#gosh i’m going to have to be checking the mail every day and if my dad finds them before i get to them i’m done for 😭 i gotta get my sister

[mynameismckenziemae]

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone-Chapter II

Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd x Female Reader (no use of y/n)

Bob takes you out and lets you in after a(nother) moment of weakness.

(previous chapter here, next chapter here)

A/N: The mannerisms of Steve are based off of my sweet, derpy, old pup. She helped pull me out of my crippling postpartum depression and welcomed me back, forgetting I hadn’t just ignored her for the year prior (I was barely able to take care of my newborn, I wasn’t taking care of myself and I couldn’t fathom mustering up enough energy to even pet her, trust me, I still feel bad about it). She is the best.

Warnings: mentions of asshole ex boyfriends, negative thoughts (thanks to asshole ex boyfriend), smut, etc.

Bob waited until you were in your apartment and turned the lights on before taking off. Hes bubbling with different emotions as he drives home. He’s smitten, obviously. He’s never met a girl like you; so beautiful, witty, passionate, funny. He’s baffled that someone like you is interested in him. Then the embarrassment creeps in…he came in his pants like a fucking teenager, but relief since you didn’t laugh or make him feel worse. In fact, it had seemed you liked it. He can’t stop thinking about you whispering how you wanted to blow him the parking lot and then sucking your fingers…Damn it, he was hard again.

He sighed as he unlocked the door to his house. Even though his sister would come once a week or so to get his mail and check on the house, it was stale and stuffy. He opened the windows in his room and got in the shower.

___________________________________________

You overanalyzed the entire night while you showered, every look, every conversation, every touch.

You started and deleted a text to Bob several times before finally hitting ‘send’ and turning your phone over while you put your pajamas on.

Sunny: Thanks again for handling that jerk and following me home. I’m also sorry things got a little heated too quickly. I haven’t dated in years, but I don’t do that on the first date. Or, pre-first date I guess.

A few minutes later your phone dings.

Bob: You’re welcome, I’m just glad you’re okay. No worries, I liked it (obviously lol). Can’t wait to see you again tomorrow.

Your stomach flutters and you breathe a sigh of relief. It’s okay. He’s not Derek. He doesn’t think you’re a whore. It’s okay for two consenting adults to do these things.

Sunny: I can’t wait either. Goodnight.

Bob: Sweet dreams

___________________________________________

You sleep until 9 and it feels amazing. You pick up a little in case Bob comes all the way to the door and get ready. He said to dress casually so you don a pair of shorts again with a favorite oversized band tee and a pair of Converse. It feels weird to be putting normal clothes on 2 days in a row, you pretty much live in scrubs or pajamas.

Bob knocks as you’re putting your hair up. As you open the door, you’re greeted by a fluffy gentleman sitting oh so patiently, his tail is giving away his excitement by going a mile a minute. “Hey there cutie. You must be Steve, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Sunny.” You say, crouching to pet him. He’s so soft, and his wet nose tickles as he sniffs you.

You rise and take in Bob. He looks good enough to eat in a worn pair of Levi’s and a gray tee. He hands you a bouquet of fresh flowers. “We stopped at the farmer’s market on the way, thought these were pretty,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, the tops of his ears turning red.

“They’re gorgeous. Thank you. Come in, I’ll put them in water.” You smile.

“We can wait out here, he sheds a lot”. Bob replies.

“Oh gosh, don’t worry about it, I grew up with pets and have a vacuum.” You insist, pushing the door open wider.

“Alright,” he agrees. As he brushes past, you notice the slight bruise you sucked into his neck last night and your cheeks heat. Embarrassment or arousal? You weren’t sure.

“Nice place,” Bob says looking around. Steve is sniffing everything in sight.

“Thanks, it’s small but it’s got everything I need. I’ll eventually look into buying a house, but I’m comfortable here for now” you say, trimming the ends of the flowers. “Where’s your place?”

“About 15 minutes from here, by Valencia Park” he replies, looking at the pictures hung on your walls

You nod while filling a mason jar with water and place the flowers in it, setting it in the kitchen window. “Perfect. Thanks again.” You kiss his cheek. “Hey, what’s that on your neck?” You tease, lightly brushing the bruise with your fingertips.

He blushes again and chuckles. “Must’ve burnt myself with the curling iron”.

You laugh, “Is that so? You should really be more careful.”

“You’re telling me. All set?” He asks.

“Let’s go” You nod.

___________________________________________

You watch Steve take the stairs down while you lock up. “That is impressive, is there anything he can’t do?”

“No, not really. I help him in and out of the truck bed because it’s pretty high, but he’s adapted way better than I would’ve expected. Oh hey, my truck is just a regular cab, so there’s no backseat. I hope you don’t mind, but you’ll want to sit in the middle, or Steve will be on your lap. He insists on being by the window, one way or another.” He says as he unlocks it, stepping aside to let Steve through.

You climb on next to Steve and squeal as he immediately goes for your ears, sniffing and huffing with his wet nose again.

“Sorry, he’s pretty polite, but he has a thing for ears,” Bob grins as he gets in seat beside you.

You laugh, “I don’t mind, he’s so sweet. I’m just ticklish”.

Bob pulls out of Penny’s driveway and you’re off. Once he puts the cruise on, he relaxes his leg, resting it against your bare one. Goosebumps rise at the feel of his rough jeans against your skin. Down girl.

“Where we going?” You ask.

“There’s a quiet, dog-friendly beach up there road here, it’s Steve’s favorite place. I packed some lunch too” he replies, slowing to turn into the parking lot.

“That sounds great” you answer.

Steve realizes where he is. His front paws start tippy-tapping and he whines, hardly able to contain his excitement.

You laugh, patting him. “Almost there buddy”.

___________________________________________

Steve zooms along the shore as you and Bob put down a thick blanket. You three are the only occupants, save for an older man with an older dog a couple hundred yards down the beach.

You sit cross-legged and Bob comes to stretch out beside you, handing you a sandwich. You both laugh as Steve attempts to stalk some seagulls, but panics and tucks tail back when they start chasing him. He hides behind you, resting his head on your shoulder. You give him a smooch “You’re okay, I won’t let them get you. Those gulls are mean, huh?”

Bob tells you stories about Steve while you eat, making you laugh at his antics. He pulls his phone out and shows you a picture his sister snapped last night of Steve tucked into the sleeping bag between two little girls, all three wearing sleep masks. “Guess he slept like that all night” Bob chuckles.

Steve eventually sneaks his way between you two, laying his chin on your knee. “You’re such a good boy, aren’t you?” You say, softly rubbing his forehead. Bob chokes, his thoughts immediately turning dirty at your words. You bite your cheek so you don’t smile, pretending you don’t notice.

“Did you bring a ball or anything to play fetch with?” Bob nods, grabbing a frisbee from the bag.

___________________________________________

You three play for a while, the sun warming your arms and legs. It feels good to be outside. Bob tosses the frisbee towards you and Steve, but the wind catches pushing it behind you. Steve’s too focused on it to realize where he is and knocks you off your feet.

“Oh my God, Sunny!” You hear Bob yell running over. “Steven! Watch out buddy, give her some space.”

You can’t answer, you’re laughing too hard. Steve’s in your ears again, sniffing, huffing, and licking. Your laughter makes him more excited, and he zooms away as soon as Bob gets to you. “I’m so sorry, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

You shake your head. “No, I’m fine. I can see why you love him so much, he’s quite the character.” Bob holds his hand out to help you up. You take it but tug him down instead. He lands with a surprised oomph. You pull him to you for a kiss. He stiffens for just a moment, caught off guard (again) but relaxes into it. You kiss slowly, lazily. You suck his tongue and groans deeply. He’s hard, pressed perfectly against the seam of your shorts right where you need him. “You feel so good” you murmur against his lips. He twitches against you.

Out of nowhere, you feel frigid saltwater slide around you, soaking you both. The tide came in. You squeal and Bob chuckles, the moment gone. Probably for the best, you don’t really want an indecent exposure on your record.

He helps you to your feet. “My place is closer to here, we can get cleaned up and dried off there if that’s okay?”

You nod, wanting to get out of these wet, sandy clothes ASAP.

_______________________________________________

Bob grabs some dog shampoo from his truck and you help him lather and rinse the sand from Steve. “I know it’s a pain with his fur, but he loves the beach so much. It’s worth the extra work to me” you nod, agreeing. You towel him off, unable to stop kissing his wrinkly forehead. Bob lifts him into the bed of the truck and leads him into the kennel he has secured. “I know it’s not the safest, but I only put him in here after the beach. It helps him dry and he loves the wind in his face.” He explains.

You give him a quick kiss. “He’s lucky to have you Bob, you’re a great dog-dad”.

You both towel the sand off the best you can before getting in yourself. “I’m sorry about your truck, I can help you vacuum it” you offer.

“Don’t worry about it, my neighbor's son details cars for extra cash and is always looking for business. I always give him double after beach days.”

“That’s sweet of you.” You reply, sliding into the middle seat again.

“You don’t have, I mean you can sit there if you want but—“

You buckle your seat belt. “I know. I wanna sit by you.”

He nods, a little pink staining his cheeks, “Alright”.

___________________________________________

A few minutes later, Bob pulls into a cute, navy blue bungalow. “This is it”.

“I like it, it’s cute.”

You laugh as Bob helps Steve out of the truck bed. His fur is fluffy from the ride.

Bob leads you into the house. It’s tidy, with a minimalistic and cozy design. It smells like him—like clean, fresh laundry with a hint of leather.

He shows you to his bathroom, handing you a towel, he turns to leave. “If you want to leave your clothes outside the door, I’ll throw them in the wash with mine before I shower”.

“Will do, thanks.”

He shuts the door behind him. You carefully undress, trying to not fling sand everywhere. You turn the water on and set your clothes outside the door, purposely leaving your lacy bralette and thong on top to tease him.

You’re lathering your hair for the second time when you hear a knock. “You can come in. Sorry for taking so long, I can’t get the sand out of my hair.”

Bob freezes. He’s been half-hard since he put your pretty underwear in the wash, but taking in your naked silhouette against the frosted glass has him at full mast instantly. “It’s okay, no uh…rush. I have some clothes for you when you’re done. I’ll put them here on the counter”.

“Thanks, I’ll be out soon” you smile as he closes the door. You probably didn’t need to arch your back and stick your tits out like that, but his reactions to you are just too good.

___________________________________________

A few minutes later, you towel dry your hair and take yourself in the mirror. Bare-faced, nipples that could cut diamonds poking through his worn ‘US Navy’ tee, and rolled sweat pants. You look like a slob, you only wear makeup and straighten your hair when you go out, always trying to look good for other guys, you can hear Derek words in your mind.

You push him out of your head as you hang up your towel and open the door.

___________________________________________

Bob fumbles his phone as he takes you in. Curly, wet hair, perky breasts gently bouncing under his shirt as you pad over to him.

He reaches out and brushes a curl by your forehead. “I wondered if your hair was curly after it got wet at the beach. It’s pretty. Do you always straighten it?”

You nod, throat thick as you answer. “Yeah, my ex didn’t like it, thought I was ‘attention seeking’ when I would wear it natural, probably because someone usually commented on it. He uhh, he thought everything about me was ‘too much’; I laughed too much, I talked too much, I hugged too much. We broke up months ago, but I’m still trying to find myself again.” You look away, feeling vulnerable.

“Sounds like he’s an idiot. You could never be too much, Sunny. Your hair is beautiful no matter how you wear it. Everything about you is beautiful.” Tears fill your eyes as and he turns you toward him, kissing you sweetly.

You kiss him back and things heat up quickly. His hand slides into your hair fully, while the other goes to your waist, pulling you into him. He can feel your nipples brush across his chest and his cock twitches. He brings his hand up slowly, but as he reaches the underside of your breast, the doorbell rings, startling you apart. “Oh, I ordered pizza. I got half cheese, half everything so you can put whatever you want on. I hope that’s okay” he says as he turns, trying to discretely tuck his erection into his waistband so he doesn’t scare the delivery driver.

“Yeah, that’s perfect. I like everything but anchovies and mushrooms.”

“Agreed, I’ll remember that for next time” he says as he opens the door.

Hmmm, next time? You like the sound of that.

___________________________________________

You both dig in, having a beer each. Steve sits nearby, politely begging with his eyes.

You tell him about yourself. How you were always getting into trouble as a kid since you were quite the little adrenaline junkie, always looking for a thrill. About how you wanted to be a naval aviator like your old man, but you couldn’t put your mom through that, especially seeing the toll it took on Carole when Bradley joined. You tell him how you thrive in chaotic environments and by doing flight nursing, you could combine your passion for flying and help people. He takes in your every word, listening intently.

You settle in on the couch after for a movie as you wait for your clothes to dry, Steve draped across your lap, fast asleep as you rub his ears. “I knew he’d love you.”

You smile, “He’s a sweetheart.”

Bob puts his arm around you and plays with a curl by your ear absentmindedly. He pulls a little and you shiver as your nipples harden. “You cold?” He asks, looking down at you.

You shake your head, dropping your gaze to his lips. You lean forward, capturing his lips with yours. You moan into it, you’ve been worked up too many times since last night without relief. He licks into your mouth, pushing his hand into your hair farther. Your right goes to his chest, sliding up to brush your fingertips over the bruise from the night prior again. He inhales sharply, breaking the kiss. “Steve, buddy, go to bed, okay?” He asks him breathlessly, eyes not leaving yours.

Steve hops off with a heavy sigh, walking towards the bedroom.

You rise to straddle him, leaning forward to bite his bottom lip before kissing along his jaw. You slide your hips forward until you trap his cock against his stomach. His breath hitches in your ear at the contact. You smile into his jaw as you slowly start moving your hips, up and down, rubbing your clit against him.

You let out a breathy moan and his grip on your hips tightens. You kiss up to his ear and lightly nip the lobe. “You’re so big, I can’t wait to have you inside me”

Bob lets out a strangled groan at that. His hands release your hips and slide back to your ass, squeezing a handful in each palm, pulling you harder into his cock. You groan against his ear before pulling back and whipping his shirt off of you.

Your bare tits are level with his face. “Sweet Jesus” he whispers, bringing his hands up from your ass to cup one carefully in each hand. “They’re perfe—you’re perfect,” he says in awe. You should get a boob job, no guy likes less than a D cup, you hear Derek's voice again, but Bob brings you back to him by circling your nipple with his calloused fingertips.

You whimper, “Keep touching me, please. Just like that, and this” You bring your hand up to gently pull and pinch.

His eyes drift shut with a groan, the sight of you playing with your tits is too much. His erection throbs against your hip as he nods, continuing his ministrations. Your hands go to his shoulders for leverage.

You work your hips faster, already hurtling towards the edge. He leans forward and gently sucks your nipple into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue.

You whimper, “Almost there” as your orgasm approaches.

Bob pulls back at the sound, replacing his mouth with his fingers, and groans as he feels you soaking through both pairs of pants. His hips jerk up, chasing your warm, wet heat. He’s getting close too. You moan and your hips stutter as his tip catches your clit just right. He takes your hands and places them on your tits, and drops his back to your hips to guide them. You pinch both nipples as he thrusts and that’s all it takes.

You cry out as your orgasm sweeps through you. Bob takes you in, trying to commit the sight and sounds of you to memory. Eyes closed, flushed cheeks, hands playing with your perfect breasts, your hips undulating against his…it’s enough to pull him over the edge. He groans, hands gripping bruises into your hips and he cums too, coating the inside of his pants (again).

You lean down and place a kiss on his damp forehead. His face is flushed, and he won’t look at you.

“You okay?” You ask.

“Yeah, I—I’m good. I uh, I think we should talk.” He replies and a cold wave of shame washes through you. You did too much too fast. Again.

Bob feels you stiffen on him. “No, hey, no it’s nothing you did, it’s not anything bad, I don’t think, I just,” The dryer dings from down the hall, signaling your clothes are dry. “Hey, let’s get cleaned up and I’ll explain.”

You nod, still uneasy and follow him to the laundry room.

___________________________________________

You meet Bob back in the living room, wearing your clean clothes. Mmm, you smell like him.

He gestures for you to sit by him. You can tell he’s nervous, or embarrassed. Maybe both.

“So you know how I told you I’m not good with women, dating, and all that?” You nod. “Well, I meant it. I haven’t dated much. The longest relationship was 2 years in high school. We fooled around a bit, but never went all the way since her family was strict Catholics and she was saving herself for marriage. We broke up after I joined the navy cause she didn’t like long distance. I’ve dated a bit here and there, but it never lasted long as it’s difficult to keep a relationship when I was moving around so much and deployed so often. So…that’s why I was uh…a little quick on the draw last night, and not much better today. You’re gorgeous Sunny, so that doesn’t help either.”

You nod, and can breathe a little better in relief. You’re starting to understand. “Bob, it’s okay. I knew you just got off the carrier after 4 months. It’s…it’s also been a long time for me too. I think that’s why I can’t keep my hands off you, not to mention how good you look in those Levi’s” you laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

Bob’s blush deepens and rubs the back of his neck. “Uh yeah, except that I haven’t, I’ve never…” he stammers.

You realize what he’s trying to say, your stomach flips and your pussy clenches. Oh the things you’re gonna do to him.

“Bob, are you a virgin?”

#bob floyd #robert floyd #robert bob floyd #bob floyd x reader #top gun maverick #ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone #bradley bradshaw #jake seresin #natasha phoenix trace

[dailyaudiobible]

10/3/2023 DAB Transcript pt 4

Prayer:

And so, Father, we thank You for Your word and another day. Lot of transition, transition weeks, months, books, and in it all You continue to speak to us and transform us and we are grateful, and we need Your help with this. We confess, we’re not rejoicing in You all the time, we’re not being gentle enough to be evident to all, all the time. We’re not aware that You are near all the time. Sometimes we can't figure out where You went and we certainly can't claim that we’re anxious about nothing because we’re anxious about lots of things. And we confess that in every situation we’re not thankful and prayerful. And so, we realize that we have some work to do in self-discipline, in shifting our orientation, understanding that it is all available, peace that passes understanding is available but we have to surrender to You and collaborate with You in cultivating what it takes to move in that direction. So, come, Holy Spirit into this, may we walk a new path, the path where peace does pass all understanding and guards us. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, that is, well, that's home base. That’s where you find out what's going on around here. Mobile homeboy, home base is the Daily Audio Bible app, that sits in the palm of your hand and you can download that free from whatever app store is connected to your device, so check that out. Then you can find things like the Community Section, and in the Community Section, there are different links to different social media channels that we participate in. And so, if there's an announcement, stuff like that's good be following along. But also that is home of the Prayer Wall there in the Community Section and the Prayer Wall is, well, that's where it lives and that's where it stays and it's always available day or night, 24 hours a day, rain or shine. It is available to us, and we can go there, middle of the night, middle of the morning and share what's going on and ask our brothers and sisters to come around side of us, because we’re dragging things that are too heavy for us and we need prayer. And we need to know we’re not alone. That's the place to go. That's also the place to go to offer encouragement, to go and see that brothers and sisters are struggling just like the rest of us and to let each other know, hey I’ve got you. I'm walking with you. I maybe, I may be 5000 miles from you. I may be on the other side of the world, but I've got you in spirit, we're in it together, we’re walking together. You’re not alone, that makes an awful lot of difference. So, certainly, be aware of the Prayer Wall there in the Community Section, either on the website at dailyaudiobible.com or in the app.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible. If this mission to bring the spoken word of God read fresh every day and offered freely to anybody. Anybody who will listen, no matter where they are, no matter what time it is. And to build community around this rhythm of showing up for each other every day, showing up to take the next step forward. If that is life to you, then thank you for being life-giving. There is a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you're using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996 Springhill, Tennessee 37174.

And as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that's it for today, I'm Brian, I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Prayer and Encouragements:

Hey everybody, it’s Rachel from Deven in the UK. I’ve just listened to Brian’s commentary or devotional on wives submit to your husbands and husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church. And oh my gosh, my heart is full, my heart is full of pain for myself as I went through an abusive 20 years, and I’m now married the man that I should have married in the first place and I’m very happy. And I’m very grateful that I know that he would lay his life down for me and I’d gladly submit to him. But I would ask for your prayers as I try and digest some truths about my past marriage which was really abusive but very subversively. So, never abusive physically, just spiritually, emotionally, financially, and always very hidden. But my heart is broken still from, from that, from 20 years, 20, nearly 25 years with being with that man. And my heart is also grieving for all those women and people in broken marriages and in abusive marriages. And so, yeah, pray for me, if you would, that I know how to deal with, with the aftermath of 20 years of abuse and also, pray with me for people in abusive marriages. Thank you, guys. Bye

Good evening my Daily Audio Bible family. This is David Browning from Savannah, Georgia. And I’m calling in on the 26th of September. I’m calling in for a woman, she didn’t give her name but she’s from Norway. She has children, she’s pregnant. She has a boyfriend that doesn’t want to get married. She has a pastor that’s telling her that she needs to be married. And oh, lady I pray for you. My life is, my mother was a, she had me, I had two sisters from different fathers. She was promiscuous and made mistakes, but you know what? There was a time when we were children that she took us to church. And taking us to church changed her life and in changing her life it made an impact on mine. And the reason that I’m walking with Christ today is because my mother faced that shame. She went into that church as single mother with three children. And that church accepted her. And I pray that you will find a church that accepts you as you are and your children. I pray for that for you. Take your children to church. And if that pastor does not accept you, he is in the wrong and I will pray for him. So, I pray, God bless you. I pray you find friends, look for other woman friends that you can talk to. Just get your children in the word. Teach your child in the way they should grown and when they are up …

Good day Daily Audio Bible family. This is Daniel the Wholehearted calling from North Carolina. And just wanted to say, Brian, thank you for being a great pastor. For being so faithful to minister to us. I wanted to call in to pray for the young man who called in on the 26th saying that he just doesn’t know, he doesn’t know if he’s a Christian. And I think, you may have called before, there was a guy who called a little while back saying that he just didn’t fit in. And I just want to encourage you and let you know that, you know, Christian is a label, it’s in the Bible. You know, being a little Christ, it was a way of people making fun of people who follow Jesus. This day in age in means maybe something different but for those of us who are Christians and who really follow Christ. You know, it’s a badge of honor. And my prayer for you is that you would receive the gift of faith from God and that He would lead you into the loving relationship that He desires to have with you. Let me pray. Father, I pray for this man, this brother and Lord I ask that You give him that gift of faith and that You would give him the gift of the sense of Your presence. Lord, and that You would love him, You would hug him and You would show how much the relationship matters. And how much being close to You matters, regardless of labels given by man. I just pray all this in Jesus name. Be blessed.

Good morning, Daily Audio Family. This is Lucy calling from Iowa, for Kalissa. As an adopted mom who traveled that infertility journey, you said you were waiting for those, trying to find patients for those convinced you’ll be a good mom. That’s not our journey. Our journey is that when our child is there, they will come to us. I have said this to other adopted moms. It’s always easier once you’ve got your child in your arms but when the time is right, your child will be there for you, no convincing others. My son is 21. I have a good friend whose daughter just turned 18. I have another friend whose son just turned 10. When our child needed us, they came to us. Your child will come to you.

Good morning DABers. My sisters and brothers in Christ. This is Running Desperately to Jesus. Also known as Staying Desperately Connected to Jesus. It’s been a long while since I have called, I know. And since that time, I have been through so much it feels like. But there was a lady, excuse me, that came on, and I cannot remember. I believe it was September, and she was speaking of maybe feeling the fog or something while she was driving over the bridge. And you said, the only thing, the simple thing to say is God is in it with me. And even to say it with your job and the anxiety. I asked God 25 years ago, if I could be social worker with the school. He opened that door for me. And sometimes you have to be really aware of whatever you’re blessed with. Sometimes there might be other things that come along with it. I never knew I had anxiety, but I have it bad. I’m a school social worker and I’ve never felt this anxiety as intense. But as you said, my sister in Christ, Jesus is in this. God is in this. He is with me, He’s standing with me. I know that I can do this. I retired in 2019, I went back into the field again, into the social work field. And I kind of, in a sense, having the same feelings that I had when I wanted to retire from the prior job: anxiety, frustration, not sleeping. But I know that God is in control. And now my job is on the line because I need to take a particular test that should have been taken back in, years ago. Pray for me ya’ll. Running Desperately to Jesus, also known as Staying Desperately Connected.

