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neutron-stars-collision · 4 years ago

Text

The Art of Inversion

Neil x Reader

Chapter 23 - So Far From Who I Was

Masterlist; Chapter 22

Summary: As plans for operation in Stalsk-12 are underway, you and Neil can’t seem to find a common ground. His selfish plans overturn everything...

Warnings: Even more angst (sorry!!! swear it will be over very soon); swearing; some slightly dubious thoughts appearing in the reader’s minds but it’s nothing too serious.

Author’s Notes: Okay, I’m really sorry for the 10.8k, but it once again shows that I’m incapable of writing short things. This one is a wild ride and it was fun to write even if painful at times... I hope you’ll ‘enjoy’! Let me know how you liked it... and I promise... fun is near :)))

From that morning, when the precious intel magically appeared for you all to use, the metaphorical dice were cast. The last stage of the plan was officially on, and there was not much time to waste. After two days of chaotic talks, interrupted by training and trying to make sense of living aboard the icebreaker, you were told to meet with everyone else on the bridge for the official confab. Your war council consisted of TP, Neil, Ives, Wheeler, and yourself. And you were the first to admit that you had no clue what your job was supposed to be there. However, ignoring the deepening sleep deprivation, pounding headache, and weariness that has made home in your heart, you made it to the destination with time to spare. That morning the sky over the Barents Sea was overcast with heavy, grey clouds, increasing your internal melancholia and tiredness. Basically, life was hard. And you still contemplated joining the seals. Probably more often than any sane person should. But then you never really considered yourself rational. Sighing, for the umpteenth time this morning, you sat down on the sofa and relished in the solitude. In moments like this, without the oxygen mask making you feel close to suffocation, or the looming danger of losing your control around certain individuals, you were almost at peace. They never lasted long.

“Morning sunshine,” Ives marched into the room with a grin on his face.

He was one of the people you could tolerate. Still.

“Hi,” you cracked a smile of your own in his direction.

He took off the mask and opened up the laptop, preparing for the meeting. After a few minutes of companionable silence, Ives groaned, stretching his limbs exaggeratedly.

“The bloody bunkbeds are a pain in the arse,” you snickered at the comment.

“My condolences,” offering him a mournful expression, you stood up.

Wandering over to the panoramic windows, you took a moment to stare at a seagull diving on the horizon. Well, technically it was springing up from the sea, but you preferred to imagine the traditional way of things. Just to maintain a functioning brain.

“Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Prince Charming looking out for their comfort you know” the casual remark made you look up at Ives.

Sure as hell, he was grinning smugly, satisfied by how he has managed to catch you off guard. But that was not the most outraging bit…

“Prince Charming?” you repeated with a deepening frown, “Spare me please, I’d rather forget he exists” conversation was ruined.

Prince Charming, my ass. Unless those tended to be lying bastards that never knew what they wanted. Or terrifyingly beautiful idiots that should never be trusted. Well… fuck.

“Good luck with that” Ives patted you on the shoulder.

You knew that despite the nonchalance, he was someone you could count on. For a second, you contemplated asking him to punch Neil next time he shows up. However, all train of thought disappeared when the man himself walked into the room the very next minute. That same neutral smile on his face, blocking off any attempts to read his mood. His gaze slipped over you. A shadow of a frown as though your presence was not a pleasant discovery. Just brilliant.

“Good morning” Neil nodded in your direction.

You could see Ives hesitate as though wondering how much could have been overheard. You found that you did not care. Ever since your blunder in the kitchen, you came to a decision that you need not hold back. Neil never did, after all.

“Morning mate” Ives squeezed his shoulder in a greeting.

Before either of you were forced to initiate small talk, TP marched in, with Wheeler following at his heels. With the whole team on board, you could skip the awkwardness and begin. You took your seat on the side of the table and placed the dossier with plans right in front. That way, you could have an easy escape should it be needed. These days you could never know for sure. The first surprise of the meeting took place when you heard a scrape of the chair on your side, followed by someone sitting down. One look was needed to ascertain that it was the blonde bastard. Fab. You refused to give him any satisfaction of being caught staring and so you focused on the documents, reading the same set of instructions for the hundredth time.

“Do you want coffee?” his question took you by surprise.

Looking up into his blue eyes always felt too startling. Especially considering your history. But that did not seem to matter whenever your gazes met. That same jolt of electricity heightening your senses. Until you would look away again, Neil was everything you could focus on. On the periphery of your attention, you could see Wheeler prepare cups of the beverage in the small kitchenette. Right…

“Yes, please,” perplexed by his helpfulness, you gave him the tiniest of smiles.

In response, Neil only nodded and got up, joining Wheeler at the counter. That was surprising. Somehow you assumed that he would do everything not to interact with you like that. And yet he was willing to get you coffee, knowing full well how dependent on it you were. When Neil sat down again five minutes later and handed you the mug, you muttered:

“Thanks” your hands brushed for a millisecond, causing a minor heart palpitation.

Nothing new. He met your gaze again, smiling lightly. It was in the moments like this that you felt completely at a loss for words. The tenderness and attention felt like the old days, as though nothing happened. But it did. And it made no sense.

“Hope I got it right” breaking the silence, Neil gestured towards the coffee steaming underneath your nose.

He used to know your coffee order well. Unable to deny yourself the curiosity, you took a sip of the beverage under his watchful gaze. Of course, it was perfect, a spark igniting your body with energy. Ignoring the idiocy of the situation, you grinned at Neil over the brim of the mug. Conveying gratitude more than any words could. Judging by the glimmer in his eyes, he understood.

“Attention, please,” Ives’s annoyed voice brought you back to reality “You’ll flirt later,” you blushed furiously at the comment.

Shooting daggers at the squad leader, you focused all of the attention on the dossier again. Yeah…no.

The next hour was spent trying to make sense of the plans you all had been weaving since the intel came. The obvious parts were the facts: a deserted city in the middle of the Siberian steppe, the dead-drop in the cavern underneath the ridge, three ways in, and a lock, that was the crux of it all. The instructions from TP were ominous enough: no guaranteed way out for whoever would open the door. And that fact was the needed spark that day…

“So, temporal pincer” Ives summarized the last few minutes of the discussion, writing the words on the whiteboard “One team normal, the other inverted and they deal with the mercs. A splinter unit goes into the dead-drop and extracts the algorithm before the timer goes off” he added.

That was the obvious bit. You finished the coffee in one swig, feeling Neil’s knee bump into yours under the table. It was like this for the past hour. Sudden touches, making you wonder whether it was all intentional. Another form of elaborate torture. Or whether it was just Neil unable to control his long limbs as per usual.

“Kat is the backstop?” you asked the question, distracting yourself from the mess in your head.

“Yep,” jotting down the note, listening in to the squad leader, “That’s the simple stuff. What we need to figure out is how do we deal with that lock, and what about the splinter unit”

Fun. You skipped through the information again, hoping to find any source of inspiration in the materials.

“What do you mean?” TP asked, and you glanced up at him.

With the arms folded on the table and face frozen in a permanent frown, you could feel the tension radiating from him.

“They shouldn’t leave the field” Ives shrugged upon an inquisitive glare from the boss “It’s safer that way” the cold steel look in his eyes was foreign.

It was a terrifying realization that he was right. If you were to succeed, you had to make sure that it could not happen again. At least not in the linear sense. Looking around the people sat at the table, your heart sank. It could as well be that you were not coming out of this alive. Not all of you. TP had to survive if the story was to follow as it should. But for the rest of you, nothing was guaranteed. Enough to make the anxiety worse.

“Right,” TP’s sombre nod made you focus back on the moment “I don’t think we need to decide on who that will be this early,” he added, his gaze slipping over all of your faces.

Looking at the companions, you could see that everyone else was deep in thought. Mortality was never something you paid much attention to, preferring to stay sane by taking every day as it is and then moving onto the next. When you finished the university and started getting used to the idea that your future will be spent behind the desk of one of the governmental buildings in Whitehall, you stopped giving it much thought. Death would come when it had to, and that was it. But apparently not. Perks of choosing an unusual occupation. Feeling the stress levels elevate, you got hold of the passing thought. The damned lock that has been at the forefront of your mind since the news first came. Maybe now was time to voice the vague plans…

“When it comes to the lock… I’ve been thinking-”

“It’s rather obvious, isn’t it?” Neil’s interruption made you look up at him sharply.

What? You did not like the enigmatic smile gracing his features. As though you have missed something glaringly self-evident, and he was waiting for you to catch up. Impatiently, at that.

“Neil… elaborate please,” TP’s plea was dripping with tiredness.

Relatable.

“I’m the best locksmith out there” he shrugged smugly, ignoring your stare.

You did not like where this was going. Before you could find any words of response, Ives’s dry chuckle pierced the silence.

“Smooth, mate,” he added when Neil turned to stare at him.

“It should be me,” the blonde man pressed, annoyance seeping into his words, “Ives, you know that. Stop looking at me like that” he waved his hand at the squad leader.

The pieces clicked in your head. Fuck. He sounded too sure. As though he has already made up his mind. But…

“The person who opens the lock doesn’t have a guaranteed way out” Wheeler looked weary, as though she was scared about the direction of the conversation.

Exactly. The heart was hammering in your chest, slowly absorbing the reality. Figuring out the implications. No. You could not allow that. Even the mere idea was enough to make you nauseous. It was one thing to wish you did not have to deal with Neil, the other to consider that he would volunteer for something like that.

“So?” the nonchalance in his voice was terrifying.

He was still refusing to meet your gaze, but you persistently kept your eyes fixed on him. Urging him to give in. To be able to check this was actually happening. Because once Neil would lock his eyes with yours, you had a chance of getting to him. Until he said it to your face, you did not want to believe it.

“That could be a one-way trip,” TP voiced your thoughts, eyeing Neil warily.

You could see that he was surprised and concerned. Ever since they were stuck in the container for a week, a comradery has formed. Finally resembling what you were used to from them. But now Neil was willing to destroy it all. One-way trip. The ultimate sacrifice. No.

“Evidently,” another shrug.

That was the needed signal for your brain to kick back into action. To fight. Point out the insanity of the situation.

“Surely there’s a different way of dealing with this. We could send the locksmith before the splinter unit and-” your rant got interrupted with a sudden creak of chair to your right. Impatience.

“Why complicate something simple? I go in and open the door. That’s it” Neil flayed his hands around as though compensating for the tension permeating the room.

Wishing to dissolve it by fake excitement. Not on your watch. Urging your body to stop trembling, you garnered the strength to voice the obvious question. The one everyone seemed to skirt around for the past ten minutes.

“You don’t want to come back?” your voice wavered, betraying the nerves.

That was exactly what Neil needed to finally look you in the eye. With reluctance, he turned to you. When your gazes met, he flinched. Barely perceptible and yet there. Great.

“This isn’t about what I want or don’t want” you could tell Neil was just about keeping himself cool.

This could go either way. You found yourself on the tipping point, tiptoeing the edge. The fall never seemed so inviting. Almost as good as letting yourself drown in his eyes. Anything to ignore the reality.

“As if you knew what you want,” you muttered, aware he will catch on to the implications.

Neil clenched his jaw as his hand gripping the mug tightened. You have hit the mark. Top job. It took him a moment to respond. You could feel the gazes of everyone else fixed on you two. Their breaths were held as though afraid anything could set off the explosion. They were probably right.

“…Maybe you haven’t gotten the memo yet, but this isn’t about us anymore. If the task requires sacrifice, then be it” Neil finished the sentence with a hard look in his eyes.

Us? The emphasis he placed on the word made you blink in shock. On its own accord, your mind drifted back to the conversation in Tallinn. We’re just us. Me and you, was what he said back then. Only now, it was not that simple. Ignoring the ache in your heart, you swallowed hard, trying to find any traces of reason.

“But-” it was not meant to be.

Before you could add another word, Neil took hold of your hand, making you shut up. Shocked, you met his eyes, only to be paralyzed by the harshness of his expression. Your protests were not welcome. He has made up his mind.

“Darling, I appreciate the concern. However-” his tone was dripping with condescension.

The nickname felt like a slap. You tugged at the hand he still had in his grasp, cutting in sharply:

“How very patronizing of you” giving him the fakest of smiles, you added, “I had the illusion that you’re better than this… but well, as with most things I was wrong” a shrug to complete the insult “I still think there must be a way around it. There’s a reason why we got this warning” ending the torture of prolonged eye contact, you glanced around the table.

A silent cry for help. TP met your gaze, rapidly catching on to the desperation pouring out of your eyes. If anyone should get it, it’s him.

“Okay, hold on. Let’s suppose we do it as you say-” the boss interjected, putting all of the charisma into the sentence.

For nothing.

“Maybe the reason was that you need time to get used to the idea. Clearly, you’re the only one who opposes it this strongly” Neil was still looking at you only.

Cold blue eyes and lips twisted into a cruel smirk. That was the same man that fought with you on the highway in Tallinn. Terrible beauty. And yet, you could not look away, drawn by the gravitational pull that kept you tied to his side.

“What are you trying to say?” your voice sounded small.

The confidence was gone. The gloves were off. That was it. The explosion everyone feared. Judging by the way Neil leaned in closer, it was all part of the plan. Calculated and measured for the greatest impact. His knee bumped into your thigh. You froze as his nose brushed over your ear. Too close.

“That you lied to me a few days back. That you still l-” blood froze in your veins as you took in the meaning.

Before he could say the word, you hissed and lurched back.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” the curse ripped apart the tense silence.

The pain was unimaginable. You felt close to screaming. Helpless. Alone. Desperate. In love. All for nothing.

“As I said, sometimes feelings need to be put aside. Whatever they might be,” you heard his voice as though from afar.

Enough. Releasing a long exhale, you closed the folder and stood up. That was enough. He did not deserve the sight of your tears.

“Now, let’s assume I go, open the door for the splinter unit, and… What are you doing?” Neil noticed your movement a second too late.

The confusion on his face was almost laughable. Pity.

“What does it look like?” you scoffed, pushing the chair back onto its place “I’ve had enough of this sacrificial bullshit and personal insults” addressing the room at large, you added, “If anyone needs me, I’ll be at the range”

You noticed Wheeler’s sympathetic nod breaking in through the concern on her face. Ives looked pissed off, and you could not blame him for it. You have made quite the show. Again. TP just glanced at you, utterly perplexed. There was no logical explanation for any of this.

“You can’t just-” attempting protest, Neil took hold of your hand again.

You knew the purpose behind that. If everything else failed, he was well aware that touch was your weakest point. That previously it always worked. Not anymore. You met his eyes, encountering nothing but annoyance and frustration.

“Neil” Wheeler’s warning was a welcomed addition “Let her go,”

That was all he needed. Letting go of your hand, he gave you a final look. Something shifted for a split second. But you found that you did not care. Without a second thought, you bolted out of the room. The very last thing you heard felt like the final blow:

“She’s being ridiculous,” Neil muttered dejectedly.

She. Just that. With shaking hands, you closed the zip lock.

“And you’re stupid. Sit the fuck down,” Ives’s command rung out in the air behind your back.

Tears were streaming down your cheeks as you ran down the corridor. Fuck.

*** That day you have successfully managed to hide from everyone. Wheeler came to check up on you in the evening to, as she put it, make sure you have not taken the shooting practice a little too seriously. You could only offer her your tear-streaked cheeks and reddened eyes as you assured her that this would be the worst state she was likely to see you in. Was that a lie? Maybe. To put it bluntly, after the morning nightmare of a confab, death sounded like an interesting option. Certainly better than another week of Neil offering to get himself killed just because. You chose 2 am that night to finally emerge from the cabin in the search of food. Without bothering to touch up your bedraggled appearance, you tiptoed down the corridor, taking one extra look at the door of Neil’s room. Why? Fuck knows. The silence was encouraging. However, that confidence was to be your ultimate downfall.

The moment you dealt with the airlock leading to the galley, you knew that you were not alone. Neil was there, chatting to one of the squad members you vaguely remembered from the days spent in inversion. Dominic, or something. Briefly, you considered turning back around and leaving as though you were never even there. But when the men turned, and your eyes met, it was too late. Luck was never on your side.

“Hi,” you gave them both a nod and opened the fridge before either could take a longer look at you.

“Evening” Neil cleared his throat awkwardly.

After a pause, the men picked up their conversation in hushed tones while finishing sandwiches. Mindlessly you stared at the contains of the fridge, hoping to appear occupied. To be forgotten. But to no avail. You could feel someone’s gaze burning into the side of your head. Somehow you knew that if you dared look up, the blue eyes would be there. Ready to analyze you. To find weaknesses and strike when appropriate. You could only hope he would not do it with Dominic present.

Fridge held no answers. You closed it quietly and took hold of the granola bar from the cupboard. Only tea left now… easy. They were still talking. From what you could hear, it had something to do with the inverted weaponry and the training you were all forced to recap before Stalsk. You thanked the gods for the presence of the buffer, as you not so patiently waited for the water to boil. The false sense of security shattered seconds later:

“Thanks, mate. See you in the morning, yeah?” Dominic rinsed the plate quickly and started to put on the mask.

What is worse, Neil was not doing the same. Instead, he was still sitting at the table, smiling at the colleague.

“Yep. Can’t wait,” the fake enthusiasm radiating from him in waves.

But it seemed like only you could see it. Another observation for nothing. Your pulse quickened as you realised that it was only a matter of seconds till you were alone again. And the fucking water was still boiling.

“Goodnight, Y/N” Dominic smiled at you before moving to open the airlock.

“Night night,” your response came out too breathlessly.

Crap. Just like that, he was gone. It was you and Neil, staring at each other like two animals locked up in a cage. He quickly assessed your appearance, taking in the puffed-up eyes, tangled hair, and shaking hands. You wanted to ask him whether he was satisfied with his work. But that would mean admitting how much it hurt. And your pride was in the way. The kettle switched off. Neil’s taxing gaze stopped as his eyes widened.

“Is that-” that is when you realised.

Fuck. When leaving the cabin, you have not changed. That meant you were still wearing the only article of clothing that brought some comfort. Neil’s burgundy sweater. And he most certainly recognized it.

“Neil I-” his name was the only answer as you struggled for words.

Neil stood up and pounced, closing the distance. The malicious look in his eyes was terrifying. And inspiring.

“Why do you have my sweater?” to emphasize the point, he took hold of the material, drawing you near in progress, “I didn’t take you for a thief,” delivered with a cruel smirk.

With Neil that close and acting ridiculously, you realised that above all, you were tired. And had enough of this. Of him.

“I used the opportunity and went into your apartment,” a tight-lipped smile thrown in before he could interject, “Yes, I know, don’t worry, I haven’t stolen anything else,” you added, enjoying the surprise flashing in his eyes.

