#''i'm not like other girls i don't need to put on makeup for my wedding to feel pretty'' says with fake lashes and brows

[ishikawayukis]

"i wanna look good without makeup so i'm gonna get my lips tattoed and eyelash extensions and brow lamination and maybe some filler because we don't need makeup anymore we need to embrace our natural beauty!" i'm gonna start stabbing people

[javierpena-inatacvest]

Chapter 18: Hole in None

Summary: During your bridal shower, Steve takes Javi golfing. When they return, the way Javi is acting has you questioning everything you knew about your relationship.

Word Count: 12.1K (getting back to my roots of a short chapter LMAO)

Warnings: SMUT(18+) unprotected p in v sex (wrap it up irl pls), oral (f receiving), creampie, praise kink, breeding kink (if you squint?), makeup sex and getting caught (The Murphy's will never catch a break) ANGST (I'm so sorry!!), Hurt/comfort, Javi being super insecure, you being confused as hell, Steve being an absolute idiot

A/N: HELLO. IT'S ME! I DO EXSIST! I am genuinely SO sorry that this chapter has taken a million years to happen. December has been so busy and I have had no time to write, so I really, really appreciate all of your patience 🥺 This is a lil different than any other chapter we've had so far in the NTL universe, it's a lil angsty-er than normal but ya girl only believes in happy endings so don't fret!!! Also poorly beta'd bc I have the stomach flu and I am 100% there are mistakes in this chapter that I'm sure I missed 🫠

Series Masterlist Next Chapter Previous Chapter

“Do I really have to do this? This thing hasn’t even started yet and I’m already exhausted.” 

“Yes, Hermosa, I do think that most people do expect the bride to be at her own bridal shower.” Javi laughed, staring into the bathroom mirror as he ran his hands through the dark curls of his hair, fixing them into place as you stood next to him, finishing the rest of your longer than usual makeup routine to prepare for being the center of attention against your will for the next several hours. 

It wasn’t that you weren’t grateful that your co-workers wanted to throw you a bridal shower before your wedding, now only a few weeks away- the sentiment of the whole thing was incredibly thoughtful. Your 3rd grade teammates had even found a way to get in touch with your family to make sure that your mom, aunts and cousins felt included in the event, too. You should have been thrilled about the fact that the people who loved you most in the world were coming together to celebrate your upcoming wedding and quite literally showering you with gifts, but if there was one thing you hated more than anything else, it was the social exhaustion that came from having a party planned for no one but you. 

You had really tried to convince Maria, Estelle, Linda, and now, your mom that you didn’t need a bridal shower- your wedding was going to be small, and since you had already been living on your own, there weren’t a lot of things you needed as you started married life together. Unfortunately, neither of those arguments were going to stop those ladies from going all out for you, leaving you feeling like your bridal shower was turning out to be even bigger than your actual wedding. 

“Don’t you think I could just get a cardboard cutout of myself and use that instead? All these ladies love to talk so much that I don’t think they would even know the difference.” You sighed, giving yourself a once over in the mirror before putting away the rest of your makeup as Javi snuck behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist, planting a soft kiss into your shoulder as he pressed his chest against your back. 

“I have a feeling that someone would notice.” Javi chuckled, a soft grin spreading across his face as your eyes met in the mirror, his smile and sweet eyes enough to calm your nerves for at least a moment. “I would definitely notice.” 

“Well that’s easy for you to say, you don’t even have to be there.” You huffed, letting a little pout fall from your lips as Javi playfully shook you in his grasp, trying your best not to smile as you tried to keep up your unenthused facade. “It’s not too late to trade. You can go to the bridal shower and I can go golfing with you and Steve.” 

Even though Javi had insisted he was more than happy to stay at the shower with you, Maria had insisted that Javi find another way to spend his time so the spotlight of the day could be on you, and not him being distractingly handsome to everyone else there. Lucky for Javi, that meant extra time to spend with Steve while Connie was at your shower- not so lucky for you that Maria had banished your future husband from attending an event for your own wedding. 

“I honestly may have to take you up on that. Steve must have needed an ego boost when I let him pick what he wanted to do while you and Connie were at the shower because he knows I can’t golf for shit.” Javi’s overdramatic sigh and roll of his eyes was enough to make you break into a little giggle, turning your head enough to press a quick kiss onto his cheek before reaching your hand under his chin, giving his jaw a little jiggle. “It’ll go by fast, Osita, I promise. And then, when we get home,” he paused, pressing another kiss into your shoulder and up towards your neck, digging his fingers a little tighter into your sides as he rasped into your ear, “I’ll take as much time as you want to destress you.” 

“As much time as I want? Bold of you to assume that the dog is gonna give us that long.” You snickered as a happy Bear trotted into your bathroom right on cue, his tail loudly thumping against the bathroom cabinets from his happy wags as he wedged himself between you and Javi. 

The newest furry member of your household had been a well loved addition, but if there was one thing Bear had no concept of, it was privacy. Your dog had become a constant shadow to you and Javi anywhere and everywhere in your house, including your in your bedroom, even when you were, well, not sleeping. It hadn’t helped that Javi had already formed such a soft spot for Bear, and had let him on your bed from the moment he stepped foot into the apartment, and now, your dog and his clingy personality had become a new obstacle to try and navigate in your sex life. 

“Someone needs to tell his dad that he’ll survive if he gets left out of the bedroom for a half hour, huh? That he’s adorable, but that he can be a little cockblock, can’t he?” Squatting down next to Bear, you wrapped your hands around his face, scratching behind his ears as you mockingly serenaded him, raising an eyebrow at Javi. 

“He just sounds so sad when he whines and he’s trapped outside the door.” Javi grumbled, kneeling down to join you, patting Bear’s stomach, now much thicker and fuller than it was a few weeks ago after you had first brought him home, skinny and neglected from his lack of care from his previous owners. 

“You say trapped like we're kicking him out to the streets when we close the door on him. He’s adorable and sweet, but he’s a dog, Jav, he’ll be okay.” You smirked, playfully scolding Javi as you peppered Bear’s head with kisses, making his tail thump even harder as it wagged back and forth. “Tell your dad you’ll be just fine, won’t you?” 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah…” Javi groaned, knowing damn well you were right, even though he couldn’t bring himself to admit he had become an absolute softie for your new dog. “Alright, Hermosa, we gotta get you to this shower before Maria yells at me for making you late.” Pushing his hands against his knees, Javi let out a little grunt as he pushed himself back up to stand, checking the time on the silver watch wrapped around his wrist. 

“Wow, so eager to get rid of me, you must really be excited to go get your ass kicked in golf.” You teased, now following suit and straightening out your dress as you stood, throwing your arms around Javi’s neck, pressing up on your tiptoes to plant a little kiss on his lips. “Sure you don’t want me to golf for you?” 

“I’m sure, you dork.” 

After Javi had insisted on giving Bear more than his fair share of treats before the two of you left for the day, you were on the road to Maria’s, Javi insisting that he drop you off, instead of letting you take the treacherous 2 minute drive by yourself. As you drove down Maria’s street, you couldn’t help but smile at the memory of walking up to her house for an end of the school year party almost exactly a year ago. A party that had ultimately turned a handsome stranger from the Laredo Sheriff's department into your future husband, now sitting in the driver’s seat on the way to your bridal shower. You couldn’t help but laugh to yourself at the irony, leaning your head over onto Javi’s broad shoulder as you pulled up to Maria’s house. 

“What’s up, Osita?” Javi asked, a twinge of confusion in his voice at the content and calm of your demeanor as the two of you arrived at the event that you had been seemingly dreading for days. 

“I just- It was probably a year ago to the day the last time that we were at Maria’s house. Crazy to think that a year later we’re getting married and here for my bridal shower. I don’t know, a year ago I never would have thought I would have met someone I love so much, let alone be getting married, building a house, owning a dog, I- I’m just really happy that the department made you come to do that stupid presentation. You’ve made this year the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you, Jav.” 

A tender silence hung in the air as Javi leaned over the center console, gently bringing his palm to cup the side of your face, his thumb tracing circles along your cheek, letting his sweet brown eyes lock with yours as a soft smile spread across his face. “I love you too, Osita.” His words barely left his mouth above a whisper, bringing his lips to yours. The two of you could have stayed like this forever, lost in the moment of your love for each other, but unfortunately, the world had other plans. 

“JAVIER. DIOS MIO. CAN YOU KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER FOR 3 SECONDS?” Maria shouted, banging at the driver’s side window, the aggressive thumps of her hand against the glass making the two of you practically jump out of your skin. 

“Jesus Fucking Christ….” Javi whispered, clutching his hand over his chest, trying to steady his heart rate back to normal, the two of you looking at each other in pure terror. 

“If you’re going to drop her off and make a scene in my driveway, the least you can do is help an old woman out before you leave, Javier!” Maria demanded, still rapping her knuckles against the glass, the two of you trying to keep from dying of embarrassment as you exited out of the car. 

“Sorry Maria…” The two of you grimaced, still trying to avoid direct eye contact with her before she decided to scold you more. 

“Chucho is right, you two are no worse than a pair of teenagers. Come on, we only have an hour before everyone arrives and I need you and that wildly blonde haired boy to help me move chairs.” Shaking her head in disappointment, Maria was already halfway up the driveway and into the house as you and Javi trailed behind her, glancing at each other in confusion as to who she was referring to, until you noticed the Murphy’s car parked on the side of the street, realizing that Steve and Connie must have beaten you there. 

Before you even had a chance to make it a foot into the house, you were greeted by an overbearing swarm of people rushing to say hello and give you a hug, already feeling overwhelmed 30 seconds into the start of your shower, and these were all people you knew. Your mom was the first to make her way through the crowd, squeezing you in a death grip hug, even though you had just seen her last night after picking her up from the airport and dropping her off at her hotel. 

“Oh my god, I can’t believe the day is almost here! My baby girl is finally getting married! Ugh, you look beautiful sweetheart!” Your mom beamed, planting a chaste kiss on your cheek before making her way over to Javi, squeezing him just as hard. “C’mere, don’t think that you get to escape hugs from me too, Javi.” Javi looked over at you, trying his best not to laugh at everyone’s dramatics, knowing how stressed you already were, and that no one’s overly excited attitude was doing you any favors. 

“Ouch on the finally there, Mom. What do you need help with?” You asked, noticing that your mom had been holding on to Javi for a touch longer than what was probably appropriate while everyone else continued to hustle and bustle around Maria’s house. 

“Does he always smell that good? God, I wished your father smelled like that, the man smells like a sweaty sock. Javi, what kind of cologne do you-” 

“Mom! Jesus Christ.” You interjected, burying your hands in your face.

“Sorry, sorry! Honey, you don’t need to help with anything, it’s your shower!” Your mom swatted her hand at you, shaking her head in disbelief that you would ask to help, even though she knew better than anyone it was not in your nature to sit back on the sidelines and let other people do the work for you. 

“Why don’t you come help me set up decorations?” A soft voice replied behind you, making you whip your head around as their hand rested on your shoulder. 

“Connie!” You grinned, throwing her arms around her, relieved to find someone who wasn’t going to drive you absolutely crazy for the next hour of party prep. “It’s so good to see you, thank you so much for coming!” 

“Hey, Sweetheart!” a lower voice grunted from behind a stack of folding chairs making its way to the backyard. 

“Wow, Maria put you to work too, Steve? Yikes, she’s running a tight ship around here.” You and Connie snickered as Steve set down his stack of chairs, revealing his already sweaty and frustrated face, considering Maria had probably made him carry 6 trips worth of seats up and down the stairs since he and Connie had arrived. 

“You’re tellin’ me. Hey, make yourself useful and pick up some of these chairs, lazy ass. Sooner we get this set up, the sooner I kick your butt at golf.” Steve smirked, gesturing over at Javi, still standing in the doorway with his hands on his hips. 

“In that case, I’m taking one chair at a time.” Javi sighed, pressing a quick kiss to your temple in stride towards Steve, giving him a swift hug and a pat on the back before being interrupted by a shrill and demanding voice. 

“JAVIER. I HEARD THAT. IF I DON’T SEE YOU WITH A STACK OF CHAIRS IN YOUR HANDS THE NEXT TIME YOU’RE OUTSIDE, IT’D BETTER BE BECAUSE YOU ARE DEAD.” Maria shouted from across the house, making everyone’s faces freeze in fear. 

“You heard the woman. Chop, chop, Peña.” Steve chuckled to himself before passing off half of the chairs over to Javi, and walking towards the back of the house as Javi picked up his share, begrudgingly trailing behind Steve. 

“Alright, we should probably get to work on decorations before Maria finds us standing around for too long. I know you’re the bride, but I have a feeling that holds very little value to her until everything is set up.” Connie shrugged, nodding towards the backyard where the shower was being held. 

“You’re definitely right, and I would prefer to live through my bridal shower in order to make it to my actual wedding.” 

With all of the helping hands around the house, and Maria’s commanding dictatorship over shower setup, all of you had finished with time to spare, leaving your mom and co-workers to happily chat and gossip amongst themselves as you and Connie found your way to say goodbye to Steve and Javi, one of whom was looking much more excited about departing for golf than the other. 

“Have fun, ladies. Any last words for your future husband before I absolutely obliterate him on the golf course?” Steve snickered, giving Javi a soft punch on the shoulder. 

“Shut the fuck up, Murph.” Javi groaned, rolling his eyes as he braced himself for the next 3 hours of harassment from his former partner. 

“Don’t be too hard on him, okay Steve? He gets grumpy when he loses, so just a reasonable amount of ass whooping, nothing too drastic.” You teased, now playfully punching on the other side of his arm, you, Steve, and Connie laughing to yourselves at Javi’s fed up frown. 

“Says the one who literally pouted for hours after insisting we play "Sorry" and then she lost.” Javi smugly murmured, raising an eyebrow at you, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Well someone wasn’t very sorry about it, were they… You know what, Steve? I changed my mind, go ahead and kick his ass for me.” A mischievous grin grew across your face, bursting out into giggles as Javi flung his arms around you, giving you a squeeze and shaking you in his grasp. 

“Pendejo. Alright, you need anything else before I go get my ass kicked, Hermosa?” Javi asked, pressing a kiss into your hair. You were about to speak, but stopped yourself for a moment, looking Javi up and down, admiring how handsome he looked in the khakis and navy blue polo he had picked out this morning. You’d been so worried and worked up about the day that you hadn’t really had a chance to get a good look at him until now, and God, part of you wished you hadn’t taken the time to really take it all in as he stood next to you. You knew there was nothing you could really do about it now, but that wasn’t about to stop you from at least getting a little taste. 

“Uh yeah, I uh- actually um, I uh, I scraped my finger earlier on one of the banners I was setting up and I think I got a papercut. I forgot to ask Maria about it earlier, but um, can you show me where the bandaids are upstairs again?” You tried your best to sound as casual as possible, but Javi knew just as well as you that there was no way in hell that you actually needed a bandaid. His brow scrunched in a slight confusion, head cocked to the side as if to say “I think I know where this is going and I’m not really sure it’s going to work” before giving you a little shrug, gesturing up towards the bathroom at the top of the stairwell, trying to keep his smug grin hidden between his lips. 

“Yeah, I uh- here, let me show you where they are and I can get you one before we go.” Before Steve or Connie could even muster a word in protest, Javi was already dragging you halfway up the stairs, barely letting you make it to the top of the stairway before closing the bathroom door behind you. 

“Band Aid, really? That was the best you could come up with?” Javi laughed under his breath, letting his hands roam down your sides and under the hem of your dress as his fingers dug into the meat of your ass, the heat of his breath tickling your skin where his lips met your neck, gently sucking at your pulse point, making a tiny moan escape from your mouth. 

“I needed to come up with something to get you alone for long enough to give you a proper goodbye before you left.” 

“And a Band Aid was the way to do that?” 

“Oh shut up.” You giggled, draping your arms over Javi’s neck, letting your hands roam through the curls at the nape of his neck before pulling him in tighter to let his lips crash into yours with an electric intensity, his fingertips gripping deeper into your flesh. 

“I don’t think-” Javi muttered between kisses, “I don’t think a bandaid is gonna buy us enough time to do anything, Hermosa.” 

“I know. I just needed this. Just needed to kiss your stupidly handsome face. I needed something before you left me to fend for myself. Plus,” you paused, pulling back to see the lovestruck grin spread between Javi’s cheeks, “only fair that I get a chance to recreate our first kiss.” You snickered, gesturing to the interior of Maria’s bathroom, where you had found yourself with Javi almost a year ago to the day, your lips meeting for the first time as you sat on the ledge of the sink after Javi had came to your aid when a shattered beer bottle had landed in your leg. 

“Fuck, I forgot our first kiss was in Maria’s bathroom. Real fucking smooth of me, huh?” Javi grumbled, rolling his eyes at his past self for letting your first kiss be in the bathroom of his Mom’s best friend’s house. 

“Smooth enough for me to wanna marry you, so I guess it all worked out okay, didn’t it?” You teased, planting one last kiss on his lips before shooting him a wink and slipping out the bathroom, your face warm and tingly from the rush of excitement tucked away with Javi in your impromptu makeout session. Javi ran his hand over his face, taking a moment to try and compose himself, shaking his head to himself in shock and delight at how he found himself falling more and more in love with you every day. 

“Okay, uh- sorry, sorry about that. Just didn’t wanna have to bother Maria for anything.” You sighed, darting your eyes away from Steve and Connie, their arms crossed against their chest with almost comically smug smirks on their faces as they watched you shuffle back down the stairs, Javi reluctantly trailing behind you. 