Good morning Daily Audio Bible family. This is Alexis Rosario calling in for the first time. I’ve been listening for 8, 9, 10 years, I don’t know. I love all of you and pray with you everyday. But specifically, today, I’m gonna pray over a brother who sent a message on the 26th of September about not knowing that if he was a Christian or not. Not knowing what to do or who to turn to. And I’m just praying over your brother. You did not leave your name. You can reach out to me at mrasorio on Instagram. But I would just encourage you to seek a relationship with Christ rather than the box of religion. And I would encourage you every morning, just gonna through this out there, three things and you’re already doing one. Every morning when you get up and you take that first breadth in the morning you thank God. You thank God for the skin on your bones and that you can wiggle your toes and that you can take a breath. And then you go about your day and you enjoy it. You do the things you love. And listen to the Daily Audio Bible like you have been doing. And then at noon, you give a praise to God. Thank you Lord for today. And then you go from there. And if there is toxic relationships in your life, you get away from it. So, just praying over you. Also praying for my sister in Norway who is pregnant and is fear of judgement and if there’s judgement in that church, you go to a new church. And you’re in the right place listening to the Daily Audio Bible. Shot out to Blind Tony and love you all.

[deeeelightfuldee]

What was the last thing you laughed at? something on will & grace lol 

How many times have you visited the beach in your lifetime? loooooooool. a lot. many many MANY times. 

Do you know anyone personally who has committed murder? certainly not to my knowledge.

Do you use temper glass phone screen protectors? lol no. i hate having stuff on the glass.

Have you ever cracked your phone screen badly? once.

Would you ever take up pole dancing as a hobby? in my own home, yes. I’m not sure i’d be willing to go to the studio for it lol.

What is one of your most prized possessions? letters

Do you find commercials/ads to be amusing or just annoying? amusing if they’re done right. otherwise super annoying. 

Do you enjoy taking late night drives? its my absolute fave thing to do. but i havent done that in literally months because of gas costs.

Do you prefer incense, candles, or something else for making your house smell nice? candles or plug ins

How many pets/children do you have? 0 kids and 2 pets

Have you ever accidentally stolen something? oh probably like a pen or something

What was the last thing you needed help with? ummmmm im not sure its been a min

What's the most expensive article of clothing you own? i legit have nothing expensive. maybe a winter coat?

What's one of your favorite memories from your childhood? hmmm christmas. my birthday. friends hangouts. 

What seems like a cult to you but isn't one? lol conspiracy theorists, heavily political individuals/groups

What do you do when you start to feel depressed or really down? a drive. 

Do you keep your nails manicured? i paint them. i can’t afford to get them done regularly... or ever lol.

When was the last time you checked your mail? today

Do you do positive affirmations daily? internally probably almost every day but externally not all that often sadly.

What time did you wake up this morning? 650. my overnight meds were NOT happy about that but i did it anyway lol

Do you like lemon with your tea? i dont usually have them with it.

Do you know anyone with the name Andrew? K’s middle name. I have a cousin named andrew. 

Are you a sensitive person? i can be, yes.

Do you know any of your neighbors well? i know one family pretty well. I know another unfortunately cus theyre obnoxious. I know one other from just observing him.

Have you ever received a traffic ticket? no.

Do you enjoy glitter or find it to be a nuisance? i think it’s pretty. but man it’s hard to remove 

Would you ever want to be a politician? never, ever, ever, ever. it’s vile to me.

Have you ever been into Pokémon? If so, what's your favorite? nope

What's your favorite soup? the chicken rice soup from eggheadz omfg.

What color reminds you of the week you've had so far? dark gray

Chinese or Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? i crave chinese more, but thats because its harder to have it GF. 

Have you ever seen a wolf in person? i have! ON CAMPUS literally feet from me. 

Are you currently doing something else besides this survey? watching will & grace and sippin’ on a diet coke.

Do you get annoyed by repetitive questions? only if it’s in the same survey it gets annoying.

What's the fastest you've ever driven? me personally, 90 somethin. in the car with someone over 100

Have you ever listened to Tim McGraw? of course

What's the last thing you lit on fire? the wick to the candle on my dresser K sent me. 

Do you still watch American Idol? nope

What's your favorite things about life? oh gosh. strong thunderstorms, toe beans on cats, laughing so hard you cry, air conditioning on a hot day. waves and swimming. playing games with friends. hugs from loved ones. 

What is your favorite emoticon? 😸 probably currently the laughing crying one.

When was the last time you had to replace the batteries in something? when my nephews were over on friday

Have you ever seen a street name that was funny or a town name? yes. theres one by me called Justamere Rd *just a mere road*

Do you like to watch anime? so far, no. 

Do you ever drink energy drinks? not if i can help it. probably one every 3-4 years.

How many surveys have you created? couple hundred when i was younger i think

Do you just enjoy taking them? YES

What type of cell phone do you own? Do you like it? a samsung galaxy s21 ultra. it’s amazing. 

What's your plans for the rest of the day? its 9:15pm so pretty much this.

[misscaptainamericana]

the way i loved you - frank adler x reader

word count: 2238

trigger warnings/tw: Suicide, Grief

content warning: professor/student relationship, age gap, alcohol, angst

You had met Frank in the class he was teaching at Harvard. You had always wondered if his glance lingered on you too long as he was hoping you would answer the question or if he was as attracted to you as you were to him. It wasn’t until the day you turned in your final paper that you also attached a note with your phone number and for him to call anytime. Words couldn’t describe how excited you were when he called you that night. Meeting up at bars led to dinner dates which led to spending late nights at each other's residences. Everything was going great! For your first year anniversary, Frank had even treated the two of you to a long weekend in Hawaii. However, neither of you could’ve guessed where this next year would take you.

Only weeks later his sister had committed suicide. You hadn’t seen anything shake Frank, but this crumbled his entire world. You tried to be there for him as much as possible, but he insisted all he needed was space. You saw him at the funeral, sat with him, and exchanged a few long embraces. You couldn’t have known that him wanting space meant space from everything. You never imagined you would wake up to the news of him quitting his job, blocking your number, and deleting all of his social media before moving out of state. And not only did he do all that within the course of twenty-four hours. He made sure you didn’t know until he was long gone. Almost three days later you received a letter in the mail explaining that he was so sorry, but this was the end. He had to leave Massachusetts and ending the relationship you had would be best for everyone. The rest of it didn’t matter, it didn’t need to be two fully written out pieces of paper, you couldn’t read it through your tears anyway. You never knew if your relationship with Frank would be long term, but you certainly never thought it would end with him ghosting you. You weren’t sure how long you sat in your apartment, post-mating junk food and watching reruns of shows you’ve seen a million times.

You found it hard to believe that time in your life was nearly seven years ago. At some point in time, you were able to move on. You put yourself back together, finished out college, got your degree, and started your career. One of your friends had set you up on a blind date and after two years you were engaged. Your friends were always so jealous of whatever new thing your fiancé seemed to buy you. You always insisted you didn’t want gifts but almost every two weeks there was something new. You assumed it was just his love language and you would grow accustomed to it. Your mother even told you that no one fully loves the person they marry, you notice all the things you dislike about them, but you choose to stay with them regardless because that’s the definition of love. Your life was perfect to so many others, but not to you.

After going out to lunch with a few of your friends you decided to walk around the park to better digest before heading back to your apartment. It was your day off and you didn’t have much to do, well except chores. And let’s face it, your dirty hamper of clothes wasn’t going anywhere. You had continued your walk on the trail, staring at a few dogs playing fetch with their owners when you bumped into someone.

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, I wasn’t-” You paused realizing who you had bumped into. Your heart stopped and it felt like you saw a ghost, “I-I wasn’t looking, I’m sorry.”

“My apologies, I was checking my phone. I should-”

“Wait…How have you been?” Your eyes pleaded with him to stay, causing him to sigh and rest his hand on his hip.

“I’ve been alright. I had to bring Mary up here to see my mom. My mom took her to MIT this morning to meet with her professor friends. Doesn’t matter, how have you been?”

“I’ve been okay…I graduated.”

“Honors?”

You softly nodded, “Magna… My grades slipped too far after what happened and I just…I couldn’t get it back.”

“I’m sorry.”

The air felt colder, almost like the altitude shifted and you couldn’t breathe.

“So, are you…Are you back?”

“Back in Boston? No, god, no. I’ll probably never come back.” He motioned down at your hand with the coffee cup he was holding, “Married?”

The question didn’t even sound like English until you looked at where he was pointing to. The shiny jewel on your hand nearly blinded you, “No, I-engaged actually. Can we talk somewhere? Please?”

“Y/N, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Please, I won’t stay long…Frank, consider it closure. Don’t you think I deserve that much?”

He groaned and looked around the park before turning back to you, “My hotel has a bar…Follow me.”

You followed him over to the Four Seasons and Frank was right, it wasn’t a good idea. He didn’t have one straight answer for why he left and all the windy roads of excuses lead back to the single reason ‘he had to’. You felt your heart breaking all over again. It wasn’t a long relationship by any means, but fourteen months wasn’t nothing. It also wasn’t happiness and rainbows, there were a lot of stormy days, but god you missed them too.

Frank had caught you in a study group in the cafeteria, laughing a little too much at some guys' jokes. Later that afternoon when he came back to his office and saw you innocently sitting in his chair he knew what he had to do. He bent you over the desk and made you remember who you belong to. You loved when he was jealous, you loved the way he fucked you when he was angry, so you poked the bear a little more than you should’ve. One April night at his place when he was busy grading papers you were doing your best to lure him to bed but he wouldn’t bite. Eventually, he snapped. Slamming his hands on his desk, he turned his chair around and began yelling at you. It was such a shock, you didn’t absorb half of it but what you did was him calling you ‘an ignorant kid needy for attention and he’s sick and tired of babysitting’.

It was cold. It left a bitter taste in your mouth as you quickly turned and made your way out of his office. By the time he had caught up to you, you were fumbling to find your keys in your purse. The fight continued to his driveway as you still couldn’t find your stupid fucking keys. He was so upset with you that you were doing this outside and you were convinced it was because he didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of the neighbors, even though he argued that it was the rain. At some point he cupped your face in his hands and kissed you. He had lifted you onto his waist and carried you back inside. You both were completely soaking wet from the rain, but the sex you had on his couch was electric. He had the same passion he would if he was upset with you, but this was so delicate.

You missed it.

You missed all of it.

But that didn’t matter now, none of it did. Because even though all that time had passed and even though the universe had somehow brought you back together, he didn’t want you. Back in crept the insecure feelings that you were never good enough for him. You didn’t talk for long, not even an hour when he got the call from Roberta that her and Mary were on their way back to the hotel. You called yourself an Uber and you couldn’t exactly remember what happened next.

However, you were woken up by your fiancé gently shaking you awake. Blinking your eyes a few times, you looked up at him confused.

He let out a light chuckle, “You drink too much at lunch with the girls?”

Rubbing your eyes to better adjust to the light and looking at your hand now stained with eyeliner and mascara, you weakly nodded. You couldn’t tell him about Frank. That would be cruel.

He leaned in to gently kiss the side of your head, “Do you still want to go to the party? I can call and tell them you’re sick if you want.”

“The-the party?” You asked a little confused.

“Yeah, my brother’s birthday dinner at six, remember?”

“Oh, I-yeah, of course…Just let me get ready, okay?”

“Okay, we have to leave in forty minutes.”

You did your best to get ready but you didn’t really care what you looked like, you just wanted to stay home. No, you wanted to go back to that hotel bar and tell Frank how you felt. How it wasn’t fair that he just left when he said he loved you so much. With cleaned up makeup, you put on the first dress you saw and made your way into the living room.

Your fiancé dreamily sighed as he stood from the couch, “You look so beautiful tonight, baby. You ready to go?”

You gave him a nod with a forced smile which must have seemed genuine enough to him because he didn’t say anything.

The party was at a fancy restaurant and his family rented out the backroom for his brother’s party. Your cheeks were starting to cramp from your constant state of fake smiling but you were certainly trying your best.

Being comfortable was better than being miserable…Right?

You excused yourself from the business talk he was making with your father and you made your way towards the bathroom. However, once you got out of the room, your feet carried you right past the hallway. Getting your phone out of your purse, you quickly called an Uber and made your way to the front of the building. By the time you made it outside, your ride had arrived and you hastily climbed into the backseat. You were so grateful that the driver didn’t want to make conversation. From the alcohol you had at the party and the rush of emotions going through you, it was probably for the best you kept your thoughts to yourself. But you only had seventeen minutes to figure out what you were going to say.

Arriving at the Four Seasons you thanked your driver before slowly exiting. This was it. This was your final chance to get him back. Taking a deep breath, you made your way into the lobby.

Confidence, confidence, confidence.

You repeated over and over to yourself as you walked up to the front desk, “Hey, I’m here for the key to Frank Adler’s room.”

“The key?”

“Yeah, he said he called and had you leave a key for me since he was going to hop into the shower.”

The desk clerk eyed you suspiciously before buzzing up to the room.

You sighed, leaning on the desk, “He’s not going to answer, he's in the shower.”

The two of you sat in silence for thirty seconds and you prayed to whatever was out there that he wouldn’t answer.

“See? Now, the key to the presidential suite, please.” You said with a growing smile and reluctantly gave you the keycard.

Putting the room key in the elevator took you up to the twenty-ninth floor. Stepping out of the elevator into the hallway you felt sick. For years you had stayed up pacing around your room coming up with things to say to him and now you couldn’t think of a single thing. You just wanted him to kiss you again and to shrug off the last years like they were nothing. The first set of knocks you delivered to the door were light. You stood there for a minute, deciding if you even had the strength to do this. Your second set of knocks were even louder and when you raised your hand for a third the door angrily swung up. There was a groggy Frank standing before you in a white tee and boxers, “Oh my god, Y/N. What the hell are you-“

“I need to talk to you.”

“We talked this afternoon-“

“You haven’t moved on because you haven’t found anyone better for you than me.”

Frank scoffed, “I haven’t moved on because I’m raising a child and right now you’re acting like one.”

“Frank-”

“No, you shouldn’t be here.”

With a shaky inhale a tear started to run down your cheek making him sigh as he leaned back against the doorframe, “You deserve better than me, that’s why I left. You deserve to be with someone your age that you can experience life with. You should get to have that great love when you grow old together. And by the sounds from our discussion at the coffee shop earlier you found it, so why are you here?”

“Because I love you.” The words fell from your lips faster than you could stop them and they sounded more like a plea than a statement. The silence that radiated through the hallway was deafening.

#frank adler x reader #frank adler x you #frank adler fanfiction #fifof

[blackwidow-bby]

Never Be The Same- Mafia!Natasha Romanoff x Reader

Prompt: Mafia Boss au but y/n kidnaps the mafia boss

Warnings: Cursing, violence, gun mention and gun use, kidnapping

AN: I saw this prompt from a tiktok where someone asked "your favorite trope but reverse" so I did it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It wasn't often that you got anonymous letters sent to you by someone looking for your "services". You had left the spy life years ago with a little help from the Witness Protection Program in order to pursue a much quieter life doing...well currently you were just working as a florist. Before that you cleaned headstones at the towns local graveyard, which was scarily a lot bigger than the town you were in. You had quit that job when you got the first anonymous letter on the steps of the shed where you kept your tools. The thought of someone knowing where you worked, hell, who you were, especially when they shouldn't spooked you more than working in the graveyard around sunset.

The request wasn't for anything serious. A simple adult-napping job of some woman. The stranger who left the note definitely specified that they wanted the target alive. It would have been an easy job with some extra cash to put in your pocket, but instead you jumped ship and quit that day and moved to another apartment complex. You even went so far as to get a P.O. Box instead of using the complex's mail. The threat wasn't that big to get the government involved in relocating you again.

You almost you wish you could go back in time to the early morning before you received the letter by some covered stranger. Your skin turned white when you saw the simple little envelope with your old agent code name; Viper.

Sneaky and deadly, you always knew the perfect moment to strike. Whoever this person was had to have also been an old agent from the same organization you worked for. That was the only way you could explain away the anxiety that boiled in the pit of your stomach. Once was an instance, but twice is a hobby, you decide you'll at least think about taking the job. Opening the envelope, your heart started to pound quickly inside its cage. You can't believe you were about to put yourself in this position after leaving it for so long.

The letter read:

Dear Viper;

It has been many years since the last time I've seen your face, the first time I thought you were a ghost. Certainly after seeing your face again, I knew for sure my mind wasn't fooling me. It is with a heavy heart that I ask for your help. Unfortunately a family member of mine had found themselves in trouble with a mafia member. Unable to keep their end of whatever bargain, the mob killed him. I need you to find the person who did this to my brother and bring them to me completely unharmed. I want them conscious, I want my face to be the last ting they see before I get revenge for a member of my family ceasing to live among those that loved them.

The target's name is Natasha Romanoff. At the bottom I've left a burner number and an address if you do decide to take my offer this time, the payment will be handsomely.

Much Thanks;

Otter

Natasha Romanoff? Sounds mafia enough to you. Gods, what a messed up situation to get into. Would it really be enough to possibly have to change your identity again? What if this person was important to this group and they decided to come after you? You sat in silence thinking for a long time if any of this was really worth it. There was a tiny voice that peeped up in the back of your mind. You had been kinda bored lately, this could be the spice you need to add back an old pep in your step.

It was decided. You'll get to work searching for this person in the morning. Wow, that took so much persuasion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You got started early the next day. Definitely not due to not being able to sleep in the first place. Oh no. Thanks to the nerves building up over putting yourself in a shitty position. Luckily for you though, this Natasha woman wasn't hard to find at all. The mafia she was affiliated with, operated in the city near the town you lived in. They also apparently seemed to operate most of their business out of a simple pet shop. This has to be the inner workings of a screen writer, you thought to yourself.

Your nerves began to get the best of you on your walk back home. It seemed like everyone's eyes were suddenly on you, like they knew exactly what you were up to. You picked up your speed and released a breath you didn't realize you were holding when you saw the steps to your apartment complex. You quickly ran inside up to your floor and slammed the door behind you. Gosh your nerves were starting to annoy you. How did you ever make it as a top agent is beyond you thinking of the position you were currently in. All feelings aside, you pressured n to pack for the trip you'll soon be taking to the city. It was going to be another long night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your trip to the city was surprisingly smooth. Light traffic. Sun was out. If not for this little mission, if you could call it that, the day would have been perfect to do some sight seeing. You found the "pet shop" just as easy as well. You set up camp on the side of the street in front of the building to see if your target would possibly show up today. You were really hoping this didn't turn into a multi-day stake out. just wanting to get all of this over as quickly as possible so you can go back into hiding again.

It took about 7 hours, well into the late afternoon, before you spotted her walk in. Surprisingly, she was alone. Perfect, time to move in. You got out of your car and casually walked around the side of the business to see if there happened to be a door. The alleyway of the building was dark enough that anyone on the street wouldn't be able to see in. The sound of a creaky metal door could be heard just around the corner. You guess the back will have to do. As you got closer to the sound, you saw the woman in the back of the building talking with a man. You couldn't make out a single word they were saying. Their conversation wasn't important though, only getting her to Otter was.

Your heart began to race as the moment to make your move came closer. This is what you had trained for your whole life. The stealth and ability to make a move without anyone around you knowing until it was too late. Your eyes trained on the red-head in the back of the building. You gave a silent prayer to whoever was listening that the person she was with, would leave her alone for just one second. That's all you needed; one second.

Suddenly, it was as if all of the puzzle pieces fell into place. He left to go back inside. Time slowed down in an instant. You immediately released a breath through your mouth and moved in. You could see every single moment, all of the steps you took right up to behind her. Watching her turn around carefully but never hearing you step up behind her. At the very last second when she had finally caught sight, one hand reached but to grab her arm and pin it behind her back while the other reached around her head with a chloroform rag to incapacitate her.

The hard part was done. The red-haired woman fell limp in your arms, so you maneuvered her into a bridal position to easily carry her to your car. Time was of the essence. Someone would be coming to look for her soon. Swiftly and quietly, you walked back through the alley and reached your car. Knowing you had some time before she woke up, you could stop later to tie her hands and legs once you were farther away from the city. You placed her down in the back seat before getting in the front and driving away. You let out the most dramatic exhale and looked for the letter Otter had given you of his number and location.

One ring

Two rings

So you did take my offer?

Yes, I'm headed to the location now.

Excellent, thank you for your work.

Yeah, whatever.

Click

You drove on for another half an hour before you reached the location. It was an old abandoned warehouse settled 20 minutes in the opposite direction from the city. The sun was completely settled at this point making the surroundings very dark. The sky had an almost purple glow from the towns nearby lights. Getting out, you circled the car to the back passenger door to remove the woman and bring her inside. She was still passed out from the chloroform only stirring slightly as you picked her up.

Maybe it was the exhaustion catching up to you, but you don't remember her being this heavy. Trudging the knocked out woman inside, you found a small chair and placed her down. Your timing was sort of off and thought better to tie down her hands and legs now before checking her pockets for any weapons or forms of identification. The woman's head lulled from left to right while you searched. You found a knife on her belt holster, a small revolver tucked in the back of her pants, a wallet, and a set of keys but not car keys. Her eyes started to flutter while you fingered through the wallet. Nothing important, a drivers license, a couple of business cards from the "pet store", and a what looked like a family photo. The people in the photo looked familiar to you, very familiar.

"What are you doing with that?" The woman mumbled in your direction. You looked her in the eye not saying anything. The woman was gorgeous with the single light shining down on her causing an angelic glow upon the crown of her head. Her red tresses seemed to almost burn in your presence. You looked away from her and continued to inspect the photo she kept in her wallet.

"Who are these people with you?"

Her head lulled once more, "Why do you want to know?"

"Answering a question with a question won't help you. What is your affiliation with the mafia?"

"I'm their fucking boss."

In that instance your eyes widened. Of course, that's why the men in the photo looked familiar to you. She was the fucking heir to one of the top mafia rings in the country. This idiot, Otter, wanted you to bring in the living heir and current head hancho for what she did to a simple family member that got caught up in the wrong group. The sweat was beginning to pour now that you realized you were absolutely fucked.

Before you could say anything else, Otter, the man of the hour, busted trough the doors.

"Viper! I knew I could count on you!"

"What the fuck man?! You really had me capture the fucking mafia BOSS?! We're both going to be fucked if you don't explain everything right now, Otter." You were sweating rivers at this point. Utterly frustrated and hot in the warehouse. The red-head was slowly coming to 100% but her eyes still couldn't fully focus.

"Calm down Viper. Your work is done with me. I'll cover everything up and you can go back to your quiet life."

"Over?! If you don't give me a very good reason to leave her here in your possession, I'm taking her with me." you were shouting at this point. The red-head was now staring at the both of you dumbfounded at the whole situation everyone was in.

"She killed my brother!" You swore you could see steam coming off of his head. "She killed him and left him to rot!"

"Your brother was nothing but scum who tried to steal weapons from me to sell for himself." She had responded this time. Otter quickly pulled out a gun from his pocket and aimed it at the woman.

"He would never have done anything to harm his family or himself!"

She didn't falter her glare one single bit, even with a weapon pointed at her head. "He'd be living a healthy fulfilling life had he not crossed me."

He cocked the gun this time. "Shut up you stupid bitch!"

A smirk played on her lips, she was enjoying getting a rise out of him. Like she knew something the both of you didn't know. Like she knew no matter her outcome someone would always be out there searching for both of you for the rest of your lives until you got caught, or god forbid, kill yourselves to keep from being caught. Your nerves were spiking again, you couldn't let Otter kill Natasha Romanoff.

You sucked a quick gasp. Otter didn't notice but Natasha did. You had her gun.

Natasha's eyes darted back and forth between you and Otter. He was getting upset at the fact that her attention wasn't solely on him. The arm that was holding the gun stopped its falter and held up straight to Natasha's face. "Look at me! I want my face to be the last thing you see when I kill you, you stu-"

BANG

Natasha jumped. She had seen the whole thing take place but didn't really expect you to do it. She could see the tremble in in your hands as they stayed in the same spot. Your eyes were wide, lip quivering, you couldn't believe what you had done and now you had a new problem to cover up. Natasha had a look of empathy in her eyes. You didn't want to be in this position from the get go and it had only gotten worse for you.

"Hey, look at me..." Natasha spoke up softly to break your trance. She had leaned her body towards you in a manner to reach out. "You can put the gun down, its going to be okay now." Your eyes darted down to the gun and back up to Natasha's green eyes. Still shaking you slowly lowered the gun to the ground before you walked over to her cautiously. Tears were falling down your face, the weight of the situation was hitting you. If you had never agreed to Otter's request, you would be cozied up in your bed, awaiting another new day.

