#( v possibly a hor knee one too )

[clochanamarch]

but what if this was a shipping call? huh? what then? what if you liked this post in a cool, casual way, and we could poke at the concept of a romance between our muses? and if it doesn't pan out, no biggie. what then? huh? what. then?

[thatesqcrush]

After Hours, Pt. 2 - A Blissful New Year

**

Bryan Kneef x Reader. Conclusion (but not really, lets be real) to After Hours.  AN: NSFW (shocking) for loads of smut and language. AN 2/warning: Anal play requires a lot of prep - please don’t shove plugs without thorough prep and lube - lots and lots of lube as the anus doesn’t produce lubricant. So don’t do what Bryan does. No bueno. But it’s fanfic and I am suspending reality for this self-indulgent fic.

Prior parts: “The Trip” “The Trip, Pt. 2.

AN 3: Happy 2021 friends, may this new year bring you all that you wish for. Let’s say peace out to this dumpster fire of 2020. My last piece for holiday bingo - a very loose interpretation of “gift wrapping.” But again, it’s my bingo so whatevs, ha.

WC (for those who care): 2.8K

**

It was New Year’s Eve. The normally bustling city was quiet, with just a few stragglers securing what was needed to ring in the New Year. Knowing what was going to occur later that evening, you had called a few friends and secured some favors. You spent the entire day primping and pampering. You had a full face of makeup on, more heavy than you usually went for, complete with false lashes and a bold red matte lipstick, as if muddled blackberries were smeared on your lips. Your hair was swept up, with a crown braid to finish the look. Your dress, thanks to Rent the Runway, was a Badgley Mischka gold sequin dress with a v-neckline and ruched waist. It was also dangerously short sans heels and the champagne stilettos you wore, made it even shorter.

Before you left, you downed a shot of Reyka vodka – a gift from a client after you won their case. It went down smoothly – almost too smoothly. You decided to down one more shot to settle your nerves as you waited for your Uber to arrive.

**

Not to be outdone with the elegant Christmas party a week earlier, STR Laurie also hosted a very opulent and lavish New Year’s Eve party. This time it was located at one of the ballrooms at Navy Pier. The ballroom capitalized on timeless architecture and the beauty of Chicago with brick structure and a sweeping dome ceiling which boasted a warm and rustic feel, while being fresh with polished floors and modern amenities. It sat directly on the lakefront with expansive, panoramic, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the skyline. Crystals, crème roses, white lilies, and purple statice hung off the wrought iron chandeliers.

All of STR Laurie and Reddick Boseman were there, with their significant others or dates. Mixing in were the highest echelon of clients the firm wanted to impress or court to pad their billing revenue. Food and drink were abounding in obscene excess, with both an open spread of everything you could possibly imagine along with butler service carrying hors d’oeuvres and champagne. There was a quartet playing jazz.

You plucked a champagne flute off a serving tray and made your way around, greeting colleagues and guests alike. You scanned the room for Bryan but he was nowhere around. You continued to mill about, enjoying the passing time. Every once in awhile you would try to discreetly scan the room to see if he had arrived.

The clock inched forward, closer to midnight. You walked to the one of the windows, with yet another glass of champagne in hand. The windows stretched from floor to ceiling. The moonlight beamed off Lake Michigan, creating an ethereal effect over the city. You overheard from someone passing by that it was thirty minutes to midnight.

You took out your phone, feeling defeated. You were focused on your phone, arranging for an Uber home but you knew Bryan was behind you.

The cologne gave him away. You knew that smell from anywhere. You had been up close with that scent in many ways – from being under Bryan, over Bryan, sitting next to him, to name a few ways.

The tactile sensuality of rich black leather, patchouli and vetiver of his cologne enveloped you like a second skin. Layers of amber emanated off the heat of his skin. It was addicting and intoxicating. You looked up and Bryan’s reflection in the windowpane confirmed that it was in fact him. You spun around and slipped your phone in your clutch.

“Bryan.” You greeted coolly. “I was just about to leave.”

Bryan’s arms were around his back. Your breath caught in your throat as your drunk him in; he looked debonair in his tuxedo. His salt and pepper hair was perfectly coiffed and his beard was neatly trimmed.

“Hey gorgeous. Didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” Bryan replied with the tiniest of shrugs as if he did not even care that he had kept you waiting. You suspected he actually did not.

“I had to pick up something for you.” He continued.

You cocked your brow and crossed your arms, which happened to push your breasts up. “For me?”

Bryan’s gaze darkened. “Consider it a belated Christmas gift. Had to make sure it was wrapped perfectly.” And with that, he brought his arms around, lifting a small, gilded box with an impossibly perfect handtied bow.

You took a step forward and took the box from him. Your eyes met his and he nodded, waving to fingers as confirmation that you should open it. You felt bad undoing such a perfect bow, but you were curious as to what it was. The elegant red ribbon fluttered to the ground, landing in a small heap by your feet. You lifted the top of the box and felt your cunt kick at the gift.

It was a butt plug and a small, nearly pocket sized bullet. Your fingertips traced over the butt plug – it was cold as it was made out of glass. The plug was deep red in color and the flared base ended with a marbled rose. It almost looked like a piece of art. A shiver went through your spine.

You looked up at Bryan once more; the look on his face was criminal. “It’s almost midnight.” You replied softly.

“Then we should find someplace where we can be alone then, hmmm?” Bryan replied.

You closed the box and offered your hand. “Lead the way.”

***

You were curious as to where Bryan was leading you. You followed him dutifully as he tugged on random doors by the ballroom you were in. Finally Bryan found an open door and he stuck his head in. He opened the door, holding it for you. “M’lady.”

“You sir are the furthest thing from honorable.” You snorted walking in, but not before thrusting the gift box into his chest.

Bryan made sure the door was locked after he closed it behind him. He caught up with you in a few paces and reached for wrist, stopping you in place. He pulled you close to him and captured your lips with his. The kiss was frenzied as you each grabbed handfuls of each other’s bodies, unable to decided where to touch first, wanting to touch every part of each other at once. His hands made way to your ass, grabbing the flesh before delivering a hard spank to it. You let out a moan as he reached around to the backs of your thighs, lifting you up in his arms. You wrapped your legs around his waist as he walked to the back of the ballroom to the window.

