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there-must-be-a-lock · 4 years

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Business As Usual

Criminal Minds Rockstar AU!

Word Count: ~3890

Warnings: Implications of offscreen shenanigans, Reid and JJ being devious little shits, but nothing too wild.

A/N: Why does this exist? Fuck if I know! Was it a fucking blast to write? Fuck yes it was! The headcanon popped into my brain fully-formed while I was driving home from work one day, @stunudo and @rockhoochie encouraged me, and here I am. This will, at some point, be tied into the SPN rockstar au that I’ve been dicking around with, but for now it’s just the BAU doing their thing!

Business As Usual

Talking Family and Feminism With Rock’s Hottest New Band

There are already fans lining up outside Terminal 5 when I arrive in the afternoon. It’s the first time Business As Usual will be playing in New York since the release of their sophomore album, Wheels Up, which has become the runaway surprise hit of the summer, largely thanks to the success of the first single, “Revelations.” They’ve gone from critically praised indie darlings to the brink of mainstream stardom, seemingly overnight.

Band manager David Rossi, for one, isn’t surprised at the sudden attention.

Rossi is an industry vet with almost four decades of experience under his belt. He’d been retired for a couple years when a friend dragged him out to see B.A.U. playing in a dive bar. He says that within two songs, he knew “the kids,” as he calls them, would be huge. By the end of the show, he was ready to come out of retirement if they’d let him manage them.

With attention comes scrutiny, and for most bands, the rumors would be flying already. However, B.A.U. definitely isn’t most bands; there are no whispers of groupies, crazy parties, or other rockstar antics here. When you meet them face to face, that reputation makes perfect sense. They’re quiet and quirky, and they seem like five of the unlikeliest rock stars in modern music.

“Very nice to meet you, Paul,” Rossi says, turning on the charm. This one’s gonna be a piece of cake. “Now. Before we get any further, just a couple things.”

He gives the reporter his best fuck with my kids and I will fuck you up look and makes sure the guy looks suitably intimidated before he continues.

“First, don’t believe half of what comes out of Penelope’s mouth, at least not until you confirm with somebody else. She likes to see what ridiculous things journalists will print.” This is, obviously, a lie, but they’ve found it’s the best way to deal with Penelope’s inability to keep anything private. “Trust me. You listen to her, you’ll end up with egg on your face.”

“No problem,” Paul says obediently.

“Second, you do not mention Reid’s stalker. Is that clear?”

Paul nods, but Rossi waits for a moment, until he starts wilting slightly under the stare.

“I understand,” he says, nodding emphatically, and Rossi gives him a clap on the shoulder and a big smile.

“Wonderful. Other than that, we’re an open book. Come in, they’re just getting ready for soundcheck. Let’s get you something to drink.”

Officially, the band is made up of Emily Prentiss (vocals), Derek Morgan (guitar), Jennifer “JJ” Jareau (bass), Spencer Reid (keys), and Aaron Hotchner (drums). At first glance, they don’t look like they have anything in common; most bands tend to dress in a similar style and come from similar musical backgrounds, but these five couldn’t be more different. Reid, for example, was a classical piano prodigy who graduated from Berklee at the age of seventeen, and has a tendency to dress like an absentminded professor, while Prentiss, with her Siouxsie Sioux eyeliner, dropped out of prep school to tour with a riot-girl band.

Producer and sound tech Penelope Garcia is the unofficial sixth member of the band, and they all credit her with melding their various eclectic songwriting styles into one distinctive, experimental sound.

Garcia is an anomaly in a male-dominated field, possibly even more so than Prentiss and Jareau, but instead of trying to blend in or prove that she’s tough enough to fit in with the rest of the crew, she makes a point to stand out. During sound check, she’s wearing a wildly colorful dress and pink heels, which match the pink streaks in her hair and her thick pink-framed glasses. When I ask whether she deals with sexism in the music industry, she just laughs.

“Of course there are jerks,” she says, shrugging. “There are always going to be jerks. But I know I’m good at what I do, and my band knows I’m good at what I do, and that’s what matters.”

“And the other women? Do they get heckled or catcalled a lot?”

“The only person who’s allowed to objectify my band is me,” Garcia says cheerfully, and then makes a face. “Kidding! I would never.”

“Nicely done on that solo, hot stuff, you play that guitar almost as well as you fill out those jeans,” Penelope says into the dead mic. It goes directly to the band’s in-ear monitors, so nobody else can hear. Derek laughs and the rest of the band roll their eyes.

When they set up the extra mics and the band-to-booth-only channel, this was not what they had in mind (as Rossi keeps reminding her) but… it’s so much fun. She hasn’t made Derek crack up mid-show yet, but she’ll get there.

“One of these days you’re gonna use the wrong channel and the entire house is gonna hear you,” JJ says into her own second mic, but she’s grinning too.

“Let ‘em listen, they’d just be jealous,” Penelope says breezily. “Another one?”

“Can we run ‘Eviler Twin’ with the new bridge?” Spencer asks.

Penelope adjusts levels on his synths and shoots him a thumbs up. “You got it, Boy Wonder. Hotch, count ‘em in.”

Lead singer Emily Prentiss has a larger-than-life presence from the moment she steps onstage. She’s commanding and confident, and it’s hard to take your eyes off of her, whether she’s crowdsurfing, jumping around the stage, or delivering one of her trademark fiery speeches between songs.

When Prentiss first expressed an interest in singing, her mother hired a private vocal coach who specialized in opera, and was disappointed when her daughter showed interest in less classical genres.

“She was pissed,” Prentiss says, smiling to herself. “I started sneaking out when I was fourteen or so and going to this one little local dive bar that got all the punk and hardcore bands. I’m still not sure how I convinced them to let me in. But seeing the Dead Kennedys made me decide I was going to be in a band. I just looked at Jello Biafra and thought, I want to do that.”

While their music isn’t explicitly political, the band themselves aren’t shy about expressing their opinions, Prentiss in particular.

“...and that’s why I never wear a bra,” Emily finishes. “Does that answer your question?”

“I think so?” Paul says hesitantly. He’s making a noble effort not to look down at her tits.

Emily’s pretty sure it doesn’t answer the question, not even a little bit, but she’s also pretty sure the question was about relationships, so. Fuck that question.

Emily’s not great at press, but she is excellent at rambling about the patriarchy until people tune her out.

Drummer Aaron Hotchner, best known as “Hotch,” has become the unlikely sex symbol of the band, despite being the only one who’s happily married. The attention only seems to embarrass him.

“It’s real fun to read him thirst tweets and watch him turn colors,” Penelope says, with a devilish grin. “But you didn’t hear it from me.”

When Hotch goes out to greet fans after the show, the female shrieks reach a deafening pitch. He greets everyone with a charming, dimpled smile and talks to each one as if there’s no one else waiting for his attention. The crowd is sizeable and some of the fans are overfamiliar, to put it mildly, but Hotch spends over an hour there, speaking to everyone individually. He remains unfailingly polite, taking pictures and signing things even after the rest of his bandmates have excused themselves for the night.

“He’s just the sweetest,” one girl sighs to her friend as they finally head home.

Hotch, who is notoriously unenthusiastic about talking to the press, did not want to comment.

“Love you too, Jack. Take care of your mom,” Hotch is saying, as he walks through the green room door. He hangs up, and Emily can see the moment he notices Paul; his smile vanishes and his eyebrows flatten in a scowl.

“Was that your son?” Paul asks politely.

“Yes.”

“How is he?”

“Fine.”

Paul’s smile falters for a second. “Do you talk to them every night, when you’re on the road? Touring must be tough.”

Hotch just gives him a curt nod this time and Emily winces. Paul clears his throat.

“So… you used to play in a grunge band, is that right?” he asks tentatively.

Hotch gives him another stony look. “That is correct.”

JJ opens the door, and Emily can’t help but mutter, “Oh thank fuck.”

JJ looks between Hotch, who is holding eye contact without blinking, and a petrified Paul. Then she quirks an eyebrow at Emily, who gives her a panicked nod.

“Hi there, you must be Paul,” JJ says warmly. She jabs Hotch discreetly in the side as she passes him. “Rossi and Morgan are getting food, Hotch, they said you should join them.”

He looks like he’s about to protest, but Emily shoots him a look and he heads for the door.

JJ sits next to Paul with a dazzlingly bright smile, eyelashes fluttering. “It is so nice to meet you. Reid and Garcia are in the batcave, I’m happy to take you out there, but I’m all yours if there’s anything you’d like to ask me about first.”

Emily shoots her a thumbs-up and escapes before Paul notices.

Jennifer Jareau, better known as “JJ,” has the sort of wholesome, all-American beauty that turns heads wherever she goes; she wouldn’t look out of place on a magazine cover. In fact, modeling was what led her indirectly to the band.

JJ started playing music in her high school marching band, but never intended to pursue it seriously. She was the valedictorian of her small town’s high school and had a full scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. Between her sophomore and junior years, though, she was spotted by a modeling agency and offered a job; it would just be one week, in Los Angeles. She says she was most excited about the opportunity to fly in an airplane for the first time.

While in L.A., JJ met Prentiss, and the rest is history. The two women seem to work seamlessly together and frequently complete each others’ sentences, but while Prentiss is commanding and confident, JJ is soft-spoken and feminine, almost motherly.

“I always wanted a family,” JJ says, with her most heartfelt Colgate-ad smile. “It ended up looking a little different than I expected, but here we are.”

JJ’s 95% sure that’ll be the pull quote for the article. Men like Paul eat that traditional shit up with a spoon; she should probably rein it in before he jizzes himself.

The “batcave,” as they call it, is so full of gear and recording equipment that I stand in the doorway while I talk to Reid and Garcia. Her desk takes up a third of the room, and it holds two laptops in addition to several sound boards and microphones. She’s putting together a rough demo of a song they started working on a couple days earlier.

Reid, meanwhile, is sitting on the floor, surrounded by the disassembled parts of two amps, and he’s tinkering with something tiny and delicate-looking. When I ask what he’s doing, he rattles off a rapid-fire string of technical jargon, and I have to ask him to repeat himself. He looks to Garcia, who holds up her hands as if to say ‘don’t look at me,’ and Reid turns back to me to say, simply, “I’m making it sound better.”

Reid has a tendency to speak at three times the speed of most humans, and frequently goes off on baffling tangents about everything from obscure composers to beekeeping to the origins of Halloween. It’s hard to follow, sometimes, but his bandmates seem used to it.

When asked if anything has changed with the band’s recent success, he says thoughtfully, “I honestly haven’t noticed. None of it makes a difference to me, as long as I get to play music.” He pauses for a moment, then adds with a smile, “My high school reunion last month was very satisfying, though.”

“... William Onyeabor, of course! Lately, also, a lot of Philip Glass and Gil Scott-Heron.”

Spencer realizes he’s been staring up at the ceiling instead of talking to the reporter. He blinks and refocuses. Paul looks slightly shell-shocked.

“So to answer your question, yes, we do spend a lot of time writing when we’re on the road,” Garcia interjects. Spencer winces. “We’ll probably have almost an album’s worth of demos by the time the tour is over. We could stay in here all day, the trick is getting Reid to remember to eat.”

Spencer rolls his eyes.

“So is that how you guys spend most of your spare time? Writing and playing music?” Paul asks.

“Well, it’s not like we’re total shut-ins,” Garcia says. “We go out and have fun too. Admittedly, JJ and Emily’s idea of fun is starting bar fights, but -”

“Really?” Paul asks, looking at Spencer curiously.

He scoffs. “No, she’s kidding.”

Garcia, absorbed in whatever she’s doing on her laptop, continues absent-mindedly: “Well, it’s not that they start fights, but they both do Krav Maga and also attract a lot of idiots, so… idiots start bar fights and then the girls finish them. Let me tell you, you do not want to mess with JJ.”

Paul looks at Spencer again. He shakes his head quickly.

“I mean, can you really picture JJ in a bar fight?” he asks, forcing a laugh.

Garcia’s still rambling. “Honestly though you really gotta watch out for this one right here. Reid’s our resident wild child.”

He gives Paul a disarming, wide-eyed, ‘who, me?’ smile and shakes his head again.

“Oh, man, one time in Boston he -”

“Garcia,” Spencer interrupts. She looks up, glances at the tape recorder in Paul’s hand, and shuts her mouth hastily. Paul is starting to look suspicious.

“Ha! Just kidding,” Garcia says shrilly. “He’s a big ol’ dork, really.”

Spencer nods earnestly, doing his best puppy eyes. “I spend most of my time reading, honestly. She’s just trying to make me seem cooler.”

Paul’s expression clears slightly. “That… makes sense.”

He doesn’t press for details, which is good. The legendary Boston Incident is not something Spencer needs in print.

Derek Morgan learned guitar from his father, a Chicago blues artist, but says that when he began to write his own music, he immediately gravitated to classic rock. He cites Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin as influences, and it’s easy to see that onstage; Morgan has the rakish charm and suggestive swagger to rival the moves of any of his idols. If anyone out of the group were to fit the mold of the traditional rockstar, I’d expect it to be him.

The truth is much more innocuous. Offstage, he’s a perfect gentleman, respectful and chivalrous to a fault. He doesn’t drink, and he somehow finds time to work out almost every day, even when they’re on the road.

“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m dead boring,” he says, with a wide grin. “Truth is, none of us really fit into any of the usual boxes. That’s why we get along so well.”

He says Garcia is his best friend in the group, and I can tell he’s fiercely protective of the band, especially the women. When asked if he’s usually the one looking out for the girls, he laughs.

“Honestly, they’re not the ones I worry about,” he says. “But sure. We all look out for each other, really.”

The bartender shows up, finally, and slides two glasses over to JJ. She knocks back the shot first. If this dumb hipster keeps slurring at her about how much artistry there is in dubstep, she’s going to need another one very soon.

“People just don’t get it,” he says, sidling a little closer. JJ steps back.

“Ben - Ken?” she asks, and the guy pauses, affronted. “I’m sure that’s very interesting, but you should probably know that I’m gay.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Like, gay gay?”

“Gayer by the second,” JJ says coolly.

“How do you know, though?” Ken says, which is a level of douchebag she didn’t actually expect from him. He must be even drunker than he looks.

JJ gives him a polite smile. “I’m going to go find my friends now.”

“Hey, hang on.”

He grabs her arm as she turns away. Behind his back she can see Derek heading in their direction. She gives him a little “stand down” wave.

“Bad idea,” she warns Ken.

“Oh yeah? What -”

“Back off,” Emily snaps, appearing at her side.

Ken looks at them mutinously, and as they turn away, he mutters something that sounds like (but probably isn’t) “Duckin’ bikes.”

“Say it to my face,” JJ tells him sweetly. “Let’s see how that goes for you.”

“What are you gonna do about it?” he asks belligerently.

Emily grabs one of his wrists and twists hard, while JJ gets the other. Ken yelps.

“Everything okay here?” Derek says from behind him. He’s doing what can only be described as looming in a distinctly menacing way. “I think it’s time for you to head home, buddy.”

“Shoo,” Emily adds. “Go on. Skedaddle.”

Ken skedaddles. JJ can’t help but laugh.

“We had it under control,” Emily reassures Derek.

He frowns. “You sure?”

“Just another one who thought he could cure me with his magic dick,” JJ says with a shrug. “More shots?”

“No way, uh-uh,” Derek interrupts sternly. “Emily. Come on. You remember what happened last time you tried to outdrink JJ?”

“It was so much fun until then, though,” JJ chirps. He knows them too well. She exchanges a look with Emily.

“Hey, have you seen Reid lately?” Emily asks innocently, and while Derek is scanning the crowd and scowling, JJ gestures to the bartender.

Only time will tell whether Business As Usual will continue to grow in popularity, but Rossi seems confident that they’re here to stay. To hear him tell it, he’s met everyone from the Stones to the Strokes (“And I have the scars to prove it!”) and he has an eye for which bands are in it for the long haul.

He says, “Long-term success isn’t about who’s the most talented musicians or the best performers, although these guys are both. So many bands crash and burn early.”

“Why is that? What makes you so sure these guys will be different?”

“You hear people blame it on the lifestyle, the drugs, the parties, but truth is, those don’t matter all that much as long as the band is taking care of each other.” He smiles proudly. “These guys, they’ll always have each others’ backs. They’re a team.”

“You about ready to head back to the hotel?” Hotch asks quietly, lining up his shot. “This isn’t going to last much longer.” Sure enough, he sinks the ball neatly and straightens up, giving the table a calculating look.

“Let me round ‘em up,” Derek says. “Meet you outside in five.”

“When has it ever taken five minutes to round up this bunch?” Hotch asks wryly. “You have fifteen and then I’m leaving. Shout if you need help.”

He spots Penelope first. She’s in the middle of the dancefloor, dancing with a guy who might as well have cartoon hearts popping out of his eyes. She’s not drunk to the point where she’s doing her signature Shitfaced Shimmy, so she won’t be too hard to wrangle. He catches her eye and taps his wrist, then points to the door, and she shoots him a thumbs up.

Piece of cake.

He looks around for Reid next, hoping against hope that the kid hasn’t attracted any crazy tonight. He’s not sure why or how, but Reid has proven more prone to disaster than the rest of the crew combined. If you asked Derek who in the band was most likely to get slapped, get kidnapped, get stabbed (accidentally), lose his shoes on the way back from the bathroom, get fully lost on the way to the bathroom, get hit on by a prostitute, puncture his own foot with a dart, snort something sketchy and end up wired til dawn, or befriend a mob boss, the answer would be Spencer Reid, every damn time.

He knows this because Reid’s already done most of those things.

Emily pops up at his side. Her level of sobriety is surprising until Derek notices the smug smile on her face and the phone number Sharpied on her arm. He gives her a fist-bump.

“Meet you outside,” she says cheerfully.

This might be even easier than he thought.

“Hey, Emily,” he calls, and she turns back to look at him. “Have you seen Reid or JJ?”

“JJ found me a while ago to borrow my swiss army knife,” she says thoughtfully, and then her eyes widen in realization. “She never came back and I haven’t seen Reid. Shit.”

“Alright, you check outside, look in the alley, I’ll do a sweep around here. If Garcia’s not already outside, call Hotch.” Emily nods curtly and turns toward the door.

Derek elbows his way around the fringes of the dance floor, scanning the crowd for JJ’s blonde hair, but no luck. He checks a couple of the out-of-the-way nooks and crannies where Reid likes to curl up to pass out, even glances under a couple tables, but there’s no sign of him. He heads for the door that leads to the hallway with the bathrooms.

He almost runs right into JJ and Reid, who are arm-in-arm as they burst through the door.

“Oh good,” he says, mildly surprised to see them both upright. Then Reid looks up with big, innocent eyes, sniffing and twitching his nose like a goddamn rabbit, and JJ flaps her hand urgently toward the front of the bar, stepping around Derek without breaking stride.

“We should go,” she says quickly. “Now.”

“What did you do?” he groans, shepherding them through the crowd. He can see them exchange a glance. JJ wipes her nose with the back of her sleeve, Emily’s multi-tool still clutched in her fist.

“We may have rearranged some things,” Spencer mutters.

“There might be some physics magic brewing,” JJ adds.

Just as Derek half-shoves them through the front door, he hears a shout from the direction of the bathrooms.

Amazingly, everyone is standing on the sidewalk waiting for them.

“Double time,” Derek says hurriedly, and they all fall into step.

“Eight minutes and thirty-seven seconds,” Hotch says, looking at his watch. He holds a hand out to Penelope. “Pay up.”

“Thing One and Thing Two over there were just stirring up some chaos,” Morgan explains.

“Do I want to know?” Penelope asks, fishing a twenty out of her purse. “Is this a plausible deniability situation?”

Emily shakes her head. “I swear, Reid, one of these days I’m going to put a leash on you, and not in a fun sexy way.”

JJ and Reid are already half a block ahead of the rest of them, arms linked, heads together like they’re plotting again. JJ lets out one of her weird little coke-giggles and Derek can hear Reid chattering about… the Wizard of Oz, for some reason? Whatever.

Just another day for this weird-ass bunch he calls family.

#criminal minds fic #criminal minds #spencer reid #emily prentiss #aaron hotchner #penelope garcia #cm fic

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blissfulalchemist · 3 years

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It’s an Apocalyptic Christmas Grace!

A little Christmas one shot for @deathvalleyqueen featuring the New Dawn kids! A very merry Christmas to you Jane! I hope this day has been wonderful to you as you deserve! You have been a light in my life this year! I’m so glad I got to know you!

“How much farther up this mountain are we going?” Rose asked, pulling the coat around her closer, the chill of the air still piercing through the old ski jacket, eyes darting around compensating for the sounds of five pairs of feet and four paws crunching in the snow.

“Not much farther now,” Sam said, smirking as he looked down to his sister’s choice in footwear, “Warned you to wear better shoes.”

“Yeah well the other ones were starting to get a hole in them,” Rose mumbled, looking to Lily, “Do you even know where he’s taking us?”

Lily shook her head, looking over her shoulder to Grace and Finn, Timber dividing the two groups. Oh how she wished that Grace would come closer, stand closer to her siblings. The sigh she released as she turned to look ahead releasing a cloud, “Sam hasn’t told me much of anything.”

“I promise you it’ll be worth it,” or so he hoped it would be for them. Sam had spent the last two weeks preparing and making sure everything was just right after finding an old box of ornaments, a few stockings, and a single strand of colorful lights. Still was always a surprise as to what survived the bombs and what didn’t, seeing that box though memories from his childhood awoke, getting the gears turning, time tables and plans made. It had made it perfect that the weather aligned with the day, the shimmering iridescent pink and blue snow starting to fall slowly again, gone were the days of white from his childhood.

“You think we’ll be back in time for dinner? Or is that something you have planned,” Finn asked, Grace keeping quiet.

“Can’t you just trust me for once?” Sam gave a small eye roll spotting the red fabric hanging from a low branch, they were close, the old cabin’s shape just visible in the distance, “Lily,” his twin met his eyes, “Tell me what do you remember of this time of year before the collapse.”

“Are you talking about Christmas,” Rose asked, “I remember a little of it.”

“Of course you do,” Lily said under her breath, avoiding her younger sister’s gaze, “Yes Sammie I do. I remember them. Do you?”

Sam nodded, “I remember how the snow was white,” Grace’s head perked up looking to her surroundings, “How bundled mom and dad made sure we were before they let us out to roam among the snow.”

“The blizzards that happened, canceling school,” Lily mused, “The blizzard that Grace was born in.”

“The fireplace how it glowed and warmed the house,” Sam chimed in, “Hot chocolate,” he smiled letting out a small laugh.

“I remember mom and dad singing songs,” Rose looked to the ground, “the tree sparkling in the center of the living room.”

“Why does it matter to remember this?” Grace asked sharply, “It just causes pain among you three.”

“Sounds like a lot of fun really,” Finn said, shrugging when Grace shot her a look, “Would have loved to see it.”

“I’d have loved to have been able to remember more of it,” Rose said, “It felt better than what we’ve done since then. Felt warmer.”

“What if we could again,” Sam declared as the small group stood in front of the cabin, all the girls’ faces looking up to him confused. “What if we can make the past again, but just for us and no one else.”

Lily gave him a smirk, “Isn’t that a bit selfish of you brother?”

“What if it is? Don’t you think that with everything that’s happened to us, we deserve to be just a little selfish,” Sam looked to each of them, “We’re family. We should act like one,” Grace gave a small scoff, “Or try to. What family ever fully got along on Christmas?”

Rose rubbed her upper arms, chin jutting to the door, “So is it going to be inside or are we just gonna stand out here,” Lily gave Rose a tired look, her younger sister shrugging in return, “What? It’s freezing out here.”

Grace gave a small smile looking up to Sam, who gestured to them to come inside the small cabin, “Yeah come on, let me show you.” Sam held the door open shutting it once they were all in the darkened cabin, Sam flipping the generator on. There was a brief flash as the group’s eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness of the old cabin, music starting to play softly in the background, carols that brought a familiarity to both Lily and Rose, new and still meaningless to Finn and Grace. Sam moved to start a fire in the iron stove while the young women looked around wide eyed, the lights hanging above them, and a small tree no more than five feet tall wrapped in rainbow lights sitting in the center of the cabin. A cardboard box sat underneath the tree, tinsel, garland, stockings, pine cones, and other bits and pieces of decorations lay within. Sam got some of the food he stored in an old fridge, the winter air having kept it fresh, placing it on the countertops, hands working to get it prepped for cooking.

Finn was the first to speak up, taking a few steps around the cabin, “What-. What is all this?”

“Christmas,” Lily and Rose let out in a breath, wide eyed.

Sam smiled, “We still need to finish up the place a bit.”

Grace turned to him, “What do you mean,” she looked around confused, Timber having left her side to see what Sam was preparing, “They just said it was Christmas.”

“Typically you decorate the house as a family, or at minimum the tree,” he pointed to the box, “That’s gonna be left up to you ladies and me, once I get the food going.”

“Sammie,” Lily said, “we’re practically adults now. We shouldn’t be acting like kids.”

“Actually read somewhere that’s it good for adults to indulge their inner child,” Sam’s eyes met Grace’s matching ones, “Especially when you haven’t had much of one to begin with.” Lily and Rose looked to Grace and Finn as the two started to rifle through the box, the two sisters gave a small nod. “Use this for yourself too,” he said in a hushed tone, “I made sure we would be far from any kind of expectations of the adults.” Sam gestured to the cabin at large, “This is just for us, a chance for us to be….well us. Who we were meant to be,” he gave a slow nod waiting for his sisters to return it in acknowledgement. Once they did he pointed to the tree, raising his volume a little, “Would you mind showing ‘em the ropes Lily,” Sam asked, as Rose helped her older brother get the food started.

Lily smiled, running a hand through her dark hair as she made her way to the box, “Okay let’s see what you managed to find here, Sammie.” Lily helped in directing and showing where things went, letting Grace and Finn take the lead in where things should be placed. The three older siblings would let out laughs when the small fights would break out between the two women, causing the small moments of tension to rise between the others. Just as it seemed things would start to get too heated Sam would remind them that there was no right or wrong way to make the place look festive, this was meant to be fun and happy, something that Timber also seemed to remind them of as he managed to get a small glittery wreath made of ribbons around his neck. Graced laughed at her furry companion, scratching behind his ears, placing a kiss on his head as her sisters took to cutting out snowflakes and chains, Lily and Rose soon finding themselves writing out letters to “Santa”.

