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schnitzelbutterfingers · 4 years ago

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To Someone Special (Ethan Ramsey x f!MC)

notes: happy holidays! please take the time to celebrate with your family and friends. 2020 was an egregious year, but let’s thank god for letting us survive through the whole COVID pandemic. let’s pray for everyone to get through this.

anyways, here is my christmas present to you all, wrapped with some angst and fluff! ethan’s ex-girlfriend from his med school days who cheated on him with another ‘friend’ (and no, it’s not tobias :)) makes an appearance hehe. forgive me if there are any spelling mistakes and grammar errors, and as always enjoy! (ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥

(i felt like this was similar to @jamespotterthefirst ‘s fic ‘Fake Husband/Wife’, so i asked permission to write this, and she gave me it. shoutout to bree!)

summary: On Christmas, 10 years ago, he gave his heart to a girl. The very next day, she gave it away. This Christmas, to save him from tears, Ethan will give it to someone special.

pairing(s): dr. ethan ramsey x f!mc (dr. abigail ‘abby’ chacko) || mentions of past dr. ethan ramsey x dr. aubrie zavala

warning(s): angst (mentions of cheating) and fluff (mentions of proposal)

word count: 1999

** i suggest you listen to ‘last christmas’ by wham! :) **

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‘The most wonderful time of the year.’

If it were years ago, Ethan would chuckle at the preposterousness of this statement.

To everyone else, the Christmas season is full of jubilation, nostalgia and generosity. Giving and donating had become a peculiarity of the days neighboring the observed holiday, street-corners crowded with Santas ringing golden bells.

Houses twinkled with multi-colored and pulsing lights, bouncing off the crystalline white snow. Inside the houses, trees glimmered with more colorful lights and various decorative ornaments. Christmas colors added sumptuousness. Classic poinsettias are tied, and candy canes add some idiosyncrasy, dangling from the mouths of exhilarated children. Joyful music and golden bells can be heard from everyone’s car.

To the senior doctor, it’s dissimilar. Christmas means more work to do at the hospital. Emergency rooms are filled with injured patients who were looking forward to blithesome moments with their friends and family. The roads are slick with shiny ice, vehicles slipping across the road to hit the one next to it or a broad tree. And the mistletoe. On one occasion, he had to escape an elderly grandmother with wrinkly skin and gray hair, who was convinced that he was Bob Dylan. Yet he wasn’t even an accurate replica and they didn’t sound the same.

Seeing other interns and derisory people kiss under the mistletoe makes him turn away with disgust. He cordially hated PDA. Well, that is, until he met her.

When Ethan met Abigail, however, he felt some sort of attraction to her, something he couldn’t escape from, no matter how hard he tried. Her compassion, her wit, her charm, her intelligence, her everything.

It felt like some sort of grip she had, her usual chocolate aroma, big brown eyes, wavy hair, and her milky skin all holding on to him like a police officer would do to a criminal. And it’s addicting.

But now, looking at his Rookie from across their luxurious bedroom, getting ready for the Christmas Gala hosted by Bloom Edenbrook Hospital, he started to look forward to the breathless moments under the mistletoe. On second thought, why does he need to kiss Abby under the mistletoe when he can kiss her anywhere? They are officially dating, after all.

He wanted to satisfy her and hear her singing goofily along with the carols in their cars. He wanted to see her tastefully decorate their penthouse with stockings, ornaments, a garland. He wanted to see her making sticky toffee pudding and her longtime favorite gulab jamuns, even if he claims he doesn’t like sugar. She, in return, would constantly mock him, prompting him of the day when he focused his eyes on the delicious chocolate bar in the vending machine at the hospital. He wanted it all with her.

Abby was adorning a long sleeve crimson velvet dress, strikingly showing some cleavage. She wore a generous split from her right thigh down, parading her creamy legs. She looked divine. She looked like heaven. The red gown made her look scandalous.

She cleared her throat, smirking at him staring at her. “Are you finished?”

“You look...” The more conventional doctor was at a loss of words, looking at her up and down. He started from her soiled velvet heels, moving up to her wavy cafe hair.

“...sinful.”

Abby flashed him a sly grin. “Why, thank you, Doctor. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

Indeed he doesn’t. Ethan sported a matching outfit, a suit with a red velvet coat black shirt and a crimson bowtie.

“I can’t wait to come back after this gala. You’re making me lose my patience.”

She chortled, lovely music to his ears. “Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go!”

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The gala invited all the hospitals in Boston, including Mass Kenmore. It was being held at The Seaport World Trade Center, one of the largest venues in the city. Ethan and Abby arrived at the front of the venue, walking towards the entrance. Inside, a waiter took them to the very front table, the one where their seats were reserved.

They were recognized as the ‘rich couple’ and the ‘power couple’ of Edenbrook. It was no surprise that some of the doctors decided to gossip about them, stating how they match and look excellent together. Some women were jealous, and Abby could feel covetous eyes burning behind her back. The male doctors were also envious of Ethan, that he got to be with the young graceful doctor. In return, Ethan winded his protecting arm tighter around her slim waist, a clear mark that she is his. Only his.

The front table additionally included Naveen, Harper, Tanaka, and Tobias Carrick. When Ethan and Tobias faced encountered other at the front table, the Mass Kenmore doctor somehow took his hand out, waiting for the famous diagnostician to shake it. Ethan was stupefied at first, but then he remembered what Tobias did for them, saving his Rookie from the maitotoxin. After a rare moment Ethan shook it, sending the latter a faint smile, to which he returned. Abby beamed at their interaction, glad that they finally cleared the air that had been surrounding them for more than a decade.

Naveen greeted both of them with a hearty hug, and Harper sent both of them a pleasant smile. The Chacko looked around the decorated room to discover her friends, all relaxing at a table. When she spotted them, she gave them a huge wave, to which they imitated back. It relaxed her to have Ethan and her friends in the same room, forgetting about the upcoming discussions with the money-eating scumbags who only care about wealth and not for the wellbeing of their patients.

Tobias and Ethan sat between Abby, and all the seats were filled except for one.

As if interpreting her thoughts, Tobias sought a confused question. “Are we expecting someone else at our table?”

“I believe we are,” Naveen answered.

The young doctor wanted to talk to her friends for a little while. Otherwise, everyone was roaming around, mingling with people.

Ethan seemed to detect this because he leaned in to whisper to her ear. “If you want to hang out with your friends, you can go ahead. It’s understandable, if you’re bored, as am I. Besides, I’ll just talk to Tobias.”

Abby sent him a grateful smile, not only for excusing her, but because he wanted to talk to his old (former?) friend. She was genuinely happy that their relationship is getting better and better.

In return, she bestowed him a kiss on his cheek and went to the table across the room, where her colleagues are.

Her friends said the usual. Bryce and Kyra are dating, and they adopted a puppy after moving in together. Sienna doesn’t think she will move on from Danny, and that her heart will always belong to him, but the enormous pain had subsided. Elijah and Phoebe went on another date which had gone really well. Jackie’s debt is under control, and she said that she felt at peace and tranquility.

After she had finished socializing, she looked back to her reserved table, where she saw a woman, a rather charming one, probably in her 30s. She had raven hair and porcelain skin, and was assuming a royal blue dress with an elegant split across her left thigh, displaying her beautiful legs. Standing next to her boyfriend. Being too touchy with her man. Abby was ordinarily not the type to be jealous, but looking at the woman made herself feel ugly.

Her eyes went to Ethan, who had a horrified look on his face. They moved to Tobias who had a similar expression. Naveen and Harper both had uncomfortable looks.

The latter captured her eye and came up to her.

Abby was confused, so she decided to convey this confusion to Carrick. “Is everything alright at our table? Is that woman the last person to occupy the empty seat?”

Carrick sighed deeply. “She... is Dr. Aubrie Zavala. Another famous diagnostician... She is also Ethan’s ex-girlfriend.”

That’s when she glanced back at their table and saw both of them arguing.

Tobias must have noted this because he replied, “Ethan and Aubrie are both arguing now. Back in Hopkins, she cheated on with another med student named Dillan, I think. And it was at Christmas. Now Aubrie wants him back.”

The cacophonous racket heard in the auditorium drained away from the ears of the young doctor, and the sounds of warning bells replaced it.

What the hell am I supposed to do to grab her butt off the table?

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. She examined her bag and found a fake diamond ring. Her mother gave this to her; she saw this at the store and found it pretty. Abigail always kept it in her bag, a reminder that her mom loves her. It looks real, so this can work. The Chacko placed the ring on her left ring finger. Tobias, knowing what Abby was about to do, gave her a wink. She smiled back and walked over to their table.

“Babe? What’s wrong?” Abby asked innocently. Ethan’s oceanic eyes widened as he saw the mischievous gleam in her coffee eyes.

The woman, who was now dubbed Aubrie, turned around to look at her with a grim expression.

“Babe?” Aubrie threatened lowly, “Who the hell do you think you are, calling my Ethan ‘babe’?” Oh, this girl has it coming.

Abby offered her a fierce smile, showing off her properly ‘engagement’ ring. “Well, I’m pretty sure I called my fiancée babe, right Ethan?”

Instantly, Ethan understood. She wanted to play as his wife-to-be now, did she? Well, that can be easily arranged, Ethan smirks, deciding to play along.

“Well, you see, Dr. Zavala, you do remember how I love hearing the opera, don’t you? I took Abby to one of my favorite operas named Carmen, and I proposed to her there. She cried happy tears and said ‘yes’.”

Aubrie’s furious face slowly drained of color, as she realized they are engaged. She now has to live with the regrets from the past. Her violent hands started to shake a little as she realized who she was arguing with the whole time.

“Wait, are you Dr. Abigail Chacko? One of the youngest doctors in America, Sister of the famous surgeon Sebastian Chacko, the youngest member of Edenbrook’s diagnostic team, and the person who cured Dr. Naveen Banerji?” Zavala asked slowly, her shrill voice starting to grow tense.

Abby, on the other hand, was having too much fun with this. “Bingo! You got it right!”

Right away, when she said that, Aubrie reluctantly left the whole table, stomping on the way like a teenager. Naveen and Harper both had amusing smiles on their faces, Tobias tried not to choke on his wine, and Ethan had the biggest smirk ever.

Abby took off her fake ring and placed it in her bag. At once, Ethan gave her a sounding kiss on her plump lips, not minding anyone any attention.

“How did you know I had a pretty rough time here?” Ethan asked curiously.

She smiled triumphantly. “Well, I saw all of your uncomfortable faces at the table when Aubrie was here. Tobias saw me and gave me an explanation to what was happening. I’m so sorry you had to go through that during your med school days.”

Ramsey gently stroked her smooth and delicate cheek. “It’s fine. Besides, I got an even better woman right here.”

Tobias cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but can you please just continue this later at home? I’m tryna drink some good wine here.”

Everyone snorted, but Ethan’s mind went back to the actual engagement ring he bought for her at their penthouse, stored inside one of his worn-out shoes. He was actually planning to propose to her tomorrow, on Christmas Day.

Taking her to one of my favorite operas named Carmen, proposing to her there.

Oh, he can’t wait for this chaotic day to be over.

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notes: if you’ve made it this far, thank you!

tags:@missmiimiie @aylamwrites @starrystarrytrouble @udishaman @caseyvalentineramsey @queencarb @choicesstan1 @newcolonies @arcticrivers @angela8756 @takemyopenheart @rookie-ramsey @ohchoices @ohvamsey @ohramsey @natureblooms24 @drariellevalentine @maurine07 @lucy-268 @thanialis @drakewalkerfantasy

@openheartfanfics

@choicesficwriterscreations

#pixelberry choices #choices stories you play #open heart #open heart choices #pixelberry #pixelberry open heart #ethan ramsey #playchoices #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan ramsey fanfiction

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itstittycitybaby · 4 years ago

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Flirty and Lin Halloween Special

a/n: ok before you all come and fuck me, this is just a special alright. the timeline is non existent. thinking of a christmas special now but flirty is wearing the santa outfit that regina george wears. also thank you to the anon for giving me this idea and giving me premission to write it! it was sooo much fun :)). with that being said here’s tonight’s halloween special.

Warnings: NSFW 18+,mommy kink, slight pet play?, degradation, thigh riding.

It was stupid really. Halloween was a holiday where drunken idiots paraded around and made stupid decisions. If you were to ask the police in Republic City what day they arrested people the most on, all of them would collectively agree that it was Halloween night. Which meant more paper work to file and sign and an even grumpier Chief.

“Plllleeeeaseeee, it’ll be soo much fun! For old times sake?” Lin regretted agreeing to showing up to Asami’s mansion for a foolish party. But the way you pleaded and batted your lashes made Lin feel weak. You knew if you batted your lashes and asked sweetly, Lin would give you anything. Even the damn moon. So, here she was.

Lin stepped into the mansion. Cheesy pumpkin decorations and spooky ghosts hung throughout the entrance of the manor. Fog from smoke machines whisped around the main entrance. Lights winkled and hung from the banisters of the stairs in a pattern of red, orange, and yellow. Lin had to give Asami credit for the decorations. She really outdone herself.

“Chief!” Lin groaned. She hoped to sneak in unnoticed but fate seemed to have other plans in store. “What,” she grumbled at Mako. “Just surprised to see you,” he answered, a drink in hand. Bolin stood beside him talking to some girl in a green ball gown and gold masquerade mask. Lin knew it wasn’t you, but she wished it was. At least then she wouldn’t have to talk to these idiots.

“I’m surprised I even bothered to show up,” she snarked. “I’m glad you did,” Asami piped up with a cheerful smile, revealing fake fangs. She wore a black lace dress with a slit and low cut on the top. A train of black lace pooled around her feet. There was fake red blood under her lips. ‘Typical’. “Nice costume,” Asami said, pointing to the cat ears on Lin’s head. You had begged her to at least wear something festive instead of her armor. “Thanks,” Lin muttered. Her eyes shifted around the room. She seemed to be searching from something. Searching for you.

Mako and Asami glanced at each other awkwardly. The air became tense and uncomfortable but Lin ignored it. She was busy trying to find your face in the crowd. “There’s refreshments in the ball room with some dancing. Knock yourself out!” Giving one last smile to Lin, Asami left her alone with the two idiot brothers, black lace pillowing behind her. It was going to be a long night.

****

Lin’s heart stopped. The infamous pink silk bunny suit was back. She didn’t know you even still had it. It barely covered your chest and it made your ass pop out. White fluffy bunny ears sat on your head and there was a little white puff ball sitting above your ass. On your thighs were pink heart garters with white thigh high stockings.

The choker topped it all off. It was pink with frilly white lace on the sides and a pink bow with a bell stuck in the middle. It rang softly every time you moved. You were chatting with some of the guests while pouring a fruity drink. Bolin had been the first to see you. His eyes popped out of his head and his jaw hung open. Lin scoffed and her brows furrowed, looking in the direction his eyes fell. Lin felt her face become red and her lips pulled into a sneer; she was absolutely seething. How dare that idiot gawk at you like that? Her eyes narrowed dangerously, lips curling.

“See something you like,” she barked. “N-no m’am,” Bolin stammered, eyes snapping away from yours. His gaze fell to his shoes and he stubbornly refused to look up. Lin could see Bolin’s cheeks scarlet. Mako coughed with his cheeks turning pink and refused to glance in your direction. “E-excuse us Chief,” Mako mumbled, pulling his brother by the back of the collar. Lin ignored him and trained her eyes on you.

****

“Bumi!” Your best friend turned around. A cigar hung out of his lips and a glass of rum in cupped in his hand. Bumi’s eyes lit up once he saw you. “Oof,” he grunted from the bone crushing hug you gave him. You smelt faintly of cotton candy.

“Ya look great! never thought I’d see this again” Bumi said, gesturing to the signature bunny costume. You giggled, “Thanks! Lin’s probably already been threatening people because of it.”

Bumi let out a booming laugh. Several glances were thrown your way but you didn’t care. You missed him. It had been so long since you’ve seen your best friend. Bumi was a kindhearted soul who was very thoughtful (even if his brother and Lin disagreed). You could always count on him.

“She was always a jealous one wasn’t she?” You nodded, sipping the vodka in your punch and relishing the burn that traveled down your throat. Asami mentioned there wasn’t going to be any alcohol, so you snuck a tiny bottle of liquor in your costume. It would be lame without a drink. The vodka made the fruit punch taste a little more bitter. How Lin could drink vodka straight up was beyond you.

“How’s er..the lad doing?” You smiled sadly at the mention of your brother. “Good enough. Haven’t been able to see him in a while. You know how he is, working and stressing himself out to the max.”

“Jus’ like a bright inventor I know. They work too hard on themselves.” You smiled, “Well, we know where he gets it from.” The two of you stood next to each other in comfortable silence. Bumi seemed lost in thought as he swirled his glass full of rum around. “Is Tenzin here?” He chuckled at the light snarkiness in your voice. You never seemed to let go of the grudge you held against Bumi’s brother.

He followed your gaze to the dance floor. People were piled on it and dressed in different costumes. Their hips swung to the pulsing beat. The floor was foggy from the smoke machine and balloons glided through the air as they floated up and down. “Nah,” Bumi scoffed, “mentioned Pema taking the kids out trick or treating..I think.” You hummed. From what you heard Tenzin’s wife seemed nice but..you always held a grudge.

“Hey guys!” You and Bumi turned to Korra and Asami. “Hey,” you replied happily. “Great decorations Asami!” She grinned, fake fangs glinting in the light. “Thanks! It took so long to get the lights up there.” She gestured to the twinkling yellow, red, and orange lights scattered onto the ceiling of the ballroom.

“You look great!” You grinned, “Thanks Korra! Decided to dig this one up from the good ol’ days.” “Must be why Lin was so grumpy earlier,” Asami piped up, a knowing smirk on her face. You chuckled. “Seems I’ve lost her. She’ll find me eventually.” The three of you chatted a bit more before Asami and Korra excused themselves. Asami’s dress trailed elegantly behind her and an elegant arm around Korra’s shoulders. They both looked hot tonight.

“When do you think the two of them will get together,” Bumi asked. “Twenty bucks says in a week.” Bumi grinned, taking your outstretched hand and shaking it. “Deal.”

As Bumi rambled on about something, you could feel the eyes staring in your back. Tingles traveled down your spine and your blood ran cold. The idea of someone watching you made you nervous. You glanced around, but there was no face in the crowd.

It’s fine, just being paranoid, you thought as you tuned into the conversation. You had turn a second too early, for most of the crowd dispersed from the floor, revealing a cat ready to pounce.

****

Lin watched your hips swing around on the dance floor. The bunny suit made your ass swell even more. Spirits, how she missed this outfit. You didn’t notice her hungry stare as she observed from afar.

You looked so happy dancing the night away. Lin had stalked you like a cat watching its pray as the night became older. You were always a social butterfly and loved sweeping the crowed off its feet. Anyone in your eyes deserved a chance to have fun despite Lin’s grumbling when the two of you went out. Still, it surprised her that you were friends with Tenzin’s oaf of a brother. But you were kind and caring, even if you were naive.

Lin chuckled darkly as she weaved her way through people’s sweating bodies. The grime between people and their dancing was disgusting, but she shook it off. Her mission was getting to you.

You were a few yards away from Lin. Her footsteps became slower and more calculated the closer she got. Your back was turned to her as you moved to the music. Lin loved how vulnerable you were. So unaware and carefree. At first glance you seemed innocent and sweet, but Lin knew better. No, you were naughty to the bone.

As you were about to turn around, Lin pounced. Her arms wrapped around the front your body, chest pressing up against your back. You squeaked, much to Lin’s delight. Her dark red lips pressed gently against the shell of your ear. You shivered, trying to wiggle out of her grip. Lin’s arms tightened around you as a warning, trapping you against her.

You shivered as her dark chuckle sent goosebumps down your bare spine. “Ah ah ah,” Lin tutted, pressing you even closer. Her armor was cold and the metal dug into your back. “Seems like I’ve caught me a little rabbit.”

Your cheeks flushed red and you let out a whine. Lin laughed; its dark tone made you excited and nervous. Her lips kissed your ear gently. She trailed her lips down from your jaw to your neck. You shivered again making Lin hum. She nuzzled into your neck and inhaled. “Cotton candy hm? How fitting.” You swallowed thickly, eyes darting to the crowd. No one seemed to be paying attention to the two of you. That was good.

Lin followed your gaze. “Think they’re watching? Seeing what a slutty bunny you are? Maybe they should watch us, so they know what happens to whores prancing around waiting to be bent over. You’d like that wouldn’t you?” You muffled a soft whimper and clamped your thighs together. Lin chuckled and kissed the side of your neck gently. She barely even started and you were already so needy.

“Too bad I don’t like to share what’s mine,” she whispered softly into your ear. Her words swept across your skin making you tremble. Lin’s fingers traveled up your chest and to the pink choker around you neck. The lace was delicate and soft in her fingers as she tugged on it softly. The bell jingled loud enough for the two of you to hear over the music. “Fuck,” she cursed softly, “What I’d give to fuck you with that collar on.”

“L-Lin,” you whimpered, face burning with shame. Lin smirked, letting the collar go. Your lips pulled into a pout as her arms let go of you. “Meet me in the closet in the main hallway. First one to the left. Five minutes. Or else.” She smacked your ass making you squeak. It stung only a little but still hard enough to where you rubbed it gently. “In a second I just gotta-” You turned around to see her. She was gone.

****

You tore through the floor quickly, running through the crowds. Damn these heels! Were you desperate? Maybe to other people but dammit you wanted to get fucked so hard in this suit!

Your heels clacked onto the tile floor. “Hey Y/N!” ‘God fucking-’ “Yes,” you gritted out, turning to find Asami. “Going somewhere?” You hated the smirk and the knowing twinkle in her eye. She held in a laugh at the dark lipstick marks on your neck. “Just gotta pee,” you lied, turning to bolt like your life depended on it. “Don’t let me stop you,” Asami said winking. You grumbled, cheeks flaming with shame as you hurried to the closet.

****

You almost cried with joy as you faced the closet door. You had gotten there just in the nick of time. Asami had almost put your life on the line but you made it. You glanced around quickly to make sure no other party goers were watching. ‘Coast’s clear’. As you opened the door, a hand reached out and yanked you in there.

You yelped as your back was shoved into the wall. A hand clamped over your mouth tightly. The door closed with a soft thud. The sound of the lock turning made you tingle with excitement. “Shhh,” Lin cooed, fingers slowly trailing up to your chest. “Don’t want anyone to find us hm?” You whimpered as her fingers lightly rubbed over your nipples. The sensation was muffled from the silk bunny suit covering them.

You tried tugging the suit down to let your chest free, but a hand smacked you. You grumbled, rubbing the top of your hand softly. “Keep it on.” “Yes mommy,” you whined. “Good bunny,” Lin cooed softly. She smirked as she felt you tremble underneath her.

Lin kissed your jaw softly. You let out a sigh, wrapping your hands around her shoulders. Her soft lips trailed down your neck with kisses and bites. Once Lin got to the side that drove you wild she started sucking. “Mmm~,” you moaned softly as she sucked purple hickeys into your skin. Lin’s left thumb pressed lightly against your nipple. The silky fabric sent tingles down your spine. Her other hand cupped your jaw lightly. She suckled lightly under your jaw, knowing that place drove you wild. You moaned softly as her thumb rubbed your nipple harder.

Her lips pulled away from your neck. You grumbled, making Lin snort. “Suck,” she commanded, swiping her right thumb over your pink glossy lips.

Immediately, you took the finger in her mouth. Lin hummed as your tongue swirled around her it. Your warm and wet lips wrapped around her thumb, coating it in spit. You nibbled on the tip of her thumb gently, smearing her finger with pink gloss. She always went wild seeing your mouth a mess after choking or slobbering all over whatever she gave you.

Lin pulled away. The sound making a wet pop. You whined pathetically. “Be a good bunny and take what I give you. Don’t want to be punished do you?” “No mommy, I’ll be good I promise.” “Good rabbit,” Lin purred, pinching your nipple lightly as a reward. Your brain felt hazy and dizzy already. The closet was pitch black and you wished you could see her. You were afraid of the dark, but with Lin kissing and sucking in all the right places, she was the only thing you could focus on.

Her lips smashed against yours and she nibbled on your bottom lip. You bit her lip playfully and refused to open them in retaliation. She growled against your mouth, fingers inching up to your chest. You mewled as they pinched and rubbed your left nipple over the silk. It felt so smooth and cool over your chest. Lin slipped her tongue through your lips. She stroked her tongue along the roof of your mouth, and you moaned whenever she finally sucked on yours. The feeling of her red lipstick mixing with your gloss made you cringe. Lin grinned wickedly against your lips. She always loved to make you messy and needy.

Your knees held your trembling legs up. They quivered and you felt weak pinned to the wall, feeling dizzy. “Lin,” you whimpered, pulling away from her lips. “I’m gonna fall.”

Lin chuckled. “Can’t have that can we?” The sound of her metal armor shifting rang in your ears. In the distance the music could be heard along with some outside chatter.

You whined as her knee slid between your legs, thigh jutting against your crotch. Your body became hot and prickly as her thigh brushed up against you. “What did I say about keeping quiet? If you keep moaning like a whore, I’ll fuck you in this closet for everyone to hear what happens to a needy slut,” Lin hissed.

Her right hand cupped your throat, fingers splayed gently on the sides of it. Your heart thumped in your chest with anticipation.

You squeaked as a harsh slap came down onto your thigh. “I asked you a question, bitch. Answer me.” “Sorry,” you whined, “I’m sorry, I’ll be quiet!” Lin smirked, satisfied with your answer. “Good. Now grind on my thigh and cum like the good whore you are. If you do, I might consider fucking you silly with my strap tonight.”

Lin laughed once you jumped down on her thigh with eagerness. You bit your lip harshly and focused on your breathing as you shifted slowly. A small amount of relief poured through your body. “Keep going,” she commanded, left hand ghosting over your chest again.

Eventually, you got a good rhythm down. Your rocked your hips and rubbed your crotch down on Lin’s thigh. “Mmm~,” you moaned softly, trying so hard to keep quiet. Lin smirked, her fingers squeezing the sides of your throat gently. Blood rushed to your head as you focused on breathing. The high from grinding on Lin’s thigh, and the pleasure combined with her hand wrapped around your throat felt so good.

“What I’d give to see that stupid look on your face. You’ve just barely started and I’ve already got you turning into a dumb fucking bunny.” Whimpering, you grinded down faster. Your hips were already getting tired and your legs began to ache.