“Yeah? How’d that bandaid work out for ya?” Steve smiled with a shit eating grin, nodding to your hands, neither of them with a bandaid anywhere in sight. You let out a gulp, trying to quickly tuck your hands behind your back, your cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment. “Goddamn, you two gonna make it 3 hours without touching each other, or am I gonna have to bring him back here after hole 4 for a mid-round makeout?” 

“Jesus Christ, Murph, really?.” Javi grumbled, rolling his eyes. “Bye, love you. Have fun and I’ll see you soon.” Leaned over, snaking his arm around your waist to plant one last kiss in your hair. 

“Not soon enough, apparently…” 

“Murphy…” 

“Stop makin’ out and I’ll stop givin’ you shit.” 

“Touche…” You muttered under your breath, just loud enough to make the 4 of you burst into laughter, easing the uncomfortable tension that you had brought upon yourself from your antics. “Love you too, have fun getting your ass kicked.” 

“Yes, yes, out, out, out! It’s only 10 minutes until guests arrive and your truck is taking up all the room in the driveway! Out!” Stampeding into the living room, Maria waved her hands at the boys, quite literally shooing them out of the house after overhearing your goodbyes. Giving a quick wave to Javi as Maria kicked him and Steve to the curb, you caught Javi’s head whipping around for one last glance at you before you left, giving you a once over with his eyes and a soft smile on his face as the front door shut behind him. 

Truth be told, your shower ended up being way less painful than you expected it would be. In all honesty, it was actually somewhat enjoyable. The fact that your mom, co-workers, and Connie had put into helping everyone come together to celebrate you filled your heart with so much more joy than you could have predicted- your friends and family had bought you and Javi so many more gifts than you knew what to do with, had so many kind things to say about the two of you, and Connie had even gone out of her way to make sure that there were fun games planned for everyone to keep the need for constant socialization at bay. It really had ended up being a fun afternoon, even if it meant having to answer the same questions about your wedding, house and honeymoon plans more times than you could count. 

Javi, on the other hand, could not have been having a worse time on the golf course, getting his ass thoroughly handed to him by Steve hole after hole, wondering to himself how anyone could bring themself to genuinely enjoy the torture that had been the past two and a half hours of hacking his club into chunks of grass and loosing his golf balls in the brush. The only consoling factor was that Javi was grateful to spend time with Steve, even if it meant being berated by endless questions from him on top of his painful performance while he played. 

“You feelin’ ready for the big day?” Steve grunted, after smacking his driver against his ball from the tee box, Javi relieved that the pair were finally on the 9th and final hole. 

“Yeah, I mean- Oh fuck me-” Javi grumbled, hitting his club and watching his ball fly into a patch of trees, the opposite direction of where he was trying to aim for, “I still can’t believe I’m getting married.” 

“You and me both, Jav. I never thought I’d live to see the fuckin’ day, that’s for damn sure. Javier Peña, a married man.” Steve chuckled, slipping his club into his golf bag as Javi followed behind, grabbing what must have been the 57th golf ball from his bag this round. 

“Shut the fuck up, Murph.” Javi chuckled, shaking his head at his friends’ jab, the two of them hopping into the golf cart together to try and scavenge for Javi’s long lost ball. 

“I’m just given’ you shit, Jav. I’m fuckin’ happy for you man. Really happy. She’s a great girl. Best thing that’s ever happened to your sorry ass, I’ll tell you that much. Guess you don’t have to worry about really followin’ through this time?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“You’re actually gonna get married this time? You’re not leavin’ her at the altar like Lorraine, huh?” As Steve laughed to himself, Javi could practically feel his stomach drop, his heart beginning to race as a wave of terrible guilt and panic washed over him at his friend’s ironic question. 

To his own shock and surprise, Javi hadn’t thought about his last lack of a wedding once since the two of you had gotten engaged. He had been so head over heels excited to spend the rest of his life with you, that the failures of his past engagement had been tucked far away in the back of his mind. But then again, no one had been so gracious as to bring up the knife to the chest that was leaving Lorraine at the altar, and no one had been so gracious as to bring it up in classic Steve Murphy fashion. 

Javi could audibly hear himself gulp, his heartbeat pounding so loud he could hear it ringing in his ears as the terrible reality of the past he had so glady forgotten about met him in a head on collision, instantly re-opening all of the cuts and wounds he had finally managed to sew together. 

The last time he almost got married, Javier Peña had astronomically fucked up the lives of every last person who cared about him, leaving nothing but chaos and heartbreak in his wake.   

Rationally, Javi could tell himself that his upcoming wedding was the polar opposite of everything that was once planned between him and Lorraine. Javi couldn’t have cared less about Lorraine. From the moment he had wearily accepted his fate, he had dreaded every moment of his future from that point on. But you were not Lorraine. 

Javi loved you. 

Javi cared about you. 

Javi wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with you and give you everything in the world you could possibly want. 

But, one mention of that 8 letter name had Javi’s brain flooding with every single doubt, regret, and painful memory of his past that he had fought so hard to forget. It had his mind reeling with every uncomfortable feeling of remembering the man he had been before you had come into his life and changed him for the better. He knew he was a better man. A stronger man. A man who was worthy of the love and compassion you had shown him from the moment you two had met. 

Or was he? 

“Earth to Javi? Hello? Anyone home?” Waving his hand in front of Javi’s face, Steve stared at Javi in confusion as to why it seemed like his friend had suddenly become lost in his own world as they pulled up to the patch of trees where his ball had most likely landed. 

“Uh yeah, uh- what, sorry, um, what did you say?” Javi asked, visibly trying to shake the thoughts from his head, painfully scrunching his face and running his hand through his hair before looking back over at Steve. 

“I asked if you were gonna go get the ball or if you just wanted to add to your +200 score and drop one here instead. Hey, you okay, man?” Steve questioned, pausing for a moment before asking the later half of his statement, seeing the color flushed from Javi’s face. 

“Uh, yeah- Yeah, sorry, I just, I’m good. I’ll um, I’ll just drop a ball.” Javi muttered half to himself as he stepped out of the cart, barely paying attention enough to even remember what in the world he was even looking for in his golf bag. 

If Javi wasn’t already thankful to be on the last hole before Steve’s comment, he sure as hell was now, mindlessly whacking his golf club with no regard as to how his ball made it to the green. Any thoughts about golf, let alone any previous attempts to even try to play well had now flown out the window, creeping thoughts of self doubt and resentment crawling through Javi’s mind. The rest of the round and the entire car ride back to Maria’s were spent in an internal battle ranging in Javi’s brain, the fight between the man he used to be and the man he’d thought he’d become rearing its ugly head with a painful intensity that absolutely felt like it was consuming him whole.  

Steve, who was just as oblivious to his friend’s distraught state as he was to the idiocracy of his sarcastic question, had chalked Javi’s quiet and somber mood up to being an overly sore loser after getting mercilessly crushed at golf. Little did he know that his one silly comment had sent Javi spiraling down a trail of crushing self-doubt. 

As the pair pulled into the driveway and made their way to the backyard where a few straggling party goers still lingered, trying to monopolize their time with you to get the details of your upcoming plans for the future. Being the attentive and patient person that you were, you were trying your hardest to seem enthused and engaged with in the conversation with who you thought was Javi’s Aunt’s Cousin (at this point, you had been introduced to so many new people, you were questioning your own name), but it wasn’t long before your future husband’s big, broad body entering the backyard had you more than distracted, your face instantly lighting up at the sight of him. Peeking over his Aunt’s cousin (or cousin’s aunt, you weren’t really sure) shoulder, you bit down on your lip to try and contain your excitement, letting a little wave shake from your hand in his direction. 

Javi wished that your sweet smile and beautiful self were enough to snap him out of his funk, to see how you beamed in excitement just at the sight of him and shot him that lovestruck look he’d never get sick of- but for some twisted reason, it only made him feel worse. 

You were everything- kind, smart, funny, the most breathtaking woman he’d ever seen. But what was he? Tired? Broken? A shitty guy who had done even shitter things, who had left nothing but destruction in his path for years and years, with no regard for who it hurt, or even worse, left for dead? How was he supposed to give you everything you deserved when he sure as fuck didn’t deserve you? 

Before you had even said a word to him, you could already sense something was off about Javi’s demeanor that was due to more than just losing to Steve in golf. Even from across the backyard, his forced smile and tired brown eyes had a worried pit swirling in the bottom of your stomach, politely excusing yourself from your conversation to make your way over to Javi. 

“Hi! You guys have fun at golf? Steve didn’t kick your ass too bad?” You grinned, wrapping your arms around Javi’s waist, pressing up on your toes to plant a kiss on his lips, his mouth barely ghosting over yours in return. 

“Yeah, it was um- yeah, it was fine.” Javi nodded, trying to make a smile appear between his pursed lips. “How was the shower? You uh, you ready for Steve and I to start putting things in the truck to bring over to the new house?” 

You immediately frowned in response, cocking your head in confusion at him. “Yeah, it was great, but hey, are- are you okay? You seem really off, like more than just Steve kicking your ass at golf off. Did something happen?” 

“No, I’m- yeah, I’m good, Hermosa.” Javi’s eyes darted towards the ground, trying his best to stifle his sigh before another fake smile spread across his face, his response making you even more concerned than you were before, seeing he was clearly lying to you. As much as you wanted to problem solve right then and there to figure out what had Javi so distressed, the calls of one of the last groups of party goers wanting to say their goodbyes rang across the backyard, you flashing them a quick smile and a wave to signal you’d be over in a second. Before you could try and get anything else out of Javi, he had already backed himself away from your hands still tangled around his waist, nodding towards the group of women who were not so patiently waiting for you. “Go say goodbye, I’ll start loading stuff up.” 

“Um, I- uh, yeah, o-okay. Thanks.” You murmured, half to yourself, as Javi had already begun to walk away to find Steve to help him start carrying things out to the car, leaving you more anxious and confused with every passing second. 

With goodbyes finished, and decor and party setup cleaned up just as fast as Maria had demanded it to be put up, you and Javi made your way to your now packed car, followed by Connie and Steve, who had asked to see the progress on your new house while they were in town. You figured you’d kill two birds with one stone, inviting them over and having them help to unload gifts in the same trip, but now, given the strangely somber mood that Javi couldn’t seem to shake, you really wished it was just the two of you so you could figure out what the hell was going on. 

You and Javi piled into his truck, Steve and Connie hopping into theirs and following you down Maria’s street towards your new house. A stark silence filled the car, praying to yourself that maybe Javi just wanted to be alone before he said anything about his current state, but 5 minutes down the road without a single word falling from his lips, you had a devastating feeling that wasn’t going to be the case. 

Your leg bounced against the seat, fingers nervously drumming in your lap, letting out a quiet sigh to yourself before looking over at Javi and mustering up the courage to try and interrogate. 

“Sooooo, golf was fun? I love ya, but I think it’s probably safe to assume Steve won?” You quietly snickered, trying your best to stay nonchalant. 

“Yeah, it was good, Steve won, but that’s no surprise because I suck at golf.” Javi mumbled to himself, barely glancing your direction from behind the yellow tinted aviators perched on the bridge of his nose. Normally, if either of you had something that self-deprecating to say, it was at least followed by some sort of a joke or laugh, but his comment ended with nothing but a stoic silence as his hands gripped tighter around the steering wheel. 

“Hey, babe, it’s okay, you don’t ever golf, so it’s hard to expect yourself to be good at something you rarely ever do.” You reached over to grab his arm to reassure him, that unsettling and anxious pit beginning to grow in your stomach again with the way Javi was acting. All he could muster was a half hearted huff in response, signaling to you that whatever was happening was much bigger than a poor game of golf. 

“Javi… Baby, what’s going on? Did something happen with Steve?” 

“It’s nothing.” 

“It’s clearly not nothing, Jav. Did I do something wrong?” 

“No, I told you, it’s fine.” 

“Javi, it obviously isn’t fine if this is the way you’re acting about it. Why won’t you talk to me about it? I just wanna-” 

“I told you, it’s fine, okay!? Jesus, I don’t need you to solve all my problems.”

Oh.  

You and Javi had been in arguments before, hell, you’d been in fights before, but never once in the time that you’d known him, had Javi snapped at you like this. You could practically feel yourself recoiling in your seat from the harsh tone of his voice, fighting back the tears that had instantly begun welling in your eyes. You could feel your heart in your throat, choking down a heavy gulp as your lip quivered to try and keep from crying. 

What had gone so wrong that Javi was acting like this? 

You wish you had it in you to dig it out of him, but as you pulled up the driveway of your new home, Steve and Connie right behind you, ready for a tour, the best you could muster was a quiet, “O-okay.” As soon as the car was in park, Javi was unbuckling his seatbelt and slamming the door behind him, leaving you behind in the car, trying everything in your power to not become a startled, sobbing mess. 

Wiping away the wetness pooling behind your eyelids, you swiped the back of your hand against your cheeks, taking a few deep breaths before following behind, mustering up as much courage as you could to keep your cool for however long Steve and Connie were planning to stick around before heading back to San Antonio. 

You had hoped that Steve and Connie hadn't picked up on the palpable tension brewing between you and Javi, trying your best to put on a brave face as you paraded the Murphy’s through your nearly completed house. To be quite honest, you couldn’t have recalled anything that had happened in the time that they were there, your mind racing in torment as you watched Javi brood around your new home, barely saying a word to you, let alone make any eye contact, or look in your general direction. 

As the four of you made your way upstairs, your attention was finally caught by the low lull of Steve’s laughter as he situated himself between you and Javi, grabbing you both by the shoulders and shaking you in his grasp. 

“Well I’ll be damned. Y’all got enough rooms up here to house half a baseball team! You want that many kids driving ya nuts, huh?” Steve chuckled, making his way down the hallway, peeking into the empty bedrooms of your 2nd story. 

“Steve!” Connie scolded, slapping the back of her hand against Steve’s stomach for his comment. 

“What?! I’m just sayin’! I thought y’all would want like, 2, but there’s enough room for way more than that. I mean, I guess you two are fuckin’ goin’ at it like rabbits all the time, so I can’t really be shocked.” 

“Steven Edward Murphy! Jesus Christ!” Connie snapped, shooting Steve a dangerous glare, aggressively raising an eyebrow at her husband as she gestured towards you and Javi. 

“No, it’s okay, we don’t know for sure how many we want, but we figured if we had the space we’d add the rooms and even if they’re not bedrooms, they’ll still get used.” You had it in you enough to force a half smile across your face, flashing it at Steve and Connie before looking over at Javi. 

While you hadn’t expected much of a response from him given the current situation, what you weren’t expecting was the panic stricken look painting Javi from head to toe. 

If you weren’t already worried out of your mind about what the fuck was going on with Javi, you sure as fuck were now.  

“Uh, I um- yeah.”

Those were the only words Javi was able to choke out through the audible thumps pounding in his chest as his face went ghost white, eyes peeled to the ground. 

“See, Steve? You’re making them uncomfortable! You have absolutely no filter, I swear! I’m so sorry, you guys!” Connie frantically apologized, giving Steve another hardy slap in the stomach, making him wince. 

“I’m just jokin’, Jesus Christ, sorry!” Steve grumbled, holding up his hands in defense from his wife’s accusation, sheepishly looking over at you and Javi with a little shrug. 

“No, it’s uh- no, it’s fine, don’t worry about it.” You had given up on trying to be convincing at this point, your voice quietly shaking as you stared at Javi, now looking like a terrified, ragged shell of himself. 

What the fuck was going on? Did Javi want to wait to have kids? Did he not want to have that many? Was he having second thoughts about kids all together? Fuck, was he having second thoughts about getting married? He’s literally never acted like this before. Fuck, fuck, fuck. 

You were sure at this point, you probably looked just as much of a mess as Javi did, letting your thoughts race wildly throughout your brain, the silence now lingering between the four of you now seemed to feel deafening, Connie beginning to pick up on the uneasiness festering between you and Javi and knowing she had enough common sense for her and Steve to pick up her cue to see herself out. 

“Well, still, I’m sorry. We should probably get going anyways, we told the sitter we’d be back around 6 so we should probably hit the road. Thank you so much for the tour! The shower was beautiful and I’m so glad I could be there for it. We’ll see you guys for the big day soon! Just let me know if you need any help with wedding stuff between now and then okay?” 

“Uh yeah, yeah of course. Thanks for all your help, Con. I’ll um- I’ll let you know if we need anything.” You stammered as Connie pulled you in for a hug goodbye, followed quickly by Steve, who planted a few pats on your back mid hug. 

“Bye sweetheart, thanks for letting me steal this asshole for golf today. See y’all when you’re gettin’ ready to get hitched! Adios, loser.” Steve chuckled as he pulled away from your hug to tug Javi into another, giving him an even harder pat on the back before letting Connie say her goodbyes as well. 

“Do you want me to walk you guys down to your-” 

“Nah, we’ll find our way out, no worries. Bye lovebirds, see ya soon.” Steve grinned, giving the both of you one last wave farewell before disappearing down the stairs, their hushed bickers about Steve’s unnecessary comments quietly trailing behind them. Before you could even get a word out to Javi now that the two of you were alone, he was already halfway down the stairs behind the Murphy’s, not even bothering to look back at you as he mumbled under his breath. 

“I’m gonna get the gifts out of the car and go sit outside.” 