He forgot about the keys. Or did not think you would use them after everything. And now, when he realised how much you knew, it was hard to accept. That was encouraging. You waited for Neil to bite back, letting yourself stare at him without shame. His eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes lit up. There we go…

“You know that you’re not making any sense?” he blurted out the question and tugged at the sweater “You just- You’re telling me that it’s all over and yet here you are, wearing my clothes” another tug, bringing you just as close as the last time “I mean that’s one way of confusing me further” he finished on a whisper.

It took you a moment to recover. To realise that once again, you were too close. When that clicked, you took a step back and met Neil’s gaze. Too satisfied. His pupils were darker than usual, and that was worryingly enticing. Focus. Anger was the answer.

“Confusing you?” a sudden idea struck, “Fucking hell, you know what?” another step back, “Just take it, and let’s end this discussion” you started taking the garment over your head.

“What- Why are you...” much to Neil’s shock.

Good. The cold air hit your body as you took off the sweater and threw it in his face. You were eternally grateful to your morning self for putting on that tank top. Not much, but still preventing you from the walk back in only the bra. As Neil scrambled to pick up the garment that fell onto the floor, you added:

“I’ll give you back the keys tomorrow” you met his wide-eyed stare with pleasure, “There’s no need to stare. You’ve seen it before,”

Yet, the way his gaze roamed over your body was fascinating. There was nothing to see there, but still, he seemed transfixed. You took that as your chance to strike.

“Hell, you’ve even had your hand down my pants. Twice” Neil flinched, and you smirked, “Talking about wrong life choices and all that” it was nice to see him hurt.

For once. Even if it was another lie. He looked lost, unable to find a response to something like that.

“I-” a pathetic attempt at god knows what.

You took a final glance at him there. Clutching the cashmere sweater in his hand. Hair falling into his eyes. Shoulder sagged. Defeated. Confused. Finally.

“Goodbye,” you grabbed the mug and left before Neil had a chance of recovery.

The walk back to the room was cold. But probably worth the pain.

*** Sighing with happiness for the first time that day, you closed the door to the cabin and collapsed onto the bed. For the past three hours, you have been occupied with training that Ives made mandatory for all the mission participants, and you were exhausted. The only encouragement was the fact that the squad leader made sure your shift was different from that of Neil. What was even better, he did that without you needing to ask first. Just like that. And you were very grateful. Moments like those last two encounters in the kitchen were best avoided at all costs. Any contact was ideally off the books. Even when it hurt.

With the sweater gone, you had no more things to hold on to. Well, apart from all those memories and the ability to read him like an open book. Utterly useless skills like algebra or functions at this point. You have changed into the comfiest set of sweatpants and a hoodie, hoping to spend the next few hours marinating in your misery. But long before you could even think of the first reason to cry, a knock made you jump up. Who the hell…. Grudgingly, you got up and opened the door.

“Hey…” you did not expect him.

Despite everything, your heart was naive enough to stumble upon the sight of Neil. And his stupid hair. And the repentant look in his eyes. What even.

“What do you want?” you decided to cut the bullshit, meeting his gaze coldly.

The visit was certainly unexpected. As was the fact that he seemed apologetic. Meek, even. Neil shifted nervously before answering:

“Here’s the sweater. You can keep it” he handed you the garment with a tiny smile, “It smells more like you than me now, but…” trailing off, he shrugged.

The implications of that statement were too much to handle. As was the fact that he gave you back the sweater. You gaped at him, speechless. It made no sense. But the silence stretched too long, and Neil looked even more uncomfortable.

“Okay…” you accepted the gift, making sure your hands have not brushed.

“I’m sorry about how I reacted yesterday it wasn’t reasonable,” he added, with that contrite tone you were not used to.

Unreasonable? That was one way of describing what happened the previous night. You did not know whether it was the glaring lack of confidence radiating from him or as something as simple as the fact that you missed him. But you could feel the resolve crumble.

“I’d say nothing you do is reasonable… thanks though” mustering a weak smile, you stepped away from the door, “You can come in if you want,”

Risky. And something Neil did not expect either, judging by the way he hesitated before entering the cabin and closing the door. You sat down on the edge of the bed and observed his awkward movement. A look around the small space. His eyes slipping over the few personal items you had. The sparring gear you have carelessly thrown onto the floor. And the bin full of used tissues. How humiliating. Then he perched on the chair and met your gaze wearily. Without you even needing to ask the question, he answered:

“I guess it surprised me to see that you’re using something of mine after everything” the honesty was strangely comforting.

For the first time since the disastrous mission in Tallinn, you could tell that he was genuine. Open for you to read and interpret however you fancy. That was intriguing. Enjoying the way his eyes roamed over your features, you leaned back on the bed. Relaxed. Sincere. You could try that.

“It surprises me too,” shrugging, you pursed your lips, staring thoughtfully at the window.

You did not have to look at him to imagine the expression on his face. A little concerned, extremely curious.

“How do you mean?” the soft tone made you glance back.

Sure enough, the furrowed eyebrows and sparkling eyes were there. Neil crossed his legs, studying you intently. You could tell that he wanted to know. That this was probably the closest you would ever come to a normal conversation with him. Might as well use it.

“Well, the heart knows best,” offering him a sad smile, you laced your hands in your lap.

Here’s to hoping he won’t turn it on you. But when you dared look up at Neil again, you were surprised to see him stunned by what you revealed. After a beat, he found the words:

“I thought you don’t-”

Of course. Unable to stop the irritation gnawing at your heart, you scoffed, preventing him from saying something so wrong.

“I never said that,” you explained upon his wide-eyed stare, “But that’s beyond the point, isn’t it?” you sighed, hoping to make him drop the topic before it would drift somewhere dangerous “Why are you here?”

You took a longer look at him then. Taking in the denial painted on his face. He wanted to press on, to get you to explain things. Not today. Then, returning your taxing gaze, Neil offered you his wistful smile.

“I suppose I’ve missed you” the sincerity of the statement was terrifying.

You felt a painful pang in your chest, as though the heart itself was awaiting the tragic end to this conversation. Courage. For a second, you wanted to cross that meter of space. To… Yeah, what exactly? One memory of what he said in the kitchen a few nights back was enough to sober up. You had to be careful.

“...right” the next words were a result of annoyance, pure and simple “Are you sure there isn’t anyone better? Because I bet there are at least five people aboard this ship who would give you everything. Without questions asked. Maybe you should talk to them” once you were done with the rant, you faced Neil again.

He was gaping, speechless. It seemed like his sharp wit was missing. That was only good news for you. A myriad of feelings passed in his eyes. You could discern shock, offense, heartbreak, and most surprisingly, something darker. Contradicting the very next thing he said:

“If I was looking for that, I’d never come to you. Because I value you more. But I don’t expect you to believe me” the defeat in Neil’s eyes was confusing.

But not any less than you were at that moment. More than what? A cheap fuck? One could hope so. But at the same time, considering the multitude of instances when he seemed desperate to get too close, it felt like a lie.

“I don’t, so you got something right,” you admitted, hoping to keep the emotions in check.

His blue eyes were fixed on you with intensity, trying to read all that you were not saying. After a minute of excessive staring, you were the first one to give up. The last thing you saw was a smirk forming on Neil’s lips. As though he knew that you were close to breaking. Close to potentially doing something stupid. Jumping up, you paced to the window. Nothing but sea and sky. And the damned birds. But even that was better than being faced with what you have lost. After a few days on board the icebreaker, you got used to the casual outfits he sported. What was worse is that they did nothing to make this any easier. It only proved the theory that Neil looked good in anything. Well, fuck him. Only not literally.

With the silence stretching well past the point of awkwardness, you grasped onto the first passing thought, turning to Neil again:

“You’ve talked about… me with TP, haven’t you?” it was a strange change of topic, but also something that has been on your mind for a while “Because suddenly he seems to trust me and I’m not sure what the fuck happened” throwing in the expletive, you sat down on the floor with your back against the wall.

Neil eyed you curiously. He was strangely quiet, and you wondered why that could be. Whether it meant that for once, he did not know what to say. Or maybe because he already regretted coming to see you. Yeah, probably that second option.

“Yes, I’ve explained a few things on the way to Oslo” the diplomatic tone was mildly annoying.

He leaned back in the chair, making sure to face you in the new dynamic. Only the nervous foot-tapping was a sign that he did not like the direction of the conversation. Interesting.

“Such as?” pressing on, you took a moment to observe him.

These days he gave up on styling the hair as the wind outside would always blow it in his eyes. That was rather adorable. He unzipped the pullover, shifting in the seat. Tension spilling out in weaves as Neil waved his hand dismissively.

“It doesn’t really matter,” another remorseful smile.

So, he must have said much more than just the basics. Could he have admitted to things even you were not allowed to know?

“Well, you must’ve said some crucial bits if he’s now so eager to take my side” arching your eyebrow, you met his gaze purposefully.

Hoping he will catch on. Just like the matter of whatever it was between you, the battle plans were a clear no-go in this conversation. But that did not mean you could not hint at it. He had to understand that you were not going to give in so easily. That his suicidal mission was not getting a green light from you. The bait worked. Kind of.

“I said things that you and I should probably explain to each other one day” Neil’s grin did not reach his eyes.

Oh. He must have read the shock from your face, for his eyes glimmered dangerously as he relaxed on the chair. Your brain froze. Things? As in what? You both did and did not want to ask. Instead, you chose to attack.

“We won’t have time if you sacrifice yourself” simply put with a merciless stare.

Neil frowned, not expecting that kind of a dig. Before you could taste the satisfaction, his weary expression caught you off guard. Could that really hurt him? The cold of the wall was digging into your back.

“Let’s leave that for the meeting tomorrow,” a silent plea in the blue eyes “I don’t want to argue,”

He meant it. The tiredness etched onto his face told you as much. You were used to seeing the same kind of exhaustion every morning in the mirror. You could let him off.

“Okay…” a solemn nod before you got up and picked up the pacing again.

It was a strange feeling to be with him alone and yet not close. You realised that this was likely the first time since the early days when you were together somewhere private and were not even touching. It felt wrong.

“How did you like my place?” Neil’s question was like a much-needed grounding.

Swallowing down the discomfort, you turned back to him. The innocence was just a façade that he has put on for your sake. He expected an answer, and you did not know where to start. And then… the way his hair caught rays of sunlight was an inspiration.

“It was… enlightening,” you relished in the curiosity reflected at you, “For starters, I never realised that this is all fake” crossing the space in one leap, you ran your fingers through his hair.

Just like the old times. Only then, Neil would not shudder upon the initial contact. It took him a longer moment to recover. You smirked seeing his stunned face and resumed the movement, separating the strands slowly. You had no clue why this was the fact you latched onto. Blonde or not, he was a sight. But the idea that he dyed his hair would not leave your mind like the worst of brain worms.

“Ah, you’ve seen the photos” when he finally found the words again, his voice was hoarse.

As though whatever you were doing had some sort of an effect. A spark of confidence. You tugged at a strand sharply, the gasp making you bite your lip hard. A dangerous game. The words you have been biting back begun to spill from your mouth:

“It fascinates me because you act oh so confident all the time, and yet you’re pretending you’re someone you’re not” glancing down, you noticed the closed eyes and pursed lips.

It was definitely working. Whatever you even wanted to achieve. It was nice to hold power for once. To call him out on the bullshit you had to deal with every day.

“That’s just hair,” Neil protested weakly, grabbing onto your free hand and encircling the wrist.

Unable to stop the emotions bubbling under the surface, you scoffed:

“It really isn’t. I mean, why? It’s not like you have to scrape for attention” his eyes met yours with defiance, “Unless you’re compensating for something. In which case, that’s just ridiculous” the hit came with a visible flinch from Neil “And ever so manly” you perfected the punchline with a final tug on his golden strands.

That turned out to be a step too far. Before you could sense a change in the mood, Neil used the hold over your hand to bring you down. More accurately, to make you sit in his lap. Your brain caught up too late. Suddenly he was too close, with hands settling on your hips, securing you in place. Fuck. You opened your eyes, cursing the moment of weakness. Neil was staring right back, his eyes unreadable and dark. You messed up.

“What are you doing?” too breathless.

He caught onto that, rubbing circles onto your thigh, focused on you. It would be easy to get up and throw him out, ending this madness. But you found that you did not want to.

“I’m not sure. Say a word, and I’ll leave. But...” he trailed off, searching your eyes for something.

A protest, most likely. A clear-cut rejection. When he found nothing, he leaned in, brushing his nose against yours. So close. Slowly your willpower was waning. You placed your palm over his heart to feel the warmth.

“Neil, why...” unable to find the words, you stared at him with questions multiplying in your head.

What was this? Was it why he came? And why, despite the hurt he inflicted, you could not tell him to stop?

“Because you’re here. It’s all I need to start feeling like...” another open-ended response.

Adding on to the confusion. His heart was beating fast, breaths coming out shallow. With fingers still tangled in his hair, you urged him to keep eye contact. That was the only chance of telling whether he was honest.

“Like what? Like you could want me?” the words were hard to say out loud.

For a moment, you felt like this was Tallinn all over again. Like you were losing sanity just for the sake of getting something from him. The ever-present yearning getting the best of you. The only difference was that this time Neil was the desperate one. His hands roamed over your hips and thighs, causing worrying jolts of electricity. It shouldn’t be that easy.

“You know that I do,” a whisper, eyes overfilled with determination.

Did you? Now – maybe. Any other day – hell knows.

“Maybe once I did. But recently... I don’t think you know what you want. You’re just...” you offered him the honesty, absentmindedly running your fingertips over his temple.

Exploring all that was familiar yet missed so much. The creases on his forehead deepened.

“What?” Neil leaned in once again, nuzzling the skin on your neck.

The shaky exhale felt like a defeat. It was increasingly hard to think, let alone give him coherent answers.

“You’re not making any sense” that had to do.

Only it was whispered breathlessly. Not convincing.

“Maybe this will make sense...”

Before you could contemplate the meaning of his words, Neil kissed your neck, drawing out a shudder. One of his hands wandered underneath the hoodie. His fingers ghosted the skin. You have not realised how much you’ve missed it until you got it. As he got braver in his ministrations, teeth grazing over your pulse point, hands stroking your bare back, you felt intoxicated. Unable to do anything but pull him closer and let your hands venture underneath his black t-shirt. It made no sense. But as soon as a reasonable thought would come up, Neil would do something to make you forget. It could be a kiss right under your ear or fingers getting too close to your sports bra. Christ. No logic, just Neil being the sole reason for insanity. The heat travelling up your veins was getting too evident to be ignored. As he gave you a particularly forceful mark by sucking on the skin in the crook of your neck, you could not hold back a moan. It pierced the silence accompanied only by your shallow breaths. Neil froze as though he was not expecting a reaction that strong. His breath causing goosebumps all along your neck. For a second, you wanted to pull him even closer, to give permission to take everything he desires. Even without a promise that it would mean something to him. He raised his head, meeting your wild gaze with the darkened pupils of his own. The proximity was suffocating. Unable to make sense of your thoughts, you leaned in, hoping to get lost in a kiss. To buy some time before you would have to make up your mind. That is when Neil did something unexpected – he pulled back, with a strangely remorseful look in his eyes. Fuck. Alarm bells started ringing out in your head, harshly reminding you about the reality of the situation. As though nothing happened, Neil’s hands went back to the meticulous caress of your upper body. But you could not ignore the nauseous feeling in the pit of your stomach. What if this wouldn’t mean a thing? Suddenly it seemed like the worst mistake you could make. The previous frenzy was quickly replaced with dread. Not meant to be. You retracted your hands from underneath Neil’s shirt and pushed him back. It took all the strength available to deliver the next sentence with necessary firmness:

“I think you should leave,” you hoped to hide the pain behind the schooled features.

If he was surprised, he was very good at pretending. His eyes searched yours for a beat, and then he let go of you. His touch was already missed.

“If that’s what you want,” Neil’s voice revealed remains of passion as he nonchalantly smoothed the hair you have tangled.

That was the cue to get up. With cheeks burning, you turned away from him, doing your best to cool off and keep the scraps of dignity you had still left. Before you could risk a dangerous spiral, Neil’s voice brought you back to the moment:

“Too close, wasn’t it?” you frowned at the casual tone.

He was zipping up the pullover, staring at you with startling composure. As though the past minutes have not happened. As though he has not marked you as his for the umpteenth time. It was terrifying.

“What?” you gaped, trying to collect the thoughts and keep calm.

“We got too close. And you’re worried because for a moment you wanted more than you should” Neil shrugged upon your quiet gasp.

He could read you too well.

“Don’t do that,” a pathetic attempt at a plea.

But it must have worked for his expression softened. A small smile split his face as Neil pressed the door handle:

“Just thought you should know that I don’t mind. I don’t have much left to lose,” a parting remark, and then he was gone.

You covered your face with your hands, falling onto the knees when the remains of strength gave out. What a fucking mess.

*** What you did not expect to be the hardest feat of all before the meeting the next morning was making sure that all the bruises were covered up. You did not need to add questions and human curiosity to the list of your problems. After all, it would have been obvious to anyone with a brain. You fucked up, and Neil was the reason why and how that happened. As usual. That was best avoided since everyone on your war council knew enough already when it came to your relationship. Or whatever the fuck it was.

As you walked in, everyone else was already on the bridge, spreading the materials and preparing the whiteboard. Wheeler gave you a welcoming smile which at that moment was worth more than it should. Any expression of kindness was at a premium. You sat down, and before you could process much of what was going on, a mug of coffee appeared before your eyes. Just so. A second later, Neil took the seat next to you without acknowledging your existence. Cool. Perplexed, you looked around the room, locking eyes with TP. He shrugged as though exactly aware of your issues yet unable to help. That much was enough to make you feel a tiny bit better. After a beat, the boss spoke up:

“Before we begin… Y/N?” his question interrupted the first experimental sip of the coffee.

Perfect. Again.

“Yes?” you ignored the annoying spike of anxiety upon being the centre of attention.

“Is Mahir going back to meet Kat in Vietnam on the 14th?”

Ah, that. The little side quest that you have been given ages ago with close to no information towards its purpose. Thankfully, Mahir cooperated. No questions were asked as you arranged for him to invert in London and travel to Vietnam to be Kat’s aide. That kind of smooth operation was a welcomed change.

“Yep, as ordered,” you offered the dark-eyed man a small smile, “Turns out I am capable of not fucking up some things…” that addition was a product of spite.

It was rewarding to see Ives and Wheeler crack a grin at your comment. It made you feel less alienated, as though it was only the man on your right that had issues. And he might as well be ignored. Neil was being helpful in his silence too, moodily staring at the papers in front, refusing to lay his eyes on you. It was painful, especially considering the previous day, but it also meant you felt more at ease.