Lin’s hand suddenly let go of your throat. The rush of air that knocked into your chest made you choke. She snickered. “Good little rabbit,” she cooed. Lin leaned her head down. Her lips wrapped around your covered nipple and sucked. “Fuck fuck fuck fuck,” you whimpered. Her tongue felt so good over the satin and the way your hips rocked against her thigh made your core sing.

The closet was getting hotter and stuffier. The bell on your choker rang every time you straddled Lin’s thigh and used it to get off. Your cheeks were hot along with your arms and collarbone. There was sweat beading on your head, threatening to roll off of your brow.

“Mommy,” you moaned softly. She hummed in reply, the vibrations on your nipple causing you to squeak. Her right hand slowly tugged down the bunny suit, revealing your chest bare and free.

You whimpered as the air hit your bare chest. Lin kissed your left nipple. Without the fabric covering it, the sensations were more powerful. Her lips wrapped around it softly and sucked gently. You whined and grinded harder. Your legs and knees burned so bad but you didn’t want to stop. You wanted to cum on your girlfriend’s thigh and let the whole world know who you belonged to.

The closet became more stuffy the longer the two of you were locked in here. It made you try harder and harder to get your release. Lin’s fingers gently swept over your right one. She rolled the soft bud between the pads of her fingers. Your brain turned into mush and your pleading became a mantra of Lin’s name. Your stomach curled with heat and your core burned with pleasure.

Lin’s lips kissed your chest as her finger’s worked your nipples. They were sore and ached from the sensitivity of being sucked on so harshly. Lin kissed between your chest before sucking the skin there. You groaned as the delicious pleasure buzzed through you. Her lips trailed all over your chest leaving hickies in their wake. Lin pulled away, fingers gently rubbing your nipples again. It made you hiss from how much it ached but Lin didn’t stop. “Are you gonna cum?” “Yessss,” you whined, crotch rubbing against her leg harshly. “Good. Cum on my thigh like the naughty bunny you are.”

Lin smashed her lips against yours to muffle your cries. You trembled as you came, body trembling and shaking against the wall. She smirked against your lips at the sound of the bell on your choker ringing loudly.

Lin held you up with her hands around your waist and gently removed her thigh between your legs. She kissed your forehead softly murmuring sweet things. “You did so well for me,” she praised, kissing all over your sweaty face and hot cheeks. “Can you stand?”

“I think so.” She let go of you slowly, but her hands hovered around you in case you started to fall. Your knees trembled but you could stand even if it was a bit wobbly. “Yea, I can stand.” Lin smiled, pulling the string on the ceiling. You hissed softly as the closet light burned your eyes.

“You look so sexy messed up like that,” Lin sighed, taking in your tossled hair and messed up lip gloss. You looked at her confused as she handed you her coat. She laughed, “Wear it. Unless you want someone to see my claim on you.” You sputtered, throwing on her jacket and zipping it up. It reached your knees and it would shield you from the cold air outside. Lin chuckled and sent you one last wink before slipping out of the closet. You waited a few more moments before running after her.

****

Asami, Bolin, Mako, and Korra, watched you zoom by them, yelling a quick “Bye guys!” over your shoulder.

“What’s her deal,” Mako asked brows furrowing deeply. Bolin refused to look up from anywhere but his drink and muttered a “I don’t know.” “It looks like they got attacked by a monster,” Korra said, her voice confused but mostly concerned. Asami grinned. She had gotten a good look at the dark red lipstick smeared all over your lips before you ran out. “Oh they were attacked by a monster alright. Quite a grumpy one.”

Three heads turned to her with quizzical looks on their face. “What are you talking about?!” Asami snickered, sipping her wine. “Doesn’t matter,” she replied cryptically, “I have more people to host to.” Asami winked before turning away from them and left. The train of her black lace dress swept behind her as Korra and Mako watched her disappear into the crowd, very confused.

#legend of korra #legend of kora x reader #lin beifong x reader #lin beifong #x reader #reader insert #fan fiction #fanfiction #fan fic #fanfic #smut #halloween #halloween prompt

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tloujm · 4 years ago

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Part XVII: Funnel of Love

Author’s Notes: Sorry it took so long.

Genre: Fluff + Angst = this chapter

Summary: This takes place right after the last chapter. The newly engaged couple share the news with their loved ones. The wedding planning pressure is on.

Ship: Joel x Reader

“Well, well, well. Big bro is doing it for real this time, huh.” Tommy began with a wide grin on his face. “Congratulations, Joel. I mean it. I always knew it was gonna be the two of you since the first day y’all showed up at the gates.” Joel relieved one of the watchtower guards so he could talk to Tommy about the proposal. They were both up in the small wooden shelter, rifles in hand, glancing between each other and the world beyond the gates.

“Thanks, brother.” Joel donned a bashful smirk.

“So do I get to be best man?” Tommy asked.

“Weren’t you already best man?” Joel countered.

“Yeah, but that time didn’t really count.” Tommy explained. Joel shot him a glare as a response to the dismissal of his first marriage. He knew that this time was different though, so he couldn’t blame him.

“‘Course you’re my best man.”

*****

“Joel? Miller? Of the infamous Miller brothers?” Jesse exclaimed.

“You knew we were together.” You said. Jesse was your closest friend at the settlement, therefore, he was the first person you told. You had reservations about sharing the news with him because, for a moment while you and Joel were broken up, you grew feelings for Jesse. It was something you never shared out loud or in your journal. Not sure of whether the feelings truly stemmed from Jesse himself or your emotions from Joel, you didn’t feel right giving weight to those thoughts. Despite Joel’s suggestion, you always figured Jesse’s feelings were purely platonic anyway.

“Yeah, I know. It just seems very official. I didn’t think people still did that these days.”

“He did manage to surprise me. It was very romantic. You should take some notes just in case you feel compelled to do the same with a special somebody.”

“Take notes? From Joel? Miller? I can be quite romantic on my own, thank you.” Jesse turned to you. “But listen, I’m happy for you. Whatever you need for your upcoming nuptials, let me know.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that.” You responded. It fell silent for a moment while the two of you were cleaning up the stable.

“I bet you Joel can get you guys a senior discount on a wedding cake from the bakery.” Jesse spoke up. He broke into a fit of laughter as you dropped your broom and threw a handful of hay at him.

“He is not even that old.” You responded defensively.

“No, no. He’s just regular old.” Jesse reasoned jokingly.

“He’s young at heart!”

“(Y/N), He plays the guitar on a rocking chair and whittles for fun.”

“He does other things for fun that I can tell you right now he is not too old for.” You replied with a coy tone in your voice.

“Alright, alright.” Jesse shook his head playfully and continued sweeping up the straw on the ground. “The jury is still out on how old he is, but I suppose we can both agree that he’s not geriatric.” He reflexively ducked when he heard you drop the broom again to pick up some more hay.

“So I’m invited to the wedding then?” He asked seriously.

“Of course you are! You’re my best friend.” You replied.

He clears his throat. “Yeah…”

*****

“Honey, I’m home.” Joel said. The words flew out his mouth in a jovial tone. He had never said those words before. It reminded him of a husband from the 1950s coming home from a day at the office. That particular visual didn’t enthuse him, but the idea of seeing you again did. He knew that he’d never wear a suit and work in an office, but he hoped that the rest of his life consisted of coming home to you.

“My love, I’m in here.” Your voice carried from the kitchen. He quickly followed until he stopped right behind you. His arms snaked around your waist as he kissed the top of your head. “What did you do today?”

“I spent some time with Tommy.” He went to go sit down at the island.

“Oh?”

“He asked how our trip went.” He began. You turned to face him.

“You told him about us?” You asked, smiling. He nodded.

“Yeah,” He chuckled. “He asked to be my best man. Did you tell Maria?”

“Yeah, I told her after Jesse.”

“Oh good. He knows.” He began sarcastically. “I better stop catchin’ him gazing at my bride then.”

“Joel, stop. He always knew we were together. But as for Maria, she was super excited. She started talking about wedding stuff like we weren’t living in some fungal zombie infested world. It’s not like I can go dress shopping, or cake tasting or pick out venues. I mean honestly, what’s the point of a wedding?”

“You don’t wanna have a wedding?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” You shrug. “All I want is to get married to you. She was just planning it all out the second I told her and I was feeling overwhelmed.”

“She’s just excited. Take a breath then go back and talk to her. If anyone’s got the connections to throw a wedding, it’s her.”

“What was your wedding like?” You asked.

“You wanna know?” You nodded. He sighed. “It wasn’t much. We cut costs wherever we could so I wore a hand-me-down suit from my dad and Tommy wore a hand-me-down suit from me. The only thing that matched on our suits were the buteniers. It was in one of her aunt’s backyard. It was dead in the middle of summer after school let out, but the only decorations were red, green and blue Christmas tree lights that she put on the bushes. I remember her aunt tasked me and Tommy with going to get some flowers. She gave us some money, but my God, I had no idea how expensive real flowers were. I bought Sarah’s mom a bouquet from the florist while Tommy dumpster dived for some dying flowers that they had just thrown out for the rest of the wedding party.” He shrugged. “The ceremony was quick. The reception was a potluck; everyone brought a dish and their own fold out chairs. Outside of my cousin singing a song, the music was from a boombox. It was simple, but it all came together. I had my own issues with my parents and her side of the family didn’t like me much after I knocked her up, but for that one day, we all got along and it was nice.”

“Oh. Wow. At least everyone got along.”

He chuckled. “I know it was nothing impressive. It was a shotgun wedding for a couple of teenagers. But I don’t want you to worry about how that went. What matters is now and how we want things to go for us.”

You smiled. “Our wedding can go the exact same way and I wouldn’t care so long as you’re there.”

****

“So,” Maria slammed down a stack of wedding magazines on the coffee table. “I think looking through these would be a good start.”

Maria invited you and some other women over one evening to have a girls night. She had never done this before, but she felt your impending marriage was a good excuse to have one. You didn’t have many female friends. Most were acquaintances, so none of them were as close as Maria and Wendy to you. They were there, but so were a handful of others you’ve only ever spoken to in passing.

Maria had a growing wine collection. She would trade for a bottle or two every so often. For your special occasion, she dusted off two bottles. Wendy made you a homemade pin that said “Bride to be” which she insisted you wear all night. Maria passed the magazines all around the circle you guys made on the floor.

“Maria, where did you get all of these.” You asked.

“I’ve had them all this time. While I was on a scavenging trip one day, and this was years and years ago, I saw them and grabbed them. It was impulsive. I don’t know. Me and Tommy had been together for a while and you know, naturally I started hearing wedding bells even though he never really proposed. I know it's silly to expect happiness in the middle of all this craziness, but it became normal for him and I and despite all this, he stuck by my side. I spent my whole life pre-outbreak wanting a wedding. I mean I wasn’t obsessed with it, but what girl doesn’t want a little fairytale wedding?”

“Tommy never proposed? I thought you guys were married?” Sheila spoke up in between sips.

“We’re basically married. Obviously not under law, but we committed ourselves to each other. I wanted to stop running and just build a future, even a tiny one, for us. He wanted the same. So we settled down and built this place. Well ‘settle down’ as much as we can in this type of world now. But, it was all casual. He brought it up one day while we were eating. He asked if I’d ever want a husband. He asked if it mattered to me.”

“What did you say?” Wendy asked.

“I told him, of course it mattered. At least to me. He gave me that famous Miller half smile,” Maria looked to you as to say ‘You know what I’m talking about’. “And asked if I thought he was husband material. I kinda strung him along for fun. I told him ‘As close to husband material as he can get’. He let out this little laugh and said ‘Well it’s settled then.’ and I thought to myself, I get to be someone’s wife! But not just anyone’s wife, his wife. At that point I couldn’t stop smiling. It wasn’t a proposal in the traditional sense. I guess it still counts, but we never did anything about it since. I guess we just assumed marriage from that point on. We expressed our love for each other, but never spoke the traditional vows. He never called me his fiance. As a matter of fact, the first time I heard him call me his wife to another person was when you and Joel showed up at our door.” She spoke in a roller coaster of tones, switching between enthusiastic and disappointed. “So I want you to have something special to commemorate this moment with. It’s not going to be a big, fancy wedding, but something nice nonetheless.” She said to you.

“Thank you.” You replied.

“Ohhh, look at this dress! I think this would go great with your figure, honey.” Darlene stated as she handed you the opened magazine. You admitted it was nice, but you couldn't see yourself in it.

“That’s a bit plain, don’t you think? How about this one.” Maria handed you her magazine. The dress was exceptionally grand. It had a train and was adorned with crystals and lace.

“That’s quite the dress, Maria.” You commented, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

“But do you like it?” She asked.

“I do,” It wasn’t a whole lie. “But what’s the point in looking at dresses? I’m not gonna be wearing any of them from these magazines. I don’t own any white dresses at all. Just a white t shirt with sweat stains and holes in ‘em.”

“It doesn’t hurt to fantasize a little bit. Besides, maybe we’ll go out and find a store with something nice to wear inside.” She replied.

“Drink up, honey, you're supposed to be happy.” Darlene said as she watched you nurse your glass.

“I am happy.” You replied with a straight face.

“Let’s play This or That and let’s pretend it was 13 years ago and the world was normal again. I’ll ask you to choose between two different things, wedding themed of course. I want you to give me an answer quickly to ensure it’s the truest answer.” Maria suggested.

“What were you doing 13 years ago?” Darlene asked you.

“Just graduated college. Didn’t even get a chance to apply my degree anywhere.”

“Oh, you were just a youngin’. Still had milk ‘hind your ears.” She playfully slapped your thigh. “And let’s see...Joel must have been how old…” She pondered seriously.

“Vanilla or chocolate?” Maria spoke up.

“What?” You asked.

“Cake. Vanilla or chocolate for your wedding cake?”

“Uh, chocolate.”

“Outdoor or indoor venue?”

“Indoor, I guess.”

“DJ or band?”

“DJ?”

“Lillies or Peonies for your bouquet?”

“I don’t think I know what peonies look like, to be honest.”

For the rest of the night, you and the other women played wedding themed games that you were sure Maria made up. They fiddled with your hair and dabbed beet juice on your lips and cheeks to appear as makeup. Despite Darlene rubbing you the wrong way, you took her advice and ‘drunk up’. Getting loose helped, but it still was all a bit overwhelming to you. Part of you wanted the fairytale like Maria said, but part of you didn’t even want it at all. While a fairytale would look nice, it would come with too many cons and then you would think ‘what was the point’. There would be too many people, and as an introvert, you weren’t prepared for that. Having to coordinate a large amount of food to feed the party, acquire a form of entertainment to keep everyone busy, ceremony rehearsals, picking loyalties when choosing between your sister in law and your good friend for made of honor and so on. Honestly none of your female friends were as close to you as Jesse, though, but you didn’t think he nor Joel would be cool with him being your main bridesmaid.

Still buzzed, you walked into your empty house and beelined it to the bathroom. You sat at the edge of the tub, warm water running through your fingers as you watched it fill up. You grabbed your portable CD player and headphones out the drawer next to the toilet. You adjusted yourself into the inviting bath and immediately slipped your head under the surface. Being underwater was always a relaxing feeling for you so long as you knew you were in control. Your hands held onto the sides of the tub, keeping you under. You stayed there with your eyes closed until you couldn’t take it anymore. The curls of your hair laid flat against your head as you took in a large breath. As weird as it was, it helped the anxiety that you were currently harboring. The cherry on top was your music. You reached over the edge and felt for the play button before sliding the headphones over your ears. Again, you closed your eyes. You weren’t thinking about anything in particular: your patrol duty tomorrow morning, your promise to have lunch with Maria and Darlene, and sure as hell not your wedding.

The buzz was wearing off, but the warm water took over the job and continued to relax your muscles. You were three songs into the album you were listening to when they abruptly tensed up. Your eyes popped open at the sudden splash of water that landed on your chest. It felt as though only a moment ago you were alone in the world and now sitting on the edge of the tub is Joel. He watched as you scooted up, sloshing the water around.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to splash you that hard.” He chuckled before pointing to your CD player. “You gotta be careful with this, (Y/N), you know. Gotta have your wits about you even in a place like Jackson---”

“I know, I just wanted to unwind for a moment---” You butted in.

“I don’t mean to chastise you like you’re a child, but I just want you to be safe. What if it wasn’t me here.”

“All the doors are locked.” You reasoned.

“Still.” He gave you his famous glare for a solid moment before his eyes drifted down to your body in the water. “Room for one more?” He lifted his eyebrow.

You frowned. “I was about to get out.”

“Didn’t look like that to me, darlin’. If I’d chosen to watch you for longer, you’d still be laying there with your eyes closed.”

“How long were you watching me for?” You asked, starting to feel a mix of self consciousness and arousal.

“Doesn’t matter.” Joel’s face was rid of emotion save from his eyes. His eyes were lit up with lust despite your rejection.

“The water was getting cold. I was just waiting for the song to end before getting out.”

He lifted the same eyebrow. “Is that so?” His eyes followed your body as you stood up in the tub. He unfolded his arms and grabbed the towel on the back of the door. Holding it out, you stepped out of the tub and into the soft fabric. He slid his hands up your arms before massaging your shoulders. His hands were rough and ungentle, but you still let him continue. “Baby, tell me what’s wrong. Who hurt you? I’ll go grab Tommy’s bat and smash their kneecaps in.”

You chuckled. “While I’m sure you would,” You turned around, releasing your shoulders from his grip. “No one hurt me. I’m just...I just got some stuff on my mind.”

“Care to share?” He asked. You shrugged. “Was it something that happened at Maria’s?”

“She threw me a bridal shower.”

He sat on the toilet and pulled you down onto his lap. “That was nice of her.”

“I mean yeah, it was nice. It just...It felt forced. Women were there that I hardly knew. We were planning the wedding, imagining details I knew would never work. I feel like Maria wants this to happen more than I do and I hate that. I should want this the most. I mean I do want this,” You point between you and him. “But I just don’t know how I want to go about it. I thought seeing her again would help me make up my mind about things, but I feel just as confused and flustered.”

He kissed your shoulder. “I don’t want you to stress out over this. It’ll all work out, because the most important thing in the end is that we have each other. I promise,” He kissed your shoulder again. “Ok?” He waited for you to say it back before tapping your thigh. “Now, just because you didn’t want me to get in with you doesn’t mean I don’t want a nice, relaxing bath too. Last chance before you put your clothes on.” He pointed between you, him and the tub as if asking for you to join him.

You smile with a shake of your head. “No, my skin is all wrinkly but I promise to only keep the towel on if you promise not to make me wait long.” You winked at him.

35 notes · View notes

soliverse · 4 years ago

Text

winter promises - q.kn

pairing: gangster au!kun x student!reader

genre: angst, a tiny bit of fluff

warnings: mentions of violence, death, injury and bullying (they weren’t explicitly shown but they were mentioned by the characters. nothing too graphic or triggering.)

word count: 2323

ps: hello @strykiss! I got chosen as your secret santa this year. I debated whether to post From Home or Winter Promises at the last minute but this was the fic that I promised you at my ask. Sorry it took a while :< I hope you liked it.

Winter Promises is a part of the Secret Santa Collab by @lucaswithnoshirt and @bumblebeenct. This is my very first collab and I’m thankful that you have let me be a part of it.

If you want to read the other fics created by the other amazing nct writers, just head over to @neoculturechristmas for the other secret santa entries.

networks: @nctcreations @kdiarynet @kpopscape

The harshness of the winter has never felt colder than today. Just a few weeks ago, you planned to visit your brother James and spend the rest of Christmas break together. Everything changed when you received a call from the police a few days ago. You almost broke down when they told you about your brother’s passing.

You lived in a different area from your brother because you had to go to school. All this time, you believed that your brother is a salesman. That’s how he was able to pay for college fees and living expenses. Little did you know, he was actually hiding a secret from you.

The police found his body after a gang fight. After a bit of an investigation, they discovered that your brother is actually a member of one of the notorious gangs in the area. He is one of the Guardias. They are people of the night, lurking in the shadows and can only be identified by the tattoo of a black wolf in their forearms. That explains why he wore those long sleeves all of the time whenever he visits, even when in the blistering heat. He just used the excuse that he had to look professional at all times

What’s worse about his death is you had no other living relatives. You were both orphans that got kicked out of the systems when you got older. Nobody attended his funeral but the priest and yourself.

You stood at the middle of the field alone, the cemetery wrapped in a think blanket of snow. You did nothing for the past few hours but stood there in front of his grave and stared blankly at his epitaph.

IN MEMORIAM

JAMES Y/L/N

March 31, 199x – December 20, 20xx

A LOVING BROTHER

Reading the engraved letters made you tear up again.

You just can’t believe that he had to die like this, that he had to lie to make you feel better. You wondered how much he had to suffer just seconds before he dies, recalling the horrible state of his body when they discovered him. Just thinking about it made you shake from anger and grief. It didn’t take long before you broke down and sat right next to the grave hugging your knees.

“Hey…”

You were interrupted by a concerned Kun. He pulled you towards him and wrapped his loving arms around you.

“Sorry for being late.”

You desperately needed someone that day and him coming meant the world to you. If there’s someone that will understand what you are currently going through, it would be him. Just like the two of you, he’s also alone because he had to study overseas. He had a brotherly bond with James, like he’s an extension of your brother. James would always tell Kun that he would be the one to take care of you while he’s gone. It’s safe to say that he still fulfilled that promise.

“I’m sorry you had to spend Christmas like this…”

Eventually, he took your hands to find a nearby bench that you can sit comfortably. He started patting your head and never let go of you until you stopped crying.

“I’ll be fine. Thank you for coming.”

He handed you a handkerchief from his pockets so you can wipe your tears away. His hand still remained your shoulders, patting it gently to calm you down.

“If it makes you feel any better, I got a gift for you.”

He started patting all over his winter coat and his pockets to look for something. Taking it out on one of his inner pockets, he pulled out a box wrapped with a tiny red bow on top. You opened it right away and there was a unique bracelet inside of it.

“Merry Christmas Y/N. I made a promise to James when he’s still alive...”

He took your hand and placed the bracelet in your palms.

“As long as you’re wearing this, James and I will always be with you…”

Your heart melted as he said this to you. You couldn’t help yourself but to hug him once again. His touch felt like summer on this cold, winter night.

///

About a few weeks passed by and your classes resumed once again. You used that supposed break to mourn over James and help yourself to get over from his loss. Kun had a part-time job to attend to, but he always made sure to check on you from time to time.

Wintertime still surrounded the area, but some people already took down their decorations and things went back to normal. As you skipped across the snowy road, you couldn’t help but stare at the thing that’s jingling in your right arm. You stopped on your tracks and held it up to the sky. Your eyes squinted, trying to look for something special in the bracelet that the Kun gave you for Christmas.

It was the single thing that made you smile every day. His words repeated in your head like a broken record and you can’t help but blush at the thought of it. You always this little crush on him even before, but his caring nature the past couple of weeks make your heart flutter even more. This made you unconsciously touch it. You raised your arm up to your eye level and you finally realized that the bracelet is held together by two wolves, one on each side of the bracelet. You wondered why this was the design that he chose, considering that it doesn’t look that girly. It was weird, but you just shrugged it off when you realized that you still have to walk to school.

///

You came just shy a few minutes before the class starts. The professor is still out of sight, so you bowed to greet everyone inside before you walk towards your desk. The class didn’t pay you any attention. It’s always been that way ever since you got admitted to the school. Making friends is hard when people judge you from the way that you dress or the life that you live in every day. You don’t get to wear nice cloths just like everybody else because you liked to save your money for things that are more important.

The other girls would roll their eyes out and point out how worn out your uniform looks or make gestures behind your back. It stayed that way for years, but you never had the guts to tell Kun or James. You have to be strong for yourself sometimes and just ignored their mockery.

You were taking out the textbooks from your bag when you overheard the other girls squealing excitedly at each other. One of them is your classmate Lilith. Everyone thinks she’s so cool because she has a gangster boyfriend that buys her expensive stuff. It’s probably another designer brand bag or something.

“It looks so pretty! Have you tried using it yet?”

You swear that you can sense Lilith’s condescending smirk even when your back is turned against her.

“I haven’t actually. But he said it’s suuuuppppeeeer expensive. Like, it’s worth more than anything he’s ever bought me. I can’t wait to use it at clubs tonight!”

She said in this exaggerated tone that you hate. She had this habit of making herself extra loud so that you’ll hear what she’s trying. You roll your eyes internally and just proceeded to open your notes and tried to recall the lessons that you had for the past few weeks.

“Are you sure? It doesn’t look that much…”

“Ugh…” She sounded so offended at her friend’s remark.

“This bracelet are only given to very special people. It means they are under the protection of the whole group. It means nobody is allowed to touch the very fiber of her being. I can basically do whatever I want and no one will stop me.”

Your hopes of concentrating on your lessons was completely thrown out of the window. At a desperate attempt to keep your sanity intact, you cupped both of your ears with your hands.

“Special, huh? Then why does Y/N have one too?”

“There’s no way…”

You yelped as you felt someone yank out your hand away from your head.

“What do you want, Lilith?”

She yanked it again towards her face and so she can get a better view of your right hand.

“Hey! Let me go!”

You tried grabbing your hand away from her at the same time that she lets go of your hand aggressively, the force sending you off to the floor.

“So, you got claimed too huh?”

You glared at her direction, but the bright red thing on her wrists caught your attention. It looked similar to your bracelet, the only difference being that it was red and the wolf was replaced with a silver dragon. It’s strikingly similar to the one you’re currently wearing.

“I wonder which lowlife scum you had to sleep with just so you can have one of those.”

She folded her arms and scoffed at your direction

“Of course. It had to be one of those filthy G-.”

A stern voice interrupted her from the front door.

“Watch your mouth, Lilith.”

The voice came from Kun, you looked incredibly pissed.

“Leave her alone. She just lost her brother.”

Lilith opened her mouth again but Kun just raised his eyebrows at her. His gaze seemed to be sending her a message that only the two of them can understand.

The stand-off have successfully shut Lilith down as she begrudgingly went back to her desk. The professor came right after, so Kun smiled sweetly at your direction before he sat down at his desk.

You got up from the floor and dusted the dirt off of your uniform, still completely oblivious at what just happened. It made you a bit more self-conscious now that everyone has their eyes on you. Thankfully, the professor caught everyone’s attention and your class proceeded as usual.

It didn’t take long before lunch break comes and the bell rang. As soon as the last professor left the door, everyone’s attention was back on you once again. You just sat there awkwardly as you waited for everyone to leave the classroom, not really sure what else to do about this situation.

Kun felt your uneasiness. He stood up from his chair and offered his hand to help you stand up from your chair. Your smile grew wider once again as you took his hand and you walked together to your usual place in the cafeteria.