“Jav, wait, I-” 

You could feel the lump beginning to swell in your throat, your bottom lip trembling with tears welling in your eyes as you watched Javi storm down the stairs without even so much as an attempt to care about what you had to say, leaving you with nothing but yourself and 5 empty bedrooms that now had you questioning everything you thought you knew about your future with Javi. You felt your body begin to collapse like a sad pile of jello as you melted into a sobbing puddle on the floor, bringing your knees to your chest as you cried into the flowy fabric of your dress, leaving wet stains behind from your tears. Your breaths were rapid and shaky with each muffled sob, trying to rationally grasp on to something, anything, as to why Javi was acting this way. But the more the gears frantically turned in your brain, the more irrational and terrifying your thoughts became. 

This all happened so fucking fast. It’s only been a year since I’ve known him. Is he realizing it’s too much? Am I too much? This was all too fucking good to be true, wasn’t it, you fucking idiot. 

Taking a few more minutes to collect yourself enough to at least stop full on sobbing, you wiped your wet cheeks with the back of your palm, inhaling a trembling deep breath as you mustered up every ounce of courage you could find to face whatever fate was waiting for you downstairs with Javi. 

Each step down the stairs felt heavier than the last, leaving your fingers anxiously drumming against your legs as you saw Javi’s broad body hunched over the side of the unfinished back patio, staring out to the tall grass of your backyard swaying in the warm summer breeze. If it were any other time, you would have rushed up behind him, wrapping your body around his back and attacking him with kisses until the two of you were wound up in a fit of laughter and giggles, happily tangled in each other's bodies. 

Right now, you were terrified to even step too close to him. 

Carefully and quietly sliding open the glass door to the porch, you prayed with every bone in your body you weren’t going to do anything that set Javi off enough to even let you attempt to have a conversation with him about what was going on. The new wood softly creaked under your shoes, making Javi turn his head just enough to acknowledge your presence as you wearily approached him. Taking one more deep breath, you opened your mouth to speak, but with your jaw hanging open, Javi’s words filled the stark silence before yours could. 

“I don’t know if we should get married.” 

Fuck. 

You could practically feel your heart sink to the bottom of your stomach, like the weight of 1,000 bricks had been dropped on your body all at once, hearing that come out of his mouth. You could have mentally tried to brace yourself for a lot of things, but hearing Javi tell you he didn't want to get married anymore sure as hell wasn't one of them.

“Javi, I- baby, what- I don’t- I don’t-” 

“Why the fuck do you even wanna marry me?” 

Your brows scrunched in pain and confusion at the sharp tone of his words, desperate to try and understand what point he was trying to prove in this gut wrenching game he seemed to be playing. 

“Because I- Javi, I- Javi I love you, that’s why.” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper as you sat down next to him on the edge of the porch, leaning over enough to see the tears glistening down his cheeks, his eyes red and puffy as he tried to stifle the sobs rumbling in his chest. He shook his head back and forth before his gaze fell into his lap. 

“You shouldn’t love me.” 

“Javi… what the fuck are you talking about?” you plead, feeling the pain and hurt creeping through your body as you watched the tears he was so desperately trying to fight. With a scornful scoff, Javi shook his head, pressing against his knees to stand, taking a few paces around the porch, burying his hands in his face, his words muffled and muted by his palms covering his mouth. 

“What the fuck am I- I’m not- I’m not what you deserve. I don’t understand how you don’t fucking see that.” 

You followed suit, bringing yourself to stand with your arms crossed tightly across your chest, staring at Javi in bewilderment, biting down on your tongue so hard to keep from bursting into tears you thought you were going to make it bleed. You could feel the storm of pain, anger and confusion brewing deep in the pit of your stomach, your body numb and mind blank. 

“Javier. What the fuck is going on? I don’t understand why-” 

“Because last time I was gonna get married I fucked up everything. For everyone. I hurt everyone I cared about. I went half way around the world and I spent a decade fucking things up even more. How do you know I’m not gonna fuck everything up again? I love you too much to let it happen to you. The thought of ever hurting you even half as I much as I’ve hurt anyone else because of my choices fucking kills me. I can’t do it. I can’t hurt you like I’ve hurt everyone else. I’d never fucking forgive myself. I love you more than anything, Osita. I love you more than anything in the world. You deserve someone who isn’t going to hurt you. Someone who will do right by you, by your family, your future children, I just- fuck- I don’t think that person can be me.” 

A deafening silence hung in the air as you stared blankly at Javi, tears streaming from his tormented brown eyes, his body trembling with devastation and regret. You had no doubt your body mirrored his as the guilt and heartbreak flooded you from head to toe, wondering how in the world you had ever let the man you loved and cared about more than anything feel like he wasn’t enough for you. 

You wished you could speak- to find the words to tell him that he was your everything, the glue that had put you back together when you were convinced there was nothing else that could mend the broken mess that you had become. You wished you could express to him that there was no one on the face of this earth that you would rather spend the rest of your life with than him- that there was no one else you wanted by your side through every moment of your life, the good, the bad and the ugly, more than him. You wished there was a way to tell him that you loved him more than anything, but in that moment, all you could do was grab him and wrap your arms around his waist, squeezing him as tightly as your body would let you, letting your wet face rest against the familiar warmth of his chest as you whispered into the soft fabric of his shirt. 

“Javier Peña, you’re the only person it could be.” 

You could feel his chest begin to rumble with heavy sobs as his arms draped around you, pulling you against his body so closely, it was like his life depended on it, like he couldn’t bear the thought of ever letting you go again. One arm stayed wrapped around your back as the other slid up the back of your neck, his broad palm cradling your head in his grasp, his fingers practically digging into your skin to keep you close as the two of you let yourselves do nothing but hold each other in your teary silence. 

You let one of your hands reach up towards Javi’s face, cupping his jaw and forcing his gaze back on to you, as your thumb traced back and forth along his cheek, wiping away the wetness that had been welling in his eyes. 

“I need you to listen to me, okay?” You asked, waiting until you felt Javi’s head gently nod up and down in understanding in your palm before you continued, “The man you were before doesn’t scare me. If it did, I would have been gone a long time ago. The man you were before has turned you into the man that you’ve become. The man that I want to spend everyday with for the rest of my life. Every good day, every bad day, every painful, hard and shitty day, and every day in between. And I promise that I will spend every last one of those days until the day I die trying my best to convince you that you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And if I die trying, then so be it. I love you, Javi. Don’t you ever think for a second that there is anyone out there that I want to spend the rest of my life with more than you, and I won’t ever let you forget it.” 

It was only moments before both of Javi’s hands were cradling your face, gently trembling as they cupped your soft, wet skin as you locked eyes with his, watching his face shift from terrified to bewildered, thinking he must have misheard what you had just said to him. 

“Osita, I-” 

“Promise me.” 

“Promise you what?” 

“Promise me that you believe me. Promise me that you know I love you more than anything.”

There was a part of Javi’s brain that wished he could find something to prove that he couldn’t. To prove he wasn’t worthy of keeping the promise you had made to him. To convince himself that he had no reason to believe he was worthy of the love you had given him.

But the truth was, for the first time that he could remember, as he looked down at you, the woman who had taken his life and forever changed it for the better, who had helped to heal him in ways he didn’t know he needed, who had cared for him in ways he never thought he deserved, and who had stood by him even as you learned about the ugliest parts of him he never thought he’d forgive himself for, Javier Peña finally realized he had learned what it was like to be worthy of love. 

You had made him realize he was worthy of being loved. 

A small gulp slid down his throat between his shaky breaths, taking a moment to soak in everything about you, before letting his lips ghost across yours as a quiet whisper left his mouth. 

“I promise.” 

And just like that, his lips crashed into yours with a ferocious and tender passion, soaking in every ounce of the sweet flavor of you, a taste he knew he would never tire of, one that he craved like nothing else. 

“I love you, Osita. Fuck, I love you so much.” Javi moaned between your kisses, praying with every bone in his body you knew how much he meant it. 

“I love you too, Javi.” The hot breath of your words danced across his lips before they were crashing together once again, his tongue swiping between your parted mouths as he ran his hand down your back and around your waist, pulling you so close you were convinced your bodies were going to melt into one as you pressed against his broad chest, now needily grasping at fist fulls of his shirt. 

In that moment, it was like the two of you could feel something in the air change. The tension lifting, the frustrated fog fading, the both of you desperately needing the other to know how much you loved them. The Javi you knew and loved had come back, returning home to you. All of the fear and sadness was replaced by a rampant desperation to know how much you needed him, almost as much as he needed to show you how hopelessly he craved you, too. 

With your bodies still tangled together, your kisses became messier and sloppier as you backed your way towards the door that lead inside, stumbling and trampling over each other’s feet without any regard for where you were headed until you felt your back bump against the kitchen island, the rounded edges of the countertop stopping you in your tracks as Javi caged you between his broad figure and the island. 

Both of your hands were now feverishly roaming across each other’s bodies before Javi had run his hands down your thighs, hoisting you up to sit on the countertop, planting hot, wet kisses across your neck and collarbone while his fingers crept under the hem of your dress, his palms sliding up and down your legs, digging his fingers into your flesh. 

“Javi…” You whimpered, letting your eyes close and head fall back as he sucked at your pulse point, leaving you with one hand bracing yourself against the edge of the counter and the other with your fingers wrapped around the navy fabric of Javi’s shirt, clinging on for dear life. 

You eyes opened, and gaze shifted downwards as you felt Javi pull away from your grasp, watching him drop to his knees, slotting himself between your parted legs and kissing the inside of your thighs while his hands tugged at the waistband of your already soaked underwear, hastily shuffling them to fall down your legs and pool at your ankles. His needy kisses up your thighs crept closer and closer to your core as your legs draped over his shoulders, kneeling before you like you were the altar of everything he worshiped as his deep brown eyes looked up at yours, like he was begging for forgiveness for his sins. 

“I’m so sorry, Osita. I’m so sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. Fuck, I love you so much. Let me show me how much I love you. Please, baby. Please let me show you how much I need to be yours.” 

Your response was nothing but a ragged moan as you felt his hot breath hovering over your cunt before letting long, flat licks of his tongue drag through your folds, each swipe pressing firmer than the last, lapping up the arousal dripping from your entrance like a sweet nectar. With one hand still white knuckling the edge of the countertop, the other shot down to bury itself in the dark curls of Javi’s thick locks, tugging at ends to find some place to ease your tension as he began to flick and swirl his tongue relentlessly against your clit, lapping you up like a man starved. 

“Oh fuck Javi- fuck- you feel so good, baby.” You moaned, raking your fingers along Javi’s scalp as you watched his head bob nestled between your legs, feeling the low hum of satisfaction thrumming in his throat as he began to suck your sensitive bundle of nerves, latching his lips around your clit as his mouth worked feverishly against your cunt. You could already feel the tingle beginning to grow at the base of your spine and spread to your legs as Javi found every sweet spot that he knew made you lose all control, desperate to make you feel how much he needed your love and forgiveness. 

“That’s it, sweet girl. Let go for me baby, I’ve got you.” Javi hummed before diving back between your legs, tightening his grip around your thighs as his tongue danced around your clit relentlessly. It wasn’t long before you could feel your orgasm begin to flood your body, pleasure crashing through you as you cried out his name, a death grip clutching around the counter and Javi’s dark locks. Javi worked you through your high, drinking up the juices of your slick as you came, feeling your legs tremble as they stayed slung over his broad shoulders, not stopping until your body was shaking and your whimpers and moans had become so wrecked, he had no choice but to stop to relish in the blissed out, dripping mess he had made you. He would have loved to stay like this forever, watching you become more and more wrecked beneath his tongue, the want, no, need, to be buried inside your heat, getting lost in your wetness and warmth, savoring in the way no one else would ever be able to have you like he did, to know that you were his. 

Javi worked in a determined silence, rusting with his belt buckle until the metal clangs of it opening had his pants and boxers in a puddle around his ankles, splaying kisses across your neck as he slid you towards the edge of the counter, his fingers digging into your hips with a bruising intensity. He stroked himself a few times as he lined his cock up with your entrance, guiding his tip through the glistening arousal covering your folds, leaving his dick shiny with your slick as you whimpered into his skin. 

“Javi… Please, baby. I need you.” You whimpered, instinctively bucking your hips towards him, desperately craving him to ease the achy emptiness between your legs. 

Resting his forehead against yours, the dark, damp curls of his hair brushed your skin, the hot and heavy heat of each of your shaky breaths melting into one another’s as your lips ghosted his, only fully meeting yours to catch the moan that had escaped your mouth as he pushed himself into your heat, letting himself bottom out, his tip brushing against your cervix. You couldn’t help but wrap your legs around the small of his back and drape your arms over his shoulders, desperate to have your bodies needily tangled and intertwined together as you savored in the sweet sting and stretch of his fullness. 

He began to rock his hips, letting his cock drag in and out of your cunt, taking his time with each stroke, the movement making you dig your fingernails into the fabric of his shirt stretched over his muscular back, in turn, making the grip he had around your waist even tighter, his fingers buried in the soft flesh of your stomach where his hands had crept under your dress. 

The way he punched up into you, perfectly pounding against your g-spot with each thrust, combined with the way the hairs at his base rubbed along your clit, already had the inevitable coil beginning to tighten in your belly. You dug your nails deeper into Javi’s skin, grasping for the damp curls at the nape of his neck, your whimpers growing louder and more desperate with each stroke as you could feel yourself beginning to crumble beneath him. 

Each stroke seemed to become deeper and fuller than the last, Javi’s pace now climbing in speed and intensity as he felt your cunt clench tighter and tighter around his cock, knowing that familiar feeling meant you were coming closer to your end. You could barely muster anything but a whimper, your soft pleads and begs going straight to his dick as he slid and out of your wet heat. 

“Fuck baby, don’t stop- ahhhh- please don’t stop, I’m so close.” 

The lewd sounds of skin hitting skin and low, ragged moans echoed against the bare walls of your unfinished kitchen as Javi fucked deeper and deeper into you, singing sweet, soft praises against your skin between locking your lips with yours. 

“Fuck- Dámelo, Hermosa (Give it to me, beautiful). Need to feel you soak my cock before I fuck you full of me. It’s okay mi amor- mierda- té tengo. (my love- shit- I’ve got you.) I’ve always got you. Forever.” 

You could feel your legs lock even tighter around Javi’s waist as heat began to bloom in your belly, only needing a few more thrusts as you rolled your hips against his before your mind went blank and vision went white, your orgasm crashing through your body and flooding every inch of you with pleasure so intense, you could feel yourself going limp in his grasp. 

“Fuck, Javi, fuck, fuck, fuck, oh my god-ahhhhhhhh-” You whimpered as Javi fucked you through your high, now desperate to chase his own as his thrusts became rushed and sloppy, pounding into you as your walls gripped around his cock like a vice. Your warmth and wetness consumed him, only needing a few more pumps before he could feel himself following suit, hissing through gritted teeth as incoherent babbles spilled from his lips. 

“There it is, baby. Fuck- fuck, you’re so fucking perfect. I love you so much, Osita. Con todo mi corazón. (With my whole heart). Oh fuck- I’m yours forever. Oh shit, I’m gonna cum to, oh fuckkkkkk.” 

With one last thrust, Javi finished buried deep inside you, hot ropes of his cum coating your walls as a slick mixture of spend leaked down your thighs, leaving him panting while he slumped into your shoulder, his chest heaving with labored breaths, trying to compose himself. Bracing himself with one palm flat against the counter next to your hip, his other hand reached up to your face, brushing away a piece of stray hair back into place before gently cupping your cheek as he spoke. 

“Osita, baby, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I love you so much. I didn’t mean what I said earlier, I just- fuck- I’ve never been so sure of anything, but when we were at golf today, Steve brought up Lorraine, and I- I just was so scared I was gonna fuck everything up again, and I-” 

“Oh God, he brought up Lorraine?! Jesus. I knew it. I knew this was Steve’s fucking fault.” You sighed, quietly laughing to yourself as you shook your head. 

“Wait, how did you-” 

“Because it just seemed so strange that you were acting like this all of a sudden. You got back from golfing with him and it was like you were a different person. I mean, I’m not gonna lie, I was freaked out and panicking wondering what happened because you’ve never acted like that before. That, and because I love Steve, but he’s an idiot.” The two of you were both now laughing, Javi rubbing his hand over his face before rolling his eyes, wondering to himself how he had really let his friend’s stupid comment get the best of him. 

“I’m so sorry, Osita. I should have just ignored it, I just hadn’t thought about it in so long and I was so terrified to mess everything up again. It would kill me to hurt you like that.” His thumb circled around your cheek as he tilted your gaze to meet his, sincerity and remorse swirling in the dark pools of his chocolate brown eyes. 

“Javi, listen, if this is moving too fast, or it’s too much for you, I want you to be able to tell me, I understand if-” Before you could finish your sentence, Javi’s lips were planted tenderly against yours, pulling away from your mouth with a goofy grin and satisfied sigh. 

“I promise you, I’ve never wanted anything more. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I can’t wait to marry you,” he leaned in, pressing a quick kiss on your cheek, “I can’t wait to live in our new house with you,” he grinned, planting another ticklish kiss on your neck, “I can’t wait until we can finally start filling up these empty rooms with little baby Peñas” Javi chuckled, now peppering kisses all over your body, making you erupt in a fit of laughter and giggles, squirming and flailing in his grasp, playfully swatting at him. “I can’t wait to spend every day for the rest of my life with the most beautiful, amazing woman I’ve ever met.” He smirked, tilting his head to let your mouths meet again, this kiss filled with a tender passion and intensity unmatched by his previous playful ones. 

