#paul is either REALLY good at sports or he's - whatever happened here. there is no in between | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

doc-hudson · 1 year

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Hello again

Alternative title: Doc finally learns Luca’s name and accidentally peer-pressures Milo.

Dated: 18- 20 November 2022

Luca Paguro

Luca was excited! This whole obstacle course looked like fun, and Milo was even going to compete! He couldn't wait to see how he did. He didn't know anything about causes or charities or whatever all that other part was, and he hadn't had a chance to ask Ian either so he was still confused, but it was fine. It would be fun just to see, and hopefully Milo did really well.

He glanced around and saw a familiar figure he didn't expect to see. "Oh! Hi! You're okay!"

Doc Hudson

He hated it. He absolutely hated the current situation.

Really, if Paul was around it was simply because it was innevitable -the event was waaaay too close to home (in more ways than one) and staying inside felt like giving up.

So, here he was, arms crossed as he hoped this whole event would pass quickly and free him of his misery; But then, Paul heard a somewhat familiar voice and-

“Oh” it took him a second, but he did recognize it's origin “Kiddo! Nice to see you, too. You competin’?”

Luca Paguro

"Oh, did I ever tell you my name? I don't think I did. I'm sorry, that was rude. My name's Luca, he/him and they/them. I'm not competing since I have, um," oh no, what was it called? It had been so long since he'd looked at the permission note Laurel had helped him create before he finally dredged it from his memory, "exercise induced asthma! Yeah, that's what it is. So running isn't good for me. But my friend Milo is competing!"

Doc Hudson

“Don’t worry, sport, we didn’t have a lotta time to waste anyways” he said, extending a hand in a somewhat-formal greeting “Luca, it is, then. I’m Paul but you call me Doc ‘s quicker. Nice to see you’re doin’ fine”

And that wasn’t small talk, he was genuinely happy to know that the kid had managed to arrive home unharmed, they’ve had quite the bad time back then and deserved some rest after the whole purple thing fiasco.

“Oh, I see. Well, there’s no shame in that, I ain’t competin’ either, I have a bad-” everything “-leg. Isn’t ideal for this sorta stuff, but, hey, we can cheer on your friend and still have a good time, right?”

Luca Paguro

Luca nodded, filing the name away with everything else he'd learned. He knew Laurel and Magnus would like to know that too - they hadn't been too happy with the partial story he'd been able to give them after everything had happened. Plus Laurel had wanted him to do a nice thank you, so he probably still had to do that.

Instead he nodded, smiling. "Yeah! That's him, Milo. He doesn't have any magic, but he said he's really excited to try and race this week. I think he's been training or something? It seems like it's fun for him."

Doc Hudson

Milo. Who doesn’t have any magic but is really excited to race.

Hm. That sounded awfully familiar -he sounded like that one kid on twitter that had been rather pleasant during the whole discourse

That kind of gave him an idea.

“Say, Luca” he began, a sly smile forming on his lips “just because we can’t join in the event doesn’t mean we have to miss the fun. Do you happen to know what charity is sponsorin’ Milo?”

They could thank him back, maybe give him a little extra motivation.

“Let’s make an extra donation to his name. That way he’ll be doin’ somethin’ real cool even if he doesn’t”

It was only fair, really.

“How your folks doin’, by the by?” he couldn’t, for the live of him, remember the name of the person whose home Luca had been asked to been taken to, so...

Luca Paguro

Luca entirely missed the undertones to the smile (not enough sharp teeth for it to reach threatening in his eyes) so all he saw was the friendliness of it.

"Well, I think Pacifica Northwest, the Board member, is technically sponsoring him but he's racing to earn money for a charity that works with homeless Magick youths," he responded, trying to be as accurate as possible since he wasn't sure exactly which piece of information was important. "But I bet a donation would be really nice! They can probably use a lot of help."

Of course, the mention of his 'folks' immediately had Luca's stomach tying itself into knots. By now he knew that 'folks' usually meant 'parents' and Luca didn't know how his parents were doing. He could guess because they were strong and smart and they had lots of friends in the community so they were probably fine. But he couldn't find them to know about it.

He didn't think to connect Laurel or Magnus with 'folks'.

"Oh, they're, um, fine”

Doc Hudson

“Well, wouldn’t you look at that” Paul replied in obvious approval of what just been said. Milo seemed like a legitimately well intentioned kid, Mundus or not “Yup, that’s a good cause for a good kid”

Sending some extra dollar- well, quids, their way would be pretty good. The kids would feel some accomplishment, Milo would have fun, Doc wouldn’t feel completely useless, it was a total win-win for all parties involved.

Though...something seemed kind of off with Luca, for some reason.

“The people you’re stayin’ with...that nice lady at Tortuga Place. She ain’t your mom?” he asked, somewhat worriedly -Luca was a good kid and seeing them suddenly lose their spirits felt...wrong.

Luca Paguro

Luca beamed - obviously he agreed. After all, if it weren't for Laurel he would probably be one of those homeless Magick youths since it wasn't like he had money or places to go or anything really when he'd arrived here a few months ago. It had to be bad if you didn't have a Laurel looking out for you, so it was good someone was.

The clarification had him blinking slightly before shaking his head.

"Oh, no, Laurel isn't my mom. She's sort of like my aunt," was that the right term??? Family terms were so flat in English, it was hard to keep track of event he story he was supposed to tell. "But I don't stay with her either."

"See, she already has Barley living there, and then Eilonwy is living there, and Ian doesn't live there but he still comes around for dinner a lot, and then there are the dogs, so instead she helped me get a room with Magnus next door. Magnus is really nice, even if his cat doesn't like me but I'm trying to find a way to win the cat over because I want to be friends with him."

"But Laurel seemed like the best place to go on Halloween because she's a warrior and she's really smart so she can handle anything."

Doc Hudson

...Huh.

What was with Swynlake and family-less kids?

“I get it now” Paul nodded, extending a hand into Luca’s direction, then carefully patting him on the shoulder “There’s this kid ‘round, name’s King. He’s in a situation like yours and I’m...kind of his Lauren, I guess? Or Magnus, so I kinda get it”

Luca and King would get along famously, Doc figured -his kid could teach Luca a couple of lessons on self-confidence and Luca could try and calm the other boy down. Maybe. Probably. Except not really. chances were that they would end up burning down a kitchen together (which was fine as long as said kitchen wasn’t his, thank you very much).

“He’s about eh tall, loud as hell, must be ‘round somewhere” he said, still trying to cheer Luca up “I’ll introduce you guys if we find him ‘round -and don’t worry, kiddo, cats are known to be picky lil’ guys, you just have to buy their love via food and maybe some petting, that’ll do the trick, they’ll love you in no time”

Luca Paguro

Luca listened to the explanation of King - although it was hard to see how this guy could be Laurel.

He seemed very nice and was clearly a good runner. But he wasn't Laurel. Nobody was.

He could maybe be a Magnus though. That made sense.

Obediently, Luca looked around although he had no idea what this person looked like, and it felt like most people were taller than his own 5'6". "Ok, that sounds good! I'd like to meet him." Mostly. Actually the idea made Luca mildly anxious because what if this other person didn't like him, or thought he was too weird or he wasn't actually weird enough so his story didn't make any sense and then he would be suspicious and -

"This cat doesn't seem to like the petting. Or the food. Or talking to him. Or anything really. At this point even Magnus just said it might be better to leave him alone. But all the dogs at Ruff to Fluff usually like me so that's really nice!"

Doc Hudson

“Maybe, if he decides to grace us with his appearance” Doc chuckled, knowing that King came and went on his own and that simply couldn’t be herded around “Kid’s a little wild”

And, again, Luca seemed more like the calmer type -the kind that was considerably more comfortable thinking about how to properly socialize with the neighbour’s cat or staying away from trouble.

“Hm. Is he an old cat? That would explain some things” he offered “us old folks prefer to stick to our routines, but if you approach us little by little…”

He wasn’t letting Luca feel defeated by the idea of a grumpy cat, no, siree.

“Ruff to Fluff? What’s that?”

Luca Paguro

"Maybe?" What did old mean for cats?

Old was such a hard concept for Luca to grasp because they'd never really met anyone who was old. The elders of their pod often retreated to the deep when they were ready which could be what was considered 'old' but they weren't nearly as old as elves were supposed to get. And their flocks rarely had animals reach 'old age' either considering they were usually sacrificed before then.

There were people around town that were the oldest beings Luca had ever seen, but they were younger in age than his own parents. So what was old?

"I think Magnus said he's 15?"

It was much easier to talk about his favorite place in town and he brightened up.

"Ruff to fluff is the best! It's sort of a combination of adoption shelter and pet grooming and pet daycare depending what you need. But even if you aren't ready to adopt, you can still go in and play with all the dogs if you're nice. My cousin Ian works there, and Greg owns it and Greg is super super nice. I bet you'd like it!

Doc Hudson

“Huh. I think that’s old-ish for a cat, yeah” but he couldn’t be sure “That may be it, kitty’s just a bit grumpy and used to have things go a certain way -they probably feel uncomfy with change. Don’t sweat it ”

He wasn’t a cat, but he could understand being irritated at sudden change, or someone else getting all the attention around.

Anyways, Luca seemed way more excited about the other topic, so…

“I see” he nodded, after making a mental note about ‘cousin Ian’ and ‘the super super nice Greg’ “ ‘ve never had a pet, so I don’t know ‘bout that, kiddo. But bein’ able to go and play a little with the dogs sounds pretty nice -that’s how you spend your time? helpin’ the folks over there?”

Luca Paguro

"Sometimes. When I'm not studying."

Which was a lot of the time. The thing was, he really did like what he was learning! It was interesting and exciting, and every day felt like a new part of the world was opening up to him. He didn't ever really want it to end.

It was just that there was so much of it too, and so much of it that assumed you knew other things that he didn't know. The other kids in his class had taken years to learn a lot of this, so he was constantly having to play catch up and get extra help. In everything. But the first poor grade he'd gotten had made him feel so badly, especially when it seemed like this teacher had been disappointed in him, that he'd immediately started to study a lot harder.

"Ian has to keep reminding me I'm not allowed to adopt all the dogs and take them all home with me. But I also get to play with Blazey at Laurel's house which is really nice! And sometimes Ian lets me play with Yoda and Frito at his place - or rather, Frito will play with me and Yoda mostly ignores me but apparently he does that to everyone so I don't feel so bad."

Doc Hudson

“Of course” Doc nodded “School’s oughta be your first priority. Makin’ the best of it ‘s sure to help you achieve your dreams”

And he did feel that way, but wasn’t about to explain his whole life story, how studying had given his life a whole purporse after he believed he’d lost it, to poor Luca; “School’s good and important” seemed a good enough platitude to give, even without context.

“Huh. Sounds like animals really like you and viceversa” he joked “even if Yoda and the old kitty have their own ways of showin’ it”

And he’d continued musing about pets if it were not for…

“...say, don’t you think it’s gettin’ pretty cold, sport? I've heard weather’s unpredictable ‘round this parts but this ‘s ridiculous”

Luca Paguro

Luca wasn't sure about that. That required him to have a dream, and mostly his dream right now was to successfully pretend to be human and to find his way back home. But that was okay! School was nice for now and he wanted to be good at it.

"Actually, a little while ago I was able to help an otter who had hurt his paw which was really cool! We took it to Ruff to Fluff since Greg also knows a lot about animals and wildlife medicine. But we got along really well."

The question was an effective distraction as Luca looked up, trying to see if he could figure out what was going on (since he didn't really notice the temperature difference yet).

"It's the clouds. The clouds are different now."

Doc Hudson

Paul blinked, evidently confused.

How could an otter possibly end up in Swynlake, of all places?

But, meh, maybe it was a magical otter, a shapeshifter stuck in that form, or a selkie or what-have-you; The really important thing was that Luca had a cool story to tell and Greg had somehow managed to help the lil’ fella in the end.

“They are…” Doc said as he looked up “we may need to bundle-up real soon, pal. Maybe get ready for some rain”

That sudden weather change would probably be pretty inconvenient for the Prix, too.

Luca Paguro

The more Luca stared at the clouds, the more he felt like there was something different about them he should notice. The problem was, for as much as his magic could influence the weather, he didn't know enough about surface weather to be able to tell the difference.

Standing there in his flannel shirt and bare feet, he didn't feel like he needed to bundle up yet. But now even he did tart to notice it was a little chillier.

"I don't think it's rain...the clouds look cold for that."

Doc Hudson

“Yeah” Paul sighed, now rubbing his hands in order to keep them warm “so it seems”.

Great, just what he needed, snow. As if dealing with the event itself wasn’t bad enough.

“I may need to take my leave, wouldn’t want the cold to screw me over” he explained Luca, a guilty smile on his lips -he wouldn’t bore the kid with the details “I suggest you do to, kiddo. Or at least go get an extra sweater, okay?”

He then patted Luca’s shoulder.

“I’ll be seein’ you, sport. You be careful and say hi to Laurel and Ian for me, okay?”

Luca Paguro

Luca was distracted enough by the clouds that he almost missed the goodbye before turning to smile up at the man.

"Oh, okay! Yes, you should definitely take care of you. And if you want to come to Laurel's house or Magnus's, I know they would like you and want to thank you. But I can say hi to them all for now."

#A story for another rainy day #c: Luca #/I'm sorry; Milo. We love you

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pjo-hoo-toa-freakazoid · 3 years

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hey so uh- ftm percy headcanons? 👁👁

OOOOoooOoooOoooOOOOooo

Here we flow🌊

(get it? Like ‘go’…i’ll shut up now!)

Born as Patricia Jackson.

Usually dysphoria causes a lot of anxiety but Percy was actually pretty chill about it.

This was age 7.

He knew his mom would love and support him no matter what so he opened up to her about how he felt.

After hearing Percy, he and Sally immediately went on the internet to search up what they can do to help Percy.

Since he was super young, Sally cut Percy’s hair short enough so he could pass as a boy. And he loved it.

Sally used to let Percy wear whatever he liked. He’d usually wear shorts cuz they were easy to run in but he loved flowy skirts as well. Clothes aren’t gender specific.

They even chose a good name for him. Since he really liked Greek mythology, Sally recommended the name Percy. He loved it.

Hence Perseus Jackson was born. They didn’t move away from their neighbourhood, Sally was proud of her son and there was no hiding in how much she loved her son.

Now come the plot of TLT.

Gabe would call him a freak and this time, Percy started feeling the anxiety. So he kept hush.

He didn’t tell Grover until after the end of pjo. He actually had been suspecting since once he found pads in Percy’s bag. He supported Percy and they had a teary hug.

He didn’t really require a binder that time but his voice was still very high pitched. Luke would let Percy use his computer, so he’d secretly search up tutorials on how to make his voice pitch deeper.

Age 14, on his birthday Percy got his first binder. (Actually it was a sports bra). Percy had a lot of physical activities in Camp and a binder would be bad for his back.

After TlO. When he and Annabeth started dating, he told her his secret. And to show how much Annabeth loved her boyfriend she and Sally surprised him with his first dose of hormones on his 16th Birthday.

Yes there were happy tears all around.

Luke never found out.

The rest of the campers, not much. But some were suspecting since it was particularly hard to hide when Percy was on his period.

Later when he came out, everyone was shocked (the good kind) and they all had positive reactions.

Now comes the Seven’s Reaction+:

No one except Annabeth knew.

Literally no one suspected, except Reyna, was the only one who had been suspecting that Percy was hiding something the first time they met. She was happy for him.

Jason was a bit taken aback. Otherwise he was cool.

Leo and Piper on the other hand wanted to know everything about his experience.

Hazel and Frank thought about a small party and bought him some stuff from Bombilo’s cafe in CJ.

Nico was particularly really shocked. And it took him at least an hour to process what happened. Either way, that didn’t make Percy any less Percy. He supported him.

Some extras:

He continued to wear sports bras until the end of TOA. He waited patiently for his top surgery.

Paul knows, and he supports his step son. He doesn’t quite know much about transition so he asked a lot of questions from Sally on what he could do to make Percy comfortable.

Percy was really happy cuz of Paul’s kindness gesture. #beststepdad

They plan on telling Estelle once she grows older (they’re not gonna hide it)

He’s planning on getting his bottom surgery after first his semester of collage.

He got his period when he was 12. Sally helped him with his dysphoria, later Annabeth helped him.

Poseidon surprisingly didn’t know. So after he met Percy for the first time he was kinda confused but then realised. He had a positive reaction.

Chiron knew. But he didn’t want Percy to feel uncomfortable so he pretended to not know.

Mr. D also knew (he��s trans himself). But he kept hush.

Percy legally changed his name at age 17. And plans on the gender confirmation after his bottom surgery.

Hope you liked these ^^

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volturiwolf · 3 years

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Soulmates - A Demetri Volturi x Reader Imagine

A/N: This is the first imagine I finished and uploaded, and it came quite unexpectedly while talking with @volturidoll13 who suggested a Demetri Volturi one-shot where the reader would follow Bella and Alice to Italy and would accidentally say “wish he’d choke ME” out loud (see my post for reference). So, here it is. Also, I’m sorry if something doesn’t make sense. English is not my first langage. Enjoy :)

No of Words: 5749

Mentions of: Swear Language, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Dying/Death, Killings, Self-doubt, Self-consciousness, Kinky Choking, Sexual Arousal

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I think I had enough of Bella. No, I know I've had enough of her. She may be my best friend, the one who truly understood me the moment I stepped foot in Forks High School, beginning of last year, but this was just too much.

I have spent countless hours trying to support her when Edward Cullen left her, 5 months ago. I was there to be her emotional support, and even spent time with Jacob Black, an old friend of Bella's, who stayed at the Quileute reservation.

Jacob seemed kind of polite, although his attempts to flirt with Bella whenever he could were cringy, to say the least. But I supported her then too, trying to be sort of the third wheel / the one who tried to show Jacob she wasn't really interested in him that way.

His friends, Embry and Quil, were as nice and polite as they were beautiful. When Embry abandoned Jacob and Quil, Bella and I were there to support him. When Jacob abandoned Bella, I was there to support her.

Even when Bella was sad, angry and desperate to know what happened to Jacob, I was there to calm her down. I was there when she went to see him and he turned her away. I was there when she slapped Paul in the face. I was there when he turned into a huge wolf, and I couldn't help but scream.

Jacob explained everything about the wolves to both Bella and I. He told us how it's part of their DNA; how they are meant to protect the tribe from dangerous outsiders; how the metamorphosis from human to wolf can be somehow controlled over time, with practice and persistence. THAT I could understand.

What I couldn't understand was how vampires existed in this world! It wasn't Bella the one to reveal that secret to me, rather Alice, Edward's sister. Apparently, she saw Bella dying, the day she supposedly went cliff-diving, which I told her not to, having a severe fear of heights myself.

Bella took the risk, and if it weren't for Jacob, she would most likely be dead by now. That's what Alice said she "saw" - she explained to my incapable self that, as a vampire, she had a gift, the gift of predicting the future, based on others' decisions.

All this information was overwhelming me. I could swallow the harsh reality of wolves existing, but vampires, too? It seemed too much for me in such a short period of time.

Alice quickly explained some basics to me, like the fact that the Cullens were vegetarians, but the majority of their kind fed on human blood, as well as the fact that they even had a sort-of-government of vampires, residing in Italy, the Volturi.

She then turned to Bella to scold her about her recklessness and how she was prone to "life-threatening idiocy". I couldn't agree more with the short brunette right now. Bella has been nothing but reckless the last few weeks, and she was putting her life in danger for no reason.

They were talking about Edward or whatever, but I wasn't paying any particular attention until Jacob showed up. I decided to give them some space to talk, and Alice followed behind me, stepping out of the house.

Her face was a mix of disgust and worry, not paying any particular attention to me, probably trying to hear Bella and Jacob's conversation from the kitchen. After a minute or two, I heard her taking a sharp breath, her eyes fixating on nothing in particular; they were just staring ahead of her.

She took a sharp breath, as she regained consciousness, stepping quickly into the house. She walked in quite wide and quick strides, considering her miniature figure, and, though taller than her, I had some trouble following behind her.

She ran directly to the kitchen. "Bella. Bella, it's Edward. He thinks you're dead. Rosalie told him why I came here."

They both looked at Jacob; Bella practically screaming to his face, accusing him of not giving her the telephone to speak with Edward herself.

"Bella, he's going to the Volturi. He wants to die, too." The small brunette continued.

Within a minute, Bella made her decision: she was going to Italy to save her ex-lover. She promised us that she would just make sure he lived, and then, she would go back to her "boring" life.

Alice ran outside, starting her car immediately, as Bella was followed closely by Jacob, who tried to convince her not to go, pleading with her, all in vain. Bella was as stubborn as she could get, and nobody could change her mind.

I turned to Jacob, without really thinking about my next words. "Don't worry. I'll go with her. I'll make sure she's back safe, okay?"

All Jacob could do is nod at me, though his face was full of concern, frustration, and he was clearly distraught by Bella's decision to leave him and save Edward. As if all this time she, Jacob and, sometimes, I spent time together meant nothing to her.

I jumped in the back seat of the car, not waiting for either Bella's, or Alice's approval. I knew it would be a huge risk for me to go to the vampires' lair, but I also knew that Bella could use all the emotional support she could get.

As much as I hated Edward for what he did and said to her, I knew that he was everything to her, like her own little haven. Her own little oasis, which I guess felt more like a tundra, compared to Jacob's flaming hot desert. I rolled my eyes at my embarrassing thoughts, but I assumed that's how she thought of them.

The drive to the airport felt like a ton of weight crushing my shoulders. I had no place to follow them to Italy, as it was truly none of my business. But I promised Jacob, and though Bella could make me so frustrated with her lack of self-confidence and self-respect, I liked her company a lot, and I needed to make sure she was alive and safe.

In the couple of months that she came out of her apathetic state, we reconnected again, reminiscing about our unorthodox friendship, both of us being new to the town, shy and not particularly sociable.

However, Bella was the ideal friend to keep you grounded and connected with reality, which I, sometimes, had trouble with; my mind was running wild and free most of the time, while my mouth was staying shut.

So, I was willing to go across the ocean for her, to an unknown place, in a castle full of bloodsucking vampires. I wasn't pleased, but I was willing. Willing to help her save her stupid ex-boyfriend, and hopefully not get killed in the process.

During the flights, Alice tried, more or less, to explain the dynamics of the vampire world; the Volturi, being this sort of government-slash-royalty of the vampire kind, were tasked with imposing their laws over the other vampires. Their most important law? Don't expose your existence to humans, unless you want to die. Well, there goes that!

Alice had already talked to me about their kind; Bella knew through her association with both Edward and the rest of the Cullen family. The chances of any of us making out of there alive seemed slim to none. I was literally flying towards my death. Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool.

I was trying to calm down my nerves, which did not work at all, when all I could think about were those Italian vampires. Alice told me that the vampire Kings, especially Aro, who seemed to be their leader, were interested in collecting talented vampires.

So, it was pretty obvious that he would, most likely, get rid of Bella and myself, and would gladly keep Alice and Edward, who, as Alice told me, has the gift of reading people’s minds. So, we were actually doing that Aro guy a favor there; bring him the “talents” and get rid of the “intruders”, the humans. Great. Just, great.

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We were currently on our way to Volterra. Alice had stolen a yellow Porsche from the airport’s parking lot, which neither Bella, nor I opposed to, for now. It was a fast way to get to Volterra, plus I’ve never actually been in a Porsche, and I felt pretty amazing. Alice seemed like a skillful driver, and drove pretty fast, which I liked, especially if I was the one driving. Bella and Alice’s conversation interrupted my thoughts.

“What? What do you see?”

“They refused him.” That was good, right?

“So..?” Bella knew there was something else behind Alice’s vision.

“He’s gonna make a scene. Show himself to the humans.” Why the hell, Edward?!

“No! When?”

“He’s gonna wait until noon, when the sun’s at its highest.” Bella seemed more and more worried and anxious, and I heard her heavy breath, which seemed like she was starting to go on panic mode. I stroked her shoulders lightly, trying to calm her down. As much as she deserved to get worried, given the events that led us here, this was not the time to panic.

“There’s Volterra.” Alice pointed to her left, at a beautiful, picturesque town that looked as if it had jumped out of the Renaissance era. The scenery of Tuscany was beautiful, and it had always been part of my bucket list to travel across Tuscany in a small rental car. That was not how I pictured that trip, or how I pictured my last day on Earth.

Alice was running through the city’s narrow streets by now, never stopping to honk at people passing by, who moved left and right, trying to avoid the “crazy driver who decided it was a good idea to drive a sports car through such a city’s small, narrow, occupied streets”; at least, that’s how I saw it.

Alice did not back down, and continued driving skillfully through the city’s small arteries. It was odd though, the fact that everyone around us was wearing red capes, red clothes, everything was red. Bella questioned it out loud and Alice informed us that today was the celebration of Saint Marcus’ Day, the day that the Saint expelled all vampires from the town. The irony.