The both of you took your seats and brought out your lunchbox with you. You took out your lunch, which was a simple meal composed of eggs, bacon and a cup of rice. When took out his containers, you remembered that your bestfriend is actually a bit of a masterchef. There were several varieties of home-cooked meals from his lunchbox. There are dumplings, warm chicken soup, and some of which you don’t even know the names of.

“I made extra so we can share...”

You can tell that there was extra care given to the meals that he made. This man just never fails to amaze you. Looking around the cafeteria, everyone felt the same way. Some of the other girls looked at you with what you can assume is jealousy written all over their faces.

“You know, the girls of this school hate me because they thought I’m your girlfriend right.” He laughed at your comment, his eyes completely disappearing from the stretch of his smile.

“If you’re actually dating me, then I’ll be the luckiest man alive.”

You felt heat coming up from your face, unsure if it was because of his laugh or the thing that he said. Instead of answering him, you took some of the fried rice that he made and stuffed your mouth to hide your embarrassment.

Time passed and you’re about to walk home as well. Kun called out your name and offered to walk you home. You felt some dirty glance being thrown away at your direction once again, but for once, you didn’t mind them.

“Just making sure got home safe.” He explained when you asked him on the way. It’s a sweet gesture from his part once again, but he’s been acting weird throughout the walk. His eyes kept on looking from left to right, as if he’s looking for something.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.”

He relaxed and his cheery self appeared in front of you once again.

As soon as you got inside your house and closed the door behind you, he started to walk along the snowy road. His uneasiness crept back in, looking left and right to make sure that no one is following him.

His whole demeanor changed as soon as he entered his territory. The apartment that you thought he’s staying in is actually the headquarters of a secret gang that’s meant to protect the whole city. Men lined up in his path, bowing at his presence. At his room, he took off layers of his winter clothing, finally revealing a secret that he’s also been hiding from you. It was a tattoo of a black wolf, only given to the elite members of Guardia.

He sat on his couch and grabbed his phone to dial someone’s number.

“Yes, boss?”

“Hey Xuxi, would you mind giving the Kids a call?”

“Sure. What for?”

“Tell Chan that one of his bitches is misbehaving…”

He rested his head and closed his eyes, reminded of how you were treated earlier by Lilith.

“If he doesn’t do anything about it, I will. Make that very clear to him, unless he wants me to break his other arm.”

“I’m on it, sir.”

The call dropped and his phone was now showing his wallpaper, a candid picture that he took without you knowing.

The other gangs have been becoming bold lately and have orchestrating attacks from left to right. Knowing them, he’s sure that they’ll be going after the next Guardia successor, you.

///

“Protect Y/N at all cost. It won’t take long before the world knows about her real identity.”

That is a promise that he’s willing to keep, even to his death.

#nctcreations #kdiarynet #kpopscape #neoculturechristmas #secret santa collab #nct #wayv #nct fic #wayv fics #kun x reader #qian kun #gangster au #winter promises #soliverse

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angst-fairygodmother · 4 years ago

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Tinsel: First Christmas (A Light Fingers Christmas Special pt 1/2)

Y/N and Diego spend their first holiday as a married couple. And maybe a few siblings drop in along the way. A/N: AKA an excuse for me to write cute domestic fluff for them. Word Count: 1756 Cross-posted to AO3: here

You leaned in, draping yourself over the back of the couch to wrap your arms around Diego’s shoulders and plant a kiss on his cheek. He smiled, turning to you and kissing you properly, until you pulled away, knowing him and his propensity for pulling you down into his lap and too busy for what that would lead to.

“I was thinking,” you said, eyes dancing. “That since this is our first year together and we’re all, ya know, married,” you dropped your voice so it was low and teasing and grinned as you said the word, “that we should do something for Christmas. Assuming you celebrate Christmas. Oh god, I married you and I don’t even know your religious beliefs or stance on denominational holidays…”

He reached up, gently removing one arm from around him so that he could lace his fingers through yours and kiss the inside of your wrist. The gesture had an instant calming effect, and you sighed, smiling softly at him.

“Dad was never one for holidays or any of that. But I can celebrate Christmas if you want,” he said, smiling back.

“I don’t want to force it on you. We could do Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or we don’t have to celebrate if--”

“Christmas sounds nice, baby. What do you want to do for it?”

“Well...we could decorate, maybe get a little tree for the corner. Exchange presents obviously. Have some people over for dinner?”

Diego waited expectantly, knowing that if he gave you a moment, you would continue to explain without prompt.

“I was thinking Patch, and Daniel obviously. And he’ll bring Amelia. And if you wanted we could try and reach out to your siblings?” You scrunched up your nose and gave him a half-hopeful, half-nervous questioning look.

“None of them will come,” he replied sourly, annoyed at them for risking ruining your excitement even though they hadn’t actually done anything.

“It still couldn’t hurt to offer right? If we can even get a hold of them? Christmas should be about family and hope and goodness. It might be the start of a new beginning?”

He sighed. “I don’t know about all of them, but…” he looked into your shining eyes, trying not to get distracted and dazzled by how his heart fluttered when you looked at him like that, “we can try.”

“Yay!” you cheered, swiftly giving him another kiss on the cheek before straightening up with a bounce, immediately shifting into planning mode.

Eventually you had decided on having the party the weekend before Christmas, hoping that everyone would have the time off and no other plans. Now, the night in question had finally come, and you felt your stomach twist in nervous knots. What if no one came? What if it all went horribly wrong? This might well be Diego’s first real Christmas, and you was terrified to ruin it.

Tracking down Diego’s siblings had been difficult to say the least. Allison was on the other side of the country but apologized, somewhat insincerely, for not being able to attend. Vanya had said she’d think about it, but that it might be awkward considering where she stood with the rest of them. Luther had huffed that their mother wasn’t available and hung up when you identified yourself as a friend of Diego’s, not even giving you a chance to extend the invitation, and then no one at the Umbrella Academy would answer after that. Klaus was a leaf on the wind, and though you had put feelers out through your connections, there was no definite answer to be had as to his location or possible interest.

Finding a place to host had been another challenge, since there was no way your apartment was big enough for even the reduced guestlist to be comfortable. It had taken a lot of cajoling and pleading, a few bribes (with both cash and an invitation), and a promise to never ask him for anything again, but eventually you convinced Al to let you hold dinner at The Fighting Lion. Which was a perfect space, but required more planning to get the food and decorations there.

But you had done everything you could, and decorated your home on top of that. And now it was time to see if it paid off.

“Relax,” Diego said, wrapping an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close and pressing a kiss to your temple. “It looks perfect.”

You looked around at the twinkling rainbow lights and the strings of blue and silver garland, the fake tree you had set up in the center of the ring, and the red crepe-paper covered table and smiled.

“I did do a good job didn’t I?” you asked, snuggling into his side. The motion was enough to press the little button that caused his sweater to light up and start playing music.

“I can’t believe you actually bought and willingly wore this monstrosity,” you laughed, wincing at the very tinny instrumental cover of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in your ear.

“Isn’t a tacky sweater part of the whole experience?” he answered with a smirk.

You shook your head, jingle bell earrings mixing with your laughter in one of the most beautiful symphonies Diego had ever heard.

“Sure, but there’s tacky and then there’s that.” You stretched up to kiss his cheek. “It’s cute.”

A low whistle from near the door made them jump, both of them tensing before they realized it was just the surly gym owner.

“I’m almost impressed. Wouldn’t have recognized my own place,” he quipped.

One by one, you greeted your guests, first your brother and future sister-in-law and then Patch, as they arrived. Diego hung back, feeling suddenly uncomfortable, though Patch wouldn’t let him get away without a hug and Daniel shook his hand, firm but not unfriendly. He felt like he had no idea what to do at a Christmas party, and was overwhelmed by the strange need to draw you back to his side as if he could hide himself in you.

“I think that’s everyone, so we can get dinner started,” you announced once folks had settled in. “Diego, you wanna help me get the food?”

“Oh no, Y/N, let me,” Amelia said, standing up with a smile. “They were just about to start up a conversation on workout routines.”

“Well, I wouldn't want to interrupt that,” you laughed. “Sure, Amelia, that’d be great.”

Once the food was laid out, practically a feast for an army your brother teased, everyone gathered around and the conversation and laughter flowed like wine. You were pleasantly surprised to find Daniel and Diego getting along swimmingly and felt yourself relax, looking around at this strange little family the two of you had built.

Suddenly, as dinner was winding down but you had judged it wasn’t quite time for pie, the doors of the gym burst open, a chill wind whistling through. Patch tensed, hand instinctively going to her waist even though she was off-duty and unarmed. Diego slid a knife out of some holster you had managed to miss (because of course he couldn’t even come to a party without at least one knife). Daniel and Amelia looked at each other nervously. Al, several cups of eggnog in, didn't seem to notice the disturbance.

“I’ve got this,” you murmured, resting your hand over Diego’s briefly before standing and circling the ring. “I’m sure it’s nothing…”

You frowned in confusion at the sight that greeted you. Standing in the doorway was a tall, dark-haired man, totally out of place and fidgeting uncomfortably. He was dressed in clothing that seemed highly inappropriate for the weather or season: a black sheer top, leather pants that laced up the leg, and a scarf clearly more intended for fashion (though at least it was a festive green with threads of silver glitter she supposed) than warmth. Only his long, fur-lined overcoat gave the impression he was even aware it was wintertime and that the temperature hadn’t been above freezing in days.

“Hello?” you asked, frowning in confusion at the strange man. “Can I help you?”

“Hello,” he sing-songed with a wave of a hand that also said the word.

You squirmed slightly, feeling deeply uncomfortable under his shrewd gaze, clearly sizing you up. Then, with speed and strength far greater than should have been possible for his size and the restrictive nature of his clothing, he had crossed the room and wrapped his arms around you, lifting you from the ground in...a hug? Involuntarily you shrieked in surprise, and footsteps echoed behind as everyone at the party came running.

“Klaus?!” Diego shouted angrily.

“Oh,” you breathed, suddenly understanding who this strange man was and feeling overwhelmed with joy. Somehow, the message had gotten to him, and he’d showed up. A true Christmas miracle. “It’s very nice to meet you, but would you mind...putting me down?”

Gently, Diego’s brother set you back on your feet, brushing the wrinkles out of your sleeves before you did the same to your skirt. Everyone else in the room relaxed, except your husband who was still glaring.

“You missed dinner, but I think there’s some left, and we were about to have pie,” you offered awkwardly, guiding the suddenly much more uncomfortable party back to the table.

“I love pie!” Klaus said excitedly, still looking at you like something amused him.

“What are you staring at?” Diego snapped at him.

“Nothing, bro,” Klaus drawled, shooting him a dirty look right back. “She’s just not what I expected. Although hearing my beloved brother had a wife at all...”

“It wasn’t exactly a phone call I expected from my baby sister either,” Daniel chimed in with a chuckle.

“Was I the only one that saw it coming?” Patch asked, laughing at your shocked and mildly horrified expression.

Introductions were made and the conversation resumed, with Klaus as a fascinating new addition, chiming in almost at random with a story for any topic. Somehow, by the time you had finished slicing the pie, he had charmed Daniel enough that he’d offered the other man a business card and said to call the next time he got arrested.

You passed around the little plates of dessert and moved back to your chair, but Diego reached out, catching you by the waist and pulling you into his lap instead. You laughed, happily settling in there.

“This was pretty great,” he mumbled into your neck between bites. “Thank you for a perfect first Christmas, Y/N.”

#Light Fingers #Christmas special #there might be a part two that I'll do after Christmas #that gets a little heavier and more plot-involved #canonical Christmas special #fluff #Diego Hargreeves x reader #The Umbrella Academy fic

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tomiokai · 4 years ago

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Between The Pages || Spencer Reid

Masterlist

{not my gif, originally posted by @toyboxboy}

A/N: Honestly there are so many cafe AU’s and it’s crazy how I’ve read so many of them. But per usual I wanted to write my own version with my own twisty twist. This fic has literally taken me so long to write! I just sometimes couldn’t find the motivation to write it and then I’ll just abandon it for a period of time and I HATE writing two fics at a time because I personally can’t do it because, I’m a control freak and everything needs to be in order so if you’re a writer and you can write two fics at a time, please teach me, you’re so gifted. IMPORTANT! Spencer had to go to prison and got out around February and May but this fic is set around the Christmas season so just roll with it. Fake dates. They aren’t real!! If you are not happy with this AU, the door is that way. ——> Also I write in Canadian English so some of the words might look weird.

Summary: Y/n works at a very unique cafe, it’s a cafe plus a library, where there are shelves of the most classic books to the new poorly written rom-coms. A perfect, warm, and cozy place, to read, study, or even to hang out. Spencer Reid was one of the usual there and he may or may not have swept Y/n off her feet over the years. A poorly written rom-com following the lives of Y/n and Spencer Reid. Anti prison to post-prison Spencer.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Reader

Category: Fluff

Warning: Fluff. Angst if you squint.

Word Count: 7.3k

November 30th:

‘Between The Pages’ was quite the most unusual name for a cafe, I had thought when I first started working here. The cafe was a cozy little building sandwiched between two bigger buildings, bringing all the attention it deserved away from it, but that’s how I had liked it. Only the usual elite that know about this place and a few drop by’s once in a while ever enters the small building, everyone who comes into the shop falls in love with it immediately, giving them a sense of home. The insides of the shop gave you old fashion tiny cute library vibes. The walls were covered in bookshelves full of books ranging from the classics to the very new ones that I would bring in every time I made my way to the book shop eight streets down. Through the door to your left was the display case for all the delicious baked goods and the counter where you place your order and pay. Where the door was, there were two windows and on one side there was a small comfy couch with a small wooden coffee table in front of it and the other had two couches facing each other with a coffee table in the center (the couples hot spot). Smack in the center of the room was a big round table where the college girls like to camp out for their study sessions, and around the room were numerous armchairs and giant fuzzy bean bags. The area was filled with warm colours, dark greens, dark reds, beiges, and browns. Small plants and succulents hung out around the windowsills and tables giving the area a nice nature vibe.

Memorizing each and everyone’s orders was my very special skill. The usuals were a group college girls (a new set every four years) that come for their study sessions every Friday and Saturday, a group of teen boys that storm the bakery section of the cafe once a week during their lunch break, a nice middle-aged lawyer that stops by every morning for coffee, which might I add had given me his business card, says if we ever needed help we should call him, two young couples that regularly have double dates, a few other individuals, and a very nice looking man around my age. He was my favourite customer, he came to the shop almost everyday ordering a single large cup of coffee with milk and loads of sugar, but when it became fall his coffee would be switched to a pumpkin spice latte.

Between The Pages have become my home the second I graduated college. The little old lady who owned this shop had taken me in as a daughter of her own, and I had my own room above the shop. I was a writer at heart, I loved writing stories that I would usually share with the bunch of college girls and my colleague Chloe who might also be my best friend. The life I’m living in was humble yet the best, I couldn’t think of another way to live. This shop gave me time to pursue my love of writing and interact with some of the best people I have ever met. I earn enough money that I am comfortable with, and live a life nicely, considering if I wasn’t here I would be nowhere. Let’s just say all my living known relatives are all gone after an explosive fire at a family reunion I had not attended in my Junior year of College. Call it lucky but unlucky.

Today was a quiet day, Thursday. The group of teen boys had already passed by causing Chloe and me to rebake today’s special treats again. Chloe was a wedding photographer (she’s here usually 60% of the time) but she also loved hanging out with me so much so that she got a job here with me after the year we graduated from college. We were literally joint to the hip together, ever since grade three when I first threw up on her because she showed me a disturbing picture of a giant spider with wings. We were in each other’s same classes, had millions of sleepovers, and we even went to the same college together. She lived in the room right beside mine, so yeah we are literally joint to the hip. I baked the sweets and made the drinks while Chloe usually took care of the sandwiches, wraps, and organizing everyday menu items.

“I noticed that your boyfriend didn’t come today,” Chloe said as she grabbed out a freshly baked tray of cookies.

“For the last time Chloe, Spencer isn’t my boyfriend,” I said rolling my eyes as I snatched a cookie off of her tray.

“Ugh yeah, you guys literally look in love every time you see each other.” Chloe shot back.

“Not true” I snapped.

“Not to mention your crippling crush on the guy.” Chloe sang with a smug lip on her lips.

My eyes flew open and scanned the empty cafe. “You’re lucky no one’s here,” I said flipping her off.

“Just watch Y/n. I better be your wedding photographer.” Chloe laughed stacking the freshly baked cookies in a perfect tower in the display case.

“Not happening as much as I want it to happen.” I laughed back biting into the cookie in my hand.

For the past few years, Spencer was the only person I had a crush on, he was always here and it just felt as if we had known each other for years, which isn’t a lie considering I have worked in this cafe since senior year of college and he started coming not long after. We got along very well and we always talked in the morning when he waited for his coffee. We knew so much about each other yet so little.

“Is it okay if you run this place a few more hours on your own? I have some unfinished wedding photos to edit, one being editing the mother in laws white dress to another colour,” Chloe said as she removed her apron.

“How does one not know to never wear white to a wedding that’s not theirs, but yeah sure,” I responded pulling out a stool from under the counter.

I watched as Chloe made her way to the back room where the staircase was and turned back around pulling out my laptop to the horror story I was currently writing.

As I typed chapter twelve of my story the little bell on our shop door rang and my head turned to the grandfather clock in the corner and saw it was two hours before closing and then to the door.

There stood Spencer, unusual to say the least he usually comes in the mornings. He was in dress pants with a dress shirt and a purple tie, unusual again, but as always his hair was tousled around wore a huge smile on his pink lips, travel bag hanging from his shoulders, and book in hand.

“Hey!” I called brightly hopping off the stool I sat on.

“Hey Y/n,” Spencer said back as he made his way to his favourite seat at the back of the room.

“The usual?” I asked.

“You know it,” Spencer answered sitting down and opening his big book.

I smiled as I got out Spencer’s favourite mug, a simple black mug with a single purple stripe running through the middle of the cup. It always amazed me how fast he was able to read, spending basically seven seconds on each page.

I poured Spencer’s coffee into the mug and added milk and loads of sugar into it. I picked the mug up and grabbed a slice of strawberry cheesecake and a fork and slowly made my way to where Spencer was seated.

“Here I said, setting the mug and cheesecake onto the small coffee table in front of him. I then made my way to sit in the armchair right across from him.

Spencer looked at the cheesecake and then at me quizzically.

“It’s on me,” I said, realizing.

“Oh no I can’t do that,” Spencer said, pulling out a few extra bills and holding them across the table for me.

“No, really it’s on me.” I laughed pushing his hand back to him.

Spencer closed his book and set it on the table and picked up the slice of cheesecake the fork and took a bite. “This is some good cheesecake.” He pointed out.

“Thank you,” I said with a smile. “Hey, you usually come here bright and early in the mornings. What's with the sudden change?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Oh, I just got off from a long day of work and wanted to come here and relax,” Spencer answered, taking a sip of his coffee.

“Wow, we’ve known each other for literally years now and I still don’t know what you do for a living, mind as I ask,” I questioned watching him.

He set his coffee down and answered, “Oh I work for the FBI, I’m a profiler. What about you? Any other jobs other than here?” He asked out of curiosity.

“Wow, very impressive..” I laughed. Spencer joined in. “This is actually my only job, aside from another thing,” I responded.

“Well, since I told you that I’m an FBI agent, will you tell me YOUR very secret job?” Spencer spoke.

“If I tell you, you have to keep it a secret,” I responded arching an eyebrow.

Spencer exaggerated his thinking face, looking up to the ceiling then back to me with a grin, “I will,” he said.

“Well, I’m an author. But you won’t find my books by searching my name, I have a pen name.” I said as I stood up. I ran to a nearby shelf and took out one of the hard copy books and ran back. I hid it behind my back and spoke again. “Remember, secret,” I said sternly.

“Secret,” Spencer repeated, bringing his fingers to his lips to ‘seal’ his lips.

I laughed as I pulled the book from behind my back and handed it to Spencer.

Spencer scanned the book and looked back up at me with a shocked look on his face. “This is one of my favourite modern-day books,” Spencer exclaimed.

My face immediately lit up and I asked, “Really?”

Spencer nodded his head eagerly.

I leaned back into my chair and whispered. “Wow, for a guy who reads like 100 books a month, he actually thinks mine is really good.”

Spencer broke out in a laugh and said, “I actually have the first edition copy of this,” placing the book onto the table.

I sat back up straighter this time and exclaimed, “I’m actually writing a new horror book right now and my writing has improved a significant amount after I was done reading one of Shakespeare’s books.”

“Mind if I take a peak?” Spencer asked, finishing his cheesecake.

I mocked him and looked to the ceiling with a finger on my cheek “thinking really hard’. “No.” I laughed.

“Why not, I won’t tell.” Spencer jokingly pleaded.

“Still no,” I laughed, “but once it’s finished I’ll let you have the first copy before I officially launch it.”

“I better be first to read it, I’m like your biggest fan.” He laughed.

“False,” I answered, “my biggest fan is actually a lady named Penelope Garcia that sent me a huge gift basket, with a letter that proclaimed her love for my books.”

“Wait did you say, Penelope Garcia?” Spencer asked looking shocked.

“Yeah. Is something wrong?” I asked.

“No, no, nothing wrong,” Spencer laughed, “She’s actually my colleague.”

“What a small world,” I responded amazed.

“Yeah, now I have to fight her for number one fan,” Spencer said with amusement in his voice.

“Oh we’ll have to see Agent Reid,” I joked.

“Actually it’s Doctor,” Spencer corrected.

“Wait but you’re an agent,” I stated.

“Yes, but I’m titled doctor,” Spencer said matter of factly.

“Alright Doctor Reid,” I laughed.

We sat together discussing multiple things with each other and we just clicked. Lucky for him, he got me to spill a little on the new book I was writing and even gave me a few ideas from some of the cases he has dealt with. I asked him about his job and he immediately started talking joyfully, he really loved his job. He also talked about his team a lot.

“Hey lovebirds,” I heard someone call. My head whipped around towards the counter and glared at Chloe so hard.

“We’re just talking,” I called back with annoyance dripping from my voice. I turned back around towards Spencer and saw that he was very flustered, his cheeks were all rosy and red. This made me blush seeing him blush. “I’m sorry for my friend, she’s a little crazy in the head,” I whispered the last part.

“No, no that’s fine,” Spencer laughed. He had found it amusing.

Ring, Ring.

Spencer pulled out his phone and held up a finger to his lips. His face was blank throughout the whole conversation, at times his demeanor would stiffen. After his phone call, he started chugging the rest of his coffee, and putting his satchel on, “I’m really sorry, duty calls,” He said.

“Hey wait, here I’ll pack some sweets for your team.” I got up quickly scurrying towards the desert display.

“Oh no you don’t have to do that,” Spencer said, a small smile on his lips.

“No, no I insist, we’re closing in like 5 minutes anyways, we can’t let these go to waste,” I answered, grabbing out a light purple desert box and placing multiple chocolate chip cookies, slices of pie and cake into the box. I closed it up and ran back over to Spencer and handed the box to him. His hands brushed against mine when he took the box from my hands and butterflies erupted in my stomach.

I bit my lip and smiled, “See you, hopefully, tomorrow,” I said.

“Maybe. Unless the case is going to be overnight, thanks for the sweet, it was really sweet of you.” Spencer responded with a wink pushing the door to the shop open.

“Bye!” I yelled back as he left through the door.

I turned away from the door with a big smile forming on my pink lips. I walked over to the table where we sat and picked up the mug, fork, and plate and carried them over to where Chloe was washing the dishes.

“Dude you’re whipped.” Chloe laughed, drying the wet dishes.

“I know,” I responded with a big smile still on my face.

December 1st:

It was early in the morning and I was down extra early to bake pastries and cakes, the sign was switched to open and Chloe was sitting criss-cross applesauce by the special menus board drawing cute little cartoons. After I put in the last tray of danishes into the oven I started up the coffee pot for the early birds. Mornings at Between The Pages were always calm and peaceful, Chloe and I would both wake up, do our parts and not talk till 11:00 am enjoying each other's silence, then the morning guests were always calm and nice too, we would exchange some friendly words, I would give them their coffee and they’ll wave goodbye and leave. Here at the cafe, there's no such thing as a lunch rush so that's a big weight lifted off Chloe and I’s shoulders.

As I was frosting the danishes the bell that hung on our door rang. I looked up from my frosting to see Spencer in a black suit walk in, my face immediately lit up but then dropped when a blonde female walked in right after him. The female had pretty blonde hair that was in loose curls with small butterfly clips on either side of her head and perfectly cut bangs, she wore a pretty light pink dress with black lace on it, over top of her dress she had a cute white cropped cardigan. Never would I have expected her to be his type, but no one’s judging, I personally loved her style, although I was jealous of her. Maybe they're just friends. Hopefully.

I put on the best smile that I can manage and walked to the cash register and quietly waited for them to walk to me. Before I could register what was happening the blonde lady rushed up to me with a squeal and excitedly said, “Hi, I’m Penelope Garcia, Spencer’s coworker, you must be Y/n, Spencer was talking about. Oh and thank you so much for the sweets yesterday! The whole team loved them.”

Spencer was talking about me?? That was what hit first, then reality. “Nice to meet you and yeah I am Y/n, and I’m glad you liked the treats!” I happily said back. I already liked her completely leaving my jealousy behind me. I turned to Spencer next and smiled even bigger, “Hey Spencer. You want usual?”

“Hey Y/n, yeah the usual,” Spencer responded smiling back at me.

“And you Penelope?” I turned back to her.

“Oh I’ll take a french vanilla with whipped cream and mini marshmallows please,” Penelope responded.

“Hey! I’m Chloe!” Chloe cheerfully explained coming up from behind me and wrapping her left arm around my shoulder. “I’m Y/n’s best friend!”

“Hey, Chloe.” Spencer and Garcia said at the same time, causing everyone to laugh.

“Chloe, could you get their drinks for me?” I asked walking to the back table to pick up a dessert box.

“Yeah sure,” She said to me then turned back to Spencer and Penelope. “Just a moment.”

I picked up the desert box and started placing two dozen danishes in it. They were strawberry, blueberry, and chocolate cream danishes. I closed off the box and walked over to Penelope and Spencer. “On the house, for the team,” I said handing the box to Spencer with a wink.

“Y/n! This is too nice of you, here let me pay.” Spencer rumbled reaching for a few more bills from his wallet.

“Spencer no, it's on the house,” I laughed, pushing his hands away.

“Are you sure Y/n?” He asked.

“YES,” I exclaimed.

“Oh you're the sweetest Y/n,” Penelope squealed joyfully, as Chloe handed them their drinks.