It was the kind of kiss that said all of the things that words couldn’t. The kind of kiss that had butterflies fluttering in your stomach like the first kiss you had shared in Maria’s bathroom almost a year ago. The kind of kiss that made you fall even deeper in love with him, even when you thought you couldn’t. 

It was also the kind of kiss  where everything else in the world seemed to melt away and make time stand still, a kiss that you could have stayed lost in forever… unless a certain someone hadn’t forgotten his wallet at your house and needed to come back and get it. 

You were so oblivious to anything else happening around you, that neither you or Javi had heard your front door open, followed by the rushed, impatient footsteps of Steve and Connie, arguing about where Steve could have left his wallet, and how on earth he could have left without realizing it was missing from its usual home in his back pocket. 

“Seriously, Steve, I can’t believe we’re gonna waste a whole hour having to turn around and come back here because you couldn’t remember your wallet!” 

“Con, I told you, it’s right on the counter, I know where it is, lemme just go grab it really quick and then we ca- Oh Jesus fucking Christ!” Steve shouted, walking into the kitchen to see you and Javi making out on your island, your dress pushed up well past your legs, and Javi’s bare ass on display from his pants still pooling around his ankles. 

“Ahhhhh!” You and Javi shrieked, practically jumping out of your skin to see Steve’s tall and lanky frame frozen in your kitchen, now scrambling to try and fix your clothes and hair to try and save yourselves at least some dignity. 

“What the hell are you two doin’?!” Steve grimaced, trying not to cackle to himself as Connie rushed up behind him to see what was happening, only to very quickly cover her eyes and turn away from you and Javi. 

“Us?! What the hell are you doing here? Jesus, you ever heard of fucking knocking, Murph?!” Javi groaned, shuffling his pants back up and fixing his hair before helping you off the counter, trying your best to hide your beet red, embarrassed face. 

“I forgot my wallet! Forgive me for thinkin’ you two would keep your hands off each other for long enough to let me come pick it up in peace.” Steve frowned, raising up his hands in defense. 

“I’m sorry! I told him to call you to let you know he was coming to pick it up, but he seemed to think it wasn’t a big deal.” Connie scolded, giving Steve a forceful nudge of her elbow before finally turning back around to face you and Javi, knowing you were at least halfway decent. “God, I love you, but you are an idiot.” 

“You can say that again…” You snickered under your breath, just loud enough to make Javi and Connie join in your laughter, leaving Steve with his arms crossed over his chest, rolling his eyes in annoyance. 

“Hey, listen. Call me what you want, but I don’t think you’ll be callin’ me an idiot when you need me to come babysit your 47 kids so the two of you can get some…” He paused gesturing to you and Javi’s disheveled state, “... time to yourselves. Like I said earlier, y’all gotta lot of rooms to fill, and I don’t think you’re gonna have any problem doin’ it.” 

And for as much as you wanted to give Steve the ten pounds of shit he deserved, as you looked up at Javi standing next to you, you couldn’t really even bring yourself to be mad. Because in the end, the only thing that mattered was him- the man you were going to spend the rest of your life with. The one who was your future, the one who stood with you through every twist and turn, the one who was your home. What started as a day that had you questioning everything had turned into one that had never made you feel more assured. You knew that Javier Peña loved you more than life itself, and you knew that you were so lucky to spend the rest of your life getting to prove to him over and over that you loved him just as much. 

Taglist:

@cool-iguana @rhoorl @whyjuliaaa @bbiophiliaa @pertinentpostmortem @angelofsmalldeath-codeine @pedrobaby @fatima-marisa @beboldbebravethings @poodlebae @kittenlittle24 @3sriracha @jungchloee @perennialdoll247 @prettyinpunk85 @partyofone3413 @harriedandharassed @pedrohoe04 @theorganasolo @endlessthxxghts @beware-my-thorns @missladym1981 @messinadress @milly-louise @jay-zzle @the-one-with-the-grey-color @persephone-girl @bitchesuntitled @pedropascallvr @millennial-teenybopper @nastiasnow @vee-bees-blog @hopplessilse @mxtokko @its-nebuleuse @mandoisapunk @msmorningstaarr

[theidiotwhowritesthings]

IS THERE A VERSION OF JOEL MILLER I WOULDN'T FUCK?

[a case study in how thirsty i am for this man.] [aka fic recommendations]

Unfortunately, in my extensive research on this topic, I have found some pretty damning evidence against my sanity.

dad's best friend!joel miller x fem!reader

Your Summer Dream [masterlist] by @swiftispunk It is a scientific fact that if you place Joel Miller on a beach he becomes 100x hotter. I don't make the rules, I just report them.

Creep it Real! by @swiftispunk I am a puddle. I melted and I'm a shallow pathetic puddle. Cowboy and Angel. I just hnnnnnggggg. I need him to ruin me pls dear god.

*I'm realizing if i include all the DBF!JM i read this will get very long, very quickly, and i think i have revealed enough of myself on this blog to highlight my very obvious daddy issues

**speaking of daddy issues...

stepdad!joel miller x fem!reader

Don't Be Cute, Be Nasty by @cockslutpadalecki i'm pretty sure this was the first stepdad!joel miller anything i read and it awoke something in my soul. it's always fun to reach new levels of my daddy issues and BY GOD was this just 🫠

Bad Girl [part i of many] by @seventeenpins he walks in on her while she's watching stepdaddy porn and good lord it gets filthier and filthier in the best kind of way.

boyfriend's dad!joel miller x fem!reader

Lost in the Dark [masterlist] by @iamasaddie i expected to be a slut reading this but then it made me an emotional slut out of nowhere i am obsessed. there is nothing i love more than being drawn in by my thots only to be hit by an emotional bus out of nowhere.

Thigh's Out AU [masterlist] by @toxicanonymity not only is this a boyfriend's dad AU, but said boyfriend's dad is a hot and slutty. just like i like my dilfs.

father-in-law!joel miller x fem!reader

Pink [masterlist] by @netherfeildren holy fuck. that's all. just holy fuck. this altered my genetic makeup.

Help, I'm Stuck! by @nosesitter spoiler alert: he takes her wedding ring off before dicking her down and I-- 👀 send help.

***i didn't think i had a lot of significant other's father!joel miller in my repertoire, but i had to stop myself again from listing them all on this one otherwise we'd be here all day. shit, i'm learning things about myself 🤡

dark therapist!joel miller x fem!reader

Session 1 by @elvinaa i think this only highlights how badly i need an actual therapist (as does this entire list actually).

sleazy gas station clerk!joel miller x fem!reader

Meet Me in the Back (1) & The Night is Dark Enough ... (2) written by @atticrissfinch It does not bode well for me that this version of Joel Miller made me so fucking feral. In no way, shape, nor form should a sleazy gas station clerk make me feel this way AND YET HERE WE ARE.

tattoo artist!joel miller x fem!reader

Honeyed [masterlist] by @softlyspector This one absolutely hits too close to home for me, but that's probably why I'm so obsessed with it. My touch adverse yet touch starved ass ate this up and left no crumbs😌

chiro!joel miller x fem!reader

Say Yes to Heaven by @pascalisbaby i thought the medical side of my brain would cringe at the doctor/patient dynamic but as it turns out my depravity knows no bounds 🥵

frat dad!joel miller x fem!reader

The Old College Try by @proxima-writes i didn't even know this was something i needed in my life until it came into my life. blessings🙏🏼

ceo!joel miller x fem!reader

Sex on Fire [masterlist] by @macfrog i don't think i need to harp on what that sugar daddy vibes do to me🤤

mafia!joel miller x fem!reader

Divine Dynasty by @cavillscurls Remember when I said putting Joel by a body of water makes him 100x hotter? The same applies to a Mafia AU. I can't explain it. I have no sound reasoning to support my claim other than "he hot tho".

pornstar!joel miller x fem!reader

I Know it When I See it [masterlist] by @bageldaddy 🔥🔥🔥 that is all.

maintenance man!joel miller x fem!reader

Maintenance Man [masterlist] by @gracieispunk toolbelt. say less.

slasher!joel miller x fem!reader

Slasher [masterlist] by @toxicanonymity i thought for sure, FOR SURE, this would be blind, pure, detached smut that i could enjoy with no emotional ties whatsoever. and then all of a sudden i'm feeling things??? he just loves his mom so much😭 mama's boy wants to be happy. JAIL. real jail for murderer joel miller. horny jail for me. and audacity jail for toxic b/c how dare you make me feel things for a serial killer😩

as i said previously, the evidence speaks for itself. i have yet to find a version of joel miller i could not immediately fuck. i'm actually planning (i have a lot of plans and no time smh), to go through all these on my recommendation blog w/play by play commentary so everyone can know just how unhinged i am for this guy.

but now!! you guys have a syllabus for my insanity!!

now, excuse me while i go find a therapist (a real one, not a hot/dark joel miller version of one) (although beggars can't be choosers right?👀)

dividers by @saradika

[sturn-saturn]

the diamond lab

pairing: fem!reader x bf!chris

warnings: tears, mentions of pregnancy, happy happy, not proofread!

a/n: ok so this is the last part but if this series does good i'll continue it and write about the wedding

part 1 part 2

word count: 1,274

chris grabs the bag with the ring carefully placed in the box and you all wave goodbye and step out the shop.

"well, this is where it all begins big guy." flora says patting chris' back.

a few days passed since flora, chris, and matt paid a little visit to 'the diamond lab,' but you have been a little suspicious of every little thing lately, chris seems off, you're worried you did something wrong.

you had no idea what was happening but you're all on vacation and you didn't want your overthinking to get in the way of having fun with your favorite people.

you and chris are currently lying in bed. in each others hold, your absolute favorite place to be.

"chris?"

"hm?"

"are you alright?"

"y-yeah. i'm all good, sweetheart. especially when i have the most amazing woman by my side."

"you're so sweet." you pat his chest.

"you're sweeter." he kisses you gently but deeply. "you taste sweeter too."

you giggle into the kiss relishing in the moment.

"i have a fun day planned for all of us tomorrow, why don't we get some sleep."

"ouu what is it? tell me." you beg.

"that is for me to know and for you to find out." he says booping your nose with his finger.

you both drift into sleep holding each other close, not knowing your whole life is going to change tomorrow.

the next evening...

"alright so, for this place we're going to on the beach tonight, all the girls are wearing white and all the guys are wearing black." chris says smiling.

"huh? why? does this place have a dress code?"

"yeah, something like that. finish up your makeup, we should be leaving in 30 minutes."'

"yes sir!" you say saluting to him.

"you're an idiot."

"your idiot." you smile.

you finally finish your hair, makeup, and you got dressed into this white dress and chris walks out of the bathroom wearing this black outfit.

"oh, chris. you look so handsome." you say adjusting his collar and staring into his beautiful blue eyes.

"oh yeah? look at you. you look like the woman of my dreams. you are the woman of my dreams."

you place you hand behind his head and gently guide his lips to yours.

"i love you."

"i love you more, princess. now, are you ready for dinner? the other said they're running late cause they were tired from the club last night but they'll meet us after dinner by the beach."

"club? did flora go? is she alright? ugh that girl. she should be resting!"

"flora is fine, her and matt didn't stay long before she got a headache." chris laughs at your concern for your best friend as he guides you out the hotel room.

to no surprise, chris made a reservation for dinner, one of your favorite places here in aruba.

"chris, thank you for this. thank you for everything."

"no need to thank me, darling. you're my girlfriend, i love you, and i would do anything for you."

you grab his hand across the table and you rub the back of his hand with your thumb.

"excuse me! could we get the check please?" you ask the waiter.

"yes ma'am." he responds.

you begin to take out your wallet to pay for the delicious dinner you both just shared.

"what are you doing?" he chuckles.

"paying for dinner?"

"pay for dinner? baby, don't be ridiculous. put that away. i got it."

"chris, you always pay let me do something for you."

"you do more than enough for me. i'm paying."

"fine." you smile appreciatively putting your wallet back into your purse.

chris finishes paying for your dinner and you both head to the beach for a little walk.

"wait, y/n. the sunset looks beautiful right now, turn around facing the sun, i want to take a picture of you."

"okay." you giggle. you have your back facing chris and he snaps a few pictures.

"perfect."

"can i see now?" you ask.

"of course."

"alright let's see how you d-did." you turn around to something you couldn't believe.

"c-chris. what are you doing."

chris is on one knee, holding the ring of your dreams, your friends are behind him, holding in tears, and capturing a moment you will never forget.

"y/n. almost 4 years ago you changed something in me. i went from thinking i'll never be loved to seeing my future flash before my eyes. from the moment i saw you, the moment you spoke, i knew you were the one i'm supposed to be with. you showed me what it was like to be loved. really loved. i adore your smile, the way you hide your face in your hands when you laugh. i love the way you love me. i would walk to the edge of the earth if it meant i got to spend every moment with you for the rest of my life because there is no one else i would rather do life with. i want to have our own little family, i want to grow old with you. before i met you forever seemed terrifying, you taught me that forever isn't scary when it's with the right person. you're my person. will you marry me?"

at this moment tara is sobbing and holding jakes hand while johnnie rubs her back, matt has his arm around flora as she's tearing up, larray and nick are smiling big, and sam and colby are being the usual guys they are screaming, "SAY YES! SAY YES!"

"well, y/n? what do you say?"

"YES! A MILLION TIMES YES!" you yell hugging chris tightly.

"alright, let's get this ring on you, honey." he giggles.

you feel someone tap your shoulder and you turn around to see some very, very, familiar faces.

"MOM! DAD!" you cry into their arms.

"hi, sweetie!"

"you guys came!? when did you get here? how are you here?"

"chris told us all the plan and we flew out here last night. we wouldn't miss this moment for the world."

"we wouldn't either!" you hear someone say.

"JIMMY! MARYLOU! JUSTIN YOU'RE HERE TOO!?

"of course we are!" he says pulling you into a hug.

"wait no ones wearing black or white."

"yeah chris tricked you into wearing white." flora laughed.

"he's very sneaky, huh?" you laugh as you look up at him as he has his arm around your shoulder. "wait a minute, you're not pregnant are you? chris did you lie about that too, you doofus."

"yeah, sorry ba-"

"actually, one more piece of good news, flora wasn't feeling too good yesterday. we got a test and turns out, we're gonna have a little sturniolo running around in about 8 months." matt smiles kissing the top of floras head.

"OH MY GOD!?!?" you scream out hugging flora.

"damn matty poo got busy, huh?" larray says

everyone cheers for your engagement and your best friend becoming a new mother.

"a daughter in law and a grandchild. what more could i ask for?" marylou smiles hugging both you and flora congratulating you.

"y/n." flora says pulling you aside.

"what's up?"

"our dream of you being my baby's aunt is finally coming true. i remember us in our dorm room saying that you'll be my kids aunt and i'll be your kids aunt. and now it's really happening."

"and i wouldn't have it any other way." you pull flora into a warm hug. "you're going to be the best mother."

"you're going to be the best wife."

you both walk hand in hand and join your friends and family to celebrate the wondrous evening filled with love, hope, and happiness.

[theothergal]

I've seen a post on Twitter that, in my opinion, summarizes what lots of Bridgerton's fan think about Eloise.

The tweet said, basically "I hope that the friendship with Kate will help Eloise realize that she can want romance, be a wife and a mother, be part of the Ton and still be 100% herself"

And It made me think...

What if "being 100% herself" includes not wanting any of these things?

Eloise has made quite clear that she doesn't want to be a wife and that she doesn't like the Ton's events, how can she be "100% herself" while conforming to the societal standards she resents?

I know, I know she will, eventually, because of the canon, but I don't like this attitude toward any female character Who Is not 100% gender conforming.

And it's not just Eloise, every time a female character Is not 100% feminine and Happy of being feminine Is automatically called a NLOG.

Yes, there's a conversation to be had about those female characters who put down other girls, but the focus should be their behavior, not their gender non conformity.

It's grating seeing all these post wishing for female characters to become more gender conforming as growth.

"Another pick me! I hope X will grow out of her NLOG phase and start appreciating romance, embroidery, pink and dresses"

"Wouldn't be cool if that masc female characters started hanging out with girly girls and became more girly herself? She can be a masc with a splash of pink and makeup😉"

"Female characters who resist arranged marriage are so stupid! Just think about the advantages It brings! A smart girl would be happy to wed a stranger for money and power. Freedom and reproductive autonomy? What are those?"

"I'm tired of of these girlboss female characters fighting and punching like men, we need more female characters,who use their feminine power to succeed. Action female characters are basically men with boobs"

Do you hear yourselves?

Put this in your heads. Some women and girls don't like pink, dresses, embroidery, makeup...and it's perfectly FINE.

I wish there were as many masc characters as you think there are. Instead we get slightly-tomboyish-but-still-feminine-enough female characters who are ALWAYS forced into femininity and eventually "learn" to enjoy.

You make me want to write a story where the FMC Is 100% gnc and stays like this until the end, and when somebody tries to femminize her she tells them of.

Like "I don't want to wear dresses, or pink or heels. I don't want to marry or have children. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever".

Sorry, it became a rant, and I'm sure I Lost some nuance, but seriously, stop treating gnc female characters as bitter nlogs who should learn to become pure and beautiful girly girls.

I'm nowhere near the most masculine girls ever, and I still get sometimes shat on for not liking makeup, for not shaving and for acting awkward sometimes, and I know I'm not always pleasant to be around, but it's not always my fault.

