Live Love Literature

Carpe Diem | Jack Abbot Apologist | Tummy enthusiast | Old man Lover | 03’ baby | She/they

[thatfanficstuff]

A Little Crazy - Jack Abbot

Alpha Jack Abbot x Omega Reader

synopsis: Jack smells an enticing aroma and goes a little crazy trying to find the source

warnings: omegaverse dynamics. Pretty fluffy. reader is parker's roommate and best friend. This was a request for my One Big Bash that i was requested to fill anonymously. The original idea came from a post by @twilightz0nes ages ago that they graciously said I could write.

wc: 2.4k

Jack Abbot was going insane.

At least he felt like he was. And all because of one particular aroma.

He was an hour into this shift making a note in a chart when the scent hit him for the first time. He paused, fingers hovering over the keys as his nostrils flared slightly. Vanilla and honeysuckle with an undertone he couldn’t name. He turned his head left, then right. Nothing.

It wasn’t one of the staff, he’d long since memorized all of their natural scents and could pick them out blindfolded. No, this was new. He shrugged, figuring it must belong to a patient even as his instincts were screaming at him to find the source. He stretched his neck then shook it off. He had work to do.

“Forget it,” he muttered to himself and went back to the chart.

Twenty minutes later he was discussing next steps with a patient that Nazely was working on. The college kid had tripped over his own feet in his drunkenness and cracked his head on a concrete planter. The scent came again, stronger this time. He paused then turned, scanning the immediate area. No one but him, Dr. Toomarian and the drunk frat boy. The scent lingered then faded and Jack returned to the conversation.

When he left the room, he tried to track it down but nothing. Then he was called away for a consult on a case. The scent hit him again at the hub while he was scanning the board. He stopped, one hand on the counter and inhaled. There. Faint but unmistakable. It pulled at every instinct he had. He straightened, ran a hand through his hair and did a slow lap around the department. He caught traces of it again once or twice but nothing more.

“I’m losing my fucking mind,” he said then ran a hand over his face.

Midnight came and went. Jack stood at the hub reviewing test results for the patient in Twelve. Parker slid up beside him, her arm brushing his as she reached for a tablet.

The scent hit like a punch to the solar plexus.

He went completely still. It was coming from Parker. The same scent that had been driving him quietly crazy for hours and it had been right there with his senior resident all along.

He cleared his throat.

She glanced at him, brow lifting. “You okay, boss?”

“Yeah.” His voice came out rough and he cleared his throat again. “Fine. Just—” He hesitated a moment. “Are you wearing perfume?”

Parker blinked as genuine surprise crossed her features. “No, of course not. Why?”

Jack crossed his arms over his chest. “This scent has been driving me crazy for the whole shift. It seems to be coming from you but I know it’s not yours. Maybe I am going crazy.”

Parker glanced down at herself. Her gaze catching on the faded hoodie she was wearing. Her expression shifted and a slow smirk crossed her face that Jack did not like at all.

“Sorry,” she said, not sounding apologetic in the least. “Must be the hoodie. I’ll stash it in my locker.”

She peeled the article of clothing off in one smooth motion and headed for the locker room. She looked just a little too pleased with herself. Jack stood at the hub, teeth clenched, and watched her walk away.

Parker closed the locker room door behind her and chuckled lowly. She’d been in a hurry tonight and had grabbed the first jacket she’d seen. It just so happened that the one she picked up was the one you’d worn yesterday. It wouldn’t be the first time it had happened in the years you’d been first friends, then roommates. Though normally it was you stealing her clothes rather than the other way around.

Parker folded the hoodie and put it in her bag inside her locker then she pulled out her phone to send you a quick text. You’d still be working but she knew you’d get it when you got off and could check your phone.

Hey roomie. Bring me food? Please? I’ll love you forever. You’ll have to bring it in though. Busy night.

She always met you outside when you brought her anything during shift. It was about time her colleagues met you. She smirked, locked her phone and headed back to the floor.

The night was young and it was about to get a whole lot more interesting.

You peeled the last of your suppressant patches off as you walked through the casino parking garage, wincing as the adhesive tugged at your skin. The things itched like crazy and you always removed them the moment you stepped outside of the building. You tossed them in a nearby trash can without much thought. You rolled your shoulders as you shook off the sensory overload that was your place of employment. Too many people crammed in too small of a space with overly bright lights and the clamoring noise of the slot machines.

You waited until you got into your car to check your phone, not wanting the distraction in the dimly lit garage. You cleared your notifications, snorting in amusement when you saw Parker’s text. The last thing you wanted to do after your shift was to go into the hospital, but she rarely asked. And lord knows she’d ran enough weird errands for you over the years.

Food options were limited this time of night, but between you and Parker, you’d found them all. Your favorite was the food truck that served nothing but mac and cheese. Yes, please. You ordered for both of you then got back in the car and made the short drive to PTMC.

This time of morning, the waiting area was emptier and the line was short. You held up the bag when you got to the window. “I come bearing food for Dr. Ellis.”

She smiled. “She told me you were coming. Go on back. Head for the big desk in the middle of the floor. They’ll find her for you.” The door to the right buzzed and you pushed through.

The desk was easy to find. You sat the bag on the counter and waited for the woman on the phone to acknowledge you. She held up a finger, finished her conversation and looked at you with a smile. “How can I help you, hon?”

“I’m looking for Parker Ellis. I brought her food.”

Her smile turned into something less customer service. “And how do you know our Dr. Ellis?”

“Roommate/besties,” you said with a grin.

“Well, you’re fine to wait there. She’s in with a patient but she should be out in a minute.”

“Thanks.” You tapped your hand softly on the counter as you bounced your foot. You were always wound up after a shift. You caught movement from the corner of your eye and turned your head.

A man had left a room a short distance away and stopped in his tracks. You ran your gaze over him, taking in the auburn hair scattered amongst the gray curls. He wasn’t overly tall and his build suggested he spent time in the gym. He was just your type from head to toe.

You checked his neck first. Finding no mating bite, you looked at his hand. Wedding ring. Damn. You made the mental adjustment you needed at knowing he was unavailable. It was disappointing, but not surprising. You were just dropping off food for your roommate and the attractive doctor was—

The attractive doctor with the wedding ring was staring at you.

His jaw worked, but his eyes didn’t move from your form. He stepped closer until one hand gripped the edge of the counter a short distance from you.

“Ah, Dr. Abbot. This is Parker’s roommate. This is our senior night shift attending.”

Parker’s boss. She’d mentioned him before, several times in fact. “Hi,” you said because it seemed like the thing to say.

Abbot opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

“Hi,” he said finally. His voice was rough, lower than you’d expected.

You couldn’t stop the small shiver that crawled up your spine. Fuck.

That delectable scent he’d smelled all night until Parker ditched her hoodie slammed into Jack the moment he opened the door to the patient room he’d been in. His head snapped up as he sanitized his hands absently, zeroing in on you standing at the hub.

The small sampling he’d had earlier had nothing on you here in person. My god, you smelled delectable. There was no question in his mind that you were his Omega. He forced himself forward, one step, then two, until he was holding onto the counter.