The muffled sound of the party was in the background, but you did not care about that one bit as his lips locked onto the slope of your neck sucking another bruise. You let out a mewl of pleasure as his hands slid up your waist to the top of your dress, kneading and massaging your breast through your dress. He then pushed the neckline of your dress aside on each side, freeing your tits from its confines. Bryan’s mouth latched onto a nipple and you arched in his embrace. Your pert nipples endured licks from his tongue and then harder suckles from his warm mouth. Your pussy flooded with desire and it was safe to say that you were obscenely wet from Bryan’s actions, and he had only just begun.

You tugged on his dark hair, dragging his mouth from your breasts to your mouth, kissing him once more. Your tongues rolled over another’s until Bryan took control of the kiss, using his tongue to fuck your mouth.

Your palm slid down the front of his pants, stroking his clothed erection. “Please, fuck me.” You unabashedly begged. Bryan chuckled darkly as he spun you around and pressed you against the window. It was the same view as in the other ballroom and your mind was spinning as you came to terms of being fucked in front of all of Chicago in some sense.

Bryan pressed himself against you, rutting his cock against you, practically humping you in a futile attempt to give himself some relief from his own ache, which was throbbing against the seam of his zipper. You pushed back, desperate for more. Bryan flipped up the back of your dress, running his hands over the slope of your ass and used the tip of his shoe to spread your legs apart. He dropped to his knees and hooked his fingers on the flimsy straps of your lace thong, bringing it all the way to your ankles. He tapped your ankle and then the other, and you stepped out carefully. Bryan made sure your heels didn’t get caught and then once they were off, he took your thong – already ruined – and took a deep inhalation. Bryan growled and shoved your thong into his pocket. “I’ll be keeping these.” Bryan rumbled. “I’ll use them for the next time I jerk off.”

You shivered once more at his filthy words. “After me, you’ll never need to jerk off. My pussy belongs to you daddy. You can use me however you want, whenever you want.” You panted, wriggling your hips once more.

“Is that so?” Bryan asked, his voice delighted. “My personal fuck toy?”

“Yes.” You confirmed. “Yours.”

You gasped as you felt his beard scratch against the backs of your thighs, his tongue running an unhurried stripe from your clit up to your ass. Bryan’s palms were splayed out on your cheeks, spreading them wider. He used his fingers to part the lips of your hot cunt and buried his tongue, eating you as if he were a man having his last meal.  

You let out a cry of pleasure, grasping desperately at the window, your nails scraping. Bryan shook his head, lapping and flicking his tongue against your pussy, which was dripping. Your thighs were a mess of his saliva and your juices. He snaked his fingers and found your clit, rubbing haphazard circles on your swollen flesh. You rocked against him, desperate for more, desperate to be filled. Bryan gathered some of your juices on to the tips of his fingers, teasing your asshole. “This ass is going to look so good with your gift.” Bryan murmured. He removed his hands and you heard him open the box and then drop it back to the ground. Bryan snorted and then hocked a wad of spit into his hand in order to use it as lubricant. You felt the tip of the plug at your entrance and then Bryan sunk the plug inside of you as he sunk two fingers into your pussy. He let out his own groan of satisfaction at how easily they sunk in. You let out a wrecked moan, feeling the pressure of the plug give way to fullness.

You let out a groan, tipping your head back. Bryan let out a satisfied whistle and then stood. “Stay still.”

“Okay.” You managed to choke out, your voice was heady, filled with want. “I feel… so full.”

Bryan undid his cummerbund and then undid his fly, pushing his pants and boxers down in one movement. One hand gripped your hip, the other was on his cock, giving it a few strokes. He rubbed the tip of his cock against you slit, slicking his cock with your wetness. You recalled how he did that prior – and just that – before releasing into your panties and you wriggled back again, desperate.

Bryan paused and you tensed.

“What? Is there so—” You asked but you were cut off by the sound of buzzing in the room. You realized that Bryan had turned on the bullet. Bryan lined his cock with your entrance, you could feel the buzzing along the side of your hip. He dragged the head of his cock up and down your cunt, gathering your essence, then pushed the crown into you. Finally, with a snap of his hips, Bryan sunk into you, his cock hitting your cervix.  You groaned as he stretched you with his monstrously sized cock. You felt wonderfully full; there was a slight burn mixed with pleasure.

Your eyelids fluttered closed and you moaned loudly as his other arm, the one with the bullet in his hand, wrapped around and down you, settling on your clit.

He started to fuck you hard and fast. He was relentless, pounding you deeply; you were certain you would feel it the next day. You felt yourself clench around him, your orgasm building furiously. Keeping his one hand on your clit, he used his other to sink his fingers into your updo and tug hard. You cried out at the edge of pain and your cunt clenched around his cock.

“Oh God, Bryan - I think I am going to —" the words were caught in your throat.

“That’s it kitten. Cum on this cock, cream for daddy.” Bryan grunted, as he pounded your pussy deep and hard. Beads of sweat dropped off his forehead. You came hard, wailing his name and as the tendrils of your orgasm washed over you, you were distantly aware of fireworks going off in front of you.

“Yes!” Bryan hissed. “Fuck, fuck!” His hips quickened and you knew he was going to cum soon. Bryan thrusted harder and faster, in and out of your pussy. The pressure of the bullet on your clit deepened and his other hand pressed into your hips so much so that you were certain there would be bruises.

“Oh shit, I am going to cum Y/N. Take that cum!” Bryan growled as he stiffened, releasing into you. You could feel his cock pulsing inside of you. Bryan gnashed his teeth together, letting out a sound akin to something animalistic and primal as if he was marking you as his. You could feel some of Bryan’s come drip out despite still being connected and that trigged another orgasm and you cried out again.

Bryan pulled out of you and you barely had a second to come back down when his mouth was on your pussy again, lapping the mix of your release and his. The bullet was tossed to the side, no longer needed. He stood up and jerked your chin and pressed a hard, deep kiss into his mouth. Bryan pushed the mixture of your and his release into your mouth and you groaned in pleasure, taking delight in the filthy kiss.

He broke the kiss briefly to command you to swallow and you did.

You went to kiss him again but missed as Bryan sunk back down on his knees, resuming his oral fixations on your cunt. You ran your hands through his dark hair as he propped a heeled leg onto his shoulder. “I want one more – I want the big one.” Bryan sunk two fingers into you and crooked them in a come hither motion, stroking against your g-spot. You felt the familiar pressure surge and you cried out as you began to squirt. He rubbed your clit with his whole palm, not caring that he got soaked in the process.

“Fuck Bryan, oh God, oh fuck!” You shouted, with the last word’s syllables being stretched out.

You stood there panting, a complete and utter mess.