Bella was experiencing a full on panic attack, as we were only 5 minutes away from Edward’s shenanigans. Theoretically, everything was in order, until the moment we were stopped by the local police who refused to let us go any farther. Bella opened her door. She would go on foot, to find Edward before he exposed himself. Alice would park the car somewhere outside of the town’s walls, and we’d then go and find them.

I turned around my seat, to watch Bella running through the streets, to the plaza where the clock tower, which Edward was going to expose himself from, was located. Alice left the car outside of the walls, but still, close enough to have easy access.

For me, it was quite easy to walk around now, as my skin was not sparkling like Alice’s was. Alice had to wrap herself around a coat, a long, thick scarf and gloves, and wear sunglasses to protect her identity even more. I was walking in the middle of the streets, watching around carefully, as good as my human eyes could see, trying to help Alice go unnoticed, as she pushed herself more towards the buildings’ walls, trying to avoid the sunlight.

That went on for a while, until we were close enough to the clock tower, where Alice took my hand on hers and, with long strides, walked towards the main entrance, which was, thankfully, shaded enough for her to walk through.

She must have heard the conversation inside the building, as the moment we stepped in - Alice breaking the lock that kept the door momentarily closed, she started talking to the others, who I mistook as being Bella and Edward. As another sign of my unluckiness in life, she was actually addressing two other vampires, a tall brunette and a shorter blond.

They both looked gorgeous, but they could probably kill me as easily as it was for me to blink. I instantly became stiff, and Alice must have felt it, but she kept on holding my hand, trying to play it cool in front of the others, while trying to get rid of her disguise with her free hand at the same time.

“Come on, guys. It’s a festival. You wouldn’t want to make a scene.” She tried to play it nice and cool, though I knew she was just as worried being here as the rest of us.

“We wouldn’t.” The brunette vampire responded, now looking at me, who, by now, I have lost all my confidence in coming to Italy to help Bella.

I caught the blond vampire looking me up and down my body, and felt rather self-conscious. I didn’t have the best relationship with my own body and my own self; I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror, most of the time. So, I made up for what I lacked in self-confidence with sarcasm, bad humor, honesty and snarky remarks. I would be really going off of him right now, if I wasn’t shaking.

Though beautiful, the blond vampire also scared me, just as much as his brunette partner. I stared back at him, looking at his confident stance, one hand behind his back, and a smirk across his face.

When my (Y/E/C) eyes met with his red ones, I started shivering even more, holding on Alice tighter than before. I felt my heart beating faster, my breath became both sharper and deeper, and I felt as if I would cry, right then and there, in front of everyone. I saw the blond becoming a bit stiff, his jaw clenching, swallowing deeply, but he still wouldn’t take his eyes off of me.

Alice and Edward exchanged some looks, as if they knew what was happening, but chose to not tell anyone else. The scene in front of me was interrupted by the clicks of heeled shoes, and a blonde girl came into our view.

“Enough.” Her voice was stern, and her stance was stoic as she came closer to us.

“Jane.” Edward recognised her and lowered his head towards the ground. He didn’t seem scared before, when it was just the two vampires in front of us, but the small woman now seemed to have him terrified.

“Aro sent me to see what was taking so long.” She looked between the two vampires of her coven, as if she was criticizing them for their incompetence to bring us all before Aro. Then, she turned to us, looking us straight in our eyes, or rather our souls, probably to warn and scare us at the same time, before walking back to where she came from.

Alice turned towards Bella and I, the only humans there, who clearly looked more terrified than she and Edward did. “Just do as she says.” She simply said and we followed behind the girl, with the other two vampires closely behind us.

The blond one was so close to me, I could feel the coldness radiating off his body, making me shiver. The brunette gave Edward the red robe I didn’t notice he was holding before, probably to cover himself in front of the Kings. The blonde girl moved between Bella and Edward, and Alice and I. Edward was trying to comfort Bella but I couldn’t exactly make out what they were saying, my mind making all shorts of scenarios about how the vampires would kill me and the others. The more I thought about it, the more I was shriveling on Alice’s side.

We reached an elevator - I never thought vampires used elevators, but maybe it was for the humans around? The brunette and the blond entered first, as the blond turned around to stare at us, turning his gaze at me afterwards, before fully stepping in. Then, it was time for Edward and Bella to get in, followed by Alice and I. The blonde girl stepped in last, before the elevator’s doors closed shut.

The elevator music, an operetta, was supposed to calm peoples’ nerves. Yet, in this tight box, it had the opposite effect. Surrounded by vampires, vegetarian and non, the music was just creeping me out.

The fact that the blond vampire was merely two inches away from me was making my knees weak and my heart pounding, though I, myself, didn’t even know if my own body was reacting out of fear or attraction towards the blond vampire. I felt him leaning closer to me and barely heard him sniff around, but I clearly saw Alice turning her head around and giving him death stares, to which he retrieved back to his original position.

The elevator stopped and we all stepped out. We walked past a receptionist’s desk, the woman standing up, smiling and wishing us a good afternoon - based on the few Italian that I knew. From what Bella and Edward said, the receptionist was a human, wishing to become a vampire, like the others.

“And so she will be.” Demetri smirked, looking at me, who I still haven't abandoned Alice’s hand.

“Or dessert.” Jane interrupted, and I felt myself losing consciousness for a split second, before I felt the blond vampire grabbing my arm to stabilize me. His hand was cold and his grip tight on me, not leaving me even after I looked at him with wide eyes. He just smiled and continued walking ahead.

Jane opened the doors in front of her, leading us to a massive room, made out of marble, and decorated with Roman columns and scriptures on the walls. Surprisingly, it was well-lit and bright, compared to the dark halls that we passed through just a minute ago.

“Sister. Send you out to get one and you bring back two. And two halves. Such a clever girl.” A brunette boy, a bit taller than Jane, called towards her, as she walked by his side.

The blond vampire let me go and walk farther into the room, still holding Alice’s hand like I was holding on her for dear life. The blond vampire now stood a few feet behind us, next to the tall brunette one.

A black-haired vampire, who seemed a bit too excited, started walking towards us. “What a happy surprise! Bella is alive after all. Isn’t that wonderful. I love a happy ending. They are so rare.” He was talking with fake happiness in his face, as if he was reading from a script, grabbing Edward’s hand in the process.

“La tua cantante.” Your singer. The vampire seemed to know how much Edward craved Bella’s blood, and questioned how Edward could do so easily.

“Aro can read every thought I’ve ever had with one touch.” Well, that explained a lot. And now I placed who Aro was within the Volturi.

I now learned more about Edward’s gift, which was more similar to Aro’s than anyone else’s, but he couldn’t actually read Bella’s thoughts. Aro requested if he could test his own gift on Bella, probably hoping that he could read her thoughts and brag about it. But when Bella offered her hand, which he took too willingly, his face was unreadable and then, disappointed and angry, not being able to read her either.

Then, he turned towards me, still by Alice’s side. His red eyes were cold and hostile, and his face uninviting. I felt small and vulnerable, exposed, in front of his critical gaze.

“Dear (Y/N), excuse me for the waiting. Edward has presented me a very..intriguing image of you. Could you offer me your hand? I would like to get to know you, as well.”

My lips were trembling, not being able to say a word, and my eyes were glistening. Please, don’t cry. Please, don’t cry. I knew that whatever Edward had shown him I couldn’t avoid. So, I took a step forward, leaving Alice’s hand and extending the other one towards Aro. I felt a breeze behind me, as Demetri came to stand on my right side, looking closely between Aro and I.

The mind reader took my hand between his hands, and I felt my thoughts being examined and tossed around my head, like a small whisper trying to cast a spell on me. The vampire looked at me, deep in the eyes, and his face was filled with fascination for whatever he saw inside my head.

“Fascinating, indeed, dear. Your mind is just filled with thoughts and images, though they are not very distinct. You are not an easy book to read. I still haven’t figured out who you really are. Although…”. He looked at the vampire standing beside me, motioning for him to give him his hand.

The blond obeyed his master. Did he have any other choice? Probably not. Aro took the blond’s hand, and his wicked, sick smile came back.

“Oh, this suddenly became even better than I would have expected.” He turned towards the vampire sitting on the throne, looking sad. Marcus? The vampire in question nodded, and Aro turned around in an almost theatrical move, with open arms, for everyone to see.

“It seems that our dear Demetri has finally found his mate in (Y/N). I’m so happy for the two of you!” His face was smiling, but his voice sounded as fake as ever.

I didn’t know what “mates” meant. Alice didn’t have enough time to explain every “vampire term” to me, so I was clueless regarding this part. The blond, who I now knew as Demetri, must have seen the confusion in my face, as he leaned slightly towards me and whispered “Soulmates” in my ear. My eyes widened and he giggled lightly.

Whether it was how close he came near me, or his giggle, or the fact that we were “soulmates”, my heart responded immediately, thumbing faster in my chest, and I felt my cheeks burn - I was clearly blushing in front of everyone, as if I couldn’t be any more awkward than I was before.

Aro interrupted my embarrassment, as he turned once again towards Bella, wanting to test if she was immune to the others’ gifts as well. He turned towards the blonde girl, Jane, asking her basically to show off her own gift. Edward ran forward to stop whatever it was going to happen, only to end up in pain, writhing in an inaudible pain, as Bella was practically screaming to stop.

I honestly didn’t mind Edward suffering, even if it was for a few seconds, considering that Bella had it worse for over 5 months. He finally dropped to the floor, as Alice ran to his side, and the blonde girl’s brother ran to grab Bella, to stop her from going by her lover’s side.

I had no idea what was happening. I was just looking around, shocked and scared, as all these unfamiliar things were taking place in front of my untrained eyes. I felt a hand stroking my arm up and down. I turned around to see Demetri smiling slightly at me, trying to calm me down. I sighed a bit and felt my heart slightly at ease.

That was until the Kings decided that Bella was a liability - I wasn’t? - and Aro called out for Felix. I turned around and saw the tall brunette smiling evilly, while the shorter brunette turned Bella around and left her there, exposed, in front of the giant. Edward seemed to know what it would be happening, as he immediately stood up and ran by Bella’s side to protect her.

He immediately ran forward, attacking the tall brunette, and knocking him down. Alice ran towards Edward to help him out, but she was immediately stopped by Demetri, who I didn’t notice had left my side, grabbing her by her neck and immobilizing her, dragging her away from ever reaching her brother.

“Alec!” Demetri shouted towards the brunette boy, who had just left Bella at Felix’s mercy, pointing towards me with his eyes. The boy, Alec, came by my side, and practically dragged me farther from the scene that took place in front of me. His grip was a bit too much as he squeezed my arm, making me slightly cry in pain. Demetri growled at him, and Alec’s grip loosened significantly, but he still kept his hand on my arm.

Felix was pissed by now, as he immediately started fighting Edward, pushing and slamming him around the room. However, I couldn’t focus my gaze on them; not because they were fast, but because I was focused on watching Demetri, and how he was still holding on Alice’s neck tightly, never letting her go.

Watching Demetri’s hand around Alice’s neck should have made me feel appalled and sorry for the small brunette girl, but it didn’t. On the contrary, I felt rather aroused, watching his strong hand wrapped around the brunette’s neck.

Honestly, I felt a wave of jealousy and annoyance hitting me. That should have been me! Only I was worthy to be touched by this sort of demon who masked his true identity with the facade of an angel. It should be me! I couldn’t help myself, my jealousy building up inside me.

“Wish he’d choke ME!” I told myself, getting more frustrated by the minute.

“Patience, cara mia. All in due time.” Demetri smirked at me. I did not realise I said that out loud, until Alec started snorting beside me, clearly laughing cheekily, and Felix started bursting in laughter, his grip tight on Edward’s jaw by now.

I had embarrassed myself in a room full of vampires once again, the majority of them being part of the Volturi coven. If the Earth opened in half and swallowed me, I would pretty much welcome it at that point.

Bella brought me back to reality, as she was practically screaming, begging the vampires to let go of Edward, as she looked clearly distraught and upset. She even offered herself instead of Edward! Why, Bella? Just why? I have understood by now that they were mates and they’d do anything for each other, but she would sacrifice her own life for Edward?! That didn’t make sense to me.

Aro seemed to agree with me, but he thought more of the “soulless monster” perspective, while I thought more of Edward’s character, and how much his absence had scarred Bella. Alice told me, on our way here, that he thought he was doing everything to keep her away just to protect her, that being close to him put her in danger. But, from my own experience with Bella, she was suffering more away from him than he thought she would.

Aro looked disappointed between Edward and Bella, wishing he would give her immortality, which he did not seem willing to do. Aro moved menacingly towards the terrified girl, prepared to end her life. I fell forwards, attempting to reach her, to move in between them, but Alec’s grip tightened, keeping me back, both of his hands on my arms now. Aro was basically licking his lips, when, suddenly, Alice stopped him.

The small brunette confirmed that Bella would become a vampire like them, and that she would even be the one to change her, as she saw in her vision. Aro called her forward, and Demetri let her walk towards his Master.

He then moved towards Alec and I, replacing the brunette boy, but, instead of grabbing my arms like Alec did, he embraced me tightly, not letting me move away from my position. His cold embrace sent shivers down my spine, but, surprisingly, I let myself relax in his arms, feeling safe, and like that was where I belonged. I felt him smiling and relaxing, as well.

Aro seemed pleased with whatever Alice had shown him, and intrigued by her own gift of predicting the future. Alice had told me that her gift was subjected to the decisions people made, and the future could just change at any point. However, if Aro believed that her vision would eventually come true, we had no reason to tell him otherwise.

Aro turned to Bella. “Your gifts will make for an intriguing immortal.” He whispered as he touched her face, Bella clearly feeling uncomfortable under his touch. I would, too - Aro seemed creepy in his own way, his behavior and movements just as unpredictable.

He then told us to leave, and prepare for Bella’s transformation, and Felix let go of Edward. Marcus told everyone that a woman named Heidi would be coming soon and thanked us “for the visit”, as Aro said his goodbyes. Demetri walked towards the exit, me still in his arms. Edward grabbed Bella by her hand and Alice followed them behind.

As we were walking through the corridor, a beautiful woman walked past us, many people - they looked like tourists - following behind her. She had long, wavy brown hair and purple eyes, which could only mean that she was most likely wearing blue contacts over her red eyes. Her aura was full of confidence and power; she knew what she was doing and she took her job seriously.

“Nice fishing, Heidi.” I heard Demetri addressing the woman from behind me. So, that was the Heidi Marcus was referring to. Wait.. Nice..what?

“Yes, they do look rather juicy.” The beautiful woman replied, eyeing between Bella and I, as she continued leading the tourists down the hallway.

Demetri must have seen her reaction, as he brought me closer to him. I was in shock, and started trembling more than before. These people, these poor people would be the vampires’ snacks in a few seconds. Like Bella and I could have been just minutes ago. I tried to not think about it, but the screams that echoed through the hall would probably haunt me for the rest of my life.

Demetri opened another door as we approached the end of the corridor, and we found ourselves back in the reception area. The Italian woman greeted us once again, but I didn’t listen to what she said, still in shock, just waiting to leave this horrible place as soon as I could.

“Just wait here. You will be able to leave in a few hours, when it’s dark outside.” Demetri instructed Edward and Alice, and took his arms away from my body, turning to look at me. “Wait here, cara mia. I’ll be back soon.” I nodded, not being able to say a word.

Demetri turned and ran towards the throne room. I knew he left to feed, and I just couldn’t bear the thought of him killing innocent humans. I couldn’t keep myself from crying, as I started trembling and losing balance.

Alice came by my side, trying to stabilize and calm me down, while Edward tried calming down a hyperventilating Bella. We were both losing our sanity, not being able to keep up with the Volturi’s lifestyle, as it seemed. I was craving Demetri’s touch but, at the same time, I couldn’t stop the human in me, the logic, the sense that said that I should stay away from the vampires who killed people.

I heard Alice and Edward talking with the receptionist, but I couldn’t make out exactly what they were talking about. Alice, slowly and carefully, with her hands still on my arms, led me to a nearby bench, as the receptionist walked away. I was rocking back and forth, trying to calm down, realizing that we are still alive. I saw the receptionist coming towards us, offering a glass of water to both Bella and I.

“Grazie mille.” I thanked her, my voice barely audible.

“Prego.” She smiled at me, and walked back towards her desk.

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

I didn’t realise how much time passed, until I heard footsteps coming towards us. I was way more calm by now. Lifting my head towards the direction of the footsteps, I saw Demetri and Felix. I shyly smiled at Demetri, and he smiled back, with a smile wider than mine, a smile that warmed my heart.

“Hello, again, amore mio.” I felt as if my heart stopped for a split second upon hearing the words he used to address me. I would still be weak to my knees, if I didn't already sit down.

Felix was the one to inform us that we were allowed to go now, being way past nighttime. I stood up, and attempted to walk forward, towards Bella and the two Cullen siblings. I intended to leave with them, but I was stopped by Demetri’s hand on my wrist.

“Where are you going, cara?” He looked at me, knowing why I was attempting to walk away.

“I.. I thought we’d.. be leaving? That I’d be leaving? With the others?” At least, I was hoping I would be leaving with them.

“I’m sorry, amore. I can’t let you go, not now that I found you. You’ll be staying here, with me.” Demetri sounded so natural and serious, and I could only stare at him, my mouth agape.

“But.. I thought it was okay for me to leave. I have a life behind, you know. I have a school to finish, I have my family, I have things to do.” I still looked at him dumbfounded, waiting for him to allow me to go, just for now, just for a few months at least.

“I’m sorry, (Y/N). But I cannot risk anything happening to you. I will make sure you are safe and protected here. We will arrange everything with your school and your family, and whatever else is needed. Please, stay.” Demetri’s eyes were pleading, and a shiver passed through my body, just by looking at him and hearing him talk.

It took me a few minutes to respond; nobody said a word all this time. “Okay.” I said faintly. “I will stay.. here.. with you.”

Demetri’s face lit up, and he leaned closer to me, wrapping his arms around me. He was careful to not hurt me, and I knew, at the moment, with my heart full of love and affection for that man, that that was where I was supposed to be. With Demetri. For as long as it lasted.

#demetri volturi #volturi #demetri volturi x reader #twilight #twilight saga #twilight post #twilight renessaince

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mattzerella-sticks · 3 years

Text

Buddies, 7.3k words, T, (pre-Eddie/Buck, gay!Eddie, coming out)

(ao3)

After Eddie was shot, there were two big things he had to deal with - recovery, and the near-death realization that he was gay. The latter of which proved more difficult of the two. But as his recovery was aided by a physical therapist, Eddie also found someone to help him come to terms with his sexuality and find acceptance. Eddie wouldn't know where he'd be if Michael hadn't taken him under his wing.

However, the consequences of a failed date - encouraged by Michael - lead to something Eddie didn't think he'd be facing so soon. Coming out to his teammates. Will Eddie find the strength within himself to push through his fears? It shouldn't be too hard... right?

It’s too stifling for a fall morning in Los Angeles, Eddie thought, as he hopped out of the fire engine and sweat immediately dampened the collar of his jacket. He tugged on the fabric, huffing a tired breath through clenched teeth as he trotted after his teammates. Eddie soon fell into step beside Buck as Bobby began directing them where they were needed along the highway pileup. “Hen, Chim, attend to the drivers who are already outside their vehicles,” Bobby ordered, waving at the few bystanders leaning against cars and cradling different parts of their body, like arms and heads and one visibly bloody side with blood leaking through pale fingertips. Hen and Chimney immediately hurried there before the woman fainted from blood loss. Then, Bobby points at the two smoking cars fused together feet away. “Buck, Eddie, I want you to check on the drivers in each car and assess the damage. If you can get the occupants out safely, you have permission to do so.”

They nodded, Buck’s face stretching with a grin as he locked eyes with Eddie. “We got this, don’t we Eds?”

Eddie’s heart skipped at the nickname, and he blamed it on the weather. He blamed the warmth pooling in his cheeks, no doubt tinting his cheeks, on that, too. “Course we do.” He followed Buck towards the wreckage, asking, “Which one are you checking?”

“I’ll handle the Corvette,” Buck said, “always wanted to have my hands on one, anyway.”

“Guess that leaves me with the mini-van…”

Buck shrugged, splitting off wordlessly to inspect the red sports car that, in this moment, resembled an empty beer can littering the floor of a house party. You get what you pay for, in the end. Eddie stifled his giggle, sobering to a more serious expression as he rounds the other, less-damaged, car. He found a young girl behind the wheel, staring straight ahead while white knuckling the steering wheel. An older woman sat in the passenger seat, knocked unconscious by the collision. He wasn’t worried too much, however, aware of the deflated air bags blanketing their laps. Eddie knocked on the door, “LAFD! Are you able to lower the window?”

He startled the driver from her trance, shaky hands finally releasing the wheel and whipping to her face. She sobbed through her hands, a muffled sound that tugged on Eddie’s heartstrings.

Eddie knocked again, softer, until she looked at him. He tapped the window slowly, “Can you lower this?”

She choked on a breath, chest heaving underneath her safety strap as she did what Eddie asked.

“Hey,” he began, reaching inside to click the safety off, “my name is Eddie Diaz. What’s yours?”

“Ol-Olivia…” she stuttered, wiping at tears that continued to fall no matter how hard she scrubbed her eyes, “I’m… oh God, I’m so sorry.”

Eddie unbuckled her seatbelt, checking for any cuts or abrasions because of it. The skin around her neck seemed red and tender from impact, a possible burn, but that was the extent of the damage there. “It’s okay,” he assured her, cradling Olivia’s head in his hands to better assess her injuries. There were scrapes and bruises there, dried blood crusting around her nose. Nothing that screamed ‘emergency’. “Why don’t you tell me what happened?”

She sucked in a deep breath, then launched into her story. Eddie listened, running through a mental checklist while she rambled. “I’d gotten my learner’s permit a few months ago,” Olivia explained, “and I’m supposed to go for my driving test in a few months, for my birthday. In the meantime, I’ve been practicing all I can and I… and I thought I was ready for the highway. I mean, it’s not parallel parking, so I thought it couldn’t be that hard. But my mom thought I wasn’t ready and I… I didn’t listen and – oh, oh no! My mom -!”

“Is okay,” he told Olivia, keeping her eyes on him and preventing any further sudden movement. “I promise.” Eddie surreptitiously scanned Olivia’s mother between beats of her story, noting the subtle rise and fall of her chest. “Is that how you got into the accident? Fighting with your mom?”

“Well, partly,” Olivia explained, “I…” She hesitated, biting her lip and causing a few more blood droplets to leak past the cut there. Eddie waited, running his hands below the dashboard to check for any strain or damage from the crash that might make extraction difficult. There wasn’t any he felt. “It’s so embarrassing,” she muttered.

“It’s okay,” Eddie said, smiling, “You wouldn’t believe the kind of calls me and my team have rushed to. I’m sure whatever happened can’t be as embarrassing as a woman stuck in a window because she tried throwing her poop out when the toilet wouldn’t flush.”

That encouraged a tiny laugh from Olivia, and soon her earlier nerves from the crash disappeared. “I guess…” she sighed, dabbing at drying tear stains with her hoodie sleeve, “I was doing an okay job driving. Better than either I or my mom figured. But then this huge truck barreled by in such a rush that it shook the car and I freaked. I started screaming, and so did my mom, and I didn’t notice that we started drifting and… ugh, I felt like Cher, y’know? From that movie Clueless?”

Eddie blinked at her. “You know what Clueless is?”

“It’s a good movie,” she defended, “Plus that’s like… peak Paul Rudd. Although current Paul Rudd is also peak Paul Rudd… he’s really cute for an old guy.”

He mostly agreed with her, only offended by her closing remark. Paul Rudd isn’t old.

Paul’s ageless.

Eddie stood at his full height, backing away to give Olivia space. “You think you can step out of this vehicle on your own?” She shifted, slowly freeing one leg and then the other. Olivia tried exiting, except stumbled after the second foot left the car. Eddie caught her, easing her to the ground. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hen and Chimney approach. “You’re very lucky Olivia,” he said, “you had a great car that shielded you and your mom from some pretty serious damage. My friends are gonna help you two out now. You don’t have to tell them everything, but be sure to answer all their questions and if there’s any pain, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good.” Eddie rose to greet Hen and Chimney, quickly combing through all he learned during his short time with Olivia, stressing the most important pieces of information. “I still have to get her mother out of the passenger side,” he said, jerking his thumb at the car, “once I do that I can carry her to the ambulance so you can do your thing –“

“Sorry Eddie,” Bobby interrupted, clapping him on the shoulder, “I’m gonna need your help with the other driver.”

“That bad?”

“It’s an older car, made with metal instead of plastic,” he said, “guy’s wedged in there pretty tight, cut up, too. And there’s a glass shard running right into his shoulder blade.” Bobby turned to Hen and Chimney, “Once you’re done here we’ll need you on standby to help us. No telling how much blood he’s lost so far, or if there’s any trauma below his waist.”

“No problem Cap,” Chimney said, “We’re almost done here. Hen, why don’t you go with Eddie and Bobby while I see to Olivia’s mom?”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

“Great,” Bobby led them to the other side of the wreckage, Buck absent from the scene. “He’s getting the jaws,” he told Eddie and Hen. Then, once they’ve reached the Corvette’s driver’s side, Bobby yelled into the open, broken, window, “Sir? Sir, can you hear me? Are you still with us?”