Your fingers found Natasha's bound wrists. her skin was surprisingly cool to the touch. She stared at your face the whole time you unwrapped her from the chair. The fresh tears leaving clear trails down your slightly dirtied cheeks. The slight glow of your e/c eyes under the florescent lights of the warehouse. You knelt down in front of her to then remove the binding on her ankles. Something within her compelled her to reach out to you. Without even realizing it, the red-heads palm was already resting on your head. She reveled in the silky smooth feel of your h/c locks. The slight dampness from the sweat that had overcome your skin. She could feel the softness of your fingers slowly circling around her last ankle when your sad eyes looked up to hers.

"How did you manage to capture me without anyone seeing you?" Her hand slipped down to your cheek. "In all of my years, I have not once not heard someone creep up behind me the way you did."

The steady stream of tears grew heavier, your quiet life was about to be destroyed by your own need for a change. She would certainly have your feet for getting a one up on her.

"It was my job. I was known for being so light on my toes, no one could hear me coming." your voice wavered, but the words got out.

"Well I could use someone like you by my side." Natasha held out her hand to you as she got up on her feet. Not really having her ground, she nearly fell when you caught her by the waist. The two of you held your breath as you both stared deeply into each others eyes. You could swear if you inhaled, her scent would be enough to drive you mad. "My guys will cover all of this up for you."

You sat and thought about everything she said. The would would probably prove more exciting than working at a flower shop and probably be more fruitful. You smiled at her. You could feel her warm breath near your lips.

"When do I start?"

#natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff #x reader insert #marvel #black widow x reader #mafia!Natasha romanoff #prompt fic

[extremelyblackandwhite]

innocence - 30

PAIRING: bodyguard!bucky barnes x innocent actress!reader

WARNINGS: angst, panic attack

A/N: all i can say is enjoy it before it goes completely downhill xx

NEXT CHAPTER

   - Marry me, Y/N. - she looked at him in disbelief, lips slightly parted as she wondered if she had heard him correctly?

   - What? 

   - I ... hm ... would you consider being my wife at some point in the near future? 

His father had once told him the moment between the proposal and the answer is the longest moment he’d ever go through. Bucky knew long, he knew long times, he was 106 after all but this moment seemed to last three centuries. She stared at him as if she had merely imagined those words. His heart beat against his chest like a drum, as she opened her mouth. She was going to say no. Why would she even say yes? She was so sweet, so beautiful, so full of a  sweet loving innocence which just  made her endearing to anyone and everyone who met her. He is not the type of man that ends up with a girl like her. No, he’s the type of man who she dates as a mistake, the one she dates before she meets the one and Bucky was constantly waiting for the moment she realised he was a monster.

  - Yeah. - she smiled, the type of smile which easily brightened up his day. She moved from her spot in the bed, sitting on top of his lap to wrap her arms around his neck. - Yes, I will marry you. 

  - What?

  - Yes. - she leaned down to kiss him. - I will become your wife at some point in the near future. 

  - So, just to be safe, you are agreeing to marry me? Me? - he was still in shock she had said yes. Those words, that question, it was just came out of his mouth like crazy ramblings spawned out of his desire to have a family with her. He just didn’t expect her to say yes. He didn’t expect her to be sat on top of his lap, smiling at him having said yes. - Doll, I ... Fuck, I don’t have a ring. I can’t believe I just proposed to you without a ring.

   - That’s fine. I love you and you love me. I don’t need a ring. - she cupped his face, kissing the tip of his nose. - Just us. 

   - Just us. - he leaned towards to capture her chapstick covered lips into a soft kiss. - I like that, princess. Just us. 

   - Yeah. - Y/N shyly smiled, leaning against his shoulder. - You make me so happy, Buck. You don’t even know how happy you make me. 

Bucky didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say, what to reply to her so all he did was just look at her, head tucked on the shoulder, the metal shoulder with such confidence and such care. She did not believe he could hurt her and she loved him. There were little moments in his life which had made him want to cry, he had refused to cry many times, but having the woman he loved tell him she loves him, she cares for him, she’ll marry him ... the same woman telling him he makes her happy, not just any woman, the woman he loved ... gosh, it was too much. All he could do was kiss her scalp, hold her close to his naked chest which in any other time it would’ve turned sexual but now, now it was just a candid moment, a moment he wanted to hold close to him for as long as he could leave. He refused to forget the feeling of her hair strands against his shoulder, her warm hand against his chest.

The rest of the holidays were as eventful as it would be. Y/N had decided to only tell her parents about the engagement, keeping her extended family and siblings outside the news merely to keep the event away from the media. She didn’t want it publicised and neither did Bucky. Her parents were overjoyed, with her mother wanting to take photographs of them to put on the family album while her father just gave him the look he would’ve given to his sister’s husband had he been ... well, there. All good things come to an end and that end was very close as the two of them were supposed to fly back to New York for Y/N to attend the New Years’ Eve Vanity Fair gala. 

     - I wished we could stay for longer. - Y/N groaned as she stuffed more clothing into her luggage. - Last thing I need is a gala.  

     - It’ll be okay, princess. - Bucky came up from behind her, resting his chin against her shoulder. - We can return when you have another free time slot.

     - I never have free time. 

     - I’ll steal you away if they overwork you. - he bite her shoulder playfully. - What’s the sad mood really all about? Don’t tell me it’s about missing Colin calling me a 200 year old. 

      - It’s silly. - she shook her head, folding more of her clothing to put with the rest of it. 

     - I know that face. - he turned her so she was facing him. - What is it? Is it your parents? Do you miss your parents?

     - No ... I ... uhm, remember the Halloween party you and I went to?

     - Yeah, what about it?

     - I met some people from the RSC and they said if I ever was in London, I should try and audition for their West End run of Moulin Rouge. I got this e-mail yesterday, auditions are in like an hour and I don’t know ...

     -  Do you wanna do it?

     - No, I mean ... I can’t, my contract says they’ll pick the opportunities for me and it’s London and I’m in New York. Besides, we leave in two hours.

     - They don’t need to know. 

     - Bucky ... - she was about to argue with him but he interrupted her, kissing her sweetly. 

     - Do you wanna do it? - he looked into her eyes. Bucky could always tell when she was lying by looking into her eyes; she would always divert them away from the person standing in front of her, normally to the right, chin tucked into her chest, gaze up. 

     - I ... I do but ...

     - We can make it. Your agency does not need to know and it’s not like it’s a done deal. Princess, if you wanna do it then do it.

     - Buck, it’s not that simple. 

     - It is that simple, doll. I can get you wherever you want without anyone knowing and we’ll still make our flight.

     - Bucky, I’m not gonna get it. - she sat on top of her bed. She didn’t know if she was gonna get it and it wasn’t that she was afraid of failure or rejection, god she knew both too well, all she was afraid of was if they discovered. She was under a tight contract but those words, that invite to her during that party, it just pulled at her conscience. Bucky was much too familiar with her to know exactly what was going through her mind. 

      - I’m not gonna let anyone touch you. - his fingers hooked under her chin, turning her face towards him so he could lean his forehead against hers. - They won’t know.

    -  Bucky, they always know.

    - You don’t get to be called a ghost story if you’re not good at being a ghost, princess. If you don’t want to do it then it’s okay but if you’re not gonna do it because of what your agency thinks ... 

    - You’re sure no one will know?

    - Well if they do, we can always get you plastic surgery. - he lightened up the mood making her look up at him, her chin tucked in her chest as she lightly giggled, rolling her eyes at him. - You’ll be fine, princess. 

She was nervous as the taxi pulled in front of one of the theatres were the auditions were happening. Looking at her watch, exactly an hour before they had to make it to the airport, check in and get to their gates. Maybe this was a mistake, how was she supposed to feel? The agency had given her a shot at a career in the States, everyone wants a career in the States. She should be happy, she should be so happy but how happy could she feel about being back if thinking about stepping into that plane destroyed her heart into a million pieces. Looking to her right, Bucky was smiling at her, always blindly believing her even if she led him directly into the fire, but he was there. He kissed her temple as she left the car and rushed into the theatre before anyone could show. 

She had been to so many auditions before, she had felt her body shake so many times when her name was called out after signing a non disclosure agreement as it was usual for popular shows. This time it was different, this time the light seemed brighter, illuminating each of her features and almost illuminating the sweat starting to form on her forehead. She stood tall, almost like a woman in a panting with hands resting against the beginning of her skirt, one foot in front of the other. 

    - My name is Y/N Y/LN and I’m auditioning for the part of Satine. - her voice even wavered as she struggled to do something she had been so used to doing since she was young. 

    - What will you be performing, Miss Y/L/N?

    - If It is True from My Life with Albertine. - she looked over to the pianist, signalling him to start.

Her heart was beating so fast and she could feel her whole being shaking as she wondered what Miss Olson would do to her if she even suspected she was doing an audition outside of her contract. She ended up missing the first bars, looking down at her feet as she thought back to quit until she saw him sat down in the further back of the theatre. Cap on, almost covering his whole face but she could see his eyes, she could see his blue eyes just like she could see them every morning  when she woke up. 

    - If it is true, you love me. If when at night dreaming you dream of me then I am luckier than the king who rules the sea. - she decided to sing for him instead, blurring everything except for his almost blended figure in the back. Her hands touched the pearls laying against her neck as she cocked her head to the side, small smile on her lips. - And if I die a sudden death for reasons why I do not know. But if I die a sudden death to live forever in paradise, I will not be as happy, in all that time, as I have been with you. If it is true, if it is so, you love me. If it is true, and I have heard you then I am wealthier than a queen with love of you, I am wealthier than a king with love of you.

The bars ended and she returned her gaze to the board of the directorial team which gestured for her to leave and someone else to enter. She left through the backstage, meeting Bucky just at stage door, who wrapped his arms around her, twirling her before kissing her lips and nose.

    - You did so great, princess. It’s almost unfair for the other people auditioning.

    - We need to get going or we’ll miss our flight. - she avoided another one of his kisses, her watch shining brightly with the hour. - C’mon. 

    -  It’s gonna be fine, princess. We’ll make it.

Once again, he was right. How could he not be right? When it came to time management, Bucky seemed to be almost too good at it, almost too good for someone who had so much time. Nevertheless, they were inside the plane again, the time when they had left New York now so behind them as they returned to his birthplace. She leaned against him arm, not caring it was made of metal, it was him and that’s all it mattered to her. Y/N was innocent enough to believe she could do  whatever she wanted while in London, while in the airplane but she knew the moment she stepped foot on American soil she was back to being property of her agency. Back to the parties, the gowns and the constant filming. She loved her job, she really did but things pilled up so easily and she felt locked inside a cage, slowly suffocating. 

She did not want the plane to land, she did not want to be in the present of her situation but it did and during the early hours of the morning both her and Bucky were going down the stairs of the plane and onto the sleeve which lead to the baggage claim area. Bucky immediately went in bodyguard mood despite the fact the airport was very much empty but no him no amount of care was too much and until they got inside the taxi, he cut through people with precise ease, yet held her hand like any boyfriend would. The ride home was silent, neither Bucky or Y/N liked to discuss their matters in front of people they did not trust. The walk up to his apartment was equally silent, with the both of them basking in their own comfort until they reached the door. The two walked in hand and hand before throwing the bags to the side.

    - Home sweet home. - Bucky kissed the side of her forehead. - So, what’s the agenda for tomorrow?

    - Boring. - she groaned, sitting down on his couch. 

    - You get to eat for free, how boring can it be?

    - Those 40s habits sure die hard, don’t they? - she smirked. - I need to get to my apartment at 4PM to get my makeup and hair done, put the dress on ... PR shots and so on. 

    - Your apartment?

    - I know what you’re thinking, Buck. - she tilted her head slightly to the side.

    - I am not thinking anything.

    - Please. - she crossed her arms. - You’re thinking it’s not safe.

    - That’s not what I’m thinking. - he walked up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. - I’m thinking it’s not safe to have that many people in an unsafe apartment without me around.

    - You’re not gonna be there? - she was taken by surprise. Bucky was always around, even when they weren’t dating. 

    - Ms. Olson said I can’t be there. Might spoil something ... whatever that means ... but I’ll escort you to the venue and stay with you from then onwards.

    - You’re not gonna be far, are you?

    - I thought you knew what I was thinking, doll face. - he leaned his forehead against hers, teasing smile gracing his lips as those words left him. - You think I’d let you be alone with those people far away from me? No, princess, I’ll be around. 

    - Good. 

Y/N did not enjoy the parties she had to attend as a member of her agency. Everything was highly planed, too planed even and so was this day. She entered her old apartment and a swat team of people were already waiting for her, she smiled at them, grabbing the letters which had started to pile up on the floor ever since she left to stay with Bucky, until Ms. Olson grabbed her arm and pulled her into her bedroom where the hairstylist and makeup artist were waiting for her. Her assistant’s hands pushed onto her shoulders to sit her down in the chair. Y/N started to go through her letters, most were Christmas postcards, bills, letters from several companies and none mattered much except for one in a brown envelope. She furrowed her eyebrows at the lack of sender name or even her own name or address in the envelope. As the hairstylist started to style her hair, she opened the envelope, a few photos of her falling on her lap. A breathe got stuck in her throat as she saw her own eyes scratched out with crosses over them. 

   - What is that? - Ms Olson took the photos off her hands. - Why is this still happening? Last thing we need is crazy stalker PR.

   - I .. I don’t know. - she shrugged, not knowing why she felt so guilty. It wasn’t her fault. Right?

   - Right, I’m sending this to Mr. Hawthorne, he has a friend in the government, and you ... you better not get into any trouble tonight, Y/N. Are we clear?

   - Yes, Ms Olson.

   - Good and try to smile a bit more for the photos. 

Her ears filled with a static buzz and although she could see herself in the mirror and her surroundings, she felt she was laying on the floor of a dark room with dead eyes. Motionless, she remained motionless staring at herself in the mirror yet not understanding the image she could see. She wondered if she had fallen too deep into the industry to be rescued and suddenly that black dark room was filling with water and she just let it happen. Y/N just laid on that metaphorical dark ground, floating in the dark water which kept entering her lungs until she couldn’t bring anymore.

   - You’re ready. - she had been so lost in her own mind she did not realise she was fully dressed, hair ready and makeup done. It was pretty subtle, she thought, small black dress falling pretty much looser with tussled hair and skin toned makeup. It was something she’d pick for herself ... maybe the agency did knew her better than she did. 

They did the same thing they always did, some shots some not candid candid moments for social media and the good old fake champagne shot. She never really enjoyed champagne, she found it quite bitter even sour but it was prestigious. She guessed somehow it correlated with how she lived now, or how she was portrayed. She was ushered into the limo to Bucky, her Bucky yet she couldn’t really say anything until it was just her, Bucky and the driver. Once they were at least 10 minutes, it felt like the air she was holding in finally came crashing and she was pushed back into her own reality.

   - Y/N. - Bucky only spoke her name, not touching not do anything. - I am here, you are safe.

   - What? - she looked his way before smiling. She was an actress after all, but he was a former spy assassin. 

   - You are safe. - her features relaxed and she didn’t say a thing, instead marinating in her own thoughts. - I am here, you are safe.

   - I don’t wanna go. - she let it out, her face coming to the realisation of what exactly this meant. She knocked on the partition. - Stop the car.

   - What? - the driver was as confused as Bucky was. 

  - STOP THE CAR! - she yelled out and the car came to an abrupt end. She opened the door and like a mad woman she walked out into the first alley she saw, leaning against the wall with her hand pressed against her chest. Bucky went after her, stopping after he saw her leaning against the brick wall, hand over her mouth. Bucky knew panic attacks when he saw one and this was one of them. 

  - Princess ... - he walked up to her, trying to hold her but she stopped him.

  - I’m not going.

  - Okay, we’re not going. - he took off his gloves, raising his hands in the air. - Look at me princess, it’s me okay. It’s me, just me. Just us. 

   - I can’t do this anymore. 

   - Can you breathe in for me? - Bucky managed to finally hold her once her defences were down. - Count to ten in your head and then breathe out. 

Y/N breathed in, her head going immediately to count sheep, specifically 10 sheep. It was childish and she knew it was childish but she always did that whenever she needed to recover from feeling anxious. She let the air out before repeating again for what felt like a hundred times and things seem to calm down. However, peace and quiet wasn’t in the cards for her.

   - Just what in the heck do you think you’re doing. - Ms. Olson’s high pitched voice made her flinch. - You are not important enough to win the privilege to be late. 

   - Keep it. - Bucky warned, giving her the look no one wanted to receive. A look that was more Winter Soldier than Bucky Barnes.

   - You stay in your lane. - she pointed her pen at him. - Get in the car right now, Y/N. I do not have the time to deal with whatever childish diva tendencies you’re developing.

    - Not now, let her be.

    - Y/N. - she tried to grab Y/N’s arm but Bucky got to her before she did, twisting her wrist with his metal arm before he could even realise what he was doing. He let go of her wrist, but still looked at her as if he was ready to kill her. Instincts die hard. - You are going to regret this, Barnes. And you, Y/N, get in that car now.

   - No. - she meekly perked up.

   - Excuse me?

   - No. - she spoke out a little bit more strongly, forcefully grabbing her purse. - I am not going. 

   - You don’t get to ...

   - Yes, I do. - she interrupted him. - I did not sign a contract which specifically mentioned what events I need to attend, just how many. As such, I am not going and if you try to stop me or try to touch me without my permission ever I will sue you for harassment and I don’t think having an affair with Mr. Hawthorne pays for the legal fees you’d have to pay.

   -  You will sue me? - she almost scoffed at the not so meek actress. 

   - My dad is a barrister and my siblings are all lawyers. I have more knowledge of law and suing than you ever did and ever will. 

   - You wanna call the shots now, tots? - she rolled her eyes before stepping back. - Okay. 

Y/N remained behind suspicious of why it had been so easy to get rid of her but decided not to dwell on it. Bucky too was unsuspicious but was more worried about Y/N. She wrapped her hand against his, kissing his shoulder as the two watched Ms. Olson’s car leave along with her car. Typical. Of course she took her car. 

 - It’ll be fine, right? - she questioned looking up.

 - If everything goes to hell, we’ll move to a private dessert island and start there.

 - Let’s just go home. - she breathed out. - Let’s just forget new year’s eve.

 - It’s a lousy date anyway.

 - Yeah. Why are we celebrating the sun rotating a full turn around Earth? It’s ridiculous. 

Bucky was always happy to spend alone time with her and while part of him wanted to ask what had triggered her panic attack, he let her have her space. The two of them just sat on the couch, his head on her lap as she played with his hair, some old movie he liked to watch back in the 40s. The year went by and a new one began. At the beginning of the year, he wouldn’t have believe he’d end up here, with her, with the woman he loved, engaged. It was almost too good to be truth and sometimes Bucky wondered if he had been knocked unconscious during a mission and this was all his mind giving him what he always wanted. She had fallen asleep, having laid down next to him. 

The morning peeked into his apartment and as per usual he was the first one up, tidying the place up and even putting some flowers up for when she woke up. Y/N loved flowers and so he had made it his mission to ensure she always woke up to new ones. “This is going to make you broke” she would tell him, but he didn’t care. If he had to spend his last days buying fresh roses every morning for the woman he loved then he was going to do it. He leaned against the fridge, drinking his coffee as he did each morning until his phone rang. He clumsily tried to answer it before it could wake up Y/N. Damned IPhone and damned Sam Wilson who made him switch from his razor phone.

    - Barnes. - he answered.

    - Mr. Barnes, it’s Agent Cox. We have an assignment for you.

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[motherjoel]

cup of sugar (spencer reid x fem!reader)

summary: after finding out that your cat needs to be put down, the last thing you expect is a visit from your handsome neighbor who just needs a cup of sugar

category: fluff, light angst (about the cat lol)

warnings/includes: death of an animal, needles

wc: 6.6k

a/n: this is my submission for the @veraiconcos writer challenge! hope you guys like it :)

-

Your eyes were blurred with tears the whole drive home from the vet. You tried your best to refrain from looking back at your sick cat (who you had lovingly named after Fantine from Les Mis), but you stole a few glances at her while trying to concentrate on the road. Eventually, you made it home safely and you grabbed the crate from your backseat to bring it up to your apartment.

The vet had said she was nearing the end of her life, and it was only a matter of time before she passed. You had scheduled to put her down in a few days and your heart wrenched for the poor kitty. She wasn’t anything special on the outside, just a brown short-haired cat you could see on the street, but to you she was everything. She had been sitting right next to your car parking spot for months before you actually took her in- you fed her and gradually began to pet her before you decided to take her inside your home and show her the love she deserved. You’d been through a lot with her and you weren’t ready to say goodbye, but you didn’t want to prolong her suffering, So, you decided to spend every moment with her until your appointment.

You set down the crate and let her out, and she sluggishly made her way to her coveted position on your couch. You had yet to cease crying- every time you looked at her you welled up at the thought of losing her. Right as you were about to take a seat next to her, you heard a tentative knock from your door. With a sigh, you wiped your tears and made your way to open it. Looking in the mirror before opening the door, it was obvious you were crying. You didn’t care, however, as you swung it open to see a lanky man holding a measuring cup with flour in his hair and adorning his sweater. Not just any lanky man- it was the lanky man you had developed a bit of a crush on. You saw him some days when you got back from work collecting his mail, and you couldn’t help but be interested in the mystery guy from apartment 202.

“Hi, I was just baking some cookies and I realized I was out of su- are you okay?” he asked with concern. You almost laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation.

“Uh, yeah, sorry, I just got back from the vet. Looks like I have to put my cat down,” you deadpanned. Your tears had stopped falling at this point.

“Oh gosh, I- I’m so sorry. Um, forget about the sugar I can just go to the store,” he turned on his heel and made his way back to his apartment.

“No, it's fine!” you called after him. He turned around with a grimace. “It’s okay, I have plenty of sugar, please, come in,” you opened the door wider for him to cautiously make his way into your apartment. You didn’t want to admit it, but this tiny bit of human interaction really helped you get your mind off of your current situation- it was normally just you and Fantine, so if you could make a friend in the meantime, you would try your best. 

“Thank you,” he said as you made your way into the kitchen, petting Fantine on the way in. He took a glance at her before returning his gaze to you. “Is that, uh, the cat?” he asked, and you could tell he wasn’t great with comforting people in sad situations.

“Yeah, that's my Fantine,” you said, reaching into your cabinet to get the jar of sugar.

“Les Miserables?” he asked, a glint of recognition in his eyes. You smiled.

“Yes! Good to know I'm neighbors with someone of culture,” you laughed, your heart feeling light for the first time that day. “You can pet her if you'd like,” you told him before grabbing the measuring cup from him and turning to fill it with sugar. He smiled in response, keeping his hands to himself. “Allergic?” you asked, wondering if the handsome stranger maybe just wasn’t a cat person.

“Oh no, sorry, I just have a germ… thing,” he said, nervously rubbing his palms on his pants. You simply nodded and shut the jar of sugar, making your way back to him and giving him the measuring cup.

“So, you know my cat's name, but not mine. I’m Y/N, by the way,” you offered, not reaching out your hand when you remember his previous statement about germs. 

“Spencer, I live next door,” he said, seeming relieved at your neglect to shake his hand. You didn't have time to say anything else before a colorfully dressed woman in a “kiss the cook” apron barged into your apartment- you noticed that you had left the door open after letting Spencer in.

“What's taking you so long G man? The butter is burning!” she exclaimed, before noticing your cat on the couch. “Oh. My. God. Now who is this sweetie pie?” she asked, running to your couch and lovingly petting her.

“Fantine,” Spencer answered, looking at you with a blush. 

“She is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I am obsessed,” she cooed. 

“That's Penelope,” Spencer said, widening his eyes at her when she seemed to get comfortable on your couch.

“Nice to meet you Penelope, I’m Y/N,” you introduced, making your way over to your couch. 

“Oh, right, sorry,” she extended her hand and you took it. “I’ve had too much cold brew today and I am feeling a little energetic,” she laughed. You liked her jittery manner- she seemed like someone you’d want to be friends with. “How old is she?” Penelope asked, innocently. You tried to hide the way your face fell at the question, but it was obvious that it saddened you. Spencer noticed.