Bryan slowly pulled out, gently putting your leg down. Bryan stood and fixed himself. He pulled you close to him and kissed you softly. You wrapped your arms around him and leaned into the kiss. You felt his hand trace the curve of your ass and then reach into your cheeks and pull out the plug.

You broke the kiss, shuddering. Bryan reached into his pocket and pulled out your panties and then wrapped the plug in it. You bent to pick up the bullet and handed it to him and that was further wrapped with the plug. Bryan shoved all three items back into his pocket.

“Should we go back to the party?” You asked as you both walked back out, your voice hoarse from all the orgasms that Bryan ripped out of you. You both could hear Auld Lang Syne being sung from the ballroom inhabited by all of STR Laurie.

Bryan scoffed. “Fuck no – lets go finish this party at my place.”

“Sounds perfect.” You replied. “Lets go.”

“My car is out front.” Bryan replied. He wrapped his arm around your waist as you made your way back out to the cold Chicago air. Fireworks continued to go off above as you and him drove off into the night to continue the celebration.

FIN.

--

Tags: @madpanda75  @tropes-and-tales @delia26 @mgarner1227 @beardedmccoy @youreverycolor @neely1177 @the-baby-bookworm @mrsrafaelbarba @skittle479 @ottosuricato @sass-and-suspenders @mommakat32 @dreila03  @beccabarba @garturbo​ @lovebennycolonmiguelgalindo​ @imjustreallynosy​ @sweetsummertime99​ @whyissvuruiningmylovelife​ @annabelleb49​ @scarletsoldierrr​ @cesarofangirl78​ @redlipstickandplaid​ @redlipstickandblacktea​ @zoeykaytesmom​ @differentshadesofgray​ @misssirenlove​ @esparza-army​ @bananas-pajamas​ @mishaissocoolike @thefanficfaerie​ @theenchantedgalleryofstories​ @catnip987 @choppedgalaxynerd @pieceofshittytitty​ @ktiz90​ @evee87​ @itsjustmyfantasyroom​ @detective-giggles​ @rampantmuses​ @jazzyjoi​ @caked-crusader​ @rachelxwayne​ @prurientpuddlejumper​ @lv7867​ @permanentlydizzy​ @bisexual-dreamer02​ @madamsnape921​ @averyhotchner​ @teamsladsandgents​ @qvid-pro-qvo​

[timelordthirteen]

Night Shift 3/?

Mr. Gold/Lacey French, Explicit

Summary: Now bite your tongue, it's too dangerous to fall so young. Take back what you said, can't lose what you never had.

Notes: Several people wanted a flashback, so here is one from happier times. Please note the rating change and the additional tags and warnings. For the 31 Days prompt #8: red.

[AO3]

Lacey’s red dress swished around her knees as she walked.

She shoved her hands in the pockets of her jacket and shivered, the wind biting at her bare legs and toes where they peeked through her sparkly, open toe heels. Initially, she hadn’t planned on going to Granny’s annual holiday party, but after the incident with Gold and the cider, she’d gone home and had a good cry, deciding that she wasn’t going to let the bastard ruin what little joy she still found in the holiday season. Granny’s party was always a good time, and the one night during the year where wearing her uniform to work was frowned upon. She might have chosen something a little more formal than necessary, but she really liked this dress.

It was a red velvet cocktail dress with a halter strap that went behind her neck and was finished with a satin bow that buttoned instead of tied, ensuring no accidental wardrobe malfunctions. The fabric crossed in the front, right over her chest, in a deep V, which paired well with her one and only push-up bra, and made her look like she had a lot more cleavage than she really did. She’d bought it a couple of years ago for another party, and only wore it once, which was criminal since she knew she looked fantastic in it.

Gold had certainly thought so at the time.

He’d been invited to a Christmas party given by a business contact in Boston and invited her along. They had only just started to be a thing, and a weekend in a big city, staying in a posh hotel room sounded heavenly. It had been, at the time, and looking back it had also been a real turning point in their relationship. After that, everything felt much more serious, or so she thought, and it wasn’t long before she was staying over at his house and sitting in his kitchen in nothing but his shirt, sipping wine while he made dinner.

She’d bought the dress just for that trip, spending way more than she would have normally, even dipping into her reserve fund to get shoes to go with it. He’d been suitably impressed when she came out of the bedroom, all sparkles and velvet with lace underneath. The entire party had been foreplay, and the memory made her stop and close her eyes as she sucked in a breath through her nose.

A moment later, Leroy called out a greeting to her, and Lacey shook her head, making her mess of brunette curls sway against her shoulders. She waved to Leroy, and then plastered on a wide smile as she pushed open the door to the diner.

December 2017

Lacey let out a small sigh as she leaned over and set her wine glass down on a nearby table.

The low neck of her dress afforded Gold a very tempting view from a few feet away, and he let his gaze drop for just a second before it snapped back up to hers like a magnet. Her lips curved, and there was no mistaking the the way her eyes darkened, igniting a low heat in his stomach. His tongue darted out to wet his mouth, and she crossed her legs together, sliding the sheer black stockings over each other, the delicate crystals set in them shimmering in the yellow glow of the dining room.

Gold finished off the rest of his scotch, and politely ended his conversation with Abe Midas, senior partner at the law firm throwing the party, and a man whom Gold had worked with for many years when he lived in the city. He turned around, frowning when he saw the table where Lacey had been was empty, but like a moth drawn to the fucking flame, he found her all the way across the room, standing by a side door. She made a small come hither gesture, then slipped through the door toward the back hallway off the hotel’s large banquet room. It took him several minutes of annoying hellos and how are yous as he tried to follow after her, and by the time he reached the door he was ready to take his cane to the next person to interrupted him.

He cleared his throat as he came through the door, just in case, but Lacey was there waiting for him, leaning against the wall in what seemed to be a rather secluded corridor. The din of the party was muted, making it feel as though they were truly alone, and he stepped closer

"What took you so long?" she asked, her speech just a little bit breathless as he trapped her between his body and the wall.

"All these bloody lawyers," he replied with a roll of his eyes.

She laughed lightly, trailing the tip of her index finger down his tie to where his suit jacket was buttoned. Then she hooked her finger over the fabric and pulled him closer, tipping her face up to brush her mouth against his.

“You looked like you needed a break from them.”

He smiled crookedly and nodded, bumping his nose into hers. “I did, thank you.”

