#*a pause as Henry comes to his senses*

[screamingwiththewolves]

Imagine if you will, Jekyll sometimes being really tired or absent minded, forgetting that Hyde is basically a ghost, and asking him to hold something or ask him to hand something over, and Edward just has to standing there like "Yeah, I'll get right on that."

[sserafics]

MAKE A WISH — henry h. x fem reader

fluff, use of y/n, reader has a bad experience w/ bdays, friends to lovers (?), set in season 4-5, second person pov

(requested!)

the dread you feel when you wake up on your birthday isn’t unfamiliar. every year it’s like this. quiet. lonely. though, it’s not all bad. at least you don’t have people nagging at you to open their presents first.. or at least that’s what you tell yourself.

your birthday has never been something you particularly look forward to; the day has always been filled with empty promises, disappointment, or just being alone in general.

this year, you’ve decided to just stay home, locked in your room all day with a blanket and movies you love to watch on repeat.

you’re curled up on your bed, surrounded by pillows and blankets while you watch a movie you’ve seen a thousand times before.

it was peaceful, almost like today was just a normal day, and not something you should be celebrating with friends and family; until a knock on your window startles you. you frown and pause the movie, getting out of bed and walking to your window. you open the blinds slowly, squinting against the light that filters into the previously dark room.

your brow furrows when you see your best friend, henry hart standing— or sitting on the tree next to your window.

“happy birthday, y/n.” he beams, smiling widely as if he’s not one slip away from falling two stories down. he’s holding a box in his hand, wrapped neatly with colored paper.

you blink. “henry, what are you doing here?” you ask, still frowning as you help him inside.

“i’m here you kidnap you,” he says sarcastically, slipping through your window effortlessly. he hands you the box he was holding, gesturing for you to open it.

you take it, looking at him skeptically before popping the lid open.

“i know you like to spend your birthday alone, but i thought you’d wanna give this a shot.” he gestures to the box, where two tickets to a carnival lay, next to a small pack of your favorite candy. a small smile makes its way to your lips.

you look back up at him, now hesitant as you remember your past birthdays. the disappointment and sadness the day always brought, but there’s a look in his eyes that intrigues you.

“i don’t know..” you murmur, your gaze trailing back to the tickets.

“come on,” he urges you gently, “just give me a few hours. if you hate it, i’ll bring you back, deal?”

you bite your lip, still a bit skeptical.

“i already bought the tickets.” he adds, smiling again at the look on your face after he says that.

you sigh, still debating in your mind if this is worth the trouble, after all, birthdays aren’t really your thing, yet the look on his face makes you second guess yourself.

you nod after a moment. “fine, but just a few hours.”

henry’s grin widens and he takes your hand, leading you out your room. as the two of you leave your house, you can’t help but wonder why he didn’t just knock on the front door. your parents aren’t home anyway, so it’s not like it’d matter.

you don’t have much time to dwell on the thought, the lights and sounds of the carnival ahead breaking you out of your thoughts.

when you arrive, your eyes widen in awe. the colorful lights, the laughter of children, the delicious smell of popcorn and cotton candy— all fills your senses as you two walk in. the atmosphere is a start contrast to the quiet day you had planned on having. you look over at henry and see he’s already looking at you, smiling at your reaction.

“well? what do you think?” he asks, letting go of your hand briefly to fetch the tickets, handing them to the guy in the booth.

“it’s… nice.” you mumble, still looking around at the lively atmosphere.

after the two of you are let in, you approach the game booths. despite your initial reluctance on coming, you start to feel excitement and enthusiasm as he hands the woman at the ring toss booth a few quarters.

you stifle a laugh as henry tries (but fails) to win you a specific panda plush that caught your eye the moment you stepped foot in the carnival.

the two of you have been standing here for about ten minutes, him being determined to win you the plush.

“here, let me try.” you tell him, taking one of the darts from his hands. you turn back towards the booth and throw the dart, hitting the exact balloon he was aiming for, a prideful smile forming on your lips as the man in the booth reaches for the plush and hands it to you.

you look over at henry, who looks shocked. his jaw dropped, almost looking offended at you hitting the balloon so effortlessly.

“i’m supposed to be winning you prizes for your birthday, not the other way around, y/n” he says, sounding exasperated yet joking.

you laugh and reach for his hand, pulling him toward another booth, the panda plush tucked under your arm. “cmon, you can win me that one.” you add, pointing to a stuffed frog at a beanbag toss booth.

when the sun begins to set, a warm glow casting over the carnival from it, henry leads you to the ferris wheel. you hold onto the stuffed animals and the other things he managed to win you tightly as the two of you enter the pod.

you take a seat on one side of the ferris wheel, and you furrow your brows at the box sitting on the other side.

henry grabs the box and places it on his lap, opening the lid to reveal a small cake, that writes ‘happy birthday y/n’ in cursive lettering on top.

“i made this for you.” he smiles, pulling out a small pack of candles and a lighter, lighting them as the ferris wheel begins to slowly move.

he holds the cake near your face, the light of the candles illuminating your face. he smiles wider as he says, “make a wish, y/n”

you close your eyes, a warm feeling in your chest slowly building up as you make your wish. you open your eyes and blow out the candles, smiling softly.

you look at him again, noticing his face closer than your used to. you don’t pull away, though.

he laughs awkwardly before pulling out a plastic fork from the box and cutting a small piece from the cake. “say ‘ah’” he smirks playfully, holding the piece up to your mouth.

you roll your eyes but part your lips, allowing him to feed you. he feeds you a few bites and even purposely smears a bit of frosting onto your nose, making your face scrunch up. he laughs at that and sets the cake down on the seat. you turn to look out the window, taking in the view of swellview below you, the sunset casting a warm glow over the buildings.

“hey, y/n.” his voice rings out, making you turn back to look at him, confused.

“yeah?”

“you’ve got some frosting,” he gestures vaguely to your face, making you frown and try to wipe it away.

“no, no. not there.” he adds, smiling wider and leaning closer. you don’t notice at first. he gently grabs your wrist to stop you from rubbing at your face.

“where is it?-“ you began, thinking he’d get it for you, but your words cut off when he suddenly leaned in and kissed you softly, cupping your cheek.

the kiss was short, almost like it never happened, but the way his hand cups your face assures you that it’s real. your best friend is kissing you.

you pull back after a moment, your cheeks feeling hot as you open your eyes, looking up at him.

“got it.” he comments smugly.

you blink. your wish came true.

later that night, as henry helps you climb back into your window, you can’t help but ask him something that’s been on your mind since earlier.

as you plop into your bedroom, you turn back to the window, where he’s sitting on the tree again.

“hey henry?”

“hm?” he hums, looking back at you, slightly confused.

“schwoz made the cake, didn’t he?”

…

“…yeah.”

(a/n) omf this took me so long to post 😞 thank u to whoever requested this!! it was so cute and fun to write 🫶🏻 also to everyone else who sent me a request i’ll try my best to get them done soon! thank u for ur patience and i hope you guys enjoyed reading!!! :)

[taifenggg]

Lovestruck[Demon Bros]

Things the bros do because they're simps for you.

CW: mild cursing

Characters: GN!Reader(no pronouns specified), Lucifer, Mammon, Leviathan, Satan, Asmodeus, Beelzebub, Belphegor

Authors Notes: I actually have a huge amount of requests for my other accounts but since I’m impulsive and have no sense of impulse control, I made another writing account for the sole reason that I wanted to ramble about Obey Me LMAOOO

[Dateables Here]

Lucifer [🦚💙]

He listens to you, even when he's busy

“Luciferrr,” you poke your head into his room, after knocking on his door. You stroll in taking in the sight of a somewhat disheveled Lucifer, sitting behind stacks of paperwork. A few buttons at the top of his shirt are undone and his tie is loose around his neck. You resist the urge to stare longer than you need to, turning away and plopping down in one of the armchairs in his room.

“I’m busy.” Although his words are blunt, there’s no actual malice behind them. You take that as a sign that since he didn’t actually tell you to leave that it was okay for you to stay. You lean over the side of your chair, sighing somewhat dramatically. “You’ll never believe what happened earlier.” And soon, you find yourself rambling about your day to Lucifer, speaking whatever comes to your mind. Every time you glance up at Lucifer, it seems as though he’s busy with whatever paperwork he’s subjecting himself to, but you ignore it and continue speaking.

Unbeknownst to you, Lucifer had actually stopped quite a while back ago, he was busy staring at the same line again and again, but somehow he couldn’t find the urge to continue working when all he could focus in on was your voice. His finger tapped absentmindedly at his pen as the edges of his lips quirked up every so slightly finding the way you were sprawled over the chair somewhat amusing. 

Mammon [💰💛]

He’ll do something with you, even if he’s inclined not to

“D-do we have to do this?” Mammon’s hand squeezed yours tightly and you could feel how clammy it was against yours. You pouted at him, your lip jutting out, “Mammonnnn come on, can we please go into the haunted house? It’s supposedly much scarier than last years!” Your expression softens as you watch him visibly stiffen at the prospect of going in, “Well on second thought-”

“Nono, lets do it. T-the Great Mammon will protect you from anything that jumps out at us!” He points at himself, puffing his chest out to make himself seem more imposing. You resist the urge to laugh at how goofy he looks despite the fact that he’s clearly scared shitless. “Okay, okay,” you reach over to ruffle his hair, hoping that in doing so could help alleviate some of the nerves he was feeling. 

“Oi, what’re you doing?” Mammon’s face flushes, but he doesn’t stop you, and instead leans into your hand more. Giving your hand one more squeeze, he charged towards the haunted house with you in tow. Needless to say the both of you spent the entire time clinging to each other when you're in there. 

Leviathan [🐍🧡]

He has a playlist of songs that reminds him of you

“Levi, I just listened to that one artist you recommended to me, and I gotta say, their songs are absolute bangers,” You grin at him, “You have really good music taste!” Leviathan blushes from the compliment, turning to the side, “Well they actually dropped a new song recently, let me share it with you, I have it in my playlist.” He pulled out his D.D.D to open his Devilfy, scrolling through the numerous playlists that he had.

His finger pauses in its scrolling as it hovers over a certain playlist titled, “My Henry.” He glances up at you, feeling himself grow flustered as he quickly looks away once more, typing in the song instead of trying to scroll and find it and sends it to you. “Thanks! I got it!” You beam at him, shooting him a thumbs up from where you’re seated, and putting in your earbuds to stream it. 

He’s grateful he made the playlist private, lest he deal with any questions from your end. 

Satan [😾💚]

He sees parts of you in characters in his stories

“What do you have there?” you peeked over his shoulder, draping your arms over him. If it were any of his brothers, he would have found himself snapping at them and pushing them away, but since it was you Satan found himself leaning more into you touch. “A book I recently acquired,” he smiled, reaching over to squeeze your hand. 

“Mhmm, anything interesting?” You absentmindedly traced the outline of his fingers with yours and Satan swore he could feel his heartbeat going faster. “Well, in a way the main character of this book is kind of like you. They’re kind, and they’re not afraid to stand up for what they believe is right,” He chuckles softly, turning the page with his free hand. You deadpanned, shaking your head, “You’re just describing every generic, heroic main character out there.”

Satan paused, setting his book down slightly as he turned to look at you, a gentle smile on his face. His hand reaches up, brushing your cheek, “I suppose, but they are traits that define you as well.”

Asmodeus [💋🩷]

He’s always seeking to try things with you

“Y/N! There’s this new café that opened up near Ristorante Six, want to come try it with me?” Asmo grabbed your arm, hugging it tight, almost as if he was afraid you would slip away from his grasp. You turned to face him, laughing softly as you transferred his hand into yours. “Didn’t you just go there the other day?” you teased him lightly.

Asmo pouted slightly, holding onto your hand even tighter, “Since the line was so long I didn’t get to try everything that I wanted to because they were limiting the number of items a single customer could order, that’s why I want to bring you with me! Plus it’s super pretty there, pleaseeeee?” You held his gaze, your resolve wavering slightly, you had planned on doing something else but seeing how badly he wanted to go you couldn’t help but relent.

“Alright, alright, of course I’ll go,” you laughed lightly. Asmo’s face lit up upon hearing your answer, tugging you along with him, “Great! I have a few other things planned out, so hopefully you don’t mind if I steal you for a few hours~”

Beelzebub [🍔❤️]

He seeks out your opinion before deciding on anything. 

“Bloody Terrine, Deep-Fried Devil Zebra, Devildom Stir-fry with Toxic Chameleon-”

“Beel you’re drooling,” you laugh softly, grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth. He takes it from you, his stomach rumbling from the thought of what he wanted to eat. “Y/N, what should I get?” His eyes focus in on you after a few seconds of staring at the menu. “Huh?” you’re slightly startled from his sudden question. “You should get whatever you’re feeling Beel, I mean you’re the one eating it.”

Beel shook his head, continuing to hold your gaze, “I want to hear your thoughts as well,” a slight flush dusts his face, but it’s barely visible. You smile softly, looking up at the menu, thinking for a second. “Mmmm well you got Bloody Terrine yesterday, and Deep-Fried Devil Zebra a few days before right? Why not get the stir-fry?” Beel takes in your thoughts, thinking on it for a moment before beaming at you, “Okay I’ll do that, thanks Y/N.”

Belphegor [🐮💜]

He prioritizes your comfort over his own

Belphie opened his eyes slowly, a smile finding its way onto his face as he stared at you, asleep next to him. However that smile soon turns into a frown as he studies the way your face is scrunched up, almost as if you were having a bad dream.

Belphie gently untangles himself from you, brushing a hand over the top of your head. Almost immediately, your face relaxes and you let out a puff of air as you slip into a more comfortable slumber. Belphie continues brushing his hand through your hair, carefully so he wouldn’t end up waking you up. Sure he was tired, but he would have rather helped you than just leaving you to fend for yourself when it came to the nightmares that plagued your sleep. His tail curls around your leg comfortingly, holding you in place so that you don’t end up rolling away but at the same time you’re still near him. 

Belphie sighs softly as he settles back down next to you, rearranging his limbs so that they weren’t in your way. Although it wasn’t the most comfortable position, it was better than nothing. 

To Masterlist [ ◇ ]

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[deliciousangelfestival]

Another Ending - 5 | Bucky Barnes

Character: ex!Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader

Summary: It was supposed to be a short week watching over your niece, who loves romance books. She thought you were just a normal aunt, but it turns out you have secrets.

Tags: Spies, action, threat, offense, fight scene, violence, romance, comedy.

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 6 ,-

Main Masterlist || If you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee on Ko-fi 🙏🏻

Thank you to everyone who has read this chapter. Leave a comment and Reblog, please. I'd love to hear your thoughts. ❤️

It was already midnight at the nursing home, but Henry was still awake, sitting in his modest room with a book in his hands. The dim light from a small lamp cast shadows across his wrinkled face as he turned the pages, the silence around him broken only by the occasional rustle of paper.

'Knock, Knock!'

Suddenly, there were two sharp knocks on the door. Henry’s lips curled into a knowing smile as he closed his book, setting it aside. He got up and walked to the door, opening it to find not his usual guard, but Bucky standing there.

“I keep getting surprises today,” Henry said with a sly grin. “First, I get a visit from my daughter and granddaughter…”

He paused for effect, letting the moment sink in, then continued, “…and now my son-in-law is breaking me out of prison.”

Henry chuckled to himself as he moved back into the room, reaching for his coat. He slipped it on with a practiced ease, then grabbed his hat and bag, which had been prepared in advance.

Bucky raised an eyebrow “You’re prepared.”

“I don’t want to miss the ride,” Henry replied, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Together, they made their way through the nursing home’s dimly lit corridors. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and antiseptic, but something else hung in the air tonight—a sense of finality, of something coming to an end.

As they passed the guards, Henry couldn’t help but notice they were all asleep, slumped over in their chairs or leaning against the walls. His curiosity piqued, he turned to Bucky. “What did you do to them?”

“They’re just having a good sleep,” Bucky replied coolly, his tone revealing nothing more.

“Ooh…” Henry chuckled softly, a sound that quickly turned into a low hum as he began humming a tune, one that only he seemed to know.

Bucky glanced at him sideways. “You’ve been enjoying yourself.”

“I’m this close to getting some fresh air away from burgundy, sherry, and whiskey,” Henry quipped, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. The drinks might have been luxurious, but to him, they were just reminders of his gilded cage.

“You don’t want to spend the rest of your life here?” Bucky asked, though the answer seemed obvious.

Henry shook his head slowly, his expression turning serious. “If I took my last breath here, I bet they wouldn’t care. Or worse, some of them might throw their spit at my corpse.”

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

Bucky drove the car with steady focus, navigating the dark, quiet streets until they reached a large, imposing house. The automatic gate slowly creaked open, as if welcoming them, allowing their car to slip inside. The house loomed ahead, an architectural masterpiece that spoke of wealth and power, now eerily silent.

Henry’s eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight. “This house is yours?” he asked, unable to mask his astonishment.

Bucky kept his eyes on the road as he responded, “It belongs to a rich family who fled the country because of tax evasion. It’s only been empty for a week.”

Henry nodded, impressed by Bucky's resourcefulness. He had chosen a recently abandoned mansion, still comfortable and secure enough to hide in. “Impressive,” Henry murmured.

This was why Henry had once admired Bucky—before he discovered his betrayal. Bucky was always two steps ahead, always thinking of the next move.

As they pulled up to the front entrance, Henry glanced over at Bucky. “Where are they?”

“Sleeping,” Bucky replied. “It’s been a long day, especially for Lori. She’s still just a teenage girl.”

Henry asked Bucky, “Why are you approaching her again? Don’t you remember the promise you made?”

Bucky hesitated, his expression hardening as he spoke. “Because I’m lonely.”

Flashback Start

All his life, Bucky had been a master of deception. He lied for his own benefit, for those who paid him the most. He never cared about the consequences his lies had on others. Growing up in a broken home, Bucky had learned early that lies and money could solve problems.

His parents had always fought, their voices echoing through the house, their anger palpable. They lied to him, made empty promises, and tried to make up for it by giving him money. But no amount of cash could fill the emptiness in his heart.

As a child, Bucky had retreated into himself, his cheerful facade hiding a growing detachment. He became adept at deceit, using lies as a shield to protect himself from the chaos around him.

His parents’ lies became his own, and by the time he reached adulthood, he was an expert at manipulation. His childhood had conditioned him to be a natural at espionage—a profession where lies were currency, and the truth was an expendable commodity.

In the agency where you worked, Bucky had initially been just another analyst, a watcher, and a listener behind a computer screen. He was supposed to blend into the background, another cog in the intelligence machine.

But you were different. One mission had gone south, and even when Henry ordered you to abandon it and save yourself, you refused. “If I’m still breathing and can walk, I won’t leave anyone behind,” you had said, your voice firm, your resolve unshakable.

Through sheer stubbornness, you returned with half-dead agents in tow, and when Bucky saw you nearly die to save them, it left a deep impression on him. Your selflessness, your willingness to sacrifice yourself for others, was something he had never seen before. Even though you were a double agent, you were willing to risk everything for your team.

Bucky had known your secret, just as he had his own. You, too, were working for another boss. But instead of reporting you, Bucky became more intrigued by you. He wanted to be close to you, to work with you, to be the one you relied on.

He even stepped out from behind his analyst persona, risking exposure just so he could stand beside you in the field. The more time he spent with you, the more he realized how much he cared for you. There was a connection, a bond that neither of you could deny.

But everything changed after the failed mission, codenamed “Red Swan.” Your cover and Bucky’s were blown, revealing both of you as double and even triple agents. The agencies were furious, and while they wanted to punish you both, the involvement of multiple agencies complicated matters.

No one wanted to take the blame, and so an agreement was made—one that silenced the incident and kept it out of the public eye.

The agencies couldn’t imprison you, so they chose a different punishment: separating you and Bucky, and forbidding any contact.

