinced himself that he was at least doing something to make himself feel better.

Because honestly?!

August never understood, or even cared to! He'd pretend to be sorry whenever needed and go right back to being where he was if needed, as long as he was gonna be king. The moment August actually. genuinely lost to him was when Wille did something not out of hatred for August, but out of love for Simon. And when he did, without having August in his mind, but the person he loved and cared about, he made it impossible for August to go anywhere from there on. It wasn't revenge, it was reconciliation that finally got him. (And simultaneously saved Wilmon's relationship too, for that matter 👀)

This has such poetry in it btw?? I can't properly explain it, but it does remind me of atla and Zuko's arc in a way. How there's a whole world of difference between his firebending when it's fueled by rage, and when it's fueled by wisdom, focus and harmony within the elements. The difference in outcome is so visibly there when the motivation is switched, and when Wille has love and understanding and bravery in his heart instead.

The whole time, the entire Hillerska staff, student body, royal court and royal family and tHEIR ROYAL FAMILIES- *deep breath* WERE AFTER MY BACHCHA had anticipated Wille to lash out for having his royal image tainted and getting at odds with his family but the fact that he'd do it on Simon's behalf never even crossed their brilliant little minds. They had equiped themselves, sure, but never for this >:) Because for all their brains and strategising, no one had actually sat down and thought for once that Wilmon were actually in love. There was a power in it that no one had anticipated.

#like sir. SIR. #did you not consider them an actual threat?! ahhahahh well SIKE #young royals #young royals analysis #wilmon #prince wilhem #august young royals #august horn #young royals season 2 #OH GOAH and now i can't stop thinking about the kind of conversation he's about to have with kristina like #she can scream and trash around all she wants wille literally has the upper hand now omhsgg #they can't touch him?? and to think the way out was there all this time? #august is dead basically the whole country is gonna hype this case up now #the royal familys gotta look nice and definitely not homophobic to the public and wilmon can be together at least for the time being #AND THE TENSION EVERYWHERE #oh god. s3 is gonna be rollercoaster on fire isn't it :'''

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

#all caught up #dude that season 2 promo though #intense #fire country #bode x gabriela #gabriela x bode #bode donovan #gabriela perez #kiss #kisses #kissing #hug #hugs #hugging #love #gif #gifs #gifset #1x22 #bodiela

[glenncoco4]

Okay, now that tv is coming back soon I started rewatching Fire Country and have thoughts that are eating away at me so I had to come out of hiding 😂

Saw someone comment about how strange it was for Sharon to turn on Bode so quickly and it got me to thinking. What if it’s a rouse? What if the prosecutor (or whoever that lady was) made a deal with him to let Freddy out if he went back into prison and broke up the ring Sleeper was running. Sharon was a part of the whole thing because he convinced the lady he needed to stay in contact with her since she’s ill. When in reality it’s really Sharon and Bode trying to catch her because she’s dirty.

But also, if he’s just being framed, I like the idea of Gabby, Freddy, Manny and Jake…possibly Eve, all joining forces to fight for his innocence.

#Fire Country #It’s been awhile #Seasons 2 #Bode Leone #Sharon Leone

[cerealbishh]

the scenes between gabriela and bode were so intimate... i love it

#cbs fire country #fire country 01x09 #gabriela perez #bode donovan #stephanie arcila #max thieriot #gabriela x bode #MY GOD #i'm pretty sure i screamed during all of their scenes #fire country spoilers #otp: i will if you do #also that mouth to mouth is the closest we'll ever get to a kiss this season #thank god for season 2 #THE HANDHOLDING I-

[tangled-pixel-harpsichord]

TW: discussions of the invasion of Ukraine, anti-Semitism, genocide, death, and Nazism

Caveat: I do not live in Ukraine or Russia, I am an American with a vested interest in Ukraine bc I have family there (including my little brother), but listen to actual Ukrainians please.

Looking at the talk around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I’m seeing a few folks pointing out how odd it is that Putin is citing “getting rid of Nazis in Ukraine’s government” as a reason for his unsactioned invasion, given Volodymyr Zelenskyy is, you know, Jewish. As many have already pointed out, there is a far-right nationalist movement in Ukraine, including a contingent of vocal neonazis. This is bad, we all agree. But this group doesn’t control the government, especially not to the same extent the far right controls the government of, say, the US.

BUT, what nobody has said, because it isn’t taught in the West for some godDAMN reason, is that the Nazis targeted Slavs and Soviet citizens for genocide too. Slavs were sent to concentration camps and killed en mass. In much greater numbers than any other group. Putin is drawing on very real, very powerful memories of an attempted genocide to try to convince Russians to support and carry out his attack on fellow victims of that same attempted genocide.

Real shitty thing to do, but at least now you know why.

(We’re not gonna get into the fact that a lot of the Soviet victims were from modern-day Ukraine because this isn’t about convincing you that Putin is doing horrific things. You already knew that. I WILL mention it though, because the West has a habit of equating the Soviet Union and modern-day Russia, which is a mistake)

Tldr: the Nazis killed an estimated 12 MILLION Slavs during the Holocaust and Putin is trying to use that horrific trauma to convince Russians to commit more genocide.

#Ukraine #death tw #antisemitsm tw #anti Slav rhetoric #genocide tw #my actual hot take is Putin is 1) butthurt bc his country is smaller that it was when he was a kid… #2) dealing with the very real issues of how to get food into a country without a very long growing season #(especially important when you consider Ukraine is also known as the breadbasket of the Soviet Union) #3) trying to discourage thoughts of independence in Siberia by showing the ‘consequences’ of trying to leave mother Russia #(which is backfiring to an INCREDIBLE degree) #(they are SETTING FIRE to RECRUITING STATIONS. I love you Siberia) #I’m sorry my brother’s going back to Kyiv next week and I’m…stressed

[law-avocados]

Bode and Gabriela better be end game sometime during this series

#maybe not season 1 but like maybe season 2 #fire country #thoughts

[cloveroctobers]

somebody like you — joe x oc x bode leone

A/N: here’s my attempt to write for joe again! It’s the month of fluff so I thought why not? I just want my man to be happy so…but we’re also talking about ME here who loves a little (A-LOT in this case—some difficult topics will be discussed later on throughout this piece) angst on the side. I should seek therapy, ha! Anyways, You’ve been warned?

S/N: if you haven’t seen fire country this is me telling you to watch it. Although I’m using a gif for a different character/show that I haven’t watched…we’re gonna pretend that this works for bode’s character! Max has always been a cutie to me sorry lol. + GIFS BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERs ALWAYS! + kinda lengthy unintentionally.

・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ・

she doesn’t know what time it is or care.

What she does know is she hates the person calling her right now. She was supposed to be sleeping in—which was always but that’s besides the point! Winters in New England can be brutal and she wasn’t much of a winter girl. Let’s just say she couldn’t wait for spring to arrive so that the view can provide some sort of livelihood around here. Now don’t get her wrong, the snow was pretty to look at and there were some fun activities to get into but after almost breaking her car door due to it being frozen shut? She was done.

After what felt like the twentieth buzzing from her phone, she made a attempt to reach for her bedside table. If her long arms didn’t reach out far enough to grasp her phone, then that was the person on the other line’s problem. Lucky for them she was able to grab it, snatching the device close to her face. With slits in her eyes she rested the phone right by her face on her pillow and slid a finger across the screen.