“Did you really used to write letters to someone that didn’t exist,” Grace asked curiously her back against the sofa as Timber’s head rested in her lap, watching as her two sisters laughed looking at the pictures drawn to look like those of their childhoods.

Rose nodded, “Yeah, but Santa did exist, it just turned out to be mom and dad,” she laughed looking down, sky blue eyes getting a far away look.

“What did you put in the letters?” Finn piped up, “Was it just like talking to him?”

Lily shook her head, “No, you’d write down what you wanted for Christmas,” she handed the letter over to Finn and Grace, “and you’d either leave them by the tree or send them in the mail. I remember getting letters back and how excited I was to get a response from him.” Lily took a deep breath, giving a small shake of her head, “How things have changed since then.”

The room went silent, as Sam changed the records, no one looking at the other. Rose looked at the paper, clearing her throat, handing over some blank sheets to the youngest women, “Here. You guys should write something to him.” Grace raised a brow, Rose rolling her eyes, “Just for the fun of it. Think of it like writing down a prayer or a wish,” Rose looked behind her to her brother, “You said we were clear to stay overnight right?” He gave a nod, “Write it out and we can read them tomorrow, see if we can make them come true. Just put anything you want down.”

“I don’t need anything though,” Grace responded, “Even if I did, how do you know you’re going to get it?”

“It’s not about what you need,” Lily shrugged, “though sometimes that can happen, but letters to Santa are about what you want. What you desire most, it's the time to indulge in that part of you.”

Grace looked to the pen in her hand, “What if I don’t deserve it?”

The three older siblings looked at one another, eyes all registering the same emotion, “You do, though,” Lily said softly, “More than any of us. You deserve to have some of your wants and desires met, Gracie. No questions asked.”

Grace blinked back the tears threatening to form, giving a small nod, “Okay, I’ll write one, if only to get you guys off my back.” Grace brought her knees up, shielding the paper away from their prying eyes, working on writing out what her deepest desire was, the one thing she wished for more than anything at this point in her life.

The song changed, Grace moving her head along to its beat, trying to hum along to the song despite never having heard it before. “What kind of records did you find Sam?” Rose asked, smiling holding back her laughter, “Obviously not just the Eden’s Gate choir it seems.”

Sam looked over the three records, “Compilations, mostly. Wheaty had two of them. Last one I found in some old cabin, that one has the oldest music on it.”

“Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow,” Lily sang along, walking to look at the cases, “Let’s see if there’s something we can dance too for a little bit.” Lily smiled as she moved the needle to the right section on the record, the notes starting, “There we go. Jingle bell, jingle bell rock,” she walked over to Grace holding her hands out, “Come on, Gracie. Let’s dance.”

Grace shied away from her, “I don’t dance.”

“Cause you haven’t tried it!” Lily laughed, grabbing Grace’s hands softly, “Come on just one song.” Grace looked to Timber, his tail wagging, following her sister mimicking her moves, trying to let her inhibitions go. This was about having fun, she told herself. That’s what she heard Sam say earlier. She should use this time, take advantage of it, to feel even a sliver of what a normal life felt like before the collapse, before the highwaymen, before life and family got so complicated, get an answer to something she was always curious about.

As the song changed again, Finn joined in and took over Lily’s place in dancing with Grace, Sam and Rose joining them, singing along to the songs loudly, drinks passed around, Lily holding onto Timber’s front paws in a dance. As the sun set and night started to settle in, the five soon found themselves laughing, sharing lighthearted stories, and growing hungry as the small turkey cooked, the smell confirming it nearing its completion. Sam moved to get the foldable table set up, Grace coming to his side, “I can help with that.” He gave her a smile, Grace giving a small shrug, “It’s what family does right?”

“Yeah, it is.” The two got it set up quickly, Sam directing her on how to set up the table, Grace taking the liberty to put a few of the decorations in the center of it. Rose and Finn helped in getting the last bit of the dinner together as Lily changed the music to something softer to have playing as they ate, Grace setting up a chair for Timber between her and Finn. “Okay everyone,” Sam called out, the turkey on a plate in his hands, “Gather round the table, because dinner,” he placed the turkey down, “is served.”

The women took their seats around the table, Timber obediently sitting in his chair, Sam handing the carving knife over to Grace, she looked up curiously, “What do you want me to do?”

Rose smiled, “He wants you to carve the turkey,” taking a sip of the homemade eggnog, “You do have the best knife skills among us.”

“Can I claim the leg?” Grace asked standing to be better placed in front of the bird, giving the knife a twirl in her hand, “That’s the best part.”

“Of course you can,” Finn said, looking around the table for anyone else that would object to it, her cousins all nodding in agreement. Finn’s eyes strayed to looking out the window as Grace started to cut the turkey, watching the snow fall, soft piano music playing as children sang a song she didn’t quite know the lyrics too. “Do you think we can do some sledding after dinner,” she asked softly, the sky lighting up with greens and purples, “I know it's dark but just for a little bit.”

“I think that sounds fun, Finn,” Grace mused, “Then maybe Sam could make us hot chocolate.” Lily and Rose raised a brow looking to their brother, “I know he has what’s needed here. Don’t know how he found chocolate but I saw it.” She threw Sam a smirk, “You really put a lot of thought into this night didn’t you?”

“Wanted it to be perfect,” he took a sip from his drink, “or well as close as I could get to it, seeing as it would be yours and Finn’s first real Christmas and all.”

“For all of us,” Finn corrected, all eyes glancing her way, “It’s the first real Christmas any of us have had that felt, well, what I assume to be normal. I like it.” Finn and Grace gave each other a smile, “Maybe we do this once a month or something.”

“Pretty sure Christmas is once a year,” Grace chuckled, “But family time away from the rest of the family, not a bad idea.”

Grace handed out the meat, Lily and Rose nodding their heads, “She’s right,” Lily declared first, “We’re family and we should be able to act like one, even if we aren’t perfect.”

“Make family in our own vision,” Rose said, “The family we should have been from the start.”

“Even if I-?” Grace started to ask.

“Yes,” Lily answered, Grace looking to her with surprise quickly masking it, “As much as I don’t like to admit it, I’d rather have you identify as my cousin than not have you in my life at all,” she took a breath watching as Grace looked away hiding the small smile, “You just have to be okay with the fact that I will always treat you like my little sister though.”

“Only cause that’s what family does,” Sam added on, “We look out for one another.” When all the plates were filled, Grace took her seat again giving the nod for everyone to start eating. The music playing as it grew silent with the scraping of cutlery against plates as each enjoyed the meal, soaking in the contentment the dinner provided, until Finn broke it having to compliment Sam and Rose on the turkey. The stories continuing after that, smiles and laughter passed around, inside jokes created, Timber causing near chaos as he tried to make a run with the turkey, and questions answered for the three youngest about simpler times. Finn was near vibrating with excitement as plates were cleared and everyone put on their jackets, each trying to find the perfect material to make their sleds, settling on some old pieces of tin roofs, found at the top of the nearest hill. The snow fell, taking on it’s more blue hues in the dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis, the young women making adjustments to the tin.

Grace watched as Sam helped Rose create something that she could steer in the powder snow, smiling as an idea came to mind. She moved silently closer to the pair, Finn catching the mischievous gleam in her blue eyes, keeping quiet as she stopped to watch. Rose and Sam had started to argue a little, Sam standing on the sled trying to correct whatever Rose had pointed out, Grace moving closer, Lily looking up to notice too, smiling at what was about to happen. Grace stood still behind the two, watching as Sam kneeled on the sled, Grace taking the opportunity to give her brother a shove down the hill, Rose nearly following after him. Lily, Finn, and Grace erupted in laughter, watching as their brother tried to gain control of the situation, snow covering his hair once he reached the bottom of the hill rolling off the tin.

He sat up shaking the snow off of him, Timber barking running down after him, licking his face, “Down boy,” Sam said breathless, laughing along with the others, “I’m gonna get you back for that Grace! Just you watch!”

“I’d like to see you try,” Grace called out to him, “I bet you I can see you coming from a mile away!”

Sam stood, grabbing the sled making his way back up the hill, Finn taking her chance to make her way down the hill, her screams filling the night air, Grace following after her, Timber on her heels. Run after run they all got more and more brave, trying new ways to sled down the hill, a jump added in halfway through to add to the fun. Lily and Rose were the first to make their way back to warm up, their cheeks and noses red, Sam joining them soon after letting the two sisters have their fun.

He stripped down to his driest layers, Lily and Rose sitting on the couch, drinks in hand, “They’re having a blast with the sledding. Told them to come back after six more runs.”

“Six?” Lily pushed a lock of her dark hair behind her ear, “Seems like a random number.”

Sam shook his head slowly, smiling, “They wanted twenty more runs. So we compromised.”

Rose gave a small laugh, “So they’re going to do ten runs instead.”

“Just give me more time to relax and warm up,” he flipped his hair over running his fingers through it, shaking out the water, “If I knew they wanted to sled I would have brought some spare clothes.”

“How do you think we feel right now?” Rose said, pulling the blanket over her shoulders tighter. “What are we doing for beds though? You can’t expect us to sleep on the bare floor can you?” Sam avoided her gaze, “Sam,” she warned, “please tell me we aren’t sleeping on the floor.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, “Well not completely. I found some old mattresses but they’re pretty thin.”

Lily looked at Rose, giving a shrug, “Hey it’s better than just straight floor.” Rose grumbled to herself, hiding her disappointment in her drink. Lily looked up to the sound of crunching snow and laughter, “I think they made their way back.” Sam nodded, tying his hair up as he got the milk and chocolate nibs in a pot over the iron stove. He knew it wasn’t the true hot chocolate of his childhood, the nibs were bitter and the whole drink felt inauthentic without marshmallows or even whipped cream, those items harder to come by. He truly was lucky enough to have found someone passing through that came from the southern part of the country. One day they’d be able to make real chocolate again, one day he’d be able to give his family that simple joy again. The only bright side was that he managed to find someone that made peppermint extract that he could place in the drinks.

Grace and Finn were a light with laughter, Timber making his way to the center of the cabin shaking out his fur, the two girls holding up their hands shielding from some of the flying water. “That was a lot of fun! We have to do it again,” Finn said unwrapping the scarf around her neck.

Grace looked at Sam hunched over the stove, “Is it ready? The hot chocolate?”

“Almost,” Sam gave another stir of the saucepan, adding a few drops of the extract to it, pouring it into some of the mugs he managed to find. Grace grabbed her and Finn’s mugs, smiling as the smell hit her nose. The two women took a sip at the same time, eyes closing, as the bitterness hit their taste buds softened by the peppermint. It was different from anything they had ever had before, “What do you two think?”

“I didn’t expect it to be so bitter,” Grace said, “Did you always put peppermint in it?”

Sam shook his head, “No not really, but there was a lot of chocolate and mint candies,” he let out a sigh, “figured it would work the same with this version of hot chocolate.”

“You’re right that it’s not something that was so bitter,” Lily interjected, “Unless you were weird and liked dark chocolate, but most of the time it was really sweet and there would be some toppings on it, just to add onto it.”

“So we just add a little sugar next time,” Finn said, nudging Grace’s arm, “We can do that. Make this on our own.”

Grace nodded, “Would you show us how you made it Sam?” Sam nodded, Finn flashing a big smile, “Tomorrow morning though, I’m getting tired.”

The five of them finished their drinks quickly, all moving to get the mattresses and blankets set up around the cabin, Rose taking the old couch, Finn and Grace sharing a mattress with Timber at their feet. Sam laid awake waiting until he heard all of their breathing evening out, getting up silently from the bed, reaching under the old cabinets for the cloth bag filled with gifts for all of them. The final part of this Christmas endeavor. He kept his eye on Grace, hoping that she didn’t wake as he took the time to place the presents just so under the tree. There were two presents for each of his sisters and Finn, one from him the other from “Santa”. He stopped suddenly, catching Grace stir in her sleep, turning over to face the wall falling back asleep quickly. He let out a soft breath, turning back to the tree noticing the letter Grace had written out.

Picking it up he sat with his back against the wall, looking it over before unfolding it. It was simple and short, straight to the point as was his baby sister’s way. Her deepest desire, greatest wish was written right here before him. “I thought we were supposed to read that tomorrow,” Lily whispered, joining him against the wall, “Doesn’t really seem fair.”

“Just- Got a little curious is all. Trying to get to know her better,” he handed the latter over to his twin, “Look at what she wrote.” Lily took the paper from Sam looking it over:

Dear Santa or however you start these things I’m just guessing. All I ask for, what I really want is just more simple days like these. That’s it.

Lily smiled handing it back to her brother, resting her head against his shoulder, “She’s straight to the point isn’t she?” The two laughed quietly putting the letter back in its place, “Never knew that’s what she wanted. Hopefully when this is all over with we can take a page from her book and live simple lives.”

“Nothing will ever be simple with our family,” Sam said.

Lily gave a shrug, “Then we make it that way. So long as we have each other we can make it through anything.” She looked up to her brother’s blue eyes, “Don’t you want simple? Hell even semi-normal again Sammie?” He nodded, “Then we make sure we get that, and until then we make more nights like this.”

#mckenna seeds #I really hope I did them justice for you #my writing

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samclownchester · 4 years

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Supernatural Rewatch 04x14

Sex and Violence

(Next Episode | Masterlist | Previous Episode)

Ah yes, the Siren episode where Dean has a male Siren :0 surely this is proof that he is attracted to men!?!!?

*deep sigh*

Listen, I think Dean is bisexual, I really do, however I hate when people point to this episode as proof of that because it is clearly doing something very different, and subversive in its own way. If you see him as being sexually attracted to Nick then … I mean, I guess. Whatever. Everyone has their own interpretations. But Sirens are not necessarily sexual beings, that’s what they’ve been painted as by a lot of media, but they are just supposed to lure you in with your greatest desire. What this episode tells us is that, as much as Dean likes sex, it’s not his greatest desire. Or, on another level, romantic love is not as important to him as platonic love is.

The idea this episode plays with is that the most important person in the world to you doesn’t need to be a romantic/sexual partner, which I think is GROUNDBREAKING.

It establishes early on in the episode that the siren doesn’t differentiate between different kinds of devotion. The one guy’s mom wasn’t a romantic threat to the Siren, but she was the most important person in that guy’s life, and so she became the Siren’s target.

“But Ray,” you say “the siren didn’t try to give that guy a new mother figure. It was still establishing a romantic/sexual connection with him! So why would it try to imitate the brotherly bond with Sam instead of just drawing Dean in with sex/romance?”

And the answer is: because Dean wouldn’t have responded to that. The guy who killed his mom surely loved his mom, but he probably still had a desire for romantic connection, hoping to get married and have his own family someday or something like that. I don’t think Dean has that. Sure, he wanted Cassie to understand him, and he has dreams of settling down with Lisa and Ben (and I’m not saying he has no romantic attraction to those women but you can also attribute that to amatonormativity) but at the end of the day what matters to Dean is connections that parallel his relationships with his father and his brother.

SAM You poisoned him.

MUNROE No. I gave him what he needed. And it wasn't some bitch in a G-string. It was you. A little brother that looked up to him, that he could trust. And now he loves me. He'd do anything for me. And I gotta tell you, Sam, that kind of devotion? I mean, watching someone kill for you? It's the best feeling in the world.

The Siren makes it clear that what it wants from its victims is not romance or sex, it’s devotion. It wants people to kill for it. That’s what it considers “love.” It saw that Dean was more likely to kill out of a brotherly devotion rather than a romantic connection, so that was the angle it went for with him. Dean would never prioritize a romantic relationship over his brother, he just wouldn’t.

And the thing about Nick is that … he’s not a carbon copy of Sam, instead he is everything Sam has never been, accentuating the things Dean wants that Sam lacks. He bonds with Dean over cars and music, two things that Sam has never really had an interest in, and, crucially, he doesn’t push for Dean to explain himself; he easily trusts his plan, and we know Sam has always pushed to understand the why behind everything they do.

DEAN It's kinda hard to explain, but I have my reasons and they're good ones, so you're just gunna have to trust me on 'em.

MUNROE Yeah. OK. I guess.

DEAN Thank you. That's actually nice to hear.

And, especially because Dean has already been feeling distrustful toward Sam, he falls for it.

This reminds me of in 3x01 when Dean is cornered by Lust, one of the seven deadly sins, and she isn’t able to have any affect on him. Like, we all know that Dean likes sex, but when it comes down to it, when he faces monsters who literally prey on people based on their sexual desires ... it doesn’t work on him. Lust got her head dunked in holy water and the Siren had to find a work around.

The Sam/Cara subplot is obviously supposed to be a red herring, to make us think we know who the Siren is, but is also tells us a couple of interesting things about Sam and how his attitude toward relationships has changed.

First of all, we know he’s back in contact with Ruby, but we can also assume that after 4x04 they had some sort of break-up and we don’t know what their dynamic is currently like. There is also the possibility that they’re not/never were exclusive but given how monogamous Sam is I find that hard to believe. But who knows? That being said, he doesn’t seem to have any qualms about having a one-night stand with Cara.

DEAN You gonna say goodbye to Cara?

SAM Nah, not interested.

DEAN Really? Why not?

SAM What's the point?

DEAN Well, look at you. Love 'em and leave 'em.

Remember in season 3 when Sam said that he was going to become more like Dean? Remember last episode when Sam said he needed to “grow up”?

So, what I think is going on here is that Sam thinks he’s setting aside his kinda “childish” desire for relationships to last. Obviously, this isn’t actually a childish thing to want, but our society kinda paints one-night stands as like … I don’t know a masculine and mature thing to do? And Sam feels like he needs to become this … tough, masculine, unsentimental person. (You know, go against that gentle nature of his). (also the demon blood is affecting him.) Additionally, this ties in to the idea that building connections isn’t worth it in their life. It’s something he pushed back against in Season 1, but Sam has started to learn that making any kind of relationship last is basically impossible in their lives, and he has stopped trying.

Now, the only reason the Siren had any luck turning the brothers on each other was that there were already issues arising between them.

Dean’s issues with Sam

Dean covertly finds out that Sam has been calling Ruby and lying to him about it. He pretends to have not heard Sam’s phone call and gives him an opportunity to just tell him who he was calling, but instead Sam lies, and Dean hates being lied to.

DEAN Well, I don't know when it happened. Maybe when I was in hell. Maybe when I was staring right at you. But the Sam I knew, he's gone. … And it's not the demon blood or the psychic crap. It's the little stuff. The lies. The secrets.

As a type 8, betrayal is a very difficult thing for him, and he responds pretty extremely. But it’s not just the betrayal, he also feels like his little brother has fundamentally changed. And he’s … not wrong? Sam is changing, he is a very different person than the faithful, sentimental, nerd that we met in season 1. Dean is scared of those changes.

Sam’s Issues with Dean

Sam has always hated being controlled. He didn’t like being ordered around by John and now he has Dean breathing down his neck and disapproving of everything he does.

SAM So I need your say-so to make a phone call?

I do understand why Dean is angry that Sam is hiding from him that he is talking to Ruby, but also Dean has a tendency to hate the idea of Sam having a life outside of the two of them and that’s not cool. I’ll probably talk more about this later.

SAM OK, fine. You know why I didn't tell you about Ruby, and how we're hunting down Lilith? Because you're too weak to go after her, Dean. You're holding me back. I'm a better hunter than you are. Stronger, smarter. I can take out demons you're too scared to go near. … You're too busy sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. Whining about all the souls you tortured in hell. Boo hoo. … You're not standing in my way anymore.

Hey, remember in Season 3 when Dean said “you’re stronger than I am” to Sam? Remember how I said that was gonna come back later?

Obviously later in the episode Sam claims this was just the Siren talking but ... we all know this was coming from somewhere. But it’s something Sam, in his normal state, would never say. (Like, taking that dig at Dean for his guilt about Hell?? Man, that’s cold.) But on some level it’s things Sam really believes. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was something Ruby had told him though … But anyway, this episode shows us that, somewhere inside Sam considers Dean a burden, and feels like he’d be more successful without him. This obviously doesn’t outweigh the love that Sam has for Dean, but especially at this point in his journey, when he’s all messed up by Ruby and Demon Blood, they’re thoughts he’s been entertaining.

W*nc*st shippers DO NOT interact

#anyway I'm still confused because Dean was getting pretty chill with Ruby in 4x10 #so why is he so against her now?#probably just because Sam is acting shady #:/#Supernatural #Rewatch #Supernatural Rewatch #04x14 #4x14 #Sex and Violence #THE IDEA THAT BROTHERLY LOVE IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO ROMANTIC LOVE IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING WE NEED MORE OF IN OUR SOCIETY #Dean Winchester #Sam Winchester #Siren #Cara

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incorrectprodigalsonquotes · 4 years

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Carved in the Cradle Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Evan Huntington.

Thanks to Jessica’s connections, they were able to determine that while Arianna’s apartment had been bought under her name, it had been paid in full with cash by Evan Huntington. Having come from one of the most prominent New York old money families, he had received his inheritance upon graduating from Yale.

And after getting married.

Malcolm and Dani had gone to interview the man while Gil and JT went to collect statements from Arianna’s neighbours. Just outside of Huntington's office on Wall Street, they found a beleaguered woman with her blonde hair in a tight bun typing rapidly at her desk, dark blue nails ready to claw someone’s eyes out clicking with every word.

When the woman didn’t even bother to look up at them, Dani cleared her throat.

“Excuse me.”

“He’s in a meeting.” The blonde said, still not looking up.

“Detective Powell, NYPD.”

The receptionist finally looked up and sighed in exasperation.

“He’s in his office, though I warn you, he might not be dressed.” Both Dani and Malcolm raised an eyebrow at the woman. She huffed, “He’s usually in there banging an intern. Or two,” she added as an afterthought.

Malcolm’s eyes went wide as he exclaimed, “Or two?”

“He claims to get bored easily,” she added impatiently. “In any case, an intern just walked in there with a look on her face that I’m far too familiar with.”

“Good to know.” Dani wrinkled her nose in distaste as she walked up to the door and knocked, “Evan Huntington? NYPD. We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

The detective and the profiler heard fumbling and the sound of clothes being zipped up. They gave each other a weary, knowing look when they heard a man calling them in. Upon entering they saw Evan Huntington sitting a little too properly behind his desk and a blond woman making her way out of the office. Huntington ran a hand through his hair to smooth it out and gave them a charming yet somehow sleazy smile.

“How may I help the NYPD today?”

Dani held out a photo of their victim, “We’re here about Arianna Walters.”

He looked at the photo for a few moments, “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t know who that is.”

“Then can you explain to us why her high-end apartment home was paid in cash by you?”

Huntington just stared at them. Dani resisted letting out an irritated huff, “We have multiple people who can confirm this. You might as well talk.”

The man just continued to stare at them before he finally blinked with a huff.

“Look, I gave her that apartment in order to get her to leave me alone.”

“Leave you alone?”

“The woman is crazy. She came to me like a year ago and said that she was having a baby,” He scoffed, “Got oddly offended when I asked if she was sure it’s mine. Flipped out when she found out I was married.”

Malcolm frowned at Huntington's flippant attitude. “So you bought the apartment in order for her to keep the child out of your life.”

“I can’t blame her for wanting to attach her kid to me. Having the Huntington name can really help someone get places. But I have an image to maintain.”

Dani raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “The image of cheating on your wife while at work?”

“I have needs and... my wife doesn’t meet them.”

Malcolm barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes and a quick glance at Dani showed her struggling to do the same.

“What’s this about?”

“Arianna was found dead in her apartment.”

“Oh God...” Huntington looked down for a moment, seemingly in shock before looking back up, “How... what happened?”

“She was most likely targeted by a serial killer we've been tracking for a while.” Malcolm told him.

Dani glanced at him curiously, wondering what Bright was doing, but decided to play along.

“We were just wondering if you might know anyone who would want to hurt her.”

Evan Huntington stayed quiet for a moment, “I... I wouldn’t know... I can’t imagine why anyone would want to hurt her.”

“I thought you said that she was crazy,” Dani replied stoically.

"I mean," Huntington ran a hand down his face, “I did have a... relationship with her. We met about two and a half years ago at a bar downtown. She had no idea who I was and I ended up liking it.”

“So you started a relationship with her.”

“We don’t run in the same circles. I always met with her on her side of town and I didn’t wear my ring when I was with her.”

“How did she find out you were married?”

“When she told me she was pregnant.” He shook his head ruefully, “I had to tell her why I couldn’t marry her… she told me she wanted nothing to do with me after that.”

“So you didn’t want that?”

“Of course not… but I had to respect her wishes. At the very least, I offered to get her a nice place in a good part of town. It’s hard enough raising a child on your own, let alone worrying about where to live.”

Malcolm narrowed his eyes, “So you wouldn’t want Arianna to have been hurt?”

“No!” Huntington exclaimed a little too quickly. He cleared his throat, “I-I just... you have to know that I would never want to see Arianna hurt.” Malcolm continued to study Huntington intently, noting every tick and expression. “Now, how else can I help you?”

About five minutes later, Dani and Malcolm left the office, about to go back to the precinct when Malcolm turned around and walked back to the receptionist’s desk.

“Oh, by the way, Miss...”

“Darshell. Rosemary Darshell,” the blonde responded.

“Forgive me for asking, but you seem to match similar characteristics to both the photo of his wife and the woman that was just in his office.”

She raised an unimpressed eyebrow, “Your point?”

“Has Evan Huntington ever attempted to start something with you?”

“ Bright .” Dani hissed as she came up behind him. Trust Bright to ask the inappropriate questions.

“Forgive the implication, but you were an intern here once. Correct?”

Rosemary was silent for a moment before saying; “Yes... and yes. He has attempted to have a sexual relationship with me.” Before Malcolm or Dani could say a word, she continued with; “ But . It never happened.”

“Why not?”

“Mr Huntington may be a lot of things, but he at least understands the word ‘no’. He came onto me during a holiday party two years ago but I made it clear that I wasn’t interested. He understood and hasn’t brought it up since. Even showed no objection to my becoming his secretary.” Rosemary glanced surreptitiously around her desk to see if anyone else was listening in, “But if you really want to talk to someone, you're better off talking to his wife Gwendolyn.”

Dani frowned. “You think she might be involved?”

“I can’t say for certain, but what I do know? She's fully aware of her husband’s infidelities. And she either doesn’t care or takes revenge in her own way.”

“Revenge?”

“Let’s just say I was a bit surprised when she came onto me after I turned her husband down.” Malcolm's eyes went wide as Dani's mouth hung open in bewilderment. Rosemary nodded, “And I might have taken her up on her offer too if I didn’t already have a girlfriend.”

