#last night I had a dream where I was Tommy and was pretending to be a mermaid

[messedupfan]

Chapter 17

Summary: Wanda looks over her plans for her future after standing up to Vision. You discover something shocking about your friend on a night out. And the kids join you for a special haircut as Wanda collects her prize.

A/n: Hello! I didn't plan on posting this so soon but eh what the hell. Hope y'all don't kill me. Enjoy!

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Wanda stands in the middle of the large empty property that she now owns. She walks around the area as she visualizes a house. She sees the walls and the windows. She thinks about where the kitchen would be and the kitchen table for breakfasts and intimate family meals. Then she walks into a dining room where she’ll host holidays and birthdays. She pretends to climb a beautiful staircase as she envisions the separate rooms for her boys. A couple more rooms, maybe one of them is a guest room and the other is an office space. Then she sees a master bedroom. The image of climbing into bed after a long day has her heart racing as she pictures collapsing into your arms. 

Her phone ringing breaks her away from her fantasy world and back to the land with overgrown grass. She pulls her phone out of her pocket and sighs. “Hello Vision,” she says with a roll of her eyes. “What can I help you with?”

“Mom?” Tommy's voice has Wanda softening her tone almost instantly. 

“Tommy, hi, why are you calling me with your dad's phone? Is everything okay?” She asks as she starts to fill with worry. 

“Dad says he has to go out of town for something… for work! I mean um… I mean he has to go out of town for work. Can you come pick us up?” Wanda sighs when she can hear Vision correcting their son. She doesn't understand the man. He is constantly making a big racket about being in Tommy and Billy’s life but this is the third time in the last couple of months that he has had her pick up the boys halfway through the week. 

“I'll be there soon,” Wanda says in a soft tone. She does her best to not let her frustrations with his father affect her tone. Vision is being harsh enough as it is. “I love you, sweetheart. Let your brother know that I love him too, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” Tommy says. “Bye, mom.”

Wanda hangs up the phone. She takes one last glance around the empty land and sighs. One day, she will be able to fulfill her dream. But that is years away. 

“Vision, you can't keep doing this to them,” she says quietly once the boys are in her car. 

“It's my work, Wanda. It's what pays the bills,” he says with a roll of his eyes. 

“Oh I'm very familiar with your work,” Wanda retorts. “Who is she this time? Another TA? No, that pairing has to bore you by now. Besides, you don't need a dating profile in order to date a student.” 

“You've been stalking me?” He asks, he's more intrigued than anything. 

Wanda makes a face, “Gross. No. That would mean I gave a shit about your personal life. I have friends that use dating apps. And you weren't exactly discrete about it on your profile.” 

Vision’s face starts to get red and Wanda knows that she has struck a nerve. Not only did she reveal that she knows he isn't being faithful in his current marriage, she revealed how she found out. She is almost certain that the mention of her friends being involved has painted a mental picture of her having a laugh about him with them. She’d put good money on Vision picturing you as the friend, causing him to grow even more upset. 

“Vis, I don't care what you do in your free time. I care that it affects my kids,” she states firmly. “Either end the affair or give me full custody. Because I will not allow you to keep hurting them with this deadbeat father act you have going on.” She starts to walk towards her car expecting him to slam the door shut but instead, he follows her. 

“Oh you'd love to have me out of the picture, wouldn't you? So that you can live happily ever after with, Y/n! That's it, isn't it?” He shouts behind her. Wanda stops and spins as she lets out a malicious laugh.

“What is with your obsession with Y/n? They have been nothing but kind to our boys when you fail them time and time again. They are always there for the twins when you've abandoned our boys. Y/n has covered for your ass over and over,” she takes steps towards Vision as she defends her friend to him. “They do nothing but try to make you look better to those boys. You should be thanking them instead of threatening them! You have no idea the kind of person they are. And it's not their fault that you are such a sorry excuse for a father. Gosh, your own family finds it difficult to be related to you.” 

Vision shakes his head, “You are a vindictive cunt.” 

“Call me all of the names you want. You can't hurt me anymore,” Wanda glares at her former husband defiantly. She scoffs. “You're a pitiful man. I hope karma gets you one day.” She walks away and doesn't turn back once as he continues to shout profanities at her. She does, however, raise her middle finger at him. 

“Mom, are you okay?” Billy asks from the backseat once Wanda has joined her boys in the car. She turns back and reaches out to hold his hand. She smiles at him and squeezes his hand. 

“Mommy is more than okay,” she says confidently. She doesn't recognize herself at this moment and it's a fantastic feeling. “Are you boys ready to go? You didn't leave behind any important homework or school books right?” 

“Right,” the boys say at the same time. 

“Okay, let's go home then,” she smiles at each of her kids before starting her car and driving away from Vision’s house. When she pulls into the driveway of her current home she can feel the ghost of the person she used to be. The woman that once believed living a life on eggshells was normal. That she was always meant to be careful around her husband. That her children were to be completely obedient and quiet. That woman and that life haunt every corner of the house. They start to hide when the boys laugh loudly at something that happens in the movie they’re watching. But when you stop by to return the tupperware, the ghosts seem to disappear instantly. As if they were never there.

“You know, Y/n,” Wanda starts as she closes the door behind you. “We are friends, you don't need an excuse to see me.”

“Okay, you caught me but we never really got a chance to ourselves last week and I thought since,” you are cut off when the boys come running towards you and wrap their arms around you as they crash into your body. “Oh! Hi guys! What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be with your dad this week?” You keep your tone light, you would hate to ever make them feel unwanted. You hug them back just as tight. 

“Dad had a work thing,” Billy answers with a smile. “What are you doing here? Rachel isn't here.” 

You look at Wanda, not sure how to answer. “That’s right, Rachel is not here. But Y/n had my container and I asked them to bring it back,” Wanda answers for you. “Come on boys, I'm sure Y/n has to get back home and you two need to get ready for bed.” 

“Can you stay and read us a bedtime story?” Tommy asks with wide eyes filled with excitement as he steps back.

“Yeah? Can you?” Billy asks as he jumps back, just as excited. 

You hesitate and that causes the two kids to start begging. “Please? You and mom tell the stories really well together!” You look at Wanda as you reminisce about the couple of times the two of you read bedtime stories for the three kids when you and Rachel were staying here. 

“I thought you said bedtime stories were for babies?” Wanda says as she messes with her son's hair. 

“They are but not when you and Y/n tell them,” Tommy defends. Wanda gives you a look that says ‘I tried,’ and it makes you laugh. 

“Okay boys, go finish getting ready for bed and I'll join your mom for story time,” you agree and the kids cheer as they run up the stairs. 

“Thank you for that. You know, you don't have to stay,” Wanda says as she tests the waters and puts her hand on your bicep. You shrug as your arm warms up from her touch. 

“They think we're good together,” you say with slight innuendo. “Besides, it won't be long before they despise my presence. I'm sure their dad will poison them against me as soon as puberty hits. I have to enjoy their praises while I still can.” You smile at her as you maintain eye contact and stand a little closer to her. 

Wanda bites her lower lip as her eyes travel to your lips. It's been a week and a half since the two of you kissed. You had been by every day since but neither of you have had a moment alone long enough to discuss anything. She had so much that she wanted to tell you that she couldn't. Not when the kids are so close. She would hate it if the kids got excited about something that may or may not happen. “I wish their father thought about the fact that we only have a few precious years left with them before they become moody teenagers. But,” Wanda shrugs. “I guess that's my fault for falling for a selfish man before my frontal lobe developed.” Wanda’s eyes meet yours again as she flashes you a sad smile. 

You reach out and hold her shoulder. You open your mouth to say something but you're interrupted by a loud screech of, “We're ready!” from Tommy and Billy. You laugh. 

“I guess that's our cue,” you say as you drop your hand from her shoulder. 

“You go first, I have to put this away,” she holds up the tupperware and you nod then you climb the stairs and warn the boys that you are on your way. Wanda takes a deep breath as her body craves your touch. It was an innocent touch but it made her mind wander to not so innocent thoughts and she needed a second. She serves herself a cold glass of water and chugs half of it. 

“Mom! Mom! Mom!” She hears you chanting with the boys and hearing you call her that almost makes her spit out her water from laughter. 

“Okay! I'm coming!” She shouts as she gets to the bottom of the staircase. The chants don't stop until she walks through the door. You and the boys clap and cheer as she comes in. Wanda stops for a moment and poses. You start whistling as the boys cheer louder. “Alright, settle down. Settle down. What story are we reading tonight?” 

The boys fall asleep halfway through the story. You were so engrossed in the storytelling that Wanda had to stop you in order for you to notice that they had fallen asleep. You shut the book and the two of you carefully snuck out of the room. You waited for her in the hallway as she shut off the lights and closed the door. 

When the door was shut she turned to face you. The two of you stand there, both wanting to embrace each other. Maybe even share another sober kiss that would intoxicate each of you. Wanda wants to thank you for helping her find her strength. You want to thank her for always being there for you and your daughter. You want to tell her the deep feelings you've developed for her over the months. You want to hold her in your arms and never let go. 

“Can I show you something before you go?” Wanda whispers. 

“Uh, yeah, sure,” you answer, feeling a little awkward. You clear your throat and gesture for her to lead the way. Wanda takes your hand and laces her finger through yours as she guides you to her office. You were a little surprised that she led you here but you were more surprised with yourself that part of you anticipated her taking you to any other room. Especially with her kids here. 

Wanda lets go of you and walks around her desk to shuffle through her files in the drawer. When she finds what she's looking for she looks up at you with a grin. “Close the door and come closer. It's a secret,” she says with a playfulness to her voice. You smile and shut the door to her office before joining her side. “So I have a plot of land,” she starts as she opens the folder. “And I want to build my dream house on it. These are some of the ideas that I have so far.” She shows you printed-out mood boards and detailed sketches along with images and measurements of the land. 

“Wow, I think this is great,” you say as you flip through the pages. You look at her with a curious glance. “What inspired this?” 

Wanda shrugs, “I'm tired of living under someone else's guidelines of what my house is supposed to have or not have. I'm a very overqualified architect, I know what I can and cannot do.” Her confidence makes you smile. “Besides, this is Vision-free land. He's never owned it. He's never lived on it. He's never traumatized me or the kids here. It's a land that is free to have an unlimited amount of good memories and none of them have to be tarnished by him.” Her grin widens and her shoulders relax at the thought. 

“That's wonderful,” you tell her softly. “So, why are you sharing this with me?” 

A blush appears on Wanda's cheeks and your heart picks up speed in anticipation for her answer. “I um, I could use your expertise in building it. Not anytime soon. I still have to get the money to fund the project but, there isn't anyone I'd rather have build it for me than you,” she smiles up at you. 

You lick your lips as you consider kissing her. But you think better of it. Billy or Tommy could walk in at any moment and catch the two of you. It's enough to make you stand up straighter instead of hovering close to her. “I'd be honored to build your dream house for you, Wanda.” 

Wanda rises from her chair and pulls you in for a warm embrace. “Thank you,” she says against your chest. 

“Of course,” you respond quietly as you wrap your arms around her. You close your eyes as you embrace the moment. “I should get going. It's pretty late,” you state without letting her go. Wanda hums in agreement as she also makes no motion to break away. 

Eventually, the two of you do break away and she offers to walk you to your car. You feel giddy as you remember the night of the kiss. Wanda’s mind is thinking about the same thing as she walks with you arm in arm. 

“I don't know if this is weird to mention but we did make a bet on it so I feel as though I kind of have to tell you about this,” you ramble nervously as the two of you get close to the car. “Uh, you win the bet. That volunteer texted me the other day.” Wanda's smile drops and her demeanor shifts a little. 

“Oh? And what did she have to say?” Wanda asks as she starts to feel her positive energy waiver. 

“Nothing worth mentioning,” you say in an attempt to let her know that you're not interested in Nebula as you reach your truck. “Anyway, I'm thinking about getting my haircut on Sunday after I pick up Rachel. Should I give you a call?” You lean against the door as you watch Wanda. She gives you a tight smile and you know that whatever you thought might happen isn't going to. 

“Yeah, I um, I think I have a few ideas ready. Just let me know where to be on Sunday,” she doesn't look at you as she speaks and you want to slap yourself for even mentioning another woman. 

“Okay, I'll make the appointment and text you the details,” you fiddle with your keys awkwardly. “I'll see you on Sunday,” you say as you climb into your truck. Disappointed in yourself. This was not at all how this was supposed to go. It was starting to feel like there are forces out there trying to keep the two of you apart. 

On Friday night, you stare at the message from Nebula as you consider responding while you sit at a booth with Darcy. It's becoming a common occurrence, hanging out with Darcy, Steve, and Bucky. Your coworker is typically the one inviting everyone out. You're surprised that he doesn't invite his girlfriend. In fact, you don't think you've seen Natasha since Wanda's New Years Eve party. And Steve hasn’t talked about Peggy in some time either. But you don't think about it too much. 

“I know that face,” Darcy says as she steals a couple of fries from your plate. 

“I don't know what you're talking about,” you put your phone in your pocket. 

“You have many faces, Y/n. That face is one of regret and frustration,” Darcy continues to steal your fries. You shake your head and look around the bar to avoid looking at your friend. “Come on, lay it on me. Is Wanda seeing someone finally? Did your former child-bride reach out to you?” 

“Daisy wasn't that much younger than me,” you defend as you take a sip from the beer bottle. “Besides, you never got to meet her. You don't get to judge.”