“Be safe!” I called to Spencer and Penelope as they walked out the door of the cafe.

“We’ll try.” They responded together before disappearing around the corner.

My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the closed door, my mind never leaving the picture of Spencer smiling in my mind. How was I supposed to do anything if all I could think about is Spencer Reid? That stupid adorable smile of his whips me up every time. I snapped myself out of my trance and picked up my piping bag filled with creamy cream cheese icing and resumed icing the uniced danishes.

The morning came and went in a blur, regular customers and newcomers here and there, the danishes were a hit and sold out fast with the coffee ordered. I was currently mixing some brownie batter when my favourite group of college girls walked in, they took their usual afternoon seats at the center round table and started pulling out their laptops, textbooks, and homework.

“Usuals?” I asked as I already started their lattes and mochas.

“As always!” Cherry White, one of the blonde girls replied, rapidly typing on her laptop.

After I poured their drinks into mugs for the girls I brought the mugs to their table. Their heads were all buried inside their textbooks and laptops studying feverishly. I placed all their orders by each girl and watched as they intently worked. Papers and pens were already scattered everywhere in a short time, laptops open and bright as the clicking of the keyboards filled the warm homey air.

“Studying for midterms, girls?” I asked as I placed the last girl's coffee by her hand.

A few of them responded with a quick ‘yup’ and went straight back to their studies.

I went back to baking my brownies while daydreaming about Spencer. The thing’s I would let that man do to me, I thought as I placed the brownies into the oven.

I pulled out my own laptop and continued from where I left off from yesterday night, the chapter I was currently working on was almost done and I had used some of Spencer’s great ideas. Trying my best to focus on the task at hand my mind just kept slipping away to Spencer and the conversations he and I had had yesterday night.

“Look!” I heard Darcy Shawma, a cute Asian girl with braces say. She was pointing to the windows by the front of the shop. Following her fingers' direction, I find soft snow falling from the afternoon sky. I sighed in awe as it was the first snowfall of the season indicating it was the perfect time to start baking Christmas sweets.

Ditching chapter 13 of my book, I pulled up a new search tab and began scavenging google for the best Christmas baking recipes. As I searched I could already just taste the delicious gingerbread in my mouth and the sweet smell of sugar cookies. This had reminded me that I needed to get the annual Christmas tree out soon. This year I had already decided that I would get Spencer Reid a Christmas present. We’d known each other for so long now I just thought it would be a good idea.

For the rest of that night, I surfed the net for yummy Christmas treats to bake and possible presents for Spencer.

December 2nd:

The next day Spencer was a no show. Not thinking much of it I assumed he was away on a case as usual. Chloe and I started putting up the Christmas decorations.

December 6th:

He hadn’t showed up again for the fifth day in a row now. It could just be a long case, nothing to be too worried about. The book was going great. I was now halfway done.

December 13th:

Now I was getting worried. He never in his life has done this. He never not came back after a week. I didn’t have any contact with him so I had no way to know whether he was out on a very long case or he got hurt or if he got tired of the place or oven ME.

December 14th:

I had gone full panic mode. When he hadn’t shown up in the morning I had a whole meltdown on Chloe’s shoulder. She tried telling me maybe he was just away on his own holiday but I didn’t believe her because every year he would tell me.

December 16th:

To cope with Spencer being gone for so long I decided to start decorating gingerbread houses. They turned into piles of gingerbread frosting and candy, they looked as if they were going to be a part of Halloween rather than Christmas. They failed big time. That afternoon the group of College girls came by and they had gotten me a present! I was shocked and very flattered that they thought of me. They explained that it was their senior year of College and that next year they would be leaving, they noticed that I was constantly typing on my laptop that they had gotten me a brand new and updated laptop. The rest of the afternoon we hung out and decorated the leftover gingerbread houses together before they left for their holiday vacation with their families and friends.

December 20th:

Once again I had another meltdown but this time there were no witnesses, we had closed down for the holidays and Chloe was off in New York with her family. She invited me to come with her but I politely declined and stayed behind in case Spencer came. The book was finally done and the first rough copy was printed. After the holiday’s I would bring my book to my publishing company and they could take care of it from there. As for the first copy as promised, I tied the stack of paper that formed a story with a single red ribbon running horizontally and vertically across the book with a pretty bow in the center for Spencer. It was the best gift from my heart. Along with the first copy of my book, I wrote Spencer a letter of confession where I poured my heart out about my feelings for him.

Dear Dr. Spencer Reid,

Merry Christmas! You’ve been gone for a really long time. I hope you’re doing alright! It’s so unusual not to make your daily coffee loaded with sugar. Chloe started asking about you too. We miss you, you know?

I miss you.

We’ve known each other for so long now. Ever since I graduated from University you started coming here too. You fell in love with the place just like I did, I could tell by the expressions on your face. Ever since that day you started coming every possible day possible. I baked a strawberry cheesecake today in hopes the smell will attract you back. Sadly it didn't.

When you walk in through that door everyday my day immediately gets 100x better. Your smile literally radiates serotonin to me. (Please don’t correct me on that, I know that’s impossible.) I really miss your smile, your voice, and your everything really. I wish you would walk through that door right now.

By now you have probably picked up that I like you, I make it very obvious. I LIKE YOU SPENCER REID. There I said it. Chloe has been egging me on for forever to tell you. The day you walked through that door I fell for you hard, I was young and naive but even now that I have grown into an intelligent woman I still like you, you’re something else, Spencer.

I hope this doesn’t affect our friendship, Spencer. I really like what we have right now but if it could grow into something more I would love that.

Bottom line I think I love you, Spencer. God, I don’t think. I do! I love you so much! My heart hurts when I don’t see you, it hurts me when I think about you getting hurt or even seeing you with other girls. I love you, Spencer. I hope you’re safe and you’re having a good Christmas.

With unhealthy amounts of love, Y/n Y/l/n.

December 25th:

He didn’t come again. I left his gift leaning on the glass of the cafe with Spencer’s name written in loopy holiday cursive indicating it was for him and that he’d know it was for him and pick it up if he decided to walk past. He didn’t. For Christmas that year, I sat at the armchairs by the fireplace drinking hot cocoa and eating gingerbread cookies while watching SpongeBob cartoons on my new laptop. To be honest it was a sad way to spend Christmas.

December 31st:

The cafe was re-opened up again. Spencer’s gift was tucked inside a cabinet where I kept my personal things downstairs. He still didn’t come. The worry was now burning inside me. I thought about just showing up at the FBI and asking for Spencer, but he and I weren’t anything. I had no reason to be there.

January 5th:

My book was now officially launched. I tried holding it back for as long as I could but the due date was fast approaching and I had no choice but to publish it. The copies sold out fast and I already got new fan mail. I may have promised Spencer he would be the first person to read it but he was late and never showed up but he would still have the first-ever copy if he ever came back I suppose. Chloe also got back!

January 17th:

The teenage boy’s stormed the bakery. The college girls finally return. The old lady, Granny Lizzie I would call her that owned the shop passed away sadly.

January 20th:

It was a sad day, it was Granny Lizzie’s funeral. I inherited the cafe in her will.

January 29th:

Snowstorm.

February 7th:

Chloe’s birthday! We shut down the cafe for three days and she and I flew out to LA together to celebrate her birthday. Lots of drinking. Maybe even a hookup.

February 14th:

Chloe got asked out. No Spencer. Valentine day dates overflow the cafe. Red velvet cheesecake cookies, big hit.

February 26th:

Started on a new book. More mental breakdowns. I really missed Spencer. Snow is gone now.

March 4th:

Discovered one of the couples got divorced and no longer came to the cafe. Bummer they were really nice.

March 20th:

Rain. Closed off early to lay in the rain on the top of the roof. Relaxing. Cried for Spencer.

March 26th:

Spencer!

10 minutes until closing.

The bell to the cafe rang and I boringly glanced at the door, not a single interest in me. I hadn’t seen Spencer in so long I gave up in hope. A tall man appeared in the doorway, he had longish curly hair and wore a tight black suit with a purple tie. It took me a moment to realize who it was.

“SPENCER!” I yelled as he approached the counter; the way he walked and carried himself changed, he no longer had a doubt in his steps, his strides were now confident and long. He carried himself with confidence and security and looked like he didn’t have a care in the world, he was more relaxed now and not uptight and stiff.

My whole mood changed completely, I was no longer sad or bored and was now full of energy and excitement. Ditching the register I ran around back to get to the other side of the counter. As soon as I was close enough to Spencer I jumped into his arms and squeezed him tight. Immediately he responded and hugged me tight and held my weight.

“Where were you?” I whispered, not letting Spencer go.

“I was in prison,” He whispered back, his voice cracking.

“Wait what?” I asked in disbelief but that wasn’t enough for me to let go of him. It didn’t matter.

“I was framed for murder,” He responded no hesitation.

I immediately relaxed again and melted away in the hug.

“I missed you!” I grumbled, finally pulling away from the hug.

“I know, I missed you too,” Spencer whispered.

“Can I just kiss you!” I blurted out suddenly.

Not needing to be told twice Spencer immediately captured my lips in his. His lips were what I had imagined soft against mine, and moulded perfectly into mine. The kiss was sweet but also hungry yet still gentle, his hands held my waist as mine tangled into his soft curls. It was probably the best kiss I have ever had. Scratch that it was the best kiss I’ve ever had.

“I have something for you,” I whispered, pressing my forehead against his, our nose tickling each other.

“Mhm, and what’s that?” He asked, smiling.

“Go grab a seat,” I responded, already running around the corner to get Spencer’s very late Christmas present.

Swinging open the cabinet door excitedly, I grabbed my wrapped gift for Spencer.

Gripping the three-month-old gift tightly, I made my way quickly back to where Spencer was sitting. Our spot, I would like to say.

“This is for you,” I said, handing him the gift with a wide smile. “You were supposed to receive it on Christmas,” I finished with a shrug.

“You didn’t have to Y/n,” Spencer said, unwrapping the gift.

“I definitely had too,” I reassured with a warm smile.

“Y/n is this what I think it is?” Spencer asked, picking up the first-ever copy of my semi-new book.

“Mhm, as promised Spencer you get the first copy, even though you weren’t able to be the first one to read it.” I shrugged.

“This is great! I don’t mind, it was something both of us couldn’t control,” Spencer responded, picking up the letter I had written for him.

“Read it!” I exclaimed.

Spencer nodded and unfolded the perfectly folded letter. It barely took him a minute to read the letter, it looked as if he just scanned the letter with his eyes but in reality he definitely memorized it. After his eyes landed at the bottom of the page he slowly looked back up to meet my eyes.

“I love you too,” He breathed.

“I’m s-sorry can you say that again, I heard you the first time, I just need to re-hear you again to make sure,” I stuttered happy tears escaping my eyes.

Whipping the tears away Spencer leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Y/n Y/l/n I love you.”

“This is probably the best thing that has happened to me ever since my Junior year of University.” I happily cried.

“Me too,” Spencer said.

“Does this mean we’re together?” I asked suddenly.

“Yes, this does,” He responded.

“Good. I’ve waited for this for so long,” I breathed.

“All throughout prison you were the only thing I thought about, other than getting out and trying to stay alive,” Spencer said.

“That’s flattering yet scary,” I responded with a light chuckle.

“I guess it is,” Spencer responded.

April 5th:

“SPENCER, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING! THE DRY INGREDIENTS AND THE WET INGREDIENTS NEED TO BE SEPARATE,” I yelled as I dumped burnt to crisp cinnamon buns down the garbage shoot. They were like pieces of black coal that were steaming a very unpleasant smell.

“I forgot!” Spencer yelled back, unsuccessfully cracking an egg.

There were three more hours until opening happened and baking was not being done. Well, it was being done, just very poorly. Spencer asked to come over very early in the morning to help me bake, he had reassured me that he would be helpful but right now he’s not really living up to his promise.

Two batches. That’s it, two good batches was all we got out of a dozen.

“I thought baking was easier,” Spencer puffed, ditching the eggs and plopping down onto a stool.

“It’s just math and science Spencer,” I laughed.

“Well it’s complicated,” He pouted.

“Oh, boo-hoo,” I mocked, rubbing my eyes, fake crying.

May 21st:

Chloe got engaged! So her date went well I would assume. I’m so excited, the weddings going to be so amazing!

May 30th:

CHLOE ASKED ME TO BE HER MAID OF HONOUR!!!!!!! It’s party time bitchessssss.

June 3rd:

“SURPRISE!” Was the first thing I heard walking in through the doors of the cafe. Looking around the whole cafe was decorated in streamers and balloons for my birthday.

“You guys! You didn’t have to do this!” I exclaimed.

“But we did!” Spencer said kissing my cheek. Taking my hand in his he spoke again, “Come meet the team.”

I immediately stiffened at the thought of meeting Spencer’s team. He most likely noticed this and gave my hand a small squeeze. “Don’t worry they’ll love you,” He reassured.

“I’m counting you on that,” I whispered.

July 25th:

Chloe’s wedding is today! The day was perfect and sunny for a beach wedding, everyone who was invited to their wedding flew out to California for their beach wedding. The groom’s name was Ricky Polern and he was actually a pretty nice guy, funny, and respectful.

I brought Spencer with me as a plus one to the wedding and Spencer gladly came with me. Although I had to push some buttons with his team to drag him with me.

The wedding was spectacular and everyone had lots of fun, the food was great, and fortunately, there was no case to steal Spencer away from me. Spencer and I even had our first slow dance together. He looked so handsome in the dim light and he had told me I was the one he wanted to grow old with. I cried tears of joy.

I caught the bouquet!

August 7th:

David Rossi invited me over to dinner to get to know me better, it was VERY scary at first but he ended up loving me. Chloe was also finally moved out, it was very sad but we promised to call everyday.

August 22nd:

Spencer proposed! I think I might die of happiness. I will die of happiness.

“Spencer, what are we doing out here on the roof so late at night?” I asked as Spencer dragged me onto the roof.

“I have something to show you!” Spencer excitedly responded.

Spencer had set up a table with red table cloth and vanilla-scented candles with perfectly placed table utensils. All of it seemed so cliche but it was adorable coming from Spencer.

Spencer pulled out a seat for me to sit at and I chuckled and gave a little curtsy before sitting. Pushing me in gently making sure he didn’t push me in too much he ran over to his side of the table and sat down too. “So do you like it?” He asked.

“Spencer this is great,” I answered.

Spencer’s smile widened and he looked as if he was a child again and he had just discovered he was going to DisneyLand.

Pulling out a very delicious looking strawberry cheesecake out of a picnic basket, Spencer set it down between us and said, “I have successfully backed a strawberry cheesecake for you Y/n just like how you baked one for me.”

“Spencer you didn’t have too! This is so amazing.” I exclaimed, examining the perfectly baked sweet.

“It took me a few tries but I did it,” He admitted.

“What matters is that you did this for me,” I said reassuringly with a warm smile tugging at my lips.

“Hey could you cut the cake, I need to do something,” Spencer said, handing me a small cake knife before he disappeared out of my sight.

“Spencer, this has great texture,” I explained cutting into the fluffy cheesecake.

“Y/n turn around,” I heard Spencer say from behind.

Not giving it much thought I did. What I saw surprised me completely. Spencer was on one knee and in his hands was a beautiful dark purple velvet box and in it sat a beautiful diamond ring. The ring had a thin silver band and a beautiful perfectly round diamond.

“I know this is really early in our relationship Y/n, but it feels like I’ve known you for my whole life. You’re the one person that makes me happier than the books I read and you make me feel so special. Your kind, beautiful, smart and you love everyone you meet. That day you met my team they loved you so much Rossi told me to marry you and when you caught the bouquet I knew I had too. Y/n Y/ln will you marry me?” He proposed smiling up at me.

At that moment I fell in love with Spencer all over again, to have him say those things warmed my heart to the fullest. I felt tears in my eyes when I answered, “Yes! Yes! Yes! I would love to marry you!” I cried.

Spencer gently slipped the ring onto my finger and jumped up and brought me into a big hug. Without much thought I crushed my lips onto Spencer and wrapped my arms around the back of his neck. This kiss we shared was beyond special as our bodies pressed together and our lips moved in sync.

“I love you so much,” I whispered, pulling away.

“I love you more,” Spencer said, reconnecting our lips.

September 1st:

I asked Chloe to be my maid of honour! She said yes!

September 16th:

I met Spencer’s mother and she was the sweetest person alive, she and I started the planning for the wedding.

September 30th:

Wedding dress shopping!!

October 1st:

Spencer and I had the best time together decorating the cafe with Halloween decorations. It was his favourite holiday and he was definitely living up to the Halloween spirit.

October 28th:

It’s Spencer's birthday! The team called me up in secret and we planned a secret birthday party for Spencer. He admitted he figured out we had planned a party for him because he knew we were sneaking around, but he still loved it. Everyone had fun and very very drunk.

October 31st:

Spencer unfortunately couldn’t spend Halloween with me this year, he was away on a case. But he promised he would make up for it when he got back.

November 15th:

Spencer and I were finally getting married. The wedding was beautiful, nothing grand but it was spectacular. The dress I wore was beautiful but simple, it was sleek and fit me well hugging all my curves and was floor length. Spencer looked very handsome standing at the altar as I was walked by Rossi to him.

The wedding vows were said and both Spencer and I had no hesitation. When we kissed the whole crowd cheered for us. The night was magical the best I’ve ever had, we danced the night away and in the end we took a jet to Sydney Australia for our honeymoon. But not before Chloe took mass amounts of photos of Spencer and me and rubbed the fact that Spencer and I did get married in my face.

It was great.

December 25th:

Spencer and I had our first Christmas together, it was also the day I told him I was pregnant. He was very excited. We were ready for children.

Somewhere in the future:

We had twins, Amelia and Claira Reid! Spencer is the best father ever, he loves his girls so much and would do anything for them.

We ended up moving in together in a small beautiful house in the same neighborhood as Rossi, who treated them like they were his own grandchildren. I retired from the cafe and became a full-time author writing horror novels. Cherry White and her best friend Rossa Lenney ended up caring on the legacy and I passed on the cafe to her and her best friend.

As cliche as it sounds, Spencer and I had a happily ever after.

#Criminal Minds #criminal minds angst #criminal minds fluff #criminal minds x reader #dr spencer reid #spencer reid #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid angst #spencer reid fluff #fanfiction #fanfic

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malfoyswheezes · 5 years ago

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wedding bells

summary: attending bill and fleur’s wedding with your boyfriend, fred.

word count: 1.1k

a/n: so hi! i’m a new blog, but i have another one called @harrysweasleys, i just decided to transfer over to a new account. :)

The summer sunlight dawned over the burrow as the Weasley family was outside setting up the tent along with the dozens of tables needed for the wedding. Bill and Fleur were finally tying the knot, and everyone was thrilled.

Molly Weasley had been baking and cooking non-stop over the last forty-eight hours, and the house smelled delicious. You were rather excited, this was the first wedding you had ever attended, and you were getting to do so in the comfortable environment of the burrow, along with people who you loved dearly.

You were currently upstairs in Ginny’s room along with Hermione and Ginny herself, finishing up the final touches on your hair and makeup. You had taken advantage of Hermione’s experience with a hair curler and had her do your hair while you helped Ginny with her eyeshadow. She had finally gotten together with Harry, and so this kind of felt like their first date, and she was quite jittery.

“Do you think he prefers green or red?” Ginny asked, holding up two summery dresses.

You glanced at her through the mirror, stopping the application of your mascara, “Red, he’s Gryffindor.” You shot her a wink and she turned away, hiding her blush and changing into her dress.

Hermione also had on a floral red dress, but the two were different enough that they didn’t even mind wearing the same colour.

You, on the other hand, had picked out a peace coloured lace dress, accenting your skin tone and the lose curls cascading over your shoulders. You knew that Fred would love it — anytime you wore this colour he couldn’t stop complimenting you — and that felt like the cherry on top to the already perfect day.

You finished getting ready and helped Hermione pick out the perfect earrings to go with her dress. She put a small enchantment on them, making them sparkle under the glistening sunlight, and finished off her look with a spray of perfume.

Ginny had also finished up, and the three of you started making your way downstairs. You walked into the kitchen, where George, Fred, Arthur, and Harry sat around talking.

You immediately locked eyes with Fred — and he looked good. His golden waistcoat was as bright as his copper hair, and the well-fitted suit somehow made him look much fitter. And taller. He walked over to you, taking his hands out of his pockets and placing them around your neck, surprising you by pulling you in for a tender kiss. You wrapped your arms around his waist, pulling him even closer. His lips moved tenderly, softly against yours, until a low whistle emitted from his twin brother, making the two of you pull away from each other.

“Merlin’s beard, you aren’t alone, lovebirds,” George smirked, taking a final sip of his tea before leaving the room.

Fred, ignoring his brother, placed a light kiss on your lips before smiling down at you, “You look bloody gorgeous.”

“You look pretty dapper yourself, Weasley,” you smirked, unwrapping your arms from around him and grabbing his hand, pulling him outside once you noticed you were the only two left in the house.

He followed after you with a low chuckle, and the two of you made your way over to your seats. The sunshine was warm against your skin, and the fresh summer breeze that rolled through smelled like freshly mowed lawn.

You sat next to Ginny and Harry, with George seated next to Fred, as the beautiful ceremony began. You admittedly wiped a few tears when the two shared their vows, and stood up to applaud with the rest when they were announced husband and wife. Bill and Fleur both wore genuine smiles, thanking their families and friends for being here on their special day.

The rest of the evening took place under the tent, with loads of dancing and snacking. You repeatedly went back to the dessert table to munch on the mini pies Mrs. Weasley had baked (she also gave you her recipe).

You also found your way to the dance floor too many times to count, dancing away with your friends until the sun had completely disappeared from the sky. There had yet to be a slow song, so Fred was keeping himself entertained with the distant relatives he hadn’t seen in years, glancing over at you and smiling every now and then.

Finally, a slow tune started playing and couples made their way to the dance floor. You walked over to Fred, apologizing for butting into his conversation with one of his second cousins, and dragged him over to dance.

He immediately placed his hands on your waist, and yours wrapped around his neck. You swayed back and forth in silence, gazing into each others eyes. Your cheeks were flushed, but you weren’t sure if it was from the closeness or your previous energetic dancing.

“I can’t wait for our wedding,” Fred mumbled, causing you to nearly trip over your own feet.

“What?” you asked, eyes wide. Your heart was skipping multiple beats — was that even healthy? Fred had never actually mentioned wanting to marry you before.

“I said ‘I can’t wait for our wedding’,” he repeated, his smirk growing as your cheeks became redder and your eyes became wider.

“You think about that?” you asked faintly, a smile on your lips. Your mind felt clouded and fuzzy, his confession rendering you nearly speechless.

“‘Course I do,” he shrugged as if it was nothing, “It’s hard not to. I want to marry you.”

You didn’t know what else to do, so you leaned up on your tippy toes and placed a kiss to his lips. The two of you stopped swaying, and his hands gripped at your waist just a little firmer. Your fingers absentmindedly tugged at his short hair, pulling him closer to you and deepening the kiss.

Despite the crowded room, it felt like it was just the two of you in your own little world.

You hesitantly pulled away, smiling up at him, “I think about it too.”

There was no lie, you often thought about what married life would be like with Fred. You’d have your own house not far from the burrow where you could raise your own little family, but not be too far from his own. You thought about mornings, waking up next to him and sharing small talk over breakfast in your own home. You thought about spending Christmas together, and about visiting Molly and helping her bake. It was safe to say there was no shortage on happiness in your future with Fred.

“Good,” he placed a kiss on your temple as you moved back in rhythm with the song, “Because it’s gonna happen.”

You giggled, leaning your head into his chest and looking around you, all of your senses occupied with the ginger boy you were dancing with.

Oh, how you loved Fred Weasley.

#fred weasley #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley imagines #fred weasley blurb #fred weasley one shot #fred weasley one shots #fred weasley fanfic #fred weasley x reader

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hide-in-imagination · 5 years ago

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“Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Christmas Sucks (or perhaps not)” - A Simbar Oneshot

Helloo ⭐️ I finally finished this! I’m so excited, it’s been so long since I wrote something so light, and it’s also the first time I write a Christmas story, so I hope you like it. The title is supposed to be read at the rhythm of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, by the way. And this story is an AU so some stuff is different from the show.

Now, I know it’s still November, but I wanted to show you guys this and see what you think. I don’t plan on posting it on my other sites for a while, so consider yourselves beta readers! I’d really love to know your opinions.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Christmas was the most depressing season.

Anyone who said otherwise was either lying, selling something, or was just too carefree.

Ámbar envied the last bunch, she really did, because she dreaded Christmas season. Where most people bought eggnog and tree ornaments and counted down the days to meet with their families and have a nice time, Ámbar bought herself a bottle of liquor and made her own countdown by drinking one good-sized glass every day.

Don’t take her wrong, it’s not like she hated Christmas or something. (And who could really hate getting presents? Even if you didn’t like them, you could sell them and get free money). She wasn’t an old grumpy lady, too bitter to find joy in anything. She was quite young in fact, only 25, with a college degree, a great job—basically at the best time of her life.

It wasn’t that Ámbar hated Christmas; it was that Christmas was the time of the year in which everything that was wrong in your life got highlighted like a neon sign.

Christmas season was the time when everyone was supposed to be happy, and excited, and just, well, be jolly. And it was that social dictamen of having to be happy that pointed out the stuff you weren’t so happy about. Like, for example, the fact that her parents were out in a business trip (as always) and only sent her a Merry Christmas through text message, or the fact that she couldn’t stop wondering if her biological parents were out there making Christmas arrangements with an offspring they did keep, or the fact that she would have to endure a Christmas dinner party with the cousin that she despised, or the fact that all her friends were going to be spending the holidays with their boyfriends while Ámbar hadn’t had a lasting relationship since a douchebag cheated on her with the previously mentioned cousin.

The icing on the cake? Her ex-douchebag would be there too because he was still with her cousin.

Honestly, the rest of the year Ámbar didn’t give a shit about all of that. Yes, her parents traveled a lot and had always placed some very high expectations on her, but they loved her, and they had spoiled her rotten in the material department, so she had always had pretty much anything she wanted. Ámbar always knew she was adopted so she had had years to come to terms with that and she was okay with it. The thing with Matteo (a.k.a the douche) had been a long time ago and it’s not like that relationship had been very profound to begin with. Her cousin Luna had apologized profoundly, many times, and even though Ámbar still found her obnoxious, she had buried the hatchet. And last but not least, Ámbar didn’t even need a boyfriend. She was happy for her friends that had one of course, but she was perfectly content on her own. She loved her job and having a relationship would just take time off her busy schedule.