She flicked her tongue over her bottom lip, and the motion is like a flint to stone, sparking something inside of him. He captured her mouth, kissing her hard and deep as he pushed her back against the wall. One hand goes to her hip, and hers wound around his neck, sighing into his mouth as her lips parted to invite him in.

Gold pulled back reluctantly. "We should probably not do this here." His voice was hoarse, and he cleared his throat again.

Lacey touched her hands to either side of his face. Her lips were pink and already a bit swollen as she grinned. "Why not?"

Because there’s people on the other side of this wall.

Because we could get caught.

Because I’m bloody in love with you.

He said none of it and kissed her again. Her hands slid around his neck, her nails scraping against his nape, and a shiver ran down his spine, which she must have felt because she did it again and again. He tilted his head, sealing his mouth more firmly over hers, tongue dipping inside as she met him halfway with a soft, throaty moan. His hand skinmed down to squeeze her backside, and she arched her spine with a gasp as he pinned her in place with his lower body. Their hips met, and the sound that she made sent all his blood rushing down as stars danced across the inside of his eyelids, and his pulse thrummed with how badly he wanted her.

There's a new sense of urgency underscoring his need to learn for her, from the way she tasted to the feel of her skin, to how perfectly her body seemed to fit with his. Fuck, they should have skipped the party and never left the room.

His hand was under her dress before he knew it, pushing aside thin, damp silk to sample her wetness and pull a strangled noise from her throat. He leaned his forehead against hers, breathing heavy and fast as he pushed a finger inside her where she was hot and tight and already clenching around him.

“God, Lacey,” he gasped, feeling a thrill of pleasure wash over him as he added a second finger.

He watched her with a half-lidded gaze, drinking in the soft gasp that she made, and the way her lashes fluttered shut as her mouth forms around a small, strained oh. He pulled nearly all the way out just to feel her pussy tense as his fingers entered her again, and she rocked her hips forward until he was as deep inside her as possible. She snuck a hand down between them and ran her palm against the hard ridge of his cock where it throbbed against the front of his trousers, making him groan. Their mouths fell back together, the kiss half breaking apart from the weight of each hitch in their breathing.

“Oh, fuck,” she gasped, her head moving and knocking lightly against his.

“Can’t wait to fuck you, Lacey. I’ll make you come so hard, sweetheart, until you beg me stop.” She whimpered at that, and he nipped her puffy bottom lip. “And then I’ll wring one more out of you.”

He built a steady rhythm with her, thrusting his hips into her hand at the same time as he pressed up inside her, until they were both rutting against each other in earnest. For a long moment, there was nothing but Lacey, her quietly stifled moans in his ear, and the tickle of her hair where it brushed against his cheek until a telltale warmth bloomed deep down. He slowed just long enough to shift his hand and rub into her clit, the nub of it swollen and deliciously sensitive, making her whole body twitch like a live wire when he moved his thumb over it in tight, rough circles.

He couldn’t wait to get her upstairs and into a bed and make good on his promise, to make the whole room smell of sex and her perfume. She keened and threw an arm out against the wall for purchase, her nails scratching the wallpaper as she came hard. After she came down and her breathing returned to near normal, he wiped his hand off his pocket square and tucked it in his jacket.

“Had enough small talk and hors d'oeuvres for one night?” she asked, looking up at him through her lashes as she reached for his belt.

She gave it a small tug, and his eyelids fluttered, closing briefly as he felt his cock pulse with need. “Yes,” he managed. “I think I’m ready for the main course now.”

Gold’s hand tightened around the handle of his cane as he watched Lacey enter Granny’s diner.

All he had to see was the dark red peeking out beneath her coat to know what she was wearing, and to remember what it was like to strip it off of her and make her scream. He closed his eyes and breathed deep, swearing he could still smell her scent on him in that back hallway outside the hotel banquet room.

A week ago, he’d made the regrettable choice to confront her and ended up with a lap full of hot cider, though it only did damage to his trousers. There’d been a general stickiness he had to shower off his legs, but on the whole he figured he rather deserved all that and more. He could have opened with an apology, probably should have over a year ago when they’d first had their falling out, but always was obnoxiously stubborn in that regard, never doing what was best for him, particularly when his defenses were up. His first reaction was always to lash out, to tear down the other person and make them cease to be a threat, except all that had managed to do was strain his relationship with his son and completely alienate the woman he loved.

Gold swallowed against the thick lump in his throat and let his head drop.

He still loved her.

And that, he supposed, was a fitting punishment, being forced to carry around all the feelings and memories, unable to do anything with them, or exorcise them from his heart. He’d tried after all, tried hating her, tried forgetting her, but it was all in vain. She seemed to have forgotten him just fine, after switching her life around specifically to avoid him. How she’d managed it so well in a town of less than five thousand people he’d never know, but then again he was quite the predictable homebody, so he supposed it wasn’t all that difficult. But now that he knew where she was and what she was doing, now that he could see her every day from a distance, it was like salt in the wound.

He exhaled and looked up again, staring through the shop window at the lights across the street, the warm glow of Granny’s party like a beacon through the snowy night, advertising food and fellowship and terrible Christmas music. There’d been a moment when he was with Lacey where he thought he could have that kind of life, but he’d bitterly thrown it all away. Somewhere along the line, his life had become a prison of his own making, and no matter how much he piled his beloved things up around him there was no comfort in it anymore.

Sighing heavily, he turned away from the window and pulled on his coat. The night air was bitterly cold, and the snow had changed from light flurries blown about by the slightest wind, into wet, heavy flakes that were quickly covering every surface. He scowled as he walked to his car, slower than usual to avoid any icy patches, but a sound caught his attention.

Across the street, Lacey came stumbling out of the side door of Granny’s into the alley by the dumpsters, and he watched as a tall figure followed after her. His eyes narrowed when he realized it was that scumbag Keith Nott, and his lips curled back to reveal a flash of teeth as he took a step into the street. Keith appeared to give Lacey a push, and then said something Gold couldn’t make out. A moment later, the two were in shadow, and a few seconds after that he heard Lacey cry out.

Lacey pressed her hands to Keith’s chest and pushed hard, but the lumbering idiot wouldn’t budge.

“Keith,” she said loud and firm, “I said no, now get off me!”

Keith sneered down at her and held her against the wall. “Come on, baby, why else did you come out here?”

“To get away from you!” she spat.

He leaned in, bringing his stomach turning beer breath close, and she turned her face away with a wince. A second later, the pressure on her shoulders was gone, so was the smell of Keith, and she could feel a sharp, cold rush of air against her.