“Um, I actually took her in off the street so I really don’t know. She’s old, though,” you said, looking down at your tired kitty. “I actually have to… put her down in a few days,” you said, ignoring your voice crack. Without a word, you were pulled into a tight and unexpected hug. Penelope's arms were wrapped around you, leaving little room to breathe. You didn’t mind the human contact. You even let a few tears drop, having held them back for the duration of their visit. A warm hand rested on your shoulder- a warm hand that was tentative and bigger than Penelope's ones that rubbed your back. You looked up to see Spencer awkwardly attempting to comfort you. In a bold move, you rested your cheek on his hand, as if you were thanking him. Penelope pulled away after a minute, wiping her own tears from her eyes.

“Well, what an introduction that was!” she laughed through her tears, you joined her. You heard Spencer clear his throat, like he was preparing to speak.

“What if- what if we finish the baking over here?” he asked, hope in his eyes. Before you could answer, he began to ramble. “Studies show that human contact or even just being in the presence of other people can help with grieving, and-” he was cut off by Penelope.

“And we don't want to leave you alone right now. I mean, we’ve cried together already. We’re basically best friends,” Penelope said, resting a hand on your arm. You didn’t even have to contemplate the offer.

“Yeah, of course! I’d really like that,” you smiled at the two of them, who exchanged a glance.

“Great! Me and Spencer will go get the ingredients from his apartment, you just stay here with Fantine being your cute selves,” she said, dragging Spencer out by his arm and shutting the door gently behind her. You were in for an interesting night.

-

Spencer couldn’t help but blush at the thought of spending the rest of his night in your apartment. With Penelope, of course. He had seen you before- he didn’t know your name until today, but he had a bit of a crush on you. From the moment he first saw you feeding Fantine when she was still a stray, he fell for your gentle aura. He's not stalking you, he swears he isn't, but he subconsciously remembered your schedule. He just so happened to get his mail at 6:17 every day he was home when he knew you’d be coming back from work. And he just drove out of his way to see you feed that cat every once in a while. Not an obsession. 

Penelope was the first to find out about his little crush. When she came to Spencer’s apartment to pick him up for some nerd convention, she noticed him staring at you as they drove away. You were sitting on the ground, pushing a bowl of food towards a tentative cat (who he now knew as Fantine) and he couldn’t help but let his gaze linger a moment too long. Penelope immediately gasped and called him out.

“You-you… and her! She's so pretty Reid! And good with animals! Get married, right now,” she had said after watching him long for you.

“I’m not- were not,” he stuttered, Penelope shot him a knowing glare. “She doesn’t even know who I am. I don’t even know her name, I just… I just notice her, sometimes…” Spencer confessed, looking down at his twiddling thumbs. Penelope didn’t tease him too much after that, but she smirked the entire car ride there.

The rest of the team found out about his crush shortly after (thanks Garcia) and the teasing was relentless. Sure, you didn’t even know his name, but he wanted you to. Boy did he want you to. But he didn’t plan on acting on it- at least, not until he had Garcia over to bake cookies for the team. She had insisted that she come over to bake, much to Spencer's chagrin. Little did he know, she was only so insistent because she had a secret plan. A secret love plan.

Her plan had worked so far- hiding the sugar and getting Spencer to ask the pretty neighbor for some, check. Well, she didn’t have much of a plan past that, but she assumed she’d figure it out when it came down to it- and so far so good. Once she had pulled Spencer back into his apartment, he began to pace around in nervousness- Penelope was jumping in excitement. 

“Reid and Y/N sitting in a tree!” she sang happily.

“What does that mean?” Spencer asked, slightly irritated.

“You mean, you don't know… Never mind,” she sighed.

“Garcia what the hell were you thinking! I can’t talk to her all night, I’ll find a way of looking like an idiot,” he sighed in exasperation, trying to make his sweaty hands less sweaty by rubbing them on his pants. 

“Reid, Reid, Reid,” she repeated like a mantra, following his pacing and trying to calm him down. “It’s going to be okay. Seriously, you have the best wing woman on planet earth and you’re worried about whether or not she’ll like you? Please, you’re a catch baby! And she will see that tonight,” she said, eventually getting him to stop moving by placing her hands on his shoulders.

After she had calmed him down, the two gathered all of the ingredients and made the trip next door, where you were waiting on the couch with Fantine in your lap. You looked lost in thought, but you quickly jumped out of it and gave them a smile when they walked in. 

“So, what are we baking?” you asked, standing up and grabbing some ingredients off of Spencer’s hands. He hoped you didn’t notice his flinch when your fingers brushed his (you did) and he hoped you didn’t see the red on his cheeks (you did, but you looked similarly tomato-like). 

“We are making my famous brown butter chocolate chip cookies!” Penelope exclaimed, already measuring out some ingredients.

“Ooh yummy! What makes them famous?” you asked.

“Oh, you’ll know once you taste them. Just ask Spencer, he could eat 7 in just one sitting,” she joked. Best wing woman on planet earth my ass, Spencer thought.

“Oh really, Spence? I bet you I can beat that tonight,” you giggled, moving to help measure the brown sugar. Maybe Penelope was doing an okay job after all.

“Did you know that the first chocolate cookies were invented by accident by Ruth Wakefield in 1938?” he asked, and you shook your head.

“No, but tell me more!” you smiled, returning your attention to the measuring cup in front of you. He faltered for a moment, surprised at your eagerness to hear more about his facts, but he continued.

 “Ruth and her husband owned the Toll House Inn and she was baking cookies for their guests when she realized that she was out of bakers chocolate. So, when she chopped up a block of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate and added it to the dough, she expected it to disperse evenly throughout, but instead they retained their original form and.. you know. Chocolate chip cookies,” he finished weakly, looking up to see you staring at him in awe. Penelope was unphased, having been around boy genius for far too long, but you were looking at him like he had just found the secret to world peace. “What?” he asked tentatively, suddenly extremely self conscious.

“Sorry, it’s just, that was so cool! I’ve never seen someone recite facts like that. Plus, you’re a great story teller,” you finished, nudging him with your arm. Oh god, you were too cute. He tried his best not to smile like an insane person as he walked between you and Penelope to open the bag of chocolate chips.

“Yup, our boy genius here has an IQ of 187,” Penelope said, patting Spencer on the head. You laughed for a moment, assuming she was joking, but when you saw the dead serious look on their faces you were shocked.

“You mean I was living next door to a superhero all this time and I never knew?” you asked, still in shock from the previous information. Spencer laughed, and it was music to your ears. 

“Well, I'm not- I'm not a superhero,” he rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly embarrassed by the attention.

“Oh yeah? What do you do for a living?” you asked, expecting he was some sort of mad scientist. Penelope snorted a laugh. “What?” you smiled.

“Well, I work with the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI, so does Penelope,” he said, and you didn’t seem to know what that was, so he continued. “We… we profile serial killers based off of their actions and eventually we catch them before they can cause any more harm,” he explained, trying to distract himself by eating the chocolate chips in front of him (and having his hand promptly swatted by Garcia). Your mouth opened even wider than before, if possible.

“Spencer. You are a superhero!” you said in shock, grabbing his arm with excitement. He gasped at the contact- he didn’t not like it. He was just surprised. You noticed his reaction, however, and apologized quickly.

“Oh, sorry,” you blushed. 

“No it's okay!” he said, slightly too eager. You smiled and nodded, and he felt relieved.

“Penelope, do you tackle the serial killers too?” you asked, wondering if the ball of sunshine had an angry side.

“Oh heavens no. I’m the techie, I basically dig up all the dirt you could ever possibly need. Basically a gardener,” she remarked, and you couldn't help but smile. 

“I’m friends with superheroes,” you said, doing a little dance in your spot while pouring some flour into the mixer. Spencer melted.

“Wrong,” said Penelope. “You're best friends with some superheroes.”

You spent the rest of the night laughing and chatting with your new best friends, and eventually feasting on the cookies on your couch next to Fantine, who was sleeping peacefully. You tried to break Spencer's record of 7 cookies, but tapped out after 4. Despite the upsetting news you had received earlier that night, you were extremely happy. As you waved them goodbye, and even hugged Spencer goodnight, your heart was full. You had both of their phone numbers and you planned to text them sometime soon- you didn’t want that to be the last you saw of Penelope and Spencer.

-

You awoke the next morning with a pit in your stomach. You couldn’t tell exactly why, but you had the feeling that something was going to happen today. Trying not to dwell on it, however, you began to get ready for the day. You worked a 9-5 job as a secretary at a local law office- this wasn’t your end goal career, but something to pay the bills. You went to say goodbye to Fantine when you noticed something was wrong. She was having difficulty breathing, every breath was labored. Your heart dropped when you realized this was the cause of your pit- you were saying goodbye to your kitty today. You hurried to grab her crate, hastily wiping away your tears, and ushered her inside. You didn’t know if you would even be able to see the road in your state, so without thinking, you knocked on the door next to yours and waited for a moment, tears continuously streaming. Spencer swung the door open, his face immediately falling when he saw you.

“Y/N, what’s- what’s wrong?” he asked, seemingly ready to leave for work. You couldn’t find any words as you gently set down her crate and wrapped your arms around Spencer's waist. He was shocked at this, but he comforted you once he got his bearings. His hand rubbed your back as you cried into his sweater vest, not worried about the scene you were causing in the middle of the hallway. 

“It’s- its Fantine,” you sobbed into his chest. “I think she needs to be put down today,” you told him, pulling away slightly and wiping your tears. 

“Oh Y/N, i'm so sorry,” he said, and he truly meant it. Seeing you upset like this sent a dagger through his heart. He contemplated for a moment before he spoke again. “Why don't I… drive you to the vet? I want to make sure you get there okay,” he said, voice laced with concern.

“Don’t you have to catch the bad guys?” you asked as an attempt at a joke to lighten the mood, but neither of you had the energy to laugh.

“It’s just a paperwork day today, I’ll call Penelope and let her know I won't make it in,” he said, quickly gathering his phone and his car keys. You nodded, not finding your voice in the moment. You followed him down to his car and he opened the backseat door for you to put the crate in. He guided you to the passenger's seat, placing a soft hand on the small of your back as he opened the door for you. As he jogged around to the driver's seat and pulled away, you opened your GPS app to give him the directions. The two of you sat in silence for a few minutes, apart from your occasional directing. You suddenly felt extremely guilty for letting him drive you. 

“This is ridiculous, I’m sorry for ruining your day. I’m just super dramatic about things and you probably have better things to do then take your neighbor and her sick cat to the vet,” you apologized, feeling embarrassed by your actions. 

“Don’t be ridiculous, Y/N. You’re entitled to your grief, and I just want to be there for you… to, you know, help you with it,” he said, glancing at you occasionally. “I’ve never had a pet before and I don’t normally like animals, but I know how attached we can get to things,” he said, focusing on the road. You nodded and with a bout of confidence, you reached over and grabbed his hand, resting your entwined fingers on the center console. His eyes widened, but he didn’t let go. His knowledge of germs had completely left him- he was being touched by the girl who he’d been pining after for months, and he wasn’t going to let a little germaphobia get in the way. You noticed his reaction, but you blushed as you looked out the window, seeing the animal hospital come into view. You sighed and removed your hand from his and opened your door, grabbing the crate from the back seat and walking towards the entrance. You noticed that Spencer was standing outside his car, unsure of what to do.

“Do you- would you come in with me?” you asked, hoping he’d say yes. “I just… they’ll probably put her down and I don't want to be alone,” you asked with unintentional puppy dog eyes. Spencer thought for a moment- walking into a hospital full of sick animals with many diseases seemed like the absolute last thing he wanted to do. But when he looked at your pleading eyes, he knew that he couldn’t just wait in the car.

“Of course,” he conceded, locking his car and following you inside the clinic.

-

You met with the vet quickly and your suspicions were correct- poor Fantine was suffering and the best option was to put her down now. Your heart shattered, but you felt Spencer's comforting hand on your back, trying to glue those pieces back together. The vet had given you the option to either stay with her while she was put down or to wait in the other room.

“I think I want to be with her, I don’t want her to be alone,” you said, wiping away a stray tear. 

“Will your boyfriend be coming too?” the vet asked, turning his attention to Spencer. Neither of you acknowledged the boyfriend title. He was about to answer when you interrupted him.

“Oh Spence, don’t worry about coming in. I’ve already dragged you here, you can just wait in the other room if you want,” you offered, sincerely. Spencer could see that you wanted him to stay- that you wanted him to comfort you. So, pushing his anti-germ rules aside once again, he made up his mind.

“Of course I’m coming with you Y/N, I told you I wouldn’t leave you alone,” he decided, and you gave him a grateful but sad smile. 

So, as you said your tearful goodbyes, the vet took out his needle and began the process. Spencer rubbed your back, eventually wrapping his arms around you as you sobbed. You could swear you felt a kiss on the head, but you were mainly focused on your cat. You decided to get her cremated, and as Spencer guided you out of the clinic, you felt extremely empty. You missed your best friend already.

The drive home was mainly silent, and you wanted to grab his hand again. You decided against it, however- you thought you might have pushed his limits of touch and germs today (you hadn’t. Spencer decided that he would never be tired of your touch). You made your way up to your apartment, empty crate in hand, with Spencer following a few steps behind. He walked you to your door, stopping outside when you unlocked it. He put his anxious hands in his pockets, trying his best not to fidget (and also trying to prevent himself from reaching out to wipe your tears).

“So…” you said, looking at your feet.

“Yeah, so…” he said, doing the same.

“Listen Spencer, I know we’ve just met and-and you're probably tired of me already, but… this is my first night without her, and I don't want to be lonely. I know this is a lot to ask, especially after I dragged you around all day, but… if I asked you to stay, would you?” you said, shyly looking up at him. Spencer could feel his heart stutter, looking at you softly.

“Uh, yeah. Yes, yes I will,” he responded, offering a nervous smile. You gave him one back, unlocking your door and letting him inside your apartment. It already felt different without her, but the presence of Spencer did a little to fill that void. You ushered him to sit down on the couch and you moved to make some tea for the both of you. You didn’t notice Spencer internally freaking out about being in your apartment, this time alone. You made the tea in silence and brought it to the couch, sitting next to him. 

“Can I braid your hair?” you asked, surprising even yourself by your bluntness. 

“Can you- what?” he asked, face twisting in confusion. He didn’t know if he could handle your hands in his hair, but he wanted to find out. You laughed at his confusion, almost spilling the tea on yourself.

“Come onnn, I’m a grieving cat mother who wants to braid your hair. It would look so pretty,” you told him, and although it wasn’t a direct complement, Spencer couldn’t help the blush that spread across his face.

“Uh, sure I guess,” he said, heart rate picking up.

“Yay! Okay, you’re tall so sit on the ground and I'll stay on the couch,” you said, clapping your hands excitedly as he set his tea down on your coffee table and sat on your carpeted floor. You didn’t waste any time, sectioning his hair into sections for a french braid. You noticed him shiver at your touch. “Sorry, are my hands cold?” you almost whispered, too deep in concentration.

“No, they’re fine,” he said, closing his eyes as you ran your hands through his hair. 

“You have good hair, Spence,” you told him as you worked on the short braid. He almost choked on his own tongue.

“Oh, thanks. You do too…” he said, not registering his complement before it came out of his mouth.

“Thank you,” you blushed, focusing on your handiwork. It didn’t take you long to finish, and when you turned him around to observe the braid, you couldn’t help the squeal that escaped your throat. “Oh my gosh, you look so good!” you exclaimed, pulling your phone out of your pocket and taking a selfie of the two of you. He smiled awkwardly for the camera. “Penelope is going to love this,” you said, typing her contact in the phone. Spencer knew that the picture would soon be seen by the entire BAU, but he let it go when he saw you smile genuinely for the first time that day. You held your phone out to him for him to see the picture.

“Don’t we look cute?” you smiled.

“Yes, you- I mean we do,” he said, hoping you didn’t catch his slip. You did. 

“Spence?” you asked, contemplating something. He looked up at you.

“Yes?” he asked, wondering what you were thinking about.

“What do you do when you’re sad? Because when I used to get sad, I’d just cuddle with Fantine, but…” you trailed off, your eyes glazing over as you thought about her again.

“You can cuddle with me,” he said. You looked at him, eyes wide- he didn’t think he had said that out loud. “I mean… physical touch increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, so if we were to… you know… uh maybe it would make you feel better?” he said, scratching the back of his neck. You smiled and pulled him back on the couch. He sat there as you put your head on his chest, his arm tentatively reaching around your shoulders. You chose to ignore his increased heartbeat, which he was sure you could hear. 

“Do you think… does it get better?” you asked, eyes brimming with tears. “I mean, will I ever miss her less? Will it hurt less eventually?” you finished with a sigh. Spencer thought back to all of the pain he's been through and the ways he’s dealt with it. He’s learned some healthy coping mechanisms, as well as some extremely unhealthy ones. He thought deeply before answering.

“I think… we make room for the hurt. I don’t think it ever goes away, but you learn to cope and deal with it to the point where you feel better. Eventually,” he explained as delicately as possible. You lifted your head from his chest and gazed into his eyes to see he was already looking back at you. He could feel himself leaning in, and you responded by doing the same. You were both inches away from each other when you heard a sharp knock on your door. The both of you jumped at the noise, flustered, as if you had been caught. 

“I’ll… go get that,” you said, quickly getting off of the couch and running to the door. Spencer mentally facepalmed himself- you were grieving and he thought the perfect moment to make his move was while he was comforting you. Although, you had seemed to reciprocate the feelings…

“Penelope!” you yelled, opening the door to be immediately greeted with a bear hug. 

“Y/N, my sweet sweet Y/N,” she cried into your shoulder. You pat her back, consoling her (this woman was one hell of an empath). You made eye contact with Spencer over her shoulder, giving him a wide eyed stare, both of you amused by Garcia’s antics. She pulled away and looked at you sadly.

“What are you doing here?” Spencer asked, trying his best to sound like he wanted her there. 

“Well, I heard about the sad day you guys were having so I brought some medicine to fix your broken hearts,” she said while pulling out a couple bottles of wine, warm cookies in her other hand.

“You’re a godsend Penelope Garcia,” you smiled, taking the wine and cookies into the kitchen. Garcia took this moment to grill Spencer about their day, quietly enough so you couldn’t hear.

“Soo you’ve been with her all day? Spill, I need to hear if i'm gonna have baby boy geniuses,” she said excitedly. Spencer chuckled.

“Well, the animal clinic wasn’t exactly the most romantic setting but…” he trailed off and she urged him to continue. “But, we were inches away from kissing when you decided to knock on the door,” he said, and Penelope looked distraught.

“Oh my god. I have to leave, you guys have to get back to it!” she said, standing up to go home. Spencer grabbed her arm and stopped her before she could tell you she was leaving.

“No no no! Please don't, if you leave now i'm going to have to face the awkward aftermath of… that, and I don't want to,” he said, almost begging.

“So… what you’re saying is… you need wing woman Garcia again!” she suggested, excitedly. Spencer didn’t have time to disagree before you came back in the room, cookies on a plate and balancing three wine glasses in your hand and a bottle in the crook of your arm. Spencer hopped up to help you carry everything, and Garcia did little to hide her smirk.

The rest of the night was spent cheering you up- from Taylor Swift dance parties to Disney karaoke, Penelope pulled out all the stops to make it a night to remember. After a few glasses, you had even managed to get Spencer to dance with you to a slower song, Penelope slyly recording the entire thing. Spencer didn’t care, however- all he focused on was the buzzing in his chest and your arms around his neck, his entire body tingling with excitement. 

As you said your goodbyes to the duo, you pulled Penelope into a hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek. You did the same for Spencer, but your kiss had landed closer to the corner of his lips. In your buzzed state, however, you didn’t acknowledge it (or the fact that you had done it on purpose). Spencer left that night with a fire in his heart and his hand rested on his lips. After a bit of teasing, Garcia took an Uber home and Spencer was left alone to contemplate his next move.

-

The next day, the team was called in for a case across the country- Penelope had made sure you knew this in your group text with her and Spencer that she had so lovingly named “Penny and the Jets” (the three of you had also danced to a few Elton John songs during your night together, which gave Garcia the genius grouchat name idea). It was weird for you to be alone after having spent the past few days with your new friends, and you missed the distraction. You went back to work, only being lightly reprimanded for your absence. You couldn’t help but think about Spencer’s smile most of the day, or the way he always smelled like coffee.

Across the country, Spencer had been doing the same thing, and the team had noticed. He was more spaced out than usual, and it was only a matter of time before he confessed to the team that he’d finally talked to you. Derek proudly patted him on the back when he described what it was like to spend a day with you. The team was incredibly happy for him- although they weren’t shocked. Penelope had already forwarded them the video of you both dancing and the selfie you had taken with his braided hair. 

The case had finished relatively quickly, which was a relief to everyone (but especially Spencer, who wanted to make plans to see you as soon as he got back). As the team was walking together to their SUVs, Spencer's eye was drawn to a box on the sidewalk. Not just his eyes were drawn- he had heard a soft “mew” coming from the cardboard box, and he let his curiosity get the best of him as he walked over to it, Emily following him to see what he was doing. He opened the box to see a tiny kitten- he wasn’t normally an animal person, but it seemed like you had gotten to him. His heart wrenched at the sight- the kitten looked like a mini Fantine. 

“Oh my gosh, that is so cute,” Emily said, leaning down to get a closer look, snapping a picture for Garcia.

“Yeah, it is,” Spencer said, lost in thought. The rest of the team came to see what the big fuss was about. 

“Someone should take her!” said Prentiss, giving the team a look that said help me out. Reid should take her.

“Ah, yes. Hey, pretty boy, why don’t you take it?” Derek asked, leaning down to get a closer look. Spencer shook his head.

“I can’t take care of a cat, Morgan. Prentiss, why don’t you take it? You have Sergio,” he suggested, trying to get the attention off of him.

“Eh, one is enough for me,” she responded, nudging JJ.

“Spence, why don’t you give it to your neighbor? I’m sure Y/N would love her,” JJ suggested. Spencer's heart stuttered at your name.

“Y-you think?” he asked, unsure if it was too forward. The team wouldn’t let him leave without the cat, which he had already named Cosette in his mind (the name of Fantine’s daughter). So, he picked up the box and brought it with him onto the jet. This was the most spontaneous Spencer had ever been, and the team shared glances of shock and pride when he interacted with the kitten on the jet ride back. 

-

Here Spencer waited, outside your door, holding the tiny kitten in his arms. He had taken it to the vet to make sure it had its shots and was able to be kept as a house pet, and he immediately came home to give it to you. It was around 7 PM so he knew you should be home (not that he was being creepy- his eidetic memory couldn’t help but memorize your schedule). After a few minutes of standing, he swallowed his nerves and knocked on your door, quickly bringing his hand back to support the kitten he was holding.

You opened the door in your sweats, your hair dripping wet from the shower you had just taken. You were apparently on the phone before you opened the door- “I gotta go,” you said, hanging up the call and tossing your phone on the couch.

“Spence, what are you doing here? And who's this?” you said with heart eyes, ushering him in and cooing at the small kitten. He had never seen you smile this wide before, and he knew he was making the right choice. 

“Uh, her name is Cosette. Well, I gave her that name, you can definitely change if you want, because she's.. yours,” he said. Your mouth hung open in shock as you took the small kitty from him, rubbing your nose on her head. 

“Are you serious?” you almost yelled, excitement taking over. Spencer nodded happily, watching you pet the kitten. “Oh my god, you’re the best!” you said, pulling him into a one handed hug, the other arm holding Cosette. He laughed and hugged you back, before the unexpected happened. Maybe you were just extremely grateful, or maybe the adrenaline was taking over, but you stood on your tiptoes and pressed a kiss onto his lips. Just like that. Like it was natural, like you had kissed Spencer a million times over. After you pulled away, he was extremely flustered. He pressed his hand to his lips, as if he was trying to figure out what just happened.

“I’m sorry,” you apologized, thinking that he was upset with you. In all fairness, you didn’t expect to kiss him either- you just couldn’t help yourself. This seemed to wake him from his daze.

“No, don’t apologize! I’ve, uh, I've been wanting to do that for awhile now,” he blushed, shoving his hands into his pockets. You smiled at this, feeling confident that you had made the right choice.

“Penelope is going to be thrilled,” you laughed, sitting on the floor and setting Cosette down to play with one of the cat toys you still had laying around.

“What do you mean?” Spencer asked, sitting next to you with his legs crossed.