Ámbar liked her life, it was a pretty good life, but like she said before… Christmas. The goddamned you’re-a-fucking-failure-if-you’re-not-conventionally-happy Christmas.

Considering her reservations, one would wonder why she was even going to the Christmas family dinner anyway. The truth was that, albeit her feelings about Christmas, she went every year, and the reason behind that was that it was her grandpa who held it.

With her parents always traveling for work, Ámbar had in big part been raised by her grandpa. He wasn’t like the typical grouchy old man who did nothing but complain and yell at the television. Her grandpa was the life of the party, an eternal young soul; in fact, she swore he had more spark inside him than her. She loved him with all her heart, and ever since she had moved out of the house to her own place, she made it a point to visit him at least once a week and attend the Christmas dinner party he threw every year at her old house. (No matter how painful those could end up being.)

So, like every year, she made her way to her childhood house earlier than everyone else to spend some time with her grandpa. Christmas carols were already playing softly when she crossed the front door. Her grandpa saw her immediately and received her with a strong warm hug that she happily returned. The instant he let go, he grinned widely at her and told her she looked absolutely beautiful, making her blush. Ámbar had put on a sleeveless red A-line dress with a bow on the chest (no one could say she didn’t have Christmas spirit like that, right?), accompanied by black heels. She hadn’t done anything with her hair (why bother, she gathered) and instead just let her blonde strands fall freely over her shoulders. She thanked her grandpa with grace (she knew there was no use in trying to convince him that she didn’t look that different from usual) and told him he looked very handsome as well with his black pants, white shirt, golden vest and bowtie.

She also praised him for how beautiful the house looked. He had done a really great job with decorations; every wall was filled with tinsel garlands, Christmas ball ornaments, and lights of different colors. There were also some Santa Claus dolls scattered around, and the Christmas tree in the corner of the living room was as huge and shiny and beautiful as always. She had also seen on her way in the lighted reindeer he always put at the front yard of the house. Ámbar remembered how she loved to climb on top of it when she was little as if to ride him (not when the lights were on, of course). She had continued to do so until her weight was too much and she had actually sunk its back a bit. She had cried when she noticed, but her grandpa had told her that it was okay, that now that dent made it even more special.

-----------------

Over time, all the guests arrived at the house, slowly filling the place. This year, it consisted of three pairs of uncles and aunts, including Luna’s parents (whom Ámbar greeted kindly because they were actually very good people and she didn’t blame them for their daughters’ mistakes), one older cousin with his wife (who was pregnant, Ámbar noticed, and she congratulated them happily) and one older cousin with her four-year-old son and husband. (Last year, their son had thought it was funny to throw ball ornaments at her back when no one was looking. She internally prayed something like that wouldn’t happen again.)

Ámbar stayed talking with her grandpa until the staff he had hired for the event announced that dinner was ready. Her grandpa invited everyone to go to the dining room and take a seat at the large table, impeccably set and filled to the brim with different choices of salads and drinks.

Ámbar immediately pondered which would be her venom of choice for the night. Getting drunk at friends’ gatherings was normal, it could even be the point of it, but getting drunk at a family event could almost surely mean humiliation for the rest of her life. Therefore, Ámbar always kept her consumption of alcohol to one glass during dinner and one afterward. Just enough to endure hours of pointless small talk and, if lucky, manage to have fun.

Just as everyone had taken their seats, the front bell rung. Her grandpa told everyone to remain sited while he stood up to go open the door. He loved playing host. And considering that there were only two people missing in the reunion, it wasn’t surprising that he wanted to receive them.

“Luna!” Grandpa’s voice resounded vibrant and happy. “We were waiting for you!”

Talk for yourself, Ámbar thought.

Indeed, after about a minute of muffled conversation, Luna appeared through the dining room’s doorway. Late, as always. Ámbar swore her cousin was always running from one place to another, she seemed incapable to plan ahead and organize her time. Judging by how some brown strands had broken loose from the side braid she had put her hair in, that day was not an exception.

What did surprise Ámbar though was that Luna didn’t only arrive with Matteo like she said she would but also with another guy by her side. Did her little cousin have a harem now?

As Luna greeted everyone and apologized for being late, Ámbar observed the new guy. He was tall but not monstrously so; about 1.80 she’d say, with brown hair and eyes. His skin was tanned and he had a boyish look to him. While Matteo wore a grey vest and black-tie combo, the stranger wore a dark green checkered shirt over black fitted jeans. It made him look more casual, but not less groomed for it.

Luna, clothed in a pink dress so very like her, introduced the guy as Simón, a friend from College. Simón greeted everyone with a friendly smile and an awkward wave of his hand. His voice was smooth and nice. It was clear he felt weird about being there but tried to hide it. Not like anyone could blame him, being surrounded by other people’s relatives that had nothing to do with him. As everyone greeted him back politely, his eyes made a quick scan around the room. When they connected with Ámbar’s, Simón’s smile faltered a little.

It was a flash reaction, but Ámbar noticed. She felt a little proud of it too, but then she remembered that most people there was middle-aged and deemed that catching his attention was in fact not an achievement.

The trio sat down and it was only then that Ámbar noticed there had been three empty seats on the table. Apparently, Luna had told their grandpa in advance that her friend would be coming— And thank god for that, because grabbing another chair, plate, and silverware just for him while everyone else stared would’ve been very awkward.

After the food was served, one of her aunts, the one that liked to call herself sociable but Ámbar would actually call nosy, asked Simón why he wasn’t spending Christmas with his family. ‘If I may ask’, she added all politely at the end, as if she hadn’t already voiced a question that could very much make him and everyone else uncomfortable if his family had kicked him out of the house or something.

Luckily, Simón didn’t seem fazed at all. He just casually explained that his family had been stranded on another country due to a snowstorm, and since it had been with such short notice, he hadn’t been able to join them over there.

“Well, we’re more than happy to have you,” her grandpa said with a warm smile.

Ámbar felt a little twinge of comradery towards the stranger. The number one unwritten rule of the social dictamen of Christmas was that you were supposed to spend it with family. Just the fact that he had ended up on his own was sad, but it was also sad that apparently his whole family had gone on vacations without him. Did they have a bad relationship or was he just busy? Maybe he had a demanding job that he couldn’t abandon for a couple days? Maybe someone had to stay to take care of the pets? Did they even have pets?

What did she care anyway?

Well, since the whole ordeal would last a good couple of hours, she had time to kill— might as well spend it making up scenarios in her head about the guy.

And if she was 100% honest, he wasn’t a pain to look at. Not underwear-model gorgeous or sex-appeal-off-the-charts-let’s-have-a-one-night-stand-with-him hot; but he was cute. She liked his smile. And he seemed to smile a lot. It seemed genuine too, not a I’m-surrounded-by-strangers-smiling-is-my-self-defense kind of smile, but a real, happy one. It probably helped that no one tried to smother him with questions after the rude one her aunt made, allowing him to just enjoy the food and converse with Luna and Matteo. He seemed to really get along with them.

At one point, his eyes connected with hers and Ámbar rapidly moved her gaze away. Had he caught her staring? Well, she wasn’t exactly staring, it was just short glances she threw his way from time to time out of curiosity, but maybe he’d think she had been staring and that would be very embarrassing.

For the rest of the dinner, Ámbar made a point of not looking in his direction unless absolutely necessary.

-----------

By the time he talked to her, Ámbar had already picked the names of the three imaginary dogs he owned, had pinned him to be a social worker working in a very difficult case of child abuse because of which he couldn’t leave the country (the jury was still out, but she had faith he could win it), had picked imaginary jobs for his parents which allowed them to spend on plane tickets and accommodations abroad, and had deemed him single for at least six months now.

(The last part was only for her own amusement.)

After dinner, everyone had moved back to the living room to chat and joke around merrily. For about half an hour, Ámbar had done small talk with her relatives, but after the third comment from her aunt Susan about how at her age she was already married with children, she excused herself and moved to stand next to the snack table.

It was as she was nursing her already half-empty glass of wine that Simón came to stand by her side.

“Hi, can I join you?” He asked shyly. “You’re the only one who looks my age and I don’t feel like being the third wheel all night.”

Ámbar looked over his shoulder and yes, indeed, her little cousin and Matteo were flirting and being all adorable for some, cringe-worthy for others.

“Yes, of course,” she replied, showing a welcoming smile to make him relax. She spun toward the table to grab a small silver tray and offered it to him. “Christmas cookies?”

“Oh, thank you,” he smiled and grabbed a gingerbread man.

Ámbar put the tray back and played with the glass of wine in her hands only to have something to do with them. She stared forward, pretending to be appreciating the cheery view of people talking and laughing around the Christmas tree— Anything to not show she was nervous. Especially when she could see him staring at her from the corner of her eye. Was he checking her out? Did she want him to?

“So, um, Ámbar, right?”

Ámbar finally turned to face him. With his eyes focused on her, the fluttering in her stomach got a little stronger, but she managed to keep a casual demeanor.

“Yes. And you’re Simón?” She said more like a question than a statement, even though she had already memorized his name. He didn’t need to know that.

Looking a little more loosened now that she hadn’t ignored him or told him to get lost, he smiled at her and offered a hand in greeting. “Simón Álvarez. Very nice to meet you.”

Ámbar placed her glass in her left hand to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you too,” she said half chuckling, amused by the formal gesture. Judging by the way his smile widened, it had been the intention.

“So, where are the rest of the Álvarez?” She asked curiously and took a sip from her drink.

“In London,” he replied. “My mom had always wanted to go there, and everyone got excited with the idea of experiencing Christmas season covered in snow like in the movies, so there they went.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Looks like that backfired spectacularly.”

He laughed. “Yeah, it did. Well, it did for me. Them? I think they’re having a blast. They’ve sent me like a hundred pictures and my little sister won’t stop posting Instagram stories.” He chuckled and then sighed. “I wish I was with them.”

“Why aren’t you? I mean, why didn’t you go with them?” Ámbar asked and felt herself fill with anticipation. She’d finally get the answer to the question she had been turning around in her head all night.

“I would’ve loved to, but I had a concert with my band and I couldn’t abandon them.”

Okay, that is so not what she would’ve guessed.

Now the original question was answered, but Ámbar had a thousand new ones.

“A concert?” Was the first one that left her lips.

“Yeah. Not like a huge thing, we’re not very known… yet,” he added, whether out of confidence or to try and convince himself of it, she didn’t know. “But still, every opportunity is important and it’s amazing to connect with the audience. You know that they’re there to see you, that they could’ve chosen any other thing to do but they chose your music, and when they sing back the lyrics to you it’s just…” He took a deep breath and exhaled contentedly. “It’s really magical. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s great.”

All the excitement with which he talked and the sparkle in his eyes was captivating. Ámbar didn’t know if she loved something that much. She found herself wishing she did.

“So, you play?” She asked him, wanting to hear him talk more.

“Yeah, I play the guitar and sing too.”

Sing?

“Really?”

Simón chuckled lightly at her surprise. “Yes, really. Why?”

Because you can’t look like that and sing, that’s unfair, that’s illegal.

Stuck in denial (and even almost a little angry because, seriously, it wasn’t fair), she blurted:

“But Luna said you two met in College.”

It was only after it was out of her mouth that she realized how bad that sounded.

Lucky for her, he just laughed.

“You can study music in College, you know?” He said with an eyebrow raise. Thank god her foot in mouth seemed to amuse him.

“Yes, of course, sorry. How silly of me.” God, was she blushing? She’d better not be blushing.

“Nah, it’s okay,” he said laid-back. “It’s funny to be pinned as a College dropout who turns to music to rebel against the system.”

She wondered what he’d think about her version of his life where he was fiercely battling to take a six-year-old girl away from her physically abusive dad and alcoholic mother.

Not like she was ever going to mention that.

“I never said anything about rebelling. In fact, you look the complete opposite of a rebel. I’d know,” she said bringing her glass to her lips, “I was one.”

A glint appeared in his eyes and he crossed his arms, turning to face her completely.

“I’d ask more about what I look like, but I’m more interested in what you mean by you being a rebel,” he said, everything in his manner telling her that she had his full attention.

Ámbar just dismissed it with a shrug. “It was a phase I had in high school. Black clothing, dark makeup, dyed hair; you know the drill.”

He rose his eyebrows impressed. “Really? And what pushed you to go full emo?”

“Punk,” she corrected. “And it was a mix of things. A lot of changes in my personal life, including Luna stealing my boyfriend—”

“Oh.”

“—But mostly it was discovering that no one really like me.”

He frowned and his arms fell to his sides again. “What do you mean?”

Ámbar paused, considering whether she should tell him or not. It was a long time ago, but it was personal, more than she’d like to admit. And it wasn’t a very cheery conversation topic, she didn’t want to bum him.

She could’ve just said ‘forget it’ and talk about something else; it would’ve been easy... But something in his expression, in his gaze, told her it would be okay to tell him.

“I was popular in high school. Every girl wanted to be me, every boy wanted to get with me… I was very proud, and selfish. After the whole thing with Matteo, I found out that many people knew about his cheating and no one had deemed to tell me, not even the girls I thought were my friends. Everyone was even rooting for him, encouraging him to cheat on me because I was a bitch and I deserved it.” She took a sip from her glass, swallowing the bitter taste that remembering that time left in her mouth. “So I thought ‘Fuck it.’ If they think of me as a mean girl, then I’ll be one. I don’t need any of them.”

Simón stared at her looking deeply dismayed.

“Ámbar, that’s…” One of his hands reached up as if to touch her forearm, but he seemed to think better of it and lowered it again. “That’s terrible. I can’t believe not even your friends supported you.”

She shrugged. “It’s okay. Eventually, I came to realize that I pretty much deserved it. I wasn’t exactly nice. I manipulated people to get what I wanted, attacked people who got in my way…”

He shook his head. “That’s not excuse for everyone to stab you in the back,” he retorted emphatically. “If they had a problem with you, they could’ve come straight to you and say it instead of laughing secretively at you getting cheated on. No one deserves that.”

Her eyes searched his for long moments, looking for any kind of falsity or pity, but all she found was sadness and anger on her behalf.

No one had ever said that to her before. There was always a ‘but’: ‘Yes, Matteo shouldn’t have done that, but…’ ‘Luna made a mistake, but…’ ‘Ámbar, I know what I did was wrong, but…’

No one had ever taken her side like that.

After a while, she cleared her throat and lowered her gaze. The moment had stretched too long and the energy in the air had changed in a way that she couldn’t keep his eyes anymore.

“Well, it’s in the past. It helped me figure out who I am and who I wanted to be, so I think everything turned out for the best.”

“I’m so sorry that happened to you, Ámbar,” he told her genuinely. Then he paused, and she was about to change the topic completely when he added: “But I agree. You grew into a very amazing woman.”

Ámbar’s eyes jumped back to him, wide. His expression was earnest, just as before. It didn’t budge under her gaze nor showed it was a joke.

She felt herself blush and deflected on instinct. “You don’t even know me.”

“I’ve seen enough,” he replied easily, almost with conviction. “But feel free to tell me more about yourself,” he told her with a playful twinkle in his eyes, matching his smile. “Maybe you’ll change my mind.”

The obvious intent behind his word had Ámbar fighting to quench a smile of her own. “Or maybe I’ll bore you to death.”

“I’m willing to take my chances,” he told her, staring into her eyes.

The question was: was she?

Ámbar drank the last of her wine and turned to leave the empty glass on top of the table. She turned back around, playing with her fingers. She took a breath, opened her mouth—

“Oh my god, you guys, look!”

Ámbar almost jumped at the high voice, haven momentarily forgotten that there were other people in the room. She turned her head to see her cousin Sara smiling excitedly with an arm raised.

Ámbar frowned and looked up to where she was pointing.

Immediately, her heart stopped in her chest.

Hanging above her head, between her and Simón, was a green bouquet with white small berries that could not be mistaken as anything else but mistletoe.

Oh, come on! Ámbar screamed internally. Who hangs mistletoe right next to the snack table?! That’s like pushing literally everyone to kiss!

Then again, that might have been the strategic idea behind it. She could totally see her grandpa thinking it’d be funny.

Be that as it may, it didn’t change her current situation.

Ámbar lowered her gaze toward Simón and their eyes met. She could see his gaze drop to her lips and then move back up. He kept his eyes locked to hers, searching. A silent question.

Ámbar could feel her heartbeat going at a thousand beats per hour. He hadn’t moved a muscle and yet she was already that affected. She had been affected the whole evening if she was honest, and that scared her because she wasn’t usually like that. He was just a guy, she didn’t even know him, not really, and yet… And yet.

It felt like an eternity passed like that, with both just staring at each other, but it was probably no more than a couple seconds; it was her heart going into overdrive what made everything else seem in slow motion.

Then something changed in Simón’s eyes. The intensity disappeared and was replaced by something that looked like understanding. Ámbar saw him let out a breath (which made her realize that she too had held her breath at some point) and then a sweet smile formed in his face.

A second later, he leaned down and placed an equally sweet kiss on her forehead.

“There.”

Boos and complaints could be heard around the room, calling him boring, but Simón just laughed and appeased everyone with a smile.

Ámbar was left reeling. A lot of feelings mixed within herself: relief, disappointment, confusion, giddiness...

She thought he was going to kiss her. He clearly wanted to; she could see in his eyes. But he didn’t. Were many others would have, he chose not to take advantage of the situation.

That was what pushed her forward to grab his face, pull him down and kiss him on the mouth.

‘Woooo!’s sounded around them, but Ámbar lost focus on everything that wasn’t Simón’s lips on her own. He had been caught by surprise, but soon his mouth was moving with hers, discovering, tasting, and his hands rose to hold her waist gently.

It was the most tender kiss Ámbar had ever been given. She melted against the softness of Simón’s lips and got drunk on the smell of his cologne. Everything felt so wonderful she almost lost herself and deepened the kiss, but thankfully, her brain maintained at least some part of its functions and she was able to remember that they had an audience. And not just any audience— her family.

Reluctantly (and embarrassed, because she didn’t know how long the kiss had been but it most probably had been longer than necessary), Ámbar pulled away and opened her eyes. She immediately found his gaze and saw that his eyes were staring back at her with something that resembled awe. She became aware of his heartbeat under her palms, seeming to be trying to break free of its confines and reach her. Her own heart seemed to have similar thoughts.

It was the heartbeats that made her realize she still had her hands on his chest (they had fallen there at some point without her conscient knowledge) and his hands were still around her waist. Rapidly, she snapped out of it and took a step back, breaking the intimate embrace. She joined her hands in front of her and turned to everyone with a very practiced smile, speaking with a grace and casualness that she definitely wasn’t feeling.

“Okay, tradition’s fulfilled, show’s over, you can all go back to your lives now.”

She received a couple chuckles but people did just that, getting back to whatever they were doing before the public display they forced on her. Maybe she got looks from some of them, maybe not; to be honest, Ámbar had mastered long ago the ability of looking at a crowd without focusing on anyone in particular, avoiding eye contact flawlessly.

Even after everyone’s focus was somewhere else, Ámbar kept her eyes forward, unable to turn around and look at him. Awkward silence fell between them and she found she couldn’t bear it, so before she could stop herself, she started rambling out of control, words and words running out of her mouth in seemingly one breath.

“Why do people have to kiss under mistletoe anyway? I mean, where did that tradition come from? What does it mean? Does it bring good luck or something? Why would it? It doesn’t really make sense, does it?”

Simón, from his part, seemed barely articulate.

“Uh, I… I don’t,” he cleared his throat, “I don’t know, I’ve got no idea.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

Silenced stretched between them again, still awkward.

Simón broke it this time.

“I, um… I think I like it though. The tradition.”

Slowly, they turned their heads and met each other’s gaze. After about three seconds, both broke into a fit of giggles.

It was a nervous laugh, but it was the good kind of nervous. Ámbar hadn’t felt like that in a very long time, and suddenly, that wasn’t scary anymore. She liked it, and the fact he seemed to feel the same made her inexplicably happy.

When they stopped laughing, they just smiled at each other; simple and easy. Simón offered the tray of cookies to Ámbar and she grabbed one gratefully. He grabbed one for himself and both enjoyed them at ease.

So, okay, maybe Christmas wasn’t the worst time of the year…

Or maybe it just depended on who you spent it with.

…

#simbar #simbar fanfic #simbar fanfiction #simbar fic #My Writing #short writings

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mellifluoushood · 6 years ago

Text

401 - A Calum Hood Imagine

Word Count: 3,000

Trigger Warnings: none

A/N: So, I wrote this in 2015 before I deleted my original blog @fightingirwin/@punkfletch and I found it yesterday and ended up loving it so much I wanted to post it! I’m going to write a part two now because I LOVE wedding!Calum and wedding!5sos. Enjoy this teeth rotting, soul stopping, heart wrenching fluff that’ll make you all soft and gooey. - B x

P/A/N: Listen to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Kina Grannis from the Crazy Rich Asians soundtrack if you wanna be real messed up.

She was asleep. Fast asleep with drool dripping from her lip, her hair tangled around her face, and heavy breaths. Her face was relaxed, no worry marks around her eyebrows or tight smiles that stretched her cheeks. Though her blemishes and rosy cheeks were something she despised, she wore them to sleep with pride, happy to just curl up and forget about the day that made her breakout from stress and almost yell from irritation.

All of it was her. Every little bit. His eyes followed the soft slope of her jaw, across the love marks scattered across the soft skin of her neck, her bare collarbones, to where the silky white sheets covered the rest of her body, the one she shared with only him. The one where she would unclench her thighs so Calum could see the stretch marks on her skin and the one where she would often cover with her arms because she thought she was too heavy but would uncover herself for Calum. Because she trusted him.

She trusted him with everything she had. All of her secrets, her flaws, her dreams, her fears. Everything that was her… she trusted him with. She trusted him with the late night talks and the early morning drool, she trusted him with her stretch marks and her aspirations of her career, and she trusted him with the whimpers of fear when she was unsure.

It was so mind-blowing to Calum, that something as elegant and unique and special as she was, would ever trust him. She was something the world needed to worship and praise, but yet she lived quietly with him, trusting him. It was simple, really, how much she loved him. And how much he loved her.

He trusted her with his life… his existence… his everything. She knew him up and down, in and out, side to side, hair to toes, hand to hand, and everything in between. She knew what made him tick and what made him melt. She knew what he hated and what he craved. She knew his little quirks and absent doings and she knew his colour-coded speech. She knew what to do to calm him down after a hard day in the spotlight, working behind the scenes to make sure he didn’t go insane. She knew how to love him and talk to him, cooing at him and kissing his neck when she knew he needed it.

They were well-oiled machines that were filled with love and trust. They worked together in a way that not even an old couple could. They knew where to step to avoid the other while working in the kitchen together and they knew what place to avoid because the other would need it in a moment.

The love didn’t just keep it going, it was the friendship. It was the thrown popcorn at midnight and the ridiculous hours of eating Chinese food when one couldn’t sleep. It was the countless hours fighting over the other’s safety, just to realise they fought because they wanted the best for the other person. It was taking the driving shift when one was dozing off on their infamous road trips. It was Calum killing the bugs for her. And it was her sewing up the holes in his clothes. The friendship held inside jokes and a secret handshake they made up long ago while drunk off red wine and listening to the Foo Fighters. The friendship was covering for the other when someone needed a sick day off work. The friendship was having Jimmy John’s delivered to one of their workplaces, with no note needed, and the other’s order memorised down pat. It was the little things they shared that made all the gears fit together.

The trust was so unspoken between the two that it was the energy that kept the machine going. When one was afraid, the other empowered. When one was alone, the other comforted. When one was talkative, the other listened. It was a balance, an unspoken one that kept the machine going. The energy. There was a positive and a negative. A giver and a taker.

“I can feel you staring,” she hummed, brushing a piece of hair out of her eyesight, opening a single eye to peek at the boy.

“Did it wake you?” His voice rumbled, him scooting closer and wrapping both arms around her waist. She nuzzled her face into his chest, listening to the slow breaths and matching heartbeat.

“No… just stirred me awake slightly.”

Calum cracked a smile to himself, thinking about the engagement ring he had slipped on her finger last night without her knowing.

“Now I’m awake. I felt your heartbeat speed up. What’s up? You don’t get this excited in the mornings.” It was well known that Calum was not a morning person. He didn’t like leaving the little drool stain on her pillow and the memories of being tangled in their sheets together.

When her head poked from his chest, she used both hands to steady her on his tattooed chest. And that’s when she saw it. The huge rock sitting on her left ring finger, sparkling in the early morning sunlight. Her breath caught in her throat, immediately looking up to Calum for an explanation with eyes wide.

“Last night, we were laughing. We were laughing so hard you cried and I almost threw up. I don’t even remember what it was about, but I didn’t care because I got to hear your laugh. And I knew that was one thing that will forever remind me of you. It sounds like bells to me. Whenever I hear a loud church bell, or Christmas bells, or bells welcoming me into a store. It reminds me of you because it’s so melodic and fitting for any situation. It reminds me of warmth on cold winter days and the welcoming of me somewhere.

“Everything you do is connected to some part of my world. My bass picks remind me of the time that I taught you how to play and the look on your face when you played “Wherever You Are” for me. My shirts remind me of you because you hold me close no matter the day, no matter the time, no matter the conditions. You always keep me close, always showing me you’ll protect me when the time comes. They also remind me of the times you wear them around the house and refuse to give them back until I give you a kiss. My reflection reminds me of you. I always subconsciously flicker my eyes to see if you’re there, with me in the reflection somehow, even if we’re thousands of miles away. Because you’re the better half of me, you’re the most beautiful part of what I’ve become, and I want that to be visible to everyone… not just to me.

“I think of everything and I think of you. I think of everything you do and say and act and think. You are my world. Every little piece of the world, good or bad, has you in it somehow. And I realise how boring and barren my life would be without you. Christmas bells would just be for holiday celebrations and my shirts would simply be something I wear every day. Everything would be plain. But, you make everything more.

“You make my love more, you make my trust more, and you make me more. You’re someone who’s helped me grow and prosper but find my own path. You held my hand and helped me up when it just seemed like too far of a step up, but let me fall and make my mistakes on my own.

“You are everything. You are everything to me. And I’d be stupid as hell to let that go. And I would be selfless if I let everyone else see it. I want them to know that you’re the sun, the moon, and all the stars, without seeing all the depth and stories within you. I want to be selfish and hold you close to me for the rest of eternity. I want you to be my sun, my moon, and all of my stars, even when my soul becomes a star itself. So, what do you say? Is forever okay with you?”

All 399 polaroids are strung out on laundry lines, decorated with black sharpie scribbled in dates and fairy lights twisting upon the rope. Yards of laundry lines were decorated with a Polaroid from every day of their engagement. The day of being engaged, but not quite the last day of being engaged.