Darcy leans in closer with wide eyes, “She dumped you when your kid was in the hospital! What more do I need to know about her?” You shake your head. Then your eyes widen as they land on Steve and Bucky kissing. Your eyebrows knit together from the shock. “What?” Darcy spins around to search for what you could be seeing. Then she sees them. “Oh, yeah. That,” she turns back to you with a shrug. “I've known about that. Now back to you.” Darcy snaps her fingers in your face and waves until you look back to her. “Hello? What's going on with you?”

“What do you mean you knew about them?” You ask instead. “They both have girlfriends! They're cheaters! I didn't know I was friends with cheaters!”

Darcy sighs and rolls her eyes. “Calm down. The way I understand it, Steve and Peggy broke up sometime after that party at Wanda’s place. And Bucky and Natasha have an understanding. I don't know if it's an open relationship situation or a throuple or what. I don't ask them questions because I don't care. What I do care about is you. So, what's wrong?” 

You shake your head before running your fingers through your hair and sigh. “I fucked up,” you go on to explain the bet you made with Wanda about Nebula. “Then we kissed and before I could get a chance to talk to her about the kiss, I mentioned that she won the bet and she completely pulled away. I haven't been able to get a hold of her since. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just, she likes to win. I thought she'd like to know that she won and she gets to choose my next haircut.” You shrug then shake your head and then rub your face. 

Darcy reaches across the table and holds your wrist as a way to provide some sort of comfort. The two of you sit in silence for a moment. Darcy hasn't gotten to know Wanda enough to be able to explain her behavior. But she's known you for some time now and she knows that sometimes all you need is support. No encouraging words. No solutions to your problems. Just someone's presence. 

Steve and Bucky rejoin the two of you. Steve sits next to you and Bucky sits across the table next to Darcy. “What’d we miss?” Steve asks as he throws his arm around your shoulders. You shrug in response. 

“I'm an idiot,” you mutter. 

“Oh come on, I asked what I missed. Not what I already know,” he teases and with her free hand, Darcy throws some fries at him. “Ow, hey!” She snaps her fingers and points to you and you start to feel a little ridiculous. “Oh, I'm sorry Y/n,” he says once he is paying attention. You shake your head and stand up muttering something about leaving. “Hey, no, come on. It was a bad joke. Stay, Y/n,” he tries to call you back to the table. 

“You're so full of yourself, Steve!” Darcy says before she catches up with you. “Hey, lets-” 

“No, it’s fine. I'm fine. It wasn’t about Steve. He's always like that. I’m just…” you shake your head. “I need to go home.” You tell her calmly. “I won't do anything stupid, I promise.”

Darcy sighs then nods, “Yeah, okay. I'll see you soon. Oh! That reminds me, I will be moving to Germany to join a research team for a year. I leave in three months.” 

“Oh my goodness! Way to bury the lead!” You pull her into a quick hug. “Congratulations! That sounds like an amazing opportunity!” You pull away and admire her for a second. “You are possibly the coolest person I know.” 

Darcy closes her eyes, tilts her head, and smiles. “I know I am,” she says happily. She opens her eyes and pats your arm. “Get out of here. And tell Wanda I said hi.” 

You make a face, “Why would I tell Wanda-” 

“Oh please, you think I actually believe that you're going to your apartment? She is your home. And I better be receiving an invitation to the wedding by the time I come home from Germany.” 

You shake your head as you give her a final hug goodbye. You get in your car and consider driving to Wanda’s house. Her boys are with her so you try to not think about it. But as you're driving, you suddenly realize that you're close to her neighborhood. You sigh as you think about what Darcy said. Wanda is your home. You take the turn into her neighborhood and start to think about what you're going to tell her when you see her. 

As you pull up, you notice the time and frown as you see that the house is dark. You put the car in park and stare at her house. It was pretty late. You shouldn't have expected that she would be awake just because it was a Friday night. You don't even let Rachel stay up past eleven at night. But you know that sometimes Wanda likes to enjoy a glass of wine and catch up on her favorite reality show before going to bed. 

So you take your chances and call her. The phone rings a couple of times before you finally hear her voice. “Hey you,” she is speaking softly. You wonder if her boys are near her. Awake or asleep, there's a reason she is so quiet. 

“Hey, did I wake you?” You ask as you start to regret being here. 

“No, no,” Wanda says, her voice still low. “I’m catching up on my show. But um Billy had a nightmare. He’s sleeping next to me and I'm trying to not wake him.” Your eyes travel up to her window as you see the faint glow of the television through the blinds. “Are you okay? Do you need something?” 

You don’t respond right away. You just think about her. “No, I'm okay. I just,” you sigh. “I never responded to that volunteer. I want you to know that. I’m sorry if I-” 

“Y/n I don’t think now is a good time,” she interrupts. 

“I’m parked in the driveway. If you don't want Billy to hear,” you tell her quickly. You watch the shadows of the curtains move and the blinds open after a couple of minutes. Her silhouette stands in the middle of the window. “I think we have a lot to talk about.” 

Wanda is quiet as she stands still. You hope that she accepts your invitation. “Go home, Y/n. It's late and,” she trails off as she closes the blinds. “We don't have anything to talk about.” Your heart breaks at her words. 

“Wanda please,” you beg, “let's talk about this. Maybe not tonight but soon.” 

“Y/n, I,” her words seem to fail her as she goes quiet. You sit in your truck patiently waiting for her to continue. To say something. Anything. After a while you wonder if she hung up so you lift the phone off of your face and are slightly relieved to see that the call is still going. Then you watch the call end. Your eyes travel to the front door as it opens. 

Wanda walks out and you step out of the truck to meet her halfway but she holds her hands up to stop you. You stay close to the truck. “Wanda, can you explain to me what I did wrong? Because I don't feel like I-” 

Wanda waves her hand to cut you off, “Stop, you didn't do anything wrong. It's me. I'm… I wanted our friendship… I want us to…” she closes her eyes and shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I practiced this speech to myself since Wednesday but,” she sighs as she runs her fingers through her hair. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. “When we kissed, I did want us to explore the possibility of more between us. Hell, I deleted all of the dating apps I was on and blocked every person I hooked up with that night. I thought I was ready. But I'm not. And it's not because of you. You are great. You're great to me, you're great to my kids, to my entire family actually.” She opens her eyes and you can see the tears building up. ���I'm in a better place than I was when we first met but I’m not ready for anything more than your friendship. At least not right now.” 

You cast your eyes down to the ground for a moment to allow your heart to break. You bite your lips to keep from letting the emotions show on your face. Then, when you feel ready, you swallow your feelings and you nod. “Okay, yeah,” you look at her as you try to hide your sadness. “I can do that. I can be your friend. It’s okay, I understand that you still have a lot of healing or whatever to work through. It's okay, Wanda. I lo-” 

“Don't,” Wanda cuts you off and you nod with your mouth shut. “I know that you care about me. A lot. I care about you too. A lot. But I… I don't expect you to wait for me to be ready. No. Let me rephrase,” she steps closer and holds your hands. “Don't wait for me. Don’t put your life on hold for me.” 

You want to argue and fight for her but if this is what she wants then there isn't much else that you can do. You look her in the eye and ask, “Are you sure this is what you want?” Wanda nods. “Okay. I won't um I won't wait and I won't bring this up again. Not until you do. I understand.” 

“Thank you,” she says softly. 

“Will I still see you on Sunday?” You ask as you think about the bet again. “You still have a prize to collect,” you remind her playfully. 

“Yeah, I'll be there,” she flashes you a small smile that drops as fast as it appears. You drop her hand and shove your hand into your pockets. 

“Darcy wanted me to tell you that she said hi. I was hanging out with her before this,” you tell her. 

“That's nice, how is she doing?” Wanda crosses her arms over her chest to keep her body warm as a cool breeze comes by. 

“She's good, she'll be gone for a year. She got a big opportunity in Germany. But she's got three more months of being stuck here,” you inform her conversationally. Trying to move past the emotionally heightened moment. 

“Wow, that sounds fascinating. I'll have to reach out to her. I liked meeting her,” Wanda says. 

“I'm sure she'd love that,” you nod then you look at your watch. “I'll let you go back inside. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-”

“No, I'm glad you did. I'll see you on Sunday,” Wanda kisses your cheek before she walks away. “Goodnight, drive safe,” she shouts over her shoulder as she continues walking to her front door. You climb back into your car and drive to your apartment. 

You allow yourself to cry and feel the heartbreak. You don't drink alcohol to forget it or make it easier. You don't smoke from the pack of cigarettes that you purchased on the way home. You just lie on your bed and clutch a pillow to your chest. 

On Sunday you pick up Rachel from her mom's house and tell her that you lost a bet to Wanda and that she is going to pick out your new haircut. Rachel giggles with excitement. 

“A mullet? Really?” You look at Wanda like she is crazy. “Are you trying to sabotage my dating life?” 

Wanda laughs with a shrug, “It's not my fault your hair is long enough for it. Besides, I hear it's a very popular style for the They/Thems of the world.” You shake your head as she plays with your hair. The hairdresser laughs at the request as well before promising that the style is coming back. You tell him to just get it over with. 

In the end, you don't completely hate it but you still don't feel like it's your style. However, Wanda's boys love it. “Mom, I want my hair like Y/n's! Mom, can we get our haircut too?” 

“Oh, I'm sure that the schedule is busy and we didn't make an appointment for you two,” Wanda tried to tell them.

“Oh we have a couple hours free, I don't mind giving them a cut. The kids want to match their parent,” Clint says. 

“Oh I'm not,” you stutter. 

“We’re just friends,” Wanda corrects. 

Clint nods as he eyes the two of you with a knowing smirk. “So am I cutting the kids' hair or not?” he asks a little loud, drawing the attention of the boys. The twins begin to beg over and over until Wanda caves. They cheer as they each hop into a chair. Clint disappears into the back to collect his wife to cut Billy's hair while he works on Tommy. 

You sit next to your daughter and Wanda sits on the other side of her. “What about you? Do you want to get a haircut?” Wanda asks. 

Rachel shakes her head with a scrunched-up face. “No, I'm okay.” 

“Her hair doesn't grow back fast. It took a while for it to get this long,” you explain. “That's her mom's genetics,” you say lightly as you mess with Rachel's hair. She swats her hand away and goes back to playing games on your phone. 

When the boys are done with their haircuts the group of you decide to grab some ice cream together and enjoy the treats at a nearby park. 

Wanda is messing with your hair as you watch the kids play on the playground. “Why are you suddenly so obsessed with my hair?” You ask with a laugh.

“I don't know, I've never seen a mullet in person. It looks so… touchable. I don't know. I can't explain it,” Wanda replies as she continues to move her fingers through your hair. “Business in the front,” she touches the front of your hair and then moves her hand down to the back, “party in the back!”

You shake your head slightly, “You're insufferable, you know that right?”

“I know,” she says. As much as you are giving off the impression that you don't want her to touch your hair, you're happy that she is. 

“I'm starting to rethink this whole friendship thing,” you grouch with a playfulness to your tone. 

“Whatever, Uncle Jesse,” she pulls her hand out of your hair and holds her phone up. “Say cheese!” You roll your eyes as she takes candid pictures of you. Then she calls her boys over to pose with you. The three of you show off your new haircuts. 

After going to a fast food restaurant for dinner, you and Wanda decide it's best to split from each other so that the kids can get ready for school on Monday. Everyone hugs each other goodbye. 

“Baba?” Rachel asks for your attention as you're driving home. You hum to let her know that she has your attention. “When you do fall in love again. I hope it's with someone like Wanda.”  You don't say anything as you keep your eyes on the road.

Chapter 18

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#wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff imagine #wanda maximoff au #wanda fanfic #wanda marvel #wanda x reader #wanda x you #wanda x y/n #wanda maximoff fanfiction #wanda maximoff x y/n #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x you #wanda maximoff x gender neutral reader #wonderstruck series #wonderstruck #messedupfan

[simp4pedropascal75]

“I love you” (Joel Miller x Reader)

words: 2.6k

trigger warnings: A LOT OF ANGST, death, sui!cide attempt, it has a “happy ending?”m fluff, reader in his 20s and Joel in his late 40s

summary: you go on a misson with joel, tommy and maria, but things doesn’t go as planned.

s/n: hey guys, i have been inactive for a while now because of school:/, but i hope you like this ff, tell me if it's too dramatic or too much and if i made any spelling mistakes or anything, i'm happy about feedback:)

Enjoy<3

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Joel and you knew each other a long time now. You’re happily married, and you never thought this all will happen, but here you are, laying naked in Joels arms. He’s still asleep, and you just watch him.

He’s so beautiful…, you think.

You don’t get the chance to watch him sleep often. Your eyes wander from his fluffy and messy hair to his bushy eyebrows. Then to his beautiful eyes, which peacefully rest. You look at his nose.

God, his nose.

You bite your lip while remembering last night: you sitting on his face while his nose is buried into your pussy and his tongue-

Okay, stop it.

You chuckle quietly while your eyes travel to his soft lips.

His lips…

You remember feeling these lips for the first time on yours.

-----------------------------------------------------

You and Joel first met when he came to Jackson with Ellie. Since you’ve been good friends with Tommy, you quickly got to meet him and oh my god, he was cold as fuck.

You two didn’t got along for the first time and he was mean, to be honest. But since you needed to go on missions and patrols together, you had to deal with each other.

That you and Ellie got along well didn’t made it easier for you.