He didn’t know how to go about this, how to broach the subject. His wife had been a beta, there was no need to have the ‘hey, you’re my mate’ conversation. Did he just…tell you? No, that didn’t seem right.

He vaguely registered Lena introducing you as Parker’s roommate. He managed to stutter out a greeting but before he could say anything else, Parker appeared from the room she’d been in for the last ten minutes. She zeroed in on you and pulled you into a hug.

Jack’s hands flexed at his sides as he reminded himself that Parker wasn’t a threat and that you had no idea who the fuck he was.

Parker draped an arm across your shoulders. “You are a goddess.”

You hummed in agreement. “Fat Cats.”

She groaned. “I owe you my first born. Maybe my second, too.”

“I’d be concerned about being saddled with your random children but I know you don’t want kids.”

Parker laughed then turned to Jack with a smirk. “See you met my roommate, boss.”

Jack huffed. “You could have just told me.”

She shrugged. “Could have. Didn’t. This is so much more fun.”

Your brow furrowed as you looked between the two of them. The look of confusion was absurdly endearing. “Am I missing something?”

Jack was at a loss for words which was entirely unlike him. Parker grinned wider and turned to you. “Dr. Abbot here would love to take you to breakfast. And you want to let him.”

Silence stretched for a beat before the two of you spoke in unison. “I do?”

Jack’s head snapped to you to find you already looking back. The corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile. “I mean…I do. After shift?”

You glanced at Parker. She gave a small, deliberate nod.

“Sure. I can do breakfast, I guess, if Parker’s gonna be weird.” Your gaze dropped to his left hand, to the ring he hadn’t been able to bring himself to remove. “Your wife will be okay with that?”

“Widower,” he said, deciding it best to just be blunt.

You blinked once, glanced to Parker who nodded again before you looked back to him. “Sure. Breakfast sounds good. I can meet you here, I was picking Parker up anyway.”

He nodded, hoping the surge of happiness he felt wasn’t completely evident on his face. He should have a little decorum dammit. “I’ll meet you by the bay door?”

“Yeah, sure. Parker can let me know if you’re running late.”

So, you didn’t want to give him your number yet. He understood that. After all, you didn’t know what he did, his suppressants firmly in place. “I’m looking forward to it.”

You gave him a small smile at that. “See ya, doc. Parker.” The narrow-eyed look you shot Parker had him chuckling.

You’d no sooner gotten out of sight when Parker’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and laughed as she typed. “Her exact words? ‘What the fuck was that?’”

Jack crossed his arms and shifted his weight. “And what did you say?”

“I told her to trust me.” She put her phone away and grabbed the bag. “Now I am going to eat at least part of this before I get called away again.”

Jack’s gaze trailed her as she walked toward the break room. She turned around part way there. “Oh, and Abbot? She my not be my mate, but she’s my person. Don’t hurt her.”

He held Parker’s gaze, sure and steady. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

You waited near the bay doors, off to the side where you’d be out of the way. A couple of people going inside had glanced in your direction but kept walking without questioning you. You must look harmless enough for them to leave you alone. You tapped your foot as you wondered if this was really a good idea or not. You’d dwelled on it all night, your brain circling back to the odd conversation with Parker and her boss that you seemed to be missing a piece to.

The door hissed open and you glanced up to see Parker stepping out. She had your hoodie thrown over the top of her scrubs. She gave you one of her famous grins and waved, car keys in hand. You hadn’t given much though on how you were supposed to get home  after this…date? Yeah, you supposed it was. Dammit, Parker.

She didn’t stop to talk to you, just calling back. “He’ll be out in a minute. You can thank me later.”

You stared after her, shaking your head. “I’m going to murder you. Slowly,” you yelled after her.

Her laugh floated back to you. “You’re welcome!”

You were still shaking your head, mouth curled into a crooked smile when the scent reached you. Rich, citrusy with a hint of cedar. Alpha. Yours.

You inhaled deeply and turned your head slowly to the side to find Jack Abbot standing a few feet away.

The scrub top was gone, leaving him in a fitted gray t-shirt. His curls were damp around his face, like he’d splashed water on it before coming out. He gave you a real smile. Not the small one you’d seen earlier. A wide, careless gesture that crinkled the skin around his eyes.

“Oh,” you said. That was inadequate but you were still processing that this was your Alpha. Yours. And Parker had obviously known and let you walk in blind. Damn her.

Finally, you said, “Hi.”

“Hi,” he echoed as his warm gaze took you in. He held out a hand, not in greeting but rather in invitation.

You took it, his touch everything you needed as he laced your fingers together.

Jack Abbot Masterlist

[thatfanficstuff]

A Little Crazy - Jack Abbot

Alpha Jack Abbot x Omega Reader

synopsis: Jack smells an enticing aroma and goes a little crazy trying to find the source

warnings: omegaverse dynamics. Pretty fluffy. reader is parker's roommate and best friend. This was a request for my One Big Bash that i was requested to fill anonymously. The original idea came from a post by @twilightz0nes ages ago that they graciously said I could write.

wc: 2.4k

Jack Abbot was going insane.

At least he felt like he was. And all because of one particular aroma.

He was an hour into this shift making a note in a chart when the scent hit him for the first time. He paused, fingers hovering over the keys as his nostrils flared slightly. Vanilla and honeysuckle with an undertone he couldn’t name. He turned his head left, then right. Nothing.

It wasn’t one of the staff, he’d long since memorized all of their natural scents and could pick them out blindfolded. No, this was new. He shrugged, figuring it must belong to a patient even as his instincts were screaming at him to find the source. He stretched his neck then shook it off. He had work to do.

“Forget it,” he muttered to himself and went back to the chart.

Twenty minutes later he was discussing next steps with a patient that Nazely was working on. The college kid had tripped over his own feet in his drunkenness and cracked his head on a concrete planter. The scent came again, stronger this time. He paused then turned, scanning the immediate area. No one but him, Dr. Toomarian and the drunk frat boy. The scent lingered then faded and Jack returned to the conversation.

When he left the room, he tried to track it down but nothing. Then he was called away for a consult on a case. The scent hit him again at the hub while he was scanning the board. He stopped, one hand on the counter and inhaled. There. Faint but unmistakable. It pulled at every instinct he had. He straightened, ran a hand through his hair and did a slow lap around the department. He caught traces of it again once or twice but nothing more.

“I’m losing my fucking mind,” he said then ran a hand over his face.

Midnight came and went. Jack stood at the hub reviewing test results for the patient in Twelve. Parker slid up beside him, her arm brushing his as she reached for a tablet.

The scent hit like a punch to the solar plexus.

He went completely still. It was coming from Parker. The same scent that had been driving him quietly crazy for hours and it had been right there with his senior resident all along.

He cleared his throat.

She glanced at him, brow lifting. “You okay, boss?”

“Yeah.” His voice came out rough and he cleared his throat again. “Fine. Just—” He hesitated a moment. “Are you wearing perfume?”

Parker blinked as genuine surprise crossed her features. “No, of course not. Why?”