It was a decision that tore at Bucky, and he was ready to fight it. But you, always thinking of others before yourself, held him back. You touched his face, your eyes filled with sadness, and whispered, “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Even at the end, you were selfless, sacrificing your own happiness to protect him.

Despite the forced separation, Bucky couldn’t forget you. He searched for you everywhere, but your real name, your address, and your contact information had all been fake.

The only way he could reach you was through an old agency email, and though he sent message after message, he never received a reply. He knew deep down he wouldn’t, but he couldn’t stop waiting, couldn’t stop hoping.

Then, one day, an unexpected email appeared. It was from you, and it reignited the fire in him. Without hesitation, he ran to find you, to see you again, to break the silence that had been imposed upon you both.

Flashback End

“Just like you, I’ll do anything to get what I want,” Bucky said, looking directly at Henry.

Henry met Bucky’s gaze, seeing a reflection of his own past in the younger man. Once, Henry had been a man married to his job, sworn to protect his country at all costs. But after the agency was shut down, he had been left to rot in this so-called nursing home, a place where his deeds went unrecognized, where no one cared.

After everything he had done to protect his country and its citizens, without any thanks or acknowledgment, it felt like a betrayal. The thought of taking his last breath in this prison was unbearable.

“Both of us are just loners, aren’t we?” Henry chuckled, a bitter edge to his voice, as he thought of the life he had once led and the emptiness that had followed.

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

You sprinted through the dark, uneven terrain, your breath ragged, your heart pounding in your chest. Every fiber of your being screamed for you to move faster, to reach him before it was too late.

Bucky was just ahead, so close that you could almost touch him. Your fingers stretched out desperately, trying to grasp the tip of his, but no matter how hard you tried, the distance remained agonizingly out of reach.

Bucky turned back to you, his eyes filled with sorrow, a sad smile tugging at his lips. His expression was one of acceptance, of inevitability, and it tore at your heart. Before you could scream, before you could reach him, Bucky let go and plunged into the abyss below. His figure disappeared into the shadows as you screamed, “Bucky! NO!”

You wanted to jump after him, to save him, but your body refused to move. It was as if an invisible force held you back, immobilizing you, trapping you in place. You struggled, fighting against it with every ounce of strength you had, but it was no use.

And then, suddenly, you awoke.

Gasping for breath, you opened your eyes to find yourself back in bed, your heart still racing, your body drenched in sweat. The weight on your chest made it hard to breathe, but when you looked down, you realized it wasn’t the dream holding you down—it was Lori. She had draped her arm across your neck in her sleep, her small form curled up beside you.

You grumbled softly, carefully lifting her arm and shifting it away from you. Your mind was still foggy with the remnants of the nightmare, your body trembling from the intensity of it. Jill’s words echoed in your mind, the conversation you had about the book she was reading. “In the last chapter, the male character gets shot and falls from the cliff,” she had said.

“It’s just a story, a fantasy. It’s not a prophecy,” you muttered to yourself, trying to shake off the dread that clung to you. But the unease lingered, gnawing at you, making it impossible to fully convince yourself that it was just a bad dream.

Your hands trembled as you rubbed your face, trying to banish the lingering fear. Your thoughts were a jumbled mess, the images of Bucky falling still vivid in your mind. You could feel your heart racing, a mix of anxiety and frustration bubbling up inside you. The fear of losing him, of being helpless to stop it, weighed heavily on your chest, leaving you in a state of emotional turmoil.

It was already morning, you realized, the first light of dawn filtering through the curtains. You took a deep breath, willing yourself to focus on the present, on the here and now. Lori was still asleep beside you, her breathing soft and steady. You reached out and gently shook her shoulder.

“Lori, it’s time to wake up,” you said softly.

To your relief, Lori stirred almost immediately. She was always easy to wake up, a morning person through and through. She blinked up at you, her eyes still half-closed but obediently sitting up.

You forced a smile, trying to mask the lingering effects of your nightmare. “Come on, let’s get up. We need to find Bucky.”

Lori yawned, stretching her arms above her head, and then slipped out of bed. You followed suit, though your legs felt heavy, as if the emotional weight of your dream was dragging you down. The two of you left the room together, the house eerily quiet in the early morning hours.

The house Bucky had chosen was enormous, almost too big for just the three of you. You still couldn’t help but be impressed by his ability to find such a place, especially on short notice. It was both a perfect hideout and a testament to his resourcefulness.

“Mr. B?” Lori called out as you walked down the hallway.

“We’re here!” Bucky’s voice echoed back from somewhere in the distance.

You and Lori followed the sound, winding through the house until you reached the dining room. There, you found Bucky, already seated at the table, looking up from a spread of fast food. Beside him, Henry was casually reading a newspaper, as if this were the most normal breakfast setting in the world.

The sight of them, so calm and at ease, was almost surreal. You had been expecting tension, perhaps a confrontation. Instead, you found an odd sense of domesticity, as if this were just another day in an ordinary life.

But you knew better. Beneath the surface, everything was far from normal.

You and Lori followed the voice, trailing through the large house until you reached the dining room. There, you found Bucky already seated, and Henry lounging comfortably with a newspaper in hand. The table was loaded with fast food packages from a famous chain, their colorful logos standing out against the tablecloth.

“Is this for breakfast?” you asked, taking in the sight.

Compared to your cautious curiosity, Lori’s eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the food. “You bought all of this?” you questioned, your tone a mix of surprise and disbelief.

Bucky nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “He asked for it.” He gestured toward Henry, who looked rather pleased with himself.

“There’s ice cream for you after you finish your food,” Bucky added, reaching over to gently pat Lori’s head.

“Yes!” Lori cheered, her enthusiasm evident as she eagerly inspected the food.

Henry chuckled, watching her with a bemused expression. “You seem like you’re seeing food for the first time.”

“I really miss eating pancakes with maple syrup!” Lori exclaimed as she eagerly poured the syrup over her stack.

Henry’s eyebrows rose in mild disbelief. “What kind of breakfast have you been having?” He glanced at Lori, then turned to you with a look of judgment.

You weren't offended and chose to ignore him.

Lori shrugged, still focused on her meal. “Oatmeal with granola, chia seeds, and oat milk.”

Henry stared at her, bewildered. “I don’t understand a word of that, so I won’t even bother answering.”

Meanwhile, Bucky, ever the gentleman, pulled out a chair for you. You accepted the gesture, sitting down as you took in the scene. Despite the unconventional nature of the morning, with Henry comfortably settled in as if he had always been part of the group, there was a strange sense of normalcy.

As Lori continued to enjoy her meal, you, Bucky, and Henry turned your attention to more pressing matters. Henry, always the strategist, reached into his bag and pulled out a folder, sliding it across the table to you and Bucky.

“This,” Henry began, his tone serious, “is evidence proving that the agencies' own leaders were complicit in the illegal activities they were originally accused of. This could create a power struggle within the agencies.”

You and Bucky leaned in, your expressions turning grave as you opened the folder. The documents inside were damning, filled with details that could shake the foundations of the agencies hunting you down.

“How did you get this?” you asked, unable to hide your surprise.

“I’ve been in this game longer than you, and I know everyone,” Henry replied with a smug smile.

Bucky smirked, not letting Henry's confidence get to him. “Still, we both managed to fool you.”

Henry’s smile faltered, but before he could respond, you cut in, your voice steady. “You missed the red flags because you prefer people who listen and obey. You overlooked those who challenged you.”

Henry scoffed, his pride stung, but he didn’t offer a rebuttal. Instead, he turned his attention back to his newspaper, leaving you and Bucky to dive deeper into the documents.

The two of you poured over the details, your heads close together as you whispered about the implications. The evidence in front of you wasn’t just a ticket to freedom—it was a weapon, one that could bring down powerful people if used correctly.

As you worked through the documents, you could feel Bucky’s presence beside you, the familiar scent of him grounding you. Your shoulders brushed occasionally, a silent reminder of the bond forged through shared danger.

There was a natural ease between you, no awkwardness, just the steady rhythm of two people who knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses intimately. It wasn’t about grand gestures or forced affection; it was about trust, the unspoken understanding that had developed over countless missions and close calls.

Meanwhile, Lori was happily munching on her food, oblivious to the tense undercurrent between the adults. Her attention wandered, and her eyes eventually landed on Henry’s bag, which was left partially open. Something inside caught her eye—a familiar silver package with a hologram. The font and the name on it stirred a memory in her.

Henry, noticing her gaze, subtly raised his eyes from the newspaper and locked eyes with her. Without a word, he brought a finger to his lips, a silent request for secrecy. “Sstt.”

Lori nodded, her curiosity piqued but her lips sealed. If Henry didn’t want to discuss it, she would respect that. For now, it would be their little secret.

As Lori returned to her meal, the room settled back into a comfortable rhythm. The adults continued their discussion, the tension between them softening as they focused on the documents spread out before them.

Bucky leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “With this evidence, we could trigger a chain reaction within the agencies. It’s risky, but it might be our only shot.”

You nodded, your eyes still scanning the pages. “But we need to be careful. If this backfires, it could make things worse. We need a strategy, something that will ensure this information is used to our advantage.”

Henry’s eyes gleamed with a knowing smile. “That’s where I come in. I know the players, their weaknesses, their secrets. We can leak this strategically, and create distrust among them. By the time they realize what’s happening, they’ll be too busy tearing each other apart to come after you.”

Lori looked up at you and Bucky with a hopeful smile. “Then both of you could have a happy ending, right?”

The words hit you harder than expected. You flinched slightly at the mention of a "happy ending." Deep down, you wished the ending of the novel was different from what reality might bring. The thought of losing everything again, just when you were so close to getting it all back, gnawed at your insides.

You forced a smile, trying to hide the turmoil stirring within you. “We’ll see, Lori. But for now, let’s just focus on the next steps, okay?”

Bucky, sensing your unease, gave your hand a reassuring squeeze. His touch was warm, grounding you in the moment. “We’ll do everything we can,” he added, his voice steady, though you could hear the underlying tension.

Lori, oblivious to the deeper meaning behind your words, nodded happily. “I know you guys will. Both of you are the best spies!”

Henry, observing the exchange, felt a pang of something he hadn’t felt in a long time—an emotion he’d buried deep under years of cynicism and manipulation. It was fleeting, but it was there, reminding him of what he’d lost in his own quest for power.

Clearing his throat, he stood up, signaling the end of their little breakfast meeting. “I’ll start making the necessary arrangements,” he said, his tone returning to its usual business-like efficiency. “But remember, timing is everything. We need to strike when they least expect it.”

Bucky nodded, standing as well. “We’ll be ready.”

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[mulderscully]

since it's bi week i wanna talk about henry's reaction to alex coming out to him. my feeling from reading tags in gifsets and comments on videos is that people think henry's pause and little chuckle of disbelief is him being like "obviously, we just had gay sex." but i do think it's also partly him being, like, really aware of how wrong he was. and how right he was! it's like in the book where he has this waging war of feelings that is "i had suspicions you might want me too." vs. "i never imagined you'd love me back." etc. he probably SENSED alex was queer for a while, at least since he genuinely became friends, but in that moment it really is confirmed that.

and it's special that alex shares that part of himself with him.

that entire scene has so much charged energy. because they are in the afterglow but there is also the fact that they very obviously have feelings for each other that they're trying to make seem smaller than they are. but coming out and specifically coming out to henry is a big deal to alex, because coming out as bi can be a different kind of terrifying because biphobia exists within and outside of the community. what made rwrb so special to me is that henry never makes a big deal out of alex being bi, i'd argue he even enjoys it since he named his dog after david bowie, so was very openly bisexual.*

*david bowie did retract coming out as bi at a certain point because he felt it was all people talked about and overshadowed him/his work, however later on in life he did clarify multiple times that he was always bisexual. which furthers why characters like acd are so important as well.

i just really love how rwrb handled alex's sexuality and henry's reaction as a non-reaction. as if it's of course. because it is of course. no one should ever push back against it, but we always expect them to. and that scene showcases both of those things in one go.

[kiwriteswords]

I Promise You This

Chapter Three: I've Overcome The Blow, I've Learned to Take it Well

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x Fem!Reader

Trigger Warnings: Chronic illness, reader with past abusive relationship, canon-typical violence, canon-typical themes, language, future sexual themes

Rating: Mature for mature themes and future chapters.

Word Count: 1.9k

Summary: Y/N, the newest and youngest profiler in the BAU, is haunted by her past—an abusive relationship and an illness she keeps hidden from her team. Though skilled in her work, she distances herself emotionally, fearing vulnerability. Aaron Hotchner, her reserved and perceptive boss, begins to notice the cracks in her carefully constructed walls as they navigate high-stakes cases together. Drawn to her resilience, Hotch finds himself increasingly protective of Y/N. As their bond deepens, both must confront their own emotional barriers, leading to an unexpected connection amidst the darkness of their work.

AN: Thanks for the wonderful feedback on the re-write of chapters one and two! I have received many requests for a tag list, which I originally had for the story back in 2021, but I have updated that as well, and that can be found here. I start a new job tomorrow so my re-writing and new posts may be a little slow, so apologies in advance! xx

Masterlist | I Promise You This | Ao3

You sat in your usual seat on the jet, arms crossed and gaze fixed on the dark night outside. You didn’t acknowledge Emily, JJ, Morgan, or Reid as they filed in behind you. The tension was palpable, and everyone could feel it. They’d heard the argument at the police station—how could they not?

Getting pulled aside by Hotch had blindsided you. It wasn’t how you operated. At your first job, you’d climbed the corporate ladder faster than anyone else, becoming the youngest manager in the company’s history. You weren’t the teacher’s pet type, but your professors had always treated you as an equal. Even in the local task force, your superior had been more friend than boss, someone you still considered your closest confidant despite the thirty-year age gap.

You had always been someone people trusted to get things done without question. Growing up in a house where you were more of a friend than a child to your parents had shaped you into that. But it came at a cost. It forced you to grow up quickly—too quickly. You still remembered handing over your babysitting money at twelve to keep the heat on. Your teenage years had been a blur of hospitals, white coats, and endless tests as doctors tried to figure out why your body kept betraying you.

You didn’t know how to handle being scolded. Not as a child, not as a teenager, and certainly not now as an adult. That was perhaps why you had once allowed yourself to stay in a relationship where every move seemed to disappoint someone you trusted. That thought was too heavy to unravel, so you stuffed it down for later, cursing yourself for quitting therapy all those years ago.

Behind you, Hotch and Rossi stepped off the SUV and into the plane, the car ride having passed in silence. Rossi could sense the turmoil simmering inside Hotch; he knew the signs.

“You need to stop beating yourself up, Aaron,” Rossi said as he closed the door. Hotch sighed, pausing at the steps to the jet.

“I feel like an idiot,” Hotch muttered. “It’s my job to know when someone is lying, and I failed. And with something so—” He couldn’t find the words. It was you. You, of all people: quiet, compassionate, and steady. Someone he had come to rely on, even admire.

Rossi shrugged as he stepped up the stairs. “Y/N’s a private person. How could you have known? She’s an excellent agent, but outside of the job... none of us really know her.”

Hotch nodded, but the self-recrimination lingered. He shook his head, took a breath, and boarded the plane.

Once inside, he scanned the team. JJ was showing Reid a picture of Henry; the rest engaged in small talk or resting. You, however, sat alone, staring out the window. Hotch hesitated for a moment before deciding to face what needed to be addressed. He took the seat across from you.

“Y/N,” Hotch began, his voice quiet, almost pleading.

You didn’t look up at first, but something in his tone made you lift your gaze. His expression wasn’t what you expected—he wasn’t angry, just... regretful.

He sighed, meeting your eyes. He still couldn’t believe that someone so resilient could have been through what you described. “I just wanted to apologize,” he said. “I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

You studied him, unsure how to respond. This was not the Hotch you were used to—the one who always had the answers, who never faltered. “Why would I lie about something like that?” Your voice came out softer than you intended, almost fragile, and you hated how vulnerable it made you feel.

Hotch shook his head, visibly frustrated with himself. “It’s my job to see through lies,” he muttered, looking away for a moment. “What we do... we’re trained to piece together profiles, to find patterns. But you? I realized I don’t know anything about you.”

You furrowed your brow, not quite understanding. “What do you mean?”

“I know JJ’s sister took her own life, and that’s why suicide cases affect her more deeply. I know Reid’s mother is schizophrenic, and it shapes how he handles cases involving mental illness. But you, Y/N... you don’t share anything. And when you suddenly did today, I questioned it. I shouldn’t have, but I did.”

You leaned back slightly, processing his words. You’d spent so long guarding yourself, keeping the details of your life hidden, that you hadn’t realized how closed off you’d become. Before your ex, you’d been an open book. Now, you kept everything buried, fearful that sharing too much would be seen as a weakness.

“I’m sorry,” you murmured, barely audible. You could feel the rawness of your emotions bubbling to the surface, and you fought to keep it in check. “I’m sorry I made you doubt me.”

Hotch’s expression shifted, guilt washing over him. “No,” he said firmly, leaning forward. “You don’t have anything to apologize for. This is my fault. I should’ve trusted you.”

You swallowed hard, his sincerity catching you off guard. “I just... I don’t talk about it. Not with anyone.”

“I understand,” Hotch replied, his tone softening. “But if you ever need to... step back, or talk, or anything, I’m here.”

His words, though simple, held a weight you weren’t used to. People had let you down before—your parents, your friends, and certainly your ex. But Hotch? For some reason, you believed him. He seemed genuine in a way that few people were.

You gave him a small, appreciative smile. “Thank you.”

There was a long pause as both of you sat there, the conversation simmering down but still thick with unspoken things. Finally, Hotch broke the silence with a question you hadn’t expected.

“He’s not still in your life, is he?” His tone was low, but there was a protective edge to it.

You shook your head. “No, he’s not.”

Hotch let out a breath, and you realized he’d been holding it since the start of this conversation. “Good,” he muttered, his gaze flicking briefly to the window before settling back on you.

The conversation lingered between you, a moment of connection that neither of you had anticipated. You hadn’t noticed until now that the rest of the team had fallen asleep. Your eyes drifted out to the night sky, and for a brief moment, you felt a sense of peace. 

It was on flights like this that you’d often find solace—an odd kind of freedom, away from everything. It had been where you poured your heart into journals during the worst of times, scribbling out your thoughts when you felt like no one else could understand.

As the plane hummed quietly, you pulled out your phone, putting in one earbud. Hotch, back to reviewing files, didn’t notice until you spoke again.

“I was listening to Jim Croce earlier.”

He looked up, surprised. “What?”

“This morning, before we landed. You asked what I was listening to.”

Hotch blinked, his expression incredulous. “Jim Croce?” he asked, the corner of his mouth twitching into an almost-smile. “That’s a little before your time, isn’t it?”

You smirked. “I may be the youngest on the team, but I’ve got good taste.”

“You don’t make it easy to remember how young you are.”

You couldn’t quite tell if that was a compliment or just an observation, but you smiled faintly, turning your attention back to the music.

The flight ended soon after, and you found yourself back at the bullpen, staring down at the paperwork you still had to finish. The rest of the team was packing up, ready to head out for the night.

“Y/N, you coming for a drink with us?” Emily asked, slipping on her jacket. “Rossi’s buying!”

The idea of unwinding with a drink sounded perfect, but you glanced at the files stacked on your desk. “I wish, but I’ve got to finish this first.”

Before you could protest further, the file was snatched from your hands. You looked up, startled, to see Hotch standing over you, holding the file.

"It can wait until Monday," he said with a certainty that caught you off guard. Even more surprising was the fact that he was already packed up—coat on, briefcase in hand. For anyone else, it might have been normal, but this was Aaron Hotchner. He was always the last to leave, often staying well into the night to finish paperwork or analyze case details long after the team had gone home. Seeing him ready to go was... strange.

“You sure?” you asked, your surprise evident.

Hotch nodded, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Absolutely. You don’t turn down a free drink from David Rossi.”