But after some weeks, you caught yourself staring at him, wanting to know where he is, how he is and feeling a big desire of having him near you.

God, how you hated this feeling. The feeling of being in love with someone, who doesn’t love you back.

That’s what you thought, without knowing Joel already loved you way before you started to get feelings. He was just good at pretending. Ellie definitely noticed it and she teased him.  Oh, and how she did.

But Joel and you got closer. And one time when you two were on a mission, where you two almost died. And in this moment you two realized that life is too short for not confessing the love for each other.

And that’s when he pulled you into his arms and kissed you with all his feelings, he had for you. It was raining, and it just was like in a movie.

After that you began to date, you remember how people judged you because of the age difference, but you didn’t give a shit. And thankfully the people didn’t care after a while too.

After 2 years he proposed to you and two months later you married.

Now it’s already been four months since your wedding and you actually try getting pregnant. You always dreamed of being a mother, but you knew Joels story and expected that he doesn’t want a second child, and to addition, you had Ellie. But one day on your honeymoon, he said that he would try it, for you. And since then, you tried, but with no success. But you don’t give up, and I mean, you can’t complain. Having sex with Joel Miller is…

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“You’re staring at me?”, you hear a raspy voice. It’s Joel and he rips you out of your thoughts. “Well, I had to use my chance, you know”, you smile.

“Pervert…”, Joel mumbles joking while he pulls you into a kiss. You directly feel what his intention is. “No!”, you break the kiss. “We have a busy day today.”, you say seriously while getting up. Joel sighs and you just feel his eyes directly staring through you. “Now you’re staring, old man!”, you laugh and get dressed. “I can’t help myself…”, he mumbles and stands up. You feel his hands on your waist.

Fuck, he’s still naked.

“Joel…”, you warn him while he places kisses on your neck. You almost fall for his touch, almost…

“We promised Tommy and Maria to help them out on their mission, so… nice try.”, you free yourself out of his grip and go into the bathroom. “Get ready now!”, you shout out of the bathroom, and you just hear his annoyed sigh.

Joel’s POV

I’m leaned against the doorframe, waiting for her to come down and ready to go. And then she comes down, with a big smile on her face and she just seems so god damn happy out of sudden. “So happy to see me?”, I chuckle confused while raising my eyebrows. She laughs.

How much I love her laugh…

“Well, no, not particularly about that.”, she answers, grabbing her backpack and walking towards me. “Ouch”, I chuckle, and she places a kiss on my cheek. “I will tell you when we come back.”

Y/N’s POV

Before you go, you take a look into Ellie’s room, where she’s sleeping peacefully. You smile and slowly approach her. “We’ll go now”, you whisper softly while caressing her hand. “Hmh...”, she mumbles sleepy. “Don’t make too much trouble while we’re away, love you…”. Ellie doesn’t reply, she’s asleep again.

We walk hand in hand to the gate, where we meet Tommy and Maria. “Hey there”, Tommy says to me with a smile and hugs me.

“Did you sleep well?”, he teases, knowing you didn’t sleep at all and looks at Joel with a smirk.

“Shut up, Tommy”, Joel says while rolling his eyes and then they greet each other. Maria comes towards you.

“You seem very happy today”, Maria notices and hugs you.

“Well, I am…”, I give her a soft smile.

“Everyone’s ready?”, Tommy asks, and we walk to our horses.

“Always”, you reply, and you feel Joel’s mouth at your ear: “You know, we could stay home and…”

“Joel, no.”, you laugh and wrap your arms around his neck.

“When we get back home, we can do whatever we want…”, you whisper and start kissing him. You don’t realize how long you actually stay there and make out with him until Tommy clears his throat.

“You’re done?”, he asks, and you chuckle.

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You’re already two days on your way to the hospital to get new medical recourses.

“Okay, how about a race?”, you suggest randomly. “No.”, Joel replies seriously.

“Well-“, Maria wants to answer but you’re already gallop away with your horse.

“Dammit- Y/N!”, you hear Joel shouting and you laugh. You always loved riding, especially with your horse. You feel the wind blowing through your hair and when you see the big, abandoned hospital in front of you, you stop. Joel comes straight after you, followed by Maria and Tommy.

“What were you think-“, you hear Joel upset, but you interrupt him.

“Well, here we are.”, you say out of breath and turn to the others. You feel Joel watching you, but you can’t look at him right now, too distracting.

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We go through the entrance of the hospital. “Let’s split up”, Tommy suggests. “Or we’re here for an eternity”.

We all agree, and Joel and you get going. You’re walking through a hallway, going into different rooms to search for medical stuff.

“Mad?”, you ask while opening some drawers.

“Kind of”, Joel answers with his rough voice and making sure everything’s safe.

“Gonna’ make it up to you, don’t worry”, you smirk, and you just hear a chuckle from him.

You two search in every stage of the hospital on the left side and thankfully found some stuff. You didn’t meet any clickers on your way, which was kind of confusing and suspicious, but the better for you. You two are on your way back to meet up with Tommy and Maria again.

“How about Ethan?”, Joel suddenly says.

“What?”, you ask confused, looking at him.

“Ethan, a name for the baby when you get pregnant sometime.”, Joel explains, and a slight smile appears on his face.

You heart melts. “Ethan is beautiful”, you answer while placing your hands on his shoulders.

“I love you…”, you whisper and looking directly into his beautiful hazel eyes.

“I love you too, princess”, he caresses your cheek, wanting to kiss you, but suddenly the wall above you begins to shake. “Watch out!”, he says while grabbing your hand and running with you some meters away. The wall breaks down and makes a big hole in the floor.

A hole to the lowest stage of the hospital.

You hear steps, very fast steps and they get louder.

“Runners.”, Joel quickly realizes, grabs your hand, and starts running. A whole wave of runners and also clickers come out of the hole, where the basement of the hospital was and chase you.

You quickly run to the entrance again, where Tommy and Maria are already waiting.

“Watch out!”, you yell and grab your gun while turning around and start shooting.

Everyone starts shooting, but it seems there are just coming more. It doesn’t take long that you all realize that your ammunition gets low.

“They’re too many!”, Maria shouts.

A clicker runs directly towards you, you wanted to shoot but you don’t have any ammo anymore. He jumps onto you. “Fuck off!”, you yell, grab your knife, and directly stab into the clickers head.

“Y/N! You’re okay?”, Joel asks you worried and helps you standing up. “I’m fine.”, you answer.

You’re not.

“Let’s get out of here!”, Tommy shouts and you all run out, to your horses and ride away.

-

After you’re out of danger, everyone gets off and takes a deep breath.

“Is everyone okay?”, Tommy asks, and everybody looks after each other. You get off the horse, pressing your hand on your arm.

“Guys…”, you mumble quietly. Joel turns around, so do Tommy and Maria. You look them directly into their eyes.

“Oh no…”, Maria realizes and gulps. Tommy doesn’t get a word out of his mouth.

“What?”, Joel is confused and not understanding anything. He doesn’t see it. He doesn’t want to.

You show remove your hand from your arm.

You got bitten.

“What… no…”, Joel stutters and walks towards you. “No!”, he yells and takes your arm to stare at your wound. You start to feel dizzy and sit down, leaning against the tree. Joel kneels to you, taking a bandage and pressing it on your arm.

“Y-You’re going to be fine, don’t worry, darling.”, he stammers. You look at him and a tear runs down your cheek.

“Joel…”, you whisper, but he doesn’t want to hear it. “I’m going to bandage you and then we’re going to Jackson, where you get helped…”. He’s denying it. He can’t see it. He can’t accept it.

“Joel…”, you whisper again. “No, don’t worry, everything’s going to be fi-“.

“Joel!”, you shout, and he got quiet. Now he sees it. You see tears in his eyes. Tommy and Maria do too.

It’s quiet. It’s quiet for a long time.

You’re arm begins to shake. You take your gun and realize it only has one bullet left. You look up to Joel, your eyes meet. He directly knows what you mean.

“No, you’re not going to do that”, he says seriously and rips the gun out of your hand. “Come on, you’re strong, we’re gonna make it to Jackson!”, he tries to deny it again. He wants to lift you up.

“Joel, we cant help her”, Tommy mutters.

“Please Joel, I don’t want to turn in one of these monsters…”, you cry, and you feel you slowly how you lose control over your mind. “Please…”, you lay your hand on his cheek.

“I can’t live without you… Please, I can’t do this…”, he begs while tears are running down his cheek.

“You need to take care of Ellie… People need you…”, you whisper.

“But I need you-… No, I can’t!-“, you grab his hand in which he holds your gun.

“Please Joel.”, you whisper and wipe his tears away. “I love you so much, joel…”, you smile in tears.

Joel pulls you into a hug. A long one. You feel the warmth of his body for the last time, and so does he. He places a kiss on your forehead.

“I love you…”, he stands up and raises the gun at you. His hand begins to shake.

“It’s okay…”, you smile softly while a tear runs down your wet cheek.

He stares at you. He sees your smile for the last time. He takes a deep breath and…

He pulls the trigger.

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Joels POV

I walk into our house while I feel how my lungs begin to tighten. I can’t get Ellies cry out of my head when she saw me carrying Y/N’s body. I try to breath but everywhere I look, it reminds me of her. I try to walk up the stairs and go to the bathroom, thinking I’m going to throw up. I fall on my knees in front of the toilet. My vision starts to get blurry, but then I suddenly see something on the edge of the bathtub and I remember the morning before we went on the misson.

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I’m leaned against the doorframe, waiting for her to come down and ready to go. And then she comes down, with a big smile on her face and she just seems so god damn happy out of sudden. “So happy to see me?”, I chuckle confused while raising my eyebrows. She laughs.

How much I love her laugh…

“Well, no, not particularly about that.”, she answers, grabbing after  backpack and walking towards me. “Ouch”, I chuckle, and she places a kiss on my cheek. “I will tell you when we come back.”

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I grab after it, but I don’t recognize what is it, but when my visions starts to get clearer again, my heart stops.

It’s a positive pregnancy test.

-

One months later

I’m sitting on the edge of the mountain, watching the moon. It was our favorite place.

But the moon doesn’t seem very round, I’m drunk. I drink my whole beer and place it to the side, then I take my gun, looking at it.

I think of her, every fucking second. I see her smile, I hear her laughs, I feel her touch and I feel her presence. But everything is just in my head. She’s gone. If I stayed with her in Jackson, everything wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t have lost my love… and my baby.

I place the gun towards me, and my hand begins to shake, again.  

I pull the trigger, but suddenly everything freezes. Like the time has stopped.

“Don’t”, you say and take a sit next to me. I look to my side and you’re there.

“Joel, you’re needed here. You still have a purpose to fulfill here. Think of Ellie. She couldn’t handle losing two of the people she loves.”, I hear your voice saying to me and feel your hand on mine. “We’ll see each other again, but not now. I love you.”

I flinch. The bullet directly passes my ear. I flinched, again. Just like I did when I lost Sarah..

Some years later

“Joel, get up…”, I hear Ellie. “Joel fucking get up!”. I can’t reply.

“Please stop… Please don’t do this!”, she shouts.

“Joel please get up!”, that’s the last thing I hear and then everything goes black.

-

I slowly wake up, feeling grass under me. I slowly get up, confused, but feeling no pain. I look around, I’m in a field and in a distance, I see a house with a sheep ranch. “Hey there, old man.”, you say, and I turn around. You run into my arms, and finally, I feel you again. “I missed you…”, I mumble while taking your face into my hands. “I missed you too…”, you reply and then our lips meet.

“Come…”, you smile at me and take my hand, walking through the field towards the ranch. In the distance I see Sarah, she’s waving me. “Come on dad!”, she shouts from the distance, and I smile.

I stop walking, taking a deep breath and then looking at you.

“I love you.”

#joel miller #joel miller fanfic #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fluff #angst #ff #the last of us #the last of us x reader #ellie the last of us #joel miller x reader #pedro pascal #pedro pascal x reader #the last of us fic #joel miller smut #the last of us joel miller #fyp

[nomsfaultau]

Had a dream last night bedrock bros were on the secret life smp. Techno’s task was to spread something ‘like a virus’. So he gets out this yellow concrete block and is like “….hey Tommy. Want some cheese?” Tommy immediately sprints over and then crouches. Looks at the cheese. Slowly looks up to Techno. Back to cheese. Techno. Cheese. Techno. At this point Techno joins in, the pair switching between each other and the yellow concrete, getting faster and faster until Tommy pauses the able sister’s theme and gets dead serious. “Cheese? cheese cheese Cheese CHEESE!” He starts chanting and after a beat Techno joins in, hyping each other up. Tommy demands the yellow concrete and then starts up a bit where he’s 'a little mouse boy' and Techno is his 'cheese dealer.' He pretends to become a cheese addict, following Techno around everywhere, begging for more yellow concrete, going through ‘with drawl’. The pair are just goofing around. Until Grian shows up and stares then down “……….I heard you have. the Cheese.” “Uhhhhh that’s a lie officer. I’ve never had cheese a day of my life. I’m lactose intolerant.” But Techno does end up giving it to Grian bc it’s still his task. Grian pretends to eat it and asks for another. Techno refuses. Grian pulls out an iron sword and demands it. Since there isn’t heart regen bedrock bros book it, leaving Grian in the dust. They race through corridors together, until rounding a corner to find Grian somehow in front of them. He’s changed to a disheveled looking skin and is twitching. Cue Tommy’s little startled ‘BAH!’ noise. “Bruuuuh how!? This guy’s craazy.” The pair turn tail and sprint away, Grian chasing after them screaming about cheese. Tommy and Techno are laughing the whole time, and maybe it’d be safer to separate to lose Grian but they never do. Techno’s hand ruffles fondly through Tommy’s hair. He doesn’t even look back. “Not even close, loser!”