He stood outside her door, listening to her giggle with her bridesmaids. He had been pestering her for just one more polaroid, to make it all complete. But, she had her firm belief in superstitions and that he was not supposed to see her before she walked down the aisle. No matter how much he tried to lure her out, she dodged his claws like a clever mouse, giggling here and there just to let him know he wasn’t succeeding. One hand shoved in his tuxedo pants pocket, placing the other on the door frame outside of her dressing room.

“Just one photo baby, and I’ll leave you alone.”

“Just one?”

“Just one.” He confirms, her steps get closer to the door. They stop for a couple of moments and he hears the snap and process of the polaroid. He smiles to himself in victory, not before hearing another one snap right behind him. He twirls around to see another bridesmaid with a matching Polaroid camera. She just smiles to herself, takes her developing photo, and walks towards the reception area to hang it on an empty slot that was right in front of the long table. Another bridesmaid appears from behind the door and slips underneath Calum’s arm, carrying the developing photo of his soon to be wife.

“You’re good, you know that?”

He can hear the smile in her voice, “I do.”

“Hey! Don’t say that just yet!” A bridesmaid shouts at his bride-to-be and he hears another laugh through the white door.

“Forever is okay with you?”

“Forever is okay with me.”

His hands were sweaty and he felt like if he wiped them once more on his tuxedo pants that the sweat stains would be visible. His arms are locked in front of him, trying not to attract attention by shaking. Everyone watches as his best man, Ashton, walks down the aisle with her maid of honour, her best friend. Then comes Michael with his sister and Luke with her childhood friend. Michael and Luke give him reassuring pats before the music picks up the volume, everyone rising for the bride.

The temptation to let out a wail is so damn tempting, but he keeps his mouth shut. He removes one hand from his intense lock to bring up to his mouth, completely stunned and in tears of her beauty. Her hair is pulled back in an elegant up-do, her makeup done flawlessly, and dress fitting her body so perfectly. She’s an angel.

Tears begin to drip down his cheeks, Calum not even bothering to wipe them away as they are accompanied by many more. His smile quivers and so do his hands as he gets wrapped up in her beauty. Their eyes don’t break from each other once, each having their own tears and own memories and own promises between the two.

And when she’s finally in front of him, he just mouths, “Wow.”

Her father smiles before kissing his daughter on the cheek, pushing back her veil, and shaking Calum’s hand.

“Take good care of her, alright?”

“You have my word, sir.” One of his hands claps down on Calum’s back, while the other guides his daughter’s to his. Calum’s hands lock with his brides, eyes meeting as well.

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

Calum and his bride turn to face the man who was marrying them, the friend who introduced the two of them.

She doesn’t even listen to the introduction or what story their friend was telling about her and Calum. She’s just telling silent stories with her eyes to him, him replying in this secret language that they’ve put together over the years. By the time the vows are in order, she grabs the handkerchief that the friend holds out to her with a giggle, while Calum fumbles with his piece of notebook paper.

He clears his throat, wiping at his eyes, “I wish to repeat everything I said to you the morning I proposed to you. But I want that to be between us, something special and something filled with love to hold onto when there’s a rough day and I’m not there to comfort you. I feel like I could say a billion other things about how you’ve changed my life. But, the one that stands out to me most is how you’ve saved my life,” he begins to choke on his words, “When times were dark and I kept bumping into the sides of the tunnel with no light by my side, you appeared like this little ball of happiness, so full of love and so bright, willing to do anything to make sure that I was okay. You guided me to the end of the dark tunnel and stayed by my side as I continued to walk on my path of life. You showed me loyalty and trustworthiness, you showed me unconditional love and selflessness, and you showed me a companion and a brighter world. You not only saved my life but made it the best it can be. Now, I promise you to be a companion, a loyal partner, and an unconditional love to show you selflessness, trustworthiness, and a brighter world with you just like you did for me. I promise to love you unconditionally in the lowest parts of your life and the highest parts of your journey. I promise to treat our children with the love you’ve shown me and I promise to do everything in my power to keep you safe. I love you and I will spend the rest of the time showing that to you. I belong to you, wholeheartedly, in life and in the afterlife.”

Taking a deep breath, Calum looks up at her with tear-filled eyes, noticing that she too is crying, a lot harder than he ever would have thought. She’s smile through her tears, her face painted with joy and love for the man in front of her. Calum takes one of her hands in his again while her maid of honour hands her vows. Clearing her throat and dabbing at her eyes with the handkerchief that the friend gave her, she looks up at Calum before looking down at her written words.

“Calum Thomas Hood. The name has a billion different meanings behind it and a billion different stories. Stories of how the first time someone said your name that I blushed, stories of how the second time we met you shamefully told me your middle name, stories of how the third time you were over at my house and begged me to make some cookies, only to steal the batter and I had to chase after you, yelling, ‘Calum Thomas!’ to get it back. For the longest time, it was stories behind your name that made me smile and blush whenever someone talked about you, but now it’s meaning. It’s the meaning of happiness, loyalty, trust, and love. I hear your name and I think of how safe and loved you make me feel, no matter the day and no matter the distance. You have put a new meaning in your own name as well as my own life. You give my life a different meaning, one that is oh so special, and one that only you can put there. I promise to give you the same meaning in your life, that you hold dear to your heart when the miles get too high, and the day gets too hard. I promise to show you a new meaning of love and happiness and loyalty as we spend the rest of our lives together. I hope that once we part, our souls find our way back to each other, because hell, forever is okay with me.”

The tears are splashing onto her cheeks, her voice cracking and shaking as she reads aloud her vows. Calum is staring at her with awe in his eyes and a look of love on his face, his eyes burning from his unspilled tears. Calum gently wipes away her tears with his thumbs, not breaking eye contact before holding hands and looking at his friend where he continues the ceremony. When the time for the exchanging of rings is to come, the maid of honour and the best man hand both Calum and her their rings for each other.

The officiant preps and guides Calum through his words as he slides the ring on her finger, “My love, a ring is an unbroken circle, a symbol of unity and love, representative of the greater circle of life of which we all spiritually are a part of. Having neither beginning nor end, but a continuous cycle of which you are an element. For you, it begins with the gift of life, and will continue through the end of time.”

She takes Calum’s ring and slides it on his left ring finger, smiling and repeating the same thing as Calum. Taking each other’s hands, they both eagerly look at the officiant to say the magic words. He makes it short and sweet,

“By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Calum, you may kiss your bride,” everyone cheers before Calum grabs her waist, pulling her close and kissing her so passionately and softly that it feels like time itself has stopped.

#CH #calum hood #calum hood imagine #calum hood fluff #calum hood smut #calum hood fic #5sos #5sos imagine #5sos fluff #5sos smut #5sos fic #wedding!5sos #wedding!calum #wedding!cal #fluffed #isabella writes

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sope-and-shine · 5 years ago

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Christmas Special: Day 12

-> Pairing: Jin and Reader (ft. Taehyung) -> BNHA!AU // Hero!AU // Fluffy -> Word Count: 2.7k -> Summary: When your costume design for your winter suit isn’t what you asked for and no one is answering your requests to have it made correctly, at least you have a friend to protect you from the cold. -> Warning: Minor Character death // catcalling // suggestive and mild language

A/N: Taehyung’s girlfriend in this story is definitely not Admin Belle. Not at all. You’re crazy.

Ever since you were little, you dreamed of becoming a hero just like your brother: Tidal wave. He’s one of the current Top 10 heroes in the country - Top 50 in the world - and has saved over thousands of people! You remember when he was starting out as a hero in training, the days where he would come home and practice in the backyard and break another vase your grandmother kept lying around on the porch. Even with the training he received he still had a long way to go, but overtime, you saw the skills he acquired to become a better version of himself for others, and you watched him grow into the hero you know today.

And that one summer evening when you were 10, and he was out on patrol for the night, he had become your sole guardian without even knowing until he received the call from the hospital. You were finishing up your homework in you room when you heard the banging on the stairs, and when you got up to see what it was you’d found your grandmother lying at the bottom of the stairs. You called for an ambulance with tears in your eyes as you willed her to wake up and just hold on until help could arrive, but she passed before they could get her into a hospital room. You had been heartbroken and almost completely cleaned out of tears when your brother had turned up, but seeing Taehyung rush in with his hero costume on in the same panic you had been in, you couldn’t help but burst into tears once more. You remember throwing yourself into his embrace in an attempt to comfort yourself, but you can also remember how he held you just as tightly in an attempt to comfort himself as well.

It’s been 5 years since then, and the both of you have grown a lot. Taehyung secured his spot on the Top 10 list, he’s enrolled in college, he learned how to bake 4 batches of cookies in 2 hours without burning your house down, and he met a girl. You were surprised when he decided 3 years ago he still wanted to continue his education in case the situation should occur that he needs to retire from hero work, and you completely supported his decision since he’s always been supportive of you.

What you never counted on was him meeting Ara.

Admittedly, you were skeptical at first, being nothing that you would have expected from Tae’s previous relationships - then again, that’s probably why they’ve lasted more than 6 months at this point. She wasn’t mean or anything, but she was much different than any of the other girls. See, most of the girls Taehyung has ever dated have been a bit ditsy, to say the least; Ara was blunt and to the point about what she wanted. Most of these girls had super flashy powers that locked your brother into their grasps; Ara had nothing special about her except for her wit, charm, and her strange obsession with comics and video games that also captured your brother’s heart. The other girls treated you very kindly when they would meet you, but they were just too caught up in his looks to actually pull you into the equation. They wanted his attention to always be on them, and they usually left after they realized they wouldn’t be Taehyung’s main priority while he had you.

But Ara was a total 180 from them.

When he mentioned he took care of his younger sister to her, she immediately demanded to meet you. And when she showed up before you had decided to leave your Toothless onsie from How To Train You Dragon with the ears and tail attached, she vowed that she’d only continue dating him if she got to cuddle you - his “precious and adorable little sister” - when she came over to visit. Dates to the amusement park became a group trip where he was the third wheel instead of you, because his girlfriend loved both of you - but you always teased that she loved you more. She took on the role of a female figure in your life that Taehyung couldn’t fill after your Grandmother’s passing, and that’s probably what made Taehyung fall in love with her even more. They’d seen you off to your first date together, they’d watched your first heartbreak together, and they were there to celebrate your graduation from middle school together.

And when it came time, they helped you prepare yourself for your first year at the Big Hit Academy For Bulletproof Youths.

This academy was for the big leagues, and it was the same school your brother had attended at your age to become the amazing superhero he is today. Everyone you knew wanted to go to school here, and almost every Top Hero in the country studied at this prestigious school to get to where they are. You had every intention to be just like them, and you spent everyday training with your fellow classmates to ensure that you’d make your brother as proud as he made you.

You excelled in the classroom, always studying when you got the chance and even texting Ara for help with anything you were unsure of. In training, you always made sure to take note of your surroundings and study your opponent before you made a move, and that wit and quick thinking you have are what keep you at the top of your game. But most importantly, you always made sure to keep in the good graces of your fellow classmates. You could get as far as you wanted, but if you didn’t keep connections, then you wouldn’t get anywhere in this world. Taehyung was very specific when he gave you tips to stay above water in a school like the one you were attending, and he was very specific that this was the one piece of advice you couldn’t ignore. As always, he was right to do so.

Now, as the summer turns into fall, it’s time that everyone gets their upgraded costumes for the winter. You remember designing these costumes with Ara. She insisted that she be the one to help you, and that Taehyung would be no fun about your creative desires since he insists on a “dress check” before you leave the house every morning. Taehyung himself was not thrilled to be locked out of the room while the two of you worked on the designs, but something Ara said to him while you were working was enough to get him to sit on the living room couch with a pout as he angrily watched Finding Nemo instead. His pink hair and childish ways would make anyone think that he were the child of the house instead of you, but with Ara’s baby blue hair and her own childish attitude to go with his, there was no doubt they were a match made in heaven.

The costume you wear now was one that made everyone turn their heads. Not for its beauty or intricacy, but because you looked like a volleyball player with a tool belt and a stick taller than you. Unlike your brother, you had a genetic mutation with your quirk. Instead of the water manipulation that your brother had, you could manipulate anything; You had telekinesis. Nothing new, but powers weren’t always something special. It was how you used said powers that made you a good hero. The simple shirt and shorts concept made sure you were comfortable and wouldn’t be constricted by your costume. Your tool belt gave you extra tools in case you found yourself in a situation where you couldn’t manipulate anything else. Your ‘stick’ as everyone referred to it was actually retractable, and you kept it on you much longer than just at school. Whenever the situation came that you would manipulate yourself to float for a few seconds, you could extend your stick to push yourself or the danger away with a distance in between. But should it fail, you had your knee and elbow pads to take some of the damage.

Even so, you had faith that your costume design for the winter would be a hit compared to the one you wear now. So when you pull it out to find that it was less clothing than what you wore now, you were shocked. Your new costume was supposed to be a pair of black harem baggy joggers with pockets on your thighs, white knee pads to go on top, and a chain long enough that you could also use for long distance attacks. Your shirt was supposed to be a white short sleeve with a black cropped jacket with a fur lining, and a pair of white elbow pads to go with it.

What you pulled out was nothing that you would have ever put on your design sheet, and you know for a fact you didn’t. They had made you another pair of black shorts with a chain connected to it and mint green knee pads, your shirt was nowhere to be seen - only the cropped jacket with fur - and red elbow pads. Your more conventional snow boots weren’t even in the case you received, just a pair of dainty heeled boots instead. To say you were mortified was an understatement, and you were not about to put the monstrosity on.

You raise your hand and gain the attention of your half asleep teacher, “Mr. Min! They’ve made my costume wrong! I can’t wear this for winter, I’ll freeze faster than water!”

“You can file for them to replace it with the correct one, but you’ll have to wear it for training in the meantime.” He sighs, pulling the forms out of the top drawer of his desk without even blinking an eye,

Now, almost two weeks into December and snow lying on the ground, you were still stuck with the same costume you’ve filed to be replaced 7 times already. Your friends had been entertained the first few times you were forced to wear the monstrosity during your classes, but as the weeks drug on and you’d be starting your internship at an agency in a few days, they started to feel bad that nobody was answering your requests for the costume change. They were starting to get as upset as you were, and Taehyung was probably the most upset by this. He saw your costume during a festival, and he was ready to beat your ass and Ara’s for keeping it from him.

“How could you let that go?!” Taehyung demands, gesturing to you and your provocative costume while glaring at his just as equally confused girlfriend.

Ara was not about to go down for a crime she did not commit, “I didn’t do this! I helped her design a wholesome costume that God, Jesus, and Mr. Rodgers would approve of! This is blasphemy!”

The two continue their conversation, Ara swearing on God and doughnuts that she would never let you wear anything like that until you were at least 18. You’re classmates are left in confusion, “These are your care-takers?”

“Yeah...they are…” You sigh, your arms wrapped around yourself.

But now you were at the point where you just had to suck it up, no matter how much you hated it. Thankfully, you had at least one friend joining you in the field, even if Jin did make dad jokes at the worst times.

“How do you get a squirrel to like you? Act like a nut!” Jin says, bursting into his laugh that sounds way too close to a windshield wiper. He was a gravity manipulator, so you both thought interning together would be a good chance to help each other expand on your quirks. Only now, you regret having his bright demeanor when you just want to curl into a ball. “Wait wait wait, I’ve got another one...Why don’t eggs tell jokes?”

“Why don’t egg-“ “They’d crack each other up!” He yells, interrupting you before you could ask why. He laughs at himself until he catches your bored expression, “What’s wrong? You usually like my jokes.”

You sigh, “Don’t get me wrong, Jin. I love your jokes, but I’m not exactly in the best of moods right now.”

“That’s why I started to tell you my jokes!” He defends. When you just shrug, he takes a look at your dainty costume compared to his own long sleeved, long pants, and large coat that still allowed him to move freely as he needed to. You looked ten times more miserable than he did. “Your costume must really be uncomfortable.”

“It’s below freezing and I’m wearing shorts with a crop top. What do you think?” You spit with no regard for his feelings.

“Sorry.” He apologizes, looking away to the path ahead of you. You sigh, “No, I’m sorry. You were only trying to help and I was rude for no reason.”

As you both get back to your patrol, you turn the corner and approach a shop that’s crowded by a group of men outside. One of them catches sight of you, “Hey, cutie! You looking to warm up with someone special this year?”

“Such a pretty thing~ Why don’t you come inside and I’ll buy you a nice warm drink?” Another jests, looking at every piece of you except for your face.

“A drink for me? You boys are really something else nowadays~ I hate to break it to you fellas, but I’m spoken for already!” Jin calls back with an award winning smile. He shrugs off his coat and throws it over your shoulders, followed by his arm that pulls you as close to him as he can manage without breaking the happy facade he’s putting up, “Good luck finding someone more beautiful than me!”

The men look disgusted and confused, but they decide to ignore the both of you as Jin leads you far away. You’re almost back to your agency when you finally speak up again, “Thanks Jin.”

“It’s the holiday season, and all they can think about is shouting obscenely at women. If I saw anyone shout at my mother or my future daughter like that, then I would have decked him square in the mouth.” He admits, sounding like a completely different person than you had just witnessed, “I just figured you would like it better if there wasn’t any confrontation at all.”

“Well, you were right. I can’t wait to get out of this costume and into my sweater.” You sigh, already seeing the agency doors at the end of the block. You look up to Jin out of the corner of your eye, “But I did enjoy the looks on their faces when you thanked them for their offer.”

“And I gave up that offer to continue our patrol together. Honestly, I think someone owes me a meal.” He suggests. He turns to you with a shy smile and squeezes your shoulder a little, “Maybe I could take you out after this?”

“I’d love to, but I have dinner planned tonight with my brother and his girlfriend.” You say. Jin looks a little disappointed, and you can’t help but smile, “But I know Ara wouldn’t mind feeding an extra mouth.”

Jin looks happy, but a sudden thought has him looking concerned, “And your brother?”

“He’ll get over it when I tell him about the date you gave up for me.” You shrug.

And you were right about that indeed. When you showed up at your door with Jin next to you - both of you wrapped in your coats and his arm over your shoulder - Taehyung was ready to brawl if you wouldn’t have sent a warning text to Ara. She had her arms wrapped around your brothers torso to keep him from moving without her, effectively slowing him down enough for you to get Jin inside and showing him the house. (You would have shown him your room where you kept your gaming PC, but Taehyung would actually murder both you and Ara if it meant no more boi.) By the time you got to the dinner table, Taehyung had calmed down enough to listen to your day and warm up to Jin just enough to have an actual conversation instead of an interrogation.

He liked him. You could tell.

And you weren’t surprised when they became the best of friends at the next dinner you invited him to.

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machihunnicutt · 6 years ago

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whoops i kind of failed fic-vember (so have an Anne fic)

Hey ya’ll. Finals happened and then the holidays happened and I gave up on the last week or two of fic-vemeber. Here’s an Anne fic to say sorry.

Like My Heart is Hitting the Ground

(Or read on ao3.)

Anne had been firm in her demand not to work the same shifts as one Gilbert Blythe. She’d managed to get away with it, most of the time, eyieng the schedule every time her manager made it and adjusting her availability as needed. Her intense dislike of Gilbert (Diana called it a grudge but Diana wasn’t there at the inciting moment) began his first day on the job, when, while she was dusting a new batch of scones with powdered sugar, he pulled her braid and called her “carrots.” He got a face full of powdered sugar in retaliation.

But it was Christmas (and therefore winter break at the university) and Anne and Gilbert were the only two in town to run the shop.

“This will work out just fine if you stay over there and I stay over here,” Anne said, gesturing to the imaginary line that divided the back of Avonlea Coffee and Bakery.

Gilbert’s dark eyebrow rose into the mess of curls that fell over his forehead. “So I take all the orders and you’ll make everything.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“What if you need help with something?”

“I won’t,” she said, tightly. “I can handle myself.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t, Anne,” Gilbert said, meeting her eyes. She hated it when he did that. It reminded her that Gilbert Blythe wasn’t bad to look at. He had a crooked, self-satisfied sort of smile and his gaze was effortlessly warm and guarded by long lashes. And if she was being completely honest with herself (which she wasn’t, she usually counted on Diana for honesty) he was entirely her type: big knitted hand-me-down sweaters, dark cuffed jeans, Converse, messy hair, and a plastic watch with a million pre-set alarms. Anne was attracted to exclusively nerdy wannabe hipsters.

Gilbert Blythe had apologized for the carrots incident, profusely in fact, but Anne wasn’t in the habit of trusting too easily.

“Good, then count the cash in the register and I’ll wipe down the counters,” she said.

“The spray bottles are on my side.”

“Fine, will you please hand me a spray bottle Gilbert Blythe?”

“Why do you do that?”

“What? Say please?” She crossed her arms over her chest and planted her feet firmly on the tile. Her apron had a few leftover stains and one of her braids was starting to come undone, but she maintained her show of authority.

“Call me by my full name, like it’s some sort of comic book name,” he frowned.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” she replied.

“You know, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Peter Parker, Charles Xavier...Gilbert Blythe,” his mouth quirked up into half a smile and Anne rolled her eyes.

“Give me the bottle, Wonder-boy,” she said, and he obliged. “And to answer your question, I’m just trying to maintain a professional work environment.” She began wiping down the countertops, briskly, with the intention of ending this conversation.

“Could’ve fooled me, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert.”

Anne had started working at Avonlea Coffee her second semester as an education major at the university. Her scholarships covered housing and a good portion of her tuition, and Marilla and Matthew had sent her off with enough money for textbooks, but she realized her summer job savings weren’t going to cut it the hard way. The second week of spring semester her card got declined when she was buying groceries. Luckily she was there with Diana (angel among men), who covered for her. The next day she sent out a slew of applications. Now she’d been at the shop for two and a half years.

“Welcome to Avonlea Coffee and Bakery. What can we get started for you?” Gilbert’s smile when greeting customers managed to hide the bags beneath his eyes.

“I can’t believe you’re open on Christmas,” the woman at the counter said. She was the twelfth to say so in the last two hours. Nevertheless, Anne had a steady stream of orders to make.

“If you want to switch, let me know,” Gilbert said, halfway through the shift. It was the third instance of Wham’s “Last Christmas” on the shop’s holiday playlist and Anne was tired.

Gilbert was counting the remaining scones in the case. They were down to five and she desperately hoped she wouldn’t have reason to put in another batch.

Outside it had begun to snow, big white clumps that reminded her of walking in Green Gables, at dawn when the snow was heavy and untouched, blanketing the grass.

She hadn’t been back to Green Gables since school started, though she called Marilla and Matthew at least once a week. She’d tried to get them set up on FaceTime, but neither was technologically savvy enough to complete a successful video call. The longer she was away the more her gable room showed up in her dreams: fluffy white comforter that smelled of lavender and detergent, tiny wood desk where she’d studied for her slew of AP exams, Marilla’s lacy curtains that just managed to keep the sunshine out in the morning, and of course the cherry blossoms outside.

“Do you have a ride home? Or are you walking in all that?” Gilbert asked. He looked out at the icy sidewalks and she watched his jaw tighten.

“I’m walking, but I’ll be fine. Thank you,” she replied.

“Are you sure? I’d be happy to...”

“What brings you to the Christmas day shift, Gilbert Blythe?” She interrupted.

“Oh,” he blinked. “Well, I could use the extra money.”

“You’re not going home for break?”

He shook his head and looked back down at the scones. “My dad died earlier this year and I...I sold the house, so I don’t really have a home to go back to. I have a friend back in my hometown, Bash, who invited me to stay with him and his wife for the holidays, but I thought it would be easier and cheaper to just stay here and pick up some extra shifts.”

“I’m sorry,” Anne said. “I didn’t know.”

He laughed nervously. “It’s fine. It’s good to be here when campus is empty, I can catch up on studying. Pre-med and all that. What are you doing here, Anne?”

“My...Matthew, my guardian, is sick and we don’t really have the money to spare for me to fly home. He’s fine, getting better I know, but having a whole big Christmas at home would be a lot right now and I didn’t want to cause my adoptive parents any trouble. Of course they protested.”

“Of course,” Gilbert smiled. “Who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas with Anne Shirley-Cuthbert?”

Anne rolled her eyes and turned away to restock the paper cups and hide the blush spreading over her face. The shop was just warm. “Are you all alone then?” She asked, after a moment.

“My roommates have all left for home, so yes,” he said.

Anne thought about Gilbert Blythe all alone in his apartment, pouring bowls of cold cereal or opening cans of Red Bull, or whatever sad, lonely, study food he ate.

“Well, if you like you can join my roommates and I. We’re all still in town and decided to do our own Christmas. They’re both working today too, so we saved the gift giving for tonight.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“You wouldn’t be,” she shot back, suddenly hell-bent on keeping Gilbert Blythe from a Christmas alone. It was sad enough not to have a home to go back to. “Join us, please.”

The front door bell dinged and another wave of customers came in out of the cold, putting the conversation on hold for a moment.

“What do you think?” Anne asked. It was nearly closing and she was halfway through cleaning the espresso machine.

“Okay,” Gilbert said. “If I can drive you.”

“Deal,” Anne said, extending her hand to shake his.

“You’re on my side,” he said.

***

Gilbert Blythe started work at Avonlea Coffee and Bakery at the beginning of his junior year. It was his second job. He worked assorted evenings at the automotive garage down the street from his apartment, and divided his remaining time between a full schedule of classes, homework, and the occasional handful of hours of sleep.

The day he met Anne Shirley-Cuthbert she had flour on her freckled nose and was expertly crafting a latte. She didn’t pay him any attention as their boss trained him, and continued to effectively ignore him the first shift they worked together.

“Do you know Anne very well?” He asked his co-workers during their break. Billy and Charlie were vaping in the alley beside the shop. He sidestepped clouds of vapor and tapped his foot.

“She’s bossy. She’s worked here forever,” Billy said. “I hear she’s got a whole orphan sob story. I’d keep my distance if I were you.”

“Not much to look at anyway,” Charlie put in.

Gilbert considered this for a moment. “Well, I should be getting back.”

“We have five more minutes,” Billy said.

“I know, I’d just rather spend my break inside, and not with you two.”

He tugged on her braid to get her attention. Childish? Absolutely. But he couldn’t think of another way, and he’d never purported to have the best judgment.

