#AND he sets a fucking alarm for her and is like ‘meet me for lunch when you stop being a child🙄’

[opera-ghost]

i just think it’s funny how erik criticizes christine, the woman he’s abducted, for not being dressed by 2 in the afternoon

[mikedfaist]

please write more about what fans say about mike and famous or non famous reader !! like sightings etc, if u know what i mean lol

Why have one when you can have both?

Non-famous:

When you’re casually at the Challengers premiere in London and accidentally bump into Mike’s (alleged) girlfriend as she’s trying to sneak into the theater… Sorry, babe. Cute dress though.

Eye spy Mike’s girlfriend at Brokeback matinee today, and later sneaking out the stage doors during the meet and greet, only to return with Starbucks. She has her priorities set. Good for her.

Met Mike’s girlfriend today in line for the bathroom… I wanted to hate her so bad, but she lent me a tampon.

I don’t mean to alarm anyone but I just saw Mike Faist and his girlfriend at the grocery store, and they were having a heated conversation about mangos. Apparently, she eats the skin and he thinks that’s weird.

Saw this cute ass couple on the subway platform only to realize as my train took off that it was Mike Faist and his rumored (definitely confirmed after what I saw) girlfriend.

Famous:

Anybody else notice Mike walk briefly into the frame during [reader’s] IG live today?

What’s better than [reader] and Mike Faist having lunch at my restaurant today? Her tipping me $1000. I haven’t stopped crying.

I need Mike to make an Instagram account solely for all of the pictures and videos he takes at [reader’s] shows. Can’t let them go to waste.

The look of fucking horror on Mike’s face when that fan stormed the stage at [reader’s] show tonight. Somebody please go check up on him.

Did anybody else catch Mike nearly lose his shit when [reader] got hit in the face with a water bottle tonight, or was it just me?

Wait wait wait what do you mean [reader] is dating a Newsie?

I can definitely do more if you are interested -- just feeling exceptionally tired tonight and was forcing myself to answer at least one thing.

[mysteria157]

Chapter 2

Pairing: Nanami Kento x Black Fem Reader

Word Count: ~3.6k

CW: More profanity, reader’s best friend being a brash pervert

Summary: Flashback chapter. That first day when you meet him, you’re bright eyed and ready to work alongside him, filled with so many ideas that will benefit the company. Him, Nanami Kento, a highly esteemed director that always made your stomach flip in desire. But it turns out, he’s not what you thought. 

Notes: Hi! Thank you all for sticking through. Reblogs, likes, or comments are always appreciated but not necessary <3 I hope you enjoy reading!

Divider: @cafekitsune

Previous Chapter | Ao3 | Next Chapter

It Had To Be You Masterlist

Everything was always bigger in Tokyo.

With ten times more people than your modest city of Sendai, it was always a wonder when you got the chance to visit. It wasn’t like you didn’t have the means, but it was still too far for a weekend getaway so you couldn’t go as often as you liked.

Marketing agencies from all over Japan had gathered for the weeklong excursion to celebrate accomplishments, announce future ideas, and collaborate with one another to strengthen cross functional bonds. Your marketing agency was currently bringing in the most revenue, with the Tokyo branch sitting at the forefront. Naturally, they were given the opportunity to hold the annual summit of what intended to be the biggest event of the year.

For Ome, it was a chance to get away from her ‘boyfriend’. Normally, that would raise alarm for anyone else. But when she caught her boyfriend balls deep in his secretary after she tried to surprise him for lunch, leaving the city was better than setting his office on fire.

For you, it was another opportunity to network and get your name out there. The Tokyo branch was the headquarters for the marketing agency you worked for. Anyone who held any sort of higher distinction walked the halls of the building.

“You look fucking fantastic, stop fidgeting.”

You glowered at Ome, cheeks heating in embarrassment before smoothing down your ensemble for the 10th time in the elevator. A baby pink long sleeved mock top tucked into white high waisted office pants seemed like a safe option. You had your long spiral curls tucked away into a low bun, small stud diamond earrings and a modest gold necklace to complete the look.

“Did you spend all night trying to put that together?”

You rolled your eyes at her comment.

“No.” Yes.

“Stop making fun of me, I’m fucking nervous.”

She scoffed before walking in front of you, placing her hands on your shoulders. Of course, she looked gorgeous in her airy button up long sleeve shirt. Of course, she could pull off the skirt that stopped right at her knees and hugged every natural curve of her body. Her twist out was flawless and was pinned on top of her head, thick kinky bangs framing her face.

Natural African beauty wasted on a deadbeat boyfriend.

“Listen to me. You’re the smartest woman I have ever bothered to keep in my life, you’ve worked hard to get to where you are, you know who you are, and you know what you do. Be yourself and don’t try to be a hero. It’s annoying.” You snorted, smiling softly at her before wringing out your hands.

“Plus, you’re hot as fuck, if words don’t work just push up your tits.”

You smacked her hands off your shoulders, the action only making her chuckle.

“Don’t worry, your little office crush will definitely see that fat ass of yours.”

“Jesus Christ, Ome!”

Her chuckles ripped through the air as the elevator doors finally opened.

Being on the 48th floor of a 50 story skyrise definitely felt different from your office in Sendai. A simple receptionists desk was the first thing you both saw. Large and decorated with a fresh bouquet of roses, a woman with a name you didn't have time to learn and bright blue hair greeted you both and directed you past her. The small hallways leading away from her desk gave way to the rest of the entire office floor which was bustling with activity. It was so much more spacious than your own; intricately designed to have many cubicles up against the floor to ceiling glass windows and hallways leading to private offices and breakrooms separately. The center of the floor was open and complete with rich brown couches and a coffee table in the center to make for an open relaxing area for coworkers and visitors. The walls were decorated with minimalistic design, plants and flowers adorned corners and climbing vines wrapped around the cubicles. Even though everyone seemed to be so busy, it felt quite cozy for an office.

Jin rose from one of the couches when he spotted us, his pink locks like a beacon.

“You both look beautiful. Let me show you to the conference room before the rest of the team arrives.”

The Tokyo office had rented out a venue for the summit to house all their events for the week, but Jin wanted his team to actually meet with the branch a day before the festivities were set to begin. Today would just be a meet and greet on a more personal level. Even though that personal level would include various directors and the Vice President.

You smoothed your hands down your pants again as the looming anxiety slowly began to pull its way up your legs. No one looked your way as you walked past them, which should have been more than enough to calm you down.

“You’re looking pretty good from back here.”

Ome’s quiet voice mocked, her words curling around a good natured chuckle as her heels clicked on the floor behind you. You whirled around to glare at her, an elegant brow arching back at you in challenge.

“Quit it!” you hissed under your breath.

“Don’t frown, y/n. You don’t want your boo to see you so upset.”

You gaped openly at her before turning back around in silence, your face heating instantly. It’s not that Ome’s words were mean. They were blunt, just like her because you knew she was only acting this way to make you see how stupid you were being. You knew your stuff. You could probably walk into that conference room and take over if you needed to.

You were going to be fucking fine. And as far as the ‘crush’? It was completely illogical.

For all you knew, Nanami Kento had no idea you even existed.

The feelings were miniscule and stupid to entertain. He was serious in almost every interaction when it came to work. Monthly company video calls gave you a glimpse of the man behind the deep but distinctive voice. He was quick and to the point, never beating around the bush, and always one to express his disdain for open ended questions. He didn’t rise to his position out of sheer luck.

Nanami had never spoken a word to you. Never sent an IM to ask about project plan updates. Never called you on the phone to praise you on the last account you brought to the company.

But he had the most detailed reports you had ever read in your life. He wore odd glasses from the chances you could glance at him through the computer camera that always seemed to make your stomach flip. He seemed to be disconnected from the people around him but incredibly steadfast and involved with his work and the quality it brought to the company. Smart, efficient, and handsome as hell.

None of your current emotions made any sense.

Just a stupid teenage rom-com crush that would probably not have the happy ending of the guy finally noticing you and deciding to ask you out on a date.

But that didn’t stop you from putting together an outfit that was modest enough to show how professional you were but form fitting enough to show off your body.

If your words don’t work, show off your tits.

Dammit, Ome.

The cold air from the conference room shocked you out of your thoughts. The adjacent wall was complete floor to ceiling windows, brightening the large room and making it feel less sterile. The small group of people already present stood upon your entry and bowed gently.

“Welcome!” The voice was loud and gruff, the source a tall and well built man with sharp and rough features. Dark brown short hair that was shaved on all sides but spiky at the top, thick dark brown eyebrows and an even thicker mustache and goatee.

Stopping in front of you all, he smiled, the delightful gesture a sharp contrast to his serious exterior.

“Masamichi Yaga. It’s so wonderful that you all could join us today. I hope this week will be as exciting as we made it out to be in the itinerary.”

Jin shook his hand.

“I’m sure we will. The rest of our team should arrive shortly. For now, these are the two I told you about who keep everything smooth and efficient. Omelia Obeje, one of our Data and Analytics Specialists…”

Ome bowed politely, a gentle smile on her usually serious face.

“Pleased to meet you sir. Itadori-san likes to boast us both but,” she tilted her head towards you. “She’s the real brains of the team.”

You widened your eyes minutely, the anxiety that was sliding at up your legs now coming back alive to inch its way up your stomach with the intent to wrap around your throat. You bowed to cover your expression.

“F/n, L/n, sir. Jin and Omelia are incredibly modest, but I’m pleased to meet you.”

Yaga introduced you to everyone in the room. Everyone was polite and offered conversation, even going as far as to ask you about life in Sendai. But the brightest of the group were three interns that Yaga was doing his best to tutor. The most excited of the bunch, Itadori Yuji, was a stark contrast to his father’s calm and gentle demeanor. He bowed a little too sharply, his pink locks such an odd sight to see on someone else besides your boss. His friend, Kugisaki Nobara, took every opportunity to cut him off, speaking over him and lifting her chin with every exclamation as a means to assert dominance in the trio. The tallest was the most quiet, deep blue locks in natural disarray as he bowed politely and introduced himself in an equally quiet voice as Fushiguro Megumi.

You could feel your nerves settling slowly, and whatever body language you were giving off was enough for Ome to slide back next to you after a lull in conversation, quiet and withholding.

“You’re doing well.” She was teasing again but the hint of affection was enough to make you roll your eyes and smile at her. “Have you even thought about what you’re going to say to him?”

You furrowed your eyebrows, the question making your mind stutter as you scrambled for an answer. “You know…besides ‘Hello, my name is y/n. I’m the best at my job, I have a fat ass and I could rock your world if you let me.’”

You rolled your eyes for what felt like the 12th time of the morning, the corners of your lips curling up into a smile before you snorted at her.

“I’m serious, y/n. Any man would be lucky to even ask you out on a date. Be confident in yourself.”

That was the odd thing about Ome. As much as her words were blunt and cold, she could make you also feel like the best person in the room. At least she did with you anyway.

You hadn’t really had luck with relationships in the past. And it was simply because you never had the time. College was just as busy as high school. Your spare time was often spent on small hobbies, hanging out with Ome and other friends, and working part-time to pay your bills and stay ahead in every aspect of your life.

When you did entertain the thought of something with a man, it was always short-lived. You were too rigid with giving into compromise, too work obsessed, too busy thinking ahead and not living in the moment. At least thats what they told you. The one relationship that was long-term had ended so terribly that you didn’t leave your apartment for a month. So by the time you had graduated college, you were resigned to entertain a one night stand a few times a year and the comfort of your vibrator that never failed you.

Whatever words Ome was speaking to you at the time seemed to ebb into the background as a tall man—or probably the tallest man you had ever seen—walked up to you both. His snow white hair hung loose on his head, falling in layers and covering a fresh undercut. His face was soft, but his jaw sharp with full lips and smooth skin. But the most jarring were his eyes. Bright blue orbs that seemed to glow even in the sunlight, thick eyelashes that matched his hair color framed the exotic orbs as they gazed at you and Ome both. He was probably the most beautiful man you had ever seen.

He introduced himself as Satoru Gojo, Director of Product Management, and like all men who manage to breathe the same air as Ome, was transfixed with her immediately.

“Are you single?”

The question made you chuckle sharply. A high executive blatantly flirting with a colleague was ballsy. But he seemed like the type to do exactly what he wanted and give a shit about it some other time. Or just not give a shit about it at all.

Ome simply raised a brow at him.

“It’s only 8am, how very desperate.”

His bright eyes seemed to flash with mirth. “I’m just surprised there aren’t more people over here trying to talk to you.”

If it was an attempt to flirt, he wouldn’t get far with her.

“I hate vague innuendos and I’m not interested. Do you mind moving out of the way, Beanpole? You’re blocking the sunlight.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, trying desperately to not laugh as you watched Gojo gape at her in shock, confusion, and then outright joy as he smiled pearly whites down at her.

“You think I’m tall—”

“Gojo, bothering our colleagues is not the most logical way to spend your time.”

His voice made your stomach drop instantly, the hairs on the back of your neck rising but not our of fear as his tall frame stopped next to Gojo. He wasn’t as tall as Gojo, but you could hardly tell the difference. His blonde hair was fuller than you thought now that you could see him in the flesh, with locks combed back perfectly and parted along the side. The same odd glasses you remembered from video calls sat perched on his nose and you could just make out brown irises through his dark frames thanks to the sunlight. A hard cut jaw and cheekbones, and full lips pressed into a relaxed line made his expression just as serious as you remembered. A muscular but lean frame sat beneath a rich ensemble of deep tan slacks and a blazer, a navy blue button up with a spotted yellow and black tie.

Jesus fuck.

Nanami Kento bowed to you both, introducing himself as the Director of Strategic Partners. You knew. Of course, you knew. You had seen his fine print on many reports from recent projects next to Yaga’s name. To be so actively involved with the Vice President had to have been an honor.

After Ome introduced herself, she jerked her head in the direction of Gojo.

“Is he always this thirsty?”

“Unfortunately. Please ignore him.”

He shifted away from Gojo’s protesting form, eyes falling on you. You cleared your throat and bowed softly as you introduced yourself, willing your voice to remain even and smooth as you felt his steady gaze.

Be confident. You got this. Say something.

But before you could even open your mouth to utter another word, Yaga and Jin had called the room to settle.

You managed to avoid Nanami for most of the day. When he was in your vicinity to speak, it was always in observation as he watched others engage with you instead. Ome kept her mouth shut, too busy insulting Gojo at every opportunity that he managed to speak to her. It was intriguing to watch and even funnier to realize he was probably bringing her the most entertainment in a very long time.

Ome was having the time of her life, however your current source of stress lay in front of you in the form of mahogany doors. A gold name plate gazed back at you, K. Nanami.

After an hour of intense work that you were given the ability to draft, Yaga and Jin had practically shoved you out of their office with the documents and the opportunity to work closely with Nanami for the week to learn from his point of view. It was perfect for you. You could gain more experience and try not to have a heart attack in his close proximity.

You made it a point to avoid Ome on the walk down to his office but now you couldn’t deny her words of ‘encouragement’ may have been helpful in this moment.

You clenched the manilla folder in your hands, taking a slow breath before squaring your shoulders and knocking on his door. His deep voice answered from the other side, beckoning you in.

The inside of his office was warmer than you were expecting. The room was clean and crisp, a large bookshelf against the wall filled with texts that you would have to look closely at some other time. A tall and well cared for Monstera Deliciosa was growing in another corner under the bright sunlight, and his walls were filled with plaques, certificates, and artwork that had your mind racing with intrigue. His own desk was large for you but seemed to suit his tall frame. And he sat behind it, his blazer off and hanging on his deep red chair, elbow resting on his desk and his chin resting on his fist, Nanami sat. His stature radiated indifference and you tried not to let that shake you as you closed his door and walked to stand in front of his desk.

“Itadori-san and Masamichi-san thought it would be a great opportunity if we worked closely together this week. I look forward to working with you.”

He didn’t respond immediately, harsh eyes analyzing you to a degree that had your hands gripping the manilla folder a little tighter.

“May I have those?”

The large hand propping up his chin folded out towards you, long fingers crooking back towards him as a means to hurry you along. You gave him the documents, throat dry as you struggled for something else to say. He seemed to really…not want you here. And as excited as you were to be in his presence, the indifference was enough to second guess walking in here.

“While I understand Yaga and Itadori-san's intentions, I’m afraid having someone else working with me this week is not feasible.”

Immediately, you felt your blood run cold, your face falling minutely.

“I don’t under—”

“Having someone else working with me is not feasible. It’s a very easy statement to grasp.”

All hints of anxiety seemed to fizzle out immediately, your crestfallen face slowly shaping into a glower.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything to you to warrant this kind of harshness, Nanami-san.”

You tried to smooth out the expressions on your face. There was no doubt he could clearly see the anger on your face. You had done everything right, had been nothing but polite to him. Even if he was busy with work, this kind of reaction was completely unnecessary.

He pulled in a deep breath, broad shoulders rising with the movement as he looked away from you and instead flipped through the documents you had given him.

“I’ve already allocated the resources that I need for this week. Your assistance isn’t wanted. Perhaps Gojo can show you how things work, because I’m unfortunately quite busy.”

He managed to spew it all out without looking up from his desk, long fingers idly pressing against the paper to help guide his eyes as he read. Your assistance isn’t wanted.

The indifference in the room quickly gave way to tension, making your stomach clench and twist as the anxiety began to make itself known again.

And almost immediately your patience had worn out.

“I know how things work—”

“I mean no disrespect.” He cut you off again, flaring the anger in your veins. “This happens every year when Yaga tries to push someone into my office during the annual summit and I have to walk them through the basics.”

You clenched your fists against the sides of your pants, red beginning to cloud the edges of your vision. Walk you through the basics? As if you were an intern fresh out of college, desperate to learn but lacking any of the skills necessary to succeed.

You suddenly didn’t find him very admirable at all as he opened his mouth to speak again.

“I don’t have the time—”

“Saying it twice doesn’t make you sound smarter.” The harsh tone coming out of your mouth shocked you, but you didn’t let it show as you glared at him. “I can see that you’ve already made up your mind about me even though you’ve hardly said a word to me.” His eyes widened minutely before narrowing. You jutted your chin out toward the papers beneath his hand.

“When you’re done looking at the same word over and over, you’ll find the content schedule, marketing plan, and a partially drafted work agreement.” He gaze didn’t falter, but you could see the slight ruddiness in his cheeks. From what, you didn’t really care to try and figure out. What a stupid mistake this was.

“Don’t look so put out. I put it together and Masamichi-san approved them. That should check a few things off your list. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to see if Gojo-san has ‘something for me to do’”.

You didn’t bother to look at his reaction as you whirled around and walked briskly from his office, slamming the large door on your way out.

Like you said before. Your emotions towards him made no sense at all.

After all, this wasn’t a fucking teenage rom-com.

[zosa95]

Markus shut the alarm off before it woke Gemma. He stealthily slipped into the walk-in closet and dressed in his running clothes.

Usually, running cleared his head, but not today. Markus felt off, and he didn’t know why.

Gemma: (sleepily) Do you want breakfast this- Markus: (brusquely) No. I’m running late. Gemma looked at him with confusion and hurt. Pregnancy had made her a sensitive soul. Markus: (gently) Babe, I’m sorry. I’m just having an off morning. Markus apologetically kissed her on the forehead. Markus: I’ll be back in time for the pub quiz. Gemma nodded and offered a tight smile.

Emory: The primary server is down. It’s a hardware issue. We’ll be on the secondary until the techs work their magic. Markus: Fuck. Just what I need today. Emory: Is something else wrong? Markus: Not really. I’m just having an off day.

Erik: Hey, we have a new sandwich on the menu: prosciutto, brie, and apple. Want to give it a try? Markus: (carelessly) Sure. Why not? Erik: You doing alright? Markus: Yeah. There was a snafu this morning, but it’s all sorted now. It sounds like a great sandwich. Erik: Want your usual side of fruit to go with it? Markus: Yeah. Can I get it to go? I think I’ll sit out by the water for lunch. Erik: Absolutely. I’ll get right on it.

Markus stared without seeing across the water as the autumnal breeze brushed past him. What the fuck was wrong with him today?

Markus frowned. Why had Martin checked up on him? Had Gemma complained to Martin about Markus being an ass? It wouldn’t be the first time.

Markus was not in the mood for people, and a pub night was the last thing he wanted. He’d make his excuse now.

Markus walked into his darkened home, still feeling rough. He poured himself two fingers of whiskey before wandering into his office and stared idly at the photos on the mantle. Markus: Shit! The pain shot through Markus like an electrical current. He unsteadily set his drink on his desk before dropping heavily into his chair. Today was his anniversary. Two years ago today, he woke up a happy man. And just hours later, he was bleeding out. His dream career shot to hell. And he had been condemned to an unwanted civilian life.

Gemma: (cheerfully) Hey, did you eat dinner? Markus: (upbeat) Yeah, I grabbed leftovers. Did you win tonight? Gemma: (laughing) Yes! If you’d made it tonight, you’d been a loser. Markus laughed. Gemma: Did your day get better? Markus didn’t hesitate before lying. He wasn’t an expert in long-term relationships, but he felt confident that telling your pregnant wife you deeply missed the life you had before meeting her was not the smartest thing to do. Markus: Absolutely. But you don’t want to hear about boring computer stuff. Tell me about your day.