“What?”

A laugh was breathed into the other line by a familiar voice, “come on! Don’t tell me you’re still in bed.”

“I’ve been trying to call you for over an hour now, wanted to invite you up to mine for breakfast.”

“I’ve been trying to call you for over an hour now, wanted to invite you up to mine for breakfast.”

“I’ve been trying to call you for over an hour now, wanted to invite you up to mine for breakfast.”

A grunt sounded from her throat, “I thought we had a understanding. You don’t wake me up until after 6pm.”

Joe wasn’t surprised at this response. The pair were complete opposites, whereas he didn’t mind early mornings which allowed him to get things done—especially as a business owner; while she was the creative night owl and thrived when the stars twinkled in the navy sky.

“I made hashbrowns along with other surprises,” Joe persuaded, making her eyes peel open at the thought, “and I’m actually out front.”

Which really means the back entrance, however due to where his ranch was located, it was really the front entrance for him.

Letting out a long sigh, she flopped on her back in thought as she stared up at the ceiling that appeared as if it was experiencing some water damage. She knew if she mentioned this to her dad over her weekly facetime calls with him, she wouldn’t hear the end of it. It also looked as if it was starting to spread but that was another problem for another day. She had to worry about if she wanted to move from this metal-framed plushy bed.

When a growl erupting from her belly, she found her answer.

“Fine, you win this time.” She sat up and stretched with her hands raised high above her head, limbs stiff, “Let yourself in, I’m gonna get myself ready.”

The wind could be heard from the other line as Joe pulled the screen door back, “I always win…but thanks for your permission, your majesty, my arms were starting to get frostbite. And hurry up, some people are starving here.”

“Hurry up, some people are starving here.” She mocked the man as she picked up her phone ready to hang it up, “Kiss my ass, Joseph Narine.”

And was in fact met with the dial tone as Joe held the phone in between his neck and shoulder. He couldn’t help but laugh at his friend’s grumpiness, kicking the back door shut with his leg as he carried the food through the entry way. Joe could still feel the draft of the fifteen degree weather as he stood in the entrance, the wooden stairs peeking out from up head while he turned to the door on the left.

His brown eyes immediately went to the door mat in front of the storm door, chuckling to himself as he read the message that never got old to him which read: protected by fuck around and find out surveillance. The man shook his head as he managed to twist the knob open. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he felt some warmth inside of the farmhouse brush over his face. Taking a few steps to the oval table covered in plaid tablecloth, he placed the tray of food on one side.

Joe stared over at the various of plants that decorated the two tables right in front of the bay window, out into the snow covered scene out back. Sure she had a nice view but Joe actually preferred the view on the side of the house which held the screened-in porch better, since he could see out towards his own land instead. Smiling to himself, he was brought out of his thoughts as a meow caught his attention.

“Hey, Cassius.” Joe greeted the black feline that jumped onto the table. He then picked up the cat with one hand to pet behind his ears, “you know your mom doesn’t like you on the table and I’m guessing she’s been depriving you of food because of her terrible sleeping patterns.”

He glanced over at the pet bowl that rested against the white panel column that divided the kitchen from the living room. “I got you, boy.”

Joe told the black oriental shorthair as he placed him back onto the floor. First Joe moved over to the deep stainless steel kitchen sink to wash his cold hands, then back around to the pantry for Cassius’ food.

“There you go.” He caressed the cat’s back as he heard some creaking from up ahead.

He stood up as she stomped into the kitchen, “whaaat?! She’s alive!”

She took the rope to her fuzzy housecoat to whack at Joe who laughed at her. She then reached around to gently latch onto Cassius’ tail, caressing it as she said, “hey, babe.” Before carrying on her way.

“Tea or coffee?” She asked, although she already knew the answer.

Joe went back to the table to push the poinsettia further down the table as he went to work unloading the breakfast, “uh tea.”

“Grey.” She stated just as he added at the same time, “Earl Grey.”

Giving a thumbs up at the brown skinned man, Joe found himself softly smiling at the woman as he returned back to his own task.

“No work today?” She asked, while preparing the electric kettle.

Joe huffed as he took a seat, deciding to pick with her, “there’s no way I had work today waiting around for you.” Which earned a swift middle finger from the woman, “Nah…todays the day I let my new assistant manager run things for me.”

Her eyes went wide before she clapped it up for her friend, “I’m proud of you! I’m also a little shocked that you’re allowing this.”

“I am too,” Joe furrowed his brows, “but don’t think for a second that my guard is completely down. I’ve got cameras set up that I can tap into at any time from my phone, I also will be checking in with Ginny and Padma and will be there for closing shift just to make sure things are in fact, running smoothly.”

The electric kettle began to whistle just as she slammed the cabinet shut, now holding two mugs. It was her turn to laugh as she set the mugs on the opposite counter, disappearing behind the wall to retrieve the kettle from next to the stove and back to his mug.

“Tell me you’re not a control freak without telling me you’re a control freak,” she responded as she filled the mug with steaming water, “I thought days off are meant to be just that.”

“It’s a partial day off,” joe argued as he bit into a raspberry white chocolate scone, “this is my business we’re talking about here. Sure it’s been two weeks already with them but this is the real test.”

She couldn’t be mad at that, considering hearing how much of a pain in the neck it was for Joe to get the blue farm up and running. However he was headstrong, determined, and persistent and wouldn’t give up on his goals in life.

That was admirable.

“Well have some faith in them,” she suggested grabbing the tea bag next to place into a mesh tea ball strainer, then carefully placed it into the water, “you did hire them with good reason.”

“Yeah, it was in the budget.” Joe stated matter of factly which made her roll her eyes.

Of course this is what he would say. If Joe could do it all on his own, he certainly would. He did it in the beginning when he first started out and would try again if it ever came down to it. Joe can take the weight when he didn’t have to.

Carefully placing the mug in front of him, she attempted to snatch the scone that he was eating but Joe was too quick for her. Her stomach growled almost in anger as she sucked her teeth at the man who raised his hands in surrender.

“The hell was that?”

“It’s called hunger and you come to my house eating in my face without offering me a bite? And I made you tea? How shameful!” She whipped back around, tossing her robe over her pajamas as she grabbed the canister of sugar and back to the fridge for a slice of lemon.

Joe snorted, reaching for the small spoon to place three drops of sugar into his tea and plopped the lemon slice into the beverage, “You’re showing your true hospitality skills so don’t take that out on me. I bought the food!”

“Which you didn’t share!” She yelled back as she filled up her mug with ice.

“There’s a whole tray of food.”

“I wanted your scone.”

“There’s more scones in the container.”

“I wanted yours, Joe!”

“Well, that’s too damn bad!”

Which made the pair snicker at the joke while she prepared herself some ice coffee. Which never made sense to Joe, if it was freezing outside you should have warm items not cold! It was a whole debate between the two and he didn’t hide the judgmental look he shot the woman’s way as she finally plopped down in the chair beside him.

She rested her head in the palm of her hand as she sipped at the straw inside of her mug, watching Joe watch her.

“You went out last night?”

“You know I did.” She popped her tongue, before setting her bagel mug back down.

Joe inhaled at that.