#missing them hours #always #technoblade #tommyinnit #bedrock bros #grian #secret life #bedrock bros fic #i guess??? #mcyt #tw drug mention #i can just see it so clearly. Down to their comedic timings. #something to nom on

[evita-shelby]

The Red Room

For @zablife based on the prompt and theme of their 2k follower celebration

Tommy has eloped with a young bride the family has deemed untrustworthy from reputable sources. The couple has just returned from their honeymoon in Paris and now the new Mrs. Shelby would like to meet those closest to him. The couple spares no expense for their lovely housewarming party, but it's ill-fated from the beginning as those Tommy holds near and dear try to run her off with tales of horror. Every room holds a surprise and each guest a secret, but what could they be?

Cw:mentions of ghsots, vampires, dubious consent, mentions of sex, murder, horror

Despite being married for several weeks, Thomas has not married you in the true sense of the word.

In Paris he said he wanted to wait until the two of you were home and now, he said that he would like to wait until after you have met his family.

You have met his children. Charles and Gabriel are charming and close despite a five-year difference and being as different as the night and day, baby Florence is quiet and adores her father over everyone else, but Diane with her left blue eye and right brown eye refuses to accept you as her new stepmother.

“You will never replace my mother; the little girl had said as she proceeded to continue playing with what you are very sure is a Ouija board.

It was still recent; the late Mrs. Shelby had only been dead for six months when you met Tommy and out of the blue the two of you eloped to Paris. You had been working in an art gallery when the two of you struck up a conversation over a painting of some dead relative of his that ended with fine wine and dinner at his hotel and before you knew it you were arriving in Birmingham as Mrs. Shelby.

His sister sounded appalled when he told her about you over the telephone, his brothers looked concerned when they saw you and his aunt only said ‘Ah, I see’ when you met her while he was at work.

Now you were to host a party in this house that leaves you with a chill and the uncanny feeling of someone watching over your shoulder. You are allowed everywhere except the old master bedroom across yours.

You had caught glimpses of it, of Tommy and the children and the maids who sometimes go in there. Tommy goes there to think, the children to pretend their mother is just in there and not in the immaculate mausoleum he built for the two of them and the maids to keep in in the state it is.

At night you cannot sleep. Or rather you do and have this continuous dream of his late wife just watching you as she lies between you and your husband. She wears red like blood and feels cold to the touch as she cups your face and kisses you like you wish your husband would kiss you.

You are perfect, Mrs. Shelby, the dead woman whispers as you lie spellbound under her icy fingertips.

Feels shameful to think you have had more action with your husband’s ghost than with your husband. Same husband who kissed the ghost’s neck and even made love to her while the ghost made love to you with her cold hands last night.

You had prayed this morning, sought a way to cleanse yourself from such madness at the chapel only to find Polly Gray in it.

God doesn’t live where the Devil rules, sweetheart, she had said before sending you on your way.

“Have you finished, Tom?” you ask as he fiddles with the buttons on his cuffs.

“Just need my cufflinks, love. I think they were still in my other dresser.” He said and you wondered if you could take this chance to see the red room forbidden to you.

“I can go if you like.” You suggested and he shook his head in response.

“No, you don’t have to. Ask Brigdette for them, she was cleaning up the bedroom after Diane had her tea party there earlier.” He shoots down your offer and you wonder why the hell he won’t let you in there.

But you ask Brigdette to bring you Mr. Shelby’s cufflinks from the red room and when she returns to it you see the bite peaking from the high collar of her dress.

She was the late Mrs. Shelby’s ladies’ maid, a pretty young thing who adored her mistress and was in charge with caring for her room as if she were still alive. Poor thing even leaves out the lady’s clothes on the bed.

“What happened to your neck?” you ask, and she looks pale, as if she’d seen a ghost. You had seen bites like that hidden underneath her long sleeves and on both sides of her neck. You had seen it on Sandra, the maid your husband sacked for fucking a man in his office, yesterday.

“My boyfriend likes to get carried away, ma’am.” The maid says and you at once know she’s lying.

That is the last time you see Bridgette, but your husband assures you she’s only taken the rest of the day off to visit home. How would anyone leave in this weather, it was only the first of December and yet the snow was coming on heavily outside.

The fact that this god-awful weather would serve as the backdrop for your first gathering as Mrs. Shelby and your first time with your husband seemed like rotten luck.

You put it out of your mind and wear white, white like a bride. Tommy had chosen the dress for you, said it made you look as pure and clean as fresh snow, but when you tried to pair it with the golden crucifix your mother gave you, he told you such things were not allowed in his house.

Crosses, bibles, holy water, garlic and sharp wooden objects weren’t allowed here. You had joked and asked if Count Dracula was in residence only for him to joke back and say, ‘no, only his bride does’ and gesture to the magnificent painting your father had painted of his late wife.

“If I were you, I would run, dear.” Polly Gray whispers as the party begins.

“Why would I run?” you ask, wondering why everyone here wants you to leave.

Every guest shares her feelings about you. You knew they didn’t like you and that they viewed you as a cheap replacement for the woman before you, but you had married Tommy and if they didn’t like you then boo fucking hoo.

“Eva never liked sharing, even now she won’t let him touch another woman.” She answered drinking wine you found looked as red as the blood in your veins.

“How did you know?” There was no way anyone would know he had not touched you like that. There have been kisses and some touches, but he refused to make you his.

You sometimes wondered if he wanted a woman to raise his children and warm his bed than a wife.

“I’m a witch, sweetheart, I know this and so much more.” Polly Gray said with a dark laugh. “At midnight, go into the Red Room and you’ll find out why he won’t fuck you.”

And you go. You lie and make up some excuse to go and see what the so-called witch said was the answer to your problems.

But Tommy beats you there, sits in the red divan by the fire as if he was here with someone. You smelled her perfume and felt her presence so strongly that it was as if Eva Shelby was still alive.

“Why are you here?” he asks, drinking whiskey and not looking at you as if you were an intruder and not his wife.

“Polly said I would know the truth here if I came into the Red Room at midnight.” You answer feeling yourself shrink from the intensity of his gaze.

“You lie, and badly, love. Polly’s been dead for a long time. I told you that in Paris.” He scoffed and you wondered what the fuck he was on. Polly was as real as the two of you, you had touched her and found warm flesh. She lived in Stratford with her daughter, Anna, and visited John regularly.

“I just spoke to her, your aunt in the pink dress.” You shook your head hoping he was just pulling your leg. “And your cousin, Anna, was playing with Diane earlier.”

“Anna’s been dead since she was sixteen, died in Australia. Have you been drinking my whiskey?” he said as if he were being perfectly serious and you were mad.

“I am not mad, Tommy. Do not make me think I am losing my shit, when we were just there with them downstairs!” you feel yourself lose your patience with him. Next thing he’d ask what party it was as if you hadn’t been preparing for it since you returned from your honeymoon.

“I told you she was perfect.” A woman says coming from behind you.

You had heard your voice in those dreams, where she wears luxurious nightgowns and tonight wears a magnificent black robe over her very naked form.

It was impossible. The woman was dead, you had seen the tomb, the papers and the altar to her in her sitting room downstairs.

“Talks to ghosts, who would’ve thought?” Tommy speaks to her as if you have stopped existing and you know you must run.

Where, you do not know.

And you do, you run as fast as your feet can carry you, but it’s not enough. Eva Shelby is too fast and takes flight after you as you run past the driveway in the direction of the church.

It is snowing terribly, and you fear you will die buried in it by the time you reach it. Your dress was not suited for such weather, and you prayed to God he’d save you from the demoness chasing you in the form of a bat.

But you get there. The doors are closed, and you cry as you hit them with your fists for someone to open them and let you in.

You can feel her behind you as you try to pull and push the door handles with all your strength and you begin to pray hoping it will stop her.

As if by magic, the doors are opened wide, and you run to the altar knowing vampires cannot step on holy ground.

Only you are wrong. The dead woman walks like a queen as the church comes alive with all the ghosts who inhabit it.

Her victims.

“God doesn’t live where the Devil rules, sweetheart.” It’s not the vampiress who says it. It is your husband who appears in the chancel with you and holds you tightly, so you won’t run again.

“Really, Tommy. You could have locked the doors of the house, instead you have your poor wife work for her birthday meal.” Eva flirts and touches your cheek just as she’s done these past nights.

“Where’s the fun in that, Evie?” he quips as he takes a good whiff of you as he nuzzled your neck. “She’s ripe for the taking, haven’t had a meal like this since our anniversary, sweetheart.”

“Virgins with a touch of magic are so hard to come by these days, Tom. Either they are frauds, or they are sluts. Oh, but this lovely lady, is just so perfect. I don’t even know how you managed to bring her back here without a taste.” Eva licked your neck for effect. “A shame defiling her would ruin the taste, she made such lovely sounds last night and the taste of her on my fingers was just sublime.”

They act as if you are food, and yet with the way they touch you and under the gaze of her intense dark eyes, you find yourself resigned to your fate.

“Happy 127th birthday, love.” Tommy kissed his wife before the two of them sank their teeth on both sides of your neck.

#tommy shelby x oc #eva smith shelby #thomas shelby x oc #thomas shelby x reader #tommy shelby x reader #vampire au #zablife 2k celebration #dark!tommy shelby #tommy shelby x reader x eva shelby

[beemarvelous222]

THE LAST OF US - Ellie

I gently poke the firewood with stick to make sure the fire can hold on for a while. It’s not too cold, but cold enough that a fire is needed. Lately I’ve been feeling like things might actually be okay, we’re traveling to find Tommy, Joel hasn’t been too bad and Ellie has been… comforting.

I hear gently footsteps behind me and look back. Ellie is walking up to me and then gently sits besides me, close enough for me to feel the warmth radiating from her body. “Joel’s asleep.” She says as she takes the stick from my hands and bumps her shoulder with mine. “You should go get some sleep too. I’ll keep watch.”

I gently look over at her, pulling my knees up to my chest and shrug. “I’m not really sleepy.” I say as I take in the gentle details of her face. He brown deep eyes sparkle with the flames in front of us, the light and gently light makes her skin look smooth and warm. “You should sleep.” I smile softly and she rolls her eyes.

“Dude, I’m not sleeping.” She giggles which makes me smile wider and nod. Honestly I don’t mind that, her company is sweet and caring and honestly all I need right now. Since the day they found me, I’ve been in awe with Ellie. Her funny witty comments, her stupid puns and her sweet laugh. As much as Joel and I try to deny, Ellie has been growing on us quite a bit. She notices my silent as I look at her. “What the fuck are you looking at?” She giggled again and pushes me gently.

“Just looking at you.” I smile and stop her hand from pushing my again. “You’re just so beautiful.” I mumble and she stops a little as she looks back at me. I really hope I didn’t read her wrong, it’s a risk, but then again we have no time to waste these days.

“Dude…” She sighs and rests her hand on her chest and pretends to faint falling back. I chuckle and roll my eyes and lay back too. Our hands by our sides almost touching. “You are so cringy.” She laughs and I shrug.

“Just because the world is ending doesn’t mean I’ll stop being romantic.” I mumble and swallow hard, a small knot has formed on my throat. The fear of being rejected is big.

“Romance is dead anyway.” She mumbles and closed her eyes. I gently glance at her.

“Why do you say that?” I ask and she shrugs, not giving me an answer. I take the hint and look up again and close my eyes. The cricking of the fire comforts my ears, Ellie’s breathing soothes me and I just imagine a different world where we could be and do what we wanted, no infected, no fear, no FEDRA.

“Have you ever had a girlfriend?” She asks quite abruptly. I shake my head and open my eyes to look at the stars beaming down on us. In the city this is an impossible task, here seems to have a life of its own.

“No.” I answer quietly, when I feel her pinky touch mine. I look over at her as she watches the night sky. I respond to her touch and gently wrap my pinky around hers.

We stay silent for a while. Just living in each other’s company.

I gently sit up, letting go of her pinky gently and look at her. She sits up as well, dusting her knees and looks at me with a little reluctance in her eyes. I shake my head and gently move closer to her. I reach for her cheek and stroke it gently. “Can I?” I ask softly.

She nods very slowly and I take that as I lean in and place a small peck on her lips. As soon as our lips touch, I feel a spark of energy flowing through my body. I realize she feels it too when her hand falls on my knee. Nothing I have dreamed of could ever feeling like what I’m feeling now. The softness of the kiss starts being replaced by some passion. Kissing her is all I ever wanna do. Forever.

I gently pull back, breathing a little heavy and rest my forehead on hers. I smile and chuckle and when I open my eyes I see her grinning at me. “What?” I ask and pull back a little.

She laughs. “Oh dude… you’re so into me.”

I smile and blush bright red and shake my head. “You’re delusional El.” I mumble and she moves forwards and kisses my passionately again, moving her body closer, resting her hand on my hip as I smile against her lips, kissing her back just the same. “Maybe I am really into you.” We both chuckle and pull back. I can’t resist and gently wrap my arms around her neck, hugging her tight and close my eyes.

“I’ve got you.” She mumbled as she hugs me back, wrapping her arms around my torso and just letting me hold her for a little bit.