“Well,” Dani nodded firmly as if shaking the mental image from her head, “Thank you for the information. If you remember anything else that could help, please let us know.”

Rosemary gave a polite smile before returning to her computer screen, “Of course.”

(~**~) (~**~) (~**~) (~**~)

“So that was some interesting information we got.” Dani finally said once they had got inside her car.

"Well," Malcolm couldn’t help but laugh at the bluntness of her statement, “You’re not wrong there.”

“I don’t understand how a person can cheat on their partner.” Dani began, her lips pursed in a frown. Malcolm didn’t interrupt, curious about the faraway look in her eyes. “I mean even to a degree, I can understand that there would be a reason to kill. It’s rarely good, but there’s always a reason why. But there's no reason for cheating. I just can’t understand why anyone would think it's okay,” she finished with a huff.

“You’ve been holding that in for a while, huh?”

“Yeah...” Dani took a deep breath as she trailed off, “So what’s your profile on Huntington?” She shot Malcolm a knowing look before bringing her eyes back to the road. “Come on Bright, I know you have a profile of the guy in that mind of yours.”

Malcolm grinned, amused out how easily she could read him.

“Well I can’t promise you won’t be grossed out.”

"Please," Dani just smirked back at him, "you already know I’m not easily spooked.”

“Just checking.” He cleared his throat, “So, I thought I recognized the name Huntington and when I noticed the pictures on his desk, one was of him and his father, Edgar Huntington. I remember seeing him at some of the parties I was forced to go to as a kid.”

Dani wrinkled her nose. “Edgar and Evan. Very creative.”

Malcolm smirked, “I didn’t name ‘em.”

“And the other picture?”

“Wedding photo. He clearly wasn’t shy about the fact that he’s married. However if Arianna had never visited his office like he claimed, it’s possible she didn’t know.”

They drove in silence for a while when Dani spoke up, a curious expression on her face.

“So what made Arianna so different?”

“Well, judging by the women he was with in his office, most of the women he has his wandering eye on seem to be women he works with in the same building. So it's more than possible that most of his... dalliances knew of his marital status.” His brow furrowed in thought, “Maybe the fact that Arianna wasn’t like the women he usually spends time with was what made her different. Maybe she made him different.”

“You’re taking a while to get to the profile.”

“What we have is an unhappy married man who clearly is either emasculated or just feels like he has no control of his own life. He married young so maybe he feels he didn’t get the chance to really live his life and this is his way of getting back some of that control he feels he lacks.”

“And then there’s the fact that his wife also hit on Rosemary a short while after he struck out.”

“There’s that too.”

Dani raised an eyebrow, “And how does that relate to Arianna?”

“Not sure, but she obviously doesn't match the type of women he seems to go after.”

Dani's thoughts went back to the woman who had been in Huntington’s office with him. She was tall and willowy with hair perfectly pinned in a pristine updo. Her appearance starkly contrasted with Arianna’s short, curvy figure and fluffy dark curls. She immediately thought of the tiny baby Arianna had been forced to leave behind.

“And Isabella?” Malcolm turned his head to Dani as she parked her car, “Do you believe Evan Huntington’s the father?”

Malcolm nodded, “It’s the only thing that explains him buying Arianna the apartment and Isabella’s father being omitted from her birth certificate.” He let out a heavy sigh, “But I can’t imagine Isabella would be well off with him.”

“Other than being financially stable.”

“That might be true, but I like to think that there’s more to parenting than just paying for everything” He chuckled in amusement, “Obviously, no one can be a perfect parent, but--”

“Buying your children’s love isn’t going to get you anywhere.” Dani finished, turning her head to face him.

“Exactly.” Malcolm gave a tiny smile as he locked gazes with Dani, glass blue eyes focused all on her. “Dani, I--”

She looked at him expectantly. He tried to open his mouth, but no words would come out. He cleared his throat.

“I suppose I should call my mother.” He took off his seatbelt and reached to pull his phone out of his suit pocket, “Have her bring Isabella back. Hopefully she hasn’t caused too much damage in terms of her spending.”

Dani looked down and let out a tiny chuckle before meeting his eyes again.

“How much damage could she have done in less than three hours?”

“I haven’t told you about Ainsley’s fifteenth birthday party, have I?”

“I don’t think so.” Dani let out a laugh, her face lighting up. "It's up there with your great-uncle Douglas."

Malcolm dialed his mother’s number as he gave Dani a promising grin.

“Remind me to tell you later.”

(~**~) (~**~) (~**~) (~**~)

About an hour later, Jessica arrived at the precinct, wearing a new blouse herself and having completely changed Isabella’s wardrobe as she carried the baby in her arms. A surprising move on her part.

Jessica walked in with many bags hanging off her arms as well and a huge smile on her face which only grew wider when she saw Malcolm with Dani.

“Malcolm. Detective Powell.”

Malcolm’s eyes were practically the size of dinner plates as Dani let out a slight chuckle.

“I see what you meant," she whispered to him. "And I thought you had spending problems.”

“I apologize for taking so long, but I was having the time of my life with this little darling. Right Isabella?” The little girl clapped her hands as she kept hold of her stuffed owl, “It took me a while to find something that would match her beloved owl here. She refused to let go of it the whole time. Reminds me of Malcolm and his favourite stuffed monkey. He used to bathe with it when he was a toddler.”

Malcolm pointedly cleared his throat while Dani smirked at this new piece of information.

Isabella’s eyes then fell to Malcolm and she immediately shot her arms out to him.

“Oh!” Jessica grinned, “Looks like the little angel missed you.”

Malcolm gave a tiny smile and took Isabella from his mother. The baby was quick to rest her head on his shoulder, gurgling as her tiny hand patted his tie.

“Mother, what is she wearing?” He noted the pink and white cotton velvet peplum romper with an all over logo print Isabella was wearing.

“Darling, who cares? It’s Armani.” She grinned as she stroked Isabella’s dimpled cheek, “And there’s an adorable little bow to match,” she added, gesturing to the headband on Isabella’s head.

Isabella kept her head against Malcolm’s shoulder, but reached out for Dani, letting out a tiny squeak. Dani let Isabella grab her finger as the little girl giggled and she couldn’t help but smile back at her.

“Did you have a fun day?”

“Oh, I should hope so,” Jessica cooed at Isabella as she placed the shopping bags on the ground. “We went to Fifth Avenue, then got lunch at Sushi Ginza Onodera and had the most fabulous sashimi.”

Malcolm’s eyes widened in dismay. “Mother, she’s eight months old.”

“Oh, calm down Malcolm. I didn’t give her anything she couldn’t eat.” Jessica scoffed airily, “You seem to forget that I am a mother. I’ve done this before.” Malcolm rolled his eyes as Jessica turned to smile at Dani. “Detective Powell. Would you be willing to take Isabella for a few minutes?”

“Uh, sure.” Dani gently took Isabella from Malcolm, “Come on Isabella. I think Uncle Bright’s in trouble...” She playfully scrunched her nose as she took Isabella to the conference room.

“Now... Malcolm.” Jessica's smile was as bright as a knife's edge, making it known to her son that she wanted something.

Malcolm looked at her warily. “Mother?”

“I would like to talk to you about the gala.”

Welp. I’m back! ...Again...

I’m trying to have more consistent updates you guys, I promise XD

BTW if you think the Huntingtons are bad now... oh ho, ho, ho, ho... just you wait... *Sings* Just yoooou wait...

Hope you guys enjoyed that and hope you caught the tiny Brightwell moments I snuck in there... I told you... it’s gonna be SLOWBURN!

Thank you to @s4karuna for helping me edit!

#prodigal son #malcolm bright #dani powell #jessica whitly #brightwell #carved in the cradle #prodigal son fanfiction

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shijiujun · 5 years

Text

Novel Epilogue (Part 2)

We all have this summary of the later parts of the epilogue because of @angel-kyousuke who found the e-book version on Google Play (it has in built translation, but according to feedback it’s not very good, but if some of you would like to try link to the book is here

We left off with Jack and Zhao Zi standing by the road side with Jack having just made a call to TY to inform him that SF was injured and he keeps his phone to, and I quote, “to look and appreciate his little hot-blooded cop” -ahem-

ZZ is commanding the rest of the team and people are listening to him as he yells for them to bring the culprits back for a statement, to get an arrest warrant from the prosecutors etc. and then this new, young cop who just joined the team 3 months ago asks ZZ worriedly if the Captain is okay (omg i still CANNOT GET OVER THE FACT THAT SF IS CAPTAIN!!) - ZZ says it’s totally fine, because the shady, mob doctor is very good, and then ZZ remembers who he’s talking to and what he’s talking about (cuz mob doctor - mob - police officer - yeah better not say that too loudly), so he sheepishly says: “Someone else is responsible for worrying about Ah Fei, our job is to handle this well”

The young cop replies: “Yes, Zhao Zi Ge!”

And LOL ZZ is so happy that he called him like older brother and he’s obviously superrrrr elated but he’s interrupted by the growling of his stomach at exactly 6pm, and he immediately starts looking around (Note: This is pure comedy) and Jack calls out: “Little one, over here!”

AND OMFG ZZ TURNS AROUND TO SEE JACK WITH A FRICKIN FOOD CART!!!! WHAT. THE. HELL. THE MENU FOR TODAY IS:

Fried beef noodles

Noodles hor fun

Beef mui fun (like a chinese risotto of sorts)

Beef fried rice

Beef noodles

LIKE WOW?!!!! Anw ZZ makes a beeline for the food cart (ZZ, you are the fucking police, remember?!!!!) and ZZ asks: “How did you know i wanted to eat all these? (ZZ HOW MUCH CAN U EAT AT ONE GO?!!!)

J: “I’m your personal chef, of course I know what you’re thinking”

Ever since Jack became Fang Liang Dian, he became a normal civilian again, and although he has a Swiss bank account that has enough savings in it to sit back, relax and spend the money three lifetimes and more, but he didn’t want to sit around so he decided to AND I QUOTE “BE ZHAO LI AN’S HOUSE HUSBAND” - NOT JOKING GUYS, YOU KNOW WE ALL JOKED ABOUT IT?!!! NOW IT’S CANON!!! OKAY SRSLY

And YOU KNOW WHAT’S EVEN BETTER? SO JACK BOUGHT A FOOD CART/TRUCK/VAN OR WHATEVER JUST SO HE CAN FOLLOW ZHAO ZI AROUND AND PROVIDE FOOD FOR HIM 24/7 WHAT THE HELL GUYS!!! HAHAHA

So ZZ literally just orders food from his boyfriend, and then Jun Wei turns up to make an order as well after greeting Jack: “Yo, you’re here again? Beef rice, thank you.”

Jack asks for 1000 NTD, Jun Wei accuses Jack of ripping him off, and the Jack drop the bomb by saying that the beef he used is Grade A5 beef, so obviously it’d be expensive?!!!! (LOL JACK PLS Jack is pampering ZZ omg) and after that, even though Jun Wei just got his pay and it’s so expensive, he still pays Jack for the food AHAHAHHAA good job Jun Wei!!!! atta boy, but Jack says sure, you’ll have to wait, because ZHAO ZI ALWAYS COMES FIRST!!!!

We move on to Hong Ye and Dao Yi in the hospital as she’s giving birth omg and she, like most women while giving birth, is yelling Dao Yi’s name like he’s offended her, while Dao Yi is soothing her, telling her not to be angry etc. and with a slip of tongue he calls her ‘Miss’ again, out of habit BUT WE ALL KNOW HONG YE’S TEMPER PLUS SHE’S GIVING BIRTH RIGHT - so she yells again: “Didn’t I tell you not to call me ‘Miss’ ever again?!!! Where the hell is that stupid doctor (Dr Jiang, poor thing)”

Anw, it’s not Dr Jiang who’s going to help her give birth but his junior, and lol Hong Ye as always is yelling again if a junior can be trusted, and she tells Dao Yi they’re only having one kid and NEVER AGAIN

IT’S A DAUGHTER GUYS!!! OMGAHHHHH

One week later, the uncles (TY and SF, but J and ZZ are there too omgggg this baby is blessed with the four most handsome and badass uncles in the world wtf) are eagerly waiting outside the baby room waiting to take the new baby and SF IS THE ONE WHO EAGERLY RUNS UP TO THE WINDOW AND FLASHES HONG YE’S PATIENT TAG OR SOMETHING (PROUD UNCLE GUYS SF IS A PROUD UNCLE)

SF looks at the baby and he’s like: “Wow, so cute, TY look, next time the little princess will call you Uncle”

TY: “Don’t worry! I will teach her so that her first words are ‘Aunt’ to you”

LOL GUYS LOL

Jack walks over to Dao Yi and goes: “Brother Dao Yi, you’ve worked hard”

Because apparently ever since Hong Ye got pregnant, her temper became even worse and even Tang Yi who dotes on her so much usually was so pissed off a few times from talking to her that he literally just walked out, and that was even more so the case for SF who usually banters and argues with her over stupid shit usually anyway, and only Dao Yi who has a really good temper can deal with her

Dao Yi, even though he’s been married to her for a while, still accidentally calls her ‘Miss’ sometimes and HY hates it the most, so every time he does it she runs away from home, but luckily he knows there she goes - THEIR ICE CREAM STORE!!! So Dao Yi bribed the store owner to always keep HY’s favourite 2 flavours of ice cream in the store all year round, so HY will always go there when she’s angry and DY knows exactly where to go fetch her home

Jack to ZZ who’s cooing over the baby: “You like kids?”

ZZ: “Of course! Small and cute, who doesn’t like babies?”

J: “I don’t. They’re noise, annoying and can’t understand human language”

AND ZZ I ALWAYS KNEW U WERE THE SLY AND SMART ONE: “Oh you don’t? Aww, I was thinking over Chinese New Year, we should do spring cleaning and I’d take out the photos of when I was younger to show you, but since u don’t like kids, then never mind!!!”

J: “Wait! You said you had whose baby photos?!!!”

And lol Jack has to reassure ZZ that as long as it’s him, no matter if he’s small or an adult, he likes em all, so ZZ better give Jack all the photos, they’re his (T^T)

ZZ blushes at that, and turns around to see SF grinning at him

Gosh it’s the kid conversation criessssss, Jack tells him that since ZZ likes kids so much, why not they have one too? And not just one, but two for Jack, and they both better be girls, and look like him so when they grow up they’ll be beautiful women (wow Jack, vainpot huh)

ZZ yells: “FANG. LIANG. DIAN. I’m a guy!!! Who the hell is going to give birth to kids for you! Go to hell!”

They get chased out because they’re so noisy HAHAHA

The next epilogue chapter concentrates on Jack and ZZ

Jack is lying on the couch, waiting for his lover who hasn’t come home even though it’s past 10pm, but he’s used to waiting as someone who’s been strictly trained in the army, and he’s been trained to be a killer who will kill anyone as long as his superior ordered it, but he got bored, so he decided to be a merc instead - he lies in bed breathing and thinks back to a time when all he could smell was blood and gunpowder (i think) in the air when he breathed, but now all he smells is good food

anw now, all he wants is a home he can return to (T^T)

Jack asks if ZZ was doing overtime again, but ZZ actually went to drink with SF and Jun Wei, and then ZZ moves over to the couch and snuggles/burrows into Jack entirely and he says: “Liang Dian. Hehe. Liang Dian is very big” and then proceeds to touch Jack’s pecs (Note: Okay I have to say so far I love the little tidbits but this author? I get the feeling that this is the Chinese version of fanfiction.net oh god with the lines I keep seeing)

But his hand goes lower and-

(Okayyy I’m not going to go into this, the line he uses is APPALLING I WILL NOT SUMMARISE IT RIGHT NOW. Anyway, this is the M-18 part guys, we have an Explicit and Mature rating they go for it, that’s all I can say right now)

So, ZZ is trying to top Jack because of SF teased him for it (what is this fixation on the positions?!!!) and Jack is surprised, but doesn’t reject him, and then ZZ literally starts crying and explains to Jack what happened - Jack bursts out laughing instead once he hears that and in his head he pities TY for a moment for having such a weird boyfriend

Jack agrees anyway, and then ZZ is all: “Really?”

J: “Sure, but if we do this, you must be responsible for me for life.” (????!!!!!! oh god)

Yes so bed scene happens - I will not detail this out at all, not here at least HAHAHA have fun guys

The next morning: ZZ wakes up to Jack already cooking breakfast, and ZZ promises Jack, after remembering what they said last night, that he will be responsible to Jack forever

And THE END

#history3: trapped #history 3: trapped #history 3: 圈套 #history3圈套 #history3 novel #translation #summary #omggg my heart #part 2!!!#spoilers #i feel a little embarrassed reading the sex scenes #i cannot #kind of have issues with the way this author has written some of this

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bobasheebaby · 4 years

Text

100 Roseanne Prompts

I usually try to stick to quotes that can work for everyone but some of these were too good to skip. Break at 15 like always. Request a show

1 “Hey, all our lives suck.” — Roseanne

2 “Here's why you can't trust your kids 'cause they're stupid. That's why we don't give 'em cars or booze.” — Roseanne

3 “Etsy is like a yard sale except online because nobody can afford a yard anymore.” — Darlene

4 “All of your relatives died from alcoholism. The ones that didn't drink were killed by the ones who did.” — Roseanne

5 “Did all of your children's deliveries go according to your birth plan?” “Um, they found their way out, if that's what you mean.” — Andrea & Roseanne

6 “You gotta pick your fights in life.” — Roseanne

7 “Okay, he doesn't have to wear pants, but he's gotta wear underwear.” — Dan

8 “It is not my fault that I just happen to be a charismatic person who's always right about everything.” — Roseanne

9 “Why are you picking on me? What, did I take the last doughnut, or something?” — Darlene

10 [Person B is embarrassed after walking in on Person C nursing her baby] “Oh, now, NAME. It's not like you've never seen breasts before.” “NAME’s my friend. As far as I'm concerned, she has no breasts... It works for me, okay?” — Roseanne & Dan

11 “The car has heated seats? Thank God, I thought I was going through the change.” — Roseanne

12 [stoned and laying the bathtub] “Is this the sink? Am I shrinking?” — Jackie

13 “In this house, I'm in charge and father knows squat.” — Roseanne

14 “What's up? I smell fear. I love that smell! But what's up?” — Roseanne

15 “Do you have anything sharp I can stick in my eye?” — Dan

16 “You are really, really gettin' on my nerves today, man! I mean more than usual!” — Dan

17 “Well, you think you can stop me from seeing NAME, huh?” “I think I can stop you from seeing tomorrow.” — Mark & Dan

18 “You were always trying to push us apart. You were always putting me down!” — Mark Healey

19 “My marriage is not based on me listening!” — Roseanne

20 “Why don't you just kiss my butt?” “Well, haul it on over here, Jumbo!” — Becky & Darlene

21 “You are just evil!” — Jackie

22 “Oh good, go for the guilt. You better take a looong, hard look at yourself, NAME, 'cause if you are this obsessed with my life, there is obviously something missing from yours.” “Just figure that out?” — Jackie & Roseanne

23 “I thought you were just gonna go over there and scare him/her?” “Well, it started out that way.” — Roseanne & Dan

24 “Being your own boss isn't that great of a deal. Last week I sexually harassed myself.” — Dan

25 “Hell, even I don't hate her that much.” — Dan

26 “Oh my gosh, I'm so nervous.” “Just don't shoot any milk out of you nose, and you'll be fine.” — Becky & Roseanne

27 “Please, NAME, I don't want you to help me, I just want you to leave me alone ... Please.” — Darlene

28 “Don’t toy with me, NAME.” — Roseanne

29 “We, have had a fight, and we're not speaking to each other.” “Oh, well, what was the fight about? Maybe I can take a side.” — Roseanne & Jackie

30 “He/She wanted to do something; I didn't feel like it.” “Yeah, well, so what are you going to do?” “Nothing.” “That's what you did last weekend!” “Yeah, well I'm not finished.” — Darlene & Roseanne

31 “No, NAME always was the bad influence.” — Roseanne

32 “Talking - it's like yelling, only not as loud.” — Roseanne

33 “Yeah, but you know what they say, NAME. They say, ah, when you really love something you should, you know, make it go away or get rid of it, or whatever.” — Roseanne

34 “You're acting like a crazed psychopath.” [snorts] “Well the voices in my head disagree.” — Dan & Roseanne

35 [on getting married] “I always thought it was the smartest thing I ever did. You obviously don't agree.” “No, I do agree with you, it was the smartest thing you ever did, but we're talking about me now!” — Dan & Roseanne

36 [Person A and Person B bury the hatchet] “So, I guess we've finally approached the end of Bitch-Fest YEAR.” “Oh what a time we had!” — Roseanne & Darlene

37 “You can't tell NAME what to do. She's a big girl!” [snarls] “Compared to who?” — David & Roseanne

38 “What kind of list is he/she making? Not that it's any of my business.” “A hit list.” — Beverly & Dan

39 [feeling for pulse] “I think he’s/she's dead.” [steps back] “Check again.” “I know how to count to zero.” — Roseanne & Dan

40 “What was the second thing you noticed about me?” — Roseanne

41 “Aw, get off the sympathy wagon, NAME; there were plenty of guys/girls standing in line for you to treat 'em like dirt. I was just the lucky one.” — Dan

42 “You are rotten rotten kids, and I can't even believe I'm related to you two!” — Jackie Harris

43 “You'll just do something stupid that you're going to regret later.” — Roseanne

44 “I'm your husband/wife. That's my right.” — Dan

45 [finds present] “You're not going to open it, are you? It's two days away.” “Yea! Well I need time to practice pretending like I like it.” [pulls something ugly from the box] “Oh man, I should'a opened it a week ago.” — Jackie & Roseanne

46 “Oh, this is going to be soooo great!” — Darlene

47 “What's the catch?” “No catch, can't we do something nice?” “I don't know, you never have.” — Roseanne & Becky

48 “Oh my God. You're kidding me!” — Roseanne

49 “Save your breath, NAME, you're not gonna talk me into dropping this lawsuit.” “Well, maybe I can talk you into begging for your life.” — Fred & Roseanne

50 “I'm way more powerful than any law!” — Roseanne

51 “Well NAME, I guess you're just not the man/woman I thought you were ... and I wasn't too happy with that one!” — Roseanne

52 “We should've known, NAME, men stick together no matter how butt headed their argument is.” — Becky

53 [about Person b and person c’s sex life] “You're kidding? You guys have a night?” “Yes, we have a night. It's not only Wednesday, but it's always Wednesday.” You have a time too?” “Yeah. Twenty minutes, or until he gets a cramp.” “Well, you should make him wait half-an-hour after he eats.” — Jackie & Roseanne

54 “Oh, c'mon. Just because you guys aren't having "Wednesday", doesn't mean he’s/she's out ... "Wednesday-ing" somebody else.” — Jackie

55 “What's the matter with you, boy/girl? Can't keep your pants on?” — Dan

56 “Damn women! Who the hell do they think they are!” “We are sugar and spice, and everything nice. So bite me!” — Dan & Roseanne

57 “Have you met NAME?” — Roseanne

58 “Gee, I'd love to NAME, but I'd rather stay home and drill some screws into my toes.” — Darlene

59 “Remember one thing, NAME, I'm your worst nightmare!” — Jackie

60 “You always say how you want better things for us.” “Ah, yea, but I was talking about me and your Dad. You kids already got it too good.” — Becky & Roseanne

61 “You are a controlling bitch!” — Dan

62 “Boy I'll tell you, I wish I had never m - -“ “What? Say it.” “Nothin'.” “Well that makes two of us.“ — Dan & Roseanne

63 “Ooohhh, we all know what this is about, don't we? You're just jealous because I've made something of myself.” “Yeah, an ass ... And where do you get that hoity-toity accent anyway? You're from PLACE!” — Ronnie & Roseanne

64 “I can't believe that I wasted TIME hating you for something as stupid as a wedding, when there's a very good reason to hate you. You're a bitch!” [gasps] “I'm a bitch? Hah! I bow to the queen of all bitches.” — Roseanne & Ronnie

65 “Look me in the eye and tell me it was an accident. And remember ... I can tell when you're lying.” “It was an accident ... could you tell?” — Roseanne & DJ

66 “I could go for something to eat.” “Yeah? Well, then go.” [motions toward the door] — Arnie & Roseanne

67 “You're going to flunk marriage if you can't pass the oral ... oh my God ...” “We know too much, we know too much.” — Dan & Fred

68 “NAME, where'd you get those jelly beans?” “From the bin at store.” “NAME, I told you, you gotta finish eating them while you're in the store, 'else it's stealing!” — Roseanne & DJ

69 “I never thought I would say this ... I'm too depressed to drink.” — Dan

70 “Let's just cut the crap, okay. You're talking to NAME’s mother here, the mother of all mothers and she is majorly mad.” — Roseanne

71 “NAME, NAME, NAME. I have raised two of the best damn liars in the free world. Don't embarrass yourself.” — Roseanne

72 “This is for the pain.” “Owwww. Make it a double.” — Nurse & Jackie

73 “I hate to see you laying here in pain like this.” “Well actually, ever since he/she gave me that shot, I'm feelin' kinda neat.” — Gary & Jackie

74 “I want someone who will love me and support me no matter what. Just like NAME does for you.” “Are you insane! You know how many years I had to put into NAME? You think he/she came out of a box like that!” — Jackie & Roseanne

75 “What do you think your punishment oughta be?” “What do you mean?” “NAME told me everything.” “That little rat.” “But I told him/her I wasn't going to do anything until I get your side of the story.” “Well first we, wait a minute, uh, uh --“ “You're getting good.” — Roseanne & Becky

76 “I worked it out with NAME, he’s/she's gonna stay here and babysit and I'm gonna go out.” “Why would he/she do that?” “I have dirt on him/her. “ “What kind of dirt?” “Now if I told you, I'd have to stay home.” [person a leaves] — Darlene & Roseanne

77 [Person A is acting like a hunchback] “I brought the baggage master, where do you wish me to put it?” “Just put it anywhere Igor.” “Maybe later you and me.” “We'll see.” You're so kind.” [ kisses hand] — Dan & Roseanne

78 [about child’s behavior] “NAME you did stuff like that when you were NAME’s age right?” “No, the boy's odd.” — Roseanne & Dan

79 [offering to the family] “Hey, I got one more pancake.” “I want French toast!” “Well, you better move to Europe.” — Roseanne & DJ

80 [Person A, angry, grabs keys and leaves the house] “Oh God. This is really bad.” “Yeah, I know.” “Oh no. I mean, this is really bad. I'm parked behind him/her.” — Jackie & Dan

81 “Yeah, I do. And we're not going to put him/her through that again, are we?” — Dan

82 [comes in through the front door] “NAME, you all ready to go?” [whining] “I don't wa-haant to-o-o-o! I feel like a used piece of gum that somebody stuck under the table, just waiting for the excitement of drying up and hitting the floor.” — Jackie & Roseanne

83 “You HAVE to take this job ... you're the only one that applied!” — Marsha

84 [grabs the syrup bottle and comes up behind PERSON B] “Remember me, NAME?” [look of terror] “Not Mrs. Butterworth ... please not Mrs. Butterworth.” “Remember how your brother/sister NAME told you how I came to life at night in the cupboard? Remember how I would chase you around even though I have no legs? Well I'm back and I just want one more sticky kiss!” [PERSON B screams] — Roseanne & Jackie

85 “I hope I see you later, I mean, a lot later.” — Roseanne

86 [after the birth] “I didn't call you any horrible names back there, did I?” “No more than usual.” — Roseanne & Dan

87 [about kid dressed as a lawyer] “That's the scariest costume all night.” — Roseanne

88 [going through the candy bowl] “This is all sugar in here.” “Not true, there're chemicals too.” — David & Roseanne

89 “You should be giving children the stuff their bodies need.” [gets fruit from the kitchen] “What the hell is that?” “Wait a minute, honey, I've seen this before, it's food that doesn't come in a wrapper.” “That's unsanitary.” — David, Roseanne & Dan

90 “Did you see the Great Pumpkin last night?” “No, NAME wore pajamas.” — Jackie & Roseanne

91 [discussing Person C] “She's rude and selfish.” “I know, but, inside she's just a ... scared little girl.” Yeah, and I know what's scaring her, the raging bitch on the outside.” — Dan & Roseanne

92 “I'll be back later to give you your present.” “Why can't I just open it now?” “I haven't bought it yet.” — Jackie & Roseanne

93 “And don't you ever feed my dog!” “If I get drunk enough, I'll fight your dog!” — Roseanne

94 “I really don't think it's wise for anyone in this family to be giving away livers.” — Beverly

95 “Say 'I'm not taking any crap from anyone'.” “I am ...” “Stop! It's not 'I am', it's 'I'm'.” “I'm not taking any... do I have to say the C word?” “Yes you do, NAME, because that's the most important word.” “I'm not taking any crap from anyone.” “That was good but are you serving tea, NAME? Get mad and say it.” [louder] “I'm not taking any crap from anyone!” “Good, now personalize it, make it your own.” [louder] “I'm not taking any damn crap from anyone!” — Roseanne & Doris

96 “Hey, where's my 'My other mug is a shot glass' mug?” — Roseanne

97 “Why are you gettin' so mad at me?” “Because you are making me defend NAME.” — Becky & Roseanne

98 “I am not sexist. I'm much too frightened of women to be sexist.” — David

99 “Get me a beer.” “Get it yourself, slob!” — Mark & Darlene

100 “I can't believe you're jealous over this.” “Why not? It's very typical of me.”