She had a history of being a party girl once before back in college she told him when they became friends. She seemed to have it together after college was over with internships and working more minimum wage jobs, until she landed a job with a great company out here as a model builder. She shit-talked the job just like many people did their own but found joy in creating miniature houses and crochet objects to sell on her Etsy account.

“I hope you’re taking care of yourself, Darcy.”

She snorted at the man’s concern as she plucked up the said hash brown and held it up in the air then sunk her teeth into it, “Okay dad, I don’t need a lecture from you either.”

This was true since her dad sat her down earlier that year to steer her in the right path. He even encouraged her to get back into therapy, which was funny since he was ignorant towards the whole thing until he got with his new psychologist girlfriend. She was always in Darcy’s dad’s ear about something and she didn’t particular care for her either.

As petty as this was going to sound, at her big age, she’ll never be Darcy’s mother.

It felt too fast for Darcy’s dad to move on from the passing of her mother, in her opinion. Yet he didn’t want to hear that and kept the topic mainly on his daughter and her issues.

“I know,” Joe was gentle with his approach, “I just want to make sure you’re doing okay, that’s all.”

“I promise you I’m not throwing my life away,” she reassured her dark haired friend, “As a thirty year old, I should be wrapping it up and brainstorming about a 401k right?”

“I didn’t say all that,” Joe tilted his head to the side with a small smile, “anyone can still have fun at this age, we’re still young and cool as shit but i just hope you’re not into…anything else.”

“Don’t worry bud,” she said after chewing her potato, “none of that hardcore shit is ever entering this glorious body again. Sticking to the tequila and the occasional shrooms.”

Joe nodded as he blew at his tea, “…anything else for the pelvic pain?”

“Let’s talk about something else!”

Joe knew that was the limit as he sipped at his tea. He paused as he thought this over, “Georgia’s going to trial in a couple of months.”

Darcy hummed at this, unsure what to say. She knew how Joe felt about the southern peach and how he was still in denial about her being able to kill someone—let alone Cynthia’s decaying (at the time) husband. However she knew only bits and pieces of what Joe knew about her background and how she shifted Wellsbury the moment she rolled into town.

“And you’re gonna be there?”

“She’s my friend, I should be there.”

“Are you though,” Darcy asked with slits in her eyes, “you don’t really know what anybody’s capable of and then your whole thing with Cynthia…” she found herself gagging at the image of that happening and still struggled to swallow that down.

Joe frowned at this. It was a difficult decision considering he didn’t know where he really stood and Cynthia…it was either never the right time to discuss it or she was too busy to be bothered—all things considered of course.

Joe announced, “If you were accused of a crime, I would be there for you.”

“Duh,” Darcy clicked her tongue, “you might even be the person I call to help me bury the body…but our relationship is not the same as those two.”

Joe sighed, “you’re impossible!”

“I’m realistic.” She beamed as she finally bit into a scone, “don’t let your crush on Georgia and your past relations with the red head cloud your judgment. You don’t need to be involved in their nonsense.”

Exhaling Joe glanced off to the left out the window, in thought for some time, leaving the two to quietly eat their brunch.

“Hey, if you don’t know this already. I love you for your generous heart but those two and their problems don’t have to become yours unless you let it. Some may call it selfish but I call it smart, you have to protect yourself first and always especially if you let emotions get in the way. And if you don’t, I’ll kick your ass.”

Joe listened carefully to what she was saying but couldn’t help but to take it with a grain of salt. He knew Darcy meant well and if he let his big sister in on his business, she would probably tell him the same exact thing. They were alike in a lot of ways…don’t tell them he thought this! Darcy was in protect mode as Joe was in concern mode and that’s simply because they let each other in.

The brown skinned man puffed out a breath as Darcy was eating, lightly swinging her crossed feet back and forth while she watched Cassius run off into the living room. Her attention then went back to staring out the large window, which gave the wide view of land and hills covered in thick snow.

“Oh!” A thought suddenly occurred after awhile, “I think I drunkly made you something last night.

“Really?” Joe quirked up his brows in wonder.

She shoved the rest of the scone into her mouth as she scrapped the chair back, “mhm. It’s somewhere down here, I just hope Cassius didn’t chew it up.”

“He wouldn’t dare!”

“He’s only on his best behavior when you’re around so maybe,” Darcy shrugged her shoulders as she walked around the chair to enter the living room.

Joe took the time to look around the kitchen as he continued his breakfast. It’s not like he hasn’t been over plenty of times before, it was almost as if this house was just as much his since he had a key himself. He couldn’t help but to wonder what this house would look in the next five years—he even thought about how his ranch would look also! Would they still be neighbors from a distance? Joe didn’t ever see himself living out in California where his parents and sister resided. He was too attached to Wellsbury and always felt at home.

“Here you go!” Darcy called out, tossing this thick but soft object at Joe who scrambled to catch it, “I was going to name it for you and everything but I can’t do all the work for you.”

Joe analyzed the green object with beady eyes and a small pink v-lined smile, “is this a pear?”

“Yup! Don’t ask me how long it took me to make because I hardly remember anything when I got back here. Just that I was hungry and made that for you. And since I can’t give you any pears from my pear tree right now, that’s the best that I’ve got.” Darcy informed Joe who found himself smiling at it.

He’s seen a few of Darcy’s crochet items on Etsy and even purchased a few to send to his niece and her friends out in California. Now he was getting his very own and knew that it was meaningful.

“Well…you could also share your pear jam that you have sitting on your shelf back there.” Joe teased.

“You needy, ungrateful, asshole,” she spewed back making Joe laugh.

“No, seriously. All jokes aside, this is really awesome and I appreciate you thinking of me, even if when you’re shit-faced.”

“Oh, don’t flatter yourself, Narine.”

“Someone’s got to.” Joe winked at Darcy who rolled her eyes.

Darcy glanced at the sage pear and asked, “do you really like it? Or you just like it to not hurt my feelings?”

“Shut up, you know I do. If you wanted, I would buy all of the crochet things you make, since the dollhouses are more expensive and might be a little suspect when I have the guys over—but that just means it came from you! And I know you make these crafts with such care and I like supporting you. Whatever you need. I just think you’re pretty neat, that’s all.” Joe rambled and Darcy found herself sitting up straight as she listened to him.

He was rambling. It was something that he did when he let his nerves get the best of him?

“You think I’m pretty and neat or just pretty neat?” Darcy challenged.

Joe felt his eyes widen, “Geez. Who’s flattering themselves now?”

She smiled a real soft smile at him that made Joe feel something inside. Something he felt once before, except this warm feeling began to spread from not only his chest then to his cheeks but all over.

What was happening?

His hand soon found her clothed wrist before slipping his hand to lock with her’s. This was new. Darcy watched this interaction, squeezing her own hand back against Joe’s. The image was nice to examine, how his hand fit like the perfect puzzle piece against her own. It took some time for her eyes to meet his, she ended up taking a sharp breath, thanks to the intensity that was in his coffee bean eyes just now.

“Is it crazy to love you?” Joe suddenly said; that Darcy had to mash on her ear to make sure she heard him correctly.

She laughed it off, “no, just look at me. I’ve got all the best qualities but to be in love with me? Maybe. If that’s what you’re saying.” She quickly added.

It was Joe’s turn to squeeze her hand, “maybe everything we went through with everyone else, is the reason why we should be together.”