“Well… she told me that I should make a move because you never would, and I thought that it was impossible for someone like you to like me, but she seemed pretty adamant that you did,” you said, focusing on the animal in front of you rather than the man. This shocked him- you didn't think he would like you? That seemed insane to him, and he made sure you knew that.

“Are you kidding me Y/N? You’re so cool, you get along with people and you’re not awkward, and you’re so caring, I just… how could I not like you?” he asked, petting the kitten as well. Now it was your turn to blush. You didn’t know how you could be so lucky to have these people come into your life at the perfect time.

You and Spencer spent the rest of the day together, once again. You stole a few more kisses, and Spencer was even bold enough to initiate one or two, and your heart finally felt full. You knew things would be okay now- you had two new friends (and a furry roommate) to prove it. 

#vicficwriterchallenge #spencer reid #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid/reader #Criminal Minds #criminal minds fanfiction #criminal minds reid #criminal minds spencer reid #penelope garcia #derek morgan #emily prentiss #jennifer jareau #david rossi #aaron hotchner #hotch

[youngbeezer]

Do you Believe in Happily Ever After? | Joel Farabee

A/N: Hello again! I got such a great response to my first fic I posted which literally made me so happy, so thank you so much to anyone who gave me the time of their day to read my fic. Here is a new fic for mr. joel farabee!! This one is a little longer and I tried my best, feedback always appreciated, but I hope you enjoy :)

Warnings: Few curse words, overall just fluff

Word Count: 2160

Tagging a few people again so this doesn’t flop,,,

@ollywahlygator @joshsandersons @joelsfarabees @fratboyzegras @sorokns @butgilinsky @ricohenrique

I haven’t been to too many weddings in my life. I attended one for my uncle when I was around 10 years old but I don’t remember much from it. My mother also got remarried around 3 years ago, but up until this year, weddings weren’t a natural occurrence in my life. 

This past year though.. I’ve attended two weddings, got an invitation in the mail today for another one, a close friend of mine just recently got engaged (so that invitation will be coming sometime in the near future), and one of my best friends’ wedding is tomorrow. Now I feel like everywhere I look, I am surrounded by love. 

Now I’m not saying that is a bad thing, but when every one of your friends are either having kids, getting married, or in serious relationships, it starts to feel a little discouraging. Is there something wrong with me? Am I the reason why I’m still single?-- No, I refuse to think like that! I could get a boyfriend if I wanted to. Maybe my friends are right though… Maybe I’m not putting myself out there enough. 

Anyway, one of my best friends, Karly, is getting married to her long-time boyfriend Travis tomorrow. I’ve met Travis, or as everyone seems to call him ‘TK’, a handful of times and I know he plays for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team-- which is cool I guess, but other than that I don’t know much about his personal life or who he hangs out with. 

Karly and I met running into each other at a cafe once. Yeah, yeah I know it sounds like one of those cliche romantic meetings, where two people bump into each other and immediately fall in love. I mean we did hit it off almost immediately and from there we became like two peas in a pod-- just not in the way you think. I’ve always wondered though, if maybe I ran into a handsome man at a coffee shop or walking down the street, would I be having my happily ever after right now?

I snap out of my thoughts when an incoming call from- speak of the devil, the bribe to be. Before I can even say my greetings, Karly jumps right into business;

“Ok! So since you weren’t able to come to the dress rehearsal or rehearsal dinner. I’ll give you the rundown on what you need to do.”

Oh yeah, did I mention that I am one of the bridesmaids? Sadly, I was not able to attend the functions before the wedding due to not being able to get time off from work. But, Karly was super cool with it, which brings us to the reason for this call.

“Ok so basically, your dress and everything is already in the bridal suite, so everything will be ready for you when you get here tomorrow. You’ll be walking down the aisle third with one of Travis’ buddies Joel-- he plays on the team with Trav and he’s such a sweet guy he’ll definitely help you out if you need anything.. You know now that I think about it you guys would be such a cute couple-”

“Uh Karly? I don’t think now's the time to play matchmaker, when we should be preparing for your big day tomorrow.” I cut her off. 

“Alright, alright. But I will be coming back to that thought. Ok so anyway--”

After that I kind of zone out from trying to keep up with whatever Karly is spitting at me right now. While still on the phone, I pull out my laptop and search for the name ‘Joel’ with ‘Philadelphia Flyers’ next to it in search of this man who is said to be walking me down the aisle. Right away the name ‘Joel Farabee’ pops up with a wikipedia and multiple photos. Hm this guy is kinda cute. Just as I go to click view more images, Karly’s words register back in my brain;

“Ok y/n, did you get that?”

“Hm.. oh yeah! Got it. What time should I be there tomorrow?” I ask, praying that she didn’t already mention that and realize I wasn’t paying attention. 

“8 AM sharp,” she responds all giddy. 

I suddenly remember that my best friend is actually getting married tomorrow. Feeling giddy as well I reply, “Sounds good. I am so happy for you Karly and I can’t wait to see how beautiful you look tomorrow!” 

Karly does a little shriek in response and reiterates her excitement as well. We then say our goodbyes and I wish her a great last night as an unmarried woman before hanging up. I got back to what I was working on before the call and all my jumbled thoughts entered my brain, totally forgetting about a certain someone named ‘Joel’ as I exited the browser. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning I arrive at 8:17 AM at the wedding venue and as soon as I exit the Uber, I start booking it to the bridal suite. When Karly says to be somewhere at 8 AM sharp, you be there at 8 AM sharp, and I’m not particularly fond of facing her wrath today, especially on her wedding day when stress levels are through the roof. 

There’s just one problem though… Since I wasn’t able to attend the rehearsal, I have no idea where I am going. 

Trying to recall the directions Karly told me on the phone last night (when I wasn’t paying attention), I take a sharp turn around a corner looking the opposite direction and suddenly collide with a dead end. Wait- no that’s not a dead end, it’s a person. 

Immediately going to spit out an apology, I stop dead in my tracks when I make eye contact with the handsome man I bumped into. 

“Oh shit! I am so sorry. Are you alright?” I see his lips moving, which are very nice to look at by the way, but my mind doesn’t register his words as I stare dumbfoundedly at this handsome stranger. Who, now that I think about it, looks a little familiar. 

When I still don’t answer, the familiar stranger clears his throat before giving me a once over of my whole body, which does little to bring me out of my trance. If anything I now start to feel my whole face flush from noticing him obviously checking me out. 

His face then seems to light up in recognition before asking, “Wait, are you y/n?”

When he notices my look of confusion on how he knows my name he continues, “I’m Joel, Joel Farabee.” Scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, I notice a slight blush coating his cheeks before he adds, “We’re paired to walk down the aisle together… Um, also I think Karly is looking for you. She was kind of freaking out a little.”

With that last sentence my whole body comes back to life realizing that I am late and Karly is going to kill me. Hurriedly I exclaim “Oh my gosh! I am so late and I have no idea where the hell I’m going.” I frantically search around for any directions to point me to the bridal suite.

Joel kindly puts his hand on my shoulder, which immediately ignites a fire on the skin he is touching, before he reassures “Hey, you’re good. Just take your first right down this hall and then it will be at the end of the corridor, you can’t miss it. Seriously. She hung up streamers and balloons everywhere with a poster on the door that says ‘Bridal Suite. NO BOYS ALLOWED’.” 

Letting out a soft snort I gently thank Joel before rushing in the direction he pointed me to. Before turning right, I sneak a quick glance over my shoulder to find Joel already glancing my way. My heart does a little flutter when we make eye contact and he gives me a little lopsided grin before going on his way. 

What just happened… 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As soon as I walk through the doors of the suite, I am immediately ambushed by the bride to be on why I was late, until she notices the deep blush covering my cheeks, which then prompts another ambush on what made me blush. 

I change the topic as quickly as I can and direct our attention on getting ready for the ceremony. Karly looks absolutely beautiful in her white gown and her hair all dolled up. She doesn’t even seem remotely nervous for today as well. Most weddings I have been to, the bride is always going batshit crazy making sure everything is perfect or worrying that her soon to be husband might back out. That just shows how happy and comfortable Karly and Travis are in their relationship. God, I wonder what it must feel like to have that kind of love that is so solid and healthy. Suddenly my mind starts drifting to what it would be like to have that type of relationship with Joel. 

Oh who am I kidding? I just met the guy. Sure, when his hand touched my shoulder my whole body felt like it was on fire. And yeah, maybe when he gave me that little lopsided grin it gave my entire stomach butterflies. Oh jeez. Today is gonna be a long day… 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ok now I feel like my whole body is going to explode. He is looking at me like I’m now the bride and he is the groom. And suddenly, I’m wishing that were the case. We are getting closer and closer to walking down the aisle together, and every step we take towards one another my stomach does a little flip. 

When we finally reach each other, he offers his arm for me to take as he speaks, “Wow… Uh yeah wow, you look gorgeous.”

Blushing, I respond with a quiet “Thank you.” 

“Guess I was the lucky one eh? In case I end up tripping and making a fool of myself, no one will even be paying attention because all eyes will be on you.” There’s that little lopsided grin of his again. 

“Well aren’t you a sweet talker.” I responded. 

He just gives me a subtle wink before we ascend through the doors and down the aisle where Travis is waiting for the big moment. He gives us both a little smirk before we part ways like he knows something we both don’t. 

…

Eventually Karly walks down the aisle looking like an absolute princess. The officiator says his whole ordeal, Karly and TK both say their vows to one another, there are lots of tears, and Joel and I can’t seem to keep our eyes off of each other. 

After the ceremony, we all head in the direction of the reception hall where the real fun begins. Don’t get me wrong, the wedding was spectacular, the way everyone expected it to be. Now as music filled the air with a giddy sort of elation, the newlyweds looking beautiful and so happy while dancing, friends and relatives chatting between one another about this and that; I can’t help but feel a little bittersweet about it. I want this. I want that giddy elation to be surrounded around me, I want to wear that beautiful white gown, I want the guy to be looking at me like I just hung the moon while we had our first dance. Where’s my happily ever after--

“You know you never properly introduced yourself?” 

Startled, I spun around to find the source. Joel. 

I give him a sweet smile before returning my gaze back to the happy couple and responding, “Y/n y/l/n.” 

He follows my gaze and lets out a little sigh before expressing “They’re perfect for each other, aren’t they?” 

“Yeah, they really are.” Before I can get another word in Joel blurts;

“Do you wanna dance? Like,” He stumbles a little with his words, “like with me?”

Letting out a soft giggle, I happily reply, “I would love to.” 

Seemingly relieved, Joel takes my hand and leads me out onto the dance floor as soon as a slow song comes on. He puts his hands respectively on my waist while I put mine around his neck inching him closer to my body. We dance with each other for a while, even after the song is over and a fast high tempo song blasts through the speakers. It’s like we are lost in each other, just savoring this ‘moment’ together. 

Eventually after the fourth song comes on and we are still dancing, Joel pulls away just a little to look me in the eye before softly whispering “Do you believe in happily ever afters?” 

Seeing that look in his eyes again, the one where it seems like he is looking at me like I just hung the moon? I answer in that same soft whisper, “Yeah… yeah I think I do.”

#joel farabee #joel farabee imagine #nhl imagine #hockey imagine #joel farabee fic #ahh i just wanna dance with joel farabee and immediately fall in love with him #hope you liked it :) #my writing

[apherod]

Rubian Soulmate AU

I finally finished writing it ahhhh

I eventually decided that I was going for a sketch-style writing for this. Just short bits and pieces here and there, piecing together some scenes, but not fully fleshed out into a storyline (it coincides with the original story mostly anyway)

So here it is! Enjoy!

This is a Liam and Ruby Soulmate AU requested by an anon (possibly @thedarkestcrew?) ask, in which damage done to one half of the soulmate pair would translate to the other half. 

Word count: 4400

===

Liam

“Where did all these bruises come from?”

I was driving through Highway 95 in Maryland when I noticed the bruises crowning my knuckles. They just…appeared, like petals floating to the surface of water. It is possible that I punched something—or someone—at some point in the last few days, or tripped and fell, and using…my fists to break the fall? But I don’t recall doing any of that.

Then again, my head hadn’t been the most reliable in these past few weeks, either.

They weren’t the first. A couple of weeks ago, I woke up with a cut on my upper arm, and the blood drenched half of my sleeve, but the sleeve wasn’t torn or cut, so it couldn’t have been me… Another one came a few days after that, when I was driving, and a sudden searing pain came to my wrist, like I was burnt by a frying pan, but that part of my skin wasn’t even touching anything. The list goes on.

I think I’m going insane.

Some people…some who are lucky enough to find their soulmates, found themselves with identical wounds on them, because when one half of that bond gets hurt, the other one suffers, too. Mom’s bruises never translated onto our birth dad. Maybe that was why he was so okay with hurting her. It wasn’t until she met Harry, did that magic—or curse—work on both of them.

But that’s exactly that—it only happens after you’ve met the person. If I’ve somehow met her, and didn’t know who she was, then I’ve really screwed up. Big time.

It couldn’t have been anyone in Caledonia, otherwise I would’ve known. No one from home, either. There weren’t even that many of us left. Could it be someone from East River? For some reason, I just couldn’t be sure… There’re this weird quality in my memory when I think of East River, glowing tinge surrounding everything, blurring details, and flaring up the edges, making it hard to see for too long.

Also, if I met her in East River, why isn’t she with me?

If she’s really out there, I felt sorry for all the pain I’ve caused her in the past few days. When I narrowly escaped that group of Skip Tracers, my arms were all cut up, real pretty. I can’t imagine the horror she must have felt when her arms just, out of nowhere, started spontaneously bleeding half of her blood out.

I really ought to take better care of myself, even if it’s just for her sake.

When I crossed the state boarder into Pennsylvania, I managed to find an old payphone, and left a voice mail for my brother to let him know where I am, and that I’m coming his way. I didn’t want to—asking for Cole’s help was one of the few things that I genuinely want to avoid—but I’m really desperate.

The truth is, just imagining him gloating about this—about me needing his help—was almost enough to make me turn around. Think about the last time I asked for his help… didn’t work out so well, did it? But whatever Cole has to offer, whatever nightmare I have to live through going back to the League, is better than being hauled back into the camp.

I don’t think they’d actually take me back into a camp, anyway.

When I got passed the wrong Wilmington, I briefly glimpsed the road sign that read US 13, and a voice suddenly rang in my head.

Turn off here. It urged.

The feeling was distinctly different from my reluctance to meet Cole—it was a drive, asking me to go somewhere, rather than run from somewhere.

Whatever it was, I can’t listen, no matter how hard I wanted to, no matter how it warmed my heart just thinking about that impulse, like it would lead me home, even though I had no idea how.

I got into the city of Philadelphia, and found my brother’s apartment soon enough. When I got into his building, a woman threw me a sideway glance that made my hair stood on their ends.

Please don’t recognize me, please don’t recognize me, please don’t recognize me… I muttered in my head while I pressed the buzzer. The door swung opened, and I was snatched inside by a forceful arm.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Cole snarled before I could even lay eyes on him properly. “Why didn’t you call me when you got here?”

He looked much better than me, that much was clear. Cole never had any wound that wasn’t his own, and from the looks of him, he hadn’t seen much action lately. His hair was clean-cut, brushed neatly away from his face. He was wearing a white shirt and dark blue jeans, with metal-frame glasses which were clearly without diopters to finish the look. In this getup, you’d expect him to be a graduate student in U Penn, not a high school dropout.

“I… I didn’t have any money to place a call.” I muttered, feeling my voice getting smaller. Gosh, I hated this. I hated that I felt like a child again. I took off my jacket, and hung it on the peg right next to his. They were two identical black leather jackets, which Mom bought us years ago—she got them a couple of sizes bigger than we were at the time, in anticipation that we would eventually grow into them. Cole did, whereas I felt like I still hadn’t.

Cole let out a long and harsh breath, and gave me a scan head to toe. “You’ve seen better days.” He commented eventually, a subtle amusement in his tone. “Even for you, this is a bit excessive…” He gingerly lifted my right wrist, and got a good look at my forearm, all cut up.

You don’t say. I wanted to retort, but didn’t. “What are you doing in Philly?” I asked as I retracted my hand.

Cole raised an eyebrow. “You really want to know?”

Maybe not. “I’d probably know eventually, wouldn’t I?” I said.

He scratched his chin, frowning. “You know what this means, right? You know where we’re going?”

“Look, if I could just find Mom and Harry…” I began, but he raised his hand and stopped me.

“No,” He snapped, “We don’t have that kind of time. My assignment here is done. I’m being extracted at midnight, which is in less than four hours, and if you think I’d let you out running into the wild and being hauled into a camp again, you’d have another thought coming.”

Choose me. I remembered the subtext of what Cole said that night when he left home, and now it was ringing in a different tone. Now I don’t have a choice.

“All right.” I sighed. “Whatever you say.”

He frowned deeper. But it took him a while to say something. “Look, I know the last time you came with me, it didn’t end so well, but things are turning around.” He said, palms down, pacifying. “I promise, just stick it out a few months.”

“How do you know?” I asked.

He bit his lip. “I just do. Trust me.” He said, then gave me a tight smile, “Tell you what, I’ll go get us something to eat, and you clearly need a shower.” He took off his glasses, grabbed the keys, then, as if remembered something, added with a grin, “Do not, drown in the bathtub.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I rolled my eyes.

Before he could open the door, though, I stopped him. “Cole,” I began, but didn’t really know how to finish.

“Yeah?” He prompted.

“Have we...” I caught myself just for a moment. What am I doing? ���...have we ever been to Virginia Beach?”

Because that…memory? was so vivid, that I couldn’t pretend it wasn’t there, calling me at every moment I so much as allowed my mind to idle for a second. But it also had that bright glare around it, like it didn’t really belong to me, like I was seeing it through a mirror, into a different dimension where we were all happier people.

Cole was there, looking exactly like how he was now, but Claire was also there, and that didn’t make any sense…

“No…?” Cole said, “We lived in Wilmington. We went to Wrightsville, remember?”

Of course I do, but… I shook my head. “It’s just… I kept seeing this…memory, that we were there, and Claire was there, too…”

Cole pressed his lips tight. I know mentioning Claire’s name would probably put him on edge, but it’s not like I have other people to talk about her with anyway. A part of me wanted to be a bit mean about it, but I couldn’t bring myself to. I didn’t have the strength.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said, voice rigid. “Just go take your shower. I’ll be back with the food.”

And he left, leaving me alone in his white and bare apartment.

I still couldn’t be sure that it was a good idea coming here. If I’m being honest with myself, it wasn’t even about my negative view on the League, or what it had turned my brother into, but that…I’m not sure how to be his brother anymore. I’m not even sure that he needs a brother.

Hell. Looking around this place, I got the feeling that a brother wasn’t the only thing he didn’t need. But then again, knowing how Cole kept his room, it was maybe a good thing that he had so few belongings here. This place…it didn’t even feel like someone actually live here; there were so few things breaking the white of the walls, it was almost glaring to my eyes.

I first went to check his bed, to see if he still has that weird habit—falling asleep with cigarettes still in his hand. His bedsheet looked clean enough; nothing charred. No ashtray, either. Maybe he quit.

Satisfied, I went to grab a t-shirt and a pair of pants from his closet, and dived into the pressurized water in his shower.

I can’t remember when was the last time I had running water. Probably…when I was in the League’s safe house? Gosh. My skin is so filthy, the water only started running clean after a good ten minutes of scrubbing, and I was scrubbing hard.

I was extra careful when I cleaned my arms, though. Not particularly because I was scared of pain, but more that I didn’t want to hurt this…person who might share this unfortunate connection with me, however low the chance might be. I didn’t want to make her suffer even more—somehow, I knew it was a her, for reasons I couldn’t quite put into words.

When I got out of the shower, I felt like my entire body had been turned inside out. My skin was glowing pink against the white tiling of Cole’s bathroom. He is an inch or two taller than me—which was sore to admit, but hey, I went through puberty in a lot worse condition than he did—so his pants hung a little too long around my ankles.

Then I finally got a good look at myself in the mirror. Damn, I looked awful. The dark shadows under my eyes were so purple, they looked almost black. Not to mention the countless scratches and bruises. There was a new one on my left cheek, just above the jawline. Whether it was mine or hers, I didn’t know.

Just as I threw the towel over my head, and started rubbing the water away from my hair, I heard it—siren. It began from a distance, a low wailing, but it was enough to set every hair on my back on its end. As I flew out of Cole’s shower, grabbed my jacket, and rushed to the window side, the siren got closer—and multiplied. The sound of them were like a harmony from hell.

Should I run? Should I stay?

I should run.

Even though they might not be coming for me, I knew better than to push my luck—it hadn’t really been on my side recently, and that woman who looked at me a second too long when I got in the building was probably proving me right. I threw the apartment door open, and on a second thought, ran for the roof instead of the ground floor.

I can reconvene with Cole later. I need to stay out of sight now. Cole’s a smart guy, he knows what to do in a situation like this.

It had started raining. I tripped on a mossy patch on the rooftop, and almost broke my jaw, but I stood up and kept running. I pushed myself over the ledge of the next building, and sprinted for the fire escape on the far end. The sound of the first bullet fired almost made me lose my bearing when I lowered myself onto the metal shaft.

They are on the other side. There were two fully populated buildings between me and those bullets, and they were firing at someone else—which means I’m not who they’re after. These are all good news.

Right?

Since when had I been that lucky after I turned twelve?

I pulled the hood of the jacket over my head, and dove into the shadow of the next alley. The gunfire had stopped, which meant that they probably got whoever they were after. I took the long way around the block, trying to get a hang of the situation, getting an idea of where I could find Cole without being spotted—

Oh, I found him alright.

Fuck. No. Fuck.

I only caught sight of him for a second before they slammed the back of that van shut, and in that brief second, he looked up, and he saw me.

No.

Christ. No. I… I got him caught. I did… I did this… Why didn’t I warn him? Why didn’t I go to him as soon as I heard the siren?

What have I done?

If you’re caught, you’re disavowed. I still remembered that phrase like it was etched into my skull. If anything encapsulates what I hate about the League the most, this is it. And now, Cole is going to be another casualty under that cold hard rule. The thought almost made my knees buckled, but instead of crashing down, I up and ran.

I ran. From this nightmare of my own making.

+++

Ruby

“Ruby!”

The scream came before the punch could land. I didn’t register what was happening in that first moment, not until the blood was dripping down my elbows, and staining the blue mats under us.

“Go to the infirmary!” Coach Johnson ordered, and I gladly obeyed. I could hear the whispering judgements forming even before I left the training room—what was that? What’s wrong with her? Where did those come from?

I knew exactly where they came from.

If Chubs was here, he’d likely yell at me for not getting these wounds taken care of immediately, but I simply…couldn’t. I ran for the shower stall, being careful not to stain the curtain, and turn on the tap.

With the water pouring out the showerhead, steaming up every bit of air around me, blurring my vision, I finally let the tears fall.

My arms didn’t hurt that much. At least, not as much as my heart. The bruises were bearable—who doesn’t get those occasionally living in the wild? I got one every other day even just from the training. But these cuts…he was in danger. Maybe he only got away with it within an inch of his life.

The only consolation I had was that I wasn’t mortally wounded, which meant he wasn’t, either. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t regret my decision of letting him go every second of every day.

If I did that to protect him, all these wounds and bruises only proved how wrong I was, how in vain my suffering had been.

“Ruby?” Cate’s voice.

I swallowed hard before answering. “Yes?”

“Are you all right?” She asked, standing outside of my stall.

“Yes.” I lied.

“Coach Johnson said you were hurt—” She didn’t buy it. “Look, if you don’t want to go to the infirmary, I can take a look—”

“I’m fine.” I cut her off. The timer on the tap beeped, warning me that the water would start running cold. My blood was dripping down from my fingers, dropping into the shallow water on the concrete floor like roses blooming in the snow.

“Ruby, I can see the blood.” Cate said dryly, then softer, coaxing. “Come out, please. Let me dress your wounds.”

Only if I could just close my eyes, and pretend for a second that the person who was waiting for me with antiseptic was Chubs, not Cate. If only I could pretend that these wounds were mine, not of the boy that I dreamt of every night for the past few months.

If only I could pretend that they were here with me, or that I wasn’t here at all.

I sighed, and brushed the curtain open. To Cate’s credit, she didn’t flinch at the sight of me. “Oh, Ruby…” She said with a tone like I was a stray cat ready to be put down. She reached out, and gingerly lifted my hand to get a better look at my arm.

“Press on it.” She handed me a towel, and sat down on the bench before patting the empty space beside her, motioning for me to join her.