You blinked, momentarily stunned. It wasn’t just his words; it was the decision behind them. Hotch was notoriously disciplined—methodical, even. He rarely, if ever, joined the team for drinks after a case. His usual excuse was needing to get home to Jack or simply that he had too much work to do. But tonight, something was different. Maybe it was the case. Maybe it was your conversation on the jet. Or maybe it was something deeper—some realization that, despite everything, he needed a moment to just be with his team.

In that moment, you realized how much his offer meant. Hotch wasn't the type to take breaks lightly, but here he was, extending a rare gesture. It was more than an invitation for drinks—it was a sign that, despite the hardened exterior, he valued the team’s bond and maybe even your well-being more than you’d expected.

You laughed softly, the tension in your shoulders easing as you slipped on your jacket. "Alright," you said, a smile pulling at your lips. "Let’s go."

As the two of you walked toward the exit, you couldn’t help but glance at him again. It wasn’t often that Hotch chose to step out of his rigid routine, and it made you wonder what else was on his mind.

For Hotch, tonight was different. It wasn’t just about winding down after a long case. He had spent the entire flight thinking about what you’d shared, about his own shortcomings as a leader, and the cracks in his perception of the people he worked with. You, in particular. He had been wrong about you. That realization weighed on him more than he wanted to admit. He knew that taking a step away from the grind and joining the team for a drink would help bridge the gap he had felt growing between him and his agents—especially you.

For once, the paperwork could wait.

“Hotch, you’re actually joining us for drinks?” Morgan called from across the bullpen, disbelief clear in his voice.

Hotch raised an eyebrow, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. “Don’t sound so shocked, Morgan.”

“Shocked? Nah. Impressed? Definitely,” Morgan replied with a grin, throwing his arm around Reid as they headed for the door.

You smiled to yourself as you followed the group, Hotch walking beside you. Maybe tonight wasn’t just about letting go of the case. Maybe, just maybe, it was about something bigger—about finding a way to be a little more human in a job that constantly took that away.

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[yellowbunnydreams]

Do you need some Vitamin D? (Incubus! William x Oblivious! F! Reader) [Part 10]

~I'm sorry! Okay! We needed some angst!! I hope this chapter makes it up to you. And don't worry, this isn't the end either.~

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Want more or something different? *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

@ruh--roh-raggy @xp-doggy @redbunny03 @marigold-petalz @seviliet @astinkerofarat @iamnotwiddle @imtiredshow

CW: 18+ MINORS DNI. Fluff, age gap (Reader 20's - William Afton 40's(?)), teratophilia, meet-cute, punny pick-up lines, scenes of working out, minor porn-logic, ditzy! reader, could be classed as bimbo! reader?, size-difference, flirting, monster-lover, sexual innuendos, Monster! AU. Angst. Extra monster! Jealousy, defenstration, mention of blood.

Henry had noticed that things seemed a little tense in Freddy's when he walked in that morning.

William was late coming into the office, which was unusual for his life-long friend and business partner. William Afton didn't do late unless he could help it, the only things he had ever known William to be late for, infact, were social functions when he was with his college girlfriend Clara. But something seemed off to the were-bear's senses as even one of the members of staff seemed particularly tense.

And of course, he noticed a hastily scrawled note on the space in the schedule where your name sat where it had been erased and replaced with Claire's.

He sighed and ran his hands through his curly, dark hair. The whole day had been plagued with a sense of melancholy from the incubus crammed at his desk behind Henry. Barely moving, hyper-focused on his paperwork with the formerly customary 'Afton scowl'. Henry knew William had a chronic case of resting bitch face sometimes, but he had thought his friend has seemed generally much happier with everything and had been smiling more.

"How's-" Henry said your name suddenly, breaking the silence that had fallen over the small office space as William paused and barely glanced up from his work. "I noticed she wasn't on the schedule today."

"Why should I know?" The were-bear blinked at the calloused reply, feeling himself reeling as he got the sudden sinking feeling that something had transpired that he hadn't been privy to. Taking out his phone and texting away as he feigned disinterest.

"Because she's been living at your house?"

"Not anymore she's not." William growled, feeling his chest tightening unpleasantly at the thought. His salt and pepper hair was tousled like he hadn't quite bothered to brush it, even his stubble seemed to be unkempt as William rubbed his hands over his face tiredly. Henry looked at William and watched his pen hovering above the paperwork, poised to write something the incubus had forgotten.

Henry paused and shuffled over his chair, sitting opposite William and making the older, broader man look up with a scowl and furrowed brow as if to ask what he wanted.

"Talk to me William, something is clearly bothering you."

"And what if I'm just glad to have my own damn house back?"

"I think you're lying to yourself, firstly," Henry raised an eyebrow at the still scowling incubus, who thumped his foot in retaliation, although Henry was quite used to his friend's bullshit by now. "And secondly, what happened to all that flirting you were doing? I mean it was bad, sure, cringey even! But I haven't seen you smile that much around somebody. Ever."

William thought for a moment and sighed as he leaned back in his slightly too small office chair. Placing the pen down on his cluttered desk and his frown deepening as he realised that Henry was right. He had been happy, he'd been smiling a lot more and he'd even spent more time out of the workshop without having to be coaxed with food, a cigarette break or once, even a trail of candies leading towards a precariously balanced cardboard box ontop of a door and Henry peering out from around the edge holding some string.

"She...texted me last night."

"Okay. And what did it say?" William pulled his phone out, wincing as his thumb ran over the semi-deep scratch in his screen from where he had frustratedly and accidentally clawed it the night before.

"'How do you ask a guy out you like?'" Reading the text out loud, Afton winced, swallowing hard as that ugly green jealousy raised it's head again. But Henry simply raised his eyebrow again and rolled his hand, gesturing for the incubus to continue.

"''Well, guys like it when you're blunt with them. You should just ask them.'"

"And then?"

"'Would you like to go out with me?'" Henry smiled widely but coughed to hide his excitement as the rabbit man stared at his phone, frowning and making Henry's smile slowly fall as he got a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Please, tell me you said 'yes' to that poor girl." William looked quizzically at the were-bear, tipping his head to one side as he ran his thick fingers through his hair.

"No? I said she just needed to say that to whoever she was asking out. It was clear she had somebody in mind." The incubunny growled as that jealous feeling that knotted his stomach up and he thumped his foot hard enough to make the desk shake slightly. Henry felt his face falling from the usual cheer into a paled scowl as he stood up. Pacing around to William's side, he moved his hand up behind his friend's back as if he was going to soothe William's temper.

And a bear paw smacked him in the back of the head instead.

William's head snapped forwards, blinking as he tried to clear his vision and standing up abruptly. Feeling his sharp teeth press against the inside of his lips as they curled into a snarl. Claws digging into the palm of his hands as he seemed to tower slightly over the more ursine looking Henry. Both monster men at various stages of their respective transformations. William's eyes purple and slit pupiled. Henry's blown out and dark. Both sporting claws as Henry tried to not let his own primal form take over.

"What the actual fuck, Henry?" The low baritone growl that reverberated around his chest would make most other monsters back down, and certainly would make a human loose their nerve, but Henry stood firm and put his bear paws on his hips, little round bear ears pinned back and his head low, snorting loudly.

"What the fuck am I doing? God you're so fucking stupid, Afton!" Henry placed his paws over his face and dragged them down lightly, careful not to catch himself with his claws accidentally. "She DID ask the guy she liked."

"Who? How come you know?"

"IT'S YOU, YOU FUCKING FLUFFY BRAINED DIDDLE DEMON!" Henry shouted, his fingers curling into fists in exasperation as he looked up at his friend. Watching the pinned back rabbit ears slowly lift then slowly lower again as a look of confusion and horror crossed his grey-ish furred features.

"What?"

"My god, are you so far up your own ass you can't hear me now? She asked you. She literally asked you how you would like to be approached with being asked out and then she did and you blew her off. Great fucking job, you absolute muppet."

Going back to his usual family friendly self as he shook out the transformations and snorted again, growling as he spoke, unhappy that he had had to resort to violence to snap William from his pity-party. William's ears felt like they were ringing as his body slowly returned to most of it's normal stature and features, his claws still remaining as his foot began to tap nervously against the cluttered office carpet.

"Oh...oh fuck."

"Yeah, you getting it now?"

"Oh... oh fuck I have to find out where she is. I...Oh fuck I have so much apologising to do." William moved on auto-pilot, feeling his legs partly turning to give him a little extra speed as Henry looked after him and swore under his breath, following behind and trying to make sure there were not traces of ursine features left on his face.

"William! William Afton!"

Afton didn't hear him as he tried to walk himself calmly into the dining room. Eyes wildly scanning and not caring in that moment if his secret was blown wide as he looked for one person in particular. He hadn't been particularly caring about sorting the rota out when he got the sense that you weren't coming in that morning, but he could already feel his heart pounding so hard and fast in his chest he was afraid it might burst in his chest. Finally, he spotted who he was looking for, and quickly smoothed his shirt back into place after his slight transformation, fingers running through his hair as he slowly and calmly made his way over.

Or at least, he hoped he looked calm and collected.

"Claire! Thank you for coming in on such short notice." He gave the smaller woman a wide smile as she stopped sweeping and looked up at him. Scowling heavily and turning her attention back to the broom as she swept up pizza crumbs and confetti from kid's birthday parties.

"I'm not talking to you Mr. Afton." She snapped, making William blink and wince as he had that sinking feeling that perhaps it was to be expected.

"Young lady, I-"

"I don't care. Zip! I'm not talking to you after what you did to-" She said your name and all his suspicions were confirmed. Wincing and cringing in on himself as he tried his best to hold his still human looking hands in a placating gesture.

"Look, I know that I-"

"Oh Mr. Emily! Wonderful, do you want to know what Mr. Afton's done?" Claire leaned against the broom and turned her glare towards Henry, who seemed a little flustered and out of breath, cheeks burning as his curls were a little wild.

"Claire. I know that William might have made some little mistakes, but I assure you, it's being handled." He assured, attempting to remain professional and courteous as the smaller woman scowled even more. He began to wonder for a moment if somebody had finally made a match for Afton's own face of displeasure.

"*Little mistakes*?" Claire spat, making Henry raise an eyebrow as William looked even more sheepish, pulling his hands back to his body as he cringed. "Do you know what he did? Did he actually tell you because I can tell you-"

"FOR FUCKS SAKE, *LISTEN*. William is *trying * to ask you where she is because he's been informed, by *me*, that his stupid ass couldn't see that he was the one being asked out." Henry decided to cut to the chase, knowing that they were going to get nowhere with Claire when he could see that William was itching to find you.

She looked between the two men, her forehead creased as she tried to see if one of them would crack and reveal that it was some cruel joke to be played on you when you weren't even there. But her complexion drained and paled as she stared, the dawning expression of realisation that Henry wasn't lying to cover for his business partner.

"Wait so he....you.."

"Actually wanted to say 'yes' if I had realised that she was actually asking me." William felt his foot tapping away on the mildly tacky carpet, his nose twitching as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, but the expression on Claire's face as she formed a silent 'o' made his brow furrow and his nails dig into the skin on the back of his neck as his stomach sank. "Claire?"

The woman got out her phone and quickly scribbled down something on a loose receipt that she had kept in her pocket, handwriting shaking as she handed it to Henry, who in turn passed it to William, reading it and wondering why he'd been handed her address.

"Look, okay, she was really upset last night and so I told her to go on a date to get her mind off of it-" William's head snapped up as she held her hands out placatingly, a growl bubbling up in his throat, barely surpressed.

"With who?"

"I don't know, some guy from her apartment block. David, Damien.."

"Dave?"

"Yeah, that's-Mr. Afton?"

William Afton didn't wait as he began to set off from the pizzeria, allowing himself to growl as he began to change before he even hit the door. His sharp teeth filling his mouth, nails becoming claws as he ripped at his tie and tried to pull it from around his neck. It was like he was suffocating as he stumbled around the back of the building, feeling bones shifting under his skin as his body grew warmer as the fur started to sprout over his skin.

Dave fucking Miller.

He snarled as he kicked off his shoes, his feet changing as he managed to barely make it to the heavily sheltered back alleyways so he could complete his transformation. A growl constantly reverberating in his chest as he only kept one goal in his mind spiralling as he lost control for the first time in a long while.

He had to find you.

You hadn't quite planned on your landlord sitting opposite you in your apartment unit, but there Dave Miller was. Dressed in a t-shirt that had some suspicious stains on it and looking like it had been dragged out of the building's lost and found bin and a pair of black slacks. You had been a little confused when he had shown up wearing no shoes and only his socks, but you were grateful that at least he had shown up.

After crying for most of the night, Dave had come to knock on your door to ask what was up, apparently he could hear you quite clearly through the wall since your bedrooms were backed onto each other, which led to some embarrassing thoughts as to what else Dave might have heard had your relationship with William developed. But when you explained to the vampire what had transpired, he gave you an almost condescendingly lazy smile as he suggested that you should try dating him. Explaining that really, it made sense, a vampire was essentially a soft dip into the world of non-human dating, and it would give you a chance to see whether or not you wanted to even continue in that world.

It had seemed like a fantastic idea at the time.

But now you were sat in your own nice blouse and good jeans, watching as Dave swirled the wine glass in his hand and the thick red inside clung to the glass a little too long to allow you any thought that it could be a particularly viscous red wine. You were regretting the choice to not allow Dave to bring his customary mug around so that at least you wouldn't have to look at it. Dave called it 'exposure therapy'. He checked his watch for the fifth time in an hour, and you felt each one sending a sinking pit into your stomach.

"Do you have somewhere else to be?" Snapping slightly as the gaunt man looked up, lazy smile on his face and shaking his head slightly. Picking up the glass and sipping from it with an exaggerated sigh of appreciation.

"No no, sugar. Just waiting for the real date to begin." His words stung you, and you felt your eyes becoming hotter as tears pricked at them. Swallowing thickly as your hands curled around the cutlery you had set up on the kitchen counter, since you at least needed to eat in the traditional sense.

Dave suddenly perked up, looking towards your window and moving over towards it with that careful, lanky shuffle that held a shocking amount of grace in it for such an awkward looking man. Thin, willowy almost, but you could see in his bare arms as the sinewy muscles twitched as his bruised, dark circled eyes darted about. Never quite making eye contact until you least expected it.

He stood by your window as you felt yourself getting upset all over again, unsure why you had listened to Claire and allowed yourself to go on one date with somebody you didn't even really know when you have rather been sat on your couch watching re-runs of overly dramatized medical shows and eating a pint of ice-cream. Dave's fingers curling around the latch to your window before opening it out wide. It was the one above your fire-escape too, so it opened additionally wide, allowing a cool breeze to flow through the smaller space.

Then you heard it.

Heavy thumping. Growing closer, louder as something settled in your chest, heavy and bassy, before it even registered in your ears. The hair on the back of your neck instinctually stood up, eyes flickering about as you wondered what the sound was, although Dave seemed unperturbed as he continued to stare out of the window.

The sound finally clicked into place as something slammed into the door, hearing thin wood creaking under the weight of whatever it was as you jumped up out of your seat. Dave simply turned around and paced himself back to the counter, his expression serious for a moment as he wrapped his arm around your shoulders. Startling you as you felt his cool skin against yours, the way his long fingers touched the back of your neck and played with your hair making your skin crawl as you realised a little too late that his grip had tightened and forced you into the same spot.

The thumps grew more insistent. The door gave way slightly, and suddenly you could hear the noise that had been making your chest turn and feel uneasy.

Growling.

"My my, now we're getting somewhere, aren't we sugar?" Dave asked, sucking his teeth as he picked up the wine glass from the counter and swirled it. Making your nose fill with the smell of cold pennies.

"Dave?"

"Don't worry sweetheart, everything will be fine. Just promise me you won't freak out."

"Dave something is breaking down my door!" Struggling in his grip as memories of that one time you were broken into surging forwards as the growling assisted in fast-tracking your fight or flight response.

You knew that you were never winning that fight.

"Your real date has arrived."

Dave's cold, iron breath brushed your cheek as he leaned in and whispered, brushing his clammy lips against your skin as the door burst down. Splintering under the sheer force of what was behind it. Heart racing so loudly that you could feel Dave's thin fingers tapping along with it across the base of your skull.

An elongated hand gripped the upper part of the doorframe. Purple eyes glowing in the darkness beyond your doorway as a flat nosed face, teeth sharp and lip curled back into a snarl that displayed his elongated canines. You felt your breath catch in your throat as the yellowish-brown fur came into your sight, watching the claws drag against the plaster of the wall and gouge into it was the lumbering, hulking figure pulled itself in.

William Afton seemed taller, if that was somehow possible. His face less human as you realised his face had pushed out into a slightly lapine snout. His soft ears pinned back against his head and shoulders, the hunched position he was in to fit inside your apartment combined with his broad frame to fill the room and make him look even more intimidating. You realised after a second that his shirt was barely clinging on by some threads, tie like a ridiculous purple collar around his thick, furred neck as he seemed to be staring right at you.

No, not you, you realised. But Dave as you felt the vampire's grip on you tighten instinctually. Bringing the glass to his lips and drinking down the rest of it before setting it down on your counter. Planting a kiss on your cheek, eliciting a growl from William as he stalked towards Dave, panting and chest rising and falling rapidly as his hyper-focus on the vampire seemed to blind him to how small the space really was.

It was a blur of fur and movement that you almost missed as William lept forwards, grabbing hold of Dave in one of his monsterous paws and making you yelp as your landlord as wrenched away from you. A scream tearing itself from your lips as you watched William's fur and muscles ripple and he flung Dave through the window.

Naturally, you ran up to the windowsill, staring out and expected to see blood and gore dashed out on the concrete, but instead, what you saw confused you.

Dave was unmoving for a moment, before you could make out his thin frame lifting itself slowly. It looked wrong. Like all the angles weren't quite human. But your attention was on the big, chalk bullseye drawn on the sidewalk, your heart racing as you were filled with adrenaline. Watching as Dave managed to limp and slide himself over to a car that you hadn't noticed, the lights flicking on and the car slowly pulling out of the lot and into the night.

William's head pressed against your ribs as he tried to shove past to look through the window, but you turned and blocked it. Afraid, confused, and weirdly, you felt your heart aching as you looked at his features properly.

Whilst he looked rabbit-like when you had seen his monster form, and still recognisably humanoid in a lot of ways. This was different. Afton almost reminded you more of a hare, the fur less fluffy and more sleek to his hulking mass. But the sharp, jutting teeth that rendered him unable to hide them under his lips screamed predatory as those slit-pupils focused on you finally. Panting, the growl abating slightly as he seemed for a moment to not register who you were, and then realisation set in. You watched the animal face fill with confusion, with something warm, and then with horror as it dawned on him that you had watched him throw a man out of a window and break down your door.

Your ears filled with a soft sound as you were unable to take your eyes off of him, watching him attempt to stand and shaking his head like a wild animal that had gotten confused. Realising it was his body shifting and changing as it definitely shrunk a bit, his fur fluffing out and becoming more of the digitigrade legged rabbit humanoid that you had come to expect from William's monstrous form.

"Bunny..." He breathed, his deep, gravelly voice wavering as he reached out a hand to you before pulling it back to his chest. His eyes filling with worry as he looked at your confused, scared expression, feeling his heart swelling with self-doubt and loathing.

He had lost control. He had almost caught you up in his own ugly jealousy and gotten you hurt.

"William?" You were unsure of yourself, your own voice wavering as he nodded slowly. Both of you swallowing thickly as you began to head for the door, looking over the broken splinters. Stepping over them and feeling the incubus following your every move and following after you as you began to head down the stairs.

You needed some air.

The cold air bit at your skin in a way that was adrenaline inducing and soothing all at one. William's car was weirdly parked in the lot, but glancing at the rabbit man as he trailed sadly after you, his ears still pinned as he ran his hands over his furred face, and seeing his black slacks burst open at the bottom half of the seams, barely giving him tattered shorts, you somehow doubted he had driven there.