He was leaning towards her now, his hand still in her’s while he crossed over with the other to cup her warm face, “can I love you?”

Was Darcy dreaming right now? What the hell was going on? This was just supposed to be breakfast and now it led to this? Was Joe okay? Was she okay?! She was sure she was holding her breath but she’d be lying if she said her heart wasn’t pounding in her chest right now. It’s not like she didn’t ever think of the possibility and made up a secret contract if they weren’t married by thirty-five…you get it but was this out of convenience for him? Or could they truly be something great? At this time? There was so much to discuss but his breath was brushing against her Cupid’s bow and the weight of his forehead felt comforting against her own.

Her eyes were locked on Joe’s as he kept glancing from her’s to her lips. All she had to do was seal the kiss and Joe was the one waiting for her answer. He didn’t want to continue pushing boundaries—if he was but he always led with his heart.

Her lips were parted and just as she was about to brush her lips against his, a pounding at the front door caused them both to jump away.

Joe cleared his throat, rubbing at his mouth as Darcy fought to slow her breathing. The knocking and the doorbell kept going, almost rapidly as Darcy seemed to be in a dazed state.

“Can you get that?”

“It’s your house.” Joe held his hands out in confusion but the glare she sent his way, made him sigh, placing the crochet pear on the table as he began making his way through the living room.

He passed through the living room and down the narrow hallway to the front door. Unlocking it, Joe pulled the door open, a little annoyed to reveal a man standing with his back to the screen door.

Once he turned around, Joe couldn’t believe who he was seeing right now. He heard all about him and seen pictures but what was he doing here?

“Uh, hey. Is Darcy around?”

Joe awkwardly stretched out a smile and held up a finger behind the screen door and slowly went to close the door, “just a second.”

He sped-walked down the hallway back to Darcy who still sat frozen, hands clutching her iced coffee now in thought.

“Darcy…you’ve got company.”

“Who is it?” She kept her eyes trained out the window.

“It’s Bode.”

“Yeah, right.” She snorted.

However when she received no response from the man, her head snapped up to meet his gaze.

“You’re not joking?”

“Nope. He’s here, probably freezing out there too.”

“Joe!” She scrapped her chair back, “what the hell is he doing here?”

“I don’t know!” He yelled with raised shoulders,” Maybe you should find out.”

“Why?”

“To get closure.”

“I should get my bow and arrow.” She decided, “and shoot him in the ass, all the way back to California.”

Joe gripped Darcy’s shoulders to keep her from heading the opposite way and through the doors to get the said item from the screened in porch. He turned her back around, still gripping her shoulders and tried to be encouraging, “it doesn’t need to go there.”

Darcy raised a challenging brow.

Joe corrected himself, “I stand by what I said. Just hear him out so that you can both move on.”

“So we can get together?”

Joe paused, “…if that’s what you want?”

“Well, what do you want?”

“I want you to be happy!” Joe exasperated, “and it would be fantastic if that ends up being with me but—I think you need to get through that chapter first.”

“It was kinda closed when he basically told me he was done with my ass after I screwed him in that place.” Darcy muttered, letting Joe let out a low whistle.

He knew how much that stung.

“Just...go with the flow. And if things go south and you need a tag team? I’ll be here.” Joe cracked his knuckles.

Darcy snorted at Joe’s attempt to be threatening, “you’re too cute, Joey.”

Joe was bashful with a shrug of his shoulders as the door bell and knocks sounded again.

“Always so impatient,” Darcy scoffed, “wish me luck.”

“You’ll be okay.” Joe gave her shoulders a squeeze and a gentle rub, “and I’ll be here finishing this delicious breakfast all by myself.”

Darcy groaned as she stomped out of the kitchen and headed to the door. Joe watched with a small smile on his face, rubbing at his beard before he moved to take a seat back at the head of the table. Shortly after, Cassius reappeared to sit in Darcy’s seat instead.

“Thanks for the company, Cassius. I think I’ll need it.” He commented as the cat meowed at him.

Darcy took three deep breaths and glanced down at her outfit. She was still in her damn pajamas—which didn’t equal to her being at her baddest but whatever! This wasn’t about showing off, they had bigger issues to face and she didn’t exactly know what he was here for.

Taking a few more seconds to herself, she opened the door to see Bode there in the flesh blowing heat into the palms of his hands. His curly hair was longer now and lost its pattern…and she hated it. The crinkles were evident by his eyes, most likely due to the stress of losing his baby sister, having a falling out with his dad, and landing his ass in jail most likely resulted in that. He appeared still tired behind his blue-green eyes, otherwise than that he still looked the same.

“Darcy. Are you gonna let me in? It’s freezing out here and I’m definitely not used to this type of weather.” Was the first thing he said to her.

She titled her head to the side, hand still on the door, “what are you doing up here? Shouldn’t you be fighting fires or whatever it is you got yourself wrapped into?”

“I can explain all of that if you just—can we talk inside, please?”

Darcy swallowed, giving the man a hard stare before she unlocked the door and stepped to the side to let him in. He stalked in, standing in the official entryway and peered around.

“I see you’ve done well for yourself.” His low voice boomed off the walls.

Darcy almost slammed the door shut, locking it behind them as she turned to face the taller man. Crossing her arms, she eyed his boots covered in snow, “shoes off in my house. The snow messes with the wood.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bode muttered as she carried on down the hall.

Bode figured it out for himself to place the shoes by the empty space underneath the mirror on the wall. He didn’t see any other shoes in the entry way, only a bookcase to the right, and a grandfather clock to the left. There was also a bedroom to the left with a daybed and to the right, he spotted another bedroom with a full-sized bed and wallpaper. No signs of any baby furniture, Bode noted to himself as he briefly glanced at the steps.

Perhaps there was something upstairs?

He took his time walking down the hallway, the wood creaked at his steps which let Darcy know he was heading her way. The living room was bright and open with a mixture of white and light gray paneling, along with a large painted white built-in entertainment center. There was a flatscreen on the wall that Bode admired before he turned back to Darcy who was watching him in curiosity.

One leg was crossed over the other as she sat in a green chair, waiting on him. She had a finger pressed into her temple as she pointed with the other, “you can take your jacket and drape it over the chair if you want.”

“Thanks.” Bode answered while he moved by the fireplace and plopped down on the brown bubble leather couch.

He wasn’t sure how long he would be here but he also had some respect. The man decided on unzipping his jacket and pulled his beanie from his head, scooping some hair behind a ear while spreading his arms along the length of the couch.

Darcy’s eyes were hot on Bode’s as he met her stare and held it. However his held amusement in them that she just wanted to smack right off. His intention wasn’t to be smug sitting here right now, not after how they ended but it was a little humorous that she still had so much fire in her—always.

“I’m not here to attack you—

Bode started just as Joe called out, “Tea, coffee, or water?”

Bode was confused as he leaned forward, then remembered that there was a man that previously opened the door. “That depends…are you the new boyfriend and plan on poisoning me?”

“Only if she sends the signal.” He vaguely called back.

Bode laughed at this.

“Um, I think I’m good for right now. Thanks man.”

“Sure.” Joe went quiet, now messing around with his phone.

Darcy sighed, beginning to roll her neck around, “Bode…why are you here so unannounced?”