#roseanne quotes #roseanne prompts #dialogue prompts #writing prompts #roseanne conner #dan conner #darlene conner #dj conner #becky conner #mark healy #david healy #jackie harris #beverly harris #quaratine sucks and making these keeps my mind busy #i live in covid 19 hell

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ilovemesomekillianjones · 5 years

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The Soldier, the Witch, and the Dragon - A CSSNS 2019 One Shot

Summary: When soldier Killian Jones shows up on witch Emma Swan's doorstep, two worlds will collide. He will learn of worlds and wonders he never imagined possible and she will learn that true love might just be in the cards for her. Witches, Dragons, and Magic, Oh My! A CS one shot for the 2019 Captain Swan Supernatural Summer event.

A/N: Thank you to @spartanguard for masterfully crafting the banner above and this CS edit to accompany my story, it is magnificent. I love it Kaitlyn!!! @hollyethecurious - much appreciation for being the extra set of eyes to fine tune this tale. And finally, thank you @cssns for bringing together so many talented writers and artists to put together another phenomenal collection of supernatural content for all of us CS lovers.

ao3 ffnet Rated M 15K+

July, 1865

In spectacular fashion, as was customary for him, Killian Jones staggered up the two steps of the single dwelling nestled among the foliage of a supposedly haunted wood. Bloodied and bruised he slumped against the door frame, grunting as the raw nerves of his severed hand met with the rough wood. He brought his other hand to the door and rapped his knuckles against what he hoped to be the entryway to his last chance for salvation, before passing out. Spectacular fashion indeed.

Two days ago…

“Since you are representing yourself, Mr. Jones, you are charged with desertion, how do you plead?” the judge questioned.

“Not guilty,” Killian Jones stated definitively.

“You deserted during war time, is this not true?”

“Semantics.”

“Your honor he deserted the Confederacy in May of 1861,” the prosecuting lawyer argued.

“Your Honor, if I may?” Killian asked.

The judge nodded his head in Killian’s direction, allowing him his defense.

“I merely recognized I was fighting for the wrong side.” Killian smiled his most brilliant smile as if this one statement had won his case.

“Come again, son?”

“You’re required to be impartial, yes, Your Honor?”

The judge nodded curtly.

“I was involuntarily drafted into this war by the Confederacy. Being a former slave myself, sold into it by my father, I would never support such an agenda.” Years of practicing a cool and collected demeanor were working in Killian’s favor as he maintained the facade that hid his disgust for the Confederacy and all it stood for. “Therefore, I did not desert in time of war, I simply... switched sides,” he declared with a flourish of his hand.

“Then you are an enemy of the Confederacy,” the judge amended.

“I beg to differ,” Killian said cheekily, “how can I be an enemy of something that does not exist?”

A low buzz broke out across the courtroom as discourse ran rampant among the lot of Confederate diehards. Killian wondered if they even knew the war was over, and they’d lost.

“All good points you bring up, Mr. Jones. Unfortunately, I am not here for good points, I am here to uphold the law to the best of my ability. As such, I hereby by find you guilty of the charge of desertion during war time. In addition, I am adding and find you guilty of the crime of treason and as such, I sentence you to be hanged tomorrow at noon.”

Before Killian could react to what was happening he was roughly being hauled away by the bailiff and thrown into the shitty cell he’d been sitting in for the last three weeks. His jaw clenched as he lay on the ground where he’d been tossed.

One moment he’d been enjoying rum, riches, and wealth via his stellar poker playing skills and the next he’d been dragged from his bar of choice, carted hundreds of miles, and hauled into this cell. Where had he gone wrong? Perhaps he never should’ve left England with his father and brother, after his mother’s death. Then he never would have been sold into slavery, subsequently landing here in the south.

“On your feet, soldier,” the guard on duty barked.

“For what?” Killian spat.

“For your superior officer,” a familiar, grating voice said.

Killian’s eyes rolled so far back in his head he was sure they might get stuck there. There was nothing superior about this man, nothing. “Captain Cassidy, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Just came to settle a debt, Jones.”

“Ah, I guess my trial was over before it started, makes sense now.”

“You killed my father, you traitorous son of a bitch.”

“He deserved it, Neal,” Killian gritted out, jumping to his feet to meet his former friend against the bars of the cell. “He killed women and children in the name of being victorious for a losing side.”

Neal shrugged his shoulders. “You should have left well enough alone instead of coming back.”

“I didn’t have a choice, it was me or him! I didn’t seek him out, we were engaged in combat.”

Neal reached through the bars and grabbed Killian by the shirt. “Semantics. Isn’t that what you always said? You say didn’t have a choice, I say murdered in cold blood.” He threw Killian back as he seethed the last words. “You’ll never see that noose tomorrow, but you’ll wish you were hanged by the time I’m done with you.”

乂❤乂❤乂

“Wake up! Come back to me.”

Killian smiled as the feminine voice washed over him, adding to the weightlessness he felt. It made all movement a little cumbersome, but he felt healthier than he had during the past month, and he was blessedly pain free for the moment. That is until a stinging slap collided with his cheek. His brow furrowed and a grimace replaced the easy smile that had graced his lips. He struggled to open his eyes to see just who was attached to the voice that currently worried over him.

“Don’t die,” the voice repeated, “it’s the only thing I can’t fix.”

A doctor! he thought as relief washed over him. But when he was finally able to command the muscles of his eyelids, he was greeted by an angel. She was dressed in all white and a halo of blonde tresses cascaded over her shoulders, which positively emitted a golden glow around her being. He thought to himself, if he was dead then there were two things he was grateful for. One, he’d made it into heaven and two, the angelic being before him.

“Hey beautiful,” he rasped out before attempting to throw her his most devilish smolder.

“Oh! Are you in pain?” she asked.

“Not at the moment, which is more than I can say for the last forty-eight hours. Why?”

“You just made a face, I thought maybe your wounds were causing you pain. It would be quite odd if you were experiencing any pain, though. So maybe that’s your normal face?”

So, not a devilish smolder that he’d made then. “If it’s devilishly handsome, it’s my normal face. If not, you are not getting the full effect.”

“Whatever you say,” she said noncommittally.

Do angels really roll their eyes and scoff? Killian wondered.

“You sure are arrogant for a man who passed out after being on the losing end of some sort of fight.”

It was Killian’s turn to scoff. “I do not lose.” He had passed out though, he thought as he reached up sheepishly to scratch behind his ear. “Bloody Hell!” he yelled as something pierced said spot.

“Careful,” the angel chastised as she pulled his arm away from his head. “That thing is a weapon now.”

Killian looked at his left hand, or what should be his left hand. “What the devil have you done to my hand?” Killian looked around in a panic as the events of the past several weeks came flooding back to him. “Where am I? Who are you? Who do you work for?” He was yelling as he realized he was in an unfamiliar room, laid up in a bed that wasn’t his.

“Hey! You showed up here without your hand!” she exclaimed, jumping up from the side of the bed. She backed away from him, anguish washing over her face. “I- I didn’t do anything but try to help you.” She shook her hands as if to cleanse the aura in the room.

Killian gasped as pain seared through him. His wrist burned as if it had been jammed into salt, and his arm felt as though it was going to explode. His throat was parched, and suddenly he was gasping for air. He curled in on himself trying to shut out the pain. “Please! Stop! Please, you’re hurting me.” He pleaded for the blond haired angel turned demon to stop whatever it was she was doing.

“I’m not doing anything to you! You… you distracted me!”

“I’m sorry I yelled,” he rasped.

Inhaling deeply, the woman sat back down next to him and brushed the hair from his forehead. Closing her eyes she shook her hands out once more before sitting in concentrated silence.

Killian’s whole body relaxed as a soothing ambiance floated through him, and after a few moments the pain began to recede. “Thank you, love.”

“I’m not your love,” she scolded, opening her eyes.

“Pity.”

“If you’re going to flirt so outlandishly shouldn’t I at least know your name?”

“Apologies, lass, Killian Jones at your service,” he greeted, extending his right, and now only hand. A smooth flow of positive energy flowed through him when she took his hand. “And you might be?”

“Emma Swan.”

“Lovely to meet you, Emma Swan. Are you my guardian angel? Did you draw me here, in my time of need with your powers of guardianship? Or did I just happen to stumble upon a random angel?”

Emma laughed out loud, an angelic sound if you asked Killian, which is what made her next words even more difficult to fathom.

“I’m no angel,” she chuckled. “But since you are obviously a believer in otherworldly beings, perhaps I can tell you what I am. And if I can’t trust you with my secret, I can always cast a memory spell on you.”

“A memory spell?” Killian enunciated as he tried to grasp the words.

“Just who are you, Swan?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“I do believe I asked.”

“I’m a witch.”

It was Killian’s turn to laugh aloud. “There is no way you are a witch, darling-”

“Em-ma,” she corrected.

“Where is your broomstick and black pointy hat, Emma? And your laugh, that was most definitely not a cackle.”

“It is not a prerequisite of a witch to own a broomstick, or black pointy hat, Jones. Nor do we all own cats and have warts. Though I suppose if that’s your biggest concern with me being a witch, we’re in a pretty good place.”

“If you want to join me here on the bed, we could get to an even better place.” He ran his tongue along his lower lip before biting it and cocking an eyebrow at her.

“In your dreams,” she laughed.

“I do hope so.”

“I just told you I’m a witch, and your response is to flirt more?”

“Perhaps you’ve bewitched me with your beauty and grace?”

“Do you ever stop?” Emma asked as a lovely blush colored her cheeks.

“Do you want me to?” Killian asked softly. A crack of a smile curved Emma’s lips and he hoped she could feel his sincerity, he would stop if she asked him to. He wasn’t quite sure why, but he felt like he’d do anything she asked of him.

“Get some rest Jones, and when you wake we will eat and you can tell me what happened to you.”

Killian yawned heartily as a wave of exhaustion rolled over him. “But I don’t want to sleep.”

“But you need your rest,” Emma insisted.

“Do you have magic,” he asked as he became increasingly tired. The last thing Killian saw was Emma flicking her wrist as a dragon came to rest on her shoulders. A dragon? he thought, then he drifted out of consciousness and into dreamland.

乂❤乂❤乂

“I think we were meant for each other,” Emma whispered into his ear, causing a shiver to course through his body. His eyes were closed and his body was light, yet responsive to her every word and touch.

In his heart he knew she was right. He could feel the connection, mind, body, and soul. “I am yours, love.”

“And I am yours,” she promised as she pressed against his entire body.

Killian shivered again as she gently raked her fingers through his hair and fisted her other hand into the hair on his chest. Her lips hovered just above his as she told him she was going to kiss him now. He eagerly awaited the press of her soft lips as he attempted to wrap his arms around her. Damn, how he wished to hold her.

“Killian.”

What was she waiting for? Where was his kiss? Why couldn’t he reach out to embrace her?

“Killian?”

“What are you waiting for, Swan? It’s bad form to tell a man you’re going to kiss him and then tease him so.”

Her soft chuckle had him opening his eyes. “What’s so funny?” he asked playfully. As the room came into focus, she was no longer laying next to him, but standing at the small table by the kitchen. “And why aren’t you laying with me anymore?”

“I think someone was dreaming,” Emma whispered, giggling again.

“Bollocks,” Killian muttered as he dropped his head back down to the pillow. It had seemed so real, not just her physical presence, but the love. He’d felt her love.

“I’m not going to ask him that,” she scolded. “It’s none of our business what he dreams about!”

Killian tensed as he realized there was someone else in her home. Of course there was. Someone as beautiful and benevolent as this woman was sure to have a significant other.

Attempting to stand up, which was not nearly as fluid as his normal movement, he cleared his throat. He settled for sitting up in bed for the moment. “Apologies, it appears I have overstayed my welcome, I should be on my way.”

Emma cocked her head, looking at him with a perplexed expression. “You don’t have to go.”

“I wouldn’t want to impose on you and…” Killian looked around the room, searching for the person she’d been talking to. “Uh… wasn’t there someone else here just a moment ago?”

Emma blushed profusely as she looked toward the corner of the kitchen. “Not exactly someone.”

“Were you talking to yourself then?”

“No,” she answered indignantly. “I was talking to Henry.”

So there was a man in Emma’s life. “Ah, I see.” He really didn’t, since he couldn’t see this Henry fellow. “Best take my leave now. Any chance I can have my shirt back?” Looking around the small cabin, Killian spotted his boots by the front door.

“Sure,” she said quietly.

He watched as she slowly walked to the basin and picked up his shirt. Great, it was still dripping wet, at least all the blood stains were gone. That would make it a little easier to blend in when he moved on to the next town.

“We can’t force him to stay,” she hissed.

Killian quirked an eyebrow as he watched her argue with a spot on the wall.

When she turned her eyes back to him, he averted his, not wishing to embarrass her. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but something was definitely a little strange. Unable to look away any longer he chanced a glance back at her. She was still staring at him, almost longingly, he thought. He jumped when with a small flick of her hand the shirt was not only dry, but also back on his body. He was jarred back to right before he’d dozed off, he’d asked if she had magic. Unless he’d lost more than just his hand, oh yeah, that, he was pretty sure she did have magic.

“I made dinner if you want to eat before you go?”

Killian wondered why she sounded so defeated, seemed almost sad at the prospect of either dinner or him leaving. “I don’t wish to impose on you and Henry.”

“We don’t mind,” she rushed out.

“Okaaaay… and you’re sure Henry won’t mind?”

“Of course not,” she said excitedly. “Tell him, Henry.”

Killian’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head as he realized she must have an imaginary friend. Who was he to judge, though? It must get lonely in these woods where most wouldn’t dare venture. She must not know many others of her type. Killian was pulled from his musing when a bird suddenly swooped from above and circled his head. “What the devil? How did a bird get in here?” Waving his hand in the air, he attempted to shoo the bird away.

“That’s Henry,” Emma laughed.

“Henry’s a bird?” he asked.

“No,” Emma said, walking toward him. “Settle down, Henry.”

The little guy landed on Killian’s shoulder and he was overcome with a sense of being welcomed. “How did he do that?”

“Do what?” she asked.

“Invite me to dinner.”

“I invited you to dinner.”

“You told him to tell me it was okay, and now he is sitting on my shoulder and somehow he has communicated to me that it’s okay to stay for dinner. He let me know you both want me to stay for dinner. Does he have magic, like you?”

Emma’s eyes widened. “He did?”

Killian gave a small nod as she seemed to contemplate something.

“Well, since you didn’t balk when I told you I was a witch, I guess I can tell you about Henry.”

“You can tell me anything,” Killian said as he sat forward. He wanted to hear anything and everything Emma Swan wanted to tell him. That feeling of absolute love was back, and although he couldn’t fathom the idea of loving someone so soon after meeting them, he also couldn’t deny the feeling.

“Henry is what you might call a power animal or a spirit animal. He’s my power animal.”

“Power animal?” Killian repeated.

“Power animals are supernatural creatures that convey influence. They can also give a person the powerful traits and characteristics of the animal. They walk through life with certain people, teaching and guiding them, and sometimes protecting them.”

“Do I have a power animal?”

“Everyone has a power animal. They usually only reveal themselves when you need them. Or when…”

“When what?” Killian asked with rapt fascination.

“Dinner’s ready,” Emma said, changing the subject abruptly. “Oh, and Henry is not a bird. He’s a dragon.”

Killian tensed up as he slowly turned his head to try and see the small dragon sitting on his shoulder. He wasn’t so sure allowing a dragon to sit on one’s shoulder was a good idea. As soon as he thought the idea, Henry was communicating to him that he was perfectly safe.

“That is so weird,” Killian murmured.

I know, Henry seemed to say.

“You get used to it,” Emma said with the sweetest smile on her face. “Henry, can you help him over to the table?”

Without too much effort, Killian was up and moving toward the table. He couldn’t believe how… normal he felt. As if he hadn’t had the crap beaten out of him and his hand lopped off. Oh yeah, that. “So, what’s with the hook?” he asked as he sat down at the table to a hearty looking stew and bread.

“I uhh… I don’t know, I just thought it would be utilitarian.”

“A hook?”

Henry landed on Emma’s shoulder and chirped loudly at her. “It is not a lie,” she snapped back. Henry seemed to cock his head in disbelief, and Killian just chuckled at their interaction.

“Sure, you can use it to scratch, stab, eat-”

“Like a pirate?” he asked, just a little outraged at the barbarism she was implying he might employ.

She just laughed at his reaction before continuing, “It would also serve you well in the thick woods, and it’s easier to hold than a hand.” Emma reached across the table to grasp the hook as if trying to prove her statement.

Although it was an inanimate object, Killian could swear he felt that same unconditional love through her firm grasp. “I guess it has its perks,” he said, somewhat lovestruck.

They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments before Emma spoke again. “Can I ask you a question, Killian?”

“Anything.”

“What were you dreaming about?”

A blush crept up his cheeks as he contemplated his answer. He debated brushing it off, or making something up, but then Henry landed on his shoulder and he felt an esoteric need to tell her. “I dreamt we were in love, I don’t know how, I don’t know why, I just know we were truly in love... and you were going to kiss me.”

“Really?”

“Aye, love. I wouldn’t make that up. Sadly I was woken before the kiss.”

“What a shame,” Emma teased. “I’m sorry Henry and I woke you.”

“You could make it up to me, you know.”

“A healed arm, no pain, dinner, and a roof over your head not enough, Jones?”

Killian roared with laughter. “Well, when you put it like that, I guess I do sound like a greedy bastard.”

Emma stood up from the table and began to clear away the dishes. Killian grabbed his bowl and took it to the basin. “If you have magic, why do you continue mundane tasks like dishes?”

“I try not to use magic for every little thing. It helps me to pretend I’m normal.”

“Why would you want to be normal when you have super powers?”

“That’s a story for another time,” Emma murmured. She pointed to Henry, who was still propped on Killian’s shoulder. “And don’t you dare, mister, no compelling me to spill all my secrets.”

Killian gave Henry a conspiratorial look, maybe later, he tried to tell the mini dragon. Too say he was shocked was an understatement when Henry actually winked at him.

“And no ganging up on me!” Emma ordered.

“If Henry is your power animal, why can he communicate with me?” Killian asked.

Emma narrowed her eyes, giving Henry a dirty look. “Did you tell him to ask me that?”

Henry ruffled his wings as if offended by the accusation. “Why would he tell me to ask that?” Killian’s curiosity was definitely piqued now.

“Never you mind,” Emma said walking away from the basin. With small flicks of her wrist she lit several oil lamps and went to sit on the settee.

Henry urged Killian to join her, so he did. He wasn’t quite sure why Emma was clamming up when it came to elaborating about Henry and power animals, but he decided to leave it be. “May I ask why you live out here in these haunted woods?”

Emma snorted in a decisively unladylike manner as she repeated the word with disdain. “Haunted. They’re not haunted, I just don’t want anyone bothering me. So I may wreak a little havoc when people get too close.”

“Doesn’t it get lonely?”

“I’ve never really noticed. I have Henry and I can go to town when I wish.”

Killian looked around the small cabin, it was quite homey and comforting. He supposed that’s all some people required.

“How about you? Did you live alone before you found yourself at my doorstep?”

“I haven’t lived anywhere for a very long time.” A bit of melancholy worked its way into his voice as he answered truthfully. He looked back to Emma and the inquisitive expression she wore. “I suppose that answer was a bit cryptic, but just as you said earlier, that is a story for another time.”

Emma smiled graciously, letting Killian know she wouldn’t push.

Over the next several hours they chatted easily, including Killian telling her the story of how he’d come to lose his hand. Henry had long since taken up residence between her shoulder and hair and was quietly snoring. Killian only became slightly alarmed when Henry emitted several smoke filled exhales.

“Is he going to ignite?”

“No,” Emma giggled. “He is a fire breathing dragon, though, and sometimes when he dreams he gets a little heated.” She yawned, covering her mouth and apologizing. “It’s almost three in the morning!”

Not realizing how late it had gotten, Killian told her, “You take the bed. I’ll sleep here, on the sofa.”

“Absolutely not! You’re not healed yet.”

“I am mending just fine. Besides, a gentleman would never make a lady sleep anywhere else when a bed is available.”

Emma stood up and offered her hand to him. “Gentleman?” she laughed.

“I’m always a gentleman, Swan.”

“Come on, we can both fit.”

Killian shook his head, and slid his hand behind his back. “That’s not necessary.”

“What? Are you afraid you won’t be able to resist my feminine wiles?”

Something like that, Killian thought.

“Stop being a baby.” Before he could stop her, she grabbed his hook and dragged him to a standing position. She led him over to the bed and with a flick of her wrist he was wearing sleeping clothes he’d never seen before. “Now get in the bed, before Henry has to make you.”

Killian held up hand and hook in surrender before climbing into the comfortable bed. “What are you doing?” he gasped as he looked over to see her lifting her skirts.

“I’m changing into my nightie,” she replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Do you suppose for propriety’s sake, or at least my sanity, you might just poof yourself into some night clothes like you did me?”

“Poof?” Emma snickered.

“Yes, you know, magic them onto yourself.”

“You could just look away.”

He knew he could, he just didn’t want to make himself. Her creamy thighs were delectable, and it had been a score. Well, that was an overestimation, but it’d been a long while since he’d looked upon a gorgeous woman. He could feel himself stiffening and had to adjust himself in the thin pants he was wearing. Where was Henry to douse his damnable lust!

“Yes, I could,” he lamented, looking around the cabin, anywhere but in her direction. Still, knowing she was blissfully uncovered had him stirring further. He spotted Henry across the room, curled up on the settee, head under his wing and tail wrapped around himself protectively. Killian guessed he’d have to persuade himself to calm down.

“There, see. All done, and no worse for the wear,” she stated as she climbed into the bed next to him.

Killian’s tight pants begged to differ. Scrubbing a hand over his face he rolled over to face away from her. “Good night, Emma.”

“Good night, Killian.”

乂❤乂❤乂

“You are meant for each other,” the dragon stated matter-of-factly. “You’ve been destined to meet since the moment she was born. She was born many years before you, but was cursed by a jealous witch to walk the world alone..”

“How long ago?”

“Several lifetimes.”

“Why can you talk to me?”

“Because this is a dream.”

“Even when I’m not dreaming, we understand each other.”

Henry grinned at him knowingly. “That is because I am your power animal as well.”

“What? How can that be? How can two people share a power animal?”

“If those two people-

“Henry!”

Killian sat bolt upright in bed as reality came back in on the wings of a dragon who was chirping, angrily if Killian was not mistaken, at Emma.

“It’s my secret to tell!” She was dressed with a flick of her wrist, wearing another flowy white dress, and out the door before Killian could ask what happened.

Standing up to stretch, he was suddenly hit with a wave of pain. The same pain from the day before sliced through his wrist and forearm. Sweat broke out across his forehead and he struggled for air. Collapsing back on the bed black spots infiltrated his vision as he bordered the lines of consciousness. Henry was there on his chest momentarily, and Killian watched as the mini dragon closed his eyes. He was immediately flooded with a cooling sensation and the pain subsided quickly.

“Thank you, Henry.”

Once he’d caught his breath he asked the dragon where to find Emma. Henry let him know he would lead him there. Looking at the clock he couldn’t believe it was already past noon; they had been up late the night before, so he supposed oversleeping was excusable this once. Rummaging around the cupboards he grabbed a canteen, some biscuits, and fruit and put them into a basket from the counter. “Henry, where is my uniform?” he called out as he grabbed his boots.