“It would be great if we could agree upon a few things finally,” TP interrupted the silence, looking at you all expectantly.

“Can’t promise you that, chief” you shrugged, aware of the way Neil shifted in his seat.

His knee bumped into your leg, starting the irritating dance you thought you had moved past. But, supposedly, laying his hands all over your body yesterday was not enough for him.

“I know. But let’s try” you focused all the attention back on the boss “Splinter unit,” the phrase fell between you all like a death sentence “Who and how?”

“The tunnel” you picked up the map and showed it to him, “That’s what the intel said” taking the sip of coffee, you added, “As towards who…”

One of the sleepless nights has been spent wondering whether you should not volunteer for that. The logic was that there was a reason why TP chose you as his link with everyone else. It meant his future version trusted you enough. But it also meant you were important. In those hopeless moments, it felt like maybe that was the purpose. And if it would mean no coming back? So be it. Death for the means of saving the world did not sound half that bad. Before you could express the thoughts, TP spoke up again:

“It should be me” his voice was emotionless.

“Why-” Neil’s voice rang out in the room.

You glanced at him, noticing the tension and worry radiating from him. It was a strange situation; everyone could see that. You all knew that TP had to survive. After all, how could you be at this point if he did not? He had to set up Tenet, hire Neil, Ives and everyone else, prepare the ground for the operation to unfold just like this. But then, considering everything you have been told about temporal paradoxes… could it be that simple? Or was Neil wrong, and what’s happened could also unhappen, so to speak? Too much. Your head began to pound.

“I’m the protagonist of this whole operation. The reason why you’re all here” that was convincing.

And in any other situation, you would have laughed at the prophetic overtone of the statement. But now other emotions were more prominent…

“Mmmm, I’m here because of him,” you retorted, pointedly staring at Neil,

“Only, he doesn’t care” that is when the man turned to look at you for the first time that morning.

Irritated. Fed up with your bullshit. Lips pressed into a thin line. Eyes glimmering dangerously. Nothing new.

“What are you-” the sharp edge to his voice was satisfying.

Any kind of reaction meant you succeeded at pissing him off. Somehow back then, it was the best thing that could happen.

“Just being salty. Don’t mind me” you shrugged, making sure to pat his shoulder quickly.

Another tiny stab. Neil’s eyes flicked to your hand in a flash and then back to meet your eyes. You could only give him a deliberate smirk.

“Anyways… The splinter unit will be two people” Ives brought back the topic with palpable annoyance, “I’ve got an obvious choice on my mind, but I’ll discuss that later with some of you” the definitive tone would have made anyone shut up.

Not you though. Not when there was nothing to lose, and you decided that you might as well have fun with this mess.

“Why so mysterious, huh?” another quip, all to make Ives look up at you with surprise.

He rolled his eyes, showing you exactly what he thought of your new approach to things.

“We’ve got a more pressing topic to deal with” nothing to play with there.

What a shame. Mouthing an apology at the squad leader, you could feel the tension surge. The more trivial topics have been already mentioned and moved past. Now it was the time for big guns. For another clash of the titans.

“Precisely,” Neil jumped at the chance and spoke “The elephant in the room is rather obvious” his eyes scanned the space with a predatory gleam, settling on you, “I mean, look at her… she’s barely staying quiet,” a mocking smirk to compliment the statement.

Presumptuous fuck. Despite the anger reaching a boiling point in your veins, you refused to give him the satisfaction. To show how much it hurt.

“Her?” arching your eyebrow, you met his gaze defiantly “Neil, that’s a low blow. Even for you” a passing flinch on his face giving the power to keep going “But yes, I’d love to know whether you’ve changed your mind regarding some important matters” you addressed the room at large, searching for support.

That concerned look Wheeler shot you was helpful. As was the way TP hunched in the chair, burdened with terrifying possibilities of Neil’s stubbornness. Maybe you won’t have to be alone in this.

“I’m going in,” the blonde man shrugged nonchalantly, staring you down, “The only thing you can do is help us plan how to make it work,”

The strategy was to alienate you. Make it sound like you were the only one protesting against his idiotic plan. Well, not on your watch. Now was the time to put all those sleepless nights to use.

“How to make what work? Your suicide?” you scoffed, taking pleasure in how he frowned at the word, “If you let me speak for once, I’ve got an idea” finishing the lukewarm coffee, you gathered needed strength.

“Go ahead, sunshine,” a sarcastic half-smile, begging to be wiped off his face with a slap.

Maybe another time.

“What if two people went first to take care of the lock?” your voice cut through the tension permeating the room, “You rarely send anyone out without a cover. Because it’s unreasonable. So why this time it should be different?” that was logical.

The most sensible of plans you could come up with. Two on the splinter unit; two to deal with the lock. More likely to find an exit or, simply, survive whatever was waiting by the dead-drop. You also had ideas when it came to who should accompany Neil. But those were best kept a secret.

“Because losing two is worse than one. Even you can do the maths” the unnecessary dig made you roll your eyes.

He was ridiculous. In moments like this, you wished you had never fallen for him. But there was no point in crying over the spilt milk.

“Two have greater chances of survival,” you counterattacked, stating the obvious.

The truth he was so gladly ignoring for his purposes.

“You’ve got a point,” Wheeler chimed in, making you both turn to her.

“Thanks,” you offered the brightest grin you could muster and searched for more backing on the faces of the fellow companions.

Before you could analyse the grave expressions on TP and Ives’s faces, Neil spoke up again:

“You’re also rather emotional…” another insult.

Fuck. It was getting increasingly hard to stay calm. But that was the only thing to do. Another scene before the whole team was certainly not desired. You took a deep breath, fighting to maintain composure.

“Neil, stop” Ives was your saviour of the hour, interrupting with the non-bullshit attitude, “I think this idea is worth going over. It’s not like we’ve got anything better,”

You vowed to send Ives a bouquet of roses if you were still alive after all this. Or better, take him out to a pub. Nothing was settled upon during that meeting. The chaos of you all trying to convince Neil to listen to your arguments was only interrupted with him throwing more offences at you. Apart from emotional, you learned you were also delusional. And a potential loose cannon that was best kept away from making crucial decisions. You debated putting all of those on your CV and asking him to provide the references. After all, Neil was the expert when it came to your skillset. After half hour of barely held-together discussion, Ives told you all to calm down and fuck off for the time being. At least until you could decide on something without jumping to your throats. You doubted that was even possible. You were resolved to drive your plan forward. And so was Neil.

When the meeting was over, you were the first one to leave, hoping to slip out before anyone could stop you. You made it as far as the corridor leading to the bridge when you felt someone grab your arm, making you turn around. Of course. Neil’s steel-blue eyes were staring at you coldly. He was getting ready to attack, and you did not want to let him. Before either of you could break the silence, someone stopped in the corridor, and the familiar voice spoke:

“You two should fuck each other already,” you scowled at Ives’s choice of words, “Or break-up. I don’t care, only don’t do this again” he gave you a long taxing look, with annoyance brewing underneath.

You could not blame him. Only that kind of comment was too much right now. With cheeks burning, you desperately searched for words. Neil found them for you:

“We’re not together” dead simple with a tinge of anger to it.

You took a look at Neil, noticing the frown set on his face. And the fact that he was still holding on to you. Fingers wrapped around your bicep, just enough force to make it seem questionable.

“Could’ve fooled me” the squad leader shrugged and walked off before either of you could react.

Great start. Yanking your arm free, you asked:

“What do you want?” you made sure to make him hear the irritation.

That was against the plan, and you doubted your ability to survive yet another confrontation. From the look in his eyes, you could also guess where this was going.

“I know what you’re doing. All I’ve got to say is don’t,” Neil stared you down, keen on intimidation, “I won’t let it happen” no room for discussion there.

Well, maybe with any other idiot. You knew it would come to it. The moment when you would have to admit that your plan involved going with Neil. And there would be no debate about it. It had to be you. Reasons? Inexplicable.

“Tough luck because I’m not letting you get killed,” you counterattacked, meeting his intense gaze without reluctance, “Or go in there alone,” a pointed emphasis, to show him you meant it.

You felt like you could win this one. Maybe even walk away without the tears in your eyes. Just this once. But then Neil did what he does best – changed the topic.

“If this is about what happened-” he reached out to you again, fingers curling around your wrist.

There we go. You were surprised it took him that long to mention the previous afternoon. His touch and the bruises were hard to forget, but so was the lack of affection in his eyes. As though you were just another hook-up. Someone to seduce, get pleasure from, and then leave without a word of explanation. Nothing more. You deserved better than this. With heart hammering in your chest, you responded:

“Not everything is about you trying to fuck me, Neil,” it was his turn to scowl, as though the words have hurt him.

It was only fair.

“Who said-” his grip on your wrist tightened, drawing you closer.

But that alone was not enough to distract you from the denial he tried to pass as the truth.

“Please,” you gave him a pointed look, “That was a mistake, and it’s best treated like one” swallowing down the discomfort, you let the statement fall between you.

You wanted nothing but to forget about it. Brush it under the carpet. The marks were enough of a punishment for a moment of weakness. Neil seemed to consider something quickly, weighting the options, before he nodded:

“Of course,” the formality had the potential to drive you mad, “I’m glad we seem to agree on something,”

For a second, you contemplated leaving the scene. You knew he would not follow, too caught up in the grudges and apprehensions to stop you from escaping. But you wanted to have the last word. To put to use the ability to see right through his act. Neil was staring at you with eyes narrowed, trying to anticipate the very next move. You were sure to surprise him.

“Think I have figured it out though,” he arched his eyebrow in a silent question “Why you’re so keen on doing something that stupid” his face fell, you took a step forward “It’s that hero complex, hidden under honourable acts and philosophical bullshit” pulling your hand out of his hold, you advanced to intimidate, “You think you’re past redemption. That you don’t deserve it. But you can’t give up until you save everybody else. That’s just who you are” the sheer panic in his eyes was fascinating “Only there’s me. An obstruction” Neil swallowed hard as you laid your hand on his shoulder; nearly there, “And you might not love me, but it still doesn’t mean I can let you do it” you gave him a final sad smile, brushing away a stray hair from his pullover.

Yours, judging by the length and colour. A quirk of fate. You were too busy contemplating the fact to notice a shift in his eyes. Denial. Disbelief. Darkness.

“My god… you’re so stupid” the sharp edge to his voice was dripping with venom, “How can you not see it?” Neil was looking at you as though you were an idiot.

Wow. Fighting the urge to breakdown, you took a deep breath. You should have known he had not had enough of hurting you. Always naïve.

“… thanks,” you chuckled dryly, holding on to the remains of anger in your system, “First ‘emotional and delusional’. Now this… you’re expanding your vocabulary” his silence was deafening, “I wonder what will be next… expletives?” the next statement came from the depths of your heart “It would be much easier to just admit that you hate me, and we could be done with this”

That childlike belief in the existence of love wanted him to say no. To deny that he could ever despise you in any way. But the innocence had to be buried if you were to survive.

“I’ll consider that” the cold calculation in Neil’s eyes was terrifying. It was truly over. Even if your heart felt like it was being ripped out. The edges of your vision were blurring, eyes burning with tears begging to be released. Not yet.

“Fab,” you brushed away the strand that was falling into his eyes, “As a final note… I admit that the worst mistake I have ever made was allowing myself to believe you’re worth it”

It was not exactly the truth. But the tiniest moment of passing shock in his eyes was a good enough response. For a second, Neil was speechless, stunned by your harsh words and the way you caressed his face. One last guilty pleasure.

“I’m glad you’re acknowledging it” his face split in an attempt at a smile.

It was broken. Dishonest. There was something fascinating in him at that very moment. The set jaw, eyes cold as ice; yours, but not at all. The beautiful and damned. Gently, you ran your fingers over his stubble, hoping to memorise his face in every way possible. The intensity of his gaze was beginning to drive you insane, offering eternal suffering if you were to make the smallest mistake. Never again.

“The cruelty looks good on you” you zipped up his pullover in one smooth motion and turned away.

The searing pain in your chest was the needed punchline.

#tenet #neil tenet #neil tenet x reader #neil tenet imagine #neil tenet fanfic #neil x reader #tenet fanfic #robert pattinson #the art of inversion

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alfredosauce50 · 4 years ago

Text

You’re gonna go far, kid [Punk! England x reader]

Synopsis: Ever since coming to England to study, you haven’t had the time to do what made you come in the first place--tourism! The only friend you have is an exchange student from Russia, Ivan, so why not kill two birds with one stone? He schedules a little playdate with Arthur, a local, so he can show you around the hottest spots in London. You two immediately hit it off. Ivan is quick to notice his interest in you, so he starts teasing the poor man and making things hard for him. Camden is the last destination, and there’s no saying when he’ll ever see you again. Will he be able to get over himself and ask you out before the night ends? Note: Attractions are italicized and have a link to a picture. Wordcount: 4,641 The reader is referred to as she/her.

This was the day you had been dreading, and yet, looking forward to. The first part was easy to explain. Picking up your hot latte, you set it down after a quick sip. You didn’t even have time to enjoy it. Not when you were typing away at your keyboard like a speed demon. You promised your friend you would finish your assignment before today’s meet-up, but your procrastination habits were a bitch. Nevertheless, you were eager to uphold your side of the deal, even if it meant stressing your hair out to get it done.

So long as he didn’t show up before you were done, right?

After burning your tongue for the second time that morning, you let out a small groan at the sting you felt but gasped at what you saw outside the window. It was a sound made from genuine terror--rather than the quiet streets of London at seven AM, you spotted a man pressing his face right up to the glass. And he was staring at you, menacingly.

Anybody would’ve been creeped out by the sight, but you knew the guy. “Aha--Ivan! Hey! Morning?” You began rather awkwardly.

He waved in response, and his glower melted away in exchange for a childlike smile. “Dobroye utro, (F/N)! I hope that’s not your assignment you’re doing.” He hummed, placing two hands on the glass to peer at your screen from outside. Oh shit. Glancing briefly at said screen, you turned it away before clicking the upload button.

“Of course not.” You grinned, shutting your laptop immediately after. “I was just... Surfing the net. Checking Instagram. You know?”

“Is that so? I’m gonna check.” He made his way inside. And in no time, he was looming over your shoulder to start browsing through your internet history. You, on the other hand, were sweating balls.

“You’re so funny, (F/N). Who checks Instagram on their computer?”

It seemed like only yesterday he was the oblivious exchange student from Russia who had no concept of social media. He had been a country bumpkin through and through, but a few semesters after befriending you, your influence rubbed off on him. Even you had no idea what went through your head when decided to talk to him, the intimidating new kid who spoke broken English, but there was no turning back now. He was attached to you by the hip and picked up on your habits faster than you could deal.

He only became more of a menace when he discovered Twitter.

A displeased expression contorted at his expression when he saw that there was no evidence of you ‘surfing the net’. Google Docs couldn’t possibly count, after all. “... Hm... Apparently, not you. Why didn’t you finish this yesterday, sunflower? Remember our promise?”

You sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. I passed out last night. But hey, I technically finished it before you came, didn’t I?”

He craned his head from side to side in thought. “Maybe. But if you hadn’t, you know what that means.” Ivan coiled his arms around your neck and a sickeningly sweet smile curled up at his lips.

“You will come with me to Moscow for Christmas!”

A chill ran down your spine at the thought. Going to Russia was bad enough. But during Winter? You were never good with the cold. If you could barely handle London, Moscow was out of the question. “Oh God, please no.” He nodded giddily. “I’m never going to Russia. Maybe I’d consider it during Summer, but--anyway, that’s not the point here! I didn’t break any promises so I won’t be turning into a popsicle this year. Got that?”

He pouted. “Aw...”

“You damn sadist.”

“Hehe.”

“I wonder how you even became friends with him. Arthur, was it? Poor dude.” You mumbled, but he didn’t look all too offended.

He tapped his chin and hummed. “Now that you mention it.” Then, he let out a short laugh. “It’s a long story. Let’s just say it was a happy little accident.”

“Unfortunate.”

“But don’t worry! I don’t plan on bothering you as much as him today.” Ivan clarified, earning a slow nod from you. Phew. The clock was inching closer to eight and you weren’t much of a morning person, so hearing that was like music to your ears. “That’s why I wanted you to finish your work yesterday. I want him to be the only one making mistakes! It’s interesting to see him mess up and get embarrassed.”

You had to wonder if he was using ‘interesting’ as a synonym for fun because he was clapping. “... Ivan, you really are a sadist.”

The two of you stayed in that café for another hour or so, ordering some breakfast during your stay. Once the table was cleared and the bill was paid, you and he caught a bus to the London eye. You could marvel at the iconic ferris wheel for a few minutes as you walked up to the London aquarium next to it, your first stop. The building was huge to start with, and it didn’t look like they’d be storing fish in there considering how fancy it was. But wasn’t everything in England fancy?

“He should be waiting in the front. Look for a short grouchy man with a bad taste in fashion.” You shot him a weird look, beckoning him to elaborate.

“... And blonde hair.”

“Alright. I guess I’ll try my best.” Glancing around the sea of people filled with tourists, couples, and families, you skimmed the crowd for someone who fitted the description--but to no avail. It was only when they walked up to you both did you find the guy. He had short and choppy blonde hair that framed a heart-shaped face, and under his fringe was a pair of lime green eyes staring on with a neutral expression. And did Ivan say he had bad taste?

You couldn’t agree. Yes, his charcoal pants were ripped and he had a bandana tied around his neck with a Union Jack on it. But he still had a kind of style you liked. Under his black leather jacket was a gray shirt, and combined with the piercings in his right ear, you couldn’t help admiring him for a second.

“Arthur! I was wondering if you were trampled because we couldn’t find you.” Ivan began, causing the said man to furrow his brows. And boy, were they thick.

“You just arrived, so don’t start now you twat.” He grumbled. Ivan never teased you for your height, even when you were a little shorter than the Brit. He always found it cute, but you figured it was only because you didn’t care. The Russian always found amusement in poking fun at others, after all. “Anywho, I’m glad I won’t be spending the whole day alone with you.”

Turning to you with a soft smile this time, he held out a hand for you to shake. “Kirkland. Arthur Kirkland.”

You shook it, but not without a laugh. It hadn’t even been a minute since meeting him, and his personality seemed to clash violently with his appearance. He sounded so prim and proper, but his outfit screamed punk rock.

“(L/N). (F/N) (L/N).”

He released you from his grip. Placing his hands on his hips with an accusing stare, he felt a grin upturn his lips. “Are you copying me, (F/N)?”

“I don’t know. Do all British people introduce themselves like James Bond?”

Arthur clicked his tongue. “... Not all of them. Just a force of habit.”

“Mhm. Right, right. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Arthur. I’m a student here too and I could only imagine how busy it gets for you--so thanks for coming out today!” He didn’t respond to those comments and simply nodded.