I did as she said as she tore open a paper package. “This is going to hurt a little…” She gently dabbed the fabric square on my wounds, and I hissed out of reflex. I hated this. I hated showing her my weakness, and I guessed, in a weird way, she understood that. She didn’t comment on any of it, only continued to wrap my arms up in silence.

“There.” When she’s done, both of my forearms were wrapped entirely in gauzes.

“Th…thank you.” I managed to choke out.

She gave me a tender smile. “Don’t mention it.” She stood up, collecting the empty packages off the bench, and turned to leave.

Before she was out of the door, however, she turned around, and said, “You know, you get those wounds together, and you heal together, too.” She paused for a second, “You’re…not entirely helpless in this situation.”

Ten minutes after she left, I was still sitting on that bench, pondering her words. I didn’t even know what she said was true, but if it was, it meant that when I took care of myself, I took care of him, too. That, somehow, didn’t seem so bad.

I wondered how Cate knew that. She and Rob were clearly not soulmates, and I didn’t even know why she would want to date him, even without considering that fact. Rob—ruthless, arrogant, hateful—was everything opposite to what she seemed to hold dear.

But then again, she probably didn’t understand why someone would find their soulmate only to let them go on their own.

That day when I let Liam go, I made a decision that I would be whoever the League wants me to be, and make it so that they wouldn’t miss him. And for the longest time, I had kept to that promise. But not today, not now.

I just want to be myself again, even if it’s just for a moment.

So I brushed open the curtain to the stall, and allowed myself to be vulnerable again, for everyone and no one to see.

+++

His eyes traveled from my face to where the water had collected on my chest, and I raised my arms just that much higher.

His mouth half-opened for what I was sure to be a snide remark, but whatever it was never managed to pass his lips. His face froze, brows drew together, and he reached out. Before I could shift away—to where though, I had no idea; my back was already against the wall—he grabbed my wrist, and lifted my arm.

“It was you.” Cole said with a tone of half astonishment, half…anger?

“What was?” I raised an eyebrow at him, trying to hide how much I felt like a kid being caught red-handed, stealing candy bars.

He threw me a “really?” look. “Don’t insult my intelligence.” He snapped, “These are Liam’s, aren’t they?”

I almost asked “how do you know”, but that would confirm his suspicion. “What makes you say that?” I asked instead.

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not playing games with you.” He huffed, “Soulmates should stick together. What were you thinking sending him out into the wild? Do you have any idea how dangerous he is to you? Or you to him? The poor bastard doesn’t even know you exist!”

“And as long as I stay in the League, that fact shall remain.” I said, more resolute and calmer than I thought possible.

He blew out a sigh of exasperation. “Look, I don’t care what kind of sainthood complex you have going on, I’m telling you—you are not doing either of you any favors, and if you think this is somehow a good idea, I beg you, think again, because you definitely look smarter than this.”

“What do you know?” I retorted, finally couldn’t keep the lid on my anger anymore. “Do you have any idea how much he hates it here? How hard he was trying to avoid this place before you drag him into this mess?”

Cole really laughed. “You think I don’t know?” He raised an eyebrow at me, and I met his glare head on. “I was the one that let him go when he got away that first time.” He tried to brush his hair back with his hand, but it gave out a weird flex before he could reach his head. “And I’ve seen enough soulmates pairs in my life to know that I never want one. Have you any idea what would happen to him if you were injured when he was on the run? Soulmates stick together so they don’t double their chances on dying, but I guess no one ever set your logic straight, did they?”

My head was so flushed with anger that I actually let him finished.

“Go find him.” Cole snapped. “And for Christ’s sake, stay together this time.”

+++

Liam

“I didn’t need freedom; I needed you!” I half-screamed, trying to get the frustration out past the chaos raging in my head. How could I—? How could she—? What the hell—?

On the receiving end of my scream, Ruby’s face was painted with grief, lined with tears that almost made my anger buckle. Almost.

“Did you just…not want to be with me anymore?” Facing her silence, my pain came out softer eventually. Please, just tell me, and I will leave you alone.

“No…” She choked out. “I… I was wrong.” She swallowed hard before continuing, and despite the anger still roaming my vein, I wanted to reach out and touch her. “We should…we should stay together. I knew I couldn’t bear to see you with the League, see them take away all the good in you that I love…”

“Is that how you think of me?” I snapped before I realized what I was doing, “That I am so weak that the League is bound to break me?”

“No!” She shook her head violently, “No, I don’t think you are weak… If anything, I think you are much stronger than me. But I was weak.” She finally looked back at me, her green eyes gleaming in the dim light of this dust-covered room. “I’m so sorry.”

Before I could react to what she said—I didn’t even know what I was going to say or do—the sound of a gunshot broke every single thought clean out of my head.

Ruby was running before I could do anything about it. She pushed the door of the shop open, and another shot blew open the window on the outside, shattering the glass all over the floor.

“Ruby!” I shouted as I dodged, crouching with my hands over my ears, but she was already up and running again, out of the door and behind the woman that was escaping the scene—with a gun in her hands.

“Ruby, stop!” I shouted again, got on my feet to catch her, but I never manage. I skidded on the broken glass, and fell, hands first, into the shards.

I heard her hiss. She stopped dead on her way, and whirled around to find me on the floor, holding my right hand on my laps, pressing it against the fabric of my jeans to try and stop the bleeding.

The blood was dripping down to her fingers. As she walked slowly towards me, the red, looking almost black, dropped on the dust-covered floor, leaving a spotting route, marking her path. When she knelt down beside me, finally close enough to touch me, I found that she was smiling. A totally mirthless, wry and painful smile.

“Give me your hand.” She said softly, almost like a whisper.

“You should treat yours first.” I said, trying to catch her hand, to see how much of a damage I’d done.

“We only need to treat one of us.” She let out a small breath, almost like something caught there. “We get them together, and we heal them together, too.”

That, somehow, broke through all the mess in my head and reached my mind. I let her take my arm, and carefully wrap her scarf on my hand, all the while her words played on repeat in my head.

We get them together, and we heal them together, too.

When she was done wrapping my hand up, the wounds on her hand stopped bleeding, too. I didn’t know why—I wasn’t even completely over that anger or frustration—but when she placed her hand in mine, a tender “there” escaping her lips, all I wanted to do was kiss her.

Instead, I gently enveloped my fingers around her hand. “There.” I said, pressing my good hand over hers.

And we stayed in that silent, that touch, just a little while longer.

+++

#tdm #the darkest minds #ruby daly #Liam Stewart #rubiam #soulmate AU #request #fanfic #writing #Cole Stewart #cate connor

[sweetestlamb]

Stronger Part 3 (Unbreak my Heart)

Summary: Gang-tae finally gets a reality check.

Author's note: Slightly tipsy as I wrote this, life has been very busy but I have plans to write a naughty Search:WWW fic so I wanted to get this out first. The next chapters will be the climaxes and y'all can let me know if you want smut in this series, or if you like it nice and wholesome. 🙃🙃🙃🙃 But no worries the smut would come muchhhhh later.

Mang-tae lays limp on the night frosted ground, gleaming button eyes peering up at him in judgement. With a deep rooted sigh he bends over to retrieve the doll, pocketing it before turning from the empty spot she no longer resides.

The happiness that bubbled up at her unforeseen appearance has twisted and crystallized into a rancid pool of disappointment and melancholy at her just as sudden disappearance.

He doesn't understand.

Opening up had been difficult, the most challenging obstacle he'd faced in their.... predicament. She'd been poking and prodding for as long as he'd know her, enticing him to crawl out of his self imposed prison, until he broke. Unleashed all his pain and misery on her like torrential showers thundering from the heavens. Voicing hidden horrors and his not so hidden desires, he'd tried to subdue his feelings but as always she made him act out of character.

The thought of that mad woman harming her made his skin boil with heated anger, so much so that all he could do was kiss her back to life; his grim thoughts had painted morbid tales of her demise and seeing her there on the staircase, painfully gorgeous had been so heart shattering he almost wept.

But somehow that hadn't been enough. His secrets and his scars weren't enough for her, she'd seen the real him and taken his advice to get lost. She wasn't supposed to listen to him, she never had before.

"Geesh what was that about? She looked like a witch out here! Did you two have fight? Why didn't she try to kidnap you and take you home?" Jae-su's bewildered voice cracks through the thumping of his heart, weighty in his chest.

He fumbles to think of an answer. He's at a loss, maybe he was the one who wouldn't understand her for a hundred years.

"I... don't... It's nothing. We're fine. Let's go inside." His friend scoffs, condescending eyes calling him a liar but he ignores them, running away instead.

At least he still has Sang-tae.

"I can't. I'm busy." His brother carelessly rejects his offer to hang out and watch cartoons, stuffing pencils and a notepad into the satchel slung across his body. Fidgeting as he fixes his hair in the mirror, visibly excited about his events for the day. He tries not to be jealous that he isn't a part of those plans.

He fails.

"Where are you going? Can't I come?" He pleads, staring up at his older brother with wide beckoning eyes.

Sang-tae stares back nonplussed, "You're not as cute at the alley cat, that won't convince me. That isn't convincing at all Gang-tae."

With a groan he rolls on the bed roll, before clambering onto his feet. Pulling out his phone he sends Jae-su a text, Do you want to hang out? He freezes as his eyes unknowingly land on her messages underneath, tricks to get him back in the castle and teasing selfies that he had saved once he received them.

He'd composed many messages to her before his thumb destroyed them with systemic viciousness, leaving no letter untouched. There was still a minuscule part of him that envisioned her coming back of her own volition. She always came back, boomeranging back into his life every time he attempted to flick her out. It was a law of his universe.

Yet it had been days since their last interaction and he'd heard nothing from her, no calls or messages, simply radio silence. He was beginning to become worried.

The honk of a car snaps him from his thoughts as Sang-tae perks up at the alarming sound, happily flailing before running out the doors.

He follows blindly, stopping in the doorway gazing down at her familiar car, instinctively he grabs Sang-tae's arm hindering his movement and escape.

"Where are you going?" He asks stupidly as if he can't see what is so painfully obvious.

Sang-tae looks at him with a look that mirrors his own thoughts, "My bestie invited me to a book conference, I'm going as her illustrator. We're going as partners, it's too to make connections she said. I'll be gone all day."

He can't hear Sang-tae's excited spiel over the blood rushing to his face, she hadn't contacted him at all but clearly was still conversing with his brother. Why was she only upset with him? Annoyance and jealousy ebb in equal waves in his blood line.

"Hyung don't you think that's too much? I thought you weren't talking to her right now." He instigates, feeling petty about being the one left out.

"I was but I forgave her, sometimes best friends fight but she apologized so I forgave her. She's going to be a better best friend now."

Sang-tae speaks calmly and certainly, pulling away from his firm grip and skipping down the stairs before hopping into the car.

Finally he allows his eyes to land on the window, readily expecting her answering gaze, eager to lock eyes with her and get lost in time with her.

Her smile is blinding and tender, eyes soft crescents.

But they aren't on him, they are locked instead on Sang-tae. Cloying possessiveness curls around his control and without any acknowledgement of him, they're gone in smoke and the smell of burnt rubber.

He gets drunk, disgustingly so, sloshing the liquid on his sleeves as he loses his balance and almost pitches off the table.

He'd bitten the bullet and finally sent her a message, readying for her to call and for them to fight their way back into their... predicament.

Instead he'd gotten a taste of his own medicine, it was poignantly bitter. It hadn't even been read. He wasn't sure if that made it better or worse.

"I told her everything, things I never even told you! But she's ignoring me, why? Why would she do that?"

Jae-su's eyes are huge as he rambles on, snatching a shot of soju from his hand before he can slam it back, he whines making grabby hands.

"Why did you get so drunk? You said that you only wanted to have a few drinks." Jae-su sighs exasperated, falling back onto the table folding his arms behind his head.

"Jae-su, what did I do wrong? Why won't she answer my messages? I stopped running, I let her catch m--"

"Yah!" They both jump from the volume of the scream, Gang-tae almost falling to the ground in his shock.

Sang-in's rage filled face swims in his vision, intoxication stuttering his movement.

"You think you did her any favors? You think meeting you did her any good? Do you know what she was like after you left her that day? She cried everyday. You broke her. You made her come back to this wretched place, do you know what that castle means to her? You're a selfish prick. Did you even say sorry to her for everything you've done to her?" Sang-in's spit showers his face in a wet splash, a feeling of deja vu overwhelming him.

He blinks back, dazed.

Jae-su shakes himself from his trance, jumping to his defense, "What's your problem? Of course he apologized to her! What are you accusing my best friend of?" He points his finger into the manager's face as they slap and hit each other.

That day. His blood runs cold, remembering his cruel words, berating and belittling her all because he couldn't deal with his feelings for her. Couldn't be honest with his brother or himself.

One time event.

Her tears salty like the sea water that crashed at their feet.

Realization drops on him like a dead weight, severing his air flow.

Did you even apologize?

Did you even say sorry?

He racks his brain scouring his memory desperately, that conversation playing out in his mind like a movie, scene by scene.

Telling her about Sang-tae and his trauma, the effects that had on him and the way he was allowed to live life, inviting her to join this life, be with them.

And, I, need you.

All about him.

He hadn't asked her if she was okay after being targeted by a patient, her skin pale as he ascended the stairs to wrap her in a hug. Her voice was not a part of the conversation, he'd said let's talk but in all honesty he had been the only one to talk.

About his pain.

His suffering.

All about him.

Gosh.

"I'm an asshole." He whispers aloud finally, finally understanding.

Sang-in and Jae-su both pause at his soft declaration, hands tangled from their scuffle.

"You are. But somehow you got the bitch and the nice girl. You don't deserve either."

He has never felt smaller in his life.

Why are you mad?

Stop acting up.

Those had been his messages, the only messages he'd sent to her, nothing but shameful regret fills his veins now, he hadn't done nearly enough. Not by a long shot.

He'd woken up the next day with a killer hangover and a sour taste in his mouth, wanting the ground to swallow him up. He wasn't that lucky.

He'd called her, one, two, three, many times. Each time going to voice mail, testament to her avoiding him.

Mun-yeong. Please.

I need to talk to you.

He'd lost track of the amount of times he'd looked at his phone hopefully, only to be crestfallen when it wasn't her. If this was anything like she felt when he ignored his messages he would never do that again. That coupled with Sang-in's snarky comments and withering glares made him want to pull his hair out.

The castle looms over him as he hesitates at the gate, before pushing it open with a loud creak.

His knocks boom on the hollow wood of the door, pounding as hard as his heart. The castle is silent, he pounds once more.

"Mun-yeong! Ko Mun-Yeong, please open up! I need to talk to you." He hangs his head, hand sliding down the smooth wood.

The silence is deafening.

"Please, Mun-yeong. I'm.... sorry."

He falls to the steps, the strength disappearing from his bones.

"Get up. Stop making such a scene, this was always the outcome. Only I can take care of her."

He twists his head around, eyes too tired to form a true glare but the intent there.

"Where is she?" He demands, fury and shame emboldening him.

Sang-in scoffs at him, walking away after peering through the windows.

He feels his eyes prickle from his emotions overtaking him, life without her was like going from high definition to black and white, his life was lack luster and empty.

"Wait." He begs, tears caressing his cheeks, "Please, where is she? I have to make this right."

Sang-in pauses on the last step, hesitation evident in the sharp angle of his shoulders before he starts walking again, leaving him shattered on the ground.

Sang-in stops at his car, steel eyes as he looks at him with pity, "Maybe it's your turn to start chasing."

The truth can be humbling.

#it's okay to not be okay #it's okay to not be okay fanfiction #psycho but it's okay #ko mun yeong #moon gang tae #kim soo hyun #seo ye ji #long live IOTNBO #More groveling on the way #MY pov next

[kalimagik]

How You Get The Girl

Based off of the song “How You get the Girl” by Taylor Swift 

Tom Holland x Reader 

<4K

Warning: Some cursing...but a lot of floooof - I just love happy endings, so be ready! 

A/N: Here is the second part that follows my last fic “The Moment I Knew.” I wrote these ones a while ago an wasn’t sure if I wanted to share them or let anyone else read anything until my friend convinced me to start putting them on Tumblr, so I hope you like it! It you do, like, comment, reblog, or follow. Happy reading <3 

*Not My GIF! Credits to Owner

It had been about 6 months since Y/N left her flat in London to spend some time back at her childhood home with her family. She had hoped that being around everything familiar would help her to forget the past year and a half and life she had built in London. She had gotten drunk with her friends, but that didn’t help. She would wake up startled in the middle of the night by dreams about how things used to be. They seemed so real to her. Once the holidays ended, Y/N knew she needed to go back to London before the New Year. As much as she wanted to avoid the holiday by staying at home, she needed to get back to her post in London. 

Once leaving the airport, Y/N found a car to take her to her flat. 

“Could you take the bridge?” Y/N asked the driver.

“Are you sure? That adds 20 minutes,” the driver responded.

“Yes please. I’m in earlier than expected and am not due back for a while.” 

The driver nodded his head and put the car in drive. Y/N looked out the window and with each corner the car drove by, the memories came flooding back. There was the coffee shop where she had met Tom. There was the market where they did their weekly shopping together. There was the arcade where Tom had won her a large plastic ring. There were just too many memories. Y/N snapped her head forward to look at the road ahead of her. The red light in front of her cab lasted forever, but that was fine with Y/N. 

“Is it going to be alright?” Y/N thought to herself. 

The glaring red gave her a feeling of the unknown. She didn’t know. 

-

-

“Common, Y/N! Don’t do this!” 

“TOM! I told you! I can’t just wait for the time where I will fit into your life. I need someone who makes themself as available for me as I do for them. I need someone who is committed to this relationship. Jacob and Zendaya made it for my party and they’ve been just as busy as you. I cannot take the excuses anymore,” Y/N yelled through the tears.

Tom had been in her flat for nearly two hours trying to plead his case, but it didn’t do anything to change Y/N’s mind. She pulled out the largest suitcase she had and started packing. 

“Where are you going to go?” he asked. 

“I’m going home, Tom. I need some time away from here. Can you please just give me that?” 

“When will you come back?” 

“I don’t know. I bought a one way ticket. I need to be near my family,” Y/N blurted as she threw sweaters into her bag. 

“Sweaters? It’s summer time! Are you really going to run away from this?” 

“I’m not running away! I’m finally choosing me! Can’t you understand that?” Y/N turned around to face him for the first time in nearly an hour. 

“Can I at least call you? Or come and see you?” he asked hopefully. 

I would really prefer if you didn’t. I need this time,” Y/N responded as calmly as she could. 

“Will you call me when you come back?” Tom tried again. 

“I don’t know. Good luck, Tom. Maybe I’ll see you again,” Y/N said with so much pain. 

-

- 

Y/N wiped the few stray tears from her eyes as the cab pulled up in front of her building. Seeing it for the first time in all those months just reminded her of why she had left. Nevertheless, she pulled herself together, picked up her bags, and climbed the steps to the place that had once felt like home. 

Walking inside, she turned on the old lights, the electricity flickering after having not been used for so long. 

“Hello house,” Y/N whispered as she took her place all in. 

Not a thing had moved. Zendaya asked to stop by just to bring her mail in and the pile was all that showed that someone had still lived there. Sitting down her bags in the kitchen, Y/N went through her six months of mail to see if anything caught her eye. 

“bill, bill, magazine, bill, six bank statements, magazine, invitation…” Y/N stopped as she looked at an envelope addressed to her. 

There wasn’t a return address, but Y/N easily recognized the handwriting that spelled out her name. She flipped it over, trying to decide if she wanted to open it, when she read on the back flap ‘I’m really sorry. Please just read this…’ 

She couldn’t do it though. She threw the envelope back on the table and stared at it.

*RING RING RING*

Y/N jumped as her phone went off in her purse. Finally peeling her eyes off of the letter, she went to fetch it. 

‘CALL FROM Momma’ her phone screen read. 

“Hi Mom!” Y/N answered, putting on a smile even though her mom couldn’t see it, “I just got back to my apartment, haven’t quite settled in though.” 

“That’s great to hear! I just wanted to check in and make sure you got back alright,” Y/N’s mom said excitedly through the phone.

“I did, thank you. I’ll tell you all about my trip tomorrow though, I’m feeling drained from it and just need to get myself settled.”

“I understand, honey. I’ll let you go! I loved having you home! Love you, Y/N/N.”

“Love you too, mom. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye!” Y/N ended the call and let out a deep breath as she looked around again.

Before heading up to her bedroom, she sent Daya a quick text telling her that she was back in London and grabbed her bags to lug them up the steps. 

 -

-

*BZZZZ*

“Give me a minute!” Zendaya laughed as she walked away from her group at the pub to check her phone, “Oh my gosh…” Her face went straight.

“What is it?” Harry asked her as he took a sip of his beer.

“Y/N’s back in London,” Zendaya said just as surprised as everyone else at the table. 

Upon hearing the news, almost every pair of eyes went to look at Tom.

“Did you know she was coming back?” someone asked him.

“No. I haven’t heard from her in six months. I was starting to think she wouldn’t be coming back,” Tom answered slowly, “Did you know she was coming back, Zendaya?” 

“She had told me a few months ago that she was going to eventually, but never said when. I’m just as surprised as you to be hearing from her,” the actress answered honestly. 

“Should we go see her?” Harrison asked almost timidly. 

“She said she is turning in early tonight. It was a long day of traveling,” Zendaya said as she read the message a little further. 

“Tom, you okay?” Tuwaine asked as Tom sat there silently. 

“What do I do guys? I obviously still love her…” Tom finally said as he thought back on the last six months. 

He could barely think about going on dates with anyone else, so he didn’t, despite his friends urging him to. He checked her social media almost regularly and asked Zendaya constantly if she had heard from Y/N. His work was just something he went to and did every day, but he didn’t care about it. It wasn’t the same without her there. He was a complete mess until 2 months into her being gone, his mom convinced him to write a letter with everything he was feeling in it. 

He wrote down everything he wanted Y/N to know. He knew that she had asked him not to contact her, so he sent it to her flat hoping that she would read it when she was back in London. It didn’t make him feel much better because she wasn’t there, but it allowed him to continue on with everyday life even if he was still hurting. Hoping that maybe she would read it was really what kept him afloat. 

“Do you think she read my letter?” he asked no one in particular. 

“She didn’t say anything about it…” Zendaya answered, “but maybe she hasn’t gone through her mail yet. There was six months’ worth!” 

Tom could just nod his head.

“What do I do?” he said hopelessly, “Do I wait until she calls me? Do I go and see her?” 

“Let me try and talk to her and see where she is first, Tom. Don’t do anything too irrational,” Zendaya tried to talk him down. 

“Fine. But I need to hear something about her soon…” 

 -

-

Y/N tossed and turned the first night back in her bed. It wasn’t that it was uncomfortable. In fact, it was like a cloud that had been puffed just for her, but the letter sitting on her kitchen table seemed as though it was screaming. Y/N couldn’t stop thinking about it and wondering what Tom had to say to her. Maybe that he had found someone else and moved on. Maybe that he didn’t love her anymore. Maybe to say that she had been wrong about the whole thing and he could never agree with her. Every possibility went across her mind and none of them were good. 

Flipping over one more time, Y/N checked her phone. 2:30 AM. She should be sound asleep right now! Lightning flashed light through her curtains and her ears were filled with the sound of rain drops hitting her windows and the ground outside. 

Letting out a loud sigh for no one but herself, Y/N threw off the blankets and got out of bed. She quickly went down the steps, flipped on the kitchen lights, and held the letter in her hands for a second time. She looked at it for what felt like an eternity contemplating whether or not she should open it. 

Not bringing herself to do it, she carried it back up the stairs, sat it on her night table, and scrolled through social media to distract herself. She favorited some tweets and then switched to Instagram. That’s when she stumbled across a picture that Sam had posted around the time she got back. She could see the smiling faces of all the people she had met through Tom. In the middle of them was the smiling face of Tom himself. Y/N hadn’t really let herself explore the feelings she might still have for Tom. She had felt the pain for so long that she just wanted to be numb to the whole thing. This picture though, seeing him in a natural setting for the first time in months, opened the floodgates. 

Of course she still loved him. How could she not? She had spent the last six months avoiding all thoughts of him, but apparently the simplest picture brought back all of her feelings. How could she know if he had still felt the same way? It had been six months. 

That’s when, without thinking, Y/N grabbed the letter from her bedside table and used her fingers to open it up. She examined the few sheets of paper and the handwriting that was so clearly his. 