Henry chirped to him from the bed. When Killian walked over he saw the dragon was sitting upon a fresh pair of pants and a pressed shirt. “Where did this come from?” He certainly did not wish to wear someone else’s clothes. If dragons could roll their eyes, Killian was certain Henry just had. “Well, how was I supposed to know you also have magic?”

“Yes, you’re right, you are a mystical, fire breathing creature, I guess it’s not too far of a stretch for you to have magic.” Killian chuckled as he remembered how odd it’d looked when Emma appeared to be talking to herself yesterday, and now here he was doing the same thing. “Wait! I dreamt you told me you are my power animal as well as Emma’s!” Killian exclaimed as his dream came back to him.

Killian was greeted with utter silence. “Oh, now you’re going to clam up, mate?”

Henry simply shrugged his wings. “Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to find Emma and then you are going to make yourself scarce.”

Henry nodded.

Killian wasn’t sure how, but they had a story. He didn’t know what it was, but this woman he barely knew had captured his heart. A fierce determination coursed through his veins with each beat of his heart, and Killian intended to find out just how he fit into this tale. “Wait,” he looked to Henry, “are you making me feel this bravado?”

Henry shook his head adamantly. He also conveyed to Killian that he was done interfering and overstepping.

“You don’t like when Emma’s cross with you, do you pal?”

The dragon hung his head, Killian had hit the nail on the head. “Well never fear,” he said holding his hand- uh... hook up in the air, “Captain Killian Jones is here. I will fix this.”

“No! You may not call me Captain Hook.” He stared daggers at the dragon as the jibe came through. “Yes, it is fitting, I just don’t like it.”

“Okay, fine. It is rather lethal sounding,” Killian acquiesced as Henry continued to emote reasons why this name would be perfect. “But only you can call me that. Don’t go spreading the word.”

The two left the cabin in search of Emma. It wasn’t a far walk, she’d be near the water, Henry had assured him. And the little guy was right, the trees of the forest broke to a small bank along the shore of a glassy blue lake. Emma sat at the edge, her dress pulled up so she could dip her feet in the icy water as she leaned against a large fallen tree.

“I thought you might be hungry,” Killian spoke softly as he walked up behind her.

“Is the traitor with you?”

A smile broke across his face as he realized both he and Henry were being wrongfully accused of being traitors. He was sure Henry’s sentence would be much lighter, just a cold shoulder and grudge from this beautiful angel. He contemplated if it might be worse than a death sentence to have Emma Swan angry with you.

“He’s not-”

“Good.”

“You didn’t let me finish, love. He’s not a traitor.”

Emma whipped around where she sat and scrutinized Killian. “So you’re taking his side?”

Was he really being accused of being a traitor… again. Sitting down next to her, he offered her the basket. “There is no side to take, you two are a team.” An errant thought of wanting to be part of that team flitted through his mind and a small, shy smile graced his lips as he looked down at the ground.

“I think he wants to be on your team,” Emma huffed.

“Maybe he wants us to all be a team?” Killian couldn’t resist the perfect opportunity to speak those words aloud. He was floored as emotion after emotion crossed her face while she seemed to study him. He imagined she was gauging the legitimacy of his words. “I’m not sure how, but I know there is something between you and I, something real, and deep. And I want to figure it out with you, without the influence of Henry… because when I win your heart, Emma - and I will win it, it won’t be because of any trickery. It will be because you want me.”

Before he could read her reaction, he was being pulled by the lapels of his magicked shirt and he was positive she was about to kiss him. Just before her lips could touch his, a loud chirping sounded within the small haven they’d created around themselves.

“Henry, we talked about this. No interfering, right?” Killian asked with a trace of irritation in his voice.

“Shhh! There’s someone here,” Emma hissed. “Henry, how far are they?”

Killian looked between the two of them, the panicked look on Emma’s face and the haphazard flapping of Henry’s wings, and he knew treachery was afoot. “Who is it,” he whispered.

Soldiers, Henry projected, two.

“Emma, you and Henry go back to the cabin. I have to take care of this, I won’t risk either of you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not handling anything in your condition! If I leave, you’ll be writhing around on the ground like a snake in pain.”

Killian rolled his eyes. “It’s not that bad.”

Emma raised an eyebrow at him and Killian could tell the moment she lifted some of the effects of whatever dampening spell she was masking his pain with. “Fine, but stay hidden.” He watched as Emma and Henry shared a look and knew right away that his request was not going to be met.

“You keep him out of pain, and I will fight with him,” Emma said to Henry who gave a nod to confirm her idea of the plan. “Stay in the trees, I don’t want them to see you. And I’m sorry I got mad at you.” Henry flew over to Emma’s shoulder and nuzzled her cheek with his nose. “Yes, you did overstep. But I overreacted, too.”

Despite the danger lurking, Killian was inexplicably relieved that Emma and Henry had made up. As Henry took to the trees, Emma and Killian braced for the intruders.

“Killian Jones, war criminal and traitor, surrender yourself and no one gets hurt,” a man shouted from beyond their scope of sight.

“What do you want from him?” Emma shouted, grasping Killian’s hook.

“Going to let the little lady speak for you?”

“I’ll be speaking for myself,” Killian gritted out as Cassidy showed himself at the treeline.

“You’re a convicted traitor and deserter,” the other man added, “you’re to be hanged. I hereby place you under arrest. If you come willingly, no one will get hurt.”

“You’ve got the wrong man,” Emma argued. “Killian is a good man, he would never do those things.”

“He deserted the Confederacy in order to fight for the Union. If that’s not a traitor, I don’t know what is, little lady.”

“Stop calling me little lady,” Emma spat. “And if you’d told me he deserted the Confederacy the first time you spoke, I’d have applauded.”

“Oh, did he tell you his sob story of being a slave? Did he brainwash you into believing the North is superior?”

Emma glanced at Killian as if sizing up the affect Cassidy’s words were having on him. “He’s told me nothing. I just know which side I’d choose. Every once in a while, there is an underdog no one can root for.”

Killian wished he had the ability to communicate to Emma silently right now. She was unaware of how easily Neal could be rattled, and right now she was shaking the cage quite hard. “I’m not going with you, Neal. I’m not a criminal, all is fair in love and war.”

“Where’d you get that shit, all those fancy books you like to read?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. Yes, I did.” Killian’s smug grin turned into a gulp as both men drew their rifles. Apparently he was also unaware of how easily Neal was rattled.

“Hands up, Jones. I’m taking you in. Shackle him, Felix,” Neal commanded the other man.

“I told you I’m not going with you,” Killian repeated. “You’ll have to shoot me, but let her go first.”

“No!” Emma shouted.

“No,” Neal answered, “I don’t think I will. I think I’ll take her as a prize.”

Neal set down his rifle, while signaling for Felix to keep his trained on Killian and Emma. He approached her with a sickening leer upon his face. “Yeah, I think I will take her right here. I’ll let you watch, Jones.”

“Over my dead body,” Killian spat as he moved to stand in front of Emma.

“That can be arranged,” Neal nodded at Felix, “shoot him.”

In the time it took Felix to cock his rifle, Emma shot her hand out toward Felix, and as he pulled the trigger a spark flared and it misfired, blasting hot gun powder into his face. Dropping the weapon, he shrieked in pain as he ran toward the water.

“What did you do to him?” Neal screamed as he charged toward Emma.

“It was a misfire,” Killian yelled pushing Neal back. “Not so tough without your gun, are you?” Killian taunted as Neal reached for his gun, obviously forgetting he’d left it back by Felix. “Let’s settle this like men. You and me, fisticuffs.”

“You want to lose your other hand?”

“In what world would you take my hand without weapons?”

“Who said no weapons?” Neal asked as he drew a boot knife and lunged toward Killian. Slashing out wildly, Neal connected with Killian’s face, slicing him. “You’ve got a fucking hook for a hand.”

Oh yeah, that. Killian jumped back as Neal made another pass with the knife. When Neal advanced again, Killian shot his left hand in front of him and deflected the blade, causing a clank of metal against metal to ring out.

The two grappled back and forth, punch for punch, knife and hook competing for the upper hand. Both men panted heavily as they fought on. Felix was still down at the lake dousing his eyes and face in the water, while Emma made sure he stayed put and kept an eye on Killian. She could, no doubt, end this thing with a flick of her magical wrist, but perhaps for Killian’s pride, she wasn’t interceding.

Blood dripped down Killian’s face where Neal had cut a gash across his right cheek, his left eye was swollen almost shut, and his ribs were burning. Neal had two swollen eyes, a puncture wound to his right forearm, and a sprained ankle from where he’d tripped over a log as Killian lunged at him.

“I don’t wish to kill you, Neal,” Killian appealed to Neal where he lay on the ground after tripping. He knelt above the man, fist still cocked and hook at his neck. “If you have another solution as to how you and your lackey can return home and I can stay here, tell me now.”

“You’ll have to kill me,” Neal growled. He grasped Killian’s forearm trying to push the hook away from his neck, but it was no use as Killian threw his weight into pinning the man down.

“There is another solution,” Emma spoke quietly from where she’d perched herself on the same fallen log which had foiled Neal.

“And what’s that, love?” Killian asked.

“I could make them forget.”

“Make them forget…”

“Anything. Everything.” She stood from the log and walked up to Killian’s side. “I could make them forget that they found you or I could make them forget that it is their mission to find you. I could make them forget who they are. It just depends on what level you want to take it to.”

“I knew she did something to Felix. Is she a witch?”

“Well, since it seems we will be erasing your memory soon enough, yes, she is a witch.”

Neal withdrew his hands from Killian’s forearm and formed a cross, apparently trying to ward her and her evil off.

Emma laughed loudly at his antics. “I’m not the devil, that cross won’t do you any good today.” With a flick of her wrist Neal and Felix were both shackled and sitting with their mouths gagged. “How about instead of erasing their memories completely, I give them false memories?”

“What do you have in mind, Swan?”

“For starters, they are going to remember that they found the remains of Killian Jones, that there was no prisoner to bring back to their commanding officer. They will feel that their mission is complete, and they’ll have no recollection of this place or me. Any ideas on where they found you?”

“Hmmm,” Killian thought as he wrapped an arm around Emma. “I think they discovered my remains way up North, they should have a grand time in these fine Confederate uniforms.”

Neal tried to yell through the gag, but only mumbled nonsense could be heard.

“That’s just mean, Killian Jones.”

“He tried to kill us,” Killian argued.

“True,” Emma agreed. “North it is. Heart of Boston? ”

Felix shook his head vigorously, “Uh-uh,” he pleaded through the gag.

“Now who’s being mean?”

“That is a little harsh,” she cackled. “Okay, I will put them on the outskirts of the North, where they might have a fighting chance,” she paused to look both men in the eyes, “if they get their shit together real quick.” She kissed Killian on the cheek quickly before telling him to back up.

Killian watched in awe, from a safe distance, as Emma rubbed her hands together and focused in on her craft. She glowed with magic and the wind swept up around them, she was positively mystical as her hair flew wildly. She was murmuring quietly, her eyes closed when suddenly a brightly colored vortex opened up in the middle of the ground.

Henry landed on Killian’s shoulder at that moment and sent calming vibes through him just as he started to experience small prickles of fear, not fear of Emma, but of the situation. As abruptly as the vortex had appeared, it swallowed Neal and Felix whole and disappeared. “Swan! You were bloody brilliant, amazing!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Emma crumpled to the ground in a limp heap. “Emma!” He ran to her side kneeling next to her and sweeping her into her arms. “Emma, come back to me.”

“I’m okay,” Emma whispered faintly.

Killian smiled as she regained consciousness, albeit a tenuous hold on it. “I don’t mean to upset you, Emma, but I think we make quite the team.”

“Why would that upset me?”

“You passed out when I told you you’re brilliant. I wasn’t sure how you’d handle me saying we are brilliant together,” he teased.

She giggled, that shy tinkling giggle before once again losing consciousness.

He caressed her cheek with his good hand and felt the flush of her overheated skin. “Henry, what’s wrong with her, is she ill?”

Too much magic, Henry broadcast. She will be okay.

“How do you know?” Killian asked desperately. Killian listened as Henry transmitted that this had happened before, any time she used a significant amount of magic.

Gently lifting her, despite the injuries he’d sustained today as well as his previous ones, he carried her over to the lake’s edge, where she’d been sitting when he’d arrived. Sitting down, he leaned against the log and held her. He marveled at how well he felt, the magic used to keep him pain free must be very powerful. It damn sure beat morphine.

“Emma, wake up darling.” He dipped his hand in the chilly water and brushed it across her forehead.

“Hmmm,” she hummed. Stretching her body while still in his arms, Emma curled into his embrace.

Deciding it was probably best to rest he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Henry, keep watch?”

Aye aye, Captain Hook.

Killian cracked an eye open to look at Henry as he chuckled. “Yeah, I suppose it does have a ring to it.”

乂❤乂❤乂

The next time Killian opened his eyes, Emma was gone. He startled as he realized she wasn’t in his arms. A quick glance around showed she was in the lake. All that was visible was her water slicked hair and bare shoulders. “Isn’t that cold?”

Emma turned around to face him and he thanked the heavens that the most delectable parts of her body were fully submerged. “It’s wonderful once you get in.” She brought her hands up to her hair to ring it out and tie it in a knot. “Join me?”

Killian would’ve been certain his eyes had fallen out of his head except he could still see.

“Come on, you’re all bloody. Let’s get you cleaned up here instead of my basin.”

Still deep in thought over the repercussions of bathing nude with her, Killian stood up and took off his shirt. He proceeded to walk to the water but stopped when Emma asked what he was doing. “I thought you wanted me to join you.”

“I do,” she laughed, “but not with your pants on. You’ll be soaked for hours.”

Killian knew she could just dry them, but maybe that was selfish after all the energy she’d exerted today. He fumbled with the fastening of his trousers as he stalled, trying to think of anything to keep his ardor under control.

“Don’t be shy,” she teased, “I’ll turn around.”

The moment she’d turned, he expeditiously stripped down and barreled into the water. “It’s fucking f-f-freezing!” he stammered.

“Give it a minute, Jones. And you gotta get in deeper.”

Oh, how he wished to get in deeper. He internally rolled his eyes at his lewd mind. Walking in further, he noticed it did seem to warm up, in fact, the closer he got to Emma the more comfortable the water became. He dared not get too close, he was quite certain he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“Come here,” she said impatiently. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Killian looked down at himself, he did have quite a bit of blood across his chest. He rubbed at the dried stains as he continued toward her. “Better?”

Emma pointed at her face and made a circular motion. “You’ve got a little something… well all over.”

“Ah, yes, I suppose he knocked the handsome out of me.” He’d forgotten about the pummeling he’d both given and taken earlier. Cupping water in his hand, he splashed it over his face and scrubbed.

“No one’s that powerful,” she whispered.

Killian jumped when he realized Emma was but a hair's breadth away from him. He’d felt her breath as she whispered those last words. When her hand brushed the hair away from his forehead and then cupped his cheek, he couldn’t help but lean into her palm.

As Emma wiped away the last traces of blood, Killian was lost to the depths of her bright green eyes. She didn’t look away as she worked, and he swore he could feel love simmering between them. He didn’t miss the way she glanced to his lips several times, or when her tongue lightly traced her own lower lip. That pressure deep down in his abdomen came to life, he wanted her, and not just in the carnal sense either, he wanted everything.

“You have me spellbound, Emma Swan.”

“Is that supposed to be a witch joke?”

“Not in the slightest. I am taken aback, smitten, a fan of every part of you.”

She smiled and a blush colored her pale cheeks as she looked up to him through long lashes. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

“I’ve dreamt this!” Killian exclaimed. His exuberance caused Emma to startle. “Sorry, love, I mean, this was my dream yesterday. Exactly like this.” Just as in his dream, it almost seemed like she was warning him about the kiss, or preparing him for something. Only this time, hopefully he wouldn’t be rudely awoken before getting to taste her delectable lips.

“Whaaaaa-” Emma screamed as she jumped and then unceremoniously splashed down into the water.

Confused and just a bit alarmed, Killian dove down below the surface to see what was happening. Despite the beautiful blue of the laketop, it was quite murky below and he couldn’t see much. Breaking the surface once more, he was relieved to see Emma hightailing it to the shore. He watched as she emerged, water running in rivulets from her hair and glistening as it trailed down her back. Just as her pert backside broke the surface she snapped her fingers and was fully clothed.

Killian growled as he made his way to the bank. “What happened?”

Emma snapped her fingers once more and Killian was dressed too. “A fish happened,” she shuddered. “I don’t know about you, but a slimy fish swimming across my backside doesn’t work for me.”

Killian laughed, he had to agree with her there. At least it was nothing serious this time. “So why are you snapping your fingers now, instead of…” he mimicked her wrist flicking.

“I don’t know,” Emma said, “I really don’t need to do either. It is more a physical manifestation showing I am doing something magical. A courtesy, if you will.”

“So all you need to do is think it, and it will happen?”

“Prove it,” he challenged as Emma nodded nonchalantly. He should not have been surprised that challenging her skill would only end with him being naked. “Cute,” he grumbled, quickly covering himself with his hands.

“Yes, it is.”

Killian’s eyes bugged hilariously before narrowing to mere slits. “Is that supposed to be a size joke, because I assure you, there is no truth to your statement.”

“Prove it,” she snickered.

Just as Killian lifted his hands away to let her look her fill, he found himself clothed once more.

“Hey!” Emma whined. “You’re such a killjoy, Henry.”

Henry chirped and squawked as if to say he wanted no part of this whole situation.

“Henry, my boy! Good looking out.”

“What is this, a boys only club now?”

“Oh, not at all, Swan,” Killian consoled. “Come, sit, let’s eat. I brought some things this morning.”

Sitting down along the bank, Killian passed her the canteen and set out the fruit and biscuits. They talked at great length about nothing in particular. It was more relaxed than either could remember being, and once more Killian found himself marveling at the unique sense of belonging together.

“May I ask you something,” Killian asked.

“Sure.” He noticed her hesitation, as if she was weighing the pros and cons of letting him ask her a question.

“Where are you from, how did you and Henry find each other, and how did you come to be alone?”

A nervous sounding chuckle broke from between her lips. “That’s a lot.”

Killian scooted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her. “I guess that was more than just one thing, but I’d love to know more about your beginnings, Emma.”

“You do?”

“Yes, I want to know everything.”

“Let’s get home first,” she suggested. Something about the way she said home was so endearing to Killian, as if it was his home, too. He understood her desire to have familiarity amidst if she was going to tell him her life’s story.

After packing up the basket they started the trek to the cabin. Emma reached out and grabbed his hook as if it were the most natural action in the world. He was still in awe of how easily she accepted his missing appendage.

It was already late into the evening by the time they arrived. Cleaning up and changing into sleeping clothes once more, they laid down in the darkness.

Tonight though, Killian didn’t face away from her. They lay facing each other, heads on their pillows with just the glow of the moon lighting the room softly. He stayed quiet, knowing that Emma would start when she was ready.

“Do you want the long story or the short story?”

“I want the whole story,” Killian answered, running his hand through her hair. “I want to know everything about you, love.”

A small smile sat upon her lips as she began. “I was born in Massachusetts in 1688 and I’m from a place called the Enchanted Forest.”

“I’ve never heard of it,” Killian interrupted.

“That’s because it isn’t part of this realm.”

Before he could interrupt her to find out what that meant, she placed a finger to his lips. He smiled against them and took the cue to shut up.

“When my mother was pregnant, a prophecy was told that I would become the most powerful witch of the realm. My mother’s stepmother was enraged, she’d been the ruler of the Enchanted Forest for centuries. She threatened my mother, telling her that she would kill her, my father, and me if she didn’t get rid of me.”

Killian’s heart clenched at the thought of a mother abandoning her child. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm, hoping to provide comfort.

“Of course she refused, and so my wicked step-grandmother ordered our deaths. My parents crossed over to this realm and fled to the town of Salem where they planned to live like commoners. Five years later we were living peacefully and safely, but…”

Killian pulled her closer when he sensed her distress.

“I couldn’t always control my magic. It was little things, but soon, none of the other kids wanted to be around me. They were afraid of me. My mother tried to work with me on how to control it, but I was so powerful even then, and she didn’t have the means to train me. After several of the other girls went too far in mocking me, by pretending to be possessed, they accused my mother and her best friend of being witches.” Tear tracks streamed down her nose and cheek as she remembered the anguish as strongly as if it were yesterday.

“The Salem Witch trials?” Killian asked in astonishment.

Emma nodded her head. “So many women, innocent women and a few men were wrongfully hung because of me. All because I really was afflicted. My parents had no choice but to return to the Enchanted Forest. They begged Regina, my step-grandmother for shelter. She refused, and this time she didn’t let us go. She crushed my father’s heart as a warning to my mother.”

“She killed your father?” Killian was outraged, he wanted to slay this beast who’d hurt Emma.

“No, there is a way to live without your heart in my world. If you are true love, you can share a heart. After Regina crushed his heart, my mother split her own heart in half. They live even now by sharing two halves of the same heart.

She ordered me banished, and cursed me to walk the earth alone. She also made it so my parents couldn’t leave the realm without losing all of their memories. The night before I was to be sent away, my mother pleaded to every deity to send my power animal to guide me safely back to this realm and watch over me.” She looked over to the settee and smiled fondly at Henry. “That’s how Henry and I met, we’ve been together ever since.”

Hearing his name, Henry sleepily stirred, and as though summoned, he flew over to the bed and nestled between them. Emma gently stroked a finger over his tiny head and he seemed to absolutely purr.

“Have you ever been back? To try and defeat this evil witch?”

“I can’t risk it. My parents share one heart now, if anything were to happen to one of them, they would both die.”

“But the prophecy said you would be the most powerful witch. That has to count for something.”

“The prophecy also said I’d meet my true love in the form of a…”

“Of a what?” Killian asked when she didn’t continue.

“The point is, the prophecy foretold many things and after almost three hundred years, not one of them have come true.”

“What else did the prophecy say?”

Emma pulled away from Killian’s embrace and he could detect a trace of discomfort. “What aren’t you telling me, Emma?”

Henry stirred again when he sensed the discourse. Looking to Emma, he tilted his head as if asking her a question.

“I’m not scared,” she told Henry. “But what if the prophecy was wrong?” she asked him as tears welled in her eyes. “No, no you won’t. I’ll tell him.”

Killian sat up in bed and leaned against his pillows and the wall. “You’ve nothing to fear, love. You can tell me anything. Can I tell you about my dream from this morning?” He held his arms out to her, wordlessly asking her to allow him to hold her.

Sitting up alongside Killian, Emma scooted closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. She nodded her head, “Tell me what you dreamed.”

“I was having a conversation with Henry. An actual conversation, he was speaking.”

Emma chuckled. “What did he sound like?”

“He had the voice of a spirited boy, and he had some pretty hopeful and positive things to tell me.”

“Like what?”

“He said some heavy things, love. Are you sure you’re ready to hear them?” He could feel the tense of her body. And he knew she knew what he was going to say, but still he waited for her answer.

“Mmhmm.”

“Henry told me we are meant for each other. He said we’ve been destined to meet since you were born. And he also says he is my power animal, too. I don’t know about you, but I believe him, I think he was communicating with me while I slept. And I think that’s why you were upset with him this morning.”

“You seem pretty sure of yourself.”

“You’re something of an open book, love.”

She looked up at him seemingly daring him to ask the question that was on the tip of his tongue. “How can two people share a power animal, Emma?”

“Why don’t you ask Henry since he seems to have all the answers?”

“Because I want you to tell me.”

“The only way for two people to share the same power animal is if they are true love.” The words fell from her lips so softly that Killian almost didn’t believe his ears.

“True love,” he tried the words out. He’d surely felt a connection from the moment they’d met, and he didn’t consider it out of the realm of possibility that this woman could be his true love. “Do you believe it?”

“It doesn’t matter what I believe, Killian. I want to be loved because someone loves me for who I am, exactly how I am, not because of some stupid prophecy.” She hopped up from the bed and paced the room.

Killian felt bereft as soon as she left his arms. He needed to lay it all on the line. He knew he wasn’t wrong, his heart wasn’t wrong. “What if I told you I’ve felt a connection to you since the moment I opened my eyes and you were there.”

“I’d tell you it’s because I’ve been casting a dampening spell for your pain.”

“Not this morning when you stormed out of the cabin, and not today at the lake when Cassidy showed up. Henry was keeping watch over me then. And the connection I feel to you wasn’t broken for a single second, in fact, it only strengthened in those moments.”

Jumping out of bed he walked over to her and placed hand and hook on her arms. “Tell me you feel it too, Emma?”

“Part of the prophecy said that my true love would seek me out and would come to me in the form of a man who wasn’t whole.”

Killian held up his hook, waving it in her face. How could the prophecy possible get more accurate, he wondered, but she continued on.

“I met a man some eighty or ninety years ago, he said he had no heart, he said he wasn’t a whole man. He swore an evil witch had stolen it. Graham was so gentle and sincere. I convinced myself that he was the man from the prophecy. Despite everything that happened, I still believe we shared some form of love. It just wasn’t true love.”

“What happened?”

“He was sent to kill me, by Regina. She held his heart hostage and even had some control over his actions. In the end she killed him when he didn’t fulfill her command to end my life. He died in my arms.”

“Emma, I’m so sorry.” How could she still be the beautiful soul she was after almost three hundred years of a lonely and loveless life? He understood now how she might doubt the prophecy after semantics played a part in her heart break. Still, he didn’t see the harm in trying, he was no hired gun, and he sure wasn’t missing his heart, unless you counted the fact that Emma owned it. “Why would you deny yourself the happiness I know we could share?”

“I’ve dreamed for centuries of blue eyes and a hook, that’s the real reason I chose to give you a hook. The real reason Henry called me a liar at dinner last night. What if I am projecting my hopes, what if we try and I’m wrong again?”

“I know what I feel, Emma. I know you’re it for me, prophecy or not. And if you’ll have me, I’m in this for the long haul.”

“Killian,” she whispered, “I… I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. I feel like I’ve been waiting for you my whole life. From the moment I found you passed out on my front porch I have felt a connection to you that I’ve never felt with anyone. I can’t explain it, but I’m afraid to hope for it.”

“I knew you felt it, too,” he murmured as he wrapped his hooked arm around her waist and brought a hand to her heart.

“I do,” she admitted. “But sometimes when things are too good to be true, they aren’t true.”