[nighthunter241]

He is Mine-Chapter 1 (Henry Cavill x male reader)

Masterlist

NOT MY GIF, GIF USED FROM TUMBLR OPTION 18+ DNI if  you are lower the age of 18

Rival #1 Amy Adams

Monday

You wake up to the alarm and start getting ready for school. The weekend left you with an aneurysm having to decide how you're going to break up the friendship of Henry and Amy. Maybe you can just see what they do and hopefully something comes to mind. While heading downstairs you see your brothers just starting to eat breakfast. A part of you wants to tell them about your chat with Robert and your feelings for Henry but would that even help. “Morning” you said to your brothers, they say morning back while eating their breakfast and while eating you notice your parents aren’t up yet. “Hey and what about Mom and Dad, why aren’t they awake yet?” you asked and brother Sebastian responded “Not sure, I think I heard them last night talking about taking the day off for something important, something about someone named Saldana, or maybe they just wanted to sleep in”. You shrug it off and leave home with your brothers. You manage to make it to the corner that you usually meet up with Henry, you stay back and your brothers continue the walk to school. After a long time Henry finally shows up later than usual. “Hey what happened, you overslept or something” you asked. “I forgot to set my alarm so I quickly showered and ran,” Henry responded. We start speed walking to school and Henry starts talking about how Amy is going to give him shit again for making her wait at the entrance of school. “Why don’t you just tell her to fuck off” by the time you realized what Iyou just said you couldn’t take it back. Henry looked at you funny and said “I think I’ll say that in a sweeter way, you alright you’re acting kinda weird”. You tell him you are fine and you just woke up on the wrong side of  the bed and he shrugs it off. By the time you two make it to school Henry tells you he will meet up in the homeroom and runs off to meet up with Amy.

While Henry is out of sight you follow him to the spot where he meets up with Amy to hear their conversation and hopefully find something out. M/R manage to find a bush at a safe distance where they can’t see him and where he can still hear them. Amy: Ugh really again, you can’t keep me waiting like this, does this look like we are middle school.

Henry: I’m sorry Amy I forgot to set my alarm.

Amy: Well if it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t even wake up, I can’t be your clock 24/7 it gets annoying especially when waiting for you.

Henry: I’m sorry, if it bothers you that much then we can just stop meeting up here before class so then you don’t have to worry about being late.

Amy: That's not what I meant…..forget alright just forget it. Since we only got a couple of minutes I need you to meet me at the fountain during lunch period.

Henry: Ummmm, Why exactly?

Amy: Just meet me there alright, don’t keep waiting like you did today, got it!

Henry: Ok, Ok, relax I’ll meet you at the fountain during lunch period.

Amy: Good.

They finish talking and they start heading to the inside of the building, Henry goes one direction while Amy goes to the homeroom. You follow her and end up seeing her set down a container, and hear her mutter “I did my best, he is going to like it, just give it to him and that's it and he will enjoy it”. She walks away and when you get closer to the container and notice it was a lunch box, she actually made Henry lunch. She is taking “ a way to a man's heart is through his stomach” a little too seriously. THAT'S IT, you thought to yourself all you need to do is get rid of this lunch, wait no you should make her food taste bad so Henry could think she is a terrible cook. So you quickly leave and try to think of a way to make her food taste nasty. You pass by the nurses office and notice the medicine cabinet and quickly think of a plan.

You see your brother and run to Anthony and pull him aside from his friends and to ask him something.

Anthony: Alright, what do you want?

M/N: I need you to distract the nurse.

Anthony: Um, no, why would I do that?

M/N: I need to grab something from her cabinet while she isn’t looking.

Anthony: Why don’t you just ask her for it?

M/N: What I need to grab is something she would usually give out for emergencies.

Anthony: That just makes this weirder, what do you need from her cabinet that she won’t be able to give to you if you ask?

M/N: None of your business just help me.

Anthony: Tell me what it is and why and I’ll help.

M/N: Um…..no way

Anthony: Well, no help from me.

M/N: Quit being such a jackass and help your brother out.

Anthony: Fine, but you owe me one day you are going to tell me why you needed me to do this.

Anthony goes to the nurse pretending he has a headache and asks for something for it. You see the nurse walk up to the cabinet, unlock it and pass him the medicine with a glass of water. While she was doing that you got to the cabinet and took a bottle while she wasn’t looking. You leave and go back to her homeroom, while on your way I run into a student council member who gives a questioning look and stares while you are slowly walking away from them. “The student council members are a bunch of weirdos,” you whisper to myself. Now at Amy's homeroom and to her desk and open up the lunch box. It looks like she made some homemade soup with chunks of meat in it. Henry did always love meat, and can't live without it. You take out the bottle from the pocket that says Emetic on the label and you pour it into the lunch box. “If I am correct, Emetic medicine should make someone throw up and give out a strong taste, hopefully this will be enough”. You turn around to leave and see your brother Sebastian standing there looking at you, crap you ended up forgetting this was his homeroom also.

Sebastian: What the hell are you doing?

M/R: Nothing just looking around, stretching my legs.

Sebastian: So are you going to act like you just didn’t pour something into that lunch box

M/R: I have no idea what you are talking about.

Before you could react Sebastian quickly yanks the bottle of Emetic medicine from your hand.

Sebastian: How the hell did you get this and why did you pour this into Amy’s food?

 M/R: None of your business just shut up.

The bell rings and people start heading to their homeroom.

Sebastian: When we get home we are talking about this and I’m letting mom and dad know

M/R: You’re so mature aren’t you, snitch.

He punches your arm while you walk out of his homeroom and make it to your own homeroom and sit next to Henry who seems quieter than usual. Hours pass of usual classes and the lunch bell rings. You run to the fountain area and pretend to eat your lunch there and see Henry waiting for Amy until she shows up with the same lunch box in hand.

Henry: Alright, I am here. What is the reason you needed to meet me here?

Amy: Well here it's because of this.

Henry: A box?

Amy: It's a lunch box STUPID!

Henry: Wait, you made me lunch?

Amy: NO!!, just made some food for my sister and she forgot it and I didn’t want to waste it so I thought I should bring it to you.

Henry: Wow thank you, I’ll gladly eat it.

Amy: Yeah whatever, enjoy.

You cross your fingers while seeing Henry start tasting the soup. After a couple of spoonfuls his face of gratitude turned to a face of disgust.

Henry: Amy, what did you put in this?

Amy: I don’t know, I made it last night so I don’t remember the ingredients.

Henry: It tastes weird, I’m sorry I…..can’t finish this.

Amy: HENRY WAIT!

Henry runs off to the bathroom and Amy is left with a sad expression, You follow him to the bathroom and end up hearing him throwing up. After he finishes he sees you and gets startled.

Henry: M/R you scared me, what are you doing here?

M/R:I saw you run into the bathroom in a hurry, I got worried.

Henry: I’m fine just Amy gave me some food and it didn’t sit right 

He goes towards the sink to wash his hands and mouth

M/R: Is she usually a bad cook?

Henry: She doesn’t cook much but the times she had it didn’t taste good but not bad to the point where I’m throwing up.

M/R: Maybe she did it on purpose.

Henry: Why would you think that M/R

M/R: Well you would say she always gives you shit for being late to meet up, maybe as a way to get back at you she made you sick.

Henry: That's a stretch mate

M/R: Maybe, but you never know, her thinking since you are best friends she thinks she could do it and knows you will easily forgive her.

Henry: I don’t easily forgive her.

M/R: Henry, you tell me she yells at you and sometimes insults you for small things, and you still talk to her

Henry: That's because we are best friends.

M/R: Are best friends really like that, I’m not like that with you and we are close.

Henry stares at me as if he is about to say something but seems to hold it in.

Henry: Can we just drop it, I need to possibly lay down at the nurses office.

M/R: Yeah, not a problem see you later.

Henry and M/R leave the bathroom and later meet each other in their last class of the day, Henry not bringing up what happened during lunch or what was discussed in the bathroom. You grab your bag and head towards the gate of the school and walk home. When you make it home your brothers are there earlier before you for some reason. You say hello to them and they pass you a note they found on the table.

Dear kids,

Your father and I had to leave town for a bit for a quick emergency, don’t worry it is nothing serious and hopefully we will see each other soon. Now we added money to all of your bank accounts and hopefully it is enough to last until we come back. If you need more just call us and we will send more, but we will be looking at the bank statements to make sure you aren’t spending it for the wrong things. Now you know the rules when you are home alone and most importantly DON’T GO INTO THE BASEMENT, REMEMBER THAT. Love you and hopefully see you soon.Love,Mom and Dad

“What the hell” you said after reading the note, my brothers looked at you with the same expression. “All I see is home alone to do whatever I want without mom and dad here” Anthony said. “Definitely going to invite Sarah over,” said Sebastion. “Yeah no, you know the rules, you really want to wait and find out if mom knows you broke the rules” you reminded them. They looked at each other and understood, moms wrath can be the scariest thing in the world. After ordering pizza and getting ready for bed, you get a text from Henry.

Henry: Hey sorry about the way I was acting today didn’t mean to make you feel weird.

M/R: Hey it’s fine no need to apologize to me Henry.

Henry: Just wanted to do it anyway you know I don’t like when things are weird between us. Besides Amy you're the only person I can truly talk to and be comfortable with.

M/R: I feel the same way Henry.

You see the three dots pop up on the message but after awhile it disappears and then appears again

Henry: Well see you tomorrow have a good night.

M/R: Good night

You are about to turn off your phone until you receive another message but this time from Amy, “Did Sebastian tell her what I did?” you asked yourself.

Amy: Hey M/R I need to ask you about something.

M/R: Yeah what's up.

Amy: How was Henry today?

M/R: He seemed alright, a bit spaced out but that's it.

Amy: Oh god, I messed up today, I made him lunch and I guess the ingredients I used went bad cause he ended up throwing it up.

M/R: Wow thats crazy, food does spoil and random times

Amy: We talked on the phone and he accepted my apology but said that I shouldn’t cook for him for a while.

M/R:  I mean you probably gave him PTSD 😂

Amy: Not funny

M/R: Sorry just trying the lighten the mood

Amy: Well thanks for letting me know how he was, but I think I found a way to make things up

M/R: ???

Amy: I bought him a present and I am going to give it him in the morning and have him open it during lunch time tomorrow, hope he loves it

M/R: That sounds great I’m sure he will

Amy: Thanks M/R for the confidence, well good night and see you in AP CALC tomorrow

M/R: Night

You send the last text and turn off the phone, before you could get to bed your nosey brothers walk in without knocking. 

Sebastian: So we are going to talk about today

Anthony: Sebastian told what you did with the Emetic medicine, I can’t believe I helped you steal that just to poison some food

M/R: I didn’t poison anyone, just gave someone a little stomach ache.

Sebastian: What is going on with you cause a week ago you were acting mad weird.

M/R: Nothing is going on.

Sebastian: Liar

Anthony: M/R talk to us come on you know you can count on us

M/R: UGH FINE, but you can’t judge me, I did it to mess with Amy and Henry

Sebastian: Why, aren’t you friends with Henry?

Anthony: Let him finish.

M/R: Amy likes Henry and I like Henry and she is planning to confess to him this friday and I have to stop it but I’m still to much of a wuss to confess my own feelings first, so I’m…….sabotaging their…..friendship to make sure he says no to her confession.

Sebastian: ????

Anthony: ????

M/R: *You look nervous while staring at them*

Sebastian: That's it?

M/R: What do you mean that's it.

Anthony: So you have a crush on Henry and you are just stopping someone from becoming their possible girlfriend. 

M/R: Um….yes, I know it sounds crazy

Anthony: That's not crazy.

M/R: Wait what?

Sebastian:  Yeah bro, we have done that already, how do you think I got Sarah, I didn’t get lucky.

Anthony: And my past relationships you think they were just magically single.

M/R: Wait, you guys have done stuff to get your crushes.

Sebastian: Yeah mom taught us, don’t you remember.

M/R: I mean I barely remember what she taught us.

Anthony: Relax it's nothing really important but don’t worry you're not crazy for doing this.

M/R: I still can’t believe you guys have done this before.

Sebastian: Relax, if you need any more suggestions just ask us, we would love to help.

Anthony: Yeah, you and Henry seem cute together anyway

You blush at your brother's comment and they end up leaving your room, you finally get to lay down alone with your thoughts. What are mom and dad doing, what can you do to sabotage that gift, you can just steal it or you can just replace it with something more offensive to get Henry disgusted at her. That sounds better just need to figure out what, you fall asleep thinking of a possible gift replacement that would shock Henry

Tuesday

The sound of the annoying alarm wakes you up and you get ready for the shower. Of course both showers are being hogged by your brothers. After an eternity you manage to shower and get ready for school, you go downstairs expecting your parents but remember the letter from yesterday. You sit down and also remember the chat with your brothers and decide to ask them for help.

M/N: Hey I need help with something.

Anthony: Yeah, what is it?

M/N: Amy is going to give Henry a gift as way to make amends from yesterday's incident

Sebastian: That you caused.

M/N: Shut up, any way I my idea was to replace the gift with something offensive that would disgust Henry, got any ideas

Sebastian: Why not just steal it?

M/N: Stealing it would just not do anything, no feelings are hurt just a lost gift and he would just move on

Anthony: Got any ideas on what you want to replace it with.

Sebastian:  Of course he doesn’t, that is why he is asking.

Anthony: Is Henry sexually active?

Sebastian: Dude really?

M/N: That I know of, no he isn’t, not the type to hit and go.

Anthony: Well there's your solution.

Anthony leaves and goes upstairs to his room and comes back down stairs and passes you an item.

M/N: A CONDOM!!!

Anthony: Yeah, as the gift.

M/N: Why would I do that?

Anthony: Well it will make him uncomfortable with what he receives and feel awkward about it with Amy.

Sebastian: What if he likes it and takes it as a suggestion from Amy?

M/N: Doubt that, if your best friend gave a condom as a gift you would be confused or uncomfortable.

Anthony: Well, that's the end of it just swap the gift with the condom and see Henry's reaction

Sebastian: Weird way to sabotage something but whatever not my crush.

You hide the condom in your wallet and leave the house with your brothers, while walking you receive a text from Henry saying he won’t be able to meet up before homeroom so you keep walking with your brothers. When you make it to school you say goodbye to your brothers and run off the same bush that you hid in yesterday. Of course you see Henry waiting for Amy and when she shows up they start chatting.

Henry: Well I’m here early

Amy: About tim….I mean thank you.

Henry: You said you wanted to discuss something

Amy: Well actually I wanted to give you this.

She takes out her bag a box with a blue ribbon on it.

Henry: A gift for me?

Amy: Yes, I want you to open it during lunch time and you can tell me how much you like it and at the end of the day.

Henry: Alright, thank you so much Amy.

Amy: Your….welcome hopefully you like it

You could swear that you see Amy blushing which starts making your blood boil for a moment but you quickly calm down. After they leave you head to your homeroom and thankfully Henry sets the present down on his desk and leaves to go do something. You notice the classroom is empty so you take advantage of the moment and head towards the present and you open it. The present reveals a video game specifically World of Warcraft, she got Henry the game he was saving up for. A present like this would definitely cause him to fully forgive Amy, you take out the game and stuff it into your bag and you take out the condom from your wallet and put it in the present and manage to make it look like it hasn’t been touched. After swapping, M/N leaves the class and pretends to be walking around school and acting casual. You see your brothers who end up asking if you did the deed and you tell them you did and they just smirk but before they can say anything else the bell rings. You run to your homeroom and sit next to Henry who seems to be staring at the present in excitement. Class begins and before you know it the lunch bell goes off and you go to find Henry. You see him with his lunch and the present in hand, you walk up to him to start a conversation.

M/N: Hey Henry, what did you bring for lunch?

Henry: A classic burger, my mother made it for me so I'm going to enjoy it, and what about you?

M/N: Just a sandwich, can’t really bring takeout to school.

Henry: Why would you bring takeout to school, doesn’t your mum usually make lunch for you and your brothers.

M/N: Well, yeah it's just that my parents are currently….on a trip or something.

Henry: What do you mean?

M/N: We got this note saying they needed to leave for some emergency but to not worry about it, and since I am the only one that can cook I need to provide food for my siblings but don’t really want to cook for them so we are just planning to order takeout till our parents return.

Henry: They are missing out, your cooking is amazing.

M/N: Thanks Henry, by the way what's up with the gift, been meaning to ask you that during homeroom?

Henry: Oh, Amy gave it to me as a gift for getting me sick yesterday.

M/N: Really, I wonder what she got you?

Henry: I don’t know, hey open it for me while I eat.

M/N: Um, sure I’ll open it for you.

You open up the gift and pretend to be confused and shocked

Henry:  What is it?

M/N: Well, it’s very……well…….

Henry: Just give it.

Henry sets his burger down and grabs the gift and looks inside, and his face changes from anticipation to confusion and disgust.

M/N: Henry?

Henry: I…..what……what the hell is this?

M/N: Looks like a condom.

Henry: I KNOW what it is, but why the hell is this as a gift.

M/N: Maybe as a joke.

Henry: Well I’m not laughing, I can’t believe she would get me excited about a gift and do this.

M/N: What are you going to do?

Henry: I’m just going to let her know that I didn’t like the gift and leave it at that.

You guys finish your lunch in an awkward silence and end up leaving each other to go to your last few classes. But before you enter your classroom you see Henry having a chat with Amy and clearly you have to go listen.

Amy: So, how was the gift?

Henry: Amy, don't ever bother giving me a gift like that ever again.

Amy: Wait, you didn't like it?

Henry: No, of course not, just leave the gift giving for christmas and birthdays.

With that Henry leaves Amy and heads to his classroom leaving Amy with a confused expression. You decide to enter your classroom and a couple minutes later you see Amy walk in clearly sad as you see her sit down. The weird part is you sadly feel bad but the moment you remember about her crush on Henry those feelings go away instantly, then you think of a way to make yourself the hero of the day.  After class you notice Henry is going to walk home alone, so you go up to and ask him if you guys could walk together and he quickly says yes. After reaching the corner that causes you two to walk in the opposite direction you two stand for a bit and chat and decide now is the perfect opportunity.

M/N: Henry how are you feeling after you know?

Henry: A bit ok but really just a bit bother that Amy would give me that as a present.

M/N: Well, I was actually going to wait till graduation but since these two days have been unlucky I might as well give it to you now.

Henry: Give me what exactly?

You take out your bag the World of Warcraft game that you took out of Amy's present and pass it to him.

M/N: For you, early graduation present, from me.

Henry: M/N…..I….thank you this is amazing I've been saving up for a bit for this game. This means a lot to me M/N thank you again.

M/N: No need to thank me.

Henry: Wait, if it was going to be a graduation present why did you already have it in your bag.

M/N: Well….. I was going to wrap it in the sewing club but they didn’t really have wrapping paper so I was planning to just buy wrapping paper but now I don’t need to.

Henry: Ah, alright that makes sense but thank you so much this means a lot from you.

Henry hugs you tight and you hug him back and notice that your hug lasts a little longer than usual but he eventually lets go. You say our goodbyes and you see Henry walking with a smile on his face, the same smile that attracted you to him. You walk the rest home and see your brothers at the front waiting and straight to point start throwing questions at you.

Anthony: So lover boy did it work?

M/N: Yes it did work, thank you for the help.

Anthony: Well you are welcome

Sebastian: So are you still going to sabotage them or you think Henry is going to still say yes to the confession?

M/N: Not really sure, better be safe than sorry so might as well still keep an eye out

Anthony: Let's order some burgers as a celebration for a good job on sabotage I guess

Sebastian: Lets get like five each with large fries each.

After having a fulfilling dinner you and your brothers spend the rest of the night playing video games and getting homework done. By time you are ready to go to bed you receive a text message, expecting it to be Henry you see it is from Robert.

Robert: Looks like someone has been busy these last two days, funny how a friendship can start crumbling so easily.

M/N: Is it really that interesting?

Robert: Yes it is, seeing the events unfold is quite entertaining to say the least.

M/N: Do you have things for girls about to get their heart broken or something.

Robert: Not really, think of me as your cupid.

M/N: Yeah hell no.

Robert: Fine, just here to help remember that. 

M/N:  Thanks but for now I think I’m good.

Robert: Alright whatever you say just remember let me know when you need help cause I can be a good ally.

Wednesday

After waking up and eating breakfast you meet up with Henry usually and walk to school then leaves to meet up with Amy to chat. You still don’t know how he is able to still talk to her but you called it, they are still friends. This time it looks like Amy was waiting for a while and she seems excited.

Amy: Finally you’re here

Henry: Yeah I’m here you texted me saying you wanted to meet.

Amy: I have reservations at a restaurant after school, so you're coming along with me.

Henry: Wait, like a date or something??

Amy: WHAT NO, I was going to go with some of my classmates but they canceled so I don’t want the reservation to go to waste.

Henry: Well sure, I would love to go.

Amy: Alright meet me after school and don’t be late.