#the last of us #ellie williams #ellie x reader #joel and ellie #joel miller #bella ramsey #pedro pascal

[demxters]

—𝐚 ’𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥’ 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛: 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 

robert ‘bob’ floyd x f!reader (specifically dad!bob x f!reader)

wc: 827

warning(s): fem!reader, kids, one mention of bad home life 

part of the ‘fall’ series

a/n: been thinking about these two lately and missed writing for them so here’s a self indulgent little thing i wrote after some not so great family functions these past few days. 

Then: Age 10

Your cheeks, still sticky with dried tears, glistened in the glow of the fireplace. Your parents had yet another argument that left you in tears. Mr. Floyd was kind enough to pick you up from your house after overhearing your phone call with Bob. Once you got there, he had told you to stay put and you were beginning to grow impatient. 

If it weren’t for Amanda being put down for her nap, you would’ve already stormed upstairs to ask what was taking him so long. 

The pattering of Bob’s footsteps put on high alert as he waddled down the stairs. You could only see the top of his head over the stack of blankets and your brows quirk curiously. 

Bob drops the stack messily at your feet with a toothy grin on his face. “Help me get the chairs in the dining room.” 

“What? Why?” He had already walked off before the questions fell from your lips. “Bobby?” You whisper into the dimly lit dining room as you follow him. 

“We’re making a blanket fort,” he lets out excitedly. 

That pulls a smile to your face. You’ve never built a fort before but you have seen pictures in your Highlights magazine. You help Bob bring the chairs to the living room as quietly as possible, giggling every now and then when they would make a sound against the hardwood. 

“Now what?” You ask with your hands on your hips. 

Bob puts the chairs in formation as he directs you where to drape the blankets. When the fort is finally put together, you throw yourselves under the canopy. Soft giggles fill the night air as you and Bob lay on your backs in the fort, smiling ear to ear as you pretend to be pirates out at sea. 

“Does it even snow out in the ocean?” You turn to Bob with a frown. 

He rolls his eyes. “Just pretend, Brandy. It’s Christmas.” 

“Alright, alright. Sorry,” you apologize half heartedly. Though the smile on your face lingers at your best friend’s antics. 

Eventually, the night of make believe wears you down and you find yourself drifting in and out of sleep. 

“Brandy?” Bob’s groggy voice rings out. 

You hum from where you lay on your side. 

“Can we do this every year?” 

“We can do this forever,” you wistfully sigh. 

The two of you drift into a restful sleep then, filled with dreams of forever blanket forts and pirate ships. 

Now: 

“Okay, now get that corner and drape it over the other side of the chair. There we go. And secure it with your clip.” Bob instructs Tommy while you and Delilah fluff the pillows in the fort. 

You collapse with an overly dramatic sigh and your daughter follows your lead. 

Bob peaks his head from around the corner with an amused quirk of his lips. 

“What are the two of you sighing about in there?” 

You scrunch your nose with a grin as Delilah gives you a mischievous smile. 

“Daddy we’re so tired!” She drawls with a hand over her forehead. 

“Yeah, honey, you put us hard at work down here!” You mimic Delilah’s motions and she hides her giggles behind her hand. 

“You’re tired? Daddy and I did all the work!” Tommy pouts, coming around the other side of his father. “Right dad?” 

“That’s right, buddy.” Bob proudly grins at his son. 

The two disappear to give the fort one last look over while Delilah moves to snuggle in your lap. “Mommy, tell me the story of how you met daddy.” 

“Again?” You look down at your little girl with a small smile. She loved that story just as much as you did. Delilah absolutely idolized her father and loved hearing about what he was like before her and Tommy were born. “Oh, alright…” 

“Wait for us!” Tommy exclaims, running into the fort to sit beside Delilah. 

Bob follows suit, throwing himself across your laps. The two kids giggle at their father’s antics, while you playfully roll your eyes. Your hands immediately go to his hair that has grown out since his last deployment. He purrs into your touch making the kids laugh again. 

“Daddy and I met when we were little kids. Not as little as you guys. We were maybe just a bit older.” 

Two hours pass of you and Bob sharing stories from your childhood that make your children laugh until their stomachs hurt. Eventually, the two pass out from the excitement of the night and you and Bob tuck them into their makeshift beds. 

You stand at the entrance of the fort, watching as Bob places one last kiss on Delilah’s forehead. He looks at you with a soft smile on his face before coming over and wrapping an arm around your waist and pressing his lips against the crown of your head. 

“I told you we’d be doing this forever,” you whisper into the crook of his neck. 

series taglist: @gretagerwigsmuse @marantha @mountainrooster @gcidrvsh @smoothdogsgirl @pr3ttyboysmakemecry @steve--harrington--gal @t-nd-rfoot @marrianena @joaquinwhorres @cdauni @harrycherrylove @blue-aconite​@maddiethebanished

#robert bob floyd #bob floyd x reader #robert floyd x reader #bob floyd x f!reader #robert floyd x f!reader #bob floyd x you #bob floyd x y/n #robert floyd x you #robert floyd x y/n #bob x brandy 🍂 #—through the seasons

[proudfreakmetarusonniku]

just remembered the dream I had last night it was super cool. basically c!dream genuinely felt awful after c!tommy towered in exile like he was mad at him for leaving until he saw that but he took the wrong idea from it instead of not abusing people and leaving them alone if they want nothing to do with you he decides the problem is that he just was being too mean about it and too lenient.

so he ended up kidnapping c!tommy and continuing to mentally and physically abuse him like in exile while keeping him literally locked in a tiny cell and monitoring him 24/7 and being even more controlling but also being incredibly polite and constantly praising and complimenting c!tommy whenever he did anything “good” and apologising profusely after “having” to hurt him (and placing the blame on c!tommy for making him do it, though in a “it’s not your fault the outside world made it so i need to fix you” way), being very calm and trying to seem as rational as he could while explaining why c!tommy shouldn’t have autonomy and how he’d thank c!dream later, constantly lovebombing him with gifts, occasionally giving him minor autonomy (like, deciding what food he was going to have or a hobby to do sort of minor), generally not requiring much of him other than the codependent toxic bond, and having explicitly laid out and clear (but still unfair and blatantly dehumanising) rules that he stuck to very consistently, technically allowing c!tommy some respite… if he was basically an obedient little doll who never slipped up and did anything c!dream arbitrarily banned him from doing.

and when c!tommy predictably ends up desperately clinging onto c!dream's seeming “niceness” bc he’s severely traumatised and was literally conditioned into it c!dream fully believes he's helping c!tommy and he’s not being hurtful anymore while being completely oblivious as to how he’s completely destroying his self esteem, or that he’s only going along with his bizarre logic and reasons that only make sense to him because he’s too tired to fight against them, or how he tends to switch from erratic mood swings and lashing out to quiet obedient automaton mode to bring seemingly the perfect friend and desperately trying to appease c!dream by acting nothing like himself to literally hiding and crying due to utter unrestrained terror as his brain desperately tries to find a response that works with the danger and can’t. as far as he’s concerned as long as he’s able to hang out with c!tommy and he doesn’t hurt himself physically then he’s fine because he thinks that the game of happy families they play where c!dream pretends they have a normal life and c!tommy is willingly hanging out and playing games and stuff with him is genuine like he’s lied to himself so much he believes it, even though c!tommy is miserable.

#Dream smp #primeboys (derogatory) #abuse tw #kidnapping tw #manipulation tw

[nightcoremoon]

people who legitimately think that marvel movies are the bottom of the cultural barrel have zero media literacy or knowledge and I can’t take anything that they say seriously

I’m not gonna sit here and pretend that they’re the greatest movies ever made of all time but I will say they’re mostly fun so I don’t give a shit if scorsese nolan hitchcock kubrick etc are “better”. like nickelback. they’re not nearly the levels of talent and composition as dream theater, rush, king crimson, opeth, polyphia, deftones, loathe, sleep token, lady gaga, etc but they’re perfectly competent and listenable. you cannot sit there and tell me that the shitty myspacecore groups like brokencyde, blood on the dance floor, the medic droid, shitty drunk mom bands like hinder, saving abel, and buckcherry, shitty white girl pop like taylor swift, meg trainer, and katy perry, and shitty frat boy rap rock groups like crazy town, saliva, and kid rock, are in any way better than nickelback. you cannot tell me that you would rather listen to analcunt than nickelback even if you love analcunt because people who like grindcore know that it sounds like shit and that’s why they like it. and I’m gonna make a statement that’s so controversial in that the mcu movies are some of the best movies on the market these days because of one teeny tiny little detail.

every single american horror movie made in the last 20 years is so much worse than the most unpleasant and boring mcu film.

*except for jordan peele, who is the exception, not the rule.

paul ws anderson has not made a good movie since mortal kombat and the first resident evil AND EVEN THEN those are really cheesy, poorly edited, weirdly paced, and heavily flawed. michael bay’s writing sucks and relies solely on the spectacle of explosions. uwe boll. tommy fucking wiseau. every single shyamalan movie since unbreakable has been absolutely atrocious (aside from joaquin phoenix being the only one saving signs and the village from being NEARLY as fucking terrible as lady in the water, the happening, the last airbender, and so on, but they’re still stilted and awkward). nic cage is in a billion movies these days but we’re all just gonna forget about the late 90s and 2000s where he was in just as many movies and all of them are really really stupid? how about every superhero movie made prior to the mcu. did we forget that xmen 3 was so bad they literally fucking sent wolverine back in time to make it so that it never even happened? AND THEN HAD SANSA STARK MAKE A SILLY LITTLE JOKE ABOUT IT IN THE REBOOT TRILOGY??? but weirdly enough xmen 3 is still better then origins wolverine. oh and also green lantern, daredevil, catwoman, punisher warzone, all the batman movies where the suit has nipples, like you can’t tell me that the only good superhero movies are the worst ones because I HAVE SEEN WORSE BEFORE, sorry you were born after 2005 and you never bothered to engage media that wasn’t spoonfed to you by the algorithm.

but you know what I’d still rather watch The Room because sometimes things are bad in a way that’s still entertaining to see its incompetence, rather than Hulk. which is. fine I guess but I have no strong desire to ever watch that one again. but I still enjoyed watching it when I did. like yeah it’s not the best but it sure as fuck isn’t the worst and I’ll tell you why.

because the actual worst movies ever made of all time? dude. blumhouse’s cesspool. the conjuring is shit. annabelle is shit. sinister is shit. insidious is shit. paranormal activity is shit. the purge is shit. truth or dare is shit. unfriended is shit. oculus is shit. and night swim, that’s gonna be SOOO cringe. you’re fucking delusional at best, fucking ignorant at worst, if you think that this deluge of propaganda is better. you say that the story beats in every marvel movie are exactly the same even though they’re the same story beats that every single movie and novel has had for the past 150 years (well more like 1500 years), where you have the prologue and the inciting incident then act 2 then the midpoint then there’s a despair event horizon then a climax and a denounement at the end capping it off like a cherry on top of the sundae on an assembly line. they all copy the hero’s journey from greek storytelling. they’re all in the same boat so that’s literally the dumbest criticism you can make. you’re sitting there eating instant ramen while talking smack about hot pockets for not being made of healthy ingredients.

it’s hypocritical, and it’s telling that 90% of the people who do nothing but make a hundred posts every day about how bad marvel movies are, don’t actually do anything besides watch marvel movies just to find things to complain about. like, all you’re doing is the exact same thing that marvel fans do but you’re cultivating your own misery whereas the fans enjoy it and milk it for serotonin. it’s like when self identified anti-sjws didn’t realize that they were also SJWs, they were just on the other side of the battle lines. luckily they’re all so braindead and prone to follower mentality that they just say the word woke is bad because everyone else says that word is bad even though they have no solid definition for what the fuck woke even means anymore besides being a buzzword to help us intelligent people distinguish a bigoted asshole. point is you don’t know how to create your own opinions so you just copy whoever is spreading the most vitriol and hate.

it’s just honestly so sad to see but at the same time I envy the illusion. if I lived in a world where I thought that fried chicken was the worst food ever made expressly because everything else available to me was so much more yummy than fried chicken. imagine the privilege. imagine having champagne and caviar for breakfast, foie gras for lunch, and sushi for dinner with tiramisu for dessert, living in paradise because the worst thing in your life is fried chicken. you’ve never had to eat hot dogs. you’ve never had kale crammed down your throat. your mac and cheese doesn’t come in a box. you’re so goddamn lucky that the worst movies you’ve ever seen are still better than most movies period I’ve seen.

so I hope that when you inevitably are approached with the reality of video brinquiedo you aren’t fucking traumatized. because you’re basically the marie antoinette of cinema.