He hadn’t worked with Anne much since, but he’d seen her at the end of her shifts, when he took over for her. She was great with customers; she knew all the regulars by their orders and their names. She added special touches to all the cakes she decorated: buttercream roses, dainty chocolate work, tufts of spun sugar. And Anne always looked pretty in a way that he had to try really hard not to stare at all the time. When it was warmer she wore long, flowy, floral dresses that fell to her knees and clashed with her heavy work boots. In the winter she wore the same dresses with tights and cardigans and long scarves wrapped around her neck. Her hair was almost always braided. He’d seen it down once, curled on her birthday when their boss had brought her a box of her favorite lemon cupcakes.

“You can turn here,” Anne said. She was in the passenger seat. Her dress was red with tiny black flowers. The navy cardigan and coat she had over it nearly swallowed her small frame. “My house is on the right."

This was a pity invite, he knew, but there was still something exciting about Christmas with Anne. Maybe they were turning over a new leaf.

Anne scooped up the box of discount pastries she’d salvaged and led him up the steps to her house.

“Anne’s home!” He heard a call from the kitchen and a woman with dark hair and unevenly cut bangs looked back at them. She was stirring a pot of something that smelled like apples and cinnamon and she seemed to be Anne’s stylistic opposite: heavy eyeliner, dark turtleneck and pencil skirt, nose piercing, and ruby red lipstick. “Oh, hello. Who’s this?” She said.

“Diana Barry, this is my co-worker Gilbert Blythe. Gilbert, meet my roommate Diana.”

“Gilbert,” Diana repeated, giving Anne a look Gilbert couldn’t read. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” he replied.

“He’s joining our band of stranded misfits for the evening,” Anne said. “If that’s alright.”

“It’s alright with me. Just be warned that Jerry’s on his third glass of rosé already, and quite torn up about his most recent breakup.”

“Jerry’s an international student. His family's in Paris. He doesn’t fly home for breaks usually,” Anne explained.

“And my family’s abroad in London,” Diana said. “A trip they planned before they knew I’d paid for January term classes already. Either way, it’s much nicer to be with my lovely Anne.”

“It’s much nicer to be alone together,” Anne concluded.

“Alone?” Came a strangled howl from the living room.

“Anne, will you tell Monsieur Heartbreak that this apple cider will be done in five minutes and he better have his present for me wrapped by then?”

Gilbert followed Anne into the living room to see her other roommate sprawled face down on the couch. He turned his head toward them when they came in and moaned.

“Anne of Green Gables how could you bring a new beau to this sacred gathering of singles?”

“He isn’t,” Anne said, at the same time as Gilbert said “I’m not.”

Jerry rolled onto his back and put his head in his hands. “I am destined for suffering.”

“Wrap your present for Diana. Cider’s ready in 5 minutes. This is Gilbert, my co-worker. Please refrain from regaling him with stories of the many sorority girls who have broken your heart until I get back. I need to get my presents from my room.”

Diana brought the cider and offered Gilbert a glass of rosé, which he accepted along with the ten minute recounting of Jerry’s failed relationship. Anne came back and sat next to him on the couch. They all had wine and cider and cookies that Anne made with a recipe from home. Diana ordered pizza and over the exchange of gifts Gilbert learned a number of things:

1) Diana was a music student who studied classical piano for class but made her own songs on synth and guitar in her spare time. She came out as a lesbian last year and went to her first Pride with Anne that summer. Thus her gifts from Anne and Jerry were (respectively) a framed photo of Anne and Diana covered in glitter with bright grins and pride flags, and a pair of musical note earrings.

2) Jerry was an English major, despite the fact that he was dyslexic and it was his second language. He met Anne freshman year in their professor’s office hours and had had a spirited debate about Jane Eyre, which they continued over lunch every week while she edited his (otherwise excellent) essays for typos. He had the unfortunate habit of falling for sorority sisters and writing them embarrassing poetry that often found unsympathetic audiences on ex-girlfriend’s Instagrams post-breakup. Anne got him a mug covered in Brontë quotes and Diana got him a journal and a mood ring she insisted was stuck on “love struck.”

3) Anne’s friends really cared about her. They got her a joint gift, a silver heart locket that made her face light up when she opened it. “For all your love, kindred spirit,” Diana said. Gilbert couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

“Could you do the clasp for me?” She asked him.

“Of course.”

Anne swept her curtain of red hair from her neck and Gilbert undid the clasp and put the necklace on her. He had some trouble doing the clasp up again because his hands were suddenly very sweaty and Jerry, seated next to Diana and thoroughly drunk by now, started laughing as Gilbert could feel his face heating up.

“I’m cutting you off, Jerry,” Anne said as Gilbert finished with the clasp. “I’m going to put on some music,” Anne said. She rose to her feet and turned around to look at the three of them. Her form was glowing in the light from the kitchen and her hair became a halo of orangey light around her head. “Any requests?”

Gilbert shook his head dumbly and Anne disappeared into the kitchen.

“Mon amie, you are gone on her. I can tell,” Jerry said. He got up with Diana and the two of them began swaying to the song Anne had chosen.

“I’m not...I don’t...”

“Oh leave him alone,” Diana put in. She winked at Gilbert.

Anne had returned. “What do you think? It’s my usual playlist.”

She outstretched her hands and pulled him up off the couch. “Do you dance, Gilbert Blythe?” She asked. Her face was flushed too, no doubt from the wine, and she held him by his waist.

“Sometimes...” he muttered.

“I’ll have you know that tonight means nothing in the grand scheme of things.”

“The scheme of things meaning you’re always going to be angry with me?”

“If you keep giving me reasons to be,” she said, but she was smiling.

“What song is this?” Gilbert said. His head was buzzing.

“It’s called Townie,” Anne said. “I put Mitski on all my playlists.”

“We rotate,” Diana said. “Whenever we’re all together and need to play music.”

“Like at work,” Gilbert said.

“Like at work,” Anne repeated.

There's a party and we're all going And we're all growing up.

Anne swayed close to him. “I’m sorry, again, by the way. For pulling your hair like a grade schooler. I really didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot with you.”

Somebody's driving and he will be drinking And no one's going back.

“You didn’t?” She asked. “I was sure Billy and his goons had turned you against me.

'Cause we've tried hungry and we've tried full and nothing seems enough.

“Billy’s a dumbass."

So tonight, tonight The boys are gonna go for More more more.

“Well I guess we can agree on one thing.”

And I want a love that falls as fast As a body from the balcony, and I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground.

I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat, though I don't know what I'm waiting for. I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be.

The rest of the night blurred out in a haze of laughter, dizzy dancing around the living room, and Jerry pulling him aside to lecture him in slurred, half-French about the perils of love.

“Merry Christmas Gilbert Blythe,” Anne said, as she saw him off.

“Merry Christmas.”

***

The next week Anne and Gilbert had more shifts together. When it was his turn to pick the music Anne heard Mitski on his playlists, in between his old music.

“Why is it that all of your music sounds like it belongs in a 50s diner?”

“Hey, I don’t complain about your music.”

“Yeah, because my music’s good,” Anne said. She was assembling a batch of macaroons as quickly as she could. Since Christmas they’d been engaging in a number of competitive games. Right now it was timed macaroon preparation. Yesterday it was who could make the most complicated latte art.

“I’ve got to beat you now since you beat me yesterday.”

Gilbert leaned against the counter beside her. “What did you expect, Anne? A doctor has to have steady hands.”

“Yeah, yeah, time! How fast was that, Gil?”

“Gil?” Gilbert repeated, smile growing wide on his stupid face. “Since when do I have a nickname?”

“You don’t! I...didn’t. Did I beat you?”

Gilbert glanced down at the time. “You got me, Anne. Well done.”

As it had turned out, Gilbert Blythe wasn’t the absolute worst. The past couple of times they’d worked together she’d let him drive her home. He had one of those tree shaped air fresheners hanging from his mirror; it smelled like apples and cinnamon. He always cranked the heat up to make sure she wasn’t cold, though she never was. That’s what Gilbert Blythe was becoming to her: apple cinnamon and warmth, wrapping her up as he turned into her driveway.

“Do you have plans for New Years?” He asked.

“Diana’s spending the night with her girlfriend and Jerry’s with his French friends. They both said I could tag along but I don’t want to feel like the odd one out,” Anne said. She’d been the odd one out against her will for years; she wasn’t about to do it voluntarily.

“Well, if you want...I mean I was going to ask you if...uh, if you wanted to come to my place for New Years, in exchange for Christmas.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“I know that. I’m just...” he flushed. “Asking, Anne. I didn’t really have a plan. Pizza, probably, and champagne, watching the festivities on TV.”

“And at midnight?” She met his eyes.

“At midnight I can drive you home,” he said quickly.

“Okay,” Anne said, before her brain fully processed what she was agreeing to. She didn’t want to ring in the new year by herself, not when every day of the past year had been nothing but work (good, rewarding, exhausting work) and the coming year promised more of the same.

“Okay?” Gilbert replied. “That easy? I thought I was going to have to bribe you.”

Anne rolled her eyes. “Don’t make me change my mind.”

Diana insisted that Gilbert Blythe’s invitation was more than it seemed.

“He obviously likes you,” she said, sprawled on Anne’s bed playing Nintendogs on her beat up DS.

“He’s my friend,” Anne said, flipping through the hangers in her closet.

“Then why are you so concerned about your outfit?”

Anne sighed.

“It’s okay if you like him too, you know?” Diana sat up and looked at her. “I know you think you don’t have time for romance, with school and work and Green Gables, but you deserve something all consuming and tender and warm and...” Diana trailed off. They’d known each other for years. Maybe Diana knew her better than Anne knew herself. “I don’t mean to pry. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she said. “Thank you. Happy new year.”

Diana hugged her goodbye. Anne stared at herself in her bathroom mirror and debated whether or not to put on red lipstick. When she was younger she’d look in the mirror and hate her face: mud splatter of freckles, tired eyes, fiery hair framing her features. Now she and her face were on better terms. Would lipstick tonight be overkill? She looked at herself intently. An all consuming love, that’s what Diana had said. Anne smiled, and put on the lipstick.

***

Anne sat cross legged on Gilbert’s couch with a breadstick in one hand and wine glass in the other. He tried not to grin.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” She said, but she was smiling. There was a crescent of lipstick on her glass’s rim. “I thought you were making dessert.”

“About that...” he said, taking a seat beside her. He held up a package of Oreos. “I’m not much of a baker on my own time.”

She laughed and selected a cookie from the package. “I’ve got you beat in the desert arena then. I make pies back at Green Gables.”

It was 11:30. She’d spent part of the night teasing him for the poorly hidden heap of laundry in his bedroom and overly animated voice on the phone when ordering pizza, part of it playing cards and watching TV with him at his living room coffee table, and part telling him stories of Green Gables.

“I’m sorry my New Years is so boring,” he said. On TV crowds were huddled in the snow, waving noisemakers and throwing confetti.

“It’s not,” she said. She moved so her shoulder was pressed to his on the couch. “Thanks for having me. It’s nice not to be alone. I wanted to have the holidays at home this year. I feel like all I do is work and go to class now, like I'm racing to an invisible finish line. It’s hard to be away. And with Matthew sick I...anyway, thanks.”

"And what if you get to the finish line and it isn't everything you thought it would be?" Gilbert added. "I know the feeling." He sucked in a breath. “It’s the first holiday without my dad,” he said. “I’m glad I’m not alone either.”

Anne put her hand over his. It was small and warm and he didn’t move a muscle for fear she would take it back.

“What’s that song?” He muttered. “That Mitski song, from Christmas?”

“It’s called Townie,” she replied.

“Do you want to listen to it? Would you dance with me, Anne? Like at Christmas?"

She looked over at him and smiled. “It’s nearly midnight, Gil.”

He’d become Gil, so quickly, without either of them knowing. He’d become someone she looked at softly. She’d become someone who made his heart feel like it was jumping around in his chest.

“But okay,” she said.

He didn’t know when the clock struck midnight. He was swaying with Anne in his living room. Her head was on his shoulder. His heart was hitting the ground. When the song was over she tilted her head up to blink at him.

“I have to work tomorrow,” she said. “At 7, But I don’t even care.”

“Can I kiss you, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert?”

“Yes, Gil, you can.”

He did, and she kissed him back. He took her face in his hands and kissed her for a long time. It still felt too short.

“You have lipstick on your face,” she told him. Her own face was flushed and her lipstick was smudged. “Happy new year.”

“Happy new year, Anne,” he said. He could hear fireworks, but it could just be in his head. It was a firework kind of night, new year or no new year.

“It’s going to be a good one,” she said. “I have a feeling.”

#anne with an e #shirbert #anne with an e fic #anne shirley cuthbert #gilbert blythe #diana barry #jerry baynard #coffee shop au #fic-vember 2018 #awi's fic #anne shirley/gilbert blythe

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hovercraft79 · 6 years ago

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Winter Song

Ch 30 Jingle Bells

Chapters: 30/31 Word Count: 1,761 Fandom: The Worst Witch (TV 2017) Rating: Teen Warnings: None Summary: Tonight is the big New Year’s Eve bash at Pentangle’s and Hecate, much to her dismay, has agreed to go. But Pippa knows her friend. And she has a few surprises up her sleeve to make Hecate’s night special.

Notes: This story is part of the B-Sides: Stories from the world of Hecate’s Summer Playlist series. It is a prequel to Hecate’s Summer Playlist.

Jingle Bells has been around forever. Pick whichever cover is your favorite.

THIS IS THE LAST ONE! I’m so glad I stuck this out and finished – I hope you are, too. As always, thanks to Sparky for all the editing. She’s a good sport about it every time. Also, I should say thanks to my family for leaving me to feed this little obsession. They’re great.

Hecate checked her bag one last time. She couldn’t believe she’d let Pippa talk her into spending New Year’s Eve at Pentangle’s Academy. The Pentangle’s New Year’s Eve party was famous – infamous really. Though Pippa had promised she’d enjoy herself, Hecate couldn’t imagine that would be true.

She flipped open her pocket watch and checked the time. Pippa had been very cagey about tonight’s plans, saying only that she should pack to spend the night and be waiting in front of Cackle’s at five-thirty in the evening. It was five twenty-eight. Hecate gave herself a quick once-over in the mirror, smoothing her hands down her Ordinary style jumper and woolen trousers. Again, Pippa’s instructions – dress warmly and be ready to blend in with the Ordinaries. She flicked her wrist and transferred to Cackle’s entry.

The cold hit her like a brick, and for a flash of time she was back in the ice. She pushed the feeling away, casting a warming spell so strong she would be sweating soon. She still didn’t know what all of this business was about; she could be at Pentangle’s in two easy transfers, or half an hour on her broom.

Ching! – ching! – ching! – ching! – ching! – ching! – ching! – ching! – ching!

The sound started small, then grew, louder and louder with each passing second. A moment later a red carriage, pulled by a pair of white horses wheeled through the gate. The driver wore holiday green, matching the horses blankets, the upholstery and the swags of greenery decorating the carriage.

The only thing out of place was a deep pink figure riding in the back seat. Hecate cut the warming spell. She didn’t need it anymore. She watched the carriage swing around the drive, keeping her face impassive until the carriage swung to a stop in front of her.

“Hello, milady!” Pippa leaned out of the carriage offering Hecate a hand up. The driver was on the ground in an instant, taking Hecate’s bag and helping her into the carriage. In no time, Pippa had Hecate in the seat and tucked under a heavy quilt.

“What is all of this?” Hecate asked, inspecting the inside of the carriage and the quilt and… and how lovely Pippa looked in her pink coat and fuzzy white hat. “I don’t understand…” Merciful Merlin… was this a date? Hecate’s eyes widened.

“There’s nothing to understand, Hiccup.” Pippa could see the panic rising in Hecate, and she second-guessed herself again. “I’ve been getting ready for the party all day, and I wanted to relax a bit. With you. This seemed like a fun way to get you to Pentangle’s.” Pippa fluffed and tucked the quilt around them, making sure they were touching, but only just so. She didn’t want to make Hecate any more nervous than she was, or make her feel trapped in any way. “Do you like it?”

In truth? Hecate didn’t know if she liked it or not. But Pippa looked so hopeful and… well, she didn’t dislike it. “It’s… nice… I’ve never done the whole carriage ride thing before. It’s not as cold as I expected.”

Pippa leaned over so the driver couldn’t hear her, whispering in Hecate’s ear. “That’s because I chanted a little bubble over the carriage so it wouldn’t be too cold, just cold enough.” She leaned back, but not quite all the way, and she was immensely pleased when Hecate seemed to relax into her as well. “Isn’t the sky lovely tonight, Hiccup? It’s like you can see the whole Milky Way tonight.”

“It’s beautiful,” Hecate said, pulling her eyes away from Pippa to look up at the sky. “This is lovely. Thank you.”

“Thank you for coming tonight. I promise you’ll have a good time.”

Hecate doubted that. Even in the best of times, parties were not to her liking… but for Pippa she would try. “I’m sure I will.”

Pippa smiled reassuringly. “Would you like some hot cocoa? I got the dark kind that you like with the cinnamon and the hint of cayenne.” She reached into a basket on the floor of the carriage and pulled out two travel-mugs of cocoa. Hecate accepted gratefully.

“You remembered,” Hecate sighed, warming before she’d even taken a sip of the cocoa. One thing she had to admit about Pippa, she remembered details like that. To be honest, Hecate seldom drank cocoa at all anymore, but she’d always loved that particular mix. Pippa had returned to Amulet’s with it after a winter break had taken the Pentangles to Mexico. She’d given Hecate a canister of it every Christmas after, until there weren’t any Christmases after. Hecate hadn’t been able to buy it for herself.

“How could I forget? It’s just like you… dark and spicy…”

“And a little bit bitter?” Hecate said, drily.

Bright laughter bubbled up from Pippa at that. “Just the perfect amount, Hiccup – like good coffee and dark chocolate.” She bumped her with her shoulder. “You always made me laugh more than anyone else.”

Hecate relaxed into the carriage seat. She loved hearing Pippa laugh. Pippa had never laughed at her expense, even when they were girls and she was laughing at something Hecate had said or done. She never laughed at her. And Pippa had always laughed at herself more than anyone else. “You too, Pip. No one has ever made me laugh quite like you did.” It was true, too. She could play with Ada and be silly and Dimity… well, Dimity was amusing in her own way, but Hecate had never found the ability to just let go with anyone else in quite the same way. She wondered if that was still true or if their separation had stolen that as well.

Pippa leaned a bit heavier into her. “You’ve gone into your head, I think, Hecate. Flying after happy memories, I hope?”

“Memories of us from a long time ago,” she said, sadly. “I’m feeling the gap, I suppose.”

Nodding, Pippa hooked her arm through Hecate’s under the blanket. “It creeps up every now and again, doesn’t it, like a familiar chasing down its shadow? When that happens to me, I just focus on my very favorite memory of us until it goes away.”

Hecate turned away, watching the bright lights of the village as they rolled past. “Favorite memory? I don’t…” She started to say she didn’t have one, but that was a lie. One memory shined brighter than all the rest – the first day they’d done their broomstick waterskiing routine perfectly. They’d been so excited, Pippa had flung her arms around Hecate and spun them around until they collapsed onto the grass, laughing and hugging. Pippa had even planted a loud, sloppy kiss on her cheek. “The first time we made it through the routine.”

“That’s mine, too.” Pippa pressed tighter against her before settling back. “At least, it used to be.” She felt Hecate stiffen so she added quickly, “Now I think my favorite memory of us hasn’t happened yet.” Hecate loosened, her posture relaxing into the curve of the seat.

They rode the rest of the way in companionable silence, simply enjoying the scenery and the company. As they finally approached Pentangle’s, Hecate could hear the roar of the party blaring from the roof. Her lips pressed together in something she hoped would pass for a smile – or at least something Pippa would pretend was a smile. The driver hopped down from the carriage with practiced grace, hurrying over to assist Hecate and Pippa as they climbed down more cautiously.

Pippa grimaced as she landed on the frozen ground.

“Ankle?” Hecate leaned down to fuss, but Pippa shooed her away.

“It just twinged a bit - wasn’t careful.” She handed Hecate some carrots from her pocket. “Go thank the fellows who did all the work tonight while I settle up, would you?”

Hecate took the carrots and moved around to greet the horses. The first one she came to was a beautiful chestnut with the name ‘Hammurabi’ stamped into his leather horse collar. “Thank you, Hammurabi, for conveying us to our destination.” She held a carrot in her open palm, rubbing the horse’s velvety nose as he nibbled the vegetable and lipped at her hand. “I’m a bit of a fan of Codes as well, you know. Too big, some would say.”

Once he’d finished the carrot, she moved over to the other horse, another chestnut, this one with a white blaze down his forehead. “There’s a handsome boy,” she said, holding out another carrot. Hecate checked the name. “Oh! I beg your pardon, Lady Evangeline! Aren’t I a silly witch?” She rubbed the blaze on Evangeline’s forehead, talking softly to her, and then again to Hammurabi when the big steed nudged her with his nose.

She looked up to find Pippa watching her intently, a small smile on her lips and something unreadable in her eyes. She gave the horses one last rub and joined Pippa on the walkway; by unspoken agreement they watched the carriage until it disappeared around the bend. As soon as it was out of sight, Pippa transferred their belongings to her quarters.

“Shall we head to our party, darling?” Pippa asked, holding out an elbow. “I’ll transfer us right up.”

Hecate would have loved to stay right where she was – or to have stayed in the carriage for that matter, but she squared her shoulders and nodded her head. Pippa snapped her fingers, and they disappeared.

Bracing herself for the noise, Hecate was surprised when they appeared in the blissful quiet of Pippa’s living room. “I don’t…”

“This is our New Year’s Eve, Hiccup. I wouldn’t subject you to the Bacchanalia that’s going on up there.” She snapped her fingers and waved her hands. A mini-buffet table appeared next to the sofa, filled with crudités of all sorts as well as a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The chessboard sat ready as did a handful of other games and a movie or two. “I’ll have to make an appearance, and I’d love for you to join me, but I intend for us to celebrate down here. No one up there will even know I’m not there.”

“Y-You did this for me?” Hecate breathed, looking around in amazement.

“I did this for us, Hiccup. It’s a new year and a new start. I wanted it to be something we would both enjoy. Now…” she pointed to the chessboard and arched one eyebrow. “It’s my last opportunity this year to try and even up the score. Let’s play.”

#ww2018winterfluffevent #hicsqueak #hecate hardbroom #pippa pentangle

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joeandtaylorfanfiction · 6 years ago

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Lessons (AU) | Submitted Anonymously

Chapter two: “Oh wow! Now that's unfortunate”

“Let’s go, let’s go guys!” Elizabeth could hear her husband Richard and their only granddaughter giggling away across the hall in the living room. They had picked Poppy up from school so they could help her get ready for the Christmas Concert. She was dressed in a white sweater with red dungarees and candy cane patterned tights. Her long blonde hair had been put into two pig tails and a small bow was placed on her head.

Christmas was the Alwyn’s favourite holiday so going all out was not an option, it was a necessity. The Christmas tree along with outdoor lights and a singing Santa had been up in Elizabeth and Richard’s house since late November. Elizabeth had begun buying presents for their children and relatives in September and she was so happy everyone was finally getting into the Christmas spirit.

“Nana, is it time to go?”

Elizabeth nodded at the five-year-old holding out her red Matilda Jane’s. Poppy quickly placed them on the floor, slipping her feet into them and doing up the buckle. She let out an excited little squeal before following her grandparents out the front door.

By the time, Richard had driven to and parked at the school Poppy had peacefully fallen asleep in the back seat of the car. Elizabeth brushed her granddaughter’s hair from her face and gently tried to wake her. Poppy stirred a little before letting out a whine about wanting her Dad.

“It’s Nannie, Pop” Elizabeth picked her up, holding her head in the crook of her neck trying to shield her as best she could from the rain that had decided to start falling. She could feel Poppy beginning to cry feeling disoriented and wanting her Father.

“I want Daddy” she mumbled into her Nana’s shoulder. Elizabeth held her tightly trying to open the door to school building before Richard managed to catch up and help her. They walked down the hallway towards Poppy’s classroom. Elizabeth could tell Poppy would not want to let go. Missing her Father was something Poppy really struggled with, they had such a close bond and now Joe had been working more often it has been difficult to adjust. Of course, she loved spending time with her grandparents and Abbie but nothing was stronger than her and Joe’s bond. She was completely and utterly a Daddy’s girl.

The three of them were the first to reach the bright yellow and bumblebee painted door with Poppy still softly sobbing into Elizabeth’s coat. She began to place the little girl softly on her feet but Poppy started to cry even harder, stomping and throwing her arms around in frustration. Elizabeth wasn’t used to seeing this side of Poppy, she was normally very well behaved however clearly she was tired and ready for the end of the school term.

“Hey Poppy, do you want to come in with me?” Miss Swift appeared from the hallway behind Elizabeth, “You’re the first one here!” she continued. Poppy nodded shyly with a sniff trying to get rid of her tears. Elizabeth pat her head gently before waving goodbye and walking towards the performance hall.

“You know, being the first one here is super awesome” Taylor walked towards her desk “it means you get to pick the best colouring page and find all the good pencils!” She continued enthusiastically trying to make Poppy feel better. The little girl smiled slightly before her face fell back to a frown.

“Come here” Taylor pat her lap motioning for Poppy to come sit with her. She knew this wasn’t the most professional thing to do but her heart couldn’t help but ache for the sweet little girl. As a child Taylor herself had a workaholic Father, he was still very present but just once she wished he could’ve come to her plays or piano recitals. She picked Poppy up placing her in her lap, Taylor pulled out the colouring pens from her bag and they both started to colour in the Santa.

“What are you going to ask Santa for this year Poppy?” The teacher asked.

“I think I just want a new Barbie doll and maybe a new soccer ball, I think Daddy will like playing with me. And I need some new nail paint so I can paint Daddy’s nails when he is asleep” Poppy giggled to herself and Taylor smiled at the thought. She was hoping to get Poppy’s mind off her Father but clearly he was her everything.

“What do you want Santa to bring you Miss Swift?” The little girl stopped colouring.

“I haven’t asked Santa for anything yet this year, I am just very excited I get to go and see my family” Poppy looked confused. “My family live far away in a different country, I don’t get to see my Mummy and Daddy very often.”

“I don’t have- DADDY!!” The little girl couldn’t finish before she burst with excitement. She jumped off the teachers lap and ran into her Dad’s arms.

Joe had been so excited all day, he couldn’t wait to see the look of surprise on his little girls face when he turned up to the concert. He hated not being with her, but his job meant he could give Poppy the best possible life and that was something he always wanted. He had managed to pry himself away from his desk before five o’clock which was very impressive and then have his driver race across London so he could be at the school by six. Turned out he was actually early for one of the first times in his life but his Mum had told him Poppy was incredibly upset so he had decided to come and surprise her in the classroom.