“Emma, we feel the same connection, we share a power animal, I am literally missing a hand, making me technically not whole. How much closer could we be to the prophecy? What are you so afraid of?”

“The last part of the prophecy said if I find my true love, all evil would be vanquished from the Enchanted Forest.”

“Doesn’t that mean you could go home?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what it means.” Tears welled in her eyes once more.

“What’s wrong with that?” Killian had a sinking feeling in his stomach that perhaps he wouldn’t be able to go with her. He would never make her choose between himself and her parents, but still the thought of losing her rocked him and a sadness so great overwhelmed him that his own eyes filled with tears.

“No, it’s not that,” she told him. “You could come too.”

“Did I say that out loud?” Killian asked in confusion.

Killian’s eyes widened comically and Emma beamed at him as it dawned on both of them that they’d just communicated telepathically.

“Wait, if I could come too, what has you so down?”

“I am so afraid to hope, Killian. So afraid. What if we aren’t true love? That would mean I met a man I love, but evil won’t be conquered in my realm. I wouldn’t be able to go home. And even worse, what if one day my true love did arrive. What would we do then?”

“You love me?” he breathed.

Emma rolled her eyes, “Of course that’s all you picked up from that entire-”

“Aye, that is all I am hearing, because the rest is horseshit. I don’t know how we prove this true love thing, but I believe, Emma, I can feel it.” He picked her up and spun them around in a circle. “I love you, Emma Swan, with all my heart.”

“I’m going to kiss you now,” she murmured.

“Why do you keep telling me? Why don’t you just do-” His words were cut off as her supple lips collided into his, just as their two worlds had collided. A mix of soft and sweet with dangerous and arcane. Killian only took a second to catch up, opening his mouth to hers. His hand slid into her hair grasping gently at the base of her neck, and he relished the feel of her hands as one caressed his chest and the other played with his hair.

Suddenly the air around them stilled, and it wasn’t that he couldn’t breathe, but that he didn’t need breath. Time seemed to freeze. In his mind’s eye, a flash of every memory he’d ever had, some good, most bad, flooded him. In that moment, he knew that every atrocity that had befallen him, from his mother’s early demise, his father’s treacherous betrayal and abandonment, the years of slavery, the devastating loss of his brother’s life as they fought for the Confederacy, to the loss of his hand, had all happened for a reason. He’d been set on a path by destiny itself to meet this woman, his one true love.

As soon as the thought was born, time exploded back to life as a gust of wind and light burst forth from where their lips were joined. “What was that?” Killian asked as he tightened his grip on Emma.

“That’s true love,” she gasped. “Killian! That was true love’s kiss.” She assaulted him with kisses as she laughed and cried tears of joy.

He kissed her thoroughly before taking a moment to say, “I told you so.”

“Oh my gosh, you sound like Henry,” she laughed.

Killian laughed heartily before planting another kiss on his true love’s lips. “When do we leave?”

“You’ll come with us?”

“What kind of question is that? Obviously, I am going with you.”

“I just wasn’t sure if you had anything here in this realm to stay for.”

“I have you, Swan. Everyone else dear to me is deceased.”

“I know,” she whispered as she stroked his cheek. “I saw everything,” she confessed, “when we were kissing, I saw all your memories.”

He knew it wasn’t pity he saw in her eyes, but perhaps understanding, because when they’d kissed, her past, also filled with experiences no one should have to endure, had been revealed to him. “That was certainly easier than having to tell every sad detail of my past,” he joked. He knew that Emma recognized the deflection with humor charade, and he loved her a little bit more for letting him get away with it.

“You have me and Henry now. And once we get home, you’ll have more family than you’ll know what to do with.”

Killian smiled at the idea of family. He hadn’t had one of those in a very long time. Not as long as Emma, but he was a mere mortal, his lifetime wouldn’t last nearly as long as hers.

Yes it will, Henry pushed into Killian’s mind.

“How so?”

“Hmm?” Emma asked as she broke from the embrace and led Killian back into the bed.

“Sorry love, I was speaking to Henry.”

“Alright mister, I see we are going to have to set some rules eventually.” He watched her pick Henry up off the bed and place him on a pillow that seemed to be just for him, on a nearby table.

Henry huffed in annoyance before conveying his train of thought to her so she could continue the discussion with Killian.

Emma laid back down in bed next to Killian so they could face each other again as she began to explain what Henry was trying to communicate. “My mother was a bit of a rebel in her younger days, she liked to sneak into the mortal world to see how the other half lived. I think she just had a stronger need for adventure than most. My father is a mortal, just like you. She met him when they were both out wandering the woods bordering our Enchanted Forest. He says it was love at first sight. She says it was punch first, ask questions later. Anyhow, my point is, my father ages the same as my mother now. A witch’s mate, if they’re true love, will inherit the same life span.”

“So, I’m not going to age? I’m going to be this devilishly handsome for centuries?” Killian grinned salaciously and waggled his eyebrows, causing Emma to roll with laughter.

“You are so full of yourself.”

“I’ll have you know I prefer self confident. And I will still pale in comparison to your beauty,” he exalted.

“Are you trying to charm me?” Emma asked as she edged closer into Killian’s space.

“It depends, is it working?”

“Even though I know you do not need your ego stroked even a little bit,” Emma paused to lick her lips, “I find your self confidence very attractive.”

Killian inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself, for his mind was still stuck on the word stroke. He definitely had something she could stroke, and goddammit why was his mind going there right now. Here they were, in the midst of a life altering evening, and he was having obscene thoughts. “Then in that case, yes, I am definitely trying to charm you.”

“Good,” she whispered. “I think I want you just as much as you want me, and I have since you got here.”

He could feel her body heat radiating off her in waves, and good God was she trying to kill him? Yes, she may want him, but he was quite sure she didn’t want exactly what he wanted right at this moment. Clearing his throat gruffly and attempting to inconspicuously back his groin area away from hers, he asked again, “So when would you like to leave?”

Emma blinked several times, confusion evident on her face as she processed his change of direction. “Well that depends on a couple things. I can open a portal, which would be the quickest way, or we could travel by land or by sea. If we use a portal we can leave anytime. If we go by land or sea, we have to procure horses or passage on a ship. How quickly do you want to leave?”

“As soon as you want to, darling. You haven’t seen your parents in centuries, the sooner the better, right?”

“I want to leave tomorrow, and I want to open a portal but…”

“But what?” he asked. He could sense concern in her tone, perhaps she was nervous after her reaction to the last time she’d opened a portal. Or maybe she was nervous about bringing him home to her parents? “Are you scared?”

“Not scared, but there is one thing we would have to do first.”

“Your heart’s desire, that’s all I want.” Killian caressed her cheek in his palm and leaned in to seal his words with a kiss.

“You can’t travel through a portal in your condition. The minute I rescind the dampening spell, you will be in pain. We can wait for you to heal on your own, which could take weeks, or I can heal you.”

“That’s easy enough, heal me, and we shall depart at your whim.”

“Okay,” she answered, almost inaudibly.

Killian couldn’t figure out why she seemed so unsure. “What is it, Emma? Are you unsure of your ability to heal me? Because I have faith in you, I have yet to see you fail.”

Emma beamed under his praise. “No, it’s not that, it’s just, well, healing is an extremely… physical process.”

Even in the dim moonlight he could see a hint of blush upon the apple of her cheek. “Physical how, like painful?”

“Touch, I would heal you through touch. It won’t be too painful, but it might be more invasive than you want.”

“I assure you, be as invasive as you like, my body is at your disposal.” He really meant it too, even though he was also trying to make her more comfortable.

“Are you sure?” Emma asked, propping her head up on her hand. “Because a second ago I told you I want you and you completely changed the subject.”

It was Killian’s turn to blush as he chuckled lightly. “I needed a moment to settle my… well I was slightly overstimulated and I don’t wish to offend you.”

“Offend me? When a woman tells you she wants you, isn’t stimulation a good thing?”

“I didn’t realize you were talking in those certain terms, a mere misunderstanding, I promise.” He pulled her close, so close he rested his forehead to hers. “I want you in every way, Emma.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he whispered before kissing her. Threading his hand into her hair he sought a deeper kiss, licking her lower lip and nibbling at it softly.

Her lips were pliant to his request as she opened to him and allowed his tongue to stroke hers. He felt lit up, invincible as their mouths moved together. Rolling her to her back, he slipped his hooked arm under her pillow so he wouldn’t hurt her, and placed his other hand upon her hip. Killian kissed down the column of her neck, pausing when she’d emit a particularly wanton moan, making sure to pay attention to her body’s communication.

“Wait,” she panted. Her hands, which were buried in his thick hair, pulled his head up so he could see her flushed face. “Let me heal you first. If I have to concentrate on keeping you pain free, I won’t be able to fully enjoy you.”

“We can’t have that, Swan.” He acquiesced to her lead as she pushed against him, urging him to roll onto his back.

With a flick of her wrist, his shirt was gone. He gave her a cocky grin and asked if it was altogether necessary to be shirtless, to which she rolled her eyes. He wasn’t sure if that was a yes or a no, but it didn’t really matter either. “Focus on my touch,” she whispered.

When she straddled his stomach, Killian was almost positive it was not necessary, but he’d be a fool to question this woman’s reason for being astride him. Placing each of her hands to his temples, she rubbed delicately, and Killian couldn’t help but close his eyes. The feeling was absolutely serene, his mind felt clear, and the pressure behind his swollen eye dissipated. As her thumbs rolled over his cheeks, the sting of the gash on his right cheek dulled until it was no more.

“You have three broken ribs,” she stated, “and no matter how powerful my magic is, it’s going to hurt when I reset them.”

“That’s okay, I can handle it.”

“I know you can,” she said with a sweet smile. She leaned down to kiss him deeply, a little roughly even, and Killian had to wonder if this whole healing process wasn’t an aphrodisiac for her, it certainly had him worked up.

She slithered down his body, pausing when her core hovered above his fully hardened cock. Fuck, how he wished she would rub herself against him. “Emma,” he whined.

“Shhh, I’ve got you.” She fisted his hair in one hand and placed the other flat against his rib cage. When she set to work, he thought he might be split between heaven and hell. She placed her lips to his once more, then pulled at his hair and ground her hips tantalizingly against his while at the same moment she summoned the bones of his rib cage back together.

The whimper that left his mouth was a mixture between excessive titillation and sheer agony. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to come or cry, or both.

“That,” she said, with another yank of his hair, “was the art of distraction.”

His breathing was heavy as he struggled to gain some composure. A wicked grin cut his mouth as he realized Emma Swan was a bit of a minx, and she was definitely enjoying this healing process. “Come here,” he growled, pulling her down on top of him and kissing her breathless. “That was incredible.”

“I thought so,” she smirked with a buck of her hips. She sat up and grabbed his hook, “Last part.”

Killian gave a nod of his head.

“What would you like?” she asked, placing a kiss to the curve of the shiny metal.

Killian furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “Uhhh, I’d like to be healed so I can make love to you.”

Emma giggled and blushed as she told him she wanted that too. “But what do you want for your… appendage? I can give you something that resembles a real hand, it wouldn’t be yours though, unless you happen to have it, or know where it is?”

Killian’s face soured at the thought of reattaching his rotting hand, wherever it may be. “That is quite macabre, and I don’t have it anyhow.”

“I could leave it severed, but healed?”

“Why can’t I have the hook?”

“You can,” she said excitedly. “I wasn’t sure if you would want it.”

“I’ve grown quite attached to it, actually. And Henry…” Speaking of Henry, Killian glanced around and realized the little hellion was nowhere to be seen. Considerate little guy, he thought. “Henry has given me a most colorful moniker to go with it.”

Emma cocked an eyebrow, as if unimpressed. “And what would that be?”

“Why, Captain Hook, of course.”

A loud laugh burst from Emma as she slapped his chest playfully “You boys are so funny.”

“I quite like the name, it’s ominous.”

“Oh yes, so ominous,” she teased. “Am I going to have to call you that in bed?”

“If the hook brings you any pleasure, you must!”

Emma covered her face with both hands and Killian knew then and there that she’d already considered the act. “You little coquette!” Killian sat up and leaned against the pillows with Emma still straddling his lap as he waited for her to regain her composure. She was absolutely adorable.

“Are you ready,” she asked, removing his hook. When he nodded, she took Killian’s forearm in her hands and smoothed her hands over the damaged flesh. Killian watched a golden glow radiate from her palms as she massaged from his elbow down to his wrist. It wasn’t going to be pretty, but it would be healthy.

She kissed the blunted end of his arm and cradled it to her cheek. “How does that feel?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

Killian’s eyes were a little misty at the tenderness she exuded. He rubbed his arm, squeezed up and down the healed area testing for any sign of distress. “Good as new,” he whispered hoarsely. He couldn’t help but pull her into a fierce hug. As they locked in an embrace, love and understanding flowed between them, and despite his missing hand, Killian couldn’t remember a time he’d felt more complete, and he could sense Emma was feeling the same thing.

She acted first as their combined emotions spilled over into need. Killian didn’t hesitate when her lips assaulted his, in fact he pounced back with as much fervor, sucking her tongue between his lips and massaging it with his own. Breaking the kiss, he rucked up her nightie and pulled it over her head, thankful that she’d let him do that the old fashioned way.

Passion filled Killian’s eyes as he looked his fill of Emma Swan. Her breasts were full and tightened at her rosy nipples. He was mesmerized as he scanned her lissome frame down to the apex of her thighs which cradled his still clothed cock. “So gorgeous,” he muttered. He ran a finger between her breasts and down her stomach to her belly button, she was so soft and warm. A shiver coursed through her and covered her skin as he continued to touch her, hand and blunted wrist familiarizing themselves with the feel of her body.

Leaning down, Killian wrapped his left arm around her and sucked a nipple into his mouth, working her gently before switching to the other one. He jumped when he felt her hand wrap around his shaft, he’d been so caught up in acquainting himself with her breasts he hadn’t even noticed she’d magically divested him of his pants. He looked up to see Emma greedily staring as she languidly stroked his cock.

“See something you like?”

“Mmmhmm,” she hummed, never looking away from her ministrations.

Killian ducked his head and surged to her mouth once more, kissing her passionately. He could feel her rubbing herself against his thighs as she continued to work him. Halting her movements, he slid his hand between her thighs and he could feel her heat before even touching her. When he slid his middle finger into her, she broke the kiss to cry out his name. It was the most glorious thing he’d ever heard.

Killian’s cock twitched in her still moving hand as his digit explored her soaking core. His mind raced as he imagined what she’d feel like once he was buried inside her. He added another finger and Emma threw her head back for just a moment before focusing back. He smirked as he realized she really did like what she saw, she liked to watch, her pupils dilated as she stared at his fingers pumping in and out of her. Picking up the pace, he marveled at the way she thrust down upon his fingers, taking what she wanted, and as her soft moans became more needy he grazed his thumb over her clit once.

“Yes,” she panted. “Do it again.”

Killian complied, making the same pass over and over. When she grabbed her breasts to tweak her nipples he almost spilled himself, his saving grace was that she’d had to release his cock to touch herself. It took her but several more pumps of his fingers before she was calling out his name like a praise. Her whole body tensed, and she squeezed his fingers so tightly his cock actually felt jealous.

Before she’d even come down, Emma got to her knees and pulled him in for a kiss. “If your fingers are that good, I can’t wait for the real thing,” she panted between still ragged breaths.

Killian groaned as she grabbed him once more, only this time she slid her coated folds up and down his shaft instead of her hand. It drove him mad as she whispered in his ear before sucking his lobe into her mouth. He quickly flipped them so that she was on her back, and he studied her face for any sign of hesitation. When all he saw was love and desire, he thrust into her in one fluid stroke.

He had no words, he couldn’t even emote how she felt around him because a choice enough description was beyond his scope of thought. He didn’t want it to end, and so he stayed buried, enjoying the pulsing of her post orgasmic walls. When she squeezed his butt and gave a small thrust of her hips, he knew she needed more. Propping himself up on his blunted arm, he looked down at her as he pulled out and then slowly filled her back up. The wet slide of heated flesh against his swollen cock was unimaginable, and he struggled to keep his eyes open. He wanted to see her face though, wanted to watch her pleasure while taking his.

Emma wrapped her legs around his back, and her hands around his neck, and he knew she wanted him close. Placing more of his weight on her, their slick bodies rubbed together as he thrust into her over and again. Killian placed his forehead to hers as he neared the edge, wanting to be connected. When her body tensed up once more, signaling her release, he let all finesse go and pumped into her erratically. As her walls began that pleasurable flutter and clamped around his cock he came harder and more blissfully than he’d thought possible.

Killian sighed out her name while holding her close. “That was…”

“I know,” she whispered.

And he knew she did, there were no words to convey, only feelings. Unconditional love, absolute trust, bliss to name a few. They luxuriated in the peaceful embrace that seemed to permeate the entire dwelling.

“Let me get a cloth to clean us,” Killian said; but before he could even move, Emma had them bathed and spooning under the covers.

“Sleep,” she murmured, “we will have a long day tomorrow.”

“Are you excited?”

“I’m so excited, Killian, and nervous,” she gushed. “I can’t wait to see my parents, my home. And I can’t wait for them to meet you.”

Killian’s heart squeezed a little when he picked up on the pride in her voice as she expressed her wish for her parents to meet him. “I cannot wait either, my love.” Tightening his arm around her waist, he pulled Emma closer into the cradle of his body, and wishes of good night, and I love yous passed silently between them as they drifted off to sleep.

乂❤乂❤乂

“Bugger off,” Killian grumbled, as an incessant knock pounded at the door. Whoever it was, was rather insistent, and it was grating on his last good nerve. He rolled over to see Emma still blissfully passed out. They had been up quite late indulging in more enjoyable activities than simply sleeping.

Answer it, Henry projected.

It’s still dark outside, mate.

Answer it! This time Henry added a persistent chirp.

Fine! Killian projected back as he stumbled out of bed and pulled his pajama pants back on. He ignored Henry’s warning to put on more clothes as he sleepily walked to the door.

“Bloody Hell, give it a rest,” he hollered as he reached the door and pulled it open. “What is so important that has you banging on my door before sunrise,” Killian asked crossly as he stared down the young couple.

“No!” the woman cried out.

Killian studied the short brunette as she clutched at a small crocheted blanket. She looked between him and the blonde man standing next to her.

“But…”

“Shhh,” the man murmured into her hair as he pulled her into his arms. “Sorry to have woken you,” he said to Killian.

Killian stood there watching the couple and his heart squeezed as he witnessed the anguish between them. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but he wasn’t sure that was proper. “Have you traveled far? Would you like to come in and rest?”

“I used the locator spell, David. How could it be wrong?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. But we will find her.”

Dawning hit Killian the moment he heard the word spell. His heart soared a little as he realized Emma might get to see some of her family sooner than she’d even hoped.

“Killian, come back to bed,” Emma called to him, “and you better still be naked,” she added in a sultry tone. A blush broke out from his abdomen, where his pants were still hanging low, all the way up to his ears. Dammit, why hadn’t he listened to Henry when he’d told him to put on more clothes.

“Pardon me,” he grinned sheepishly, “just for a moment.”

The couple stared at him with puzzlement across their faces as he closed the door over.

“Emma!” he hissed as he double-timed it over to their bed. “Emma! Get up.”

“Why,” she whined. “Come back to bed.”

Killian jumped as she cupped his cock, doing her best to entice him back to the comfort of their bed. “Love,” he implored, “please get up, poof us dressed, and-”

“I’m sorry, but did you say, Emma?” the brunette called from the entryway.

Killian’s head whipped around to see that the couple was now standing right inside the doorway peering in their direction. He lightly smacked Emma’s hand away from his crotch before broadcasting as loudly as he could to her that they had company.

“Oh, shit,” Emma muttered as she pulled the blanket up to her neck. As Killian had requested a moment ago she poofed them dressed and then exited the bed. Who is it? she silently asked him.

Take a look for yourself, Swan. I think you may be able to tell me who it is.

Emma peered around his shoulder to take a better look. “Is this a dream?” she asked as her eyes welled up with tears.

“No, love,” he whispered with a smile.

“Mom? Dad?” Emma asked hesitantly.

“Emma!” the woman exclaimed. “It did work!”

Emma pulled Killian by his hook as she ran to her parent’s embrace. He watched as the three broke into tears, the woman talking a mile a minute and the man simply cradling Emma’s head to his shoulder.

“How did you find me? How did you even know to find me?”

“We felt it,” her mother said. “There was no doubt the moment you and your true love broke the curse. And once the curse was broken, we found you using this,” she held up the white crochet blanket, “and a simple locator spell.”

“What is that?” Emma asked, reaching out to touch the fabric.

“It was your baby blanket,” her father answered, reverently unveiling the part where her name was crocheted in a pretty purple yarn.

After introductions were made, the two couples sat down at the small dining table and Henry perched on Killian’s shoulder, offering a sense of unity, in light of Emma’s parents showing up.

Snow and David explained how Regina had been stripped of all her power and the Enchanted Forest had been immediately restored to its former glory. The people were rejoicing and had already reestablished Snow and David as their Queen and King. Their intent was to take back Castle Misthaven, and the only thing left was to bring back the long absent Princess of the Enchanted Forest.

Emma in turn told her parents how she and Killian had already planned to travel to the Enchanted Forest by portal. Within the hour everyone was ready to depart. Emma packed up the shockingly sparse amount of belongings she’d acquired over the centuries, where Killian had nothing but the clothes on his back, and his mother’s and brother’s rings.

Killian looked around and wondered how different his new home would be, would this new realm be earthly? Or would he be out of his element?

“You’ll be right at home,” Emma whispered, “and I’ll be right by your side.”

Killian leaned into her and placed a chaste kiss to her lips. I love you.

And I love you.

They both said a quiet goodbye to the cabin where their worlds had collided and their magical love had begun, before setting off to their happy new beginning.

#cssns 2019 #cs ff #cs fanfic #cs au #captain swan

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trashy-croud · 4 years

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Jungle - India 🗺️🐒

So, where do we start? So I did initially start this game with the Manor run, seeing how well I did the assault course and the driving and I did pretty okay. I mean, I remember them clear as day as this croft manor was the one I played the most as a child on the PC, whilst my dad was at work so I didn't lose his progress. After getting used to all the controls again, and finding out there was a sprint button, I decided to start this game up for real. I won't say much about croft manor, may look at it more after all of this but I'll focus on the main story for now.

So let’s begin on this new adventure with Lara. In the very beginning cutscene, before the menu appears, we see a meteor crashing onto Earth. It landed in Antarctica, had to look this up, as during the time it crashed, Antarctica was tropical. This very first cinematic is set over a million years ago, long before our little adventurer had anything to do with it. As we move onto the present day, we’re in the Antarctica that we all known and love to well as there seems to be some people doing research there, some digging and whatnot. One man who is there is named Willard, he’s totally not the bad guy. I sweaaar. Anywho a lot of the machinery goes wrong, from what I can tell, they basically made a discovery of a set of stone heads, very much like the ones on Easter Island in Antarctica. It is a huuuge wild ride in one cutscene alone! And then we are shown at the end, the discovery of a handmade grave/post/thing, for one Mr Paul Caulfield. I suppose he’s going to have quite the impact on our adventure and like Willard says, "This place has a busy history." I don’t think he’s too far from the tree, ya know.

So after all that, we finally begin, woo, finally talking about the first level of this game and boy, was I struggling to get used to this and had to go through it several times to obtain all the secrets. Yes, I know about you “All Hallows” and I will not make the same mistake as I did in the previous game! So in this first level, we start off in India, off in the jungles. It doesn’t specify where precisely, we’ll perhaps get more information on all of that as we progress further through these few levels, but all I know is that things have changed and boy, do I gotta talk about them!

So for starters, we have a mixed save system. Playing on the playstation, I don’t get unlimited saves like on the PC or like the second instalment of the game, well, not anymore. Instead we have a combination of the first game with the save crystals and the second game with getting to save whenever we please. But, now we have limitations on the saves, which means someone is going to have to be extra careful with her saves from now on and not waste all of her save crystals carelessly~ Note to self: if they are anything like the flares or how many times I saved in the previous game, these crystals will not be lasting long.

Also, I don’t have a button to use my flares constantly either. I have to actually open my backpack up and then think, I have to think about whether I need them or not. Do we understand how this is a mind-blowing mechanic for someone like me who wasted them all in the early levels of the game and never got them again?! On one hand, it’s super helpful for people like me, but on the other hand, it’s also annoying because I can’t access them within a second of needing them. So you know, there are pros and cons to this little feature. But I will have to adapt!

Final note before I actually talk about the level itself. Heh. Secrets. I mentioned earlier that I was going to collect them all to get the secret level but did I mention that it’s not like the second game anymore? I’m so used to the idea I only have to collect three secrets that when it popped up with the statistics screen, when it said “3 of 6″, I think I about lost it? Like, it’s gone back to the first instalment’s idea of secrets, which I ain’t complaining about. It just threw a huge spanner in the works and goes to show that this is going to take ten times longer for me to complete! So don’t expect a finale any time soon! I feel like, in particular levels, I’m going to miss the obviousness which was the dragon statues you had to find previously. I’m sure I’ll complain about it all soon enough, just you wait.

Anyway, right, so let’s actually talk about the level itself! As the first level of this game, it really did not pull any punches. You are literally given three secrets to find at the very start of the level, that later two I found much easier but the first one was so dang hard. Like, I kid you not, I was trying everything, looking everywhere I could and how I was supposed to find this secret was beyond me. Like I was just jumping around on the slope, hoping I’d find something and low and behold, I bloody well did! This was only the beginning of my struggles as the level pressed forward. After finding the first three secrets, which were quite literally one after the other, we’re introduced to something new. And oh dear god, I’m gonna hate it. It’s quicksand! Yaaaay.

After overcoming the quicksand, we met new... enemies? Well, we met some monkeys, but they seem friendly, at least for now but that is bound to change very quickly. Because it’s a Tomb Raider game. And nice enemies don’t happen often. Y’know, like the tigers that try to maul us to death later on and the addition to some new watery enemies, yeah, watery. I used that word. Piranhas. Oh boy, I don’t like this. Water is meant to be my safe zone, although there are sometimes shark and crocodiles/alligators, I can cope. Even with the odd barracuda and the like, I can cope. But piranhas? Oh no. We are done. Because these awkward little swines cannot be killed as far as I know, and I’m ready to absolutely weep at them! But nonetheless, we somehow still trudged on. We’re just plodding along.