Ivan stayed quiet in the back, but he was probably reading the atmosphere like he always did when he didn’t speak.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” The blonde turned on his heel and closed his eyes. “As much as I’d like to stay out here and chat, we can do that in the aquarium. Wouldn’t wanna waste our tickets, do we?”

While the group of three wandered slowly through the establishment, Ivan lingered in the background while you walked in the front with the Brit. For the first ten minutes, you’d look at him expectantly, gesturing for him to join in the conversation. As the mutual, wasn’t he supposed to be the icebreaker? He’d shake his head every time, offering you a smile as if to say, go and make some friends. But soon, this brief spell of irritation morphed into gratitude.

“I’ve been here probably a hundred times, so don’t take it personally when I don’t seem as excited as you.” Turning to him to watch his face as he spoke--which was filtered through a bluish tinge from the Antarctic setting-- you only caught a brief glimpse of it before he turned away. Huh. Maybe it was just you not paying enough attention.

Either way, what came out of your mouth next would surely grab his.

“Don’t worry about it. But hey, this is the first time you’ve been here with me, so look alive, won’t you?” It happened to be a slip of the tongue, something bold and improvised, but luckily, he reacted fairly quickly before the regret set in.

“Oi, you better not be flirting with me already,” Arthur grumbled, feeling another smile come as he heard you chuckle. Since when was he this expressive? He pinned it on the fact that he was starting to have a little fun himself.

“Couldn’t imagine it.” Before he could add anything else, you hopped in front of the penguins and started waving your friend over with great gusto. “Ivan, c’mere. Arthur, mind taking a photo of us?” Once he joined your side, the two of you held up peace signs for the Brit to snap a photo.

“Ivan, change your pose. We can’t have both of you doing the same thing.”

The said man moved his peace sign to the back of your head so he could stick two fingers over it. “Is that better?”

“... Better.” Trailing his emerald eyes to you, he felt his cheeks heat up a touch at the sight of you grinning ear to ear. What the fuck, Arthur. Just take the damn photo. And that was exactly what he did, showing you both right after. Whatever just happened, he boiled it down to him idealizing a stranger. That was right. He had yet to get to know you, so his perception of you couldn’t be any better at this stage.

But there was one thing he couldn’t deny.

“Damn, I look really ugly in this. You two better not post this anywhere.” You settled a hand over the screen to lower it with a nervous laugh. Then, you looked away, and what was that? You looked a little flustered.

You were cute.

Hanging his head to look at the photo, he knitted his brows together. You? Ugly? He couldn’t imagine it.

“... I bet I could take an even uglier one of you.”

Spinning back to him, you folded your arms. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.” He shook his head slowly, and the amusement in his voice made it blatantly obvious he was lying.

“That’s what I thought.”

Walking off at that, Ivan followed. Because he was behind him, he could brush his shoulders against his. Arthur looked up at that, but almost wished he didn’t. Ivan was smiling down at him so shrewdly, it was threatening. Then, he raised a hand to his mouth so he could laugh softly. “Huhu. You like (F/N)~”

His eyes flew open and blood rushed up to his face. “What the hell gave you that impression? I literally just met them!” As adamant as he sounded, he knew deep inside he liked you, but only platonically. Your personality was refreshing, and talking to you was as easy as breathing. Even if it wasn’t platonic attraction, he was endlessly frustrated the other figured it out earlier than he could.

Whatever it was, he was certainly more sociable than usual, even to the point of being a tease. And not to mention the rosy cheeks. Maybe he should’ve just kept his trap shut--otherwise, his huge outburst let Ivan milk the obvious. Fuck. He even started to giggle like a schoolchild.

Giving him a rough shove, he muttered a string of curses under his breath. “I bloody hate your arse, you know that?” He hissed, his face now redder than a tomato. God, why he did have to be born so pale? Every slight change to his complexion was jarring, and it was embarrassing.

“Don’t hate me because I’m right,” Ivan hummed, joining his side as your back came into view. “Once you realize, it’ll be too late. I’m not letting you have (F/N). I will always be (F/N)’s number one.” Lighting up at that, he skipped off to you in the front. “Wait for me, sunflower! Don’t leave me alone with Arthur!”

Arthur stopped in his tracks and clenched his fists. How annoying. If he was going to continue being a little tyke, then he figured he’d up his game as well. He didn’t know what that exactly entailed yet, but he’d do it. Ivan didn’t even sound like he wanted anything more than friendship, so what was with that? Pointing a finger at him as he walked off with you, his face scrunched up.

“What did you even call me out for then, you idiot? I’m supposed to be guiding you both!” Picking up his pace at that, he slotted himself between you and him. Flashing you a brief smile, he gave Ivan another push without breaking eye contact. “It’s a tight fit for three, so he’ll stay in the back.”

“Hey, no fair!”

By the time the whole aquarium was toured, you and Arthur were laughing to yourselves while leaving through the exit.

But the joyful atmosphere was short-lived.

The Ferris wheel just outside was the next stop, and the Brit offered to splurge a little to have a carriage without strangers. That way, you could run around as much as you wanted, even if that meant leaving the two men to sit in their lonesome. While Ivan was sitting on the bench in the centre out of his own volition, the same couldn’t be said for him.

Sitting back to back to the other, he pressed his legs firmly together and leaned over in a hunch. Then, he dug his hands through his hair, all while keeping his round eyes fixated on the ground. His heart couldn’t stop pounding, and his head was spinning like a carousel. What was he thinking, taking you here? That was right. This was an iconic destination you couldn’t miss, that was why. He was initially planning on staying back there on the ground, but you were so excited, he couldn’t help but hop on with you.

Fuck. Maybe Ivan was right about him. But he wouldn’t let him know it. Speaking of the guy, he didn’t know if he was sitting there by choice, or just rubbing it in. While he was incapacitated by fear so he couldn’t even stand, he was sitting there because he wanted to.

“You should’ve stayed on the ground if this was going to happen.”

Arthur screwed his eyes shut and tightened his arms around his stomach. “... Shut up.”

“I was just saying.” Ivan murmured, looking at him over his shoulder. Poor guy. He really was down bad, wasn’t he? Down bad for you, that was. Too bad Arthur was hoping he wasn’t convinced--but it was too obvious. So all Ivan wanted was to prove his point, and later on, keep you away from him. But maybe he’d save it until after the ride was over. “... This ride is thirty minutes long. You’ll live.”

He heard the other groan. “Thirty minutes? How long has it been?”

“Mm... Ten.”

“Fuck me.”

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be long before you would pull away from the railing and return to the company of the two. Arthur had been praying that somehow, you’d leave him alone sitting there, pathetically, but he couldn’t expect something so cold from you. So while he hung his head, he wasn’t surprised to feel your hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, you okay?” He heard you ask, but he never looked up.

“... Yeah. Just give me a minute.”

“I have. Ten, actually.” Taking a seat beside him, you leaned down to peer at his face, which was a few shades paler than normal. He didn’t even have the energy to respond, and kept his eyes fixed to the ground. Concern immediately contorted at your features, especially when he looked so shaken. “Arthur, you look a little sick. What’s wrong? Can you talk?”

He shook his head slowly before managing a weak smile at you. “Sorry, love.” It didn’t even faze him he just called you that. He was far too uncomfortable to feel the embarrassment from a nickname he should’ve saved until a little later.

“I’m not... Too good with heights. Never have been... I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.” His voice was slow and faint, and you were beginning to suspect he was having a panic attack. “... Sorry if I seem a little lame.”

“No, of course not.” You frowned. “Things like this happen. Just breathe with me, okay? You can do it. Just count to ten.”

Arthur took a deep inhale. “... Okay.”

Around ten minutes later of these exchanges, he calmed down some, especially when you kept on reminding him that the carriage was finally descending. Once the ride was over, you had to help him up and walk him out. Now that he had his two feet planted firmly on the ground, it didn’t take long for him to recover. Even then, you remained rather cautious and stuck with him on your journey to Soho. By the time everyone took their seats in Circolo Popolare, a beautiful Italian restaurant Arthur so kindly booked, you were still looking out for him.

Leaning over to rest your head on the table, you glanced up at his face with a soft smile. “... You okay now?”

A light blush dusted his cheeks and he nodded. You didn’t need to be this observant with him considering he was well now, but he loved your attentiveness. It wasn’t something he was used to. “Yeah, I’m fine now. Thank you. Now quit worrying about me, alright?” Rubbing the nape of his neck at that, you couldn’t help lingering on his body language for a moment.

It didn’t matter what he dressed like, or what his personality was. He could be endearing when it came to it, and a total softie too. And the thought made you smile even wider. If he thought you were cute, then you thought he was adorable. “Fine. I’ll leave you alone.” You slowly turned to Ivan, the action making Arthur tense up a little.

Reaching out to your hand, he took it. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

The feeling of his warm fingers around yours made your heart skip a beat. Did he just? Your thoughts manifested into your look of shock, and you darted your eyes over his neutral expression to try and decipher it. Before you could come up with anything, there was a phone in your face, followed by a flash.

“Wha--?”

He turned the screen to you to reveal a photo of you, and in your opinion, it was the least flattering picture anybody had ever taken of you. “I said I’d take an uglier photo of you, didn’t I?” Arthur grinned, the words acting like a cold splash of water to bring you back to reality.

“... You sneaky little shit.” You growled. “Delete that right now!”

“How about no?”

“I’ll never forgive you for this, Arthur.”

“I think you already have, love. You’re smiling right now.”

You stared at him wordlessly for a few seconds. Then, out of nowhere, you reached out to snatch his phone right out of his hands. Tapping furiously on the screen to get rid of it, you heard his chair scrape back violently as he tried to retrieve it. “Why, you--”

But it was too late. Gone forever. Lost in the abyss of cyberspace. And so, he immediately channelled his frustration by jabbing his fingers into your sides. “If I can’t have that photo of you, at least let me do this!” You burst into a fit of laughter so loud, nearby patrons turned their heads. Only then did he pull away, leaving you to recover through breathless wheezing.

“Fuck you, Arthur.” You whispered, but it was on an affectionate note more than anything. As you glowered at him from your seat, you never noticed Ivan doing the same thing, but he was glaring at the Brit for an entirely different reason. Arthur had to be the most self-aware person out there, and to make a scene in a restaurant like this? He really fell for you, didn’t he?

When he realized Ivan’s scorching gaze burning into him, he froze.

Not just out of how intimidated he was, but the epiphany that he was right all along. Why else was he acting so out of character? The only explanation was this--in the short time of being with you, he may or may not have developed a little crush. But that was no problem, right?

All he needed to do was to ask you out.

But that would prove a task easier said than done, especially when Ivan decided to attach himself to you by the hip after that stunt. That cunning bastard knew what he was doing. After a little window shopping around Bond street and Mayfair, he stuck to you like a tattoo, and kept it up until night fell. While the group walked around Camden, Ivan kept you by his side with a firm grip on your hand.

When you asked why he was suddenly so clingy, he simply justified it with, “It’s dangerous for small people like you to wander around at night!”

But Arthur called bullshit. Especially when the other went ahead and smirked at him right after saying it. Maybe he liked you too, but was refusing to admit it. How hypocritical. If not, then he probably didn’t want you making friends when you were the only friend he had. Whatever it was, he wasn’t about to back down so easily. Camden may be the last destination for the night, and perhaps, the last time he’d see you again for God knows how long, but it was his trump card.

If this didn’t sweep you off your feet enough to get you to pull away from Ivan, nothing would.

As a town famous for its thriving nightlife and punk culture, it encompassed everything he was passionate about, and he’d give anything to show it to you. So he included a visit to the bar here on the agenda today, one that hosted live music. While you and Ivan got comfortable in your seats, Arthur never made a move to sit down.

It was already dim inside, so you never noticed him leave. The next time you saw him, it was a few minutes later when he was on stage with a few other musicians. Leaning forward with surprise, you watched him strap on a bright red electric guitar. Walking up to the microphone, he adjusted that. No way.

You were still trying to process him being a professional performer, but a lead singer as well?

The second he strummed the strings to start a guitar riff, he opened his mouth to start singing.

Play this while you read

youtube

Show me how to lie, you're getting better all the time

And turning all against the one is an art that's hard to teach

His fingers never stopped moving as he belted out note after note. His voice was so different to how he talked, you had to do a double take. He sounded a little more rasp, a little more punk. To say you were impressed was an understatement.

Now dance, fucker, dance, man, he never had a chance

And no one even knew it was really only you

While he jammed out on stage, he was electric. The energy in the bar exploded, and he had everyone singing along. You could almost see the confidence in him shoot up from the excitable crowd, because he was smirking.

Nice work, you did.

You’re gonna go far, kid!

Turning his head to you as he sung that line, you raised a hand to your mouth. Whether he did that on purpose or not was a mystery. But no words could describe how attractive it was. Hell, it even made you mind blank for a few moments. This was Arthur? He was like an entirely different person! Needless to say, you were completely star struck.

You couldn’t even make out what Ivan was telling you when the music was blaring in your ears. But you didn’t care. Arthur had you caught in a trance with his voice and guitar all until the end. When the song finally ended, the band bowed graciously and threw up hand signs as the audience erupted in applause and cheers.

When he stepped off the stage, you didn’t hesitate to run up to him. There, you practically pounced on him for a tight embrace. “Oh my god, you were amazing! I didn’t know you could play so well! And sing, too! Why didn’t you tell me!?” You exasperated, pulling away to be met with his dazzling smile. It was the first time you’ve seen him so energetic, as if performing sparked a fire inside him that burned with youthful intensity.

“I was dying to show you all day. I wanted it to be a surprise, and I had to save the best til’ last, didn’t I?” He grinned, feeling his heart swell up with warmth as he watched you light up.

“Well, good on you! I loved it!” Squeezing him again, you felt his chest shake under his laughs. When you pulled away, you reached up to cup his face. But it felt so natural in the spur of the moment, even he didn’t seem to care.

“Thanks again for today, Arthur. I really appreciate you taking us out today. You completely blew me away.”

The way how you phrased it reminded him of why he was here in the first place. That was right. He still had to ask you out. And with Ivan watching on from afar, this was his chance. The thought reddened his cheeks, but while you had his face in your hands, he couldn’t feel more comfortable. “Is that so? If that’s the case, how about I take you out again?” His expression grew serious. “A proper date, I mean.”

It was your turn to blush, but you managed a quick answer.

“No need to look so serious, love. Of course I’ll go on a date with you.”

He chuckled and leaned in to peck your lips. “Stealing my vocabulary now, are we?”

“Stealing kisses now, are we?”

“Touché.”

Now a third wheel of the group, he breathed out a soft sigh and rested his cheek on his hand. “I guess my job here is done.” It didn’t really look like it, but he had been trying to play the wingman all along. Arthur was always one to go a little crazy when he wanted something, and only more so when he was desperate. So all he gave him was a little push in the right direction.

Maybe he would thank him later, but for now, he’d leave you two be.

This is a request. Thank you for requesting.

#hetalia fanfiction #hetalia #aph #aph england #england x reader #aph england x reader #arthur kirkland #request #oneshot #hetalia x reader #Axis Powers Hetalia #Axis powers ヘタリア #alfredosauce50 #hetalia fanfic #ivan braginsky #aph russia #aph russia x reader #reader insert #x reader

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awanderingdeal · 4 years ago

Text

Summer camp AU - Chapter 2 - Sirius

Hello, hello, welcome back to Gryffindor. This chapter finds us with Sirius. This one is a bit angsty again, but there’s also lots of happy points. I promise we will have some fun camp type stuff next chapter!

CW: Sirius does misgender Reg for most of this chapter in his internal monologue as he does not know that Regulus has changed his pronouns. It is not intentional and Sirius does switch pronouns both verbally and mentally as soon as he is aware. Just in case that makes anybody uncomfy.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my wonderful betas for catching all my 3am mistakes (and also, just my complete inability to grammar).

And finally, thank you to @lumosinlove for the creation of the sweater weather universe. It honestly is a light in my life.

Fic Rating: T

For previous and future chapters see masterlist

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Sirius was pulled from the depth of his thoughts by two short vibrations pulsing through his hands. He glanced down at his phone and felt the corner of his mouth pull up at the name, Mon Loup. Remus was always checking up on him.

Are you okay? Is he there?

Sirius didn’t know how to answer the first question. He didn’t know how he was feeling. The last thing he had expected when they had gotten in the car that morning was to be seeing his brother's name next to his on the room allocations. His mind had spun through a rollercoaster of emotions: anger, guilt, joy, anger, confusion. Luckily, Remus had been there to notice the impending meltdown and had wrapped his arms around him and told him that it was going to be fine. And somehow Sirius had believed him.

He took a minute to compose his reply, knowing that trying to lie to Remus about his mental state was futile.

I’m...coping. No, he’s not. No bags either.

Sirius wished that Remus could be here with him. However, his boyfriend had just graduated with his BSN and was now a paid member of staff on the nursing team. Along with the extra responsibility came his own cabin. Sirius had insisted he went and settled in there. His phone buzzed again.

I told you, he’s probably just as worried about seeing you. He’s here, isn’t he? He’s more than just a product of your parents.

Sirius hated when Remus was logical like that. He was right though, something must have changed. There was no way that his biological parents would approve of Regulus’ coming here. “Merde!” Sirius groaned, flopping backwards onto the bed. He’d been through this a thousand times with his therapist. He’d tried to take Regulus with him. Regulus hadn’t wanted to come. Besides, he was still a minor and there was no way he could have gotten the evidence to get Regulus out of there legally. It wasn’t his fault. It wasn't his fault.

It’s not your fault, baby. You know that.

How did Remus always know? Sirius glanced at the time on his phone, 12.05. He worried about where Regulus was and if he wasn’t staying in this cabin, then had he found somewhere else to sleep? The big brother in him would never completely go. The backpack on the floor caught his eye. I might as well start unpacking, Sirius thought.

The time passed quickly and soon the alarm that he'd set for 12.50 was sounding. He had managed to get all of his clothes into the drawers under the bed and pinned the photo of him and Remus to the wall. He’d tucked his drawing pad under the pillow. There was only one thing missing.

Sirius took a deep breath, grabbing his smaller daypack and headed back to the main stage where they had been gathered before Dumo had dismissed them all. He was scanning the slowly forming crowd for the familiar features of his brother when a body barrelled into his back.

“Dude! I just saw your twin, I swear.”

The voice belonged to James Potter. They had only met last year - at this very camp - but Sirius already felt like he had known him a lifetime.

“Jeez, Potter. My ears,” Sirius moaned, shoving his friend lightly. “Attends...What did you just say?”

“Jeez,” James mocked Sirius’ acquisition of his boyfriend’s mannerisms. “There’s somebody here who looks exactly like you.”