“I’m pretty sure you have me blocked so…there really wasn’t any other way.”

“Couldn’t use your mom’s phone to reach out first?”

“I think she’s blocked too…which actually hurt her feelings by the way.”

Darcy began chewing on her bottom lip. She didn’t particularly feel a way towards the woman, she was a mother after all but she also didn’t appreciate being bombarded by Sharon Leone either.

Bode deeply inhaled, “look…I just want to apologize for everything. I don’t like the way things ended between us and it wasn’t anything you should take personal…I was just dealing with—jail. The weight of it all and everything else surrounding it. Unfortunately  you became part of that and you didn’t deserve any of that.”

It was Darcy’s turn to exhale at that. Slowly she nodded her head, “but I had to take it personal because I opened myself up to you when I shouldn’t have. We should have strictly stayed friends, especially since you just ended things with Cara.”

“That wasn’t that fresh.” Bode muttered, “We were together in high school up until I first started using. I always felt like she was more into me than I was into her…which is shitty to say but the truth. We later had a slip up when I moved out of edgewater but we never got back together. When I looked at you, I didn’t see temporary. I don’t know what I saw.”

“Oh, how special do I feel.” The words were dry, coming from Darcy’s lips.

Bode continued, “I’m not trying to do the whole comparison thing but I just want you to know that i shouldn’t have treated you as a one-two night only and then ghost you. I’m sorry about all of it and for saying that’s all you could be to me. I’m sure you’ll make someone very happy if it’s not—sorry man, I didn’t catch your name?”

“It’s joe!” He answered with a mouth full of food.

Darcy stared up at the ceiling in annoyance.

“Joe,” Bode smiled a bit, “and I’m not expecting any forgiveness just yet…just some understanding and for you to tell me anything that you need…or feel.”

Darcy picked up on Bode’s words and knew that he knew something. He was officially a free man and seemed level-headed but Darcy knew that was probably only a matter of time.

“I thought about all the things I would say to you but I didn’t get the chance because once you finished what you had to say, time was up. I wrote you a letter, kept it for months, then I burned it. I wanted to sleep around to get over you but that wouldn’t give me satisfaction. And months later when I’m back here in the MA…I have your mom knocking on my door just like you.” Darcy lightly shook her head at the memory and now Sharon tried to persuade her.

Bode propped his elbows on his knees then. He licked at his bottom lip, “where are they, Darce? Where’s our baby?”

Joe flinched in the kitchen.

Darcy wasn’t sure what noise came out of her throat just then but she felt like she was suffocating. She already knew that Sharon knew since she came to plead her son’s case, thanks to her dad being good friends with her and knew Bode’s dad, Vince avoided the topic all together. So the secret was out of the bag and Bode knew…but how much?

“Bode,” she started, “do you think a baby is going to fix this?”

“No…but I deserve to be in our child’s life.”

“I would have never—I wouldn’t no matter how big of a paper cut you left on me.” Darcy was strong with her words and he knew she meant them.

“Then why did you never tell me?”

“You hated me.”

“I never hated you,” Bode denied, “I hated my situation. I’m telling you my actions never had anything to do with you. Never.” He placed his hand on his chest.

She remembered the rough but passionate love-making, how he never wanted to look her in the eyes while he welcomed her in between his thighs. The first time she didn’t think much of it but the second she had to question it. That argument was short lived since the guards were escorting them away from each other. It continued on the phone but never finished, on her end, since everything was always timed.

He didn’t make her feel wanted.

She wasn’t sure why she was seeking that from him in the first place.

“…there is no baby.”

“What?” Bode whispered, “my mom told me. I-I saw the sonogram your dad had. The screenshot of your growing belly he had as his screensaver. What are you talking about?”

Darcy hugged herself then, feeling her insides ache. “She didn’t make it. I was eight months, six when your mom stopped by. Your mom wanted to adopt her because i wasn’t ready to be a single mom or rather a mom period. That’s why she came out here on her own. The baby was stillborn and I had to deliver her…the whole thing was brutal and traumatic…I wasn’t ever expecting you to come here.”

“…so you just assumed it would be better if I never knew at all.” Bode caressed his beard with his knee beginning to bounce in agitation.

That’s when he took the suede stool in front of him, lifting it up and over at the fireplace. Joe was on his feet in a instant as Bode began pacing the living room floor now. Darcy remained seated, holding her hand out to halt Joe from approaching him.

Bode rubbed at his mouth, “did you name her at least? Or think about how our daughter would have been better motivation to continue to get my act together? Or were you only thinking about yourself like you always do?”

“You think I’m selfish? I was dealing with this shit all on my own! You were risking your life everyday with those fires. You don’t know what that felt like feeling a life that you created growing inside of you, day by day, just to be ripped away like it never happened!” Her face was hot as she spoke her words, “To release death into the world instead of life! You don’t know! You don’t ever let anybody in, so why would you place that pressure on a growing child? to be better when you should want that for yourself! It’s not always about you either, Bode! I mean my god!”

Bode swallowed then, hearing the pain that was in Darcy’s throat. He knew that it must have been devastating and he would have done his best to be there or at least have his mother—

“I’ll fix the fireplace.” Bode glanced at crack, “but I just wish you would have told me.”

“What difference would it make? You didn’t love me. And she’s gone, we wouldn’t be a family and I didn’t want to be a mom.”

Bode was frowning now, “mom said you were pretty far along when she saw you last. There’s a cut off time if you didn’t want her—

“I know. I was going to give her to a family that could support her better. Love her better.”

“What makes you think I wouldn’t love my daughter?”

“I don’t know what you’re capable of Bode.”

“Wow,” He was in shock, “at least I know how you really feel.”

“I mean, how do you think it would work?”

“I don’t know but I would at least try! Which is something you didn’t want to do or want to give me the chance to do. And I have rights!”

“Those rights wouldn’t help you as soon as the court saw you have a record.”

Joe sharply inhaled at that and even dropped his head hearing this.

That was a harsh thing to say and she knew it.

They all did.

“I don’t mean to sound like a bitch but that’s just how the screwed up system works. I had the best interest for the baby, for her, if she made it.” Darcy began to zone off but that was short-lived.

“I don’t know if I believe that.” Bode muttered, “it honestly feels like you took what little time we had away. I was in the dark. Once my year was up I could have tried to get custody, or at least my parents or shit, even your dad could have raised her! so you didn’t have to be bothered. I’m on the right path now and that says more than what you’re doing.”

“Excuse me?” Darcy sat up now.

Bose folded his arms together, leaning on one leg more than the other as he pressed a finger to his cheek, “Your dad’s girlfriend told me that you’re going out more, blacking out…which sounded odd to me since, hypothetically, if you just gave birth not too long ago and easily gave our girl away…what were you celebrating exactly?”

“Fuck her and fuck you.” Darcy bit.

“It’s a valid thought.”

“It’s bullshit.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah because if you really think the decision to give up a child—my child,” Darcy felt her throat tightened as she pointed at her chest, “would be easy then you don’t know me at all. And to think we called each other friends once upon a time.”

“Well I guess we’ll never know, will we?” His stare was hard on Darcy’s who clenched her eyes at this time.

It sure felt like he was blaming her for the death of their child, although there was medically nothing that could have prevented this tragedy.

“I don’t ever want to see you. Just disappear again, you’re good at doing that.”