‘My Dearest Y/N it started. Reading the words brought tears to Y/N’s eyes. She wouldn’t let herself sob though. She read Tom’s sorry’s and tales of how he was such a mess without her. Y/N’s heart opened for him, but the letter dated 2 months after she had left…A lot could have changed for him in the four months that followed. But he signed it ‘With all of the love I could possibly possess, The boy whose heart is always yours’ How could anything change that much? 

*BZZZZ*

Y/N sat the letter down to look at her phone screen. It was Zendaya.

‘I see you’re active on social media at 2:30 AM. Go unlock your door. I’m coming over to see one of my best friends for the first time in MONTHS!’ the text read. 

Y/N laughed as she could hear Daya’s voice through the text. 

She quickly slid the letter back into the envelope and put it into her bedside table drawer. She pulled a sweatshirt over her head and went down the steps to unlock her door. She slid into the kitchen to put a kettle on the stove and make some tea. 

“Knock! Knock! KNOCK!” Zendaya called walking through the door.

“In here, Daya!” Y/N called as she pulled out her assortment of tea. 

“You are looking absolutely radiant!” She smiled as she popped into the kitchen. 

“I look disgusting. I didn’t even shower the plane off of me,” Y/N laughed. 

“I don’t think that matters. I haven’t seen you in six months! You look beautiful in my eyes,” she said as she wrapped Y/N in a hug, “How have you been? I’ve barely heard from you at all?” 

“I’m really sorry for that. I was living in the moment at home, ya know?” Y/N tried to explain.

“I get it. Are you doing better? Are you here to stay?” Zendaya pried. 

“I think so. I missed London. I missed my life here. I couldn’t stay away.” 

“That makes me happy to hear! London missed you too! Plus, I am so sick of being around boys all the time! The group needs you!” 

“Daya…” Y/N slowly said, pouring the water, “I don’t think I’m going to be hanging out with the group. I’m sure they don’t even want to see me…” 

“What are you talking about? I was with them when you texted me and Harrison asked if we should come see you right then!” 

“Wait…You were with them when I got back? So they know I’m here? All of them?” Y/N tested, not wanted to come right out and ask about Tom. 

“Girl! You do not have to do that with me! Just ASK ME ABOUT TOM!” 

“How is he?” Y/N asked timidly, blushing at Zendaya’s directness.

“He hasn’t been himself. You have to know this is killing him. He misses you. For fucks sake, he was asking me about you every day!” 

Y/N looked down at the mug in her hands, trying to figure out how to proceed with this subject. 

“You should just call him,” Zendaya interrupted her thoughts. 

“I can’t do that. I’ve picked up my phone a million times…” 

“It’s up to you, but he will answer,” Zendaya encouraged. 

“Thanks, Z. Can we be done with this now?” 

“Sure. Only if you tell me all about your time at home! Spill!” 

Y/N smiled as she began to catch up with her with her friend at 3 AM. 

 -

-

Three gloomy days had gone by and Tom still didn’t have any word on the girl he loved. She’d been in London for three whole days and hadn’t called him. The silence was deafening to him. He couldn’t take it any longer. He needed to do something. 

“Guys. I need to make a gesture. I have to see her.” 

Tom was breaking as he stood in front of his friends. 

“Have any of you heard from her? Haz, you grew pretty close with her. Can you give me anything?” 

“Tom. If she had reached out to me, I would have told you right away. Why would I keep that from you?” 

“I know, I know. I’m sorry, mate. I’ve just been on the fucking edge. Why hasn’t she called?” 

“I wish we knew. I really wish we did.”

As the boys contemplated what Tom should do, Zendaya finally made an appearance after three days.

“Long time, no see!” Harry joked, “Where have you been hiding?” 

“I’ve, uh, been with Y/N actually. We had a lot to catch up on…”  she responded, looking at everyone but Tom. 

“Did she say anything about me?” He asked, hope in his eyes. 

“Tom. You know that’s not my place.” 

“Please, Z! I’m going out of my mind here. I’m trying to respect what she asked of me, but I don’t think I can much longer.” 

“We did talk about you, but she wasn’t giving me much. I’m sorry.” 

“It’s okay. Thank you. Do you think I can go see her?” Tom asked. 

“It’s up to you. I don’t know. Like I said, I can’t get a read on her.” Zendaya tried to explain. 

“I’m going to see her. I need to. What should I say to her? I don’t want to come on too strong.” Tom asked. 

“Tell her how you feel. Tell her what you know she needs to hear. I think it could be romantic,” Tuwaine chimes in. 

“I’m going to do it. I’ll see you mates later. Wish me luck! Z, don’t tell her that I am coming. Got it? I can’t have her running away again.” 

“Fine, Tom. Go get her.” 

 -

-

London was rainy this time of year. It was always rain or snow and today, the rain was coming down harder than the day that Y/N had gotten back. She had finally unpacked everything from her six month excursion home and picked up the packages that she had shipped back to London. 

For the first time, Y/N was able to flop down on her couch and relax. She flipped on the TV to watch a Christmas movie (after Christmas). The sound of Anna Kendrick talking calmed her down and the sound of the rain made her eyes start to flutter as if sleep would come at any minute. 

*Knock, Knock, Knock*

Y/N was so startled that she shot right up. She wasn’t expecting anyone, so she didn’t know who it could be. 

Wrapping a blanket around her, she made her way towards the door. 

*Knock, Knock, Knock*

Whoever this was, they were not very patient. Y/N looked out the peephole, but couldn’t see anything because of the rain. She unlocked each of the locks that lined her door and opened it up to come face to face with a drenched Tom. 

“Are you insane, Tom?! You are going to catch pneumonia!” Y/N looked at him in shock.

“I need to talk to you and I will stand here until you let me,” Tom said while looking her straight in the eye. 

“Come in I guess. I can’t leave you out there.” 

Y/N opened the door enough for Tom to walk in. She had no idea what she was feeling or how she was going to be able to talk to him. 

“What is it Tom?” Y/N asked as they stood in her front hallway. 

“Please, please, just let me say this,” he asked.

“Okay,” Y/N nearly whispered as she wrapped her blanket around her tighter. 

“It’s been the longest fucking six months of my life. Back at your birthday, I was too scared. I couldn’t tell you what you wanted to hear. But love, I want you. I want every bit of you. For worse and for better. I will wait forever for you. I know that I completely broke your heart, but I will do everything I can to be the one to put it back together for you, if you haven’t done that already.” 

Y/N looked at Tom with teary eyes. She didn’t know what to say, but Tom wasn’t done yet. 

“Y/N. This is my absolute favorite picture of us. I couldn’t bring myself to change it after you left. I messed up so badly. I have not been able to forgive myself for it.” 

Y/N looked at his screen saver. The picture had been one of her favorites too. It was their first Christmas together. Tom took Y/N to see the place in London with the most beautiful Christmas lights. She had been in awe and so excited at the same time. Tom couldn’t stop holding on to her all night. One of their friends had snapped the picture of them right as Tom kissed Y/N on the cheek with his arms wrapped around her waist. It really had been a perfect night.

“Y/N?”

She snapped out of the happy memory.

“I know that there is no excuse for why I wasn’t there that night and why I didn’t even call you. I had to of lost my mind then. There is no excuse for it. I left you all alone though and I was too much of a coward to tell you why and I’m so sorry. I don’t expect you to say anything to me right now, but I’m telling you, I will wait forever for you. You are my person. I just need you to know that.” 

Tom finished his speech. He definitely hadn’t prepared at all, but that was how he felt. 

Y/N knew it must’ve been so hard for him. She couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her face. Tom had just poured his heart out to her, but she didn’t know what to say. Was it okay for her to just go back to him? She was so confused. Her head was telling her that she couldn’t in order to avoid any kind of pain later, but her heart was a different story. Her heart wanted her to open her arms and take him right back into them. She hadn’t stopped loving him over just six months. He was all she thought about and cried about and dreamed about. 

“Okay, I know I said I didn’t expect you to say anything now, love, but could you give me some sort of sign?” 

Y/N realized that the two minutes she had sat there pondering, must’ve seemed like an eternity to Tom. 

“I’m really just trying to gather my thoughts, Tom. I knew that I’d see you again, but I honestly didn’t know what to expect or what I would do. I don’t have anything to say that is nearly as beautiful as that, but I did miss you. I missed you so much Tom…” 

Y/N finally looked up into Tom’s chocolate eyes, which were twinkling like when she first knew she loved him. Let’s be honest, she knew she couldn’t let him walk away. She still loved him. And the feelings she felt for him didn’t come around for people very often in a lifetime. 

The tears fell faster from her eyes as she tried to wipe them away. 

“Hey, hey. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Tom looked so worried for her. He slowly inched forward, putting out a hand to wipe the tears for her. He couldn’t stop himself. That was one of the things she loved about him. 

“I love you, Tom,” Y/N finally blurted out, “I love you so much.” 

Tom smiled the biggest smile that he had made in months. His heart filled with so much joy and he couldn’t believe that he has her back as his again. 

Tom took both hands, one against her cheek with a thumb wiping the last of her tears and the other wrapped around her waist and onto the small of her back to pull her closer to him. Their lips connected, finally, after six lonely months. Tom got the girl. 

#tom holland #tom holland fan fic #tom holland x reader #mcu #marvel #peter parker #peter parker x reader #spiderman #kalimagik #happy reading #new fic #songfic #taylor swift song

[harryspet]

A Wife’s Duty [3] h.s.

[Warnings] harry styles x named oc, light bondage, dubcon oral sex, offensive religious stuff, angst, normal toxic harry, mentions of pregnancy

In which Archibald Styles confront Harry and turns his world upside down. In which Ember wants to be happy. 

[A/N] This is part 3 of this series so check out the first two if you haven’t. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and now I’m excited to make a few more parts to this series!

Please like, reblog and let me know what you think!

Word Count: 2.1k

She tried to turn her body but that only resulted in a hard slap on her bottom. She winced, going back to press her face into the comforter. It had been a few days of that, the conditioning. The spanks when she didn’t listen and the endless orgasms when she behaved the way he wanted. 

A pair of leather cuffs were wrapped around her wrist and pinned her hands behind her back. She was completely naked, of course, though he still had on his pants. He rested his belt right beside her face as a warning. 

His tie was gagging her and keeping her from verbally protesting. And it muffled her moans as his fingers traced circles on the folds of her sex. If she was good, he’d let her finish. If you would’ve told her a week ago that she’d be craving this, she’d say you were mad. He had turned her into a deviant. 

He stopped when she started to move her hips against him and she whimpered. She could practically hear him smirking, “You’re more fun than I thought you’d be, little one,” He started again, slipping two fingers inside of her now. It still hurt a little bit but she adjusted much easier now. 

She found herself enjoying the slow in and out motion and he’d tease her over and over by stopping. Her face was bright red every time, embarrassed that she let these feelings consume her. Then suddenly one of his hands clamped down on her wrist and the other began moving fast in and out of her. 

It was so much, she felt as if she might pee and that scared her. She started to thrash beneath him but he didn’t relent. She came hard on his fingers, shaking as the wave of pleasure went through her, “Very messy, Ember,” He spoke, admiring his work. 

And then he had her on her knees, forcing her to clean up her remnants after he removed the gag. He began to undo the buttons on his trousers as he watched the innocent girl sat before him, “When is the last time you prayed, Ember?”

She tried to remember, it had to be over a week ago. Gosh, this house was really messing with her, “Not in a while, Commander,” She said, the taste of the gag still lingering in her mouth, “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not the one you should be apologizing too,” He spoke as he unzipped his slacks and reached to pull out his length. He began stroking it himself before pressing it against her cheek. She closed her eyes, the blush rising to her face, “You probably haven’t even thanked him for bringing you to me. For blessing you with such a good husband . . . so well endowed.”

She knew he must love the way it sounded when he heard himself talk. 

He pressed his tip against her lips, “Why don’t you say your prayer now?”

She opened her eyes, looking up to see him waiting expectantly. She mentally cursed. And she had never cursed before in her entire life, “I don’t think-”

“Say your prayer.”

He was still pressed against her lips as she began to say a prayer, “Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for bringing me such a good husband. I am so grateful because he is so … well endowed. I love you and I give you praise and thanks. Amen.” She spoke through gritted teeth. 

“Amen,” Harry agreed, a smirk on his face, and he entered his wife’s mouth and thanked God for blessing him as well. 

+

After their exciting escapades in the master bedroom, Harry suggested they both take a bath together. Though she was pressed against Harry’s front, she enjoyed the warmth and the idea of being clean. Deep down, she knew she would never be truly clean again. 

He massaged shampoo into her scalp and, for a moment, she thought he was gentle. He flipped his switch so quickly. Only moments ago was he forcing his cock down her throat and forcing her to gag on it. 

She relaxed into his touch, playing in the bubbles, but he didn’t warn her when there was suddenly water dumped over her head. She looked back at him with an incredulous look, “My turn now,” He turned her body around so she was facing him. Of course, he was only being gentle so he could get the same treatment. 

She took the shampoo and began to lather it into his brown, curly locks, “You have nice hair,” She said, mindlessly, liking the texture of her. 

He looked up for a brief moment, an unsure look on his face, “A compliment?”

“You probably aren’t used to that,” She spoke snarkily and she expected some retaliation but he was quiet. When she was done, she used the pitcher on the side of the tub to pour the water over his soapy hair, “There, done.”

She moved to turn back around and he let her. She heard him lean back so he could, seemingly, relax. She couldn’t believe she was doing something like this. She almost felt uncomfortable being naked with him. 

Despite all that, there was an interruption. A loud knock on the bathroom door, “Commander Styles?”

“Imogene, what is it? Can’t you tell I’m occupied?” Harry asked, annoyed as ever. 

“It’s your uncle, Harry! Alec said he saw his car coming down the road!” Harry immediately sat up and soon he was standing in the bath. 

“Get up, get up,” Harry rushed out to her, the urgency in his term made it seem like their deaths were impending, “Up, Ember!” She stood up in the bath, water, and bubbles dripping off her. He was already out of the tub and throwing a towel at her. 

“Imogene, give us some time! Distract him!” Harry was ruffling his hair with the towel. Ember had climbed out, careful not to slip as she began drying herself too, “Hurry, you need to get dressed. Put on something nice.”

“Why are we panicking over your uncle?” Harry’s eyes seemed to darken. 

“Just do as I say.” 

And normal Harry was back. 

+

Archibald Styles had the same striking green eyes that Harry had thought his seemed to be graying with his old age. He looked intimidating but not as scary as everyone was acting.  She was lined up beside Imogene, Alec and the other servant girl with the missing eye. 

They were to keep their heads down until they were addressed but Ember had snuck a peek at him. She was still more frightened of Harry. 

The dress she wore was seafoam green, long-sleeved, and reached down to her ankles. A stark contrast to her nudeness and leather shackles. Her wet hair was slicked back into a tight bun and everyone had hoped that Archibald didn’t notice.��

“Don’t let your wife stand with the help, Harry, tell her to come over,” He spoke as if she wasn’t standing right there. 

Harry didn’t even turn to look at Ember, “Please come sit with us, Ember,” As she lifted her head, it seemed the two men were having a staring contest. She took careful steps to the leather couches they were sitting on. She stood beside Harry until he nodded, allowing her to sit beside him.

Ember folded her hands in her lap, a weary smile on her face, as she looked from Harry to Archibald, “He was never a very affectionate child, don’t worry,” Archibald said to her and Harry seemed to cringe, “It’s lovely to meet you. Ember, is it? You’ll be a spark in my nephew's life, won’t you?”

“I-I will certainly try,” She nodded, “I’m very happy to meet you, Commander Styles. Your gift ... she’s just wonderful.”

The man clapped in excitement and, although it caught her off guard, Ember couldn’t help but smile wider, “Ha! I knew it would be the perfect gift. I hadn’t even met you yet but I knew you’d be a free spirit just like me,” Archibald chuckled, “Besides that, I knew you’d have a hard time adjusting here, it would give you a chance to get away from him. Harry is not like us open-minded folk-”

“Is there a point to you stopping by, Commander, I have to ask,” Harry had successfully sucked all the air out of the room.

Again, the staring contest continued, “I’ve come to personally invite you and your wife to the Autumn Ball. I know in the past few years my invitation has gotten lost in the mail, Commander,” So Harry was doing all this because he didn’t want to go to a Ball? Actually thinking about it, the idea of nice dresses, alcohol, and dancing seemed like a great distraction from her life.

“We thank you very much but-”

“Will there be music?” Harry’s head snapped towards her and her smile fell quickly, “I apologize.”

“We can’t accept your-”

Archibald interrupted Harry, “There will be lots of music, angel,” Archibald gave her a soft grin, “Do you like to dance?” She enjoyed it, knowing Harry’s bubble was bursting. 

Ember nodded hesitantly and Archibald continued, “I could have my wife pick out a new dress for you. I’m sure Harry wouldn’t think about buying you something-”

“I can buy my own wife a dress, Commander,” Harry was seething, she could tell.

“Then it’s settled,” Archibald Styles rose from his chair and Imogene ran over to help the man redress in his suit coat, “I will see the both of you in two months at the Autumn Ball. I hope you’ll save a dance for me, Mrs. Harry Styles.”

Ember was beaming, “Of course, Commander Styles.” Music and dancing sounded like heaven. 

Harry didn’t escort his uncle out the door. Harry stared at the wall across from him for a good five minutes after Archibald left. When Imogene returned to the room with Archibald, he finally moved. 

“Wow,” Alec released a breath of air, “Well, at least he likes her.”

Harry shot him a sharp glance and Alec quieted. Harry’s gaze moved to her next. His arms were crossed and it was clear the gears in his mind were turning.

Had she screwed up royally this time?

“She’ll have to convince them,” Harry spoke finally.

“Convince them?” Ember looked around the room at everyone’s faces for answers.

“That Harry has a heart,” Alec chuckled but Harry didn’t seem to deny it, “And that he hasn’t somehow killed his wife already.”

“We’ll show them a happy and healthy wife then,” Harry gestured to her, some hope finally in his eyes, “And perhaps we’ll have a baby bump to show off by then too.”

Ember gulped, eyes wide.

“Harry,” Alec opened his mouth to say something but Harry simply raised a hand to silence them. He walked around his desk and slouched down. 

“Get out, all of you.”

+

That night, Harry didn’t come out of his office. Not even to finish what he was surely going to start in that bath. She ate dinner with Imogene and Alec who were good company. They actually engaged in conversation unlike Harry. 

Although Imogene advised against it, Alec and Ember snuck out to see Blue. The filly was already bigger and was starting to even recognize Ember. She petted her with ease and even let her help feed her. 

“I thought it would take much longer to tame her,” Alec thought out loud. 

“Well, you’re gentle with her so of course,, she’s more . . . receptive. She doesn’t need some man bossing her around, right Blue?” Ember spoke as if the horse understood her. She liked to think the Blue did.

“Right,” Alec agreed. 

“Do you wish to get married one day, Alec?”

The boy shrugged, “Maybe. But I quite enjoy living here and, before I get married, I’m sure my father will ship me off to some boot camp.”

“Oh.”

Although the silence between them was long, it didn’t feel lonely. They seemed to communicate with each other through Blue.

She didn’t expect Alec to cut through the silence with a question, “Do you want to have children, Ember? When you’re so young?”

“Why not?” Ember asked, sounding accusatory, “And I’m not so young.”

“I just meant-”

“It doesn’t matter what I want, Alec. If Harry wishes it, if God wishes it, then it shall be,” She spoke in a whisper, “Don’t fool yourself into wishing for something different.”

She regretted being so harsh but she did not wish to give him any false hope. She did not wish to give herself any either. She could be happy here as things were. She could be happy.

+

Hope you enjoyed this! If you want more Harry fics then check out Guarding Genevieve on my #masterlist ! My request are OPEN

Also, please leave a comment or send an ask if you’d like to be added to a taglist!

#dark fic #dark harry #harry styles #harry styles au #harry styles x reader #harry styles x y/n #harry styles x oc #harry styles x you #fanfiction #one direction #harry oneshot #one direction fanfiction #one direction smut #dirty harry #au #series #handmaids tale au #the handmaid's tale

[graedari]

Can you give me some roman angst content? (Any Roman angst content)

Oh gosh. Ya’ll wanna hear what I had planned for Asides High for Roman going to college? Cause that was gonna be angsty. I had a whole comic idea but the fact of drawing backgrounds got in the way of me every doing that lol

i’m gonna throw this under the cut since I know it’s gonna be a little long...

Okay so Roman applied to a really prestigious art school that he was bound determined to get into the theater program for (of course though they only have a limited like draft for the college)

Everyone was hyping him up cause they know how talented he is, and the kid’s got good grades, and does a bunch of extracurricular stuff so he’s got a great college app!

He’s a little sad that he’ll have to move away if he gets in, but everyone promised that they would try to visit him and he promised likewise.

Eventually, everyone is hearing back from their colleges as to whether or not they got in, and Roman actually gets a call that they liked his app and wanted him to send in a like audition for their theater program!!! Everything is going great!!!

He pours his heart into a short audition tape and is super pumped!!! He submits it and is told they’ll get back to him by the end of the month as that’s when their enrollment announcement is 

Everyone has the day marked on their calendar pretty much to congratulate Ro as they have no doubt in their mind that he’s gonna get in! He’s Roman freakin’ Delgado!!!! 

The day comes and Roman waits like all day at the mailbox cause he can’t contain his excitement. Estrella and Remus close the restaurant early cause they planned on having everyone over to celebrate and wanted to come home and cook!

When they get home though, they can’t find Roman. Like??? The kid actually stayed home all day instead of helping at the restaurant? Maybe he went to one of the gang’s house cause he couldn’t wait to celebrate, or maybe he went to the restaurant and they missed him on the way?

They call everyone and like no one knows wtf Roman went??? No one’s heard from him.

Remus notices that the mail is thrown on the counter and the letter opener is laying next to the pile, but there’s no open letters. 

He gets a sinking feeling in his gut. 

Estrella decides to go around the neighborhood and look for Roman, continuing to try and call/text him, while Remus stays home in case Roman comes back

Remus checks around, in case they missed somewhere, and notices the window by Roman’s bunk is slightly open. He decides to investigate.

On the overcropping roof outside the window is Roman, an opened letter, and a bottle of Tequila. 

“Started celebrating without us?”

“Fuck off” accompanied by a glare

Remus sits down beside Roman and holds out his hand, which Roman passes the letter into without saying another word

A rejection letter from his dream school 

Remus didn’t really feel like their “sorry” felt too sincere after they built up Roman’s hope so much only to topple them down

The two silence for awhile, while Roman silently cries, Remus knowing he doesn’t have the words to fix what Roman is feeling. He just offers the company.

After awhile, Roman speaks up, voicing his disappointment in the school, their stupid draft limit, and finally himself. Everyone had told him that he would “get in easy”, “of course he’ll get in”. How would he tell them that they put their faith in the wrong place?

Remus tries to console Roman and offer the best he can, a few witty jokes before finally settling once Roman smiles.

“C’mon. Let’s get you inside, and that open tequila bottle somewhere mamá won’t find it.”