You see them walk away and you start there is no way you can sabotage that date without getting caught in the restaurant. Nothing comes to mind, maybe you can try to get the reservation canceled, no it wouldn’t work cause most likely sent her an alert that it got canceled. Maybe just hang around Amy today and hopefully you can think of something. After finding Amy sitting in her homeroom alone you decide to walk in and say hello.

M/N: Hey Amy

Amy: Hey M/N how are you doing?

M/N: Great, excited for that AP CALC test today.

Amy: Yeah I…am

As she says this she lets out a big yawn which startles you at first.

M/N: Everything alright?

Amy: Yeah just that I didn’t get much sleep last night since I was studying and I have a date later at this restaurant and now that I am thinking about it could be a bad idea I might fall asleep.

M/N: You have a date, with who?

Amy: Can’t say keeping a secret for now M/N don’t worry one day you will find out.

M/N: Alright why don’t just cancel and let this date know that you are tired.

Amy: Took a while to get this reservation and I really wanted this date for a while.

M/N: Wow, he must be a great guy.

Amy: Yeah, he is.

M/N: Well I don’t know, go take a nap or something or drink coffee.

Amy: Wait, that is a good idea

M/N: What the coffee?

Amy: No, the nap I’ll take a 30 minute nap at the rooftop before I meet with Hen….my date.

M/N: I….yeah go with that I’m sure that will help you stay awake.

Amy: I don’t know why M/N but lately you have been really helpful with giving me solutions.

M/N: Well miracle worker here I guess

Amy giggles a bit and you say your goodbyes, she is going to take a nap after school at the rooftop alone, with no one around. You start having solutions but dark ones and you instantly ignore them and try to think of another solution. Hours pass with you struggling trying to figure out how to stop Amy and Henry from meeting after school. Until the time comes for Amy to take her nap you quickly find a place behind the wall and see her get to bench on the roof. She takes out her phone and starts talking to herself. “I’ll just set an alarm for 30 minutes and that should do it”, she lays down and you can tell she fell asleep due to her snoring. You see her phone without thinking, you tiptoe to her and grab her phone. You try to turn off the alarm but she has a pin, but you manage to fully turn off the phone and you place it back next to her. You tiptoe away and head to your locker. After 50 minutes Henry is still standing outside waiting for Amy until you hear him start muttering. “Where the hell is she, and I’m the late one screw this restaurant I’m going home”. 

You see him start walking away and you call this a success but you wait for a couple more minutes then you start walking towards home. When you get home your brothers are setting their shoes and going upstairs you are about to do the same until you get a phone call, you check and it's from your mom.

M/N: Mom?

Mom: Hey M/N just calling in to check in on you guys

M/N: We are fine, just that Anthony for some reason is running out of money already and is about to start using my card.

Mom: I’m sure that is because you've been ordering take out and other junk.

M/N: Maybe??

Mom: I’ll send more money from our cards but that is it,if you guys need money you need to get yourself a part-time job

M/N: Why a job, and why include me. I'm busy.

Mom: Really, busy doing what exactly.

M/N: I mean AP CALC can be a pain

Mom: Mhm yeah right, you've been getting straight A’s since middle school so I don’t buy it. The recommendation isn’t a punishment, it can do you guys some good especially for you, it can keep you from doing something ... .extreme.

M/N: What do you….fine I’ll think about it.

Mom: Good

M/N: Anyway Mom why did you and dad leave us here, what's going on

Mom: I’m sorry, just that something came up, something in our way and your father and I need to take care of it.

M/N: Is it that Saldana person, my brother said he heard you guys talking about someone with that name.

Mom: DON’T get involved M/N, it is a story too complicated

M/N: Someday you have to tell us about it.

Mom: One day I will, and don’t worry it isn’t boring like your fathers stories.

Thursday

The alarm sounds from your clock and you realize again that today is Thursday, if everything keeps going your way, hopefully tomorrow Henry will reject Amy's confession. You shower, dry yourself off and put your school uniform on. While going downstairs your brother Anthony throws you his phone, you grab it and take a look at it. It was a post made by Amy and it was a photo of her at home and she had a bowl of ice cream with her, and based on her face it looks like she has been crying. While looking at this phone your brothers start smirking, “Alright thanks for the update but I’m sure she probably called Henry and he probably forgave her like always”. You grab your things and leave without letting your brothers say anything else. At the corner where you meet you wait for him but he doesn’t show up, a second later your phone dings and you check it and it is a text from Henry saying he won’t meet up today saying he is currently not feeling well. You had a gut feeling that you should run to school so once you got to your usual hiding spot you barely made it on time to listen to Henry and Amy discussion and based on Henry's face he did not want to be there.

Amy: Hey Henry, you wanted to meet up earlier than usual why?

Henry: Do you still have the book I lent you a couple of days ago?

Amy: Yeah I do, I’m almost done with can you let me have it for the rest of the day,I was planning to read the rest at the fountain after that I’ll give it to you at the end of the day.

Henry: Fine, just make sure to not damage it, it was a gift from M/N.

Amy: Alright don’t worry.

Henry leaves without saying another word and Amy follows until they separate for their classes. You didn’t even need to think twice, you instantly knew what you had to do, steal that book or destroy it. You head to class and decide to talk to Henry and possibly see if your sabotage is actually working. Henry sees you walk in and waves and starts talking to you.

Henry: M/N sorry about this morning, I needed to meet with Amy cause I asked her to give something she borrowed back to me.

M/N: Did she give it back?

Henry: No, she said she will give it to me after school, just hope she keeps her word.

M/N: Everything alright?

Henry: Just lately Amy has just not been good lately, I don’t know but seems like she really is showing her true colors and I am not liking it.

M/N: That is too bad, but hey you have that new game to distract you.

Henry: Yeah, you’re right just hope everything returns back to normal.

When the lunch bell rings you go to the school fountain and sit down on a random bench until finally you see Amy show up with the book. You see her reading it and what feels like forever you see another student go up to her and ask her for something. She gets up and stupidly leaves the book on the fountain. You slowly walk to the fountain and double check to see if anyone can see you, after you check that no one will see, you drop the book into the fountain then leave. After another minute you see Amy come back and when she notices the book fell in the fountain she freaked out and started panicking and she quickly ran. You don’t bother following her and just eat your lunch and not care. The day goes by quickly and when after school comes around you are pretending to be packing and from a earshot you hear Henry and Amy.

Henry: Do you have the book with you?

Amy: Henry, I’m sorry the book fell in the fountain somehow and I couldn’t fix it.

Henry yanks the book away from Amy's hand

Henry: But, how did this happen!?

Amy: I don’t know, I set it down left for a bit and it must of fell in when I got up.

Henry: HOW COULD YOU!, M/N gave this to me. It was special to me.

Amy: Henry I’m sorry

Henry: Amy just, I’ll see you tomorrow bye.

Amy: Henry, wait.

Henry walks not even bothering to listen anymore he seemed more sad than mad, you walk home feeling accomplished and proud and when you settle at home you end up going to bed feeling nothing but joy.

Friday

Today is the day, if your hard work paid off Henry will say no to Amy's confession hopefully. After getting dressed you walk downstairs and see a well cooked  breakfast served on the dinner table.

Anthony: Morning M/N, as a way to celebrate you succeeding in breaking up that friendship, enjoy having a full breakfast meal.

M/N: First, I’m not even sure if it's going to work and….

Anthony: Don’t even think like that, it is clearly working since even we can feel the tension between Henry and Amy and not the good type

Sebastian: You kidding, the tension couldn’t even be cut with a knife, that's how intense it is. Trust me whatever you are doing is working.

M/N: Does that mean should I even bother trying to do something today to mess it up also.

Anthony: I say still do something, just to overall seal the deal for today.

You eat the breakfast your brothers made you and head out to school with them, they leave you at the usual corner and you wait for Henry until he shows up. When Henry finally makes it you both start chatting for a bit.

M/N: Wait Amy damaged what?

Henry: She damaged the book you gave me as a gift, I can’t believe she would be so careless.

M/N: What makes you think she was careless?

Henry: I don’t know, I always had a feeling that she was jealous of our friendship, which I don’t understand because she is my childhood friend not you. You're my good friend but she just…GAHHH.

M/N: She really has been getting on your nerves lately,

Henry: She has been, I’m running out of patience with her. M/N she just…..

M/N: She just what?

Henry: She isn’t like you, I feel like you're more of a childhood friend to me than she is to me.

You stay looking at each other for a moment in silence but that silence is broken when Henry's phone dings, he checks it and receives a message from Amy asking help on a homework assignment.

M/N: So you're going to help her?

Henry: I don’t feel like sitting down and chatting with her so I’m just going to let her copy it.

M/N: Really?

Henry: Yeah, at least I won’t be chatting with her because right now I need a little break from her.

M/N: Alright, do what you think is best.

Henry sends her a message saying that he will leave it on top of her desk and to give it to him later. Henry and you head to your lockers and Henry leaves to go give Amy the assignment. You follow behind and once you see him give Amy the assignment you thought of a plan. Amy before she starts copying heads to what seems like the bathroom and leaves Henry homework in her bag. After she leaves you see the classroom is empty so you walk in and dig in her bag and find Henry's homework. Once you found it you stuffed it in your bag and left the room not bothering to see her reaction. You head to class like usual and wait out the time then hours later around after school Henry walks up to you.

Henry: SHE LOST IT!

M/N: Henry calm down, what's wrong?

Henry: Amy lost my homework assignment I let her borrow, so I got freaking zero on that assignment and my grade dropped a whole letter.

M/N: Henry calm down, breathe in.

Henry: That was the last graded assignment for that class, everything else would be quizzes and exams so now I am going to have to study my butt off to bring my grade up if I want to possibly earn full rides to universities.

M/N: I know Henry, just relax everything will be alright it's Friday so use this weekend to just forget about this horrible day.

Henry: More like a horrible week, but thank you’re right I need to relax and just deal with the reality on Monday.

M/N: Where is Amy?

Henry: Don’t know haven’t seen her since class time I think I may just walk home without her, going to try to use this weekend to just not remember anything bad that happen this week so don’t feel if I ignore your calls

M/N: You can use the weekend to play that game all day and night.

Henry chuckles and asks you to meet him by the gate so you do, from a distance you see Henry at his locker but notice he takes out a note. You run up to him and ask him what the letter is about, apparently it is from Amy asking him to meet him at the rose garden, Henry looks at you and just ends up going. You give Henry some time to give some distance then you decide to follow and go to the rose garden. Once you make it to the rose garden you hide behind another bush and you see Amy come out from behind a tree and step in front of Henry and she starts talking.

Henry: Amy?

Amy: I’m….glad you came.

Henry: What is this about?

Amy: Just needed to have you meet me here, because I feel some sort of confidence.

Henry: Confidence about what?

Amy: Well, the reason why my relationships never worked was because I felt like it was never with the right person.

Henry: What made you think that?

Amy: Every time I was with someone I kept thinking about another person.

Henry: Who?

Amy: Just listen alright, I…..LIKE YOU, I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU AND I BELIEVE YOU AND ME CAN BE SOMETHING SPECIAL.

Henry: Amy honestly, I’m sorry but I don’t think we can be something special.

Amy: What…..is it because of what has been happening this week, it was just one shitty week that's all just….

Henry: Amy don’t, it's not just that it is way more than that.

Amy: I can be nicer, neater, believe me I can……..

Henry: Just stop, it just won’t work, this won’t happen, goodbye.

Amy: Henry please wait.

Amy starts crying while Henry turns his back around and leaves her alone in the rose garden, while you in a distance start feeling joyful and start laughing a bit knowing you had succeeded. You leave school and run home to tell your brother the good news.

Saturday

Henry's POV

Henry goes into a park to clear his mind after yesterday and sits on a bench feeling sad, until someone passes by

??: Oh, hi is everything alright?

Henry: Um, I’m sorry, Gal right?

Gal Gadot: Yeah, we are assigned to that school project

Henry: Oh I remembered

Gal Gadot: Is everything alright, what has got you feeling down.

Henry: I don’t want to trouble you.

Gal Gadot: It is no trouble at all.

Henry: Well, I have a childhood friend named Amy, recently we just have not been getting along and I believed I may have feelings for her but this week our friendship kept getting tested and it was struggling. So, when she confessed her feelings I couldn’t say yes because it felt like her true colors were showing. I feel bad for rejecting her and ruining our friendship but I didn’t want to accept her feelings out of pity and now I don’t know if I did the right thing.

Gal Gadot: Don’t you know what's his name, M/N haven’t you discussed it with me.

Henry: I was going to, but can’t bring myself to throw my problems on top of him. He is someone I can count on but I don't want him to worry about me about something so dumb.

Gal Gadot: I’m sorry to hear that, maybe a walk in the park will help clear your head instead of just sitting and feeling sorry.

Henry: Maybe you’re right, a walk can do some good.

Gal Gadot: I’ll join you.

While Henry and Gal walk around the park they don’t notice someone taking photos of them and following them.

Sunday

M/N POV

You are getting ready for bed and you suddenly get a text message from Robert.

Robert: Well I will say I didn’t expect you to get rid of Amy that way but it works

M/N: Why do you seem disappointed, expecting me to go crazy?

Robert: Mostly surprised but not really sending you a message for just a normal chat

M/N: Why did you text me?

Robert: *Attached images of Henry and Gal walking in the park standing real close*

M/N: WHO IS she?

Robert: Her name is Gal Gadot, she is Henry's partner in a school project, seems to be catching his attention and Henry seems to be catching her attention.

M/N: Why warn me about this again, what is your game?

Robert: No game just like I said good karma.

M/N: Good karma?

Robert: Doesn’t matter, it looks like she is planning to confess on Friday also, so I will think of something fast or you may lose Henry to another girl.

M/N: I can’t lose him when he is mine already.

[kharmii]

All of these comics are one-shot panels. They don't go together.

(Caption: Geten who is bad at flirting)

Geten: Blue Flame! Lend me a hand!!!!

Dabi: Huh? Pretty and cold...

Geten: No but....I'm happy but it's not... (blushy face shows he has a crush)

(Caption: Meeting with Dabi outside)

Geten: (laughs awkwardly) Blue Flame is silent. It's hot and cold.

Dabi: Shall I do it? Melt it.

I'm here.

"I like Geten sir... He's a bit of a masochist... He's a cute guy who will fall for you right away...

(Caption: Dabi pays attention to Geten who is depressed seeing the bald CEO only paying attention to Shigaraki.)

ReDestro: (sticky situation) Is there anything you need?

Shigaraki: Beat it.

ReDestro: With pleasure!

Mr. Compress: There they go again.

Twice: The bald CEO is totally attached to Shigaraki. Let's go.

Geten: .......... (Remembers back to when he'd show off his ability to ReDestro who'd say 'Amazing Geten!')

Dabi: *slaps Geten's back with a lewd smirk on his face* Can I borrow your chest?

Geten: ......I don't need it.

Skeptic: (nervously) You guys.....Where did you bring that thing from?!?!

Twice: It wasn't there at all though!

Warm!!!!

Skeptic: Get out quickly!!

Toga: Uncle Destro bought it for me.

I’m hooked……♡

Skeptic: Our money! Dammit all!!!!

Shigaraki: You guys....always.

Twice: Are you going to do it!?!?!

You want to eat it?

Shigaraki: I hate it. It won't change, even without it, even if it exists.

Dabi: Take it.

Shigaraki: I can't help it.

Skeptic: Hey! Get out quickly...you guys too.

(They got served and start booing. Geten holds up a sign saying 'no kotatsu, no life' in reference to their blanketed table)

*someone slaps Skeptic saying SHUT UP!!!!!*

Skeptic: What?!

(Caption: A gathering to watch over the two of them)

Twice: Don't get in the way of our friendship! We're having fun!

Toga: It was a precious moment between the two of them when they first met!

Mr. Compress: I have to contact Kurogiri.

Skeptic: *confused* Uh...

(Caption: The two of them don't care about the outside world)

Shigaraki: Good.

Dabi: I see...

※That thing from No.243 (Dabi → Hawks)

Skeptic: I was in a hurry to buy the black one.

Dabi: *making fun of Hawks* Oh, and even though I forgot to set my alarm in the morning and woke up in a hurry, I still did my daily stretching routine. Then, when I was resting my wings and eating lunch on the roof in the afternoon, I realized that I was wearing the wrong shoes.

She was a little shaken up and red in the face as she went back to change her shoes.

And then, because of the rain that fell yesterday, I didn't notice the puddle that had formed and got my shoes wet. So I had a cup of coffee to wake me up.

Hawks: Ahahaha......Only my detector is too good.

(Caption: Dabi is trying really hard to dominate)

(Caption: The Liberation Army Pro-Union)

Toga: *snickers* GOOD.

Skeptic: These guys are such dead wood.

Geten: I know.

(Caption: Dabi and Geten)

Dabi: You....When you look at her like this, she has a pretty face.

*pictures Geten as an annoying yappy little dog*

Are you ignoring me?

Geten: *blushes and makes an embarrassed murmur*

Stop staring at me!!!!

Dabi: You... I'm gonna kill you...

Geten: Shall we throw down!?!? Blue Flame!!!

Toga: Dabi, are you picking up girls again?!?!

Shigaraki: I don't care what they are doing. Leave me alone.

(The End)

(Caption: Love Triangle with Hawks)

Hawks: Who would team up with you guys?!?!

Dabi: Who asked you?!

Hawks: You would only be a hinderance!!

(Hawks suddenly understands Dabi is talking about THAT and not being on a fighting team. There is a lot of bickering between the three where Geten calls Dabi a 'cheater' and Dabi pretends to forget he has a girlfriend. Toga mocks them from the sidelines.)

*Geten lavishes Dabi with aggressive affection*

Dabi: You are acting like a dog!

Why are you pushing me down!!! Wait!! HELP!! HELP!!!!!

(Geten jumps his bones in a fuck-attack)

(Caption: His friend Dabi is too much for him)

Mr. Compress: I don't know...maybe....

Trumpet: That's cowardly, League of Villains!

Dabi: I didn't do anything.

Trumpet: Lewd!!!! Shameless!!! Hey!!!

Art credit: ちか⚡︎⚡︎@arrr_6boom Twitter.

[ailendolin]

Live Reaction to TRoP 2x03

Spoilers for 2x03 under the cut

noooo not a flashback to Elendil and Berek. My heart breaks every time at the broken, "Please," because Berek is all Elendil has left of his son

Berek being a good horse and kicking that orc straight into a tree

Black Forest? Welcome to Germany, Berek. Seriously, though, that means spiders, right?

Fuck of course it does

But it also means Isildur so that's good. Berek proving to be the ultimate horse once more (sorry, Asfaloth and Shadowfax, I love you too)

come on, Isildur, time to get the hell out of there. I've seen Alien and I know how this ends

eating lunch while watching this was not one of my better ideas

ugh this is honestly making my skin crawl

this cave is my own personal nightmare and I hate it

kudos to the sound design, though, for making it even scarier than it already it

thank god they're getting out of there

I hope Isildur tells Elendil one day that him setting Berek free is what saved him from certain death by spider

aaaand we're back in Numenor. I've always been an elf girl but Numenor is beautiful and I love Elendil with my whole heart (also met Lloyd last year as well and he's such a lovely person)

Miriel! I love that Elendil is her eyes now. Those two are so great together

someone woke up and chose violence today. Literally

Miriel meeting anger and grief with kindness. My heart

I do not like Pharazon and I do not trust him

nooooo Earien did not take the Palantir, did she? Girl, why would you?

aw, Glüg going, "We are safe here. We have a home." That is so sweet. I like this guy. They all just want to lay down their weapons and live

omfg is that an Uruk family? Does Glüg have a partner and child? My heart! I can't. This is everything. I love this show so much

Damrod's in the house and the music slaps

yessss Disa went with Durin to Eregion. Now where is Elrond? I need my Elf-Dwarf Found Family back together again

i also want to punch Annatar in his pretty face just for existing

just saying but that one lock of hair falling into Celebrimbor's face is very distracting

Durin doesn't trust Annatar one bit and I'm loving it. He trusts one elf and that is Elrond

"Funny. He's never mentioned you." I'm cackling

Haha Durin knows very well that Elrond would never call him wise. This is so funny. Annatar is laying it on way too thick and Durin is looking right through him

noooo they cannot leave Eregion yet, not until Elrond gets there and they reunite

Celebrimbor, why are not all your alarm bells ringing when Annatar tells you Gil-galad forbid the making of more rings and doesn't know Annatar is with you? Again, where is Elrond? We need someone to talk some sense into all these stubborn elves

nooooo not Celebrimbor straight up lying to Gil-galad

ah okay, it is not lying. He is just granting him and Annatar the space to complete their work. That's okay, then

Brimby, I love you, but you are a rubbish judge of character and need new friends. Take Berek for example. He would take one look at Annatar and kick him across the room

ooooh that drinking seen gives me flashbacks to the Dead Marshes. Do not follow the little lights, Isildur

it's just a flesh wound lol

even I know not to pull out knives. Who is this girl?

okay, she's called Estrid

Pelargir is beautiful

Isildur's having a not good, very bad day, isn't he? Poor guy was just trying to be kind

I was just wondering when we'd see Arondir again and there he is! Finally!

but what about Berek?

oh no, not Bronwyn. I'm going to miss her. Where is Theo, though?

spoke too soon, he's there as well and not doing too well it seems - does he blame Arondir for Bronwyn's death?