“Whoa, hey.” Joe intervened, “I think there’s a lot going on right now and the both of you should stop this and try having this conversation again, once you’ve both calmed down.”

Bode scoffed out a laugh, “that’s the problem with her man, she didn’t want to try. She wanted to get even. I deserved to know.”

Joe knew the last part of the sentence to be true but it wasn’t his place to speak on.

“You’re the one who shut me out back then! Why would I use our baby to get you to talk to me?” Darcy was on her feet now.

“Don’t you get it? None of that matters! I’ve lost enough in my life and my daughter is just another thing to add to the list! But you couldn’t give me that because you’re too pissed about old shit!. When you knew, it shouldn’t have been about us anymore. Are you listening?!” Bode couldn’t help but to let the emotions raise his tone.

“Get out.” Darcy felt her eyes burning.

Bode just stared at her.

She screamed, almost murder, “GET. OUUUT!”

He raised his hands and slowly stepped back and away from the woman. Bode leaned over the couch and snatched up his hat that he clenched tightly in his hands.

“…can you at least tell me if you named her?” Bode repeated while stood sideways in Darcy’s view, keeping his gaze straight.

Darcy sniffed and puffed out, “Cherie Leone. She had your dark blonde hair and your nose; she was a beautiful baby.”

“Hm. despite what you think, I would have given her the world.” Bode felt himself getting choked up too, a balled up fist went to his mouth before he sniffed and turned to exit the house.

Joe stepped after him, unsure what to say but knew that must have been hard to finally hear the truth. However his friend was behind him and as he turned to her, he had to quickly catch her by the waist as her legs gave out from underneath her.

The pair sat in each other’s arms with Joe caressing Darcy’s face as she sobbed. Darcy sobbed so violently that she was struggling to catch her breath, which worried Joe.

“What do you need me to do?” He was trying not to panic.

Darcy sat on her knees, pressing her forehead into Joe’s chest, one hand caressing her back while the other applied pressure in the crook of her neck.

This was what she needed.

Somebody like Joe.

#Spotify #ginny and georgia joe #ginny and georgia season 2 #ginny & georgia s2 #ginny & georgia joe x reader #raymond ablack #raymond ablack x reader #fire country #bode leone #bode Leone x reader #max theriot #max theriot x reader #queued

[shavincesworld]

Nah Vince is actually hilarious because he actually gave Liam an opportunity to calm down Sharon before he took over?

Sir was bragging about how close they got over 3 months yet all he did during a moment of crisis was legit rile her up more?😭😭

Embarrassing.

#fire country #sharon leone #vince leone #fire country season 2 #liam

[showbizjunkies]

#fire country tv series #fire country season 2 #max thieriot

[thenerdygirlexp]

#FireCountry Alert the Sheriff S2Ep6 Preview via @stacyamiller85 @FireCountryCBS

Fire Country  Season 2 premieres on February 16, 2024 on CBS. Continue reading #FireCountry Alert the Sheriff S2Ep6 Preview via @stacyamiller85 @FireCountryCBS

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#Alert the Sheriff Season 2 Episode 6 #Fire Country Season 2

[laurfilijames]

Happy Birthday, Darlin'

Pairing: Jax Teller x female reader

Words: 4,014

Warnings: Rated E, 18+. Swearing. Smoking. Mild descriptions of cuts and blood. Mentions of fighting. Unprotected intercourse. Slight asphyxiation. Some insecurities about Jax and his habits.

Summary: It's your birthday, and while Jax is pressed to make it to you in time to celebrate, he makes sure all your wishes come true.

A/N: Happy Birthday to ME 🥳 yes, I'm that bitch who wrote herself a birthday fic because I can. I've been dying to write for Jax for so long and thought this would be a fun way to get a feel for writing his character. If my writing wasn't self-indulgent before, it definitely is now.

This takes place after Season 2 Ep 12 The Culling where the Sons fight The League/Zobelle's guys because I just found Jax to be wildly sexy in that scene (but also when isn't he?)

---

The night air was cool on his face as he ripped as quickly as he could down the quiet, country roads back into town, easily shifting into fourth gear knowing every cop in Charming would be responding to where he just fled from and not having to worry about being pulled over for his excessive speed.

Jax knew he was pushing it for time - your birthday over in just less than two hours - so with a reminder of his bruised and bloodied knuckles, he twisted the throttle and opened up his Harley even more in order to get to you faster.

With a smile on his face at knowing your neighbours already complained about his presence on your street, he let open again on the straight section of road about half a mile from your house, hoping you and everyone else would now be fully aware of his arrival.

The fight with Zobelle’s gang already had him fired up, but not nearly as much as getting to see you did, and as he pulled into your driveway, his buzzing fury changed into a different kind of energy entirely.

Taking one last haul on the cigarette hanging out of his mouth, he blew out the smoke and tossed it onto the asphalt, stepping on it with a twist of his dusty shoe as he unbuckled his helmet.

Jax glanced up to see the dim, warm light of a lamp in your living room, smiling to himself again that you were still awake and no doubt waiting for him as he took his backpack off his shoulders and unzipped the main compartment.

Relieved the box didn't get smushed, he pulled out the still perfectly preserved cupcake and dug in his pocket for the single candle he stuck in there earlier, bringing his lighter out with it along with another cigarette.

He placed the fresh smoke between his lips, not paying any attention to the cut stinging on his lip where it rested, focusing on sticking the candle in the center of the cupcake and lighting it. With the pink candle set ablaze, he brought his lighter to the end of the cigarette and inhaled as it burned the paper, shoving the Zippo back in the inside pocket of his cut before carefully making his way up the steps to your front door with his free hand blocking any wind made by walking from blowing out the tiny flame.

He grunted quietly to himself when he knocked on the door, his hand more sore than he thought it was after punching Weston's face in so many times, muttering to himself when he realized he was getting blood on the side of the cupcake from a split on his other hand.

"Ahh, shit," he sighed, knowing he didn't have enough time to try to clean anything up when he heard your footsteps coming to answer. He pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and quickly forced the smoke out with a deep blow, waving his hand so it wouldn't be in your face when you opened the door.

An automatic smile formed on his lips as soon as he laid eyes on you, leaning against the doorway in nothing but your panties and his white reaper crew t-shirt that he left the last time he was over, his voice hoarse as he started singing.

"Happy birthday to you," he began, taking a step through the entrance. "Happy birthday to you," he continued, getting right close to you until your faces were inches from each other, his eyes flickering over your shy, but happy features as his gesture made you flush all over.

"Happy birthday, darlin'. Make a wish."

You tucked your bottom lip between your teeth, looking from his intensely blue eyes down to the candle in front of you, and blew it out.

"What'd you wish for?"

"I'm not supposed to tell, Jax."

He smirked, leaning even closer to you so his lips were hovering over yours, "Then I'll have to guess."

His kiss tasted like smoke, but you didn't care, craving the nicotine that transferred from his mouth to yours like you were addicted to the habit itself, deepening the kiss by arching into him as if you were never able to get enough.

Jax walked forward, guiding you further into your house, the sound of the door closing lost on both of you as he kicked it shut behind him and eventually broke your kiss.

"I didn't think I was going to get to see you today," you whispered, your lids heavy with lust when you looked up at him.