Jack crossed his arms over his chest. “This scent has been driving me crazy for the whole shift. It seems to be coming from you but I know it’s not yours. Maybe I am going crazy.”

Parker glanced down at herself. Her gaze catching on the faded hoodie she was wearing. Her expression shifted and a slow smirk crossed her face that Jack did not like at all.

“Sorry,” she said, not sounding apologetic in the least. “Must be the hoodie. I’ll stash it in my locker.”

She peeled the article of clothing off in one smooth motion and headed for the locker room. She looked just a little too pleased with herself. Jack stood at the hub, teeth clenched, and watched her walk away.

Parker closed the locker room door behind her and chuckled lowly. She’d been in a hurry tonight and had grabbed the first jacket she’d seen. It just so happened that the one she picked up was the one you’d worn yesterday. It wouldn’t be the first time it had happened in the years you’d been first friends, then roommates. Though normally it was you stealing her clothes rather than the other way around.

Parker folded the hoodie and put it in her bag inside her locker then she pulled out her phone to send you a quick text. You’d still be working but she knew you’d get it when you got off and could check your phone.

Hey roomie. Bring me food? Please? I’ll love you forever. You’ll have to bring it in though. Busy night.

She always met you outside when you brought her anything during shift. It was about time her colleagues met you. She smirked, locked her phone and headed back to the floor.

The night was young and it was about to get a whole lot more interesting.

You peeled the last of your suppressant patches off as you walked through the casino parking garage, wincing as the adhesive tugged at your skin. The things itched like crazy and you always removed them the moment you stepped outside of the building. You tossed them in a nearby trash can without much thought. You rolled your shoulders as you shook off the sensory overload that was your place of employment. Too many people crammed in too small of a space with overly bright lights and the clamoring noise of the slot machines.

You waited until you got into your car to check your phone, not wanting the distraction in the dimly lit garage. You cleared your notifications, snorting in amusement when you saw Parker’s text. The last thing you wanted to do after your shift was to go into the hospital, but she rarely asked. And lord knows she’d ran enough weird errands for you over the years.

Food options were limited this time of night, but between you and Parker, you’d found them all. Your favorite was the food truck that served nothing but mac and cheese. Yes, please. You ordered for both of you then got back in the car and made the short drive to PTMC.

This time of morning, the waiting area was emptier and the line was short. You held up the bag when you got to the window. “I come bearing food for Dr. Ellis.”

She smiled. “She told me you were coming. Go on back. Head for the big desk in the middle of the floor. They’ll find her for you.” The door to the right buzzed and you pushed through.

The desk was easy to find. You sat the bag on the counter and waited for the woman on the phone to acknowledge you. She held up a finger, finished her conversation and looked at you with a smile. “How can I help you, hon?”

“I’m looking for Parker Ellis. I brought her food.”

Her smile turned into something less customer service. “And how do you know our Dr. Ellis?”

“Roommate/besties,” you said with a grin.

“Well, you’re fine to wait there. She’s in with a patient but she should be out in a minute.”

“Thanks.” You tapped your hand softly on the counter as you bounced your foot. You were always wound up after a shift. You caught movement from the corner of your eye and turned your head.

A man had left a room a short distance away and stopped in his tracks. You ran your gaze over him, taking in the auburn hair scattered amongst the gray curls. He wasn’t overly tall and his build suggested he spent time in the gym. He was just your type from head to toe.

You checked his neck first. Finding no mating bite, you looked at his hand. Wedding ring. Damn. You made the mental adjustment you needed at knowing he was unavailable. It was disappointing, but not surprising. You were just dropping off food for your roommate and the attractive doctor was—

The attractive doctor with the wedding ring was staring at you.

His jaw worked, but his eyes didn’t move from your form. He stepped closer until one hand gripped the edge of the counter a short distance from you.

“Ah, Dr. Abbot. This is Parker’s roommate. This is our senior night shift attending.”

Parker’s boss. She’d mentioned him before, several times in fact. “Hi,” you said because it seemed like the thing to say.

Abbot opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

“Hi,” he said finally. His voice was rough, lower than you’d expected.

You couldn’t stop the small shiver that crawled up your spine. Fuck.

That delectable scent he’d smelled all night until Parker ditched her hoodie slammed into Jack the moment he opened the door to the patient room he’d been in. His head snapped up as he sanitized his hands absently, zeroing in on you standing at the hub.

The small sampling he’d had earlier had nothing on you here in person. My god, you smelled delectable. There was no question in his mind that you were his Omega. He forced himself forward, one step, then two, until he was holding onto the counter.

He didn’t know how to go about this, how to broach the subject. His wife had been a beta, there was no need to have the ‘hey, you’re my mate’ conversation. Did he just…tell you? No, that didn’t seem right.

He vaguely registered Lena introducing you as Parker’s roommate. He managed to stutter out a greeting but before he could say anything else, Parker appeared from the room she’d been in for the last ten minutes. She zeroed in on you and pulled you into a hug.

Jack’s hands flexed at his sides as he reminded himself that Parker wasn’t a threat and that you had no idea who the fuck he was.

Parker draped an arm across your shoulders. “You are a goddess.”

You hummed in agreement. “Fat Cats.”

She groaned. “I owe you my first born. Maybe my second, too.”

“I’d be concerned about being saddled with your random children but I know you don’t want kids.”

Parker laughed then turned to Jack with a smirk. “See you met my roommate, boss.”

Jack huffed. “You could have just told me.”

She shrugged. “Could have. Didn’t. This is so much more fun.”

Your brow furrowed as you looked between the two of them. The look of confusion was absurdly endearing. “Am I missing something?”

Jack was at a loss for words which was entirely unlike him. Parker grinned wider and turned to you. “Dr. Abbot here would love to take you to breakfast. And you want to let him.”

Silence stretched for a beat before the two of you spoke in unison. “I do?”

Jack’s head snapped to you to find you already looking back. The corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile. “I mean…I do. After shift?”

You glanced at Parker. She gave a small, deliberate nod.

“Sure. I can do breakfast, I guess, if Parker’s gonna be weird.” Your gaze dropped to his left hand, to the ring he hadn’t been able to bring himself to remove. “Your wife will be okay with that?”

“Widower,” he said, deciding it best to just be blunt.

You blinked once, glanced to Parker who nodded again before you looked back to him. “Sure. Breakfast sounds good. I can meet you here, I was picking Parker up anyway.”

He nodded, hoping the surge of happiness he felt wasn’t completely evident on his face. He should have a little decorum dammit. “I’ll meet you by the bay door?”

“Yeah, sure. Parker can let me know if you’re running late.”

So, you didn’t want to give him your number yet. He understood that. After all, you didn’t know what he did, his suppressants firmly in place. “I’m looking forward to it.”

You gave him a small smile at that. “See ya, doc. Parker.” The narrow-eyed look you shot Parker had him chuckling.

You’d no sooner gotten out of sight when Parker’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and laughed as she typed. “Her exact words? ‘What the fuck was that?’”

Jack crossed his arms and shifted his weight. “And what did you say?”