The man groaned a few indecipherable syllables Eddie couldn’t hope to piece together. He exchanged a short glance with Hen, who appeared similarly unsure. Bobby, meanwhile, continued his one-sided conversation as they waited for Buck to arrive with the jaws.

“Coming in hot!” he yelled, lugging the jaws over his shoulders, “Where you want me, Cap?”

“Let’s start with the door,” he motioned Buck closer, pointing at the hinge. “Eddie, grab the middle. I’ll get this side. When Buck snips this free, we’ll gently lower it down and let Hen get in there.”

“Copy that.” Eddie readied himself, crouching into position. He laid his hands atop the car door, small glass shards crunching under his gloves as his fingers curled. Buck and Bobby talked over his head, working to line up the jaws correctly. During this, Eddie chanced a peek inside at the driver.

The face he saw, staring back at him, nearly knocked him off his feet.

Fitting, as that was how it felt when Michael showed him his picture while convincing Eddie to go on a blind date.

“He works with David at the hospital,” Michael told him, passing his phone over so Eddie would see what David’s co-worker, Dr. Brendan Carmichael, looked like. In the picture Michael found, a selfie from Instagram, Eddie learned more than he needed. That beside the bright, orange hair and freckles splattered across his face like someone flicked a paintbrush over his skin, he also maintained a very strict gym regimen which kept his abs in perfect condition. Eddie’s thumb hovered over the midsection Brendan revealed, careful not to like it on Michael’s account. “He broke up with his last boyfriend a few months ago, and only recently started talking about dating again,” he continued, Eddie tearing his gaze away from the phone to better listen, “David mentioned you, how you were wanting to date again, too, and Brendan’s interested in setting something up. Only question is… are you?”

It was something Eddie was working himself up to. After breaking things off with Ana during his recovery, and Buck’s focus divided further because of Taylor, Eddie found periods where he was all alone with only his thoughts as company. Because of this, it was harder and harder for him to ignore certain stuff he’d pushed to the back of his mind and crammed into a tiny closet. Namely, his utter sexual indifference to women.

Almost dying for the umpteenth time put Eddie’s life into perspective.

He wouldn’t know if the next near-death call might finally succeed where others hadn’t, and Eddie realized how awful it’d be to go without following his heart.

So he followed it all the way to Michael’s. Eddie knocked on his door late one evening, a fifth of whiskey in his veins dulling the voices shouting how this was stupid, how he and Michael were acquaintances at best and strangers at worst. Then, once Michael invited him inside his empty apartment, Eddie vomited his epiphanies until Michael set his shaking frame down on the couch and forced a glass of water down his throat.

Since then, Michael had taken on the role as Eddie’s gay sponsor. Michael guided Eddie to a point where he could see his reflection and say ‘gay’ while smiling. He also pushed at the fear that still clung to Eddie, urging him to experience new things, like with this blind-date.

“I don’t know,” he said, “he does look… really, really nice.” Admitting that never felt like pulling teeth with pliers anymore, thanks to Michael. “I’m just… not sure.”

“What aren’t you sure about?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, “I… I guess it’s nerves. I’ve never done this before, you know. Is there anything I should know? That makes it different than a date with a woman?”

Michael shot him a flat look, snatching his phone back. “A date is a date. There’s nothing different about it because it’s with another man. Well… except for when the check comes, and you have to bare-knuckle brawl in the kitchen to decide who gets to pay.” Eddie returned the favor, brows leveling at his friend. Michael chuckled, “Seriously, it’s nothing you need to work yourself up about. Go into it like it was any other date. You’ll have fun – and I’m not laying it on. Brendan is a great guy, from what I’ve heard. He’s got charm and face, which is rare. You don’t find men like us in the wild every day.”

“Men like us?” Eddie parroted, cheeks straining as he fought against the smile threatening to appear.

“Me,” Michael clarified, grinning freely, “And Chris Hemsworth. That’s it though.”

“And this Brendan guy,” Eddie added, “if what you’re saying is true.”

It wasn’t, unfortunately.

The night started with Brendan arriving late to the restaurant he chose because of its proximity to the hospital, and only further plummeted as it went on. Brendan criticized his choice in dinner, goading him into ordering an even pricier dish that Eddie hadn’t even wanted. Which Eddie then paid for, although he almost was stuck with the entire bill as Brendan assumed Eddie would cover it. It almost made Eddie reconsider Michael’s earlier crack about brawling. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Brendan’s personality rubbed Eddie the wrong way. He was dismissive of Eddie’s career, unsubtly scrolled through his phone during parts of the evening, and seemed entirely uninterested in Christopher to the point that Brendan interrupted any story about him with an unconnected anecdote, derailing the entire conversation. As the waiter left with their credit cards, all Eddie wanted was to put this date in the rearview behind him.

Except Brendan’s phone died during dessert, and he didn’t drive himself. “If you could give me a ride?” Brendan suggested, slipping a hand behind Eddie’s button-down and petting his chest, “I’d be very grateful…”

Eddie wished he could say he drove Brendan home without anything happening, that he was a stronger man. But Eddie gave in to curious temptation. He let Brendan guide him to his apartment bed instead of racing back home to fall asleep in an empty house, Christopher staying over at Michael’s with Harry.

They jerked each other off in the end; a slight comfort over oral and miles above anal. Once Eddie came, he feigned exhaustion and settled in for a sleepless night. He laid in wait for the morning, where he snuck out of Brendan’s apartment as the rising sun filtered past drawn curtains without a word to his date. Eddie did leave a note, promising he would call soon.

He hadn’t and had no plan to, either.

Still, here Brendan was.

“Cutting in three, guys,” Buck yelled. He proceeded to count down; on one, Eddie heard the snip from the jaws and belatedly realized he needed to move. Bobby swung a second before Eddie, and the momentum of the door made Eddie stumble in his haste to lift the door.

“Eddie,” Bobby huffed, “You good?”

“Yeah… yeah,” he nodded, dropping the door on the street at the same time Bobby did. “No need to worry about me.”

Bobby didn’t believe him, but he stopped questioning Eddie in favor of looming over Hen’s shoulder as she worked on Brendan. Buck leaned against the roof, head ducked inside the cabin, too. Eddie stood apart from the scene as an outlier. He wasn’t sure if it was good to approach. Although, being fully removed meant he wouldn’t know what the other man might say in his condition.

Only three people knew of his sexuality – Michael, David, and Brendan. Eddie wasn’t ready for that circle to expand.

Eddie returned, joining the others. He entered to hear Hen finish her line of questioning, her last question prompting Brendan to speak. “The wound on my shoulder is superficial,” he said, gaze unwavering on the side of Eddie’s face. He felt the weight of it, Eddie turned to watch his co-workers instead of Brendan. Bobby’s focus didn’t waver from the crushed dashboard in Brendan’s lap, prodding it in different areas. Buck kept glancing between Eddie and Brendan. “It’s deep, but a clean cut. You can get to that later, because I’m pretty sure there’s something digging into my leg close to my femoral artery.”

“We’ll get right to it, then,” Hen assured him, “Sounds like you know your stuff, though. You a doctor?”

Eddie bit his tongue, swallowing his instinctual reply. “Yeah,” Brendan said, “I’m a doctor.”

“Then that saves us some time.” Hen reached into her bag for a neck brace, placing it around Brendan’s neck while Bobby muttered something to Buck. Buck’s eyes flicked to his briefly before he jogged towards the fire truck. “We’ll have you out of here in no time. Can you tell me where you were headed?”

“To lunch,” Brendan told her, “We had to push a surgery back a day, and my next one wasn’t until two so I… I thought I’d treat myself to something nice. I already had back-to-back operations this entire morning.”

“What were they?”

“Tumor removals,” he explained, “in the brain. Real delicate work. I’ve probably performed over a hundred by now, but I still can’t shake the jitters each time I enter the theater…” Eddie grimaced, hiding it behind his jacket collar. Yes, he knew about Brendan’s job. Hearing it in this context, on the field and not in a dimly lit restaurant, hit differently; like he cared about his patients and didn’t use his position as a point of status. This was not the Brendan he remembered. Regret churned in Eddie’s gut, mixing with the shame and embarrassment already present.

“I know what you mean,” Hen smiled. She rubbed around the shoulder wound, cleaning it of dried blood to better inspect it. “You can have it all down to a formula, but you will never be sure what might happen when the time comes.”

“Exactly.”

Buck hurried back with new tools in hands. He handed a saw to Bobby, “Where do you want me?”

“Other side,” Bobby said. He tapped Hen on the shoulder, silently urging her off Brendan. “Sir,” he started, “we’re going to be cutting the dashboard off shortly. Don’t be afraid to talk or shout if you feel any pain, okay?”

“I understand.”

“I’ll remove the wheel, first,” Bobby said, slipping a pair of goggles on, “don’t move.” He powered the saw on and, in seconds, removed the wheel. Brendan sagged somewhat, breathing stilted and ragged. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah...” He coughed, “Think my ribs might be bruised, possibly broken. I don’t… I think that’s it. Not sure.”

“You’re talking, so that’s a good sign.” Hen felt around his chest, then held her stethoscope to hear his lungs. “Nothing out of the ordinary here, Cap. Carry on.”

Bobby, and Buck now, brought their saws to the dashboard and continued cutting. Hen waited, kneeling, holding a bottle of solution and gauze for when it was her turn again. Meanwhile, Eddie uselessly hovered near her. There wasn’t much for him to do.

That wasn’t true for long.

Suddenly he was very much needed, Bobby calling for him and motioning Eddie with the saw. He tripped over his feet, “Coming! Coming!” Rushing to help Bobby remove the dashboard that, along with the glass shard, pinned Brendan to his seat. In doing this, Eddie glimpsed the red-stained leather under his leg. “Hen!” he said, “All you.”

Hen filled the space where the dashboard had been, attending to Brendan’s wound with practiced speed. As Eddie and Bobby returned, she fixed the tourniquet around his thigh and was partway done with wrapping his leg with gauze. And when Buck sidled towards them, she began removing the glass shard in his shoulder. It was much longer than a passing glance would make you believe. “Yikes,” Buck muttered, “You ever think a windshield could do that?”

“Old cars like these?” Bobby replied, “Anything’s possible.”

“He’s good for removal!” Hen yelled over her shoulder, kicking her bag a few feet back. She stands, dusting off her knees, “I’ll go get Chimney and the stretcher, be ready to help us set him down once we’re here.”

“Buck and Eddie’ll handle that,” Bobby said, “I’m gonna do a final sweep of the area, make sure we didn’t miss anything. Copy?”

“Understood.” Buck knocked shoulders with Eddie, nodding at the car, “Let’s go get the doctor ready for his ride back to work.”

Eddie bit his cheek, letting silence give a better response than he could at the moment. If Buck found it odd, like Bobby, he didn’t comment on it. They walked to Brendan’s car again, Eddie going through the motions to get him ready for transit. In that short span of seconds, Eddie hoped his luck might keep his secret safe. That Brendan wouldn’t mention their date.

He knelt down, waiting for Buck’s signal to lift his legs, when he made the mistake of finally meeting Brendan’s stare. Brendan offered him a tired smile. “This is so not how I expected we’d meet again.”

…Shit.

Buck stilled, his hands falling to their sides as he looked to Eddie. “You two know each other?”

Brendan sighed in the affirmative. “Very intimately.”

“What…” Buck’s face screwed itself into an expression of confusion, the rainbow wheel in his mind spinning endlessly while he processed Brendan’s innuendo.

Eddie pounced to fill the awkward silence. “We hung out, once,” he told Buck, “Like, a few days ago, I think? Super casual…”

“Oh –“

“Oh,” Brendan interjected, darker than earlier. He coughed, voice straining from the force of it, but he wasn’t deterred. “Oh, really? Hanging out… that’s what you’re calling it?”

“Uh…” Eddie, taken aback by such an unexpected call out, couldn’t produce more than a few mumbled phrases that didn’t move beyond one syllable nor, when strung together, were comprehensible. Instead he glanced between Brendan and Buck, wasting precious time with silence.

Brendan, however, formed complete sentences. “So tell me… since I have you, were you even planning on hanging out with me again, or do you leave all your buddies notes like that?”

In his anger, Brendan shifted and started angling himself towards Eddie. Buck snapped out of his stupor enough to lay a calming hand on Brendan’s shoulder, “Hey! Hey… sir, you need to keep still until we move you.”

“Sorry, sorry…” Brendan relaxed, albeit his glare was still focused on Eddie. Eddie flinched under the weight of it.

“I…” Eddie tried, very aware of the sound behind him, of wheels rolling over gravel and measured footsteps. “I was trying to be nice?”

“Nice?” Brendan spat, “Fuck you, Eddie.”

“Eddie,” Buck inched closer, drawing Eddie’s gaze from Brendan to him. He spoke softly, like Eddie were one of the many victims they attended to during their careers. Eddie also noted the sharp steeple Buck’s brows, drawn together as if he already filled in the missing gaps of Eddie and Brendan’s story. Shit. “Why don’t you let us handle this?”

“I…” Eddie found breathing as hard as speaking, managing enough foresight to sharply nod before standing and striding away from Brendan’s car. He passed a curious, concerned Bobby, but ignored his calls. Eddie kept himself tightly wound all the way to the engine. Once he entered, he fell apart. Eddie’s vision blurred, his lungs couldn’t hold enough air, and he melted inside his uniform. All he was able to do before completely shutting down was shoot a quick message to Michael.

Brendn in acidnt fine but h outd me what do

Eddie’s grip on his phone tightened considerably when he heard the engine doors open again. Buck slid inside, not meeting Eddie’s wide, panicked stare. There were more doors opening, Bobby and other firefighters climbing aboard. “Hen and Chim are taking that guy to the hospital,” Buck said, “Our work here’s done.” He paused, gnawing on his lip, considering saying more while Bobby slowly pulled them onto the road. “What he said…”

He missed the rest of Buck’s question. His voice dulled as a sharp ringing in Eddie’s head blocked out every sound around him. Eddie sunk into it, comforted in the simpleness of the noise. He pressed himself against the window, arms crossed over his chest, and watched the scenery blur during their drive to the station.

Then, when they arrived, Eddie flung the door open and his puddled mass in a jacket spilled free of the engine. He stripped off his uniform in a record-setting pace. And, as he finished, Eddie saw Buck steadily approach, Bobby like a shadow behind him. Both wore similar expressions that warned Eddie of conversations he was not ready for. Because of that, Eddie did something he regret. A course of action so damning it spoke louder than any mangled defense he might put together.

He hid.

“Stupid… stupid…” Eddie whacked his phone across his temple, curled into a tight ball outside the building. He snuck through a door in the back, smart enough to not go far but knowing that it’s so rare anyone used this area. It was set aside for the firefighters who smoked, Chimney explained. Those were always a small contingent, never more than one or two per squad. As the years went by, numbers dwindled, and a smoking firefighter became an endangered species. Now, hardly anyone uses this tiny alley that separates the fire house from its adjoining building. Except for Eddie. “I can’t believe I could have such shitty luck…”

He went to hit himself with his phone again, but a shrill ping cut into his spiraling. Eddie checked his messages – Can I call? It was Michael. He texted back a thumbs up he didn’t mean. Soon his phone shook in his hands.

Eddie answered, “Hey…”

“Hi Eddie,” Michael said, tone soft like Buck’s back at the scene. He hated it. Eddie hated how much he wilted because of it, how his nerves started inching away from the edge at the gentle, implied coaxing. “How are you feeling?”

Eddie barked a short, nasty laugh, wiping beads of sweat off his forehead. “I feel like I’m about to burst into flames.”

“If you do, at least you’re around people who’ll know what to do.”

�� “What if I don’t want them to save me,” Eddie groused, “should I make a break for it before the first spark catches?”

“Like they wouldn’t race after you…” Michael’s voice trailed, clearly tiptoeing around the words he chose next. “So,” he said, “you ran into Brendan again today?”

Eddie snorted. “More like some kid ran into his car…” He growled, kneading at his eye with the heel of his hand. “I can’t believe what happened, and how I… how I froze like that. Seriously, what were the odds?”

“Pretty fucking low,” Michael told him, “But that’s exactly what it was, shit luck. There’s nothing you could have done to not have what happened, happened.”

“That’s not true,” he sighed, “I could have not gone on that date with him. Or, at least, not let him talk me into his bed.”

“He’s a charmer.”

“I had nothing better going on,” Eddie said. He played his words back in his head, silently cursing how brusque they sounded. Was he really the bad guy in this scenario? Brendan hadn’t seem interested in a relationship during their dinner, and Eddie thought his own feelings were on display, too. Buck always said his poker face had more cracks in it than a busted sidewalk. Maybe the note was unnecessary, he can concede. Eddie can’t rewrite history and destroy it, though. “Besides,” he continued, swatting those past regrets away like flies, “Brendan wasn’t all that charming when he outed me, on top of cursing me out in front of the 118.”

“Man was in a car accident,” Michael reminded Eddie, “He probably had more to worry about than decorum.” Michael coughed across the line, clearing his throat. “That doesn’t excuse what he did.”

“Yeah,” he said, “I thought it was, like, gay brotherhood that you’re not supposed to out another gay person… or whatever.”

“I… don’t think he knew. That you weren’t out…” Michael hummed, the noise rattling inside Eddie’s chest. “You’re right, in a way. Any decent gay person wouldn’t out a person before they’re ready. I can’t remember if Derek mentioned your… situation, when setting up the date. I can text him but, Eddie –“ Michael’s sigh caused the line to crackle and break, Eddie shivering as it hit his ear “– Eddie, Brendan and what he might and might not have known isn’t important, isn’t why I called.” Eddie knew. Of course, he knew. “What are you planning on doing next?”

“That depends,” Eddie mumbled. His free hand tugged on his laces, loosening them slowly. “Do you want to hear what I want to do, or what I’m going to do.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Fake mine and Chris’s deaths,” he told Michael, “Start over somewhere new. Maybe on the East Coast, in a small fishing village where I can be a lighthouse keeper and never have to see another person ever again. Just me and Chris and the sea, until Chris leaves or I grow old and die. Whichever happens first.”

“That’s… dark.” Michael said, “And oddly specific.”

Eddie shrugged, “I watched the Lighthouse last night. Robert Pattinson jerked it to some mermaid doodle in it. Like… I could do that. Survive off of doodles of hunky mermen, or sailors. Hunky mermen getting it on with sailors… God knows the real thing didn’t work out.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Well, what else can I do?”

“You can go inside and talk to your friends,” Michael reasoned, “Your team who cares about you, and are most definitely worried because of what happened and how it affected you. Your family, who is ready to accept you for who you are as they always will. But first, you need to trust them and let them in to see who that is.”

When Michael explained it, the obvious choice also seemed to be the easiest. The tiny seed of doubt, however, planted once Eddie accepted his heart’s leanings and blossomed into a strange bushel of roses with thorny roots strangling his chest, would not let him be. It poisoned his rationality, shredding any confidence Eddie built. “I trust them with my life,” he wondered, speaking barely above a whisper, “why is it so hard to trust them with this? Is it just me?”

“It’s not you, Eddie,” Michael said. His voice thundered with conviction, startling Eddie. “Believe me, you aren’t the first gay man to feel this way and, unfortunately, you won’t be the last.”

He sniffed, a wet chuckle escaping past his lips in a raspy breath. “That sucks.”

“It sure does,” Michael agreed.

“Does it ever go away?” he asked, “Or… get easier?”

“I… it’s not a cut-and-dry answer,” he told Eddie, “In some cases, yes. Others… no. It’s situational.” Eddie found this answer unsatisfying. He wasn’t the only one. “Listen,” Michael said, “this might seem scary now, but I, uh – remember that first night. That night you came to my place and confided in me. What did you say?”

“That I was gay.”

“Yes…” Michael sucked in a deep breath, hissing his next thought so pointedly it cut through those pesky roots. “Now, imagine you’re me, saying what you said to me, but instead of saying it to me you were saying it to my lovely ex-wife who, at the time, was still my wife, and all this after we’re both a few glasses of wine deep and the kids are asleep.”

Michael’s past helped put Eddie’s own troubles in perspective. He mentioned as such to him.

“I don’t want to come off like ‘I had worse’ blah blah,” Michael said, “My point is – you see how good the relationship between Athena and I is. She could have easily kicked me out and then never spoken to me again. But she didn’t. She had every reason to hate me, but she didn’t. Athena loved me when she thought I was straight and continued after learning I was gay. It’s a different sort of love now, and yes, it might have wavered at times, but she stuck by my side like I stuck to hers. Yes, I was scared to tell her, just like you were when you came and told me. Just like you are now. But because I pushed through my fear, I freed us both from being unhappy. Her and Bobby… me and Derek… neither would have happened if I decided to keep my feelings to myself.”

“Yeah… your life did change…” Eddie rested his head against his knees, remnants of adrenaline from earlier fully fading leaving an exhaustion that set deep into his bones. “I guess that’s what I’m really afraid of. How… acknowledging who I really am, and owning it, how everything will change after.”

“Eddie, will being gay affect your job?”

“What?” Eddie yelped, head rising again, neck aching from the whiplash Michael’s unrelated question caused. “No –“

“Will you being out really make you a completely different, unrecognizable person?”

“Uh… I – I don’t… no?”

“Then it sounds like nothing will actually change.” Michael’s tone relaxed and, finally, Eddie let himself do the same. The other man’s speech wrapped around him like a warm blanket. “You didn’t wake up one morning and decide to be gay. It’s something that’s always been a part of you. It’s been there during every call you went out on. You’ll still be Eddie… just a happier Eddie, because you’re allowing yourself to be happy and honest with who you are. That’s what’s important here. Coming out isn’t about other people, it’s about you. You, opening yourself to others to see this part of you, and letting them share in the joy of who you are. And the 118, your friends, will still love you because this… this gay Eddie you have in your mind, is just Eddie. That’s it.”

Eddie didn’t cry. He wouldn’t be able to hide it, once he went back inside to confront his friends. If they asked, Eddie might mumble a few broken words about allergies then move on. Because he didn’t let his tears fall. “Thanks, Michael,” Eddie said, “I… I’m really grateful for you, being my friend. And that you didn’t turn me away like you should have done when I showed up at your apartment.”

“I was less afraid of what you’d do,” Michael laughed, “and more afraid what you might do if I didn’t.”

They ended the call soon enough, with Eddie exchanging a few final pleasantries while Michael’s goodbye was laced with encouragement.

Eddie stood, riding the aches of pain that came from unfurling his back out of the tight coil he forced it into. He stretched his arms, pointed high towards the sky. Eddie leaned onto his toes, and even lifted his face to better feel the sun shining above.

Much too warm for fall.

Despite the heat and his fears, Eddie returned to the firehouse. He slowly crept inside, alert, gaze bouncing around for a sign of his friends. When he didn’t find them on the first floor, not hovering by the truck and newly returned ambulance or biding time in the gym, Eddie passed faceless co-workers on his way to the stairs. Each step Eddie took sounded like beats from a heavy drum, sounding a funeral march. Eddie kept up the tempo.

As he climbed higher, his head peeked out and Eddie caught a glimpse of the second floor. Like always, his eyes were drawn immediately to Buck. He, along with Bobby, Hen, and Chim, were huddled around the kitchen island. Eddie watched them converse quietly, briefly, the discussion cutting off because Buck, the one currently speaking, turned and saw Eddie. Buck straightened, body taut and tense like Christopher got after Eddie caught him misbehaving. Eddie wasn’t foolish enough to think they were talking about anything other than him. Buck’s face flickers, flipping through emotions like pages in a book too fast so Eddie can’t read. It settled on a steely façade of determination, Buck readying to move. Before he can, Bobby stopped Buck with one hand on his shoulder. He understood.

Let Eddie come to them.

He did, slowly, at his own pace. Eddie settled between Hen and Chimney, both firefighters creating a space for him.

There’s a beat of silence, the air above the kitchen island so weighty Eddie’s shoulders drooped. He fought against it, taking a deep breath. “Hey.”

“Eddie,” Bobby spoke first, “how are you doing?”

Michael advised honesty. That’s what Eddie gave. “I’m a little scared,” he admitted with a laugh, staring intently at a divot in the island’s counter, and how his finger repeatedly traced it. “Okay. A lot of scared.”

“We’re here for you Eddie,” Bobby said, “Whatever it is.” On either side, his friends reached for him. Hen laid her hand over Eddie’s, crushing it in a loving grip, while Chimney soothingly rubbed his back. Eddie glanced at the men in front of him, Bobby looking encouraging at him while Buck…

Eddie still can’t decipher what it is Buck tries to show.

If he thought about it too long, he’d lose all the confidence he gathered to arrive at this point. Eddie swallowed past the lump in his throat, attempting to smile. “Thank you,” he said, “really.” Then, without fanfare, Eddie shrugged and told his friends, “I’m gay.”