"Yeah, well, I skipped out early to come give my girl her gift." He held up the cupcake and let you take it from his hand, watching your expression change to confusion as you noticed the blood stained on the side of it.

"Is that your blood?"

"50/50 chance," he laughed, swiping his finger through the icing before licking it clean.

“Should I even ask?”

“Probably not.”

You began taking in the deepening colours of purple and red on his cheek, the cut on his lip and the ones that flawed his hands, the concern you felt taking away from the joy in having him there.

“Is this why you're late?” you questioned, your fingertips ghosting over his cheek and down to his lip.

“So you were expecting me, then," he winked, his smugness always managing to outshine anything else, forcing you to roll your eyes at him.

He kissed you again, plucking the cupcake out of your hand and placing it blindly over on the hall table where you kept your keys and purse, his hands reaching up to cradle your face.

"I should report you for theft, you know," he warned, pausing to take a breath, nodding down at his shirt that hung loosely on your body.

"I think of it more as safe keeping until the owner comes back to claim it," you challenged, your eyebrows raising to show your displeasure in it being too many days that had turned into weeks since he was last here.

"Hey, at least I didn't miss your birthday," he objected, trying his best to defend himself, his head tilted while his eyebrows rose to crease his forehead.

You backed away from him, turning to walk through to the kitchen, looking back over your shoulder.

"And how many other birthday's did you celebrate in the meantime?"

"Oh, come on," he laughed frustratedly, your accusation making him look up at the ceiling. "You know it isn't like that."

You nodded slowly in silent agreement, trying not to let your insecurities and jealousies get the better of you.

He sighed loudly, waiting for a moment before following you, his voice raising slightly to make sure you heard from down the hallway.

"You're the only one I always come back to. The one I want to be inside every night."

Hearing his footsteps coming toward you, you closed your eyes and breathed out, terrified of the hurt he could cause but realizing you were being hurt every time regardless.

His voice was near and softer now that he was in the kitchen with you, making your heart pound faster in your chest even though he seemed so calm.

"You gotta stop pushing me away."

It was safer that way; always keeping him at an arm's length, never wanting to get your heart involved when you knew what he was like and how many beds he ended up in. Jax Teller could have any woman he wanted; more charm in him than all of Charming, a simple crooked grin or nod as he strutted past enough to seal the deal, and not one person could say he wasn't successful in his endeavors.

Despite it all, you wanted him, but kept it casual enough to get a taste of what you needed, having said to both yourself and him on more than one occasion over the years that nothing more would ever happen as long as his habits remained the same, and you weren't about to ask a man like him to change.

He came up to you, his hands holding your waist, his lips peppering across your shoulder and dangerously close to your neck. You closed your eyes again and sighed, relishing in the sensation while praying he didn't do the one thing you always told him not to.

But Jax always did whatever the fuck he wanted.

He kissed up along your neck, making you moan and breathe deeper, trying to keep some sort of resolve.

"Jax, you know my rule," you pleaded, feeling your entire body ignite to his lawlessness.

"Remind me what that is again?" he lied, continuing to kiss and suck your neck, knowing damn well what it was.

You shivered, feeling yourself slipping away and quickly becoming willing to do anything he asked or all the things you really wanted to do; the way he kissed your neck was your kryptonite and weakness and the one thing you always prevented in order to save yourself, fearing you would reveal exactly how you felt about him anytime he lingered there.

"Jax…"

He stopped, grabbing your chin to force you to look at him, his eyes dancing back and forth with yours as he looked at you seriously.

“I'm done playing. I want this," he said pointedly, speaking with surety.

You let go of the breath you were holding, still questioning whether to trust him regardless of how convincing he was right now.

Taking hold of your cheeks again, he smoothed his thumbs back and forth across them, an honesty and pleading present in those clear blues that made you lose yourself every time.

Before you could argue or plead your case, he crashed against you, inhaling deeply like he was trying to suck all the air out of your lungs, his tongue probing deep into your mouth to tangle with yours.

There was no sense in trying to hold back now, done with pretending for as many years as you had, the whine that passed from your mouth to his signaling your surrender.

The metallic taste of blood mixed with tobacco teased your tastebuds with each kiss, increasing your hunger to taste more of him while your body displayed those needs and your hands roamed frantically under his hoodie and the waist of his low-sitting jeans.

The leather of his cut was soft on your fingertips as you ran them along the open panels, feeling Jax’s eagerness increase in his kiss when you peeled it down his arms and placed it carefully on the kitchen chair beside you without looking. He shrugged off his hoodie and white t-shirt while you busied yourself with unfastening his belt and jeans, letting the weight of his knife pull them to the floor without assistance, leaving him standing in his boxers with a cheeky grin on his face.

“You seem pretty happy unwrapping your present.”

“Is this all I get?” you teased, matching his smile and giggling when he picked you up and put you over his shoulder, giving your bum a harsh smack as he started making his way down to your bedroom.

"Come on, birthday girl, let's go make those wishes come true."

A seriousness took over again once you were in your room, what remained of the playfulness exchanged just a minute ago in the kitchen leaving the moment your feet touched the hardwood floor, Jax peering down at you with a look you hadn't seen before.

You'd be lying if you told yourself you weren't absolutely terrified, scared of letting yourself fall even further for him, but the way his expression had softened and his eyes held what you knew had to be love for you in them, you were ready to give in.

“I mean it,” he muttered, one of his hands reaching up to tuck your hair behind your ear where you leaned into his touch.

You crashed against him, kissing him hard, the need to have him more fierce than ever and only fueled more by him meeting your enthusiasm equally.

Jax tore his shirt from your body, only pausing in kissing you for long enough to get your head through it, stepping closer to you so your bodies were pressed together, feeling his hard cock nudging against your thighs and then between your legs through his boxers.

More desperate for him now than you thought you had ever been, you tugged his loose-fitting shorts down roughly, your mouth watering as his dick sprung free and bounced temptingly before you took hold of it and began rubbing the silky, veiny skin, his approval of your touch sounding as a low growl from deep in his chest.

"Fuck," he hissed, his mouth close to your ear as he leaned in against you, his hips moving into your strokes.

Finding his focus, he let his fingers hook in your thong to pull it down over your hips, his head angling to meet your mouth with his again as he slipped his fingers in your folds to spread your slick, both of you pressing your mouths against each other's harder as ecstasy quickly took over.

This was normally the time where one of you would frantically reach for a condom, barely keeping it together in time to get it on him as the temptation to go without almost always won, and today it seemed it would. You had always trusted that he wrapped up whenever he was with anyone, and although you were on birth control you were happy not to take any risks, but today was different. You wanted him, and all of him.

Jax walked forward until the back of your legs met your bed, and forcing you to sit, he crawled in over you, his blond hair hanging in your face as you spread out beneath him and he settled between your open legs.

He gave you a once over before meeting your eyes, admiring your perfect form spread and ready for him to ruin, his cheeks flinching as he clenched his jaw while he waited for you to give him the go-ahead.

Your consent was silent as you lifted your head up to capture his lips with yours, his sun-bleached beard scratching over your chin, lifting your hips at the same time so you rubbed yourself over his leaking head.

Jax wasted no more time, driving into you deeply in one push, pausing when he bottomed out to flex his cock inside you. You moaned into him, your hands clawing over the tattoo covering his back, unable to believe how good it felt to have him bare inside you.