It's not fun.

[kasagia]

Our little game pt. 3

~Part 1~ ~Part 2~ ~Part 4~ ~Part 5~

Pairing: Klaus Mikaelson x witch! reader Summary: Thomas has been trying to mend your relationship all weeks leading up to the wedding. You must admit that he was a true, sweet gentleman, but�� something was wrong. You didn't feel those butterflies (or moles as Kol used to say) in your stomach when you were close to him. You thought that maybe after bachelorette party and wedding you two would again get along with eachother and everyting will be fine. But drunk you had a completely different idea to solve this situation. Warning(s): smut mention, swearings, I used the thread from "Friends", I don't regret anything (I guess) Word count: 4,6k

*Two months later*

"I can't believe it has gone by so quickly, I feel like I just arrived in New Orleans." I said to the girls while we were putting on our dresses for the party.

"Yes. Me too. I feel like Elijah proposed to me yesterday, and now the four of us are going to my bachelorette party."

"Actually five. I invited Cami." Rebekah corrected Kath while fixing her makeup.

"Since when have you exactly been friends with Klaus' therapist?" I asked, not believing for a moment in her good intentions toward the bartender.

"Since she's trying to talk you out of the ridiculous idea of getting back with your ex."

"Hey! We all agree that we're not going to discuss that topic. Today is about Katherine. Only her."

"Take it easy, Y/N. We're just worried about you."

"There's no need, Katherine. I can take care of myself. Also, I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do with this mess around me. It's enough that the Mystic Falls gang put me on their blacklist a week ago. I don't need more complications."

Yes. Officially, Damon Salvatore has become my enemy because I refuse to help him bring Elena back from her "sleeping beauty state." At least Bonnie stayed my friend.

"Well, I saw both of you in that new restaurant. You two seemed quite enjoyable with your company." Rebekah snapped me out of my thoughts.

The original vampire spent the whole two months trying to force me to set up with her brother. It was getting pretty tiring to the point that I decided to avoid Klaus like the plague and not give the blonde a chance to put her plans into action. I loved her with all my heart, but I will not allow anyone to meddle in my affairs and try to set me on a particular path. Not even one of my best friends.

"Yeah, like one meeting was a declaration of true, unconditional love." I replied sarcastically, turning my attention back to my reflection in the mirror. I started putting on my makeup, being careful not to accidentally gouge my eye out with mascara. "Thomas and I spent half life with ourselves. It's obvious that we're feeling good together when we know each other better than anyone else."

"That's what we're all trying to tell you!" the woman snatched the mascara from my hand and turned to look at me in the eyes. "You don't love him anymore! He is like an old, favorite movie; you watch it because you have a soft spot for it, not because it brings you new, amazing emotions. You got used to having him around. And you're afraid that my brother will destroy your idea of loving Thomas. Even if it's obvious to everyone that you don't have any feelings for him. You fell for Nik, finally admit it to yourself!" she burst out, reproaching me again.

"Rebekah, enough. You're crossing the line." Freya stepped between us, wanting to reassure her little sister and trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"You want me to finally make a decision? Fine. Right after the wedding, I'm going back to Thomas. You don't have to wish me luck. I already know I'll be very happy with him." I replied, staring furiously at the blonde over Freya's shoulder.

"You have to be joking?! Seriously? Are you doing it just to spite me?"

"I'll meet you all downstairs. I promised to call Tom before we went out all night." I said, ignoring Rebekah's angry look at me.

I left the room quickly before any of the vampires (or the witch) could stop me, heading for the only place I could get some privacy.

Klaus' art studio.

The guys had already left the mansion an hour ago, teasing Katherine that they would make one last effort to find someone better for Elijah before she "ringed him with a golden muzzle," so I was sure no one would find me there. Who would have guessed I was hiding in the "cave" of a big bad wolf?

I was walking in a dark room, lit only by the moonlight. I took my phone out of my dress pocket and dialed Tom's number. I put the device to my ear, staring at the unfinished painting on the easel. Klaus must have been pretty pissed while painting it. I hadn't even seen so much intense red when the hybrid returned covered in blood from one of his "preventive missions."

"Y/N?" Thomas's voice snapped me out of my thoughts about the original.

"Hi." I replied with a little smile, sitting on the piano opposite the easel. Klaus went all out designing his studio.

"Hello, honey. Are you going out with the girls?"

"Yes. So don't bother calling; I won't answer, and even if I do, I doubt I'll be in a good condition." I replied jokingly, smiling wider as I heard his laugh.

"Ha ha. You know what they say: You are the truest version of yourself after alcohol."

"Is this your way to tell me that you're waiting on a drunken love confession from me? It isn't quite romantic, don't you think?"

"I don't care about it as long as it's true." I smiled. I wanted to respond to his taunt, but I froze in place as I saw someone's all-too-familiar blue eyes in the darkness of the studio. As our gazes met, he went out from the shadow and stood right in front of me. "Y/N? Can you hear me?"

"I have to go. I'll call you tomorrow, Tommy." Klaus wrinkled his nose at the "cute" diminutive.

"Have a good time, honey. Don't drink too much or I'll have to pick you up." before I could answer, Klaus snatched the phone from my hand.

"You don't have to worry about her. She will be in my excellent care, Timon," he said maliciously before aggressively hanging up.

"Seriously? Don't you have a brother to drink up instead of messing with my boyfriend? By the way, his name isn't Timon."

"Your boyfriend?" he laughed incredulously, shaking his head. "Since when? If I remember correctly, he left you for like... two years ago?"

"So what? You're not better at all."

"Unlike him, I was interested in your fate, love."

"Sending your minions to follow my every move is stalking, not caring. And stop calling me that. It's disgusting." I said, turning towards the exit, but the hybrid blocked my way as usual. The look of displeasure on his face instantly made me feel much better.

"They didn't follow you... most of the time. I just wanted to make sure you're okay and you're not putting yourself in unnecessary danger for the sake of those imbeciles."

"Did you know that there is an ancient gadget called the telephone? You could have checked for yourself if I was alive."

"You changed your number." I blushed at my stupidity. He was right. Right after breaking up with Tom, my phone suffered minor damage due to my sudden emotions and relative lack of control over my magic. I just don't know why it hurt so much that he couldn't text me. It's not like I've been waiting for his call all these years... right?

"Well, we can't go back in time and change that anyway. There's no point in dwelling on it." I finally replied, looking away from him to hide my true feelings.

The man wouldn't let me get away from him so easily. His left hand went to my chin, forcing me to look again into his blue eyes, which gradually began to give way to his night-black pupils.

"So that's it? You want to go back to him as if nothing happened? Like I didn't send you a thousand bloody letters to beg you for a little piece of your attention like a desperate fool, that I am every single time you look at me!" he exploded.

His jaw was clenched in anger, and his other hand was clenched so tightly that it seemed to me that droplets of blood were dripping from it. But my stupid brain could only process one goddamn thing in this improbable situation.

"Letters? What letters?"

"Oh, don't play with me like this, love…" he tried to walk away from me, but I grabbed his arm before he made any step towards the exit.

"Klaus, what letters? I didn't get anything from you since you went." I asked, searching his face for any explanation.

"Don't lie to me. It's even beneath you." he replied contemptuously.

A red light went on in my head. The son of a bitch had no right to walk into my already messy life with his fucking shoes and accuse me of whatever shit he fancied. This is exactly what caused my agitation. Not the hostile look I couldn't take from him.

"Beneath me? How can you tell if something is in "my type" or not?! You don't even fucking know me!" his jaw tightened. In the next second, he pushed me into a wall and put his hands on both sides of my head. His eyes were enraged, mad, and... passionate.

"I know you better than myself. I spent months admiring you in the shadows until you decided that I was curious enough to be noticed by you. It took you a bloody year to warm up to me and to treat me like something more than a monster. And when we were apart… I've never missed anyone as much as I have missed you in the thousand years I've lived. You told me here months ago that you would be the one to burn me. You were too stubborn to admit our connection that much, that you, love, didn't notice I was already burned by you a long time ago."

"You're lying. You wouldn't even have come up with that stupid excuse if Thomas hadn't shown up. You want me to lose my chance at happiness, don't you? The moment I trust you, you'll stab me in the back for your own amusement."

"Is your beloved ex-boyfriend, as I would like to point out, clouding your mental clarity so much?"

"Maybe he's my ex, but unlike some people, he really cares about me, not my power."

"Did he? Because if I had a chance, which you gave him, I would never, ever leave you. Not even if I could rule all of this damn world."

"Please, it's impossible that you could truly love…" he cut me off, pulling my face closer to his lips to shut me up by kissing me.

I imagined that moment so many times in my head, but nothing conveyed the true feeling of his lips on mine.

I moaned as he bit my lips and opened a way into my mouth like that. His treacherous tongue slipped inside like a snake, catching mine in his snare.

The sounds of brushes and paints falling were my only warning before he grabbed me around the waist, set me down on the table, and made me his height to (surely) kiss me dead.

The moment one of his hands started wandering toward the zipper of my dress, making me shiver every time his fingers touched my exposed skin, was a time when the warnings of my mind shouted over the dark, hidden desire of my foolish heart.

*SLAP!*

My hand left a small red mark on his left cheek for a while before his vampire power healed it. He slowly turned his head towards me, with his own hand on the place I slapped him, shocked that I (a little, mortal witch) was that dumb-brave to do this.

I breathed heavily as I stared into his impenetrable oceanic iris.

"Don't..."

"Why?"

"Because I… you… we can't…" He leaned his head down toward mine so that our noses were touching. Our lips were disconcertingly close for me to express any logical thought that wasn't related to HIM.

"Y/N!! We're going to be late! Hurry up!" Katherine's voice made me jump out of the hybrid's embrace, scared of what might have happened in the art room if she hadn't interrupted us.

Before I left the room, he grabbed my hand and turned me to face him. I fell straight into his chest. His second hand grabbed around my waist, making sure I wouldn't go before he stopped talking.

"Have your fun, love. We'll continue this discussion when you return." he said as he tucked my hair behind my ear. 

"Y/N! What could possibly be taking so long?!"

"We have nothing to discuss." I growled, yanking myself out of his grip, and went out without even looking at him.

I need vodka or I'll completely lose my mind.

~•♤♤♤•~

"Ha ha, I can't believe it!" I was laughing so hard when Rebekah finished her story about Klaus and Elijah running from bees when they were humans.

"I swear to you, they came out of the river drenched as ducks, only to meet some "huge and terrifying wild beast" and roll in the mud to let him lose their scent. They screamed like little girls as he approached them and growled at them. Kol was bursting with laughter, but in the end our mother's old fur fell off him and he had to run away from them."

"All right! How do I look?" Katherine emerged from the dressing room, making an impressive turn in front of us to present her dress (not a particularly successful one, given how much alcohol we had consumed).

"I like it, but you look much better in your real wedding dress." Freya commented as she adjusted Cami's fake veil.

Yes. All five of us decided to put on white dresses and continue our evening dressed like this. I have no fucking idea how it happened.

"I know where we should go next!" Rebekah screamed, threw my legs off her and got off the couch. She ran over to Katherine, showing her something on her phone and whispering conspiratorially. I shrugged, grabbing a bottle of champagne.

Freya snatched the bottle from my hand, handing it to Cami. The barmaid drank the rest of its contents and sat down next to me. I put my head on her lap so she could comb my hair. I closed my eyes, feeling a little relaxed for the first time in weeks. The quiet whispers of the vampires in the background and the slow, calming movements of the blonde's hand were a wonderful sleep aid.

"Don't fall asleep, sleeping princess! We're going dancing." an enthusiastic Rebekah nudged me gently on the arm, trying to pull me out of my own world.

"Dancing? Where?" I asked, opening one eye to look unconvinced at the blonde.

"You will see. Come on, the night is still young, and we're not drunk enough." the vampire grabbed my arm and dragged me down the stairs to the waiting limousine.

The five of us drank chilled champagne from the limousine in seconds, continuing to talk nonsense until we were at the door of the club Rebekah wanted to take us to.

If I had seen its name better, maybe I would have realized that this is the same place the guys went to celebrate Elijah's bachelor party, and maybe what happened later that night wouldn't have happened at all.

But we all went inside and lost each other in a sea of other people.

I looked around the crowd until I saw a familiar face at the bar. Instantly, my heart warmed, and the unreasonable desire to approach him overcame the rational side of my brain. I ran towards him, doing my best not to step on the white dress. Without knowing why, the people around me immediately let me through, so I didn't have to push through them.

"Nikkie!" I screamed when I saw the hybrid. I made a few steps toward him, and I fell into his arms, tripping over my fake wedding dress. I could hear Kol chuckling in the background. "I've missed you, love."

"You know I can get you two married at any moment, brother? Just say a word."

Kol took his beer from the bar as I leaned dangerously close to him, threatening to accidentally spill the alcohol down my dress. Klaus held me closer to him so that I wouldn't wobble from side to side, checking to make sure my drunken walk towards them didn't injure me in the process.

"Shut up, Kol. She's drunk."

"Hey! I'm not drunk, but you're ridiculously hot when you're mad." I giggled as I cupped his face and kissed a crease between his eyebrows. "And so sweet when you're confused." I said, chuckling after he gave me an incredulous look.

"The offer is still valid." a vampire muttered under his breath, teasing his brother.

"For bloody hell, Kol, I'm not gonna marry her!" he growled at him. Suddenly, I felt very sad. Tears came to my eyes from nowhere.

"No? Why? You don't love me?" I asked, sobbing. His eyes immediately fell on my weeping form in pure panic. Nik gently pulled me to him and cupped my cheek, wiping away my tears with his thumb as he looked at me softly.

"Yes, Nikkie, don't you love her?" Kol interrupted our moment, much to Klaus' annoyance and anger.

"If you want to live to see tomorrow, get out of my sight. Now."

"Have fun together, Nikkie!"

He followed him with his eyes until he disappeared into the crowd of others. His eyes softened as he looked at my tear-stained face.

"Love, why are you crying?" he asked softly, wiping away my tears.

"Because you don't love me at all!" he sighed, hugging me tighter and kissing my head tenderly.

"Of course I love you." he whispered timidly into my hair.

"You do?" I moved away from him, placing my hands on his chest so that I could hold onto his body the whole time while looking into his eyes.

"It's impossible not to, love. Can we go home now?"

"No. Say it again."

"What?"

"That you love me."

"Y/N. You're drunk, just come with me and…" I cut him off by catching his stupid, beautiful lips in a kiss.

At first, he stayed there, shocked, not even making the slightest move. I got a little irritated after a while, so I cupped his face in my hands and pulled him closer, biting his lower lip until it bled. I moaned in a kiss, as I could feel his sweet, addictive blood on my tongue. Without knowing why, I felt "the alcohol mist" in which I found myself begin to slowly leave my body. In the next moment, that annoying man finally started to respond to my affection. His arms were all around me, reaching into every part of my body.

In an attempt to regain control, his lips began chasing mine. We fought with each other, giving all our hidden passion, anger, and frustration into that kiss. But it still wasn't enough for me. And he knew this.

"Don't be such an asshole and stop teasing." I groaned, breaking away from him for a moment.

"Never." he whispered against my lips, skillfully avoiding mine.

"For the love of God! Kiss me right or…" I moaned as he interrupted my threat by biting into the sensitive skin of my neck.

He was drinking from me.

Klaus. Fucking. Mikaelson. Was drinking from me.

And it felt amazing.

I gasped, pulling his hair with one hand and grabbing his muscular shoulder with the other. After a few minutes, he pulled away from my neck and kissed me again, this time complying with my request. During our demanding kiss, I felt a trickle of blood running down my neck to my chest. The wound closed in a matter of seconds.

I summoned my magic to teleport us to his room. More specifically, his bed. I started to rip off his shirt so as not to interrupt our kissing session. But hybrid has other plans.

He pulled away from my bruised, tingling lips and grabbed my hands just as I was about to get to the waistband of his pants.

"We need to stop, love."

"Why? I thought you wanted me."

"I do."

"Then shut up and kiss me."

"No. We can't. Not like that." he sighed as I started to bite and make hickeys on his neck. He grabbed my hair, pulling me closer.

"Don't act like you didn't dream of it. Like you don't wanna feel my hot, naked body on yours. Like you don't wanna drink from me while fucking me and leaving marks on all of me to make it clear to everyone that I'm yours." I whispered against the skin of his neck.

"Y/N. Stop." he growled, pushing me away from him when he felt my hand dangerously close to his pants' fly.

"Why? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't finally get this damn feeling out of our system!"

"That's not how it works and you well know that."

"God! Why do you always have to make things so hard for me?!" I started gathering my things, intending to leave the refusing-me hybrid.

"Where are you going?!"

"To Tom! Maybe he will be a man and fuck me, if you don't want." I found myself instantly in his strong embrace. He was breathing rapidly, his pupils so dilated that his blue irises were almost impossible to see. He desired me. If he wanted me too, then why didn't he use his chance?

"Be careful what you wish for, love."

"Let me go. I wasted enough time for you." I groaned as I tried to break free from his grip.

"You're not going anywhere."

"Why?" I asked, lifting my head in challenge.

"Because you're MINE. Mine to touch, mine to kiss, mine to fucked from your mind every single thing that isn't me. We belong to each other. And you hate it. So much so that you can't accept the feelings that are between us. This is why you gonna go back to my bed and sleep by my side so I can make sure you're not going to do something incredible stupid tonight."