Durin standing before his father is such a sombre scene. And he's actually apologising and telling him about his concerns - progress!

Arondir blames himself for Bronwyn's death - of course he does

I love that he stays with Theo even though Theo clearly does not want him there

doggo spotted in the background. Doggo spotted!

oh gods, Theo and Isildur teaming up the rescue Berek? That won't end well, will it?

I am sorry but I do not care about Estrid. I want Bronwyn back

fuck, I wrote that before the mark was revealed but good to know I'm a better judge of character than most people in this show (not you, Elrond and Durin)

okay she's burning it away but does she do it because he never wanted it or does she do it to better infiltrate? I'm sorry but I do not like her and I do not trust her

ah we're back to rescuing Berek. Let's see how disastrous that will go

yes, Theo, what the fuck are you doing out there in the dark?

"Lose your mum?" Ouch

the Ents are here, right? That tree chopping was focused on for a reason and we all know the Ents don't like that

btw someone is going to save the other horses, right? Right?

oh Miriel is looking gorgeous. The way her clothes look like a mosaic is so beautiful

Earien, what are you doing, girl?

okay, the way Elendil's, "Silence!" echoed? *shivers*

what the fuck does Earien think the Palantir is? A bowling ball?

Miriel, you're not doing yourself any favours here, sweetie

and neither are you, Elendil, by touching the magic bowling ball

the way Elendil is trying to reach Miriel - I can't

fuck yeah Eagle to the rescue

can he please eat Pharazon and his merry band of idiots? I swear that would be so funny

okay, that did not go as I wanted. Shit

the boyfriends are back at making rings and Durin is not happy

no no no do not let Annatar add the mithril. Celebrimbor, I swear to the Valar ...

fuck this is bad. On the chance of repeating myself: where is Elrond? None of these people should be allowed to do anything without him being there to talk sense into them

okay that little smile between Celebrimbor and Annator was cute. They're still in the honeymoon phase so I get it

and that's it for the first three episodes. I honestly need more Elrond in the next one. So many bad things wouldn't happen if someone would just listen to him

[steddiesupportpodcast]

Due to the illness of a team member, this week's episode will be moved to the 25th of November. Instead, we offer you some of our comfort fics to keep you cozy this weekend. 🍲🫂

⚾️ Swing and a Miss by deadonarrival (@dead-on-arrivals)

“Hey so … I have some mixed news,” Steve says.

“Uh oh,” Eddie says, “are they changing your position, are you gonna be a — like a third base catcher man?”

Steve laughs and shakes his head, “no, nothing that bad - I found out more about the whole like, bringing a person along thing.”

“Oh cool,” Eddie says, sliding down on the couch next to him, “do I get like a fancy VIP pass?”

“You do,” Steve says, “there’s just one catch.”

“Okay?” Eddie asks, tilting his head and reaching for the tv remote.

“Apparently they usually reserve the box for the wives and girlfriends … so either you’re gonna have to be my boyfriend or you’re going to have to sit in the stands with the fans.”

Eddie makes a noise that must register to Steve as alarmed or upset because he rushes to finish.

“It’s not that bad, you just need to like, pretend to be my boyfriend so you can sit with the other WAGs and like, then you can be in the box and have all you can drink alcohol and snacks.”

“Did you agree to this!?” Eddie asks.

“If I say yes, how mad are you going to be?” Steve asks.

🚐 Six Kids and a Winnebago by Oddree13 (@oddree13)

Summer has come to Hawkins and the kids begged and pleaded to be driven to the lake to swim. Eddie agreed to take the second car full of gremlins which is how he finds himself sitting in the shade with Robin while the kids splash around the lakeshore. Almost immediately upon arrival, Steve began to set up a sandwich station for lunch with Nancy offering her assistance, leaving the pair to gossip and chat.

Eddie scans the scene before him and takes in the sight of Harrington and Wheeler making sandwich after sandwich, while the teenagers start a game of chicken. It’s almost too domestic for his taste but reminds him of something he’s been meaning to ask Robin. “So tell me, how much shit have you given Harrington for his six kids and a Winnebago comment?”

👑 Out of Curiosity by camouflagedlove (@edtheymunsthem)

“So you’re not attracted to me? Like at all?” Steve asked.

Robin dropped her head onto the counter with a loud thump and a groan.

“Steve, buddy, you can calm down. I, Eddie Munson, am not attracted to nor planning to hit on King Steve. Scout’s honor,” Eddie held up his fingers to mirror a scout salute.

Or: 5 times Eddie wouldn't admit he finds Steve attractive and 1 time he finally did.

⚡️ electric feel by griesly (@griesly)

An ordinary shift at tech support ends up being the best thing to ever happen to Eddie Munson when frantic history major Steve Harrington rushes in to the repair shop (and his life) with a deadline to meet.

🐈 Munson Jr by ItCanBePalped (@itcanbepalped)

Munson. Harrington adopted a hideous alley cat and named it fucking Munson. He couldn't think of a single way to take that as a compliment. Was it too much to hope they were friends enough that they would be above insults? Wasn't Harrington supposed to be a good dude these days?

[urfavoritedcwhore]

the Russian boy//part one

a fanfic about the goldfinch

summary: a new girl named lucy gardener has just moved to las vegas, nevada. she meets two boys her first day and takes an interest on the black-haired Russian boy named boris.

this is a series i’m going to be working on, and yes, there will eventually be some juicy smut.

warnings: swearing, marijuana usage, and some brief mention of alcohol usage.

not proof read!!

part one: the first day

"FUCK" , i yell when i awake to see my alarm clock isn't plugged in. i must have forgotten to plug it in last night when i was setting up my room. im gonna be late for my first day of school. great. i rush to the millions of moving boxes in my room trying to remember which ones have my clothes in them, finally i mange to find a box with a folded up Tshirt and decide to wear that and the leggings i slept in. i throw on the Tshirt and run into the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. "first day of my new school and im going to show up a total mess. amazing.", i think to myself while i spit out the tooth paste in my mouth and see the knots all over my head. i grab my brush and hurry back into my room to put my shoes on and get my book bag together. "MOM!!", i yell while brushing my hair and putting my folders in my bag. no response. great she's probably passed out downstairs drunk, or hasn't come home from last night yet. i don't blame her though, if i had found out my husband was cheating on me and lost all my money in the divorce i would be drinking away my feelings too. i just hate that it caused us to move here. the fucking middle of nowhere in las Vegas. why couldn't we have moved to someplace cool like New York? or just someplace where the sun isn't beating down on me like it wants to fry me and eat me for lunch. whatever, no point in being mad right now, i need to grab my keys and get to school. i go downstairs to see my mom passed out on the couch with a bottle of tito's and lifetime blaring on the tv. no time to worry about that now. i find my keys laying on the kitchen counter and rush out the door. i hop in my truck (well, my mom and me's truck) and head on my way to school. joining a new school three months into the school year as a junior, who knows nobody in this awful town shouldn't be hard, right? i look up on google maps where it is and learn it's only 20 minutes away from my house, not too far of a drive. gosh, its already 11:30am, i'm so fucked. i pull into the school parking lot and quickly run into the double doors at the front of the building. i spot the front office on my right and make my way in there, the small lady behind the desk looks up from her computer at me. "name?", she says like she's dealt with more late passes then she wanted to this morning. "Lucy Gardener, I'm a new student here and-", she cuts me off, "yes, miss gardener, you're a junior correct? here's your schedule and here's your late pass.". she pulls out a small green peice of paper from here desk drawer and writes, my name, the date, the time, and her signature on it before handing it to me. awesome, i'm gonna have to show up in the middle of class and stop the lesson to give this to my teacher. she reaches into the printer and gives me a list with my name on the top and a bunch of classes with times next to them. "right now you should be in....3rd period, english.", the lady said pausing to squint at her computer, "room 224. down the main hall and to your left.". "thanks.", i say stuffing my schedule in my bag and walking out of the office. i follow her directions and head down the main hall and to the left, until i see room 224. fuck, ok ok, just go in there, give the slip to your teacher, and pray he doesn't make me introduce myself to the class. i open the class door and immediately all heads turn to me. i can feel my cheeks burning red as i walk to the man in his mid 40s standing in front of the whiteboard. "sorry." i say handing him the slip and turning away to find a seat towards the back of the class room, just as i thought you may get away with say nothing else, he calls you back up front. "Lucy? you're our new student right? come up here and tell us a little about yourself please.", he says with a huge smile on his face. you've gotta be fucking kidding. i turn back to him and walk back up front. "hi i'm lucy, um i just moved here from New Orleans.", i hear slight laughter coming from two boys in the back of the classroom.

"can i go sit now?", i say turning towards the teacher. "well it's great to have you here lucy, i look forward to getting to know you, i think there may be a seat next to theo. theo, raise your hand so lucy knows where to go.". i see a tall boy with shaggy blonde hair raise his hand and realize it was one of the boys who were giggling. i walk towards the desk that the teacher was referring to, and see that it’s actually right in between the two boys that were giggling. how wonderful, this should be soooo fun. i sit down and immediately hear the blonde boy with glasses on my right giggling. damn, do i really look that bad today. the one with black hair is just staring so intensely at me, i feel his eyes burning holes in my head. i guess i came just at the right time though, cause about two minutes after i sit down i hear the bell ring. "anddd that's lunch.", i hear the teacher say as i stand up and grab my bag. i let out a sigh of relief, at least i can just go sit in the bathroom and look at my phone for the lunch period. i'm walking to the door when someone behind me calls out, "lucy!". i turn around to see the blonde boy with his mouth slightly open and the boy with black hair standing behind him smirking. "i-it's lucy right?" he says stuttering over his words. "yea. you're theo, right?", i say hoping that i heard the teacher correctly and didn't just call him the wrong name. "ding ding ding! and this," he pulls the boy with black hair in front of him like he's showing me a puppy or something, "is boris. he, well we, were wondering if maybe you wanted to hang with us during lunch? you know, since you're new.", theo says in a almost shy manner. do i want to have lunch with them? is it a trick? weren't they literally just laughing at me? if they didn't look so raggedy i would've guessed that they were two popular boys messing with me. the dark haired one, sorry, "boris", speaks up. "we have weed." , he said in a whispering tone.

i'm not sure because his voice was so low, but i think he may be Australian? that doesn't matter, they had weed, i need something to calm my first day anxieties. "i'm down, should've led with the weed." i say looking at both of them as theo looked at boris with a smile. boris walked in front of me, "follow me.". boris and theo led me out the school doors, into the parking lot, and to a beat down 1985 volvo. this looks sketchy i'm not gonna lie. the car is rusted, missing a headlight, and theo has to crawl through the driver side door to get to the passenger seat. let's just hope and pray they don't kill me and dump my body in the nevada desert somewhere. boris opens the back seat door for me and i crawl in, as soon as i'm in the car i know they're not lying about the weed. the smell is so strong that i imagine they smoke in this car everyday and don't know what air freshener is. boris gets in the drivers seat, shuts the door, and immediately opens the glove box. "shit bor, did you not roll another one this morning? it's gonna take me at least 20 minutes to get this shit done.", theo said holding a small baggie of weed, and a pack of joint papers. these kids don't even know how to roll a joint. i snicker, "let me see it.", i say holding out my hand. theo and boris looked at eachother suspiciously. "oh come on, let me see it i can get her done in 5-10 minutes tops.", i start making a "gimme" motion with my hand. theo hands the bag and papers over to me. it doesn't even take me ten minutes and im done. "here", i say, passing the joint to boris. they inspect it carefully until boris looks back at me and smiles, "nice job new girl.". i do a small bow, "thank you thank you very much, now light that shit.", i say looking at the lighter in theo's hand. theo hands the lighter over to boris, who starts to touch the flame to the tip of the joint and takes a long hit. he lets the smoke out, coughing as he does so. boris takes another hit then looks at me. he gives the joint to me with a grin, "new girl gets next hit, eh?", he says glancing over to theo. "that's fine with me man.", says theo, who's too focused on trying to get the radio to work.

boris hands the joint over to me. please please please don't let me get too high and embarrass myself God. i mean look, im an avid smoker, but after taking a break from weed for like 6 days because of all the moving shit i had to do, i’m definitely gonna get really fried. i take a long drag of the joint and hold the smoke it for about 7 seconds before exhaling with a sigh. "fuck that's nice.", i say passing the joint to theo and leaning back into the seat. "so new girl, where do you live?", boris says with a thick accent. "i don't really know the name of the street, i just got here last night. it's like desert something.", i say trying to remember what the street is called . boris raises his eyebrows as he grabs the joint theo's passing to him, "desert end drive?", he says before taking a long hit of the joint. "yea actually, that's where i am.". the two boys exchange looks. "no way, that's where we live." , says theo almost giddy with excitement. ok this is good. at least i have two people that smoke in my neighborhood. "do you live more towards the front of the neighborhood or the back?", theo says. boris passes me the joint and i take two quicks hits while they stare at me with anticipation. "way in the back, it takes like 3 minutes of me driving just to get out of the neighborhood.", i say shifting my eyes between the two of them. theo looks at boris as i hand him the joint. "i bet you're right by bor then.", he says smiling a child like smile. "oh shit that's nice.", i say trying to not look excited. i mean boris is cute. i don't really know him at all. and that accent, maybe it's just the weed talking, but that accent is so fucking sexy. "what's your accent?", i blurt out, not so shy anymore from the high i'm feeling. boris smirks at me, "i mean i've lived in a lot of places so i have little accent from everywhere, but the one you probably hear the most, is russian or ukraine maybe?", he says, "my english isn't perfect, potter says i miss words sometimes, but i do pretty well, eh?", he says taking the joint from theo. i let out a laugh, "dude you're so right, he does kinda look like harry potter!", which makes both me and boris burst out into laughter.

"hardy har har, soooo funny.", says theo trying his best to hold back a smile. we sit, passing around the joint and just talking and getting to know each other for about the next 15 minutes until all that's left of it is the filter. "i don't wanna go back in.", i say as the laughter dies down in the car from a stupid thing theo said. "well you're in luck, me and bor usually skip forth period anyways.", theo says turning his head to look at me and smile. "yes! come with new girl, will be fun. i have vodka at house.",  boris says with excited eyes. "your parents won't mind?", i say, "nah, only live with my dad and he'll be gone for next few days.", says boris as he puts the bag of weed and papers back in his glove box. "alright, im down. but fuck, i'm way too stoned to drive right now, i haven't smoked for like a week cause of the move.", i say, remembering just how high i am. "give me your keys, im not too fucked.", says boris holding out his hand, "potter can drive my car, he does all the time.". i look at boris for a second, before pulling out my keys and placing them in his hand. trust me if i thought this boy was too faded to drive, i would not let him in my truck. but since i'm pretty sure he does this everyday multiple times a day i'm fine with it. especially since, i myself drive while im stoned all the time. well when im not in the middle of an involuntary week long T break i mean. boris hops out of the car and opens my door, extending his hand to me, as theo crawls into the drivers seat. i take boris's hand and hop out of the car. i say a quick thank you and let go of his hand before leading him to my truck. when we get to my car he follows me to the passenger side and opens the door for me. "such a gentleman." , i joke as i put a hand on my heart and hop in the car. "always a gentleman for a pretty lady.", he says back shooting me a quick wink then chuckling. ok he could so get it. i mean he called me pretty, he definitely wants it. no lucy...you two are joking around. he's being polite. don't think anything of it. boris walks to the other side of the car door and hops in the drivers seat, putting the keys in ignition. "let's go get wasted new girl.", he says to me with a smile as he puts the car in drive, and pulls out of the school parking lot. i have a feeling this is going to be fun..

part 2 will be out soon. let me know if yall fw this

[museum-spaces]

oh gang I have been over doing it lately.

Here's a list of everything I did since last Sunday [6 August 2023]

Sunday; get up, get shower, eat food, convince myself to go to Vancouver Pride. It's about an hour away via public transit. Met up with a new 'friend' [thank you grindr, just friends thanks gang] and went in. watched for 3 hours, then walked through the festival for a few hours. Get home before dark, but couldn't tell you when.

Monday; stat holiday, walk Ianto, sleep, walk Ianto, sleep

Tuesday; Walk Ianto at 6ish, back to work; work all day on projects and staff needs, at 4 have a 1 hour meeting with 3 other people, at 5 have a 1 hour meeting with the Boss Man, take Ianto to dog park, get home after 8pm

Wednesday; walk Ianto at 6ish, very similar to Tuesday with added 'oh shit one of our staff won't be available for 5 days he's supposed to work leaving it up to me, and one other staff because the other two staff have vacation time and won't be in Canada' stress. Take Ianto to the dog park, get home between 7 and 8.

Thursday;walk Ianto at 6ish, just me and my Second for most of the day at the museum, lots of uping and downing of stairs to take care of things.

Friday; walk Ianto at 6ish, get to work, work for 2 hours, get lift to Museum of Vancouver for professional development, be told lunch would happen there so I didn't bring anything... lunch does not happen. Learn about native plants, new methods of display, and some other very cool things. Get back to the Museum at 4, eat a frozen muffin, work for an hour before taking Ianto to the dog park, get home between 7 and 8pm.

Saturday; get up late, walk Ianto from about 7-8;30/9. get breakfast and plan on starting laundry. Fall asleep until 4;30 instead. wake up feeling SO ILL but Ianto needs to go outside. Decide to take my cane for the first time since moving. forget to bring my cane. find a stick that is about 2 inches too short. walk Ianto to a dog park [not our usual]. get asked if I am about to pass out by one of the humans there. wave her off and lean heavy on my stick. eventually sit my ass down on the ground. go home and sleep.

Sunday; get up and walk Ianto at 6ish. get home and realize I'm going to fall asleep again. Set my alarm because I need groceries and to do laundry. wake up and crawl back out of bed shortly after noon. sit on my couch and lose it because I know I will not be able to go shopping. Break down and order grocery delivery. Crawl into the shower and scrub off. have a nap. take Ianto out again. Get home at about 8, think about ordering delivery dinner. fall asleep instead.

Monday; wake up to the delivery app still open on my phone. walk Ianto, go to work, spend a few hours in the front of house, then a few hours in my office, then a few hours working with the treasurer.. yay training. take Ianto to the dog park but it's too hot for him to play, so go to the water instead. get home at about 6;30, before I let myself sit down I started my laundry, ordered dinner in, and hopped in the shower. By the time I got out of the shower dinner was ready [yay]. then grocery delivery got here. now siting on my couch zoning out.

I am so tired yo. I did not leave out any showers or other chores. I have not done dishes. I have not swept. Not brushed or trained with Ianto.

Just work and sleep and 2 outings.

The next 2 weeks are going to be a nightmare because of staffing fuckery. fuck fuck fuck.

I need to remember I am actually disabled and although I have much more energy than I did before, I also have much longer working hours/requirements.

I think part of the hard part is that I genuinely enjoy the work. And the activities. After the first 3 hours at pride I knew I'd struggle on monday but I was having such a euphoric time that I couldn't leave. Like, at Camel Town I was always a little bit annoyed by the situation. At the hotel I was just there to pay rent... and I failed at that. But I really really like this place, gang.

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

Sweet Dreams--Part 4

Calum and you have dance around reality for a few months now. But after Calum leaves and returns from a trip, the reality has to be confronted. 

Weeks are passing and maybe more is blooming between you and Calum than might meet the eye.

Prince!Calum x Reader Insert.

CW: There’s smut across this series (18+ content), as well as mentions of parental abuse, neglect, and alcoholism.

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All wildfires start just as smoke signals in the sky. Even if the smoke is thin and wispy, the fire will always give off a siren song. And the first signal lands on Calum’s desk with a huff. “Mind telling me what’s going on here?”

Calum looks at the glossy cover of the magazine and spots a picture of you and his mother sitting at a restaurant, staring back at him as the front and center imagine. When Calum doesn’t respond, the red manicured nails flip the magazine open and there on page 21 is another shot of you and his mother from your early dinner a week ago. Miranda taps the image. “The Queen told me she was meeting someone for dinner last week. I thought nothing of it. She meets many people. But that--them right there, that’s one of our employees.”

Calum continues to look over the picture. Nothing sets off his alarms about the three paragraphs written. Though he doesn’t get much time to read it as a tablet is lowered into his vision. “And then, from the same day, given by their green shirt, the two of you are spotted in the service lot kissing,” Miranda huffs. 

Calum taps on the tiny picture to bring up the article. It’s a gossip site, but there’s the photo of Calum and you, outside your car, his lips pressed against your forehead--the angle shows that clearly. 

“You told me you were dating someone. And I figured I’d get the notes when it was serious. But you failed to mention it was someone on our staff,” Miranda scowls. She’s worked on their PR team since Calum’s late teens years. Her and her signature red manicure have drafted many fact sheets, apologies, and letters for him. 

The thing about Miranda that Calum has learned is that she’s never really looking for an answer. None of her speech is to actually gain any sort of clarity or answer from Calum. She’s already prepared on all fronts. The only thing she needs from him to solidify which path they’re going to take. 