“I told her to trust me.” She put her phone away and grabbed the bag. “Now I am going to eat at least part of this before I get called away again.”

Jack’s gaze trailed her as she walked toward the break room. She turned around part way there. “Oh, and Abbot? She my not be my mate, but she’s my person. Don’t hurt her.”

He held Parker’s gaze, sure and steady. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

You waited near the bay doors, off to the side where you’d be out of the way. A couple of people going inside had glanced in your direction but kept walking without questioning you. You must look harmless enough for them to leave you alone. You tapped your foot as you wondered if this was really a good idea or not. You’d dwelled on it all night, your brain circling back to the odd conversation with Parker and her boss that you seemed to be missing a piece to.

The door hissed open and you glanced up to see Parker stepping out. She had your hoodie thrown over the top of her scrubs. She gave you one of her famous grins and waved, car keys in hand. You hadn’t given much though on how you were supposed to get home  after this…date? Yeah, you supposed it was. Dammit, Parker.

She didn’t stop to talk to you, just calling back. “He’ll be out in a minute. You can thank me later.”

You stared after her, shaking your head. “I’m going to murder you. Slowly,” you yelled after her.

Her laugh floated back to you. “You’re welcome!”

You were still shaking your head, mouth curled into a crooked smile when the scent reached you. Rich, citrusy with a hint of cedar. Alpha. Yours.

You inhaled deeply and turned your head slowly to the side to find Jack Abbot standing a few feet away.

The scrub top was gone, leaving him in a fitted gray t-shirt. His curls were damp around his face, like he’d splashed water on it before coming out. He gave you a real smile. Not the small one you’d seen earlier. A wide, careless gesture that crinkled the skin around his eyes.

“Oh,” you said. That was inadequate but you were still processing that this was your Alpha. Yours. And Parker had obviously known and let you walk in blind. Damn her.

Finally, you said, “Hi.”

“Hi,” he echoed as his warm gaze took you in. He held out a hand, not in greeting but rather in invitation.

You took it, his touch everything you needed as he laced your fingers together.

Jack Abbot Masterlist

[thatfanficstuffwritesstuff]

tags below the cut:

@catmomstyles3 @xoxabs88xox @nerdgirljen @hiireadstuff @kyky9103 @theshyboat @sleepylunarwolf @abbigennnn @beltzboys2015-blog @ilariyalavorowrites @waywardwifey @letstryagaintomorrow @marvelouslytrekking @alexxavicry @ghosthoe867 @acn87 @deanxfuckingadorablexwinchester @thedamnqueenofhell @nats-whore @karlawithacapitalk @onlyheretowastetime @phoenixhalliwell @seeminglyincurablesadnes @daethsticks @livingdeadblondequeen @punksnotdeadbutiam @violet-ink @lover-girlxx @kirral3 @tvshowmasterlistblog @ontheboundmp4 @rachelxwayne @thebitchsaid @glamorizethechaos @omg-mymelaninisbeautiful @multifandomlover01 @dvficrecs @cerberus101 @gabs-m @ifyoubewooedingoodtime @hexenratte @everythingbutnormal @stuttermaple @thatgirljayy @vroomvroom-keels @brunettewrites @muxshwriting @catnip987 @trixilove257 @milou64  

[lordkuntfuck]

Eddie starts calling Theo "Teddy" but Theo gets confused cuz he obviously doesn't know it's an established nickname and he's like if anyone is gonna be Teddy then it should be Eddie cuz it rhymes. So he starts calling Eddie "Teddy" as well and so it all starts to get very confusing (and very adorable)

[neptune-scythe]

[notnowtobey]

Buck wants to take Theo to the zoo and he wants to invite Chris, but he’s a little worried Chris will turn them down because of his newfound teenage angst. So imagine his surprise when Chris is IMMEDIATELY excited to go because he adores the zoo and he especially adores going to the zoo with Buck. And now Theo can learn everything there is to know, because Buck and Chris have gone so many times they’ve got the place memorized :) And Eddie loves going and listening to his guys sharing all the fun facts :) And it’s especially special to them whenever there’s a new exhibit and they can experience it for the first time together :)

[mairaiscarrierofthepaperclips]

Eddie: Buck and I had to share a bed last night.

Hen: There was only one bed?!

Eddie: No, the heat was off, it was for warmth.

Chim: Did you . . . did you actually try to turn the heat on?

Eddie: Uh - *looks at Buck*

Buck: No more questions!

[panikara]

damn I really want a madney buddie teamup at some point in season 10. just like four of them handling some shit, preferably with Chim confused why Eddie is all up in Buckley Han family business and Maddie being just look you can't fix them so just stop asking questions everyone but them knows the answer to

[911-incorrect-quotes-dispatch]

Hen: I can't believe we're trapped in a closet. The universe has a twisted sense of humor.

Eddie: The universe didn't do anything.

Hen: Why don’t you tell me a secret to pass the time while we get rescued?

Eddie: I’m gay.

Hen: That’s not a secret.

Eddie: I'm in love with Buck?

Hen: Do you know what a secret is?

[lordkuntfuck]

Eddie shoving Buck in like a friendly banter-y way but not particularly gentle except Buck doesn't even sway and it makes Eddie actually stop for a second and realise just how big Buck is and how has he never comprehended this before fuck why is his dick twitching

[911-incorrect-quotes-dispatch]

Buck: Today I realized I’m old.

Eddie: I thought you made peace with that.

Buck: Oh I did, especially now that I know how hot my gray hair gets you.

Eddie, blushing: That's not true but whatever, what happened?

Buck: I slipped on the station's stairs and instead of laughing, Harry came running to see if I was okay.

Eddie: Sounds like a normal reaction.

Buck: I saw genuine fear in his eyes.

Eddie: I think you're reading too much into this.

Buck: He's probably working on an eulogy right now.

[kitdkat]

Imagine Buck and Eddie being a menace to HR when they get together. Not because they are lovey dovey no the way they act at work hasn't really changed except for some kisses and hand holding. They are menace because for some reason Eddie is now way more impulsive and doing all the Buck things. Then Buck keeps arguing with Eddie because he wants to do it. Then HR is just over them being overprotective of each other.

[kitdkat]

The Buckley siblings and their children be like:

Maddie carried two babies for 9 months and then gave birth to her husband's mini mes.

Buck doesn't even share dna with one of them both kids popped out as his little Bucklings.

[thatfanficstuff]

Simple as a Song - Rabbot x Reader

Rockstar!Rabbot x Reader

synopsis: You meet two members of your favorite band and nothing goes how you imagined

warnings/notes: @domesticblisss requested a Rabbot Rockstar AU for my One Big Bash. pretty straight forward. If there is enough interest, I definitely have the plan for this to be a series.

wc: 2.9k

Ben Keener’s office hadn’t changed in all the years you’d known him, first as your professor then as your academic advisor. Framed posters of composers lined the beige walls while the desk was buried under loose paper and a giant monitor that you knew he hated. You actually hadn’t expected to be here again once your Master’s was complete but here you were two weeks later, sitting in a familiar chair drinking coffee.