Like that, the next breath Eddie took felt lighter. It was unbelievable. No one said anything, but their love and acceptance were visible in other ways. Eddie was almost brought to tears because of them. He reigned his emotions in, maintaining control. If they stayed like this, however, he’s sure to break.

Eddie cleared his throat, “That’s all. So if we could…”

“Not so fast,” Chimney said, smirk tainting their tender moment. His hand slunk across Eddie’s back to his shoulder, clamping down and chaining Eddie there at his side. “There’s still the doctor of it all that’s been unaccounted for…”

“Chim,” Bobby warned lightly, trying his best to play boss.

Hen waved him off. “Eddie should have his chance to explain,” she argued, “tell us his side of the story. Lord knows Chim and I got an earful about what that man thought of you, Eddie. Filled the entire drive from the wreck to the hospital.”

“He had a lot of opinions,” Chimney added.

Eddie sighed. He expected they might have questions, especially about Brendan. He wasn’t unprepared for this. “I went on one date with the man,” he explained, “something Michael set up –“

“Michael?” Bobby interrupted, tapping his chest, “My Michael?”

“He’s not just your friend,” Eddie said, “He… he’s been helping me deal with… with all this. This… being gay, stuff.” He shifted, bending forward to press his chest on the counter. “It was Michael’s idea I go on a date with Brendan, sort of like practice. To get more comfortable being… out, in public, with another man. Personally, I didn’t think the date was that special. Brendan was… he had a lot of personality.”

“Sure was flexing that… personality, despite all those injuries,” Hen agreed, “Kept going on about this – this note you wrote? What was that about?” Hen might have asked coyly, but it was obvious to Eddie she knew.

He still answered her. “I was going for nice,” he muttered, “I didn’t want to up and abandon him after we… after he invited me over for the night, and we…” They were at work. Eddie couldn’t say more.

Nothing else needed saying. Even Buck understood, if his rapidly flushing cheeks meant anything. “Oh,” he said, “so you and him… you two…” His pointer fingers on either hand were extended, slapping each other with wide sweeps.

Hen choked on a snort, shoving Buck’s hands apart. “They weren’t sword-fighting, Buck.”

“Yeah, I knew that…” Because of his bashful pout, followed by Buck tucking his head into his chest, Eddie didn’t buy his excuse.

“Okay,” Bobby steered the conversation elsewhere, “besides us and… Michael… have you told anyone else?”

Eddie shook his head. “Really?” Buck asked, “Not even Chris?”

“Especially not Chris…” Some of that earlier fear returned, roosting in his chest like a bird returned north from winter. “I never… I don’t know how I would explain it to him or… how much I would have to explain? Like, if I was a single dad from the start, I’m sure it would be easier. But most of his memories are with me and his mom, and I – I haven’t figured out a way to tell him while also not invalidating mine and Shannon’s marriage, y’know?” Eddie agonized over that near constantly. He loved Shannon, truly, and wanted their marriage to work despite not being attracted to her in the way that mattered. Christopher needed her in his life. If that meant Eddie gave Shannon what she wanted, what Eddie pretended he wanted to, it would have been worth it.

But, in the end, she still went ahead with the divorce. Shannon was more perceptive than he ever gave her credit for.

“And then there’s the Ana of it all…” Eddie threw out, offhandedly.

“Wait,” Buck said, “was that why you broke it off with her? When you told me…”

Eddie’s breath hitched slightly, and he drummed his fingers against the counterspace. “No,” he said, “I… I didn’t have the realization then. I meant it, about us not clicking and… her being another try at giving Chris a mom. Although, being gay would definitely have played a factor in us not clicking.”

“That’s for sure.”

Another wave of silence washed over them, this the most awkward of them all. “If that’s it for questions…” Eddie extricated himself from the group, final shreds of adrenaline fading and leaving him exhausted. His mind already set a course for the bunks, planning a lengthy nap as a reward for his vulnerability.

“Of course,” Bobby rounded the island, moving closer to Eddie. Buck was on his heels, but hung back on the fringes of the group, a few inches behind Hen and Chimney. “I want you to know how proud I am of you, though. I can’t imagine any of what you had to deal with was easy, and if you need anything from us – keeping this information to ourselves or whatever… let us know. We’ll follow your lead.” He then opened himself for a hug, giving Eddie the option to accept or refuse.

Eddie sagged into Bobby’s embrace, grateful. “Thank you.” Hen and Chimney joined them, squeezing Eddie tighter and tighter. Only Buck kept his distance. Eddie opened his eyes and noticed the younger man watching them, a glint in his eye that struck Eddie’s nerve. Once the others released him, Eddie confronted Buck. “Hey, are you…”

“Hmm?” Buck blinked, and what Eddie saw earlier disappeared. It vanished like it never existed. Maybe Eddie imagined it? Regardless, Buck smiled in his usual, too-large-for-his-face way and swept Eddie in a giant hug of his own. “I’m proud, too,” he whispered, “And what Bobby said goes double for me. Anything you need, ask… and I’ll be there.”

Eddie caught himself before he spoke without thinking. Instead, he returned the hug. He rested his cheek against Buck’s shoulder, humming in acknowledgment of Buck’s promise.

Buck would do anything for Eddie, as much as he would do anything for Christopher.

Anything… except what Eddie truly desired from him.

While baring his soul to the group about his sexuality was one matter, confessing to all his secrets was an entirely different sort he hadn’t felt ready for. He doubted he ever will be. Because if he told Buck the reason why he stopped running from the truth, why he couldn’t deny his feelings after being content in doing so for years, Eddie feared Buck would prove the sickening voices in his head right by leaving him.

Really, Eddie thought, what else was there to do when you learn your best friend is in love with you?

So he ignored how Buck’s touch skimmed his lower back, the gentle swaying dance they began by hugging longer than necessary, and, as they drew apart, the struck-match feeling of Buck’s lips brushing the outer edge of his ear.

There was nothing to read into, he reminded himself. He and Buck were friends. Best friends. Best buddies. Buck had Taylor, and Eddie…

Eddie had hope. Hope, emboldened by his bout of honesty, that there will come a day he found a man he truly loved to share his life with.

Even if they weren’t Buck.

#buddie #9-1-1 on fox #post-4x14 #eddie diaz #gay eddie diaz #eddie diaz comes out #9-1-1 s5 spec fic #evan 'buck' buckley #buck x eddie #pining eddie diaz #bobby nash #henrietta 'hen' wilson #howard 'chimney' han #michael grant #less about the getting together and more about the character study of eddie if they decided to go through with the gay route

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since0202 · 3 years

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Chapter 34: Watch

Grace woke the next morning in her bed, groggy and hungover. She rubbed a hand down her face and let out a soft groan as she let the light bleed over her face. Sacred vampire wedding punch mixed with three shots of vodka were probably a bad idea.

She pulled herself out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom, turning on the shower and letting the steam settle her stomach. As Grace hopped in the shower, she wondered if any of the pack were there, sleeping on her couch or in her office.

She could feel their presence in the area, but within her home, their spirits quieted. It acted as a refuge, a place where their humanity was always first and they could be just boys, very feverish men who needed an escape from the responsibility that being a wolf warrior crowded in on them in their everyday life. There were no secrets under this roof.

The water trickled warmly down her body and she felt across the length of her abdomen. Her eyes got distant but she didn’t let herself get lost. The warm pang had returned with Jacob’s return and with that came complications. She wasn’t healed, but she was getting there. Ti’Hal had warned her that he would return and that his soul was being called by another’s. Did that mean his imprint had finally emerged? Grace needed to brace herself for the crushing pain that she knew would come at finally losing him to the imprint, but she wasn’t going to let the progress she had made with her pack suffer.

She had to focus. She was going to focus. A gentle knock on her bathroom door snapped her attention.

“Grace?” It was Embry. His soft, calming, even voice sounded muffled as it floated through the crack in the door.

“Yeah,” she answered.

“Sam’s called a gathering at his place tonight...Everyone is supposed to come.”

“Okay,” Grace answered simply again.

“Jake’s going to be there.” Embry clarified. Grace felt a pounding in her ears as the heat waved a bout of nausea through her. She held around her stomach now, trembling softly, keeping herself together, desperate to remain this whole for a little while longer.

“Uh huh,” she managed. Embry didn’t move from his spot by the door.

“You okay?” he asked. Grace tried to pull in hair through her nose and out through her mouth as her stomach roiled. As her mouth filled with spit, she knew the nausea was going to win out and accepted her fate as she unceremoniously hurled in the shower.

She leaned her head back and let the water rinse over her face and opened her mouth to take in some water. After a solid few minutes she called out:

“Yup.” She tried not to look down at her feet.

“Okay,” he said weakly. “Do you need help in there?”

“No, Embry.” Grace said in pain. She heard a shuffling from behind the door and knew he had left her bedroom. She quickly washed up and threw on a robe before cleaning the mess at the bottom of her shower.

When she came downstairs Embry and Quil were posted up at the kitchen table scrounging over left overs. Grace rubbed a towel through her hair and plopped down at an empty spot as they continued to grub.

“How was puking in the shower?” Quil said nonchalantly.

“Shut up,” Grace said softly. “So what’s this gathering about then?” Embry looked up from his food and shot Quil a look before saying,

“We don’t know. Maybe a formal welcome back for Jake? Hard to say.” Grace nodded her head and picked at some bread on the table.

“Or, what about this?” Grace said after a long moment of staring concerned at her bread. “We blow off this mysterious meeting, go to Port Angeles, and sneak into that sketchy nightclub the...the Racket?”

“The Cricket?” Quil offered raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I have a fake ID and you both look 40. We could totally get in. Sam hasn’t made it an order yet has he?” Grace looked at both of their faces eagerly. Quil’s face was alight with the thought that they were potentially blowing off some boring meeting for an outing that was definitely off limits. Embry didn’t seem so game.

“What if we go after?” Embry offered. Always the responsible one. Holding it all together, keeping her on track. Grace sat back and crossed her arms.

“Fine, but you have to promise.”

“Promise.” They both said in unison.

Grace showed up at Emily’s a little late to ensure she wasn’t stuck making small talk or awkwardly staring at Jacob from across the kitchen table. The house was lit up with laughter and light booming from the open door. Grace hesitated on the porch step.

In anticipation for completely bolting off this evening to Port Angeles, she had dressed a little better than she had in months—she wore a thin blue dress dotted with white flowers that clung to her body and was just a tad short. She wore a black leather jacket over it with brown boots that sported a short heel. She had even done her hair and hoped that if Jacob was here that he wouldn’t think she dressed up for him. Her lip curled at the thought and then she pivoted—fuck it, let him think whatever he wanted.

She jogged the rest of the way up the steps, stomping on the rainsoaked wood to help announce her presence and walked through the door with a smile. Her pack was crowded around the kitchen table joking and pushing each in the shoulder. Jared spotted her first.

“Heeeey! You made it. Bout time!” This resulted in a cry and holler coming from around the table to her appearance. Even Paul was in high spirits. Sitting just outside the tight ring of the table, on a high stool with his shaggy hair falling around his face was Jacob. Grace swallowed hard and gave him a curt nod. His eyes narrowed instantly at her, anger flooding his face, and then Sam came out, slapping him on the back and snapping him out of it.

“Good! You’re here.” He looked around the table and a hush fell. “The purpose for this gathering is to come back together as a pack. Jacob’s home. That means that whatever occurred in the past, we should leave it there. We’ve been making great progress and I want that to continue. That will only happen if everyone cooperates,” his eyes moved from each member of the pack, his hand gripped tightly on Jacob’s shoulder before finally resting his eyes on Grace. She only shrunk internally. Outwardly, hands still in her jacket pockets, she nodded.

“Got it,” she said. She glanced for just a second at Paul who had his eyes trained on Sam, suspicious.

“So! Let’s get it all out in the open now and move on. Rip it off like a bandaid so the healing can begin,” he slapped his hands together and Jacob looked shocked for a minute. Sam motioned for him to proceed but he opened and closed his mouth as if he was unprepared. Grace, outwardly looking cool as a cucumber, was screaming on the inside.

“I’ll start!” Quil raised his hand and then stood up. Sam gave him a surprised look and Leah chuckled. “Jake man, it sucked that you took off like that for so long. I get why you did it but you left us in the lurch and we were all really worried. Don’t uuuhhh,” he paused looking around at the stunned pack members, some wore incredulous grins, “Don’t do that again. Right guys?”

There was a small echo of consent from the group.

“Good!” Sam said, looking back to Jake, but Jake’s eyes were on Grace again. She could practically feel the heat coming off of him.

“I didn’t come back for you,” he said. Grace swallowed and nodded. Stay composed. Stay here. She thought.

Paul scoffed and Jacob’s eyes turned black looking at him. “You have something to say?” Paul was shaking his head laughing a little. Grace tensed now.

“Give it a rest dude. We can all see right through that,” he challenged. Jacob was on his feet and Sam put a hand to his chest to steady him. Grace took a step forward but Seth touched her arm.

“What you did was absolute shit. Both of you! And if I had it my way, I’d have nothing to do with either of you ever again!” He shouted.

“So leave! We were doing just fine without you!” Paul was on his feet, all anger with Jared and Quil blocking him. Though Paul had told him to leave, it felt like anything else but that. Grace realized what he was doing—he was drawing Jacob out, letting him get angry so that he could say what he needed to say. A cathartic release.

“You KNEW what she meant to me and you still did it anyway!” Jacob yelled back bucking against Sam now his whole body shaking. His eyes glistened with what Grace thought might be tears, but the rage was unmistakable in his body language.

“It was a MISTAKE. And it’s not always about you Black!” he boomed back. “I apologized. She apologized. There’s nothing we can do to change what happened, but putting her through this unending painfest isn’t going to work out like you think it is.”

“Oh yeah? And why’s that? Because you’re still defending her? Still fucking her too I bet.” Jacob spat. Paul lunged, pusing past Quil and Jared and connecting his fist to Jacob’s face. A sickening crunch sounded and Jacob rocketed back, the stool behind him was reduced to splinters. Sam jumped in front of Paul demanding that he calm down as he shook violently. Jacob was holding his nose which was gushing with blood but nobody moved to help him.

Grace had never seen such blind rage come from Jacob. Paul? Sure. But Jake. Sweet, kind, benevolent Jacob that was like a walking sun never lost it like this. Seth was up and standing next to Grace now, his hand still on her arm. Embry hadn’t moved from his spot, and Leah was rocking back in her chair clearly enjoying the show.

“If you think you deserved her before, you definitely don’t deserve her now. She made a mistake. We both did, but that doesn’t mean that you get to treat her like shit for the rest of her life. That’s not what you want, I know it’s not,” Paul spat. “We’re pack, we won’t let you. Let it go and come back.”

He shook Sam off to show he was okay and reached his hand out to help Jacob off the ground. Jake gave him a confused look and then took his hand, still holding his now healed nose. Jake shoved him in the shoulder and Paul let out a barking laugh. It wasn’t reconciliation, but it was close.

Grace was frozen to the spot still. Jacob joined around the table, not meeting Grace’s eyes, intent on at least ignoring her for the rest of his life if he wasn’t allowed to hate her. Seth motioned for Grace to sit down in his chair and she took it, trying to hide how much her body was shaking.

At the end of their dinner they all spilled out into the cool air. As Grace walked down the porch steps after them, she heard Jacob call out to her. She turned, sucking in a deep breath and hovering on the bottom step looking up at him. He wouldn’t risk coming too close to her, the pull was too strong.

“I haven’t forgiven you.” He said simply. Grace nodded.

“I know.”

“And I don’t want to be your friend.” He continued.

“Got it.” she said, her voice aching. “You’re allowed to stay mad as long as you want.”

“Ready?” Quil was behind her, eager to get going, and Leah was straightening the newly adorned sequined top on her shoulders.

“But I don’t have to sit and watch,” Grace concluded with a small smile, an olive branch. “Ready.” She turned to Quil and looped arms with Leah as they skipped off toward Embry’s car. Jacob stood a little stunned on the porch and his face turned down into a frown before he phased and took off into the forest at full speed, letting his animal instincts take over and smashing into Paul’s shoulder as they took on rounds.

Port Angeles. Paul shared with Jacob. He briefly showed an image of the divey dance club they were headed to and with a laugh said, You’re welcome to go after her if you want.

Not a chance. Jacob growled running faster into the night letting the cool air pull through his fur and set him free.

Okay so maybe going out two nights in a row wasn’t such a great idea. Grace woke with another groan, experiencing a serious bout of deja vu. The sun sprinkled in through the gauzy white curtains and she took a deep breath assessing the level of pain she was sure to be in. Her limbs felt battered and her head was swimming. She had no idea how or when she got home last night which was never a good sign.

She stretched her arms out and heard a grumbled sigh coming from her left. Her eyes shot to the apparent sleeping form next to her.

“Oh god,” she whispered. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Had she brought someone home last night!? She couldn’t remember much, just blue flashing lights on a crowded dance floor, a hand pulling her into a bathroom stall, but that was it. If the pack found out, she’d never live it down.

She leaned up on her elbows. She was fully clothed so that was a good sign. She kicked off her boots and pulled back the bedsheet to see who laid beneath. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the familiar pack tattoo on the forearm of the quietly sleeping form. She never let anyone sleep in her bed with her, why would she do this?!

As her eyes moved up the arm of the sleeping body, her gaze connected to softly cropped hair and smooth, peaceful face of Leah. Grace breathed a sigh of relief and flopped back on the bed. That was close.

She slowly changed out of her blue dress from the night before and pulled on some oversized grey sweats and a black t-shirt that was stocked for a pack member and stumbled down the steps. The sound of sizzling was coming from her kitchen and she yawned, assuming it was Quil or Embry. But as she landed on the bottom step, she saw Quil on the floor and Embry sprawled across the couch with a blankety haphazardly strewn across his body. Confused, Grace turned her head toward the kitchen to see none other than Jacob Black, working away at her kitchen stove and prepping breakfast.

He looked just as gorgeous as ever, loose strands of hair falling in front of his face, the rest tied in a bun. He was wearing a light blue shirt that stood out beautifully against his russet skin, light scars scraped down his right forearm from the incident, and his normal blue cut off jean shorts.

“Hey,” Grace croaked a little embarrassed.

He glanced at her quickly and said with little to no humor in his voice, “You look like shit.”

“Thanks.” she said, still glued to the spot, “Why are you here?” The sun was suddenly glaring in Grace’s eyes and she put a hand up over them.

“Came to check and make sure you all were okay after your little misadventure,” he said, a tone of disappointment clear in his voice.

“What are you talking about?” she rubbed her eyes and moved toward Quil on the floor who was clearly drooling. She slumped down and leaned her head against the back of the couch on Embry’s arm.

“Pretty sure you got dosed, there’s no way in the world you guys could afford enough alcohol to get that trashed.” He murmured, scraping a load of crisped hashbrowns onto a plate.

“Ugggh,” Grace groaned, reaching down to Quil and putting a hand on the back of his neck trying to pull out some of the sick that she felt stirring in his body.

Jacob scoffed.

“I didn’t realize roofies made you feel like you got hit by a bus,” Grace said quietly reaching her other hand behind her to place on Embry’s back to do the same for him.

“You’re probably the only one that feels like that. In your drunken glory, you decided to recast everyone back to the rez instead of, oh I don’t know, taking a cab back? You recast three people, blasted out of your mind, appeared too close to the cliff edge, slipped, and hit some rocks on your way down to the water.” He shook his head and cursed under his breath. “Absolutely idiotic, you could have died.”

“Thank you, Jacob, I get it.” Grace said as the dizziness caused her vision to go blurry.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. They kind of deserve to feel the after effects of their mistakes if you ask me.” He said setting some food down on the kitchen table.

“Good thing I wasn’t asking you,” Grace grumbled uncomfortably. Jacob came over, chewing a piece of toast and shook Embry’s shoulder, ignoring Grace’s quip. “Em, wake up man, breakfast.” Embry mumbled something very close to ‘okay’ and promptly fell back asleep. When Jake came around to pat Quil on the face, he received a very mumbled and slurred, “Fuck off, Jake” from Quil. Grace let out a laugh and then flinched at the blinding pain swimming in her head now as she tried to relieve some of Quil and Embry’s hangover on top of her own.

“More for me.” Jake said resigned and walked to the kitchen table to dig in.

“Grum...py,” Embry muffled, his face pressed against the couch cushions. After a few minutes of groaning, Embry pulled his body up, grabbing Grace’s hand and pressing it to his cheek for a few extra seconds before stumbling to the table and plopping down next to Jake.

Quil also was able to pull his body up and stayed seated next to Grace as she continued holding onto and gently rubbing his neck. Leah nearly fell down the stairs, catching herself on the railing and letting out a laugh. Quil opened his eyes and looked wide eyed at Leah.

“You let her sleep in your bed?!” Grace laughed, her eyes closed now. “Hot,” he murmured.

“Shut up, Quil,” Leah grumbled making her way to the table. Quil took Grace’s hand off of his neck and said:

“Come on, breakfast!” He was clearly feeling a little better.

“Gonna sit for a bit,” Grace slurred. Quil patted her head and dug in with his pack mates as Grace leaned her head back on the couch. She only faintly heard what they were saying as she faded in and out of sleep, but she thought the jist of it was catching Jacob up on what they found on rounds these past three months.

Grace woke up, head still slung back on the couch sometime later and felt her mouth was exceptionally dry. She stumbled to her feet and earned the stares of the group at the kitchen table. Her head was pounding and she felt her heartbeat racing as she walked slowly toward the foot of the stairs.

“She’s gonna go puke in the shower again I bet,” Quil said.

“Shut–” Grace muttered as she put her first foot on the staircase and inhaled a deep breath. “Ookay.” She only got about four stairs up before she stumbled and came crashing down, but a hand caught her around the waist before she fell face first into the wooden staircase.

“Jesus Grace,” Jacob muttered, pulling her to her feet.

“Don’t touch me,” she slurred, slapping his hand away from her. “I go’this.” Jake let go of her but slowly followed her as she made her way up the steps, hands outstretched to catch her if she fell again. Once she made it into her bedroom and into her bathroom, Jacob stood awkwardly in her room not sure what to do. She turned the water on to the shower and started pulling off her sweats.

“You’re not going to fall and smack your head in the shower, right?” Jacob asked, annoyed this time.

“Go’way Jacob,” she said before peeling off her shirt now and stepping into the steam. Grace lost track of time, but the next time she felt herself coming to she was on the floor with her robe draped over her. The cool tile was a relief on her cheek and as she picked her head up and looked around, she realized she was next to the toilet. She stayed there dazed for a minute. The sun was setting and she felt immensely better. There was a glass filled with water placed next to her and she drank it down happily. Outside the door, Grace heard footsteps approaching.

The door swung open to reveal Leah, in her tattered sundress that she used to cover up after phasing.

“You’re alive.”

“I am?” Grace questioned rubbing her hand across her forward. Leah crossed the bathroom floor and grabbed a bottle of aspirin from the medicine cabinet and dumped some in her hand to give to Grace.

“Apparently. You still kind of look like shit.” Leah grimaced, squatting down with a cold wash rag and placing it against her face.

“Roofies,” Grace said quietly. “Hey why aren’t you...you know?”

“Flat on my ass?” Leah clarified with a smile.

“Yeah, I don’t remember giving you the whoosh,” Grace held up her hand as if to touch her but missed.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the first time I’ve been dosed. Must have built up a tolerance? Or just too stubborn,” Leah said with a laugh.

“That’s fucked up,” Grace whined. “Help me up.” She reached out for Leah’s hands as she helped her pull her up off the floor.

“You good?” Leah said. She wasn’t big into touching, but she was usually a little more open around Grace. Still, Grace could tell the touching made her uncomfortable.

“Good.” Grace said walking out of the bathroom and into her bedroom.

“There’s some leftovers downstairs. I got to a shift, but Seth is going to swing by and check on you in a few hours, okay?”

Grace waved her away as she pulled clothes down from her closet. She inwardly vowed to take a pause on the going out and drinking for awhile to get her head on straight. Especially since Jacob was back.

She paused and then let out an embarrassed groan at her recollection of the events earlier that day. His hand catching her around the waist, the searing warmth causing her to jerk from a phantom pain. His introduction back into Grace’s life presented her as much of a mess as when he left.

She vowed to do better. For herself mostly, but also to show Jake that she was okay. Really, she was okay. Maybe.

Fuck.

#twilight fanfiction #Twilight FanFic #twilightfanfic #twilight #new moon #eclipse #breaking dawn #smeyer #jacobblackxoc #jacobxoc #jacob black #paul lahote #edward cullen #bella swan #chapter 34 #a monster lives here #the pack #the cullens

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mithranqueersmusings · 4 years

Text

Before This Dance Is Through I

Chapter: 1/16

Rating: T

Summary: Ringo's being going through a dry spell for the last year or so and when he regretfully tells his best friend John, he insists on taking them to an all-male strip club for some "fun". Ringo isn't sure whether it's the alcohol, his desperation or a mixture of the two but he thinks he might be falling in love with a stripper.