“Regulus.” Sirius gasped, his eyes darting over the crowd again.

“Who’s Reg-” James started and then his hand was hitting Sirius’ arm as realisation dawned on him. “Your brother.”

Sirius could only give a slow nod.

“Do you need...I can tell him to stay away from you if you want?” James’ eyebrows knitted into a frown.

This time Sirus shook his head quickly, “Non. No, I want to see him. I need to see him.” Sirius hadn’t even realised himself that was what he wanted until that moment.

“Oh,” James said and turned abruptly to face the ever growing group of people. “He was just there, I swear. We can go find him.”

Sirius opened his mouth to reply when Dumo’s voice cut through the noise of the crowd, “Hello everyone, thank you for being back on time.”

James gave a distressed noise and Sirius squeezed his arm reassuringly. He loved that his friend hadn’t even questioned his desire to find Regulus. Sirius had wanted something and James was ready to make it happen.

Sirius tuned back into Dumo’s instructions, “ - lunch until 14.00 and then we will begin with some icebreakers. Finally, this evening we will have an in depth tour of the camp followed by a game of capture the flag. Only so that you know how to play for when the campers come, of course. We won’t have a campfire tonight, I know many of you have travelled from afar and will want to get to bed early. But be prepared because I want all of you ready with your singing voices, tomorrow.”

James had apparently forgotten about his troubles because he was excitedly bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Come on,” Sirius said, “Let’s go and eat. It’s not as if Regulus is going anywhere.”

The lunch hall was a chaos of noise and Sirius allowed himself to be swept up in it. The empty table that they found was soon filled. Lily arrived first pressing a kiss first to James' forehead and then Sirius'.

"Lily! I missed you so much. How did you find us?" James grinned.

Lily rolled her eyes, "darling, it has only been two hours since I last saw you. And how many other people have tie dyed their t-shirts?"

James looked down at the purple, black and white swirls on his t-shirt proudly, causing Sirius to smile fondly.

“Who are you sharing your cabin with?” Sirius asked, using his hands to compress the monstrosity of a sandwich that he had created before dipping it into his chicken soup.

“That is so gross,” Lily grimaced at the action. “Now your lettuce is all soggy. And to answer your question, it’s Natalie. You know, Darcy. Tall, blonde, formidable. She’ll be over in a minute. Think she was just waiting for her boyfriend.”

As if on cue, Natalie appeared, placing her tray down next to Lily before rounding the table and wrapping her arms around Sirius and kissing his earlobe. He would have been startled had it been anybody else but he regularly received semi-threatening texts from her telling him to have Remus check his voicemails. “That is from your boyfriend. He said he misses you. Which is gross but I was bribed with cake.” Natalie said, gesturing to the two slices of cake on her tray.

“Who’s the rookie?” James asked through a mouthful of food, looking at the red headed boy who had just sat down next to Kasey, Natalie’s boyfriend.

The boy waved casually at the table, seeming very relaxed for a new counsellor, “I’m Alex. And technically, I’m not a rookie. Done a few camps down in Tampa, but I thought I’d join my brother, Finn, here at Queer camp this summer.”

“Oh, I think I sa-" James began, but was interrupted by Lily’s squeal of excitement.

"Marl! Dory!" Lily called across the hall attracting the attention of two girls. They made their way over seeing Lily’s wave, followed closely by two other counsellors.

"Everybody, this is Marlene and her girlfriend, Dorcas. Marl was my little sister at college." Lily introduced them to the table.

They both flashed a smile and Marlene titled her head towards the two timid looking boys behind them, "We said Ollie and Timmy here could sit with us. It’s their first year too."

They all found a seat and the usual round of questions began. Despite Sirius' attempts to listen to where everybody was working in the camp, his mind was drifting to thoughts of his brother.

He felt James' hand gently touch his wrist and when Sirius turned to look at him, James mouthed, " You okay?"

Sirius nodded, "I'm fine." He realised that he had reached the end of his soup and the fact he was now trying to spoon air into his mouth was probably what had attracted James' concern. "Oh. In my own world, I guess," he said quietly.

Sirius pulled himself upright, "I'm just going to get a fork," he added more loudly and climbed off the bench. He could have eaten the cake with a spoon, but he wanted a minute to text Remus without being chirped by his friends. Crossing the busy hall with his head down was always going to be a mistake and he found himself colliding with another body as he approached the cutlery trays.

“I’m so sorry!” Sirius apologised, cringing at the sensation of warm soup seeping through his t-shirt. “I was just -” he started, but as he lifted his head he was met with hauntingly familiar grey eyes.

“Reggie,” Sirius breathed, the nickname slipping out of his mouth.

He received no reply.

“Regulus? Are you okay?” a tall blond boy that Sirius didn’t recognise asked.

Regulus didn’t get to answer this time even if he had wanted to as an older man, maybe in his 40’s appeared and said gruffly, “Is all alright here?”

“Yes, yes, we are fine thank you,” Sirius answered. “It was my fault, I wasn’t looking.”

“Be more careful, Black,” the man said. Sirius managed to pull his eyes away from his brother to look at the name tag. Sergei.

“Be nice to the kids please, Sergei,” Dumo spoke lightly, a small smile resting on his lips. Sirius swore that the man had appeared out of nowhere.

“You always play favourites, Dumasha,” Sergei grumbled. “He is making a mess of my -”

“Could I just talk to my brother, please!” Sirius snapped.

“Not your brother,” Regulus said, the sound barely audible.

“Reggie, please. Just let me...” Sirius began. He just wanted a chance to explain how he tried to take Regulus with him, but it hadn’t been possible. To explain that Sirius had needed to get free himself before he could help Regulus and then by the time he was set up, Regulus had been the one to reject him.

“I don’t think they are objecting to talking to you,” the blond boy interrupted. “I think they mean that they are your sibling. Not your brother. Is that correct, Reg?”

Regulus nodded slowly, fingers clenched tightly around the empty tray in his hands.

“Not my bro-” Sirius’s eyes caught the nametag clipped to Regulus’ t-shirt. He hadn’t looked at it before. They/Them. “Oh. Ohh. I’m sorry, Reggie. I didn’t mean to…”

Regulus cut him off. “It’s okay, you didn’t know,” they said.

“Still, I’m sorry,” Sirius sighed. “Look, Regulus. Could we talk? Preferably without all these other people?” he asked, his voice hopeful. Sirius turned his gaze to the boy that he didn't recognize, “Who are you anyway?”

“Leo Knut. Regulus’ roommate. I’ll leave you two to talk if that is what Regulus wants?”

Sirius wasn’t sure if he wanted to punch the guy or hug him for protecting his sibling.

Regulus gave another nod, more sure than the one they gave earlier. “Go and eat, Leo. Sirius and I should talk. It was always going to have to happen at some point if I stay, eh?”

Sirius took the opportunity to look at Regulus properly. They looked almost identical to when Sirius had last seen them. Only taller. And they held themselves differently. Somehow it was meekier and yet more sure of themselves. Just as Sirius was about to spiral into a mess of thoughts about what he’d left Regulus to face by themself, Dumo cleared his throat.

“Okay, me and Sergei will clean up this mess. Sirius, I think you should get a clean t-shirt. Regulus, go and make yourself another sandwich. Then we’ll find you somewhere quiet to talk.”

Regulus smiled, “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Sirius let out a breath that he hadn’t realised he was holding, “Yeah, me too.”

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tnystrk-exe · 5 years ago

Text

we both know how this song ends

Jack Daniels x Reader

Masterpost

Warnings: Emotional/Physical abuse, mentions of suicide, death. Starts in high school. Each chapter is roughly 4k

Chapter One

The buzzing of your alarm clock woke you away. Mind still fuzzy, you slapped a hand on it to turn it off. Finally, school was starting up and you wouldn’t have to hear about how much of a waste you were from your mom and her newest boyfriend.

Since your father had died, your mom kinda lost it. One day she was normal and the next… Well she just wasn’t her anymore. Your dad was her everything and you just weren’t enough to keep her sane. It had been hard to deal with losing both of your parents at once. Sometimes, you weren’t sure which was worse.

Your father was gone and that had been painful. But your mother was here and she couldn’t even look at you unless she was angry. At first you had tried, you really did. You cleaned the house. Made her dinner. Showed her all of your accomplishments. It was never enough for a smile. No. The laundry wasn’t done. The food was too salty. Jessica’s daughter did better than that. So, you stopped. After a while you learned your lesson.

Not too long after that came the men. Some would come for weeks. Others minutes. Never particularly long enough to know them other than angrily traded words. You stayed locked up in your room or out of your house as much as possible.

Sighing, you forced yourself to start the day. Grabbing a shirt and pants you threw them on before slipping on your shoes. You glanced at your hiding spot. This new guy had gotten your mother into pawning your stuff and looting around your room for money for his fix lately. The money hidden under your bed would be found quickly, no doubt. Sighing you went to grab it and placed it in your backpack. It would be better if you just started to keep your valuables close.

Shouldering your bag you walked out of the small room. It seemed like your dad left and everything good with him. The house was sold, one income meant goodbye home sweet home. Your mother had blown the money so quickly in her depression? Anger? You weren’t quite sure what to call it. So you moved into a shabby too close together apartment in the middle of Who Knows Where, USA. No trace of the good, old times in sight. That is other than the box of old family pictures the newest one had his dirty work boots propped on top of.

“Hey, kid, where’s the fucking rent?” He asked, already smoking his first cigarette of the day.

“Take your fucking feet off of that.”

He lifted his foot, slamming it back down. The crunch of the glass angering you instantly. “What are you going to do about it?”

You balled your fist. Soon you’d be out. Soon it wouldn’t matter. Soon this whole life would be behind you. “Fuck you, Steve,” you scoffed in disgust.

He laughed at your retreating form. “If that’s how you want to pay your rent that’s fine. Bet you’re better at it than your mom anyway.”

Red flag noted. No being alone with that creep.

You started cycling to the school. Of course you got to be new in your last year. Just your luck. The small town could have been really cute, that is if your personal life hadn’t soured the experience. It was a big change from the city life you had been used to. The air was fresher and it was way quieter than anywhere else you had ever been.

Maybe it would have been nice if you hadn’t felt so alone all the time. So much had changed in seven months. Hopefully, in another seven they would change for the better. You weren’t sure just how long you could keep going like this. It was getting to be too much already.

You swallowed the lump in your throat. No use in being a baby about it. This was your life and it would have to be for just a little while longer. There was a banner across the school’s entrance that read welcome class of ‘91. Just this one year and you’d go to college somewhere far from your mother and her new life.

You left your bike at the rack and went to follow the mass. Most people were walking toward the cafeteria. Others were already flocking into their cliques, which made you miss your own all the more when you heard their laughter and inside jokes. When you finally made your way into the crowded cafeteria, you made your way to the senior lines.

“Hello, there pretty lady,” greeted a guy with a god awful start to a mustache.

You nodded, “Hey.”

“I haven’t seen you around here, I’d like to think I woulda remembered seeing an angel.”

“Jackie boy!” Someone called out from behind you, “I already called dibs on that piece.”

You rolled your eyes and pushed past him. Just one year.

“Name miss?”

“YN LN.”

The teacher started looking through her files. When she finally found it, she handed you a thick folder of papers. “Your schedule and locker number are on the first page. The rest is everything your parents need to sign and information on your graduation ring and gown. Your teachers should give you all the books you need as you see them.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

You left the cafeteria and started an attempt at looking for your locker. “Where do I even start?” you muttered under your breath.

The sound of boots behind you and a tap on the shoulder made you turn around. “Look, I’m sorry about Eric. He’s a dick. He likes to say stupid shit like that.”

“We’ll call it even if you help me find my locker,” you offered. “For Eric and that awful line.”

“I’ll take you up on that,” he nodded as he took your folder and took a look at your schedule. “Looks like I got lucky. Yours is across from mine. If you want I can show you the way around.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

“So what brought you over here?” He signaled you to follow him as he asked.

“Something’s changed recently,” you shrugged, “New start. You always lived here?”

“Born. Raised. Hopefully, this won’t end here.”

“Oh yeah, you’ve got so much more to see than this small town.”

He laughed, “What’s the outside world like darlin’.”

“You wouldn’t believe it. There’s people that don’t all exclusively wear flannels and Stentons. Buildings and crowds as far as the eye could see.”

“I’m getting the heebies jus’ thinkin’ about it, he shuddered for added effect, “Name’s Jack Daniels.”

“Your parents do realize-“

“Yeah. Mom had to talk dad down from Daniel Daniels. Let’s just call this one a win. What’s yours? I wanna judge your parents' choices too.”

“YN LN.”

“Damn. That’s actually kinda cute. I’ll let that mouth of yours slide just this once.” He stopped and pointed to a locker and then another, “Yours. Mine. First days here are usually just ice breakers. I’d recommend just bringing a pencil, paper, and your backpack for today. Your path doesn’t cross your locker until you hit fourth period. Go put some of your things up and I’ll walk you around.”

You nodded and had done as he said. Honestly, you hadn’t thought you’d find someone you’d be so comfortable with this early. But Jack had seemed kind enough, so you’d roll with it and see where it went. He showed you throughout the school, making sure to show you short cuts you could take for your classes. It wasn’t too long before he ended the trip at your first period class.

“Well, this is where we end. Is my debt paid off?”

“Yeah, it is. We’re all squared up.”

“Then sweetie pie, I hope I’m lucky enough to see you around.”

You laughed, “How many of those are you going to try?”

He shrugged, “I’m a fan of Pretty Lady. Can’t promise I won’t try out more.” Jack turned heel and walked off to his own class.

Part of you berated yourself for not comparing schedules when you had the chance. He had been the first real interaction you had had in awhile. Even more if you had to admit it, other than the ‘stache he was easy on the eyes.

It wasn’t until you met Vanessa in second period that you stopped thinking about him. Maybe you weren’t so infatuated and just missed having company.

“Let me see your schedule?”

You handed it over. “Any matches?”

“Lunch and seventh period. You should have fifth period with my Jack.” You could have sworn she sighed lovingly. “Well, he doesn’t know he’s my Jack, but he will be.”

“Ah... Jack Daniels?”

“Yeah,” another sigh and a doped up look, “You’ve met him already?”

“Yep, he walked me around the school in the morning.”

“He’s always a gentleman.”

Okay, Vanessa probably wouldn’t be an exactly close friend. Not because of Jack, but she just seemed like the type that crushed on people too hard for your liking. Nice girl, couldn’t deny that. Pretty soon you knew a decent amount. She had a crush on Jack since the beginning of first grade. He worked on her family’s farm during the summer and one time he even winked at her when her daddy wasn’t looking.

The bell rang and your icebreaker bingo was thrown in the trash.

It was still a surprise when Jack looked around the class in fifth period and caught you with a big smile. “Well, wouldn’t you look at that!” He sauntered over toward you, “It looks like you and me have chemistry lil’ miss.”

“Not as much as you and Vanessa,” you joked.

He took the seat next to you, condemning himself to be your partner for the rest of the year. “I promise, I’m not her Jack.”

“Mmm, you sure you just don’t know it yet?”

“I’m certain. She’s a good girl, but she’s just not for me. I got grass in my eye a while ago and she thought I sent a wink her way. Vanessa wouldn’t stop making eyes at me the rest of the summer. I dunno, she may just be too clingy for my taste.”

You patted his back. “Good luck. She’s got it bad.”

“I know, she’s stuck on me being her first kiss.”

“You were her first kiss?”

“And she was mine. It was a little kiddie school play. She was a princess and I was a frog.”

“It couldn’t be any more obvious. Got any pictures I can make fun of?”

“You can stop by mine sometime. I��ll show you. Speaking of, what are your plans after school?”

You shook your head, “I don’t really have any.” You were embarrassed to admit that you were gonna ride around town and avoid going home as long as you could.

“Great. There’s this burger place, best milkshakes in the town. Also the only place you can get one but that’s beside the point. If you don’t mind hanging out that is.”

“No, um, that sounds really nice.”

“Me and you after school. It’s a plan.”

After school, Jack put your bike in the back of his blue Chevy and drove you to the best shake spot in town. He had made you laugh and smile more than you had in a long time. You almost pitied Vanessa for not grabbing his attention. Jack really did seem like a great guy. Too bad you’d probably leave and he’d stay here. The conversation stayed light. You didn’t want to get to the poor girl with the sad life pity party yet. For now, he gave you a sense of normalcy that you wanted to hold onto for a while longer.

That was until it was time to go home.

“You can leave me here.”

“What? No, I can take you down the street.”

You sighed, shaking your head. “My mom’s real strict, J. If you drop me off, I’d never hear the end of it.”

“Okay, fine. Can I pick you up for school? You’re on my way anyhow.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“6:30 sharp,” he said with a tone that left no room for argument, “Then, just maybe, we’ll be able to get some decent breakfast.” You went to get out the car and he followed after, taking your bike back out for you. “If she’s so strict you should probably keep bringing your bike. I don’t want you to get an earful on my account. See you tomorrow.”

You started to walk your bike down the street. When you started to put your bike up is when you noticed the old truck start to drive away. It made your heart flutter a bit with how much this still stranger cared about you. The feeling of it didn’t last long when you looked at the apartment door. Steeling yourself you walked in.

“And where have you been you little bitch?” Your mother asked, instantaneously. “Whoring around no doubt.”

“You know what they say,” you shrug, “the apple doesn’t fall far.”

You couldn’t react with how quickly she got in your face. Her nails dug into your jaw as she made you look at her. “Don’t disrespect me. I’m your mother.”

“I remember a time you liked me.” You don’t know why you said it, but it had just fallen out. The part of you that still wanted answers no doubt.

“You’re just a burden and a disappointment,” she scoffed, disgusted by the idea. “You know, YN, I bet you’re the reason your dad killed himself.”

Tears blurred your vision but you didn’t let them fall. “Take it back.”

“What? Are you going to cry?” Her alcohol laced breath wafted into your face, “Daddy killed himself and mommy doesn’t love you anymore. Does the little baby want to cry?”

“You’re such a fucking bitch.”

Her hand slammed heavily against your face. For a split second she looked surprised, but it was gone in an instant. “Go to your fucking room and don’t come out.”

No need to be told twice. You went to your room and locked the door behind yourself. With a shaky breath you sent your backpack down and went to look in a mirror. Wincing at the damage.

“Let’s see if you’ll think twice about opening that fat mouth,” you heard your mother yell into the house.

Just a few months, you could make it. Things would get better.

The next morning, you woke up and instantly went to check your face. God, you could have cried the second you saw the ugly bruised skin. What would Jack say? You tried so hard to keep this all quiet just to be ruined the next day. Grabbing whatever was closest, you changed and got ready for the day. Still checking yourself in the mirror every so often hoping that somehow it would go away.