She blinked, and then gasped as she saw Keith curled up on the pavement, held there by something pressing into his side.

“I believe,” came Gold’s voice, as he stepped out of the shadows and pushed the end of his cane harder against Keith’s ribs, “that the lady said no.”

[pixiesstolemyapples]

Stormy Night Chapter 7

A/N: Alright guys..... this is really really long, and I really apologize, but I seriously could not stop writing. I am incredibly proud of this chapter, so I hope you all really enjoy reading this!! If you’d like to read this chapter on my FanFiction or my AO3, please click those links! Also I definitely will be putting a read more on here, like I always do, but this is especially long, so I apologize in advance if it’s really long on the mobile app, it sometimes doesn’t want to add the read more on the app and I still don’t know why.

Chapter 1/Chapter 2/Chapter 3/Chapter 4/Chapter 5/Chapter 6/Chapter 7

P.S. Is it weird that I watched someone play Resident Evil 7 Biohazard throughout the entirety of writing this? Yes right???

               After everything she'd been through, she finally found him. It took almost everything out of her, but Pidge finally found him. Her brother, Matt, she'd finally found Matt. She nearly thought she'd lost him on that planet of infinite gravestones, but thankfully enough, she remembered the deciphering book both her brother and father had studied together. All thanks to that, she finally found Matt. After all this time. She still hadn't found her father, but her brother was finally here, in the castle, directly in her eyesight. It almost felt like a dream.

               And Lance. Lance had never been so incredibly happy for Pidge. She'd been through so much, losing both her brother and her father in this same mission, both of them presumed to be dead. And yet she had stayed so strong, doing everything in her power to bring them back to her. And here Matt was, sitting next to them, eating breakfast. The night she'd brought him back, she was so happy. She'd talked and talked and talked until her eyes were drooping. But when they'd snuck off to bed finally, Lance and Pidge almost couldn't get to sleep. Pidge was smiling so hard, and yet so many tears were streaming down her cheeks as Lance held her tight, smiling in tandem at the sheer happiness he held in his heart for her.

               The next few weeks had been pretty standard. Matt did recon work with his fellow rebels, the paladins helped to strengthen the Voltron Coalition. Everything had almost been a little boring at times. Every once in a while they'd go and take out a Galra strike or blockade, but even then, Lance and Pidge mostly fought side by side, played some video games, did some training, went to sleep. It was all very... domestic at times. Not that Pidge exactly minded.

               Finally one day Allura alerted everyone to the main deck of the castle. Wondering what it could be, everyone quickly met her and Coran to find out what the important news could be. Allura was found standing in the middle of the main deck, excitedly wringing her hands together.

               "Princess?" Shiro asked inquisitively. "Are you okay?"

               "I mean she's wringing her hands together with a giant smile on her face, it's, uh, just a little unsettling," Hunk said, peering over at Shiro. "Are you sick, Allura?"

               "I am just fine, everybody, but I have amazing news!" Allura beamed, looking around at everybody as Coran pulled up a screen that showed what looked vaguely like a... party invitation?

               "What is this, some kind of party we're going to have or something?" asked Lance, putting his hand on his hip as he set his other arm atop Pidge's head.

               Pidge's eyebrows went up in realization, not even a little bit phased by Lance. "You want to have a ball commemorating all who are currently in the Voltron Coalition, I'm guessing." She wasn't asking, she figured that's what it was. Coran's and Allura's faces drooped a bit.

               "Pidge, you're entirely too smart for your own good sometimes, you know that?" Coran said, pinching his orange mustache between his fingers.

               "That is why we love her," Allura said after recovering. "That is correct though! We've been having so much success gathering members of our coalition that I believe it's time to have a show of good faith. We'll be inviting everyone from foreign dignitaries to rebel forces alike, right here to Olkarion. I want them all to know that we are here supporting them, no matter what."

               "Ahh, okay, so you want us to fly around in our lions, do a little show, form Voltron, give em the ol' razzle dazzle?" Lance said, his one arm still on Pidge, the other gesturing around wildly.

               "Um, actually, no," Coran said, putting his hands behind his back, Lance taken aback at the statement.

               "While we will still be highly alert at any security breach," Allura began to explain, "I'd actually like you all to wear formal wear when the evening comes. No paladin armor, nothing casual, none of those things you affectionately call "sneakers" despite the fact that they squeak quite often, Hunk." Hunk sadly looked down at his shoes. "Everyone will look their very best! Even Keith and Kolivan will be there briefly in support. In the meantime, we'll be sending out invitations, however the ball will be happening in five quintent's time. We shall be ready then!"

               "Plus it's a time for us to all de-stress," Coran said in his ever enthusiastic voice, "it is a party after all!"

               With that, Allura parted ways with the gang with Coran on her tail, the two of them obviously excited for the party they were throwing. Pidge was happy Allura was so excited. She certainly needed some time to wind down, act like the princess she was every once in a while.

               "Soooo, you think there will be good food at this shindig? Ohhh, you think Allura would let me help with the caterers? Have we even gotten caterers yet? Oh man now I'm excited!" Hunk was gleefully babbling, Lance and Pidge smiling as he hurried out the door after Allura and Coran. Hunk nearly screamed of fright when Allura suddenly popped her head back into the room.

               "Oh and Pidge?" she asked, Pidge quickly looking in Allura's direction. "Would you mind coming with me, please?"

               Lance and Pidge looked at each other, Pidge shrugging at Lance as she smiled and waved him goodbye. Allura somehow had an even more excited look in her pink-blue eyes as she pulled Pidge along, giving Lance one last alarmed look on her face as Lance watched her leave with Allura, maybe even more perplexed than Pidge at that point.

               Everything was set, decorations were insane, food was to die for, mostly thanks to Hunk, and most importantly, there was security at every possible entrance of not only the castle, but a beacon made by the team's resident green engineer that would send a signal to the paladins if an unauthorized ship arrived within a certain perimeter of the planet for extra security measure. They obviously did not want a repeat of what happened on Arus.

               Many foreign dignitaries, representatives from planets apart of the Voltron Coalition, rebel leaders and hopeful contenders for the VC were gathered around parts of the castle, important conversations happening in all corners of the ball room. Allura and Coran really went all out, everything around the castle had been decorated in all the colors of Voltron, music reverberating throughout the hall.