Tags: AU - Strippers, Modern Setting, Smut, Slow Burn

Pairings: George Harrison/Ringo Starr, John Lennon/Paul McCartney

AO3 link here / Fic masterlist here

It had been over a year since Ringo had sex, but the only thing worse than that was telling his best friend John drunkenly one night. John never seemed to have any trouble finding someone to sleep with, it was like second nature to him, but still neither of them seemed to be making any progress in the relationship department. Ringo had never been a massive fan of one night stands, but at this point he'd take anything he could get; John on the other hand seemed to prefer them, the amount of notifications he got on his phone from Grindr or Tinder, or whatever new app he was trying out, was astounding. In general John was more open - and obvious - about his sexuality, sporting a pin that read 'sword swallower' almost every time they went out. Ringo wasn't ashamed to be gay, that was far from the truth, but he just never seemed to align with the more flamboyant expression that a lot of gay men tended to follow. Despite all this, it didn't stop him from allowing John to drag him out to Pride every year covered in glitter and cheap boas, or to a gay club every other weekend, or in tonight's strange case: a strip club.

The two of them tried to meet up at least once a week to have a catch-up and tonight was one of those nights, it had started with dinner at Ringo's place but ended up - as it often did - at the pub. John was very open about his sex life, Ringo didn't particularly mind but recently it had been bothering him since he had no stories of his own to share. It was difficult to pinpoint exactly why it had been so long, it seemed like in the blink of an eye a few months had turned into over a year. He was just always so busy with work and when he wasn't working he was either sleeping or with John, there was just no room for another person; although his bed did feel incredibly empty. Ringo knew that all it would take would be to follow John's confident lead, to get dressed up - or down - and to seek somebody out in the club, or even try one of his "dating" apps, but as he got older Ringo just didn't feel incredibly comfortable doing that. He had begged John to not drag them out to a club that night, which he begrudgingly agreed to, but it then lead to the dreaded question.

"Well how long has it been since..." John finished the sentence with a raise of his eyebrow.

"Since what?" Ringo chuckled nervously behind his drink.

"Since you had a good shag." John widened his eyes dramatically, stretching his neck forward.

"Erm... Not that long." Ringo mumbled then desperately took a sip of his beer.

"Jesus, that long?" John tutted and leaned back in his chair "Why didn't you tell me? I could've set you up with someone."

"No offence but I'm not massively interested in your 'friends'." Ringo bent his first two fingers to make air quotes.

"There you go again talking about 'interested in', it's just sex Ringo!" John raised his voice a little, a telltale sign he was getting drunk.

"Keep your voice down, Jesus." Ringo hissed "I'm just sick of all the meaningless sex, alright?"

"You say meaningless like it's a bad word." John chuckled then sighed when he saw Ringo's disapproving look "Fine, fine. But that doesn't mean we still can't have some fun tonight."

"No, John. I am not in the mood for a club tonight." Ringo said plainly.

"I didn't say anything about a club." John grinned in his signature way, a way that made Ringo panic.

"What then?" Ringo asked cautiously.

"Well..." John began, drawing out the word "There's a little place I've been frequenting that might interest you."

"Out with it, Lennon." Ringo rolled his eyes with a small laugh.

"Just hear me out, okay? Because as soon as I say the word you're instantly gonna say no." John had put his drink down now, meaning he was being 'serious'.

"What word?" Ringo huffed.

"Strip club." John spoke quickly "That's two words but you get my point."

"No." Ringo said simply.

"Come on! Why not?" John whined, reaching his hand forward to pull at Ringo's sleeve.

"Because I don't want to. The last thing I need is some lad giving me a lap dance and I cum like that." Ringo clicked his fingers to emphasise his point which made John laugh.

"You're so modest." John giggled "It'll be fun, I swear. If you don't want any meaningless sex or whatever, you may as well go the next extreme."

"That makes no sense." Ringo was trying not to smile but it was difficult with John.

"Look, you're probably gonna go home tonight and wank to some boring, twinky porno, right? How's it any different to go and watch some beautiful, twinky dancers in real life? I'll tell you how it's different, it's better." John had begun pointing his finger with almost every word.

Ringo sat in silence for a moment then burst into laughter "I hate that you know me so well."

"I'm your best friend, it's my job. It's also my job to get you out of this rut you've gotten yourself into, and if you won't let me set you up with anyone and I'm guessing you won't let me get you a prostitute..." John paused and looked at Ringo with hopeful eyes.

"No." Ringo scoffed.

"Then you have to at least let me take you to this strip club. It's not that seedy, I promise. There's some gorgeous guys there, and I mean gorgeous. You don't even need to get a lap dance or anything if you don't want to, we can just sit at the back and drink, just like we're doing now." John retained his hopeful gaze.

Ringo paused once again, screwing up his face slightly in thought then let out a heavy breath "Fine."

"Really?" John almost gasped.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm just about drunk enough to go along with this." Ringo laughed "Let's just go now before I change my mind."

The two of them downed what was left in their drinks and headed out into the night. Ringo pulled his coat close to his body as they walked down the street, John leading the way excitedly; Ringo couldn't remember the last time he'd seen him so happy. It was cold enough to justify getting an Uber, but Ringo didn't think he'd enjoy the knowing look on the driver's face when he dropped them off at a strip club. The walk to the gay quarter of the city was a familiar one, it was almost exclusively where John spent his time therefore where Ringo would find himself at the end of most of their nights together. Ringo was aware of a few more 'adult' establishments in this part of town but sometimes it was hard to tell the difference between what was a sex shop and what was merely a gay bar with a raunchy name. It didn't take too long before they'd arrived outside a fairly large building painted all black with neon trimmings around the doors and windows and a few people outside smoking; they passed John a knowing nod which Ringo was hardly surprised by.

"The Helter Skelter?" Ringo asked as he read the sign, turning to John.

John shrugged his shoulders "It's phallic, I suppose."

The inside looked considerably less questionable than the exterior, but it was also incredibly dark. As they entered one of the bouncers greeted John warmly, and Ringo was certain he'd seen him in the morning at John's at least once or twice. The music was loud to say the least, it probably wasn't any louder than it was at the club but the whole atmosphere made everything seem more claustrophobic. There were two bars that Ringo could see, one near the entrance and one towards the back which gave a better view of the main stage. The scantily dressed men hadn't caught Ringo's eye immediately, though he was consciously trying not to stare, but once he noticed them it was hard to ignore; almost all of the men walking around were shirtless, some of them in nothing but a jockstrap and a bow-tie or a hat - Ringo wasn't sure whether that was meant to be sexy or comical. He suddenly felt very aware of his presence and couldn't feel like he could walk much further than the door, but John was already sauntering in like he owned the place, which he probably wished he did. John turned around when he noticed Ringo wasn't beside him, gave him a frustrated look and hurried back over to his side.

"What's wrong? Cock got your tongue?" John winked but it didn't help Ringo relax in the slightest.

"I should probably go home." Ringo murmured, he didn't feel like he had full control over his mouth.

"Don't be a git, we're here now. Let's just get a drink and observe, okay?" John didn't wait for a response, instead he practically dragged Ringo over to the bar.

The bartender offered John his usual and Ringo ordered the same, not knowing exactly what he was ordering but his brain didn't feel able to process the question.

"How often do you come here?" Ringo asked when the bartender turned around to make their drinks.

"Not as often as I'd like." John was already perusing the crowd.

"But why?" Ringo turned his back to the club, feeling unable to look at the spectacle on the main stage.

"I dunno, I just like it. Mixes it up a little. It's an art, you know? But its like... sexy art." John rambled and Ringo couldn't help little out a low chuckle.

"Sexy art? Sometimes I wonder why I'm still friends with you." Ringo mumbled.

The bartender returned with their drinks and the two of them muttered a thanks, Ringo began drinking it desperately to calm his nerves. Out of the corner of his eye he could see John mouthing words to someone across the room, as much as he told himself he didn't want to know what was happening he couldn't help turning in his seat to get a better look. On the other side of the club was a man meeting John's gaze and mouthing back at him, he was holding a tray of drinks and serving a group of men without breaking eye contact. Once the tray was cleared the man gave a smile to the customers then began walking over to the two of them. He was one of the few men actually wearing a shirt but his bottom half was almost entirely exposed, wearing tight, black shorts and boots with a sleeveless, white shirt with a black bow-tie to match, it was supposed to be some kind of a 'sexy waiter' costume Ringo guessed. He had a very pretty face, Ringo had to admit, with dark hair and large, doe eyes and a fairly slim body; yet the petite appearance he had was counteracted by his body hair, of which there was quite a lot, with his arms and legs covered. Ringo wasn't trying to stare but it was difficult when someone looked so inviting, but the man hadn't given a single glance to Ringo as he walked over, rather his eyes were fixed on John's entirely.

"Fancy seeing you here." The man spoke, he had quite a soothing voice.

"Haven't scared me off just yet." John grinned but then turned to look at Ringo "Where are my manners? This is my mate, Ringo. It's his first time in a strip club, can you believe it?"

"Virgin, eh?" The man laughed "Well we'll have to make sure you have a good time tonight, won't we?"

Ringo felt his face getting a little hot with the man looking directly at him, he let out a nervous laugh "I'll probably just stick to drinking."

"Come off it, we're gonna get you a lovely lad." John nudged him playfully then turned back to the man "Who's working tonight?"

"Same old. Except, we do have a newbie that started two weeks ago." The man smiled somewhat devilishly "He moved over from the joint that shut down, what was it called..."

"Honey Pie?" John replied a little too quick.

"That's the one. Awful name." The man chuckled.

"I can agree with that." Ringo spoke after taking a final sip from his drink, signalling to the bartender to get another.

"Well he's up on stage next I think, in a few minutes or so." He gestured to the stage where a man was currently on all fours twerking to a Britney Spears song "Could give you some time alone, Ringo, while I take care of your friend here."

Ringo gulped and looked over to John who had his eyebrows raised suggestively "No harm in looking, I suppose."

"That's the spirit, Rings." John smirked "We'll just finish up our drinks, when the new guy's up I'll come and grab you, yeah?"

"Sure thing, love." The man winked then headed back off into the club.

Ringo had already almost finished his second drink, gripping tightly onto the glass as though it would crush his nerves somehow. John slapped him on the back warmly, ordered a second drink for himself and leaned on the bar so that he could get a view of both Ringo and the rest of the room.

"You two seem to get along." Ringo had tried to sound jokey but the tension in his body was immense.

"Oh yeah, me and Paulie go way back." John chuckled.

"Paulie?" Ringo asked.

"Well his name's Paul but you know me, I love my pet names." John finished the last drop of his first drink.

"Not much of a stripper name is it? Paul." Ringo chuckled quietly.

"Well he's a stripper and his name is Paul." John was looking at Ringo a little worriedly "What should he be called?"

"I guess you're right. I just figured it was like porn stars or something." Ringo let out a heavy breath and tried to straighten his back, he'd been huddling over the bar as though it would protect him somehow.

"Well you better not make that mistake again. That'll get you kicked out before you can say 'latex jockstrap'." John picked up his second drink now.

"Why do I feel like you're doing this to punish me?" Ringo groaned.

"Loosen up, Ringo. Let's get another drink in you and we'll see how you feel, yeah? I'll stay with you if you want but I figured you might be a little more comfortable without me hovering around." John motioned to the bartender for another round "All you have to do is sit back and watch the bloke dance, is that so hard?"

"It might be hard, that's the problem." Ringo laughed, he felt himself loosening up a little.

"I wouldn't worry about that, they probably take it as a compliment. Hell if I was grinding on a bloke's lap and he didn't even get a semi I think I'd slap him one." John patted Ringo on the back again, a lot harder than he probably intended.

John continued trying to get Ringo to relax for the next several minutes and it seemed to work, although Ringo felt the alcohol was the main factor, and it wasn't too long before the stage was emptied and a voice came over the club announcing the next dancer: Spike.

"Spike?" Ringo asked with a giggle.

"Oh so Paul isn't stripper enough but Spike is too stripper? Make your mind up." John got up from his seat and motioned Ringo to do the same.

They headed over to the seats that surrounded the stage, Ringo wanted to sit at the back but John shoved him forward to the front. Before he vanished off in search of Paul, he reached into his pocket and fished out a couple crumpled notes which he then thrust into Ringo's hand. Ringo stood there dumbfounded for a moment before music began playing and he quickly sat down in a chair, he regretted how close he was to the stage immediately but he figured it might look a little insulting if he moved now. He tried looking around for John but he was nowhere to be seen, neither was Paul for that matter.

Ringo recognised the song quickly, it was 'Fame' by David Bowie and it was some consolation that the music was at least familiar but then he began to worry whether he'd be able to listen to it again without this memory coming back to his mind. He didn't have very long to worry because someone was walking out onto the stage, and Ringo swore for a moment his heart stopped. Spike, although Ringo seriously doubted that was his real name, was absolutely gorgeous. He came out in a mesh vest and purple baggy trousers, his dark hair was slightly coiffed - an attempt to give him a Bowie look - and his face was insanely chiselled. Ringo's mouth dried up almost immediately and he cursed himself for not bringing a drink with him, a part of him wanted to get up from his seat and rush out of the club but an even larger part was desperate to stay, to watch.

Spike made his way slowly down the stage, swaying his supple hips as he walked, a serious and sultry look in his eyes. There was a fixed pole in the middle of the stage which he gradually moved over to, standing in front of it then lowering himself down to the ground with his legs spread wide with one hand ghosting over the pole and the other running down the inside of his thigh. Some of the other men in the club had already begun whooping, yet Ringo didn't feel like he could make a noise if he tried. Spike then began thrusting his hips slowly into the air, rolling them in a circle with his mouth slightly hanging open. He lowered himself onto the stage floor so that he was balancing on his knees, he straightened his back and ran the hand that had previously been gripping the pole to run over his chest. His slender fingers began toying with the fabric at the bottom of the vest, his other hand mirroring the first, and he raised his eyebrows just slightly in the direction of a group of men who called out incoherently to answer the unasked question. Then the vest was peeled off his body agonisingly slow revealing a toned chest beneath it, and Ringo suddenly realised he'd been clenching his fists tight enough that his nails had begun to leave marks.

Ringo swore he was feeling light headed, his vision felt a little fuzzy and his heart was racing. Spike had continued moving his hips to the beat of the song, one hand roaming over his now bare chest. Much to Ringo's dismay he began walking off the stage into the crowd, first heading over to the group of men Paul had been serving earlier to collect the notes they were eagerly waving in the air. There weren't too many people in the club, it was a Wednesday night after all, which meant Ringo wasn't as hidden as he'd like to be. When he saw Spike turning his gaze to look at him, a bank note currently between his teeth, he felt his heart drop. Both of his fists were clenched in his lap and his heartbeat sounded almost as loud as the music, but worst of all he was hard. Shit. If it would've looked rude to have moved seats earlier, it would have been like a spit in the face if he got up and walked away now.

Ringo wasn't sure if Spike could see the intense panic he was currently experiencing, perhaps that was the very reason he was coming over. He continued to sway his hips as he walked, his brooding eyes fixed unshakably onto Ringo's, a small smirk on his thin lips. Spike looked Ringo up and down, his tongue darting over what looked like rather sharp teeth, before he turned his back on him and began lowering himself down onto his lap. No contact was made, instead he hovered painfully close over Ringo's growing erection, grinding his hips with his hands sliding over the silky material of his trousers. It was torture, but just about bearable. Ringo was gripping the arms of the chair ridiculously tightly, he wondered if he'd be able to break them through the power of his panic alone. He focused on controlling his breathing, but it was increasingly difficult when Spike looked over his bare shoulder and licked his top lip sinfully. You can do this, Ringo kept telling himself, and he almost believed it until things got much, much worse. There was a ripping sound and Ringo felt all the air leaving his body, he couldn't even prevent the rather pathetic moan that left his lips; Spike had torn off his trousers in one fluid motion, throwing the discarded fabric onto the stage, revealing nothing but a jockstrap underneath.

The group of men began cheering again, one of them urging Spike to come back over but he didn't pay them much attention. Instead he turned back around to face Ringo which only made things more difficult - hard would've been a better word to use - with Spike's bulge almost eye-level with Ringo and his sharp face looking down at him. Ringo looked up to meet his dark eyes and felt like he could've orgasmed then and there from a single touch but before he could get too used to the sight, Spike was returning to the stage. Ringo had no idea how a single song had managed to last this long, but apparently it had, and he was almost certain he couldn't survive another minute of it. When Spike had begun wrapping himself around the pole, Ringo forced himself to get up from the seat and find the nearest bathroom to cool off. While a part of him was still worried about appearing disrespectful, he wasn't quite prepared to be reduced to a pile of sweat and moans in front of all those people.

In the bathroom, which was thankfully empty, he splashed his face with cold water and stared at his face hard in the mirror to gain some sense of normality. Part of him wished he'd be able to hide in there until the club closed but unfortunately that wasn't a valid option. He took a few deep breaths and headed out of the bathroom, making a beeline to the bar near the entrance and ordering a drink immediately. Spike was still on stage dancing to another Bowie number, but Ringo forced himself not to look. Two drinks later and Ringo felt an all-too-familiar slap on his back as John reappeared into his sight.

"What you doing sulking over here?" John asked, he had a very satisfied grin on his face "You're missing the show!"

"Fuck you." Ringo chuckled, the glass in his hand was almost empty.

"What? Why?" John scoffed.

"Look at him, he almost killed me!" Ringo gestured drunkenly over to the stage.

"Jesus, I'll be honest I didn't expect him to look like that." John snickered "You can't tell me you didn't enjoy it."

"A little too much, if I'm honest." Ringo sighed "But right now I'd love to go home and have a very, very cold shower."

"You sure I can't tempt you to a private dance?" John nudged him.

"No." Ringo said firmly, but his speech was a little slurred "Home, now."

"Fine, suit yourself." John groaned "Did you at least give him some money?"

Ringo paused for a moment then reached into his pocket, pulling out the same notes John had given him "Oh, suppose I forgot. My mind was a little preoccupied."

"Who raised you?" John scoffed, snatching the money back "The money's not for you."

"You do owe m-" Ringo began but John cut him off.

"Don't start with that." John was looking out across the room again and motioned for Paul to come over.

"You want another one already?" Paul purred after hurrying over and looking down at the money.

"Not tonight, love." John winked "Can you pass this on to the new fella, Ringo was too busy trying not to cream his pants that he forgot to tip him."

Paul looked over at Ringo with a smug smile "Enjoyed the show then?"

"Depends on your definition of 'enjoyed'." Ringo mumbled into his drink.

"I'll make sure it gets to him." Paul swore as he took the notes from John and tucked them into the waistband of his shorts, Ringo debated how hygienic that was, then disappeared into the club once again.

There was a silence between the two of them for a while before John began to laugh for no real reason, and Ringo couldn't prevent the contagious nature of it, so the two of them sat laughing at the bar for a few minutes. When the silence fell again, Ringo was the first to speak.

"Now can we go home, please?" Ringo urged, discarding his empty glass on the bar.

"Fine, fine. Thanks for coming with me tonight, and more importantly: you're welcome." John got up from his seat and Ringo sluggishly followed him.

"For what?" Ringo asked.

"For giving you something new to wank about." John giggled.

#the beatles #beatles #beatles fanfic #the beatles fanfic #beatles fanfiction #george harrison/ringo starr #ringo starr/george harrison #ringo starrxgeorge harrison #george harrisonxringo starr #starrison #mclennon

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1ddiscourseoftheday · 5 years

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Thurs 18 July

Liam played the Jeddah World Fest today in Saudi Arabia- the Human Rights Foundation, encouraged by Nicki Minaj's withdrawal from the fest in protest of the human rights violations of the Saudi Crown Prince (who presented the festival) had called on Liam to cancel, and expressed disappointment that he did not. Liam said onstage “I want to say something really important. Music unites us and it’s good to be here with you tonight,” which may or may not have been commentary on the issue; if so, well, I'd personally rather he say nothing than that but whatever that's just me. I haven't seen a full video of the event yet, I don't know if he said anything else, but I feel like we would have heard so I'm gonna say no. I'm sure the performance itself was great, Liam looked handsome and did a long set of the usual mix of solo hits, covers, and 1D songs. He also liked a pic that he took of his trainer/friend at his gym that I definitely thought was another aging app pic at first glance but no it's just a person who is actually older than forty, imagine that. Also in personal news I'm seeing the Hugo Liam ads constantly on both my instagram and tumblr now, that's what happens when you google Liam I guess; if you too would like your ad content to be confusingly indistinguishable from your dash content, try this trick!

Pictures of Harry in Canada with the Gerber family were posted today- it's not clear if they're FROM today (I mean probably they are but I'm just saying) so all they really tell us is that he was there (which we knew) or still is there or went back there again so like essentially nothing but anyway there's your Harry news- he still exists and at some point recently ate in a restaurant in Canada with friends. This is, as the real newscasters would say, still a developing story (to the extent that it is a story) so perhaps by tomorrow's post it will look different *stay tuned to this station for updates!*

Another Louis pic is out in advance of the 1883 mag feature, of him in a white shirt with chains on it, and there are so many questions to ask! Like, how many pics are there? Are they all so pretty?! Is there- ya know what I'm just gonna cut you off right there YES. Yes there is a poster. By the time this magazine is released we're all gonna be able to paper our walls entirely with Louis posters- and there are worse design choices you could make I suppose... Louis tweeted, either last night or this morning depending on location and now half of y'all think he's in the UK after all due to time zone stuff, well that's what I'm here for after all, to try to keep up with the ever shifting tides of tumblr speculation so there you go. It seems we think he's in the UK now. He tweeted to say he's had enough of the aging app so, predictably, the replies were flooded with aged up pics of him well I don't know what you expected sir but more importantly he said, "bore off with this older face app blahhhhhh" which is a hell of a sentence and mood. Why the big rush to see the future? We'll all be underwater anyway. That's what the boys will look like when they've used their millions to jet off to live on Mars and we're stuck here scrambling for radioactive scraps and wistfully reading dystopian AU fics.

Niall doesn't mind the aging app, he posted the pic of him and Lewis AGAIN to show off Paul Smith Design calling him the new Beyonce which, well when someone calls you the new Beyonce I guess you're gonna be stoked no matter how old you look in the picture huh? And he made another sponsored watch post, this one just saying Omega and the Open and I.... I just can't. Let me drown in the rising waters with the polar bears don't make me make this omega joke I'm begging you it's too much even for me.

And in other water(sports) related news we learned that Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall met his husband in a bathroom at an audition! What the fuck kind of twin flame twinning nonsense is this?? Can a couple be soulmates with another couple? Is this some kind of cosmic double date fate?! I now firmly believe Harry's really doing the film, why not, bring on the announcement, I give up what is reality or logic there is only weird news and lies (Only Weird News and Lies: the Official 1D Story™️)

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capo-cedes · 4 years

Text

Red or Pink, What Will It Be?

INVOLVED: Mercedes D'onofrio, Bernice D’onofrio, Samuel D’onofrio, and Al Mazomonie TIME FRAME: Saturday, April 18th, 2020 LOCATION: Venue; New York City, New York NOTES: Mercedes host a gender reveal party for close friends and family, it turns out to be a really huge circus.

Mercedes stood in front of a backdrop and photography station; guests were capable of taking professional photos with her. It came as quite a shock for many to know that she had been pregnant all along, especially after just having attended her wedding on the 4th of this month. However, she was showered in love with open arms from everyone that was around, and might she add the 150 people on their guest list tripled. She had managed to throw together a lavish event that impressed even her father; she didn’t do it alone, however. Her amazing mother-in-law helped her along the way as well. She posed happily with two guests who she didn’t even know. Although she would not have preferred the endless belly touches, she didn’t argue with people about it. If anything, she would appreciate no one stepping on her dress or asking her of her husband’s whereabouts more. She had to leave before him to ensure that her makeup and hair was put together perfectly, and everything was set in stone for the venue. Much like her wedding day she sported her natural eye color and a few freckles within the massive crowd she usually would not have. Freddie was ever the more on guard, there was a massive building with hundreds of bodies, and it was so loud and over-the-top you couldn’t hear yourself think. There was music, carnival props playing, roller coasters and other carnival rides, as well as clowns and more. She had really put on quite a show. There were booths set up around the large building that had both carnival games and your traditional gender reveal themed games. Upon arrival, you were capable of putting your name down to be placed within a draw. Two lucky people out of all the names in the draw, who guessed the right gender would go home with a $2000 grand prize each. She had never embodied her father so much in this moment, her entire life and it showed with each compliment and small conversation that was exchanged with her.

“Where is he?” Al asked, pulling the cigar from his mouth as she walked up to Mercedes resting a gentle hand on her lower back. He’d left his wife somewhere between a cotton candy station and a teacup ride. “He can’t be late for this” he told her as he looked up at the massive clock counting down the time when the gender would be revealed to the masses. It was her tricky way of keeping people on their toes and mapping out the events time. Clever but nerve wrecking for Al who was desperately anxious to know what his baby girl was bringing into the world.

“Daddy” she said sighing “you asked me that twice already” she reminded him before she said “plus I told you, you can’t smoke those around me right now” Mercedes told him pointing at the cigar. She walked away from the backdrop, pulling the dress up and moving with it. “He’ll be here any minute I am sure” she shrugged lightly at him as she shifted closer towards Freddie, her feet were killing her in the high heels and she used him as a post to hold herself up against as she unfastened and loosened the ankle part to the shoes.