You didn’t even throw a comment to Steve on the couch this morning. Didn’t do anything at another of his lewd comments. Something about being open to a blowjob from that pretty little mouth.

It was like you were in auto pilot. Just kept walking with your head down, bike in tow. You didn’t realize how far you had walked until you heard Jack’s increasingly familiar engine.

“I know you said your mom was strict, but you could have given me a warning you wanted to get picked up this far out,” Jack said, the truck crawling along the road beside you. “YN?”

“Hm, sorry,” you got yourself back into the real world, “It’s okay. It’s a nice day out. I feel like walking some.”

“That’s nonsense,” he protested, jumping out from the truck and walking to you, “Just, lemme load her up and- What happened to you?” You flinched when his hand came up to your face, but it was much gentler than last time it happened, “I wouldn’t hurt you sugar. Ever. Tell me what happened.” His thumb stroked your jaw as soft as possible as he tried to comfort you.

“I really don’t want to talk about it, Jack.” You pulled away from his hand. “I just want to get past all of this. Please?”

“Was it because of me?” It made sense to him, you got home late, maybe his cologne had lingered on you since the truck was so small.

You shook your head, “Things were tense long before you. You’re not even in the cards.”

“How are you feeling about school?”

“I don’t think so, not with this,” you motioned at the forming bruise, “It’s just going to get worse.”

“Tell you what. We’ll pick up some make up, so you can feel more comfortable with it being covered up. Then we’ll go do who knows what together. Okay? You and me.”

He put your bike into the truck and helped you into the car. At the store he dealt with the disproving look from the cashier. What was he supposed to say? Oh that wasn’t from me. This was a small town after all. It wouldn’t matter what he’d say. Word spread as fast as fire. Soon everyone would know about the Daniels boy going around with a strange new girl. Keep your girls safe, the bruise on her cheek looked especially horrible.

Jack handed the money over and grabbed then he grabbed the bag. Grabbing your hand in his, he took you back to the truck. You had entered this calm daze. Not really speaking, just doing as he asked.

“Would ya mind staying at my house?” He hadn’t bothered to add that you needed to rest. With a shake of your head he started up the old truck and went home.

The home was nice. Classic American if anything. Two stories, baby blue with white trim, and a white fence. Not all white you noted. There were pink, blue, and yellow hand prints on the door. Mom, dad, and Jack were fading words underneath them. Your family had had something similar with a height wall, though little you never quite caught on that your parents never changed much.

“It’s really pretty, Jack.”

“Thank you, darlin’. My dad would appreciate it more than anyone. He built it when mom and him got engaged.”

“That sounds really sweet.”

“I’m hopin’, one day I get to do the same. C’mon. Meet my old girl Bess.” He nodded for you to follow him up the path. Jack patted his thigh, “She’d never been the best at hunting. But she is a lovely girl.”

The old bloodhound stood to nuzzle it’s head into his thigh when he reached the porch, before going over to give you the same treatment. “Hi, Bess,” you scratched behind her ear.

“She likes you. She’s not very fond of strangers. Let’s get on inside and I’ll make us all some breakfast. You’re welcome to look around.”

The inside of the home was modest enough. You could have sworn the place smelled of freshly baked cookies. Jack immediately made a beeline for the kitchen. Which left you and Bess alone in the front room. You took the time to look at the pictures that had been placed around the living room as Bess made herself cozy on the couch.

Jack smiling a wide smile, with what you assumed was his first tooth he lost, held out proudly to the camera. An older picture of his parents kissing on their wedding day. The woman holding Jack, looking tired but relieved to see her son. Another of Jack sitting in his dad’s lap in the same truck he had brought you home in. The pictures were sweet but they made your heart clench horribly. They reminded you of a life you didn’t get to have anymore. That was enough to let loose the tears you had been reluctant to let fall.

You tried to keep your sobs down, but Jack noticed all the same. His arm wrapped around your shoulder and he led you to the couch. “Talk to me, sweetheart. I can’t help you the way you need if I don’t know…”

So you spilled it all, every single detail. How your father had left and didn’t even leave a reason. Not even a note. You hadn’t been worth a note. There wasn’t any way to find any clues with everything gone. Your mother’s spiral downward. The ever revolving door of men. The growing fear that maybe she’d start to depend on drugs as much as the alcohol. “She’s never laid a hand on me. That was the first time and for a second, Jack, I thought she was back, but then she got buried up again. She’s right there, but she’s so fucking far. And I want to be angry. More than anything. But I’m just so depressed. I don’t know, maybe it was me, maybe I am the reason he killed himself like she said.”

“Hey, hey, hey. Slow that down,” he grabbed a cloth and wiped away your tears, “I don’t know much about your father, but you couldn’t have been the reason. Your mom is just spouting bullshit because she’s angry at the world. Taking it out on you is a shit thing to do. You deserve so much better.”

You gave him a faltering smile, “I don’t deserve anything.”

“Don’t say that. I’d give you the world if I could.”

You sighed, leaning into him. There was no denying how comforting Jack Daniels was. “You’re just saying that to be sweet.”

Jack pressed a kiss to your temple. “I’m not sweet to just anyone.”

“Sure, J,” you sniffed, “Is something burning?”

“The pancakes,” Jack confirmed.

“Jack!”

“What? I had to pick my battles. You were more important.”

“Sunshine, you can’t just do that!” The term of endearment lost to you. You stood and rushed into the kitchen. The room was grey with smoke. Taking the skillet off the stove you stuffed it into the oven.

Jack opened up the windows, a shit eating grin plastered on his face.

You raised a brow, “What got you so happy?”

“Nothin’ pretty lady. But take a seat, I promised you a breakfast and you’re getting one.”

Jack went to go grab a fan and pointed it to the window, pushing out more smoke. He pulled out a bar stool and motioned for you to sit down. Your luck had been shit lately and he was hell bent on giving you a nice day. A good homemade breakfast would be a nice start.

“Now, sugar, I’mma try out these pancakes again. You need to try this homemade blueberry sauce ma makes. You’re going to love it.” He started to make the works. Eggs, bacon, and pancakes, no clue what you’d actually like so he gave you a selection. Jack served your plate and set a mug of coffee and a glass of orange juice in front of you.

You plucked a piece of bacon from your plate and fed it to Bess who had taken to laying on the floor beside your chair. “This is really too much. You didn’t have to.”

“I know I didn’t, but you’re so cute I couldn’t help myself.” He winked at you, “How else am I supposed to show you I’m prime husband material?”

“You’re right,” you nodded, grabbing your cup of coffee and taking a sip, “I’ll be sure to pass that on to Vanessa. Then again she doesn’t need any convincing.”

He grimaced at that, “Eat your food. Try the syrup.”

You laughed, but did as he said. A mouthful, you moaned almost instantly. “How the hell did I live so long without this?”

“It’s honest to god the best thing in the world.”

You smiled and he noticed the small wince that followed. In that second he knew he wouldn’t be able to ever see you hurt again. Who could see your precious face and think about hurting you. As far as he was concerned all you deserved was happiness.

Next Chapter

#agent whiskey #jack daniels x reader #agent whiskey x reader #reader insert #kingsman #pedro pascal x reader

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a-muse · 4 years ago

Text

FVD - Week 4

The module was building up at a faster pace now. Kuntal was keeping us engaged with his stories from around the world. Carmina and Shilpa had already joined us during our 3rd week but we missed out Suman, Shiva and Probal.

We started with Gestalt laws and theory and their significance. We got to know about Similarity, Continuity, Figure and Ground, Closure and Proximity. There was also another principle of Pragnanz which talks about how we perceive our environment and things around us in terms of simpler shapes and patterns.

So, we got into more examples as we went along. A short recap of my understandings.

Similarity- Elements which are similar to each other in colour, form, texture, size or motion are perceived to be one group.

Continuity- When viewing objects together, human eyes sometimes perceive objects moving in a straight or curved line if they are arranged in such a way.

Figure and Ground - Our brain sometimes divide elements and their spaces, both negative and positive as foreground and background and look at them in such a way to create that distinction.

Closure- Even if objects do not join together to form a recognisable shape, our brain draws parallels between them and perceive those elements as one single comprehensible entity, shape or form.

Proximity- Objects arranged together start forming shapes or patterns of their own when they are close or far away from each other based on their proximity.

Pragnanz- Human eyes and brains have a tendency to divide and look at environments and things around us in terms of simpler patterns and shapes.

Gestalt Photo Diary

The first assignment of this week was to click photographs which would showcase gestalt principles. These photo may have multiple principles in them but there should be one dominating principle in all of them.

Initially, I had problems with finding the right subjects but as I started reading and researching more on this topic, I started to notice the principles all around me but next the task was to single out the dominating elements in them. Following ones are few of the pictures I clicked.

Proximity- How the squares have come together to create a pentagon like shape. It also somehow has a hint of closure as well.

Continuity- The curved lines moving up and down the wooden blocks.

Figure and Ground

Similarity

Continuity- How the electrical cables continue in the dark BG making our eyes follow them.

Happy Durga Puja btw everyone.

Similarity

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ok a small break. Umm.. let me show what I have filled up in my colour journal this week.

Kaashful. Durga Puja -can’t really keep calm.

TV and childhood

Experiments with textures

This is very interesting as this has been done with plastic crumpled on acrylic white solution with water and left to dry. Some interesting thin ice like patterns.

Emotions

Mahisasuramardini. Ok last one about Durga Maa, I promise.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Music Video with colours

This was the highlight of the week. We were both excited and kind of taken aback with the brief that was provided to us and plus we had to work within random groups of 4 or 5 people, create our own music and patch them with the visuals... Ok phewww..

I meet with my group which consisted of Dikshita, Ranjana and Subhadeep on call and discussed multiple ideas and how to implement them. We looked into some very interesting links and videos and articles. Let me share a few with you right here right now.

Neil Harbisson: I listen to Colour. It was very fascinating to learn about the different types Synesthesia. The video link for you here.

Kandinsky and his paintings. How he turned music and sounds into colours and finally into beautiful elaborate abstract paintings. The video link.

Look into these. I am sure you will enjoy them. Now for the initial ideas, let me share some of them in here for you to see.

Initial Ideas:

Idea 1: Play with Rasas and their colors along with their corresponding raga patterns as bg music.

Idea 2: How a blind person might sense color through music or sounds with very faint interaction of colors. Just enough to understand the ambience outside

Idea 3: How we can see different colours throughout the day right from the time sun rises to the time it sets and then through the night and till the next morning whenever it rises again. We can use corresponding ragas which run through the timings of the day.

Idea 4: Colors as thoughts in our brain. How unrest, peace, insights, ideas popping in our minds and other things might be working in our minds. Like how a jumbled train of thoughts arriving at a point of insight.

There were multiple brainstorming sessions which helped in moulding the ideas and finally zeroing in on one. Let me take you through the flow of the final idea.

Final Idea

1. When the project is announced:

That AHA moment. Excitement runs through our mind. The project seems to be one of a kind and challenge gives a sudden adrenaline boost.

2. When reality sets in:

We start to question the reality. How do we go about this?

Ok we have groups now. Random, whattt? Ok, do I know this person?

3. When discussions start:

A little bit of icebreaking is required.

Brainstorm, Brainstorm, Brainstorm.

A lot of ideas are coming to me but how do I put those into words? Are the other team members able to understand my idea.

The ideas seem very vague. Actually all of them

Wait, that sounds like a good one. Oh ok how about we do this with that? Now, things are starting to take shape.

4. Reality strikes once again:

The idea seemed very interesting at first but I do not have any clue about how do I take this forward.

Gloominess sets in. Trying to carve time out of busy schedule to do some explorations.

Fail. Do again. Fail Do again. This is getting tiring.

Procrastination overpowers.

Some of the explorations work well.

5. Penultimate stage:

The lethargy is contagious. Everyone seems to be slacking off.

The date and time splashes on the mobile screen. WE HAVE NO TIME LEFT AT ALL.

Panic sets in. Try to do everything to finish off the project somehow. By hook or by crook.

Although the project that you are working on right now seems to be very enjoyable but you just cannot relish the process anymore. Aaaaaghh, this is exhausting.

6. The final deliverable:

Ok the project is done now. (sigh of relief)

You skim through the entire thing once more and find some of the things very roughly done.

Things could have been done better

Blaming ourselves for not taking it seriously the first time.

Showcasing of work. Other people seem to have done a marvellous job.

Ok now that we are done, there is nothing left to do. Only promise ourselves to manage our time better for the next project.

Behind the scenes:

Had some fun with refined oil, water, colours and guess what, PepFizz

Ink in Water

Milk, water, paint and washing powder

Creation of the BG Track and final video:

We recorded different sounds from around us ranging from washing machines, void sounds from washrooms, voices, metal clanking of glasses and spoons, rattling pf crockery. Then, I further took them to FL Studio, digitally remastered them and created the entire BG track.

Creating the progressions and melodies on FL Studio

Layering tracks to make the final score on FL Studio

Editing the clips and merging the sequences with sounds to create the final video on After Effects

Let’s see the final video now, shall we?

The journey of Anticipation

youtube

Ok, wow. This was done in a very short period of time with half of our group not well. Pulling this off was a task in itself but the explorations and everything made it worth it. I also tried my hands on FL Studio after a long long time and I plan on continuing composing some scores and music in my spare time from now on.

But although the explorations were fun, it was insightful as well. Many properties of colour, composition and whole treatment of these things came in as hoardes of information as we went along. And making the connections between each shots and relating them to the stages of our narration while thinking in a abstract way of how colours and music would narrate that same thing. It was tough at first but then it seemed very natural.

But.. But... Ummm.... this whole assignment made my mother pretty angry because the room was a total mess and I was too lazy. But worth taking the risk for assignments this interesting.

Ok that was the end to Week 4. A very fruitful one indeed. Catch up on Week 5 soon.

Alvida, Adios, Tata, Bye Bye, Hasta la Vista and Sayonara till next time.

0 notes

iwritetrashimagines · 7 years ago

Text

Best Friend’s Brother - Joe Sugg

Rating: FLUFF

Warnings: None really

Request: an imagine where you’re best friends with Zoe and she introduces you to Joe because he thinks you’re cute. some celebrity crush kinda stuff.

A/N: requests are open

[outfit: https://www.polyvore.com/m/set?.embedder=2857073&.svc=copypaste-and&id=222370252 ]

[Joe]

Zoe holds a shirt against my chest, another in her other hand as she compares the two. I’m standing topless in the middle of my own bedroom as my older sister tries to figure out how she wants to dress me. She asked me to lunch today and said there was some surprise, but she’s left me clueless as of what the surprise could be.

“Will you at least give me a bloody idea? As lovely as this is, I feel like a child. I know how to dress.” I speak, running my fingers through my hair as Zoe starts going through a pile of clothes she’s already pulled out. “And you’d better be putting all this up, you’re trashing my room.”

“Calm down, I’m getting you a girlfriend.” She throws a top at me. “Wear that one.”

I sigh and pull the shirt over my head. “What are you on about?”

“You made a comment about how you thought (Y/N) was quite fit. Luckily for you, you have a wonderful sister like me to put in a good word. We got together not too long ago for a video for her channel and I asked her what she thought of you. ‘Course the girl got a little pink in the face, she said you were cute.”

Zoe winked at me as my face heated up slightly. I’d only seen the girl a few times, but I knew she was great. She was gorgeous, her smile could light up any room, and her sense of humor was something out of my dreams. The last time I'd seen her was at Playlist, but she announced that she'd be moving to London. Now, we live in the same city and I've been too nervous to hit her up. She's been a youtuber about as long as I have and she's quite successful. I've been working up the nerve to ask her to collab with me, but I guess Zoe playing matchmaker works too.

“Okay, you're going to meet her at that cute little cafe a block away in 20 minutes. Don't be on your phone, keep the conversation alive, and flirt with the girl! She likes you, show that you like her.” Zoe threw a pair of shoes at me before looking me over, making sure that I was Zoe-approved for my surprise date. As I put my shoes on Zoe walks out of my bedroom. “Thank me later!” She yells before I hear my front door close.

[Y/N]

I run my fingers through my hair nervously. I finish getting ready when I hear my phone ring. Checking it, I see that it's Zoella wanting to facetime me.

I answer. I hear the excitement in her voice when she replies and the smile she's wearing covers her face cheek-to-cheek.

“I just left Joe’s house. He’ll be there in about 20 minutes. Show me the outfit.”

I stand in front of the mirror in my bedroom and show her my look for today. “Zoe, you picked this out. Why do you want to see it?” I hear her giggle before she answers.

“I just wanted to see the finished product. I love it! I'm gonna let you go, go woo my brother. Actually, I'm going to forget that those words came out of my mouth, but go have fun!” With that, she hung up. I grabbed my phone and headed out the door.

I make it to the cafe within minutes and I take a seat by a window looking out on London. Zoe said that Joe would be here in the next few minutes, so I might as well take a seat. I check my phone to see a text from Zoe.

“Good luck with the date, call me when you get home. I want all the details.💖”

I heard the bell above the door ding, causing my curiosity to peak. There he was. Joe Sugg himself, walking into this little cafe in search of me. Our eyes met and I sent him a smile. His face lit up as he made his way to where I was sitting.

“(Y/N), is this seat taken?” He asked with a cheeky smile.

“Not currently. Take a seat.” With that said, Joe sat down. He looked at me for a moment before opening his mouth. Like he wants to say something, but he can't find the words. Instead of saying something, he stuck his hand across the table. Laughing a little, I shook his hand.

“You look wonderful.”

“As do you Joe, you clean up nicely.”

“Thank you. Have you ordered yet?”

“I haven't. I've only been here a few minutes, actually.” The smile on his face was enough for me. His light hair was perfectly tousled and his eyes were brighter than the sun. He nodded his head towards the counter as he stood up.

“Alright. What do you want? I’ll go order.”

I watched him walk away after I answered. Joseph Sugg is unbelievably attractive, even when he's walking away. He was wearing his glasses, which only made him more attractive. How one can be so perfect was something I don't know. As Joe spoke to the woman behind the counter, I watched as his jaw moved with every word that left his mouth. I watched how his arms looked as he pulled his wallet out to pay. I watched as he thanked her when she handed him the drinks. I turned away as he faced me, hoping he hadn't noticed how I stared.

“Here we go.” he spoke, placing the cup in front of me before sitting down. I placed my hands on the warm cup, hoping that it would keep me from grabbing a hold of his, which happened to look very holdable.

“Thank you.” I sent him a smile, which he returned.

I worried that this would be awkward, but it was far from it. I realized fairly quickly that it was impossible to be awkward with Joe. The boy in front of me dropped the ‘first impression’ nerves and became everything you'd expect him to be as soon as he sat back down. I found myself laughing at joke after joke, and just loving being in his company. The obvious icebreakers like youtube weren't necessary. By the time we were getting ready to leave, we were deep in conversation and 10 minutes till closing.