“Hey Pop!” Joe picked the little girl up and twirled her around slightly. She threw her head back giggling.

“I didn’t know you were coming Daddy!”

“I thought it would be a surprise. Is it a good one?” He kissed his daughters head gently.

“Yes!” The little girl squealed squeezing her Dad’s cheeks in excitement. “Of course!” She continued pushing his cheeks together before giving him a quick kiss back.

“Look, Miss Swift and I were colouring.” She pointed in the teachers direction. “I thought Santa would be cold so I made him blue.” Joe let the little girl carefully to the floor, and she tugged his hand towards the desk showing him her colouring before sitting back on her teachers lap.

Taylor looked up almost immediately when she realised Joe was walking towards her. He was wearing a suit again. It was slightly different to the one worn the previous evening, and this time he wore a Christmas themed tie.

“Hey, Taylor right?” She hadn’t realised she’d been staring for so long until he held out his hand to shake hers.

“Taylor? Who’s Taylor?” She heard Poppy say which made her chuckle a little before answering.

“Yes, it’s Taylor. Joe?” Taylor of course remembered his name, how could she forget. Not only was he one of the most attractive people she’d ever seen, she also was a teacher so was trained from day one to remember names and faces. That helped a lot.

“Yes” he nodded.

“Cool”

“Cool” Joe almost whispered back.

They were surrounded by an awkward silence until another child came bursting through the door. Both adults whipped their heads around, Joe quickly grabbing the door before it smashed against the wall.

“Olivia!” Poppy yelled startling Taylor a little.

“I guess that’s my cue” Joe laughed.

“Yeah, well, hope you enjoy the show” she waved as he walked back through the door and down to the performance hall.

“We want to welcome our littlest and last performers from Miss Swift’s class to the stage” the announcer took to the stage to introduce the kids. The group of twenty-four and five-year olds following behind getting into their correct positions. Taylor helping place them and handing them their props that had been made for the special day.

Joe’s eyes kept flicking between his daughter and Taylor, she was wearing red pants with a red and white striped blouse. Very candy cane. She looked absolutely beautiful though, in-fact she looked more than beautiful. Joe decided in that moment he definitely needed to ask her to dinner. He knew it may be inappropriate, although he wasn’t sure, he just knew he had to ask, to try.

He felt bad for staring but just couldn’t quite take his eyes off her and she could feel it, his piercing eyes on her as she couldn’t help but turn to smile.

“She’s very lovely” his Mother interrupted his train of thoughts. “Ask her, I think she would say yes” Elizabeth continued.

Joe stared back, bewildered. Only his Mother could know exactly what he was thinking. She smiled at him before turning her attention back to the stage.

As he turned back he saw Taylor had made her way to the corner of the room and was sat at the piano. The announcer counted them in and she began to play the intro to ‘When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney’. Poppy stood front and centre on the stage, belting her heart out. Her eyes connected with Joe’s and suddenly she couldn’t stop herself from waving, she was absolutely beaming with excitement. He couldn’t be more proud, although she was growing too fast he loved her ‘big girl’ personality.

The kids sang three other songs, all accompanied by Taylor on the piano. The best had to be ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, it included twenty young children all trying to remember hand actions to go along with the beat and completely failing. It was so sweet yet so hilarious, the parents couldn’t help but laugh to themselves.

“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, did you like it? Did I do good?” Poppy ran from the stage and leapt into her Father’s arms. He pulled her tightly, kissing the top of her head multiple times.

“Of course you did pumpkin, you sounded like an angel!” Joe held her in his arms and placed a big kiss on her cheek. He’d never made it to one of these concerts or shows even the ones from preschool, but seeing how happy it made her, he decided her would really try to make it to everything.

“Miss Sw-Taylor!” The little girl smiled at the blonde tried to walk past.

“Hello Miss Poppy, you did awesome” Taylor high-fived the little girl who was still being held in her Father’s arms.

“Hey…” Joe butted in before quickly racking his brain to fill the awkward silence he had caused. “So I never actually thanked you, for earlier, for cheering her up, so I just wanted to say thank you.” Joe paused for a moment “And I really want to repay you so Poppy and I are going for a treat to the bakery. If you don’t have anything else planned we would love it if you could join us.”

“Oh um, ok.” Taylor paused “that’ll be nice, thank you!” she smiled at him ”I will be a little while though. I need to help clean up and grab my things.”

“We can help” Joe said placing Poppy to the ground before waving goodbye to his parents and beginning to fold up the chairs.

Poppy sat quietly on the edge of the stage whilst the adults cleaned up. The two of them along with a few other members of staff had to stack the one hundred or so chairs, place the kids benches back along the wall and deal with all the props that had been used during show. These including confetti and glitter which just so happen to be two of the worst things to clean up.

“I think using glitter is the biggest mistake I’ve ever had” Taylor chuckled to herself. When working with five-year olds, everything is a possibility for disaster.

“I have to say, I can’t disagree” Joe said grabbing the broom to sweep the floor, ”it’s fun at the time but the clean-up is hellish” he continued ”kids will be finding this stuff on the floor for weeks.”

“Daddy! Look at my Valentines cards I made with Nana!” A three-year old Poppy squealed with excitement, running into her Father’s office. He was in the middle of an email as she jumped into his lap grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh it’s beautiful love, and that glitter” Joe paused looking up at his Mother who was stood at the door frame ”will definitely not be stuck to every surface of the house for the next four years!”

“Will you be my Valentine Daddy?” The little girl turned to look at him, her big blue eyes staring straight at his.

“Of course silly! I will always be your Valentine”

“So what would you two ladies like to eat?” Joe grinned as he held open the door for Taylor after the ten minute car ride across town.

The little North London bakery had been Joe’s favourite since he was a child. His Grandmother used to bring him and his brothers there. The owners were like family to him and now Poppy too. It’s the pairs favourite weekend spot for hot chocolate and treats. They had gorgeous cakes and great coffee’s, the interior was old school yet chic. They used fancy cups and saucers with stunning intricate designs.

“I’m not a lady, I’m a Poppy” the little girl said seriously whilst Joe lifted her down from his shoulders.

After a few minutes of decision-making, the trio ended up with one giant chocolate chip cookie for Poppy, a blueberry muffin for Taylor and a chocolate muffin for Joe. They found a table by the window and began chatting whilst watching the evening rush of cars go past. Their comfortable silence occasionally broken by Poppy mumbling about how good her cookie was.

“So Miss Taylor” Joe grinned making fun of what his daughter had said earlier. “How did you come to be the best Kindergarten teacher in London?” She chuckled in response. “Seriously, this kid doesn’t shut up about you!” He pointed at Poppy who was sat next to him very focused on her giant cookie.

“Well, I grew up on a farm in upstate New York actually. My Father worked on Wall Street so I never really spent that much time with him other than dinner and an hour or so before bed. My Mother looked after my brother and I along with all our animals. My Mother always says I had a caring nature even with the animals, but I began tutoring elementary and middle school kids when I was in high school and really loved it. Then whilst I was studying for my degree in teaching I got the opportunity of a transfer to London and I took it. It was great because I got to get away from everyone and everything I knew and just be a new person almost. With some help from savings and the teaching job, my friend and I now rent a little place in Ealing so I just jump on the tube every day at 7am and then ride it back again in the evening.” Taylor paused and took a bite of her muffin. “What about you Mr Joseph? What do you do that makes you fancy enough to have your own chauffeur?”

By the time Joe had finished telling her all about his company and how Poppy came to be (very delicately due to her presence at the table), all three of them had finished their treats and Poppy was half asleep in her chair. Tired from the busy day at school and the performance.

“I think your little miss is falling asleep” Taylor laughed and pointed towards the little girl whose eyes were desperately trying to stay open fighting the sleep. “And I need to get home because I teach piano at the school on Saturday mornings!”

“Oh” Joe didn’t really want her to leave, but her couldn’t think of a reason for her to stay any longer. “We’ll drive you back” he gestured towards the door.

“No it’s ok, you get her to bed” Taylor began to shove her things in her bag that was also filled with sheet music from the performance, packets of glitter from the props and various other Christmas themed items.

“I wouldn’t want anything to hap-”

“Joe I get the underground home every night, I will be fine” she knew he was just trying to be nice and he was very sweet but this entire situation was slightly inappropriate. She didn’t know what she was thinking earlier. She was pretty sure as a teacher she was not supposed to spend time with her students Father’s outside of school.

“Do you know, you getting the tube home is actually really handy for me?”

“Oh really?” Taylor raised her eyebrows.

“It just means that I get to ask for your phone number so I can check that you get home safely.” There was a sudden wave of confidence and Joe had no idea what he was saying, but the words were just coming out of his mouth.

“And what if I say no?” She was intrigued by him, the last two minutes of conversation had completely switched his personality. He was being cheeky and she couldn’t help but throw it right back at him.

“Then that would suck because I can’t think of another way to get your number and I definitely need it for when I want to ask you to dinner next week.”

“Oh wow! Now that’s unfortunate” she poked her tongue out at him playfully. “Anyway Joseph I have to get going, I don’t want to wake up late tomor-“ she got up from their table and walked towards the door.

“Wait what about-“

“I’ll see you later Joe” She quickly walked out the door knowing that if she didn’t, she would cave. He was very sweet and he wasn’t bad to look at either but he was her students Father. The whole tube ride back to Ealing had her heart and brain fighting, her mind was swirling, her heart said yes but her brain just kept telling her how ridiculous it was.

When she walked in the door, her roommate Lucy was sat on the sofa in her pyjamas watching the latest episode of a show they’d been bingeing together on Netflix.

“I started watching it without you because you took too long, where the fuck have you been?” She yelled into the kitchen where Taylor was putting down her stuff on the counter.

Their place was only small, a little squishy for the two of them but they made it work. Ironically neither of them actually spent much time in the flat apart from in the evenings, and Taylor more so on the weekends. Lucy was a teacher too, she was a few years older than Taylor and taught in the local primary school a five-minute walk away. It was crazy to Taylor how different the mainstream and prep schools were, they would often compare their schedules and Taylor felt like she was constantly at that school doing something or other. She wouldn’t change it for the world though. Her job was her favourite thing.

“What took you so long?” Lucy said walking into the kitchen to put the empty bowl from her popcorn in the sink.

“You know the really cute Dad I was telling you about who I’d never seen before until yesterday?” the friend nodded “well his daughter was upset and I was looking after her and after the performance he asked if I wanted to go get a cake with them after as a thank you. And I said ok-“ Lucy squealed with excitement. “So we went out and we were talking and he was very sweet and then I realised that I was being so stupid because Lucy this is my students Father! So when he asked me for my number I had to say no-“

“You said no? Are you crazy? You didn’t shut up about this guy yesterday!”

“I know, I know but you’re telling me that you don’t think it’s inappropriate?” She questioned.

“Oh it is weird but I don’t know the rules at your ‘kids with trust funds’ school.” Taylor laughed, “besides you’ll only be the kids teacher for one year, it’s not like she’s going to stay in Kindergarten forever. There’s only six months of it left now!” Lucy grinned poking her in the shoulder.

“You’re no help whatsoever” Taylor huffed and rolled her eyes.

“Well you’re welcome anyway” she grinned cheekily. “I’m going to bed and you should too because you have to be back at that school at an ungodly hour for a Saturday morning.” The brunette walked up the stairs leaving Taylor alone with her thoughts. Part of her now wished she had have given him her number, maybe they’d be texting right now rather than her just thinking about texting him.

#taylor and joe fanfiction #Taylor swift + Joe alwyn #Taylor and Joe fanfic #taylor swift fanfiction #lessons #au #series #family #dad joe #teacher taylor

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actuallylorelaigilmore · 6 years ago

Text

the word is out about the town, to lift a glass and don't look down

Christmas fluff!! During "Silent Night, Deadly Night," Alice runs into FP at the Whyte Wyrm. Afterwards, they each receive an unexpected gift.

FP x Alice, Riverdale. Also on AO3.

He’s paused at the bar, talking to the Serpent that helps out when Hog Eye’s off for the night. Topaz, he thinks, her eyes the golden color of gemstones. He doesn’t know her that well; the kids who join keep getting younger and younger. But she’s taken Jug under her wing and FP is grateful for that.

“Can I get you anything?” She looks up from wiping down the bar, and he shakes his head.

“No, thanks.”

He hears her all the way from the other side of the Whyte Wyrm. It’s like the sound of her cuts through the static of the crowd between where he stands and where Alice Cooper is, dressed like somebody who got lost on her way home from the PTA.

“I gotta…” FP leaves his sentence unfinished, missing the knowing smirk on Toni’s face as he’s drawn to the drop-off spot for holiday donations.

She looked so different the last time she was here--or she looked the same, and the way she’s dressed now is really what counts as different. He can’t tell anymore, with Alice, which is the real her and which was a lie. But she looked great at his retirement party.

Now she’s buttoned back up and carrying two big gift bags in green and red.

What’s the classic line? He steps closer. Of all the bars in this town, here she is in his? Something like that. He’d be able to recite it word-for-word if he wasn’t already catching a hint of her perfume.

“Alice Cooper.” He enjoys the way she whips around, startled by him despite being on his turf. Serves her right.

“FP. How are you?”

Strange thing is, she sounds like she means it. It occurs to him that the last time he saw her, he was throwing his second chance away. No wonder she's wary.

“I’m fine. Snakes don’t stay down for long.”

Alice rolls her eyes. She was a Serpent too, but it was FP who became so enamored with snake imagery that he started confusing the gang insignia with the creature itself. What a silly quirk to have survived the years between them.

“What are you doing here?”

“Toys for Tots.” She lifts the bags and shakes them a little. “Toys.”

“Ah.” It’s not much of an explanation. He's certain the Northside has toy drives of its own, along with school supply collections and fundraisers she could donate to. Why here?

“I felt like...doing something,” she says when he keeps staring. “Giving back. I remembered we always did this. Decided to see if it was still happening, and here you are.”

“Here I am.”

And here you are, he thinks, dragging his eyes away from hers long enough to scan her thin pink blouse and skirt under a heavy winter coat. “Come with me. Oh, give those to Sweet Pea,” he adds as an afterthought.

“What? Where are we--” They are almost to the bar, his hand on the small of her back, before she relaxes.

“What’s your poison?”

“I still have to make dinner,” she says with a hint of sigh in her voice. “I’ll just have some wine.”

“The wine here sucks,” Toni tells her firmly. “Nobody drinks it, so they won’t let me bring in better. Please, if you care about your tastebuds, order anything else.”

“Okay…”

FP leans in. “She’ll have two shots of strawberry vodka with a chaser of that lemonade you fixed up fresh this afternoon.”

“Gotcha. Be right back.”

“I can’t believe you remember that.” Alice stares at him.

“There’s a lot I remember.” He takes the liberty of tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. She's in his den, after all. Normal rules feel suspended here. “Why Toys for Tots, huh? We do it every Christmas. I’ve never seen you.”

“I have my reasons. And we have the money.” She shrugs. “Why not?”

“Until my party, you hadn’t set foot here since...before you got married. Is this gonna become a habit? Not complaining,” he adds. “Just wondering.”

“That was a one-time occurrence. I don't exactly belong here anymore. But, ‘tis the season.”

She pokes his chest with a perfectly manicured nail. “Where’s your holiday spirit, FP? You should be happy.”

“About what? I hate the holidays.”

“I know you used to. You’re a father now. You’re no longer that kid whose dad refused to put up a tree."

“Yeah, I know. I try to make it special for Jug. I do. But he’s growing up--he doesn’t want Santa stories and snow angels anymore.”

“Some traditions we grow out of,” Alice agrees, with a parent’s sorrow. “But some grow along with us. Don’t stop trying, FP. Your kids will always be your kids, if you let them.”

“Wow, somebody’s philosophical.”

“No, somebody’s impatient. Where’s my drink?” Alice turns away from him, drumming her fingers on the bar until she spots Toni.

“Sorry, Tall Boy wouldn’t wait his turn. You know how he gets,” she tells FP. “Here’s your shots and chasers.”

Alice narrows her eyes when the girl sets down the shot glasses and only gives one to her. The other is in front of FP. Wasn’t he done drinking?

“I never said I would share,” she protests, reaching across him to grab it.

“It’s a free drink, Alice. Stop complaining.” FP tosses his back, following it with the chaser. Alice smiles at the way his mouth twists around the tartness of the lemonade.

“I don’t know how you can stand that berry stuff,” he says as Alice drinks hers in half the time. She pats her mouth with the napkin in front of her and grins.

“It’s disgusting.”

FP’s laugh fills the space between them. It does more to warm her than the liquor.

“Hey, I didn’t order it! You did.”

“Because it used to be your favorite.”

“I also used to watch The Breakfast Club every week for a year. I was a dumb kid.”

“You were never dumb. But wow, you had crap taste.”

“In alcohol, yes. I’m happy to say my tastes have matured.”

“Also in music,” he argues. “That song you played about a hundred times. You wore out the tape deck in your old car. What was it called again?”

“'Hungry Eyes?' It was in Dirty Dancing! FP Jones, that is a classic song.”

“That song drives me nuts. I still know all the words, and not by choice.”

“I’ll never understand how you could live in that trailer and be such a snob.”

“Well, you grew up in the ugliest house on the block, and look at you.”

She glares at him. “I can still punch you without breaking a nail, you know.”

“Meant it as a compliment, Alice. You’re gorgeous, always have been. Questionable taste, in music and movies and alcohol. In people. But too pretty for words.”

“You certainly seem to have plenty tonight.”

“Vodka went to my head.”

Her lips quirk. “You’re not that much of a lightweight. But we’ll pretend I believe you. I have to go, FP. Thanks for the terrible drink on the house. Good luck on the toy drive.”

“Stay warm,” he says, the closest he can get to goodbye. That almost felt like old times. They’ve never looked more different, but something was the same. Something is still there.

“Hey, Toni.”

“You want another?”

“God, no. The woman you fixed the shot for just now?”

“Yeah, Betty’s mom.”

He glances at her, surprised.

“I used to read the Register. She’s not exactly low-key.”

“Right. I wonder...does she look like the type who might have a record player?”

“I don’t know.” She thinks it over. “I mean, her husband owns a newspaper. She might’ve gone digital. But if she does have one, I’m guessing it’s quality.”

She could have questioned him in return, about Mrs. Cooper or his sudden interest in vinyl. Toni was curious about all the undercurrents that ran through the Southside and Northside High and everywhere in between, but she didn’t ask about them. She learned more by listening and letting others do what most people did naturally: tell strangers all their secrets.

FP grabs his coat and pauses by the Meals on Wheel section to make sure the arrangements are coming together. “I’ll be back soon,” he tells Tall Boy on his way out. His bike takes him to Greendale and back with no problems--an unnecessary precaution, probably. It's not like he's doing anything wrong.

But Riverdale is full of nosy idiots.

****

Alice hears the doorbell ring, and waits for Betty’s footfalls on the stairs as she brushes flour off her hands. Eventually she sighs and goes to answer the door herself. She’s busy in the kitchen; couldn’t Elizabeth have at least come downstairs?

There are carolers on her doorstep, one of the traditions she loves about Riverdale that she had no idea existed outside of Christmas movies until she joined Hal on the Northside.

The Riverdale Children’s Choir sings a spirited, if slightly off-key, “Carol of the Bells.” After that, it’s “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and then “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” By the end, her lonely mood has perked up a bit. The group of kids and parents moves to the next door.

Maybe they’d like some of the cookies she’s been making all day, Alice thinks, before a glint at the edge of her porch catches her eye.

The flat package is wrapped in metallic gold and crinkles when she picks it up. For Alice is all the tag says. If her memory hasn’t failed her, though, she knows that handwriting.

What would he be doing getting her a gift?

She closes the front door, tiny carolers forgotten, and sits heavily on her couch. Betty is doing who knows what in her room; Hal is out. No time like the present...for a present, Alice decides.

Even as a child, she was a fastidious unwrapper. Gifts were so rare in her house, so precious, that she relished them. She hung on to the paper for years, turning it into something new or laying it flat in a box, tucked away in wait for a life where she could take such things for granted.

She wants for nothing now, but the box has only gotten bigger, and the treasure trove of glittering bows and ribbons and glossy paper offers her the holiday spirit year-round.

On really bad days, Alice dives into that box, running her fingers over the twirled ribbons and remembering where each piece of carefully preserved wrapping came from.

FP was there for a lot of that--for the worst of it. There’s no way his choice of paper isn’t deliberate. He brought her shimmering gold, the color he always told her looked best on her. Though her world has been falling apart for months, that makes her smile.

Pressing the tape against the white side of the paper as she goes along, Alice painstakingly peels back the gold until she can see what’s inside.

A laugh bursts out of her, and she rushes to cover her mouth like she can take it back. There is no sane way to explain this gift to Betty...the circumstances, or receiving it at all. But it's perfect.

Untying her apron and leaving it on the couch, Alice takes her surprise to Hal’s study. He shouldn’t be home for hours. And since she no longer really owns records, it’s where they keep his father’s player.

Not that Hal listens to them much, either. He likes the idea of being the kind of man who does. Status and how things look matter more to him than the truth; despite her choice to marry him, they are nothing alike in that way.

Alice slides the shrink-wrapped vinyl out of the gold paper, and sets it down on Hal’s desk. She runs her fingertips along the cover of the LP. There’s Johnny, and there’s Baby. She’d been such a romantic back then, in a desperate secret way she showed only to the first boy who loved her back. How many times had she made FP watch Dirty Dancing?

It had to be at least a dozen, the poor guy. And he wasn’t wrong, she’d played this song in her car over and over, until the tape snapped inside the cassette.

It was playing when they got lost in the rain during what was supposed to be a romantic picnic. It was playing when he quirked that smile of his and ran his hand up under her shirt the first time, when they steamed up the backseat.

FP even played it once, when she found out she might not graduate because of her arrest and they would be putting her on community service on the Northside to expose her to more ‘positive influences’--like the Northside wasn't full of pompous jerks who bullied her friends.

She couldn’t stop crying, her face buried in his jacket while they sat in the cab of his dad’s truck...and then "Hungry Eyes" started playing.

“I bought a copy,” FP told her, kissing her damp cheeks. “In case of emergency. Close your eyes, Al. It’s gonna be okay.”

It wouldn’t be okay, in actuality. Everything was about to change--but neither of them knew that at the time. Her lashes dried, his varsity jacket left the imprint of an R on her cheek, and she laced her fingers through his. She let her favorite song and her boyfriend's warmth make it disappear for a while.

Now, Alice puts the record on. She closes her eyes and curls up on the small sofa in the corner, feet tucked underneath her, clad in fuzzy socks. The music washes it all away.

It’s 1992. She’s splitting her time between school and the local biker bar, because her home isn’t safe or happy. But she has FP. That matters more than everything else.

Her relationship is a little like her favorite movie, when she thinks about it. He’s a roughneck like Johnny, with a soft side. She’s never fit in her family, like Baby. And FP isn’t really the school dance type, but he likes to put the radio on in his trailer when they’re alone and slow dance with her on the frayed carpet.

She spends the next hour locked in her husband’s study, the record taking her back to a life before there were Black Hoods and teenage pregnancies and broken hearts. She’s just a girl who loves a boy, and he’s murmuring along to her favorite song.

Alice hopes he likes his surprise as much as she likes hers.

****

“Hey,” FP calls out to Hog Eye behind the bar as he surveys the donations table. “I thought the sorting was done.”

“It is. Everyone got the toys and meals packed up and ready for distribution, all of it. Finished this morning.”

“Then what’s this?”

FP waves a box in the air. It's wrapped in forest green paper with little white trees. Hog Eye shrugs and goes back to tending bar.

“Sweet Pea found it with the donations. Apparently it’s for you.”

“Huh.”

He turns it over and spies the card tucked under a silver bow. Typed out instead of handwritten, it reads, Merry Christmas, FP. From your Secret Santa.

The Serpents don’t do Secret Santa. Their money goes to holiday donations and taking care of their members the rest of the year. Plus it’s such a spoiled rich sort of idea, buying gifts for someone and not even signing your name.

Which is exactly what he did, leaving that surprise for Alice, he reminds himself. So maybe he should just open the thing.

It takes him three seconds to remove the paper. He’s never been the patient type when he gets presents; if it could get taken away any minute, you better enjoy it while you can.

Wrong Men & Notorious Women: A Criterion Collection, the cover says in black and white. Apparently Santa thinks he needs to own more old movies. Who…

He remembers the way Alice’s eyes flashed at him across her dinner table last year and smiles. Before she went for the jugular on Homecoming night, she seemed surprised to learn he still loved movies. She looked, for just a second, like she’d seen a ghost.

The ghost of Christmas Past, FP thinks, turning the DVD set over in his hands. It’s Hitchcock. Got some good stuff. Not that he’d expect anything less from Alice Cooper.

As thank yous go, it’s a good one.

Then he freezes, still holding his gift.

“Boss?”

“Yeah, Hog Eye?”

“Need a drink? You look strange.”

“I’m fine, Hog. Thanks.”

If Sweet Pea found this mixed in with the donations, then she brought it that night. She brought it before he left hers on her porch.

FP isn’t sure what that means, but he knows it means something.

He used to speak the language of Alice fluently; now he can only guess that this is much an apology as a surprise.

Trying to tear him to shreds in front of his son and her husband and daughter? Pure Alice Cooper. No hesitation, no mercy.

Giving him movies for Christmas, when he mentioned being a movie buff right before their pleasant dinner went off the rails? When she hadn’t given him anything in the twenty Christmases before?

That was vintage Alice Smith. The girl he knew would pull stunts like this, flipping from angry to apologetic, from demands to tears.

He could never quite keep up, but he had loved the ride.

The reckless part of FP that always wanted another five drinks considered giving her a call. He could pick up the phone, thank her for the movies, extend an invitation to watch one in case she was ever bored and lonely.

He knows damn well it wouldn’t end there, if it started. There’s no version of that phone call that ends good.

“I’m goin’ home,” he tells everyone and no one in the Whyte Wyrm, and he tucks the box set inside his jacket for safekeeping.

Jughead’s pissed at him for taking the Serpents back, but maybe he can get his sullen kid to watch The Lady Vanishes with him tonight. Wasn’t that Alice’s advice, to keep trying?

'Tis the season, FP thinks with a grin as snow hits him on his way out the door.

If he’s ever going to catch a break...or a miracle...it might as well be on Christmas Eve.

#falice #riverdale #fp x alice #alice x fp #snakeparents #riverdale fic #riverdale fanfic #riverdale fanfiction #falice fic #falice fanfic #falice fanfiction #alice x fp fic #alice x fp fanfic #fp x alice fic #fp x alice fanfic #my fic

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