[ratsoks]

silly goofy c!tommyinnit headcannons

warnings ;; mentions of getting beaten, fear of getting sick, mentions of throwing up, mentions of almost drowning, mentions of henry's "untimely demise" (d3ath)

would always have a pencil behind his ear 

carries around a tattered sketchbook overflowing with things he's collected over the years : pressed flowers from ranboo, drawings of penises on the inside of the cover (courtesy of tubbo), a leaf that fundy had found while out on a walk and thought was cool, pictures from the early l'manburg days, ideas for the l'manburg flag, vent rants, detailed drawings of people he's met and places he's been, sketches from exile (he sacrificed his life for that journal—he wouldn't let dream take his last remaining picture of wilbur), and little globs of blue that stained the pages due to ghostbur hovering over him while he was doodling. 

i feel like he would be afraid of getting sick due to exile—dream would constantly beat him to the point where he was throwing up the little bit of meat he'd been able to scrounge that morning, and his sinuses were constantly clogged due to waking up in the ocean several times a month. he could never get the water out. 

y'know how in all of those foster fic au's where tommy's always got henry and/or shroud as a stuffed animal? i think that after henry's untimely demise, tommy would beg niki to make a small replica of henry. but how could she say no when the tears that trickled down his face glistened in the sunlight reminded her that tommy never allowed anyone to see him cry? 

he may not like to admit it, but when he wakes up in the middle of the night gasping for air and pleading with the wall to never touch him and to not burn his stuff, he runs to ranboo. he pretends he doesn't get along with him, when really, the enderman hybrid gives the best hugs. besides, tommy doesn't think that he could wake tubbo up anyway. 

he thinks back to the good ol days, when wilbur taught him and fundy to make flower crowns out in the middle of an open field. niki would laugh at tubbo's excitement to see the bees, the basket she had made hanging off of her arms, overflowing with flowers. eret would smile and adjust tommy's fumbling hands gently, milky eyes peering up at him from behind their sunglasses as she nimbly twisted and turned the stems. tommy would fall asleep to wilbur's humming and niki's warm hands carding through his hair.

#tommyinnit #tommyinnit headcannons #character tommyinnit #c!tommyinnit #dream smp #dsmp #jamie's posts #ratsoks

[chaotictommy]

1- Do you prefer the sun or the moon and why?

2- If you want to say, what would your ideal partner be like?

3- what is your favorite story or chapter you have written? Doesn't have to be anything you've shared.

Have a lovely week <3 <3

Hi! Thank you so much for these questions! They’re really creative!

1. Hmmm, for the first question I definitely prefer the moon, one reason being that I tend to burn easily and have had some pretty nasty skin burns because of it, I honestly tend to prefer the night anyway since that’s when the stars come out and the moon, also the moon just feels terribly calming and soothing, I don’t sleep well and find myself waking up in the middle of the night with bad dreams, so sometimes I sneak upstairs and out onto the porch with a cup of tea and watch the stars and the moon has since started to feel like an old friend... so the short answer would be that I definitely prefer the moon. Also, I take pictures of stars/the moon, so I have to say the moon

2. Lol you have no clue how much this question made me blush XD honestly though, I just want somebody kind. I used to have this whole picture in my head, this outdated and fantastical idea of the perfect person, when I was very young, but I since have come to realize that was just part of some unattainable dream, because life didn’t exactly go that way for me, and I kinda thought I’d found that person in this guy I really liked, or in my best friend of years who now doesn’t speak to me anymore, both times I ended up heartbroken, one because the guy I really liked went for a more popular girl because she gave him much more interest and I had to move away, he ended up marrying her and is happy, so I’m happy for him, and second, because I never told my friend that I had feelings for her because I was worried she’d hate me. But you know, I’m glad I felt that, heartbreak, because it made me realize what I actually really want, so my ideal partner would be someone who is kind and caring who has empathy and can get over my quirks (of which I have many d: ) someone who understands me and loves me for who I am, I’m not one of those people who put a lot into looks also, I don’t care about someone’s outer appearance, but honestly what’s inside, and I definitely want someone who can help me through the bad times that vice versa. I don’t want someone who plays games with me, because I’ve been down that road with a guy at college who was in my theater class and a gal I met online who was very unkind to me after she pretended to like me and got into my confidence :( honestly I just want someone to love me for who I am and for me to do that for them, basically like a safe harbor or something, someone I can talk to and care for, I hope it happens soon too, because I’d love that :) I’d just love caring for someone who cares about me just as much as I do for them.

3. Oh XD for fanfics it’s definitely gotta be that one scene with Dutch, Jimmy, and Tommy where Tommy carries Jimmy back home just after the scene where Dutch finds out from Jimmy that Tommy is ill and the three of them hang out at the beach around the fire, it’s the one where Dutch bundles his jacket up and places it behind Tommy’s sleeping head like a pillow... it’s just after that scene in the next installment of the fanfic where they’re walking home and Jimmy’s fallen asleep so Tommy scoops him up and there’s this softness to the scene that I really liked, then it’s broken by Jimmy half waking up and complaining slightly that he can walk, and Tommy won’t hear him out on it and keeps walking, and the last part is where Tommy says ‘I don’t care how heavy you are, I’m going to carry you forever...’ I loved writing it as part of my Pale Shelter Series, though I’m not sure I ever got around to publishing it. Also anything to do with my Tommy, Robby, and Johnny fic called ‘Sad Memories Fade’ that’s my favorite fic that I wrote, I thought I did a good job with expressing things and my sadness about there being no mention of Tommy after Take a Right, and I hope others think it was good :)

My favorite piece of one of my novels I was writing was one about a dystopian future where the main character had a low form of autism and was going through the world in a different way, his autism helping him to solve some of the more prevalent issues in the book. It basically started out where he was walking down a hall and seeing each and every different detail that many would miss and it leads him to something he desperately needs. It sounds a bit strange, but I’m not really sure how to explain it. I was hoping to write out how I see the world differently through this character’s standpoint and points of view.

Thanks so much for the wonderful questions and I hope you have a lovely week as well! <3 <3

#ask questions

[bluedragonfairy2000]

Brother in a Bottle

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6 (Here)

Chapter 6: Aphotic Dealings

As the night dragged on Tommy and his new human companions were peacefully sleeping. However, unbeknownst to them something troubling was stirring deeper in the city.

On the west side of Pacific City, a man with a green hoodie was walking along the barely lit streets. He looks around making sure nobody is watching him before he ducks into an alleyway. Using the alleyway as a shortcut he climbs over a wired fence. Then he continues down the alleyway which opened up to some abandoned warehouses. The man walked over to one of the warehouses and unlocked the door. As he walked in he took off his hood revealing his dusty blond hair and green eyes. He looks over to the guards who are happily laughing and talking to each other. The guard takes a moment to look at him before nodding and then returning to their conversation. He nods back to the guards before going deeper into the warehouse.

As he walked through the warehouse the guy looked around. The warehouse was full of boxes filled with either supplies or things that his bosses were planning on selling at auction. There were also security guards all over the place, usually standing between the boxes and either talking to each other or making the rounds to make sure that none of the stock was missing. Finally, he approaches the back of the warehouse and spots a familiar guard standing in front of a locked stairway door. The guy pulls down his hoodie and face mask as he approaches the guard.

"Hey Punz, the boss said that we got a new shipment in, he said he wanted me to check it out. So do you know what we got this time?" the guy asks tilting his head in curiosity.

"Yeah, I just loaded it in this afternoon, the fisherman managed to find us another specimen. This one looks much younger than the first one we got in, seems to be a different species too. I think he will be worth a bit more after all those businessmen like to show off. So I'm sure they will prefer the more exotic option of an orca." Punz said as he casually leaned against the wall.

"True, but I'm sure someone will still pay quite a lot for our salmon. After all, I doubt they will get an opportunity like this ever again." The guy explained.

"Heh, I guess you are right Dream, alright Knock on the door when you want me to let you back out," Punz said as he unlocked the door and opened it. He moved to the side to allow dream access to the stairwell.

"Thanks, I will," Dream says as he gives Puns a nod and heads down the stairs. He heard the sound of the metal door closing behind him and watches the stairwell fall into almost complete darkness. The only light in the stairwell was the gas lamps that were hung up on the walls. Going down three flights of stairs Dream finally came out into the room where the higher-up had them store the valuables that were too important to be left on the ground floor.

As he walks through the large room he takes a moment to look around at all of the treasures that his company has collected over the last few months. The items vary in importance from rare antiques that were probably the most legal thing in here to brooches and necklaces that were intricately designed and most likely stolen from an ancient tomb. He was sure that not everything in the warehouse would be sold in the next action but whatever was sold would get him a pretty nice paycheck.

After a bit of walking Dream finally reached the back of the warehouse basement. Lined up against the back wall were various cages and fishtanks filled with rare and exotic animals. Many of the smaller cages housed many different types of creatures from all over the world such as Lemurs, Badges, and even a hyena. Meanwhile, the fishtanks housed all sorts of exotic aquatic life from seahorses and jellyfish. One tank even contained the deadly blue ring octopus which Dream could only imagine some billionaire will buy to pretend he's some kind of supervillain.

However, the collection's crown jewels, at least in Dream's opinion, are the two large tanks in the middle which still hold his company's rarest find. In the tank on the right is a female mermaid, Her sun-kissed skin is mostly covered up in a patchwork of seaweed and what looks to be shark skin that has been made into leather. the only visible parts of her torso are her arms and face. Her arms and neck are covered in seashell jewelry, with her ear fins pierced with iridescent pearls. Her necklace was large and was made of large pink clam shells along the outside with a row of fighting conch shells closer to her neck, all of the shells were held together by a woven pattern or rope that was likely scavenged from abandoned fishing nets. Her bracelets criss-cross across her arms and were decorated with cowrie shells. Several of the bracelets were broken, probably from struggling to escape when she was first captured. The mermaid glared at him with piercing green eyes. Her vibrant red hair flowing behind her in the water added to her beauty. Her tail much like her hair was a deep red but the fins on her arm and neck were a dull green leading most of the group to speculate that she was a salmon hybrid. From what Dream had heard she was quite difficult to catch and she has been a handful ever since she was contained.

Her neighbor on the other hand was much more subdued than she was. The mermaid in the left container was a male. He also appeared to be a juvenile since he was smaller than the girl and she seemed protective over him, despite the crew having caught them in different locations at different times. He didn’t have any jewelry or clothes when they caught him, but he did have a sachet made of the same combination of seaweed and leather that the other mermaid's tunic was made out of. The fishing team confiscated the satchel when he was first caught but all it contained was junk made out of chunks of coral and various other ocean debris. Despite not looking as flashy as his counterparts Dream could easily see someone paying top dollar for this creature. Seeing as he looked nothing like he had ever seen before. Unlike the girl who looks like the typical mermaid with a human top and scaly tail, this boy had black and white skin all over. He seemed to be some kind of orca hybrid based on the shape of his fins and tails. It was also obvious from how he would occasionally go up for air unlike the mermaid beside him since he lacked any gills. He hopes that the auctioneer mentions that to the boy's new owners less they accidentally drown him and come back demanding a refund. The most fascinating part about this mercreature though were differently colored eyes. His right eye was an enchanting emerald green color. While his other eye was a deep blood red. Dream wondered if this creature had been born liked this or if his red eye was the result of another merperson attacking him for his appearance.

Having taken in their full appearance Dream addresses the two mermaid creatures. "Good afternoon you two, I am glad to see that you are doing well. My name is Dream and I am happy to inform you that your containment here is nearly up. By this time next week, you will be at your new homes with your new owners." He said smiling sweetly at them.

The duo seemed to understand him and became quite upset by the news. The orca mermaid quickly swam as far back as he could go in his tank while cowering away from Dream as if the man could even reach him, let alone hurt him from behind the enforced glass. The salmon mermaid seemed to go from annoyed at his presence to downright furious after hearing the news. Unfortunately for Dream, the tanks were open at the top, which allowed the salmon mermaid to show her displeasure by zipping up to the top of her tank and then swimming down quickly below the water. As she went down she hit the end of her tail hard against the surface of the water causing a large wave to wash over him. Dream was unable to react in time so now he stood there drenched to the bone while a puddle of water formed around his feet. Several of the animals in the nearby cages also were hit by the unexpected wave of water causing them to freak out and attempt to escape from their cages by running around and clawing at the bars. Dream hissed and attempt to rub at his eyes to relieve the burning pain from the saltwater. However, since his hands were also covered in saltwater it just made the pain worst. Dream stumbled around blindly until his hands landed on a soft cloth that he quickly used to dry his face.

Dream looks up and realizes that he was drying his face on an ancient tapestry that had been recovered from an old tomb. He sighs and hopes that the saltwater doesn't end up ruining the old fabric before it can go to auction. He turns back toward the two mermaids. The salmon mermaid is staring at him with a smug smirk proud that she at least managed to inconvenience him. Meanwhile, the orca mermaid is still pushed up against the far end of his tank nervously glancing between Dream and the other mermaid as if he's expecting a fight to break out.

Dream just levels a cold unamused glare at her. standing just outside of the splash area he addresses the salmon mermaid "You think you're real clever, don't you? well I'm not sure what you were trying to prove since drenching me doesn't stop the auction from happening, but I hope it helped relieve some of your attitudes. after all, who know's what your new owners will do to you if you try to attempt that on them? Not like that's my problem, after all, I won't be seeing you again after today. I'll send one of the handlers to come and give you guys your dinner after I leave, have a goodnight." he says with slight disdain.

Dream takes one last look at the mermaids. The girl has gone from looking smug to looking like she wants to tear his throat out. as for her neighbor, he is now covering his face and trembling distressed by Dream's words. Dream just rolls his eyes at the antics of the creatures before heading back towards the stairs. Once he has made his way back to the metal door he bangs his fist on the metal before calling out to Punz to let him out.

Punz opens the door causing a burst of cold air to hit Dream's body causing him to shiver. As Dream stepped back out into the light Punz took one look at his soaked outfit and began laughing hysterically. Dream shot him a glare as he laughed which only caused Punz to laugh harder.

As Punz finally starts to calm down he asks "So I'm guessing you got to meet the Salmon?"