“Wait, how many impressions can you do?” I laughed. If there was anything considered most attractive about Joe, it would be his humor.

As our laughter quieted and we stood outside the cafe, I found Joe looking at me, only a small smile on his face as I wiped away the small tear falling down my cheek.

“You know, you're gorgeous.”

It was almost as if he didn't want me to hear it his voice was so light. I felt my face heat up slightly and hoped he couldn't notice.

“Thank you.” I smiled softly. The sun was getting ready to set, but I didn't want to leave him just yet. The skies were clear, so what was left of the sun shone around him, highlighting his face.

“When Zoe told me about this, she waited until last minute to tell me it was a date. I'd like to think that this went very well.” As he said this, he grabbed my hand, just enough to intertwine our fingers.

“I think it did.” I promise you that no matter how hard I smiled, it still wouldn't be enough to show how happy I was in this moment. Before today, I'd only seen Joe a handful of times. An Upload event a while back. A music festival we both went to. Maybe a party or two. Before today, I didn't know him.

We stood there in silence for a few moments, just looking at each other with the biggest smiles on our faces that we could muster.

“May I walk you home?” He broke the silence, and the question almost sounded shy. His cheeks grew the slightest pink tint. I nodded my head and turned from the cafe, pulling him in the right direction. In the short walk back to my flat, I kept feeling like I didn't want to ever make it back. Conversation kept flowing as we timidly flirted, seeing how far we could go. Then, suddenly we were standing in front of my door. Joe and I took a second to exchange numbers, each of us secretly hoping that this would go on. We stood outside my door for 15 minutes. I wondered what would happen. How would he leave me tonight? I got my answer when Joe's phone rang.

“It's Zoe.” He chuckled before rejecting the call and placing the phone back in his pocket. “I guess I need to head home. I didn't realize how long I've kept you to myself.” He winked at me, and it was easily the highlight of my night. Or, I thought it was, until he was leaving. He stopped about 10 steps away from me before turning around. Suddenly, he was back in front of me, his warm hand pressed against my cheek.

“Can I kiss you?” His breath was warm and smelled of mint, despite the tea he'd drank earlier. All I could do was nod. The close proximity we were in was intoxicating. I wanted to be this close to him forever. Then his soft lips were on mine and all thoughts left my mind. Fairy tales and romance novels don't prepare you for what I felt. They felt sparks or fireworks. I felt happiness beyond comparison. It was over as quickly as it began, and I felt myself missing it.

“I'll call you?” It sounded like he was asking me for permission, so I nodded my head. I couldn't wait to do this again, but I tried to hide my excitement. He kissed me once more before leaving. As I entered my apartment I felt my phone buzz. When I checked it, I could see that it was a text from Zoe.

“So, did you woo him?😉”

#Joe Sugg #Joe Sugg imagine #buttercream squad #buttercream squad imagine #Zoe Sugg #Zoella #imagine #fluffy imagine #fanfiction #joe sugg fanfiction #buttercream squad fanfiction #youtube #youtubers #youtuber imagine #youtuber fanfiction #Joseph Sugg

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ahamortenusa2015 · 7 years ago

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Take on This!

----A Journey Like No Other----

First off, welcome back!

I know it’s been forever and a day since I last did an installment of Take on This, and I apologize. My life went into overdrive over the last year-ish—some really great things took an incredible amount of my time; some not-so-great-things threw a monkey wrench into daily life. To the not-so-great things, I say: I dealt with you, conquered you, and came out a stronger person on the other end. Also, I learned that I didn’t have time for drama in my life and acted accordingly. It was liberating.

But, enough about that, because…

…a-ha is FINALLY COMING TO THE UNITED STATES!

I’ll just be over here for a moment while that sinks in.

//whistles while she waits//

Let’s get in the time machine, shall we? Our story begins in 2014, with two ladies meeting each other over a mutual love of Morten Harket and his music. Becoming fast friends, they soon found themselves planning a trip to Norway to see him in concert—a dream come true. Those two gals were none other than Debbie and Clara. One incredible chance-of-a-lifetime meeting later, they had expressed their desire—right to the man himself—to see him on American shores. Upon returning home, they decided to take it one step further: why not try and get Morten *and* a-ha over here? Now, they knew a-ha had gracefully left us in 2010, but there was always hope in the back of their minds, just as we all had hope. So, they set up a Facebook page (this very one!) and started a petition (the one we have almost 1,500 names on now!), and decided to see where it took them.

People began to take notice. Visitors from the page signed the petition and shared with friends. People enjoyed the photos of a-ha and Morten they posted on Facebook. One of those people was me, LA. What started as me probably making a sassy comment about Morten’s choice of pants in that one photo we all know and love turned into something much more.

In March 2015, I got a message from Clara telling me that she and Debbie had talked and they both had a “gut feeling” that I was a pretty cool gal. (They’re right, BTW //tooting my own horn//). They asked me to join the fold and maybe write some blog pieces for fun, and I immediately took the reins on our social media front. We set up Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and updated the Facebook page, and started the Take on This! blog, all with one purpose: get attention to our petition (and entertain you all in the process!)

And guess what? People noticed even more. The number of signatures began to rise. More guests liked our Facebook page, and began following us on the other platforms. So, we set up a website, and lo and behold, people visited there, too! By the end of March 2015, Cast in Steel had been announced, and we wanted nothing more than to have them come to our shores and play for all their adorning fans here that couldn’t make it to Europe for shows. Tour dates were announced…and they didn’t include us. So guess what? We threw ourselves into “work our asses off” mode. Late nights, early mornings, neglecting of family duties—all on our own time, no pay from anyone, mind you—to get our (and your) voices heard. Facing adversity from certain sources only made us a stronger team, and more determined bring attention to our campaign. Because when it’s all said and done, all a-ha fans deserve the opportunity to see the guys in concert, no matter what certain people think.

And on we pressed. We contacted the Original MTV VJ’s on Twitter: Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, and Nina Blackwood. All were eager to help our grass-roots effort get some attention, as they remembered those Norwegian angels and how much influence they had on pop culture. Mark and Nina both gave us ON AIR shout outs on Sirius XM, and all four tweeted about us on their own accounts. Nina in particular has been an incredible help, as she is always willing to post our links, talk about us and Debbie on-air and give a-ha a little love during her airtime.

And guess what? The petition numbers kept rising.

By this time it was June 2015, and we weren’t even close to being done. We were sitting on the precipice of 500 signatures, no small feat. But we wanted more. We wanted a-ha and their management to know that the fans here in the USA wanted them back. Time was ticking by, and we knew the USA was running out of time to secure tour dates. So we worked our tails off even more, sometimes resorting to asking random people if they liked a-ha, all in order to reach that magic number. (I may or may not have been guilty of asking the service technician at my car dealership to sign during an oil change. He signed—and I regret nothing.)

June 16, 2015. “500 Day.”

The number glared at us, we screeched and cried happy tears, then…

…immediately started planning on how we were going to get to 1,000.

We did giveaways for certain number milestones, we circulated flyers around our hometowns, we contacted radio stations nationwide, deejays and anyone we could think of in the entertainment business who might listen. To quote a previous entry of Take on This: Perfect strangers? No problem, A-ha is great icebreaker. Family vacation? Pssshhh. Hawaii loves A-ha too, right? Local restaurants? State Fairs? Kid’s music lessons? Check, check and double check.

And guess what? THE NUMBERS KEPT RISING. We imposed a deadline on ourselves to get to that next magic number—August 31st. Before we knew it, August was upon us. And August 9th brought 1,000 names. In just over five months, we had gone from 300-ish signatures to over a thousand. Within a day, hundreds of dollars our own money went towards postage for sending hard copies of the petition to Norway. We knew it needed to be there RIGHT NOW if the USA were to have any chance of getting tour dates. We ensured it was in the right hands, no matter how hard or expensive it was. How’s that for working our butts off day and night?

And still we pressed on. 1,000 wasn’t enough. Time was of the essence, because we knew the window to achieve gigs for the USA was quickly closing. So again, we kicked into overdrive. Working through the autumn, we blasted the information about our petition far and wide, hoping against hope that it would garner even more attention.

December 8, 2015.

The day our hearts collectively broke. I remember I woke up like any other day, wrangled my son out of bed on a below-zero morning to get to school on time, and checked my phone while making oatmeal. The message I never wanted to see greeted me.

They weren’t coming. All tour dates had been announced.

I’ll admit, I cried. Hard. I tried to keep my composure and got my dude into school like a trooper. When I returned to my car, I called Debbie and sobbed—and swore. Profusely. (Poor Debbie, did she get an earful from that parking lot…) Everything we had worked for. Everything we had HOPED for. For nothing.

We took a week or so to wallow in our misery, and also decide what to do next. Yes, they weren’t coming—THIS TIME. You see, that hope, that drive, that made us strive to succeed the first time, was still there. Maybe even burning hotter than before.

Debbie and Clara at least had Norwegian concerts to look forward to, and I vicariously lived through them during their whirlwind tour of that beautiful Scandinavian country to see a-ha for the very first time in May 2016. And all the while, even though the end of the tour had arrived by then and there was no concrete evidence that a-ha would come back again, we kept on. Armed with flyers, cards and a few more hard copies of our petition, they put feet to the ground in Norway and got back to business in-between shows.

Because we’re nothing if not persistent.

The petition made it into the hands of an executive from Norsk Hydro who knew the band, and promised to share it with them. She was thrilled to hear that there was such a fan base in the USA and was eager to tell the guys. When the gals were fortunate enough to talk to each of the lads, they always made sure to tell them how much they were wanted here, and that all our hard work was for the fans that have never had the chance to see them on our shores. We crossed our collective fingers. Debbie and Clara returned to the United States with a renewed love of Norway and a smattering of cautious optimism that our efforts would somehow still not be in vain.

We kept on updating our little corner of a-ha land, all the while working for the Norwegian band KELNER doing promo in the USA. We were busy, that’s for sure. But all the while, we always had that glimmer of hope that a-ha would return yet again. We kept the petition open and continued to get support, with the numbers continuing to rise.

2017 brought new hope—and renewed vigor in us—in the form of the acoustic tour announcement. Once again, we flew into action, blasted our petition with louder voices than we had ever had before. Nina Blackwood, once again, supported us by talking about our campaign on-air and posting our links on her Facebook page. She even gave a shout-out to Debbie before she left for the acoustic shows last month.

This time, we would not be left out. The sting of disappointment was still raw from last time, the wound still aching. And then again, when all the acoustic gigs were announced—the USA was not part of the deal.

Dammit.

But, we persisted. Because we could just feel it. Maybe it was the way the guys seemed to have so much fun during the Cast in Steel tour, or the announcement of the acoustic album and DVD for autumn. We knew there had to be something more.

The MTV Unplugged concerts at Giske were a success. There had been a huge contingent of American fans there, and it had to have been noticed. Debbie and Clara screamed it from the rooftops again, to anyone who would listen, that we desperately wanted to be included in another tour—if it ever came to fruition. They came home, and we waited. Again.

July 7, 2017

One article, posted on a very reputable site, said the words we were all waiting to hear for so very, very long.

A-ha was finally coming back to the USA.

A world tour announcement, including America.

I cried again. But this time, it was most definitely happy tears.

All our work, all our sacrifices—had finally paid off. Sacrifices, you ask? Yes. Our families sometimes got the shaft when we were hard at work making the collective voice of the USA fans be heard. We spent a lot, and I mean A LOT, of our time campaigning for everyone to get their fair change. No one paid us. We did what we did because, for every a-ha fan that has seen them in concert, there are ten who haven’t. Those of us who live in the USA have had a mere sliver of the opportunities others have been given to see them over the past thirty-plus years. We worked so very hard—and we did it for the fans.

So, here’s to the upcoming Summer 2018 World Tour.

We finally did it guys, we're so thankful that everyone appreciated our hard work, and here's to seeing a-ha on our shores!

Team AHaMortenUSA thanks each and every one of you for your support and encouragement over these last three years. And don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere just because there are finally tour announcements! We’re here to stay!

Keep up with us on social media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ahaUSA2015/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AHaMortenUS2015

Tumblr: https://ahamortenusa2015.tumblr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoundrel_days/

Website: https://www.ahamortenharketusa.com/

Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/134/144/390/a-ha-morten-harket-usa-2015/

#a-ha #morten harket #magne furuholmen #paul waaktaar savoy #take on this!#it's back!#journeys #success #ahausa2018

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chunmakowski3-blog · 7 years ago

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blonde milf cream pie - What Everybody Dislikes About Free Mature Stripping And Why