You sat on the hood of his car, your body shaking as the adrenaline passed and William stood barely within your reach. Looking anywhere but your face.

"What...Was..."

"That...wasn't pretty. It's what happens when I lose control. You deserve every explanation that I can give you." His voice still gravelly as he focused on your face finally, scanning you to see how you would take the information.

"You can lose control?"

"Yeah. Incubi are...well, no, demonic types in general are more prone to it. It gets messy quickly."

"What made you lose it?"

"Bunny..."

"No, William, you said I deserved an explanation, and I'm asking you." You managed to firm your voice, looking into his purple eyes and seeing his brows turning up as his expression saddened. His foot thumping his against the floor as he tried to think of how to word it. Taking a deep breath before he opened his mouth.

"You. You made me lose control." He swallowed as he ran his fingers through his fur and tried to stop the nervous tap his foot made against the concrete. Barely remembering taking his shoes off. "Well, more specifically, realising that you were on a date."

"You...turned into...that..because I was on a date?"

"Shit, that sounds awful. Bunny, god why is it so hard to speak to you? I'm an incubus, I'm a demonic being, admittedly third generation, but still. I don't like people, but talking has never been a problem until you arrived and I couldn't shake you from my thoughts." Growling as he thumped his hand against the hood of his car lightly, leaning over you and meeting your eyes finally.

"Bunny, if I had realised that you were asking me, god I...I would have said yes so many times over. I would have done so many things differently if I had known."

"You really didn't know?" You asked, incredulous as he nodded slowly, his ears perking slightly before flattening again, his nose twitching constantly as he looked away from your gaze.

"You've been thinking about me?"

"Constantly. I didn't mean to send that text to Henry, I wanted to send it to you! I purposely did it. Call me an old fool, but I...God, bunny, I want to worship the ground you walk on, you're my sunshine, and I understand if you don't want to ever see me after-"

You didn't give William a chance to continue speaking as you grabbed his tie and pulled him close, your eyes brimming with tears as the rabbit man babbled his inner thoughts to you in a heart-felt confession. He stumbled closer as your smaller frame tugged him in and he resisted to try and not crush you under his weight.

But as your lips met his, all that tense anxiety melted from his body and yours. Holding onto his tie as he was stupefied by the kiss for a moment before his thick, strong arms wrapped you up and held onto you tightly. Hearts pounding together as you broke off for air as you felt him shifting around you. The lips you kissed becoming less furred and feeling his beard scratching as your skin, thick, rough fingers stroking down your back as you sat back and looked at William's human face staring at you. His lips curled up in a smile and creased the corners of his eyes as you felt him doing a little jump in one spot, making you smile back at him.

"You don't mind...that I'm a monster?" He asked, thinking back to the terrified expression you'd had seeing his most monstrous state.

"William, if I minded, I wouldn't have kissed you when your face was furry."

"Yes, I know but still."

"Shut up and kiss me again, incubnny."

"Oh, gladly, little bunny." He cupped your cheek with one hand as he leaned in and kissed your lips again. A soft, chaste thing that still stole your breath away as he pulled you against his broad body, perched on the hood of his car as he tenderly stroked your hair. Both of you wishing the moment would never end, even though you knew that you couldn't leave William in his shredded clothes.

"Maybe we should get you home, you're kinda half-naked in the parking lot." William chuckled at your words and raised his greying eyebrow and smiling wickedly, rolling his eyes playfully.

"And here I thought that was extra romantic."

"Oh totally, in a very different context."

"Oh?"

"Stop smirking at me! You'll find out eventually, you still owe me a proper date first."

"Can I at least give you another kiss for now?" Waiting for you to confirm with a nod.

And he did, pressing his lips to yours once again and cupping both of your cheeks as you felt your cheeks flushing. Holding onto his tie still as you remained in the half-dark. Knowing that there was a lot of things the two of you would have to work out, but you were looking forwards to each and every step.

[a5rora]

❤️‍🔥Old Flames

billy the kid x rich f!reader

word count; 5.9k words | dividers by @cafekitsune

ch.𝙸

SYPNOSIS༇ In Billy’s lonesome world, comes along his significant former lover from his adolescence that he faces once again after being separated from one another. After not being with you for over a decade, he doesn’t know how to face you when he has begun a life of crime, a wanted man with many enemies. He doesn’t want to lose his lover once more, but could she ever love him along with all his flaws? Will their love prevail despite the reputation of Billy the kid?

content warning: FLUFF, eventual SMUT, loss of virginity, violence, slight angst, mentions of abuse, mentions of memory loss, substance abuse¿, ollinger, mentions of alcoholism, flashbacks intended, smoking, mentions of religion/catholicism, storytelling is inspired by the original show’s major elements/events. (billy’s birthname is henry mccarty)

a/n : ask and you shall receive ;) i went kinda crazy with this chapter. all feedback/results considered, i hope y’all enjoy

“Y/n!”

Billy reaches for your hand with his as the gunshots and wails echo from the vast landscape, but you don’t look back.

You stretch your arm to hold his and your gaze stays straight ahead of you. Billy looks back at you, pressing his lips as he forces a comforting smile.

You both slow down to walk as you near the meadows by the river, the moonlight illuminated the water and gave you light. You both stayed silent, not mentioning anything about what you had both witnessed whilst in the forest. He noticed that it wouldn’t be long until you were both back in the perimeters of the town. You glance at Billy, still clutching his hand.

“Henry! Look at your arm!” he heard you exclaim from alongside him and he looks to the bleeding cuts that spread along the side of his wrists. He winced and paused to examine the condition of his cuts, some were deeper than others.

He assumes it was from the recollection of him reaching his hand out to you as you exited the forest and he remembered feeling a sense of pain as he did. However, it was strange that it had only started to hurt when he noticed it.

You grab his arm and examine it closely, some dirt on the cuts. “Must’ve been those sharp branches earlier.” you tsked and you look up at him as he stands there.

You roll your eyes and pull him by his hand towards the river. When you reached the water, you squat down and gesture him to inch closer to you. He watches as you grab his arm and begin to scoop up water with your palm to wash off the dirt in his cuts.

The cold water stings his skin within the first contact but seeing you, distracted him from the discomfort. His gaze is focused on you as you use your fingers to remove the remaining residue of dirt left on his skin.

You stand up and lift the fabric of your skirt, leaving Billy confused until you grab his arm and patted it clean as if the expensive material was a cloth. You notice his stare. “That’s the dress your mama gave you isn’t it?”

“What? Never liked it anyways.” You exhale, fixing your dress.

“These cuts will go away, don’t you say so?” Billy asked and you look at him awkwardly before answering with full honesty.

“Maybe you ought to say something to your mom.”you say. “Tell her you fell while we were playin’.” you suggested but he bit his lip hesitantly.

Frankly, he didn’t like lying to his mom, but it was probably the only excuse he could use, and it wasn’t an old one.

His mom, Kathleen, didn’t like you being around her son all that much but you were his truest friend after all. Your families were only close because of your dads’ long friendship. His parents had immigrated from Ireland with your father before he eventually met your mom while travelling in Mexico.

As you two walked together back home in the quiet night, you and Billy joked with each other throughout the empty darkness.

You’re both laughing after Billy mentions a joke about his stepfather, poking fun at his looks. “He does look like a tomato when he’s drunk.” you agreed.

Billy is looking at you with a smile as you continue laughing. You’re almost close to your house when Billy takes your hand but he interlocks his fingers with yours, something he’d never done before.

“Billy what are you doing-.” he cuts you off with a kiss on your lips, and you kiss him back.

WILLIAM H BONNEY : WANTED FOR NUMEROUS CRIMES

You gasp quietly, overwhelmed by the realization you had come to. Quiet sobs left your mouth as the moment played in your head over again.

The polite man who treated you with profound reverence and kindness was a dangerous man- at least according to the poster above you.

You were pulled away from your thoughts when you hear the faint sounds of Billy’s sharp voice. “You don’t fucking touch her ever again, Ollinger. If you do, I’ll be sure to break more than your fucking limbs,” he growled, gripping the collar of Ollinger’s sweater before slamming him back down on the ground.

Billy uses his non-injured knee to leverage himself up off the floor. He catches your gaze, quickly coming over to you and using his thumb to wipe the tears from your eyes. “Shhh, c’mon with me.” He whispered softly.

You didn’t protest when he abruptly took your wrist to follow him.

“Go for it Billy boy!” Jesse cheers from the tables near the doors. Billy gathers himself after Olinger’s punch to his face, causing his lips to bleed.

“Yeah, Billy go for it. I’ll beat your ass any day.” Ollinger grinned in the same manner that seemed to vex Billy everytime he saw the look on the man’s face.

Billy’s head drops for a moment, his jaw clenching. When he looks up, his piercing gaze is shooting daggers at Olinger’s direction before he forces his body to the ground using his arms.

After threatening the older outlaw, Billy got up, stepping over Olinger’s fallen body. Billy sees your horrified face and all he wanted to do was confront the feelings that ached in his heart.

Billy was a wanted man in many towns across the state and he found it surprising that you had no recollection of him or his reputation from anywhere and anyone.

It was a weird thought that always seemed to wander in his mind but deep down, there was also an underlying fear that you wouldn’t associate with him if you knew what he was capable of, what he’s done.

He wasn’t thinking properly although the liquor had worn off, when he grabbed your wrist and pulled you outside of the bar.

He held both of your hands in his larger ones, “I’m sorry that I left. Jesse got into a fight with one of them Chinese men and got my horse stolen.” He explained but it wasn’t the ideal explanation you wanted.

“Are you alright?” he asks, examining your face and you nod to him.

You sighed, seeing the bloody marks that Ollinger had left on him. You felt an immense obligation in your heart to take care of the small injuries he endured for you. You did owe it to him after all. Your mind couldn’t fathom the alternate circumstance you would have ended up in had he not been there to protect you.

For that reason, you were incredibly grateful for him.

“Look at you.” You looked up at him, your hand reaching for his face. He avoided your gaze as you turned his face to you. He looked worse up close, his busted lip was bleeding. Small cuts all over his face.

“Promise you I’m all good darlin.” He chuckled, watching you examine his sustained injuries. You feel as the blood rushes to you cheeks at the name he called you.

“Your leg’s hurt Billy.” you responded and he shook his head at you, you cross your arms in annoyance.

“No bunny, ‘M fine.” He assures you before making you face him. The nickname has you taken aback because the sound of it is reminiscent to your ears.

“Did he hurt you?” he inquired in a serious tone.

“I’m fine now.” You answer with a small smile. “Your horse got stolen you said.” you quickly brought up and he pressed his lips, giving you a nod. “Well then come with me.” You insisted, holding his wrist as you lead him to your horse. Loosening the rope from the fence your horse was tied to, you turned to Billy. “We’ll go to my uncle’s shop,” you suggested. “He’s got some things there. That alright?” he gave you a small smile of approval.

With that, you made your way to your Uncle Murphy’s shop.

Billy’s heart raced when you lead him to your Uncle’s shop. His heart stopped at once when you both reached the building. “This ain’t a good idea Y/n.” He warned you.

Oblivious to Billy’s own concerns, you reassure him and gesture him to come up to the porch. “I’m tellin’ you it’s alright.” You gripped tighter on his hand to pull him but he doesn’t budge.

“Seriously Billy?” you deadpan and he stands still. you step down from the porch. “Okay princess, where do you suppose we go then?” you question him as you raise your eyebrows in irritation.

“We can’t be going to Jesse’s place alright. Don’t wanna see that fucker.” You spat out, referring to Olinger and Billy shakes his head.

“Wasn’t thinkin’ of that.”

You thought harder before Billy interrupted you. “Got a friend somewhat near here. His name’s Charlie.” he suggested and you nod.

He took the lead of your horse in his hands and you followed him while he directed you to his friend’s house.

You knew there wasn’t any going back now. You took a deep breath and embraced the decision that you made.

Billy looks back at you, watching as the sense of uneasiness appears on your face. “Y’ trust me?” his question had you wondering for a moment, how much could you trust him? After all, Billy was an outlaw for goodness sake.

Being aware of his crimes, you still swept away your doubts. Instilling your trust in the man as you nod to answer him.

Afterwards, Billy grabs the lead of your horse from you and you let him.

As you walked alongside Billy into the empty grassland, the light of the town descended into evanescence, the dark sky and sounds of the wilderness was the only thing that surrounded the two of you as you hiked through the tall grass.

Billy was caught up in his own thoughts. Why did you trust him so easily if you had no memory of him?

You didn’t have to follow him through the darkness but you did. He couldn’t wrap his head around it. Maybe you remembered him, he hoped and held onto it.

Until a glimpse of light appeared from the dark, grassy field, Billy spoke up, “That’s his house there.” He says, gesturing to the light that lit up a small house nearby.

He shook his thoughts away once you reached a few feet from the fences. Once you neared the fence, Billy came up to the window to look inside the home.

He knocked on the door and it opened, revealing a man who you assume to be Charlie. He was about the same height as Billy, and had short brunette hair that swept to the side. “Hello… Billy,” He greeted awkwardly, taking notice of his friend’s rough state and your presence.

You awkwardly smile when Charlie’s gaze finds you. “Come inside.” He offered and Billy quickly tied your horse to a wooden post, following you inside.

“What happened to you?” Charlie asked Billy as he sat down on the chair near the window. “Got into it with Bob Olinger,” he answered before continuing, “you know him?”

Charlie gives him a quick nod, looking towards you before asking, “Who might you be?”

“Forgive me, I’m Y/n. Just a friend of Billy’s.” You shortly introduced before a lady’s voice speaks from behind you.

“What’s going on?” Charlie’s wife comes up to him, yawning tiredly. Your eyes find Billy but his eyes are already on you. Billy shared the same guilt you did, for interrupting the couple for your own problem.

“Hey Manuela.” Billy greets in awkward tone and she returns the greeting with the same manner.

“Could you please fetch me any medical supplies you might have? I’d like to fix up Billy here.” You asked politely and she nods, looking at Billy before leaving.

She quickly brings a basket of supplies, placing it on the table in front of you. “Gracias.” you tell her and she nods with a small smile

Charlie places a chair facing Billy for you to sit on. “Thank you both for your kindness.” you thanked them dearly as you sit down and Charlie nods at you with a smile. Billy’s gratitude comes after yours, thanking his friend for letting you inside during this time of night. His wife says goodbye before returning back to their room.

You start cleaning the cuts on his face before bandaging them up. Charlie speaks up, “What happened exactly?”

“He-.” Billy starts but you cut him off.

“Just bein’ an asshole.” you answered with a shrug.

“You still workin’ with them then?” Charlie asks Billy and he nods.

“Y’know the circumstances Bowdre. Surely you can understand.” Charlie takes a deep breath before nodding.

It wasn’t your conversation to hear but you were deeply invested.

“It’s a longer way back for y’all to return all the way back to town so it’s best you stay here for the night.” He suggests.

You quickly worried about what your brother and father would do if they didn’t find you in the morning but Billy’s voice interrupts you. “Thanks Charlie.”

“There’s the guest room at the end of the hallway. Bed should big enough for you both.” His last sentence caught you off guard and a sudden heat rose in your cheeks.

“G’night to you two.” Charlie gave a small smile and you both say goodnight to him.

You turn towards Billy, cleaning up the cut on his lips. Billy’s azure eyes watch you as you focused on him. Once you placed a bandage gauze on Billy’s bottom lip, your eyes lock with his lingering ones. The air in the room stills as the atmosphere between you intensifies.

His gaze fell upon your lips. It took Billy all of his might to prevent himself from placing his longing lips on yours. He imagined what they’d taste like after being apart from you for what felt like forever.

You quickly looked away, standing up and gathering yourself. “Shall we?” you gestured to the guest room.

“You gonna sleep in that dress?” Billy asked you, pulling his leather boots off. You quickly realized and let out a chuckle. “Sorry, I’ll be quick I promise.” your lips form a soft smile.

You headed into the guest room and Billy whispered under his breath, “You don’t gotta be sorry.”

You enter the dimly lit room, taking off your boots and placing them on the ground below the width of the bed. You undressed yourself from your dress. It was lucky for you that you didn’t pick a big dress for tonight, imagining the struggle if you had to walk across the field with one.

With your undergarments left, you struggled to take off the corset. You sighed, trying one last time to pull it off you before giving up completely. You cursed to yourself before you quickly opened the bedroom door and quietly called out for Billy. He looks over to you and grabbed his belongings, walking up to the door which you stayed behind.

He looked at you with a confused look on his face, wondering why you poked your head from the side of door.

“Could you help me take off this off?” you asked with an awkward smile and gestured to your corset.

“Sure.” He answered politely and you opened the door to let him in. Billy removes his hat, along with his belt that held his revolver before he placed them on the nightstand.

He gestures you to turn around and you spun around to place your hands on the bed post to support yourself. Billy begins to untie the laces that trapped you inside the material before you break the silence. “Your leg alright?” you remember that he’d walked a good distance to this house with a bad knee.

“It’s better now. I’ve got you to thank you for takin’ care of me.” He said softly, his breath on your neck causing goosebumps on your skin.

You turn to look at him with an endearing expression, “Thank you for bein’ there to protect me. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if you hadn’t been-.” he cuts your babbling off with a hush from his lips.

“Shh, you don’t gotta worry ‘bout him now, or ever.” Billy assured you.

“What about you? Thought he was a friend of yours.” you mention and he stays silent for a moment.

“He’s no friend of mine, just work with him that’s all.”he shortly replies and your mind lingers to the rumors you’ve heard recently about a dangerous gang out here in Lincoln, being funded by some business crook.

There’d been many tragic stories about farmers dying recently because of some crook that cheated them and drove them away from their land.

“That better?” He asks, interrupting your train of thought as his cold hand brushing against your arm and sends shivers down your spine.

You pull your corset off and felt Billy’s wandering eyes on you. “Thank you.” you smile and he gives you a small one.

You sit down on the edge of the bed, trying to get comfortable in your outfit despite the cold air stinging your skin. Your eyes fall upon Billy as he unbuttons his vest and then his dress shirt.

His eyes take notice of your staring and he chuckles, “Some would say it’s rude to stare.”

You open your mouth in shock before pressing your lips in embarrassment until you tilt your head at him. You leaned back to place your elbows on the mattress. “Look who’s talkin’.” you tease and he shakes his head at you while he grins. “Have you always been a hypocrite?” You bantered with a cheeky smirk.

Billy couldn’t conceal the love that twinkled in his eyes as it centers on you. He walks closer to you and you catch the light that glimmered within his cerulean eyes. “You’re beautiful.” his words caught you by surprise and you light up with a smile that drives him weak in the knees.

“Well then what are you waitin’ for cowboy?” A cheeky grin forms from your mouth, gesturing for him to lay beside you.

“’M not a cowboy darlin’.” he corrected you with a smile and crawled onto the bed beside you.

You giggled at him and smile. “Just handsome and kind.”, you yawn before sighing, the exhaustion was evident in your sigh. Billy felt his heart race as he laid down beside you, pulling the covers over your bodies.

As you get comfortable, you can’t help the shuddering movements your body made. Since the beginning of winter, the nights were colder and you’d even be wearing twice the layer of clothing. Especially thicker fabric than the material you wore right now.

Billy couldn’t ignore the shivering that came from your body beside him. He turns to face your back before gently putting his arms around you, engulfing your body in his warmth. “I’ve got you.” he whispers against your ear. “G’night bunny.” his words making your heart flutter.

“G’night Billy.” you murmur, and you felt a inextricable reminiscence from saying his name.

The sensation reminded you a word that you recently learned, it felt like déjà vu.

Billy heard as you let out a quiet sigh. You brushed away your thoughts and shut your eyes, moments before your mind immediately drifted into slumber.