Immediately choosing a rhythm that was both slow and hard at the same time, he thrusted in and out and ground against you with perfect precision, sending you close to the edge faster than ever before.

"You feel so fucking good!" he growled, his mouth parting from yours and leaving a string of wet between them, moving his lubricated lips over to your neck where you whined loudly and rocked more into his movements.

"Fuck, Jax!" you cried, knowing you were leaving ten red trails across his pale skin, but feeling the need to claim him as yours.

He was doing the same, sucking at your neck to leave darkened blemishes behind, his tongue alternating where his teeth came out to nip harshly at the tender skin to soothe each bite, his tempo growing erratic as he lost himself in your dripping cunt.

You seemed to only get wetter the more he kissed your neck and fucked you deeply, hitting that sweet spot with his head with each blow, the way you squeezed his girth tightly as he dragged in and out of you making him want to blow it already.

He forced himself to pause, needing to compose himself so he could keep fucking you for as long as he could, not wanting this to be over any time soon. Your whining increased, making him unsure if it was because he was sitting idly inside you or that he was persistent in continuing to kiss your neck all over to the point you had goosebumps littering your skin and you writhing desperately under him. It made him smile, knowing he had such an effect on you, smug in his ability to have you past the point of control and that you were seconds away from admitting something you tried so hard to deny for so long.

If Jax was anybody but the asshole he was he would've said it long ago, but selfishly he wanted to hear it spill from your gorgeous lips first, and he didn't ever go down without a fight.

"Roll over," he demanded, pulling out of you and forcefully grabbing at your leg to help flip you onto your stomach, hooking your knee up to bend at a high angle.

You took your hair in your hand and draped it over one shoulder, exposing the side of it for him to do with what he wanted, making him smirk more that you clearly wanted him there despite what you always said.

The hand that wasn't supporting him on the mattress gripped your cheek and spread you apart, driving his dick in you again torturously slowly, watching your face contort as he stretched you open. Your hands tore at the sheets as you backed yourself into him to push him in further, meeting his hips in slow, rolling motions, that tingling sensation of your building climax quickly returning.

Sex with Jax was always mind-blowing and the best you ever had, but tonight it felt so much better, so much more powerful, and you knew you could never have it any other way again.

He leaned over you to gently kiss your neck, more carefully than before, his efforts in wrecking you focused in his movements even though the feel of his lips on your sensitive skin had you shivering and threatening to come undone just as much.

The scent of your skin was like a drug to him as he breathed deeply, his nose ghosting at your nape and in your hair, dragging him right along with you to a point he would never recover from.

Wrapping a hand around to wedge between you and the bed, he found your clit, rubbing precise circles with his fingertips in the way he always knew made you scream, the thought of feeling you cum on his bare dick making him feel more feral than he ever had.

"Jax, I'm so close- Fuck!" you cried, your breathing growing ragged, your limbs moving recklessly to try to gain momentum on your climax that sat waiting just on the edge, seeking to keep up with his ruthless pounding.

He slowed his pace, adjusting to a speed he knew would have you at his mercy, his fingers pressing onto your swollen bud harder but in more languid strokes. His nose brushed along your neck, his breath fanning out over your dewy skin before he started kissing you again, the way your body tensed beneath him telling him he had you right where he wanted you.

"God, Jax, I love you," you admitted, feeling freed and unashamed in saying what you had feared to the most, your body relaxing into your words and finding the release it sought.

Jax hammered into you, pounding you through your high, his grunts mixing with your shouts of pleasure as you quaked and strangled him tightly.

Giving you no time to recover, he sat back on his heels and lifted you up with him, his cock momentarily slipping from you as you positioned yourself over his lap, allowing him a glimpse of your milky cum that coated it and sent him into a frenzy.

He speared back into you, your pussy sensitive and still tingling from your orgasm, his hand holding you back against his chest and pinching one of your nipples between his fingers to keep you as stimulated as possible.

Reaching up to turn your face to the side so he could kiss you, he rutted up into you brutally, feeling your pussy stretch out over him with each pump, your wetness dripping out to soak his golden pubes.

His kisses turned sloppy, nearing his end, his hand slipping down to hold your throat where he could easily control the amount of air allowed to pass through your windpipe, the knowledge of knowing you trusted him enough to let him do it lighting him up with an intense buzzing.

Before he could give in to that temptation, he let one hand return to your tits that bounced with his thrusts, the other replacing his lips on yours as he pulled your bottom lip down with his thumb and shoved two of his fingers inside. You sucked on them appreciatively, wetting them with your spit thoroughly as he triggered your gag reflex and pinched one of your peaked nipples at the same time, making you moan and clench hard on his dick. Removing them from the heat of your mouth, he trailed them between your breasts and straight down your stomach, landing on your clit where he spread your spit generously and worked to make you cum again.

You ground on him quickly, the increase in your movements sending you through to another climax, the sound of him grunting and panting in your ear as he began to cum encouraging you, but not as much as knowing he was about to fill you up.

He drove up into you harder, his teeth scraping along your neck and up to your cheek where he growled in your ear roughly, "I love you, too, babe."

You came together, feeling his hot spend coat your insides and start to leak out of you as he didn't let up on fucking you, wrecking you harder than he ever had before.

Your body felt weak and charged all at the same time, like you were melting into him but somehow needing more, and sliding off his dick with a quiet moan at the loss of him, you turned around to face him, sitting in his lap where you wrapped your arms and legs around him and held him close, continuing to kiss him with a necessity that was greater than breathing.

Holding your head in his hands, Jax met you with equal fervor, his chest rising and falling sharply against yours as he worked to catch his breath, and slowly guided you to lay down in the sheets with him.

Your legs tangled together, your arms holding and caressing each other with a surety you had never known before, relishing in the after effects of a level of bliss you were positive up until now you were never going to experience.

Slowing your kisses until they stopped, Jax looked at you warmly and flashed you a lazy smile, and you couldn't help but trace your fingertips over the creases beside his mouth and then up to run through his tousled hair.

You felt a slight pang in your chest in knowing he would probably leave soon, needing to see to some duties for the club, always having to run off shortly after his time with you to go deal with something that his loyalties couldn't ignore.

"I don't want today to end," you whispered, not ready to call it quits on your birthday just yet, and especially not ready to let him out of your bed after confessing something so huge.

Jax shifted onto his back, stretching out with a groan to reach for your alarm clock on your nightstand to check the time; 11:51 pm. Following the cord from the back of it into the wall behind the table, he pulled the plug out, watching the screen turn blank before rolling back over to you, his knee wedging between your legs as he settled his weight on top of you.

“Your birthday isn't over yet, darlin', and I'm not going anywhere.”

---

Taglist:

@sotwk @dailydragon08 @sunnys-day @thedreadandthefugitivemind @glassgulls @littlenosoul @blairsanne @glitterypirateduck @momia2910 @maggotzombie @rmwarn90 @paintlavillered

I went ahead and tagged everyone I have written down for my Charlie/Will Miller taglist so my apologies if you're not interested in being tagged in Jax fics and I will happily add or remove anyone as they wish!

#jax teller #sons of anarchy #jax teller smut #jax teller x female reader #jax teller x reader #sons of anarchy fic #jax teller fic #charlie hunnam