“It’s getting serious,” Calum returns. It feels true in a way. Things could be going somewhere. Though there hadn’t been more than the conversations in his room or the stolen moments at breakfast, things were starting to settle. There were fewer whispers and worries about who might catch you too. Though Calum’s father was still waiting for his moment to meet you one on one too. 

“Serious? Okay, well, I’ll make sure you’re fully stocked with condoms while I also prepare the statement about the engagement--sound good?”

“That might be a year early on that,” Calum returns, handing the tablet back to Miranda. He delivers the sentence with a smile. It works but only a little as Miranda smirks back. 

She huffs, tapping at the screen. “Were you ever going to tell me?”

“When it was clearer,” Calum answers. That sounds like a genuine question to which he will give a genuine answer. Sure, the few months had been strong, but Calum wasn’t going to jump the gun with you. It’d be like trying to lead a terrified horse. It’d only serve to get Calum kicked down if he wasn’t careful. 

“Having lunch with the Queen seems pretty fucking clear,” she retorts, falling into the one seater opposite of Calum. Her nose is buried in the screen. Her eyesight was going, but she refused to wear glasses except during speeches. 

“We-we haven’t talked about the publicity thing--gossip sites, pap pictures. Is there anything we can do to keep it quieter? I don’t want this to scare them.”

Miranda drops the tablet to her lap. Her gaze is careful and calculated. “I’ll do what I can. But you two will have to talk quickly. They’ll need to be media briefed and trained too. Are you aware of any social media that they have?”

Calum can’t recall that you’d ever mentioned it. Though, he wonders if it’s something you reframed from given your desire not to have your parents contacting you. “I’ll find out,” he answers. 

“I’m quicker,” Miranda laughs, devoid of all humor. “But keep me posted. I can give you a week.”

A week feels much too short to solidify anything let alone a relationship, but he knows if they don’t contain this now it’ll only get worse later. “I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks for making my job a dream, Calum,” Miranda calls from the door of his office. 

“I like to keep you on your toes,” Calum calls out. Her laughter-real this time- is faint but he catches it just before the door closes. He pulls out his phone and right there on the home screen is a message from you. It’s a little too early in the afternoon, Calum would’ve thought for you to be awake. But there, the message sits. He clicks on it. 

Would you like to go to the park one evening? I’ll show you a painting, since I still owe you that. I’ve got some spare 8 x 12 canvas and mini paints. Perhaps a picnic and painting date?

It’s a date. An actual date. He’d been wondering if it would be too much to ask. It was still dicey inside the castle, he hadn’t even wanted to push too much about taking you out somewhere. You’ve answered his question though. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a far fetched idea. Calum’s stomach flutters at the thought of someone asking him on a date. His cheeks burn at the realization that you’re asking him a date before he can ask you on one. But he likes being courted too--a nice gesture that you want him too. 

I would absolutely adore that, Calum replies. I’ll be sure to bring my guitar. Since I do owe you that. 

I’m free Friday evening if you are? 

God, Calum wishes he could swallow the fluttering of his stomach. He does swipe to his calendar to double check that he is free. Usually Friday’s were empty as most times his friends would want to gather on Thursday or Saturday. His calendar is empty. It makes Calum breathe a little easier. I’m free, he replies. 

I’ll pick you up at 6.

6 it is. He wavers, fingers wanting to type out more about needing to speak with you about something. He worries that will cause you to worry. But he stares at the magazine still on his desk.  Are you free right now? he texts. 

Nearly immediately, his phone lights up with your name. He answers it. “Hey, baby.”

“Hi. Everything okay, Calum?”

“Missed your voice,” he counters. “That and I do need to talk to you about something.”

“Sounds serious?”

Calum thinks the question is a probe, you fishing for how serious is serious. And he doesn’t fault that tactic either, knows it’s important for you to know the details. “So, it got brought to the attention of the PR team, but a couple photos have surfaced.”

“Pictures? Who has pictures? We haven’t gone anywhere?”

“There’s some from when you met with Mum. It’s mostly white noise. And there’s a second set of pictures from that same day, I think of us.”

Your side of the phone remains quiet. Calum wants to assuage any fears, but he doesn’t want to assume any one reaction from you. But he lets the silence fall thick between the two of you. 

“Are people saying things? About me?”

You ask it quietly, like you might be ashamed of yourself for even giving the question thought. But Calum gets it. It was probably the very thing you were dreading. It was the exact thing you were waiting for. “I haven’t read the comments,” Calum answers. “And I have no plans to read them.” He prays his volley conveys what he needs it to say: I don’t care what others think.

“Won’t your team need to know?”

“They do. Not me.”

“You’d only gain me--realistically. Don’t you care what the cabinet will think?”

Calum shuts his eyes at the question. He doesn't care. He hasn’t needed to care. But he does realize what this will mean. If you two do get serious, it will always be an uphill battle. There will always be people who question you and your motives. There will be people who don’t like Calum’s decisions. But Calum’s not living his life for other people. At the end of his days, he wants to not regret anything. 

“Someone I know called it a circle jerk and if I’m being honest the only person I’m interested in jerking anything of mine is you.”

“God,” you scoff at Calum’s answer. Your laughter falls out in waves. Your annoyance and disappointment is clear too. But that’s the sound Calum needed to hear. 

“It’s true,” Calum laughs. 

“You’re-you’re not ashamed?”

“Baby,” he coos, spinning in his desk chair. The window gives view to the busy streets below. It’s a pretty clear day. The trees bow to the breeze, but the sun is bright in the sky. Calum’s praying that the break in the weather lasts so it’s cooler. “Did I do something to make you think I am ashamed? Because if I did, I'd need to kick my own ass.”

“No, there’s nothing you’ve done. I’m worried that maybe these pictures have changed something.”

“No, these pictures change nothing. And I know it’s really easy for me to say those words, right? Because words are easy. But let me show you, okay? Let me show you nothing’s changed.”

Calum’s not above begging--not when it’s about you. He clutches his phone hoping that you’ll let him show you. 

“Okay,” you answer. “I’ll let you show me.”

“Thank you,” Calum whispers. 

“Can I ask just one thing?”

“You can ask more than just one question. You can ask--”

“If you say two,” you huff. 

Calum exhales a tuft of laughter. “Oh, don’t tempt me. But what’s your question? You can ask all of them.”

“If-if more pictures surface, can you not tell me about them? Not unless it’s important of course. Tell me if anything is important, please.”

Calum’s not sure why you don’t want to know. But the thing he won’t do is subject you to something that you’re not ready to handle. “Yeah, I think I can do that. I know I’m moving fast on this one. But, soon, I think you might get pulled for media training and stuff. It’s like--how to talk in press, what to say if someone asks you x question and so on. And I’m not trying to say you’ll have to talk to the press. You don’t. You absolutely don’t have to talk to the press.”

Your exhale crackles the receiver. Calum knows, well before you even speak, he knows that he’s dug himself into a bit of a hole. However, you don’t even mention the hole Calum’s dug. “Are you giving the paparazzi the glorified title of press?”

“I am being polite,” Calum returns with a small bit of laughter. He’s glad to hear the quip, but he will be logging for later that this might be a subject to return. “I know I’m moving too fast. It’s just--the PR team’s going to move fast and I don’t want that to blindside you.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“With Miranda, it’s a good thing. She gets on her shit and gets it done. I’ll-I’ll talk to her to get more and relay it to you.”

“What time does Miranda usually leave? I work tomorrow anyways. I can talk to her.”

Calum spins, almost lifting himself out of his seat as if he’d take himself to Miranda’s office right now. But he pauses, one hand on the desk still. “Uh, I’d say around 5. But she’s been known to work late here and there. I can let her know you’re coming tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I can be in by 4 if she’s okay with that.”

Now, Calum pushes up fully, dress shoes clicking against the floor. “Let me tell her now.” Miranda’s usually on the second floor and Calum’s hoping that she’s still there and not elsewhere--least there be a meeting of some kind for her. 

“Tell me, have you been media trained?” you tease. 

“More times than I can count if I’m honest.” Calum nearly takes himself to the elevators, but worries he might lose signal. He takes himself down to the stairs. “We refresh once a year, maybe? It’s boring. Truly. Your eyes will fight to stay open during it.”

“God that bad?”

“Yeah,” Calum laughs. It echoes in the stairwell amongst the click of his shoes. 

“Do you ever get tired of the dress clothes?” you ask. 

“All the time. But you get used to it.”

“Would I have to dress up?”

Calum carries himself down the last flight of steps. The worry paints your tone heavily and it makes Calum realize how much of this world is absolutely foreign to you. He’s happy to walk you through it, guide you through the madness that his world can bring. But he can’t quite imagine the overwhelm that might descend on someone being suddenly thrusted into this. “Hey, baby, don’t even worry. Should you feel comfortable going with me to events, there would be an expectation that you present according to the dress code. But I’d ensure that you got access to loaners. You won’t be expected to just suddenly have Chanel and Gucci in your closet. I don’t have that shit in my closet.”

Your laughter falls softly. “You have it on your nightstand though.”

Calum knows exactly which scent you’re referring to--his bottle of Gucci Guilty. “But you love that cologne, so I don’t want to hear that.” The sound of his knock rings around the hallway.

Your rebuttal is swift to Calum’s accusation. “It is a nice cologne. But I much prefer your Calvin Klein One Gold, so let’s get our facts straight.”

Miranda peeks her head out from the creak in the door. “Yes, Calum?”

“One second, baby,” Calum offers to you, before peeling the receiver back from his mouth. “How late are you going to be tomorrow, Miranda?”

Her eyes narrow. “Is this a test? But 5:30 at the latest. What’s up?”

“No test. They wanted to talk to you.”

“They who?” Miranda asks. 

Calum offers your name. “About going over their social media. Probably to set up a time to get media trained later on too. Told you I’m always here to make your job easier.”

“Can they be here by 4:30 tomorrow?” 

Calum motions for just a one second and turns back to his phone. “Can you be here by 4:30 tomorrow?” he poses to you. 

You laugh. “You know I can hear everything. But yes, I can do that.”

“Affirmative, Miranda,” Calum relays, ignoring the sass from you for the moment. 

“I’ll see them then. And no, you don’t make my job easier Calum. You just keep making it more and more interesting. All good?”

Calum nods, hearing your cackles at Miranda’s attitude. “We’re all good.” She throws up a thumbs up and then slinks back into her office. Calum huffs at your giddy before turning back to the stairs. “Oh, shut up. She’ll be just as nice to you as she is to me.” 

“Sounds lovely.”

“Calum!” 

He turns at the sound of his name to see Miranda leaning out her door. She’s waving her arm as if that’ll get his attention faster. “Yes?” he calls out. 

“That 4:30 included you too. You’re free. I already checked.”

“Got it,” he hollers back in exchange. “Guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow too, in addition to Friday.”

“You were going to see me anyway tomorrow, because I work.”

“But I’ll see you longer tomorrow,” Calum corrects. 

“There is that too.” A small voice calls out from the background of your side of the phone. Calum listens intently to the soft voice as it calls out your name. “Yeah, for your birthday. Hey, Calum can I call you back? I’ve got to drop some stuff off with Teagan.”

“Yeah, absolutely you can. Tell her I said hi and happy birthday? If that’s okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll tell her.” From the background, he catches a gasp and faintly your voice floats up, “Got a special message for you, Teagan.” The line goes quiet before the special message is given, but he hopes it’s you telling your sister happy birthday from him. Part of him wants to feel deflated, upset that somehow you’d opted not to share this important news with him. But he knows, the bigger part knows, that he can’t let that ego win. Maybe you’d just gotten close enough to do that. Maybe there’s some other reason that the information is withheld. But Calum refuses, as he climbs into the elevator to let his ego get the best of him. 

He does wonder if he could get your sister something. If you’d be okay with him doing that and passing it along the next time you saw her. He knows it would most likely be very late, but still, he doesn’t want your siblings to think he doesn’t care about them. He does. But Calum knows getting to them means getting through you. It’s a much more challenging stage than it might seem. However, even if Calum wanted to get Teagen something he’d have not the slightest clue what to get her. What did she like? Was she into dolls? Did she like playing mad scientist instead? Was she into excavating bones of animals millions of years old? As much as the layers were peeling away to show Calum more of you, there was still a heart that was locked away. 

Calum gets so distracted with the searches--taking his time from tea sets to magic trick kits--that the photos feel like a different timeline until he walks down into the kitchen. The morning is bright and there’s a swelter of voices behind the doors. As he gets closer to the kitchen, he catches pieces. Though one voice rises about them all, with a sharp, Yeah, but with the prince? Followed behind it are whispers. It’s not how he imagined his morning might go, but Calum picks up into a jog to close the 20 feet. The door creaks open and as you hold out plates to other staff of food, everyone has a locked in gaze on you. They look more like children being told a story than what Calum imagined as predators locked in on prey. 

The sound of the door shifts the room. All eyes on you shift to him and now he feels it. The way the eyes widen and some let our poor attempts at stifled laughter. “Uh oh, Your Highness heard you talking shit, Val,” a brave voice quips up from the group. 

“I-uh-” Calum stutters. 

“Eat Declan, or you will be wearing that jam,” you return. 

The room falls into a cacophony of laughter. People slowly retreat into their seats. Eyes flickering between you and Calum. “I can go, sorry,” Calum offers. Perhaps, he should try to find time when you’re not around. Or maybe that would make it worse? He’s not sure. 

“Then I guess I’m eating the three scrambled eggs, six strips of bacon lightly crispy and fruit medley all by myself.” You hold the plate like an invitation. It is his usual time to get breakfast. He’d switched to evening workouts given the volume of work to be done. Minus the weekends--on the weekends Calum would do his best to get up early to get a good workout in if it’d been missed during the week. 

“I don’t want to intrude,” he counters. It might be better to wait for things to die down.  He’s not used to this caliber of staff in the morning. Though, he imagines now that if the pictures are getting around, the staff would of course want to know what they could know. They’d need to get to you in order to get information if they did want more. They certainly wouldn’t come to him. 

“You might’ve skipped over that when the door. I won’t offer again,” you warn, taking the fork from the plate and cutting into the eggs. 

“You don’t even like your eggs scrambled,” Calum concedes, crossing the threshold. And it’s true, you prefer sunny side up. Calum had learned mostly by watching how you prepared your own plate. 

“I can be convinced otherwise,” you hum, taking the tiny cut, hardly a divot in his plate, to your mouth. 

Calum takes the plate, skin feeling warm at the eyes watching from under their lashes. A mug of coffee--just a little brown but still dark--settles into his palm. There’s no way around the inevitable so Calum carries on to the table. The big table is clear, as the rest of the morning staff are huddled around the kitchen island and counter. With his plate settled though on the table, behind the group, he watches you. You move back to preparing food, pulling the scraps of paper from waiting hands. 

“Checks now or you’re not getting fed again until lunch,” you tease, collecting four more from the miniature crowd. 

He shouldn’t. And it’s less that he shouldn’t and more like he thinks it might be too much. But it’s what he’d normally do. Much like you did. You’d normally hand him a plate of breakfast. You’d hand him a cup of coffee just like he likes. And in return, he’d fetch a mug for you--a splash of milk, two creamers, sugar till the ancestors tell him to stop. He’d slip you two pieces of his bacon and get toast going if he has time. You’re a light eater in the morning, but he never wants to leave without you eating. 

Before Calum can convince himself otherwise though, he’s grabbing the mug--a clear one that he also gets for you--and adds coffee to it. He watches the dark color fade with the milk and creamer. He’s reaching over you to get the sugar and takes four spoonfuls to him. Then goes for a little extra because his gut tells him he can add a little bit more. When that’s the right color, he goes for the bread and takes out two slices. The dial is already set from all his previous mornings so he slots the slices in and starts the toaster.  Calum goes into the fridge, notices the jelly is still there and retrieves it. It’s a rhythm that he knows well. But  there’s no moment that Calum’s not acutely aware of the extra eyes on him. When the toaster pops, Calum plates the dark brown pieces next to the two slices of bacon and gives each of them a good spread of jelly. He sets it down--out of the way of your prepped ingredients, but close enough to you that you can get to it with ease. 

You reach for the mug almost instantly after the plate is settled. Calum waits for the three smacks you’ll give followed by a head nod and it’s how he knows it’s good. Your head tilts for a moment this time though. The smoke rises just a little from the bacon you’re cooking. “There’s more sugar than usual?”

“The ancestors told me to give a little more,” Calum answers. 

You nod, taking another sip and hum. “Tell them I said thank you.” You gnash into a piece of bacon and go back to your work. 

“God, they make breakfast for each other. It’s so cute I’m going to be sick.” Calum doesn’t know who said it, but it’s all the room needs. The tension seems to melt as the laughter bubbles. 

“When will it be my turn?” another voice quips.

Calum watches the grin on your face, though you're flipping over french toast and plating bacon, he can still see the amusement on your face because of the comments. This is what he wants for you. People who support you. There’s no malice here. Perhaps, that’s what you want too and why you asked him not to tell you about more pictures. Satisfied that you’re actually eating during your work, Calum slips back to his own food. Though he’d like to help, he’s sure he’d only really get in the way. 

“French toast, eggs, no bacon,” you call out. The hand shoots up to claim the plate. “Pancakes, no bacon, no eggs.” And down the list you go, calling out what you’ve got until the kitchen settles into the click of forks against ceramic plates. 

It seems to be a system--Calum’s not sure if it’s one that the staff has built long ago, or just one for today, but as each one finishes, they take their plates back to the sink, working in rounds to wash and dry and wash and dry. But it’s a little fascinating to watch each person know when it’s their turn to wash and then rotate to dry the dishes. It’s effortless work amongst the group.

“I can take the plate for you if you're done, Your Highness.”

“Oh, no, I’ve got it. Thank you,” Calum returns to the offer. 

There’s a moment of confusion, but it seems to settle quickly. The room empties the moment the doors open and Calum’s father enters. Though everyone greets him, it’s clear that everyone feels a bit like being in school having the teacher walk in. But you remain, turning to the counter where yet another waiting plate resides. 

“Seems like quite the commotion this morning,” his father quips, pausing at the kitchen table at his normal spot. He doesn’t sit just yet. 

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” Calum returns. 

“Your Royal Majesty,” you greet Calum's father, setting the plate down to the table where the King usually sits. A cup of coffee follows it too. 

“Thank you. And I know we’ve yet to have more informal introductions, but please, do call me David.”

You nod. “Alright, well in that case, are we doing orange juice or water this morning, David?”

“Oh, I’ll get it in a moment. No need to worry. But do you think perhaps, I could steal a moment of your time?”

“Certainly,” you agree. Yet, you remain standing too. The table remains between two of you--Calum’s dad on the interior side closest to the wall the table sits near, Calum on the exterior side. 

“C’mon, sit for a minute,” David offers, waving to the seat across from him. You settle on the bench and slide across from David. 

Calum can only watch, unsure of what will transpire. He’s praying his father is nicer than the initial conversations they shared. They weren’t bad, yet somehow more tense than Calum imagined them going. 

“I know there’s probably much better times to do this,” David starts, settling into his seat. “But Joy’s much better at the planning than I am. I wanted to speak with you though. I don’t know what Calum tells you or what he doesn’t of course. But I’m sure you’re aware your position is unique. I only want my boy happy, but I musn’t be so blinded by that desire that I abandon my duties as his father. You’re a hard worker. You came to us with glowing reviews from all your previous employers. Came from pretty high places if I do say so myself. I’ve eaten at your old restaurant a time or two, most likely while you were working there too. Joy seems to approve of you very much. Yet, there’s still a lot none of us know. That worries me.”

“Dad, please,” Calum interjects. 

“Calum,” David warns. It only takes his name and Calum knows he can’t interject. He wants to save you. Because this is the same thing they’ve been circling privately for weeks now. Calum knows you’ll tell more when you’re ready--and given what he’s already learned there’s a lot more. But you’re not trying to be facetious. 

“I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. I want to be fair about this,” David continues directly to you.

You sit, unwavering. Calum watches over your face as you listen to his father and your breathing never hitches, you never shy away from the words. He inches his hand forward, a small sign that he’s still there. If you do see it, you never let on that you do. “What would you like to know?” It’s a simple question but Calum knows everything that comes behind it. Or at least, he knows the dam that’s going to be cracked. 

There’s a silence much too long and Calum turns to his dad. Perhaps, your direct attitude is something that even his father was prepared for. “Well, for starters, I guess it would be nice to know what brought you to us.”

“My parents found out where I was working before and that prompted me to start looking for a new job.”

Where his mother is perceptive, attune to what’s not being said, Calum knows his father is a little more clumsy. And as his father speaks, Calum can’t help but cringe. “Is that a bad thing?”

“It is.”

“But Joy says you still interact with your siblings--Charlie and Teagan, right?”

“Yes,” you nod. “I’m only involved with my siblings.”

“So why not your parents?”

Even to Calum it comes out a little harsh, a little unsure of whether it’s meant to be caring or stern. “Dad,” Calum returns. “I know you want answers, but there’s better tones.”

His father sputters for a moment before uttering an apology. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be hostile.”