               Lance was standing at a small table over near Hunk, sipping on what he knew for sure wasn't that horrible vitamin juice he drank the last time. He had been snacking on a small hors d'oeuvre that had a crunch like a cucumber but tasted almost like avocado and shrimp topped with what he assumed was maybe something like cream cheese, but Lance didn't exactly want to pry into it. All he knew was that it tasted good.

               "Hunk, you did a really good job on all of these," Lance told him, Hunk beaming at the compliment. "I can barely even tell these aren't Earth flavors."

               "Thanks, Lance," Hunk replied with a wide smile. "I worked really hard on complimenting everything together, like the one that tastes like smoked salmon topped over what feels like Italian bread was interesting since neither of those things originally look anything like- uh, Lance? Lance?"

               Lance was no longer listening, his cup slipping from his lip, green punch dribbling out of the cup and onto the tablecloth, Hunk's voice drifting slowly from his ears. He'd spotted someone, standing next to Matt, a small smile on her face as she conversed with Ryner, her fingers linked together behind her back. Pidge looked the same as ever, however her fringe was braided down two sides, wrapped behind her head, thin green cord wrapped into the braids. Everything about her was as if she were a part of nature. Her forest green lacy dress stopped right above her knees, the skirt flaring around her legs, a thin black belt sitting softly above her hips. The collar was a short V-neck, the laced sleeves of the dress stopping at her elbows. Somehow the color brilliantly brought out her eyes, the brilliance in her eyes bringing out her freckles. He could just barely see some of the freckles still dotting around her arms where the sleeves stopped. Everything about the way she looked was so Pidge, so natural and simple yet it had such an incredible effect on him.

               Pidge was having a compelling conversation with Ryner and Matt on the integration of their tech and nature, Matt fascinated by the Olkari intellect when Pidge peered over where Lance and Hunk were eating. Lance was staring off into space in her general direction, noticing that his drink was dribbling onto the tablecloth in front of him. Pidge's eyebrow quirked up in wonder, peering behind her for a moment, seeing Allura with her hair up in a long, wavy ponytail and wearing a shimmery silver dress with long sleeves, mermaid style with an exposed back, talking to Keith and Kolivan who were wearing similar tuxedos, black with hints of purple akin to their Blade of Marmora armor. Pidge turned back around, seeing Lance striding toward them. She turned back to Ryner and Matt, assuming Lance would be passing by to speak to Allura. She nearly jumped when he stopped and spoke up to her.

               "You sure look fancy," he finally said after a silent moment. She quirked her eyebrow once again, only for a moment later a wide grin to appear on her face.

               "Thank you, Lance," she replied, pushing her glasses slightly up her nose. "Allura kind of freaked out a little bit, she wanted us so badly to pick out outfits together, but she said she didn't want to pressure me into wearing a dress because she didn't want me to feel uncomfortable, and I was like 'Allura, I've worn dresses before!'" she laughed, peering up at Lance as he chuckled.

               "Well, you look incredibly beautiful," Lance said without thinking. Pidge looked away suddenly, a small smile forming on her lips, a deep red blush painting her cheeks, trying to push her hair behind her ear despite it being braided behind her head already. Lance held the back of his head sheepishly, feeling his heart beat a little faster when he heard a quiet "thank you" leave her lips.

               Pidge looked around at all of the people surrounding them. Some were dotted around the tables, snacking on all the food Hunk almost singlehandedly planned and helped make, some were conversing with others, such as Allura talking to other leaders, and some, Pidge noticed, were dancing to the slightly upbeat tempo of the music. Pidge let out a small sigh, watching them all sway to the music.

               She felt a nudge to her elbow, looking over at Lance. "Do you want to dance, Pidge?" he asked her, a side smile appearing on his face, a sheepish blush dusting his cheeks. Pidge raised her eyebrows, couldn't help from smiling.

               "I-I don't know," she said, looking away and trying to brush her hair behind her ear again. "I'm a little too short to dance with."

               Lance laughed, holding his stomach a bit as he reached out his other hand to her. "Don't be silly, Pidge. Please?" he asked, his last statement coming out in a soft breath. "Dance with me."

               She peered up at him, looking into his deep blue eyes, the way they crinkled with his smoldering smile made her tummy flip a few times. She bit her lip, looking down and peering up at him through her eyelashes, a blush covering her freckles. She placed her hand into his, his fingers curling gently around hers, his thumb rubbing softly over her knuckles as he lead her to the dance floor.

               Soft, semi slow music was playing, a song that almost sounded jazzy with an intergalactic flair to it. Lance gently placed his hand on her hip, feeling the texture of the lace of her dress under his fingers, still holding her hand in his other hand. She held his shoulder and the two began to sway to the music. At first it felt a little awkward, they swayed to the music in silence, purposefully looking in opposite directions.

               "So," he said looking back at her," is having Matt back everything that you dreamed of?"

               Pidge beamed, her white pearly teeth showing. "It's made me so happy to see him again, Lance. He's done so much since he was liberated by the rebels. And look at me. I'm the left arm of Voltron, also battling against a galactic empire. It's interesting how similar we've lead our lives, huh?"

               "Heh, the Holt siblings," Lance chuckled, spinning her around. "I'm really happy you were able to find each other, Pidge. I know how close you two are."

               "Thank you, Lance," Pidge said with a smile. She looked down, her smile faltering, and then eventually fading. "I just wish... I knew where my dad was.... a-and I'm sure my mom thinks we're all dead by now..." Her fingers curled into his suit jacket, setting her forehead against his loose aqua blue tie. His eyebrows knitted up, suddenly hearing the music get a little more upbeat than before. Lance grinned, pulling away from her for just a moment, readjusting his hands and spinning and swaying along with Pidge a little faster. She stared up at him in surprise, a laugh escaping his throat as he spun her around again. All traces of sadness had left Pidge's face as a look of astonishment replaced it all. She giggled as the two went on swaying, dancing, spinning and laughing. She forgot all her sadness after only  a couple of minutes of watching his handsome happy face.

               Finally after a short while, the two stood at the edge of the dance floor, talking about everything they could think of, Lance's niece and nephew, Pidge's taste in music (Spanish she conveniently left out), Lance getting punched when he admitted he lost her headphones again. Pidge was sharing some of her Killbot Phantasm tips as they headed towards a table where a couple plates of food were sitting. Allura and Hunk walked over, making small talk as Lance offered to go get Pidge and him a couple drinks. Pidge leaned her elbows on the table, hooking one leg behind the other, catching her breath.

               She turned to Hunk. "Am I sweating at all?" she asked him, leaning toward him a little more.