“Not that I don’t appreciate seeing your face again, Ben, but you said you had something for me on the phone.” You set your mug on the desk. He’d all but begged you to come without telling you anything about why.

He reached into his desk drawer and came out with something small hanging from a lanyard. “I had a friend that owed me a favor. He called me and asked if I knew anyone that might be interested. I didn’t want to say anything until I had it in hand.” He held it out to you. “Private event. Tomorrow at the Pavillion.”

You took it. The pass was nothing fancy, just a laminated card with some venue information and a barcode. You turned it over and sucked in a breath before darting your gaze back to Ben. “Buffalo Jump? Are you serious?”

He hummed and leaned back in his chair looking rather proud of himself.

Buffalo Jump had been in the industry for almost twenty-five years. They were famous for their eclectic blend of music and were your absolute favorite rock band for a variety of reasons. All of which Ben knew because you’d written a thorough analysis of their music and the evolution of their sound for your thesis.

“You need the reminder of what you’re working for,” he told you. “You’re going to go far, if you just get the chance.” He’d said that to you before, more than once. He’d said it when you played your recitals, when you defended your thesis, when you mother fell sick and you had to leave your position at the symphony as you couldn’t leave her to tour with them. You didn’t exactly envision yourself playing the harp for the rest of your life anyway.

You gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”

As usual, he could read you too well. “I’ve been in this position for a long time. I’ve seen so many students come and go. It is rare that I see one with your talents.”

Your eyes went wide and you shook your head. As you opened your mouth to protest, he cut you off.

“No. No arguments. I’m aware you don’t see it, trust me I am painfully aware.” You thought the wince he made was a bit dramatic. He held your gaze for a long moment. “You’ll get your chance. In the meantime, go. Enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it.”

The Pavillion was one of those places that could be used for intimate events or upper floors could be opened for more seating. Tables usually filled the main floor but they had been replaced with rows of chairs facing the small stage. Two barstools sat in the center with microphones in front of them. The left stool had an acoustic guitar on a stand beside it while the one on the right had an acoustic bass. Both instruments showcased a custom paint job. They were obviously well loved.

As no recordings were allowed, phones were collected at the door much to the dissatisfaction of several of the people filing in. You handed yours over without hesitation. There wasn’t a lot you wouldn’t do to attend an event like this. Most people were in pairs or even trios, but you took a seat by yourself toward the back where you could take in everything at once.

Your pulse raced as the lights over the audience dimmed and the lighting on the stage came up. Then Michael “Robby” Robinavitch and Jack Abbot walked out. There was no introduction, no special effects. They weren’t needed.

Robby wore faded jeans and an old Harley t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. The logo was so worn you could barely read it. Jack’s jeans were darker and he wore an old band tee showcasing a buffalo jumping over the moon, the cover art from their first album. Robby grabbed the bass and Jack took the guitar in hand before they settled on their respective seats. They adjusted the mics and Jack leaned forward with a small grin.

“Afternoon everyone. We’re going to sing a few songs if that’s alright.” His rough voice had you smiling and you applauded, cringing slightly at the handful of people that screamed.

Robby’s smile was more a twitch of the lips than anything. He counted them in with a tap of his foot. The first notes were enough to quiet the audience. Jack’s gravelly voice came in, Robby occasionally lending his own in support.

You’d listened to all of their albums dozens of times. You knew these songs. Understood the theory beneath them, the stories behind at least a few of them. But hearing them like this, stripped of everything, was so much more moving than you thought it would be. Jack closed his eyes as he became lost in the music while Robby kept watching the crowd, as if checking to make sure they were still paying attention.

Somewhere in the middle of the fourth song—a ballad Jack sang while Robby played his bass so beautifully it made your heart ache—your mind turned to your own songs, your own music. Songs only a very limited audience had heard because no one gave a shit if their bartender was composing in her head during last call.

The set ended as quiet as it began. They played the last chord and let it fade into the air. They stood to set the instruments back in the stands as people applauded, some still a little more exuberant than the environment warranted. You wondered briefly if the men ever got tired of people screaming at them like they were something godly instead of just people.

A staffer stood near the side door with a clipboard. “Meet and greet line forms here,” she said, not shouting, but loud enough to catch everyone’s attention. People scrambled, wanting to be first. Others moved for the end of the line, chattering to their friends about getting more time if they were the last to go. You settled somewhere comfortably in the middle.

The line moved forward slowly as people were shown into a small room in the groups they’d attended in. They were in there long enough to get a picture, presumably an autograph or two and then they’d exit through a door a little further down the hall where someone waited to return their cellphones.

You thought about what you would say when it was your turn. Hi, I’m a fan. Or perhaps, hi, I wrote my thesis on your music. Or even, hi, I tend bar and have a Master’s in Music and play the harp in my living room while I wonder what the point of any of this is.

Five people ahead. Then two.

Then it was your turn and you were directed through the door where you found Jack and Robby waiting along with a photographer. Someone who was undoubtedly security stood along one wall.

The room was small with bare white walls and a folding table along one side. A backdrop was set up along the back wall. You couldn’t help but think they all looked incredibly bored. Or tired. Very, very tired.

Robby and Jack gave you a small smile when you entered. Up close, Robby felt taller than you’d expected. His beard was neatly trimmed and his eyes were that particular shade of brown that looked almost black in the right lighting. Jack was shorter, more compact, his once auburn hair showing more gray than ever. God, they were hotter than they had any right to be.

You cleared your throat and licked your lips before introducing yourself. You told them you were a big fan all while keeping a careful distance between you, not wanting to intrude on their space. Then you thanked them for taking their time to do something like this and told them how much you appreciated it.

Robby’s posture shifted slightly and his smile became a little more genuine as did Jack’s. They exchanged a glance, then the photographer stepped forward.

Jack motioned you toward them. “Come stand in the middle, sweetheart. We’ll get you a good picture. Is it okay if we touch you?”

Heat crawled up your neck as you nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

Robby draped a heavy arm across your shoulders while Jack’s hand came to rest in the middle of your back.

“Alright, big smiles,” the photographer stated in a tone that told you he said it all day every day.

The camera made a sound. Not a click or even a beep but a low whine that preceded a bright flash from the screen. The photographer frowned, pushed several buttons then muttered a string of profanities. “Shit. Give me a minute. Camera is having issues.” He went to a bag on the table and dug around before sighing. “Must have left the backup in the van. I’ll run and get it. Don’t go anywhere.”

He was gone before anyone could respond.

Their arms dropped and you stepped forward to give them back their space. Jack sighed. “You mind if I sit?” he asked.

It took a moment to realize he was talking to you. “Of course not. Please do.”

He nodded and dropped into a chair that sat against the wall. He reached for his leg then pulled his hand back. He’d lost part of his leg in a horrible accident right after the band signed their first contract. The record company had tried to replace him and the rest of the band had refused. You were sure the prosthesis was bothering him.

“So,” Robby said, drawing out the word as he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “What do you do?”

“I’m a bartender,” you answered automatically. Then something about the way he was looking at you, made you add, “I just graduated with my Master’s in Music.”