"Don't act like a protective boyfirend, if you don't care about me." I choked out, taking advantage of the fact that he doesn't look me in the eye and instead places small kisses on my face.

"You stupid woman, don't you see how much I've already done for you just to keep you safe and happy?"

"You wanna make me happy? You wanna satisfy me? You wanna make sure I'm only yours? Then shut up and finally let it happen." I kissed him, pushing him on his back, so I could sit on him.

I started to strip myself, looking straight at him. His chest rose and fell at the speed of light, black pupils completely replacing his blue irises. I take a moment to appreciate his tattoo and kiss every flying bird.

"Lie that you love me." he said, after turning us so I was under him.

"It wouldn't be a lie." I thought as he kissed his way to my underwear.

"I know it's part of your game. Just... pretend for a moment you really feel something for me Y/N."

"It's not a game anymore. And since our first meeting, I have felt for you... everything."

"You win." he said, kissing me with all of his desire for me, and trying to get any response out of me.

"You win.'" I thought, letting myself get lost in the feeling of his skin on mine. "And I'm fucking terrified of it."

~•♤♤♤•~

Consciousness begins to slowly return to my battered, relaxed body. I sighed, snuggling into something warm and cozy beneath me. I put my head in a more comfortable position and took a breath of the amazing perfume.

Klaus' perfume.

I froze in place, afraid to make any move. After a few minutes, I finally decided to hesitantly open my eyes and lift my head slightly.

My fucking God.

I slept with Klaus Mikaelson.

With my brain overheating from the new information, I had the opportunity to take a closer look at the unconscious hybrid. He looked so... innocent when he slept. And carefree, even blissfully, judging by his gentle smile, which I could see despite the darkness in the room.

The disheveled hair on his head only made him even hotter. It was also helped by the fact that I was probably the perpetrator of his messy look.

I tried to slowly put myself out of his arms to get the phone, but Klaus instantly held me closer when he felt from his sleep my littlest move. I carefully placed my head back on his chest. I let myself hear his beating heart and smell his addictive perfume for the moment.

Curiously, I looked around his room, enjoying as much as I could of what little peace I had left before my partner woke up. For a moment, I could imagine that Klaus was my boyfriend, we led a dull, safe life together devoid of anything supernatural. Hope lives with Hayley for a week, with us for the second, his family comes over once a month for dinner together. And above all, no one wants to kill us, we have no enemies from whom we must defend our loved ones. Maybe we'd even get married and have children of our own?

Married.

Wedding.

"OH MY GOD! Klaus! Hey. Nik. We have to get up, or we'll be late for the wedding! Oh, come on! You can't sleep that hard! Niklaus!" I screamed. I tried to pull his arm to wake him up, but his eyes were still closed. "If you don't wake up, I'll smear your room with all those expensive paints you have."

"Shh, five more minutes, love." he mumbled, turning on his side and pinning me to his bed with his arm. He pulled me closer, burying his nose in my hair.

"Katherine is going to kill me if we miss her wedding." I said in panic, unknowingly brushing his hair with my fingers.

"I won't let her do this." he tightened his grip on me, still in his semi-conscious state. "You might as well not mention her name in my bed."

"Klaus, I'm serious. Move. We have to get together."

"Vile woman, have you no pity on me?"

"Not even a little. Now get off me, you're heavy." I moaned under him, trying to move his body.

"I have a better idea of how to spend the day than being at my brother's wedding with the devil. I think you'll like it too. Last night, you did. Very much, considering the moans of my name coming out of your beautiful, alluring mouth."

"Yeah… talking about last night. It doesn't change anything, right? I mean… we're… we not…"

I stopped as he placed his head close to mine so he could lick up the dried blood from my neck. This man would be my death.

"Penny for your TRUE toughts?" he whispered against my neck, pulling away from it to look into my eyes.

"I just..."

"Yhm?" he leaned closer to my lips, but before he could kiss me, I pushed him off me and off the bed, sending him crashing to the floor. I took the opportunity to wrap myself in his duvet, running into the hybrid's bathroom before he recovered from my unexpected move.

"Dress up. We have to be there in 10 minutes. Don't forget the wedding rings!" I screamed, knowing full well that he would hear me through the closed door even if I was whispering. I listened for a moment, standing perfectly still, until I heard his grumpy mumbling and footsteps walking away.

With a sigh, I leaned against the door, sliding myself down to the floor. Memories of last night started to slowly come back to my mind, including his half-drunk "I love you."

What the hell have I done?

[felice-jaganshi]

My Fallen Apple

Chapter 13 (finale!)

It was a few more months before the wedding planning was done, and during that time, you got to know Alastor better. He wasn't really that bad except for when he felt the need to antagonize your fiancé. You and Zariah worked together to try and get the boys to act civil, with mild success. It seemed “teasing” was just one of Alastor's love languages. 

 

Finally though, it was the wedding day. Angel Dust, the spider demon you'd gotten to know recently, was doing your makeup.

“So, ready to become a queen?” He asked. 

“I don't know about ‘queen’… but I'm definitely ready to be his wife.” You look at yourself in the mirror and already the tears start to come.

“Hey! Hey! Nooo, nu uh! Hold off the waterworks till after the I Dos! At least let him see my hard work first!” He was grinning as he teased you.

 

Fizzarolli was holding your bouquet at the moment, making sure none of the flowers were wilted. He'd agreed to walk you down the aisle since your father wasn't an option. 

 

Zariah was going over some last minute things on the phone with Vaggie, who was with Charlie, who was with Him . Your soon-to-be husband. “Do you need me to come over there?... How do you usually get her to stop crying?... Just put Charlie on the phone then!” She was laughing, it seemed Charlie couldn't stop from crying over how happy she was to get to see her father get married.

You took a deep breath to steady yourself. Your dress was an off the shoulder a-line with tulle sleeves. Your veil hangs behind as you stand from your chair. It has star and sun patterns with feathers on the edges in silver and gold. You look like a radiant goddess.

______

 

You were in front of the door leading out of the hotel. Nifty and Razzle were behind you ready to go as flower girls, and Alastor poked his head in, “You sure you want to marry the fool? You know Lilith isn't going to like this when she eventually comes home.” He was trying to stir shit up for fun, since he'd already taken care of the paparazzi and all the other “trouble makers”. 

 

“I'm sure. And if she does show up, I'll kick her ass for hurting him! I'm ready.” You smile, “Thanks Al, I needed that.” 

He hummed, “Good, you better keep your word on kicking her ass. He's counting on you.” He then popped back out and got the wedding march started. It was a slow piano version of “stand by you”. The song you sang to him just before he proposed.

 

Fizzarolli took your arm. “Here we go, try not to cry until the vows, okay?” You nod, buzzing in excitement. The doors opened, and you began to walk.

You see him at the end of the makeshift aisle. He looks stunning and stunned. 

He's wearing a new white suit, one with what almost looks like a three tier skirt in the back. Like a combination wedding gown and suit. It's elegant and the back is open in a diamond pattern, showing the markings where his wings rest in his back. His hat is gone, replaced with a proper crown in its place. He doesn't look like himself really, far more serious than you've ever seen him… but the love in his eyes is the same as ever.

 

You begin to walk, Fizz keeping a hold on you to keep you from just running to him. When you get closer you can see tears in his eyes, and a tremble in his smile. Charlie stood beside him as his best man, and Asmodeus stood at the altar to act as your officiate. 

 

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite two souls in the firey, passionate bonds of Love and Marriage. And if anyone knows anything about love, it's the lord of Lust! Because while lust is fun for a while, love is the fuel that keeps that fire burning.” He looked at Fizz, sitting on your side of the aisle with a blush and a grin.

“Now, I'll stop my blubbering, and let you love birds say your vows, as I've been told our king has something special prepared.” Now everyone's attention was on Lucifer, as he took your hands.

 

“Becca, my sweet apple pie… before you literally fell into my life, I was a depressed wreck of a man. I couldn't bear to look at myself in the mirror. It was bad, real bad. Like, days without eating bad. I never thought I'd love again, or that I'd ever be able to face my daughter in such a state. And there you were, in my garden. Then you treated me so gently and with such kindness, I thought at first maybe I was finally being forgiven for my sins… then I realized you were too good for me, but you kept coming back and bringing out the best in me. Because to you, Charlie and I have reconnected. Because to you, the Sins and I are back to being family again. Because of you, my life is better than it has been in over one thousand years. And I promise, for as long as I exist, I will give you all the love I have in my heart. I'll cherish and adore you for all of eternity. I give you my heart, as bruised and battered as it is… please be gentle with it.” He smiled fondly at you.

 

The tears fall without your consent. “Luci… babe…” He reaches out to dry your tears. 

 

Ozzie smiled fondly, “Those were some beautiful words Luci. Now it's Becca's turn, you need a minute baby girl?”

You take Lucifer's hands that are holding your cheeks, and kiss the palm of each of them once. Then smile, “I'm good.”

 

“Lucifer… I know I wasn't meant to be in hell, but this has felt more like home than anywhere else in my life and afterlife. When we were alive, Zariah and I would joke about if we ended up in hell, I called dibs on marrying you. But now it's not a joke, but my greatest dream come true. I love you, more than any man I've ever loved. You've made me feel seen and appreciated and adored. You make me feel wanted and needed. And it's just as much what you don't do that makes me love you. You don't make me feel like your mother figure, and you don't make me feel exhausted from caring for you. I feel like your equal, and I feel energized lifting you up when you need it. Because you lift me up too. You'll never walk through hell alone, because I'm gonna stand by you every step of the way. I'll never leave you.”

Now it was his turn to cry, his eyes sparkling as rivers cascade down his cheeks.

 

“Alright baby! Now that's what I'm talking about!” Ozzie chuckled excitedly, “Becca, do you take Lucifer, the king of hell, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

 

“I do.” Your voice is full of certainty and confidence. 

 

“Lucifer, king of hell, lord of Pride. Do you take Becca to be your lawfully wedded wife and queen?”

 

“I do!” He's still sobbing as he says it, too excited to contain himself anymore.

 

“Then I pronounce you, Girlboss and Malewife! Haha, nah I'm playin’! I pronounce you Husband and Wife, now go on and kiss each other!” He smiled and Lucifer practically pounced at the opportunity to press his lips to yours.

 

The crowd was a combination of laughter and cheers, but you didn't care. You had a husband to smooch.

And to have and hold.

For the rest of eternity.

 

The End

______

(Bonus)

 

During the reception, the two of you sneak away while everyone's partying for some one on one time. Once alone on the hotel roof, Lucifer can't stop fidgeting…. 

“What's on your mind? Got something exciting planned for our wedding night you can't wait for?” You tease, sitting next to him.

 

“Hm? Oh, well, yeah, but… I also have something I wanted to run by you… so… you know normally once a human soul is dead, they can't have kids anymore? Well… I have the power to completely negate that rule. If I choose to. So… if you wanted… someday… maybe we could…” He looked at his hands as he fidgeted with his new ring. This one had your name engraved on the outside and inside.

 

“You… we could make Charlie a little sibling!” You realized what he was trying to say and tackled him! “Yes! Absolutely Luci! I'd love to! Let's… let's have a baby!”

 

The End (for real now)

[mrs-kodzuken]

Forever Mine ♡

Pairing: Aged up!Kenji Futakuchi x fem!reader

WC: 1.3k

Genre: fluff, marriage au

CW: fem!reader, implied short!reader, marriage au, fluff, slight overbearing mother?, mentions of food repeatedly, mention of no father, platonic boob holding

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

"Girl, hush, you had a granola bar this morning; you'll be fine!" I heard my mom scold me.

I just stared at her, feeling my stomach growl. "But that doesn't calm my stomach," I pointed out.

Ever since I was little, I have always been a person who could put away a lot of food. And I was getting married to my fiancé in a couple of hours. Which unfortunately meant that in order to not be bloated in my wedding dress, I couldn't eat right this second.

She glared and said, "Calm down. You'll get food when you're done." She spoke, fixing my hair in the mirror.

The idea of food never left my thoughts or stomach.

I could really go for some pizza right now. Maybe I could call the pizza place really quickly without my mom knowing? That is, if I'm ever out of her line of sight.

"I can't believe that you're getting married. It just seems as if I was changing your diapers." My mom wiped away a small tear. She had suddenly got super emotional.

"Mom, you said you weren't going to cry till after the ceremony." I laughed lightly.

"But seriously, I don't like seeing you cry." I gave her a small hug, making sure not to mess up my hair.

"Oh, are the bridesmaids almost done? I want to see how they look." I pulled away from the hug and entered the room connected to mine.

"Good god, you all look wonderful!" I astonishingly said to all of them.

Suddenly, a herd of women surrounded me. And of course, with my short height, I was hardly able to get out of their grasp.

"Do you need help with your makeup? I'll do it for you." I looked at my friend, whom I asked to be a bridesmaid.

"Ah, thank you," I thanked her whilst I grabbing the makeup box.

After about an hour, we all had done almost all of each other's makeup and because I needed something to take my mind off of hunger.

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes, dear. Now all you have to do is walk your fine ass down the aisle and become a Futakuchi." My soon to be husband said through the door.

I have been talking to my fiancé for about ten minutes now. I wouldn't let him see me till I was walking down the aisle, I didn't want any bad luck on our special day.

However, my smile was quickly replaced by a groan of hunger.

"Babe? Are you alright?" I heard him through the door. He couldn't open it obviously, but I could tell he definitely wanted to.

"I'm fine, just hungry." I lightly laughed. If I didn't get food in me quick, I was sure I was going to die.

Hearing no response from Kenji at the door, I furrowed my brows. Getting on my knees, I bent down to see if his shoes were still there from under the door.

Which they weren't, by the way.

Suddenly, a loud gasp made me look up. I saw my mom there, looking as if she was about to scold me for being on the floor.

I silently told Kenji I loved him as I received an earful from the woman who raised me all my life.

"Ah, yes, thank you for that," I awkwardly said to my mother. She sighed and shooed me away, saying something like I should already be in my dress and shoes.

Sorry mom, but I was more worried about my future husband than a dress and heels, even if they were gorgeous.

A loud knock sounded throughout the room. The bridesmaids had pulled me into their room as if sensing Kenji was outside that door.

I pressed my ear against the mahogany door while listening. Although, it seemed to be that I was hearing for exactly nothing.

"(Y/n)? You can come out now." I finally heard someone speak, kind of sounding like my mom.

Once my mom said that, I rushed out to see if anything was wrong.

I noticed a pizza box in her hands, she handed it to me.

"Did Kenji get this?" I asked hesitantly, a smile coming upon my cherry-colored lips.

"Yeah, you said you were hungry, so I went and got you my favorite pizza. Enjoy babe." I heard a kissy sound from him through the door, and his foot steps trailed away.

Dear God, I love that man. Which is exactly why I'm going to marry him.

I set the pizza box down and quickly indulged in it, not really caring if it was burning my mouth or not. I sure was hungry.

I'll definitely have to thank him for this. I almost died from the lack of food.

"After that piece, I'll save it for you. You need to be in your dress and down the hall in ten minutes." I heard my mom lecture looking at her gold wristwatch, as I shoved the crust into my mouth.

I saluted and licked my fingers, heading towards the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my hands.

"Are you ready?" I saw a plastic bag that held my dress in it.

I nodded and took off my robe, which revealed the embarrassing black lingerie my best friend had put me in.

She said something along the lines of, I should get the attention of my man by wearing something hot.

As if I didn't get his attention already. I could hardly stop him from paying attention to me and what was underneath the clothes.

After I slipped on the dress, I was down the hall in a short period of time.

I was met with my mom, who would walk me down the aisle. I mean, who needed a dad anyway?

We hooked arms as I nervously held the bouquet. Even though I've woken up to his handsome face plenty of times, it still gets the knots in my stomach going.

Later, rather than sooner, our vows were said and the celebration of my marriage lasted for hours.

Kenji had been lying on my breasts for the past thirty minutes. I love him so much, I truly do, but I was about to snap, it was uncomfortable.

I shifted, trying to move his head so it would be lying between them instead.

"Why are you moving? Are you uncomfortable?" He looked up sweetly at me.

I glared at his handsome face, which pissed me off even more than his big ass head.

"Your fat head is hurting my boobs," I whined, shoving his head down to my mid-gut.

"You could have just said so; let's switch places then." He laughed softly, putting my comfort over his.

Right as I was about to question him, he had flipped us over. Where I had my back against his chest instead.

I snuggled my back into his chest, paying more attention to the movie now that I was comfortable and happy.

We got married two months ago, but yet he still says dumb shit like this.

"I can massage them for you." I could almost feel the smirk on his face.

I tore my eyes off the screen and just stared at him. How the hell is someone so perfectly annoying?

"As much as I'd like that, I'm watching a good movie right now, babe." I pointed it out, shifting so I could have more cover.

"Can I hold them then? They're always really warm." He commented, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.

Before I could comment, his hands slipped under my shirt, and I felt his extremely large hands hold my breasts.

This was some kind of 'normal' thing we would do. However, it most likely didn't seem as normal as he thought.

"Kenji?" I mumbled, my eyes burning from looking at the television screen without blinking.

He hummed to answer, and I could feel the small vibration through his chest.

"I love you."

He pulled his hand from my shirt and squeezed my body in a tight hug, "I love you too, baby."

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

a/n: this is from my book “Haikyuu x Reader One Shots” from Wattpad! I hope you enjoyed and let me know if you would like more!

the header is from FutakuchiKenji7 on X

[spectrechosts]

Shine On! Musical Guardians!