"Unfortunately yes, do you happen to have a towel or something? I'm freezing right now." Dream complained

"Yeah doesn't worry man you aren't her first victim and for some reason, I doubt you'll be her last." Punz jokes before calling out to one of the other guards and telling them to grab Dream a towel and some extra clothes.

Dream pulls off his soaking wet hoodie and sighs "You are probably right at least that's a sign that she's healthy, it wouldn't do us any good if she got sick and we'd have to keep her for another month."

"Very true, better someone else problem than our problem" Punz laughs before turning towards another guard who is holding a towel and holding a new pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt.

"Thanks, Niki," Puns says as he takes the stuff from the younger guard and hands them over to Dream.

As Dream takes the towel he can't help but notice how odd the other guard is. First of she looks at least a few years younger than most of the other guys who work for the company. Secondly, her hair was an odd shade of bubblegum pink which usually wouldn't be strange but their company had a sort of strict dress code police stating that employees could only dye their hair natural colors. Lastly, she wasn't wearing the standard uniform given to the security guards. Instead, she was wearing what appeared to be a black wetsuit with pink highlights on it. Dream decides to wait till she's out of earshot before asking Punz what was up with her.

As Dream started getting dressed the Niki left. Once she was out of eyesight Dream leaned towards Punz and quietly asked. "So what's up with her, I don't remember seeing her before and if anyone else dressed like that I think the higher up would have them axed immediately.

"Oh well, Niki isn't one of ours, the company hired a third party after we got the first mermaid in. Niki has a lot of experience taking care of animals, especially sea creatures, so she is tasked with taking care of all of the animals. She seemed pretty upset when she first arrived here but honestly that's to be expected from someone new. However, the higher-ups managed to convince her to keep quiet about the whole thing so she's been pretty nice to work with since then." Punz explains

"Oh that makes a bit more sense well then you might want to tell her to be careful next time she goes to feed them. The salmon seemed about ready to rip my throat out by the time I was done" Dream says as he finishes getting dressed

Punz laughs "Ok, I'll let her know, anyways was there anything else you came here to do, or do you have some time to hang out?"

"I have some time to hang out, I don't need to report until tomorrow." Dream says leaning up against some boxes.

"Awesome let me go tell Niki what you said and make sure that Connor can cover my shift," Punz says before leaving Dream to go find Niki

It doesn't take Punz long to find Niki, she's in a corner of the warehouse that she usually goes to so that she doesn't have to interact with any of the guards. She seemed busy measuring out all of the ingredients for the food that she specially made to feed the mermaids. Honestly, Punz wasn't sure why she added so much more work for herself when they would be gone soon, and he briefly wonders if she'll try to tell the owners how to make the food. He highly doubts that anyone else will put in as much effort as she is but he guesses that's all the more reason to give her Dream's warning.

"Hey, Niki sorry to bother you since I know you're busy but Dream wanted me to warn you that the mermaids seem especially aggressive today. You might want to be careful giving them their dinner tonight." Punz explains

"Oh ok, thanks for warning me. Is your shift over now?" Niki asks as she grabs the containers for the mermaid's food.

"Nah, just going to switch out with Connor so that Dream and I can hang out. You can go ahead and start feeding the animals I'll let Connor know your down there so he can let you out." Punz says

"Alright good to know, see you later Punz," Niki says.

"See you later Niki!" Punz says as he leaves.

Niki waits and watches Punz go until he's out of sight then with a sigh of relief she makes her way back to the large steel door that leads down the basement. As she arrives she gives Dream a friendly smile and wave which he returns with a smile of his own and a head nod. with that brief exchange, Niki pulls open the heavy door and heads inside the stairwell closing it with a loud slam.

She casually makes her way downstairs and unlike Dream, she avoids looking at all of the various stolen treasures and heads straight to the back where the animals were kept. All of the animals seem to perk up once she arrives. Before setting about her task she moves towards seemingly not caring that she is stepping into a large puddle of water by doing so. In the left tank the newcomer coward back as if expecting Niki to harm him. Niki felt sorry for the guy having been wrenched from the ocean and having his stuff stolen before being trapped in a tiny box must have been fairly stressful for him. She looks at him with sympathetic eyes and a soft smile before turning to the nereid in the right tank.

"Hey Sally, heard you got the guy those jerks sent, soaked when he was down here" Niki praises

Sally chuckled at this before answering "Well I'd say that was his fault for standing in the splash zone"

The other nereid looked shocked at Sally's response but began to relax once he realized that Niki wasn't a threat.

Sally seemed to notice which is when she took the opportunity to say. "Oh by the way let me introduce you two, this unlucky fellow is my new roommate Ranboo. He used to be part of the courier line between the Abyss Zone and the Meso Zone. Ranboo this is Nihachu she watches over the animals and brings us our meals and unlike the others, she is safe to talk around."

"Oh.. ok, um, it's nice to meet you" Ranboo awkwardly gets out as he finally moves away from the back of the tank to get a better look at Niki.

"It's nice to meet you too Ranboo! I'm sorry you were forced to come here against your will." Niki says before being with her task of feeding the various animals.

"It's alright it's not your fault I'm here" Ranboo tries to reassure

"Oh, that reminds me, that guy who came down here earlier said that the auction would be happening soon. How are the escape plans coming along?" Sally asks startling Ranboo a bit with her bluntness.

"Well I have most of the details figured out but there are a couple of minor things I need to work out before we can go ahead with the plan. I should have everything done before the setup day. Which means they won't have time to try and tack you guys down if everything goes according to plan." Niki explains

"Ok good and having Ranboo added to the plan won't alter the plan?" Sally asks.

"It shouldn't change it much," Niki confirms as she finishes giving the animals her food and pulls out a ladder before grabbing the nereid's food and climbing up to the top of the tank.

"Excellent then it sounds like we're all set," Sally says taking one of the containers and passing it to Ranboo before taking the other for herself.

"Are the guys upstairs expecting you back immediately?" Sally asked as she took a couple of bites from her food.

"Not really, the guy who's usually guarding the door decided to take a break and everyone assumes you are in a bad mood so they won't question me for taking longer and being soaked," Niki admits knowing where Sally is going with this.

"Awesome, then why don't you come in for a swim? It would be a good way for both of us to relive some stress" Sally says as she sets down her food at the edge of her tank.

Niki thinks about it for a moment before agreeing. She moves behind some boxes and takes off the wetsuit that she only really wore as a uniform. Underneath the wetsuit, she was wearing a white bathing suit that had a flower design which started red at the center of the flowers and faded to pink towards the petals. Once she had changed she climbs back up before hopping into Sally's tank.

Ranboo watched in awe as the water fizzes around Niki as a dull pink light emanates from her. Once both the bubbles and light have dissipated he can get a better look at her. He is shocked to see that her body from hips down had been replaced with a white nereid tail that was so covered in little red dots that it made her tail look pink and even red in some places. She now also had a large frill-like fin are her back and smaller fins on her arms. Both these fins were covered in the same red dots that were on her tail. However, the most surprising thing to Ranboo was the nereid body parts she missed such as ear fins and gills.

Sally laughed at Ranboo's shocked face as Niki broke the surface to breathe. "Guess I forgot to mention that Nihachu is a half-blood," Sally says casually

"Yeah, you kinda did. To be honest I always thought that half-bloods were a myth. Not to offend you miss Nihachu" Ranboo quickly explains.

Niki giggles before saying "It's no problem Ranboo, half-bloods are pretty rare from what I've seen. I've only met one other half-blood in my entire life

"Oh really? that must be kinda lonely..." Ranboo says trailing off, being a courier he is usually alone for long periods.

"It can be but I have found plenty of human and nereid friends in my time so it's not that bad," Niki says as she enjoys being able to swim around. She hadn't had much time to relax or chat out about her heritage since being forced to stay with this evil company.

The trio spends the next fifteen minutes swimming around and enjoying each other's company before Niki decides to head out before the guards come down and check on her. She dries off her tail enough for it to split back into legs, though the legs are still covered in scales. Then she slides the waterproof wetsuit on to hide her remaining fins and scales despite how uncomfortable she feels having her fins squished against her body. Once she finishes putting the wet suit back on she moves over to where Dream had been earlier and gives Sally the thumbs up. Sally nods understanding and proceeds to splash Niki in the same way that she had splashed Dream. Thanks to the fact that her half-blood nature wasn't obvious from her face and hands she could fabricate the idea that she was down there so long and that she was sopping wet because Sally had been ticked off by Dream.

With her alibi secured Niki said her goodbyes and promised her friends that she would be back in the morning for breakfast. As she left only one thought filled her mind, figuring out a way to get Sally and Ranboo out of this awful place.

#dream smp #dreamwastaken #punz #niki niachu #ranboo #sally the salmon #mermaid sally #mermaid Niki #mermaid ranboo #fanfiction #ao3 #brother in a bottle fic

[thewaywardbruja]

Jason Frank - RIP

-

I saw last night that Jason Frank died.

He was my favorite Power Ranger, I had a stuffed toy of him as the green and white one's and his character arch was just amazing.

He was the hero I needed when I was a kid.

When anyone asked me who my favorite was I always answered "Tommy"

I loved what he brought to the show, and out of the other characters.

He was such a good actor, and it was my dream to one day meet him and thank him.

As absurd as the Power Rangers was it was a cult favorite in our family. My cousin's favorite was the red ranger, my sisters the pink ranger.

I remember how we used to always watch the shows together and pretend we where our favorites. I was always Tommy.

I have so many amazing memories from when my sister and I would go to my grandmas and watch the power rangers in the living room, getting lost in watching our favorite heros.

My heart feels heavy, knowing another face from my past is gone. Knowing that as I get older this will keep happening.

I just hope, wherever he is now, he's happy. 😔

#Tommy #White Power Ranger #Green Power Ranger #mighty morphin alien rangers

[runnersnz]

“My family ran, my brothers ran – so I would run.

When we were kids we would go along to athletics nights and in winter harrier’s club days. The thing I looked forward to most was the raspberry lamingtons that always seemed to be part of the afternoon spread. School cross country came naturally to me. I'd always win & I didn’t really need to try all that hard. As time went on I ran less and focussed more on rugby, surfing and girls. Then as a young adult, working and bringing up a young family. I have two children, a daughter now 22 and son who’s now 15.

At about the age of 27 my older brother forced me to run in his round the mountain composite relay team as he needed someone to fill three legs (about 30km). If my brother asked me to do something I always would, probably because he had drummed into me from a young age the hiding he would give me if I didn’t! So with a handful of training runs I joined the team and we were the first team across the line. This spurred me on to run again. I started training more regularly and entered more races and I was pretty good at a local level, but never as good as I wanted to be, I was never really satisfied. In fact I was never really satisfied with much in life, I struggled with most things, I was never very attentive in my relationships, I was always impatient and never satisfied with what I had, or where I was. I spent too much time pretending to be happy, while on the inside I would dwell on the negative and what I didn’t have.

My son has autism, and when I separated from my wife, I would only get to see him every second weekend. I found this gap hard to accept and my way of coping with missing him was heading out for a long, hilly run up the top road. Running became more important and the focus on a good result became my main drive.

A few years on, a week out from running a marathon, one that I had been training over a year for, I found out my son was going to come to live with me full time. This was great news, but this would be a massive change in both our lives. I decided to run that marathon as though it was my last, I ran a 6 minute PB and was really pleased with my result, accepting of the fact that would be my last marathon for many years to come.

I knew that the transition of my son into my life full time wasn’t going to be easy and a huge change for us both, but I never dreamed it would be so hard. He was very confused and upset. He’d had a sudden and dramatic change that caused a lot of stress and anxiety. This was very hard for both of us and our mental health struggled. I looked for answers and solutions from medical specialists but found very little – most people would say that’s tough but I don’t know how to help you. I accepted that my life had changed and that I would be confined to my home much more than I was used to, but I realised I still needed something for me.

So I bought a treadmill and joined an online running app and I virtually ran around the globe following my new favourite addiction, a trainer called Tommy Rivs Puzey (look him up @tommy_rivs his story is truly inspirational). Tommy is an inspiring person with a lust for life who looks for the positives in everything. His positivity became a focus and an escape for me. After work, making dinner & getting my son to bed I would spend an hour most nights running on my treadmill listening to Tommy, hanging on every word. He reminded me what it was to be human again, what a gift running really was – just the fact that I can get up every morning and run and how grateful I can be for that.

It seems I had finally found positivity in running and life – I still train hard but for some reason the results don’t matter as much anymore. Perhaps it’s a coincidence but during my journey of finding happiness on a running app, positivity and success has begun flowing through my life, my relationship with my son has improved, my relationships with others has improved also.

It’s a year later and I’ve run another marathon, with no expectations and far less a focus on results and I ran a new three minute PB. I’ve since ran a further ultra-marathon and marathon with pretty reasonable success. The difference is now instead of being focussed on the result and wanting to be ‘better’ I focus on the fact that I can run, that I get to do this, how lucky I am that others have helped me to run (whether it’s taking care of my son for a while so I can run or its some other small favour). I hope to share this with my son, my friends and family and be able to for a long time to come.

I now know that whenever I’ve had a bad day or I’m frustrated (maybe something went wrong at work) I go for a run - for the first 10 minutes I might feel like shit - chewing over whatever the problem was – but then bit by bit the problem seems to lift and disappear, I’m reminded of the joy of being fit, healthy able to get outdoors and enjoy nature, I’m able to get outside of the issue and just relax and run and before you know it the problem is not so bad, I can put it into perspective and move forward. This is why I run.”