“No, I understand,” you answer. “My parents drank horrible and they’re not good drunks either. I don’t know how many odd years it was because I got pulled by Child Services to go into foster care at 14. And I stayed in foster care until 18. I got the adult assistance, abysmal as it was, if I can say. Got myself into school, and now I’m here. Because a few years ago, my parents found out where I was working.”

“And your siblings? Did they get pulled too?”

“They were born after I was placed into the system. There’s a twenty year gap between me and Charlie. Twenty-two between me and Teagan.”

“Are they well taken care of? Your siblings?”

“They seem to be. There’s a family vacation in two weeks, apparently that they’re very excited for.”

Calum knows where this is going. He can feel the gears in his father’s head moving. “We can’t assume,” he whispers. “You can’t assume.”

“I mean, if their siblings are being taken care of,” his father offers softly. 

“I spent a lot of years wondering what I’d do if I ever saw my parents again,” you interject. Both Calum and his father turn to face you now. “The truth is, as much as I am fucking angry at them for what they did to me--hardly fed, barely bathed, more money spent on booze, physical and violent arguments right in front of me--I’m also not a child anymore. They had the chance to be parents to me when I needed them and they chose the bottle. You may not like to here this, David, but the reality is that adults choose to become parents. You made the choice to become a parent just like my parents did. But it is not the child's responsibility to make parents act like parents. It’s not a child's job to beg for care. But if parents choose not to care for their children, then children must make choices for themselves.”

You lean into the table, elbows and forearms settling into the wood. Your eyes are watery, Calum can see the tears collecting on your lashes. Your voice quakes as you continue on. “As you know, all choices have a consequence. My parents want a relationship with me. I see it. It burns them when I don’t go inside of the house for more than twenty minutes. They hate that I don’t call them Mom and Dad. I do not call them on their birthdays. I only speak to them to speak to Charlie and Teagan. And I begged for my parents when Child Services took me away. I cried for them. They had every chance to get sober and get me. I heard it in the meetings through the door. They came four times to get me but wouldn’t get help. They wouldn’t fucking stop drinking so they could get me back. They made their choices and I have made mine.”

“And if they’re sorry? And if they want to make it right?” his dad asks. 

You shrug. “As long as they continue to take care of Charlie and Teagan like they should, like good parents, I’ll be happy. But there’s nothing left I can give to them or that they can give to me.”

“I’m sorry your parents weren’t there. They should’ve been. They should’ve been there.”

You nod, sniffling back most likely snot and tears. Calum pushes a napkin into your hand before moving out from his side of the table. “I’m okay, Calum.”

It’s not enough to stop him though, as he draws up a glass of water and slips down next to you, a hand rubbing at your back. “You are hard headed, you know,” you tease. Your laughter is thick and wet as it leaves you. 

“I’ve been told a time or two,” Calum offers, pushing the glass closer to you. You take the hint and take a sip. Calum takes your free hand under the table into both of his, swallowing your hand and squeezing tight. He’s here. Even if you really are doing the heavy lifting, Calum’s not going anywhere. It’s a weighty resolution that falls into the pit of Calum’s stomach. He’s not going anywhere. 

“I wish it were a more scandalous story, David. Wish I could tell you I really had an elaborate scheme to trick your son into dating me, hell maybe even falling in love just to try and stage a coup,” you joke. 

“Hell, you’d still have time,” his  father jokes. “Thank you. For giving me grace. And hearing me out.”

“You care, like you’re supposed to as a father. I get it. Is-is there anything else? Need my time and place of birth to do my birth chart?”

A head shake no comes first.n“No, no I don’t think I need to go that far. But I’d like to get this recipe. I’ve finally gotten word it’s yours and you’re tight lipped.”

You laugh, squeezing Calum’s hands too. “It’s a family recipe, I’m afraid.”

The pure look of offense is clear on his father’s face is wide before it slides down into mischief. “I’ll get it soon enough. Pretty sure of it.”

“You go from integrating them to now suddenly being sure you’re going to get a secret recipe?” Calum questions with a laugh. 

“No, son, a family recipe. There is a difference. A difference you can make.”

“A confident man,” you tease. “I hate to do this but I do have a few more things to get squared away before my shifts end. And I don’t want to keep you from your breakfast.”

“Of course, of course. Thanks again.”

You nod. “Of course.” 

As you start to turn out from the table, Calum tugs just a little on your hand. You face him, the grin a little tight no doubt from the drying tracks of tears on your face. “Yeah?”

“You going home after this?”

“Maybe? I do have to be ready for Miranda at 4:30 later,” you answer. 

“Stay. Won’t have to drive all the way home and then back. Saving on gas isn’t so terrible.”

You cup his cheek and Calum nuzzles just a little into the warmth. He hasn’t shaved in a few days and he’s sure the scratch may not be entirely pleasant. “You’re fishing.”

“Just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’ve got more days of being okay under my belt than not being okay. But I’ll stay. And I really do need to get the last of the dishes cleaned, though. So, do I have permission to finish up my job before Janet fires me?”

Calum snorts, holding your hand still to press a kiss to your palm. “Fine.  You do have a valid excuse. But I’ll clean up if you want to go freshen up first.”

“Oh, I’ve--”

Calum raises a brow. “I have washed dishes before. I distinctly remember my mother getting me on a step stool in this very kitchen so she could teach me. It won’t kill me.”

“I don’t want you to be late.”

Calum shrugs. “We’re in a stand still in votes right now. I really don’t think they’ll be made if I’m five minutes late.”

“Three if you let me escape to the bathroom now. And take the extra two as a change for another time.”

“Go,” Calum commands with a laugh. His lips find your palm again in another kiss--it’s brief and faint that even Calum’s not sure if he reached your skin or not. “Clock’s ticking.”

“Thank you, sire.”

Calum won’t forget that tease, and he will make sure he gets clarity on if you mean the double entendre. He’s sure you do though. His father laughs a little. Before Calum can question what is funny, his father is speaking, “Oh, I’m getting that recipe within the next year tops.”

“If I discover you and Mum have an engagement pool, I swear.”

There’s only a shrug. But Calum gathers his plate and mug before there’s any further discussions. Maybe his father liked you more than Calum originally estimated. Though, Calum’s not entirely upset about his father’s apprehension. It just frustrated Calum that he couldn’t get this information organically. He wants you to trust me. It’s important that the information is shared in the moments where you feel safest to share them.  Does it bother you? Calum hopes it doesn’t bother you. That you don’t feel cornered. But he’d understand if you did. 

“You don’t think I was too harsh, do you?” 

Calum stops his work on the fork and turns to face his father. “I could answer that, but it seems like maybe you already have a feeling about it.”

“I know you care about them. But I needed to know.”

“You have every right to worry, Dad. You do. But you have to trust me. If I make a mistake, then that’s on me. I know it gets infinitely more complicated because of our status. But please trust me. I don’t want to compound on their feelings like they don’t belong. And I hate to feel like a child. I know I haven’t told you a lot but there’s a lot that I didn’t think was my place to share.”

“Could I have a bit of your expertise though? I feel like maybe I need to make it up.”

Calum nods, his exhale rolling down his shoulders. “Stick to Dad jokes. I’ve got a feeling those might be a winner.”

“Perhaps a round of golf?” his father offers. 

“Well, I don’t know how to play,” you state. Calum turns, not realizing how quickly you’d returned back to the kitchen. Your hand brushes along his back, but your focus is on his father. “So if you’re up for the challenge of teaching me then I guess I could be convinced.”

It seems to be enough of an agreement that it brings a smile to his father’s face. “I taught Calum.”

“I thought that was soccer,” you tease. 

“Oh I couldn’t teach that. But we’ll schedule something, yeah?”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

“How much of that did you hear?” Calum questions in a whisper. You check his hip with yours and he goes with ease. 

“Just enough,” you answer, taking the fork Calum had paused on. Calum’s not sure what just enough means, but he takes it that you’ve heard what you needed to hear. Picking up the drying towel, Calum starts to dry off the last bits of the dishes. “I plan on stealing a shirt,” you comment. “Since I’m now staying. If you have a preference on which one I take, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“Premeditated theft? I’ll have you know I ought to call the authorities,” Calum laughs. 

“Yet you won’t.”

“But I could. Anything in the middle two drawers of my black dresser are free game though.”

“I look forward to unearthing your dirty secrets. What kind of skeletons do you have in those drawers?”

Calum snickers, placing the mug he’s dried off back into the cabinet. The conversation is mostly in whispers though, in the relatively quiet kitchen Calum is sure it’s not as private as he’s hoping it to be. But nevertheless, he won’t let the volley fall. There is a score to keep, a game to win. Carrying back to the dish rack, Calum plucks the plate fingers noticing that it’s hardly wet at all. 

“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” Calum whispers. 

You snort at the comment, shoulders shaking with the laughter you don’t release loudly. “Oh God. Don’t you have some stuffy meeting to get ready for? Some Prime Ministers to coddle?”

He should get going. He did need to ensure that his notes were in order. But that doesn’t mean he can’t take a few extra seconds to make you laugh, to ensure he leaves you on a good note after a rough bump in the day. “I left instructions with the Nanny,” Calum quips, slotting the plate away. “But I probably should get ready.”

“Hope today is a kind one,” you return. 

“Hope you sleep well.” 

They feel adjacent to prayers, if not prayers directly to the universe over each other. But Calum hopes that whomever in the universe is in charge of listening to such things takes note of the prayers you two have dropped for each other. Calum thinks about it while slipping into his clothes, buttoning the shirt up and over the under shirt, he whispers more and more hopes for you. He hopes that you sleep so deeply that he has to wake you. He hopes that your muscles don’t ache when you settle in for sleep and when you wake. He hopes the water is the right pressure for your shower, and the right temperature. He hopes that the sheets are just cool enough to lull you to sleep and warm with your heat to keep you under. He hopes that don’t think twice about needing to use his mouth wash or his body wash. He hopes that the pillow is always cool for you. 

_______________________________________

When your morning shift coworkers return, officially on the clock and taking over for the lunch preparation, you think you’ll get cornered again. Not that you truly felt cornered in the morning. You did have your job to focus on and that was reason enough for people to give you space. However, you wondered if your answers of taking things slow and you’ll have to take me to court would actually placate the crowd. It seems to have. Though the smiles that come your way carry an air of mischief, no one asks more questions. You’re grateful for it. Though you know it might only be a matter of time before someone doesn’t back off. 

You’ll have to talk to Calum, see what the meeting today with Miranda brings about. The thought lingers through in the back of your head. Perhaps, you’ll need to find another place to work. Though, if you do, will that really solve the problem? Perhaps, you’ll always be doomed just a little to have to field such invasiness. Those thoughts are much too heavy for your brain at this moment. You hadn’t anticipated David bringing up that topic of conversation earlier in the day. Though you always knew Calum’s father was the most apprehensive of his parents, you’d wondered if you’d get a bit more grace. 

Your mind is lagging behind your body, all of the energy spent on getting you through your tasks and now you’ve got nothing left. Though you slept well before your shift, you’re ready for your brain to shut off again. Your parents are human too, you know that. You know they will not be perfect beings. But you can’t help the wounded child that still howls within you. The thing about all of this is that you were much too tired to consider what your parents might want from you. Having spent so much of what felt like should’ve been your youth in survival mode, you’re desperate to leave it behind. What your parents did, or didn’t do, what your parents want and don’t want don’t matter anymore. You’re your own person. 

You take the elevators up--you won’t punish yourself with the stairs today. As the door slip shut, you recline your head into the metal walls. As silly as it is, you find yourself thinking back to the first time you ascended the levels with Calum. How he pressed in close to you, hands slipping around your body and kissing you like he wouldn’t be breathing if he didn’t kiss you. You felt wanted, desired. Someone wanted you. Someone still wants you. Your skin is still bruised along your chest from Calum’s kisses. Though it was only two days, they’re lingering, much to Calum’s delight. 

It’s an addictive feeling. A high that you want to consume you constantly. You want to be wanted. And you want Calum too. Though the lines are cheesy sometimes, and God is he good with a cheesy line, he listens. He takes you so gently when you need it, tucked into his chest and you know you’re safe. What a feeling to have in the presence of another, to feel safe. You’re glad Calum was there when his father questioned you. You know you had someone, even if they didn’t get it, that would keep you safe.

The water is cooler. Something to cut through the heat of your chef’s coat. The coolness makes you sigh under the running water. You only stand there for a moment, letting the water run down your body as you try and let it wash down all the heaviness of the morning. You want all of it to fall into the drains. There will be plenty to worry about when you meet with Miranda. There will be plenty to worry about when you take Calum to the park for your date. Sure any date has been months in the making, but you worry in the back of your brain that this will also somehow get photographed. Maybe there’s no reason for it. Maybe even if you do get photographed there will be nothing you could’ve done to prevent it. 

With the shower done and into fresh undergarments--a stash you brought over to last week for purposes like this-- and Calum’s body wash scent clinging to your skin, you crawl up into the bed. The sheets smell fresh, though you can catch the faint, faint lingering of Calum’s scent into the threads. Perhaps, they’re only a day out from being washed. You’re not really sure. You don’t really care. You just sink into the feeling. That like Calum would be coming into the room anytime now. Like his arms will drape over you. Like it’ll just be the rise and fall of your chest into his. 

Your phone rattles from the stand and you push from the mattress with a slight start. You think you’ll need to change the tune, but damn does this one do the job. You clear the crust from your eyes and flop back down into the mattress. Light filters into the room and you turn towards it. Your phone finally falls silent as you press the volume buttons on the side. 

“Did I wake you?”

You shake your head at Calum’s question. Your eyes clear after another blink and see the black suit he’s dawned--head to toe black it seems. “No, my alarm just went off. Also, if you are calling the cops on me for when I raid your drawers, you need to also call to lock yourself up for being so damn handsome.”

Calum laughs, the breath brushing over your temple. “You’re getting five more minutes, then I’m going to have to drag you out of bed.”

“No,” you mutter, pressing your face deeper into the pillow. 

“Yes.” It’s all Calum says before he presses a kiss to your skin. The bed releases his weight. You watch him walk around the bed until he’s behind you. You can only hear the drawers pull open and then close. Another one opens and closes before it falls relatively silent. You lay, arms wound around the pillow only for a moment more before you push up fully. 

You watch the dagger tattoo on his bicep as it flexes, working the dress shirt off his torso. “I never said thanks this morning. But I do appreciate your extra time,” you confess to Calum’s back. 

Calum turns, threading one arm into a powder blue button up sleeve. His eyes are soft as he looks over you. “You can be honest. Did my dad go too far?”

“David’s no Joy,” you answer. While you’re sure the intentions are in the right place, there’s still a little bit of a sting in your chest. You hadn’t realized how important it was to his father. Yet, you weren’t ready to peel that band aid off fully. You were picking at the corners, the bandage was peeling, but not not ready. 

Calum’s exhaled laughter doesn’t feel all that humorous. “Yeah, he’s sometimes a bit of a bulldozer. I’m sorry again.”

“Not your fault,” you concede, pulling the sheets away from your body. “But I appreciate the sentiment.” 

Your descent from the bed is quiet before you head over to the black dresser. You’ve never previously been into Calum’s clothing. But the first drawer slides open and the stacks stare back up at you. One top of one pile is a black t-shirt, with Drop Dead screened onto the front. You lift it to get a look below and notice another black t-shirt that peers back across it in red comic sans is the word: watermelon. You snort at the shirt and peel up another layer. A Nine Inch Nail t-shirt you assume by the NIN monogram into the chest. 

“Into the band tee, I see,” you comment as you pull up more and more music themed t-shirts.

“I like music, sue me,” Calum laughs. 

You move over to another pile, briefly to take in a white t-shirt with Taste Testers on the front. There’s more words, but you’re not sure what the full shirt says. You go down another and spot a cute dog printed onto the material. You’d never seen a dog on the grounds, or heard of one. The question burns your throat, but you wonder if the cute gray, white, and black face staring back at you is a childhood pet lost to the unfortunate test of time. Around you, you catch the scent of Calum’s cologne. Light, but still musky. You think he might’ve refreshed on it. 

“You’d tell me if I was pushing a hard line, right?” you ask, turning to face Calum who’s know shuffling out of his attached bathroom. 

“Yeah, I would. What’s up?”

You pull out the white t-shirt with the dog. “Hard line?” you ask, wanting to know if you can even press the topic. 

“Duke,” Calum answers. “He was a grumpy old man when he got up there, but I loved him. I nicknamed him baby grandpa in his last few years. We had him until I was about nineteen or so. I think Mum and Dad got him when I was three.”

“A solid sixteen years, huh?”

“The best sixteen years,” Calum smiles. It’s wobbly. You can hear it in his voice. Placing the shirt back into the drawer, you reach for the Drop Dead t-shirt and dawn it with no thought. It’s holy, across the shoulders, back, chest, and torso, almost swallowing your torso, but you don’t think twice about it before crossing the room to give Calum a hug. 

“I’m glad it was the best,” you whisper into his neck. His face is pressed into your shoulder. Calum’s curling around your body in the hold but you don’t say much else, as you rub your hand up and down his spine. 

There was no space or time or energy for a pet when you were younger. Though you loved hanging out with your friend’s pets, something you understood long before you had the language for it, was that there was just no time for that kind of thing for you. Your parents weren’t capable of that then. 

“Thank you,” Calum returns to you in a whisper. It vibrates up through the meat of your shoulder. Grief, you’ve learned, is not linear. It doesn’t really shrink but other things get bigger around it. You are able to put grief into the context of your life but it never loses its own gravity either. 

You finish getting dressed, slipping into the jeans you’d been in previously. Just as you slip into clean socks and back into your shoes, Calum starts to kneel in front of you. “What are you doing?” you laugh, watching him chase after your feet. You turn up into his desk to hide the laces away. 

“Just give me your foot,” Calum laughs, fingers wrapping around your ankles. He’s got a firm enough grip that he could force it you assume. But he doesn’t. “We can’t be late. Miranda will have my head.”

You definitely don’t want to be late either. So you turn. Calum takes your left foot and begins twisting the laces around each other. You can’t really help either, can’t bring your foot up to tie your right and you can’t bend over. “Is there anything I need to know about Miranda?” you ask. 

“Not too tight?” Calum asks in return. You shake your head no and he moves onto the right shoe. “Miranda’s going to be doing most of the talking. If she asks a question, there’s an 80% chance she doesn’t actually need an answer.”

“The other twenty?”

“That’s a toss up. Either she's asking because she does or because she wants to catch you in a lie.”

“Ah, so there’s no reason not to attempt to answer lest I make myself an asshole.”

Calum grins up at you, finished now with your shoes. “Exactly.”

The two of you file out of his room and you let Calum direct the way. You’re still apprehensive about the handholding, not that you don’t love the physical contact, but it feels like it’s a spotlight following the two of you. You cannot deny each other. Though, you think that’s the point for Calum. He doesn’t want to deny you--as simple as that. But you carry on down to the elevators hand in hand. 

Calum squeezes your hand as the elevator pauses to settle before the doors open. “You look good in my clothes.”

“You said the same thing about me being in your room.”

“No,” Calum laughs, “I said you in my bedroom was a sight I could get used to. I fear if you wear any more of my clothing, I will die. I won’t be able to recover.”

You scoff, all playful tufts of laughter escaping you. “I am CPR certified.”

“Good to know.”

No sooner than Calum can knock the door creaks open. “Yes, yes, the lovely couple. C’mon in.” Miranda’s just as tall as Calum if not a bit taller. And you’ve never been insecure about your height, but standing there you wonder if she’s the lead on PR simply because she could make grown men feel like they could be swallowed up. But Miranda moves from the door seemingly uncaring if you two actually enter or not. Calum waves you in front of you and you cross the threshold to hear Miranda still going, “I apologize for the abruptness of this matter. But gossip waits for no one.”

You settle into the seat across from her desk and Calum follows suit next to you. “I’m starting to realize,” you return. 

“I’ve heard there was a buzz this morning among some staff. You’re okay? Nothing bad happened?”

“No,” you answer simply but it’s not like you’ve talked at all. 

“Good. I think I would’ve heard if it had. But I had to make sure. So, first thing first, social medias--all I could muster up for you seems to be a well abandoned Twitter account. Hasn’t been used in 8 years. No Facebook. No Instagram. No abandoned SnapChat. No kik. No WhatsApp. I did check your number from your employee file. I checked AO3, Tumblr, TikTok. I mean I went to the edges of the earth. You’re a ghost,” Miranda laughs. “Well almost.”

“It’s-it’s for my safety,” you return. 

Miranda nods, grabbing a tablet from her desk and bringing it almost right up to her face. Your eyes flicker around to see if you can spot glasses but you don’t. Not on her desk at least. “Yes, well. That makes my job that more interesting.”

“Who do you communicate the most with? You’d say?” Miranda asks. 

“Oh, uh, Calum. And there’s my roommates, but we’re mostly just cordial.”

“Hmm, didn’t know about the roommates. How have they been? Any strange behaviors?”

“No? We really only see each other in passing because of my work schedule.”

Miranda hums and then places the tablet down. Her arms fold over her chest as she reclines back into the seat. “Parents? That who you’re hiding from?”

“Yes.”

“Do you speak with them at all?”

“As necessary,” you answer. 