Followup to If Anything, this one doesn't really have an overarching story and is moreso just ex-villain being a hero shenanigans.

Full Series

Musical Guardian Synth-Metal kicked off her boots and went to make herself some coffee after a long solo mission.

The whole Musical Guardian Anti-Carceral Magical Squad thing was going pretty cool in her opinion, on account of her not being in jail. Still, the finer points of de-escalation and non-violent engagement were not her… strong points, as such. Always nice to get to just go blast a big mindless monster with lightning.

Grindcore, Deep Funk, and Phoebe had set up a conspiracy board type thing in the kitchen, and were stressing over a map of the city with various locations crossed off. They were also hogging the coffee pot.

"What's uh. What's this?" She asked, kissing Phoebe gently on the top of her head and gesturing at the chaos.

"We have a little bit of a world-ending situation." Phoebe explained, sighing. "You may have noticed that it's raining blood."

"I picked up on that, yeah." Synth-Metal said, nodding. "Is this a situation that calls for my talents?"

Phoebe shook her head. "Nah. Really all we need to do is interrupt the cultists that are trying to summon fucking Cthaaproq, the Great Annihilator, and then once the ritual is interrupted gently convince them that maybe there are other solutions to their problems than destroying the universe." She gestured at the map. "But we dunno where they are. So, big problem."

Synth-Metal kept nodding slowly. That did sound like a big problem. She squinted and put her hand to her forehead.

"Wait, Cthaaproq, that's the fuckin' uhhh, Void that Hates guy, yeah?"

The three looked at eachother, than at her.

"Yes? Why?" Asked Grindcore.

"Okay, one sec." Synth-Metal said, pulling out her phone.

She scrolled through her contacts, and Phoebe shrugged as Grindcore and Deep Funk looked to her for answers.

"Ugh, I swear I know this one. Let me ask the group chat."

"Group chat?" Deep Funk whispered.

"I'm as lost as you are." Said Phoebe.

"Oh my god right it was Dru thank you Professor Outrageous okay one sec-"

"Who is Dru?" Grindcore asked.

"She's in a group chat with Professor Outrageous? The robot dinosaur lady?" Deep Funk asked.

"I don't know?!" Phoebe said, putting her hands up exasperatedly.

Synth-Metal ignored them all, and put her phone to her ear.

"Hey, Dru? Yeah it's Megavolt-"

"Okay I know we all know but she really shouldn't just be talking about that openly."

"- I was- Oh what? When? Yeah of course we'll come holy shit congratulations!"

Phoebe tugged at her sleeve, and she covered the phone with her hand. "Dru and Janine are getting married, we're invited." She whispered.

Phoebe gestured at the map, anxious.

"Yeah I'm getting to it hold on- Dru? Yeah that's so great, do you have a minute? Okay, you know how you were in a cult for a while? That was a Cthaaproq thing, right? It was, great! Yeah, yeah that is why it's raining blood! Okay, if a cult was trying to summon him, where would they be doing it?"

Synth-Metal leaned over the map. "Uh huh. Yeah. Yeah just like a general area is fine." She took a pen and circled a segment about a block in diameter. Grindcore looked at it and started texting all the Guardians in the field to check it out. "Okay, you're a lifesaver Dru. Can't wait for the wedding."

Phoebe tugged at her sleeve again. "Ask her about the cultists." She said.

"Right, uh, how did you uh, stop being a cultist exactly? Like if we wanted to get the rest to chill out, how- Uh huh. Okay, what is progesterone?"

Deep Funk snorted.

"Oh. I don't really know where to- Uh huh. Uh huh. Yeah I don't know any goth girls that I could get to do that. Yeah, no, it- I'm more of a below-average-titty punk, and I don't know how to put makeup on other people. Dru, this all sounds really specific to you and Janine. Are you sure this is the move?"

"Wait, does she mean tattoo artist Janine?" Grindcore asked, and Synth-Metal pointed at her and nodded. "Holy shit I actually know her. Her girlfriend is a void cultist?"

"Okay thanks. Yeah, uh, we'll try it I guess? Okay bye. See you at the wedding, congrats again. Bye."

Synth-Metal put away her phone.

"So, she says that we essentially just need to get them help for depression and they'll probably stop trying to summon eldritch horrors. And she suggests that, if this is the same crew she used to hang with, gently directing them towards gender affirming care would probably have at least a 50% hit rate."

"The goth girl thing didn't sound like gently directing." Deep Funk snickered.

"This puts that time she tried to convince me I'd look cuter femme in an entirely new light." Said Grindcore.

"Okay, uh-" Phoebe said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Problem solved, I guess? But, why are you in a group chat with Professor Outrageous and a void cultist?"

"Former void cultist." Synth-Metal corrected her. "Did I never invite you to the villain chat?"

"No???"

"Really? Shit. I can't invite you now, we're not villains anymore."

"Why are you still in the villain group chat, Tara."

Synth-Metal shrugged. "They know I'm cool."

"Babe we could have been using this for intel this entire time."

"What? No. They trust me, I can't narc on them like that."

"I- Can you try to talk them into more constructive outlets for their feelings?"

She sighed. "That's like, not really the vibe of villain chat, hero."

"Babe you cannot be serious-"

[sunnyie-eve]

8 | An Accessory

Series: The Benefits 

Paring: Coriolanus Snow x OFC Plinth!

Word Count: 1.7k

Warnings: implied sex, mention of death

| MASTERLIST |

~

That question kept Aurelia up at night. The rest of the party was a success, and Coriolanus did everything right being the boy she once knew. A sudden knocking at her apartment front door startled her since it was super late at night. Getting up going to see was on the other side she was surprised to see Coriolanus standing there.

When she opened the door, revealing a disheveled Coriolanus, his blazer was discarded and still in the dress shirt he wore to the wedding shower/ birthday party with a few extra buttons loose, "Have you been drinking?" He stumbled past her to sprawl out on the couch.

Coriolanus pinched his thumb and pointer finger close together in response to her question "Be honest, do you really want to marry me?" Coriolanus's tone was soft and gentle.

Aurelia slowly made her way closer to the couch, "I don't know anymore... It used to be a yes then a no after the truth, but now... You confuse me Coriolanus. You're hardly the boy I knew and fell for. Most of the time you're the cold emotionless person, but will flip like a switch at times with me."

"I love you and I'm sorry."

"You're drunk." She sits in front of him on the carpet.

"So? I know I love you and I'm sorry for taking your brother way. I wasn't trying to get Sejanus killed on purpose, just in enough trouble to decenter myself from the situation. I cried after it happened wishing he had a different fate. I didn't really like him most of the time due our differences, but I also didn't wish harm to come to him. He was my only true friend I had other than you. He was your brother and I knew how much he meant to you so I became his friend. I remember when your family first moved here you told Sejanus who needs friends because we have each other. And you hated seeing others bully him." Coriolanus stumbled through his sentences.

"I'll get you a glass of water." Getting up from the floor to walk to the kitchen, Coriolanus took her hand in his to stop her.

"Don't leave. Just tell me you believe me. Please, I'm being vulnerable to you right now." He cries getting upset as he pours his heart out to her.

It's true, he's ever cried like this in front of her, "You said to never lie to each other once we got together so I believe you." She squeezes his hand, "I love you too Coryo." He slides off the couch to pull her onto his lap to place his lips onto hers and smiles into the kiss as she kisses him back.

-

Aurelia sat in a room by herself, in a wedding dress. This morning she was made to be woken up early seeing Coriolanus wasn't there anymore. For the past couple of days she oddly loved it when she would wake up with his arms wrapped around her, it made her feel something she hadn't in a very long time.

She was forced into a bright room with many cosmetic items around, they did her makeup and hair before putting her in a huge white dress with red detailing. Then they left and she was made to sit there until she was ordered otherwise, which she assumed would be soon, she would be correct.

"Look how beautiful you are. Honey, look at our little girl." Ma enters the room.

"Thank you, Ma." Aurelia hugs her mother then father.

"Are you ready?" Her father puts his arm out for her so she takes it while Ma leaves to go take a seat letting everyone know it's time.

As she walked out of the room and onto the long red carpet-lined aisle, she immediately regretted that thought. Her face was bombarded with camera flashes as she walked towards Coriolanus. He was standing with a small red rose in his hand to match the one he was wearing and as she approached he stepped forward ever slightly.

"For you my love," He whispered to her before placing the rose behind her ear.

He found her to be the most beautiful person he has and ever will lay eyes on for the rest of his life, standing there in white, his color, she was his. He smiled down at her and she flashed her unremovable grin at him. He took both her hands in his, stepping back, and staring into her eyes intently.

The officiant stepped up as more photos were taken he started by explaining what this wedding meant, a unity between the Capitol and the districts, a peace. They went on to say their vows, Coriolanus ever so charming, and her quite nervous, he made sure that wouldn't be the case though, as his warm, comforting gaze fell over her. They exchanged rings, both being white silver, his with red inlaying, and hers with a lovely bright red ruby in the middle. Soon she was in Coriolanus' arms being kissed by him, a deep loving one, one full of promises one that assured her that he would never leave, til' death do they part. They pulled apart the whole crowd screaming and then there she was, Mrs. Snow.

Coriolanus was quick to pull her away from all the excited reporters outside, and into a small room, "Why do cameras' flashes have to be so bright?" He laughs as she leaned against the wall, "Are you okay?" He asks worried about her.

"Yeah, don't worry. You just know I hate all the cameras." She gives him a tiny smile so he walks over picking her up to place her to sit on the table next to them.

"I know, at least you aren't ugly." He smiles making her laugh.

Soon they would be taken by their stylists stripped out of their more extravagant clothes and put into some toned-down clothes, still nice, but not too nice. When she walked out and saw Coriolanus he looked stunned as he stared at her, "What is it bad?" She'd asked him and he just chuckled before grabbing her hand and leading her to a huge dining hall for their dinner with all the important Capitol people she did not know the names of.

Over the whole extent of the dinner she sat next to Coriolanus, his hand on her thigh protectively, he spoke to various people many congratulating the both of them and also many talking to him about seemingly important things.

As the night went on she hated seeing how everyone treated her like an accessory an animal, Snow's girl. Whenever someone would talk to her it was just about Coriolanus, when are they gonna try for kids, the Capitol was lucky to have the two famous families get together.

As Aurelia sat there staring at her hands in her lap and she didn't notice Coriolanus trying to get her attention. "My love? Are you okay?" His voice was gentler than usual, concern seeping in as he placed a hand on her face, turning her to look at him. She came out of her thoughts when he did this smiling up at him, silent. "Sweetheart?"

"I'm done for the night. I'm ready to go home." She stared up into his icy eyes, he was standing above her and when she looked around there were very few people left, was she really out of it for that long? He dropped his hand from her face before taking her hand and helping her up.

"Let's home," He said to her dragging her by the hand out of the room in quick strides as they exited the building.

Soon they ended up back in their home, entering through the door Aurelia just stared at the room picturing her future with kids, who Coriolanus would spoil, seeing herself as this perfect wife and mother. Being an accessory for him. If he was to ever become President, she knew she would have to make a whole persona to fit in. Give in and finally be Capitol. Aurelia was now going to be the the main rose for Coriolanus.

"What's wrong love? You look bothered."

"My future is already set and planned out for me by everyone else since I'm married to you know. It was so obvious talking to people tonight. No one sees me as my own person with choices, but as if you own me." She walks towards their room.

"I don't own you. Just like me you are very stubborn." He follows her, "When I say your mine, I don't mean it like that."

"I don't care what you say or think about me! I care about them, Coriolanus!" She snaps, "Someone said you won both Plinth Prizes to me tonight. I'm not a prize."

"I understand you don't want people to see you in that way so you have to prove to them you're not. You're gonna rule your way to the very top with me. You're gonna idolize you one day trust me. We'll work together and get that." He walks up to her rubbing her shoulders, "Imagine the power we'll have together." He smiles running his hands down her arms, "Also you are no where near being a prize," He leans down placing a kiss on her lips, "You're so much more important and better than that." His lips move to her exposed neck.

"I hate you." Aurelia giggles grabbing his face to pull him in for a kiss, "Now prove to me how much you love your wife, Mr. Snow." She bites her bottom lip.

The look in her eyes drove him crazy. He crashed his lips onto her. It was forceful, ensuring she couldn't turn away. His tongue was already in her mouth before she could even register it. Coriolanus was in bliss. Her lips were soft, molding perfectly to his. She moaned into his mouth, and it made his body heat up all the same. Coriolanus couldn't get enough of her.

They didn't break their kiss once while undressing each other. Aurelia's mind was so foggy and runny a muck she had no control over her body. When he finally detached his lips from hers, the both of them panting, Coriolanus wrapped an arm around Aurelia's bare waist tossing them onto the bed.

A prideful smirk overtook Coriolanus's face. He moved getting a hold of her wrists in one hand, dragging them down over her belly, and placed himself between her legs, "Mrs. Snow, you have no idea how much I've been waiting for this."

"Then don't disappoint me."

[hinatastinygiant]

7 | Taurus

Pairing: Kita x Fem!Reader

What's Meant to Be Masterlist

That Sunday, the air feels heavy with anticipation as you make your way to the club. Usually you feel comfortable walking to work alone, but this evening., the streets seem a little bit scarier than usual.

Your nerves are on edge, and it's all you can do to keep moving forward. After Friday night with that client, you've become more cautious.

As you're about to cross the street, you hear a voice calling your name. Your eyes dart in its direction, and you spot Sayuri waving her hand.

"Hey," she smiles, walking over to you. "What are you doing here? You're usually not this early."

"Takao said he wanted to talk to me," you explain, not bothering to mention that you also got a new job at the cafe.

"Oh, okay," she nods.

"Why are you here so early?" you then ask.

"Look at me, Y/N, I basically just rolled out of bed. I need to do my hair, makeup, and put on my outfit before my shift starts. So I came early," she shrugs.

"Right," you say, nodding your head. "I guess I should probably do the same. See you inside."

"Yeah, see you."

When you step through the doors, the music is blaring and there's already a good amount of customers inside. You walk over to the manager's suite and knock on the door.

"Come in," a voice calls out.

"Hey," you greet him as you step into the room.

"Ah, Y/N, just the girl I was looking for," he says with a small smile. "I wanted to talk to you about the other night," he begins, his tone serious as he gestures for you to take a seat.

"I'm sorry, sir, I-"

"You have nothing to apologize for," he shakes his head. "In fact, I should be the one apologizing. I was the one who booked you, and I was the one who was supposed to watch over the clients. So, I am sorry, Y/N."

"Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me."

"I shouldn't have had you go off with that guy. It wasn't my intention to put you in that spot," he admits, his voice soft.

"It's okay, sir," you nod. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get ready for my shift."

"Of course, I'll leave you to it. If anything else happens, please, come to me first," he says.

"Yes, sir," you nod. "I will."

Just as you reach the doorknob, he calls out to you once more. "Oh, I almost forgot. I banned the client. He won't be allowed back."

"Thank you," you smile, before leaving the room.

As you make your way to the dressing rooms, Sayuri comes up to you again.

"Hey, how'd it go with Takao?" she asks you.

"It was good. He just wanted to check in."

"He did? That's good," she replies. "God, I swear you're like his favoritest person ever. He never talks to me about anything."

"Sorry," you shrug, trying to play it cool.

"No, it's okay. Honestly, as long as I'm not in trouble with him, I don't really care."

"I get that," you nod. "Well, I'm going to go change and get ready for tonight."

"Alright, see ya," she smiles.

As you walk away, you can't help but feel a sense of relief. You're glad Takao isn't upset with you, and even more grateful that the guy won't be coming back.

KITA'S P.O.V.

Sunday night I find myself at Atsumu's house, surrounded by the familiar laughter of my friends. Some of the guys are engrossed in a competitive game, their shouts and cheers echoing through the small space. Suna and I take charge of ordering pizza, making sure that everyone's preferences are taken into account because if not, we both know that there's going to be hell to pay.

After receiving the pizzas from the delivery man, we return to the room. Atsumu hands each of us a cold beer, the condensation beading on the bottles as he grins in satisfaction.

"This is the life," he chuckles. "No one else in the world can beat me."

Apparently, he had won the last round of whatever game they were just playing.

"Yeah, right," Osamu rolls his eyes, "you just got lucky. Don't get cocky."

As we settle back into the comfort of the couch, the topic of conversation drifts to the upcoming wedding. "So, anyone bringing a date to the wedding?" Atsumu asks, his gaze sweeping across the group.

"I am," Aran speaks up.

"Same here," Omimi adds.

"Are you?" Suna then asks Atsumu, raising an eyebrow.

"I might," he grins, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Really?" Suna scoffs. "Like who?"

"Like, you know," Atsumu says, lowering his voice. "Someone I met the other day."

"That's specific," Aran snorts.

"Hey, if I tell ya, it ruins the fun, ya know?"

"Jesus, Tsumu, didn't I tell you not to mess around with her?" Osamu sighs, shaking his head.

"Wait, is he talking about Y/N?" Aran asks.

"You can't invite her to the wedding, Tsumu," Omimi cuts in.

"Yeah, why not?" he asks, causing the whole group to look over at me.

"Uh, because..." Omimi trails off, not sure what to say.

"Because Kita likes her, idiot," Suna sighs.

"I do not," I roll my eyes.

"Do too," Osamu mutters under his breath.

"Why not ask her, Kita?" Aran then asks, looking over at me.

"Well, because..."