My girlfriend and I went to a lingerie party on Valentine's day. It was hosted by a friend of hers who has always been a bit wild. Candice and I met in college and have been dating exclusively for five years. She keeps hinting that she wants to get married, and lately the hints are less subtle and more, "oh lets go check out these engagement rings in this jewelry store." I definitely love her and I'm sure she's the one, and I've bought a ring. I just haven't popped the question yet. In college we were both kind of nerdy and overweight. When she got a job right out of school, she made some new friends who convinced her to start dieting and exercising. She lost 40 lbs. Her waist shrank, but her boobs stayed pretty big. I'm not complaining, because I get to play with them every day. She also started experimenting with makeup more, and bleached her hair blond. I noticed all the changes and it made me self conscious so I joined the gym too. I've lost 30 lbs and I've put on a lot of muscle, but I got a later start and its been a bit slower for me. So Candice has gone from like a 6 to (no lie) an absolute 10, and I've gone from a 5 to maybe a 7.5. Candice started telling people to call her Candy, so now I feel like I'm dating a porn star. I don't mind this. It's great to have a really hot girlfriend. I'm horny all the time, just being around her, and our sex life is off the charts. Seriously, multiple times a day, so I'm not complaining. It's just kinda weird that we were just two geeky kids who played video games together, and only fooled around once in a while. And now we're like a sexual dynamo. It's pretty awesome. So yea, I was planning on popping the question some time soon. But, now I'm not so sure. As I said, the valentine's party was lingerie themed. Most guys wore silk boxers and satin robes. Some guys went with thongs, but I wasn't that adventurous. The girls all wore sexy lingerie. Mostly satin or lace, but not totally revealing. Some were a bit see through, which the guys sure didn't mind. Candy wore a valentine themed pink and white negligee with hearts on it. She looked gorgeous. It was lacy, but not completely see through. It accented her cleavage nicely. She put on a lot of eye makeup, more than usual. "Why don't you doll yourself up that much for me?" I asked teasingly. "Well, if you like it, then I might," she said with a wink and a kiss. I was wearing white silk boxers with red hearts, so my boner was pretty obvious. I had a difficult time all night trying to keep it down with all the lovely girls in lingerie walking around. Candy teased me about it a lot. Candy's friend is Cozy. Yes, that's her real name. She's the one from Candy's work that got her to get into shape and change her style. So in that way, she's been a good influence. But Cozy is also kind of wild. Candy goes out on girls' nights with her and her friends, about once a month, and last year they took a trip to Vegas, no boys allowed. I wasn't happy, but Candy promised me she would behave, and I trusted her, so I wasn't worried. Cozy's boyfriend Dale is a nice guy. He's tall and muscular and has a chiseled jaw like someone who would be a protagonist in a video game. Definitely not the kind of guy I would've hung around with in college. But he's very friendly and has a great sense of humor. He was wearing a banana hammock at the party, but he has the body to pull it off, and the package to fill it as well. I caught Candy eyeing has package more than once and I teased her about it. She blushed and rolled her eyes and said, "Well, you can't blame me. He's pretty hot." I had to reluctantly agree. When we first arrived at the party, Cozy greeted us at the door. She was wearing a red shimmery bra and panty set, with stockings and high heels. The panties had a frilly skirt, and the bra was sheer enough you could clearly see her nipples. Cozy's hair was also bleached platinum blond. I have no idea what her original hair color was, but it looked good on her. She gave Candy a warm hug and a kiss on the lips. They do that every time they meet. Usually she just gives me a hug, but this time she gave me a kiss too. A quick one, but it was enough to make my candycane twitch. Dale came by and shook my hand and gave Candy a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She smiled a little too brightly, I noticed. Cozy gave me a little heart brooch and gave Candy a little dragonfly brooch. "Ok, what you do, you walk around and chat with people like the lovely social butterflies that you are. The person you think has the best outfit, you ask them for a kiss and then clip the brooch onto their outfit. See it clips on easily just like that. So the girl who has the most hearts and the boy who has the most dragonflies wins." "That seems easy enough," I said. "Ooh, this will be fun!" Candy exclaimed with excitement. We both got a drink, which they were calling a Screaming Orgasm. Tasted good. I just sipped mine because I didn't want to get toasted. Then we mingled. All the people were very friendly. I didn't know anyone there, but apparently Candy knew many of them from her girls' night outs. She would hand her drink to me and give them a big hug and kiss. She often knew the girl's boyfriend too. Some she would just hug, but some got a quick kiss on the lips as well, which surprised me a bit. But I was feeling warm from the alcohol, and it was a jovial atmosphere, so I thought nothing of it. Most of the people had very sexy outfits. I had a hard time deciding who to give my heart pin to, but there was one girl whose outfit was basically a big satin bow. I can't even remember her name, but I asked for a kiss. She said, "Ok, pin it on me first." I had a bit of fun clipping it to her outfit right on her breast. I was feeling adventurous, so I took her in my arms and dipped her and gave her a nice sloppy kiss. She stuck her tongue in my mouth and I went with it. When we were done, she was blushing. Candy slapped me on my ass and said, "Good boy!" and the girl's boyfriend laughed. Candy wasn't as eager to make a decision, but she had a lot of guys coming up to her asking for a kiss. I wouldn't say she had the sexiest outfit, or even the most revealing, but I guess it was less about rating her outfit and more just wanting to kiss the person wearing it. I couldn't blame them. She was definitely smoking hot that evening. So I spent the next hour or so holding her drink, while guy after guy pinned hearts to her bosom and then snogged her. And I don't mean just a kiss. I mean they made out with her for a good two or three minutes. I had a hard time not getting hard just watching it. Candy was definitely getting into it, and usually gave them a pat on the butt afterwards. A couple times she patted my crotch and said "Down boy." This made quite a few girls giggle. Pretty soon Candy had a whole row of hearts lined up along the décolletage of her nightie. But she still hadn't given her dragonfly pin away yet. "Well, have you decided who you will give the dragonfly to?" I asked. "Oh! I totally forgot." She had it pinned to the strap of her negligee, so she took it off and started looking around. Her eyes landed on Dale, and she smiled and walked over to him. "Can I have a kiss, sugar?" she asked. Dale smiled warmly. "Well, of course darlin'." Candy knelt down to pin the dragonfly to his thong, which already had so many on it, it looked like a nest of dragonflies. She had a hard time finding an open spot. I saw her bite her lip as she stared at his huge silk covered package. She pulled his thong out a bit to pin the dragonfly to it and I swear she took a little peak down it. Then she stood and Dale took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. She melted in his arms and they made out for a couple minutes. I don't know if it was longer than the others, but it sure felt like it. As I was watching them, I got a shock when someone grabbed my cock from behind me. "Enjoying the party, are we?" I recognized Cozy's voice. I half turned to look at her, and she kept holding onto my hard cock, with a mischievous grin on her face. "Don't grab it if you're not going to finish the job," I said playfully. She let go and leaned in to whisper, "I just might," and then walked away. When I turned back, Candy and Dale weren't kissing anymore, but they were chatting and giggling. "Do you two need to be alone?" I quipped, a little sardonically. Candy looked at me and rolled her eyes. "No! Silly." I could tell she was blushing. She walked back over to me and put her arms around me. "Don't be jealous. It's not attractive," she whispered to me. I gave her butt a quick spank and then kissed her neck and she cooed. "Ok, it looks like we have two winners," Cozy announced. "Candy and Dale clearly have the most brooches. I'll tell you what you both won, later this evening." People clapped and congratulated them, some with enthusiasm. "How do we get more brooches so we can get another kiss?" asked a guy. Everyone laughed. "Well, you'll just have to ask them for a kiss yourself," Cozy told him. "The brooches were just an icebreaker. Now you can do whatever you want. Or whomever." People chuckled. "Let the party begin." The thought of asking some of these girls for a kiss seemed pretty appealing. But then I was worried they would say no, so I chickened out at first. Other guys didn't have that problem, because it wasn't long before one came up to Candy to ask for another kiss, and she happily obliged. At this point it didn't phase me anymore, but it did give me the courage to go up to a pretty girl standing beside her hunky boyfriend and ask for a kiss. She smiled and rolled her eyes and said, "ok," and I took her in my arms and snogged her for about a minute. I could feel her boyfriend's eyes on me, so I didn't push it. She put her arms back around him and I took that as my clue to walk away. When I made my way back to Candy, she was kissing a different guy now. I stood there, not wanting to interrupt, feeling a bit awkward so I looked around for another girl. There was a cute petite blond in the corner, so I walked up to her and asked for a kiss, but she smiled and shook her head, so I shrugged and turned around. Candy, now unoccupied, watched me walk back to her. "Shot down?" she asked. I nodded. "Aww, that's ok honey. Here, I'll give you a kiss." Candy slid her arms around my neck and we snogged for a while. It was familiar, of course, because I was kissing my girlfriend, but also slightly different, due to the atmosphere of the party. She made me feel like I had scored with a hottie. "Anyone want to do body shots?" someone called out from another room. We followed the voice and there was a girl laying on the table. A guy would pour liquor into her belly button, then guys and also girls would suck and lick it out, and then kiss the girl. I stepped up, and did the shot. It was Baileys I think. I had fun licking the girl's belly button and then gave her a sexy kiss. She kissed back eagerly, with lots of tongue. Candy did it as well, which was pretty sexy. I hadn't seen her tongue kiss a girl before, but she seemed very comfortable doing it. After a while the girl climbed blonde milf boobs off the table and the guy said, "Hey, Candy, why don't you take her place?" This was met with cheers. Candy climbed onto the table and pulled up her nightie to expose her belly. Guys and girls lined up to suck shots out of her belly button and kiss her. They started to get creative, pouring liquor on her thighs and letting the guy lick it up. One guy wanted to lick it up from her cleavage, but she didn't want to get her nightie wet. "Well, just take it off!" the guy suggested. She smiled and blushed and said "ok" and sat up to pull off her negligee. This made the whole room cheer. She handed it to me, and laid back down. The guy poured shots between her breasts and people were licking it off and kissing her. Each guy got more adventurous and soon they were licking and sucking on her nipples. Girls were too, which she seemed to enjoy just as much. Watching all this gave me a boner that wouldn't go down. Then someone shouted "Cooter shots!" and everyone cheered. Before I knew it, Candy was pulling off her panties and handing them to me. My heart started pounding. It felt surreal. People started pouring the shot down her pussy and licking it off, which quickly led to full on cunnilingus in front of everyone. I think someone noticed the shock on my face, because a girl leaned in to my ear and said, "Don't worry. She's an old hat at these." Watching my girlfriend getting eaten out by guys and girls was an interesting experience. I looked around and the crowd in the room was starting to thin a bit as people started pairing off and losing clothing, and others said their goodbyes and left. In the chairs and couches, there were naked bodies in twos and threes. When I saw a girl giving head to a guy, who I'm pretty sure was not her boyfriend, I knew the party had taken a turn. It's like a switch had been flipped. Candy climbed off the table and said, "I need to go to the bathroom." She kissed me and headed off down the hall. I overheard a guy say, "That Candy is so damn sexy." "You should have seen her in Vegas," a girl replied. I tried to listen to hear more of their conversation, but the music and ambient noise of the room drowned them out. I really had an urge to find a hot girl to play around with, but I figured Candy would be coming right back and I didn't know what she wanted to do next, stay or leave. I stood there, holding her nightie and panties, and then decided I didn't want to wait, afraid of what she might be doing when I wasn't looking. I walked down the hall and knocked on the bathroom door. "Come in," she said. As I opened the door I half expected her to be down on her knees giving some guy a blow job. But she was just wiping herself down in the mirror. When she saw me, she smiled and ran up to me and gave me a big hug and kiss. "Are you having fun?" she asked. I nodded. "Are you?" "Ohmygod, I'm having such a great time." She practically beamed. "I'm so glad you're here." "It was a bit surprising seeing people lick your pussy like that." She bit her lip and rolled her eyes. "Yea, they kinda got carried away. You didn't mind, did you?" "Nah, not really I guess. I just wasn't expecting to see that tonight." She looked at me and hesitated. "Yea... You know... This could be a good time for us to experiment a little bit. Expand our horizons. Really get to know each other, if you know what I mean." I thought I did, but I wanted to hear it from her. "Um, I think. Can you be more specific?" "Well, we could give each other a hall pass, just for tonight. To do whatever we want. And not have it affect our relationship. Tomorrow, things go back to normal. But tonight, we can have a little fun. What do you say?" I cleared my through, giving myself a little time to think. "Well, I think you might have a bit more fun that I will." She made a cute little frown. "Why do you say that?" "Well you seem to be very popular with this crowd. Much more popular than I am." "That's not true," she tried to deny, but I just stared at her. "Ump, well, are you saying you don't want to?" "I dont know. You do, clearly." She gave a little nod, and looked at me with big doe eyes. "And I don't really want to leave your side tonight, to go looking for someone to play with. I'd rather stay with you. I'd feel more comfortable." Candy nodded. "I understand. I don't want us to separate either. How about...You give me a hall pass tonight, and then you can have one later, for whatever you want. Does that seem fair?" I caught my breath. My heart was pounding and it felt like it was leaping up into my throat. I pondered the possibilities. "Anything I want?" "Well, within reason. We can discuss it. But, yea." "And what do you want to do tonight?" "I don't know. We can see where the night leads. Maybe nothing. Maybe everything." Candy grinned at me mischievously. That wanton smile always made me aroused and she knew it. She bit her lip and traced her finger across my chest, down my abs, and grabbed my crotch, which was fully hard at that point. She started stroking my cock through the silk boxers, which felt amazing. She smiled wider and pulled my boxers down and kept stroking my bare sausage. She knelt down and slipped her lips over the head of my serpent and began sucking. Candy is amazing at giving blowjobs, and she had gotten increasingly better in the past year. At that moment it occurred to me why that might be, but I didn't want to think about that. The door opened and a girl walked in. "Oh! Excuse me. I didn't realize it was occupied." Candy pulled her head back off my throbbing rod and said, "Come in. Don't mind us," then went back to sucking with vigor. The girl said, "ok," and shuffled past us, pulled down her panties and sat on the toilet and peed. I found that very hot, and she was beautiful. When she was done and wiping herself, Candy asked her, "You want a taste?" The girl smiled and knelt down beside her and Candy passed her my dick, and she began sucking me too. It was the hottest thing I had ever experienced. They took turns sucking me until I erupted and sprayed pearly droplets on both their faces and tongues. Then they turned and kissed each other, sharing my cum between them. This was totally surreal for me. I had known Candice for nearly six years, and now she's acting like the hottest pornstar I could imagine. The girl stood up and I kissed her fiercely. I could taste the semen on her lips, but I was so sexually amped up, I didn't care. She left and Candy kissed me too. She held up my boxers with a smirk and said, "I'm keeping these." She took my hand and led me out of the bathroom, both of us naked. The party had thinned out quite a bit, but there were still many people lounging around. Candy saw Cozy and said to me, "Go get us some drinks," then went to talk to her. I got us a couple more Screaming Orgasms while Candy and Cozy conspired together, glancing over at me while they did. I walked over to them and Cozy said, "So Candy says you are ready to party." Cozy reached out and grabbed my junk, which twitched in her dainty hand. Candy was grinning evilly. "That's good, because I need to tell her and Dale what they have won." This made me apprehensive. A knot formed in my stomach, but my cock hardened to the point it nearly hurt. She flicked her thumb over my pee hole, which was oozing from the previous ejaculation and then stuck her thumb in her mouth to taste it. "Both of you come with me." We followed her as she went to find Dale. "Dale, my love. Your prize, should you choose to accept it, is one hour with tonight's other winner, that being Candy, of course." My heart sank and I felt like someone had just punched me in my gut. I was hoping he would choose not to accept it, but part of me was curious to see what would happen. I looked up and down his chiseled form and eyed his massive package in that tiny banana hammock, and I dreaded what he would do with my girlfriend, and possible fiancee. Of course, he smiled and said, "Let's party." I didn't even need to guess at Candy's response. She giggled, smiled brightly and jumped into his arms. She was blushing so deeply, I felt a sharp pang of jealousy. "I can keep you company, while they have their fun," Cozy said to me. "Oh, he has to be able to watch. We aren't separating tonight," Candy chimed in. "Is that ok?" she looked up to Dale as he towered over her. "Sure no, problem." Dale gave a charming smile which made me both hate and like him more. The four of us went up the stairs to the master bedroom. Cozy sat me down in a cushie chair, while Dale sat Candy down on the bed. He pulled his thong off, and his gargantuan anaconda sprang up. Candy's eyes went wide. For the past five years, she's had nothing but mine, that I know of. His was easily twice the meat I was packing. She bent down and started sucking on it, nearly immediately. Seeing my pretty girlfriend with that fat juicy sausage between her lips was a sight to behold. It made my own sausage spring to attention too. Cozy knelt down between my knees and put her pretty lips over the tip and began pleasing me as well. I could hardly complain. Since I had already ejaculated once, I was in no hurry to orgasm. Dale on the other hand, erupted after about ten minutes, spraying thick ivory goo all over Candy's pretty face. The way she smiled up at him with cum dripping down her cheeks and chin nearly made me climax, but also gave me pangs of jealousy. It was almost like she was worshipping him, which was fitting since he looked like some sort of greek god. Dale laid her down on the bed and slid his fat cock between the pink petals of her flower. She inhaled sharply and he slowed down, giving her love canal time to adjust. Cozy stopped sucking and turned to watch, still stroking my cock slowly. "Oh, he's gonna really give it to her. She's gonna love this. I remember my first time with him. That's not something you ever forget." I could have done without her running commentary. The pit in my stomach got sharper, as he pumped deeper and quicker. Candy's moans started out sweet and seductive and became more intense as he plowed her harder. Cozy watched them, her hand stroking on my rod slowed to a stop. Once in a while she would absentmindedly move her hand up and down, but her focus was totally on her boyfriend railing my girlfriend like there was no tomorrow. Dale flipped Candy over so that her ass was up and her face was in the bed cover, and took her from behind. His hips smacking loudly and repeatedly against her asscheeks like an automatic rifle. Candy's whimpers and cries became screams of pure ecstasy. He pulled her wrists back behind her, making her arch her back as he rammed his giant beefy pole into her like a piston. It occurred to me that I had never actually said out loud that I was ok with this. But it was too late now. Candy was quivering and shaking and I knew she was having multiple orgasms. I leaned down to Cozy, and asked, "You want to get in my lap?" She shushed me and kept watching the show, riveted. I noticed her hand between her legs. Cozy was rubbing her kitten as she watched, and soon she was writhing at my feet as well, bucking as jolts of pleasure hit her. My cock was hard but nowhere near cumming. If you have any issues about the place and how to use mature vintage movie, you can get hold of us at the web-site. Dale turned Candy over again and slid his tree trunk between her soft luscious mountains. Candy squeezed them together and smiled up at him with big seductive eyes as she fucked her ample tits. Just then I noticed a thick glob of ivory goo slowly oozing out of her swollen red cunt. Dale had cum inside my girlfriend. That realization knocked the wind out of me and left me breathless. I certainly hadn't expected this when we arrived at the party earlier this evening. All the kissing was fun and seemed harmless, but now things had ratcheted up to a level I wasn't prepared for. Luckily I was still hard as a rock, and the erotic scene unfolding before me kept me horny the entire time. Cozy left me and crawled over to the bed and sank down between Candy's thighs and began eating her out, sucking her boyfriend's creamy batter out of my girlfriend. The scene was so erotic, I was transfixed. I couldn't look away even if I wanted to. But I didn't want to. I was enjoying the show. I had to admit to myself, as much as the lump in my stomach and the pains in my heart stabbed me, I was loving every second of this. When Dale slid down beside Candy, Cozy got in the bed on the other side and they all three kissed and cuddled and fondled each other. They seemed so comfortable with this, it made me wonder how many other times Candy and Cozy had kissed, and done other things. All those girls nights, and the trip to Vegas came to mind, and I wondered what really had happened that Candy hadn't told me. I had the urge to go join them on the bed, but I didn't. A coldness crept into my chest, and my erection began to fade. This was good timing, because they all climbed off the bed, giggling. Candy looked over at me with a pointed expression and a smirk. She walked up to my chair and stood over me. "Did you enjoy that?" she asked as she looked down on me. I just nodded. "Good. I knew you would. You're a very sexual being, like me. That's why we work so well together. That's one of the many reasons I love you so much. You get me." She held out her hand and I took it, and we went back down stairs. Most of the guests had left by then. We put on our clothes, and said our goodbyes. I got many more kisses from the girls than I expected. And every guy made sure he got a goodnight kiss from Candy, and even many of the girls did too. Cozy kissed both of us goodbye, and she squeezed my ass. Dale gave Candy a long sensual kiss, then shook my hand. It was hard not to like the guy with the way he smiles at you, even though he had just plowed my girlfriend into next year. The ride home was quiet. I drove and Candy sat silently, fingertips to her lips. Pondering. Most likely reliving the frivolities of the evening in her head. I took a breath, not sure I wanted to broach the subject, but my curiosity was eating away at me. "So, these girls' nights out, and the trip to Vegas. Is there anything you want to tell me?" I asked tentatively. She shot me a sideward glance, and sank down in her seat, a little half grin on her lips, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Well?" I waited. She took a breath and sat up straight, and cleared her throat, looking a little worried, but also grinning like she was proud of herself. "What do you want to know?" "So I'm going to have to draw it out of you?" She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Ok... On the girls' nights out... all the girls kiss a lot." I nodded. And my cock started to swell. I was hoping she wouldn't notice. "And...?" "Sometimes I kiss boys. Not every time, though." She was looking away from me, like she didn't want to look me in the eye or was afraid I might be angry. Which I was. But also my dick was getting hard, and I had a hard time hiding it. She looked over and saw, and she grinned evilly. "And sometimes I do more.." Candy reached her hand over and caressed my aching erection. She pulled it through the front slot of my boxers and stroked it. "Once, I licked my friend's pussy as she was laying on a pool table." My meat twitched in her hand and she licked the precum oozing out. "And sometimes...I'll go in the bathroom....and do this..." and she slid her lips down my shaft and began blowing me while I drove. For a while we were silent, the only sounds were the wet slurping escaping from her lips and the moans escaping from mine. After a few minutes, she sat up and stuck her tongue in my mouth. I kissed her for a second and then pulled back to keep my eyes on the road. Candy kept stroking me, and whispered seductively in my ear, her hot breath tickling my skin. "I've done more. Do you want to hear about it?" I looked at her out of the corner of my eye, my heart in my throat, and nodded. "Ask me to tell you. Beg me." She was enjoying this too much. But so was I. My heart pounded and ached, but I wanted to know more. "Please tell me," I croaked through the lump in my throat. She smiled through heavy lids. "That weekend in Vegas....I played. With girls. And boys." I swallowed uncomfortably. She stroked my throbbing sausage. "How many?" I managed to get out with a whisper. "Oh...I dont know. Lots of girls. All of them that went on the trip." Imagining that set my mind and my loins ablaze. "And guys?" I asked. Her smile became very wicked. "Just three." I blinked rapidly, trying to wrap my head around it. "All weekend? In one night?" She leaned in and whispered in my ear so softly I could barely hear. "At the same time." At that point, I exploded all over her hand and my boxers. I think a little got on the steering wheel. Candy grinned evilly and kissed my ear, then licked the cum off her hand and bent down to clean off my cock. She got a napkin from the glove compartment and wiped the steering wheel. I was so embarrassed and filled with shame, that I stayed quiet the few more minutes it took us to get home. When we got in the house, I hopped in the shower, needing some time alone to sort through my thoughts. I wound up masturbating while I was in there, still mentally aroused from everything I had heard and seen that evening. When I got out of the shower, I thought Candy was asleep. I laid down beside her, trying not to wake her. After a minute, she rolled over and snuggled with me, her breasts smooshed against my rib cage, her leg between my thighs, her face on my neck, and her coochie on my leg. I held her silently. Then I felt a wetness on my thigh, right where her kitten rested on it. I immediately knew what it was. Her pussy was leaking Dale's semen on my leg. I nearly cursed when I felt my manhood jump. Candy swirled her fingernail around the hair on my chest. "I'm glad we got this out in the open. It's best we have no secrets before you propose. It's better that way. I don't want anything fancy. You can just take me to a nice dinner at an upscale restaurant. Tomorrow night would be good." She put her lips to my ear and whispered, "I'll act surprised." Then she climbed on top of me and guided my manhood into her slippery slit. It was warm, and much creamier than I had felt before. The semen already in there added lubrication. She made love to me in the dark, kissing me deeply and thoroughly, and I added my seed to what was already inside her womb. We fell asleep in each other's arms. Things were different between us from then on. More complicated. More thrilling. Much more erotic. /u/Bacchan_Centauro

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