(Roman does spend the rest of his night surrounded by his friends, slightly buzzed, but enjoying Disney movies, eating some homemade asada and flan)

(This goes out to all my Roman Stans who love that angst (Looking at you @wroammin @coconut-cluster )

#graedari answers #ask: romanvirgil #asides high au #sanders sides #sanders sides au #ts sides roman #ts sides remus #AHAU: Estrella Delgado #tw swearing #tw alcohol #tw food mention

[dailyaudiobible]

09/27/2021 DAB Transcript

Isaiah 51:1-53:12, Ephesians 5:1-33, Psalms 69:19-36, Proverbs 24:7

Today is the 27th day of September welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I’m Brian and it is wonderful to be here with you today as we get into our work week and do what we do every day, take the next step forward together on our journey through the Bible. We’re kinda turning the corner in Isaiah. We’ve camped out in Isaiah for…for…for a bit here and there are 66 chapters in Isaiah and we’re at the 51st chapter. So, not too far to go. And in the New Testament, there are six chapters in the letter to the Ephesians. And we’re at the fifth chapter today. So, we’ll be finishing Ephesians tomorrow. But we're here now and we’re reading from the Christian Standard Bible this week. Isaiah 51, 52, and 53 today.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in the letter to the Ephesians today we reach a pretty famous passage of Scripture that deals with wives and husbands, pretty well known. I'm heard it most of my life, seen it used as a child all the way through adulthood, all the way into ministry. Have seen it used in all kinds of…well all kinds of marital situations. And honestly for the most part, it's always been to prove someone's right, and it's been used a lot for…well…yeah…to be corrective and to be right and even in some cases to be dominant. Like it's…it's used in ways that aren’t particularly healthy and aren’t particularly what the passage is saying. So, let’s just look at this. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.” That's the portion I've heard more often than the second half so that the wife, the female partner becomes submissive to the male partner as the head of the household no matter what the husband is doing or no matter what the husband is like. It's sort of like this de facto…well…you’re married. this is what you gotta do. The thing about this famous passage of Scripture is that it has more to say to the husband then it really does to the wife. And, so, being fair here, “husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own flesh, but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church.” And, so, basically, yes, here are some instructions. They’re not one sided. It's a reciprocal thing that works together. And, so, I'm a man and I'm a husband and I'm a father. And, so, that's something that I have yet to master and don't know that I ever will but at least that's what I am, and that's what I've been for a long time. And, so, I can say, husbands if you want your wives in submission then you better be in submission to Christ loving her, as Christ loved the church, loving her like Jesus does, then there's not going to be a problem, typically in that area. A woman who is treasured and loved knowing that her husband is laying his life down for her is bringing Jesus to her is leading her to Jesus and she is also a believer, then there is not likely gonna be the kinds of problems that get these verses used for domination and to be right. Wives, if your husband is doing his best in that direction and that's not even noticed, that’s just expected…because if that's supposed to do that and you're just supposed to receive it and there's no respect there, that also grows bitterness. And, so, basically we can take Paul's summary sentence where he literally says, “to sum up” and take this on board into our hearts as we consider our relationships. Paul says, “to sum up”, and he’s still speaking to the husband, “each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.” In my limited experience, although my experience has had an awful lot of conversations, and both of those things are happening, there's a path forward from just about anything. And I’ve mentioned that I've basically…I’ve seen this passage used in, like I said, ways to be right, ways to become dominant, ways to get somebody into submission. And wives if…if you're even on the receiving end of that and your husband isn't loving you as Christ loved the church, which doesn't mean he's not gonna make mistakes, do stupid things, but if you're in an abusive situation somehow, that you feel like, you can't...there's like nothing you can do, you just have to kind of take it and endure it and its physical abuse or verbal abuse or sexual abuse or whatever…that's a good time to come back to this passage and understand what you should be expecting because what you should be expecting is that your spouse is leading you to Jesus, is…your spouse is loving you as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for…laid His life down for her. There's nothing about abuse here. Jesus doesn't abuse us. Jesus died for us that we might find freedom. Jesus isn't going to physically abuse you, nor will He sexually abuse you, nor will He verbally abuse you. I put that out there just simply because of what I have experienced and seen. Jesus loves us all so much, and if we loved each other with the love of Christ with the love of the Lord, if we loved our neighbor, even our spouse as we love ourselves…ahh…if we would do that in our marriages just in our marriages, we could start dreaming about how the world is going to change because it would. We wouldn’t be passing down these generational behaviors to our children who are gonna be doing the same things that we do only with their own version and it just keeps going in a big circle. If we husbands would love our wives as Christ loved the church and wives if your husband is doing that, if you would realize that he's a priest in your home, he’s there to bring you to Jesus and to love you with the love of the Lord, gosh, the…the whole landscape of relationships would change. And, so, we have a beautiful model here to look at. It just gets skewed when one side is trying to dominate the other side to be right about things when in truth we’re laying ourselves down, we’re laying down those rights and wrongs and submitting to Christ, which changes the atmosphere in any situation.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit we invite You into that. Nothing can be more tumultuous, nothing anymore trying and difficult than being in marriage. And yet it is gift that constantly exposes our own brokenness and our own desire for dominance and our own selfishness. So, may we take the passage in Ephesians today to heart, examining our own lives and not just trying to spend our lives changing our spouse when we’re not changing ourselves. Come Holy Spirit. This is a big one. We need Your help. And we ask for it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com, that is home base, that's Global Campfire land, that's where we come every day. It’s technology but that's where we end up every day. And, so, check out dailyaudiobible.com or if you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app you can access the pertinent things at dailyaudiobible.com within the app by pushing the Drawer icon in the upper left-hand corner.

And one pertinent very, very important thing is the Community section. This is where to go to find the different links to the different social media channels that we’re involved in and is a great place to get connected to the Daily Audio Bible, but also to each other. So, check that out. That is also the section where you will find the…the Prayer Wall. And the Prayer Wall is always there and it's always on. And, so, if you are waking up in the night with night frights, you can go there and ask your brothers sisters for prayer, to pray for you or if you are going through some relational things you can ask for prayer. If you lost your job you can ask for prayer. It doesn't matter what you’re carrying. And those are maybe some more extreme things, but we’re all always carrying things and we do our best to entrust them to the Lord and often one of the best ways to do that is to bring it to our brothers and sisters and stop trying to carry it around alone. And, so, the Prayer Wall is there and always available and it is always available for us to go. Maybe things are great and it's time for us to go hold up some arms and shoulders of our brothers and sisters who are struggling very very mightily right now and have left their story on the Prayer Wall. It is so encouraging to know that people are praying for us, and we can…we can let them know that we’re praying for you there at the Prayer Wall. So, be aware of that. That is in the Community section, either on the web or in the app.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, that can be done at dailyaudiobible.com as well. There is a link on the homepage. If you’re using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner. And I don't have adequate words, I never have had adequate words to express awe and wonder at it all. Just the fact that this can even happen, that we have technology and live at a time on earth where this can happen, where we can gather together around the Global Campfire and take the next step forward together. Just…geesh…within my lifetime this wasn't possible. If we go back a century this is science fiction. And, so, what…what a joy to have this opportunity where we can reach toward one another, but we wouldn't be here if we weren't in this together. And, so, thank you humbly for your partnership. I mentioned there's a link at dailyaudiobible.com on the homepage. If you’re using the app, there is the Give button in the upper right-hand corner, or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement you can at the Hotline button in the app or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that's it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Good evening this is Tierra from Texas again. I just finished listening to today's message and the first prayer that I heard was Casey from, I think he said Hawaii, and his wife Shamara. And if I am wrong, I am so sorry. But I just wanted to pray for his wife and him with them dealing with trauma and, you know, battling addiction and overcoming addiction. Father we come to You, and we just thank You for the Spirit that You've created within Casey and his wife, for Casey to have the heart to pray for his wife, for Shamara to have such a wonderful husband, for a couple, a marriage that you've blessed, for both of them to pray for each other and just to ask…ask for prayers from everyone else. I pray that the enemy has no entryway into their marriage, their relationship, has no way of attacking his wife. Sometimes with addiction there's always a place for another addiction to take…take root. I pray that does not happen. In the name of Jesus, I pray that that is removed, any type of attacks or, you know, attempts to form another addiction that that is removed and that is not able to happen Father. And I pray in the name of Jesus that you just continue to heal from past trauma and grow and learn and move forward with relationship with You Father. These blessings I ask in Your son's holy name Jesus. Amen.

Hi, my name is Maurine McIntosh from Alexandria VA. I just heard the wailing and the crying of a mother, grandmother for children. She mentioned the name of Dominique and Ariana. She said her whole household is sick. I pray for her this morning. __ Daily Audio Bible believers and worshippers let's pray for her. Father, in the name of Jesus we come before You oh Lord as a group of believers asking dear Father that You would hear and answer the cry, the wails, the cry, the deep suffering of this household. We pray the blood of Jesus upon Dominique and Ariana. We speak healing and deliverance over them in the name of Jesus. Father, we thank You that Your hands are not short, and Your ears are not deaf Lord God and that You are the God who heals. You send forth Your word to heal every disease. Father, we pray that You will heal Dominique and Ariana and the entire household of this dear lady in the name of Jesus. We pray for courage and strength for her. Even as she trusts in You Lord God, she would know that You've heard her prayer. And I pray for every Daily Audio Bible listener and every believer in the body of Christ all over…

This is Sharon in Southern California. It's been a while since I've called. A lot of things have been going on. Please pray for me and my family. My…my…my husband, he's denying his alcoholism and it's getting worse and I'm trying to help him get his VA benefits so that he can go into a program. But the reason why I'm really calling is because I just heard a call from a young lady who's family is ill and she herself was so distraught she was crying and pleading with God to save her family. And I…I just want to pray. Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your blessings and thank You for allowing us to be able to come to You in prayer with our deepest most sincere issues and problems and trials and tribulations Lord. And I ask in Your sons, Jesus’ name, that You heale this family, that You comfort the woman who called. I didn't catch her name Lord, but You know who she is, that You comfort her heart and bring her peace and…and heal the family, touch them Lord with Your loving and tender touch Lord and heal their bodies. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Hello there DAB family this is Lavender Dream calling again. I don't call in too much 'cause I just listen and pray for everyone, but I just heard the Friday September 24th podcast. Thank you, pastor Brian always. And Maggie Mae, you absolutely touched my heart. I can hear your…your fear and your anguish over your family and I know that this is just what the enemy wants, to distract you from focusing on Jesus. I speak from my own personal experience as I've dealt with many health issues. And when I focus on Jesus, He…He's brought me back from the brink of death several times. And I know that He is our great physician, and He gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of the storm. So, I'm just praying that you can feel His presence, that you will focus on Him and trust that He has every one of your family members in His hands. And I also am asking for prayer for my grandson. We had to go to Boston yesterday. He has multiple disabilities. He was…he had a stroke in utero, and he is a quadriplegic and he needs surgery probably. So, I'm asking for prayer for him because surgery is risky for him with his brain…with his decreased brain development with anesthesia. So, please pray for him. His name is Jace. And I'm praying for all of you. I've heard…I don't call in that much. I prefer to listen and pray for you. So, I'm praying for peace in my family and healing in all of yours from everything and...

Hey family this is Lazarus calling. I was calling to…but just heard Maggie Mae’s prayer request and she's obviously torn to crap because the devil is attacking her entire family. And wow…my…my stuff seems so trivial by comparison. So, please family pray…pray for her. She's just at…at the end of her rope. You can hear it and desperate. And any time we're in desperate straits…straits we need to turn to the Lord. And sometimes that…all you see around you are flames and it’s just really hard. So, to that point, I've been…I'm bankrupt, I’m broke. I tried to schedule surgery and they want more money than I have. So, I've been needing it for years now and I've been putting it off and I'm in…I'm eating Percocet and taking it with vodka every day, several times a day and it's not even working anymore. So, the pains incredible. And then I fell off a rail car bus in Denver the other day directly on my left shoulder which is in 1000 pieces already and I saw the face of God. So, no…just kidding…you'd __ never.  But the Lord is with me I know but man it's hard. I am under spiritual attack from dawn until dusk every day. And, so, I’ve cancelled my surgery, I…I'm losing my apartment, I don't have any money and it just goes on and on. And I'm not whining. He's got me. He's trying to get my attention about something and just beats the crap out of me what it is because every day I get multiple kicks in __. Yeah…you'll probably edit that out or not. But anyway, so it's just…you wouldn't want to be me. So, I pray for you all. I love you all. I thank you. And if there’s any way you got a second to throw up a little prayer for me I’d appreciate it. God bless. Make it a great day. God bless you. Amen.

[lovely-laurent]

So, long story short I lost my health insurance thru my father and had to apply to get it thru my employer instead. I dont have my insurance card yet, so I can't use my health insurance. I have to pay everything out of pocket and submit for reimbursement afterwards.

BUT. I have to take my testosterone injection on Monday (6 days from today). And the pharmacy that distributes it is in another city. I can't take time off of work to go to the pharmacy, so they have to mail it to me. So, cue my panic about how im going to pay for my testosterone since i need to order it NOW to receive it on time.

I called the pharmacy, and I'm in a program thru my doctors office who prescribes the T, so they pay a portion of the copay every month. WHICH MEANS! I only had to pay $20 to get my T even tho I have no insurance (available at the moment)!

What a relief oh my gosh 😭 and i already double checked, my doctor, my therapist, and my new psychiatrist all accept the new insurance so i dont have to change doctors or therapists.

#life isnt as bad as it seems guys

[gisachi]

Like You Meant It (ShinRan. Prompt-Drabble. Aged-up Characters.)

Prompt 27: Help me i’m being hit on at a bar please be my fake boyfriend for a second (As requested by @icedcoffeeanyone )

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Ran just wanted some time alone.

There’s nothing a few drinks in her favorite bar across town couldn’t fix, after having a bad day in grad school. She studied so hard only to get a mediocre score in her midterm exam, and having been the first to get called in the class of her most terror law professor and practically getting none of his questions correctly, she knew right then that she was bound to end up in this pub.

She needed this time alone to pull herself together, because she swore to god, law school’s going to be the death of her.

She checked her phone.

Seven unread mails and four missed calls from her best friend.

Yes, she’d talk to him after she’s sobered up, but right now she needed no one. What she needed was a break. Wallow in distress on her own. So that when she finally decided to rant to him, she wouldn’t overflow and freak him out.

But how she wished she invited some two or three classmates around.

Because damn, these alcoholic dudes wouldn’t give her peace.

She rolled her eyes at the sight and smell of one salaryman who sat next to her. He had a wedding ring and yet here he was, on a Friday night, asking her, in a suggestive way, her name, age, location? Gross. People like him should be banned from this bar.

She circled the other side, looking for an actual table instead of sitting at the counter by the bartender. Just as she thought she finally found a good spot, another guy, this time her age, took the vacant seat across her. He looked pretty decent. She would’ve actually entertained his small talk. But the thing was, she wasn’t here to socialize. She was here to drink. In peace.

So when this guy - he mentioned his name five seconds ago but she already forgot - started to get talkative and a little touchy, the time bomb in her head started to tick.

Could people not take a hint?

“You waiting for someone?”

“Yes.” She lied.

“Hmm.” He arched one brow suspiciously.

“What about this. While she ain’t around yet—“

“He.”

“Oh.” She gave him that signal to leave.

But he was persistent; he didn’t seem threatened one bit.

“Okay. While he,” putting emphasis on the pronoun, “ain’t around yet, why not let me get you a drink?”

“No thanks, I—“

“C’mon sweet thing, just one drink.”

She was mortified.

First of all, ‘sweet thing’?! Really gross. Second of all, I said no. Respect that, please?

She could karate chop him that exact moment, but she remembered how that went with the previous bar she visited, which ended in a disaster and her name almost getting blacklisted.

Which totally turned her off because why the hell would the bar do that? She was just defending herself from perverted adults who thought a woman in a bar alone meant she was looking for a hook-up.

Ran’s eyes rolled skyward. One reason why it’s hard being a woman.

“Whatever.” She thoughtlessly replied. If that would mean him leaving her alone. Then once he disappeared she’d go pay for her drinks and take a cab back home.

“That’s more I like it.” He winked, before turning around and leaving the table.

Gosh. Walk away. Please. Disappear.

But damn, she couldn’t just leave. She still wanted to drink. But how could she do that now?

Ugh. How frustrating.

She must have been so deep in thought that she failed to catch another figure sallying forth her table.

“There you freaking are.”

Ran deadpanned to her right, only to be met by a pair of furious azure blue eyes she knew all too well.

“Oh... Hello, Shinichi.”

He rolled his eyes.

“Ran, please. Don’t just hello me. You didn’t even leave me on read.”

“I... ah. Yes.”

Instead of verbalizing his disappointment, Shinichi flung his arms to his side, brows bumping together in a scowl as he shook his head.

Ran shrugged, taking two big gulps from her mug.

“I had a shitty day, okay.”

He pulled the chair beside her and sat down. “I figured that much. And can most definitely confirm now.”

The bite in his tone was enough to make her understand that he was really... pissed. Pissed at her dismissive attitude.

“How did you even find me?”

“Short answer? Simple deduction. Long answer? Your phone was still ringing so I know it wasn’t dead. It was pretty new so battery life lasts the whole day. So you’re either just not checking your phone or was flat out ignoring me. But you always check your phone. Now this morning you told me that the results of your Civil Law midterm will be released, and I remembered you saying that if you get a not so good score you’re going to drink it all up. Assuming that—“

“Okay.” She waved an invisible white flag. “You can stop now, I get it.”

He sighed, leaned his chin on his hand, eyes serious.

“So, tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“Everything wrong with your day.”

Instead of answering, she just played with the rim of her mug.

“We’re not best friends for nothing, right?” He said, voice more solemn this time.

She exhaled sharply. She really didn’t want to talk about it.

“Bad day in school. Don’t wanna talk about it yet.”

“Bad enough to ignore all my messages and calls?” He leaned back his chair. ” ‘Cause you know, I was pretty damn worried.”

“Yeah, I knew you’d be worried, it’s just that—"

She cut herself short, head perking up like an alert prey.

“It’s just that…?”

“Crap. He’s here.”

“Who’s here?”

He tried to turn his head to where she was looking but was cut off with her two hands clasping his face.

“Stay put, Shinichi. Pretend you’re not mad at me right now. Okay?”

She released her hands.

“O...kay?”

Her voice became lower, tone a lot more serious than before. “And I pray you won’t get mad at me for asking you to do me this favor.”

His forehead creased, unsure of where exactly this conversation was going.

“You’re confusing me, Ran.”

Ran took a deep breath, eyes intently focused on a distant spot next to Shinichi’s temple.

"Someone was hitting on me before you arrived and I managed to get him to leave but now he’s approaching our table again and, and, ugh fuck this! Why can’t men just leave women sitting quietly alone!”

His face became visibly upset.

“Shall I face him? Tell him to back off?”

“No.” She edged closer to him, like she was about to share a deep secret.

“Please act like my boyfriend and kiss me.”

His chair raked the floor.

“...HUH?!”

“Shinichi,” she continued, not in the slightest surprised by his reaction, “trust me when I say he looks like the type who won’t be intimidated by a friend nor back down from ‘competition’. Which is absurd because I’m not some goddamn prize for him to win. The only way to drive him off is if the woman he’s hitting on has a boyfriend.”

Ran downed the remaining beer in her mug.

“Let’s kiss, we’ll make it hot, so hot that he’ll get so awkward and leave us alone. And then I’ll tell you everything that’s wrong with my day.”

Shinichi blinked once. Twice. Thrice.

One thing ran in his mind.

Who was this bold woman and what had she done to my best friend?

“We’re not best friends for nothing…right?” She said, repeating his earlier statement.

“Ran...”

“Trust me. And help me on this, please.”

Fierce determination blazed her eyes, pent-up frustration preventing her from filtering her own words.

Yes, this was his best friend. And with fire burning in her eyes like that, he knew she was not joking. She was in desperate need of his help, and she trusted him that he’d understand.

No further questions needed.

But still though... what?!

“Okay...” he exhaled sharply. “Okay.”

He slowly dragged his chair towards her, sitting himself on its edge. Aligning his face with hers, he seized her left hand and carefully placed it on his cheek.

“Do it. Kiss me.” His voice died into a whisper. “Now.”

Ran’s eyes widened.

It was only then that she realized what she actually asked of him.

“Wait. Shinichi. I-...Y-you... is it okay?”

“Ran, we’ve been talking for more or less 20 seconds, I bet he’s already halfway here. So if you’re gonna do it, do it now.”

He was right. The dude got nearer, holding two mugs of beer which she assumed was for him and her. And there was this murderous look in his eyes, probably because of the third party in the table.

The nerve of this random dude to glare at her best friend like that.

She really had to do this, huh.

“I’m sorry, Shinichi. I...” she cupped his other cheek nervously. “I’ll do it.”

His eyes didn’t leave her face.

“Mm. Ready when you are.”

With a sharp intake of breath, she leaned forward and slowly...surely, captured his lips.

For a moment, Ran’s time stood still.

A groan escaped Shinichi’s throat from the sudden pressure of their lips mashing together, and Ran felt the roots of her hair stand up. Wow. She had never heard him produce that sound before.

His lips. His groan. His face.

That’s when she realized.

This was really happening.

This was not just a kiss. This was her first kiss.

And she’s sharing it with her best friend.

Her best friend...!

She internally panicked.

She never really planned anything like this to happen.

What should she do next?!

Before she could think, Shinichi’s lips started moving. His right hand snaked the base of her neck until it nestled on her nape, entangling her hair with his fingers.

They’d part lips, only to ease in again, at first experimentally, and the succeeding ones, feelingly. Every round got deeper than the previous one. She didn’t know if she was doing this right.

In her head, it was weird.

But other than that, everything felt right.

They separated with a loud smack, him looking at her with dark eyes. His breath was erratic, Adam’s apple protruding as he swallowed, lips red like cherries. She realized she had never seen his attractive features up close like this before.

Really? Had she been missing this all her life?

Without waiting a second more, she pulled him into one searing kiss, hands leaving his cheeks, lowering to his chest.

“Ran...” He gruntled, the rest of his air swallowed by her demanding lips.

Stop saying my name like that.

He pulled away, fast. Much to her surprise.

But what surprised her more was when he leaned his head down, leveling her neck, kissing her clavicle.

“Shin—“

She squirmed in her chair.

He trailed kisses on the column of her throat, his hand on her nape urging her to tilt her head sideways for better access. She complied earnestly, hands fisting his shirt, pulling him closer, eliminating whatever space they had in between. His other hand tightened around her waist, one knee snugged comfortably between her legs.

Damn. Everything felt good.

She jolted when he reached her ear, softly pressing his lips on her lobe. She would’ve moaned in exhilaration, had he not whispered,

“Check.”

“Hn?” she purred, voice a little too dazed.

“Check if he’s still there.” He ordered, voice low and guttural.

Oh, right. We’re still doing that.

Ran struggled with all her might to keep her eyes open, scanning the area behind her pretend boyfriend she was eagerly...’pretend’ making out with.

No annoying dude in sight.

Just some stupefied faces manifestly directed at them.

“He’s - ah!” she whimpered when his teeth nibbled the edge of her ear. Good lord. What was he doing to her?

Making her feel hot and all. Shit.

“He’s... gone.”

She wished she had delayed her reply. Because as soon as she said that, the sensitive sensation in her ear disappeared, and she felt the weight of his forehead on her shoulder. His sweaty hands remained on her nape and waist, Ran audibly hearing his labored breathing.

...

What was that?

Did her heart just sink upon the loss of contact of his lips against her skin?

“That’s it. I’m taking you home. Now.”

Her heart floated back.

“Wh-wait what?”

“I said I’ll take you home.”

“Eh?! But, i-it’s just, y’know... I just said, k-kiss, not uh... aren’t you taking it too seriously... or something?”

Shinichi raised his head.

“Haah? What are you blabbering about?! I’ll take you back to your house, Ran. Not mine. It’s way past bedtime.”

Ran blinked.

Well, that was embarrassing.

He untangled her hair from his hand and released his hold on her waist.

“Do you want me to take you to my house?”

“What?! N-no!”

Maybe. Yes.

“Good. Because I won’t.”

...Ouch?

His eyes flitted away.

“Especially...after... that.”

The bar was dim and noisy, and Ran was unsure if the alcohol was making her hallucinate the rose-tinged shade on his cheeks and ears, or making her hear a restrained follow-up from him, or both.

“Did you say something, Shinichi?”

“What?”

“What?”

They stared at each other for an hour-long minute, before he huffed a breath and stood on his feet.

“It’s the beer. You’re tipsy and you must be hearing things. I’ll pay for the bill and I’ll take you home.”

“Y-you really don’t have to—“

“I’m still mad at you, you know. Geez.”

He approached the bartender to pay for the drinks. She watched his back as he disappeared from her line of sight.

Mad at me.

Yet you kissed me like that.

Did you feel it?

‘Cause I might have felt it, too.

…

Something definitely changed, though she couldn’t say what.

“Th-Thanks, Shinichi.” She said, the moment he returned.

“Whatever. We’ll talk about...everything, tomorrow.”

He took her hand, and she let him. She rose from her seat and, with semi-wobbling feet, they ambled their way out the bar, eyes of random women following Shinichi’s handsome face as they passed by them. He didn’t give a damn.

He just held her hand tighter.

“Or now if you want to go to WacDonalds to sober up.”

She smiled.

“Great idea.”

.

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#dcmk #shinran #drabble #fanfic #request #i was just aiming for a fake boyfriend scene but i ended up with 2.4k words and a make out sesh ahhahahuuhu #i hope it wasn't bad #sorry for typo/grammatical errors #wrote this at midnight now my head is exploding lmao time to catch sleep