Billy could stay like this forever, with you in his arms. He’d never let you go. The nostalgic scent of your pheromones drove him crazy. He wished that he could kiss the skin on your neck and every exposed part of your body, like he used to many years ago…

Your body curls up on the end of your soft mattress as you attempt to dodge his arms but failing miserably. “Billy that tickles!” you shriek in laughter, calling him by the nickname you gave him. He merely liked it because you liked it, it’s origins came from a German name, but it simply translated to ‘protector’ and Billy was yours.

Unfortunately as of right now, he attacked you. “It’s not funny!” you protest but he ignores you, leaning closer to your body. You attempt to push him away but you fail miserably as he tickles your sides once more, earning another shriek from you and Billy laughs at you as he pulls away.

As you regain composure, he stayed hovering above you, slowly leaning down closer to you to leave a little kiss on your collarbone. With his eyes fixed on yours, you looked up at him with doe eyes and he doesn’t resist the urge of pressing his soft lips against yours.

You kiss him back for a moment before pushing him away with your hands on his broad shoulders. This was the first time you’ve both shared a kiss since you were 14 years old. Your mouth hangs open in shock and he looks at you with a similar expression. He immediately regrets his actions but they don’t last for long when you pull his collar towards you to bring his lips into a kiss.

His tender lips move against yours and his cold hand gently grips your waist. The sudden touch of his hand against your skin made you whimper quietly into his lips. His hand snakes to your back as you lean to sit up. His knees rested on the sides of your legs.

The kiss became intense as your emotions did too. His left hand holds your waist as the other softly gripped your cheeks, his thumb brushing against your skin. He pulls back from you before murmuring, “Do you want this? D’you trust me darlin’?” You nod as you batted your lashes at him.

“Yes Billy, forever. You know I’ll always do.” you answered, the sincerity in your tone dragged in every syllable. You knew that your family would definitely not approve of your actions right now, they’d called it the sin of fornication. But it mattered that only your heart and soul discerned that Billy is the one for you.

You smiled at him wholeheartedly and Billy felt his heartbeat race as he smiled back. The love he felt towards you from his soul resonated and sparkled in his eager, blue eyes. You put your hand on his neck as you pulled him into another kiss and he brings his hands down to his shirt, fumbling the buttons on his long-sleeve shirt as he undo them.

He takes it off and pressed his lips deeper into yours, as he wrapped an arm around your back and flipped you on top of him. His head rested against the headboard and you sit comfortably on his hips. The sudden friction aroused you both, causing the bulge in his pants growing as the heat rose between your legs.

As his hand wandered your curves, the other helped you as you removed the dress that weighed you down, the cold air swam against your bare skin. You remove his white shirt, exposing his bare torso underneath and you lean down to lay your chest against his.

The warmth of your skin colliding with his and the same for your lips as you slyly grinded on his crotch, eager for any sensation. Feeling his dick twitch from bliss, his finger pulls at the fabric of your underwear before pulling it off completely as he sits both of you up. He unzips his pants before pulling it down with your assistance and you settle back on him. You clash your lips into his, grabbing his hair as your lips moved in harmony, tasting the desire for one each other.

His hands find your waist, and he subtly moves your hips against his. “Billy, I want you.” you moan into the kiss, feeling his hardened cock beneath your cunt, and the sound drives him weak.

“I want you too.” He soothes and you take his hand in yours, bringing his fingers to the slip of your bra. He pulls it down, revealing your bare chest. He admires you for a moment before leaning towards you to place a trail of kisses down on your neck. He kisses all the way down to your cleavage, trailing wet kisses on your breasts.

Your fingers pull down the fabric of his underwear, revealing his erect cock. Upon seeing it for the first time, you were unsure if you could even handle it but you pushed your doubts away. Billy taking notice of it, slightly grins and pecks your lips softly. “Don’t worry, ‘M gonna take good care of you.” he murmurs lovingly. He uses his arms to flip you around so your back lays against the mattress before he breathes into your neck and kisses all the way down to your chest before stopping right on your abdomen.

Your wetness allows his finger to ease into you and a moan of pleasure and slight discomfort leaves your mouth, urging Billy to continue. He brought you into a kiss to silence you as he moves his finger against your walls before adding another, making you mewl. Your head lolls back from the sensation, “it- feels so good Billy-.”

Billy watches in amazement as your body squirms in pleasure, never separating his gaze from your figure. When a sudden mewl escapes your lips, you use your palm to cover your mouth in an effort to muffle the uncontrollable sounds that his fingers forced out of you.

“Let me hear you baby.” he says, grabbing your hand from your mouth and intertwining his with yours. He continues pumping his fingers through your walls and his thumb reaches for your clit and plays with the bundle of nerves, making you grip his arm for dear life. His fingertips brush against your velvet walls as he curls his fingers inside you, “You’re so wet f’me.” you don’t say anything as you gaze up at him.

Your doe look drives Billy’s thoughts feral and he places a soft, wet kiss on your lips using his fingers to bring your face closer. “I want you inside of me.” you whine as you look up at him and the intensity of his gaze makes your heart jump.

“God, you’re soakin’ all over my fingers doll.” he murmurs, amused by how he made you feel and the way your body reacted to his fingers. You ignore his comment and you beg once more.

“Please, Billy.”

He pulls his fingers out of you, placing his hands on your knees to spread your legs just right for him to slide his body between them. He kneels between your legs, spreading the pre-cum from his painfully pink tip all over his girthy cock as he pumps his length, he bites his lips as he watches your mouth hang low with your breasts heaving.

“You’re gorgeous.” he breathes, feeling the continual rush of excitement to his cock from the sight of you below him.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” he heard you giggle teasingly and he smiles at you with desire in his eyes. He places his elbow on each side of your arms, his body inching towards yours and you feel his tip poke your stomach as he leans to kiss you with passion. “Fuck me Billy.” you moan as you kissed him and he pulls away from your lips.

“As you wish darlin’.” he whispers with a cheeky smirk, placing a soft kiss on your lips and one on your cheek. He leans back, resting on his knees and you feel his tip brush along your leaking entrance and a jolt of excitement runs through you.

He watches beneath you, his hand grips your thigh while the other guides his cock as it slides over your sloppy folds, his tip kissing your clit deliciously with every movement of his hips. His mouth hanging low from the sensation. You gasp softly as he pokes his tip inside. He quickly leans towards you, resting his elbows on the bed.

“Tell me if it hurts alright baby.” he says, thrusting himself deeper into you, your pussy hugged his length so achingly tight that it made his cock twitch.

You wince in pain from the size of him, slightly overwhelmed by the new sensation. He stops to kiss you, and his hips thrust deeper until your cunt engulfs his entire length but his lips silence your moans of discomfort. Billy groans, his cock was sensative from your warmth, how snug his cock felt inside you.

“Let me know when, okay my love?” he whispers to you and you nod. You wrap your arms around his back and lean to kiss him, moving your hips for friction. Your hand comes up to grip his hair as he thrusts his hips ever so gently, being careful not to hurt you.

“Please Billy, fuck me.” you plead as you pull away from the kiss and he obliges, dragging his cock out before thrusting the length back in, splitting you apart in bliss.

“God, you feel so good.” you cried out. He kisses your neck as he thrusts himself in and out of you. He throws his head back in pleasure, feeling your warmth clench around him.

“You take me so fucking well darlin’.” he praises and presses his lips to yours. “Your pussy is fuckin soakin’ for my cock- Y’feel so goddamn good around me.” he moans, slightly biting your neck as he reaches down to suck on it, leaving red marks on your skin, a subtle way to mark you as his.

Your legs wrap around his torso, holding him close to you. His hips pulling away to dive back into you again. You run your fingers through his hair and hold onto his brown curls as you moaned uncontrollably with ecstacy.

Billy can’t take his eyes from your fucked-out state, whining from the immense pleasure his cock gave you. He felt a swell of pride in his chest knowing he was the one who made you feel like this and he’ll make sure he’d be the only one forever. Brushing his thumb over your cheek, he trails wet kisses all over your neck.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he cooed against your skin. His eyes travel all over your glistening body, covered with sweat.

“You’re mine forever, all mine.” his lips clash into yours with a passionate tenderness that melts your chest as you tasted each other.

“Billy- don’t stop.” you moan and he pulls away from the kiss, using his thumb to play with your clit. His girthy length drags through your soaking walls and it coats his cock with your creamy arousal. Yours moans hitch unison as his tip kisses the sweet spot of your cervix, a squeal escapes your lips. Billy groans, feeling himself get closer and closer to his release and your lewd sounds driving his mind crazy.

He kisses you as his hand moves from your clit to your ass, he grabs the flesh and slowly squeezes it. Billy leans backwards to grab your legs and place them over each of his shoulders. Once he thrusts his hips forward, his cock sinks deeper into your cunt, igniting a twist of warmth rising in your stomach with each thrust.

You sob, “god- Billy you’re so deep-.” your voice hitches and he holds your face as his lips devour yours. The wet sounds of his cock sliding into your pussy and your moans of pleasure echoes in your bedroom. You clench around his aching cock, making him moan louder.

“Are you close bunny?” he asks and you can only nod back to him, unable to focus on anything but the heavenly sensation as he drove his cock into you.

“Let loose for me baby- I’ve got you doll.” he says lovingly, pressing soft kisses all over your cheek as you cry from the pleasure. Your hands travel to his back, one hand gripping his shoulder as your nails scratched the skin of his back while you moan out his name. His balls slapped against your skin with every movement of his hips.

His blue eyes watched in awe as your face contorts in bliss, a wave of pleasure enveloping your body as you came undone on his thick cock. You repeatedly moan his name when your orgasm hits you and it’s music to Billy’s ears. Your warmth clenches around him so tight, he’s already pulling out before your enticing pussy could milk his cock raw inside of you.

He’s immediately fisting his cock at the sight of you, focusing on the details of your figure. Your eyes rolling to the back of your head while your lovely chest heaved as you panted, your orgasm washing over you. He lets out a loud groan as ribbons of warm, white cum shot onto your stomach from the head of his cock.

You licked your lip, watching as he throws his head back while the last of his load spurts onto your abdomen. You’re still out of breath when Billy grabs a cloth from his pockets and uses it to wipe his mess off of you. You slightly lean forward to sit yourself up and he puts the cloth away, sliding his body back into your arms after doing so. His arm snakes around your waist while he pulls you into a tender kiss.

“I love you, so fuckin’ much .” he murmurs, his tired voice was deeper than his regular voice and you can’t deny the way it made your heartbeat quicken in pace.

“I love you too Billy, so damn much.” you giggled shyly from his gaze, causing him to smile at you with a look of admiration.

“You’re my girl forever Y/n.” Billy pulled his lips away and laid down beside you, you lay your head on his chest. You look up to him and he’s looking at you with the purest sense of love that glimmered in his eyes. He reaches his hand out to your face, caressing your cheek with his thumb.

“You’re so damn pretty darlin’.” he praises, making you roll your eyes playfully.

“You’re gonna make me rot from how sweet you are Billy.” you tease and he smirks.

“What? I’m just bein’ honest.” he replies, wrapping his arm around your back and brushing his fingers against the skin, tracing circles down your spine.

“Whatever you say,” you cooed, “g’night Billy.” you yawn, closing your eyes before he replies.

“G’night my pretty girl,” he murmurs against your head, planting a kiss on your forehead before closing his eyes, “sweet dreams.”

you drift to sleep immediately and billy focuses on your heartbeat.

His mind finally finds relief however, before he could rest, he’s stuck on the conversation he overheard between your father and his stepfather on his 15th birthday.

It’d been about your family travelling to New Mexico for your family business.

The sound of your soft snores pulls him away from his thoughts and Billy holds you tighter. He’s wrapping his free arm around you to bring your naked body closer to his, scared of letting you go.

_

im dozing off now &editing this tmr hope yall enjoyed

pls reblog it will be greatly appreciated

send me requests here <3 & dont be shy :)

edit ; part three coming soon !! (if u care)

[puniflash]

The Fall Guy

This movie has completely taken control over my existence, so here are the little things I love most about it, in no particular order.

The triple meaning of the title.

Colt not just being the fall guy in the sense of the stunt community, but also (almost) taking the fall for Henry's murder, and falling in love with Jody so deeply he'd basically die for her.

This is so cool, and I love the english language for it.

(Also, the little fall guy in the A? Perfection.)

The long shots.

My love for one-ers is just as big as Jody's, I guess.

The opening sequence is just so perfect.

Introducing the main characters, establishing Colt's and Jody's relationship and setting high stakes from the beginning with that stunt gone wrong.

This long shot shows you exactly what kind of movie you're gonna watch, and it's probably one of my favourite opening sequences in a movie ever.

This one is so perfect, too.

Jody trying to come up with answers for everyone, and keeping everything under control amuses me and stresses me out in equal messure.

And talking from the little personal experience I have, this sequence (and the whole movie for that matter) captures the work on set so accurately. It's truly amazing.

Long shots like this take so much time and effort to coordinate, and I just love, and appreciate it so much when movies do that. It's so impressive, and so fun to watch.

The prayer hands emoji.

Tom sending Colt nothing more than a prayer hands emoji because he just doesn't care about his well-being at all.

(I mean, he is in fact responsible for Colt's accident, so it's savage but not surprising.)

And then Colt giving that prick at his valet job the exact gesture because the guy acts like an asshole, and Colt couldn't care less about his crispy fiver.

Gold.

The script credits.

This is genius, and I love everything about it!

When you pause the movie and read everthing, you can see there are actual excerpts from the movie script, just a little modified, to fit the credits.

When I saw this for the first time it totally caught me by surprise, and now it is everything I never knew I needed.

This entire conversation.

Jody asking: "Did you fall?" is so ironic, I wanna scream.

Girl, of course he fell. FOR YOU!

And Colt is so high on whatever kind of drug they spiked his drink with, it's so endlessly funny to me.

Plus the way he just can't stop himself from telling Jody how beautiful she is over and over again, while completely ignoring her concern about his wounds.

Not to mention the extended version of this with that sponge bath discussion.

(Haven't seen the extendet cut yet but saw the scene on YouTube a milion times. I die everytime for multiple reasons.)

I could watch a whole movie of them just having a conversation like this.

Bonus:

Everytime I watch this I end up questioning my sanity, cause I feel like he spontaneously gets me pregnant with whatever it is he does here.

Every. Single. Time.

The way his eyes move from her eyes to her lips?

How Jody didn't just lose her mind, and all ability to breathe right then and there is beyond me.

Split Screen.

Another conversation that is just perfect in it's entirety.

The split screen opening exactly on the middle line of that shelf in the backround is satisfying me in a way that should put me in a mental facility.

Colt and Jody being so in sync and mirroring each other during this whole conversation, even after being apart for like 18 months is so special to me.

Colt knowing her favourite movies?

Their love for each other really is a different kind of epic.

The music matching the movie.

This is pure perfection, and I will never shut up about it.

The bottle equals the promise.

The container is turning around in an uncontrollable spin.

Also:

The Song "Dead Guy On Ice" from the original soundtrack is playing right when Colt says this to Gail on the phone.

Also, also:

"I was made for loving you" being woven into so many songs of the original soundtrack, and returning over and over throughout the whole movie in different ways.

It gives me James Bond vibes, and that just makes my heart smile.

I could go on and on about how much joy this sparks in me, everytime I watch the movie. It never fails to make me smile.

Jean Claude.

Nothing to add here, he's such a bon garçon.

Also, the fact that Colt and Jody just keep him after the happenings of the film, is probably my favourite thing ever.

(And I never knew I needed to hear Ryan Gosling speak french, but apparently it's something my body and soul desired very much.)

The post-it notes.

I am OBSESSED with this. Literally the most relatable thing about Tom Ryder. I love using post-it notes for all kinds of stuff when my brain gets overwhelmed, so this is just too real.

"FIRE MASSUSE"

"PRETEND YOU WENT TO JULLIARD"

"next role: paramedic vampire"

"is it MOMOA or MAMOA"

These are cracking me up so hard, I can't.

The cockroach story.

This seriously isn't talked about enough.

Right when I thought I couldn't fall any deeper for Colt's and Jody's relationship, they hit me with this.

Just imagine Colt on all fours, trying to usher that coakroach out of the room, while Jody just sits on the bed, telling him to get it done because she wants to start their movie night.

The domesticity this story implies is killing me in the best way possible.

You're so uncoordinated.

Another thing we just don't talk about enough is this scene right at the beginning:

This is kinda blurry but he totally bumbs her head on that cabinet behind her, and all she does is laugh it off and tell him he's uncoordinated.

And I just love the thought of Colt being this super profesh stuntman, always double-checking everything to make sure it's safe to do the stunts and roll the cameras, but going back to being so adorably clumsy the second the adrenaline rush wears off.

I will never get over this.

That's my girl.

Colt reacting like this when Gail says "That's my girl." is everything to me.

It's so cute, and you know it's exactly what he thought as well, 'cause he is so freaking proud of Jody. It's just so perfect.

"You blew yourself up!"

Tom telling Colt he's supposed to be dead 'cause he blew himself up, then proceeding to blow himself up is amazing writing, and shows how much thought went into this whole thing.

This movie is so good at foreshadowing itself, and I can't get enough of it.

Bonus:

He gets three bars on his phone, and then there are three explosions errupting.

This is satisfying my brain on another level. I can't even put it into words.

Spicy margaritas

Yet another beautiful conversation, that comes full-circle in the end.

Just casually planning a trip to the beach in the middle of the film production chaos, I love that for them.

(The way Ryan says "spicy margarita" is a beautiful thing, that haunts my dreams in the best way possible.)

In conclusion

I love this movie with all my heart, and I could talk hours and hours about how amazing it is.

There's so much more I love about it, but it's just too much to fit it all in here, so these are just the small things that make it extra special for me.

Honerable mentions go to:

- Dan Tucker, master of movie quotes, and best friend Colt Seavers could ever ask for.

- Colt Seavers' coffee side quest.

- The movie lighting a Ryan Gosling sized fire under my ass, prompting me to forget about life, and get a new obsession.

[insidemyrottenbrain]

First dinner with Henry after a long long time

Finding out why he has been searching for you all these years

And what he wants now

Years later - 2

Henry Marchbanks Winter x GN!Reader

Continuation at the request of my dearest anonymous

Out of guilt and dread you end up leaving Vermont and building a new life. Just as you thought you escaped your past, you once again find yourself in its grasp.

Henry ended up inviting me to dinner, insisting that he had a nice place in the middle of London. It was strange not only because of the rapidness with which he managed to obtain such a place but also because it was deeply uncharacteristic of him to own one in the city’s storm eye. Contradicting my rational thoughts not to go, I accepted the invitation to a promising home-cooked meal.

That is why I now stand at the candle-lit dinner table in his scarcely furnished flat, idly sipping from one of the two glasses filled with the white wine I had brought and had been saving for a special occasion. I watch Henry move around the kitchen as if he hasn’t aged a single day, with the same self-awareness of an old ballerina. Being alone with my thoughts more often than not brings certain things to light. My attention is now enraptured by the reality that I am fighting a losing battle with my yearning for He who never once ceased to infect my mind and torture my soul. 

Henry’s lips gently tug at me by rolling my name off his tongue and he pulls me back to reality by setting two dishes on the table. ‘You seem to be devoured by your thoughts, cupitus.’

‘I didn’t know you cooked.’ I remark as he finds his place on the chair opposite to mine.

‘It is a fairly new development.’ Henry nods. ‘Please, tell me how you find it.’

I pick up what looks like a succulent bite along with some garnish, and eat it. The flavours bless my taste buds.

‘You once again meet my great expectations, Henry. Is there anything in which you don’t excel?’ I half-smirk at him out of habit. I should have expected him to be good even at mundane things such as cooking.

There is a silence. I can feel the atmosphere in the room change into something thicker, more suffocating. Henry seems to be weighing down his words, utterly torn between them. He takes a deep breath as if to steady himself and levels his cold gaze with mine. ‘In existing without you.’ He finally slices through the dense silence. ‘I spiraled into utter madness when you left Vermont. Nothing made sense. I failed to realize how much you influenced my life until your departure.’ He is vigilantly tightening the rosary around my neck.