Al looked at Mercedes and he nodded his head at her “I understand that, but he should be here. He should have come with you” he pointed out factually. She wanted him to drop the conversation and he wanted to go send someone for Nicholas. There were two very different attitudes revolving around this right now. He sighed at the cigar comment and he put it out against the ground carelessly, before tossing the expensive item in a trash can nearby. “Well let me just make my way back over to the open bar then and get out of your hair” he said to her as she walked away from him. He shook his head sighing as he slid his hands into his slacks. He was going to have to talk to Nicholas about his tardiness, he was ever the more disappointed in him.

Mercedes fixed both shoes, so that they worked with her instead of against her. She shifted in the skintight red dress and she sighed heavily. She watched her father move to one of two open bars in the massive building and she exhaled resting her hand on her stomach protectively. She did wonder where Samuel was, it probably had to do with whatever little thing that had him out all day during the day and down in the soundproof lair in their home when he was present. She didn’t think about it, instead she watched the clock above them before she looked around at all the people enjoying themselves, especially Samuel’s family. That is what she wanted for everyone the most, a break from the normal day to day stuff and to really enjoy a day of fun.

The second hand clicked speedily around the face of the clock. Bernice stood watching the second hand, tapping out the passage of time against her forearm with a controlled scowl on her face. Those seconds moved minutes, which had now turned into an hour. Where the hell was her son? She stumbled forward, pushed from behind. Catching her balance, she whirled around to find the remorseful, candy covered face of one of her grandchildren wide eyed gazing up at her in horror. “Antonio.” She said, raising her eyebrow as her lips became pencil thin. “What have I told you about running inside?” she asked him. “I am sorry, Nana. I was trying to get to the cups before sissy.” He said, pointing off in the direction of his sister. Bernice turned but was caught off guard by Al over with Mercedes. She bent positioning the child where she could watch the two openly. “Now, listen here.” She said, holding the boy's shoulder. “I want you to stop running. You are not an animal” she wiped the cotton candy from the boy's face, eyes on Al who looked bothered by something. As the boss walked away from his daughter she rose and ruffled the boy's hair. “Go find your sister and no more candy.” Antonio’s son was off in a flash, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Which all went back to one thing, Nicholas and his growing pension towards tardiness.

Freddie looked at Mercedes as she stood alongside him, he cleared his throat and looked at the massive clock. “30 minutes” he told the woman, that was how long her supposed husband had before the large Ferris wheel in the room announced to them all the gender of their child. It was to lit up in the color options that determined which would be a boy or a girl, so either Red or Pink. He was curious to know the baby's gender himself even though it wasn’t his business. Mercedes looked at Freddie and she nodded her head as she looked up at the clock herself and she sighed softly as she walked away from him, she got it by now. Freddie didn’t think he was the best guy for her and felt she was settling for less than she deserved. But he was her husband and she loved him; nothing would change that. She walked towards a booth by herself, rubbing her arm as she smiled faintly at a few people and she reached the booth. “May I have some water?” she asked as someone moved to pour a glass of water adding ice and handing it over. “Thank you” she said politely as she took a sip of it thankfully and she straggled along, eyeing the booths with various treats and food, pondering it for a moment. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast and she was a little hungry.

Bernice was wearing a track in the concrete outside the venue. Anger raising. For the third time Nicholas’s phone went directly to voicemail. She exhaled harshly waiting for the beep, “Nicholas Samuel D'onofrio, this is your mother. I have one question for you. Where the hell are you? Your absence has been noted. And by your father-in- law no less. Get here or do me a favor and run.” She disconnected the call, face hard. Then returned back into the event. She looked around for her daughter in law spotting her near one of the beverage booths. She smiled and made the necessary apologies as she worked her way through the room. She gave Mercedes shadow an appraising glance then touched the young woman lightly on the shoulder. “How are you holding up? “

The venue could be seen from nearly three blocks away. One more who's who event like this and they all would need to assume new identities. Nicholas ran his hand over his fresh trimmed beard, tapping his foot lightly against the car floor.

“Sammy, it’s mom again. I think you should answer it” Paul said, turning around in his seat to offer the man his phone.

Nicholas shooed the phone away absently, “No need. We’ll be there in 5 minutes.”

Paul grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. “If you say so… what if it’s about your wife?”

Nicholas snorted at the man’s ignorance. “You think it’s not?” He shook his head. “Listen, if something had happened to Mercedes, my phone would be ringing off the hook. Anyway, good work tonight. I only wish you’d found out sooner. That little detour is going to cause me a headache later” He told his brother forlorn. “At least I know exactly what my ex and Rebecca were up to. I want you to move forward with the plan. Chat Sarah up, make her believe it's going to be me and her again. Can you do it?”

“Yeah, but I don’t see why you want to toy with the woman like this. Just kill her and be done...” Paul replied.

Nicholas smirked, “Now where would the fun be in doing that. Just do it“ he said, as they pulled up to the red carpet.

Mercedes moved slowly against the concrete in her heels she eyed the pretzels nearby when she felt a hand. She looked back and smiled “hey” she said, hugging the woman to the overly dramatic dress. At her words her brow stitched together, and she laughed her off, knowing what she meant. “Great, everyone is having fun. We did an amazing job” she said looking around. “It is perfect” she lied, no it wasn’t perfect her husband wasn’t there, and the clock was winding down. “I got a little thirsty and I remembered that I in fact have not eaten” she told her “since breakfast” she tossed out. “Debating on a pretzel or a slice of pizza” she said deflecting from the anger she could be displaying over Nicholas.

Bernice squeezed the woman just a little too tight. A consoling gesture even if she hadn’t asked for it. Bernice sighed, staring around at the pack space. “Yes, I suppose we did. Well, you did. The idea of a circus theme was genius. Lord know we are all no stranger to the three rings.” She laughed, despite herself. Bernice's hands went to her hips as Nicholas slipped from her mind for a moment. “You can’t do that Mercedes. That b... “ She cleared her throat, to catch herself. “Baby needs food. I'll put together something from the fruit trays.” She touched the girl’s face, before she left. “Don’t worry… I’ve placed a few calls. Everything is right as rain.” She said, hoping against hope she was telling the truth.

One of the soldiers stepped up to open the car door, nodding Nicholas got out of the car buttoning his jacket.

“This is bull shit Sammy” Paul continued as he hurriedly jumped from the front seat. “Just take the company and bury her in a shallow grave.”

Nicholas turned to his brother and straightened the man’s coat. He was close enough to his face so what he said next wouldn’t be heard. “I intend to erase not just Sarah but everything her family stands for. She cost me my brother. Now if you question again, we are going to have a problem. You got that.” He stepped away from the man and brushed off the last of the imagined dust. “You look good, let's go.”

Paul gave a warning look to the guard standing just to the right of him and Nicholas. One smirk and he’d kill the man where he stood. He let Nicholas take a few steps away before he moved to join him. Tabling the top of Sarah all together. “Mercedes sure does know how to throw a party” he said instead.

Nicholas pulled at the cuffs of his black shirt, smoothly making his way up the walk, he’d vetoed the ringmaster’s outfit for something a little more his style. The Versace dinner jacket he felt fit the madness of the circus party his wife and mother had put together and still clear showed were he’d cast his vot. A boy. Honestly, the didn’t’ care either way, but he liked the jacket so that’s what it was. “She does.” He said, impressed as he walked through the doors, scanning the room for his wife. “Now I just wonder how many outfits she’s going to wear tonight.”

“I know” Mercedes chuckled while sipping the water through a red and pink straw, the circus theme was amazing. She needed to pat herself on the back for it. When she continued to speak, she looked at her confused for a moment before she smiled nodding her head “I know” she said sheepishly. “You are right” she told her; she did need to eat. “Okay” she said, nodding her head at her suggestion of fruit instead. When the woman touched her face and spoke about Nicholas, she sighed softly to her nodding her head “okay” she told her, believing the woman to be telling the truth. “I can’t let him ruin this day too, you know,” she said, getting a little emotional, “everyone is happy and is excited like me, I just have to bask in that” she said. “But thank you, so much. For being here and for trying to be a comfort” she said. “Al is… pissed to say the very least” she told her in confidence. “But it’ll be okay” she said as she rested her hand on her stomach.

“I thought the guest list was for 150 people” Nicholas grumbled, trying to find anyone he actually knew in the crowded space. Of course, he noticed other capo’s that were hanging out on the edges of the festivities. Soon though as he moved through the crowd, he began to recognize his nieces and nephews. Each kid stopped when they saw him and ran to attach themselves however briefly to the man. He slapped around the boys a bit and told the nieces they were too pretty for words. Then moved deeper in the space. Outside of the kids, Nicholas only nodded and shook hands when he had to. Luckily, Red’s signature color provided to come in handy once again. “Mom.” He greeted, stepping past the woman to get next to Red. “What are you two talking about?” He asked, kissing his wife on her temples.

Mercedes heard her husband’s voice and she looked up to see him, Versace down and she raised a brow. Fashionably late is what he chose? He looked good, however. “You look good” she told him kindly as he kissed her temple, she would have preferred her lips but that would do she guess. At his question she smirked and said “you” cutely to him. “We thought you wouldn’t show but surprise” she said as she looked up at the massive clock counting down. They had roughly 6 minutes before the Ferris wheel did the deed. She took another sip of her water and said “excuse me” as she walked away, giving Bernice a knowing look. Damn she told herself she wouldn’t be upset but as soon as she saw his sorry ass face it changed her entire mood. She walked through the crowd, and she made her way towards the event coordinator. Freddie was hot on her trail, shadowing her around the room. He caught up with her and held her by her elbow escorting her to her next spot in the room though her husband should have been. And he prided himself in doing so, a smile on his face as he nodded to the people. Mercedes sipped her water gently, she still needed to eat but considering she was to speak before the Ferris wheel moved, she’d have to wait.

Nicholas looked down at his jacket, “Thank you.” He said an uncharacteristic smile on his face. He outright laughed when she truthfully told him she thought he wouldn’t show. “My God. I want to know what we are having. Since someone refused to tell me. I figured if I didn’t want to wait until the birth I better show up.” Before he’d finished his sentence good, Mercedes was off. Nicholas frowned as she moved away, her hound dog right on her heels. He shrugged it off thinking maybe she needed to use the restroom.

Bernice gave Nicholas the once over, her face sour. She let Mercedes do the speaking until the girl looked to her then moved off. She rounded on her son; eyes cold. “You are fucking up. You know that right. Did you get my message? Everyone knows you were late to the party Nicholas. Just what the hell is more important than your wife?”

Nicholas watched as Mercedes moved further into the press, then shifted back to his mother slowly as she laid into him. He let her words hang in the air for a second then moved on to a more important question. “Where is she going?” He asked, pointing after Red.

Bernice crossed her arms and sniffed. “I am not one of your lackies. If you’d been on time you know where she was going.” Her nostrils flared. “It's almost time to make the announcement. If you must know.”

Nicholas smirked. He was tired of Mercedes and tired of his mother. He loved both women, but this micromanaging was driving him crazy. He turned to drink vendor behind him, “What’s a good drink for a father to be.” He asked the man ignoring his mother all together.

Mercedes smiled at Freddie, letting him go with the pat of his chest as she moved for the stage before the Ferris wheel. She grabbed the microphone from the DJ after he announced that it was time to announce what the bundle joy would be, and she bit her lip hard. She knew the crowd was large but if they could get a handle on the chatter and the bodies, she could actually get what she had to say out. Freddie took the microphone from her and he whistled loudly into it dropping his two fingers after he did. She licked her lips patting his shoulder and she cleared her throat a bit “now that Mr. D’onofrio has gotten here and the clock has struck 0” she said, gesturing it hanging for all to see. “I guess it is time for him to join me on the stage so that he along with the rest of you can learn of the gender to the bundle we are expecting” she said softly, looking throughout the crowd at everyone.

Al spotted Nicholas easily as he walked in, like the slick ass Rick he was. He moved towards him, ignoring the shared words between mother and son. “Bernice, you manage to look sensational every time I see you” he complimented before he took a sip of his drink. “I would love to steal the kid” he told her, grabbing Nicholas by the shoulder and tugging him alone, he didn’t have a damn choice in any matter Al was connected to. “There’s open bars son… those drinks are for kids” he said both sarcastically and literally. “Come tell your ole father-in-law what kept you” he said as several men shadowed them towards the direction Al was tugging him. He heard the loud whistling and looked up, he saw the clock had struck 0 and he sighed “saved by the bell” he said, releasing the grip on Samuel before he shoved the boy in the direction, he needed to be walking in. “Just the moment I have been waiting for” he said loudly as he moved closer to the stage where she stood, alone. Somewhere along the way, his wife was brought to him and he held her hand gently in his bring her in the middle of the crowd standing before the stage gazing at Mercedes. “I am going to smack the hell out of that kid” he said to his wife before he took another sip of his drink.

Bernice smoothed her feature as The Boss spoke. With long years of respect for the man, she blushed at his complement and inclined her head. “Al.” She said, rather informally. After all she had known the man longer than most people in this room had been alive. She rung her hands as Al grabbed Nicholas, escorting him away. “Damn.” She breathed, knowing there was nothing she could do.

Nicholas rubbed his eyes; his gleeful mood was being spoiled. He could have chewed glass as he heard his father in law approach. With a surprisingly firm grip, Al roughly seized him by the arm, and bodily pulled him away from his mother. He opened his mouth to give an explanation. Rather it would be a good one or not was beyond him. When a whistle then Mercedes' voice settled the crowd. Her words proved to do two things highlight his tardiness and turned every eye toward him. He placed his hand at his waist then walked to the stage. Any joy he could have felt in this moment a distant memory. He moved on the stage, brushing past Freddie with ease. Reminding himself how good a loyal man could be. And how depriving Red of hers wouldn’t be exactly fair.

Mercedes waited for Samuel to surface and when he did, she smiled at him. He wasn’t too pleased, and she wondered if her mother-in-law pushed too hard, or if her father had gotten to him. Either way, now he knew how she felt every time he left egg on her face. She grabbed his hand and kissed him gently on the lips, with her matte red painted lips. “Before the big reveal” she said on the microphone “I would just like to thank everyone for coming out and celebrating this big news with us” with a bright smile. “We really appreciate all of the love we’ve gotten since the wedding” she said looking over at Samuel as she continued to hold his hand. “I’ve practically waited my entire life for this moment” she said honestly “and I enjoying every minute of retiring my title as Red and Tiny, and trading it for Mrs. D’onofrio and Mother” she said meeting Al’s gaze she lowered the mic “have anything you would like to say?” she asked Samuel curiously looking into his eyes.

Nicholas slipped back into character, puckering and accepting Red’s kiss on the lips. Ignoring the cat calls and light heckling coming from the crowd. Her further announcements confused him in some respects, she seemed to, just as at their official wedding, be saying something to everyone that wasn’t entirely clear. Nicholas held his hand up, shaking his head no to the offered microphone wanting nothing more than for this to be over. “I’m just excited to find out what we are having.” He said, adding a good-natured smile to his face for effect.

Mercedes knew he wouldn’t say anything, but she could try, maybe he would surprise her. He declined and she smiled nodding her head “okay, let’s have at it” she said as she handed the microphone back over and the Ferris wheel began to spin slowly. She turned to it, standing back a little on the stage, still holding his hand as she faced the large metal contraption. The Ferris wheel was hued in red and pink, the lights danced against it and it continued to spin in various light shows and patterns as it spun. She smirked; she knew it was killing people however it continued its antics until the Ferris wheel stopped the lights shutting off. And simultaneously it glowed in all red and from the ceiling fell red balloons, white balloons and a lot of confetti, some balloons of which said it’s a boy written across them and the crowd erupted. She rested her hand against her stomach “a boy” she said proudly before she looked to Samuel with a smirk on her lips, turning to him slightly.

Nicholas turned to watch the Ferris wheel begin it’s show. The machine jumped through color pink then red over and over again. Resting on one color to make you believe that was it only to move back into its wild dance of uncertainty once more. Like his wife the damn wheel liked to play games. “You play entirely too much,'' Nicholas whispered into her ear. Then moved back to his standing position. With a clatter of gears, the wheel came to a stop, glowing RED. Nicholas looked up towards the ceiling as red and white balloons and confetti blanketed the room. He reached to the ground and picked up a balloon that displayed the words boy across it. Smiling larger than he expected he then looked to Mercedes with a toothy grin. “A boy.” He chuckled, holding the balloon, and rested his hand on her stomach. “I would have been happy with either a boy or a girl. But well if you insist. Thank you.” He kissed the nerve-racking woman on the forehead then pulled her closer kissing her lovingly, yet soundly on the lips, hand rubbing across her bump.

Mercedes watched his expression, she needed to believe it was genuine. He chuckled and repeated to her their child’s gender, she smirked at that saying “a boy” back to him again. She listened to his words and smiled “you’re welcome” she told him cockily as he kissed her on the forehead and then pulled her closer kissing her lips. Her eyes closed for a moment basking in it and the feel of his hand lingering on her stomach. She opened her eyes and looked at the crowd, she guessed the real party started now and she chuckled. More so at their parents than anyone else.

Nicholas chuckled at her confident response. As the room sent up their congratulations, he tossed the balloon into the air and slapped it into the crowd. Curling his fingers into Mercedes’ he made his way off stage. “Question,” He said, taking the steps carefully, shooting Freddie a stay the hell back look. “What was the no more Red or Tiny bit in your speech about? Do you really want to retire?” He asked, looking to her fully once they were back on solid ground.

Mercedes watched everyone in the front of the stage, however Al’s glare told her all she needed to know. Nicholas moved with her off the stage and she heard his question over the music and cheers, looking up at him. She held the dress with one hand until they were on solid ground again. “I just don’t-” she said sighing softly to him as she held his hand clutching it. “Al wants me to be Don” she finally confessed to him, after having held this from him for literal months on end. “He won’t accept no for an answer” she said looking into his eyes, she spoke loud enough for him to hear but quiet enough not to be heard by others. “Baby” she said looking at him “I just want you and a family” she said beggingly “I don’t want anything else…” she told him. “Remember what we talked about at the Rainbow room, in Fiji…” she reminded. “I’m not in love with the power anymore” she said shaking her head as her eyes glossed over “I have you and him” she said resting her hand on her stomach gently.

Al looked at Donna “I have to go speak to her; I need her to know that this was not the place for a stunt like that” he said angrily as he clutched his glass in his hand. He even shoved the glass at his wife to grab as he moved towards the couple that was moving through the crowd now. He always thought Rebecca would be the death of him, but these two, definitely took the cake. He approached them, stopping them in their strides. “Have you lost your damn mind?” he asked Mercedes, grabbing her arm. “I oughta slap some sense into your thick head” he sneered bitterly. “I told you to lay off that retirement business, you know what you have to do,” he said as he looked over at Nicholas. He grabbed Mercedes' face and tugged her forward, their nose practically touching. Sound familiar? “Do you understand me?” he asked her, glaring into her green eyes. “A baby and marriage changes nothing, the family comes first, and you have responsibilities to uphold…” he said as he let her go finally. “Red, Tiny, Mercedes… it doesn’t matter the order, but those titles are the only ones you have” he told her.

Nicholas paused at the end of the steps, turning to face Mercedes fully as she explained her comments. He exhaled, running his hand over his beard. He’d never thought Al would place Mercedes over Rebecca. Not really. “He is used to getting what he wants. You know that.” He wrapped her in his arms for a moment, running his hand up and down her back. “We’ll deal with it. I wish you’d told me before... “ He held her by the waist and began to make his way through the crowd when Al thundered towards them face a blotchy red. Nicholas’s fingers itched, hand moving towards the Glock at his side. It seemed almost unreal to see Al’s hand clutching Mercedes’ arm. But when he placed his hand on her face, he became enraged. He pulled Red away from the man. Stepping directly between Al and her. For once he was happy her ever present shadow was lurking just behind them as he physically put her in Freddie’s hands. “This isn’t the place.” He hissed to sharp but with all the control he could muster. “She’s pregnant and emotional. Leave it Don.” He said stepping back, prying his finger from the cold steel under his jacket. “I’ll talk to her. She’ll be back to her old self once the baby comes.” He added trying to make himself sound calm and sure of his words. While in his mind the man was already dead, on the floor, with a bullet through his head.

Mercedes looked at her father with somewhat wide eyes, he’d keep his composure. There was no way he’d embarrass her in front of everyone like this. As he went on to scold her, she held her hand up to try and calm the man down. However, he gripped her face with his hands, and it caused her lip to tremble slightly. She grabbed his wrist and looked at him with pleading eyes. As he released her, she exhaled slowly, heart racing fast as Samuel pulled her away from him, she stumbled back into Freddie in her heels. Freddie, grabbed the woman by her waist and her arm, holding her steady against him. Freddie watched on with wide eyes, the exchange between the three shocking him a little though he tried not to show it. Mercedes rested her hand on Samuel’s back seeing his hand “I-” she breathed trying to find her words as she looked between the two.

Al looked at Nicholas and he tilted his head “you, tell me when and where it’s my place to conduct business?” he asked, pointing to the boy with his finger. As the boy went on to remind him of his daughter’s current state, he looked at Mercedes again. He looked at Freddie, then Mercedes, back to Samuel and he said “hmph” between closed lips. “Don’t you ever come between her and I again” he said, walking up to Nicholas. “She might carry your last name, but she knows who her loyalty lies with” he said looking at Mercedes. “And so, do you” he said looking back at Nicholas, “remember your place, and you as well” he said to them both as he patted Nicholas face with his hand. He straightened his tie and walked off into the crowd smoothly.

He didn’t answer the rhetorical question the man posed. Instead, Nicholas rolled his shoulder back, planting his feet in a wide V, preparing for whatever might happen next. His lower jaw clenched iron tight as the man patted his cheek, but kept his mouth closed only daring to turn back to Mercedes once Al was out of immediate sight. “Are you okay?” He said voice lifeless as he collected Mercedes.

As Al walked away Mercedes followed him with her eyes, she pulled away from Freddie slightly. Resting her hands on the front of the dress and she looked at Sam nodding her head at him, “yeah” she said quickly as she reached up and wiped a tear before it could ruin her makeup or lashes. “He just has a short temper is all you know that” she said trying to chuckle it off though she knew Al had lit something within Nicky. She was used to it now, his fickleness, Al knew she wanted to get out of this lifestyle before she lost her life or worse. “I’m sorry” she said as she discreetly wiped a few more tears from the corner of each eye. Crying about it would serve no real purpose here but had people been listening to her all along. “I want to keep him safe, no matter what and that’s something you and Al can’t promise” she said to him emotionally, her eyes filling with more tears. They said she was emotional because she was pregnant, but she wasn’t, hormones played no role, there was a target on her back and a bundle in her belly. She wanted nothing more than to protect everyone involved right now.

#thread: red or pink what will it be?#thread.#samcedes rp

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jawnjendes · 5 years

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don’t want your hand this time | shawn mendes

chapter 1/?, university au, shawn x goth oc

AN: i know i know i posted a thing yesterday but UUUHHHHH im just tryna get to the saucy parts of this bc SOMEBODY decided to be all hot n sexy in a certain music video ANYWAY this is just an intro chapter of sorts and we are introducing some new characters!! lmk your thoughts thots!

***let me know if u wanna be added/removed from the taglist

masterlist | playlist coming soon

When Annalise Flores has shit to do within a time limit, she forgets about everything else. Her phone goes on silent, she ignores her other obligations, and she makes sure to get whatever is in her focus done. This has proven to be disastrous in the past, like when Annalise just needed to clean the entire dorm before starting any homework assignment was due the next day. Or when she reorganized the filing closet at the dealership before adding up the gas receipts she was ordered to do. You get the idea.

Annalise was very determined to get all of her unopened boxes, and her clothes to fit in her tiny, beat up car so she didn't have to make multiple trips, given how far campus is from Shawn's apartment. He promised he would help her move when he got home, he had that huge Jeep after all, but Annalise was way too antsy. Besides, they already fought about this, and she didn't want to start anything all over again. She didn't want him to feel obligated to help if only one of them was into the idea of her moving out.

After pushing on the car door three times, it finally clicked shut. Annalise successfully managed to stuff all of her clothes and half her boxes into the backseat. The rest of the boxes were in the trunk. The windows were all covered, so maybe she wouldn't be able to see her blind spots, but at least Annalise wouldn't have to make a second trip. She silently thanked the Tetris gods for blessing her with the appropriate skills as she went back up to the apartment.

Shawn's living space didn't look that different with all of Annalise's belongings out. Most of it was all stashed into the "recording" room over the summer, and neither of them spent any time in there. There was more space in the closet now, too. It was no longer just a black abyss, and all of Shawn's belongings were now undisturbed. Annalise debated smuggling out his black Nike hoodie, but given the circumstances it was best to leave everything as it was. The apartment didn't look any different really, but Annalise still felt an ache from her throat down to the bottom of her feet as she removed the spare key from her chain and left it on the glass dining table. This was easier than saying goodbye to him in person.