Both men straightened, looking far more interested than they had a moment ago.

Jack huffed a humorless laugh. “Are you serious?”

You made a sound of agreement. “A couple of weeks ago.”

Robby’s brows went up. “What do you do? With the music, I mean.”

You shrugged. “Sing. Piano. Guitar on occasion. I can also play the harp but I don’t suppose you care as much about that.”

Robby’s lips curled into a real smile.

“So sing something,” Jack instructed.

You looked at him in surprise. His hazel eyes were steady on yours, nothing but curiosity shining in their depths. “You don’t want to hear me sing.”

He smirked. “Wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”

“That was more of an order than a question, actually,” you muttered, heart pounding in anticipation.

“Can’t perform if you’re shy, sweetheart,” Robby added. The nickname should have rankled, but it didn’t. Not from them.

You glanced between the two of them as you stood there. Were you really about to do this? Ben would kill you if you didn’t.

Then you started tapping both palms against your thighs, a rhythm you knew by heart since you’d written it in your bedroom at two in the morning the week after your mother died. One two. One two three.

You didn’t even give it much thought, your hands moving into the rhythm almost of their own accord. Robby tilted his head, listened for a moment, then his right hand came down to the wall beside him, matching your rhythm exactly. You glanced at him. He watched your hands, then your face, then back to your hands.

Your voice when you started to sing was soft at first. Almost under your breath, the way you sang when you were alone in the car. The melody was simple and the words were about love and loss and the desire to be more than you were. The loneliness that came with wanting something so badly you could feel it in your soul. It wasn’t fancy or even particularly clever, but it was your truth.

Robby kept the beat, soft but steady, Jack watched from his chair, arms crossed over his chest, head tilted as he took you in. His eyes watched your mouth like he was reading your lips. When you hit the second verse, your voice found its weight becoming more solid, more sure. You sang the last line and let it fade.

Silence filled the room.

“That was…” Robby started. He paused, looked at Jack, then back to you. “Wow.”

“I didn’t recognize it. Whose song was that?” Jack asked.

“Mine.” Your voice came out rough and you cleared your throat. “I wrote it, I mean.”

The door opened and the photographer came in with a new camera hung around his neck. “Sorry, folks. Let’s get this done.”

The three of you recreated the original pose.

“Big smiles.”

You obeyed and heard several clicks. The photographer looked at the screen and nodded once. “Great. Next.”

Robby’s arm on your shoulder tightened before you could step away. You glanced at him.

“Wait. Could you…would you mind waiting until we’re done with the rest of the line? We’d like to talk to you,” he said.

“I…yeah. Okay.”

“Okay?” he confirmed with a wide smile.

You nodded.

“We’ll see you in a bit, sweetheart,” Jack said when you neared the door. You looked back and waved before disappearing into the hall.

The tech found the bag with your name on it and handed you your cellphone. A couple of chairs stood just down the hall and you sat on one, scrolling through your phone to kill the time and keep yourself from overthinking. You were nauseous with anxiety. What could they possibly want with you?

Minutes passed slowly until there was no one left in the hall except you and the two workers. They didn’t ask why you were still there. Didn’t try to move you along and you wondered if they knew somehow that you’d been asked to wait.

The door opened and three giggly girls poured out, clutching signed pictures to their chests. You’d forgotten yours and felt weird about asking for one now. The door stayed open this time and Robby and Jack stepped into the hallway. Their manager, Gloria Underwood, emerged from a door just down the hall.

She glanced at you, brow furrowed in confusion, before shifting her attention back to the men. “Gentlemen. We need to get back to the hotel and go over the set list for tomorrow. You also have a phone interview with People.” Her voice was clipped, efficient. She looked at her watch then back to them.

Robby waved a hand in her direction, a sour expression on his face. “Just a minute, Gloria.”

He turned his back on her and positioned himself in front of your chair. Jack stood at his side, close enough their shoulders nearly touched. The two of them created a barrier between you and the rest of the hall, between you and Gloria.

“Tomorrow’s show. You’re coming,” Robby said.

It wasn’t a question. You opened your mouth to respond but he cut you off.

“You’re on the list. Bring a plus one if you want. Park in the back by the buses. Give security your name, they’ll let you through.” He paused, gaze steady on yours. “Can you make it?”

Yeah, you could make it. You could make it if the venue was on the moon and you had to walk. What came out of your mouth instead was, “Why?”

Jack grinned. It was the first real smile you’d seen from him. It transformed his face into something almost boyish. He looked at Robby then back at you and the grin didn’t fade. “Just trust us, sweetheart.”

“Come early,’ Robby added. “Around four. Sound check. You should hear it. It’ll be a good learning experience.”

What the fuck was going on?

“Okay,” you managed to get out.

Gloria apparently reached the end of her patience. She stepped forward, inserting herself between the men with practiced ease and placed a hand on each of their arms. “That’s enough socializing. The car leaves in five.”

Robby sighed. “Fine, fine.” He pulled his arm out from under her touch.

“Now, Robinavitch,” she said with enough attitude to have even your brows raising.

“Enough, Gloria. We’re coming. Just fuck off for a minute,” Robby snapped.

Jack chuckled softly, obviously used to the animosity between the other two. He gave you a nod. “We’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart. Don’t disappoint us now. It will break our hearts if you don’t show.”

He was gone before you could respond.

“As you can see, we have to go. But you’ll be there, right?” Robby asked. “Promise.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” you answered honestly.

He gave you a wide smile and backed down the hall for a few steps before finally turning and walking away.

You waited for the door at the end of the hallway to swing shut behind them before standing. Your legs were stiff from sitting, your fingers found the pass hanging from your neck and ran along the edge of it.

Less than an hour ago you’d been a fan in a meet and greet line. Now you were…what? Invited? On the list? Told to come early?

What the hell just happened?

You weren’t sure. But tomorrow at four you were going to find out.

[buddiesource]

Buck & Eddie 9-1-1, S07E09

[chollybolly]

I love a good jealous Eddie fic, but imo canon jealousy belongs to Buck.

Yes, Eddie has hated all of Buck’s partners, but personally I feel that is envy rather than jealousy.

Eddie is comfortable with his place in Buck’s life. He knows no one will replace him. But, Buck’s romantic partners get to have Buck openly, all of him. They get to have a future with him in a way Eddie never can (at least from his own perspective).

You can see it in the way he watches Buck flirt with the girl at the club in 9x07. He’s not looking with anger or fear, but instead what looks a lot like longing and a bit of sadness. That’s envy. That’s want.

Now Buck? A completely different story. That man is POSSESSIVE of Eddie. Eddie is HIS and anyone who threatens their bond IS competition.

Tommy thought Eddie was his competition for Buck when in reality it had always been Tommy competing with Buck for Eddie’s attention. That’s why when he and Buck started dating, buddie’s relationship didn’t change, but Tommy and Eddie’s did. And also why Buck was so chuffed to learn that Eddie stopped talking to Tommy after they broke up (among other reasons).