‘You must understand why I left.’ I say instead of acting on my consuming impulses that beg me to soothe his beating heart.

‘I do.’ Henry nods solemnly. ‘However, knowing the reason for your absence does not bring normality back to me.’

‘Normality is not eternal.’ I say without thinking.

‘It is not.’ He agrees. ‘Regardless, you must be my eternity.’ 

The sentence is so obnoxiously irrational that it has managed to break my whole being, including my equanimity, leaving behind raw emotions on my face. This did not escape Henry’s eyes.

‘I am aware of my thinking’s quixotic nature, yet I fear you must take it as it is.’ He pauses to light up a cigarette. ‘Will you come back to Vermont with me?’

‘No, I-’

‘Then I shall stay here with you.’ He interrupts not wanting to deal with anything that might be in antithesis to his wishes. Once he sees I remained quiet he takes a drag from his cigarette and speaks again. ‘The matter of location is settled then.’

‘I suppose so.’ There is no point in disagreeing with him. I pick up my fork, remembering the food in front of me. We eat in silence, while he finishes his cigarette and lights a second.

‘Let us move on to the matter of our relationship.’ Henry gets up and slowly moves towards the balcony, an unspoken order for me to follow. My feet move on their own accord and I end up by his side.

The city is breathing. It incorporates everyone, blurring mismatched stories and human lives together into one single homogenous mix of souls, yet somehow omitting us. We stand above it, two mortals playing Gods, overlooking a sea of indistinguishable humanity while we ourselves are an obscure pair of animae, strangled and twisted around each other far above recognition. I now understand that he is here because of my holy chains spiraled around him, constantly tugging and demanding his devotion, forbidding him from developing any organized thought or rational emotion. We endlessly torment each other with separation until our transit existences are nothing but purgatory.

I take the cigarette from his lips and bring it to mine, then let its remains fall below. I allow the warm smoke to escape my lungs and brush against his face. Henry desperately inhales it like oxygen.

‘I missed you.’ He whispers, vulnerability clear in his eyes.

I smile at the sight of which I never even dreamed and once again, after countless years, lock my breath and limbs with Henry’s.

[mashbrainrot]

Trapper in 'The Interview'

In 2006, Larry Gelbart wrote dialogue imagining Trapper, Henry Blake, and Colonel Flagg had featured in the M*A*S*H episode 'The Interview'. Here is Trapper's, with the original available to read here via Google Groups.

REPORTER: Captain John McIntyre is a surgeon attached here at the 4077. What they call a chest cutter, is that right, Captain? TRAPPER JOHN: Right. I look inside ’em for any souvenirs our troops might be trying to smuggle home as souvenirs. REPORTER: And removing them forthwith. TRAPPER JOHN: I don’t get into a lot of fights from any patients who want to hold on to them. REPORTER: A lot of them are very young, is that true? TRAPPER JOHN: Too young to be doing what they’re doing. Our job’s giving ’em a chance to get old.

REPORTER: You have a most unusual nickname, I’m told. “Trapper John,” is that correct? TRAPPER JOHN: It’s a hangover from college. REPORTER: Would you tell us how you got it? TRAPPER JOHN: The hangover? REPORTER: The nickname. TRAPPER JOHN: Nope. REPORTER: Too personal? TRAPPER JOHN: Sorry. REPORTER: Didn’t mean to pry. TRAPPER JOHN: I’ll tell you the college, if you like. REPORTER: But not how you – TRAPPER JOHN: It happened a long time ago. Happened B.M., you could say. Before marriage. REPORTER: Well, we certainly wouldn’t want to get you into any trouble back home. TRAPPER JOHN: Let me tell clue you in on something: I wouldn’t mind being in trouble back home one bit. I wouldn’t mind anything if I could be doing it back home. REPORTER: It’s not easy being this far away. TRAPPER JOHN: You know what’s easy? Hating being this far away. Hating just being a picture on the mantle that my two little girls say goodnight to. REPORTER: General Sherman was right, huh? About war being hell? TRAPPER JOHN: If generals hate war so much, how come they can never wait to get into the next one? REPORTER: I understand you tried to adopt what you thought was a Korean orphan some time back. TRAPPER JOHN: I thought I could make us both a little less miserable about what was going on here. Happily, the kid’s mother was still alive. REPORTER: That would have been a lovely gesture. TRAPPER JOHN: I’m not big on gestures. Unless there’s some kind of payoff. REPORTER: Would you like to say hello to your own children right now? TRAPPER JOHN: Not really. Not as just one more picture in our living room. It’s enough they’re seeing me. That’s a big enough kick for all of us. REPORTER: Do you feel this experience has in any way helped you as a doctor? TRAPPER JOHN: Let me ask you a question: just how many people you figure’re going to be carried into my office someday with a chunk of shrapnel sticking out of their heads? I don’t know where you live, pal, but where I come from very few folks ever step on a landmine in the middle of trying to cross the street. REPORTER: Would you say there’s been any positive aspect of any of this for you at all? TRAPPER JOHN: Of course, there is. You see people at their best around here – see them coping with the results of what some people can do when they’re at their worst. REPORTER: The doctors, you mean? TRAPPER JOHN: The doctors. The nurses. The orderlies – Koreans, mostly. Every day kind of bleeds into the next around here – in every sense of the word – the routine gets to be fairly unmemorable. But I have the feeling that years from now I’m gonna remember each and every one of them. And the face that goes with each one. (A PAUSE; THEN TO THE CAMERA) Hi, sweetheart. Hi, Becky. Hi, Cathy.

[greyfongschemmenti]

This Is How It Feels | Part 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Pairing: Regina Mills x Reader

Warnings: injury

Word Count: 1.7k

The morning air was crisp as you left the cozy embrace of the tavern, your boots clunking lightly on the worn steps. With the weight of your backpack snug against your shoulders, you stepped into Granny's Diner, where the black and white checkered floor gleamed under the morning sun. There, you spotted Henry, engrossed in a thick leather-bound book at the bar counter.

"Hey, Henry!" you called out, a smile gracing your lips as you approached.

Henry glanced up, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Hey, y/n. What brings you out, are you heading out already?

"Uhh…no actually I was gonna just head for a little camping trip in the woods," you replied, gesturing towards her backpack. "What about you?"

"Just needed some fresh air before school," Henry shrugged, his gaze returning to the book. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just in the way around here."

Your heart went out to him, and you slid onto the stool beside him. "I'm sorry to hear that. Wanna talk about what’s going on?"

Henry paused, contemplating his words.  “My family are all kind of like heroes. They are always helping people in town with their troubles. My mom is the mayor and my other mom is the sheriff. My grandmother’s…was…a teacher and my grandfather was a deputy. They like to serve people. I try to help but I always end up getting in the way just stumbling in their shadows.” Henry's expression softened as he looked down at his hot chocolate. 

Listening empathetically, you reached for the coffee pitcher and poured yourself a cup, a thoughtful expression on your face. While you get a nasty glare from Granny but you continue on "It sounds like you're struggling to find your own path amidst their legacies."

“My own path?” he looks up at you and you nod while mixing the cream and sugar “yeah, it sounds like you're really grappling with finding your place among your family of heroes. That's completely understandable. I’m sure you feel a bit overwhelmed by their noble professions”

Henry nodded, his gaze fixed on his hot chocolate. "Yeah, exactly."

Henry nods as if that’s the issue then you continue as you slam the sugar container on the counter to get his attention “But here's the thing, you have your own strengths and passions that are unique to YOU. Have you thought about what really lights you up, what makes you feel alive? What makes Henry..well…Henry?"

Henry shrugs and shakes his head, and you give him a sympathetic nod "Maybe you don't see it yet, but I bet you have qualities that make you special in your own way. You don't have to be a carbon copy of your family members to make a difference. Heroism comes in all shapes and sizes, and it's about finding what feels right for you."

Henry hesitated, but your encouragement seemed to embolden him. "I've tried, but..."

“It’s scary but remember, Henry, it's okay to take your time figuring things out. Life's a journey, not a race. Keep exploring, keep learning, and don't be afraid to try new things. You'll find your place in the world, I'm sure of it." you put a hand on his shoulder giving it a light squeeze then offer him a smile. 

“Henry” Regina calls out to her son as he quickly looks over “mom! How much did you hear?”

Regina offers a kind smile and “very little. Come on we gotta get you to school” Henry nods, grabbing his bookbag and the book. He walks with Regina to the door then stops to turn around “Hey y/n?”

You look up at him and see him give you a smile “thanks, it means a lot”

You offer him a smile and cheer your mug to him “anytime you need someone to talk to” he laughs and you notice Regina gives you a soft smile then mouths out a thank you as they walk out the diner. 

With a sense of contentment, you finished your coffee and left money on the counter, bidding goodbye to Granny as you stepped back into the sunlight.

---

As the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, you found yourself deep in the heart of the forest, surrounded by towering trees and the gentle rustle of leaves. Enjoying the hike and watching the birds and animals. You set up camp near a babbling brook, the sound of rushing water lulling you into a state of peace. You decide to take a moment to take some landscape photos and sketch for a bit. Capturing the golden hour of the day as the rays of the sun shine through the ceiling of trees. 

But as darkness fell, a sense of unease crept over her. Every snap of a twig sounded like an ominous warning, sending shivers down your spine. You look around for any possible predators. It could just be an opossum or maybe there’s a possibility of it being a bear. Setting your books down you stand grabbing a flashlight to make sure the space around your camp is secured. 

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the forest, freezing you in your tracks. Your heart raced as you fumbled for the flashlight, keeping your cool. If this is a bear trying to get your sights on it first so you can find the best escape plan. 

Another noise of a twig snapping and your head turns quickly to the source of the noise. Slowly backing up towards your camp you crouch down to pack up your bag. A shuffle is heard a couple yards away and you point your flashlight over “who’s there!” 

There was no response, only the eerie silence of the woods. Your breath caught in your throat as you zip up the bag and then kick dirt into the campfire. You take a cautious step backwards, your senses on high alert.

That’s when you hear it. A loud howling noise is heard followed by what looks like a massive black shadow behind your shoulder. You take off in a full blown sprint. Hurdling over large trunks and ducking low branches as you try to run in the direction of the main road. You hear the growling getting closer and you hid behind a large tree. Taking a moment to breathe as you look around for a branch or maybe some rock formations you can climb to get higher ground. You peek over and see what looks smaller than a bear but bigger than a dog. You have no idea if it was possible for wolves to be located in this region. As far as you know there wasn’t. 

Okay, the road should only be about half a mile away. I can make it or atleast get closer to find help.

You take a deep breath and then find your courage and sprint off again. Hearing the growling again behind you but then, disaster struck, your foot gets caught on a hidden root, sending you tumbling to the ground with a sickening thud. Darkness engulfed your vision as your head connected with the forest floor, stars dancing behind your eyelids followed by total darkness.

---

When consciousness returned, you found yourself in unfamiliar surroundings, the soft glow of lamplight casting shadows across the room. Confusion clouded your thoughts until Regina's familiar face came into view, her touch a comforting anchor in your view of confusion. A sudden pain shoots your face “ouch” you wince. 

“Sorry” Regina whispers as she softly presses the cotton ball to your head. “Just cleaning the cut”

"Regina?" you murmured, your voice hoarse.

Regina's expression softened with relief. "You're awake. Thank goodness."

"What... what happened?" you ask, struggling to piece together the events that had led them here.

Regina sighed, her voice gentle. "Someone found you unconscious near the woods. You took quite a fall. But don't worry, you're safe now."

You nod as you get the information

Regina offered her a reassuring smile. "Just rest now. You'll be okay. I’m actually almost done here and I can give you a ride to Granny’s…"

"Thank you, Regina.” you offer her a warm smile as you find the strength to sit up on the couch “I appreciate the offer”

As she assured you of your safety, gratitude flooded your senses, mingled with a newfound appreciation for the kindness of others. 

–

As Regina walked you to your room at Granny's, you couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness between you. "Thank you, Regina. I really appreciate all your help tonight."

Regina's gaze softened, her eyes meeting yours with a warmth that sent a flutter through your chest. "Of course, y/n. I'm just glad I was able to find you in time."

You nodded, a small smile tugging at your lips. "Yeah, me too. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't."

There was a pause, the air between you thick with unspoken words, until Regina spoke again, her voice soft. "Listen, y/n... I just wanted to say... I'm glad you're okay. I don't know what I would've done if something had happened to you."

Her words caught you off guard, and you felt a rush of warmth spread through you at the sincerity in her voice. "I... um, thanks, Regina. That means a lot."

Regina's gaze lingered on you, her expression unreadable, before she cleared her throat and stepped back, breaking the moment. "Well, um... I should let you rest. You've had a long night."

You nodded, though a part of you wished she would stay a little longer. "Yeah, I probably should. Thanks again, Regina. For everything."

With a small smile, Regina turned to leave, but before she did, she glanced back at you over her shoulder. "Get some rest, y/n. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

You watched her go, a smile playing at your lips as you settled into bed, the memory of her kindness filling you with a warmth that lingered long after she was gone. Maybe, just maybe, there was something more between you and Regina. And as you drifted off to sleep, you couldn't help but wonder what the future might hold.

[anincompletelist]

wip wednesday :D

HAPPY WEDNESDAY PEOPLE! this *might* be the earliest I have ever been for one of these..... which is fair given how atrociously LATE I've been the last two weeks jshdjksh

I'm trying to catch up on tags so I'll put them beneath the cut, along with the snippet I'm sharing to make up for the last line, six sentence sunday, AND wip wednesday tags. so, if you're tagged, I'm pulling an uno reverse and tagging you BACK again (pls tell me this makes sense it is 2am here ksjhdskjhd) ANYWAY THANK YOU ALL I ADORE YOU AND YOUR LOVELY WORDS AND THANK YOU ALWAYS FOR THINKING OF ME! xx

this snippet is from yet another new wip and is of the omegaverse / a/b/o variety, so if that's not your thing please feel free to skip and come back next week!

enjoy! <3

+

Alex doesn’t look all that much different even a couple of years later, still just as paradoxical as he’s always been— fearlessly confident and yet frenetically, undeniably unsettled. Pez had made a joke once that being around Alex was like touching static electricity, hair standing on end and shocks dancing along fingertips. Henry, for all his distaste, might be inclined to agree. 

He watches as Alex strikes up a conversation with a pretty blonde woman at the bar beside him, can make out the curve of his grin and just barely hear the tones of his laugh from across the room. For a few minutes it seems like things are going well, but then the woman shakes her head with a muted smile and backs away, eventually disappearing into another group on the other side of the floor. 

Henry’s second drink is empty by the time two others have come and gone, a taller man that Alex had approached himself and another person who’d come up to him to chat afterward. Despite Alex actively engaging in the conversations, Henry watches each of them leave after a few minutes like clockwork, glances down at his own wrist and knows the feeling. 

After the third person excuses themselves, the confident line of Alex’s shoulders gradually begins to fade, curling in on himself just a little as he stirs the ice around in his drink with his straw. He’s raising it to his mouth, about to take a sip when he glances up to scan the room again and his eyes finally land on Henry. 

He pauses, his mouth split open and drink still hovering in front of him as his cheeks and the sides of his neck darken lightly. Henry doesn’t look away. Alex does though, and he furrows a brow at the floor as if warring with himself before his eyes flick back up again, questioning. 

Henry doesn’t break the contact as he steps sideways and slides into an unoccupied velvet, half-circled booth, the seat opposite him noticeably vacant. Alex’s chest rises and falls again as he takes yet another steadying breath, squeezes his eyes shut, then spins and marches over, crossing the floor and dropping down across from Henry sans the welcoming smile he'd offered everyone else.

“Alex,” Henry says in greeting. 

He blinks, grumbling. “Henry.” 

Clearing his throat, Henry leans back and spreads his knees just a bit underneath the table, leaving his wrist out openly on the table between them beside his drink. It’s obvious when Alex tries not to look, even more so when he does, the column of his throat shifting in the low light. 

Then, carefully, Alex draws one hand out of his own lap to rest it at the edge of the table, the angle drawing his sleeve up just enough to expose the bands he’s chosen. 

Alpha, which Henry’d been expecting, and Submissive, which he very much had not.

+

OK HERE'S THE RUNDOWN:

@kiwiana-writes @cricketnationrise @eusuntgratie @violetbaudelaire-quagmire @bigassbowlingballhead @wordsofhoneydew @zwiazdziarka @firenati0n @suseagull04 @onthewaytosomewhere @iboatedhere @junebugclaremontdiaz @sunnysideprince @priincebutt @inexplicablymine @heybuddy-drabbles @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @getmehighonmagic @sparklepocalypse @magicandarchery @oxfordslutphase @itsmaybitheway @ninzied @futureseaempress @captainjunglegym @nocoastposts AND I THINK THAT IS EVERYONE? IF I MISSED YOU PLS COME AND YELL AT ME THANKS <3333

(and also open tag as per usual)

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL HAVING A LOVELY WEEK SO FAR! :D xx

[ken-dom]

Your Voice

Henry Letham x reader

Summary: Henry doesn’t know what’s happening to him, but at least you’re here. If only he could place you.

Author’s notes: Here’s the Henry comfort I promised! It’s a little bit strange (if you’ve seen the film you’ll get the vibe, if you haven’t, this might not make much sense) and a little bit angsty. If you want more Henry, I’m open to suggestions!

Warnings/content: gn!reader, fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, blood, hospital, kissing, Henry lives AU

Henry winced when you stepped out of the crowd and reached up to wipe the blood from his cheek.

Everyone else was still motionless, staring at him on the sidewalk, making empty, detached comments he couldn’t understand.

As you swept his hair out of his face, he thought he recognised you from somewhere, but he couldn’t place where.

His eyes burned into yours. At your touch, his blood stained hand dropped to his side and his knees felt like they would give out.

‘Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.’

Your voice sounded almost angelic to him and he thought that perhaps he recognised you from a painting he’d studied once. Or maybe one of his own paintings.

He followed you without question, straight to your house and into the bathroom, perching on the side of the bath tub as though he’d been here a hundred times before. You carefully dabbed the blood away with a damp cloth.

There was no wound.

‘Good as new,’ you smiled down at him.

‘Why me?’ he breathed, indignantly shy under your gaze.

‘Don’t remember me, do you?’ you said gently.

‘I think I do but… I can’t remember why.’

‘It doesn’t matter. Do you need a rest? You seem tired.’

‘I’m so tired,’ he groaned quietly, rubbing his hands over his face and wishing he had a cigarette.

You peeled a trembling hand away to pull him up and over to your bed.

‘Here. Rest as long as you need. I’ll be right through there.’ You gestured vaguely to your living room.

Henry swallowed thickly, brows knitting as he thought it through. He took a deep breath.

‘Thank you,’ he nodded with an almost smile, eyes finding yours from behind the strands of lank hair hanging over his sad eyes.

The air seemed to thicken then, as if time and space were shifting around you, and the atmosphere pushed you forward into him.

It felt so natural, your lips on his, and he kissed you back without hesitation.

He tasted like coffee and cigarettes and smelled faintly of oil paint and turpentine. A repulsive combination on anyone else, but for him it worked. It would almost be sexy if the circumstances were a little different.

He was a needy kisser, seeming to draw your tongue into his mouth without you noticing while his fingertips teased at gripping you, but he wasn’t sure if you’d want that much intensity yet — or why you wanted him at all — so they simply ghosted up your arms instead.

But you pushed your fingers up into his soft, greasy hair and it finally gave him the confidence to grab you, pulling your body flush to his skinny frame and squeezing as though he were holding on for dear life, you being his only lifeline.

You, your lips, your touch. Your voice.

Where was that voice from?

You pulled back, smiling coyly while he dropped down onto the bed.

‘Hey,’ he called as you turned to leave the room, ‘stay with me?’

Pausing at the bedroom door, you turned back slowly, nodding with a soft smile.