Campus was nowhere near as quiet and lonely as the apartment. Students were running around like headless chickens, trying to locate buildings, schedules, and friends. She already had a key to her dorm, so she parked near her building and carried her backpack and two boxes up the walkway. Annalise's resting bitch face and the clunk of her boots on the ground gave her less of a struggle to push past other students. Weak and fragile as she was these last couple of months, she's still got it.

The dorm building wasn't too far from the last one she lived in, but it was going to be a bitch getting to her classes. Maybe she should invest in a bike… or she should get her shit together and take the bus.

Annalise's new dorm was on the third floor, and it was furnished. Weird, yes, but she was not going to complain. It was a bit smaller, but not cramped. There was a tiny hallway between the two bedrooms, and one cramped bathroom. She noticed one room already had boxes sitting on the floor, and she couldn't help but get just a little excited. Stella hadn't completely abandoned her. Annalise wasn't even mad about their three month long silence, she was just happy that she would be seeing a familiar face.

She didn't run into Stella at all during the multiple trips she took bringing all her stuff in. Annalise knew she was here, though. Her perfume scent was always left behind in any room she had been in, and Annalise definitely caught the scent in the dorm. The same amount of boxes were still in her room by the time Annalise finished bringing all of her's in. She figured she could have texted Stella, but she kind of wanted to surprise her… even though they both knew about the other.

She checked her phone anyway. The only text she had was from Shawn.

"How come you didn't wait for me?"

Pursing her lips and smudging the signature black lipstick, Annalise cleared the notification and went to sit in the armchair in the living room. She was way too tired to try to reason with him. She certainly couldn’t jump into the "I miss you" crap so quickly either. She didn't want to, but Shawn obviously did when he sent another text. Out of sheer habit, Annalise opened the notification instead of clearing it, and she cursed under her breath.

"You've been gone only a few hours and this place already feels so sad and empty. Why did you leave your key?"

Yeah, she left him on read. She didn't know what else to say to him.

Thankfully, the lock on the door jiggled and in came Stella carrying a large cardboard box. She gasped and her hazel eyes lit up when she saw her dark natured roommate. She quickly squatted down and set the box on the floor before coming at Annalise with open arms.

"Mi esposa hermosa!"

Annalise will never say this out loud, but Stella gives wonderful hugs. They two girls haven't seen each other in over three months, so getting a nice tight hug was something that was really needed. They rocked from side to side, giggling at the motions. It was like nothing had really changed.

"When did I become your wife?" Annalise asked, amused as she leaned back to look at her.

"When we decided to live together for the third year in a row!" Stella replied. “Oh you got a little…” Her thumb rubbed under Annalise’s lip, showing her the black.

“The struggles of being goth,” she joked.

Stella giggled, and then the rambling began. "How are you? I'm so sorry we didn't talk much over the summer. Did you stay with Shawn the whole summer? Oh, is he here?" She bounced on her feet, looking around the dorm.

"Uh yeah, I did stay with him the entire time," she told her. "And no, he's not here. He's working."

Annalise knew he wasn't. He had found her abandoned key, which meant he was home. And he was probably sulking. And he was going to sleep alone...

"But he'll be here later, right?" Stella asked, nudging her arm. "Y'all are gonna christen your room, eh?"

She really had to ask, didn't she? She really had to jokingly ask a question that would change the expression on Annalise's face, thus warning her of the things that had happened. She wasn't sure why she kept an obviously fake smile on her face as she silently stared at her roommate. The silence alone wasn't enough, apparently.

Normally, Stella would dramatically gasp, sit her down, and ask Annalise to spill every detail. Instead, she sighed.

"Fill me in while you help me bring my stuff up."

Classes and club meetings resumed within the next couple of days, so it gave Annalise plenty of excuses to keep her texts to Shawn dismissive and short. She knew he was coming and going from campus for class too, but due to their different majors, he was going to be very far away from her. Not to mention, he didn't know where her new dorm was located, so it wasn't like he could track her down.

Except… Annalise had to retake biology. She knew Shawn was at the science building quite often, and she had hoped her bio lab fell on a day that he was at the fine arts building. But you know, life just happens, and sometimes you see your mans between classes. Sometimes you just see him leaving classroom, towering over the other students because he’s a giant. Maybe you’ll see him with a very short girl at his side, and they’re both laughing at something. Maybe he won’t see you either because he’s balls deep in banter with this random girl.

There was a lump in Annalise’s stomach following that minor event, and it made her anxious and uneasy for the first day of that class. Still, she was determined to stay on board with the separation they both agreed on. It was better that way for now. She didn't know about Shawn, but Annalise fully intended on keeping the distance, suspicious-looking friends be damned.

Anyway, she could find friends of her own too. Gaming club meetings started up again that Friday, and it was something to look forward to. After god knows how long, Annalise attended said meeting after receiving an email from the head of the club, Josh. He and his friend, Paul, ran the club most of the time. They managed to get plenty of people to sign up during the rush earlier in the week but only seven of them actually attended the first meeting. Just like every year.

Both Josh and Paul were scrawny blond boys with "nice guy" complexes. They were polite for the most part, given that they inducted Annalise into the club the moment she signed up. But they also quizzed her on just about every popular, mainstream video game there was once they realized she would actually be showing up to the meetings. It took time, and a bit of Annalise telling them off, but they were civil towards each other now.

"Annalise!" called Chad as the lady herself entered the classroom in the communications building. He was another member, and he had his two frat bros with him, Kyle and Jared, and they both chanted her name in their deep, manly voices.

All different heights, but same amount of insane muscle. For lack of better words, these guys were meatheads with good intentions. Chad was a student with one of the highest GPA on campus, practically competing with Josh. Kyle was the star student in his major, sports medicine. Jared was that guy who beat up bigots as a hobby. All three of them were fully dedicated to their fraternity, Sigma Chi.

Then there was Patrick, who nodded to Annalise as a greeting. She nodded back and took the empty seat next to him in the circle.

The people who think Annalise Flores is a complete hardcore goth have not met Patrick Markowski. This was a guy who was always decked out in leather, ripped jeans, and black eyeliner. He had a proper faux hawk, which is what made people notice him the most. He typically surrounded himself with other goths, unlike Annalise. He was truly dedicated to the lifestyle, while she deviated from even that sometimes. This was the only guy in the club Annalise was actually friends with.

Anyway, all seven of these nerds shared the same appreciation for video games, which brought them all together in a circle, in an empty classroom, in the communications building this evening. However, Annalise's entrance caused the guys to deviate from the main topic.

Josh and Paul had been staring at her with their mouths open the second she entered the room. The Frats were visibly excited and each gave her a high five. Patrick merely stayed quiet and smiled.

"Heard you almost fucking died!" Chad told her. "And you didn't tell a single one of us!"

"I thought you had actually died," Josh spoke up. "Since you never miss a meeting and all."

So that got around. Cool.

“I wasn’t dying,” Annalise said, rolling her eyes. “I just had part of my colon surgically removed.”

“No way…” Jared said in wonder.

“Oh, that’s disgusting,” said Paul with a gag. He brought the collar of his red Pizza Planet shirt over his mouth.

The Frats stared at Annalise in awe, almost impressed by her vague explanation. She really didn’t understand the fascination, given everything that happened during and after the hospital. Of course, they knew nothing about any of that. At the same time, Annalise was annoyed at Paul’s dramatic reaction, so she kept talking.

“It might happen to you too if you don’t take care of yourself and listen to your body,” she told him. “Or worse, you could end up with a bag of your poop attached to your belly.”

Paul gagged again, much louder this time. Then Annalise decided that that was enough and directed the conversation to the club’s main topic: video games.

“So who’s played Team Sonic Racing?”

It was only the first meeting, so the group made a plan to bring their Switches and play next time. The Nice Guys prompted to play a round of Fortnite online later, but Annalise was not up for that game in the slightest. Too mainstream. Too chaotic. She never could get into it.

“Well, we can play without you,” Paul suggested, “not everyone has to join in.”

“Isn’t that a rule, though?” Patrick asked pointedly. “If we’re gonna play something together, we all have to agree on one game. Besides, I don’t play Fortnite either.”

Paul's eyes darted around, trying to look for a counterargument, but he sighed. “Fine. Anyone else got any suggestions?”

“What about a D&D campaign?” Annalise said. “Or some type of board game?”

Josh scoffed. “It’s video game club. Besides, me and Paul already have a campaign with our other friends.”

“‘Course you do,” she mumbled, folding her arms.

“Ooo! I got an idea!” Kyle spoke up, raising his massive hand. “We should hit up Bart. That bar with the art and retro games?”

Annalise perked up. Finally, someone with a brain cell. “I participated in a Smash Bros tournament there. It’s really fun, we should all go one weekend.”

“A bar?” Josh said in distaste.

“Yeah! It’ll be a class field trip or something!” Chad agreed. “It’s awesome, bro! They got a Gamecube and an N64! Sometimes they do karaoke night, but only with songs from different games!”

Then, Kyle looked at Annalise with a smirk. “Bet your boyfriend would perform there, eh?”

Even when she was far away from him, Shawn still had a presence wherever she went. “Heh, maybe…”

Luckily, none of these guys were the type to hover. The subject went back to going to Bart one weekend, and then the group chat was revived to discuss further adventures. Once the meeting was adjourned, Patrick followed me out the door.

“So, Annie. No offense or anything,” he said, walking in step beside her as they walked down the corridor, “but what the fuck is wrong with you?”

“My summer was great, thanks,” Annalise said, too busy glancing at her phone to cringe at that awful nickname. No new messages for once.

“Nah, seriously. You were in the fucking hospital, and I find out through Snapchat?” he asked seriously. “Did you even tell anybody? What the hell happened?”

She didn’t remember posting anything about her hospital stay anywhere on social media. However, the only two people who were there with her were social media freaks. Stella was the type to tweet every single one of her brain farts, and frequently Snap where she was every second. Shawn was less active on his platforms, but he was still quite popular in the Toronto area, so he had a sizeable following. Annalise knew he took a picture of his hand holding hers while she was in the hospital at least once. Maybe it made it to his Instagram story a couple of times.

Sighing, Annalise gave Patrick the gist of her exciting adventure with her large intestine. Some underlying guilt wanted to be felt as she recalled staying and Shawn’s for so long, but she decided to spare those details.

“Looked death in the face, eh?” he said, nodding in what looked like approval. “Badass.”

She chuckled. “Guess I wasn’t ready to be yeeted off this mortal coil.”

“Ugh, you use the word yeet? How much has that guy changed you?” Patrick stuck his tongue out at her, flashing the piercing he had on the muscle.

“Hey, I’m more down with the kids than he is.”

The pair were quiet as they made it out to the courtyard. The night was chilly and cloudy, the only light coming from the lampposts on either side of the walkway. It felt different knowing Annalise was with only a friend rather than her mans, and she tried to ignore the ache in her chest and the urge to talk about him.

“Do you remember what it was like?” Patrick asked after a minute. “Being so close to death?”

“Nope,” she replied simply. “Although, when I was under, I had a really vivid dream that my… uh, Shawn cheated on me.” Way to not talk about him.

“You sure it was a dream?”

They were passing by one of the picnic tables, where Patrick pointed to. There was a group of people standing around the table, and two people sitting on top of it. One of those people was Shawn with his acoustic guitar. He was singing with the girl who was sitting next to him, the same one he was walking with at the science building. It wouldn’t have seemed weird if Patrick hadn’t said what he said. It would have been left alone if Annalise hadn’t thought about that stupid fever dream.

“Come on,” she said to Patrick as she stalked off towards the group.

“I was joking!” he said with a laugh.

Still, Annalise walked with a purpose and he followed her. She clutched the strap of her shoulder bag and kept her chin up as she made herself apart of the tiny audience. It was quite the sight, two nerds decked out in all black and heavy eyeliner amongst a group of normals watching two other normals sing a pop song. No lie, Annalise just wanted to get a look at this girl she had never seen before.

Olive skin. Black, curly hair. Very short next to her guy. Very pretty voice coming out of very pretty lips. She looked at Shawn and he looked back at her as they sang an eerily familiar song. Musically speaking, they seemed good together.

“I’ll leave you with the memory, and the aftertaste…”

The tiny audience clapped. Patrick was nodding in pleasant surprise, probably having never heard Shawn’s songs before. Annalise applauded as well, but she couldn’t help the narrowing of her eyes as she watched Shawn and this girl high five each other.

They were both comfortable with all the attention, it was easy to see. Shawn was beaming in a way that hadn’t been seen in a long time, and then he laid eyes on Annalise. He still had that smile on his face, even though it faltered a little bit. She kept her face neutral and quirked her eyebrows at him as a silent greeting.

“Should I leave you guys alone?” asked Patrick as he and Annalise watched Shawn get down from the table top.

“No,” she replied simply.

She almost regretted having him stay. He had to witness Shawn and Annalise attempt to figure out how to greet each other. A side hug would have been awkward for reasons not only having to do with the guitar strapped to his shoulder. She definitely couldn’t kiss him, because that would have started something she had been trying to distance herself from. They finally settled for a mildly uncomfortable handshake, and Shawn kept holding her hand as he spoke.

It had been almost a week since Ann moved out, and she only sent him one text in that time span. It was the black heart emoji. Better than nothing, but not better than seeing her in person.

“You haven’t answered my texts,” Shawn told her. If she was going to decide when she'll give him attention, then he wasn't going to beat around the bush when he saw her.

“I’ve been busy,” Ann replied, feebly attempting to shake her hand away.

Shawn nodded, but he wasn't thoroughly convinced. Between work and school, Ann was a hermit. Or so he thought, given that she now had this new goth dude at her side. “So, who’s your friend?”

“Who’s yours?” she quickly said back.

“I’m Patrick!” said Patrick, holding out his hand. “Annie and I go way back!”

Shawn let go of her hand to shake his. “Nice to meet you, brother. Wait… Annie?” He chuckled.

Her cheeks heated up, and she decided to move her eyes somewhere else, specifically on Shawn’s unnamed singing partner. She was chatting with some of the other people still around the table. Annalise noticed she talked with her hands a lot.

“She lets me call her that even though she hates it,” Patrick said, snapping her back into the moment. “Right, Annie?”

“Do not,” she warned. Then she looked at Shawn. “So who’s the chick you’re singing with?”

Shawn took in an almost reluctant deep breath as he turned and called the girl over. If there was anything he had yet to discover, it had to be if his girl was the jealous type.

Annalise's dark brown eyes narrowed once again while he wasn’t looking. Call it anxiety or paranoia, but she was oddly suspicious. Patrick caught the glare though, and he nudged her arm to snap her out of it.

“Ann, Patrick, this is Alessia,” Shawn said when the very short girl joined them. “She’s a first year. Alessia, this is my…” He elongated the vowel. “Annalise. And her friend Patrick.”

Okay, so… a sinking feeling in the tummy. That’s what that felt like. Couldn’t be mad, though. Annalise wasn’t so quick to use the boyfriend word these days.

“You’re Annalise!” Alessia said in pleasant surprise. She did not hesitate to hug her, arms going around her shoulders and practically pulling her down to her level. “It’s so nice to meet you! I’ve heard so much about you!”

Honestly, Annalise was just glad she didn’t call her the goth girlfriend. Or the goth anything, for that matter. She didn’t hug Patrick, though, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“So, how did you two meet?” Annalise prompted. So maybe she was a little more than curious to know how and when Shawn found the time to get another girl at his side.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Shawn replied a little too quickly.

His eyes bored into hers, throwing them into a staredown. He broke through the fake, polite smile Ann had on. Of course he broke it. He was the only one who could. However, Shawn couldn't read the expression she had on. He couldn't tell if she was upset or not, happy or not… He couldn't tell if she wanted to change her mind about this separation or not… Ten months together and Ann was still a mystery.

“Uh, Shawn and I have like, every class together,” Alessia said slowly, looking between the couple, noticing the sudden change in atmosphere. She scratched the back of her head.

“Annie and I have been in the same club for two years,” Patrick added in the same tone. He too noticed the tension.

“Oh, which club? There’s some I’ve been checking out…”

Those two kept up the conversation. Shawn’s gaze on Annalise made her throat close up. He wasn’t smiling or feigning politeness anymore. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were hard and glossed over. Inexplicable guilt began to form in her chest yet again. She knew he didn’t understand.

_______

taglist: @normalcyisoverrated-beyou @ilsolee @mendesromano @1-800-khalid-mendussy @kitykatnumber @strangerliaa @iloveshawnieboi @poppyshawn @shawnsunflower @shawnvvmendes @yourdelightfullyleft @shawmndes @havethetimeeofyourlifee @calyumthomas

#shawn mendes #shawn mendes fanfic #shawn mendes imagine #shawn mendes blurb #shawn mendes smut #shawn x goth gf #this is the Start of some stupid ass fuckery #aka the Sequel #shoutout to the shawns hoes gc for letting me tag some of yall #and yes this fic will be in 3rd pov #we haven't heard enough of Shawn's thots n feelios lu #and i guess how u know its in shawns pov is when Ann is used instead of annalise #if u read the tags i appreciate u

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seromreven · 5 years

Note

if you’re comfortable (because I want to make sure it’s okay with you) with smut may you please write on where the reader is masturbating and George catches them? Thank you love 🥰

i am okay with smut! my relationship with the… sexual topic is a little ~~ eh, but it helps writing about it! i do appreciate you asking tho! ♡

(also, you didn’t specify the reader’s gender so i just took a wild swing at it, hope that’s okay!).

1965,

It was a little over two weeks into August and you were on the train heading for Toronto at a great speed. You had left from New York City only a few hours ago.

The train hurried along the track. Shaking and jostling as it went along. The movements made you uneasy and you breathed heavily to calm yourself down. It was a quick trip and you would, luckily, soon be getting to your location.

You were heading to Canada for a concert the next day. But not as a fan but rather because you worked with the band. Said band being The Beatles. They were high into a frenzy, astutely named Beatlemania, and the crowd the night before had been extremely loud and overwhelming. You doubted the one tomorrow would be any different.

You were the assistant to the group's manager; Brian Epstein. He was a professional man and a wonder to work with. You had been with him since the start of the year and already you had learned so much about the business.

Speaking of; he now stood beside you in the aisle of the compact train cart. You looked up from your book, that you only had been staring in as you had otherwise been lost in thought, and nodded in greeting at him.

“Mr [last name],” he always addressed you so formally, “I need you to go the dinner cart and keep an eye on the boys for me while I go talk business with Mr Aspinall” he glanced down at you as he waited for an answer.

You immediately shut your book and quickly stood up, careful in not bumping into either Brian or the man sitting next to you.

“Yes, sir.”

He nodded with a slight smile and moved down the aisle.

You hurried to the cart you had been assigned to go to. Admittedly, you were nervous. You didn’t spend much time around the band as your work usually consisted of working away in the office as they recorded. And during tours, you either travelled separately and somehow managed to avoid it each other.

And the nerves didn’t just come from them being famous strangers and, in a way, your bosses. It was that you might… possibly… have a big fat crush one of them. The quiet one, specifically. George Harrison.

God, even thought of him made your heart violently beat in your chest. Your blood would start to furiously pump in your veins. And late at night in bed, your mind would start to wander and your hand would travel into the confines of your trousers and in the end; leave you in a blissful state as you would gently fall asleep.

You reached the door to the cart and took a deep breath. The talking inside was loud. Laughter and yelling very much audible from where you stood.

You quickly did a once over in your reflection in the glass window of the train door. Checking your hair and teeth. Dusting off imaginary dust from your suit.

Hoping that everything looked right; you entered the cabin.

Immediately; you met chaos. The boys had the cart for themselves you quickly realised as you looked around the small room. John was standing over Paul as he yelled. Paul, who sat still in a chair, was smirking over whatever John was making a fuss about.

Meanwhile, further away from the duo, sat Ringo and George. They were calmly playing a game of cards with the occasional glance thrown at John.

You sighed and stepped over to the songwriter pair.

You crossed your arms, in hopes that maybe it would seem authoritative of sorts, and gave a single cough to get their attention.

“Oh, look, it’s Epstein Junior,” John had stopped yelling to look at you. His eyes were narrowed slightly, most likely due to the fact that his glasses lied on the table next to Paul rather than on his face.

“Don’t-“ you interrupted yourself with a sigh, realising telling John off about the nickname wouldn’t exactly help.

Instead, you decided to figure out the current situation, “what’s going here?”

“What’s it to you?” John questioned and crossed his arms in a move meant to copy you. Of course, when you first were hired Brian had warned you about John. Specifically about his rebellious streaks against authoritarian figures. Which, you supposed, in a way you were; as someone answering directly to their manager.

“Mr Epstein told me to check on you,” you glanced at Ringo and George. Both were looking at you which didn’t help making you feel calm. Rather, you could feel sweat forming at the base of your neck.

John huffed and sat down in a chair next to Paul’s. Paul looked at you with his ever charming smile and said, “it’s nothing to worry about. Just John being John, y’know.”

John threw a napkin at the young man and both laughed. You smiled with a nod, reassured by his words, and slowly made your way down towards the other half of The Beatles. You willed your heart to calm down. Unsuccessfully.

As you neared, you got a good look at the two men. They wore the matching suits, as the typically did when you saw them. Ringo wore a dark blue cord cap, possibly borrowed from John, and his many rings.

While George looked… looked just great. The sunlight shone throughout the many windows of the train which hit him just right; reminding you of paintings you would see in really fancy galleries. His hair was getting long, shaggy, indicating it was time for a haircut. But honestly? You liked it this way, if not longer. It would frame his cheekbones and sharp jaw perfectly.

Realising you had been staring; you quickly glanced out the window, pretending you had seen something there. You slowly looked back at them. Ringo was looking down at his cards and George was… looking directly at you… huh.

“Mind if I bother you?” You pointed at the chair situated between Ringo and George.

“You’re no bother,” George smiled at you as you quickly sat down, feeling warmer and warmer. God, you felt like such a hormonal teen around this guy.

They returned to their card game. You weren’t sure what game it was. You had only ever played Go Fish and it didn’t look to be that. Perhaps Gin Rummy? Either way, it looked like Ringo was winning as he was sitting and looking rather smug.

George licked his fingers before moving around his cards and you felt a leaping sensation in your chest. He did it again and the feeling moved further south. You closed your eyes, hoping to will it away. You were not getting an erection on a train. You were not- shit, you opened your eyes again and George was smiling broadly towards Ringo. His canines proudly protruding across his lips as he licked them over with his tongue. Damn it.

The train of thoughts that lead to couldn’t be stopped and you suddenly stood up; the chair skipping across the floor as you did so. You muttered a meek ‘sorry’ and hurried towards the toilets.

You looked incredibly flushed as you took a look upon yourself in the bathroom mirror and hoped to God that it hadn’t been visible to the other men. How it couldn’t be, you dared not to think about. You were a bright shade of pink, you pupils dilated as you took deep breaths to come yourself down.

Oh, it was fucking useless. Your erection was happening whether you wanted it to or not and you flung yourself unto the closed toilet seat and quickly unbuttoned your trousers to lighten the growing tightness that pushed against the cloth. You had never masturbated in public before but you couldn’t very well go back out to the band while sporting a very visible erection. That would be humiliating! And definitely would lead to questions you wouldn’t want to answer.

Shit. It was going to happen either way.

You quickly shoved both your trousers and pants to your ankles as you wetted your right hand under the sink and gently took a hold of your growing cock.

Images of George rushed to your mind as you slowly moved your hand in rhythmic movements, up and down at a gentle pace. Of him holding you down in heated makeout sessions. Of him flashing those fangs as he bit down on your shoulder as you took you to town. Of him going down on you and vice versa.

You bit down several moans at the thoughts as you moved your free hand down to cup and massage your balls. You had to be quiet. And as much as you wanted it to be quick; it took the time it had to.

But just as you stifled a moan of a certain name the door to the toilet swang open.

Shit! You forget to lock it. You yelped and in your panicked state; did absolutely not know what to do, other than shutting your eyes and hope for the best! You goddamn coward, you cursed yourself. You heard your name whispered in a familiar voice. In a far too familiar voice and the door clicked shut, and locked.

You dared to open your eyes and saw that it was…. George? Yes, it was George. Who was looking down at you with dark eyes and an unfamiliar look across his face.

“...G-George?” You finally got out as you swallowed deeply. Feeling dehydrated and all kinds of jittery. His presence and the domineering way he looked down at you did not at help you lessen your erection and it’s tight growing feeling.

“Do that again,” he growled.

You must have looked perplexed as he reinstated in a hushed voice as he stepped closer; “what you did when I first came in.”

Oh! Now you knew what he meant and slowly started to pump your shaft as you tried to maintain eye contact with him. It was hard to do. His dark eyes bore into your skull as he looked on silently as you panted.

Slowly, he went down on his knees in front of you and grabbed a hold on your tie; pulling you down to meet his lips in a fierce kiss. The hand on your cock stilled as you focused unto the kiss but you soon felt George’s hand replace it in swift movements, and another soon made it way to your balls, making you moan into the kiss and George took the opportunity to push his tongue in. It was so good. He was so good. Working swiftly with his hands and tongue; making you completely forget where you even where.