And you could argue… Buck didn’t seem to get jealous of Eddie’s girlfriends. But I think that came down to them not holding the same place as Buck in Eddie’s life. For all he knows, Eddie is straight, and therefore Buck could never hold the place of romantic partner in Eddie’s life… but Tommy? He could take Buck’s perfectly curated position of Best Friend and that is a threat. Hen actively replacing Buck as Eddie’s work partner? Threat.

Now, if Eddie ends up coming out before he and Buck get together and starts dating men other than Buck? Jealousy toward Eddie’s romantic partners will be fair game.

Important Reminder: Eddie being envious of a dog getting to lick Buck’s face.

[serendipitouswasteland]

That’s their fucking kid, bro. That’s their son. And now they have a second one. What the fuck.

[thatfanficstuff]

Yours - Titus Danforth

Titus Danforth x Reader

synopsis: You take your foster sister's place in the hunt.

warnings: nothing beyond canon. Reader is very slightly unhinged, but she likes it that way. Reader is Grace's older foster sister. This was a request from @marvelcasey05.

wc: 2.78k

 When you received the phone call that brought you to your foster sister’s bedside in the hospital you couldn’t have anticipated things going quite the way they had. First, Grace tells you some insane story about her new family being part of some Satan worshiping cult. They’d seemed ordinary enough at the wedding but what did you know. Nothing about satanic cults apparently since you were now sitting beside Grace, both of you tied to a chair. Until about three minutes ago, you’d had a ball gag in your mouth. Kinky.

Some of the faces that surrounded you were familiar. Ignatio El Caido. Ursula Danforth. Titus Danforth. It was the latter that caught and held your attention. God, he was hot. He just smirked as he looked between you and Grace.

The man who introduced himself as The Lawyer stood before you, hands folded in front of him. He was small, unassuming, with a smug expression.

“Mrs. Le Domas,” he said.

“It’s MacCaulley,” Grace corrected automatically.

He ignored her. Rude. “You survived your game of hide and seek and in so doing you activated a seldom used clause deep in our bylaws. There will be a new game. The winner of which gets everything.”

“Everything?” you asked.

“The world.”

Grace and you exchanged a look. “Yeah, what so I pull another card?”

“Actually, no. As you won at hide and seek, that is the game you will play. A continuation, if you will.”

“No. I’m not doing that.”

“I’m afraid you have no choice,” the man said. “The rules are quite clear.”

“There has to be a loophole, right? There’s always a loophole,” you said.

He tilted his head slightly, eyes flicking briefly to you before returning to focus on Grace. “There is a provision. Should another party volunteer to take your place in the hunt, you may be excused from participation.”

“I’ll do it,” you said with no hesitation.

Heads turned, suddenly finding you far more interesting than they had a moment ago.

Grace didn’t move, but the corner of her mouth did. A smirk, small and meant only for you.

The Lawyer turned fully to you this time, a calculating look in his eye. “I am not certain you understand what is at stake here. The families will hunt you. They will attempt to kill you before dawn. This is not a game of tag.”

“Figured that out on my own. My question is, what happens when they fail?”

Something shifted in his expression as if he was reassessing what he thought he knew about you. “If they fail, you get the seat.”

You nodded, flexing your hands in the restraints. “Has that ever happened before?”

He looked amused then. “No.”

“Alright.” You rolled your shoulders. “What happens to Grace?”

“Mrs. Le Domas will remain here until the hunt is complete.” He ignored Grace telling him to call her MacCaulley again. “Should you fail, her life is forfeit as well.”

Titus narrowed his gaze at you as if trying to decide if you were brave or stupid. Others murmured amongst each other, probably wondering the same thing.

Good. Let them wonder.

What none of them could have known was that you’d been trained for something like this. Not exactly this, of course. The program had been more…formal, less devil worshiping cult. You’d washed out in the psych eval. Something about having ‘concerning levels of comfort with violence’. Oops.

What they saw was a woman tied to a chair volunteering to die. What they were getting was something else entirely.

You caught Titus’ gaze across the room and held it. He didn’t look away. Interesting.

The Lawyer turned to Grace. “You must accept and acknowledge her as family. It is the only way this works.”

Grace didn’t even glance at you. “She’s my sister. Always has been.”

“Very well. Pernilla.”

A large woman with blonde hair pulled back in a severe bun, stepped forward and undid both of your bindings.

“Come forward,” he ordered as he stood at a podium and opened a large book. “Mrs. MacCaulley first.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Gracer muttered, taking the ancient quill from The Lawyer. She glanced around looking for ink.

The Lawyer gave her that same aggravating smile. “You must sign in blood, I’m afraid.”

She sneered as she pierced the tip of her finger and signed where instructed then she passed it to you. “Here please,” he indicated. You signed with a flourish, eyes never leaving the man in front of you. “Very good. You have now taken Mrs. Le Domas’ place in the hunt.”

A shiver of anticipation ran through you and you grinned. “Perfect.” These people had no idea what was coming for them.

You were directed back to your seats, Grace saying a quiet “thank you” to you as you went. You gave a small nod. She didn’t need to thank you, not for this, not for taking care of her. You’d done it for half of your life.

Pernilla stepped forward with a syringe. You wondered what was in it and if you’d been dosed with it before.

“I’ll do it.”

Titus’ voice cut through the silence. He stood and stepped forward, taking the syringe, dismissing the woman with a small nod. He leaned forward until his face was inches from yours. He was close enough now that you could see flecks of gold in his hazel eyes. Pretty.

The syringe hovered near the side of your neck and his other hand came up to rest against your jaw, keeping you in place. “I’m going to be the one to get you,” he said. His voice was low, meant for you alone, humming with dark anticipation.

You grinned again. “God, I hope so.”

Surprise flickered across his face, quick and genuine before the mask settled back into place. The needle slid in, cold spreading through your veins. The last thing you saw was Titus’ face, watching you with an expression you couldn’t read though you very much wanted to.

Then nothing.

You woke slowly, giving yourself a moment to gather your wits before you moved. The drug had left a chemical aftertaste in your mouth you desperately wanted to be rid of. Your limbs were heavy but your body was quickly shaking off whatever they had given you. You pushed yourself up, glancing around.

A fucking golf course. They’d dumped you on the green at the resort. Fuckers. You hated golf. Pushing yourself up, you stayed low as you bolted for the tree line. Your current position was too exposed, too open.

The forest was full but not particularly thick. It wouldn’t hide you for long. You kept to the darkest parts where even the cameras—because of course there were cameras—would have a hard time finding you. If they drugged you and dumped you without a weapon, you fully anticipated them using surveillance on you.

A building emerged from the trees. Small, utilitarian. A toolshed, maybe. A rock made quick work of the padlock and you let yourself inside.

There wasn’t much here, not that would help you anyway. You didn’t particularly wish to fight with garden shears but you would if needed. Finally, in the drawer of a worktable at the back of the room you found miscellaneous small tools. A claw hammer slid in a belt loop. Then you found a dull blade probably used to cut twine and the like. You doubted you could cut much with it, but it would stab just fine. You kept it in hand.

Neither weapon was ideal, but they were a start.