"It's not like he's her type, anyway," Atsumu smirks.

"How the hell would you know?" I glare at him.

"I'm just saying," he shrugs. "You never dated back when you were close."

"Look, I know it's up to you," Aran chimes in, "but if you like her, you should ask her."

"That's pretty serious, though, don't you think?" Suna chimes in.

"So what if it is?" Aran questions. "We're all adults, aren't we? Besides, it's not like they just met."

"True, and," Osamu pauses, shooting his brother a look, "if you bring her then Atsumu can't."

"Aw, come on, Samu," Atsumu whines.

"I agree," Omimi nods. "I think Kita should ask her."

"Alright, fine, I'll ask her," I finally give in.

"Nice!" Aran cheers.

"Thanks, Kita," Osamu chuckles.

"Whatever," I mutter, shaking my head. I still don't think I'll have the nerve to actually ask her, but the guys are relentless. We'll see how it goes.

What's Meant to Be Masterlist

[dontforgetoctober3rd]

Watching Lola (2024) dir. by Nicola Peltz Beckham

here are my thoughts as I watched:

-ok, so the monotone narrating isn't doing this movie any favors but the cinematography looks interesting, music choice (somber sounding strings) is alright too

-ok I'm two and a half minutes into the movie and 90 percent of it has been closeups of Lola's face? Girl, let us see the environment! What's important to Lola, what does her room look like how does she start her day?

-the character goes to bed...with makeup on? um okay

-her bro says "five more minutes" as she tries to wake him. I kid you not

-hmm so the initial interaction with her family tells me nothing about Lola other than she cares about her brother. It doesn't tell me that she hates her mom or her boyfriend (she didn't say a word to them before leaving)

-aaaaand we're back to closeups of her face

-girl where is your dialogue? Ten minutes into this movie and maybe 2 minutes tops of total dialogue has been spoken

-Ok, since I'm ten minutes in I really think these closeups of faces as opposed to seeing the characters in their environment are gonna be a problem. Also, if I hadn't already read the synopsis I wouldn't know what her main struggle was. Is it a monotonous life in a nowhere town? Which would honestly be a totally valid storyline, plenty of interesting characters want more interesting lives than the ones they have.

-aaaaaan another another scene with closeups of characters faces

-these actresses portraying the mom and the church lady so far are the highlight of the movie

-ok lola and Arlo are putting makeup on, the mom actress is really hitting it out of the park not just in super emotional scenes but in calm scenes as well you can really feel her anxiety

-Scene of Lola putting Arlo to bed. ok, she really needs to speak at least at a volume 50 instead of 20 why is she murmuring and whispering?

-GIRL please talk louder

-GIRL ENOUGH WITH THE FACE CLOSEUPS PLZ

-Lola is sitting with her boyfriend(?) and talking, she sounds very bored. Also, the scenes so far feel very jumbled together, what movie am I watching? I still wouldn't know what the main storyline is if I hadn't read summaries of the movie

-Girl, Nicola, please get some acting classes or some more training I'm begging you. Don't use the fact you're rich and everyones being mean to you about it as some sort of cross to bear that is not an excuse to half ass this! Look at Emerald Fennell look at the Mara sisters look at Bryce Dallas Howard they got acting chops please you got the resources now PUT THEM TO USE GIRL

-I just realized I don't know her friend's name???? Did I miss it? What is her friend's name?

-I feel like there's not enough movement in the shots of this movie? Its adding to the boredom

-We don't need another closeup of Lola's immaculately made up face GAWD PLZ

-that scene with her mom demanding her son back should have been longer I think

-holy shit I wasn't seeing things this character really sleeps in her makeup asdfghjkl

-look, far be it from me to say how a scene should go after a character has just been raped but I think the scene should have been a tad different than ANOTHER EFFING CLOSEUP OF HER FACE

-she woke up the next day and I kid you not she has MAKEUP again like sure a character can be beautiful with flawless skin blah blah but I highly doubt a character who has just been raped would be waking up from sleep with FLAWLESS smokey eyes (think the kind of smokey eye you would wear to a wedding or the club)

-the characters aren't connecting with each other very well. I'm not finding myself going aww what a good friendship they have or what have you

-oh damn her brother just died and what do we get? ANOTHER FACE CLOSEUP and her character not saying anything when the mom comes to berate her. ok and then after the mom leaves we get a whole two minutes (I counted) of her looking prettily anguished and artfully dropping a couple of tears then she goes on a bender and the focus REMAINS on her face...why

-let me get this straight. Lola is at rock bottom, puking and whatnot and somehow still has flawless makeup. alright

-i'm so sick of these face shotsssss please please please stop

-ah yes, trauma can totally be overcome just by sheer willpower and leaving your town (you know what they say, wherever you go there you are)

aaand the movie is over.

I give it a 2/10.

It could have been a great concept in better hands. Nicola wrote, directed and starred in this so imo maybe that's why the film turned out the way it did because more than likely she wasn't receptive to creative ideas and criticism during the writing the filming (or even during editing) stage, some of those ideas could have made the film better? idk but the film didn't suck because she's a billionaire's daughter, the film sucked because (in my opinion) it was a poorly directed checklist of cliches where the main focus seemed to be showing how pretty Lola was. (I'm NOT joking about those face closeups, they're like 75 percent of the freaking movie it feels like)

[tea-with-evan-and-me]

Part 8: The Wedding

"You look absolutely stunning" I say to Julie with tears in my eyes.

She hugs me "Thank you for being here by my side through all of this." She says softly.

"You and Tom are like family to me. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the whole world right now"

Julie's dad comes in the room. He starts crying and hugs Julie "my baby girl" he says. They stay behind as the ladies go find the men in the hallway that leads to the room the ceremony will take place in.

The guys are already standing there. Evan turns around and a smile lights up his face. We didn't get to stay with each other last night and it's like Christmas for us both. Oh, the honeymoon phase.

He breaks away from the group and comes up to me "Hi Beautiful" he says and rubs his hand on my shoulder. "You're so soft" he kisses it.

"How's it goin' handsome?" I say to him and smile.

"I don't want to smear your makeup" so he plants a light, soft kiss on my lips. I smile.

"Places everyone!" The wedding coordinator is wearing a headset on her head and she looks like she isn't gonna take shit from anyone. I'm suddenly so excited I get to walk on Evans arm.

Suddenly, I'm knocked into and I'm falling. Evan reacts instantly and catches me. I hear "oops, my bad" and look behind me to see Heather smirking. Even though she is wearing the same dress as the rest of us, she looks slutty. It's just her natural state I guess. I roll my eyes. "That all you got, honey? You don't have Evan so I guess you have nothing exciting in your life" Evan smirks and pats my hand as if to say "children, please"

We walk down the aisle and separate at the arch. Tom nods at me and shakes Evan's hand. The party files in one by one. When Julie walks down the aisle, Tom starts crying. It makes us all a bit puddly. Throughout the ceremony Evan and I peek around everyone. He winks at me. I smile. Finally, they pronounce husband and wife and Julie and Tom are now married. We all cheer and clap. We file out and when we get into the hallway Evan kisses me on the forehead.

When we take pictures we are all joking and having a good time. Evan and I get a photo as well as all the other wedding party couples.

After we are introduced into the reception, we eat and sit through speeches. Tom and Julie dance and then they invite the wedding party out. We stand and Evan puts his hand out to me and leads me to the dance floor. He takes me in his arms and takes the lead. He leans to my ear "I can't wait to get you home later"

I smirk "I have plans for you already" I say coyly

I can feel his heart beat speed up

The song is almost over and he speaks again. "Can I talk to you about something?" He sounds serious.

"Is everything alright?" I ask with concern in my eyes

He nods "I just have been wanting to tell you something for awhile now."

We go sit out in the lobby on a couch where it's quiet. He starts.

" I just want to tell you something. I have been very hurt in the past. A long relationship went south and we were engaged. And I have been a little guarded since."

"You don't seem that guarded with me, though."

"There's just something about you that's different. But, lately I have just been feeling a little...like, scared. And not showing it. I'm just afraid it's going to grow and fester. Are we moving too fast?"

"Do you think we are? If you need space, it's ok..."

"I think I'm afraid because I feel so different with you and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"Is there more to this story that you're holding back?" I ask

"Yeah." He's silent. "I was not treated well by my ex. It was a bit..abusive in some ways. My self esteem was crushed. Kinda soul crushing a bit. I just feel like I need to know what love actually is supposed to feel like again. I don't know. I'm just feeling a lot of different emotions."

"Well, first of all, thank you for sharing this with me. It means a lot. Second, I have said this before but it bears repeating that this is a safe space. You are so, so safe with me, sweetheart." He closes his eyes and I touch his face.

"I need to be showed that as well. My ex was good at talking and reeling in, but not following through with her supposed good intentions" he says

"I will move mountains to show you. I am here for whatever you need from me. Let me help you. Let me love you like you deserve to be loved. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I will do anything it takes to make you believe and feel that"

"I felt like I could tell you this. I felt like it would do me good to tell you what I need"

"I want you to tell me what you need from me, always. It does not ever matter what it is. The only thing that matters to me is that you feel loved and satisfied and happy. Your body and your sweet soul."

He kisses me hard. His tongue finding mine. I pull away and ask "ready to go home with me, my sweet love?

He nods yes and kisses me one more time.

😭😭

[thelittlestspider]

🧠 🤲 !!

🧠 Pick a character, and I'll tell you my favorite headcanon for them.

(i couldn't pick just one, so here's a few)

peter

- peter plays games like online solitaire, chess, sudoku.

- he goes on wikipedia, hits random and reads whatever articles pop up. he can sit there reading for hours.

- his comfort movie is legally blonde.

- he has a memorial tattoo for gwen.

ash

- this is more of a crack headcanon turned beloved, but i love the thought of him being an estranged member of the addams family. or morticia's family the frumps. i think in this one ash's mom was a frump.

wade

- wade loves parties. going to them, throwing them, it doesn't matter.

- wade loves pop music. britney spears, abba. he also loves charlie's angels.

(wade is britney coded and ash is lana coded. which are really funny energies to put together lol)

🤲 Would you please share a snippet of a wip?

this is a scene from these hungry streets i haven't really had time to write yet, but it's peter/ash with hints of their sun/moon imagery.

peter sits up on the edge of a building, tired and discouraged. he's been swinging around for what feels like forever in the hopes of finding ash walking around in the early hours like before.

in his absorption with his thoughts, he almost misses her. but williams luck cancels out parker luck and he sees ash walking down the sidewalk below, dressed in a white wedding dress and veil, long legs eating up the pavement in graceful strides despite the high heels she's wearing.

she stops under a streetlamp to fish a cigarette and a lighter out of her garter pocket, lights up, and takes a drag, her face tilted up, eyes closed. peter's throat dries. she's so fucking beautiful. like some horrible angel made in a lab specifically to torment him.

peter's climbing down before he even realizes he's moved, jumping to the top of the streetlamp and gliding down it from a web upside down. ash hasn't seen him yet.

"what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" ash immediately whirls around and punches him with her metal hand, quick as lightning, but peter's faster and catches her hand. "hey hey, it's just me, angel."

ash frowns, brows drawn together in anger.

"don't fucking scare me like that, you asshole," ash says. "what the hell are you doing here, anyway?"

"i was looking for you," replies peter, jumping down from the web strand. he moves closer to ash, hoping she isn't going to sock him again. ash just looks at him with those big dark eyes, made even bigger with the liner and mascara. her makeup glitters in the light, shimmering every time she moves, making her face look luminous. peter is entranced.

"why?"

"because i wanted to see you." it comes out more earnest than he'd meant, and peter cringes inwardly. might as well go for broke. "and to beg you to take me back."

"peter..."

"no wait, just listen to me," peter reaches for ash, pulling her closer. ash goes, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. peter almost gives in to the weak feeling inside him that wants to just sink into her, but fights it back so he can say his piece. "i love you, and i'm sorry--"

"peter, i love you too." peter's heart skips a beat. "but you have severe emotional problems and you need help." peter pulls back to look at her incredulously. ash rolls her eyes. "yeah i know. that's rich coming from miss mental illness america. but pete the way we're going isn't healthy. we almost ended up holding hands on the metaphorical train tracks."

"look, i'll give you anything, tell you whatever you wanna know, just don't disappear again."

"i can't promise that. but i'll try to leave a note if i do."

peter sighs in relief. "that's all i ask."

they stand there under the street light for a moment, embracing each other. ash pulls back with a tentative smile.

"do you wanna go to a party with me?" asks ash. peter's eyes widen in surprise at the sudden change in subject.

"a party?"

"yeah, that's where i was going when you scared the shit out of me. mystery inc. throws them every year."

peter gasps. "you know mystery inc.?"

"yeah, we help each other out sometimes." ash pulls out of peter's arms and tugs his hand in the direction he assumes the mystery gang's place is. "i didn't know you were a mystery inc. fan."

"i have all their books," replies peter, embarrassed. ash laughs.

[aitatedition]

AITA for not deciding my wedding around my sister's pregnancy?

I (25F) have a sister (28F), and let's call her Ella.

Ella and I have always been close growing up, despite her being 3 years older. We were best friends, and it was a no-brainer when she asked me to be her MOH at her wedding 2 years ago. She was also supposed to be my MOH at my wedding.

Ella is currently 5 months pregnant. She had a rough first trimester, throwing up 3-4 times a day, always tired. Some days, she couldn't get out of bed, literally. She had also found out early when she was a month into it because her symptoms were so bad.

Her and I live close to each other, and since her husband travels a lot for work, I have stayed with her a lot since I work remotely.

My fiancé and I had originally set the date for July, 2 months ago. However, seeing how sick she was, I, along with my entire family, were getting worried, and so after my fiancé and I discussed it, we decided to reschedule the wedding until after she had passed her first trimester (per her doctor, she was supposed to get better.)

I need to add that no one asked this of us, but I felt it was needed because I want everyone to be happy and healthy on my big day.

And thank god, she did get better. Her skin is back to looking healthy. She's eating normally, going out and back to herself.

Seeing this, my fiancé and I talked about our wedding again. I had always wanted a summer wedding on the beach, but I didn't want to wait a full year, and seeing winter wedding pictures was slowly growing on me. And so, we decided on a December wedding.

The invitations were finalized last week with the date and were all sent a couple of days ago (yes, it's early but my man and I all have big families/big group of friends and colleagues, we need the RSVPS early) Yesterday, I got an angry phone call from my sister asking how can I do something like this to her.

I was honestly confused and told her as much, and she went on to rant about how inconsiderate I was to not wait until my nephew is born, that her being MOH and 8 months pregnant is going to be hard and that she has already been through hell.

I calmly explained to her that while yes, she is MOH, I don't expect her to go above and beyond. My best friend and her had already planned a girls night back when my wedding was in July, so we're just going with that again (everything is already bought and my best friend will set it up)

I told her that my man and I have also re-booked everything ourselves (flowers, venue and catering are going to be done by our friends who have their own shops and companies) and that I'll pay to have her dress resized to accommodate her bump. I'm even taking care of hair and makeup for all my wedding party, a sort of pamper session where we'll all get ready together and take pictures.

All she's required to do is show up.

She's having none of it and is demanding we reschedule it again until next summer. I put my foot down and gave her a flat out no. That was all yesterday, and she's been radio silent.

My parents called me and asked me to reconsider, sayint that I know she's emotional and hormonal, I told them that's not an excuse for her to act like a bitch.

Her husband doesn't have a stance on this, I don't think, because he hasn't talked to either my fiancé or myself yet, I don't even think he's back in the country.

[sleeepwalllking]

then one where I was at another wedding, and was on the beach with a bunch of friends waiting for things to start, and I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror and didn't recognize myself at all.. I looked kinda like kvd with gray color contacts and black hair with a blonde streak in it, that was in a side half up messy bun that was starting to fall out. I SHOULD HAVE LINGERED HERE LONGER AND REALIZED IT WAS A DREAM. But I was like wow that blowout and makeup I had done before the wedding really changed my appearance.. I don't even recognize myself! Ha. So I come back and the bride is wearing normal clothes and was like let's go get a drink and some food. I was like whoa that was fast, did I miss the wedding?? She never directly answered that question. Next thing I know we're getting drinks and food and walking through lobbies and talking about life and then we're in a hot tub, and I'm eating in the hot tub but some of the food is falling into the water. There was a cute guy cleaning the nearby pool and this other dude who I guess we were friends with was coming up to us but stopped to say to the pool guy something about him being a great little man. The pool guy was like First of all don't call me a little man, this is my first day on the job and I'm trying to get work done I don't need you coming around trying to start stuff. Me and the girl kinda turned away and said about the guy friend like damn he really is an asshole. Next thing I know the hot tub is draining and as the last of the water drained it revealed a growing pile of pieces of food that I had dropped - pieces of vegan egg scramble and sourdough french toast. I was shocked that so much had dropped since I felt like I had only actually eaten a few bites, and didn't remember so much falling in. I knew it was absolutely disgusting as it had been sitting in hot tub water and now was sitting on the empty hot tub floor but.. it looked SO GOOD. I was hungry and the colors and presentation of these food scraps were so VIVID it looked better than anytime I have seen these foods in real life. I put them on a plate and prepared myself to resist temptation and throw them away, but as me and the girl were approaching the trash can, I caved and took a big bite of the french toast. Okay, one more bite.. I took another bite. ONE MORE BITE. I took another bite then hurled the plate into the trash. The girl looked HORRIFIED. But the french toast was so good