               "Uuuuuaaaahhhhhhhhmmmmm," Hunk stammered, looking her over but not wanting to embarrass her. "Yyyyeahhh, you kinda are."

               Pidge side smiled, nodding and grabbing a couple napkins from the middle of the table, slipping her glasses from her face and wiping her eyelids, nose and forehead. She wasn't embarrassed at all, she knew she had a bit of a sweating problem. But at that moment, she really did not care.

               Pidge felt a light touch on her shoulder, turning around to see Allura smiling down at her. "I hope all of you are having a grand time tonight," she said with a sweet cock to her head. Allura's pink blue eyes were sparkling with curiosity and a hint of... anticipation?

               "...Allura?" Pidge asked quietly, noticing she was twirling a strand of her wavy white hair around her finger. She looked so beautiful tonight, if that were even possible, since she was beautiful all the time. But Pidge definitely was noticing something a little off with Allura in that moment. "Are you okay?" Allura perked up when she realized Pidge was peering into her face with a perplexed look.

               "Well... Pidge..." Allura murmured. "You know that device you have, the orange one that you analyze things with and to tell the time?"

               Pidge nodded. "Sure, what about it?"

               "It's such a nice night tonight, would you please take a picture of the both of us?" Allura asked quietly, a blush creeping up her face. Pidge grinned, her shoulders rising up as she took in a deep breath of delight.

               "Of course, Allura, I'd love to!" Pidge exclaimed as she quickly pulled her device out of her skirt pocket. Pidge wrapped her arm around Allura, turning on the camera function and taking a quick picture of the two of them together. Pidge and Allura looked down at the picture, the both of them entirely delighted at the way it turned out, Allura with her shimmery dress and Pidge decked out in forest green, both of their smiles big and beautiful. They would surely cherish this picture forever.

               "Thank you, Pidge," Allura said, pulling her into a tight hug. Pidge smiled, squeezing her back in turn, a wide smile nearly splitting her face. Allura pulled away. "I just had so much fun getting ready with you today and I have so much work to do, talking with all of our guests today, I wasn't sure when I would be able to catch you. And..." she leaned in close. "You and Lance seem to be having a very nice time, wouldn't you think?" Pidge was a bit taken aback by the way Allura said that, but Pidge smiled softly, a small pink blush covering her cheeks as she gave a single nod. Allura smiled, leaning back.

               "Well, I'm afraid I must get back to it, I'll see you all later!" Allura left with a wave just as Lance was coming back balancing four small drinks in his hand, holding one out for Allura to take with a smile. He happily handed one off to Pidge, setting one down for Hunk and sipping on his as they sat and talked. Suddenly remembering something with a gasp, Lance picked up a small thick square disc and handed it to Pidge. Hunk squee'd, excited about the small piece of food.

               "We made these just for you, Pidge!" Hunk exclaimed, holding his hands together in excitement. Pidge quirked up her eyebrow, eying the little disc before popping it into her mouth. Her eyes got big, her cheeks puffing out in delight, her hands raising up in excitement.

               Peanut! Butter!! Cookies!!!

               Almost bringing tears to her eyes, Pidge slowly chewed the treat and swallowed.

               "Guys....." Pidge whispered. "That was the most amazing thing I have had in a long time."

               "Well, it certainly wasn't easy to recreate something that tasted like a peanut butter cookie," Hunk replied. "But we wanted to do something nice for you, after everything you went through with finding Matt."

               "You guys are the best," Pidge murmured. "You're my best friends."

               Hunk smiled back at her, his eyebrows knitting up in empathy. He looked into his drink, seeing that it was empty, saying that he was going to go off to refill it. As she watched him go, Pidge realized what amazing friends she had. They cared about spending time with her, her interests, taking pictures with her, knowing what her favorite foods were. She was incredibly loved and happy. She just wished her dad were here with her.

               "Hunk worked really hard on those cookies," Lance said with a smile. "I hope you liked them."

               "Of course I did," Pidge replied, popping another into her mouth, silently reminding herself to save some for later. "How did you guys know peanut butter was my favorite?"

               "Allura told us," Lance told her. Pidge looked down with a smile. She was incredibly thankful for Allura, too. "Plus," Lance added, setting his hand between her shoulder and neck, leaning his lips toward her ear, a soft whisper escaping him, "you talk in your sleep."

               Pidge's eyes fluttered, her breath catching in her throat, butterflies erupting in her tummy. Was it the whisper? The closeness? Or just Lance that made her react in that way. However she didn't have much time to dwell on it. The music shifted to a soft, achingly slow song. Lance stared back at the band for a moment, slowly turning his head again to peer down at Pidge. His face was shaded, his pupils growing as he stared down at her, a hot, smoldering look on his face. Pidge had trouble looking away from him in that moment, curling her hands into the table cloth. He held his hand out to her, an almost serious expression on his face. Without taking her eyes off his, she took his hand, Lance leading them to the middle of the dance floor once again.

               Lance held her hand, placing his other hand on her hip, a similar position they were at the beginning of the night. They swayed to the music once again, much slower this time. But there was no content talk, no Killbot Phantasm strategies to discuss, no witty remarks. They simply peered into each other's eyes. Lance had such deep dark blue eyes, like staring into the deep waters of the ocean from below the waves, looking up to see streaks of moving light in the shimmering waters. Pidge's eyes likewise were like orbs of amber, like delicate drops of honey with flecks of gold and green surrounding her pupils. With every moment passed, Lance pulled Pidge closer, his hand slowly moving from her hip, curling around the small of her back. He let go of her hand, wrapping his free hand around her, holding his hand between her shoulder blades, Pidge placing her palm to his chest, sliding her other arm to his neck, her fingers caressing the hair at the nape of his neck. She felt him suck a quick breath in at her touch, squeezing his eyes closed as he let out his breath. He opened his eyes to stare back into her infinite orbs, endless sparkling shards of luminescent drops of starlight. She could feel his heart thrumming in his chest, his arms wrapping tighter around her with every passing moment, pulling her closer and closer toward him.

               Pidge's glasses had slowly slid down her nose, but she barely noticed as the romantic music surrounded her and Lance. He finally pulled her until she was flush against his chest, the two of them feeling their hearts beat incessantly against one another. Lance moved closer and closer to her face, finally pressing his cheek to hers, feeling his cool breath against her ear, a shudder running throughout her body as she threaded her fingers through his chocolate brown hair. She felt his body shake momentarily with mirth at her reaction, at this point Lance and Pidge wrapped in each other's arms, just barely still swaying to the music.