We encountered traps like never before, we met boulders and spikes and more boulders, oh and zip lines. Now, you may be thinking, “But Croud, how are zip lines traps? They help you?” And now here’s the part where I prove you wrong because I cannot use zip lines to save my life. The amount of times I died in the floating island level due to zip lines is unreal, and they’re here in this game too? Oh they are certainly classed as traps on my list. You can make sure of that!

To make a long story short this level put me through the works. Like so many works it’s unreal.

This level did not pull on any punches and really got you involved in it. I thought “The Great Wall” was a wacky trap filled first level, but this. This wasn’t just filled with traps, no, we got multiple routes, more exploration. It felt much less linear yet you still knew the way to go. It almost made the level more expansive? I believe that’s the right way to put it. Was probably the reason this level took me so long. I’ll hopefully make the next post much more structured compared to this one, but right now, I want to just gush over how many flare I have. 34! That’s right, ya girls’ been good with ‘em. It won’t last long so took a picture to commemorate it.

Over all, I greatly enjoyed this first level, it has truly set a tone for the rest of the game to come. Finished it in style by jumping into more quicksand in the end, which really did make me panic - all before we were given the final cutscene, one where Willard makes his appearance once more, or at least an audio appearance rather than a physical one.

During this last cutscene, Lara comes across a campsite and a radio from which we can hear Willard talking, or better yet, trying to get into contact with someone from this site. That is when we are introduced to the “loon” known as Tony. He did not hold back with our Lara, though I’m sure he was suffering from jungle madness with the way he spoke and his attitude. After going in a bit of a circle with him about how many there were of her, we finally get to the point as to why Lara is in this jungle. The Infada artifact. Finally we get a name for the mysterious artifact we’ve been searching for and it sure does sound mysterious. Though Tony doesn’t seem to agree with us completely, summarising it plainly as “voodoo magic and all that”. Perhaps he has seen it before or witnessed what it can do? Though that summary definitely did not impress our Lara as she was asking about anyone else who could talk to her on a more intellectual level, or without brushing off what she was talking about as just “voodoo magic”.

Tony certainly doesn’t have his way with women, we can see that for certain. And he didn’t impress Lara further with the mention of Randy and Rory, who he said was staying put in that temple. Now that ain’t boding too well. Nor do the last words Tony leaves us with, which are quite literally “die” as he jumps off a ledge, disappearing with giggles galore. He was right when he said the jungle was truly rotting his brain, or perhaps it is actually something else that is causing this? Now as someone who hasn’t played the game, nor gotten further than literally this level alone, this cutscene has always been one to make me believe that Tony ain’t a trustworthy guy, and boy was my gut instincts as a child were right. Because I still don’t trust this giggly arse!

But now that’s it! At least for now. This has been the jungle levels as we explore more of the India levels, now moving onto the Temple Ruins. This game is giving me a different kind of feeling to the previous instalment and oh god, I’m currently enjoying it. Though I’m petrified because this is new territory. Hopefully we can get all these secrets! But see you all soon in the temple ruins, where we’re sure to meet Randy and Rory, or at east whatever is left of them from the sounds of it?

#tomb raider #tomb raider 3 #croud's playthrough #lara croft #classic lara #classic tomb raider #tr3 #playstation #playthrough #india levels #the jungle #oh snap look at my flares though guys #I'll even gloat in the tags about this because this is a goddamn achievement!#long post

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brianmayswifey · 5 years

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Worship- Dom!Brian May x Reader

Warnings: unprotected sex, swearing, angst, fluff in the end

A/N: this was actually inspired from another oneshot I’ve read about Fat Bottomed Girls, I just can’t remember who wrote it :(( so credits to you

“Brian May, spotted with a sexy woman! Did he choose her over his girlfriend, Y/N L/N?”

Just the thought of that newspaper your friend had shown you breaks your heart. Really? A man flirting with another woman that is not his girlfriend? His words replay inside your head, “I’ll never leave you.” And you think to yourself, “I hate my body.” You laid flat on your stomach and buried your face into a pillow, wet from all the tears you’ve shed. The newspaper was still crumpled inside your fist. The anxiety hits you so hard that you just can’t breathe from all the hurt you’ve been going through since you’ve read that headline. Though you don’t know if it’s true— you trust him more than anyone in your life but you just can’t stop thinking about how he can just suddenly leave you. There are many women out there that he can choose over you and leaving you isn’t impossible.

You looked down at your stomach, which was filled with rolls of fat. You touched your face, full of marks you didn’t like.

It was a beautiful night, with all the bright stars shining but it seems like a cold and sad rainy night and the darkness eats you up, sucking up all your happiness and leaving you with nothing but fear, anxiety, and insecurity.

You hear his heavy footsteps enter your shared bedroom. “I’m home, sweets! How’s my queen?” You didn’t respond, still silently crying. He walked towards you and sat on the edge of the bed. “Honey, you alright?”, you can sense concern by the tone of his voice. He fixes your hair that was covering your face to see your eyes closed, face filled with tears, cheeks red, and the scent of alcohol was filling his nose up. He looks around and sees two bottles of beer lying on the floor, one of them still half full, leaking on the carpet.

“What happened?”, he asked, caressing your face. You clenched your fist tighter out of anger and sadness and he noticed a crumpled paper under your fingers. He takes it, reads it and his face turned into a huge frown. “Garbage— shit! Full of lies!”, he sees you breaking down once again. “Baby, please, don’t believe this— and besides, Deaky was eyeing her! He’s dating this woman. He just asked me to take care of her for a minute while he prepares for a surprise and— those bastards now write shit about me.”, he rubbed your shoulder. “Sit up, love.”, you do as he demands. You wiped your tears, and he frowns as he sees your sad red eyes.

“Look- when a person becomes famous, they usually becomes a prey and the predators are lies. You’ve heard me right? That woman is Veronica, she’s dating Deacon- and I’ve got no plans of hurting you or any of the bandmates.” You looked at him and spoke, “Even if Deaky’s dating her, there are millions- billions of women out there that you could choose over me! What am I even? I’m shit compared to them! Look at my fats, my butt, my face! You wouldn’t love it, would you?”, you said in a calm manner to avoid saying undesired words. He reached for your neck to caress it.

“I love ‘em. I’d choose that over skinny girls. You’re perfect to my eyes.”, he held your hand. “Come with me.” He pulled you up gently, inviting you to the bedroom mirror. He let you face the mirror, he’s standing behind you with his hands resting on your shoulders. You looked at the floor, avoiding the sight of your ‘ugly’ self. “Look at your body, baby.”, he said. He slowly ran his fingers through your hair. “This hair, I love it when I wake up and it covers my face. The scent of candy in every strand is the best scent to wake up to.” He smelled your hair before moving his hand next to your breasts. “These— the perfect size, I love seeing this especially when you ride me.”, he gave it a small squeeze. He held your hands tight. “These hands hold my heart. I wouldn’t let it hold anyone’s heart except mine.”

“And these cute rolls? Ugh, my soft pillow.” He humped your behind and moaned into your ears. “This butt, you don’t know what it does to me. It makes me SO crazy. You feel my cock?”, you nod. “It’s this hard just because of your butt.” You just felt a lump in your throat as you swallowed your saliva. You know where this is going.

He slid his hand inside your panties, teasing your wet folds. “This drive me so wild. I love it— and I don’t want other girls giving me theirs because your pussy is the only perfect match for me.”, he rubbed circles on your clit, making you moan. He turns your body, making you face him. “Those lips— I love how soft they are when pressed against me. And also, your mouth can do lots of great thing to me.”, he chuckled. “There’s still two things I love but let me tell you later. Tonight, I just wanna show you how I love you.”

He pushed you onto the bed and took your panties off. He stopped just to stare at your body. “You don’t know how enthralling your body is, love. I can worship you all year!”, he smiled, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. He settles his head between your legs and pressed his lips on your slit. The way he licked you was like pleasure from a paradise. You arched your back in pleasure. You reached for your clit but he stopped you. “No! I’ll do it all by myself so you’ll feel how obsessed I really am at your body.”, he continued eating you out, not leaving any mark of wetness.

“I’m gonna-!”, you moaned as he licked you faster, letting you reach your high. After you’ve recovered from your orgasm, you knelt in front of him and yanked his pants down to his feet. You were always amazed by his length. His cock was about 7 inches or more and his girth was so wide that you almost can’t reach your own fingertips when you clench his penis.

As you took his length into your mouth, he started unbuttoning his shirt and threw them at the side. Half of his dick didn’t fit in your mouth so you had to give him a handjob too. “Ugh— Y/N, you feel so good.”, he groaned as he ran his fingers through your hair and gently pulls it. You bobbed your head faster. “I’m not gonna last long, love.”, he pulled his cock out and you released it with a pop and swallowed his pre-cum.

“Go to the bed, ass up.”, he demanded and you followed. He squeezed your butt so hard and spanked it, making you gasp and moan. “UGH- FUCK, YES!”, you whined. He was turned on by that and slapped your ass again, making you whine once more. He took a grip at your hips and spread your ass gently to make way for his penis to your cunt.

You both groaned as his thrusts were too fast without even getting warned. His cock was buried deep inside you, hitting that special spot every now and then. “You’re so fucking tight and wet around me.”, he moaned, reaching for your shoulders to grip on them while making his thrust deeper. “So fucking lovely— I’m not gonna last too long.”, he continued.

“Brian you’re so big inside me.”, your voice was muffled due to your face being pressed on the mattress. “I know, baby and it’s all yours.”, he groaned in a raspy, out of breath voice. He continued fucking you hard like you desire. “Fuck, Brian!”, you moaned. He grabbed your hair and spoke, “What? ‘fuck me hard, Brian’?”. “Not what I said but if-.”, he pushed deeper and moaned. “As you wish— I’m gonna fuck you until you can’t open your eyes and read those fucking shit-contained newspapers so that you’ll know that you’re the only one I love.”, he said in a deep, raspy voice.

With that, you were so turned on that you felt tightening around your lower abdomen, a familiar feeling of pleasure. “I’m gonna cum, Brian!”, you took a handful of sheets tighter. “Cum with me, love.”, he said. He was obviously running out of breath but also you felt his cock slightly throbbing, a signal that he’s about to cum.

His grip on your butt got tighter, leaving red marks. He was moving fast until hot white ropes filled your cunt. He pulled out and immediately rolled beside you out of tiredness. He was breathing heavily like you did. He faced you and cupped your cheeks weakly. He pulled you gently closer to him and pressed a kiss on your lips. He smiled as he pulled away.

“What were those two things you loved about me again?”, you asked as he probably forgot it already. His smile grew wider. His index finger touched your temple. “This mind; so wise, so thoughtful; thinks of my own welfare; thinks of my own happiness more than your own. And I hope this mind could be thoughtful of yourself too, take care of yourself. Let this mind know that you’re beautiful and perfect.”

“And this?” He rested his palm on your chest. “This heart beats for only me. This heart is mine only. This heart makes me feel loved and worthy. This heart is so soft and it makes my heart beat; it makes me alive. I will never break that.”, he kissed your lips once again. “I love you, Y/N L/N.”, he wiped a drop of tear rolling down your cheeks. “I love you too, Brian.”, you smiled.

#brian may #freddie mercury #john deacon #roger taylor #brianmay #brianmayxreader #brian may smut #brian may x reader #brian may x reader fluff #brian may x reader smut #brian harold may #veronicatetzlaff #brian may angst #brianmayangst

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mst3kproject · 5 years

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Cat-Women of the Moon

That doesn’t sound like a real title, does it? It sounds like something somebody made up to make fun of dumb old science fiction movies, or at best like it should belong to a parody of such. And yet, despite the snarky tone of its Wikipedia article (which reads like I could have written it), as far as I can tell Cat-Women of the Moon is totally in earnest. It was produced by Al Zimbalist and scored by Elmer Bernstein, both of whom did the same jobs on Robot Monster.

A cartoon rocket blasts off for the moon, carrying – as per 50’s Movie Regulations – three or four lumpy middle-aged men and one pretty girl. After a couple of the obligatory narrow escapes on the way, they manage to land successfully, and a mysterious cave leads them into an underground city where they are taken prisoner by telepathic cat-women! The cat-women have trapped them by controlling the mind of Helen the navigator, and plan to steal the rocket ship and conquer the Earth. Our manly heroes are immune to the mind control, but not to feminine wiles or the promise of caves full of gold. The world’s only hope is that at least one of them can keep his head about him and save the day.

Cat-Women of the Moon is one of the movies that I suspect was considered for MST3K but ultimately rejected because it was too similar to another feature – in this case, to Fire Maidens of Outer Space. Besides having similarly ridiculous titles, both movies are about astronauts encountering the last survivors of an all-female advanced civilization, who want to use them as breeding stock. In both, the evil plan is undone when one of the alien women falls in love with one of the oafish Earthlings, and both contain a gratuitous dance sequence that does nothing but fill time. Cat-Women of the Moon is actually slightly more interesting than Fire Maidens of Outer Space, mostly on account of an absolutely hilarious giant spider puppet, but it’s still two thirds over before we ever see a Cat-Woman.

It is impossible to overstate how cheap and shoddy this movie is. There are moments when the sets almost fall apart as people move around on them – one astronaut almost knocks a piece of equipment over and just leaves it sitting there at an odd angle. The rocket has roomy high ceilings and corrugated metal walls, with ham radio equipment sitting around on wooden tables and canvas space suits (with helmets that don’t match) stored in lockers that appear to have been stolen from a high school hallway. The city of the Cat-Women appears to be made of bits and pieces stolen from five different Maciste movies, and a couple of those ‘Family Tree’ decorations you used to be able to buy at Hallmark.

And oh, man, that spider puppet. My favourite thing is that it’s full-sized so that it can drop on Helen from above with all its totally limp limbs flailing. I love it so much. We never even find out what it’s doing there, either – it’s just a giant moon spider, because why the hell not?

About the only visual that works in the movie is the matte paintings, which are very nice, even when they don’t look very real. Some of the lunar landscapes are very realistic and the black and white photography adds to the verisimilitude. Sadly, that’s about the only thing Cat-Women of the Moon gets right scientifically. There’s a weird moment where one guy uses a cigarette (yes, they brought cigarettes to the moon) to demonstrate… something. Possibly the temperature difference between the day and night side of the moon. When placed in the light, it bursts into flame, which is obviously impossible in a vacuum. As if to drive the point home, not five minutes later they light a match (if you’re bringing cigarettes to the moon you obviously have to bring matches) to check if there’s oxygen!

The characters also note that there’s a difference in gravity between the surface of the moon, where they have to wear weighted boots, and the Cat-Women habitat. But why would Lunar Cat-Women, who have supposedly lived on the Moon for two million years, want artificial Earth gravity? What makes even less sense is that the Cat-Women, who have telepathic powers, resort to slap-fighting each other when they’re mad! These women can teleport… surely if they want to kill somebody they can just make their heads explode by thinking at them too hard, no slapping or stabbing needed.

That brings us to the biggest and most obvious thing going on in this movie. I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now – Cat-Women of the Moon absolutely despises women and it’s not even shy about it.

We’ve got Helen, who brushes her hair and does her makeup in orbit, and stands there screaming while the men beat the shit out of the giant spider with their fists. She’s supposed to be a brilliant navigator but it turns out that was just the Cat-Women working through her. The Cat-Women’s mind control powers work on women but not on men, and when Helen is in the arms of a man she truly loves, they lose control of her, too – as in The She-Creature, it is his male mine rather than her female one that is able to resist.

The man in question is of course not the Captain, who actually respects Helen, but the gun-toting jerk Kip. There’s a bit where he manhandles her and tells her to stop complaining because “I’m not hurting you that much.” The others aren’t much better, as one of them tells a Cat-Women, “you’re too smart for me, Baby – I like ‘em stupid.” At least that guy dies.

The Cat-Women themselves are scheming bitches, except for sweet, innocent little Lambda, who decides to betray her entire civilization because she’s got a crush on Doug the radio operator. This has been happening in stories since the Greek myth about Scylla, who betrayed her city after falling in love with the commander of an attacking army, and it’s been stupid for at least that long. The men aren’t any better, either. Kip and the Captain are fighting over Helen when the fate of the world is at stake. When they manage to interrogate her while she’s not under Cat-Woman control, one of the first things they want to know is which of them she’s in love with!

The movie hates cats, too. The inhabitants of the moon are Cat-Women not because they have tails and whiskers, but because they are cunning and underhanded, purring in your lap one moment and scratching your face off the next. They say they want to be friends, but really they just want to use and discard you.

I guess stories like this represent men being afraid that women will realize they can do without them, and like Horrors of Spider-Island, it perhaps inadvertently implies that this is true. The Cat-Women were doing just fine at maintaining a peaceful civilization before these jerks from Earth showed up. Maybe we’re meant to think this is because the men can resist their telepathy – which is built on another nasty stereotype about women, the idea that they’re some kind of hive mind. How many times have you heard somebody say ‘Women Think X’ or ‘Girls Like Y’, as if it’s genetic? The Cat-Women, all in telepathic communication with each other, cannot help but agree about everything – and one she’s made contact with them, Helen becomes part of this collective mind whether she likes it or not.

Cat-Queen Alpha’s control over Helen is probably the most effective part of the story. We know we can’t trust anything Helen says or even anything she thinks, and once the men realize this Alpha is able to use even their mistrust to her advantage. Helen cannot even trust herself, as she observes when she realizes she should care if her crew-mates live or die, but does not. Not that it wouldn’t work way better if the cure for it weren’t twu wuv, but it’s a good idea as far as it goes.

Up to the last few minutes of the movie we’ve been building suspense, sometimes in fits and starts, but we do feel like something’s going to happen. Alpha, Beta, and Helen have run off with the group’s space-suits, and the men are trying to catch up with them. We’re expecting a fight for control of the rocket ship – and then Kip just pulls his gun and shoots Alpha and Beta off-screen, while Lambda dies tragically and Doug cradles her body. It’s an anticlimax that just leaves the audience sitting there going, “that’s it?” And yeah, the next thing that happens is the remaining guys and Helen get back on their rocket and head home, so that is it.

Cat-Women of the Moon is sort of lukewarm entertaining. The shitty sets and stupid spider puppet are good for some laughs, but the movie’s sexual politics are obnoxious and its ending a huge disappointment. I can’t recommend it to watch on its own, but it makes for good DIY riff material. I’m sure Mike and the bots could have had great fun with it.

#mst3k #reviews #episodes that never were #cat-women of the moon #50s

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sorenmarie87 · 5 years

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Don’t You Want Me?

Summary: Mary manages to track you down, but only to get back something that belongs to her. Secrets get revealed and John shows up.

Square Filled: Dom/Sub (Kink)

Pairing(s)/Character(s): Ketch x Reader, Mary x Ketch, John x Mary, John x Reader

Word Count: 2,038

Warning(s): Dom/Sub. Smut with plot. Nudity. Language. Mary threatening the reader, again.

A/N: This was written for @spnkinkbingo. I also need to thank @fictionalabyss and @coffee-obsessed-writer for being my betas on this one. Also this was my first time writing Ketch, so if he’s off, I apologize.

I do not own any of the pictures I used in my aesthetic. I also hate to say this but if you’re reading this fic - please be over 18.

Part 2 of The Boss’s Working Girl | SPN Kink Bingo

“Arthur, it’s lovely to see you again.” You practically purr as you loosely wrap your arms around his shoulders. “What’ll it be tonight, love, business or pleasure?”

“I don’t see why the two can’t mix.” You hear him chuckle as you loosen his tie and he nips at the pulse point behind your ear. “I’ve been dreaming of this night all week.”

“Well I wouldn't want Mr. Ketch to wait, now would I?” You winked at him as Arthur slowly starts unbuttoning his dress shirt. You watch from the corner as he removed the rest of his clothes.

“Now this is hardly fair, I'm practically naked and you're in far too many clothes.” It’s a relief once your dress is in a soft pile of satin and lace by your feet. “Absolutely stunning.”

“I bet you use that line on all the ladies.”

“Not as many as you would think.”

Exactly how many women has this guy had sex with? He’s handsome sure, but then he has to open his mouth. I’m sure it’s the British accent that gets ‘em. You can do this, Y/N. it’s just a job.

“I told you, she’s with a client a right now. You can’t just barge in there!” You hear someone arguing outside your door but that doesn’t distract you from what’s going on right now.

“Who in the hell invited Mary Winchester here?” You growled in anger as your room door was flung open. “We’re sort of busy here, Mary.”

Ketch growls as he flips you onto your back and starts pounding into you as hard as he can. You run your hand down his abs, caressing every inch possible before rubbing your clit quickly.

“I’m not here to see you.”

“Do be patient, love. I'm sure Mary will see her own way out. Well, that is, unless she wants to join in on the fun?” Ketch peers over his shoulder with smug grin. Mary is blocking the doorway with her arms crossed. “Or maybe not. I never took you as a voyeur, my dear.”

“I’m not here to watch you fuck some whore, Arthur. I need to talk to you.” If you didn’t know any better, you could’ve sworn there was a hint of fear in Mary’s voice.

You roll out from underneath Ketch, and there is no shame when you feel his cum run down your legs. “I’m going to freshen up and I hope that when I come back, she’s gone. You still have an hour left, love, and I want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.” You wink at the two of them and grab your cell off of it’s charger. Your bathroom door is left open a crack as you pull up your text app.

>> I’ll spare you the not so spicy details of having sex with Arthur Ketch but Mary barged in. Arthur actually suggested we have a threesome. No offense, but I almost threw up in my mouth.

<< I can never repay you for what you had to go through. I will make it up to you, I promise.

>> I want to come home John. I miss you and the boys.

<< I know baby, I know. They miss you too.

>> Mary and Ketch are still talking but you’ll be here soon right?

<< Give me ten minutes, and I will be there with whistles and bells on.

>> I prefer you in nothing but I’ll take what I can get ;)

<< Naughty girl.

>> Only for you John. Please hurry.

It was obvious that Mary didn’t want to be here. Not after she kicked you out, but what was she supposed to do? She couldn’t outright tell you to stop sleeping with Ketch. The affair had started sometime ago but John wasn’t interested in her sexually anymore.

“For the record.” Ketch’s voice startles Mary out of her thoughts as she toys with her hair nervously. “My boss wanted me to sleep with her. She has some information that’s very valuable to the British Men of Letters.” He caresses Mary’s jaw and brings his lips closer to hers. “Why else would I ever have sex with her?”

“To make me jealous.” The first kiss barely brushes his lips before Mary straddles his lap and kisses him hard. “She has no idea how to handle you.” Her right hand finds Ketch’s soft cock and gently pumps it a couple of times.

“Mary, please.”

“What was that Mr. Ketch?”

“Forgive me, Mistress.” Pleased, she grins as Ketch grows harder in her hand. “Please, please let me touch you?”

“I don’t know if you should be allowed to after what you did.” Mary hisses in his ear as she releases him from her hand. Ketch was actually whining at the loss of contact.

“Mistress, please…”

The gears were turning in your head as you hopped into the shower How do I pull this off? Maybe in another life we could've been friends. We did work well together. Nah, we run in different circles, clearly. She’s obviously not forgiving me anytime soon for sullying her precious sons. You know what? That’s fine.

You finished brushing out your hair and turned off the bathroom light when you heard Mary speaking again. “Arthur, put on your clothes. We need to get out of here.”

“Now, now Mary. You know very well that I can’t leave until I get something useful out of Y/N.”

“Are you, disobeying your mistress?”

“My work will always come before my pleasure, you know that.”

You smirked at his retort. Oh Ketch, you dumb bastard. You never disobey your mistress, even if she is gigantic bitch.

“I believe Mr. Ketch has half an hour left, Mrs. Winchester.” You watched as Mary attempted to straighten herself out as you entered the room again. “I’d ask you to leave but I know you won’t.”

“Damn straight, I’m not leaving here without him.”

“And what makes Mr. Ketch here so special?” You ran your hand through his hair and watched as Ketch shifted towards your touch.

“He’s mine.”

“Really?” You smirked as you ran your hands all over Ketch’s body. Your fingertips traced around Ketch’s nipples and you pinched them hard. “Because right now, he seems to be loving the attention I’m giving him.”

“Take your dirty hands off of him, right now!” Mary yelled out.

“Why on earth would I do that Mary? I’m not your submissive and I sure as shit don’t take orders from you anymore.”

“You do realize with a couple of phone calls, I could shut this place down.” Mary was clearly bluffing but it didn’t phase you at all. “I put you here, and I can put you right back where I found you.”

“For a minute there, I was worried you were going to start quoting The Human League.” You laughed but Mary wasn’t amused. “Mary, trust me. I don’t want your boy toy.”

“What do you want then?”

“Nothin’ that you can give me.” You remove yourself from Ketch when you heard your phone chime.

>> Boss, John Winchester is waiting downstairs. You want me to send him up?

<< Yes, and Charlie? You deserve a raise for dealing with my bullshit tonight.

>> Set me up with the new girl, and we’ll call it even, okay?

You hit send on the text to Charlie, just to immediately receive one from John.

>> Keep Mary talkin’

<< You got it boss ;)

“There’s something I’ve always been curious about Mary. How did you find out I was sleeping with your boys?”

Mary scoffed as she unfolded her arms. “It was Jo Harvelle and her mother. They were concerned that the boys were spending way too much time with you and your girls.”

“Of fuckin’ course it was Jo. She was just salty that I never hired her as one of my informants.”

“Your loss was my gain.” Mary was gloating at this point and you rolled your eyes. “She’s one hell of a bartender. Also, I hate to be the one to tell you this but Dean and Sam will never be with you again.”

You honestly couldn't tell if Mary was telling the truth or not. “I've made my peace with that fact Mary. Now does John know about your little secret?”

“What I do in my free time is none of my husband's business.”

“Pretty sure it is but Mary, I hate to tell you this but John knows about your affair with Ketch. He’s known about it for a while now.”

“How - how would he know?” She was clearly nervous as she peered over at Ketch.

“I’ll give you three guesses.” Ketch tried stretching for his pants but you stopped him by kicking them out of his reach. “but the first two don’t count.”

A few hours before Mary would confront you, you were summoned to John’s office. You took a seat and when he offered you a drink, you declined. “Am I in trouble?”

“No, not at all.” John’s smile eased your nerves but there was something nagging at the back of your mind. “I have a special job for you, if you’re willing to take it that is.”

“I’ll do whatever you need, sir.”