Jon-Paul @jonpaulheather (Lake Tekapo/New Plymouth) - Portraits of Runners + their stories @RunnersNZ

[aurora--briar]

Picture Perfect {Knight & Day}

Before Princess house rescued Aurora from the dream, Aurora had a dream and a memory of Phil and the Order of the Prince.

When: May 7th. (When the curse originally broke)

How It all started: A Second Too Late {Princess House} At a Moment’s Notice {The Knights}

@knightley--phillip​

Aurora

The promenade needed to be perfect. There was pride to this event, the first one her and Phil were hosting and with one child on her hip and the other dressed to their finest. Aurora couldn’t help the once over to make sure everything was perfect. The golf clubs incase anyone was foolish enough not to bring their own. The cricket field set up.

Refreshments, music playing lightly and the band on schedule for the evenings dance. The one where her brother would be aiming to woo his own bride. 

And if it happened at her event, she knew her parents would be beyond proud with her. How she had excelled at the life they provided her.

Yet it wasn’t perfect. There was one thing wrong and Aurora couldn’t put her finger on it. Not right away. Until it clicked.

The center pieces, the flowers. Honestly Aurora should have never hired someone to do this and instead worked on it herself.

Reaching out her fingers touched the petals, tilting them every so slightly so they were perfect as well.

“DADDY!”

Turning her attention Aurora smiled at her husband bouncing their youngest on her hip. “Is everything set up on your side? We only have one chance to make this right.”

PHILLIP:

Everything was going splendidly!

Well, that was a tiny bit of a lie, but dammit if Phillip wasn’t going to believe that thoroughly to make his wife  happy. 

Now, it wasn’t as if things were not going well. Because they were. Because the band was on schedule and the food was being set out and the decorations were gorgeous. The armor was polished and the weapons readied and the horses groomed. The guests would be arriving soon. And Phillip held his youngest daughter on his hip and sang a little song about the dancing and promenading that all the pretty ladies would do —

And for some reason, he felt immensely guilty as he looked at his wife across the hallway.

“It’s all settled, don’t you fret one bit, darling,” he said, setting down Rosie and leaning to kiss Aurora on the top of the forehead. “Everything is going according to your brilliant plan.”

And he tried to ignore the sinking feeling welling up in his stomach.

Now, it was not as if Phillip did not love Aurora. He did. He really did. She’d been one of his best friends growing up and they had three beautiful children and she was smart and beautiful and kind. And she was everything that Phillip was supposed to love and be happy with. And yet —

No — he was happy. It was fine. Why did he think things were not going splendidly? They were.

“Come, we should start that whole pretending to mingle with one another bit,” he said, with a laugh. “Till the first guests arrive.” 

Aurora

“Pretending to mingle.” Aurora mused with a small laugh, “Are you telling me you need to practice that before the guests arrive.” Aurora teased gently pinching at Phillip before immediately straightening out the wrinkle she had made.

She might like to tease him but she liked to appear perfect to the other women in the Order even more. Long ago were the days she trampled in bushes and gardens looking for the prettiest flower while she got muddy herself. 

Now her dresses were tidy at all times.

“Who do you think will arrive first? Tommy or John hopefully. Someone to keep you in check.”

PHILLIP:

“Oh, probably John if I had to guess,” said Phillip. “He is nothing if not incredibly punctual. In fact, I’m surprised he didn’t show up last night with a list of corrections to be made to my end of things. Ah, well, perhaps this will be his lucky year and he’ll finally find a wife.”

Phillip supposed he was lucky in that regard. He’d been the first of his friends to be married, though he always felt a little guilty about that because as the youngest son, he did not have the same pressure that John or Tom had. Tom had gotten married a few years ago, but John was still on the prowl for a wife. Phillip always joked with them that he got the best girl.

He reached to squeeze Aurora’s hand, right as the butler came in, announcing that Mr. Smith had, indeed arrived, with his sisters in tow.

“Oh, wonderful,” said Phillip. “Let’s direct them outside — come along, Rosie, let’s say hi to Uncle John.” 

Aurora

Aurora tsked slightly, while they all deserved love and happiness, something that Aurora felt beyond lucky for and so happy with. John really needed to get on this. He needed to find his lady and make her his wife.

No one here challenged him enough though.

“Ah right again.” Aurora mused with a small laugh ushering them toward John to greet him, the party would be in full swing soon enough. 

Guiding everyone outside, Aurora couldn’t help but remain vigilant as she looked over everything, looking for that minor detail that would cause her to be the talk of the town for missing it. Letting John and Phillip have their time to gossip about whatever it was men gossiped about.

And while Aurora hadn’t been paying attention her brother managed to sneak up on her, sending her jumping and hitting his chest playfully. 

“Noah Briar! How dare you.” The look on her Mother’s face caused her to immediately smile and pat his chest like she hadn’t just given him a good whack for startling her.

“Welcome, welcome, refreshments are over here. And Noah you should try to mingle and meet someone.” Aurora chastised, even if he was only turning 21, she and everyone knew how important it would be to make a good match.

Guiding him toward Phillip. “Phil, love. You must give tips to Noah, show him how to ask a woman to dance and how to choose a good woman to ask.”

PHILLIP: 

Ah yes. Dancing with girls. Telling them pretty things. Phillip was very good at that. Phillip was so good at that, that he needed a girl who did not put up with that to tell it to him and that’s the one he married. He’d needed a girl who could see right through his pretty words and tell it to him straight. 

And here was her little brother, smiling nervously at him, in need of his help.

Right, yeah. Phillip could help his brother-in-law. 

He smiled warmly at Noah and guided him across the room, pausing every so often to say hello to a girl there with her family. There were, of course, plenty of pretty girls here — all very eligible and looking for good Order husbands. And there were plenty of good Order men too. Hot commodities, they all were.

Richard Kingsbury, for instance — a widower at just 29 and finally back in the courtship game. He was tall and broad-shoulder, with a mane of golden hair and striking amber eyes. He wasn’t a dick, too, which was hard to come by with Order men (Phillip would know, having four assholes for older brothers). His poor, pregnant wife had died in a car accident and after mourning for a year, he was on the market once more, because his wife had failed to give him a proper heir.

Richard must’ve felt him staring, because he raised a hand in greeting and started to walk over. Not necessarily what Phillip wanted when he was trying to introduce Noah to a girl, but also, well, he should be a proper host, yeah?

“It is wonderful to be back here,” said Richard, grasping Phillip’s hand in greeting. “It’s been so long since we’ve had a chance to catch up.” Richard had a way about him, where you always felt like the most important person in the world when he talked to you. He looked you directly in the eye and flashed a sincere smile.

Phillip didn’t know why, but he felt almost jittery.

He let out a quiet sigh of relief when Richard took Noah’s hand and greeted him.

“Phillip, you must tell Aurora she’s outdone herself.”

“Ah, well you can tell her yourself,” said Phillip, spotting his wife across the room. 

Aurora

Aurora knew that her and Phil were a good team, they were the picture perfect Order Couple. Good families, friends since childhood. It had been there since the beginning. It also meant she was intune enough with her husband and him getting stopped by Richard when he should be helping Noah.

Well perhaps it was her time to rescue him a little bit.

Even if her brother look relieved to take a break from looking for a wife. It was intimidating she was sure.

So she cozied up to her husband, setting her hand on his back as she smiled up to Richard. “Were my ears burning?” She teased between the two, raising an eyebrow at Noah when he just offered a shrug to her.

“I don’t wish to meddle in men’s affairs unless they of course are already talking about me.”

PHILLIP:

Phillip frowned a little. He always hated that old-fashioned Order attitude, even though he knew that Aurora was just playing her part. Just like he was. He immediately turned that little frown into a smile.

“Oh, they were just complimenting you, my love,” he said. “And how you’ve organized this whole thing. It’s quite splendid. Almost as splendid as our wedding was.”

And at that, he did smile, because he had enjoyed their wedding day. It had been a whole grand affair, and Aurora had looked beautiful, and everyone cheered to their good health and to their good families combining. It was magnificent, and back then, it had felt like a dream — a dream that Phillip still believed could come true.

Not that he wasn’t happy now. He was. He was. He really was.

He found himself looking at Richard’s jawline for a tad too long, and then snapped his eyes to his wife, delicately taking her hand in his. 

Aurora

Aurora didn’t let her own frown take over as she watched Phil’s lips tilt just a little. She had tried to spice it up but a girl needed to know how to play these games. Especially around Order Men that she didn’t know how sassy she could be to.

Sassy though would get her in less trouble than outright rolling her eyes at the thought of social standings.

So she pinched his side a little. They both had a role to play. A role that Aurora sometimes wished she didn’t have to play. Like she knew there was a role better suited for her.

“Do you two have to be so gushy. Don’t tell me this is what I’ll be like after marrying.” Noah mused with a laugh cutting into whatever Aurora was going to flirt back to Phil. Then he remembered where he was and grinned sheepishly.

“Not that its a bad thing. I would be lucky to find a wife that made me smile like that. The way Aurora and Phil love each other.” Noah rambled along trying to save himself and well Aurora didn’t feel like saving him after he cut her off and he knew it as he looked over to her.

“It was a compliment Ro. I promise.”

PHILLIP

Something felt wrong. Phillip didn’t know what it is, but he felt it. It was like he was playing the piano, only he’d hit a wrong note with his pinky and then his whole hand started to play wrong notes and he couldn’t stop it and one hand was playing the correct bit, but the other clashed in a terrible cacophony. 

Everyone was smiling. The chatter was pleasant, lively — not a smattering of noises.

And yet, Phillip couldn’t shake the feeling. 

He shook his head a little. He must not have gotten a lot of sleep last night. That was it. That was it and not Richard Kingsbury knitting his brow together in concern. Phillip didn’t want that. Phillip wanted to look at Aurora and think of their wedding day —

Their wedding day.

Why couldn’t he remember? 

“Are you alright, Knightley?” asked Richard. 

Phil shook his head.

“I realized I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast!” he said. “I should probably grab one of those lovely canapes — any of you care to join me?”

Aurora

Aurora tsked at her husband- though that felt like a role that she shouldn’t be playing either. Maybe it was the food this morning, they were both feeling off and with the heat and planning something that everyone would love.

Because of course everything was perfect and the way it needed to be. So why was she being tugged another direction? One that would take her to the middle of the forest. 

“You must go get a snack. I’ll stay with Noah for now and we can meet up later.” The crowd was already getting too much for Aurora. Even as proud as she was. It felt suffocating to cater to everyone.

And just like every time before when Aurora got overwhelmed with the pressures of Order Life. She would walk aimlessly staring at the clouds or the stars as if there were more out there. 

She was her most vulnerable but her alone with nature. She never felt more alive.

Leaning up she kissed Phil’s cheek before moving to take her brother’s hand feeling that tug again, one trying to drag her away from the crowd but she ignored it again. 

Aurora was where she belonged….

Maybe?

#knightley phillip #//this is very backlogged #//whoops

[snakesnakerevolution]

I had a technodreamnap fic idea last night

basically its a modern au where dream is dating techno and sapnap, but the other two aren't. They keep having competitions over who is the "best boyfriend", much to the exasperation of Dream, who is just like "will you two please admit you like each other and kiss already? I'm so tired"

so dream is super into this band called lovejoy (lol) and sapnap gets the bright idea to buy tickets for himself and dream, since Techno will surely be studying or something, and techno gets the same idea, getting two tickets bc surely Sapnap will have a sports thing or something (I'm making the short king play basketball it'll be so funny. Dream is a football player and they're out of season rn). They both present their tickets and dream's just like "well at least we can all go? Are you two sure you're chill with me dating both of you bc I--"

"No no no no dream its fine," sapnap cut in, pretending the circling around each other he and techno are doing isnt just the most elaborate form of relationship foreplay seen to mankind

Anyways so Techno goes home and bemoans to his dad, phil, that now he has an extra ticket and an extra hotel room and his little brother, Tommy, perks up and says that he loves lovejoy!

Anyways Phil winds up making Techno take Tommy

Cue a weekend roadtrip where sapnap drives, dream starts out in shotgun but eventually winds up in the back playing a very intense game of checkers with Tommy, and the romantic tension between technap is insane. Tommy interrupts anytime someone is about to kiss dream. Dream and Tommy share a hotel room to "make it fair" bc all three of them can't fit into a bed together

The next morning Sapnap and Techno ask if its chill for them to date each other, too

"Thank fucking god, yes," Dream says. The other two turn away and Dream and Tommy do a sneak fistbump

Also Tommy got to meet his hero, Wilbur, and even get an autograph!

#ideas #I might write it we'll see

[maybe-its-micheal]

I had a dream weird dream last night

First, apparently Ranboo face revealed but I didn't hear about it or see anything until weeks later when he was in a Tom Simons vlog with no mask. I watched the first half of the vlog without noticing too, I was just like "oh cool Ranboo is in this one" until like half way through I was like HOLD UP HOW am I looking at the bottom half of your face?

Everyone in the vlog was Tommy, Ranboo, Charlie, and Wilbur, and I think they were playing chess but every time they lost a peice on the board someone would be randomly selected to die in real life.

Wilbur had a bit where he kept pretending to be the one to die, and dramatically falling to his knees or grabbing his chest. Anyway, he actually did die and everyone thought he was joking for a solid half hour. Slime kept walking over to his corpse and saying "commit to the bit."