“For I assume the two siblings listed in your file.” You nod at what is clearly not a question but you want to affirm what Miranda’s already aware of. “Alright, well, regardless if you don’t have plans to talk to too many people, we still need you to go through the media training. It’s going to be boring. But it will be important. The thing to keep in mind is if you do say something, they’ll use it against you. If you don’t  say something, they’ll use it against you. It is the nature of the beast.”

“Figured as much,” you comment, mostly to yourself. Though you’d avoided looking for those photos, you’re sure you can imagine what they might say. 

“The thing we’re focusing efforts on is that this will hit like wildfire. The prince dating is international fucking news. Our angle for the time being is to keep quiet. There’s nothing that has to come out about this from us. Who Calum decides to date is not really much of our concern. But given your position as staff, we do have to be extremely careful. I’m still waiting on HR’s final position on what your next steps. Can you believe that? Told them it was urgent and they still told me fuck off. Ridiculous.”

“Next steps as in if I’ll need to find a new job?”

“In essence, yes, depending on how HR sees this they don’t want any lawsuits.”

“Whoa,” Calum interjects. He’d remained mostly quiet. You'd assume nothing about what Miranda had been saying was shocking or new to him. Until now, of course. Until now. “We can’t really be assuming that they can just find a new job on a whim.”

“Honestly, Calum, HR can make such assumptions. I have asked for reasonable accommodations should they come to a decision that requires new employment. But that’s just a risk. It would be a conflict of interest legally speaking. If you wish to continue to date, then the long and short is that someone’s interest must realign,” Miranda explains. 

It’s the way she says it, like she’s not sure what else Calum expects, that makes you realize that in the grand scheme of things, perhaps he had a more optimistic view on this situation than you. You’d had it festering in the back of your mind that change would have to come should you wish to continue to date Calum. And that you do want, you want to keep dating Calum. Because it’s the best damn thing you've had in a long time. 

Calum pushes forward in his seat and you reach out for his knee. It stills him just enough for you to speak first. “I can start looking now.” It burns to say those words. You're not trying to make a scene though. You don't need to lose it in here in front of Miranda.

“Baby, what a second? Is there even any place for you to go? And we don’t even know what they’re classifying as a reasonable accommodation. You’ve been here for years.”

“I still have some connections. I could try and go back to my old job if really necessary. I could do something else should the situation demand it. But as someone who’s dealt with HR are few times, let me be the first to tell you HR is there to protect the company. HR will protect you over me. In a heartbeat.” It's bile on your tongue, but it's true. It's all fucking true. They'll protect Calum and their asses before yours.

His brows furrow and you know it’s true anger, you know Calum is truly frustrated. But you wish his glasses weren’t so rose colored. Perhaps, this would be the way to scratch those lenses. “It’s not fair,” he huffs. 

You snort. “And who said anything about this being fair?”

“It should be fair,” he retorts. 

“It should,” you concede. It should be fair but it’s not. It will never be fair. You turn back to Miranda. “Will this be mailed to me as a letter? What HR concludes?”

Miranda nods. “I’ll make sure you get a copy. But you’ll start looking now?” She’s gone to her computer, shaking the mouse to get the machine to awake from slumber. 

“Yes, I’ll start looking now. When will media training be?”

Miranda slides in close to the screen. “I really ought to unearth those reading glasses. For fuck sake. But, to answer your question, dear, it’s going to be next week. Janet’s still working on getting your Monday shift covered for you. But you’re looking at Tuesday, 11 AM sharp. It’ll go until 4PM that day. Lunch will be provided to you. During your search, please use us though. I know it’s not fair, but Janet adores you and if you can please use her as a reference. I’m having an intern compile a list of up and coming restaurants in the area. They may be looking for some extra help.”

You know the dangers of up and coming. They’ll hire bodies just to have people. “Any places a bit more established?” you ask. 

“Our criteria were businesses in operation for at least 3 years. I told her the sweet spot might be about 5 or so. We don’t want to throw you to the wolves,” Miranda’s face falls her nod sympathetic. 

“It certainly still seems like we are,” Calum retorts. 

“I do wish I could give you sunshine and rainbows and unicorns. But that’s not the real world works. So, I’m waiting for HR. And until then, it’s best that we prepare for the worst.”

You nod. Prepare for the worst, but it doesn't temper the frustration in your stomach.

“So, Tuesday is media training for you. Calum, you’ll need a refresher after we get into breaks. Prepare. Our position is quiet. We don’t want to make waves until HR tells us how to proceed. This does mean that you won’t be able to talk to your roommates about it," Miranda states.

“A gag order?” Calum questions. 

Miranda continues on though. “We will need to vet your roommates again. I think they got a call when you first applied. Once you get a new position, things may open up a bit more from there. And Calum, if it were a gag order, you’d see the NDA on my desk. I’m trusting the two of you about this. It’s not fun to deliver this news. But it is what it is. Because we’re playing the silent game we have to make sure there will be no leaks internally.”

You’re nodding, you can feel it. But it feels a bit numb, like the world is going to white noise out around you soon. 

Miranda’s continuing on. “When we call your roommates, we’ll just say it’s a renewal process--run of the mill. Maybe don’t boast about looking for a new job. And if you do land something fast, we can all just say that you were ready to move on and no ruffled feathers.”

You do have rent to pay. You’d like to at least get through the end of the month so you can pay that. Not only that, but you’ll miss the good health insurance too. But perhaps, it could give you and Calum normal times to hang out, dates may be more frequent. It may be worth looking at the positives to ensure you don’t find this as a reason to run. You know you could. You know you could say that you can’t afford to lose this job. You know you can say that this is all fucked. But would you be able to come back from that? If you run now, are you leaving behind everything? 

You’re not even sure when or how you get out of Miranda's office. But you know you’re in the hallway, listening to other doors close. Shoes strike the floor. In the blurry field of your vision, you can see briefcases and backpacks bouncing around you. “This is all so fucked,” you huff. “It’s all so fucked up.” The words hiss off your teeth and tongue. 

Even if you know you can land on your feet from a fall, you don’t even want to fall. It’s not even your own doing. You’re having to fall because of a push. The easy thing is to push away. You can feel your gut coiling, like it wants to push you to run away. But you keep telling yourself that if you run now, there may be no coming back. Though you believed it was sometimes better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission, you could only imagine the hurt you’d cause. Calum stands in front of you with a transparent beating heart and you don’t have the guts, nor the desire, to break it. 

“I don’t like this one bit,” you huff out. “Nothing else is going to pay as good as this. And let me tell you, this job is still not paying all that great. But it’s better than where I was.”

“I can talk to someone,” Calum offers. “There’s gotta be something.”

“I was thinking about it,” you start, taking a few steps from Miranda’s door. “I was thinking that I might have to switch jobs just to keep things kosher. But now it’s not even voluntary. I have to leave.”

Warmth envelopes your hand. You turn into Calum, squeezing at his hand as you do. “What do you mean you thought about it?” he asks. 

“I wondered if it would be a good idea to leave now before things got more serious so that we could go out, do things, not have to hide so much. But I wanted- I wanted it to be a conversation. I wanted to have a say in that ask that I at least get sixty days or something to make the transition. But if HR’s already discussing that, I don’t know, it just makes me angry. The choice was taken from me.”

“We can still go to them.”

The thing you won’t do is beg. Not for a job. Not for people that probably don’t really care about you at all. It’s pride--a stupid emotion--but yet, yout skin still crawls at the prospect. “I-I don’t think I’m thinking straight right now,” you answer. It could be productive to go to HR, but even you already know the shit they do is not for employee benefit. It may turn out to be like talking to a brick wall. 

“Okay. We’ll figure this out. We’ll figure this out,” Calum offers. 

You nod. “We will. But that doesn’t mean you get to go pulling strings behind my back, please.”

“We always figure it out,” Calum returns, kissing the top of your forehead. It’s not lost on your that he doesn’t promise not to get involved solely. You could push it. But then you’d be making Calum a liar. And you don’t want to do that. You don’t want to make him into a liar. 

But there’s still the picnic date. Even if next week turns your world upside down, assuming HR finalizes by the weekend, you still have today. You’ve got tomorrow and things for right now are the same as they’ve been over the last four months. It feels way too soon to be making changes to jobs and worrying about the gossip over the entertainment world but this is the word Calum’s in. You’ll have to be worried about it no matter how soon it feels. 

“Are you doing anything tonight?” Calum asks. 

“Yes,” you return, “Preparing for our date.”

“Preparing? What do you have planned?”

You laugh. “I’m not telling you a second sooner sir. But I do need to run and grab a few things this evening for it.”

“And let me guess, I don’t get any hints do I? No sneak peaks?”

“Nope, none,” you return. 

Calum groans, but nods his acceptance. “You’ll let me know when you get home though, right?”

“Of course,” you return. 

The steps are heavy after you collect your belongings from Calum’s room. Your gut is still a choppy sea. Frustration keeps a tight hold, but you do your best to keep it at bay. Life was not always fair--a lesson you were far from a stranger to. Though, it never makes it any easier to handle. But you try and focus on the date--the picnic of Calum’s favorite that you’ll have. Your favorites mixed in too. You think about the painting you’ll show to him. You think about the song Calum will sing to you.

[ellieloverr]

My Strange addiction P. 4

Warning ⚠ Language, Body Image Issues, making out, Teasing ⚠

✧༺✦✮✦༻∞ ∞༺✦✮✦༻✧✧༺✦✮✦༻

Ellie's eyes looked at you in worry. Your eyes departed suddenly by the buzzing of your phone. It was your alarm for bed but you didn't fell right going to bed with Ellie injured badly. You turned your alarm off and got up and went to go find the alcohol pads for Ellie so she won't get an Infection. You found them in Jesse's room. You got on your knees in front of Ellie and held her face still. She flinched because it had stung .

It's alright I'm almost done.

Once you were done you handed Dina a rag to dry her cut on her forehead.

I'mma head out I have work early in the morning

Yea ok I'll be there in a bit

Be safe kid

Bye

You walked out of Jesse's apartment and by the time you were in bed Dina had came back. You couldn't sleep knowing that Ellie was hurt badly. You decided to go for a walk around your neighborhood. You grabbed a sweater and but on sweat pants. You grabbed your phone and head phones and played "BAGS" by clario.

You came back from your walk and Dina was already asleep so you couldn't talk to her. You really wanted to stay up but you knew you couldn't because you have work at 5:00AM. You eventually went to sleep.

✧༺✦✮✦༻ ༺✦✮✦༻✧

In the morning you had about 10 more minutes before you could clock out. You were doing cashier and serving because the cashier had went out sick.

You were at the cash register an you were looking for your note pad for serving. A customer walks in.

Welcome to 𝐿𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑦'𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝑓e how may I assist y-

Your words are cut off as you look up. It was Ellie.

Hey princess so I heard your a servant?

Very funny Ellie, what do you want?

That's no way to talk to a customer pretty girl.

Ellie hurry the fuck up I have to serve to.

Fine whatever you say m'lady, a matcha smoothie.

Whatever, what size?

Hm how tall are you again?

Wow love the jokes williams. Get her a small please.

What you doing tomorrow?

Nothing why?

Movie night tomorrow is Saturday

Oh shit right I forgot uh sure I'll go.

You didn't forget you just had a lot on your mind. You could see Ellie's cut on her forehead and her bandaged knuckles from that night. You hand Ellie her drink and she gives you that stupid smirk she always does before leaving the shop.

As soon as you get home you Immediately call Jesse because you guys were supposed to meet at a diner tonight. He said that you guys might have to go a little early because he has to set up movie night for tomorrow. You had classes in an hour so you had to hurry and change from your work clothes into baggie jeans with a regular black long sleeved shirt with your favorite shoes to go to class. After your class ended you had sat in the quad under a shady tree sketching while softly singing "Billie Bossa Nova". You didn't notice that you were sketching out a picture of Ellie untill you added the hair. You kept sketching her though because it was the only thing that was keeping you from getting anxious. Your phone had buzzed, it was a text from Jesse.

Jess 💕

Yo what diner you want to go to????

Idk you can pick I ate earlier so I'm probably gonna just get smth to drink

No you didn't ik your schedule kid you had work earlier and you never bring lunch to your job

Fuckin stalker

Fine I'll pick but you are eating ok miss I'm in love with Ellie Williams.

What?! I don't love her Jess she's a friend that I like as a F R I E N D.

Uh huh sure whatever loser I'll see u in a bit bye

Read 11:20PM

✧༺✦✮✦༻ ༺✦✮✦༻✧

As you walk back to your apartment all you can think about is Ellie. What is wrong with me? What is she doing to me? Those thoughts filled your head. Once you got home you opened the door and all there was in that room was smoke.

What the fuck? D you didn't fucking tell me Ellie was here?!

Oops sorry babe I forgot to tell you

Bullshit.

You wanted to go to a Billie eilish concert with somebody but you didn't know who because you had two tickets that arrived yesterday. You wanted to ask Dina but she was really busy. You couldn't ask Jesse because the day that you are going he is visiting his parents. Suddenly a new idea popped in your head. Dina had left to go get groceries.

Ellie

Yes m'lady?

Getting funnier. You wanna go to a concert with me?

I was gonna ask Dina but she's really busy around that time.

Thanks for being your first option.

Fuck you. Are you gonna go or no?

Uhm- y-yeah sure.

Alright it's on monday

I'll just go to your apartment when I'm ready.

Wait where is it?

In LA

Holy fuck in another state?!

Yup

Fine I gotta go though I'll see you tomorrow princess

Bye.

✧༺✦✮✦༻ ༺✦✮✦

It was the day before the concert and you had just gotten off of work. You were walking home as you noticed you left your keys at your job so you ran back and you bump into somebody.

Fuck-uh-shit I'm so sorry

No worries your just being the good girl you are right princess.

E-ellie?

What other person is being pinned on the floor right now I think just me kid.

You jumped up as you realized you were pinning Ellie on the floor. Your heart was racing, she looked so good that day.

Uh- sorry

It's fine so when are we leaving tomorrow?

What do you mean we are leaving today Ellie

Why?

So we can have somewhere to stay when the concert is over which is going to be very late and I don't want to get on a plane at one in the morning.

Wow-uh ok I'll get my stuff ready then.

As Ellie leaves you exhale in relief because of your thoughts. Why is she doing this to me? Oh no I have to be in a room with her. Why did she look so good? It was all you could think about untill you remembered what you came back for. You grabbed your keys and went back outside and saw some guy trying to beat up Ellie. You knew Ellie was a very good fighter but that means it wouldn't go well either way. You had grabbed Ellie's arm and pulled her into the passenger seat of her car and you grabbed her keys and started driving to your apartment.

What the actual fuck Ellie.

What? He was being a dick.

So? You didn't have to be a dick to.

Fuck you. You don't even know what happened.

Oh yeah?

...

Exactly so shut the fuck up.

You drive Ellie to your apartment sense Jesse's was down stairs you sat Ellie on your bed and got your first aid kit.

Hold this on your hand.

Wh-

Just fucking do it.

You didn't expect the next sentence out of Ellie's mouth which stunned you a bit.

So.. The other night when you forgot your jacket.

Can I ask you why you did it?

Uhm.. Yeah I uh-

if you don't wanna talk abt it you don't have to.

Yeah no I guess I should tell you. Uhm idk I just did it because I was unsatisfied with myself I guess.

Is that it?

No uhm... I did it because if people too but there's just a bunch of reasons why.

Oh I think your ok.

What?

I mean like I think that you'll eventually be ok.

Oh.. Thanks El.

El?

Oh- oh my god I- I'm sorry I didn't mean to call you that.

Do it again

I'm not calling you that ever again.

Cmon do it again

I said-

Your words were cut off by Ellie's lips pressing onto yours. You gasped while kissing her, you didn't pull back. Her lips were so soft pressed against yours, you didn't want her to leave anymore, it's like you were strangely addicted to her lips now. She was smiling while kissing you. You were pinned on your wall all of a sudden.

Shh shh I got you baby.

She whispered to you while kissing you. You enjoyed having Ellie with you. You enjoyed making out with Ellie, it was like nothing you've ever experienced. Ellie was different she was gentle but demanding. You loved it, you loved her.

✧༺✦✮✦༻ ∞༺✦✮✦༻✧

𝐴𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠:

𝐴𝑙𝑟 𝑔𝑢𝑦𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑦 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑒'𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑜𝑘 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑢𝑦𝑠 𝑏𝑦𝑒 💕

𝑃𝑠. 𝑆𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝐼 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑠.

[now-we-say-c0ral]

July 2, 2023

I have to remind myself to set a more gentle alarm tone because my homepod is just the nightmare if I'm being totally honest.

Woke up at 6am today because Porcia, curses to her, booked our riffle and arrow slot at 9am. I was on my way to Kingston to meet up with them when Porcia reminded us that we should bring our IDs. I didn't bring anything but my phone and she reminded me if I had registered for this excursion to which I didn't. I just knew that I'll be fucked up today and won't be joining them but I had my hopes up.

We met at Starbucks around 8:20am and I ordered my usual matcha frappe. We talked about some stuff about one of our friends and to be really honest I don't think she'll rat us out. It's not even the benefit of the doubt but I just trust her so much that I wouldn't think of her being able to expose us out.

We took an Uber and headed to Richmond. When we got there, I asked one of the ladies if I could present a photograph of my passport to register and this guy came and said sorry because I couldn't. I completely understand to be honest because it's entirely my fault. I was so psyched and stoked to finally try the bow and arrow more than the rifle shooting but then I forgot my ID. Good going, Ian. I just sat there and played Unite the whole morning.

After, we went to Carluccio's at Richmond and had some carbonara. It was really good I'd go again if I ever end up in Richmond again. It's so nice to be able to see the girls and just talk like I wasn't even away. I love our relationship and I don't see this ever stopping. I'm loving how they're still trying to take care of what we have.

Got some stuff from Sainsbury's because Eddie will be cooking our lunch for later and after took the National Rail then the tube home. Got dressed and cycled to the gym and did biceps, triceps, shoulders, and some cardio. My triceps were really mad. I was planning to take a mirror selfie but there were just too many people. Why am I even shy I don't know.

Went home and played Pokemon Unite and some Diablo 4. Eddie's home now and he's cooking. I can't wait to see him downstairs and give him a hug. I also kind of went overboard with my online shopping. A bag from Stubble and Co and some clothes from Zara. I'm broque.

Today was such a lovely day even one thing didn't go as planned. Still so much to celebrate.

[bobathirstaccount]

AU - Business Trip Pt 7

You meet the new sales exec at a company offsite…

Boba x fem!reader, smut lite (no PiV)

***

Fuck, you thought. You set your lunch aside. You definitely couldn’t finish it now.

The rest of your weekend with Boba had been spent in bed until you’d had to check out and drive home. Then, he’d spend Sunday night in your bed, returning to his home in La Honda Monday morning.

It was now Thursday at 1PM. Ever since he’d left, kissing you softly and holding you very intimately, you had been wondering if the upcoming weekend was too soon to see him again.

But now you didn’t know what to do. You closed your stupid Instagram app and put your phone down. After a missed beat you picked it up and text your bestie.

-have u SEEN miss bp’s insta post?

-no. I’ll check

-holy f omg

-well u knew they were gonna meet up…

You knew she was trying to make you feel better, but the pic and caption bothered you all the same. You sighed and got back to work.

***

Finally it was quitting time. You wrapped up an email and put your computer away. You picked up your phone. Shocked, you stopped for a moment. You had been willing Boba to text you as you finished up your work day. He actually had. Feeling a little trepidatious, you clicked into the message thread.

-hi lovely. Wanna c a movie this weekend? We could go to the Del Mar Theatre Sat?

You smiled, but were conflicted. What was going on with him and Miss BP? Or, him and you for that matter.

-sounds fun. What did you wanna c?

He text back after a few minutes.

-there’s that 1 new Marvel one or the drama thing… i forget the name of the movie

-we could have lunch 1st and then go see whichever one you wanted? 🤞

He sent you some restaurant suggestions. They were all very cute and would make for a romantic setting to meet at. But you still felt off.

-what time did you wanna meet?

-i could pick u up at like 11? I could also come over earlier and bring you some brunch or something ☕️

He was trying to invite himself over. Did you want that?

-i gotta ask u something

-sure what is it?

You panicked and stopped texting. What did you do? After a few minutes of nothing, your phone rang. You looked down at it in your hands. It was Boba. He was FaceTiming you. Alarmed, you ran a hand over your head and straightened up on your sofa. Answering, you said a shaky, “Hi.”

He was outside in a lush looking garden. You wondered where he was. To stall, you asked.

“Oh, my backyard. I like plants. Anyway what did you want to ask me? You got real quiet over text…” He looked at you curiously.

“Uh, just… you know. It’s not really important…” you trailed off, feeling stupid.

“Yes, it is; it’s bothering you. So tell me what it is and then ask me your question. Do you think I won’t answer you or something?”

Maybe I won’t like the answer, you thought glumly.

“What is it?” Boba’s voice was stern, but soft. “Tell me,” he commanded in his rumbly voice.

“Do you have Instagram?” You started.

“Uh, no..” he furrowed his brow in confusion.

“Okay. Well. Melissa does, and she posted a photo of you two,” you blurted out.

“…what?”