It didn’t take you long to find your way into the utility tunnels underneath the resort, one of the men hot on your heels. You left the door cracked behind you. Wouldn’t want him to get lost. You pressed yourself against the interior wall beside the door, knife reversed in your grip. His footfalls were unhurried, steady, belonging to someone who believed themselves to be the hunter rather than the hunted.

He stepped through the doorway wearing expensive clothes and a gold mask to cover his face. A curved blade rested on his shoulder.

You moved before he could register your presence.

The knife went into his throat just below the jaw, angled upward. You twisted as you pulled it free then stabbed again and again. Warm blood rushed over your knuckles as you knocked the mask from his face. His eyes found yours, wide and shocked. You smiled and gave him a wink before removing the blade one final time to watch the blood pulse from his veins with the fading rhythm of his heart.

You patted his chest and removed his weapon from his hand, leaving your pitiful knife to fall on his chest. His blade was beautiful, expertly crafted. Shorter than you would have liked but obviously that wouldn’t be much of an obstacle for you. You wiped the blood from the handle with the dead man’s shirt and disappeared back through the door onto the grounds.

***

In the surveillance room, the screens showed everything in high-definition. The spectators watched stunned. Madhu Rajan observed his brother’s summary execution in silent horror. His mouth opened, closed and he swallowed hard.

“Is…is she hunting us?” he finally asked.

The Lawyer stood with his hands clasped together, watching the screen with intense interest. “It would appear so.”

“Is she allowed to do that?”

The smaller man’s attention turned to him then. “Most assuredly. As your brother is no longer on the field, you are the next legal representative of your family, Mr. Rajan. Shall we?”

You entertained Chen Xing’s desire for conversation for approximately three minutes before slitting her throat. What she’d told you was interesting to be certain, but you didn’t know if you’d use the knowledge. If it wasn’t for Grace, you wouldn’t bother, but you would protect your sister at all costs. There was always a loophole.

You traded Rajan’s shorter blade for Chen Xing’s katana. The sword was the stronger option, longer and perfectly balanced. You’d driven it through the back of Ignatio’s head less than an hour later. You wondered if they’d run out of people or if it would just be a never ending loop of satanists until dawn.

You found the Danforths near the front gate. Perhaps they thought they could intercept you trying to escape. Titus carried a two-handed war hammer while his sister was armed with a flintlock pistol. They were bickering in a low tone.

 They didn’t see you until you were already moving.

 You came out of the tree line low and fast, swinging the katana in a short arc that ended with the edge of the blade pressed against the side of Titus’ neck.

“Don’t,” you said, and Ursula’s gun halted its upward swing.

Titus went very still, eyes narrowing.

“Where is my sister?” you asked.

Ursula ran her gaze over you. “Why would we tell you?”

You turned the blade, just scraping the surface of Titus’ skin. “Because If you don’t, I’ll kill him.”

She gave you a thin smile. “Go ahead. It just means I won’t have to share the seat when I kill you.”

You arched a brow and shifted your eyes back to Titus. “That was harsh. Tell me where my sister is.”

He tilted his head back slowly, well aware of how sharp the weapon at his throat was. His hazel eyes found yours. “I don’t feel like it.”

You grinned, the expression wild but genuine.

What happened next took less than three seconds, which was twice as long as it should have with your training. You dropped the katana from Titus’ neck, slid the hammer from your belt loop and threw it at Ursula hitting her temple. She crumpled to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.

Titus looked at his sister. Then at you. Then back to his sister. You picked up the hammer and slipped it back in its resting place at your hip with a little shrug. “It’s not as big as yours but it gets the job done.”

The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

You turned to face him fully, the katana resting on your shoulder. “I like you, Titus Danforth. You’re sassy.” You let your eyes travel the length of him, taking inventory with deliberate slowness. “And hot as fuck.”

There was a flicker of surprise quickly replaced with something darker, more calculating. He lunged without telegraphing. Good form, actually. The kind of attack that might have worked on someone that wasn’t you. That hadn’t spent months learning to read body language at a microscopic level.

You sidestepped, the movement fluid, and when his momentum carried him past you, the point of your katana was waiting when he turned. “No, no. None of that, now.”

He pulled up short, sneering at the weapon resting against his chest. His breath came in heavy pants. “You going to kill me now?”

“There’s a loophole you know. Let’s us both get what we want.” Your voice was calm but the katana didn’t waver. “You should ask that lawyer. Let me know what you think.”

You stepped backward toward the tree line and faded into the shadows.

It was an hour or so later when Francesca El Caido found you kicked back with your feet on a table, sucker in your mouth. She appeared, screaming that she was going to kill you. You watched her line up a rocket launcher on her shoulder. You weren’t particularly worried as it was pointed in the wrong direction.

You stood slow, and cleared the distance between you while she screamed again and pulled the trigger. You dodged to the side to avoid the backdraft while still moving forward, bringing the sword up as you went. It caught her in the ribs before sliding up and into her heart. She gurgled a scream and fell to the floor.

You stepped over her body, adjusted the sucker in your mouth and kept moving.

Titus stared at his phone as he read The Lawyer’s response to his inquiry about the supposed loophole.

The bylaws are quite clear. In the event a target and a hunter agree to be united in matrimony according to the rules set forth, said hunter will be granted the high seat and the target and any designated family shall be granted clemency. The union must take place before dawn.

Titus read it twice. Then a third time.

He could have the seat. All of it. Not shared with his sister. And all he had to do was marry the only woman who had intrigued him in ages.

He slid his phone into his pocket and headed for the golf cart where Ursula was already waiting.

He drove them to the main building of the resort without a word, not really listening to anything his sister had to say, as he recalibrated his plan, his entire future.

He parked by the main door and hopped out to head into the lobby.

“Titus are you listening to me?” Ursula demanded. “We need to get to Grace. Use her as bait. She’s the only leverage—”

“Oh. I have a better idea.” Titus leaned over the front desk, picked up the house phone and pressed the button for the intercom system. “This is Titus Danforth.” His voice carried through the empty lobby, through the hallways to wherever you were. “I accept your proposal.”

Ursula stared at him with a baffled expression. “What just happened? What the hell did you do?”

The Lawyer appeared in the doorway, his arrival so sudden it was impossible to tell whether he’d been there all along or had simply decided that the moment required his presence.

“The hunt has concluded,” he announced. “Mr. Danforth is the winner provided he upholds his side of the arrangement. No harm is to come to Grace Le Domas or her sister.”

“Pretty sure she told you to call her MacCaulley. Several times in fact,” you said.

You walked into the lobby from one of the side hallways, katana resting on your shoulder once more, hammer lost or discarded. Your clothes were dark with other people’s blood.

The Lawyer inclined his head slightly. “My apologies. Miss MacCaulley then.”

Titus watched you, tracking your movement across the lobby. The corner of his mouth kicked up in a smirk, making him look every bit the man who had just been handed the world. “What should we call you then since she claimed you as her sister?” he asked.

You mirrored his expression with a tilt of your head. “That’s easy. You can call me yours.”

Titus Danforth Masterlist