John chuckled as he pulled a flask out of his inner right pocket and took a swig. “I know for certain that Mary is having an affair with someone. I need you to find out who it is. I would've asked one of the other girls but they aren't exactly loyal to me.”

“You got it boss.”

“It’s my word against yours, and honestly, who do you think John is going to believe?”

You grinned as you waved your cell phone in her face. “Me.”

“How did you -” You pointed to the security camera that flashed in the corner and pulled up the video on your phone.

“One of my girls set it up. She was worried about my safety when I told her we would be doing business with the British Men of Letters. Mick Davies was a lamb, and Toni, well I shouldn’t kiss and tell but she did things to me that would put you to shame Mary. She owned me completely.” You shivered at the memory.

“All this proves is that I was right to kick you out.” Mary scoffed. “Once a whore, always a whore. Is there no one you’re loyal to?”

“You won’t like that answer, Mary.” You crossed your arms across your naked chest as John quietly stepped into the room. He winked at you as he held his pointer finger up to his lips.

“The reason you don’t want to answer me is because it would mean for once in your life, you’d have to tell the truth.”

You smirked. “You’d know all about telling the truth, wouldn’t you?”

“Shut up.”

“Fuck you, Mary. You don’t get to come into my house, and tell me what to do anymore. You lost that privilege when you pulled a gun on me and kicked me out.”

“I was protecting what was mine!”

“You took the boys away from me, so I decided to take something away from you.” Mary’s hand twitched before she pulled a gun out of her thigh holster and aimed it at you. “Mary, you're so predictable.”

“What makes you think I won’t do it this time?”

You moved over to the bed and with Ketch's blessing, you wrapped your arms around his waist.

“You’d have shoot him to get to me, and I don’t think you want to do that.” From the corner of your eye you watched as John stepped further into your room. “You know, most people who cheat on their husband are better at hiding it than this.”

You contained a laugh and tightened your grip on Ketch who was trying his hardest to get up once he spotted John. “You just stay right where you are, you British piece of shit. Y/N, darling, you’re looking better and better each time I see you.”

“Flatterer.” He missed the faint blush that dusted your cheek because his focus was now on Mary. “John, I wanted to ask, fucking this guy doesn’t change anything between us, does it?”

“Of course it doesn’t, darlin’.”

Forever Tags - @lovetusk @coffee-obsessed-writer@justballoonfishthings@mirajanefairytailmage@kazosa@wings-of-a-raven@docharleythegeekqueen@clockworkmorningglory@lefthologramdeer@ellen-reincarnated1967@holyfuckloueh@idreamofplaid@buckyscrystalqueen@ilovetaquitosmmmm@n3rdybird @super-fan-of-all-things@disneymarina@sandlee44@babykalika2001

#spnkinkbingo #Dom/Sub #d/s dynamic #Arthur Ketch x Reader #Mary Winchester x Arthur Ketch #Reader Insert #SPN #Supernatural fics #SPN fics #The Boss's Working Girl

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punkscowardschampions · 4 years

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Lux & Dash

Lux: Good pilgrim, praytell Lux: is your hair just like that or do you have a routine Lux: I must know Dash: what's yours naturally trying to hang like? I'll hit you with what's outta this world 🐤 Lux: full samara, senpai Lux: turn off the tube QUICK 🙄 Dash: 🤣 bummer Dash: 🥥 oil is far out on all hair types even 🔪🔪🔪 Dash: aloe vera will make her 💪 Dash: lemme 🤔🤔.... Dash: do you fuck with 🐣?? Lux 🙇 down at your feet, oh lord is the most high place! 🙌 Lux: the chooks here lay too many for us non-strict-vegans to get through Lux: save my hair AND cut down on our foodwaste? Lux: I will be ♕ and you will be ♚ Dash: 2 🥄 🥑 oil, same of 🥥 & aloe vera gel Dash: 2 raw 🥚 Dash: heat it & leave that baby on for time Dash: 30 mins ++++ Dash: 🚿 with whoever Lux: the CP of my hair is gonna rival Rapunzels Lux: 💃💃💃 Lux: I promise to never ever clock you with a 🍳 Dash: 💛👼👑 Dash: you'd be choice with her 🌺🌺🌺 look Lux: 😘 plant 🌱 for every 🌺 and compliment you gimme then we can talk about april showers coming earlier than anticipated☔️ Dash: right on Lux: Is your full name Dashiell/ can I call you that anyway Lux: because its really fitting and if you care to know I shall tell you for why Dash: it's not but if you're down I can be down too Lux: SO; here was my thought 🚄 climb aboard and ride the rails with me for a sec here Lux: Dash ➼ Dashiell ➼ meaning page boy ➼ page boy = ring bearer ➼ ring bearers of the One Ring ➼ Samwise Gamgee = you AM I RIGHT OR AM I RIGHT Dash: 🤯🤯👍 Lux: I know, allow me to scoop up the remainder your 🧠 from the ceiling and put it into a handwoven jute tote for you to take home Lux: I been knew you love food as much as him, its like 1845-49 up in here after you've come around 🥔💀 Dash: tight gestures like those 👐 gotta keep you in the groove here 🥰 Dash: trust you to pick up on a royal appetite Lux: I'm the holy daughter returned, boy Lux: only eating manna from heaven, though if anyone in this place could make a 😋 cake like back home, I'd let them eat it Dash: set to call you that when I fall in with my 🎺 but do you go by anything shorter on top? Lux: Hebrews 13:2!!! Lux: so that explains where you come from Lux: more in a cloud of smoke than holy light but they could only get so many details dead on in the good book Lux: I'm Lux, of course, X if the mood takes you but I can't make it any easier for you Dash: here to make us 👀 the light, yeah? righteous 👼 Lux: The mission of making my parents proud of me again is not one I am currently embarked upon but service to God and all his creations was always their jam Lux: supposedly Lux: but if you're here to get me to renounce my sex, along with the devil and all his works (duh), oh angelic messenger, I still have to decline Dash: aere perennius is the vibe I'm picking up from you, Lux Dash: it'd be a heavy mission Lux: You owe the world a forest for that one because words like that evoke so many cardinal sins within me Dash: do you know about 🎋? Lux: Tell me Dash: it's a tanabata tree, for wishes Dash: they set the bamboo afloat on the river or on 🔥 after the festival Lux: We must participate here Lux: and one day I will go to where the festival is meant to be and you must come because you introduced me to the magic Dash: we can go to Japan, Sao Paolo or LA, they all have 'em Lux: Of course Lux: I seem to have traveled in the wrong direction Lux: to the wrong coast and onwards Dash: at least you ain't separated from your lover by a 🌌 Dash: that's the legend that goes with the festival Lux: oh Lux: how heartbreakingly beautiful Dash: but they are allowed to meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month Dash: it's not a total downer Lux: so young Dashiell believes it is better to taste heaven but the once than to never know it at all Lux: good Lux: I like you Dash: I try & get my kicks tasting as much as I can as often as I can Dash: though yeah, once over never Lux: can't take on the 🌌 Lux: though perhaps you can, with a name like a superhero Dash: no sweat 💪 Dash: if I don't ✂ my hair off 😏 Lux: 😱 Lux: I do have weak ankles! Lux: you avoid barbers and I'll avoid heels that are taller than... Lux: five Lux: no six inches Dash: 👌👌 Dash: if you avoid any heel I'll be able to reach you way out though Dash: no 🛹 jumps 💫 Lux: YET Lux: until you remember where you parked your chariot of fire, you give me reason to kick off my heels, and I'll happily do it Dash: 💃? Lux: Both in worn levis, both in torn T-shirts Lux: of course, that's the only way Dash: there's a tanabata song, I could sing it for you Dash: the translation at least Lux: 😻🙏 Dash: it'll be a blast Lux: 🚀🌠 Dash: have you 👀🎸? Dash: mine's MIA Lux: you can borrow my girl Lux: for one song Dash: I won't hog her like a flake, digging the trust too much Lux: you can abuse my trust just go easy on Dolores Lux: she's a folksy kinda gal, if you kick it punk rock she'll 😳😩 Dash: she'll stay 🍒💖 I'm about a gentle touch Dash: what kind are you? the words are the festival's but I don't know the 🎶 Dash: I'll make it yours, like Lux: as angelic as you look Lux: a sinner can only but hope not Lux: how about you sing it for me but play it like its yours Dash: cool with me Lux: then the song can be ours Dash: I think you're unreal Dash: the most Lux: Oh, because I am Lux: and you are perfect because you know that's a compliment Dash: this fly by of yours is gonna last some time, yeah? Lux: though not compelled by God or a power higher than my own Lux: this is where I'm meant to be Dash: me too Lux: I know Lux: I divined you out of 🌟✨☀️🌌 Dash: we planting that forest to grow together or on opposite sides? Lux: one 🌎 one 💓 Dash: roots are gonna get tangled if you keep laying down your 💓 next to mine Lux: I can grow anywhere Lux: you don't need to worry about me Dash: 🌻 Dash: you're gonna make this place better, I feel it Lux: you have family here? Lux: in the commune Dash: yeah Lux: do you like it here Dash: I love it Lux: I do too Lux: its Lux: loving Dash: when did you come through? have you met every 🐤 & 🐈? cos you should meet everyone Dash: feel all the love Lux: I've been in Dublin about... a month, two Lux: feels like forever Lux: but here I'm a total 🍒 Lux: I met Hazel completely by fate at a women's health drop-in she was running a few weeks ago, told her my story and here I am Dash: farm tour 1st 🍀 tour 2nd Lux: Coming Lux: 🎸 in tow Dash: safe Lux: and sound Lux: I'm just tryna catch a mirror moment Lux: not enough, if I had any complaints but 🤫 Dash: which room's yours? I'll make space to hang another one near Dash: then the 🌙 Lux: we'll end the tour there Lux: my contribution Dash: now that's sound Lux: Do you know about me? Dash: what about you? Lux: That I don't have girl parts Lux: I won't be accused of that kind of trickery Dash: I won't accuse you of any Lux: ☺ Dash: you set the pace, I'm in it Lux: You're keeping up spectacularly Lux: now, where does my tour start? Dash: orchard Lux: 🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍇🍈🍒🍑🥭 Dash: there's the best 🍏🍎 tree, easy to climb whatever shoes you're wearing Dash: you can see the whole farm from the top Lux: [Show up honey] Dash: [😍 at her we all know] Lux: [dressed hyper-femme as always and way more dressy than most here we know, doing a curtsey like 🤭] Dash: [holds out a 🍎 like he's the 🐍 & she's Eve, looking cute and tempting] Lux: [obviously taking it and taking a sassy bite] Dash: [into it obviously hand holding through this orchard tour for Winnie's sake] Lux: [gonna climb this tree] Dash: [do it kids] Lux: [gonna have to help her even though she's left the heels behind] Dash: [thankfully he's not that much of a dick that he won't, imagine just like byeeee] Lux: [😂 no one needs anyone falling out of a tree rn] Dash: [we aren't killing either of you off so just enjoy the view] Lux: ['it looks so big from up here, when you're in it, it feels...close'] Dash: ['it's big but the fam's bigger' gives her a look like you'll see, genuinely buzzing cos does love it here] Lux: [the biggest smile 'why don't you live here?'] Dash: ['my mum & dad don't, & that's their biggest drag, they ain't hip but they ain't real hassle' casually don't mention that Cosmo exists okay then] Lux: [nods 'everyone should get as much family as they can'] Dash: ['you can meet 'em too, it's cool'] Lux: [excited puppy look like really?!] Dash: ['my mum used to be a rad skater & now she sits around bench racing at her own bone yard, it's a good space to hang loose'] Lux: [just listening like no way! 'what about your dad?'] Dash: ['he's more easily bugged, we don't always vibe, but shit stays chill'] Lux: ['yeah but what did he used to be? before he got old and boring too'] Dash: ['he played football' with a shrug cos so uninterested we know] Lux: ['ooh, was he famous?'] Dash: ['not really'] Lux: ['bummer'] Dash: ['you wanna be famous?'] Lux: [is thinking like hmm 'I don't NOT want it but its not my number one all-time dream...not even top ten'] Dash: ['what is?'] Lux: [puts her index fingers to the corners of his mouth to make him smile] Dash: [laughs] Lux: ['you?'] Dash: ['I'm thinking we should start a band' shout out to Ali your lowkey grandma] Lux: [a look like um yes, how have you not and putting three fingers up to let him know its made the list] Dash: [starts to climb down like come on, so much to see] Lux: ['don't ditch me!' and running after him] Dash: [takes her all around the vegetable patches next, introducing her to any peeps they come across] Lux: [living laughing loving honestly we can skip] Dash: [imagine all the cute animals they would have, I hope none of them die in the fire I'll cry] Lux: [lmao animals usually bolt when fire so they should be fine, unless they then get hit by cars or some shit] Dash: [I'm saying they are all A okay bitch] Dash: [post tour skip] Dash: gotta hit home Dash: later? Lux: Undoubtedly 😊 Dash: we'll jam Dash: 🤔 band names Lux: I'll throw it out there Lux: I wonder if anyone can drum drum Lux: not just drum circle Lux: I'll ask that too Dash: I'm jazzed Lux: 🎺 Dash: you play the harp 👼? Lux: ☺😋💕 Lux: If only Lux: there are bass' and banjos and plenty of acoustics Lux: I'll go thrifting and see if I can find one Dash: wait for me Lux: we should see how many wild instruments we can find Lux: one for everyone Dash: your 🧠⚙️ is far out Lux: but not far enough you can't reach me Dash: 🌌 can't stop me, yeah? Lux: nope Lux: not as long as you got that hair Dash: [selfie like it's still there] Lux: Thank God Lux: don't need to 😢 today Dash: you don't need to cry any day baby Lux: Keep me smiling Dash: I've got you Dash: we all have Lux: 💕 Lux: I really thought I knew family and community before this, you know Lux: but I was wrong then and this is better Dash: right on Lux: You're adorable Dash: I've got 👀 for you too Lux: I know Lux: your 👀 are like Lux: coffee Dash: 🧠⚙💖 Dash: yours are like jumping into a river Dash: they get bluer the deeper you go Lux: oh Lux: I think I want you back here now Lux: where did you go again Dash: 🛹🗲 Dash: my parents place Dash: you wanna meet me there? Lux: I'm not in the mood to meet your parents right this second, forgive me Lux: but by the time I've finished dinner here and 🚲 over Lux: sounds good Dash: idk if they're there cos I'm not yet Lux: so we can be alone alone Lux: that'd be novel Dash: yeah Dash: it feels like so much empty space Dash: for the number of bodies who live in it Lux: do you feel lonely there Dash: nah, it's got a good feel Dash: I grew up in it Lux: That's a feel you can't buy Dash: I'll show you my 👶📸 Dash: they're wild Lux: you musta been so cute Lux: your face is still 👶 now Dash: no ✂ then either Lux: so mowgli Dash: oh no, is this a trippy topic for you? Dash: I didn't think Lux: it's okay, I like hearing about happy kids Lux: its a sin to be envious of or covet other people's happiness Dash: Lux Lux: 😊? Dash: I don't think I believe in sin Dash: so if you wanna harsh on my good vibes, you know, I won't be 😡 Lux: Oh, sin is very real, its just whether you believe you'll be punished for the sins that are written about Lux: I appreciate you but I've got nothing to be 😡 about either Lux: 🤞 Dash: you can hit me with a shut up any time Dash: I'll still dig you Lux: I enjoy our conversations Dash: yeah? Lux: absolutely Lux: you're a beautiful 🐺 boy Dash: you're the most beautiful 🦊 Lux: never stone cold Dash: nah, the hottest Lux: I feel it Dash: 👍 it's the mood you gotta stay in Lux: with you around, that shouldn't be a problem Dash: we'll keep vibing Lux: did you like it Dash: you want me to say what I know you could tell Dash: I'll write you a 🎶 Lux: First hit for the band? Lux: I'll be famous after-all Dash: I've been listening Dash: I understand what you want Lux: and you're gonna give it to me Dash: that's my action for sure Lux: roll 20 please Dash: come be alone with me Lux: dash dash dash Lux: you're so pretty and fun and cool and I want you again Dash: [sends her the deets to where his house is] Lux: so far Lux: I must like you huh 😏 Dash: yeah it's a drag where I live Dash: but it's new heights that you like me Dash: 🚀💕 Lux: why wouldn't I? Dash: idk Dash: do you know about me? Lux: I know enough to like you Lux: what do you think would make me unlike you Lux: let's compare Dash: it's not all laid back the shit that other girls say Lux: you're a 💔 Dash: I'm not out here making a game of it like that Dash: but it's happened for real Lux: Oh dear Dashiell Lux: my heart was broken long before I got here Lux: and I've had to severe and untangle roots so much deeper than yours could ever be Lux: I told you, there's no need to worry about me, you can't hurt me Dash: that's fucked up Lux: Perhaps Dash: can I make it any better? Lux: no Lux: but that's okay Lux: now is better, there's no need to fix what's been Dash: I wasn't being plastic before, you're home now Lux: I feel it Lux: I have no choice but to give up my old definition but I'm less scared and 😢 at the prospect of the redefinition now, forced though it was Dash: it'll be okay Dash: we'll make it happen that it's only that Dash: or like better Lux: you're not a bad person Lux: I can tell Dash: if I'm someone you like, I'm cool with it Lux: good Lux: I need people right now, you know Dash: everyone at the farm, they'll be what you need Dash: they are for me Lux: what do you need them for? Dash: a blast Dash: my other fam want me to change some shit I do Lux: 🚀👌 Lux: I get that Lux: is it stuff you can't change or don't wanna Dash: idk if I recognise the difference Lux: sounds like a can't, then Dash: stepping into new 👟 feels like a bad scene Dash: I fuck with the ones I've worn in Lux: That's up to you Lux: I like new shoes Lux: maybe they're just worried your feet are getting all scrunched outta place Dash: yours are groovy though Dash: not handed down Dash: they fit you Lux: I had to steal 'em though Lux: and when my dad found 'em they sent me away Dash: a 🦊 like I said Lux: have you seen the fox and the hound? Dash: nah Dash: it's disney yeah? Lux: Yep Lux: I'm gonna make you watch it Dash: I'm about netflix & chill Lux: We'll chill first Lux: its real sad Lux: 😭 Dash: I be trying to chill with you nonstop though Dash: how bad do you want me to 👀 at things other than you Lux: 🤭 Lux: maybe your cinematic education can wait Lux: if we're truly to make the most of alone alone time Dash: lay it on me that I'm an ugly crier another day Dash: we're making beautiful things happen Lux: you're Lux: just like Lux: seraphic Dash: around you, I gotta be Lux: nu-uh Lux: I can't tell Lux: I fell out of God's favour like a long time ago Dash: you can tell Dash: you're still 👼 Dash: the fallen ones were the most beautiful anyway, yeah? Dash: god's a jealous 🐈 Lux: All angels are beautifulc Lux: and genderless actually, like God Lux: beyond our limited understanding, better Dash: cool Lux: for them Lux: its self-idolatry if you want it for yourself Lux: 🚫 Dash: if I want you for myself, what sin is that? Lux: you actually wanna know? 'cos I've always thought this particular subset of sins sounds unintentionally hot Dash: I'm listening intently Lux: peccata clamantia Lux: The sins that cry to Heaven for Vengeance 🤤 Lux: they're the ones that God will deliver his justice upon, lots of people only know about the seven deadly Lux: but they're the least serious, actually Dash: shit Lux: guess that's why it feels so good Lux: shall we? Dash: 🌌 & god trying to stop us but I'm 💪 Lux: you want me Dash: yeah Lux: then you can have me Dash: show up Lux: I am Lux: ⏲ Dash: right now though Lux: if only my bike had wings Dash: that can be your festival wish Dash: mine too cos I've waited fucked up amounts of time for you Lux: 💡 Lux: your mind, boy Lux: though patience is evidently not your virtue, I'm not mad about it Lux: at all Dash: idc about virtues if you're a sin Lux: you're making me all pink Dash: it's a beautiful colour for you Lux: you're the loveliest 🐺 I've ever known Dash: I wanna be Lux: you are baby Dash: you're like a song I can't get out of my head Dash: & it's the most Dash: I'm so connected to every word Lux: You make me feel really...high but it that warm, soft focus way where there's no bad thoughts or feelings at all, no doubt or regret or shame creeping in, just the good washing over you again and again, like that split-second after you cum but Lux: prolonged Lux: its crazy, you're crazy Dash: we can live in it Lux: lets Dash: I'm in Lux: 🎡🎢🎠 Dash: 🎪🤹 Lux: 🤡 Dash: 🦁🐯 Lux: 🐘 Dash: 🍿 Lux: 🥜 Dash: 🐿️ Lux: 😱 Lux: how could you Mr Squirell Dash: he's gotta eat Lux: He could've just asked Dash: he don't know you like that Dash: thought you'd say nah Dash: I tried to persuade him he wasn't right on & you're 👍 but I must not 🗨🐿 Lux: 😂 Lux: he's more than likely from my homeland, I'll speak to him Lux: can't understand your accent Dash: gabh mo leithscéal Lux: 🤗 what did you say?! Dash: pardon me Dash: is 🗨🍀 on your list? Lux: I've always wanted to Lux: no one at my father's church really spoke it Lux: or would teach me if they did Lux: will you? Dash: my mum taught me Dash: hers never spoke it either Dash: your turn to bring me an 🍎 Dash: but yeah Lux: 😣 damn Lux: someone else here might, I've heard loads of languages flying about Dash: eu também sei português Dash: also from that side of the fam Lux: I 👀 that Dash: Arlo & his brother & sisters are my cousins Lux: Ahh Lux: that's cool Lux: they're so cute Dash: there's many more but they don't live at the farm Dash: you have to catch 'em when they fly by Lux: I'll be sure to do that Lux: do they all have lots of kids, how are there so many Lux: no offense Dash: started with 11 Dash: & most of 'em had 👶s Lux: ELEVEN Lux: 🤔💡 Lux: are you mormons? Dash: 🌼 children ☮ Dash: it was a big-ish fam before that though 👵 had 8 Dash: & she's no hippie Lux: why are you an only-child? Dash: I'm not Dash: I've got an older brother Lux: oh, me too! Lux: he's 13 years older Lux: I was a miracle mistake baby Lux: where's yours Dash: at ⚽ training I think Dash: that's his bag Lux: oh he's not 👴 Lux: you didn't mention him before Dash: he's 18 months + on me Dash: but we're in different 🌌 Lux: I feel you Lux: it musta been nice when you were kids though Lux: I loved when there were kids in the congregation but people always moved on, from God or physically Dash: nah, it's been hassle from the jump Dash: he's 🏆🥇💪 Dash: I'm 💫🚀👀 Lux: you don't like him huh Dash: he's a drag Dash: we're usually jiving 🥊 there's no ☮ & 💓 Dash: messes with my equilibrium Lux: You gotta protect yourself Lux: I get it Dash: I knew you would Lux: 'course Lux: its the same with my brother and my mom Lux: they still 💓 me but they can't see me Dash: do you 💓 'em? Lux: oh of course Lux: they're my family Dash: do you wish you could see 'em? Lux: I wish I still lived with them Lux: but I understand why I can't Dash: do you get to 🗨? Lux: no Dash: can't you? if your dad didn't find out? Lux: No Lux: not unless I'm going to make efforts, make changes Lux: and I can't and that's two eternal sins Lux: at least Lux: could make a case for 3 Lux: so they have to turn away, you see Lux: they all love me but there's nothing they can do until I do Dash: I'm sorry Dash: that everything's so heavy for you Lux: you don't need to be sorry Lux: not your transgressions Dash: but I don't want you to change Dash: & idc if it's a sin Lux: you're sweet Lux: they just want to save me from hell Dash: we're gonna have to live forever Dash: to save you Lux: We better find the philosopher's stone Lux: or the fountain of youth Dash: the 🐿 will help Dash: he digs you now Lux: he's a wizard Lux: knew it 😏 Dash: most animals have magic Lux: true facts Dash: 🦊s who are unreal 👼s especially Lux: you're such a flirt Lux: 😋 Dash: yeah 😏 Dash: that's my magic 😍💖 Lux: I can't disagree Dash: 💭😘 Lux: you can dream 'til I get there Dash: I'm 👀 for your 🚲 Lux: I'm meant to be up on the balcony, not you Lux: love some role reversal Dash: yo don't be on the rebound, Romeo 💔 Lux: awh you jealous Dash: 🤣 Dash: of someone you forget at the start of the play as soon as you 🕰 me? nah baby Dash: but it's salty to the other 💘 Lux: It saves her life Lux: she's fine, honestly, thriving Dash: okay then yeah, I am jealous Dash: of her thrive Lux: poor boy Dash: it's no bummer, like Dash: she ain't gonna be immortal, that's me & you Dash: our fam Lux: there's only so much magic to go around Dash: however much there is, we gotta use it right Lux: 🎺 that's holy decree Dash: & royal 👑 Lux: okay sweet prince Lux: 🤭 Dash: if I go solo from the band, there's an outta sight name Lux: you could do so many covers 💜 Dash: it'd be groovy Dash: but I ain't leaving the group Lux: not before its started Lux: have some loyalty, boy Dash: yo not ever Lux: we gonna do a blood oath Dash: use your hair as a 🔪 before the 🥑 & 🥥 hits Dash: or the ✂ I don't Lux: 😂 you're horrible Lux: and its far too limp for that Dash: nah your hair is 💣 Lux: ☺ Lux: really Dash: yeah Lux: it grew quite fast Dash: 🔮✨ Lux: I'm gonna grow it as long as I can Dash: there might be a better recipe Dash: I'll 🗨 to every 🐤 on the farm Lux: I wish I had curls like them too Lux: most of them Lux: alas Dash: you can borrow mine Lux: you're the bestest friend in the whole 🌌 Dash: 🤞🤝👐 Lux: let down your long hair then Lux: I think I've arrived Dash: [let her in and give her a house tour boy] Lux: [we clearly need Cosmo to come back like Dash did in that convo jussayin] Dash: [payback tbh so yeah we do] Lux: [she'd just be chatting up a storm, awks] Dash: [casually steer her to your room as fast as you can like] Lux: [just being like wanna come watch fox and the hound lmao] Dash: [she's so cute bye] Lux: [at least Cosmo won't be rude to you, even if he is like umm] Dash: [just thinks she's high probably] Lux: [most likely] Dash: [rude but fair] Lux: [when is your brother not as far as you're concerned] Dash: [exactly dr phil] Lux: [anything else we wanna though?] Dash: [we know what's up I think we can post it]

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