He laid down and you climbed onto the bed to join him, making yourself comfortable as he laid stiff and flat on his back beside you.

You pulled him closer until his head was resting on your chest to stroke his hair.

‘Forgive me,’ he sighed, sad and confused and a little hopeful.

When he woke, the room was bright white. There were voices he didn’t recognise and electronic sounds that scared him a little.

His head was on a pillow. He wasn’t laid in your arms now.

He blinked slowly until something, anything came into focus.

And eventually it did. The shape of a person sitting on a chair beside the bed — a different bed to the one he’d fallen asleep in. And they were holding his hand.

‘He’s awake! He’s opened his eyes!’

And before the room filled with people, he realised it was you. It was your voice.

[ohtobealady]

Love your writing so much, may I be a bit cheeky and ask for another one? Would you do 'future'? <3

Oooo be as cheeky as you like, friend! This word was hard for me! I don’t know why. You deserve a better one. But I’m glad for the exercise!

—————,’—————

Future

They both laughed at the way Tiaa rounded the tree, snapping at the ball, pieces of grass flying from her abrupt change in direction.

The children called out the dog’s name and ran after her, the heavy cricket ball firmly lodged in her teeth. She looked as if she was smiling as she bolted out of Tom’s reach.

She heard as Edith laughed harder still when Bertie turned to them, his shirtsleeves rolled, his thin hair flopping over his forehead, and shrugged in defeat. George, Mary saw, similarly forfeited. She watched her son’s blond head drop back, his square chin lifting to the sky, before he loosely slung his cricket bat to the ground.

“Chasing her won’t do any good,” she called to them all. “If you ignore her, she’ll come to you.”

But Mary’s advice was largely ignored, and she and Edith looked on as Tom, Bertie, and the children tried to woo the dog, sweetly sing-songing her name and promising her all manner of treats.

Mary sighed and sank further into her chair. Beside her Edith laughed into her glass of lemonade, and Mary could see that she tracked Bertie’s movements before she quickly looked to her, catching her eye. Edith’s brows furrowed, and Mary knew Edith sensed the quiet disappointment that Mary was trying her best to hide away.

After all, Edith knew her. She always seemed to know her better than anyone else, for better or worse.

“What is it?” Edith asked, smiling, and Mary shook her head.

She looked away and across the lawn. “It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure?” Edith pressed. “You’ve been very quiet since this morning.”

“Well, it really should be nothing. I wanted it after all.”

At this Edith angled towards her, the wicker chair creaking slightly amongst the laughter on the grass before them.

“Henry?”

Mary nodded, but she didn’t look at her sister. She couldn’t. She kept her eyes trained on her mother’s parasol bobbing along in the distance. “It’s difficult. I’ve asked him to claim adultery so that it can go ahead easily.”

“And will he?”

Mary still watched, far beyond them on the gravel, as her papa lifted his head and laughed at something Mama must’ve said. His hair looked so much grayer in the sun. She drew in a breath. “Yes. After all, how could it not be true? We’ve hardly seen one another in months.”

“That may not mean anything—-“

But Mary shook her head, and she looked at her sister. “I think it does. Even if it doesn’t mean adultery.” She lowered her eyes and smoothed a wrinkle from her skirt. “Anyway, I’ve got the documents now. They came in the morning post. It’s only a matter of telling Papa before we proceed.”

“Oh, Mary.” Edith turned away from her, and Mary assumed she searched out their father as well, closer to them, Mama’s fingers clutching at the bend of his elbow. “I wish there was a better way. Seems unfair to have to place fault on someone in a divorce. Everyone’s unhappy enough as it is.”

Mary tipped her head. She agreed.

“How do you suppose Papa will react?”

“I don’t know. He said he worries for me. He doesn’t want me to be alone,” Mary answered. She looked and saw her parents were nearer, but had paused. Mama’s parasol blocked her view of their faces, but she saw the way they stood still together, at a distance from their family. She saw the way their feet moved to face each other, and Mary looked away. “He just can’t understand that I already am.”

In her periphery, Mary noticed that Edith had looked to their parents now as well. And eventually, when the silence had gone on for a few moments more, she turned to Edith who still watched across the lawn as Mama and Papa began to move again towards them. They were smiling. “No. No one with that kind of luck could understand.”

Mary sighed. “Not just luck, Edith.” They both watched their parents now, and Mary felt her lips soften into a smile. “They decided to want each other. And in the end, I deserve to be wanted, too.”

[roseharpermaxwell]

RWRB FirstPrince Holiday Recs

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve - click below for my favorites.

I Don't Know About You, But I'm Feeling... by @iboatedhere. T, 794 words. Four birthdays in Alex's life.

it was the fourth of july (you and i were fireworks) by dreakawa. G, 1k. Alex has always loved fireworks. They were loud and bright and beautiful; in a way, he felt at peace among them.

Tonight, though.

Tonight, Alex watches in amazement as his roommate and best friend, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, gazes up at the display, his big blue eyes taking it all in, lips curved in a gummy smile that takes up his entire face, and oh.

Alex isn't watching the show.

Alex is watching Henry.

love, we begin by rizcriz. T, 1.1k. Henry loves his best friend. Absolutely adores Pez for all he’s worth and then some. But current circumstances have left him with a deep sense of loathing that cannot be outweighed by his hatred for any other thing in existence. In fact, Henry hates Pez so much right now that he wishes they’d never met.

All this to say, it’s two minutes to New Years, Henry’s at a party with only one person he knows—who has very much abandoned him— and is surrounded by horny women eyeing him like he’s going to be their magical prince in shining armor New Years kiss.

or, Henry gets a New Years kiss.

kiss me, and tell me that i’ll see you again by fxckingeyelashes. T, 2k. “Forgive me if I’m being too forward, but are you into guys perhaps? I’d like to know if I have a chance.”

“A chance at what?” Alex raises his eyebrows. It’s only then that he notices the rainbow G A Y under Henry’s name.

“A chance to be your new year’s kiss.”

(you can start) a family who will always show you love by @waterloolovers. T, 2.1k. “Confetti eggs.”

“Cascarones, but yes,” Alex grins, “I’ll give you a pass since your Spanish is a bit tragic.”

“Rude.” Henry rolls his eyes fondly. “So you just… chase each other around and try to smash eggs on each other? Seems rather messy with confetti going everywhere.”

“It’s very messy, but that’s the fun part of it. It’s meant to bring good fortune for the rest of the year."

The Spirit of Giving by @cha-melodius. T, 2.3k. His practice tamales come out pretty damned good, if he says so himself, and the ones for the holiday party are going to be even better. Alex is confident now that there’s no way his won’t be the best dish a the whole potluck; he’s definitely going to win (and no, he doesn’t care that you can’t ‘win’ a potluck, June).

(1 million words challenge holiday edition, prompt: “My holiday dish is better than your holiday dish.”)

Speaking my Language by HMS_Chill. G, 2.3k. Prompt:

"Alex always saying sweet things to Henry in Spanish but won't tell him what any of it means, and he's always google translating them and awe-ing at how cute Alex is and then like maybe he learns how to say something adorable to and says it to Alex and Alex just like melts or something"

one of your girls. by seafloor. M, 2.4k. New Years Eve; three years later. An hour before midnight.

Santa, Tell Me by @harrysglasses. G, 2.5k. Henry receives a very special gift from his office Secret Santa and is determined to find out who it's from.

we play all day (and spread holiday cheer) by headabovethewater. E, 2.5k. Nora guffaws. “You fucked Santa’s Elf?!”

“I mean,” Alex pauses and shrugs, “not with the costume on, obviously.”

“I can’t fucking believe you,” Nora exclaims, her hands cupping her own face in disbelief. She looks over Alex’s shoulder and cocks an eyebrow, before she lowers her hands and her tone, and asks, “Since when do you have a thing for blondes?”

I'll Have a Flu Christmas by @three-drink-amy. G, 2.7k. Plans go awry when Alex comes down with the flu right before Christmas while Henry waits for him to fly over and meet him in England. Prepared to spend Christmas sick and alone, Alex doesn't expect Henry to take matters into his own hands.

i think i'm falling for you by WaterlooLovers. T, 2.8k. Henry blinks at the man. He’s thankful the rink is fairly dark, only disco lights and black lights surrounding them, so the man can’t see the blush on his cheeks. The man is gorgeous, and still holding his waist, and Henry might be hallucinating. Maybe he did crack his skull on the hard rink floor. “Um.”

Trick or Kiss by @hillerskas. NR, 2.9k. Henry’s been here for ten minutes and he’s already causing Alex to feel some feelings. He supposes Henry has made him a bit scared with his costume, but not in the god given Halloween way he should.

Or, Alex is throwing the Halloween party of the year and can't quite figure out why the Prince of England is haunting his every thought.

onward to adventure by rizcriz. T, 3k. Some men would call Henry a fool.

He’s standing at a bar an hour to midnight in a packed nightclub on New Years Eve hoping to catch sight of a man he’s met all of once. Perhaps fool is too lighthearted a word for what he is. Foolishly optimistic—though, he’s never been deemed the optimistic sort before, he supposes there’s a first for everything.

Some people, people like Pez, who are standing watch—or, rather, dancing watch from a respectable distance away—call Henry a reformed fool. Because the fool part came a year ago when he let the world’s most perfect match disappear into a crowd and out of Henry’s life with the promise of returning in a year.

May Your New Years Dreams Come True by chamel. T, 3.1k. “In fact, I’d wager money my date will by far be the hottest there.”

Hunter scoffs, which honestly Henry doesn’t understand. It’s not like Alex hasn’t pulled in some real lookers to previous years’ parties, much to Henry’s chagrin. “Really? You want to bet?”

Alex shrugs. “Sure.”

“Henry,” Hunter says suddenly, finally—and unfortunately—acknowledging that he’s actually been standing there the whole time. “You want in on this?”

(1 million words challenge holiday edition, prompt: "Competition to see who can bring the hottest date to the New Year’s party")

you and me, forevermore by @theprinceandagcd. T, 3.1k. "He pushes up on his toes to kiss Henry, who returns the kiss immediately, greedily, tongue brushing against his in a way that makes Alex's brain short circuit just as much as it did a year ago.

A year ago.

It still does something to him, stirs something deep inside him that makes his entire body feel like pure mush. It's a memory burned so bright in his mind - cold air, a buzz in his veins, a tree in a quiet garden, fingers gripping his face, soft lips against his.

The night his world turned on its axis and shifted toward Henry, altering his path and forever tilting him closer."

Or, Alex and Henry on New Year's Eve, one year after their first, and Alex wants it to be special.

don't let me get drunk again by @getmehighonmagic. E, 3.1k. Alex had never wanted to cancel plans as much as he had while watching Henry pull a pair of light wash, tight jeans over his stockinged legs and bare ass.

Christ, he’s getting hard thinking about it now.

Merry Christmas, Darling by lucy_in_the_sky. E, 3.2k. Alex and Henry's first Christmas together as a couple. Just some good ol' fashioned Christmas smut

Wherever you are, as ever I remain by gallifreyandglowclouds. M, 3.4k. 'It’s transparently a lie, and he shouldn’t lie to Alex, but he can’t help it in the moment. He so badly wants everything to just be fine, to love this new life without a foot stuck in the old one.'

Henry can't help but feel a little homesick during his first Christmas in Brooklyn.

stars by the pocketful by weather_stained. T, 3.7k. Henry is having a terrible Halloween, so terrible that he completely forgets it even is Halloween until Alex shows up at his door asking to borrow a prop for June's costume.

Though Henry opts out of June's Halloween party, Alex makes sure he doesn't spend the holiday alone.

Call It Even by @smc-27. T, 3.7k. Alex shrugs. “I’ll go with you.”

Terrible, terrible, no good idea.

Too bad his mouth works faster than his brain. Which is…another thing he wishes to not think about. His mouth, and Alex, and all the things he could do to that man.

“All right.”

Fuck.

(aka: henry needs a +1 for a holiday party. his roommate offers.)

Help Yourself to Happiness by ronans. NR, 3.8k. ‘So you’re taking the post down, I assume? Now we’re both sober and in control of our impulses?’

Pez barks a laugh. ‘Absolutely not.’

‘I know we discussed the very real possibility that I would cry myself into oblivion without you here singing horrendously off key Christmas carols, but… isn’t this a little… desperate?’

‘I’m willing to see where this will take us, aren’t you?’ Pez asks, raising an eyebrow.

‘Says the man who would be safely out of the country after setting his best friend up with a potential murderer.’

Pez levels him with a look and then picks up Henry’s phone. ‘How many polos did he play?’ Pez turns the screen around so Henry can see the comment. ‘Does that sound like a person with murderous tendencies?’

Henry snatches the phone back. ‘This is a terrible idea.’

Or, A drunken night leads to Pez posting on Reddit, calling on any singles in the area to help Henry be a little less lonely this Christmas.

to see myself in someone’s eyes by saintsnames. G, 4.4k. five fathers, five father’s days

or: a father’s day each in the lives of oscar, arthur, leo, henry, and alex

I'm not gay, but my apparel is by @clottedcreamfudge. T, 4.5k. “I’m not a salesman,” Alex points out, coming out from behind the counter and rolling up his sleeves. “I’m a purveyor of oddities, curiosities, and intrigue.”

“Yes, I saw your sign.”

“And now here we are,” Alex says, gesturing grandly and expansively to the space around him.

“Here we are,” the man says softly, then pulls one hand out of his coat pocket and holds it out to Alex. “Henry Fox-Mountchristen. I would like to purchase an oddity, curiosity, or an item of intrigue.”

you bring blue lights to dreams by headabovethewater. E, 4.5k. When Alex pulls him a bit closer and kisses him again, he thinks he sees a flash of blue peek through the opening in Henry’s shirt, but he ignores the thrill that travels down his spine and shrugs it off. Wishful thinking, he’s sure.

Or, Henry surprises Alex as they celebrate New Year's Eve together.

baby, be mine by strwbrryfox. T, 4.8k. five times alex asks henry to be his valentine and one time henry beats him to it ♥️

many times, many ways by @littlemisskittentoes. M, 4.8k. The thing is, Alex knows he can’t replace the bittersweet wave of memories that swarm Henry’s head at the sight of snow flurries and smell of peppermint in the air. He doesn’t want to. He wants Henry to keep those close, even if it is through the sepia tone of melancholy.

But Alex can’t help but wonder if maybe he can find a way to balance poignancy with something a bit easier. Something a little bit lighter. Something Henry can revisit to understand where he belongs, how he fits into the “happy” of it all any time he needs.

He looks over to Henry, finally asleep against his chest. He takes in the gentle slope of Henry’s nose, the fluttered fan of eyelashes against moon-bathed cheeks. He fixates on the subtle canyon, the soft part of Henry’s lips, the phantom wind of a silent snore, and Alex knows: the very least he can do is try.

or, holidays have always come as a reminder to Henry of what he’s lost. But Alex always manages to remind him of everything he’s gained too.

Ink it in on my skin, sign me up, make it last against the time by @hgejfmw-hgejhsf. E, 5.2k. “Okay, then,” Alex says, and Henry can’t help but smile at the hint of mischief creeping into his voice, “there’s two weeks until Valentine’s Day. We each have that long to make it happen, and we’ll do a big reveal that night. Deal?” Flecks of gold are shimmering in his copper eyes. Henry leans forward, catching Alex’s lips to seal their accord.

“Agreed.”

OR

Alex and Henry both decide to get tattoos.

I must tell you what you will not ask by @lizzie-bennetdarcy. E, 5.3k. Henry's plans for Christmas fall through, so Alex invites him home for the holidays. They're best friends, strictly platonic roommates, so why does everyone think they're dating?

Have you ever been alone in a crowded room? by @hgejfmw-hgejhsf. T, 5.4k. When the Legendary Balls-Out Bananas White House Trio New Year's Eve Party is interrupted by a security threat, Henry, Pez, Nora, June, and Alex find themselves locked in the White House library for their own protection with nothing but time, a few bottles of champagne, and some lighthearted conversation, until a single question threatens to change everything for Henry.

You and Me, Forevermore by milowren. NR, 5.6k. When Henry gets sick a few days after Christmas, he and Alex end up celebrating New Year's together in a different way than they planned.

Red, White, and British Blues by lucy_in_the_sky. E, 5.6k. Instead of the warm Texan sun, today Alex wakes up to an English chill. Instead of a lively barbecue packed with friends and family, he and Henry are scheduled to attend a state banquet later in the afternoon.

Again, he tries to not be disappointed. It’s just, he was really looking forward to a chance to take a break from all this nonsense for the weekend.

God bless the USA, or whatever.

where every wish comes true by @hypnostheory. E, 6k. “Locked out?”

“I forgot my keys,” Alex says with a sigh, leaning against his door with a muted shiver. He was planning on a heated Uber ride to June’s apartment, not standing out in the cold ass hallway. Alex hugs his coat closer to his chest. “My friend has my spare.”

Henry nods, leaning against his own door frame. Alex isn’t sure what the man does outside of going to grad school at NYU, but it must be bench-pressing horses based on the size of his biceps. Henry reaches up to push his glasses higher on his nose and Alex swears he wasn’t that bisexual when the day started. “Would you like to wait in my apartment for your friend?”

Alex gets locked out his apartment on Christmas Eve. He's forced to take refuge in his neighbor and occasional fuck buddy Henry's apartment, and together the two get into the Christmas spirit with the help of a festive costume and a silk ribbon.

The Honeymoon Suite by clottedcreamfudge. E, 6.1k. Henry's plane is grounded, which is absolutely fine, and not at all the worst possible outcome on Christmas Eve when he should already be on his way to London. Alex's plane is also grounded, but fortunately for his leggy British co-worker, he's a generous soul who's happy to share the room he managed to bag at a local hotel while they wait for their new flights.

So, so generous.

Baby, it's Halloween and we can be anything by sheisraging. E, 6.3k. Alex is furious. More furious than he should be about the whole thing, but still. Plans were made. Money was spent. Costumes were purchased—not even rented—purchased!

it's in the stars, it's who we are by @indomitable-love. E, 6.4k. 'Henry pulls back with wide, startled eyes, releases him roughly and staggers backwards. He lets out a mumbled curse and turns on his heel, and Alex has just enough of something still firing in his brain to reach out and catch Henry’s wrist. Just enough awareness of the fact that Henry is about to run, to say, ‘No, wait,’ before he can disappear through the snow.'

or, the AU where Henry doesn't run after the New Year's Eve kiss.

Re: Inappropriate Festive Party Conduct [Sent with High Importance!] by @largepeachicedtea. E, 6.5k.

Alex has changed his suit into something soft-looking and appropriately red, though the white shirt with the holly pin is still there, now accompanied by a trail of sparkly tinsel around his neck like a festive scarf. He’s holding a whiskey glass in one hand, leaning into something Nora is saying, and looks positively lethal. “Christ,” Henry mutters through a gulp of cider. “He looks good,” Pez agrees through a cheshire grin. “He always looks good,” Henry says. “Right now, he looks–” “Henry! Pez!” “Fuck.” “Alexander!” Pez hollers. “Babes!”

—

An office holiday party AU where Alex and Henry ignore the first rule of corporate festivities: Don't hook up with your coworker.

Ho for the Holidays by @whimsymanaged. E, 6.8k. “Listen, don’t worry about this,” Henry says quickly, already mentally crafting the passive-aggressive text he’s going to send Pez. “Better luck next year. I’ll just be off—“

“Hold your damn horses.” Alex stops Henry with a fast, surprisingly gentle hand to his wrist. His eyebrows furrow. “What did you put on your questionnaire?”

Henry’s ears go hot. “That’s none of your business.”

Alex scoffs and leans in closer. “Baby, we matched. It’s safe to say we have at least some interests in common. Be honest—was it because you confessed to having a secret desire to slap me?”

Or, Pez organizes an event called Ho for the Holidays, and these two idiots get paired up.

all my time is yours to spend by smc_27. T, 6.8k. Any way you look at it, Bea is not meant to be here, and if it were just the lights, he’d assume she forgot to turn them off. The fire burning is another thing entirely. The weather has been dreadful, and perhaps her flight was canceled. Surely, she’d have told him as much.