He moved down to take in your width into his gaping mouth and you bit hard down into your wet lip at the sight. You were sure it was going to puncture but, God, how you didn’t care. This was all you truly wanted and you still hardly believed it was really happening.

He was a beautiful sight as he looked up at you with his dark eyes as he smirked around your dick. It was all too much and you soon felt yourself reach an orgasm and a tightness grow in the pit of your stomach. You warned him of such with stifled moaning and groans of his name. He hummed but didn’t pull away. Instead, he guided you through it and swallowed it all up as you came heavily into his mouth.

“God...,” you were breathing heavily as you came down from your high. You heard him snicker as he stood up and placed a wet hand came across your cheek in a soft caress.

“I’ve wanted that for so long…” he said and you looked to him with wide eyes. “Really?” He nodded with a single laugh and leaned down to kiss you. It tasted of salt and something you didn’t know. Must have been yourself you could taste. It was strange but… not bad.

“You were such an adorable mess before,” he moved to kiss your forehead, “so I just had to see what was going on with you. Good thing I did.” You nodded eagerly, almost headbutting him in doing so. But he only laughed as he swiftly evaded your head.

You sighed heavily as a calm swept over you and noticed the rather dark spot on the groin of his dress trousers. He was erect. And very much so. You nodded towards it with an encouraging sensation coming, “need help with that?”

“Definitely,” he flashed his wonderful canines and pulled you into a kiss as you hands travelled downwards to unzip his dark trousers. You felt giddy and that the day could only get better from now on.

#anonymous #ask #request #the beatles #george harrison #male reader #reader #reader insert #beatles fanfiction #fanfiction #fanfic

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find-the-eyes · 5 years

Text

I’ll Try Anything Once: Chapter 18

Written by: Allegra, Sol, ss Edited by: ss, Allegra

A week later, the four men found themselves crammed together in a tiny booth at an Indian restaurant. Alex had suggested they all go out to dinner together sometime after band practice, “you know, like a… bonding session,” as he had put it. Paul and Bob had agreed, though not without raised eyebrows and some snickering. Nick hadn’t said anything, still mildly frightened of being out in a public place, but Alex had figured that Nick would probably go anywhere that Alex went.

The waiter delivered beers to Paul, Bob, and Alex and a glass of water to Nick before he took their orders. Alex, sensing Nick’s anxiety, went ahead and ordered his dinner for him. Paul raised his eyebrows slightly at this. He was aware of Nick and Alex’s arrangement, sure, but it still struck him as odd that Alex seemed to be doing literally everything for him. He decided that tonight, he would get some answers.

Paul glanced across the table at Nick, who was sitting alarmingly close to Alex. Paul tried to figure out why, but he couldn’t. Bob even seemed a bit uncomfortable when he saw how close they were. He glanced up at Paul with a concerned look on his face, but Paul just shrugged it off.

“Nick?” Paul asked, nudging Bob under the table. Nick looked up, his blue eyes wide like a deer in headlights. “You’ve been going to class lately?”

Nick nodded.

“You’re really good on the keyboard.” Paul offered him a smile.

“T… Thanks…” Nick didn’t really know what to say to that, but wanted to be polite. If there was one thing Nick wanted to do, it was to come off as perfectly normal.

“Aw, come on, don’t be so shy!” Paul tried to lighten the mood, but Nick just looked down, studying the crumbs on the table.

Paul wasn’t jealous, really. Although yes, conceptually, he would have liked to have had someone who helped him when he was in a rough situation, he didn’t like that Nick was acting the way he was. Paul had been through nearly the same ordeal and could still function like a proper member of society, so why couldn’t Nick? Why did Nick refuse to make eye contact and stutter when he spoke? While Alex and Bob made small talk, Paul fished his cell phone out of his pocket and flipped it open.

PAUL: wtf is wrong with Nick?

Alex felt his cell phone buzz. He pulled it out of his jacket pocket slightly to check the screen, frowning when he saw that it was a text from Paul. He made a face and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

Paul rolled his eyes and opened his phone again, hiding it under the edge of the table.

PAUL: answer me

PAUL: Alex

PAUL: Alex check your phone

Alex’s phone buzzed repeatedly. He looked up to see Paul glaring at him across the table. Alex got the hint and pulled his phone from the pocket of his jacket.

ALEX: Stop wasting my texts.

ALEX: And I really don’t know, honestly.

PAUL: well you should, if he’s going to be living with you

PAUL: if he’s going to be depending on you for everything

ALEX: Relax, Paul.

Alex looked up to see Bob trying to start a conversation with Nick about his ideas for the next jam session. Nick began to suggest something, but stopped halfway through his sentence.

PAUL: you should ask him why he’s so fucked up then

ALEX: That’s not very nice.

ALEX: You can ask, if you’re really so curious.

Paul sighed, snapping his phone shut. Nick and Bob both looked up, startled by the sudden noise. Nick opened his mouth to speak, but before he could make a sound, Paul leaned across the table and stared at him. “What is your problem?”

Nick’s mouth was still hanging open as he processed Paul’s words. “I--” he started to say, and then simply closed his mouth and looked down at his lap. The world blurred around him. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t respond to the question— so simple, but so complex at the same time. What is my problem? Nick inhaled sharply, trying to keep the tears from welling in his eyes. What the fuck is wrong with me? I was so normal, for my entire life, until— Nick was interrupted by Paul starting again.

Paul leaned back, unfazed by Nick’s reaction. “I just don’t get it. You can barely get out a sentence half the time, and Alex--” he glanced in his direction “--does everything for you. You gotta think for yourself sometimes, you know?” He looked at Nick and continued, a little more softly, “What the hell happened to you? Why are you like this?”

Nick’s hands began to shake. Before he could stop himself, his eyes filled with tears and he choked out a sob. He stood up from the booth and ran out of the restaurant. Alex immediately leaped out of his seat and followed him, shooting Paul a dirty look over his shoulder.

Bob stared at the scene unfolding before him, mouth agape. His confusion quickly turned to anger. He whipped his head around to face Paul. “What the fuck was that for?!”

Paul looked down, his face burning. But then he looked up again, voice defensive. “I just wanted to know what his deal was! Don’t you feel like he’s...strange?”

“Well, yeah, but you could have asked more politely!” Bob spat, folding his arms across his chest.

“I know,” Paul said quietly. Only then did he realize that what he did was wrong. “I fucked up.”

“You really did,” Bob agreed. “He’s done nothing to you to deserve that kind of treatment. You owe him an apology.”

Paul nodded and cradled his face in his hands.

Meanwhile, outside of the cozy Indian establishment, Alex found Nick in an alleyway, standing against the brick wall hugging his chest. He was crying quietly, tears pouring down his cheeks, his breathing unsteady. Alex immediately came up next to him and wrapped his arms around him. “Hey...I’m here...it’s ok...shhhhh...” He cradled Nick in his arms until he could feel his breathing evening out. Alex pulled away and looked down at him.

Nick’s voice shook. “Why did… why did he say that?”

Alex closed his eyes. “I don’t know. That’s not the Paul I know.”

Nick shook his head. That wasn’t the Paul he knew, either. It wasn’t the Paul who welcomed him during the jam session, or the Paul in Alex’s sketchbook.

“Listen, I…I don’t think he meant anything by it,” Alex said, trying to reassure himself as much as he was trying to reassure Nick. “I think he just doesn’t understand why you are the way you are.” I don’t even know that, Alex’s brain chimed in. He pushed that thought away.

“I don’t...I can’t tell him,” Nick said, rubbing his eyes.

You can’t tell me either. He nearly let that sentence escape his lips before thinking better of it. “You don’t have to. Let’s go back inside and talk to him. Just...tell him that you don’t want to talk about it.”

Nick nodded. “Okay.”

Alex let go of Nick and they walked back inside to their booth. Their food had been delivered and Bob had already begun to dig in. Paul sat and stared at his plate, pushing the chicken and sauce around in circles, not eating. They both looked up as Nick and Alex sat down. Alex cleared his throat.

Paul looked into Nick’s eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said, before Nick could even get a word out. “I shouldn’t have said those things to you. You didn’t deserve that. It won’t happen again.”

Nick simply nodded.

“Look, I don’t know what you’ve been through, but...I understand. I’ve been through some stuff myself. And it’s okay if you need Alex’s help to do things,” he added hastily. I wish someone had been there to help me when I needed it, Paul couldn’t help but think.

Nick smiled faintly and placed his hand on Alex’s knee under the table. “It’s okay.”

Paul smiled back and picked up his fork. “S’pose we should eat before everything gets cold, yeah?”

As much as they all wanted to dwindle back into normal conversation, the air around them was still slightly tense, making the whole scene rather awkward. Paul silently cursed at himself for letting his emotions slip up and making a scene, while Alex found that he had to put in extra effort to even pretend to be engrossed in his meal, despite how good it looked and how genuinely tasty it was. Bob hadn’t spoken a word since he had told Paul off. Nick just wanted to hide from the world, eating slowly, taking small bites when no one was looking. He thought about how he could pocket the fork, examining his options. It could easily fit in his jacket pocket, and Alex had mentioned wanting new utensils, anyway…

They all ate their meals in silence, the only noises made up of cutlery clinking together and a sportscaster talking on the television. Since Alex was facing the television in the corner of the room, he absentmindedly watched whatever sport the hosts were excitedly chattering about. Nick was slowly pushing around the contents of his plate before he snuck a nervous glance at Alex, looking for comfort. But instead he saw how engrossed Alex was at whatever was on the television and decided to take a look himself. Soon Nick was also absorbed in the horse race currently taking place on the live television broadcast. The galloping horses quickly replaced all the worry in his mind.

Alex had never been one to enjoy sports, neither as a participant nor as a spectator. But for some reason the horse race had enraptured him. Perhaps he was just desperate to find anything to distract him from the previous event, but he found himself leaning slightly forward, his hand gripping slightly tighter at his utensils in anticipation as the race drew to a finish. A single brown mare had taken the lead, and Alex felt his heart hammer as the horse majestically galloped its way to the finish line.

“...And Franz Ferdinand has won the race!” the enthusiastic sport announcer had exclaimed. Alex pumped his fist under the table, hissing a Yes! under his breath. Nick, who was as engrossed as Alex at the match, let out his own sigh of relief at the winning horse. Bob and Paul took notice of this and turned their heads to the screen Alex and Nick were currently staring at.

“Didn’t take you as the sporty type,” Paul chimed, his focus already back at the table. Bob was still watching the screen, muttering something to himself.

“Well, I’m not. But that was fun,” Alex replied, continuing his abandoned meal. Nick followed suit, still silent as ever. Bob finally turned around and faced the table again.

“That name sounds familiar...” he muttered.

“What does?”

“The winning horse’s name. What was it again?” Bob turned his head back to the television, hoping the name would pop on screen again.

“Frans Fernando or something...” Alex tried to remember.

“Franz Ferdinand!” Bob corrected Alex, snapping his fingers in eureka.

“Whossat?” Paul asked between chews.

“The Austrian archduke. You know, the guy whose assassination triggered World War I,” Bob explained matter of factly. When Bob wasn’t busy painting, he had favored himself reading. It was nice that he finally had the chance to tell people about his findings.

“I thought it all started in Poland?” Alex interjected.

“No, that’s World War 2,” Bob calmly responded.

“It’s a nice name,” Paul chimed in again.

“Franz Ferdinand?” Alex said, trying to pronounce it more properly this time. He looked at Bob as he did so, seeking approval. A small nod from Bob assured him that he was correct this time. All the while, Nick was still nibbling on his food, silently watching the interaction in interest.

“I wish my name was as cool as that,” Paul said. Bob gave Paul a small smile.

“I like your name as it is, Paul.” At this, Paul returned Bob’s smile. He thought he saw Bob’s cheeks turning a brighter pink, but it might have just been the dim interior lighting. Alex suddenly sat up straighter in his seat.

“We can use it for our band!” The brown haired man’s eyes lit up. Paul raised his eyebrows in interest while Bob tilted his head. Nick, who had been intently watching Alex for most of the meal, perked up from his seat in interest at the mention of the band.

“Franz Ferdinand the band...” Paul tried to feel the name on his lips. He said it over and over again, trying to get the hang of it.

“It does have a nice ring to it,” Bob offered his two cents on the matter. Alex nodded in agreement before looking to Nick, who had been looking his way. Their eyes immediately met.

“What do you think, Nick?”

Nick blinked a few times. He quite liked the name. But even if Alex had offered a less than desirable name he’d still agree to it, as he was happy enough he had someone to play music with at all, so he nodded. When Alex grinned at the response, Nick smiled back.

“Yeah, alright.” Paul finally decided on his answer.

Alex clapped his hands together. “Then it’s decided! We’re Franz Ferdinand now!”

Paul raised his glass to this. “To Franz Ferdinand!”

“Franz Ferdinand!” Bob and Alex joined in, raising their own glass. Nick had raised his own as well, though he said the name in such a low volume that only Alex beside him could hear. They all took a sip of their own drinks in celebration. As Alex lowered his glass, he glanced over at Nick and placed a hand on the smaller man’s knee, giving it an assuring squeeze.

The night continued for a while longer, the four of them enjoying each other’s company. A sense of camaraderie as a group was present the moment they had decided on a band name. It felt like a huge stepping stone for them as a band. Suddenly, everything felt more real and serious, and while it might mark a drastic change in perspective on how they viewed their ensuing jam sessions, they all felt hopeful for the future of their band.

As Nick got up from the table after they had all paid their bills, he slipped the fork into his pocket. God damn it. I’ve got to stop doing that.

#illtryanythingonce #allfanfic #franz ferdinand

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timetrickster · 5 years

Text

Living W/ Immortality: Episode 3: Altair & Vega

EXT. FINN’S HOME

It’s been 3 weeks since what happened that night. Ever since LUCIAN had attacked WAN SHI TONG’S Library. FINN sits down at the table for breakfast with his MOM and ERIN’S had gone silent ever since that night. MOM looks at him knowing something’s wrong.

MOM

You’re silent. That’s never a good sign. What happened?

FINN

I’m fine mom.

She sits down next to him and looks him in the eyes.

MOM

No, you’re not.

FINN is silent after the truth in that simple statement cut deeper inside both hearts.

MOM

You boys have been silent for weeks and if there’s anything that I know about my own boys. Your silence means you’re facing something, but you don’t want me to worry.

FINN is silent and looks at his hands. He puts his headphones on then looks through his phone to play the next song. He presses on a song and plays “King Of The Clouds by Panic! At The Disco. FINN decides to leave and MOM doesn’t do anything to stop him. FINN slowly walks far from view from his house.

He murmurs the words to the song.

FINN

Some days I lie wide awake ‘til the sun hits my face. And I fade, elevate from the Earth. Far away to a place…

He stops in his tracks, as he looks around him for a bit in silence. Suddenly LUCIAN appears in front of him.

LUCIAN

Boo.

He starts to freak out falling backward. Holding his head with both hands and guarding his face.

FINN

It’s not real. It’s not real.

He repeats to himself. Suddenly flash images of LUCIAN appear in his mind. He breathes heavily and tears fall down his face. His head shakes and heats up from the pressure of all the things overwhelming him. He clenches his teeth showing this face of mixed emotion, fear, and anger.

FINN screams in a rage then punches a hole in a random wall. He breathes heavy breaths before realizing what he’s done.

FINN

Crap…

He tries to budge his arm out but it’s stuck. The song stops at “

FINN

Really?! I have super strength and I can get my arm out of a stupid stone wall?!

SERENA shows up all of a sudden and notices FINN.

SERENA

Hey, Finn… uh… you okay? Did you punch my wall?

FINN still awkwardly having half of his arm through the wall.

FINN

No… I touched a piece of the wall and it made a hole and my arm fell in.

SERENA

Uh… ok… I’ll believe you for now, but you need help?

FINN

Yes, please.

SERENA laughs and pulls on FINN’S other arm and gets out of the wall. His right arm now covered in stone dust.

FINN

Thank you…

(looks at his right arm covered in dust)

Crap.

SERENA

You’re welcome and are you okay?

FINN

I guess I’m fine. Also, Hey.

SERENA

What do you mean by that? And Hi!

FINN

Just something happened last night that set me off and… I don’t know how to deal with it.

SERENA

Do you want to talk about it?

FINN shows reluctance, fearing that she wouldn’t understand the world of magic and the fact he’s an immortal with a 2nd personality in his head.

SERENA (cont’d)

It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it. Maybe when you’re ready?

FINN nods ‘yes’.

SERENA

Okay then. Wanna walk to school?

FINN

I’d love that.

FINN smiles and they start walking together.

SERENA

Got any new oldies songs for me to listen too?

FINN

Uh… Yeah, let me… you know what, I’ll let you choose it.

She looks through the playlist labeled “Time”

SERENA

Time?

FINN

It’s a collection of songs that resonate with my vibes. Songs from now to the 50s.

SERENA laughs at him.

SERENA

You’re adorable.

FINN

Ok, no more songs for you.

FINN tries to grab his phone back and struggles with SERENA

SERENA

Please… I’m sorry.

FINN

Fine.

He lets go of the phone.

SERENA

Yay!

She scrolls through his playlist and presses on one song. The song, “Say Say Say” by Paul McCartney plays. The song plays as the two walks together to school and spends the entire day together. The song plays through a slow montage of scenes with them all together. In classes, at lunch, hanging around the campus.

CUT TO:

END OF THE SCHOOL DAY.

The song ends at Hook 2. It’s now the end of school and the two are walking together again.

SERENA

I’m fucking tired dude.

FINN

Same…

SERENA laughs at something.

SERENA

I did love Mr. Braistch’s class today. Best teacher ever.

FINN

Did he make another racist joke? Or did he throw another insult at Waipahu again? Wait… don’t tell me, Chinese or Filipino? Either one it’s fuckin hilarious.

SERENA

He picked on Steven and said “When China takes over America, I’d be the one white guy to help with capturing Americans.” then said, “Steven when you become the general of Ewa Beach, don’t forget about me. I helped.”

FINN laughs at the story.

FINN

Oh god. You know one time, he told the Filipinos in the room that he loves their president.

SERENA

What’s wrong with that?

FINN

The current president of the Philippines started a war on drugs and said anyone would be killed on sight even holding drugs.

SERENA

Wow… yeah, that’s dark.

FINN

I know… I’m probably going to hell for laughing.

SERENA laughs at what he said then touches FINN’S shoulder.

SERENA

Aw. You’re already going to hell.

She breaks into laughter again as well as FINN.

SERENA (cont’d)

I’m kidding, you know I love you girl.

FINN

Fuck you, dude.

He jokingly says. SERENA is still laughing. FINN gets a little bitter and had this angry face. Then keeps walking.

SERENA Aw. I’m sorry. Come here.

She stops him and holds out her arms and FINN was still bitter and shakes his head. He keeps walking. She laughs at him being bitter and still bothers him for a hug.

SERENA (cont’d)

Please…

FINN

No.

SERENA

Please. PLEASE please please please please, please! If you don't give me a hug I'm gonna DIEEEEE. If you don't hug me I'm gonna start crying. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. (making a song out of it) oh-baby please please PLEASE! Oh-baby, please. That was 'Please' by Serena with Finn on bass.

FINN finally stops being bitter as he finally gives in. Still holding a bitter face but smiles a little after accepting the hug.

SERENA

Yay! Thank you. I’m sorry.

FINN

(He laughs for a bit)

You’re welcome. I forgive you but bass? Really? Bass?

SERENA does an evil laugh. It makes FINN smile.

FINN

You’re weird. I like you, dude. Wanna hang out tonight?

SERENA

I’d love to. What are we doing? Arcade again?

FINN

I was thinking of heading to the park and doing some star gazing… I don’t know why but I’ve wanted to try it out and it doesn’t hurt to try something new.

SERENA

I like that idea. Are we gonna go by the benches?

FINN

Sure… better than laying in the grass. See ya soon.

He waves bye to her as she leaves.

ERIN (V.O)

I’m impressed. You actually didn’t freak out and over think.

FINN

Thanks, Erin. Erin? Hey! Where’d you go? You’ve been silent for weeks.

ERIN (V.O)

Just needed some time to think. After the whole Lucian thing, I just needed some peace. You know?

FINN

Yeah. Good to have you back bud.

ERIN (V.O)

Good to be back. Again, you actually asked Serena out, once again I’m impressed.

FINN

That’s a first.

FINN enters his house and rushes to his room to get ready for his stargazing date with SERENA. Reprise “Just The Two Of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. plays. Picks up 3rd Verse. Shows a montage of both FINN & SERENA getting ready for the stargazing date.

FINN & SERENA

I got to get ready!

CUT TO.

NIGHT. EWA BEACH

The song keeps playing in the background. FINN leaves the house and walks to the park with a bag of food in hand.

ERIN (V.O)

Food? Drinks? Clever.

FINN

Thanks, dude.

ERIN (V.O)

What are you planning Evers?

FINN smiles.

FINN

Nothing, why?

ERIN (V.O)

You have that specific smile on your face. The smile that tells me you have a plan or created something amazing. Come on Evers! TELL ME!

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

How adorable… the immortal two faced dumbass finally found love. Well… hopefully, if the author figures out how to do that in the next few scenes when I try to take him and his romance. Along with the other two background immortals. The author’s a bit unpredictable… which I admire.

The song keeps playing. FINN is slowly walking to the park. Other people are out playing by the playground and other sports-related activities. Meanwhile, these two laid out a blanket over a park table and both sit down on the table top. Song finishes.

FINN

I brought us dinner from Chum Wah Kum.

He holds a plastic bag with two plate lunches inside, along with utensils and napkins.

SERENA

Aw, thanks!

She grabs her plate lunch out of the bag and begins to eat and look at stars.

SERENA (cont’d)

They’re really pretty tonight.

FINN

I used to do this from time to time. I’d sit on my roof and use a telescope. Watching the stars glow in the ocean of space. It was beautiful in the silence of the night.

SERENA

Holy shit, that last sentence was poetic as fuck.

He laughs a little.

FINN

I’m not a poetic dude.

SERENA

Stop lying, I know you are! Mr. Artsy!

FINN

Nah…

SERENA

Oh come on, you’ve done so many artsy stuff. I’ve seen you draw, paint, make short films for media club, write stories, take photos and edit them. I heard you wrote a poem for that one girl.

FINN

Uh, she rejected me by the way. But yeah, kinda left that guy behind.

SERENA

Oh damn, my bad. Well, she doesn’t deserve you, if you took the time and patience to write that girl a poem.

FINN

I know… I know.

SERENA

And what made you leave being Mr. Artsy behind?

FINN

Self-Judgement, being hypercritical, literally everything where I worry about myself and what people see come from me.

SERENA

But why?

FINN

Lost myself for a while… fell away from who I used to be.

SERENA Well, whenever you feel ready to come back to Mr. Creative, I’ll be waiting for you.

FINN

Thank you. Can we look at stars now?

SERENA

Yes, please!

They both lie down on the tabletop and look at the stars. The song “Lights Down Low” by MAX plays in the background as the gaze at random stars.

SERENA

What now?

FINN

Just look at the stars. Sorry, haven’t done this in a while. Forgot all the star systems and all that.

SERENA

It’s fine. You can point out whatever and make it up along as we go.

She points to one constellation.

SERENA (cont’d)

What’s that one?

FINN

That’s the constellation of Sagittarius.

SERENA

See you do remember something!

FINN

Yeah but that one’s my zodiac so I remember that one.

SERENA

What’s are those two?

She points to two different constellations. FINN looks at them and instantly recognizes them.

FINN

Altair and Vega… There’s actually a love story between the two. I don’t know if you want to hear it.

SERENA

Tell me!

FINN

Uh okay.

(He laughs a little then gets into this narration style voice)

I’m trying to remember but Altair and Vega were deeply in love. But we're separated by the celestial river of the Milky Way. But on one special day a year, Vega’s tears would call upon all the magpies in the world and the would form a bridge so they could spend one night of happiness together.

SERENA was astonished by the story. FINN smiles a bit awkwardly.

SERENA

That’s beautiful.

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

Uh! Boring!

Both FINN & SERENA hear LUCIAN’S voice. Record scratch sound effect plays and the song stops at 1st Chorus.

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)(Cont’d)

I will admit, it was a nice romantic story that you gave. But the author really likes to elongate the scenes.

Several shadowy figures appear before them. Only showing red glowing eyes. They grab FINN and attempt to grab SERENA but he manages to free her from their grip before they disappear in a flash.

CUT TO:

INT - ANCIENT TEMPLE

FINN wakes up in some sort of an ancient temple. He looks around, find two monsters guarding a doorway. ATHENA & TAVEN bound and stuck to the walls of this circular dome room. LUCIAN was on the other end doing some weird shit.

FINN

(Intensely worried)

Erin?

ERIN (V.O)

(Intensely worried)

Yeah?

FINN

(Intensely worried)

What do we do?

ERIN (V.O)

(Intensely worried)

I have no fuckin clue.