You sighed. This was dumb. This was a dumb conversation. He could do whatever he wanted, he —

“Why is that upsetting to you?” Boba broke you out of your thoughts.

“It’s not.”

“You’re lying.” He confronted gently.

“Well you obviously know she took the photo…”

”At the wine bar? Yeah.” He was neutral.

”Why were you at a wine bar with her?” Your voice was shriller than you intended.

”This is what you’re upset about?” He raised an eyebrow.

You felt stupid. You started sniffling, “Never mind. It’s fine. I don’t think I wanna hang out Saturday.”

”Wait! Don’t hang up on me, okay?” He was holding one hand up as if to physically stop you from ending the call. “Why are you so upset?”

You burst out, “You let her kiss your cheek! And she captioned it ‘living a great life with this man.’”

He paused, a weird look on his face. Finally, he murmured, “Well I didn’t know she put that. I also don’t know why. I didn’t like that she kissed me but I decided to let it go because she had had a few.”

“Like you?” You countered.

”No, I only had two glasses. I wanted to stay alert because we are coworkers. I am her boss, you know.”

“So why meet with her at a WINE BAR!” You yelled into your phone.

“I just thought it was casual. She said she wanted to go over her accounts with me.” He was very calm.

You didn’t know what to say. Finally, you were about to reply with a snarky comment, but he said, “I don’t plan on doing it again. It was a little uncomfortable for me after awhile. Like I said she drank a lot. I had to get her an Uber.”

You shrugged.

“She wanted me to take her to her hotel. I said no.”

“Cause you’re her boss?” You mocked.

“Well yea but also because, well, you, you know.”

You paused, considering his words. He went on, sensing your distrust, “I really like you. I don’t really like her. Or anyone else.”

”You promise?” You huffed.

“Yes. I do. I thought I was making that clear.”

”You… are…” you muttered, feeling silly. “I just. I don’t know.”

”I wish you woulda told me this sooner. I could’ve just told you earlier that I’m crazy about you.”

You smiled. “Come over for brunch Saturday. As early as you want…”

***

He kissed you hurriedly as you pulled his sweater off. He twirled you around and pressed you into the door, his hands all over you. “You’re the only person I want,” he mumbled.

“Show me,” you demanded.

“As you wish…” he kissed you hard and picked you up easily. Carrying you to your sofa, he tossed you gently into a pile of pillows. Jumping onto the sofa, he threw some pillows over his shoulder, “What is it with ladies and pillows?” You giggled as he grabbed you again. “What you want me to do to you?” His voice was dark with desire.

Your mind flashed back to your prior encounters. Anything, you thought, but you asked, “How about a good old fashioned fucking, doggy style?’

He rumbled, and you could feel him getting hard. “I’m more than happy to comply,” he started to pull at your clothing. You fought him off for a thrill. Confused, he stopped. “C’mon, fight me,” you invited. He smiled wickedly. “Oookay…”

He flipped you over easily and put his body weight on you. Pulling your shirt over your head, he easily stopped your attempts to keep your clothing on as he stripped you. Continuing the game, he held you down and kissed down your neck, all the way down your spine. He bit an asscheek, growling, “Mine.” Your amusement from the little game converted into full desire. You tried to spread your legs, but he kept them together. “All in good time…” he purred.

His phone rang. “Fuck my life,” he complained.

“No, fuck meeee,” you wheedled as the phone continued to ring.

“That’s no one important; it’s not a special ring tone. Fuck ‘em.” He pulled you up onto all fours. Licking into your pussy from the back, he commented darkly, “Nothing’s keeping me from this pussy for a second longer.”

***

You laid on the sofa, cuddled into Boba. You were half watching TV, but mostly talking. The conversation flowed easily.

He rubbed a hand up and down your naked side, “You cold? You okay?”

“You’re keeping me warm,” you snuggled into him. He returned the action, kissing your shoulder softly. Suddenly his phone rang. He ignored it, “Nope. I’m not home.” You laughed, delighted that he was ignoring people for you.

His phone buzzed. A text message. “Hmm, still not home,” he kissed your cheek, gently brushing a finger along your lips.

Suddenly, you had a thought. “Do I have a special ring tone?” You felt stupid as soon as you asked.

He hmmed. “Of course you do.”

Giddy, you grabbed his hand to hold it tightly. He obliged.

“We’re gonna miss lunch if we don’t leave soon…” he commented, sounding unconcerned.


“Let’s GrubHub and Netfilx and Chill,” you stretched, not wanting to put clothes on or go anywhere.

”Okay. What you feeling like for eating?” He grabbed his phone. The screen lit up and you stared at it in horror until it passed out of view. The notifications included a new text from ‘Melissa - work.’ What did this bitch want on a weekend, you raged internally.

He sighed after a moment. “I gotta call Melissa back about work. I will sit right here so you can hear what we’re talking about.” He sat up and pulled you with him. Putting an arm around you, he called her back. She picked up on the first ring, sounding chipper.


“Hi, happy weekend,” Boba said casually.

She launched off into a narrative you couldn’t quite make out.

“Oh. Okay. Well that is a problem. Put some time on my calendar tomorrow, early in the day, and we’ll discuss this in depth. If you have time, send me a summary and I’ll review it so I’m up to speed.”

She started talking again. He squeezed you to himself and side eyed you, winking. You smiled and rested your temple against his shoulder.

“Okay. No, you can schedule over that meeting. This is more urgent.”

He paused while she spoke some more.


“No. I’m busy right now, with my girlfriend. …. Yeah. ‘Kay.” Your heart beat faster at his words as he paused to listen. “Nah, I’m busy the whole day. We can talk about it Monday. …. Okay. Bye.” He hung up, sighing. You immediately crawled into his lap, straddling him. “Kissing him, you exclaimed, “Girlfriend!”

He smiled, “Hope it’s okay I said that.”

You smiled wide. “Yeah…”

“Good,” he wrapped his arms around you, nuzzling into your chest. “Cause you’re mine.”

You grinned and kissed the top of his head. Before you could say anything, he continued, “Also good, because I bought something hoping you’d say yes.” You gasped softly. “What did you do??” Your finance brain started thinking about cold, hard cash.

He laughed and kissed your sternum before puling away to make eye contact with you. “Firstly, you’re my lady; nothing is too good for you. Secondly, it’s just something small…” He grabbed his pants and rummaged in the back pockets. Pulling out a small velvet bag, he commented, “I took it out of the official packaging so I could fit it in my pocket, but I did save it cause I know you ladies like that kind of stuff.”

You laughed as you accepted the small bag. Opening it nervously, you gasped again as you realized what it was. It was another Van Cleef & Arpels purchase; this time a ring. It matched your bracelet. You raised your wrist smugly; you happened to be wearing the bracelet. He smiled as you put the ring on. “How’d you know my ring size?” You were shocked; it fit perfectly.

“Well, when I spent the night I got up secretly and took a picture of one of your rings with a penny for scale. The lady behind the counter really wanted the sale, so she figured out the right size from that.” You laughed, “Baby thank you so much. You’re so sweet.” You kissed him hard. He grabbed you and pulled you down into the sofa. Making you small spoon, he said into your ear, “I’m gonna keep you so spoiled.”

You smiled shyly, feeling hot and bothered. But you said cooly, “Well I know there’s more pieces to the Arpels set, so you can start there….”

He kissed your neck, “Already part of the plan.”

You smiled sheepishly, lost for words. But he continued, “Will you come to my house next weekend?”

You nodded, “I’d like that.”

“Cool. You want me to come pick you up?”

You grinned. “In your fancy car? Okay…”

He squeezed you lightly, “How early can I come get you?”

You decided you could start work 1 hour earlier than normal. “Three?”

“Perfect. I’ll bring you a post-work snack. I know you ladies like lil snackies. What do you want?”

You rolled over to kiss him, “You and maybe like… Jamba Juice?”

“Too easy, that’s like 5 blocks from here. I literally drive right past it to get here,” he kissed you back.

Smiling, you murmured, “Speaking of food…”

”Oh yeah,” he sat up. “Lemme see what’s delivering.”

***

You smugly hit the ‘post’ button on your Instagram. You didn’t care if it was petty; you were doing it anyway. Your caption (my mans + i 💘) was simple and to the point. The fact that you both were clearly naked was just a bonus, you reasoned. Take that, Miss BP, you grimly thought. But you let it go as quickly as you thought it, as you felt a hand slid slowly up the back of your thigh. You rolled over.

“Whatcha doing?” Boba’s voice was a low rumble.

“Mmm… marking my territory,” you said vaguely.

“Oh, Instagram?” He said knowingly.


Damn. “Yeah,” You admitted.

“Did you post the one where we’re both topless… cuz someone might lose her mind over it.”

You snickered, “Maybe.”

He laughed, pulling you towards himself. “I knew there was an ulterior motive to that pic… that’s okay. I don’t mind being claimed,” He sounded rather pleased.

Snuggling into him, you cooed, “Good. ‘Cuz you’re mine, and everyone is gonna know it now.”

He kissed you, “Perfect. Now, what else you wanna do today? How should I spoil you?”

You smiled mischievously. “I’m not sure if I have enough green in my wardrobe…”

Laughing, he pulled out his phone. “Where we starting?”

You called out your favorite designer and settled in beside him. You were the one living a great life with this man.

[augustinewrites]

05:25

it’s 5:25am (five minutes before his alarm is set to go off), but kita’s already awake due to his phone buzzing insistently on the nightstand. his first thought naturally goes to you. what if you need him?

he rubs the sleep from his eyes and sits up, grabbing the device and scrolling through the pile of messages. it's not you, apparently the miya twins have woken up in a mood, and they wanted everyone in the group chat to know it.

sometimes, it feels like he's never left high school.

[atsumu] how long do i boil an egg if i want the yellow kind of runny but not too runny?

[omimi has left the chat]

[osamu] are you stupid or are you dumb

[atsumu] are YOU stupid or are YOU dumb?

[osamu] what a weak comeback

[osamu] you’re dumber than a bowl of oatmeal

[atsumu] thicker*

[gin] dumber

[osamu] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N_m5Mwb6U5w

[osamu] how you actually live alone confuses me

[suna] shut the fuck up it’s not even 6

[atsumu] but i want soft boiled not hard

[osamu] just scramble them the way your brain was when you were dropped

[suna] damn lol

[atsumu] i’m telling ma you said that

[osamu] doesn’t matter cause i’m the favourite

[atsumu] no you’re an accident

[suna] you’re literally twins

[atsumu] but i’m older

[aran] google says less than six minutes

[atsumu] for what

[aran] the soft-boiled eggs.

[atsumu] oh thanks :D

[atsumu] also does anyone wanna hang out today??

[aran] no.

[suna] nah

[osamu] no i have work

[atsumu] D:

[aran] osamu isn’t your restaurant closed on sundays?

kita doesn’t think engaging is wise, so he closes the chat, instead checking if there are any messages from you he might have missed.

but there's nothing after the night before, when you’d texted him goodnight.

there’s a little red heart emoji beside the text that still makes him smile as he shuts his phone off, doing a few stretches before heading off to the bathroom.

13:30

kita pulls his cap off, using his forearm to wipe at the thin sheen of sweat on his face as he makes his way back towards the farm for lunch.

he’s sitting on the edge of the deck and shaking the mud from his boots when he hears it.

a single, sharp whistle from his gran in the garden. kita immediately looks to the front gate, where you’re currently parking your bicycle. his gran flashes him a toothy smile and a wink.

he runs a hand through and shakes his hair out a bit, sweeping aside the strands that are stuck to his forehead. he can feel the sweat staining the back of his shirt, but he figures you won’t mind.

(you certainly never let it bother you last week, when you’d ridden him in the seat of their tractor immediately after a day of work.)

you’re coming up the dirt path now, the light sundress barely brushing the hems of your knees and doing things to his body that shouldn’t be happening this close to his grandmother.

you stop to chat with her for a few minutes, kita taking the chance to sneak into the house and lean over the kitchen sink. he’s washing his hands and splashing some cool water over his face when the scent of fresh bread wafts through the room.

he twists to greet you, water dripping down the sides of his face and making him glisten in the afternoon sun.

“hi,” you smile, setting two loaves of sourdough on the table.

“good afternoon,” he grins, opening his arms to let you step into them, wrapping your own around his waist. “what are you doing here?”

humming, you press a light kiss to his jaw. “i came to check on you and see if you’re still up for tonight.”

kita, in turn, presses a kiss to your forehead. “like i’ve insisted almost every day for the past week, of course i am.”

the two of you are headed into the city tonight to meet your parents for dinner. he thinks you’re more nervous than you are at this point, with all the little check-ins and offers to reschedule.

“okay, okay,” you laugh, sounding a little lighter. “here, let me help you make lunch.”

he pouts a little when you slip out of his hold, grabbing one of the loaves and rummaging around the cabinets for a bread knife. while you slice a few pieces, kita grabs some deli meat and lettuce from the fridge, setting them on the counter along with a pitcher of water.

“my dad’s probably going to ask you something cliche, like what your ‘intentions’ are with me,” you sigh as he lets his hands skim up and down your sides. “so just be honest.”

kita knows what his intentions are, and he knows that you know them too. one day he’s going to build a life that you deserve, and more.

but today he feels like teasing, so his lips brush the shell of your ear as he whispers, “and what if my intentions are to fuck you into next week?”

he smirks when he feels you shudder against him, gripping the counter when his hands slip up past the hem of your dress, giving your ass a light squeeze. “d— do you want turkey or ham on your sandwich?”

“doesn’t matter,” he murmurs, kissing down the column of your neck.

he’s toying with the hem of your panties when the front door opens, accompanied by a shout of “shin-chan!” from his grandmother.

he pulls his hands away and places a quick kiss to your warm cheek. “looks like we’ll have to wait until tonight.”

[omimi has been added to the chat]

[atsumu] guys i’m bored. someone play imessage games with me

[osamu] you’re literally sitting in my living room

[atsumu] exactly. gettin bored of seeing ur ugly mug

[aran] you have the same face.

[aran] and why are you guys texting? just talk to each other

[atsumu] no

[osamu] no

[suna] atsumu we were playing 8 ball last week and you still haven’t played back

[osamu] cause you were about to win

[atsumu] no!!! i didn’t see the message

[suna] lol read receipts are on

[suna] attachment: 1 image

[osamu] confirmed: the only thing miya atsumu can finish is himself

[suna] HA

[aran] oh my god

[atsumu] kita please help i’m being bullied :(

[atsumu] can i run away to your farm because i’m obviously not appreciated here

[kita] no.

[atsumu] :’(

[kita] i have an important date tonight.

[kita] and no, you can’t come.

22:13

“you said all the right things tonight,” you breathe between kisses that taste like red wine. “dad really likes you. pretty sure mom is in love with you.”

the ‘build a life’ speech he’d been practicing for the past two weeks had earned him an approving handshake from your father and a tight hug from your mother.

he’s pretty sure it’d worked on you too. he’s always had you, sure, but with your parent’s stamp of approval, now he has you for good.

and you’re showing him, alright.

cause now you’re tugging his loosened tie over his head, tossing it somewhere onto the floor as he fumbles with the buttons of his shirt. once it’s off and out of the way, he walks the two of you backward until the backs of your knees hit the mattress and you fall into a heap on the bed.

his phone buzzes and lights up insistently on the nightstand, your eyes briefly flicking to it as he works your tights down your legs.

“they always need you, huh?”

“they don’t matter.” kita reaches for his phone, flipping it screen-down and pressing a kiss to the tip of your nose. “only you do.”

[atsumu] who here has met his girlfriend

[aran] i have. multiple times

[suna] i’ve met her once or twice

[osamu] yeah she comes by the shop when he makes deliveries

[atsumu] WHAT??? am i the only one who hasn’t?

[osamu] maybe he’s embarrassed of you

[aran] ^

[suna] ^

[atsumu] that can’t be it i’m the coolest one here

[osamu] you must mean funniest cause that’s a joke if i’ve ever heard one

[atsumu] i hate it here

[erodasfishtacos]

all this baby talk desperately makes me want something suuuper sweet with gangrry and his babies

Okay this poppped into my mind (goodnight after this💕)

warnings: violence, guns

—

Harry is at the park with Olive because YN was taking Beau to doctors check-up.

It was a somewhat hot day for London, Harry’s sitting on the wooden bench in full black, hair pulled up in a tight bun and every finger decorated with a ring.

Every parent stayed away from him, preferring to sit in the grass rather than sit next to the man with tattoos from his cheekbones down his neck disappearing into his shirt.

There was security, always was, constantly protecting the perimeter of the park without causing any suspicion - dress in normal day clothes.

-

Alyssa was startled when she arrived to the park with her daughter, Kayleigh, scouting for a spot and being alarmed when she sees an out of place man sitting on the bench watching all the kids play.

He’s…well he’s devastatingly gorgeous but intimidating with a tattoo of ‘26’ on his cheekbone, ‘no mercy’ above his left eyebrow and just every day much of his body covered.

Why was he here?

He wasn’t dressed for the weather either, in a black button up that was barely buttoned to his sternum, and pair of tight black jeans on his lean legs, leather biker boots on his feet.

The man screamed dangerous and rich.

It only takes a moment for a gorgeous, adorable little girl - no older than four to come bounding over to him, dressed in a matching adidas x Disney set **.

He listens to whatever she says before he’s nodding and she goes to run back to the playground but her father calls after her, “Olive Blaze.”

She turns around quickly, confused as she treks back to her father obediently. Her hand coming to rest on his knee when she arrives.

Alyssa knows that appearance doesn’t equal good or bad parenting but she would be terrified to touch that man and the little girl just looks up at him with all the affection on the world and he returns the fondness ten-fold.

He pulls from the other side of him, a sparkly purple water bottle with Skye from Paw Patrol - he flicks up the straw and tucks it between her full lips, brushing her sweaty curls off her forehead.

“A few more minutes, okay? Then we need to meet mumma and Beau for lunch,” He murmurs, encouraging her to take sips.

It was quite funny to see this man with a paw patrol water bottle.

Alyssa couldn’t stay long, just wanted to let her daughter play for a bit - but she couldn’t take eyes off the man, the way he watched his daughter play and how she had his full attention while all the other parents sat on their phones.

-

Harry let’s Olive play a bit longer but he hates being out in the open like this, especially when they have a massive jungle gym in their backyard but YN insists on socializing them.

His burner phone rings, it’s Niall, and he answers it quickly, “What? I’m busy.”

“Check your work phone, what day did we drop the ‘package’ at the barge?” Niall requests, noise from the warehouse in the background.

Harry tucks the phone between his ear and shoulder as he scrolls through his other phone, “It was dropped on the 13th.”

“Okay, fuckers are trying to say they didn’t get the delivery. I’ll deal with it, thanks boss,” Niall responds before hanging up.

When Harry looks up, he scans and doesn’t see Olive, it isn’t a big playground with many hiding spots but he stands up and searches for her.

His heart starts jumping in his chest, his hand subconsciously on his gun on hip, as he starts to panic, “Olive? Olive Blaze. Olive?”

He feels like he’s about to hyperventilate as he frantically scans the playground, he tools her eyes off her for a fucking second.

Then he spots vibrate chocolate curls that match his own, as he spots Olive picking flowers past the slides, just in his blind spot.

He strides over, still near a panic attack, he’s not mad at his daughter - she’s just a baby but he had just been so fucking scared.

Before his family, he wasn’t scared of shit.

He smiled when people head guns to his forehead, encouraged men when they have knives to his throats, and goaded men into trying to kill him before his family.

Nothing scared him before he found YN before they had the kids. The worst thing that could have happened was that he was dead? Who really fucking cared.

But now, he had a wife, and babies who needed him - he life wasn’t the same anymore.

“Olive Blaze Styles, let’s go. Now,” Harry grits out, scooping up the startled little girl who begins to whine instantly.

“Why daddy! M’flowers!” She protests in her squeaky voice as she wriggles in his arms as he walks them to their car.

“You did not listen to y’daddy. You know that you don’t go anywhere that I can’t see you. You broke that rule,” Harry clenches his jaw, it was so important how safe they needed to be with their lifestyle.

He had to get them to understand they need to be safe and listen.

Harry rarer ever had to give his daughter a consequence because she was such a good kid but this was a time to instill a lesson, “No going out to eat. Mumma and Beau can go alone. We’re going home and eating there.”

Olive’s wide eyes begin to water before she’s letting out a high-pitched wail, little chest shuttering with fury as she glares at her dad.

She cries as Harry buckles her in, refusing any sips from her water, and after she’s all ready, Harry gently grasps her chin.

“Sweet girl, I love you so much. I have to make sure you’re safe. When daddy asks you to stay where I can see you, you need to listen. Do you understand?” Harry asks gently, he was starting feel guilty at her pouted lip and sniffles as she blinks at him - deceivingly cute like her mother.

Olive nods sadly.

“Can you say, ‘Yes daddy’?” Harry smiles slightly, wiping her tears with his thumb.

“Yes daddy. Kissy?” She mumbles as she reaches for her father for comfort.

“Of course, my little love,” Harry responds, leaning into give her a kiss before shutting the door and taking a deep breath.

Why was it harder to give his daughter a light consequence than killing grown men?

-