He should investigate.

Waffles & Conversation by clottedcreamfudge. E, 7k. “I’m fine, I swear. I just need to give it a proper clean and I’ll be fine.”

Ellen isn’t convinced. “Okay, but you’re letting Henry look at it later.”

Alex grits his teeth for what must be the thousandth time today and tries to keep his voice level. “No, I’m not. He’s a vet, mom.”

“And he’s the closest thing to a doctor we have coming tonight,” she says firmly, letting him take his hand back and raising her eyebrows at him. “It’s that or the ER, honey. Your choice.”

You're the Perfect Gift for Me by @cha-melodius. T, 7.2k. “Twenty-one-year-old Scotch,” the man says with a low whistle, looking more impressed than anything else. “Special occasion or just expensive taste?”

Alex can’t stop his grimace. “Came up here to propose,” he says, even though this random stranger doesn’t need to hear his woes. “Found out my girlfriend’s getting back together with her high school sweetheart.”

“Ouch,” the man replies, the word sounding slightly absurd in his rounded, posh accent. He looks at the bartender. “Leave the bottle.”

(Dumped two days before Christmas by his girlfriend, Alex meets a British writer who's spending Christmas on his own in generic Tiny Town, USA, and together they discover something new to celebrate.)

Snowed In? Snow Problem by @rmd-writes. E, 7.3k. The challenge: to write a fun college AU for the queen of college AUs (though she’ll probably be mad at me for saying so). Bonus points for also including the only one bed and getting caught doing something sus tropes.

The result: hopefully all of the above, plus they’re snowed in for the holidays.

AKA Henry and Alex get snowed in at their dorm for the holidays, whatever will they do?

It's Not Thanksgiving Without the Turkeys by allmylovesatonce. M, 7.5k. Thanksgiving 2020, Alex invites Henry to join the Claremont-Diaz family for Thanksgiving. More than anything, they're excited for another excuse to be together.

(Valen)Tie Me Up by @happinessofthepursuit. E, 7.7k. “Well, I actually made your gift at one of Pez’s workshops, though I’m sure they would’ve gotten it out of me anyway,” Henry says, voice fond.

Alex’s mind is whirring, going through the monthly calendars from Seize the Play. Pez leads classes multiple times a week, but there’s only a few that Henry could’ve attended, and one in particular that would explain his own gift…

“Which one?” Alex asks.

“I think that’ll immediately be clear.”

Or, Alex and Henry exchange gifts for their first Valentine’s together—then proceed to use them.

you make it look so easy, i know it's not by @anincompletelist. T, 7.9k. Bea’s to his left, speaking frantically on the phone with who Henry hopes is the fire brigade or someone else trained to deal with these— situations. In front of him, Pez is fumbling frustratedly with the water hose, showcasing his colorful vocabulary with a flourish of jerky hand movements and chaotic pacing. On either side of the fence, his neighbors are peaking over the sides to ask if everything’s okay, and Henry feels the resolution to make a good first impression crumbling and slipping rapidly out of his grasp. Even David watches on from inside the house, his sage eyes and patriotic bowtie appraising the scene and looking back to Henry as if to say I told you so.

And the fryer — the fryer itself is up in flames, thick gray smoke swirling up into the air and soaring high above the tree line now. In the distance, the echo of sirens. Henry may faint right here, in the middle of his backyard at his new home before he's even unpacked, with all the neighbors and his family and friends watching on, on his first official American Thanksgiving. It is, by all means, not what he’d envisioned for the day.

everything ever written about love by greenandmoss. E, 8.4k.

“Bet you’re glad you knocked on this door.”

“I am, actually.” Smiles should not be this disarming. It’s disconcerting.

It’s like they’re in a movie, where all the lines are pre-written, and the smiles and the looks all mean something. The couple are scripted to catch eyes, and fall in love with each other the second their lips touch. But that’s fucking ridiculous. Henry sits there like some kind of James-Bond-Jude-Law heartthrob, and Alex’s life is not a movie. This is not how real life plays out.

Or: The Holiday au but it's just that one scene where Cameron Diaz meets Jude Law

Save a Horse, Ride a Princess by @affectionatelyrs. E, 8.6k. “I have to say, this is all quite literal, don’t you think?”

Alex wouldn’t know literal right now if it hit him in the head. “Huh?”

Henry points at Alex: “Pillow Princess,” and then to himself: “Cowboy. Ready to ride and all that.”

Alex nods dumbly. “Right.”

Or, Alex and Henry dress up as the ultimate couples costume for Halloween — themselves — and they both feel some kind of way about it

the world watched (and the world smiled) by fangirl6202. M, 9.1k. "Oh,” Alex says finally, faintly, touching one hand to his lips. Then: “Shit.” 

His mind catches up then, realizing that Henry is walking away and he doesn't even think twice. He begins to quite literally chase after him, trying to get to him before he can get away or, God forbid, try to fly back to England and ghost him. 

Henry is very pointedly not looking at him, stuttering apology over apology until Alex has to quite literally throw himself in front of him to get him to stop. Alex doesn’t know what to do. But the answer is simple, isn’t it? So fucking simple.

 

He takes Prince Fucking Charming’s lapels into his hand and kisses him back. 

Or; it's New Years, and Henry stays.

more than you could ever know by indomitablelove. T, 9.5k. He watches Alex’s bright smile as he talks to Bea and Leo, the way that Ellen and Catherine have their heads bent close together and how Nora is talking with Pez, Oscar and June. He feels something catch in his throat, something blooming in his chest with such strength that it threatens to burst its way out. He never, in a million years, thought he would have this.

this year i will fall by @rmd-writes. E, 9.8k. Henry has many regrets in his life, but leaving the ice rink after a literal run in with the potential love of his life without even obtaining his name may be his biggest. With his family visiting for the holidays for the first time and ever-present work deadlines looming, he's too busy to think about how to engineer his own happy ending worthy of the novels he edits.

But what if fate has other ideas?

Ye Merry Gentlemen by allmylovesatonce. M, 9.9k. Across three different years, at different points in their lives, Alex and Henry celebrate Christmas together.

On My Mind (Let's Go) by @sparklepocalypse. E, 10k. Pez blows into his hands and rubs them together to warm them. “Listen. Just… whatever happens in there, say yes, alright?”

“I don’t follow,” Henry says, his brow furrowing. “Say yes to what?”

“Whatever opportunity comes knocking,” Pez says breezily. “You forget, I’ve seen your messages. The booze is flowing tonight, and everyone’s got their best fit on – so opportunity will knock, and you will say yes.”

(A movieverse New Year's Eve fix-it that started as crack and turned into crack taken seriously. With dancing. And smut. Like... a lot of smut.)

Someone Special by bleedingballroomfloor. E, 10k. "That was Shaan," Henry explains as Alex snuggles closer to him, pressing his nose to his neck. "The blizzard hit early, apparently. Too risky to fly."

"So Christmas here?" Alex says in that sleepy drawl of his that Henry will never get tired of. "Fuckin' sweet."

Happy NY by @myheartalivewrites. E, 11k. “Hi,” he says, and Henry looks into his eyes, taking in the brown colour and little flecks of black and gold that give it depth; the tiny freckles dotted across his nose and cheekbones, only a shade or two darker than his deep bronze skin. “Uh, sorry about that,” the man says, but he doesn’t step out of Henry’s arms. Instead his eyebrows go up, and his expression changes, from one of embarrassment to something Henry thinks is surprise, and maybe, ever so hopefully, a little bit of interest.

would you wait for me? by smc_27. T, 11k. Henry Fox has made Alex nervous from the second they met.

Now it’s different. Now Alex has to try and find a shirt to wear to a party where he’ll inevitably see Henry for the first time in a year. For the first time since Alex’s heart was broken and he’d made what felt like the brave and smart decision and left.

Coming back might be a mistake.

Gonna Give You Something (So You Know What’s on My Mind) by @affectionatelyrs. E, 11k. Alex hums, turning around to pull open the freezer drawer. “You want anything?”

But Henry barely registers his question. Not when Alex is slightly bent over, allowing Henry a perfect view of his perfect ass. Each individual ridge of his spine is visible due to his lack of shirt. All of these things combined would normally be a large enough issue in itself to render Henry dumbstruck, except—

Except, that’s not the only thing that Henry’s faced with.

Right there, clear as day: blue lace, delicately peeking out from the waistband of his joggers. Henry’s hand immediately flies up to his cheek. The skin is hot to the touch, and he feels the imprint of where the material once lay like a brand.

Or, With the help of a white elephant gift, Henry learns that maybe the whole being-in-love-with-his-roommate thing isn’t as one-sided as he thought

Love and Hate at the Farmers' Market by myheartalive. T, 11k. Alex and Henry both work at a farmers' market and they hate each other, until suddenly— oops! They don't!

(Secret) Santa Baby by @indomitable-love. E, 11k. "When it comes to Secret Santa, Alex really does have a reputation to uphold. Everybody wants Alex to get them. Nobody actually wants to get Alex, which is why he usually ends up with novelty socks or a political biography, but he doesn’t care. Ultimately, everybody wants Alex to get their name. And right now, Alex is seconds away from finding out who his new mark is. The person that he’s going to spend the next few weeks learning inside and out to ensure that he gets them the perfect gift."

Alex gets his work nemesis, Henry, in the office Secret Santa and realises that he doesn't know nearly as much about him as he thought...

Trim my Christmas tree by @clottedcreamfudge. E, 12k. Henry is a writer, not a mall Santa, but unfortunately this year - thanks to his adorable and conniving nieces and their Aunt Beatrice - he's going to have to be both. This doesn't leave him a great deal of time to pine horribly over the part-time bookseller and Law student over at June Claremont-Diaz's shop, but somehow he manages to jam it in anyway.

Ho ho ho.

i'll be home for christmas by @dumbpeachjuice. M, 12k. He books a tiny cottage in a village called Little Snoring (not to be confused with the nearby Great Snoring) somewhere in Norfolk and tries to tell himself Christmas by himself in a foreign country is going to be an adventure from which he will have an adorable story to tell his friends and family, and not just totally depressing. At the very least he can take a cute picture of his snowy cottage and pretend he’s not totally fucking jealous of his entire family gathering in Austin without him.

If he ever fucking gets there, that is.

Or, Alex's first Christmas in the UK gets ruined by the British weather. A handsome stranger invites him to spend the holiday with his family instead.

The Holiday by @dracowillhearaboutthis. E, 13k. Henry is in no mood to attend his family's holiday gathering this year. So when June Claremont-Diaz asks him via a Home Swap website whether or not his house is free over the holidays, he jumps at the opportunity to escape the country and his family for the holidays.

He did not include Alex into the calculation - June's charming and gorgeous brother who suddenly appears at her doorstep.

Airplane Mode by clottedcreamfudge. E, 14k. Getting into an argument with someone in the airport lounge had probably been a mistake, in hindsight; Alex knows this. But with so many fucking delays and the fact that the signal on his phone is currently making it about as useful as two paper cups joined by a piece of string, he’s kind of on-edge. It’s not entirely his fault that he snaps.

Attractive people with perfect hair who take the last almond croissant before Alex can get to it probably just need to understand this. Alex is at the end of his tether, and he will not be swayed by, “Well, I was here first,” in a British accent so smooth it could butter bread.

Home for the Holidays by lucy_in_the_sky. E, 14k. “How would you feel about maybe spending Christmas in Texas with me and my family?” He bites his lip after popping the question.

Henry’s eyebrows shoot up. But before Alex can regret asking, a soft smile blossoms on his face.

“I want you there with me. I- I wanted you there this week, too-” Alex starts to ramble. “And, like, it’s totally ok if you want to go to England to be with your family, duh, but I’d love to show you Austin and introduce you to my family and teach you the Claremont-Diaz holiday traditions and kiss you on Christmas morning and-”

He’s cut off by the hard press of Henry’s lips against his own.

“Yeah?” Alex beams.

“Yes, love. Of course yes.”

Sweet Dreams of Holly and Ribbon by @villiageidiot. T, 14k. He falls asleep on the loveseat, Nora and June curled up on the couch across from him, as a terrible Hallmark Christmas film plays in the background. It’s the fourth night of sleeping alone—Henry taking care of some business back in the palace—and he’d rather wake up cold and cramped across from the two of them than alone in his own bed.

That’s how Alex falls asleep.

That is not how he wakes up.

A Fine Line by indomitablelove. E, 15k. Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Whatever is inescapable. In the worst way possible. He’s always fucking there. Alex turns up for his shift and Henry is there behind the coffee machine, apron tied around his waist and stupid, tight white T-shirt clinging to his biceps. Alex turns up for open-mic night at the cafe and there he is again, reading his fucking poetry. Alex goes to the grocery store, or the bookshop, or the fucking campus library, and who does he see? Henry. Always Henry.

Always Henry, always with a different guy.

Alex hates Henry. He's only letting Henry and his stupid long limbs and his overly symmetrical face stay on his couch because he has to, because 'tis the season not to be a massive dick, because it's Christmas. Isn't he? -also coffee shop/roommates

12 Days of Christmas with Alex and Henry series by @coffeecatsme. E, 16k. "It seems I've gotten myself in quite a tangle."

"Tangle?" Henry's voice is hoarse, eyes darkened as they travel over Alex's body. They stop at his crotch, and Alex can see it even under the dim lights—Henry's growing hard too, a visible bulge pushing at his sweatpants. Alex's cock gives a desperate twitch.

"Y'know, I was trying to put them around the tree," he starts, gesturing at the plain tree at the corner. It's clear he didn't even attempt to touch it. "And somehow I've managed to completely trap myself. Can't even move my hands." Henry makes a desperate noise at the back of his throat as his eyes snap up to Alex's face. Alex flashes him a suggestive grin, teeth biting down on his lip. "Seems I'm completely at your mercy."

(Dil)Do It Yourself by @happiness-of-the-pursuit. E, 16k. “Listen,” Nora starts, turning her body once more so that she’s sitting sideways in the chair with her legs thrown across the armrest. “I did the math. There’s a 79% chance you’re gonna become a slut to the power of the prostate, and while we’re not dating anymore, it’s my duty as your fellow slutty bisexual to get this party started.”

Or, when Nora drags Alex to a holiday dildo workshop, he doesn’t expect to find someone to use it with.

Spirit of the Season by @pridepages. M, 17k. Henry was dead to begin with. That much you must understand, or nothing that follows will seem strange or wondrous...

Alex Claremont-Diaz doesn't believe in ghosts. And he really hates Dickens.

But that's not going to stop a very unusual Christmas Spirit...

Henry Fox is on a mission. Once a year, he finds a soul in need of his help. (Too bad this one's such an utter berk.)

When two lost souls find each other on Christmas Eve, they may just find everything they never knew they wanted.

The Christmas Guest by @omgcmere. E, 17k. Alex is looking forward to a relaxing winter break catching up with his sister after her semester abroad, but June's gone and ruined everything by inviting her insufferable international student friend to stay with their family for a real American Christmas experience. Henry is irritatingly gorgeous with a completely obnoxious superiority complex, and Alex is prepared to hate every single second he's forced to spend in his presence. As Alex starts to get into the Christmas spirit, however, he finds that maybe there's more to Henry than meets the eye - and maybe, just maybe, this will actually be the best Christmas ever. - also college

Four Christmases by @hgejfmw-hgejhsf. E, 19k. From Washington to Austin, London to New York, Alex and Henry spend Christmas with different members of their families from 2020 - 2023. Funny couples' Christmas sweaters, festive swimsuits, statement-making ties, and family pajamas all bring lots of laughs, some tears, and a bit of fun to be had by all along the way.

A Year in the Life series by milowren. NR, 19k. Alex and Henry are coworkers, Henry has a crush, and they end up at a haunted corn maze together a few nights before Halloween. Shenanigans ensue! And - When Alex's flight home is canceled at the last minute, Henry invites him over for Thanksgiving - despite never having hosted an American Thanksgiving before.

and you would be there too by smc_27. M, 20k. It’s mostly dark out here, just the lamp poles in the parking lot casting a warm yellow glow across the packed snow.

“We’re closed.”

Henry spins around, heart racing, and sees the beautiful man from the café and from earlier at the shops. He cuts a stunning image, swinging one leg over the wooden fence rail and stepping into the parking lot as he pulls a red and black plaid shirt over his shoulders, his tan pants tight enough across his thighs to make Henry blush for noticing.

This Hell of a Season by Chamel. E, 21k. (Nova, Baby follow-up) “The first few years, it was a relief to get away from all the stupid family drama,” Alex says, blowing a long sigh. The hand that’s not holding Henry’s slides onto his stomach, a warm, comforting pressure. “Then I started to resent it. It hurt to be stuck out on a mission while everyone celebrated without me.”

“And now?”

A grin slips onto Alex’s face as he walks two fingers across Henry’s bare chest. “Now I have you.”

(Or, 3 times Alex & Henry spent Christmas on missions and 1 when they didn't; or, A Very Nova Christmas Special.

Love on the Menu by berrybluefae. M, 23k. Henry Fox has a side hustle at his job as a host in an upscale restaurant. He loves setting up romantic moments for guests who want a little something extra for their night out to dinner. A bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne for the couple celebrating their 50th anniversary? Easy. A special table with candles and a dessert with a surprise for the woman about to propose? Child’s play. But despite playing Cupid for the restaurant’s guests, Henry has never been on the receiving end of a grand romantic gesture. So imagine his surprised delight when anonymous gifts begin appearing just for him.

Who is Henry’s secret admirer? Only Valentine’s Day will tell.

You Make Every Day Feel Like It's Christmas by allmylovesatonce. T, 25k. Burned out on work, Alex goes to visit June who is on assignment in a sleepy Vermont town called Snow's Landing. June is determined for him to see where she's been living for the last six months and to love it as much as she does. The most intriguing part of it all is June's best friend there, a man named Henry, that Alex believed was a jerk at first but is starting to discover a new side of as they spend more time together.

Paper Chains by @myheartalivewrites. E, 25k.

DAY 751

(Alex)

Henry is… Well, if Alex is being honest, Henry is everything to him.

But it’s kinda hard to explain.

DAY 1

I have no idea how to summarise this one, folks. The best I can do is… Alex and Henry's journey from awkward beginning as colleagues, to best friends, to spending time apart and finally to finding each other again.

But it’s not as straightforward as that.

Every Day's a Holiday (When I'm Near to You) by bleedingballroomfloor. E, 29k. I know this is a long shot, but if anyone’s going to Texas/anywhere south for the holidays and is crazy enough to drive there instead of fly, I’m looking for a road trip buddy. We can split gas money and snacks if you pick good ones. DM me if you’re interested.

And Henry knows he's about the make the most idiotic decision he's ever made in his life.

Or, Henry impulsively tags along with Alex on a road trip to Texas with absolutely no plan. Surely this won't backfire.

in a holidaze by @tedddylupin. E, 49k. Alex didn't mean to spend his New Years Eve thrown together with a perfect stranger at an airport. He didn't mean to offer up to share his hotel room with a very attractive stranger. He also didn't mean to find the man insufferably perfect either.

Or: the one where Alex and Henry find each other during different holidays throughout a year's time.

When I think about you by @clottedcreamfudge. E, 50k. Dream sharing is absolutely not a thing, even though Alex would very much like it to be.

The magic of soulmates, however, means that someone you’ve never met – someone whose soul is tied to yours, in whatever way that manifests – can appear in your dreams, like an extra character who keeps popping up over and over again. They won’t be having the same dream as you, and you won’t actually meet, but whatever you remember from the dream can start to take shape in your waking hours; you can figure things out, bit by bit, dream by dream.

I only tag an author once per post, but I'm still figuring out firstprince author handles. If you see one I may not know or find a broken link, please give me a heads up!

Master List of RWRB FirstPrince Recs

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