               So many emotions were running through Pidge's mind, feeling them in her body and soul as he held her in his arms. This tall, dark, witty, kind and fun loving boy had to have been feeling the same things she was feeling in that moment; this boy who had made her laugh so hard, feel so safe, so secure, so happy, so loved.

               She moved her head back, looking into his face once more, his eyes searching her face. So loved.

               She loved him.

               Pidge loved Lance.

               It was like a ton of bricks hit her. Like a complete revelation, as if she had found the meaning to life right in front of her. Like she had the answer to every quantum physics question ever thought of.

               Pidge placed her fingers at the base of his jaw, the other still feeling his hair between her fingers. She found herself moving forward without realizing it, Lance's pupils getting bigger as they snapped from her eyes to her lips. Her lips were just a hair's breadth from his, feeling his cool breath on her lips when she stopped, her eyes scanning around at the couple guests staring at them, a deep red blush painting her cheeks, suddenly pulling away and staring down at her shoes, feeling his smiling lips against her hairline. He stepped away from her, his hands slowly running down her arms, causing another short shudder from Pidge, lacing his fingers between her own. She peered at him through her eyelashes, seeing his bright, genuine smile and hearing a short, compassionate laugh escape his throat, he too dusting a red hue across his cheeks. She loved that look. His gaze held so much gentleness, a curl in his sweet smile, a crinkle in his eyes. But a serious look crossed his face for a moment, looking around him and Pidge, letting go of one hand and suddenly pulling her behind him, eventually leaving the main hall, the music fading slowly away behind them, only faintly being heard from the castle comm system.

               Pidge quickly followed after him, her heart beating so hard and fast she could feel it in her ears. Heading up the stairs where Lance knew none of the guests would venture, he stopped, backing Pidge against the nearest wall, one hand on the wall next to her shoulder, his other forearm on the wall directly next to her head. Both Lance and Pidge were breathing hard, Pidge's hand wrapped in the collar of Lance's suit, the other snaked around the nape of his neck. Lance moved his face dangerously close to hers once more, this time no one around to interrupt what she was about to do before. Her glasses were still slipped down nearly to the tip of her nose, Lance side smiling before carefully moving them back up to where they were supposed to sit, Pidge's eyes nearly crossing at how close Lance was to her again. His hands rested upon her once again, one to the small of her back, one sitting heavily on her shoulder. Pidge's hands both were at his jaw, her heart beating so fast, flutters in her tummy never ending. He moved once again, his eyes never leaving her lips, finally moving so close that she could feel his breath on her lips.

               And finally their lips pressed against each other. Pidge breathed in quickly through her nose, feeling sparks explode in her stomach, seeing stars behind her closed eyes, her heart beating so hard she thought it would burst from her chest. She could feel him smiling against her lips before he slanted them against hers, getting a new angle and feeling her upper lip between his mouth. He slipped away from her lips with a pop, a soft chuckle escaping his throat as he pressed his lips back to hers the very next second. His arms were wrapped so tight around her, feeling his fast beating heart against her chest. Gasps and groans were reverberating from the back of his throat, Pidge's eyebrows knitting up as she felt another shudder move throughout her body. Lance moved back, removing himself from her close vicinity, his arms still around her as he looked into her deep red face, her eyes looking down as she tried to calm her breathing.

               Lance looked around once again, gently taking her hand as he moved down the hallway into one of the rooms off the hall. Suddenly Pidge realized that they were in Lance's bedroom. He closed the door, digging through one of his drawers, pulling out a couple pairs of clothing. He looked back, the dim light shading his face in a way that made Pidge's heart beat swiftly. He handed her some of the clothing in his hands, gently pushing her to the side of the room and turning her around. She could hear him removing his suit, Pidge's heart beating even faster as she unzipped her dress, slipping on her sleep shorts and sleep shirt Lance had been keeping in his drawers since they change rooms at times. She nervously looked behind her to see him slipping off his dress shirt, revealing his broad, toned, dark skinned back. She quickly turned back around, her face growing extremely hot, finishing changing into her sleep clothes. She finally looked back again to see him in his pajamas, hanging his suit on the wall,  carefully peering back at her, almost as if he still wanted to make sure she was finished changing.

               Pidge quietly padded over to the bed, laying down with her face toward the wall. She felt the mattress move, feeling Lance's hand heavy on her hip before moving his hand toward her neck, moving her hair behind her ear, pressing his lips to her neck. Pidge bit her lip, squeezing her eyes shut at the incredibly different sensation. She let out a quick breath, turning over to see Lance directly overhead, both his hands on either side of her head. He slipped the glasses from her face, setting them down gently next to the bed, turning back only to feel Pidge wrap both of her arms right around his neck, smashing her lips to his. Their lips moved against each other, slipping away from one another only to slip back like magnets. It was everything Pidge had dreamed this would feel like, how his lips would taste, the feel, his arms wrapped around her, his body weighing on top of her. Was this real? Was it a dream? Please. Please don't let this be a dream.

               One last, achingly long finishing kiss, his lips slowly parting from hers, he peered down at her, her eyes sparkling in the dim light, her hair slightly messy, her lips pink and puffy, her cheeks red as his Lion, her freckles dotted all over her face.

               "You're astonishing," he murmured, his eyes shifting between her eyes, her hair, her lips. The remark made her stomach flip, squeezing her lips together and letting out a shuddering breath. She peered back into his blue eyes, caressing his jaw line with her fingers, Lance leaning down to press his lips to her jaw, and then her cheek, her forehead, Pidge closing her eyes at the gesture. He pressed his lips once more to hers, his hands finding her hands above her head, lacing their fingers together. His lips moved against hers again, suddenly feeling his tongue swiping between her lips. She squeezed her fingers against his hands as she felt his tongue touching hers, an entirely unusual and unexpected sensation erupting from her chest. The two finally parted, barely able to catch their breaths. She could feel his breath on her mouth, feeling his palm cover her cheek, caressing under her eye with his thumb.

               Lance leaned over to lay down next to her, Pidge quickly wrapping her arms around him, their legs tangling around each other, Lance squeezing her tight to his chest, resting his cheek atop her head. Everything that happened was completely unexpected, extraordinary, remarkable. She curled her fingers into his soft sleep shirt, snuggling further into his chest, feeling him softly chuckle, holding her closer. I love him, she thought as she closed her eyes. I love him, she thought as she listened to his heartbeat. I love him, the last words she remembered thinking as she drifted off to sleep.